Ein neuer Zugang zu ionischen Thionylimiden. Einkristallstruktur von N(CH3)4NSO / A New Access to Ionic Thionylimides. Single Crystal Structure of N(CH3)4NSO

Single crystals of N(CH3)4NSO have been prepared via ion exchange from RbNSO or CsNSO and tetraalkylammonium halides in liquid ammonia and investigated by X-ray single crystal techniques (I4̅, a = 1137.6(1), c = 1134.9(2) pm, Z = 8, T = -100 °C). The crystal structure of N(CH3)4NSO is related to the CsCl-type of structure. Using the same preparative route NMe3BzNSO has been obtained. Its lattice powder data (orthorhombic primitive; a = 896.3(2), b = 1235.4(3), c = 1070.7(4) pm).

Changes in insulin sensitivity in response to different modalities of exercise: a review of the evidence

Type 2 diabetes is an increasingly prevalent condition with complications including blindness and kidney failure. Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, with physical activity demonstrated to increase glucose uptake and improve glycaemic control. Proposed mechanisms for these effects include the maintenance and improvement of insulin sensitivity via increased glucose transporter type four production. The optimal mode, frequency, intensity and duration of exercise for the improvement of insulin sensitivity are however yet to be identified. We review the evidence from 34 published studies addressing the effects on glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity of aerobic exercise, resistance training and both combined. Effect sizes and confidence intervals are reported for each intervention and meta-analysis presented. The quality of the evidence is tentatively graded, and recommendations for best practice proposed.

Automated detection of proliferative diabetic retinopathy using a modified line operator and dual classification

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a condition that carries a high risk of severe visual impairment. The hallmark of PDR is neovascularisation, the growth of abnormal new vessels. This paper describes an automated method for the detection of new vessels in retinal images. Two vessel segmentation approaches are applied, using the standard line operator and a novel modified line operator. The latter is designed to reduce false responses to non-vessel edges. Both generated binary vessel maps hold vital information which must be processed separately. This is achieved with a dual classification system. Local morphology features are measured from each binary vessel map to produce two separate feature sets. Independent classification is performed for each feature set using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The system then combines these individual classification outcomes to produce a final decision. Sensitivity and specificity results using a dataset of 60 images are 0.862 and 0.944 respectively on a per patch basis and 1.00 and 0.90 respectively on a per image basis.

Torsion einer Leberzyste bei einem Kalb

Ein 7 Tage altes männliches Fleckviehkalb wurde wegen Inappetenz und Auftreibung des Abdomens vorgestellt. Im Rahmen der sonographischen Untersuchung wurde im ventralen Abdomen eine zweigeteilte, durch zahlreiche hyperechogene Septen gekammerte Struktur mit anechogenem Inhalt festgestellt. Bei der diagnostischen Laparotomie des Tieres zeigte sich eine gestielte, durch eine Drehung um 720° zweigeteilte, mit der Facies diaphragmatica der Leber stegartig verbundene Leberzyste. Die Zyste konnte chirurgisch vollständig entfernt werden. Der Heilungsverlauf des Kalbes war komplikationslos und die Entwicklung der Körpermasse entsprach der seiner Altersgenossen. Die histopathologische Untersuchung der Zystenwand bestätigte das Vorliegen einer serösen Leberzyste.

[Torsion of a liver cyst in a calf]

A 7-day-old male calf was presented because of an abdominal distension and a reduced feed intake. Sonographic examination showed a multi-chambered mass with anechoic content, separated by numerous hyperechoic septa in the ventral aspect of the abdomen. During diagnostic laparotomy, the cystic mass adhering to the diaphragmatic surface of the liver was determined to be a liver cyst with a 720°-torsion separating the cyst into two parts. A complete resection of the pedunculated cyst was achieved. The calf recovered completely and body-weight gain following surgery was typical for its age and breed. Histopathological examination of the cystic wall confirmed the diagnosis of a serosal liver cyst.

MicroRNA-128 governs neuronal excitability and motor behavior in mice

The control of motor behavior in animals and humans requires constant adaptation of neuronal networks to signals of various types and strengths. We found that microRNA-128 (miR-128), which is expressed in adult neurons, regulates motor behavior by modulating neuronal signaling networks and excitability. miR-128 governs motor activity by suppressing the expression of various ion channels and signaling components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK2 network that regulate neuronal excitability. In mice, a reduction of miR-128 expression in postnatal neurons causes increased motor activity and fatal epilepsy. Overexpression of miR-128 attenuates neuronal responsiveness, suppresses motor activity, and alleviates motor abnormalities associated with Parkinson's-like disease and seizures in mice. These data suggest a therapeutic potential for miR-128 in the treatment of epilepsy and movement disorders.

Region and task-specific activation of Arc in primary motor cortex of rats following motor skill learning

Motor learning requires protein synthesis within the primary motor cortex (M1). Here, we show that the immediate early gene Arc/Arg3.1 is specifically induced in M1 by learning a motor skill. Arc mRNA was quantified using a fluorescent in situ hybridization assay in adult Long-Evans rats learning a skilled reaching task (SRT), in rats performing reaching-like forelimb movement without learning (ACT) and in rats that were trained in the operant but not the motor elements of the task (controls). Apart from M1, Arc expression was assessed within the rostral motor area (RMA), primary somatosensory cortex (S1), striatum (ST) and cerebellum. In SRT animals, Arc mRNA levels in M1 contralateral to the trained limb were 31% higher than ipsilateral (p<0.001), 31% higher than in the contralateral M1 of ACT animals (p<0.001) and 48% higher than in controls (p<0.001). Arc mRNA expression in SRT was positively correlated with learning success between two sessions (r=0.52; p=0.026). For RMA, S1, ST or cerebellum no significant differences in Arc mRNA expression were found between hemispheres or across behaviors. As Arc expression has been related to different forms of cellular plasticity, these findings suggest a link between M1 Arc expression and motor skill learning in rats.

Crohn's disease unmasked following etanercept treatment for ankylosing spondylitis

We describe the case of a 45-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis being treated with etanercept who presented with a 1 month history of abdominal pain. CT abdomen revealed an ileocaecal mass associated with an abscess, resulting in a laparotomy and right hemi-colectomy. Histology of the resected specimen showed the classical features of Crohn's disease. Etanercept was stopped and he was started on adalimumab. He is currently in clinical remission from both ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease.

Balling gun-induced trauma in cattle: clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention

Pharyngeal trauma in cattle can occur during the administration of oral medication using a balling gun. The number of cases of severe complications due to bolus application that have been referred to our hospital has increased from nil between 1996 and 2008 to three or four per year. In our experience, reports by bovine veterinarians of patients with severe and often fatal pharyngeal trauma, which were not referred to the clinic, have become more common in recent years as well. The incidence of this complication is likely to be higher than this number of referrals suggests. Diagnosis without the help of imaging techniques, such as radiography and endoscopy, may be difficult, especially in cases where exploration of the pharynx cannot be carried out, or is unable to confirm the absence or presence of a lesion. Prognosis is often poor in cases where perforation has been confirmed. Boluses are increasingly administered by the owners or farm personnel without the supervision of a veterinarian. In order to prevent losses due to balling gun-induced injuries, the veterinarian plays a crucial role in giving advice to his clients. Five cases of cattle suffering from varying degrees of balling gun-induced trauma are presented, and consideration is given to incorrect application techniques.

Measuring nanoscale forces with living probes

Optical trapping techniques have been used to investigate fundamental biological processes ranging from the identification of the processive mechanisms of kinesin and myosin to understanding the mechanics of DNA. To date, these investigations have relied almost exclusively on the use of isotropic probes based on colloidal microspheres. However, there are many potential advantages in utilizing more complex probe morphologies: use of multiple trapping points enables control of the interaction volume; increasing the distance between the optical trap and the sample minimizes photodamage in sensitive biological materials; and geometric anisotropy introduces the potential for asymmetric surface chemistry and multifunctional probes. Here we demonstrate that living cells of the freshwater diatom Nitzschia subacicularis Hustedt can be exploited as advanced probes for holographic optical tweezing applications. We characterize the optical and material properties associated with the high shape anisotropy of the silica frustule, examine the trapping behavior of the living algal cells, and demonstrate how the diatoms can be calibrated for use as force sensors and as force probes in the presence of rat B-cell hybridoma (11B11) cells.