Histopathology of Explanted Lungs From Patients With a Diagnosis of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Background Pathologic features of end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis (ESPS) are not well defined; anecdotal reports have suggested that ESPS may mimic usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). We hypothesized that ESPS has distinct histologic features. Methods Twelve patients who received a diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and underwent lung transplantation were included. Control subjects were 10 age- and sex-matched lung transplant patients with UIP. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections were examined for the following features: extent/pattern of fibrosis; presence and quantity (per 10 high-power fields) of fibroblast foci and granulomas; distribution and morphology of granulomas; and presence and extent of honeycomb change. Extent of fibrosis and honeycomb change in lung parenchyma was scored as follows: 1 = 1% to 25%; 2 = 26% to 50%; 3 = 51% to 75%; 4 = 76% to 100% of lung parenchyma. Results Eight of 12 cases demonstrated histologic findings typical of ESPS. All showed well-formed granulomas with associated fibrosis distributed in a distinct lymphangitic fashion. Granulomas were present in hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes from six of six patients with ESPS and none of eight control subjects. The extent of fibrosis, honeycomb change, and fibroblast foci was significantly lower in ESPS cases compared with control cases. Two patients with remote histories of sarcoidosis showed histologic features of diseases other than ESPS (UIP and emphysema) without granulomas. Two patients with atypical clinical findings demonstrated nonnecrotizing granulomas combined with either severe chronic venous hypertension or UIP. Conclusions ESPS and UIP have distinct histopathologic features in the lungs. Patients with a pretransplant diagnosis of sarcoidosis may develop other lung diseases that account for their end-stage fibrosis

Analysis of Candida albicans Mutants Defective in the Cdk8 Module of Mediator Reveal Links between Metabolism and Biofilm Formation

Candida albicans biofilm formation is a key virulence trait that involves hyphal growth and adhesin expression. Pyocyanin (PYO), a phenazine secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inhibits both C. albicans biofilm formation and development of wrinkled colonies. Using a genetic screen, we identified two mutants, ssn3Δ/Δ and ssn8Δ/Δ, which continued to wrinkle in the presence of PYO. Ssn8 is a cyclin-like protein and Ssn3 is similar to cyclin-dependent kinases; both proteins are part of the heterotetrameric Cdk8 module that forms a complex with the transcriptional co-regulator, Mediator. Ssn3 kinase activity was also required for PYO sensitivity as a kinase dead mutant maintained a wrinkled colony morphology in the presence of PYO. Furthermore, similar phenotypes were observed in mutants lacking the other two components of the Cdk8 module-Srb8 and Srb9. Through metabolomics analyses and biochemical assays, we showed that a compromised Cdk8 module led to increases in glucose consumption, glycolysis-related transcripts, oxidative metabolism and ATP levels even in the presence of PYO. In the mutant, inhibition of respiration to levels comparable to the PYO-treated wild type inhibited wrinkled colony development. Several lines of evidence suggest that PYO does not act through Cdk8. Lastly, the ssn3 mutant was a hyperbiofilm former, and maintained higher biofilm formation in the presence of PYO than the wild type. Together these data provide novel insights into the role of the Cdk8 module of Mediator in regulation of C. albicans physiology and the links between respiratory activity and both wrinkled colony and biofilm development

At the intersection of primary pulmonary myxoid sarcoma and pulmonary angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: observations from three new cases

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107555/1/his12354.pd

Concert recording 2022-11-11

[Track 1]: Sonata in C minor, HWV 366. I. Adagio ; [Track 2]: II. Bourrée / Georg Frideric Handel -- [Track 3]: Sonata in G Major. I. Andante / Giovanni Sammartini -- [Track 4 and 5]: Sonata in E minor Francesco Geminiani (1687–1762) -- [Track 6]: Sonata in A minor. I. Siciliana ; II. Sprirtuoso / Georg Phillipp Telemann -- [Track 7]: Trois pieces, Op. 31. II. Mélodie / Arthur Foote -- [Track 8]: Souvenir de Madrid / Pedro Soler -- [Track 9]: Concerto for oboe and strings. I. Pastorale / Ralph Vaughan Williams

Concert recording 2022-11-11

[Track 1]: Sonata in C minor, HWV 366. I. Adagio ; [Track 2]: II. Bourrée / Georg Frideric Handel -- [Track 3]: Sonata in G Major. I. Andante / Giovanni Sammartini -- [Track 4 and 5]: Sonata in E minor Francesco Geminiani (1687–1762) -- [Track 6]: Sonata in A minor. I. Siciliana ; II. Sprirtuoso / Georg Phillipp Telemann -- [Track 7]: Trois pieces, Op. 31. II. Mélodie / Arthur Foote -- [Track 8]: Souvenir de Madrid / Pedro Soler -- [Track 9]: Concerto for oboe and strings. I. Pastorale / Ralph Vaughan Williams

Speciation of phosphorus in a fertilized, reduced-till soil system: in-field treatment incubation study

Citation: Khatiwada, Raju, Ganga M. Hettiarachchi, David B. Mengel, and Mingwei Fei. “Speciation of Phosphorus in a Fertilized, Reduced-Till Soil System: In-Field Treatment Incubation Study.” Soil Science Society of America Journal 76, no. 6 (2012): 2006–18. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2011.0299.Phosphorus management in reduced-tillage systems is a great concern for farmers. Conclusive positive results of deep-banding P fertilizers compared with broadcast application and the chemistry of reduced-tillage systems remain unclear. Knowledge of the dominant solid P species present in soil following application of P fertilizers and the resulting potential P availability would help us understand and efficiently manage P in reduced-tillage systems. The objective of this research was to study the influence of placement (broadcast vs. deep-band P), fertilizer source (granular vs. liquid P), and time on the reaction products of P under field conditions. Changes in soil pH, resin-extractable P, total P, and speciation of P were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application at 5 wk and 6 mo after P application at a rate of 75 kg ha−1 to a soil system that was under long-term reduced tillage. Resin-extractable P was lower for broadcast treatments compared with deep-band treatments for both time periods. Resin-extractable P was greater in the liquid P-treated soils than in the granular P-treated soils. Speciation results showed that granular P fertilizers tended to form Fe–P-like forms, whereas liquid forms remained in adsorbed P-like forms in the soil 5 wk after application; moreover, speciation results showed granular P fertilizers precipitated less when deep-banded. During the 6-mo period following application, reaction products of broadcast granular, broadcast liquid, and deep-band granular fertilizers transformed to Ca-phosphate or mixtures of Ca-, Fe- and adsorbed-phosphate-like forms, whereas deep-band liquid P remained as mainly adsorbed P-like forms. Deep-banding of P would most likely provide a solution that is both agronomically and environmentally efficient for reduced-till farmers

Social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of secondary school students with low academic and language performance: perspectives from students, teachers, and parents

Adolescence is a time of transition when young people with language difficulties are at increased risk of experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (SEBD). Most studies of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning (SEBF) in individuals with language difficulties focus on children with a clinical diagnosis of language impairment. This study explores SEBF in a nonclinical group of 12-year-old students with low educational and language performance from their own perspectives and those of their parents and teachers

Iron loading and disease surveillance.

Iron is an oxidant as well as a nutrient for invading microbial and neoplastic cells. Excessive iron in specific tissues and cells (iron loading) promotes development of infection, neoplasia, cardiomyopathy, arthropathy, and various endocrine and possibly neurodegenerative disorders. To contain and detoxify the metal, hosts have evolved an iron withholding defense system, but the system can be compromised by numerous factors. An array of behavioral, medical, and immunologic methods are in place or in development to strengthen iron withholding. Routine screening for iron loading could provide valuable information in epidemiologic, diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic studies of emerging infectious diseases