Myriad Mapping of nanoscale minerals reveals calcium carbonate hemihydrate in forming nacre and coral biominerals.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO) is abundant on Earth, is a major component of marine biominerals and thus of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and it plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by storing atmospheric CO into solid biominerals. Six crystalline polymorphs of CaCO are known-3 anhydrous: calcite, aragonite, vaterite, and 3 hydrated: ikaite (CaCO·6HO), monohydrocalcite (CaCO·1HO, MHC), and calcium carbonate hemihydrate (CaCO·½HO, CCHH). CCHH was recently discovered and characterized, but exclusively as a synthetic material, not as a naturally occurring mineral.

Contributions of Astrocyte and Neuronal Volume to CA1 Neuron Excitability Changes in Elevated Extracellular Potassium.

Rapid increases in cell volume reduce the size of the extracellular space (ECS) and are associated with elevated brain tissue excitability. We recently demonstrated that astrocytes, but not neurons, rapidly swell in elevated extracellular potassium ([K] ) up to 26 mM. However, effects of acute astrocyte volume fluctuations on neuronal excitability in [K] have been difficult to evaluate due to direct effects on neuronal membrane potential and generation of action potentials.

Honey, I shrunk the extracellular space: Measurements and mechanisms of astrocyte swelling.

Astrocyte volume fluctuation is a physiological phenomenon tied closely to the activation of neural circuits. Identification of underlying mechanisms has been challenging due in part to use of a wide range of experimental approaches that vary between research groups. Here, we first review the many methods that have been used to measure astrocyte volume changes directly or indirectly.

Relationship between cerebral palsy severity and cognition, aids and education.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a non-progressive permanent lesion of the developing brain, which can manifest with motor function disability and various comorbidities and complications. However, there is little data on the correlation between motor and mental function in CP, as cognitive assessments are rarely the main focus of studies on children with CP.

Methods: We studied a large cohort of 381 children and adolescents with CP.

Faster Crystallization during Coral Skeleton Formation Correlates with Resilience to Ocean Acidification.

The mature skeletons of hard corals, termed stony or scleractinian corals, are made of aragonite (CaCO). During their formation, particles attaching to the skeleton's growing surface are calcium carbonate, transiently amorphous. Here we show that amorphous particles are observed frequently and reproducibly just outside the skeleton, where a calicoblastic cell layer envelops and deposits the forming skeleton.

Clinical Phenotype of Cerebral Palsy Depends on the Cause: Is It Really Cerebral Palsy? A Retrospective Study.

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood. Still, the precise definition in terms of causes and timing of the brain damage remains controversial. Several studies examine the clinical phenotype of cerebral palsy types.

Astrocyte-Selective Volume Increase in Elevated Extracellular Potassium Conditions Is Mediated by the Na/K ATPase and Occurs Independently of Aquaporin 4.

Astrocytes and neurons have been shown to swell across a variety of different conditions, including increases in extracellular potassium concentration (^[K]). The mechanisms involved in the coupling of K influx to water movement into cells leading to cell swelling are not well understood and remain controversial. Here, we set out to determine the effects of ^[K] on rapid volume responses of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and stratum radiatum astrocytes using real-time confocal volume imaging.

Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years after neuroendoscopic lavage in neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.

Objective: A standardized guideline for treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in premature infants is still missing. Because an early ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is avoided due to low body weight and fragility of the patients, the neurosurgical treatment focuses on temporary solutions for CSF diversion as a minimally invasive approach. Neuroendoscopic lavage (NEL) was additionally introduced for early elimination of intraventricular blood components to reduce possible subsequent complications such as shunt dependency, infection, and multiloculated hydrocephalus.

Inducible Colonic M Cells Are Dependent on TNFR2 but Not Ltβr, Identifying Distinct Signalling Requirements for Constitutive Versus Inducible M Cells.

Background And Aims: M cells associated with organised lymphoid tissues such as intestinal Peyer's patches provide surveillance of the intestinal lumen. Inflammation or infection in the colon can induce an M cell population associated with lymphoid infiltrates; paradoxically, induction is dependent on the inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-α. Anti-TNFα blockade is an important therapeutic in inflammatory bowel disease, so understanding the effects of TNFα signalling is important in refining therapeutics.

Differential Potency of 2,6-Dimethylcyclohexanol Isomers for Positive Modulation of GABAA Receptor Currents.

GABAA receptors meet all of the pharmacological requirements necessary to be considered important targets for the action of general anesthetic agents in the mammalian brain. In the following patch-clamp study, the relative modulatory effects of 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanol diastereomers were investigated on human GABAA (α1β3γ2s) receptor currents stably expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Cis,cis-, trans,trans-, and cis,trans-isomers were isolated from commercially available 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanol and were tested for positive modulation of submaximal GABA responses.

Predictive and concurrent validity of standardized neurodevelopmental examinations by the Griffiths scales and Bayley scales of infant development II.

Standardized examinations of preterm infants are used to identify candidates for early intervention. We aimed to assess the predictive power and concurrent validity of the mental development index of the Bayley scales of infant development II (Bayley MDI) and the Griffiths scales developmental quotient (Griffiths DQ) in healthy term and preterm infants <1500 g birth weight without major perinatal complications.137 Infants (89 term, 48 preterm) were examined by both tests at a corrected age of 6, 12, and 22 months, and 114 went on to undergo Bayley assessments at 39 months.

Laboratory markers of perinatal acidosis are poor predictors of neurodevelopmental impairment in very low birth weight infants.

Background: In asphyxiated term and near-term infants, therapeutic hypothermia increases survival without neurologic morbidity, and extending this new treatment to preterm infants is being debated.

Aims: To investigate the association of low pH and base excess (BE) at birth or admission, as used as entry criteria in cooling trials, and evolving brain damage in preterm infants.

Study Design And Measurements: Rates of death and neurodevelopmental impairment at 12 and 20 months corrected age were assessed in a cohort of 1137 preterm infants with a gestational age <35 weeks and birth weight <1500 g in relation to severe perinatal acidosis (umbilical artery pH≤7.

Dysphonia at 12 months corrected age in very low-birth-weight-born children.

Preterm newborn infants may suffer laryngeal injuries after multiple intubations and long-term mechanical ventilation. Former studies have focused on acute laryngeal injuries diagnosed by endoscopy, performed within the neonatal period. This retrospective case-control study aims to investigate the prevalence and clinical risk factors for voice disorders in former very low-birth-weight (< 1,500 g) infants (VLBW) at 1-year follow-up examinations.

Echocardiography predicts closure of patent ductus arteriosus in response to ibuprofen in infants less than 28 week gestational age.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent problem in preterm infants, and its incidence is inversely correlated with gestational age. The efficacy of medical treatment decreases with decreasing gestational age (GA), and failure rates as well as ductus ligation rates of 40% have been reported in <28 week GA newborns. The aim of this study was to determine whether echocardiographic parameters can predict response to ibuprofen treatment of PDA.

Neurodevelopmental outcome after COX inhibitor treatment for patent ductus arteriosus.

Aim: To compare neurodevelopmental results in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants two years after successful or failed cyclooxygenase inhibitor treatment with either indomethacin or ibuprofen for a haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated closure rates and outcome parameters of VLBW infants with hsPDA 89 of whom were treated with indomethacin and 93 with ibuprofen.

Results: Indomethacin and ibuprofen therapy groups did not differ in their baseline clinical profile (median gestational age 26.

Predicting neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infants by standardized neurological assessments at 6 and 12 months corrected age.

Aim: Neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants can be reasonably diagnosed by 18-24 months corrected age, whereas the predictive value of earlier assessments is debated. We hypothesized that neurological findings at 6 and 12 months indicative of subsequent cerebral palsy predict 18-24 months' neurodevelopmental impairment.

Methods: Neurodevelopmental examinations (Griffiths scales) at 20 months of age in 561 preterm infants (birth weight <1 500 g) were compared with results of standardized neurological examinations (Early Motor Pattern Profile; EMPP) and Griffiths scales at 6 (n = 451) and 12 months (n = 496) corrected age.

Parental bilingualism is associated with slower cognitive development in very low birth weight infants.

Background: Speech development is frequently impaired in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Few and controversial data have been published on concepts regarding the influence of bilingual education.

Aims: The objectives of the current study were to assess the influence of parental bilingualism on speech development and neurodevelopmental outcome in low risk VLBW infants.

Total serum bilirubin levels during cyclooxygenase inhibitor treatment for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

Aim: To determine whether ibuprofen use in VLBW infants is associated with increased serum bilirubin levels and impaired neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age compared to indomethacin.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated bilirubin data and outcome parameters of 178 VLBW infants treated with COX inhibitors for a haemodynamically relevant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) between 1998 and 2003 in a single institution. In our department ibuprofen replaced indomethacin for PDA treatment in 2001, while clinical and echocardiographic criteria for the indication of PDA invention have remained unchanged.

Impaired word stress pattern discrimination in very-low-birthweight infants during the first 6 months of life.

Prosodic information, such as word stress and speech rhythm, is important in language acquisition, and sensitivity to stress patterns is present from birth onwards. Exposure to prosodic properties of the native language occurs prenatally. Preterm birth and an associated lack of exposure to prosodic information are suspected to affect language acquisition in preterm infants.

Growth in high risk infants <1500 g birthweight during the first 5 weeks.

Background: Growth of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants is used to monitor nutrition and intrauterine velocity is taken as the desired goal.

Aim: We hypothesised that beside nutrition growth failure is caused by disease severity.

Methods: Prospective longitudinal study of 45 VLBW infants undergoing intensive care, mechanical ventilation was used as proxy to disease severity.

WP760, a melanoma selective drug.

Purpose: Our goal was to perform studies on the specificity and antimelanoma mechanism of a novel bis-anthracycline, WP760. WP760 initially identified in the NCI 160 screen as anti-melanoma.

Methods: The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium reduction (MTT) assay was used to test tumor cell growth inhibition; confocal microscopy to view WP760 intracellular distribution; flow cytometry for cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis; and Western blotting was employed to identify and compare quantities and kinetics of cell growth related molecule levels.

Genetic deafness in a preterm infant with a critical postnatal course.

Objective: We present a case of deafness in a preterm infant with several predisposing factors of an acquired hearing impairment that, however, turned out to have a genetic cause. We describe the severe postnatal course and review the relevant literature.

Design: Case report.

Cytokine induction of interleukin-24 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a recently identified member of the IL-10 family of cytokines. It was originally identified as a tumor suppressor molecule, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 7, and then renamed IL-24 and classified as a cytokine, based on its chromosomal location in the IL-10 locus, its mRNA expression in leukocytes, and its secretory sequence elements. Here, we correlate the kinetics of IL-24 mRNA and protein expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated by polyclonal activators phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by allogeneic major histocompatibility complex.

Inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB and nitric oxide by curcumin induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human melanoma cells.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) inhibits tumour cell growth by inducing apoptosis in many tumour types, including melanoma, via complex and ill-defined pathways. Recent studies have shown that curcumin is both a nitric oxide scavenger and an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, low levels of which correlate with antiapoptotic function and poor survival and which may be regulated by inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) activation. To elucidate the mechanisms by which curcumin inhibits melanoma proliferation, we tested the in vitro effects of curcumin on specific cell cycle pathways and melanoma cell survival, including NFkappaB activation.