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Key Points Adipose tissue functions as an energy-storage and endocrine organ, thereby coordinating energy supply and demand at the level of the whole organism. Adipose tissue is comprised of distinct cell populations that are engaged in complex crosstalk pathways. Obesity and inflammation can alter the metabolic status of adipose tissue depots. Highly inflamed, metabolically dysfunctional adipose tissue is characterized by macrophage infiltration, capillary rarefaction and adipocyte necrosis. Adipokines and adipose tissue-derived factors carry out inter-tissue communication functions. Adipokines are mainly secreted by adipocytes, whereas adipose tissue-derived factors can be secreted by cells in addition to or other than adipocytes (for example, interleukin-6, which is secreted by both adipocytes and macrophages). Inflammatory factors are secreted by metabolically dysfunctional adipocytes and innate immune cells that infiltrate obese adipose tissues. Anti-inflammatory adipokines are secreted by metabolically normal adipocytes to attenuate inflammation and coordinate fuel use by metabolically active tissues. Adipose tissues and infiltrating immune cells produce numerous bioactive factors that have pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory activities. Here, the authors describe how dysregulated production of these so-called adipokines can contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity-linked metabolic disease. The worldwide epidemic of obesity has brought considerable attention to research aimed at understanding the biology of adipocytes (fat cells) and the events occurring in adipose tissue (fat) and in the bodies of obese individuals. Accumulating evidence indicates that obesity causes chronic low-grade inflammation and that this contributes to systemic metabolic dysfunction that is associated with obesity-linked disorders. Adipose tissue functions as a key endocrine organ by releasing multiple bioactive substances, known as adipose-derived secreted factors or adipokines, that have pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory activities. Dysregulated production or secretion of these adipokines owing to adipose tissue dysfunction can contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity-linked complications. In this Review, we focus on the role of adipokines in inflammatory responses and discuss their potential as regulators of metabolic function.

High-quality data are accurate, relevant, and timely. Large national health surveys have always balanced the implementation of these quality dimensions to meet the needs of diverse users. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted these balances, with both disrupted survey operations and a critical need for relevant and timely health data for decision-making. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) responded to these challenges with several operational changes to continue production in 2020. However, data files from the 2020 NHIS were not expected to be publicly available until fall 2021. To fill the gap, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) turned to 2 online data collection platforms—the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (HPS) and the NCHS Research and Development Survey (RANDS)—to collect COVID-19‒related data more quickly. This article describes the adaptations of NHIS and the use of HPS and RANDS during the pandemic in the context of the recently released Framework for Data Quality from the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2167–2175. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306516 )

Purpose Osteoarthritis (OA) causes pain and disability, with onset often during working age. Joint pain is associated with functional difficulties and may lead to work instability. The aims of this systematic review are to identify: the impact of OA on work participation; and biopsychosocial and work-related factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, work transitions, work impairment, work accommodations, and premature work loss. Methods Four databases were searched, including Medline. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools were used for quality assessment, with narrative synthesis to pool findings due to heterogeneity of study designs and work outcomes. Results Nineteen studies met quality criteria (eight cohort; 11 cross-sectional): nine included OA of any joint(s), five knee-only, four knee and/or hip, and one knee, hip, and hand OA. All were conducted in high income countries. Absenteeism due to OA was low. Presenteeism rates were four times greater than absenteeism. Performing physically intensive work was associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and premature work loss due to OA. Moderate-to-severe joint pain and pain interference were associated with presenteeism, work transition, and premature work loss. A smaller number of studies found that comorbidities were associated with absenteeism and work transitions. Two studies reported low co-worker support was associated with work transitions and premature work loss. Conclusions Physically intensive work, moderate-to-severe joint pain, co-morbidities, and low co-worker support potentially affects work participation in OA. Further research, using longitudinal study designs and examining the links between OA and biopsychosocial factors e.g., workplace accommodations, is needed to identify targets for interventions. Systematic review registration PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019133343 .

Xylella fastidiosa is a plant pathogenic bacterium that lives inside the host xylem vessels, where it forms biofilm believed to be responsible for disrupting the passage of water and nutrients. Here, Nicotiana tabacum was infected with X. fastidiosa, and the spatial and temporal changes in the whole-leaf ionome (i.e. the mineral and trace element composition) were measured as the host plant transitioned from healthy to diseased physiological status. The elemental composition of leaves was used as an indicator of the physiological changes in the host at a specific time and relative position during plant development. Bacterial infection was found to cause significant increases in concentrations of calcium prior to the appearance of symptoms and decreases in concentrations of phosphorous after symptoms appeared. Field-collected leaves from multiple varieties of grape, blueberry, and pecan plants grown in different locations over a four-year period in the Southeastern US showed the same alterations in Ca and P. This descriptive ionomics approach characterizes the existence of a mineral element-based response to X. fastidiosa using a model system suitable for further manipulation to uncover additional details of the role of mineral elements during plant-pathogen interactions. This is the first report on the dynamics of changes in the ionome of the host plant throughout the process of infection by a pathogen.

Wound healing is the body’s process of injury recovery. Skin healing is divided into four distinct overlapping phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Cell-to-cell interactions mediated by both cytokines and chemokines are imperative for the transition between these phases. Patients can face difficulties in the healing process due to the wound being too large, decreased vascularization, infection, or additional burdens of a systemic illness. The field of tissue engineering has been investigating biomaterials as an alternative for skin regeneration. Biomaterials used for wound healing may be natural, synthetic, or a combination of both. Once a specific biomaterial is selected, it acts as a scaffold for skin regeneration. When the scaffold is applied to a wound, it allows for the upregulation of distinct molecular signaling pathways important for skin repair. Although tissue engineering has made great progress, more research is needed in order to support the use of biomaterials for wound healing for clinical translation.

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory condition often marked by pain in childhood. JIA pain has a variable course and often lacks any visible signs. As such, youth with JIA can experience negative judgement from others in response to their pain (i.e., pain-related stigma). Theoretical models indicate that pain-related stigma experiences contribute to affective, behavioural, and cognitive reactions from youth in the moment (i.e., situational) and over time (i.e., enduring) that ultimately influence their health. Caregivers also play a crucial role in supporting their children’s health. While caregivers may protect their children from the potential negative impacts of pain-related stigma, caregivers can also be affected by their children’s stigma experiences. Thus, this qualitative study aimed to explore both the situational and enduring reactions of youth with JIA and their caregivers to pain-related stigma. It also examined similarities and differences in their reactions to identify potentially protective reactions and areas where additional support may be needed. Methods Ten youth aged 15–19 years with JIA and 12 caregivers participated. Youth and caregivers completed separate semi-structured interviews. During interviews, participants were asked about the youth’s experiences of pain-related stigma and how these experiences affected their situational and enduring cognitive, affective, and behavioural reactions. Interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes generated between groups were triangulated to assess for convergence and divergence. A matrix analysis was subsequently used to develop meta-themes capturing overlapping concepts. Results Separate themes for each group were developed. The matrix analysis resulted in five meta-themes that capture the overlapping situational and enduring reactions of youth and caregivers to pain-related stigma: (1) addressing stigma and increasing perceived credibility ; (2) responding to individual needs ; (3) fear and avoidance due to anticipatory stigma ; (4) long-term impacts on mental health and well-being ; and (5) education and advocacy . Conclusions Pain-related stigma can impact youth with JIA and their caregivers in various ways, with some reactions being protective of their health and well-being. Strategies to support youth with JIA and their caregivers with navigating pain-related stigma experiences are necessary to promote positive health outcomes.

Bacteria produce antibacterials that drive competition and regulate community composition. While diverse examples have been found, few families of antibacterial agents appear to be widespread across phylogenetically divergent bacteria. Here, we show that what appeared to be a limited, niche class of Gram-negative bacteriocins, called class II microcins, is in fact a highly abundant, sequence- and function-diverse class of secreted bacteriocins. Based on systematic investigations in the Enterobacteriaceae and gut microbiomes, we demonstrate that class II microcins encompass diverse sequence space, bacterial strains of origin, spectra of activity, and mechanisms of action. Importantly, we show microcins discovered here are active against pathogenic E. coli during mouse gut colonization, supporting important roles for these unrecognized antibacterials in vivo. Our study reveals the overlooked abundance and diversity of microcins found dispersed throughout Bacteria and opens opportunities to uncover and exploit mechanisms of competition to modulate microbial communities. Bacteria produce antibacterials to aid competition in complex communities. Here, the authors show that class II microcins, an understudied group of secreted antibacterials, are abundant, with diverse sequences and antibacterial characteristics.

Historically believed to be a homogeneous cell type that is often overlooked, fibroblasts are more and more understood to be heterogeneous in nature. Though the mechanisms behind how fibroblasts participate in homeostasis and pathology are just beginning to be understood, these cells are believed to be highly dynamic and play key roles in fibrosis and remodeling. Focusing primarily on fibroblasts within the skin and during wound healing, we describe the field’s current understanding of fibroblast heterogeneity in form and function. From differences due to embryonic origins to anatomical variations, we explore the diverse contributions that fibroblasts have in fibrosis and plasticity. Following this, we describe molecular techniques used in the field to provide deeper insights into subpopulations of fibroblasts and their varied roles in complex processes such as wound healing. Limitations to current work are also discussed, with a focus on future directions that investigators are recommended to take in order to gain a deeper understanding of fibroblast biology and to develop potential targets for translational applications in a clinical setting.