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Proximal Part (proximal + part)
Selected AbstractsGlutamylated tubulin: Diversity of expression and distribution of isoformsCYTOSKELETON, Issue 1 2003Marie-Louise Kann Abstract Glutamylation of , and , tubulin isotypes is a major posttranslational modification giving rise to diversified isoforms occurring mainly in neurotubules, centrioles, and axonemes. Monoglutamylated tubulin isoforms can be differentially recognized by two mAbs, B3 and GT335, which both recognize either polyglutamylated isoforms. In the present study, immunoelectron microscopy and immunofluorescence analyses were performed with these two mAbs to determine the expression and distribution of glutamylated tubulin isoforms in selected biological models whose tubulin isotypes are characterized. In mouse spermatozoa, microtubules of the flagellum contain polyglutamylated isoforms except in the tip where only monoglutamylated isoforms are detected. In spermatids, only a subset of manchette microtubules contain monoglutamylated tubulin isoforms. Cytoplasmic microtubules of Sertoli cells are monoglutamylated. Mitotic and meiotic spindles of germ cells are monoglutamylated whereas the HeLa cell mitotic spindle is polyglutamylated. Three models of axonemes are demonstrated as a function of the degree and extent of tubulin glutamylation. In lung ciliated cells, axonemes are uniformly polyglutamylated. In sea urchin sperm and Chlamydomonas, flagellar microtubules are polyglutamylated in their proximal part and monoglutamylated in their distal part. In Paramecium, cilia are bi- or monoglutamylated only at their base. In all cells, centrioles or basal bodies are polyglutamylated. These new data emphasize the importance of glutamylation in all types of microtubules and strengthen the hypothesis of its role in the regulation of the intracellular traffic and flagellar motility. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 55:14,25, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Combined Use of Uncovered Duodenal and Covered Biliary Metallic Stent for Carcinoma of the Papilla of VaterDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 4 2000Hitoshi Sano We have reported successful implantation of self-expandable metallic stents for palliative treatment in a case of an 87-year-old female patient with carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. She suffered from both duodenal and biliary stenoses, but refused surgical treatment. For the duodenal stenting, a self-expandable knitted nitinol metallic stent, for esophageal use, was inserted endoscopically. For the biliary stenting, a self-expandable metallic stent, partially polyurethane-covered on the proximal part to prevent tumor ingrowth and overgrowth, was inserted via the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route. No major complications occured during these procedures. After the two stents were inserted in an end-to-side fashion, she was able to eat a normal diet adequately and suffered from no abdominal symptoms and jaundice during the follow-up period of 13 months. These stenting procedures might be less invasive and more useful than surgical treatment and provide long patency of biliary stenting and a good quality of life. [source] Ovicell structure in Callopora dumerilii and C. lineata (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 1 2003A. N. Ostrovsky Abstract Anatomical and SEM-studies of the brood-chambers (ovicells) in two bryozoans (Callopora dumerilii and C. lineata) were undertaken to resolve a long-term controversy existing in the literature about the origin of the ovicells. In contrast with the interpretation of Silén (1945), both species investigated possess hyperstomial ovicells with the ooecium formed by the distal (daughter) zooid. The ooecial coelomic cavity communicates with the zooidal coelom through a pore-like canal or canals remaining after the closure of an arch-shaped slit. The slit forms during ovicellogenesis. The communication canals are normally plugged by epithelial cells, however incompletely closed canals were also found in Callopora lineata. SEM-studies of noncleaned, air-dried specimens showed a relationship between membranous and calcified parts during early ovicellogenesis. It starts from a transverse wall as the calcification of the proximal part of the daughter zooid frontal wall, and has the shape of two flat rounded plates. There are no knobs or any other outgrowths. Conditions and phenomenology of hyperstomial ovicell formation are discussed. [source] Detection of elafin as a candidate biomarker for ulcerative colitis by whole-genome microarray screeningINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 9 2006Carl-Fredrik Flach PhD Abstract The cause of ulcerative colitis (UC) is largely unknown. Microarray studies are an efficient way of investigating the various genes involved. Here, we have used whole-genome microarrays to clarify the clinical picture and to identify new biomarkers for improved diagnosis. Rectal biopsies were taken from five UC patients and five matched controls, and RNA transcripts were prepared. After labeling, each sample was individually applied to the microarray chips. All transcripts that were more than 10-fold up-regulated in all five patients were analyzed further in seven additional patients and seven controls using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Of 47,000 transcripts examined, 4 were highly up-regulated in all patients: those encoding elafin, a secreted protease inhibitor, the ion and amino acid transporter B0,+ (SLC6A14), and the metabolic enzyme aldolase B, as well as a recently identified transcript named similar to numb-interacting homolog. The up-regulation of these transcripts appears to follow the progression of the disease because elevated expression was detected in the proximal part of the colon in patients with total colitis but not in patients with left-sided colitis. Immunohistologic examination showed very distinct differences in the expression of elafin. Extensive expression was detected in enterocytes and goblet cells of the affected mucosa, whereas there was no detectable expression in unaffected mucosa and in healthy controls. The results implicate four transcripts and proteins of special interest as possible targets for pharmacologic interference and as biomarkers in UC. Of these, elafin may be of special interest because it is a secreted protein that may be measured in body fluids. [source] The histological structure of the malleolar groove of the fibula in man: its direct bearing on the displacement of peroneal tendons and their surgical repairJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 2 2003T. Kumai Abstract The peroneal (fibularis) tendons are held in place within the malleolar groove by the superior peroneal retinaculum. If this is torn, the tendons can subluxate or dislocate. Understanding the anatomy of the region is important for treating these injuries when it becomes necessary to reconstruct the malleolar groove surgically. Serial transverse sections of the groove were cut from 10 dissecting room cadavers after routine histology processing. The structure of the malleolar groove differed significantly in its proximal and distal parts. Distally, the bone is convex and the shape of the groove is determined by a thick periosteal cushion of fibrocartilage that covers the bone surface. Proximally, the groove shape is determined by the bone itself, and the periosteum is thin and fibrous. The restriction of a periosteal fibrocartilage to the distal end suggests that it serves to adapt the shape of the malleolar groove to that of the tendons within it and thus promotes stress dissipation. Paradoxically, however, it increases the risk of damage to subluxated tendons, because these can be sliced longitudinally by a sharp ridge created from periosteal fibrocartilage when the retinaculum is torn. Our results suggest that if bone-block surgical procedures are used to reconstruct the malleolar groove, they are best restricted to its proximal part. [source] Reentry in a Pulmonary Vein as a Possible Mechanism of Focal Atrial FibrillationJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2004BERNARD BELHASSEN M.D. The case of an 18-year-old woman with recurrent idiopathic catecholamine-sensitive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is reported. Recordings of multiple initiations of atrial fibrillation at the proximal part of the right superior pulmonary vein suggested local reentry in the vein as the mechanism of atrial fibrillation. A single radiofrequency pulse delivered at this site resulted in definite cure of the arrhythmia. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 824-828, July 2004) [source] Entrainment Mapping of Dual-Loop Macroreentry in Common Atrial Flutter:JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2004New Insights into the Atrial Flutter Circuit Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine using entrainment mapping whether the reentrant circuit of common type atrial flutter (AFL) is single loop or dual loop. Methods and Results: In 12 consecutive patients with counterclockwise (CCW) AFL, entrainment mapping was performed with evaluation of atrial electrograms from the tricuspid annulus (TA) and the posterior right atrial (RA) area. We hypothesized that a dual-loop reentry could be surmised from "paradoxical delayed capture" of the proximal part of the circuit having a longer interval from the stimulus to the captured beat compared with the distal part of the circuit. In 6 of 12 patients with CCW AFL, during entrainment from the septal side of the posterior blocking line, the interval from the stimulus to the last captured beat was longer at the RA free wall than at the isthmus position. In these six patients with paradoxical delayed capture, flutter cycle length (FCL) was 227 ± 12 ms and postpacing interval minus FCL was significantly shorter at the posterior blocking line than at the RA free wall (20 ± 11 ms vs 48 ± 33 ms, P < 0.05). In two of these patients, early breakthrough occurred at the lateral TA. A posterior block line was confirmed in all six patients in the sinus venosa area by intracardiac echocardiography. Conclusion: Half of the patients with common type AFL had a dual-loop macroreentrant circuit consisting of an anterior loop (circuit around the TA) and a posterior loop (circuit around the inferior vena cava and the posterior blocking line). (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 679-685, June 2004) [source] An Unusual Encounter of a "Cobra" in the Heart: Rare Appearance of an Amplatzer Septal OccluderJOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001F.R.C.P.E., M.M.E.D., WILLIAM C. L. YIP M.B.B.S. This article presents the unusual appearance of a "cobra"due to "acute bending"of the proximal part and partial opening of the distal part of the left atrial disk of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder during the process of transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect in a 6-year-old boy. The possible reasons and method to overcome this technical problem, which resulted in successful occlusion of the atrial septal defect, are discussed. (J Interven Cardiol 2001;14:215,218) [source] In vivo MR imaging of pulmonary arteries of normal and experimental emboli in small animalsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2006Mathieu Lederlin MD Abstract Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of pulmonary MRA in living rodents. Materials and Methods A three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence was adapted to perform a time-of-flight (TOF) angiography of rat lung. Angiogram with a spatial resolution of 195 × 228 × 228 ,m3 was acquired in around 33 minutes. The method was then applied in animals before and after pulmonary embolism (PE) induction. Section of the proximal right pulmonary artery was measured and compared between the two populations. Results Good quality images were obtained with a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of 9 ± 3 in the proximal part of the pulmonary artery. Cross-section areas of the right main artery are statistically different before (3.45 ± 0.69 mm2) and after induction of PE (4.3 ± 0.86 mm2). Conclusion This noninvasive tool permits angiogram acquisition at around 200 ,m spatial resolution and objective distinction between healthy and embolized arteries. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Local alendronate increases fixation of implants inserted with bone compaction: 12-week canine studyJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2007Thomas Jakobsen Abstract Bone compaction has been shown to increase initial implant fixation. Furthermore, bone compaction creates a peri-implant zone of autograft that exerts osteoconductive properties. We have previously shown that locally applied bisphosphonate (alendronate) at 4-week observation can preserve the autograft generated by bone compaction. We now investigate whether the increased amount of autograft, seen at 4 weeks, can increase implant osseointegration and biomechanical fixation. Porous-coated titanium implants were bilaterally inserted with bone compaction into the proximal part of tibia of 10 dogs. On the right side, local bisphosphonate was injected into the bone cavity prior to bone compaction immediately prior to implant insertion. On the left side, saline was used as control. Observation period was 12 weeks. Locally applied bisphosphonate significantly increased biomechanical implant fixation (approximately twofold), bone-to-implant contact (1.2-fold), and peri-implant bone volume fraction (2.3-fold). This study indicates that local alendronate treatment can increase early implant osseointegration and biomechanical fixation of implants inserted by use of bone compaction. Long term effects remain unknown. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:432,441, 2007 [source] Radical neck dissection: Preserving the distal spinal accessory nerve based on its cervical plexus contributionJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2008MRCSEd, R. Aravind DNB Abstract In an effort to overcome shoulder morbidity from the classical radical neck dissection, modifications preserving the entire spinal accessory nerve, were described. When there are metastatic upper jugular nodes with potential extracapsular spread, modifications that preserve the entire XI nerve may be oncologically unsafe. We describe a technique wherein the XI nerve is preserved based on the contribution from the cervical plexus, while allowing resection of the proximal part of the nerve en bloc with the specimen. This modification may preserve useful trapezius function without compromising oncological safety. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:200,201. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Anterior versus posterior approach in reconstruction of infected nonunion of the tibia using the vascularized fibular graft: potentialities and limitationsMICROSURGERY, Issue 3 2002Sherif M. Amr M.D. The potentialities, limitations, and technical pitfalls of the vascularized fibular grafting in infected nonunions of the tibia are outlined on the basis of 14 patients approached anteriorly or posteriorly. An infected nonunion of the tibia together with a large exposed area over the shin of the tibia is better approached anteriorly. The anastomosis is placed in an end-to-end or end-to-side fashion onto the anterior tibial vessels. To locate the site of the nonunion, the tibialis anterior muscle should be retracted laterally and the proximal and distal ends of the site of the nonunion debrided up to healthy bleeding bone. All the scarred skin over the anterior tibia should be excised, because it becomes devitalized as a result of the exposure. To cover the exposed area, the fibula has to be harvested with a large skin paddle, incorporating the first septocutaneous branch originating from the peroneal vessels before they gain the upper end of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. A disadvantage of harvesting the free fibula together with a skin paddle is that its pedicle is short. The skin paddle lies at the antimesenteric border of the graft, the site of incising and stripping the periosteum. In addition, it has to be sutured to the skin at the recipient site, so the soft tissues (together with the peroneal vessels), cannot be stripped off the graft to prolong its pedicle. Vein grafts should be resorted to, if the pedicle does not reach a healthy segment of the anterior tibial vessels. Defects with limited exposed areas of skin, especially in questionable patency of the vessels of the leg, require primarily a fibula with a long pedicle that could easily reach the popliteal vessels and are thus better approached posteriorly. In this approach, the site of the nonunion is exposed medial to the flexor digitorum muscle and the proximal and distal ends of the site of the nonunion debrided up to healthy bleeding bone. No attempt should be made to strip the scarred skin off the anterior aspect of the bone lest it should become devitalized. Any exposed bone on the anterior aspect should be left to granulate alone. This occurs readily when stability has been regained at the fracture site after transfer of the free fibula. The popliteal and posterior tibial vessels are exposed, and the microvascular anastomosis placed in an end-to-side fashion onto either of them, depending on the length of the pedicle and the condition of the vessels themselves. To obtain the maximal length of the pedicle of the graft, the proximal osteotomy is placed at the neck of the fibula after decompressing the peroneal nerve. The distal osteotomy is placed as distally as possible. After detaching the fibula from the donor site, the proximal part of the graft is stripped subperiosteally, osteotomized, and discarded. Thus, a relatively long pedicle could be obtained. To facilitate subperiosteal stripping, the free fibula is harvested without a skin paddle. In this way, the use of a vein graft could be avoided. Patients presenting with infected nonunions of the tibia with extensive scarring of the lower extremity, excessively large areas of skin loss, and with questionable patency of the anterior and posterior tibial vessels are not suitable candidates for the free vascularized fibular graft. Although a vein graft could be used between the recipient popliteal and the donor peroneal vessels, its use decreases flow to the graft considerably. These patients are better candidates for the Ilizarov bone transport method with or without free latissimus dorsi transfer. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:91,107 2002 [source] Ano-rectal motility responses to pelvic, hypogastric and pudendal nerve stimulation in the Göttingen minipigNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 2 2006I. S. Andersen Abstract, We investigated the effect of efferent stimulation of the pelvic (PN), hypogastric (HGN) and pudendal (PuN) nerves on ano-rectal motility in Göttingen minipigs using an impedance planimetry probe. Changes in the rectal cross-sectional area (CSA) at five axial positions and pressures in the rectum and anal canal were investigated simultaneously. Pelvic nerve stimulation elicited a CSA decrease in the proximal part of the rectum and a simultaneous CSA increase in its distal part. Anal pressure also decreased. Hypogastric nerve and PuN stimulation elicited an increase in anal pressure, but no rectal response. Severing the HGN produced a persistent reduction in resting anal pressure, but no change was observed when the PN and the PuN were severed. Stimulation of the distal part of all three nerves produced a persistent response. Administration of phentolamine and pancouronium eliminated the response to stimulation of the HGN and the PuN, respectively. Conclusion:, Rectal responses to PN stimulation vary more than previously suggested. The HGN has an excitatory effect on the internal anal sphincter, and the PuN on the external anal sphincter. However, the PuN plays no major role in maintaining basal anal pressure. [source] Role of axon-deprived Schwann cells in perineurial regeneration in the rat sciatic nerveNEUROPATHOLOGY & APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000M. Popovi The role of Schwann cells (SC) in perineurial regeneration after nerve injury has not yet been resolved. It was hypothesized that SC alone are able to induce at least partial morphological restoration of the destroyed orthotopic perineureum (PN). To test the hypothesis, a permanently denervated segment of the rat sciatic nerve was made acellular by freeze-thawing, except in its most proximal part where non-neuronal cells were left intact. Restoration of the frozen segment by these cells was examined by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry of the SC marker, S-100 protein, 4 and 8 weeks after injury. The PN regenerated from undifferentiated fibroblast-like cells. In the presence of migrant SC without axons, regenerated cells in the place of the former PN were stacked in several layers and, in accordance with the hypothesis, partially expressed typical features of the perineurial cells (PC): pinocytotic vesicles, short fragments of basal lamina and tight junctions. Migrant SC induced formation of pseudo-minifascicles even in the epineurium. In these, SC organized the adjacent fibroblasts into a multilayered circular sheath, and induced their partial differentiation towards perineurial cells. Further experiments demonstrated that regenerating axons are required for complete morphological differentiation of the regenerated perineurial cells either in the orthotopic PN or in minifascicles. [source] The Wenlock Cyrtograptus species of the Builth Wells District, central WalesPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Mark Williams The Wenlock sequence of the Builth Wells district, central Wales is dominated by long-ranging Monograptus, Pristiograptus and Monoclimacis species. Cyrtograptus species, which underpin the graptolite biozonation, represent only about 10 per cent of recovered individuals. Ten Cyrtograptus species are present, most being zonal index species for the Builth district or other Wenlock sequences. Redescription of these Cyrtograptus species and comparison with all pertinent type material indicates that: the early Wenlock Cyrtograptus insectus, C. centrifugus and C. murchisoni are best distinguished by means of first whorl diameter, sicula length and differences of cladial development; mid Wenlock Cyrtograptus rigidus may bear a secondary cladium, but at Builth there are no stratigraphically discrete subspecies; Cyrtograptus linnarssoni is known only from its type locality; the long, gracile proximal part of the rhabdosome of C. ellesae facilitates its distinction from C. perneri, with which it has been confused, and indicates similarities to C. ramosus and C. lundgreni. Differences in the ranges of key Cyrtograptus species present problems for correlation between the lundgreni Biozone of the Builth district and the perneri-ramosus and lundgreni biozones of central Europe. The low diversity and abundance of the cyrtograptid fauna of the Builth district, compared to those of Arctic Canada and the Czech Republic, suggests relatively inhospitable conditions for graptolites. [source] Behavior of flagella and flagellar root systems in the planozygotes and settled zygotes of the green alga Bryopsis maxima Okamura (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) with reference to spatial arrangement of eyespot and cell fusion sitePHYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Shinichi Miyamura SUMMARY Behaviors of male and female gametes, planozygotes and their microtubular cytoskeletons of a marine green alga Bryopsis maxima Okamura were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-speed video microscopy, and anti-tubulin immunofluorescence microscopy. After fusion of the biflagellate male and female gametes, two sets of basal bodies lay side by side in the planozygote. Four long female microtubular roots extended from the basal bodies to the cell posterior. Four short male roots extended to nearly half the distance to the posterior end. Two flagella, one each from the male and female gametes, become a pair. Specifically, the no. 2 flagellum of the female gamete and one male flagellum point to the right side of the eyespot of the female gamete, which is located at the cell posterior and which is associated with 2s and 2d roots of the female gamete. This spatial relationship of the flagella, microtubular roots, and the eyespot in the planozygote is retained until settlement. During forward swimming, the planozygote swings the flagella backward and moves by flagellar beating. The male and female flagella in the pair usually beat synchronously. The cell withdraws the flagella and becomes round when the planozygote settles to the substratum 20 min after mixing. The axoneme and microtubular roots depolymerize, except for the proximal part and the basal bodies. Subsequently, distinct arrays of cortical microtubules develop in zygotes until 30 min after mixing. These results are discussed with respect to the functional significance of the spatial relationships of flagellar apparatus-eyespot-cell fusion sites in the mating gametes and planozygote of green algae. [source] Number of Spermatozoa in the Crypts of the Sperm Reservoir at About 24 h After a Low-Dose Intrauterine and Deep Intrauterine Insemination in SowsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2010P Tummaruk Contents The aim of this study was to investigate the number of spermatozoa in the crypts of the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) and the oviduct of sows approximately 24 h after intrauterine insemination (IUI) and deep intrauterine insemination (DIUI) and compared with that of conventional artificial insemination (AI). Fifteen crossbred Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) multiparous sows were used in the experiment. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed every 4 h to examine the time of ovulation in relation to oestrous behaviour. The sows were inseminated with a single dose of diluted fresh semen by the AI (n = 5), IUI (n = 5) and DIUI (n = 5) at approximately 6,8 h prior to the expected time of ovulation, during the second oestrus after weaning. The sperm dose contained 3000 × 106 spermatozoa in 100 ml for AI, 1,000 × 106 spermatozoa in 50 ml for IUI and 150 × 106 spermatozoa in 5 ml for DIUI. The sows were anaesthetized and ovario-hysterectomized approximately 24 h after insemination. The oviducts and the proximal part of the uterine horns (1 cm) on each side of the reproductive tracts were collected. The section was divided into four parts, i.e. UTJ, caudal isthmus, cranial isthmus and ampulla. The spermatozoa in the lumen in each part were flushed several times with phosphate buffer solution. After flushing, the UTJ and all parts of the oviducts were immersed in a 10% neutral buffered formalin solution. The UTJ and each part of the oviducts were cut into four equal parts and embedded in a paraffin block. The tissue sections were transversely sectioned to a thickness of 5 ,m. Every fifth serial section was mounted and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The total number of spermatozoa from 32 sections in each parts of the tissue (16 sections from the left side and 16 sections from the right side) was determined under light microscope. The results reveal that most of the spermatozoa in the histological section were located in groups in the epithelial crypts. The means of the total number of spermatozoa in the sperm reservoir (UTJ and caudal isthmus) were 2296, 729 and 22 cells in AI, IUI and DIUI groups, respectively (p < 0.01). The spermatozoa were found on both sides of the sperm reservoir in all sows in the AI and the IUI groups. For the DIUI group, spermatozoa were not found on any side of the sperm reservoir in three out of five sows, found in unilateral side of the sperm reservoir in one sow and found in both sides of the sperm reservoir in one sow. No spermatozoa were found in the cranial isthmus, while only one spermatozoon was found in the ampulla part of a sow in the IUI group. In conclusion, DIUI resulted in a significantly lower number of spermatozoa in the sperm reservoir approximately 24 h after insemination compared with AI and IUI. Spermatozoa could be obtained from both sides of the sperm reservoir after AI and IUI but in one out of five sows inseminated by DIUI. [source] The circulative pathway of begomoviruses in the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci, insights from studies with Tomato yellow leaf curl virusANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002HENRYK CZOSNEK Summary Our current knowledge concerning the transmission of begomoviruses by the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci is based mainly on research performed on the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) complex and on a number of viruses originating from the Old World, such as Tomato leaf curl virus, and from the New World, including Abutilon mosaic virus, Tomato mottle virus, and Squash leaf curl virus. In this review we discuss the characteristics of acquisition, transmission and retention of begomoviruses by the whitefly vector, concentrating on the TYLCV complex, based on both published and recent unpublished data. We describe the cells and organs encountered by begomoviruses in B. tabaci. We show immunolocalisation of TYLCV to the B. tabaci stylet food canal and to the proximal part of the descending midgut, and TYLCV-specific labelling was also associated with food in the lumen. The microvilli and electron-dense material in the epithelial cells of the gut wall were also labelled by the anti TYLCV serum, pointing to a possible virus translocation route through the gut wall and to a putative site of long-term virus storage. We describe the path of begomoviruses in their vector B. tabaci and in the non-vector whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and we follow the rate of virus translocation in these insects. We discuss TYLCV transmission between B. tabaci during mating, probably by exchange of haemolymph. We show that following a short acquisition access to infected tomato plants, TYLCV remains associated with the B. tabaci vector for weeks, while the virus is undetectable after a few hours in the non-vector T. vaporariorum. The implications of the long-term association of TYLCV with B. tabaci in the light of interactions of the begomovirus with insect receptors are discussed. [source] Sperm motility and seminal plasma characteristics in Barbus sharpeyi (Günther, 1874)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Sayyed Mohammad Hadi Alavi Abstract Spermatozoa concentration, ionic composition, osmolality, glucose and total protein contents of seminal plasma and sperm motility were determined in Barbus sharpeyi (Cyprinidae, Teleosotei). Spermatozoa concentration ranged from 9.77 to 20.20 × 109 spermatozoa mL,1. Osmolality (mOsmol kg,1) and ionic contents (mM L,1) of the seminal plasma were 274.5±9.0, 70.0±3.4 Na+, 28.8±0.9 K+, 101.7±3.1 Cl,, 0.9±0.1 Mg2+ and 2.1±0.1 Ca2+ respectively. Total protein and glucose were 5.3±0.2 g L,1 and 76.7±4.3 mM L,1 respectively. Sperm motility was initiated in a hypo-osmotic condition, composed of either an ionic (KCl or NaCl) or a non-ionic (sucrose) activation medium. Duration of sperm motility was very short: <2 min after activation in distilled water. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher in an activation medium containing NaCl compared with that of distilled water. An activating medium containing NaCl or KCl higher than 150 mM or sucrose higher than 275 mM totally inhibited the activation of sperm motility. Immediately after sperm activation, wave(s) propagated along the flagellum, but waves were restricted to the proximal part of the flagellum (close to the head) at 1 min post activation. Studied characteristics in the present study were compared with those of other cyprinids for understanding inter-species differences. [source] Late Cenozoic structural and stratigraphic evolution of the northern Chinese Tian Shan forelandBASIN RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010Honghua Lu ABSTRACT Three successive zones of fault-related folds disrupt the proximal part of the northern Tian Shan foreland in NW China. A new magnetostratigraphy of the Taxi He section on the north limb of the Tugulu anticline in the middle deformed zone clarifies the chronology of both tectonic deformation and depositional evolution of this collisional mountain belt. Our ,1200-m-thick section encompasses the upper Cenozoic terrigenous sequence within which ,300 sampling horizons yield an age span of ,8,2 Ma. Although the basal age in the Taxi He section of the Xiyu conglomerate (often cited as an indicator of initial deformation) is ,2.1 Ma, much earlier growth of the Tugulu anticline is inferred from growth strata dated at ,6.0 Ma. Folding of Neogene strata and angular unconformities in anticlines in the more proximal and distal deformed zones indicate deformation during Miocene and Early Pleistocene times, respectively. In the Taxi He area, sediment-accumulation rates significantly accelerate at ,4 Ma, apparently in response to encroaching thrust loads. Together, growth strata, angular unconformities, and sediment-accumulation rates document the northward migration of tectonic deformation into the northern Tian Shan foreland basin during the late Cenozoic. A progradational alluvial,lacustrine system associated with this northward progression is subdivided into two facies associations at Tugulu: a shallow lacustrine environment before ,5.9 Ma and an alluvial fan environment subsequently. The lithofacies progradation encompasses the time-transgressive Xiyu conglomerate deposits, which should only be recognized as a lithostratigraphic unit. Along the length of the foreland, the locus of maximum shortening shifts between the medial and proximal zones of folding, whereas the total shortening across the foreland remains quite homogeneous along strike, suggesting spatially steady tectonic forcing since late Miocene times. [source] Carbonate sedimentation in a starved pull-apart basin, Middle to Late Devonian, southern Guilin, South ChinaBASIN RESEARCH, Issue 2 2001D. Chen ABSTRACT Geological mapping and sedimentological investigations in the Guilin region, South China, have revealed a spindle- to rhomb-shaped basin filled with Devonian shallow- to deep-water carbonates. This Yangshuo Basin is interpreted as a pull-apart basin created through secondary, synthetic strike-slip faulting induced by major NNE,SSW-trending, sinistral strike-slip fault zones. These fault zones were initially reactivated along intracontinental basement faults in the course of northward migration of the South China continent. The nearly N,S-trending margins of the Yangshuo Basin, approximately coinciding with the strike of regional fault zones, were related to the master strike-slip faults; the NW,SE-trending margins were related to parallel, oblique-slip extensional faults. Nine depositional sequences recognized in Givetian through Frasnian strata can be grouped into three sequence sets (Sequences 1,2, 3,5 and 6,9), reflecting three major phases of basin evolution. During basin nucleation, most basin margins were dominated by stromatoporoid biostromes and bioherms, upon a low-gradient shelf. Only at the steep, fault-controlled, eastern margin were thick stromatoporoid reefs developed. The subsequent progressive offset and pull-apart of the master strike-slip faults during the late Givetian intensified the differential subsidence and produced a spindle-shaped basin. The accelerated subsidence of the basin centre led to sediment starvation, reduced current circulation and increased environmental stress, leading to the extensive development of microbial buildups on platform margins and laminites in the basin centre. Stromatoporoid reefs only survived along the windward, eastern margin for a short time. The architectures of the basin margins varied from aggradation (or slightly backstepping) in windward positions (eastern and northern margins) to moderate progradation in leeward positions. A relay ramp was present in the north-west corner between the northern oblique fault zone and the proximal part of the western master fault. In the latest Givetian (corresponding to the top of Sequence 5), a sudden subsidence of the basin induced by further offset of the strike-slip faults was accompanied by the rapid uplift of surrounding carbonate platforms, causing considerable platform-margin collapse, slope erosion, basin deepening and the demise of the microbialites. Afterwards, stromatoporoid reefs were only locally restored on topographic highs along the windward margin. However, a subsequent, more intense basin subsidence in the early Frasnian (top of Sequence 6), which was accompanied by a further sharp uplift of platforms, caused more profound slope erosion and platform backstepping. Poor circulation and oxygen-depleted waters in the now much deeper basin centre led to the deposition of chert, with silica supplied by hydrothermal fluids through deep-seated faults. Two ,subdeeps' were diagonally arranged in the distal parts of the master faults, and the relay ramp was destroyed. At this time, all basin margins except the western one evolved into erosional types with gullies through which granular platform sediments were transported by gravity flows to the basin. This situation persisted into the latest Frasnian. This case history shows that the carbonate platform architecture and evolution in a pull-apart basin were not only strongly controlled by the tectonic activity, but also influenced by the oceanographic setting (i.e. windward vs. leeward) and environmental factors. [source] Folinic acid protects against suppression of growth by Methotrexate in miceBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 4 2001M. Perwaiz Iqbal Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate whether folinic acid supplementation would protect young mice against suppression of growth by methotrexate (MTX). Four equal groups of Balb/c young male mice (5 animals in each group; mean±SD body weight 9.64±0.85 g, in their rapid growth phase) were subjected to the following drug treatment: One group was given MTX (3.5 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally on every 2nd day, another received folinic acid (7.0 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally every 2nd day. The third group was given both of these drugs (MTX on every 2nd day and folinic acid 8 h post-MTX injection). The fourth group was injected with physiological saline every other day to serve as a control group. Total body weight, food and water consumption by animals in each group were monitored every second day for a period of 3 weeks. After this period mice were sacrificed and liver, spleen and kidneys were excised, weighed and analyzed for MTX and dihydrofolate reductase activity. A small segment of the proximal part of small intestine and small pieces of liver and kidney were also removed to study morphological changes. Compared to the groups, which received folinic acid alone, folinic acid plus MTX or physiological saline, mean increase in body weight (6.8±0.8 g) of mice over a period of 3 weeks was minimal in the group receiving MTX alone (one-way ANOVA p=0.0001). The mean weights of liver and kidney in this group receiving MTX alone were also found to be significantly less than the mean weights of these organs in the 3 groups (p<0.001). The negative effect on growth of animals appears not only due to malabsorption but inhibition of pathway of de novo DNA synthesis may also be involved. This is supported by loss of villous pattern in small intestine of mice treated with MTX alone and increased accumulation of free MTX and decreased dihydrofolate reductase in the liver of the group receiving MTX alone as compared with the group receiving MTX plus folinic acid. The data indicate that the administration of folinic acid protects mice against suppression of growth by MTX. On the basis of these observations it can be deduced that patients suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receiving MTX over a long period of time might be at a risk of experiencing short-term suppression of growth, however they could benefit from supplementation with folinic acid. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Angioarchitecture of the venous and capillary system in heart defects induced by retinoic acid in mice,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 7 2009Anna Ratajska Abstract BACKGROUND: Corrosion casting and immunohistochemical staining with anti-alpha smooth muscle actin and anti-CD34 was utilized to demonstrate the capillary plexus and venous system in control and malformed mouse hearts. METHODS: Outflow tract malformations (e.g., double outlet right ventricle, transposition of the great arteries, and common truncus arteriosus) were induced in progeny of pregnant mice by retinoic acid administration at day 8.5 of pregnancy. RESULTS: Although control hearts exhibited areas in which capillaries tended to be oriented in parallel arrays, the orientation of capillaries in the respective areas of malformed hearts was chaotic and disorganized. The major branch of a conal vein in control hearts runs usually from the left side of the conus to its right side at the root of the pulmonary trunk and opens to the right atrium below the right auricle; thus, it has a curved course. On the other hand, a conal vein in malformed hearts courses from the left side or from the anterior side of the conus and tends to traverse straight upwards along the dextroposed aorta or along the aortopulmonary groove with its proximal part located outside of the heart. Other cardiac veins in outflow tract malformations are positioned in the same locations as in control hearts. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that the changed location of the conal vein and disorganized capillary plexus result from malformed morphogenesis of the outflow tract and/or a disturbed regulation of angiogenic growth factor release from the adjacent environment. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Heterogeneity of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) contractile and relaxing receptors in horse penile small arteriesBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 8 2004Dolores Prieto The distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunorective nerves and the receptors involved in the effects of NPY upon electrical field stimulation (EFS)- and noradrenaline (NA)-elicited contractions were investigated in horse penile small arteries. NPY-immunoreactive nerves were widely distributed in the erectile tissues with a particularly high density around penile intracavernous small arteries. In small arteries isolated from the proximal part of the corpora cavernosa, NPY (30 nM) produced a variable modest enhancement of the contractions elicited by both EFS and NA. At the same concentration, the NPY Y1 receptor agonist, [Leu31, Pro34]NPY, markedly potentiated responses to EFS and NA, whereas the NPY Y2 receptor agonist, NPY(13,36), enhanced exogenous NA-induced contractions. In arteries precontracted with NA, NPY, peptide YY (PYY), [Leu31, Pro34]NPY and the NPY Y2 receptor agonists, N - acetyl[Leu28,31]NPY (24,36) and NPY(13,36), elicited concentration-dependent contractile responses. Human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) evoked a biphasic response consisting of a relaxation followed by contraction. NPY(3,36), the compound 1229U91 (Ile-Glu-Pro-Dapa-Tyr-Arg-Leu-Arg-Tyr-NH2, cyclic(2,4,)diamide) and eventually NPY(13,36) relaxed penile small arteries. The selective NPY Y1 receptor antagonist BIBP3226 ((R)- N2 -(diphenacetyl)- N -[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]D -arginineamide) (0.3 ,M) shifted to the right the concentration,response curves to both NPY and [Leu31, Pro34]NPY and inhibited the contractions induced by the highest concentrations of hPP but not the relaxations observed at lower doses. In the presence of the selective NPY Y2 receptor antagonist BIIE0246 ((S)- N2-[[1-[2-[4-[(R,S)-5,11-dihydro-6(6h)-oxodibenz[b,e]azepin-11-y1]-1-piperazinyl]-2-oxoethyl]cyclo-pentyl- N -[2-[1,2-dihydro,3,5 (4H)-dioxo-1,2-diphenyl-3H -1,2, 4-triazol-4-yl]ethyl]-argininamide) (0.3 ,M), the Y2 receptor agonists NPY(13,36) and N - acetyl[Leu28,31]NPY (24,36) evoked potent slow relaxations in NA-precontracted arteries, under conditions of nitric oxide (NO) synthase blockade. Mechanical removal of the endothelium markedly enhanced contractions of NPY on NA-precontracted arteries, whereas blockade of the neuronal voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels did not alter NPY responses. These results demonstrate that NPY can elicit dual contractile/relaxing responses in penile small arteries through a heterogeneous population of postjunctional NPY receptors. Potentiation of the contractions evoked by NA involve both NPY Y1 and NPY Y2 receptors. An NO-independent relaxation probably mediated by an atypical endothelial NPY receptor is also shown and unmasked in the presence of selective antagonists of the NPY contractile receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 976,986. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706005 [source] A Novel Renal Carcinoma Predisposing Gene of the Nihon Rat Maps on Chromosome 10CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 11 2001Okio Hino A novel rat model of hereditary renal cell carcinoma (RC) was found in a rat colony of the Spra-gue-Dawley (SD) strain in Japan, and named the "Nihon" rat in 2000. This study was designed to map the RC susceptibility gene in the Nihon rat using 113 backcross annuals. Our present data clearly show that the Nihon gene is genetically linked to interleukin-3 (IL3) gene (,2=93.6, Lod score=25.16), lethal (2) giant larvae (LLGL1) locus (,2=109.0, Lod score=31.56) and myosin heavy chain, embryonic skeletal muscle (MYHSE) gene (,2=90.6, Lod score=23.87), which are located on the distal part of rat chromosome 10. The order of the genes is the Eker (Tsc2) gene (located on the proximal part of rat chromosome 10; human chromosome 16p 13.3),21.3 cM,IL3 gene (human 5q23-31),4.4 cM,Nihon gene,0.9 cM,LLGL1 locus (human 17p11.2)-4.4 cM,MYHSE gene (human 17pl3.1). We also detected loss of the wild-type allele at the MYHSE locus, fitting Knudson's "two hit" model. Thus, the Nihon rat should have a mutation of a novel tumor suppressor gene related to renal carcinogenesis. [source] Three-headed biceps brachii muscle associated with duplicated musculocutaneous nerveCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 5 2005Marwan F. Abu-Hijleh Abstract A unilateral three-headed biceps brachii muscle coinciding with an unusual variant of the musculocutaneous nerve was found during routine dissection of a 79-year-old male cadaver. The supernumerary bicipital head originated from the antero-medial surface of the humerus just beyond the insertion of the coracobrachialis, and inserted into the conjoined tendon of biceps brachii. Associated with this muscular variant was a duplicated musculocutaneous nerve. The proximal musculocutaneous nerve conformed to the normal pattern only in its proximal part, and terminated after innervating the coracobrachialis and biceps brachii muscles. The distal musculocutaneous nerve arose from the median nerve in the lower arm, then passed laterally between the supernumerary bicipital head and the brachialis muscles, supplying both and terminating as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm. The supernumerary bicipital head and the accompanying anomaly of the musculocutaneous nerve seem to be unique in literature. Clin. Anat. 18:376,379, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Muscle variations and abnormal branching and course of the ulnar nerve in the forearm and handCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 1 2004M.C. Bozkurt Abstract During dissection of the right forearm of a 27-year-old female cadaver, variations in the form and insertion of the palmaris longus muscle were observed. The tendon of the palmaris longus muscle, which demonstrated a centrally placed belly, split into two tendons: one inserted into the palmar aponeurosis and the other into the proximal part of the flexor retinaculum. Additionally, we found an accessory muscle extending between the flexor retinaculum and the tendon of the abductor digiti minimi muscle. This accessory muscle was located deep to the ulnar artery but superficial to the superficial and deep branches of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. Finally, an aberrant branch of the ulnar nerve was identified in the forearm; it traveled distally alongside the ulnar artery and in the palm demonstrated communications with common palmar digital nerves from the ulnar and the median nerves. No variations were observed in the contralateral upper limb. Clin. Anat. 17:64,66, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Altered course of the right testicular arteryCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 1 2004M. Bülent Özdemir Abstract An unusual course of the right testicular artery was observed during routine dissection of the posterior abdominal wall of a 60-year-old male cadaver. It arose from the abdominal aorta, inferior and posterior to the origin of the right renal artery, and passed posterior to the inferior vena cava and right renal vein; it then arched anterior to the inferior pole of the right kidney and descended anterior to the psoas major muscle, crossing anterior to the genitofemoral nerve, ureter and the proximal part of the external iliac artery. Finally, it passed to the deep inguinal ring and through the inguinal canal to enter the spermatic cord with the other constituents. The left testicular artery arose from the abdominal aorta about 1 cm higher than the right testicular artery and followed a normal course. The embryologic basis and clinical importance of this case are discussed. Clin. Anat. 17:67,69, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Transient global left ventricular dysfunction in a localized myocardial infarction related to occlusion of the distal left anterior descending arteryCLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Seong Bo Yoon M.D. Abstract In some patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), wall motion in the noninfarcted area declines globally despite localized myocardial damage. In most, an infarct-related lesion is the proximal part of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Previous studies have reported that hypo-kinesis of remote myocardium may be related to multivessel disease, impaired coronary flow, or coronary flow reserve in nonculprit arteries. This report describes the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with severe global left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after an acute MI associated with distal LAD occlusion. Follow-up echocardiographic examination revealed nearly normalized LV function 5 days after the episode. We discuss a plausible mechanism of dysfunction of noninfarcted myocardium. [source] Modularity of the rodent mandible: Integrating bones, muscles, and teethEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2008Miriam Leah Zelditch Summary Several models explain how a complex integrated system like the rodent mandible can arise from multiple developmental modules. The models propose various integrating mechanisms, including epigenetic effects of muscles on bones. We test five for their ability to predict correlations found in the individual (symmetric) and fluctuating asymmetric (FA) components of shape variation. We also use exploratory methods to discern patterns unanticipated by any model. Two models fit observed correlation matrices from both components: (1) parts originating in same mesenchymal condensation are integrated, (2) parts developmentally dependent on the same muscle form an integrated complex as do those dependent on teeth. Another fits the correlations observed in FA: each muscle insertion site is an integrated unit. However, no model fits well, and none predicts the complex structure found in the exploratory analyses, best described as a reticulated network. Furthermore, no model predicts the correlation between proximal parts of the condyloid and coronoid, which can exceed the correlations between proximal and distal parts of the same process. Additionally, no model predicts the correlation between molar alveolus and ramus and/or angular process, one of the highest correlations found in the FA component. That correlation contradicts the basic premise of all five developmental models, yet it should be anticipated from the epigenetic effects of mastication, possibly the primary morphogenetic process integrating the jaw coupling forces generated by muscle contraction with those experienced at teeth. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||