Endoplasmic reticulum turnover: ER-phagy and other flavors in selective and non-selective ER clearance.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly dynamic organelle in eukaryotic cells. It is deputed to lipid and protein biosynthesis, calcium storage, and the detoxification of various exogenous and endogenous harmful compounds. ER activity and size must be adapted rapidly to environmental and developmental conditions or biosynthetic demand.

Structural characterization and pro-tumor properties of a highly conserved matrikine.

Elastin-derived peptides (EDPs) exert protumor activities by increasing tumor growth, migration and invasion. A number of studies have highlighted the potential of VGVAPG consensus sequence-derived elastin-like polypeptides whose physicochemical properties and biocompatibility are particularly suitable for applications, such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. However, among the EDPs, the influence of elastin-derived nonapeptides (xGxPGxGxG consensus sequence) remains unknown.

Prediction Model for the Presence of Complications at Admission to Rehabilitation After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Complications frequently occur in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) during acute care or rehabilitation and have an impact on rehabilitation outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and risk factors for complications in recently injured SCI patients. : Two hundred fifty patients with traumatic injuries with and without complications were counted for the following dichotomous parameters: gender (male/female), associated lesions (presence/absence), surgery (yes/no), American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade (A/other categories), lesion level (lumbar/other levels), and lesion-to-admission time (less than/longer than 1 month).

Biocompatibility of Gd-Loaded Chitosan-Hyaluronic Acid Nanogels as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Cancer Imaging.

Although the research on nanogels incorporating Gd chelates for theranostic applications has grown exponentially in recent years, knowledge about their biocompatibility is limited. We compared the biocompatibility of Gd-loaded hyaluronic acid-chitosan-based nanogels (GdCA⊂CS-TPP/HA) with two chitosan concentrations (2.5 and 1.

Robotic Versus Open Renal Transplantation in Obese Patients: Protocol for a Cost-Benefit Markov Model Analysis.

Background: Recent studies have reported a significant decrease in wound problems and hospital stay in obese patients undergoing renal transplantation by robotic-assisted minimally invasive techniques with no difference in graft function.

Objective: Due to the lack of cost-benefit studies on the use of robotic-assisted renal transplantation versus open surgical procedure, the primary aim of our study is to develop a Markov model to analyze the cost-benefit of robotic surgery versus open traditional surgery in obese patients in need of a renal transplant.

Methods: Electronic searches will be conducted to identify studies comparing open renal transplantation versus robotic-assisted renal transplantation.

Development of a Psychiatric Disorder Linked to Cerebellar Lesions.

Cerebellar dysfunction plays a critical role in neurodevelopmental disorders with long-term behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms. A 43-year-old woman with a cerebellum arteriovenous malformation and history of behavioral dysregulation since childhood is described. After the rupture of the cerebellar malformation in adulthood, her behavior morphed into specific psychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits occurred.

Chemical stresses fail to mimic the unfolded protein response resulting from luminal load with unfolded polypeptides.

The stress sensors ATF6, IRE1, and PERK monitor deviations from homeostatic conditions in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a protein biogenesis compartment of eukaryotic cells. Their activation elicits unfolded protein responses (UPR) to re-establish proteostasis. UPR have been extensively investigated in cells exposed to chemicals that activate ER stress sensors by perturbing calcium, -glycans, or redox homeostasis.

Resolvin D1 Halts Remote Neuroinflammation and Improves Functional Recovery after Focal Brain Damage Via ALX/FPR2 Receptor-Regulated MicroRNAs.

Remote damage is a secondary phenomenon that usually occurs after a primary brain damage in regions that are distant, yet functionally connected, and that is critical for determining the outcomes of several CNS pathologies, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The understanding of remote damage-associated mechanisms has been mostly achieved in several models of focal brain injury such as the hemicerebellectomy (HCb) experimental paradigm, which helped to identify the involvement of many key players, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy. Currently, few interventions have been shown to successfully limit the progression of secondary damage events and there is still an unmet need for new therapeutic options.

Structural cerebellar correlates of cognitive functions in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease involving the cerebellum and characterized by a typical motor syndrome. In addition, the presence of cognitive impairment is now widely acknowledged as a feature of SCA2. Given the extensive connections between the cerebellum and associative cerebral areas, it is reasonable to hypothesize that cerebellar neurodegeneration associated with SCA2 may impact on the cerebellar modulation of the cerebral cortex, thus resulting in functional impairment.

Single step electrodeposition process using ionic liquid to grow highly luminescent silicon/rare earth (Er, Tb) thin films with tunable composition.

A one-step method for the electrodeposition of silicon-erbium (Si/Er) and silicon-terbium (Si/Tb) thin films using room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) has been successfully developed. By playing with the electrochemical parameters, the concentration of incorporated rare earth (RE) ions (Er and Tb) in the thin films can be tuned. The obtained thin films have been characterized by electron microscopy and composition analysis techniques.

Outcomes Following Ischemic Myelopathies and Traumatic Spinal Injury.

As the general population ages, the rising prevalence of vascular lesions of the spinal cord will become significant. The aim of this study was to compare the neurological and functional outcomes of patients with ischemic spinal cord injury (ISCI) and traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). We conducted a retrospective study in a spinal cord unit of 2 rehabilitation hospitals.

Interaction of Aβ peptide or their variant with model membrane of different composition probed by infrared nanospectroscopy.

Toxicity of Aβ peptides involved in Alzheimer's disease is linked to the interaction of intermediate species with membranes. Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy enhances the study of the morphology and the secondary structure of the peptides as fibers or oligomers interacting with membranes of different compositions, with nanometer scale resolution. Membrane models are used to investigate the role of different lipids in their interactions with Aβ peptides.

Neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer.

The use of neoadjuvant therapies has played a major role for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancers (PCs). For this group of patients, preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation has increased the likelihood of surgery with negative resection margins and overall survival. On the other hand, for patients with resectable PC, the main rationale for neoadjuvant therapy is that the overall survival with current strategies is unsatisfactory.

Prospects for Engineering Thermoelectric Properties in LaNbO Ceramics Revealed via Atomic-Level Characterization and Modeling.

A combination of experimental and computational techniques has been employed to explore the crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of A-site-deficient perovskite LaNbO ceramics. Crystallographic data from X-ray and electron diffraction confirmed that the room temperature structure is orthorhombic with Cmmm as a space group. Atomically resolved imaging and analysis showed that there are two distinct A sites: one is occupied with La and vacancies, and the second site is fully unoccupied.

Concurrent La and A-Site Vacancy Doping Modulates the Thermoelectric Response of SrTiO: Experimental and Computational Evidence.

To help understand the factors controlling the performance of one of the most promising n-type oxide thermoelectric SrTiO, we need to explore structural control at the atomic level. In SrLaTiO ceramics (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.

A strain-induced exciton transition energy shift in CdSe nanoplatelets: the impact of an organic ligand shell.

We study the influence of surface passivating ligands on the optical and structural properties of zinc blende CdSe nanoplatelets. Ligand exchange of native oleic acid with aliphatic thiol or phosphonic acid on the surface of nanoplatelets results in a large shift of exciton transition energy for up to 240 meV. Ligand exchange also leads to structural changes (strain) in the nanoplatelet's core analysed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction.

Successful production of the potato antimicrobial peptide Snakin-1 in baculovirus-infected insect cells and development of specific antibodies.

Background: Snakin-1 (StSN1) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial cysteine-rich peptide isolated from Solanum tuberosum. Its biotechnological potential has been already recognized since it exhibits in vivo antifungal and antibacterial activity. Most attempts to produce StSN1, or homologous peptides, in a soluble native state using bacterial, yeast or synthetic expression systems have presented production bottlenecks such as insolubility, misfolding or low yields.

Kidney transplantation in a child with Pierson syndrome.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome is commonly associated with mutations in genes that encode podocyte and slit diaphragm proteins or the structural and regulatory proteins of the GBM. These mutations lead to the formation of dysfunctional proteins, which account for the resistance of the renal manifestations to conventional treatment methods. Consequently, patients become renal replacement therapy dependent.

Transcranial cerebellar direct current stimulation: Effects on brain resting state oscillatory and network activity.

Transcranial cerebellar direct current stimulation (tcDCS) can offer new insights into the cerebellar function and disorders, by modulating noninvasively the activity of cerebellar networks. Taking into account the functional interplay between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex, we addressed the effects of unilateral tcDCS (active electrode positioned over the right cerebellar hemisphere) on the electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillatory activity and on the cortical network organization at resting state. Effects on spectral (de)synchronizations and functional connectivity after anodal and cathodal stimulation were assessed with respect to a sham condition.

Microstructural MRI Basis of the Cognitive Functions in Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease involving the cerebellum. The particular atrophy pattern results in some typical clinical features mainly including motor deficits. In addition, the presence of cognitive impairments, involving language, visuospatial and executive functions, has been also shown in SCA2 patients and it is now widely accepted as a feature of the disease.

A global reference database of crowdsourced cropland data collected using the Geo-Wiki platform.

A global reference data set on cropland was collected through a crowdsourcing campaign using the Geo-Wiki crowdsourcing tool. The campaign lasted three weeks, with over 80 participants from around the world reviewing almost 36,000 sample units, focussing on cropland identification. For quality assessment purposes, two additional data sets are provided.

The Geography of Primary Hepatic Neoplasms Treatments in Canada: Changes in Latitudes and Changes in Attitudes.

Background: Studies on treatment modalities for primary hepatic neoplasms (PHN) in Canada are lacking. Our primary aim was to analyze the age-standardized incidence of hepatic resection, ablation, transplantation, and embolization for PHN between 2002 and 2013. Secondary aim was to evaluate temporal trends for these treatment modalities.

A simple tool to measure spasticity in spinal cord injury subjects.

This work presents a wearable device and the algorithms for quantitative modelling of joint spasticity and its application in a pilot group of subjects with different levels of spinal cord injury. The device comprises light-weight instrumented handles to measure the interaction force between the subject and the physical therapist performing the tests, EMG sensors and inertial measurement units to measure muscle activity and joint kinematics. Experimental tests included the passive movement of different body segments, where the spasticity was expected, at different velocities.

Atrophic degeneration of cerebellum impairs both the reactive and the proactive control of movement in the stop signal paradigm.

The cognitive control of movement suppression, including performance monitoring, is one of the core properties of the executive system. A complex cortical and subcortical network involving cerebral cortex, thalamus, subthalamus, and basal ganglia has been regarded as the neural substrate of inhibition of programmed movements. Using the countermanding task, a suitable tool to explore behavioral components of movement suppression, the contribution of the cerebellum in the proactive control and monitoring of voluntary action has been recently described in patients affected by focal lesions involving in particular the cerebellar dentate nucleus.