Detection of cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC genes in Campylobacter jejuni by multiplex PCR

A multiplex PCR was developed for simultaneous detection of the cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes of Campylobacter jejuni. Three primer pairs targeting each one of the cdtA, cdtB and cdtC genes were designed and combined in the same PCR reaction. The assay was evaluated with 100 C. jejuni strains recovered from humans and animals and it was found to be rapid and specific. Two isolates presented several deletions affecting both cdtA and cdtB genes. High prevalence (98%) of the three cdt genes was found among isolates of different geographic origins.     

Effect of Dynamic Recrystallization on Microstructural Evolution in B Steels Microalloyed with Nb and/or Mo

The dynamic recrystallization behavior of ultra-high strength boron-microalloyed steels optionally alloyed with niobium and molybdenum is analyzed in this paper. Multipass torsion tests were performed to simulate plate rolling conditions followed by direct quenching. The influence of alloy composition on the transformed microstructure was evaluated by means of EBSD, thereby characterizing the morphology of the austenite grain morphology after roughing and finishing passes. The results indicated that for Nb-microalloyed steel, partial dynamic recrystallization occurred and resulted in local clusters of fine-sized equiaxed grains dispersed within the pancaked austenitic structure. A recrystallized austenite fraction appeared and transformed into softer phase constituents after direct quenching. The addition of Mo was shown to be an effective means of suppressing dynamic recrystallization. This effect of molybdenum in addition to its established hardenability effects hence safeguards the formation of fully martensitic microstructures, particularly in direct quenching processes. Additionally, the circumstances initiating dynamic recrystallization were studied in more detail, and the interference of the various alloying elements with the observed phenomena and the potential consequences of dynamic recrystallization before quenching are discussed.     

Efectos de la rotigotina sobre la sintomatología,calidad de vida e higiene de sueño en el síndrome de piernas inquietas en hemodiálisis

Background

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterised by bothersome symptoms associated with impaired quality of life and sleep hygiene. Rotigotine is a novel therapeutic alternative, although few studies have been published in patients on haemodialysis (HD) with RLS treated with rotigotine.

Febuxostat for the chronic management of hyperuricemia in patients with gout

Febuxostat is a non-purine, selective inhibitor of both isoforms of xanthine oxido-reductase (XOR), and a major alternative to the scarce number of urate-lowering medications available in the last decades. Its inhibition of XOR is more potent than allopurinol in a mg to mg comparison, what is associated to achievement of serum urate target more frequently than allopurinol at doses tested in clinical trials, especially in patients with the highest baseline serum urate levels. Its pharmacokinetics is not greatly dependent on renal clearance, contrary to allopurinol, what may be an advantage in patients with chronic kidney disease. Several trials are further evaluating both the cardiovascular safety of febuxostat and its possible beneficial effect on renal function preservation. Still scarce, but clinically interesting, evidence on its use in transplant patients has been recently released.     

Imaging the role of toll-like receptor 4 on cell proliferation and inflammation after cerebral ischemia by positron emission tomography

The influence of toll-like receptor 4 on neurogenesis and inflammation has been scarcely explored so far by using neuroimaging techniques. For this purpose, we performed magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with 3′-deoxy-3′-[¹⁸F]fluorothymidine and [¹¹C]PK11195 at 2, 7, and 14 days following cerebral ischemia in TLR4^+/+ and TLR4^−/− mice. MRI showed similar infarction volumes in both groups. Despite this, positron emission tomography with 3′-deoxy-3′-[¹⁸F]fluorothymidine and [¹¹C]PK11195 evidenced an increase of neurogenesis and a decrease of inflammation in TLR4^−/− mice after ischemia. These results evidence the versatility of neuroimaging techniques to monitor the role of toll-like receptor 4 after cerebral ischemia.     

Correction to: Imaging of Tumor Spheroids,Dual-Isotope SPECT,and Autoradiographic Analysis to Assess the Tumor Uptake and Distribution of Different Nanobodies

Molecular Imaging and Biology - This article was corrected/updated to include the complete graphic legend of Fig. 3.