Characterization of Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to a Community Hospital of East Harlem in New York City.

Background New York City was the epicenter for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize the population of patients admitted with this condition to a community hospital in East Harlem located in the northeast part of the city. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of patients at least 18 years of age, admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 disease from March 14 to April 30 of 2020.

MEK1 regulates pulmonary macrophage inflammatory responses and resolution of acute lung injury.

The MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway has been implicated in regulating the inflammatory response to lung injury and infection, and pharmacologic MEK1/2 inhibitor compounds are reported to reduce detrimental inflammation in multiple animal models of disease, in part through modulation of leukocyte responses. However, the specific contribution of myeloid MEK1 in regulating acute lung injury (ALI) and its resolution remain unknown. Here, the role of myeloid Mek1 was investigated in a murine model of LPS-induced ALI (LPS-ALI) by genetic deletion using the Cre-floxed system (LysMCre × Mekfl), and human alveolar macrophages from healthy volunteers and patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were obtained to assess activation of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway.

Transcriptional and functional diversity of human macrophage repolarization.

Background: Macrophage plasticity allows cells to adopt different phenotypes, a property with important implications in disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma.

Objective: We sought to examine the transcriptional and functional significance of macrophage repolarization from an M1 to an M2 phenotype and assess the role of a common human genetic disorder (CF) and a prototypical allergic disease (asthma) in this transformation.

Methods: Monocyte-derived macrophages were collected from healthy subjects and patients with CF and polarized to an M2 state by using IL-4, IL-10, glucocorticoids, apoptotic PMNs, or azithromycin.

Matrix metalloproteinase 28 is regulated by TRIF- and type I IFN-dependent signaling in macrophages.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are transcriptionally regulated proteases that have multiple roles in modifying the extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammatory response. Our previous work identified Mmp28 as a key regulator of inflammation and macrophage polarization during experimental models of pulmonary infection, fibrosis, and chronic smoke exposure. However, the signaling pathways responsible for regulation of macrophage Mmp28 expression remain undefined.

Reduced feeding activity of soil detritivores under warmer and drier conditions.

Anthropogenic warming is projected to trigger positive feedbacks to climate by enhancing carbon losses from the soil1. While such losses are, in part, owing to increased decomposition of organic matter by invertebrate detritivores, it is unknown how detritivore feeding activity will change with warming2, especially under drought conditions. Here, using four year manipulation experiments in two North American boreal forests, we investigate how temperature (ambient, +1.

Frontiers in alley cropping: Transformative solutions for temperate agriculture.

Annual row crops dominate agriculture around the world and have considerable negative environmental impacts, including significant greenhouse gas emissions. Transformative land-use solutions are necessary to mitigate climate change and restore critical ecosystem services. Alley cropping (AC)-the integration of trees with crops-is an agroforestry practice that has been studied as a transformative, multifunctional land-use solution.

Pharmacologic inhibition of MEK1/2 reduces lung inflammation without impairing bacterial clearance in experimental pneumonia.

This study was designed to test the therapeutic potential of a MEK1/2 inhibitor (MEKi) in an experimental model of pneumonia. The study found that treatment with MEKi reduced alveolar neutrophilic inflammation and led to faster recovery of weight compared to carrier-treated mice, without impairing bacterial clearance. Alveolar macrophages isolated from MEKi-treated mice also had increased M2 gene and protein expression, supporting the concept that MEKi modulates in vivo macrophage inflammatory responses.

A Fully Automatic Method for Comparing Cartridge Case Images.

When a gun is fired, it leaves marks on cartridge cases that are thought to be unique to the gun. In current practice, firearms examiners inspect cartridge cases for "sufficient agreement," in which case they conclude that they come from the same gun, testifying in courts as such. A 2016 President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report questioned the scientific validity of such analysis (President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology, Washington, DC, Executive Office of the President).

Stat5 Is Required for CD103 Dendritic Cell and Alveolar Macrophage Development and Protection from Lung Injury.

We tested the role of Stat5 in dendritic cell and alveolar macrophage (AM) homeostasis in the lung using CD11c-cre mediated deletion (Cre5). We show that Stat5 is required for CD103 dendritic cell and AM development. We found that fetal monocyte maturation into AMs was impaired in Cre5 mice, and we also confirmed impaired AM development of progenitor cells using mixed chimera experiments.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-28 Is a Key Contributor to Emphysema Pathogenesis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Because tissue destruction is the prominent characteristic of emphysema, extracellular proteinases, particularly those with elastolytic ability, are often considered to be key drivers in this disease. Several human and mouse studies have implicated roles for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly macrophage-derived proteinases, in COPD pathogenesis.

MEK1/2 Inhibition Promotes Macrophage Reparative Properties.

Macrophages have important functional roles in regulating the timely promotion and resolution of inflammation. Although many of the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the proinflammatory responses of macrophages are well characterized, the components that regulate macrophage reparative properties are less well understood. We identified the MEK1/2 pathway as a key regulator of macrophage reparative properties.

Temperature response of soil respiration largely unaltered with experimental warming.

The respiratory release of carbon dioxide (CO) from soil is a major yet poorly understood flux in the global carbon cycle. Climatic warming is hypothesized to increase rates of soil respiration, potentially fueling further increases in global temperatures. However, despite considerable scientific attention in recent decades, the overall response of soil respiration to anticipated climatic warming remains unclear.

Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum glucosidases is required for in vitro and in vivo dengue antiviral activity by the iminosugar UV-4.

The antiviral activity of UV-4 was previously demonstrated against dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) in multiple mouse models. Herein, step-wise minimal effective dose and therapeutic window of efficacy studies of UV-4B (UV-4 hydrochloride salt) were conducted in an antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) mouse model of severe DENV2 infection in AG129 mice lacking types I and II interferon receptors. Significant survival benefit was demonstrated with 10-20 mg/kg of UV-4B administered thrice daily (TID) for seven days with initiation of treatment up to 48 h after infection.

CD8+ T Cells Can Mediate Short-Term Protection against Heterotypic Dengue Virus Reinfection in Mice.

Unlabelled: Dengue virus (DENV) is a major public health threat worldwide. Infection with one of the four serotypes of DENV results in a transient period of protection against reinfection with all serotypes (cross-protection), followed by lifelong immunity to the infecting serotype. While a protective role for neutralizing antibody responses is well established, the contribution of T cells to reinfection is less clear, especially during heterotypic reinfection.

Voxel Level Survival Analysis of Grey Matter Volume and Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's Disease.

The purpose of this study was to identify, at the voxel level, brain regions associated with the time to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) from normal cognition. We analyzed incident MCI (n = 58) or AD (n = 151) in 292 cognitively normal participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study-Cognition Study (mean age = 79.2 ± 3.

The influence of nighttime feeding of carbohydrate or protein combined with exercise training on appetite and cardiometabolic risk in young obese women.

Single macronutrient intake prior to sleep reduces appetite but may negatively impact insulin sensitivity in sedentary obese women. The present study examined the additive impact of nighttime feeding of whey (WH), casein (CAS), or carbohydrate (CHO) combined with exercise training on appetite, cardiometabolic health, and strength in obese women. Thirty-seven sedentary obese women (WH, n = 13, body mass index (BMI) 34.

CD8+ T cells prevent antigen-induced antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue disease in mice.

Dengue virus (DENV) causes pathologies ranging from the febrile illness dengue fever to the potentially lethal severe dengue disease. A major risk factor for developing severe dengue disease is the presence of subprotective DENV-reactive Abs from a previous infection (or from an immune mother), which can induce Ab-dependent enhancement of infection (ADE). However, infection in the presence of subprotective anti-DENV Abs does not always result in severe disease, suggesting that other factors influence disease severity.

Influence of night-time protein and carbohydrate intake on appetite and cardiometabolic risk in sedentary overweight and obese women.

The present study investigated whether whey (WH) protein, casein (CAS) protein or a carbohydrate placebo (PLA) consumed 30 min before sleep could acutely alter appetite or cardiometabolic risk the following morning. A total of forty-four sedentary overweight and obese women (BMI: 25·7-54·6 kg/m2) completed this stratified, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (WH: n 16, age 27·4 (sd 5·0) years; CAS: n 15, age 30·3 (sd 8·1) years; PLA: n 13, age 28·5 (sd 7·2) years). The participants came to the laboratory at baseline (visit 1) and again in the morning after night-time ingestion of either protein or PLA (visit 2).

Effects of milk proteins and combined exercise training on aortic hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in young obese women with high blood pressure.

Background: Obesity and reduced muscle strength are associated with increased blood pressure (BP). We examined the impact of milk proteins and combined exercise training (CET) on BP, arterial function, and muscle strength (one-repetition maximum (1-RM)).

Methods: Thirty-three obese sedentary women (age = 30 ± 1 years; body mass index = 35.

Role of humoral versus cellular responses induced by a protective dengue vaccine candidate.

With 2.5 billion people at risk, dengue is a major emerging disease threat and an escalating public health problem worldwide. Dengue virus causes disease ranging from a self-limiting febrile illness (dengue fever) to the potentially fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.

Bootstrapping GEE models for fMRI regional connectivity.

An Alzheimer's fMRI study has motivated us to evaluate inter-regional correlations during rest between groups. We apply generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to test for differences in regional correlations across groups. Both the GEE marginal model and GEE transition model are evaluated and compared to the standard pooling Fisher-z approach using simulation studies.

Potential utility of resting-state magnetoencephalography as a biomarker of CNS abnormality in HIV disease.

There is a lack of a neuroimaging biomarker for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder. We report magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from patients with HIV disease and risk-group appropriate controls that were collected to determine the MEG frequency profile during the resting state, and the stability of the profile over 24 weeks. 17 individuals (10 HIV+, 7 HIV-) completed detailed neurobehavioral evaluations and 10min of resting-state MEG acquisition with a 306-channel whole-head system.

A generalized estimating equations approach for resting-state functional MRI group analysis.

An Alzheimer's fMRI study has motivated us to evaluate inter-regional correlations between groups. The overall objective is to assess inter-regional correlations at a resting-state with no stimulus or task. We propose using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) transition model and a GEE marginal model to model the within-subject correlation for each region.

Postconcussive symptoms are associated with compensatory cortical recruitment during a working memory task.

Background: The severity of sports-related concussion is often characterized by the number and severity of postconcussive symptoms (eg, headache, dizziness, difficulty concentrating). Although the level of postconcussive symptoms after injury is believed to index the severity of the neurological insult sustained, studies examining the relationship between symptom severity and neural functioning in concussed athletes remain rare.

Objective: This exploratory study examined the association between self-reported symptom severity and functional activation on a working memory task in a group of 16 recently concussed student athletes.