Differential requirements for myogenic regulatory factors distinguish medial and lateral somitic, cranial and fin muscle fibre populations.

Myogenic regulatory factors of the Myod family (MRFs) are transcription factors essential for mammalian skeletal myogenesis. However, the roles of each gene in myogenesis remain unclear, owing partly to genetic linkage at the Myf5/Mrf4 locus and to rapid morphogenetic movements in the amniote somite. In mice, Myf5 is essential for the earliest epaxial myogenesis, whereas Myod is required for timely differentiation of hypaxially derived muscle.

Cyclic versus linear isomers produced by reaction of the methylidyne radical (CH) with small unsaturated hydrocarbons.

The reactions of the methylidyne radical (CH) with ethylene, acetylene, allene, and methylacetylene are studied at room temperature using tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization and time-resolved mass spectrometry. The CH radicals are prepared by 248 nm multiphoton photolysis of CHBr(3) at 298 K and react with the selected hydrocarbon in a helium gas flow. Analysis of photoionization efficiency versus VUV photon wavelength permits isomer-specific detection of the reaction products and allows estimation of the reaction product branching ratios.

The multiplexed chemical kinetic photoionization mass spectrometer: a new approach to isomer-resolved chemical kinetics.

We have developed a multiplexed time- and photon-energy-resolved photoionization mass spectrometer for the study of the kinetics and isomeric product branching of gas phase, neutral chemical reactions. The instrument utilizes a side-sampled flow tube reactor, continuously tunable synchrotron radiation for photoionization, a multimass double-focusing mass spectrometer with 100% duty cycle, and a time- and position-sensitive detector for single ion counting. This approach enables multiplexed, universal detection of molecules with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Enol formation and ring-opening in OH-initiated oxidation of cycloalkenes.

Photolytic OH-initiated oxidation of cyclopentene, cyclohexene, and 1,4-cyclohexadiene have been investigated by using tunable synchrotron photoionization mass spectrometry. Electronic structure calculations (CBS-QB3) are employed in Franck-Condon (FC) spectral simulations of the photoionization efficiency curves (PIE) of the observed products. Cyclopentenol (cyclopenten-1-ol, 1-c-C(5)H(7)OH) and its isomers cyclopenten-2-ol (2-c-C(5)H(7)OH) and cyclopentanone (c-C(5)H(8)=O), are detected from OH-initiated cyclopentene oxidation.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in lanner Falco biarmicus feldeggli Schlegel chicks and lanner prey in Sicily, Italy.

This paper reports on research conducted to elucidate the risk posed to the Sicilian population of the endangered lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii Schlegel by organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as part of a wider study on contaminant risk to the lanner. Seventeen lanner nest sites were studied in northern and central Sicily. Sampling (in 2005) and analysis were carried out for selected OC pesticides and PCB congeners in lanner chick blood (15 chicks from 6 nest sites) and in two of the main lanner prey species, magpie Pica pica (36 individuals from 6 lanner nest sites) and rock dove Columba livia (10 individuals from 2 lanner nest sites).

Randomized trial of milrinone versus placebo for prevention of low systemic blood flow in very preterm infants.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of early prophylactic milrinone versus placebo for prevention of low systemic blood flow in high-risk preterm infants.

Study Design: Double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial of milrinone (loading dose 0.75 microg/kg/min for 3 hours then maintenance 0.

Relative risk of diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome in people with severe mental illnesses: systematic review and metaanalysis.

Background: Severe mental illnesses (SMI) may be independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors and the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to systematically assess studies that compared diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and metabolic syndrome in people with and without SMI.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL & PsycINFO.

Direct observation of the gas-phase Criegee intermediate (CH2OO).

Carbonyl oxide species play a key role in tropospheric oxidation of organic molecules and in low-temperature combustion processes. In the late 1940s, Criegee first postulated the participation of carbonyl oxides, now often called "Criegee intermediates," in ozonolysis of alkenes. However, despite decades of effort, no gas phase Criegee intermediate has before been observed.

Synchrotron photoionization mass spectrometry measurements of kinetics and product formation in the allyl radical (H2CCHCH2) self-reaction.

Product channels for the self-reaction of the resonance-stabilized allyl radical, C3H5 + C3H5, have been studied with isomeric specificity at temperatures from 300-600 K and pressures from 1-6 Torr using time-resolved multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. Under these conditions 1,5-hexadiene was the only C6H10 product isomer detected. The lack of isomerization of the C6H10 product is in marked contrast to the C6H6 product in the related C3H3 + C3H3 reaction, and is due to the more saturated electronic structure of the C6H10 system.

Roaming is the dominant mechanism for molecular products in acetaldehyde photodissociation.

Reaction pathways that bypass the conventional saddle-point transition state (TS) are of considerable interest and importance. An example of such a pathway, termed "roaming," has been described in the photodissociation of H(2)CO. In a combined experimental and theoretical study, we show that roaming pathways are important in the 308-nm photodissociation of CH(3)CHO to CH(4) + CO.

Assessment of the validation of blood pressure monitors: a statistical reappraisal.

Protocols to determine the accuracy of noninvasive blood pressure monitors have been published by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the British Hypertension Society, and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH). We compared the statistical basis for each of these protocols. Although the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and British Hypertension Society protocols require a minimum of 85 participants, the ESH protocol requires only 33 participants.

Absolute photoionization cross-section of the methyl radical.

The absolute photoionization cross-section of the methyl radical has been measured using two completely independent methods. The CH3 photoionization cross-section was determined relative to that of acetone and methyl vinyl ketone at photon energies of 10.2 and 11.

Do patients with low volume prostate cancer have prostate specific antigen recurrence following radical prostatectomy?

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of prostate specific antigen (PSA) relapse in patients with low volume prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2001, 50 of 717 patients had total tumour volumes of less than 0.5 cm3 following radical prostatectomy.

Ultraviolet photodissociation of vinyl iodide: understanding the halogen dependence of photodissociation mechanisms in vinyl halides.

The photodissociation of vinyl iodide has been investigated at several wavelengths between 193 and 266 nm using three techniques: time-resolved Fourier transform emission spectroscopy, multiple pass laser absorption spectroscopy, and velocity-mapped ion imaging. The only dissociation channel observed is C-I bond cleavage to produce C2H3 (nu, N) + I (2P(J)) at all wavelengths investigated. Unlike photodissociation of other vinyl halides (C2H3X, X = F, Cl, Br), in which the HX product channel is significant, no HI elimination is observed.

Higher expression of the androgen-regulated gene PSA/HK3 mRNA in prostate cancer tissues predicts biochemical recurrence-free survival.

Purpose: Alterations of the androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signaling through numerous mechanisms are increasingly recognized in prostate cancer (CaP) progression. We hypothesized that the assessment of well-defined AR transcriptional targets (e.g.

"Imaging" combustion chemistry via multiplexed synchrotron-photoionization mass spectrometry.

The combination of multiplexed mass spectrometry with photoionization by tunable-synchrotron radiation has proved to be a powerful tool to investigate elementary reaction kinetics and the chemistry of low-pressure flames. In both of these applications, multiple-mass detection and the ease of tunability of synchrotron radiation make it possible to acquire full sets of data as a function of mass, photon energy, and of the physical dimension of the system, e.g.

Probiotics in infants for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity.

Background: The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition, and such differences may precede the development of eczema. Probiotics are live bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract and provide a health benefit to the host. Probiotics added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens.

Prebiotics in infants for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity.

Background: The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition, and such differences may precede the development of eczema. Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon. Prebiotics (commonly oligosaccharides) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens.

Photoionization of 1-alkenylperoxy and alkylperoxy radicals and a general rule for the stability of their cations.

The photoionization of 1-alkenylperoxy radicals, which are peroxy radicals where the OO moiety is bonded to an sp2-hybridized carbon, is studied by experimental and computational methods and compared to the similar alkylperoxy systems. Quantum chemical calculations are presented for the ionization energy and cation stability of several alkenylperoxy radicals. Experimental measurements of 1-cyclopentenylperoxy (1-c-C5H7OO) and propargylperoxy (CH2=C=CHOO) photoionization are presented as examples.

Vestigial-like-2b (VITO-1b) and Tead-3a (Tef-5a) expression in zebrafish skeletal muscle, brain and notochord.

The vestigial gene has been shown to control skeletal muscle formation in Drosophila and the related Vestigial-like 2 (Vgl-2) protein plays a similar role in mice. Vgl-family proteins are thought to regulate tissue-specific gene expression by binding to members of the broadly expressed Scalloped/Tef/TEAD transcription factor family. Zebrafish have at least four Vgl genes, including two Vgl-2s, and at least three TEAD genes, including two Tead3s.

Physical activity, dietary habits and Coronary Heart Disease risk factor knowledge amongst people with severe mental illness: a cross sectional comparative study in primary care.

Background: Evidence regarding Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) related lifestyle in people with severe mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia is sparse. We aimed to quantify adverse CHD knowledge, diet and exercise in a representative primary care sample, and to determine whether socio-economic deprivation explained any findings.

Method: We compared CHD lifestyle and CHD knowledge in 74 people with SMI and 148 without from seven general practices.