CCR4 on T cells is suggested to mediate skin homing in mice. Our objective was to determine the interaction of CCR4, E-selectin ligand (ESL), and α(4)β(1) on memory and activated T cells in recruitment to dermal inflammation. mAbs to rat CCR4 were developed. CCR4 was on 5-21% of memory CD4 ...

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the prevalence of dental care visits (DCV) in 2007 in the United States among Medicaid-enrolled children from birth to age 18 and measure progress since 2002.METHODS:By using Medicaid research files and information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 416 Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment forms, ...

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor that regulates fatty acid transport and metabolism. Previous studies revealed that PPARα can affect bile acid metabolism; however, the mechanism by which PPARα regulates bile acid homeostasis is not understood. In this study, an ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ...

Entry into S phase is carefully regulated and, in most organisms, under the control of a G(1)-S checkpoint. We have previously described a G(1)-S checkpoint in fission yeast that delays formation of the prereplicative complex at chromosomal replication origins after exposure to UV light (UVC). This checkpoint absolutely depends on ...

Prior to the evolution of complex biochemical machinery, the growth and division of simple primitive cells (protocells) must have been driven by environmental factors. We have previously demonstrated two pathways for fatty acid vesicle growth in which initially spherical vesicles grow into long filamentous vesicles; division is then mediated by ...

LASP-1 is a multidomain protein predominantly localized at focal contacts, where it regulates cytoskeleton dynamics and cell migration. However, in different tumor entities, a nuclear LASP-1 accumulation is observed, thought to have an important role in cancer progression. Until now, the molecular mechanisms that control LASP-1 nuclear import were not ...

The first asymmetric total synthesis of cladosporin and isocladosporin were accomplished in 8 steps with 8% overall yield and 10 steps with 26% overall yield, respectively. The relative configuration of isocladosporin was determined via this total synthesis.

An original diffraction model for analysis of the grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) from the nanoparticle Langmuir films was developed. The model relies on the concept of the two-dimensional hexagonal paracrystal and employs the distorted-wave Born approximation that is relevant for the GISAXS measurements at the air/water interface when the ...

Previous works demonstrated that various species of Leishmania promastigotes exhibit differential sensitivity to complement-mediated lysis (CML) during development. Upon exposure to normal human serum (NHS), cultures of Leishmania chagasi promastigotes recently isolated from infected hamsters (fewer than 5 in vitro passages) are CML-sensitive when in the logarithmic growth phase but ...

The cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6) involved in visual transduction in photoreceptor cells contains two inhibitory γ-subunits (Pγ) which bind to the catalytic core (Pαβ) to inhibit catalysis and stimulate cGMP binding to the GAF domains of Pαβ. During visual excitation, interaction of activated transducin with Pγ relieves inhibition. Pγ also participates ...

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether an order verification screen, including a patient photograph, is an effective strategy for reducing the risk that providers will place orders in an unintended patient's electronic medical record (EMR).METHODS:We describe several changes to the EMR/provider interface and ordering workflow that were implemented as one part of a ...

Objective: To investigate the size of therapist effects using multilevel modeling (MLM), to compare the outcomes of therapists identified as above and below average, and to consider how key variables-in particular patient severity and risk and therapist caseload-contribute to therapist variability and outcomes. Method: We used a large practice-based data ...

Abstract Three acanthocephalan species, Sphaerirostris turdi from the island thrush (Turdus poliocephalus), Porrorchis centropusi and Porrorchis kinsellai n. sp., both from Philippine scops-owls (Otus megalotis), are reported from Aurora Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. Porrorchis kinsellai n. sp. can be readily differentiated from previously known members of the genus by an ...

The indane skeleton is found naturally and in several therapeutic molecules in medicinal chemistry. During our work on the anti-inflammatory activity of naturally occurring and synthetic indanes, we have synthesized a novel indane scaffold that has been optimized for both anti-inflammatory activity and bioavailability. We have evaluated our lead molecule, ...

Abstract During investigations of young-of-the yr smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) mortalities in the Susquehanna River and affected tributaries, raised areas were noted in the muscle in the area of the caudal peduncle. The raised areas were caused by plasmodia of a myxozoan parasite. Spores found within plasmodia were similar to ...

We use a novel 3D inter-/intracellular force microscopy technique based on 3D traction force microscopy to measure the cell-cell junctional and intracellular tensions in subconfluent and confluent vascular endothelial cell (EC) monolayers under static and shear flow conditions. We found that z-direction cell-cell junctional tensions are higher in confluent EC ...

Specific ion interactions between the alkali cations (i.e., Li+, Na+ and K+) and an acetate anion in aqueous solution were studied using molecular dynamics simulation techniques and polarizable potential models. The ions-acetate systems were used as a model for understanding the interactions between ions and protein surfaces. We computed free ...

A piezo-driven pipette, that includes a small amount of mercury to enhance efficiency, is widely used for mouse intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Unfortunately, the use of toxic mercury is not permitted in hospital facilities and alternatives to mercury that enhance performances of the device do not work as well in ...

The impacts of a teat being suckled or not in first parity on its development, gene expression, and milk yield in the next parity were studied. Forty-seven first-parity sows were divided into 2 groups: 1) the same teats suckled in 2 subsequent lactations (controls, CTL; n = 22); and 2) ...

The objective of the present study was to document current commercial practices during long haul transport (≥ 400 km) of cattle in Alberta through surveys delivered to truck drivers (6,152 journeys that transported 290,362 animals). The live beef export industry to the USA (89% of all journeys) had a large ...

Abstract Zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) are used for in situ remediation of contaminated ground water, raising the possibility that nZVI particles or their altered residues could contaminate the ground water. Therefore it is important to study their effects on humans and other organisms in vivo. The objective of this study ...

We investigated the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and examined the association of these determinants with extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and/or plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases (pAmpCs) in Serratia marcescens isolates in China. In this study, the presence of PMQR determinants was significantly related to the coproduction of ESBLs and/or pAmpCs ...

Abstract Skrjabinema kamosika sp. n. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) is described based on both sexes collected from endemic Japanese serows, Capricornis crispus, (Mammalia: Bovidae) of Wakayama Prefecture, western Honshu Island and Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan. It is readily distinguished from the congeners by having tricuspid sub-interlabial projections in males, large triangular ...

ABSTRACT The authors examined whether force level interacts with the presence or absence of vision in bimanual force control. Participants produced periodic isometric forces such that the sum of the 2 finger forces was the target force under 4 force levels cycling between lower levels (5-40%) of maximum voluntary contraction ...

Background: Recently, we reported that the thyroglobulin (Tg) doubling time (DT) was the most potent prognostic factor in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent total thyroidectomy. Interestingly 16.2% of the study patients had a decrease in Tg levels over time, giving negative values in Tg-DT. These patients had ...

To investigate the relationship between fasting insulin levels and metabolic risk factors (MRFs) in type 2 diabetic patients at the first clinic/hospital visit in Japan over the years 2000 to 2009. In total, 4,798 drug-naive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were registered on their first clinic/hospital visits. Conventional clinical ...

On April 6, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved vandetanib (Caprelsa Tablets, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP) for the treatment of symptomatic or progressive medullary thyroid cancer in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. Vandetanib is the first drug approved for this indication and this article focuses on ...

Although the Drosophila Y chromosome is degenerated, heterochromatic, and contains few genes, increasing evidence suggests that it plays an important role in regulating the expression of numerous autosomal and X-linked genes. Here we use 15 Y chromosomes originating from a single founder 550 generations ago to study the role of ...

Abstract HIV disproportionately affects blacks more than other groups in New York City (NYC) as well as nationally. Partner Services (PS) are a proven way to interrupt HIV transmission. In NYC, PS outcomes are worse among blacks compared to other race/ethnic groups. We compared PS outcomes by country of birth ...

Selenium-containing polymers are a new type of responsive polymer material. Here, a selenium-containing amphiphilic block copolymer (PEG-PUSe-PEG) has been investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). The deviation between force-extension curves of PEG-PUSe-PEG in water and in DMSO is found to be related to the disassembly of ...

The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the loading system effects (traditional chute [TC] vs. prototype loading gantry [PLG]) on (1) welfare measures at loading and (2) performance measures and transport losses at the harvest facility for the market weight pig. This study compared first pull (FP) that was ...

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex multifactorial syndrome. Metal chelators and Aβ inhibitors show promise in the treatment of AD. In this report, three small hybrid compounds (1, 2 and 3) have been designed and synthesized utilizing salicylaldehyde (SA) based Schiff-bases as the chelators and benzothiazole (BT) as the recognition ...

Creation of an animal model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) allowing adjustment of severity and potential recoverability is needed to study effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies. This study describes a novel model in preterm rabbits capable of adjusting severity of NEC-like histologic changes. Rabbit pups (n = 151) were delivered ...

To prospectively examine alterations in working memory (WM) -associated brain activation related to breast cancer and treatment by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients treated with chemotherapy (CTx+; n = 16) or without chemotherapy (CTx-; n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 15) were scanned during an n-back task ...

Recent in vitro evidence indicates that astrocytes can modulate synaptic plasticity by releasing neuroactive substances (gliotransmitters). However, whether gliotransmitter release from astrocytes is necessary for higher brain function in vivo, particularly for memory, as well as the contribution of connexin (Cx) hemichannels to gliotransmitter release, remain elusive. Here, we microinfused ...

Proplatelet production represents a terminal stage of megakaryocyte development during which long, branching processes composed of platelet-sized swellings are extended and released into the surrounding culture. Whereas the cytoskeletal mechanics driving these transformations have been the focus of many studies, significant limitations in our ability to quantify the rate and ...

Malignant gliomas are highly invasive and chemoresistant brain tumors with extremely poor prognosis. Targeting of the soluble factors that trigger invasion and resistance, therefore, could have a significant impact against the infiltrative glioma cells that are a major source of recurrence. Fibulin-3 is a matrix protein that is absent in ...

The full regulatory potential of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) family of proteins remains undefined despite over 20 years of study. We report herein an integrated approach that combines both genome-wide technologies and structural studies to define the role of Fur in Campylobacter jejuni (Cj). CjFur ChIP-chip assays identified 95 ...

Abstract The Great American interchange resulted in the mixing of faunistic groups with different origins and evolutionary trajectories that underwent rapid diversification in North and South America. As a result, groups of animals of recent arrival converged into similar habits and formed ecological guilds with some of the endemics. We ...

Artificial nano-biomolecular architectures which follow natural examples in protein assembly become more and more important from basic and applied point of view. Our study describes the investigation on cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH), cytochrome c (cyt c) and silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) for the construction of fully catalytically-active supramolecular architectures on electrodes. We ...

The maturation of newly formed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions is a critical step for the establishment of productive infection. We investigated the potential of saquinavir (SQV), a protease inhibitor (PI) used in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), as a candidate microbicide. SQV inhibited replication of clade B ...

PURPOSE Surgery is curative therapy for pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGGs) in areas of the brain amenable to complete resection. However, LGGs located in areas where complete resection is not possible can threaten both function and life. The purpose of this study was to compare two chemotherapy regimens for LGGs in ...

Rhapontigenin, an aglycone of rhapontin, was produced by biotransformation and we investigated its antifungal activity against Candida albicans, one of the most important opportunistic fungal pathogens. Rhapontigenin is found to have, in vitro, inhibitory activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value against all test isolates of 128-256 μg/ml. We ...

Drought impacts on forests, including widespread die-off, are likely to increase with future climate change, although the physiological responses of trees to lethal drought are poorly understood. In particular, in situ examinations of carbon starvation and its interactions with and effects on infestation and hydraulic vulnerability are largely lacking. In ...

OBJECTIVE:A Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (SCAMP) standardizes the care of patients with a predefined diagnosis while actively inviting and collecting data on clinician deviations (DEVs) from its recommendations. For 3 different pediatric cardiac diagnoses managed by SCAMPs, we determined the frequency of, types of, and reasons for DEVs, ...

The pstSCAB-phoU operon encodes the phosphate-specific transport system (Pst). Loss of Pst constitutively activates the Pho regulon and decreases bacterial virulence. However, specific mechanisms underlying decreased bacterial virulence through inactivation of Pst are poorly understood. In uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain CFT073, inactivation of pst decreased urinary tract colonization in ...

Abstract The bear tapeworm Diphyllobothrium ursi is described based upon the morphology of adult tapeworms recovered from the brown bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi) and larval plerocercoids found in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from Kodiak Island in Alaska in 1952. However, in 1987, D. ursi was synonymized with Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, and ...

This study investigated the effects of feeding barley grain treated with lactic acid (LA) and heat on the profile of plasma metabolites related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and variables related to rumen health and acute phase response. Eight primiparous rumen-fistulated lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned, in a crossover ...

The objective of this 49-d experiment was to test effects of cecal oxytetracycline (OTC) infusion, and dietary avidin and biotin supplementation on the biotin status of nongravid gilts. Twenty-eight crossbred gilts with an initial age of 160 d and BW of 120 kg were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in ...

Cytological studies of fluorescent proteins are rapidly yielding insights into chromatin structure and dynamics. Here we describe the production and cytological characterization of new transgenic maize lines expressing a fluorescent histone fusion protein, H2B-mCherry. The transgene is expressed under the control of the maize ubiquitin1 promoter, including its first exon ...