Loss of MtNST1 function resulted in reduced lignin content, associated with reduced expression of most lignin biosynthetic genes, and a smaller reduction in cell wall polysaccharide content, associated with reduced expression of putative cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthetic genes. Acid pre-treatment and cellulase digestion released significantly more sugars from cell walls of nst1 mutants compared with the wild type. We discuss the implications of these findings for the development of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as a dedicated bioenergy crop.”
“The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/dl) among patients with

fibromyalgia or muscle pain in a musculoskeletal clinic in the United Arab Emirates. Consecutive this website patients who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia and/or non-specific musculoskeletal pain (ICD-9 729.1) were screened for vitamin D deficiency. Patients were seen at follow-up after treatment with vitamin D was given. Improvement was assessed by a simple questionnaire. Patients (139) with muscle pain were seen in 2007. Average age was 40 +/- year; 95% were female; 69 (49%) were Arab, of whom 92% were veiled; 43 (30%) Indian of whom 11% were veiled; 23 (16%) were Caucasian; and MLN4924 in vivo four were East Asian (3%) and all wore western clothes. One hundred three (74%) of these

patients had a low vitamin D level. Vitamin D deficiency was most common among Arab patients (86%) and Indo-Pakistani (87%) and least common among the Caucasians (8%) and was equally prevalent among veiled CGP-57148B and non-veiled patients. Treatment resulted in clinical improvement in 90% of patients. Non-specific muscle pains among Arab and Indian-Pakistani populations

may indicate vitamin D deficiency, and prompt treatment can result in resolution of symptoms.”
“Background: Despite the use of contemporary total ankle arthroplasty implant designs, clinical outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty continue to lag behind those of other joint replacement procedures. Disruption of the extraosseous talar blood supply at the time of ankle replacement may be a factor contributing to talar component subsidence a common mechanism of early failure following ankle replacement. We evaluated the risk of injury to specific extraosseous arteries supplying the talus associated with specific total ankle arthroplasty implants.

Methods: Sixteen fresh-frozen through-knee cadaveric specimens were injected with latex and barium sulfate distal to the popliteal trifurcation to visualize the arteries. Four specimens each were prepared for implantation of four contemporary total ankle arthroplasty systems: Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR), INBONE II, Salto Talaris, and Trabecular Metal Total Ankle (TMTA).