The combined effect of pH and dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations on the physiology of plastidic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum and its cryptophyte prey.

Ocean acidification is caused by rising atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and involves a lowering of pH combined with increased concentrations of CO2 and dissolved in organic carbon in ocean waters. Many studies investigated the consequences of these combined changes on marine phytoplankton, yet only few attempted to separate the effects of decreased pH and increased pCO2. Moreover, studies typically target photoautotrophic phytoplankton, while little is known of plastidic protists that depend on the ingestion of plastids from their prey. Therefore, we studied the separate and interactive effects of pH and DIC levels on the plastidic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum, which is known to form red tides in coastal waters worldwide. Also, we tested the effects on their prey, which typically are cryptophytes belonging to the Teleaulax/Plagioslemis/Geminigera species complex. These cryptophytes not only serve as food for the ciliate, but also as a supplier of chloroplasts and prey nuclei. We exposed M. rubrum and the two cryptophyte species, T. acuta, T. amphioxeia to different pH (6.8 - 8) and DIC levels (∼ 6.5 - 26 mg C L-1) and assessed their growth and photosynthetic rates, and cellular chlorophyll a and elemental contents. Our findings did not show consistent significant effects across the ranges in pH and/or DIC, except for M. rubrum, for which growth was negatively affected only by the lowest pH of 6.8 combined with lower DIC concentrations. It thus seems that M. rubrum is largely resilient to changes in pH and DIC, and its blooms may not be strongly impacted by the changes in ocean carbonate chemistry projected for the end of the 21st century.

Cover crop root morphology rather than quality controls the fate of root and rhizodeposition C into distinct soil C pools.

Cover crops increase carbon (C) inputs to agricultural soils, and thus have the potential to mitigate climate change through enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, few studies have explored the fate of belowground C inputs associated with varying root traits into the distinct SOC pools of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) particulate organic carbon (POC). Therefore, a packed 0.5 m column trial was established with 0.25 m topsoil and 0.25 m subsoil with four cover crops species (winter rye, oilseed radish, chicory, and hairy vetch) known to differ in C:N ratio and root morphology. Cover crops were 14 CO2 -labeled for 3 months, and then, half of the columns were sampled to quantify root and rhizodeposition C. In the remaining columns, plant shoots were harvested and the undisturbed soil and roots were left for incubation. Bulk soil from both sampling times was subjected to a simple fractionation scheme, where 14 C in the <50 and >50 µm fraction was assumed to represent MAOC and POC, respectively. The fast-growing rye and radish produced the highest root C. The percentage loss of C via rhizodeposition (%ClvR) showed a distinct pattern, with 22% for the more branched roots (rye and vetch) and 6%-8% for the less branched roots (radish and chicory). This suggests that root morphology plays a key role in determining rhizodeposition C. After 1 year of incubation at room temperature, the remaining MAOC and POC were positively correlated with belowground inputs in absolute terms. However, topsoil MAOC formation efficiencies (cover crop-derived MAOC remaining as a share of belowground inputs) were higher for vetch and rye (21% and 15%, respectively) than for chicory and radish (9% and 10%, respectively), suggesting a greater importance of rhizodeposition (or indirectly, root morphology) than solely substrate C:N ratio for longer term C stabilization.

House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy tablet safety in adolescents with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: Worldwide clinical trial results.

BACKGROUND: The house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablet is a treatment option for allergic rhinitis with/without conjunctivitis (AR/C) approved in adults worldwide and in adolescents in some countries. OBJECTIVE: To supplement existing adolescent HDM SLIT-tablet safety data by conducting the MT-18 trial in adolescents. METHODS: MT-18 (EudraCT:2020-000446-34) was a phase 3, open-label, single-arm, 28-day safety trial of daily HDM SLIT-tablet (12 SQ-HDM dose) in European adolescents (12-17 years) with HDM AR/C, with or without asthma. The primary end point was at least 1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). MT-18 results were compared with 12 SQ-HDM adolescent subpopulation data from previously described 1-year phase 3 trials conducted in North America (P001; clinicaltrials.gov:NCT01700192) or Japan (TO-203-3-2; JapicCTI:121848). RESULTS: No treatment-related anaphylaxis, epinephrine administrations, severe local swellings, severe mouth or throat edema, or eosinophilic esophagitis occurred in the trials. For MT-18 (N = 253), P001 (N adolescents = 189), and TO-203-3-2 (N adolescents = 206), the percentage of adolescents treated with 12 SQ-HDM reporting any TEAE was 88%, 95%, and 93%, respectively, and the percentage reporting any treatment-related AE (TRAE) was 86%, 93%, and 66%, respectively. The most common TRAEs were local application site reactions. Most TRAEs were mild in intensity and were typically experienced the first 1 to 2 days of treatment. There were no asthma-related TEAEs with the HDM SLIT-tablet. The safety profile appears similar between adolescents with or without asthma at baseline. CONCLUSION: The HDM SLIT-tablet was well tolerated in European, North American, and Japanese adolescents with HDM AR/C, indicating safety of the HDM SLIT-tablet is insensitive to age or geographic region. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: (P001: NCT01700192); EudraCT: (MT-18; 2020-000446-34); JapicCTI: (TO-203-3-2; 121848).

Music to improve sleep quality in adults with depression-related insomnia (MUSTAFI): randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia in depression is common and difficult to resolve. Unresolved depression-related sleep disturbances increase risk of relapse at high costs for individuals and society. Trials have suggested music for insomnia in various populations, but there is little research on the effectiveness of music for depression-related insomnia. METHODS: We examined the efficacy of a music intervention on insomnia, depression symptoms and quality of life in adults with depression-related insomnia. A two-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted, including depression outpatients with insomnia (n = 112) in a 1:1 ratio to music intervention and waitlist control group. The intervention group listened to music at bedtime for 4 weeks. Participants received treatment as usual during 8 weeks with assessments at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure was Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), secondary outcomes comprised Actigraphy, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and World Health Organisation well-being questionnaires (WHO-5, WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The music intervention group experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and well-being at 4 weeks according to global PSQI scores (effect size = -2.1, 95%CI -3.3; -0.9) and WHO-5 scores (effect size 8.4, 95%CI 2.7;14.0). At 8 weeks, i.e. 4 weeks after termination of the music intervention, the improvement in global PSQI scores had decreased (effect size = -0.1, 95%CI -1.3; 1.1). Actigraphy sleep assessments showed no changes and there was no detection of change in depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Music intervention is suggested as a safe and moderately effective sleep aid in depression-related insomnia. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. ID NCT03676491.

Associations between Alcohol Consumption and HDL Subspecies Defined by ApoC3, ApoE and ApoJ: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Alcohol consumption increases circulating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), but HDL protein cargo may better reflect HDL function. This study examined the associations between alcohol intake and HDL subspecies containing or lacking apoC3, apoE, and apoJ in a well-phenotyped cohort. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2092 Cardiovascular Health Study participants aged 70 or older with HDL subspecies measured in stored specimens from 1998 to 1999. Associations between alcohol intake and apoA1 defined HDL subspecies lacking or containing apoC3, apoE, and apoJ, and circulating levels of total apoA1, apoC3, apoE, and apoJ were examined. HDL subspecies lacking and containing apoC3, apoE, and apoJ were all positively associated with alcohol intake, with ∼1% per additional drink per week or ∼7% per additional drink per day (subspecies without the apolipoproteins, P ≤ 2 × 10-9, subspecies with the apolipoproteins, P ≤ 3 × 10-5). Total apoA1 was also directly associated with alcohol consumption, with a 1% increase per additional drink per week (P = 1 × 10-14). Total apoC3 blood levels were 0.5% higher per additional drink per week (P = 0.01), but the association was driven by a few heavily drinking men. Alcohol intake was positively associated with HDL subspecies lacking and containing apoC3, apoE, or apoJ, and with total plasma apoA1. ApoC3 was directly, albeit not as robustly associated with alcohol intake. HDL protein cargo is crucial for its anti-atherosclerotic functions, but it remains to be determined whether HDL subspecies play a role in the putative association between limited alcohol intake and lower risk of coronary heart disease.

Masks and air rage: a qualitative content analysis using an interaction ritual framework.

During the pandemic, there was an alarming escalation in reports of air rage in the United States. Prior to the pandemic, the yearly average of unruly airline passenger behaviors was around 100 incidents per year. However, after mask mandates were issued, 5981 unruly passenger incidents in the United States were reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2021 alone. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative content analysis pertaining to mask-related incidents of air rage, to learn more about this recent social problem. We also applied an interaction ritual (IR) framework to the results of our analysis, to provide sociological insight concerning this issue. The goal of our exploratory research is to understand what it is about masks that cause certain groups of people to lash out violently while on airplanes. To date, little or no scholarly efforts have researched incidents of air rage in relation to masks. Therefore, our research provides a contribution by updating the literature on this topic.

Impacts of empty fruit bunch applications on soil organic carbon in an industrial oil palm plantation.

Extensive oil palm plantations have often resulted in the decrease of soil organic carbon (SOC). Several options exist to counter this, such as recycling empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a soil amendment. However, the extent to which EFB increase SOC has been disputed. Since EFB could also be used as a climate change mitigation tool, it is necessary to truly understand their impact on SOC. The investigation of the impact of nine EFB treatments (differing in frequency and application rates) on a 27-year-old large-scale experiment (Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia) revealed that, while EFB impacts are heterogeneous throughout the plantation, they can positively affect total SOC and permanganate oxidisable carbon (POX-C) both at shallow and deep depths (measured up to 100 cm). POX-C was closely correlated to SOC, but showed significant increases compared to the untreated control in all treatments, while total SOC was only increased in a few treatments with small and frequent rates of EFB application. Overall, between 12 (±16) and 56 (±12) t ha-1 of carbon were sequestered under the harvesting path after 21 years. Focussing on the mineral nutrition value of the EFB, oil palm companies apply a rate of 60 t of EFB every second year for their commercial production, and the analysis of three commercial plots showed that the commercial rate only increased POX-C while it had no effect on the total SOC and SOC stocks. It seems obvious that a change of paradigm is necessary to consider EFB recycling as a new management perspective, where the potential for carbon sequestration becomes an important variable for climate change mitigation besides the initial objective of integrating EFB application into the fertiliser management plan of a plantation.

Hepcidin and Erythroferrone Complement the Athlete Biological Passport in the Detection of Autologous Blood Transfusion.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether hepcidin and erythroferrone (ERFE) could complement the athlete biological passport (ABP) in indirectly detecting a 130-mL packed red blood cells (RBC) autologous blood transfusion. Endurance performance was evaluated. METHODS: Forty-eight healthy men ( n = 24) and women ( n = 24) participated. Baseline samples were collected weekly followed by randomization to a blood transfusion (BT, n = 24) or control group (CON, n = 24). Only the BT group donated 450 mL whole blood from which 130 mL red blood cell was reinfused 4 wk later. Blood samples were collected 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after donation, and 3, 6, and 24 h and 2, 3, and 6 d after reinfusion. In the CON group samples were collected with the same frequency. Endurance performance was evaluated by a 650-kCal time trial ( n = 13) before and 1 and 6 d after reinfusion. RESULTS: A time-treatment effect existed ( P < 0.05) for hepcidin and ERFE. Hepcidin was increased ( P < 0.01) ~110 and 89% 6 and 24 h after reinfusion. Using an individual approach (99% specificity, e.g., allowing 1:100 false-positive), sensitivities, i.e., true positives, of 30% and 61% was found for hepcidin and ERFE, respectively. For the ABP, the most sensitive marker was Off-hr score ([Hb] (g·L -1 ) - 60 × âˆšRET%) ( P < 0.05) with a maximal sensitivity of ~58% and ~9% after donation and reinfusion, respectively. Combining the findings for hepcidin, ERFE, and the ABP yielded a sensitivity across all time-points of 83% after reinfusion in BT. Endurance performance increased 24 h (+6.4%, P < 0.01) and 6 d after reinfusion (+5.8%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hepcidin and ERFE may serve as biomarkers in an antidoping context after an ergogenic, small-volume blood transfusion.

Metabolic Reliance on Photosynthesis Depends on Both Irradiance and Prey Availability in the Mixotrophic Ciliate, Strombidium cf. basimorphum.

Many species of the ciliate genus Strombidium can acquire functional chloroplasts from a wide range of algal prey and are thus classified as generalist non-constitutive mixotrophs. Little, however, is known about the influence of irradiance and prey availability on their ability to exploit the photosynthetic potential of the chloroplasts, and how this may explain their spatial and temporal distribution in nature. In this study, inorganic carbon uptake, growth, and ingestion rates were measured for S. cf. basimorphum under three different irradiances (10, 40, and 120 µmol photons m-2 s-1) when acclimated to three different prey densities (5 × 103, 1 × 104, and 4 × 104 cells mL-1), as well as when allowed to deplete the prey. After prey depletion, cultures survived without prey longest (∼6 days) at the medium irradiance treatment (40 µmol photons m-2 s-1), while ciliate density, inorganic carbon uptake rates, and cellular chl-a content declined fastest at the highest irradiance treatment. This indicates that the ciliates may be unable to maintain the chloroplasts functionally without replacement at high irradiances. Ingestion rates were not shown to be significantly influenced by irradiance. The maximum gross growth efficiency (GGE) in this study (1.1) was measured in cultures exposed to the medium test irradiance and lowest prey density treatment (5 × 103 cells mL-1). The relative contribution of inorganic carbon uptake to the ciliate carbon budget was also highest in this treatment (42%). A secondary GGE peak (0.99) occurred when cultures were exposed to the highest test irradiance and the medium prey density. These and other results suggest that S. cf. basimorphum, and other generalist non-constitutive mixotrophs, can flexibly exploit many different environmental conditions across the globe.

Immature reticulocytes are sensitive and specific to low-dose erythropoietin treatment at sea level and altitude.

We investigated whether immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) and immature reticulocytes to red blood cells ratio (IR/RBC) are sensitive biomarkers for low-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) treatment at sea level (SL) and moderate altitude (AL) and whether multi (FACS) or single (Sysmex-XN) fluorescence flow cytometry is superior for IRF and IR/RBC determination. Thirty-nine participants completed two interventions, each containing a 4-week baseline, a 4-week SL or AL (2,230 m) exposure, and a 4-week follow-up. During exposure, rhEpo (20 IU kg-1 ) or placebo (PLA) was injected at SL (SLrhEpo , n = 25, SLPLA n = 9) and AL (ALrhEpo , n = 12, ALPLA n = 27) every second day for 3 weeks. Venous blood was collected weekly. Sysmex measurements revealed that IRF and IR/RBC were up to ~70% (P < 0.01) and ~190% (P < 0.001) higher in SLrhEpo than SLPLA during treatment and up to ~45% (P < 0.001) and ~55% (P < 0.01) lower post-treatment, respectively. Compared with ALPLA , IRF and IR/RBC were up to ~20% (P < 0.05) and ~45% (P < 0.001) lower post-treatment in SLrhEpo , respectively. In ALrhEpo , IRF and IR/RBC were up to ~40% (P < 0.05) and ~110% (P < 0.001) higher during treatment and up to ~25% (P < 0.05) and ~40% (P < 0.05) lower post-treatment, respectively, compared with ALPLA . Calculated thresholds provided ~90% sensitivity for both biomarkers at SL and 33% (IRF) and 66% (IR/RBC) at AL. Specificity was >99%. Single-fluorescence flow cytometry coefficient of variation was >twofold higher at baseline (P < 0.001) and provided larger or similar changes compared to multi-fluorescence, albeit with smaller precision. In conclusion, IRF and IR/RBC were sensitive and specific biomarkers for low-dose rhEpo misuse at SL and AL.

Succession of the fungal endophytic microbiome of wheat is dependent on tissue-specific interactions between host genotype and environment.

Fungi living inside plants affect many aspects of plant health, but little is known about how plant genotype influences the fungal endophytic microbiome. However, a deeper understanding of interactions between plant genotype and biotic and abiotic environment in shaping the plant microbiome is of significance for modern agriculture, with implications for disease management, breeding and the development of biocontrol agents. For this purpose, we analysed the fungal wheat microbiome from seed to plant to seeds and studied how different potential sources of inoculum contributed to shaping of the microbiome. We conducted a large-scale pot experiment with related wheat cultivars over one growth-season in two environments (indoors and outdoors) to disentangle the effects of host genotype, abiotic environment (temperature, humidity, precipitation) and fungi present in the seed stock, air and soil on the succession of the endophytic fungal communities in roots, flag leaves and seeds at harvest. The communities were studied with ITS1 metabarcoding and environmental climate factors were monitored during the experimental period. Host genotype, tissue type and abiotic factors influenced fungal communities significantly. The effect of host genotype was mostly limited to leaves and roots, and was location-independent. While there was a clear effect of plant genotype, the relatedness between cultivars was not reflected in the microbiome. For the phyllosphere microbiome, location-dependent weather conditions factors largely explained differences in abundance, diversity, and presence of genera containing pathogens, whereas the root communities were less affected by abiotic factors. Our findings suggest that airborne fungi are the primary inoculum source for fungal communities in aerial plant parts whereas vertical transmission is likely to be insignificant. In summary, our study demonstrates that host genotype, environment and presence of fungi in the environment shape the endophytic fungal community in wheat over a growing season.

Pseudohyphal growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves protein kinase-regulated lipid flippases.

Lipid flippases of the P4 ATPase family establish phospholipid asymmetry in eukaryotic cell membranes and are involved in many essential cellular processes. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains five P4 ATPases, among which Dnf3p is poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrate that Dnf3p is a flippase that catalyzes translocation of major glycerophospholipids, including phosphatidylserine, towards the cytosolic membrane leaflet. Deletion of the genes encoding Dnf3p and the distantly related P4 ATPases Dnf1p and Dnf2p results in yeast mutants with aberrant formation of pseudohyphae, suggesting that the Dnf1p-Dnf3p proteins have partly redundant functions in the control of this specialized form of polarized growth. Furthermore, as previously demonstrated for Dnf1 and Dnf2p, the phospholipid flipping activity of Dnf3p is positively regulated by flippase kinase 1 (Fpk1p) and Fpk2p. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that Dnf3p belongs to a subfamily of P4 ATPases specific for fungi and are likely to represent a hallmark of fungal evolution.

An outreach collaborative model for early identification and treatment of mental disorder in Danish workplaces.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental disorders among the working population with potentially high personal and financial cost. The overall aim of this study was to test the applicability of an outreach collaborative model for early identification and treatment of clinical and sub-clinical mental disorders among Danish employees. This applicability was examined by I) investigating the fractions of identified and treated clinical and subclinical cases, II) describing the distribution and characteristics of cases identified and III) investigating the effect of allocated treatment. METHODS: A longitudinal study design with four assessments (T0-T3) over 16 months was applied. Self-reporting questionnaires probing for psychopathology were distributed to all employees in six consecutively enrolled companies at the four time points. Employees meeting the screening criteria at T1 were assessed diagnostically. Subjects diagnosed with a clinical mental disorder were allocated to outpatient psychiatric treatment, and subjects with subclinical conditions were allocated to preventive cognitive behavioural therapy. Follow-up was conducted 6 and 12 months after initiation of treatment. We used chi-squared test and F-test to compare the different groups on baseline characteristics and mixed effects linear regression to analyse the treatment effects. RESULTS: Forty (6.8%) of the 586 responders at T1 were diagnosed with a clinical mental disorder and referred to outpatient psychiatric treatment. Thirty-three (5.6%) were affected by a subclinical condition and referred to preventive treatment. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the employees diagnosed with a clinical condition had never received treatment before. Symptom severity decreased significantly for both treated groups until follow-up. When compared to a composed control group, subclinical cases displayed a more rapid initial significant symptomatic decrease on the global symptom scale (coefs = - 0.914, 95% CI [- 1.754, - 0,075]) and anxiety sub-scale (coefs = - 1.043, 95% CI [- 2.021, - 0.066]). This did not apply to the clinical cases as no significant difference in change were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The outreach collaborative model demonstrated an applicability to identify both clinical and subclinical cases, among these a high number of employees with an unmet need for treatment. We found evidence of a positive initial effect on symptomatology from the allocated preventive treatment among the subclinical cases, but not for clinical cases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered at December 18, 2018 at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT03786328 .

DGT technique to assess P mobilization from greenhouse vegetable soils in China: A novel approach.

Intensive phosphorus (P) inputs to plastic-covered greenhouse vegetable production (PGVP) in China has led to excessive soil P accumulation increasing the potential for leaching to surface waters. This study examined the mobility and hence the potential risk of P losses through correlations between soil solution P (PSol) and soil extractable P as determined by conventional soil P test methods (STPs) including degree of P saturations (DPSs), and diffusive gradient in thin-films (DGT P) technique. A total of 75 topsoil samples were chosen from five representative Chinese PGVPs covering a wide range of physiochemical soil properties and cultivation history. Total P and Olsen P contents varied from 260 to 4900, and 5 to 740mgkg-1, respectively, while PSol concentrations were between 0.01 and 10.8mgL-1 reflecting the large differences in vegetation history, fertilization schemes, and soil types. Overall, DGT P provided the best correlation with PSol (r2=0.97) demonstrating that DGT P is a versatile measure of P mobility regardless of soil type. Among the DPSs tested, oxalate extractable Al (DPSOx-Al) had the best correlation with PSol (r2=0.87). In the STP versus PSol relationships, STP break-points above which P mobilization increases steeply were 513µgL-1 and 190mgkg-1 for DGT P or Olsen P, respectively, corresponding to PSol concentration of 0.88mgL-1. However, for PSol concentration of 0.1mgL-1 that initiates eutrophication, the corresponding DGT P and Olsen P values were 27µgL-1 and 22mgkg-1, respectively. Over 80% of the investigated soils had DGT P and Olsen P above these values, and thus are at risk of P mobilization threatening receiving waters by eutrophication. This paper demonstrates that the DGT extracted P is a powerful measure for soluble P and hence for assessment of P mobility from a broad range of soil types.

Results from the 5-year SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet asthma prevention (GAP) trial in children with grass pollen allergy.

BACKGROUND: Allergy immunotherapy targets the immunological cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma and has the potential to alter the natural course of allergic disease. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to investigate the effect of the SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet compared with placebo on the risk of developing asthma. METHODS: A total of 812 children (5-12 years), with a clinically relevant history of grass pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and no medical history or signs of asthma, were included in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, comprising 3 years of treatment and 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: There was no difference in time to onset of asthma, defined by prespecified asthma criteria relying on documented reversible impairment of lung function (primary endpoint). Treatment with the SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet significantly reduced the risk of experiencing asthma symptoms or using asthma medication at the end of trial (odds ratio = 0.66, P < .036), during the 2-year posttreatment follow-up, and during the entire 5-year trial period. Also, grass allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms were 22% to 30% reduced (P < .005 for all 5 years). At the end of the trial, the use of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis pharmacotherapy was significantly less (27% relative difference to placebo, P < .001). Total IgE, grass pollen-specific IgE, and skin prick test reactivity to grass pollen were all reduced compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet reduced the risk of experiencing asthma symptoms and using asthma medication, and had a positive, long-term clinical effect on rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and medication use but did not show an effect on the time to onset of asthma.

Cellular shear stiffness reflects progression of arsenic-induced transformation during G1.

Cancer cells consistently exhibit decreased stiffness; however, the onset and progression of this change have not been characterized. To study the development of cell stiffness changes, we evaluated the shear stiffness of populations of cells during transformation to a carcinogenic state. Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to sodium arsenite to initiate early stages of transformation. Exposed cells were cultured in soft agar to further transformation and select for clonal populations exhibiting anchorage-independent growth. Shear stiffness of various cell populations in G1 was assessed using a novel non-invasive assay that applies shear stress with fluid flow and evaluates nanoscale deformation using quantitative phase imaging (QPI). Arsenic-treated cells exhibited reduced stiffness relative to control cells, while arsenic clonal lines, selected by growth in soft agar, were found to have reduced stiffness relative to control clonal lines, which were cultured in soft agar but did not receive arsenic treatment. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the stiffness of Arsenic clones was reduced compared with control clones, as well as to the arsenic-exposed cell population. Cell stiffness at the population level exhibits potential to be a novel and sensitive framework for identifying the development of cancerous cells.

The Effect of Increased Loads of Dissolved Organic Matter on Estuarine Microbial Community Composition and Function.

Increased river loads are projected as one of the major consequences of climate change in the northern hemisphere, leading to elevated inputs of riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) and inorganic nutrients to coastal ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of elevated DOM on a coastal pelagic food web from the coastal northern Baltic Sea, in a 32-day mesocosm experiment. In particular, the study addresses the response of bacterioplankton to differences in character and composition of supplied DOM. The supplied DOM differed in stoichiometry and quality and had pronounced effects on the recipient bacterioplankton, driving compositional changes in response to DOM type. The shifts in bacterioplankton community composition were especially driven by the proliferation of Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, and Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria populations. The DOM additions stimulated protease activity and a release of inorganic nutrients, suggesting that DOM was actively processed. However, no difference between DOM types was detected in these functions despite different community compositions. Extensive release of re-mineralized carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus was associated with the bacterial processing, corresponding to 25-85% of the supplied DOM. The DOM additions had a negative effect on phytoplankton with decreased Chl a and biomass, particularly during the first half of the experiment. However, the accumulating nutrients likely stimulated phytoplankton biomass which was observed to increase towards the end of the experiment. This suggests that the nutrient access partially outweighed the negative effect of increased light attenuation by accumulating DOM. Taken together, our experimental data suggest that parts of the future elevated riverine DOM supply to the Baltic Sea will be efficiently mineralized by microbes. This will have consequences for bacterioplankton and phytoplankton community composition and function, and significantly affect nutrient biogeochemistry.

Recovery and decision-making involvement in people with severe mental illness from six countries: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical decision-making is the vehicle of health care provision, and level of involvement predicts implementation and satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of decision-making experience on recovery. METHODS: Data derived from an observational cohort study "Clinical decision making and outcome in routine care for people with severe mental illness" (CEDAR). Adults (aged 18-60) meeting standardised criteria for severe mental illness were recruited from caseloads of outpatient and community mental health services in six European countries. After consenting, they were assessed using standardised measures of decision-making, clinical outcome and stage of recovery at baseline and 1 year later. Latent class analysis was used to identify course of recovery, and proportional odds models to investigate predictors of recovery stage and change. RESULTS: Participants (n = 581) clustered into three stages of recovery at baseline: Moratorium (N = 115; 19.8%), Awareness/Preparation (N = 145; 25.0%) and Rebuilding/Growth (N = 321; 55.2%). Higher stage was cross-sectionally associated with being male, married, living alone or with parents, and having better patient-rated therapeutic alliance and fewer symptoms. The model accounted for 40% of the variance in stage of recovery. An increased chance of worse outcome (change over 1 year to lower stage of recovery) was found for patients with active involvement compared with either shared (OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.15-2.94) or passive (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.00-2.95) involvement. Overall, both process (therapeutic relationship) and outcome (symptomatology) are cross-sectionally associated with stage of recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-rated decision-making involvement and change in stage of recovery are associated. Joint consideration of decision practise within the recovery process between patient and clinician is supposed to be a useful strategy to improve clinical practice (ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN75841675. Retrospectively registered 15 September 2010).

Coupling Bacterioplankton Populations and Environment to Community Function in Coastal Temperate Waters.

Bacterioplankton play a key role in marine waters facilitating processes important for carbon cycling. However, the influence of specific bacterial populations and environmental conditions on bacterioplankton community performance remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to identify drivers of bacterioplankton community functions, taking into account the variability in community composition and environmental conditions over seasons, in two contrasting coastal systems. A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) analysis of the biological and chemical data obtained from surface waters over a full year indicated that specific bacterial populations were linked to measured functions. Namely, Synechococcus (Cyanobacteria) was strongly correlated with protease activity. Both function and community composition showed seasonal variation. However, the pattern of substrate utilization capacity could not be directly linked to the community dynamics. The overall importance of dissolved organic matter (DOM) parameters in the LASSO models indicate that bacterioplankton respond to the present substrate landscape, with a particular importance of nitrogenous DOM. The identification of common drivers of bacterioplankton community functions in two different systems indicates that the drivers may be of broader relevance in coastal temperate waters.