Crystal structures of glycosyltransferase UGT78G1 reveal the molecular basis for glycosylation and deglycosylation of (iso)flavonoids.

The glycosyltransferase UGT78G1 from Medicago truncatula catalyzes the glycosylation of various (iso)flavonoids such as the flavonols kaempferol and myricetin, the isoflavone formononetin, and the anthocyanidins pelargonidin and cyanidin. It also catalyzes a reverse reaction to remove the sugar moiety from glycosides. The structures of UGT78G1 bound with uridine diphosphate or with both uridine diphosphate and myricetin were determined at 2.

Adaptive plasticity in brainstem of adult listeners following earplug-induced deprivation.

Previous research has shown that loudness perception is modified in adult listeners following 2 weeks of continuous sensory deprivation or stimulation [Formby, C. et al. (2003).

Effect of epilepsy magnetic source imaging on intracranial electrode placement.

Objective: Intracranial electroencephalography (ICEEG) with chronically implanted electrodes is a costly invasive diagnostic procedure that remains necessary for a large proportion of patients who undergo evaluation for epilepsy surgery. This study was designed to evaluate whether magnetic source imaging (MSI), a noninvasive test based on magnetoencephalography source localization, can supplement ICEEG by affecting electrode placement to improve sampling of the seizure onset zone(s).

Methods: Of 298 consecutive epilepsy surgery candidates (between 2001 and 2006), 160 patients were prospectively enrolled by insufficient localization from seizure monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging results.

Acute ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction following opening of the spinal subarachnoid space: a case series.

Introduction: Malfunction of cerebrospinal shunts is common and due to multiple etiologies. We hypothesize that opening of the spinal dura may prompt shunt failure in select individuals with previously unrecognized tenuous shunt function.

Case Reports: The authors describe five patients with shunted hydrocephalus who underwent procedures in which the spinal dura mater was opened.

Strength and cost of an induced immune response are associated with a heritable melanin-based colour trait in female tawny owls.

1. Melanin pigments provide the most widespread source of coloration in vertebrates, but the adaptive function of such traits remains poorly known. 2.

Ubiquitination directly enhances activity of the deubiquitinating enzyme ataxin-3.

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) control the ubiquitination status of proteins in various cellular pathways. Regulation of the activity of DUBs, which is critically important to cellular homoeostasis, can be achieved at the level of gene expression, protein complex formation, or degradation. Here, we report that ubiquitination also directly regulates the activity of a DUB, ataxin-3, a polyglutamine disease protein implicated in protein quality control pathways.

Honest sexual signalling mediated by parasite and testosterone effects on oxidative balance.

Extravagant ornaments evolved to advertise their bearers' quality, the honesty of the signal being ensured by the cost paid to produce or maintain it. The oxidation handicap hypothesis (OHH) proposes that a main cost of testosterone-dependent ornamentation is oxidative stress, a condition whereby the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) overwhelms the capacity of antioxidant defences. ROS/RNS are unstable, very reactive by-products of normal metabolic processes that can cause extensive damage to key biomolecules (cellular proteins, lipids and DNA).

Warning displays may function as honest signals of toxicity.

Many prey species use colourful 'aposematic' signalling to advertise the fact that they are toxic. Some recent studies have shown that the brightness of aposematic displays correlates positively with the strength of toxicity, suggesting that aposematic displays are a form of handicap signal, the conspicuousness of which reliably indicates the level of toxicity. The theoretical consensus in the literature is, however, at odds with this finding.

Advances in intracranial monitoring.

Intracranial monitoring using electroencephalography (IC-EEG) continues to play a critical role in the assessment of patients with medically intractable localization-related epilepsy. There has been minimal change in grid or electrode design in the last 15-20 years, and the surgical approaches for implantation are unchanged. Intracranial monitoring using EEG allows detailed definition of the region of ictal onset and defines the epileptogenic zone, particularly with regard to adjacent potentially eloquent tissue.

Functional imaging: II. Prediction of epilepsy surgery outcome.

Objective: To gain information on the value of magnetic source imaging (MSI), 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to predict seizure-free outcome following epilepsy surgery in patients who require intracranial electroencephalography (ICEEG).

Methods: This work was part of a prospective observation study of epilepsy surgery candidates not sufficiently localized with scalp EEG and MRI. Of 160 patients enrolled 62 completed ICEEG and subsequent surgical resection.

Regioselective synthesis of plant (iso)flavone glycosides in Escherichia coli.

The flavonoids genistein, biochanin A, luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol are plant natural products with potentially useful pharmacological and nutraceutical activities. These natural products usually exist in plants as glycosides, and their glycosylation has a remarkable influence on their pharmacokinetic properties. The glycosyltransferases UGT71G1 and UGT73C8 from Medicago truncatula are excellent reagents for the regioselective glycosylation of (iso)flavonoids in Escherichia coli grown in Terrific broth.

Infections of pediatric cerebrospinal fluid shunts related to fundoplication and gastrostomy.

Object: There is conflicting information in the literature regarding the increased risk of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection after abdominal surgical procedures such as gastrostomy tube (GT) placement and Nissen fundoplication (NF) in the young patient. To further elucidate this potential association, the authors reviewed their institutional experience with such cases.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with shunted hydrocephalus who also underwent NF procedures and/or GT placements over a 9-year period.

Functional imaging: I. Relative predictive value of intracranial electroencephalography.

Objective: To gain information on the predictive and prognostic value of magnetic source imaging (MSI), 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET), and ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) as compared with intracranial electroencephalography (ICEEG) localization in epilepsy surgery.

Methods: This work was part of a cohort study of epilepsy surgery candidates not sufficiently localized with noninvasive studies. Of 160 patients enrolled over 4 years, 77 completed ICEEG seizure monitoring.

Giant intracranial lipoma.

Intracranial lipomas are rare and usually benign in their course. We report a case of a giant intracranial lipoma presenting with raised intracranial pressure. Additionally, this patient was found to have a large lipoma of the anterior fontanelle.

Endoscopically assisted decompression of the suprascapular nerve in the supraspinous fossa: a cadaveric feasibility study. Laboratory investigation.

Object: The suprascapular nerve may become entrapped as it travels deep to the suprascapular ligament, necessitating decompression. The present study was performed to verify the feasibility of a minimally invasive, endoscopically assisted technique for decompressing the suprascapular nerve in the supraspinous fossa.

Methods: The authors performed dissection and decompression of the suprascapular ligament using an endoscopically assisted technique via a 3-cm skin incision in 10 adult cadavers (20 sides).

Spinal cord transection for definitive untethering of repetitive tethered cord.

In certain highly selected circumstances, division of a distally nonfunctional or dysfunctional cord can be a means of definitive untethering that spares and protects more rostral neurological function and results in definitive untethering. The authors reviewed their institutional experience with such cases and evaluated the limited literature. Based on their experience, treatment can be effective in carefully selected patients who undergo spinal cord transection, and the rate of repetitive tethered spinal cord can be decreased.

Institutional experience with cranial vault encephaloceles.

Object: There is scant literature regarding the long-term outcome in patients with cranial vault encephaloceles, and what literature there is may underestimate long-term deficits. The goal of this study was to address this lack of information.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of cranial vault encephaloceles performed at our institution between 1989 and 2003.

Anatomy of the falcine venous plexus.

Object: The superior and inferior sagittal sinuses have been well studied. Interestingly, other venous structures within the falx cerebri have received scant attention in the medical literature. The present study was performed to elucidate the presence and anatomy of these midline structures.

Death in shunted hydrocephalic children: a follow-up study.

Introduction: The authors previously conducted a retrospective study regarding deaths from CSF shunt failure to identify circumstances surrounding shunt malfunction-related deaths in children in the modern era.

Materials And Methods: Using the same methodology, we conducted a follow-up study to determine whether recent policy and procedural changes instituted since the time of the first study had effected a change in the mortality rate of our shunted patient population.

Results: Thirty-nine original patient records (of patients seen at Children's Hospital who died with the diagnosis of hydrocephalus between 1998 and 2004) were identified and reviewed for inclusion into the study.

Scheduled oral analgesics and the need for opiates in children following partial dorsal rhizotomy.

Object: Postoperative epidural morphine is commonly used to control pain in children following dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity. The authors report their experience in using a regimen of scheduled minor analgesic drugs to manage postoperative pain, with the goal of avoiding opiate use following a spinal intradural procedure.

Methods: Postoperative pain scores were analyzed in a group of 22 children who underwent a partial dorsal rhizotomy.

Neuropathic arthropathy of the elbow in a paediatric patient with myelomeningocele.

Introduction: This case report describes perhaps the youngest case of neuropathic arthropathy (NA) in an upper extremity documented in a patient with myelomeningocele.

Methods: Case report.

Results: This case report describes presenting symptoms, results of radiologic work-up, treatment approach and functional outcome thus far.

Pansynostosis: a review.

Introduction: Although rare, pansynostoses are seen and treated by the craniofacial surgeon. To date, a single source that reviews these more severe forms of craniosynostosis is lacking in the literature.

Materials And Methods: The present paper outlines and reviews the associations of both syndromic and nonsyndromic cases, potential mechanisms, and the anatomy involved with such forms of premature fusion of the cranial sutures.

Availability of non-carotenoid antioxidants affects the expression of a carotenoid-based sexual ornament.

Carotenoids are responsible for much of the yellow, orange and red pigmentation in the animal kingdom, and the importance of such coloration as an honest signal of individual quality has received widespread attention. In particular, owing to the multiple roles of carotenoids as pigments, antioxidants and immunostimulants, carotenoid-based coloration has been suggested to advertise an individual's antioxidant or immune defence capacity. However, it has recently been argued that carotenoid-based signals may in fact be advertising the availability of different antioxidants, many of which (including various vitamins, antioxidant enzymes and minerals) are colourless and so would be uninformative as components of a visual signal, yet often have greater biological activity than carotenoids.

Carotenoids, oxidative stress and female mating preference for longer lived males.

Some of the most spectacular exaggerated sexual ornaments are carotenoid dependent. It has been suggested that such ornaments have evolved because carotenoid pigments are limiting for both signal expression and in their role as antioxidants and immunostimulants. An implicit assumption of this hypothesis is that males which can afford to produce more elaborate carotenoid-dependent displays are signalling their enhanced ability to resist parasites, disease or oxidative stress and hence would be predicted to live longer.