Exact Identity Research Articles

Identification of Cell Fate Determining Transcription Factors for Generating Brain Endothelial Cells.

Reliable models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), wherein brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) play a key role in maintenance of barrier function, are essential tools for developing therapeutics and disease modeling. Recent studies explored generating BMEC-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by mimicking brain-microenvironment signals or genetic reprogramming. However, due to the lack of comprehensive transcriptional studies, the exact cellular identity of most of these cells remains poorly defined. In this study we aimed to identify the most likely master transcription factors (TFs) for inducing brain endothelial cell (EC) fate and assess the transcriptomic changes following their introduction into immature ECs. Therefore, we first generated PSC-derived immature ECs by transient overexpression of the TF, ETV2. Subsequently, by performing an extensive meta-analysis of transcriptome studies of brain and non-brain ECs, 12 candidate TFs were identified, which might fate immature ECs towards cells with brain EC features. Following combinatorial overexpression of these 12 TFs tagged with unique barcodes, single cell transcriptomics identified a subset of transduced cells that resembled mid-gestational human brain ECs. Assessment of the TF barcodes present in these cells revealed significant enrichment of the TFs ZIC3, TFAP2C, TFAP2A, and DLX2. These TFs might be useful to fate PSC-EC to BMEC-like cells, which could be incorporated in human in vitro BBB models.

A ROMAN IMPERIAL TORSO FROM the MUSEUM of ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS

This study examines a naked torso from the Roman Imperial Period exhibited in the garden of the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. The torso was made of white marble and is slightly over life sized. It was found at an unspecified date in the vicinity of the ancient city of Iuliopolis/Juliopolis in the district of Nallıhan, 122 kilometers northwest of Ankara, Turkey and delivered to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. There is no context for the artifact due to the uncertainty of the place of discovery. It also lacks arms, legs, head, and inscription. Therefore, it is impossible to determine its exact location and identity. However, the research conducted based on similar examples allows for a partial interpretation of the sculpture. Accordingly, it is thought that it was for a benefactor who made important contributions to the Juliopolis and that his sculpture was probably exhibited in a public building. In addition, the stylistic features indicate that the work may have been made in parallel with the development of the city during the Augustan Period. The present study focuses on the introduction, identity, location of display, and the period to which it may belong.

Content-Based Image Retrieval and Recommendation Based on User Reviews

Effective search functionality is crucial for enhancing user experience and boosting sales on e-commerce sites. However, relying on specific product names instead of common names can cause potential customers to be lost while searching for products, as many platforms still depend on text-based search engines. While text searches effectively find keywords, Search Engine fall short when customers do not know the exact product identity or only have an image of desired product. With the rise of multiple E-commerce sites, customers often feel confused about where to buy the best product. This paper proposes a novel architecture for recommending the desired product based on image search. The input image provided by the user is processed through YOLO models to extract the brand, category, and color of the shoe, which serve as keywords. Data about shoe with similar keywords is retrieved from multiple e-commerce sites using APIs. The SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) algorithm is employed to compare the input image with the extracted images and assign a score. Additionally, reviews, ratings, and price analyses are conducted on the extracted data, and scores are assigned accordingly. The TextBlob library is used for sentiment analysis of reviews. Based on these scores, the best product is recommended to the customer. The architecture is deployed on an EC2 instance on the AWS platform, demonstrating its practical applicability. The result is a model that is able to suggest similar product wanted by the user which has the most positive reviews and ratings from other users and has the most competitive price in the market. The project suggests an easier and comparatively better way to improve the online shopping experience of users by providing what they want which is liked by others as well and are priced competitively.

Power spectra of Dyson’s circular ensembles

The power spectrum is a Fourier series statistic associated with the covariances of the displacement from average positions of the members of an eigen-sequence. When this eigen-sequence has rotational invariance, as for the eigen-angles of Dyson’s circular ensembles, recent work of Riser and Kanzieper has uncovered an exact identity expressing the power spectrum in terms of the generating function for the conditioned gap probability of having k=0,…,N eigenvalues in an interval. These authors moreover showed how for the circular unitary ensemble integrability properties of the generating function, via a particular Painlevé VI system, imply a computational scheme for the corresponding power spectrum, and allow for the determination of its large N limit. In the present work, these results are extended to the case of the circular orthogonal ensemble and circular symplectic ensemble, where the integrability is expressed through four particular Painlevé VI systems for finite N, and two Painlevé III′ systems for the limit N→∞, and also via corresponding Fredholm determinants. The relation between the limiting power spectrum S∞(ω), where ω denotes the Fourier variable, and the limiting generating function for the conditioned gap probabilities is particularly direct, involving just a single integration over the gap endpoint in the latter. Interpreting this generating function as the characteristic function of a counting statistic allows for it to be shown that S∞(ω)∼ω→01πβ|ω|, where β is the Dyson index.

UGT2B10 is the Major UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 2B Isoform Involved in the Metabolism of Lamotrigine and is Implicated in the Drug-Drug Interaction with Valproic Acid.

Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine anticonvulsant that is primarily metabolized by phase II UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) to a quaternary N2-glucuronide, which accounts for ~ 90% of the excreted dose in humans. While there is consensus that UGT1A4 plays a predominant role in the formation of the N2-glucuronide, there is compelling evidence in the literature to suggest that the metabolism of lamotrigine is catalyzed by another UGT isoform. However, the exact identity of the UGT isoform that contribute to the formation of this glucuronide remains uncertain. In this study, we harnessed a robust reaction phenotyping strategy to delineate the identities and its associated fraction metabolized (fm) of the UGTs involved in lamotrigine N2-glucuronidation. Foremost, human recombinant UGT mapping experiments revealed that the N2-glucuronide is catalyzed by multiple UGT isoforms. (i.e., UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A9, 2B4, 2B7, and 2B10). Thereafter, scaling the apparent intrinsic clearances obtained from the enzyme kinetic experiments with our in-house liver-derived relative expression factors (REF) and relative activity factors (RAF) revealed that, in addition to UGT1A4, UGT2B10 was involved in the N2-glucuronidation of lamotrigine. This was further confirmed via chemical inhibition in human liver microsomes with the UGT1A4-selective inhibitor hecogenin and the UGT2B10-selective inhibitor desloratadine. By integrating various orthogonal approaches (i.e., REF- and RAF-scaling, and chemical inhibition), we quantitatively determined that the fm for UGT1A4 and UGT2B10 ranged from 0.42 - 0.64 and 0.32 - 0.57, respectively. Finally, we also provided nascent evidence that the pharmacokinetic interaction between lamotrigine and valproic acid likely arose from the in vivo inhibition of its UGT2B10-mediated pathway.

(Invited) A Polaron Paradigm for Perovskite Nanocrystal Emitting States

Perovskite NCs such as CsPbBr3 have numerous uses. Most involve exploiting their light emission and are motivated by their defect tolerance and large, as-made emission quantum yields. Absent, though, is a fundamental understanding of perovskite NC emitting states, central to these applications. Of particular note are observations of near-universal, size-, temperature-, and composition-dependent absorption/emission Stokes shifts where observed energy differences are between absorbing and emitting states.Very little is known about the origin of these shifts. Moreover, little is known about the exact identity of the emitting state. This is to be contrasted to more conventional NCs such as CdSe where band edge exciton fine structure quantitatively accounts for both global and resonant Stokes shifts, with emission emerging from a dark exciton. Although similar perovskite NC fine structure might account for their shifts, both theory and experiment predict bright/dark fine structure splittings easily an order of magnitude too small to account for experiment.We now propose that perovskite NC emitting states are polarons, which result from the lattice accommodation of photogenerated charges. Polaron binding energies and lifetimes are, in turn, suggested to be the origin of observed size-, temperature-, and composition-dependent absorption/emission Stokes shifts and excited state lifetimes. This represents a significant departure from more conventional descriptions of NC band edge states, which exclusively involve exciton fine structure and dark exciton emitting states.

Risk assessment of the laboratory host range and a molecular characterisation determining the field host range of Lixus aemulus, for the biological control of Chromolaena odorata in South Africa

Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) is a sprawling shrub native to the Americas, and a destructive invader of much of the humid tropics and subtropics of the Old World. Opportunistic native-range exploration in 1995 identified a stem-boring weevil, Lixus aemulus, as a promising biological control candidate agent. Host-specificity testing was conducted on L. aemulus in South Africa using laboratory no-choice and paired-choice tests. Three invasive alien plants closely related to C. odorata may be utilized by L. aemulus but no indigenous, ornamental or crop species in South Africa was or is expected to be attacked by the weevil. A native-range field survey was conducted in Brazil to determine the exact identity of the host plant L. aemulus had been collected in 1995, and to identify additional host-plant species. Genetic assessments of the Lixus sp.(p.). adults collected on the three host plants (C. odorata, Chromolaena laevigata and Heterocondylus vitalbae) reveal these individuals are L. aemulus and the weevil can be classed as an oligophage in its native range. Over 5,500 adults were released in South Africa, but overall establishment has been poor. The most likely explanation appears to be a climate mismatch between the region of South Africa invaded by C. odorata and the collection locality in Rio Branco, Acre state, Brazil. Additionally, because the full extent of the native range of L. aemulus is unknown, it is uncertain whether individuals can be sourced from an area whose climate resembles that of South Africa. Furthermore, despite being oligophagous, L. aemulus may perform sub-optimally on the southern African C. odorata biotype.

A segment of Euler product associated to a certain Dirichlet series

In the spirit of the work of Hardy-Littlewood and Lavrik, we study the Dirichlet series associated to the generalized divisor function σα(n):=∑d|ndα. We obtain an exact identity relating the Dirichlet series ζ(s)ζ(s−α) and a segment of the Euler product attached to it. Specifically, our main theorems are valid in the critical strip.

A new 4d N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 1 duality from the superconformal index

In this paper we propose a physical derivation of a 4d conjectural duality for USp(2N) with an anti-symmetric rank-two tensor and fundamental flavors, in presence of a non-trivial superpotential. This duality has been conjectured as a consequence of an exact identity between the superconformal indices of the two phases, proved in the mathematical literature. Here we show that the duality can be derived by a combined sequence of known dualities, deconfinement of tensor matter, RG flow and Higgsing. Furthermore, by following these steps on the superconformal index, we provide an alternative derivation of the integral identity as well.

The Hebrew translation of Euclid's Elements ascribed to Rabbi Jacob: A new analysis following the "Discovery" of the arabic version in MS Paris, BULAC ARA. 606

The Hebrew translation of Euclid's Elements ascribed to Rabbi Jacob is based on two leading sources. The definitions and the enunciations rely on an extant Arabic version which until recently was commonly considered to be a revision made by Thābit ibn Qurra of a translation by Isḥāq ibn Ḥunayn. The proofs and diagrams are based on a different version whose exact identity is unknown and had strong affinity to an Arabic version of the Elements axcribed to al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf ibn Maṭar. Focusing on the first six Books, this paper presents a fresh analysis of the sources and use of sources in Rabbi Jacob's translation, on the basis of a systematic comparison of this translation to the recently “discovered” new source of al-Ḥajjāj's work, namely the Arabic version of the Elements in MS Paris, BULAC ARA. 606.

Molecular and Morphological Assessment of the Impact of Gas Flares on the Fungal Abundance and Diversity in soils of Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

Fungal abundance and diversity in soils of three communities flow stations (ID, IR and OB) owned by an unnamed oil exploration firm operating in the Niger Delta area for about five decades were determined using nucleic acid analytical methods. Top soil (0-15 cm) samples were collected from mini pits using sterile bottles at 50, 100 and 150 meters from the flare barrier of each community flow station and soil samples from the control was taken at 2.5 kilometers during the dry and wet seasons. The fungal properties were determined first using the cultural method of serial dilution method which revealed the presence of the following fungi; Aspergillus sp, and penicillium chrysogenum at 50 m away from flare in all the three flow stations during the dry seasons and in the wet season Aspergillus sp, penicillium chrysogenum, Mucor sp., yeast cells, A. niger, and Rhizopus sp. At 100 m away from flare, Mucor sp, A. niger and rhizopus were isolated in all three-flow station in the dry season and in the wet season, Yeast cells, A. niger, Aspegillus sp. and Rhizopus were isolated. P. chrysogenum, Aspergillus sp. and yeast cells were isolated at 150 m away from flare in the dry season and in the same distance, yeast cells, A. niger aggregate, A. niger and P. chrysogenum were isolated. At the control site, during the dry season, A. niger, P. chrysogenum, Aspergillus sp., Rhizopus sp. and Botryodiplodia threobome were isolated in the dry and A. niger, P. chrysogenum and yeast in the wet season. Fungal DNA was extracted using Norgen fungal genomic DNA extraction kits for the molecular analysis to establish the true characteristics and species identity of the isolates earlier identified with cultural methods. This revealed the presence of the following fungi upon sequence blast on NCBI database; Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspergillus fumigatus brown 2 (abr2) gene, complete cds strain), Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspergillus fumigates strain IHM 15988 pigment biosynthesis protein), Fusarium phyllophilum , Fusarium graminearum, Aspergillus oryzae (a strain of Aspergillus niger) Aspergillus oryzae (niger). Findings from this work have shown that molecular technique gave the exact identity of fungal species isolated from study area. All six (6) molecularly identified fungi were isolated from the three-study flow station and in both seasons. The Aspergillus group was dominant as a result of their ability to adapt to the flare environment

The second class particle process at shocks

We consider the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) starting with a shock discontinuity at the origin, with asymptotic densities λ to the left of the origin and ρ to the right of it and λ<ρ. We find an exact identity for the distribution of a second class particle starting at the origin. Then we determine the limiting joint distributions of the second class particle. Bypassing the last passage percolation model, we work directly in TASEP, allowing us to extend previous one-point distribution results via a more direct and shorter ansatz.

Trematode species diversity in the faucet snail, Bithynia tentaculata at the western edge of its native distribution, in Ireland.

Trematodes and their snail hosts have developed intimate parasite-host associations, with snails supporting a diverse and often species-specific trematode fauna. In the faucet snail, Bithynia tentaculata (Caenogastropoda, Littorinimorpha), a unique trematode fauna has been recorded recently. However, knowledge of the exact species identity, phylogenetic relationships, and geographical distribution remains limited as many of the species belong to groups with unclear or controversial taxonomical assignment. To contribute to our knowledge of the trematodes, we investigated the trematode fauna of B. tentaculata by examining a total of 556 snails from lakes in County Galway, Ireland. Using an integrative taxonomic approach including DNA sequence data analyses (28S rRNA gene, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, ITS2, cox1, nad1) and morphological tools (taxonomical drawings and measurements), we identified nine trematode species of seven families, with seven species occurring as cercariae (Cyathocotyle prussica, Lecithodendrium linstowi, Lecithodendrium sp., Asymphylodora progenetica, Sphaerostoma bramae, Metorchis xanthosomus, and Notocotylus sp.) and three species occurring as metacercariae (A. progenetica, Parasymphylodora parasquamosa, and Sphaeridiotrema sp.). Except for S. bramae, all are new species records for Ireland and provide the most western distribution of these trematodes in Europe. The trematode species recorded are known to use a wide range of definitive hosts and have a wide geographical distribution; among them are species members of genera that are zoonotic (Metorchis) and pathogenic to wildlife (Cyathocotyle, Sphaeridiotrema, and Notocotylus). There remains an ongoing need for precise identification of the trematode species to ensure that wider ecological contexts are correctly understood and biodiversity and disease threats can be accurately evaluated.

Quorum sensing signals of the grapevine crown gall bacterium, Novosphingobium sp. Rr2-17: use of inducible expression and polymeric resin to sequester acyl-homoserine lactones.

A grapevine crown gall tumor strain, Novosphingobium sp. strain Rr2-17 was previously reported to accumulate copious amounts of diverse quorum sensing signals during growth. Genome sequencing identified a single luxI homolog in strain Rr2-17, suggesting that it may encode for a AHL synthase with broad substrate range, pending functional validation. The exact identity of the complete suite of AHLs formed by novIspR1 is largely unknown. This study validates the function of novIspR1 through inducible expression in Escherichia coli and in the wild-type parental strain Rr2-17. We further enhanced the capture of acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signals produced by novIspR1 using polymeric resin XAD-16 and separated the AHLs by one- and two-dimensional thin layer chromatography followed by detection using AHL-dependent whole cell biosensor strains. Lastly, the complete number of AHLs produced by novIspR1 in our system was identified by LC-MS/MS analyses. The single LuxI homolog of N. sp. Rr2-17, NovIspR1, is able to produce up to eleven different AHL signals, including AHLs: C8-, C10-, C12-, C14-homoserine lactone (HSL) as well as AHLs with OH substitutions at the third carbon and includes 3-OH-C6-, 3-OH-C8-, 3-OH-C10-, 3-OH-C12- and 3-OH-C14-HSL. The most abundant AHL produced was identified as 3-OH-C8-HSL and isopropyl-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction of novIspR1 expression in wild type parental Rr2-17 strain increased its concentration by 6.8-fold when compared to the same strain with the vector only control plasmid. Similar increases were identified with the next two most abundant AHLs, 3-OH-C10- and unsubstituted C8-HSL. The presence of 2% w/v of XAD-16 resin in the growth culture bound 99.3 percent of the major AHL (3-OH-C8-HSL) produced by IPTG-induced overexpression of novIspR1 in Rr2-17 strain. This study significantly adds to our understanding of the AHL class of quorum sensing system in a grapevine crown gall tumor associated Novosphingobium sp. Rr2-17 strain. The identity of nine AHL signals produced by this bacterium will provide a framework to identify the specific function(s) of the AHL-mediated quorum-sensing associated genes in this bacterium.

Molecular identification of Trichophyton interdigitale from patients with dermatophytosis

Trichophyton interdigitale is a significant pathogen responsible for dermatophytosis, including tinea unguium &amp; tinea pedis.Fungal genome contains numerous copies of ribosomal DNA (rDNA).(ITS) region can be used to analyze relationships between closely related taxa.The genetic variants of the ribosomal sequences were investigated to assess pattern of biological diversity of three different isolates (assigned S4, S6 and S7) collected in Karbala province.Our results indicated the exact identity of the amplified samples. Sequencing reactions indicated that the identity of samples of S4, S6, and S7 was Trichophyton interdigitale. phylogenetic analyses also confirmed their positions within their corresponding clades accordingly.

Scanning electron microscopy study of Lars Silns cheilostome bryozoan type specimens in the historical collections of natural history museums in Sweden.

The type specimens of 42 cheilostome bryozoan species introduced by Lars Siln between 1938 and 1954 and housed at three different Swedish institutions (the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm, the Biological Museum in Lund and the Museum of Evolution in Uppsala) are here revised using scanning electron microscopy, with two exceptions, for the first time. As a result of this revision, new morphological observations were made for some species, such as ooecia in Antropora erecta, a costal pseudopore in Jullienula hippocrepis, intracolonial variation in the number of intracostal windows in Costaticella gisleni, and oral spines in Triphyllozoon mauritzoni. Some other observations confirmed the presence of structures/polymorphs in type material that had previously only been noted in non-type specimens, such as spinose interzooidal kenozooids in Retevirgula triangulata and putative brooding zooids in Bugulina kiuschiuensis. Structures originally interpreted as hydroid tube openings on the dorsal side of Triphyllozoon microstigmatum were confirmed to be avicularia, while the supposed kenozooidal attachment rootlet of Fedora nodosa might be the polypide tube of a coronate scyphozoan. In addition, the original combination Heliodoma goesi is here reinstated after Lagaaij assigned the species to Setosellina in 1963. The following new combinations are also proposed: Labioporella aviculifera for Siphonoporella aviculifera; Mangana canui and Mangana incrustata for Callopora canui and Tegella incrustata, respectively; Sphaerulobryozoon ovum for Fedora ovum. Lectotypes were selected when appropriate. This work clarifies the exact identity of some species that have never been recorded after their first description, such as Stylopoma magnovicellata and three species of Triphyllozoon, and contributes to the current increasing effort to digitize historical key specimens in natural history museum collections.

Genetic diversity and molecular analysis using RAPD markers of banana cultivars in the five regions of East Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Slameto. 2023. Genetic diversity and molecular analysis using RAPD markers of banana cultivars in the five regions of East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 5035-5043. The study explored banana plants in East Java, Indonesia, specifically in the districts of Jember, Banyuwangi, Bondowoso, Situbondo, and Lumajang, using Random Amplified Polymorphic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (RAPD) markers. Thirty accessions of Musa ssp. were collected from these five districts, revealing a high level of genetic diversity. Primers OPA-04 and OPC-05 were suitable for assessing genetic variation in banana plants. It was found that the OPD-07 primer produced the fewest DNA bands (8 bands and 7 polymorphic bands), while the OPA-04 primer produced the maximum number of DNA bands (14 bands, with 9 polymorphic bands). The OPB-08 primer had the lowest polymorphism percentage (56%), and the OPC-05 primer had the greatest percentage (92%). With genetic similarity scores ranging from 0.04 (Bigih Tanjung Glugur and Lilin Banyuwangi) to 0.94 (Agung Banyuwangi and Let). The phylogenetic tree of 30 banana plants formed two primary clusters: cluster I and II, included 26 and 4 banana varieties respectively. In addition, molecular variance (AMOVA) resulted a significant proportion (93%) of genetic diversity within the population. Further studies using more precise genetic markers are still needed to determine the exact identity of the banana plant genome.

Identification of cortisol metabolites with LC-MS/MS in plasma, skin mucus, bile and faeces for stress evaluation of farmed Atlantic salmon

As a stress hormone, cortisol and more recently its metabolites are analysed when assessing fish stress and welfare status, although the exact identity of these metabolites is not clearly defined for the Atlantic salmon. LC-MS/MS techniques, owing to their specificity, sensitivity and ability to simultaneously identify and measure several relevant compounds, can be useful tools for this purpose. Using the guidelines provided by the European Decision no. 657/2002/EC for validation, the LC-MS/MS method presented here, can reliably identify and quantify cortisol and five of its metabolites (5β-THF, cortisone, 5β-DHE, 5β-THE and β-cortolone) in bile and faeces, and cortisol and cortisone in skin mucus and blood plasma of farmed Atlantic salmon within 15 min. Identified as the most predominant compound in faeces and bile, 5β-THE is proposed as a candidate stress biomarker when using these matrices. A decision limit (CCα) below 5 ng/mL, a detection capability (CCβ) and a limit of detection (LOD) below 10 ng/mL and a limit of quantitation (LOQ) below 30 ng/mL were typically obtained for most of the compounds. The concentrations of these compounds measured in either non-stressed or stressed fish were all above the CCα, CCβ, LOD and the LOQ of the method. The latter consequently demonstrated significant difference in cortisol metabolites concentrations between the two groups of fish. The present study further demonstrates that pooling of samples from several individuals could provide reliable results for farmed fish stress evaluation, when sample materials are insufficient in terms of quantity.

Abstract P3019: During Salt-sensitive Hypertension, CD8+ T Cells Increase Renal Sodium Transporters, NKCC2 And ENaC

Hypertension originates in part from impaired salt handling by the kidneys. However, the exact identity of this kidney defect remains unknown. As established recently, the adaptive immunity, T cells in particular, acts as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of hypertension. In this regard, our laboratory has reported that CD8+ T cells (CD8Ts) adoptively transferred from salt-sensitive hypertensive mice to normotensive mice stimulate Sodium Chloride Cotransporter (NCC) increasing sodium retention. However, whether other sodium transporters within the nephron are affected by CD8Ts and contribute to this pathogenesis of hypertension remains uncharacterized. We hypothesize CD8Ts will also have an impact on other sodium channels. Through in vivo studies, we employed a CD8T-adoptive transfer model as described in our previous publications. The kidneys from mice receiving adoptive transfer of hypertensive CD8Ts were harvested and protein levels of NKCC, αENaC, βENaC, and γENaC were analyzed by western blot. In vitro, we co-cultured mouse CD8Ts with Collecting Duct epithelial cells (CDs, M1 cells) to examine the direct interaction between CD8Ts and CDs in media containing various levels of corticosteroids. Similar western blots were performed after this co-culture, as well as measurement of sodium retention through an intracellular sodium indicator and flow cytometry, as reported previously. In vivo, we found that the kidneys of mice receiving adoptive transfer of hypertensive CD8Ts demonstrated higher expression of NKCC, βENaC and γENaC, but no change in αENaC. As for in vitro, we further found that in charcoal-stripped co-culture conditions, pre-activated CD8Ts stimulate higher expression of ENaC subunits and ENaC-mediated sodium retention in M1 cells. However, these effects are masked in culture conditions with physiological or with additional corticosteroid levels. Overall, our results suggest that, as a potential kidney defect, hypertensive CD8Ts strongly stimulate NCC and NKCC in the kidney to mediate excessive salt retention and any effect of CD8Ts in increasing ENaC may be masked in physiologic conditions.

Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Identification of Metabolites in Winterberry Fruit Putatively Associated with Natural Disease Resistance to Diaporthe ilicicola.

Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is an ornamental plant popularly used in landscape design and sold as cut branches for fall and winter seasonal decoration. Latent fruit rot of winterberry is an emerging disease caused by the fungus Diaporthe ilicicola, which can result in up to 100% crop loss. Diaporthe ilicicola infects open flowers in spring, but symptom onset does not occur until the end of the growing season when the fruit is fully mature. This study was conducted to identify compounds displaying significant variation in abundance during fruit maturation and that may be putatively associated with natural disease resistance observed when the fruit is immature. Winterberry 'Sparkleberry' fruits collected at four timepoints during the 2018 and 2019 seasons were extracted in methanol and analyzed using high resolution ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed a distinct separation of metabolic profiles based on fruit phenological stage. The top 100 features that were differentially expressed between immature and mature fruit were selected from both electrospray ionization (ESI) (-) and ESI (+) datasets for annotation. Eleven compounds shown to decrease throughout the season included cinnamic acids, a triterpenoid, terpene lactones, stilbene glycosides, a cyanidin glycoside, and a furopyran. Nine compounds shown to accumulate throughout the season included chlorogenic acid derivatives, hydrolysable tannins, flavonoid glycosides, and a triterpene saponin. Future research will further confirm the exact identity of the compounds of interest and determine whether they are biologically active toward D. ilicicola or I. verticillata. The results could inform breeding programs, chemical management programs, and novel antifungal compound development pipelines.