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Plants-microorganisms interactions play a fundamental role in terrestrial ecosystems and various methods have been reported for plant-associated bacteria extraction. However, these methods exhibit notable variations and lack of some procedural details that may impact the interpretations of results. We propose here a standardized and detailed protocol for the independent extraction of bulk, rhizosphere and rhizoplan soil fractions. This protocol was applied to the sampling of different polluted soil fractions collected in the vicinity of Arabidopsis halleri dense root system. It allowed us to determine the cultivable bacterial densities in each fraction and to confirm the existence of a bacterial gradient linked to roots distance, with a higher amount of bacteria in the rhizospheric area. We suggest to use this unified procedure as a common basis for soil sampling and bacterial communities analysis from other roots systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Modification of PET resin by MMA enhance cured and uncured properties of UPR resin. • Calcined kaolin clay can be effectively utilized as supplementary cementicoious filler in UPR PM composites. • Higher mechanical and durability properties observed for PM containing UPR2 resin and well graded sand particles. • Low values of water absorption and high resistance against acid shown by PM containing high amount of calcined kaolin clay. This study attempted to prepare a novel polymer mortar (PM) composite comprising unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as a replacement for cement; calcined kaolin clay as a filler; and silica sand as an aggregate. The UPR resin was synthesized by depolymerizing PET waste using propylene glycol and modifying it with styrene (UPR1) and methyl methacrylate (UPR2) monomers. Most previous studies have focused on the effect of kaolin clay filler on the properties of Portland cement concrete, whereas the effect of kaolin clay filler and sand grading on the properties of UPR resin PM has not been examined. In this study, the effects of UPR1 (UP:styrene) resin, UPR2 (UP:MMA) resin, calcined kaolin clay, and silica sand (zones I, II, and III) on the mechanical and durability properties of a PM composite were investigated. The polymer mortar (PM) mixture design was optimized through the design of the experiment (DOE) using Taguchi and ANOVA analyses. The compressive, tensile, and flexure strengths of the UPR2 PM formulation increased by 19.48, 25, and 28.21 %, respectively, compared to UPR1 PM. In addition, UPR2 PM with 20 % kaolin clay and sand (II) exhibited a decrease in water absorption, mass loss, and loss in compressive strength by 28.20, 15.90, and 7.31 %, respectively, compared to PM containing 18 % kaolin filler and sand (I). Moreover, the experimental results indicated that sand grading significantly influenced the properties of the UPR PM composite. The UPR resin prepared from waste PET and modified using MMA can be successfully used as a binder in PM composites to prepare mortar for interior decoration, repairing, grouting, and lightweight precast products in construction applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to generate an immune response against myeloma cells in an homogenous murine model, a stablehybrid cell line (DCSp) was established through the syngenic fusion between mouse dendritic cells (DC) andmouse Sp2/0 myeloma cells. DCSp cells behaved as potent T cell stimulators and were able to induce Sp2/0specific cytotoxicity. When mice were immunized with irradiated hybrids before SP2/0 injection, they exhibiteda significantly higher rate of survival as compared with controls. When tumors were detected, their emergencewas not delayed, and time elapsed between tumor clinical perception and death remained unchanged.A humoral immune response was also always associated. We assume that this stable dendritoma cell line canbe considered a valuable tool for myeloma studies in an homogenous mouse model. The efficiency of dendritomaas a weapon against tumor cells and the benefit of syngeny in experimental models are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some protozoans, such as Trichomonad species, do not possess mitochondria. Most of the time, they harbor another type of membrane-bounded organelle, called hydrogenosome from its capacity to produce H2. This is the case for the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Some other parasites, such as the protist Giardia lamblia, do not harbor any of these organelles. From this observation arises naturally a naive question: How do cells die when the mitochondrion, the cornerstone of apoptotic process, is absent? Data strongly suggest that the mitochondrion and the hydrogenosome arose from a common ancestral endosymbiont. But hydrogenosomes do not appear to directly substitute for mitochondria in apoptotic functions. Thus, it appears judicious to examine more closely the genome of unicellular cells, which do not harbor mitochondria, and search for new molecules that could participate in the apoptotic process in these microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomedical field still requires composite materials for medical devices and tissue engineering model design. As part of the pursuit of non-animal and non-proteic scaffolds, we propose here a cellulose-based material. In this study, 9%, 18% and 36% dialdehyde-functionalized microcrystalline celluloses (DAC) were synthesized by sodium periodate oxidation. The latter was subsequently coupled to PVA at ratios 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 by dissolving in N-methyl pyrrolidone and lithium chloride. Moulding and successive rehydration in ethanol and water baths formed soft hydrogels. While oxidation effectiveness was confirmed by dialdehyde content determination for all DAC, we observed increasing hydrolysis associated with particle fragmentation. Imaging, FTIR and XDR analysis highlighted an intertwined DAC/PVA network mainly supported by electrostatic interactions, hemiacetal and acetal linkage. To meet tissue engineering requirements, an interconnected porosity was optimized using 0–50 µm salts. While the role of DAC in strengthening the hydrogel was identified, the oxidation ratio of DAC showed no distinct trend. DAC 9% material exhibited the highest indirect and direct cytocompatibility creating spheroid-like structures. DAC/PVA hydrogels showed physical stability and acceptability in vivo that led us to propose our DAC 9%/PVA based material for soft tissue graft application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluate the impact of the MiniMed™ 780G advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) system on the glucose profile of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and maternal–neonatal complications. Methods: From April 2021 to September 2022, pregnant women with T1D treated with the AHCL system were included in an observational multicenter retrospective study. Continuous glucose monitoring parameters were analyzed monthly during pregnancy as well as maternal–neonatal complications. Results: Thirteen pregnant women, including a twin pregnancy (age: 33 ± 3 years, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]: 7.3% ± 0.7%, insulin doses: 0.72 ± 0.21 U/kg/day) were analyzed. At delivery, gestational age was 37 ± 2 weeks. During first 2 weeks of pregnancy, time in range (TIR, 63–140 mg/dL) was 46% (34–55) and increased to 54% (51–59) (P < 0.01), 64% (48–68) (P < 0.01), and 66% (60–70) (P < 0.001) during the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. During the night, TIR (63–140 mg/dL) was >70% throughout pregnancy. Time below the range <63 mg/dL increased from 0.5% (0–2) to 1.3% (0.7–2.2), 2% (1.2–3.5) (P < 0.05), and 1.3% (1.31–3) (P < 0.05) during the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. At delivery, insulin doses increased to 0.89 ± 0.35 IU/kg/day (P < 0.01), and HbA1c decreased to 6.4% ± 0.6% (P = 0.005). The reported carbohydrate amount increased from 167 ± 363 g/d during early pregnancy to 243 ± 106 g/d (P < 0.01) at delivery. The birthweight was 3134 ± 711 g, with 5/14 macrosomia and 2/14 neonatal hypoglycemia. Moreover, 5/13 patients had a preeclampsia and 9/13 a cesarean section, including three cases of scarred uterus. The Clinical Trial Registration number is: CE-2022-55. Conclusion: The AHCL system provided good glucose control during pregnancy and recommendation targets were reached during the nocturnal period only. The maternal and neonatal complications remained high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary CD4 + T cells differentiate into phenotypically distinct T helper cells upon antigenic stimulation. Regulation of plasticity between these CD4 + T-cell lineages is critical for immune homeostasis and prevention of autoimmune disease. However, the factors that regulate lineage stability are largely unknown. Here we investigate a role for retinoic acid (RA) in the regulation of lineage stability using T helper 1 (Th1) cells, traditionally considered the most phenotypically stable Th subset. We found that RA, through its receptor RARα, sustains stable expression of Th1 lineage specifying genes, as well as repressing genes that instruct Th17-cell fate. RA signaling is essential for limiting Th1-cell conversion into Th17 effectors and for preventing pathogenic Th17 responses in vivo. Our study identifies RA-RARα as a key component of the regulatory network governing maintenance and plasticity of Th1-cell fate and defines an additional pathway for the development of Th17 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heparin cofactor II (HCII) belongs to serpin superfamily and it acts as a thrombin inhibitor in the coagulation cascade, in a glycosaminoglycan-dependent pathway using the release of a sequestered hirudin-like N-terminal tail for interaction with thrombin. This serpin belongs to multiple member group V2 of vertebrate serpin classification. However, there is no comprehensive study illustrating the exact phylogenetic history of HCII, to date. Herein, we explored phylogenetic traits of HCII genes. Structures of HCII gene from selected ray-finned fishes and lamprey varied in exon I and II with insertions of novel introns of which one in core domain for ray-finned fishes in exon II at the position 241c. We found HCII remain nested in the largest intron of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase (PIK4CA) gene (genetic variants of this gene cause schizophrenia) at the origin of vertebrates, dated about 500 MY old. We found that sequence features such as two acidic repeats (AR1-II), GAG-binding helix-D, three serpin motifs and inhibitory reactive center loop (RCL) of HCII protein are highly conserved in 55 vertebrates analyzed. We identified 985 HCII variants by analysis of 1092 human genomes with top three variation classes belongs to SNPs (84.3%), insertion (7.1%) and deletion (5.0%). We identified 37 deleterious mutations in the human HCII protein and we have described these mutations in relation to HCII sequence-structure-function relationships. These understandings may have clinical and medical importance as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac transplantation is an excellent treatment for end-stage heart disease. However, rejection of the donor graft, in particular, by chronic rejection leading to cardiac allograft vasculopathy, remains a major cause of graft loss. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the alloimmune response, facilitating trafficking of antigen-presenting cells to draining lymph nodes. The encounter of antigen-presenting cells with T lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs is essential for the initiation of alloimmunity. Donor lymphatic vessels are not anastomosed to that of the recipient during transplantation. The pathophysiology of lymphatic disruption is unknown, and whether this disruption enhances or hinders the alloimmune responses is unclear. Although histological analysis of lymphatic vessels in donor grafts can yield information on the structure of the lymphatics, the function following cardiac transplantation is poorly understood.Methods: Using single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography lymphoscintigraphy, we quantified the lymphatic flow index following heterotrophic cardiac transplantation in a murine model of chronic rejection.Results: Ten weeks following transplantation of a minor antigen (HY) sex-mismatched heart graft, the lymphatic flow index was significantly increased in comparison with sex-matched controls. Furthermore, the enhanced lymphatic flow index correlated with an increase in donor cells in the mediastinal draining lymph nodes; increased lymphatic vessel area; and graft infiltration of CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and CD68+ macrophages.Conclusions: Chronic rejection results in increased lymphatic flow from the donor graft to draining lymph nodes, which may be a factor in promoting cellular trafficking, alloimmunity, and cardiac allograft vasculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) have been found to have beneficial effects on human health when used as dietary supplements. However, their availability is limited because pure, chemistry-based production is expensive, and biology-based fermentation methods can only create small quantities. In an effort to enhance microbial production of CLAs, four genetically modified strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica were generated. These mutants presented various genetic modifications, including the elimination of β-oxidation ( pox1- 6∆), the inability to store lipids as triglycerides ( dga1∆ dga2∆ are1∆ lro1∆ ), and the overexpression of the Y. lipolytica ∆12-desaturase gene (Yl FAD2) under the control of the constitutive p TEF promoter. All strains received two copies of the p TEF- oPAI or p POX- oPAI expression cassettes; PAI encodes linoleic acid isomerase in Propionibacterium acnes. The strains were cultured in neosynthesis or bioconversion medium in flasks or a bioreactor. The strain combining the three modifications mentioned above showed the best results: when it was grown in neosynthesis medium in a flask, CLAs represented 6.5% of total fatty acids and in bioconversion medium in a bioreactor, and CLA content reached 302 mg/L. In a previous study, a CLA degradation rate of 117 mg/L/h was observed in bioconversion medium. Here, by eliminating β-oxidation, we achieved a much lower rate of 1.8 mg/L/h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of negative checkpoint regulators ( NCRs) for cancer immunotherapy has garnered significant interest with the completion of clinical trials demonstrating efficacy. While the results of monotherapy treatments are compelling, there is increasing emphasis on combination treatments in an effort to increase response rates to treatment. One of the most recently discovered NCRs is VISTA (V-domain Ig-containing Suppressor of T cell Activation). In this review, we describe the functions of this molecule in the context of cancer immunotherapy. We also discuss factors that may influence the use of anti- VISTA antibody in combination therapy and how genomic analysis may assist in providing indications for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]