Re-evaluating the role of natural killer cells in innate resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1

BACKGROUND: Interferon-γ acts to multiply the potency with which innate interferons (α/β) suppress herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. Recent evidence suggests that this interaction is functionally relevant in host defense against HSV-1. However, it is not clear which WBCs of the innate immune system, if any, limit HSV-1 spread in an IFN-γ dependent manner. The current study was initiated to determine if natural killer (NK) cells provide innate resistance to HSV-1 infection, and if so to determine if this resistance is IFN-γ-dependent. RESULTS: Lymphocyte-deficient scid or rag2(-/- )mice were used to test four predictions of the central hypothesis, and thus determine if innate resistance to HSV-1 is dependent on 1. NK cell cytotoxicity, 2. NK cells, 3. WBCs, or 4. the IFN-activated transcription factor, Stat 1. Loss of NK cell cytotoxic function or depletion of NK cells had no effect on the progression of HSV-1 infection in scid mice. In contrast, viral spread and pathogenesis developed much more rapidly in scid mice depleted of WBCs. Likewise, loss of Stat 1 function profoundly impaired the innate resistance of rag2(-/- )mice to HSV-1. CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte-deficient mice possess a very tangible innate resistance to HSV-1 infection, but this resistance is not dependent upon NK cells

Recommendations on simple but transformative diversity, equity, and inclusion measures in Heliophysics over the next decade

It is well established that, in order to perform at their peak ability, a person must feel accepted, safe, and valued at work. Therefore, it is imperative to bring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts to the forefront of Heliophysics over the next decade and well beyond. This position paper outlines three specific recommendations to make the Heliophysics community more diverse, equitable, and inclusive by improving the accessibility and accountability. These recommendations are: performing consistent collection and analysis of demographic data across different agencies, reimagining undergraduate Heliophysics internships using the SOARS® model, and providing conference funding for DEI speakers whose expertise lies outside the field of Heliophysics. These targeted recommendations have a well-documented positive impact, are simple to implement, and follow other scientific communities’ recent recommendations for making the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields more diverse, equitable, and inclusive

European association for the study of obesity position statement on the global COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 12, 2020. The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), as a scientific and medical society dedicated to the promotion of health and well-being, is greatly concerned about this global health challenge and its significant impacts on individuals, families, communities, health systems, nations, and wider society

Changes in the Number of Rural Bank Branches in India, 1991 to 2008

1. Underwater visual census (UVC) using SCUBA is a commonly used method for assessing reef fish communities. Evidence suggests, however, that fish avoid divers due to the sound of bubbles produced by open-circuit SCUBA, and avoidance behaviour is more pronounced as fishing pressure increases. Despite the potential for producing biased counts and conclusions, these behavioural effects have rarely been quantified, especially when assessing the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs). 2. To test the magnitude of avoidance behaviour, we surveyed fish populations inside and outside two MPAs in Guam, using two diving systems: standard open-circuit (OC) SCUBA and a closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) that produces no bubbles. Data were collected using a diver-operated stereo-video system (stereo-DOV), which provided counts of relative abundance, measures of fish length and the minimum approach distance of the diver to a fish. 3. Inside MPAs, fish surveys conducted with CCR recorded similar community metrics to fish surveys conducted with conventional OC SCUBA. In contrast, outside the MPAs, the bubble-free diving system recorded 48% more species and up to 260% greater fish abundance. These differences reflected the ability of a diver wearing the silent CCR unit to sample the larger, most heavily targeted species that are shy of divers in fished areas. This difference was also large enough to change some results from ‘reject’ to ‘accept’ the null hypothesis of ‘no significant differences exist between fished and protected areas’. 4. The use of CCR for fish surveys clearly minimizes behavioural biases associated with fish avoiding open-circuit SCUBA divers. We recommend the use of this bubble-free diving system for surveys assessing reef fish populations, especially in areas where fish are heavily targeted by spearfishing. If fish behaviour is not accounted for, surveys using SCUBA could result in erroneous conclusions when comparing fished and protected areas. While the behaviour of fish towards divers is rarely mentioned in conclusions from studies using UVC, it is an important source of bias that should be acknowledged and minimized where possible

Data used in publication

Excel file with the data used for analysi

DataSheet1_Recommendations on simple but transformative diversity, equity, and inclusion measures in Heliophysics over the next decade.PDF

It is well established that, in order to perform at their peak ability, a person must feel accepted, safe, and valued at work. Therefore, it is imperative to bring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts to the forefront of Heliophysics over the next decade and well beyond. This position paper outlines three specific recommendations to make the Heliophysics community more diverse, equitable, and inclusive by improving the accessibility and accountability. These recommendations are: performing consistent collection and analysis of demographic data across different agencies, reimagining undergraduate Heliophysics internships using the SOARS® model, and providing conference funding for DEI speakers whose expertise lies outside the field of Heliophysics. These targeted recommendations have a well-documented positive impact, are simple to implement, and follow other scientific communities’ recent recommendations for making the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.</p