Cranial sutures work collectively to distribute strain throughout the reptile skull

The skull is composed of many bones that come together at sutures. These sutures are important sites of growth, and as growth ceases some become fused while others remain patent. Their mechanical behaviour and how they interact with changing form and loadings to ensure balanced craniofacial development is still poorly understood. Early suture fusion often leads to disfiguring syndromes, thus is it imperative that we understand the function of sutures more clearly. By applying advanced engineering modelling techniques, we reveal for the first time that patent sutures generate a more widely distributed, high level of strain throughout the reptile skull. Without patent sutures, large regions of the skull are only subjected to infrequent low-level strains that could weaken the bone and result in abnormal development. Sutures are therefore not only sites of bone growth, but could also be essential for the modulation of strains necessary for normal growth and development in reptiles.

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Effects of perinatal thyroid hormone deprivation on the growth and behaviour of newborn mice

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1450251 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 145 (2) ◽

pp. 251-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

H Wallace ◽

A Pate ◽

J O Bishop

Keyword(s):

Normal Growth ◽

Type I ◽

Newborn Mice ◽

Discernible Effect ◽

Righting Reflex ◽

Eye Opening ◽

Normal Males ◽

High Level ◽

First Time ◽

Administration Protocol

Abstract Experiments were designed to distinguish between neonatal effects due to maternal thyroxine (T4) deprivation and those due to autonomous (fetus/pup) T4 deprivation, employing mice heterozygous for the bTG-tk transgene TG66·19 which specifically directs high-level expression of herpes virus type I thymidine kinase to the thyrocytes. Heterozygous TG66·19 females were either untreated or Ganciclovir was administered to destroy their thyrocytes and so render them T4-deficient. When mated to normal males these heterozygous females are expected to produce on average 50% normal and 50% heterozygous transgenic conceptuses. Ganciclovir was administered to the dams (both untreated and Ganciclovir-pretreated) during days 14–18 of gestation. At optimum levels of in utero Ganciclovir administration the non-transgenic pups showed no discernible effect while the transgenic pups were rendered athyrocytic and completely T4-deficient. The dams pretreated with Ganciclovir are hypothyroid throughout gestation, while the dams to which Ganciclovir was administered for the first time during gestation are not expected to become hypothyroid until about the time of parturition. In this way four sets of pups were generated for purposes of comparison: hypothyroid (transgenic) and euthyroid (non-transgenic) pups born to euthyroid dams and hypothyroid and euthyroid pups born to hypothyroid (Ganciclovir-pretreated) dams. Normal growth during days 1–10 after birth was dominated by the T4 status of the dam during gestation. Growth during days 11–21 and the correct timing of eye opening and ear elevation were dominated by the autonomous T4 status of the fetus/pup. The timely development of the surface-righting reflex (relative to weight gain) was shown to require both maternal and fetus/pup T4. The development of the cliff-avoidance reflex was independent of the T4 status of both pup and dam and of pup weight. The size of the pups at birth depended primarily on a normal T4 status in the dam but surprisingly T4 deficiency in fetuses/pups partly compensated for maternal T4 deficiency. The results presented here clearly demonstrate the utility of the HSV-tk-transgene-Ganciclovir-administration protocol in studying the interplay of maternal and fetal T4 deprivation in rodents. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 145, 251–262

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A Confrontation between Two Doctrines: The Birth of Struggle for Hegemony in Hebrew Children's Literature during the 1930s and 1940s

International Research in Children s Literature ◽

10.3366/ircl.2008.0003 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 139-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

YAEL DARR

Keyword(s):

Children's Literature ◽

Educational System ◽

Single Channel ◽

Children’S Literature ◽

The Political ◽

Literary Creation ◽

History Of ◽

High Level ◽

First Time ◽

Literary Quality

This article describes a crucial and fundamental stage in the transformation of Hebrew children's literature, during the late 1930s and 1940s, from a single channel of expression to a multi-layered polyphony of models and voices. It claims that for the first time in the history of Hebrew children's literature there took place a doctrinal confrontation between two groups of taste-makers. The article outlines the pedagogical and ideological designs of traditionalist Zionist educators, and suggests how these were challenged by a group of prominent writers of adult poetry, members of the Modernist movement. These writers, it is argued, advocated autonomous literary creation, and insisted on a high level of literary quality. Their intervention not only dramatically changed the repertoire of Hebrew children's literature, but also the rules of literary discourse. The article suggests that, through the Modernists’ polemical efforts, Hebrew children's literature was able to free itself from its position as an apparatus controlled by the political-educational system and to become a dynamic and multi-layered field.

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Brassinolide Enhances the Level of Brassinosteroids, Protein, Pigments, and Monosaccharides in Wolffia arrhiza Treated with Brassinazole

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10071311 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1311

Author(s):

Magdalena Chmur ◽

Andrzej Bajguz

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Plant Growth And Development ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Spectrophotometric Methods ◽

Synthetic Inhibitor ◽

Wolffia Arrhiza ◽

First Time

Brassinolide (BL) represents brassinosteroids (BRs)—a group of phytohormones that are essential for plant growth and development. Brassinazole (Brz) is as a synthetic inhibitor of BRs’ biosynthesis. In the present study, the responses of Wolffia arrhiza to the treatment with BL, Brz, and the combination of BL with Brz were analyzed. The analysis of BRs and Brz was performed using LC-MS/MS. The photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls, carotenes, and xanthophylls) levels were determined using HPLC, but protein and monosaccharides level using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained results indicated that BL and Brz influence W. arrhiza cultures in a concentration-dependent manner. The most stimulatory effects on the growth, level of BRs (BL, 24-epibrassinolide, 28-homobrassinolide, 28-norbrassinolide, catasterone, castasterone, 24-epicastasterone, typhasterol, and 6-deoxytyphasterol), and the content of pigments, protein, and monosaccharides, were observed in plants treated with 0.1 µM BL. Whereas the application of 1 µM and 10 µM Brz caused a significant decrease in duckweed weight and level of targeted compounds. Application of BL caused the mitigation of the Brz inhibitory effect and enhanced the BR level in duckweed treated with Brz. The level of BRs was reported for the first time in duckweed treated with BL and/or Brz.

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Aberrant Expression of TLR2, TLR7, TLR9, Splicing Variants of TLR4 and MYD88 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10040867 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 867

Author(s):

Katarzyna Skorka ◽

Paulina Wlasiuk ◽

Agnieszka Karczmarczyk ◽

Krzysztof Giannopoulos

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Cytotoxic T Cells ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Aberrant Expression ◽

Downstream Signaling ◽

Splicing Variants ◽

High Level ◽

Time To First Treatment ◽

First Time

Functional toll-like receptors (TLRs) could modulate anti-tumor effects by activating inflammatory cytokines and the cytotoxic T-cells response. However, excessive TLR expression could promote tumor progression, since TLR-induced inflammation might stimulate cancer cells expansion into the microenvironment. Myd88 is involved in activation NF-κB through TLRs downstream signaling, hence in the current study we provided, for the first time, a complex characterization of expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9, and MYD88 as well as their splicing forms in two distinct compartments of the microenvironment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): peripheral blood and bone marrow. We found correlations between MYD88 and TLRs expressions in both compartments, indicating their relevant cooperation in CLL. The MYD88 expression was higher in CLL patients compared to healthy volunteers (HVs) (0.1780 vs. 0.128, p < 0.0001). The TLRs expression was aberrant in CLL compared to HVs. Analysis of survival curves revealed a shorter time to first treatment in the group of patients with low level of TLR4(3) expression compared to high level of TLR4(3) expression in bone marrow (13 months vs. 48 months, p = 0.0207). We suggest that TLRs expression is differentially regulated in CLL but is similarly shared between two distinct compartments of the microenvironment.

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Revealing the constituents of Egypt’s oldest beer using infrared and mass spectrometry

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-52877-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohamed A. Farag ◽

Moamen M. Elmassry ◽

Masahiro Baba ◽

Renée Friedman

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Beer Brewing ◽

Chemical Signatures ◽

Chemical Determination ◽

Materials Used ◽

High Level ◽

Beer Production ◽

First Time ◽

Detailed Chemical

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the Ancient Egyptians used malted wheat and barley as the main ingredients in beer brewing, but the chemical determination of the exact recipe is still lacking. To investigate the constituents of ancient beer, we conducted a detailed IR and GC-MS based metabolite analyses targeting volatile and non-volatile metabolites on the residues recovered from the interior of vats in what is currently the world’s oldest (c. 3600 BCE) installation for large-scale beer production located at the major pre-pharaonic political center at Hierakonpolis, Egypt. In addition to distinguishing the chemical signatures of various flavoring agents, such as dates, a significant result of our analysis is the finding, for the first time, of phosphoric acid in high level probably used as a preservative much like in modern beverages. This suggests that the early brewers had acquired the knowledge needed to efficiently produce and preserve large quantities of beer. This study provides the most detailed chemical profile of an ancient beer using modern spectrometric techniques and providing evidence for the likely starting materials used in beer brewing.

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Ciliary Signalling and Mechanotransduction in the Pathophysiology of Craniosynostosis

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12071073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1073

Author(s):

Federica Tiberio ◽

Ornella Parolini ◽

Wanda Lattanzi

Keyword(s):

Primary Cilium ◽

Genetic Basis ◽

Mendelian Inheritance ◽

Craniofacial Development ◽

Cranial Sutures ◽

Craniofacial Malformation ◽

Computational Annotation ◽

Neural Crest Origin ◽

Disease Associated Genes ◽

Molecular Signals

Craniosynostosis (CS) is the second most prevalent inborn craniofacial malformation; it results from the premature fusion of cranial sutures and leads to dimorphisms of variable severity. CS is clinically heterogeneous, as it can be either a sporadic isolated defect, more frequently, or part of a syndromic phenotype with mendelian inheritance. The genetic basis of CS is also extremely heterogeneous, with nearly a hundred genes associated so far, mostly mutated in syndromic forms. Several genes can be categorised within partially overlapping pathways, including those causing defects of the primary cilium. The primary cilium is a cellular antenna serving as a signalling hub implicated in mechanotransduction, housing key molecular signals expressed on the ciliary membrane and in the cilioplasm. This mechanical property mediated by the primary cilium may also represent a cue to understand the pathophysiology of non-syndromic CS. In this review, we aimed to highlight the implication of the primary cilium components and active signalling in CS pathophysiology, dissecting their biological functions in craniofacial development and in suture biomechanics. Through an in-depth revision of the literature and computational annotation of disease-associated genes we categorised 18 ciliary genes involved in CS aetiology. Interestingly, a prevalent implication of midline sutures is observed in CS ciliopathies, possibly explained by the specific neural crest origin of the frontal bone.

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CONGENITAL SUCRASE-ISOMALTASE DEFICIENCY

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.49.6.847 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 847-853

Author(s):

I. Antonowicz ◽

J. D. Lloyd-Still ◽

K. T. Khaw ◽

H. Shwachman

Keyword(s):

Growth And Development ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Quantitative Estimation ◽

Failure To Thrive ◽

Normal Growth ◽

Significant Rise ◽

Small Intestinal Mucosa ◽

Severe Diarrhea ◽

Young Infants ◽

Small Intestinal

Observations over a period of 6 years are reported on 10 children in whom the diagnosis of congenital sucrase isomaltase deficiency (SID) was confirmed by quantitative estimation of disaccharidase activity of the small intestinal mucosa. Repeat biopsies were performed on eight of the ten patients and showed no evidence that sucrase isomaltase activity is acquired. Sucrose tolerance tests (2 gm/kg) showed no significant rise in blood glucose in the seven patients in whom they were performed. This condition may appear in young infants with severe diarrhea resulting in a malabsorption syndrome and failure to thrive. It may also be manifest in a milder clinical presentation with bothersome diarrhea in spite of normal growth and development in the older infant or young child. The diagnosis in this latter group can be difficult, and is frequently missed.

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PREVENTION ISSUES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PRODUCTION-RELATED DISEASES IN MINING INDUSTRY WORKERS

10.31089/978-5-6042929-2-1-2021-1-12-15 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

G.S. Agzamova ◽

◽

N.U. Ibragimova ◽

Yu.A. Abdieva ◽

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Metallurgical Plant ◽

Occupational Diseases ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Production Environment ◽

Cardiovascular Pathology ◽

Dynamic Observation ◽

High Level ◽

Medical Examinations ◽

First Time

Abstract: Protecting and promoting the health of workers in the mining industry is one of the most important problems of occupational pathology and health care. The structure and levels of prevention of occupational diseases are directly dependent on harmful and adverse factors of the production environment and labor process, adequately reflecting the state of production. Purpose: to study the issues of prevention of occupational and production-related diseases of mining and metallurgical plant workers. Research materials and methods: a dynamic observation of the health status of workers in the main industries of the mining and metallurgical plant (800 workers) was carried out. 92 patients with silicosis were examined. Results: Up to 92.8% of first-time occupational diseases are detected during periodic medical examinations. The prevailing sociomatic pathology is cardiovascular pathology, namely, arterial hypertension and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, mainly osteochondrosis of the spine. Prevalence of silicosis was observed in individuals with little professional experience (from 5 years old), young age and primary detection of patients in stage II silicosis, which was accompanied by respiratory failure. Conclusions: The prevention programme developed will ensure a high level of health care in terms of early diagnosis, rehabilitation and secondary prevention of both occupational and occupational diseases.

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Innovation in Slovenian tourism organisations

Tourism and hospitality management ◽

10.20867/thm.21.1.4 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 51-62

Author(s):

Maja Uran Maravić ◽

Dejan Križaj ◽

Miha Lesjak

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Mean Value ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Research Activity ◽

Main Hypothesis ◽

Innovation Activities ◽

Innovation Climate ◽

High Level ◽

Innovation Practices ◽

First Time

The purpose – Slovenian tourism organisations must constantly focus on developing variety innovations for organisations. In this paper, we present a study conducted on innovation practices in Slovenian tourism organisations. Design/methodology – In a survey conducted on Slovenia tourism organisations, we obtained data and identified their innovation performance and the innovation climate in their area of business. There are three main hypothesis tested. Findings – The research sample of 41 organisations found that most innovation in tourism organisations came through the introduction of new services (90%), followed by innovation through new organisational methods (73%), and found a high-level climate for innovation. Worse was its assessment of research activity within organisations and cooperation with external institutions (eg. universities and research institutes) and investment in innovation activities within their research and development. Results obtained from the research showed a mean value for the innovation climate-instrument of 3.83 indicating a high innovation climate for the Slovenian tourism companies included in the sample survey. Mostly, (publicly known as) more innovative active organisations responded to our survey. From such results, we find that tourism organisations included in the survey are aware of the importance of innovation, teaching organisations to communicate well and network with other organisations, are adaptable to change and engaged with their own ideas in support of the organisation's management. Originality of the research – The contribution of the research is that it has applied the generic instrument for measuring innovation climate on tourism and the first time climate is measured in Slovenia.

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Theoretical study of the Cl(2P) + SiH4 reaction: Global potential energy surface and product pair-correlated distributions. Comparison with experiment.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics ◽

10.1039/d1cp02563e ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

J. Espinosa-Garcia ◽

Jose Carlos Corchado

Keyword(s):

Potential Energy ◽

Potential Energy Surface ◽

Energy Surface ◽

Theoretical Study ◽

Title Reaction ◽

Comparison With Experiment ◽

Explicitly Correlated ◽

High Level ◽

First Time ◽

Product Pair

For the theoretical study of the title reaction, an analytical full-dimensional potential energy surface named PES-2021 was developed for the first time, by fitting high-level explicitly-correlated ab initio data. This...

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