Automated detection of ncRNAs in the draft genome sequence of a colonial tunicate: the carpet sea squirt Didemnum vexillum

Statistics D. vexillum draft genome. (PDF 485 kb

Multilayers of Fluorinated Amphiphilic Polyions for Marine Fouling Prevention

Sequential layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of polyelectrolytes followed by chemical cross-linking was investigated as a method to fabricate functional amphiphilic surfaces for marine biofouling prevention applications. A novel polyanion, grafted with amphiphilic perfluoroalkyl polyethylene glycol (fPEG) side chains, was synthesized and subsequently used to introduce amphiphilic character to the LbL film. The structure of the polyanion was confirmed by FTIR and NMR. Amphiphilicity of the film assembly was demonstrated by both water and hexadecane static contact angles. XPS studies of the cross-linked and annealed amphiphilic LbL films revealed the increased concentration of fPEG content at the film interface. In antifouling assays, the amphiphilic LbL films effectively prevented the adhesion of the marine bacterium Pseudomonas (NCIMB 2021)

Surface-Mediated Molecular Transport of a Lipophilic Fluorescent Probe in Polydisperse Oil-in-Water Emulsions

Emulsions often act as carriers for water-insoluble solutes that are delivered to a specific target. The molecular transport of solutes in emulsions can be facilitated by surfactants and is often limited by diffusion through the continuous phase. We here investigate this transport on a molecular scale by using a lipophilic molecular rotor as a proxy for solutes. Using fluorescence lifetime microscopy we track the transport of these molecules from the continuous phase toward the dispersed phase in polydisperse oil-in-water emulsions. We show that this transport comprises two time scales, which vary significantly with droplet size and surfactant concentration, and, depending on the type of surfactant used, can be limited either by transport across the oil-water interface or by diffusion through the continuous phase. By studying the time-resolved fluorescence of the fluorophore, accompanied by molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate how the rate of transport observed on a macroscopic scale can be explained in terms of the local environment that the probe molecules are exposed to.</p

Functional expression of TMEM16A in taste bud cells

Key points: Taste transduction occurs in taste buds in the tongue epithelium. The Ca2+-activated Cl– channels TMEM16A and TMEM16B play relevant physiological roles in several sensory systems. Here, we report that TMEM16A, but not TMEM16B, is expressed in the apical part of taste buds. Large Ca2+-activated Cl− currents blocked by Ani-9, a selective inhibitor of TMEM16A, are measured in type I taste cells but not in type II or III taste cells. ATP indirectly activates Ca2+-activated Cl– currents in type I cells through TMEM16A channels. These results indicate that TMEM16A is functional in type I taste cells and contribute to understanding the largely unknown physiological roles of these cells. Abstract: The Ca2+-activated Cl– channels TMEM16A and TMEM16B have relevant roles in many physiological processes including neuronal excitability and regulation of Cl– homeostasis. Here, we examined the presence of Ca2+-activated Cl– channels in taste cells of mouse vallate papillae by using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological recordings. By using immunohistochemistry we showed that only TMEM16A, and not TMEM16B, was expressed in taste bud cells where it largely co-localized with the inwardly rectifying K+ channel KNCJ1 in the apical part of type I cells. By using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in isolated cells from taste buds, we measured an average current of −1083&nbsp;pA at −100&nbsp;mV in 1.5&nbsp;μm Ca2+ and symmetrical Cl– in type I cells. Ion substitution experiments and blockage by Ani-9, a specific TMEM16A channel blocker, indicated that Ca2+ activated anionic currents through TMEM16A channels. We did not detect any Ca2+-activated Cl– currents in type II or III taste cells. ATP is released by type II cells in response to various tastants and reaches type I cells where it is hydrolysed by ecto-ATPases. Type I cells also express P2Y purinergic receptors and stimulation of type I cells with extracellular ATP produced large Ca2+-activated Cl− currents blocked by Ani-9, indicating a possible role of TMEM16A in ATP-mediated signalling. These results provide a definitive demonstration that TMEM16A-mediated currents are functional in type I taste cells and provide a foundation for future studies investigating physiological roles for these often-neglected taste cells

The P4G-Getting to Zero Coalition Partnership: Finding and supporting opportunities to decarbonise shipping in Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa

The International Maritime Organization has committed to reducing greenhouse gases emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. To reach that goal, a shift towards new low- and zero-carbon fuels -such as hydrogen and ammonia- is urgently needed, along with the deployment of safe and reliable zero-emission vessels, technologies and infrastructure. With shipping being a potential significant demand driver for these new fuels, it can act as a trigger and catalyst for the broader energy transition, benefiting other sectors of the economy. The P4G-Getting to Zero (GtZ) Coalition Partnership is a two-year project that focuses on shipping decarbonisation business and development opportunities in Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa. To the project’s core is the priority of bringing forward the national voices, priorities and policies around climate change, energy transition, job generation and air pollution. To that end, the P4G-GtZ team detected and engaged with key national and international stakeholders that can provide the current countries’ landscape, diagnostic and synergies around shipping opportunities. Apart from generating a networking space for the different key stakeholders, the project delivered detailed shipping activity maps coupled with energy studies that throw light at which low/zero-carbon fuel offers better feasibility to decarbonise shipping taking into account policy, job generation and international competition. The poster introduces the P4G-GtZ Coalition Partnership and the progress done so far while highlighting key findings around shipping decarbonisation, hydrogen-based fuels potential and energy transitions

Intracranial injection of dengue virus induces interferon stimulated genes and CD8(+) T cell infiltration by sphingosine kinase 1 independent pathways

We have previously reported that the absence of sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) affects both dengue virus (DENV) infection and innate immune responses in vitro. Here we aimed to define SK1-dependancy of DENV-induced disease and the associated innate responses in vivo. The lack of a reliable mouse model with a fully competent interferon response for DENV infection is a challenge, and here we use an experimental model of DENV infection in the brain of immunocompetent mice. Intracranial injection of DENV-2 into C57BL/6 mice induced body weight loss and neurological symptoms which was associated with a high level of DENV RNA in the brain. Body weight loss and DENV RNA level tended to be greater in SK1-/- compared with wildtype (WT) mice. Brain infection with DENV-2 is associated with the induction of interferon-β (IFN-β) and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression including viperin, Ifi27l2a, IRF7, and CXCL10 without any significant differences between WT and SK1-/- mice. The SK2 and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in the brain were unchanged by DENV infection or the lack of SK1. Histological analysis demonstrated the presence of a cellular infiltrate in DENV-infected brain with a significant increase in mRNA for CD8 but not CD4 suggesting this infiltrate is likely CD8+ but not CD4+ T-lymphocytes. This increase in T-cell infiltration was not affected by the lack of SK1. Overall, DENV-infection in the brain induces IFN and T-cell responses but does not influence the SK/S1P axis. In contrast to our observations in vitro, SK1 has no major influence on these responses following DENV-infection in the mouse brain.Wisam H. Al-Shujairi, Jennifer N. Clarke, Lorena T. Davies, Mohammed Alsharifi, Stuart M. Pitson, Jillian M. Car

La violencia doméstica como configuración del vínculo en una pareja

El presente trabajo investigativo/intervenido se realizó con el fin de comprender, ¿cómo emerge la violencia doméstica en la configuración del vínculo de la pareja a través de los operadores temporo-espaciales? Los actores debían llevar un mínimo de dos años, en los que se presentará violencia en el ámbito doméstico en la relación de pareja, y querer participar en la investigación/intervención. El proceso metodológico se desarrolló a partir de la metodología cualitativa de segundo orden, donde el observador es parte esencial del proceso, del mismo modo se empleó un estudio de caso y con la información recogida se consignó en matrices de análisis para su interpretación por medio de un análisis categorial. Durante el procedimiento de la investigación/intervención se efectuó una búsqueda bibliográfica de las categorías propuestas, se contactaron los participantes con los cuales se firmó consentimiento informado y se realizaron siete sesiones. Para fines del estudio se tomó una mirada sistémica y compleja, conociendo y comprendiendo la configuración de la pareja, a través de la definición de cada una de las categorias: vínculo, pareja y violencia doméstica. Como resultado de la investigación/intervención surgieron comprensiones de pareja y violencia doméstica desde un enfoque relacional, sistémico y complejo, desde la noción vincular de Ángela Hernández (2010) a través de los operadores temporo-espaciales mito, rito y episteme.This research / intervened work was done in order to understand how domestic violence emerges in shaping the relationship of the couple through the temporo-spatial operators ?. The actors had to wear a minimum of two years in which violence in the domestic sphere in the relationship will be presented, and want to participate in research / intervention. The methodology was developed from the qualitative methodology of second order, where the observer is an essential part of the process, just as a case study was used and the information collected was entered in matrix analysis for interpretation by categorial analysis. During the process of research / intervention a literature search of the proposed categories was made, which participants signed informed consent was seven sessions were held contacted. For purposes of the study systemic and complex view it was taken, knowing and understanding the configuration of the couple, through the definition of each of the categories: link, family and domestic violence. As a result of the research / intervention understandings they arose partner and domestic violence from a relational, systemic and complex approach from the notion link Angela Hernandez (2010) through the temporo-spatial operators myth, ritual and episteme.PsicólogoPregrad

Cito y genotoxicidad en eritrocitos de tortugas Trachemys sp sometidas a diferentes concentraciones de metil-mercurio

El metil mercurio (MeHg) es un contaminante ambiental tóxico y nocivo que se bioacumula y biomagnifica en la cadena trófica. La tortuga Trachemys scripta elegans (Tse), considerada centinela de contaminación ambiental debido a su longevidad, posee eritrocitos (RBCs) nucleados con afinidad del 90% por MeHg. Este estudio determinó la citotoxicidad y genotoxicidad in vitro del MeHg sobre RBCs de Tse a concentraciones de 0, 0,5, 0,7, 1, 10, 20, 50 y 100 mg/L-1 a las 24 y 96 h de exposición. Los RBCs se aislaron por centrifugación y se emplearon 1,69 x 106 RBCs por tratamiento. Se determinó el porcentaje de viabilidad, concentración letal media (CL50) y se verificaron cambios citológicos a las 24 y 96 h. El ADN fue extraído a las 96 h y se evaluó la genotoxicidad por marcadores RAPDs calculando el porcentaje de polimorfismo, índice de estabilidad genética (GST) y coeficiente de disimilaridad de Jaccard (dJSC). A las 96 h la viabilidad a 0,5, 0,7 y 1 mgL-1 de MeHg fue del 99% y 10, 20, 50 y 100 mgL-1 de MeHg fue de 94%, 20% y 0%. La CL50 determinada en 22,55 mgL-1 de MeHg. El análisis celular mostró en las diferentes concentraciones de MeHg, inclusiones citoplasmáticas, desvanecimiento o ruptura de membrana, núcleos excéntricos y lisis celular. El polimorfismo identificado fue del 85% y 50% y dJSC de 0,5 y 0,63 en 50 a 100 mgL-1 de MeHg comparado con el grupo control. La GST disminuyó hasta 42% a 100 mgL-1 de MeHg. Se concluye que el MeHg es citotóxico y genotóxico a concentraciones mayores de 10 mgL-1 en RBCs de Tse. Este estudio representa una línea base para estudios en toxicología por Hg en RBCs de Tse

HPV vaccination introduction worldwide and WHO and UNICEF estimates of national HPV immunization coverage 2010–2019

WHO/UNICEF estimates for HPV vaccination coverage from 2010 to 2019 are analyzed against the backdrop of the 90% coverage target for HPV vaccination by 2030 set in the recently approved global strategy for cervical cancer elimination as a public health problem. As of June 2020, 107 (55%) of the 194 WHO Member States have introduced HPV vaccination. The Americas and Europe are by far the WHO regions with the most introductions, 85% and 77% of their countries having already introduced respectively. A record number of introductions was observed in 2019, most of which in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC) where access has been limited. Programs had an average performance coverage of around 67% for the first dose and 53% for the final dose of HPV. LMICs performed on average better than high- income countries for the first dose, but worse for the last dose due to higher dropout. Only 5 (6%) countries achieved coverages with the final dose of more than 90%, 22 countries (21%) achieved coverages of 75% or higher while 35 (40%) had a final dose coverage of 50% or less. When expressed as world population coverage (i.e., weighted by population size), global coverage of the final HPV dose for 2019 is estimated at 15%. There is a long way to go to meet the 2030 elimination target of 90%. In the post-COVID era attention should be paid to maintain the pace of introductions, specially ensuring the most populous countries introduce, and further improving program performance globally