Three complete chloroplast genomes from two north American Rhus species and phylogenomics of Anacardiaceae

BACKGROUND

The suamc genus Rhus (sensu stricto) includes two subgenera, Lobadium (ca. 25 spp.) and Rhus (ca. 10 spp.). Their members, R. glabra and R. typhina (Rosanae: Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), are two economic important species. Chloroplast genome information is of great significance for the study of plant phylogeny and taxonomy.

RESULTS

The three complete chloroplast genomes from two Rhus glabra and one R. typhina accessions were obtained with a total of each about 159k bp in length including a large single-copy region (LSC, about 88k bp), a small single-copy regions (SSC, about 19k bp) and a pair of inverted repeats regions (IRa/IRb, about 26k bp), to form a canonical quadripartite structure. Each genome contained 88 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes and two pseudogenes. The overall GC content of the three genomes all were same (37.8%), and RSCU values showed that they all had the same codon prefers, i.e., to use codon ended with A/U (93%) except termination codon. Three variable hotspots, i.e., ycf4-cemA, ndhF-rpl32-trnL and ccsA-ndhD, and a total of 152-156 simple sequence repeats (SSR) were identified. The nonsynonymous (Ka)/synonymous (Ks) ratio was calculated, and cemA and ycf2 genes are important indicators of gene evolution. The phylogenetic analyses of the family Anacardiaceae showed that the eight genera were grouped into three clusters, and supported the monophyly of the subfamilies and all the genera. The accessions of five Rhus species formed four clusters, while, one individual of R. typhina grouped with the R. glabra accessions instead of clustering into the two other individuals of R. typhina in the subgenus Rhus, which showed a paraphyletic relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparing the complete chloroplast genomes of the Rhus species, it was found that most SSRs were A/T rich and located in the intergenic spacer, and the nucleotide divergence exhibited higher levels in the non-coding region than in the coding region. The Ka/Ks ratio of cemA gene was > 1 for species collected in America, while it was < 1 for other species in China, which dedicated that the Rhus species from North America and East Asia have different evolutionary pressure. The phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genome clarified the Rhus placement and relationship. The results obtained in this study are expected to provide valuable genetic resources to perform species identification, molecular breeding, and intraspecific diversity of the Rhus species.

From nature to industry: Harnessing enzymes for biocatalysis

Biocatalysis harnesses enzymes to make valuable products. This green technology is used in countless applications from bench scale to industrial production and allows practitioners to access complex organic molecules, often with fewer synthetic steps and reduced waste. The last decade has seen an explosion in the development of experimental and computational tools to tailor enzymatic properties, equipping enzyme engineers with the ability to create biocatalysts that perform reactions not present in nature. By using (chemo)-enzymatic synthesis routes or orchestrating intricate enzyme cascades, scientists can synthesize elaborate targets ranging from DNA and complex pharmaceuticals to starch made in vitro from CO2-derived methanol. In addition, new chemistries have emerged through the combination of biocatalysis with transition metal catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. This review highlights recent key developments, identifies current limitations, and provides a future prospect for this rapidly developing technology.

Public Health Messaging for Wildfire Smoke: Cast a Wide Net

Wildfire smoke events are increasing in British Columbia (BC), Canada and environmental and public health agencies are responsible for communicating the health-related risks and mitigation strategies. To evaluate and identify opportunities for improving public communications about wildfire smoke and associated health risks we collaborated with end-users and developed a 32-question online survey. The survey was deployed province-wide from 29 September to 31 December 2020 following a severe wildfire smoke episode, which impacted large parts of BC. Using a convenience sample, we disseminated the survey through email lists, radio advertisements, a provincial research platform, and snowball methods. There were 757 respondents, who were generally representative of provincial demographics. Respondents indicated that they receive wildfire smoke messages from diverse sources, including: websites, social media, radio, and television. Radio was identified as the most important source of information for populations that may have increased exposure or health risks, including Indigenous respondents and those working in the trades. Respondents with lower educational attainment expressed that messaging should be simplified. Environmental and public health agencies should continue to share wildfire smoke messages using diverse methods, ideally tailoring the messages and methods to specific populations at risk for exposure and health effects.

The Multiple Sclerosis Inventory of Cognition for Adolescents (MUSICADO): A brief screening instrument to assess cognitive dysfunction, fatigue and loss of health-related quality of life in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Screening for cognitive impairment (CI), fatigue and also Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) is of utmost importance in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to establish a new and validated pediatric screening tool "MUSICADO" that is easy to use and time economical.

METHODS

106 patients with POMS aged 12-18 years and 210 healthy controls (HCs) stratified for age and education underwent neuropsychological testing including a screening test "Multiple Sclerosis Inventory of Cognition" for adults and 8 standardized cognitive tests and established scales to assess fatigue and HRQoL.

RESULTS

The phonemic verbal fluency task (RWT "s-words"), the Trail Making Test A (TMT-A), and the Digit Span Forward discriminated significantly between patients and HCs (p = 0.000, respectively) and showed the highest proportion of test failure in patients (24.5%, 17.9%; 15.1%, respectively). Therefore, they were put together to form the cognitive part of the "MUSICADO". After applying a scoring algorithm with balanced weighting of the subtests and age and education correction and a cut-off score for impairment, 35.8% of patients were categorized to be cognitively impaired (specificity: 88.6%). Fatigue was detected in 37.1% of the patients (specificity: 94.0%) and loss of HRQoL in 41.8% (specificity 95.7%) with the screening version, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The MUSICADO is a newly designed brief and easy to use screening test to help to early identify CI, fatigue, and loss of HRQoL in patients with POMS as cut scores are provided for all three items. Further studies will have to show its usability in independent samples of patients with POMS.

CD20-Specific Immunoligands Engaging NKG2D Enhance γδ T Cell-Mediated Lysis of Lymphoma Cells

Human γδ T cells are innate-like T cells which are able to kill a broad range of tumour cells and thus may have potential for cancer immunotherapy. The activating receptor natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) plays a key role in regulating immune responses driven by γδ T cells. Here, we explored whether recombinant immunoligands consisting of a CD20 single-chain fragment variable (scFv) linked to a NKG2D ligand, either MHC class I chain-related protein A (MICA) or UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2), could be employed to engage γδ T cells for tumour cell killing. The two immunoligands, designated MICA:7D8 and ULBP2:7D8, respectively, enhanced cytotoxicity of ex vivo-expanded γδ T cells against CD20-positive lymphoma cells. Both Vδ1 and Vδ2 γδ T cells were triggered by MICA:7D8 or ULBP2:7D8. Killing of CD20-negative tumour cells was not induced by the immunoligands, indicating their antigen specificity. MICA:7D8 and ULBP2:7D8 acted in a dose-dependent manner and induced cytotoxicity at nanomolar concentrations. Importantly, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells isolated from patients were sensitized by the two immunoligands for γδ T cell cytotoxicity. In a combination approach, the immunoligands were combined with bromohydrin pyrophosphate (BrHPP), an agonist for Vδ2 γδ T cells, which further enhanced the efficacy in target cell killing. Thus, employing tumour-directed recombinant immunoligands which engage NKG2D may represent an attractive strategy to enhance antitumour cytotoxicity of γδ T cells.

On merging Acer sections Rubra and Hyptiocarpa: Molecular and morphological evidence

In this study, we expanded Acer sect. Rubra Pax to include A. sect. Hyptiocarpa Fang. Traditionally, section Rubra comprises two iconic species, Acer rubrum Linnaeus (red maple) and A. saccharinum Linnaeus (silver maple), of eastern North American forests as well as the rare Japanese montane species, A. pycnanthum K. Koch. Section Hyptiocarpa consists of A. laurinum Hasskarl and A. pinnatinervium Merrill, which occur in subtropical and tropical regions of southwestern China to southeast Asia. Here, we confirm prior phylogenetic results showing the close relationship between sects. Rubra and Hyptiocarpa, and we use scanning electron microscopy to demonstrate that leaves of species within these sections have similar arrangements of cuticular waxes, which account for the silvery color of their abaxial surfaces. We describe that the sections also share labile sex expression; inflorescences that range from compound racemose thyrses, to racemes or umbels and that may have undergone evolutionary reduction; and several features of their fruits, such as seed locules without keels, basal portion of wings straight, acute attachment angle between mericarps, and production of some mericarps that are seedless and partially developed at maturity. Our expansion of sect. Rubra to include sect. Hyptiocarpa better elucidates the biogeographic and evolutionary history of these species. Additionally, we show that A. laurinum and A. pinnatinervium have intergrading morphology and are probably synonymous, but we note that further studies are required to conclude their taxonomic status.

Hypoxia-stimulated membrane trafficking requires T-plastin

AIM

Traffic between the plasma membrane and the endomembrane compartments is an essential feature of eukaryotic cells. The secretory pathway sends cargoes from biosynthetic compartments to the plasma membrane. This is counterbalanced by a retrograde endocytic route and is essential for cell homoeostasis. Cells need to adapt rapidly to environmental challenges such as the reduction of pO₂ which, however, has not been analysed in relation to membrane trafficking in detail. Therefore, we determined changes in the plasma membrane trafficking in normoxia, hypoxia, and after reoxygenation.

METHODS

Membrane trafficking was analysed by using the bulk membrane endocytosis marker FM 1-43, the newly developed membrane probe mCLING, wheat germ agglutinin as well as fluorescently labelled cholera toxin subunit B. Additionally, the uptake of specific membrane proteins was determined. In parallel, a non-biased SILAC screen was performed to analyse the abundance of membrane proteins in normoxia and hypoxia.

RESULTS

Membrane trafficking was increased in hypoxia and quickly reversed upon reoxygenation. This effect was independent of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) system. Using SILAC technology, we identified that the actin-bundling protein T-plastin is recruited to the plasma membrane in hypoxia. By the use of T-plastin knockdown cells, we could show that T-plastin mediates the hypoxia-induced membrane trafficking, which was associated with an increased actin density in the cells as determined by electron microscopy.

CONCLUSION

Membrane trafficking is highly dynamic upon hypoxia. This phenotype is quickly reversible upon reoxygenation, which suggests that this mechanism participates in the cellular adaptation to hypoxia.

Characterization and review of MTHFD1 deficiency: four new patients, cellular delineation and response to folic and folinic acid treatment

In the folate cycle MTHFD1, encoded by MTHFD1, is a trifunctional enzyme containing 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activity. To date, only one patient with MTHFD1 deficiency, presenting with hyperhomocysteinemia, megaloblastic anaemia, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and severe combined immunodeficiency, has been identified (Watkins et al J Med Genet 48:590-2, 2011). We now describe four additional patients from two different families. The second patient presented with hyperhomocysteinemia, megaloblastic anaemia, HUS, microangiopathy and retinopathy; all except the retinopathy resolved after treatment with hydroxocobalamin, betaine and folinic acid. The third patient developed megaloblastic anaemia, infection, autoimmune disease and moderate liver fibrosis but not hyperhomocysteinemia, and was successfully treated with a regime that included and was eventually reduced to folic acid. The other two, elder siblings of the third patient, died at 9 weeks of age with megaloblastic anaemia, infection and severe acidosis and had MTFHD1 deficiency diagnosed retrospectively. We identified a missense mutation (c.806C > T, p.Thr296Ile) and a splice site mutation (c.1674G > A) leading to exon skipping in the second patient, while the other three harboured a missense mutation (c.146C > T, p.Ser49Phe) and a premature stop mutation (c.673G > T, p.Glu225*), all of which were novel. Patient fibroblast studies revealed severely reduced methionine formation from [(14)C]-formate, which did not increase in cobalamin supplemented culture medium but was responsive to folic and folinic acid. These additional cases increase the clinical spectrum of this intriguing defect, provide in vitro evidence of disturbed methionine synthesis and substantiate the effectiveness of folic or folinic acid treatment.

RApid Parallel Protein EvaluatoR (RAPPER), from gene to enzyme function in one day

Cell-free transcription-translation systems offer an effective and versatile platform to explore the impact of genetic variations on protein function. We have developed a protocol for preparing linear, mutagenic DNA templates for direct use in the PURE system, enabling the fast and semi-quantitative evaluation of amino acid variations on catalytic activity and stereo-selectivity in native and engineered variants of Old Yellow Enzyme.

Comparative phylogeography of the wild-rice genus Zizania (Poaceae) in eastern Asia and North America

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Comparative phylogeography of intercontinental disjunct taxa allowed us not only to elucidate their diversification and evolution following geographic isolation, but also to understand the effect of climatic and geological histories on the evolutionary processes of closely related species. A phylogeographic analysis was conducted on the eastern Asian-North American disjunct genus Zizania to compare intracontinental phylogeographic patterns between different continents.

METHODS

Surveys were conducted of 514 individuals using three chloroplast DNA fragments and three nuclear microsatellite loci. These individuals included 246 from 45 populations of Zizania latifolia in eastern Asia, and the following from North America: 154 individuals from 26 populations of Z. aquatica, 84 individuals from 14 populations of Z. palustris, and 30 individuals from one population of Z. texana.

KEY RESULTS

The genetic diversity of North American Zizania was significantly higher than that of eastern Asian Zizania. High levels of genetic differentiation among populations and no signal of population expansion were detected in three widespread species. No phylogeographic structure was observed in Z. latifolia, and discordant patterns of cpDNA and microsatellite markers were observed in North American Zizania.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced variation in Zizania latifolia likely reflects its perennial life history, the North American origin of Zizania, and the relative homogeneity of aquatic environments. High levels of genetic differentiation suggest limited dispersal among populations in all Zizania species. The more complex patterns of diversification and evolution in North American Zizania may be driven by the greater impact of glaciation in North America relative to eastern Asia.

[Evaluation of serum cobalamin concentration in cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease]

Medical records of 261 cats presenting with gastrointestinal disease that had a serum cobalamin concentration measured were reviewed. In addition, a reference range for cobalamin (305 - 1.967ng/L) was established using 22 healthy adult cats with undetectable levels of urinary methylmalonic acid. A total of 108 of 261 cats (41.4 %) had hypocobalaminemia; 69 cats (26.4 %) had cobalamin concentrations below the detection limit of the assay (< 150ng/L, group A) and 39 (15 %) had concentrations between 150 - 304ng/L (group B). The remaining 153 (58.6 %) cats had normal cobalamin concentrations (group C). Diarrhea was the most common clinical sign in hypocobalaminemic cats and vomiting or anorexia was the most common sign in normocobalaminemic cats. Only cats with both, vomiting and diarrhea were more likely to have hypocobalaminemia than cats with other clinical signs (odds ratio, 2.879; 95 % CI, 1.313 - 6.310). Serum cobalamin concentration was negatively correlated with age of the patient and positively correlated with body condition score. Cats of group A had a significantly higher neutrophil count (p = 0.0009) and higher MCV (p = 0.0064) and significantly lower hematocrit (p = 0.0018) and albumin concentration (p = 0.0037) than cats in other groups. There was no difference between cats of groups B and C with respect to complete blood cell counts and metabolic profiles. Among the diagnoses made in 125 cats (A 69.6 %, B 59 %, C 35.3 %), lymphoma and inflammatory enteropathy were most common. Lymphoma was diagnosed in 31.2 % (A 53.8 %, B 15.4 %, C 30.8 %) and inflammatory enteropathy in 22.4 % (A 35.7 %, B 7.1 %, C 57.2 %) of cats. Hypocobalaminemia is a frequent problem in cats with gastrointestinal disease. Presenting clinical signs as well as laboratory results may already indicate its probability and severity. However, only values below the detection limit of the assay seem to affect routine bloodwork results. Cobalamin should be routinely measured in feline gastrointestinal disease, as its serum concentration may influence the choice of further diagnostics.

PDE2-mediated cAMP hydrolysis accelerates cardiac fibroblast to myofibroblast conversion and is antagonized by exogenous activation of cGMP signaling pathways

Recent studies suggest that the signal molecules cAMP and cGMP have antifibrotic effects by negatively regulating pathways associated with fibroblast to myofibroblast (MyoCF) conversion. The phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) has the unique property to be stimulated by cGMP, which leads to a remarkable increase in cAMP hydrolysis and thus mediates a negative cross-talk between both pathways. PDE2 has been recently investigated in cardiomyocytes; here we specifically addressed its role in fibroblast conversion and cardiac fibrosis. PDE2 is abundantly expressed in both neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and cardiomyocytes. The overexpression of PDE2 in CFs strongly reduced basal and isoprenaline-induced cAMP synthesis, and this decrease was sufficient to induce MyoCF conversion even in the absence of exogenous profibrotic stimuli. Functional stress-strain experiments with fibroblast-derived engineered connective tissue (ECT) demonstrated higher stiffness in ECTs overexpressing PDE2. In regard to cGMP, neither basal nor atrial natriuretic peptide-induced cGMP levels were affected by PDE2, whereas the response to nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside was slightly but significantly reduced. Interestingly, despite persistently depressed cAMP levels, both cGMP-elevating stimuli were able to completely prevent the PDE2-induced MyoCF phenotype, arguing for a double-tracked mechanism. In conclusion, PDE2 accelerates CF to MyoCF conversion, which leads to greater stiffness in ECTs. Atrial natriuretic peptide- and sodium nitroprusside-mediated cGMP synthesis completely reverses PDE2-induced fibroblast conversion. Thus PDE2 may augment cardiac remodeling, but this effect can also be overcome by enhanced cGMP. The redundant role of cAMP and cGMP as antifibrotic meditators may be viewed as a protective mechanism in heart failure.

The neutron imaging diagnostic at NIF (invited)

A neutron imaging diagnostic has recently been commissioned at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This new system is an important diagnostic tool for inertial fusion studies at the NIF for measuring the size and shape of the burning DT plasma during the ignition stage of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) implosions. The imaging technique utilizes a pinhole neutron aperture, placed between the neutron source and a neutron detector. The detection system measures the two dimensional distribution of neutrons passing through the pinhole. This diagnostic has been designed to collect two images at two times. The long flight path for this diagnostic, 28 m, results in a chromatic separation of the neutrons, allowing the independently timed images to measure the source distribution for two neutron energies. Typically the first image measures the distribution of the 14 MeV neutrons and the second image of the 6-12 MeV neutrons. The combination of these two images has provided data on the size and shape of the burning plasma within the compressed capsule, as well as a measure of the quantity and spatial distribution of the cold fuel surrounding this core.

Phylogenetic relationships of Chinese Adiantum based on five plastid markers

Adiantum consists of about 150-200 species mostly with a pantropical distribution, yet the classifications of Adiantum have been based primarily on regional studies. Confounding the clarity of reconstructing the evolutionary history of Adiantum is that previous molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that a separate and distinctive clade, the vittarioids, may be derived from within Adiantum. Five plastid markers (atpA, atpB, rbcL, trnL-F and rps4-trnS) are employed to assess the monophyly of Adiantum, and construct the molecular phylogeny of Chinese Adiantum. Our analyses support the monophyly of Adiantum. All temperate Adiantum species form a clade nested within the pantropical grade, suggesting a tropical origin of Adiantum. Six main clades are supported within Chinese Adiantum, which are only partially consistent with Lin's classification of the genus. Series Caudata is polyphyletic with series Gravesiana nested within one subgroup of series Caudata. The prolonged whip-like stolon at the apex of the fronds is the defining character for series Caudata, but it may have evolved multiple times. Adiantum reniforme with the simple fronds is sister to series Venusta, which has a decompound lamina with many flabellate to cuneate segments. Series Veneri-capilliformia is not monophyletic, with A. capillus-veneris sister to series Flabellulata except for A. diaphanum, and A. edentulum sister to series Pedata. Series Flabellulata is biphyletic with A. diaphanum nested within the pantropical grade. The phylogeny suggests that convergent evolution in frond architecture has occurred in Adiantum.

Update on the systematic review of palliative radiotherapy trials for bone metastases

AIMS

To update previous meta-analyses of randomised palliative radiotherapy trials comparing single fractions versus multiple fractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All published randomised controlled trials comparing single fraction versus multiple fraction schedules for the palliation of uncomplicated bone metastases were included in this analysis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each trial. Forest plots were created using a random effects model and the Mantel-Haenszel statistic.

RESULTS

In total, 25 randomised controlled trials were identified. For intention-to-treat patients, the overall response rate was similar in patients receiving single fractions (1696 of 2818; 60%) and multiple fractions (1711 of 2799; 61%). Complete response rates were 620 of 2641 (23%) in the single fraction arm and 634 of 2622 (24%) in the multiple fraction arm. No significant difference was seen in overall or complete response rates. Pathological fracture did not favour either arm, but spinal cord compression trended towards favouring multiple fractions; however, neither was statistically significant (P = 0.72 and P = 0.13, respectively). Retreatment rates favoured patients in the multiple fraction arm, where the likelihood of requiring re-irradiation was 2.6-fold greater in the single fraction arm (95% confidence interval: 1.92-3.47; P < 0.00001). Repeated analyses excluding drop-out patients did not alter these findings. In general, no significant differences in acute toxicities were seen.

CONCLUSION

Overall and complete response rates were similar in both intention-to-treat and assessable patients. Single and multiple fraction regimens provided equal pain relief; however, significantly higher retreatment rates occurred in those receiving single fractions.

Biogeographic disjunction between eastern Asia and North America in the Adiantum pedatum complex (Pteridaceae)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Biogeographic analyses of ferns with an eastern Asian-North American disjunction are few. The Adiantum pedatum complex has such a disjunct distribution. The monophyly of the complex needs to be tested and diversification history of the four species needs to be reconstructed.

METHODS

Plastid (atpA, atpB, rbcL, trnL-F, and rps4-trnS) sequences of 100 accessions representing the biogeographic diversity of Adiantum were analyzed with parsimony and Bayesian inference. Biogeography of the Adiantum pedatum complex was inferred using programs DIVA and LAGRANGE. Divergence times of clades were estimated with the program BEAST.

KEY RESULTS

The A. pedatum complex is monophyletic and sister to the eastern Asian A. edentulum. Accessions of A. pedatum do not form a clade; instead three subgroups are recognizable. The clade of A. aleuticum and A. viridimontanum is nested within A. pedatum. The Asian A. myriosorum is sister to the A. pedatum-A. aleuticum clade. Both DIVA and LAGRANGE analyses suggest an eastern Asian origin of the A. pedatum complex. The age of the crown A. pedatum complex is dated to be at 4.27 (2.24-6.57) million years ago.

CONCLUSIONS

The currently recognized eastern Asian-North American disjunct species A. pedatum needs to be segregated into three species, corresponding to populations in eastern North America, China, and Japan. The eastern Asian-North American disjunction in the complex is inferred to be the result of two intercontinental migrations, one from eastern Asia into North America in the late Tertiary and the other from North America back to eastern Asia in the Pleistocene.

Bone metastases: assessment of therapeutic response through radiological and nuclear medicine imaging modalities

Radiological and nuclear medicine imaging modalities used for assessing bone metastases treatment response include plain and digitalised radiography (XR), skeletal scintigraphy (SS), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and PET/CT. Here we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these assessment modalities as evident through different clinical trials. Additionally, we present the more established response criteria of the International Union Against Cancer and the World Health Organization and compare them with newer MD Anderson criteria. Even though serial XR and SS have been used to assess the therapeutic response for decades, several months are required before changes are evident. Newer techniques, such as MRI or PET, may allow an earlier evaluation of response that may be quantified through monitoring changes in signal intensity and standard uptake value, respectively. Moreover, the application of PET/CT, which can follow both morphological and metabolic changes, has yielded interesting and promising results that give a new insight into the natural history of metastatic bone disease. However, only a few studies have investigated the application of these newer techniques and further clinical trials are needed to corroborate their promising results and establish the most suitable imaging parameters and evaluation time points. Last, but not least, there is an absolute need to adopt uniform response criteria for bone metastases through an international consensus in order to better assess treatment response in terms of accuracy and objectivity.

Interspecies relationship of a repetitive chromosome-specific DNA

A repetitive DNA motif, consisting of 48 bp units (D22Z3) was shown to reside in the pericentric region of the human chromosome 22. In genomic blots it was displaying cross-homology only to great ape species, the restriction patterns being similar but specific for each species investigated. Non-radioactive in situ hybridization revealed a minor homology to human chromosomes 14/15 when less stringent conditions were applied. In gorilla, only chromosomes corresponding to human G-group autosomes showed a distinct cross-hybridization, whereas in chimpanzee, homology to this sequence was observed for all acrocentric chromosomes, even with reduced signal accumulation for the human 22 equivalent at higher stringencies.

Single-step centrifugal hematocrit determination on a 10-$ processing device

We present a novel concept to process human blood on a spinning polymer disk for the determination of the hematocrit level by simple visual inspection. The microfluidic disk which is spun by a macroscopic drive unit features an upstream metering structure and a downstream blind channel where the centrifugally enforced sedimentation of the blood is performed. The bubble-free priming of the blind channel is governed by centrifugally assisted capillary filling along the sloped hydrophilic side-wall and the lid as well as the special shape of the dead end of the two-layer channel. The hematocrit is indicated at the sharp phase boundary between the plasma and the segregated cellular pellet on a disk-imprinted calibrated scale. This way, we conduct the hematocrit determination of human blood within 5 min at a high degree of linearity (R(2) = 0.999) and at a high accuracy (CV = 4.7%) spanning over the physiological to pathological working range. As all processing steps including the priming, the metering to a defined volume as well as the centrifugation are executed automatically during rotation, the concept is successfully demonstrated in a conventional PC-CDROM drive while delivering the same performance (R(2) = 0.999, CV = 4.3%).

Integrated siphon-based metering and sedimentation of whole blood on a hydrophilic lab-on-a-disk

In this paper, we present a novel and fully integrated centrifugal microfluidic "lab-on-a-disk" for rapid colorimetric assays in human whole blood. All essential steps comprising blood sampling, metering, plasma extraction and the final optical detection are conducted within t=150 s in passive, globally hydrophilized structures which obviate the need for intricate local hydrophobic surface patterning. Our technology features a plasma extraction structure (V=500 nL, CV<5%) where the purified plasma (cRBC<0.11%) is centrifugally separated, metered by an overflow and subsequently extracted by a siphon-based principle through a hydrophilic extraction channel into the detection chamber.

Gef10--the third member of a Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor subfamily with unusual protein architecture

According to cDNA sequence homologies, Gef10 is related to the Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors GrinchGEF and p164-RhoGEF. Like these GEFs, Gef10 exhibits only weak homology to known pleckstrin homology domains, but contains a putative WD40-like domain. As detected by RT-PCR, Gef10 is transcribed in at least two splice variants in different human tissues. Although the Gef10 sequence contains two putative transmembrane segments, recombinantly expressed Gef10 displays a cytosolic localisation. As detected by guanine nucleotide exchange activity assay, precipitation assay of GTP-bound Rho proteins and serum response element dependent gene transcription Gef10 activates RhoA-C, but not Rac1 or Cdc42. In the reporter gene assay, Gef10 preferentially activated RhoB. When expressed in NIH3T3 cells, Gef10 induced actin stress fibre, but not lamellipodia or filopodia formation. We conclude that Gef10 is the third member of a Rho-specific GEF family with unusual protein architecture.

Dominance for vestibular cortical function in the non-dominant hemisphere

The aim of this (15)O-labelled H(2)O bolus positron emission tomography (PET) study was to analyse the hemispheric dominance of the vestibular cortical system. Therefore, the differential effects of caloric vestibular stimulation (right or left ear irrigation with warm water at 44 degrees C) on cortical and subcortical activation were studied in 12 right-handed and 12 left-handed healthy volunteers. Caloric irrigation induces a direction-specific sensation of rotation and nystagmus. Significant regional cerebral blood flow increases were found in a network within both hemispheres, including the superior frontal gyrus/sulcus, the precentral gyrus and the inferior parietal lobule with the supramarginal gyrus. These areas correspond best to the cortical ocular motor centres, namely the prefrontal cortex, the frontal eye field and the parietal eye field, known to be involved in the processing of caloric nystagmus. Furthermore, distinct temporo-parietal activations could be separated in the posterior part of the insula with the adjacent superior temporal gyrus, the inferior parietal lobule and precuneus. These areas fit best to the human homologues of multisensory vestibular cortex areas identified in the monkey and correspond to the parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC), the visual temporal sylvian area (VTS) and areas 7 and 6. Further cortical activations were seen in the anterior insula, the inferior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulum. The subcortical activation pattern in the putamen, thalamus and midbrain is consistent with the organization of efferent ocular motor pathways. Cortical and subcortical activation of the described areas was bilateral during monaural stimulation, but predominant in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the stimulated ear and exhibited a significant right hemispheric dominance for vestibular and ocular motor structures in right-handed volunteers. Similarly, a significant left hemispheric dominance was found in the 12 left-handed volunteers. Thus, this PET study showed for the first time that cortical and subcortical activation by vestibular caloric stimulation depends (i) on the handedness of the subjects and (ii) on the side of the stimulated ear. Maximum activation was therefore found when the non-dominant hemisphere was ipsilateral to the stimulated ear, i.e. in the right hemisphere of right-handed subjects during caloric irrigation of the right ear and in the left hemisphere of left-handed subjects during caloric irrigation of the left ear. The localization of handedness and vestibular dominance in opposite hemispheres might conceivably indicate that the vestibular system and its hemispheric dominance, which matures earlier during ontogenesis, determine right- or left-handedness.

Symptom frequency and severity in patients with metastatic or locally recurrent lung cancer: a prospective study using the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale in a community hospital

PURPOSE

To define symptoms and therapeutic requirements for patients with metastatic or locally recurrent lung cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Data were collected from 69 consecutive patients with locally advanced lung cancer seen in consultation at a radiation oncology facility serving a community hospital in Virginia. The Lung Cancer Symptom Scale, a validated quality of life instrument, measured the incidence of symptoms in this group.

RESULTS

Average survival for the entire group was 7 months. Fifty-seven patients received 81 courses of radiation therapy, 33 directed at thoracic disease and 48 delivered to sites of metastasis. Thirty-three percent of those who received radiation therapy required treatment to more than one anatomic site. Every patient was symptomatic at the time of consultation, with the number (p = 0.001) and severity (p = 0.001) of symptoms they suffered worse in the patient group seen 0 to 3 months prior to death rather than 4 to 6 months prior to death. With the exception of cough, symptoms were marked in their severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with advanced lung cancer suffer frequent and severe symptoms that worsen in the final months of life. The appropriate timing and combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy are yet to be resolved. Future studies will require use of validated quality of life instruments to better catalogue palliation and treatment toxicity.