Dispersed Crude Oil Induces Dysbiosis In the Red Snapper \u3ci\u3eLutjanus campechanus\u3c/i\u3e External Microbiota

The fish external microbiota competitively excludes primary pathogens and prevents the proliferation of opportunists. A shift from healthy microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, may be triggered by environmental stressors and increases host susceptibility to disease. The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was a significant stressor event in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite anecdotal reports of skin lesions on fishes following the oil spill, little information is available on the impact of dispersed oil on the fish external microbiota. In this study, juvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) were exposed to a chemically enhanced water-accommodated fraction (CEWAF) of Corexit 9500/DWH oil (CEWAF) and/or the bacterial pathogen Vibrio anguillarum in treatments designed to detect changes in and recovery of the external microbiota. In fish chronically exposed to CEWAF, immunoglobulin M (IgM) expression significantly decreased between 2 and 4 weeks of exposure, coinciding with elevated liver total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Dysbiosis was detected on fish chronically exposed to CEWAF compared to seawater controls, and addition of a pathogen challenge altered the final microbiota composition. Dysbiosis was prevented by returning fish to clean seawater for 21 days after 1 week of CEWAF exposure. Four fish exhibited lesions during the trial, all of which were exposed to CEWAF but not all of which were exposed to V. anguillarum. This study indicates that month-long exposure to dispersed oil leads to dysbiosis in the external microbiota. As the microbiota is vital to host health, these effects should be considered when determining the total impacts of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems

Force variability during isometric wrist flexion in highly skilled and sedentary individuals

The association of expertness in specific motor activities with a higher ability to sustain a constant application of force, regardless of muscle length, has been hypothesized. Ten highly skilled (HS group) young tennis and handball athletes and 10 sedentary (S group) individuals performed maximal and submaximal (5, 10, 20, 50, and 75% of the MVC) isometric wrist flexions on an isokinetic dynamometer (Kin-Com, Chattanooga). The wrist joint was fixed at five different angles (230, 210, 180, 150, and 1300). For each position the percentages of the maximal isometric force were calculated and participants were asked to maintain the respective force level for 5 s. Electromyographic (EMG) activation of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris and Extensor Digitorum muscles was recorded using bipolar surface electrodes. No significant differences were observed in maximal isometric strength between HS and S groups. Participants of HS group showed significantly (P < 0.05) smaller force coefficient of variability (CV) and SD values at all submaximal levels of MVC at all wrist angles. The CV and SD values remained unaltered regardless of wrist angle. No difference in normalized agonist and antagonist EMG activity was observed between the two groups. It is concluded that long-term practice could be associated with decreased isometric force variability independently from muscular length and coactivation of the antagonist muscles

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits lytic replication of gamma oncogenic herpesviruses in vitro

BACKGROUND: The major psychoactive cannabinoid compound of marijuana, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been shown to modulate immune responses and lymphocyte function. After primary infection the viral DNA genome of gamma herpesviruses persists in lymphoid cell nuclei in a latent episomal circular form. In response to extracellular signals, the latent virus can be activated, which leads to production of infectious virus progeny. Therefore, we evaluated the potential effects of THC on gamma herpesvirus replication. METHODS: Tissue cultures infected with various gamma herpesviruses were cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of THC and the amount of viral DNA or infectious virus yield was compared to those of control cultures. The effect of THC on Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication was measured by the Gardella method and replication of herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) of monkeys, murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (MHV 68), and herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) was measured by yield reduction assays. Inhibition of the immediate early ORF 50 gene promoter activity was measured by the dual luciferase method. RESULTS: Micromolar concentrations of THC inhibit KSHV and EBV reactivation in virus infected/immortalized B cells. THC also strongly inhibits lytic replication of MHV 68 and HVS in vitro. Importantly, concentrations of THC that inhibit virus replication of gamma herpesviruses have no effect on cell growth or HSV-1 replication, indicating selectivity. THC was shown to selectively inhibit the immediate early ORF 50 gene promoter of KSHV and MHV 68. CONCLUSIONS: THC specifically targets viral and/or cellular mechanisms required for replication and possibly shared by these gamma herpesviruses, and the endocannabinoid system is possibly involved in regulating gamma herpesvirus latency and lytic replication. The immediate early gene ORF 50 promoter activity was specifically inhibited by THC. These studies may also provide the foundation for the development of antiviral strategies utilizing non-psychoactive derivatives of THC

The SHED-IT community trial study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of weight loss programs for overweight and obese men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is a major cause of preventable death in Australia with prevalence increasing at an alarming rate. Of particular concern is that approximately 68% of men are overweight/obese, yet are notoriously difficult to engage in weight loss programs, despite being more susceptible than women to adverse weight-related outcomes. There is a need to develop and evaluate obesity treatment programs that target and appeal to men. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two relatively low intensity weight loss programs developed specifically for men.</p> <p>Methods and Design</p> <p>The study design is an assessor blinded, parallel-group randomised controlled trial that recruited 159 overweight and obese men in Newcastle, Australia. Inclusion criteria included: BMI 25-40 (kg/m²); no participation in other weight loss programs during the study; pass a health-screening questionnaire and pre-exercise risk assessment; available for assessment sessions; access to a computer with e-mail and Internet facilities; and own a mobile phone. Men were recruited to the SHED-IT (Self-Help, Exercise and Diet using Internet Technology) study via the media and emails sent to male dominated workplaces. Men were stratified by BMI category (overweight, obese class I, obese class II) and randomised to one of three groups: (1) SHED-IT <it>Resources </it>- provision of materials (DVD, handbooks, pedometer, tape measure) with embedded behaviour change strategies to support weight loss; (2) SHED-IT <it>Online </it>- same materials as SHED-IT <it>Resources </it>plus access to and instruction on how to use the study website; (3) Wait-list Control. The intervention programs are three months long with outcome measures taken by assessors blinded to group allocation at baseline, and 3- and 6-months post baseline. Outcome measures include: weight (primary outcome), % body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, resting heart rate, objectively measured physical activity, self-reported dietary intake, sedentary behaviour, physical activity and dietary cognitions, sleepiness, quality of life, and perceived sexual health. Generalised linear mixed models will be used to assess all outcomes for the impact of group (<it>Resources</it>, <it>Online</it>, and <it>Control</it>), time (treated as categorical with levels baseline, 3-months and 6-months) and the group-by-time interaction. These three terms will form the base model. 'Intention-to-treat' analysis will include all randomised participants.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Our study will compare evidence-based and theoretically driven, low cost and easily disseminated strategies specifically targeting weight loss in men. The SHED-IT community trial will provide evidence to inform development and dissemination of sustainable strategies to reduce obesity in men.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12610000699066)</p

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

De Novo Assembly and Transcriptome Dataset of Liver, Testis and Head Kidney from Red Drum (\u3cem\u3eSciaenops ocellatus\u3c/em\u3e)

Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is an estuarine Sciaenid with high commercial value and recreational demand. During the past 50 years, overfishing has caused declines in the population that resulted in the development of red drum commercial and stock enhancement aquaculture fisheries. Despite the potential high economic value in both wild and aquaculture commercial fisheries the availability of transcriptomic data for red drum in public databases is limited. The data here represents the transcriptome profiles of three tissues: liver, testis and head kidney from red drum. The data was generated using Illumina high-throughput RNA sequencing, Trinity for de novo assembly and Blast2GO for annotation. Six individual libraries were pooled for sequencing of the transcriptome and the raw fastq reads have been deposited in the NCBI-SRA database (accession number SRP11690)

De Novo Assembly and Transcriptome Dataset of Liver, Testis and Head Kidney from Red Drum (\u3cem\u3eSciaenops ocellatus\u3c/em\u3e)

Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is an estuarine Sciaenid with high commercial value and recreational demand. During the past 50 years, overfishing has caused declines in the population that resulted in the development of red drum commercial and stock enhancement aquaculture fisheries. Despite the potential high economic value in both wild and aquaculture commercial fisheries the availability of transcriptomic data for red drum in public databases is limited. The data here represents the transcriptome profiles of three tissues: liver, testis and head kidney from red drum. The data was generated using Illumina high-throughput RNA sequencing, Trinity for de novo assembly and Blast2GO for annotation. Six individual libraries were pooled for sequencing of the transcriptome and the raw fastq reads have been deposited in the NCBI-SRA database (accession number SRP11690)

Characterization of the Differential Expressed Genes and Transcriptomic Pathway Analysis In the Liver of Sub-Adult Red Drum (\u3ci\u3eSciaenops ocellatus\u3c/i\u3e) Exposed to \u3ci\u3eDeepwater Horizon\u3c/i\u3e Chemically Dispersed Oil

The Deepwater Horizon blowout resulted in the second-largest quantity of chemical dispersants used as a countermeasure for an open water oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Of which, the efficacy of dispersant as a mitigation strategy and its toxic effects on aquatic fauna remains controversial. To enhance our understanding of potential sub-lethal effects of exposure to chemically dispersed-oil, sub-adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were continuously exposed to a Corexit 9500: DWH crude oil chemically enhanced water accommodated fraction (CEWAF) for 3-days and transcriptomic responses were assessed in the liver. Differential expressed gene (DEG) analysis demonstrated that 63 genes were significantly impacted in the CEWAF exposed fish. Of these, 37 were upregulated and 26 downregulated. The upregulated genes were primarily involved in metabolism and oxidative stress, whereas several immune genes were downregulated. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR further confirmed upregulation of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase, along with downregulation of fucolectin 2 and chemokine C-C motif ligand 20. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) predicted 120 pathways significantly altered in the CEWAF exposed red drum. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway was significantly activated, while pathways associated with immune and cellular homeostasis were primarily suppressed. The results of this study indicate that CEWAF exposure significantly affects gene expression and alters signaling of biological pathways important in detoxification, immunity, and normal cellular physiology, which can have potential consequences on organismal fitness

Characterizing Transcriptomic Responses of Southern Flounder (\u3ci\u3eParalichthys lethostigma\u3c/i\u3e) Chronically Exposed to Deepwater Horizon Oiled Sediments

To obtain a deeper understanding of the transcriptomic responses to oil in southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), we performed quantitative PCR and RNA sequencing on liver and gill tissue after a chronic exposure (35 days) to Deepwater Horizon crude oiled sediment and after a 30-day recovery period. We wanted to understand which specific genes are differentially expressed in liver and gill tissues directly after oiled sediment exposure and with the addition of a recovery period. Furthermore, we wanted to examine specific enriched pathways in these two tissues to determine the impact of exposure with and without a recovery period on biological processes (e.g. immune function). Liver and gill tissues were chosen because they represent two distinct organs that are highly important to consider when examining the impacts of oiled sediment exposure. The liver is the classic detoxification organ, while the gill is in direct contact with sediment in benthic fishes. Examination of these two tissues, therefore, generates a broad understanding of the transcriptomic consequences of oil exposure across an organism. Gene expression for interleukin 8 (il8) and interleukin 1B (il1β) was significantly increased versus control measurements for fish exposed to oiled sediments for 35 days in gill tissue. Hierarchical clustering of gene expression showed that tissue type was the main driver of gene expression (rather than treatment). The inclusion of a 30-day post-exposure recovery period showed a return of il8 and il1β gene expression in the gill to baseline expression levels. However, the recovery period increased the number of differentially expressed genes and significantly affected canonical pathways in both tissue types. Pathways related to cholesterol biosynthesis were significantly suppressed in oil-exposed flounder with a recovery period, but not in the exposed flounder without a recovery period. At the end of the exposure, 17 pathways were significantly affected in the gill, including thyroid hormone metabolism-related pathways, which were the most influenced. Liver tissue from the recovered fish had the greatest number of enriched pathways for any tissue or time point (187). Cellular and humoral immune response pathways were considerably impacted in the liver after the recovery period, suggesting that the immune system was attempting to respond to potential damage caused from the chronic oil exposure. Our results demonstrate that liver and gill tissues from southern flounder were differentially altered by Deepwater Horizon oiled sediment exposure and that a 30-day recovery period after exposure substantially shifted gene expression and canonical pathway profiles

Anopheles sineroides S. Yamada

3. &lt;i&gt;Anopheles sineroides&lt;/i&gt; S. Yamada &lt;p&gt;(Fig. 2 A, B, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Size:&lt;/b&gt; Length 528.25&ndash;584.94 um (mean 553.93 + 24.22 um, n = 7); width 70.12&ndash;140.16 (mean 96.71 + 27.16 um, n = 5) (Table 1, Fig. 2 A, B). &lt;i&gt;Color:&lt;/i&gt; Black. &lt;i&gt;Overall appearance&lt;/i&gt;: Slightly boat-shaped in both ventral and dorsal views, anterior and posterior ends blunt, sometimes slightly pointed. Ventral surface slightly concave, dorsal surface curved, float relatively long and wide in dorso-ventral plane, length 367.40&ndash;424.75 um (mean 401.20 + 22.83 um, n = 5); width 59.20&ndash;100.10 um (mean 73.97 + 16.21 um, n = 5). &lt;i&gt;Dorsal and lateral surfaces&lt;/i&gt;: All surfaces uniformly covered with mostly pentagonal and hexagonal outer chorionic cells or plastron-type cells. (Fig. 3 C), each longer than wide, long dimension oriented in long axis of egg. Interior of each cell with perforated meshwork, surrounded by an elevated, palisade-like outer chorionic reticulum. Cell area 78.84&ndash;330.18 um (mean 202.88 + 69.07, n = 20) (Table 1). Float fairly long, about 0.72 length of egg; ratio of float length and width, and length in proportion to egg length and number of ribs as in Table 1. Ribs towards both ends of float wider than those at middle part, slightly striated on dorsal sides; number of ribs per float 28&ndash;36 (mean 28.56 + 3.00, n = 9). &lt;i&gt;Ventral surface.&lt;/i&gt; Deck continuous, slightly narrows at both ends of float, degree of narrowing usually variable; anterior part of deck usually as wide as posterior part; entire deck covered uniformly with fine tubercles (Fig. 4 C). Frill continuous, shallow along narrowed portion of deck. Lobed ventral tubercles at anterior end of the deck, 5&ndash;6 (mean 5.50 + 0.71, n = 2), and at posterior end, 3&ndash;4 (mean 3.60 + 0.55, n = 5), (Table 1, Fig. 5 C). Lobed ventral tubercles usually round, occasionally oval or oblong. Lobes of each anterior ventral tubercle, 5&ndash;7 (mean 6.50 + 0.84, n = 6); lobes of each posterior ventral tubercle, 6&ndash;7 (mean 6.33 + 0.58, n = 3). Lobes clearly separated, often swollen at ends, outer walls often smooth. Lobes in slightly elevated, tuberculoid structures. &lt;i&gt;Anterior end, micropyle&lt;/i&gt;. Anterior end slightly more blunt than posterior end. Micropylar collar irregular in outline, with smooth surface, inner edge uniformly and deeply excavated, peaks between excavations tapering to form radial ridges extending about half way across micropylar disc, dividing disc into sectors (Fig. 6 C). Number of sectors (or ridges) 6&ndash;7 (mean 6.60 + 0.55, n = 5). Area of micropylar 60.35&ndash;90.67 um (mean 80.01 + 17.04 um, n = 3), usually with smooth surface, or covered with thin film.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Rueda, Leopoldo M., Brown, Tracy L., Kim, Heung-Chul, Klein, Terry A., Thongkukiatkul, Amporn &amp; Sherwood, Van, 2009, Description and comparison of morphological structures of the eggs of Anopheles hyrcanus group and related species (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Republic of Korea, pp. 23-40 in Zootaxa 2268&lt;/i&gt; on page 28, DOI: &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/190892"&gt;10.5281/zenodo.190892&lt;/a&gt