Habitat quality as a predictor of spatial variation in blue tit reproductive performance: a multi-plot analysis in a heterogeneous landscape.

Vertebrate studies have rarely investigated the influence of spatial variation in habitat richness on both short-term (breeding) and long-term (offspring recruitment) reproductive performance using simultaneously multi-patch, multi-habitat type and multi-year approaches at landscape level. Here we present results of such an approach using the influence of two oak tree (Quercus ilex, Q. humilis) species on reproductive performance in Corsican blue tits (Parus caeruleus ogliastrae) as a model system.

In vivo echographic evidence of tumoral vascularization and microenvironment interactions in metastatic orthotopic human neuroblastoma xenografts.

Human neuroblastoma (NB) is the second most frequent solid tumor of childhood and represents a highly heterogeneous disease at clinical and biologic levels. Little progress has been made to improve the poor prognosis of patients with high-stage NB. Tumor progression and metastatic dissemination still represent major obstacles to the successful treatment of advanced stage disease.

Unilateral and bilateral surgery for parathyroid disease.

The principles of successful parathyroid surgery, regardless of the approach, demand a clear understanding of the philosophy behind the surgical exploration. A systematic approach, founded in science and refined by experience, is necessary to achieve long-term, reproducible surgical success. This article discusses the underlying logic and the advantages and disadvantages of the two basic approaches to parathyroid pathology: unilateral and bilateral cervical exploration.

Wound-induced RNaseLE expression is jasmonate and systemin independent and occurs only locally in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Lukullus).

Tomato RNaseLE is induced by phosphate deficiency and wounding and may play a role in macromolecular recycling as well as wound healing. Here, we analyzed the role of jasmonate and systemin in the wound-induced RNaseLE activation. The rapid expression of RNaseLE upon wounding of leaves leading to maximal RNase activity within 10 h, appeared only locally.

Retinal choroidal collateral circulation after radial optic neurotomy correlated with the lessening of macular edema.

Purpose: To evaluate patients who had undergone radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion for the presence of retinal choroidal collateral circulation and to correlate these collaterals with changes in macular thickness during follow-up. Radial optic neurotomy is designed to release proposed pressure within the scleral canal.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing radial optic neurotomy.

Drug-mediated sensitization to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in caspase-8-complemented neuroblastoma cells proceeds via activation of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and caspase-dependent cleavage of XIAP, Bcl-xL and RIP.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood neoplasm which heterogeneous behavior can be explained by differential regulation of apoptosis. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces rapid apoptosis in most tumor cells and thus represents a promising anticancer agent. We have reported silencing of caspase-8 expression in highly malignant NB cells as a possible mechanism of resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Restoration of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a caspase-8-deficient neuroblastoma cell line by stable re-expression of caspase-8.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces apoptosis in most tumor cells, a process sometimes potentiated by chemotherapeutic drugs or cycloheximide (CHX). Childhood neuroblastoma (NB) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous neoplasm whose behavior can be explained by differential regulation of apoptosis. The non-invasive S-type NB cell lines are sensitive to TRAIL, whereas the invasive N-type NB cell lines are resistant.

Phloem-specific expression of the wound-inducible ribonuclease LE from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Lukullus).

Ribonuclease LE (RNaseLE) from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Lukullus) belongs to the widespread RNase T2 family of ribonucleases.

Impact of retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The impact of metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) group is poorly understood because of the difficult access of the retropharyngeal space. Previous studies concluding to the negative impact of RPLN metastasis rely heavily on radiographic assessment, which introduces the possibility of diagnostic error.

Objective: To better define the prognostic significance of metastatic retropharyngeal adenopathy in patients with non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The diagnostic utility of computed tomography for preoperative localization in surgery for hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives/hypothesis: Successful unilateral or minimal-access parathyroid exploration and reoperative surgery of the parathyroid glands requires accurate preoperative localization of parathyroid disease. Although ultrasound and nuclear imaging techniques have an established role in this regard, the use of computed tomography (CT) for parathyroid exploration is not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to better define the diagnostic utility of CT in preoperative localization of the abnormal gland in surgery for hyperparathyroidism.

Outpatient endoscopic Zenker diverticulotomy.

Objectives/hypothesis: Staple-assisted, endoscopic Zenker diverticulotomy has been shown to decrease both cost of treatment and length of convalescence when compared with the standard open approach. Although the endoscopic technique is generally considered to be safe, the feasibility of outpatient endoscopic Zenker diverticulotomy has never been reported.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Ultraviolet radiation-induced regulatory T cells not only inhibit the induction but can suppress the effector phase of contact hypersensitivity.

Epicutaneous application of haptens to UV-exposed skin induces hapten-specific tolerance. This is mediated via regulatory T cells (Tr), as i.v.

High level of stabilized angiostatin mediated by adenovirus delivery does not impair the growth of human neuroblastoma xenografts.

Human neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly heterogeneous childhood cancer secreting a high level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Its vascularization has been clearly correlated with metastatic progression and poor outcome. Thus, molecules that target the vascular endothelium are regarded as new therapeutics of clinical interest.

Optical coherence tomography of branch retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of serous retinal detachment (SRD) secondary to a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) by using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with a BRVO underwent a detailed history, ophthalmoscopic examination, and fluorescein angiographic evaluation. They were also studied with OCT.

Indocyanine green angiography-guided photodynamic therapy for treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: a pilot study.

Background: Most patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) have spontaneous resolution of exudative macular detachments and a good visual prognosis. Patients with CSC have a primary choroidal hyperpermeability problem evident as multifocal areas of hyperpermeability during indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. A small percentage of patients develop chronic or progressive disease with widespread decompensation of the retinal pigment epithelium and severe vision loss.

Quality assessment of genetic markers used for therapy stratification.

Purpose: Therapy stratification based on genetic markers is becoming increasingly important, which makes commitment to the highest possible reliability of the involved markers mandatory. In neuroblastic tumors, amplification of the MYCN gene is an unequivocal marker that indicates aggressive tumor behavior and is consequently used for therapy stratification. To guarantee reliable and standardized quality of genetic features, a quality-assessment study was initiated by the European Neuroblastoma Quality Assessment (ENQUA; connected to International Society of Pediatric Oncology) Group.

Augmentation therapy with alpha1-antitrypsin: patterns of use and adverse events.

Study Objectives: To describe patterns of prescribing augmentation therapy, and types and rates of adverse events in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Registry for Individuals with Severe Deficiency of Alpha(1)-Antitrypsin.

Design: Observational cohort study with follow-up visits every 6 to 12 months for up to 7 years.

Measurements: The rate and dosing frequency with which Registry participants were prescribed to receive augmentation therapy by their managing physicians, and the type and frequency of adverse events, classified in two ways: severity of self-reported symptoms, and actions taken as a consequence of the symptom.