mTOR plays a pivotal role in multiple processes of enamel organ development principally through the mTORC1 pathway and in part via regulating cytoskeleton dynamics.

We herein report that deletion of mTOR in dental epithelia caused defective development of multiple cell layers of the enamel organ, which culminated in tooth malformation and cystogenesis. Specifically, cells of the stellate reticulum and stratum intermedium were poorly formed, resulting in cystic changes. The pre-ameloblasts failed to elongate along the apical-basal axis and persisted vigorous expression of Sox2 and P63, which are normally downregulated during cytodifferentiation.

Hitchhiking of host biology by beneficial symbionts enhances transmission.

Transmission plays a key role in the evolution of symbiosis. Mixed mode transmission combines horizontal and vertical mechanisms for symbiont acquisition. However, features that enable mixed transmission are poorly understood.

Transient left homonymous hemianopsia and encephalopathy following treatment of testicular carcinoma with cisplatinum, vinblastine, and bleomycin.

A 36-year-old man being treated with cisplatinum, vinblastine, and bleomycin for testicular carcinoma developed a dense left homonymous hemianopsia, encephalopathy, and a partial nondominant parietal lobe syndrome. He subsequently had a resolution of all signs and symptoms, suggesting that these alarming events were a toxic but reversible side effect of the chemotherapy.

Clinical and subclinical oculomotor findings in the Eaton-Lambert syndrome.

Five patients with the Eaton-Lambert syndrome were examined neuro-ophthalmologically. Three were studied using electro-oculographic saccadic velocity recordings. Four complained of blurred vision and all complained of ptosis during the course of their disease.

Diagnostic injection of Xylocaine into extraocular muscles.

In situations where it is unclear which extraocular muscle is causing anomalous eye movement or to what extent one of two muscles is responsible, temporary paralysis of the muscle with Xylocaine may provide the answer. The procedure is to inject 0.2 to 0.