SUMMARY Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection requiring urgent surgical and medical therapy. Our objective was to estimate the mortality burden of necrotizing fasciitis in the United States, and to identify time trends in the incidence rate of necrotizing fasciitis-related mortality. We obtained data from the National Center for Health Statistics, which receives information from death certificates from all states, including demographic information and cause of death. The U.S. Multiple Cause of Death Files were searched from 2003 through 2013 for a listing of NF (ICD10 code M72.6) as either the underlying or contributing cause of death. We identified a total of 9,871 necrotizing fasciitis-related deaths in the U.S. between 2003 and 2013 (Figure 1), corresponding to a crude mortality rate of 4.8 deaths per 1,000,000 person-years, without a significant time trend. Compared to white individuals, the incidence rate of necrotizing fasciitis-associated death was greater among black, Hispanic, and American Indian individuals, and lower among Asian individuals. Streptococcal infection was most commonly identified in cases where a pathogen was reported. Diabetes mellitus and obesity were more commonly observed among necrotizing fasciitis-related deaths compared with deaths due to other causes. Racial differences in the incidence of necrotizing fasciitis-related deaths merits further investigation.

Leukocyte extravasation is an essential step during the immune response and requires the destabilization of endothelial junctions. We have shown previously that this process depends in vivo on the dephosphorylation of VE-cadherin-Y731. Here, we reveal the underlying mechanism. Leukocyte-induced stimulation of PECAM-1 triggers dissociation of the phosphatase SHP2 which then directly targets VE-cadherin-Y731. The binding site of PECAM-1 for SHP2 is needed for VE-cadherin dephosphorylation and subsequent endocytosis. Importantly, the contribution of PECAM-1 to leukocyte diapedesis in vitro and in vivo was strictly dependent on the presence of Y731 of VE-cadherin. In addition to SHP2, dephosphorylation of Y731 required Ca 2+ -signaling, non-muscle myosin II activation, and endothelial cell tension. Since we found that βcatenin/plakoglobin mask VE-cadherin-Y731 and leukocyte docking to endothelial cells exert force on the VE-cadherin-catenin complex, we propose that leukocytes destabilize junctions by PECAM-1-SHP2-triggered dephosphorylation of VE-cadherin-Y731 which becomes accessible by actomyosin-mediated mechanical force exerted on the VE-cadherin-catenin complex.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Fig belongs to tropical and subtropical climates, and Haripur district being a subtropical area have great potential for successful commercial cultivation of figs. The most common method of fig propagation is by hardwood cutting, which is an easy and economical way of propagation. But lack of knowledge regarding suitable date of cutting collection and sowing and selection of appropriate potting medium severely limits the production of fig on a commercial scale. Objectives: Current study was undertaken in order to identify suitable collecting dates of fig cuttings and to develop a suitable potting media for the successful establishment of fig cutting. Methodology: The study was comprised of four different potting media i.e. Soil, Farmyard or Manure (FYM), Compost, Soil+FYM+Compost (1:1:1) and cuttings of fig cultivar Sawari were collected and sown on two different dates i.e. 1st January and 15th January in polyethene bags of uniform size. The experiment was laid in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Results: Results revealed that maximum Length of the root (9.8 cm), Shoot thickness (1.4 cm) and Number of leaves (4.1) were noted in FYM, whereas maximum days to Sprouting (18.5) and Survival percentage (82.3%) were noted in Soil+FYM+Compost (1:1:1). Whereas fig cutting sown on 15th January showed maximum Days to sprouting (18.8), Length of the root (9.4 cm), Survival percentage (87.1%), Shoot thickness (1.8cm) and Number of leaves (4.6). Conclusion: It can be concluded that FYM and 15th January showed highest values of studied parameters.