Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellites from the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

We isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci from the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). The loci exhibited a variable number of alleles that ranged from three to 14 with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.70 (SD 0.

Effect of vaginal distention on elastic fiber synthesis and matrix degradation in the vaginal wall: potential role in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse.

Matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity is increased in the postpartum vagina of wild-type (WT) animals. This degradative activity is also accompanied by a burst in elastic fiber synthesis and assembly. The mechanisms that precipitate these changes are unclear.

Development and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci for the Mona Island iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri).

We isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci in the Mona Island iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri). Eleven loci exhibit moderate to high allelic diversity (two to 12 alleles, mean = 4.5) and polymorphism (mean observed heterozygosity, 0.

Nonsurgical therapies for lymphangiomas: a systematic review.

Objective: Systematically review the published literature regarding the efficacy of nonsurgical therapies in the treatment of head and neck (H&N) lymphatic malformations (LM) in children.

Data Source: MEDLINE.

Review Methods: MEDLINE was searched for literature relating to nonsurgical treatments for H&N LM.

An N-of-1 trial as an aid to decision-making prior to implanting a permanent spinal cord stimulator.

Objective: Limited evidence supports the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Therefore, it is crucial to assess the usefulness of this invasive procedure before implanting permanent electrodes in each patient. An N-of-1 trial is an experiment in which a single participant undergoes periods of comparative treatments.

The treatment of unstable ankle fractures in patients over eighty years of age.

Background: The current study examined the outcomes of operative treatment of unstable ankle fractures in patients at least 80 years old at the time of injury.

Methods: Of 2,682 patients who presented for treatment of ankle fractures, 17 patients met the study criteria. These patients had open reduction and internal fixation after sustaining 15 closed and two open unstable ankle fractures.

Cloning of complete genes for novel hydrolytic enzymes from Antarctic sea water bacteria by use of an improved genome walking technique.

The increased demand for enzymes with new properties makes indispensable the development of easy and rapid strategies to obtain complete genes of new enzymes. Here a strategy is described which includes screening by PCR of new subtilases mediated by Consensus-Degenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primers (CODEHOP) and an improved genome walking method to obtain the complete sequence of the identified genes. Existing methods of genome walking have many limitations, which make them inefficient and time consuming.

Regulation of elastolytic proteases in the mouse vagina during pregnancy, parturition, and puerperium.

Recent evidence indicates that failure of elastic fiber assembly and synthesis is involved in the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse in mice. It has been long been hypothesized that parturition-induced activation of proteases in the vaginal wall and its supportive tissues may contribute to pelvic organ prolapse in women. In this investigation, we determined the expression of matrix metalloproteases with elastase activity (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP] 2, MMP9, and MMP12) and their inhibitors in the vaginal wall of nonpregnant, pregnant, and postpartum mice.

[Reproduction of the fish Brotula clarkae (Pisces: Ophidiidae) in the Colombian Pacific].

We studied the reproductive ecology of the fish Brotula clarkae based on 754 individuals obtained from the industrial and artisanal fisheries in the Colombian Pacific (March 1994 to December 1996). Histological sections (paraplast embedding and Harris's hematoxylin-eosin stain) were made from 151 females (26-100 cm total length). Additionally, mean diameter and particular features are described for oocyte phases and ovarian development stages.

Ion channels in sperm motility and capacitation.

Spermatozoa depend upon ion channels to rapidly exchange information with the outside world and to fertilise the egg. These efficient ion transporters participate in many of the most important sperm processes, such as motility and capacitation. It is well known that sperm swimming is regulated by [Ca2+]i.

Interactions between isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora JPM4 during infection of the sugar cane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Interactions between the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora isolate JPM4 and the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, isolates LPP45 and LPP39, were studied during dual infections of Diatraea saccharalis. Mortality, production of infective juveniles (IJs) and production of conidia were evaluated. A positive effect was demonstrated for host mortality in duel infections of JPM4 and LPP39, causing 100% mortality with LT(50) and LT(95) values of 1.

T-type Ca2+ channels in sperm function.

Intracellular Ca2+ regulates many fundamental physiological processes in excitable and non-excitable cells. Certainly this is the case of sperm where the local concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is significantly influenced by Ca2+ permeable channels present in the cell plasma membrane. Amongst these channels, the voltage dependent Ca2+ channels (CaV) of the T-type (CaV3) appear to have an eminent role in the acrosome reaction (AR) of some sperm species, though they may participate in other important functions like motility and capacitation.

Sperm channel diversity and functional multiplicity.

Ion channels are extraordinarily efficient machines that move ions in diversely controlled manners, allowing cells to rapidly exchange information with the outside world and with other cells. Communication is the currency of fertilization, as it is of most fundamental cell signaling events. Ion channels are deeply involved in the dialogue between sperm, its surroundings, and the egg.

Identification of in vivo-expressed antigens of Staphylococcus aureus and their use in vaccinations for protection against nasal carriage.

A spectrum of in vivo-expressed Staphylococcus aureus antigens was identified by probing bacteriophage expression libraries of S. aureus with serum samples from infected and uninfected individuals. Eleven recombinant antigenic proteins were produced, and specific antibody titers in a large collection of human serum samples were determined.

Sodium and epithelial sodium channels participate in the regulation of the capacitation-associated hyperpolarization in mouse sperm.

In a process called capacitation, mammalian sperm gain the ability to fertilize after residing in the female tract. During capacitation the mouse sperm plasma membrane potential (E(m)) hyperpolarizes. However, the mechanisms that regulate sperm E(m) are not well understood.

Early postoperative complications after coronary artery bypass grafting at the San Juan Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Objectives: Describe the perioperative characteristics of the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in San Juan, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SJ-VAMC). Determine the in-hospital and 30-day morbidity and mortality following CABG and identify adverse predictors for postoperative complications.

Background: Preoperative risk factors for complications post-CABG have been identified; however limited data is available regarding the value of these predictors in the Puerto Rican Population.

In vitro anti-Vibrio cholerae activity of essential oil from Lepechinia caulescens.

Lepechinia caulescens is a plant employed by the Purepecha (a Mexican ethnic group) to treat infectious gastrointestinal ailments. The essential oil of this species was active against some strains of Vibrio cholerae with 4 microl/ml MIC and 6 microl/ml MBC. The major components of the oil found by GC-MS were borneol, camphor and trans-caryophyllene.

Phenotype characterization and natural history of spondylothoracic dysplasia syndrome: a series of 27 new cases.

Spondylothoracic dysplasia (STD, MIM#277300) is an autosomal recessive disorder with high prevalence in the Puerto Rican population. It is generally regarded as a lethal condition. Since Jarcho and Levin described it in 1938, it has been referred to as spondylocostal dysplasia, costovertebral dysplasia, Jarcho-Levin syndrome and STD.

ROCK inhibitor (Y27632) increases apoptosis and disrupts the actin cortical mat in embryonic avian corneal epithelium.

The embryonic chicken corneal epithelium is a unique tissue that has been used as an in vitro epithelial sheet organ culture model for over 30 years (Hay and Revel [1969] Fine structure of the developing Avian cornea. Basel, Switzerland: S. Karger A.

Intramedullary rod fixation compared with blade-plate-and-screw fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis: a biomechanical investigation.

Background: Achieving stable fixation when performing tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis can be challenging, especially in osteopenic bone. The purpose of the current investigation was to compare the stiffness and fatigue endurance of blade-plate-and-screw fixation with intramedullary rod fixation in a cadaveric model.

Methods: In ten matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric legs, a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis was performed with use of a blade-plate and a 6.

Genetic mosaic in a marine species flock.

We used molecular approaches to study the status of speciation in coral reef fishes known as hamlets (Serranidae: Hypoplectrus). Several hamlet morphospecies coexist on Caribbean reefs, and mate assortatively with respect to their strikingly distinct colour patterns. We provide evidence that, genetically, the hamlets display characteristics common in species flocks on land and in freshwaters.

Mechanical comparison of cyclic loading in five different first metatarsal shaft osteotomies.

The purposes of the current study were: 1. to analyze the relative fatigue endurance of five different first metatarsal shaft osteotomies (proximal crescentic, proximal chevron, Ludloff, Mau, and Scarf), as performed on sawbone models using the most common fixation techniques (part I); and 2. to compare the two more commonly used techniques (per part I results) in matched-pair cadaver specimens (part II).