Neuronal DAMPs exacerbate neurodegeneration via astrocytic RIPK3 signaling.

Astrocyte activation is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the ways in which dying neurons influence the activity of astrocytes is poorly understood. Receptor interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) signaling has recently been described as a key regulator of neuroinflammation, but whether this kinase mediates astrocytic responsiveness to neuronal death has not yet been studied.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics stimulates autophagy for pathological tau clearance in tauopathy neurons.

Hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of microtubule-associated tau is a pathogenic hallmark of tauopathies and a defining feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pathological tau is targeted by autophagy for clearance, but autophagy dysfunction is indicated in tauopathy. While mitochondrial bioenergetic failure has been shown to precede the development of tau pathology, it is unclear whether energy metabolism deficiency is involved in tauopathy-related autophagy defects.

Neuronal DAMPs exacerbate neurodegeneration via astrocytic RIPK3 signaling.

Astrocyte activation is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the ways in which dying neurons influence the activity of astrocytes is poorly understood. RIPK3 signaling has recently been described as a key regulator of neuroinflammation, but whether this kinase mediates astrocytic responsiveness to neuronal death has not yet been studied.

Broad activation of the Parkin pathway induces synaptic mitochondrial deficits in early tauopathy.

Mitochondrial defects are a hallmark of early pathophysiology in Alzheimer's disease, with pathologically phosphorylated tau reported to induce mitochondrial toxicity. Mitophagy constitutes a key pathway in mitochondrial quality control by which damaged mitochondria are targeted for autophagy. However, few details are known regarding the intersection of mitophagy and pathologies in tauopathy.

A 313 plastome phylogenomic analysis of Pooideae: Exploring relationships among the largest subfamily of grasses.

In this study, we analyzed 313 plastid genomes (plastomes) of Poaceae with a focus on expanding our current knowledge of relationships among the subfamily Pooideae, which represented over half the dataset (164 representatives). In total, 47 plastomes were sequenced and assembled for this study. This is the largest study of its kind to include plastome-level data, to not only increase sampling at both the taxonomic and molecular levels with the aim of resolving complex and reticulate relationships, but also to analyze the effects of alignment gaps in large-scale analyses, as well as explore divergences in the subfamily with an expanded set of 14 accepted grass fossils for more accurate calibrations and dating.

Effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep and health.

Industrial wind turbines (IWTs) are a new source of noise in previously quiet rural environments. Environmental noise is a public health concern, of which sleep disruption is a major factor. To compare sleep and general health outcomes between participants living close to IWTs and those living further away from them, participants living between 375 and 1400 m (n = 38) and 3.

Multidisciplinary treatment for a young patient with severe maxillofacial trauma from a snowmobile accident: a case report.

Abstract This clinical report describes the oral rehabilitation of a 15-year-old male patient who was involved in a snowmobile accident and suffered multiple mid-face and mandibular fractures. Consequences of the accident included avulsion of teeth numbers 5 to 10 and 21 to 26, and a significant amount of maxillary and mandibular anterior alveolar bone loss. The patient underwent open reduction and rigid fixation of the fractured left zygoma, comminuted LeFort I maxillary fracture, and left body of the mandible; closed reduction of the bilateral condylar fractures; autologous corticocancellous bone grafting to the maxilla and mandible; implant placement; and prosthesis fabrication.

Use of (99m)Tc-MDP SPECT for assessment of mandibular growth: development of normal values.

Purpose: Planar scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-labeled methylene diphosphonate ((99m)Tc-MDP) has been established as a method for evaluating mandibular growth and asymmetry. However, (99m)Tc-MDP single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provides improved image contrast and quantitative capability potentially allowing the clinician to make a more accurate assessment of the stage of activity of normal and asymmetric mandibular growth. The purpose of this study was to utilize (99m)Tc-MDP SPECT in normal subjects to develop a standardized approach to imaging the mandible that could subsequently be used to evaluate patients with potential for mandibular growth abnormalities.

High-intensity ultraendurance promotes early release of muscle injury markers.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of high-intensity ultraendurance (HIU) cycling, using it as a possible way to understand muscle injury kinetics and blood immune cells' release during high-intensity prolonged exercise

Design: Male amateur triathletes enrolled during a cycling race of the International Bike Championship 800 km cycling relay (approximately 23 h). Each athlete alternately cycled 20-25 minutes until exhaustion and performed a total of approximately 200 km.

Results: Creatine kinase levels in blood reached a 300% rise in a sigmoidal pattern, while lactate dehydrogenase levels increased by 30-40% following a hyperbolic pattern.

Characterization of the natural killer T-cell response in an adoptive transfer model of atherosclerosis.

Natural killer T (NKT) cells have recently been implicated in atherogenesis, primarily for their ability to recognize and respond to lipid antigens. Because the atherosclerotic lesion is characterized by the retention and modification of lipids in the vascular wall, NKT cells may be involved in promoting the local vascular inflammatory response. Here, we investigate the proatherogenic role of NKT cells in an adoptive transfer model of atherosclerosis, using as recipients immune-deficient, atherosclerosis-susceptible RAG1(-/-)LDLR(-/-) mice.

Site-specific influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on atherosclerosis in immune incompetent LDL receptor deficient mice.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to influence plasma lipid levels, atherosclerosis, and the immune system. In this study, we fed male LDL receptor deficient (LDLR(-/-)) mice and immune incompetent LDLR(-/-) RAG2(-/-) mice diets containing predominantly saturated fats (milk fat) or PUFA (safflower oil) to determine if the response to diet was influenced by immune status. Relative to milk fat diet, plasma lipid and VLDL levels in both the LDLR(-/-) and LDLR(-/-) RAG2(-/-) mice fed safflower oil diet were lower, suggesting that the primary effect of PUFA on plasma lipids was not due to its inhibition of the immune system.

Genetic background selectively influences innominate artery atherosclerosis: immune system deficiency as a probe.

Objective: We sought to examine whether there is a site-specific effect on atherosclerosis of the absence of mature T and B cells caused by a recombination activating-gene deficiency in LDL receptor-deficient mice and whether this effect is influence by the extent of backcrossing to C57BL/6 mice.

Methods And Results: Male mice were fed atherogenic diets for 3 months. In strain 1 mice, in which approximately 93% of the genes were from C57BL/6 mice, the absence of mature T and B cells led to a significant reduction in atherosclerosis in both the aortic sinus and the innominate artery.

Avascular necrosis of the distal phalangeal epiphysis following physeal fracture: a case report.

Avascular necrosis of the distal phalangeal epiphysis following an unrecognized angulated Salter II fracture of the distal phalanx treated by open reduction and internal fixation resulted in premature closure of the growth plate and mild shortening. The epiphysis itself revascularized and good function of the distal interphalangeal joint was maintained.

Relative displacement resistance of standard and low-profile bone plates in experimental mandibular angle fractures.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the resistance to displacement of low-profile and standard titanium bone plate with an experimental mandibular angle fracture model.

Study Design: A jig was used to produce standard horizontally and vertically unfavorable mandibular angle fractures in 24 healthy baboon hemimandibles. Each hemimandible was immobilized with either a standard or a low-profile titanium bone plate with a Champy unicortical technique.

Familial florid cemento-osseous dysplasia--a case report and review of the literature.

Cemento-osseous dysplasia is a fairly common lesion of the jaws originating from the elements of the periodontal ligament. Most lesions do not have a hereditary basis, however a few familial cases have been documented. This is the first report of the florid form of cemento-osseous dysplasia in an African family.

Hepatic MR imaging with ferumoxides: a multicenter clinical trial of the safety and efficacy in the detection of focal hepatic lesions.

Purpose: To assess the safety and diagnostic efficacy of intravenous ferumoxides, a superparamagnetic iron oxide, for depiction of focal hepatic lesions on magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Materials And Methods: This open-label study included 208 patients with known or suspected focal hepatic lesions. MR images were obtained before and 45 minutes to 4 hours after intravenous infusion of ferumoxides (10 mumol/kg).

Magnetic resonance imaging in rheumatology. An overview.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has revolutionized the assessment of pathology involving the musculoskeletal system. The soft tissue contrast, superb resolution, multiplanar acquisition potential, and the ability to monitor physiologic processes combine the best features of other imaging modalities. The sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging for a wide range of disease processes matches or supersedes conventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and clinical examination.

Abdominal diffusion mapping with use of a whole-body echo-planar system.

Purpose: To measure apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of water in liver, spleen, kidney, and muscle.

Materials And Methods: Ten volunteers (seven women and three men, aged 19-31 years [mean, 24 years]) and nine patients (five women and four men, aged 49-70 years [mean, 62 years]) (liver cyst, n = 3; liver hemangioma, n = 3; liver cirrhosis, n = 2; hepatocellular carcinoma, n = 1; and liver metastasis, n = 1) underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A stimulated-echo acquisition mode (STEAM)-type excitation and echo-planar imaging (EPI) readout was used in a 1.

Differentiation between hemangiomas and cysts of the liver with nonenhanced MR imaging: efficacy of T2 values at 1.5 T.

The authors studied the utility of non-contrast-agent-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for differentiating cysts and cavernous hemangiomas of the liver. Nineteen patients with hemangiomas (51 lesions) and 16 with cysts (30 lesions) were studied with a 1.5-T MR imager.

Comparison between renal ultrasonography and excretory urography in cervical cancer.

Renal ultrasonography was compared with intravenous pyelography in order to establish the suitability and accuracy of the former investigation as a screening method for ureteric obstruction in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. With a sensitivity of 96.30%, specificity of 96.