Identifying safe corridors for anterior pelvic percutaneous instrumentation using computed tomography-based anatomical relationships.

Introduction: Percutaneous anterior pelvic ring instrumentation is performed for retrograde screw fixation of ramus fractures, as well as for repair of pubic symphysis diastasis. The anatomic relationships of critical structures around the anterior pelvic ring, such as the spermatic cord and round ligament, have been described in only a few studies regarding the risk of iatrogenic injury during surgery. Our goal is to further describe these relationships, as well as provide radiographic information on safe corridors for percutaneous fixation.

Steered molecular dynamics simulations reveal critical residues for (un)binding of substrates, inhibitors and a product to the malarial M1 aminopeptidase.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread by mosquitoes. Plasmodium falciparum M1 alanyl aminopeptidase (PfM1-AAP) is a promising target for the treatment of malaria. The recently solved crystal structures of PfM1-AAP revealed that the buried active site can be accessed through two channel openings: a short N-terminal channel with the length of 8 Å and a long C-terminal channel with the length of 30 Å.

Challenges during diapause and anhydrobiosis: Mitochondrial bioenergetics and desiccation tolerance.

In preparation for the onset of environmental challenges like overwintering, food limitation, anoxia, or water stress, many invertebrates and certain killifish enter diapause. Diapause is a developmentally-programed dormancy characterized by suppression of development and metabolism. For embryos of Artemia franciscana (brine shrimp), the metabolic arrest is profound.

Cryopreservation of lipid bilayers by LEA proteins from Artemia franciscana and trehalose.

The capacity of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins and trehalose to protect liposomes against freezing-induced damage was examined by measuring the leakage of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF). Liposomes were prepared to simulate the lipid compositions of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), and inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Two recombinant LEA proteins belonging to Group 3 (AfrLEA2 and AfrLEA3m) were expressed and purified from embryos of Artemia franciscana.

Liposomes with diverse compositions are protected during desiccation by LEA proteins from Artemia franciscana and trehalose.

Intracellular accumulation of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins and the disaccharide trehalose is associated with cellular desiccation tolerance in a number of animal species. Two LEA proteins from anhydrobiotic embryos of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana were tested for the ability to protect liposomes of various compositions against desiccation-induced damage in the presence and absence of trehalose. Damage was assessed by carboxyfluorescein leakage after drying and rehydration.

Quantification of cellular protein expression and molecular features of group 3 LEA proteins from embryos of Artemia franciscana.

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are highly hydrophilic, low complexity proteins whose expression has been correlated with desiccation tolerance in anhydrobiotic organisms. Here, we report the identification of three new mitochondrial LEA proteins in anhydrobiotic embryos of Artemia franciscana, AfrLEA3m_47, AfrLEA3m_43, and AfrLEA3m_29. These new isoforms are recognized by antibody raised against recombinant AfrLEA3m, the original mitochondrial-targeted LEA protein previously reported from these embryos; mass spectrometry confirms all four proteins share sequence similarity.

Use of inherent anteversion of an intramedullary nail to avoid malrotation in femur fractures.

Rotational malalignment after intramedullary (IM) nailing of femoral fractures remains a significant problem. A technique using intraoperative fluoroscopy and the anteversion inherent to the IM nail for obtaining appropriate femoral rotational alignment is presented. The technique is advocated as a simple alternative to more complex methods for estimation of femoral anteversion during placement of femoral IM nails.

Trend in the utilization of CT for adolescents admitted to an adult level I trauma center.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the trend in the utilization of CT for adolescents admitted to an adult level I trauma center and to compare the utilization pattern between adolescents and adults during the past 11 years.

Methods: Trauma registry data (1996-2006) from an adult level I trauma center were used. Patients aged ≥13 years were eligible to be admitted to this hospital.