The Effects of Adding Pictorial Depth Cues to the Poggendorff Illusion.

We tested if the misapplication of perceptual constancy mechanisms might explain the perceived misalignment of the oblique lines in the Poggendorff illusion. Specifically, whether these mechanisms might treat the rectangle in the middle portion of the Poggendorff stimulus as an occluder in front of one long line appearing on either side, causing an apparent decrease in the rectangle's width and an apparent increase in the misalignment of the oblique lines. The study aimed to examine these possibilities by examining the effects of adding pictorial depth cues.

A booster dose enhances immunogenicity of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in aged mice.

Background: The spread of SARS-CoV-2 has caused a worldwide pandemic that has affected almost every aspect of human life. The development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine could limit the morbidity and mortality caused by infection and may enable the relaxation of social-distancing measures. Age is one of the most significant risk factors for poor health outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection; therefore, it is desirable that any new vaccine candidates elicit a robust immune response in older adults.

Follicular Regulatory T Cells Can Access the Germinal Center Independently of CXCR5.

The germinal center (GC) response is critical for generating high-affinity humoral immunity and immunological memory, which forms the basis of successful immunization. Control of the GC response is thought to require follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells, a subset of suppressive Foxp3 regulatory T cells located within GCs. Relatively little is known about the exact role of Tfr cells within the GC and how they exert their suppressive function.

Defining recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancer after Mohs micrographic surgery: Report of the American College of Mohs Surgery Registry and Outcomes Committee.

Background: Standardized definitions and methods of surveillance for local recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancer are critical in determining cure rates attributed to treatment modalities.

Objective: We sought to offer a standard definition of local recurrence after surgical treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer and to propose an acceptable surveillance period and tracking methods.

Methods: A literature search was performed for background definitions of local recurrence and tracking methods.

Photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled, split-face clinical trial of topical aminolevulinic acid and pulsed dye laser therapy.

Background: There remains the need for more effective therapeutic options to treat acne vulgaris. Interest in light-based acne treatments has increased, but few randomized, controlled clinical trials assessing the value of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for acne have been reported.

Aims: We sought to examine the efficacy of PDT using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and pulsed dye laser therapy in the treatment of acne.

Several human PATCHED1 mutations block protein maturation.

The tumor suppressor gene PATCHED1 (PTCH1) is mutated in sporadic and inherited forms of basal cell carcinoma. PTCH1 binds Hedgehog proteins and inhibits signaling in the absence of ligand. Although PTCH1 mutations are proposed to reduce or abolish protein function, few mutations have been tested for activity.

Comparative gene expression profile analysis of GLI and c-MYC in an epithelial model of malignant transformation.

Transcription factor oncogenes such as GLI and c-MYC are central to the pathogenesis of human tumors. GLI encodes a zinc finger protein that is activated by Sonic Hedgehog signaling. Mutations in this pathway induce GLI expression in basal cell carcinoma, and expression of GLI in mice is sufficient to induce these skin tumors.

Several PATCHED1 missense mutations display activity in patched1-deficient fibroblasts.

Mutations in mouse and human patched1 (ptc1) genes are associated with birth defects and cancer. Ptc1 is a receptor for Hedgehog (Hh) signaling proteins. Hh proteins activate transcription of target genes, including ptc1, and Ptc1 represses those genes, both by regulating the activity of Gli transcription factors.

Distinct consequences of sterol sensor mutations in Drosophila and mouse patched homologs.

The membrane protein Patched (Ptc) is a critical regulator of Hedgehog signaling. Ptc is among a family of proteins that contain a sterol sensor motif. The function of this domain is poorly understood, but some proteins that contain sterol sensors are involved in cholesterol homeostasis.