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IntroductionMany people with long COVID symptoms suffer from debilitating neurologic post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Neuro-PASC). Although symptoms of Neuro-PASC are widely documented, it is still unclear whether PASC symptoms impact virus-specific immune responses. Therefore, we examined T cell and antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein to identify activation signatures distinguishing Neuro-PASC patients from healthy COVID convalescents.ResultsWe report that Neuro-PASC patients exhibit distinct immunological signatures composed of elevated CD4+ T cell responses and diminished CD8+ memory T cell activation toward the C-terminal region of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein when examined both functionally and using TCR sequencing. CD8+ T cell production of IL-6 correlated with increased plasma IL-6 levels as well as heightened severity of neurologic symptoms, including pain. Elevated plasma immunoregulatory and reduced pro-inflammatory and antiviral response signatures were evident in Neuro-PASC patients compared with COVID convalescent controls without lasting symptoms, correlating with worse neurocognitive dysfunction.DiscussionWe conclude that these data provide new insight into the impact of virus-specific cellular immunity on the pathogenesis of long COVID and pave the way for the rational design of predictive biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.

Climate change is radically altering coral reef ecosystems, mainly through increasingly frequent and severe bleaching events. Yet, some reefs have exhibited higher thermal tolerance after bleaching severely the first time. To understand changes in thermal tolerance in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP), we compiled four decades of temperature, coral cover, coral bleaching, and mortality data, including three mass bleaching events during the 1982 to 1983, 1997 to 1998 and 2015 to 2016 El Niño heatwaves. Higher heat resistance in later bleaching events was detected in the dominant framework-building genus, Pocillopora, while other coral taxa exhibited similar susceptibility across events. Genetic analyses of Pocillopora spp . colonies and their algal symbionts (2014 to 2016) revealed that one of two Pocillopora lineages present in the region ( Pocillopora “ type 1”) increased its association with thermotolerant algal symbionts ( Durusdinium glynnii ) during the 2015 to 2016 heat stress event. This lineage experienced lower bleaching and mortality compared with Pocillopora “type 3”, which did not acquire D. glynnii . Under projected thermal stress, ETP reefs may be able to preserve high coral cover through the 2060s or later, mainly composed of Pocillopora colonies that associate with D. glynnii . However, although the low-diversity, high-cover reefs of the ETP could illustrate a potential functional state for some future reefs, this state may only be temporary unless global greenhouse gas emissions and resultant global warming are curtailed.

Resumen Introduccion La esclerosis lateral amiotrofica es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa en la que el soporte nutricional especializado es basico. Los objetivos de nuestro estudio fueron describir el soporte nutricional al inicio del seguimiento y su impacto en la antropometria y supervivencia. Material y metodos Se creo un registro interhospitalario para los hospitales de Castilla-Leon a traves de una plataforma web disenada a tal efecto. Se realizo una anamnesis sobre la evolucion e historia nutricional de la enfermedad, y se determino antropometria clasica. Se registro el tratamiento nutricional prescrito. Se midieron los parametros al inicio, a los 6 y a los 12 meses del seguimiento nutricional. Resultados Se analizaron un total de 93 pacientes (49 [52,7%] espinal; 44 [47,3%] bulbar). La via de soporte nutricional al inicio fue dieta oral en 36 (38,7%) pacientes; la suplementacion oral nutricional en 46 (49,5%) pacientes y en 11(11,8%) pacientes gastrostomia endoscopica percutanea. Se observo un descenso del indice de masa corporal entre la primera y la segunda visita (inicio: 24,18 [3,29] kg/m2; 6 meses: 23,69 [4,12] kg/m2; p Conclusiones Los pacientes con ELA presentan un deterioro severo del estado nutricional antes del inicio del soporte nutricional. Tras la intervencion nutricional se observo una ralentizacion en la perdida ponderal y del deterioro nutricional.

East and West Flower Garden Bank (FGB) are part of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) in the northwest Gulf of Mexico. This geographically-isolated reef system contains extensive coral communities with the highest coral cover (>50%) in the continental United States due, in part, to their remoteness and depth, and have historically exhibited low incidence of coral disease and bleaching despite ocean warming. Yet in late August 2022, disease-like lesions on seven coral species were reported during routine monitoring surveys on East and West FGB (2.1–2.6% prevalence). A series of rapid response cruises were conducted in September and October 2022 focused on 1) characterizing signs and epidemiological aspects of the disease across FGB and within long-term monitoring sites, 2) treating affected coral colonies with Base 2B plus amoxicillin, and 3) collecting baseline images through photostations and photomosaics. Marginal and/or multi-focal lesions and tissue loss were observed, often associated with substantial fish and invertebrate predation, affecting the dominant coral species Pseudodiploria strigosa (7–8% lesion prevalence), Colpophyllia natans (11–18%), and Orbicella spp. (1%). Characterizing this disease event during its early epidemic phase at East and West FGB provides a critical opportunity to observe how coral disease functions in a relatively healthy coral ecosystem versus on reefs chronically affected by various stressors (e.g., Caribbean reefs adjacent to urban centers). Insights into the etiology, spread, and impacts of the disease can ultimately inform efforts to mitigate its effects on coral communities.

Engineering in life sciences (2022). doi:10.1002/elsc.202100151, Published by Wiley-VCH, Weinheim

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation(AF) and diabetes mellitus is rising to epidemic proportions. We aimed to assess the impact of diabetes on the management and outcomes of patients with AF.METHODS: The EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry is a prospective, observational registry from 250 centres across 27 European countries. Outcomes of interest were as follows: i)rhythm control interventions; ii)quality of life; iii)healthcare resource utilisation; and iv)major adverse events.RESULTS: Of 11,028 patients with AF, the median age was 71 (63-77) years and 2537 (23.0%) had diabetes. Median follow-up was 24 months. Diabetes was related to increased use of anticoagulation but less rhythm control interventions. Using multivariable analysis, at 2-year follow-up, patients with diabetes were associated with greater levels of anxiety (p = 0.038) compared to those without diabetes. Overall, diabetes was associated with worse health during follow-up, as indicated by Health Utility Score and Visual Analogue Scale. Healthcare resource utilisation was greater with diabetes in terms of length of hospital stay (8.1 (±8.2) vs. 6.1 (±6.7) days); cardiology and internal medicine/general practitioner visits; and emergency room admissions. Diabetes was an independent risk factor of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE; HR 1.26 [95% CI, 1.04-1.52]), all-cause mortality (HR 1.28 [95% CI, 1.08-1.52]), and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.41 [95% CI, 1.09-1.83]).CONCLUSION: In this contemporary AF cohort, diabetes was present in 1 in 4 patients and it served as an independent risk factor for reduced quality of life, greater healthcare resource utilisation and excess MACE, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. There was increased use of anticoagulation therapy in diabetes but with less rhythm control interventions.

Coral cover is declining worldwide due to multiple interacting threats. We compared the effects of elevated nutrients and temperature on three Caribbean corals: Acropora cervicornis, Orbicella faveolata, and Siderastrea siderea. Colonies hosting different algal symbionts were exposed to either ambient nutrients (A), elevated NH4 (N), or elevated NH4 + PO4 (N + P) at control temperatures (26 °C) for > 2 months, followed by a 3-week thermal challenge (31.5 °C). A. cervicornis hosted Symbiodinium (S. fitti) and was highly susceptible to the combination of elevated nutrients and temperature. During heat stress, A. cervicornis pre-exposed to elevated nutrients experienced 84%–100% mortality and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) declines of 41–50%. In comparison, no mortality and lower Fv/Fm declines (11–20%) occurred in A. cervicornis that were heat-stressed but not pre-exposed to nutrients. O. faveolata and S. siderea response to heat stress was determined by their algal symbiont community and was not affected by nutrients. O. faveolata predominantly hosted Durusdinium trenchii or Breviolum, but only corals hosting Breviolum were susceptible to heat, experiencing 100% mortality, regardless of nutrient treatment. S. siderea colonies predominantly hosted Cladocopium C1 (C. goreaui), Cladocopium C3, D. trenchii, or variable proportions of Cladocopium C1 and D. trenchii. This species was resilient to elevated nutrients and temperature, with no significant mortality in any of the treatments. However, during heat stress, S. siderea hosting Cladocopium C3 suffered higher reductions in Fv/Fm (41–56%) compared to S. siderea hosting Cladocopium C1 and D. trenchii (17–26% and 10–16%, respectively). These differences in holobiont susceptibility to elevated nutrients and heat may help explain historical declines in A. cervicornis starting decades earlier than other Caribbean corals. Our results suggest that tackling only warming temperatures may be insufficient to ensure the continued persistence of Caribbean corals, especially A. cervicornis. Reducing nutrient inputs to reefs may also be necessary for these iconic coral species to survive.

SummaryThe staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis, was once abundant in the Caribbean, but now is listed as critically endangered. To recover A. cervicornis populations, restoration efforts have focused on preserving genetic diversity and increasing coral cover. However, identifying stress-resistant corals can help to increase restoration success, by allocating genotypes to reefs where they are more likely to survive. We assessed the performance (growth, survivorship, and photochemical efficiency) and characterized the microbiome (prokaryotes) of six A. cervicornis genotypes that were maintained at control temperatures (~26 °C) and either ambient nutrients or elevated nutrients (elevated NH4, and elevated NH4 + PO4) for > 2 months. We then compared how these parameters changed when the corals were exposed to heat-stress (3-weeks at ~31.5 °C). We found that exposure to elevated nutrients reduced A. cervicornis performance under control temperatures and heat stress. However, there was a wide range of variation among genotypes, with three genotypes maintaining relatively higher survivorship and growth rates when exposed to nutrients alone, and nutrients followed by heat stress. Heat stress alone changed the microbial composition among genotypes more than elevated nutrients alone, but heat stress also interacted with nutrient pre-exposure to affect microbial communities. The relative abundance of Midichloriaceae and Spirochaetaceae varied by coral genotype and a high abundance of these bacterial taxa was a positive predictor of coral survivorship rate, suggesting a microbial signature that could aid in identifying resistant A. cervicornis genotypes. Our findings suggest there is significant variation among genotypes in the response of A. cervicornis to elevated nutrients and temperatures. Resistant genotypes may be identifiable via their microbiomes and prioritized for outplanting at sites characterized by high levels of nutrient pollution. Large-scale microbiome screening may help expedite targeted outplanting and could be tested and extended to facilitate the identification of genotypes with other resistance characteristics.

Background Microbial co-cultures are of great interest in biotechnology in quest to mimic competition and interaction within the natural environment. Thereby, the production of novel natural products can be stimulated. Especially filamentous organisms offer a huge metabolic diversity. However, most studies in this direction empirically combine different organisms without a deep understanding of the underlying interactions and population dynamics. Results Here, we apply high-throughput online monitoring of the respiration rate and fluorescence of tagged strains to provide detailed insight into co-culture interactions. A model synthetic filamentous co-culture of the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 and the non-cellulolytic bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was developed. The aforementioned co-culture was set-up to use α-cellulose as carbon source. This established a dependency of S. coelicolor on T. reesei, which secretes cellulases that in turn provide cellulose hydrolysate sugars to S. coelicolor. For this process, the respiration rate allowed to assess the degree of cellulose consumption and thereby, clearly differentiate between conditions of successful and non-successful cellulase formation. Furthermore, T. reesei and S. coelicolor were tagged with mCherry and mNeonGreen fluorescence proteins, respectively. Hence, the individual contributions of the strains in this co-culture system could be dissected, which provided detailed information on the population dynamics. As tunable biotic parameter, the inoculation ratio was tested. Both partners were observed to outcompete the other when given a too high inoculation advantage. However, adequate inoculation ratios for a co-culture with successful cellulase production and simultaneous growth of both partners were found. In these co-cultivations, production of pigments could be triggered, which was not observed in respective axenic control cultures. Finally, population dynamics were also tuned in co-cultures by modulation of abiotic factors, osmolality and shaking frequency. Increased osmolality provided a growth advantage to S. coelicolor and delay of T. reesei growth and cellulase production. In contrast, an increase of shaking frequency had a drastic negative effect on S. coelicolor biomass formation. Conclusion This work presents how information gaps for complex co-cultures can be comprehensively resolved by detailed online insight. The information gathered with respiration rate and fluorescence monitoring allows for set-up of tailor-made co-culture bioprocesses.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.015.].

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponins (cTn) have been reported to be predictors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF), patients, but their actual use is still unclear.AIM: To assess the factors associated with cTn testing in routine practice and evaluate the association with outcomes.METHODS: Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were stratified into 3 groups according to cTn levels as (i) cTn not tested, (ii) cTn in range (≤99th percentile), (iii) cTn elevated (>99th percentile). The composite outcome of any thromboembolism /any acute coronary syndrome/cardiovascular (CV) death, defined as Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) and all-cause death were the main endpoints.RESULTS: Among 10 445 AF patients (median age 71 years, 40.3% females) cTn were tested in 2834 (27.1%). cTn was elevated in 904/2834 (31.9%) and in-range in 1930/2834 (68.1%) patients. Female sex, in-hospital enrollment, first-detected AF, CV risk factors, history of coronary artery disease, and atypical AF symptoms were independently associated with cTn testing. Elevated cTn were independently associated with a higher risk for MACE (Model 1, hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-2.16, Model 2, HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28-2.05; Model 3 HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.37-2.26) and all-cause death (Model 1, HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.21-1.74; Model 2, HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12-1.66; Model 3, HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12-1.71).CONCLUSIONS: Elevated cTn levels were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and adverse CV events. Clinical factors that might enhance the need to rule out CAD were associated with cTn testing.

Introduction: : Patients of color have a higher early mortality risk after heart transplantation than White recipients, even after taking differences in comorbidities into account. We aimed to assess long-term heart transplantation success based on patient's social determinants of health. Hypothesis: Socio-demographic indices that identify patients of socioeconomic (SES) disadvantage can predict poorer heart graft survival. Methods: We studied 34,584 adult heart transplant recipients from 2004 to 2020 using OPTN database. Established and modern SES indices—including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality index (AHRQ), the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), Social Deprivation Index (SDI), and Crime Risk index—were evaluated. We performed survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier, univariable and multivariable Cox regression. Penalized LASSO algorithm was used during model development for variable selection among large number of patient characteristics (e.g., recipient and donor biological factors and comorbidities) related to heart transplantation. Results: On average, the worst level of disadvantage across different SES indices resulted in a 20% increased risk of graft failure (Table 1A). After accounting for the recipient and donor biological factors and comorbidities, the recipients' indices remained statistically significant. Non-white patients (HR:1.10, p Conclusions: Recipients access to health care and nonadherence may stem from low health literacy, limited social support, and financial burden. Further efforts should be taken to counsel patients with socioeconomic disadvantages to improve heart transplant outcomes.

Despite substantial standardization, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments frequently fail. Troubleshooting failed PCRs can be costly in both time and money. Using a crowdsourced data set spanning 290 real PCRs from six active research laboratories, we investigate the degree to which PCR success rates can be improved by machine learning. While human designed PCRs succeed at a rate of 55–63%, we find that a machine learning model can accurately predict reaction outcome 81% of the time. We validate this level of improvement by then using the model to guide the design and predict the outcome of 39 new PCR experiments. In addition to improving outcomes, the model identifies 15 features of PCRs that researchers did not optimize well compared to the learned model. These results suggest that PCR success rates can easily be improved by 17–26%, potentially saving millions of dollars and thousands of hours of researcher time each year across the scientific community. Other common laboratory methods may benefit from similar data-driven optimization effort.

Dysphagia is a highly prevalent symptom in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and the implantation of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a very frequent event. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PEG implantation on survival and complications in ALS. An interhospital registry of patients with ALS of six hospitals in the Castilla-León region (Spain) was created between January 2015 and December 2017. The data were compared for those in whom a PEG was implanted and those who it was not. A total of 93 patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 64.63 (17.67) years. A total of 38 patients (38.8%) had a PEG implantation. An improvement in the anthropometric parameters was observed among patients who had a PEG from the beginning of nutritional follow-up compared to those who did not, both in BMI (kg/m2) (PEG: 0 months, 22.06, 6 months, 23.04, p &lt, 0.01, NoPEG: 0 months, 24.59–23.87, p &gt, 0.05). Among the deceased patients, 38 (40.4%) those who had an implanted PEG (20 patients (52.6%) had a longer survival time (PEG: 23 (15–35.5) months, NoPEG 11 (4.75–18.5) months, p = 0.01). A PEG showed a survival benefit among ALS patients. Early implantation of a PEG produced a reduction in admissions associated with complications derived from it.

Many people experiencing long COVID syndrome, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), suffer from debilitating neurologic symptoms (Neuro-PASC). However, whether virus-specific adaptive immunity is affected in Neuro-PASC patients remains poorly understood. We report that Neuro-PASC patients exhibit distinct immunological signatures composed of elevated humoral and cellular responses toward SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein at an average of 6 months post-infection compared to healthy COVID convalescents. Neuro-PASC patients also had enhanced virus-specific production of IL-6 from and diminished activation of CD8+T cells. Furthermore, the severity of cognitive deficits or quality of life disturbances in Neuro-PASC patients were associated with a reduced diversity of effector molecule expression in T cells but elevated IFN-γ production to the C-terminal domain of Nucleocapsid protein. Proteomics analysis showed enhanced plasma immunoregulatory proteins and reduced pro-inflammatory and antiviral response proteins in Neuro-PASC patients compared with healthy COVID convalescents, which were also correlated with worse neurocognitive dysfunction. These data provide new insight into the pathogenesis of long COVID syndrome and a framework for the rational design of predictive biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.One Sentence SummaryAdaptive immunity is altered in patients with neurologic manifestations of long COVID.

Coral cover is declining worldwide due to multiple interacting threats. We compared the effects of elevated nutrients and temperature on three Caribbean corals: Acropora cervicornis, Orbicella faveolata, and Siderastrea siderea. Colonies hosting different algal types were exposed to either ambient nutrients (A), elevated NH4 (N), or elevated NH4 + PO4 (N+P) at control temperatures (26 °C) for > 2 months, followed by a 3-week thermal challenge (31.5 °C). A. cervicornis hosted Symbiodinium (S. fitti) and was highly susceptible to the combination of elevated nutrients and temperature. During heat stress, A. cervicornis pre-exposed to elevated nutrients experienced 84%-100% mortality and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) declines of 41-50%. In comparison, no mortality and lower Fv/Fm declines (11-20%) occurred in A. cervicornis that were heat-stressed but not pre-exposed to nutrients. O. faveolata and S. siderea response to heat stress was determined by their algal symbiont community and was not affected by nutrients. O. faveolata predominantly hosted Durusdinium trenchii or Breviolum, but only corals hosting Breviolum were susceptible to heat, experiencing 100% mortality, regardless of nutrient treatment. S. siderea colonies predominantly hosted Cladocopium C1 (C. goreaui), Cladocopium C3, D. trenchii, or variable proportions of Cladocopium C1 and D. trenchii. This species was resilient to elevated nutrients and temperature, with no significant mortality in any of the treatments. However, during heat stress, S. siderea hosting Cladocopium C3 suffered higher reductions in Fv/Fm (41-56%) compared to S. siderea hosting Cladocopium C1 and D. trenchii (17-26% and 10-16%, respectively). These differences in holobiont susceptibility to elevated nutrients and heat may help explain historical declines in A. cervicornis starting decades earlier than other Caribbean corals. Our results suggest that tackling only warming temperatures may be insufficient to ensure the continued persistence of Caribbean corals, especially A. cervicornis. Reducing nutrient inputs to reefs may also be necessary for these iconic coral species to survive.

BACKGROUND: Patient activation is associated with better outcomes in chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the psychometric properties of the 12-item Altarum Consumer Engagement™ Measure (ACE-12) in patients with prediabetes. PARTICIPANTS: ACE-12 was administered to patients in the Prediabetes Informed Decisions and Education Study. MAIN MEASURES: We conducted an exploratory factor analysis followed by confirmatory factor analytic models. We evaluated item response categories using item characteristic curves. Construct validity was assessed by examining correlations of the ACE-12 scales with education, depressive symptoms, self-rated health, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, and weight loss. KEY RESULTS: Participants (n = 515) had a median age of 58; 56% were female; 17% Hispanic; 54% were non-White. The scree plot and Tucker and Lewis reliability coefficient (0.95) suggested three factors similar to the original scales. One item loaded on the navigation rather than the informed choice scale. Ordinal alpha coefficients for the original scales were commitment (0.75); informed choice (0.71); and navigation (0.54). ICCs indicated that one or more of the response categories for 5 of the 12 items were never most likely to be selected. Patients with lower education were less activated on the commitment (r = − 0.124, p = 0.004), choice (r = − 0.085, p = 0.009), and overall score (r = − 0.042, p = 0.011). Patients with depressive symptoms had lower commitment (r = − 0.313, p ≤ 0.001) and overall scores (r = − 0.172, p = 0.012). Patients with poorer health scored lower on the Commitment (r = − 0.308, p ≤ 0.001), Navigation (r = − 0.137, p ≤ 0.001), and overall score (r = − 0.279, p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: The analyses provide some support for the psychometric properties of the ACE-12 in prediabetic patients. Future research evaluating this tool among patients with other chronic conditions are needed to determine whether Q1 (I spend a lot of time learning about health) should remain in the informed choice or be included in the navigation scale. Additional items may be needed to yield acceptable reliability for the navigation scale.

Introduction/Objective DIPNECH is a clinicopathological diagnosis characterized by abnormal proliferation of single or clusters of neuroendocrine cells in the bronchial mucosa. The World health organization includes DIPNECH as a preinvasive lesion to carcinoid tumors of the lung. Diagnosis is often delayed or missed due to insidious presentation and rarity of the disease. High degree of suspicion in the appropriate clinical and radiological context is important for early diagnosis. We describe a unique case of DIPNECH diagnosed by EMN guided aspiration cytology in the setting of multiple incidental lung nodules and confirmed on surgical resection. Methods/Case Report A 69-year-old female with history of insidious cough was referred to pulmonology clinic for multiple incidental bilateral lung nodules detected by CT scan, largest involving the right middle lobe. Although the main diagnostic consideration was pulmonary metastasis, several radiological features, including diffuse mosaic attenuation pattern, prompted the possibility of a diffuse neuroendocrine process. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) guided fine needle aspiration cytology was performed. Air-dried and Papanicolaou stained smears were scant but showed dispersed and clusters of small cells with fine chromatin with minimal cytoplasm. No necrosis or mitosis were seen. A cell block was prepared that showed rare clusters of tumor cells positive for immunostains synaptophysin, chromogranin, CD56, with a Ki-67 of 1%. In the appropriate clinical and radiological context findings were consistent with a well differentiated neuroendocrine process such as DIPNECH. Right middle lobe resection confirmed extensive DIPNECH with multiple typical carcinoid tumors and tumorlets. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion It is essential to be familiar with the clinical and radiological findings of DIPNECH and include it in the differential diagnosis of its mimickers. Although the diagnosis is challenging on limited specimens, this report indicates that EMN guided aspiration cytology can be used as a valuable early tool for accurate diagnosis and timely management of DIPNECH.

Precarious manhood beliefs portray manhood, relative to womanhood, as a social status that is hard to earn, easy to lose, and proven via public action. Here, we present cross-cultural data on a brief measure of precarious manhood beliefs (the Precarious Manhood Beliefs scale [PMB]) that covaries meaningfully with other cross-culturally validated gender ideologies and with country-level indices of gender equality and human development. Using data from university samples in 62 countries across 13 world regions (N = 33,417), we demonstrate: (1) the psychometric isomorphism of the PMB (i.e., its comparability in meaning and statistical properties across the individual and country levels); (2) the PMB’s distinctness from, and associations with, ambivalent sexism and ambivalence toward men; and (3) associations of the PMB with nation-level gender equality and human development. Findings are discussed in terms of their statistical and theoretical implications for understanding widely-held beliefs about the precariousness of the male gender role. © The Author(s) 2021.

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius), is the major pest insect attacking sugarcane crops in Brazil. Population control by insecticide treatment is not efficient due to simultaneous presence of all developmental stages of the insect throughout the year, and alternative control methods are needed. Two female-produced sex pheromone components, (Z,E)-hexadeca-9,11-dienal and (Z)- hexadec-11-enal, have previously been reported to elicit antennal activity and behavioral response of males in flight tunnel experiments. However, the attractiveness of these compounds in field tests has been very low. In this study, two additional female-produced compounds in D. saccharalis eliciting consistent antennal response in males were identified as (Z)-hexadec-9-enal and hexadecanal. In flight tunnel assays, the behavioral response to a quaternary blend was significantly higher when compared with the previously identified binary blend. Subtracting (Z)-hexadec-9-enal or hexadecanal from the full blend did not reduce attraction, indicating redundancy in the communication channel. We conclude that additional compounds are part of the sex pheromone of D. saccharalis, which may improve the efficiency of trap lures for monitoring of this pest.

11 páginas La limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico (LET) es toda acción que implique suspender o no iniciar tratamientos o medidas terapéuticas en pacientes que no se beneficiarán clínicamente. En Latinoamérica, las investigaciones realizadas dejan en evidencia la falta de familiarización y discordancia que hay alrededor del tema y sus prácticas. El presente estudio buscó objetivizar el conocimiento en LET del personal de salud de una institución de Medellín, a partir de una encuesta autoaplicada que permitió el desarrollo de un estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal, con muestreo no probabilístico. Dentro de los resultados se encontró que el 56,5 % de los encuestados refirió conocer el concepto, y el 90 % manifestó aplicarlo. Sin embargo, había discordancias dentro de los conceptos clave de la definición y el ejercicio. Limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) is any action that involves suspending or not initiating medical treatment or therapeutic measures in patients who will not receive any clinical benefit. In Latin America, some research has proven a lack of familiarization and disagreement with the subject and its practices. The present study tried to objectify the knowledge of LTE of healthcare per-sonnel at an institute in Medellín using a self-administered survey that allowed conducting a cross-sectional descriptive study with non-probabilistic sampling. Within the results, 56.5 % of respondents understood the concept of LTE, and 90 % applied it actively. However, there were discrepancies regarding the core concepts of the definition and practice. A limitação de esforço terapêutico (LET) é toda ação que implique suspender ou não iniciar tratamentos ou medidas terapêuticas em pacientes que não se beneficiarão clinicamente. Na América Latina, as pesquisas realizadas evidenciam a falta de familiari-zação e a discordância que há ao redor do tema e suas práticas. O presente estudo procurou objetivar o conhecimento em LET da equipe de saúde de uma instituição de Medellín, utilizando um questionário auto aplicado que permitiu o desenvolvimento de um estudo descritivo de tipo transversal, com amostragem não probabilística. Dentro dos resultados constatou-se que 56,5 % dos pesquisados disseram conhecer o conceito, e 90 % manifestaram aplicá-lo. No entanto, havia discordâncias dentro dos conceitos chave da definição e da prática.

Scleractinian corals are the principal builders of coral reefs. These megadiverse ecosystems are declining due to coral mortality from a variety of stressors, including disease. Corals are dependent upon symbiotic dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae for phototrophic contributions to their energy budgets. However, suppression of host immunity may be necessary to maintain these intracellular symbioses. To explore the consequences of symbiosis on host immunity, we manipulated symbiont density by increasing nitrogen availability. Replicate cores from four colonies of the Caribbean coral, Orbicella faveolata, were reared in seawater treated with ammonium for one month to increase symbiont density. Corals were then immune-stimulated using lipopolysaccharide and poly I:C. Gene expression was analyzed using RNAseq and symbiont density was quantified (as symbiont:host cell ratio) using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Ammonium treatment had limited positive effects on host immunity. In contrast, increases in symbiont density had large negative effects on host expression of immune-related transcripts. These results suggest links between nutrient enrichment and coral disease may be the result of the effect of increased symbiont density on host immunity, rather than the direct effect of the nutrients. Further study of the trade-offs between symbiont density and immunity may help understand how decreasing water quality and increasing disease will shape future reef communities.

Alternating amphiphilic copolymers are macromolecular systems with a polarity duality in their structure, since they are generally formed by alternating segments corresponding to a potential electrolyte group and an alkyl (aliphatic or aromatic) group. These systems, depending on the ionization degree, as well as the time, may form different types of intra and interpolymeric aggregates in aqueous media. Therefore, this study, which in fact is the continuation of a previously reported work, is focused on establishing how the ionization degree of the sodium and potassium salts of the poly(maleic acid-alt-octadecene) affect zeta potential, pH, electrical conductivity, particle size, polydispersity index, and surface tension over time. The results showed that polymeric salts with a high ionization degree in aqueous media formed homogeneous systems with bimodal sizes and high zeta potential values, which tended to quickly become less negative, lowering the pH and slightly increasing the electrical conductivity, while systems with low ionization degree lead to the opposite, forming heterodispersed systems with several populations of particle sizes, high polydispersity, low zeta potential values, neutral and invariable pH values, and high electrical conductivity values. Consequently, these results suggest that the values of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, and electrical conductivity change regarding the polymeric ionization degree, as well as the time. Therefore, such variables should be considered and controlled when working with this kind of polymeric materials.

Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein complexes that initiate host defense against bacterial pathogens by activating caspase-1-dependent cytokine secretion and cell death. In mice, specific nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family, apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs) activate the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family, CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome upon sensing components of the type III secretion system (T3SS) and flagellar apparatus. NAIP1 recognizes the T3SS needle protein, NAIP2 recognizes the T3SS inner rod protein, and NAIP5 and NAIP6 recognize flagellin. In contrast, humans encode a single functional NAIP, raising the question of whether human NAIP senses one or multiple bacterial ligands. Previous studies found that human NAIP detects both flagellin and the T3SS needle protein and suggested that the ability to detect both ligands was achieved by multiple isoforms encoded by the single human NAIP gene. Here, we show that human NAIP also senses the Salmonella Typhimurium T3SS inner rod protein PrgJ and that T3SS inner rod proteins from multiple bacterial species are also detected. Furthermore, we show that a single human NAIP isoform is capable of sensing the T3SS inner rod, needle, and flagellin. Our findings indicate that, in contrast to murine NAIPs, promiscuous recognition of multiple bacterial ligands is conferred by a single human NAIP.

Los bosques andinos se encuentran sometidos a fuertes procesos de perturbación y fragmentación debido a la creación de pastizales y explotación de monocultivos, especialmente, cafetales. Adicionalmente, es poca la información acerca de la capacidad que tienen estos relictos de bosque para mantener su biodiversidad. Se realizó un estudio en una finca cafetalera-ganadera en el municipio de Tarso (Antioquia), Colombia, utilizando a los escarabajos coprófagos como grupo bioindicador. Se realizaron tres muestreos en tres hábitats: bosque, cafetal y pastizal, cada uno de ellos con un transecto de nueve trampas de caída, cebadas con excremento de cerdo por 48 h. Se recolectaron un total de 779 individuos, distribuidos en 13 especies y 7 géneros. Las especies: Onthophagus curvicornis (n = 196, 25,2%) y Oxysternon conspicillatum (n = 159, 20,4%) fueron las especies dominantes. No hubo diferencias significativas en la riqueza, abundancia, ni en la diversidad entre hábitats, pero si en la biomasa. El ensamblaje estuvo dominado por cavadores, algunos endocópridos y ninguna especie rodadora, evidenciando el alto grado de perturbación del bosque. El cafetal fue el hábitat que presentó la mayor diversidad, posiblemente debido a una mayor oferta alimenticia. Las diferencias entre las biomasas encontradas responden a los procesos de perturbación y fragmentación, ocasionando que el ensamblaje estuviera dominado por O. conspicillatum, lo cual sugiere que la presencia de esta especie en esta localidad sería indispensable para el mantenimiento de la funcionalidad ecosistémica.

The local environment shapes coral physiology through acclimatization and also selects for genotypes best suited to a particular site. Both acclimatization and selection likely affect the response of corals to future climate change. The local environment is therefore an important factor to consider for restoration ecology. In this study, we exposed Orbicella faveolata from two different locations in Florida (Emerald Reef, near Key Biscayne in the upper Florida Keys, and Truman Harbor near Key West in the lower Florida Keys) that were common-gardened for one month prior to experimentation to four temperature, CO 2 , and food availability treatments (26°C/390 ppm, 26°C/1000 ppm, 31°C/390 ppm, and 31°C/1000 ppm where each of these treatments had fed and unfed components). The goal was to determine how the same species of coral from different locations would respond to projected climate change scenarios. We found that growth (measured as changes in buoyant weight) was highly correlated to source location (i.e., whether the corals came from Emerald Reef or Truman Harbor) and not to parent colony, and growth, symbiont density, chlorophyll a content, and lipid content were highly correlated to feeding regime. These findings show that within a single reef tract, (i.e. the Florida Reef Tract), source location and food availability matter for the physiological outcome of a coral’s stress response, and suggest that an explicit consideration of these effects may be important for management activities such as coral restoration, transplantation, and MPA placement.

Summary Background Malnutrition is a prognostic factor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Sometimes, this condition is underdiagnosed, and it might influence on disease progression. Aims To evaluate a) nutritional status at the beginning of specialized nutritional treatment and b) the influence of initial nutritional status on disease evolution and survival in a group of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods An interhospital registry of patients with motor neuron disease treated at the Clinical Nutrition Clinics of six hospitals in the region of Castilla y Leon in Spain was created. The study was developed from January 2015 to December 2017. An anamnesis, affiliation data, past medical history, disease evolution, nutritional history and an anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed at baseline. The mortality rate was compared among those patients with worse nutritional status at the beginning of the follow-up against those with a better nutritional situation using two tools: The Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and the criteria of the Global Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM). Results A total of 93 patients were analysed. The median age of the patients was 67 (57.5–75.5) years. The median Body Mass Index was 24.4 (21.7–25.9) kg/m2 and the median percentage of weight loss was 9.32 (2.7–17.6)% without differences between the onset type. According to the SGA, 27 (29%) patients were in grade A; 43 (46.3%) patients were in grade B and 23 (24.7%) were in grade C. According to the new GLIM malnutrition criteria, 45 patients (48.4%) had malnutrition. Patients with worse nutritional status had a lower survival median with both SGA (SGA A: 20.5 (10.2–35) months vs SGA B–C: 12 (5.2–23.7) months (p = 0.03)) or the new GLIM criteria according to severity (severe malnutrition: 18 (5–24) months vs. no severe malnutrition: 20 (12–33) months (p = 0.01)). In the multivariate analysis, malnutrition measured by SGA was an independent risk factor (HR: 4.6 (1.5–13.9) p = 0.007) for survival over 15 months when adjusted for age, sex and type of onset of ALS. Conclusions Patients with ALS have a severe deterioration in nutritional status when analysed using a classical malnutrition test (SGA) or a new one (GLIM criteria). Patients with a better nutritional situation according to SGA and GLIM severity classification were associated with a longer survival time.

The biodegradation of the nylon-6 precursor caprolactam by a strain of Pseudomonas jessenii proceeds via ATP-dependent hydrolytic ring-opening to 6-aminohexanoate. This non-natural ω-amino acid is converted to 6-oxohexanoic acid by an aminotransferase (PjAT) belonging to the fold type I PLP enzymes. To understand the structural basis of 6-aminohexanoatate conversion, we solved different crystal structures and determined the substrate scope with a range of aliphatic and aromatic amines. Comparison with the homologous aminotransferases from Chromobacterium violaceum (CvAT) and Vibrio fluvialis (VfAT) showed that the PjAT enzyme has the lowest KM values (highest affinity) and highest specificity constant (kcat /KM ) with the caprolactam degradation intermediates 6-aminohexanoate and 6-oxohexanoic acid, in accordance with its proposed in vivo function. Five distinct three-dimensional structures of PjAT were solved by protein crystallography. The structure of the aldimine intermediate formed from 6-aminohexanoate and the PLP cofactor revealed the presence of a narrow hydrophobic substrate-binding tunnel leading to the cofactor and covered by a flexible arginine, which explains the high activity and selectivity of the PjAT with 6-aminohexanoate. The results suggest that the degradation pathway for caprolactam has recruited an aminotransferase that is well adapted to 6-aminohexanoate degradation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The nursing professional who treats critically ill children with cerebral injury is a key element within the pediatric intensive care team, since, through exhaustive assessment, plans nursing care in an integral manner aimed at the child and the family, and plays an essential role in the care of patients mainly at the hospital level (as well as at home). Therefore, the role played by nursing in the care of children with severe brain trauma is crucial. This guide offers nursing recommendations on neurocritical care, focusing on a systemic view based on nursing diagnoses according to the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association.

Coral reefs worldwide are threatened by thermal stress caused by climate change. Especially devastating periods of coral loss frequently occur during El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events originating in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). El Nino-induced thermal stress is considered the primary threat to ETP coral reefs. An increase in the frequency and intensity of ENSO events predicted in the coming decades threatens a pan-tropical collapse of coral reefs. During the 1982-1983 El Nino, most reefs in the Galapagos Islands collapsed, and many more in the region were decimated by massive coral bleaching and mortality. However, after repeated thermal stress disturbances, such as those caused by the 1997-1998 El Nino, ETP corals reefs have demonstrated regional persistence and resiliency. Using a 44 year dataset (1970-2014) of live coral cover from the ETP, we assess whether ETP reefs exhibit the same decline as seen globally for other reefs. Also, we compare the ETP live coral cover rate of change with data from the maximum Degree Heating Weeks experienced by these reefs to assess the role of thermal stress on coral reef survival. We find that during the period 1970-2014, ETP coral cover exhibited temporary reductions following major ENSO events, but no overall decline. Further, we find that ETP reef recovery patterns allow coral to persist under these El Nino-stressed conditions, often recovering from these events in 10-15 years. Accumulative heat stress explains 31% of the overall annual rate of change of living coral cover in the ETP. This suggests that ETP coral reefs have adapted to thermal extremes to date, and may have the ability to adapt to near-term future climate-change thermal anomalies. These findings for ETP reef resilience may provide general insights for the future of coral reef survival and recovery elsewhere under intensifying El Nino scenarios.

IFN-I is a main innate antiviral defense critical for the activation of adaptive immunity. However, we hypothesized that acute viral clearance by IFN-I could limit antigen availability following initial antigen encounter, which could in turn, reduce the priming of the adaptive immune system. To test this hypothesis, we immunized mice with different vaccines or acute viruses together with a low dose of an IFN-I receptor-blocking antibody to induce a short-term abrogation of IFN-I signaling. This resulted in transient increase in antigen levels followed by antigen clearance. Importantly, short-term IFN-I blockade during coronavirus, flavivirus, rhabdovirus, or arenavirus immunization resulted in a potent improvement of adaptive immune responses, which conferred improved protection following future re-infections. Short-term IFN-I modulation also improved immune coverage elicited by viral vaccines or acute viral infections. In particular, administration of an HIV-1 vaccine together with the IFN-I blocker generated highly cross-reactive antibody responses against other HIV-1 clades; and similarly, immunization with a mouse coronavirus (MHV) together with the IFN-I blocker generated more cross-reactive antibody responses against other related coronaviruses, including SARS CoV-2. These data demonstrate a novel mechanism by which innate immunity modulates the magnitude and breadth of adaptive immune responses, providing insights for rational vaccine design.

SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 100 million people worldwide. Several vaccine candidates have been deployed under emergency use authorization, but it is unclear whether a coronavirus (CoV) vaccine can protect against other CoV. To investigate this proof-of-concept, we evaluated cross-reactive immunity following vaccination with a modified vaccinia Ankara expressing SARS-CoV-1 spike protein. We first vaccinated C57BL/6 mice intramuscularly and then measured heterologous antibodies (SARS-CoV-2, OC43 and mouse hepatitis virus, MHV) by ELISA. Interestingly, the SARS-CoV-1 vaccine elicited cross-reactive antibodies that recognize these other CoV. Sera from mice immunized with the SARS-CoV-1 vaccine neutralized SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in vitro (5-fold greater than control naïve sera; p=0.007), and transfer of these immune sera into naïve mice provided partial protection after heterologous challenges. Similar cross-reactivity was observed following immunization with a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and we mapped a conserved CD8 T cell epitope in both SARS-CoV-1 and CoV-2 spike protein, allowing us to develop an MHC tetramer to track this cross-reactive response. Finally, we interrogated whether a CoV infection could elicit cross-reactive immunity. We show that an OC43 infection generated cross-reactive antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, OC43 and MHV, and conferred partial protection against MHV challenge. In summary, our findings demonstrate that cross-reactive immunity can be elicited by vaccination, providing a framework for the rational design of universal CoV vaccines. Moreover, these data suggest that prior infection with endemic CoV may provide partial protection against other CoVs.

Squat-type defects are becoming an increasing issue in rail transportation systems. In this work, a root-cause analysis was carried out to identify the main causes leading to squat formation in a metropolitan railway. Several inspection visits were carried out after the first squat appeared in December 2017 in order to collect evidence from the field. The Corrugation-Analysis Trolley (CAT) was used to perform spectral analysis and a number of rail sections were extracted from critical locations of the railway for laboratory analysis of the microstructure. Four root-causes for squat formation were identified, namely: rail corrugation derived from resonance frequencies induced by vehicle-track dynamic interaction, increase of traffic, problems related to maintenance management and inadequate rail grinding. The analysis of data from the field revealed a clear correlation between the formation of squat-type defects and the presence of a White Etching Layer (WEL) on the surface of the rail, whose formation was shown to be most likely induced during the rail grinding operations as it was verified after a controlled grinding experiment. The increase of traffic over the last 15 years, as well as rail corrugation, which was linked with the introduction of new vehicles to the system, were also considered key factors for squat formation.