Stress and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) promote necrotizing enterocolitis in a formula-fed neonatal rat model.

The etiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is not known. Alterations in gut microbiome, mucosal barrier function, immune cell activation, and blood flow are characterized events in its development, with stress as a contributing factor. The hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a key mediator of stress responses and influences these aforementioned processes.

Transient lamellipodia predict sites of dendritic branch formation in hippocampal neurons.

Extensive branching creates the complex dendritic arbor of mammalian CNS neurons but capturing the complete process of branch formation with time-lapse recordings has been challenging. Here, we report that application of BMP7 to cultured hippocampal neurons accelerated dendritic growth sufficiently to document branches forming in less than 20 h via frequent time-lapse imaging (10-min intervals). In these recordings, most branches emerged as collateral sprouts from the shaft of a parent branch.

Controlling magnetism of Au(TBBT) nanoclusters at single electron level and implication for nonmetal to metal transition.

The transition from the discrete, excitonic state to the continuous, metallic state in thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters is of fundamental interest and has attracted significant efforts in recent research. Compared with optical and electronic transition behavior, the transition in magnetism from the atomic gold paramagnetism (Au 6s) to the band behavior is less studied. In this work, the magnetic properties of 1.

Quality indicators in pediatric colonoscopy: an Australian tertiary center experience.

Objectives: Quality indicators for colonoscopy in adults are largely driven by colorectal cancer screening, and include cecal intubation rates, with rates of >90% recommended. In contrast, colorectal cancer is rare in childhood, with paucity of data on relevant quality indicators for pediatric colonoscopy. It is also unclear whether high rates of cecal intubation are achievable in small children.