Atypical features and systemic associations in extensive cases of Grover disease: A systematic review.

Background: Grover disease is an acantholytic disorder that typically occurs on the trunk of older individuals, primarily white men, in association with heat and xerosis. Cases with extensive and/or atypical distributions have been reported.

Objective: To review the literature characterizing the population, morphology, associations, and disease course of extensive or atypical eruptions of Grover disease.

Tunable Microfibers Suppress Fibrotic Encapsulation via Inhibition of TGFβ Signaling.

Fibrotic encapsulation limits the efficacy and lifetime of implantable biomedical devices. Microtopography has shown promise in the regulation of myofibroblast differentiation, a key driver of fibrotic encapsulation. However, existing studies have not systematically isolated the requisite geometric parameters for suppression of myofibroblast differentiation via microtopography, and there has not been in vivo validation of this technology to date.

Nanotopography facilitates in vivo transdermal delivery of high molecular weight therapeutics through an integrin-dependent mechanism.

Transdermal delivery of therapeutics is restricted by narrow limitations on size and hydrophobicity. Nanotopography has been shown to significantly enhance high molecular weight paracellular transport in vitro. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that nanotopography applied to microneedles significantly enhances transdermal delivery of etanercept, a 150 kD therapeutic, in both rats and rabbits.

Specific trans-synaptic interaction with inhibitory interneuronal neurexin underlies differential ability of neuroligins to induce functional inhibitory synapses.

Synaptic transmission depends on the matching and alignment of presynaptically released transmitters and postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors. Neuroligin (NL) and Neurexin (Nrxn) proteins are trans-synaptic adhesion molecules that are important in validation and maturation of specific synapses. NL isoforms NL1 and NL2 have specific functional roles in excitatory and inhibitory synapses, respectively, but the molecular basis behind this distinction is still unclear.

Constitutively active Rap2 transgenic mice display fewer dendritic spines, reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling, enhanced long-term depression, and impaired spatial learning and fear extinction.

Within the Ras superfamily of GTPases, Rap1 and Rap2 are the closest homologs to Ras. In non-neural cells, Rap signaling can antagonize Ras signaling. In neurons, Rap also seems to oppose Ras in terms of synaptic function.

Smaller dendritic spines, weaker synaptic transmission, but enhanced spatial learning in mice lacking Shank1.

Experience-dependent changes in the structure of dendritic spines may contribute to learning and memory. Encoded by three genes, the Shank family of postsynaptic scaffold proteins are abundant and enriched in the postsynaptic density (PSD) of central excitatory synapses. When expressed in cultured hippocampal neurons, Shank promotes the maturation and enlargement of dendritic spines.

Zinspy sensors with enhanced dynamic range for imaging neuronal cell zinc uptake and mobilization.

Thiophene moieties were incorporated into previously described Zinspy (ZS) fluorescent Zn(II) sensor motifs (Nolan, E. M.; Lippard, S.

A critical role for myosin IIb in dendritic spine morphology and synaptic function.

Dendritic spines show rapid motility and plastic morphology, which may mediate information storage in the brain. It is presently believed that polymerization/depolymerization of actin is the primary determinant of spine motility and morphogenesis. Here, we show that myosin IIB, a molecular motor that binds and contracts actin filaments, is essential for normal spine morphology and dynamics and represents a distinct biophysical pathway to control spine size and shape.