Distinct Effects of Brain Activation Using tDCS and Observational Practice: Implications for Motor Rehabilitation.

Complex motor skills can be acquired while observing a model without physical practice. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) also facilitates motor learning. However, the effectiveness of observational practice for bimanual coordination skills is debated.

Development of a synthetic biosensor for chemical exchange MRI utilizing in silico optimized peptides.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI has been identified as a novel alternative to classical diagnostic imaging. Over the last several decades, many studies have been conducted to determine possible CEST agents, such as endogenously expressed compounds or proteins, that can be utilized to produce contrast with minimally invasive procedures and reduced or non-existent levels of toxicity. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the generation of genetically engineered CEST contrast agents, typically based on existing proteins with CEST contrast or modified to produce CEST contrast.

Development of a Synthetic Biosensor for Chemical Exchange MRI Utilizing Optimized Peptides.

Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been identified as a novel alternative to classical diagnostic imaging. Over the last several decades, many studies have been conducted to determine possible CEST agents, such as endogenously expressed compounds or proteins, that can be utilized to produce contrast with minimally invasive procedures and reduced or non-existent levels of toxicity. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the generation of genetically engineered CEST contrast agents, typically based on existing proteins with CEST contrast or modified to produce CEST contrast.

A Novel Protein for the Bioremediation of Gadolinium Waste.

Several hundreds of tons of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are being dumped into the environment every year. Although macrocyclic GBCAs exhibit superior stability compared to their linear counterparts, we have found that the structural integrity of chelates are susceptible to ultraviolet light, regardless of configuration. In this study, we present a synthetic protein termed GLamouR that binds and reports gadolinium in an intensiometric manner.

Hyperaccumulation of Gadolinium by AM1 Reveals Impacts of Lanthanides on Cellular Processes Beyond Methylotrophy.

Lanthanides (Ln) are a new group of life metals, and many questions remain regarding how they are acquired and used in biology. Methylotrophic bacteria can acquire, transport, biomineralize, and use Ln as part of a cofactor complex with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in alcohol dehydrogenases. For most methylotrophic bacteria use is restricted to the light Ln, which range from lanthanum to samarium (atomic numbers 57-62).

Diagnostic medical radiation in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objectives: Certain diagnostic radiology procedures may expose patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to radiation and increase the risk for cancer. In the present study, we quantify the acute and cumulative effective dose of diagnostic radiation received by a cohort of pediatric patients with IBD.

Patients And Methods: Patients with IBD were identified from the medical records of a pediatric tertiary care center.

Limited opening secondary to Lyme disease in an 8-year-old child.

In the United States, Lyme disease is the most common vector-born disease. It often presents with a wide variety of symptoms that may delay its diagnosis and present challenging patient management issues. The purpose of this report was to discuss the case of an 8-year, 6-month-old Hispanic male who presented to a hospital emergency room with restricted mandibular opening and was diagnosed with Lyme disease after an initial period of uncertainty regarding the diagnosis.

Tooth whitening in children and adolescents: a literature review.

The purpose of this paper was to summarize the findings of a literature review on the use of peroxide-based tooth-whitening agents in children and adolescents. Safety considerations, including localized adverse effects and toxicological concerns, are described. Oral findings include: (1) 1 in every 2 to 3 patients may experience tooth sensitivity and/or gingival irritation after bleaching treatment, which may be more traumatic an experience for children than adults; (2) depending on dose, duration, frequency, and route, studies indicate excessive exposure to peroxide can be potentially harmful; (3) degree of potential toxicity and harmful outcomes increases in those who overuse whiteners--a concern in teenagers; (4) careful case selection using stringent criteria is suggested for primary teeth whitening; (5) whitening in healthy adolescents is a case-by-case determination that must include the weighing of risks (oral health and age) vs benefits (improved esthetic perception).

Impact of diabetes-associated lipoproteins on generation of fibrinolytic regulators from vascular endothelial cells.

Increased thrombotic tendency and decreased fibrinolytic activity have been frequently found in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Previous studies by our group indicated that nonenzymatically glycated low density lipoprotein (LDL) increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) production and decreased the generation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The present study demonstrates that plasma levels of PAI-1 or PAI-1/tPA were significantly increased in patients with type 1 (n = 10) and type 2 DM (n = 14) compared with those in healthy controls (n = 10; P < 0.