Focal network involvement in generalized seizures: new insights from electroconvulsive therapy.

Generalized seizures are commonly thought to involve the entire brain homogeneously. However, recent evidence suggests that selective cortical-subcortical networks may be crucial for the initiation, propagation, and behavioral manifestations of generalized seizures, while other brain regions are relatively spared. Here we review previous studies, and describe a new human model system for the investigation of generalized seizures: single-photon emission computed tomography, ictal-interictal difference imaging of generalized tonic-clonic seizures induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Targeted prefrontal cortical activation with bifrontal ECT.

The anatomical brain regions involved in the therapeutic and adverse actions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are unknown. Previous studies suggest that bifrontal vs. bitemporal ECT differ in therapeutic efficacy and cognitive side effects.

MEI-1/katanin is required for translocation of the meiosis I spindle to the oocyte cortex in C elegans.

In most animals, successful segregation of female meiotic chromosomes involves sequential associations of the meiosis I and meiosis II spindles with the cell cortex so that extra chromosomes can be deposited in polar bodies. The resulting reduction in chromosome number is essential to prevent the generation of polyploid embryos after fertilization. Using time-lapse imaging of living Caenorhabditis elegans oocytes containing fluorescently labeled chromosomes or microtubules, we have characterized the movements of meiotic spindles relative to the cell cortex.

Linking genotype to phenotype: the International Rice Information System (IRIS).

The International Rice Information System (IRIS, http://www.iris.irri.

Nursing home physician educational intervention improves end-of-life outcomes.

Context: Nursing homes are the setting for one of five deaths in the United States. Unfortunately these deaths are often accompanied by pain and symptoms of discomfort.

Objective: To determine if an educational intervention designed for nursing home physicians improves the quality of dying for nursing home residents.

Convergent evolution of perenniality in rice and sorghum.

Annual and perennial habit are two major strategies by which grasses adapt to seasonal environmental change, and these distinguish cultivated cereals from their wild relatives. Rhizomatousness, a key trait contributing to perenniality, was investigated by using an F(2) population from a cross between cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) and its wild relative, Oryza longistaminata. Molecular mapping based on a complete simple sequence-repeat map revealed two dominant-complementary genes controlling rhizomatousness.

Preparing tomorrow's leaders through succession planning from the provider perspective.

"We never know...

Colloidal transition-metal-doped ZnO quantum dots.

Methods for introducing new magnetic, optical, electronic, photophysical, or photochemical properties to semiconductor nanocrystals are attracting intense applications-oriented interest. In this communication, we report the preparation and electronic absorption spectroscopy of colloidal ZnO DMS-QDs. Our synthetic procedure involves modification of literature methods known to yield highly crystalline and relatively monodisperse nanocrystals of pure ZnO to allow introduction of transition-metal dopants.

Katanin-mediated microtubule severing can be regulated by multiple mechanisms.

Microtubules are essential for a wide range of cellular processes that vary between cell types. Katanin is a microtubule-severing protein that carries out an essential role in meiotic spindles in Caenorhabditis elegans and a non-essential role in mitotic spindles of vertebrates. In contrast to these M-phase associated roles, katanin is also essential for post-mitotic differentiation events in vertebrate neurons and in Arabidopsis.

Katanin inhibition prevents the redistribution of gamma-tubulin at mitosis.

Katanin is a microtubule-severing protein that is concentrated at mitotic spindle poles but katanin's function in the mitotic spindle has not been previously reported. Inhibition of katanin with either of two dominant-negative proteins or a subunit-specific antibody prevented the redistribution of gamma-tubulin from the centrosome to the spindle in prometaphase CV-1 cells as assayed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Because gamma-tubulin complexes can bind to pre-existing microtubule minus ends, these results could be explained by a model in which the broad distribution of gamma-tubulin in the mitotic spindle is in part due to cytosolic gamma-tubulin ring complexes binding to microtubule minus ends generated by katanin-mediated microtubule severing.

Surgical adhesives for laser-assisted wound closure.

Solid protein solder-doped polymer membranes were developed for laser-assisted tissue repair. Biodegradable polymer membranes of controlled porosity were fabricated with poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and salt particles, using a solvent-casting and particulate-leaching technique. The membranes provided a porous scaffold that readily absorbed the traditional protein solder composed of serum albumin, indocyanine green dye, and de-ionized water.

Genetic composition and complexity of virus populations at tungro-endemic and outbreak rice sites.

We have recently demonstrated the geographic isolation of rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) populations in the tungro-endemic provinces of Isabela and North Cotabato, Philippines. In this study, we examined the genetic structure of the virus populations at the tungro-outbreak sites of Lanao del Norte, a province adjacent to North Cotabato. We also analyzed the virus populations at the tungro-endemic sites of Subang, Indonesia, and Dien Khanh, Vietnam.

Improved vascular tissue fusion using new light-activated surgical adhesive on a canine model.

Newly developed light-activated surgical adhesives have been investigated as a substitute to traditional protein solders for vascular tissue fusion without the need for sutures. Canine femoral arteries (n = 14), femoral veins (n = 14), and carotid arteries (n = 10) were exposed, and a 0.3-0.

Novel solid protein solder designs for laser-assisted tissue repair.

Background And Objectives: Previous studies have shown that the application of chromophore-enhanced albumin protein solders to augment laser tissue repairs significantly improves repair strength, enhances edge co-optation, and reduces thermal tissue injury. These investigations are furthered with this in vitro study conducted to assess a new range of specially designed chromophore-enhanced solid protein solders manufactured and tested for application during laser-assisted tissue repair.

Study Design/materials And Methods: The experimental study was divided into three parts.

Genetic diversity of rice tungro spherical virus in tungro-endemic provinces of the Philippines and Indonesia.

The two adjacent genes of coat protein 1 and 2 of rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) were amplified from total RNA extracts of serologically indistinguishable field isolates from the Philippines and Indonesia, using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Digestion with HindIII and BstYI restriction endonucleases differentiated the amplified DNA products into eight distinct coat protein genotypes. These genotypes were then used as indicators of virus diversity in the field.

Biodegradable polymer film reinforcement of an indocyanine green-doped liquid albumin solder for laser-assisted incision closure.

Background And Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether solid material reinforcement of a liquid albumin solder coagulum could improve the cohesive strength of the solder and, thus, the ultimate breaking strength of the incision repair in vitro.

Study Design/materials And Methods: A 50%(w/v) bovine serum albumin solder with 0.5 or 2.

Pulsed laser-induced thermal damage in whole blood.

An investigation of the effects of laser irradiation with a wavelength of 532 nm and pulse duration of 10 ms on whole blood was performed in vitro. Threshold radiant exposures for coagulation were quantified and transient radiometric temperatures were measured. The progression of effects with increasing radiant exposure--from evaporation to coagulation-induced light scattering to aggregated coagulum formation to ablation--is described.

Optimal parameters for laser tissue soldering: II. Premixed versus separate dye-solder techniques.

Background And Objective: Laser tissue soldering by using an indocyanine green (ICG)-doped protein solder applied topically to the tissue surface and denatured with a diode laser was investigated in Part I of this study. The depth of light absorption was predominantly determined by the concentration of the ICG dye added to the solder. This study builds on that work with an in vitro investigation of the effects of limiting the zone of heat generation to the solder-tissue interface to determine whether more stable solder-tissue fusion can be achieved.

Two domains of p80 katanin regulate microtubule severing and spindle pole targeting by p60 katanin.

The assembly and function of the mitotic spindle requires the activity of a number of microtubule-binding proteins. Some microtubule-binding proteins bind microtubules in vitro but do not co-localize with microtubules in interphase cells. Instead these proteins associate with specific subregions of the mitotic spindle.

Dye-assisted diode laser ablation of carious enamel and dentine.

Carious dentine and enamel from extracted human teeth were ablated using a semiconductor diode laser in conjunction with an applied dye, indocyanine green. This technique offers selective ablation with minimal risk of thermal damage to surrounding dental tissues because uptake of the dye and its irradiation by the laser together control the ablation. In this study, various laser powers and dye concentrations were used to ablate previously extracted human teeth with moderate caries.

Optimal parameters for laser tissue soldering. Part I: tensile strength and scanning electron microscopy analysis.

Background And Objectives: The use of liquid and solid albumin protein solders to enhance laser tissue repairs has been shown to significantly improve postoperative results. The published results of laser-solder tissue repair studies have, however, indicated inconsistent success rates. This can be attributed to variations in laser irradiance, exposure time, solder composition, chromophore type, and concentration.

Photothermal effects of laser tissue soldering.

Low-strength anastomoses and thermal damage of tissue are major concerns in laser tissue welding techniques where laser energy is used to induce thermal changes in the molecular structure of the tissues being joined, hence allowing them to bond together. Laser tissue soldering, on the other hand, is a bonding technique in which a protein solder is applied to the tissue surfaces to be joined, and laser energy is used to bond the solder to the tissue surfaces. The addition of protein solders to augment tissue repair procedures significantly reduces the problems of low strength and thermal damage associated with laser tissue welding techniques.

Childhood lead screening knowledge and practice. Results of a New Jersey physician survey.

Context: As the nation moves toward targeted childhood lead screening, CDC continues to recommend universal screening in states with no childhood lead poisoning prevalence data.

Objective: The study was conducted, prior to the new universal screening state law, to determine physician screening practices and their consistency with key CDC recommendations as a basis for future education activities.

Design/setting/participants: A statewide cross-sectional self-administered multiple choice survey of 541 randomly selected New Jersey pediatricians and family practitioners.

A new method for intense staining of myelin.

We describe a new method for intense staining of myelin. The stain involves immersing frozen or vibratome sections of 4% normal horse serum. A DAB reaction is then carried out, which results in the deposition of reaction product in myelin sheaths.