Resting metabolic rate and weight loss after bariatric surgery

Background

There is an increased interest in understanding how variation in body composition (BC) and energy expenditure is related to successful weight loss after surgery. It has been suggested that low resting metabolic rate (RMR) could be associated with poor weight loss.

Transient leaf endophytes are the most active fungi in 1-year-old beech leaf litter

The ecological significance of fungi occurring asymptomatically inside living plant leaves is poorly understood. Given the broad saprotrophic potential of many endophytic fungi, we hypothesized that they persist in decaying litter for an extended period of time after leaf abscission. Fungal assemblages were assessed by high-throughput sequencing in autumn leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and in the corresponding leaf litter in 388 samples from 22 beech forest plots in three widely distant regions of Germany. A considerable proportion of the leaf-endophytic fungi was also found in 1-year-old litter. Co-occurrence networks revealed that the fungi formed unstructured assemblages inside the living leaves, rather than well-structured communities. Previously endophytic fungi constituted an integral part of the fungal litter community and were by far the most active fungi in 1-year-old litter. We therefore consider these endophytic occurrences to represent transient stages. Composition of the aboveground microbiome appears therefore to be closely connected to the process of litter decomposition. Considering the respective linked fungal habitat will facilitate predicting nutrient and carbon cycling and storage in forest ecosystems as well as elucidating the ecology of leaf microbiomes.     

Cardiopulmonary,biomarkers, and vascular responses to acute hypoxia following cardiac transplantation

Previous studies have suggested good adaptation of cardiac transplant (CTx) recipients to exposure to a high altitude. No studies have investigated the cardiopulmonary and biomarker responses to acute hypoxic challenges following CTx. Thirty‐six CTx recipients and 17 age‐matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Sixteen (16) patients (42%) had cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Cardiopulmonary responses to maximal and submaximal exercise at 21% O₂, 20‐minutes hypoxia (11.5% O₂), and following a 10‐minute exposure to 11.5% O₂ using 30% of peak power output were completed. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) were measured at baseline and at peak stress. Endothelial peripheral function was assessed using near‐infrared spectroscopy. Compared with HC, CTx presented a lesser O₂ desaturation both at rest (?19.4 ± 6.8 [CTx] vs ?24.2 ± 6.0% O₂ [HC], P < 0.05) and following exercise (?23.2 ± 4.9 [CTx] vs ?26.2 ± 4.7% O₂ [HC], P < 0.05). CTx patients exhibited a significant decrease in peak oxygen uptake. IL‐6 and VEGF levels were significantly higher in CTx recipients in basal conditions but did not change in response to acute stress. CTx patients exhibit a favorable ventilatory and overall response to hypoxic stress. These data provide further insights on the good adaptability of CTx to exposure to high altitude.     

Failure of voriconazole therapy due to acquired azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus in a kidney transplant recipient with chronic necrotizing aspergillosis

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) affects the lungs and disseminates mostly in patients with neutropenia and/or patients who are receiving immunosuppressive and steroid therapies. Despite progress in the diagnosis of and therapy for IA, it is still characterized by a high mortality rate. Currently, voriconazole is considered as the standard therapy for IA. Over recent years, triazole‐resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates have emerged in the environment due to the use of fungicidal agricultural products, with the risk of developing IA related to a resistant isolate. However, resistance may also develop in patients who are undergoing long‐term triazole therapy, particularly in the setting of chronic forms of pulmonary aspergillosis. Herein we describe a kidney transplant recipient who failed to respond to voriconazole therapy due to acquired resistance secondary to the appearance of a de novo mutation (Y121F) in the cyp51A gene during chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis. The infecting isolate acquired voriconazole resistance in 8 months despite plasma concentrations within the recommended range of the drug, necessitating lobectomy in association with a new antifungal strategy consisting of liposomal amphotericin and caspofungin with a good outcome over 36 months.