Structure of AMH bound to AMHR2 provides insight into a unique signaling pair in the TGF-β family

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), or Müllerian-inhibiting substance, is a protein hormone that promotes Müllerian duct regression during male fetal sexual differentiation and regulation of folliculogenesis in women. AMH is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) family, which has evolved to signal through its own dedicated type II receptor, AMH receptor type II (AMHR2). Structures of other TGF-β family members have revealed how ligands infer specificity for their cognate receptors; however, it is unknown how AMH binds AMHR2 at the molecular level. Therefore, in this study, we solved the X-ray crystal structure of AMH bound to the extracellular domain of AMHR2 to a resolution of 2.6Å. The structure reveals that while AMH binds AMHR2 in a similar location to Activin and BMP ligand binding to their type II receptors, differences in both AMH and AMHR2 account for a highly specific interaction. Furthermore, using an AMH responsive cell-based luciferase assay, we show that a conformation in finger 1 of AMHR2 and a salt bridge formed by K534 on AMH and D81/E84 of AMHR2 are key to the AMH/AMHR2 interaction. Overall, our study highlights how AMH engages AMHR2 using a modified paradigm of receptor binding facilitated by modifications to the three-finger toxin fold of AMHR2. Furthermore, understanding these elements contributing to the specificity of binding will help in the design of agonists or antagonists or the selection of antibody therapies.

Identification and characterization of a non-conventional CD45 negative perivascular macrophage population within the mouse brain.

Perivascular macrophages (pvM) are closely associated with cerebral vasculature and play an essential role in drainage of the brain and regulation of the immune response. Here, using reporter mouse models and immunofluorescence on sections and whole brain, flow cytometry and single cell sequencing, we identify a Lyve1+ brain perivascular population lacking classical macrophage markers such as CD45 and Cx3cr1. We named the new non-conventional CD45 negative perivascular macrophages pvM2. These cells have a similar location, morphology and phagocytic function as conventional pvM. The pvM2 are not derived from hematopoietic stem cells, as they are negative in the VavtdT lineage tracing model. They increase in number after photothrombotic induced stroke established by flow cytometry and 3D immunofluorescence analysis. Since CD45 negative cells were typically excluded from macrophage studies, the presence of pvM2 has been previously missed and their role is of importance to assess in the brain disease models.

Escisión transcervical de un adenoma paratiroideo mediastínico gigante

Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPTP) is the third most common neuroendocrine disorder, its main cause is parathyroid adenoma. Within the classification, those adenomas that weigh more than 3.5 g are classified as giant parathyroid adenomas (APG), and are associated with a worse evolution and malignancy. The purpose of this article is to present our diagnostic and therapeutic approach of a patient with HPTP ssociated with a mediastinal APG. A search in the international literature of the last 10 years revealed that only 8 other centers ha ve reported the extraction of an APG of similardimensions to ours and in a similar location. Case presentation: A 66-year-old woman with a history of multinodular goiter, thyroid profile and parathormone (PTH) measurement were requested, with a report of 350.60 pg/mL. A thyroid/parathyroid scintigraphy was performed with 99mTc sestaMIBI which reported persistence of a focal area of the concentration located in the topography of the lower pole of the right thyroid lobe. This study was complemented with SPECT-CT, which reported an image of hyperfunctioning right inferior parathyroid compatible with adenoma and the patient was diagnosed with PTH. Finally, resection was performed, obtaining a tumor measuring 7.0 × 4.5 × 2.0 cm, with a weight of 24.5 g. Conclusions: Our case highlights the use of imaging studies to facilitate localization and achieve diagnosis together with clinical presentation and biochemical profile. Selective treatment was achieved safely through a minimally invasive transcervical technique, combined with the measurement of PTH. Keywords: Parathyroid adenoma; neoplasia; hypercalcemia; primary hyperparathyroidism; case report.

A Comparison of Partial Discharge Sensors for Natural Gas Insulated High Voltage Equipment

The research in this paper consists of practical experimentation on a gas insulated section of high voltage equipment filled with carbon dioxide and technical air as a direct replacement to sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and analyses the results of PD measurement by way of internal UHF sensors and external HFCTs. The results contribute to ongoing efforts to replace the global warming gas SF6 with an alternative such as pure carbon dioxide or technical air and are applicable to mixtures of electronegative gases that have a high content of buffer gas including carbon dioxide. The experiments undertaken involved filling a full-scale gas insulated line demonstrator with different pressures of CO2 or technical air and applying voltages up to 242 kV in both clean conditions and particle contaminated conditions. The results show that carbon dioxide and technical air can insulate a gas section normally insulated with SF6 at phase-to-earth voltage of 242 kV and that both HFCT and UHF sensors can be used to detect partial discharge with natural gases. The internal UHF sensors show the most accurate PD location results but external HFCTs offer a good compromise and very similar location accuracy.

Emergency Broadcasting Radio in Indonesia: Comparative Studies in Lombok and Palu

In every disaster, problems of information and communication distribution always occur. The communication channel is very dependent on various supporting facilities. Electricity, transmitter towers, broadcasting stations, to human resources. In two big disasters in Indonesia in 2018: the Lombok earthquake; and the earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction in Palu, there were issues of the information and communication channels. Local people do not know the conditions that occur in their area and the situation of their families. While outsiders, the government, and rescue teams did not get detailed information from the affected areas. In countries with high intensity of natural disasters, emergency broadcasting policies have been long practiced. The simplest device for emergency broadcasting is radio. This kind of media can immediately air with simple facilities. Regardless, the initiative of emergency radio has not yet adopted into regulation in Indonesia. Therefore, the emergency radio initiator limited to a handful of organization like in Lombok earthquake. Conversely in Palu disaster, there was a Ministerial Decree of Information and Communication Ministry Number 773/2018 (KM 773), regulation that simplify access to radio frequency. Using comparative method, this research examined these two disasters to analyze the differences of emergency radio practices. Only 1.5 months away and similar location features, the emergency radios initiation differ in several aspects related subjects that regulated in this KM. The result shows that this KM can broaden all aspects of emergency broadcasting radio. Although, the KM unable to shorten the time of emergency radio implementation. Regulation change only limited to frequency access. A broader regulation change is needed to support the practice of emergency radio.

Endocrine Mucin–Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma: Two New Eyelid Cases and Review of the Literature

Endocrine mucin–producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare low-grade sweat gland carcinoma. It is clinically often mistaken for basal cell carcinoma and presents a low rate of local recurrence. In this article, we present 2 new cases of EMPSGC arising in a similar location (left lower eyelid) and review the literature on this topic. One patient is a 72-year-old male with complete excision and no evidence of recurrence after 17 months of surveillance. The second patient is a 77-year-old female with incomplete initial excision and local recurrence after 38 months. p63 immunostain was negative in both cases. EMPSGC should be suspected in elderly patients with lesions of eyelids. Histologically, it should be considered and worked up if the lesion is separated from the overlying epidermis and presents a mucinous component. Complete excision is advised to avoid local recurrences.

Comparative FISH mapping of ribosomal DNA clusters and TTAGG telomeric sequences to holokinetic chromosomes of eight species of the insect order Psocoptera

Repetitive DNAs are the main components of eukaryotic genome. We mapped the 18S rDNA and TTAGG telomeric probe sequences by FISH to meiotic chromosomes of eight species of the order Psocoptera considered a basal taxon of Paraneoptera: Valenzuela burmeisteri (Brauer, 1876), Stenopsocus lachlani Kolbe, 1960, Graphopsocus cruciatus (Linnaeus, 1768), Peripsocus phaeopterus (Stephens, 1836), Philotarsus picicornis (Fabricius, 1793), Amphigerontia bifasciata (Latreille, 1799), Psococerastis gibbosa (Sulzer, 1766), and Metylophorus nebulosus (Stephens, 1836). These species belong to five distantly related families of the largest psocid suborder Psocomorpha: Caeciliusidae, Stenopsocidae, Peripsocidae, Philotarsidae, and Psocidae. We show that all the examined species share a similar location of 18S rDNA on a medium-sized pair of autosomes. This is the first study of rDNA clusters in the order Psocoptera using FISH. We also demonstrate that these species have the classical insect (TTAGG)n telomere organization. Our results provide a foundation for further cytogenetic characterization and chromosome evolution studies in Psocoptera.

Topography and syntopy of abdominopelvic viscera of the giant anteater (Myrmecophage tridactyla - Linnaeus, 1758)

ABSTRACT In view of the scarcity of data about the topography and syntopy of abdominopelvic viscera of the giant anteater (Myrmecophage tridactyla - Linnaeus, 1758), the present study aimed to elucidate these characteristics and to compare them with the other animal species, especially the domestic ones. Three specimens, two males and one female, were donated by the Environmental Military Police of Franca to the Anatomy Veterinary Laboratory of the University of Franca, after death by road killings. The animals were fixed and maintained in aqueous 10% formaldehyde solution, followed by conventional dissection of the abdominopelvic cavities for subsequent direct inspection and topographic description of the viscera, aiming at comparative analyzes with other species, whose positioning and particularities are already established in the literature. It was observed that most of the viscera of these cavities have similar location and syntopy to domestic animals, except for the kidneys and testicles. In view of the established methodology and the results obtained, it is accepted that more specimens of anteater, both genera, should be evaluated and registered scientifically to confirm the data of the current research and anatomical preconization of the abdominopelvic cavity, inasmuch anatomical individual variation are possible between animals of the same species.

Pulsation and rotation in NGC 6811: the Kepler short-cadence stars

ABSTRACT We have analysed a selected sample of 36 Kepler short-cadence stars in the field of NGC 6811. The results reveal that all the targets are variable: two red giant stars with solar-like oscillations, 21 main-sequence pulsators (16 δ Scuti and five γ Doradus stars), and 13 rotating variables. Three new γ Doradus (γ Dor) variables (one is a hot γ Dor star) are detected in this work together with five new rotating variables. An in-depth frequency analysis of the δ Scuti (δ Sct) and γ Dor stars in the sample shows that the frequency spectra are very rich, in particular for the δ Sct-type variables. They present very dense frequency distributions and wide diversity in frequency patterns, even for stars being members of the cluster and with very similar location in the Hertzsprung–Russell (H–R) diagram. Rotational modulation is found for a high percentage of these main-sequence pulsating stars, which is an indication of stellar activity being common on the surfaces of these hot stars. In some cases, activity dominates the luminosity variations. Significant amplitude variability is also detected in at least some of the pulsation modes of highest amplitude in almost all the δ Sct stars. One of the δ Sct pulsators is a member of a binary system with the pulsating component tidally distorted. This system also shows strong stellar activity, including several flares that probably originate in the δ Sct component.

Fooled by Performance Randomness: Overrewarding Luck

We provide evidence of a violation of the informativeness principle whereby lucky successes are overly rewarded. We isolate a quasi-experimental situation where the success of an agent is as good as random. To do so, we use high-quality data on football (soccer) matches and select shots on goal that landed on the goal posts. Using nonscoring shots, taken from a similar location on the pitch, as counterfactuals to scoring shots, we estimate the causal effect of a lucky success (goal) on the evaluation of the player's performance. We find clear evidence that luck is overly influencing managers' decisions and evaluators' ratings. Our results suggest that this phenomenon is likely to be widespread in economic organizations.