A Novel Chlamydiaceae-Like Bacterium Found in Faecal Specimens From Sea Birds From the Bering Sea.

A novel Chlamydiaceae-like bacterium found in faecal specimens from sea birds from the Bering Sea.

Environ Microbiol Rep. 2010 Aug; 2(4): 605-10
Christerson L, Blomqvist M, Grannas K, Thollesson M, Laroucau K, Waldenström J, Eliasson I, Olsen B, Herrmann B

The family Chlamydiaceae contains several bacterial pathogens of important human and veterinary medical concern, such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila psittaci. Within the order Chlamydiales there are also an increasing number of chlamydia-like bacteria whose biodiversity, host range and environmental spread seem to have been largely underestimated, and which are currently being investigated for their potential medical relevance. In this study we present 16S rRNA, rnpB and ompA gene sequence data congruently indicating a novel chlamydia-like bacterium found in faecal specimens from opportunistic fish-eating sea birds, belonging to the Laridae and Alcidae families, from the Bering Sea. This novel bacterium appears to be closer to the Chlamydiaceae than other chlamydia-like bacteria and is most likely a novel genus within the Chlamydiaceae family. HubMed – eating

Excitatory synapses on dendritic shafts of the caudal basal amygdala exhibit elevated levels of GABAA receptor ?4 subunits following the induction of activity-based anorexia.

Synapse. 2013 Jun 14;
Wable GS, Barbarich-Marsteller NC, Chowdhury TG, Sabaliauskas NA, Farb CR, Aoki C

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by self-imposed severe starvation, excessive exercise and anxiety. The onset of AN is most often at puberty, suggesting that gonadal hormonal fluctuations may contribute to AN vulnerability. Activity-based anorexia (ABA) is an animal model that reproduces some of the behavioral phenotypes of AN, including the paradoxical increase in voluntary exercise following food restriction. The basal amygdala as well as the GABAergic system regulate trait anxiety. We therefore examined the subcellular distribution of GABA receptors (GABARs) in the basal amygdala of female pubertal rats and specifically of their ?4-subunits, because expression of ?4-containing GABARs is regulated by gonadal hormone fluctuations. Moreover, since these GABARs reduce neuronal excitability through shunting of EPSPs, we quantified the frequency of occurrence of these GABARs adjacent to excitatory synapses. Electron microscopic immunoctychemistry revealed no change in the frequency of association of ?4-subunits with excitatory synapses on dendritic spines, whether in the anterior (Bregma -2.8 mm) or caudal (Bregma -3.8 mm) portion of the basal amygdala. Sholl analysis of Golgi-stained neurons also revealed no change in the extent of dendritic branching by these densely spiny, pyramidal-like neurons. However, there was an increase of membranous ?4 subunits near excitatory synapses on dendritic shafts, specifically in the caudal basal amygdala, and this was accompanied by a rise of ?4 subunits intracellularly. Since most dendritic shafts exhibiting excitatory synapses are GABAergic interneurons, the results predict disinhibition, which would increase excitability of the amygdaloid network, in turn augmenting ABA animals’ trait anxiety. Synapse, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. HubMed – eating

Illness Beliefs in African Americans With Hypertension.

West J Nurs Res. 2013 Jun 13;
Pickett S, Allen W, Franklin M, Peters RM

Guided by Leventhal’s common sense model of illness representations, this study examined the relationship between hypertension beliefs and self-care behaviors necessary for blood pressure (BP) control in a sample of 111 community-dwelling African Americans with hypertension. Participants completed the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, BP Self-Care Scale, and a demographic data sheet, and had BP measured. Analyses revealed that beliefs about the causes of hypertension differed by gender and educational level. Stress-related causal attributions accounted for 34.7% of the variance in hypertension beliefs. Participants who believed stress or external factors caused hypertension were less likely to engage in healthy self-care behaviors (e.g., keeping doctor visits, eating low-salt, low-fat diets). Results suggest that patients who are nonadherent with hypertension self-care recommendations may hold hypertension beliefs that are not consistent with the medically endorsed views of this disease. To more effectively treat and control BP, providers should assess patients’ hypertension beliefs. HubMed – eating

media causing eating disorders –