Publications by authors named "J A Rawls"
In zebrafish, maternally deposited yolk is the source of nutrients for embryogenesis prior to digestive system maturation. Yolk nutrients are processed and secreted to the growing organism by an extra-embryonic tissue, the yolk syncytial layer (YSL). The export of lipids from the YSL occurs through the production of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe mechanisms by which respiratory viruses predispose to secondary bacterial infections remain poorly characterized. Using 2,409 nasopharyngeal swabs from 300 infants in Botswana, we performed a detailed analysis of factors that influence the dynamics of bacterial pathobiont colonization during infancy. We quantify the extent to which viruses increase the acquisition of , , and .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEarly subclinical stages of the inflammatory bowel diseases: insights from human and animal studies.
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol
January 2025
The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) occur in genetically susceptible individuals that mount inappropriate immune responses to their microbiota leading to chronic intestinal inflammation. The natural history of IBD progression begins with early subclinical stages of disease that occur before clinical diagnosis. Improved understanding of those early subclinical stages could lead to new or improved strategies for IBD diagnosis, prognostication, or prevention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study analyzes the genus of mucophilic bacteria in the human gastrointestinal microbiota, finding that larger genomes may impact metabolic and immunological health.
- Through pangenomic analysis of 234 genomes and reanalysis of metagenomic datasets, the research identifies relationships between specific bacterial species and disease outcomes.
- Key findings highlight the need to differentiate subspecies and their varying correlations with conditions like obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer treatment outcomes, emphasizing their potential as probiotics.
Article Synopsis
- Scientists studied a gene in zebrafish that helped them understand changes in a body part called the neuromuscular junction, especially in mutant fish that couldn't move.
- They discovered this gene is similar to other genes found in humans that help fight off bacteria and is part of a larger group of related genes in zebrafish.
- The researchers found that this gene helps young zebrafish survive better against infections, especially when they live in clean environments without germs.