HH domain of Alzheimer's disease Abeta provides structural basis for neuronal binding in PC12 and mouse cortical/hippocampal neurons.

A key question in understanding AD is whether extracellular Abeta deposition of parenchymal amyloid plaques or intraneuronal Abeta accumulation initiates the AD process. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is endocytosed from the cell surface into endosomes where it is cleaved to produce soluble Abeta which is then released into the brain interstitial fluid. Intraneuronal Abeta accumulation is hypothesized to predominate from the neuronal uptake of this soluble extracellular Abeta rather than from ER/Golgi processing of APP.

Nimotuzumab, a promising therapeutic monoclonal for treatment of tumors of epithelial origin.

Nimotuzumab is a humanized therapeutic monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Clinical trials are ongoing globally to evaluate nimotuzumab in different indications. Nimotuzumab has been granted approval for use in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN), glioma and nasopharyngeal cancer in different countries.

A Serine12Stop mutation in PB1-F2 of the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza A: a possible reason for its enhanced transmission and pathogenicity to humans.

As the scientific community scrambles to define the ancestry and lineages of the eight segments of new pandemic H1N1 strain, we looked for unique genetic events in this virus's genome to explain the newly found enhanced virulence and transmissibility among humans. Genome annotations of this virus identified a stop mutation replacing serine at codon 12 (S12Stop) of the PB1-F2 protein, a virulence factor in influenza A viruses. Here, we discuss the significance of this finding and how it may contribute to host specialization, explaining the virtual absence of the H1N1 influenza A virus strain in pig populations.

Surface plasmon resonance binding kinetics of Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta peptide-capturing and plaque-binding monoclonal antibodies.

Several different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been actively developed in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for basic science and clinical applications; however, the binding kinetics of many of the mAbs with the beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta) are poorly understood. A panel of mAbs with different Abeta recognition sites, including our plaque-binding antibody (IgG4.1), a peptide-capturing antibody (11A50), and two classical mAbs (6E10 and 4G8) used for immunohistochemistry, were chosen for characterization of their kinetics of binding to monomeric and fibrillar forms of Abeta40 using surface plasmon resonance and their amyloid plaque binding ability in AD mouse brain sections using immunohistochemistry.

The feasibility of using high resolution genome sequencing of influenza A viruses to detect mixed infections and quasispecies.

Background: The rapidly expanding availability of de novo sequencing technologies can greatly facilitate efforts to monitor the relatively high mutation rates of influenza A viruses and the detection of quasispecies. Both the mutation rates and the lineages of influenza A viruses are likely to play an important role in the natural history of these viruses and the emergence of phenotypically and antigenically distinct strains.

Methodology And Principal Findings: We evaluated quasispecies and mixed infections by de novo sequencing the whole genomes of 10 virus isolates, including eight avian influenza viruses grown in embryonated chicken eggs (six waterfowl isolates - five H3N2 and one H4N6; an H7N3 turkey isolate; and a bald eagle isolate with H1N1/H2N1 mixed infection), and two tissue cultured H3N2 swine influenza viruses.

Sequelae due to bacterial meningitis among African children: a systematic literature review.

Background: African children have some of the highest rates of bacterial meningitis in the world. Bacterial meningitis in Africa is associated with high case fatality and frequent neuropsychological sequelae. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive review of data on bacterial meningitis sequelae in children from the African continent.

Granulomatous interstitial nephritis due to tuberculosis-a rare presentation.

Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) is an uncommon form of acute interstitial nephritis. We report a young male who presented to us with a rapidly progressing renal failure and massive proteinuria. A renal biopsy revealed GIN, and we were able to demonstrate the presence of tuberculous DNA in the biopsy specimen.

Analysis of polymorphism in renin angiotensin system and other related genes in South Indian chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: Several Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) polymorphisms alter the homeostasis to an abnormal state. Similarly, other genes such as Nephrin (NPHS1) and Podocin (NPHS2) contribute to the loss of renal function during renal diseases. In Indian population, studies in RAS and other renal specific gene polymorphisms in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients are scanty.

Neurospora crassa fmf-1 encodes the homologue of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Ste11p regulator of sexual development.

The Neurospora crassa fmf-1 mutation exerts an unusual 'perithecium-dominant' developmental arrest; fmf-1 x fmf-1+ cross becomes arrested in perithecial development regardless of whether the mutant participates in the cross as the male or female parent. We localized fmf-1 to the LG IL genome segment between the centromere-proximal breakpoint of the chromosome segment duplication Dp(IL)39311 and the centromere. By mapping crossovers with respect to RFLP markers in this region we further localized fmf-1 to an approximately 34-kb-genome segment.

The AO/ASIF proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA): a new design for the treatment of unstable proximal femoral fractures.

Introduction: PFNA design compacts the cancellous bone to provide increased stability and has been bio-mechanically proven to retard rotation and varus collapse.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2007, 62 consecutive patients with unstable proximal femoral fractures were treated with the PFNA.

Results: Twenty males and 42 females with a mean age of 78 years (44-94) were reviewed.

Chromosome segment duplications in Neurospora crassa: barren crosses beget fertile science.

Studies on Neurospora chromosome segment duplications (Dps) performed since the publication of Perkins's comprehensive review in 1997 form the focus of this article. We present a brief summary of Perkins's seminal work on chromosome rearrangements, specifically, the identification of insertional and quasiterminal translocations that can segregate Dp progeny when crossed with normal sequence strains (i.e.

Use of an electronic medical record system to support primary care recommendations to prevent, identify, and manage childhood obesity.

Many primary care physicians are not providing care that is consistent with recommendations to prevent, to identify, and to manage childhood obesity. This report presents modifications made to the electronic medical record system of a large pediatric health care system, using a quality improvement approach, to support these recommendations and office system changes. Although it is possible to make practice changes secondary to electronic medical record system enhancements, challenges to development and implementation exist.

Development of a smart nano-vehicle to target cerebrovascular amyloid deposits and brain parenchymal plaques observed in Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Purpose: To design a smart nano-vehicle (SNV) capable of permeating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to target cerebrovascular amyloid formed in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy (CAA).

Methods: SNV consists of a chitosan polymeric core prepared through ionic gelation with tripolyphosphate. A polyamine modified F(ab') portion of IgG4.

Efficacy of disinfectants and hand sanitizers against avian respiratory viruses.

Disinfectants play a major role in the control of animal diseases by decontaminating the farm environment. We evaluated the virucidal efficacy of nine commonly used disinfectants on a nonporous surface contaminated experimentally with avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), avian influenza virus, or Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Phenolic compounds and glutaraldehyde were found to be the most effective against all three viruses.

Selective contrast enhancement of individual Alzheimer's disease amyloid plaques using a polyamine and Gd-DOTA conjugated antibody fragment against fibrillar Abeta42 for magnetic resonance molecular imaging.

Purpose: The lack of an in vivo diagnostic test for AD has prompted the targeting of amyloid plaques with diagnostic imaging probes. We describe the development of a contrast agent (CA) for magnetic resonance microimaging that utilizes the F(ab')2 fragment of a monoclonal antibody raised against fibrillar human Abeta42

Methods: This fragment is polyamine modified to enhance its BBB permeability and its ability to bind to amyloid plaques. It is also conjugated with a chelator and gadolinium for subsequent imaging of individual amyloid plaques

Results: Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated this 125I-CA has higher BBB permeability and lower accumulation in the liver and kidney than F(ab')2 in WT mice.

Background culturable bacteria aerosol in two large public buildings using HVAC filters as long term, passive, high-volume air samplers.

Background culturable bacteria aerosols were collected and identified in two large public buildings located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Seattle, Washington over a period of 5 months and 3 months, respectively. The installed particulate air filters in the ventilation systems were used as the aerosol sampling devices at each location. Both pre and final filters were collected from four air handing units at each site to determine the influence of location within the building, time of year, geographical location and difference between indoor and outdoor air.

Effects of temperature and stabilizer on the viability of a live attenuated avian metapneumovirus vaccine.

A commercial live attenuated, freeze-dried avian metapneumovirus vaccine, Pneumomune, was assessed for its viability at three different temperatures (5.6 C, 21 C, and 37 C). No significant reduction in virus titer was observed when the vaccine was stored at 5.

In-vivo efficacy of hand sanitisers against feline calicivirus: a surrogate for norovirus.

Hand disinfection is considered important in preventing the transmission of viruses, including norovirus. We investigated the virucidal efficacy of nine hand sanitisers (four alcohol-based sanitisers, three non-alcoholic sanitisers and two triclosan-containing antimicrobial liquid soaps) against feline calicivirus, a surrogate for norovirus, on artificially contaminated fingertips for 30 s and 2 min contact periods. Among alcohol-based sanitisers, a product containing 99.

Larval rearing environment affects several post-copulatory traits in Drosophila melanogaster.

In Drosophila melanogaster, accessory gland proteins (Acps) that a male transfers during mating affect his reproductive success by altering the female's behaviour and physiology. To test the role of male condition in the expression of Acps, we manipulated the pre-adult environment and examined adult males for relative transcript abundance of nine Acps, and for post-copulatory traits that Acps influence. Larval culture density had no effect on any measured trait.

Comparison of scars and resulting hypoaesthesia between the medial parapatellar and midline skin incisions in total knee arthroplasty.

The two most common skin incisions in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are the medial parapatellar and midline. As the medial parapatellar incision is predominantly parallel to the Langer's lines of the knee, this may give a better cosmetic appearance. The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction of the surgical scar and resulting hypoaesthesia following TKA.

In vivo targeting of antibody fragments to the nervous system for Alzheimer's disease immunotherapy and molecular imaging of amyloid plaques.

Targeting therapeutic or diagnostic proteins to the nervous system is limited by the presence of the blood-brain barrier. We report that a F(ab')(2) fragment of a monoclonal antibody against fibrillar human Abeta42 that is polyamine (p)-modified has increased permeability at the blood-brain barrier, comparable binding to the antigen, and comparable in vitro binding to amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mouse brain sections. Intravenous injection of the pF(ab')(2)4.

Development of a method for bacteria and virus recovery from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters.

The aim of the work presented here is to study the effectiveness of building air handling units (AHUs) in serving as high volume sampling devices for airborne bacteria and viruses. An HVAC test facility constructed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.2-1999 was used for the controlled loading of HVAC filter media with aerosolized bacteria and virus.