UniProt and Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics-A 2-Way Working Relationship.

The human proteome comprises of all of the proteins produced by the sequences translated from the human genome with additional modifications in both sequence and function caused by nonsynonymous variants and posttranslational modifications including cleavage of the initial transcript into smaller peptides and polypeptides. The UniProtKB database (www.uniprot.org) is the world's leading high-quality, comprehensive and freely accessible resource of protein sequence and functional information and presents a summary of experimentally verified, or computationally predicted, functional information added by our expert biocuration team for each protein in the proteome. Researchers in the field of mass spectrometry-based proteomics both consume and add to the body of data available in UniProtKB, and this review highlights the information we provide to this community and the knowledge we in turn obtain from groups via deposition of large-scale datasets in public domain databases.

Clocked atom delivery to a photonic crystal waveguide.

Experiments and numerical simulations are described that develop quantitative understanding of atomic motion near the surfaces of nanoscopic photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs). Ultracold atoms are delivered from a moving optical lattice into the PCW. Synchronous with the moving lattice, transmission spectra for a guided-mode probe field are recorded as functions of lattice transport time and frequency detuning of the probe beam. By way of measurements such as these, we have been able to validate quantitatively our numerical simulations, which are based upon detailed understanding of atomic trajectories that pass around and through nanoscopic regions of the PCW under the influence of optical and surface forces. The resolution for mapping atomic motion is roughly 50 nm in space and 100 ns in time. By introducing auxiliary guided-mode (GM) fields that provide spatially varying AC Stark shifts, we have, to some degree, begun to control atomic trajectories, such as to enhance the flux into the central vacuum gap of the PCW at predetermined times and with known AC Stark shifts. Applications of these capabilities include enabling high fractional filling of optical trap sites within PCWs, calibration of optical fields within PCWs, and utilization of the time-dependent, optically dense atomic medium for novel nonlinear optical experiments.

Genetics and Epigenetics of Nasal Polyposis: A Systematic Review.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses that is often associated with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in the most severe cases. As in other complex diseases, genetic factors are thought to play an important role in the risk and development of the disease. Environment may also modulate the epigenetic signature in affected patients. In the present systematic review, we aimed to compile all published data on genetic and epigenetic variations in CRSwNP since 2000. We found 104 articles, 24 of which were related to epigenetic studies. We identified more than 150 genetic variants in 99 genes involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis. These were clustered into 8 main networks, linking genes involved in inflammation and immune response (eg, MHC), cytokine genes (eg, TNF), leukotriene metabolism, and the extracellular matrix. A total of 89 miRNAs were also identified; these are associated mainly with biological functions such as the cell cycle, inflammation, and the immune response. We propose a potential relationship between genes and the miRNAs identified that may open new lines of investigation. An in-depth knowledge of gene variants and epigenetic traits could help us to design more tailored treatment for patients with CRSwNP.

Recycling organic residues in soils as amendments: Effect on the mobility of two herbicides under different management practices.

The addition of organic residues to soil to increase its organic matter content is considered as a viable option for sustainable food production in soils sensitive to degradation and erosion. However, the recycling of these organic residues in agricultural soils needs to be previously appraised because they can modify the behaviour of pesticides when they are simultaneously applied in agricultural practices. This study evaluated the changes in the mobility and persistence of two herbicides, triasulfuron and prosulfocarb, after two repeated applications in field experimental plots in an unamended soil and one amended with green compost (GC) for seven months. Different factors were studied: i) soil without amendment (S), ii) soil amended with two doses of GC (∼12 t C ha-1, S + GC1 and 40 t C ha-1, S + GC2), and iii) soils unamended and amended with different irrigation conditions: non-irrigated and with additional irrigation (2.8 mm per week). After the first application of herbicides, the results initially indicated no significant effects of soil treatments or irrigation conditions for triasulfuron mobility in agreement with the residual concentrations in the soil profile. The effect of irrigation was noted after one month of herbicide application and the effect of the soil treatment was significant after two months because the persistence of triasulfuron in S + GC2 was maintained until 50% of the applied amount. For prosulfocarb, the influence of soil amendment was significant for the initial persistence of the herbicide in S + GC2, higher than in S or S + GC1, in agreement with its adsorption constants for this soil. However, dissipation or leaching of the herbicide over time was not inhibited in this soil. After the repeated application of herbicides, the influence of the treatment of soils and/or irrigation was significant for the leaching and dissipation of both herbicides. The initial dissipation/degradation or leaching of herbicides was higher than after the first application, although persistence was maintained after five months of application in amended soils for triasulfuron and in unamended and amended soils for prosulfocarb. The results confirm that high doses of GC increased the persistence of both herbicides. This practice may offer the possibility of applying a tailored dose of GC to soil for striking a balance between residual concentrations and the soil agronomic effect.

Application of green compost as amendment in an agricultural soil: Effect on the behaviour of triasulfuron and prosulfocarb under field conditions.

Herbicides are essential in agricultural systems for maintaining crop yields, as weeds compromise grain production. Furthermore, the application of organic amendments to soil is an increasingly frequent agricultural practice for avoiding irreversible soil degradation. However, this practice could modify the behaviour of the herbicides applied, with implications for their absorption by weeds. This study evaluated the dissipation, persistence and mobility of the herbicides triasulfuron and prosulfocarb in a sandy clay loam soil unamended and amended with green compost (GC) in a field experiment using single or combined commercial formulations of both herbicides. The study was carried out in experimental plots (eight treatments × three replicates) corresponding to unamended soil and soil amended with GC, untreated and treated with the herbicide formulations Logran®, Auros® and Auros Plus® over 100 days. The half-life (DT50) of triasulfuron applied individually was 19.4 days, and increased in the GC-amended soil (46.7 days) due to its higher adsorption by this soil, although non-significant differences between DT50 values were found when it was applied in combination with prosulfocarb. Prosulfocarb dissipated faster than triasulfuron under all the conditions assayed, but non-significant differences were observed for the different treatments. The analysis of the herbicides at different soil depths (0-50 cm) after their application confirmed the leaching of both herbicides to deeper soil layers under all conditions, although larger amounts of residues were found in the 0-10 and 10-20 cm layers. The application of GC to the soil increased the persistence of both herbicides, and prevented the rapid leaching of triasulfuron in the soil, but the leaching of prosulfocarb was not inhibited. The influence of single or combined formulations was observed for triasulfuron, but not for prosulfocarb. The results obtained highlight the interest of obtaining field data to design rational joint applications of GC and herbicides to prevent the possible decrease in their effectiveness for weeds or the risk of water contamination.

Experimental Observation of Convective Cell Formation due to a Fast Wave Antenna in the Large Plasma Device.

An experiment in a linear device, the Large Plasma Device, is used to study sheaths caused by an actively powered radio frequency (rf) antenna. The rf antenna used in the experiment consists of a single current strap recessed inside a copper box enclosure without a Faraday screen. A large increase in the plasma potential was observed along magnetic field lines that connect to the antenna limiter. The electric field from the spatial variation of the rectified plasma potential generated E[over →]×B[over →]_{0} flows, often referred to as convective cells. The presence of the flows generated by these potentials is confirmed by Mach probes. The observed convective cell flows are seen to cause the plasma in front of the antenna to flow away and cause a density modification near the antenna edge. These can cause hot spots and damage to the antenna and can result in a decrease in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies antenna coupling.

Study of processes influencing bioavailability of pesticides in wood-soil systems: Effect of different factors.

Lignocellulosic wastes and by-products containing lignin are now available in large amounts from forestry and industrial activities, and could be promising organic materials for the biosorption of pesticides by soils in order to reduce point-source pollution. Adding these materials to soil requires understanding the process of pesticide sorption-desorption by wood-soils, as sorption capacity could increase, with changes in pesticide bioavailability and final fate. The objective of this work was to study the effect that pine and oak wood added to soils had on the sorption/desorption of the pesticides linuron, alachlor, and metalaxyl. Experiments were conducted with two sandy loam and sandy clay soils each amended with two wood doses (5% and 50%) after different incubation times (0, 5 and 12 months). A low wood dose (5%) had no significant impact on the sorption (Kf) of alachlor, but Kf increased for linuron (up to 5.4-1.7 times) and metalaxyl (up to 4.4 and 8.6 times) in all wood-soil systems. The results were not significantly different after different incubation times. The desorption results indicated that wood decreases the sorption irreversibility of alachlor, and increases that of linuron and metalaxyl, with a varying effect of the wood-soil incubation time. The addition of a high wood dose to soil (50%) was more significant for increasing the sorption of all the pesticides, and the sorbed amounts remaining after desorption (>49% for linuron, >33% for alachlor and >6% for metalaxyl), although there was no apparent discrimination between the two types of woods. The role of the nature of the organic carbón (Koc values) for sorption was evidenced for alachlor and metalaxyl, but not for linuron. These outcomes are of interest for extending wood application to soil as a barrier for avoiding environmental risk by point-source pollution due to the use and management of pesticides in farming systems.

The utility of exhaled nitric oxide in patients with suspected asthma.

The value of FENO measurements in patients with symptoms suggestive of asthma is unclear. We performed an observational study to assess the ability of FENO to diagnose asthma and to predict response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Our findings suggest FENO is not useful for asthma diagnosis but is accurate at predicting ICS response.

Assessment of a rapid liquid-based cytology method for measuring sputum cell counts.

Differential sputum cell counting is not widely available despite proven clinical utility in the management of asthma. We compared eosinophil counts obtained using liquid-based cytology (LBC), a routine histopathological processing method, and the current standard method. Eosinophil counts obtained using LBC were a strong predictor of sputum eosinophilia (≥3%) determined by the standard method suggesting LBC could be used in the management of asthma.

Dissemination of thermodynamic temperature above the freezing point of silver.

The mise-en-pratique for the definition of the kelvin at high temperatures will formally allow dissemination of thermodynamic temperature either directly or mediated through high-temperature fixed points (HTFPs). In this paper, these two distinct dissemination methods are evaluated, namely source-based and detector-based. This was achieved by performing two distinct dissemination trials: one based on HTFPs, the other based on absolutely calibrated radiation thermometers or filter radiometers. These trials involved six national metrology institutes in Europe in the frame of the European Metrology Research Programme joint project 'Implementing the new kelvin' (InK). The results have shown that both dissemination routes are possible, with similar standard uncertainties of 1-2 K, over the range 1273-2773 K, showing that, depending on the facilities available in the laboratory, it will soon be possible to disseminate thermodynamic temperatures above 1273 K to users by either of the two methods with uncertainties comparable to the current temperature scale.

Thermodynamic temperature assignment to the point of inflection of the melting curve of high-temperature fixed points.

The thermodynamic temperature of the point of inflection of the melting transition of Re-C, Pt-C and Co-C eutectics has been determined to be 2747.84 ± 0.35 K, 2011.43 ± 0.18 K and 1597.39 ± 0.13 K, respectively, and the thermodynamic temperature of the freezing transition of Cu has been determined to be 1357.80 ± 0.08 K, where the ± symbol represents 95% coverage. These results are the best consensus estimates obtained from measurements made using various spectroradiometric primary thermometry techniques by nine different national metrology institutes. The good agreement between the institutes suggests that spectroradiometric thermometry techniques are sufficiently mature (at least in those institutes) to allow the direct realization of thermodynamic temperature above 1234 K (rather than the use of a temperature scale) and that metal-carbon eutectics can be used as high-temperature fixed points for thermodynamic temperature dissemination. The results directly support the developing mise en pratique for the definition of the kelvin to include direct measurement of thermodynamic temperature.

Evaluation of a fibrate, specific stimulant of PPARα, as a therapeutic alternative to the treatment of clinical ovine pregnancy toxaemia.

Ovine pregnancy toxaemia is a metabolic disorder affecting sheep in their last 6 weeks of pregnancy as a result of their inability to maintain adequate energy homoeostasis. Different alternative treatments are available with variable results. The aim of this research was to evaluate a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) stimulant as an alternative to treat clinical pregnancy toxaemia. Thirty-three adult sheep, with known gestation date and carrying a single foetus, were fasted from day 130 of gestation until animals showed clinical disease. From that moment onwards, sheep were treated during 6 days with three different therapeutic alternatives: 10 mg/kg of 2-methyl-2-phenoxy-propionic acid; 10 mg/kg of 2-methyl-2-phenoxy-propionic acid + 100 mL of propylene glycol oral; or 100 mL of propylene glycol oral. Glycaemia and serum ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHOB) were determined daily. Liver biopsies were taken at day 130 of gestation, at the beginning and end of treatments and at 5 days postpartum, evaluating the extent and degree of the steatosis lesion. Even though in sheep treated with 2-methyl-2-phenoxy-propionic acid, serum concentrations of glucose and BHOB recovered more slowly, we conclude that 2-methyl-2-phenoxy-propionic acid alone or combined with propylene glycol can be used as an alternative to effectively treat fatty liver, and therefore pregnancy toxaemia.

Field versus laboratory experiments to evaluate the fate of azoxystrobin in an amended vineyard soil.

This study reports the effect that adding spent mushroom substrate (SMS) to a representative vineyard soil from La Rioja region (Spain) has on the behaviour of azoxystrobin in two different environmental scenarios. Field dissipation experiments were conducted on experimental plots amended at rates of 50 and 150 t ha(-1), and similar dissipation experiments were simultaneously conducted in the laboratory to identify differences under controlled conditions. Azoxystrobin dissipation followed biphasic kinetics in both scenarios, although the initial dissipation phase was much faster in the field than in the laboratory experiments, and the half-life (DT50) values obtained in the two experiments were 0.34-46.3 days and 89.2-148 days, respectively. Fungicide residues in the soil profile increased in the SMS amended soil and they were much higher in the top two layers (0-20 cm) than in deeper layers. The persistence of fungicide in the soil profile is consistent with changes in azoxystrobin adsorption by unamended and amended soils over time. Changes in the dehydrogenase activity (DHA) of soils under different treatments assayed in the field and in the laboratory indicated that SMS and the fungicide had a stimulatory effect on soil DHA. The results reveal that the laboratory studies usually reported in the literature to explain the fate of pesticides in amended soils are insufficient to explain azoxystrobin behaviour under real conditions. Field studies are necessary to set up efficient applications of SMS and fungicide, with a view to preventing the possible risk of water contamination.

Reduction of residual amplitude modulation to 1 × 10⁻6 for frequency modulation and laser stabilization.

Active control and cancellation of residual amplitude modulation (RAM) in phase modulation of an optical carrier is one of the key technologies for achieving the ultimate stability of a laser locked to an ultrastable optical cavity. Furthermore, such techniques are versatile tools in various frequency modulation-based spectroscopy applications. In this Letter we report a simple and robust approach to actively stabilize RAM in an optical phase modulation process. We employ a waveguide-based electro-optic modulator (EOM) to provide phase modulation and implement an active servo with both DC electric field and temperature feedback onto the EOM to cancel both the in-phase and quadrature components of the RAM. This technique allows RAM control on the parts-per-million level where RAM-induced frequency instability is comparable to or lower than the fundamental thermal noise limit of the best available optical cavities.

The falling incidence of hematologic cancer after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: A number of changes in the management of heart transplantation (HT) patients have each tended to reduce the risk of post-HT hematologic cancer, but little information is available concerning the overall effect on incidence in the HT population. METHODS: Comparison of data from the Spanish Post-Heart-Transplantation Tumour Registry for the periods 1991-2000 and 2001-2010. RESULTS: The incidence among patients who underwent HT in the latter period was about half that observed in the former, with a particularly marked improvement in regard to incidence more than five yr post-HT. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in HT patient management have jointly reduced the risk of hematologic cancer in the Spanish HT population. Long-term risk appears to have benefited more than short-term risk.

Prognostic impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma in patients with heart failure.

PURPOSE: To analyze the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma on therapeutic management and prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: Analysis of the information collected in a clinical registry of patients referred to a specialized HF unit from January-2010 to June-2012. Clinical profile, treatment and prognosis of patients was evaluated, according to the presence of COPD or asthma. Survival analyses were conducted by means of Kaplan-Meier and Cox's methods. Median follow-up was 1493 days. RESULTS: We studied 2577 patients, of which 251 (9.7%) presented COPD and 96 (3.7%) bronchial asthma. Significant differences among study groups were observed regarding to the prescription of beta-blockers (COPD=89.6%; asthma=87.5%; no bronchopathy=94.1%; p=0.002) and SGLT2 inhibitors (COPD=35.1%; asthma=50%; no bronchopathy=38.3%; p=0.036). Also, patients with bronchial disease received less frequently a defibrillator (COPD=20.3%; asthma=20.8%; no broncopathy=29%; p=0.004). COPD was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.64; 95% CI 1.33-2.02), all-cause death or HF admission (HR=1.47; 95% CI 1.22-1.76) and cardiovascular death or heart transplantation (HR=1.39; 95% CI 1.08-1.79) as compared with patients with no bronchopathy. Bronchial asthma was not significantly associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: COPD, but not asthma, is an adverse independent prognostic factor in patients with HF.

Optical spectrum analyzer with quantum-limited noise floor.

Interactions between atoms and lasers provide the potential for unprecedented control of quantum states. Fulfilling this potential requires detailed knowledge of frequency noise in optical oscillators with state-of-the-art stability. We demonstrate a technique that precisely measures the noise spectrum of an ultrastable laser using optical lattice-trapped 87Sr atoms as a quantum projection noise-limited reference. We determine the laser noise spectrum from near dc to 100 Hz via the measured fluctuations in atomic excitation, guided by a simple and robust theory model. The noise spectrum yields a 26(4) mHz linewidth at a central frequency of 429 THz, corresponding to an optical quality factor of 1.6×10(16). This approach improves upon optical heterodyne beats between two similar laser systems by providing information unique to a single laser and complements the traditionally used Allan deviation which evaluates laser performance at relatively long time scales. We use this technique to verify the reduction of resonant noise in our ultrastable laser via feedback from an optical heterodyne beat. Finally, we show that knowledge of our laser's spectrum allows us to accurately predict the laser-limited stability for optical atomic clocks.

[Prevention of thromboembolism in bariatric surgery]. / Prevencíon del tromboembolismo en cirugía bariátrica.

Disease thromboembolic (ETEV) is one of the major complications that can occur after surgery, and is the leading cause of death in the postoperative period of Bariatric Surgery. Among other factors, should be aware that these patients are at additional risk of ETEV due to own obesity (IMC > 30). After Bariatric Surgery the risk of thromboembolic events varies according to the surveyed series. In general, it is estimated that danger EP (pulmonary embolism) is 0.8% and DVT (deep vein thrombosis) of 1.7%. ETEV global mortality estimates of 0.1 to 2%.

The Dissociation-Related Beliefs About Memory Questionnaire (DBMQ): Development and psychometric properties.

OBJECTIVE: Discontinuities in memory are the hallmark symptoms of most dissociative disorders but are also reported by patients diagnosed with related disorders, including PTSD. Memory discontinuity is most evident in dissociative identity disorder (DID), where patients may report amnesia in 1 identity for information available in other identities (i.e., interidentity amnesia). Studies indicate that even though patients subjectively report interidentity amnesia for material learned in, or pertaining to, another identity, objective findings show evidence of transfer of that material between identities. Subjective reports of dissociative amnesia may be explained by specific dissociation-related metamemory beliefs, which hinder voluntary retrieval, personal acknowledgment, and processing of memories. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire indexing metamemory beliefs related to trait dissociation. METHOD: Two studies in nonclinical populations provided information about the factor structure (Studies 1 and 2) of the newly developed Dissociation-related Beliefs about Memory Questionnaire (DBMQ). Information was also provided about the construct validity (Studies 2 and 3), and reliability of the scale (all 3 studies) in nonclinical as well as a clinical population. RESULTS: Results indicated sound psychometric properties of a short 16-item DBMQ with subscales assessing Fragmentation, Positive beliefs about amnesia, Lack of self-reference, and Fear of losing control, and correlations specifically with trait dissociation and posttraumatic avoidance symptoms. A sample of DID patients (N = 19) showed increased scores on the DBMQ. CONCLUSION: The DBMQ provides a short, reliable, and valid tool for indexing dissociation-related metamemory beliefs. These beliefs were associated with trait dissociation and posttraumatic avoidance symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Is minimising waste volume for drawing blood samples in critically ill patients feasible?

INTRODUCTION: Drawing blood samples through a central venous catheter (CVC) is a customary practice in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). It is indicated to discard a volume of waste blood to avoid interference in the results. AIM: To determine whether a lower discard volume for obtaining blood samples from temporary CVCs placed into the internal jugular, femoral or subclavian vein offers valid results. METHOD: A quasi-experimental prospective cross-sectional study for which sixty-five patients of over 18 years of age in ICUs, who had been fitted with a triple lumen central venous catheter, were recruited over a period of eight months. Two consecutive blood samples were extracted with tubes for biochemistry, coagulation and hemogram from each patient from the distal lumen. The first sample was obtained with a discarded waste of 1.5 ml from a total extracted volume of 10.2 ml, similar to the usual waste in our ambit (10 ml). Subsequently the second sample was obtained. The paired t-test was used to analyse the data. The Bland-Altman plot and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to measure the agreement between methods. The reference change value (RCV) was established as the admissible limit of variation between the pairs of samples. RESULTS: A total of 65 sample pairs were drawn (intervention-control). The paired t-test found statistically significant differences with a significance level of α = .05 for chlorine (-.536; .012); prothrombin time (-.092; .019) and prothrombin activity (.284; 1.375).The ICC was greater than .9 in all the variables and the limit determined for the RCV was not surpassed by any value. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the reliability of the blood samples drawn with a discard volume of 1.5 ml.