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Objectives To evaluate the capability of hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a contact-less and noninvasive technology, to monitor perfusion changes of the hand during a modified Allen test (MAT) and cuff occlusion test. Furthermore, the study aimed at obtaining objective perfusion parameters of the hand. Methods HSI of the hand was performed on 20 healthy volunteers with a commercially available HSI system during a MAT and a cuff occlusion test. Besides gathering red-green-blue (RGB) images, the perfusion parameters tissue hemoglobin index (THI), (superficial tissue) hemoglobin oxygenation (StO2), near-infrared perfusion (NIR), and tissue water index (TWI) were calculated for four different regions of interest on the hand. For the MAT, occlusion (OI; the ratio between the condition during occlusion and before occlusion) and reperfusion (RI; the ratio between the non-occlusion state and the prior occlusion state) indices were calculated for each perfusion parameter. All data were correlated to the clinical findings. Results False-color images showed visible differences between the various perfusion conditions during the MAT and cuff occlusion test. THI, StO2, and NIR behaved as expected from physiology, while TWI did not in the context of this study. During rest, mean THI, StO2, and NIR of the hand were 34 ± 2, 72 ± 9, and 61 ± 6, respectively. The RI for THI showed a roundabout threefold increase after reperfusion of both radial and ulnar artery and was thus, distinctly pronounced when compared with StO2 and NIR (~1.25). The OI was lowest for THI when compared with StO2 and NIR. Conclusions HSI with its parameters THI, StO2, and NIR proved to be suitable to evaluate perfusion of the hand. By this, it could complement visual inspection during the MAT for evaluating the functionality of the superficial palmary arch before radial or ulnar artery harvest. The presented RI might deliver useful comparative values to detect pathological perfusion disorders at an early stage. As microcirculation monitoring is crucial for many medical issues, HSI shows potential to be used, besides further applications, in the monitoring of (free) flaps and transplants and microcirculation monitoring of critically ill patients.

A new canine subgroup defined as 'old-dog' or 'hyperkeratotic' erythema multiforme (HKEM) with marked hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis has been proposed without any detailed description of larger case series.We report herein the signalment, clinical signs, treatment outcome, and histopathological and immunological findings in 17 dogs with HKEM.Inclusion criteria were the presence of (i) scaly skin lesions with or without crusting; and (ii) microscopic lesions typical of EM (i.e. a panepidermal cytotoxic lymphocytic dermatitis with or without basal keratinocyte apoptosis); and (iii) microscopic ortho- and/or parakeratotic hyperkeratosis affecting the interfollicular epidermis.Clinical questionnaires and skin biopsies were reviewed. Polymerase chain reactions for epidermotropic viruses and direct immunofluorescence were performed.Various breeds were affected with an over-representation of males in their mid-to-late adulthood (median age 9 years). Generalised skin lesions included multifocal-to-coalescing, linear and annular macules and plaques with erythema and adherent firm crusting. Microscopic lesions were specific for EM and featured prominent superficial epidermal apoptosis with lymphocytic satellitosis and parakeratosis. No drug triggers were identified. Polymerase chain reactions for canine herpesvirus polymerase gene, canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus were negative in all HKEM and canine erosive EM (15 dogs) biopsies. Lesions failed to respond to oral and/or topical antimicrobials. Complete remission of signs was achieved in 9 of 17 dogs (53%) using immunosuppressive regimens.Hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme (HKEM) is a chronic, persistent and clinically distinctive erythema multiforme (EM) variant that differs from 'classic' vesiculobullous erosive-to-ulcerative EM in dogs.De nouveaux sous-groupes canins définis comme des érythèmes polymorphes « vieux chiens » et « hyperkératosiques » (HKEM) avec une hyperkératose et une parakératose marquées ont été proposés sans aucune description détaillée de séries de cas plus importantes.Nous rapportons ici le signalement, les signes cliniques, les résultats du traitement et les résultats histopathologiques et immunologiques chez 17 chiens atteints de HKEM.Les critères d'inclusion étaient la présence de : (i) lésions cutanées squameuses avec ou sans croûtes; et (ii) des lésions microscopiques typiques de l'EM (c'est-à-dire une dermatite lymphocytaire cytotoxique panépidermique avec ou sans apoptose basale des kératinocytes); et (iii) une hyperkératose microscopique ortho- et/ou parakératosique affectant l'épiderme interfolliculaire. MATÉRIELS ET MÉTHODES: Des questionnaires cliniques et des biopsies cutanées ont été examinés. Des réactions en chaîne par polymérase pour les virus épidermotropes et une immunofluorescence directe ont été réalisées. RÉSULTATS: Diverses races étaient touchées avec une surreprésentation des mâles dans leur âge moyen à tardif (âge médian neuf ans). Les lésions cutanées généralisées comprenaient des macules et des plaques multifocales à coalescentes, linéaires et annulaires avec un érythème et des croûtes fermes adhérentes. Les lésions microscopiques étaient spécifiques de l'EM et comportaient une apoptose épidermique superficielle proéminente avec une satellitose lymphocytaire et une parakératose. Aucun déclencheur médicamenteux n'a été identifié. Les réactions en chaîne de la polymérase pour le gène de la polymérase de l'herpèsvirus canin, le parvovirus canin et le virus de la maladie de Carré étaient négatives dans toutes les biopsies HKEM et EM érosive canine (15 chiens). Les lésions n'ont pas répondu aux antimicrobiens oraux et/ou topiques. Une rémission complète des signes a été obtenue chez neuf des 17 chiens (53 %) en utilisant des traitements immunosuppresseurs.HKEM est une variante EM chronique, persistante et cliniquement distincte qui diffère de l'EM vésiculobulleuse « classique » érosive à ulcérative chez le chien.INTRODUCCIÓN: Se han propuesto nuevos subgrupos caninos de eritema multiforme definidos como "de perro viejo" e "hiperqueratósico" (HKEM) con hiperqueratosis y paraqueratosis marcadas sin ninguna descripción detallada de series de casos más grandes.En este documento describimos la presentación, los signos clínicos, el resultado del tratamiento y los hallazgos histopatológicos e inmunológicos en 17 perros con HKEM.Los criterios de inclusión fueron la presencia de: (i) lesiones cutáneas escamosas con o sin formación de costras; y (ii) lesiones microscópicas típicas de EM (es decir, una dermatitis linfocítica citotóxica panepidérmica con o sin apoptosis de queratinocitos basales); y (iii) hiperqueratosis microscópica orto y/o paraqueratósica que afecta la epidermis interfolicular. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron cuestionarios clínicos y biopsias de piel. Se realizaron reacciones en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) para virus epidermotrópicos e inmunofluorescencia directa.Varias razas se vieron afectadas con una sobrerrepresentación de machos en su edad adulta media o tardía (edad media de nueve años). Las lesiones cutáneas generalizadas incluyeron máculas y placas lineales y anulares, multifocales a coalescentes, con eritema y formación de costras firmes y adherentes. Las lesiones microscópicas fueron específicas para EM y presentaban apoptosis epidérmica superficial prominente con satelitosis linfocítica y paraqueratosis. No se identificaron desencadenantes farmacológicosmm. Las reacciones en cadena de la polimerasa para el gen de la polimerasa del herpesvirus canino, el parvovirus canino y el virus del moquillo canino fueron negativas en todas las biopsias HKEM y EM erosiva canina (15 perros). Las lesiones no respondieron a los antimicrobianos orales y/o tópicos. Se logró la remisión completa de los signos en nueve de 17 perros (53 %) usando regímenes inmunosupresores. CONCLUSIONES Y RELEVANCIA CLÍNICA: HKEM es una variante de EM crónica, persistente y clínicamente distintiva que difiere de la EM vesiculoampollosa "clásica" erosiva a ulcerosa en perros.Neue canine Untergruppen, die definiert wurden als „alter-Hund“ und „hyperkeratotisches Erythema multiforme (HKEM) mit deutlicher Hyperkeratose und Parakeratose wurden ohne detaillierte Beschreibung größerer Fallserien vorgeschlagen.Hierin beschreiben wir das Signalement, die klinischen Zeichen, den Behandlungsausgang, und die histopathologischen und immunologischen Befunde bei 17 Hunden mit HKEM.Inklusionskriterien waren das Vorhandensein von: (i) schuppigen Hautveränderungen mit oder ohne Krustenbildung; und (ii) mikroskopischen Läsionen von EM (i.e. eine panepidermale zytotoxische lymphozytäre Dermatitis mit und ohne Apoptose der basalen Keratinozyten); und (iii) mikroskopischer ortho- und/oder parakeratotischer Hyperkeratose, die die interfollikuläre Epidermis betrifft.Klinische Fragebögen und Hautbiopsien wurden reviewed. Es wurden Polymerasekettenreaktionen auf epidermotropisches Virus und direkte Immunfluoreszenz durchgeführt.Es waren verschiedene Rassen betroffen, wobei männliche Tiere in mittlerem bis späterem Erwachsenenalter (das mediane Alter betrug neun Jahre) überrepräsentiert waren. Generalisierte Hautveränderungen bestanden aus multifokalen-bis koaleszierenden, linearen und annularen Maculae und Plaques mit Erythem und anhaftenden festen Krusten. Die mikroskopischen Veränderungen waren spezifisch für EM und zeigten eine prominente superfizielle epidermale Apoptose mit lymphzytärer Satellitose und Parakeratose. Es wurden keine eindeutigen Auslöser identifiziert. Polymerasekettenreaktionen auf canines Herpesvirus Polymerase Gen, canines Parvovirus und canines Staupevirus waren in allen HKEM und den caninen erosiven EM-Biopsien (15 Hunde) negativ. Die Veränderungen reagierten nicht auf orale und/oder topische Antibiotika. Eine komplette Remission der Zeichen wurde bei neun von 17 Hunden (53%) mittels Immunsupressiva erzielt.HKEM ist eine chronische, persistierende und klinisch eindeutige EM-Variante, die sich von der „klassischen“ vesikulobullösen erosiv-bis-ulzerativen EM der Hunde unterscheidet.背景: 犬の多形紅斑には、「老犬型」「過角化型(HKEM)」という新しいサブグループが提案されているが、大規模な症例に関する詳細な記述はない。 目的: 本研究の目的は、過角化型多形紅斑を発症した17頭の犬について、シグナルメント、臨床症状、治療成績、病理組織学的および免疫学的所見を報告することであった。 対象動物: (1) 痂皮を伴うか否かの鱗屑性皮膚病変、(2) EMに典型的な顕微鏡的病変(すなわち、基底細胞のアポトーシスを伴うか否かの汎上皮細胞障害性リンパ球性皮膚炎)、(3) 毛包間表皮を冒す顕微鏡的正角化性および/または不全角化性角化亢進が認められることを登録条件とした。 材料と方法: 臨床アンケートおよび皮膚生検のレビューを行った。上皮向性ウイルスに対するポリメラーゼ連鎖反応および直接免疫蛍光検査を行った。 結果: 様々な犬種が罹患し、成犬中期から後期(中央値9歳)の雄に過剰発現していた。全身の皮膚病変は、紅斑および付着性の固い痂皮を伴う、多巣性〜癒合性の線状および環状の斑およびプラークを含んでいた。顕微鏡所見では、EMに特異的で、リンパ球性衛生現象を伴う表皮表面のアポトーシスおよび錯角化が顕著であった。薬物による誘発は確認されなかった。犬ヘルペスウイルスポリメラーゼ遺伝子、犬パルボウイルス、犬ジステンパーウイルスに対するポリメラーゼ連鎖反応は、HKEMおよび犬びらん性EM(15頭)のすべての生検で陰性であった。病変は経口および外用抗菌薬に反応しなかった。免疫抑制療法により17頭中9頭(53%)で症状の完全寛解が得られた。 結論と臨床的意義: HKEMは，"古典的 "な小水疱性びらん-潰瘍性EMとは異なる、慢性で持続的で臨床的に特徴的なEMの一形態である。.背景: 提出了定义为“老年犬”和“角化过度”多形红斑 (HKEM) 伴明显角化过度和角化不全的新亚组，未对更大的犬病例系列进行任何详细描述。 目的: 我们在此报告了17只HKEM犬的病征、临床症状、治疗结果以及组织病理学和免疫学结果。 动物: 入选标准为存在:(i) 皮屑性病变伴或不伴结痂；和 (ii)EM 的典型显微镜下病变(即全表皮细胞毒性淋巴细胞性皮炎伴或不伴基底角质细胞凋亡)；和 (iii) 影响毛囊间表皮的显微镜下角化过度和/或角化不全。 材料和方法: 审查临床问卷和皮肤活检。对亲表皮病毒进行聚合酶链反应和直接免疫荧光检测。 结果: 不同品种发病，成年中后期(中位年龄9岁)公犬比例过高。全身性皮肤病变包括多灶性至融合、线性和环形的斑疹和斑块，伴红斑和粘连性结痂。显微镜下具有EM特异性病变，以突出的浅表表皮凋亡，伴淋巴细胞卫星现象和角化不全为特征。未发现药物触发因素。犬疱疹病毒聚合酶基因、犬细小病毒和犬瘟热病毒的聚合酶链反应在所有 HKEM 和犬糜烂性EM(15只犬)活检中均为阴性。病变经口服和(或)外用抗菌药治疗无效。使用免疫抑制方案时，9/17只犬 (53%) 的症状完全缓解。 结论和临床相关性: HKEM是一种慢性、持续性和临床上独特的 EM 变体，不同于犬的“经典”水疱大疱性糜烂至溃疡性EM。.Novos subgrupos caninos definidos como eritema multiforme do “cão idoso” e “hiperqueratótico” (HKEM) apresentando hiperqueratose e paraqueratose acentuadas têm sido propostos sem qualquer descrição detalhada em uma série de casos maior.Nós relatamos aqui os sinais clínicos, resposta ao tratamento, e achados histopatológicos imunológicos em 17 cães com (HKEM).Os critérios de inclusão foram a presença de: (i) lesões cutâneas descamativas com ou sem crostas;(ii) lesões microscópicas típicas EM (exemplo: dermatite citotóxica linfocítica panepidermal com ou sem apoptose dos queratinócitos da camada basal); e (iii) hiperqueratose orto e/ou paraqueratótica afetando a epidermie interfolicular. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Questionários clínicos e biópsias cutâneas foram revisados. Realizou-se PCR de vírus epidermotrópicos.Diversas raças foram afetadas e houve uma super-representação de machos de meia idade (idade média de nove anos). As lesões cutâneas generalizadas incluíram máculas e placas multifocais a coalescentes, lineares e anulares com eritema e crostas firmes aderentes. As lesões microscópicas eram específicas para EM e apresentavam apoptose epidérmica superficial proeminente com satelitose linfocítica e paraqueratose. Nenhum medicamento foi identificado como agente incitane. As reações em cadeia da polimerase para o gene da polimerase do herpesvírus canino, parvovírus canino e vírus da cinomose foram negativas em todas as biópsias HKEM e EM erosiva canina (15 cães). As lesões não responderam aos antimicrobianos orais e/ou tópicos. A remissão completa dos sinais ocorreu em nove dos 17 cães (53%) usando imunossupressores. CONCLUSÕES E RELEVÂNCIA CLÍNICA: HKEM é uma variante crônica, persistente e clinicamente distinta do EM que difere do EM vesiculobolhoso erosivo-ulcerativo “clássico” em cães.

Several Academic Social Networking Sites (ASNSs) have been launched in the last few years and their number of members is growing. Researchers using ASNSs come from very divergent scientific backgrounds and academic levels, prompting one to ask the question, What kind of communication and self‐presentation behaviors occur within these structures? The qualitative study presented in this article analyzed the communication behavior of a selected sample on ResearchGate (RG). It investigates how researchers present themselves on their personal‐profile sites and how they interact with other researchers. Overall, the results show that mostly young male academics without previous connections to each other (for example, faculty colleges) use RG for their scholarly exchanges. In general, communication behavior is characterized by an objective, professional, unemotional choice of words and seldom the use of polite salutations or words of farewell. However, there seems to be a correlation between long discussion and an increased use of colloquial and emotional language. Based on our findings, we derived preliminary practical recommendations for communications on ASNSs to improve the relationships in online academic interactions, to foster inclusiveness of gender and culture, and to reduce insecurity in matters of communication, presentation, and the exchange of scientific data.

An increasing number of surface-associated proteins identified in Gram-positive bacteria are characterized by intramolecular cross-links in structurally conserved thioester, isopeptide, and ester domains (TIE proteins). Two classes of thioester domains (TEDs) have been predicted based on sequence with, to date, only representatives of Class I structurally characterized. Here, we present crystal structures of three Class II TEDs from Bacillus anthracis, vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. These proteins are structurally distinct from Class I TEDs due to a β-sandwich domain that is inserted into the conserved TED fold to form a slipknot structure. Further, the B. anthracis TED domain is presented in the context of a full-length sortase-anchored protein structure (BaTIE). This provides insight into the three-dimensional arrangement of TIE proteins, which emerge as very abundant putative adhesins of Gram-positive bacteria.

Objectives To determine the value of allometric parameters for ultrasound measurements of the oblique external (OE), oblique internal (OI), and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles in adolescent athletes. The allometric parameter is the slope of the linear regression line between the log-transformed body mass and log-transformed muscle size measurement. Methods The study included 114 male adolescent football players between the ages of 10 and 19 years. All individuals with no surgical procedures performed on the trunk area and who had played a sport for at least 2 years were included. A real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner with a linear array transducer was used to obtain images of the lateral abdominal muscles from both sides of the body. A stabilometric platform was used to assess the body mass value. Results The correlations between body mass and the OE, OI, and TrA muscle thicknesses were r = 0.73, r = 0.79, and r = 0.64, respectively (in all cases, P

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the allometric parameter for ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the oblique external (OE), internal (OI), and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles in the adolescent population. The allometric parameter is the slope of the linear regression line between the log transformed body mass and log transformed muscle size measurement. METHODS The study included 321 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17, consisting of 160 boys and 161 girls. The participants were recruited from local schools and attended regular school classes at normal grade levels. All individuals with no signs of scoliosis (screening with use of a scoliometer), and no surgical procedures performed on the trunk area were included. A real-time ultrasound B-scanner with a linear array transducer was used to obtain images of the lateral abdominal muscles from both sides of the body. RESULTS The correlation between body mass and the OE muscle was r = 0.69; the OI muscle r = 0.68; and the TrA muscle r = 0.53 (in all cases, P

This paper was funded by: Funded Access, Leverhulme Trust. Grant Number: RPG-2012-504, TSB. Grant Number: 131181, ERC. Grant Number: 339367, and BBSRC. Grant Number: BB/K015508/1 Heterocycle-containing cyclic peptides are promising scaffolds for the pharmaceutical industry but their chemical synthesis is very challenging. A new universal method has been devised to prepare these compounds by using a set of engineered marine-derived enzymes and substrates obtained from a family of ribosomally produced and post-translationally modified peptides called the cyanobactins. The substrate precursor peptide is engineered to have a non-native protease cleavage site that can be rapidly cleaved. The other enzymes used are heterocyclases that convert Cys or Cys/Ser/Thr into their corresponding azolines. A macrocycle is formed using a macrocyclase enzyme, followed by oxidation of the azolines to azoles with a specific oxidase. The work is exemplified by the production of 17 macrocycles containing 6-9 residues representing 11 out of the 20 canonical amino acids. Publisher PDF

Background To date, the reliability of ultrasound imaging (USI) measures of the abdominal muscles in children and adolescents during the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test has not been confirmed. Objective To assess the intra-rater reliability of USI measures of the thickness and percentage thickness change of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transversus abdominis (TrA) on both sides of the body during the ASLR test in healthy adolescents. Design Single-group repeated-measures intra-rater reliability study. Setting School. Participants Thirty-nine adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 years. Methods Three repeated USI measurements were recorded in the supine resting position and during the ASLR test at 2 sessions, 6 to 8 days apart. In the supine position, measurements were collected at the end of normal expiration. In the case of ASLR, measurements were collected when the person undergoing examination touched the transverse delimiter with the distal part of their lower leg, that is, to a 30° flexion of the hip. Main Outcome Measurements USI of abdominal muscle thickness. Results By using the mean of 3 measures in the supine, resting position, intra-examiner reliability point estimates (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 3.3 ) ranged from 0.95 to 0.97 for EO, IO, and TrA. During the ASLR test, the ICC result of thickness measurements of all muscles was also above 0.90. In terms of percentage change of muscle thickness, the highest ICC 3.3 result obtained for the TrA was 0.81-0.85; for EO the result ranged from 0.72-0.89, and the result for the IO was between 0.65 and 0.79. Conclusion USI measurements of the thickness of the EO, IO, and TrA muscles at rest and during the ASLR test in healthy adolescents between 13 and 16 years of age are reliable. Because of an increase in the precision of measurements, we recommend using the mean of 3 consecutive measurements of the EO, IO, and TrA muscles in adolescents to ensure a good reliability level. Based on 3 consecutive measurements, good reliability for the percentage change in the TrA thickness was achieved.

Counting backwards: The cyanobactin class of heterocyclases, exemplified by TruD, possess an almost unique combination of processivity, specificity, chemical versatility, and promiscuity. TruD is shown by biochemical assay to be an adenylase, and processes cysteines in a defined order. The entire substrate leader can be removed and TruD will process a single specific cysteine residue; however the role of leader is to permit processivity through a balance of recognition. ATP/AMP=adenosine tri/monophosphate; PPi=pyrophosphate.

Objective: To describe a funduscopic finding in dogs that is referred to as Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy (PPRCA). Animals studied: Over a period of 24 years of ophthalmological practice, five cases of a characteristic paravenous retinal atrophy were observed in dogs. Procedures: A comprehensive clinical ophthalmological examination in all five dogs was complemented by abdominal sonography (cases 1, 3), clinical pathology analysis (cases 1, 3, 4), and a histological examination of both bulbi, kidneys, spleen, and liver in one dog (case 1). Results: Localized hyper-reflectivity in the tapetal fundus was observed in all five dogs and demonstrated a characteristic perivascular distribution along some peripheral retinal blood vessels. In these areas, geographic copper-brown coloration that tended to become darker with time was seen. Ophthalmoscopic signs of inflammation were lacking. The funduscopic abnormalities slowly progressed in size over years. Visual impairment could not be detected. Histopathology in one dog revealed severe retinal atrophy with multifocal perivascular distribution, mainly affecting the tapetal fundus and occasionally expanding into the nontapetal fundus. Conclusions: The described retinal lesions bear similarities with PPRCA in humans. As in humans, it appears to be an incidental funduscopic finding that is not associated with obvious vision impairment.

An 11-year-old, neutered male domestic short-hair cat was presented with buphthalmos of the right eye and diagnosed with advanced glaucoma. Sonographic examination revealed an iridial thickening. Neoplasia was suspected and an enucleation was performed. Histopathology of the enucleated eye revealed abundant amyloid deposition predominantly in the anterior uveal tract accompanied by few to moderate numbers of well-differentiated plasma cells. The amyloid deposits were identified by staining with Congo red and showing green birefringence under polarized light. Immunohistochemically, amyloid and plasma cells stained intensely only with anti-ALλ antibody, supporting the amyloid tumor being an immunoglobulin-λ-light chain origin. Additional abnormalities included narrowing of the filtration angle and collapse of the ciliary cleft, and trabecular meshwork. One year post-enucleation, the cat was still healthy without signs of systemic amyloidosis or apparent metastatic disease. This is the first report of a cat with noncutaneous extramedullary plasmacytoma originating in the anterior uveal tract with resulting local amyloid.

Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are often suspected in cats. Cats with HD are reported to present with one or more of the following patterns: miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic dermatitis, self-induced symmetrical alopecia or head and/or neck excoriations. Previous reports on feline HD included small numbers of animals, took place in geographically restricted areas or did not compare these conditions with other causes of pruritus. The goal of the present study was to analyse 72 parameters covering signalment, clinical, laboratory and treatment characteristics from a large group of pruritic cats from different geographical areas. Of the 502 cats, the following diagnoses were made: flea HD (29% of cases), food HD (12%) nonflea/nonfood HD (20%) and other diseases in which pruritus was a feature (24%). Cats with signs consistent with a HD but which did not complete a food trial were not analysed further (15% of cases). Most cats with nonflea HD exhibited signs compatible with one or more of the four typical lesional patterns, but none of these patterns was found to be pathognomonic for any specific diagnosis. Food HD and nonflea/nonfood HD were found to be clinically undistinguishable. Young adult, purebred and female cats appeared predisposed to nonflea/nonfood HD. As many diagnoses presented with similar lesional patterns, a thorough clinical work-up is required for establishment of a specific diagnosis.

Canine idiopathic sebaceous adenitis (ISA) is an inflammatory reaction of sebaceous glands, potentially resulting in their complete loss. It is considered a T-cell-mediated disease, but its precise pathogenesis is still unknown. Topical treatment with oil soaks, humectants and shampoos is effective but laborious. Ciclosporin A (CsA), an immunomodulatory drug, has recently been shown to ameliorate the clinical picture of ISA and to reduce inflammation greatly. It is, however, an expensive treatment option. The objective of this multicentre, partly double-blinded, randomized controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of ciclosporin A, either alone or with topical therapy, in comparison to conventional topical treatment alone, as measured by the primary end-points alopecia and scaling, and multiple histopathological secondary objectives. Thirty-four dogs with an established diagnosis were treated for 4-6 months and were evaluated before, during and after therapy. Both CsA and topical therapy demonstrated efficacy in this study. Differences between the treatment protocols were marginal. Topical treatment, both alone and in combination with CsA, appeared to reduce scaling more effectively than CsA alone. Both therapies reduced alopecia. There is evidence of a synergistic benefit on both scaling and alopecia, if both treatment options are combined. Inflammation of the sebaceous glands is also best reduced by a combination of both CsA and topical therapy. There is evidence that regeneration of sebaceous glands is best achieved by CsA, either given alone or in combination with topical treatment.

[**]We thank Dr D. Uhrin (Edinburgh) and Dr T. Lebl for NMR advice, Dr C. Botting for MS, M. Taylor for help with thermal shiftassays and Dr S. Talay (Braunschweig) for her kind gift of S. pyogenes DNA. MB and RB wish to thank EaStCHEM for support andfor access to the Research Computing Facility, and Dr H. Fruchtl for technical assistance. This work was funded in part by a Value inPeople award of the Wellcome Trust.

The success rates and adverse effects of a selamectin spot-on preparation, given orally weekly or every other week, against canine generalised demodicosis were evaluated in 44 dogs, 39 with juvenile-onset demodicosis and five with adult-onset demodicosis. The dogs received selamectin at a dose of 24 to 48 mg/kg once a week, or the same dose every two weeks. Thirty-eight dogs completed the study, four dogs were lost to follow-up and two dogs died. Nine dogs went into remission: all had the juvenile-onset form of the disease. There was no difference between the two treatment groups, but dogs with clinical scores of 65 or less responded significantly better than those with a score of over 65 (P=0.0015). The most frequent adverse effects were vomiting and diarrhoea. Two dogs exhibited mild reversible neurological side effects, which resolved with cessation of treatment. Difficulties in oral administration were observed in several dogs.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic or chronically relapsing human and canine skin disease that adversely affects the quality of life of affected individuals. The impact of the disease on affected children and their parents has been extensively studied, but very little is known of its impact on affected animals and their owners. The goal of the present study was to fill this gap. Owners were asked to complete three questionnaires concerning their own quality of life, their perception of the treatment provided and their pets' quality of life. Clinical features, such as severity index, pruritus score and disease duration, were evaluated in parallel and correlated with the questionnaire answers. The study not only demonstrated that canine atopic dermatitis deeply influenced the way of life of the owners of affected dogs but also in which aspects of life the impact was most severe.

Membrane lipids and cytoskeleton dynamics are intimately inter-connected in the eukaryotic cell; however, only recently have the molecular mechanisms operating at this interface in plant cells been addressed experimentally. Phospholipase D (PLD) and its product phosphatidic acid (PA) were discovered to be important regulators in the membrane-cytoskeleton interface in eukaryotes. Here we report the mechanistic details of plant PLD-actin interactions. Inhibition of PLD by n-butanol compromises pollen tube actin, and PA rescues the detrimental effect of n-butanol on F-actin, showing clearly the importance of the PLD-PA interaction for pollen tube F-actin dynamics. From various candidate tobacco PLDs isoforms, we identified NtPLDbeta1 as a regulatory partner of actin, by both activity and in vitro interaction assays. Similarly to published data, the activity of tobacco PIP(2)-dependent PLD (PLDbeta) is specifically enhanced by F-actin and inhibited by G-actin. We then identified the NtPLDbeta1 domain responsible for actin interactions. Using sequence- and structure-based analysis, together with site-directed mutagenesis, we identified Asn323 and Thr382 of NtPLDbeta1 as the crucial amino acids in the actin-interacting fold. The effect of antisense-mediated suppression of NtPLDbeta1 or NtPLDdelta on pollen tube F-actin dynamics shows that NtPLDbeta1 is the active partner in PLD-actin interplay. The positive feedback loop created by activation of PLDbeta by F-actin and of F-actin by PA provides an important mechanism to locally increase membrane-F-actin dynamics in the cortex of plant cells.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic or chronically relapsing human and canine skin disease that is known to affect the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. Several studies have been conducted to develop disease-specific questionnaires and assess QoL in parents of children with AD and in the children themselves. The severity of canine AD is however currently evaluated using only clinical and pruritus scores. Measurement of the QoL of affected dogs and their owners could therefore provide a new tool for assessing disease severity and treatment efficacy. Ninety-eight owners of AD-affected dogs were asked to complete two questionnaires aiming to evaluate the QoL of affected dogs and their owners on one hand and the relationship between them and their dog on the other hand. Statistical analyses were carried out in order to assess the validity of the questionnaires and to select relevant questions for future studies. These analyses resulted in the selection of 13 questions that could be used in further studies aiming at determining the QoL of affected animals and their owners.

The classical treatments for dogs with atopic dermatitis have traditionally been oral antipruritic drugs, allergen-specific immunotherapy and topical therapy. Fifty dogs with atopic dermatitis were included in this multicentred, double-blinded, randomized study to compare clinical response to an 8-week period of feeding one of three commercial veterinary foods marketed for dogs with atopic dermatitis (diets A-C) or a widely distributed supermarket food (diet D). Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed using Willemse's criteria and through the exclusion of differential diagnoses. Fourteen dogs were assigned to diet A and 12 dogs each to diet B, C or D. Flea and tick control using a monthly fipronil spot-on product was administered for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to inclusion in the study and during the study period. Evaluations were made monthly. These included lesion scores, using an established scoring system (canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index, CADESI-03) and owner evaluation of pruritus level using a visual analogue scale. After 8 weeks on the new diets, there was a significant improvement in CADESI and pruritus scores with diet B (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.043 and paired t-test, P = 0.012, respectively), in pruritus scores with diet A (paired t-test, P = 0.019) and in CADESI scores with diet D (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.037). No significant changes were detected with diet C. Based on the results of this study, in addition to the conventional therapies, changing the diet of dogs with atopic dermatitis may be a useful adjunctive therapeutic measure.

Vocational high schools in the Republic of Macedonia are making efforts to add content literacy and learning strategies to their curricula through Secondary Education Activity (SEA). SEA is a collaboration of the government of Macedonia, the International Reading Association, the American Institutes for Research, and the United States Agency for International Development to provide schools with updated curricula and to enable teachers to move from lecture-style instruction to instruction that included active learning and links between the school, community, and workplace. As part of this project, educators participated in workshops led by international volunteers and 16 Macedonian classroom teachers selected to become literacy coaches. The trained educators have subsequently led training at their own schools. This article focuses on the perceptions of the 16 new literacy coaches about their own professional development and dilemmas they have had to overcome.

A Steiner quadruple system of order v (briefly an SQS(v)) is a pair (X,) with |X| = v and a set of quadruples taken from X such that every triple in X is in a unique quadruple in . Hanani [Canad J Math 12 (1960), 145–157] showed that an SQS(v) exists if and only if v is {admissible}, that is, v = 0,1 or v ≡ 2,4 (mod 6). Each SQS(v) has a chromatic number when considered as a 4-uniform hypergraph. Here we show that a 4-chromatic SQS(v) exists for all admissible v ≥ 20, and that no 4-chromatic SQS(v) exists for v < 20. Each system we construct admits a proper 4-coloring that is equitable, that is, any two color classes differ in size by at most one. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 369–392, 2007

Staphylococcus aureus possesses cell-wall attached proteins that bind the human protein fibronectin (Fn). An intermodule interface between the 4F1 and 5F1 modules in the N-terminal domain of Fn is maintained on bacterial peptide binding but there is a small change in the intermodule orientation and alignment of β-strands that are predicted to bind the peptide. The module pair is elongated, as in the unbound state. Combined with evidence that residues in both 4F1 and 5F1 are directly involved in peptide binding, this observation supports the hypothesis that, when bound to intact Fn, the bacterial protein adopts an unusual, highly extended conformation.