Patient and caregiver experiences with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN): results from a patient community survey.

Background: Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder of PANK2, which enables mitochondrial synthesis of coenzyme A. Its loss causes neurodegeneration with iron accumulation primarily in motor-related brain areas. Symptoms include dystonia, parkinsonism, and other disabilities.

An evolutionary explanation of female-biased sexual size dimorphism in North Sea plaice, L.

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is caused by differences in selection pressures and life-history trade-offs faced by males and females. Proximate causes of SSD may involve sex-specific mortality, energy acquisition, and energy expenditure for maintenance, reproductive tissues, and reproductive behavior. Using a quantitative, individual-based, eco-genetic model parameterized for North Sea plaice, we explore the importance of these mechanisms for female-biased SSD, under which males are smaller and reach sexual maturity earlier than females (common among fish, but also arising in arthropods and mammals).

Evolutionary impact assessment: accounting for evolutionary consequences of fishing in an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

Managing fisheries resources to maintain healthy ecosystems is one of the main goals of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). While a number of international treaties call for the implementation of EAF, there are still gaps in the underlying methodology. One aspect that has received substantial scientific attention recently is fisheries-induced evolution (FIE).

Estimating age at maturation and energy-based life-history traits from individual growth trajectories with nonlinear mixed-effects models.

A new method is presented to estimate individuals' (1) age at maturation, (2) energy acquisition rate, (3) energy expenditure for body maintenance, and (4) reproductive investment, and the multivariate distribution of these traits in a population. The method relies on adjusting a conceptual energy allocation model to individual growth curves using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. The method's performance was tested using simulated growth curves for a range of life-history types.

Vivotif--a 'magic shield' for protection against typhoid fever and delivery of heterologous antigens.

The attenuated Salmonella typhi strain Ty21a is the main constituent of Vivotif, the only attenuated live oral vaccine against typhoid fever. In comparison with antibiotics, the 'magic bullets' which Paul Ehrlich was striving for to treat infectious diseases, this vaccine should be viewed as a 'magic shield', because rather than treating typhoid fever after the infection has started, immunisation with this vaccine strain prevents infection and disease by the induction of specific immune responses. Ty21a is also an attractive carrier for the delivery of heterologous antigens.