Novel Toolboxes for the Investigation of Activity-Dependent Myelination in the Central Nervous System.

Myelination is essential for signal processing within neural networks. Emerging data suggest that neuronal activity positively instructs myelin development and myelin adaptation during adulthood. However, the underlying mechanisms controlling activity-dependent myelination have not been fully elucidated.

AINTEGUMENTA and AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE6 directly regulate floral homeotic, growth, and vascular development genes in young Arabidopsis flowers.

Arabidopsis flower primordia give rise to organ primordia in stereotypical positions within four concentric whorls. Floral organ primordia in each whorl undergo distinct developmental programs to become one of four organ types (sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels). The Arabidopsis transcription factors AINTEGUMENTA (ANT) and AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE6 (AIL6) are required for correct positioning of floral organ initiation, contribute to the specification of floral organ identity, and regulate the growth and morphogenesis of developing floral organs.

Growth-friendly Spinal Instrumentation in Marfan Syndrome Achieves Sustained Gains in Thoracic Height Amidst High Rates of Implant Failure.

Background: There are few reports on the surgical management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Affected patients tend to have more rapid curve progression than those with idiopathic EOS, and their course is further complicated by medical comorbidities. As surgical techniques and implants for growing spines become more widely applied, this study seeks to better delineate the safety and efficacy of growth-friendly spinal instrumentation in treating this population.

Stability Indicating Method for Polysorbate 80 in Protein Formulations.

Polysorbates (also known as "Tween") are common components of protein formulations used to minimize protein adsorption and stabilize the protein. These nonionic surfactants are heterogenous mixtures of fatty acids with a complex reversed-phase profile due to the inhomogeneity of the polymers present. Polysorbates can be oxidized, which can be hard to detect in the complex polymer profile.