Ultrastructural changes and asthenozoospermia in murine spermatozoa lacking the ribosomal protein L29/HIP gene

Dear Editor,
We present here the first report linking a specific gene, ribosomal protein L29 （Rp129）, also known as Hip （heparin/heparan sulfate interacting protein）, to the mammalian sperm flagellar morphological anomaly termed the ＂dag＂ defect. In addition, we show that loss of Rp/29 invariably results in low sperm motility with infertility accompanying this abnormality.     

The comparison and validity of troponin I assay systems in diagnosing myocardial ischemic injury after surgical coronary revascularization

OBJECTIVE: A prospective observational study was conducted to test the agreement between 2 commercially available automated cardiac troponin-I immunoassay systems (Opus Plus, Behring Diagnostics UK Ltd, Hounslow, UK; AxSYM, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) and to determine a normal reference range and threshold value indicative of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) after elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for the Opus Plus system. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. Setting : Single institution, cardiothoracic specialty hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. INTERVENTIONS: After institutional review board approval, patients received standardized anesthetic, surgical, and myocardial preservation techniques. Serial electrocardiographs, creatine kinase-MB, troponin-I, and perioperative outcome data were collected. Correlation between the immunoassay systems was tested using 124 duplicate samples from the first 18 patients. The normal reference range and threshold value indicative of PMI were tested for the Opus Plus system using duplicate samples from all 70 patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Peak troponin-I concentrations (median [interquartile range]) differed significantly when measured by the Opus Plus and AxSYM immunoassay systems (5.61 [3.20-22.35] microg/L v 46.50 [14.55-70.95] microg/L, respectively; p < 0.001). There was clear proportional bias that was corrected with log transformation of the raw data. By using confidence interval and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the authors showed that a value > or =15 mug/L was indicative of PMI (Opus Plus system) and accordingly report a 35.7% (2.9% Q-wave) overall incidence of PMI in this study population (n = 70). CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight differences between commercially available troponin-I assay systems. The authors recommend that each institution establish a local reference range and threshold indicative of perioperative myocardial infarction for its specific patient population and assay system and provide sample methodology.     

Screening patients for subclinical atherosclerosis with non-contrast cardiac CT

Accurate risk assessment may be helpful in decreasing cardiovascular events through more appropriate targeting of preventive measures. Traditional risk assessment may be refined with the selective use of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) or other methods of subclinical atherosclerosis measurement. This article reviews information pertaining to the clinical use of CACS for assessing coronary atherosclerosis as a useful predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) in certain population of patients. Coronary calcification is a marker of atherosclerosis that can be quantified with the use of cardiac CT and it is proportional to the extent and severity of atherosclerotic disease. The published studies demonstrate a high sensitivity of CACS for the presence of coronary artery disease but a much lower specificity for obstructive CAD depending on the magnitude of the CACS. Several large clinical trials have found clear, incremental predictive value of CACS over the Framingham risk score when used in asymptomatic patients. However, early detection of CAD by Electron Beam Tomography (EBT) screening has not convincingly demonstrated a reduction in mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, relevant prognostic information obtained may be useful to initiate or intensify appropriate treatment strategies to slow the progression of existing atherosclerotic vascular disease. Current data suggest intermediate-risk patients may benefit most from further risk stratification with cardiac CT, as CAC testing is effective at identifying increased risk and in one study motivating effective behavioral changes. Randomized clinical trials will help determine if selective use of cardiac CT in the intermediate-risk patient would lead to more appropriate use of pharmacologic therapy and improved clinical outcomes.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and anticancer properties of cyclic monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin

A series of novel indan-2-one and dibenzylidenepiperidin-4-one compounds were synthesized and screened for anticancer activities. The compounds are symmetrical and they have conjugated double bonds. They closely resemble the curcumin analogs which are found to possess anticancer properties. The structure of the compounds was confirmed by single crystal study and wherever the compound is a powder, the structures were confirmed by spectral data (IR, NMR, and Mass).     

Molecular identification of Physaloptera sp. from wild northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas

Parasitology Research - Physaloptera spp. are common nematodes found in the stomach and muscles of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Physaloptera spp. have a complicated life cycle with...