Draft Genome Sequences of Two Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains Associated with Gastroenteritis after Raw Seafood Ingestion in Colorado.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram-negative pathogen associated with gastrointestinal and wound infections after exposure to raw seafood or contaminated waters. We report here the whole-genome sequences of two stool isolates (CDC-AM50933 and CDC-AM43539) from patients in Colorado presenting with gastroenteritis after ingesting raw seafood

Phenotypic Expression of ADAMTS13 in Glomerular Endothelial Cells

Background: ADAMTS13 is the physiological von Willebrand factor (VWF)-cleaving protease. The aim of this study was to examine ADAMTS13 expression in kidneys from ADAMTS13 wild-type (Adamts13+/+) and deficient (Adamts13-/-) mice and to investigate the expression pattern and bioactivity in human glomerular endothelial cells. Methodology/Principal Findings: Immunohistochemistry was performed on kidney sections from ADAMTS13 wild-type and ADAMTS13-deficient mice. Phenotypic differences were examined by ultramorphology. ADAMTS13 expression in human glomerular endothelial cells and dermal microvascular endothelial cells was investigated by real-time PCR, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. VWF cleavage was demonstrated by multimer structure analysis and immunoblotting. ADAMTS13 was demonstrated in glomerular endothelial cells in Adamts13+/+ mice but no staining was visible in tissue from Adamts13-/- mice. Thickening of glomerular capillaries with platelet deposition on the vessel wall was detected in Adamts13-/- mice. ADAMTS13 mRNA and protein were detected in both human endothelial cells and the protease was secreted. ADAMTS13 activity was demonstrated in glomerular endothelial cells as cleavage of VWF. Conclusions/Significance: Glomerular endothelial cells express and secrete ADAMTS13. The proteolytic activity could have a protective effect preventing deposition of platelets along capillary lumina under the conditions of high shear stress present in glomerular capillaries. © 2011 Tati et al.published_or_final_versio

Migratory Pathways and Connectivity in Asian Houbara Bustards: Evidence from 15 Years of Satellite Tracking

Information on migratory pathways and connectivity is essential to understanding population dynamics and structure of migrant species. Our manuscript uses a unique dataset, the fruit of 103 individual Asian houbara bustards captured on their breeding grounds in Central Asia over 15 years and equipped with satellite transmitters, to provide a better understanding of migratory pathways and connectivity; such information is critical to the implementation of biologically sound conservation measures in migrant species. At the scale of the distribution range we find substantial migratory connectivity, with a clear separation of migration pathways and wintering areas between western and eastern migrants. Within eastern migrants, we also describe a pattern of segregation on the wintering grounds. But at the local level connectivity is weak: birds breeding within the limits of our study areas were often found several hundreds of kilometres apart during winter. Although houbara wintering in Arabia are known to originate from Central Asia, out of all the birds captured and tracked here not one wintered on the Arabian Peninsula. This is very likely the result of decades of unregulated off-take and severe habitat degradation in this area. At a time when conservation measures are being implemented to safeguard the long-term future of this species, this study provides critical data on the spatial structuring of populations

Differences in the Control of Secondary Peristalsis in the Human Esophagus: Influence of the 5-HT4 Receptor versus the TRPV1 Receptor

Objective Acute administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist, mosapride or esophageal infusion of the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1) agonist capsaicin promotes secondary peristalsis. We aimed to investigate whether acute esophageal instillation of capsaicin-containing red pepper sauce or administration of mosapride has different effects on the physiological characteristics of secondary peristalsis. Methods Secondary peristalsis was induced with mid-esophageal air injections in 14 healthy subjects. We compared the effects on secondary peristalsis subsequent to capsaicin-containing red pepper sauce (pure capsaicin, 0.84 mg) or 40 mg oral mosapride. Results The threshold volume for generating secondary peristalsis during slow air distensions was significantly decreased with capsaicin infusion compared to mosapride (11.6 ± 1.0 vs. 14.1 ± 0.8 mL, P = 0.02). The threshold volume required to produce secondary peristalsis during rapid air distension was also significantly decreased with capsaicin infusion (4.6 ± 0.5 vs. 5.2 ± 0.6 mL, P = 0.02). Secondary peristalsis was noted more frequently in response to rapid air distension after capsaicin infusion than mosapride (80% 60–100% vs. 65% 5–100%, P = 0.04). Infusion of capsaicin or mosapride administration didn’t change any parameters of primary or secondary peristalsis. Conclusions Esophageal infusion with capsaicin-containing red pepper sauce suspension does create greater mechanosensitivity as measured by secondary peristalsis than 5-HT4 receptor agonist mosapride. Capsaicin-sensitive afferents appear to be more involved in the sensory modulation of distension-induced secondary peristalsis.Yeshttp://www.plosone.org/static/editorial#pee

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains Associated with Gastroenteritis after Raw Seafood Ingestion in Colorado.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram-negative pathogen associated with gastrointestinal and wound infections after exposure to raw seafood or contaminated waters. We report here the whole-genome sequences of two stool isolates (CDC-AM50933 and CDC-AM43539) from patients in Colorado presenting with gastroenteritis after ingesting raw seafood

Desmoplakin maintains gap junctions by inhibiting Ras/MAPK and lysosomal degradation of connexin-43.

Desmoplakin (DP) is an obligate component of desmosomes, intercellular adhesive junctions that maintain the integrity of the epidermis and myocardium. Mutations in DP can cause cardiac and cutaneous disease, including arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), an inherited disorder that frequently results in deadly arrhythmias. Conduction defects in ACM are linked to the remodeling and functional interference with Cx43-based gap junctions that electrically and chemically couple cells. How DP loss impairs gap junctions is poorly understood. We show that DP prevents lysosomal-mediated degradation of Cx43. DP loss triggered robust activation of ERK1/2-MAPK and increased phosphorylation of S279/282 of Cx43, which signals clathrin-mediated internalization and subsequent lysosomal degradation of Cx43. RNA sequencing revealed Ras-GTPases as candidates for the aberrant activation of ERK1/2 upon loss of DP. Using a novel Ras inhibitor, Ras/Rap1-specific peptidase (RRSP), or K-Ras knockdown, we demonstrate restoration of Cx43 in DP-deficient cardiomyocytes. Collectively, our results reveal a novel mechanism for the regulation of the Cx43 life cycle by DP in cardiocutaneous models