Slowed Dynamics of Thin Filament Regulatory Units Reduces Ca-Sensitivity of Cardiac Biomechanical Function.

Actomyosin kinetics in both skinned skeletal muscle fibers at maximum Ca-activation and unregulated motility assays are modulated by solvent microviscosity in a manner consistent with a diffusion limited process. Viscosity might also influence cardiac thin filament Ca-regulatory protein dynamics. motility assays were conducted using thin filaments reconstituted with recombinant human cardiac troponin and tropomyosin; solvent microviscosity was varied by addition of sucrose or glucose.

Pantoea species sepsis associated with sickle cell crisis in a pregnant woman with a history of pica.

Background: Bacteria in the Pantoea genus are plant and soil associated Gram-negative rods described as nosocomial pathogens and as rare causes of community-acquired infections. The latter have been classically associated with gardening and plant thorn injuries and immunocompromised states are additional risk factors. We report a patient with pica and geophagia, Pantoea sepsis, and sickle cell crisis, associations not previously described.