Integrated annotations and analyses of small RNA-producing loci from 47 diverse plants.

Plant endogenous small RNAs (sRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression. There are two broad categories of plant sRNAs: microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). MicroRNA loci are relatively well-annotated but compose only a small minority of the total sRNA pool; siRNA locus annotations have lagged far behind.

MicroRNAs from the parasitic plant Cuscuta campestris target host messenger RNAs.

Dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are obligate parasitic plants that obtain water and nutrients from the stems of host plants via specialized feeding structures called haustoria. Dodder haustoria facilitate bidirectional movement of viruses, proteins and mRNAs between host and parasite, but the functional effects of these movements are not known.

Endovascular repair of a tracheoinnominate fistula with a stent graft.

Massive bleeding from a tracheostomy developed in a 65-year-old woman with stroke after successful conservative management of a minor tracheostomy bleeding episode. Temporary hemostasis was achieved, and angiography showed a tracheoinnominate fistula (TIF), a rare complication of tracheostomy. Open surgery was contraindicated in this patient, so endovascular repair using a stent graft was performed.

Effect of selective proteasome inhibitors on TNF-induced activation of primary and transformed endothelial cells.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of two structurally distinct yet selective proteasome inhibitors (PS-341 and lactacystin) on leukocyte adhesion, endothelial cell adhesion molecule (ECAM) expression, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the transformed, HUVEC-derived, ECV cell line. We found that TNF (10 ng/ml) significantly enhanced U-937 and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) adhesion to HUVEC but not to ECV; TNF also significantly enhanced surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and E-selectin (in HUVEC only), as well as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1; in HUVEC and ECV). Pretreatment of HUVEC with lactacystin completely blocked TNF-stimulated PMN adhesion, partially blocked U-937 adhesion, and completely blocked TNF-stimulated ECAM expression.

Differential monocyte adhesion and adhesion molecule expression in venous and arterial endothelial cells.

We compared U-937 cell adhesion and adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical venous (HUVECs) and arterial (HUAECs) endothelial cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TNF and LPS stimulated vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 surface expression and adhesion of U-937 monocyte-like cells to HUVECs but not to HUAECs. Antibody studies demonstrated that in HUVECs at least 75% of the adhesion response is VCAM-1 mediated.

Ultrasound densitometric analysis of carotid plaque composition. Pathoanatomic correlation.

Background And Purpose: The components of a carotid artery plaque might affect the risk of ipsilateral stroke. The accuracy of carotid duplex scan in assessing stroke risk reflects the experience of the scan reader. Thus, methods that can enhance ultrasonic evaluation of plaque morphology might allow a more objective means of determining carotid-mediated stroke risk.

Intermittent pneumatic compression improves venous ulcer healing.

The effects of intermittent pneumatic compression on the healing rates of ulcers in patients with chronic venous insufficiency were examined in a prospective, controlled study of 22 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to the experimental or the control group. Both groups received local wound care followed by application of an Unna boot.

Hemodynamic evaluation of a bioprosthetic venous prosthesis.

Purpose: A prosthetic venous valve must be biocompatible and nonthrombogenic and function in the venous circulation. Biocompatibility and thrombogenicity of our prosthesis have been examined in prior animal experiments, and 91% of valve conduits including early prototypes are patent at 3 weeks. However, evaluation of valve function is much more difficult in animals; therefore in this study the function of excised valves was evaluated ex vivo.

In vitro performance of venous valve prostheses. An experimental model study.

The performance of fresh and glutaraldehyde fixed bovine jugular vein valves (10 mm diameter) was investigated in an experimental flow loop that provides adjustable flow rates and a downstream oscillatory pressure. Three different venous valve (VV) conduit geometries (curved [C], straight [S], and tapered [T]), were tested. The flow loop consisted of two independently adjustable components, with the mean flow generated by adjusting the elevation difference between the head tank and outflow chamber.

The residual central venous catheter track--an occult source of lethal air embolism: case report.

Air embolization through a residual track after removal of a central venous catheter is an elusive mechanism of a treacherous problem. Prompt diagnosis is necessary for successful application of established therapy, as demonstrated by this case report. Awareness of this unusual mechanism of air embolism with utilization of simple prophylactic measures, however, remains the best treatment.

In vitro testing of venous valves.

The need to test prosthetic venous valves led to the design of a hydraulic mock circuit that reliably mimics natural venous flow. Components of this system simulate calf muscle pump and thoracoabdominal suction pump action. Flow and pressures are serially measured along the circuit.

Occult antithrombin III deficiency: a potentially lethal complication of the postphlebitic limb.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a frequent sequel to lower extremity venous thrombosis. A relatively uncommon, but potentially lethal, cause of the thrombosis is congenital antithrombin III deficiency. Recognition and treatment of this occult deficiency is critical.

Valvular xenografts in the inferior vena cava.

The unsolved problem of valvular incompetence is a common denominator to chronic venous insufficiency. Cardiac experience with tissue valves suggests the potential for their use in more peripheral locations. The current initial work evaluated 22 valvular xenografts placed in the inferior vena cavas of 22 dogs.

Gastrojejunal fistula: a complication of peptic ulcer disease.

Spontaneous gastrojejunal fistula formation is rare and its differential diagnosis multifactorial. Precise etiologic determination is necessary for proper management. We have reported a case typical of gastrojejunal fistula due to peptic ulcer disease.

Renal acid-base metabolism after ischemia.

The response of the kidney to ischemia-induced cellular acidosis was followed over the immediate one hr post-ischemia reflow period. Clearance and extraction experiments as well as measurement of cortical intracellular pH (pHi) were performed on Inactin-anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Arteriovenous concentration differences and para-aminohippurate extraction were obtained by cannulating the left renal vein.

Long-term patency of venous repairs demonstrated by venography.

Indications for venous reconstruction after traumatic injury are controversial, partly because of uncertainty of continued patency. We found no reports in the literature of truly long-term results after venous reconstruction. For clarification of this issue, we reviewed femoral venous injuries in a civilian metropolital population over a 20-year period.

Venous prosthetic valves. The first step toward an investigation in the canine model.

Bioprosthetic valves were surgically placed in the inferior vena cava of four canines as a first step in the investigation of prosthetic valves for the treatment of nonobstructive chronic venous stasis. Valve patency and thrombus formation involving either the valve or the IVC was evaluated by serial follow-up inferior vena cavagrams in each canine. No thrombus occurred in any of the canines as observed at six months in two canines and eight months in two canines.

Amputation risk factors in concomitant superficial femoral artery and vein injuries.

Only a small subset of patients with combined superficial femoral artery and vein injuries results in amputation. The importance of the venous component as a risk factor for amputation is uncertain. Ligation vs.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase release by the post ischemic kidney: multiple forms and cellular pH.

The release of gamma-glutamyltransferase from renal tubule cells was studied in situ following 30 minutes of ischemia. The ischemic kidney enzyme level fell 33 percent after 15 minutes of reflow of which only 1.2 percent was recovered in the urine; none was released into the renal vein.