The histology of Nanomia bijuga (Hydrozoa: Siphonophora).

The siphonophore Nanomia bijuga is a pelagic hydrozoan (Cnidaria) with complex morphological organization. Each siphonophore is made up of many asexually produced, genetically identical zooids that are functionally specialized and morphologically distinct. These zooids predominantly arise by budding in two growth zones, and are arranged in precise patterns.

Size- and shape-dependent foreign body immune response to materials implanted in rodents and non-human primates.

The efficacy of implanted biomedical devices is often compromised by host recognition and subsequent foreign body responses. Here, we demonstrate the role of the geometry of implanted materials on their biocompatibility in vivo. In rodent and non-human primate animal models, implanted spheres 1.

Toward the formation of a Companion Animal Parasite Council for the Tropics (CAPCT).

This letter advises the imminent formation of the Companion Animal Parasites Council for the Tropics (CAPCT). The CAPCT consists of region-specific (e.g.

Severe flare as a predictor of poor outcome in ankylosing spondylitis: a cohort study using questionnaire and routine data linkage.

Objective: To explore severe flare and constant disease pattern (no periods of remission) in AS as predictors of poor outcomes [impaired function, unemployment/early retirement, work impairment, anti-TNF, surgery, frequent general practitioner (GP) visits, depression and anxiety].

Methods: Three hundred and forty-eight AS patients completed questionnaires about their experience with disease flares. Questionnaire data were linked to electronic medical records to examine visits to GPs and hospital admission data.

Cytokines as therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

The human immune system involves highly complex and coordinated processes in which small proteins named cytokines play a key role. Cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Cytokines are therefore attractive therapeutic targets in these conditions.

Systematic review of treatment effectiveness and outcome measures for enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis.

Enthesitis is a characteristic feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and is important in disease pathogenesis and classification. Use of clinical outcome measures for enthesitis is heterogeneous, and only 1 measure has been specifically developed and validated in PsA. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging assessments of enthesitis may have advantages over clinical examination but are insufficiently studied.

TargetCOPD: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of targeted case finding for COPD versus routine practice in primary care: protocol.

Background: Many people with clinically significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain undiagnosed worldwide. There are a number of small studies which have examined possible methods of case finding through primary care, but no large RCTs that have adequately assessed the most cost-effective approach.

Methods/design: In this study, using a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 56 general practices in the West Midlands, we plan to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a Targeted approach to case finding for COPD compared with routine practice.

Leverage points for improving global food security and the environment.

Achieving sustainable global food security is one of humanity's contemporary challenges. Here we present an analysis identifying key "global leverage points" that offer the best opportunities to improve both global food security and environmental sustainability. We find that a relatively small set of places and actions could provide enough new calories to meet the basic needs for more than 3 billion people, address many environmental impacts with global consequences, and focus food waste reduction on the commodities with the greatest impact on food security.

When do we really need coronary calcium scoring prior to contrast-enhanced coronary computed tomography angiography? Analysis by age, gender and coronary risk factors.

Aims: To investigate the value of coronary calcium scoring (CCS) as a filter scan prior to coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods And Results: Between February 2008 and April 2011, 732 consecutive patients underwent clinically indicated CCTA. During this 'control phase', CCS was performed in all patients.

The interleukin-17 pathway in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: disease pathogenesis and possibilities of treatment.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are pathophysiological enigmas among rheumatic diseases. Substantial clinical advances have been made with new therapy targeting different components of the IL-17 and IL-23 pathways. At the same time, an increase in research on the topic has provided new insights into the potential functional effects of treatments on cell types, pathways, and tissues of interest.

A global analysis of the impacts of urbanization on bird and plant diversity reveals key anthropogenic drivers.

Urbanization contributes to the loss of the world's biodiversity and the homogenization of its biota. However, comparative studies of urban biodiversity leading to robust generalities of the status and drivers of biodiversity in cities at the global scale are lacking. Here, we compiled the largest global dataset to date of two diverse taxa in cities: birds (54 cities) and plants (110 cities).

From food insufficiency towards trade dependency: a historical analysis of global food availability.

Achieving global food security is one of the major challenges of the coming decades. In order to tackle future food security challenges we must understand the past. This study presents a historical analysis of global food availability, one of the key elements of food security.

Protein kinase inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Protein kinases mediate protein phosphorylation, which is a fundamental component of cell signalling, with crucial roles in most signal transduction cascades: from controlling cell growth and proliferation to the initiation and regulation of immunological responses. Aberrant kinase activity is implicated in an increasing number of diseases, with more than 400 human diseases now linked either directly or indirectly to protein kinases. Protein kinases are therefore regarded as highly important drug targets, and are the subject of intensive research activity.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics of developing and ripening muscadine grape berry.

Grapes are among the widely cultivated fruit crops in the world. Grape berries like other nonclimacteric fruits undergo a complex set of dynamic, physical, physiological, and biochemical changes during ripening. Muscadine grapes are widely cultivated in the southern United States for fresh fruit and wine.

Dissecting the role of H3K64me3 in mouse pericentromeric heterochromatin.

To ensure genome stability, pericentromeric regions are compacted in a dense heterochromatic structure through a combination of specific 'epigenetic' factors and modifications. A cascadal pathway is responsible for establishing pericentromeric chromatin involving chromatin modifiers and 'readers', such as H3K9 histone methyltransferases (Suv)39h and heterochromatin protein 1. Here we define how H3K64me3 on the lateral surface of the histone octamer integrates within the heterochromatinization cascade.

Involving service users in trials: developing a standard operating procedure.

Background: Many funding bodies require researchers to actively involve service users in research to improve relevance, accountability and quality. Current guidance to researchers mainly discusses general principles. Formal guidance about how to involve service users operationally in the conduct of trials is lacking.

Inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The pathogenesis of RA is a complex and ever-changing landscape but amid the chaos of the disease process we have found effective treatment regimes. However, our current therapeutics, although targeting various components of both the innate and adaptive immune response, do not result in disease remission. Protein kinase inhibitors are attractive targets due to their ability to influence downstream signalling and their oral bioavailability.

Patient perspectives of managing fatigue in Ankylosing Spondylitis, and views on potential interventions: a qualitative study.

Background: Fatigue is a major component of living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), though it has been largely over-looked, and currently there are no specific agreed management strategies.

Methods: This qualitative exploratory study involved participants who are members of an existing population-based ankylosing spondylitis (PAS) cohort. Participants residing in South West Wales were invited to participate in a focus group to discuss; (1) effects of fatigue, (2) self-management strategies and (3) potential future interventions.

Characterization of differential transcript abundance through time during Nematostella vectensis development.

Background: Nematostella vectensis, a burrowing sea anemone, has become a popular species for the study of cnidarian development. In previous studies, the expression of a variety of genes has been characterized during N. vectensis development with in situ mRNA hybridization.

Qualitative research within trials: developing a standard operating procedure for a clinical trials unit.

Background: Qualitative research methods are increasingly used within clinical trials to address broader research questions than can be addressed by quantitative methods alone. These methods enable health professionals, service users, and other stakeholders to contribute their views and experiences to evaluation of healthcare treatments, interventions, or policies, and influence the design of trials. Qualitative data often contribute information that is better able to reform policy or influence design.

The effect of physical activity and motivation on function in ankylosing spondylitis: a cohort study.

Objectives: Exercise is reported to improve function for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) but it is not clear if this effect is causal or if patients with milder disease find it easier to exercise. This study examines the effect of exercise and motivation to exercise on function, while controlling for disease severity.

Methods: Participants who were members of an existing AS cohort were asked about physical activity, motivation to exercise, function, and disease severity.

Body mass index-adapted prospective coronary computed tomography angiography. Determining the lowest limit for diagnostic purposes.

Purpose: To investigate the value of 4 different protocols for prospectively triggered 256-slice coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA).

Methods: Two hundred and ten patients underwent prospectively triggered coronary CTA for suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with heart rate >75 bps before the scan despite ß-blocker administration and with arrhythmia were excluded.

Re-evaluation of characters in Apolemiidae (Siphonophora), with description of two new species from Monterey Bay, California.

Siphonophores are polymorphic planktonic marine Cnidarians. The family Apolemiidae is sister to all other species of physonect and calycophoran siphonophores. Although this enigmatic group arguably includes the longest animal species on the planet, their colony-level organization and growth patterns are not well understood.

The information needs of people living with ankylosing spondylitis: a questionnaire survey.

Background: Today, health care is patient-centred with patients more involved in medical decision making and taking an active role in managing their disease. It is important that patients are appropriately informed about their condition and that their health care needs are met. We examine the information utilisation, sources and needs of people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).