\n\nMain conclusions Our results provide detailed insights into the invasion history of S. invicta in Taiwan and suggest that the distinct reproductive biology of the two social forms may have shaped the current distribution of S. invicta in these infested areas and that the dynamics of two forms may affect the long-term persistence and potential for spread of this pest ant species.”
“A putative mannitol operon of the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase (PTS) type was cloned from Vibrio cholerae 0395, and its activity was studied in Escherichia coli. The 3.9-kb operon comprising three genes is organized

as mtIADR. Based on the sequence Emricasan concentration analysis, these were identified as genes encoding a putative mannitol-specific enzyme IICBA (EIIMd) component (MtIA), a mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (MtID), and a mannitol operon repressor (MtIR). The transport of [H-3]mannitol by the cloned mannitol operon in E. coli was 13.8 +/- Blebbistatin clinical trial 1.4 nmol/min/mg protein. The insertional inactivation of EIIMd abolished mannitol and sorbitol transport in V. cholerae O395. Comparison of the mannitol

utilization apparatus of V. cholerae with those of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria suggests highly conserved nature of the system. MtIA and MtID exhibit 75% similarity with corresponding sequences of E. coli mannitol operon genes, while MtIR has 63% similarity with NUR of E. coli. The cloning of V. cholerae mannitol utilization system in an E. coli background will help in elucidating the functional properties of this operon.”
“Background aims\n\nImmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder characterized by an accelerated

destruction of platelets as a result of the presence of autoreactive antibodies. selleck chemicals Patients with ITP also display activated platelet-autoreactive T cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) inhibit both T- and B-cell activation and may have functional impairments in autoimmune disorders.\n\nMethods\n\nWe analyzed the potential role of MSC in the pathogenesis of ITP.\n\nResults\n\nMSC from ITP showed an impaired proliferative capacity and a lower capability of inhibiting activated T- cell proliferation compared with healthy donors. While MSC from controls showed a decreased expression of p27 after stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor, this effect was not observed in MSC from patients. Furthermore, MSC from healthy donors down-regulated p16 upon exposure to platelet-released supernatant, while this effect was not observed for ITP. Interestingly, caspase 9 expression was higher in MSC from ITP.\n\nConclusions\n\nThese abnormalities suggest a role of MSC malfunction in the physiopathology of the disease and may have therapeutic implications.