Search

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some US state governments banned abortion due to its allegedly 'elective' nature. While these actions were successfully challenged in courts, discussion about the topic may have shaped personal and public opinion. This study aimed to explore the framing of abortion in local newspapers during the onset of the pandemic. Articles regarding abortion were collected from three top circulated local online news publications from three southern US states. Of the states that attempted to block abortions, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi were selected for their high non-White populations. Using critical thematic analysis, 77 articles were analysed, and four themes were identified: individual-centric, public health risk, interplay with inequalities, and hierarchical health care. Existing abortion narratives were taken up by different sides of the debate to push political agendas. However, new pro-/anti-abortion justifications were observed, specifically regarding public health concerns during COVID-19. Anti-abortion activists framed abortion provision as a health risk and employed other narratives that likely reinforced gendered, ethnic and socioeconomic power disparities by shifting blame onto abortion seekers and providers. However, pro-choice supporters framed abortion as essential health care and as a structural issue, which may have bolstered awareness for structural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E. coli O83 (Colinfant Newborn) is a Gram-negative (G-) probiotic bacterium used in the clinic. When administered orally, it reduces allergic sensitisation but not allergic asthma. Intranasal administration offers a non-invasive and convenient delivery method. This route bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and provides direct access to the airways, which are the target of asthma prevention. G- bacteria such as E. coli O83 release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) to communicate with the environment. Here we investigate whether intranasally administered E. coli O83 OMVs (EcO83-OMVs) can reduce allergic airway inflammation in mice. Methods: EcO83-OMVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterised their number, morphology (shape and size), composition (proteins and lipopolysaccharide; LPS), recognition by innate receptors (using transfected HEK293 cells) and immunomodulatory potential (in naïve splenocytes and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells; BMDCs). Their allergy-preventive effect was investigated in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation. Results: EcO83-OMVs are spherical nanoparticles with a size of about 110 nm. They contain LPS and protein cargo. We identified a total of 1120 proteins, 136 of which were enriched in OMVs compared to parent bacteria. Proteins from the flagellum dominated. OMVs activated the pattern recognition receptors TLR2/4/5 as well as NOD1 and NOD2. EcO83-OMVs induced the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in splenocytes and BMDCs. Intranasal administration of EcO83-OMVs inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness, and decreased airway eosinophilia, Th2 cytokine production and mucus secretion. Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time that intranasally administered OMVs from probiotic G- bacteria have an anti-allergic effect. Our study highlights the advantages of OMVs as a safe platform for the prophylactic treatment of allergy. EMYsnR3rdE-GSR4j97-aGf Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drag queens are typically gay men who perform as caricature-like women. They thereby publicly challenge "naturally" binary gender role categories, though it remains unclear how that interplays with their private (e.g., sexual) lives. This study seeks to answer this question by exploring the sexuality and sexual practices of drag queens. Employing a critical realist approach, ten semi-structured interviews were conducted in Germany, with questions focusing on the drag queens' views on sexuality and sexual positioning. By adopting a thematic analysis, three main themes were identified: natural versus artificial identity; advocacy for sexuality; and rejection of heteronormativity. Results suggest that the primary intention of drag queens is to challenge heteronorms, while they regularly adhered to these privately. This illustrates the distinction made by the participants between their "public" persona, an artificial character that lacks sexuality, and their "private" life (e.g., sexual practices), shaped by an "inborn" sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic brain disorder characterized by diverse cognitive dysfunctions due to abnormal brain connectivity. Evaluating these connectivity alterations between and within such networks (intra- and inter-connectivity) may improve the understanding of disrupted information processing patterns in SZ patients. Methods: Resting-state fMRI analysis was performed on 24 SZ patients and 27 matched healthy controls. A functional connectivity matrix was constructed for each participant based on 129 gray matter regions. All regions were classified into eight distinct functional networks. Afterward, all functional connections were segregated into inter- and intra-network connections considering the eight networks. The Mean values of connectivity weights and nodal strength were examined for within- and between-network connections in SZ patients and healthy controls. Results: This analysis revealed that the within-network connections in the somatomotor (SM) network significantly reduced (P<0.001) in SZ patients. Additionally, intra-network connections within the visual and the ventral attention (VA) networks were significantly lower (P<0.01) in the SZ group. Moreover, disrupted intra-network connectivity was detected between the following network pairs: The visual-limbic, the somatomotor-limbic, the dorsal attention-limbic, and the ventral attention-dorsal attention system. Conclusion: The results showed an extensive reduction in functional connectivity strength for SZ patients, with a particularly significant decrease in intra-network connections when compared to the inter-networks. These findings can impact the understanding of the important dysregulated connections that are implicated in the incidence of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify limitations in sagittal ankle range of motion (ROM) at least two years after lateral column lengthening osteotomy of the calcaneus (LLC) and their implications regarding quality of life.Methods: Fifteen patients with a mean follow-up of 80 ± 27 months after LLC and 15 age-matched healthy persons participated in this study. Ankle joint complex ROM in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion was measured bilaterally using a goniometer and fluoroscopy (patients only). Quality of life was assessed using the short-form health questionnaire (SF36). Differences in ROM parameters (for the tibiotalar and subtalar joint) between sides (affected vs. unaffected) and between groups (patient vs. controls) and the relationship between ROM parameters and quality of life scores were assessed.Results: ROM of the ankle joint complex on the affected side in patients was smaller than on the contralateral side (goniometer and fluoroscopy) and in healthy persons (goniometer; all P < .05). Among patients, SF36 total and pain scores, respectively, correlated with ROM of the subtalar joint (fluoroscopy; R = 0.379, P = 0.039 and R = 0.537, P = 0.001). Among patients and healthy persons, those with smaller dorsiflexion (goniometer) had lower quality of life scores.Conclusions: The smaller sagittal ROM of the affected ankle joint complex compared with the contralateral foot and healthy controls was mainly explained by limitations in the tibiotalar joint. Because of its association with quality of life, ROM should be considered in the treatment and rehabilitation planning in patients who are candidates for LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Extracellular vesicles of the probiotic bacteria E. coli O83 activate innate immunity and prevent allergy in mice." The authors reported that their contributions had been mentioned in the funding section instead of the funding note. The correct funding note is provided, acknowledging the various sources of funding for the project. Additionally, an additional file has been correctly linked to the original article. The original article has been corrected. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is a major cause of neurologic impairment and mortality in neonates. Early knowledge of brain injury is important to guide therapeutic decisions and reliably inform the parents. Increased secretoneurin levels have been detected in adult patients suffering from brain injury and it has also been shown to be a promising early serum biomarker of unfavourable neurological outcome. However, no data are available in neonates. Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain reference values for secretoneurin in healthy term neonates and then to assess the potential of this neuropeptide as a biomarker in the context of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in asphyxiated term neonates. Methods: A total number of 139 term neonates, of which 7 were asphyxiated and 132 were healthy, were prospectively enrolled. Secretoneurin serum concentrations were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Results: In healthy controls, secretoneurin serum concentrations were influenced by the mode of delivery (highest in infants born per vacuum extraction and lowest in infants born per caesarean section) and abnormal cardiotocography. In asphyxiated term neonates, secretoneurin concentrations were higher in umbilical cord blood and significantly lower 48 h after birth in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusion: Secretoneurin levels are elevated in cord blood in infants suffering from hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy following perinatal asphyxia. The potential of secretoneurin as a marker of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury should be further evaluated in larger trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The military has used topical hemostatic agents to successfully treat life‐threatening external bleeding for years. In contrast to the military environment, the general population are increasingly prescribed anticoagulants. There are only few comparative evaluations of topical hemostatic agents with anticoagulated human blood. It is important to understand the impact of these agents on those who take anticoagulants. Study design and Methods: Citrated blood of patients treated with enoxaparin, heparin, and acetylsalicylic acid, apixaban or phenprocoumon was incubated with different hemostatic agents (QuikClot Gauze, Celox Granules, Celox Gauze, Chito SAM 100, WoundClot Trauma Gauze, QuikClot Gauze Moulage Trainer and Kerlix) and rotational thromboelastometry was performed with non‐activated thromboelastometry (NATEM reagent). Results: All tested agents improved the onset of coagulation in all anticoagulants, mostly to a significant degree. Most significant improvements were produced by QuikClot Gauze and QuikClot Gauze Moulage Trainer, followed by the tested chitosans (Celox Granules, Celox Gauze, Chito SAM 100). Of the anticoagulant groups, the most significant improvements were seen in enoxaparin. This was followed in order by apixaban, heparin, and acetylsalicylic acid, and phenprocoumon. Discussion: All the hemostatic agents tested were able to activate the clotting cascade earlier and initiate faster clot formation in anticoagulated blood. A definitive head‐to‐head comparison is not feasible, because of the limitations of an in‐vitro analysis. However, the sometimes‐presented hypothesis that kaolin‐based hemostatic agents are ineffective in anticoagulated blood is inaccurate according to our data. Hemostasis with hemostatic agents appears most challenging with phenprocoumon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The military has used topical hemostatic agents to successfully treat life‐threatening external bleeding for years. In contrast to the military environment, the general population are increasingly prescribed anticoagulants. There are only few comparative evaluations of topical hemostatic agents with anticoagulated human blood. It is important to understand the impact of these agents on those who take anticoagulants. Study design and Methods: Citrated blood of patients treated with enoxaparin, heparin, and acetylsalicylic acid, apixaban or phenprocoumon was incubated with different hemostatic agents (QuikClot Gauze, Celox Granules, Celox Gauze, Chito SAM 100, WoundClot Trauma Gauze, QuikClot Gauze Moulage Trainer and Kerlix) and rotational thromboelastometry was performed with non‐activated thromboelastometry (NATEM reagent). Results: All tested agents improved the onset of coagulation in all anticoagulants, mostly to a significant degree. Most significant improvements were produced by QuikClot Gauze and QuikClot Gauze Moulage Trainer, followed by the tested chitosans (Celox Granules, Celox Gauze, Chito SAM 100). Of the anticoagulant groups, the most significant improvements were seen in enoxaparin. This was followed in order by apixaban, heparin, and acetylsalicylic acid, and phenprocoumon. Discussion: All the hemostatic agents tested were able to activate the clotting cascade earlier and initiate faster clot formation in anticoagulated blood. A definitive head‐to‐head comparison is not feasible, because of the limitations of an in‐vitro analysis. However, the sometimes‐presented hypothesis that kaolin‐based hemostatic agents are ineffective in anticoagulated blood is inaccurate according to our data. Hemostasis with hemostatic agents appears most challenging with phenprocoumon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillaria paxillifera - perhaps better known by its synonym B. paradoxa - is epi-typified with material from close to the type locality. Its morphology - from the living cell and intact colony to the fine structure of the valve and girdle bands - is established using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Since B. paxillifera is also the generitype, Bacillaria is here revised and emended to include only brackish-freshwater taxa showing the unique fibulate raphe system and construction type of this genus. Three new taxa are described within the re-defined genus: B. paxillifera var. czarneckii, B. kuseliae and B. urve-millerae, differing mainly in their raphe flanges, cell-outline and shape and number of plastids. The first taxon was found in both the Mississippi River, USA, and the River Weser, Germany, the second in the Avon River, Australia, and the third at a freshwater influx into the Atlantic in The Gambia, West Africa. Historical taxa, such as Grunow's B. paxillifera var. tumidula, var. tropica, and var. pacifica were also studied and lectotypified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defined by its unique colonial locomotion, Bacillaria paxillifer (O. F. Müll.) Hendey was recognized as a single, pandemic species by many phycologists. However, reinvestigation of colonies from different habitats revealed three distinct groups: (A) brackish/freshwater, (B) marine littoral, and (C) marine planktonic taxa. Groups differed in colony and cell form, raphe flanges (RFs), shape and position of transapical ribs (Tr's), and morphogenesis. Linear-shaped species were restricted to group A: Tr's thickened principally to the interior. Lanceolate forms were confined to groups B and C: valve formation proceeded from an internal base layer to the exterior. The planktonic species differed in the shape of its raphe slit, and the transformation of girdle bands (GBs) into “winglets.” Taxa also differed in chloroplast shape and number. All species formed motile colonies. Siblings adhered via elastic fibrils secreted through their raphe. Raphe ribs were held in position by siliceous clamps (fibulae), anchored in an extra pair of axial ribs (fibular ribs) parallel to the raphe ribs. This raphe system resembled that of Cylindrotheca rather than the “canal raphe” of Nitzschia. Many valves were asymmetric along the apical axis due to protruding RFs shuttling in a 1:1 ratio within a colony, but raphe slits were mirror images, as were the growth direction of fibulae and position of plastids, with pyrenoids tilted in the same direction. Species possessed four open GBs per epitheca; the third band invariably bore an internal, organic ridge to aid in adhesion of the plasmalemma during cleavage. The results suggested that these taxa are a natural phylogenetic group, requiring precise determination of their taxonomic position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A local strain of the pennate diatom Pinnularia cf. “nobilis ” was investigated using cytochemistry and fluorescence and EM techniques. The regular perforation of the chloroplasts of P. “nobilis” and the lack of a typical diatom pyrenoid were confirmed at the ultrastructural level. Cavities and channels in the complex secondary plastid were found to harbor symbiotic bacteria, and their DNA elicited DAPI fluorescence. Wheat germ agglutinin, labeling bacteria walls, elicited a similar fluorescence pattern. Previous speculation that the apochlorotic DNA-positive dots in the plastids of several Pinnularia species are “scattered ct-nucleoids” is thus refuted. Bacteria were rod shaped and gram negative. They resided in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during host interphase confined to the specialized ER compartment housing the secondary plastid, that is, to the space between the third and the fourth membrane profile, encircling the chloroplast. TEM images of chemically and cryofixed cells revealed that cavities resulted from the interaction of bacteria with the plastid according to the following sequence, alignment, attachment, deformation, and disintegration. This occurred without visible injury to the primary chloroplast envelope or the relict cell membrane of the reduced ancestral red alga that surrounds the chloroplast. The patterned arrangement of bacteria suggests recognition sites on the vestigial cell membrane, thought to interact with surface groups on the bacteria. The intimate association between bacteria and secondary plastid inside the common specialized ER cisterna suggests they form a functional unit. Comparison of thylakoid profiles, disrupted by bacteria in Pinnularia , with those disrupted by the pyrenoid in other pennate diatoms (e.g. Trachyneis ) revealed a significant ultrastructural resemblance. No aposymbiotic Pinnularia cells were found at the sampling site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rod-shaped bacteria were found together with the “secondary chloroplast” in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the pennate diatom Pinnularia. During the host interphase, bacteria bore cavities into the chloroplast and interacted with thylakoids, forming a functional unit with the plastid of the engulfed and reduced eukaryotic endocytobiont, without perforating the relict cell membrane and the chloroplast envelope. Fluorescently labeled antibodies directed against the large subunit of RUBISCO elicited the same pattern as DAPI–DNA complexes. In pre-prophase, bacteria started to dissociate from the plastids and left scars at their previous locations. In profile, scars appeared as granular amorphous regions interrupting several stacks of thylakoids, whereas images of glancing sections showed foci of circumscribed spiral domains. The vortex pattern was interpreted as the result of a screwing movement of the bacteria during their withdrawal, initiated while structurally still connected to the thylakoids. Scars became effaced, and thylakoids reoriented during prophasic translocation of the complex plastid from the girdle to the valve. In the transition to prophase, bacteria were found as clusters inside ER cisternae near the nucleus, where the microtubule-organizing center was accompanied by the spindle precursor. Microtubules were seen to be aligned with ER profiles (containing bacteria). TEM images indicated that intracellular long-distance transport is controlled by the host cytoskeleton acting upon the ER. Restricted to this stage, bacteria appeared to divide and occasionally bore tentacle-like appendages. Their intraluminal localization at the nucleus in prophase, near the new plasmalemma after cleavage, and their return to the chloroplasts shortly afterward revealed a cell cycle-dependent translocation with the ER as circulatory system and, together with the obvious retardation of their division cycle, a domestication by the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Therapies with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the inevitable development of resistance and the failure to respond are among this approach's disadvantages, limiting the duration of disease- or progression-free and overall survival. As an alternative to therapeutically efficacious monoclonal antibodies, the concept of active immunization with vaccines has been repeatedly discussed. In particular, mimotopes, representing the B cell epitope of therapeutic mAbs, have been shown to induce immunological memory and effectively produce antibodies with similar functionality to the respective mAbs/ICIs. This review focuses on a new frontier of vaccinations directed against two cancer-relevant targets, addresses concerns about the safety of active immunization targeting PD-1 and discusses limitations and outlooks. The application of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), targeting tumor-associated (TAAs) or tumor-specific antigens or immune checkpoints (ICs), has shown tremendous success in cancer therapy. However, the application of mAbs suffers from a series of limitations, including the necessity of frequent administration, the limited duration of clinical response and the emergence of frequently pronounced immune-related adverse events. However, the introduction of mAbs has also resulted in a multitude of novel developments for the treatment of cancers, including vaccinations against various tumor cell-associated epitopes. Here, we reviewed recent clinical trials involving combination therapies with mAbs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and Her-2/neu, which was chosen as a paradigm for a clinically highly relevant TAA. Our recent findings from murine immunizations against the PD-1 pathway and Her-2/neu with peptides representing the mimotopes/B cell peptides of therapeutic antibodies targeting these molecules are an important focus of the present review. Moreover, concerns regarding the safety of vaccination approaches targeting PD-1, in the context of the continuing immune response, as a result of induced immunological memory, are also addressed. Hence, we describe a new frontier of cancer treatment by active immunization using combined mimotopes/B cell peptides aimed at various targets relevant to cancer biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part I. Studies the morphology of the valve of Coscinodiscus wailesii and the development of its siliceous architecture. Comparison with valve formation in Thalassiosira eccentrica; Areolae-architecture of the two species; Implications on phycology.

This article explores the potential link between obesity and respiratory allergies. The study conducted on mice found that obesity exacerbates the allergic response, leading to heightened manifestations compared to lean mice. However, the researchers also discovered that oral tolerance induction can effectively attenuate the allergic response and lung inflammation in obese mice. The findings suggest that mucosal allergen-specific immunomodulation may function by reducing specific inflammatory markers and maintaining certain immune cells in the lungs. [Extracted from the article]

Excitotoxicity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of developing brain injury. The neuropeptide secretoneurin (SN) has neuroprotective potential. The aim of this study was to investigate SN plasma concentrations following excitotoxicity and to evaluate the effect of SN as therapeutic strategy in excitotoxic newborn brain injury. Baseline SN plasma concentrations were established in healthy animals. To evaluate the effect of an excitotoxic insult on SN levels, mice pups were subjected to an intracranial injection of ibotenic acid and SN plasma concentrations were measured thereafter. To assess SN's neuroprotective potential, a subgroup of animals was randomly assigned to the following groups: i) "single treatment": vehicle 1 × phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), SN 0.25 μg/g body weight (bw), SN 2.5 μg/g bw or SN 12.5 μg/g bw in a single dose 1 h after insult; ii) "acute repetitive treatment": vehicle 1 × PBS or SN 0.25 μg/g bw every 24 h starting 1 h after insult; iii) "delayed repetitive treatment": vehicle 1 × PBS or SN 0.25 μg/g bw every 24 h starting 60 h after insult. Animals subjected to excitotoxic injury showed significantly lower SN plasma concentrations 6 and 120 h after insult in comparison to healthy controls. Administration of SN did not positively affect lesion size, apoptotic cell death, microglial cell activation or cell proliferation. To conclude, endogenous SN plasma levels are lower in newborn mice subjected to an excitotoxic insult than in healthy controls. Supplementation with SN in various treatment regimens is not neuroprotective in the experimental animal model of excitotoxic newborn brain injury. • Secretoneurin (SN) is a neuropeptide with neuroprotective potential. • Experimental excitotoxic newborn brain injury alters endogenous SN plasma levels. • Administration of SN does not protect against excitotoxic injury in newborn mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a tumor that consists of poorly differentiated skeletal muscle cells, is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children. Despite considerable progress within the last decades, therapeutic options are still limited, warranting the need for novel approaches. Recent data suggest deregulation of the Smyd1 protein, a sumoylation target as well as H3K4me2/3 methyltransferase and transcriptional regulator in myogenesis, and its binding partner skNAC, in RMS cells. Here, we show that despite the fact that most RMS cells express at least low levels of Smyd1 and skNAC, failure to upregulate expression of these genes in reaction to differentiation-promoting signals can always be observed. While overexpression of the Smyd1 gene enhances many aspects of RMS cell differentiation and inhibits proliferation rate and metastatic potential of these cells, functional integrity of the putative Smyd1 sumoylation motif and its SET domain, the latter being crucial for HMT activity, appear to be prerequisites for most of these effects. Based on these findings, we explored the potential for novel RMS therapeutic strategies, employing small-molecule compounds to enhance Smyd1 activity. In particular, we tested manipulation of (a) Smyd1 sumoylation, (b) stability of H3K4me2/3 marks, and (c) calpain activity, with calpains being important targets of Smyd1 in myogenesis. We found that specifically the last strategy might represent a promising approach, given that suitable small-molecule compounds will be available for clinical use in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two morphotypes, fusiform and oval, were isolated from a single clone of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin and maintained as subclones by culturing in liquid and solid substrates, respectively. Salinity of the medium, from brackish to marine, had no effect on expression of the phenotypes. The oval cell is generated endogenously within a "transformed" fusiform cell upon transfer from liquid medium to agar plates. With the light microscope, normal and "transformed" fusiform cells, prior to giving rise to oval cells, can be discriminated by means of their staining response to toluidine blue. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of protein extracts from lysed cells revealed slight differences in polypeptide composition between fusiform and oval types. A phenatype-restoration experiment from oval to fusiform demonstrated that the oval type readily reestablished not only fusiform morphology but also the protein pattern characteristic for the fusiform type. Immunochemical analyses (western blots), sink antiera raised against whole and lysed cells of both morphotypes revealed antigenic alterations of the oval morphotype. Several antigellic determinants restricted mairily to the surface of oval cells were detected. Results indicate that environmentally induced phenotypes of Phaeodactylum may be not only the consequence of specific gene expression but also the result of significant, general post-translational modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Value morphogenesis in two Surirellae (S. ovalis Brebisson and S. robusta Ehrenberg) is described. Mitosis takes place at the broad end of the cell. After cleavage, a new Microtubule Center (MC) arises near each spindle pole and moves to the adjacent plasmalemma. Soon, a specific group of microtubules (MTs) extends from very near the MC around the periphery of the cell Concurrently, the new tubular Silica Deposition Vesicle (SDV) grows around the periphery of the cell close to these MTs. A double rib of silica is rapidly formed inside the SDV; the space between the ribs becomes the raphe. Mitohondria line up along the MTs. and the SDV may be molded around these to create the canal raphe. Soon. the SDV expands in two directions to create the face and the mantle of the new valve. Meanwhile, each daughter nucleus, accompanied by the MC. moves to its interphase position at the center of the cell; this movement is colchicine-sensitive. As in several other pennate diatoms, an interruption in the raphe of the mature valve coincides with the initial position of the MC. The canal raphe thickens rapidly around the mitohondria; a rudimentary raphe fiber may be associated with the creation of a tiny curvature at the inner raphe fissure. As the SDV expands in the large S. robusta, the daughter cell protoplasts slowly shrink by plasmolysis, thereby creating the complex curved surface of the new valve surmounted by the arching canal raphes which are now quite rigid. In S. ovalis, the daughter cell protoplasts remain appressed and therefore the new valve surface is basically flat. The symmetry of Surirclla is quite different from that of other pennate diatoms. However, the cytoplasmic events accopanying valve morphogenesis are similar in all important respect to those described in other raphid pinnate diatoms, and clearly supports a naviculoid origin for this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome that causes substantial physical and psychological impairment and costs the US healthcare system over $25 billion annually. Current pharmacological therapies may cause serious adverse effects, are expensive, and fail to effectively improve pain and function. Finding new and effective non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia patients is urgently needed. We are currently conducting the first comparative effectiveness randomized trial of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise (a recommended component of the current standard of care) in a large fibromyalgia population. This article describes the design and conduct of this trial. Methods/design: A single-center, 52-week, randomized controlled trial of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise is being conducted at an urban tertiary medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. We plan to recruit 216 patients with fibromyalgia. The study population consists of adults =21 years of age with fibromyalgia who meet American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2010 diagnostic criteria. Participants are randomized to one of four Tai Chi intervention groups: 12 or 24 weeks of supervised Tai Chi held once or twice per week, or a supervised aerobic exercise control held twice per week for 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total score from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include measures of widespread pain, symptom severity, functional performance, balance, muscle strength and power, psychological functioning, sleep quality, self-efficacy, durability effects, and health-related quality of life at 12, 24, and 52 week follow-up. Discussion: This study is the first comparative effectiveness randomized trial of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise in a large fibromyalgia population with long-term follow up. We present here a robust and well-designed trial to determine the optimal frequency and duration of a supervised Tai Chi intervention with regard to short- and long-term effectiveness. The trial also explores multiple outcomes to elucidate the potential mechanisms of Tai Chi and aerobic exercise and the generalizability of these interventions across instructors. Results of this study are expected to have important public health implications for patients with a major disabling disease that incurs substantial health burdens and economic costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome that causes substantial physical and psychological impairment and costs the US healthcare system over $25 billion annually. Current pharmacological therapies may cause serious adverse effects, are expensive, and fail to effectively improve pain and function. Finding new and effective non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia patients is urgently needed. We are currently conducting the first comparative effectiveness randomized trial of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise (a recommended component of the current standard of care) in a large fibromyalgia population. This article describes the design and conduct of this trial. Methods/design A single-center, 52-week, randomized controlled trial of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise is being conducted at an urban tertiary medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. We plan to recruit 216 patients with fibromyalgia. The study population consists of adults ≥21 years of age with fibromyalgia who meet American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2010 diagnostic criteria. Participants are randomized to one of four Tai Chi intervention groups: 12 or 24 weeks of supervised Tai Chi held once or twice per week, or a supervised aerobic exercise control held twice per week for 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total score from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include measures of widespread pain, symptom severity, functional performance, balance, muscle strength and power, psychological functioning, sleep quality, self-efficacy, durability effects, and health-related quality of life at 12, 24, and 52 week follow-up. Discussion This study is the first comparative effectiveness randomized trial of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise in a large fibromyalgia population with long-term follow up. We present here a robust and well-designed trial to determine the optimal frequency and duration of a supervised Tai Chi intervention with regard to short- and long-term effectiveness. The trial also explores multiple outcomes to elucidate the potential mechanisms of Tai Chi and aerobic exercise and the generalizability of these interventions across instructors. Results of this study are expected to have important public health implications for patients with a major disabling disease that incurs substantial health burdens and economic costs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01420640, registered 18 August 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]