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Flexible structures (FS) are thin shells with a pattern of holes. The stiffness of the structure in the normal direction is reduced by the shape of gaps rather than by the choice of the material based on mechanical properties such as Young's modulus. This paper presents virtual prototyping of 3D printed flexible structures with selected planar patterns using laboratory testing and computer modeling. The objective of this work is to develop a non-linear computational model evaluating the structure's stiffness and its experimental verification; in addition, we aimed to identify the best of the proposed patterns with respect to its stiffness: load-bearing capacity ratio. Following validation, the validated computational model is used for a parametric study of selected patterns. Nylon-Polyamide 12-was chosen for the purposes of this study as an appropriate flexible material suitable for 3D printing. At the end of the work, a computational model of the selected structure with modeling of load-bearing capacity is presented. The obtained results can be used in the design of external biomedical applications such as orthoses, prostheses, cranial remoulding helmets padding, or a new type of adaptive cushions. This paper is an extension of the conference paper: "Modeling and Testing of 3D Printed Flexible Structures with Three-pointed Star Pattern Used in Biomedical Applications" by authors Repa et al.

Structures and bridges are being designed on the proposed and requested design lifetime of 50 to 100 years. In practice, one can see that the real lifetime of structures and bridges is shorter in many cases, in some special cases extremely shorter. The reasons for the lifetime shortening can be increased of the load cases (e.g., due to traffic on bridges, or due to other uses of a structure), using the material of lower quality, implementation of new standards and codes according to Eurocode replacing older ones. During the whole lifetime the structures must be maintained to fulfil the code requests. If the constructions are not able to fulfil the Ultimate Limit States (ULS) and the Serviceability Limit State (SLS), the structures or bridges have to be strengthened (whole or its elements). The purpose of the paper is the presentation of using a layer of the fibre concrete for a columns' strengthening. Using the fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) of higher tensile strength makes it possible to increase the load-bearing capacity of the cross-section the column. The contact between the old concrete (core of column) and newly added layer (around column) is very important for using that method of strengthening. In the article, there is also a comparison of the surface modification methods.

External male genitalia of insects are greatly diverse in form and frequently used in evolutionary context and taxonomy. Therefore, our proper recognition of homologous structures among various groups from Paleozoic and extant insect taxa is of crucial interest, allowing to understand the key steps in insect evolution. Here, we reveal structural details of two Late Carboniferous representatives of Megasecoptera (families Bardohymenidae and Brodiopteridae), such as the presence of separated coxal plates VIII and ventral expansions of coxal lobes IX. Together with the confirmed presence of abdominal styli in some other members of Palaeodictyopterida (Diaphanopterodea) this suggests that early pterygotes may have had traits more archaic than expected. Whether or not these traits point to a stem-group relationship of Palaeodictyopterida to all other Pterygota as suspected by earlier authors remains unclear at this stage. Furthermore, the present study provides an updated comparison of male postabdomen morphology among extant species of wingless Archaeognatha and representatives of early diverging groups of Pterygota from the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, the Megasecoptera (Palaeodictyopterida), Permoplectoptera (Ephemeroptera) and Meganisoptera (Odonatoptera)., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Managing individuals with chronic health conditions in the primary care setting continues to be a significant challenge in the US health care system. This issue is further compounded for low-income individuals with both mental health and physical health chronic conditions. The Affordable Care Act provides opportunities to launch chronic disease Medicaid health homes (MHH) to address the existing health care gaps. Within a multidisciplinary team, the nurse serves an integral role as the main care manager and coordinator aimed to improve patient experiences, health outcomes, and lowering health care costs., Aims: The aim of this qualitative study is to assess the nurse's perception of their MHH role and how they may impact patient health care utilization patterns., Materials & Methods: The qualitative study included a focus group of eleven nurses and individual interviews with seven nurses., Results: Six themes were identified that focus on how nurses can use a wide range of effective communication strategies and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain a nurse-patient relationship., Discussion: The six themes provided insight as to nurses' perceived role in an MHH and how they impact patient health outcomes. The overarching message addressed connecting with the patient and taking the time to find out what was important to them., Conclusion: Nurses were able to impact patient health care utilization patterns., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The genes and mechanisms involved in the association between diabetes or hypertension and CKD risk are unclear. Previous studies have implicated a role for γ -adducin (ADD3), a cytoskeletal protein encoded by Add3 ., Methods: We investigated renal vascular function in vitro and in vivo and the susceptibility to CKD in rats with wild-type or mutated Add3 and in genetically modified rats with overexpression or knockout of ADD3. We also studied glomeruli and primary renal vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from these rats., Results: This study identified a K572Q mutation in ADD3 in fawn-hooded hypertensive (FHH) rats-a mutation previously reported in Milan normotensive (MNS) rats that also develop kidney disease. Using molecular dynamic simulations, we found that this mutation destabilizes a critical ADD3-ACTIN binding site. A reduction of ADD3 expression in membrane fractions prepared from the kidney and renal vascular smooth muscle cells of FHH rats was associated with the disruption of the F-actin cytoskeleton. Compared with renal vascular smooth muscle cells from Add3 transgenic rats, those from FHH rats had elevated membrane expression of BK α and BK channel current. FHH and Add3 knockout rats exhibited impairments in the myogenic response of afferent arterioles and in renal blood flow autoregulation, which were rescued in Add3 transgenic rats. We confirmed these findings in a genetic complementation study that involved crossing FHH and MNS rats that share the ADD3 mutation. Add3 transgenic rats showed attenuation of proteinuria, glomerular injury, and kidney fibrosis with aging and mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension., Conclusions: This is the first report that a mutation in ADD3 that alters ACTIN binding causes renal vascular dysfunction and promotes the susceptibility to kidney disease., (Copyright © 2020 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Megasecoptera is a late Paleozoic order of herbivorous insects with rostrum-like mouthparts and slender homonomous outstretched wings. Our knowledge of their morphology is mainly based on wings while other body parts are scarcely documented. Here we focus on the families Bardohymenidae and Aspidothoracidae. A new well preserved specimen of Sylvohymen cf. sibiricus is described and illustrated, particularly the structures of the external male genitalia previously unknown for Bardohymenidae. Sylvohymen marginatussp. nov. is described from the early Permian of Tshekarda based on unique traits in the wing venation. The genera Paleohymen and Taigahymen are both removed from Bardohymenidae and the latter is transferred to Vorkutiidae. Alexahymen aestatis (Brauckmann, 1991) comb. nov. from Pennsylvanian at Piesberg is transferred from Aspidothoracidae to Bardohymenidae. Piesbergbrodiagen. nov. is designated for Piesbergbrodia tristrata (Brauckmann and Herd, 2003) comb. nov. as a member of Brodiidae and the first known record of this family from Piesberg quarry. The placement of Sylvohymen peckae in the Bardohymenidae is considered doubtful due to lack of significant characters in its venation. Furthermore, our study is focused on the form of the apical cell and the pattern of wing pigmentation. Peculiarities of the integumental outgrowths and external genitalia of representatives of Aspidothoracidae and Bardohymenidae, and other close relatives, are highlighted., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Summary: POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal protein and Skin changes) is a rare multisystemic disease. Clinical presentation is variable, the only mandatory criteria being polyneuropathy and monoclonal gammapathy in association with one major and one minor criterion. Primary adrenal insufficiency is rarely reported. We describe a case of a 33-year-old patient, in whom the presenting symptoms were mandibular mass, chronic sensory-motor peripheral polyneuropathy and adrenal insufficiency. The laboratory evaluation revealed thrombocytosis, severe hyperkalemia with normal renal function, normal protein electrophoresis and negative serum immunofixation for monoclonal protein. Endocrinologic laboratory work-up confirmed Addison's disease and revealed subclinical primary hypothyroidism. Thoracic abdominal CT showed hepatosplenomegaly, multiple sclerotic lesions in thoracic vertebra and ribs. The histopathologic examination of the mandibular mass was nondiagnostic. Bone marrow biopsy revealed plasma cell dyscrasia and confirmed POEMS syndrome. Axillary lymphadenopathy biopsy: Castleman's disease. Gluco-mineralocorticoid substitution and levothyroxine therapy were started with clinical improvement. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was planned, cyclophosphamide induction was started. Meanwhile the patient suffered two ischemic strokes which resulted in aphasia and hemiparesis. Cerebral angiography revealed vascular lesions compatible with vasculitis and stenosis of two cerebral arteries. The patient deceased 14 months after the diagnosis. The young age at presentation, multiplicity of manifestations and difficulties in investigation along with the absence of serum monoclonal protein made the diagnosis challenging. We report this case to highlight the need to consider POEMS syndrome in differential diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in association with endocrine abnormalities even in young patients., Learning Points: POEMS syndrome is considered a 'low tumor burden disease' and the monoclonal protein in 15% of cases is not found by immunofixation. Neuropathy is the dominant characteristic of POEMS syndrome and it is peripheral, ascending, symmetric and affecting both sensation and motor function. Endocrinopathies are a frequent feature of POEMS syndrome, but the cause is unknown. The most common endocrinopathies are hypogonadism, primary hypothyroidism and abnormalities in glucose metabolism. There is no standard therapy; however, patients with disseminated bone marrow involvement are treated with chemotherapy with or without HCT.

The Late Palaeozoic insect superorder Palaeodictyopterida exhibits a remarkable disparity of larval ecomorphotypes, enabling these animals to occupy diverse ecological niches. The widely accepted hypothesis presumed that their immature stages only occupied terrestrial habitats, although authors more than a century ago hypothesized they had specializations for amphibious or even aquatic life histories. Here, we show that different species had a disparity of semiaquatic or aquatic specializations in larvae and even the supposed retention of abdominal tracheal gills by some adults. While a majority of mature larvae in Palaeodictyoptera lack unambiguous lateral tracheal gills, some recently discovered early instars had terminal appendages with prominent lateral lamellae like in living damselflies, allowing support in locomotion along with respiratory function. These results demonstrate that some species of Palaeodictyopterida had aquatic or semiaquatic larvae during at least a brief period of their post-embryonic development. The retention of functional gills or gill sockets by adults indicates their amphibious lifestyle and habitats tightly connected with a water environment as is analogously known for some modern Ephemeroptera or Plecoptera. Our study refutes an entirely terrestrial lifestyle for all representatives of the early diverging pterygote group of Palaeodictyopterida, a greatly varied and diverse lineage which probably encompassed many different biologies and life histories., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2019 The Authors.)

Purpose: Understanding the molecular mediators of breast cancer survival is critical for accurate disease prognosis and improving therapies. Here, we identified Neuronatin (NNAT) as a novel antiproliferative modifier of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER+) breast cancer., Experimental Design: Genomic regions harboring breast cancer modifiers were identified by congenic mapping in a rat model of carcinogen-induced mammary cancer. Tumors from susceptible and resistant congenics were analyzed by RNAseq to identify candidate genes. Candidates were prioritized by correlation with outcome, using a consensus of three breast cancer patient cohorts. NNAT was transgenically expressed in ER+ breast cancer lines (T47D and ZR75), followed by transcriptomic and phenotypic characterization., Results: We identified a region on rat chromosome 3 (142-178 Mb) that modified mammary tumor incidence. RNAseq of the mammary tumors narrowed the candidate list to three differentially expressed genes: NNAT, SLC35C2, and FAM210B. NNAT mRNA and protein also correlated with survival in human breast cancer patients. Quantitative immunohistochemistry of NNAT protein revealed an inverse correlation with survival in a univariate analysis of patients with invasive ER+ breast cancer (training cohort: n = 444, HR = 0.62, p = 0.031; validation cohort: n = 430, HR = 0.48, p = 0.004). NNAT also held up as an independent predictor of survival after multivariable adjustment (HR = 0.64, p = 0.038). NNAT significantly reduced proliferation and migration of ER+ breast cancer cells, which coincided with altered expression of multiple related pathways., Conclusions: Collectively, these data implicate NNAT as a novel mediator of cell proliferation and migration, which correlates with decreased tumorigenic potential and prolonged patient survival.

Vaccinium myrtillus L. (bilberry) fruit is a blue-colored berry with a high content of anthocyanins. These bioactive secondary metabolites are considered to play a major role in the health-promoting properties of bilberries. Our in vivo study was designed to assess the possible influence of bilberry extract on drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs). Rats were exposed to bilberry extract in drinking water at two concentrations (0.15 and 1.5 g/L). Selected DMEs were determined (mRNA expression and enzymatic activity) after 29 and 58 days in rat liver. In addition, a panel of antioxidant, physiological, biochemical and hematological parameters was studied; these parameters did not demonstrate any impact of bilberry extract on the health status of rats. A significant increase in activity was observed in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C11 (131% of control) and CYP2E1 (122% of control) after a 29-day administration, while the consumption of a higher concentration for a longer time led to a mild activity decrease. Slight changes were observed in some other DMEs, but they remained insignificant from a physiological perspective. According to our results, we conclude that the consumption of bilberries as a food supplement should not pose a risk of interacting with co-administered drugs based on their metabolism., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Jakub Prokop and Michael Engel introduce palaeodictyopterids, a very diverse extinct lineage of insects., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A new insect species (†Bittacopsocus megacephalus Beutel, Prokop, Müller et Pohl gen. et sp. nov.) is described, based on a single small male (ca. 2.5 mm) embedded in mid Cretaceous Burmese amber. The species shows some resemblance with the mecopteran family Bittacidae, mainly due to strongly elongated and thin legs. However, the structural affinities are apparently due to convergency. Different features, but especially the mouthparts and the pattern of wing venation, indicate that the species belongs to the extinct order †Permopsocida (?Archipsyllidae). However, it differs markedly from all species previously described in this extinct group. The very thin and strongly elongated legs are probably autapomorphic. A very unusual feature is the antenna with only seven segments and extremely elongated flagellomeres. The two pairs of wings are unusually narrow. M and CuA are basally fused. Proximal rows of spines, two series of closed cells, and a distinctly increased number of terminal branches of M are present in the forewings, in contrast to other archipsyllid genera. It is conceivable that Bittacopsocus megacephalus used its long legs to rest suspended in the vegetation like Bittacus. The head structures tentatively suggest predatory behavior but the feeding habits are unclarified yet.

Two new genera and species of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) are described and illustrated from mid Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. Mulleroconishyalina gen. n. et sp. n. , attributed to the Coniopteryginae, bears a unique combination of venation characters and an abdomen without plicatures. The second new genus, attributed to the Aleuropteryginae, i.e. Palaeoconisazari gen. n. et sp. n. , displays a unique pattern of crossveins 1m-cua and 2mp2-cua, with the latter crossing the pigmented spot. A check-list of all fossil genera and species of Coniopterygidae is provided.

Wheat is one of the most important agricultural crops worldwide. Recently, anthocyanin-rich wheat genotypes were introduced to the market as a food with added value. In the experiment described here, two different genotypes with blue grain were studied (UC66049 and Skorpion). The aim of the investigation was to determine whether a 72-day-long intake of anthocyanin-rich wheat can influence the drug-metabolizing microsomal cytochromes P450 (using standard drug substrates of rat/human liver microsomal cytochromes P450) and antioxidant status, which indicated the ability of the rats' liver to metabolize drugs or xenobiotics. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich diet moderately increased the activity and mRNA expression of the studied CYPs by 20-55% relative to the control (with the exception of CYP2B1/2). The health status of rats was good; the weight gain was lower in the group with anthocyanin-rich UC66049 grain compared to the other two groups (control and Skorpion-fed one). The antioxidant power of plasma was mildly but significantly higher in the test groups, other antioxidant parameters remained unaffected, except for an increased level of total SH groups. Based on our observations, there will most likely be no significant influence of the consumption of anthocyanin-rich wheat on the metabolism of xenobiotics and drugs., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Infantile epileptic encephalopathy is a heterogeneous condition that has been associated with variants in more than 200 genes. The variability in findings and prognosis creates challenges to making the correct diagnosis and initiating the appropriate therapy. Biallelic variants in NARS2, a mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase gene, were recently associated with neurodegenerative disorders that include epilepsy., Methods: We describe two infant brothers who presented with focal status epilepticus that progressed to lethal epileptic encephalopathy. We compared the cost of diagnostic laboratory evaluation for each child. Detailed NARS2 protein analysis was performed using a sequence-to-structure-to-function workflow, merging multiple homologous structures, to suggest biologic impact of the NARS2 variants., Results: Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed rapid progression to generalized atrophy. Extensive metabolic, infectious, chromosomal and genetic testing of the first infant failed to reach a specific diagnosis. The younger brother presented similarly. Rapid whole exome sequencing was performed revealing novel biallelic variants in NARS2. The variants c.167A>G (p.Gln56Arg) and c.631T>A (p.Phe211Ile) were confirmed in a reserved sample from the older brother. Management was then redirected toward palliative care and the child died at age nine months., Conclusions: NARS2-related disorder should be considered in infants presenting with refractory seizures and rapid brain atrophy. Metabolic screening tests may be normal or yield nonspecific findings. Rapid whole exome sequencing in children with fulminant onset intractable epilepsy may minimize extensive diagnostic evaluation and aid in prognosis and medical management., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Twisted winged insects (Strepsiptera) are a highly specialized small order of parasitic insects. Whether parasitism developed at an early or late stage in the evolution of the group was unknown. Here we record and describe the first definite Mesozoic strepsipteran primary larva embedded in Burmese amber (∼99 million years ago). This extends the origin of parasitism back by at least ∼50 million years, and reveals that this specialized life style has evolved in the Mesozoic or even earlier in the group. The extremely small first instar displays all diagnostic characters of strepsipteran immatures of this stage and is nearly identical with those of Mengenillidae, one of the most "ancestral" extant strepsipteran taxa. This demonstrates a remarkable evolutionary stasis over  100 million years. The new finding strongly weakens the case of small larvae embedded in Cretaceous amber interpreted as strepsipteran immatures. They differ in many structural features from extant strepsipteran primary larvae and are very likely parasitic beetle larvae., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.

The largest insects to have ever lived were the giant meganeurids of the Late Palaeozoic, ancient stem relatives of our modern dragonflies. With wingspans up to 71 cm, these iconic insects have been the subject of varied documentaries on Palaeozoic life, depicting them as patrolling for prey through coal swamp forests amid giant lycopsids, and cordaites. Such reconstructions are speculative as few definitive details of giant dragonfly biology are known. Most specimens of giant dragonflies are known from wings or isolated elements, but Meganeurites gracilipes preserves critical body structures, most notably those of the head. Here we show that it is unlikely it thrived in densely forested environments where its elongate wings would have become easily damaged. Instead, the species lived in more open habitats and possessed greatly enlarged compound eyes. These were dorsally hypertrophied, a specialization for long-distance vision above the animal in flight, a trait convergent with modern hawker dragonflies. Sturdy mandibles with acute teeth, strong spines on tibiae and tarsi, and a pronounced thoracic skewness are identical to those specializations used by dragonflies in capturing prey while in flight. The Palaeozoic Odonatoptera thus exhibited considerable morphological specializations associated with behaviours attributable to 'hawkers' or 'perchers' among extant Odonata.

The structure of insect wing articulation is considered as reliable source of high level characters for phylogenetic analyses. However, the correct identification of homologous structures among the main groups of Pterygota is a hotly debated issue. Therefore, the reconstruction of the wing bases in Paleozoic extinct relatives is of great interest, but at the same time it should be treated with extreme caution due to distortions caused by taphonomic effects. The present study is focused on the wing base in Dunbaria (Spilapteridae). The articulation in Dunbaria quinquefasciata is mainly formed by a prominent upright axillary plate while the humeral plate is markedly reduced. Due to unique preservation of surface relief of the axillary plate, its composition shows a detailed pattern of three fused axillary sclerites and presumable position of the sclerite 3Ax. The obtained structures were compared among Spilapteridae and to other palaeodictyopterans Ostrava nigra (Homoiopteridae) and Namuroningxia elegans (Namuroningxiidae). The comparative study uncovered two patterns of 3Ax in Dunbaria and Namuroningxia, which correspond to their different suprafamilial classification. In contrast to previous studies these new results reveal the homologous structural elements in the wing base between Paleozoic Palaeodictyoptera and their extant relatives of Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Neoptera., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) covers disordered bowel function after rectal resection, leading to deterioration in patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate anorectal function after laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) by means of standardized instruments., Methods: This was a prospective clinical cohort study conducted in a single institution to assess functional outcome of patients 1 year after laparoscopic LAR by means of LARS score and high-resolution anorectal manometry., Results: In total, 65 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean tumour height was 9.4 ± 1.8 cm; total mesorectal excision during laparoscopic LAR with low end-to-end colorectal anastomosis was performed in all patients. One year after the surgery, minor LARS was detected in 33.9% of patients, major LARS in 36.9% of patients. Anorectal manometry revealed decreased resting pressure and normal squeeze pressure of the anal sphincters in the majority of our patients. Rectal compliance and rectal volume tolerability (first sensation, urge to defaecate and discomfort volume) were significantly reduced. The statistical testing of the correlation between LARS and manometry parameters showed that with increasing seriousness of LARS, values of some parameters (resting pressure, first sensation, urge to defaecate, discomfort volume and rectal compliance) were reduced., Conclusion: This study indicates that the majority of patients after laparoscopic LAR experience symptoms of minor or major LARS. These patients have decreased resting anal sphincter pressures, decreased rectal volume tolerability and decreased rectal compliance., (© 2017 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

Deleterious mutations of the ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase BAP1 found in cancers are predicted to encode inactive truncated proteins, suggesting that loss of enzyme function is a primary tumorigenic mechanism. However, many tumors exhibit missense mutations or in-frame deletions or insertions, often outside the functionally critical UCH domain in this tumor suppressor protein. Thus, precisely how these mutations inactivate BAP1 is unknown. Here, we show how these mutations affect BAP1 interactions with the Polycomb group-like protein, ASXL2, using combinations of computational modeling technology, molecular biology, and in vitro reconstitution biochemistry. We found that the BAP1-ASXL2 interaction is direct and high affinity, occurring through the ASXH domain of ASXL2, an obligate partner for BAP1 enzymatic activity. The ASXH domain was the minimal domain for binding the BAP1 ULD domain, and mutations on the surfaces of predicted helices of ASXH abolished BAP1 association and stimulation of BAP1 enzymatic activity. The BAP1-UCH, BAP1-ULD, and ASXH domains formed a cooperative stable ternary complex required for deubiquitination. We defined four classes of alterations in BAP1 outside the UCH domain, each failing to productively recruit ASXH to the wild-type BAP1 catalytic site via the ULD, resulting in loss of BAP1 ubiquitin hydrolase activity. Our results indicate that many BAP1 mutations act allosterically to inhibit ASXH binding, thereby leading to loss of enzyme activity. Small-molecule approaches to reactivate latent wild-type UCH activity of these mutants might be therapeutically viable. Significance: Combined computational and biochemical approaches demonstrate that the BAP1-ASXL2 interaction is direct and high affinity and that many BAP1 mutations act allosterically to inhibit BAP1-ASXL2 binding. Cancer Res; 78(5); 1200-13. ©2017 AACR ., (©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Being implied in flight, mimetism, communication, and protection, the insect wings were crucial organs for the mega diversification of this clade. Despite several attempts, the problem of wing evolution remains unresolved because the basal parts of the veins essential for vein identification are hidden in the basivenal sclerites. The homologies between wing characters thus cannot be accurately verified, while they are of primary importance to solve long-standing problems, such as the monophyly of the Palaeoptera, viz. Odonatoptera, Panephemeroptera, and Palaeozoic Palaeodictyopterida mainly known by their wings. Hitherto the tools to homologize venation were suffering several cases of exceptions, rendering them unreliable. Here we reconstruct the odonatopteran venation using fossils and a new 3D imaging tool, resulting congruent with the concept of Riek and Kukalová-Peck, with important novelties, viz. median anterior vein fused to radius and radius posterior nearly as convex as radius anterior (putative synapomorphies of Odonatoptera); subcostal anterior (ScA) fused to costal vein and most basal primary antenodal crossvein being a modified posterior branch of ScA (putative synapomorphies of Palaeoptera). These findings may reveal critical for future analyses of the relationships between fossil and extant Palaeoptera, helping to solve the evolutionary history of the insects as a whole.

Megasecoptera is an extinct group of insects with specialized rostrum-like mouthparts, which is a synapomorphy shared with all members of the Late Paleozoic Palaeodictyopterida, and markedly slender wings that are unable to flex backwards. Here we describe the close up morphology of Protohymenidae and Scytohymenidae and uncover new aspects of the endoskeleton (tentorium) of the head, structure of the mouthparts with discernible proximal part of stylets controlled by muscles, surface of compound eyes that consist of a hexagonal pattern of large facets, structure and microstructures on the wings and reconstruct male and female external genitalia using ESEM and light stereomicroscopy. Furthermore, we describe Protohymen novokshonovi sp. n. based on an exceptionally well preserved fossil from the early Permian at Tshekarda in Russia, which shows crucial details, and the earliest species of Protohymenidae, Carbohymen testai gen. et sp. n. from a late Carboniferous siderite nodule at Mazon Creek in Illinois, USA. Our comparative study confirmed a set of structural and microstructural details on their wings, such as the composite anterior wing margin, development of an apical cell and the previously unknown external genitalia. Based on the results and comparison of homologous structures known primarily for extant relatives, such as mayflies and dragonflies, we outline for the first time the function of the mouthparts, in particular, the stylets, structure of the tentorium, vision provided by large hexagonal ommatidia and male copulatory structures bearing curved claspers for holding a female during copulation and penial lobes with seminal grooves., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A new species of fossil bumble bee (Apinae: Bombini) is described and figured from Early Miocene (Burdigalian) deposits of the Most Basin at the Bílina Mine, Czech Republic. Bombus trophonius sp. n. , is placed within the subgenus Cullumanobombus Vogt and distinguished from the several species groups therein. The species is apparently most similar to the Nearctic B. (Cullumanobombus) rufocinctus Cresson, the earliest-diverging species within the clade and the two may be related only by symplesiomorphies. The age of the fossil is in rough accordance with divergence estimations for Cullumanobombus .

Introduction: Radiation-induced angiosarcoma is a rare but very aggressive tumour. The highest risk of sarcoma development is in patients after breast-conserving surgery.Case 1: The 66 years old patient underwent radical mastectomy with axillary dissection because of ductal carcinoma with consequent radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. After 6 years, high-grade angiosarcoma was diagnosed and resected with negative resection margins. Within subsequent 24 months, additional three radical re-excisions were performed because of repeated sarcoma recurrence. 29 months from the diagnosis of the first sarcoma, another radical re-excision was performed, this time with positive resection margins and with consequent disease progression. The patient died three years after the first angiosarcoma diagnosis.Case 2: The 68 years old patient underwent breast-conserving surgery with axillary dissection because of ductal carcinoma and radiotherapy. Breast colour changes were observed 6 years later; radical mastectomy was performed after additional 16 months due to locally advanced angiosarcoma. Given positive resection margin, radical re-excision with musculocutaneous musculus latissimus dorsi flap was done. 24 months later, a small sarcoma recurrence was detected near the upper resection margin, which was managed by radical re-excision. 52 months after radical operation, a metastasis was diagnosed by means of PET/CT in the contralateral axilla. Radical axillary dissection was performed (two metastases were found in axillary lymph nodes). According to follow-up, the patient has been free of any recurrence for 66 months from the radical surgery., Conclusion: Recommendations regarding the management of radiotherapy induced breast angiosarcoma are very vague due to limited evidence. Radical surgical excision with negative resection margins (potentially with complementary flap reconstruction) presents the fundamental approach to breast angiosarcoma.Key words: radiation-induced angiosarcoma - breast cancer - surgery.

Background: The systematic positions of the extinct insect orders Hypoperlida, Miomoptera and Permopsocida were enigmatic and unstable for nearly a century. The recent studies based on new material, especially from the Cenomanian Burmese amber, shed light on evolutionary history of Acercaria resolving Permopsocida as the stem group of Condylognatha. However, the knowledge of the remaining two orders differs significantly., Results: In this study, we describe new specimens and evaluate morphology of various structures with emphasis on the mouthparts and wing venation. Our results are primary based on revisions of the type specimens with a proper delimitation of taxa Hypoperlida and Miomoptera followed by their significance for the evolutionary history of Acercaria. Three new genera as Belmomantis gen. nov., Elmomantis gen. nov., and Mazonopsocus gen. nov. are designated as members of Palaeomanteidae. The Pennsylvanian Mazonopsocus provides a minimum age for calibration, in accordance to the presence of crown acercarians during the late Carboniferous., Conclusions: This contribution demonstrates that Hypoperlida and Miomoptera are stem groups of Acercaria. The putative clade (Hypoperlida + Miomoptera) is appearing as potential sister group of (Psocodea + (Permopsocida + (Thripida + Hemiptera))).

As the number of individuals in the United States with chronic conditions and the associated costs in caring for these individuals continues to rise, there is a need to transform how health care services are delivered. Under Section 2703 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the federal government provides state Medicaid programs the opportunity to improve care coordination for people with chronic conditions in a person-centered approach through the establishment of health homes. Given the complexity of care for Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic conditions, addressing the social determinants of health and providing integrated care are central to effectively improving health outcomes and generating cost-savings. Although launching a health home model is a step toward improving care coordination and care management for high-risk individuals, there are myriad components to implementing such a program. The purpose of this article is to explain the process that Michigan policymakers undertook to implement its Section 2703 Medicaid health home initiative, named the MI Care Team. The authors present lessons learned for policymakers and stakeholders in other states seeking to implement a Medicaid health home and explain how the nursing profession is integral for health homes.

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

The appearance of wings in insects, early in their evolution [1], has been one of the more critical innovations contributing to their extraordinary diversity. Despite the conspicuousness and importance of wings, the origin of these structures has been difficult to resolve and represented one of the "abominable mysteries" in evolutionary biology [2]. More than a century of debate has boiled the matter down to two competing alternatives-one of wings representing an extension of the thoracic notum, the other stating that they are appendicular derivations from the lateral body wall. Recently, a dual model has been supported by genomic and developmental data [3-6], representing an amalgamation of elements from both the notal and pleural hypotheses. Here, we reveal crucial information from the wing pad joints of Carboniferous palaeodictyopteran insect nymphs using classical and high-tech techniques. These nymphs had three pairs of wing pads that were medially articulated to the thorax but also broadly contiguous with the notum anteriorly and posteriorly (details unobservable in modern insects), supporting their overall origin from the thoracic notum as well as the expected medial, pleural series of axillary sclerites. Our study provides support for the formation of the insect wing from the thoracic notum as well as the already known pleural elements of the arthropodan leg. These results support the unique, dual model for insect wing origins and the convergent reduction of notal fusion in more derived clades, presumably due to wing rotation during development, and they help to bring resolution to this long-standing debate., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The processes of lipid deposition and utilization, via the gene leptin (Lep), are poorly understood in taxa with varying degrees of adipose storage. This study examines how these systems may have adapted in marine aquatic environments inhabited by cetaceans. Bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) and beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are ideal study animals-they possess large subcutaneous adipose stores (blubber) and undergo bi-annual migrations concurrent with variations in food availability. To answer long-standing questions regarding how (or if) energy and lipid utilization adapted to aquatic stressors, we quantified variations in gene transcripts critical to lipid metabolism related to season, age, and blubber depth. We predicted leptin tertiary structure conservation and assessed inter-specific variations in Lep transcript numbers between bowheads and other mammals. Our study is the first to identify seasonal and age-related variations in Lep and lipolysis in these cetaceans. While Lep transcripts and protein oscillate with season in adult bowheads reminiscent of hibernating mammals, transcript levels reach up to 10 times higher in bowheads than any other mammal. Data from immature bowheads are consistent with the hypothesis that short baleen inhibits efficient feeding. Lipolysis transcripts also indicate young Fall bowheads and those sampled during Spring months limit energy utilization. These novel data from rarely examined species expand the existing knowledge and offer unique insight into how the regulation of Lep and lipolysis has adapted to permit seasonal deposition and maintain vital blubber stores.

Problem: With the growing number of individuals with chronic conditions and the associated healthcare costs, there is a need to improve how health care is delivered from an individual provider standpoint as well as a systemwide perspective. Such delivery can be accomplished through improved care coordination., Conclusion: Care coordination is a complex term that encompasses the full array of healthcare delivery activities across all systems of care. This includes organizing the care, improving quality of health care delivered, and achieving cost savings. In working to achieve this goal, the nurse is well suited to provide oversight in this process in assuring that the components of care coordination are conducted efficiently and effectively., Practice Implications: While the nurse is the optimal provider for this position, the nurse's defined role in this process is not always clear. This article focuses on the term care coordination, which includes the definitions of care coordination, impact on nursing, attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents for this term. Care coordination is also differentiated from case management to add clarity to the role., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The psocidiid Hypopsylla belmontensis gen. et sp. nov., new psocidiid genus and species, is described and figured from the Late Permian of New South Wales in Australia. This discovery extends the knowledge on the diversity of the small order Permopsocida whose members passed the Permian-Triassic boundary and became extinct in Cretaceous.

Megasecoptera are insects with haustellate mouthparts and petiolate wings closely related to Palaeodictyoptera and one of the few insect groups that didn't survive the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. Recent discovery of Brodioptera sinensis in early Pennsylvanian deposits at Xiaheyan in northern China has increased our knowledge of its external morphology using conventional optical stereomicroscopy. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) of structures, such as antennae, mouthparts, wing surfaces, external copulatory organs and cerci have shed light on their micromorphology and supposed function. A comparative study has shown an unexpected dense pattern of setae on the wing membrane of B. sinensis. In addition, unlike the results obtained by stereomicroscopy it revealed that the male and female external genitalia clearly differ in their fine structure and setation. Therefore, the present study resulted in a closer examination of the microstructure and function of previously poorly studied parts of the body of Paleozoic insects and a comparison with homologous structures occurring in other Palaeodictyopteroida, Odonatoptera and Ephemerida. This indicates, that the role and presumptive function of these integumental protuberances is likely to have been a sensory one in the coordination of mouthparts and manipulation of stylets, escape from predators, enhancement of aerodynamic properties and copulatory behaviour.

With nearly 100,000 species, the Acercaria (lice, plant lices, thrips, bugs) including number of economically important species is one of the most successful insect lineages. However, its phylogeny and evolution of mouthparts among other issues remain debatable. Here new methods of preparation permitted the comprehensive anatomical description of insect inclusions from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber in astonishing detail. These "missing links" fossils, attributed to a new order Permopsocida, provide crucial evidence for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships in the Acercaria, supporting its monophyly, and questioning the position of Psocodea as sister group of holometabolans in the most recent phylogenomic study. Permopsocida resolves as sister group of Thripida + Hemiptera and represents an evolutionary link documenting the transition from chewing to piercing mouthparts in relation to suction feeding. Identification of gut contents as angiosperm pollen documents an ecological role of Permopsocida as early pollen feeders with relatively unspecialized mouthparts. This group existed for 185 million years, but has never been diverse and was superseded by new pollenivorous pollinators during the Cretaceous co-evolution of insects and flowers. The key innovation of suction feeding with piercing mouthparts is identified as main event that triggered the huge post-Carboniferous radiation of hemipterans, and facilitated the spreading of pathogenic vectors.

Chromosome Y (chrY) variation has been associated with many complex diseases ranging from cancer to cardiovascular disorders. Functional roles of chrY genes outside of testes are suggested by the fact that they are broadly expressed in many other tissues and correspond to regulators of basic cellular functions (such as transcription, translation, and protein stability). However, the unique genetic properties of chrY (including the lack of meiotic crossover and the presence of numerous highly repetitive sequences) have made the identification of causal variants very difficult. Despite the prior lack of reliable sequences and/or data on genetic polymorphisms, earlier studies with animal chrY consomic strains have made it possible to narrow down the phenotypic contributions of chrY. Some of the evidence so far indicates that chrY gene variants associate with regulatory changes in the expression of other autosomal genes, in part via epigenetic effects. In humans, a limited number of studies have shown associations between chrY haplotypes and disease traits. However, recent sequencing efforts have made it possible to greatly increase the identification of genetic variants on chrY, which promises that future association of chrY with disease traits will be further refined. Continuing studies (both in humans and in animal models) will be critical to help explain the many sex-biased disease states in human that are contributed to not only by the classical sex steroid hormones, but also by chrY genetics., (Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.)

The proliferative and invasive nature of malignant cancers drives lethality. In glioblastoma, these two processes are presumed mutually exclusive and hence termed "go or grow." We identified a molecular target that shuttles between these disparate cellular processes-the molecular motor KIF11. Inhibition of KIF11 with a highly specific small-molecule inhibitor stopped the growth of the more treatment-resistant glioblastoma tumor-initiating cells (TICs, or cancer stem cells) as well as non-TICs and impeded tumor initiation and self-renewal of the TIC population. Targeting KIF11 also hit the other arm of the "go or grow" cell fate decision by reducing glioma cell invasion. Administration of a KIF11 inhibitor to mice bearing orthotopic glioblastoma prolonged their survival. In its role as a shared molecular regulator of cell growth and motility across intratumoral heterogeneity, KIF11 is a compelling therapeutic target for glioblastoma., (Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

The first findings of Antracoptilidae (Paoliida) from the Late Permian/ Early Triassic of Africa, i.e. the new genus Afrocladus comprising A. pumilio sp. nov. and A. kenyaensis sp. nov., are described from the Mombasa Basin of Maji ya Chumvi Formation in Kenya (Duruma sandstones). Both diagnoses are based on wing venation pattern. Their occurrences close to the P-T boundary possibly indicate the last appearence date of the group being known since early Pennsylvanian. Moreover, their significantly smaller wing sizes compared to known taxa suggest adaptations to different habitats and environmental conditions or different life strategy.

New polyneopteran insects are described from Pennsylvanian (Bashkirian, Moscovian) compressed fossils from the North of France (Insecta: Archaeorthoptera). Discovery of wing apex with distinct venation, e.g., apical fusion of RA with RP, numerous parallel posterior branches of RP with transversal crossveins, can be assigned to cf. Tococladus sp. (Cnemidolestodea: Tococladidae). It represents the second record of Cnemidolestodea from the Avion locality apart from Aviocladus pectinatus Prokop et al., 2014. Bruaylogus magnificus gen. et sp. nov., based on forewing venation, is attributed to Panorthoptera nec Orthoptera having some distinct characters for the placement either close to Oedischiidae or a more basal position possibly with affinities to genus Heterologus. Aviologus duquesnei gen. et sp. nov., based on forewing venation, differs from Oedischiidae by the presence of basal fork of M far from point of separation between M and Cu and fusion of MA with first posterior branch of RP. Aviologus share a long stem of M and simple CuPaβ with Heterologus duyiwuer and H. langfordorum, but both differ in well separated median and radial veins. These new fossils demonstrate that the archaeorthopterid insect fauna from the North of France was rather diverse with links to late Carboniferous and early Permian assemblages in Euramerica such as the Mazon Creek, Carbondale Formation or Elmo, Wellington Formation (Illinois, Kansas, USA) entomofaunas.

This paper reports a high-throughput, label-free technique to visualize individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a silicon wafer using a conventional optical microscope. We show that individual CNTs can locally enhance the rate of vapor-phase HF etching of SiO2 to produce a SiO2 trench that is several to several tens of nanometers in depth. The trench is visible under an optical microscope due to a change in the optical interference in the SiO2 layer, allowing the location of an individual CNT to be determined. With this technique, we demonstrate high-throughput Raman characterization and reactivity studies on individual CNTs.

The melanocortin receptors (MCRs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that are activated by melanocortin ligands derived from the proprotein, proopiomelanocortin (POMC). During the radiation of the gnathostomes, the five receptors have become functionally segregated (i.e. melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), pigmentation regulation; MC2R, glucocorticoid synthesis; MC3R and MC4R, energy homeostasis; and MC5R, exocrine gland physiology). A focus of this review is the role that ligand selectivity plays in the hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal-interrenal (HPA-I) axis of teleosts and tetrapods as a result of the exclusive ligand selectivity of MC2R for the ligand ACTH. A second focal point of this review is the roles that the accessory proteins melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein 1 (MRAP1) and MRAP2 are playing in, respectively, the HPA-I axis (MC2R) and the regulation of energy homeostasis by neurons in the hypothalamus (MC4R) of teleosts and tetrapods. In addition, observations are presented on trends in the ligand selectivity parameters of cartilaginous fish, teleost, and tetrapod MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R paralogs, and the modeling of the HFRW motif of ACTH(1-24) when compared with α-MSH. The radiation of the MCRs during the evolution of the gnathostomes provides examples of how the physiology of endocrine and neuronal circuits can be shaped by ligand selectivity, the intersession of reverse agonists (agouti-related peptides (AGRPs)), and interactions with accessory proteins (MRAPs)., (© 2014 Society for Endocrinology.)

The Eumetabola (Endopterygota (also known as Holometabola) plus Paraneoptera) have the highest number of species of any clade, and greatly contribute to animal species biodiversity. The palaeoecological circumstances that favoured their emergence and success remain an intriguing question. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have suggested a wide range of dates for the initial appearance of the Holometabola, from the Middle Devonian epoch (391 million years (Myr) ago) to the Late Pennsylvanian epoch (311 Myr ago), and Hemiptera (310 Myr ago). Palaeoenvironments greatly changed over these periods, with global cooling and increasing complexity of green forests. The Pennsylvanian-period crown-eumetabolan fossil record remains notably incomplete, particularly as several fossils have been erroneously considered to be stem Holometabola (Supplementary Information); the earliest definitive beetles are from the start of the Permian period. The emergence of the hymenopterids, sister group to other Holometabola, is dated between 350 and 309 Myr ago, incongruent with their current earliest record (Middle Triassic epoch). Here we describe five fossils--a Gzhelian-age stem coleopterid, a holometabolous larva of uncertain ordinal affinity, a stem hymenopterid, and early Hemiptera and Psocodea, all from the Moscovian age--and reveal a notable penecontemporaneous breadth of early eumetabolan insects. These discoveries are more congruent with current hypotheses of clade divergence. Eumetabola experienced episodes of diversification during the Bashkirian-Moscovian and the Kasimovian-Gzhelian ages. This cladogenetic activity is perhaps related to notable episodes of drying resulting from glaciations, leading to the eventual demise in Euramerica of coal-swamp ecosystems, evidenced by floral turnover during this interval. These ancient species were of very small size, living in the shadow of Palaeozoic-era 'giant' insects. Although these discoveries reveal unexpected Pennsylvanian eumetabolan diversity, the lineage radiated more successfully only after the mass extinctions at the end of the Permian period, giving rise to the familiar crown groups of their respective clades.

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to offer results of anatomic study of axillary course of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) and the effort of its saving in primary axilla clearance (PE), secondary clearance (SE) after previous positive sentinel nodes detection (SLN) and in re-clearance (RE) after previous axilla clearance in breast cancer and malignant melanoma. The correlation between possibility of ICBN saving and anatomic variant of ICBN and type of previous surgery was observed., Material and Methods: A total of 113 surgeries with the effort of description and preservation of ICBN were done between September 2007 and August 2011. Patients were divided into three groups according to type of surgery: primary clearance (PE), secondary clearance (SE) and re-clearance (RE). Results have been statistically tested using licensed statistical software Statgraphics., Results: ICBN was found in 107 patients (94.7%), it wasnt found in six cases. There were eight different types of ICBN branching. Two most frequent variants formed majority of cases - 87 out of 107 (81.3%). The successful preservation of intact ICBN was in 86 patients (76.1%). ICBN was interrupted or not found in 10 patients (8.8%), partial injury of ICBN branches was detected in 17 cases (15.0%). If the most frequent variant of ICBN branching was present, the nerve was not injured in 42 out of 45 cases (93.3%). Statistical testing showed that non-standard anatomical branches are associated with higher risk of perioperative injury. The risk of injury was lowest in PE (21.6%) and the highest in RE (42.9%). The difference wasnt statistically significant because of low number of re-clearance cases in our study., Conclusion: The anatomy of ICBN in axilla is variable. The standard variant of ICBN course is the most frequent (the trunk coming out of second intercostal space; no branches in axillary course). If other variants are present, there is significantly higher risk of perioperative injury. ICBN preservation is possible also after previous axilla clearance. Preparation is more difficult and the risk of injury is increasing with the degree of previous surgery radicality.

Leptin is a circulating protein which regulates dietary intake through binding the leptin receptor. Numerous labs have used known structures and mutagenesis to study this binding process in common animal models (human, mouse and rat). Understanding this binding process in other vertebrate species will allow for a better understanding of leptin and leptin receptor function. The binding site between leptin and leptin receptor is highly conserved in mammals as confirmed through sequence alignments mapped onto structures of both leptin and leptin receptor. More variation in this interaction is found in lizard and frog sequences. Using our models, we show that the avian leptin sequences have far less variation in the binding site than does the leptin receptor. This analysis further suggests that avian leptins are artifactual. In fish, gene duplication events have led to the expression of multiple leptin proteins. These multiple leptin proteins have variation in the regions interacting with leptin receptor. In zebrafish and the Japanese rice fish, we propose that leptin A has a higher binding energy than does B. Differing binding energies are evidence of either divergent functions, different binding confirmations, or other protein partners of leptin B., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis is a key regulatory process in cell cycle progression. The Skp1-Cul1-F-box (SCF) and anaphase-promoting complex (APC) ubiquitin ligases target numerous components of the cell cycle machinery for destruction. Throughout the cell cycle, these ligases cooperate to maintain precise levels of key regulatory proteins, and indirectly, each other. Recently, we have identified the deubiquitinase USP37 as a regulator of the cell cycle. USP37 expression is cell cycle-regulated, being expressed in late G(1) and ubiquitinated by APC(Cdh1) in early G(1). Here we report that in addition to destruction at G(1), a major fraction of USP37 is degraded at the G(2)/M transition, prior to APC substrates and similar to SCF(βTrCP) substrates. Consistent with this hypothesis, USP37 interacts with components of the SCF in a βTrCP-dependent manner. Interaction with βTrCP and subsequent degradation is phosphorylation-dependent and is mediated by the Polo-like kinase (Plk1). USP37 is stabilized in G(2) by depletion of βTrCP as well as chemical or genetic manipulation of Plk1. Similarly, mutation of the phospho-sites abolishes βTrCP binding and renders USP37 resistant to Plk1 activity. Expression of this mutant hinders the G(2)/M transition. Our data demonstrate that tight regulation of USP37 levels is required for proper cell cycle progression.

The aim of this study is to compare two different methods of frontal bone surface model acquisition. Three dimensional models acquired by laser scanning were compared with models of the same bones acquired by virtual replicas reconstructed from a sequence of computed tomography (CT) images. The influence of volumetric CT data processing (namely thresholding), which immediately preceded the generation of the three-dimensional surface model, was also considered and explored in detail in one sample. Despite identifying certain areas where both models showed deviations across all samples, their conformity can be generally classified as satisfactory, and the differences can be regarded as minimal. The average deviation of registered surface models was 0.27 mm for 90% of the data, and its value was therefore very close to the resolution of the laser scanner used.

Two different patterns of wing venation are currently supposed to be present in each of the three orders of Paraneoptera. This is unlikely compared with the situation in other insects where only one pattern exists per order. We propose for all Paraneoptera a new and unique interpretation of wing venation pattern, assuming that the convex cubitus anterior gets fused with the common stem of median and radial veins at or very near to wing base, after separation from concave cubitus posterior, and re-emerges more distally from R + M stem. Thereafter, the vein between concave cubitus posterior and CuA is a specialized crossvein called "cua-cup," proximally concave and distally convex. We show that despite some variations, that is, cua-cup can vary from absent to hypertrophic; CuA can re-emerge together with M or not, or even completely disappear, this new interpretation explains all situations among all fossil and recent paraneopteran lineages. We propose that the characters "CuA fused in a common stem with R and M"and "presence of specialized crossvein cua-cup" are venation apomorphies that support the monophyly of the Paraneoptera. In the light of these characters, we reinterpret several Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic fossils that were ascribed to Paraneoptera, and confirm the attribution of several to this superorder as well as possible attribution of Zygopsocidae (Zygopsocus permianus Tillyard, 1935) as oldest Psocodea. We discuss the situation in extinct Hypoperlida and Miomoptera, suggesting that both orders could well be polyphyletic, with taxa related to Archaeorthoptera, Paraneoptera, or even Holometabola. The Carboniferous Protoprosbolidae is resurrected and retransferred into the Paraneoptera. The genus Lithoscytina is restored. The miomopteran Eodelopterum priscum Schmidt, 1962 is newly revised and considered as a fern pinnule. In addition, the new paraneopteran Bruayaphis oudardi gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described fromthe Upper Carboniferous of France (see Supporting Information)., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

We describe an integration strategy for arbitrary sensors intended to be used as biosensors in biomedical or bioanalytical applications. For such devices ease of handling (by a potential end user) as well as strict disposable usage are of importance. Firstly we describe a generic array compatible polymer sensor housing with an effective sample volume of 1.55 μl. This housing leaves the sensitive surface of the sensor accessible for the application of biosensing layers even after the embedding. In a second step we show how this sensor housing can be used in combination with a passive disposable microfluidic chip to set up arbitrary 8-fold sensor arrays and how such a system can be complemented with an indirect microfluidic flow injection analysis (FIA) system. This system is designed in a way that it strictly separates between disposable and reusable components- by introducing tetradecane as an intermediate liquid. This results in a sensor system compatible with the demands of most biomedical applications. Comparative measurements between a classical macroscopic FIA system and this integrated indirect microfluidic system are presented. We use a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor as an exemplary detector in this work.

The Sry locus on the mammalian Y chromosome is the developmental switch responsible for testis determination. Inconsistent with this important function, the Sry locus is transcribed in adult males at times and in tissues not involved with testis determination. Sry is expressed in multiple tissues of the peripheral and central nervous system. Sry is derived from Sox3 and is similar to other SOXB family loci. The SOXB loci are responsible for nervous system development. Sry has been demonstrated to modulate the catecholamine pathway, so it should have functional consequences in the central and peripheral nervous system. The nervous system expression and potential function are consistent with Sry as a SOXB family member. In mammals, Sox3 is X-linked and undergoes dosage compensation in females. The expression of Sry in adult males allows for a type of sexual differentiation independent of circulating gonadal hormones. A quantitative difference in Sox3 plus Sry expression in males vs. females could drive changes in the transcriptome of these cells, differentiating male and female cells. Sry expression and its transcriptional effects should be considered when investigating sexual dimorphic phenotypes.

All organisms face tradeoffs with regard to how limited energy resources should be invested. When is it most favorable to grow, to reproduce, how much lipid should be allocated to storage in preparation for a period of limited resources (e.g., winter), instead of being used for growth or maturation? These are a few of the high consequence fitness "decisions" that represent the balance between energy acquisition and allocation. Indeed, for animals to make favorable decisions about when to grow, eat, or reproduce, they must integrate signals among the systems responsible for energy acquisition, storage, and demand. We make the argument that leptin signaling is a likely candidate for an integrating system. Great progress has been made understanding the leptin system in mammals, however our understanding in fishes has been hampered by difficulty in cloning fish orthologs of mammalian proteins and (we assert), underutilization of the comparative approach.