Mesophotic corals in Hawai'i maintain autotrophy to survive low-light conditions.

In mesophotic coral ecosystems, reef-building corals and their photosynthetic symbionts can survive with less than 1% of surface irradiance. How depth-specialist corals rely upon autotrophically and heterotrophically derived energy sources across the mesophotic zone remains unclear. We analysed the stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values of a Leptoseris community from the 'Au'au Channel, Maui, Hawai'i (65-125 m) including four coral host species living symbiotically with three algal haplotypes. We characterized the isotope values of hosts and symbionts across species and depth to compare trophic strategies. Symbiont δ13C was consistently 0.5‰ higher than host δ13C at all depths. Mean colony host and symbiont δ15N differed by up to 3.7‰ at shallow depths and converged at deeper depths. These results suggest that both heterotrophy and autotrophy remained integral to colony survival across depth. The increasing similarity between host and symbiont δ15N at deeper depths suggests that nitrogen is more efficiently shared between mesophotic coral hosts and their algal symbionts to sustain autotrophy. Isotopic trends across depth did not generally vary by host species or algal haplotype, suggesting that photosynthesis remains essential to Leptoseris survival and growth despite low light availability in the mesophotic zone.

Genetic Polymorphisms of P2RX7 but Not of ADORA2A Are Associated with the Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from mild to severe presentations, according to the intensity of the aberrant inflammatory response. Purinergic receptors dually control the inflammatory response: while adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) are anti-inflammatory, ATP P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) exert pro-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to assess if there were differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies of a loss-of-function SNP of ADORA2A (rs2298383) and a gain-of-function single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of P2RX7 (rs208294) in the severity of SARS-CoV-2-associated infection. Fifty-five individuals were enrolled and categorized according to the severity of the infection. Endpoint genotyping was performed in blood cells to screen for both SNPs. The TT genotype (vs. CT + CC) and the T allele (vs. C allele) of P2RX7 SNP were found to be associated with more severe forms of COVID-19, whereas the association between ADORA2A SNP and the severity of infection was not significantly different. The T allele of P2RX7 SNP was more frequent in people with more than one comorbidity and with cardiovascular conditions and was associated with colorectal cancer. Our findings suggest a more prominent role of P2X7R rather than of A2AR polymorphisms in SARS-CoV-2 infection, although larger population-based studies should be performed to validate our conclusions.

The Seacole statue comes at just the right moment.

In the wake of Brexit, a tribute to the pioneering black nurse should offer inspiration in the battles against racism.

Different danger signals differently impact on microglial proliferation through alterations of ATP release and extracellular metabolism.

Microglia rely on their ability to proliferate in the brain parenchyma to sustain brain innate immunity and participate in the reaction to brain damage. We now studied the influence of different danger signals activating microglia, both internal (typified by glutamate, associated with brain damage) and external (using a bacterial lipopolysaccharide, LPS), on the proliferation of microglia cells. We found that LPS (100 ng/mL) increased, whereas glutamate (0.5 mM) decreased proliferation. Notably, LPS decreased whereas glutamate increased the extracellular levels of ATP. In contrast, LPS increased whereas glutamate decreased the extracellular catabolism of ATP into adenosine through ecto-nucleotidases and ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Finally, apyrase (degrades extracellular ATP) abrogated glutamate-induced inhibition of microglia proliferation; conversely, inhibitors of ecto-nucleotidases (ARL67156 or α,ß-methylene ADP) and adenosine deaminase (degrades extracellular adenosine) abrogated the LPS-induced increase of microglia proliferation, which was blocked by a selective A2A receptor antagonist, SCH58261 (50 nM). Overall, these results highlight the importance of the extracellular purinergic metabolism to format microglia proliferation and influence the spatio-temporal profile of neuroinflammation in different conditions of brain damage.

Cx43-mediated hyphal folding counteracts phagosome integrity loss during fungal infection.

Phagolysosomes are crucial organelles during the elimination of pathogens by host cells. The maintenance of their membrane integrity is vital during stressful conditions, such as during Candida albicans infection. As the fungal hyphae grow, the phagolysosome membrane expands to ensure that the growing fungus remains entrapped. Additionally, actin structures surrounding the hyphae-containing phagosome were recently described to damage and constrain these pathogens inside the host vacuoles by inducing their folding. However, the molecular mechanism involved in the phagosome membrane adaptation during this extreme expansion process is still unclear. The main goal of this study was to unveil the interplay between phagosomal membrane integrity and folding capacity of C. albicans-infected macrophages. We show that components of the repair machinery are gradually recruited to the expanding phagolysosomal membrane and that their inhibition diminishes macrophage folding capacity. Through an analysis of an RNAseq data set of C. albicans-infected macrophages, we identified Cx43, a gap junction protein, as a putative player involved in the interplay between lysosomal homeostasis and actin-related processes. Our findings further reveal that Cx43 is recruited to expand phagosomes and potentiates the hyphal folding capacity of macrophages, promoting their survival. Additionally, we reveal that Cx43 can act as an anchor for complexes involved in Arp2-mediated actin nucleation during the assembly of actin rings around hyphae-containing phagosomes. Overall, this work brings new insights on the mechanisms by which macrophages cope with C. albicans infection ascribing to Cx43 a new noncanonical regulatory role in phagosome dynamics during pathogen phagocytosis. IMPORTANCE Invasive candidiasis is a life-threatening fungal infection that can become increasingly resistant to treatment. Thus, strategies to improve immune system efficiency, such as the macrophage response during the clearance of the fungal infection, are crucial to ameliorate the current therapies. Engulfed Candida albicans, one of the most common Candida species, is able to quickly transit from yeast-to-hypha form, which can elicit a phagosomal membrane injury and ultimately lead to macrophage death. Here, we extend the understanding of phagosome membrane homeostasis during the hypha expansion and folding process. We found that loss of phagosomal membrane integrity decreases the capacity of macrophages to fold the hyphae. Furthermore, through a bioinformatic analysis, we reveal a new window of opportunities to disclose the mechanisms underlying the hyphal constraining process. We identified Cx43 as a new weapon in the armamentarium to tackle infection by potentiating hyphal folding and promoting macrophage survival.

The Chemical Profile, and Antidermatophytic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of Withania chevalieri A.E. Gonç. Ethanolic Extract.

Withania chevalieri, endogenous from Cape Verde, is a medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine with a large spectrum of applications, such as treating skin fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. The aim of this work was to chemically characterize the W. chevalieri crude ethanolic extract (WcCEE), and evaluate its bioactivities as antidermatophytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, as well as its cytotoxicity. WcCEE was chemically characterized via HPLC-MS. The minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal fungicidal concentration, time-kill and checkerboard assays were used to study the antidermatophytic activity of WcCEE. As an approach to the mechanism of action, the cell wall components, ß-1,3-glucan and chitin, and cell membrane ergosterol were quantified. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allowed for the study of the fungal ultrastructure. WcCEE contained phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenes. It had a concentration-dependent fungicidal activity, not inducing relevant resistance, and was endowed with synergistic effects, especially terbinafine. TEM showed severely damaged fungi; the cell membrane and cell wall components levels had slight modifications. The extract had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, with low toxicity to non-tumoral cell lines. The results demonstrated the potential of WcCEE as an antidermatophytic agent, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, to be safely used in pharmaceutical and dermocosmetic applications.

Study of Ecological Relationship of Yeast Species with Candida albicans in the Context of Vulvovaginal Infections.

The role of the fungal community, the mycobiota, in the health of the vagina is currently an important area of research. The emergence of new sequencing technologies and advances in bioinformatics made possible the discovery of novel fungi inhabiting this niche. Candida spp. constitutes the most important group of opportunistic pathogenic fungi, being the most prevalent fungal species in vulvovaginal infections. However, fungi such as Rhodotorula spp., Naganishia spp. and Malassezia spp. have emerged as potential pathogens in this niche, and therefore it is clinically relevant to understand their ecological interaction with Candida spp. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of yeasts on Candida albicans' pathogenicity, focusing on in-vitro growth, and biofilm formation at different times of co-culture and germ tube formation. The assays were performed with isolated species or with co-cultures of C. albicans (ATCC10231) with one other yeast species: Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (DSM13621), Malassezia furfur (DSM6170) or Naganishia albida (DSM70215). The results showed that M. furfur creates a symbiotic relationship with C. albicans, enhancing the growth rate of the co-culture (149.69%), and of germ tube formation of C. albicans (119.8%) and inducing a higher amount of biofilm biomass of the co-culture, both when mixed (154.1%) and preformed (166.8%). As for the yeasts R. mucilaginosa and N. albida, the relationship is antagonistic (with a significant decrease in all assays), thus possibly repressing the mixture's pathogenicity. These results shed light on the complex interactions between yeasts in the vaginal mycobiome.

Methylglyoxal promotes oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.

Modern diets can cause modern diseases. Research has linked a metabolite of sugar, methylglyoxal (MG), to the development of diabetic complications, but the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate whether MG could directly influence endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammation in Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Wistar and GK rats treated with MG in the drinking water for 3 months were compared with the respective control rats. The effects of MG were investigated on NO-dependent vasorelaxation in isolated rat aortic arteries from the different groups. Insulin resistance, NO bioavailability, glycation, a pro-inflammatory biomarker monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular oxidative stress were also evaluated. Methylglyoxal treated Wistar rats significantly reduced the efficacy of NO-dependent vasorelaxation (p<0.001). This impairment was accompanied by a three fold increase in the oxidative stress marker nitrotyrosine. Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) formation was significantly increased as well as MCP-1 and the expression of the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). NO bioavailability was significantly attenuated and accompanied by an increase in superoxide anion immunofluorescence. Methylglyoxal treated GK rats significantly aggravated endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, AGEs accumulation and diminished NO bioavailability when compared with control GK rats. These results indicate that methylglyoxal induced endothelial dysfunction in normal Wistar rats and aggravated the endothelial dysfunction present in GK rats. The mechanism is at least in part by increasing oxidative stress and/or AGEs formation with a concomitant increment of inflammation and a decrement in NO bioavailability. The present study provides further evidence for methylglyoxal as one of the causative factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and development of macrovascular diabetic complication.

Heterotrophic plasticity and resilience in bleached corals.

Mass coral bleaching events caused by elevated seawater temperatures have resulted in extensive coral mortality throughout the tropics over the past few decades. With continued global warming, bleaching events are predicted to increase in frequency and severity, causing up to 60% coral mortality globally within the next few decades. Although some corals are able to recover and to survive bleaching, the mechanisms underlying such resilience are poorly understood. Here we show that the coral host has a significant role in recovery and resilience. Bleached and recovering Montipora capitata (branching) corals met more than 100% of their daily metabolic energy requirements by markedly increasing their feeding rates and CHAR (per cent contribution of heterotrophically acquired carbon to daily animal respiration), whereas Porites compressa (branching) and Porites lobata (mounding) corals did not. These findings suggest that coral species with high-CHAR capability during bleaching and recovery, irrespective of morphology, will be more resilient to bleaching events over the long term, could become the dominant coral species on reefs, and may help to safeguard affected reefs from potential local and global extinction.

Seasonal variation in the bioaccumulation of potentially toxic metals in the tissues of Astrangia poculata in the northeastern United States.

Astrangia poculata inhabits coasts near dense human populations in the northeastern United States and may be exposed to elevated pollutants. No studies have assessed heavy metal concentration in temperate corals despite their proximity to anthropogenic activity. We collected colonies four times in one year and analyzed coral tissue for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn. Most heavy metals except for As were 1.5-3.3 times lower in summer compared to other seasons. Pb, As, and Cd were three orders of magnitude higher than concentrations for other Narragansett Bay benthic species, suggesting that A. poculata bioaccumulates more readily and/or inhabits more contaminated areas of the Bay. Zn, Pb, and As had similar concentrations to tropical corals inhabiting anthropogenically polluted sites. While physiological impacts are unknown, this population of A. poculata may have a higher tolerance for heavy metal pollution than most scleractinians, making it an interesting candidate for future studies.

Trophic provisioning and parental trade-offs lead to successful reproductive performance in corals after a bleaching event.

Warming ocean temperatures are severely compromising the health and resilience of coral reefs worldwide. Coral bleaching can affect coral physiology and the energy available for corals to reproduce. Mechanisms associated with reproductive allocation in corals are poorly understood, especially after a bleaching event occurs. Using isotopic labeling techniques, we traced the acquisition and allocation of carbon from adults to gametes by autotrophy and heterotrophy in previously bleached and non-bleached Montipora capitata and Porites compressa corals. Experiments revealed that both species: (1) relied only on autotrophy to allocate carbon to gametes, while heterotrophy was less relied upon as a carbon source; (2) experienced a trade-off with less carbon available for adult tissues when provisioning gametes, especially when previously bleached; and (3) used different strategies for allocating carbon to gametes. Over time, M. capitata allocated 10% more carbon to gametes despite bleaching by limiting the allocation of carbon to adult tissues, with 50-80% less carbon allocated to bleached compared to non-bleached colonies. Over the same time period, P. compressa maintained carbon allocation to adult tissues, before allocating carbon to gametes. Our study highlights the importance of autotrophy for carbon allocation from adult corals to gametes, and species-specific differences in carbon allocation depending on bleaching susceptibility.

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in two oyster species from southwest Puerto Rico.

As coastal ecosystems are impacted by land use change and anthropogenic activities, oysters can be an important tool for monitoring local water quality. We collected oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae and Isognomon alatus) from coastal sites near Guánica and La Parguera in southwest Puerto Rico and analyzed their tissue for concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn. All trace metals were found in both species, with high bioaccumulation factors for Ag, Cd, and Zn in both species and Cr in C. rhizophorae. Some trace metals are likely associated with anthropogenic sources, including paints and vehicles (Cu and Zn), oil (Ni and V), and wood preservatives (As). Cr in oysters near Guánica is most likely associated with sediment from erosion in the watershed. Both species could be used to monitor changes in trace metal concentrations and the influence of future watershed management strategies in the region.

Vulvovaginal Candida albicans Clinical Isolates' Resistance to Phagocytosis In-Vitro

Previous studies have revealed that Candida albicans isolates involved in chronic vulvovaginal candidosis (cVVC) phenotypically express less virulent traits than clinical isolates involved in sporadic infections. In this study, we aimed to further explore this finding by studying the behaviour of those same clinical isolates in in-vitro models of infection. Eighteen clinical Candida albicans isolates were collected from women suffering sporadic (eight isolates) or chronic infections (ten isolates). Adhesion to HeLa cells (human cervical cancer epithelial cell line) and resistance to phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophages cell line) were tested in-vitro. In addition, phenotypic expression of virulence factors related with either adhesion or resistance to phagocytosis was tested in-vitro. Results indicated that yeast isolates involved in sporadic infection adhered in a higher proportion of HeLa cells than those of chronic infections, which was related with their ability to produce biofilm (p < 0.05). The ability to evade phagocytosis was related to an elevated production of proteases (p < 0.05) by chronic isolates, while sporadic isolates' resistance to phagocytosis was related to a higher hydrophobicity of cell walls (p < 0.05). We conclude that the evasion of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis related to the production of proteases might be an important factor involved in the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis infection.

Exaggerated increase in cardiac output during exercise in patients with peripheral high-flow arteriovenous malformations.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that cardiac output (Q) in patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is normal at rest and increases disproportionately during exercise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Q was measured in eight patients with large peripheral AVMs and in nine healthy subjects using a noninvasive carbon dioxide (CO2)-based differential Fick method. Subjects were tested while seated at rest and during mild exercise (repeated leg straightening while sitting). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was monitored as an index of the degree of exercise. RESULTS: Average resting Q was similar between AVM patients and healthy subjects (7.40 L/min ± 3.29 vs 6.13 L/min ± 0.94, respectively, P = .29). During exercise, AVM patients showed a smaller increment in VO2 (0.50 L/min ± 0.11 vs 0.78 L/min ± 0.26, P = .012) but with more apparent effort and shortness of breath compared with healthy subjects. The change in Q per unit change in VO2 (ΔQ/ΔVO2) was greater in AVM patients than in healthy subjects (16.00 L/min ± 6.50 vs 9.79 L/min ± 5.33, P < .045). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise intolerance in AVM patients may be due to an imbalance in ΔQ/ΔVO2 resulting from increased shunting through the AVM. Exercise provocation may increase the sensitivity of Q in the clinical evaluation of AVM patients.

The transcription factor Ndt80 is a repressor of Candida parapsilosis virulence attributes.

Candida parapsilosis is an emergent opportunistic yeast among hospital settings that affects mainly neonates and immunocompromised patients. Its most remarkable virulence traits are the ability to adhere to prosthetic materials, as well as the formation of biofilm on abiotic surfaces. The Ndt80 transcription factor was identified as one of the regulators of biofilm formation by C. parapsilosis; however, its function in this process was not yet clarified. By knocking out NDT80 (CPAR2-213640) gene, or even just one single copy of the gene, we observed substantial alterations of virulence attributes, including morphogenetic changes, adhesion and biofilm growth profiles. Both ndt80Δ and ndt80ΔΔ mutants changed colony and cell morphologies from smooth, yeast-shaped to crepe and pseudohyphal elongated forms, exhibiting promoted adherence to polystyrene microspheres and notably, forming a higher amount of biofilm compared to wild-type strain. Interestingly, we identified transcription factors Ume6, Cph2, Cwh41, Ace2, Bcr1, protein kinase Mkc1 and adhesin Als7 to be under Ndt80 negative regulation, partially explaining the phenotypes displayed by the ndt80ΔΔ mutant. Furthermore, ndt80ΔΔ pseudohyphae adhered more rapidly and were more resistant to murine macrophage attack, becoming deleterious to such cells after phagocytosis. Unexpectedly, our findings provide the first evidence for a direct role of Ndt80 as a repressor of C. parapsilosis virulence attributes. This finding shows that C. parapsilosis Ndt80 functionally diverges from its homolog in the close related fungal pathogen C. albicans.

Candida Extracellular Nucleotide Metabolism Promotes Neutrophils Extracellular Traps Escape.

Host innate immunity is fundamental to the resistance against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata infection, two of the most important agents contributing to human fungal infections. Phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, constitute the first line of host defense mechanisms, and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent an important strategy to immobilize and to kill invading microorganisms, arresting the establishment of infection. The purinergic system operates an important role in the homeostasis of immunity and inflammation, and ectophosphatase and ectonucleotidase activities are recognized as essential for survival strategies and infectious potential of several pathogens. The expression and unique activity of a 3'-nucleotidase/nuclease (3'NT/NU), able to hydrolyze not only AMP but also nucleic acids, has been considered as part of a possible mechanism of microbes to escape from NETs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if yeasts escape from the NET-mediated killing through their 3'NT/NU enzymatic activity contributing to NET-hydrolysis. After demonstrating the presence of 3'NT/NU activity in C. albicans, C. glabrata, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that, during neutrophils-Candida interaction, when NETs formation and release are triggered, NETs digestion occurs and this process of NETs disruption promoted by yeast cells was prevented by ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), a 3'NT/NU inhibitor. In conclusion, although the exact nature and specificity of yeasts ectonucleotidases are not completely unraveled, we highlight the importance of these enzymes in the context of infection, helping yeasts to overcome host defenses, whereby C. albicans and C. glabrata can escape NET-mediate killing through their 3'NT/NU activity.

Beneficial effects of dietary restriction in type 2 diabetic rats: the role of adipokines on inflammation and insulin resistance.

Inflammation plays an important role in diabetes mellitus and its complications. In this context, the negative cross-talk between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle leads to disturbances in muscle cell insulin signalling and induces insulin resistance. Because several studies have shown that energy restriction brings some benefits to diabetes, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary restriction on systemic and skeletal muscle inflammatory biomarkers, such C-reactive protein, adipokines and cytokines, and in insulin resistance in Goto-Kakizaki rats. This is an animal model of spontaneous non-obese type 2 diabetes with strongly insulin resistance and without dyslipidaemia. Animals were maintained during 2 months of dietary restriction (50 %) and were killed at 6 months of age. Some biochemical determinations were done using ELISA and Western blot. Data from the present study demonstrate that in Goto-Kakizaki rats the dietary restriction improved insulin resistance, NEFA levels and adipokine profile and ameliorated inflammatory cytokines in skeletal muscle. These results indicate that dietary restriction in type 2 diabetes enhances adipose tissue metabolism leading to an improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.