The occurrence of flexion-relaxation phenomenon in elite cyclists during trunk forward bending.

Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is a well-known phenomenon in spinal extensor muscles. According to the literature, prolonged flexed posture leads to creep phenomenon and affects the active and passive neuromuscular control of the spinal column. The purpose of this study was to investigate FRP occurrence in elite cyclists that prolonged flexion posture is an integral part of their professional life. Their muscles' contraction pattern during forward bending was also compared. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded during flexion and extension from standing position in thoracic erector spinae (TES), lumbar erector spinae (LES) and gluteus maximus (Gluteus max) in 15 healthy male elite cyclists. In addition, the kinematic data related to the trunk angles were simultaneously recorded by a motion analysis system. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess the effects of muscle group and direction of movement on maximum amplitude of EMG activity. Among 15 cyclists, FRP was detectable in 60%, 87% and 73% of the participants in TES, LES and Gluteus max, respectively, and happened between 74% and 82% of the trunk flexion. There was no statistically significant difference in onset and offset of muscles FRP. Despite prolong hyper kyphotic posture, FRP was identifiable in TES, LES and Gluteus max muscles of elite cyclists.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) gel modified by a carbodiimide crosslinker for tissue regeneration.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a rich source of effective growth factors has been used as a scaffold in tissue regeneration. It is known that PRF exhibits rapid degradability against enzymes, which should be decreased using crosslinking agents to reduce the release rate of growth factors and increase the effectiveness of tissue regeneration. In this study, a carbodiimide crosslinker with different concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 1%, and 2%) was used to modify and improve the properties of PRF gel. The crosslinked gels were evaluated with analyses such as SEM, swelling, degradability, mechanical strength, release test, cytotoxicity, and cell adhesion. The results showed that with increasing crosslinker concentration, the morphology of the fiber structure changes drastically, the swelling rate decreases from 300% (control) to 160% for the crosslinked gel, the degradation time for the control sample increases from 8 days to more than two weeks for the crosslinked gel, and the Young's modulus increases from 0.15 MPa (control) to 0.61 MPa for the crosslinked samples. Growth factors also showed lower release with increasing crosslinking ratio. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that by increasing the crosslinker concentration to 1% w/v, no cytotoxicity was observed. Cellular studies with DAPI staining showed that the cells penetrated well into the gels and were well distributed, especially in gels with lower crosslinker concentrations. In addition, the modified PRF gel can be used as a scaffold for tissue regeneration.

Assessing explicit processes does not influence the magnitude of implicit processes.

Implicit (unconscious) and explicit (strategy) processes have been shown to contribute to visuomotor adaptation. Current methods, such as the Process Dissociation Procedure (PDP) and the Verbal Report Framework (VRF), simultaneously evaluate both implicit and explicit contributions to visuomotor adaptation. It is unclear whether the act of assessing explicit adaptation leads to variations in the magnitude of implicit adaptation observed. To address this question, four groups of participants adapted their reaches to a 40° clockwise visuomotor rotation. Implicit and explicit adaptation were assessed in a PDP-IE group and a VRF-IE group following 3 blocks of rotated reach training trials. In contrast, only implicit adaptation was assessed at the same time points for a PDP-I group and VRF-I group. Results indicated a similar magnitude of implicit adaptation regardless of whether explicit adaptation was assessed or not. Thus, assessing explicit adaptation simultaneously with implicit adaptation following reach adaptation does not influence the magnitude of implicit adaptation established via the PDP and VRF methods.

Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Incandescence Measurements on Aerosolized Nickel Nanoparticles.

This work presents the first quantitative analysis of time-resolved laser-induced incandescence (TiRe-LII) measurements on aerosolized nickel nanoparticles in several gases and over a range of laser fluences. A measurement model composed of spectroscopic and heat transfer submodels is used to recover the particle size distribution parameters and the thermal accommodation coefficient (TAC). A qualitative analysis of the results reveals evidence of nonincandescent laser-induced emission temporally aligned with the laser pulse, and more laser energy is absorbed than can be accounted for from the modeled spectral absorption cross section of the nanoparticles. The TiRe-LII inferred particle size parameters were generally consistent with values found from ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The TACs for nickel nanoparticles in polyatomic gases were larger than those in monoatomic gases, which may indicate chemisorption.

Assessing and defining explicit processes in visuomotor adaptation.

The Process Dissociation Procedure (PDP) and Verbal Report Framework (VRF) reveal that both explicit (conscious) and implicit (unconscious) processes contribute to visuomotor adaptation. We looked to determine whether these two assessment methods establish similar processes underlying visuomotor adaptation by comparing the magnitude of explicit and implicit adaptation over time between the two assessments and to post-experiment assessments of awareness of the visuomotor distortion. Three groups of participants (PDP, VRF, VRF No-Cursor) completed three blocks of reach training in a virtual environment with a cursor rotated 40° clockwise relative to hand motion. Explicit and implicit adaptations were assessed immediately following each block, and again 5 min later. The VRF No-Cursor group completed the same assessment trials as the VRF group, but no visual feedback was presented during explicit and implicit assessment. Finally, participants completed a post-experiment questionnaire and a drawing task to assess their awareness of the visuomotor rotation and changes in reaches at the end of the experiment, respectively. We found that all groups adapted their reaches to the rotation. Averaged across participants, the magnitude and retention of explicit and implicit adaptations were similar between the PDP group and VRF group, with the VRF group demonstrating greater implicit adaptation than the VRF No-Cursor group. Furthermore, the magnitude of explicit adaptation established in the VRF group was not related to participant's post-experiment awareness of the visuomotor distortion nor how they had changed their reaches, as observed in the PDP group and VRF No-Cursor group. Together, these results indicate that, explicit adaptation established via typical VRF methods does not reflect one's awareness of the visuomotor distortion at the end of the experiment, and hence the established processes underlying visuomotor adaptation are dependent on method of assessment (i.e., PDP versus VRF).

The Possible Therapeutic Effects of Some Medicinal Plants for Chronic Cough in Children.

The use of plants or their isolated bioactive components for the prevention and treatment of various disorders has been developed. Here, we aim to identify effective medicinal plants for relief of cough and respiratory symptoms in children. The data of this review article were obtained from published articles in scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, until December 2019. The keywords, including "Zataria multiflora Boiss." OR "Portulaca oleracea L." OR "Ferula assa-foetida L." OR "Nigella sativa L." AND "respiratory symptoms" OR "airway inflammation" OR "smooth muscle relaxant effects," were searched individually or combined. The mentioned medicinal plants decreased total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, and eosinophils counts of blood and lung lavage in animal model-induced respiratory disorders. These plants also have protective effects on serum immunoglobulin, antibody titer, eosinophil count, and proinflammatory cytokines. Evidence from the studies indicated that the abovementioned medicinal plants have smooth muscle relaxant properties (bronchodilator effects) via stimulation of ß-adrenoceptor or inhibition of muscarinic receptors (in vitro) and also improved the pulmonary function test in clinical settings. These medicinal plants are safe and easy to use. Based on the anti-inflammatory, anti-antispasmodic, and immunomodulatory effects, the clinical benefit may be assumed, therefore considering a place for these medicinal plants in relieve of chronic cough and symptoms of children's allergy, asthma, and common cold.

The mortality rate from self-harm in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Self-harm-related death is one of the most unfortunate, tragic, and regrettable types of death owing to injuries with a variety of socio-economic and cultural causes. The study aimed to determine the trend in the mortality of self-harm by sex and age at national and provincial levels in Iran over a period of 26 years. METHODS: The Iran Death Registration System (DRS), cemetery databanks in Tehran and Esfahan, and the national population and housing censuses of Iran were used for this study. Using a growth model, the population was estimated in the age groups. Incompleteness, misalignment, and misclassification in the DRS were all considered and addressed accordingly. We used a spatio-temporal and Gaussian process regression model to estimate mortality rates in children and adults. RESULTS: Over the study period, 67,670 deaths were estimated owing to self-harm across the country. The overall age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 4.32 per 100,000 (95% unit interface (UI): 3.25-5.75) to 2.78 (2.15-3.59) per 100,000 between 1990 and 2015, a reduction of approximately 35.65%. The M/F ratio was 2.03:1 with an annual percent change of -2.38% and -1.37% for women and men, respectively. The annual self-harm mortality rate was higher among individuals aged 15-24 years, as well as it was more in men during the study period. CONCLUSION: Mortality from self-harm has declined over the study period in Iran. Higher rates in men and in population aged 15-24 years, with considerable variation by province, were the distinguishing features of self-harm. Iran needs to improve monitoring through a comprehensive multisectoral strategy; and most importantly, provide timely, effective and low-cost preventive interventions.

Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging in a Prospective Cohort of Children with Cerebral Malaria Offers Insights into Pathophysiology and Prognosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Validation of diffusion-weighted images obtained on 0.35T MR imaging in Malawi has facilitated meaningful review of previously unreported findings in cerebral malaria. Malawian children with acute cerebral malaria demonstrated restricted diffusion on brain MR imaging, including an unusual pattern of restriction isolated to the subcortical white matter. We describe the patterns of diffusion restriction in cerebral malaria and further evaluate risk factors for and outcomes associated with an isolated subcortical white matter diffusion restriction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, comatose Malawian children admitted to the hospital with cerebral malaria underwent admission brain MR imaging. Imaging data were compiled via NeuroInterp, a RedCap data base. Clinical information obtained included coma score, serum studies, and coma duration. Electroencephalograms were obtained between 2009 and 2011. Outcomes captured included death, neurologic sequelae, or full recovery. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-four/269 (72.1%) children with cerebral malaria demonstrated at least 1 area of diffusion restriction. The most common pattern was bilateral subcortical white matter involvement (41.6%), followed by corpus callosum (37.5%), deep gray matter (36.8%), cortical gray matter (17.8%), and posterior fossa (8.9%) involvement. Sixty-one (22.7%) demonstrated isolated subcortical white matter diffusion restriction. These children had lower whole-blood lactate levels (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.85-0.98), were less likely to require anticonvulsants (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.30-0.98), had higher average electroencephalogram voltage (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), were less likely to die (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.67), and were more likely to recover without neurologic sequelae (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.5-9.1). CONCLUSIONS: Restricted diffusion is common in pediatric cerebral malaria. Isolated subcortical white matter diffusion restriction is a unique imaging pattern associated with less severe disease and a good prognosis for full recovery. The underlying pathophysiology may be related to selective white matter vulnerability.

Unilateral cortical FLAIR-hyperintense Lesions in Anti-MOG-associated Encephalitis with Seizures (FLAMES): characterization of a distinct clinico-radiographic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of unilateral cortical FLAIR-hyperintense Lesions in Anti-MOG-associated Encephalitis with Seizures (FLAMES). METHODS: This is a case report and systematic review of the literature to identify cases of unilateral cortical FLAMES. Cases were reviewed to determine the frequency of clinical symptoms (seizures, headache, fever and cortical symptoms referable to FLAMES location), and to determine whether MRI abnormalities are restricted to the unilateral cortex in this syndrome. RESULTS: We identified 20 cases of unilateral cortical FLAMES for review. Among them, 17/20 (85%) had seizures, 14/20 (70%) had headache, 13/20 (65%) had fever, 11/20 (55%) reported cortical symptoms referable to the FLAMES location, and 19/20 (95%) reported at least two of these four findings. On MRI 4/20 (20%) had some contralateral hemispheric cortical signal abnormality, and 6/20 (30%) had MRI findings concerning for meningeal inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with unilateral cortical FLAMES, the clinical symptoms of seizures, headache, fever and cortical symptoms referable to the FLAMES location are frequent. Although initially described as a unilateral cortical encephalitis, bilateral cortical involvement and possible meningeal inflammation could indicate a broader disease spectrum. Recognition of this distinct clinico-radiographic syndrome may facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Trend of fatal poisoning at national and provincial levels in Iran from 1990 to 2015.

OBJECTIVES: Comprehensive and up-to-date data on fatal injury trends are critical to identify challenges and plan priority setting. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of poisoning mortality trends across Iran. STUDY DESIGN: The data were gathered from various resources, including death registration systems, cemetery databases of Tehran and Esfahan, the Demographic and Health Survey of 2000, and three rounds of national population and housing censuses. METHODS: After addressing incompleteness for child and adult death data separately and using a spatio-temporal model and Gaussian process regression, the level and trend of child and adult mortality were estimated. For estimating cause-specific mortality, the cause fraction was calculated and applied to the level and trend of death. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2015, 40,586 deaths due to poisoning were estimated across the country. The poisoning-related age-standardized death rate per 100,000 was estimated to have changed from 3.08 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 2.32-4.11) in 1990 to 0.96 (95% UI: 0.73-1.25) in 2015, and the male/female ratio was 1.35 during 25 years of study with an annual percentage change of -5.4% and -4.0% for women and men, respectively. The annual mortality rate was higher among children younger than 5 years and the elderly population (≥70 years) in the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that mortality from poisoning declined in Iran over the period from 1990 to 2015 and varied by province. Understanding the reasons for the differences of poisoning mortality by province will help in developing and implementing measures to reduce this burden in Iran.

High-dose corticosteroids for acute cytomegalovirus-associated transverse myelitis in the immunocompetent patient: a case report and systematic review.

We present an immunocompetent patient with transverse myelitis (TM) during acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, as evidenced by a reactive serum CMV IgM and CMV viremia. The patient had an excellent outcome after receiving only high-dose methylprednisolone. Given concerns that practitioners may have around the use of immunosuppressive therapy for this potentially infectious myelopathy, we systematically reviewed the literature to assess outcomes after administration of high-dose corticosteroids to this population. Despite severe disease at clinical nadir with inability to ambulate, immunocompetent patients with acute CMV-associated TM who received high-dose corticosteroids had good clinical outcomes 1 month to 1 year after presentation.

A Multicenter Case-control Study of the Effect of Acute Rejection and Cytomegalovirus Infection on Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is associated with morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. In this case-control study, we determined the association between posttransplant PCP and 3 variables: cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, allograft rejection, and prophylaxis. METHODS: Eight transplant centers participated. For each case (SOT recipient with PCP), 3-5 controls (SOT recipients without PCP) were included. Controls were matched to the cases based on transplant center, type of allograft, and date of transplantation (±6 months). RESULTS: We enrolled 53 cases and 209 controls. Transplant types included kidney (n = 198), heart (n = 30), liver (n = 15), kidney-pancreas (n = 14), and lung (n = 5). PCP occurred beyond 12 months after transplantation in 43 (81.1%) cases. Thirty-four cases (64.1%) required admission to the intensive care unit, and 28 (52.8%) had mechanical ventilation. Allograft failure occurred in 20 (37.7%) cases, and 14 (26.9%) died. No patient developed PCP prophylaxis breakthrough. The proportion of female sex (P = .009), kidney dysfunction (P = .001), cardiac diseases (P = .005), diabetes mellitus (P = .03), allograft rejection (P = .001), CMV infection (P = .001), and severe lymphopenia (P = .001) were significantly higher in cases. In the logistic regression model, CMV infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.0-10.5]) and allograft rejection (aOR, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.5-6.1]) significantly increased the likelihood of PCP. CONCLUSIONS: PCP was mostly a late-onset disease occurring after complete course of prophylaxis, particularly among patients with CMV infection or allograft rejection. PCP is associated with significant allograft loss. Extended prophylaxis targeting recipients with allograft rejection or CMV infection may reduce the risk of PCP.

Soil quality of an Iranian forest ecosystem after conversion to various types of land use.

The impact of land-use change on parameters of the soil was evaluated in soil samples from arable land, orchard land, and grassland in West Azerbaijan, Iran, compared with their adjacent natural forestland, using some biological indices. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC); microbial basal respiration (BR); metabolic quotient (qCO2); substrate induced respiration (SIR); carbon availability index (CAI); the microbial quotient, i.e., the ratio of microbial carbon to soil organic carbon (Cmic/Corg); and soil organic carbon (SOC) were calculated in collected soil samples. Deforestation and long-term land use showed adverse effects on soil biological properties. The spatial distribution of MBC, BR, SIR, and SOC, followed the order: forestland > grassland > orchard land > arable land. SOC showed the highest decline by 67.7% in arable land, 43.6% in orchard land, and 36.3% in grassland, with an average reduction of 49.2% compared with forestland. Similarly, BR and MBC decreased by an average reduction of 41.3 and 34.8%, respectively, compared with forestland. By contrast, the qCO2 index, the CAI index, and the Cmic/Corg ratio were not affected significantly by land use, except from a significant raise of the Cmic/Corg ratio in the arable land. Land-use change exerted a remarkable negative influence on soil quality with several soil attributes affected due to cropping compared with adjacent grassland and forestland. At the field level, proper management practices that increase SOC in the soil, e.g., effective recycling of crop residues and manures, should be considered, when land is continuously cultivated.

Is mucin a determinant of peritoneal dissemination of gastrointestinal cancer? Analysis of mucin depletion in two preclinical models

Background. Mucinous gastrointestinal cancers may indicate a higher propensity for widespread peritoneal seeding than their non-mucinous counterparts. We hypothesized that mucin content of gastrointestinal cancer cells and tumors is an indicator of cell viability and a determinant of the peritoneal tumor burden and tested our hypothesis in relevant experimental models. Methods. MKN45 and LS174T models of human gastrointestinal cancer were treated with known mucin-depleting agents in vitro and in vivo, their mucin production was evaluated with Western blot immunohistochemistry, PAS staining and ELISA, and its correlation with cell viability and peritoneal tumor burden was analyzed. Results. A relationship was found between the viability of cancer cells and their mucin levels in vitro. In agreement, when treated animal models were categorized into low- and high-burden groups (based on the weight and number of the peritoneal nodules), tumoral mucin levels were found to be significantly higher in the latter group. Conclusions. Tumoral mucin is apparently among the factors that dictate the pattern and extent of the peritoneal spread of gastrointestinal cancer, where it allows for enhanced dissemination and redistribution. If further tested and validated, our hypothesis could lay the basis for the development of novel mucin-targeted strategies (AU)

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Is mucin a determinant of peritoneal dissemination of gastrointestinal cancer? Analysis of mucin depletion in two preclinical models.

BACKGROUND: Mucinous gastrointestinal cancers may indicate a higher propensity for widespread peritoneal seeding than their non-mucinous counterparts. We hypothesized that mucin content of gastrointestinal cancer cells and tumors is an indicator of cell viability and a determinant of the peritoneal tumor burden and tested our hypothesis in relevant experimental models. METHODS: MKN45 and LS174T models of human gastrointestinal cancer were treated with known mucin-depleting agents in vitro and in vivo, their mucin production was evaluated with Western blot immunohistochemistry, PAS staining and ELISA, and its correlation with cell viability and peritoneal tumor burden was analyzed. RESULTS: A relationship was found between the viability of cancer cells and their mucin levels in vitro. In agreement, when treated animal models were categorized into low- and high-burden groups (based on the weight and number of the peritoneal nodules), tumoral mucin levels were found to be significantly higher in the latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Tumoral mucin is apparently among the factors that dictate the pattern and extent of the peritoneal spread of gastrointestinal cancer, where it allows for enhanced dissemination and redistribution. If further tested and validated, our hypothesis could lay the basis for the development of novel mucin-targeted strategies.

Cohort profile: Pacific Islands Families (PIF) growth study, Auckland, New Zealand.

PURPOSE: This article profiles a birth cohort of Pacific children participating in an observational prospective study and describes the study protocol used at ages 14-15 years to investigate how food and activity patterns, metabolic risk and family and built environment are related to rates of physical growth of Pacific children. PARTICIPANTS: From 2000 to 2015, the Pacific Islands Families Study has followed, from birth, the growth and development of over 1000 Pacific children born in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2014, 931 (66%) of the original cohort had field measures of body composition, blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin. A nested subsample (n=204) was drawn by randomly selecting 10 males and 10 females from each decile of body weight. These participants had measurement of body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, food frequency, 6 min walk test and accelerometer-determined physical activity and sedentary behaviours, and blood biomarkers for metabolic disease such as diabetes. Built environment variables were generated from individual addresses. FINDINGS TO DATE: Compared to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reference population with mean SD scores (SDS) of 0, this cohort of 931 14-year-olds was taller, weighed more and had a higher body mass index (BMI) (mean SDS height >0.6, weight >1.6 and BMI >1.4). 7 of 10 youth were overweight or obese. The nested-sampling frame achieved an even distribution by body weight. FUTURE PLANS: Cross-sectional relationships between body size, fatness and growth rate, food patterns, activity patterns, pubertal development, risks for diabetes and hypertension and the family and wider environment will be examined. In addition, analyses will investigate relationships with data collected earlier in the life course and measures of the cohort in the future. Understanding past and present influences on child growth and health will inform timely interventions to optimise future health and reduce inequalities for Pacific people.

Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection, seroconversion, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in seronegative renal allograft recipients: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seronegative renal transplant recipients are at risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). We compared primary EBV infection, seroconversion, and PTLD in EBV-seronegative patients who received renal allograft from seropositive or seronegative donors (D+/R- and D-/R-, respectively). METHODS: We prospectively followed 25 D+/R- and 8 D-/R- recipients. We followed patients from January 1999 to June 2009 with clinical visits, monthly EBV polymerase chain reaction tests, and serologic tests for a period of 1 year after kidney transplantation and on an individual basis thereafter. RESULTS: Three patients (9%) developed PTLD including 2 early-onset (<12 months) and 1 late-onset (>12 months) disease. In D+/R- and D-/R- patients, the frequencies of PTLD (8% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.7), EBV seroconversion (64% vs. 50%, P = 0.4), and EBV viremia (40% vs. 25%, P = 0.6) were not significantly different. Clinical, serologic, and virologic surveillance as well as reduction in immunosuppression after evidence of primary EBV infection resulted in a PTLD rate of 9%, despite a seroconversion rate of 60.6%. Rate of graft loss after reduction in immunosuppression was 10% (2 of 20), which was not significantly different from 13 patients without EBV seroconversion (no graft loss, P = 0.5). Rates of viremia, seroconversion, and PTLD in D+/R- and D-/R- patients appear to be similar. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PTLD in renal transplants ranges from 0.5% to 2.9%. Our data show a significantly higher rate in EBV-seronegative renal allograft recipients, suggesting the need for close surveillance. Our data also suggest that donors for EBV-seronegative recipients may be accepted irrespective of positive or negative serostatus, with ongoing surveillance important in either circumstance.

Investigating the influence of elongated anaerobic feeding strategy on aerobic sludge granulation and characteristics in sequencing batch reactor.

In this research, two sequencing batch reactors (R1 and R2) were operated with different feeding strategies to investigate the effects of elongated anaerobic feeding mode on the granulation process. For this purpose, R1 was operated in a short-feed strategy (5 min) as a reference, whereas an extended anaerobic feeding of 85 min was applied in R2. Results showed that aerobic granules formed in R1 were denser and more uniform with lower sludge volume index than those formed in R2. Investigation of tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances (TB-EPS) showed that aerobic granules in R1 produced lower amounts of TB-EPS than those in R2. This was due to the bigger and more compact granules cultivated in R1 in comparison with looser structure granules in R2 with higher flocculent sludge percentage. The relative hydrophobicity of granules in both reactors was increased with culture time and reached about 63 and 65% at day 70 for R1 and R2, respectively. Moreover, no significant correlation between protein/polysaccharide ratio and hydrophobicity was found, which showed that protein in loosely bound extracellular polymer substances was not the predominant hydrophobic component. Considering the outcomes of this study, it can be concluded that the elongated anaerobic feeding strategy was unfavourable for cultivating aerobic granules.

Lung epithelial cells are essential effectors of inducible resistance to pneumonia.

Infectious pneumonias are the leading cause of death worldwide, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Therapeutic stimulation of the lungs' intrinsic defenses with a unique combination of inhaled Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists broadly protects mice against otherwise lethal pneumonias. As the survival benefit persists despite cytotoxic chemotherapy-related neutropenia, the cells required for protection were investigated. The inducibility of resistance was tested in mice with deficiencies of leukocyte lineages due to genetic deletions and in wild-type mice with leukocyte populations significantly reduced by antibodies or toxins. Surprisingly, these serial reductions in leukocyte lineages did not appreciably impair inducible resistance, but targeted disruption of TLR signaling in the lung epithelium resulted in complete abrogation of the protective effect. Isolated lung epithelial cells were also induced to kill pathogens in the absence of leukocytes. Proteomic and gene expression analyses of isolated epithelial cells and whole lungs revealed highly congruent antimicrobial responses. Taken together, these data indicate that lung epithelial cells are necessary and sufficient effectors of inducible resistance. These findings challenge conventional paradigms about the role of epithelia in antimicrobial defense and offer a novel potential intervention to protect patients with impaired leukocyte-mediated immunity from fatal pneumonias.