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The ICPPR Semi-Field/Field Testing (SF/FT) workgroup consists of several ‘writing groups’ that are focused developing technical guidance that is focused on 4 separate but related topics: 1) designing and conducting pollen and nectar residue studies, 2) conducting large scale colony feeding studies, 3) updating guidance for conducting semi-field tunnel studies, and 4) design and interpretation of full field studies with bees. What follows is the current status of each of these activities.

In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the occurrence of myocardial fibrosis is associated with adverse outcome. Whether pirfenidone, an oral antifibrotic agent without hemodynamic effect, is efficacious and safe for the treatment of HFpEF is unknown. In this double-blind, phase 2 trial (NCT02932566), we enrolled patients with heart failure, an ejection fraction of 45% or higher and elevated levels of natriuretic peptides. Eligible patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance and those with evidence of myocardial fibrosis, defined as a myocardial extracellular volume of 27% or greater, were randomly assigned to receive pirfenidone or placebo for 52 weeks. Forty-seven patients were randomized to each of the pirfenidone and placebo groups. The primary outcome was change in myocardial extracellular volume, from baseline to 52 weeks. In comparison to placebo, pirfenidone reduced myocardial extracellular volume (between-group difference, -1.21%; 95% confidence interval, -2.12 to -0.31; P = 0.009), meeting the predefined primary outcome. Twelve patients (26%) in the pirfenidone group and 14 patients (30%) in the placebo group experienced one or more serious adverse events. The most common adverse events in the pirfenidone group were nausea, insomnia and rash. In conclusion, among patients with HFpEF and myocardial fibrosis, administration of pirfenidone for 52 weeks reduced myocardial fibrosis. The favorable effects of pirfenidone in patients with HFpEF will need to be confirmed in future trials. In a double-blind, randomized phase 2 trial, treatment of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with the oral antifibrotic agent pirfenidone reduced myocardial fibrosis., Author(s): Gavin A. Lewis [sup.1] [sup.2] , Susanna Dodd [sup.3] , Dannii Clayton [sup.4] , Emma Bedson [sup.4] , Helen Eccleson [sup.4] , Erik B. Schelbert [sup.5] [sup.6] [sup.7] , [...]

Despite the rapid growth of the eSports industry with respect to its economic scale and the demand for eSports players, the career transformation experiences and well-being of eSports athletes have been largely overlooked. This study aims to explore eSports athletes' personal development in terms of career continuity, associated skill transformation, and well-being after retirement. Employing non-participatory observations and semi-structured interviews, we unpack two different pedagogical contexts of retiring eSports athletes: one is "continuity paths" (three transformation options and associated skill sets), and the other is "desire for continuity" (psychological strengths and explicit tacit knowledge). Our findings provide practical guidance for the career transition experiences of eSports athletes and contribute to understanding the sustainable framework required for the self-development of talent within eSports education and the eSports industry. The findings suggest that psychological consultants and athletic rehabilitation therapists should be employed to provide professional advice, interventions, and treatment to eSports athletes before and after retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live streaming is an essential means through which spectators view and engage with esports. In this study, an extended model is proposed and tested based on the expectation confirmation theory to examine esports fans' live streaming experience and the factors contributing to their intention to continue using particular live streaming platforms. Survey data (N = 1004) were collected from King Pro League fans in China and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that effort and enjoyment expectancies are important factors driving fans' confirmation of expectations regarding live streaming services. The findings also confirm that both spatial presence and co-presence positively relate to viewers' satisfaction with a live streaming platform and their continued intention to use it. This study provides new insights into esports fans' viewing practices and the experiences they find most engaging via live streaming platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication adherence in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is unclear. This study sought to evaluate treatment adherence in the Pirfenidone in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (PIROUETTE) trial. Adherence was evaluated through pill counts and diary cards. Univariable and multivariable regression models were used to assess the relationship between adherence and baseline characteristics. Instrumental variable regression was used to estimate the causal effect of pirfenidone treatment duration on myocardial fibrosis. Complete adherence data were available in 54 of 80 participants completing the trial. Mean adherence to study medication was 94.7% and 96.9% in the pirfenidone and placebo groups, respectively. Each additional day of treatment with pirfenidone resulted in a significant decrease in myocardial extracellular volume (–0.004%; 95% confidence interval: -0.007% to -0.001%; P = 0.007). Associations with adherence included older age, higher symptom burden, lower body weight, and smaller right ventricular size. Adherence to study medication in the PIROUETTE trial was very high among patients for whom complete adherence data were available. Importantly, each additional day of treatment reduced myocardial fibrosis. Potential predictors of adherence were identified. Implementation of improved methods for assessing adherence is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppression of CD8 and CD4 T cells is a hallmark in chronic viral infections, including hepatitis C and HIV. While multiple pathways are known to inhibit CD8 T cells, the host molecules that restrict CD4 T cell responses are less understood. Here, we used inducible and CD4 T cell-specific deletion of the gene encoding the TGF-β receptor during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice, and determined that TGF-β signaling restricted proliferation and terminal differentiation of antiviral CD4 T cells. TGF-β signaling also inhibited a cytotoxic program that includes granzymes and perforin expression at both early and late stages of infection in vivo and repressed the transcription factor eomesodermin. Overexpression of eomesodermin was sufficient to recapitulate in great part the phenotype of TGF-β receptor- deficient CD4 T cells, while SMAD4 was necessary for CD4 T cell accumulation and differentiation. TGF-β signaling also restricted accumulation and differentiation of CD4 T cells and reduced the expression of cytotoxic molecules in mice and humans infected with other persistent viruses. These data uncovered an eomesodermin-driven CD4 T cell program that is continuously suppressed by TGF-β signaling. During chronic viral infection, this program limits CD4 T cell responses while maintaining CD4 T helper cell identity., Introduction Chronic viral infections in both mice and humans create an immunosuppressive environment detrimental to both the on-going antiviral immune response as well as secondary immunity to unrelated pathogens or [...]

The Tertiary development of the Norwegian continental margin was dominated by the opening of the Arctic-North Atlantic Ocean. The correct identification of magnetic anomalies and their ages and the analysis of spreading rates during the formation of this ocean are important in understanding the development of the region and specifically the history of its passive margins. Three ocean domains, the AEgir, Reykjanes and Mohns regions, were investigated in an effort to understand the lateral changes in structural development of the passive margin after continental break-up. Spreading rates generally slowed down from 2 cm [a.sup.-1] after Early Eocene initiation of sea-floor spreading, to values around 0.5 cm [a.sup.-1] in Oligocene time. An increase in spreading rates to around 1 cm [a.sup.-1] coincided with the positioning of the Iceland hotspot under the North Atlantic mid-ocean ridge. At the same time, the European plate changed its absolute plate motion from a north-directed drift to a motion more towards the east. The location of inversion structures in the Voting and Faeroes Basin rather than in the More Basin is related to differences in spreading rates. The Mohns and the Reykjanes Ridges produced more ocean floor than the AEgir-Kolbeinsey Ridges. Asymmetric ocean-floor formation in the AEgir Ridge led to differential stress at the base of the lithosphere, which probably explains the absence of inversion features in the More Basin (less mantle drag). Furthermore, upper plate margins such as the Voting Basin and possibly the Faeroe Basin have a lower compressional strength than lower plate margins such as the More Basin, and therefore preferentially developed inversion structures. Along the transform boundaries separating the domains, additional stress probably built up along extension of the transform zones into the extended continental crust. This additional stress probably also assisted initiation of the inversion structures in the Voring Basin and the Faeroes area. The amplification of the inversion structures in the Voring Basin and the Faeroes Basin was subsequently caused by a variety of processes related to sedimentation and uplift-erosion. Keywords: Norwegian Sea, Tertiary, sea-floor spreading, passive margins, inversion tectonics.

The concept of source‐sink dynamics as a potentially important component of metapopulation dynamics was introduced in the 1980s. The objective of the present review was to review the considerable body of work that has been developed, to consider its theoretical implications as well as to understand how source‐sink dynamics may manifest under field conditions in the specific case of nontarget arthropods in the agricultural environment. Our review concludes that metapopulation dynamics based on field observations are often far more complex than existing theoretical source‐sink models would indicate, because they are dependent on numerous population processes and influencing factors. The difficulty in identifying and measuring these factors likely explains why empirical studies assessing source‐sink dynamics are scarce. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of considering the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes when assessing the population dynamics of nontarget arthropods in the context of the risk from the use of plant protection products. A need is identified to further develop and thoroughly validate predictive population models, which can incorporate all factors relevant to a specific system. Once reliable predictive models for a number of representative nontarget arthropod species are available, they could provide a meaningful tool for refined risk evaluations (higher tier level risk assessment), addressing specific concerns identified at the initial evaluation stages (lower tier level risk assessment). Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2667–2679. © 2021 ERM, FMC, Syngenta, Bayer AG, BASF SE, Corteva agriscience. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) does not exist as a singular clinical or pathological entity but as a syndrome encompassing a wide range of clinical and biological phenotypes. There is an urgent need to progress from the unsuccessful 'one-size-fits-all' approach to more precise disease classification, in order to develop targeted therapies, personalise risk stratification and guide future research. In this regard, this review discusses the current and emerging roles of cardiovascular imaging for the diagnosis of HFpEF, for distilling HFpEF into distinct disease entities according to underlying pathobiology and for risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The myocardial interstitium has emerged as a potential therapeutic target and as a biological entity to improve risk stratification and better guide existing interventions. Clinical trials focusing on the myocardial interstitium are required to establish causality and improve patient outcomes. This review will discuss issues around clinical trials targeting the myocardial interstitium, including antifibrotic therapies, efficacy outcome measurements, mechanistic outcome measurements and mediation analysis, sample size, trial duration, considerations for multicenter trials, stratifying trial recruitment according to the interstitium, and approaches to enrich recruitment, using examples of ongoing clinical trials. • The myocardial interstitium is a potential therapeutic target and a potential risk stratifier that can guide interventions. • Clinical trials focusing on the myocardial interstitium are required to establish causality and improve patient outcomes. • CMR provides quantitative assessment of the myocardial interstitium and many other features of cardiovascular structure and function and thus can be used to stratify recruitment and to evaluate efficacy and mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'We have abandoned ideology. We simply do what works.' New Labour has made a virtue out of regularly claiming that it has no ideological or philosophical agenda. It has forsaken [...]

Group 2 Innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) contribute significantly to allergic inflammation. However, the role of microbiota on ILC2s remains to be unraveled. Here we show that short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, derived from fermentation of dietary fibers by the gut microbiota inhibit pulmonary ILC2 functions and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity (AHR). We further show that SCFAs modulate GATA3, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolytic metabolic pathways in pulmonary ILC2s. The observed phenotype is associated with increased IL-17a secretion by lung ILC2s and linked to enhanced neutrophil recruitment to the airways. Finally, we show that butyrate-producing gut bacteria in germ-free mice effectively suppress ILC2-driven AHR. Collectively, our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for microbial-derived SCFAs on pulmonary ILC2s in the context of AHR. The data suggest strategies aimed at modulating metabolomics and microbiota in the gut, not only to treat, but to prevent lung inflammation and asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) involves multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, which result in the heterogeneous phenotypes that are evident clinically, and which have potentially confounded previous HFpEF trials. A greater understanding of the in vivo human processes involved, and in particular, which are the causes and which are the downstream effects, may allow the syndrome of HFpEF to be distilled into distinct diagnoses based on the underlying biology. From this, specific interventions can follow, targeting individuals identified on the basis of their biological phenotype. This review describes the biological phenotypes of HFpEF and therapeutic interventions aimed at targeting these phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by type 2 inflammation with high levels of Th2 cytokines. Although T helper cytokines are released from T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are also known to produce high levels of the same cytokines. However, the presence of various types of ILC in CRS is poorly understood. Objective The objective of this study was to fully characterize the presence of all ILC subsets in CRS and to identify phenotypical differences of group 2 ILC (ILC2) in CRSwNP compared to ILC2 from non-type 2 inflamed areas. Methods We investigated the presence of ILC subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy subjects, tonsil tissue, ethmoid tissue from control subjects and patients with non-polypoid CRS (CRSsNP) and CRSwNP, as well as nasal polyp (NP) tissue from CRSwNP by flow cytometry. Sorted ILC2 were cultured in the presence and absence of IL-33 and production of IL-5 and IL-13 was assessed by Luminex. Results We found that all ILC subsets were present in NP but ILC2 were dominant and significantly elevated compared to PBMC, tonsil, CRSsNP, and normal sinus tissue. We also found that inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS) and side scatter were increased and CD127 was down-regulated in ILC2 from NP compared to blood or tonsil ILC2. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-7, and IL-33 were able to down-regulate expression of CD127 and increase side scatter in blood ILC2. Furthermore, sorted NP ILC2 but not blood ILC2 spontaneously released type 2 cytokines including IL-5 and IL-13. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance These results suggest that ILC2 are not only elevated but also activated in CRSwNP in vivo and that ILC2 may play important roles in the type 2 inflammation in CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on slavery in the U.S. including death of African Americans in the region, Black criminalisation and Disenfranchisement and also mentions lynching in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

ABSTRACT Global declines of bumble bees and other pollinator populations are of concern because of their critical role for crop production and maintenance of wild plant biodiversity. Although the consensus among scientists is that the interaction of many factors, including habitat loss, forage scarcity, diseases, parasites, and pesticides, potentially plays a role in causing these declines, pesticides have received considerable attention and scrutiny. In response, regulatory agencies have introduced more stringent pollinator testing requirements for registration and reregistration of pesticides, to ensure that the risks to pollinators are minimized. In this context, guidelines for testing bumble bees ( Bombus spp.) in regulatory studies are not yet available, and a pressing need exists to develop suitable protocols for routine higher-tier studies with these non- Apis sp., social bees. To meet this need, Bayer CropScience LP, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC US, and Valent USA. Corporation organized a workshop bringing together a group of global experts on bumble bee behavior, ecology, and ecotoxicology to discuss and develop draft protocols for both semi-field (Tier II) and field (Tier III) studies. The workshop was held May 8-9, 2014, at the Bayer Bee Care Center, North Carolina, USA. The participants represented academic, consulting, and industry scientists from Europe, Canada, the United States, and Brazil. The workshop identified a clear protection goal and generated proposals for basic experimental designs, relevant measurements, and endpoints for both semifield (tunnel) and field tests. These initial recommendations are intended to form the basis of discussions to help advance the development of appropriate protocol guidelines. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:222-229. © 2015 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Published by SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on ethnicity-related issues facing African American studies teacher Rachel Dolezal.

The article discusses anti-Semitism in Western Europe by making reference to a report published in the newspaper "The Huffington Post" by David Cesarani, and also mentions increase in prevalence of bullying of Muslim school children in Great Britain.

Rapid innate responses to viral encounters are crucial to shaping the outcome of infection, from viral clearance to persistence. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a potent immune suppressor that is upregulated early upon viral infection and maintained during chronic infections in both mice and humans. However, the role of TGF-β signaling in regulating individual cell types in vivo is still unclear. Using infections with two different persistent viruses, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV; Cl13), in their natural rodent host, we observed that TGF-β signaling on dendritic cells (DCs) did not dampen DC maturation or cytokine production in the early stages of chronic infection with either virus in vivo. In contrast, TGF-β signaling prior to (but not during) chronic viral infection directly restricted the natural killer (NK) cell number and effector function. This restriction likely compromised both the early control of and host survival upon MCMV infection but not the long-term control of LCMV infection. These data highlight the context and timing of TGF-β signaling on different innate cells that contribute to the early host response, which ultimately influences the outcome of chronic viral infection in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The antiviral response is largely mediated by dendritic cells (DCs), including conventional (c) DCs that function as antigen-presenting cells, and plasmacytoid (p) DCs that produce type I interferons, making them an attractive target for viruses. We find that the Old World arenaviruses lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus clone 13 (LCMV Cl13) and Lassa virus bind pDCs to a greater extent than cDCs. Consistently, LCMV Cl13 targets pDCs early after in vivo infection of its natural murine host and establishes a productive and robust replication cycle. pDCs coproduce type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines, with the former being induced in both infected and uninfected pDCs, demonstrating a dissociation from intrinsic virus replication. TLR7 globally mediates pDC responses, limits pDC viral load, and promotes rapid innate and adaptive immune cell activation. These early events likely help dictate the outcome of infections with arenaviruses and other DC-replicating viruses and shed light on potential therapeutic targets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

About 15 years have passed since the implementation of Directive 91/414/EEC and the regulatory framework with regard to pesticide use and environmental protection aims, as well as the plant protection techniques involving pesticides, have evolved over this period. In the case of honey bees, further developments and updates with regards to larval testing have been undertaken. Experimental protocols for semi-field and field testing have been reviewed in detail. Finally, a dedicated risk assessment scheme has been developed for seed coating and soil applications that involve systemic compounds. A revision of the original EPPO Standards: the Risk Assessment Scheme PP 3/10(2) Honeybees and the test guidelines PP1/170 (3) Side-effects on honeybees has thus been undertaken in order to benefit from these improvements. This paper aims to provide the details of the reasoning on which the revised risk assessment scheme relies as well as providing the necessary references to the data which have been reviewed in the context of this revision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]