Approaches to define antigen receptor-induced serine kinase signal transduction pathways

In the present report we describe the properties of a novel phospho-specific antiserum that has opened a route to the characterization of antigen receptor-activated serine kinase pathways in lymphocytes. The basis for the present work was that Ser-21 in glycogen synthase kinase 3alpha is robustly phosphorylated following antigen receptor triggering. We predicted accordingly that antigen receptors would also stimulate phosphorylation of other proteins with a similar sequence. To test this idea we raised an antibody against the phospho-peptide RARTSpSFAEP, where pS is a phospho-serine corresponding to the glycogen synthase kinase 3alpha Ser-21 sequence. The resulting antiserum was called phospho antibody for proteomics-1 (PAP-1). The present study describes the properties of PAP-1 and shows that it can reveal quite striking differences in the phospho-proteome of different cell types and is able to pinpoint new targets in important signal transduction pathways. PAP-1 was used to map protein phosphorylations regulated by the antigen receptor in T cells. One of these PAP-1-reactive proteins was purified and revealed to be a previously unrecognized target for antigen receptor signal transduction, namely an "orphan" adapter SLY (Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-containing protein expressed in lymphocytes). The use of sera detecting specific phosphorylation sites is thus proved as a powerful method for the discovery of novel downstream components of antigen receptor signals in T cells.     

The safe face lift with bony anatomic landmarks to elevate the SMAS

The risk for facial nerve injury has been reported to be increased with the inclusion of superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) elevation as compared with a skin-only face lift. The facial nerve courses through the parotid gland. The SMAS is elevated superficial to the parotid gland. However, in elevating the SMAS anterior to the parotid gland, the facial nerve is at risk of injury where its branches emerge from the anterior edge of the parotid gland. The purpose of this study was to identify bony anatomic landmarks to predict the location of the anterior edge of the parotid gland to avoid injury to the facial nerve branches as they exit the parotid gland. The authors dissected 20 cadaver face halves to determine bony landmarks-the masseteric tuberosity and the inferior lateral orbital rim-to predict the location of the anterior parotid edge. Then they measured the anterior edge of the parotid gland in relation to the vector formed between these two bony landmarks. They identified and measured the most anterior portion of the parotid gland in relation to this vector. Then the most posterior aspect of the parotid gland in relation to this vector was measured. In the 20 dissections, the authors found the most anterior portion of the parotid gland to be 2.7 +/- 1.0 mm anterior to the vector from the inferior lateral orbital rim to the masseteric tuberosity. The most posterior part of the anterior edge of the parotid gland in relation to this vector was found to be 1.0 +/- 1.5 mm posterior to this vector. The parotid gland measured an average of 38.8 +/- 3.5 mm in width from the tragus to the anterior parotid edge. In elevating the SMAS with a face lift, the facial nerve branches can be predicted to exit the anterior edge of the parotid gland, which can be located 38.8 mm anterior to the tragus and near the vector from the inferior lateral orbital wall to the masseteric tuberosity.     

Lower blepharoplasty using bony anatomical landmarks to identify and avoid injury to the inferior oblique muscle

In the resection of redundant orbital fat during lower blepharoplasty, selective excision is performed from the medial, central, and lateral compartments. During transcutaneous blepharoplasty, the inferior oblique muscle is susceptible to injury because of its intimate association between the medial and central compartments. When performing a transconjunctival approach, the inferior oblique muscle is even more susceptible to injury because it lies in the direct path of dissection for fat pad exposure. Injury to the inferior oblique muscle can result in symptoms ranging from transient diplopia to a more debilitating permanent strabismus. Fresh cadaver heads were used to identify bony anatomical landmarks that would help to more accurately define the origin and body of the inferior oblique muscle. The orbital rim, infraorbital foramen, and supraorbital notch were chosen as guideline landmarks. The origin of the inferior oblique muscle was designated with respect to the above structures, and the muscle course was delineated. The inferior oblique muscle originates on the orbital floor, 5.14 +/- 1.21 mm posterior to the inferior orbital rim, on a line extending from the infraorbital foramen to 10 +/- 0.9 mm inferior to the supraorbital notch along the supramedial orbital rim. The muscle belly extends from this origin to its insertion into the posterolateral globe in an oblique direction toward the lateral canthal area. Identification of the orbital rim, infraorbital foramen, and supraorbital notch more accurately localizes the origin and course of the inferior oblique muscle, which may facilitate fat resection during lower blepharoplasty by preventing morbidity associated with inferior oblique muscle injury.     

Colonization history and population differentiation of the Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) in Puerto Rico

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are the primary commercial pollinators across the world. The subspecies A. m. scutellata originated in Africa and was introduced to the Americas in 1956. For the last 60 years, it hybridized successfully with European subspecies, previous residents in the area. The result of this hybridization was called Africanized honey bee (AHB). AHB has spread since then, arriving to Puerto Rico (PR) in 1994. The honey bee population on the island acquired a mosaic of features from AHB or the European honey bee (EHB). AHB in Puerto Rico shows a major distinctive characteristic, docile behavior, and is called gentle Africanized honey bees (gAHB). We used 917 SNPs to examine the population structure, genetic differentiation, origin, and history of range expansion and colonization of gAHB in PR. We compared gAHB to populations that span the current distribution of A. mellifera worldwide. The gAHB population is shown to be a single population that differs genetically from the examined populations of AHB. Texas and PR groups are the closest genetically. Our results support the hypothesis that the Texas AHB population is the source of gAHB in Puerto Rico.     

Alginate/chitosan hydrogel containing olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells for sciatic nerve tissue engineering

Regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve damage still remain a significant clinical problem. In this study, alginate/chitosan (alg/chit) hydrogel was used for the transplantation of olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs) to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. The OE-MSCs were isolated from olfactory mucosa biopsies and evaluated by different cell surface markers and differentiation capacity. After creating sciatic nerve injury in a rat model, OE-MSCs were transplanted to the injured area with alg/chit hydrogel which was prepared and well-characterized. The prepared hydrogel had the porosity of 91.3 ± 1.27%, the swelling ratio of 379% after 240 min, weight loss percentages of 80 ± 5.56% after 14 days, and good blood compatibility. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, and LIVE/DEAD staining were done to assay the behavior of OE-MSCs on alg/chit hydrogel and the results confirmed that the hydrogel can provide a suitable substrate for cell survival. For functional analysis, alg/chit hydrogel with and without OE- MSCs was injected into a 3-mm sciatic nerve defect of Wistar rats. The results of the sciatic functional index, hot plate latency, electrophysiological assessment, weight-loss percentage of wet gastrocnemius muscle, and histopathological examination using hematoxylin–eosin and Luxol fast blue staining showed that utilizing alg/chit hydrogel with OE-MSCs to the sciatic nerve defect enhance regeneration compared to the control group and hydrogel without cells.     

Psychological and hormonal features of smokers at risk to gain weight after smoking cessation--results of a multicenter study

Preclinical and clinical data suggest modulating effects of appetite-regulating hormones and stress perception on food intake. Nicotine intake also interferes with regulation of body weight. Especially following smoking cessation gaining weight is a common but only partially understood consequence. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between smoking habits, the appetite regulating hormone leptin, negative affectivity, and stress vulnerability on eating behavior in a clinical case-control study under standardized conditions.In a large population-based study sample, we compared leptin and cortisol plasma concentrations (radioimmunoassay) between current tobacco smokers with high cognitive restraint and disinhibition in eating behavior and smokers scoring low in both categories as assessed with the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ; Stunkard & Messick, 1985). As a measure for smoking effects on the stress axis, the saliva cortisol concentrations were compared before and after nicotine smoking. Additionally, stress perception was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), symptoms of depression and anxiety with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).In smokers showing high cognitive restraint and disinhibition we found significantly higher leptin concentrations than in the group of smokers scoring low in both categories. Furthermore there was a significant group difference in saliva cortisol concentrations after nicotine intake. Smokers showing high cognitive restraint and disinhibition were also characterized by significantly higher scores in the STAI, the PSS and the BDI.Our results suggest that smokers with a pathological eating behavior show an impaired neuroendocrine regulation of appetite and are prone to experience higher levels of stress and negative affectivity. This interaction of behavioral and neuroendocrinological factors may constitute a high risk condition for gaining weight following smoking cessation.     

Safe treatment of trigger finger with longitudinal and transverse landmarks: an anatomic study of the border fingers for percutaneous release

Transverse landmarks have recently been determined to predict the proximal and distal edges of the A1 pulley for trigger finger release. Percutaneous A1 pulley release has been discouraged for the border digits because of the risk of injury to the neurovascular structures of the index and small fingers. The purpose of the study was to identify longitudinal surface landmarks to prevent injury to the neurovascular bundles during percutaneous A1 pulley release of the ulnar and radial border digits. Longitudinal surface landmarks were identified and marked on 29 cadaver hands. Proximal and distal landmarks for the longitudinal vector through which the A1 pulley of the small finger was released include the midline of the proximal digital crease and the scaphoid tubercle. Proximal and distal landmarks for the longitudinal line through which the index finger A1 pulley was released include the midline of proximal digital crease and radial edge of the pisiform. Longitudinal incisions were performed between these landmarks, straight through the skin and deep enough to score the A1 pulley. The distance of the medial edge of the neurovascular structures from the longitudinal incision in the A1 pulley was measured for each small finger and index finger. Using these longitudinal landmarks for the index and small fingers, none of the neurovascular structures was injured while performing these longitudinal incisions through the skin, scoring the A1 pulley. In fact, the average distance for the neurovascular structures from the longitudinal vector of the small finger was 5.4 +/- 1.4 mm radially and 6.7 +/- 1.9 mm ulnarly. The average distance for the neurovascular structures from the longitudinal line of the index finger was 8.5 +/- 1.8 mm radially and 6.2 +/- 1.7 mm ulnarly. Based on the findings of this anatomical study, these longitudinal landmarks can be used to avoid injury to neurovascular structures in the management of trigger finger involving the border digits with steroid-injection, open, or percutaneous A1 pulley release.