Growth inhibition of cytosolic Salmonella by caspase-1 and caspase-11 precedes host cell death

Sensing bacterial products in the cytosol of mammalian cells by NOD-like receptors leads to the activation of caspase-1 inflammasomes, and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β. In addition, mouse caspase-11 (represented in humans by its orthologs, caspase-4 and caspase-5) detects cytosolic bacterial LPS directly. Activation of caspase-1 and caspase-11 initiates pyroptotic host cell death that releases potentially harmful bacteria from the nutrient-rich host cell cytosol into the extracellular environment. Here we use single cell analysis and time-lapse microscopy to identify a subpopulation of host cells, in which growth of cytosolic Salmonella Typhimurium is inhibited independently or prior to the onset of cell death. The enzymatic activities of caspase-1 and caspase-11 are required for growth inhibition in different cell types. Our results reveal that these proteases have important functions beyond the direct induction of pyroptosis and proinflammatory cytokine secretion in the control of growth and elimination of cytosolic bacteria

Combined effects of a parasite, QPX, and the harmful-alga, Prorocentrum minimum on northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria

Northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria (L.), frequently are infected with the parasite Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX, Labyrintohomorpha, Thraustochytriales), which can cause morbidity and mortality of the quahogs. Possible interactions between this parasitic disease and exposure to the harmful dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum in M. mercenaria were studied experimentally. Quahogs from Massachusetts with variable intensity of QPX infection were exposed, under controlled laboratory conditions, to cultured P. minimum added to the natural plankton at a cell density equivalent to a natural bloom. After 5 days of exposure, individual clams were diagnosed histologically to assess prevalence and intensity of parasitic infection, as well as other pathological conditions. Further, cellular defense status of clams was evaluated by analyzing hemocyte parameters (morphological and functional) using flow-cytometry. Exposure of quahogs to P. minimum resulted in: a lower percentage of phagocytic hemocytes, higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), larger hemocyte size, more-numerous hemocytic aggregates, and increased numbers of hemocytes in gills accompanied by vacuolation and hyperplasia of the water-tubular epithelial cells of the gills. Quahogs had a low prevalence of QPX; by chance, the parasite was present only in quahogs exposed to P. minimum. Thus, the effect of QPX alone on the hemocyte parameters of quahogs could not be assessed in this experiment, but it was possible to assess different responses of infected versus non-infected quahogs to P. minimum. QPX-infected quahogs exposed to P. minimum had repressed percentage of phagocytic hemocytes, consistent with immuno-modulating effect of P. minimum upon several molluscan species, as well as smaller hemocytes and increased hemocyte infiltration throughout the soft tissues. This experiment demonstrates the importance of considering interactive effects of different factors on the immunology and histopathology of bivalve shellfish, and highlights the importance of considering the presence of parasites when bivalves are subjected to harmful-algal blooms

An Unfinished Canvas: Allocating Funding and Instructional Time for Elementary Arts Education

An Unfinished Canvas found that California's elementary schools face unique challenges inproviding all students with sequential, standards-based arts education. In particular, elementary principals identified inadequate funding and insufficient instructional time as significant barriers to the provision of arts education. For this study, we sought to further understand the impact of funding and time on elementary arts education. To do so, we examined the allocation of funding and instructional time in 10 schools across five states (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and California)

Prothonotary warbler demography and nest site selection in natural and artificial cavities in bottomland forests of Arkansas, USA [Démographie et sélection du site de nidification de la paruline orangée dans des cavités naturelles et artificielles en forêts sur terres basses de l\u27Arkansas, É.-U.]

Anthropogenic alterations to bottomland forests in the United States that occurred post-European settlement likely negatively affected many avian species. The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), a secondary cavity nester that breeds predominantly in these forests, has steadily declined over the past 60 years, and our ability to mitigate this trend is partially limited by a lack of basic biological data. Although much research has been devoted to Prothonotary Warblers, most studies have focused on local breeding populations that use nest boxes; we lack information about habitat selection behavior and demographic parameters of individuals that use natural cavities, which includes the vast majority of the global population. We studied warblers nesting both in boxes and natural cavities in central Arkansas, USA. We aimed to evaluate: (1) microhabitat features important for nest site selection, (2) relationships between these features and nest survival, and (3) demographic parameters of individuals breeding in natural cavities versus nest boxes. We hypothesized (1) selected nest site characteristics are associated with nest survival, and (2) natural cavities and nest boxes provide similar nest features related to clutch size and number fledged, but that predation protection differs. We found that warblers preferred nesting in dead trees with cavities that were higher and shallower than available random cavities, and that canopy cover within 5 m of nests was inversely related to nest survival. Demographic parameters did not differ between natural cavities and nest boxes; however, when excluding flooded nests, boxes experienced lower rates of nest depredation. We believe that forest management strategies that increase the number of suitable dead nest trees and restore the natural hydrology of these ecosystems would create and improve habitat for this iconic species. We advocate multiscale experimental canopy cover manipulation to explore the causal mechanism(s) of the relationship we found between canopy cover and nest survival

A practical approach to estimate resting energy expenditure in frail elderly people

Objectives: Some prediction equations of resting energy expenditure (REE) are available and can be used in clinical wards to determine energy requirements of patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of those equations in sick elderly patients, using the Bland & Altman methods with our database of 187 REE measurements.Design: The 3 equations tested were Harris & Benedict equation of 1919, WHO/FAO/UNU equation of 1985 and Fredrix et al. equation of 1990. In addition, three models developed from the present data were tested.Results: The present study shows that the Fredrix et al equation gave an accurate prediction of REE without significant bias along the whole range of REE. It also shows that under-weight sick elderly patients (BMI ≤ 21 kg/m2) had a greater weight-adjusted REE than their normal weight counterparts.Conclusion: A simple formula using a factor multiplying body weight, i.e. 22 kcal/kg/d in under-weight and 19 kcal/kg/d in normal weight sick elderly was accurate to predicting REE and bias was not influenced by the level of REE. This model included half of the group in the range of ±10% of the difference between predicted REE and measured REE, but the confidence interval of the bias was ±400 kcal/d. Conversely, the Harris & Benedict and WHO formulae did accurately predict REE

Goat Yoga: Preliminary Implications for Health, Agriculture, and 4-H

Goat yoga, an event that combines yoga and interactions with goats, may serve as a cross-initiative program that can promote both health and agriculture. This article describes the potential impact of goat yoga and the results of a pilot program. Adult attendees of the pilot event completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of and intentions to be involved with yoga, goats, and 4-H. Participants increased their knowledge of each area and indicated intentions to use goat products and to visit the goat barn at the county fair. Future work is needed to establish effects of goat yoga within Extension, and, if successful, embed these practices at a large scale

Response and survival of dogs with proteinuria (UPC > 2.0) treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors:Treatment of proteinuria (UPC>2.0) with ACEi

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are a recommended treatment for glomerular proteinuria. Frequency of response to ACEi and the association of achieving proposed urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) targets on survival is unknown. Objectives: To determine response rates to ACEi therapy and whether a positive response is associated with improved survival. Animals: Eighty-five dogs with proteinuria (UPC > 2.0). Methods: Retrospective study including dogs (UPC > 2.0) prescribed an ACEi for treatment of proteinuria. Baseline creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, UPC, and systolic blood pressure were recorded, and cases reviewed to track UPC. Treatment response was defined as achieving a UPC of <0.5 or reduction of ≥50% from baseline within 3 months. Outcome data were collected to determine overall and 12-month survival. Results: Thirty-five (41%) dogs responded to ACEi treatment. Treatment response was statistically associated with both median survival time (664 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 459-869] for responders compared to 177 [95% CI: 131-223] for non-responders) and 12-month survival (79% responders alive compared to 28% non-responders). Baseline azotemia or hypoalbuminemia were also associated with a worse prognosis, with odds ratios of death at 12 months of 5.34 (CI: 1.85-17.32) and 4.51 (CI: 1.66-13.14), respectively. In the 25 dogs with normal baseline creatinine and albumin, response to treatment was associated with 12-month survival (92% responders alive compared to 54% non-responders, P = .04). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: When the UPC is >2.0, achieving recommended UPC targets within 3 months appears to be associated with a significant survival benefit. Response to treatment is still associated with survival benefit in dogs with less severe disease (no azotemia or hypoalbuminemia)

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: From Disposition on Consumer Products and Field Materials to Treatment of Contaminated Groundwater

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging chemical class of concern. Recently in the United States, Health Advisory Limits for two PFAS in drinking water were established for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate in drinking water (set to 70 ng/L combine concentration) by the EPA. Because of PFAS mobility, persistence, and occurrence in drinking water throughout the country, it is import to understand potential sources of PFAS. In the first study, PFAS sample collection and storage and materials used in the field were examined. Sampling parameters including sampling materials, sample collection, and sample storage for the analytes represented by the new analytical method were examined. The optimal sample storage and analysis conditions were determined. Additionally, a characterization of 66 sampling materials was performed and a list of PFAS containing materials was compiled, as well as a list of materials that contain no PFAS. This study represents a comprehensive approach to over 35 PFAS actually present at an environmentally relevant site, sampling and storage, and materials that may impact analysis and cause false positives. In the second study, a subset of seventeen papers and textiles were analyzed using four techniques: liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for 73 individual PFAS, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for 7 individual PFAS, total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay, and total fluorine by particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy. Total PFAS measured by LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, which represent monomeric PFAS with the potential for human exposure, only represent <2.6% of the total polymeric PFAS material bound to the surface of papers and textiles. Environmental PFAS contaminations is leading to a direct need for remediation. In the third study, PFAS breakthrough curves resulting from a pilot-scale granular activated carbon (GAC) system were modeled to determine the efficacy for removal of individual PFAS present at a military site over 11 months. The relationship between the order of individual PFAS elution by analytical analysis by LC-MS/MS or LC-QTOF was determined to be the same as the order of breakthrough from GAC. Understanding of PFAS mass balance leads to more effective remediation with an understanding of PFAS effluent breakthrough

Association of Bacteroides acidifaciens relative abundance with high-fibre diet-associated radiosensitisation

Funding Information: This work was funded by Cancer Research UK Programme grant C5255/ A23755 and Wellcome Trust Investigator Award 209397/Z/17/Z. The funding body had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; or in the writing of the manuscript. Acknowledgements We thank Professor Simon Kroll and Dr. Anderson Ryan for their very helpful comments. We thank Dr. Jia-Yu Ke at Research Diets, Inc. for formulation of the mouse diets, Dr. Lisa Folkes for assistance with the faecal butyrate quantification, and Omega Bioservices (Georgia, USA) for the 16S rRNA gene sequencing on a MiSeq platform.Peer reviewedPublisher PD