Macroalgal-Associated Dinoflagellates Belonging to the Genus Symbiodinium in Caribbean Reefs

Coral-algal symbiosis has been a subject of great attention during the last two decades in response to global coral reef decline. However, the occurrence and dispersion of free-living dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Symbiodinium are less documented. Here ecological and molecular evidence is presented demonstrating the existence of demersal free-living Symbiodinium populations in Caribbean reefs and the possible role of the stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) as Symbiodinium spp. dispersers. Communities of free-living Symbiodinium were found within macroalgal beds consisting of Halimeda spp., Lobophora variegata, Amphiroa spp., Caulerpa spp. and Dictyota spp. Viable Symbiodinium spp. cells were isolated and cultured from macroalgal beds and S. viride feces. Further identification of Symbiodinium spp. type was determined by length variation in the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2, nuclear rDNA) and length variation in domain V of the chloroplast large subunit ribosomal DNA (cp23S-rDNA). Determination of free-living Symbiodinium and mechanisms of dispersal is important in understanding the life cycle of Symbiodinium spp

The influence of soluble fragments of extracellular matrix (ECM) on tumor growth and morphology.

A major challenge in matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) target validation and MMP-inhibitor-drug development for anti-cancer clinical trials is to better understand their complex roles (often competing with each other) in tumor progression. While there is extensive research on the growth-promoting effects of MMPs, the growth-inhibiting effects of MMPs has not been investigated thoroughly. So we develop a continuum model of tumor growth and invasion including chemotaxis and haptotaxis in order to examine the complex interaction between the tumor and its host microenvironment and to explore the inhibiting influence of the gradients of soluble fragments of extracellular matrix (ECM) density on tumor growth and morphology. Previously, it was shown both computationally (in one spatial dimension) and experimentally that the chemotactic pull due to soluble ECM gradients is anti-invasive, contrary to the traditional view of the role of chemotaxis in malignant invasion [1]. With two-dimensional numerical simulation and using a level set based tumor-host interface capturing method, we examine the effects of chemotaxis on the progression and morphology of a tumor growing in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor microenvironments which was not investigated before. In particular we examine how the geometry of the growing tumor is affected when placed in different environments. We also investigate the effects of varying ECM degradation rate, the production rate of matrix degrading enzymes (MDE), and the conversion of ECM into soluble ECM. We find that chemotaxis due to ECM-fragment gradients strongly influences tumor growth and morphology, and that the instabilities caused by tumor cell proliferation and haptotactic movements can be prevented if chemotaxis is sufficiently strong. The influence of chemotaxis and the above factors on tumor growth and morphology are found to be more prominent in nutrient-poor environments than in nutrient-rich environments. So we extend our investigations of these antinvasive chemotactic influences by examining the effects of cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion and low proliferation rate for tumors growing in low-nutrient environments. We find that as the extent of chemotaxis increases, the effects of adhesion on tumor growth and shape become negligible. Under conditions of low cell mitosis, chemotaxis may cause the tumor to shrink, as the extent of chemotaxis increases. Both stable and unstable tumor shrinkage are predicted by our model. Unexpectedly, in some cases chemotaxis may contribute toward developing instability where haptotaxis alone induces stable growth

Podcast on Cross-speciality Perspectives on Practical Management of Atopic Dermatitis-Associated Ocular Surface Diseases

Abstract There is a growing awareness among dermatology providers of ocular comorbidities in patients with the chronic inflammatory skin disease atopic dermatitis (AD). For example, the prevalence of ocular surface diseases (OSD) such as conjunctivitis is higher in patients with AD than in the general population, and the use of some AD treatments may be associated with OSD. In a recent review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists and ophthalmologists provided an overview of the different types, etiology, pathophysiology, and practical management of OSD associated with AD. This review included a suggested treatment algorithm that champions a partnership between dermatology providers and eye care providers for optimal screening, diagnosis, and care. In this podcast article, a dermatologist and ophthalmologist who were authors on this review are joined by a nurse practitioner moderator to discuss how these concepts can be adapted to clinical practice, inclusive of dermatologists, eye care providers, and relevant advanced practice providers. This podcast focuses on the authors’ clinical experiences and highlights the key aspects of optimal care, including exploring additional questions to answer with future research

Metabolic Changes Associated With the Use of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors Among Virally Controlled Women.

BackgroundIntegrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been associated with weight gain among women living with HIV. We aimed to investigate the association between INSTIs and change in cardiometabolic risk indicators.SettingRetrospective cohort.MethodsData from 2006 to 2017 were analyzed from women living with HIV enrolled in the longitudinal Women's Interagency HIV Study who were virally controlled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥5 consecutive semiannual visits. Women who switched/added an INSTI to ART (INSTI group) were compared with women who remained on non-INSTI ART (non-INSTI group). Outcomes included changes in fasting lipids and glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and incident diabetes, hypertension, and insulin resistance. Outcomes were measured 6-12 months before and 6-18 months after INSTI switch/add in the INSTI group with comparable visits in the non-INSTI group. Longitudinal linear regression models compared change over time in each outcome by the study group.ResultsOne thousand one hundred eighteen participants (234 INSTI, 884 non-INSTI) were followed for a median 2.0 (Q1 1.9, Q3 2.0) years. Participants were median age 49 years, 61% Black, and 73% overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m). Compared with non-INSTI, the INSTI group experienced greater increases in HbA1c (+0.05 vs. -0.06 mg/dL, P = 0.0318), systolic BP (+3.84 vs. +0.84 mm Hg, P = 0.0191), and diastolic BP (+1.62 vs. -0.14 mm Hg, P = 0.0121), with greatest change in HbA1c among women on INSTIs with ≥5% weight gain.ConclusionsINSTI use was associated with unfavorable changes in HbA1c and systolic and diastolic BP during short-term follow-up. Further research is needed to understand long-term cardiometabolic effects of INSTI use

Regional Embeddedness Segments Across Fifteen Countries

While segmenting consumers, it is beneficial to understand how emotions and sensory perceptions relate to consumers' food behavior. In this research, a new measure called the "local embeddedness" (EMB) scale was used to measure the emotional bond with the region among 1,714 respondents from 15 countries. There were two aims of the study: firstly, to examine the effectiveness of the EMB scale in segmenting respondents, and secondly, to profile the EMB segments in terms of socio-demographic variables. Results show that EMB segments consisted of three groups of respondents: 1) strong local supporters, 2) confused disbelievers, and 3) limited knowledge about product origin/trust industry segment

980. Effects of Integrase Strand-Transfer Inhibitor Use on Lipids, Glycemic Control, and Insulin Resistance in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)

Abstract Background Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended first-line HIV treatment. We recently demonstrated increased weight gain associated with INSTI use among women living with HIV (WLH) enrolled in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), raising concern for cardiometabolic consequences. We, therefore, evaluated the effects of INSTI use on lipids, insulin resistance, and glycemic control in WLH. Methods Data from 2008 to 2017 were analyzed from WLH enrolled in WIHS. Women who switched to or added an INSTI to ART (SWAD group) were compared with women who remained on non-INSTI ART (STAY group). Outcomes included changes in fasting total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and glucose; hemoglobin A1c; and incident insulin resistance (defined as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA] score ≥2). Outcomes were measured 6–12 months before and 6–18 months after INSTI switch/add in the SWAD group with comparable time points in the STAY group. Linear regression models compared change over time in each outcome by SWAD/STAY group, adjusted for age, race, WIHS site, income, smoking status, statin use, and ART regimen at baseline. Results In total, 881 WIHS participants (182 SWAD and 699 STAY) were followed for a mean 1.8 (±1.1) years. Mean age was 49 (±8.8) years, BMI was 31 (±8.2) kg/m2, and 49% were Black. At baseline, SWAD vs. STAY was more likely to report NNRTI (vs. PI)-based ART and statin use (both P < 0.0001), but all baseline lipid and glucose variables were similar. Compared with STAY, the SWAD group experienced significantly greater decreases in HDL (−2.4 vs. +0.09 mg/dL, P = 0.03) and trended toward greater decreases in TC (−2.6 vs. −2.4 mg/dL, P = 0.07) at follow-up, without significant differences in TG or LDL. The SWAD group had significantly greater increases in A1c (+0.08% vs. −0.05%, P = 0.01) but trended toward lower incidence of insulin resistance (19% vs. 32%, P = 0.05). Conclusion Despite reported increases in weight, INSTI use was associated with only modest changes in lipid measurements and glycemic control during short-term follow-up of WLH compared with non-INSTI ART. Research is needed to elucidate long-term cardiometabolic effects. Disclosures Anandi N. Sheth, MD, MS, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Research Grant