Somatostatin Regulates Intracellular Signaling in Human Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells

Somatostatin (somatotropin release inhibitory factor; SRIF), is an endogenous peptide family that controls cellular secretion and proliferation. While SRIF\u27s cognate receptors and associated actions have been clearly identified in a range of tissues, such as the endocrine, gastrointestinal and immune systems, a role in human lung physiology remains unknown. Using primary human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMC) as a model for studying SRIF\u27s actions, we have investigated whether SRIF receptors are present and functional in human bronchial smooth muscle. Reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis ofhBSMC total mRNA demonstrated the presence of the sst, receptor subtype, providing a molecular target for SRIF action. SRIF\u27s functional effects on intracellular signaling were confirmed by Western blotting with phospho-specific antibodies for the extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 (ERKl/2). Using a nonpeptidyl sst, selective agonist, L-779,976, we demonstrated an acute inhibition (50 ± 5%) of basal ERKl/2 phosphorylation. In addition, L-779,976-treated hBSMC cell membranes showed a 2.4-fold increase in tyrosine phosphatase activity, which was abolished by the selective tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium vanadate. Furthermore, a 48 h treatment with 100 nM L-779,976 suppressed hBSMC proliferation by 30%. Taken together, our results show that the hBSMC is a direct target of SRIF\u27 s antiproliferative activity. We propose that SRIF\u27s actions in controlling lung smooth muscle cell proliferation could prove therapeutically useful in chronic asthma where inappropriate hBSMC proliferation plays a role

Biochemical characterization of a V-ATPase of tracheal smooth muscle plasma membrane fraction

AbstractA biochemical characterization of a Mg2+-ATPase activity associated with a plasma membrane fraction isolated from airway (tracheal) smooth muscle was performed. This enzyme is an integral part of the membrane remaining tightly bound after 0.6 M KCl extraction. This enzyme activity showed a cold inactivation in the presence of ATP and Mg2+. Also, this Mg2+-ATPase was stimulated by monovalent anions being Cl−, the best anion for such stimulation, even though Br− and I− were good substitutes and F− was ineffective. This Cl− stimulated activity showed a powerful nucleosidetriphosphatase activity having the following divalent cation specificity: Mg2+ > Mn2+ > Ca2+, where Zn2+ and Fe2+ were ineffective. This ATPase activity was not inhibited by ouabain, oligomycin C and banadate indicating that neither P- or F-ATPases were associated with this enzyme activity. However, the existence of a V-ATPase was shown by the significant inhibition causes by bafilomycin A1. Additionally, this V-ATPase seems to be coupled to Cl− conductor because duramycin inhibited this ATPase activity. The presence of a H+ pump associated to this V-ATPase was shown indirectly, through the stimulatory effect produced by uncouplers such as FCCP and 1799, which were able to produce significant stimulation of this V-ATPase indicating the existence of a H+-ATPase. Finally, the immunodetection of a 72 kDa polypeptide using a specific antibody against the A subunit (72 kDa) of V-ATPase from chromaffin granule demonstrated the presence of a V-ATPase in this plasma membrane fraction

UNLV New Horizons Band & UNLV Community Concert Band

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Jaminaea phylloscopi sp. Nov. (microstromatales), a basidiomycetous yeast isolated from migratory birds in the mediterranean basin

During a survey of yeasts vectored by migratory birds in the Mediterranean basin, isolations from the cloacae of members of the order Passeriformes collected in Ustica (Italy) were performed. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2 region, five yeast isolates clustered in a new lineage within the Microstromatales clade. The DNA sequences of these isolates differed from those of their closest relatives, Jaminaea angkorensis and Jaminaea lanaiensis, by 20 and 25 nt substitutions in the D1/D2 domain and 119 and 131 nt substitutions in the complete ITS region, respectively. In addition, the five isolates showed phenotypic characteristics not observed in their closest relatives, such as the ability to grow at 44 °C and at pH 2.5, which suggests a possible adaptation to the bird gastrointestinal tract. On the basis of the isolation source, phenotypic features and molecular strain typing carried out with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR and mini-satellite-primed (MSP)-PCR analysis, the five isolates were characterized as five distinct strains of a novel species formally described as Jaminaea phylloscopi sp. nov., with 551B6T (=PYCC 6783T=CBS 14087T) as the type strain. The Mycobank accession number is MB811984

The migratory birds: novel ecological niche of fungal diversity?

Francesca et al (2010) studied the ecology of wine yeasts associated to birds caught in vineyards. The same authors were able to prove that migratory birds might carry living pro-technological yeasts for about 12 hours from the ingestion of inoculated feed (Francesca et al 2012). In subsequent studies, they tried to demonstrate that microorganisms are not only transported for a short period by birds, but microorganisms might be adapted to the specific conditions (body temperature about 42 °C and low pH) of the intestinal tract of birds. Hence, it was demonstrated that the majority of isolates carried by birds are thermotolerant. The most interesting results were the isolation of two new species of thermotolerant yeasts, isolated from birds (Francesca et al 2013, 2014). Presently, the main scope of this work is to investigate an additional number of seven new species of thermotolerant yeasts isolated from migratory birds. Bird’s cloacae were analyzed for the presence of yeasts (Francesca et al 2012). All isolates were subjected to phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses as reported by Francesca et al (2014). Twenty four cultures belonging to the genera Candida and Aureobasidium were isolated from birds. The phylogenetic analysis of D1/D2 domain of 26S and ITS region of 5.8S rRNA genes placed the cultures of Candida and Aureobasidium in new lineages that differed conspicuously from their closest relatives, C. verbasci and A. pullulans, respectively. For our Candida isolates the phenotypic analyses showed several discrepancies in assimilation tests between our cultures and C. verbasci, as well as represent a novel ecological niche of new species of thermotolerant yeasts gathered

Longitudinal association between informal unpaid caregiving and mental health amongst working age adults in high-income OECD countries: a systematic review

Background Informal unpaid caregivers provide most of the world's care needs, experiencing numerous health and wealth penalties as a result. As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, informal care is highly gendered. Longitudinal evidence is needed to assess the causal effect of caregiving on mental health. This review addresses a gap by summarising and appraising the longitudinal evidence examining the association between unpaid caregiving and mental health among working age adults in high-income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and examining gender differences. Methods Six databases were searched (Medline, PsycInfo, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Econlit) from Jan 1, 2000 to April 1, 2022. Population-based, peer-reviewed quantitative studies using any observational design were included. Population of interest was working age adults. Exposure was any unpaid caregiving, and studies must have had a non-caregiving comparator for inclusion. Mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, psychological distress/wellbeing) were measurable by validated self-report tools or professional diagnosis. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment (ROBINS-E) were conducted by two reviewers. The study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022312401). Findings Of the 4536 records screened; 13 eligible studies (133,426 participants) were included. Overall quality of evidence was moderate. Significant between-study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, so albatross and effect-direction plots complement the narrative synthesis. Results indicate a negative association between informal unpaid care and mental health in adults of working age. Importantly, all included studies were longitudinal in design. Where studies were stratified by gender, caregiving had a consistently negative impact on the mental health of women. Few studies examined men but revealed a negative effect where an association was found. Interpretation Our review highlights the need to mitigate the mental health risks of caregiving in working age adults. Whilst men need to be included in further scholarship, reducing the disproportionate caregiving load on women is a crucial requirement for policy development. Funding Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Targeted Research Support Grant

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Comunicación y accesibilidad en sitios web municipales de la región del nordeste argentino, su evaluación mediante validadores automáticos

Internet supuso una revolución sin precedentes en el mundo de la informática y de las comunicaciones. Es a la vez una oportunidad de difusión mundial, un mecanismo de propagación de la información y un medio de colaboración e interacción entre los individuos y sus computadoras independientemente de su localización geográfica (Leiner, 1999). Además, constituye un importante medio a través del cual las empresas y los organismos públicos suministran información a los usuarios. Teniendo en cuenta que la información se transfiere a través de mecanismos de comunicación, se presenta el siguiente escenario, relacionada con los municipios objetos de estudio, donde existe: i) Un emisor: el municipio; ii) Un receptor: el usuario; iii) El mensaje: información a transmitir; iv) Un código: idioma que utilizan el emisor y el receptor y v) Un canal: Internet. (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia