Role of palmitoylation on the neuronal glycine transporter GlyT2.

The neuronal glycine transporter GlyT2 removes glycine from the synaptic cleft through active Na+, Cl-, and glycine cotransport contributing to the termination of the glycinergic signal as well as supplying substrate to the presynaptic terminal for the maintenance of the neurotransmitter content in synaptic vesicles. Patients with mutations in the human GlyT2 gene (SLC6A5), develop hyperekplexia or startle disease (OMIM 149400), characterized by hypertonia and exaggerated startle responses to trivial stimuli that may have lethal consequences in the neonates as a result of apnea episodes. Post-translational modifications in cysteine residues of GlyT2 are an aspect of structural interest we analyzed. Our study is compatible with a reversible and short-lived S-acylation in spinal cord membranes, detectable by biochemical and proteomics methods (acyl-Rac binding and IP-ABE) confirmed with positive and negative controls (palmitoylated and non-palmitoylated proteins). According to a short-lived modification, direct labeling using click chemistry was faint but mostly consistent. We have analyzed the physiological properties of a GlyT2 mutant lacking the cysteines with high prediction of palmitoylation and the mutant is less prone to be included in lipid rafts, an effect also observed upon treatment with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate. This work demonstrates there are determinants of lipid raft inclusion associated with the GlyT2 mutated cysteines, which are presumably modified by palmitoylation.

Photoionization of the water molecule with XCHEM.

We have evaluated total and partial photoionization cross sections, ß asymmetry parameters, and molecular frame photoelectron angular distributions (MFPADs) of the water molecule by using the XCHEM methodology. This method accounts for electron correlation in the electronic continuum, which is crucial to describe Feshbach resonances and their autoionization decay. We have identified a large number of Feshbach resonances, some of them previously unknown, in the region between 12.2 and 18.7 eV, for which we provide energy positions and widths. Many of these resonances lead to pronounced peaks in the photoionization spectra, some of them remarkably wide (up to 0.2 eV, for resonances converging to the third ionization threshold), which should be observable in high-energy resolution experiments. We show that, in the vicinity of these peaks, both asymmetry parameters and MFPADs vary very rapidly with photoelectron energy, which, as in atoms and simpler molecules, reflects the interference between direct ionization and autoionization, which is mostly driven by electron correlation.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies linked to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a global health problem, which has been mitigated by the opportune introduction of vaccination programs. Although we already know the benefit that vaccines provide, these are not exempt from adverse events which can be mild to deadly, such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, in which a temporal association has not been defined. It is for this reason that we carried out a systematic review of all reported cases of vaccination against COVID-19 and myositis. To identify previously reported cases of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies associated with vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 we registered this protocol on the website of PROSPERO with identification number CRD42022355551. Of the 63 publications identified in MEDLINE and 117 in Scopus, 21 studies were included, reporting 31 cases of patients with vaccination-associated myositis. Most of these cases were women (61.3%); mean age was 52.3 years (range 19-76 years) and mean time of symptom onset post-vaccination was 6.8 days. More than half of the cases were associated with Comirnaty, 11 cases (35.5%) were classified as dermatomyositis, and 9 (29%) as amyopathic dermatomyositis. In 6 (19.3%) patients another probable trigger was identified. Case reports of inflammatory myopathies associated with vaccination have heterogeneous presentations without any specific characteristics: as a consequence, it is not possible to ensure a temporal association between vaccination and the development of inflammatory myopathies. Large epidemiological studies are required to determine the existence of a causal association.

Improved Metal Cation Optosensing Membranes through the Incorporation of Sulphated Polysaccharides.

Optosensing chitosan-based membranes have been applied for the detection of heavy metals, especially in drinking water. The novelty of this study is based on the use of sulphated polysaccharides, in such optosensing membranes, aiming at an improved analytical performance. The sulphated polysaccharides, such as ulvan, fucoidan and chondroitin sulfate, were extracted from by-products and wastes of marine-related activities. The membranes were developed for the analysis of aluminum. The variation in the visible absorbance of the sensor membranes after the contact between the chromophore and the aluminum cation was studied. The membranes containing sulphated polysaccharides showed improved signals when compared to the chitosan-only membrane. As for the detection limits for the membranes containing ulvan, fucoidan and chondroitin sulfate, 0.17 mg L-1, 0.21 mg L-1 and 0.36 mg L-1 were obtained, respectively. The values were much lower than that obtained for the chitosan-only membrane, 0.52 mg L-1, which shows the improvement obtained from the sulphated polysaccharides. The results were obtained with the presence of CTAB in analysis solution, which forms a ternary complex with the aluminum cation and the chromophore. This resulted in an hyperchromic and batochromic shift in the absorption band. When in the presence of this surfactant, the membranes showed lower detection limits and higher selectivity.

Exposure of Calophyllum antillanum seeds to liquid nitrogen delays seedling emergence and decreases leaf anthraquinones.

BACKGROUND: Trees within the Calophyllum genus are multi-use trees that produce valuable wood, phytochemicals with a range of biological activities, and seed oil as a source of biodiesel. As a consequence of climate change, there is a need to develop strategies to preserve valuable plant genetic resources. Cryopreservation represents the most suitable option for the long-term storage of germplasm with minimal space and maintenance requirements. OBJECTIVE: To determine appropriate methods to cryopreserve seeds of Calophyllum antillanum and maintain secondary compound production. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seeds at a moisture content of 6% were used to evaluate two treatments: seeds immersed in liquid nitrogen and control seeds. Biosynthetic pathway efficiency was assessed post-cryo by determining anthraquinone contents in roots, stems and leaves following 30 and 75 d of seedling growth. RESULTS: The results indicated that exposure to liquid nitrogen delayed germination and seedling emergence for a period of up to 45 d after seed sowing. By 60 d of cultivation, no significant differences in plant growth were observed for cryostored and control seeds. The levels of anthraquinones, which were also measured in seeds and seedlings, were lower in plants regenerated from cryostored seeds following 30 d of growth, but there were no differences in roots and stems by 75 d of growth. Furthermore, the difference in leaf anthraquinone levels for cryopreserved and control seeds at 75 d was much smaller than at 30 d. CONCLUSION: The low initial anthraquinone levels in emerging seedlings correlated with the initial slow growth of cryopreserved seeds.

Cryopreservation of seeds of the highly valued tropical timber species Swietenia mahagoni.

BACKGROUND: Swietenia mahagoni wood is one of the most valuable in world trade and, as a result, natural populations have been decimated due to unsustainable harvesting. The decline in natural population levels is being exacerbated by climate change. In order to ensure the preservation of valuable genotypes, there is an urgent need to develop strategies to conserve the genetic diversity present within this species. At present, cryopreservation is the most viable option for the long-term storage of plant germplasm, particularly for long-lived species which are challenging to maintain in the field. OBJECTIVE: To cryopreserve intact seeds of S. mahagoni, with the dual goal of retaining the biosynthetic capacity of plants, which is critical since this species is highly valued for medicinal purposes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seeds at a moisture content of 6% were immersed in liquid nitrogen (LN) before warming and recovery. Plantlet establishment and growth were assessed over a period of 70 days and anthraquinone synthesis was determined in roots, stems and leaves. RESULTS: The results showed an initial lag in the germination rate of cryopreserved seeds compared with control seeds; however, this difference disappeared over time. The lag in seedling emergence observed in cryostored seeds was also evident in the plant characteristics measured following 30 days of culture when all plant parameters measured were significantly higher in plants produced from control than cryostored seeds. However, after 70 days of growth, these differences were no longer apparent. Anthraquinone levels were also initially lower (at 30 days) in plants regenerated from cryopreserved seeds than those from control seeds, however, this difference was substantially reduced by 70 days thereby indicating the ability of these plants to accumulate secondary metabolites, albeit at a reduced rate, during the early stages of development. CONCLUSION: In S. mahagoni, the delay in anthraquinone production in plants regenerated from cryostored seeds during the early stages of development may have occurred as a consequence of the preferential allocation of resources towards the initiation of recovery processes in response to the stresses imposed by cryopreservation. Once the stresses were overcome and plant growth resumed, resources could be directed to secondary processes such as anthraquinone synthesis. doi.org/10.54680/fr22610110412.

Identification and characterization of the EXPA7, EXPA18 and EXT10 genes in Turbinicarpus lophophoroides (Werderm.) Buxb. & Backeb; and their expression analysis in the root under abiotic stress.

Expansin and extensin are proteins involved in resistance to various abiotic stresses by processes of cell wall modification and in the formation and elongation of the hairy root. They are located in several organs of the plant included root epidermis. Turbinicarpus lophophoroides is a cactus model to studies these genes in adventitious and transformed roots. In this study, we identified and characterized the expansin7, expansin18 and extensin10 genes in T. lophophoroides. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the expansin sequences contained the motifs: HTFYG, HFD, YRR, VPC and YW; and certain conserved cysteine (C) residues. Regarding extensin10, the sequence contains the conserved SPPPP (SP4), YYS and YV motifs. The expression analysis in adventitious and transformed roots under osmotic stress (300 mM mannitol), heat (37 °C) and cold (4 °C); shows a higher expression of TlExpA18 in both roots, a decrease in TlExpA7 in transformed roots and a null expression in TlExt10 in both roots. In addition, a morphological comparison of the maturation/differentiation zone, meristem and cap between adventitious and transformed roots by SEM was performed, finding differences in the quantity and length of the hairy roots and the shape of the root cap. Overall, the study concluded that TlExpA18 and TlExpA7 belong to expansin family and TlExt10 belong to extensin family. The expression characteristics of TlExpA18, TlExpA7 and TlExt10 will facilitate the investigation of its function in stress response and other physiological processes in T. lophophoroides.

Epidemiology, molecular characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Madrid, Spain, in 2016.

With the aim to elucidate gonococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-risk factors, we undertook a retrospective analysis of the molecular epidemiology and AMR of 104 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from clinical samples (urethra, rectum, pharynx and cervix) of 94 individuals attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Madrid (Spain) from July to October 2016, and explored potential links with socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical factors of patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by E-tests, and isolates were characterised by N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing. Penicillin resistance was recorded for 15.4% of isolates, and most were susceptible to tetracycline, cefixime and azithromycin; a high incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance (~40%) was found. Isolates were grouped into 51 different sequence types (STs) and 10 genogroups (G), with G2400, ST5441, ST2318, ST12547 and G2992 being the most prevalent. A significant association (P = 0.015) was evident between HIV-positive MSM individuals and having a ciprofloxacin-resistant strain. Likewise, a strong association (P = 0.047) was found between patient age of MSM and carriage of isolates expressing decreased susceptibility to azithromycin. A decrease in the incidence of AMR gonococcal strains and a change in the strain populations previously reported from other parts of Spain were observed. Of note, the prevalent multi-drug resistant genogroup G1407 was represented by only three strains in our study, while the pan-susceptible clones such as ST5441, and ST2318, associated with extragenital body sites were the most prevalent.

Site-selective-induced isomerization of formamide.

The new capacity of X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facilities to produce multi-color X-ray femtosecond pulses paves the way to explore ultrafast phenomena in matter induced by X-ray photons. In the present study, we exploit the site-selectivity and the high temporal resolution of a two-color X-ray femtosecond pump-probe sequence to investigate the isomerization of formamide. The pump pulse excites a particular atomic site in the molecule, while the probe pulse captures changes in the chemical environment at a remote atomic site. The response of the system is found to strongly depend on the nature of the excited site, and the core excitation provides selective control over chemical bond breaking. In particular, we show that the N1s → π* transition can induce the isomerization reaction in formamide and demonstrate the possibility to observe in real time hydrogen migration by measuring the chemical shifts with the X-ray probe pulse. This work opens a unique prospect for X-ray-induced photochemistry at XFEL facilities.

Particle size distribution from extinction and absorption data of metallic nanoparticles.

We describe a method for inverting spectroscopic data of the absorption and extinction properties of colloidal samples of resonant particles. We show that, with some prior knowledge, the genetic algorithm employed is able to estimate the probability density function of particle sizes. Since the data are sensitive to the shape and material of the particles, some information about these properties can also be retrieved. The viability of the method is illustrated by inverting numerically generated data, as well as experimental data obtained with specially prepared samples of metallic nanoparticles in aqueous suspension.

Pneumonia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Epidemiology, microbiology and outcomes.

Background and objective Pneumonia remains the main cause of mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the study was to establish the clinical characteristics, microbiology and risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with SLE and pneumonia. Methods We reviewed medical records of patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria) and pneumonia who attended the emergency room in a single tertiary care center (January 2010-March 2015). We collected demographics, treatment and disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) data. Severity scales of pneumonia (CURB-65 (acronym for risk factors measured: confusion, urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, 65 years of age and older) and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI)) were obtained. A negative composite outcome was defined as need for mechanical ventilation, septic shock or death secondary to pneumonia up to 30 days after discharge. We conducted a univariate and multivariable analysis. Results We studied 158 patients (76% women) with 187 episodes of pneumonia. There were no differences in age, SLE duration, SLE activity, treatment or comorbidities between patients with negative composite outcome vs the other group. In 53 episodes, patients presented with a negative composite outcome. Of these, 46 (24.6%) required intubation, 13 (7%) developed shock and 12 (6.4%) died. The most common bacteria isolated was S. aureus, and we observed a high percentage of nonhabitual microorganisms. Fifteen percent of patients who presented with a negative outcome had low values on CURB-65 and PSI scales. Conclusion Patients with SLE and pneumonia have a high risk of complications and present with a high percentage of nonhabitual microorganisms. Severity scales for pneumonia can misclassify as low risk SLE patients with poor prognosis.

Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol with two D3 vitamin levels on production and immunity parameters in broiler chickens.

This study was performed in Ross 308 chickens aged 1-21 days and aimed to evaluate whether the addition of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3 ) to broiler chicken diets affects their growth performance and immunity. A completely random 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used with two levels of vitamin D3 and the absence or presence of 25(OH)D3 , corresponding to four treatments based on sorghum + soya bean diets: (i) 200 IU of vitamin D3 /kg of feed (Diet 1) (NRC, ), (ii) Diet 1 + 69 µg of 25(OH)D3 /kg of feed (Diet 2), (iii) 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 /kg of feed (Diet 3) and (iv) Diet 3 + 69 µg of 25(OH)D3 /kg of feed (Diet 4). Each treatment was conducted with six replicates of 10 chickens each. Water and feed was supplied ad libitum. The results showed significantly increased growth and tibia ash (p < .05) in the birds fed 5,000, IU of vitamin D3 /kg + 25(OH)D3 . Additionally, the cellular immune response increased significantly (p < .05) in both treatments with added 25(OH)D3. Based on the results obtained under the current test conditions, the addition of 25(OH)D3 at a rate of 69 µg/kg to diets containing vitamin D3 improved the cellular immune response and mineral deposition in the bones of broilers aged 1-21 days. Because these parameters are very important in modern poultry farming, these results indicate that supplementation with 25(OH)D3 should improve broiler production.

Geroprotection in cancer prevention.

Clinical records from individuals followed for 5 years, 2000 to 2005, were reviewed. They were distributed in 3 cohorts of ages ranging from 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and 71 to 80 years, respectively. Each cohort included 2 groups of patients with diabetes type 2, one group treated with Metformin 850 mg/day, and the other one without pharmacological treatment. In all groups, for each individual, the mean variation of glycosylated hemoglobin, ferritin, lymphocyte count, total and subpopulations, was determined in blood using the measurement at the beginning and at the end of the 5-year follow-up. The number of all living individuals and cancer cases were also recorded in all groups at the end of the 5-year period. The results were consistent with the reported significance as biomarkers of aging of: the increase of glycosylated hemoglobin and ferritin, the decrease of the number of total lymphocytes and CD8+T, and the increase of T-Regulators. In this preliminary observation, the protection of Metformin on the variations of aging biomarkers was associated with survival and decline of malignancy incidence.

Development of digastric muscles in human foetuses: a review and findings in the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle.

The digastricus and omohyoideus muscles are digastric muscles with two muscle bellies. An insertion tendon of the posterior belly becomes an intermediate tendon in digastricus muscles, whereas a single band-like muscle in omohyoideus muscles may later be interrupted by an intermediate tendon, possibly due to muscle cell death caused by mechanical stress. In human foetuses, an intermediate tendon provides the temporal origins of the tensor veli palatini and tensor tympani muscles. Some reptiles, including snakes, carry multiple series of digastric-like axial muscles, in which each intersegmental septum is likely to become an intermediate tendon. These findings indicate that many pathways are involved in the development of digastric muscles. A review of these morphologies suggested that the flexor digi-torum superficialis (FDS) muscle was a digastric muscle, although the intermediate tendon may not be visible in the surface view in adults. The present observations support the hypothesis that the proximal anlage at the elbow develops into a deep muscle slip to a limited finger, while the distal anlage at the wrist develops into the other slips. The findings suggest that, in the FDS muscle, the proximal and distal bellies of the embryonic digastric muscle fuse together to form a laminar structure, in which muscle slips accumulate from the palmar to the deep side of the forearm. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 362-370).

Tensor fasciae latae muscle in human embryos and foetuses with special reference to its contribution to the development of the iliotibial tract.

BACKGROUND: The human tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFL) is inserted into the iliotibial tract and plays a critical role in lateral stabilisation of the hip joint. We previously described a candidate of the initial iliotibial tract that originated from the gluteus maximus muscle and extended distally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study extended our observations by examining 30 human embryos and foetuses of gestational age (GA) 7-14 weeks (crown-to-rump length 24-108 mm). At GA 7 weeks, the TFL appeared as a small muscle mass floating in the subcutaneous tissue near the origins of the gluteus medius and rectus femoris muscles. RESULTS: Subsequently, the TFL obtained an iliac origin adjacent to the rectus femoris tendon, but the distal end remained a tiny fibrous mass on the vastus lateralis muscle. Until GA 10 weeks, the TFL muscle fibres were inserted into a vastus lateralis fascia that joined the quadriceps tendon distally. The next stage consisted of the TFL muscle belly "connecting" the vastus fascia and the gluteus fascia, including our previous candidate of the initial iliotibial tract. Until GA 14 weeks, the TFL was sandwiched by two laminae of the connecting fascia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that, when the vastus lateralis fascia separated from the quadriceps tendon to attach to the tibia, possibly after birth, the resulting iliotibial tract would consist of a continuous longitudinal band from the gluteus maximus fascia, via the vastus fascia, to the tibia. Although it is a small muscle, the foetal TFL plays a critical role in the development of the iliotibial tract.

Valorization of recurrently discarded fish species in trawler fisheries in North-West Spain.

The progressive elimination of fish discards established by the European Union Council in 2013 has stimulated the valorization of flesh from discarded high-quality species with good protein functional properties but which frequently have excessive fish-bones, fat, strange flavours, soft texture, etc. The present study therefore focuses on valorization of the extracted muscle (minced muscle), from several fish species frequently discarded in north-western Spanish fisheries (Atlantic Ocean): Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), Mackerel (Scomber scombrus), Red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa), Pouting (Trisoreptus luscus) and Gurnard (Trigla spp.). Valorization of these discarded fish resources is a key objective for the survival of the fishery sector in this area. In this regard present study was planned to examine the behaviour of the mince during 6 months of frozen storage by means of physicochemical and sensory analyses, and to test consumer acceptance of three technologically different products (burgers, nuggets and structured fingers) prepared with fish mince from different species. Results indicated that protein aggregation started at the outset of frozen storage but progressed very slowly, with the exception of non-washed blue whiting and red scorpionfish minces. Moreover, during frozen storage lipid oxidation increased in all samples; the increase was with two objectives highest in minced mackerel, a fatty fish, but no rancid flavour was detected. All mince samples presented acceptable physicochemical properties and good sensory acceptability after 6 months of frozen storage. Acceptability of final products made with these minces was high in all cases. Burgers were more acceptable for consumers aged over 40 and fingers and nuggets more for younger people.

Evolution After Anti-TNF Discontinuation in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess the risk of relapse after discontinuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to identify the factors associated with relapse, and to evaluate the overcome after retreatment with the same anti-TNF in those who relapsed. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study. IBD patients who had been treated with anti-TNFs and in whom these drugs were discontinued after clinical remission was achieved were included. RESULTS: A total of 1,055 patients were included. The incidence rate of relapse was 19% and 17% per patient-year in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients, respectively. In both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients in deep remission, the incidence rate of relapse was 19% per patient-year. The treatment with adalimumab vs. infliximab (hazard ratio (HR)=1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-1.66), elective discontinuation of anti-TNFs (HR=1.90; 95% CI=1.07-3.37) or discontinuation because of adverse events (HR=2.33; 95% CI=1.27-2.02) vs. a top-down strategy, colonic localization (HR=1.51; 95% CI=1.13-2.02) vs. ileal, and stricturing behavior (HR=1.5; 95% CI=1.09-2.05) vs. inflammatory were associated with a higher risk of relapse in Crohn's disease patients, whereas treatment with immunomodulators after discontinuation (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.51-0.87) and age (HR=0.98; 95% CI=0.97-0.99) were protective factors. None of the factors were predictive in ulcerative colitis patients. Retreatment of relapse with the same anti-TNF was effective (80% responded) and safe. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of inflammatory bowel disease relapse after anti-TNF discontinuation is relevant. Some predictive factors of relapse after anti-TNF withdrawal have been identified. Retreatment with the same anti-TNF drug was effective and safe.

A velocity map imaging study of the photodissociation of the methyl iodide cation.

The photodissociation dynamics of the methyl iodide cation has been studied using the velocity map imaging technique. A first laser pulse is used to ionize methyl iodide via a (2 + 1) REMPI scheme through the 5pπ → 6p Rydberg state two-photon transition. The produced CH3I+(X[combining tilde]2E3/2) ions are subsequently excited at several wavelengths between 242 and 260 nm. The reported translational energy distributions for the methyl and iodine ions present a Boltzmann-type unstructured distribution at low excitation energies as well as a recoiled narrow structure at higher excitation energies highlighting two different dissociation processes. High level ab initio calculations have been performed in order to obtain a deeper understanding of the photodissociation dynamics of the CH3I+ ion. Direct dissociation on a repulsive state from the manifold of states representing the B[combining tilde] excited state leads to CH3+(X[combining tilde]1A1') + I*(2P1/2), while the CH3 + I+(3P2) channel is populated through an avoided crossing outside the Franck-Condon region. In contrast, an indirect process involving the transfer of energy from highly excited electronic states to the ground state of the ion is responsible for the observed Boltzmann-type distributions.

Slice imaging of the UV photodissociation of CH2BrCl from the maximum of the first absorption band.

The photodissociation dynamics of bromochloromethane (CH2BrCl) have been investigated at the maximum of the first absorption band, at the excitation wavelengths 203 and 210 nm, using the slice imaging technique in combination with a probe detection of bromine-atom fragments, Br(2P3/2) and Br*(2P1/2), via (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization. Translational energy distributions and angular distributions reported for both Br(2P3/2) and Br*(2P1/2) fragments show two contributions for the Br(2P3/2) channel and a single contribution for the Br*(2P1/2) channel. High level ab initio calculations have been performed in order to elucidate the dissociation mechanisms taking place. The computed absorption spectrum and potential energy curves indicate the main contribution of the populated 4A″, 5A', and 6A' excited states leading to a C-Br cleavage. Consistently with the results, the single contribution for the Br*(2P1/2) channel has been attributed to direct dissociation through the 6A' state as well as an indirect dissociation of the 5A' state requiring a 5A' → 4A' reverse non-adiabatic crossing. Similarly, a faster contribution for the Br(2P3/2) channel characterized by a similar energy partitioning and anisotropy than those for the Br*(2P1/2) channel is assigned to a direct dissociation through the 5A' state, while the slower component appears to be due to the direct dissociation on the 4A″ state.