This study is part of a project aiming at a better understanding of potentially toxic cyanobacteria crisis occurrences in recreational waters, in order to improve predictive monitoring routines. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Determine the reproducibility and relationship between current perception threshold testing (CPT) and quantitative sensory testing (QST) in the genital area. Sixteen women underwent CPT and QST of the vagina. CPT was done at 2,000, 250, and 5 Hz (corresponding

to A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers, respectively), and QST testing was done using thermal (C fibers), vibratory (A-beta fibers), and cold (A-delta and C fibers) sensation. Ten women underwent repeated testing 1 week later. Thermal and vibratory thresholds correlated with CPT at 5 and 2,000 Hz (rho=0.77, P=0.002

and rho=0.6, P=0.01, respectively). Repeated thermal, vibratory, and cold thresholds had good concordance selleck chemicals correlation (rho_(c)=0.83, rho_(c)=0.96, rho_(c)=0.77). CPT at 5 and 2,000 Hz were also strongly correlated (rho_(c)=69, rho_(c)=.7). CPT and QST testing stimulate similar afferent nerve fiber populations in the vagina.”
“Until the end of the past century, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was often accompanied by a sense of apprehension, fueled primarily by the lack of available therapies and failed attempts with numerous Buparlisib mouse agents. LY3023414 cost The modern era of MS therapeutics introduced in the past 20 years has helped to assuage the previous belief that little could be done to treat MS. The advent of disease-modifying treatments such as interferons and glatiramer acetate has had a notable impact on the course of MS. Numerous trials have

demonstrated the clear benefit of initiating therapy in patients with a diagnosis of MS, but more importantly, they have shown that early initiation of treatment can delay progression to clinically definite MS in patients with clinically isolated syndrome who have concurrent changes on MRI. As newer agents become available, trials to assess their efficacy and tolerability are under way in an effort to expand the arsenal of available treatments. However, questions constantly resurface about the effect of treatments on disability, the safety of combination therapies, the role in neuroprotection, and other aspects. Moreover, recent attention regarding a radiologic and clinical dissociation, best illustrated by the anecdotally termed “”radiologically isolated syndrome,”" highlights the frustrations facing clinicians when they try to predict disease course and the role of medications, if any.

Despite the need for clear answers to these questions, the current practice is to initiate the available treatments early in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, in order to reduce the severity and frequency of clinical relapses.

The effects of the reflectance of the back contact coupled to a conductive optical spacer on the absorption are also discussed. (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3506702]“
“This article addresses some of the questions relating to how hepatitis delta virus (HDV), an agent so far unique in the animal world, might have

arisen. HDV was discovered in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). It generally makes HBV infections more damaging to the liver. It is a subviral satellite agent that depends upon HBV envelope proteins for its assembly and ability https://www.selleckchem.com/products/wnt-c59-c59.html to infect new cells. In other aspects of replication, HDV is both independent of and very different from HBV. In addition, the small single-stranded circular RNA genome of HDV, and its mechanism of replication, demonstrate an increasing number of similarities to the viroids – a large family of helper-independent subviral agents that cause pathogenesis in plants.”
“The Italian Standards for LY2603618 datasheet the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus represent a consensus document of the two Italian scientific diabetes societies (AMD and SID), providing specific recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and its complications. The level of scientific evidence behind every recommendation has been classified in accordance with the National Guidelines Plan.

An original processing

system was employed: the document prepared by the Editorial Team was published online for 20 days, and the suggestions and criticisms of

about 30 persons were evaluated and integrated to those provided by a panel of diabetologists and members of other healthcare professions dedicated to diabetes care, as well as lay members. Lastly, the document was approved by AMD and SID National Steering Committees.

In this version, some highlights of the full document (www.siditalia.it; www.aemmedi.it) concerning the main and most representative recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of LOXO-101 diabetes and its complications as well as on diabetes care in some specific contexts, are reported. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Metal-graphene contact is a key interface in graphene-based device applications, and it is known that two types of interfaces are formed between metal and graphene. In this paper, we apply first-principles calculations to twelve metal-graphene interfaces and investigate the detailed interface atomic and electronic structures of physisorption and chemisorption interfaces. For physisorption interfaces (Ag, Al, Cu, Cd, Ir, Pt, and Au), Fermi level pinning and Pauli-exclusion-induced energy-level shifts are shown to be two primary factors determining graphene’s doping types and densities. For chemisorption interfaces (Ni, Co, Ru, Pd, and Ti), the combination of Pauli-exclusion-induced energy-level shifts and hybridized states’ repulsive interactions lead to a band gap opening with metallic gap states.

An experiment is reported that used functional magnetic resonance imaging to attempt to discriminate between these explanations. Only two savants could be scanned and excessive head movement corrupted one savant’s mental arithmetic data. Nevertheless, there was increased parietal activation during both mental arithmetic and date questions

and this region showed increased activity with more remote dates. These results suggest that the calendrical skills observed in savants result from intensive practice with calculations used in solving mental arithmetic problems. The mystery is not how they solve these problems, https://www.selleckchem.com/products/OSI-906.html but why.”
“Background: The parasacral (PS) approach to sciatic nerve blockade has the potential for safe and effective use in children, but has VE-821 datasheet never been studied in this population. Its potential advantages include increased posterior cutaneous nerve block reliability, potential

for hip joint analgesia, and decreased nerve depth, making ultrasound guidance easier.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of an ultrasound-guided PS sciatic nerve block in children.

Methods: Nineteen patients, 1-16years old, scheduled for lower limb surgery with peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) were prospectively enrolled. A PS sciatic block was performed using both ultrasound guidance and nerve stimulation, and 0.5 ml.kg(-1) ropivacaine 0.2% (maximum 20 ml) was administered. Patient demographics, the time to perform the block, CH5183284 inhibitor the lowest intensity of nerve stimulation, evoked response, identification of gluteal arteries, and amount of narcotic given were recorded. Postoperatively, pain scores, block success or failure, block duration, and complications were recorded.

Results: The block was performed using the PS approach

in 95% of the cases. The success rate was 100% in the PS sciatic blocks performed. The pain scores for all patients in the first postsurgical hour were zero, except one patient that had a pain score of 3 of 10 at 30min; his pain improved to 0 of 10 after administration of one dose of fentanyl and distraction techniques. The blocks lasted 17.3+/-5.4 h. No complications were identified.

Conclusion: The PS approach is an effective option for sciatic nerve blockade to provide postoperative pain relief in children having lower extremity surgery.”
“Patients co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are fraught with a rapid fibrosis progression rate and with complications of portal hypertension (PHT) We aimed to assess the influence of immune function [Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage] on development of PHT and disease progression in HIV-HCV co-infection. Data of 74 interferon-naive HIV-HCV co-infected patients undergoing liver biopsy, measurement of portal pressure and of liver stiffness and routine laboratory tests (including CD4+ cell count, HIV and HCV viral load) were analysed.

Moreover, we first report that the fabrics coated with conductive polymers had excellent UV-protection properties. (C) 2009 Wiley

Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 2003-2010,2009″
“P>We have previously shown that inactivation of the gene encoding the Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factor DOF AFFECTING GERMINATION 1 (DAG1) renders seed germination more sensitive to both phytochrome B (phyB) and gibberellins (GA). dag1 mutant seeds require less red (R) light fluence and a lower GA concentration Selleck Nirogacestat than WT to germinate. Here, we show that inactivation of the gene PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3-LIKE 5 (PIL5) results in down-regulation of DAG1. Inactivation of PIL5 in the dag1 mutant background further increased the germination potential of dag1 mutant seeds, supporting the suggestion that DAG1 is under the positive control of PIL5. Germination of dag1phyB seeds showed a reduced

requirement of gibberellins as compared with phyB mutant seeds, both in the presence RWJ 64809 and in the absence of GA biosynthesis. Furthermore, the GA biosynthetic gene AtGA3ox1 is upregulated in dag1 seeds as compared with the WT, and DAG1 actually binds to the AtGA3ox1 promoter, as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Expression analysis at different time points confirms that AtGA3ox1 is directly regulated by DAG1, while suggesting that DAG1 is not a direct regulatory target of PIL5. Our data indicate that in the phyB pathway leading to seed germination, DAG1 negatively regulates GA biosynthesis and suggest that DAG1 acts downstream of PIL5. In addition, the analysis of hypocotyls of dag1 and phyB mutant plantlets, of plantlets overexpressing phyB in the dag1

mutant, as well as of dag1phyB double mutant suggests that DAG1 may act as a negative regulatory element downstream of phyB also in hypocotyl elongation.”
“Major depression, affecting an estimated 350 million people worldwide, poses a serious social and economic threat to modern societies. There are currently CCI-779 cell line two major problems calling for innovative research approaches, namely, the absence of biomarkers predicting antidepressant response and the lack of conceptually novel antidepressant compounds. Both, biomarker predicting a priori whether an individual patient will respond to the treatment of choice as well as an early distinction of responders and nonresponders during antidepressant therapy can have a significant impact on improving this situation. Biosignatures predicting antidepressant response a priori or early in treatment would enable an evidence-based decision making on available treatment options.

Furthermore, replacing wheat flour with 50% buckwheat or whole wheat flours maintained the volume index and textural

properties of cakes. Therefore, substituting up to 50% of whole grain flour for wheat flour in cake formulation produces acceptable quality as well as health benefits (lower predicted glycemic index and increased nutritional value).”
“Reinforcement of cementitious materials with short fibers has been proved to be an economical and effective way to convert these brittle materials to ductile GSK2126458 nmr products. Many fibers with different geometries have been used as reinforcement materials. Fibers bonding to cementitious materials play an important role in mechanical performance of these composites. This article

describes the performance of (homemade) fibers as reinforcement in cement-based materials by investigation on bonding characteristic of fiber to cement matrix. To this end, the fibers (glass, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and high strength nylon 66 (N66)) are characterized using microscopy analysis, tensile strength, and alkali attack tests. The fibers embedded in the cement matrix, then, pulled-out to evaluate their bonding to cementitious materials. SEM analysis is used to study fiber/cement interfacial transition zone. The results show that PAN fibers have the advantages of preparing for cementitious reinforcement. It was found that the reinforcing efficiency of fibers-reinforced cementitious composites was strongly depending on interfacial contact see more area in fiber/matrix interface and chemical/physical properties of fibers. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 1247-1253, 2010″
“Electronic structure

and magnetic properties for GdFeSi have been studied theoretically from a first-principles PCI-34051 mw density functional calculation. The energy band structure is calculated in a local spin density approximation (LSDA)+Hubbard U approach (LSDA+U). For Gd atoms, seven spin up 4f bands are fully occupied, while the spin down 4f hole levels are completely unoccupied and well above the Fermi level. The calculated magnetic moment of Gd is 7.20 mu(B), leading to a total magnetization of 7.1 mu(B) per formula unit due to the small induced negative moments at Fe and Si atoms. The intersites exchange coupling parameters J(ij) of the Heisenberg model have been derived using a linear-response method based on the calculated band structure. The exchange coupling parameters for the nearest Gd-Gd pair (J(Gd-Gd)) is 0.19 mRy. J(Gd-Gd) decreases rapidly with increasing the intersites distance and shows a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida-like oscillation. The estimated Curie temperature is about 145 K from the calculated exchange coupling parameters based on the mean-field approximation, in good agreement with the experimental value (T(C)(exp.) = 135 K). (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.

Control patients were selected retrospectively. After adding montelukast (10 mg/day) to the immunosuppressive regimen, the FEV(1) decline significantly decreased from 112 +/- 26 ml/month before BOS diagnosis to 13 +/- 13 ml/month after 6 months of montelukast

therapy (P = 0.001). In the control group, there was no significant change in the rate of FEV(1) decline: 103 +/- 20 ml/month before BOS diagnosis to 114 +/- 27 ml/month (P = 0.55). Adding montelukast may be a promising treatment option in patients with low neutrophilic (<15%) BOS after lung transplantation, already or concurrently being treated with azithromycin.”
“Many biological processes have VE-821 utilized the addition of sulfide constituents, such as sodium sulfide or cysteine-sulfide, to affect the redox potential, remove residual oxygen, and/or provide a source of sulfur for metabolism. However, the effects of sulfide constituents and associated sulfide concentrations on growth and product formation of cellular systems have shown considerable variance. In this work, models were developed that explained sulfide loss in bottle studies (batch reactors) and 17-AAG continuously gas-purged reactors. Since sulfide in liquid can be converted to volatile hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), mass transfer plays a key role for sulfide loss in continuous

reactors, whereas equilibrium is critical for sulfide loss in batch reactors. Models of sulfide can be used to understand the fate of sulfide during an experiment and to design experiments to maintain constant sulfide levels for providing greater clarity when interpreting

experimental results. Cellular experiments for ethanol/acetic acid formation from syngas were carried out to demonstrate the maintenance of constant sulfide levels of 0-1.9 mM throughout the experiment. Results showed that cell growth was slightly affected by the sulfide concentration, ethanol production was favored at higher sulfide concentrations, and acetic acid production was favored at lower sulfide concentrations. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Study Design. Meta-analysis and review.

Objective. To conduct a systematic Compound C datasheet review with meta-analysis of studies assessing the effect of calcitonin versus placebo on walking distance (WD) and visual analog pain scale (VAS) in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Summary of Background Data. Calcitonin is presently indicated for the treatment for pain in a variety of spine disorders. In LSS patients, it has been suggested to have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods. A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, and the Cochrane database from 1966 to 2008 was supplemented by manual searches of references. Studies included were prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of calcitonin for the treatment of LSS.

58%). Thirty-five of the 38 synovial fluid specimens obtained were enough for cultures and stain smears, with 24 (68.57%) growing S. agalactiae and 19 (54.29%) showing gram-positive cocci. All isolates were sensitive to penicillin. Ten patients (26.31%) received arthroscopic drainage. The articular outcome was good in 11 patients, fair in 24, and poor

in 3. There were no deaths.

ConclusionsStreptococcus Cell Cycle inhibitor agalactiae is an emerging cause of septic arthritis in Thai patients. Physicians should be especially aware of this condition in patients presenting with acute oligopolyarthritis and prominent cellulitis.”
“CD147/basigin, highly expressed on the surface of malignant tumor cells including malignant melanoma (MM) cells, plays a critical role in the invasiveness and metastasis of MM. Metastasis is an orchestrated process comprised of multiple steps including adhesion and invasion. Integrin, a major adhesion molecule, co-localizes with CD147/basigin on the cell surface. Using the human MM cell line A375 LY411575 order that highly expresses CD147/basigin, we investigated whether CD147/basigin is involved in adhesion in association with integrin. CD147/basigin was knocked-down using siRNA targeting CD147 to elucidate the role of CD147/basigin. Cell adhesion was evaluated

by adhesion assay on matrix-coated plates. The localization of integrin was inspected under a confocal microscope and the expression and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a downstream kinase of integrin, were examined by western blot analysis. Silencing of CD147/basigin in A375 cells by

siRNA induced the phosphorylation of FAK at Y397. Integrin identified on the surface of parental cells was distributed in a speckled fashion in the cytoplasm of CD147 knockdown cells, resulting in morphological changes from a round to a polygonal shape with pseudopodial protrusions. Silencing of CD147/basigin in A375 cells clearly weakened their adhesiveness to collagen I and IV. Our results suggest that CD147/basigin regulates the adhesion of MM cells to extracellular matrices and of integrin beta 1 signaling via the phosphorylation of FAK.”
“Propofol is widely used in sedation and surgical procedures involving patients with acute lung injury (ALI), a common complication in critically ill patients. Monocyte chemoattractant find more protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in pathological changes in ALI. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of propofol on MCP-1 production and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs).

AECs were treated with 1 mu g/ml LPS for 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, or 24 h following pretreatment with 12.5-100 mu M propofol for 30 min. Cytokines and chemokines secretion were profiled using cytokine array, and mRNA and protein levels of MCP-1 were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA.

54 (1.81) and 4.83 (1.54) in the carrageenan model and 44.18 (1.37) and 9.14 (1.24) in the STZ-induced neuropathy model for CNSB002 and morphine, respectively (mg/kg; mean, SEM). These values were greater than the maximum nonsedating doses. The ED50 values for

morphine when given in combination with CNSB002 (5 mg/kg) were less than the maximum nonsedating dose: 0.56 (1.55) in the carrageenan model and 1.37 (1.23) in the neuropathy model (mg/kg; mean, SEM). The antinociception after morphine (3.2 mg/kg) was increased by co-administration with CNSB002 from 28.0 and 31.7% to 114.6 and 56.9% reversal of hyperalgesia in the inflammatory www.selleckchem.com/products/BI-2536.html and neuropathic models, respectively (P < 0.01; one-way analysis of PR-171 Proteases inhibitor variance-significantly greater than either drug given alone).

Conclusions. The maximum antihyperalgesic effect achievable with nonsedating doses of morphine may be increased significantly when the drug is used in combination with CNSB002.”
“Contents Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a member of the glycoprotein family of hormones along with LH, FSH and thyroid-stimulating hormone. In non-equid species, eCG shows high LH- and FSH-like activities and has a high affinity for both FSH and LH receptors in the ovaries. On the granulosa and thecal cells of the follicle, eCG has long-lasting LH- and FSH-like effects that stimulate

oestradiol and progesterone secretion. Thus, eCG administration in dairy cattle results in fewer atretic follicles, the recruitment of more small follicles showing an elevated growth rate, the sustained growth of medium and large follicles and improved development of the dominant and pre-ovulatory follicle. In consequence, the quality of the ensuing CL is improved, and thereby progesterone secretion increased. Based on these characteristics, eCG treatment is utilized in veterinary medicine to control the reproductive activity of the cow by i) improving reproductive performance during early post-partum stages; ii) increasing ovulation and pregnancy rates in non-cyclic cows; YM155 mouse iii) improving the conception rate in cows showing delayed

ovulation; and finally, iv) eCG is currently included in protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination since after inducing the synchrony of ovulation using a progesterone-releasing device, eCG has beneficial effects on embryo development and survival. The above effects are not always observed in cyclic animals, but they are evident in animals in which LH secretion and ovarian activity are reduced or compromised, for instance, during the early post-partum period, under seasonal heat stress, in anoestrus animals or in animals with a low body condition score.”
“BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy is the most prescribed treatment for many oncologic indications. One of its common side effects is mucositis with hallmark apoptosis in the intestinal crypt and diarrhea.

Accordingly, the Framingham-Wilson equation has been adapted for the population of Navarra, Spain. This article presents 10-year overall coronary risk charts.

Methods. The Framingham-Wilson equation was adapted using data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and the coronary event rate in the population of Navarra. The version of

the Framingham-Wilson equation used included high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The probability of an event at 10 years for different combinations of risk factors, with an HDL-C concentration of 35-59 mg/dL, are illustrated.

Results. Using the Framingham equation adapted for Navarra (i.e., the RICORNA or Riesgo Coronario Navarra), the proportion with an estimated probability of a coronary event in the next 10 years greater than 9% is approximately half that in the original Framingham population, and the proportion with a high or very high probability (i.e., 20%) is one-third. P5091 manufacturer An HDL-C level <35 mg/dL increases

the risk Sapanisertib by 50% and a level >= 60 mg/dL reduces it by 50%, approximately. The average HDL-C level observed in the population was 63.9 mg/dL overall, and 70.1 mg/dL in women.

Conclusions. The RICORNA equation can provide a more precise estimate of overall coronary risk and could be useful in primary disease prevention in Navarra. The high HDL-C concentration observed in Navarra might contribute to the associated low coronary morbidity and mortality.”
“Aldosterone VX-680 nmr antagonists (or mineralocorticoid receptor

antagonists [MRAs]) are guideline-recommended therapy for patients with moderate to severe heart failure (HF) symptoms and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and in postmyocardial infarction patients with HF. The Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure (EMPHASIS-HF) trial evaluated the MRA eplerenone in patients with mild HF symptoms. Eplerenone reduced the risk of the primary endpoint of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.74, P < .001) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.62-0.93, P < .008) after a median of 21 months. Based on EMPHASIS-HF, an MRA is recommended for patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-IV symptoms and reduced LVEF ( <35%) on standard therapy (Strength of Evidence A). Patients with NYHA Class H symptoms should have another high-risk feature to be consistent with the EMPHASIS-HF population (age >55 years, QRS duration >130 msec [if LVEF between 31% and 35%], HF hospitalization within 6 months or elevated B-type natriuretic peptide level). Renal function and serum potassium should be closely monitored. Dose selection should consider renal function, baseline potassium, and concomitant drug interactions.

As a key regulator for the hindlimb outgrowth and identification, Tbx4 may be

involved in the aetiology and pathogenesis of DDH. Our objective is to evaluate whether the Tbx4 (rs3744438 and rs3744448) single nucleotide polymorphisms Ferroptosis inhibitor (SNPs) are associated with DDH in Chinese.

Method: The Tbx4 SNPs were genotyped in 505 children with DDH and 551 control subjects and their association was evaluated statistically.

Results: Rs3744438 was not associated with DDH. Rs3744448 was significantly associated with DDH in the dominant genetic model of males (P = 0.039; odds ratio (OR) = 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32-0.97) and allele G was significantly lower in patients than controls compared with allele C (P = 0.02; OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.37-0.92). After adjusted for gender, we discovered a significant association with hip dislocation in the dominant genetic model when stratified by severity

(P = 0.03; OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.55-0.97), but not with subluxation and instability.

Conclusions: Tbx4 tends to play an important role in the aetiology of DDH. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Osteoarthritis Research Society International.”
“Background: Identification of signal transduction pathways that are critically involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential for the development of disease-specific biomarkers and drug therapy. Objective: This study is aimed at identifying protein kinases and signaling pathways that are activated in AD pathology. Methods: Microarray-based kinome profiling was employed for the detection of protein kinase Elafibranor cost activity in postmortem brain tissue derived from AD and age-matched nondemented control cases. Global serine/threonine kinase activity profiles are identified applying a peptide array system consisting of 140 peptides derived from known kinase substrate sequences covalently attached to porous chips, through which a protein solution is constantly pumped up and down. Peptide phosphorylation is determined by measuring the association of a

mixture of fluorescently labeled antibodies, raised against phosphoserine- or phosphothreonine-containing peptides. Results: Protein lysates from freshly frozen postmortem brain tissue from nondemented controls and pathologically check details confirmed AD cases show ATP-dependent phosphorylation of peptides. In AD and control cases, peptides that are differentially phosphorylated are identified. Conclusion: Protein kinase activity profiling can be used to reveal novel kinases and new signaling pathways involved in AD pathology. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Regeneration in echinoderms has proved to be more amenable to study in the laboratory than the more classical vertebrate models, since the smaller genome size and the absence of multiple orthologs for different genes in echinoderms simplify the analysis of gene function during regeneration.