Effect of cover crops, grazing and tillage practices on soil microbial community composition, function, and soil health in east central Mississippi soybean production system.

Integrating crop and livestock is being considered to improve soil health by carbon sequestration. A two-year study (2019-2021) at CPBES in Newton, MS was aimed to evaluate soil microbial diversity in the warm, humid regions, specifically southeastern USA. Amplicons targeting bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS2 regions were sequenced. Taxonomic assignment and microbial diversity characterization were performed using QIIME2®. Soil fungal diversity showed significant differences (alpha diversity, p = 0.031 in yr. 2020 and beta diversity, p = 0.037 in yr. 2021). Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Mantel test showed significant influence on fungal diversity due to carbon (rm = 0.2581, p = 0.022), nitrogen (rm = 0.2921, p = 0.0165) in yr. 2021, and on bacterial diversity due to EE-GRSP (rm = 0.22, p = 0.02) in yr. 2020. Long term study of ICLS can help us better understand the shift in microbiome to improve crop production sustainably

Extracellular Vesicles from Human Papilloma Virus-Infected Cervical Cancer Cells Enhance HIV-1 Replication in Differentiated U1 Cell Line

In the current study, we hypothesized that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from human papilloma virus (HPV)-infected cervical cancer cells exacerbate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 replication in differentiated U1 cell line through an oxidative stress pathway. To test the hypothesis, we treated an HIV-1-infected macrophage cell line (U1) with HPV-infected Caski cell culture supernatant (CCS). We observed a significant increase in HIV-1 replication, which was associated with an increase in the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYPs 1A1 and 2A6) in the CCS-treated U1 cells. Furthermore, we isolated EVs from CCS (CCS-EVs), which showed the presence of CYPs (1A1, 2A6), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and HPV oncoproteins HPV16 E6. CCS-EVs when exposed to the U1 cells also significantly increased HIV-1 replication. Treatment of antioxidant, CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 inhibitors, and chemodietary agents with antioxidant properties significantly reduced the CCS and CCS-EVs mediated HIV-1 replication in U1 cells. Altogether, we demonstrate that cervical cancer cells exacerbate HIV-1 replication in differentiated U1 cell line via transferring CYPs and HPV oncoproteins through EVs. We also show that the viral replication occurs via CYP and oxidative stress pathways, and the viral replication is also reduced by chemodietary agents. This study provides important information regarding biological interactions between HPV and HIV-1 via EVs leading to enhanced HIV-1 replication

Pengaruh Bubuk Daun Kenikir (Cosmos Caudatus) Terhadap Kadar Malondialdehyde Plasma Tikus Wistar Diabetes Diinduksi Streptozotocin

Latar Belakang: Komplikasi vaskular diabetes terjadi akibat meningkatnya pembentukan radikal bebas sehingga menyebabkan stress oksidatif. Parameter tingkat stress oksidatif paling stabil adalah malondialdehyde (MDA). Stress oksidatif dapat dikendalikan dengan meningkatkan konsumsi antioksidan nonenzimatik. Daun kenikir memiliki zat antioksidan nonenzimatik potensial golongan flavonoid yaitu kuersetin. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh bubuk daun kenikir terhadap kadar malondialdehyde plasma tikus Wistar diabetes diinduksi streptozotocin.Metode: Jenis penelitian ini adalah true experimental dengan post-test only randomized control group design. Subjek penelitian yaitu 21 ekor tikus Wistar jantan dibagi menjadi 3 kelompok, K+, P1, dan P2. Seluruh kelompok diinduksi streptozotocin 65 mg/kg dan nicotinamide 230 mg/kg, kelompok perlakuan diberi bubuk daun kenikir dosis 700 mg/200gBB/hari dan 1400 mg/200gBB/hari selama 21 hari. Pemeriksaan kadar MDA plasma dengan metode 2-Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS). Data dianalisis menggunakan uji One Way Anova dan Post-hoc LSD.Hasil: Dosis 700 mg (P1) dan 1400 mg (P2) bubuk daun kenikir mampu menurunkan kadar MDA plasma tikus Wistar diabetes diinduksi streptozotocin (p<0,05). Rerata kadar MDA plasma kelompok kontrol positif sebesar 7,7±0,61, perlakuan 1 sebesar 6,1±0,58 dan perlakuan 2 sebesar 2,8±0,50. Secara statistik terdapat perbedaan rerata kadar MDA plasma antar kelompok (p<0,05).Simpulan: Bubuk daun kenikir dosis 700 mg/200gBB/hari dan 1400 mg/200gBB/hari selama 21 hari mampu menurunkan kadar MDA plasma tikus Wistar diabetes diinduksi streptozotocin. Dosis 1400 mg/200gBB/hari bubuk daun kenikir lebih efektif menurunkan kadar MDA plasma

An Elvitegravir Nanoformulation Crosses the Blood–Brain Barrier and Suppresses HIV-1 Replication in Microglia

Even with an efficient combination of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which significantly decreases viral load in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-positive individuals, the occurrence of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) still exists. Microglia have been shown to have a significant role in HIV-1 replication in the brain and in subsequent HAND pathogenesis. However, due to the limited ability of ART drugs to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) after systemic administration, in addition to efflux transporter expression on microglia, the efficacy of ART drugs for viral suppression in microglia is suboptimal. Previously, we developed novel poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based elvitegravir nanoparticles (PLGA-EVG NPs), which showed improved BBB penetration in vitro and improved viral suppression in HIV-1-infected primary macrophages, after crossing an in vitro BBB model. Our objective in the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of our PLGA-EVG NPs in an important central nervous system (CNS) HIV-1 reservoir, i.e., microglia. In this study, we evaluated the cyto-compatibility of the PLGA-EVG NPs in microglia, using an XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) assay and cellular morphology observation. We also studied the endocytosis pathway and the subcellular localization of PLGA NPs in microglia, using various endocytosis inhibitors and subcellular localization markers. We determined the ability of PLGA-EVG NPs to suppress HIV-1 replication in microglia, after crossing an in vitro BBB model. We also studied the drug levels in mouse plasma and brain tissue, using immunodeficient NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice, and performed a pilot study, to evaluate the efficacy of PLGA-EVG NPs on viral suppression in the CNS, using an HIV-1 encephalitic (HIVE) mouse model. From our results, the PLGA-EVG NPs showed ~100% biocompatibility with microglia, as compared to control cells. The internalization of PLGA NPs in microglia occurred through caveolae-/clathrin-mediated endocytosis. PLGA NPs can also escape from endo-lysosomal compartments and deliver the therapeutics to cells efficiently. More importantly, the PLGA-EVG NPs were able to show ~25% more viral suppression in HIV-1-infected human-monocyte-derived microglia-like cells after crossing the in vitro BBB compared to the EVG native drug, without altering BBB integrity. PLGA-EVG NPs also showed a ~two-fold higher level in mouse brain and a trend of decreasing CNS HIV-1 viral load in HIV-1-infected mice. Overall, these results help us to create a safe and efficient drug delivery method to target HIV-1 reservoirs in the CNS, for potential clinical use

Stelleninhaber geht – Wissen bleibt!

In Deutschland nimmt der Anteil älterer Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer tendenziell zu. Deshalb muss sich die Bibliotheksleitung verstärkt auf das altersbedingte Ausscheiden älterer Arbeitnehmer einstellen. Eine langjährige Fachkraft verfügt über spezielles Erfahrungswissen im direkten Aufgabenfeld. Die Bibliotheksleitung muss den Transfer allen relevanten Wissens, dazu gehört das Erfahrungswissen, vom Stelleninhaber auf seinen Nachfolger ermöglichen und unterstützen. Am Beispiel der Universitätsbibliothek der Bergakademie Freiberg wird untersucht, wie das Wissensmanagement im Rahmen eines Stellenwechsels derzeit geregelt ist. Das geschieht mit Hilfe von Tiefeninterviews in verschiedenen Abteilungen. Die Auswertung der Interviews bildet die Basis für ein Konzept für das Wissensmanagement beim Stellenwechsel an der UB Freiberg. Das Konzept benennt u. a. Maßnahmen zur Identifikation des stellenbezogenen Wissens, Maßnahmen zur Dokumentation des relevanten Wissens und Instrumente zur Wissensweitergabe beim Stellenwechsel

Games of Incomplete Information and Myopic Equilibria

A new concept of an equilibrium in games is introduced that solves an open question posed by A. Neyman

A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Atorvastatin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular event (CVE) risk. The impact of statins in RA is not established. We assessed whether atorvastatin is superior to placebo for the primary prevention of CVEs in RA patients. Methods: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was designed to detect a 32% CVE risk reduction based on an estimated 1.6% per annum event rate with 80% power at P 50 years or with a disease duration of >10 years who did not have clinical atherosclerosis, diabetes, or myopathy received atorvastatin 40 mg daily or matching placebo. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or any arterial revascularization. Secondary and tertiary end points included plasma lipids and safety. Results: A total of 3,002 patients (mean age 61 years; 74% female) were followed up for a median of 2.51 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.90, 3.49 years) (7,827 patient‐years). The study was terminated early due to a lower than expected event rate (0.70% per annum). Of the 1,504 patients receiving atorvastatin, 24 (1.6%) experienced a primary end point, compared with 36 (2.4%) of the 1,498 receiving placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.39, 1.11]; P = 0.115 and adjusted HR 0.60 [95% CI 0.32, 1.15]; P = 0.127). At trial end, patients receiving atorvastatin had a mean ± SD low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level 0.77 ± 0.04 mmoles/liter lower than those receiving placebo (P < 0.0001). C‐reactive protein level was also significantly lower in the atorvastatin group than the placebo group (median 2.59 mg/liter [IQR 0.94, 6.08] versus 3.60 mg/liter [IQR 1.47, 7.49]; P < 0.0001). CVE risk reduction per mmole/liter reduction in LDL cholesterol was 42% (95% CI −14%, 70%). The rates of adverse events in the atorvastatin group (n = 298 [19.8%]) and placebo group (n = 292 [19.5%]) were similar. Conclusion: Atorvastatin 40 mg daily is safe and results in a significantly greater reduction of LDL cholesterol level than placebo in patients with RA. The 34% CVE risk reduction is consistent with the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration meta‐analysis of statin effects in other populations