A Novel Hydrogel Sponge for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture.

Background/objectives: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies allow us to overcome the constraints of two-dimensional methods in different fields like biochemistry and cell biology and in pharmaceutical in vitro tests. In this study, a novel 3D hydrogel sponge scaffold, composed of a crosslinked polyacrylic acid forming a porous matrix, has been developed and characterized.

Methods: The scaffold was obtained via an innovative procedure involving thermal treatment followed by a salt-leaching step on a matrix-containing polymer along with a gas-forming agent.

Magnetic nanocomposite for lead (II) removal from water.

A magnetic perovskite-spinel oxide nanocomposite synthesized through a sol-gel self-combustion process is used for the first time as an adsorbent to remove toxic heavy metals (i.e., Pb).

Neuron specific quantitation of Gα expression and signaling in murine brain tissue.

The heterotrimeric G-protein α subunit, Gα, acts to transduce extracellular signals through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and stimulates adenylyl cyclase mediated production of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Numerous mutations in the GNAL gene, which encodes Gα, have been identified as causative for an adult-onset dystonia. These mutations disrupt GPCR signaling cascades in in vitro assays through several mechanisms, and this disrupted signaling is hypothesized to lead to dystonic motor symptoms in patients.

α Regulates Biochemical Signaling in Neurons Associated with Movement Control and Initiation.

The heterotrimeric G-protein α subunit, Gα , acts to transduce extracellular signals through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and stimulates adenylyl cyclase mediated production of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Numerous mutations in the gene, which encodes Gα , have been identified as causative for an adult-onset dystonia. These mutations disrupt GPCR signaling cascades in assays through several mechanisms, and this disrupted signaling is hypothesized to lead to dystonic motor symptoms in patients.

Impact of Whole Genome Sequencing to investigate transmission of Serratia marcescens in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are at increased risk of health care-associated infections. Serratia marcescens represent the third most common pathogen in NICU outbreaks. Here we present an outbreak investigation performed using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analyses and the control measures implemented to limit the spread of S.