A Hydrolase of Trehalose Dimycolate Induces Nutrient Influx and Stress Sensitivity to Balance Intracellular Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

SummaryChronic tuberculosis in an immunocompetent host is a consequence of the delicately balanced growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in the face of host defense mechanisms. We identify an Mtb enzyme (TdmhMtb) that hydrolyzes the mycobacterial glycolipid trehalose dimycolate and plays a critical role in balancing the intracellular growth of the pathogen. TdmhMtb is induced under nutrient-limiting conditions and remodels the Mtb envelope to increase nutrient influx but concomitantly sensitizes Mtb to stresses encountered in the host. Consistent with this, a ΔtdmhMtb mutant is more resilient to stress and grows to levels higher than those of wild-type in immunocompetent mice. By contrast, mutant growth is retarded in MyD88−/− mice, indicating that TdmhMtb provides a growth advantage to intracellular Mtb in an immunocompromised host. Thus, the effects and countereffects of TdmhMtb play an important role in balancing intracellular growth of Mtb in a manner that is directly responsive to host innate immunity

Yalanji-Warranga Kaban: Yalanji people of the rainforest fire management book

The tropical rainforest, beaches, reefs, and mountain ranges stretching along the coast between Mossman and the Annan River are the homelands of Eastern Yalanji people (bama). We have been here since the beginning in the dreaming. Stories of the lives of past generations of Eastern Yalanji bama are held in every mangrove inlet, in the roaring torrents and giant mountain boulders, and in the silent sliding streams. We Yalanji bama are still here today and hold strongly to our Law, culture and language in building for the future. "Kulu-Yanlanji" literally means speakers of Yalanji language. There are several dialects within this language. Yalanji bama are related to each other and to different parts of out lands through out customary law. Only those people with the right connections to a particular place can speak for that country, for that place. The tract of country belonging to our particular family group is known as our "clan estate". To know your role and your place in Yalanji society, you must know your country, your clan estate and your kin

Substance P downregulates expression of the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc\u3b5RI) by human mast cells

The effect of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) on human mast cell (MC) phenotype is poorly understood. In this study, SP effects on human MC expression of the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc\u3b5RI) were characterized. SP downregulated expression of Fc\u3b5RI mRNA and protein by approximately 50% and in a concentration dependent manner, the effect was partially mediated by engagement of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and resulted in reduced mast cell activation. Sensitization of MC with IgE prior to SP exposure protected MC from SP-mediated Fc\u3b5RI downregulation. SP release may inhibit MC responses to allergens and these results may have implications in neuroinflammatiion and stress.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Resilience in Louisiana FEMA Parks: A Person-Centered, Fuzzy-Set Analysis

Despite living in difficult and socially disorganized conditions, some individuals displaced by disasters and living in FEMA parks can be remarkably resilient to depression. We conceptualize resilience as emerging from a combination of situational advantages that accrue for some residents but not for others. We assess whether situational advantages lead to resilience, either in isolation or in combination with one another, in two parts. First, we used a delimited person-centered analysis (PCA) to identify advantages present among the most resilient and absent among the least resilient FEMA park residents. Second, we used fuzzy-set analysis (FSA) to systematically uncover advantageous individual-level conditions that were consistent among resilient individuals using the full sample of FEMA park respondents. Implications for sociological theory and disaster mental health research are discussed. © 2014 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC