A Host-Pathogen Interaction Screen Identifies as a Mediator of Defenses Against Reactive Oxygen Species.

() forms part of the normal human gut microbiota but can cause life-threatening invasive infections in immune-compromised individuals. displays high resistance to common azole antifungals, which necessitates new treatments. In this investigation, we identified five deletion mutants (, , hir3, and ) from a library of 196 transcription factor mutants that were unable to grow and activate an immune response in larvae.

Interaction Between Familial Transmission and a Constitutively Active Immune System Shapes Gut Microbiota in .

Resident gut bacteria are constantly influencing the immune system, yet the role of the immune system in shaping microbiota composition during an organism's life span has remained unclear. Experiments in mice have been inconclusive due to differences in husbandry schemes that led to conflicting results. We used as a genetically tractable system with a simpler gut bacterial population structure streamlined genetic backgrounds and established cross schemes to address this issue.

Exploring interactions between pathogens and the Drosophila gut.

Gastrointestinal infection can provoke substantial disturbance at both a local as well as at a systemic level and may evolve into a chronic disease state. Our growing knowledge of gut-pathogen interactions has been based to a large extent on the use of genetically tractable model hosts such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. In this review we will summarise the growing literature and critically address the advantages and disadvantages of using this model to extrapolate results from studying pathogen virulence and intestinal responses to humans.

Interactions between temperature and sugars in the regulation of leaf senescence in the perennial herb Arabis alpina L.

Annual plants usually flower and set seed once before senescence results in the death of the whole plant (monocarpic senescence). Leaf senescence also occurs in polycarpic perennials; even in "evergreen" species individual leaves senesce. In the annual model Arabidopsis thaliana sugars accumulate in the senescent leaves and senescence is accelerated by high sugar availability.

Recommendations to improve physical activity among teenagers--a qualitative study with ethnic minority and European teenagers.

Background: To understand the key challenges and explore recommendations from teenagers to promote physical activity with a focus on ethnic minority children.

Methods: Focus groups with teenagers aged 16-18 of Bangladeshi, Somali or Welsh descent attending a participating school in South Wales, UK. There were seventy four participants (18 Somali, 24 Bangladeshi and 32 Welsh children) divided into 12 focus groups.

Risk factors for childhood obesity at age 5: analysis of the millennium cohort study.

Background: Weight at age 5 is a predictor for future health of the individual. This study examines risk factors for childhood obesity with a focus on ethnicity.

Methods: Data from the Millennium Cohort study were used.