functionality
Dotaz
Zobrazit nápovědu
Revealing the relationship between taxonomy and function in microbiomes is critical to discover their contribution to ecosystem functioning. However, while the relationship between taxonomic and functional diversity in bacteria and fungi is known, this is not the case for archaea. Here, we used a meta-analysis of 417 completely annotated extant and taxonomically unique archaeal genomes to predict the extent of microbiome functionality on Earth contained within archaeal genomes using accumulation curves of all known level 3 functions of KEGG Orthology. We found that intergenome redundancy as functions present in multiple genomes was inversely related to intragenome redundancy as multiple copies of a gene in one genome, implying the tradeoff between additional copies of functionally important genes or a higher number of different genes. A logarithmic model described the relationship between functional diversity and species richness better than both the unsaturated and the saturated model, which suggests a limited total number of archaeal functions in contrast to the sheer unlimited potential of bacteria and fungi. Using the global archaeal species richness estimate of 13,159, the logarithmic model predicted 4164.1 ± 2.9 KEGG level 3 functions. The non-parametric bootstrap estimate yielded a lower bound of 2994 ± 57 KEGG level 3 functions. Our approach not only highlighted similarities in functional redundancy but also the difference in functional potential of archaea compared to other domains of life.
- Klíčová slova
- archaea, functional diversity, microbiome functionality,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Objective: To discuss the impact of depression on work and how depression-related sick leave duration could be a potential indicator and outcome for measuring functionality in depression.Methods: Our review was based on a literature search and expert opinion that emerged during a virtual meeting of European psychiatrists that was convened to discuss this topic.Results: Current evidence demonstrates that depression-related sick leave duration is influenced by multiple disease-, patient- and work-related factors, together with societal attitudes towards depression and socioeconomic conditions. A wide variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and work-based interventions are effective in reducing depression-related sick leave duration and/or facilitating return to work. Recent real-world evidence showed that patients treated with antidepressant monotherapy appear to recover their working life faster than those receiving combination therapy. Although depression-related sick leave duration was found to correlate with severity of depressive symptoms, it cannot be used alone as a viable marker for disease severity.Conclusions: Given its multifactorial nature, depression-related sick leave duration is not on its own a viable outcome measure of depression severity but could be used as a secondary outcome alongside more formal severity measures and may also represent a useful measure of functionality in depression. Key pointsDepression in the working population and depression-related sick leave have a profound economic impact on societyDepression-related sick leave duration is influenced by multiple disease-, patient- and work-related factors, together with societal attitudes towards depression and socioeconomic conditionsA wide variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and work-based interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing depression-related sick leave duration and/or facilitating return to workIn terms of pharmacological intervention, recent real-world evidence has shown that patients treated with antidepressant monotherapy are able to recover their working life faster than those treated with combination therapyAlthough depression-related sick leave duration has been shown to correlate with severity of depressive symptoms, it is not a viable outcome measure of depression severity on its own, but could be used as secondary outcome alongside more formal clinician- and patient-rated severity measuresDepression-related sick leave duration may, however, represent a viable outcome for measuring functionality in depression.
- Klíčová slova
- Absenteeism, depression, functionality, major depressive disorder, return to work, sick leave,
- MeSH
- absentérství * MeSH
- antidepresiva terapeutické užití MeSH
- deprese terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pracovní neschopnost * MeSH
- stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antidepresiva MeSH
The application of two-dimensional (2D) materials has alleviated a number of challenges of traditional epitaxy and pushed forward the integration of dissimilar materials. Besides acting as a seed layer for van der Waals epitaxy, the 2D materials─being atom(s) thick─have also enabled wetting transparency in which the potential field of the substrate, although partially screened, is still capable of imposing epitaxial overgrowth. One of the crucial steps in this technology is the preservation of the quality of 2D materials during and after their transfer to a substrate of interest. In the present study, we show that by honing the achievements of traditional epitaxy and wet chemistry a hybrid approach can be devised that offers a unique perspective for the integration of functional oxides with a silicon platform. It is based on SrO-assisted deoxidation and controllable coverage of silicon surface with a layer(s) of spin-coated graphene oxide, thus simultaneously allowing both direct and van der Waals epitaxy of SrTiO3 (STO). We were able to grow a high-quality STO pseudo-substrate suitable for further overgrowth of functional oxides, such as PbZr1-xTixO3 (PZT). Given that the quality of the films grown on a reduced graphene oxide-buffer layer was almost identical to that obtained on SiC-derived graphene, we believe that this approach may provide new routes for direct and "remote" epitaxy or layer-transfer techniques of dissimilar material systems.
- Klíčová slova
- PLD deposition, PZT, STO pseudo-substrate, added functionality, epitaxy, rGO buffer layer,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: We report the multicentre comparison of the different port types of the adjustable transobturator male incontinence system (ATOMS, A.M.I., Austria). METHODS: Between 10/09 and 10/16, 383 patients received an ATOMS. Of these, 63% received the inguinal port (IP, 2009-2013), 23% the intraoperative manually connectable scrotal port (SP, 2013-2015), and 14% the pre-connected fully silicone-covered scrotal port (SSP, 2014-2016). During the follow-up period, continence parameters, pain and quality of life ratings and postoperative port-associated complications were evaluated and compared. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 7®, p < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: Regarding preoperative parameters (BMI, ASA score, previous radiotherapy/incontinence surgery, and preoperative 24-h pad count/24-h pad test), no significant differences were found. Regarding perioperative parameters, the mean operative time was significantly shorter for the SP and SSP (IP vs. SP p < 0.0001, IP vs. SSP p = 0.0048, SP vs. SSP p = 0.697). Comparison of the postoperative 24-h pad count, 24-h pad test and uroflowmetry data revealed no significant differences. However, the postoperative ICIQ-SF score was significantly better for the SSP (p = 0.0232) than the SP. A significant difference was also observed in postoperative port-associated complications. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, we identified one grade I and 29 grade IIIb complications for the IP, 1 grade I and 6 grade IIIb complications for the SP, but only 2 grade IIIb complications for the SSP (IP vs. SP p = 0.0231, IP vs. SSP p = 0.0189 and SP vs. SSP p = 0.0453). CONCLUSION: The SSP shows fewer complications while retaining comparable efficacy.
- Klíčová slova
- ATOMS, Artificial implants, Functionality, Male stress urinary incontinence, Port types,
- MeSH
- inkontinence moči chirurgie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pooperační komplikace epidemiologie MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- protézy - design MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- suburetrální pásky * škodlivé účinky klasifikace MeSH
- urologické chirurgické výkony u mužů MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
Soil from Trhové Dušníky (Příbram, Czech Republic) is characterized by its high polymetallic accumulations in Pb-Ag-Zn due to mining and smelting activities. In previous studies performed in our research group, we have evaluated the potential use of amendments that would reduce the mobility and availability of metals such as Hg. We have observed that the application of digestate and fly ash in metal-polluted soil has an impact in immobilizing these metals. However, until now we have lacked information about the effect of these amendments on soil microbial functionality and communities. The multi-contaminated soil was used to grow wheat in a pot experiment to evaluate the impact of digestate and fly ash application in soil microbial communities. Soil samples were collected after 30 and 60 days of treatment. The digestate application improved chemical attributes such as the content in total organic carbon (TOC), water soluble carbon (WSOC), total soluble carbon (C), total soluble nitrogen (N), and inorganic N forms (NO3(-)) as consequence of high content in C and N which is contained in digestate. Likewise, microbial activity was greatly enhanced by digestate application, as was physiological diversity. Bacterial and fungal communities were increased, and the microbial biomass was highly enhanced. These effects were evident after 30 and 60 days of treatment. In contrast, fly ash did not have a remarkable effect when compared to digestate, but soil microbial biomass was positively affected as a consequence of macro- and micro-nutrient sources applied by the addition of fly ash. This study indicates that digestate can be used successfully in the remediation of metal-contaminated soil.
- Klíčová slova
- Amendments, Communities structure, Microbial biomass, Microbial functionality, Physiological diversity, Soil pollution,
- MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- dusík analýza MeSH
- hornictví MeSH
- houby fyziologie MeSH
- kovy analýza metabolismus MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza metabolismus MeSH
- mikrobiální společenstva MeSH
- popel uhelný * MeSH
- pšenice růst a vývoj MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie * MeSH
- rtuť analýza metabolismus MeSH
- uhlík analýza chemie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Názvy látek
- dusík MeSH
- kovy MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
- popel uhelný * MeSH
- půda MeSH
- rtuť MeSH
- uhlík MeSH
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression in a sequence- specific manner. Post-transcriptional silencing of target genes by miRNA occurs either by specific cleavage of homologous mRNA or by specific inhibition of protein synthesis. MiRNAs are essential regulators of various processes such as proliferation, differentiation, development, cell death and interaction between virus and host cell. AIM: The aim of this paper is to summarize the main findings from research on miRNA biogenesis, functionality and cancer relevance. METHOD: A narrative literature review of all of the relevant papers known to the authors was conducted. RESULTS: Several human diseases including cancer are associated with aberrant regulation of miRNAs expression or deficiency in miRNA biogenesis. Analysis of miRNA expression signatures can serve as a valuable tool for cancer classification, diagnostics and prediction of tumor behavior. CONCLUSIONS: There has been demonstrated a possibility to use these microRNA signatures for a specific cancer classification with potential predictive and therapeutic value. The known data provide evidence that microRNAs may open new ways for cancer diagnosis, prognosis estimation and therapy.
Telomere shortening at chromosomal ends due to the constraints of the DNA replication process acts as a tumor suppressor by restricting the replicative potential in primary cells. Cancers evade that limitation primarily through the reactivation of telomerase via different mechanisms. Mutations within the promoter of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene represent a definite mechanism for the ribonucleic enzyme regeneration predominantly in cancers that arise from tissues with low rates of self-renewal. The promoter mutations cause a moderate increase in TERT transcription and consequent telomerase upregulation to the levels sufficient to delay replicative senescence but not prevent bulk telomere shortening and genomic instability. Since the discovery, a staggering number of studies have resolved the discrete aspects, effects and clinical relevance of the TERT promoter mutations. The promoter mutations link transcription of TERT with oncogenic pathways, associate with markers of poor outcome and define patients with reduced survivals in several cancers. In this review, we discuss the occurrence and impact of the promoter mutations and highlight the mechanism of TERT activation. We further deliberate on the foundational question of the abundance of the TERT promoter mutations and a general dearth of functional mutations within noncoding sequences, as evident from pan-cancer analysis of the whole-genomes. We posit that the favorable genomic constellation within the TERT promoter may be less than a common occurrence in other noncoding functional elements. Besides, the evolutionary constraints limit the functional fraction within the human genome, hence the lack of abundant mutations outside the coding sequences.
- Klíčová slova
- TERT promoter mutations, cancers, telomerase, telomeres,
- MeSH
- aktivace transkripce MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mutace * MeSH
- nádory klasifikace genetika patologie MeSH
- nestabilita genomu MeSH
- promotorové oblasti (genetika) * MeSH
- stárnutí buněk MeSH
- telomerasa genetika metabolismus MeSH
- telomery genetika MeSH
- zkracování telomer MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- telomerasa MeSH
- TERT protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
Plasmonic nanostructures have attracted a broad research interest due to their application perspectives in various fields such as biosensing, catalysis, photovoltaics, and biomedicine. Their synthesis by pulsed laser ablation in pure water enables eliminating various side effects originating from chemical contamination. Another advantage of pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) is the possibility to controllably produce plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in combination with other plasmonic or magnetic materials, thus enhancing their functionality. However, the PLAL technique is still challenging in respect of merging metallic and semiconductor specific features in nanosized objects that could significantly broaden application areas of plasmonic nanostructures. In this work, we performed synthesis of hybrid AuSi NPs with novel modalities by ultrashort laser ablation of bulk gold in water containing silicon NPs. The Au/Si atomic ratio in the nanohybrids was finely varied from 0.5 to 3.5 when changing the initial Si NPs concentration in water from 70 µg/mL to 10 µg/mL, respectively, without requiring any complex chemical procedures. It has been found that the laser-fluence-insensitive silicon content depends on the mass of nanohybrids. A high concentration of paramagnetic defects (2.2·× 1018 spin/g) in polycrystalline plasmonic NPs has been achieved. Our findings can open further prospects for plasmonic nanostructures as contrast agents in optical and magnetic resonance imaging techniques, biosensing, and cancer theranostics.
The major light-harvesting system in cyanobacteria, the phycobilisome, is an essential component of the photosynthetic apparatus that regulates the utilization of the natural light source-the Sun. Earlier works revealed that the thylakoid membrane composition and its physical properties might have an important role in antennas docking. Polyunsaturated lipids and xanthophylls are among the most significant modulators of the physical properties of thylakoid membranes. In the nature, the action of these molecules is orchestrated in response to environmental stimuli among which the growth temperature is the most influential. In order to further clarify the significance of thylakoid membrane physical properties for the phycobilisomes assembly (i.e. structural integrity) and their ability to efficiently direct the excitation energy towards the photosynthetic complexes, in this work, we utilize cyanobacterial Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 mutants deficient in polyunsaturated lipids (AD mutant) and xanthophylls (RO mutant), as well as a strain depleted of both xanthophylls and polyunsaturated lipids (ROAD multiple mutant). For the first time, we discuss the effect of those mutations on the phycobilisomes assembly, integrity and functionality at optimal (30 °C) and moderate low (25 °C) and high (35 °C) temperatures. Our results show that xanthophyll depletion exerts a much stronger effect on both phycobilisome's integrity and the response of cells to growth at suboptimal temperatures than lipid unsaturation level. The strongest effects were observed for the combined ROAD mutant, which exhibited thermally destabilized phycobilisomes and a population of energetically uncoupled phycocyanin units.
- Klíčová slova
- Carotenoids, Cyanobacteria, Excitation energy transfer, Lipid unsaturation, Phycobilisome, Thermal stability,
- MeSH
- fotosyntetická reakční centra (proteinové komplexy) metabolismus MeSH
- fotosyntéza * MeSH
- fykobilizomy metabolismus MeSH
- fykocyanin metabolismus MeSH
- karotenoidy metabolismus MeSH
- metabolismus lipidů MeSH
- mutace MeSH
- Synechocystis genetika metabolismus MeSH
- teplota MeSH
- tylakoidy metabolismus MeSH
- xanthofyly metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- fotosyntetická reakční centra (proteinové komplexy) MeSH
- fykobilizomy MeSH
- fykocyanin MeSH
- karotenoidy MeSH
- xanthofyly MeSH
Recoverin is a neuronal calcium sensor involved in vision adaptation that reversibly associates with cellular membranes via its calcium-activated myristoyl switch. While experimental evidence shows that the myristoyl group significantly enhances membrane affinity of this protein, molecular details of the binding process are still under debate. Here, we present results of extensive molecular dynamics simulations of recoverin in the proximity of a phospholipid bilayer. We capture multiple events of spontaneous membrane insertion of the myristoyl moiety and confirm its critical role in the membrane binding. Moreover, we observe that the binding strongly depends on the conformation of the N-terminal domain. We propose that a suitable conformation of the N-terminal domain can be stabilized by the disordered C-terminal segment or by binding of the target enzyme, i.e., rhodopsin kinase. Finally, we find that the presence of negatively charged lipids in the bilayer stabilizes a physiologically functional orientation of the membrane-bound recoverin.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH