A Shared Receptor Suggests a Common Ancestry between an Insecticidal Cry Protein and an Anti-Cancer Parasporin.

Cry toxins, produced by the bacterium , are of significant agronomic value worldwide due to their potent and highly specific activity against various insect orders. However, some of these pore-forming toxins display specific activity against a range of human cancer cells whilst possessing no known insecticidal activity; Cry41Aa is one such toxin. Cry41Aa has similarities to its insecticidal counterparts in both its 3-domain toxic core structure and pore-forming abilities, but how it has evolved to target human cells is a mystery.

Reliability of Anatomic Bony Landmark Localization of the ACL Femoral Footprint Using 3D MRI.

Background: Nonanatomic placement of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts is a leading cause of ACL graft failure. Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) femoral footprint localization could enhance planning for an ACL graft's position.

Purpose: To determine the intra- and interobserver reliability of measurements of the ACL femoral footprint position and size obtained from 3D MRI scans.

Community-driven tree planting greens the neighbouring landscape.

Nature-based solutions to climate change are growing policy priorities yet remain hard to quantify. Here we use remote sensing to quantify direct and indirect benefits from community-led agroforestry by The International Small group and Tree planting program (TIST) in Kenya. Since 2005, TIST-Kenya has incentivised smallholder farmers to plant trees for agricultural benefit and to sequester CO.

Three-Dimensional (3D) Animation and Calculation for the Assessment of Engaging Hill-Sachs Lesions With Computed Tomography 3D Reconstruction.

Purpose: To dynamically assess for Hill-Sachs engagement with animated 3-dimensional (3D) shoulder models.

Methods: We created 3D shoulder models from reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images from a consecutive series of patients with recurrent anterior dislocation. They were divided into 2 groups based on the perceived Hill-Sachs severity.

Aneurysmal bone cyst in thoracolumbar spine.

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are rare, benign primary bone tumors. Although benign, they can be locally aggressive resulting in erosion of bone and surrounding tissues over time. In later stages, depending on the clinical urgency, immunotherapy or surgical resection remain treatment options.

Land-use emissions play a critical role in land-based mitigation for Paris climate targets.

Scenarios that limit global warming to below 2 °C by 2100 assume significant land-use change to support large-scale carbon dioxide (CO) removal from the atmosphere by afforestation/reforestation, avoided deforestation, and Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). The more ambitious mitigation scenarios require even greater land area for mitigation and/or earlier adoption of CO removal strategies. Here we show that additional land-use change to meet a 1.

A Prospective Evaluation of Femoral Tunnel Placement for Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background: The recent emphasis on anatomic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is well supported by clinical and biomechanical research. Unfortunately, the location of the native femoral footprint can be difficult to see at the time of surgery, and the accuracy of current techniques to perform anatomic reconstruction is unclear.

Purpose: To use 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) to prospectively evaluate patients with torn ACLs before and after reconstruction and thereby assess the accuracy of graft position on the femoral condyle.

Preoperative Embolization and Complete Tumoral Resection of a Cervical Aggressive Epithelioid Osteoblastoma.

Background: Epithelioid "aggressive" osteoblastoma (EOB) is a rare and more aggressive subtype of osteoblastoma (OB) with a higher recurrence rate, greater risk of malignant transformation, larger size, and greater intraoperative blood loss. The present case report illustrates that preoperative angioembolization of an EOB can be safely performed with low intraoperative blood loss.

Case Description: A 21-year-old male patient presented to our institution with a 4-month history of neck discomfort, radicular pain in the proximal right arm, and mild weakness of the right biceps and triceps muscles.

Assessing uncertainties in land cover projections.

Understanding uncertainties in land cover projections is critical to investigating land-based climate mitigation policies, assessing the potential of climate adaptation strategies and quantifying the impacts of land cover change on the climate system. Here, we identify and quantify uncertainties in global and European land cover projections over a diverse range of model types and scenarios, extending the analysis beyond the agro-economic models included in previous comparisons. The results from 75 simulations over 18 models are analysed and show a large range in land cover area projections, with the highest variability occurring in future cropland areas.

Realising their potential? Exploring interprofessional perceptions and potential of the advanced practitioner role: a qualitative analysis.

Objectives: To explore perceptions of the current practice and future potential of advanced practitioners (APs) from the perspectives of different professional groups in Wales UK.

Design: A qualitative study consisting of nine focus group interviews.

Methods: Initially verbatim transcriptions of each focus group interviews were analysed thematically before themes were merged to represent perceptions for the whole data set.

Developing a model to assess optimum infection control workforce in acute care settings.

Background: Little research has been completed to assess the numbers of infection prevention and control personnel employed or optimal size and composition of infection control teams.

Methods: Acute national health hospital organizations in England were requested to provide information about the numbers of infection prevention and control personnel employed and weekly hours contributed by each occupational group under the United Kingdom's Freedom of Information legislation. The relationship between capacity of the infection prevention and control workforce, size of the inpatient population, and routinely collected surveillance data for health care-associated infection were explored.

Isolated supraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration associated with recurrent anterior shoulder instability: A case report and review of the literature.

Supraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration are two distinct muscle abnormalities which can be seen after a chronic massive tear or suprascapular neuropathy. Isolated supraspinatus muscle denervation due to suprascapular nerve injury after shoulder dislocation is extremely rare. We report on a patient who developed isolated supraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration after traumatic anterior shoulder instability.

Measuring the anterior cruciate ligament's footprints by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare 3D MR imaging and open cadaveric measurements of the ACL's footprints to see whether 3D MR imaging measurements are accurate enough to be used for preoperative templating in anatomic ACL reconstruction.

Methods: Eight formalin-injected cadaveric knees were scanned by rapid acquisition isotropic 3D MR imaging. The femoral and tibial footprints were measured on MR imaging and compared with cadaveric dissection.

Radiological and pathological response following pre-operative radiotherapy for soft-tissue sarcoma.

Purpose: To report radiological and pathological response to neo-adjuvant radiotherapy for extremity and trunk soft-tissue sarcomas.

Materials/methods: Fifty patients were identified retrospectively. All patients had MRI imaging pre and post neo-adjuvant external beam radiotherapy.

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: magnetic resonance imaging appearance in 2 cases.

Objective: Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare soft tissue tumor usually affecting the extremities of children and young adults and has a favorable prognosis. The purpose of this study was to report the magnetic resonance imaging appearance in 2 cases of AFH.

Conclusions: Although the overall features of AFH can be confused with other subtypes of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, the young age at presentation, the location of the mass, the presence of intralesional blood-filled cystic spaces with fluid-fluid levels, associated features of hemosiderin deposition, and an enhancing fibrous pseudocapsule are all potential hints favoring this entity.

Lung nodules: CT-guided placement of microcoils to direct video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical resection.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the safety and effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided placement of fiber-coated microcoils used to guide video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) excision of small peripheral lung nodules, with successful excision as the primary outcome and successful CT-guided microcoil placement and procedural complications as secondary outcomes.

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved the study protocol. Informed consent was obtained from all 69 enrolled patients (30 men, 39 women; mean age, 60.

Tomographic comparison of ventilation techniques for CT-guided thoracoscopic staple excision of subcentimeter lung nodules.

This study was planned to compare the computed tomographic detectability of lung nodules in three ventilatory conditions: total lung capacity, high-frequency ventilation, and total lung deflation. In an ex vivo lung model, 44 nodules were simulated. Using computed tomography (CT) scans, nodules were detected and compared to the actual number and excised under CT guidance.

CT-Directed microcoil localization of small peripheral lung nodules: a feasibility study in pigs.

Platinum microcoils were placed in porcine lungs to determine the feasibility for use as a lung nodule marker. Using computed tomography (CT) guidance, the microcoils were successfully deployed in 17 out of 19 attempts. Coil deployment depth ranged from 7 mm to 34 mm below the pleural surface.

Increased subcortical patellar signal intensity at T2-weighted MR imaging: a subacute finding after knee injury.

Purpose: To investigate the temporal prevalence of a rim of increased signal intensity in the subcortical part of the patella at T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after arthroscopic knee surgery or knee injury.

Materials And Methods: The prospective and retrospective components of the study were performed after receiving approval from the institutional research ethics board. Written informed consent was obtained for the prospective component of the study.

Peripheral lung nodules: fluoroscopically guided video-assisted thoracoscopic resection after computed tomography-guided localization using platinum microcoils.

Objectives: We sought to test the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopically guided, video-assisted, thoracoscopic resection after computed tomography (CT)-guided localization using platinum microcoils.

Summary Background Data: Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) resection of small pulmonary nodules >5 mm deep to the visceral pleura fails to locate the nodule and requires conversion to open thoracotomy in two thirds of cases. Therefore, we developed a new technique for intraoperative localization of these nodules using CT-guided placement of platinum microcoils.

MRI of failed total hip replacement caused by abductor muscle avulsion.

Objective: Our purpose is to describe the use of MRI and associated metal artifact reduction techniques to detect abductor muscle avulsion from the greater trochanter, a complication unusual to the anterolateral approach for total hip replacement.

Conclusion: MRI facilitates the detection of abductor muscle avulsion in patients who have undergone the anterolateral approach during total hip replacement. MRI is considered a valuable diagnostic tool when this condition is suspected.

Imaging of acute pulmonary thromboembolism: should spiral computed tomography replace the ventilation-perfusion scan?

For several decades, ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy has been the main imaging modality used in the evaluation of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Recently, various investigators have suggested that spiral CT pulmonary angiography should replace scintigraphy in the assessment of patients whose symptoms are suggestive of acute PE. This article discusses the role of the various imaging modalities in the diagnosis of acute PE and suggests a diagnostic imaging algorithm based on current evidence in the literature.