The mean dissimilarity value was 0.51, ranging from 0.34 to 0.66. Discussion: Of the 376 informative markers identified in this

study, 139 (37%) have previously been mapped to the Arachis genome and can now be employed in Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping and the additional 237 markers identified can be used to improve the efficiency of introgression of resistance to multiple important biotic constraints into farmer-preferred varieties of Sub-Saharan Africa. (C) 2014 Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background-Postpartum venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially fatal and preventable event Selleck SRT2104 leading to substantial short-and long-term morbidity. We sought to evaluate whether the delivery of term newborns of low or high birth weight was associated with greater risks of VTE. Methods and Results-In a population-based case-control study conducted in Washington State from 1987 through 2011, cases of hospitalized VTE within 3 months of delivery were identified by using selected International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Controls were randomly selected postpartum women without VTE, matched on birth year. Birth weight and other maternal and pregnancy characteristics were extracted from INCB024360 concentration birth certificate data.

Among term live singleton deliveries, we compared the risk of VTE for mothers of newborns of low and high birth weights ( smaller than 2500 g and SBE-β-CD bigger than 4000 g, respectively) versus mothers of newborns of normal birth weight (25004000 g). Logistic regression models were adjusted for maternal age, race, education, body mass index, parity, delivery methods, gestational length, smoking, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia. Patients with VTE (n=547) were

older, had a higher body mass index, and experienced more pregnancy-related complications than controls (n=9482). In comparison with mothers of newborns with normal birth weight, mothers of newborns with low birth weight had a 3-fold increased risk of VTE, which persisted after multivariable adjustment (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.80-4.93). Mothers of newborns with high birth weight had only a slightly increased risk of VTE, which was attenuated after multivariable adjustment (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.61). Conclusions-The delivery of a newborn with low birth weight is associated with a 3-fold increased risk of maternal postpartum VTE. This should be considered when assessing VTE risk at delivery.”
“Embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency requires bivalent epigenetic modifications of key developmental genes regulated by various transcription factors and chromatin-modifying enzymes.

The results give experimental support to previous models and hypotheses and allow observations unavailable using only the natural substrate.”
“The immune adapter protein ADAP (adhesion and degranulation promoting adapter protein) plays an important role in integrin-dependent PR-171 manufacturer migration and adhesion processes as a consequence of T cell stimulation. ADAP undergoes multiple phosphorylation events during T cell receptor (TCR) or chemokine receptor stimulation. The role of individual phosphotyrosines

for protein complex formation and the regulation of cellular adhesion are still under debate. Here, we use peptide pull-down assays and quantitative mass spectrometry to identify interaction partners of site-specifically phosphorylated ADAP sequences. Phosphotyrosine peptide motifs covering Y595, Y625, and Y771 and the corresponding nonphosphorylated sequences were covalently coupled to agarose beads and incubated with Jurkat T cell lysates. For unambiguous differentiation between phosphorylation-specific and nonspecific protein interaction, we employed two different isotope labeling techniques: stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and enzymatic O-18-labeling, both in combination with high-resolution

mass spectrometry. In addition to previously Selleckchem GDC-941 known SH2 domain-based interactions of ADAP with SLP76, we identified novel ADAP interaction partners – such as the Ras GTPase activating protein – which belong to the larger TCR proximal signaling complex. The results show that both isotope labeling techniques are well suited for distinguishing phosphorylation-specific peptide-protein interactions from the background.”
“Background: Treatment with specific beta-blockers and doses recommended by guidelines is often not achieved in practice. We evaluated an intervention directed to the pharmacy to improve prescribing.\n\nMethods

and Results: We conducted a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial, where facilities (n = 12) with patients (n = 220) were the clusters. Eligible patients had a beta-blocker prescription that was selleck chemical not guideline concordant. Level 1 intervention included information to a pharmacist on facility guideline concordance. Level 2 also provided a list of patients not meeting guideline goals. Intervention and follow-up periods were each 6 months. Achievement of full concordance with recommendations was low (4%-5%) in both groups, primarily due to lack of tolerability. However, compared with level 1, the level 2 intervention was associated with 1.9-fold greater odds of improvement in prescribing (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-3.2). Level 2 patients also had greater odds of a higher dose (1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3). The intervention was aided by the patient lists provided, the electronic medical record system, and staff support.\n\nConclusions: In actual practice, full achievement of guideline goals was low. However, a simple intervention targeting pharmacy moved patients toward guideline goals.

63 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) between 1968 and 2007 ( 95% confidence interval ( CI), 0.22 – 0.94; mean interval, 1987 – 96). Extrapolation to unmeasured forest components

( live roots, small trees, necromass) and scaling to the continent implies a total increase in carbon storage in African tropical forest trees of 0.34 Pg C yr(-1) ( CI, 0.15 – 0.43). These reported changes in carbon storage are similar to those reported for Amazonian forests per unit area(6,7), providing evidence that increasing carbon storage in old- growth forests is a pan- tropical phenomenon. Indeed, combining all standardized inventory data from this study and from tropical America and Asia(5,6,11) together yields a comparable figure of 0.49 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) (n = 156; 562 ha; CI, 0.29 – 0.66; mean interval, Elafibranor supplier Rigosertib 1987 – 97). This indicates a carbon sink of 1.3 Pg C yr(-1) ( CI, 0.8 – 1.6) across all tropical forests during recent decades. Taxon- specific analyses of African inventory and other data(12) suggest that widespread changes in resource availability, such as increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, may be the cause of the increase in carbon

stocks(13), as some theory(14) and models(2,10,15) predict.”
“Background: Adolescent HPV vaccination in minority and low income populations with high cervical cancer incidence and mortality could reduce disparities. Safety-net primary care clinics are a key delivery site for improving vaccination rates in these populations.\n\nPurpose: To examine prevalence of HPV initiation (>= 1 dose), completion (receipt of dose 3 within 12 months of initiation), JQ1 and receipt of 3 doses in four safety-net clinics as well as individual-, household-, and clinic-level correlates of initiation.\n\nMethods: We used multilevel modeling to investigate HPV initiation among 700 adolescent females who sought primary care in four safety-net clinics in Dallas, Texas from March 2007 to December 2009. Data were abstracted from patients’ paper and electronic medical records.\n\nResults: HPV vaccine uptake varied significantly by clinic. Across clinics, initiation

was 36.6% and completion was 39.7% among those who initiated. In the total study population, only 15.7% received all three doses. In multivariate, two-level logistic regression analyses, initiation was associated with receipt of other adolescent vaccines, influenza vaccination in the year prior to data abstraction, being sexually active, and having more chart documentation (presence of health maintenance questionnaire and/or immunization record). There was no association between initiation and age, race/ethnicity, or insurance status.\n\nConclusions: In four urban safety-net clinics, HPV initiation rates paralleled 2008 national rates. The correlation of HPV initiation with other adolescent vaccines underscores the importance of reviewing vaccination status at every health care visit.

The neurophysiologic abnormalities in patients Selleck CP 456773 with dystonia and tremor resemble those in dystonia but differ from those

described in essential tremor. Tremor is a phenotypic motor feature in dystonia.”
“Annaba F, Sarwar Z, Gill RK, Ghosh A, Saksena S, Borthakur A, Hecht GA, Dudeja PK, Alrefai WA. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli inhibits ileal sodium-dependent bile acid transporter ASBT. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 302: G1216-G1222, 2012. First published March 5, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00017.2012.-Apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) is responsible for the absorption of bile acids from the intestine. A decrease in ASBT function and expression has been implicated in diarrhea associated with intestinal inflammation. Whether infection with pathogenic microorganisms such as the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) affect ASBT activity is not known. EPEC is a food-borne enteric pathogen that translocates bacterial effector molecules via type three secretion system (TTSS) into host cells and is a major cause of infantile diarrhea. We investigated the effects of EPEC infection on ileal ASBT function EPZ5676 research buy utilizing human intestinal Caco2 cells and HEK-293 cells stably transfected with ASBT-V5

fusion protein (2BT cells). ASBT activity was significantly inhibited following 60 min infection with EPEC but not with nonpathogenic E. coli. Mutations in bacterial escN, espA, espB, and espD, the genes encoding for the elements of bacterial TTSS, ablated EPEC inhibitory effect on ASBT function. Furthermore, mutation in the bacterial BFP gene encoding for bundleforming pili abrogated the inhibition of ASBT by EPEC, indicating the essential role for bacterial aggregation and the early attachment. The inhibition by EPEC was associated

with a significant decrease in the V-max of the transporter and a reduction in the level of ASBT on the plasma membrane. The inhibition of ASBT by EPEC was blocked in the presence of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors. Our studies provide novel evidence for the alterations in the activity of ASBT by EPEC infection and suggest a possible effect for EPEC in influencing intestinal bile acid homeostasis.”
“Objective: C59 in vivo Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a clinical syndrome occurring in a small subset of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Exposure to certain of the gadolinium-based contrast agents during magnetic resonance imaging appears to be a trigger. The pathogenesis of the disease is largely unknown. The present study addresses potential pathophysiologic mechanisms.\n\nMaterials and Methods: We have compared responses in organ-cultured skin and skin fibroblasts from individuals with ESRD to responses of healthy control subjects to Omniscan treatment.

We also observed the larval parasitoid emerging from the host. We found that parasitism mainly occurred in termite mounds overgrown with grass and mounds that had been broken up previously for other experiments. The parasitized soldiers showed a significantly lower level of interspecific aggressiveness compared with healthy soldiers (P < 0.05). Parasitized soldiers also changed in habitat preference to one

isolated chamber of the nest. This might be an adaptive strategy that facilitates parasitoid dispersal, provides protection to parasitoids, and reduces the risk of parasitism to host colony. An abnormally rounded head capsule and remarkably short mandibles are characteristics of a parasitized soldier. The older CH5183284 cost larval fly stages were found only in major soldiers. We suggest that parasitization may first start in fourth or even earlier larval termite instars. The fly larva develops

in the termite soldier’s head capsule and pupates inside the host’s body.”
“Human brain volumes change throughout life, are highly heritable, and have been associated with general cognitive functioning. Cross-sectionally, this association between volume and cognition can largely be attributed to the same genes influencing both traits. We address the question whether longitudinal changes in brain volume or in surface area in young adults are under genetic control and whether these changes are also related to general cognitive functioning. SNX-5422 datasheet We measured change in brain volume and surface area over a 5-year interval in 176 monozygotic and dizygotic twins and their non-twin siblings aged 19 to 56, using magnetic resonance imaging. Results show that changes in volumes of total brain (mean = -6.4 ml; 0.5% loss), cerebellum (1.4 ml, 1.0% increase), cerebral white matter (4.4 ml, 0.9% increase), lateral ventricles (0.6 ml; 4.8%

increase) and in surface area (-19.7 cm(2),1.1% contraction) are heritable (h(2) = 43%; 52%; 29%; 31%; and 33%, respectively). An association between IQ (available for 91 participants) and brain volume change was AL3818 observed, which was attributed to genes involved in both the variation in change in brain volume and in intelligence. Thus, dynamic changes in brain structure are heritable and may have cognitive significance in adulthood. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“To assess the utility of trauma series radiographs in the management of alert pediatric patients with traumatic injury and to ascertain whether it is necessary to acquire the entire trauma series in these children. A total of 176 consecutive children below the age of 15 years and having Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 12, who presented to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with a history of recent trauma, were retrospectively reviewed. All the children had undergone a thorough clinical examination followed by complete trauma series radiographs, according to the American College of Surgery guidelines.

The enzyme kinetics study proved that n-hexadecanoic acid inhibits phospholipase A2 in a competitive manner. It was identified from the crystal structure at 2.5 angstrom resolution that the position of n-hexadecanoic acid is in the active site of the phospholipase A2. The binding constant and binding energy have also been calculated using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. Also, the binding energy of n-hexadecanoic acid to phospholipase A2 was calculated by in silico method and AZD6738 mw compared with known inhibitors. It may be concluded from the structural and kinetics studies that the fatty acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, is an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, hence, an anti-inflammatory compound.

The inferences from the present study validate the rigorous use of medicated oils rich in n-hexadecanoic

acid for the treatment of rheumatic symptoms in the traditional medical system of India, Ayurveda.”
“Para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), an approved drug for treatment of tuberculosis, is a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of manganese (Mn)-induced parkinsonian syndromes. Lack of a quantifying method, however, has hindered the clinical evaluation of its efficacy and there upon new drug development. This study was aimed at developing a simple and effective method to quantify PAS and its major metabolite, N-acetyl-para-aminosalicylic acid (AcPAS), in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GSK1210151A and tissues. Biological samples underwent one-step protein precipitation. The supernatant was fractionated on a reversed-phase C18

column with a gradient mobile system, followed by on-line fluorescence detection. The lower limits of quantification for both PAS and AcPAS were 50 ng/ml of plasma and 17 ng/g of tissues. The intra-day and inter-day precision values did not exceed 5% and 8%, respectively, in all three matrices. The method was used to quantify PAS and AcPAS in rat plasma and brain following a single iv injection of PAS. Data showed a greater amount of PAS than AcPAS in plasma, while a greater amount of Tubastatin A mouse AcPAS than PAS was found in brain tissues. The method has been proven to be sensitive, reproducible, and practically useful for laboratory and clinical investigations of PAS in treatment of Mn Parkinsonism. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“In the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp PCC 6803, early steps in thylakoid membrane (TM) biogenesis are considered to take place in specialized membrane fractions resembling an interface between the plasma membrane (PM) and TM. This region (the PratA-defined membrane) is defined by the presence of the photosystem II (PSII) assembly factor PratA (for processing-associated TPR protein) and the precursor of the D1 protein (pD1). Here, we show that PratA is a Mn2+ binding protein that contains a high affinity Mn2+ binding site (K-d = 73 mu M) and that PratA is required for efficient delivery of Mn2+ to PSII in vivo, as Mn2+ transport is retarded in pratA(-).

A fertility trial using split ejaculates was conducted in order to estimate ejaculate fertility. Taken into account were the herd within breed factor and the year, month, PARP inhibitor and inseminator factors. On average, one ejaculate was used to inseminate two females per herd in 10 different

herds. This calibration set allowed us to choose the mob 120 variable among a set of laboratory tests: mitochondrial activity, acrosomal status, membrane integrity, osmotic resistance test assessed by flow cytometry, velocity and motion characteristics assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis, visually assessed percentage of motile, and motility score measured 5 and 120 min after thawing. For the calibration step, the best model used the logarithm of mob 120 and gave a correlation coefficient of 0.71 between the field fertility and the predicted fertility and a standard error of 0.17. We tested this model on 3 different validation data sets adding up to 95 ejaculates that were all different from those of the calibration data set. The correlation coefficients between field fertility and predicted fertility were always significant and the bias corrected standard error ranged from 0.15 to 0.18 on these validation data sets. A Monte Carlo simulation showed that about 20% of the fertility variation remained to be explained. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Neoplastic metastatic epidural spinal

cord compression is a common complication of cancer that causes pain and progressive neurologic impairment. The previous standard treatment for this condition involved corticosteroids and radiotherapy (RT). Direct decompressive surgery Sulfobutylether-β-Cyclodextrin with postoperative radiotherapy (S + RT) is now increasingly being chosen by clinicians to significantly improve patients’ ability to walk and reduce their need for opioid analgesics and corticosteroids. A cost-utility analysis was

conducted to compare S + RT with RT alone based on the landmark randomized clinical trial by Patchell et al. (2005). It was performed from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Ontario-based costs were adjusted to 2010 US dollars. S + RT this website is more costly but also more effective than corticosteroids and RT alone, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$250 307 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. First order probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that the probability of S + RT being cost-effective is 18.11. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve showed that there is a 91.11 probability of S + RT being cost-effective over RT alone at a willingness-to-pay of US$1 683 000 per QALY. In practice, the results of our study indicate that, by adopting the S + RT strategy, there would still be a chance of 18.11 of not paying extra at a willingness-to-pay of US$50 000 per QALY. Those results are sensitive to the costs of hospice palliative care.

We have investigated the

effects of a water-soluble Zn-phthalocyanine, ZnPc(COONa)(8), a macrocyclic compound with near-infrared optical properties, Selleck Small molecule library on A fibril formation invitro. A thioflavinT fluorescence assay showed that ZnPc(COONa)(8) significantly inhibited A fibril formation, increasing the lag time and dose-dependently decreasing the plateau level of fibril formation. Moreover, it destabilized pre-formed A fibrils, resulting in an increase in low-molecular-weight species. After fibril formation in the presence of ZnPc(COONa)(8), immunoprecipitation of A(1-42) using A-specific antibody followed by near-infrared scanning demonstrated binding of ZnPc(COONa)(8) to A(1-42). A study using the hydrophobic fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid showed that ZnPc(COONa)(8) decreased the hydrophobicity during A(1-42) fibril formation. CD spectroscopy showed an increase in the helix structure and a decrease

in the sheet structure of A(1-40) in fibril-forming buffer containing ZnPc(COONa)(8). SDS/PAGE and a dot-blot immunoassay showed that ZnPc(COONa)(8) delayed the disappearance of low-molecular-weight species and the appearance this website of higher-molecular-weight oligomeric species of A(1-42). A cell viability assay showed that ZnPc(COONa)(8) was not toxic to a neuronal cell line (A1), but instead protected A1 cells against A(1-42)-induced toxicity. Overall, our results indicate that ZnPc(COONa)(8) binds to A and decreases the hydrophobicity, and this change is unfavorable for A oligomerization and fibril formation.”
“Chronic exposure to arsenic causes a wide range of diseases such as hyperkeratosis, cardiovascular diseases, and skin, lung,

and bladder cancers, and millions of people are chronically exposed to arsenic worldwide. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying these toxic actions. The metabolism of arsenic is essential for understanding the toxic actions. Here, we identified the major arsenic-binding protein www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD1152-HQPA.html (As-BP) in the plasma of rats after oral administration of arsenite by the use of two different HPLC columns, gel filtration and anion exchange ones, coupled with an inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometer (ICP MS). The molecular mass of the As-BP was estimated to be 90 kDa based on results using the former column, and arsenic bound to this protein only in the form of dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)) in the plasma in vivo. In addition, the purified As-BP was shown to consist of two different proteins, haptoglobin (Hp) of 37 kDa (three bands) and the hemoglobin (Hb) alpha chain of 14 kDa (single band), using sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), respectively, suggesting that the As-BP was the ternary DMA(III)-Hb-Hp complex. To confirm the present observations, an arsenic-binding assay was carried out in vitro.

Patients with SND displayed an increased P-wave duration in leads II and V2, PR interval in leads II and V2, QRS duration in leads II and V2, and increased QTc interval in lead V2 (p < 0.05). AH and HV intervals as well as corrected sinus node recovery time (cSNRT) were significantly prolonged in subjects with SND (p < 0.05). During a mean follow-up period of 5.0 +/- 3.6 years, five subjects with a history of syncope suffered appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) discharges due to ventricular arrhythmias (7.4%). None of those mTOR inhibitor diagnosed with SND suffered syncope or ICD therapies.\n\nConclusion:

SND is not an uncommon finding in subjects with type 1 ECG pattern of BS. The occurrence of SND in relatively young patients may deserve meticulous investigation including sodium channel blocking test. (c) 2013 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that odontoblasts sense gram-positive bacteria components through Toll-like receptor

2 (TLR2) and trigger dental pulp immunity by producing C59 in vivo proinflammatory cytokines. Currently, the factors that modulate odontoblast TLR2 activation are unknown. Our aim was to investigate lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) effects on the TLR2-mediated odontoblast response. Methods: Human odontoblast-like cells were stimulated with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) (a TLR2 ligand), LBP, CD14 (a TLR2 cofactor), or various combinations of LTA/LBP, LTA/CD14, or LTA/CD14/LBP. CXCL8, IL6, and TLR2 gene expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. CXCL8. and interleukin (IL)-6 production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ZD1839 mouse in culture supernatants of cells stimulated with LTA, LTA/CD14, or LTA/CD14/LBP. LBP effects on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), p38, JNK, ERK, STAT3, and p70S6 signaling pathways were determined

in LTA-stimulated odontoblast-like cells with a multiplex biometric immunoassay. LBP effects were compared with specific inhibitors of these signaling pathways. LBP transcript and protein were investigated in vivo in healthy and inflamed dental pulps by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results: Activation of CXCL8, IL6, and TLR2 gene expression and CXCL8 and IL-6 secretion in LTA- and LTA/CD14-stimulated odontoblast-like cells was significantly decreased by LBP. LBP inhibited NF-kappa B and p38 signaling pathways in LTA-stimulated cells in a similar way to NF-kappa B and p38 inhibitors. LBP transcript and protein were detected in vivo in inflamed dental pulps but not in healthy ones. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that LBP reduces TLR2-dependent production of inflammatory cytokines by odontoblast-like cells. We suggest that in this way it could modulate host defense in human dental pulp.”
“Mosquito-borne arboviral epidemics tend to strike without warning.

The authors reviewed the literature to identify the major factors that can predict survival of patients with solid tumors. They found only a few prospective assessments of prognostic factors. Clinical prognostic/predictors of survival based on physician’s and/or nurse’s judgment, performance status, Bindarit dyspnea at rest, anorexia, dysphagia, or delirium are all considered to be of primary importance. Despite several contrasting findings, it is generally agreed that the type and site of the

primary tumor and metastasis, psychosocial factors, and quality of life should be considered secondary to the organic effects in the final stages of life, Leukocytosis, lymphocytopenia, and elevated C-reactive protein are all reported to have prognostic significance, and low serum albumin and high lactate dehydrogenase

levels must also be taken into consideration. Cancer 2009;115(13 suppl):3128-34. (C) 2009 American Cancer Society.”
“Objective: To correlate serial measurements of serum S100B and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) with histopathological changes of the spinal cord and to assess their prognostic significance in a set-up of experimental spinal cord compression.\n\nMethods: The thoracic cords of 22 rabbits were increasingly compressed and decompressed once paresis had developed. After decompression, outcome was rated as favorable or unfavorable. Following sacrifice of the animals, the cord was analyzed microscopically and morphometrically. Serum S100B and NSE were measured daily, and levels were correlated with initial degree of paresis, outcome after decompression, and histopathological selleck screening library changes of the cord.\n\nResults: Regardless of the initial degree of paresis, animals with favorable selleck inhibitor outcome had significantly higher cell counts than animals with unfavorable outcome. The time course of S100B values following decompression was correlated with outcome. Animals with favorable

outcome had either always normal levels or levels that were initially increased but normalized within 2 days. The values of animals with unfavorable outcome were elevated throughout (P < 0.0001). No correlation was found between NSE levels and outcome.\n\nConclusions: The initial degree of paresis is not a prognostic factor to predict outcome. Despite timely decompression, pronounced structural lesions of the cord may develop, resulting in an unfavorable outcome. In cases with favorable outcome, sufficient tissue is preserved to maintain function regardless of the initial extent of paresis. This different reaction of the cord may be followed indirectly with serial measurements of S100B serum levels. Thus, S100B is a reliable biochemical marker allowing for prediction of outcome. NSE does not have this prognostic significance.”
“Fiber connections of the general visceral sensory centers in the brainstem were studied with tract-tracing methods in a percomorph teleost, tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.