MICP mediated by indigenous bacteria isolated from tailings for biocementation for reduction of wind erosion.

In this study, native ureolytic bacteria were isolated from copper tailings soils to perform microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) tests and evaluate their potential for biocement formation and their contribution to reduce the dispersion of particulate matter into the environment from tailings containing potentially toxic elements. It was possible to isolate a total of 46 bacteria; among them only three showed ureolytic activity: Priestia megaterium T130-1, Paenibacillus sp. T130-13 and Staphylococcus sp. T130-14. Biocement cores were made by mixing tailings with the isolated bacteria in presence of urea, resulting similar to those obtained with Sporosarcina pasteurii and Bacillus subtilis used as positive control. Indeed, XRD analysis conducted on biocement showed the presence of microcline (B. subtilis 17%; P. megaterium 11. 9%), clinochlore (S. pasteurii, 6.9%) and magnesiumhornblende (Paenibacillus sp. 17.8%; P. megaterium 14.6%); all these compounds were not initially present in the tailings soils. Moreover the presence of calcite (control 0.828%; Paenibacillus sp. 5.4%) and hematite (control 0.989%; B. subtilis 6.4%) was also significant unlike the untreated control. The development of biofilms containing abundant amount of Ca, C, and O on microscopic soil particles was evidenced by means of FE-SEM-EDX and XRD. Wind tunnel tests were carried out to investigate the resistance of biocement samples, accounted for a mass loss five holds lower than the control, i.e., the rate of wind erosion in the control corresponded to 82 g/m2h while for the biocement treated with Paenibacillus sp. it corresponded to only 16.371 g/m2h. Finally, in compression tests, the biocement samples prepared with P. megaterium (28.578 psi) and Paenibacillus sp. (28.404 psi) showed values similar to those obtained with S. pasteurii (27.102 psi), but significantly higher if compared to the control (15.427 psi), thus improving the compression resistance capacity of the samples by 85.2% and 84.1% with respect to the control. According to the results obtained, the biocement samples generated with the native strains showed improvements in the mechanical properties of the soil supporting them as potential candidates in applications for the stabilization of mining liabilities in open environments using bioaugmentation strategies with native strains isolated from the same mine tailing.

High Seroprevalence Against SARS-CoV-2 Among Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Personnel and Students of the University of Alcalá, Spain: Contributing Factors.

PURPOSE: Seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 within university systems is poorly studied, making evidence-based discussions of educational system reopening difficult. Moreover, few studies evaluate how antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are maintained over time. We assessed serological response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus among our university students and staff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, seroprevalence was determined in 705 randomly selected volunteers, members of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Alcalá, using a chemiluminescent Siemens' SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay for total antibodies. Positive samples were tested for IgG and IgM/IgA using VIRCLIA® MONOTEST (Vircell). A first analysis took place during June 2020, and in those testing positive, a determination of secondary outcomes was performed in November 2020. RESULTS: A total of 130 subjects showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (18.5%, 95% CI, 15.8-21.5%). Of these, IgM/IgA was positive in 27 and indeterminate in 19; IgG was positive in 118, indeterminate in 1. After 23 weeks, among 102 volunteers remeasured, IgG became undetectable in 6. Presence of antibodies was associated, in multivariable logistic regression, with exposure to infected patients (31.3%) [OR 1.84, 95% CI, 1.14-2.96; P = 0.012], presence of COVID-19 symptoms (52.4%) [OR 6.88, 95% CI, 4.28-11.06; P < 0.001], and confirmed earlier infection (82.9%) [OR 11.87, 95% CI, 4.26-33.07; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The faculty of medicine and health sciences personnel and students of our university showed a high infection rate for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020 associated with providing clinical care to infected patients. This emphasizes the importance of the performance of continuous surveillance methods of the most exposed health personnel, including health science students.

Response to Static Magnetic Field-Induced Stress in Scenedesmus obliquus and Nannochloropsis gaditana.

Magnetic fields in biological systems is a promising research field; however, their application for microalgae has not been fully exploited. This work aims to measure the enzymatic activity and non-enzymatic activity of two microalgae species in terms of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and carotenoids, respectively, in response to static magnetic fields-induced stress. Two magnet configurations (north and south) and two exposure modes (continuous and pulse) were applied. Two microalgae species were considered, the Scenedesmus obliquus and Nannochloropsis gaditana. The SOD activity increased by up to 60% in S. obliquus under continuous exposure. This trend was also found for CAT in the continuous mode. Conversely, under the pulse mode, its response was hampered as the SOD and CAT were reduced. For N. gaditana, SOD increased by up to 62% with the south configuration under continuous exposure. In terms of CAT, there was a higher activity of up to 19%. Under the pulsed exposure, SOD activity was up to 115%. The CAT in this microalga was increased by up to 29%. For N. gaditana, a significant increase of over 40% in violaxanthin production was obtained compared to the control, when the microalgae were exposed to SMF as a pulse. Depending on the exposure mode and species, this methodology can be used to produce oxidative stress and obtain an inhibitory or enhanced response in addition to the significant increase in the production of antioxidant pigments.

Pathological evidence in Plicopurpura pansa associated with the stranding of a bulk carrier ship during Hurricane "Patricia" in the Mexican Central Pacific.

Due to the effects of Hurricane Patricia (2015), the bulk freighter "El Llanitos" ran aground in the rocky intertidal zone of Colima, Mexico. We assessed the impact of this ship's stranding on a population of the gastropod Plicopurpura pansa. Toxic elements, hydrocarbons, shell deformities, presence of tumors, imposex, and morphological relationships were analyzed. Two years after the stranding occurred, high cyanide concentrations (0.0363 mg/l) and Ni concentrations above permissible limits (3.35 mg/l) were found in surface seawater. Hydrocarbon concentrations were high in the aft zone of the ship and decreased towards the bow area of the freighter. The P. pansa specimens collected closest to the ship structure presented a high prevalence of tumorations in the structure of the foot and morphological anomalies in the shell structure; imposex was 32% and there was evidence of effects on the growth indicator. The evidence presented here supports the existence of a significant impact from the grounding of the ship on a protected gastropod species associated with the rocky intertidal zone on the coast of Colima. The potential of P. pansa as a bioindicator species of pollution caused by toxic elements and hydrocarbons associated with stranding events in the tropical Pacific is documented.

The use of home non-invasive ventilation and the reduction of inhospital mortality of patients with respiratory failure. / Uso de ventilación mecánica no invasiva domiciliaria y reducción de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the relationship between the use of home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and inhospital mortality in people admitted due to exacerbation of their respiratory disease. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with 191 cases of patients attended at the emergency department of the Reina Sofía General University Hospital in Murcia due to ARF of any cause and who required NIV as supportive treatment. RESULTS: Mortality among patients using NIV as routine home treatment was 6.45%, compared to 20.1% among those who did not use it (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: routine domiciliary treatment with NIV has been shown to be a protective factor against inpatient hospital mortality for patients who underwent NIV during their admission, through the emergency department, for acute respiratory failure or acute chronic disease, regardless of the triggering pathology.

[Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rural Area of Guadalajara, Spain]. / Prevalencia de la enfermedad pulmonar obstuctiva crónica en una zona rural de Guadalajara.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] in a rural health area and its stratification according different risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed in Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara, Spain) in the year 2014. A questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, tobacco consumption, age, education level and occupation was used in a randomized, stratified sample in different stages. The sample was proportional in age, sex and population centers. A total of 749 persons were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive, analytical, and multivariant statistical procedures and logistical regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of COPD was 15.8% (CI95%: 13.2-18.4) and was statistically significantly higher in elderly (64.6±11 years vs 58.9±11,7 years); males (83.2%;CI95%:85.9-80.5),smokers (40.3%;CI95%:43.8-36.8) and people with primary education (66.4%;CI95%:69.7-63). People with COPD had higher BMI (28.2%;IC95%:29.5-26.9). People working in the field was 28.6% (IC95%:20,5-36,7%). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was found. Occupational exposure may be an important factor in rural areas.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en una zona básica de salud de ámbito rural y el análisis según diferentes factores de riesgo. METODOS: Estudio transversal realizado en Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara) durante 2014. Para la recogida de información se utilizó un cuestionario que recogió datos sociodemograficos, consumo de tabaco, edad, nivel de estudios y ocupación en una muestra de sujetos seleccionada de manera aleatoria y estratificada según edad, sexo y núcleos de población. El tamaño muestral fue de 749 personas. Se realizó análisis estadístico descriptivo con medias y porcentajes, analítico: chi2, t de Student, ANOVA y multivariante por regresión logística. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica fue del 15,8% (IC95%: 13,2-18,4).Las personas con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica tenían una edad media de 64,6±11 años vs 58,9±11,7 de quienes no la padecían. Eran hombres el 83,2% (IC95%: 85,9-80,5), fue más frecuente en personas con estudios primarios: 66,4% (IC95%: 69,7-63) y entre quienes consumían tabaco: 40,3% (IC 95%: 43,8-36,8). De manera no estadísticamente significativa, también presentaban mayor índice de masa corporal:28,2% (IC95%: 29,5-26,9).Trabajababan en el campo el 28,6% (IC95%: 20,5-36,7). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica encontrada fue alta. La exposición laboral puede ser un factor importante en el medio rural.

Use of cellulolytic marine bacteria for enzymatic pretreatment in microalgal biogas production.

In this study, we designed and evaluated a microalgal pretreatment method using cellulolytic bacteria that naturally degrades microalgae in their native habitat. Bacterial strains were isolated from each of two mollusk species in a medium containing 1% carboxymethyl cellulose agar. We selected nine bacterial strains that had endoglucanase activity: five strains from Mytilus chilensis, a Chilean mussel, and four strains from Mesodesma donacium, a clam found in the Southern Pacific. These strains were identified phylogenetically as belonging to the genera Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Raoultella. The cellulase-producing capacities of these strains were characterized, and the degradation of cell walls in Botryococcus braunii and Nannochloropsis gaditana was tested with "whole-cell" cellulolytic experiments. Aeromonas bivalvium MA2, Raoultella ornithinolytica MA5, and Aeromonas salmonicida MC25 degraded B. braunii, and R. ornithinolytica MC3 and MA5 degraded N. gaditana. In addition, N. gaditana was pretreated with R. ornithinolytica strains MC3 and MA5 and was then subjected to an anaerobic digestion process, which increased the yield of methane by 140.32% and 158.68%, respectively, over that from nonpretreated microalgae. Therefore, a "whole-cell" cellulolytic pretreatment can increase the performance and efficiency of biogas production.

Early alterations of B cells in patients with septic shock.

INTRODUCTION: It has recently been proposed that B lymphocytes are involved in sepsis pathogenesis. The goal of this study is to investigate potential abnormalities in a subset distribution and activation of circulating B lymphocytes in patients with septic shock. METHODS: This observational prospective study was conducted in a medical-surgical ICU. All patients with septic shock were eligible for inclusion. B-cell phenotypes (CD19+CD69+, CD19+CD23+, CD19+CD5+, CD19+CD80, CD19+CD86+, CD19+CD40 and CD19+CD95+) were assessed by quantitative flow cytometry upon admission to the ICU and 3, 7, 14 and 28 d later. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were included. Thirty-six healthy volunteers matched for age and sex were used as controls. The patients had lymphopenia that was maintained during 28 d of follow-up. In patients with septic shock who died, the percentage of CD19+CD23+ was lower during the 7 d of follow-up than it was in survival patients. Moreover, the percentage of CD80+ and CD95+ expression on B cells was higher in patients who died than in survivors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a CD19+CD23+ value of 64.6% at ICU admission enabled discrimination between survivors and nonsurvivors with a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 80.0% (P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with septic shock who survive and those who don't have different patterns of abnormalities in circulating B lymphocytes. At ICU admission, a low percentage of CD23+ and a high of CD80+ and CD95+ on B cells were associated with increased mortality of patients with septic shock. Moreover, a drop in circulating B cells persisted during 28 d of ICU follow-up.

[Mortality in patients with acute respiratory failure on chronic treatment with benzodiazepines]. / Mortalidad de los pacientes con fracaso respiratorio agudo en tratamiento crónico con benzodiacepinas.

The benzodiazepines (BZD) are among the drugs most used by the population. Its contraindications include severe respiratory failure and sleep apnoea. The main objective of this work was to establish the relationship between the chronic use of benzodiazepines and hospital mortality and up to 30 days after admission. This study was carried out on a retrospective cohort of 243 patients admitted via emergency room into «Reina Sofia¼ University General Hospital in Murcia during the year 2011, and were selected for having been treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) during their admission. The method used was a review of clinical histories by searching for the code corresponding to the NIV process. Overall mortality was 20.6%. In patients with chronic consumption of BZD it was 22.45% and 19.4% in patients who did not use these drugs (P=.608). We were unable to establish a significant relationship between chronic use of benzodiazepines and overall mortality figures. On the other hand, we have linked the increased mortality in patients treated with NIV for acute respiratory failure with other indicators such as, age above 75 years old, blood bicarbonate below 22mmol/L; lactic acid higher than 2mmol/L; serum creatinine above 1.5mg/dL, and sepsis.

Circulating sICAM-1 and sE-Selectin as biomarker of infection and prognosis in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelium activation is a key pathogenic step in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) that can be triggered by both microbial and sterile proinflammatory stimuli. The relevance of soluble adhesion molecules as clinical biomarkers to discriminate between infectious and non-infectious SIRS, and the individual patient prognosis, has not been established. METHODS: We prospectively measured by sandwich ELISA, serum levels of soluble E-Selectin (sE-Selectin), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (sICAM-2) at ICU admission and at days 3, 7, 14 and 28 in patients with sepsis and at days 3 and 7 in patients with non-infectious SIRS. RESULTS: At ICU admission, sE-Selectin, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in patients with infectious SIRS were significantly higher than those found in patients with non-infectious SIRS. ROC analysis revealed that the AUC for infection identification was best for sICAM-1 (0.900±0.041; 95% CI 0.819-0.981; p<0.0001). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that 4 variables were significantly and independently associated with mortality at 28 days: male gender (OR 15.90; 95% CI, 2.54-99.32), MODS score (OR 5.60; 95% CI, 1.67-18.74), circulating sE-Selectin levels (OR 4.81; 95% CI, 1.34-17.19) and sVCAM-1 concentrations (OR 4.80; 95% CI, 1.34-17.14). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SIRS secondary to infectious or non-infectious etiology show distinctive patterns of disturbance in serum soluble adhesion molecules. Serum ICAM-1 is a reliable biomarker for classifying patients with infectious SIRS from those with non-infectious SIRS. In addition, soluble E-Selectin is a prognostic biomarker with higher levels in patients with SIRS and fatal outcome.

Sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome with fatal outcome is associated to increased serum transforming growth factor beta-1 levels.

BACKGROUND: TGF-ß1 is a promoter of pulmonary fibrosis in many chronic inflammatory diseases. TGF-ß1 circulating levels in patients with sepsis-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) have not been established. METHODS: In this prospective pilot cohort study, serum bioactive TGF-ß1 concentration, determined by sandwich ELISA, was analyzed in 52 patients who fulfilled criteria for septic shock at admission and on days 3 and 7. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients enrolled in the study, 46.1% fulfilled the criteria for ARDS on admission. At ICU admission, there were not statistical differences in TGF-ß1 concentrations between septic shock patients with or without ARDS. After 7 days of follow-up in ICU, circulating TGF-ß1 levels were significantly higher in patients with sepsis and ARDS than in those without ARDS [55.47 (35.04-79.48 pg/ml) versus 31.65 (22.89-45.63 pg/ml), respectively] (p = 0.002). Furthermore, in septic shock associated ARDS patients, TGF-ß1 levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors [85.23 (78.19-96.30 pg/ml) versus 36.41 (30.21-55.47 pg/ml), respectively] (p = 0.006) on day 7 of ICU follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with septic shock, persistent ARDS is accompanied with increased circulating TGF-ß1 levels. Furthermore, ARDS patients with fatal outcome show higher TGF-ß1 concentrations than survivors. These results suggest the relevance of TGF-ß1 levels found in the pathogenesis of persistent sepsis-induced ARDS.

Characterization of [8-ethyl]-chlorophyll c3 from Emiliania huxleyi.

We report herein the isolation and complete characterization of a member of the chlorophyll c family, designated as [8-ethyl]-chlorophyll c(3) ([8-ethyl]-chl c(3)). Structural elucidation of this pigment rested on the analysis of mono- and bidimensional NMR, UV-VIS spectroscopy and ESI-MS data, and the configuration at the 13(2) position on chiral HPLC analysis.

Identification of genes expressed in juvenile Haliotis rufescens in response to different copper concentrations in the north of Chile under controlled conditions.

This study reports molecular markers potentially associated with resistance or sensitivity to the impact of copper in juvenile red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, in the north of Chile under experimental conditions. Genomic analysis was made applying subtractive hybridization libraries (SSH) to identify genes up-and down regulated during cooper exposure in abalone over periods of 12 and 168 h exposed to 2.5 and 10 µg/L of Cu(+2). Results obtained from the SSH library revealed 368 different sequences regulated by copper, that correspond to eight major physiological functions. The validation of these sequences obtained by SSH as well as their expression kinetics were made by PCR in real time on 14 potential genes regulated by metal stress. This study provides information for the characterization of potential genomic markers that may be used in future environmental monitoring and to investigate new mechanisms of stress to copper in this commercially important marine species.

Mortality in patients with septic shock correlates with anti-inflammatory but not proinflammatory immunomodulatory molecules.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in patients with septic shock remains unacceptably high and the attempts to antagonize certain proinflammatory cytokines based on the results of animal model studies have failed to improve survival rates. The objective of this article is to examine the pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in patients with septic shock and its connection with mortality. METHODS: Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin 1ß [IL-1ß], interferonγ [IFN-γ], and IL-6) and soluble cytokine antagonists (soluble TNF receptor I [sTNF-RI], sTNF-RII, and IL-1Ra) were determined on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 3, 7, 14, and 28 days later in 52 patients with septic shock and in 36 healthy controls. Specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for all determinations. RESULTS: Serum levels of most of the pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules examined (TNF-α, IL-6, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, and IL-1 receptor agonist [IL-1Ra]) were significantly elevated on admission and during the 28-day observation period in patients when compared to controls. Notably, the anti-inflammatory mediators sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, and IL-1Ra were better predictors of mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that sTNF-RI or sTNF-RII concentrations over 2767 or 4619 pg/mL, respectively, determined a high risk of death (sensitivity: 100%-100%, specificity: 57.1%-71.4%, area under the curve [AUC] 0.759-0.841, respectively), whereas IL-1Ra concentrations below 7033 pg/mL determined a high probability of survival (sensitivity: 60%, specificity: 100%, AUC 0.724). In addition, IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in survivors than in controls during the initial 2 weeks of observation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that serum cytokine disturbance patterns have prognostic significance in patients with septic shock admitted to the ICU. The pattern, defined by an early response to continuously elevated anti-inflammatory cytokine serum levels, is associated with an enhanced risk of a fatal outcome for patients.

CHLOROPHYLL C PIGMENT PATTERNS IN 18 SPECIES (51 STRAINS) OF THE GENUS PSEUDO-NITZSCHIA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)(1).

The pigment composition of 18 species (51 strains) of the pennate diatom Pseudo-nitzschia was examined using HPLC. The carotenoid composition was typical for diatoms, with fucoxanthin (the major xanthophyll), diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin, and ß,ß-carotene. However, a diverse array of chl c pigments was observed in the studied strains. All Pseudo-nitzschia strains contained chl a and chl c2 , traces of Mg-2,4-divinyl phaeoporphyrin a5 monomethyl ester (MgDVP), and traces of a chl c2 -like pigment originally found in the haptophyte Pavlova gyrans. The distribution of chl c1 and chl c3 was variable among species (present in seven and 14 species, respectively). Based on chl c distribution, three major pigment types were defined: type 1 (chl c1 + c2 , four species: P. australis, P. brasiliana, P. multiseries, and P. seriata), type 2 (chl c1 + c2 + c3 , three species: P. fraudulenta, P. multistriata, and P. pungens), and type 3 (chl c2 + c3 , 11 species: P. arenysensis, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. decipiens, P. delicatissima, P. galaxiae, P. mannii, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. subcurvata, P. cf. subpacifica, and a novel Pseudo-nitzschia species). Type 1 and 2 species also shared the absence of a particular morphological character, the central nodule in the raphe, with the only exception of P. fraudulenta. The implications of such pigment diversity in chemotaxonomy, HAB monitoring, ecology, and phylogeny of Pseudo-nitzschia species are discussed.

BARRUFETA BRAVENSIS GEN. NOV. SP. NOV. (DINOPHYCEAE): A NEW BLOOM-FORMING SPECIES FROM THE NORTHWEST MEDITERRANEAN SEA(1).

The present study describes a new dinoflagellate genus, Barrufeta N. Sampedro et S. Fraga gen. nov., with one new species, B. bravensis Sampedro et S. Fraga sp. nov., isolated from the Costa Brava (NW Mediterranean Sea). The dinoflagellate was characterized at the genus and species levels by LM and EM; LSU and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences; and HPLC analyses of the pigments, fatty acids, and possible presence of toxins of several cultured strains. The new Barrufeta species is oval shaped (22-35 µm long and 16-25 µm wide) and dorsoventrally flattened. It possesses numerous small chloroplasts that radiate from two large equatorially located pyrenoids and is a typical peridinin-containing dinoflagellate. The nucleus is in the anterior part of the epicone. The apical groove has a characteristic "Smurf-cap" shape that runs counterclockwise on the epicone and terminates on its right posterior part. B. bravensis is similar to the previously described species Gyrodinium resplendens Hulburt in its external morphology, but the original report of the latter lacked a description of the complete shape of the apical groove. It is therefore likely that some of the G. resplendens species reported in the literature are Barrufeta since they possess a Barrufeta-type apical groove. Fatty acids of Barrufeta were more similar to those of Karenia brevis than those obtained from other unarmored analyzed species including three species of Gymnodinium and Akashiwo sanguinea.

Human brucellosis is characterized by an intense Th1 profile associated with a defective monocyte function.

In animal models, a defective Th1 response appears to be critical in the pathogenesis of brucellosis, but the Th1 response in human brucellosis patients remains partially undefined. Peripheral blood from 24 brucellosis patients was studied before and 45 days after antibiotherapy. Twenty-four sex- and age-matched healthy donors were analyzed in parallel. Significantly increased levels of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p40, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), but not of IL-10, in serum and/or significantly increased percentages of samples with detectable levels of these cytokines, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), were found for untreated brucellosis patients, but these levels were reduced and/or normalized after treatment. Flow cytometry studies showed that the intracytoplasmic expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, and TNF-alpha, but not that of IL-4, by phorbol myristate-activated CD4(+) CD3(+) and CD8(+) CD3(+) T lymphocytes was significantly increased in untreated brucellosis patients and was also partially normalized after antibiotherapy. The percentage of phagocytic cells, the mean phagocytic activity per cell, and the phagocytic indices for monocytes at baseline were defective and had only partially reverted at follow-up. T lymphocytes from untreated brucellosis patients are activated in vivo and show Th1 cytokine production polarization, with strikingly high serum IFN-gamma levels. In spite of this Th1 environment, we found deficient effector phagocytic activity in peripheral blood monocytes.

Transcriptomic response of Argopecten purpuratus post-larvae to copper exposure under experimental conditions.

Few studies have described the molecular response of mollusk larvae to heavy metal exposure. We investigated the response of Chilean scallop Argopecten purpuratus post-larvae to copper exposure under experimental conditions. Post-larvae were maintained with and without copper stress in tanks containing netlon collectors with biofilms that were formed by the bacterium Halomonas sp. and the diatom Amphora sp., known to increase larval settlement. We focused on the analysis of the differential expression patterns of genes associated with copper response. A suppression subtractive hybridization method was used to identify copper-specific up- and down-regulated genes in the post-larvae following 4 days and 8 days exposure to 2.5 and 10 microg/l Cu(+2). This method revealed 145 different sequences corresponding to 10 major physiological functions. The expression of 15 potentially regulated genes was analyzed by real-time PCR in post-larvae at different sampling times during the copper stress. The genes chosen were alpha tubulin, elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1A), tributylin binding protein type 1 (TBT), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (NADH2), cavortin, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), ferritin, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), Pam highwire rpm1 (Phr1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), cellulase, and ribosomal proteins: L18, L44, S3a and S15. This study contributes to the characterization of potential genetic markers that could be used in future environmental monitoring and to explore new mechanisms of stress tolerance in marine mollusk species, especially in early stages of development.