Hoxa11 regulates stromal cell death and proliferation during neonatal uterine development

Journal ArticleIncreasing evidence indicates that the Hoxa11 gene plays a critical role in the proper development of the uterus. In this report, we describe potential altered cellular processes in the developing uterus of Hoxa11 mutants. Histologic analysis demonstrates normal uterine morphology in Hoxa11 mutants as compared with controls at the newborn stage and d 7 after birth. Stromal tissue was moderately reduced in the Hoxa11 mutant uterus by d14 after birth and was absent by d 21 after birth. There is decreased cellular proliferation in the Hoxa11 mutant uterus both at 7 and 14 d after birth. Terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling analysis demonstrates that apoptosis was markedly increased in the Hoxa11 mutant uterus at d 14 after birth. p27 is decreased in the Hoxa11 mutant as evidenced by real-time PCR. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression is dramatically decreased as evidenced by both real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry results. These findings suggest that Hoxa11 is required for proper cellular proliferation and apoptotic responses in the developing neonatal uterus and that the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor is critical to these processes. (Molecular Endocrinology 18:184-193, 2004

ALMA Observations of the Gravitational Lens SDP.9

We present long-baseline ALMA observations of the strong gravitational lens H-ATLAS J090740.0-004200 (SDP.9), which consists of an elliptical galaxy at $z_{\mathrm{L}}=0.6129$ lensing a background submillimeter galaxy into two extended arcs. The data include Band 6 continuum observations, as well as CO $J$=6$-$5 molecular line observations, from which we measure an updated source redshift of $z_{\mathrm{S}}=1.5747$. The image morphology in the ALMA data is different from that of the HST data, indicating a spatial offset between the stellar, gas, and dust component of the source galaxy. We model the lens as an elliptical power law density profile with external shear using a combination of archival HST data and conjugate points identified in the ALMA data. Our best model has an Einstein radius of $\theta_{\mathrm{E}}=0.66\pm0.01$ and a slightly steeper than isothermal mass profile slope. We search for the central image of the lens, which can be used constrain the inner mass distribution of the lens galaxy including the central supermassive black hole, but do not detect it in the integrated CO image at a 3$\sigma$ rms level of 0.0471 Jy km s$^{-1}$.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL; 6 pages, 2 figures, 3 table

Shear-Wave Velocity Characterization of the USGS Hawaiian Strong-Motion Network on the Island of Hawaii and Development of an NEHRP Site-Class Map

To assess the level and nature of ground shaking in Hawaii for the purposes of earthquake hazard mitigation and seismic design, empirical ground-motion prediction models are desired. To develop such empirical relationships, knowledge of the subsurface site conditions beneath strong-motion stations is critical. Thus, as a first step to develop ground-motion prediction models for Hawaii, wspectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) profiling was performed at the 22 free-field U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) strong-motion sites on the Big Island to obtain shear-wave velocity (V(S)) data. Nineteen of these stations recorded the 2006 Kiholo Bay moment magnitude (M) 6.7 earthquake, and 17 stations recorded the triggered M 6.0 Mahukona earthquake. V(S) profiling was performed to reach depths of more than 100 ft. Most of the USGS stations are situated on sites underlain by basalt, based on surficial geologic maps. However, the sites have varying degrees of weathering and soil development. The remaining strong-motion stations are located on alluvium or volcanic ash. V(S30) (average V(S) in the top 30 m) values for the stations on basalt ranged from 906 to 1908 ft/s [National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) site classes C and D], because most sites were covered with soil of variable thickness. Based on these data, an NEHRP site-class map was developed for the Big Island. These new V(S) data will be a significant input into an update of the USGS statewide hazard maps and to the operation of ShakeMap on the island of Hawaii.George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) under NSF CMS-0086605FEMA HSFEHQ-06-D-0162, HSFEHQ-04-D-0733U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior 08HQGR0036Geotechnical Engineering Cente

Evidence from comparative genomics for a complete sexual cycle in the 'asexual' pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata

BACKGROUND: Candida glabrata is a pathogenic yeast of increasing medical concern. It has been regarded as asexual since it was first described in 1917, yet phylogenetic analyses have revealed that it is more closely related to sexual yeasts than other Candida species. We show here that the C. glabrata genome contains many genes apparently involved in sexual reproduction. RESULTS: By genome survey sequencing, we find that genes involved in mating and meiosis are as numerous in C. glabrata as in the sexual species Kluyveromyces delphensis, which is its closest known relative. C. glabrata has a putative mating-type (MAT) locus and a pheromone gene (MFALPHA2), as well as orthologs of at least 31 other Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes that have no known roles apart from mating or meiosis, including FUS3, IME1 and SMK1. CONCLUSIONS: We infer that C. glabrata is likely to have an undiscovered sexual stage in its life cycle, similar to that recently proposed for C. albicans. The two Candida species represent two distantly related yeast lineages that have independently become both pathogenic and 'asexual'. Parallel evolution in the two lineages as they adopted mammalian hosts resulted in separate but analogous switches from overtly sexual to cryptically sexual life cycles, possibly in response to defense by the host immune system

Thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: two centres’ experience with 60 patients

© 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Methods: All patients who underwent thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia between 2010 and 2013 at the two tertiary referral centres were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Data including patients’ demographics, peri-operative outcomes, length of hospitalisation and post-operative complications were extracted and analysed. Introduction: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a potentially life-threatening neonatal condition which required surgical intervention. With the advances in endosurgical instruments and techniques, thoracoscopic approach is gaining popularity as a standard procedure in the treatment of this condition. In this study, we reviewed our two centres’ experience with thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in recent years. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia can be performed safely in specialised centres. The post-operative recovery and cosmesis are excellent. Diaphragmatic hernia with large defect remains a challenge for surgeons. Results: 60 patients were identified over the study period, with 46 males and 14 females. 48 patients received operation within the first 7 days of life. There were seven patients with delayed presentation and were operated after 1 month old. The average body weight was 3.03 kg. Left-sided hernia was more prevalent (n = 50). The mean operative time was 88.5 min (range 31–194 min). No conversion to open thoracotomy or laparotomy was required in any of the patients. All patients except one were intubated and paralysed in neonatal intensive care units for at least 3 days after operation. Average hospital stay was 14.6 days. There was no mortality in this series. There were five recurrences, one being the patient without post-operative paralysis, and the others with deficient posterior muscle rim. No musculoskeletal deformity was noted on follow-up examination.postprin

Procedural Wound Geometry and Blood Flow Generation for Medical Training Simulators

Efficient application of wound treatment procedures is vital in both emergency room and battle zone scenes. In order to train first responders for such situations, physical casualty simulation kits, which are composed of tens of individual items, are commonly used. Similar to any other training scenarios, computer simulations can be effective means for wound treatment training purposes. For immersive and high fidelity virtual reality applications, realistic 3D models are key components. However, creation of such models is a labor intensive process. In this paper, we propose a procedural wound geometry generation technique that parameterizes key simulation inputs to establish the variability of the training scenarios without the need of labor intensive remodeling of the 3D geometry. The procedural techniques described in this work are entirely handled by the graphics processing unit (GPU) to enable interactive real-time operation of the simulation and to relieve the CPU for other computational tasks. The visible human dataset is processed and used as a volumetric texture for the internal visualization of the wound geometry. To further enhance the fidelity of the simulation, we also employ a surface flow model for blood visualization. This model is realized as a dynamic texture that is composed of a height field and a normal map and animated at each simulation step on the GPU. The procedural wound geometry and the blood flow model are applied to a thigh model and the efficiency of the technique is demonstrated in a virtual surgery scene

Early post-operative interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels after single-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy in children

PURPOSE: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery has recently been described in children and regarded as an improved technology leading to less pain and better cosmetic outcome. Compared to the traditional three-port method, it is not known if the single-port method is less invasive. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the post-operative acute inflammatory response in order to evaluate surgical stress in the two surgical approaches in children. METHODS: A prospective, single blinded, case-control study was carried out. Thirteen male patients who presented with unilateral varicocele were divided into two groups. Six children underwent single-port laparoscopic procedure, while the other seven children underwent three-port laparoscopic procedure. Pre-operative and post-operative blood samples were taken for the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) using ELISA. Demographics including the operation time, and complications were recorded. Data between the two groups were analyzed using unpaired t-test and a p value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 14.5 years (range 12-19 years). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of operative time, nor there was any complication recorded. The change in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations pre- and post-operatively between the single-port group and three-port group was not statistically significant. Overall, patients in the two groups showed excellent satisfaction in terms of post-operative cosmesis. CONCLUSION: Single-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy is safe, effective and produces excellent cosmesis with minimal surgical stress.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

High Current ESD Test of Advanced Triple Junction Solar Array Coupon

Testing was conducted on an Advanced Triple Junction (ATJ) coupon that was part of a risk reduction effort in the development of a high-powered solar array design by Space Systems/Loral, LLC (SSL). The ATJ coupon was a small, 4-cell, two-string configuration that has served as the basic test coupon design used in previous SSL environmental aging campaigns. The coupon has many attributes of the flight design; e.g., substrate structure with graphite face sheets, integrated by-pass diodes, cell interconnects, RTV grout, wire routing, etc. The objective of the present test was to evaluate the performance of the coupon after being subjected to induced electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing at two string voltages (100 V, 150 V) and four array currents (1.65 A, 2.0 A, 2.475 A, and 3.3 A). An ESD test circuit, unique to SSL solar array design, was built that simulates the effect of missing cells and strings in a full solar panel with special primary arc flashover circuitry. A total of 73 primary arcs were obtained that included 7 temporary sustained arcs (TSA) events. The durations of the TSAs ranged from 50 micro-seconds to 2.75 milli-seconds. All TSAs occurred at a string voltage of 150 V. Post-test Large Area Pulsed Solar Simulator (LAPSS), Dark I-V, and By-Pass Diode tests showed that no degradation occurred due to the TSA events. In addition, the post-test insulation resistance measured was > 50 G-ohms between cells and substrate. These test results indicate a robust design for application to a high-current, high-power mission