Neutrophils alter epithelial response to Porphyromonas gingivalis in a gingival crevice model.

A gingival crevice model (epithelial cell-Porphyromonas gingivalis-neutrophil) was established and used to profile gingipain, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), MMP mediators [neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1)] and cytokine networks. Smoking is the primary environmental risk factor for periodontitis. Therefore, the influence of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) was also monitored in the same model. Porphyromonas gingivalis alone induced low levels of interleukin-1b and interleukin-8 from epithelial cells, but high levels of both cytokines were produced on the addition of neutrophils. Exposure to CSE (100 and 1000 ng mL1 nicotine equivalency) significantly compromised P. gingivalis-induced cytokine secretion (both P \u3c 0.05). P. gingivalis induced impressive secretion of NGAL (P \u3c 0.05) that was not influenced by CSE. The influence of CSE on gingipain production was strain-specific. Purified gingipains effectively and rapidly degraded both TIMP-1 and MMP-9. Induction of large amounts of NGAL, degradation of TIMP-1, and increased gingipain activity would each be expected to prolong collagen degradation and promote disease progression. However, gingipains also degrade MMP- 9. Hence, P. gingivalis exerts a complex influence on the proteolytic balance of a gingival crevice model. Exposure to CSE reduces the proinflammatory cytokine burden, which may be expected to promote P. gingivalis survival. In addition to novel findings that provide mechanistic insight into periodontal disease progression, these results are in keeping with the recognized clinical dogma of decreased inflammation/increased disease in smokers. This straightforward gingival crevice model is established as a suitable vehicle for the elucidation of mechanisms that contribute to susceptibility to periodontitis

A Leisurely Experience (Sometimes): Understanding Sexual Experiences for Couples in a Committed Relationship

Sexual experiences are an important part of everyday life, yet little research has taken place to understand it’s implication in the leisure realm. As leisure scholars adopt a holistic view of the individual, one’s sexual experiences remain a critical element devoid of empirical research. The current study examined the linkages between leisure and sexual experiences for six couples in the life stage of early adulthood. Findings revealed that relationally, couples conceptualized sexual experiences as a means to express love. At an individual level, it was clear that leisurely dimensions including intrinsic motivation, perceived freedom, involvement, arousal, mastery and spontaneity were present in some sexual experiences. This research provides support that sexual experiences can be plotted on Neulinger’s (1981) Leisure Continuum highlighting the work-like and/or leisurely aspects of relational sexual experiences

Identification of an anti-CRISPR protein that inhibits the CRISPR-Cas type I-B system in Clostridioides difficile

CRISPR-Cas systems provide prokaryotic hosts with adaptive immunity against mobile genetic elements. Many bacteriophages encode anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that inhibit host defense. The identification of Acr proteins is challenging due to their small size and high sequence diversity, and only a limited number has been characterized to date. In this study, we report the discovery of a novel Acr protein, AcrIB2, encoded by the φCD38-2 Clostridioides difficile phage that efficiently inhibits interference by the type I-B CRISPR-Cas system of the host and likely acts as a DNA mimic. Most C. difficile strains contain two cas operons, one encoding a full set of interference and adaptation proteins and another encoding interference proteins only. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate that only the partial operon is required for interference and is subject to inhibition by AcrIB2.This work was supported by the Institut Universitaire de France (to O.S.), the Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, the University Paris-Saclay, Graduate School Life Sciences and Health, and OI MICROBES funding and Vernadski fellowship (to P.M.). This work was also supported by NIH grant R01 GM10407 (to K.S.), the Russian Science Foundation grant 19-14-00323, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Science Federation agreement no. 075-10-2021-114

Changes in precipitating snow chemistry with location and elevation in the California Sierra Nevada

Orographic snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is an important source of water for California and can vary significantly on an annual basis. The microphysical properties of orographic clouds and subsequent formation of precipitation are impacted, in part, by aerosols of varying size, number, and chemical composition, which are incorporated into clouds formed along the Sierra barrier. Herein, the physicochemical properties and sources of insoluble residues and soluble ions found in precipitation samples were explored for three sites of variable elevation in the Sierra Nevada during the 2012–2013 winter season. Residues were characterized using a suite of physicochemical techniques to determine the size‐resolved number concentrations and associated chemical composition. A transition in the aerosol sources that served as cloud seeds or were scavenged in‐cloud and below‐cloud was observed as a function of location and elevation. Anthropogenic influence from the Central Valley was dominant at the two lowest elevation sites (1900 and 2200 m above mean sea level (AMSL)), whereas long‐range transported mineral dust was a larger contributor at the highest elevation site where cleaner conditions were observed (2600 m AMSL). The residues and soluble ions observed provide insight into how multiple aerosol sources can impact cloud and precipitation formation processes, even over relatively small spatial scales. The transition with increasing elevation to aerosols that serve as ice nucleating particles may impact the properties and extent of snowfall in remote mountain regions where snowpack provides a vital supply of water.Key PointsPhysiochemical properties of particles found in precipitation were determinedBoth anthropogenic and natural sources contributed to the snow residue chemistrySnow residue sources varied depending on location and elevationPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133563/1/jgrd53083-sup-0001-SI.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133563/2/jgrd53083_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133563/3/jgrd53083.pd

2016 Research & Innovation Day Program

A one day showcase of applied research, social innovation, scholarship projects and activities.https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1003/thumbnail.jp

'Communicate to vaccinate' (COMMVAC). building evidence for improving communication about childhood vaccinations in low- and middle-income countries: protocol for a programme of research

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Effective provider-parent communication can improve childhood vaccination uptake and strengthen immunisation services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Building capacity to improve communication strategies has been neglected. Rigorous research exists but is not readily found or applicable to LMICs, making it difficult for policy makers to use it to inform vaccination policies and practice. The aim of this project is to build research knowledge and capacity to use evidence-based strategies for improving communication about childhood vaccinations with parents and communities in LMICs. Methods and design This project is a mixed methods study with six sub-studies. In sub-study one, we will develop a systematic map of provider-parent communication interventions for childhood vaccinations by screening and extracting data from relevant literature. This map will inform sub-study two, in which we will develop a taxonomy of interventions to improve provider-parent communication around childhood vaccination. In sub-study three, the taxonomy will be populated with trial citations to create an evidence map, which will also identify how evidence is linked to communication barriers regarding vaccination. In the project's fourth sub-study, we will present the interventions map, taxonomy, and evidence map to international stakeholders to identify high-priority topics for systematic reviews of interventions to improve parent-provider communication for childhood vaccination. We will produce systematic reviews of the effects of high-priority interventions in the fifth sub-study. In the sixth and final sub-study of the project, evidence from the systematic reviews will be translated into accessible formats and messages for dissemination to LMICs. DISCUSSION: This project combines evidence mapping, conceptual and taxonomy development, priority setting, systematic reviews, and knowledge transfer. It will build and share concepts, terms, evidence, and resources to aid the development of communication strategies for effective vaccination programmes in LMIC