Defining functional interactions during biogenesis of epithelial junctions

In spite of extensive recent progress, a comprehensive understanding of how actin cytoskeleton remodelling supports stable junctions remains to be established. Here we design a platform that integrates actin functions with optimized phenotypic clustering and identify new cytoskeletal proteins, their functional hierarchy and pathways that modulate E-cadherin adhesion. Depletion of EEF1A, an actin bundling protein, increases E-cadherin levels at junctions without a corresponding reinforcement of cell-cell contacts. This unexpected result reflects a more dynamic and mobile junctional actin in EEF1A-depleted cells. A partner for EEF1A in cadherin contact maintenance is the formin DIAPH2, which interacts with EEF1A. In contrast, depletion of either the endocytic regulator TRIP10 or the Rho GTPase activator VAV2 reduces E-cadherin levels at junctions. TRIP10 binds to and requires VAV2 function for its junctional localization. Overall, we present new conceptual insights on junction stabilization, which integrate known and novel pathways with impact for epithelial morphogenesis, homeostasis and diseases

Donor Heart Preservation with Hydrogen Sulfide:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Preclinical studies have shown that postconditioning with hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) exerts cardioprotective effects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of this study was to appraise the current evidence of the cardioprotective effects of H(2)S against IRI in order to explore the future implementation of H(2)S in clinical cardiac transplantation. The current literature on H(2)S postconditioning in the setting of global myocardial ischemia was systematically reviewed and analyzed, performing meta-analyses. A literature search of the electronic databases Medline, Embase and Cinahl identified 1835 studies that were subjected to our pre-defined inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies were considered eligible for inclusion. Postconditioning with H(2)S showed significant robust effects with regard to limiting infarct size (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −4.12, 95% CI [−5.53–−2.71], p < 0.00001). Furthermore, H(2)S postconditioning consistently resulted in a significantly lower release of cardiac injury markers, lower levels of oxidative stress and improved cardiac function. Postconditioning with slow-releasing H(2)S donors offers a valuable opportunity for novel therapies within cardiac preservation for transplantation. Before clinical implication, studies evaluating the long-term effects of H(2)S treatment and effects of H(2)S treatment in large animal studies are warranted

HERBAL MEDICINES USED BY BAPEDI TRADITIONAL HEALERS TO TREAT REPRODUCTIVE AILMENTS IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

The current study focussed on documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge of herbal medicines used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat reproductive ailments in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifty one healers from 17 municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts of the Limpopo Province were interviewed between January and July 2011. Semi-structured interviews, observations and guided field surveys with the healers were employed. Thirty-six medicinal plant species belonging to 35 genera and 20 families were documented. The most used species were Zanthoxylum humile (25.5%), Catha edulis (21.6%), Ozoroa sphaerocarpa (15.7%), Hypoxis hemerocallidea (13.7%), Hypoxis obtusa (11.7%), Gomphocarpus fruticosus subsp. fruticosus and Gymnosporia senegalensis (9.8% each). The dominant growth forms among the reported medicinal plants were herbs (39%), followed by shrubs and trees with 33% and 28%, respectively. The preferred plant parts were roots (63.9%), followed by bark (13.9%), whole plant (11.1%), tubers (8.3%), bulbs (5.6%), fruits, leaves, stems and twigs (2.8% each). The majority of the species were used to treat gender specific reproductive ailments; while a minority were used for treating reproductive ailments of both genders. Twenty-two species (61.1%) are supported by reports of similar uses in other countries or have proven biological activity. This study illustrates that Bapedi traditional healers possess remarkable knowledge on medicinal plants used for treating and managing reproductive ailments

Is logistically motivated ex vivo lung perfusion a good idea?

Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a technique for reconditioning and evaluating lungs. However, the use of EVLP for logistical reasons is still under discussion. In this retrospective study, all EVLPs performed between July 2012 and October 2019 were analyzed for ventilation and perfusion data. After transplantation, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), lung function, chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free survival, and overall survival were analyzed. Fifty EVLPs were performed: seventeen logistic EVLPs led to 15 lung transplantations (LT) and two rejections (LR), and 33 medical EVLPs resulted in 26 lung transplantations (MT) and seven rejections (MR). Pre-EVLP PaO2 was lower for MT than LT (p &lt; 0.05). Dynamic lung compliance remained stable in MT and LT but decreased in MR and LR. Plateau airway pressure started at a higher level in MR (p &lt; 0.05 MT vs. MR at T60) and increased further in LR. After transplantation, there were no differences between MT and LT in PGD, lung function, CLAD-free survival, and overall survival. In addition, the LT group was compared with a cohort group receiving standard donor lungs without EVLP (LTx). There were no significant differences between LT and LTx for PGD, CLAD-free survival, and overall survival. FVC was significantly lower in LT than in LTx after 1 year (p = 0.005). We found that LT lungs appear to perform better than MT lungs on EVLP. In turn, the outcome in the LT group was comparable with the LTx group. Overall, lung transplantation after EVLP for logistic reasons is safe and makes transplantation timing controllable.<br/

Weather at Sierra Negra: 7.3-year statistics and a new method to estimate the temporal fraction of cloud cover

Sierra Negra, one of the highest peaks in central Mexico, is the site of the Large Millimeter Telescope. We describe the first results of a comprehensive analysis of the weather data measured in situ from October 2000 to February 2008 to be used as a reference for future activity in the site. We compare the data from two different stations at the summit considering the accuracy of both instruments. We analysed the diurnal, seasonal and annual cycles for all the parameters. The thermal stability is remarkably good, crucial for a good performance of the telescopes. From the solar radiation data we developed a new method to estimate the fraction of time when the sky is clear of clouds. We show that our measurements are consistent with a warm standard atmosphere model. The conditions at the site are benign and stable given its altitude, showing that Sierra Negra is a extremely good site for millimeter and high energy observations.Comment: Accepted, MNRAS, 17 pages, 26 figure file