Persistent systemic microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage during Clostridioides difficile infection

Background. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) might be complicated by the development of nosocomial bloodstream infection (n-BSI). Based on the hypothesis that alteration of the normal gut integrity is present during CDI, we evaluated markers of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage in patients with CDI. Methods. Patients with documented CDI were enrolled in the study. For each subject, plasma samples were collected at T0 and T1 (before and after CDI therapy, respectively), and the following markers were evaluated: lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LPB), EndoCab IgM, interleukin-6, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). Samples from nonhospitalized healthy controls were also included. The study population was divided into BSI+/BSI- and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) +/FMT- groups, according to the development of n-BSI and the receipt of FMT, respectively. Results. Overall, 45 subjects were included; 8 (17.7%) developed primary n-BSI. Markers of microbial translocation and intestinal damage significantly decreased between T0 and T1, however, without reaching values similar to controls (P < .0001). Compared with BSI-, a persistent high level of microbial translocation in the BSI+ group was observed. In the FMT+ group, markers of microbial translocation and inflammation at T1 tended to reach control values. Conclusions. CDI is associated with high levels of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage, which are still present at clinical resolution of CDI. The role of residual mucosal perturbation and persistence of intestinal cell damage in the development of n-BSI following CDI, as well as the possible effect of FMT in the restoration of mucosal integrity, should be further investigated

Impact of ploidy change on secondary metabolites and photochemical efficiency in Solanum bulbocastanum Dun.

Plants are well known for producing a wide diversity of natural compounds and several strategies have been proposed to enhance their production. Among them, somatic chromosome doubling may represent an effective and inexpensive method. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of polyploidization on the leaf metabolic profile and content of tetraploids produced from a wild diploid (2n=2x=24) potato species, Solanum bulbocastanum Dun. Photochemical efficiency of tetraploids was also analyzed. Results from HPLC-DAD and LC/MS analyses provided evidence that tetraploid genotypes displayed either a similar or a lower phenylpropanoids, tryptophan, tyrosine and α-chaconine content compared with the diploid parent. Similarly, no significant differences were found among genotypes both for measures of gas and for chlorophyll fluorescence, except for non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Steroidal saponins content revealed superiority of some tetraploids with respect to the diploid parent, suggesting perturbations in the mechanism regulating the biosynthesis of such compounds following polyploidization. Lack of superiority may be attributed to the time required for adjustment, adaptation and evolution after the genomic shock induced by polyploidization, as well as the fact that an optimum ploidy level for each species may be crucial. Our results suggest that polyploidization as a strategy to enhance metabolite production cannot be generalized

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Phaseolus vulgaris plants from non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved seeds

The objective of this work was to evaluate if cryostorage of Phaseolus vulgaris L. seeds induced variations in regenerated plants at the phenotypic and molecular levels. A series of agricultural traits was measured on plants grown from control, non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved seeds, and the genetic stability of plants of the second generation was analysed at selected microsatellite loci. The phenotype of the second generation plants was evaluated as well. No statistically significant phenotypic differences were observed for the parameters measured, neither in the first nor in the second generations. Averaging both treatments, about 76% of the seeds had germinated 10 days after sowing. At harvest we recorded plants with about 73 cm in height, 13 stem internodes, 25 fruits, 103 grains and 4 grains per fruit. One hundred seeds weighted about 26 g. The genetic analyses performed on the second generation plants using six nuclear Simple Sequences Repeats (SSR) markers revealed no changes in microsatellite length between control and cryopreserved samples, implying that there was no effect of seed liquid nitrogen exposure on genome integrity. The phenotypic and molecular results reported here confirm that cryostorage is an efficient and reliable technique to conserve P. vulgaris seeds and regenerate true-to-type plants

Biological and geochemical markers of the geographical origin and genetic identity of potatoes

There is a growing interest in agriculture productions combining safety and quality attributes with clear regional identity. In the last few years several methods have been employed for food authentication and traceability. In this study we tested geochemical data for elemental concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Stand Cd and strontium isotope ratio in combination with biological data of 11 secondary metabolites and DNA as markers for the authentication of the origin of early potatoes at small geographical scale levels in Italy. DNA fingerprints through 12 SSR (simple sequence repeat) primer pairs allowed cultivar identification, confirming the discrimination power of molecular markers. Element concentrations, strontium isotope ratio and secondary metabolite data, through multivariate statistics (partial least squares discriminant analysis. PLS-DA), made it possible to clearly assign all the potato samples to the respective administrative regions of cultivation. The validation of the models was successful. It included external prediction tests on 20% of the data randomly selected from each administrative province and a study on the robustness of these multivariate data treatments to uncertainties on measurement results

Whole-genome doubling affects pre-mirna expression in plants

Whole-genome doubling (polyploidy) is common in angiosperms. Several studies have indicated that it is often associated with molecular, physiological, and phenotypic changes. Mounting evidence has pointed out that micro-RNAs (miRNAs) may have an important role in whole-genome doubling. However, an integrative approach that compares miRNA expression in polyploids is still lacking. Here, a re-analysis of already published RNAseq datasets was performed to identify microRNAs’ precursors (pre-miRNAs) in diploids (2x) and tetraploids (4x) of five species (Arabidopsis thaliana L., Morus alba L., Brassica rapa L., Isatis indigotica Fort., and Solanum commersonii Dun). We found 3568 pre-miRNAs, three of which (pre-miR414, pre-miR5538, and pre-miR5141) were abundant in all 2x, and were absent/low in their 4x counterparts. They are predicted to target more than one mRNA transcript, many belonging to transcription factors (TFs), DNA repair mechanisms, and related to stress. Sixteen pre-miRNAs were found in common in all 2x and 4x. Among them, pre-miRNA482, pre-miRNA2916, and pre-miRNA167 changed their expression after polyploidization, being induced or repressed in 4x plants. Based on our results, a common ploidy-dependent response was triggered in all species under investigation, which involves DNA repair, ATP-synthesis, terpenoid biosynthesis, and several stress-responsive transcripts. In addition, an ad hoc pre-miRNA expression analysis carried out solely on 2x vs. 4x samples of S. commersonii indicated that ploidy-dependent pre-miRNAs seem to actively regulate the nucleotide metabolism, probably to cope with the increased requirement for DNA building blocks caused by the augmented DNA content. Overall, the results outline the critical role of microRNA-mediated responses following autopolyploidization in plants

In Vitro Assessment of Salt Stress Tolerance in Wild Potato Species

Proof of concept salt tolerance and plasticity. Wild germplasm may represent a precious source of genetic variability for salt tolerance. This study evaluated the morphological changes occurring under controlled and saline conditions in tuber-bearing S. bulbocastanum, S. commersonii, S. chomatophyllum, S. multidissectum, S. pinnactisectum, S. phureja, and cultivated S. tuberosum. An in vitro screening method was employed. Significant phenotypic variations were observed for all phenotypic traits analyzed at all NaCl levels (0, 40, 60, and 120 mM). In addition, a significant correlation between root plasticity and salt tolerance was found. Further, changes in proline and total phenolic content were assessed to envisage the metabolic adjustments of tolerant clones towards salinity. The most promising sources of tolerance were identified in S. commersonii and S. multidissectum and information obtained is discussed from a breeding perspective

Coexpression gene network analysis of cold-tolerant Solanum commersonii reveals new insights in response to low temperatures

Among abiotic stressors, cold is one of the most harmful for the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), a frost-sensitive crop. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) profiling of two different clones of wild potato (S. commersonii Dun.) contrasting in their capacity to withstand low temperatures revealed a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under nonacclimated conditions (NAC) in tolerant clone cmm1T vs. the susceptible cmm6-6 (1,002 and 8,055 DEGs, respectively). By contrast, the number of DEGs was much more comparable when both genotypes were under acclimated conditions (AC). Indeed, a total of 5,650 and 8,936 DEGs were detected in the tolerant genotype vs. the susceptible. Gene ontology (GO) classification under NAC showed a significant role for transcription regulation, lignin catabolic genes, and regulation of plant type secondary cell wall in the cold-tolerant genotypes, suggesting an important role in conferring tolerance response. By contrast, response to stress and response to stimuli were enriched GO categories in both clones under AC. Unsigned weighted correlation networks analysis (WGCNA) allowed identification of coexpressed hub genes with possible main regulatory functions and major impacts on the phenotype. Among those identified, we clarified the role of CBF4. This gene showed contrasting expression profiles in the two clones under NAC, being induced in cold-tolerant cmm1T but suppressed in susceptible cmm6-6. By contrast, under AC, CBF4 was upregulated in both clones. Our study provides a global understanding of mechanisms involved following exposure to NAC and AC in S. commersonii. The mechanisms described here will inform future investigations for detailed validation in studies regarding cold tolerance in plants

Circular and sustainable space: Findings from hyperspectral imaging

Clean production and the ecological transition pose significant challenges for international space organizations, which are developing new strategies for recycling space waste products within a circular economy model. Successful recycling initiatives, which could encompass all or only parts of space waste management, would facilitate the reuse of materials that would otherwise be discarded. The present study aimed at testing a method for the identification and categorization of space waste to facilitate the definition of effective sorting and recycling operations in space. In more detail, the study investigated the potential of a sustainable, low-cost method based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI), employing HSI sensors operating in two spectral ranges—shortwave infrared (SWIR) and near-infrared (NIR)—to develop a classification model capable of identifying and sorting space waste for recycling. The findings demonstrate the advantages of using HSI techniques to identify, recognize, and classify various materials, thereby presenting a viable approach aligned with the circular model. Moreover, the proposed approach is non-invasive and non-destructive, eliminating the need for chemicals that could harm the environment. The technique may enable the differentiation of potentially valuable space waste from pollutants, contributing to sustainable waste management and the circular economy

Search based software engineering: Trends, techniques and applications

© ACM, 2012. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of ACM for your personal use. Not for redistribution. The definitive version is available from the link below.In the past five years there has been a dramatic increase in work on Search-Based Software Engineering (SBSE), an approach to Software Engineering (SE) in which Search-Based Optimization (SBO) algorithms are used to address problems in SE. SBSE has been applied to problems throughout the SE lifecycle, from requirements and project planning to maintenance and reengineering. The approach is attractive because it offers a suite of adaptive automated and semiautomated solutions in situations typified by large complex problem spaces with multiple competing and conflicting objectives. This article provides a review and classification of literature on SBSE. The work identifies research trends and relationships between the techniques applied and the applications to which they have been applied and highlights gaps in the literature and avenues for further research.EPSRC and E