Analyzing Cytokinin Responses During Plant-Nematode Interactions.

Cyst nematodes are obligate biotrophs that induce the formation of a hypertrophied and hypermetabolic syncytial-feeding site in roots of the host plants. Cytokinin signaling is activated at the site of infection and contributes significantly to the formation of syncytium. Here, we describe a protocol for visualizing cytokinin signaling activation in Arabidopsis upon infection with cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii using promoter reporter lines, TCSn:GFP and ARR5:GUS.

Longitudinal z Score Distribution in Sonographic Fetal Biometry: Influence of Examiner and Experience.

Objectives: To analyze the influence of examiners and their experience on the quality of biometric measurements via the evolution of z scores in a longitudinal multicenter study.

Methods: This retrospective study included 4607 sonographic fetal biometric examinations performed by 18 examiners at the beginning of their sonography training. To analyze the quality of biometric measurements, z scores comparing the individual measurements with the expected values from a standard population were computed.

Organic photodiodes from homochiral l-proline derived squaraine compounds with strong circular dichroism.

We suggest and explore a novel route towards organic photodetectors sensitive to the circular polarization state of light. For this, we insert fullerene-blended thin films of homochiral squaraine compounds acting as a highly circular dichroic active layer into conventional bulk hetero-junction photodiodes. Initially, we discuss steady-state characterization of photodiodes with unpolarized light.

Plant Surfaces: Structures and Functions for Biomimetic Innovations.

An overview of plant surface structures and their evolution is presented. It combines surface chemistry and architecture with their functions and refers to possible biomimetic applications. Within some 3.

Longitudinal Assessment of Examiner Experience and the Accuracy of Sonographic Fetal Weight Estimation at Term.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of examiner experience on the accuracy of sonographic weight estimation and to further analyze examiners' individual learning curves.

Methods: In this multicenter study, 4613 sonographic weight estimations performed by 18 examiners at the beginning of their ultrasound training were included. To assess the effect of experience on the accuracy of weight estimation, a multivariable mixed regression model analysis was performed, with percentage error and absolute percentage error as outcome variables and the examiner, the examiner's experience (number of examinations), birth weight, gestational age, scan-to-delivery interval, and maternal body mass index as fixed effects and the perinatal center as random intercepts.

Assembly of diverse molecular aggregates with a single, substrate-directed molecule orientation.

Oriented, fluorescing organic nanoaggregates derived from 1,4'''-dicyano-functionalized para-quaterphenylene (CNP4) are obtained upon vacuum deposition on muscovite mica. Two types of aggregates are observed with fiber- and wing-like shape, respectively, both growing along distinct substrate directions. The polarization of the emitted fluorescence, their morphology, and their electric surface potential differ, reflecting different polymorphs.

Photoelectrical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells by an Organic Semiconductor-Electrolyte Interface.

As a step toward the realization of neuroprosthetics for vision restoration, we follow an electrophysiological patch-clamp approach to study the fundamental photoelectrical stimulation mechanism of neuronal model cells by an organic semiconductor-electrolyte interface. Our photoactive layer consisting of an anilino-squaraine donor blended with a fullerene acceptor is supporting the growth of the neuronal model cell line (N2A cells) without an adhesion layer on it and is not impairing cell viability. The transient photocurrent signal upon illumination from the semiconductor-electrolyte layer is able to trigger a passive response of the neuronal cells under physiological conditions via a capacitive coupling mechanism.

Swept-Source OCT Angiography Imaging of the Foveal Avascular Zone and Macular Capillary Network Density in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: We compared the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and macular capillary network density at different retinal layers using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in normal individuals and patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: Images (a 3 × 3 mm cube centered on the fovea) were acquired in 40 eyes of 22 normal individuals and 28 eyes of 18 patients with varying levels of DR using a swept-source OCT-A device (central wavelength 1050 nm; A-scan-rate of 100,000 scans per second). En face images of the retinal vasculature were generated from the superficial and deep retinal layers (SRL/DRL).

Breast cancer epidemic in the early twenty-first century: evaluation of risk factors, cumulative questionnaires and recommendations for preventive measures.

Rapidly increasing incidence of breast cancer is a new social challenge resulting from a spectrum of internal and external risk factors which appear to be well accepted as an attribute of the early twenty-first century, being, however, new for female sub-populations compared to the past. These include altered socio-economical conditions such as occupational exposure, rotating shift work, specific environmental factors (increased pollution and environmental toxicity, altered dietary habits, quality and composition of meal) as well as consequently shifted and/or adapted physiologic factors such as lower age at menarche, late age of first full-term pregnancy, if any, shorter periods of breastfeeding and later menopause. Consolidated expert statements suggest that over 50 % of all breast cancer cases may be potentially prevented by risk reduction strategy such as regulation of modifiable risk factors.

A New Sonographic Weight Estimation Formula for Small-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a new specific weight estimation formula for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses that differentiated between symmetric and asymmetric growth patterns.

Methods: A statistical estimation technique known as component-wise gradient boosting was applied to a group of 898 SGA fetuses (symmetric, n = 750; asymmetric, n = 148). A new formula was derived from the data obtained and was then compared to other commonly used equations.

Patients with hepatic breast cancer metastases demonstrate highly specific profiles of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 after SIRT treatment as compared to other primary and secondary liver tumours.

Background: Patients with primary and metastatic liver malignancies represent a highly heterogeneous patient pool characterised by some of the shortest life expectancies amongst oncology patients. Investigation and better understanding of liver malignancies is an emerging field which requires high-quality multidisciplinary research and collaboration.

Methods: A study of 158 patients with primary hepatic carcinomas and secondary liver metastases, altogether 15 cancer types of different origin, who underwent selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with Yttrium(90) or transarterial chemoembolisation, was undertaken in an effort to detect distinguishing features with respect to activity profiles of both blood matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9).

Friction behavior of self-ligating and conventional brackets with different ligature systems.

Objectives: Self-ligating brackets are widely believed to offer better clinical efficiency and, in particular, less friction. Thus, the goal of this in vitro investigation was to assess the friction behavior of different bracket/archwire/ligature combinations during simulated canine retraction. An important aspect of this work was to determine whether conventional bracket systems behave differently in passive or active self-ligating brackets used with a Slide™ ligature, an elastic ligature, or a steel ligature.

Friction behavior of ceramic injection-molded (CIM) brackets.

Objectives: Bracket material, bracket design, archwire material, and ligature type are critical modifiers of friction behavior during archwire-guided movement of teeth. We designed this in vitro study to compare the friction losses of ceramic injection-molded (CIM) versus pressed-ceramic (PC) and metal injection-molded (MIM) brackets-used with different ligatures and archwires-during archwire-guided retraction of a canine.

Methods: Nine bracket systems were compared, including five CIM (Clarity™ and Clarity™ ADVANCED, both by 3M Unitek; discovery(®) pearl by Dentaurum; Glam by Forestadent; InVu by TP Orthodontics), two PC (Inspire Ice by Ormco; Mystique by DENTSPLY GAC), and two MIM (discovery(®) and discovery(®) smart, both by Dentaurum) systems.

Experimental investigation of the fracture torque of orthodontic anchorage screws.

Objectives: In contrast to dental implants that remain in the bone, orthodontic anchorage screws serve as temporary anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement and are removed after completion of treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the stability of various commercially available orthodontic anchorage screws against torsion.

Materials And Methods: The torsional deflection of ten different orthodontic anchorage screws from different manufacturers [Ortho Easy Pin (Forestadent), Benefit, quattro (both PSM Medical Solutions), Vector TAS (Ormco), AbsoAnchor(®) (DENTOS Inc.

α-Hederin inhibits G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation of β2-adrenergic receptors.

Background: Recently is has been shown that α- and β-hederin increase the β2-adrenergic responsiveness of alveolar type II cells (A549) and human airway smooth muscle cells (HASM), respectively, by inhibiting the internalization of β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR) under stimulating conditions. Internalization of β2AR is initiated by phosphorylations of certain serines and threonines by cAMP dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK).

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of α-hederin on PKA and GRK2 mediated phosphorylation of GFP-tagged β2AR.

Plant basal resistance to nematodes: an update.

Most plant-parasitic nematodes are obligate biotrophs feeding on the roots of their hosts. Whereas ectoparasites remain on the root surface and feed on the outer cell layers, endoparasitic nematodes enter the host to parasitize cells around or within the central cylinder. Nematode invasion and feeding causes tissue damage which may, in turn, lead to the activation of host basal defence responses.

Development of the shoulder girdle musculature.

The muscles of the shoulder region are important for movements of the upper limbs and for stabilizing the girdle elements by connecting them to the trunk. They have a triple embryonic origin. First, the branchiomeric shoulder girdle muscles (sternocleidomastoideus and trapezius muscles) develop from the occipital lateral plate mesoderm using Tbx1 over the course of this development.

Deposition pattern and subcellular distribution of disease-associated prion protein in cerebellar organotypic slice cultures infected with scrapie.

Organotypic cerebellar slices represent a suitable model for characterizing and manipulating prion replication in complex cell environments. Organotypic slices recapitulate prion pathology and are amenable to drug testing in the absence of a blood-brain-barrier. So far, the cellular and subcellular distribution of disease-specific prion protein in organotypic slices is unclear.

Hierarchical Surface Architecture of Plants as an Inspiration for Biomimetic Fog Collectors.

Fog collectors can enable us to alleviate the water crisis in certain arid regions of the world. A continuous fog-collection cycle consisting of a persistent capture of fog droplets and their fast transport to the target is a prerequisite for developing an efficient fog collector. In regard to this topic, a biological superior design has been found in the hierarchical surface architecture of barley (Hordeum vulgare) awns.

A parasitic nematode releases cytokinin that controls cell division and orchestrates feeding site formation in host plants.

Sedentary plant-parasitic cyst nematodes are biotrophs that cause significant losses in agriculture. Parasitism is based on modifications of host root cells that lead to the formation of a hypermetabolic feeding site (a syncytium) from which nematodes withdraw nutrients. The host cell cycle is activated in an initial cell selected by the nematode for feeding, followed by activation of neighboring cells and subsequent expansion of feeding site through fusion of hundreds of cells.

Activity profiling reveals changes in the diversity and activity of proteins in Arabidopsis roots in response to nematode infection.

Cyst nematodes are obligate, sedentary endoparasites with a highly specialised biology and a huge economic impact in agriculture. Successful parasitism involves morphological and physiological modifications of the host cells which lead to the formation of specialised syncytial feeding structures in roots. The development of the syncytium is aided by a cocktail of nematode effectors that manipulate the host plant activities in a complex network of interactions through post-translational modifications.

The Role of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Dendritic Cell Licensing, Cross-Priming, and Memory CD8(+) T Cell Generation.

New vaccination strategies focus on achieving CD8(+) T cell (CTL) immunity rather than on induction of protective antibody responses. While the requirement of CD4(+) T (Th) cell help in dendritic cell (DC) activation and licensing, and in CTL memory induction has been described in several disease models, CTL responses may occur in a Th cell help-independent manner. Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) can substitute for Th cell help and license DC as well.