Imaging with mass spectrometry, the next frontier in sphingolipid research? A discussion on where we stand and the possibilities ahead.

In the last ten years, mass spectrometry (MS) has become the favored analytical technique for sphingolipid (SPL) analysis and measurements. Indeed MS has the unique ability to both acquire sensitive and quantitative measurements and to resolve the molecular complexity characteristic of SPL molecules, both across the different SPL families and within the same SPL family. Currently, two complementary MS-based approaches are used for lipid research: analysis of lipid extracts, mainly by infusion electrospray ionization (ESI), and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) from a sample surface (i.

Ectopic calcification in pseudoxanthoma elasticum responds to inhibition of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase.

Biallelic mutations in cause pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a disease characterized by calcification in the skin, eyes, and blood vessels. The function of ATP-binding cassette C6 (ABCC6) and the pathogenesis of PXE remain unclear. We used mouse models and patient fibroblasts to demonstrate genetic interaction and shared biochemical and cellular mechanisms underlying ectopic calcification in PXE and related disorders caused by defined perturbations in extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate catabolism.

Testing the Amyloid Hypothesis with a Humanized AD Mouse Model.

In this issue of Neuron, Espuny-Camacho et al. (2017) generate a humanized Alzheimer's disease (AD) model that reveals species-specific vulnerability of human neurons to AD pathology. This model provides key insights for disease mechanism and therapeutic discovery for AD.

ICAD 2010: Detection may hold the key to treatment. International Conference on Alzheimer Disease (ICAD) 2010 Honolulu, HI, USA, 10–15 July 2010.

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease was held on July 10-15 in Honolulu (HI, USA). Over 3800 attendees participated, attending sessions that included more than 1700 posters and 200 oral presentations. The meeting, first organized in 1988 by Khalid Iqbal and Bengt Winblad, became an annual event in 2009, and under the current design includes not only well-established themes of interest, but investigator-initiated sessions also.

Impaired fibrinolysis and traumatic brain injury in mice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with intravascular coagulation, which may be a result of thromboplastin released following brain injury. Clots thus formed are lysed by plasmin, which is activated by tissue-type and urokinase-type plasminogen activators (uPA). To evaluate the association between traumatic intravascular coagulation and post-traumatic outcome, uPA knockout (uPA-/-) transgenic mice (n=12) or wild-type littermates (WT; n=12) were anesthetized and subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI) brain injury.

Viral infection modulates expression of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a granulomatous, inflammatory lung disease caused by inhalation of organic Ags, most commonly thermophilic actinomycetes that cause farmer's lung disease. The early response to Ag is an increase in neutrophils in the lung, whereas the late response is a typical Th1-type granulomatous disease. Many patients who develop disease report a recent viral respiratory infection.

Interleukin-10 modulates the severity of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in mice.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammatory lung disease characterized by granuloma formation. We recently showed that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is essential for inflammation and granuloma formation in HP. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) counteracts many of the biologic effects of IFN-gamma, suggesting that IL-10 modulates inflammation and granuloma formation in HP.

Impaired word-stem priming in patients with temporal-occipital lesions.

In the word-stem priming test, words are presented (e.g., MOTEL, PARADE), and later subjects are shown three-letter word stems (e.

Effects of subgingival irrigation on bacteremia following scaling and root planing.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of professional subgingival irrigation, together with subsequent patient administered home marginal irrigation, on the incidence of bacteremia after scaling and root planing (Sc/RP). A total of 60 periodontal maintenance patients were assigned to either Group 1: subgingival irrigation, with 0.12% CHX and daily marginal irrigation with 0.

Bilateral redundant mucosal tissue of the upper lip.

A case of a double lip malformation, an uncommon oral anomaly, has been presented. Differential diagnosis and indications for treatment were discussed. This case represents a congenital form of double lip that became of esthetic and functional concern to the patient after the loss of his remaining teeth.

Trichlormethiazide and oral phosphate therapy in patients with absorptive hypercalciuria.

In a short-term prospective study 36 patients with absorptive hypercalciuria were initially treated with diet alone followed by either trichlormethiazide (4 mg. per day) or oral neutral phosphate (1,500 mg. of elemental phosphorus per day) for 6 weeks.

Coccidioidomycosis during pregnancy. An analysis of ten cases among 47,120 pregnancies.

Previous studies have suggested that coccidioidomycosis during pregnancy is a devastating illness associated with high maternal mortality. However, this concept recently has been challenged. We examined the incidence of coccidioidomycosis during pregnancy in Tucson, Arizona, an area endemic for this infection.