Interventional radiography in management of high-flow arteriovenous malformation of maxilla: report of a case

Arteriovenous malformations are extremely rare conditions in that can result from abnormalities in the structure of blood vessels, which may be potentially fatal. A 30-year-old female patient visited our hospital with a complaint of swelling on the right maxillary posterior gingiva along with the large port-wine stain on right side of face. On clinical examination, the swelling was compressible and pulsatile. Radiographic examination revealed a lytic lesion of maxilla. Diagnostic angiography revealed a high-flow arteriovenous malformation of maxilla which was treated by selective transarterial embolization of maxillary artery using polyvinyl alcohol particles

Excitation Spectrum and Superexchange Pathways in the Spin Dimer VODPO_4 . 1/2 D_2O

Magnetic excitations have been investigated in the spin dimer material VODPO_4 \cdot 1/2 D_2O using inelastic neutron scattering. A dispersionless magnetic mode was observed at an energy of 7.81(4) meV. The wavevector dependence of the scattering intensityfrom this mode is consistent with the excitation of isolated V^{4+} spin dimers with a V-V separation of 4.43(7) \AA. This result is unexpected since the V-V pair previously thought to constitute themagnetic dimer has a separation of 3.09 \AA. We identify an alternative V-V pair as the likely magnetic dimer, which involves superexchange pathways through a covalently bonded PO_4 group. This surprising result casts doubt on the interpretation of (VO)_2P_2O_7 as a spin ladder.Comment: 4 pages, 4 postscript figures - identical to previous paper but figure 2 and 3 hopefully more compatible .p

The local roots of the participation gap: Inequality and voter turnout

It is generally accepted that the rich are more likely to participate in politics than the poor. It is also generally accepted that the probability than an individual will participate in elections is influenced by the gap between the rich and the poor. There is little agreement, however, about whether inequality across time and space increases or decreases participation. In this paper we examine the impact of inequality across space. We suggest that the impact of inequality depends crucially on whether it is defined in terms of variations between geographical units (‘segregation’) or within geographical units (‘heterogeneity’). Evidence to support this argument is drawn from multi-level British data. Heterogeneity has a mildly positive effect on participation but this effect seems to be outweighed by the negative impact of segregation. The effect of segregation, moreover, is most pronounced among the poorer sections of the population, indicating that geographical isolation among the poor ('ghettoization') leads to lower turnout among these groups

Morphometric Study of Diabetes Related Alterations in Human Parotid Gland and Comparison with Submandibular Gland

Type 2 diabetes mellitus represents one of the principal diseases that afflict the world population and is often associated with malfunction of salivary glands and consequent oral diseases. We recently described significant ultrastructural alterations in the human submandibular gland in diabetic patients without evident oral pathologies. Herein, an analogs morphometrical investigation was focused on the parotid gland in order to evaluate if one of the two glands is more affected by diabetes. Parotid fragments from diabetic and nondiabetic patients were fixed, dehydrated, and processed for light and electron microscopy. Serous cells were randomly photographed and the density and size of several structures involved in the secretory process were examined by morphometry. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed significant changes in the number of apically docked granules and vesicles, suggesting that the last steps in exocytosis are somehow altered in diabetic cells. Other variables analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy such as the size of acini and secretory granules did not show significant changes, but comparison with previous data obtained with submandibular gland cells demonstrated that the two glands are affected differently. Anat Rec, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Control of mucosal polymicrobial populations by innate immunity

The gastrointestinal tract carries out the complex process of localizing the polymicrobial populations of the indigenous microbiota to the lumenal side of the GI mucosa while absorbing nutrients from the lumen and preventing damage to the mucosa. This process is accomplished through a combination of physical, innate and adaptive host defences and a ‘strategic alliance’ with members of the microbiota. To cope with the constant exposure to a diverse microbial community, the GI tract, through the actions of a number of specialized cells in the epithelium and lamina propria, has layers of humoral, physical and cellular defences that limit attachment, invasion and dissemination of the indigenous microbiota. However, the role of the microbiota in this dynamic balance is vital and serves as another level of ‘innate’ defence. We are just beginning to understand how bacterial metabolites aid in the control of potential pathogens within the microbiota and limit inflammatory responses to the microbiota, concepts that will impact our understanding of the biological effects of antibiotics, diet and probiotics on mucosal inflammatory responses.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72943/1/j.1462-5822.2009.01347.x.pd

Spin stiffness and quantum fluctuations in C-type and A-type antiferromagnets

We present a systematic study of quantum fluctuations in the C-type and A-type antiferromagnetic (AF) phases in cubic lattices and in bilayer systems. Using the linear spin-wave theory, we show that the spin stiffness and the quantum corrections to the order parameter and energy obtained for C-AF and A-AF phases decrease with the increasing number of ferromagnetic bonds. Therefore, the quantum spin effects in LaMnO_3 and in LaVO_3 are rather small, suggesting the magnetic moments of 3.91 and 1.89 Bohr's magneton, respectively. They cannot explain the strong reduction of the magnetic order parameter observed in cubic vanadates.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Ricin Toxicokinetics and Its Sensitive Detection in Mouse Sera or Feces Using Immuno-PCR

Ricin (also called RCA-II or RCA(60)), one of the most potent toxins and documented bioweapons, is derived from castor beans of Ricinus communis. Several in vitro methods have been designed for ricin detection in complex food matrices in the event of intentional contamination. Recently, a novel Immuno-PCR (IPCR) assay was developed with a limit of detection of 10 fg/ml in a buffer matrix and about 10-1000-fold greater sensitivity than other methods in various food matrices.In order to devise a better diagnostic test for ricin, the IPCR assay was adapted for the detection of ricin in biological samples collected from mice after intoxication. The limit of detection in both mouse sera and feces was as low as 1 pg/ml. Using the mouse intravenous (iv) model for ricin intoxication, a biphasic half-life of ricin, with a rapid t(1/2)α of 4 min and a slower t(1/2)β of 86 min were observed. The molecular biodistribution time for ricin following oral ingestion was estimated using an antibody neutralization assay. Ricin was detected in the blood stream starting at approximately 6-7 h post- oral intoxication. Whole animal histopathological analysis was performed on mice treated orally or systemically with ricin. Severe lesions were observed in the pancreas, spleen and intestinal mesenteric lymph nodes, but no severe pathology in other major organs was observed.The determination of in vivo toxicokinetics and pathological effects of ricin following systemic and oral intoxication provide a better understanding of the etiology of intoxication and will help in the future design of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods

Myeloid-derived miR-223 regulates intestinal inflammation via repression of the NLRP3 inflammasome

MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNA interference regulates many immune processes, but how miRNA circuits orchestrate aberrant intestinal inflammation during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is poorly defined. Here, we report that miR-223 limits intestinal inflammation by constraining the nlrp3 inflammasome. miR-223 was increased in intestinal biopsies from patients with active IBD and in preclinical models of intestinal inflammation. miR-223-/y mice presented with exacerbated myeloid-driven experimental colitis with heightened clinical, histopathological, and cytokine readouts. Mechanistically, enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome expression with elevated IL-1β was a predominant feature during the initiation of colitis with miR-223 deficiency. Depletion of CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes and pharmacologic blockade of IL-1β or NLRP3 abrogated this phenotype. Generation of a novel mouse line, with deletion of the miR-223 binding site in the NLRP3 3′ untranslated region, phenocopied the characteristics of miR-223-/y mice. Finally, nanoparticle-mediated overexpression of miR-223 attenuated experimental colitis, NLRP3 levels, and IL-1β release. Collectively, our data reveal a previously unappreciated role for miR-223 in regulating the innate immune response during intestinal inflammation