Reduction of inflammatory slan (6-sulfo LacNAc) dendritic cells in psoriatic skin of patients treated with etanercept.

Dermal dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the immunopathology of psoriasis. We previously identified slanDCs as pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-23- and IL-12-producing DCs in human blood and as prominent inflammatory dermal TNF-α secreting and CD11c-positive DC subset in psoriasis. Here, we ask for the effects of TNF-α-inhibition on inflammatory slanDCs in skin and blood of 10 patients with psoriasis during 24 weeks of treatment with etanercept.

Extra benefit of a second cochlear implant with respect to health-related quality of life and tinnitus.

Objective: To evaluate whether the second cochlear implant (CI) provides any extra benefit with respect to health-related quality of life, tinnitus, and auditory abilities.

Design: The data were evaluated using validated questionnaires before and after the first and second CI supply. Preimplantation data were collected retrospectively.

Elderly patients benefit from cochlear implantation regarding auditory rehabilitation, quality of life, tinnitus, and stress.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the effect of cochlear implantation on quality of life, speech performance, tinnitus, perceived stress, and coping strategy in patients aged≥70 years in comparison with younger patients.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Methods: A total of 55 postlingually deafened adults who were unilaterally implanted with a multichannel cochlear implant for at least 6 months were included in the study.

Cochlear implantation has a positive influence on quality of life, tinnitus, and psychological comorbidity.

Objectives: To determine the effect of cochlear implantation (CI) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), tinnitus, and psychological comorbidity in patients with severe to profound postlingual hearing loss and to analyze the relationship between these parameters.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Methods: Using six validated questionnaires, we evaluated the pre-CI and post-CI scores of HRQoL, tinnitus, perceived stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and coping strategies in 43 patients implanted unilaterally with a multichannel implant for at least 6 months.

Apical membrane maturation and cellular rosette formation during morphogenesis of the zebrafish lateral line.

Tissue morphogenesis and cell sorting are major forces during organ development. Here, we characterize the process of tissue morphogenesis within the zebrafish lateral line primordium, a migratory sheet of cells that gives rise to the neuromasts of the posterior lateral line organ. We find that cells within this epithelial tissue constrict actin-rich membranes and enrich apical junction proteins at apical focal points.

Regulation of muscle development by DPF3, a novel histone acetylation and methylation reader of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex.

Chromatin remodeling and histone modifications facilitate access of transcription factors to DNA by promoting the unwinding and destabilization of histone-DNA interactions. We present DPF3, a new epigenetic key factor for heart and muscle development characterized by a double PHD finger. DPF3 is associated with the BAF chromatin remodeling complex and binds methylated and acetylated lysine residues of histone 3 and 4.

Neurite outgrowth on a fibronectin isoform expressed during peripheral nerve regeneration is mediated by the interaction of paxillin with alpha4beta1 integrins.

Background: The regeneration of peripheral nerve is associated with a change in the alternative splicing of the fibronectin primary gene transcript to re-express embryonic isoforms containing a binding site for alpha4beta1 integrins that promote neurite outgrowth. Here we use PC12 cells to examine the role of the interaction between paxillin and the alpha4 integrin cytoplasmic domain in neurite outgrowth.

Results: Expression of alpha4 with mutations in the paxillin-binding domain reduced neurite outgrowth on recombinant embryonic fibronectin fragments relative to wild type alpha4.