Infratentorial Cerebral Cavernous Malformation May be a Risk Factor for Symptomatic Bleeding and Precocity of Symptoms: A Multicenter, Propensity Score Matched, Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) is one of the most common types of vascular malformation of the central nervous system. Intracerebral hemorrhage, seizures, and lesional growth are the main clinical manifestations. Natural history studies have tried to identify many risk factors; however, the clinical course remains highly unpredictable. OBJECTIVE: Here, we have analyzed a multicenter CCM cohort looking for the differential clinical data regarding the patients harboring supra and/or infratentorial cavernous malformations in order to better understand risk factors involved in the anatomical location of the unique neurosurgical disease. METHODS: We have presented a multicenter, Propensity Score Matched (PSM), case-control study including 149 consecutive CCM cases clinically evaluated from May 2017 to December 2022 from three different neurosurgical centers. Epidemiological data were defined at each clinical assessment. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent contribution of each possible risk factor to the bleeding risk. To balance baseline covariates between patients with and without symptoms, and specifically between those with and without symptomatic bleeding, we used a PSM strategy. The Kaplan-Meier curve was drawn to evaluate if patients with infratentorial lesions had a greater chance of bleeding earlier in their life. RESULTS: The presence of infratentorial lesions was a risk factor in the multivariate analysis comparing the bleeding risk with pure asymptomatic individuals (OR: 3.23, 95% CI 1.43 - 7.26, P = 0.005). Also, having an infratentorial CCM was a risk factor after PSM (OR: 4.56, 95% CI 1.47 - 14.10, P = 0.008). The presence of an infratentorial lesion was related to precocity of symptoms when the time to first bleed was compared to all other clinical presentations in the overall cohort (P = 0.0328) and in the PSM group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Here, we have provided some evidence that infratentorial cerebral cavernous malformation may have a more aggressive clinical course, being a risk factor for symptomatic haemorrhage and precocity of bleeding.

Microbacterium memoriense sp. nov., a member of the Actinomycetota from marine beach sediment of the north coast of Portugal.

The oceans harbour a myriad of unknown micro-organisms that remain unstudied because of a failure to establish the right growth conditions under laboratory conditions. To overcome this limitation, an isolation effort inspired by the iChip was performed using marine sediments from Memória beach, Portugal. A novel strain, PMIC_1C1BT, was obtained and subjected to a polyphasic study. Cells of strain PMIC_1C1BT were Gram-positive, rod-shaped, divided by binary fission and formed colonies that were shiny light-yellow. Based on its full 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain PMIC_1C1BT was phylogenetically associated to the genus Microbacterium and its closest relatives were Microbacterium aurum KACC 15219T (98.55 %), Microbacterium diaminobutyricum RZ63T (98.48 %) and Microbacterium hatanonis JCM 14558T (98.13 %). Strain PMIC_1C1BT had a genome size of 2 761 607 bp with 67.71 mol% of G+C content and 2582 coding sequences, which is lower than the genus average. Strain PMIC_1C1BT grew from 15 to 30 °C, optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.0 to 11.0, optimally between pH 6.0 and 8.0, and from 0 to 5 % (w/v) NaCl, optimally between 2.0 and 3.0 %. It grew with casamino acids, glutamine, methionine, N-acetylglucosamine, sodium nitrate, tryptophan, urea and valine as sole nitrogen sources, and arabinose and cellobiose as sole carbon sources. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. Genome mining revealed the presence of four biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with low similarities to other known BCGs. Based on the polyphasic data, strain PMIC_1C1BT is proposed to represent a novel species, for which the name Microbacterium memoriense sp. nov. (=CECT 30366T=LMG 32350T) is proposed.

Stieleria tagensis sp. nov., a novel member of the phylum Planctomycetota isolated from Tagus River in Portugal.

A bacterial strain was isolated from a brackish water sample of Tagus river, Alcochete, Portugal and was designated TO1_6T. It forms light pink colonies on M13 medium supplemented with N-acetylglucosamine. Cells are pear-shaped to spherical, form rosettes and divide by budding. Strain TO1_6T presents a mesophilic and neutrophilic profile, with optimum growth at 20 to 25 °C and pH 7.0 to 7.5, and vitamin supplementation is not required to promote its growth. The genome of the novel isolate is 7.77 Mbp in size and has a DNA G + C content of 56.3%. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain is affiliated with the phylum Planctomycetota. Further taxonomic characterization using additional phylogenetic markers, namely rpoB gene sequence (encoding the ß-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase), as well as Percentage of conserved proteins, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity, suggest the affiliation of strain TO1_6T to the genus Stieleria, a recently described taxon in the family Pirellulaceae, order Pirellulales and class Planctomycetia. Based on the genotypic, phylogenetic and physiological characterization, we here describe a new species represented by the type strain TO1_6T (= CECT 30432T, = LMG 32465T), for which the name Stieleria tagensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov., isolated from marine beach sediment.

A novel actinomycetal strain, designated M600PL45_2T, was isolated from marine sediments obtained from Ingleses beach, Porto, on the Northern Coast of Portugal and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterisation study. The here described Gram-reaction-positive strain is characterised by the production of a brown pigment in both solid and liquid medium and forms typical helical hyphae that differentiate into smooth spores. The results of a phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that M600PL45_2T has a high similarity to two members of the genus Streptomyces, Streptomyces bathyalis ASO4wetT (98.51 %) and Streptomyces daqingensis NEAU ZJC8T (98.44 %). The genome of M600PL45_2T has a size of 6 695 159 bp, a DNA G+C content of 70.71 mol% and 5538 coding sequences. M600PL45_2T grows at 15-37 °C and with a maximal growth rate between 25 °C and 30 °C. Growth at pH 6.0 to 9.0 with the optimal range between 6.0 and 7.5 was observed. M600PL45_2T showed a high salinity tolerance, growing with 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl, with best growth with 1-3% (w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:0 (25.03 %), anteiso-C15:0 (17.70) and iso-C16:0 (26.90 %). The novel isolate was able to grow in media containing a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. An antimicrobial activity screening indicated that an extract of M600PL45_2T has inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. On the basis of the polyphasic data, M600PL45_2T (= CECT 30365T = DSM 114036T) is introduced as the type strain of a novel species, that we named Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov.

Streptomyces meridianus sp. nov. isolated from brackish water of the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal.

An isolation effort focused on sporogenous Actinomycetota from the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal, yielded a novel actinomycetal strain, designated MTZ3.1T, which was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. MTZ3.1T is characterised by morphology typical of members of the genus Streptomyces, with light beige coloured substrate mycelium, which does not release pigments to the culture medium and with helicoidal aerial hyphae that differentiate into spores with a light-grey colour. The phylogeny of MTZ3.1T, based on the full 16S rRNA gene sequence, indicated that its closest relatives were Streptomyces alkaliterrae OF1T (98.48 %), Streptomyces chumphonensis KK1-2T (98.41 %), Streptomyces albofaciens JCM 4342T (98.34 %), Streoptomyces paromomycinus NBRC 15454T (98.34 %) and Streptomyces chrestomyceticus NRBC 13444T (98.34 %). Moreover, average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) are below the species cutoff values (ANI 67.70 and 68.35 %, AAI 77.06 and 76.71 % and dDDH 22.10 and 21.50 % for S. alkaliterrae OF1T and S. chumphonensis KK1-2T, respectively). Whole genome sequencing revealed that MTZ3.1T has a genome of 5 644 485 bp with a DNA G+C content of 71.29 mol% and 5044 coding sequences. Physiologically, MTZ3.1T is strictly aerobic, able to grow at 15-37 °C, optimally at 25 °C and between pH5 and 8 and showed high salinity tolerance, growing with 0-10 %(w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Furthermore, it was able to utilise a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. Antimicrobial screening indicated that MTZ3.1T has potent anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity. On the basis of the polyphasic data, MTZ3.1T is proposed to represent a novel species, Streptomyces meridianus sp. nov. (= CECT 30416T = DSM 114037T=LMG 32463T).

The Cell Tracking Challenge: 10 years of objective benchmarking.

The Cell Tracking Challenge is an ongoing benchmarking initiative that has become a reference in cell segmentation and tracking algorithm development. Here, we present a significant number of improvements introduced in the challenge since our 2017 report. These include the creation of a new segmentation-only benchmark, the enrichment of the dataset repository with new datasets that increase its diversity and complexity, and the creation of a silver standard reference corpus based on the most competitive results, which will be of particular interest for data-hungry deep learning-based strategies. Furthermore, we present the up-to-date cell segmentation and tracking leaderboards, an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the performance of the state-of-the-art methods and the properties of the datasets and annotations, and two novel, insightful studies about the generalizability and the reusability of top-performing methods. These studies provide critical practical conclusions for both developers and users of traditional and machine learning-based cell segmentation and tracking algorithms.

The role of ion homeostasis imbalance due to citrate accumulation in fluoroacetic acid (FAA) toxicity in Neurospora crassa.

Fluoroacetic acid (FAA) is a poison commonly used for the lethal control of invasive species in Australia and New Zealand. Despite its widespread use and long history as a pesticide, no effective treatment for accidental poisoning exists. Although it is known to inhibit the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, specific details of FAA toxicology have remained elusive, with hypocalcemia suggested to be involved in the neurological symptoms prior to death. Here, we study the effects of FAA on cell growth and mitochondrial function using the filamentous fungi Neurospora crassa as model organism. FAA toxicosis in N. crassa is characterized by an initial hyperpolarization and subsequent depolarization of the mitochondrial membranes, followed by a significant intracellular decrease in ATP and increase in Ca2+. The development of mycelium was markedly affected within 6 h, and growth impaired after 24 h of FAA exposure. Although the activity of mitochondrial complexes I, II and IV was impaired, the activity of citrate synthase was not affected. Supplementation with Ca2+ exacerbated the effects of FAA in cell growth and membrane potential. Our findings suggest that an imbalance created in the ratio of ions within the mitochondria may lead to conformational changes in ATP synthase dimers due to mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, that ultimately result in the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), a decrease in membrane potential, and cell death. Our findings suggest new approaches for the treatment research, as well as the possibility to use N. crassa as a high-throughput screening assay to evaluate a large number of FAA antidote candidates.

Aeoliella straminimaris sp. nov., a novel member of the phylum Planctomycetota with an unusual filamentous structure.

Organisms with distinctive biological features and cellular organization constitute the bacterial phylum Planctomycetota. In this study, we formally describe a novel isolate, strain ICT_H6.2T, isolated from sediment samples collected in the brackish environment of the Tagus River estuary (Portugal) using an iChip-based culturing technique. The 16S rRNA gene analysis placed this strain into the phylum Planctomycetota and family Lacipirellulaceae, with a similarity value of 98.0 % to its closest relative Aeoliella mucimassa Pan181T, the currently only known member of the genus. Strain ICT_H6.2T has a genome size of 7.8 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 59.6 mol %. Strain ICT_H6.2T is heterotrophic, aerobic and capable of microaerobic growth. This strain grows from 10 to 37 °C and from pH 6.5 to 10.0, requires salt to grow, and can tolerate up to 4 % (w/v) NaCl. Diverse nitrogen and carbon sources are utilized for growth. Morphologically, strain ICT_H6.2T is white to beige pigmented, spherical to ovoid in shape and around 1.4×1.1 µm in size. The strain clusters mainly in aggregates and younger cells show motility. Ultrastructural studies showed a cell plan with cytoplasmatic membrane invaginations and unusual filamentous structures with hexagonal organization in transversal section. Morphological, physiological and genomic comparison between strain ICT_H6.2T and its closest relatives strongly suggests it represents a novel species within the genus Aeoliella, for which we propose the name Aeoliella straminimaris sp. nov., represented by strain ICT_H6.2T as the type strain (=CECT 30574T=DSM 114064T).

Associação entre doenças respiratórias e fumo passivo domiciliar em crianças de 6 a 10 anos atendidas pela atenção primária em Araguaína/TO / Association between respiratory diseases and passive smoking at home in children from the age of 6 to 10 years old assisted by the primary healthcare in Araguaína, Tocantins / Asociación entre enfermedades respiratorias y tabaco pasivo en hogares con niños entre 6 y 10 años atendidos por atención primaria en Araguaína-TO

Introdução: O tabagismo é definido como a dependência física e psicológica de tabaco, e o fumo passivo consiste na inalação da fumaça de derivados do tabaco por não fumantes. As crianças são especialmente vulneráveis à exposição à fumaça do tabaco. Objetivo: Identificar a associação entre fumo passivo domiciliar e morbidade respiratória em pré-escolares de seis a dez anos, por meio de coleta de dados na Atenção Primária à Saúde em Araguaína/TO. Métodos: Estudo de perfil descritivo, com corte transversal de caráter quantitativo, conduzido em três unidades básicas de saúde. Foi determinada uma amostra de 72 entrevistados, selecionados de forma aleatória em meio às unidades básicas. Os resultados foram colhidos de questionários respondidos por familiares ou responsáveis das crianças. Resultados: O teste de Odds Ratio (OR) obteve o resultado de 3,06, com intervalo de confiança de 95% ­ IC95% 1,16 ­ 8,11 e p<0,05, revelando assim a existência de correlação entre o desenvolvimento de doenças respiratórias e o fumo passivo domiciliar em crianças de seis a dez anos. A prevalência do tabagismo passivo domiciliar foi de 44,4%, expondo à fumaça do cigarro as crianças, que manifestam sintomas como tosse seca, chiado no peito, respiração rápida, dor e secreção no ouvido. Conclusões: Foi comprovada a associação entre tabagismo passivo domiciliar e morbidade respiratória entre crianças de seis a dez anos. Não se obteve a conexão entre o tabagismo passivo e o aumento do número de internações por causa respiratória.

Introduction: smoking is defined as the physical and psychological dependence of tobacco, passive smoke consists of inhaling the smoke and tobacco derivatives by non-smokers. Children are especially vulnerable to exposure to tobacco smoke. Objective: identify the association between passive smoking at home and respiratory tract morbidity in pre-school children from the age of 6 to 10 years old, utilizing data gathering in Primary Healthcare units from Araguaína ­ TO. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive research with quantitative character conducted within three Basic Healthcare Units. A sample comprised of 72 interviewed subjects was determined, selected in random fashion at the healthcare units. Results: The Odds Ratio test obtained the result of OR 3.06, with 95%CI 1.16­8.11 and p<0.05, thus evidencing the existence of a correlation between the development of respiratory diseases and the secondhand smoke in children aged 6 to 10 years. The prevalence of passive smoking at home was 44,4%, exposing, this way, the children to cigarette smoke, leading to the manifestation of symptoms such as dry cough, wheezing, fast breathing, pain, and auricular secretions. Conclusions: the association between passive smoking at home and respiratory tract morbidity in children from the age of 6 to 10 years old was proved. No connection between passive smoking and the increase of respiratory tract-related hospitalizations was obtained.

Introducción: El tabaquismo se define como la dependencia física y psicológica al tabaco, el humo de segunda mano consiste en la inhalación del humo del tabaco por parte de los no fumadores. Los niños son especialmente vulnerables a la exposición al humo del tabaco. Objetivo: Identificar la asociación entre el humo de segunda mano en el hogar y la morbilidad respiratoria en niños preescolares de 6 a 10 años, a través de la recolección de datos en la Atención Primaria de Salud en Araguaína-TO. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de perfil, de corte transversal cuantitativo, realizado en tres unidades básicas de salud. Se determinó una muestra de 72 entrevistados, seleccionados aleatoriamente entre las unidades básicas. Resultados: la prueba de Odds Ratio obtuvo el resultado de OR 3.06, con IC95% 1,16­8,11 y p<0,05, evidenciando así la existencia de una correlación entre el desarrollo de enfermedades respiratorias y el humo de segunda mano en niños de 6 a 10 años. La prevalencia de tabaquismo pasivo en el hogar fue del 44,4%, exponiendo así a los niños al humo del cigarrillo, manifestando síntomas como tos seca, sibilancias, respiración acelerada, dolor y secreción en el oído. Conclusiones: se comprobó la asociación entre el tabaquismo pasivo en el hogar y la morbilidad respiratoria en niños de 6 a 10 años. No hubo relación entre el tabaquismo pasivo y el aumento del número de hospitalizaciones por causas respiratorias.

Gill histology and ultrastructure in Aplysia depilans (Mollusca, Euopisthobranchia).

The gill of Aplysia depilans consists of several wedge-shaped pinnules with a highly folded structure, differing from the typical ctenidial gills of mollusks. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate this organ in juveniles and adults. In this species, the gill epithelium comprised ciliated, unciliated, and secretory cells. The ultrastructural analysis suggests other functions for the gill besides respiration. The deep cell membrane invaginations associated with mitochondria in the basal region of epithelium point to a role in ion regulation. Endocytosis and intracellular digestion were other activities detected in epithelial cells. In juveniles, an intranuclear crystalline structure was seen in some ciliated cells. The presence of an intranuclear crystalline structure was frequently associated with chromatin decondensation, swelling of the nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, and abundance of Golgi stacks. As these intranuclear inclusions were not found in the gill of the adult specimens, their occurrence in the two juveniles seems likely to be an anomalous condition whose cause cannot be established at the moment. Mucous cells were the most abundant secretory cells in the epithelium, but a few epithelial serous cells were also found. In addition, large protein-secreting subepithelial cells had the main cell body inserted in the connective tissue and a long thin neck crossing the epithelium. Mucous cells can be considered responsible for the production of the mucus layer that protects the epithelium, but the specific functions of the epithelial and subepithelial protein-secreting cells remain elusive. Below the epithelium, a layer of connective tissue with muscle cells lined the narrow hemolymph space. The connective tissue included cells with a large amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Bacteria were found on the surface of the gill, and the most abundant had a thin stalk for attachment to the epithelial cells.

Stieleria sedimenti sp. nov., a Novel Member of the Family Pirellulaceae with Antimicrobial Activity Isolated in Portugal from Brackish Sediments.

The phylum Planctomycetota is known for having uncommon biological features. Recently, biotechnological applications of its members have started to be explored, namely in the genus Stieleria. Here, we formally describe a novel Stieleriaisolate designated as strain ICT_E10.1T, obtained from sediments collected in the Tagus estuary (Portugal). Strain ICT_E10.1T is pink-pigmented, spherical to ovoid in shape, and 1.7 µm ± 0.3 × 1.4 µm ± 0.3 in size. Cells cluster strongly in aggregates or small chains, divide by budding, and have prominent fimbriae. Strain ICT_E10.1T is heterotrophic and aerobic. Growth occurs from 20 to 30 °C, from 0.5 to 3% (w/v) NaCl, and from pH 6.5 to 11.0. The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain ICT_E10.1T into the genus Stieleria with Stieleria neptunia Enr13T as the closest validly described relative. The genome size is 9,813,311 bp and the DNA G+C content is 58.8 mol%. Morphological, physiological, and genomic analyses support the separation of this strain into a novel species, for which we propose the name Stieleria sedimenti represented by strain ICT_E10.1T as the type of strain (=CECT 30514T= DSM 113784T). Furthermore, this isolate showed biotechnological potential by displaying relevant biosynthetic gene clusters and potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Self-assessment of the health status and leisure activities of individuals on haemodialysis.

Self-assessment of health status is an important marker of social and health aspects. Haemodialysis is an option for renal replacement therapy that alters daily life and impacts social participation and the performance of tasks that give the subject a socially accepted role. In this scenario, leisure activities have the potential to generate well-being and are associated with several aspects of daily life, but few studies have analysed their relationship with the self-assessment of health status. This is a cross-sectional, census study with 1024 individuals from haemodialysis units of a Southeast Brazilian region, with the application of a questionnaire in 2019. We calculated the difference between the proportions of self-assessment of health status (positive and negative) and the two logistic regression models. The chances of individuals on haemodialysis negatively evaluating their health increase when they do not perform artistic leisure activities (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.35-3.43), physical and sports activities (OR 3.20; 95% CI 1.86-5.52), intellectual (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.44-3.41), manuals (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.22-2.72), social (OR 2.74; 95% CI 1.74-4.31), tourist (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.37-3.17) and idleness and contemplative (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.29-2.85). Negative health self-assessment is associated with not practicing artistic, manual, physical and sporting, social, intellectual, tourist, and contemplative leisure activities, which have the function of providing social participation and giving meaning to life.

Rhodopirellula aestuarii sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Rhodopirellula isolated from brackish sediments collected in the Tagus River estuary, Portugal.

Bacteria within the phylum Planctomycetota are biologically relevant due to unique characteristics among prokaryotes. Members of the genus Rhodopirellula can be abundant in marine habitats, however, only six species are currently validly described. In this study, we expand the explored genus diversity by formally describing a novel species. The pink-coloured strain ICT_H3.1T was isolated from brackish sediments collected in the Tagus estuary (Portugal) and a 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analysis placed this strain into the genus Rhodopirellula (family Pirellulaceae). The closest type strain is Rhodopirellula rubra LF2T, suggested by a similarity of 98.4% of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Strain ICT_H3.1T is heterotrophic, aerobic and able to grow under microaerobic conditions. The strain grows between 15 and 37 °C, over a range of pH 6.5 to 11.0 and from 1 to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Several nitrogen and carbon sources were utilized by the novel isolate. Cells have an elongated pear-shape with 2.0 ± 0.3 × 0.9 ± 0.2 µm in size. Cells of strain ICT_H3.1T cluster in rosettes through a holdfast structure and divide by budding. Younger cells are motile. Ultrathin cell sections show cytoplasmic membrane invaginations and polar fimbriae. The genome size is 9,072,081 base pairs with a DNA G + C content of 56.1 mol%. Genomic, physiological and morphological comparison of strain ICT_H3.1T with its relatives suggest that it belongs to a novel species within the genus Rhodopirellula. Hence, we propose the name Rhodopirellula aestuarii sp. nov., represented by ICT_H3.1T (=CECT30431T = LMG32464T) as the type strain of this novel species. 16S rRNA gene accession number: GenBank = OK001858. Genome accession number: The Whole Genome Shotgun project has been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession JAMQBK000000000. The version described in this paper is version JAMQBK010000000.

Rubinisphaera margarita sp. nov., a novel planctomycete isolated from marine sediments collected in the Portuguese north coast.

The phylum Planctomycetota is constituted by bacteria with unique features that are well adapted to a vast range of habitats. Here, we describe a novel planctomycete isolated from marine sediments collected on a beach in Matosinhos (Portugal) using an iChip-based culturing technique. Strain ICM_H10T forms beige-coloured colonies in modified M14 medium and its cells are spherical to ovoid in shape, stalked, rosette-forming and showing motility in a phase of the life cycle. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed a typical planctomycetal cell plan and cell division by budding. This strain requires salt for growth and grows in the range of 2.0-5.0 % (w/v) NaCl, from 20 to 37 °C, within a pH of 6.0-9.0 and is able to use diverse nitrogen and carbon sources. It is heterotrophic, aerobic and capable of microaerobic growth. This strain has a genome size of approximately 6.0 Mb and a G+C content of 58.1 mol%. A 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis supports the association of strain ICM_H10T to the phylum Planctomycetota and the family Planctomycetaceae, as it shares only 96.8 and 96.4% similarity to its closest relatives Rubinisphaera italica Pan54T and Rubinisphaera brasiliensis IFAM 1448T, respectively. Other phylogenetic markers also support the separation of this strain into a novel species. Morphological, physiological and genomic comparisons between strain ICM_H10T and its closest relatives strongly suggest that ICM_H10T represents a new species of the genus Rubinisphaera, for which we propose the name Rubinisphaera margarita sp. nov., with ICM_H10T (=CECT 30326T=LMG 32234T) as type strain.

Isolation, diversity and antimicrobial activity of planctomycetes from the Tejo river estuary (Portugal).

The discovery of new bioactive compounds is an invaluable aid to the development of new drugs. Strategies for finding novel molecules can focus on the exploitation of less studied organisms and ecosystems such as planctomycetes and brackish habitats. The unique cell biology of the underexplored Planctomycetota mean it is of particular interest. In this study, we aimed to isolate planctomycetes from the estuary of the Tejo river (Portugal). To reach this goal, macroalgae, water and sediments were sampled and diverse media and isolation techniques applied. Sixty-nine planctomycetal strains were brought into pure culture. An analysis of the 16S rRNA genes found that the majority of the isolates were affiliated to the genus Rhodopirellula. Putative novel taxa belonging to genera Stieleria and Rhodopirellula were also isolated and characterized morphologically. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus fingerprinting analyses showed higher diversity and different genotypes within close strains. Relevant biosynthetic gene clusters were found in most isolates and acetone extracts from representative strains exhibited mild antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Our work has not only enlarged the number and diversity of cultured planctomycetes but has also shown the potential for the discovery of bioactive compounds from the novel taxa.

Factors associated with the leisure pratice of individuals on hemodialysis / Fatores associados à prática de lazer de indivíduos em hemodiálise

Introduction: Leisure practices are complex activities involving several dimensions of human life such as social, cultural, and health. Using them to increase well-being and in situations of chronic diseases help in the adaptation to the disease.Objective: This study analyzed factors associated with leisure practice in individuals on hemodialysis.Methods: Data were collected by interview during hemodialysis sessions in a cross-sectional, census, with 1024 individuals. Socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, clinical and treatment characteristics were associated with leisure practices and their magnitudes were evaluated by binary logistic regression.Results: We found that being 40 years of age or younger increased the odds of engaging in more leisure activities by 5.26 times (95% CI = 3.86-10.15), never having smoked increased the odds of engaging in more leisure activities by 2.12 (95% CI = 1.04-4.30). However, those who had eight years or less of education were 71.1% less likely to practice more leisure (OR = 0.289, 95%CI = 0.17-0.49).Conclusion: The factors associated with higher leisure practices of hemodialysis users are younger age, higher education, and absence of smoking, demonstrating the need to implement public policies to reduce health inequalities and increase leisure practices

Introdução: práticas de lazer são atividades complexas envolvendo várias dimensões da vida humana como social, cultural e de saúde. Utilizá-las para aumentar o bem-estar e em situações de doenças crônicas ajudar na adaptação à doença.Objetivo: este estudo analisou fatores associados à prática de lazer em indivíduos em hemodiálise.Método: dados coletados por entrevista durante as sessões de hemodiálise em corte transversal, censitário, com 1024 indivíduos. Fatores socioeconômicos, hábitos de vida, características clínicas e de tratamento, foram associados às práticas de lazer e suas magnitudes foram avaliadas por regressão logística binária.Resultados: identificou-se que ter 40 anos ou menos aumentou a chance de praticar mais lazer em 5,26 vezes (IC95% = 3,86-10,15), nunca ter fumado aumentou em 2,12 as chances de praticar mais lazer (IC95% = 1,04-4,30). Entretanto, aqueles que tinham oito anos ou menos de estudo apresentaram 71,1% menos chances de praticar mais lazer (OR = 0,289, IC95% = 0,17­0,49).Conclusão: os fatores associados com as maiores práticas de lazer de usuários de hemodiálise são menor idade, maior escolaridade e ausência de tabagismo demonstrando a necessidade de implementar políticas públicas para diminuir as inequidades em saúde e aumento das práticas de lazer.

Sequence-based features that are determinant for tail-anchored membrane protein sorting in eukaryotes.

The correct targeting and insertion of tail-anchored (TA) integral membrane proteins is critical for cellular homeostasis. TA proteins are defined by a hydrophobic transmembrane domain (TMD) at their C-terminus and are targeted to either the ER or mitochondria. Derived from experimental measurements of a few TA proteins, there has been little examination of the TMD features that determine localization. As a result, the localization of many TA proteins are misclassified by the simple heuristic of overall hydrophobicity. Because ER-directed TMDs favor arrangement of hydrophobic residues to one side, we sought to explore the role of geometric hydrophobic properties. By curating TA proteins with experimentally determined localizations and assessing hypotheses for recognition, we bioinformatically and experimentally verify that a hydrophobic face is the most accurate singular metric for separating ER and mitochondria-destined yeast TA proteins. A metric focusing on an 11 residue segment of the TMD performs well when classifying human TA proteins. The most inclusive predictor uses both hydrophobicity and C-terminal charge in tandem. This work provides context for previous observations and opens the door for more detailed mechanistic experiments to determine the molecular factors driving this recognition.