Wegener granulomatosis has recently been renamed as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). In this review, we examine the clinical criteria and pathologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of GPA, ...with an emphasis on findings encountered in the realm of head and neck imaging. Particular attention is paid to generating an appropriate differential diagnosis, because many of the imaging features of GPA overlap with those of other diseases, most notably lymphoma and sarcoidosis. Recent therapeutic advancements have underscored the importance of the radiologist in suggesting the diagnosis early, resulting in earlier treatment and decreased patient morbidity. This is particularly true for the head and neck manifestations of GPA; although they are less common, they often herald a refractory disease course that requires aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. Knowledge of common and uncommon imaging findings enables the radiologist to diagnose GPA early enough to start treatment promptly and reduce patient morbidity.
Although there are no reliable pathognomonic imaging features for GPA, the present article attempts to identify patterns of disease that are suggestive of the disease. The diagnosis ultimately relies on a constellation of radiographic findings, laboratory values, and accurate clinical history.
ABSTRACT
Objective
To evaluate the color of a bis‐acryl resin after polishing, aging, and colorants.
Materials and Methods
From the 140 disks obtained, 35 were not polished (NP), 35 were polished ...with 3‐μm (3P), 35 with 3‐ and 1‐μm (1P), and 35 with 3‐, 1‐, and 0.5‐μm sized particles (05P). Five disks of each group were thermocycled for 20, 100, and 200 cycles. Sixty disks were thermocycled and kept in beverages (tea, wine, and coffee) after four cycles. Sixty disks were immersed in the beverages for 24 hours, a week, and a month. The coordinates L*a*b* were measured and the color differences were analyzed by ANOVA. The lightness, chroma, and hue differences were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. Comparisons were made with Tukey's test (α = 0.05).
Results
Similar behaviors were observed between 3P and 05P groups (1.53 and 1.95ΔE00) (P < .05). The NP group submitted to 200 cycles showed the biggest color differences (3.02) (P = .003). The greatest color differences were observed in the NP group submitted to immersion in coffee (8.30) and wine (7.93) (P < .05).
Conclusions
The polished surfaces were the least stained. Coffee and wine provided the greatest color changes, both for baths and immersions.
Clinical Significance
Polishing of provisional surfaces restorations made of bis‐acrylic resin is essential to minimize staining caused by aging and use of colorants, regardless of the particle size present in the polishing paste. The contact with coffee and red wine should be avoided, especially for clinical times greater than 1 week.
Endocannabinoids are ancient biomolecules involved in several cellular (e.g., metabolism) and physiological (e.g., eating behaviour) functions. Indeed, eating behaviour alterations in marijuana users ...have led to investigate the orexigenic/anorexigenic effects of cannabinoids in animal/ human models. This increasing body of research suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in feeding control. Accordingly, within the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptors, enzymes and genes represent potential therapeutic targets for dealing with multiple metabolic and behavioural dysfunctions (e.g., obesity, anorexia, etc.). Paradoxically, our understanding on the endocannabinoid system as a cellular mediator is yet limited. For example: (i) only two cannabinoid receptors have been classified, but they are not enough to explain the pharmacological profile of several experimental effects induced by cannabinoids; and (ii) several orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) interact with cannabinoids and we do not know how to classify them (e.g., GPR18, GPR55 and GPR119; amongst others).
On this basis, the present review attempts to summarize the lines of evidence supporting the potential role of GPR18, GPR55 and GPR119 in metabolism and feeding control that may explain some of the divergent effects and puzzling data related to cannabinoid research. Moreover, their therapeutic potential in feeding behaviour alterations will be considered.
Trade-offs between pre-and postcopulatory traits influence their evolution, and male expenditure on such traits is predicted to depend on the number of competitors, the benefits from investing in ...weapons, and the risk and intensity of sperm competition. Males of the chorusing frog Crinia georgiana use their arms as weapons in contest competition. Previously, we showed that increased numbers of rivals elevated the risk and intensity of sperm competition due to multimale amplexus, and caused a reversal in the direction of precopulatory selection on arm girth. Here, we focused on the factors affecting postcopulatory fertilization success during group spawning, using paternity data from natural choruses. Competitive fertilization success depended on the time spent amplexed and amplexus position. Relative testes size but not arm girth, contributed to fertilization success, but the effect of testes size depended on amplexus position. Our findings offer within species empirical support for recent sperm competition models that incorporate precopulatory male–male competition, and show why an understanding of the evolution of animal weapons requires a consideration of both pre-and postcopulatory episodes of sexual selection.
The monomer-binding protein profilin 1 (PFN1) plays a crucial role in actin polymerization. However, mutations in PFN1 are also linked to hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, resulting in a ...broad range of cellular pathologies which cannot be explained by its primary function as a cytosolic actin assembly factor. This implies that there are important, undiscovered roles for PFN1 in cellular physiology. Here we screened knockout cells for novel phenotypes associated with PFN1 loss of function and discovered that mitophagy was significantly upregulated. Indeed, despite successful autophagosome formation, fusion with the lysosome, and activation of additional mitochondrial quality control pathways, PFN1 knockout cells accumulate depolarized, dysmorphic mitochondria with altered metabolic properties. Surprisingly, we also discovered that PFN1 is present inside mitochondria and provide evidence that mitochondrial defects associated with PFN1 loss are not caused by reduced actin polymerization in the cytosol. These findings suggest a previously unrecognized role for PFN1 in maintaining mitochondrial integrity and highlight new pathogenic mechanisms that can result from PFN1 dysregulation.
Synopsis
The actin monomer binding protein profilin 1 (PFN1) localizes inside mitochondria and has important roles in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
Loss of PFN1 increases mitophagy and the production of mitochondrial-derived vesicles.
Depolarized, dysmorphic mitochondria with altered metabolic properties accumulate in PFN1 knockout cells.
PFN1 knockout mitochondria phenotypes are not caused by a loss of cytoplasmic actin assembly.
PFN1 localizes inside mitochondria.
The actin monomer binding protein profilin 1 (PFN1) localizes inside mitochondria and has important roles in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
B chromosomes are additional chromosomes widely studied in a diversity of eukaryotic groups, including fungi, plants and animals, but their origin, evolution and possible functions are not clearly ...understood. To further understand the genomic content and the evolutionary history of B chromosomes, classical and molecular cytogenetic analyses were conducted in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia latifasciata, which harbor 1–2 B chromosomes. Through cytogenetic mapping of several probes, including transposable elements, rRNA genes, a repeated DNA genomic fraction (C 0 t − 1 DNA), whole genome probes (comparative genomic hybridization), and BAC clones from Oreochromis niloticus, we found similarities between the B chromosome and the 1st chromosome pair and chromosomes harboring rRNA genes. Based on the cytogenetic mapping data, we suggest the B chromosome may have evolved from a small chromosomal fragment followed by the invasion of the proto-B chromosome by several repeated DNA families.
Abstract
Aims
Non-renal extravasation of phosphate from the circulation and transient accumulation into tissues and extracellular fluid is a regulated process of acute phosphate homeostasis that is ...not well understood. This process is especially relevant in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD), where exposure to increased phosphate is prolonged due to inefficient kidney excretion. Furthermore, CKD-associated mineral dysregulation induces pathological accumulation of phosphate causing vascular calcification (VC). Our objective was to determine whether the systemic response to acute phosphate challenges is altered by VC.
Methods and results
After bolus phosphate administration, circulating and tissue deposition of this challenge was assessed in two rat models of VC using a radiolabelled phosphate tracer. In an adenine-induced model of CKD (N = 70), animals with VC had a blunted elevation of circulating 33PO4 following oral phosphate administration (P < 0.01), and the discordant deposition could be traced to the calcified arteries (11.4 7.5–13.1 vs.43.0 35.5–53.7 pmol/ng tissue, P < 0.001). In a non-CKD model of VC, calcification was induced with 0.5 ug/kg calcitriol and then withdrawn (N = 24). New phosphate uptake by the calcified vasculature correlated to the pre-existing burden of calcification (r = 38, P < 0.001) and was substantially attenuated in the absence of calcification stimulus (P < 0.01). Phosphate accrual was stimulated by the phosphate challenge and not present to the same degree during passive disposition of circulating phosphate. Further, the form of phosphate that deposited to the vasculature was predominately amorphous inorganic phosphate and not that which was bound in matured calciprotein particles.
Conclusions
In the process of calcification, arteries acutely deposit substantial amorphous phosphate while blunting the elevation in the circulation, thereby altering the systemic disposition of phosphate and identifying VC as a participatory mineral homeostatic organ. This study demonstrates the negative vascular consequence of acute fluctuations in circulating phosphate, and supports the importance of phosphate bioavailability and diet management in CKD patients as a mediator of cardiovascular risk.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical abstract
Mangrove ecosystems constitute valuable resource all over the world. They provide habitats for flora and fauna species, protect the coast against erosion and supply various products for local ...communities. Currently, mangroves are overused and degraded. Up to now, perceptions of local communities on the dynamic of mangrove forest and their acceptable participation forms for mangroves restoration have not been entirely understood. This study was undertaken in order to assess human pressure on mangroves from user perspective and to provide baseline information for its sustainable management in three districts (Grand-Popo, Ouidah and Sèmè-Kpodji) located in the coastal area of Benin. Structured and semi-structured questionnaire surveys regarding perceptions of mangrove forest dynamic, causes of mangrove forest degradation, indigenous restoration strategies and forms of participation were conducted among randomly selected informants. It has been reported that Beninese mangrove ecosystems supply timber and non-timber forest products, rich fishing grounds and salt for local communities. Local communities are aware of the need of restoring and ensuring sustainable conservation of mangrove ecosystems. Dominant measures for restoration and conservation indicated by informants for mangrove users include the reintroduction of traditional rules, avoidance of uncontrolled settlements, planting of mangrove trees, planting alternative fuelwood, use of solar energy for salt production and creation of alternative income generating activities. Planting mangrove trees and alternative cooking energy sources supplying to local communities to avoid mangrove destruction are urgent needs for the coastal area of Benin.
Temporal networks are widely used to map phenomena into complex systems in several research disciplines, such as computer science, business, and biology. Several layouts can be used in visual ...analyses of temporal networks. The identification of the most suitable for a given task is, however, not trivial. This paper presents a user study that analyzes the performance of four different layouts: Massive Sequence View (MSV), Temporal Activity Map, matrix animation, and structural animation, when applied to pattern detection tasks of time-evolving networks. Our results show that all four layouts are appropriate to perform the evaluated tasks; however, the structural animation and MSV scored higher across different types of users.
Graphic abstract
Summary
Purpose: To compare relative N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) measurements in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with good response to the first trial of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (an important ...prognostic factor) to TLE patients who failed the first AED monotherapy and required further AED trials with monotherapy or polytherapy.
Methods: We studied 25 consecutive TLE patients who responded to first AED (responders) and 21 who did not (failure‐group), as well as 27 controls. Patients were seen regularly in our Epilepsy Service and underwent electroencephalography (EEG) investigation, high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single‐voxel proton MR spectroscopy. Voxels were tailored to the medial temporal region on each side and involved the anterior hippocampus.
Results: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated significant variation of NAA/creatine (NAA/Cr) values in both hippocampi, ipsilateral and contralateral to the EEG focus (p < 0.001 and p = 0.021) across the groups. Pairwise post hoc comparisons showed reduced NAA/Cr in both hippocampi of failure‐group compared to controls (p < 0.001) and compared to responders (p < 0.05), but not between the controls and responders. Individual analyses showed NAA/Cr ratios lower than 2 SDs (standard deviations) below the mean of controls in 9 of 21 patients (42.8%) in the failure‐group (6 with unilateral and 3 with bilateral reduction) but in none of the responders.
Discussion: These results indicate that patients with TLE who respond well to the first AED have significantly less evidence of neuronal and axonal damage/dysfunction compared to those who are refractory to the first AED trial.
PDF
