Is Adipose Tissue a Place for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Persistence?

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB), has the ability to persist in its human host for exceptionally long periods of time. However, little is known about the location of the bacilli in latently infected individuals. Long-term mycobacterial persistence in the lungs has been reported, but this may not sufficiently account for strictly extra-pulmonary TB, which represents 10–15% of the reactivation cases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We applied in situ and conventional PCR to sections of adipose tissue samples of various anatomical origins from 19 individuals from Mexico and 20 from France who had died from causes other than TB. M. tuberculosis DNA could be detected by either or both techniques in fat tissue surrounding the kidneys, the stomach, the lymph nodes, the heart and the skin in 9/57 Mexican samples (6/19 individuals), and in 8/26 French samples (6/20 individuals). In addition, mycobacteria could be immuno-detected in perinodal adipose tissue of 1 out of 3 biopsy samples from individuals with active TB. In vitro, using a combination of adipose cell models, including the widely used murine adipose cell line 3T3-L1, as well as primary human adipocytes, we show that after binding to scavenger receptors, M. tuberculosis can enter within adipocytes, where it accumulates intracytoplasmic lipid inclusions and survives in a non-replicating state that is insensitive to the major anti-mycobacterial drug isoniazid. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Given the abundance and the wide distribution of the adipose tissue throughout the body, our results suggest that this tissue, among others, might constitute a vast reservoir where the tubercle bacillus could persist for long periods of time, and avoid both killing by antimicrobials and recognition by the host immune system. In addition, M. tuberculosis-infected adipocytes might provide a new model to investigate dormancy and to evaluate new drugs for the treatment of persistent infection

The SLUGGS Survey: kinematics for over 2500 globular clusters in twelve early-type galaxies

We present a spectrophotometric survey of 2522 extragalactic globular clusters (GCs) around 12 early-type galaxies, nine of which have not been published previously. Combining space-based and multicolour wide-field ground-based imaging, with spectra from the Keck/DEep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph (DEIMOS) instrument, we obtain an average of 160 GC radial velocities per galaxy, with a high-velocity precision of ∼15 km s−1 per GC. After studying the photometric properties of the GC systems, such as their spatial and colour distributions, we focus on the kinematics of metal-poor (blue) and metal-rich (red) GC subpopulations to an average distance of ∼8 effective radii from the galaxy centre. Our results show that for some systems the bimodality in GC colour is also present in GC kinematics. The kinematics of the red GC subpopulations are strongly coupled with the host galaxy stellar kinematics. The blue GC subpopulations are more dominated by random motions, especially in the outer regions, and decoupled from the red GCs. Peculiar GC kinematic profiles are seen in some galaxies: the blue GCs in NGC 821 rotate along the galaxy minor axis, whereas the GC system of the lenticular galaxy NGC 7457 appears to be strongly rotation supported in the outer region. We supplement our galaxy sample with data from the literature and carry out a number of tests to study the kinematic differences between the two GC subpopulations. We confirm that the GC kinematics are coupled with the host galaxy properties and find that the velocity kurtosis and the slope of their velocity dispersion profiles are different between the two GC subpopulations in more massive galaxies

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018):a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines

The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (“MISEV”) guidelines for the field in 2014. We now update these “MISEV2014” guidelines based on evolution of the collective knowledge in the last four years. An important point to consider is that ascribing a specific function to EVs in general, or to subtypes of EVs, requires reporting of specific information beyond mere description of function in a crude, potentially contaminated, and heterogeneous preparation. For example, claims that exosomes are endowed with exquisite and specific activities remain difficult to support experimentally, given our still limited knowledge of their specific molecular machineries of biogenesis and release, as compared with other biophysically similar EVs. The MISEV2018 guidelines include tables and outlines of suggested protocols and steps to follow to document specific EV-associated functional activities. Finally, a checklist is provided with summaries of key points

Diferenças quanto à escolaridade em adultos no desempenho no teste de cancelamento dos sinos Differences regarding education in adults in the bells test

O papel de variáveis sociodemográficas na cognição humana, em especial da escolaridade, vem sendo estudado em indivíduos saudáveis. Esta pesquisa objetivou verificar se há diferenças entre grupos de diferentes níveis educacionais no processamento atencional visual avaliado pelo Teste de Cancelamento dos Sinos. Participaram 124 adultos jovens, distribuídos em três grupos, 5-8, 9-11 e 12 ou mais anos de educação formal, emparelhados por idade. As variáveis de acurácia e tempo, assim como os resultados qualitativos de estratégias utilizadas, foram comparados entre grupos (ANCOVA One-Way e Qui-quadrado). Observou-se uma discrepância entre dados quantitativos e qualitativos. Os grupos de diferentes escolaridades não se diferenciaram entre si quanto a acurácia e tempo; houve, porém, diferenças significativas quanto à distribuição de participantes por coluna em que o primeiro sino foi cancelado e pelas estratégias de cancelamento utilizadas. Novos estudos são relevantes com grupos de diferentes idades e com populações clínicas neurológicas e/ou psiquiátricas.<br>The role of socio-demographic variables on human cognition, particularly education, has been studied in healthy individuals. This research aimed to verify if there are differences among educational groups regarding the visual attentional processing assessed by means of Bells Test. The sample was comprised of 124 young adults, divided into three groups, 5-8, 9-11 and 12 or more years of formal education, matched by age. Accuracy and time data were analyzed by one-way ANCOVA and the qualitative results on strategies were compared between groups by Chi-square. The results showed a discrepancy between the quantitative and qualitative analysis. There were no quantitative differences among educational groups regarding accuracy and time variables. However, significant differences were found in the distribution of participants by chosen column where the first bell was canceled and the used strategies of cancellation. Further studies are relevant including different age groups and clinical samples with neurological and/or psychiatric disorders

United States

This issue is designed to offer insight into recent and current forms of art historical scholarship in the United States, to assess their international impact, to describe digital upheavals in art historical practice, and to provide a critical approach to policies governing research. These differing angles contribute to a broader knowledge of the various forms of American Art

The diagnostic test accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arthrography and computer tomography in the detection of chondral lesions of the hip

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic test accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) and multidetector arrays in CT arthrography (MDCT) for assessing chondral lesions in the hip joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the published and unpublished literature databases was performed to identify all studies reporting the diagnostic test accuracy (sensitivity/specificity) of MRI, MRA or MDCT for the assessment of adults with chondral (cartilage) lesions of the hip with surgical comparison (arthroscopic or open) as the reference test. All included studies were reviewed using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies appraisal tool. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios were calculated with 95 % confidence intervals using a random-effects meta-analysis for MRI, MRA and MDCT imaging. RESULTS: Eighteen studies satisfied the eligibility criteria. These included 648 hips from 637 patients. MRI indicated a pooled sensitivity of 0.59 (95 % CI: 0.49-0.70) and specificity of 0.94 (95 % CI: 0.90-0.97), and MRA sensitivity and specificity values were 0.62 (95 % CI: 0.57-0.66) and 0.86 (95 % CI: 0.83-0.89), respectively. The diagnostic test accuracy for the detection of hip joint cartilage lesions is currently superior for MRI compared with MRA. There were insufficient data to perform meta-analysis for MDCT or CTA protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current limited diagnostic test accuracy of the use of magnetic resonance or CT, arthroscopy remains the most accurate method of assessing chondral lesions in the hip joint

Les États-Unis

Ce numéro de Perspective est consacré à la discipline aux États-Unis, avec un ancrage majeur dans les études sur l’art américain sous ses différentes facettes (photographies urbaines, quilts, performances, objets décoratifs…). Les auteurs interrogent aussi la question du tournant mondial de l’histoire de l’art tel qu’il est envisagé depuis le territoire de la lingua franca ; ils livrent des études fondamentales sur les enjeux de la recherche pour ce qui a trait à l’art afro-américain, sur les formes les plus innovantes de la digital art history et sur les différents contextes d’exposition de l’œuvre des Amérindiens au XXe siècle. Sur le plan géographique, l’expérience de la côte pacifique est investie du point de vue de la production de l’art et de l’histoire de l’art tandis que la dimension institutionnelle, économique et politique du financement de la recherche, tant privé que public, fait l’objet d’articles majeurs. Ce numéro est en vente sur le site du Comptoir des presses d'universités