Distal esophageal spasm and gastroesophageal reflux disease: re-examining the association.

Distal esophageal spasm (DES) is a rare motility disorder presenting with dysphagia or chest pain. Although studies suggest a link between DES and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), data supporting a distinct GERD-related phenotype are limited. This study aims to investigate demographic, symptomatic, and physiologic differences between DES subjects with and without GERD.

Novel requirements for HAP2/GCS1-mediated gamete fusion in .

The ancestral gamete fusion protein, HAP2/GCS1, plays an essential role in fertilization in a broad range of taxa. To identify factors that may regulate HAP2/GCS1 activity, we screened mutants of the ciliate for behaviors that mimic knockout phenotypes in this species. Using this approach, we identified two new genes, and , whose products are necessary for membrane pore formation following mating type recognition and adherence.

The interferon-rich skin environment regulates Langerhans cell ADAM17 to promote photosensitivity in lupus.

The autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus (lupus) is characterized by photosensitivity, where even ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure can lead to development of inflammatory skin lesions. We have previously shown that Langerhans cells (LCs) limit keratinocyte apoptosis and photosensitivity via a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17)-mediated release of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands and that LC ADAM17 sheddase activity is reduced in lupus. Here, we sought to understand how the lupus skin environment contributes to LC ADAM17 dysfunction and, in the process, differentiate between effects on LC ADAM17 sheddase function, LC ADAM17 expression, and LC numbers.

Role of the afferent lymph as an immunological conduit to analyze tissue antigenic and inflammatory load.

The lymphatic fluid is the conduit by which part of the tissue "omics" is transported to the draining lymph node for immunosurveillance. Following cannulation of the pre-nodal cervical and mesenteric afferent lymphatics, herein we investigate the lymph proteomic composition, uncovering that its composition varies according to the tissue of origin. Tissue specificity is also reflected in the dendritic cell-major histocompatibility complex class II-eluted immunopeptidome harvested from the cervical and mesenteric nodes.