Noroviruses are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among adults and children worldwide. NoroSurv is a global network for norovirus strain surveillance among children <5 years of age with ...AGE. Participants in 16 countries across 6 continents used standardized protocols for dual typing (genotype and polymerase type) and uploaded 1,325 dual-typed sequences to the NoroSurv web portal during 2016-2020. More than 50% of submitted sequences were GII.4 SydneyP16 or GII.4 SydneyP31 strains. Other common strains included GII.2P16, GII.3P12, GII.6P7, and GI.3P3 viruses. In total, 22 genotypes and 36 dual types, including GII.3 and GII.20 viruses with rarely reported polymerase types, were detected, reflecting high strain diversity. Surveillance data captured in NoroSurv enables the monitoring of trends in norovirus strains associated childhood AGE throughout the world on a near real-time basis.
Rare and potent monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) circumsporozoite protein (CSP) on infective sporozoites (SPZ) preferentially bind the PfCSP junctional tetrapeptide ...NPDP or NVDP minor repeats while cross-reacting with NANP central repeats in vitro. The extent to which each of these epitopes is required for protection in vivo is unknown. Here, we assessed whether junction-, minor repeat- and central repeat-preferring human mAbs (CIS43, L9 and 317 respectively) bound and protected against in vivo challenge with transgenic P. berghei (Pb) SPZ expressing either PfCSP with the junction and minor repeats knocked out (KO), or PbCSP with the junction and minor repeats knocked in (KI). In vivo protection studies showed that the junction and minor repeats are necessary and sufficient for CIS43 and L9 to neutralize KO and KI SPZ, respectively. In contrast, 317 required major repeats for in vivo protection. These data establish that human mAbs can prevent malaria infection by targeting three different protective epitopes (NPDP, NVDP, NANP) in the PfCSP repeat region. This report will inform vaccine development and the use of mAbs to passively prevent malaria.
The development of innovative engineered epoxy composites aiming to manufacture cost‐efficient materials with reduced weight and enhanced physical properties remains as a current industrial ...challenge. In this work we report an original procedure for manufacturing glass‐fiber epoxy reinforced nanocomposites (GFECs) by employing electrospun fiber‐mats as a reinforcing phase. These fibers have been produced from polyacrylonitrile and multiwalled carbon nanotubes solutions. Optimal protocols are designed by combining Taguchi method with the morphological, structural and mechanical properties obtained by scanning electron microscopy, profilometry and tensile tests. It is demonstrated that GFECs fabricated using GF800 glass fiber show an improvement/enhancement of the mechanical properties with a fracture strain up to 500 MPa (around 20% higher than the non‐reinforced epoxy composite counterpart). It is also shown that GFECs fabricated using GF3M glass fiber exhibited a reduction of the roughness up to 56%, which corresponds with a roughness improvement from N8 to N7 following the guidelines provided by the ISO 1302. These results suggest that this type of nanocomposites would be suitable to be used in the aeronautics and automotive industries.
Communities of microorganisms in the soil can affect plants’ growth and interactions with aboveground herbivores. Thus, there is growing interest in utilizing soil microbiomes to improve plant ...performance in agriculture (
e.g.
, for pest control), but little is known about the phenotypic responses of various crop species to different microbiomes. In this study, we inoculated four crop species from different botanical families, maize (
Zea mays
, Poaceae), cucumber (
Cucumis sativus
, Cucurbitaceae), tomato (
Solanum lycopersicum
, Solanaceae), and lettuce (
Lactuca sativa
, Asteraceae), with diverse soil microbiomes originating from actively-managed agricultural fields or fallow fields under varying stages of succession (1, 3, and 16-years post-agriculture) sourced from a large-scale field experiment. We compared the crops’ responses to these different microbiomes by assessing their growth and resistance to two generalist insect pests, cabbage looper (
Trichoplusia ni
) and fall armyworm (
Spodoptera frugiperda
). These different microbiomes affected both plant growth and resistance, but the effects were species-specific. For instance, lettuce produced the largest leaves when inoculated with a 3-year fallow microbiome, the microbiome in which cucumber performed worst. Plants were generally more resistant to
T. ni
when inoculated with the later succession microbiomes, particularly in contrast to those treated with agricultural microbiomes. However, for tomato plants, the opposite pattern was observed with regard to
S. frugiperda
resistance. Collectively, these results indicate that plant responses to microbiomes are species-specific and emphasize the need to characterize the responses of taxonomically diverse plant species to different microbiomes.
IMPORTANCE: Postpartum weight retention increases lifetime risk of obesity and related morbidity. Few effective interventions exist for multicultural, low-income women. OBJECTIVE: To test whether an ...internet-based weight loss program in addition to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC program) for low-income postpartum women could produce greater weight loss than the WIC program alone over 12 months. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A 12-month, cluster randomized, assessor-blind, clinical trial enrolling 371 adult postpartum women at 12 clinics in WIC programs from the California central coast between July 2011 and May 2015 with data collection completed in May 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Clinics were randomized to the WIC program (standard care group) or the WIC program plus a 12-month primarily internet-based weight loss program (intervention group), including a website with weekly lessons, web diary, instructional videos, computerized feedback, text messages, and monthly face-to-face groups at the WIC clinics. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was weight change over 12 months, based on measurements at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included proportion returning to preconception weight and changes in physical activity and diet. RESULTS: Participants included 371 women (mean age, 28.1 years; Hispanic, 81.6%; mean weight above prepregnancy weight, 7.8 kg; mean months post partum, 5.2 months) randomized to the intervention group (n = 174) or standard care group (n = 197); 89.2% of participants completed the study. The intervention group produced greater mean 12-month weight loss compared with the standard care group (3.2 kg in the intervention group vs 0.9 kg in standard care group, P < .001; difference, 2.3 kg (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.5). More participants in the intervention group than the standard care group returned to preconception weight by 12 months (32.8% in the intervention group vs 18.6% in the standard care group, P < .001; difference, 14.2 percentage points 95% CI, 4.7 to 23.5). The intervention group and standard care group did not significantly differ in 12-month changes in physical activity (mean 95% CI: −7.8 min/d −16.1 to 0.4 in the intervention group vs −7.2 min/d −14.6 to 0.3 in the standard care group; difference, −0.7 min/d 95% CI, −42.0 to 10.6, P = .76), calorie intake (mean 95% CI: −298 kcal/d −423 to −174 in the intervention group vs −144 kcal/d −257 to −32 in the standard care group; difference, −154 kcal/d −325 to 17, P = .06), or incidences of injury (16 in the intervention group vs 16 in the standard care group) or low breastmilk supply from baseline to month 6 (21 of 61 participants in the intervention group vs 23 of 72 participants in the standard care group) and from month 6 to 12 (13 of 32 participants in the intervention group vs 14 of 37 participants in the standard care group). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among low-income postpartum women, an internet-based weight loss program in addition to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC program) compared with the WIC program alone resulted in a statistically significant greater weight loss over 12 months. Further research is needed to determine program and cost-effectiveness as part of the WIC program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01408147
Objective
This cluster randomized trial tested whether an effective internet‐based weight‐loss intervention for low‐income, postpartum women resulted in greater improvements in targeted social ...cognitive theory (SCT) constructs and psychosocial outcomes.
Methods
Fit Moms/Mamás Activas was a 12‐month cluster randomized controlled trial of 370 postpartum women at 12 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children (WIC) clinics that were randomly assigned to intervention or standard WIC. SCT constructs (weight‐control behaviors, cognitive restraint, disinhibition, self‐efficacy, social support, body image) and psychosocial outcomes (depressive symptoms and stress) were measured at study entry and after 6 and 12 months.
Results
The intervention versus standard WIC resulted in greater 12‐month increases in weight‐control behaviors (3.28 points 95% CI: 1.06‐5.50), self‐monitoring of weight and eating (2.28 points 1.17‐3.40), and cognitive restraint (1.93 points 0.78‐3.08) (all P ≤ 0.004). The intervention effect was only modestly (ηp2 = 0.02) mediated by improvements in these factors. No significant group by time effect was observed for disinhibition, self‐efficacy, social support, body image, depressive symptoms, or stress.
Conclusions
Among low‐income postpartum women, an effective internet‐based weight‐loss program resulted in improved weight‐control behaviors and cognitive restraint but did not affect other SCT targets and psychosocial outcomes.
In this paper, we present the simulation and experimental results of the first closed-loop system based on a directly modulated VCSEL in a gain-switching condition to generate optical frequency combs ...(OFC). In order to simulate the self-starting VCSEL-based optical frequency comb generator (SVOFC), we applied an intrinsic parameter extraction process to a C-band VCSEL using laser rate equations, static and dynamic measurements, and equivalent circuit models. The widest (62 GHz) and flattest (0.8) simulated OFC is obtained when the repetition frequency f 0 is 2.5 GHz. Implementation of the C-band SVOFC also shows that under constant electrical conditions, flatness higher than 0.85 and spectral widths of 50 GHz are obtained when f 0 = 2.5 GHz. The lowest phase noise at 10 kHz from the extracted electrical carrier is -127 dBc/Hz and is obtained when the optical fiber length is 5 km and f 0 = 1.25 GHz.
TRIM7 is a ubiquitin E3 ligase with key regulatory functions, mediating viral infection, tumor biology, innate immunity, and cellular processes, such as autophagy and ferroptosis. It contains a ...PRYSPRY domain that specifically recognizes degron sequences containing C-terminal glutamine. Ligands that bind to the TRIM7 PRYSPRY domain may have applications in the treatment of viral infections, as modulators of inflammation, and in the design of a new class of PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) that mediate the selective degradation of therapeutically relevant proteins (POIs). Here, we developed an assay toolbox for the comprehensive evaluation of TRIM7 ligands. Using TRIM7 degron sequences together with a structure-based design, we developed the first series of peptidomimetic ligands with low micromolar affinity. The terminal carboxylate moiety was required for ligand activity but prevented cell penetration. A prodrug strategy using an ethyl ester resulted in enhanced permeability, which was evaluated using confocal imaging.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the respiratory distress condition known as COVID-19. This disease broadly affects several physiological systems, ...including the gastrointestinal, renal, and central nervous (CNS) systems, significantly influencing the patient's overall quality of life. Additionally, numerous risk factors have been suggested, including gender, body weight, age, metabolic status, renal health, preexisting cardiomyopathies, and inflammatory conditions. Despite advances in understanding the genome and pathophysiological ramifications of COVID-19, its precise origins remain elusive. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with a receptor-binding domain within angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This receptor is expressed in various organs of different species, including humans, with different abundance. Although COVID-19 has multiorgan manifestations, the main pathologies occur in the lung, including pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and secondary bacterial pneumonia. In the post-COVID-19 period, different sequelae may occur, which may have various causes, including the direct action of the virus, alteration of the immune response, and metabolic alterations during infection, among others. Recognizing the serious adverse health effects associated with COVID-19, it becomes imperative to comprehensively elucidate and discuss the existing evidence surrounding this viral infection, including those related to the pathophysiological effects of the disease and the subsequent consequences. This review aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and its long-term effects on human health.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the respiratory distress condition known as COVID-19. This disease broadly affects several physiological systems, including the gastrointestinal, renal, and central nervous (CNS) systems, significantly influencing the patient's overall quality of life. Additionally, numerous risk factors have been suggested, including gender, body weight, age, metabolic status, renal health, preexisting cardiomyopathies, and inflammatory conditions. Despite advances in understanding the genome and pathophysiological ramifications of COVID-19, its precise origins remain elusive. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with a receptor-binding domain within angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This receptor is expressed in various organs of different species, including humans, with different abundance. Although COVID-19 has multiorgan manifestations, the main pathologies occur in the lung, including pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and secondary bacterial pneumonia. In the post-COVID-19 period, different sequelae may occur, which may have various causes, including the direct action of the virus, alteration of the immune response, and metabolic alterations during infection, among others. Recognizing the serious adverse health effects associated with COVID-19, it becomes imperative to comprehensively elucidate and discuss the existing evidence surrounding this viral infection, including those related to the pathophysiological effects of the disease and the subsequent consequences. This review aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and its long-term effects on human health.
ABSTRACT
The genus
Periweissella
was proposed as a novel genus in the
Lactobacillaceae
in 2022. However, the phylogenetic relationship between
Periweissella
and other heterofermentative lactobacilli, ...and the genetic and physiological properties of this genus remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship between
Periweissella
and the two closest genera,
Weissella
and
Furfurilactobacillus
, by the phylogenetic analysis and calculation of (core gene) pairwise average amino acid identity. Targeted genomic analysis showed that fructose bisphosphate aldolase was only present in the genome of
Pw. cryptocerci
. Mannitol dehydrogenase was found in genomes of
Pw. beninensis
,
Pw. fabaria
, and
Pw. fabalis
. Untargeted genomic analysis identified the presence of flagellar genes in
Periweissella
but not in other closely related genera. Phenotypes related to carbohydrate fermentation and motility matched the genotypes. Motility genes were organized in a single operon and the proteins shared a high amino acid similarity in the genus
Periweissella
. The relatively low similarity of motility operons between
Periweissella
and other motile lactobacilli indicated the acquisition of motility by the ancestral species. Our findings facilitate the phylogenetic, genetic, and phenotypic understanding of the genus
Periweissella
.
Importance
The genus
Periweissella
is a heterofermentative genus in the
Lactobacillaceae
which includes predominantly isolates from cocoa fermentations in tropical climates. Despite the relevance of the genus in food fermentations, genetic and physiological properties of the genus are poorly characterized and genome sequences became available only after 2020. This study characterized strains of the genus by functional genomic analysis, and by determination of metabolic and physiological traits. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that
Periweissella
is the evolutionary link between rod-shaped heterofermentative lactobacilli and the coccoid
Leuconostoc
clade with the genera
Weissella
and
Furfurilactobacillus
as closest relatives.
Periweissella
is the only heterofermentative genus in the
Lactobacillaceae
which comprises predominantly motile strains. The genomic, physiological, and metabolic characterization of
Periweissella
may facilitate the potential use of strains of the genus as starter culture in traditional or novel food fermentations.
The genus
Periweissella
is a heterofermentative genus in the
Lactobacillaceae
which includes predominantly isolates from cocoa fermentations in tropical climates. Despite the relevance of the genus in food fermentations, genetic and physiological properties of the genus are poorly characterized and genome sequences became available only after 2020. This study characterized strains of the genus by functional genomic analysis, and by determination of metabolic and physiological traits. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that
Periweissella
is the evolutionary link between rod-shaped heterofermentative lactobacilli and the coccoid
Leuconostoc
clade with the genera
Weissella
and
Furfurilactobacillus
as closest relatives.
Periweissella
is the only heterofermentative genus in the
Lactobacillaceae
which comprises predominantly motile strains. The genomic, physiological, and metabolic characterization of
Periweissella
may facilitate the potential use of strains of the genus as starter culture in traditional or novel food fermentations.
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