Pancreatic duct organoid swelling is chloride-dependent.

Pancreatic secretions become viscous and acidic in Cystic fibrosis (CF), highlighting the role of CFTR in pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion. Forskolin-induced swelling (FIS) assay developed in intestinal organoids measures residual CFTR function. It is not known whether FIS reflects bicarbonate secretion in pancreas, an organ that secretes near-isotonic NaHCO levels.

Development of Martian saline seep models and their implications for planetary protection.

While life on Mars has not been found, Earth-based microorganisms may contaminate the Red Planet during rover expeditions and human exploration. Due to the survival advantages conferred by the biofilm morphology to microorganisms, such as resistance to UV and osmotic stress, biofilms are particularly concerning from a planetary protection perspective. Modeling and data from the NASA Phoenix mission indicate that temporary liquid water might exist on Mars in the form of high salinity brines.

G Protein-Coupled Receptors as Potential Intercellular Communication Mediators in Trypanosomatidae.

Detection and transduction of environmental signals, constitute a prerequisite for successful parasite invasion; i.e., transmission, survival, pathogenesis and disease manifestation and dissemination, with diverse molecules functioning as inter-cellular signaling ligands.

Chemotactic activities of vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y and substance P in Leishmania braziliensis.

Cell-cell interaction and active migration (and invasion) of parasites into skin host-cell(s) are key steps for successful infection by Leishmania. Chemotaxis constitutes a primordial chapter of Leishmania-host cell interaction, potentially modulated by neuropeptides released into the skin due, for example, to the noxious stimuli represented by the insect bite. Herein we have evaluated in vitro the effect of sensory (Substance P, SP) and autonomic (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, VIP, and Neuropeptide Y, NPY) neuropeptides on parasite taxis, and investigated the potential modulatory effect of SP on Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis-macrophage interaction.