Applying model approaches in non-model systems: A review and case study on coral cell culture

Model systems approaches search for commonality in patterns underlying biological diversity and complexity led by common evolutionary paths. The success of the approach does not rest on the species chosen but on the scalability of the model and methods used to develop the model and engage research. Fine-tuning approaches to improve coral cell cultures will provide a robust platform for studying symbiosis breakdown, the calcification mechanism and its disruption, protein interactions, micronutrient transport/exchange, and the toxicity of nanoparticles, among other key biological aspects, with the added advantage of minimizing the ethical conundrum of repeated testing on ecologically threatened organisms. The work presented here aimed to lay the foundation towards development of effective methods to sort and culture reef-building coral cells with the ultimate goal of obtaining immortal cell lines for the study of bleaching, disease and toxicity at the cellular and polyp levels. To achieve this objective, the team conducted a thorough review and tested the available methods (i.e. cell dissociation, isolation, sorting, attachment and proliferation). The most effective and reproducible techniques were combined to consolidate culture methods and generate uncontaminated coral cell cultures for ~7 days (10 days maximum). The tests were conducted on scleractinian corals Pocillopora acuta of the same genotype to harmonize results and reduce variation linked to genetic diversity. The development of cell separation and identification methods in conjunction with further investigations into coral cell-type specific metabolic requirements will allow us to tailor growth media for optimized monocultures as a tool for studying essential reef-building coral traits such as symbiosis, wound healing and calcification at multiple scales

COVID- 19 pandemic and health care disparities in head and neck cancer: Scanning the horizon

The COVID- 19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted head and neck cancer (HNC) care delivery in ways that will likely persist long term. As we scan the horizon, this crisis has the potential to amplify preexisting racial/ethnic disparities for patients with HNC. Potential drivers of disparate HNC survival resulting from the pandemic include (a) differential access to telemedicine, timely diagnosis, and treatment; (b) implicit bias in initiatives to triage, prioritize, and schedule HNC- directed therapy; and (c) the marked changes in employment, health insurance, and dependent care. We present four strategies to mitigate these disparities: (a) collect detailed data on access to care by race/ethnicity, income, education, and community; (b) raise awareness of HNC disparities; (c) engage stakeholders in developing culturally appropriate solutions; and (d) ensure that surgical prioritization protocols minimize risk of racial/ethnic bias. Collectively, these measures address social determinants of health and the moral imperative to provide equitable, high- quality HNC care.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156210/2/hed26345.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156210/1/hed26345_am.pd

Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes in a cross-sectional study of urogenital samples from remote Northern and Central Australia

his is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Abstract OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the frequency of trachoma genotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis-positive urogenital tract (UGT) specimens from remote areas of the Australian Northern Territory (NT). SETTING: The setting was analysis of remnants of C. trachomatis positive primarily UGT specimens obtained in the course of clinical practice. The specimens were obtained from two pathology service providers. PARTICIPANTS: From 3356 C. trachomatis specimens collected during May 2012-April 2013, 439 were selected for genotyping, with a focus on specimens from postpubescent patients, in remote Aboriginal communities where ocular trachoma is potentially present. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the proportion of successfully genotyped UGT specimens that were trachoma genotypes. The secondary outcome measures were the distribution of genotypes, and the frequencies of different classes of specimens able to be genotyped. RESULTS: Zero of 217 successfully genotyped UGT specimens yielded trachoma genotypes (95% CI for frequency=0-0.017). For UGT specimens, the genotypes were E (41%), F (22%), D (21%) and K (7%), with J, H and G and mixed genotypes each at 1-4%. Four of the five genotyped eye swabs yielded trachoma genotype Ba, and the other genotype J. Two hundred twenty-two specimens (50.6%) were successfully genotyped. Urine specimens were less likely to be typable than vaginal swabs (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike in some other studies, in the remote NT, trachoma genotypes of C. trachomatis were not found circulating in UGT specimens from 2012 to 2013. Therefore, C. trachomatis genotypes in UGT specimens from young children can be informative as to whether the organism has been acquired through sexual contact. We suggest inclusion of C. trachomatis genotyping in guidelines examining the source of sexually transmitted infections in young children in areas where trachoma genotypes may continue to circulate, and continued surveillance of UGT C. trachomatis genotypes

Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts: Stepping‐stones to Innovation and Equity in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

The Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grant program coordinates research funding initiatives across the subspecialties of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Modeled after National Institutes of Health study sections, CORE grant review processes provide comprehensive reviews of scientific proposals. The organizational structure and grant review process support grant-writing skills, attention to study design, and other components of academic maturation toward securing external grants from the National Institutes of Health or other agencies. As a learning community and a catalyst for scientific advances, CORE evaluates clinical, translational, basic science, and health services research. Amid the societal reckoning around long-standing social injustices and health inequities, an important question is to what extent CORE engenders diversity, equity, and inclusion for the otolaryngology workforce. This commentary explores CORE's track record as a stepping-stone for promoting equity and innovation in the specialty. Such insights can help maximize opportunities for cultivating diverse leaders across the career continuum

Neuroinflammation, Mast Cells, and Glia: Dangerous Liaisons

The perspective of neuroinflammation as an epiphenomenon following neuron damage is being replaced by the awareness of glia and their importance in neural functions and disorders. Systemic inflammation generates signals that communicate with the brain and leads to changes in metabolism and behavior, with microglia assuming a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Identification of potential peripheral-to-central cellular links is thus a critical step in designing effective therapeutics. Mast cells may fulfill such a role. These resident immune cells are found close to and within peripheral nerves and in brain parenchyma/meninges, where they exercise a key role in orchestrating the inflammatory process from initiation through chronic activation. Mast cells and glia engage in crosstalk that contributes to accelerate disease progression; such interactions become exaggerated with aging and increased cell sensitivity to stress. Emerging evidence for oligodendrocytes, independent of myelin and support of axonal integrity, points to their having strong immune functions, innate immune receptor expression, and production/response to chemokines and cytokines that modulate immune responses in the central nervous system while engaging in crosstalk with microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we summarize the findings related to our understanding of the biology and cellular signaling mechanisms of neuroinflammation, with emphasis on mast cell-glia interactions

Glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy: Role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway

Glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy: Role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway. E. coli endotoxin (LPS) and certain cytokines induce synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine, but also promote endothelial injury and intravascular coagulation. NO has vasodilator and antithrombogenic properties. We investigated the relationship between the L-arginine-NO pathway and the susceptibility to LPS-induced glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy. Pregnant rats were given either 0.15 or 0.75 mg/kg/body wt of LPS intraperitoneally. In rats given 0.15 mg/kg/body wt of LPS urinary NO2−/NO3− (end products of NO) increased 200% (P < 0.05), plasma L-arginine did not change, and glomerular thrombosis was minimal. Pregnant rats given 0.75 mg/kg/body wt of LPS developed glomerular thrombosis in 75% of glomeruli (P < 0.05). In these rats plasma L-arginine fell 98%, from 53 ± 4 to 1.4 ± 0.9 mmol/liter (P < 0.05) but the urinary NO2−/NO3− did not increase. Oral administration of L-arginine but not D-arginine increased urinary NO2−/NO3− by 250% and averted glomerular thrombosis in these rats (P < 0.05). Virgin rats given 0.75 mg/kg/body wt of LPS did not contract glomerular thrombosis. In these rats plasma L-arginine decreased only 40% while urinary NO2−/NO3− concomitantly increased over 200% (P < 0.05). Plasma endothelin-1 increased only in rats exhibiting glomerular thrombosis. Thus, limited maternal reserve capability for NO synthesis may underlie, at least in part, the susceptibility for glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy

Beach litter sources around Nuuk, Greenland: An analysis by UArctic summer school graduate course students

Modeling studies illustrate the potential for long-range transport of plastics into the Arctic, although the degree to which this occurs remains relatively undocumented. We utilised a teaching exercise at a UArctic summer school graduate course in Nuuk, Greenland to conduct a preliminary in-depth analysis of beach litter sources in the Nuup Kangerlua fjord. Students and instructors collected and analysed 1800 litter items weighing 200 kg from one location in the fjord and another at its mouth. The results suggest a predominance of local sources to macrolitter, rather than long-range transport from Europe. Fisheries-related items and rope were common. Packaging which could be identified was largely suspected to be products distributed in Greenland, and soft plastics, which rarely disperse far from its source, were also common. The results suggest local measures to reduce mismanaged waste and emissions from fisheries are important for reducing marine litter in West Greenland.publishedVersio

Interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β in patients with renal cell carcinoma

As regulators of malignant cell behaviour and communication with stroma, cytokines have proved useful in understanding cancer biology and developing novel therapies. In renal cell carcinoma, patients with inflammatory reactions are known to have poor prognosis. In order to elucidate the relation between renal cell carcinoma and the host, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, were measured. One hundred and twenty-two patients with renal cell carcinoma and 21 healthy control subjects were studied, and serum cytokine levels were measured using a highly sensitive ELISA kit. As a result, in the control group, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β levels were 1.79±2.03, 2.74±0.94 and 0.16±0.17 pg ml−1, respectively. In the renal cell carcinoma patients, they were 8.91±13.12, 8.44±4.15 and 0.53±0.57 pg ml−1, respectively, and significantly higher. In the comparison of stage, interleukin-6 level was significantly higher in the stage IV group compared to the other stage groups including the control group, while tumour necrosis factor α level was significantly higher in each stage group compared to the control group. As for grade, interleukin-6 level was significantly higher in the grade 3 group compared to the control, grade 1 and grade 2 groups, while tumour necrosis factor α level was significantly higher in each grade group compared to the control group. All cytokines had a positive correlation with tumour size. In regard to the correlation with CRP, all cytokines had a positive correlation with CRP, while interleukin-6 had a particularly strong correlation. In conclusion, interleukin-6 may be one of the factors for the poor prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma. In addition, tumour necrosis factor α may be useful in the early diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma and post-operative follow-up