The somatotopic organization of the olfactory bulb in elasmobranchs.

The olfactory bulbs (OBs) are bilaterally paired structures in the vertebrate forebrain that receive and process odor information from the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the periphery. Virtually all vertebrate OBs are arranged chemotopically, with different regions of the OB processing different types of odorants. However, there is some evidence that elasmobranch fishes (sharks, rays, and skates) may possess a gross somatotopic organization instead.

In vivo detection of cortical optical changes associated with seizure activity with optical coherence tomography.

The most common technology for seizure detection is with electroencephalography (EEG), which has low spatial resolution and minimal depth discrimination. Optical techniques using near-infrared (NIR) light have been used to improve upon EEG technology and previous research has suggested that optical changes, specifically changes in near-infrared optical scattering, may precede EEG seizure onset in in vivo models. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution, minimally invasive imaging technique, which can produce depth resolved cross-sectional images.

FragIt: a tool to prepare input files for fragment based quantum chemical calculations.

Near linear scaling fragment based quantum chemical calculations are becoming increasingly popular for treating large systems with high accuracy and is an active field of research. However, it remains difficult to set up these calculations without expert knowledge. To facilitate the use of such methods, software tools need to be available to support these methods and help to set up reasonable input files which will lower the barrier of entry for usage by non-experts.

Socio-economic inequalities in health care utilisation in Norway: a population based cross-sectional survey.

Background: Norway provides universal health care coverage to all residents, but socio-economic inequalities in health are among the largest in Europe. Evidence on inequalities in health care utilisation is sparse, and the aim of this population based study was to investigate socio-economic inequalities in the utilisation of health care services in Tromsø, Norway.

Methods: We used questionnaire data from the cross-sectional Tromsø Study, conducted in 2007-8.

Intracellular toxicity of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides shuttled into mammalian cells by the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin.

The health threat caused by multiresistant bacteria has continuously increased and recently peaked with pathogens resistant to all current drugs. This has triggered intense research efforts to develop novel compounds to overcome the resistance mechanisms. Thus, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been intensively studied, especially the family of proline-rich AMPs (PrAMPs) that was successfully tested very recently in murine infection models.

The Ecology of Medical Care in Norway: Wide Use of General Practitioners may not Necessarily Keep Patients out of Hospitals.

Background: Our aim was to investigate the pattern of self reported symptoms and utilisation of health care services in Norway.

Design And Methods: With data from the cross-sectional Tromsø Study (2007-8), we estimated population proportions reporting symptoms and use of seven different health services. By logistic regression we estimated differences according to age and gender.

Fabrication of arrays of polymer gradients using inkjet printing.

Arrays of 84 polymer gradients, fabricated on a single glass microscope slide, were generated by inkjet printing, allowing a combination of high-throughput and true combinatorial methods. The gradual change of composition within the polymer gradients, consisting of two different monomers and a cross-linker, was validated by XPS and fluorescence analysis. Cellular screening of the gradients allowed the rapid identification of optimal polymer compositions for binding of the suspension cell line K562 and the adherent cell line HeLa.

[Uncertain effects of health risk appraisals at worksites].

Health risk appraisals take place at Danish worksites even though the effects are unknown. The purpose of this article is to summarise international studies of health risk appraisals at worksites and identify the existing knowledge on the cost-effectiveness and effects on health. The studies show tendencies of small, but positive effects of health risk appraisals in combination with counselling on certain cardiovascular risk factors.

Mild cognitive impairment: prodromal Alzheimer's disease or something else?

The majority of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) studies use baseline and one follow-up measurement to determine the clinical course of the disorder. This report of MCI clinical course is based on the a statistical evaluation of multiple neurocognitive tests over a 60 month period in elderly normal and MCI cohorts. The data includes serial informant-based measures (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR]) and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests analyzed by two different regression methods.

Polymers for the rapid and effective activation and aggregation of platelets.

Platelets are responsible for plugging sites of vascular injury, where upon activation they spread out and become cross-linked, preventing further blood loss. It is desirable to control the activation process on demand for applications such as the rapid staunching of blood flow following trauma. Polymers are the material of choice in many biological areas, with physical properties that allow control of morphology as well as ease of functionalisation and production.

Stressful life events in childhood and risk of infectious disease hospitalization.

Unlabelled: Individuals exposed to high levels of stress might have an increased risk of infectious diseases. However, most of the previous studies have been conducted among adults. To examine the effect of childhood stress, we conducted a nationwide cohort study including all Danish children born from 1977 to 2004.

Prenatal stress and risk of infectious diseases in offspring.

Animal studies have suggested that prenatal stress could affect the immune system of the offspring. In a nation-wide cohort of all Danish children born from 1977 to 2004, the authors examined the association between prenatal stress, defined as maternal exposure to a stressful life event during pregnancy or in the 3-year period before conception, and the risk of severe or less severe infectious disease hospitalization in childhood. Log-linear Poisson regression models provided estimates of rate ratios.

Microvillous cells expressing IP3 receptor type 3 in the olfactory epithelium of mice.

Microvillous cells of the main olfactory epithelium have been described variously as primary olfactory neurons, secondary chemosensory cells or non-sensory cells. Here we generated an IP3R3(tm1(tauGFP)) mouse in which the coding region for a fusion protein of tau and green fluorescent protein replaces the first exon of the Itpr3 gene. We provide immunohistochemical and functional characterization of the cells expressing IP3 receptor type 3 in the olfactory epithelium.

Complete plastid genome sequences of three Rosids (Castanea, Prunus, Theobroma): evidence for at least two independent transfers of rpl22 to the nucleus.

Functional gene transfer from the plastid to the nucleus is rare among land plants despite evidence that DNA transfer to the nucleus is relatively frequent. During the course of sequencing plastid genomes from representative species from three rosid genera (Castanea, Prunus, Theobroma) and ongoing projects focusing on the Fagaceae and Passifloraceae, we identified putative losses of rpl22 in these two angiosperm families. We further characterized rpl22 from three species of Passiflora and one species of Quercus and identified sequences that likely represent pseudogenes.

Photosensitizing medication use and risk of skin cancer.

Background: Many commonly used medications, including both medications for long-term (daily) use and short-term use (treatment courses of finite duration), have photosensitizing properties. Whether use of these medications affects skin cancer risk, however, is unclear.

Methods: Using a cohort of all Danish residents ≥15 years old in 1995 to 2006 (n = 4,761,749) and information from Danish national registers, we examined associations between use of photosensitizing medications and risk of basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous malignant melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Placental pathology in asphyxiated newborns meeting the criteria for therapeutic hypothermia.

Objective: We sought to describe placental findings in asphyxiated term newborns meeting therapeutic hypothermia criteria and to assess whether histopathologic correlation exists between these placental lesions and the severity of later brain injury.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study of the placentas of asphyxiated newborns, in whom later brain injury was defined by magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: A total of 23 newborns were enrolled.

Can induced hypothermia be assured during brain MRI in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?

Until now, brain MRIs in asphyxiated neonates who are receiving therapeutic hypothermia have been performed after treatment is complete. However, there is increasing interest in utilizing early brain MRI while hypothermia is still being provided to rapidly understand the degree of brain injury and possibly refine neuroprotective strategies. This study was designed to assess whether therapeutic hypothermia can be maintained while performing a brain MRI.

Donation after cardiac death: the potential contribution of an infant organ donor population.

Objective: To determine the percentage of deaths in level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) settings that theoretically would have been eligible for donation after cardiac death (DCD), as well as the percentage of these who would have been potential DCD candidates based on warm ischemic time.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective study of all deaths in 3 Harvard Program in Neonatology NICUs between 2005 and 2007. Eligible donors were identified based on criteria developed with our transplantation surgeons and our local organ procurement organization.

Early versus late MRI in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia.

Objective: The purposes of this feasibility study were to assess: (1) the potential utility of early brain MRI in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia; (2) whether early MRI predicts later brain injury observed in these newborns after hypothermia has been completed; and (3) whether early MRI indicators of brain injury in these newborns represent reversible changes.

Patients And Methods: All consecutive asphyxiated term newborns meeting the criteria for therapeutic hypothermia were enrolled prospectively. Each newborn underwent one or two early MRI scans while receiving hypothermia, on day of life (DOL) 1 and DOL 2-3 and also one or two late MRI scans on DOL 8-13 and at 1 month of age.

Oncocin (VDKPPYLPRPRPPRRIYNR-NH2): a novel antibacterial peptide optimized against gram-negative human pathogens.

Small proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have attracted considerable interest, as they target specific intracellular bacterial components and do not act by lytic mechanisms. Here, a novel peptide, termed oncocin (VDKPPYLPRPRPPRRIYNR-NH(2)), is reported that was optimized for the treatment of Gram-negative pathogens. Its minimal inhibitory concentrations in tryptic soy broth medium ranged from 0.

Merkel cell carcinoma: incidence, mortality, and risk of other cancers.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer that was recently found to be associated with a polyomavirus and with immunosuppression, provoking new interest in its epidemiology. We conducted a nationwide study in Denmark to describe MCC incidence and mortality and the association between MCC and other cancers.

Methods: We used data from Danish national health and population registers on MCC diagnoses, deaths, and population counts during the study period (1978-2006) to calculate MCC incidence rates, cumulative risks of MCC at age 100 years, and MCC mortality rates by tumor stage.

Scenarios of metal concentrations in the Arcediano Dam (State of Jalisco, Mexico).

The city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico has 4.1 million inhabitants and a serious deficit in water supply. Once constructed, the Arcediano Dam will catch waters from the Verde and Santiago rivers, and after treatment will provide water to the city.