First-rank symptoms and premorbid adjustment in young individuals at increased risk of developing psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis represent a heterogeneous group with a high rate of comorbid psychiatric disorders. There is little information on whether certain qualitative aspects of psychotic symptoms among CHR individuals may be predictive of future psychosis. This study focused on describing the prevalence of first-rank symptoms (FRS) among a sample of CHR individuals and its association with future transition to psychosis and, from a neurodevelopmental perspective, the level of adjustment of individuals at CHR during their childhood was also analysed. SAMPLING AND METHODS: Participants comprised 60 individuals at CHR (according to the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States, CAARMS) at the time of their referral to an early intervention service and 60 healthy volunteers (HVs). All subjects were assessed by senior research clinicians using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). FRS were defined according to Kurt Schneider's original classification, and information was collected from PANSS, CAARMS and clinical reports. Early premorbid functioning was measured using the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS). We grouped individuals by number and type of FRS and analysed transitions to full-blown psychosis over a 2-year follow-up period. We also correlated the general social and functional adjustment of these individuals during their childhood (6-11 years of age) with the future development of mental states at CHR and FRS. RESULTS: Over 69% of CHR individuals had more than one DSM-IV psychiatric diagnosis, mainly within the affective and anxiety diagnostic spectra. At least one FRS was present in 43.3% of CHR individuals, and 21.6% of these had more than one. Auditory hallucinations and passivity experiences were the most commonly reported. Only 10% of individuals at CHR made a transition to first-episode psychosis (FEP) over 2 years and, except for passivity experiences, the presence of one or more FRS was not significantly associated with the transition to FEP. CHR individuals, especially those with FRS, had poorer premorbid functioning and adjustment as children across educational, social and peer relationship domains than HVs. However, this was not associated with FEP 2 years later. CONCLUSIONS: FRS might not be indicators of psychosis alone but of different psychiatric disorders. In line with the neurodevelopmental model of psychosis, individuals at CHR might be exhibiting several vulnerability traits and manifestations of abnormal developmental processes that might predict a future psychiatric disorder and/or long-term impairment.

Water-soluble chlorophyll-binding proteins from Brassica oleracea allow for stable photobiocatalytic oxidation of cellulose by a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase.

BACKGROUND: Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are indispensable redox enzymes used in industry for the saccharification of plant biomass. LPMO-driven cellulose oxidation can be enhanced considerably through photobiocatalysis using chlorophyll derivatives and light. Water soluble chlorophyll binding proteins (WSCPs) make it is possible to stabilize and solubilize chlorophyll in aqueous solution, allowing for in vitro studies on photostability and ROS production. Here we aim to apply WSCP-Chl a as a photosensitizing complex for photobiocatalysis with the LPMO, TtAA9. RESULTS: We have in this study demonstrated how WSCP reconstituted with chlorophyll a (WSCP-Chl a) can create a stable photosensitizing complex which produces controlled amounts of H2O2 in the presence of ascorbic acid and light. WSCP-Chl a is highly reactive and allows for tightly controlled formation of H2O2 by regulating light intensity. TtAA9 together with WSCP-Chl a shows increased cellulose oxidation under low light conditions, and the WSCP-Chl a complex remains stable after 24 h of light exposure. Additionally, the WSCP-Chl a complex demonstrates stability over a range of temperatures and pH conditions relevant for enzyme activity in industrial settings. CONCLUSION: With WSCP-Chl a as the photosensitizer, the need to replenish Chl is greatly reduced, enhancing the catalytic lifetime of light-driven LPMOs and increasing the efficiency of cellulose depolymerization. WSCP-Chl a allows for stable photobiocatalysis providing a sustainable solution for biomass processing.

Expression and secretion of a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase by a fast-growing cyanobacterium.

BACKGROUND: Cyanobacteria have the potential to become next-generation cell factories due to their ability to use CO2, light and inorganic nutrients to produce a range of biomolecules of commercial interest. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, in particular, is a fast-growing, genetically tractable, cyanobacterium that has garnered attention as a potential biotechnological chassis. To establish this unique strain as a host for heterologous protein production, we aimed to demonstrate expression and secretion of the industrially relevant TfAA10A, a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from the Gram-positive bacterium Thermobifida fusca. RESULTS: Two variations of TfAA10A were successfully expressed in S. elongatus UTEX 2973: One containing the native N-terminal, Sec-targeted, signal peptide and a second with a Tat-targeted signal peptide from the Escherichia coli trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase (TorA). Although the TorA signal peptide correctly targeted the protein to the plasma membrane, the majority of the TorA-TfAA10A was found unprocessed in the plasma membrane with a small fraction of the mature protein ultimately translocated to the periplasm. The native Sec signal peptide allowed for efficient secretion of TfAA10A into the medium with virtually no protein being found in the cytosol, plasma membrane or periplasm. TfAA10A was demonstrated to be correctly cleaved and active on the model substrate phosphoric acid swollen cellulose. Additionally, expression and secretion only had a minor impact on cell growth. The secretion yield was estimated at 779 ± 40 µg L-1 based on densitometric analysis. To our knowledge, this is the highest secretion yield ever registered in cyanobacteria. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown for the first time high-titer expression and secretion of an industrially relevant and catalytically active enzyme in S. elongatus UTEX 2973. This proof-of-concept study will be valuable for the development of novel and sustainable applications in the fields of bioremediation and biocatalysis.

Thermal unfolding and refolding of a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Thermoascus aurantiacus.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper-containing enzymes which promote the degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides like cellulose or chitin. Here, we have investigated the thermostability of an LPMO from Thermoascus aurantiacus (TaLPMO9A). TaLPMO9A was found to retain most of its initial activity after incubating at 100 °C while its apparent melting temperature (T m) is 69 °C at neutral pH. Interestingly, our studies show that holoTaLPMO9A, apoTaLPMO9A and deglycosylated TaLPMO9A can fold back to their original conformation upon lowering the temperature. In the presence of ß-mercaptoethanol the protein does not refold. Activity of TaLPMO9A and refolded TaLPMO9A was studied by an Amplex® Red assay as well as by TaLPMO9A catalysed oxidation of phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC). These studies confirm the functional regain of TaLPMO9A activity upon going through one cycle of unfolding and refolding. The thermal unfolding and refolding of TaLPMO9A was measured spectroscopically. Utilizing the two-state model, detailed thermodynamic parameters were obtained for holoTaLPMO. Furthermore, we have investigated the kinetics of TaLPMO9A unfolding and refolding. Our results have implications in understanding LPMO stability, which is crucial for the efficient application of LPMOs as biocatalysts during biomass degradation.

Interaction of (2,3)-methylenepenams with penicillin-binding proteins.

A series of (2,3)-methylenepenams were examined with respect to binding to essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The compounds were also examined with respect to their interaction with Streptomyces strain R61 DD-carboxypeptidase. The alpha isomer of (2,3)-methylene penicillin G bound to PBP 3 of E. coli and other enterobacteria at 0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml. The beta isomer bound to PBP 3 at 100 micrograms/ml. Either isomer bound to PBPs 1b and 2 of E. coli only at 100 micrograms/ml. The alpha, but not the beta, isomer also bound to PBP 2 of S. aureus at 0.1 micrograms/ml. Binding studies with radiolabeled compounds indicated the binding to be covalent and revealed no additional binding proteins. (2,3)-Methylenepenams active against E. coli bound to PBP 3 and induced filamentation. The compounds also inhibited Streptomyces strain R61 DD-carboxypeptidase with apparent 50% inhibitory concentrations as low as 10(-7) M. The two (2,3)-methylene penicillin G isomers bound to the enzyme covalently, most likely at the same site as penicillin G since partial proteolysis after binding radiolabeled compounds produced similar peptide patterns. The bound beta isomer was released with a half-time similar to that of penicillin G (70 min at 30 degrees C), while the alpha isomer was released with a longer half-time (13 h at 30 degrees C). With either isomer, the major release product was phenylacetylglycine, suggesting C-5-C-6 cleavage.

Determination of mycobacterial antigens in sputum by enzyme immunoassay.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was examined for its usefulness in detecting mycobacterial antigens in sputum. A double-antibody sandwich procedure was set up by using a commercially available hyperimmune serum directed against Mycobacterium bovis, BCG. The ELISA was able to detect 10 ng of protein per ml of BCG sonic extract. The system also clearly distinguished Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms from Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium kansasii organisms. A total of 68 unknown sputum specimens submitted to the clinical laboratories for examination for tuberculosis were tested by ELISA. Of the 20 specimens that were smear positive and culture positive, 12 (60%) were positive by ELISA; 6 of the 11 (55%) smear-positive culture-negative samples were positive by ELISA; 1 of 2 (50%) of the smear-negative culture-positive samples was positive by ELISA; and only 3 of 35 (9%) of the smear-negative culture-negative samples were positive by ELISA. This approach offers promise as an aid in the presumptive differentiation of nontuberculous mycobacteria from the M. tuberculosis complex.

Cytotoxicity of a short-fiber chrysotile asbestos for human alveolar macrophages: preliminary observations.

Studies were performed to compare the cytotoxicity for human alveolar macrophages of a naturally occurring short-fiber chrysotile asbestos (RG 144) to that of a standard reference mixed-fiber (long and short) chrysotile asbestos (UICC chrysotile A. Rhodesian). Parallel studies were also performed with quartz (Min-U-Sil 15), a known macrophage toxin. On a mass basis, and after 24 hr incubation, RG 144 was more cytotoxic than the UICC standard reference fiber and less toxic than quartz (silica). The cytotoxic potential of RG 144 chrysotile was further enhanced after size reduction by milling. These findings may have important biologic implications with respect to the use of short-fiber asbestos in industry.