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Cranial placodes are thickenings of the embryonic head ectoderm that contribute to the paired sense organs and to the cephalic peripheral nervous system. Here we report the spatiotemporal expression pattern of transcription factor Pitx2c during Xenopus laevis cranial placode formation, focusing more specifically on key stages of trigeminal and profundal placode development. We also compare its expression to five genes that have been associated with development of these sensory placodes, namely Foxilc, Isletl, NeuroD, Pax3, and Six1. We show that while initially expressed in both the trigeminal and profundal placodes, Pitx2c is later restricted to the prospective profundal ganglion, where it is co-expressed with Isletl, NeuroD and Pax3. This combination of factors defines a molecular signature for the characterization of the profundal versus trigeminal ganglia in Xenopus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revue Anthropologie et Sociétés is the property of Anthropologie et Societies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Observations of persistent high supersaturations with respect to ice inside cirrus clouds are challenging our understanding of cloud microphysics and of climate feedback processes in the upper troposphere. Single measurements of a cloudy air mass provide only a snapshot from which the persistence of ice supersaturation cannot be judged. We introduce here the "cirrus match technique" to obtain information of the evolution of clouds and their saturation ratio. The aim of these coordinated balloon soundings is to analyze the same air mass twice. To this end the standard radiosonde equipment is complemented by a frost point hygrometer "SnowWhite" and a particle backscatter detector "COBALD" (Compact Optical Backscatter Aerosol Detector). Extensive trajectory calculations based on regional weather model COSMO forecasts are performed for flight planning and COSMO analyses are used as basis for comprehensive microphysical box modeling (with grid scale 2km and 7 km, respectively). Here we present the results of matching a cirrus cloud to within 2-15 km, realized on 8 June 2010 over Payerne, Switzerland, and a location 120 km downstream close to Zurich. A thick cirrus was detected over both measurement sites. We show that in order to quantitatively reproduce the measured particle backscatter ratios, the small-scale temperature fluctuations not resolved by COSMO must be superimposed on the trajectories. The stochastic nature of the fluctuations is captured by ensemble calculations. Possibilities for further improvements in the agreement with the measured backscatter data are investigated by assuming a very slow mass accommodation of water on ice, the presence of heterogeneous ice nuclei, or a wide span of (spheroidal) particle shapes. However, the resulting improvements from microphysical refinements are moderate and comparable in magnitude with changes caused by assuming different regimes of temperature fluctuations for clear sky or cloudy sky conditions, highlighting the importance of a proper treatment of subscale fluctuations. The model yields good agreement with the measured backscatter over both sites and reproduces the measured saturation ratios with respect to ice over Payerne. Conversely, the 30% in-cloud supersaturation measured in a massive, 4-km thick cloud layer over Zurich cannot be reproduced, irrespective of the choice of meteorological or microphysical model parameters. The measured supersaturation can only be explained by either resorting to an unknown physical process, which prevents the ice particles from consuming the excess humidity, or - much more likely - by a measurement error, such as a contamination of the sensor housing of the SnowWhite hygrometer by a precipitation drop from a mixed phase cloud just below the cirrus layer or from some very slight rain in the boundary layer. This uncertainty calls for in-flight checks or calibrations of hygrometers under the extreme humidity conditions in the upper troposphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous respiratory disease with important extra-pulmonary features and comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess clinical heterogeneity in a well-defined subgroup of individuals with COPD GOLD D, including possible gender differences. Methods: Pulmonary function, arterial blood gases, exercise performance, quadriceps muscle function, problematic activities of daily life, dyspnea, health status and comorbidities have been assessed in 117 individuals with a MRC dyspnea grade 4/5 and COPD GOLD D entering pulmonary rehabilitation. Results: A broad range of values were found for diffusion capacity, exercise capacity, quadriceps muscle function and health status. Indeed, the high coefficients of variation were found for these outcomes. Problematic activities of daily life as well as objectified comorbidities also varied to a great extent. Moreover, significant gender differences were found for exercise performance, lower-limb muscle function and various comorbidities. Conclusion: The current findings emphasize that COPD is a heterogeneous disease whose clinical presentation varies significantly, even in individuals with very severe COPD with the same degree of dyspnea and all classified as GOLD D. Trial registration: NTR2322. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Spinal cord ischaemia is rare in childhood and information on clinical presentation and outcome is scarce. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of eight patients and 75 additional cases from the literature. Data search included: patient''s age, primary manifestation, risk factors, neuroimaging and outcome. Results: Five female and three male patients gave consent to participate. Mean age was 12.5 years (10–15 years). Six patients presented with paraplegia; this was preceded by pain in four. Brown Sequard syndrome and quadriparesis were the two others'' presenting condition. Sensation levels were thoracolumbar in seven cases. Bladder dysfunction only or bladder and bowel dysfunction were reported in eight and five patients respectively. Time to maximal symptom manifestation was <12 h in 7/8. Risk factors included surgery, minor trauma, recent infection, and thrombophilia. Mean follow-up was 3.3 years (0.25–6.3 years). Three patients remained wheelchair-dependent and three patients were ambulatory without aid. Bladder function recovered fully in five children. Most affected aspects of quality of life were physical and mental well-being and self-perception. T2-weighted-MR images showed pencil-like hyperintensity (8/8) in sagittal and H-shaped or snake-eyes-like lesion (6/8) in axial views. Analyses of all 83 patients were in congruence with the above results of the study group. Conclusion: Spinal cord ischaemia in childhood presenting with pain, paraplegia, and bladder dysfunction has high morbidity concerning motor problems and quality of life. Acute arterial ischaemic event in children seems similar to adult events with respect to clinical presentation and, surprisingly, also in outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multiple motor function and strength assessment tools exist for the evaluation of neuromuscular diseases, but most do not directly assess functional ability in the patients’ daily physical activity in their home environment. In this study our aim was to assess: 1) the feasibility and accuracy of physical activity monitoring during two days in a home environment of five DMD patients using a non-commercialized monitor containing a 3D accelerometer and a gyroscope, 2) if a difference in the physical activity parameters could be measured before and one month after starting prednisolone. We reliably quantified the time spend sitting, standing, lying, walking, the number of steps taken, the cadence, the number of walking episodes and their duration as well as how these were distributed over the day. Parameters possibly reflecting endurance, such as the duration of the walking episodes or the succession of two or three walking episodes lasting more than 30 s were the most improved after prednisolone treatment. This degree of detailed determination of physical activity in a home environment has not been previously reported in neuromuscular disorders to our knowledge and some of the reported parameters are potential new outcome measures in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the 25th anniversary celebration of the Society of North Carolina Archivists (SNCA). The main theme of SNCA 25th anniversary is to remember the humble beginnings and to recognize the remarkable memories of the organization since it started in 1984. One of the unforgettable memories of SNCA during its first years include their solid interest and commitment from every member and board members and the development of long-term friendships in both professional and personal. It also pays tribute on the previous presidency who are devoted and committed to serve the organization and the nation and recognizes of the further developments in SNCA throughout the years.

Chemokines are a family of proteins originally identified for their activity promoting the recruitment of leukocytes to inflammatory sites. Recent evidence indicates that chemokines and their receptors may also regulate key developmental processes. In this paper we report the expression and regulation of the chemokine CXCL14 during Xenopus laevis embryogenesis . CXCL14 is first detected in several ectoderm derivatives, the dorsal aspect of the retina, the cement gland and the hatching gland. Later in development, additional domains of expression include the head mesenchyme and the medial ventral aspect of the otic vesicle. CXCL14 expression in the ectoderm is regulated by both Bmp and canonical Wnt signaling. In the hatching gland CXCL14 is co-expressed with the transcription factor Pax3. Using gain of function and knockdown approaches in whole embryos and animal explants we show that Pax3 is both necessary and sufficient for CXCL14 expression in this domain of the ectoderm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on seven children (five males, two females) who presented with marked, often asymmetrical, toe-walking from onset of independent walking, associated with abnormal foot postures and increased tone at the ankles with characteristics of dystonia. Most of the children had presented with unusual pre-walking locomotion and a mild delay in independent walking. They did not fit into the usual categories of 'habitual' toe-walking or congenital short tendo calcaneus but nor did they have the clinical signs of spastic diplegia or of a peripheral neuromuscular disease. Normalization occurred progressively in the second to fourth years of life. The children were re-examined several years later (1 to 11y) and were normal. We believe that their persistent toe-walking corresponded to a variant of 'transient focal dystonia of infancy'. Knowledge of its existence may justify a period of observation without special investigations, surgery, or casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Communities of practice are based on the idea that learning involves a group of people exchanging experiences and knowledge. The e-MPODERA project aims to assess the effectiveness of a virtual community of practice aimed at improving primary healthcare professional attitudes to the empowerment of patients with chronic diseases. Methods This paper describes the protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. We will randomly assign 18 primary-care practices per participating region of Spain (Catalonia, Madrid and Canary Islands) to a virtual community of practice or to usual training. The primary-care practice will be the randomization unit and the primary healthcare professional will be the unit of analysis. We will need a sample of 270 primary healthcare professionals (general practitioners and nurses) and 1382 patients. We will perform randomization after professionals and patients are selected. We will ask the intervention group to participate for 12 months in a virtual community of practice based on a web 2.0 platform. We will measure the primary outcome using the Patient-Provider Orientation Scale questionnaire administered at baseline and after 12 months. Secondary outcomes will be the sociodemographic characteristics of health professionals, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients, the Patient Activation Measure questionnaire for patient activation and outcomes regarding use of the virtual community of practice. We will calculate a linear mixed-effects regression to estimate the effect of participating in the virtual community of practice. Discussion This cluster randomized controlled trial will show whether a virtual intervention for primary healthcare professionals improves attitudes to the empowerment of patients with chronic diseases. Trial registration ClicalTrials.gov, NCT02757781 . Registered on 25 April 2016. Protocol Version. PI15.01 22 January 2016.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate placental growth hormone levels in maternal circulation throughout pregnancy in normal and growth hormone-deficient women with the use of a specific assay and to determine the clearance of placental growth hormone from maternal circulation after birth.Study Design: Seventeen healthy pregnant women and 1 patient with growth hormone deficiency substituted with recombinant growth hormone during pregnancy participated in a longitudinal study from early pregnancy until birth with repetitive blood sampling and measurement of placental growth hormone levels throughout pregnancy. Furthermore, serial blood samples were drawn before, during, and after elective caesarean deliveries in 5 healthy women to calculate the half-life of placental growth hormone. Placental growth hormone was measured with the use of two monoclonal antibodies in a commercially available solid-phase iodine 125-labeled immunoradiometric assay (Biocode, Liège, Belgium).Results: Placental growth hormone levels were detectable from as early as 8 weeks of gestation in some of the women and increased throughout gestation, with a maximum at approximately 35 to 36 weeks of gestation (13.7 ng/mL; range, 5.9-24.4 ng/mL) and large interindividual variations. Placental growth hormone levels did not correlate with birth weight or placental weight. In the patient with isolated growth hormone deficiency, placental growth hormone levels were detectable from 11 weeks of gestation (3.4 ng/mL) and increased throughout pregnancy to 13.9 ng/mL, which is similar to values that are obtained in the healthy pregnant women. Substitution therapy with recombinant human growth hormone did not suppress the increase in placental growth hormone. We found a mean half-life of placental growth hormone of 13.8 minutes (range, 11.5-15.2 minutes) in healthy pregnant women and an apparently similar half-life of placental growth hormone (15.8 minutes) in the growth hormone-deficient patient, assuming a monoexponential disappearance of placental growth hormone during the first 30 minutes after the delivery. After the initial 30 minutes, approximately 75% (range, 65%-89%) of the placental growth hormone had been cleared from the maternal circulation.Conclusion: Levels of placental growth hormone in maternal circulation increase throughout pregnancy from as early as 8 weeks of pregnancy, with maximum levels around the week 35 of gestation. The pregnancy-induced rise in placental growth hormone levels in the growth hormone-deficient patient was comparable to the rise seen during normal pregnancies and was not suppressed by the concurrent human growth hormone treatment. We speculate that maternal serum levels of placental growth hormone reflect placental function and fetal growth. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the potential clinical use of placental growth hormone determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fatigue is the most reported symptom in patients with persistent complaints following COVID-19 (i.e. long COVID). Longitudinal studies examining the intensity of fatigue and differentiating between physical and mental fatigue are lacking.Objective: Therefore, this study was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to assess the severity of fatigue over time in members of online long COVID peer support groups, and (2) to assess whether members of online long COVID peer support groups experience mental fatigue, physical fatigue or both.Methods: A two-wave web-based follow-up study was conducted in members of online long COVID peer support groups with a confirmed diagnosis approximately three and six months after the onset of infectious symptoms. Demographics, COVID-19 diagnosis, received healthcare (medical professions and/or allied healthcare professionals), fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength - subscale subjective fatigue, CIS-Fatigue; 8-56 points), and physical and mental fatigue (self-constructed questions; 3-21 points) were assessed. Higher scores indicate more severe fatigue. A CIS-Fatigue score ≥36 points was used to qualify patients as having severe fatigue.Results: 239 patients with PCR/CT confirmed COVID-19 (83% women; median [IQR] age: 50 [39-56] years; 59% no self-reported pre-existing comorbidities; 87% good self-reported health before COVID-19; 26% hospitalized during acute infection) completed the survey 10±2 and 23±2 weeks after onset of infectious symptoms, respectively T1 and T2. The vast majority of patients had severe fatigue at T1 and T2 (85% and 79%, respectively). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of normal, mild, and severe fatigue between T1 and T2 (P=.12). Median CIS-Fatigue was 48 [42-53] points at T1 and decreased from T1 to T2 (median change: -2 [-7 to 3] points, P<.001). At T1, a median physical fatigue of 19 [16-20] points and a median mental fatigue of 15 [10-17] points was reported, which was lower at T2 for physical but not for mental fatigue (median change: -1 [-3 to 0], P<.001; and 0 [-3 to 3] points, P=.52, respectively). At time of completing the follow-up survey, 81% and 69% of all patients had received care from at least one medical profession and allied healthcare professional, respectively.Conclusions: Fatigue in members of online long COVID support groups with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis decreases from 10 to 23 weeks after onset of symptoms. Despite this, severe fatigue remains highly prevalent. Both physical and mental fatigue are present. It remains unclear whether and to what extent fatigue will resolve spontaneously on the longer term.Clinicaltrial: Netherlands Trial Register NTR8705. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]