Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Novel Finding (novel + finding)
Selected AbstractsA Novel Finding,Isolated Marshall's Ligament Rhythm After Catheter Ablation and Reconnection of the Marshall's Ligament with the Left Atrium After an Adenosine Bolus in One Patient with Atrial FibrillationJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2007TA-CHUAN TUAN M.D. No abstract is available for this article. [source] Brain dysmorphology in individuals with severe prenatal alcohol exposureDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2001Sarah L Archibald MA Our previous studies revealed abnormalities on structural MRI (sMRI) in small groups of children exposed to alcohol prenatally. Microcephaly, disproportionately reduced basal ganglia volume, and abnormalities of the cerebellar vermis and corpus callosum were demonstrated. The present study used sMRI to examine in detail the regional pattern of brain hypoplasia resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol using a higher resolution imaging protocol and larger sample sizes than reported previously. Fourteen participants (mean 11.4 years; eight females, six males) with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and 12 participants (mean 14.8 years; four females, eight males) with prenatal exposure to alcohol (PEA) but without the facial features of FAS were compared to a group of 41 control participants (mean 12.8 years, 20 females, 21 males). Findings of significant microcephaly and disproportionately reduced basal ganglia volumes in the FAS group were confirmed. Novel findings were that in FAS participants, white matter volumes were more affected than gray matter volumes in the cerebrum, and parietal lobes were more affected than temporal and occipital lobes. Among subcortical structures, in contrast to the disproportionate effects on caudate nucleus, the hippocampus was relatively preserved in FAS participants. Differences between the PEA group and controls were generally non-significant; however, among a few of the structures most affected in FAS participants, there was some evidence for volume reduction in PEA participants as well, specifically in basal ganglia and the parietal lobe. There were no group differences in cerebral volume asymmetries. Severe prenatal alcohol exposure appears to produce a specific pattern of brain hypoplasia. [source] Novel findings in two patients with late-diagnosed afibrinogenaemia: intraosseous haemorrhage and fingertip necrosisHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 4 2009M. ERLACHER No abstract is available for this article. [source] Distribution and Correlates of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 in an Elderly Cohort: The Cardiovascular Health StudyJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 5 2008Curt D. Furberg MD OBJECTIVES: To determine whether high levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) are associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to evaluate factors most influencing Lp-PLA2 levels in a community-based cohort of older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a population-based cohort study of men and women aged 65 and older. PARTICIPANTS: Five thousand five hundred thirty-one CHS participants. MEASUREMENTS: Levels of Lp-PLA2 activity were determined using stored blood samples from the baseline examination. RESULTS: Mean Lp-PLA2 was higher in participants with electrocardiographically determined ventricular conduction defect and major Q-wave abnormality and was positively correlated with left ventricular (LV) mass. It was high in those with echocardiographically determined abnormal LV ejection fraction, which persisted after adjustment. Mean Lp-PLA2 was also higher in participants with mild renal insufficiency and kidney disease. After multivariable adjustment, there was a modest but significant 27% greater risk of prevalent CHF per standard deviation increment of Lp-PLA2 and a modest but significant 12% greater risk of prevalent myocardial infarction. Lp-PLA2 was weakly but mainly most strongly correlated with cholesterol and lipoproteins, but those correlations were not especially strong. Lp-PLA2 was weakly positively correlated with soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 but not interleukin-6. In total, all factors considered could explain only 29% of Lp-PLA2 activity. CONCLUSION: Novel findings in the study are the associations, in those aged 65 and older, between Lp-PLA2 activity and LV dysfunction, CHF, and renal disease. CVD risk factors only minimally explain levels of Lp-PLA2. [source] Molecular basis for detection of invading pathogens in the brainJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008Jeppe Falsig Abstract Classical immunology textbooks have described the central nervous system as an immune-privileged site, i.e., as devoid of inflammatory and host-vs.-graft immunoreactions. This view has been refined, since we now know that hematopoietic cells infiltrate the CNS under certain circumstances and that CNS-resident cells are capable of launching an innate immune response. Microglia cells express an extensive repertoire of pattern-recognition receptors and act as sentinels surveilling the CNS for possible damage or infection. Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the brain, and they are capable of launching a strong supportive innate immune response. Novel findings show that both astrocytes and, surprisingly, even neurons express pattern-recognition receptors. Activation of these receptors leads to a functional response, indicating that cells other than microglia are capable of initiating a primary innate immune response against CNS-invading pathogens. Here, we put these findings into context with what has been learned from recent in vitro and in vivo experiments about the initiation of an innate immune response in the brain. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Gastroduodenal reflux induces group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 expression and activity in murine esophagusDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 5 2010David Mauchley SUMMARY Exposure of esophageal epithelium to gastric and duodenal contents results in the histologic changes of hyperproliferation and mucosal thickening. We have previously shown that presence of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) is necessary to produce these histologic changes in a murine model of gastroduodenal reflux. We sought to determine the influence of gastroduodenal reflux (GDR) on sPLA2 protein and mRNA levels as well as enzyme activity in esophageal tissue. BALB/c (sPLA2+/+) mice (n= 28) underwent side-to-side surgical anastomosis of the first portion of the duodenum and GE junction (DGEA) resulting in continuous exposure of esophageal mucosa to mixed gastric and duodenal contents. Sham control mice (n= 14) underwent laparotomy, esophagotomy and closure. Real-time RT PCR was used to quantitate the influence of GDR on group IIa sPLA2 expression. Immunofluorescent staining was quantitated by digital microscopy using a specific antibody to identify and locate sPLA2 protein. A colorimetric assay was used to quantify total sPLA2 activity after standardization of protein levels. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student's t -test. Group IIa sPLA2 mRNA and protein levels were increased at 4 and 8 weeks compared with sham controls. This increase occurred in a time-dependent manner and correlated with esophageal mucosal thickness. Furthermore, sPLA2 enzyme activity was increased significantly at 4 and 8 weeks compared with untreated controls. The expression of group IIa sPLA2 as well as sPLA2 activity is induced by GDR. This novel finding indicates that sPLA2 may play a role in the development of the histologic changes produced by GDR in esophageal mucosa. [source] Bacteria in oral secretions of an endophytic insect inhibit antagonistic fungiECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2006YASMIN J. CARDOZA Abstract 1.,Colonisation of host trees by an endophytic herbivore, the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis, is accompanied by invasion of its galleries by a number of fungal species. Four of these associated species were identified as Leptographium abietinum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nomius, and Trichoderma harzianum. 2.,Trichoderma and Aspergillus significantly reduced spruce beetle survival and reproduction in controlled assays. 3.,A previously undescribed behaviour was observed, in which spruce beetle adults exuded oral secretions, especially within fungus-pervaded galleries. 4.,These oral secretions inhibited the growth of fungi except A. nomius, and disrupted the morphology of the latter. Administration of these secretions indicated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect. 5.,Oral secretions cultured on microbiological media yielded substantial bacterial growth. 6.,Filter-sterilised secretions failed to inhibit fungal growth, evidence that the bacteria are responsible for the antifungal activity. 7.,Nine bacterial isolates belonging to the Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Gammaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria taxa were obtained from the secretions. 8.,Bacterial isolates showed species-specific inhibitory activity against the four fungi antagonistic to spruce beetle. The bacterium with the strongest fungal inhibition activity was the actinomycete Micrococcus luteus. 9.,The production of bark beetle secretions containing bacteria that inhibit fungal growth is a novel finding. This suggests an additional level of complexity to ecological associations among bark beetles, conifers, and microorganisms, and an important adaptation for colonising subcortical tissue. [source] Predictive and reactive co-ordination of grip and load forces in bimanual lifting in manEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 8 2003R. Martyn Bracewell Abstract We investigated the intra- and inter-manual coordination of grip force (GF) and load force (LF) during bimanual lifting and holding of a single object. In a voluntary task involving lifting a predictable load (Experiment 1), we showed scaling of GF to LF generated by either hand, similar to effects seen in previous unimanual studies. Moreover, the GF rates generated by the two hands were correlated. In part this correlation was due to the correlation between the LF rates. However, the GF rates remained correlated when the effects of the correlation in LF rates were partialled out. This novel finding suggests an additional co-ordinative constraint at the level of specification of GFs. As a contrast to the predictable loading in the first experiment, in the second experiment loading was temporally unpredictable and elicited reactive increases in GF. In Experiment 2, the intermanual correlation of GF rates was stronger than in Experiment 1. We speculate that this result reflects greater degrees of co-ordinative constraint at lower levels in the motor control hierarchy. [source] Expression of cardiotoxin-2 geneFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2001Cloning, characterization, deletion analysis of the promoter This report is the first study of the regulation of expression of a toxin gene and it also demonstrates the novel finding that the cardiotoxin (CTX)-2 gene from Naja sputatrix is expressed in the venom gland as well as in other tissues in the snake, such as liver, heart and muscle. The venom gland produces a 500-bp (spliced) CTX-2 mRNA as the final transcript. However, the liver produces two types of CTX-2 mRNA, of which the unspliced transcript (1 kb) is predominant; the 500 bp spliced transcript is the minor species. This differential expression of the CTX gene has been attributed to the usage of alternative promoter consisting of independent TATA boxes and corresponding transcription initiation sites. Among the several transcription factors that have been identified by a search of the TFIID database, the participation of two glucocorticoid elements in the expression of the CTX gene has been demonstrated by promoter deletion analysis. Putative binding sites for SP-1, C/EBP, CACCC-binding factor and at least two unknown binding factors have also been identified by DNase I footprinting of the promoter. [source] Biodiversity and ecosystem function in soilFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A. H. FITTER Summary 1Soils are one of the last great frontiers for biodiversity research and are home to an extraordinary range of microbial and animal groups. Biological activities in soils drive many of the key ecosystem processes that govern the global system, especially in the cycling of elements such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. 2We cannot currently make firm statements about the scale of biodiversity in soils, or about the roles played by soil organisms in the transformations of organic materials that underlie those cycles. The recent UK Soil Biodiversity Programme (SBP) has brought a unique concentration of researchers to bear on a single soil in Scotland, and has generated a large amount of data concerning biodiversity, carbon flux and resilience in the soil ecosystem. 3One of the key discoveries of the SBP was the extreme diversity of small organisms: researchers in the programme identified over 100 species of bacteria, 350 protozoa, 140 nematodes and 24 distinct types of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Statistical analysis of these results suggests a much greater ,hidden diversity'. In contrast, there was no unusual richness in other organisms, such as higher fungi, mites, collembola and annelids. 4Stable-isotope (13C) technology was used to measure carbon fluxes and map the path of carbon through the food web. A novel finding was the rapidity with which carbon moves through the soil biota, revealing an extraordinarily dynamic soil ecosystem. 5The combination of taxonomic diversity and rapid carbon flux makes the soil ecosystem highly resistant to perturbation through either changing soil structure or removing selected groups of organisms. [source] Spatiotemporal mapping of cortical activity accompanying voluntary movements using an event-related beamforming approachHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 3 2006Douglas Cheyne Abstract We describe a novel spatial filtering approach to the localization of cortical activity accompanying voluntary movements. The synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) minimum-variance beamformer algorithm was used to compute spatial filters three-dimensionally over the entire brain from single trial neuromagnetic recordings of subjects performing self-paced index finger movements. Images of instantaneous source power ("event-related SAM") computed at selected latencies revealed activation of multiple cortical motor areas prior to and following left and right index finger movements in individual subjects, even in the presence of low-frequency noise (e.g., eye movements). A slow premovement motor field (MF) reaching maximal amplitude ,50 ms prior to movement onset was localized to the hand area of contralateral precentral gyrus, followed by activity in the contralateral postcentral gyrus at 40 ms, corresponding to the first movement-evoked field (MEFI). A novel finding was a second activation of the precentral gyrus at a latency of ,150 ms, corresponding to the second movement-evoked field (MEFII). Group averaging of spatially normalized images indicated additional premovement activity in the ipsilateral precentral gyrus and the left inferior parietal cortex for both left and right finger movements. Weaker activations were also observed in bilateral premotor areas and the supplementary motor area. These results show that event-related beamforming provides a robust method for studying complex patterns of time-locked cortical activity accompanying voluntary movements, and offers a new approach for the localization of multiple cortical sources derived from neuromagnetic recordings in single subject and group data. Hum. Brain Mapping 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Transcriptional profiling on chromosome 19p indicated frequent downregulation of ACP5 expression in hepatocellular carcinomaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2005Kathy Y.-Y. Abstract Chromosomal rearrangements unraveled by spectral karyotyping (SKY) indicated frequent chromosome 19 translocations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In an effort to characterize the aberrant 19 rearrangements in HCC, we performed positional mapping by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in 10 HCC cell lines. SKY analysis indicated structural rearrangements of chromosome 19 in 6 cell lines, 4 of which demonstrated recurring 19p translocations with different partner chromosomes. Using fluorescence-labeled BAC probes, physical mapping indicated a breakpoint cluster between 19p13.12 and 19p12. A corresponding transcriptional mapping by cDNA array on 19p suggested the differential expression of a single downregulated gene ACP5 (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase type 5). Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the reduced expression of ACP5 and indicated a strong correlation of its repressed expression only in cell lines that contain a 19p rearrangement (p = 0.004). We further examined the expression of ACP5 in a cohort of 82 primary tumors and 74 matching nonmalignant liver tissues. In the primary HCC examined, a reduction of ACP5 transcripts by 2 to as much as 1,000-fold was suggested in 67% of tumors (55/82 cases). When compared to adjacent nonmalignant tissues, 46% of tumors (34/74 cases) demonstrated a lower expression level (p = 0.015). On closer examination, a high significance of ACP5 repression was suggested in the cirrhotic HCC subgroup that was derived from chronic hepatitis B infected patients (55%; 30/54 cases; p = 0.001). Functional examination of ACP5 ectopic expression in HCC cells further demonstrated a significant growth inhibitory effect of ACP5 on tumor cell survival (p < 0.001). In our study, the novel finding of common ACP5 downregulation in HCC may provide basis for further investigations on the role of acid phosphatase in hepatocarcinogenesis. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Patterns of reproductive effort and success in birds: path analyses of long-term data from European ducksJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Peter Blums Summary 1We tested ecological hypotheses about timing of breeding and reproductive effort in birds, by analysing > 15-year data sets for individually marked females in three species of Latvian ducks (northern shoveler, tufted duck, common pochard). 2Duckling survival and recruitment declined with advancing hatch date in pochard and tufted duck, after controlling for effects of female age and other factors with path analysis, a novel finding which indicates that fitness advantages associated with early hatching extended beyond the prefledging period. Logistic regression analysis suggested further that individual duckling prefledging survival was moderate in the earliest phase of the breeding season, greatest in mid-season and lowest later on. 3However, selection acting against early hatched ducklings was surpassed by strong directional selection favouring recruitment of the earliest hatching females. The absolute and relative numbers of female recruits produced by a breeding female declined sharply with advancing hatch date in all species. 4Unlike previous studies, an hypothesized intraspecific trade-off between duckling mass and brood size was detected, being very robust in two of three species. 5Unexpectedly, female age effects on recruitment were manifested only indirectly by several pathways, the most important being the earlier hatching dates of older females. Size-adjusted body mass (i.e. condition index) was positively related to reproductive success, and was 2,8-fold more influential than female size (indexed by wing length). 6Overall, fecundity-independent variables (e.g. hatching date, weather, indices of duckling production and habitat quality) generally had 2,10 times greater influence on recruitment rates than did fecundity-dependent variables such as female size or condition, duckling mass and brood size, suggesting a critical role for external environmental factors vs. individual female-specific traits in the recruitment process. [source] A novel finding that Streptomyces clavuligerus can produce the antibiotic clavulanic acid using olive oil as a sole carbon sourceJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008G. Efthimiou Abstract Aims:, This study aims to establish whether commercially available food oils can be used by Streptomyces clavuligerus as sole carbon sources for growth and clavulanic acid production. Methods and results:, Batch cultures in bioreactors showed that Strep. clavuligerus growth and clavulanic acid yields in a P-limited medium containing 0.6% (v/v) olive oil were respectively 2.5- and 2.6-fold higher than in a glycerol-containing medium used as control. Glycerol- and olive oil-grown cells present different macromolecular composition, particularly lipid and protein content. Conclusions:,Streptomyces clavuligerus uses olive oil as the sole carbon and energy source for growth and clavulanic acid production. Yields and production rates in olive oil are comparable to those reported for oil-containing complex media. Differences in yields and in the macromolecular composition indicate that different metabolic pathways convert substrate into product. Significance and impact of the study:, This is the first report of oils being used as the sole carbon source by Strep. clavuligerus. Apart from economic benefits, interesting questions are raised about Strep. clavuligerus physiology. Defined culture media allow physiological studies to be performed in the absence of interference by other compounds. Understanding how Strep. clavuligerus catabolises oils may have an economic impact in clavulanic acid production. [source] Isolation and characterization of a novel copper-inducible metallothionein gene of a ciliate, Tetrahymena tropicalis lahorensisJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2010Raheela Chaudhry Abstract The two isoforms of copper metallothionein (CuMT) gene of a copper resistant ciliate, Tetrahymena tropicalis lahorensis (Ttl), have been isolated and characterized. The molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing of cDNAs coding for the two CuMT isoforms revealed that TtlCuMT1 gene has 300, while TtlCuMT2 has 327 nucleotides, both with ATG as the initiation codon and TGA as the translational termination codon. TAG codes for glutamine in TtlCuMT2 gene which is peculiar to Tetrahymena. The deduced or translated TtlCuMT1 and TtlCuMT2 peptide sequences contain 100 and 108 amino acid residues including 28 and 32 cysteine residues, respectively. The amino acid sequences of TtlCuMT1 and TtlCuMT2 have special features of two and three CXCXXCXCXXCXC intragenic tandem repeats with a conserved structural pattern of cysteine, respectively. The predicted tertiary structures of these two isoforms indicate two domains. Domain I and the initial part of domain II showed >98% homology with other Tetrahymena CuMT. On the basis of the differences in the domain II, the metallothionein subfamily 7b can be divided into two groups, one (TtlCuMT1) comprising >100 amino acids and the other (TtlCuMT2) comprising <100 amino acids. This is a novel finding of the present study as no such report on this type of classification exists at the moment. TtlCuMT1 has 95%, while TtlCuMT2 has 97% resemblance with the previously reported CuMT genes of Tetrahymena spp. SDS-PAGE analysis using fluorescent probe as well as coomassie brilliant blue staining also confirmed the presence of metallothionein. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 630,644, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Multiple mucinous and lipomatous variant of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma associated with spindle cell hemangioma: a novel collision tumor?JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Hae-Woong Lee In most cases, EAH arises as a single lesion; however, multiple variants have been reported. We report a 35-year-old female patient with multiple, sudoriparous, subcutaneous nodules on the right foot, which showed typical histopathological findings of EAH, and vascular components of the tumor consisted of thin-walled dilated vascular spaces intermixed with spindle cells and some histiocytoid endothelial cells representing spindle cell hemangioma (SCH). To our knowledge, the co-existence of EAH with SCH is a novel finding and not yet described. [source] The Hypothalamic Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor and Its Relationship to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones Neurones During Postnatal DevelopmentJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2004S. S. Daftary Abstract Reproduction in vertebrates is controlled by hypophysiotropic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones. Pulsatile GnRH release increases during reproductive development, resulting in the onset and progression of puberty and, ultimately, the acquisition and maintenance of adult reproductive function. These changes in GnRH release are largely due to inputs to GnRH cells from other factors, including the neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Here, molecular studies were undertaken to quantify expression of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) mRNA in the preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus (POA-AH) and mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH)-median eminence (ME), the sites of GnRH perikarya and neuroterminals, respectively. Immunocytochemical studies were also carried out to study the anatomical relationship between the IGF-1R and GnRH neurones. Experiments were performed in a developmental context using neonatal (P5), peripubertal (,P30) and adult (P60) male and female mice. We found that IGF-1R mRNA levels in the POA-AH were significantly different among all age groups, with levels higher at P60 then P5 or ,P30. Levels of IGF-1R mRNA in the MBH-ME were lower at P5 than ,P30 or P60. Qualitative observations suggested that IGF-1R immunoreactivity in POA-AH increased from P5 through P60. Quantitative double-label immunocytochemistry studies showed that GnRH perikarya expressed IGF-1R. Taken together, the results demonstrate expression of, and developmental changes in, IGF-1R gene and protein in brain regions containing GnRH and other neuroendocrine cells. Moreover, the novel finding that the IGF-1R is expressed on GnRH perikarya in vivo suggests a potential direct anatomical locus where IGF-1 can regulate reproductive development and function. [source] Wear mechanisms in metal-on-metal bearings: The importance of tribochemical reaction layersJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Markus A. Wimmer Abstract Metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings are at the forefront in hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Because of their good wear characteristics and design flexibility, MoM bearings are gaining wider acceptance with market share reaching nearly 10% worldwide. However, concerns remain regarding potential detrimental effects of metal particulates and ion release. Growing evidence is emerging that the local cell response is related to the amount of debris generated by these bearing couples. Thus, an urgent clinical need exists to delineate the mechanisms of debris generation to further reduce wear and its adverse effects. In this study, we investigated the microstructural and chemical composition of the tribochemical reaction layers forming at the contacting surfaces of metallic bearings during sliding motion. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy with coupled energy dispersive X-ray and electron energy loss spectroscopy, we found that the tribolayers are nanocrystalline in structure, and that they incorporate organic material stemming from the synovial fluid. This process, which has been termed "mechanical mixing," changes the bearing surface of the uppermost 50 to 200 nm from pure metallic to an organic composite material. It hinders direct metal contact (thus preventing adhesion) and limits wear. This novel finding of a mechanically mixed zone of nanocrystalline metal and organic constituents provides the basis for understanding particle release and may help in identifying new strategies to reduce MoM wear. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:436,443, 2010 [source] Raman microscopic investigation of paint samples from the Rosalila building, Copan, HondurasJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 10 2006Rosemary A. Goodall Abstract Micro-Raman spectroscopy was applied to the study of multiple layered wall paints from the Rosalila temple, Copan, Honduras, which dates to the Middle Classic period (A.D. 520 to 655). Samples of red, green and grey paint and a thick white overcoating were analysed. The paint pigments have been identified as hematite, celadonite or green earth and a combined carbon/mica mixture. By combining Raman spectroscopy with micro-ATR infrared spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), a detailed study has been made of the materials and processes used to make the stucco and paints. The use of green earth as a green pigment on Maya buildings has not been reported before. The combination of carbon and muscovite mica to create a reflective paint is also a novel finding. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Expression studies on a novel type 2B variant of the von Willebrand factor gene (R1308L) characterized by defective collagen bindingJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 12 2005L. BARONCIANI Summary., A novel mutation, R1308L (3923G > T) was present in the heterozygous state in five members of a family with type 2B von Willebrand disease (VWD) characterized by a full set of von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers in plasma and by the absence of thrombocytopenia before and after desmopressin (DDAVP). The defect (R1308L) was located at the same amino acid position of one of the most common mutations associated with type 2B VWD (R1308C), which is characterized by the loss of high molecular weight VWF multimers (HMWM) in plasma and the occurrence of thrombocytopenia. To understand the mechanisms of this defect, the novel (R1308L) and ,common' (R1308C) mutations were expressed in COS-7 cells, either alone or, to mimic the patients' heterozygous state, together with wild-type VWF. R1308L recombinant VWF (rVWF) had a higher affinity for the platelet glycoprotein Ib, (GPIb,) receptor than wild-type rVWF, R1308C rVWF showing an even higher affinity. A novel finding was that both mutant rVWFs showed a similarly reduced binding to collagen type I and type III in comparison with wild-type rVWF. The latter finding suggests a more important role than recognized so far for the VWF A1 domain in VWF binding to collagen, which may contribute to the in vivo hemostatic defect associated with type 2B VWD. [source] Longitudinal trends of total and allergen-specific IgE throughout childhoodALLERGY, Issue 7 2009P. M. Matricardi Background:, The development and the quantitative relationship between allergen-specific IgE (S-IgE) responses and total IgE (T-IgE), during childhood and adolescence have not been described and understood in detail. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the longitudinal trends of serum levels of S-IgE and T-IgE during childhood. Methods:, We analysed data from participants in the MAS birth cohort study at 2, 5, 7 and 10 years of age (n = 273) and at 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 13 years (n = 84). Total-IgE and the overall level of specific-IgE against nine locally relevant airborne and food allergens were determined by FEIA (ImmunoCAP). Allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma were ascertained by questionnaires. Results:, Longitudinal patterns of T-IgE levels from age 1 to 13 years were highly heterogeneous (declining, flat or increasing with different profiles). From 5 years of age, logarithmic (log10) transformed values of T-IgE and of S-IgE levels tend to follow a parallel trend, so that their relation remained constant throughout school age. A flat trend of T-IgE vs a constantly increasing trend of T-IgE was associated with a low or, respectively, high rate of wheezing at 13 years of age. Conclusions:, Beginning at the age of 5 years, total serum IgE levels in children from an industrialized country evolved in parallel with overall S-IgE levels. Therefore, variations in T-IgE levels at school age closely reflect variations in overall S-IgE levels. Further studies are required to strengthen the biological and clinical implication of this novel finding. [source] Impaired motor imagery in patients with essential tremor: A case control studyMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 4 2007Yew-Long Lo MD Abstract Motor imagery (MI), which refers to the process of mental representation of movements, has not been studied in patients with essential tremor (ET). We investigated the presence of impaired MI in ET patients compared with healthy controls. A group of drug-naive and nondemented ET patients and age-matched controls were studied using transcranial magnetic stimulation, while they were specifically instructed to try and imagine themselves performing two motor tasks. The various clinical and electrophysiological variables were evaluated and compared. Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference between ET patients and controls with respect to mean motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes (F(1,38) = 31.92, P < 0.005) during MI. The process of MI effectively facilitated MEP amplitude in controls but not in ET patients, regardless of side of stimulation or motor tasks. We provide evidence to demonstrate impairment of MI in a group of ET patients compared with healthy controls. The basis for this novel finding is unclear, and further studies are warranted to determine whether it is related to cerebellar or motor cortical dysfunction. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society [source] The peptide hormone xenin induces gallbladder contractions in conscious dogsNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 3 2007Y. Kamiyama Abstract, Xenin is a 25-amino acid peptide isolated from human gastric mucosa. The biological activities of xenin include modulating intestinal motility and affecting exocrine pancreatic secretion and gastric acid secretion. The physiological effect of xenin on the gastrointestinal tract, however, is incomplete. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of xenin on the gastrointestinal tract motility of conscious dogs. Gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder contractions were monitored by chronically implanted force transducers. Synthetic xenin was injected intravenously during the interdigestive state with or without pretreatment with cholinergic blockers. The effects of xenin following cholecystectomy and truncal vagotomy were also investigated. Xenin induced gallbladder and jejunal contractions, although a dose-dependent response was shown only with gallbladder contractions. These effects were inhibited by pretreatment with cholinergic blockers, but were not enhanced by truncal vagotomy. The jejunal contractions were completely inhibited by cholecystectomy. The only direct effect of xenin in terms of gastrointestinal motility was to induce gallbladder contractions in conscious dogs. The neural pathway mediating xenin's action was cholinergic, but not the vagal. This novel finding indicates a new role of xenin. [source] Sex-linked barring in chickens is controlled by the CDKN2A,/B tumour suppressor locusPIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Anders R. Hellström Summary Sex-linked barring, a common plumage colour found in chickens, is characterized by black and white barred feathers. Previous studies have indicated that the white bands are caused by an absence of melanocytes in the feather follicle during the growth of this region. Here, we show that Sex-linked barring is controlled by the CDKN2A/B locus, which encodes the INK4b and ARF transcripts. We identified two non-coding mutations in CDKN2A that showed near complete association with the phenotype. In addition, two missense mutations were identified at highly conserved sites, V9D and R10C, and every bird tested with a confirmed Sex-linked barring phenotype carried one of these missense mutations. Further work is required to determine if one of these or a combined effect of two or more CDKN2A mutations is causing Sex-linked barring. This novel finding provides the first evidence that the tumour suppressor locus CDKN2A/B can affect pigmentation phenotypes and sheds new light on the functional significance of this gene. [source] To PE or not to PE: A P3-like ERP component reflecting the processing of response errorsPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009K. Richard Ridderinkhof Abstract ERP studies have highlighted several electrocortical components that can be observed when people make errors. We propose that the PE reflects processes functionally similar to those reflected in the P3 and that the PE and P3 should covary. We speculate that these processes refer to the motivational significance of rare target stimuli in case of the P3 and of salient performance errors in case of the PE. Here we investigated whether PE amplitude after errors in a Simon task is correlated specifically to varying target,target intervals in a visual oddball task, a factor known to parametrically affect P3 amplitude. The amplitude of the PE, but not the NE, was observed to covary with the effect of target,target interval on P3 amplitude. The specificity of this novel finding supports the notion that the PE and P3 reflect similar neurocognitive processes as possibly involved in the conscious processing of motivationally significant events. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: Independent Determinants of Coronary Artery Disease in Erectile Dysfunction PatientsTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 4pt1 2010Shih-Tai Chang MD ABSTRACT Introduction., There is growing evidence of a link between erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Aims., The purpose of this study was to explore the independent determinants of CAD in ED outpatients. Methods., This study enrolled 243 patients, ranging in age from 21 to 81 years old, suffering from ED as diagnosed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. All patients underwent exercise stress tests or thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography perfusion imagings. Based on examination results, patients were divided into study (22 patients with a positive finding) and control groups (221 patients with a negative finding). Main Outcome Measures., The differences of demographic characteristics, biochemical profiles, pro-inflammatory and inflammatory markers, and echocardiographic characteristics between study and control group were compared. Results., The age, presence of DM and current smoking status were significant high in the study group. A significant lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, a higher percentage of HDL cholesterol level < 40 mg/dL, and a higher apo-lipoprotein B/A1, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine found in the study group. The Framingham cardiac risk scores, the ratio of mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic velocity in the annulus derived by tissue Doppler imaging (E/Et), the ratio of E/Et , 15, the value of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and IMT , 1 mm were higher in study group than in the control group. In stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), high IMT, high E/Et, hs-CRP levels, LDL cholesterol , 130 mg/dL, smoking status, and the presence of DM and metabolic syndrome (MS) were independent determinants of CAD in ED patients. Conclusions., This study first shows the independent determinants of CAD in ED outpatients. This novel finding may improve the screening of low-risk ED patients for CAD. Chang S-T, Chu C-M, Hsu J-T, Hsiao J-F, Chung C-M, Ho C, Peng Y-S, Chen P-Y, and Shee J-J. Independent determinants of coronary artery disease in erectile dysfunction patients. J Sex Med 2010;7:1478,1487. [source] 1141424444 Detection of a2V-ATPase in T regulatory cells of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions or implantation failuresAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2006EI Ntrivalas Problem:, T regulatory cells (Tregs) have recently been shown to play a critical role in maternal tolerance to the fetus. Tregs are decreased in women with recurrent miscarriages. a2V-ATPase (previously referred to as Regeneration and Tolerance Factor) is expressed in activated lymphocytes and plays a role in immune regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of a2V-ATPase on CD4+/CD25bright Tregs. Method of Study:, Whole blood from women with RSA or implantation failures was reacted with anti-CD4 and anti-CD25 mAbs for the identification of CD4+/CD25bright and CD4+/CD25neg T cells by flow cytometric analysis. Subsequently, these two T-cell populations were analyzed for the expression of a2V-ATPase using PE-conjugated 2C1 mAb (specific for the membrane portion of a2V-ATPase). These two cell populations were also analyzed for the expression of CD71, CD62L, CD45RO and CD58 (Treg markers). Results:, a2V-ATPase was more highly expressed on CD4+/CD25bright Tregs (22.8 ± 16.4%) than on CD4+/CD25neg T cells (2.4 ± 3.8%) in women with RSA (P < 0.0001). Additionally, a2V-ATPase was more highly expressed on CD4+/CD25bright Tregs (18.0 ± 18.2%) than on CD4+/CD25neg T cells (1.5 ± 1.4%) in women with implantation failures (P < 0.0001). a2V-ATPase expression also coincided with the expression of CD71, CD62L, CD45RO and CD58 in Tregs, as opposed to the conventional CD4+/CD25neg T cells. Conclusions:, The expression of a2V-ATPase in Tregs of women with RSA or implantation failures is a novel finding and suggests that this vacuolar ATPase plays an important role in suppression. a2V-ATPase may be a unique molecule in the identification of Tregs among peripheral blood lymphocytes and may also explain the tolerogenic activity of these cells. [source] Everolimus and Basiliximab Permit Suppression by Human CD4+CD25+ Cells in vitroAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2005David S. Game Immunosuppressive drugs are essential for the prevention of acute transplant rejection but some may not promote long-term tolerance. Tolerance is dependent on the presence and regulatory function of CD4+CD25+ T cells in a number of animal models. The direct effects of immunosuppressive drugs on CD4+CD25+ cells, particularly those that interfere with IL-2 signaling are uncertain. We studied the effects of the rapamycin derivative everolimus and the anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody basiliximab on the regulatory capacity of human CD4+CD25+ cells in vitro. Both drugs permitted the suppression of proliferation and IFN-, secretion by CD4+CD25, cells responding to allogeneic and other polyclonal stimuli; CTLA-4 expression was abolished on CD4+CD25+ cells without compromising their suppressive ability. Everolimus reduced IFN-, secretion by CD4+CD25, cells before the anti-proliferative effect: this is a novel finding. Exogenous IL-2 and IL-15 could prevent the suppression of proliferation by CD4+CD25+ cells and the drugs could not restore suppression. By contrast, suppression of IFN-, secretion was only slightly impeded with the exogenous cytokines. Finally, CD4+CD25+ cells were more resistant than CD4+CD25, cells to the pro-apoptotic action of the drugs. Together these data suggest that CD4+CD25+ cells may still exert their effects in transplant patients taking immunosuppression that interferes with IL-2 signaling. [source] Proinflammatory cytokine expression profile in degenerated and herniated human intervertebral disc tissuesARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010Mohammed F. Shamji Objective Prior reports document macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration with proinflammatory cytokine expression in pathologic intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues. Nevertheless, the role of the Th17 lymphocyte lineage in mediating disc disease remains uninvestigated. We undertook this study to evaluate the immunophenotype of pathologic IVD specimens, including interleukin-17 (IL-17) expression, from surgically obtained IVD tissue and from nondegenerated autopsy control tissue. Methods Surgical IVD tissues were procured from patients with degenerative disc disease (n = 25) or herniated IVDs (n = 12); nondegenerated autopsy control tissue was also obtained (n = 8) from the anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus regions. Immunohistochemistry was performed for cell surface antigens (CD68 for macrophages, CD4 for lymphocytes) and various cytokines, with differences in cellularity and target immunoreactivity scores analyzed between surgical tissue groups and between autopsy control tissue regions. Results Immunoreactivity for IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, and interferon-, (IFN,) was modest in surgical IVD tissue, although expression was higher in herniated IVD samples and virtually nonexistent in control samples. The Th17 lymphocyte product IL-17 was present in >70% of surgical tissue fields, and among control samples was detected rarely in anulus fibrosus regions and modestly in nucleus pulposus regions. Macrophages were prevalent in surgical tissues, particularly herniated IVD samples, and lymphocytes were expectedly scarce. Control tissue revealed lesser infiltration by macrophages and a near absence of lymphocytes. Conclusion Greater IFN, positivity, macrophage presence, and cellularity in herniated IVDs suggests a pattern of Th1 lymphocyte activation in this pathology. Remarkable pathologic IVD tissue expression of IL-17 is a novel finding that contrasts markedly with low levels of IL-17 in autopsy control tissue. These findings suggest involvement of Th17 lymphocytes in the pathomechanism of disc degeneration. [source] Chromate Reduction in Shewanellaoneidensis MR-1 Is an Inducible Process Associated with Anaerobic GrowthBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2002Sridhar Viamajala Cr(VI) reduction was observed during tests with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (previously named S. putrefaciens MR-1) while being grown with nitrate or fumarate as electron acceptor and lactate as electron donor. From the onset of anoxic growth on fumarate, we measured a gradual and progressive increase in the specific Cr(VI) reduction rate with incubation time until a maximum was reached at late exponential/early stationary phase. Under denitrifying conditions, the specific Cr(VI) reduction rate was inhibited by nitrite, which is produced during nitrate reduction. However, once nitrite was consumed, the specific reduction rate increased until a maximum was reached, again during the late exponential/early stationary phase. Thus, under both fumarate- and nitrate-reducing conditions, an increase in the specific Cr(VI) reduction rate was observed as the microorganisms transition from oxic to anoxic growth conditions, presumably as a result of induction of enzyme systems capable of reducing Cr(VI). Although Cr(VI) reduction has been studied in MR-1 and in other facultative bacteria under both oxic and anoxic conditions, a transition in specific reduction rates based on physiological conditions during growth is a novel finding. Such physiological responses provide information required for optimizing the operation of in situ systems for remediating groundwater contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides, especially those that are characterized by temporal variations in oxygen content. Moreover, such information may point the way to a better understanding of the cellular processes used by soil bacteria to accomplish Cr(VI) reduction. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||