Antimicrobial activities of novel bipyridine compounds produced by a new strain of Saccharothrix isolated from Saharan soil

The actinobacterium strain ABH26 closely related to Saccharothrix xinjiangensis, isolated from an Algerian Saharan soil sample, exhibited highly antagonist activity against Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. Its ability to produce antimicrobial compounds was investigated using several solid culture media. The highest antimicrobial activity was obtained on Bennett medium. The antibiotics secreted by strain ABH26 on Bennett medium were extracted by methanol and purified by reverse-phase HPLC using a C18 column. The chemical structures of the compounds were determined after spectroscopic (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY and ¹H-¹³C HMBC spectra), and spectrometric (mass spectrum) analyses. Two new cyanogriside antibiotics named cyanogriside I (1) and cyanogriside J (2), were characterized along with three known caerulomycins, caerulomycin A (3), caerulomycin F (4) and caerulomycinonitrile (5). This is the first report of cyanogrisides and caerulomycins production by a member of the Saccharothrix genus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these antibiotics were determined against pathogenic microorganisms.     

Raising awareness and providing free screening improves cervical cancer screening among economically disadvantaged Lebanese/Armenian women.

Women need to practice cervical screening regularly to reduce morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an intervention program on knowledge, attitude, and practice of cervical screening in the population of Lebanese/Armenian women. The design was a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental posttest survey following a year long intervention program. The sample included 176 women, who were members of the Armenian Relief Cross in Lebanon. Interventions consisted of educational classes, media messages, and free screening. The instrument was a self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge of women with intervention was higher (p > .05) and practice rate increased between intervention and comparison groups. No difference in attitude was noted. The study was successful in raising awareness and increasing screening in the sample. It is recommended to continue helping women to overcome barriers for cervical screening.     

IDDM2 and the polymorphism of the human tyrosine hydroxylase (hTH) gene in African Americans with type-1 diabetes

In this study, we investigate the polymorphic microsatellite repeat (TCAT)n, in the insulin gene region that has been associated with susceptibility to type-1 diabetes in some Caucasian populations. The microsatellite repeat polymorphism begins at base pair 1,170 in intron 1 of the hTH gene, which is located on the short arm of chromosome 11. This study is the first to investigate the association of this microsatellite repeat polymorphism in African-American type-1 diabetes patients and controls. The predicted amplified sequence was 254 bp. We found five alleles among African Americans in the Washington, DC area. The alleles were labeled K5 (244 bp), K4 (248 bp), K3 (252 bp), K2 (256 bp), and K1 (260 bp), and heterozygosity was greater than 0.75. The most frequent allele of the hTH microsatellite repeats was K5 (248 bp) with a frequency 0.62 in controls and 0.66 in type-1 diabetes patients, which did not differ significantly. Although the largest allele was more frequent in controls, the difference was not statistically significant. The five alleles of the hTH microsatellite generated 15 different genotypes. The most frequent genotype in controls and patients was K5/K4, whose frequencies were 0.19 and 0.17, respectively. No significant differences in genotype frequencies were found between type-1 diabetes patients and controls. This data shifts the focus from hTH to the VNTR at the insulin gene for IDDM2, the second major candidate gene for type-1 diabetes.     

Distinct immunopathological mechanisms of EBV-positive and EBV-negative posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders

EBV-positive and EBV-negative posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) arise in different immunovirological contexts and might have distinct pathophysiologies. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted a multicentric prospective study with 56 EBV-positive and 39 EBV-negative PTLD patients of the K-VIROGREF cohort, recruited at PTLD diagnosis and before treatment (2013–2019), and compared them to PTLD-free Transplant Controls (TC, n = 21). We measured absolute lymphocyte counts (n = 108), analyzed NK- and T cell phenotypes (n = 49 and 94), and performed EBV-specific functional assays (n = 16 and 42) by multiparameter flow cytometry and ELISpot-IFNγ assays (n = 50). EBV-negative PTLD patients, NK cells overexpressed Tim-3; the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was poorer in patients with a CD4 lymphopenia (CD4⁺<300 cells/mm³, p <  .001). EBV-positive PTLD patients presented a profound NK-cell lymphopenia (median = 60 cells/mm³) and a high proportion of NK cells expressing PD-1 (vs. TC, p = .029) and apoptosis markers (vs. TC, p < .001). EBV-specific T cells of EBV-positive PTLD patients circulated in low proportions, showed immune exhaustion (p = .013 vs. TC) and poorly recognized the N-terminal portion of EBNA-3A viral protein. Altogether, this broad comparison of EBV-positive and EBV-negative PTLDs highlight distinct patterns of immunopathological mechanisms between these two diseases and provide new clues for immunotherapeutic strategies and PTLD prognosis.     

Increased carotid intima–media thickness in the absence of atherosclerotic plaques in an adult population with Fabry disease

Aim: Fabry disease is considered primarily as a progressive small vessel disease, with ischaemic degenerative lesions involving the kidneys, brain and heart. Macrovascular involvement in male patients includes an accelerated wall hypertrophy of the radial artery and a thickening of the intima–media of the common carotid artery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of carotid artery atherosclerosis in hemizygous and heterozygous patients with Fabry disease, compared with a matched control population.
Methods: The common carotid artery intima–media thickness (IMT) of 53 patients with Fabry disease (24 men, 29 women) was measured by high-definition ultrasonography, and the presence or absence of atherosclerotic plaques reported. Results were compared with those of 120 age-matched healthy individuals (83 men, 37 women).
Results: The common carotid artery IMT was increased to the same extent in male and female patients with Fabry disease (706±211 µm and 749±395 µm, respectively) compared with that of the control population (614±113 µm). In the Fabry population, IMT did not correlate with either systolic blood pressure or with renal function (plasma creatinine). In the control population, only systolic blood pressure was positively and significantly correlated with IMT. Atherosclerotic plaques in the common carotid artery were not observed in any patient with Fabry disease, whereas 34% of the control population had carotid artery plaques, as evidenced by focal non-homogeneous intima–media thickening greater than 1.2 mm.
Conclusion: This study presents evidence of a major increase in common carotid artery IMT, both in hemizygous and heterozygous patients with Fabry disease, in the absence of focal atherosclerotic plaques. These results suggest that the conduit arteries may be protected from atherosclerosis in Fabry disease.     

Molecular epidemiology of betanodaviruses isolated from sea bass and sea bream cultured along the Tunisian coasts

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is a serious viral disease affecting farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Only scarce molecular data are available on the disease-causing betanodavirus populations in Tunisia. Therefore, we carried out the first molecular survey of betanodaviruses in farmed sea bass and sea bream (Sparus aurata) along the Tunisian coasts. Among 81 samples from five farms, 20 tested positive with RT-PCR, not only in clinical cases but also in asymptomatic fish before and during outbreaks. Positive fish were found in all farms, except in one farm investigated in the south of Tunisia. Sequencing the fragments of both genomic components (RNA1 and RNA2) in 16 isolates revealed that the Tunisian viruses were related to the red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotype. Furthermore, the newly sequenced isolates were generally highly related to one another suggesting a recent common ancestor. They also showed high identities with other isolates obtained from wild fishes in the Mediterranean, but were slightly more divergent from strains recently obtained from farmed fishes in the Mediterranean. The poor genetic diversity of the viral population along the Tunisian coasts is striking. One hypothesis is that it is the result of the maintenance of a homogenous genetic pool among infected wild fish, groupers for instance and subsequent dissemination to farmed fish over the seasons.     

New amino group functionalized porous carbon for strong chelation ability towards toxic heavy metals

Herein, ethylenediamine functionalized porous carbon (PC-ED/1.5) was synthesized, then characterized by various methods and finally used as a functional material for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) ion removal from water. XPS revealed the presence of numerous functionalities within the surface of PC including –NH and C–N–C groups. Furthermore, S_BET, RS, XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the changes implemented on the PC surface. Thereafter, a systematic study was implemented to analyze the interactions of the PC-ED/1.5 surface with Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) heavy metal ions. Hence, adsorption experiments showed that the PC-ED/1.5 exhibits maximum adsorption capacities of 123.45 mg g⁻¹ and 140.84 mg g⁻¹ for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii), respectively. Moreover, in situ electrostatic interactions occurring between the divalent cation and the PC-ED/1.5 functional groups was investigated. The mechanism involves chelation processes, electrostatic interactions and mechanical trapping of the metal ions in the adsorbent pores. Interestingly, a synergistic effect of the pores and surface active sites was observed. Finally, by using alginate bio-polymer we prepared membrane films of PC-ED/1.5 which showed long-term stability, regeneration capabilities and high mass recovery.

Herein, ethylenediamine functionalized porous carbon (PC-ED/1.5) was synthesized, then characterized by various methods and finally used as a functional material for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) ion removal from water.     

Correction: Microwave assisted green synthesis of Fe2O3/biochar for ultrasonic removal of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals

Correction for ‘Microwave assisted green synthesis of Fe₂O₃/biochar for ultrasonic removal of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals’ by Zakaria Anfar et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 11371–11380.

In the published article there was an error in the corresponding author’s surname. The corrected version is shown here.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.