Netrin1 patterns the dorsal spinal cord through modulation of Bmp signaling.

We have identified an unexpected role for netrin1, a canonical axonal guidance cue, as a suppressor of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling in the developing dorsal spinal cord. Using a combination of gain- and loss-of-function approaches in chicken and mouse embryonic models, as well as mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), we have observed that manipulating the level of netrin1 specifically alters the patterning of the Bmp-dependent dorsal interneurons (dIs), dI1-dI3. Altered netrin1 levels also change Bmp signaling activity, as assessed using bioinformatic approaches, as well as monitoring phosophoSmad1/5/8 activation, the canonical intermediate of Bmp signaling, and Id levels, a known Bmp target.

An anodic stripping voltammetric approach for total mercury determination in sea sponges from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Mercury pollution from ongoing crude oil refining and waste disposal activities threatens aquatic ecosystems and human health in the Niger Delta. Mercury monitoring exercise in this region is challenging due to the high cost of traditional instruments and the complexity of marine samples. This research presents a novel analytical method using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) with a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to determine mercury levels in sea sponges from the Niger Delta.

Diagnosing B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2 pediatric patients with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 infection is still a mystery in terms of its long-term effect on health and its consequences on hematological disorders. Prior studies including ours have shown the abnormal changes in hematopoietic cells in COVID-19 patients. In this article, we are presenting 2 cases of pediatric B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with a previous history of COVID-19 infection.

Development of an On-Column Trace Enrichment Method for the Determination of Sub-g/L Bisphenol A in Bottled Water by RP-HPLC with Fluorescent Detection.

A simple extraction-free, on-column trace enrichment liquid chromatographic method for the determination of trace levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in bottled water samples has been developed. It was found possible to determine ng/L (ppt) levels of BPA by the direct introduction of 6 mL of sample water to the HPLC column utilising fluorescence detection (Ex = 274 nm, Em = 314 nm). Following the loading of the sample and the chromatographic focusing of the BPA on the analytical column, a simple switch from the aqueous sample to the isocratic chromatographic elution step of 50% acetonitrile/deionised water was undertaken.

Under-researched and under-reported new findings in microplastic field.

After over 20 years of research on microplastic (MP) pollution, there are important areas of study which are still at the inception. In particular, between 2020 and 2023 new findings on MP have emerged, which open new sub-categories of MP research. These research areas include sea surface MP ejection, direct and indirect MP influence on climate and hydrological cycle, small and nano-sized MP analysis and the relationship between MP size and abundance.