Bacillus tequilensis influences metabolite production in tomato and restores soil microbial diversity during Fusarium oxysporum infection

This study evaluates cellular damage, metabolite profiling, and defence-related gene expression in tomato plants and soil microflora during Fusarium wilt disease after treatment with B. tequilensis PBE-1. Histochemical analysis showed that PBE-1 was the primary line of defence through lignin deposition and reduced cell damage. GC-MS revealed that PBE-1 treatment ameliorated stress caused by F. oxysporum infection. PBE-1 also improved transpiration, photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance in tomato. qRT-PCR suggested that the defence-related genes FLS2, SERK, NOS, WRKYT, NHO, SAUR, and MYC2, which spread infection, were highly upregulated during F. oxysporum infection, but either downregulated or expressed normally in PBE-1 + P treated plants. This indicates that the plant not only perceives the bio-control agent as a non-pathogen entity but its presence in normal metabolism and gene expression within the host plant is maintained. The study further corroborated findings that application of PBE-1 does not cause ecological disturbances in the rhizosphere. Activity of soil microflora across four treatments, measured by Average Well Colour Development (AWCD), showed continuous increases from weeks 1 to 4 post-pathogen infection, with distinct substrate usage patterns like tannic and fumaric acids impacting microbial energy source utilization and diversity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and diversity indices like McIntosh, Shannon, and Simpson further illustrated significant microbial community shifts over the study period. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that B. tequilensis PBE-1 is an ideal bio-agent for field application during Fusarium wilt disease management in tomato.

Bonding and Infants' Development and Quality of Life: A Study Among Mothers with Severe Mental Illnesses in Remission

Background

Maternal mental health has specific implications for bonding and infants' mental health. However, most of the evidence comes from mothers who are either symptomatic or did not have adequate mental health support. In this context, our objective was to explore if symptom status in mothers and bonding share any significant association with the infants' development and quality of life (QOL), in case of mothers with severe mental illnesses in remission.

Methods

The study included 41 mother-infant dyads from the outpatient perinatal psychiatry services and the mother-baby unit of the current study center. Symptom status, self-reported bonding, mother-infant interactions, and infants' development and QOL were assessed with Clinical Global Impressions, Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, Pediatric Infant-Parent Exam, Developmental Assessment Scales for Indian Infants, and Pediatric Quality of Life Scale, respectively.

Results

Most mothers had a complete recovery or minimal symptoms. Nine (22%) infants had a significant developmental delay. Atypical play-based interactions were observed in nine (22%) mothers. Self-reported bonding and bonding as evinced over play-based interactions did not significantly correlate with the QOL or development of the infants. Mothers who have recovered and are functioning well reported good bonding with their infants, though objective assessment revealed specific difficulties. Symptom severity correlated with poor physical QOL in infants.

Conclusion

The association between mothers' bonding and infants' mental health is domain-specific and differential than linear and robust. Infants of mothers with severe mental illnesses postpartum should be routinely monitored for mother-infant bonding, development, and quality of life.

Just Transition for Healthy People on a Healthy Planet

The definition of Just Transition in recent years has been shaped by the political and ideological leanings of multiple stakeholders. Labor movements look at a Just Transition that secures workers' rights and jobs; environmental justice groups include whole communities impacted by fossil fuel in their description; multilateral institutions, investors, and transnational corporations see it through lenses of economics, financial support, and investment. However, a perspective on health is missing in all these approaches. The COVID-19 pandemic has established the importance of health-based planning, making evident the co-dependence of ecological health and human well-being. The debilitating post-pandemic economic crisis has reiterated the interlinkage between economics, public health, and the environment. This document posits that health is the overlapping but missing link between the different movements' dream for Just Transition into an equitable world, and to heal people and the planet damaged by fossil fuels. We need Just Transition that has holistic health systems and accessible healthcare services at its core.

Altered cerebellar lobular volumes correlate with clinical deficits in siblings and children with ASD: evidence from toddlers

BACKGROUND

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social and communication skills, narrow interests, and repetitive behavior. It is known that the cerebellum plays a vital role in controlling movement and gait posture. However, recently, researchers have reported that the cerebellum may also be responsible for other functions, such as social cognition, reward, anxiety, language, and executive functions.

METHODS

In this study, we ascertained volumetric differences from cerebellar lobular analysis from children with ASD, ASD siblings, and typically developing healthy controls. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 30 children were recruited, including children with ASD (N = 15; mean age = 27.67 ± 5.1 months), ASD siblings (N = 6; mean age = 17.5 ± 3.79 months), and typically developing children (N = 9; mean age = 17.67 ± 3.21 months). All the MRI data was acquired under natural sleep without using any sedative medication. We performed a correlation analysis with volumetric data and developmental and behavioral measures obtained from these children. Two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation was performed for statistical data analysis.

RESULTS

We observed intriguing findings from this study, including significantly increased gray matter lobular volumes in multiple cerebellar regions including; vermis, left and right lobule I-V, right CrusII, and right VIIb and VIIIb, respectively, in children with ASD, compared to typically developing healthy controls and ASD siblings. Multiple cerebellar lobular volumes were also significantly correlated with social quotient, cognition, language, and motor scores with children with ASD, ASD siblings, and healthy controls, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This research finding helps us understand the neurobiology of ASD and ASD-siblings, and critically advances current knowledge about the cerebellar role in ASD. However, results need to be replicated for a larger cohort from longitudinal research study in future.

Machine-learned physiological signatures from the ECG predict sudden death in ischemic cardiomyopathy

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute of Health (NIH)

Background

Low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is an imperfect predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Novel features from the ECG might provide a readily available tool to better predict risk.

Purpose

We hypothesized that machine learning (ML) of the ECG can be used to predict SCD, and the ML-learned ECG features could be referenced to interpretable intracardiac signals (monophasic action potentials: MAP) to provide mechanistic insights.

Methods

We studied 5603 ECG Lead V1 beats in 41 patients (64±10 Y) with coronary disease and LVEF≤40% in steady-state pacing. Patients were randomly allocated to independent training and test cohorts in a 70:30 ratio, repeated K=10-fold. Support vector machines were trained to predict mortality at 3Y from the top 20 features derived from these beats. Patient-level predictions were made by computing an ECG score that indicates the proportion of test set beats in that patient computed by the beat-level model to predict death. Explainability analysis was performed using the arithmetic mean of MAP and ECG beats that predicted SCD versus those that predicted survival.

Results

Fig 1A. shows ECG lead V1 and MAP in a 79 Y man with LVEF 29%. Fig 1B shows the dataflow in the study. Predictive accuracies of ML models were 78 and 70% and optimal with 20 features for both ECG and MAP models respectively (Fig. 1C). Beat-level predictions in the validation (n=1678 Lead I beats) cohorts yielded c-statistics of 0.78 with the ECG (95% CI, 0.62–0.91) and 0.75 with MAPs (95% CI, 0.75-0.76) (data not shown). In multivariable patient-level models, c-statistic was 0.87 with ECGs (95% CI, 0.76-0.98) (Fig 1D) and 0.82 with MAPs. On explainability analysis, ECG beats that predicted SCD (Fig 2; red) had lower amplitude and more notched T-waves in lead V1 than beats that predicted no SCD (Fig 2; blue). MAP that predicted SCD had higher repolarization current at the same time points. Both QT duration (ECG) and action potential duration (MAP) did not differ (Fig 2).

Conclusions

Machine learning of the ECG reveals novel predictors of SCD risk in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy analogous to those identified in intracardiac signals. This approach can be used as a point-of-care ECG risk tool to improve risk stratification and allocation for ICD therapy beyond LVEF alone and may shed insights into the pathophysiology of ventricular arrhythmias.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of early childhood intervention programs for developmental difficulties in low-and-middle-income countries

Early acknowledgment of developmental difficulties in young children strengthens both preventive and therapeutic approaches. Despite their feasibility, early intervention services are limited in Low-and-Middle-Income (LAMI) countries compared to high income countries. The aim of this study was to examine the evidence for early childhood intervention programs for developmental difficulties in children below five years in LAMI countries through a systematic review and meta-analysis. In this background, original studies published in peer-reviewed journals from 2010 to 2019 with a focus on developmental difficulties including delays and deviances; randomized research design with a clear description of the intervention and measurable outcomes, and conducted in LAMI countries were considered for the systematic review. Electronic databases, including ProQuest, PubMed, Ovid, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar, were searched using a combination of specific keywords. PRISMA guidelines were followed to include the studies. Each of the selected study was assessed for quality before applying appropriate statistics to synthesize the data. Fourteen publications were identified from 2697 publications for the systematic review, out of which four were found compatible for a meta-analysis. The studies reviewed were conducted in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia. A meta-analysis of four studies provided considerable evidence for the effects of early developmental intervention. This systematic review provides an evidence for early childhood intervention programs in LAMI countries. Implications of these findings for the early childhood programs are discussed in this article.

Extent of atrium with 1:1 electrogram activation predicts response to ablation of atrial fibrillation

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): US National Institutes of Health

Background

Mechanisms associated with successful termination of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are still under debate. We sought to study the association between spatial extent of atrium with organized conduction and AF ablation success. We hypothesized that patients with large areas of atrium having 1:1 electrogram activation akin to ‘atrial tachycardia’ may have a higher likelihood of AF termination by ablation.

Methods

In n = 40 AF patients, n = 20 had termination by ablation ("Term"), and the remaining did not have AF termination by ablation ("Non-term"). Basket catheters (64 poles) were used to record unipolar electrograms (EGMs) in one or both atrium. Ablation targeted localized rotational/focal regions, after which pulmonary vein isolation was performed. Unipolar EGMs of 4sec duration at each 2x2 electrode neighborhood within 8x8 catheter grid were processed using a statistical correlation technique to identify the duration of 1:1 activations. Any EGM activation cycle that had a correlation above 80% was considered to be 1:1. Duration of contiguous 1:1 cycles was determined as percentage of total duration (4 sec).

Results

Spatial area of atrium (percentage of mapping field) and the corresponding 1:1 durations were assessed for patients in Term and Non-term groups. Fig A shows spatial 1:1 maps of a Term and a Non-term patient. Fig B shows examples of 1:1 and non-1:1 EGMs. Patients in Term group had higher average 1:1 atrial area than non-term group for any 1:1 duration (Fig C, 15 ± 22% vs 2 ± 4% with ≥70% 1:1 duration, p = 0.03). Positive and negative predictive values of duration≥70% for AF termination were 64.7%, and 75%, with specificity 60% and sensitivity 78.6%, exceeding clinical risk scores.

Conclusion

Persistent AF atrium shows areas of organized 1:1 conduction. Larger 1:1 atrial areas were identified in patients in whom AF terminated by ablation. Future studies should investigate mechanistic bases of organized conduction in AF. Abstract Figure.

Dilatational rheology of water-in-diesel fuel interfaces: effect of surfactant concentration and bulk-to-interface exchange

Micrometer-sized water droplets dispersed in diesel fuel are stabilized by the fuel's surface-active additives, such as mono-olein and poly(isobutylene)succinimide (PIBSI), making the droplets challenging for coalescing filters to separate. Dynamic material properties found from interfacial rheology are known to influence the behavior of microscale droplets in coalescing filters. In this work, we study the interfacial dilatational properties of water-in-fuel interfaces laden with mono-olein and PIBSI, with a fuel phase of clay-treated ultra-low sulphur diesel (CT ULSD). First, the dynamic interfacial tension (IFT) is measured using pendant drop tensiometry, and a curvature-dependent form of the Ward and Tordai diffusion equation is applied for extracting the diffusivity of the surfactants. Additionally, Langmuir kinetics are applied to the dynamic IFT results to obtain the maximum surface concentration (Γ∞) and ratio of adsorption to desorption rate constants (κ). We then use a capillary pressure microtensiometer to measure the interfacial dilatational modulus, and further extract the characteristic frequency of surfactant exchange (ω0) by fitting a model assuming diffusive exchange between the interface and bulk. In this measurement, 50-100 μm diameter water droplets are pinned at the tip of a glass capillary in contact with the surfactant-containing fuel phase, and small amplitude capillary pressure oscillations over a range of frequencies from 0.45-20 rad s-1 are applied to the interface, inducing changes in interfacial tension and area to yield the dilatational modulus, E*(ω). Over the range of concentrations studied, the dilatational modulus of CT ULSD with either mono-olein or PIBSI increases with a decrease in bulk concentration and plateaus at the lowest concentrations of mono-olein. Characteristic frequency (ω0) values extracted from the fit are compared with those calculated using equilibrium surfactant parameters (κ and Γ∞) derived from pendant drop tensiometry, and good agreement is found between these values. Importantly, the results imply that diffusive exchange models based on the equilibrium relationships between surfactant concentration and interfacial tension can be used to infer the dynamic dilatational behavior of complex surfactant systems, such as the water-in-diesel fuel interfaces in this study.

Phase-Dependent Surfactant Transport on the Microscale: Interfacial Tension and Droplet Coalescence

Liquid-liquid emulsion systems are usually stabilized by additives, known as surfactants, which can be observed in various environments and applications such as oily bilgewater, water-entrained diesel fuel, oil production, food processing, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. One important factor that stabilizes emulsions is the lowered interfacial tension (IFT) between the fluid phases due to surfactants, inhibiting the coalescence. Many studies have investigated the surfactant transport behavior that leads to corresponding time-dependent lowering of the IFT. For example, the rate of IFT decay depends on the phase in which the surfactant is added (dispersed vs continuous) due in part to differences in the near-surface depletion depth. Other key factors, such as the viscosity ratio between the dispersed and continuous phases and Marangoni stress, will also have an impact on surfactant transport and therefore the coalescence and emulsion stability. In this feature article, the measurement techniques for dynamic IFT are first reviewed due to their importance in characterizing surfactant transport, with a specific focus on macroscale versus microscale techniques. Next, equilibrium isotherm models as well as dynamic diffusion and kinetic equations are discussed to characterize the surfactant and the time scale of the surfactant transport. Furthermore, recent studies are highlighted showing the different IFT decay rates and its long-time equilibrium value depending on the phase into which the surfactant is added, particularly on the microscale. Finally, recent experiments using a hydrodynamic Stokes trap to investigate the impact of interfacial surfactant transport, or "mobility", and the phase containing the surfactant on film drainage and droplet coalescence will be presented.

Insights into the Microscale Coalescence Behavior of Surfactant-Stabilized Droplets Using a Microfluidic Hydrodynamic Trap

Coalescence of micrometer-scale droplets is impacted by several parameters, including droplet size, viscosities of the two phases, droplet velocity, angle of approach, as well as interfacial tension and surfactant coverage. The thinning dynamics of films between coalescing droplets can be particularly complex in the presence of surfactants, due to the generation of Marangoni stresses and reduced film mobility. Here, a microfluidic hydrodynamic "Stokes" trap is used to gently steer and trap surfactant-laden micrometer-sized droplets at the center of a cross-slot. Water droplets are formed upstream of the cross-slot using a microfluidic T-junction, in heavy and light mineral oils and stabilized using SPAN 80, an oil-soluble surfactant. Incoming droplets are made to coalesce with the trapped droplet, yielding measurements of the film drainage time. Film drainage times are measured as a function of continuous phase viscosity, incoming droplet speed, trapped droplet size, and surfactant concentrations above and below the critical micelle concentration (CMC). As expected, systems with higher surfactant concentrations and slower incoming droplet speed exhibit longer film drainage times. At low surfactant concentrations, the drainage time is longer for the more viscous heavy mineral oil in the continuous phase, whereas at high surfactant concentrations, the dependence on continuous phase viscosity vanishes. Perhaps more surprisingly, larger droplets and high confinement also result in longer film drainage times, potentially due to deformation of the droplet interfaces. The results are used here to determine critical conditions for coalescence, including both an upper and a lower critical capillary number. Moreover, it is shown that induced surfactant concentration gradient effects enable coalescence events after the droplets had originally flocculated, at surfactant concentrations above the CMC. The microfluidic hydrodynamic trap provides new insights into the role of surfactants in film drainage and opens avenues for controlled coalescence studies at micrometer length scales and millisecond time scales.

Increasing Isoprene Epoxydiol-to-Inorganic Sulfate Aerosol Ratio Results in Extensive Conversion of Inorganic Sulfate to Organosulfur Forms: Implications for Aerosol Physicochemical Properties

Acid-driven multiphase chemistry of isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX), key isoprene oxidation products, with inorganic sulfate aerosol yields substantial amounts of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) through the formation of organosulfur compounds. The extent and implications of inorganic-to-organic sulfate conversion, however, are unknown. In this article, we demonstrate that extensive consumption of inorganic sulfate occurs, which increases with the IEPOX-to-inorganic sulfate concentration ratio (IEPOX/Sulf_inorg), as determined by laboratory measurements. Characterization of the total sulfur aerosol observed at Look Rock, Tennessee, from 2007 to 2016 shows that organosulfur mass fractions will likely continue to increase with ongoing declines in anthropogenic Sulf_inorg, consistent with our laboratory findings. We further demonstrate that organosulfur compounds greatly modify critical aerosol properties, such as acidity, morphology, viscosity, and phase state. These new mechanistic insights demonstrate that changes in SO₂ emissions, especially in isoprene-dominated environments, will significantly alter biogenic SOA physicochemical properties. Consequently, IEPOX/Sulf_inorg will play an important role in understanding the historical climate and determining future impacts of biogenic SOA on the global climate and air quality.

Visceral leishmaniasis: A novel nuclear envelope protein 'nucleoporins-93 (NUP-93)' from Leishmania donovani prompts macrophage signaling for T-cell activation towards host protective immune response

The shift of macrophage and T-cell repertoires towards proinflammatory cytokine signalling ensures the generation of host-protective machinery that is otherwise compromised in cases of the intracellular Leishmania parasite. Different groups have attempted to restore host protective immunity. These vaccine candidates showed good responses and protective effects in murine models, but they generally failed during human trials. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of 97 kDa recombinant nucleoporin-93 of Leishmania donovani (rLd-NUP93) on mononuclear cells in healthy and treated visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients and on THP-1 cell lines. rLd-NUP93 stimulation increased the expression of the early lymphocyte activation marker CD69 on CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. The expression of the host protective pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12 and TNF-α was increased, with a corresponding down-regulation of IL-10 and TGF-β upon rLd-NUP93 stimulation. This immune polarization resulted in the up-regulation of NF-κB p50 with scant expression of SMAD-4. Augmenting lymphocyte proliferation upon priming with rLd-NUP93 ensured its potential for activation and generation of strong T-cell mediated immune responses. This stimulation extended the leishmanicidal activity of macrophages by releasing high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further, the leishmanicidal activity of macrophages was intensified by the elevated production of nitric oxide (NO). The fact that this antigen was earlier reported in circulating immune complexes of VL patients highlights its antigenic importance. In addition, in silico analysis suggested the presence of MHC class I and II-restricted epitopes that proficiently trigger CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T-cells, respectively. This study reported that rLd-NUP93 was an effective immunoprophylactic agent that can be explored in future vaccine design.

Alpha galactosidase A activity in Parkinson's disease

Glucocerebrosidase (GCase, deficient in Gaucher disease) enzymatic activity measured in dried blood spots of Parkinson's Disease (PD) cases is within healthy range but reduced compared to controls. It is not known whether activities of additional lysosomal enzymes are reduced in dried blood spots in PD. To test whether reduction in lysosomal enzymatic activity in PD is specific to GCase, we measured GCase, acid sphingomyelinase (deficient in Niemann-Pick disease types A and B), alpha galactosidase A (deficient in Fabry), acid alpha-glucosidase (deficient in Pompe) and galactosylceramidase (deficient in Krabbe) enzymatic activities in dried blood spots of PD patients (n = 648) and controls (n = 317) recruited from Columbia University. Full sequencing of glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and the LRRK2 G2019S mutation was performed. Enzymatic activities were compared between PD cases and controls using t-test and regression models adjusted for age, gender, and GBA and LRRK2 G2019S mutation status. Alpha galactosidase A activity was lower in PD cases compared to controls both when only non-carriers were included (excluding all GBA and LRRK2 G2019S carriers and PD cases with age-at-onset below 40) [2.85 μmol/l/h versus 3.12 μmol/l/h, p = 0.018; after controlling for batch effect, p = 0.006 (468 PD cases and 296 controls)], and when including the entire cohort (2.89 μmol/l/h versus 3.10 μmol/l/h, p = 0.040; after controlling for batch effect, p = 0.011). Because the alpha galactosidase A gene is X-linked, we stratified the analyses by sex. Among women who were non-carriers of GBA and LRRK2 G2019S mutations (PD, n = 155; control, n = 194), alpha galactosidase A activity was lower in PD compared to controls (2.77 μmol/l/h versus 3.10 μmol/l/h, p = 0.044; after controlling for a batch effect, p = 0.001). The enzymatic activity of acid sphingomyelinase, acid alpha-glucosidase and galactosylceramidase was not significantly different between PD and controls. In non-carriers, most lysosomal enzyme activities were correlated, with the strongest association in GCase, acid alpha-glucosidase, and alpha galactosidase A (Pearson correlation coefficient between 0.382 and 0.532). In a regression model with all five enzymes among non-carriers (adjusted for sex and age), higher alpha galactosidase A activity was associated with lower odds of PD status (OR = 0.54; 95% CI:0.31-0.95; p = 0.032). When LRRK2 G2019S PD carriers (n = 37) were compared to non-carriers with PD, carriers had higher GCase, acid sphingomyelinase and alpha galactosidase A activity. We conclude that alpha galactosidase A may have a potential independent role in PD, in addition to GCase.

Intraosseous Lipoma of the Proximal Radius with Extra Osseous Extension leading to Posterior Interosseous Nerve Compression: HRUS Diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Benign musculoskeletal lipomatous lesions are common in both soft tissue and bone. Imaging features of benign lipomatous lesions are often pathognomonic. Ultrasound (US) has been used to examine both soft tissue and bone tumors, allowing targeted CT or MRI examination of the region of interest.

CASE REPORT

A 46-year-old female presented with a four year history of palpable mass lesion just below the lateral aspect of right elbow with clinical evidence of posterior interosseous nerve compression. X-ray showed the presence of a radiolucency mass in relation to radius. HRUS demonstrated a hyperechoic mass in soft tissue with a focal irregularity in bony cortex of radius. The mass lesion compressed the posterior interosseous nerve.

CONCLUSION

Although CT and MRI diagnose them accurately, but ultrasound characteristics are also conclusive for extra osseous component. This case highlights the importance of HRUS for evaluation of musculoskeletal tumors and any secondary changes in a readily available cost effective dynamic modality and thus guide for treatment planning accordingly.

Are enteric infections sexually transmitted in British Columbia?

BACKGROUND

Enteric infections may on occasion be sexually transmitted, particularly among people who engage in oral-anal sexual contact. Although outbreaks of enteric infections have been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) in British Columbia (BC), the epidemiology of sexually transmitted enteric infections has never been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiology of enteric infections in BC to determine if sexual transmission may be occurring.

METHODS

A descriptive analysis was conducted of all reported cases of shigellosis, amebiasis and giardiasis in BC for the period 2003-2012.

RESULTS

For shigellosis and amebiasis, there was a high male-to-female ratio and a higher rate of infection in males aged 20-59 years as compared to all other age-sex groups. Additionally, for shigellosis, adult males were significantly more likely than females to acquire disease locally (RR 1.9; CI 1.7--.4).

CONCLUSION

Analysis suggests that sexual transmission of enteric infections, particularly shigellosis and amebiasis, may be occurring in MSM in BC. Further studies are indicated.