IL-21 enhances influenza vaccine responses in aged macaques with suppressed SIV infection.

Natural aging and HIV infection are associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, immune senescence, and impaired antibody responses to vaccines such as the influenza (flu) vaccine. We investigated the role of IL-21, a CD4+ T follicular helper cell (Tfh) regulator, on flu vaccine antibody response in nonhuman primates (NHPs) in the context of age and controlled SIV mac239 infection. Three doses of the flu vaccine with or without IL-21-IgFc were administered at 3-month intervals in aged SIV+ NHPs following virus suppression with antiretroviral therapy. IL-21-treated animals demonstrated higher day 14-postboost antibody responses, which associated with expanded CD4+ T central memory cells and peripheral Tfh-expressing (pTfh-expressing) T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), expanded activated memory B cells, and contracted CD11b+ monocytes. Draining lymph node (LN) tissue from IL-21-treated animals revealed direct association between LN follicle Tfh density and frequency of circulating TIGIT+ pTfh cells. We conclude that IL-21 enhances flu vaccine-induced antibody responses in SIV+ aged rhesus macaques (RMs), acting as an adjuvant modulating LN germinal center activity. A strategy to supplement IL-21 in aging could be a valuable addition in the toolbox for improving vaccine responses in an aging HIV+ population

The research of the soil moisture satellite measurements accuracy depending on the underlying surface characteristics

The work is devoted to the assessment of the possibility of using satellite data to determine soil moisture. The direct satellite observations were compared with the direct observations at the stations. Pearson correlation coefficient and the relative errors were calculated. The comparison of the data from the direct measurements of the soil moisture and satellite measurements showed that for the 52% of the stations the correlation coefficients exceeded 0.5

Using WRF mesoscale model to restore temperature profile in atmosphere boundary layer in Tomsk

In the paper, the possible use of a WRF mesoscale model for the detailed restoring of a temperature profile in the atmosphere boundary layer (ABL) during winter anticyclone is studied. The correctness of air temperature modeling as well as the possible use of a WRF model for predicting a vertical temperature distribution was show

3-D Nanofibrous Electrospun Multilayered Construct is an Alternative ECM Mimicking Scaffold

Abstract Extra cellular matrix (ECM) is a natural cell environment, possesses complicated nano-and macroarchitecture. Mimicking this three-dimensional (3-D) web is a challenge in the modern tissue engineering. This study examined the application of a novel 3-D construct, produced by multilayered organization of electrospun nanofiber membranes, for human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) support. The hMSCs were seeded on an electrospun scaffold composed of poly e-caproloactone (PCL) and collagen (COL) (1:1), and cultured in a dynamic flow bioreactor prior to in vivo implantation. Cell viability after seeding was analyzed by AlamarBlue TM Assay. At the various stages of experiment, cell morphology was examined by histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy

The research of the maximum wind speed in Tomsk and calculations of dynamic load on antenna systems

The work is concerned with calculations and analysis of the maximum wind speed in Tomsk city. The data for analysis were taken from the TOR-station located in the north-eastern part of the city. The TOR-station sensors to measure a speed and a direction of wind are installed on the 10-meter meteorological mast. Wind is measured by M-63, which uses the standard approach and the program with one-minute averaging for wind gusts recording as well. According to the measured results in the research performed, the estimation of the dynamic and wind load on different types of antenna systems was performed. The work shows the calculations of wind load on ten types of antenna systems, distinguished by their different constructions and antenna areas. For implementation of calculations, we used methods developed in the Central Research and Development Institute of Building Constructions named after V.A. Kucherenko. The research results could be used for design engineering of the static antenna systems and mobile tracking systems for the distant objects

Assessment of vocal cord nodules: A case study in speech processing by using Hilbert-Huang Transform

Vocal cord nodules represent a pathological condition for which the growth of unnatural masses on vocal folds affects the patients. Among other effects, changes in the vocal cords' overall mass and stiffness alter their vibratory behaviour, thus changing the vocal emission generated by them. This causes dysphonia, i.e. abnormalities in the patients' voice, which can be analysed and inspected via audio signals. However, the evaluation of voice condition through speech processing is not a trivial task, as standard methods based on the Fourier Transform, fail to fit the non-stationary nature of vocal signals. In this study, four audio tracks, provided by a volunteer patient, whose vocal fold nodules have been surgically removed, were analysed using a relatively new technique: the Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) via Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD); specifically, by using the CEEMDAN (Complete Ensemble EMD with Adaptive Noise) algorithm. This method has been applied here to speech signals, which were recorded before removal surgery and during convalescence, to investigate specific trends. Possibilities offered by the HHT are exposed, but also some limitations of decomposing the signals into so-called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) are highlighted. The results of these preliminary studies are intended to be a basis for the development of new viable alternatives to the softwares currently used for the analysis and evaluation of pathological voice

Effect of Quinoa Seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in Diet on some Biochemical Parameters and Essential Elements in Blood of High Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level

The Schneiderian membrane contains osteoprogenitor cells: in vivo and in vitro study

Recent studies successfully demonstrated induction of new bone formation in the maxillary sinus by mucosal membrane lifting without the use of any graft material. The aim of this work was to test the osteogenic potential of human maxillary sinus Schneiderian membrane (hMSSM) using both in vitro and in vivo assays. Samples of hMSSM were used for establishment of cell cultures and for histological studies. Flow cytometry analysis was performed on P(0), P(1), and P(2) cultures using established mesenchymal progenitor cell markers (CD 105, CD 146, CD 71, CD 73, CD 166), and the ability of hMSSM cells to undergo osteogenic differentiation in culture was analyzed using relevant in vitro assays. Results showed that hMSSM cells could be induced to express alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenic protein-2, osteopontin, osteonectin, and osteocalcin and to mineralize their extracellular matrix. Inherent osteogenic potential of hMSSM-derived cells was further proven by in vivo experiments, which demonstrated the formation of histology-proven bone at ectopic sites following transplantation of hMSSM-derived cells in conjunction with an osteoconductive scaffold. This study provides the biological background for understanding the observed clinical phenomena in sinus lifting. Our results show that a genuine osteogenic potential is associated with the hMSSM and can contribute to development of successful sinus augmentation techniques

The research of the soil moisture satellite measurements accuracy depending on the underlying surface characteristics

The work is devoted to the assessment of the possibility of using satellite data to determine soil moisture. The direct satellite observations were compared with the direct observations at the stations. Pearson correlation coefficient and the relative errors were calculated. The comparison of the data from the direct measurements of the soil moisture and satellite measurements showed that for the 52% of the stations the correlation coefficients exceeded 0.5