Morphology of Biofilms Formed in Space.

Fungi biofilms have been found growing on spacecraft surfaces such as windows, piping, cables, etc. The contamination of these surfaces with fungi, although undesirable, is highly difficult to avoid. While several biofilm forming species, including , have been identified in spacecraft, the effect of microgravity on fungal biofilm formation is unknown.

Lessons learned from the implementation of a video health coaching technology intervention to improve self-care of family caregivers of adults with heart failure.

Individuals with heart failure (HF) typically live in the community and are cared for at home by family caregivers. These caregivers often lack supportive services and the time to access those services when available. Technology can play a role in conveniently bringing needed support to these caregivers.

Colonic Inhibition of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Increases Colitogenic Bacteria, Causing Development of Colitis in Il10-/- Mice.

Background: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) is capable of mediating microbe-induced immune responses in the gut. Thus, Pten deficiency in the intestine accelerates colitis development in Il10-/- mice. As some ambient pollutants inhibit Pten function and exposure to ambient pollutants may increase inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence, it is of interest to examine how Pten inhibition could affect colitis development in genetically susceptible hosts.

Src family kinase tyrosine phosphorylates Toll-like receptor 4 to dissociate MyD88 and Mal/Tirap, suppressing LPS-induced inflammatory responses.

Src family kinases (SFKs) are a family of protein tyrosine kinases containing nine members: Src, Lyn, Fgr, Hck, Lck, Fyn, Blk, Yes, and Ylk. Although SFK activation is a major immediate signaling event in LPS/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, its precise role has remained elusive due to various contradictory results obtained from a certain SFK member-deficient mice or cells. The observed inconsistencies may be due to the compensation or redundancy by other SFKs upon a SFK deficiency.