Transgenerational offspring size effects in marine invertebrates

In marine invertebrates, the larval and adult stages of many species are often ecologically distinct and as consequence these stages have been traditionally been viewed as physiologically separate. More recently, we have begun to recognize that metamorphosis does not represent a new beginning and events during the larval stage can influence adult performance. I will discuss recent work that suggests that the links between life-history stages are even more pervasive than we currently appreciate. For several species of marine invertebrate, I have found that events during one generation can strongly affect performance in the subsequent generation and events during the haploid phase can affect performance in the diploid phase. All of these links are mediated by changes in offspring size or offspring quality. I will discuss the implication of these strong links for the way we view the ecology of marine invertebrates and the evolution of offspring size in this group.

Diagnostic Performance of Coronary Angiography by 64-Row CT

Background: The accuracy of multidetector computed tomographic (CT) angiography involving 64 detectors has not been well established. Methods: We conducted a multicenter study to examine the accuracy of 64-row, 0.5-mm multidetector CT angiography as compared with conventional coronary angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Nine centers enrolled patients who underwent calcium scoring and multidetector CT angiography before conventional coronary angiography. In 291 patients with calcium scores of 600 or less, segments 1.5 mm or more in diameter were analyzed by means of CT and conventional angiography at independent core laboratories. Stenoses of 50% or more were considered obstructive. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy relative to that of conventional angiography and subsequent revascularization status, whereas disease severity was assessed with the use of the modified Duke Coronary Artery Disease Index. Results: A total of 56% of patients had obstructive coronary artery disease. The patient-based diagnostic accuracy of quantitative CT angiography for detecting or ruling out stenoses of 50% or more according to conventional angiography revealed an AUC of 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 0.96), with a sensitivity of 85% (95% CI, 79 to 90), a specificity of 90% (95% CI, 83 to 94), a positive predictive value of 91% (95% CI, 86 to 95), and a negative predictive value of 83% (95% CI, 75 to 89). CT angiography was similar to conventional angiography in its ability to identify patients who subsequently underwent revascularization: the AUC was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.88) for multidetector CT angiography and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.77 to 0.86) for conventional angiography. A per-vessel analysis of 866 vessels yielded an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88 to 0.93). Disease severity ascertained by CT and conventional angiography was well correlated (r=0.81; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.84). Two patients had important reactions to contrast medium after CT angiography. Conclusions: Multidetector CT angiography accurately identifies the presence and severity of obstructive coronary artery disease and subsequent revascularization in symptomatic patients. The negative and positive predictive values indicate that multidetector CT angiography cannot replace conventional coronary angiography at present. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00738218.).

Less inhibited with age? Larval age modifies responses to natural settlement inhibitors

As larvae of marine invertebrates age, their response to settlement cues can change. This change can have significant consequences to both the ecology of these organisms, and to their response to antifouling coatings. This study examines how larval age affects the settlement response of larvae to two naturally derived settlement inhibitors, non-polar extracts from the algae Delisea pulchra and Dilophus marginatus, the former of which contains compounds that are in commercial development as antifoulants. Two species of marine invertebrates with non-feeding larvae were investigated: the bryozoans Watersipora subtorquata and Bugula neritina. Larval age strongly affected larval settlement, with older larvae settling at much higher rates than younger larvae. Despite having strong, inhibitory effects on young larvae, the non-polar extracts did not inhibit the settlement of older larvae to the same degree for both species studied. The results show that the effects of ecologically realistic settlement inhibitors are highly dependent on larval age. Given that the age of settling larvae is likely to be variable in the field, such age specific variation in settlement response of larvae may have important consequences for host-epibiont interactions in natural communities.

Diagnostic Performance of Combined Noninvasive Coronary Angiography and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using 320-MDCT: The CT Angiography and Perfusion Methods of the CORE320 Multicenter Multinational Diagnostic Study

OBJECTIVE. Coronary MDCT angiography has been shown to be an accurate noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Its sensitivity and negative predictive value for diagnosing percentage of stenosis are unsurpassed compared with those of other noninvasive testing methods. However, in its current form, it provides no information regarding the physiologic impact of CAD and is a poor predictor of myocardial ischemia. CORE320 is a multicenter multinational diagnostic study with the primary objective to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 320-MDCT for detecting coronary artery luminal stenosis and corresponding myocardial perfusion deficits in patients with suspected CAD compared with the reference standard of conventional coronary angiography and SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. CONCLUSION. We aim to describe the CT acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis methods of the CORE320 study.

In vivo biological performance of a novel highly bioactive glass-ceramic (Biosilicate (R)): A biomechanical and histomorphometric study in rat tibial defects

This study aimed to investigate bone responses to a novel bioactive fully crystallized glass-ceramic of the quaternary system P(2)O(5)-Na(2)O-CaO-SiO(2) (Biosilicates (R)). Although a previous study demonstrated positive effects of Biosilicate (R) on in vitro bone-like matrix formation, its in vivo effect was not studied yet. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) with tibial defects were used. Four experimental groups were designed to compare this novel biomaterial with a gold standard bioactive material (Bioglass (R) 45S5), unfilled defects and intact controls. A three-point bending test was performed 20 days after the surgical procedure, as well as the histomorphometric analysis in two regions of interest: cortical bone and medullary canal where the particulate biomaterial was implanted. The biomechanical test revealed a significant increase in the maximum load at failure and stiffness in the Biosilicate group (R) (vs. control defects), whose values were similar to uninjured bones. There were no differences in the cortical bone parameters in groups with bone defects, but a great deal of woven bone was present surrounding Biosilicate (R) and Bioglass (R) 45S5 particulate. Although both bioactive materials supported significant higher bone formation; Biosilicate (R) was superior to Bioglass (R) 45S5 in some histomorphometric parameters (bone volume and number of osteoblasts). Regarding bone resorption, Biosilicate (R) group showed significant higher number of osteoclasts per unit of tissue area than defect and intact controls, despite of the non-significant difference in the osteoclastic surface as percentage of bone surface. This study reveals that the fully crystallized Biosilicate (R) has good bone-forming and bone-bonding properties. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 978: 139-147, 2011.

Comparison of reading performance after bilateral implantation of multifocal intraocular lenses with+3.00 or+4.00 diopter addition

PURPOSE To compare reading ability after cataract surgery and bilateral implantation of multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) with a +3 00 diopter (D) addition (add) or a +4 00 D add SETTING Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil DESIGN Prospective comparative study METHODS Patients scheduled for cataract surgery were randomly assigned to bilateral implantation of an aspheric AcrySof ReSTOR multifocal IOL with a +3 00 diopter (D) addition (add) or a +4 00 D add The reading speed, critical print size, and reading acuity were measured binocularly with best correction using MNREAD acuity charts 6 months after surgery Patients were tested with the chart at the best patient-preferred reading distance and at 40 cm Binocular uncorrected and best distance-corrected visual acuities at far and near were also measured RESULTS The study enrolled 32 patients At the best reading distance the results were similar between the 2 IOL groups in all reading parameters When tested at 40 cm, reading speed at all print sizes from 03 to 00 (all P< 001), critical print size (P< 001) and reading acuity (P = 014) were statistically significantly better in the +3 00 D IOL group than in the +4 00 DIOL group Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities at far and near were similar between the 2 groups CONCLUSION Although the 2 IOL groups had similar performance in reading parameters, patients had to adjust to their best reading distance The +3 00 D IOL performed better than the +4 00 D IOL at 40 cm

Gamma-band oscillations in fronto-central areas during performance of a sensorimotor integration task: A qEEG coherence study

This study aimed to elucidate electrophysiological and cortical mechanisms involved in anticipatory actions when 23 healthy right-handed subjects had to catch a free falling object by qEEG gamma-band (30-100 Hz). It is involved in cognitive processes, memory, spatial/temporal and proprioceptive factors. Our hypothesis is that an increase in gamma coherence in frontal areas will be observed during moment preceding ball drop, due to their involvement in attention, planning, selection of movements, preparation and voluntary control of action and in central areas during moment after ball drop, due to their involvement in motor preparation, perception and execution of movement. However, through a paired t-test, we found an increase in gamma coherence for F3-F4 electrode pair during moment preceding ball drop and confirmed our hypothesis for C3-C4 electrode pair. We conclude that gamma plays an important role in reflecting binding of several brain areas in a complex motor task as observed in our results. Moreover, for selection of movements, preparation and voluntary control of action, motor preparation, perception and execution of movement, the integration of somatosensory and visual information is mandatory. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A cross-national comparison of Australian and Canadian supervisors' attributional and evaluative responses to subordinate performance

In a program of laboratory and field research over the last decade, the author has replicated and extended the attribution model of leadership (Green & Mitchell, 1979). This paper reports a cross-national test of the model, in which 172 Australian and 144 Canadian work supervisors' recalled their attributional and evaluative responses to high and low levels of subordinate performance. It was expected that the supervisors' responses would conform to the predictions established in the earlier studies, but that there would be key differences across the cultures. In particular, Australians were expected to endorse more internal attributions for subordinate performance than Canadians, and to focus more on individual characteristics in evaluating performance. Results supported the model's robustness and the hypothesised cross-national differences. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of crosscultural research opportunities, and the need to take account of small but potentially important differences in supervisory styles across cultures.

Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Various Crystalloid Cardioplegic Solutions on Myocardial Protection After Prolonged Cold Ischemia

Introduction. The quality and effectiveness of myocardial protection are fundamental problems to expand the use of and consequently good outcomes of donated hearts for transplantation. Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the cardioprotective effects of Krebs-Henseleit, Bretschneider-HTK, St Thomas, and Celsior solutions using a modified nonrecirculating Langendorff column model of isolated perfused rat heart during prolonged cold storage. Materials and Methods. After removal 36 rat hearts underwent isolated perfusion into a Langendorff apparatus using Krebs-Henseleit solution for a 15-minute period of recovery; we excluded organs that did not maintain an aortic pressure above 100 m Hg. Subsequently, we equally distributed the hearts into four groups according to the cardioprotection solution; group 1, Krebs-Henseleit (control); group II, Bretschneider-HTK; group III, St Thomas; and group IV, Celsior. Each heart received the specific cardioplegic solution at 10 C for 2-hour storage at 20 C, before a 15 minutes perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit solution for recovery and stabilization. After 60 additional minutes of perfusion, every 5 minutes we determined heart rate (HR), coronary flow (CF), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and positive and negative peak of the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (+dP/dt and dP/dt, respectively). Results. Comparative analysis by Turkey`s test showed the following performances among the groups at 60 minutes of reperfusion: HR: II = IV > III > I; CF: II = IV > I = III; LVSP: IV > I = II = III; +dP/dt: IV > I = II = III; and dP/dt: IV = II > I = II. Conclusion. Cardioprotective solutions generally used in clinical practice are not able to avoid hemodynamic alterations in hearts exposed to prolonged ischemia. Celsior solution showed better performance than Bretschneider-HTK, St Thomas, and Krebs-Henseleit.

Effects of Fluid Resuscitation on Cardiovascular Performance After Posttraumatic Pneumonectomy

Background: Several factors have been implicated in the high-mortality rate of posttraumatic pneumonectomy. In this study, we evaluated the hemodynamic and echocardiographic changes induced by pneumonectomy and fluid resuscitation after hemorrhagic shock. Methods: Fourteen dogs were bled to a target mean arterial pressure of 40 mmHg. The animals were assigned to two groups: control (no fluid resuscitation) and lactated Ringer`s (3 x shed blood volume). The left pulmonary hilum was cross clamped, and the animals were observed for 60 minutes. Systemic hemodynamics was evaluated using Swan-Ganz, arterial catheter, and ultrasonic flow probe. Systemic O(2)-derived variables were calculated. Ejection fraction was determined by two-dimensional echocardiography. Results: Fluid resuscitation improved the mean arterial pressure and systemic oxygen delivery. After pneumonectomy, no significant increase in right ventricular pressure was observed in the LR group. No signs of major ventricular dilation or changes in arterial oxygenation were observed. Conclusion: Our data suggest that pneumonectomy is not associated with early pulmonary hypertension; gentle fluid resuscitation improves cardiovascular performance and is not associated with an increase in right ventricular pressure.

A Mox homeobox gene in the gastropod mollusc Haliotis rufescens is differentially expressed during larval morphogenesis and metamorphosis

We have isolated a homeobox-containing cDNA from the gastropod mollusc Haliotis rufescens that is most similar to members of the Mox homeobox gene class, The derived Haliotis homeodomain sequence is 85% identical to mouse and frog Mox-2 homeodomains and 88.9% identical to the partial cnidarian cnox5-Hm homeodomain. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNA accumulation reveals that this gene, called HruMox, is expressed in the larva, but not in the early embryo, Transcripts are most prevalent during larval morphogenesis from trochophore to veliger. There are also transient increases in transcript prevalence 1 and 3 days after the intitiation of metamorphosis from veliger to juvenile. The identification of a molluscan Mox homeobox gene that is more closely related to vertebrate genes than other protostome (e.g. Drosophila) genes suggests the Mox class of homeobox genes may consist of several different families that have been conserved through evolution, (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Effects of proportional assisted ventilation on exercise performance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients

Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) present an important ventilatory (imitation reducing their exercise capacity. Non-invasive ventilatory support has been shown to improve exercise capacity in patients with obstructive diseases; however, its effect on IPF patients remains unknown. Objective: The present study assessed the effect of ventilatory support using proportional, assist ventilation (PAV) on exercise capacity in patients with IPF. Methods: Ten patients (61.2 +/- 9.2 year-old) were submitted to a cardiopulmonary exercise testing, plethysmography and three submaximal. exercise tests (60% of maximum load): without ventilatory support, with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and PAV. Submaximal tests were performed randomly and exercise capacity, cardiovascular and ventilatory response as well as breathlessness subjective perception were evaluated. Lactate plasmatic levels were obtained before and after submaximal. exercise. Results: Our data show that patients presented a limited exercise capacity (9.7 +/- 3.8 mL O(2)/kg/min). Submaximal. test was increased in patients with PAV compared with CPAP and without ventilatory support (respectively, 11.1 +/- 8.8 min, 5.6 +/- 4.7 and 4.5 +/- 3.8 min; p < 0.05). An improved arterial oxygenation and lower subjective perception to effort was also observed in patients with IPF when exercise was performed with PAV (p < 0.05). IPF patients performing submaximal exercise with PAV also presented a lower heart rate during exercise, although systolic and diastolic pressures were not different among submaximal tests. Our results suggest that PAV can increase exercise tolerance and decrease dyspnoea and cardiac effort in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance on tests sensitive to impaired executive ability in schizophrenia, mania and well controls: acute and subacute phases

Aims: To compare the performance of schizophrenia, mania and well control groups on tests sensitive to impaired executive ability, and to assess the within-group stability of these measures across the acute and subacute phases of psychoses. Method: Recently admitted patients with schizophrenia (n=36), mania (n=18) and a well control group (n=20) were assessed on two occasions separated by 4 weeks. Tests included: the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the Stroop Test, the Wisconsin Card Sort Test, and the Trail Making Test. Results: The two patient groups were significantly impaired on the Stroop Test at both time points compared to the control group. Significant group differences were also found for the Trail Making Test at Time 1 and for the Wisconsin Card Sort Test at Time 2. When controlled for practice effect, significant improvements over time were found on the Stroop and Trail Making tests in the schizophrenia group and on WCST Categories Achieved in the mania group. Discussion: Compared to controls, the patient groups were impaired on measures related to executive ability. The pattern of improvement on test scores between the acute and subacute phases differed between patients with schizophrenia versus patients with mania. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.