In addition, EphB2 and EphB3 play a cell-autonomous role in regulating the transitions of double-negative to double-positive cells and of double-positive to single-positive thymocytes

and the lack of these molecules or their ligands ephrin B1 and ephrin B2 induces profound alterations of the TEC maturation and in the arrangement of epithelial network. We emphasize that these results are largely reflecting the role played by this family of molecules in controlling thymocyte-TEC interactions within the thymus. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The antimicrobial effects of 405 nm light have generated interest in its use as an emerging disinfection technology with potential food-related applications. The aim of this study was to assess the bactericidal efficacy of 405 nm light for inactivation of Fscherichia coil and Listeria monocytogenes under CCI-779 concentration sub-lethally stressed environmental conditions.

Bacteria were exposed to 405 nm light from a light emitting diode (LED) array under various temperature, salt (NaCl) and acid conditions to determine if bacterial susceptibility to 405 nm light inactivation is affected when exposed under these conditions. Non-stressed bacterial populations (10(5) CFU/mL) were exposed to increasing doses of 405 nm light (similar to 70 mW/cm(2)) and the inactivation results were compared with those generated under stress conditions. Bacteria were held at various temperatures (4 degrees C, 22 degrees C and 45 degrees C), acid concentrations P505-15 inhibitor (pH 3, 3.5 and 7) and salt concentrations (0%, 0.8%, 10% and 15% NaCl), and simultaneously

exposed to 405 rim light. Enhanced inactivation of both E. coil and L monocytogenes was achieved when light exposure was combined with each of the sub-lethal selleck chemicals stresses, with significantly increased inactivation rates compared to non-stressed populations (P <= 0.05). One exception was with L monocytogenes when light-exposed in the presence of 15% salt, as this combination reduced bacterial inactivation. The greatest enhancement of 405 nm light inactivation for both bacterial species was achieved when light exposure was combined with sub-lethal acid stress conditions at pH 3. This was demonstrated by a 5-log(10) reduction of E coil following a 405 nm light dose of 84 J/cm(2) compared to 378 J/cm(2) for non-stressed populations (77% reduction in dose) and by a 5-log(10) reduction of L monocytogenes achieved with a dose of 42 J/cm(2) which corresponded to 50% of the dose required for the equivalent reduction of non-stressed populations. This acid-enhanced 405 nm light inactivation effect was demonstrated with E. coil and L monocytogenes when dispersed in liquid suspension and when deposited on a test surface.