Bioengineered AAV Capsids with Combined High Human Liver Transduction In Vivo and Unique Humoral Seroreactivity

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Initial and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty for chronic total occlusions: an analysis of 184 procedures

Background: Coronary angioplasty, although of proven use in partial occlusion, has not been shown to be of similar benefit in chronic total occlusion. Aims: To assess the utility of coronary angioplasty in chronically totally occluded vessels in patients undergoing angioplasty and to determine the success of TIMI-I flow before angioplasty compared to those patients with TIMI-O flow. Methods: A group of 178 consecutive patients (from 1984 to 1992), who underwent angioplasty of a chronic occlusion, were analysed. There were 136 males and 42 females with a mean age of 56.9 years. Results: Initial technical success was achieved in 65%. Patients with TIMI-I flow before angioplasty had a higher chance of success (700%) compared to those with TIMI-O flow (53%), p < 0.04. During hospitalisation six patients suffered myocardial infarction (MI), two required surgery and one patient died. During a mean follow-up of 2.8 years the overall survival rate was 95% for the group as a whole. Freedom from coronary surgery was significantly greater in patients with successful angioplasty (93%) than those without (66%, p < 0.002). The above two populations also showed a significant difference in the incidence of angina (35%vs 56%, p < 0.0003). However, the incidence of MI (6%vs 5%, p > O.5) and cardiac survival (98%vs 94%, p > 0.l) did not differ significantly in the two groups. Restenosis occurred in 63% of the 95 patients (82%) who returned for follow-up angiography. Eighteen of the 59 patients (28%) with restenosis had a reocclusion. Conclusion: The success rate for angioplasty of chronic total occlusions is acceptable. Long-term clinical benefit in patients with successful angioplasty is suggested by the high freedom from angina and the lesser need for coronary surgery. No major impact on either the incidence of MI or cardiac survival was noted when patients who had coronary surgery were included, although it must be emphasised that the sample size in this study was insufficient to detect a difference in these outcome variables.     

Activation of EVI1 gene expression in human acute myelogenous leukemias by translocations spanning 300-400 kilobases on chromosome band 3q26.

Retroviral activation of Evi-1 gene expression is one of the most common transforming events in murine myeloid leukemias. To evaluate the role of the EVI1 gene in human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), leukemic blasts or cell lines from 116 patients were examined. In eight patients the EVI1 gene was expressed and all but one had cytogenetically detectable translocations of chromosome 3q26 where the EVI1 gene has been localized. To identify breakpoints, a restriction map that spans 1700 kilobases (kb) of the EVI1 locus was developed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In one case, t(3;3)(q21;q26), a rearrangement was localized to 170-330 kb 5' of the gene. In a second case, t(3;3)(q21;q26), there was a rearrangement 13 kb 5' of the gene. This rearrangement was cloned and shown to be due to the fusion of sequences from 3q21-22 with the EVI1 locus. In the third case, ins(3)-(q21q25q27), there was a rearrangement that mapped 150 kb downstream from the 5' end of the gene.     

Protein kinases in divergent eukaryotes: identification of protein kinase activities regulated during trypanosome development.

The role of protein kinases in organisms that diverged early in the eukaryotic lineage is relatively unexplored. In this study, we determined that primitive parasitic protozoa possess multiple protein-serine kinases and inferred the presence of protein-tyrosine kinases through sensitive immunoblotting techniques. To further explore the role of protein kinases in parasite development, we examined the activity of eight renaturable protein kinases during the life cycle of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The activities of six protein-serine/threonine kinases were regulated during development, with several distinct patterns of regulation. In addition, an 89-kDa protein kinase was detected in dividing cells but not in nondividing cells. Our data indicate that even the most primitive eukaryotes possess a large complement of protein kinases, including protein-tyrosine kinases as well as protein-serine/threonine kinases. The data further suggest that protein kinases may play a pivotal role in regulation of proliferation and differentiation in protozoa.     

Dissociations between the Processing of Proper and Common Names

Recently, some authors have claimed that a double dissociation between an "anomia for proper names" and a "selective sparing of proper names" has been demonstrated in the cognitive neuropsychology literature (e.g. Cohen & Burke, 1993; Hittmair-Delazer, Denes, Semenza,& Mantovan,1994; Semenza& Zettin, 1989). The aim of the present paper is to evaluate whether this claim is really tenable or not. We point out the need to distinguish carefully between the production and comprehension of language when looking forsuch a dissociation. We argue that a double dissociation between the processing of proper names and common names has not been demonstrated for production. The evidence for a double dissociation between comprehension of proper names and common names is much stronger, but even this claim is limited.     

The natural history of a genetic subtype of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy caused by a p.S358L mutation in TMEM43

To determine the phenotype and natural history of a founder genetic subtype of autosomal dominant arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) caused by a p.S358L mutation in TMEM43. The age of onset of cardiac symptoms, clinical events and test abnormalities were studied in 412 subjects (258 affected and 154 unaffected), all of which occurred in affected males significantly earlier and more often than unaffected males. Affected males were hospitalized four times more often than affected females (p ≤ 0.0001) and died younger (p ≤ 0.001). The temporal sequence from symptoms onset to death was prolonged in affected females by 1–2 decades. The most prevalent electrocardiogram (ECG) manifestation was poor R wave progression (PRWP), with affected males twice as likely to develop PRWP as affected females (p ≤ 0.05). Left ventricular enlargement (LVE) occurred in 43% of affected subjects, with 11% fulfilling criteria for dilated cardiomyopathy. Ventricular ectopy on Holter monitor was common and occurred early: the most diagnostically useful clinical test. No symptom or test could rule out diagnosis. This ARVC subtype is a sex‐influenced lethal arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, with a unique ECG finding, LV dilatation, heart failure and early death, where molecular pre‐symptomatic diagnosis has the greatest clinical utility.     

Proton–deuterium exchange of acetone catalyzed in imidazolium-based ionic liquid–D2O mixtures

The reaction of the proton–deuterium exchange of acetone in imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL)–deuterium oxide mixtures was studied in detail via NMR spectroscopy. Certain ILs exhibit considerable catalytic properties and contribute to the course of reaction up to the complete deuteration. The efficiency of deuterium exchange crucially depends on the features of ILs; the type of anion and chain length of cation. The linear secondary isotope effects on the NMR chemical shifts of the ¹³C atoms in acetone were observed depending on the deuteration level of the molecule.

The reaction of the proton–deuterium exchange of acetone in imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL)–deuterium oxide mixtures was studied in detail via NMR spectroscopy.     

Shoulder Isokinetic Strength Balance Ratio in Overhead Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundStudies have grouped different overhead sports and evaluated together the isokinetic strength of shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotator muscles. However, muscular adaptations could be a consequence of the specific sport, and some strength imbalance between these muscles may exist as a consequence of the muscular demand unique to the sport. Therefore, grouping different overhead sports together may not be adequate.PurposeTo compare strength balance ratios between different overhead sports (volleyball, handball, swimming, judo, baseball, softball, functional movements performed at high-intensity interval training, and tennis) with a control athletic group (no overhead group).Study designCross-sectional study.MethodsA total of 237 athletes were submitted to isokinetic shoulder strength tests. The isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torque values of shoulder internal IR and external ER rotator muscles were measured. Conventional (CR) and functional strength ratios (FR) were calculated.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the sports for the CR in the male group. Female softball athletes (90.4±13.6%) had a significantly higher CR than judo (67.3±6.9%), volleyball (74.9±15.9%), and swimming athletes (70.3±8.7%). In the female group, judo athletes had lower FR values (0.76±0.19) than soccer athletes (1.31±0.35), volleyball athletes (1.24±0.27), functional movements performed at high intensity (1.10±0.1), and softball athletes (1.40±0.39). Female handball athletes also had a lower FR (0.99±0.25) than soccer athletes (1.31±0.35) and softball athletes (1.40±0.39). Male handball (0.90±0.23), tennis (0.86±0.30), and judo (0.68±0.22) athletes had lower FR values than soccer athletes (1.20±0.21) and volleyball athletes (1.25±0.28).ConclusionsCR for males may be analyzed together, as there were no significant differences between them. However, for females, the CR for softball athletes should be analyzed individually. As there were several differences between the overhead sports according to the FRs, the authors suggest caution in grouping overhead athletes across multiple sports. These results could have important implications for the design of injury prevention and rehabilitation programs associated with the shoulder joint in overhead sports.Level of Evidence3