Genetic ablation of Immt induces a lethal disruption of the MICOS complex

The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) is important for crista junction formation and for maintaining inner mitochondrial membrane architecture. A key component of the MICOS complex is MIC60, which has been well studied in yeast and cell culture models. However, only one recent study has demonstrated the embryonic lethality of losing Immt (the gene encoding MIC60) expression. Tamoxifen-inducible ROSA-CreERT2-mediated deletion of Immt in adult mice disrupted the MICOS complex, increased mitochondria size, altered cristae morphology, and was lethal within 12 d. Pathologically, these mice displayed defective intestinal muscle function (paralytic ileus) culminating in dehydration. We also identified bone marrow (BM) hypocellularity in Immt-deleted mice, although BM transplants from wild-type mice did not improve survival. Altogether, this inducible mouse model demonstrates the importance of MIC60 in vivo, in both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues, and provides a valuable resource for future mechanistic investigations into the MICOS complex.

ICESat-2 Early Mission Synopsis and Observatory Performance

The Advanced Topographic Laser Altimetry System (ATLAS) onboard the NASA Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) is the newest Earth observing satellite for global elevation studies. The primary objectives for ICESat-2 follow the objectives of its predecessor, ICESat and also focus on providing cryospheric measurements to determine ice sheet mass balance, and monitor both sea ice thickness and extent. However, the global observations support secondary science objectives as well such as biomass estimation, inland water elevation, sea state height and aerosol concentrations. Since launch of ICESat-2, ATLAS has collected more than a trillion measurements. This study provides a mission overview, a description of the operational components that enable the altimeter products for science, on-orbit observatory performance, and assessment of the spacecraft attitude control systems that enable repeat measurements to within 10 m and pointing control within ±45 m. These metrics should be considered for ground-based validation campaigns or science investigations.

Characterizing Arctic sea ice topography using high-resolution IceBridge data

We present an analysis of Arctic sea ice topography using high resolution, three-dimensional, surface elevation data from the Airborne Topographic Mapper, flown as part of NASA's Operation IceBridge mission. Surface features in the sea ice cover are detected using a newly developed surface feature picking algorithm. We derive information regarding the height, volume and geometry of surface features from 2009-2014 within the Beaufort/Chukchi and Central Arctic regions. The results are delineated by ice type to estimate the topographic variability across first-year and multi-year ice regimes. The results demonstrate that Arctic sea ice topography exhibits significant spatial variability, mainly driven by the increased surface feature height and volume (per unit area) of the multi-year ice that dominates the Central Arctic region. The multi-year ice topography exhibits greater interannual variability compared to the first-year ice regimes, which dominates the total ice topography variability across both regions. The ice topography also shows a clear coastal dependency, with the feature height and volume increasing as a function of proximity to the nearest coastline, especially north of Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago. A strong correlation between ice topography and ice thickness (from the IceBridge sea ice product) is found, using a square-root relationship. The results allude to the importance of ice deformation variability in the total sea ice mass balance, and provide crucial information regarding the tail of the ice thickness distribution across the western Arctic. Future research priorities associated with this new dataset are presented and discussed, especially in relation to calculations of atmospheric form drag.

Abstinence, reasons for not drinking, and life satisfaction

This study examines the reasons given for not drinking by abstinent alcoholics with varying lengths of sobriety. A Reasons for Not Drinking Scale is tested, as well as the Purpose in Life Questionnaire and Life Satisfaction Scale. Subjects are 60 males from a VA population. Results show that subjects with less education and those treated in a detoxification setting are more likely to endorse negative reasons for not drinking. Individuals with short and long abstinence have a higher level of life "dissatisfaction" than those with moderate periods of abstinence. The study suggests that purpose in life, life satisfaction, and reasons for not drinking are important measures of progress in treatment and movement through phases of recovery.

Transnasal butorphanol: a new method for pain relief in post-cesarean section pain

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of transnasal butorphanol (TNB) compared to intravenous butorphanol (IVB) in 186 patients experiencing moderate to severe post-cesarean section pain. Patients were randomly assigned to five groups in a double-blind fashion: Group I (n = 37) received 2 mg IVB, Group II (n = 38) 2 mg TNB, Group III (n = 36) 1 mg TNB followed by a repeat dose of 1 mg TNB at 60 min, Group IV (n = 38) 0.5 mg TNB followed by a repeat dose of 0.5 mg at 60 min, and Group V (n = 37) received placebo. All administrations were double dummy. Pain intensity and relief were noted and the incidence of side effects was recorded. Remedication with the same study drug was allowed up to 72 h. Onset of analgesia was more rapid in the 2 mg IV group compared to the three TN groups: 5 min vs 15 min, respectively. However, the 2 mg and the 1-1 mg TN groups had a longer duration of analgesia, approximately 4.5 h, compared to 3.0 h for the 2 mg IV group (P less than 0.05). Somnolence was dose related and was the most frequent side effect, and was less frequent when the TN dose was divided into 2 doses administered 1 h apart. Multiple doses of TNB and IVB were safe and clinically acceptable up to 3 days at all doses studied. There were no incidences of nasal mucosa irritation, or cardiovascular or respiratory depression. It is concluded that transnasal butorphanol represents a safe and effective alternative to injectable butorphanol for post-cesarean section pain and offers a better and longer duration of analgesia compared to IV butorphanol. The optimum dose seems to be 2 mg TN butorphanol and it is tolerated better when divided into 1 mg increments, given 1 h apart.

Association between cerebral ventricular enlargement and suicide attempts in chronic schizophrenia

The ventricular-brain ratios (VBRs) of 32 chronic schizophrenic men were determined by CAT scan. Ten of the 12 patients with VBRs above 8.4% had made suicide attempts, compared with two of the 20 patients with VBRs below 8.4%.

Blood monoamine oxidases and CT scans in subgroups of chronic schizophrenics

An assay method for monoamine oxidase (MAO) employing whole blood samples is described. With this method, whole blood samples collected from three subgroups of chronic schizophrenic patients were assayed directly for MAOb activity without the need for prior isolation of platelets. Our results support previous findings from assays with platelets that chronic paranoid schizophrenics have decreased blood MAOb activity compared to chronic non-paranoid schizophrenics or normal controls. The level of MAOb activity in the blood of the non-paranoid schizophrenics was also linearly correlated with ventricular size (i.e. ventricular brain ratio, VBR) as determined by CT scan analysis. This correlation was not true for the paranoid group. The MAOb data in conjunction with the VBR data were sufficient to divide without overlap our schizophrenic patient population into two clinically defined subgroups.

CT scans in sub-groups of chronic schizophrenics

Measurements of the ventricular brain ratio (VBR), width of the sylvian fissure, and symmetry of the frontal lobes were obtained from 26 chronic schizophrenic patients, 22 alcoholic and neurological patients, and 20 normal controls. All schizophrenic subjects were non-responsive to long-term neuroleptic medication for 3-25 yr and were between 23 and 45 yr of age. Detailed diagnostic workups differentiated two sub-groups by DSM III criteria, residual and paranoid. The former group was characterized by large VBRs while the paranoids were within the range of normal controls. Those patients with VBRs greater than nine had wider sylvian fissures and increased frequency of reversed frontal asymmetry. As a group, the VBRs of all schizophrenics differed significantly from normal controls but did not differ from those of alcoholics or patients with neurological disorders (migraine, generalized seizures). This finding indicates that DSM III criteria applied to CT scan measures may help define a sub-group within the schizophrenias. While not specific to this disorder, the underlying pathology demonstrating increased VBRs and other CT scan changes may be specific to but different from other disorders.

Subcapital fracture subsequent to Zickel nail fixation: a case report

A displaced subcapital fracture complicated avascular necrosis of the femoral head subsequent to Zickel nail fixation for a pertrochanteric fracture of the femur in an 82 year old woman. To the best of our knowledge this is a unique case, not previously reported.