Comparative transcriptional analysis of Persea americana MYB, WRKY and AP2/ERF transcription factors following Phytophthora cinnamomi infection.

Plant cells undergo extensive transcriptional reprogramming following pathogen infection, with these reprogramming patterns becoming more complex when pathogens, such as hemibiotrophs, exhibit different lifestyles. These transcriptional changes are often orchestrated by MYB, WRKY and AP2/ERF transcription factors (TFs), which modulate both growth and defence-related gene expression. Transcriptional analysis of defence-related genes in avocado (Persea americana) infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi indicated differential immune response activation when comparing a partially resistant and susceptible rootstock.

An Unusual Case of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Cancer of the Gallbladder With Mixed Adenocarcinoma Component in a Patient With Pancreatobiliary Maljunction.

Gallbladder neuroendocrine tumors (GB-NETs) and gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinomas (GB-NECs) are rare forms of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Most GB-NENs present as incidental findings or as gallbladder polyps in the course of investigation of nonspecific symptoms such as upper abdominal pain and nausea. Given the rarity of GB-NENs, only a few small case series are currently available describing this entity, and even fewer guiding consensus on standard treatment and the role of adjuvant therapy.

The Ups and Downs of Plant Expression During Pathogen Infection.

Plant Nucleotide binding-Leucine rich repeat (NLR) proteins play a significant role in pathogen detection and the activation of effector-triggered immunity. NLR regulation has mainly been studied at a protein level, with large knowledge gaps remaining regarding the transcriptional control of genes. The mis-regulation of gene expression may lead to the inability of plants to recognize pathogen infection, lower levels of immune response activation, and ultimately plant susceptibility.

Partially Resistant Avocado Rootstock Dusa Shows Prolonged Upregulation of Genes in Response to Infection.

Avocado is an important agricultural food crop in many countries worldwide. , a hemibiotrophic oomycete, remains one of the most devastating pathogens within the avocado industry, as it is near impossible to eradicate from areas where the pathogen is present. A key aspect to Phytophthora root rot disease management is the use of avocado rootstocks partially resistant to , which demonstrates an increased immune response following infection.

Establishment of the SIS scaffold-based 3D model of human peritoneum for studying the dissemination of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy in women. More than 70% of the cases are diagnosed at the advanced stage, presenting as primary peritoneal metastasis, which results in a poor 5-year survival rate of around 40%. Mechanisms of peritoneal metastasis, including adhesion, migration, and invasion, are still not completely understood and therapeutic options are extremely limited.

Acute and Chronic Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Muscle Contractile Properties and Fatigue Rate of the Quadriceps.

This study compared the acute and chronic impact of citrulline malate (CM) supplementation on muscle contractile properties and fatigue rate of the quadriceps. Eighteen recreationally trained males consumed both a placebo (PL) and CM treatment for two separate dosing periods. The first experimental testing session for each dosing period was considered the baseline day, the second session the acute day, and the third session the chronic day, which followed seven consecutive days of supplementation.

Advances in Understanding Defense Mechanisms in Against .

Avocado () is an economically important fruit crop world-wide, the production of which is challenged by notable root pathogens such as and . Arguably the most prevalent, , is a hemibiotrophic oomycete which causes Phytophthora root rot, leading to reduced yields and eventual tree death. Despite its' importance, the development of molecular tools and resources have been historically limited, prohibiting significant progress toward understanding this important host-pathogen interaction.

Serum Selenium Levels in Glaucoma: a Pilot Study.

Background: Trace elements are assumed to be involved in glaucoma pathogenesis via changes in oxidative stress. Especially serum selenium (Se) has been linked to this neurodegenerative disease. Serum Se levels differ between countries due to nutrition and ethnicity.

The Effect of Vinegar Supplementation on High-Intensity Cycling Performance within Recreationally Trained Individuals.

: To investigate the effects of vinegar ingestion upon high-intensity cycle performance in recreationally trained individuals. : Twenty-two participants consumed one of the following in a randomized order on four separate visits: (1) 29 mL of vinegar along with 451 mL of water, (2) 39 g of sucrose along with 441 mL of water, (3) 29 mL of vinegar and 39 g of sucrose along with 412 mL of water, or (4) 480 mL of water alone. For each of the experimental testing sessions, all participants completed in order: (1) high-intensity cycle test 1, (2) fatiguing cycle test, (3) high-intensity cycle test 2, (4) supplement consumption, (5) 90 min rest period, and (6) high-intensity cycle test 3.

Large nest building and high marble-burying: Two compulsive-like phenotypes expressed by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) and their unique response to serotoninergic and dopamine modulating intervention.

This study aimed to further dissect the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) model of compulsive-like behavior with respect to two persistent-like behavioral phenotypes viz. large nest building (LNB) and high marble-burying (HMB), which may be relevant to understanding the neurobiology of different symptom dimensions in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Since LNB is sensitive to chronic, high dose escitalopram intervention but HMB is not, we assessed whether the two behaviors could be further distinguished based on their response to 4 weeks of uninterrupted serotoninergic intervention (i.

Levels of serum trace elements in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: Glaucoma disease is known as multifactorial. Trace elements seemed to be linked via oxidative stress mediated changes to the complex glaucoma pathophysiology. Thus, it was the aim of this study to investigate serum levels of trace elements in primary open-angle glaucoma patients (POAG).

A critical inquiry into marble-burying as a preclinical screening paradigm of relevance for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder: Mapping the way forward.

Rodent marble-burying behavior in the marble-burying test (MBT) is employed as a model or measure to study anxiety- and compulsive-like behaviors or anxiolytic and anticompulsive drug action. However, the test responds variably to a range of pharmacological interventions, and little consensus exists regarding specific methodologies for its execution. Regardless, the test is widely applied to investigate the effects of pharmacological, genetic, and behavioral manipulations on purported behaviors related to the said neuropsychiatric constructs.

Effects of Ambulation and Nondependent Transfers on Vital Signs in Patients Receiving Norepinephrine.

Purpose: To assess the safety of mobilizing patients receiving low-dose norepinephrine (0.05 μg/kg per min) by examining mean arterial pressure and heart rate before and after activity with parameters set by the physician.

Background: Norepinephrine is a peripheral vasoconstrictor administered for acute hypotension.

Exogenous TNFR2 activation protects from acute GvHD via host T reg cell expansion.

Donor CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (T reg cells) suppress graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT [allo-HCT]). Current clinical study protocols rely on the ex vivo expansion of donor T reg cells and their infusion in high numbers. In this study, we present a novel strategy for inhibiting GvHD that is based on the in vivo expansion of recipient T reg cells before allo-HCT, exploiting the crucial role of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) in T reg cell biology.

Binding Studies of TNF Receptor Superfamily (TNFRSF) Receptors on Intact Cells.

Ligands of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) interact with members of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF). TNFSF ligand-TNFRSF receptor interactions have been intensively evaluated by many groups. The affinities of TNFSF ligand-TNFRSF receptor interactions are highly dependent on the oligomerization state of the receptor, and cellular factors (e.

Production, purification, and characterization of scFv TNF ligand fusion proteins.

Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) specific for tumor-associated cell surface antigens are the most broadly used reagents to direct therapeutic or diagnostic effector molecules, such as toxins, radioisotopes, and CD3-stimulating scFvs, to tumors. One novel class of effector molecules that can be targeted to tumors by scFvs are ligands of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. Typically, these molecules have apoptosis inducing and/or immune stimulating properties and are therefore highly attractive for cancer treatment.

Signaling active CD95 receptor molecules trigger co-translocation of inactive CD95 molecules into lipid rafts.

The capability of soluble CD95L trimers to trigger CD95-associated signaling pathways is drastically increased by oligomerization. The latter can be achieved, for example, by antibodies recognizing a N-terminal epitope tag in recombinant CD95L variants or by genetic engineering-enforced formation of hexamers. Using highly sensitive and accurate binding studies with recombinant CD95L variants equipped with a Gaussia princeps luciferase reporter domain, we found that oligomerization of CD95L has no major effect on CD95 occupancy.

Factors predicting the need for splenectomy in children with blunt splenic trauma.

Background/purpose: Non-operative management of blunt splenic trauma (BST) in children is the standard of care with a success rate of greater than 90%. This paper aims to determine the factors which could predict the need for operative intervention in children with BST.

Methods: Prospectively entered data of 69 children with BST, between 1997 and 2008, from a single tertiary level trauma centre, were retrospectively analysed.

Studies of binding of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) to fibroblast growth factor inducible 14 (Fn14).

To perform highly sensitive cellular binding studies with TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), we developed a bioluminescent variant of soluble TWEAK (GpL-FLAG-TNC-TWEAK) by fusing it genetically to the C terminus of the luciferase of Gaussia princeps (GpL). Equilibrium binding studies on human (HT1080 and HT29) and murine (Renca and B16) cell lines at 37 °C revealed high affinities of human TWEAK from 53 to 112 pm. The dissociation rate constant of the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction was between 0.

Blood pressure measurement guidelines for physical therapists.

Vital sign measurement and assessment are important components of the review of systems in a physical therapy examination for individuals with and without documented cardiopulmonary disease. The measurement of blood pressure gives the therapist information regarding the patient's baseline cardiovascular status, response to exercise/activity, and guides exercise prescription. Accurate measurement of blood pressure is critical for making appropriate clinical decisions especially if physical therapists wish to play an important role as primary health care providers.

Trimer stabilization, oligomerization, and antibody-mediated cell surface immobilization improve the activity of soluble trimers of CD27L, CD40L, 41BBL, and glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor ligand.

For many ligands of the TNF family, trimer stability and oligomerization status are crucial determinants of receptor activation. However, for the immunostimulatory ligands CD27L, CD40L, 41BBL, and glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor ligand (GITRL) detailed information regarding these requirements is lacking. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the effect of trimer stability and oligomerization on receptor activation by these ligands.

Transabdominal cerclage: can we predict who fails?

Objective: To examine the outcome of pregnancies in women with transabdominal cerclage (TAC) and to determine whether aspects of the obstetric history predict failure.

Methods: This was a cohort study of pregnant women referred for a transabdominal cerclage between 1978 and 2004. Records were reviewed for obstetric history and maternal demographics.