Insights into the life history and ecology of a large shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus captured in southern California.

In June 2013, a record-breaking female Isurus oxyrinchus (total length 373 cm, mass 600 kg) was captured by rod and reel off Huntington Beach, California, where it was subsequently donated to research and provided a rare opportunity to collect the first data for a female I. oxyrinchus of this size. Counts of vertebral band pairs estimate the shark to have been c. 22 years old, depending upon assumptions of band-pair deposition rates, and the distended uteri and spent ovaries indicated that this shark had recently given birth. The stomach contained a c. 4 year-old female California sea lion Zalophus californianus that confirmed the high trophic position of this large I. oxyrinchus, which was corroborated with the high levels of measured contaminants and tissue isotope analyses.

Ferromagnetism in annealed Ce0.95Co0.05O2 and Ce0.95Ni0.05O2 nanoparticles.

This paper reports an investigation on the role of transition-metal ions in producing ferromagnetism in CeO2 nanoparticles by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Several samples of CeO2 nanoparticles annealed at 200, 300, 400, and 500 degrees C, doped with 5% Ni and 5% Co ions, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and mass spectroscopy (MS), were investigated by X-band EPR at 4, 10 and 300 K, and by magnetometry at 300 K. Magnetic properties and EPR/FMR (Ferromagnetic Resonance) spectra of these nanoparticle samples were found to depend strongly on the annealing temperature (T(A)), oxygen stoichiometry, and dopant-ion species. Different behavior of saturation magnetization in the samples with the dopants, Co and Ni, is found to be due to different-inward and outward-surface diffusion of these impurity ions, respectively, during annealing. A detailed simulation of EPR/FMR spectra of isolated Co and Ni ions carried out here provides in-depth details on the role of the doped ions and oxygen (O-) defects played in the observed magnetic properties.

Failures, re-operations, and complications after autologous chondrocyte implantation--a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare failure, re-operation, and complication rates of all generations and techniques of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). METHODS: A systematic review of multiple medical databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Levels I-IV evidence were included. Generations of ACI and complications after ACI were explicitly defined. All subject and defect demographic data were analyzed. Modified Coleman Methodology Scores (MCMSs) were calculated for all studies. RESULTS: 82 studies were identified for inclusion (5276 subjects were analyzed; 6080 defects). Ninety percent of the studies in this review were rated poor according to the MCMS. There were 305 failures overall (5.8% subjects; mean time to failure 22 months). Failure rate was highest with periosteal ACI (PACI). Failure rates after PACI, collagen-membrane cover ACI (CACI), second generation, and all-arthroscopic, second-generation ACI were 7.7%, 1.5%, 3.3%, and 0.83%, respectively. The failure rate of arthrotomy-based ACI was 6.1% vs 0.83% for all-arthroscopic ACI. Overall rate of re-operation was 33%. Re-operation rate after PACI, CACI, and second-generation ACI was 36%, 40%, and 18%, respectively. However, upon exclusion of planned second-look arthroscopy, re-operation rate was highest after PACI. Unplanned re-operation rates after PACI, CACI, second-generation, and all-arthroscopic second-generation ACI were 27%, 5%, 5%, and 1.4%, respectively. Low numbers of patients undergoing third-generation ACI precluded comparative analysis of this group. CONCLUSIONS: Failure rate after all ACI generations is low (1.5-7.7%). Failure rate is highest with PACI, and lower with CACI and second-generation techniques. One out of three ACI patients underwent a re-operation. Unplanned re-operations are seen most often following PACI. Hypertrophy and delamination is most commonly seen after PACI. Arthrofibrosis is most commonly seen after arthrotomy-based ACI. Use of a collagen-membrane cover, second-generation techniques, and all-arthroscopic, second-generation approaches have reduced the failure, complication, and re-operation rate after ACI.

Treatment of proximal hamstring ruptures - a systematic review.

Proximal hamstring ruptures are increasingly treated surgically, despite little high-level supporting evidence. We sought to determine whether there are differences in clinical outcome after surgical vs. non-surgical treatment of proximal hamstring tendinous avulsions/ruptures and acute vs. chronic surgical repair of tendinous avulsions. Multiple medical databases were searched for Level I-IV evidence. 18 studies were included. 298 subjects (300 proximal hamstring injuries) were analyzed with mean age of 39.7 years. 286 injuries were managed with surgical repair vs. 14 non-operative. 95 surgical cases were performed within 4 weeks of the injury (acute), while 191 were performed beyond 4 weeks (chronic). 292 injuries were tendinous avulsions while 8 were bony tuberosity avulsions. Surgical repair resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) better subjective outcomes, greater rate of return to pre-injury level of sport, and greater strength/endurance than non-surgical management. Similarly, acute surgical repair had significantly better patient satisfaction, subjective outcomes, pain relief, strength/endurance, and higher rate of return to pre-injury level of sport than chronic repair (p < 0.001) with reduced risk of complications and re-rupture (p < 0.05). Chronic surgical repair also improves outcomes, strength and endurance, and return-to-sport, but not as well as acute repair. Non-operative treatment results in reduced patient satisfaction, with significantly lower rates of return to pre-injury level of sport and reduced hamstring muscle strength.

A canine urinary tract infection representing the first clinical veterinary isolation of Acinetobacter ursingii.

Acinetobacter species can be important opportunistic pathogens in humans, especially in healthcare settings. We report here the first isolation of Acinetobacter ursingii from an animal species; it was isolated from a canine urinary tract infection, and phenotypic identification proved unreliable.

Does experience matter? A meta-analysis of physician rating websites of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review evaluating online ratings of Orthopaedic Surgeons to determine: (1) the number of reviews per surgeon by website, (2) whether the number of reviews and rate of review acquisition correlated with years in practice, and (3) whether the use of ratings websites varied based on the surgeons' geographic region of practice. METHODS: The USA was divided into nine geographic regions, and the most populous city in each region was selected. HealthGrades and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) database were used to identify and screen (respectively) all Orthopaedic Surgeons within each of these nine cities. These surgeons were divided into three "age" groups by years since board certification (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 years were assigned as Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). An equal number of surgeons were randomly selected from each region for final analysis. The online profiles for each surgeon were reviewed on four online physician rating websites (PRW, i.e. HealthGrades, Vitals, RateMDs, Yelp) for the number of available patient reviews. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlations were used. RESULTS: Using HealthGrades, 2802 "Orthopaedic Surgeons" were identified in nine cities. However, 1271 (45%) of these were not found in the ABOS board certification database. After randomization, a total of 351 surgeons were included in the final analysis. For these 351 surgeons, the mean number of reviews per surgeon found on all four websites was 9.0 ± 14.8 (range 0-184). The mean number of reviews did not differ between the three age groups (p > 0.05) with 8.7 ± 14.4, (2) 10.3 ± 18.3, and (3) 8.0 ± 10.8 for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. However, the rate that reviews were obtained (i.e. reviews per surgeon per year) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in Group 1 (2.6 ± 7.7 reviews per year) compared to Group 2 (1.4 ± 2.4) and Group 3 (1.1 ± 1.4). There was no correlation between the number of reviews and years in practice (R < 0.001), and there was a poor correlation between number of reviews and regional population (R = 0.199). CONCLUSIONS: The number of reviews per surgeon did not differ significantly between the three defined age groups based on years in practice. However, surgeons with less than 10 years in practice were accumulating reviews at a significantly higher rate. Interestingly nearly half of "Orthopaedic Surgeons" listed were not found to be ABOS-certified Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Systemic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as a Cause of Osteomyelitis in a Captive Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta).

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica are ubiquitous pathogens with wildlife and domestic animal reservoirs. Outbreaks of 'non-plague' yersiniosis in man and non-human primates are reported frequently (including zoological specimens and research breeding colonies) and are usually characterized by enteritis, mesenteric lymphadenitis and occasionally organ abscessation. In people, non-septic reactive arthritis is a common sequela to yersiniosis. However, there have been rare reports in people of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis because of active systemic infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Osteomyelitis has also been reported rarely in historical yersiniosis outbreaks in farmed turkeys in England and the USA. This paper reports the first case of osteomyelitis caused by systemic infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis O:1 in a non-human primate, a captive ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). The lemur had a short clinical history of hyporexia and weight loss with reduction in mobility, especially of the left hindlimb. On post-mortem examination there was evidence of multi-organ abscessation. In addition, severe necrosis, inflammation and large bacterial colonies were present in the musculature, periosteum and bone marrow in the hip, ribs and a vertebra at the cervicothoracic junction. Osteomyelitis should be considered as a rare clinical presentation in non-human primates with systemic Y. pseudotuberculosis infection.

Strategies for targeted gene therapy.

Genetic intervention for the therapy of human disease has long been a dream for scientists and clinicians alike, and the first steps towards reality have already been taken in clinical trials involving over 1000 patients around the world. The technology used in these initial experiments has limited potential for therapeutic effect and it is now appreciated that improvements in targeting gene delivery and gene expression are both required before real clinical benefit is achieved. The enormous advances made in the fields of molecular genetics and molecular biology of the last few years have set the scene for their translation into novel approaches to gene transfer and control, for gene therapy applications.

Heart rate turbulence after ventricular premature beats in healthy Doberman pinschers and those with dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the measurement of heart rate turbulence (HRT) after ventricular premature beats and compare HRT in healthy Doberman pinschers and those with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), with and without congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS: Sixty-five client-owned Dobermans: 20 healthy (NORMAL), 31 with preclinical DCM and 14 with DCM and CHF (DCM + CHF). METHODS: A retrospective study of data retrieved from clinical records and ambulatory ECG (Holter) archives, including data collected previously for a large-scale prospective study of Dobermans with preclinical DCM. Holter data were reanalysed quantitatively, including conventional time-domain heart rate variability and the HRT parameters turbulence onset and turbulence slope. RESULTS: Heart rate turbulence could be measured in 58/65 dogs. Six Holter recordings had inadequate ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) and one exhibited VPCs too similar to sinus morphology. Heart rate turbulence parameter, turbulence onset, was significantly reduced in DCM dogs, whereas conventional heart rate variability measures were not. Heart rate variability and HRT markers were reduced in DCM + CHF dogs as expected. CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate turbulence can be measured from the majority of good quality standard canine 24-hour Holter recordings with >5 VPCs. Turbulence onset is significantly reduced in Dobermans with preclinical DCM which indicates vagal withdrawal early in the course of disease. Heart rate turbulence is a powerful prognostic indicator in human cardiac disease which can be measured from standard 24-hour ambulatory ECG (Holter) recordings using appropriate computer software. Further studies are warranted to assess whether HRT may be of prognostic value in dogs with preclinical DCM and in other canine cardiac disease.

Functional evidence of novel tumor suppressor genes for cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Losses of heterozygosity involving chromosomes 9 and 10 are frequent events in the development and progression of cutaneous malignant melanoma. To investigate whether specifically deleted chromosomal regions encode tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), we introduced normal chromosome 10 into the tumorigenic human metastatic melanoma cell line UACC-903 by microcell fusion. In addition, two chromosome 9 derivatives that were microdeleted in the region of the p16INK4A/p15INK4B locus were transferred to determine whether an additional melanoma TSG or TSGs reside on chromosome 9p, as indicated by previous melanoma allele loss studies. In comparison to parental cells, microcell hybrids generated with chromosomes 9 (microdeleted) and 10 displayed reduced anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and markedly reduced tumorigenicity in athymic (nu/nu) mice. These data define a TSG or TSGs that function independently of p15/p16 on chromosome 9 and provide evidence for a TSG (or TSGs) on chromosome 10 that may be important in melanoma development.

Evidence of anhedonia and differential reward processing in prefrontal cortex among post-withdrawal patients with prescription opiate dependence.

Anhedonia is an important but understudied element of a neuroadaptive model underlying vulnerability to relapse in opioid dependence. Previous research using fMRI has shown reduced activation to pleasant stimuli in rostral prefrontal cortex among heroin-dependent patients in early recovery. This study evaluated the presence of anhedonia among recently withdrawn prescription opiate dependent patients (PODP) in residential treatment compared to control subjects. Anhedonia was assessed using self-report, affect-modulated startle response (AMSR), and a cue reactivity task during which participant's rostral prefrontal cortex (RPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) was monitored with functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The cue reactivity task included three distinct categories of natural reward stimuli: highly palatable food, positive social situations, and intimate (non-erotic) interactions. PODP reported greater anhedonia on self-report (Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale), and showed reduced hedonic response to positive stimuli in the AMSR task relative to controls. PODP also exhibited reduced neural activation in bilateral RPFC and left VLPFC in response to food images and reduced left VLPFC in response to images depicting positive social situations relative to controls. No differences were found for emotionally intimate stimuli. When patients were divided into groups based on the Snaith-Hamilton criteria for the presence or absence of anhedonia, patients endorsing anhedonia showed reduced neural responses to images depicting positive social stimuli and food relative to patients who did not endorse anhedonia. Activations were in areas of RPFC that support the retrieval of episodic memories. The results suggest the presence of anhedonia in a subsample of PODP.

Biomechanical testing of the reconstructed ulnar collateral ligament: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to perform a systematic review of the literature investigating biomechanical studies of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) techniques to summarize the most commonly analyzed methods of fixation (at both the ulna and humerus), the degree of elbow flexion at the time of fixation, graft characteristics, and modes of failure with these techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed. All cadaveric biomechanical studies that tested a reconstruction method for UCLR were included. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each study and parameter/variable analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included with a total of 397 elbows in 242 cadavers (mean age 54.8 ± 20 years, range 16-96). The majority of studies (65 %) used a palmaris longus graft. The docking technique (37.2 %) was the most commonly tested reconstruction method. Significant heterogeneity between studies precluded assimilation of specific techniques (each of the 23 studies utilized a unique technique). Fixation was performed at 30°-90° of elbow flexion. The most common mode of failure was suture failure (51 %), followed by midsubstance rupture (27.00 %), and bone tunnel fracture (14.00 %). No significant differences were observed amongst techniques for all measures analyzed. CONCLUSION: This study found the docking technique to be the most commonly tested technique, while the mode of reconstruction failure was most commonly at the suture interface. If the graft failed at the bone interface, it was most likely to occur at the ulna. Surgeon preference and comfort level with a specific technique should dictate choice.

Patient-reported outcome measures after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: A lack of connection between surgeons and patients in evaluating the outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has led to the search for the ideal patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to evaluate these procedures. We hypothesised that the desired psychometric properties of the ideal outcome tool have not been uniformly addressed in studies describing TKA PROMS. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted investigating one or more facets of patient-reported scores for measuring primary TKA outcome. Studies were analysed by study design, subject demographics, surgical technique, and follow-up adequacy, with the 'gold standard' of psychometric properties being systematic development, validity, reliability, and responsiveness. RESULTS: A total of 38 articles reported outcomes from 47 different PROMS to 85 541 subjects at 26.3 months (standard deviation 30.8) post-operatively. Of the 38, eight developed new scores, 20 evaluated existing scores, and ten were cross-cultural adaptation of existing scores. Only six of 38 surveyed studies acknowledged all 'gold standard' psychometric properties. The most commonly studied PROMS were the Oxford Knee Score, New Knee Society Score, Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. CONCLUSIONS: A single, validated, reliable, and responsive PROM addressing TKA patients' priorities has not yet been identified. Moreover, a clear definition of a successful procedure remains elusive. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:120-127.

A recombinant HIV provirus is synergistically activated by the HIV Tat protein and the HSV IE1 protein but not by the HSV IE3 protein.

To study the effects of regulatory proteins encoded by herpes viruses on the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) in the presence or absence of HIV-encoded regulatory products, we prepared a proviral construct containing 5' and 3' HIV LTR, but lacking the coding sequences of any HIV proteins. This construct allowed the effects of herpesvirus regulatory proteins on the HIV LTR to be assessed in a construct similar to the HIV provirus whilst also allowing their interactions with HIV-encoded regulatory proteins to be studied. In this system, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) protein IE1 (ICPO) but not the IE3 (ICP4) protein can activate the HIV LTR, whereas both proteins are active on a single plasmid-borne HIV LTR. Although the activation of the LTR by IE1 is strongly stimulated by the HIV Tat protein, it can also be observed in the absence of Tat, indicating that HSV infection via IE1 has the potential to activate an entirely silent, latent HIV provirus.

Gene therapy with autologous, interleukin 2-secreting tumor cells in patients with malignant melanoma.

We vaccinated metastatic melanoma patients with irradiated, autologous melanoma cells genetically engineered to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2) to investigate whether an anti-tumor immune response would be induced. Melanoma cell cultures were established from surgical specimens and were engineered to secrete IL-2 by infection with recombinant retrovirus. Twelve patients were vaccinated subcutaneously one, two, or three times with approximately 10(7) irradiated, autologous, IL-2-secreting tumor cells. Treatment was well tolerated, with local reactions at 11 of 24 injection sites and minor systemic symptoms of fever and headache after 6 injections. One patient developed anti-tumor DTH after the first vaccination and showed an increased response after the second vaccination. Anti-autologous tumor CTLs could be detected prevaccination in the peripheral blood of seven patients and their activity increased after vaccination in four patients. No UICC-defined clinical responses were seen, but three patients had stable disease for 7-15 months, one of whom has not yet progressed (15+ months). Thus, patient vaccination with autologous, genetically engineered tumor cells is feasible and safe. Anti-tumor DTH and CTLs can be induced in some patients with such a vaccine.

Intermitochondrial bridge junctions in fat body cells of the pre-hatch larvae of the forest tent caterpillar Malacosoma disstria HBN.

An electron microscopic feature of fat body cells of diapausing Malacosoma disstria pre-hatch caterpillars, experimentally held at certain controlled time-and-temperature conditions, is an elaborate bridge junction, between mitochondria, strikingly similar in appearance to the septate junction which has frequently been described as occurring between cells of many invertebrate species. It is suggested that the intermitochondrial unctions may well represent elaborate forms of interaction between organelles in order to enhance metabolic efficiency in times of stress.

Effect of exogenous surfactant instillation on experimental acute lung injury.

Pulmonary surfactant replacement has previously been shown to be effective in the human neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The value of surfactant replacement in models of acute lung injury other than quantitative surfactant deficiency states is, however, uncertain. In this study an acute lung injury model using rats with chronic indwelling arterial catheters, injured with N-nitroso-N-methylurethane (NNNMU), has been developed. The NNNMU injury was found to produce hypoxia, increased mortality, an alveolitis, and alterations in the pulmonary surfactant system. Alterations of surfactant obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage included a reduction in the phospholipid-to-protein ratio, reduced surface activity, and alterations in the relative percentages of the individual phospholipids compared with controls. Treatment of the NNNMU-injured rats with instilled exogenous surfactant (Survanta) improved oxygenation; reduced mortality to control values; and returned the surfactant phospholipid-to-protein ratio, surface activity, and, with the exception of phosphatidylglycerol, the relative percentages of individual surfactant phospholipids to control values.

Effect of dantrolene sodium on canine bladder contractility.

Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is currently used in the treatment of detrusorstriated sphincter dyssynergia and is thought to act primarily on striated muscle. The effect of this agent on smooth muscle in general is controversial, and its effect on urinary bladder smooth muscle in particular is not known. In an in vitro muscle bath system, dantrolene was found to have no statistically significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholine-induced canine detrusor muscle contractions.

Liposarcoma of spermatic cord.

Four patients with myxoid liposarcoma of the spermatic cord are presented, three of whom have survived longer than five years. Wide local excision is usually the treatment of choice with radiotherapy reserved for control of either extensive local disease or following incomplete removal of the lesion.