Identification of the attenuation potential of a karst aquifer by an artificial dualtracer experiment with caffeine.

Little is known with respect to the attenuation capacity of karst aquifers. Even less is known about the risk posed by emerging micropollutants in these systems. In order to identify the attenuation potential of karst aquifers in-situ and to estimate the risk posed by micropollutants, a dualtracer test was conducted in this study in order to investigate differential transport in the subsurface: The reactive compound caffeine was used as a tracer to indicate the attenuation capacity within the aquifer in-situ.

Left ventricular functional assessment in murine models of ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy using [18 F]FDG-PET: comparison with cardiac MRI and monitoring erythropoietin therapy.

Background: We performed an initial evaluation of non-invasive ECG-gated [18 F]FDG-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for serial measurements of left ventricular volumes and function in murine models of dilated (DCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), and then tested the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) treatment on DCM mice in a preliminary FDG-PET therapy monitoring study.

Methods: Mice developed DCM 8 weeks after injection with Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), whereas ICM was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. LV volumes (EDV and ESV) and the ejection fraction (LVEF) of DCM, ICM and healthy control mice were measured by FDG-PET and compared with reference standard results obtained with 1.

The prostacyclin agonist iloprost aggravates fibrosis and enhances viral replication in enteroviral myocarditis by modulation of ERK signaling and increase of iNOS expression.

Enteroviruses, such as coxsackieviruses of group B (CVB), are able to induce a chronic inflammation of the myocardium, which may finally lead to the loss of functional tissue, remodeling processes and the development of fibrosis, thus affecting the proper contractile function of the heart. In other fibrotic diseases like scleroderma, the prostacyclin agonist iloprost was found to inhibit the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK, p44/42 MAPK), a mitogen-activated protein kinase, and consecutively, the expression of the profibrotic cytokine connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), thereby preventing the development of fibrosis. As CTGF was found to mediate fibrosis in chronic CVB3 myocarditis as well, we evaluated whether the in vivo application of iloprost is capable to reduce the development of ERK/CTGF-mediated fibrosis in enteroviral myocarditis.

Cardiomyocyte-specific IκB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB activation induces reversible inflammatory cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

Inflammation is a major factor in heart disease. IκB kinase (IKK) and its downstream target NF-κB are regulators of inflammation and are activated in cardiac disorders, but their precise contributions and targets are unclear. We analyzed IKK/NF-κB function in the heart by a gain-of-function approach, generating an inducible transgenic mouse model with cardiomyocyte-specific expression of constitutively active IKK2.

Microbial and chemical characterization of underwater fresh water springs in the Dead Sea.

Due to its extreme salinity and high Mg concentration the Dead Sea is characterized by a very low density of cells most of which are Archaea. We discovered several underwater fresh to brackish water springs in the Dead Sea harboring dense microbial communities. We provide the first characterization of these communities, discuss their possible origin, hydrochemical environment, energetic resources and the putative biogeochemical pathways they are mediating.

Recombinant GPI-anchored TIMP-1 stimulates growth and migration of peritoneal mesothelial cells.

Background: Mesothelial cells are critical in the pathogenesis of post-surgical intraabdominal adhesions as well as in the deterioration of the peritoneal membrane associated with long-term peritoneal dialysis. Mesothelial denudation is a pathophysiolocigally important finding in these processes. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) biology underlies aspects of mesothelial homeostasis as well as wound repair.

[Ping-pong transmission of herpes simplex virus 1 following corneal transplantation].

Background: Primary corneal graft failure (PCGF) after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) despite good endothelial cell count of the transplant in organ culture rarely occurs in young patients. A herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) infection (transmission through the donor or reactivation by the patient) can lead to PCGF.

Methods: We report on a 43-year-old man with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration and neurodermitis, who was underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) on the left eye after acute corneal hydrops in both eyes.

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma by glitazones reduces the expression and release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in human mesothelial cells.

Human peritoneal mesothelial cells (MC) play an important role in inflammatory processes of the peritoneal cavity by producing various cytokines and chemokines, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). The present study was designed to assess the effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma- (PPARγ-) activator rosiglitazone on the mesothelial MCP-1 expression and release. Primary cultures of MC were obtained from omental tissue.

Measuring the interaction of meal and gastric secretion: a combined quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and pharmacokinetic modeling approach.

Background: The stimulation and intragastric accumulation of gastric secretion has been recognized as an important factor in gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the interaction of gastric secretion and meal emptying has not been fully understood. Current methods to assess gastric secretion are either invasive or unable to provide information on its volume, distribution and dynamics.

Cyclophilin A affects inflammation, virus elimination and myocardial fibrosis in coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis.

Extracellular cyclophilin A (CyPA) and its receptor Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN, CD147) modulate inflammatory processes beyond metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Recently, we have shown that CyPA and CD147 are upregulated in patients with inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Here we investigate the role of CyPA and CD147 in murine coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis.

Recycling of methylthioadenosine is essential for normal vascular development and reproduction in Arabidopsis.

5'-Methylthioadenosine (MTA) is the common by-product of polyamine (PA), nicotianamine (NA), and ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The methylthiol moiety of MTA is salvaged by 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase (MTN) in a reaction producing methylthioribose (MTR) and adenine. The MTN double mutant, mtn1-1mtn2-1, retains approximately 14% of the MTN enzyme activity present in the wild type and displays a pleiotropic phenotype that includes altered vasculature and impaired fertility.

A new spatial multi-criteria decision support tool for site selection for implementation of managed aquifer recharge.

This study reports the development of a new spatial multi-criteria decision analysis (SMCDA) software tool for selecting suitable sites for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems. The new SMCDA software tool functions based on the combination of existing multi-criteria evaluation methods with modern decision analysis techniques. More specifically, non-compensatory screening, criteria standardization and weighting, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) have been combined with Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) and Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA).

Learning what children know about space from looking at their hands: the added value of gesture in spatial communication.

This article examines two issues: the role of gesture in the communication of spatial information and the relation between communication and mental representation. Children (8-10 years) and adults walked through a space to learn the locations of six hidden toy animals and then explained the space to another person. In Study 1, older children and adults typically gestured when describing the space and rarely provided spatial information in speech without also providing the information in gesture.

Caffeine as an indicator for the quantification of untreated wastewater in karst systems.

Contamination from untreated wastewater leakage and related bacterial contamination poses a threat to drinking water quality. However, a quantification of the magnitude of leakage is difficult. The objective of this work is to provide a highly sensitive methodology for the estimation of the mass of untreated wastewater entering karst aquifers with rapid recharge.

Enforced viral replication activates adaptive immunity and is essential for the control of a cytopathic virus.

The innate immune system limits viral replication via type I interferon and also induces the presentation of viral antigens to cells of the adaptive immune response. Using infection of mice with vesicular stomatitis virus, we analyzed how the innate immune system inhibits viral propagation but still allows the presentation of antigen to cells of the adaptive immune response. We found that expression of the gene encoding the inhibitory protein Usp18 in metallophilic macrophages led to lower type I interferon responsiveness, thereby allowing locally restricted replication of virus.

Virus-induced dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by increased levels of fibrotic extracellular matrix proteins and reduced amounts of energy-producing enzymes.

The most relevant clinical phenotype resulting from chronic enteroviral myocarditis is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Mice of the susceptible mouse strain A.BY/SnJ mimick well human DCM since they develop as a consequence of persistent infection and chronic inflammation a dilation of the heart ventricle several weeks after coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection.

Impairment of immunoproteasome function by β5i/LMP7 subunit deficiency results in severe enterovirus myocarditis.

Proteasomes recognize and degrade poly-ubiquitinylated proteins. In infectious disease, cells activated by interferons (IFNs) express three unique catalytic subunits β1i/LMP2, β2i/MECL-1 and β5i/LMP7 forming an alternative proteasome isoform, the immunoproteasome (IP). The in vivo function of IPs in pathogen-induced inflammation is still a matter of controversy.

The NP9 protein encoded by the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K(HML-2) negatively regulates gene activation of the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2).

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human tumour virus that efficiently growth-transforms primary human B-lymphocytes in vitro. The viral nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) is essential for immortalisation of B-cells and stimulates viral and cellular gene expression through interaction with DNA-bound transcription factors. Like its cellular homologue Notch, it associates with the DNA-bound repressor RBPJκ (CSL/CBF1) thereby converting RBPJκ into the active state.

Differential host determinants contribute to the pathogenesis of 2009 pandemic H1N1 and human H5N1 influenza A viruses in experimental mouse models.

Influenza viruses are responsible for high morbidities in humans and may, eventually, cause pandemics. Herein, we compared the pathogenesis and host innate immune responses of a seasonal H1N1, two 2009 pandemic H1N1, and a human H5N1 influenza virus in experimental BALB/c and C57BL/6J mouse models. We found that both 2009 pandemic H1N1 isolates studied (A/Hamburg/05/09 and A/Hamburg/NY1580/09) were low pathogenic in BALB/c mice [log mouse lethal dose 50 (MLD(50)) >6 plaque-forming units (PFU)] but displayed remarkable differences in virulence in C57BL/6J mice.

Phytosulfokine-α controls hypocotyl length and cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana through phytosulfokine receptor 1.

The disulfated peptide growth factor phytosulfokine-α (PSK-α) is perceived by LRR receptor kinases. In this study, a role for PSK signaling through PSK receptor PSKR1 in Arabidopsis thaliana hypocotyl cell elongation is established. Hypocotyls of etiolated pskr1-2 and pskr1-3 seedlings, but not of pskr2-1 seedlings were shorter than wt due to reduced cell elongation.

Is there an association between SLAP lesions and biceps pulley lesions?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SLAP and biceps reflection pulley lesions. The hypothesis was that these lesions do not occur concomitantly and they have a different etiology.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed 3,395 shoulder arthroscopies that were independently performed by 2 surgeons between 2004 and 2008 regarding the prevalence of SLAP and biceps pulley lesions.

The hypoxia responsive transcription factor genes ERF71/HRE2 and ERF73/HRE1 of Arabidopsis are differentially regulated by ethylene.

The AR2/ERF transcription factor genes ERF71/HRE2 and ERF73/HRE1 were induced at hypoxic conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. ERF73/HRE1 but not its related gene ERF71/HRE2 was furthermore regulated by ethylene. Treatment with 1 ppm ethylene promoted ERF73/HRE1 expression fivefold.

Intraoperative tranexamic acid reduces blood transfusion in children undergoing craniosynostosis surgery: a randomized double-blind study.

Background: Surgical correction of craniosynostosis in children is associated with substantial intraoperative bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA) decreases intraoperative blood loss during cardiac or orthopedic surgery in children. We hypothesized that intraoperative TXA would reduce blood transfusion relative to placebo in patients pretreated with erythropoietin.

Differential use of importin-α isoforms governs cell tropism and host adaptation of influenza virus.

Influenza A viruses are a threat to humans due to their ability to cross species barriers, as illustrated by the 2009 H1N1v pandemic and sporadic H5N1 transmissions. Interspecies transmission requires adaptation of the viral polymerase to importin-α, a cellular protein that mediates transport into the nucleus where transcription and replication of the viral genome takes place. In this study, we analysed replication, host specificity and pathogenicity of avian and mammalian influenza viruses, in importin-α-silenced cells and importin-α-knockout mice, to understand the role of individual importin-α isoforms in adaptation.