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Neutrophils are the first line of defense of the innate immune system. In response to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the skin, hematopoietic stem, and progenitor cells (HSPCs) traffic to wounds and undergo extramedullary granulopoiesis, producing neutrophils necessary to resolve the infection. This prompted the engineering of a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel that encapsulates HSPCs within a matrix amenable to subcutaneous delivery. The authors study the influence of hydrogel mechanical properties to produce an artificial niche for granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) to efficiently expand into functional neutrophils that can populate infected tissue. Lin-cKIT+ HSPCs, harvested from fluorescent neutrophil reporter mice, are encapsulated in GelMA hydrogels of varying polymer concentration and UV-crosslinked to produce HSPC-laden gels of specific stiffness and mesh sizes. Softer 5% GelMA gels yield the most viable progenitors and effective cell-matrix interactions. Compared to suspension culture, 5% GelMA results in a twofold expansion of mature neutrophils that retain antimicrobial functions including degranulation, phagocytosis, and ROS production. When implanted dermally in C57BL/6J mice, luciferase-expressing neutrophils expanded in GelMA hydrogels are visualized at the site of implantation for over 5 days. They demonstrate the potential of GelMA hydrogels for delivering HSPCs directly to the site of skin infection to promote local granulopoiesis.

The impostor phenomenon is a psychological construct referring to a range of negative emotions associated with a person's perception of their own "fraudulent competence" in a field or of their lack of skills necessary to be successful in that field. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many practicing evaluators have experienced impostor feelings, but lack a framework in which to understand their experiences and the forums in which to discuss them. This paper summarizes the literature on the impostor phenomenon, applies it to the field of evaluation, and describes the results of an empirical, quantitatively focused study which included open-ended qualitative questions exploring impostorism in 323 practicing evaluators. The results suggest that impostor phenomenon in evaluators consists of three constructs: Discount, Luck, and Fake. Qualitative data analysis suggests differential coping strategies for men and women. Thematic analysis guided the development of a set of proposed solutions to help lessen the phenomenon's detrimental effects for evaluators.

Abstract Bone marrow adipose tissue is a distinct adipose subtype comprising more than 10% of fat mass in healthy humans. However, the functions and pathophysiological correlates of this tissue are unclear, and its genetic determinants remain unknown. Here, we use deep learning to measure bone marrow adiposity in the femoral head, total hip, femoral diaphysis, and spine from MRI scans of approximately 47,000 UK Biobank participants, including over 41,000 white and over 6300 non-white participants. We then establish the heritability and genome-wide significant associations for bone marrow adiposity at each site. Our meta-GWAS in the white population finds 67, 147, 134, and 174 independent significant single nucleotide polymorphisms, which map to 54, 90, 43, and 100 genes for the femoral head, total hip, femoral diaphysis, and spine, respectively. Transcriptome-wide association studies, colocalization analyses, and sex-stratified meta-GWASes in the white participants further resolve functional and sex-specific genes associated with bone marrow adiposity at each site. Finally, we perform a multi-ancestry meta-GWAS to identify genes associated with bone marrow adiposity across the different bone regions and across ancestry groups. Our findings provide insights into BMAT formation and function and provide a basis to study the impact of BMAT on human health and disease.

Psychological theory suggests that evaluators' individual values and traits play a fundamental role in evaluation practice, though few empirical studies have explored those constructs in evaluators. This paper describes an empirical study on evaluators' individual, work, and political values, as well as their personality traits to predict evaluation practice and methodological orientation. The results suggest evaluators value benevolence, achievement, and universalism; they lean socially liberal but are slightly more conservative on fiscal issues; and they tend to be conscientious, agreeable, and open to new experiences. In the workplace, evaluators value competence and opportunities for growth, as well as status and independence. These constructs did not statistically predict evaluation practice, though some workplace values and individual values predicted quantitative methodological orientation. We conclude by discussing strengths, limitations, and next steps for this line of research.

Interprofessional teamwork is vital to effective patient care, and targeting healthcare learners earlier in their education can lead to greater improvement in confidence and competence in teamwork skills. Despite this, institutions have continued struggling to integrate competency-based interprofessional teamwork curriculum in undergraduate health care professions’ education. The current article provides guidance related to design, implementation, and assessment for institutions seeking to implement competency-based teamwork education and training strategies for healthcare students. Guiding principles and strategies for curricular design focus on conducting thorough interprofessional needs analyses and building transportable, evidence-based competencies that apply across professions. For implementation, key principles center on strategies to ensure adequate professional representation and faculty development. Assessment considerations focus on building infrastructure for evaluation that spans professional schools. These strategies aim to create a robust, effective, and sustainable IPE curriculum that enhances collaboration and teamwork among future healthcare professionals. By addressing the key areas of design, implementation, and assessment, this article offers comprehensive guidelines for advancing interprofessional education. We believe incorporating the key guiding principles and strategies from this paper will enable institutions to integrate teamwork education and training more effectively into undergraduate healthcare training, which will facilitate institutions’ ability to ensure learners are “team ready” as they transition into the workforce after graduation.

Recognition of integrins by CD62P has not been reported and this motivated a docking simulation using integrin αvβ3 as a target. We predicted that the C-type lectin domain of CD62P functions as a potential integrin ligand and observed that it specifically bound to soluble β3 and β1 integrins. Known inhibitors of the interaction between CD62P-PSGL-1 did not suppress the binding, whereas the disintegrin domain of ADAM-15, a known integrin ligand, suppressed recognition by the lectin domain. Furthermore, an R16E/K17E mutation in the predicted integrin-binding interface located outside of the glycan-binding site within the lectin domain, strongly inhibited CD62P binding to integrins. In contrast, the E88D mutation that strongly disrupts glycan binding only slightly affected CD62P-integrin recognition, indicating that the glycan and integrin-binding sites are distinct. Notably, the lectin domain allosterically activated integrins by binding to the allosteric site 2. We conclude that CD62P-integrin binding may function to promote a diverse set of cell-cell adhesive interactions given that β3 and β1 integrins are more widely expressed than PSGL-1 that is limited to leukocytes.

AbstractThe American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) hosted a virtual symposium titled “Diversifying Paths to Academic Leadership” on January 27 and 28, 2022. The symposium sought to educate the community on the opportunities for and impact of leadership by biomedical engineering faculty, to encourage and invite women faculty, especially women of color, to consider and prepare to pursue leadership roles, to educate faculty on the expectations and duties of these roles, and to highlight experiences and paths to leadership of women engineering leaders. Here we review the main outcomes of the symposium to provide perspective on (1) personal visioning and positioning for leadership, (2) negotiating for success in leadership positions, and (3) leadership strategies for success specific to women faculty and where applicable, faculty of color.

Background: E-cigarette companies use YouTube to foster brand awareness, market their products, and interact with current and future tobacco users. However, research on the official YouTube channels of e-cigarette companies is limited. This study determined the themes of, and degree of user engagement with, videos posted to the official channels of e-cigarette companies on YouTube. Methods: Data were collected from the official YouTube channels of seven e-cigarette companies by scraping (i.e., electronically copying) the videos. The earliest video was posted on October 10, 2013, and the most recent video was posted on April 22, 2021 (n = 260). An inductive approach was used to identify themes in the data. User engagement with posts including number of likes, dislikes, and comments were also collected. Results: Prevalent themes included branding (n = 250 of 260 videos, 96%), youth use (n = 222, 85%), and tobacco use (n = 210, 81%), while less common themes included misleading health statements (n = 4, 2%), personal choice (n = 4, 2%), and antitobacco (n = 2, 1%). Videos that contained the themes testimonial, product design features, and instructional received the highest mean number of likes. Videos that contained the themes antitobacco, cessation, and testimonial received the highest mean number of dislikes. The 260 videos in this study were collectively viewed 6,619,700 times as of May 5, 2021. Conclusions: Videos from the official YouTube channels of seven e-cigarette companies often focused on branding and user experience but rarely mentioned cessation. While videos about cessation were rare, they received the second highest mean number of dislikes. Future research should assess the impact of exposure to e-cigarette-related content on YouTube and e-cigarette-related attitudes and behaviors.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by metabolic dysregulation which is frequently associated with diabetic foot ulcers that result from a severely compromised innate immune system. The high levels of blood glucose characteristic of diabetes cause an increase in circulating inflammatory mediators, which accelerate cellular senescence and dampen antimicrobial activity within dermal tissue. In diabetic wounds, bacteria and fungi proliferate in a protective biofilm forming a structure that a compromised host defense system cannot easily penetrate, often resulting in chronic infections that require antimicrobial intervention to promote the healing process. The designed host defense peptide (dHDP) RP557 is a synthesized peptide whose sequence has been derived from naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that provide the first line of defense against invading pathogens. AMPs possess an amphipathic α-helix or β-sheet structure and a net positive charge that enables them to incorporate into pathogen membranes and perturb the barrier function of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria along with fungi. The capacity of skin to resist infections is largely dependent upon the activity of endogenous AMPs that provided the basis for the design and testing of RP557 for the resolution of wound infections. In the current study, the topical application of RP557 stopped bacterial growth in the biofilm of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 infected wounds on the flanks of clinically relevant diabetic TALLYHO mice. Topical application of RP557 reduced bacterial load and accelerated wound closure, while wound size in control diabetic mice continued to expand. These studies demonstrate that RP557 reduces or eliminates an infection in its biofilm and restores wound-healing capacity.

IntroductionResearch is needed to understand the frequency of e-cigarette impressions in scripted television and movies, especially in scripted content with characters and storylines that may appeal to young adults. This study aimed to determine the extent of e-cigarette-related imagery and dialogue in Netflix content popular with young adults. We also determine the demographics and character qualities of actors shown holding e-cigarettes.MethodsNielsen ratings data were used to compile a list of the most popular Netflix original films and TV shows among U.S. viewers 18-24 years old between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021. We used a sample of 12 films and 113 TV episodes from 12 series. Three coders were trained to analyze a total of 101 h of content for the presence of e-cigarettes, level of use, type of characters holding e-cigarettes, brand visibility, and the presence of vaping-related dialogue. Twenty percent of all episodes/films were double coded to ensure reliability.ResultsOut of 125 titles, 16 (13%) had e-cigarette-related content. Thirteen titles (10%) showed at least one character holding an e-cigarette, and three others mentioned vaping without showing e-cigarettes. The total time of e-cigarettes onscreen amounted to 399 s and the average screen time for e-cigarettes was 31 s. Ninety-nine percent of the time an e-cigarette appeared on screen it was being held by a character.ConclusionThis study documented recent e-cigarette imagery found on Netflix and demonstrates the need for health communication campaigns to denormalize e-cigarette use, particularly among susceptible populations, such as young adults.

Abstract Ecological analyses typically involve many interacting variables. Ecologists often specify lagged interactions in community dynamics (i.e. vector‐autoregressive models) or simultaneous interactions (e.g. structural equation models), but there is less familiarity with dynamic structural equation models (DSEM) that can include any simultaneous or lagged effect in multivariate time‐series analysis. We propose a novel approach to parameter estimation for DSEM, which involves constructing a Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) representing simultaneous and lagged path coefficients, and then fitting this as a generalized linear mixed model to missing and/or non‐normal data. We provide a new R‐package dsem, which extends the ‘arrow interface’ from path analysis to represent user‐specified lags when constructing the GMRF. We also outline how the resulting nonseparable precision matrix can generalize existing separable models, for example, for time‐series and species interactions in a vector‐autoregressive model. We first demonstrate dsem by simulating a two‐species vector‐autoregressive model based on wolf–moose interactions on Isle Royale. We show that DSEM has improved precision when data are missing relative to a conventional dynamic linear model. We then demonstrate DSEM via two contrasting case studies. The first identifies a trophic cascade where decreased sunflower starfish has increased urchin and decreased kelp densities, while sea otters have a simultaneous positive effect on kelp in the California Current from 1999 to 2018. The second estimates how declining sea ice has decreased cold‐water habitats, driving a decreased density for fall copepod predation and inhibiting early‐life survival for Alaska pollock from 1963 to 2023. We conclude that DSEM can be fitted efficiently as a GLMM involving missing data, while allowing users to specify both simultaneous and lagged effects in a time‐series structural model. DSEM then allows conceptual models (developed with stakeholder input or from ecological expertise) to be fitted to incomplete time series and provides a simple interface for granular control over the number of estimated time‐series parameters. Finally, computational methods are sufficiently simple that DSEM can be embedded as component within larger (e.g. integrated population) models. We therefore recommend greater exploration and performance testing for DSEM relative to familiar time‐series forecasting methods.

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer. Despite decades of intense investigation, treatment options remain limited, and rapid recurrence with distant metastases remains a significant challenge. Cancer cell-intrinsic production of cytokines such as type I interferons (IFN-I) is a known potent modulator of response to therapy in many cancers, including TNBC, and can influence therapeutic outcome. Here, we report that, in TNBC systems, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) suppresses IFN-I expression via inhibition of STImulator of Interferon Genes (STING), a key mediator of interferon production. Intratumoral STING activity is essential in mediating the efficacy of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) which are used in the treatment of cancers harboring BRCA1 deficiency. We find that, in TNBC cells, PARPi treatment activates AhR in a BRCA1 deficiency-dependent manner, thus suggesting the presence of a negative feedback loop aimed at modulating PARPi efficacy. Importantly, our results indicate that the combined inhibition of PARP and AhR is superior in elevating IFN-I expression as compared to PARPi-alone. Thus, AhR inhibition may allow for enhanced IFN-I production upon PARPi in BRCA1-deficient breast cancers, most of which are of TNBC origin, and may represent a therapeutically viable strategy to enhance PARPi efficacy.

ImportanceExposure to tobacco-related content on social media may foster positive attitudes toward tobacco products and brands, and influence the likelihood of initiating or continuing use of tobacco, especially among adolescents and young adults.ObjectiveTo perform the first systematic review and meta-analysis, to our knowledge, on studies that examined the association between exposure to tobacco content on social media and lifetime tobacco use, past 30-day tobacco use, and susceptibility to use tobacco among never users.Data sourcesTobacco, social media, and marketing search terms were entered into online databases, including MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and PsychINFO. Study characteristics, including research design and methods, sampling strategy, and demographics, were assessed for each study.Study selectionStudies reporting odds ratios (ORs) for self-reported exposure to, or experimentally manipulated, tobacco content on social media and lifetime tobacco use, past 30-day tobacco, and susceptibility to use tobacco among never users. The systematic search produced 897 independent articles, of which 29 studies met inclusion criteria.Data extraction and synthesisA 3-level random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate ORs, 95% CIs, and heterogeneity (I2) for each tobacco use outcome. Study quality and publication bias were assessed.Main outcomes and measuresLifetime tobacco use, past 30-day tobacco use, and susceptibility to use tobacco among never users. Tobacco use included e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and other (cigar, hookah, smokeless tobacco).ResultsThe total sample size across the 24 included datasets was 139 624, including 100 666 adolescents (72%), 20 710 young adults (15%), and 18 248 adults (13%). Participants who were exposed to tobacco content on social media, compared with those who were not exposed, had greater odds of reporting lifetime tobacco use (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.54-3.08; I2 = 94%), past 30-day tobacco use (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.79-2.67; I2 = 84%), and susceptibility to use tobacco among never users (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.65-2.63; I2 = 73%). Subgroup analyses showed similar associations for tobacco promotions, active engagement, passive engagement, lifetime exposure to tobacco content, exposure to tobacco content on more than 2 platforms, and exposure to tobacco content among adolescents and young adults.Conclusions and relevanceFindings suggest that a comprehensive strategy to reduce the amount of tobacco content on social media should be developed by federal regulators. Such actions may have downstream effects on adolescent and young adult exposure to protobacco content, and ultimately tobacco use behaviors.

IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to neuropathic pain that negatively affects quality of life. Several qualitative research studies in individuals with SCI who experience neuropathic pain indicate the lack of adequate information about pain. We previously developed an educational resource, the SeePain, based on scientific literature and a series of qualitative interviews of people with SCI, their significant others/family members, and SCI healthcare providers.MethodsHowever, to quantitatively evaluate the utility of this educational resource in a larger sample, we examined the agreement and usefulness ratings of statements regarding clarity/comprehensibility, content, and format of the SeePain, derived from the thematic analysis of our previous qualitative interviews. Participants completed a survey that provided a digital version of the SeePain and then rated their agreement/usefulness with the statements using numerical rating scales.ResultsThere were overall high perceived agreement and usefulness ratings regarding the SeePain’s clarity, content, and format. A factor analysis reduced the agreement and usefulness ratings into 4 components (content, clarity, format, and delivery medium). Group comparisons showed that individuals with higher education were more likely to endorse electronic and website formats, and the usefulness of a shorter version of the SeePain; females and younger individuals showed greater endorsement for clarity. Finally, higher pain intensity ratings were associated with greater agreement and usefulness of the content of the SeePain.DiscussionOverall, these results support the utility of the SeePain as a source of information regarding pain that may facilitate communication about pain and its management following SCI.

Clinically used inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) negatively impacts endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (EDD) through unidentified mechanisms. Here we show that either the endothelium-specific deletion of Mtor to inhibit both mTOR complexes, or depletion of Raptor or Rictor to disrupt mTORC1 or mTORC2, causes impaired EDD, accompanied by reduced NO in the serum of mice. Consistently, inhibition of mTOR decreases NO production by human and mouse EC. Specifically, inhibition of mTORC1 suppresses eNOS gene expression, due to impairment in p70S6K-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of the transcription factor KLF2 expression. In contrast to mTORC1 inhibition, a positive-feedback between MAPK (p38 and JNK) activation and Nox2 upregulation contributes to the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes eNOS uncoupling and decreased NO bioavailability in mTORC2-inhibited EC. Adeno-associated virus-mediated EC-specific overexpression of KLF2 or suppression of Nox2 restores EDD function in endothelial mTORC1- or mTORC2-inhibited mice.

Changes in the microbiota composition are associated with many human diseases, but factors that govern strain abundance remain poorly defined. We show that a commensal Escherichia coli strain and a pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolate both utilize nitrate for intestinal growth, but each accesses this resource in a distinct biogeographical niche. Commensal E. coli utilizes epithelial-derived nitrate, whereas nitrate in the niche occupied by S. Typhimurium is derived from phagocytic infiltrates. Surprisingly, avirulent S. Typhimurium was shown to be unable to utilize epithelial-derived nitrate because its chemotaxis receptors McpB and McpC exclude the pathogen from the niche occupied by E. coli. In contrast, E. coli invades the niche constructed by S. Typhimurium virulence factors and confers colonization resistance by competing for nitrate. Thus, nutrient niches are not defined solely by critical resources, but they can be further subdivided biogeographically within the host into distinct microhabitats, thereby generating new niche opportunities for distinct bacterial species.

BackgroundThe cannabis product and regulatory landscape is changing in the United States. Against the backdrop of these changes, there have been increasing reports on health-related motives for cannabis use and adverse events from its use. The use of social media data in monitoring cannabis-related health conversations may be useful to state- and federal-level regulatory agencies as they grapple with identifying cannabis safety signals in a comprehensive and scalable fashion.ObjectiveThis study attempted to determine the extent to which a medical dictionary-the Unified Medical Language System Consumer Health Vocabulary-could identify cannabis-related motivations for use and health consequences of cannabis use based on Twitter posts in 2020.MethodsTwitter posts containing cannabis-related terms were obtained from January 1 to August 31, 2020. Each post from the sample (N=353,353) was classified into at least 1 of 17 a priori categories of common health-related topics by using a rule-based classifier. Each category was defined by the terms in the medical dictionary. A subsample of posts (n=1092) was then manually annotated to help validate the rule-based classifier and determine if each post pertained to health-related motivations for cannabis use, perceived adverse health effects from its use, or neither.ResultsThe validation process indicated that the medical dictionary could identify health-related conversations in 31.2% (341/1092) of posts. Specifically, 20.4% (223/1092) of posts were accurately identified as posts related to a health-related motivation for cannabis use, while 10.8% (118/1092) of posts were accurately identified as posts related to a health-related consequence from cannabis use. The health-related conversations about cannabis use included those about issues with the respiratory system, stress to the immune system, and gastrointestinal issues, among others.ConclusionsThe mining of social media data may prove helpful in improving the surveillance of cannabis products and their adverse health effects. However, future research needs to develop and validate a dictionary and codebook that capture cannabis use-specific health conversations on Twitter.

Despite the discovery of several closely related viruses in bats, the direct evolutionary progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been identified. In this study, we investigated potential animal sources of SARS-related coronaviruses using archived specimens from Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) and Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, and from common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) raised on wildlife farms in Viet Nam. A total of 696 pangolin and civet specimens were screened for the presence of viral RNA from five zoonotic viral families and from Sarbecoviruses using primers specifically designed for pangolin coronaviruses. We also performed a curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, to illustrate the global pangolin supply chain in the context of Viet Nam where the trade confiscated pangolins were sampled for this study. All specimens from pangolins and civets sampled along the wildlife supply chains between February 2017 and July 2018, in Viet Nam and tested with conventional PCR assays designed to detect flavivirus, paramyxovirus, filovirus, coronavirus, and orthomyxovirus RNA were negative. Civet samples were also negative for Sarbecoviruses, but 12 specimens from seven live pangolins confiscated in Hung Yen province, northern Viet Nam, in 2018 were positive for Sarbecoviruses. Our phylogenetic trees based on two fragments of the RdRp gene revealed that the Sarbecoviruses identified in these pangolins were closely related to pangolin coronaviruses detected in pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, China. Our curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, reflected what is known about pangolin trafficking globally. Pangolins confiscated in Viet Nam were largely in transit, moving toward downstream consumers in China. Confiscations included pangolin scales sourced originally from Africa (and African species of pangolins), or pangolin carcasses and live pangolins native to Southeast Asia (predominately the Sunda pangolin) sourced from neighboring range countries and moving through Viet Nam toward provinces bordering China.

Homozygous mutation of the RNA kinase CLP1 (cleavage factor polyribonucleotide kinase subunit 1) causes pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 10 (PCH10), a pediatric neurodegenerative disease. CLP1 is associated with the transfer RNA (tRNA) splicing endonuclease complex and the cleavage and polyadenylation machinery, but its function remains unclear. We generated two mouse models of PCH10: one homozygous for the disease-associated Clp1 mutation, R140H, and one heterozygous for this mutation and a null allele. Both models exhibit loss of lower motor neurons and neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei. To explore whether Clp1 mutation impacts tRNA splicing, we profiled the products of intron-containing tRNA genes. While mature tRNAs were expressed at normal levels in mutant mice, numerous other products of intron-containing tRNA genes were dysregulated, with pre-tRNAs, introns, and certain tRNA fragments up-regulated, and other fragments down-regulated. However, the spatiotemporal patterns of dysregulation do not correlate with pathogenicity for most altered tRNA products. To elucidate the effect of Clp1 mutation on precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) cleavage, we analyzed poly(A) site (PAS) usage and gene expression in Clp1R140H/- spinal cord. PAS usage was shifted from proximal to distal sites in the mutant mouse, particularly in short and closely spaced genes. Many such genes were also expressed at lower levels in the Clp1R140H/- mouse, possibly as a result of impaired transcript maturation. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that select genes are particularly dependent upon CLP1 for proper pre-mRNA cleavage, suggesting that impaired mRNA 3' processing may contribute to pathogenesis in PCH10.

Translation-dependent quality control pathways such as no-go decay (NGD), non-stop decay (NSD), and nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) govern protein synthesis and proteostasis by resolving non-translating ribosomes and preventing the production of potentially toxic peptides derived from faulty and aberrant mRNAs. However, how translation is altered and the in vivo defects that arise in the absence of these pathways are poorly understood. Here, we show that the NGD/NSD factors Pelo and Hbs1l are critical in mice for cerebellar neurogenesis but expendable for survival of these neurons after development. Analysis of mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed translational pauses, alteration of signaling pathways, and translational reprogramming. Similar effects on signaling pathways, including mTOR activation, the translatome and mouse cerebellar development were observed upon deletion of the NMD factor Upf2. Our data reveal that these quality control pathways that function to mitigate errors at distinct steps in translation can evoke similar cellular responses.

Approximately 60% of individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) experience neuropathic pain, which often persists despite the use of various pharmacological treatments. Increasingly, the potential analgesic effects of cannabis and cannabinoid products have been studied; however, little research has been conducted among those with SCI-related neuropathic pain. Therefore, the primary objective of the study was to investigate the perceived effects of cannabis and cannabinoid use on neuropathic pain among those who were currently or had previously used these approaches. Additionally, the study aimed to determine if common pain medications are being substituted by cannabis and cannabinoids. Participants (N = 342) were recruited from existing opt-in listserv sources within the United States. Of those, 227 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The participants took part in an anonymous online survey regarding past and current use of cannabis and their perceived effects on neuropathic pain, including the use of pain medication. Those in the sample reported average neuropathic pain intensity scores over the past week of 6.8 ± 2.1 (0 to 10 scale), reflecting a high moderate to severe level of pain. Additionally, 87.9% noted that cannabis reduced their neuropathic pain intensity by more than 30%, and 92.3% reported that cannabis helped them to better deal with their neuropathic pain symptoms. Most participants (83.3%) also reported substituting their pain medications with cannabis, with the most substituted medication categories being opioids (47.0%), gabapentinoids (42.8%) and over-the-counter pain medications (42.2%). These preliminary results suggest that cannabis and cannabinoids may be effective in reducing neuropathic pain among those with SCI and may help to limit the need for certain pain medications.

Extremity reconstruction surgery is increasingly performed rather than amputation for patients with large-segment pathologic bone loss. Debate persists as to the optimal void filler for this "limb salvage" surgery, whether metal or allograft bone. Clinicians focus on optimizing important functional gains for patients, and the risk of devastating implant infection has been thought to be similar regardless of implant material. Recent insights into infection pathophysiology are challenging this equipoise, however, with both basic science data suggesting a novel mechanism of infection of Staphylococcus aureus (the most common infecting agent) into the host lacunar-canaliculi network, and also clinical data revealing a higher rate of infection of allograft over metal. The current translational study was therefore developed to bridge the gap between these insights in a longitudinal murine model of infection of allograft bone and metal. Real-time Staphylococci infection characteristics were quantified in cortical bone vs metal, and both microarchitecture of host implant and presence of host immune response were assessed. An orders-of-magnitude higher bacterial burden was established in cortical allograft bone over both metal and cancellous bone. The establishment of immune-evading microabscesses was confirmed in both cortical allograft haversian canal and the submicron canaliculi network in an additional model of mouse femur bone infection. These study results reveal a mechanism by which Staphylococci evasion of host immunity is possible, contributing to elevated risks of infection in cortical bone. The presence of this local infection reservoir imparts massive clinical implications that may alter the current paradigm of osteomyelitis and bulk allograft infection treatment.

Intermediate monocytes (iMo; CD14+CD16+) increase in number in the circulation of patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD), and their recruitment to inflamed arteries is implicated in events leading to mortality following MI. Monocyte recruitment to inflamed coronary arteries is initiated by high affinity β2-integrin (CD11c/CD18) that activates β1-integrin (VLA-4) to bind endothelial VCAM-1. How integrin binding under shear stress mechanosignals a functional shift in iMo toward an inflammatory phenotype associated with CAD progression is unknown. Whole blood samples from patients treated for symptomatic CAD including non-ST elevation MI, along with healthy age-matched subjects, were collected to assess chemokine and integrin receptor levels on monocytes. Recruitment on inflamed human aortic endothelium or rVCAM-1 under fluid shear stress was assessed using a microfluidic-based artery on a chip (A-Chip). Membrane upregulation of high affinity CD11c correlated with concomitant activation of VLA-4 within focal adhesive contacts was required for arrest and diapedesis across inflamed arterial endothelium to a greater extent in non-ST elevation MI compared with stable CAD patients. The subsequent conversion of CD11c from a high to low affinity state under fluid shear activated phospho-Syk- and ADAM17-mediated proteolytic cleavage of CD16. This marked the conversion of iMo to an inflammatory phenotype associated with nuclear translocation of NF-κB and production of IL-1β+ We conclude that CD11c functions as a mechanoregulator that activates an inflammatory state preferentially in a majority of iMo from cardiac patients but not healthy patients.