The molecular complex of ciliary and golgin protein is critical for skull development

Intramembranous ossification, which consists of direct conversion of mesenchymal cells to osteoblasts, is a characteristic process in skull development. One critical role of these osteoblasts is to secrete collagen-containing bone matrix. However, it remains unclear how the dynamics of collagen trafficking is regulated during skull development. Here, we reveal the regulatory mechanisms of ciliary and golgin proteins required for intramembranous ossification. During normal skull formation, osteoblasts residing on the osteogenic front actively secreted collagen. Mass spectrometry and proteomic analysis determined endogenous binding between ciliary protein IFT20 and golgin protein GMAP210 in these osteoblasts. Like in Ift20 mutant mice, disruption of neural-crest specific GMAP210 in mice caused osteopenia-like phenotypes due to dysfunctional collagen trafficking. Mice lacking both IFT20 and GMAP210 displayed more severe skull defects compared to either IFT20 or GMAP210 mutants. These results demonstrate that the molecular complex of IFT20 and GMAP210 is essential for the intramembranous ossification during skull development.

Benefits from improved bath agitation with the RADEX DPP gas purging system during EAF highalloyed and stainless steel production

Modern production processes of high alloyed and stainless steel grades are subject to the cost-optimized production of raw steel or molten combined with high flexibility. Excellent mixing of the steel melt helps to improve mass and heat transfer in the EAF, in order to accelerate the melting of heavy scrap and alloys, decarburization, homogeneous superheating, alloy distribution, and to avoid skull formation and solid remainders that may obstruct tapping. The RADEX DPP system generates customer benefits by improving EAF processes during high-alloyed stainless steel making. The most important effect of the enhanced steel bath mixing besides improved heat transfer and decarburization is a decreased chromium oxidation. Firstly, chromium oxidation is decreased by improving the homogeneous distribution of carbon and chromium in the melt. Secondary, build-up of chromium-containing solids in the EAF hearth and skull formation is decreased by stronger melt movement. The cost savings of both effects economically justify the application of gas purging in EAF stainless steelmaking. Case studies are presented demonstrating the advantages. Ill.7. Ref. 7. Tab. 3.

Novel approach to magnetic resonance imaging of epileptic dogs — T2 relaxometry of the brain with emphasised hippocampus

Hippocampal sclerosis is the most common imaging finding of intractable human epilepsy, and it may play an important role in canine and feline epileptogenesis and seizure semiology, too. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria of hippocampal sclerosis are T2 hyperintensity, shrinkage and loss of internal structure. The detection of these changes is often challenging by subjective visual assessment of qualitative magnetic resonance (MR) images. The recognition is more reliable with quantitative MR methods, such as T2 relaxometry. In the present prospective study including 31 dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and 15 control dogs showing no seizure activity, we compared the T2 relaxation times of different brain areas. Furthermore, we studied correlations between the hippocampal T2 values and age, gender and skull formation. We found higher hippocampal T2 values in the epileptic group than in the control; however, these findings were not statistically significant. No correlations were found with age, gender or skull formation. In the individual analysis six epileptic dogs presented higher hippocampal T2 relaxation times than the cut-off value. Two of these dogs were also evaluated as abnormal in the visual assessment. Individual analysis of hippocampal T2 relaxation times may be a helpful method to understand hippocampal involvement in canine epilepsy.

Comparing skull formation of the Hungarian (Hortobágy) Zackel sheep breed by geometrics morphometrics

This work seeks to explore the morphological changes of the Hungarian (Hortobágy) Zackel sheep's skull, which occurred in the past 50–70 years. In this study, we compared individuals skull forms by geometric morphometric methods. The origin of the breed is not known, we do not know when entering the Carpathian Basin. Therefore, the comparison involved the only known early archaeological findings. We have shown that there is no difference between each period colour variations, but over time change has occurred in the skull formation of the breed.