Ythdf2 regulates cardiac remodeling through its mRNA target transcripts.

m6A mRNA methylation controls cardiomyocyte function and increased overall m6A levels are a stereotyping finding in heart failure independent of the underlying etiology. However, it is largely unknown how the information is read by m6A reader proteins in heart failure. Here we show that the m6A reader protein Ythdf2 controls cardiac function and identified a novel mechanism how reader proteins control gene expression and cardiac function. Deletion of Ythdf2 in cardiomyocytes in vivo leads to mild cardiac hypertrophy, reduced heart function, and increased fibrosis during pressure overload as well as during aging. Similarly, in vitro the knockdown of Ythdf2 results in cardiomyocyte growth and remodeling. Mechanistically, we identified the eucaryotic elongation factor 2 as post-transcriptionally regulated by Ythdf2 using cell type specific Ribo-seq data. Our study expands our understanding on the regulatory functions of m6A methylation in cardiomyocytes and how cardiac function is controlled by the m6A reader protein Ythdf2.

Probiotic effect of Bacillus spp. isolated from African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) on the performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.).

This study evaluated the effects of the probiotic Bacillus spp. isolated from African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) on the growth and survival performances of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 400 Nile tilapia fingerlings (1.76 ± 0.07 g) were equally and randomly distributed into 20 glass aquaria and divided into five experimental groups with four replicates. Each experimental group was fed with a commercial diet (control) supplemented (at 108 CFU·g-1) with one of the four Bacillus spp. (ANSCI9, BFAR9, RM3, and RM10) at five percent of their body weight. After 30 days of feeding, the surviving fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila to observe their survival. The treatment groups supplemented with BFAR9 (2.73 ± 0.26 g) and RM10 (3.15 ± 0.30 g) showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) absolute growth than the control (2.20 ± 0.16 g) group. Furthermore, those given with RM10 had better (P < 0.05) specific growth rate (SGR) (1.60 ± 0.10%·day-1) relative growth rate (RGR) (181.39 ± 18.16%) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.99 ± 0.13) compared to the control group (SGR = 1.29 ± 0.07%·day-1; RGR = 129.84 ± 9.77%; FCR = 2.60 ± 0.16). The challenge test revealed that all Bacillus spp.-treated groups showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) survival rates (ANSCI9 = 82.5 ± 8.16%; BFAR9 = 80.0 ± 10.00%; RM3 = 77.5 ± 20.82%; RM10 = 85.0 ± 10.00%) than the control group (55.00 ± 19.15%), with the highest relative level of protection recorded for RM10 (66.67%). These results revealed that the probiotic Bacillus spp. isolated from E. eugeniae improved the growth, feed utilization, waste excretion, and the disease resistance of Nile tilapia.

Selection and screening of bacteria from African nightcrawler, Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg, 1867) as potential probiotics in aquaculture.

Earthworms are used as an alternative protein source in aquaculture. These organisms serve as an ideal and favorable site for bacterial growth and activity. Hence, in our present study, we isolated and screened potential probiotic bacteria from African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae). Among 45 bacterial isolates, four (ANSCI9, BFAR9, RM3, and RM10) were selected based on their hydrophobicity, hydrolytic enzyme production, pH and fish bile tolerance, aggregation, and antimicrobial properties. The selected isolates showed good hydrophobicity (≥ 30%) and enzyme production (≥ 10 mm clearing zones), tolerance to pH and fish bile, and inhibitory properties against pathogenic microorganisms. The isolates were identified as Bacillus sp. RM3 (MH919306), Bacillus sp. RM10 (MH919308), Bacillus sp. ANSCI9 (MH919310) and Bacillus sp. BFAR9 (MH919302). These isolates were individually incorporated in the diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings for 14 days to assess their biosafety. The results showed that the survival rates in all treated groups (98.75 ± 2.5 to 100.00 ± 0.0%) were not significantly different (P < 0.05) from the control group (commercial diet) (96.25 ± 2.5%), suggesting that isolates have no adverse effect on the host. This study revealed the presence of potential probiotic microorganisms in E. eugeniae that are beneficial to the aquaculture industry.

Parity-Engineered Light-Matter Interaction.

The concept of parity describes the inversion symmetry of a system and is of fundamental relevance in the standard model, quantum information processing, and field theory. In quantum electrodynamics, parity is conserved and large field gradients are required to engineer the parity of the light-matter interaction operator. In this work, we engineer a potassiumlike artificial atom represented by a specifically designed superconducting flux qubit. We control the wave function parity of the artificial atom with an effective orbital momentum provided by a resonator. By irradiating the artificial atom with spatially shaped microwave fields, we select the interaction parity in situ. In this way, we observe dipole and quadrupole selection rules for single state transitions and induce transparency via longitudinal coupling. Our work advances the design of tunable artificial multilevel atoms to a new level, which is particularly promising with respect to quantum chemistry simulations with near-term superconducting circuits.

[Ectopic thymic tissue and ectopic thymic tumors]. / Ektopien des Thymus und ektope Thymustumoren.

Ectopic thymic tissue outside its core position in the antero-superior mediastinum is quite common owing to the complexity of embryonal thymus development, whereby reported prevalence values (1 to 90%) are heavily dependent on the method of investigation and the intensity of the workup. The debated prevalence and relevance of ectopic thymic tissue and its accessibility underlie the ongoing discussion whether modern, minimally invasive thymectomy strategies can match the proven benefit of the radical transsternal thymectomy procedure for the treatment of Myasthenia gravis. In this context, the following article covers the etiology, prevalence, and location of normal-looking, reactive, and neoplastic ectopic thymic tissue. Furthermore, ectopic tissues and tumors inside or adjacent to the thymus are mentioned.

Photon Statistics of Propagating Thermal Microwaves.

In experiments with superconducting quantum circuits, characterizing the photon statistics of propagating microwave fields is a fundamental task. We quantify the n^{2}+n photon number variance of thermal microwave photons emitted from a blackbody radiator for mean photon numbers, 0.05≲n≲1.5. We probe the fields using either correlation measurements or a transmon qubit coupled to a microwave resonator. Our experiments provide a precise quantitative characterization of weak microwave states and information on the noise emitted by a Josephson parametric amplifier.

Hepatic Lipodystrophy in Galloway Calves.

Hepatic lipodystrophy in Galloway calves is a fatal liver disease affecting a small proportion of the Galloway breed described in different parts of Europe and North America during the past decades. The clinical findings include a diversity of neurological signs. Clinical pathology findings frequently indicate hepatobiliary disease. Postmortem examination reveals an enlarged, pale yellow, and firm liver. Histologic lesions include hepatic fibrosis, hepatic lipidosis, and bile duct hyperplasia. To date, the etiopathogenesis remains obscure. Infectious causes, intoxications, and a hereditary origin have been considered. We describe hepatic lipodystrophy in Galloway calves from an extensively farmed cow-calf operation in southern Germany. Main clinical findings in 6 calves were consistent with hepatic encephalopathy. Clinical pathology findings in 5 of 6 tested animals revealed increased concentration of total bilirubin (maximum value [MV], 54 µmol/l; reference range [RR], <8.5 µmol/l), direct bilirubin (MV, 20 µmol/l; RR, <3.4 µmol/l), increased activity of gamma glutamyl transferase (MV, 162 U/l; RR, <36 U/l) and glutamate dehydrogenase (MV, 420 U/l; RR, <16 U/l). In addition, activity of glutathione peroxidase was decreased in all tested ( n = 5) animals (MV, 61 U/g hemoglobin [Hb]; RR, >250 U/g Hb). Postmortem examination in 6 calves revealed a firm, diffusely enlarged yellow liver with a finely nodular surface. Histologic lesions included hepatic fibrosis, hepatic lipidosis, and bile duct hyperplasia. Our findings add to the existing data on hepatic lipodystrophy in the Galloway breed and outline a protocol to aid in the diagnosis of this disorder.

[True thymic hyperplasia : Differential diagnosis of thymic mass lesions in neonates and children]. / "Echte Thymushyperplasie" : Differenzialdiagnose der Thymusvergrößerung bei Säuglingen und Kindern.

Reactive and neoplastic thymic pathologies are the main considerations in the case of masses in the anterior and middle part of the mediastinum, while neurogenic tumors are predominant in the posterior mediastinum (which are not dealt with here). In neonates and infants, the commonest pathologies in the anterior mediastinum comprise germ cell tumors (mainly teratomas), congenital thymic cysts and true thymic hyperplasia (TTH). In toddlers, teratomas, yolk sac tumors and cysts predominate. In children over 5 years of age, lymphomas are the commonest mass lesions whereas thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare. In addition, inflammation-linked hyperplasia in myasthenia gravis and rebound thymic hyperplasia after chemotherapy must be considered. Although rare at all ages, sarcomas must be considered in the differential diagnosis from birth onwards and throughout adolescence. Based on the report of a rare case of recurrent TTH, the differential diagnosis of this benign but potentially life-threatening condition is discussed.

Fatal proteinuric kidney disease in a 30-month-old German Fleckvieh heifer caused by unilateral focal segmental glomerulosclerosis subsequent to a non-functional counterpart kidney.

INTRODUCTION: A case of secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in a heifer is presented. A 30-month-old female German Fleckvieh heifer showed deterioration of the general condition, a poor nutritional status, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and renal azotemia. Pathologically, it was diagnosed with unilateral hydronephrosis, and contralateral renal fibrosis with numerous cysts. Histologically, the fibrotic kidney showed FSGS, hyaline reabsorption droplets in proximal tubular epithelial cells, interstitial fibrosis, and tubulointerstitial inflammation. Apart from that, thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was seen in few renal arteries and meningeal arterioles. Pathogenesis of FSGS secondary to unilateral renal parenchymal loss (hydronephrosis) and TMA is discussed.

Displacement of Propagating Squeezed Microwave States.

Displacement of propagating quantum states of light is a fundamental operation for quantum communication. It enables fundamental studies on macroscopic quantum coherence and plays an important role in quantum teleportation protocols with continuous variables. In our experiments, we have successfully implemented this operation for propagating squeezed microwave states. We demonstrate that, even for strong displacement amplitudes, there is no degradation of the squeezing level in the reconstructed quantum states. Furthermore, we confirm that path entanglement generated by using displaced squeezed states remains constant over a wide range of the displacement power.

Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 infection (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Pygmy Sperm Whale Kogia breviceps Blainville, 1838 from west Pacific region off the coast of Philippine archipelago.

Cetaceans are definitive hosts of anisakid nematodes known to cause human anisakidosis. Despite the reported strandings of different cetaceans in the Philippines, studies on anisakids from these definitive hosts are limited. Here, the morphologically and molecularly identified anisakid species, specifically those of the genus Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 in stranded Pygmy Sperm Whale Kogia breviceps Blainville, 1838 in the west Pacific region off Philippine waters are presented. Morphological data using SEM and LM revealed multi-infections with different Anisakis species belonging to Anisakis type I and type II groups. Molecularly, PCR-RFLP on the ITS rDNA and sequence data analyses of both ITS rDNA and mtDNA cox2 regions identified those from Anisakis type I group as A. typica (Diesing, 1860), whereas those from type II group as A. brevispiculata Dollfus, 1968, and A. paggiae Mattiucci et al. (Syst Parasitol 61:157-171, 2005). This is the first record of Anisakis infection from this host stranded in the west Pacific region off the coast of Philippine waters and new geographical record for A. paggiae.

[Thymomas]. / Thymome.

Thymomas are rare tumors but are one of the most common mediastinal neoplasms in adults and exhibit an enormous variability in histological, biological and genetic features. The morphological spectrum within a given entity is enormous and some tumors with histological patterns of more than one entity are more common than pure histological subtypes. Due to a lack of subtype-specific markers classification of thymomas often requires complex diagnostic algorithms. The refined presentation including the definition of obligatory and optional features and of diagnostic immunohistochemical profiles, is the focus of the new World Health Organization (WHO) classification of thymomas, aiming at improving diagnostic reproducibility. This review highlights novel aspects of the WHO classification of thymomas and addresses typical differential diagnostic challenges with a focus on diagnostic pitfalls.

[Thymic carcinomas]. / Thymuskarzinome.

Thymic carcinomas (TC) are approximately 10 times less prevalent than thymomas but of high clinical relevance because they are more aggressive, less frequently resectable than thymomas and usually refractory to classical and targeted long-term treatment approaches. Furthermore, in children and adolescents TC are more frequent than thymomas and particularly in this age group, germ cell tumors need to be a differential diagnostic consideration. In diagnostic terms pathologists face two challenges: a), the distinction between thymic carcinomas and thymomas with a similar appearance and b), the distinction between TC and histologically similar metastases and tumor extensions from other primary tumors. Overcoming these diagnostic challenges is the focus of the new WHO classification of thymic epithelial tumors. The objectives of this review are to highlight novel aspects of the WHO classification of thymic carcinomas and to address therapeutically relevant diagnostic pitfalls.

[Mesenchymal tumors of the mediastinum]. / Mesenchymale Tumoren des Mediastinums.

Mesenchymal neoplasms of the thymus and mediastinum account for only 2 % of neoplasms of the mediastinum and are therefore very rare. With very few exceptions the histology, immunohistochemistry and (based on current knowledge) molecular biology of mediastinal soft tissue tumors are not different from their counterparts in other organs. Characteristic features are more concerned with clinical epidemiological and therapeutic aspects as well as the multitude of possible differential diagnoses. With the exception of organ-specific tumors, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), virtually all entities encountered in peripheral soft tissues can also arise in the mediastinum. Primary mediastinal soft tissue sarcomas (STS) must be distinguished from secondary radiation-induced STS after irradiation, e. g. for breast cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma and from STS arising as somatic type malignancies in mediastinal germ cell tumors.

A controlled trial on the effect of feeding dietary chestnut extract and glycerol monolaurate on liver function in newborn calves.

Beginning in the fall of 2010, an increasing and alarming number of cases of calves suffering from liver dystrophy were reported in the south of Germany. An epidemiological investigation was carried out by the authors between November 2010 and July 2011, leading to the implication of a commercial dietary supplement as the potential cause for this outbreak. The components of this product were first tested in a cell culture model and two of them (dietary chestnut extract and glycerol monolaurate) showed a cytotoxic effect. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of supplemental feeding of both components alone or in combination on liver function in newborn calves on a commercial dairy farm. Ten calves were enrolled in each of the three treatment groups and the control group (group O) following a blocked design. Treatment consisted of supplementation with chestnut extract at 0.02% of birth body mass (BM) (group C), supplementation with glycerol monolaurate at 0.006% of BM (group G) or a combined treatment (group CG) for five consecutive days. The effect of treatments on liver function was evaluated clinically and by measurement of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities as well as the determination of the concentrations of glucose, L-lactate and total bilirubin in serum. There was a significant increase in GLDH and AST activities and a significant decrease in glucose concentration in treatment groups C and CG compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.035), whereas no difference was shown for group G. Survival was significantly decreased in groups C (p = 0.029) and CG (p = 0.001) compared with both group G and the control group. These results suggest that dietary chestnut extract in an amount of 0.02% of BM alone or in combination has a toxic effect on liver function in newborn calves.

Peripheral nerve blocks on the upper extremity: Technique of landmark-based and ultrasound-guided approaches.

The German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, DGAI) established an expert panel to develop preliminary recommendations for the application of peripheral nerve blocks on the upper extremity. The present recommendations state in different variations how ultrasound and/or electrical nerve stimulation guided nerve blocks should be performed. The description of each procedure is rather a recommendation than a guideline. The anaesthesiologist should select the variation of block which provides the highest grade of safety according to his individual opportunities. The first section comprises recommendations regarding dosages of local anaesthetics, general indications and contraindications for peripheral nerve blocks and informations about complications. In the following sections most common blocks techniques on the upper extremity are described.

[Nasal, pulmonary, and abomasal aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus) in a calf]. / Nasale, pulmonale und abomasale Aspergillose (Aspergillus fumigatus) bei einem Kalb.

This study presents a case of nasal aspergillosis in a 17-days old calf (German Fleckvieh): it had been admitted moribund to the Clinic for Ruminants of the University of Munich, and died after a short time. Pathologically, the calf was diagnosed with purulent-necrotizing rhinitis, necrotizing pneumonia, and diphtheroid-necrotizing abomasitis. Histologically, fungal elements were found in all the localizations mentioned before, and mycologically, Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from nasal cavity. Pathogenesis is discussed.

Detection of Aeromonas hydrophila possessing aerolysin gene using gold nanoparticle probe.

Objective: The aerolysin (aerA) is a virulence indicator used to identify the pathogenicity of the Aeromonas strain. Targeting a pathogen's crucial virulence gene for detection is essential, as it determines the potential threat to the host. This study aimed to develop a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probe for detecting the gene aerA in Aeromonas hydrophila among field samples. Materials and Methods: Kidney samples among both healthy and sick Nile tilapias in five provinces of Luzon Island were collected for bacterial analysis. Screening using specific primers targeting aerA was conducted in parallel with testing the AuNPs probe on the same sample set. The positive control provided by BFAR-NFLD, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, was used as a positive sample containing the target gene. Results: The AuNP probe demonstrated a computed accuracy of 81.32%, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 81.26%. Among the 257 reactions, 59 were false positives, while no false negative results were observed. The AuNP probe could detect aerA at levels as low as 30 ng/µl. The low prevalence of the target gene may be attributed to the use of general media instead of specific media like Rimler-Shotts agar. Conclusion: The established colorimetric detection method for A. hydrophila with the aerA gene offers a swift alternative to PCR, negating the requirement for advanced equipment like a thermal cycler.

Expression of oestrogen receptor ß and prognosis of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that sex steroids influence colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. The oestrogen receptor ß (ERß) is the predominantly expressed ER in the colon and loss of ERß in CRC has been associated with advanced cancer stages. METHODS: Information on vital status by the end of 2009 was obtained for 1262 CRC patients recruited between 2003 and 2007. The ERß expression was immunohistochemically measured and associations of ERß scores with overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for prognostic factors, such as tumour stage and second primary tumours. RESULTS: Of the 1101 tumour samples with successful measurement, 535 were ERß negative (48.6%), 381 (34.6%) showed moderate and 185 (16.8%) showed high ERß expression. Compared with high ERß expression, lack of ERß was associated with higher cancer stages as well as greater tumour extent. In multivariate analyses, ERß negativity was associated with an increased hazard ratio for death (HR=1.61, 95% CI 1.09-2.40, P=0.02), death attributed to CRC (HR=1.54, 95% CI 0.99-2.39, P=0.06) as well as a poorer DFS (DFS HR=1.64, 95% CI 1.23-3.36, P=0.04). The associations were stronger in stage I-III patients (OS HR=2.20, 95% CI 1.28-4.06, P=0.007, DSS HR=2.38, 95% CI 1.20-5.39, P=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of ERß expression is associated with advanced cancer stages and independently associated with poor survival.

Staging and outcome depending on surgical treatment in adenocarcinomas of the oesophagogastric junction.

BACKGROUND: Owing to controversial staging and classification of adenocarcinoma of the oesophago-gastric junction (AOG) before surgery, the choice of appropriate surgical approach remains problematic. In a retrospective study, preoperative staging of AOG and the impact of preoperative misclassification on outcome were analysed. METHODS: Data from patients with AOG were analysed from a prospectively collected database with regard to surgical treatment, preoperative and postoperative staging, and outcome. RESULTS: One-hundred and thirty patients with Siewert types I and II AOG who did not have neoadjuvant treatment were included in the study: 41 patients with an AOG type I who underwent oesophagectomy, 51 patients with an AOG staged before surgery as type I who underwent oesophagectomy but in whom the final histology showed a type II tumour, and 38 patients whose tumours were staged as AOG type II before and after operation who underwent gastrectomy. Among patients who had an oesophagectomy, lymph node metastases (P = 0.022), tumour relapse (P = 0.009) and recurrent distant metastases (P = 0.028) were significantly more frequent in patients with AOG type II; those with AOG type II had shorter overall survival than those with type I tumours (P = 0.024). Among those with AOG type II, recurrence-free survival was significantly shorter after oesophagectomy compared with extended gastrectomy (P = 0.019). Thoracoabdominal oesophagectomy had a favourable influence on outcome compared with the transhiatal approach. CONCLUSION: Accurate preoperative staging of AOG and appropriate surgical therapy are crucial for outcome. AOG type II is a more aggressive tumour with higher recurrence rates than AOG type I. These patients therefore benefit from more radical surgical treatment.