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Influence of the agrochemical benomyl on Cryptococcus gattii-plant interaction in vitro and in vivo.Brazilian Journal of Microbiology :... Jul 2024Cryptococcus gattii, an environmental fungus, is one of the agents of cryptococcosis. The influence of agrochemicals on fungal resistance to antifungals is widely...
Cryptococcus gattii, an environmental fungus, is one of the agents of cryptococcosis. The influence of agrochemicals on fungal resistance to antifungals is widely discussed. However, the effects of benomyl (BEN) on fungal interaction with different hosts is still to be understood. Here we studied the influence of adaptation to BEN in the interaction with a plant model, phagocytes and with Tenebrio molitor. First, the strain C. gattii L24/01 non-adapted (NA), adapted (A) to BEN, and adapted with further culture on drug-free media (10p) interact with Nicotiana benthamiana, with a peak in the yeast burden on the 7th day post-inoculation. C. gattii L24/01 A and 10p provided lower fungal burden, but these strains increased cell diameter and capsular thickness after the interaction, together with decreased fungal growth. The strains NA and A showed reduced ergosterol levels, while 10p exhibited increased activity of laccase and urease. L24/01 A recovered from N. benthamiana was less engulfed by murine macrophages, with lower production of reactive oxygen species. This phenotype was accompanied by increased ability of this strain to grow inside macrophages. Otherwise, L24/01 A showed reduced virulence in the T. molitor larvae model. Here, we demonstrate that the exposure to BEN, and interaction with plants interfere in the morphophysiology and virulence of the C. gattii.
PubMed: 38963475
DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01440-9 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jul 2024Co-aggregation of anaerobic microorganisms into suspended microbial biofilms (aggregates) serves ecological and biotechnological functions. Tightly packed aggregates of... (Review)
Review
Co-aggregation of anaerobic microorganisms into suspended microbial biofilms (aggregates) serves ecological and biotechnological functions. Tightly packed aggregates of metabolically interdependent bacteria and archaea play key roles in cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Additionally, in biotechnological applications, such as wastewater treatment, microbial aggregates provide a complete metabolic network to convert complex organic material. Currently, experimental data explaining the mechanisms behind microbial co-aggregation in anoxic environments is scarce and scattered across the literature. To what extent does this process resemble co-aggregation in aerobic environments? Does the limited availability of terminal electron acceptors drive mutualistic microbial relationships, contrary to the commensal relationships observed in oxygen-rich environments? And do co-aggregating bacteria and archaea, which depend on each other to harvest the bare minimum Gibbs energy from energy-poor substrates, use similar cellular mechanisms as those used by pathogenic bacteria that form biofilms? Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of why and how mixed anaerobic microbial communities co-aggregate and discuss potential future scientific advancements that could improve the study of anaerobic suspended aggregates. KEY POINTS: • Metabolic dependency promotes aggregation of anaerobic bacteria and archaea • Flagella, pili, and adhesins play a role in the formation of anaerobic aggregates • Cyclic di-GMP/AMP signaling may trigger the polysaccharides production in anaerobes.
Topics: Archaea; Anaerobiosis; Biofilms; Bacteria, Anaerobic; Bacteria; Microbial Interactions
PubMed: 38963458
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13246-8 -
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Jul 2024Air pollutants and temperature are significant threats to public health, and the complex linkages between the environmental factors and their interactions harm...
Air pollutants and temperature are significant threats to public health, and the complex linkages between the environmental factors and their interactions harm respiratory diseases. This study is aimed to analyze the impact of air pollutants and meteorological factors on respiratory diseases and their synergistic effects in Dingxi, a city in northwestern China, from 2018 to 2020 using a generalized additive model (GAM). Relative risk (RR) was employed to quantitatively evaluate the temperature modification on the short-term effects of PM and O and the synergistic effects of air pollutants (PM and O) and meteorological elements (temperature and relative humidity) on respiratory diseases. The results indicated that the RRs per inter-quatile range (IQR) rise in PM and O concentrations were (1.066, 95% CI: 1.009-1.127, lag2) and (1.037, 95% CI: 0.975-1.102, lag4) for respiratory diseases, respectively. Temperature stratification suggests that the influence of PM on respiratory diseases was significantly enhanced at low and moderate temperatures, and the risk of respiratory diseases caused by O was significantly increased at high temperatures. The synergy analysis demonstrated significant a synergistic effect of PM with low temperature and high relative humidity and an antagonistic effect of high relative humidity and O on respiratory diseases. The findings would provide a scientific basis for the impact of pollutants on respiratory diseases in Northwest China.
Topics: China; Air Pollutants; Humans; Particulate Matter; Temperature; Ozone; Humidity; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Cities
PubMed: 38963443
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02044-w -
The International Journal of... Jul 2024In recent years, exercise has been increasingly recognised as an effective and promising non-pharmacological intervention to improve physical function in patients with...
In recent years, exercise has been increasingly recognised as an effective and promising non-pharmacological intervention to improve physical function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an objective measure of a person's ability to perform aerobic exercise. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the CRF of patients with PD.However, the CRF of Chinese patients with PD is deficient.This study is to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with early to mid-stage PD by cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) on a stationary cycle ergometer; :To compare the differences in each index of the CPET between the two groups of subjects; general data such as disease duration, medication use and exercise habits were also collected.:1)Finally, 36 PD patients and 12 healthy controls successfully completed the CPET without any adverse events.2)The V'Opeak, Metspeak, RERpeak, MVVpeak, Wpeak, HRpeak, HRpeak/pre,percentage of HRR-1 min decay > 12 bpm,SBPpeak in the PD group were lower than those in the control group(p < 0.05,each). Detailed data:V'O2peak(15.7 ± 4.5vs21.5 ± 3.6ml/kg/min,p < 0.01),Metspeak(4.5 ± 1.3 vs 6.1 ± 1.0,p < 0.01),RERpeak(1.04 ± 0.10 vs 1.15 ± 0.10,p = 0.001),MVVpeak(37.22 ± 11.58 vs 53.00 ± 16.85L/min,p = 0.009),Wpeak(49.17 ± 29.72vs49.17 ± 29.72W,p < 0.01),HRpeak(111.08 ± 16.67 vs111.08 ± 16.67bpm,p < 0.01),HRpeak/pre(71.19 ± 10.06 vs96.00 ± 21.13,p = 0.002),percentage of HRR-1min decay > 12bpm(33.3% vs 100%,p < 0.01),SBP(155.81 ± 31.83 vs 175.83 ± 17.84mmHg,p = 0.01).3)Divided PD patients into high V'Opeak group(V'Opeak ≥ 15 mL/kg/min) and low V'Opeak group(V'Opeak < 15 mL/kg/min). The age of patients, Hoehn-Yahr grade and incidence of symptom fluctuation in high V'Opeak group were lower(p < 0.05,respectively),percentage of males and percentage of HRR-1 min decay > 12 bpm were higher(p < 0.05,respectively);p < 0.05 is considered a statistically significant difference.Detailed data:age of patients(61.05 ± 6.93vs68.57 ± 7.99years,p = 0.005),Hoehn-Yahr grade(1.75 ± 0.48 vs 2.18 ± 0.64,p = 0.028),incidence of symptom fluctuation(59.1 vs 92.9%,p = 0.03),percentage of males(77.7 vs 42.9%,p = 0.041),percentage of HRR-1 min decay > 12 bpm(50 vs 7.1%,p = 0.008). :CPET were safe to perform and the cardiorespiratory fitness is significantly reduced in patients with early and middle stage Parkinson's disease.Patients with PD presented blunted HR and SBP responses to exercise test. Females, older age, fluctuating symptoms, high H-Y staging, and higher ADL may be associated with lower oxygen uptake.
PubMed: 38963402
DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2024.2377140 -
Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Jul 2024Venovenous (VV) ECMO is rarely used during decompensated circulatory states. Although VA ECMO is the routine option, VV ECMO may be an option in selected patients. We...
Venovenous (VV) ECMO is rarely used during decompensated circulatory states. Although VA ECMO is the routine option, VV ECMO may be an option in selected patients. We present a case of pulmonary edema due to acute heart failure in a patient 4- and 12-year post-lung transplantation who received VV ECMO. Using a thoughtful cannulation strategy, VV ECMO, and aggressive ultrafiltration, the patient was successfully decannulated, extubated, and discharged from the hospital. In cardiogenic pulmonary edema, VV ECMO represents an additional, and likely under-utilized tool, especially in patients who are at high risk for ventilator-associated lung injury. Cannula location and size should be given additional consideration to potentially transition to V-AV ECMO configuration if necessary.
Topics: Humans; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Heart Failure; Lung Transplantation; Male; Pulmonary Edema; Middle Aged; Acute Disease; Chronic Disease; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38963364
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_185_23 -
Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Jul 2024An electrical storm (ES) refers to multiple occurrences of ventricular arrhythmias within a short time. Catheter ablation is a treatment option for ES but can be...
An electrical storm (ES) refers to multiple occurrences of ventricular arrhythmias within a short time. Catheter ablation is a treatment option for ES but can be challenging in unstable cardiovascular patients. We present the case of a 50-year-old patient with poor left ventricular function who experienced ES after emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Despite maximal antiarrhythmic therapy, the patient had recurrent ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF), hindering catheter ablation. Elective venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support was established, allowing a successful second catheter ablation attempt without complications. The patient was weaned off ECMO the following day and remained in normal sinus rhythm.
Topics: Humans; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Middle Aged; Catheter Ablation; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Male; Coronary Artery Bypass; Ventricular Fibrillation; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38963363
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_180_23 -
Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Jul 2024We present a case of cardiogenic shock secondary to refractory polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with coronary ischemia resulting in cardiac arrest....
Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for "Protected" Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Secondary to Refractory Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia and Cardiac Arrest.
We present a case of cardiogenic shock secondary to refractory polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with coronary ischemia resulting in cardiac arrest. Following the return of spontaneous circulation, the patient was cannulated for peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) in anticipation of high-risk "protected" percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Under full V-A ECMO support, inotropes and vasopressors were weaned off, and the patient underwent uneventful PCI of left circumflex and obtuse marginal lesions. After 48 hours, the patient was decannulated and could be discharged home alive 16 days after his initial cardiac arrest.
Topics: Humans; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Male; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Heart Arrest; Shock, Cardiogenic; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38963360
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_136_23 -
Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Jul 2024One lung ventilation (OLV) is a technique used during lung resection surgery to facilitate optimal surgical conditions. However, this may result in severe hypoxemia due... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
One lung ventilation (OLV) is a technique used during lung resection surgery to facilitate optimal surgical conditions. However, this may result in severe hypoxemia due to the right-to-left shunt created in the collapsed lung. Several techniques are used to overcome hypoxemia, one of which is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to the non-dependent lung. Another technique is ventilating the non-dependent lung with a minimal volume, thus creating differential lung ventilation (DLV) or split lung ventilation (SLV). In this study, we compared the efficacy of CPAP to DLV during video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung resection.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this single-center randomized controlled, cross-over study, each patient acted as his control as well as the study. Patients crossed over from SLV to CPAP (or vice versa) with an interval period during which only OLV was used (control period). The primary objective of the study was to observe the changes in oxygenation, ventilation, and the surgeons' perception of the surgical field using CPAP or SLV to the non-ventilated lung during the period of OLV in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
RESULTS
The study revealed that oxygenation was significantly better when using SLV to the non-ventilated lung during the period of OLV (P = 0.03). However, the surgeon found a significantly better surgical field when applying CPAP to the surgical field.
CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that using SLV to the non-ventilated lung during the period of OLV was superior in terms of oxygenation, although it interfered more with the surgical field.
Topics: Humans; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; One-Lung Ventilation; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Female; Middle Aged; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; Thoracic Surgical Procedures; Aged; Respiration, Artificial
PubMed: 38963358
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_46_24 -
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation to Support the Circulation in Interventional Cardiac Procedures.Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Jul 2024
Topics: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Humans; Cardiac Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 38963352
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_122_24 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jul 2024Morphology, crystal phase, and its transformation are important structures that frequently determine electrocatalytic activity, but the correlations of intrinsic...
Morphology, crystal phase, and its transformation are important structures that frequently determine electrocatalytic activity, but the correlations of intrinsic activity with them are not completely understood. Herein, using Co(OH) micro-platelets with well-defined structures (phase, thickness, area, and volume) as model electrocatalysts of oxygen evolution reaction, multiple in situ microscopy is combined to correlate the electrocatalytic activity with morphology, phase, and its transformation. Single-entity morphology and electrochemistry characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy reveal a thickness-dependent turnover frequency (TOF) of α-Co(OH). The TOF (≈9.5 s) of α-Co(OH) with ≈14 nm thickness is ≈95-fold higher than that (≈0.1 s) with ≈80 nm. Moreover, this thickness-dependent activity has a critical thickness of ≈30 nm, above which no thickness-dependence is observed. Contrarily, β-Co(OH) reveals a lower TOF (≈0.1 s) having no significant correlation with thickness. Combining single-entity electrochemistry with in situ Raman microspectroscopy, this thickness-dependent activity is explained by more reversible Co/Co kinetics and larger ratio of active Co sites of thinner α-Co(OH), accompanied with faster phase transformation and more extensive surface restructuration. The findings highlight the interactions among thickness, ratio of active sites, kinetics of active sites, and phase transformation, and offer new insights into structure-activity relationships at single-entity level.
PubMed: 38963321
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402976