No abstract

Biological and biochemical functions of immunity transcription factor NF-κB in basal metazoans are largely unknown. Herein, we characterize transcription factor NF-κB from the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica (Aq), in the phylum Porifera. Structurally and phylogenetically, the Aq-NF-κB protein is most similar to NF-κB p100 and p105 among vertebrate proteins, with an Nterminal DNA-binding/dimerization domain, a C-terminal Ankyrin (ANK) repeat domain, and a DNA binding-site profile more similar to human NF-κB proteins than Rel proteins. Aq-NF-κB also resembles the mammalian NF-κB protein p100 in that C-terminal truncation results in translocation of Aq-NF-κB to the nucleus and increases its transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of a human or sea anemone IκB kinase (IKK) can induce C-terminal processing of Aq-NF-κB in vivo, and this processing requires C-terminal serine residues in Aq-NF-κB. Unlike human NF-κB p100, however, the C-terminal sequences of Aq-NF-κB do not effectively inhibit its DNAbinding activity when expressed in human cells. Tissue of another demosponge, a black encrusting sponge, contains NF-κB site DNAbinding activity and an NF-κB protein that appears mostly processed and in the nucleus of cells. NF-κB DNA-binding activity and processing is increased by treatment of sponge tissue with LPS. By transcriptomic analysis of A. queenslandica we identified likely homologs to many upstream NF-κB pathway components. These results present a functional characterization of the most ancient metazoan NF-κB protein to date, and show that many characteristics of mammalian NF-κB are conserved in sponge NF-κB, but the mechanism by which NF-κB functions and is regulated in the sponge may be somewhat different.

We compared auditory, cognitive, and language test results in a pair of dizygotic twins, one of whom showed symptoms of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Results highlight the importance of testing binaural function. In particular, electrophysiologic measures of dichotic listening effectively demonstrated the auditory-specific nature of this child's listening problems. The importance of a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of children suspected of CAPD is stressed. Abbreviations: ABR = auditory brainstem response, CAPD = central auditory processing disorder, CELF = Clinical Evaluation of Language Functions, ERP = event-related potential, PPST = Pitch Pattern Sequence Test, PST = Phonemic Synthesis Test, RASP = Rapidly Alternating Speech Perception, SCAN = Screening Test for Auditory Processing, SSW = Staggered Spondaic Word Test, TTC = Token Test for Children, WISC-III = Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III

Intraoperative cranial nerve neuromonitoring (IONM) has significantly reduced morbidity historically associated with skull-base procedures. It provides the surgeon with immediate feedback to preserve both anatomic and physiologic function of monitored nerves. However, when the surgeon cauterizes tissue near the nerve, the monitoring equipment is saturated by the cautery signal, eliminating IONM information at a critical time. The use of an infrared camera under the drapes to observe the face for movement due to nerve stimulation is an invaluable adjunct to traditional IONM. Monitoring may also be improved by contralateral electrode placement to help identify artifact from nerve stimulation, using the microscope's video output to compare the surgeon's hand movements to recorded activity, and learning basic anatomy of the inner ear and skull base in order to know when heightened attention is important.KEY WORDS. Acoustic neuroma, facial nerve monitoring, infrared camera, intraoperative neuromonitoring, skull-base procedures, vestibular nerve.