Defining hereditary alpha-tryptasemia as a risk/modifying factor for anaphylaxis: are we there yet?

Summary: Hereditary α-tryptasemia (HαT) is a common autosomal dominant genetic trait with variable penetrance associated with increased serum baseline tryptase (SBT) levels. Clinical manifestations may range from an absence of symptoms to overtly severe and recurrent anaphylaxis. Symptoms have been claimed to result from excessive activation of EGF-like module-containing mucin-like hormone receptor-like 2 (EMR2) and protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) receptors by α/ß-tryptase heterotetramers. Herein, we aimed to review the evidence on whether HαT can be considered a hereditary risk factor or a modifying factor for anaphylaxis.Increased SBT levels have been linked to an increased risk of anaphylaxis. Likewise, recent studies have shown that HαT might be associated with a higher risk of developing anaphylaxis and more severe anaphylaxis. The same has also been shown for patients with clonal mast cell disorders, in whom the co-existence of HαT might lead to a greater propensity for severe, potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. However, studies leading to such conclusions are generally limited in sample size, while other studies have shown opposing results. As such, further studies investigating the potential association of HαT with anaphylaxis caused by different triggers, and different severity grades, in both patients with clonal mast cell activation syndromes and the general population are still needed.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Oleaginous Green Alga Tetradesmus obliquus UTEX 393.

The microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus is able to maintain a high photosynthetic efficiency under nitrogen limitation and is considered a promising green microalgae for sustainable production of diverse compounds, including biofuels. Here, we report the first draft whole-genome shotgun sequencing of T. obliquus The final assembly comprises 108,715,903 bp with over 1,368 scaffolds.

Energy efficient bead milling of microalgae: Effect of bead size on disintegration and release of proteins and carbohydrates.

The disintegration of three industry relevant algae (Chlorella vulgaris, Neochloris oleoabundans and Tetraselmis suecica) was studied in a lab scale bead mill at different bead sizes (0.3-1mm). Cell disintegration, proteins and carbohydrates released into the water phase followed a first order kinetics. The process is selective towards proteins over carbohydrates during early stages of milling. In general, smaller beads led to higher kinetic rates, with a minimum specific energy consumption of ⩽0.47kWhkgDW-1 for 0.3mm beads. After analysis of the stress parameters (stress number and stress intensity), it appears that optimal disintegration and energy usage for all strains occurs in the 0.3-0.4mm range. During the course of bead milling, the native structure of the marker protein Rubisco was retained, confirming the mildness of the disruption process.

Selective extraction of intracellular components from the microalga Chlorella vulgaris by combined pulsed electric field-temperature treatment.

The synergistic effect of temperature (25-65 °C) and total specific energy input (0.55-1.11 kWh kgDW(-1)) by pulsed electric field (PEF) on the release of intracellular components from the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris was studied. The combination of PEF with temperatures from 25 to 55 °C resulted in a conductivity increase of 75% as a result of cell membrane permeabilization. In this range of temperatures, 25-39% carbohydrates and 3-5% proteins release occurred and only for carbohydrate release a synergistic effect was observed at 55 °C. Above 55 °C spontaneous cell lysis occurred without PEF. Combined PEF-temperature treatment does not sufficiently disintegrate the algal cells to release both carbohydrates and proteins at yields comparable to the benchmark bead milling (40-45% protein, 48-58% carbohydrates).

Mild disintegration of the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris using bead milling.

In this work, the mild disintegration of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris for the release of intracellular products has been studied. By means of bead milling the microalgae suspensions were successfully disintegrated at different biomass concentrations (25-145 gDW kg(-1)) over a range of agitator speeds (6-12 m s(-1)). In all cases over 97% of cell disintegration was achieved resulting in a release of water soluble proteins. A clear optimum rate of disintegration and protein release was observed at an agitator speed of 9-10 m s(-1) regardless of the biomass concentration. Selective extraction of water soluble proteins was observed as proteins released sooner than cell disintegration took place. Proteins could be released at 85% lower energy input than for cell disintegration resulting in specific energy consumptions well below 2.5 kWh kgDW(-1).

Cationic polymers for successful flocculation of marine microalgae.

Flocculation of microalgae is a promising technique to reduce the costs and energy required for harvesting microalgae. Harvesting marine microalgae requires suitable flocculants to induce the flocculation under marine conditions. This study demonstrates that cationic polymeric flocculants can be used to harvest marine microalgae. Different organic flocculants were tested to flocculate Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Neochloris oleoabundans grown under marine conditions. Addition of 10 ppm of the commercial available flocculants Zetag 7557 and Synthofloc 5080H to P. tricornutum showed a recovery of, respectively, 98% ± 2.0 and 94% ± 2.9 after flocculation followed by 2h sedimentation. Using the same flocculants and dosage for harvesting N. oleoabundans resulted in a recovery of 52% ± 1.5 and 36% ± 11.3. This study shows that cationic polymeric flocculants are a viable option to pre-concentrate marine cultivated microalgae via flocculation prior to further dewatering.

Renal function improvement after conversion to proliferation signal inhibitors during long-term follow-up in heart transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: The use of proliferation signal inhibitors (PSIs) for calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) minimization or conversion protocols has been promoted for heart transplantation (HT) in the contexts of renal insufficiency, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), or malignancy. We evaluated our experience with conversion of patients from a CNI-based to a PSI-based immunosuppressive regimen. We focused on improvement in renal function. METHODS: This prospective follow-up included 96 HT patients converted to a PSI-based regimen from 2001 to 2010. We evaluated changes in creatinine clearance (CrCl) prior to at 1 year and at the end of follow-up after conversion. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients including 86% men showed a mean age of 62 ± 8 years. They were converted to a PSI-based regimen at 6.3 ± 4 years post-HT due to the following causes: CNI toxicity (45%), CAV (16%), cancer (16%), CNI toxicity + CAV (17%), or CNI toxicity + cancer (6%). CNI withdrawal was achieved in 77 cases (80%) and minimization in 19 (20%). Everolimus was used in 54 (56%) and sirolimus in 42 (44%) cases. Median follow-up time was 3.8 years. PSI discontinuation due to side effects was common (38%). There were 43 deaths mainly due to cancer and CAV. CrCl improved albeit not significantly in the withdrawal group from a median of 51 mL/min preconversion to 59 mL/min at the last follow-up (P = .12). In the minimization group, median CrCl worsened from a median of 61 mL/min preconversion to 51 mL/min at the last follow-up (P = .001). In the 58 cases (61%) of CNI nephrotoxicity, median CrCl improved from a median of 41 mL/min preconversion to 49 mL/min at the last follow-up (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Despite high rates of discontinuation of PSIs during long-term follow-up, the conversion regimen seemed to be useful to diminish CNI-related renal insufficiency especially with CNI withdrawal.

[Expresion of E-cadherin and catenins in urothelial carcinomas]. / Expresión de cadherina E y cateninas en los carcinomas uroteliales.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the presence of E-cadherin and alpha, beta and gamma catenins detected by immunohistochemistry and correlated with the classic variables: grade, stage and recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors evaluated 37 transitional cell carcinomas. Biopsy specimens included no recurrent transitional cell carcinoma (n=19) and recurrent transitional cell carcinoma (n=18). Association of E-cadherin and alpha, beta and gamma catenins immunoreactivity with tumor grade, clinical stage and tumor recurrence was examined. RESULTS: E-cadherin and gamma catenin expression were related to the clinical stage of the disease, alpha and beta catenins were not correlated with grade, stage and recurrence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased E cadherin and gamma catenin expression were associated with advanced stage of the disease.

Expresión de cadherina E y cateninas en los carcinomas uroteliales / Expresion of e-cadherin and catenins in urothelial carcinomas

Objetivo: Determinar la correlación entre la expresión de cadherina E y alfa, Beta y gama cateninas detectadas con técnicas de inmunohistoquímica, con las variables pronósticas clásicas del carcinoma urotelial: grado histológico, estadio clínico y recurrencia. Material y métodos: Hemos estudiado la expresión de cadherina E y alfa, Beta y gama cateninas en 37 biopsias de carcinomas transicionales de vejiga. Diecinueve corresponden a carcinomas transicionales de vejiga no recurrentes y 18 a carcinomas transicionales de vejiga recurrentes. Hemos estudiado estadísticamente la asociación de estos marcadores con el estadio clínico, grado histológico y recurrencia del tumor. Resultados: Demostramos una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre la expresión de cadherina E y gama catenina con el estadio clínico del tumor. No demostramos asociación estadística significativa entre la expresión de alfa y Beta catenina con el grado histológico, estadio clínico y recurrencia del tumor. Conclusión: La expresión aberrante de cadherina E y gama catenina parece estar relacionado con la capacidad invasiva de los carcinomas uroteliales

Objetivo: Determinar la correlación entre la expresión de cadherina E y alpha, Beta y Gamma cateninas detectadas con técnicas de inmunohistoquímica, con las variables pronósticas clásicas del carcinoma urotelial: grado histológico, estadio clínico y recurrencia. Material y métodos: Hemos estudiado la expresión de cadherina E y alpha, Beta y Gamma cateninas en 37 biopsias de carcinomas transicionales de vejiga. Diecinueve corresponden a carcinomas transicionales de vejiga no recurrentes y 18 a carcinomas transicionales de vejiga recurrentes. Hemos estudiado estadísticamente la asociación de estos marcadores con el estadio clínico, grado histológico y recurrencia del tumor. Resultados: Demostramos una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre la expresión de cadherina E y gamma catenina con el estadio clínico del tumor. No demostramos asociación estadística significativa entre la expresión de alpha y Beta catenina con el grado histológico, estadio clínico y recurrencia del tumor. Conclusión: La expresión aberrante de cadherina E y Gamma catenina parece estar relacionado con la capacidad invasiva de los carcinomas uroteliales

Acetate as a carbon source for hydrogen production by photosynthetic bacteria.

Hydrogen is a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels. Photosynthetic bacteria produce hydrogen from organic compounds by an anaerobic light-dependent electron transfer process. In the present study hydrogen production by three photosynthetic bacterial strains (Rhodopseudomonas sp., Rhodopseudomonas palustris and a non-identified strain), from four different short-chain organic acids (lactate, malate, acetate and butyrate) was investigated. The effect of light intensity on hydrogen production was also studied by supplying two different light intensities, using acetate as the electron donor. Hydrogen production rates and light efficiencies were compared. Rhodopseudomonas sp. produced the highest volume of H2. This strain reached a maximum H2 production rate of 25 ml H2 l(-1) h(-1), under a light intensity of 680 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1), and a maximum light efficiency of 6.2% under a light intensity of 43 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1). Furthermore, a decrease in acetate concentration from 22 to 11 mM resulted in a decrease in the hydrogen evolved from 214 to 27 ml H2 per vessel.

Mortalidade total e devido à ascite de acordo com níveis de energia metabolizável e forma física de raçöes em frangos de corte criados com separaçäo de sexo / Total mortality and due to ascitis according to the levels of metabolizable energy and physical form of feed in sexed broilers

Em 3600 pintos de um dia sexados para corte, avaliaram-se os efeitos de três níveis de energia metabolizável e duas formas físicas (granulada e farelada) da raçäo sobre a mortalidade total e aquela devido à ascite. Na fase inicial, os níveis de energia, a forma física e o sexo näo afetaram a mortalidade, como também näo ocorreu ascite. Já, na engorda e na fase total, tanto a forma física, quanto o sexo, afetaram significativamente (P<0,01) a mortalidade e a ascite. Os diferentes níveis de energia näo influenciaram as variáveis estudadas (P>0,05)

Incidência de ascite de acordo com níveis de energia metabolizábel e forma física de raçöes em frangos de corte criados com separaçäo de sexo / Incidence of ascitis according to the levels of metabolizable and physical form of feed in sexed broilers

Realizou-se um experimento com 3600 pintos de um dia para corte, sexados, para se avaliar os efeitos de três níveis de energia metabolizável e duas formas físicas (granulada e farelada) de raçöes sobre a incidência de ascite. Na fase inicial e de engorda, os níveis de energia näo afetaram a mortalidade devido a ocorrência de ascite, que foi maior nas aves que receberam raçäo granulada (P<0,01). Os machos apresentaram maior incidência de ascite em relaçäo às fêmeas (P<0,01). Näo ocorreram interaçöes entre as variáveis estudadas

Energia metabolizável nas raçöes e desempenho de frangos de corte criados com separaçäo de sexo / Effects of metabolizable energy levels in the rations on sexed broilers performance

Realizou-se um trabalho experimental com 3.600 pintos comerciais de um dia para corte, sexados, para avaliar o desempenho até 42 dias de idade, utilizando-se raçöes isoprotéicas e três níveis de energia metabolizável denominados alto, normal e baixo, em dois tipos de raçäo para frango de corte, inicial e engorda. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: consumo de raçäo, ganho de peso, conversäo alimentar e mortalidade. Observou-se que os diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável näo afetaram o consumo de raçäo, conversäo alimentar, mortalidade; afetaram somente o peso médio, onde a raçäo contendo alta energia foi superior às demais (P<0,01). Em relaçäo ao sexo, somente a conversäo alimentar näo foi afetada, as demais variáveis mostraram um efeito altamente significativo (P< 0,01) dos machos em relaçäo às fêmeas