Lipoxygenase Activity Accelerates Programmed Spore Germination in Aspergillus fumigatus.

The opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus initiates invasive growth through a programmed germination process that progresses from dormant spore to swollen spore (SS) to germling (GL) and ultimately invasive hyphal growth. We find a lipoxygenase with considerable homology to human Alox5 and Alox15, LoxB, that impacts the transitions of programmed spore germination. Overexpression of loxB (OE::loxB) increases germination with rapid advance to the GL stage. However, deletion of loxB (ΔloxB) or its signal peptide only delays progression to the SS stage in the presence of arachidonic acid (AA); no delay is observed in minimal media. This delay is remediated by the addition of the oxygenated AA oxylipin 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) that is a product of human Alox5. We propose that A. fumigatus acquisition of LoxB (found in few fungi) enhances germination rates in polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich environments.

Presurgical biopsychosocial factors predict multidimensional patient: outcomes of interbody cage lumbar fusion.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Interbody cage lumbar fusion (ICLF) has been advanced to improve arthrodesis; however, little attention has been given to quality of life and functional outcomes. Studies suggest that psychosocial factors may be important modifiers of low back surgical outcomes. PURPOSE: To depict outcomes of ICLF surgery across multiple dimensions and to investigate presurgical biopsychosocial predictors of these outcomes. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective-cohort research design was used that involved completion of presurgical medical record reviews and postsurgical telephone outcome surveys at least 18 months after surgery. Presurgical variables included in a regression model were age at the time of surgery, spinal pathophysiology rating, smoking tobacco, depression, and pursuing litigation. PATIENT SAMPLE: Seventy-three patients received ICLF, and of those 56 patients completed the outcome survey an average of 2.6 years after surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures consisted of arthrodesis status, patient satisfaction, back-specific functioning, disability status, and quality of life. RESULTS: Although arthrodesis occurred in 84% of the patients, nearly half were dissatisfied with their current back condition. Functional status was worse than expected, and 38% were totally disabled at follow-up. Regression analyses revealed tobacco use, depression, and litigation were the most consistent presurgical predictors of poorer patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, despite a high rate of arthrodesis, ICLF was not associated with substantial improvements in patient functioning. Presurgical biopsychosocial variables predicted patient outcomes, which may help improve patient selection and possible targeted interventions.

Bone defects and future regenerative nanomedicine approach using stem cells in the mutant Tabby mouse model.

X-linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED) is associated to a large spectrum of ectodermal and extra-ectodermal symptoms, especially craniofacial bone morphological, structural and metabolic anomalies. This skeletal phenotype described in affected patients and in the Ta mutant mouse model leads to craniofacial dysmorphies, endosseous implants and jaw bone grafts complications. Bone tissue bioengineering based on the use of PCL synthetic nanofibrous membrane and BMP nanoreservoirs appears as an original and promising approach to prevent such complications in the context of dysfunctional bone. Use of osteoblasts or stem cells seeded biomembranes appears as another strategy developed on the Tabby (Ta) model of XLHED. The Ta mouse experimental model is used to study the jaw bone response during the post-operative period after bone lesion and placement of synthetic PCL membrane functionalized with nanoreservoirs embedding different BMPs dimers or seeded with living cells.

[Smile in self-representation and self-esteem]. / Le sourire dans la représentation et l'image de soi.

Does the smile play a part in the patient's self-esteem and social well-being? The assessment of the smile is part of the clinical examination and it contributes to the diagnosis. Other criteria besides quantitative or metric ones are considered in this work and make it original. Philosophical, psychological and sociological aspects have been considered to understand the role of the smile in human relationships and self-representation. The quest for beauty is universal but its assessment remains subjective even if attempts at objectivity have been made. Self-esteem is fundamental for the individual's mental and social well-being. A human being has to submit to the rules and customs of his fellow-men if he wants to be part of the society in which he lives. Even if some aesthetic standards cannot be skirted and seem to be universal, the reality of beauty is perverted by social diktats, so is the representation of the smile. It is therefore essential to listen to one's patient before considering his teeth.

Treatment of Class III malocclusion: the key role of the occlusal plane.

Patients with a Class III malocclusion generally present with a counterclockwise inclination of the occlusal plane, converging with Camper's line towards the front. This slope has an effect on mandibular movement (forward posture) and on chewing mechanisms in general. As dysfunctional mastication is likely to influence facial growth and inter-arch stability negatively, early orthopedic therapy of the occlusal unbalance concurrent with Class III malocclusion is justified. The aim of this article is to present a method of Class III treatment based on a correct re-orientation of the occlusal plane in order to achieve an optimal masticatory mechanism, essential for stability of early treatment outcomes.

[The psychological impact of orthognathic surgery]. / L'impact psychologique des traitements chirurgico-orthodontiques.

We carried out an investigation on 92 patients having benefited from an orthognathic surgery, in order to demonstrate the effects of the dento-facial deformations on the patients' everyday life and the psychological impact of the multidisciplinary treatment. Questionnaires were drawn up and sent to the residence of the patients: one preoperative, transmitted 15 days before the intervention and one postoperative, addressed 6 months afterwards. Our results revealed that all the patients of our study were satisfied and that this treatment eliminated the complex of 90% of the patients. We could highlight that the more surprising part of the treatment for the patients is the postoperative facial deformation generated by the important postoperative oedema. We concluded that the information of the patient and the communication patient-expert have a preponderant role in the therapeutic caring. .

[Genetic origin of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. TWIST, a candidate gene? Research protocol]. / L'origine génétique des fentes labio-palatines non syndromiques. TWIST, gène candidat? Protocole de recherche.

Non syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most frequent human malformation. CLP is of complex inheritance and at least twenty contributing chromosomal regions have been identified by linkage studies. On the other hand, mutations in several genes such as TWIST and FGFR2 result in syndromic cranio-facial abnormalities of highly variable range. It is our hypothesis that some mutations at TWIST might contribute to CLP in absence of other dysmorphic features. Thus, DNA biopsies of patients with non syndromic CLP are collected and prepared to search for allelic variations or mutations at TWIST. This study should contribute to improve the classification of facial malformations relative to gene, to help to a better understanding of the inheritance pattern of this pathology, to help to genetic counselling for some cases aiming at the prevention of genetic disease. This project is based on a close cooperation between the Orthodontic Department, the Paediatric Surgery Department and the Center for Clinical Investigation (University Hospital in Strasbourg), in a joint project with an academic research laboratory, expert in molecular biology and genetics.

Abstinence-only programs implemented under welfare reform are incompatible with research on effective sexuality education.

Abstinence-only-until-marriage education programs receive more than $100 million annually in government funds, most of it stemming from the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. There is currently no evidence that any of these programs, which promote sexual abstinence and restrict information about contraception, actually achieve their intended purposes. On the other hand, there is ample evidence that comprehensive sexuality education programs, which include information about both abstinence and contraception, can be effective. We argue that public monies should be expended on programs with proven efficacy and not on those that promote ideologies that are not shared by the majority of Americans.