A widespread family of ribosomal peptide metallophores involved in bacterial adaptation to metal stress.

Ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a structurally diverse group of natural products that bacteria employ in their survival strategies. Herein, we characterized the structure, the biosynthetic pathway, and the mode of action of a RiPP family called bufferins. With thousands of homologous biosynthetic gene clusters throughout the bacterial phylogenetic tree, bufferins form by far the largest family of RiPPs modified by multinuclear nonheme iron-dependent oxidases (MNIO, DUF692 family).

The CpxAR signaling system confers a fitness advantage for flea gut colonization by the plague bacillus.

Unlabelled: The adaptation of , the flea-borne plague agent, to fluctuating environmental conditions is essential for the successful colonization of the flea vector. A previous comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that the Cpx pathway of is up-regulated in infected fleas. The CpxAR two-component system is a component of the envelope stress response and is critical for maintaining the integrity of the cell.

Direct photodegradation of internally mixed sodium chloride and malonic acid single aerosols: Impact of the photoproducts on the hygroscopic properties of the particles.

Sea-salt aerosols (SSA) are one of the key natural aerosols in our atmosphere, consisting predominantly of sodium chloride (NaCl). Throughout their atmospheric transport, these aerosols undergo complex internal mixing, giving rise to a rich variety of inorganic and organic species, including dicarboxylic acids. This study investigates firstly the composition and deliquescence properties of coarse particles containing pure malonic acid (MA, CH(COOH)) and internally mixed NaCl and MA, by means of an acoustic levitation system coupled with a Raman microspectrometer.

General practitioners' perceptions of dealing with patients with pressured speech: a qualitative study.

Background: Empathetic listening can be particularly challenging with patients presenting pressured speech, while time pressure and costs limit practitioners' availability. We aimed to explore general practitioners' (GPs') experiences when encountering a patient with pressured speech without pathological syndrome.

Methods: Using a thematic analysis method, 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs purposively sampled in Ile-de-France region.

Trapped microplastics within vertical redeposited sediment: Experimental study simulating lake and channeled river systems during resuspension events.

Plastic waste and its fragments (microplastics; <5 mm) have been observed in almost all types of environments. However, the mechanisms underlying the flow and transport processes of plastics are unknown. This is particularly valid for river sediments, where complex interactions occur between particles and influence their vertical and horizontal distribution patterns.

Effect of hydraulic binders' addition on trace metals stabilization in the S/S process of dredged sediments.

The Solidification/Stabilization method for dredged sediments remediation can be very effective for the immobilization of trace metal (TM) pollutants. The ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is largely used in this process. Nevertheless, the mechanical performance of treated sediments can be considerably improved at long term using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as was shown in (Gutsalenko et al.

On inorganic tracers of wastewater treatment plant discharges along the Marque River (Northern France).

Increase of water quality in aquatic systems has become a hot button issue in recent decades. However, with the aim to implement an effective remediation strategy, the first step is to identify the sources of diffuse and point-source pollution using several tracers. In urban areas, B isotopes, Gd enrichment, Cl or carbamazepine concentrations can be used as wastewater treatment plant tracers.

Optimising punctual water sampling with an on-the-fly algorithm based on multiparameter high-frequency measurements.

The way in which aquatic systems is sampled has a strong influence on our understanding of them, especially when they are highly dynamic. High frequency sampling has the advantage over spot sampling for representativeness but leads to a high amount of analysis. This study proposes a new methodology to choose when sampling accurately with an automated sampler coupled with a high frequency (HF) multiparameter probe.

Effectiveness of simulation in psychiatry for nursing students, nurses and nurse practitioners: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Mental disorders constitute one of the main causes of disease and disability worldwide. While nurses are often at the frontline of mental health care, they have limited access to dedicated psychiatric training opportunities. Simulation training may foster the development of the appropriate competencies required when supporting people with mental disorders.

Investigation of Capitella spp. symbionts in the context of varying anthropic pressures: First occurrence of a transient advantageous epibiosis with the giant bacteria Thiomargarita sp. to survive seasonal increases of sulfides in sediments.

Capitella spp. is considered as an important ecological indicator of eutrophication due to its high densities in organic-rich, reduced, and sometimes polluted coastal ecosystems. We investigated whether such ability to cope with adverse ecological contexts might be a response to the microorganisms these worms are associated with.

Extraction of microplastics from sediment matrices: Experimental comparative analysis.

Microplastics are small (<5 mm) fragments of plastic debris that are ubiquitous in oceans and terrestrial ecosystems. Studies on microplastics in sediment and soil matrices are particularly challenging because of the need to separate the plastics from the sediments. We investigated the efficiencies of 18 combinations of six extracting solutions (ESs) (oil, water, oil-in-water, NaCl, oil-in-NaCl, and NaI) and three isolation methods (IMs) (hand stirring, centrifugation, and aeration) for fine and coarse sediments, with low and high density polymers.

Optimal degradation of organophosphorus pesticide at low levels in water using fenton and photo-fenton processes and identification of by-products by GC-MS/MS.

This study aiming to determine the optimal conditions to degrade an organophosphate pesticide diazinon (DZN) at low levels concentrations (μg.mL) and to identify the by-products generated. The degradation processes utilized were the Fenton and photo-Fenton.

Simulation Training in Psychiatry for Medical Education: A Review.

Despite recognised benefits of Simulation-Based Education (SBE) in healthcare, specific adaptations required within psychiatry have slowed its adoption. This article aims to discuss conceptual and practical features of SBE in psychiatry that may support or limit its development, so as to encourage clinicians and educators to consider the implementation of SBE in their practice. SBE took off with the aviation industry and has been steadily adopted in clinical education, alongside role play and patient educators, across many medical specialities.

Distribution of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh) in urban tributaries of the Scheldt River assessed by diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT).

The performance of the newly developed DGT technique for the platinum group elements (PGEs) rhodium (Rh), platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) was evaluated in two tributaries of the Scheldt River, the Marque River close to the city of Lille (France), and the Zenne River which flows through the city of Brussels (Belgium). In the Marque River, an interlaboratory comparison was performed between the two laboratories where the DGT techniques dedicated to PGEs were developed (AMGC, VUB & LASIRE, U-Lille). PGEs were also analysed in an effluent of a Brussels hospital and monthly grab sampling was performed at the wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs) of Brussels.

To What Extent Can Micro- and Macroplastics Be Trapped in Sedimentary Particles? A Case Study Investigating Dredged Sediments.

Plastic wastes and their fragments (microplastics, MPs < 5 mm) represent a global, persistent, and ubiquitous threat to ecosystems. Their sources, transfers, and fates are still poorly understood, especially in rivers. To fill this gap, sediments were collected from two dredging disposal sites along the Aa River (France).

Streamlined copper defenses make Bordetella pertussis reliant on custom-made operon.

Copper is both essential and toxic to living beings, which tightly controls its intracellular concentration. At the host-pathogen interface, copper is used by phagocytic cells to kill invading microorganisms. We investigated copper homeostasis in Bordetella pertussis, which lives in the human respiratory mucosa and has no environmental reservoir.

Development and validation of DGT passive samplers for the quantification of Ir, Pd, Pt, Rh and Ru: A challenging application in waters impacted by urban activities.

Platinum group elements (PGEs) are among the least abundant in the continental crust. They have become excellent tracers of anthropogenic activities, particularly due to their use in catalytic converters or in the medical industry. However, their quantification in environmental matrices is still problematic because of their low concentrations combined with the presence of interfering elements.

Investigation on trace metal speciation and distribution in the Scheldt estuary.

The biogeochemical behavior of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb along the historically polluted Scheldt estuary (Belgium - The Netherlands) was investigated in this study. As never studied before in this area, labile trace metals were measured using the passive sampling technique of Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGT), while total dissolved and particulate trace metal concentrations were assessed using classic active sampling techniques. This dual approach allowed us to highlight the variations of trace metal speciation and distribution in the estuarine surface waters, considering environmental and physicochemical gradients along the transect.

Dynamics of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons in the Chalk aquifer of northern France.

The Chalk aquifer used for drinking-water production in the southwest of the Lille European Metropolis is threatened by the presence of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CHCs), their concentrations in groundwater regularly exceeding the regulatory limits for drinking water in France. This hinders its use for drinking-water production. Understanding the dynamics and spatial distribution of CHC in the aquifer is a key factor for resource sustainability.

Multidisciplinary study to monitor consequences of pollution on intertidal benthic ecosystems (Hauts de France, English Channel, France): Comparison with natural areas.

The intertidal areas of the Hauts-de-France (English Channel - France) stand out for the occurrence of fragile ecosystems that are exposed to natural and human-induced stress. Over the last two centuries, the northern part of this region has experienced a strong human pressure, with the settlement of numerous activities (i.e.

Metal-induced bacterial interactions promote diversity in river-sediment microbiomes.

Anthropogenic metal contamination results in long-term environmental selective pressure with unclear impacts on bacterial communities, which comprise key players in ecosystem functioning. Since metal contamination poses serious toxicity and bioaccumulation issues, assessing their impact on environmental microbiomes is important to respond to current environmental and health issues. Despite elevated metal concentrations, the river sedimentary microbiome near the MetalEurop foundry (France) shows unexpected higher diversity compared with the upstream control site.

Simulation in psychiatry for medical doctors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Most medical doctors are likely to work with patients experiencing mental health conditions. However, educational opportunities for medical doctors to achieve professional development in the field of psychiatry are often limited. Simulation training in psychiatry may be a useful tool to foster this development.