Citrus tristeza virus Promotes the Acquisition and Transmission of 'Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus' by Diaphorina citri.

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (D. citri) is an insect vector of phloem-limited 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiatus' (CLas), the presumed pathogen of citrus Huanglongbing (HLB). Recently, our lab has preliminarily found it acquired and transmitted Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), which was previously suggested to be vectored by species of aphids. However, the influences of one of the pathogens on the acquisition and transmission efficiency of the other pathogen remain unknown. In this study, CLas and CTV acquisition and transmission by D. citri at different development stages under field and laboratory conditions were determined. CTV could be detected from the nymphs, adults, and honeydew of D. citri but not from the eggs and exuviates of them. CLas in plants might inhibit CTV acquisition by D. citri as lower CTV-positive rates and CTV titers were detected in D. citri collected from HLB-affected trees compared to those from CLas-free trees. D. citri were more likely to obtain CTV than CLas from host plants co-infected with the two pathogens. Intriguingly, CTV in D. citri facilitated the acquisition and transmission of CLas, but CLas carried by D. citri had no significant effect on the transmission of CTV by the same vector. Molecular detection and microscopy methods confirmed the enrichment of CTV in the midgut after a 72-h acquisition access period. Collectively, these results raise essential scientific questions for further research on the molecular mechanism of pathogen transmission by D. citri and provide new ideas for the comprehensive prevention and control of HLB and CTV.

Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Postoperative Complications Following Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.

For patients who qualify, simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a viable option for the treatment of bilateral symptoms. However, the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been steadily rising over the past few decades and may impact those who qualify as candidates for bilateral TKA. As such, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of COPD on postoperative outcomes in patients who receive simultaneous bilateral TKA. A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing data provided through the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. All patients who had undergone simultaneous bilateral TKA between 2007 and 2016 were identified and further stratified into groups based upon the COPD status. Incidence of adverse events after TKA in the acute postoperative period was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. COPD was found to be an independent risk factor for the development of major (odds ratio [OR]: 2.5; p = 0.015), renal (OR: 5.1; p = 0.02), and thromboembolic complications (OR: 2.5; p = 0.027). In addition, patients with COPD were at increased risk for having an extended hospital length of stay (LOS; p < 0.001) and development of urinary tract infections (p < 0.001). Patients with COPD are at higher risk for development of overall major complications, as well as renal and thromboembolic complications after simultaneous bilateral TKA. Interestingly, patients were not at increased risk for the development of pulmonary or wound complications. When considering a staged versus simultaneous bilateral TKA, surgeons should be aware of the impact COPD status has on the postoperative complication rate.

CCN3 Regulates Macrophage Foam Cell Formation and Atherosclerosis.

Recent studies implicate the Cyr61, CTGF, Nov (CCN) matricellular signaling protein family as emerging players in vascular biology, with NOV (alias CCN3) as an important regulator of vascular homeostasis. Herein, we examined the role of CCN3 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In response to a 15-week high-fat diet feeding, CCN3-deficient mice on the atherosclerosis-prone Apoe-/- background developed increased aortic lipid-rich plaques compared to control Apoe-/- mice, a result that was observed in the absence of alterations in plasma lipid content. To address the cellular contributor(s) responsible for the atherosclerotic phenotype, we performed bone marrow transplantation experiments. Transplantation of Apoe; Ccn3 double-knockout bone marrow into Apoe-/- mice resulted in an increase of atherosclerotic plaque burden, whereas transplantation of Apoe-/- marrow to Apoe; Ccn3 double-knockout mice caused a reduction of atherosclerosis. These results indicate that CCN3 deficiency, specifically in the bone marrow, plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, cell-based studies in isolated peritoneal macrophages demonstrated that CCN3 deficiency leads to an increase of lipid uptake and foam cell formation, an effect potentially attributed to the increased expression of scavenger receptors CD36 and SRA1, key factors involved in lipoprotein uptake. These results suggest that bone marrow-derived CCN3 is an essential regulator of atherosclerosis and point to a novel role of CCN3 in modulating lipid accumulation within macrophages.