Instrument specific brain activation in sensorimotor and auditory representation in musicians.

Musicians show a remarkable ability to interconnect motor patterns and sensory processing in the somatosensory and auditory domains. Many of these processes are specific for the instrument used. We were interested in the cerebral and cerebellar representations of these instrument-specific changes and therefore applied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in two groups of instrumentalists with different instrumental training for comparable periods (approximately 15 years).

Novel insights into the fungal oxidation of monoaromatic and biarylic environmental pollutants by characterization of two new ring cleavage enzymes.

The phenol-degrading yeast Trichosporon mucoides can oxidize and detoxify biarylic environmental pollutants such as dibenzofuran, diphenyl ether and biphenyl by ring cleavage. The degradation pathways are well investigated, but the enzymes involved are not. The high similarity of hydroxylated biphenyl derivatives and phenol raised the question if the enzymes of the phenol degradation are involved in ring cleavage or whether specific enzymes are necessary.

Evaluation of the periodontal status in acromegalic patients: a comparative study.

Aim. The aim was to compare the periodontal status of the acromegalic patients with healthy subjects from a large population-based cohort (Study of Health in Pomerania, SHIP). Materials and Methods.

Proteomic profiles and kinetics of development of bacteriophage T4 and its rI and rIII mutants in slowly growing Escherichia coli.

Bacteriophage T4 survival in its natural environment requires adjustment of phage development to the slow bacterial growth rate or the initiation of mechanisms of pseudolysogeny or lysis inhibition (LIN). While phage-encoded RI and probably RIII proteins seem to be crucial players in pseudolysogeny and LIN phenomena, the identity of proteins involved in the regulation of T4 development in slowly growing bacteria has remained unknown. In this work, using a chemostat system, we studied the development of wild-type T4 (T4wt) and its rI (T4rI) and rIII (T4rIII) mutants in slowly growing bacteria, where T4 did not initiate LIN or pseudolysogeny.

Association between serum insulin-like growth factor I or IGF-binding protein 3 and estimated glomerular filtration rate: results of a population-based sample.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which is mostly carried in blood by IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), was associated to the glomerular filtration rate and chronic kidney disease in a multiethnic study among US adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3 are associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in a population-based study of Caucasian adults.

Methods: Data from 4028 subjects (2048 women) aged 20 to 81 years from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were analyzed.

Giant robber crabs monitored from space: GPS-based telemetric studies on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean).

We investigated the navigational capabilities of the world's largest land-living arthropod, the giant robber crab Birgus latro (Anomura, Coenobitidae); this crab reaches 4 kg in weight and can reach an age of up to 60 years. Populations are distributed over small Indo-Pacific islands of the tropics, including Christmas Island (Indian Ocean). Although this species has served as a crustacean model to explore anatomical, physiological, and ecological aspects of terrestrial adaptations, few behavioral analyses of it exist.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for staging liver fibrosis is less reliable in the presence of fat and iron.

Objectives: To investigate the reliability of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for staging liver fibrosis in the presence of fat and iron.

Methods: Ninety-five patients, including 48 men and 47 women, aged 57.0 ± 14.

The survival and proliferation of fibroblasts on ceramic implants: an in vitro study.

To improve osseointegration, different possible dental implant surface modifications, e.g., alterations of surface chemistry and roughness, have been developed.

Pathogenesis of Abeta oligomers in synaptic failure.

The soluble Abeta oligomers in brain are highly correlated with memory related synaptic dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, more recent studies implicate the involvement of Abeta dimers and trimers in memory related AD pathology. Apparently, Abeta oligomers can bind with cellular prion protein at the membrane receptors, forming annular amyloid pores and membrane ion channels to induce aberrant spine cytoskeletal changes.

Bacterial mechanisms of reversible protein S-thiolation: structural and mechanistic insights into mycoredoxins.

Mycobacteria produce millimolar concentrations of mycothiol (MSH) as their major low molecular weight thiol redox buffer. MSH-deficient mutants display increased sensitivity towards reactive oxygen, nitrogen and electrophilic species as well as alkylating agents and antibiotics. MSH is maintained in its reduced thiol state by the NADPH-dependent mycothiol disulphide reductase (Mtr).

S-bacillithiolation protects conserved and essential proteins against hypochlorite stress in firmicutes bacteria.

Aims: Protein S-bacillithiolations are mixed disulfides between protein thiols and the bacillithiol (BSH) redox buffer that occur in response to NaOCl in Bacillus subtilis. We used BSH-specific immunoblots, shotgun liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis and redox proteomics to characterize the S-bacillithiolomes of B. subtilis, B.

Effects of different manual periodontal probes on periodontal measurements.

Aim: To quantify the digit preference effect for three manual periodontal probes and to calculate correction values to enable comparison of studies with equal recording protocols, but different periodontal probes.

Material And Methods: A prospective in vivo crossover study was conducted with a six-sequence three-period design. Six examiners assessed attachment loss (AL), probing pocket depth (PD) and gingiva height (GH) at four surfaces, full-mouth, in six generally healthy subjects using three manual probes: PCP11 (3-3-3-2 mm increments), PCP2 (2 mm increments), and PCPUNC15 (1 mm increments).

New insights into family relationships within the avian superfamily Sylvioidea (Passeriformes) based on seven molecular markers.

Background: The circumscription of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea is a matter of long ongoing debate. While the overall inclusiveness has now been mostly agreed on and 20 families recognised, the phylogenetic relationships among the families are largely unknown. We here present a phylogenetic hypothesis for Sylvioidea based on one mitochondrial and six nuclear markers, in total ~6.

In-vitro dissolution methods for controlled release parenterals and their applicability to drug-eluting stent testing.

Objectives: Dissolution testing is a powerful tool for the characterization of dosage form performance in vitro under standardized conditions. In spite of the increasing number of parenterally administered medicinal products, currently there are no compendial dissolution test methods designed especially for these types of dosage forms. In addition to classical drug delivery systems, drug/device combination products, such as drug-eluting stents, are being used increasingly.

Influence of BONITmatrix(®) and OSSA NOVA on the expression of bone specific genes.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of BONITmatrix(®) and OSSA NOVA bone graft materials on osteogenic differentiation. For this, mRNA expression of Alpl, Acp5, Bglap, Phex and Runx2 was analysed using quantitative RT-PCR in surgically created defects to the cranium of adult male rats. Cranial samples were collected after implantation of BONITmatrix(®) or OSSA NOVA scaffolds into these defects for 4 weeks and gene expressions of Alpl, Acp5, Bglap, Phex and Runx2 were measured by quantitative RT-PCR.

A review of the worldwide prevalence of vitiligo in children/adolescents and adults.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired, idiopathic, and worldwide common depigmentation disorder with an estimated prevalence from 0.1 to 8%. These numbers are based on clinical population studies and field research examining inhabitants of geographically enclosed areas.

Serum profile of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats following implantation of low-temperature plasma-modified titanium plates.

Surface modification of Titanium (Ti) by low-temperature plasma influences cell-material interactions. Therefore, this study aimed at examining serum cytokine levels and associations after intramuscular implantation (n = 8 rats/group) of Ti-plates with Plasma Polymerized Allyl Amine (Ti-PPAAm), Plasma Polymerized Acrylic Acid (Ti-PPAAc), and without such layers (Ti-Controls). Pro-inflammatory (IL-2, IFNγ, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) cytokines were measured weekly for 56 days.

Neurogenesis within the adult hippocampus under physiological conditions and in depression.

Adult neurogenesis can only be observed in some specific brain regions. One of these areas is the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. The progenitor cells located in the subgranular layer of the dentate gyrus proliferate, differentiate, and give rise to young neurons that can become integrated into existing neuronal circuits.

The survival and proliferation of fibroblasts on biocomposites containing genetically modified flax fibers: an in vitro study.

Natural fibers have long been used in several branches of industry. Nowadays, they are considered as composite materials in medicine with special focus on artificial tissue scaffolding, drug-release systems, cardiovascular patches and nerve cuffs. The purpose of this study has been to examine the in vitro biocompatibility of newly designed "green composites".

Immunohistochemical localization of the angiotensin-(1-7) receptor Mas in the murine forebrain.

Apart from the well-known biologically active angiotensin II, other biologically active angiotensins have been discovered, including angiotensin IV and angiotensin-(1-7). Some years ago, we and others discovered that the Mas proto-oncogene encodes a receptor that is essential for angiotensin-(1-7) signaling. Angiotensin-(1-7) is not only expressed in the periphery but also within the brain.

Effect of the heat shock protein HSP27 on androgen receptor expression and function in prostate cancer cells.

Purpose: Heat shock proteins (HSP) are involved in processes of folding, activation, trafficking and transcriptional activity of most steroid receptors including the androgen receptor (AR). Accumulating evidence links rising heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) levels with the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. In order to study the functional relationship between HSP27 and the AR, we modulated the expression of the small heat shock protein HSP27 in human prostate cancer (PC) cell lines.

Effects of rifampicin, dexamethasone, St. John's Wort and Thyroxine on maternal and foetal expression of Abcb1 and organ distribution of talinolol in pregnant rats.

It is well accepted that ABCB1 plays a critical role in absorption, distribution and elimination of many xenobiotics and drugs. Only little is known about the regulation and function of ABCB1 during pregnancy. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate maternal, placental and foetal Abcb1 expression and function in pregnant rats after induction with rifampicin, dexamethasone, St.

Preparation and characterization of magnetizable aerosols.

Magnetizable aerosols can be used for inhalative magnetic drug targeting in order to enhance the drug concentration at a certain target site within the lung. The aim of the present study was to clarify how a typical ferrofluid can be atomized in a reproducible way. The influence of the atomization principle, the concentration of magnetic nanoparticles within the carrier liquid and the addition of commonly used pharmaceutical excipients on the aerosol droplet size were investigated.