Regulation of neuronal survival and morphology by the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF157.

Neuronal health is essential for the long-term integrity of the brain. In this study, we characterized the novel E3 ubiquitin ligase ring finger protein 157 (RNF157), which displays a brain-dominant expression in mouse. RNF157 is a homolog of the E3 ligase mahogunin ring finger-1, which has been previously implicated in spongiform neurodegeneration. We identified RNF157 as a regulator of survival in cultured neurons and established that the ligase activity of RNF157 is crucial for this process. We also uncovered that independently of its ligase activity, RNF157 regulates dendrite growth and maintenance. We further identified the adaptor protein APBB1 (amyloid beta precursor protein-binding, family B, member 1 or Fe65) as an interactor and proteolytic substrate of RNF157 in the control of neuronal survival. Here, the nuclear localization of Fe65 together with its interaction partner RNA-binding protein SART3 (squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cells 3 or Tip110) is crucial to trigger apoptosis. In summary, we described that the E3 ligase RNF157 regulates important aspects of neuronal development.

Organochlorines in black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) eggs reflect persistent contamination in northeastern US estuaries.

Colonially nesting aquatic birds can indicate site-specific contamination because they are high-level predators and dependent upon local resources during the breeding season. We compared persistent organochlorine concentrations in black-crowned night heron (Nvcticorax nvcticorax) eggs collected in 1992-93 among areas of known contamination (New York Harbor, Boston Harbor, Cape Cod, and Delaware Bay) and a reference site (Nantucket Island) in the northeastern United States (7-16 eggs/site). Total PCBs, p,p'-DDE, oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, and trans-nonachlor were detected in most eggs and were significantly higher in New York Harbor compared to all other sites (ANOVA on factor scores from the first principal component, which accounted for 75% of data variance, p < 0.0001). New York also had the highest contamination index (the number of Superfund sites within 20 km of the colony) among the sites. Nantucket, the reference site, had consistently low contamination in eggs, and the lowest contamination index. We conclude that black-crowned night heron eggs are useful indicators of site-specific persistent organochlorine contamination, as indexed by the number of nearby Superfund sites.

Laparoscopic repair of poststernotomy subxiphoid epigastric hernia.

BACKGROUND: The repair of a subxyphoid hernia is a difficult procedure that nonetheless results in a high rate of recurrence. The laparoscopic approach is a promising new technique for more efficacious treatment of this condition. This is the first report in the English-language literature to describe the use of this approach for the correction of poststernotomy subxiphoideal hernia. METHODS: Information was retrieved from the patients' hospitalization and outpatient clinic files. Of 984 patients who had a median sternotomy, 10 developed a substernal subxiphoid epigastric hernia. These patients had all been treated laparoscopically using Gore-Tex mesh. RESULTS: Nine patients were admitted electively and one urgently. The fascial defect sizes were 4-15 cm (mean, 8.5) in length. Intraabdominal content was adherent to the hernia in six patients; in the other four cases, the defect was adhesion free. In four patients, an incidental surgical procedure was performed (three cholecystectomies and one inguinal hernia repair using the trans abdominal preperitoneal [TAPP] technique). The operations lasted 25-120 min (average, 55). No death occurred as a result of the operations, and none of the operations was converted to an open procedure. Three patients had minor postoperative complications. During 20-42 months of follow-up, one patient suffered a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair of a poststernotomy subxiphoideal epigastric hernia is feasible and has a low rate of minor complications. Our review of the literature indicates that this technique produces a better outcome than the conventional open repair.

Confusing selective feeding with differential digestion in bacterivorous nanoflagellates.

Food selectivity and the mechanisms of food selection were analyzed by video microscopy for three species (Spumella, Ochromonas, Cafeteria) of interception-feeding heterotrophic nanoflagellates. The fate of individual prey particles, either live bacteria and/or inert particles, was recorded during the different stages of the particle-flagellate-interaction, which included capture, ingestion, digestion, and egestion. The experiments revealed species-specific differences and new insights into the underlying mechanisms of particle selection by bacterivorous flagellates. When beads and bacteria were offered simultaneously, both particles were ingested unselectively at similar rates. However, the chrysomonads Spumella and Ochromonas egested the inert beads after a vacuole passage time of only 2-3 min, which resulted in an increasing proportion of bacteria in the food vacuoles. Vacuole passage time for starved flagellates was significantly longer compared to that of exponential-phase flagellates for Spumella and Ochromonas. The bicosoecid Cafeteria stored all ingested particles, beads as well as bacteria, in food vacuoles for more then 30 min. Therefore "selective digestion" is one main mechanism responsible for differential processing of prey particles. This selection mechanism may explain some discrepancies of former experiments using inert particles as bacterial surrogates for measuring bacterivory.

Use of adjustable silicone gastric banding for revision of failed gastric bariatric operations.

BACKGROUND: Revision of gastric bariatric operations is sometimes technically difficult and may fail to achieve prolonged weight reduction. The use of the adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) offers a new approach for these revisions. METHODS: ASGB was performed as a revisional procedure on 37 patients whose initial bariatric operations were as follows: silastic ring vertical gastroplasty (21), gastric bypass (12), horizontal gastroplasty (3) and vertical banded gastroplasty (1). RESULTS: The length of the procedure varied from 55 to 145 minutes (mean 83 minutes). Intraoperative complications included two fundic tears which were sutured without any postoperative sequelae. Five patients needed reoperation during the first postoperative year due to gastric volvulus (1), tubing tear (1) and development of postoperative ventral hernia (3). BMI fell from 44.8+/-SD 8.07 to 33.4+/-6.9 kg/m2 for patients operated with BMI higher than 35 kg/m2 and from 29.2+/-3.32 to 25.4+/-2.8 kg/m2 for patients operated with BMI lower than 35 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: ASBG can be performed with revisions with an acceptable complication rate and postoperative weight reduction.

Silastic ring vertical gastroplasty by minilaparotomy.

BACKGROUND: The incision length has significant influence on the postoperative course after silastic ring vertical gastroplasty (SRVG). METHODS: A technique is described in which SRVG can be performed through a minilaparotomy incision. RESULTS: 110 patients were operated with this technique during 1996. No remarkable intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. Postoperative weight loss has been satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of SRVG through a minilaparotomy is feasible. The technique is recommended for surgeons familiar with the operation through the formal incision.

The role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of missed diaphragmatic rupture.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic rupture is one of the most commonly missed injuries in trauma cases. Traditionally, laparotomy or thoracotomy has been the treatment of choice for this condition. METHODS: During the last 2 years, we treated three patients laparoscopically to address neglected diaphragmatic ruptures that caused herniation of the intraabdominal contents. RESULTS: In all three cases, laparoscopy succeeded in identifying the diaphragmatic defect, so that the herniated viscera could be released and the defect repaired primarily or with a prosthesis. The intraoperative and the postoperative courses were uneventful; there were no significant complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy has an important role in the surgical treatment of missed diaphragmatic ruptures.

Humor and pain management. A review of current literature.

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of current literature related to humor and pain management. A brief review of the benefits of humor on the body is followed by a literature review of articles on humor and pain management, including research articles and scholarly articles on the topic. Research studies on the use of humor with both acute and chronic pain will be reported. The review of scholarly unresearched articles will include articles giving guidelines for humor use, suggested humor assessment guidelines, discussion of the nurse's role with humor use, and implementation strategies via humor carts and rooms.