Evaluating waterlogging stress response and recovery in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): an image-based phenotyping approach.

Waterlogging is expected to become a more prominent yield restricting stress for barley as rainfall frequency is increasing in many regions due to climate change. The duration of waterlogging events in the field is highly variable throughout the season, and this variation is also observed in experimental waterlogging studies. Such variety of protocols make intricate physiological responses challenging to assess and quantify.

Intestinal cDC1s provide cues required for CD4+ T cell-mediated resistance to Cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium is an enteric pathogen and a prominent cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. Control of Cryptosporidium requires CD4+ T cells, but how protective CD4+ T cell responses are generated is poorly understood. Here, Cryptosporidium parasites that express MHCII-restricted model antigens were generated to understand the basis for CD4+ T cell priming and effector function.

Ventilator-induced Lung Injury Promotes Inflammation within the Pleural Cavity.

Mechanical ventilation contributes to the morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care, likely through the exacerbation and dissemination of inflammation. Despite the proximity of the pleural cavity to the lungs and exposure to physical forces, little attention has been paid to its potential as an inflammatory source during ventilation. Here, we investigate the pleural cavity as a novel site of inflammation during ventilator-induced lung injury.

Analysis of intestinal epithelial cell responses to Cryptosporidium highlights the temporal effects of IFN-γ on parasite restriction.

The production of IFN-γ is crucial for control of multiple enteric infections, but its impact on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) is not well understood. Cryptosporidium parasites exclusively infect epithelial cells and the ability of interferons to activate the transcription factor STAT1 in IEC is required for parasite clearance. Here, the use of single cell RNA sequencing to profile IEC during infection revealed an increased proportion of mid-villus enterocytes during infection and induction of IFN-γ-dependent gene signatures that was comparable between uninfected and infected cells.

Functional traits of fossil plants.

A minuscule fraction of the Earth's paleobiological diversity is preserved in the geological record as fossils. What plant remnants have withstood taphonomic filtering, fragmentation, and alteration in their journey to become part of the fossil record provide unique information on how plants functioned in paleo-ecosystems through their traits. Plant traits are measurable morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, or phenological characteristics that potentially affect their environment and fitness.

Analysis of intestinal epithelial cell responses to highlights the temporal effects of IFN-γ on parasite restriction.

The production of IFN-γ is crucial for control of multiple enteric infections, but its impact on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) is not well understood. parasites exclusively infect epithelial cells and the ability of interferons to activate the transcription factor STAT1 in IEC is required for parasite clearance. The use of single cell RNA sequencing to profile IEC during infection revealed induction of IFN-γ-dependent gene signatures that was comparable between uninfected and infected cells, and IEC expression of the IFN-γ receptor was required for parasite control.

Intestinal cDC1s provide IL-12 dependent and independent functions required for CD4 T cell-mediated resistance to .

is an enteric pathogen that is a prominent cause of diarrheal disease. Control of this infection requires CD4 T cells, though the processes that lead to T cell-mediated resistance have been difficult to assess. Here, parasites that express MHCII-restricted model antigens were generated to dissect the early events that influence CD4 T cell priming and effector function.

Dendritic cell-mediated responses to secreted effectors are required for parasite-specific CD8 T cell responses.

causes debilitating diarrheal disease in patients with primary and acquired defects in T cell function. However, it has been a challenge to understand how this infection generates T cell responses and how they mediate parasite control. Here, was engineered to express a parasite effector protein (MEDLE-2) that contains the MHC-I restricted SIINFEKL epitope which is recognized by TCR transgenic OT-I CD8 T cells.

Bv8 mediates myeloid cell migration and enhances malignancy of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most predominant malignancy in the world. Although the importance of immune system in cancer development has been well established, the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated further. Here we studied a novel protein prokineticin 2 (Prok2, also known as Bv8) as a key pro-tumoral factor in CRC progression in and settings.

PD-1 and CTLA-4 exert additive control of effector regulatory T cells at homeostasis.

At homeostasis, a substantial proportion of Foxp3 T regulatory cells (T) have an activated phenotype associated with enhanced TCR signals and these effector T cells (eT) co-express elevated levels of PD-1 and CTLA-4. Short term blockade of the PD-1 or CTLA-4 pathways results in increased eT populations, while combination blockade of both pathways had an additive effect. Mechanistically, combination blockade resulted in a reduction of suppressive phospho-SHP2 Y580 in eT cells which was associated with increased proliferation, enhanced production of IL-10, and reduced dendritic cell and macrophage expression of CD80 and MHC-II.

Circulating Myeloid Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles as Mediators of Indirect Acute Lung Injury.

Blood-borne myeloid cells, neutrophils and monocytes, play a central role in the development of indirect acute lung injury (ALI) during sepsis and noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome. By contrast, the contribution of circulating myeloid cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) to ALI is unknown, despite acute increases in their numbers during sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Here, we investigated the direct role of circulating myeloid-EVs in ALI using a mouse isolated perfused lung system and a human cell coculture model of pulmonary vascular inflammation consisting of lung microvascular endothelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Serving young children with communication disabilities from Latinx backgrounds and their families with equity: Provider perspectives.

Introduction: Latinx children with communication disorders from birth to age 5 and their families are increasingly served in United States (US) educational and medical settings where longstanding structural barriers threaten their access to equitable assessment and intervention. However, little is known about providers' perceptions serving this highly diverse population as they relate to reducing disparities in care for communication disorders.

Methods: This exploratory qualitative study interviewed 24 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and early intervention (EI)/early childhood special education (ECSE) developmental specialists serving young Latinx children with communication disorders to offer targeted recommendations toward improving equity.

A genetic screen identifies a protective type III interferon response to Cryptosporidium that requires TLR3 dependent recognition.

Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and diarrheal-related death in children worldwide. As an obligate intracellular parasite, Cryptosporidium relies on intestinal epithelial cells to provide a niche for its growth and survival, but little is known about the contributions that the infected cell makes to this relationship. Here we conducted a genome wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen to discover host genes that influence Cryptosporidium parvum infection and/or host cell survival.

Microvesicle-Mediated Communication Within the Alveolar Space: Mechanisms of Uptake by Epithelial Cells and Alveolar Macrophages.

Intra-alveolar microvesicles (MVs) are important mediators of inter-cellular communication within the alveolar space, and are key components in the pathophysiology of lung inflammation such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Despite the abundance of data detailing the pro-inflammatory effects of MVs, it remains unclear how MVs interact or signal with target cells in the alveolus. Using both and alveolar models, we analyzed the dynamics of MV uptake by resident alveolar cells: alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells.

PD-L1-PD-1 interactions limit effector regulatory T cell populations at homeostasis and during infection.

Phenotypic and transcriptional profiling of regulatory T (T) cells at homeostasis reveals that T cell receptor activation promotes T cells with an effector phenotype (eT) characterized by the production of interleukin-10 and expression of the inhibitory receptor PD-1. At homeostasis, blockade of the PD-1 pathway results in enhanced eT cell activity, whereas during infection with Toxoplasma gondii, early interferon-γ upregulates myeloid cell expression of PD-L1 associated with reduced T cell populations. In infected mice, blockade of PD-L1, complete deletion of PD-1 or lineage-specific deletion of PD-1 in T cells prevents loss of eT cells.

Investigation of Microvesicle Uptake by Mouse Lung-marginated Monocytes .

Extracellular microvesicles (MVs) are released into the circulation in large numbers during acute systemic inflammation, yet little is known of their intravascular cell/tissue-specific interactions under these conditions. We recently described a dramatic increase in the uptake of intravenously injected MVs by monocytes marginated within the pulmonary vasculature, in a mouse model of low-dose lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation. To investigate the mechanisms of enhanced MV uptake by monocytes, we developed an in vitro model using in vivo derived monocytes.

Breastfeeding and infant growth in offspring of mothers with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy: The pregnancy and neonatal diabetes outcomes in remote Australia study.

Background: Benefits of breastfeeding on infant growth in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are uncertain.

Objectives: To describe growth trajectories between birth and 14 months according to breastfeeding and maternal hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, and assess associations between breastfeeding and 14 month growth outcomes among children born to mothers with GDM.

Subjects/methods: Data on 258 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants from the PANDORA study born to mothers with normoglycaemia (n = 73), GDM (n = 122), or with pre-existing type 2 diabetes (n = 63) in pregnancy were assessed.

Type 2 diabetes after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes among first nations women in Australia: The PANDORA study.

Aims: To determine among First Nations and Europid pregnant women the cumulative incidence and predictors of postpartum type 2 diabetes and prediabetes and describe postpartum cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles.

Methods: PANDORA is a prospective longitudinal cohort of women recruited in pregnancy. Ethnic-specific rates of postpartum type 2 diabetes and prediabetes were reported for women with diabetes in pregnancy (DIP), gestational diabetes (GDM) or normoglycaemia in pregnancy over a short follow-up of 2.

Qualitative insights into Australian consumers' views for and against government action on sugary drinks.

Objectives: Despite significant evidence of harms associated with high levels of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, and international moves towards regulation to curb overconsumption of such drinks, Australia has been slow to take policy action. This study provides in-depth insights into consumers' reactions to different SSB policy options.

Methods: Eight focus groups were undertaken with 59 regular SSB consumers and/or household purchasers, stratified by: young adults aged 21-29 years (no children), parents aged 35-50 (with children at home); gender; and socio-economic status.

Secreted Extracellular Cyclophilin A Is a Novel Mediator of Ventilator-induced Lung Injury.

Mechanical ventilation is a mainstay of intensive care but contributes to the mortality of patients through ventilator-induced lung injury. eCypA (extracellular CypA [cyclophilin A]) is an emerging inflammatory mediator and metalloproteinase inducer, and the gene responsible for its expression has recently been linked to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To explore the involvement of eCypA in the pathophysiology of ventilator-induced lung injury.

Renal and dietary factors associated with hypertension in a setting of disadvantage in rural India.

Using a case-control design, we determined risk factors associated with hypertension in a disadvantaged rural population in southern India. Three hundred adults with hypertension and 300 age- and sex-matched controls were extensively phenotyped. Underweight (29%, body mass index < 18.

Antioxidant biomarkers and cardiometabolic risk markers in an Aboriginal community in remote Australia: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: High-quality diets, characterised by nutrient-rich foods, are one of the foundations for health and well-being. Indicators of diet quality, antioxidants, are associated with protection against cardiometabolic diseases. The current study explores relationships between plasma antioxidants and cardiometabolic risk among Aboriginal people in Australia.