A secondary atmosphere on the rocky exoplanet 55 Cancri e.

Characterizing rocky exoplanets is a central aim of astronomy, and yet the search for atmospheres on rocky exoplanets has so far resulted in either tight upper limits on the atmospheric mass1-3 or inconclusive results4-6. The 1.95REarth and 8.8MEarth planet 55 Cancri e (abbreviated 55 Cnc e), with a predominantly rocky composition and an equilibrium temperature of around 2,000 K, may have a volatile envelope (containing molecules made from a combination of C, H, O, N, S and P elements) that accounts for up to a few percent of its radius7-13. The planet has been observed extensively with transmission spectroscopy14-22 and its thermal emission has been measured in broad photometric bands23-26. These observations disfavour a primordial H2/He-dominated atmosphere but cannot conclusively determine whether the planet has a secondary atmosphere27,28. Here we report a thermal emission spectrum of the planet obtained by the NIRCam and MIRI instruments aboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) from 4 to 12 µm. The measurements rule out the scenario in which the planet is a lava world shrouded by a tenuous atmosphere made of vaporized rock29-32 and indicate a bona fide volatile atmosphere that is probably rich in CO2 or CO. This atmosphere can be outgassed from and sustained by a magma ocean.

Early Release Science of the exoplanet WASP-39b with JWST NIRSpec G395H.

Measuring the abundances of carbon and oxygen in exoplanet atmospheres is considered a crucial avenue for unlocking the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems1,2. Access to the chemical inventory of an exoplanet requires high-precision observations, often inferred from individual molecular detections with low-resolution space-based3-5 and high-resolution ground-based6-8 facilities. Here we report the medium-resolution (R ≈ 600) transmission spectrum of an exoplanet atmosphere between 3 and 5 µm covering several absorption features for the Saturn-mass exoplanet WASP-39b (ref. 9), obtained with the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) G395H grating of JWST. Our observations achieve 1.46 times photon precision, providing an average transit depth uncertainty of 221 ppm per spectroscopic bin, and present minimal impacts from systematic effects. We detect significant absorption from CO2 (28.5σ) and H2O (21.5σ), and identify SO2 as the source of absorption at 4.1 µm (4.8σ). Best-fit atmospheric models range between 3 and 10 times solar metallicity, with sub-solar to solar C/O ratios. These results, including the detection of SO2, underscore the importance of characterizing the chemistry in exoplanet atmospheres and showcase NIRSpec G395H as an excellent mode for time-series observations over this critical wavelength range10.

Early Release Science of the exoplanet WASP-39b with JWST NIRCam.

Measuring the metallicity and carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratio in exoplanet atmospheres is a fundamental step towards constraining the dominant chemical processes at work and, if in equilibrium, revealing planet formation histories. Transmission spectroscopy (for example, refs. 1,2) provides the necessary means by constraining the abundances of oxygen- and carbon-bearing species; however, this requires broad wavelength coverage, moderate spectral resolution and high precision, which, together, are not achievable with previous observatories. Now that JWST has commenced science operations, we are able to observe exoplanets at previously uncharted wavelengths and spectral resolutions. Here we report time-series observations of the transiting exoplanet WASP-39b using JWST's Near InfraRed Camera (NIRCam). The long-wavelength spectroscopic and short-wavelength photometric light curves span 2.0-4.0 micrometres, exhibit minimal systematics and reveal well defined molecular absorption features in the planet's spectrum. Specifically, we detect gaseous water in the atmosphere and place an upper limit on the abundance of methane. The otherwise prominent carbon dioxide feature at 2.8 micrometres is largely masked by water. The best-fit chemical equilibrium models favour an atmospheric metallicity of 1-100-times solar (that is, an enrichment of elements heavier than helium relative to the Sun) and a substellar C/O ratio. The inferred high metallicity and low C/O ratio may indicate significant accretion of solid materials during planet formation (for example, refs. 3,4,) or disequilibrium processes in the upper atmosphere (for example, refs. 5,6).

Semi-automated registration-based anatomical labelling, voxel based morphometry and cortical thickness mapping of the mouse brain.

BACKGROUND: Morphoanatomical MRI methods have recently begun to be applied in the mouse. However, substantial differences in the anatomical organisation of human and rodent brain prevent a straightforward extension of clinical neuroimaging tools to mouse brain imaging. As a result, the vast majority of the published approaches rely on tailored routines that address single morphoanatomical readouts and typically lack a sufficiently-detailed description of the complex workflow required to process images and quantify structural alterations. NEW METHOD: Here we provide a detailed description of semi-automated registration-based procedures for voxel based morphometry, cortical thickness estimation and automated anatomical labelling of the mouse brain. The approach relies on the sequential use of advanced image processing tools offered by ANTs, a flexible open source toolkit freely available to the scientific community. RESULTS: To illustrate our procedures, we described their application to quantify morphological alterations in socially-impaired BTBR mice with respect to normosocial C57BL/6J controls, a comparison recently described by us and other research groups. We show that the approach can reliably detect both focal and large-scale grey matter alterations using complementary readouts. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: No detailed operational workflows for mouse imaging are available for direct comparison with our methods. However, empirical assessment of the mapped inter-strain differences is in good agreement with the findings of other groups using analogous approaches. CONCLUSION: The detailed operational workflows described here are expected to help the implementation of rodent morphoanatomical methods by non-expert users, and ultimately promote the use of these tools across the preclinical neuroimaging community.

COMT Genetic Reduction Produces Sexually Divergent Effects on Cortical Anatomy and Working Memory in Mice and Humans.

Genetic variations in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) that modulate cortical dopamine have been associated with pleiotropic behavioral effects in humans and mice. Recent data suggest that some of these effects may vary among sexes. However, the specific brain substrates underlying COMT sexual dimorphisms remain unknown. Here, we report that genetically driven reduction in COMT enzyme activity increased cortical thickness in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and postero-parieto-temporal cortex of male, but not female adult mice and humans. Dichotomous changes in PFC cytoarchitecture were also observed: reduced COMT increased a measure of neuronal density in males, while reducing it in female mice. Consistent with the neuroanatomical findings, COMT-dependent sex-specific morphological brain changes were paralleled by divergent effects on PFC-dependent working memory in both mice and humans. These findings emphasize a specific sex-gene interaction that can modulate brain morphological substrates with influence on behavioral outcomes in healthy subjects and, potentially, in neuropsychiatric populations.

Neuroimaging evidence of major morpho-anatomical and functional abnormalities in the BTBR T+TF/J mouse model of autism.

BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mice display prominent behavioural deficits analogous to the defining symptoms of autism, a feature that has prompted a widespread use of the model in preclinical autism research. Because neuro-behavioural traits are described with respect to reference populations, multiple investigators have examined and described the behaviour of BTBR mice against that exhibited by C57BL/6J (B6), a mouse line characterised by high sociability and low self-grooming. In an attempt to probe the translational relevance of this comparison for autism research, we used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to map in both strain multiple morpho-anatomical and functional neuroimaging readouts that have been extensively used in patient populations. Diffusion tensor tractography confirmed previous reports of callosal agenesis and lack of hippocampal commissure in BTBR mice, and revealed a concomitant rostro-caudal reorganisation of major cortical white matter bundles. Intact inter-hemispheric tracts were found in the anterior commissure, ventro-medial thalamus, and in a strain-specific white matter formation located above the third ventricle. BTBR also exhibited decreased fronto-cortical, occipital and thalamic gray matter volume and widespread reductions in cortical thickness with respect to control B6 mice. Foci of increased gray matter volume and thickness were observed in the medial prefrontal and insular cortex. Mapping of resting-state brain activity using cerebral blood volume weighted fMRI revealed reduced cortico-thalamic function together with foci of increased activity in the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of BTBR mice. Collectively, our results show pronounced functional and structural abnormalities in the brain of BTBR mice with respect to control B6 mice. The large and widespread white and gray matter abnormalities observed do not appear to be representative of the neuroanatomical alterations typically observed in autistic patients. The presence of reduced fronto-cortical metabolism is of potential translational relevance, as this feature recapitulates previously-reported clinical observations.

Integración de marcadores humorales, ecocardiograma Doppler convencional y strain bidimensional sistólico en la detección de toxicidad miocárdica secundaria a la quimioterapia / Serum Markers, Conventional Doppler Echocardiography and Two-dimensional Systolic Strain in the Diagnosis of Chemotherapy-Induced Myocardial Toxicity

Introducción La disfunción ventricular izquierda es una complicación grave del tratamiento antineoplásico, con impacto desfavorable en la evolución clínica futura. El diagnóstico precoz de cardiotoxici-dad en pacientes que reciben quimioterapia podría ser de utilidad para definir una estrategia de prevención del deterioro de la función ventricular. Objetivo Analizar la utilidad de marcadores humorales [troponina T (TnT), BNP y NT-proBNP] y del strain bidimensional sistólico longitudinal (SBL) y radial (SBR) para la detección de disfunción ventricular sistólica en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia cardiotóxica. Material y métodos Se incluyeron forma prospectiva 36 pacientes, edad promedio (± DE) de 47 ± 16 años (42% hombres), con enfermedad neoplásica con masa miocárdica normal y fracción de eyección = 55% tratados con agentes antineoplásicos. Se efectuaron dosajes de marcadores humorales y ecocardiograma basales y al 2°, 3°, 4° y 6° mes posterior al inicio del tratamiento oncológico. Se consideró punto final (PF) a los 6 meses a la caída de la fracción de eyección según consenso internacional. Resultados Alcanzaron el PF 7 pacientes (19,4%). Se observaron los siguientes predictores relacionados con el PF: NT-proBNP 4° mes [PF positivo (G1) 152 ± 42 pg/ml vs. PF negativo (G2) 61 ± 38 pg/ml; p < 0,001], BNP 4° mes (G1 41 ± 12 pg/ml vs. G2 26 ± 11 pg/ml; p < 0,01), SBL 3er mes (G1 -16,3 ± 2,4% vs. G2 -19,6 ± 2,02%; p < 0,01) y 4° mes (G1 -15,9 ± 1,77% vs. G2 -19,9 ± 2,2%; p < 0,001) y SBR 4° mes (G1 46,4 ± 2,4% vs. G2 52 ± 3,4%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones El dosaje de péptidos natriuréticos y la medición del strain bidimensional sistólico longitudinal y radial fueron de utilidad para predecir disfunción sistólica ventricular de grado leve en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia.

Background Left ventricular dysfunction is a serious complication of antineoplastic treatment with unfavorable impact in future clinical outcome. Early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity in patients receiving chemotherapy might be useful to define a strategy for the prevention of ventricular function impairment. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the usefulness of serum markers [troponin T (TnT), BNP and NT-proBNP] and two-dimensional longitudinal (LS) and radial (RS) strain to detect ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Methods Thirty six patients [average age (±SD) 47±16 years, 42% men], with neoplastic disease with normal myocardial mass and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) =55% receiving chemotherapy treatment, were prospectively included. Assessment of serum markers and echocardiography were performed before chemotherapy and at 2, 3, 4 and 6 months after onset of cancer treatment. The 6-month cardiotoxicity endpoint (EP) was defined as reduced LVEF according to international consensus. Results Seven patients reached the EP (19.4%). Endpoint predictors were: NT-proBNP at 4 months (positive EP (G1): 152 ±42 pg/ml vs. negative EP (G2) 61±38 pg/ml; p <0.001), BNP at 4 months (G1 41±12 pg/ml vs. G2 26±11 pg/ml; p <0.01), two-dimensional LS at 3 months (G1 -16.3±2.4% vs. G2 19.6±2.02%; p <0.01) and 4 months (G1 -15.9±1.77% vs. G2 19.9±2.2%; p <0.001), and two-dimensional RS at 4 months (G1 46.4±2.4% vs. G2 52±3.4%; p <0.001). Conclusions Natriuretic peptides and two-dimensional LS and RS were useful to predict mild ventricular systolic dysfunction in chemotherapy-treated patients.

Integración de marcadores humorales, ecocardiograma Doppler convencional y strain bidimensional sistólico en la detección de toxicidad miocárdica secundaria a la quimioterapia / Serum Markers, Conventional Doppler Echocardiography and Two-dimensional Systolic Strain in the Diagnosis of Chemotherapy-Induced Myocardial Toxicity

Introducción La disfunción ventricular izquierda es una complicación grave del tratamiento antineoplásico, con impacto desfavorable en la evolución clínica futura. El diagnóstico precoz de cardiotoxici-dad en pacientes que reciben quimioterapia podría ser de utilidad para definir una estrategia de prevención del deterioro de la función ventricular. Objetivo Analizar la utilidad de marcadores humorales [troponina T (TnT), BNP y NT-proBNP] y del strain bidimensional sistólico longitudinal (SBL) y radial (SBR) para la detección de disfunción ventricular sistólica en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia cardiotóxica. Material y métodos Se incluyeron forma prospectiva 36 pacientes, edad promedio (± DE) de 47 ± 16 años (42% hombres), con enfermedad neoplásica con masa miocárdica normal y fracción de eyección = 55% tratados con agentes antineoplásicos. Se efectuaron dosajes de marcadores humorales y ecocardiograma basales y al 2°, 3°, 4° y 6° mes posterior al inicio del tratamiento oncológico. Se consideró punto final (PF) a los 6 meses a la caída de la fracción de eyección según consenso internacional. Resultados Alcanzaron el PF 7 pacientes (19,4%). Se observaron los siguientes predictores relacionados con el PF: NT-proBNP 4° mes [PF positivo (G1) 152 ± 42 pg/ml vs. PF negativo (G2) 61 ± 38 pg/ml; p < 0,001], BNP 4° mes (G1 41 ± 12 pg/ml vs. G2 26 ± 11 pg/ml; p < 0,01), SBL 3er mes (G1 -16,3 ± 2,4% vs. G2 -19,6 ± 2,02%; p < 0,01) y 4° mes (G1 -15,9 ± 1,77% vs. G2 -19,9 ± 2,2%; p < 0,001) y SBR 4° mes (G1 46,4 ± 2,4% vs. G2 52 ± 3,4%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones El dosaje de péptidos natriuréticos y la medición del strain bidimensional sistólico longitudinal y radial fueron de utilidad para predecir disfunción sistólica ventricular de grado leve en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia.(AU)

Background Left ventricular dysfunction is a serious complication of antineoplastic treatment with unfavorable impact in future clinical outcome. Early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity in patients receiving chemotherapy might be useful to define a strategy for the prevention of ventricular function impairment. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the usefulness of serum markers [troponin T (TnT), BNP and NT-proBNP] and two-dimensional longitudinal (LS) and radial (RS) strain to detect ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Methods Thirty six patients [average age (±SD) 47±16 years, 42% men], with neoplastic disease with normal myocardial mass and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) =55% receiving chemotherapy treatment, were prospectively included. Assessment of serum markers and echocardiography were performed before chemotherapy and at 2, 3, 4 and 6 months after onset of cancer treatment. The 6-month cardiotoxicity endpoint (EP) was defined as reduced LVEF according to international consensus. Results Seven patients reached the EP (19.4%). Endpoint predictors were: NT-proBNP at 4 months (positive EP (G1): 152 ±42 pg/ml vs. negative EP (G2) 61±38 pg/ml; p <0.001), BNP at 4 months (G1 41±12 pg/ml vs. G2 26±11 pg/ml; p <0.01), two-dimensional LS at 3 months (G1 -16.3±2.4% vs. G2 19.6±2.02%; p <0.01) and 4 months (G1 -15.9±1.77% vs. G2 19.9±2.2%; p <0.001), and two-dimensional RS at 4 months (G1 46.4±2.4% vs. G2 52±3.4%; p <0.001). Conclusions Natriuretic peptides and two-dimensional LS and RS were useful to predict mild ventricular systolic dysfunction in chemotherapy-treated patients.(AU)

[Prevalence of the bacteria causing diarrea in a Rosario Hospital, Argentina]. / Prevalencia de las bacterias causantes de diarrea en pacientes de un Hospital de Rosario, Argentina.

Bacterial agents causing diarrea in patients attended in a hospital of Rosario, Argentina. The frequency of bacterial agents causing diarrhea can vary in patients of different areas, and through the time. In an epidemiological surveillance we studied 304 patients with diarrheal diseases looking for Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp, Campylobacter spp, Aeromonas spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, and diarrheogenic Escherichia coli. C. jejuni was isolated in 30 patients (9,9 %), Salmonella in 18 (5,9 %), and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in 7 (2,3 %). Most cases due ton C. jejuni had mucus and/or blood in their feces. Unexpectedly we didn't fine any cases due to Shigella spp. There was much less cases due to EPEC than in our previous studies, and occurred only in children of less than 5 years old. It is necesary to take in consideration that C. jejuni cause nearly all the cases of diarrhea in patients with mucus and blood in their feces actually in our region.

Prevalencia de las bacterias causantes de diarrea en pacientes de un hospital de Rosario. Argentina / Prevalence of the bacterials causing diarrea in a Rosario Hospital, Argentina

La frecuencia de los diferentes agentes causantes de diarrea puede variar en distintas regiones, en poblaciones de diferente nivel socio económico y a través del tiempo. En 304 pacientes diarreicos, la bacteria más frecuentemente hallada fue Campylobacter jejuni, en 30 casos (9,9 %), la mayoría con heces con moco y/o sangre. Fue el agente predominante tanto en niños como en adultos. Salmonella se aisló en 18 (5,9 %) y Escherichia coli enteropatógeno (ECEP) en 7 (2,3 %). Fue llamativo que no se aislaron especies de Shigella. ECEP se aisló en muy pocos casos y sólo en niños menores de 5 años, contrastando con estudios anteriores en que se presentaba como la bacteria predominante. Debe tomarse en consideración que actualmente en nuestro medio los casos de diarrea inflamatoria mucosanguinolenta son frecuentemente causados por C jejuni.

Bacterial agents causing diarrea in patients attended in a hospital of Rosario, Argentina. The frequency of bacterial agents causing diarrhoea can vary in patients of different areas, and through the time. In an epidemiological surveillance we studied 304 patients with diarrhoeal diseases looking for Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp, Campylobacter spp, Aeromonas spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, and diarrheogenic Escherichia coli. C jejuni was isolated in 30 patients (9,9 %), Salmonella in 18 (5,9 %), and enteropathogenic E coli (EPEC) in 7 (2,3 %). Most cases due ton C jejuni had mucus and/or blood in their feces. Unexpectedly we didn’t fine any cases due to Shigella spp. There was much less cases due to EPEC than in our previous studies, and occurred only in children of les s than 5 years old. It is necessary to take in consideration that C jejuni cause nearly all the cases of diarrhoea in patients with mucus and blood in their feces actually in our region.

Prevalencia de las bacterias causantes de diarrea en pacientes de un hospital de Rosario. Argentina / Prevalence of the bacterials causing diarrea in a Rosario Hospital, Argentina

La frecuencia de los diferentes agentes causantes de diarrea puede variar en distintas regiones, en poblaciones de diferente nivel socio económico y a través del tiempo. En 304 pacientes diarreicos, la bacteria más frecuentemente hallada fue Campylobacter jejuni, en 30 casos (9,9 %), la mayoría con heces con moco y/o sangre. Fue el agente predominante tanto en niños como en adultos. Salmonella se aisló en 18 (5,9 %) y Escherichia coli enteropatógeno (ECEP) en 7 (2,3 %). Fue llamativo que no se aislaron especies de Shigella. ECEP se aisló en muy pocos casos y sólo en niños menores de 5 años, contrastando con estudios anteriores en que se presentaba como la bacteria predominante. Debe tomarse en consideración que actualmente en nuestro medio los casos de diarrea inflamatoria mucosanguinolenta son frecuentemente causados por C jejuni.(AU)

Bacterial agents causing diarrea in patients attended in a hospital of Rosario, Argentina. The frequency of bacterial agents causing diarrhoea can vary in patients of different areas, and through the time. In an epidemiological surveillance we studied 304 patients with diarrhoeal diseases looking for Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp, Campylobacter spp, Aeromonas spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, and diarrheogenic Escherichia coli. C jejuni was isolated in 30 patients (9,9 %), Salmonella in 18 (5,9 %), and enteropathogenic E coli (EPEC) in 7 (2,3 %). Most cases due ton C jejuni had mucus and/or blood in their feces. Unexpectedly we didnãt fine any cases due to Shigella spp. There was much less cases due to EPEC than in our previous studies, and occurred only in children of les s than 5 years old. It is necessary to take in consideration that C jejuni cause nearly all the cases of diarrhoea in patients with mucus and blood in their feces actually in our region.(AU)