Mre11 and Exo1 contribute to the initiation and processivity of resection at meiotic double-strand breaks made independently of Spo11.

During meiosis DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are induced and repaired by homologous recombination to create gene conversion and crossover products. Mostly these DSBs are made by Spo11, which covalently binds to the DSB ends. More rarely in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, other meiotic DSBs are formed by self-homing endonucleases such as VDE, which is site specific and does not covalently bind to the DSB ends.

Origin and evolution of the dependent lineages in the genetic caste determination system of Pogonomyrmex ants.

Hybridizing harvester ants of the Pogonomyrmex barbatus/rugosus complex have an exceptional genetic caste determination (GCD) mechanism. We combined computer simulations, population genomics, and linkage mapping using >1000 nuclear AFLP markers and a partial mtDNA sequence to explore the genetic architecture and origin of the dependent lineages. Our samples included two pairs of hybridizing lineages, and the mitochondrial and nuclear data showed contradicting affinities between them.

Vascular arginase contributes to arteriolar endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock causes hypoperfusion of peripheral tissues and promotes endothelial dysfunction, which may lead to further tissue injury. Trauma increases extrahepatic activity of arginase, an enzyme which competes for l-arginine with nitric oxide synthase, and plays a key role in the development of endothelial dysfunction during aging, hypertension, and diabetes. However, the role of arginase in hemorrhage-induced endothelial dysfunction has not been studied.

Dog-walking: motivation for adherence to a walking program.

Healthy People 2010 cited walking as a major health indicator; however, adherence is challenging, especially among those with multiple chronic illnesses. Studies suggest that walking one's own dog may motivate adherence. However, no research has studied whether walking a "loaner" dog may facilitate adherence.

Cross-species genomics matches driver mutations and cell compartments to model ependymoma.

Understanding the biology that underlies histologically similar but molecularly distinct subgroups of cancer has proven difficult because their defining genetic alterations are often numerous, and the cellular origins of most cancers remain unknown. We sought to decipher this heterogeneity by integrating matched genetic alterations and candidate cells of origin to generate accurate disease models. First, we identified subgroups of human ependymoma, a form of neural tumour that arises throughout the central nervous system (CNS).

Transversus abdominis plane block for exploratory laparotomy in a Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis).

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is an innovative regional anesthetic technique using local anesthetic that is gaining popularity in the analgesic management of human patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Needle placement in the TAP block is within the facial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles and involves the abdominal and thoracic nerves. Successful blockade generally involves spinal nerves T10-L1 and may induce sensory blockade as far cranially as T7, thus producing analgesia for abdominal surgery.

Ventilatory impairment in the dysmyelinated Long Evans shaker rat.

Although respiratory complications significantly contribute to morbidity/mortality in advanced myelin disorders, little is known concerning mechanisms whereby dysmyelination impairs ventilation, or how patients compensate (i.e. plasticity).

Assisted Fontan procedure: animal and in vitro models and computational fluid dynamics study.

Fontan connection with intermittent compression by wrapped latissimus dorsi (LD) was tested in vivo, in vitro and by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Experimental study: LD was conditioned in four pigs for three weeks before Fontan connection by valved conduit wrapped with LD. Mock circuit: Inflatable cuff wrapped around valved conduit provided intermittent external compression, with pressure and flow measured at driving pressure of 8 or 16 mmHg.

Measurement of the ratio of the numu charged-current single-pion production to quasielastic scattering with a 0.8 GeV neutrino beam on mineral oil.

Using high statistics samples of charged-current numu interactions, the MiniBooNE [corrected] Collaboration reports a measurement of the single-charged-pion production to quasielastic cross section ratio on mineral oil (CH2), both with and without corrections for hadron reinteractions in the target nucleus. The result is provided as a function of neutrino energy in the range 0.4 GeV View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Search for muon neutrino and antineutrino disappearance in MiniBooNE.

The MiniBooNE Collaboration reports a search for nu_{micro} and nu[over]_{micro} disappearance in the Deltam;{2} region of 0.5-40 eV;{2}. These measurements are important for constraining models with extra types of neutrinos, extra dimensions, and CPT violation.

Search for electron antineutrino appearance at the deltam(2) approximately 1 eV(2) Scale.

The MiniBooNE Collaboration reports initial results from a search for nu(mu)-->nu(e) oscillations. A signal-blind analysis was performed using a data sample corresponding to 3.39x10(20) protons on target.

Hypochlorous acid-induced heme oxygenase-1 gene expression promotes human endothelial cell survival.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a unique oxidant generated by the enzyme myeloperoxidase that contributes to endothelial cell dysfunction and death in atherosclerosis. Since myeloperoxidase localizes with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in and around endothelial cells of atherosclerotic lesions, the present study investigated whether there was an interaction between these two enzymes in vascular endothelium. Treatment of human endothelial cells with the myeloperoxidase product HOCl stimulated a concentration- and time-dependent increase in HO-1 protein that resulted in a significant rise in carbon monoxide (CO) production.

Measurement of numicro and nue events in an off-axis horn-focused neutrino beam.

We report the first observation of off-axis neutrino interactions in the MiniBooNE detector from the NuMI beam line at Fermilab. The MiniBooNE detector is located 745 m from the NuMI production target, at 110 mrad angle (6.3 degrees) with respect to the NuMI beam axis.

The Old Ladies of the Seed Harvester ant Pogonomyrmex Rugosus: Foraging Performed by Two Groups of Workers.

We examined temporal polyethism in Pogonomyrmex rugosus, predicting a pattern of decreasing age from foragers to nest maintenance workers to individuals that were recruited to harvest a temporary food source. Nest maintenance workers were younger than foragers, as indicated by their heavier mass and lower mandibular wear. In contrast, recruited foragers were similar in mass to foragers but they displayed higher mandibular wear, suggesting that they were at least as old as foragers.

Development of a sleeve gastrectomy weight loss model in obese Zucker rats.

Background: Obesity promotes the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The most effective weight loss treatment is bariatric surgery, but results greatly vary depending on the procedure. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has recently emerged as a reduced risk weight loss procedure for super obese patients.

Unexplained excess of electronlike events from a 1-GeV neutrino beam.

The MiniBooNE Collaboration observes unexplained electronlike events in the reconstructed neutrino energy range from 200 to 475 MeV. With 6.46x10;{20} protons on target, 544 electronlike events are observed in this energy range, compared to an expectation of 415.

Near-infrared spectroscopy for the prediction of disease ratings for Fiji leaf gall in sugarcane clones.

This paper demonstrates how inferential measurements or indirect methods using near-infrared (NIR) methodology and chemometrics can be used to predict sugarcane clonal performance. Fiji leaf gall resistance is used in this study as an example. Fiji leaf gall is one of Australia's most serious sugarcane diseases, representing a significant problem in almost half of the total area under production.

Discovery of dual function acridones as a new antimalarial chemotype.

Preventing and delaying the emergence of drug resistance is an essential goal of antimalarial drug development. Monotherapy and highly mutable drug targets have each facilitated resistance, and both are undesirable in effective long-term strategies against multi-drug-resistant malaria. Haem remains an immutable and vulnerable target, because it is not parasite-encoded and its detoxification during haemoglobin degradation, critical to parasite survival, can be subverted by drug-haem interaction as in the case of quinolines and many other drugs.

TigerPlace: training veterinarians about animal companionship for the elderly.

Students learn more effectively when they are actively engaged in the learning process. Therefore, case studies have become increasingly popular as a way to teach students about a representative subject. This article discusses the benefits of case studies, with a primary focus on how case studies can help veterinary medical students learn about the human-animal bond.

Anterior segment ischemia following laser therapy for threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To report on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of premature infants developing signs of anterior segment ischemia after laser therapy for threshold retinopathy of prematurity treated or referred to a university institution.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of premature infants with a primary diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity undergoing laser therapy for threshold disease from January 1, 2001, to June 1, 2006.

Results: A total of 10 eyes in six patients were identified that developed signs of anterior segment ischemia for which a 1-year follow-up was available.

Off-label use of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for salvage treatment in progressive threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To report the short term anatomic response of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) as salvage treatment in progressive retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a small series of patients.

Methods: The study included five eyes of three patients with progressive ROP despite peripheral laser ablation. Patients received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech).

Social interactions in an online self-management program for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate social interactions among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), participating in an empirically based, cognitive-behavioural, self-management (SM), and peer-support program, delivered in an online format.

Methods: Thirty individuals with RA were recruited online. Subjects were a subset of participants in the treatment arm of a waiting-list controlled study testing the effectiveness of a 10-week, online, SM education and peer support program.

Respiratory acidosis: a quick reference.

This article serves as a quick reference for respiratory acidosis. Guidelines for analysis and causes, signs, and a stepwise approach are presented.

Respiratory alkalosis: a quick reference.

This article serves as a quick reference for respiratory alkalosis. Guidelines for analysis and causes, signs, and a stepwise approach are presented.

Animal-assisted activity among patients with cancer: effects on mood, fatigue, self-perceived health, and sense of coherence.

Purpose/objectives: To identify to what extent an animal-assisted activity (i.e., visits with a dog) affects the mood, self-perceived health, and sense of coherence among patients undergoing radiation therapy.