Whole community shotgun metagenomes of two biological soil crust types from the Mojave Desert.

We present six whole community shotgun metagenomic sequencing data sets of two types of biological soil crusts sampled at the ecotone of the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert in California. These data will help us understand the diversity and function of biocrust microbial communities, which are essential for desert ecosystems.

Metatranscriptomes of two biological soil crust types from the Mojave desert in response to wetting.

We present eight metatranscriptomic datasets of light algal and cyanolichen biological soil crusts from the Mojave Desert in response to wetting. These data will help us understand gene expression patterns in desert biocrust microbial communities after they have been reactivated by the addition of water.

Risk Factors for Radiotherapy Failure in the Treatment of Spinal Metastases.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To build a predictive model for risk factors for failure of radiation therapy, hypothesizing a higher SINS would correlate with failure. METHODS: Patients with spinal metastasis being treated with radiation at a tertiary care academic center between September 2014 and October 2018 were identified. The primary outcome measure was radiation therapy failure as defined by persistent pain, need for re-irradiation, or surgical intervention. Risk factors were primary tumor type, Karnofsky and ECOG scores, time to treatment, biologically effective dose (BED) calculations using α/ß ratio = 10, and radiation modality. A logistic regression was used to construct a prediction model for radiation therapy failure. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy patients were included. Median follow up was 91.5 days. Forty-three patients failed radiation therapy. Of those patients, 10 required repeat radiation and 7 underwent surgery. Thirty-six patients reported no pain relief, including some that required re-irradiation and surgery. Total SINS score for those who failed reduction therapy was <7 for 27 patients (62.8%), between 7-12 for 14 patients (32.6%), and >12 for 2 patients (4.6%). In the final prediction model, BED (OR .451 for BED > 43 compared to BED ≤ 43; P = .174), Karnofksy score (OR .736 for every 10 unit increase in Karnofksy score; P = .008), and gender (OR 2.147 for male compared to female; P = .053) are associated with risk of radiation failure (AUC .695). A statistically significant association between SINS score and radiation therapy failure was not found. CONCLUSIONS: In the multivariable model, BED ≤ 43, lower Karnofksy score, and male gender are predictive for radiotherapy failure. SINS score was among the candidate risk factors included in multivariable model building procedure, but it was not selected in the final model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level III.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Overlap Syndrome: A Case Report.

Concomitant lupus nephritis and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis is rare, and there is little guidance on the management and outcomes of these patients. A Hispanic woman in her early 40s with no contributory medical history presented with 3 weeks of cough, shortness of breath, fever, and malaise. Laboratory test results were notable for serum creatinine level of 17.4 mg/dL (previously normal), urinalysis with a high hemoglobin level, >182 red blood cell count, and urinary protein-creatinine ratio of 5.72 g/g. Serologies showed elevated dsDNA, ribonucleoprotein antibody, Smith antibody, myeloperoxidase antibody, positive antinuclear antibody, and low complement levels. She was urgently started on hemodialysis and solumedrol 1 g for 3 days. On day 2, she had a kidney biopsy, which showed necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis and immunofluorescence with "full house" pattern, immune complex deposits, and strong antinuclear antibody staining of nuclei. She developed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and was initiated on plasmapheresis and cyclophosphamide. She improved and was discharged without needing further dialysis. Clinicians should consider systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody disease overlap syndrome when a young, female patient presents with new kidney failure and alveolar hemorrhage. Early biopsy and aggressive treatment are essential in preserving kidney function, and plasmapheresis should be considered in severe cases. This is a severe case with a positive outcome.

Strain echocardiography improves prediction of arrhythmic events in ischemic and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) may not offer mortality benefit. We aimed to investigate if etiology of heart failure and strain echocardiography can improve risk stratification of life threatening ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in heart failure patients. METHODS: This prospective multi-center follow-up study consecutively included NICM and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%. We assessed LVEF, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and mechanical dispersion (MD) by echocardiography. Ventricular arrhythmia was defined as sustained ventricular tachycardia, sudden cardiac death or appropriate shock from an ICD. RESULTS: We included 290 patients (67 ± 13 years old, 74% males, 207(71%) ICM). During 22 ± 12 months follow up, VA occurred in 32(11%) patients. MD and GLS were both markers of VA in patients with ICM and NICM, whereas LVEF was not (p = 0.14). MD independently predicted VA (HR: 1.19; 95% CI 1.08-1.32, p = 0.001), with excellent arrhythmia free survival in patients with MD <70 ms (Log rank p < 0.001). Patients with NICM and MD <70 ms had the lowest VA incidence with an event rate of 3%/year, while patients with ICM and MD >70 ms had highest VA incidence with an event rate of 16%/year. CONCLUSION: Patients with NICM and normal MD had low arrhythmic event rate, comparable to the general population. Patients with ICM and MD >70 ms had the highest risk of VA. Combining heart failure etiology and strain echocardiography may classify heart failure patients in low, intermediate and high risk of VA and thereby aid ICD decision strategies.

5-Keto-D-fructose production from sugar alcohol by isolated wild strain Gluconobacter frateurii CHM 43.

GLUCONOBACTER FRATEURII: CHM 43 have D-mannitol dehydrogenase (quinoprotein glycerol dehydrogenase) and flavoprotein D-fructose dehydrogenase in the membranes. When the two enzymes are functional, D-mannitol is converted to 5-keto-D-fructose with 65% yield when cultivated on D-mannitol. 5-Keto-D-fructose production with almost 100% yield was realized with the resting cells. The method proposed here should give a smart strategy for 5-keto-D-fructose production.

Discordant expression of miR-103/7 and pantothenate kinase host genes in mouse.

miR-103 and miR-107, microRNAs hosted by pantothenate kinase genes, are proposed to regulate cellular lipid metabolism. microRNA-mediated regulation is complex, potentially affecting expression of the host gene, related enzymes within the same pathway, or apparently distinct targets. Using qRT-PCR, we demonstrate that miR-103 and miR-107 expression does not correlate with expression of host pantothenate kinase genes in mouse tissues. The miR-103/7 family thus provides an intriguing model for dissecting microRNA transcription, processing and coordinated function within host genes.