Morphological and molecular characterization of Langdonia walkerae sp. nov. infecting Aristida stricta and A. beyrichiana in longleaf pine-grassland ecosystems in the southeastern USA

A smut fungus that hinders wiregrass restoration efforts in longleaf pine-grassland ecosystems was collected from Aristida stricta and A. beyrichiana (Poaceae) in three states in the southeastern USA. Morphological and phylogenetic characteristics of this fungus were examined. These data show that the specimens from both plant species were infected by the same fungus and represent a new species of Langdonia. The new species differs morphologically from other species of Langdonia by teliospores being solitary and not compacted into spore balls. Spore wall ornamentation and teliospore size also differ from other Langdonia species. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences of the ITS, LSU, and EF-1α supported separation of the species from A. stricta and A. beyrichiana from other Langdonia species. Based on these results, a new species, Langdonia walkerae, is proposed.

Traumatic brain injury in pedestrian-vehicle collisions: Convexity and suitability of some functionals used as injury metrics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Abrupt accelerations or decelerations can cause large strain in brain tissues and, consequently, different forms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In order to predict the effect of the accelerations on the soft tissues of the brain, many different injury metrics have been proposed (typically, an injury metric is a real valued functional of the accelerations). The objective of this article is to make a formal and empirical comparison, in order to identify general criteria for reasonable injury metrics, and propose a general guideline to avoid ill-proposed injury metrics.

METHODS

A medium-sized sample of vehicle-pedestrian collisions, from Post Mortem Human Subject (PMHS) tests, is analyzed. A statistical study has been conducted in order to determine the discriminant power of the usual metrics. We use Principal Component Analysis to reduce dimensionality and to check consistency among the different metrics. In addition, this article compares the mathematical properties of some of these functionals, trying to identify the desirable properties that any of those functionals needs to fulfill in order to be useful for optimization.

RESULTS

We have found a pair-wise consistency of all the currently used metrics (any two injury metrics are always positively related). In addition, we observed that two independent principal factors explain about 72.5% of the observed variance among all collision tests. This is remarkable because it indicates that despite high number of different injury metrics, a reduced number of variables can explain the results of all these metrics. With regard to the formal properties, we found that essentially all injury mechanisms can be accounted by means of scalable, differentiable and convex functionals (we propose to call minimization suitable injury metric any metric having these three formal properties). In addition three useful functionals, usable as injury metrics, are identified on the basis of the empirical comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

The commonly used metrics are highly consistent, but also highly redundant. Formal minimal conditions of a reasonable injury metric has been identified. Future proposals of injury metrics can benefit from the results of this study.

Costs and quality of life of multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom

This cost-of-illness analysis for the United Kingdom is part of a Europe-wide study on the costs of multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective was to analyze the costs and quality of life (utility) related to the level of disease severity. People with MS from a database administered by a UK charity (the MS Trust) were asked to participate in the survey by answering a postal questionnaire. In addition to details on the disease (type of disease, relapses, level of functional disability), the questionnaire asked for information on all resource consumption, medical, non-medical, work absence and informal care as well as utility. The response rate was 19%, and a total of 2048 people were included. The mean age of the cohort was 51 years, and 23% of people were > or =60 years of age. Disease severity was concentrated in people with moderately severe MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score of 4 to 6.5), with 21, 60 and 19% of people reporting mild, moderate and severe disease, respectively. Costs and utility are highly correlated with disease severity. Mean annual costs for all people in the study increase from approximately pound 12.000 at an EDSS score <4 to almost pound 60.000 at an EDSS score > or =7. In particular, employment rates are reduced from 82% in early disease to 2% at an EDSS score of 8, while the costs of inpatient care, investments, informal care and productivity losses increase by more than tenfold between an EDSS score of 0-1 and a score > or =7. Utility decreases from 0.92 at an EDSS score of 0 to a state worse than death in the most severe state (-0.18 at an EDSS score of 9). Compared to the results in an earlier cost study in the United Kingdom using a comparable methodology, costs have substantially increased, by roughly 40%. Part of the increase is due to a higher use of disease-modifying drugs and, possibly linked with this, a higher use of ambulatory care and services. Another part of the increase is most likely due to an increased age in the current sample, with more patients on early retirement due to MS and more intense use of informal care. However, another reason may lie in the methodology, e.g. different unit costs or differences in the sample distribution, despite a similar mean EDSS score of 5.1.

Ascobotryozyma americana gen. nov. et sp. nov. and its anamorph Botryozyma americana, an unusual yeast from the surface of nematodes

A new teleomorphic genus Ascohotryozyma, with a single species, A. americana, is proposed. Its anamorph is a Botryozyma that differs from the type species, B. nematodophila, on distributional, physiological, and molecular criteria; it is described as Botryozyma americana, anam. sp. nov. Ascobotryozyma is characterized by globose asci bearing four lunate ascospores. Fusion of thallus cells precedes ascus formation. Ascobotryozyma americana was isolated from the surface of nematodes (Panagrellus dubius) associated with galleries of the poplar borer (Saperda calcarata) in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) in eastern Washington, USA. The teleomorph has not been produced in pure culture.

Temporal changes in collagen composition and metabolism during rodent palatogenesis

Cleft lip and palate is a common craniofacial malformation in man. The aetiology is multifactorial and not known. Since collagen is a major structural component of the developing palate, we studied its composition and metabolism during palate shelf formation and elevation in the rat. Palatal shelves were harvested at embryonic days (E) 15, 16 and 17 as well as post-partum. Palatal collagen increased threefold from E15 to E17 and tenfold from E17 to 5-day-old pups. Palatal calcification was seen in the main, post-partum. Collagen cross-linking, which may be important in shelf elevation and union, varied. The concentration of hydroxylysyl-pyridinolone cross-links was greatest prior to shelf elevation, declining thereafter. Similarly, the highest concentration of dihydroxylysinononorleucine was seen at E16 and this supports the concept of a compliant mesenchymal shelf responding to an intrinsic elevating force. We then determined if enzymes responsible for matrix degradation, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) altered over the same time periods. MMP-2, and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were identified by gelatin zymography and reverse zymography, respectively. MMP-3 activity was determined with a fluorogenic substrate assay. TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and MMP-3 levels remained constant from E15 to E17. The MMP-2 levels showed a significant elevation from E15 to E16 and E16 to E17. This suggests the regulation of extracellular matrix is likely to be of importance in palate morphogenesis.

Adjunctive therapy with oxcarbazepine in children with partial seizures. The Oxcarbazepine Pediatric Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of oxcarbazepine (OXC) as adjunctive therapy in children with inadequately controlled partial seizures on one or two concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

BACKGROUND

OXC has shown antiepileptic activity in several comparative monotherapy trials in newly diagnosed patients with epilepsy, and in a placebo-controlled monotherapy trial in hospitalized patients evaluated for epilepsy surgery.

DESIGN

A total of 267 patients were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial consisting of three phases: 1) a 56-day baseline phase (patients maintained on their current AEDs); 2) a 112-day double-blind treatment phase (patients received either OXC 30-46 mg/kg/day orally or placebo); and 3) an open-label extension phase. Data are reported only from the double-blind treatment phase; the open-label extension phase is ongoing.

METHODS

Children (3 to 17 years old) with inadequately controlled partial seizures (simple, complex, and partial seizures evolving to secondarily generalized seizures) were enrolled.

RESULTS

Patients treated with OXC experienced a significantly greater median percent reduction from baseline in partial seizure frequency than patients treated with placebo (p = 0.0001; 35% versus 9%, respectively). Forty-one percent of patients treated with OXC experienced a > or =50% reduction from baseline in partial seizure frequency per 28 days compared with 22% of patients treated with placebo (p = 0.0005). Ninety-one percent of the group treated with OXC and 82% of the group treated with placebo reported > or =1 adverse event; vomiting, somnolence, dizziness, and nausea occurred more frequently (twofold or greater) in the group treated with OXC.

CONCLUSION

OXC adjunctive therapy administered in a dose range of 6 to 51 mg/kg/day (median 31.4 mg/kg/day) is safe, effective, and well tolerated in children with partial seizures.

A serine proteinase inactivator inhibits chondrocyte-mediated cartilage proteoglycan breakdown occurring in response to proinflammatory cytokines

The role played by serine proteinases with trypsin-like specificity in chondrocyte-mediated cartilage proteoglycan breakdown was investigated by use of a selective proteinase inactivator, 7-amino-4-chloro-3-(-3-isothiureidopropoxy)isocoumarin, in explant culture systems. This compound was a rapid inactivator of urokinase-type plasminogen activator. It potently inhibited interleukin 1- and tumor necrosis factor-stimulated proteoglycan release from both nasal and articular cartilage. Its less potent inhibition of basal and retinoic acid-stimulated release appeared to be due to cytotoxic effects. The functional half-life of the inactivator in culture medium was 95 min, and its concentration in cartilage was 2.5-fold higher than in the surrounding medium. Following spontaneous hydrolysis the breakdown products of the inactivator were unable to inhibit proteoglycan release. Trypsin-like activity was demonstrated by enzyme histochemistry to be chondrocyte-associated and inhibited by the serine proteinase inactivator. Cell-associated and secreted plasminogen activator activity was detected by zymography. These results suggest the involvement of a serine proteinase(s) with trypsin-like specificity, possibly urokinase-type plasminogen activator, in chondrocyte-mediated cartilage proteoglycan breakdown occurring as a result of stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines. Basal proteoglycan breakdown may occur via a different pathway. Our findings point to a pathological role for serine proteinase(s) in the development of cartilage diseases such as arthritis, possibly in a cascade which results in the activation of the enzyme(s) directly responsible for proteoglycan breakdown. It remains to be shown whether the target serine proteinase is urokinase-type plasminogen activator.

Displacement of maxillary canines: a twist in the root

This report describes two cases in which the possible aetiology of displacement of a maxillary canine was the presence of a deviated root on the adjacent maxillary first premolar.

An intraventricular axial flow blood pump integrated with a bearing purge system

The future development of implantable axial flow blood pumps must address two major issues: mechanically induced hemolysis and shaft seal reliability. The recent revisions to our miniature intraventricular axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) were aimed particularly at addressing these concerns. To improve hemocompatibility, a new impeller has been designed according to the following criteria: 1) gradual pressure rise along the blade chord; 2) minimized local fluid acceleration to prevent cavitation; 3) minimum surface roughness; and 4) radius edges. Subsequent in vitro hemolysis tests conducted with bovine and ovine blood have demonstrated very low hemolysis (normalized index of hemolysis = 0.0051 +/- 0.0047 g/100 L) with this new impeller design. To address the need for a reliable seal, we have developed a purged seal system consisting of a miniature lip seal and ceramic pressure groove journal bearing that also acts as a purge pump. Several spiral grooves formed on the bearing surface provide viscous pumping of the purge fluid, generating more than 3,000 mmHg at 10,000 rpm. This purge flow flushes the lip seal and prevents blood backflow into the bearing. We have found this purge pump to offer several advantages because it is simple, compact, durable, does not require separate actuation, and offers a wide range of flow, depending upon the groove design. In vivo animal tests demonstrated the potential of the purged seal system.

The normal shoulder during the butterfly swim stroke. An electromyographic and cinematographic analysis of twelve muscles

This study describes shoulder muscle activity during the butterfly stroke. Upon hand entry, the deltoids and rotator cuff muscles demonstrated activity as the humerus was abducted, extended, and externally rotated. The rhomboids and upper trapezius were also active, retracting and upwardly rotating the scapula, which positioned the glenoid for the humerus. During propulsion, the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi generated power. The subscapularis and teres minor were active to control humeral rotation. The serratus anterior helped to pull the body over the arm by reversing its origin and insertion. The posterior deltoid completed humeral extension at the end of propulsion and began to lift the arm out of the water. Then, the middle and anterior deltoids fired with the supraspinatus and infraspinatus to abduct and externally rotate the arm. The scapular muscles were also active, retracting the proximal portion of the scapula while protracting and upwardly rotating the distal tip. The glenoid then provided a platform for the humerus. Overall, the serratus anterior and the subscapularis maintained a high level of activation throughout the stroke; thus, these muscles were highly susceptible to fatigue and vulnerable to injury.

The painful shoulder during the butterfly stroke. An electromyographic and cinematographic analysis of twelve muscles

This paper compares the muscle firing patterns of 12 shoulder girdle muscles in competitive butterfly swimmers with painful and normal shoulders. Seven of the 12 muscles revealed statistically significant differences between the two populations. The posterior deltoid demonstrated more activity in the painful shoulders during hand entry while the upper trapezius and serratus anterior exhibited less activity. This alteration in muscle firing patterns allowed for the humerus to be positioned for a wider hand entry, which decreased the pain of impingement of the supraspinatus on the coracoacromial arch. Correspondingly, there was significantly less activity in the supraspinatus. The teres minor and serratus anterior revealed significantly less muscle action throughout pulling as they respectively failed to balance the humeral rotation and did not reverse their origins and insertions to pull the body over the arm. Also, the subscapularis and infraspinatus displayed increased activity in the painful shoulders as they depressed the humeral head to avoid impingement. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rhomboids, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, or the anterior and middle deltoids. From this information, accurate preventative and rehabilitative exercise programs for the competitive butterfly swimmer can be developed.

The painful shoulder during freestyle swimming. An electromyographic cinematographic analysis of twelve muscles

The purpose of this paper is to describe the patterns of activity of 12 shoulder muscles in painful shoulders, and compare those patterns of activity with normal shoulders. The results show significant differences in 7 of the 12 muscles. Those muscles included the anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, infraspinatus, subscapularis, upper trapezius, rhomboids, and the serratus anterior. There were no significant differences between muscle activity patterns of normal versus painful shoulders in the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, teres minor, supraspinatus, or the posterior deltoid. This information will contribute to the development of muscle conditioning programs to optimize performance and prevent injury, as well as develop programs for scientific rehabilitation strengthening.

The normal shoulder during freestyle swimming. An electromyographic and cinematographic analysis of twelve muscles

The shoulder in swimming is subjected to multiple factors that can lead to a high injury rate. To prevent injury, one must understand the biomechanics of swimming. This paper describes the electromyographic and cinematographic findings of 12 shoulder muscles in competitive swimmers without shoulder pain. The results show the three heads of the deltoid and the supraspinatus functioning in synchrony to place the arm at hand entry and exit, the rhomboids and upper trapezius to position the scapula for the arm, the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi to propel the body, the subscapularis and serratus anterior as muscles with constant muscle activity, the teres minor functioning with the pectoralis major, and the infraspinatus active only to externally rotate the arm at midrecovery. This information is important to design optimal preventative and rehabilitative exercise programs.

The movement disorder of reflex sympathetic dystrophy

We present 43 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) who manifested abnormalities of movement. The patients have focal dystonia, weakness, spasms, tremor, difficulty initiating movement, and increased tone and reflexes. These motor signs and symptoms may precede other manifestations of the illness by weeks or months. They most frequently, but not invariably, occur concomitantly with sudomotor or vasomotor changes and pain. Lioresal is effective in reducing spasms. Early in the course of RSD, the motor manifestation may be alleviated by intense sympathetic blockade or sympathectomy. In many patients, the movement disorder becomes independent of sympathetic innervation.

Treatment of the young child with postoperative central diabetes insipidus

A continuous intravenous infusion of aqueous vasopressin (dosage range, 1.0 to 3.0 mU/kg/h) was administered to two patients (respective ages, 2 weeks and 3 years 1 month) who had postoperative central diabetes insipidus to determine if this mode of therapy is helpful in the very young patient. In both patients the polyuria and serum hyperosmolality were corrected. These findings suggest that an intravenous infusion of aqueous vasopressin can provide satisfactory control of the polyuria and electrolyte disturbances found in young children with acute postoperative central diabetes insipidus.

Long-term L-thyroxine therapy is associated with decreased hip bone density in premenopausal women

The effect of long-term L-thyroxine (L-T4) therapy on axial skeleton bone density was studied in 31 premenopausal women; the bone densities of these women were compared with the bone densities of 31 age- and weight-matched women without thyroid or bone abnormalities. The women receiving L-T4 therapy had been receiving the medication for a minimum of five years. There was no difference in calcium intake or excretion between the L-T4-treated women and the controls. Women receiving L-T4 had increased serum thyroxine concentrations (134 +/- 5 vs 95 +/- 3 nmol/L [10.4 +/- 0.4 vs 7.4 +/- 0.2 micrograms/dL]), an increased free thyroxine index (9.4 +/- 0.4 vs 6.8 +/- 0.2), and decreased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations (0.9 +/- 0.2 mU/L vs 2.1 +/- 0.3 mU/L [0.9 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.3 microU/mL]). Serum triiodothyronine concentrations were normal and were similar in both groups. Women treated with L-T4 had a 12.8% lower bone density at the femoral neck and a 10.1% lower bone density at the femoral trochanter compared with matched controls. In contrast, lumbar spine bone density was similar in the two groups. The data suggest that long-term L-T4 therapy, which is often given at supraphysiologic dosages, may predispose patients to decreased bone density in the hip and may increase the risk of age-related bone loss. It is advisable, therefore, to employ a dosage of L-T4 that is carefully monitored to avoid the long-term use of dosages that are excessive for the thyroid condition being treated.