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Co-stimulatory signals, cytokines and transcription factors regulate the balance between effector and memory cell differentiation during T cell activation. Here, we analyse the role of the TRAF2-/NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK), a signaling molecule downstream of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily receptors such as CD27, in the regulation of CD8 + T cell fate during acute infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Priming of CD8 + T cells induces a TNIK-dependent nuclear translocation of β-catenin with consecutive Wnt pathway activation. TNIK-deficiency during T cell activation results in enhanced differentiation towards effector cells, glycolysis and apoptosis. TNIK signaling enriches for memory precursors by favouring symmetric over asymmetric cell division. This enlarges the pool of memory CD8 + T cells and increases their capacity to expand after re-infection in serial re-transplantation experiments. These findings reveal that TNIK is an important regulator of effector and memory T cell differentiation and induces a population of stem cell-like memory T cells. Coordinate expression of multiple factors play critical roles in the regulation between effector and memory CD8 +  T cell differentiation. Here the authors show upon acute viral infection TNIK is critically required as a regulator of effector and memory T cell differentiation.

This study investigates the drying behavior and rheological properties of dehydrated sewage sludge from various wastewater treatment plants in the Liege region (Belgium). Emphasizing the characterization of key parameters to enhance sludge management strategies, a series of experiments were conducted, including total solid content (TSC) determination, volatile solid content (VSC) analysis, texture profile analysis (TPA), penetrometry, and oscillatory rheology tests. Results showed no significant trends between specific evaporation capacity and the analyzed variables, cohesiveness, TSC, VSC, hardness, yield, and flow point. However, a clear trend indicated that higher G′ values are associated with improved drying rates. This aligns with the existing literature, suggesting that the viscoelastic properties of sludge, represented by G′, could potentially predict drying performance. A strong correlation between G′ and cohesiveness was also observed, recommending the use of G′ as the primary parameter due to the standardization and reliability of rheological tests. Despite the limited sample size, the study provides a valuable starting point for future research. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and controlled laboratory conditions are recommended to validate these findings and establish ranges within which the studied properties can be useful for future calculations and analyses. These efforts will contribute to optimizing sludge drying processes and promoting sustainable wastewater treatment practices.

Disease progression and relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are caused by therapy resistant leukemia stem cells (LSCs), and cure relies on their eradication. The microenvironment in the bone marrow (BM) is known to contribute to LSC maintenance and resistance. Although leukemic infiltration of the spleen is a hallmark of CML, it is unknown whether spleen cells form a niche that maintains LSCs. Here, we demonstrate that LSCs preferentially accumulate in the spleen and contribute to disease progression. Spleen LSCs were located in the red pulp close to red pulp macrophages (RPM) in CML patients and in a murine CML model. Pharmacologic and genetic depletion of RPM reduced LSCs and decreased their cell cycling activity in the spleen. Gene expression analysis revealed enriched stemness and decreased myeloid lineage differentiation in spleen leukemic stem and progenitor cells (LSPCs). These results demonstrate that splenic RPM form a niche that maintains CML LSCs in a quiescent state, resulting in disease progression and resistance to therapy.

A mathematical nonlinear regression model of several parameters (baseline insulin intake, posttransplant 2-h postprandial blood glucose, and stimulated C-peptide) from type 1 diabetics with HbAlc <6.5% who do not require insulin therapy and have no hypoglycemic instances was developed for accurately predicting supplemental insulin requirements in the posttransplant period. An insulin deficit threshold of 0.018 U/kg/day was defined as the average first-year calculated insulin deficit (CID), above which HbA1c rose to >6.5% during year 2 of the posttransplant period. When insulin-untreated subjects were divided into two groups based on whether the average CID was smaller (group I) or greater (group II) than the insulin deficit threshold, HbA1c was found to be similar in the two groups in year 1, but increased significantly in group II to above 6.5% (with mean glucose of 121.9 mg/dl) but remained below 6.5% in group I subjects (with mean glucose of 108.7 mg/dl) in year 2 of the follow-up period. The greater insulin deficit in group II was also associated with a higher susceptibility to hyperglycemia during periods of low serum Rapamune and Prograf levels (combined levels below 11.2 and 4.7 ng/ml, respectively). Although the differences between predicted insulin requirement (PIR) and actual empirical insulin intake in the insulin-treated subjects were generally small, they were nonetheless sufficient to identify over- and underinsulinization at each follow-up visit for all subjects (n = 14 subjects, 135 observations). The newly developed model can effectively identify underinsulinized islet transplant recipients at risk for graft dysfunction due to inadequate supplemental insulin intake or those potentially susceptible to graft function loss due to inadequate immunosuppression. While less common following islet cell therapy, the model can also identify overinsulinized subjects who may be at risk for hypoglycemia.

'Hamlin' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) is one of the leading commercial cultivars in Florida because of its high yield potential and early maturity. 'Hamlin' also has a high regeneration capacity from protoplasts and is often used in transformation experiments. Citrus canker disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri is becoming a worldwide problem. The Xa21 gene is a member of the Xa21 gene family of rice that provides broad spectrum Xanthomonas resistance in rice. Since the citrus canker pathogen is in the same genus, this gene may have the potential to function against canker in citrus. The wild-type Xa21 gene contains an intron, and there is some question as to whether dicot plants can process genes containing monocot introns (the cDNA is intron free). The development of canker resistant citrus has become an important research objective. Genetic transformation has become a widespread tool in both basic research and commercial plant breeding programs for disease resistance. Plasmid DNA (pARS108) encoding the non-destructive selectable marker Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, and the plasmid cDNA of the Xa21 gene (pCR506-mtaq) were co-transformed into 'Hamlin' orange protoplasts using polyethylene glycol. Also, plasmid DNA (pAO3), encoding the GFP gene and the cDNA of the Xa21 gene, was transformed into 'Hamlin' orange protoplasts. Following protoplast culture in liquid medium and transfer to solid medium, transformed colonies were microscopically selected via expression of GFP, physically separated from non-transformed tissue, and cultured on somatic embryogenesis induction medium. More than 150 transgenic embryoids were recovered. Over a thousand transgenic plantlets were regenerated from about 80 independent transformation events. PCR analysis revealed the presence of the cDNA of the Xa21 and the GFP genes in some of the transgenic plantlets. The recovery of multiple transgenic plants was expedited by in vitro grafting. The transgenic plants have shown normal growth and stable GFP expression for over a year in the greenhouse. Transgenic greenhouse plants include 400 growing on different rootstocks and over 200 plants on their own roots. This is the first time to report a large population of transgenic 'Hamlin' sweet orange plants using protoplast/GFP transformation system. PCR analysis revealed the presence of the cDNA of the Xa21 and the GFP genes in the transgenic greenhouse plants. Some of the plants have only GFP. Southern analysis shows integration of the cDNA into different sites ranging from 1-5 sites per plant. Real-Time PCR shows integration of the cDNA into different sites in citrus genome ranging from 1-4 copies per plant. Western analysis shows the expression of the cDNA of the Xa21 gene in the transgenic citrus plants. This is the first time that a gene from rice has been stably integrated and expressed in citrus plants.

Asphalt pavement's quality is affected by many variable interrelated factors (i.e traffic, climate, material's quality,... etc). Such factors make pavement construction process complex. In the past few years, some of the newly constructed asphalt pavement in the Kingdom 's Highways have shown some type of distress requiring rehabilitations at an early age. The main objective of this study is to identify factors affecting asphalt pavements' quality on the Kingdom's Highways during its construction. The effect of the factors were measured by their Effect Index throughout a questionnaire survey of the Kingdom's Highway Contractors. The results show that some factors which have major effect and effect levels occurred in the Kingdom. Such as selection of the lowest bidder; qualification of owner inspection team; acceptance procedure; and aggregate and asphalt cement quality. This result indicates the need to implement aprecise QA/QC program to improve asphalt pavements' quality on the Kingdom's Highways.

The world is currently facing critical water and energy issues due to the growing population and industrialization, calling for methods to obtain potable water, e.g., by photocatalysis, and to convert solar energy into fuels such as chemical or electrical energy, then storing this energy. Energy storage has been recently improved by using electrochemical capacitors and ion batteries. Research is actually focusing on the synthesis of materials and hybrids displaying improved electronic, physiochemical, electrical, and optical properties. Here, we review molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) materials and hybrids with focus on synthesis, electronic structure and properties, calculations of state, bandgap and charge density profiles, and applications in energy storage and water remediation.

Blend copolymers (PVA/S) were grafted with polyethylene glycol methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) with different ratios. Potassium persulfate was used as an initiator. The blend copolymer (PVA/S) was created by combining poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with starch (S) in various ratios. The main idea was to study the effect of different ratios of the used raw materials on the biodegradability of plastic films. The resulting polymers (PVA/S/PEGMA) were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy to investigate the hydrogen bond interaction between PVA, S, and PEGMA in the mixtures. TGA and SEM analyses were used to characterize the polymers (PVA/S/AA). The biodegradability and mechanical properties of the PVA/S/PEGMA blend films were evaluated. The findings revealed that the mechanical properties of the blend films are highly influenced by PEGMA. The time of degradation of the films immersed in soil and Coca-Cola increases as the contents of PVA and S and the molecular weight (MW) of PEGMA increase in the terpolymer. The M8 sample (PVA/S/PEGMA in the ratio of 3:1:2, respectively) with a MW of 950 g/mol produced the lowest elongation at break (67.5%), whereas M1 (PVA/S/PEGMA in the ratio of 1:1:1, respectively) with a MW of 300 g/mol produced the most (150%). The film’s tensile strength and elongation at break were improved by grafting PEGMA onto the blending polymer (PAV-b-S). Tg and Tm increased when the PEGMA MW increased from 300 to 950. Tg (48.4 °C) and Tm (190.9 °C) were the lowest in M1 (300), while Tg (84.8 °C) and Tm (190.9 °C) were greatest in M1 (950) at 209.3 °C. The increased chain and molecular weight of PEGMA account for the increase in Tg and Tm of the copolymers.

Ticks are obligate ectoparasites and important disease vectors. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hyalomma dromedarii ticks impact the health of camels. This study investigates the effects of farm animal composition and tick management practices on the microbiome of the camel tick ( H. dromedarii ) in the UAE. We aimed to assess the cumulative microbiome of this tick by analyzing partially-fed adult females. Ticks were collected from monospecific farms (rearing only camels) and polyspecific farms (rearing camels alongside other animal species), as well as from managed farms (where camels are treated with acaricides) and unmanaged farms (no acaricide treatment), across four locations per farm type. DNA was extracted, and 16S rDNA sequencing was performed for microbial profiling. Differences were observed in the microbiome composition between ticks collected from monospecific and polyspecific farms and between those collected from managed and unmanaged farms. The findings of this study are exploratory, providing a baseline for future research. Overall, this work advances current understanding of the H. dromedarii microbiome and underscores its relevance to the One Health approach.