Skeletal Ultrastructure in some Tubuliporine Cyclostome Bryozoans

The ultrastructure of the calcareous skeleton is described in twenty–one species of recent tubuliporine cyclostome bryozoans, using field emission SEM. The succession of skeletal fabrics in interior walls may be classified into four different fabric suites. The first–formed part of the calcitic skeleton in all species for which it has been observed is a precursory fabric of tiny, wedge–shaped crystallites. This is succeeded in about half of the species studied by a fabric of transverse fibres, followed by foliated fabric and often semi–nacre (fabric suite 1). Most of the remaining species lack transverse fibres and have interior walls largely comprising semi–nacre (fabric suite 2). A few species have skeletons consisting of predominantly distally–oriented, irregularly or regularly foliated fabric (fabric suite 3). A single species has a skeleton of proximally–oriented foliated fabric (fabric suite 4). Basal exterior walls in all species have a precursory fabric of tiny wedge–shaped crystallites without a strong preferred orientation, deposited directly upon the organic cuticle, followed by a layer of planar spherulitic structure, which in turn is succeeded by a similar fabric to that developed in the interior wall of the species concerned. Outermost layers of frontal exterior walls exhibit one of the following combinations of three fabrics: an outer layer of (1) finely granular or wedge–shaped crystallites; a thin dense granular layer followed by (2) distally accreting planar spherulitic fabric., or (3) obliquely accreting planar spherulitic fabric growing partly towards the midline of the frontal wall. Terminal diaphragms usually have outer layers dominated by planar spherulitic ultrastructure with centripetal growth directions. The fabric suites present in tubuliporines encompass most known fabrics found in the other cyclostome suborders and support the notion that this species–rich suborder occupies a central position in cyclostome evolution.     

Polymorphic Admixture Typing in Human Ethnic Populations

A panel of 257 RFLP loci was selected on the basis of high heterozygosity in Caucasian DNA surveys and equivalent spacing throughout the human genome. Probes from each locus were used in a Southern blot survey of allele frequency distribution for four human ethnic groups: Caucasian, African American, Asian (Chinese), and American Indian (Cheyenne). Nearly all RFLP loci were polymorphic in each group, albeit with a broad range of differing allele frequencies (δ). The distribution of frequency differences (δ values) was used for three purposes: (1) to provide estimates for genetic distance (differentiation) among these ethnic groups, (2) to revisit with a large data set the proportion of human genetic variation attributable to differentiation within ethnic groups, and (3) to identify loci with high δ values between recently admixed populations of use in mapping by admixture linkage disequilibrium (MALD). Although most markers display significant allele frequency differences between ethnic groups, the overall genetic distances between ethnic groups were small (.066–.098), and <10% of the measured overall molecular genetic diversity in these human samples can be attributed to “racial” differentiation. The median δ values for pairwise comparisons between groups fell between .15 and .20, permitting identification of highly informative RFLP loci for MALD disease association studies.     

Defective Fc-mediated phagocytosis in C3H/HeJ macrophages. II. Correction by cAMP agonists

Peritoneal macrophages from LPS hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice lose the capacity to bind and phagocytose opsonized sheep erythrocytes (EA) over a 48-hr culture period. This loss in Fc receptor capacity is markedly different from the progressive increase in phagocytic ability exhibited by cultured macrophages derived from LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice. Since dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (DBcAMP) has previously been reported to modulate membrane receptor expression in lymphocytes and certain macrophage-like cell lines, we examined its effects on EA binding and phagocytosis by C3H/HeJ macrophages. DBcAMP not only reverses the binding defect in C3H/HeJ macrophages but also restores EA phagocytosis to the level of control C3H/HeN cultures. 8-Bromo-cAMP, as well as other agents known to elevate intracellular cAMP (i.e., isoproterenol plus isobutylmethylxanthine or prostaglandin E2) also corrected the phagocytic defect. Since the C3H/HeJ macrophage phagocytic defect can also be reversed by in vitro stimulation with a lymphokine-rich culture supernatant, we examined the effect of this treatment on intracellular cAMP levels. Lymphokine treatment produced a 60% increase in the levels of macrophage intracellular cAMP. These findings suggest that the C3H/HeJ differentiation defect may be secondary to some abnormality in a cAMP dependent pathway.     

Breast MRI in nonpalpable breast lesions: a randomized trial with diagnostic and therapeutic outcome – MONET – study

Background

In orthodontic treatment, anchorage control is a fundamental aspect. Usually conventional mechanism for orthodontic anchorage control can be either extraoral or intraoral that is headgear or intermaxillary elastics. Their use are combined with various side effects such as tipping of occlusal plane or undesirable movements of teeth. Especially in cases, where key-teeth are missing, conventional anchorage defined as tooth-borne anchorage will meet limitations. Therefore, the use of endosseous implants for anchorage purposes are increasingly used to achieve positional stability and maximum anchorage.

Methods/Design

The intended study is designed as a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), comparing and contrasting the effect of early loading of palatal implant therapy versus implant loading after 12 weeks post implantation using the new ortho-implant type II anchor system device (Orthosystem Straumann, Basel, Switzerland). 124 participants, mainly adult males or females, whose diagnoses require temporary stationary implant-based anchorage treatment will be randomized 1:1 to one of two treatment groups: group 1 will receive a loading of implant standard therapy after a healing period of 12 week (gold standard), whereas group 2 will receive an early loading of orthodontic implants within 1 week after implant insertion. Participants will be at least followed for 12 months after implant placement. The primary endpoint is to investigate the behavior of early loaded palatal implants in order to find out if shorter healing periods might be justified to accelerate active orthodontic treatment. Secondary outcomes will focus e.g. on achievement of orthodontic treatment goals and quantity of direct implant-bone interface of removed bone specimens. As tertiary objective, a histologic and microtomography evaluation of all retrieved implants will be performed to obtain data on the performance of the SLA surface in human bone evaluation of all retrieved implants. Additionally, resonance frequency analysis (RFA, Osstell? mentor) will be used at different times for clinically monitoring the implant stability and for histological comparison in order to measure the reliability of the resonance frequency measuring device.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN97142521.     

Successful immunotherapy with matrix metalloproteinase-derived peptides in adjuvant arthritis depends on the timing of peptide administration

We have recently found that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are targets for T-cell and B-cell reactivity in experimental arthritis. In the present article, we investigate whether modulation of MMP-specific T-cell responses could influence the course of adjuvant arthritis (AA). Lewis rats were treated nasally with MMP peptides prior to or after AA induction. Administration of the MMP-10 or the MMP-16 peptide prior to AA induction reduced the arthritic symptoms. In contrast, administration of the MMP-10 peptide after AA induction aggravated the arthritic symptoms. The present study shows the possible usefulness of MMP peptides for immunotherapy. However, a clear understanding of proper timing of peptide administration is crucial for the development of such therapies.     

Skeletal Ultrastructure of the Early Astogenetic Stages of Some Cyclostome Bryozoans

The calcific protoecia of cyclostome bryozoans have remarkably uniform skeletal ultrastructure in three suborders (Tubuliporina, Cancellata and Rectangulata). The basal wall or floor has a fine outer granular layer succeeded by planar spherulitic fabric, internally lined by irregular semi-nacre. The roof of the disc comprises an outer granular layer with an inner lining of semi-nacre continuous with that of the floor; planar spherulitic fabric is absent. Growth of the floor of the disc is initiated around the circular outer rim and continues centripetally to the centre; the inner lining has no prevailing growth direction. The gently domed roof also initiates around the outer rim, and grows in strips, which grow toward the centre, then distally toward the distal tube of the ancestrula which has a fully adult ultrastructure. Protoecia] ultrastructure is independent of adult ultrastructure. The uniformity of skeletal ultrastructure in cyclostomes corresponds with the close similarity of larvae and post-settlement metamorphosis in the order. The fabric suite of the protoecium resembles the skeletal ultrastructure of Palaeozoic stenolaemates. The primitive fabric condition is retained by some tubuliporines and cancellates. Complex multilayered fabric suites may have evolved in the Mesozoic by addition of new fabric types.