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Infrequent, large‐magnitude discharge (>106 m3/s) outburst floods—megafloods—can play a major role in landscape evolution. Prehistoric glacial lake outburst megafloods transported and deposited large boulders (≥4 m), yet few studies consider their potential lasting impact on river processes and form. We use a numerical model, constrained by observed boulder size distributions, to investigate the fluvial response to boulder deposition by megaflooding in the Yarlung‐Siang River, eastern Himalaya. Results show that boulder deposition changes local channel steepness (ksn) up to ∼180% compared to simulations without boulder bars, introducing >100 meter‐scale knickpoints to the channel that can be sustained for >20 kyr. Simulations demonstrate that deposition of boulders in a single megaflood can have a greater influence on ksn than another common source of fluvial boulders: incision‐rate‐dependent delivery of boulders from hillslopes. Through widespread boulder deposition, megafloods leave a lasting legacy of channel disequilibrium that compounds over multiple floods and persists for millennia. Plain Language Summary: Megafloods (discharge equivalent to ≥400 instantaneously draining Olympic‐sized swimming pools per second) can transport a lot of material, including car‐ to house‐sized boulders. Because these boulders are so big, they remain in the channel until the next megaflood or until they weather into smaller pieces. We use a computer model to understand the impact of these megaflood deposited boulders on mountain river processes. We find that megaflood boulders can protect the river from being eroded, causing other processes, like tectonic uplift, to outcompete erosion. Megaflood boulders cause small steps to form within the river. Our modeling shows that these effects can be felt for >20,000 yrs after a single flood. We suggest that megaflood deposition (in addition to erosion) can cause a significant, unique change in mountain river processes. Key Points: We studied channel response to megaflood boulder deposition in the eastern Himalaya using a numerical modelMegaflood boulder deposition locally changes channel steepness up to 180%, creating >100 knickpointsThe compounding effect from multiple megaflood boulder deposits in rapid succession perturbs channel form for many thousands of years [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand fitness consequences of performance, one must determine how underlying physiological traits result in and constrain performance. Biochemical and mechanistic investment in a performance trait may cause decreased performance elsewhere: a performance tradeoff, indicating performance specialization in a population. (Co)variation exists within individuals, and among individuals, populations, and species. Conflicting patterns of among‐individual and within‐individual covariation may eliminate, or mask, the relationship at the phenotypic level. Multivariate mixed‐effects models (MMMs) model within‐individual and among‐individual variation separately. We used MMMs to test for relationships between physiological and performance traits associated with locomotion in the prairie lizard Sceloporus consobrinus, and tested for tradeoffs at multiple hierarchical levels. We then compared these results to the conventional Pearson correlations. We found a significant among‐individual tradeoff between endurance and climbing speed. Positive covariation within individuals masked the tradeoff at the phenotypic level. Sprint speed positively covaried with climbing speed. Excluding anaerobic scope, which was associated with endurance, no measured physiological traits were predictive of locomotor performance. These data indicate that performance specialization exists among prairie lizards and contribute to a growing body of literature that have successfully used MMMs to uncover performance tradeoffs which may have been masked using conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lefty and Nodal are transforming growth factor β‐related proteins, which, beside their role in determination of laterality during embryogenesis, have also been linked with cancer progression. Objectives: Prompted by the observed significant left‐sided laterality of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), we addressed whether Lefty and Nodal are expressed in MCC and correlated expression patterns with clinical parameters such as MCC laterality and patient outcome. Methods: Expression of Lefty and Nodal in primary MCC was assessed in 29 patients by immunohistochemistry. The histology (H‐)score was calculated and correlated with clinical parameters. Results: The median (range) H‐score of Lefty and Nodal was 17.6 (0–291) and 74.9 (0.7–272), respectively. There was a significant correlation between Lefty expression and Nodal expression (correlation coefficient of 0.60, P = 0.0006). There was no significant correlation between Lefty expression and Nodal expression with either tumour laterality, gender, age, Merkel cell polyomavirus status, disease stage, anatomical localization of primary tumours or disease relapse. On univariate analysis, low Lefty expression and Nodal expression were significantly associated with MCC‐specific death (P = 0.010 and P = 0.019, respectively). On univariate analysis, low Lefty expression was the only significant independent predictor for MCC‐specific death (P = 0.025) as indicated by an odds ratio of 14 (95% CI: 1.43–137.33). Conclusions: Lefty and Nodal are frequently expressed in MCC, but not correlated with tumour laterality. Importantly, our data suggest that a low level of Lefty expression in primary MCC is a strong predictor of MCC‐specific death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) key regulators may contribute to the pathogenesis of malignancies. miRNA machinery genes such Dicer and Drosha have been reported to be biomarkers in different cancer types. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate Drosha and Dicer protein expression in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Methods: We performed Drosha and Dicer immunohistochemistry in 45 patients with mycosis fungoides and subtypes. Drosha and Dicer expression scores were correlated with clinical parameters including disease‐specific death (DSD), stage of disease and different laboratory data. Uni‐ and multivariate statistics were performed. Results: On univariate analysis, elevated serum LDH and low Drosha expression were significantly associated with advanced stage (P = 0.032 and 0.0062, respectively) and lymphoma‐specific death (LSD; P = 0.017 and P = 0.005, respectively). Moreover, elevated circulating CD4+/CD26− lymphocytes were significantly associated with advanced stage (P = 0.032) and DSD (P = 0.0098). On multivariate analysis, low Drosha expression remained in the logistic regression model as significant independent predictor for advanced disease stages [P = 0.013; odds ratio: 5 (confidence interval) CI 1.3–19.3]. Moreover, low Drosha expression (P = 0.026) and elevated LDH (P = 0.025) remained as significant independent predictors for DSD with odds ratios of 13.5 (CI 1.3–134.4 and 8.7 CI 1.3–57.2, respectively). Conclusions: Low Drosha expression is an independent predictor for advanced stage as well as LSD in CTCL patients indicating a tumour suppressor gene function of Drosha in this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxymethylation studies on cutaneous vascular tumours, such as classic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) and cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS), have not been reported yet. As expected, the 5-year sarcoma-specific survival was significantly shorter in CAS patients when compared to CKS patients ( I P i = 0.022). In line with our data, Liu I et al i .9 reported that low 5-hmc or IDH-2 expression alone and combined 5-hmc and IDH-2 expression were associated with lower overall survival rates and higher cumulative tumour recurrence rates in patients with hepatocellular carcinomas. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a study conducted on a cohort of Pakistani patients with severe bleeding abnormalities including hematoma, epistaxis and prolonged wound bleeding, who were diagnosed with Bernard‐Soulier syndrome. According to the author, this disease is caused by defects to the platelet receptor for von Willebrand factor (VWF) and is accompanied by low platelet counts and impaired platelet agglutination after stimulation with ristocetin.

Background Tonsillitis is a common condition with an incidence in UK general practice of 37 per 1000 population a year.1 Recurrent tonsillitis results in significant morbidity and impacts on individuals' quality of life. This study assesses the morbidity and quality of life of adults with recurrent tonsillitis, and the impact of surgical intervention on their health state. Objectives To describe disease-specific and global quality of life for adults with recurrent tonsillitis 6 months after tonsillectomy, using two instruments: the health impact of throat problems ( HITP) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale questionnaire. To assess the overall health benefit from tonsillectomy as an intervention using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory ( GBI). To assess potential predictors of tonsillectomy benefit. Design A prospective, observational cohort audit of patients who have fulfilled Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network ( SIGN) criteria for tonsillectomy.2 Setting Secondary care, teaching hospital. Participants Seventy patients (57 female), median age 20 years (range 13-41). Results Median preoperative HITP was 47 (range 15-67), compared to 4 (0-72), ( P<.001) 6 months following surgery. Median HITP difference was 39.5 (range −20 to 75). There was no significant change in global Quality of Life. Median overall 6 months GBI was 39 (−3 to 100). Patients had an average of 27 episodes of tonsillitis over a period of seven years before 'achieving' tonsillectomy, significantly higher than the SIGN guidelines of three or more episodes over three years. Conclusions Recurrent tonsillitis causes a poor disease-specific quality of life. Patients experienced a median of three episodes per year for seven years before tonsillectomy. Following tonsillectomy, patients had a significant improvement in their disease-specific quality of life. Baseline HITP significantly improved after tonsillectomy. The results imply patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis may be experiencing undue delay [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) establishes a direct connection between producers and consumers of locally grown produce. Members typically pay a seasonal fee in advance of the growing season in return for weekly shares of produce throughout the course of the growing season. This paper is based upon survey and interview data collected among members of From the Ground Up, a CSA located in Maryland. The main purpose of this paper is to answer two major research questions. “How has From the Ground Up CSA evolved?” and “Why have these changes occurred?” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmotic shock triggers eryptosis, a suicidal death of erythrocytes characterized by cell shrinkage, cell membrane blebbing and phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Phosphatidylserine-exposing erythrocytes are recognized by macrophages, engulfed, degraded and thus cleared from circulating blood. Eryptosis following osmotic shock is mediated by two distinct signalling pathways. On the one hand, osmotic shock stimulates a cyclooxygenase leading to formation of prostaglandin E2 and subsequent activation of Ca2+-permeable cation channels. On the other hand, osmotic shock activates a phospholipase A2 leading to release of platelet activating factor, which in turn activates a sphingomyelinase and thus stimulates the formation of ceramide. The increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations on the one hand and ceramide on the other trigger phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane with the subsequent shift of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer cell membrane leaflet. Ca2+ further activates Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels leading to cellular KCl loss and further cell shrinkage. The cation channels are inhibited by Cl− anions, erythropoietin and dopamine. The sphingomyelinase is inhibited by high concentrations of urea. Thus, the high Cl− and urea concentrations in renal medulla presumably prevent the triggering of eryptosis despite hyperosmolarity. The mechanisms involved in eryptosis may not only affect the survival of erythrocytes but may be similarly operative in nucleated cells exposed to osmotic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Migration is a key function of stem cells during ontogenesis, of fibroblasts in wound healing and of immune cells in host defence. The signals that initiate migration are as important as signals that terminate migration, once the destination has been reached. We now show that formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced migration of neutrophils was inhibited by increasing concentrations of interleukin-8 (IL-8). IL-8 dose dependently increased the frequency and the duration of stop-periods, whereas the percentage of cells of a population that was locomotory active remained constant. The stop-signal delivered by IL-8 was intracellularly transduced by a dichotomic pathway: (i) the activation of the adenylyl cyclase leads to an increase of cytosolic cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which results in an activation of the sarcoplasmatic/endoplasmatic reticulum calcium ATPase pump and a calcium sequestration; (ii) the activation of the phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) generates inositol-1,4,5-phosphate (IP3 ) and diacylglycerol (DAG), which results in IP3 -mediated release of intracellularly stored calcium in the endoplasmatic reticulum and DAG-mediated activation of protein kinase C. Thus, we show for the first time that a chemokine, IL-8, in concert with fMLP, downregulates the neutrophil migration through the regulation of the intracellular calcium concentration via the adenylyl cyclase and the PLCβ2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In addition to the known host species of Cristulariella depraedans in Europe, 21 new hosts, including eight woody species, are recorded. The different symptoms, which depend on the host species, are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with minimal myocardial injuries who present clinically with unstable angina, early stages of myocardial infarction or myocarditis require different therapy strategies to those without. The newer diagnostic assays for detecting myocardial lesions (cardiac Troponin T and cardiac Troponin I [cTnT, cTnI], glycogenphosphorylase - BB [GPBB]) are reported to be more sensitive and specific than common biochemical markers such as CK and myoglobin. Our study tested whether the recently developed four assays cTnT-ELISA (in vitro), cTnT rapid bedside assay, cTnI rapid bedside assay, and GPBB (Immunoenzymetric assay) are effective in detecting minimal myocardial injuries caused by endomyocardial biopsy. We compared them with CK activity (CK-cat), CK-MB activity (CK-MBcat), CK-MB-concentration (CK-MB-mass) and Myoglobin concentration (Myo-conc.).Patients and Methods: Twenty-four patients [six female, 18 male, age (mean): 47 years (20-65)] underwent diagnostic endomyocardial biopsy. Between four and six biopsies were taken from the mid-right ventricular aspect of the interventricular septum of the heart. Blood was drawn before catheterization (baseline), 10 min after the biopsy, in the next morning, and in the morning of the second day after (days 1 and 2).Results and Conclusion: Because of very low CKcat it was not possible to analyse CK-MBcat with reliable precision. The assay for GPBB and cTnI rapid bedside assay did not indicate this minimal myocardial injury. The CK cat, CK-MB mass, and myoglobin assays indicated significant increase at 10 min after biopsy but remained within reference range. cTnT rapid bedside assay indicated this minimal myocardial injury in 50% (P < 0.05). cTnT-ELISA (in vitro) was increased above the reference limit in 54%. This increase was 3. 6-fold the upper reference limit (P < 0.01). In our study, due to superior discriminating power, cTnT-ELISA (in vitro) was the most sensitive assay for minimal myocardial injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On needles of Picea abies and other conifers necrotic spots were observed. Preliminary experiments showed that similar symptoms could be caused by photooxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of dieback in Pinus nigra caused by Scleroderris Iagerbergii Gr. in the Federal Republic of Germany. In the Federal Republic of Germany dieback of Pinus nigra caused by Scleroderris lagerbergii was observed in almost all States both along the coast and also in the interior of the country, on flat and on hilly situations. Killing of single trees or of whole stands is observed mainly in 8-25 years old Pinus nigra plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents anatomical studies on the infection biology of Scleroderris lagerbergii. Infection of Pinus nigra shoots by Brunchorstia pinea was studied by means of both ordinary light and fluorescent microscopy. Following spore germination, the mycelium lives under and between the leaf scales, subsequently invading the leaf scales directly. The hyphae can grow through periderms, later invading the xylem via the rays. Typically the fungus does not invade immediately after germination but during the growing season the mycelium lives under and between the scales of long and short shoots and also between the bud scales of long shoots. The ability to grow through a periderm enables the mycelium to reach the inner tissues of the shoots. After rapid and intensive invasion of the cortex parenchyma, Brunchorstia grows both into the phloem and also via rays, into the wood.

In this Letter, the authors present the experimental verification of an analytical model, which captures the realistic shape of bond wire antennas (BWAs) in dependence on the wire bonding and design parameters. Using the verified model, the impact of the shape of the wires on the performance of BWAs is quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-throughput department of DKMS Life Science Lab encounters novel human leukocyte antigen ( HLA) alleles on a daily basis. To characterise these alleles, we have developed a system to sequence the whole gene from 5′- to 3′- UTR for the HLA loci A, B, C, DQB1 and DPB1 for submission to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Nucleotide Archive ( EMBL-ENA) and the IPD-IMGT/ HLA Database. Our workflow is based on a dual redundant sequencing strategy. Using shotgun sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq instrument and single molecule real-time ( SMRT) sequencing on a PacBio RS II instrument, we are able to achieve highly accurate HLA full-length consensus sequences. Remaining conflicts are resolved using the R package DR2S (Dual Redundant Reference Sequencing). Given the relatively high throughput of this strategy, we have developed the semi-automated web service TypeLoader, to aid in the submission of sequences to the EMBL-ENA and the IPD-IMGT/ HLA Database. In the IPD-IMGT/ HLA Database release 3.24.0 (April 2016; prior to the submission of the sequences described here), only 5.2% of all known HLA alleles have been fully characterised together with intronic and UTR sequences. So far, we have applied our strategy to characterise and submit 1056 HLA alleles, thereby more than doubling the number of fully characterised alleles. Given the increasing application of next generation sequencing ( NGS) for full gene characterisation in clinical practice, extending the HLA database concomitantly is highly desirable. Therefore, we propose this dual redundant sequencing strategy as a workflow for submission of novel full-length alleles and characterisation of sequences that are as yet incomplete. This would help to mitigate the predominance of partially known alleles in the database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Head and Neck Managed Clinical Network (MCN) was established in April 2002 with the aim of ensuring that no matter where a patient receives treatment, their treatment pathway will be the same. An advisory board was set up with representation from the five West of Scotland health board areas (Ayrshire and Arran, Argyll and Clyde, Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Forth Valley).The Advisory Board consists of representatives from the multidisciplinary team including ear, nose and throat, maxillofacial and plastic surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, palliative care consultant and a patient representative. The dietetic representative on the Advisory Board acts as a link to the 12 members of the Dietetic Subgroup. These dietitians are from across the West of Scotland health boards and local multidisciplinary teams and include both the primary and acute sector. A network manager was appointed in April 2003 and works within a team for the West of Scotland Cancer MCN's, which provide administration, audit, information, statistical and information technology, support to the network.The network is committed in improving the quality of care and outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers. Agreement of the head and neck minimum dataset across Scotland has still to be achieved.The network has utilized telemedicine conferences to audit new complicated cases throughout the West of Scotland. Monthly meetings link surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologist, dietitians, speech and language therapists and clinical nurse specialists in Glasgow, Ayrshire, Forth Valley, Argyll and Clyde and Lanarkshire to provide discussion and agreement in best patient care.Patient information booklets are being developed to cover all areas of head and neck cancer. Dietitians have been involved in writing the dietetic component of the booklets and also in proof reading the booklets as a whole. Dietitians within this group have been working with the Scottish Nutrition and Diet Resources Initiative to develop a cancer diet information pack entitled‘A Helping Hand’, which was published in February 2004.The MCN has been monitoring patient pathways, which are often complex in head and neck cancer patients.Over time with the network, we envisage a powerful multidisciplinary group, which focuses on strategic planning of patient care, to assist delivery of service improvement and clinical benefit. To help achieve this goal, dietitians are sharing information on best practice and producing guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Pigmentary abberations of the skin, mucosa and epidermal appendages are common side-effects after systemic treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. These pigment changes appear in different patterns and are partly quite typical for the applied chemotherapeutic drug. The pathogenesis of the different skin pigmentations are not well known. The most often discussed causes are the stimulation of melanocytes, involvement of the tyrosinase enzyme system and thrombophlebitis with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation by the aggressive substances. Nail discolorations are mainly due to direct toxic effects and stimulation of the matrix melanocytes. We report a rare event of supravenous hyperpigmentation, transverse leuconychia and melanonychia after chemotherapy of a patient suffering from Hodgkin’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on pathogens as the source of causing diseases. With the help of artificial inoculations, it was observed that cylindrocarpon cylindroidcs var. tenuc is the main cause of the disease of Abies conolor and the progenies of the species- combinations. It is a severe disease and can cause death of the tree.