Antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of marine sponge extracts , and from a Caribbean Island.

Although marine sponges are known for their antimicrobial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity, very few studies have been carried out on endemic species of Martinique. Martinique is part of the Agoa Sanctuary, a marine protected area that includes the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the French Caribbean islands, making it an abundant source of marine species. To highlight the potential of this area for the discovery of marine biomolecules with antipathogenic and antitumor activities, we tested the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of sponge species , and .

Antero-posterior ectoderm patterning by canonical Wnt signaling during ascidian development.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is an ancient pathway in metazoans and controls various developmental processes, in particular the establishment and patterning of the embryonic primary axis. In vertebrates, a graded Wnt activity from posterior to anterior endows cells with positional information in the central nervous system. Recent studies in hemichordates support a conserved role for Wnt/β-catenin in ectoderm antero-posterior patterning at the base of the deuterostomes.

Community-based Flu Outreach Clinics in South Los Angeles: Client Satisfaction and Experiences.

Objective: This study sought to better understand and improve influenza vaccination in low-income populations regardless of their health insurance/immigration status. It assessed client satisfaction and experiences with services provided at community-based "flu outreach" clinics in South Los Angeles. The clinics represent a community-public agency partnership-a model of vaccine delivery that was relatively novel to the region.

Burden of Bites by Dogs and Other Animals in Los Angeles County, California, 2009-2011.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze all animal-to-human bite reports during a 3-year period from a regional surveillance database. Results helped to inform local efforts to reduce and prevent animal-to-human bites.

Methods: We reviewed all cases of animal-to-human bites occurring from 2009 through 2011 that were reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Animal Bites Database.

Cone-beam computed tomography in children with cochlear implants: The effect of electrode array position on ECAP.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in young children with cochlear implants (CIs) and study the effect of intracochlear position on electrophysiological and behavioral measurements.

Methods: A total of 40 children with either unilateral or bilateral cochlear implants were prospectively included in the study. Electrode placement and insertion angles were studied in 55 Cochlear implants (16 straight arrays and 39 perimodiolar arrays), using either CBCT or X-ray imaging.