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Implementing sustainable practices to combat root knot nematode infestation in tomato farming from Meghalaya
A novel numerical solution of nonlinear stochastic model for the propagation of malicious codes in Wireless Sensor Networks using a high order spectral collocation technique
Immune correlates of early clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among tuberculosis household contacts in Indonesia
AbstractSome individuals, even when heavily exposed to an infectious tuberculosis patient, do not develop a specific T-cell response as measured by interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). This could be explained by an IFN-γ-independent adaptive immune response, or an effective innate host response clearing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) without adaptive immunity. In heavily exposed Indonesian tuberculosis household contacts (n = 1347), a persistently IGRA negative status was associated with presence of a BCG scar, and - especially among those with a BCG scar - with altered innate immune cells dynamics, higher heterologous (Escherichia coli-induced) proinflammatory cytokine production, and higher inflammatory proteins in the IGRA mitogen tube. Neither circulating concentrations of Mtb-specific antibodies nor functional antibody activity associated with IGRA status at baseline or follow-up. In a cohort of adults in a low tuberculosis incidence setting, BCG vaccination induced heterologous innate cytokine production, but only marginally affected Mtb-specific antibody profiles. Our findings suggest that a more efficient host innate immune response, rather than a humoral response, mediates early clearance of Mtb. The protective effect of BCG vaccination against Mtb infection may be linked to innate immune priming, also termed ‘trained immunity’.
Impact of inter-city interactions on disease scaling
A copula-based multivariate flood frequency analysis under climate change effects
Banning new gas boilers as a no-regret mitigation option
Abstract The low uptake of low-carbon heating systems across Europe has prompted authorities to consider more ambitious measures, including a complete ban on the installation of new fossil fuel boilers. In this analysis, we simulate the impacts of introducing this ban in France under 11,664 scenarios covering major uncertainties. We find that the ban induces major changes in the energy system, leading to efficiency gains. Additionally, we find that the ban increases the likelihood of reaching carbon neutrality while reducing total system cost in over 75% of scenarios. Finally, we show that the implementation of the ban, when coupled with the existing subsidy framework, mitigates inequalities among owner-occupied households but generates adverse effects for those in privately rented homes.
Evaluation of ovarian stiffness and its biological mechanism using shear wave elastography in polycystic ovary syndrome
AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder with various contributing factors. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a contemporary noninvasive imaging technique that reports on the elasticity of tissues. This study aimed to evaluate ovarian stiffness in patients with PCOS using transvaginal SWE, and investigate the potential biological mechanisms underlying increased ovarian stiffness. Patients with PCOS and healthy controls underwent transvaginal 2D ultrasound and SWE to measure the number of follicles, ovarian volume, and ovarian elasticity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors for PCOS. A rat model of PCOS was established to further investigate the biological basis of increased ovarian stiffness. Histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, transcriptomics, and proteomics were performed to assess alterations in fibrosis and basement membrane (BM) gene expression. The results demonstrated that patients with PCOS (n = 59) showed an increased number of follicles, ovarian volume, and SWE (mean and max) compared with controls (n = 56; P < 0.001). The number of follicles, ovarian volume, and SWE_mean were identified as independent risk factors for PCOS (P < 0.05). SWE_mean ≥ 12.5 kPa demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.816 for PCOS diagnosis and was positively correlated with AMH levels (r = 0.6776, P < 0.0001). In the rat model, increased ovarian stiffness was associated with significant fibrosis and altered expression of fibrosis-related markers. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that BM gene alterations were correlated with ovarian stiffness, which was further validated using PCOS patient data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In conclusion, SWE is a valuable technique for diagnosing PCOS by detecting increased ovarian stiffness, which may be associated with alterations in the expression of BMs, thereby mediating ovarian fibrosis.
Association of triglyceride glucose-related obesity indices with sarcopenia among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
A root system architecture regulator modulates OsPIN2 polar localization in rice
Plasmon-enhanced visible photodetectors based on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) with gold (Au), silver (Ag), and non-alloyed bimetallic (Au/Ag) nanoparticles
Predictive modeling of soil profiles for precision agriculture: a case study in safflower cultivation environments
TransLeish: Identification of membrane transporters essential for survival of intracellular Leishmania parasites in a systematic gene deletion screen
Abstract For the protozoan parasite Leishmania , completion of its life cycle requires sequential adaptation of cellular physiology and nutrient scavenging mechanisms to the different environments of a sand fly alimentary tract and the acidic mammalian host cell phagolysosome. Transmembrane transporters are the gatekeepers of intracellular environments, controlling the flux of solutes and ions across membranes. To discover which transporters are vital for survival as intracellular amastigote forms, we carried out a systematic loss-of-function screen of the L. mexicana transportome. A total of 312 protein components of small molecule carriers, ion channels and pumps were identified and targeted in a CRISPR-Cas9 gene deletion screen in the promastigote form, yielding 188 viable null mutants. Forty transporter deletions caused significant loss of fitness in macrophage and mouse infections. A striking example is the Vacuolar H + ATPase (V-ATPase), which, unexpectedly, was dispensable for promastigote growth in vitro but essential for survival of the disease-causing amastigotes.