Enhancer trap lines with GFP driven by smad6b and frizzled1 regulatory sequences for the study of epithelial morphogenesis in the developing zebrafish inner ear.

Live imaging in the zebrafish embryo using tissue-specific expression of fluorescent proteins can yield important insights into the mechanisms that drive sensory organ morphogenesis and cell differentiation. Morphogenesis of the semicircular canal ducts of the vertebrate inner ear requires a complex rearrangement of epithelial cells, including outgrowth, adhesion, fusion and perforation of epithelial projections to generate pillars of tissue that form the hubs of each canal. We report the insertion sites and expression patterns of two enhancer trap lines in the developing zebrafish embryo, each of which highlight different aspects of epithelial cell morphogenesis in the inner ear.

Prognosis of elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients stratified by B-type natriuretic peptide: ELDERCARE-AF subanalysis.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a risk factor for stroke and cardiac death in patients with atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized the prognostic outcomes of very elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients ineligible for standard anticoagulation treatment would vary according to BNP stratification.

Methods: In this subanalysis of the ELDERCARE-AF trial, patients were stratified by BNP levels at enrollment, and clinical outcomes compared among BNP subgroups.

Preventing Extinction of a Critically Endangered subsp. in Britain Using Symbiotic Seedlings for Reintroduction.

The yellow early marsh-orchid ( subsp. ) is critically endangered in the UK. Reintroduction of this threatened orchid to former haunts that have been restored is a long-term objective of this study.

Fungal Diversity of Selected Habitat Specific Species (Orchidaceae) in the Central Highlands of Madagascar.

About 90% of species are endemic to the biodiversity hotspot of Madagascar. This terrestrial habitat-specific genus received little study for fungal diversity to support conservation. We evaluated the diversity of culturable fungi of 11 species and soil characteristics from six sites spanning a >40 km radius in and along the region's inselbergs.

Recovery of mycorrhizal fungi from wild collected protocorms of Madagascan endemic orchid Aerangis ellisii (B.S. Williams) Schltr. and their use in seed germination in vitro.

Orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) are critical for seed germination and maintaining natural populations of orchids, yet the degree of specificity of most orchids to their mycorrhizal associates remains unknown. Many orchids are at risk of extinction, whether generalists or specialists, but orchid species of narrow fungal specificity are arguably under increased threat due to their requirement for specific fungal symbionts. This study characterises the fungi associated with Aerangis ellisii, a lithophytic orchid from a site in the Central Highlands of Madagascar.

Diversity of root-associated culturable fungi of (Orchidaceae) in relation to soil characteristics.

(L.) Rich., Red Helleborine, is a widespread orchid in Europe but known only from three very small populations in England.

A fungal Argonaute interferes with RNA interference.

Small RNA (sRNA)-mediated gene silencing phenomena, exemplified by RNA interference (RNAi), require a unique class of proteins called Argonautes (AGOs). An AGO protein typically forms a protein-sRNA complex that contributes to gene silencing using the loaded sRNA as a specificity determinant. Here, we show that MoAGO2, one of the three AGO genes in the fungus Pyricularia oryzae (Magnaporthe oryzae) interferes with RNAi.

Techniques for the collection, transportation, and isolation of orchid endophytes from afar: a case study from Madagascar.

Background: Tropical orchids need more study with respect to their mycorrhizal associations. For researchers in distant countries who aspire to study these orchids augmenting their conservation, the great distances involved, coupled with limited funds, pose formidable challenges. These challenges are sometimes exacerbated by political unrest, delays in securing permits, unexpected hardships, and the risk that the biological samples collected (e.

Endophytic fungal diversity of , a crop wild relative of strawberry, along environmental gradients within a small geographical area.

Background: Fungal endophytes are highly diverse ubiquitous asymptomatic microorganisms, some of which appear to be symbiotic. Depending on abiotic conditions and genotype of the plant, the diversity of endophytes may confer fitness benefits to plant communities.

Methods: We studied a crop wild relative (CWR) of strawberry, along environmental gradients with a view to understand the cultivable root-derived endophytic fungi that can be evaluated for promoting growth and tolerating stress in selected plant groups.

Non-specific symbiotic germination of Cynorkis purpurea (Thouars) Kraezl., a habitat-specific terrestrial orchid from the Central Highlands of Madagascar.

Orchids, particularly terrestrial taxa, rely mostly on basidiomycete fungi in the Cantharellales and Sebacinales that trigger the process of seed germination and/or initiate the full development of the seedling. During the course of development, orchids may associate with the same fungus, or they may enlist other types of fungi for their developmental needs leading to resilience in a natural setting. This study examined in vitro seed germination and seedling developmental behavior of Cynorkis purpurea, a terrestrial orchid from the Central Highlands of Madagascar.

Preliminary findings on identification of mycorrhizal fungi from diverse orchids in the Central Highlands of Madagascar.

The Orchid flora of Madagascar is one of the most diverse with nearly 1000 orchid taxa, of which about 90% are endemic to this biodiversity hotspot. The Itremo Massif in the Central Highlands of Madagascar with a Highland Subtropical climate range encompasses montane grassland, igneous and metamorphic rock outcrops, and gallery and tapia forests. Our study focused on identifying culturable mycorrhizae from epiphytic, lithophytic, and terrestrial orchid taxa to understand their diversity and density in a spatial matrix that is within the protected areas.

Experimental validation of a novel compact focusing scheme for future energy-frontier linear lepton colliders.

A novel scheme for the focusing of high-energy leptons in future linear colliders was proposed in 2001 [P. Raimondi and A. Seryi, Phys.

Ret signalling integrates a craniofacial muscle module during development.

An appropriate organisation of muscles is crucial for their function, yet it is not known how functionally related muscles are coordinated with each other during development. In this study, we show that the development of a subset of functionally related head muscles in the zebrafish is regulated by Ret tyrosine kinase signalling. Three genes in the Ret pathway (gfra3, artemin2 and ret) are required specifically for the development of muscles attaching to the opercular bone (gill cover), but not other adjacent muscles.

Observation of the second harmonic in Thomson scattering from relativistic electrons.

A free relativistic electron in an electromagnetic field is a pure case of a light-matter interaction. In the laboratory environment, this interaction can be realized by colliding laser pulses with electron beams produced from particle accelerators. The process of single photon absorption and reemission by the electron, so-called linear Thomson scattering, results in radiation that is Doppler shifted into the x-ray and gamma-ray regions.

Rationale for the use of combination angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy in heart failure.

Background: The present multicenter study investigated whether the combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) is more beneficial for preventing left ventricular remodeling and suppressing neurohumoral factors than either ACEI or ARB alone.

Methods And Results: One hundred and six patients with mild-to-moderate congestive heart failure treated in 26 Japanese institutes were randomly assigned to the combination therapy or monotherapy. Changes in physical activity (New York Heart Association functional classes, Specific Activity Scale (SAS)), concentrations of neurohumoral factors (plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)), and cardiac function for 6 months were compared between the 2 groups.

Oryzalin-induced chromosome doubling in Rosa and its effect on plant morphology and pollen viability.

Shoot tips of the diploid rose Thérèse Bugnet were treated in vitro to oryzalin at concentrations of 5 and 15 microM. Tetraploid shoots were obtained in highest frequencies (40%) after exposure to 5 microM oryzalin for 14 days. Thin (1 mm) nodal sections were treated with 5 microM oryzalin and the highest frequency of tetraploids (66%) was obtained after exposure for only 1 day.

Resistive wall impedance and tune shift for a chamber with a finite thickness.

Since the resistive wall impedance for a beam pipe of a nonround cross section depends on the coordinates of a witness particle, the witness particle receives an incoherent tune shift. When the expression for the impedance of an infinitely thick chamber is applied to the calculation of this tune shift, it becomes infinite. We have derived the resistive wall impedance for a chamber with a finite thickness and calculated the tune shift.

Usefulness of the Symphony Nitinol Stent for arteriosclerosis obliterans.

The Symphony Peripheral Stent is a self-expanding stent made of thermal memory Nitinol wire. Stents were implanted in 39 lesions of 32 patients (26 men, 6 women) with atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO). The ankle-arm index (AAI), and vessel diameters evaluated by quantitative angiography were compared before and 6 months after treatment.

Early and late clinical outcomes following coronary perforation in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Coronary perforation is a rare but serious complication that occurs during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study examines the frequency of coronary perforation during PCI, evaluates the management strategies used to treat perforations, and describes the long-term prognosis of patients who have developed coronary perforation during PCI. Coronary perforations were found in 69 (0.

Heating rate of hadron beams during crystallization.

A theory concerning the relation between the heating rate and temperature of hadron beams is formulated from a quantum point of view. This theory predicts that the heating rate can be reduced by increasing the lattice periodicity of the accelerator with its fixed tunes and circumference. This prediction is quite consistent with simulation results.

Effect of local delivery of L-arginine on in-stent restenosis in humans.

To determine whether intramural administration of L-arginine reduces intimal thickening after optimal Palmaz-Schatz stent deployment in humans, 50 patients with native coronary artery disease who received a single Palmaz-Schatz stent were enrolled in this pilot study. Patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups: an L-arginine group (n = 25) and a saline group (n = 25). After stent deployment, L-arginine (600 mg/6 ml) or saline (6 ml) was locally delivered via the Dispatch catheter (Scimed) over 15 minutes.

Time-dependent morphologic characteristics in angiographic chronic total coronary occlusions.

Intravascular ultrasound analysis of 70 chronic total occlusions (CTOs), conducted either before intervention or following dilation of a 1.5-mm balloon, showed that older CTOs have more complex plaque composition including a larger calcific burden. This may explain the adverse revascularization profile of older CTOs.

Considerable time from the onset of plaque rupture and/or thrombi until the onset of acute myocardial infarction in humans: coronary angiographic findings within 1 week before the onset of infarction.

Background: It has been thought that the thrombi and bleeding in plaques that occur after plaque rupture or endothelial damage from vessels with mild stenosis suddenly occlude the lumen and cause acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, our hypothesis is that thrombi and bleeding may not suddenly occlude the lumen.

Methods And Results: The study group consisted of 20 patients who had coronary angiograms performed within 1 week (3+/-3 days) before AMI and 20 control patients who had coronary angiograms performed 6 to 18 months (282+/-49 days) before AMI.