Neurodevelopmental toxicity assessment of flame retardants using a human DNT in vitro testing battery.

Due to their neurodevelopmental toxicity, flame retardants (FRs) like polybrominated diphenyl ethers are banned from the market and replaced by alternative FRs, like organophosphorus FRs, that have mostly unknown toxicological profiles. To study their neurodevelopmental toxicity, we evaluated the hazard of several FRs including phased-out polybrominated FRs and organophosphorus FRs: 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenylether (BDE-47), 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenylether (BDE-99), tetrabromobisphenol A, triphenyl phosphate, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate and its metabolite bis-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, isodecyl diphenyl phosphate, triphenyl isopropylated phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tert-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate, tris(1-chloroisopropyl) phosphate, and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate. Therefore, we used a human cell-based developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vitro battery covering a large variety of neurodevelopmental endpoints.

Academic application of Good Cell Culture Practice for induced pluripotent stem cells.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) are a promising tool for replacing animal-based experiments. To warrant data reproducibility, quality-controlled research material is recommended. While the need for global harmonization of quality standards for stem cell banking centers, commercial providers, pre-clinical and clinical use of cells is well doc­umented, there are no recommendations available for quality control of hiPSC in an academic research environment to date.

Working memory task induced neural activation: A simultaneous PET/fMRI study.

Purpose: Positron emission tomography (PET) with [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a powerful method for mapping cerebral glucose metabolism as a proxy of neural activity, assuming a steady-state during the recording interval. We asked if a clinical FDG-PET imaging protocol might also capture changes in neural activity associated with performance of a working memory (WM) task.

Methods: To test this concept, we examined hybrid PET/MR data for FDG-PET and simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a sample of healthy volunteers.

Farnesylation of Zebrafish G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase Using Bio-orthogonal Labeling.

G-protein-coupled receptors are deactivated or desensitized by phosphorylation by respective G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). In zebrafish rod and cone photoreceptor cells, four orthologous GRKs are expressed participating in the deactivation of rod and cone opsins. An important feature of GRKs in general is the consensus sites for lipid modification, which would allow the posttranslational attachment of isoprenoids facilitating membrane association and enzymatic performance.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid links reduced intestinal inflammation to amelioration of CNS autoimmunity.

A close interaction between gut immune responses and distant organ-specific autoimmunity including the CNS in multiple sclerosis has been established in recent years. This so-called gut-CNS axis can be shaped by dietary factors, either directly or via indirect modulation of the gut microbiome and its metabolites. Here, we report that dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid, a mixture of linoleic acid isomers, ameliorates CNS autoimmunity in a spontaneous mouse model of multiple sclerosis, accompanied by an attenuation of intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation as well as an increase in intestinal myeloid-derived suppressor-like cells.

[Cornerstones of evidence-based health information].

Evidence-based health information is intended to empower people to make informed health decisions and include their personal goals and expectations by providing them with neutral and understandable content. To achieve this, a number of requirements must be followed in the production of health information, which are described in this article. These include, among other things, systematic research, a reasoned selection of appropriate evidence, and consideration of current evidence to communicate numbers, risks, and probabilities.

Effects of CO enrichment on the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge in continuously operated fermenters.

The effect of CO enrichment in sewage sludge anaerobic digestion (AD) as a potential strategy to improve the biogas yield was assessed at increasing organic loading rates (OLR). Effects on process performance and resilience were evaluated in long-term continuous AD experiments at lab-scale. The specific methane production (SMP) was sustainably enhanced in the test digester compared to a control at elevated OLRs, reaching an increase of 6 ± 12% on average at the highest OLR tested (4.

Clinical characteristics associated with idiopathic rapid gastric emptying in patients referred for gastric emptying studies.

Objectives: Rapid gastric emptying (RGE) is diagnosed using nuclear medicine gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES). The clinical symptoms are non-specific and its pathophysiology in the absence of gastric surgery is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics associated with idiopathic RGE.

An Assessment of GUCA1C Variants in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

In the special issue "Molecular Genetics of Retinal Dystrophies", Morales-Cámara and colleagues reported the association of a new candidate gene with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) [...

Effect of caffeine on alcohol drinking in mice.

Mixing alcohol (ethanol) with caffeinated beverages continues to be a common and risky practice. Energy drinks are one type of caffeinated beverage that may be especially problematic when used as mixers, due to their relatively high caffeine content in combination with their highly sweetened flavor profile. The present study used a mouse model of limited-access drinking and lickometer circuitry to examine the effects of an energy drink anid its caffeine content on ethanol consumption.

Co-digestion of sewage sludge and food waste in a wastewater treatment plant based on mainstream anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology: A techno-economic evaluation.

The implementation of anaerobic membrane bioreactor as mainstream technology would reduce the load of sidestream anaerobic digesters. This research evaluated the techno-economic implications of co-digesting sewage sludge and food waste in such wastewater treatment plants to optimise the usage of the sludge line infrastructure. Three organic loading rates (1.

AP-2α Regulates S-Phase and Is a Marker for Sensitivity to PI3K Inhibitor Buparlisib in Colon Cancer.

Activating protein 2 alpha (AP-2α; encoded by ) functions as a tumor suppressor and influences response to therapy in several cancer types. We aimed to characterize regulation of the transcriptome by AP-2α in colon cancer. CRISPR-Cas9 and short hairpin RNA were used to eliminate expression in HCT116 and a panel of colon cancer cell lines.

First 3D-Structural Data of Full-Length Guanylyl Cyclase 1 in Rod-Outer-Segment Preparations of Bovine Retina by Cross-Linking/Mass Spectrometry.

The rod-outer-segment guanylyl cyclase 1 (ROS-GC1) is a key transmembrane protein for retinal phototransduction. Mutations of ROS-GC1 correlate with different retinal diseases that often lead to blindness. No structural data are available for ROS-GC1 so far.

Cortical and subcortical responsiveness to intensive adaptive working memory training: An MRI surface-based analysis.

Working memory training (WMT) has been shown to have effects on cognitive performance, the precise effects and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are, however, still a matter of debate. In particular, the impact of WMT on gray matter morphology is still rather unclear. In the present study, 59 healthy middle-aged participants (age range 50-65 years) were pseudo-randomly single-blinded allocated to an 8-week adaptive WMT or an 8-week nonadaptive intervention.

Sugar modulation of anaerobic-response networks in maize root tips.

Sugar supply is a key component of hypoxia tolerance and acclimation in plants. However, a striking gap remains in our understanding of mechanisms governing sugar impacts on low-oxygen responses. Here, we used a maize (Zea mays) root-tip system for precise control of sugar and oxygen levels.

Quantitative Determination of Ca-binding to Ca-sensor Proteins by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry.

Diverse and complex molecular recognitions are central elements of signal transduction cascades. The strength and nature of these interaction modes can be determined by different experimental approaches. Among those, Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) offers certain advantages by providing binding constants and thermodynamic parameters from titration series without a need to label or immobilize one or more interaction partners.

[Autonomes Chemielernen im Fernunterricht und darüber hinaus!].

Autonomous Distance Learning in Chemistry and Beyond! Using specific examples, some of which originate from online teaching in school during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020, it is demonstrated how autonomous learning in chemistry can be supported, also in the long-term. Examples include the use of electronic media, experiments carried out at home, and discussion of current topics in the media that relate to chemistry to show how learning can be encouraged and the student motivation maintained. The aim is to encourage, on the one hand, self-guided learning to fulfill given study goals and on the other, autonomous learning out of curiosity and, later in life, to have the toolset to meet professional challenges.

Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Nausea, Vomiting, and Refractory Abdominal Pain.

Background: Patients with chronic nausea and vomiting often also have chronic abdominal pain. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may provide pain control, but scarce data are available regarding the effect of SCS on chronic nausea and vomiting.

Aims: We aimed to determine the effect of SCS in patients with chronic nausea, vomiting, and refractory abdominal pain.

Online Quantitative Aortographic Assessment of Aortic Regurgitation After TAVR: Results of the OVAL Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the online assessment feasibility of aortography using videodensitometry in the catheterization laboratory during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: Quantitative assessment of regurgitation after TAVR through aortography using videodensitometry is simple, reproducible, and validated in vitro, in vivo, in clinical trials, and in "real-world" patients. However, thus far the assessment has been done offline.

Functional Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis in Tertiary Care are Interchangeable Syndromes With Common Clinical and Pathologic Features.

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD), a highly prevalent gastrointestinal syndrome, and its relationship with the better-understood syndrome of gastroparesis.

Methods: Adult patients with chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms were followed up prospectively for 48 weeks in multi-center registry studies. Patients were classified as having gastroparesis if gastric emptying was delayed; if not, they were labeled as having FD if they met Rome III criteria.

[The effects of covid-19 on psychiatry training in the Netherlands].

Background The COVID-19 pandemic changes the training of residents and could offer new opportunities. Aim Gaining insight in the effects of the impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on psychiatry residents. Method A digital questionnaire was designed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational activities.

One-Year COMBO Stent Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome: from the COMBO Collaboration.

Purpose: The COMBO biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent includes endothelial progenitor cell capture (EPC) technology for rapid endothelialization, which may offer advantage in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We sought to analyze the performance of the COMBO stent by ACS status and ACS subtype.

Methods: The COMBO collaboration (n = 3614) is a patient-level pooled dataset from the MASCOT and REMEDEE registries.