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Lupus nephritis is a chronic autoimmune-inflammatory condition that can lead to end-stage kidney disease. Presently available immunosuppressive treatments for lupus nephritis are suboptimal and can induce significant side effects. Recently, we characterized a novel immunomodulatory activity of the minor isoform of the classical pathway complement inhibitor, C4BP(β-). We show here that C4BP(β-) tre
Secretory intestinal IgA can protect from re-infection with rotavirus (RV), but very little is known about the mechanisms that induce IgA production during intestinal virus infections. Classical dendritic cells (cDCs) in the intestine can facilitate both T cell-dependent and -independent secretory IgA. Here, we show that BATF3-dependent cDC1, but not cDC2, are critical for the optimal induction of
To ensure a high operational reliability of offshore wind turbines (OWEC) with economically acceptable repair and maintenance efforts, comprehensive diagnosis and supervision concepts are required. Automatic monitoring systems will be an essential part of such concepts. Because of the fact, that during operation there will be static and dynamic interaction between the components 'structure', 'mach
The original chapter on adaptive-filter models addressed the issue of how far such models were consistent with experimental evidence. Here we consider one particularly important kind of evidence, that concerning the nature of the synaptic plasticity that underlies cerebellar learning. The basic decorrelation learning rule employed by the adaptive-filter model can be translated into spike timing-de
Variability in disease severity caused by a microbial pathogen is impacted by each infection representing a unique combination of host and pathogen genomes. Here, we show that the outcome of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infection is regulated by an interplay between human STING genotype and bacterial NADase activity. S. pyogenes-derived c-di-AMP diffuses via streptolysin O pores into macrophage
Complement-mediated kidney diseases are ultrarare conditions characterized by excess complement activation related in most cases to complement gene variants or circulating autoantibodies. These conditions are chronic and can lead to kidney failure. They include atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomeru-lopathy (C3G), and, to a certain extent, immune complex-membranoproliferative glomer
The self-assembly of an arylazopyrazole-based photosurfactant (PS), based on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and its mixed micelle formation with CTAB in aqueous solution was investigated by small angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS/SAXS) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Upon UV light exposure, PS photoisomerizes from E-PS (trans) to Z-PS (cis), which transforms oblate ellipsoidal m
This chapter explores the Danish case of a years-long campaign to phase out the “production” of the fast-growing industrial chicken breed, Ross 308. Core differences between welfarism, new welfarism, and abolitionist positions of rights and liberation are outlined - and it is investigated how activists navigate the tensions between these approaches in practice. The case makes visible a tangled ter
Arsenic is highly toxic and a significant threat to human health, but certain bacteria have developed defense mechanisms initiated by AsIII binding to AsIII-sensing proteins of the ArsR family. The transcriptional regulator AfArsR responds to AsIII and SbIII by coordinating the metalloids with three cysteines, located in a short sequence of the same monomer chain. Here, we characterize the binding
Background: Timely and safe elective health care facilitates return to normal activities for patients and prevents emergency admissions. Surgery is a cornerstone of elective care and relies on complex pathways. This study aimed to take a whole-system approach to evaluating access to and quality of elective health care globally, using inguinal hernia as a tracer condition. Methods: This was a prosp
Novices often find learning building performance simulation (BPS) overwhelming, juggling theory, simulation tools, and result interpretation simultaneously. We applied Beausoleil-Morrison's conceptualization of Kolb's experiential learning approach to BPS. Testing it in a master course, we observed enhanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and skill development. Here we discuss the process lead
Unlike pathogens, which attack the host, commensal bacteria create a state of friendly coexistence. Here, we identified a mechanism of bacterial adaptation to the host niche, where they reside. Asymptomatic carrier strains were shown to inhibit RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in host cells by targeting Ser2 phosphorylation, a step required for productive mRNA elongation. Assisted by a rare, spontaneous
RNA viruses have gained plenty of attention during recent outbreaks of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Ebola virus. ZIKV is a vector borne Flavivirus that is spread by mosquitoes and it mainly infects neuronal progenitor cells. One hallmark of congenital ZIKV disease is a reduced brain size in fetuses, leading to severe neurological defects. The
The feasibility to detect lactobacilli in mail-in infant stools collected monthly from 3-18 months old children was investigated. The aim was to determine total lactobacilli and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) content (ng/g feces) in 50 infants each from Colorado (648 samples), Finland (624 samples) and Sweden (685 samples) who participated in the TEDDY (The Environmental Determinants of Di
Introduction: Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus; GAS) is a pathogen causing over half a million deaths annually worldwide. Human immune cells respond to GAS infection by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that control infection. We investigated the role of C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and factor H (FH) in the inflammasome response to GA
OBJECTIVES: Esophageal cancer is a highly fatal malignant neoplasm, with 2 etiologically different histological types. A large prospective study is expected to elucidate the specific risk of the 90% subtype of esophageal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), with metformin therapy. This study aims to determine the association between metformin use and incident ESCC risk.METHODS: This
Objectives: To compare the 1-year, 2-year and 5-year incidences of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting any of the biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) currently available in clinical practice and to anchor these results with a general population comparator. Methods: Observational cohort study, with patients from Denmark, Finland, No
Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is an X-linked retinal disorder characterized by low vision, photoaversion, and poor color discrimination. BCM is due to the lack of long-wavelength-sensitive and middle-wavelength-sensitive cone photoreceptor function and caused by mutations in the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster on Xq28. Here, we investigated the prevalence and the landscape of submicroscopic structural v
