Airborne indoor allergen serine proteases and their contribution to sensitisation and activation of innate immunity in allergic airway disease

Common airborne allergens (pollen, animal dander and those from fungi and insects) are the main triggers of type I allergic disorder in the respiratory system and are associated with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, as well as immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These allergens promote IgE crosslinking, vasodilation, infiltration of inflammatory cells, mucosal barrier dysfunction, extracellular matrix deposition and smooth muscle spasm, which collectively cause remodelling of the airways. Fungus and insect (house dust mite and cockroaches) indoor allergens are particularly rich in proteases. Indeed, more than 40 different types of aeroallergen proteases, which have both IgE-neutralising and tissue-destructive activities, have been documented in the Allergen Nomenclature database. Of all the inhaled protease allergens, 85% are classed as serine protease activities and include trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and collagenolytic serine proteases. In this article, we review and compare the allergenicity and proteolytic effect of allergen serine proteases as listed in the Allergen Nomenclature and MEROPS databases and highlight their contribution to allergic sensitisation, disruption of the epithelial barrier and activation of innate immunity in allergic airways disease. The utility of small-molecule inhibitors of allergen serine proteases as a potential treatment strategy for allergic airways disease will also be discussed.

A FLOWERING LOCUS T ortholog is associated with photoperiod-insensitive flowering in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an extraordinarily versatile crop, with applications ranging from medicinal compounds to seed oil and fibre products. Cannabis sativa is a short-day plant, and its flowering is highly controlled by photoperiod. However, substantial genetic variation exists for photoperiod sensitivity in C. sativa, and photoperiod-insensitive ("autoflower") cultivars are available. Using a bi-parental mapping population and bulked segregant analysis, we identified Autoflower2, a 0.5 Mbp locus significantly associated with photoperiod-insensitive flowering in hemp. Autoflower2 contains an ortholog of the central flowering time regulator FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) from Arabidopsis thaliana which we termed CsFT1. We identified extensive sequence divergence between alleles of CsFT1 from photoperiod-sensitive and insensitive cultivars of C. sativa, including a duplication of CsFT1 and sequence differences, especially in introns. Furthermore, we observed higher expression of one of the CsFT1 copies found in the photoperiod-insensitive cultivar. Genotyping of several mapping populations and a diversity panel confirmed a correlation between CsFT1 alleles and photoperiod response, affirming that at least two independent loci involved in the photoperiodic control of flowering, Autoflower1 and Autoflower2, exist in the C. sativa gene pool. This study reveals the multiple independent origins of photoperiod insensitivity in C. sativa, supporting the likelihood of a complex domestication history in this species. By integrating the genetic relaxation of photoperiod sensitivity into novel C. sativa cultivars, expansion to higher latitudes will be permitted, thus allowing the full potential of this versatile crop to be reached.

Regiodivergent Arylation of Pyridines via Zincke Intermediates

An arylation protocol for pyridines is described, via the ring-opened Zincke intermediate. Treatment of pyridines with triflic anhydride and a secondary amine produces an azahexatriene species, which undergoes regioselective Pd-catalyzed arylation at the putative C4 position. Recyclization then provides the pyridine products. Alternatively, metal-free arylation with a diaryliodonium salt is selective for the pyridine meta-position, affording a regiodivergent approach to pyridine biaryls from a common intermediate.

Positive and negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal survey study of the UK population

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on society; it changed the way we work, learn, socialise, and move throughout the world. In the United Kingdom, policies such as business closures, travel restrictions, and social distance mandates were implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19 and implemented and relaxed intermittently throughout the response period. While negative emotions and feelings such as distress and anxiety during this time of crisis were to be expected, we also see the signs of human resilience, including positive feelings like determination, pride, and strength. A longitudinal study using online survey tools was conducted to assess people's changing moods during the pandemic in the UK. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was used to measure self-reported feelings and emotions throughout six periods (phases) of the study from March 2020 to July 2021. A total of 4,222 respondents participated in the survey, while a sub-group participated in each of the six study phases (n = 167). The results were analysed using a cross-sectional study design for the full group across each study phase, while prospective cohort analysis was used to assess the subset of participants who voluntarily answered the survey in each of the six study phases (n = 167). Gender, age and employment status were found to be most significant to PANAS score, with older people, retirees, and women generally reporting more positive moods, while young people and unemployed people generally reported lower positive scores and higher negative scores, indicating more negative emotions. Additionally, it was found that people generally reported higher positive feelings in the summer of 2021, which may be related to the relaxation of COVID-19-related policies in the UK as well as the introduction of vaccines for the general population. This study is an important investigation into what allows for positivity during a crisis and gives insights into periods or groups that may be vulnerable to increased negative states of emotions and feelings.

Inter-software and inter-threshold reliability of quantitative paraspinal muscle segmentation

PURPOSE

Changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) and functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) of the lumbar multifidus (MF) and erector spinae muscles (ES) are factors that can contribute to low back pain. For the assessment of muscle CSA and composition there are various software and threshold methods used for tissue segmentation in quantitative analysis. However, there is currently no gold standard for software as well as muscle segmentation. This study aims to analyze the measurement error between different image processing software and different threshold methods for muscle segmentation.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 60 patients were evaluated. Muscle CSA and FCSA measurements were acquired from axial T2-weighted MRI of the MF and ES at L4/L5 and L5/S1. CSA, FCSA, and FCSA/CSA ratio were measured independently by two observers. The MRI images were measured using two different software programs (ImageJ and Amira) and with two threshold methods (Circle/Overlap method) for each software to evaluate FCSA and FCSA/CSA ratio.

RESULTS

Inter-software comparisons revealed high inter-rater reliability. However, poor inter-rater reliability were obtained with different threshold methods. CSA, FCSA, and FCSA/CSA showed excellent inter-software agreement of 0.75-0.99 regardless of the threshold segmentation method. The inter-rater reliability between the two observers ranged between 0.75 and 0.99. Comparison of the two segmentation methods revealed agreement between 0.19 and 0.84. FCSA and FCSA/CSA measured via the Overlap method were significantly higher than those measured via the Circle method (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed a high degree of reliability with very good agreement between the two software programs. However, study results based on different threshold methods should not be directly compared.

Feasibility of vertical force-velocity profiles to monitor changes in muscle function following different fatigue protocols

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of vertical force-velocity (F-V) profiles to monitor changes in muscle function following different fatigue protocols. The between-day reliability of vertical F-V profiles and the acute effects of two fatigue protocols on the changes of lower limb muscle function were examined.

METHODS

Twelve resistance trained males completed a preliminary session to determine their back squat one-repetition maximum (1RM). Afterwards, they randomly performed two experimental sessions that only differed in the fatigue protocol applied: heavy-load traditional (HLT; five repetitions at 80% 1RM) and light-load ballistic (LLB; five repetitions at 30% 1RM) squat protocols. Participants' vertical F-V profiles (maximum theoretical force [F0], maximum theoretical velocity [v0], and maximum power output [Pmax]) were calculated before and immediately after each fatigue protocol.

RESULTS

F0, v0, and Pmax showed acceptable to good between-day reliability (coefficient of variation ≤ 4.4%; intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.84). Both fatigue protocols promoted a comparable reduction in Pmax (-10.1% for HLT and -12.2% for LLB). However, the LLB squat protocol reduced more v0 (-9.7%) than F0 (-0.4%), while the HLT squat protocol reduced F0 (-8.4%) more than v0 (-4.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The vertical F-V profile can be used to monitor changes in muscle function given its acceptable between-day reliability and its high sensitivity to detect the acute effect of force-oriented and velocity-oriented fatigue protocols on specific maximal neuromuscular capacities.

Pheno- and genotyping in vitro dauer juvenile recovery in the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

The entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is an effective biological-control agent of insect pests. The dauer juveniles (DJs) seek for, infect insects, and release cells of the carried symbiotic bacterium of the genus Photorhabdus. Inside the host, the DJs perceive signals from the insect's haemolymph that trigger the exit from the arrested stage and the further development to mature adults. This developmental step is called DJ recovery. In commercial production, a high and synchronous DJ recovery determines the success of liquid-culture mass production. To enhance the understanding about genetic components regulating DJ recovery, more than 160 mutant- and 25 wild type inbred lines (WT ILs) were characterized for DJ recovery induced by cell-free bacterial supernatant. The mutant lines exhibited a broader DJ recovery range than WT ILs (4.6-67.2% vs 1.6-35.7%). A subset of mutant lines presented high variability of virulence against mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) (from 22 to 78% mortality) and mean time survival under oxidative stress (70 mM H2O2; from 10 to 151 h). Genotyping by sequencing of 96 mutant lines resulted in more than 150 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which four results are strongly associated with the DJ recovery trait. The present results are the basis for future approaches in improving DJ recovery by breeding under in vitro liquid-culture mass production in H. bacteriophora. This generated platform of EMS-mutants is as well a versatile tool for the investigation of many further traits of interest in EPNs. KEYPOINTS: • Exposure to bacterial supernatants of Photorhabdus laumondii induces the recovery of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora dauer juveniles (DJs). Both, the bacteria and the nematode partner, influence this response. However, the complete identity of its regulators is not known. • We dissected the genetic component of DJ recovery regulation in H. bacteriophora nematodes by generating a large array of EMS mutant lines and characterizing their recovery pheno- and genotypes. • We determined sets of mutants with contrasting DJ recovery and genotyped a subset of the EMS-mutant lines via genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and identified SNPs with significant correlation to the recovery trait.

Energy saving and emission reduction effects of urban digital economy: technology dividends or structural dividends?

As a new economic form, the digital economy provides new opportunities to save energy and reduce emissions, but it may also become a booster for increasing energy consumption and pollutant emissions, making the sustainable development of cities face serious challenges. It is controversial whether the digital economy contributes to energy saving and emission reduction, and it is unclear what role technological progress and structural transformation play in the relationship between the digital economy and energy saving and emission reduction. In this study, the energy saving and emission reduction effects of the digital economy in cities and its mechanisms are empirically examined from the perspective of technological progress and structural transformation using the two-way fixed effect model and the mediating effect model. The results show that the digital economy increases urban energy consumption and reduces pollution emissions. The energy saving and emission reduction effects of the digital economy are more significant in northeastern cities, large cities, and resource-based cities. The mechanism test shows that the digital economy promotes urban energy saving and emission reduction through green technological progress, mainly because the energy saving from green technological efficiency improvements exceeds the energy rebound from green technological innovation. However, the digital economy has not shown energy saving and emission reduction effects by promoting industrial structural transformation. Specifically, the structural transformation of the secondary industry contributes to urban emission reduction, while the structural transformation of the primary and tertiary industries leads to efficiency loss of energy saving and emission reduction. Our findings provide valuable insights into the synergistic governance of "energy saving" and "emissions reduction" in cities in the digital economy.

To Zoom or not to Zoom: A longitudinal study of UK population’s activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

This longitudinal study determines the frequency and way of people doing activities from Spring 2020 to Summer 2021 during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Six online surveys were carried out between April 2020 and July 2021. 4,992 participants were engaged in the cross-sectional study and 203 participants who provided repeat responses were included in the subset sample of prospective cohort analysis. Primary outcomes measured were the frequency and the mode of doing the activities (online or in-person) across sixteen selected activity groups, as defined by the UK National Time Use Survey. The results show that cultural activities, spending time with others, and travelling, were the activities with the largest proportions of frequency and mode changes. The most significant changes occurred from March to June 2020, a period that included the first lockdown. Survey results from this period show a significant decrease among most of the sixteen measured activities. From March to October 2020, a period which spans the first lockdown and its subsequent ease of restrictions, showed the most significant shift from accessing activities in-person to online. Despite ‘Freedom Day’, the July 19th 2021 date in which all restrictions were abolished, it was found that people do cultural activities and group activities at a significantly lower frequency than before the pandemic. In addition, despite a lack of restrictions after this date, more than half of participants access many activities, such as spending time with others, shopping, work and studying, online or hybrid. This study provides an invaluable insight into understanding how people in the UK changed their lifestyle, including what activities they do, and how they accessed those activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health policy implemented to address the pandemic. These results may serve as unique evidence for policymakers.

A Stronger Rhizosphere Impact on the Fungal Communities Compared to the Bacterial Communities in Pecan Plantations

Understanding microbial communities associated with bulk and rhizosphere soils will benefit the maintenance of forest health and productivity and the sustainable development of forest ecosystems. Based on MiSeq sequencing, we explored the differences between the bulk soil and the rhizosphere soil on bacterial and fungal communities of pecan plantation. Results suggested that rhizosphere-associated fungal rather than bacterial community structures differed from bulk soil, and rhizosphere soil had lower fungal diversity than bulk soil. Actinobacteria and Cantharellales were the bacterial and fungal biomarkers of the rhizosphere soil of pecan plantation, respectively. In addition, Pleosporales, which are mainly involved in saprophylaxis and plant pathogenic processes, was identified as one of the most important fungal biomarkers for the bulk soil, and the FunGuild predicted a higher relative abundance of pathogenic fungi in bulk soil compared to rhizosphere soil. The pH, ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), and total carbon (TC) contents drove microbial community structure and composition. The bacterial network was simpler in the rhizosphere soil than in the bulk soil. However, fungi showed the opposite network pattern. Keystone species in bacterial and fungal networks were mostly involved in nutrient cycling and the C cycling, and were found to be enriched in the rhizosphere soil. Overall, in terms of bacterial and fungal communities, the rhizosphere soil behaves more healthily than the bulk soil and has a higher potential for nutrient cycling.

OUP accepted manuscript

Host carbohydrates, or glycans, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many bacterial infections. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive bacterium that readily colonises the skin and oropharynx, and is a significant cause of mortality in humans. While the glycointeractions orchestrated by many other pathogens are increasingly well-described, the understanding of the role of human glycans in GAS disease remains incomplete. Although basic investigation into the mechanisms of GAS disease is ongoing, several glycointeractions have been identified and are examined herein. The majority of research in this context has focussed on bacterial adherence, however, glycointeractions have also been implicated in carbohydrate metabolism; evasion of host immunity; biofilm adaptations; and toxin-mediated haemolysis. The involvement of human glycans in these diverse avenues of pathogenesis highlights the clinical value of understanding glycointeractions in combatting GAS disease.

Association between physical activity level and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) related morbidity and premature mortality. Regular physical activity plays an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD, improving overall health and wellbeing. Previous observational studies have examined the associations between self-reported physical activity and CVD risk factors in largely adult Caucasian populations. However, limited work has evaluated the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and CVD risk factors in other ethnicities, particularly Chinese youth living with T1DM.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study assessed CVD risk factors, physical activity, and aerobic fitness (and their associations) in Chinese youth living with T1DM (n = 48) and peers (n = 19) without T1DM. Primary outcomes included blood pressure, lipid profiles, and physical activity (accelerometry). Statistical differences between groups were determined with chi-square, independent-samples t-tests, or analysis of covariance. The associations between aerobic fitness, daily physical activity variables, and CVD risk factors were assessed with univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Results were summarized using means and standard deviation (SD) for normally distributed variables and medians and 25-75th quartile for non-normally distributed variables. In comparison to peers without diabetes, youth living with T1DM showed higher levels of total cholesterol (3.14 ± 0.67 vs. 4.03 ± 0.81 mmol·L-1, p = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.74 ± 0.38 vs. 2.31 ± 0.72 mmol·L-1, p = 0.005), and triglycerides (0.60 ± 0.40 vs. 0.89 ± 0.31 mmol·L-1 p = 0.012), and lower maximal oxygen power (44.43 ± 8.29 vs. 35.48 ± 8.72 mL·kg-1·min-1, p = 0.003), total physical activity counts (451.01 ± 133.52 vs. 346.87 ± 101.97 counts·min-1, p = 0.004), metabolic equivalents (METs) (2.41 ± 0.60 vs. 2.09 ± 0.41 METs, p = 0.033), moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity [MVPA: 89.57 (61.00-124.14) vs (53.19 (35.68-63.16) min, p = 0.001], and the percentage of time spent in MVPA [11.91 (7.74-16.22) vs 8.56 (6.18-10.12) %, p = 0.038]. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was positively associated with METs (β = 0.29, p = 0.030, model R2 = 0.168), and the level of triglycerides was negatively associated with physical activity counts (β = - 0.001, p = 0.018, model R2 = 0.205) and METs (β = - 0.359, p = 0.015, model R2 = 0.208), and positively associated with time spent in sedentary behaviour (β = 0.002, p = 0.041, model R2 = 0.156) in persons living with T1DM.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese youth with T1DM, despite their young age and short duration of diabetes, present early signs of CVD risk, as well as low physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness compared to apparently healthy peers without diabetes. Regular physical activity is associated with a beneficial cardiovascular profile in T1DM, including improvements in lipid profile. Thus, physical activity participation should be widely promoted in youth living with T1DM.

Effects of spatial-temporal land cover distribution on gross primary production and net primary production in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany

BACKGROUND

Annual total Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Net Primary Production (NPP) and the annual total stored GPP and NPP are tightly coupled to land cover distributions because the distinct vegetation conditions of different land cover classes strongly affect GPP and NPP. Spatial and statistical analysis tools using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to investigate the spatial distribution of each land cover class and the GPP and NPP based on the CORINE land cover classification in the federal state, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany for the years 2000, 2006 and 2012.

RESULTS

"Non-irrigated arable land" and "pastures" were the dominant land cover classes. Because of their large area, "non-irrigated arable land" and "pastures" had higher annual total stored GPP and NPP values than the other land cover classes. Annual total GPP and NPP hotspots were concentrated in the central-western part of Schleswig-Holstein. Cold spots were mainly located in the western and eastern Schleswig-Holstein. The distributions of the annual total GPP and NPP hotspots and cold spots were primarily determined by land cover and land cover changes among the investigated years. The average annual total NPP/GPP ratios were 0.5647, 0.5350 and 0.5573 in the years 2000, 2006 and 2012, respectively. The calculated respiration in 2006 was the highest, followed by those in 2012 and 2000.

CONCLUSIONS

The land cover classes with high-ability of carbon stocks in 2000, 2006 and 2012 in Schleswig-Holstein were identified in this study. Furthermore, it is recommendable to enhance the annual total GPP and NPP and the annual total stored GPP and NPP in Schleswig-Holstein by replacing the land cover classes showing low carbon stock capabilities with the classes showing high abilities for the purpose of increasing greenhouse gas fixation.

Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrochlorination and Hydrobromination of Alkynes by Shuttle Catalysis

Described herein are two different methods for the synthesis of vinyl halides by a shuttle catalysis based iridium-catalyzed transfer hydrohalogenation of unactivated alkynes. The use of 4-chlorobutan-2-one or tert-butyl halide as donors of hydrogen halides allows this transformation in the absence of corrosive reagents, such as hydrogen halides or acid chlorides, thus largely improving the functional-group tolerance and safety profile of these reactions compared to the state-of-the-art. This method has granted access to alkenyl halide compounds containing acid-sensitive groups, such as tertiary alcohols, silyl ethers, and acetals. The synthetic value of those methodologies has been demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis where low catalyst loading was achieved.