Armitage determines Piwi-piRISC processing from precursor formation and quality control to inter-organelle translocation.

Piwi and piRNA form the piRNA-induced silencing complex (piRISC) to repress transposons. In the current model, Armitage (Armi) brings the Piwi-piRISC precursor (pre-piRISC) to mitochondria, where Zucchini-dependent piRISC maturation occurs. Here, we show that Armi is necessary for Piwi-pre-piRISC formation at Yb bodies and that Armi triggers the exit of Piwi-pre-piRISC from Yb bodies and the translocation to mitochondria. Piwi-pre-piRISC resist leaving Yb bodies until Armi binds Piwi-pre-piRISC through the piRNA precursors. The lack of the Armi N-terminus also blocks the Piwi-pre-piRISC exit from Yb bodies. Thus, Armi determines Piwi-piRISC processing, in a multilayered manner, from precursor formation and quality control to inter-organelle translocation for maturation.

Perioperative Management of a Patient With Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and Tetralogy of Fallot.

This is a case report of a 21-year-old male patient with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdL) and unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot scheduled for dental treatment under general anesthesia. Anticipated dental care consisted of restorative treatment and extractions. Surgical correction of the patient's congenital cardiac abnormalities had not occurred by the time of dental treatment. As such, the developed anesthetic plan included the following goals: prevention of any anoxic episodes or spell and preparation for difficult airway management due to micrognathia secondary to CdL. To help ensure adequacy of oxygenation during induction, the normal anesthetic face mask was specially modified with a hole to permit use of the fiberoptic scope during induction and intubation. With preoperative consultation involving a cardiologist as well as the use of the modified mask, general anesthesia was safely administered without any complications.

Distinct and Collaborative Functions of Yb and Armitage in Transposon-Targeting piRNA Biogenesis.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) repress transposons to maintain germline genome integrity. Previous studies showed that artificial tethering of Armitage (Armi) to reporter RNAs induced piRNA biogenesis. However, the lack of female sterile (1) Yb (Yb) in Drosophila ovarian somatic cells (OSCs) impaired the production of transposon-targeting piRNAs, even in the presence of Armi. Here, we show that the specific interaction of Armi with RNA transcripts of the flamenco piRNA cluster, the primary source of transposon-targeting piRNAs in OSCs, is strictly regulated by Yb. The lack of Yb allowed Armi to bind RNAs promiscuously, leading to the production of piRNAs unrelated to transposon silencing. The ATP hydrolysis-defective mutants of Armi failed to unwind RNAs and were retained on them, abolishing piRNA production. These findings shed light on distinct and collaborative requirements of Yb and Armi in transposon-targeting piRNA biogenesis. We also provide evidence supporting the direct involvement of Armi but not Yb in Zucchini-dependent piRNA phasing.

Transdermal delivery of lidocaine in vitro by alternating current.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether lidocaine could be transported through excised rat skin in vitro using alternating current (AC). In addition, the relationships between factors such as voltage and frequency, and transported lidocaine concentration were studied using the in vitro model. A pair of platinum plate electrodes was installed at opposite ends of two cylindrical glass cells in parallel to the full-thickness rat skin. The donor compartment was filled with 10 % lidocaine hydrochloride, and the receptor compartment with Ringer solution. A sinusoidal wave was applied between the electrodes at 5 kinds of constant voltages at 1 kHz and at 4 kinds of frequencies at 20 volts. Our experimental system was successfully used to quantify the concentration of transported lidocaine induced by AC application. The applied sinusoidal waves evoked the transport of lidocaine through the rat skin at every voltage and frequency protocol. Our results suggest that the applied electric voltage and frequency affect the movement of the lidocaine ions. We conclude that the transdermal delivery of lidocaine by AC iontophoresis has a possibility to use for local anesthesia and the pain management of the skin.