Clinical isolates of the modern Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 4 evade host defense in human macrophages through eluding IL-1\u3b2-induced autophagy article

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), has infected over 1.7 billion people worldwide and causes 1.4 million deaths annually. Recently, genome sequence analysis has allowed the reconstruction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) evolution, with the identification of seven phylogeographic lineages: four referred to as evolutionarily "ancient", and three "modern". The MTBC strains belonging to "modern" lineages appear to show enhanced virulence that may have warranted improved transmission in humans over ancient lineages through molecular mechanisms that remain to be fully characterized. To evaluate the impact of MTBC genetic diversity on the innate immune response, we analyzed intracellular bacterial replication, inflammatory cytokine levels, and autophagy response in human primary macrophages infected with MTBC clinical isolates belonging to the ancient lineages 1 and 5, and the modern lineage 4. We show that, when compared to ancient lineage 1 and 5, MTBC strains belonging to modern lineage 4 show a higher rate of replication, associated to a significant production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1\u3b2, IL-6, and TNF-\u3b1) and induction of a functional autophagy process. Interestingly, we found that the increased autophagic flux observed in macrophages infected with modern MTBC is due to an autocrine activity of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1\u3b2, since autophagosome maturation is blocked by an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Unexpectedly, IL-1\u3b2-induced autophagy is not disadvantageous for the survival of modern Mtb strains, which reside within Rab5-positive phagosomal vesicles and avoid autophagosome engulfment. Altogether, these results suggest that autophagy triggered by inflammatory cytokines is compatible with a high rate of intracellular bacilli replication and may therefore contribute to the increased pathogenicity of the modern MTBC lineages

Upper limb rehabilitation using robotic exoskeleton systems: a systematic review

Exoskeleton assisted therapy has been reported as a significant reduction in impairment and gain in functional abilities of stroke patients. In this paper, we conduct a systematic review on the upper limb rehabilitation using robotic exoskeleton systems. This review is based on typical mechanical structures and control strategies for exoskeletons in clinical rehabilitation conditions. A variety of upper limb exoskeletons are classified and reviewed according to their rehabilitation joints. Special attentions are paid to the performance control strategies and mechanism designs in clinical trials and to promote the adaptability to different patients and conditions. Finally, we analyze and highlight the current research gaps and the future directions in this field. We intend to offer informative resources and reliable guidance for relevant researcher’s further studies, and exert a far-reaching influence on the development of advanced upper limb exoskeleton robotic systems

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Not AvailableEffects of a novel dietary mixture of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) and omega-3-fatty acids i.e., Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on mitigating arsenic pollution, high-temperature stress and bacterial infection were investigated in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. To aim this, four isocaloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were prepared: control feed (no supplementation), Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 diet with EPA + DHA at 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% as supplemented diets. Fish were reared under normal condition or concurrent exposure to arsenic (2.65 mg L−1), and temperature (34 °C) (As + T) stress for 105 days. The experiment was conducted with eight treatments in triplicates. Response to various stresses i.e., primary (cortisol), secondary (oxidative stress, immunity, and stress biomarkers) and tertiary stress response (growth performance, bioaccumulation and mortality due to bacterial infection) were determined. Supplementation of dietary Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 diet and EPA + DHA at 0.2 and 0.4% reduced the primary stress level. Exposure to arsenic and temperature (As + T) and fed with control diet and EPA + DHA at 0.6% aggravated the cortisol level. Anti-oxidative enzymes (Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase) and immunity (Nitroblue tetrazolium, total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, total immunoglobulin and myeloperoxidase) of the fish were augmented by supplementation of Se-NPs and EPA + DHA at 0.2 and 0.4%. Neurotransmitter enzyme, HSP 70, Vitamin C were significantly enhanced (p < 0.01) with supplementation of Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 and EPA + DHA at 0.2 and 0.4%. Whereas total lipid, cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were reduced (p < 0.01) with the supplementation of Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 diet and EPA + DHA at 0.2 and 0.4%. Tertiary stress response viz. growth performance was also significantly enhanced with supplementation of Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 and EPA + DHA at 0.2 and 0.4% reared under As + T. Whereas arsenic bioaccumulation in fish tissues was significantly reduced with dietary supplementation of Se-NPs and EPA + DHA. Cumulative mortality and relative percentage survival were reduced with Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 and EPA + DHA at 0.2 and 0.4%. The investigation revealed that a novel combination of Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 and EPA + DHA at 0.4% followed by 0.2% has the potential to alleviate temperature stress, bacterial infection and arsenic pollution. Whereas diet containing Se-NPs at 0.2 mg kg−1 diet and EPA + DHA at 0.6% was noticeably enhanced the stress in P. hypophthalmus.Not Availabl

Comparative efficiency of triticale × wheat derived F1, F2, F3, BC1F1 and BC1F2 recombinants towards Imperata cylindrica-mediated doubled haploid induction

Doubled haploidy breeding from F1 population accelerates the varietal development programmes by producing instant homozygosity but the plants undergo only one round of recombination. Generation of doubled haploids (DHs) from F2/F3 or backcrossed populations may allow for more recombination and selection of rare homozygous recombinants. However, very few reports on this account are available to suggest utilization of the filial generations that should be utilized for double haploid production. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was formulated to evaluate triticale × wheat derived F1, F2, F3, BC1F1 and BC1F2 generations towards haploid induction parameters following the Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach. Based on statistical analysis, the backcrosses (BC1F1 and BC1F2) were observed to be significantly better than the F1, F2 and F3 populations towards haploid induction parameters under consideration. Among the backcrosses, BC1F2 outperformed BC1F1 towards pseudoseed formation (average 41.28 and 42.50% in 2013–14 and 2014–15, respectively) whereas the latter was significantly better than the former towards haploid embryo formation (average 33.22 and 37.03% in 2013–14 and 2014–15, respectively). Both populations were observed to be at par with each other for haploid regeneration (average 49.36 and 49.56% in 2013–14 and 49.08 and 49.90% in 2014–15) but significantly better than other generations used in the experiment. Hence, involving backcrosses in doubled haploidy breeding programmes may increase the number of haploids and DHs thus resulting in rapid development of mapping populations

Evaluation of the head and neck surgery during the pandemic COVID-19: A tertiary care center studys

Introduction: There is a notable shift in the attitude of the admission, review, diagnostics, and follow-up of patients for all the medical sectors and of particular interest of cancer patients. The present study aimed to elaborate on the identification of patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs); the diagnostics, the triage, and the best treatment plan were all evaluated and at the same time compared with the years before the pandemic at a tertiary care center that caters to various other patients also. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational clinical study was conducted at the tertiary care center that catered to all the medical specialties. The demographics, the patient characteristics, the surgeries performed, complications, mortality, and readmissions were evaluated and compared with the pre-coronavirus disease (COVID) time. Results: There was a significant difference in the complications for the pre-COVID time when the groups were compared for the matched pair. Conclusion: The proper screening and triaging of the patients will help in the early intervention of the patients with the HNCs

Microstructure, wear and corrosion characteristics of Cu matrix reinforced SiC–graphite hybrid composites

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of SiC-graphite reinforcement on the properties of pure copper. Copper matrix composites with SiC-graphite reinforcement (0, 2.5,5, 7.5 and 10 wt.%) were prepared by stir casting process. Microstructure, phase, density, hardness and wear rate of prepared samples have been investigated. X-ray diffraction revealed that there is no intermediate phase formation between the reinforcement and matrix as a result of interfacial bonding between them. Microstructure study shows the uniform distribution of SiC-graphite particles in the Cu-matrix. Mechanical and corrosion properties of these Cu matrix MMCs were found to be dependent on the reinforcement content. Hardness was found to decrease with the addition of graphite due to its soft nature. Composite containing 5 wt.% reinforcement has shown minimum wear rate and maximum corrosion resistance. It is expected that the present composite will be useful for thermal management applications especially in heat exchangers. - The Author(s) 2019.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the UREP grant # UREP23-116-2-041 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu