Dynamic posturography in Parkinson's disease: diagnostic utility of the "first trial effect".

Previous dynamic posturography studies demonstrated clear abnormalities in balance responses in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients compared to controls at the group level, but its clinical value in the diagnostic process and fall risk estimation in individual patients leaves for improvement. Therefore, we investigated whether a new approach, focusing on the balance responses to the very first and fully unpractised trial rather than a pooled mean response to a series of balance perturbations, could further improve the diagnostic utility of dynamic posturography. Following the first trial, subjects were exposed to repeated balance perturbations, which also permitted us to investigate the training responses.

Evidence for neuronal expression of functional Fc (epsilon and gamma) receptors.

We report that neurons express functional Fc receptors (including FcεR1), that can be activated by antigen, transmit signals along nerve fibers and . These results open new avenues of investigation in neurogenic inflammation and allergic diseases.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction with porous titanium in rabbits: are vascular carriers and mucosal grafts really necessary?

Laryngotracheal reconstruction requires a supportive structure with a mucosal lining, which needs a vascular supply in order to regenerate properly. We investigated the necessity of a vascular carrier and mucosal graft when using porous titanium for laryngotracheal reconstruction. Surgical defects of the laryngotracheal complex in 22 rabbits were reconstructed with: (a) porous titanium implanted on a vascularized fascia combined with a buccal mucosal graft (first stage) before transposing to the neck area (second stage); (b) porous titanium implanted on a vascularized fascia (first stage) combined with a mucosal graft (second stage); (c) porous titanium on a pedicled fascia flap; and (d) porous titanium alone.

Ab initio potential energy surfaces for NH((3)sigma(-))-NH((3)sigma(-)) with analytical long range.

We present four-dimensional ab initio potential energy surfaces for the three different spin states of the NH((3)Sigma(-))-NH((3)Sigma(-)) complex. The potentials are partially based on the work of Dhont et al. [J.

Identification of a series of substituted 2-piperazinyl-5-pyrimidylhydroxamic acids as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Pursuing our efforts in designing 5-pyrimidylhydroxamic acid anti-cancer agents, we have identified a new series of potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. These compounds exhibit enzymatic HDAC inhibiting properties with IC(50) values in the nanomolar range and inhibit tumor cell proliferation at similar levels. Good solubility, moderate bioavailability, and promising in vivo activity in xenograft model made this series of compounds interesting starting points to design new potent HDAC inhibitors.

Elastomeric, half-facepiece, air-purifying respirator performance in a lead battery plant.

This workplace protection factor (WPF) study of a half facepiece air-purifying respirator with P100 filters was done in a lead battery manufacturing plant. Paired air samples for lead were collected inside and outside respirators worn by workers who were properly trained and quantitatively fit tested. Of the 45 valid sample sets, only four had detectable lead on the inside sample.

JNJ-26481585, a novel "second-generation" oral histone deacetylase inhibitor, shows broad-spectrum preclinical antitumoral activity.

Purpose: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have shown promising clinical activity in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but their activity in solid tumor indications has been limited. Most HDAC inhibitors in clinical development only transiently induce histone acetylation in tumor tissue. Here, we sought to identify a "second-generation" class I HDAC inhibitor with prolonged pharmacodynamic response in vivo, to assess whether this results in superior antitumoral efficacy.

The NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium is also a potent inhibitor of cholinesterases and the internal Ca(2+) pump.

Background And Purpose: Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) is often used as an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, but is increasingly being found to have unrelated side effects. We investigated its effects on smooth muscle contractions and the related mechanisms.

Experimental Approach: We studied isometric contractions in smooth muscle strips from bovine trachea.

ATP stimulates Ca(2+)-waves and gene expression in cultured human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Given that extracellular ATP is markedly elevated in inflammation and is known to modulate fibroblast function, we examined the effects of exogenously added ATP on Ca(2+)-handling and gene expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts. Cells were loaded with the Ca(2+)-indicator dye fluo-4 and studied using confocal fluorimetry. Standard RT-PCR was used to probe gene expression.

Where is the love? The social aspects of mimicry.

One striking characteristic of human social interactions is unconscious mimicry; people have a tendency to take over each other's posture, mannerisms and behaviours without awareness. Our goal is to make the case that unconscious mimicry plays an important role in human social interaction and to show that mimicry is closely related to and moderated by our connectedness to others. First we will position human unconscious mimicry in relation to types of imitation used in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Real-time Imaging of Ca-handling in Intact Renal Glomeruli Using Confocal Microscopy.

Glomeruli are filtering units in the kidneys. Being multicellular and complex in structure, many aspects of glomerular function are yet to be elucidated. Most studies use glomerular cells in culture, which may exhibit altered physiology compared to native cells.

Cholesterol sensor ORP1L contacts the ER protein VAP to control Rab7-RILP-p150 Glued and late endosome positioning.

Late endosomes (LEs) have characteristic intracellular distributions determined by their interactions with various motor proteins. Motor proteins associated to the dynactin subunit p150(Glued) bind to LEs via the Rab7 effector Rab7-interacting lysosomal protein (RILP) in association with the oxysterol-binding protein ORP1L. We found that cholesterol levels in LEs are sensed by ORP1L and are lower in peripheral vesicles.

Direct antigen presentation and gap junction mediated cross-presentation during apoptosis.

MHC class I molecules present peptides from endogenous proteins. Ags can also be presented when derived from extracellular sources in the form of apoptotic bodies. Cross-presentation of such Ags by dendritic cells is required for proper CTL responses.

Microfractionation revisited: a 1536 well high resolution screening assay.

The aim of the here presented study was to combine high performance liquid chromatography with plate reader technology in order to overcome certain drawbacks of integrated online systems as well as offline plate reader approaches. The described method combines an "at-line" enzyme assay for the simultaneous bioactivity determination with parallel QTOF MS data acquisition for analyte identification. All biochemical reagents are added in an online mode directly to the column effluent (postcolumn addition/mixing), and the complete screening assay mixture is subsequently microfractionated into a 1536 well plate.

Vaccination of dogs with six different candidate leishmaniasis vaccines composed of a chimerical recombinant protein containing ribosomal and histone protein epitopes in combination with different adjuvants.

Chimerical protein "Q", composed of antigenic ribosomal and histone sequences, in combination with live BCG is a promising canine leishmaniasis vaccine candidate; one of the few vaccine candidates that have been tested successfully in dogs. Unfortunately, live BCG is not an appropriate adjuvant for commercial application due to safety problems in dogs. In order to find a safe adjuvant with similar efficacy to live BCG, muramyl dipeptide, aluminium hydroxide, Matrix C and killed Propionibacterium acnes in combination with either E.

Tracheal reconstruction: mucosal survival on porous titanium.

Objective: To investigate whether porous titanium can provide a better support for revascularization of a mucosal graft ideal for tracheal reconstruction. In patients with laryngotracheal stenosis or tumor, the mucosa with supporting structures can be damaged, resulting in a defect that has to be reconstructed. Autologous tissues like cartilage and mucosa have been used for reconstruction.

Structural and electrophysiological changes in atherosclerotic radial artery grafts account for impairment of vessel reactivity.

To evaluate the potential impact of using atherosclerotic radial artery (RA) conduits as grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery, we examined the vasoconstrictor and electrophysiological properties of mildly and severely atherosclerotic RAs. Vasoconstrictor responses were measured in cannulated and pressurized (85mmHg) RA segments and K(+) currents were measured in single smooth muscle cells. In the cannulated and pressurized vessel preparation, the pressure-induced dilation was attenuated in both the mildly and severely atherosclerotic RAs when compared to normal samples.

Effects of biofeedback on trunk sway during dual tasking in the healthy young and elderly.

We examined the effect of biofeedback of trunk sway on balance control while walking and performing a simultaneous cognitive or motor task. Thirteen healthy elderly (mean age (+/-S.E.

Directional effects of biofeedback on trunk sway during gait tasks in healthy young subjects.

Biofeedback of trunk sway is a possible remedy for patients with balance disorders. Because these patients have a tendency to fall more in one direction, we investigated whether biofeedback has a directional effect on trunk sway during gait. Forty healthy young participants (mean age 23.

Asthma therapy: how far have we come, why did we fail and where should we go next?

Reversible airflow obstruction and nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness are: 1) the two key features of asthma; 2) the primary concern for asthma patients; and 3) both directly caused by the airway smooth muscle (ASM). As such, controlling bronchoconstriction should be of primary importance. Unfortunately, all existing pharmacological asthma therapies that specifically target the ASM are based on decades old strategies.

The influence of viscosity on the functioning of molecular motors.

Light driven molecular motors based on sterically overcrowded alkenes achieve repetitive unidirectional rotation through a sequential series of photochemical and thermal steps. The influence of highly viscous environments on the functioning of unidirectional light driven molecular motors is established in the present report using three distinct media. Liquefied propane, a reference medium due to its low viscosity even at 85 K, and two binary solvent systems that undergo a well-defined glass-transition are used to evaluate the influence of glass-like viscosities on both photochemical equilibria and on thermal helix inversion in the molecular motors.