Search results for "General Immunology and Microbiology"
showing 10 items of 784 documents
Dinosaur bonebed amber from an original swamp forest soil
2021
AbstractDinosaur bonebeds with amber content, yet scarce, offer a superior wealth and quality of data on ancient terrestrial ecosystems. However, the preserved palaeodiversity and/or taphonomic characteristics of these exceptional localities had hitherto limited their palaeobiological potential. Here we describe the amber from the Lower Cretaceous dinosaur bonebed of Ariño (Teruel, Spain) using a multidisciplinary approach. Amber is found in both a root layer with amber strictly in situ and a litter layer namely composed of aerial pieces unusually rich in bioinclusions, encompassing 11 insect orders, arachnids, and a few plant and vertebrate remains, including a feather. Additional palaeont…
The parasite's long arm: a tapeworm parasite induces behavioural changes in uninfected group members of its social host.
2015
Parasites can induce alterations in host phenotypes in order to enhance their own survival and transmission. Parasites of social insects might not only benefit from altering their individual hosts, but also from inducing changes in uninfected group members. Temnothorax nylanderi ant workers infected with the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis are known to be chemically distinct from nest-mates and do not contribute to colony fitness, but are tolerated in their colonies and well cared for. Here, we investigated how tapeworm- infected workers affect colony aggression by manipulating their presence in ant colonies and analysing whether their absence or presence resulted in behavioural alterations in…
A mid-term estimate of 2018/2019 vaccine effectiveness to prevent laboratory confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza cases in Sicily (Italy)
2019
Abstract Influenza season started in Italy during the month of October 2018, approaching the epidemic peak in January 2019. This report aim to explore the mid-term virologic surveillance data of the 2018–2019 influenza season in Sicily and to estimate the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine (VE) against A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza viruses. A test-negative design was used to evaluate influenza VE. In Sicily, almost all influenza infections were sustained by influenza type A viruses, of which 62.3% were A(H3N2) and 36.3% A(H1N1)pdm09. A reduction of laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Sicilian population immunized against influenza were observed. In particular, an overall s…
JNK phosphorylation relieves HDAC3-dependent suppression of the transcriptional activity of c-Jun
2003
The AP-1 transcription factor c-Jun is a prototypical nuclear effector of the JNK signal transduction pathway. The integrity of JNK phosphorylation sites at serines 63/73 and at threonines 91/93 in c-Jun is essential for signal-dependent target gene activation. We show that c-Jun phosphorylation mediates dissociation of an inhibitory complex, which is associated with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). The subsequent events that ultimately cause increased mRNA synthesis are independent of c-Jun phosphorylation and its interaction with JNK. These findings provide an 'activation by de-repression' model as an explanation for the stimulatory function of JNK on c-Jun.
Time-Lapse Dynamics of the Mouse Oocyte Chromatin Organisation during Meiotic Resumption
2014
In the mammalian oocyte, distinct patterns of centromeres and pericentromeric heterochromatin localisation correlate with the gamete’s developmental competence. Mouse antral oocytes display two main types of chromatin organisation: SN oocytes, with a ring of Hoechst-positive chromatin surrounding the nucleolus, and NSN oocytes lacking this ring. When matured to MII and fertilised, only SN oocytes develop beyond the 2-cell, and reach full term. To give detailed information on the dynamics of the SN or NSN chromatin during meiosis resumption, we performed a 9 hr time-lapse observation. The main significant differences recorded are: (1) reduction of the nuclear area only in SN oocytes; (2) ~17…
A genomic view of mRNA turnover in yeast
2011
The steady-state mRNA level is the result of two opposing processes: transcription and degradation; both of which can provide important points to regulate gene expression. In the model organism yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it is now possible to determine, at the genomic level, the transcription and degradation rates, as well as the mRNA amount, using DNA chip or parallel sequencing technologies. In this way, the contribution of both rates to individual and global gene expressions can be analysed. Here we review the techniques used for the genomic evaluation of the transcription and degradation rates developed for this yeast, and we discuss the integration of the data obtained to fully an…
Comparison of Epidermal Barrier Integrity in Adults with Classic Atopic Dermatitis, Atopic Prurigo and Non-Atopic Prurigo Nodularis
2021
Simple Summary Atopic dermatitis, also called neurodermatitis, is one of the best-known chronic inflammatory skin diseases with eczema, strong itch and dry skin. It is based on an impaired skin barrier with changes in the fats and proteins of the horny layer, which leads to a disturbed water balance. Prurigo nodularis is a less common and intractable chronic skin disease with very itchy nodules. It can be associated with atopic dermatitis (so called atopic prurigo) or with many other diseases. The aim of this study was to compare these three skin diseases classic atopic dermatitis, atopic prurigo and non-atopic prurigo nodularis with healthy control subjects with regard to their skin barrie…
Transposon-insertion Sequencing as a Tool to Elucidate Bacterial Colonization Factors in a <em>Burkholderia gladioli</em> Symbiont of <…
2021
Inferring the function of genes by manipulating their activity is an essential tool for understanding the genetic underpinnings of most biological processes. Advances in molecular microbiology have seen the emergence of diverse mutagenesis techniques for the manipulation of genes. Among them, transposon-insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) is a valuable tool to simultaneously assess the functionality of many candidate genes in an untargeted way. The technique has been key to identify molecular mechanisms for the colonization of eukaryotic hosts in several pathogenic microbes and a few beneficial symbionts. Here, Tn-seq is established as a method to identify colonization factors in a mutualistic Bu…
Signals of major histocompatibility complex overdominance in a wild salmonid population
2009
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains the most variable genes in vertebrates, but despite extensive research, the mechanisms maintaining this polymorphism are still unresolved. One hypothesis is that MHC polymorphism is a result of balancing selection operating by overdominance, but convincing evidence for overdominant selection in natural populations has been lacking. We present strong evidence consistent with MHC-specific overdominance in a free-living population of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in northernmost Europe. In this population, where just two MHC alleles were observed, MHC heterozygous fish had a lower parasite load, were in better condition (as estimated by a…
Recurrences of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: Strains involved, within-host diversity, and fine-tuned allocation of reinfections
2020
34 páginas, 13 figuras