A5001380267- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Mast cells and histamine
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Cancer Mechanisms and Therapy
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Chromatin Remodeling and Cancer
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Botanical Research and Applications
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders
- Advanced Scientific Research Methods
University of Pittsburgh
2019-2025
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2020
Western University
2017-2019
Dalhousie University
2002-2012
Bangor University
1996
Itch is a dominant symptom in dermatitis, and scratching promotes cutaneous inflammation, thereby worsening disease. However, the mechanisms through which exacerbates inflammation whether provides benefit to host are largely unknown. We found that was required for skin mouse models dependent on FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation. Scratching-induced pain-sensing nociceptors, neuropeptide substance P, receptor MrgprB2. Scratching also increased augmented defense superficial Staphylococcus...
Circadian rhythms can be entrained by light to follow the daily solar cycle. In Drosophila melanogaster a pair of extraretinal eyelets expressing immunoreactivity Rhodopsin 6 each contains four photoreceptors located beneath posterior margin compound eye. Their axons project region pacemaker center in brain with trajectory resembling that Bolwig's organ, visual organ larva. A lacZ reporter line driven an upstream fragment developmental gap gene Krüppel is specific enhancer element for organ....
Many proteins are used repeatedly in development, but usually the function of protein is similar different contexts. Here we report that classical Drosophila melanogaster locus tan encodes a novel enzyme required for two very cellular functions: hydrolysis N-β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD) to during cuticular melanization, and carcinine histamine metabolism photoreceptor neurotransmitter. We characterized tan-like P-element insertions failed complement mutations. Both inserted 5′ untranslated...
Abstract Introduction Patients with COVID‐19 are known to have a coagulopathy thrombosis risk. It is unknown whether this due generalized humoral prothrombotic state or endothelial factors such as inflammation and dysfunction. The aim was further characterize thrombin generation using novel analyser (ST Genesia, Diagnostica Stago, Asnières, France) panel of haematological analytes in patients COVID‐19. Methods Platelet poor plasma 34 noncritical compared 75 critical (as defined by WHO...
The visual system of Drosophila is an excellent model for determining the interactions that direct differentiation nervous system's many unique cell types. Glia are essential not only in development system, but also function those neurons with which they become associated adult. Given their role and adult we need to both accurately reliably identify different subtypes glia, relate glial larval brain previously described We viewed driver expression subsets eye disc glia through earliest...
SUMMARY Flies recycle the photoreceptor neurotransmitter histamine by conjugating it to β-alanine form β-alanyl-histamine (carcinine). The conjugation is regulated Ebony, while Tan hydrolyses carcinine, releasing and β-alanine. In Drosophila, synthesis occurs either from uracil or decarboxylation of aspartate but detailed roles for enzymes responsible remain unclear. Immunohistochemically detected present throughout fly’s entire brain, enhanced in retina especially pseudocone, pigment cells...
Defects in neuronal migration cause brain malformations, which are associated with intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. Using exome sequencing, we identified compound heterozygous variants (p.Arg71His p. Leu729ThrfsTer6) TMTC3, encoding transmembrane tetratricopeptide repeat containing 3, four siblings nocturnal seizures ID. Three of the have periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH), a common malformation caused by failure neurons to migrate from ventricular zone cortex. Expression...
This study examines intensity and direction of competitive state anxiety symptoms, the interactive influence subcomponents upon netball performance. Netball players ( N = 45) completed modified Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) a retrospective performance measure over season, utilizing an intraindividual design. The CSAI-2 includes scale assessing facilitative or debilitative interpretation original symptoms. Although did not emerge directly through scale, significant...
As a neuron differentiates, it adopts suite of features specific to its particular type. Fly photoreceptors are two types: R1–R6, which innervate the first optic neuropile, lamina; and R7–R8, second, medulla. Photoreceptors R1–R6 normally have large light-absorbing rhabdomeres, express Rhodopsin1, synaptic terminals that lamina. In Drosophila melanogaster , we used yeast GAL4/UAS system drive exogenous expression transcription factor Runt in subsets photoreceptors, resulting aberrant axonal...
Technology has led to rapid progress in the identification of genes involved neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability (ID), but our functional understanding causative is lagging. Here, we show that SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex one most over-represented cellular components disrupted ID. We investigated role individual subunits this large protein using targeted RNA interference post-mitotic memory-forming neurons Drosophila mushroom body (MB). Knockdown flies were...
Abstract Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is an opportunistic infection of the oral mucosa caused by commensal fungus Candida albicans. IL-17R signaling essential to prevent OPC in mice and humans, but individual roles its ligands, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17AF, are less clear. A homozygous IL-17F deficiency does not cause susceptibility, whereas lacking IL-17A moderately susceptible. In a rare heterozygous mutation (IL-17F.S65L) was identified that causes chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis,...
Many proteins are used repeatedly in development, but usually the function of protein is similar different contexts. Here we report that classical Drosophila melanogaster locus tan encodes a novel enzyme required for two very cellular functions: hydrolysis N-β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD) to during cuticular melanization, and carcinine histamine metabolism photoreceptor neurotransmitter. We characterized tan-like P-element insertions failed complement mutations. Both inserted 5′ untranslated...
Abstract Technology has led to rapid progress in the identification of genes involved neurodevelopmental disorders like intellectual disability (ID), but our functional understanding causative is lagging. Here, we show that SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex one most overrepresented cellular components disrupted ID. We systematically investigated role individual subunits this large protein post-mitotic memory forming neurons Drosophila mushroom body (MB). Using approach, have identified...
Abstract Intestinal microbes release ATP to modulate local immune responses. Herein we demonstrates that Candida albicans , an opportunistic commensal fungus, also modulates responses via secretion of ATP. We found from C. varied between standard laboratory strains. A survey eighty-nine clinical isolates revealed heterogeneity in secretion, independent growth kinetics and intracellular levels. Isolates blood released less than commensals, suggesting assists with commensalism. To confirm...
Abstract Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is an opportunistic infection of the oral mucosa caused by commensal fungus C. albicans . IL-17 receptor signaling essential to prevent OPC in mice and humans, but individual roles its ligands, IL-17A, IL-17F IL-17AF, are less clear. A homozygous deficiency does not cause susceptibility, whereas lacking IL-17A moderately susceptible. In a rare heterozygous mutation (IL-17F.S65L) was identified that causes chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, suggesting...
Abstract Cutaneous mast cells underly numerous skin inflammatory processes. Our study reveals that the ablation of a subset sensory nonpeptidergic neurons expressing MrgprD increases expression cell gene module, including activating receptor, Mrgprb2, leading to increased reactivity MrgprB2 ligands, and cutaneous inflammation in several disease models, such as irritant dermatitis rosacea. MrgprD-expressing releases glutamate inhibit responsiveness. Reducing release from periphery resulted...