Blockade of the T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein 3 pathway exacerbates sepsis-induced immune deviation and immunosuppression

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, but the pathophysiological basis and biomarkers for the monitoring of sepsis and as targets for therapy remain to be determined. We have shown previously that T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein 3 (Tim-3), a negative immune regulator, is involved in the physiopathology of sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we showed that Tim-3 signalling modulated the response patterns of both macrophages and T helper cells in sepsis. Blockade of the Tim-3 pathway exacerbated sepsis-induced proinflammatory macrophage responses and lymphocyte apoptosis during the early phase of sepsis, and enhanced the shift to anti-inflammatory responses for both macrophages and T helper cells during the late phase of sepsis. Tim-3 signalling was found to regulate CD80 and CD86 expression on macrophages both in vivo and in vitro. Co-culture of T cells with Tim-3 knock-down macrophages led to a biased T helper type 2 (Th2) response, partially explaining how Tim-3 signalling shapes inflammation patterns in vivo. Further studies on this pathway might shed new light on the pathogenesis of sepsis and suggest new approaches for intervention.

Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: types of degradation, causes, and implications for management

Indicator-based approaches are often used to monitor land degradation and desertification from the global to the very local scale. However, there is still little agreement on which indicators may best reflect both status and trends of these phenomena. In this study, various processes of land degradation and desertification have been analyzed in 17 study sites around the world using a wide set of biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. The database described earlier in this issue by Kosmas and others (Environ Manage, 2013) for defining desertification risk was further analyzed to define the most important indicators related to the following degradation processes: water erosion in various land uses, tillage erosion, soil salinization, water stress, forest fires, and overgrazing. A correlation analysis was applied to the selected indicators in order to identify the most important variables contributing to each land degradation process. The analysis indicates that the most important indicators are: (i) rain seasonality affecting water erosion, water stress, and forest fires, (ii) slope gradient affecting water erosion, tillage erosion and water stress, and (iii) water scarcity soil salinization, water stress, and forest fires. Implementation of existing regulations or policies concerned with resources development and environmental sustainability was identified as the most important indicator of land protection.

Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: methodological approach

An approach to derive relationships for defining land degradation and desertification risk and developing appropriate tools for assessing the effectiveness of the various land management practices using indicators is presented in the present paper. In order to investigate which indicators are most effective in assessing the level of desertification risk, a total of 70 candidate indicators was selected providing information for the biophysical environment, socio-economic conditions, and land management characteristics. The indicators were defined in 1,672 field sites located in 17 study areas in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Based on an existing geo-referenced database, classes were designated for each indicator and a sensitivity score to desertification was assigned to each class based on existing research. The obtained data were analyzed for the various processes of land degradation at farm level. The derived methodology was assessed using independent indicators, such as the measured soil erosion rate, and the organic matter content of the soil. Based on regression analyses, the collected indicator set can be reduced to a number of effective indicators ranging from 8 to 17 in the various processes of land degradation. Among the most important indicators identified as affecting land degradation and desertification risk were rain seasonality, slope gradient, plant cover, rate of land abandonment, land-use intensity, and the level of policy implementation.

First Report of Fusarium Ear Rot of Maize Caused by Fusarium andiyazi in China

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop worldwide. Some Fusarium species cause maize ear rot leading to significant yield losses and, for some Fusarium species, potential risk of mycotoxin contamination. In 2013, a survey was conducted to determine the population composition of Fusarium species on maize in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China, where about 5% of maize ears in each field were found with reddish-white mold. Symptomatic maize ears were collected from several cultivars including forage corn Zhedan724 and Zhengdan958, sweet corn Chaotian4 and Chaotian135, and waxy corn Heinuo181 and Zhenuoyu6; no association between the disease and maize cultivars was observed. Maize kernels showing a pink or white mold were surface-disinfested with 70% ethanol and 10% sodium hypochlorite, followed by three rinses with sterile distilled water and placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). After 3 days of incubation at 25°C in the dark, mycelia were transferred to fresh PDA and purified by the single-spore isolation method (4). Species were identified based on morphological characteristics (2), and sequence analysis of the translation elongation factor-1α (TEF) gene. The results indicated that Fusarium verticillioides Sacc. (84.6%) is the main causal agent of maize ear rot in this region. However, morphological characteristics of two strains (7.7%) from the same field were found to be identical to F. andiyazi Marasas, Rheeder, Lampr., K.A. Zeller & J.F. Leslie. Colonies on PDA showed floccose to powdery mycelium and pale-purple pigmentation. Hyaline and straight or slightly curved macroconidia were observed with 3- to 6-septate and a slightly curved apical cell. Chlamydospores were absent. In order to validate this result, partial translation elongation factor (TEF-1α, 646 bp) gene sequences of isolates were generated (GenBank Accession No. KJ137019) (1). BLASTn analysis of TEF-1α with the GenBank database revealed 99.7% sequence identity to F. andiyazi (JN408195 and JN408196), and much lower (94 to 98%) identity with other Fusarium spp. Thus, both morphological and molecular criteria supported identification of the strains as F. andiyazi. A pathogenicity test was performed on maize cv. Zhengdan958 in a greenhouse. Four days post-silk emergence, a 2-ml conidial suspension (10⁵ macroconidia/ml) of each isolate was injected into each of 10 maize ears through the silk channel. An equal amount of sterile distilled water was injected into 10 ears as a control. Typical Fusarium ear rot symptoms (reddish-white mold), which were observed in the ears inoculated with these strains 20 days after inoculation, were similar to the original symptoms in the sampling sites, and no symptoms were observed on the water control ears. The same fungus was re-isolated from the infected kernels using the method described above. F. andiyazi are the major pathogens of sorghum (2) and also proved to attack maize kernels recently (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. andiyazi causing Fusarium ear rot on maize in China. Further investigation is needed to gain a better understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of this new pathogen. Also, the new species must be considered in the development of maize cultivars with broad-based resistance to the pathogens. References: (1) D. M. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) A. Madania et al. J. Phytopathol. 161:452, 2013. (4) H. Zhang et al. PLoS ONE 7:e31722, 2012.

Electron and positron fluxes in primary cosmic rays measured with the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

Precision measurements by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station of the primary cosmic-ray electron flux in the range 0.5 to 700 GeV and the positron flux in the range 0.5 to 500 GeV are presented. The electron flux and the positron flux each require a description beyond a single power-law spectrum. Both the electron flux and the positron flux change their behavior at ∼30  GeV but the fluxes are significantly different in their magnitude and energy dependence. Between 20 and 200 GeV the positron spectral index is significantly harder than the electron spectral index. The determination of the differing behavior of the spectral indices versus energy is a new observation and provides important information on the origins of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons.

High statistics measurement of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays of 0.5-500 GeV with the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

A precision measurement by AMS of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays in the energy range from 0.5 to 500 GeV based on 10.9 million positron and electron events is presented. This measurement extends the energy range of our previous observation and increases its precision. The new results show, for the first time, that above ∼200  GeV the positron fraction no longer exhibits an increase with energy.

First Report of Fusarium temperatum Causing Fusarium Ear Rot on Maize in Northern China

In China, several diseases of maize (Zea mays L.) including ear rot are caused by Fusarium spp., leading to significant yield losses and potential risk of mycotoxin contamination (2,3). In 2013, a survey was conducted to determine the population composition of Fusarium species on maize ears in Jilin Province. Symptomatic maize ears with pink or white mold were collected and surface disinfested with 70% ethanol and 10% sodium hypochlorite, followed by three rinses with sterile distilled water and placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). After 3 days of incubation at 25°C in the dark, newly grown-out mycelia were transferred onto fresh medium and purified by the single-spore isolation method (4). Fusarium spp. were identified by morphological characteristics (2) and sequence analysis of translation elongation factor-1α (TEF) gene (1). A large number of Fusarium spp. were found including F. graminearum species complex and F. verticillioides. In addition, a new species, F. temperatum, recently described in Belgium (2), was also identified. F. temperatum was originally described as F. subglutinans, but a robust polyphasic approach proved it to be a new biological species closely related to F. subglutinans (2). Previous studies had reported ~15% of Fusarium maize ear rot in Jilin was F. subglutinans. In this study, we found both F. subglutinans s. str. and F. temperatum in the proportion of 16.3% and 9.2%, respectively. Similar to previous studies (2), colonies of our strains on PDA were initially white cottony mycelium that become pinkish white. Conidiophores formed abundantly on SNA that were erect, branched, and terminated in 1 to 3 phialides. Microconidia were abundant, hyaline, 0 to 2 septa, obovoid to oval, and not produced in chains. Chlamydospores were absent. Typically macroconidia were falcate, 3 to 5 septate (mostly 4 septate), hyaline with a curved and blunt apical cell and a distinct foot-shaped basal cell. In order to validate this result, partial translation elongation factor (TEF-1α, 629 bp) gene sequences of isolates were generated (GenBank Accession No. KJ137018) (1). BLASTn analysis revealed 100% sequence identity to F. temperatum (HM067690). A pathogenicity test was performed on maize cv. Zhengdan958. Four days after silk emergence, 2 ml conidial suspension (10⁵ macroconidia/ml) of each isolate was injected into each of 10 maize ears through silk channel. Control plants were inoculated with sterile distilled water. Twenty days after inoculation, typical Fusarium ear rot symptoms (reddish-white mold) was observed on inoculated ears and no symptoms were observed on water controls. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re-isolating the same fungus from the infected seeds. Although F. temperatum was reported to attack maize kernels in southern China where the annual average temperatures are moderately high (3), to our knowledge, this is the first report of F. temperatum causing Fusarium ear rot in northern China, where the winter is long and very cold, the annual average temperature is 4 to 5°C, and the lowest temperature is lower than -35°C. This indicated that F. temperatum was widely distributed in different ecological regions in China. Furthermore, the northeast spring corn region that includes Jinlin is the most important corn belt, with corn production of this region accounting for 42% of the total corn production in China. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the new species in this region and consider them in the development of maize cultivars with broad-based resistance to the pathogens. References: (1) D. M. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004. (2) J. Scauflaire et al. Mycologia 103:586, 2011. (3) J. H. Wang et al. J. Phytopathol. 162:147, 2014. (4) L. Yang et al. Phytopathology 98:719, 2008.

First Report of Fusarium Maize Ear Rot Caused by Fusarium meridionale in China

Fusarium is an important genus of fungal pathogens that are responsible for devastating diseases, such as Fusarium ear rot on maize, which may result in yield losses and/or mycotoxin contamination. In September 2013, a survey to determine population composition of Fusarium species on maize was conducted at 22 fields in 18 counties in Gansu Province. Maize ears with clear symptoms (with a white to pink- or salmon-colored mold at the ear tip) were collected. Symptomatic seeds were surface-sterilized with 70% ethanol and 10% sodium hypochlorite and rinsed three times with sterile water to eliminate hypochlorite residues. After drying on sterile filter paper, the seeds were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 3 days. Mycelium that was characteristic of Fusarium spp. (2) was purified by transferring single spores to fresh PDA. Fusarium species were identified by morphological characteristics (2), multilocus genotyping assay (MLGT) (3), and sequence analysis of the translation elongation factor-1α (TEF) gene. Several Fusarium species were identified and Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum were the predominant species. Based on MLGT, two strains from Chenghong County were identified as F. meridionale with NIV chemotype, a species in F. graminearum species complex (FGSC). Morphological characteristics were also identical to FGSC. Colonies grew rapidly on PDA and produce relatively large amounts of dense mycelia and red pigments. Slender, thick-walled, and moderately curved or straight macroconidia were observed with 5- to 6-septate. Furthermore, conidia on SNA also showed typical characteristics of F. meridionale, as the dorsal and ventral lines were often parallel and gradually curved. Sequences comparison of the partial translation elongation factor (TEF-1α, 644 bp) gene (1) was used to validate these observations. BLASTn analysis with the FUSARIUM-ID database revealed 100% sequence identity to F. meridionale (GenBank Accession No. KJ137017). Thus, both morphological and molecular criteria supported identification of the strains as F. meridionale. A pathogenicity test was performed on Zhengdan958, the maize variety with the largest planted acreage in China. Four days after silk emergence, 2 ml conidial suspension (10⁵ macroconidia/ml) of each isolate were injected into each of 10 maize ears through silk channel. Control plants were inoculated with sterile distilled water. Typical FER symptoms (reddish-white mold) was observed on inoculated ears and no symptoms were observed on water controls. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re-isolating the same fungus from the infected seeds. F. meridionale was one of the pathogens causing Fusarium head blight on wheat and barley in China and produced nivalenol (4,5) and it also has been isolated from maize in Korea and Nepal. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. meridionale causing Fusarium ear rot on maize in China. Further studies on biological characteristics such as temperature sensibility and fungicide resistance are needed to gain a better understanding of this new pathogen. References: (1) D. M. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) T. J. Ward et al. Fungal Genet. Biol. 45:473, 2008. (4) L. Yang et al. Phytopathology 98:719, 2008. (5) H. Zhang et al. Plos one 7:e31722, 2012.

Effects of Replacement of Soybean Meal by Fermented Cottonseed Meal on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Immune Function of Yellow-feathered Broilers

The study was conducted to examine the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) by solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and immune function of broilers. After inoculated with Bacillus subtilis BJ-1 for 48 h, the content of free gossypol in cottonseed meal was decreased from 0.82 to 0.21 g/kg. A total of 600, day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates of 50 chicks each. A corn-SBM based control diet was formulated and the experimental diets included 4, 8 or 12% FCSM, replacing SBM. Throughout the experiment, broilers fed 8% FCSM had higher (p<0.05) body weight gain than those fed 0, 4 and 12% FCSM. The feed intake in 8% FCSM group was superior (p<0.05) to other treatments from d 21 to 42. On d 21, the concentration of serum immunoglobin M in the 4% and 8% FCSM groups, as well as the content of complements (C3, C4) in 8% FCSM group were greater (p<0.05) than those in the SBM group. Besides, birds fed 8% FCSM had increased (p<0.05) serum immunoglobin M, immunoglobulin G and complement C4 levels on d 42 compared with bird fed control diet. No differences (p>0.05) were found between treatments regarding the serum biochemical parameters and the relative weights of immune organs. In conclusion, FCSM can be used in broiler diets at up to 12% of the total diet and an appropriate replacement of SBM with FCSM may improve growth performance and immunity in broilers.

Post-partum weight loss and glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes: the DEBI Study

AIMS

Women with gestational diabetes are at high risk for developing diabetes; post-partum weight loss may reduce the risk of diabetes. We evaluated the association of post-partum weight change with changes in glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in a subsample (n = 72) of participants from Diet Exercise and Breastfeeding Intervention (DEBI), a randomized pilot trial of lifestyle intervention for women with gestational diabetes.

METHODS

Glucose and insulin were measured fasting and 2 h after an oral glucose tolerance test at 6 weeks and 12 months post-partum. Women were categorized by weight change (lost > 2 kg vs. maintained/gained) between 6 weeks and 12 months post-partum.

RESULTS

Compared with women who maintained or gained weight, women who lost > 2 kg experienced significantly lower increases in fasting glucose [age-adjusted means: 0.1 mmol/l (95% CI -0.03 to 0.3) vs. 0.4 mmol/l (95% CI 0.3-0.6); P < 0.01] and 2-h insulin [10.0 pmol/l (95% CI -56.9 to 76.9) vs. 181.2 pmol/l (95% CI 108.3-506.9); P < 0.01] and a significant reduction in 2-h glucose [-0.9 mmol/l (95% CI -1.4 to -0.3) vs. 0.3 mmol/l (95% CI -0.3 to 0.9); P < 0.01]. In multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, Hispanic ethnicity, medication use, meeting the Institute of Medicine's recommendations for gestational weight gain, breastfeeding and randomized group, a 1-kg increase in weight was significantly associated with increases in fasting and 2-h glucose (P < 0.05), but was not associated with insulin or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with gestational diabetes, modest post-partum weight loss may be associated with improvements in glucose metabolism.

Contribution of stratified extracellular polymeric substances to the gel-like and fractal structures of activated sludge

The gel-like and fractal structures of activated sludge (AS) before and after extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extraction as well as different EPS fractions were investigated. The contributions of individual components in different EPS fractions to the gel-like behavior of sludge samples by enzyme treatment were examined as well. The centrifugation and ultrasound method was employed to stratify the EPS into slime, loosely and tightly bound EPS (LB- and TB-EPS). It was observed that all samples behaved as weak gels with weak-link. TB-EPS and AS after LB-EPS extraction showed the strongest elasticity in higher concentrations and highest mass fractal dimension, which may indicate the key role of TB-EPS in the gel-like and fractal structures of the sludge. Effects of protease or amylase on the gel-like property of sludge samples differed in the presence of different EPS fractions.