A 2OGD multi-gene cluster encompasses functional and tissue specificity that direct furanocoumarin and pyranocoumarin biosynthesis in citrus.

Furanocoumarins (FCs) are plant defence compounds derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway via the coumarin umbelliferone that harbour some therapeutic benefits yet are the underlying cause of 'grapefruit-drug interactions' in humans. Most of the pathway genes have not been identified in citrus. We employed a genetic/Omics approach on citrus ancestral species and F1 populations of mandarin × grapefruit and mandarin × pummelo.

Stringent Regulations of Oocyte Donation Among Jewish Women in Israel: Characteristics and Outcomes of the National Oocyte Donation Program in One Central IVF Unit.

On September 5, 2010, the Israeli Parliament passed a law that allows Israeli female residents to donate their oocytes to infertile Israeli female residents. This law includes unique restrictions that do not exist in other countries. Our aim was to characterize Israeli oocyte donors and recipients and the outcomes of the oocyte donation program as regulated by national law.

Integrin restriction by miR-34 protects germline progenitors from cell death during aging.

During aging, regenerative tissues must dynamically balance the two opposing processes of proliferation and cell death. While many microRNAs are differentially expressed during aging, their roles as dynamic regulators of tissue regeneration have yet to be described. We show that in the highly regenerative Drosophila testis, miR-34 levels are significantly elevated during aging.

Association between anterior chamber biometry and posterior capsular defects.

Purpose: To analyze the association between anterior chamber biometric factors and posterior capsular defects (PCDs) that occur during extracapsular cataract extraction.

Setting: University Eye Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany.

Design: Population-based study.

Anterior Segment Biometry in a Caucasian Population with Cataracts.

Purpose: To investigate biometric factors of the anterior segment of phakic eyes with cataracts.

Methods: This population-based study included Caucasian patients with cataracts in the University Eye Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Biometric parameters were measured using the swept-source optical coherence tomography method.

The phagocytic cyst cells in testis eliminate germ cell progenitors via phagoptosis.

Phagoptosis is a frequently occurring nonautonomous cell death pathway in which phagocytes eliminate viable cells. While it is thought that phosphatidylserine (PS) "eat-me" signals on target cells initiate the process, the precise sequence of events is largely unknown. Here, we show that in testes, progenitor germ cells are spontaneously removed by neighboring cyst cells through phagoptosis.

Sucrose Synthase and Fructokinase Are Required for Proper Meristematic and Vascular Development.

Sucrose synthase (SuSy) and fructokinase (FRK) work together to control carbohydrate flux in sink tissues. SuSy cleaves sucrose into fructose and UDP-glucose; whereas FRK phosphorylates fructose. Previous results have shown that suppression of the genes by SUS-RNAi alters auxin transport in the shoot apical meristems of tomato plants and affects cotyledons and leaf structure; whereas antisense suppression of affects vascular development.

CD200 -dependent and -independent immune-modulatory functions of neural stem cells.

Neural stem/precursor cells (NPC) exhibit powerful immune-modulatory properties. Attenuation of neuroinflammation by intra-cerebroventricular transplantation of NPC, protects from immune-mediated demyelination and axonal injury. The immune modulatory properties of NPC are mediated by a non-species-specific, multiple bystander effect, mediated by both direct cell-cell contact, and by soluble factor(s).

Donor Factors Associated with Familial Consent for Organ Donation among Trauma Casualties: a 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Consent rates for organ donation remain one of the most important factors determining the number of organs available for transplantation. Trauma casualties constitute a substantial part of the deceased organ donor pool and have unique characteristics that distinguish them from the general donor population. However, this group has not been extensively studied.

[IS ROUTINE CT SCAN NECESSARY AFTER THE REMOVAL OF BENIGN BRAIN TUMORS?].

Aims: Determine if early CT evaluation is justified in patients operated on for benign brain tumors.

Background: Researchers have recently questioned the common practice of referring all patients after cranial surgery for CT scans to rule out silent complications.

Methods: The cohort included 257 consecutive patients who underwent surgical removal of a benign brain tumor in the years 2011-2016.

Expression of Hexokinase in Stomata of Citrus Fruit Reduces Fruit Transpiration and Affects Seed Development.

The temporal formation and spatial distribution of stomata on the surface of citrus floral organs and, specifically, on the ovule from which the fruit develops, were analyzed using citrus plants that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the guard cell-specific promoter. Stomata are found on the style, sepal, and anther of the closed flower and on ovules from the stage of anthesis. It has previously been shown that hexokinase (HXK) mediates sugar-sensing in leaf guard cells and stimulates stomatal closure.

XEN-augmented Baerveldt Implantation for Refractory Childhood Glaucoma: A Retrospective Case Series.

Background: Tube implants can lead to long-term decompensation of the cornea after decades, in particular in complicated childhood glaucoma, because of a variety of causes including contact between the tube tip and the corneal endothelium. The augmentation of a XEN implant with a Baerveldt (250) tube implant, introduced 2016 by Mermoud et al for refractory glaucoma in adult patients, may reduce this risk in children. In our retrospective study, we report on the XEN-augmented Baerveldt (250) tube implant in children.

[Eyeball trauma caused by confetti particles].

The two presented case examples demonstrate that scleral perforation through highly accelerated, seemingly harmless confetti particles is possible. In addition to penetrating injuries that should be treated directly, contusions with serious consequential complications can also occur. A careful assessment and examination are essential to promptly provide the patient with the right treatment and to minimize complications.

Evaluation of a Device for Standardized Measurements of Reading Performance in a Prepresbyopic Population.

Purpose: Automated measurements of reading performance are required for clinical trials involving presbyopia-correcting surgery options. Repeatability of a testing device for reading (Salzburg Reading Desk) was evaluated in a prepresbyopic population.

Methods: Subjective reading performance of 50 subjects divided into 2 age groups (23-30 years and 38-49 years) with distance-corrected eyes was investigated with different log-scaled reading charts.

Iron-rich ferritin in the hypoxia-tolerant rodent Spalax ehrenbergi: a naturally-occurring biomarker confirms the internalization and pathways of intracellular macromolecules.

The discovery of pits/caveolae in the plasmalemma advanced the study of macromolecule internalization. "Transcytosis" describes the transport of macromolecular cargo from one front of a polarized cell to the other within membrane-bounded carrier(s), via endocytosis, intracellular trafficking and exocytosis. Clathrin-mediated transcytosis is used extensively by epithelial cells, while caveolae-mediated transcytosis mostly occurs in endothelial cells.

[The learning curve of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung lobectomy--a single Israeli center experience].

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a method of lung lobe resection that has been implemented in medical centers worldwide since 1992. This procedure utilizes video equipment to assist in performing lobectomies without the need to open the chest wall As of 2009, VATS has been performed in the generaL thoracic surgery department of Rambam HeaLthcare Campus, Haifa. Since then, more than 200 patients were successfully operated on using this method.

Zinc-amyloid beta interactions on a millisecond time-scale stabilize non-fibrillar Alzheimer-related species.

The role of zinc, an essential element for normal brain function, in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is poorly understood. On one hand, physiological and genetic evidence from transgenic mouse models supports its pathogenic role in promoting the deposition of the amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) in senile plaques. On the other hand, levels of extracellular ("free") zinc in the brain, as inferred by the levels of zinc in cerebrospinal fluid, were found to be too low for inducing Abeta aggregation.