Determinants of protective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection require the development of well-standardized, reproducible antibody assays. This ...need has led to the emergence of a variety of neutralization assays. Head-to-head evaluation of different SARS-CoV-2 neutralization platforms could facilitate comparisons across studies and laboratories. Five neutralization assays were compared using 40 plasma samples from convalescent individuals with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): four cell-based systems using either live recombinant SARS-CoV-2 or pseudotyped viral particles created with lentivirus (LV) or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) packaging and one surrogate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based test that measures inhibition of the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) binding its receptor human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Vero cells, Vero E6 cells, HEK293T cells expressing hACE2, and TZM-bl cells expressing hACE2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 were tested. All cell-based assays showed 50% neutralizing dilution (ND
) geometric mean titers (GMTs) that were highly correlated (Pearson
= 0.81 to 0.89) and ranged within 3.4-fold. The live virus assay and LV pseudovirus assays with HEK293T/hACE2 cells showed very similar mean titers, 141 and 178, respectively. ND
titers positively correlated with plasma IgG targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and RBD (
= 0.63 to 0.89), but moderately correlated with nucleoprotein IgG (
= 0.46 to 0.73). ND
GMTs mirrored ND
data and showed similar correlation between assays and with IgG concentrations. The VSV pseudovirus assay and LV pseudovirus assay with HEK293T/hACE2 cells in low- and high-throughput versions were calibrated against the WHO SARS-CoV-2 IgG standard. High concordance between the outcomes of cell-based assays with live and pseudotyped virions enables valid cross-study comparison using these platforms.
Comparative genomics has enabled the identification of genes that potentially evolved de novo from non-coding sequences. Many such genes are expressed in male reproductive tissues, but their ...functions remain poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a functional genetic screen of over 40 putative de novo genes with testis-enriched expression in Drosophila melanogaster and identified one gene, atlas, required for male fertility. Detailed genetic and cytological analyses showed that atlas is required for proper chromatin condensation during the final stages of spermatogenesis. Atlas protein is expressed in spermatid nuclei and facilitates the transition from histone- to protamine-based chromatin packaging. Complementary evolutionary analyses revealed the complex evolutionary history of atlas. The protein-coding portion of the gene likely arose at the base of the Drosophila genus on the X chromosome but was unlikely to be essential, as it was then lost in several independent lineages. Within the last ~15 million years, however, the gene moved to an autosome, where it fused with a conserved non-coding RNA and evolved a non-redundant role in male fertility. Altogether, this study provides insight into the integration of novel genes into biological processes, the links between genomic innovation and functional evolution, and the genetic control of a fundamental developmental process, gametogenesis.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bone quality is commonly used to diagnose bone diseases such as osteoporosis, with many studies focusing on microarchitecture for fracture prediction. In this study a bovine distal femur was imaged ...using both micro-computed tomography (µCT) and tomosynthesis using focal construct geometry (FCG) for comparison of microarchitectural parameters. Six regions of interest (ROIs) were compared between the two imaging modalities, with both global and adaptive methods used to binarize the images. FCG images were downsampled to the same pixel size as the µCT images. Bone morphometrics were determined using BoneJ, for each imaging modality, binarization technique and ROI. Bone area/total area was found to have few significant differences between FCG and µCT (p < 0.05 for two of six ROIs). Fractal Dimension had only one significant difference (p < 0.05 for one of six ROIs) between µCT and downsampled FCG (where pixel size was equalized). Trabecular thickness and trabecular spacing were observed to follow trends as observed for the corresponding µCT images, although many absolute values were significantly different (p < 0.05 for between one and six ROIs depending on image types used). This study demonstrates the utility of tomosynthesis for measurement of microarchitectural morphometrics.
Although empathic responding is considered a core competency in specialty palliative care (PC), patterns of empathic communication in PC encounters are not well understood.
In this secondary ...analysis, we delineate types and frequency of empathic communication and examine relationships between patient empathic opportunities and clinician responses.
We used the Empathic Communication Coding System to analyze empathic opportunities across three types:
(i.e., negative affective state),
(i.e., stated recent positive life event or development), and
(i.e., stated problem or recent, negative life-changing event) and clinician responses.
Transcripts from a pilot randomized trial of communication coaching in specialty PC encounters (
= 71) audio-recorded by 22 PC clinicians at two sites in the United States: an academic health system and a community-based hospice and PC organization.
Empathic opportunities were frequent across encounters; clinicians often responded empathically to those opportunities (e.g.,
or
patients' emotions or experiences). Even though challenge empathic opportunities occurred most frequently, clinicians responded empathically more often to progress opportunities (i.e., 93% of the time) than challenge opportunities (i.e., 75% of the time). One in 12 opportunities was impeded by the patient or a family member changing the topic before the clinician could respond.
PC patients frequently express emotions, share progress, or divulge challenges as empathic opportunities. Clinicians often convey empathy in response and can differentiate their empathic responses based on the type of empathic opportunity. PC communication research and training should explore which empathic responses promote desired patient outcomes.
Bay of Bengal Gordon, Arnold L.; Shroyer, Emily L.; Mahadevan, Amala ...
Oceanography,
06/2016, Letnik:
29, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The upper 200 m of the two northern Indian Ocean embayments, the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and the Arabian Sea (AS), differ sharply in their salinity stratification, as the Asian monsoon injects massive ...amounts of freshwater into the BoB while removing freshwater via evaporation from the AS. The ocean circulation transfers salt from the AS to the BoB and exports freshwater from the BoB to mitigate the salinity difference and reach a quasi-steady state, albeit with strong seasonality. An energetic field of mesoscale features and an intrathermocline eddy was observed within the BoB during the R/VRevelleNovember and December 2013 Air-Sea Interactions Regional Initiative cruises, marking the early northeast monsoon phase. Mesoscale features, which display a surprisingly large thermohaline range within their confines, obscure the regional surface water and thermohaline stratification patterns, as observed by satellite and Argo profilers. Ocean processes blend the fresh and salty features along and across density surfaces, influencing sea surface temperature and air-sea flux. Comparing theRevelleobservations to the Argo data reveals a general westward migration of mesoscale features across the BoB.
Palliative care encounters often involve empathic opportunities conveyed by patients and their care partners. In this secondary analysis, we examined empathic opportunities and clinician responses ...with attention to how presence of multiple care partners and clinicians shapes empathic communication.
We used the Empathic Communication Coding System (ECCS) to characterize emotion-focused, challenge-focused, and progress-focused empathic opportunities and responses in 71 audio-recorded palliative care encounters in the US.
Patients expressed more emotion-focused empathic opportunities than did care partners; care partners expressed more challenge-focused empathic opportunities than did patients. Care partners initiated empathic opportunities more frequently when more care partners were present, though they expressed fewer as the number of clinicians increased. When more care partners and more clinicians were present, clinicians had fewer low-empathy responses.
The number of care partners and clinicians present affect empathic communication. Clinicians should be prepared for empathic communication focal points to shift depending on the number of care partners and clinicians present.
Findings can guide development of resources to prepare clinicians to meet emotional needs in palliative care discussions. Interventions can coach clinicians to respond empathically and pragmatically to patients and care partners, particularly when multiple care partners are in attendance.
•We used interactional analysis to characterize palliative care empathic communication.•Care partners frequently initiated challenge-related empathic opportunities.•Training should prepare clinicians to navigate empathy needs of multiple care partners.
Biogenic and synthetic hydroxyapatites are confounding materials whose properties remain uncertain, even after years of study. Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis was applied to hydroxyapatites ...in the 1970's and 1980's, but this area of research has not taken full advantage of the relatively recent advances in synchrotron facilities. Here, synchrotron X-ray PDF analysis is compared to techniques commonly used to characterise hydroxyapatite (such as wide angle X-ray scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis) for a range of biogenic and synthetic hydroxyapatites with a wide range of carbonate substitution. Contributions to the pair distribution function from collagen, carbonate and finite crystallite size were examined through principal component analysis and comparison of PDFs. Noticeable contributions from collagen were observed in biogenic PDFs when compared to synthetic PDFs (namely r < 15 Å), consistent with simulated PDFs of collagen structures. Additionally, changes in local structure were observed for PDFs of synthetic hydroxyapatites with differing carbonate content, notably in features near 4 Å, 8 Å and 19 Å. Regression models were generated to predict carbonate substitution from peak position within the PDFs.
Osteoporosis (OP) is a widespread condition with commonly associated fracture sites at the hip, vertebra and wrist. This study examines the effects of age and osteoporosis on bone quality by ...comparing the efficacy of using parameters which indicate bone quality (both traditional clinical parameters such as bone mineral density (BMD), as well as apparent Young's modulus determined by finite element analysis, among others) to predict fracture. Non-fracture samples were collected from the femoral heads of 83 donors (44 males, 39 females), and fracture samples were obtained from the femoral heads of 17 donors (female). Microarchitectural parameters (Bone Volume/Total Volume BV/TV, Bone Surface/Bone Volume BS/BV, Tissue Mineral Density TMD, etc.) were measured from μCT of each sample as well as 2D and 3D fractal dimension (D2D and D3D respectively). A cube was cropped from μCT images and an isotropic hexahedral element was assigned to each voxel. Finite element analysis was used to calculate the Young's modulus for each sample. Overall, values for microarchitectural characteristics, fractal dimension measurements and Young's Modulus were consistent with values within literature. Significant correlations are observed between age and BV/TV for non-fracture males and females, as well as between age and volumetric BMD (vBMD) for the same groups. Significant differences are present between age-matched non-fracture and fracture females for BV/TV, BS/BV, vBMD, TMD, D2D, D3D, (p < 0.01 for all). Properties which are not age dependent are significantly different between age-matched non-fracture and fracture specimens, indicating OP is a disease, and not just an accelerated aging process.
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a complex material, which is often nanocrystalline when found within a biological setting. This work has directly compared the structural characteristics derived from data ...collected using a conventional laboratory‐based X‐ray diffractometer with those collected from a dedicated pair distribution function (PDF) beamline at Diamond Light Source. In particular, the application of PDF analysis methods to carbonated HA is evaluated. 20 synthetic samples were measured using both X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and PDFs. Both Rietveld refinement (of laboratory XRD data) and real‐space refinement (of PDF data) were used to analyse all samples. The results of Rietveld and real‐space refinements were compared to evaluate their application to crystalline and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. Significant relationships were observed between real‐space refinement parameters and increasing carbonate substitution. Understanding the local order of synthetic hydroxyapatite can benefit several fields, including both biomedical and clinical settings.
Hydroxyapatite is a complex material, which is often nanocrystalline and substituted within a biological setting. Both long‐range and local structures were interrogated with X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray total scattering.
Assessing the timing of skeletal trauma significantly impacts the reconstruction of events surrounding death and deposition in forensic cases. However, there are no absolute time frames in which the ...characteristics of wet bone (peri-mortem) fractures transition to dry (post-mortem) fractures. The aim of this study was to attempt to identify a point within the post-mortem interval in which the characteristics of bone change from wet to dry bone properties. A total of 32 deer ribs were placed in a laboratory burial environment and a set of three were fractured with blunt force trauma every week during a ten-week period. All samples and the inflicted trauma effects were documented and analysed by macroscopic observation, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, thermal analysis, biomechanical analysis, and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). No significant difference was found in the macroscopic, microscopic, thermal, and biomechanical analyses of the trauma inflicted over the 10-week period. A significant difference was only found in the carbonate-to-phosphate ratio in analytical chemistry. The results suggest that interpreting wet bone characteristics in forensic anthropology as having been inflicted during the peri-mortem period (around the time of death) should also consider that these, in fact, could be inflicted well after death (post-mortem) as wet bone properties as this study has shown persist at least 10 weeks after death in a burial environment.
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