Temperature measurements and thermal gradient estimates on the slope and shelf edge region of the Beaufort Sea, Canada

In situ temperature measurements were conducted at 63 gravity-core stations during the 2013 expedition with the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Outriggers attached to the outside of the gravity core-barrel were used to mount portable miniature temperature loggers (MTL) for down-core in situ temperature measurements. Several sub-regions were investigated during the expedition including two shelf-slope crossings, three mud volcano-type expulsion features, as well as two canyon sites. The last site visited was at the Gary Knolls, just east of the Mackenzie Trough at water depths of less than 100 m. Overall, temperature data obtained from the MTLs were of high quality at most stations and the data acquisition technique was proven to be robust and easy to adapt in the Arctic. However, depth determination for each logger position remains the largest challenge as no additional pressure sensor was used with the MTLs. Instead, depths were estimated based on the apparent core penetration and the geometry of the outriggers. The most significant result from this work is the discovery of the very large apparent geothermal gradients associated with the two expulsion features (EF) Coke Cap and the mud volcano at 420 m water depth. Temperatures measured within the top 2.5 meter below seafloor suggest geothermal gradients of up to 2.94ºC/m (Station 96, 420m EF) and 1.37 ºC/m (Station 58, Coke Cap EF). Away from the centre of the EFs, thermal gradients decrease to values of 0.5ºC/m for Station 99 at the 420 m EF, and 0.92ºC/m at Station 21 at the Coke Cap EF. Temperature data across the slope-shelf transect and the two transects across the canyon heads did not reveal considerable geothermal gradients, but show a water-depth dependent trend in temperature. From deep to shallow water, temperature appear to decrease until the most negative temperature values are found on the shelf itself at water depths of ~100 m (-1.2 to -1.4ºC). Overall, data from the top 1.0 to 1.5 meter below seafloor are likely affected by seasonal variations in the water column temperature and may not be used to define geothermal gradients. With an optimal full penetration of the core barrel, the deepest temperature data are from ~2.3 mbsf, which limits the accuracy of the estimated geothermal gradients as only few data points (2 - 4) can be used in the calculations

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

Synthesis and reactivity of 5-polyfluoroalkyl-5-deazaalloxazines

Reaction of 6-arylamino-1,3-dialkyluracils with anhydrides of polyfluorocarboxylic acids in the presence of pyridine and subsequent cyclization with concentrated H2SO4 gave the corresponding 1,3-dialkyl-5-(polyfluoroalkyl)pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones (5-polyfluoroalkyl-5-deazaalloxazines). The reactivity of these compounds towards nucleophilic reagents, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, acetophenone, nitromethane, potassium cyanide, indole and p-thiocresol, as well as Suzuki and Sonogashira couplings are described. The nucleophilic addition takes place at the 5-position of the 5-deazaalloxazine system and is in many cases irreversible to give 5,10-dihydropyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives in good to excellent yields.© 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Efficient synthesis of novel thieno[3,2-b]-, [2,3-c]- and [3,2-c]pyridones by Sonogashira coupling of bromothiophenes with terminal alkynes and subsequent intramolecular C-N bond-forming reaction

The coupling of bromothiophenes with terminal alkynes using triethylamine or diisopropyl amine under Sonogashira conditions (PdCl2(PPh 3)2, CuI) followed by subsequent addition of amines or ammonium to the intermediate thienyl acetylenes represents a novel access to a wide range of thieno[3,2-b]-, [2,3-c]-, and [3,2-c]pyridones under basic conditions and in excellent yields. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Efficient synthesis of novel benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridin-4(1H)-ones and pyrido[2,3-b]quinoxalin-4(1H)-ones from alkynones and primary amines

An efficient palladium-catalyzed cyclization of o-chlorohetaryl ynones with aliphatic and aromatic primary amines represents a simple access to a wide range of benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridin-4(1H)-one and pyrido[2,3-b]quinoxalin-4(1H)- one derivatives in good to excellent yields. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Transmission of 'Candidatus Anaplasma camelii' to mice and rabbits by camel-specific keds, Hippobosca camelina.

Anaplasmosis, caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Anaplasma, is an important veterinary and zoonotic disease. Transmission by ticks has been characterized but little is known about non-tick vectors of livestock anaplasmosis. This study investigated the presence of Anaplasma spp. in camels in northern Kenya and whether the hematophagous camel ked, Hippobosca camelina, acts as a vector. Camels (n = 976) and > 10,000 keds were sampled over a three-year study period and the presence of Anaplasma species was determined by PCR-based assays targeting the Anaplasmataceae 16S rRNA gene. Camels were infected by a single species of Anaplasma, 'Candidatus Anaplasma camelii', with infection rates ranging from 63-78% during the dry (September 2017), wet (June-July 2018), and late wet seasons (July-August 2019). 10-29% of camel keds harbored 'Ca. Anaplasma camelii' acquired from infected camels during blood feeding. We determined that Anaplasma-positive camel keds could transmit 'Ca. Anaplasma camelii' to mice and rabbits via blood-feeding. We show competence in pathogen transmission and subsequent infection in mice and rabbits by microscopic observation in blood smears and by PCR. Transmission of 'Ca. Anaplasma camelii' to mice (8-47%) and rabbits (25%) occurred readily after ked bites. Hence, we demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of H. camelina as a vector of anaplasmosis. This key finding provides the rationale for establishing ked control programmes for improvement of livestock and human health

Recyclization in the series of spiro[indole-3,5′-pyrimido[4,5-b] quinoline]-2,2′,4′-triones prepared by a three-component reaction of isatins with (thio)barbituric acids and electron-rich anilines

A ring-ring transformation in the series of spiro[indole-3,5′- pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline]-2,2′,4′-trione derivatives prepared by a three-component reaction of (thio)barbituric acids, electron-rich aromatic amines, and isatins was observed. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart - New York