In this study, the expression, clinicopathological correlates and prognostic value of HMGCR expression in colorectal cancer was examined.\n\nFindings: Immunohistochemical expression of HMGCR was assessed in tissue microarrays with primary tumours from 557 incident cases of colorectal cancer in the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study. Pearson’s Chi Square test was applied to explore the associations between HMGCR expression and clinicopathological factors and other investigative biomarkers. Kaplan Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used Ruboxistaurin purchase to assess the relationship between HMGCR expression and cancer-specific survival (CSS) according to negative vs positive HMGCR expression. A total number of

535 (96.0%) tumours were suitable for analysis, of which 61 (11.4%) were HMGCR negative. Positive cytoplasmic HMGCR expression was associated with distant metastasis-free disease at diagnosis (p = 0.002), lack of vascular invasion (p = 0.043), microsatellite-instability (p = 0.033), expression of cyclin D1 (p = <0.001) and p21 (p = <0.001). Positive HMGCR

expression was significantly associated with a prolonged CSS in unadjusted Cox regression analysis in the entire cohort (HR = 1.79; 95% P005091 CI 1.20-2.66) and in Stage III-IV disease (HR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.09-2.68), but not after adjustment for established clinicopathological parameters.\n\nConclusions: Findings from this prospective cohort study demonstrate that HMGCR is differentially expressed in colorectal cancer and that positive expression is associated with favourable tumour characteristics and a prolonged survival in unadjusted analysis. The utility of HMGCR as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant or adjuvant statin treatment in colorectal cancer merits further study.\n\nVirtual slides: The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2115647072103464.”
“In this study, the chemical composition of Torreya nucifera essential oil (TEO) and its biological https://www.selleckchem.com/products/LY294002.html activities were analyzed. TEO was obtained by steam distillation from leaves collected from Jeju Island and analyzed using gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization

detection (FID) and GC-MS. dl-Limonene (30.1%), delta-3-carene (15.37%) and alpha-pinene (11.5%) were the major components in TEO. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of TEO against skin pathogens have not previously been reported. Thus, we assessed the antibacterial activities of TEO using the disk diffusion method. TEO showed excellent antibacterial activities against Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium granulosum, Malassezia furfur, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TEO against these skin pathogens ranged from 2.5 to 20.0 mu L mL(-1). In addition, TEO reduced the LPS-induced secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, NO and PGE(2) in RAW 264.7 cells, indicating that it has anti-inflammatory effects.

With the increase of output power, maximum temperatures at 5, 10, 15, 20 mm from the antenna were increased accordingly (p < .05). The maximum temperature with 80 W at 5 and

20 mm from the antenna reached 146.17 +/- 6.65 and 72.38 +/- 4.23 degrees C respectively.\n\nConclusion: With internally cooled antenna and high output power, 915 MHz MW ablation in the spleen could produce irreversible tissue necrosis of clinical significance. MW ablation may be used as a promising minimally invasive method for the treatment Cl-amidine manufacturer of splenic diseases. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Cerebral hypoxia and subsequent reoxygenation stress (H/R) is a component of several diseases. One approach that may enable neural tissue rescue after H/R is central nervous

System (CNS) delivery of drugs with brain protective effects such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins). Our present in vivo data show that atorvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin, attenuates poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in the brain after H/R, suggesting neuroprotective efficacy. However, atorvastatin use as a CNS therapeutic R406 research buy is limited by poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Therefore, we examined regulation and functional expression of the known statin transporter organic anion transporting polypeptide 1a4 (Oatp1a4) at the BBB under H/R conditions.. In rat brain

microvessels, H/R (6% O-2, 60 minutes followed by 21% O-2, 10 minutes) increased Oatp1a4 expression. Brain uptake of taurocholate (i.e., Oap1a4 probe substrate) and atorvastatin were reduced by Oatp inhibitcirs (i.e., estrone-3-sulfate and fexofenadine), suggesting JNK-IN-8 cell line involvement of Oatp1a4 in brain drug delivery. Pharmacological inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) signaling with the selective inhibitor SB431542 increased Oatp1a4 functional expression, suggesting a role for TGF-beta/ALK5 signaling in Oatp1a4 regulation. Taken together, our novel data show that targeting an endogenous BBB drug uptake transporter (i.e., Oatp1a4) may be a viable approach for optimizing CNS drug delivery for treatment of diseases with an H/R component.”
“Spatial data on species distributions are available in two main forms, point locations and distribution maps (polygon ranges and grids). The first are often temporally and spatially biased, and too discontinuous, to be useful (untransformed) in spatial analyses. A variety of modelling approaches are used to transform point locations into maps. We discuss the attributes that point location data and distribution maps must satisfy in order to be useful in conservation planning.

These functions are carried out by specialized epithelial cells organized into tubules called nephrons. Each of these cell types arise during embryonic development from a mesenchymal stem cell pool through a process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) that requires sequential action of specific Wnt signals. Induction by Wnt9b directs cells to exit the stem cell niche and express Wnt4, which is both necessary and sufficient for the formation of epithelia. Without either factor, MET fails, nephrons do not form and newborn mice die owing to kidney failure.

Ectopic Notch activation in stem cells induces mass differentiation and exhaustion of the stem cell pool. To investigate whether this reflected an interaction between Notch and Wnt, we employed a novel gene manipulation strategy in cultured embryonic kidneys. PI3K inhibitor We show that Notch activation is capable of inducing MET in the absence of both Wnt4 and Wnt9b.

Following MET, the presence of Notch directs cells primarily to the proximal tubule fate. Only nephron stem cells have the ability to undergo MET in response to Wnt or Notch, as activation in the closely related stromal mesenchyme has no inductive AZD9291 clinical trial effect. These data demonstrate that stem cells for renal epithelia are uniquely poised to undergo MET, and that Notch activation can replace key inductive Wnt signals in this process. After MET, Notch provides an instructive signal directing cells towards the proximal tubule lineage at the expense of other renal epithelial fates.”
“Mitotic centromere-associated

kinesin (MCAK) plays an essential role in spindle formation and in correction of improper microtubule-kinetochore attachments. The localization and activity of MCAK at the centromere/kinetochore are controlled by Aurora B kinase. However, MCAK is also abundant in the cytosol and at centrosomes during mitosis, and its regulatory mechanism at these sites is unknown. We show here that cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) phosphorylates T537 in the core domain of MCAK and attenuates its microtubule-destabilizing activity in vitro and in vivo. Phosphorylation of MCAK by Cdk1 promotes the release of MCAK from centrosomes and is required for proper spindle formation. Interfering with the regulation of MCAK by Cdk1 causes dramatic defects in spindle formation and in chromosome positioning. This is the first study MK1775 demonstrating that Cdk1 regulates the localization and activity of MCAK in mitosis by directly phosphorylating the catalytic core domain of MCAK.”
“Background: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a disease caused by alterations in the NOTCH3 gene. Methods: We describe the clinical, instrumental, and genetic findings in CADASIL patients who carry novel NOTCH3 gene mutations. Results and conclusions: This study broadens the spectrum of clinical manifestations and genetic alterations associated with this disease.

\n\nConclusions:\n\nIn selleck inhibitor ISM, gene expression profiles are different between patients with a history of IVA and those without. These findings might reflect a more pronounced mast cells dysfunction in patients without a history of anaphylaxis. Gene expression profiling might be a useful tool to predict the risk of anaphylaxis on insect venom in patients with ISM. Prospective studies are needed to substantiate any conclusions.”
“Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors (TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2) are promising targets

for tumor therapy. However, their clinical use is limited because some tumors show resistance to TRAIL-treatment. Here, we analyzed epitopes of nine TRAIL-R1-specific human monoclonal antibodies and demonstrated at least five tentative epitopes on human TRAIL-R1. We found that some of the five were post-translationally modified on some tumor

cell lines. Interestingly, one of them, an epitope of TR1-272 antibody (TR1-272-epitope) disappeared on the tumor cells that are more susceptible to TRAIL-induced apoptosis compared to TR1-272-epitope positive cells. Treatment of TR1-272-epitope negative cells with TRAIL induced large cluster formation S3I-201 price of TRAIL-R1, while treatment of TR1-272-epiope positive cells with TRAIL did not. These results suggest that TR1-272-antibody might distinguish the TRAIL-R1 conformation that could deliver stronger death signals. Further analysis of epitope-appearance and sensitivity to GANT61 cost TRAIL should clarify the mechanisms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis of tumor cells and would provide

useful information about tumor therapy using TRAIL and TRAIL-R signaling. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Contents\n\nOur study was conducted to assess the follicular development and availability of sound ovarian oocytes for in vitro production (IVP) of embryos in pre-pubertal cats. The relationship between body and ovarian weight was examined in 93 cats. The results revealed that ovarian weight rapidly increased until 100 days of estimated age. By histological evaluation of ovaries obtained from 11 pre-pubertal cats with estimated age of < 20, 20-40 and 100-120 days, it was clarified that the increase in ovarian weight during kitten growth accompanied the increase in the number and size of antral follicles. The follicular diameter and percentage of normal oocytes in secondary/antral follicles also increased as estimated age (body weight) increased. The oocytes obtained from pre-pubertal cats with 100-120 days of estimated age were used for IVP of embryos. The results showed that the success rates of in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and development to blastocysts after in vitro culture in pre-pubertal cats were lower than in sexually mature cats. However, the percentage of blastocysts based on the cleaved embryos and cell number of blastocysts in pre-pubertal cats were comparable to those in mature cats.

Evidence from a typical small store in New Orleans indicates that a greater percentage of gross profits come from snack foods and beverages than from fruits and vegetables. More research

is needed to better understand the financial operations of small food stores and whether altering the mix of foods is economically feasible. J. Nutr. 140: 1185S-1188S, 2010.”
“Objective: PREDICTIVE (Predictable Results and Experience in Diabetes through Intensification and Control to Target: an International Variability Evaluation) is a large, multinational, open-label, prospective, observational study addressed to assess the efficacy and learn more safety of insulin detemir in clinical practice. This paper reports 26 weeks of follow-up data, from 1298 type 2 diabetes patients from Italy.\n\nResearch design and methods: In this observational study, the primary end point was the incidence of serious adverse drug reactions (SADRs), including major hypoglycemia. Secondary end points were: hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), mean self-monitored fasting glucose, within-patient fasting glucose variability and body weight change.\n\nResults: Insulin detemir significantly improved glycemic control, with a decrease in mean HbA1c, fasting glucose and within-patient fasting glucose variability. Interestingly, the improvements in glycemic control occurred in association with a small, but significant reduction in

weight. The safety results of GSK923295 this study showed that 26 weeks of treatment with insulin detemir was associated with a very low rate of SADRs (only 14 events), which mainly consisted of hypoglycemia selleck screening library (78%, of which 42% were major hypoglycemia).\n\nConclusions: Insulin detemir improves glycemic control, with low risk of hypoglycemia, no weight gain and an excellent safety profile; these data support the overall findings of PREDICTIVE.”
“We report a PDMS microfluidic platform for parallel single-cell analysis (PaSCAl) as a powerful tool to decipher the heterogeneity

found in cell populations. Cells are trapped individually in dedicated pockets, and thereafter, a number of invasive or non-invasive analysis schemes are performed. First, we report single-cell trapping in a fast (25?min) and reproducible manner with a single-cell capture yield of 85% using two cell lines (P3x63Ag8 and MCF-7), employing a protocol which is scalable and easily amenable to automation. Following this, a mixed population of P3x63Ag8 and MCF-7cells is stained in situ using the nucleic acid probe (Hoechst) and a phycoerythrin-labeled monoclonal antibody directed at EpCAM present on the surface of the breast cancer cells MCF-7 and absent on the myeloma cells P3x63Ag8 to illustrate the potential of the device to analyze cell population heterogeneity. Next, cells are porated in situ using chemicals in a reversible (digitonin) or irreversible way (lithium dodecyl sulfate).

1 region during the evolution of Homo sapiens(7); we found this locus to be deleted or duplicated in the individuals we studied, making it a probable candidate for the head size abnormalities

observed. We propose that recurrent reciprocal microdeletions and microduplications within 1q21.1 represent previously buy VS-6063 unknown genomic disorders characterized by abnormal head size along with a spectrum of developmental delay, neuropsychiatric abnormalities, dysmorphic features and congenital anomalies. These phenotypes are subject to incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity.”
“The involvement of sodium/potassium-ATPase in regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is inferred from in vitro studies. Recently, the alpha-klotho-dependent rapid recruitment of this ATPase to the parathyroid cell plasma membrane in response to low extracellular calcium ion was suggested to be linked to increased hormone secretion. In this study, we used an in vivo rat model to determine the importance of sodium/potassium-ATPase in PTH secretion. Glands were exposed and treated in situ with vehicle or ouabain, a specific inhibitor of sodium/potassium-ATPase. PTH secretion was significantly increased in response to ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid-induced acute hypocalcemia and to the same extent in both vehicle and ouabain groups. The glands were removed, and inhibition

of the ATPase was measured by (86)rubidium uptake, which was found to be significantly decreased in ouabain-treated MK-0518 parathyroid glands, indicating inhibition of the ATPase. As ouabain induced systemic hyperkalemia, the effect of high potassium on hormone secretion was also examined but was found to have no effect. Thus, inhibition of the parathyroid gland sodium/potassium-ATPase Bindarit datasheet activity in vivo had no effect on the secretory response to acute hypocalcemia. Hence, the suggested importance of this ATPase in the regulation of PTH secretion could not be confirmed in this in vivo model. Kidney International (2011) 79, 742-748; doi: 10.1038/ki.2010.501; published online 5 January 2011″
“Results of (10,9)CASSCF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* level calculations on the potential surface for the electrocyclic

ring closure of E-7-azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 3 to 1-aza-6-methylidenecyclohexa-2,4-diene (4) are reported, as well as parallel calculations on the electrocyclizations of hepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 5, hexa-1,3,5-triene 7, Z and E-1-aza-1,3,5-hexatrienes 9 and 10, and Z-7-azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 12 for purposes of careful comparison. The 3 -> 4 rearrangement has been studied computationally with density functional theory (DFT) by others, leading to disagreement over whether it is pseudopericyclic (de Lera, A. R.; Alvarez, R.; Lecea, B.; Torrado, A.; Cossio, F. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 557-561; de Lera, A. R.; Cossio, F. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 1.150-1152) or pericyclic (Rodriguez-Otero, J.; Cabaleiro-Lago, E. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 1147-1150).

Clinical data, neonatal neuroimaging, laboratory results, the histopathological features of the placenta and gastric smear within the first hour of delivery, were evaluated.\n\nResults: Cerebral palsy was detected in 11 out of 141 preterm newborns (7.8%). The incidence of silent histological chorioamnionitis was 33.6% (43 of 128 cases). Chorioamniontis was significantly associated with the risk of unexplained cerebral palsy (p = 0.024). There were also significant correlations between maternal genital

infections and chorioamnionitis (p = 0.005), and between maternal infections and a positive smear of neonatal gastric aspirates (p = 0.000). The rate of cesarean section was 67.4% (95 out of 141 deliveries), and elective cesarean section was performed in 68 cases.\n\nConclusion: Intrauterine exposure to maternal infection was associated with a marked increase in the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All CP-456773 in vivo rights reserved.”
“Purpose. The authors reviewed chest radiographs PRIMA-1MET (CXR) and thin-section computed tomography (CT) findings

of pulmonary complications in a selected population of 50 consecutive patients with severe novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) pneumonia who were seen at the Subintensive Respiratory Unit (UTSIR) and at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.\n\nMaterials and methods. CXR and CT findings of 50 patients who fulfilled the World Health Organisation (WHO) Trichostatin A nmr criteria for S-OIV infection were reviewed by four radiologists. The final study group of 50 patients was divided into two subgroups on the basis of clinical course: group 1 consisted of 42 patients requiring noninvasive

mechanical ventilation and admitted to the UTSIR; group 2 consisted of eight patients who required ICU admission and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or advanced mechanical ventilation from October 2009 to December 2009. All patients underwent CXR and thin-section multidetector CT (MDCT) scan; the initial and follow-up radiographs and CT scans were evaluated for the presentation and follow-up pattern (consolidation, ground-glass opacities, nodules, reticulation), distribution and extent of abnormality.\n\nResults. All patients had radiological signs of pulmonary involvement. Ground-glass opacity and consolidation, which was mainly peripheral, was the most frequent finding. In three patients, we report for the first time in viral pneumonia the reversed halo sign. Lesion extent was related to aggressiveness of the illness. More often, both lungs were involved (82%). Thoracic comorbidity was present in 18% of patients; 22% of patients was obese, and in this group, the clinical course was more aggressive than in the others with the same lesion extent at imaging. Furthermore, superinfection led to worsening of the clinical conditions.\n\nConclusions.

Among these, the large majority consisted of amplicons that were present only in specific stages of development of the apomictic flowers. Ten percent of polymorphic amplicons were present with almost identical intensity in all stages of the apomictic flowers and never in the sexual flowers. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Southern analyses of these amplicons showed that they belong to constitutively expressed

alleles that are specifically present on the apomixis-controlling locus of P. simplex. The most frequent biological functions inferred from the sequence homology of the apomixis-linked alleles were related to signal transduction and nucleic acid/protein-binding activities. Most of these apomixis-linked alleles showed nonsense and frameshift mutations, revealing their probable pseudogene nature. None of the amplicons that were present only in specific stages of development of the apomictic flowers co-segregated with apomixis, indicating they click here did not originate from additional apomictic alleles but more

probably from differential regulation of the same allele in apomictic and sexual flowers. The molecular functions inferred from sequence analysis of these latter amplicons were related to seed storage protein and regulatory genes of various types. The results are discussed regarding the possible role in apomictic reproduction of the differentially expressed genes in relation to their specificity of expression and inferred molecular functions.”
“Purpose Selleck Quisinostat of the study: Optimal hand position for chest compressions

during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is unknown. Recent imaging studies indicate significant inter-individual anatomical variations, which might cause varying haemodynamic responses with standard chest compressions. This prospective clinical pilot study intended to assess the feasibility of utilizing capnography to optimize chest compressions and identify the optimal hand position.\n\nMaterials and methods: Intubated cardiac arrest patients treated by the physician manned ambulance between February and December 2011 monitored with continuous Selleckchem AZD1208 end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) measurements were included. One minute of chest compressions at the inter-nipple line (INL) optimized using EtCO2 feedback, was followed by four 30-s intervals with compressions at four different sites; INL, 2 cm below the INL, 2 cm below and to the left of INL and 2 cm below and to the right of INL.\n\nResults: Thirty patients were included. At the end of each 30-s interval median (range) EtCO2 was 3.1 kPa (0.7-8.7 kPa) at INL, 3.5 kPa (0.5-10.7) 2 cm below INL, 3.5 kPa (0.5-10.3 kPa) 2 cm below and to the left of INL, and 3.8 kPa (0.4-8.8 kPa) 2 cm below and to the right of INL (p = 0.4). The EtCO2 difference within each subject between hand positions with maximum and minimum values varied between individuals from 0.2 to 3.4 kPa (median 0.9 kPa).\n\nConclusion: Monitoring and optimizing chest compressions using capnography was feasible.

These findings indicate that sockeye salmon may be subject click here to fishery-induced size selection from both direct mechanisms and latent effects of altered predatory selection patterns on the spawning grounds,

resulting from reduced salmon abundance.”
“1. Macroscopic sedimentary charcoal and plant macroremains from two lakes, 50 km apart, in north-western Ontario, Canada, were analysed to investigate fire frequency and tree abundance in the central boreal forest. These records were used to examine the controls over the long-term fire regime, and vegetative dynamics associated with fire return intervals (FRIs).\n\n2. There were 52 fire events at Lake Ben (surrounded by a xeric landscape) between 10 174 calibrated years before present (cal. year BP) and the present with an

average FRI of 186 years with values oscillating between 40 and 820 years. Forty-three fire events were recorded at Lake Small (surrounded by a mesic landscape) between 9972 cal. year BP and the present with an average FRI of 229 years and a range of 60-660 years. FRIs at Lake Small decreased significantly after c. 4500 cal. year BP, whereas at Lake Ben FRIs remained similar throughout the Holocene. Different FRI distributions and independence in the occurrence of fire events were detected between 10 000 and 4500 cal. year BP for the two sites. Between 4500 cal. year selleck products BP and the present, similar FRIs were observed, but fires continued to occur independently.\n\n3. Longer FRIs resulted in declining abundance of Larix laricina in both landscapes. Longer FRIs resulted in a decline in the abundance of Picea mariana in the xeric landscape, but a marginal increase in the mesic landscape. Abundances Prexasertib chemical structure of Pinus banksiana, Pinus strobus and Betula papyrifera were unrelated to FRI, underlying that these species maintain their local abundance irrespective

of fire frequency.\n\n4. Synthesis. Our results show contrasting fire regime dynamics between a xeric and mesic landscape in central boreal forests, Canada. These results highlight the influence of local factors as important drivers of fire frequency at centennial to millennial scales. Local site factors, especially soil moisture, need to be incorporated into predictive models of vegetation response to climate change.”
“Background. Most studies and national programs aggregate the different types of surgical site infections (SSIs) potentially masking and misattributing risk. Determining that risk factors for superficial, deep, and organ space SSIs are unique is essential to improve SSI rates. Methods.

When operations can be performed within the focus of attention, age differences in interference control may be more easily detected in neural measures than behavioral ones, whereas behavioral differences are more likely to occur in tasks that require retrieval of information into the focus. Our analysis suggests that age differences in interference

control have multiple sources, but also offer multiple opportunities for compensation and intervention. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Memory & Aging. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) represent an important class of post-translational modifications that preserve and amplify the actions of nitric oxide and regulate enzyme activity. Several regulatory proteins are now verified targets of cellular S-nitrosation, and the direct detection of S-nitrosated residues in proteins has become essential to better understand RSNO-mediated CBL0137 signaling. Current RSNO detection depends on indirect assays that limit their overall specificity and reliability. Herein, we report the reaction of S-nitrosated cysteine, glutathione, and a mutated C1655 alkyl hydroperoxide reductase with the water-soluble phosphine tris(4,6-dimethyl-3-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine

trisodium salt hydrate (TXPTS) A combination of NMR and MS techniques reveals that these reactions produce covalent S-alkylphosphonium ion adducts (with

S P connectivity), TXPTS oxide, and a TXPTS-derived aza-ylide. Mechanistically, this reaction may proceed through an 5-substituted selleck kinase inhibitor aza-ylide or the direct displacement of nitroxyl from the RSNO group. This work provides a new means for detecting and quantifying S-nitrosated species in solution and suggests that phosphines may be useful tools for understanding the complex physiological roles of S-nitrosation and its implications in cell signaling and homeostasis.”
“Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness and is endemic in 52 countries. There is a critical need to further our understanding of the host response during disease and infection, as millions of individuals are still at risk of developing blinding sequelae. Infection of the conjunctival epithelial cells by the causative bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, SRT1720 price stimulates an acute host response. The main clinical feature is a follicular conjunctivitis that is incompletely defined at the tissue-specific gene expression and molecular levels. To explore the features of disease and the response to infection, we measured host gene expression in conjunctival samples from Gambian children with active trachoma and healthy controls. Genome-wide expression and transcription network analysis identified signatures characteristic of the expected infiltrating immune cell populations, such as neutrophils and T/B lymphocytes.