Spatiotemporal perturbations of the plasminogen activation system in a rat model of acute organophosphate intoxication.

Neuroinflammation is widely posited to be a key pathogenic mechanism linking acute organophosphate (OP)-induced status epilepticus (SE) to persistent brain injury and abnormal electrical activity that contribute to epilepsy and cognitive impairment. The plasminogen activation system (PAS) promotes neuroinflammation in diverse neurological diseases but whether it is activated following acute OP intoxication has yet to be evaluated. To address this data gap, we characterized the spatiotemporal expression patterns of multiple components of the PAS in a rat model of acute intoxication with the OP, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP).

Aflatoxin B Increases Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase in the Brain and Induces Neuroinflammation and Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an increasingly common neurodegenerative movement disorder with contributing factors that are still largely unexplored and currently no effective intervention strategy. Epidemiological and pre-clinical studies support the close association between environmental toxicant exposure and PD incidence. Aflatoxin B (AFB), a hazardous mycotoxin commonly present in food and environment, is alarmingly high in many areas of the world.

Immunocytoprotection after reperfusion with Kv1.3 inhibitors has an extended treatment window for ischemic stroke.

Mechanical thrombectomy has improved treatment options and outcomes for acute ischemic stroke with large artery occlusion. However, as the time window of endovascular thrombectomy is extended there is an increasing need to develop immunocytoprotective therapies that can reduce inflammation in the penumbra and prevent reperfusion injury. We previously demonstrated, that by reducing neuroinflammation, K1.

Repurposing the K3.1 Blocker Senicapoc for Ischemic Stroke.

Senicapoc, a small molecule inhibitor of the calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1, was safe and well-tolerated in clinical trials for sickle cell anemia. We previously reported proof-of-concept data suggesting that both pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion of KCa3.

The seizure-inducing plastic explosive RDX inhibits the α1β2γ2 GABA receptor.

Objective: Royal demolition explosive (RDX) can induce seizures in wildlife and humans following release into the environment or after voluntary consumption. During the Vietnam War, RDX intoxication was the most common cause of generalized seizures in US service personnel, and in some sections of the armed forces, eating of RDX has continued as "a dare" to this day. After its mechanism of action was long unknown, RDX was recently shown to be a GABA receptor antagonist.

An Cell-Based Delivery Platform for Zinc Finger Artificial Transcription Factors in Pre-clinical Animal Models.

Zinc finger (ZF), transcription activator-like effectors (TALE), and CRISPR/Cas9 therapies to regulate gene expression are becoming viable strategies to treat genetic disorders, although effective delivery systems for these proteins remain a major translational hurdle. We describe the use of a mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-based delivery system for the secretion of a ZF protein (ZF-MSC) in transgenic mouse models and young rhesus monkeys. Secreted ZF protein from mouse ZF-MSC was detectable within the hippocampus 1 week following intracranial or cisterna magna (CM) injection.

Identification of the Functional Binding Site for the Convulsant Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine in the Pore of the GABA Receptor.

Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS) is a so-called "caged" convulsant that is responsible for thousands of accidental and malicious poisonings. Similar to the widely used GABA receptor type A (GABA) antagonist picrotoxinin, TETS has been proposed to bind to the noncompetitive antagonist (NCA) site in the pore of the receptor channel. However, the TETS binding site has never been experimentally mapped, and we here set out to gain atomistic level insights into how TETS inhibits the human GABA receptor.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Pseudoalteromonas porphyrae Strains Isolated from Seagrass Sediment.

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of Pseudoalteromonas porphyrae UCD-SED9 and UCD-SED14 (phylum Proteobacteria). These strains were isolated from sediment surrounding the roots of the seagrass, Zostera marina, collected near the UC, Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory (Bodega Bay, California). The assemblies contain 4,847,456 bp and 4,817,752 bp, respectively.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Vibrio splendidus Strains, Isolated from Seagrass Sediment.

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of Vibrio splendidus UCD-SED7 and UCD-SED10 (phylum Proteobacteria). These strains were isolated from sediment surrounding Zostera marina roots near the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory (Bodega, Bay, California). These assemblies contain 5,334,236 bp and 5,904,824 bp, respectively.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus vietnamensis Strain UCD-SED5 (Phylum Firmicutes).

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Bacillus vietnamensis UCD-SED5 (phylum Firmicutes). This strain was isolated from sediment surrounding Zostera marina roots near the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory (Bodega Bay, California) and represents the second genome of this species. The assembly consists of 4,325,707 bp, in 108 contigs.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis Strain UCD-SED8 (Phylum Gammaproteobacteria).

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis UCD-SED8, a marine bacterium normally associated with the production of tetrodotoxin in pufferfish. This strain was isolated from sediment samples surrounding Zostera marina roots collected from Bodega Marine, California. The assembly consists of 4,017,727 bp contained in 35 contigs.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Endosymbiont "Candidatus Ruthia magnifica" UCD-CM (Phylum Proteobacteria).

Here, we present the draft genome of the endosymbiont "Candidatus Ruthia magnifica" UCD-CM, a member of the phylum Proteobacteria, found from the gills of a deep-sea giant clam, Calyptogena magnifica. The assembly consists of 1,160,249 bp contained in 18 contigs.