Insights into the biosynthesis and assembly of cryptophycean phycobiliproteins.

Phycobiliproteins are employed by cyanobacteria, red algae, glaucophytes, and cryptophytes for light-harvesting and consist of apoproteins covalently associated with open-chain tetrapyrrole chromophores. Although the majority of organisms assemble the individual phycobiliproteins into larger aggregates called phycobilisomes, members of the cryptophytes use a single type of phycobiliprotein that is localized in the thylakoid lumen. The cryptophyte Guillardia theta (Gt) uses phycoerythrin PE545 utilizing the uncommon chromophore 15,16-dihydrobiliverdin (DHBV) in addition to phycoerythrobilin (PEB).

Novel Kv7.1-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate interaction sites uncovered by charge neutralization scanning.

Kv7.1 to Kv7.5 α-subunits belong to the family of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv).

Sulcus construction in microtia repair: a retrospective comparison of different techniques.

Objective: To compare the auricular projection results across 3 different techniques of sulcus construction in microtia repair (using a temporoparietal fascial flap, a retroauricular fascial flap from the mastoid region, or a superficial muscular aponeurotic system advancement flap).

Methods: All the patients had been photographed at least 3 months after the second stage (construction of the retroauricular sulcus) in auricular reconstruction for microtia. The auricular projection of each patient was measured, and the results of 3 different techniques were compared.

Clinical manifestations and responsiveness to adalimumab are similar in patients with ankylosing spondylitis with and without concomitant psoriasis.

Objectives: To compare the clinical manifestations of spinal disease, peripheral arthritis and enthesitis, and to evaluate the effectiveness of adalimumab in a large cohort of patients with AS in relation to the presence or absence of psoriasis.

Methods: Patients aged > or = 18 years with active AS were enrolled in an open-label study of adalimumab 40 mg every other week. Clinical symptoms were measured at baseline and Week 12 using standard assessment criteria.

Pulmonary vein isolation using a novel decapolar over-the-wire mapping and ablation catheter.

Recently, a novel radiofrequency (RF) ablation system has been developed to perform pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. The system consists of a decapolar, steerable, over-the-wire mapping and ablation catheter combined with a multichannel RF generator that delivers energy in a temperature-controlled, power-limited fashion in both uni- and bi-polar modes. Using this technique, long continuous ablation lesions can be created within the left atrial antrum around the PV ostium.

Development of a radiographic scoring tool for ankylosing spondylitis only based on bone formation: addition of the thoracic spine improves sensitivity to change.

Objective: The modified Stokes Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) quantifies radiographic changes in the cervical spine (C-spine) and the lumbar spine (L-spine), but not in the thoracic spine (T-spine). Our objective was to study the contribution of the lower part of the T-spine to structural damage in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: Radiographs of 80 AS patients obtained at baseline and after 2 years were scored by 2 readers using the mSASSS.

Decreased incidence of anterior uveitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with the anti-tumor necrosis factor agents infliximab and etanercept.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of anterior uveitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who underwent anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy, using data from recently performed trials.

Methods: Data from 4 placebo-controlled studies with anti-TNF agents in AS (2 with etanercept and 2 with infliximab) and 3 open-label studies were analyzed for the prestudy prevalence and the incidence of reported flares of anterior uveitis.

Results: A total of 717 patients who received treatment for anterior uveitis during the course of published clinical studies were identified by a systematic literature search using Medline.

Individual prefabricated titanium implants in reconstructive craniofacial surgery: clinical and technical aspects of the first 22 cases.

The reconstruction of craniofacial bone defects by intraoperative modeling of implants restricts the choice of material and its biocompatibility and also reduces the predictability of the aesthetic result. These shortcomings go hand in hand with a prolonged surgical procedure time and increased stress on the patient. In contrast, modern industrial computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing systems allow the prefabrication of titanium implants, i.