Pyroptotic cell corpses are crowned with F-actin-rich filopodia that engage CLEC9A signaling in incoming dendritic cells.

While apoptosis dismantles the cell to enforce immunological silence, pyroptotic cell death provokes inflammation. Little is known of the structural architecture of cells undergoing pyroptosis, and whether pyroptotic corpses are immunogenic. Here we report that inflammasomes trigger the Gasdermin-D- and calcium-dependent eruption of filopodia from the plasma membrane minutes before pyroptotic cell rupture, to crown the resultant corpse with filopodia.

BioMOF@PAN Mixed Matrix Membranes as Fast and Efficient Adsorbing Materials for Multiple Heavy Metals' Removal.

Heavy metal ions are a common source of water pollution. In this study, two novel membranes with biobased metal-organic frameworks (BioMOFs) embedded in a polyacrylonitrile matrix with tailored porosity were prepared via nonsolvent induced phase separation methods and designed to efficiently adsorb heavy metal ions from oligomineral water. Under optimized preparation conditions, stable membranes with high MOF loading up to 50 wt % and a cocontinuous sponge-like morphology and a high water permeability of 50-60 L m h bar were obtained.

Bulk serum extracellular vesicles from stressed mice show a distinct proteome and induce behavioral and molecular changes in naive mice.

Chronic stress can trigger several pathologies including mood disorders for which no clear diagnostic molecular markers have been established yet. Attractive biomarker sources are extracellular vesicles (EVs). Evs are released by cells in health and disease and contain genetic material, proteins and lipids characteristic of the cell state.

Odours in Asphalt: Analysis of the Release of HS from Bitumen by a Mass Spectrometric Residual Gas Analyser.

During the production and laying phases of hot-mixing asphalt (HMA), various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and noxious gases such as HS are released into the atmosphere. These emissions are a serious environmental problem, a risk to human health, and expose workers and residents to unfriendly odours. The aim of this study was the development of a fast and sensitive analytical method to detect the HS emitted from hot bituminous binder that is generally used in the various stages of asphalt production, processing, handling and during road construction.

The septin modifier, forchlorfenuron, activates NLRP3 via a potassium-independent mitochondrial axis.

The Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is activated by stimuli that induce perturbations in cell homeostasis, which commonly converge on cellular potassium efflux. NLRP3 has thus emerged as a sensor for ionic flux. Here, we identify forchlorfenuron (FCF) as an inflammasome activator that triggers NLRP3 signaling independently of potassium efflux.

Fluorochrome-labeled inhibitors of caspase-1 require membrane permeabilization to efficiently access caspase-1 in macrophages.

Caspase-1 location in cells has been studied with fluorochrome-labeled inhibitors of caspase-1 (FLICA reagents). We report that FLICA reagents have limited cell-membrane permeability. This impacts experimental design as cells with intact membranes, including caspase-1 knockout cells, are not appropriate controls for cells with inflammasome-induced gasdermin D membrane pores.

The learning curve for using intestinal ultrasonography.

Background And Aims: Intestinal ultrasonography (IUS) is challenging to learn. This prospective study examined how the accuracy of IUS increases with operator experience ("learning curve") and if prior abdominal ultrasound experience facilitates the learning process.

Methods: The study included two trainees with limited abdominal ultrasound experience (< 50 exams) and two with extensive experience (> 500 exams).

Quantifying Cell Death Induced by the NLRC4 Inflammasome.

The Nod-like Receptor (NLR) apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs) are cytosolic receptors that sense cytosolic bacterial proteins. NAIP ligation induces its association with NLRC4, leading to the assembly of the NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome, which induces the activation of the caspase-1 protease. Caspase-1 then cleaves pro-interleukin (IL)-1β, pro-IL-18, and gasdermin D and induces a form of pro-inflammatory cell death, pyroptosis.

Gas Permeation through Mechanically Resistant Self-Standing Membranes of a Neat Amorphous Organic Cage.

The synthesis and characterization of a novel film-forming organic cage and of its smaller analogue are here described. While the small cage produced single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction studies, the large one was isolated as a dense film. Due to its remarkable film-forming properties, this latter cage could be solution processed into transparent thin-layer films and mechanically stable dense self-standing membranes of controllable thickness.

Memory Problems in Children With Congenital Heart Disease: A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Care for congenital heart diseases (CHD) has improved significantly over the past several decades, and children with CHD are now surviving into adulthood. Cognitive and behavioral problems affect children with CHD more than healthy peers. A review of performance on neuropsychological memory tasks has not been reported.

Lessons Learned in Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Research in Children Following Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes research in children following extracorporeal membrane oxygenationis a complex and evolving field. From systematic reviews to multi-center prospective cohort studies, a variety of research endeavors in this domain have already been conducted. Recent attention has redirected the focus on biomarkers and imaging studies to help better understand the neurological, developmental, and behavioral effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on surviving children.

Dibenzomethanopentacene-Based Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity for Use in Gas-Separation Membranes.

Dibenzomethanopentacene (DBMP) is shown to be a useful structural component for making Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) with promise for making efficient membranes for gas separations. DBMP-based monomers for PIMs are readily prepared using a Diels-Alder reaction between 2,3-dimethoxyanthracene and norbornadiene as the key synthetic step. Compared to date for the archetypal PIM-1, the incorporation of DBMP simultaneously enhances both gas permeability and the ideal selectivity for one gas over another.

Thin Film Composite Membranes Based on the Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity PIM-EA(Me)-TB Blended with Matrimid5218.

In this work, thin film composite (TFC) membranes were fabricated with the selective layer based on a blend of polyimide Matrimid5218 and polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) composed of Tröger's base, TB, and dimethylethanoanthracene units, PIM-EA(Me)-TB. The TFCs were prepared with different ratios of the two polymers and the effect of the PIM content in the blend of the gas transport properties was studied for pure He, H, O, N, CH, and CO using the well-known time lag method. The prepared TFC membranes were further characterized by IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

CO Separation by Imide/Imine Organic Cages.

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Valeria Amendola at the University of Pavia, Mariolino Carta at the University of Swansea, and Johannes C. Jansen at the CNR-ITM. The image depicts one of the novel imide/imine organic cages that were employed as fillers in mixed-matrix membranes for the selective separation of CO from N and CH .

CO Separation by Imide/Imine Organic Cages.

Two novel imide/imine-based organic cages have been prepared and studied as materials for the selective separation of CO from N and CH under vacuum swing adsorption conditions. Gas adsorption on the new compounds showed selectivity for CO over N and CH . The cages were also tested as fillers in mixed-matrix membranes for gas separation.

A COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility in Massachusetts: Rapidity and extent of spread, resident symptoms, and mortality.

In the spring of 2020, COVID-19 spread rapidly through a long-term care facility in Massachusetts. 74 (of 134 total) residents tested positive, with 72 testing positive in the first three weeks of the outbreak. Fatigue, anorexia, myalgia, and confusion were the most common symptoms.

Measuring Non-canonical Inflammasome Activation in Neutrophils.

Neutrophils are innate immune cells that play critical functions during infections through diverse mechanisms. One such mechanism, the generation of extracellular traps (NETs), enables direct bacterial killing during infections. We recently reported that the activation of the non-canonical inflammasomes in neutrophils allows for the generation of NETs and is an important host defence mechanism in vivo in response to intracellular Gram-negative bacterium.

Measurement of Cardiac Output Using an Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM) in Patients with Single-Ventricle Physiology.

We evaluate the validity of cardiac index (CI) measurements utilizing the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM), a non-invasive Doppler ultrasound device, by comparing measurements to cardiac catheterization-derived CI measurements in patients with single-ventricle physiology. USCOM measurements were repeated three times for each patient at the beginning of a cardiac catheterization procedure for twenty-six patients undergoing elective pre-Glenn or pre-Fontan catheterization. CI was measured by USCOM and was calculated from cardiac catheterization data using Fick's method.

Insights into Fibrinogen-Mediated COVID-19 Hypercoagubility in Critically Ill Patients.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hypercoagulability that may cause thromobembolic complications. We describe our recent studies investigating the mechanisms of hypercoagulability in patients with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation during the COVID-19 crisis in New York City in spring 2020. Using rotational thombelastometry we found that almost all patients with severe COVID-19 had signs of hypercoagulability compared with non-COVID-19 controls.

Neuronal membrane glycoprotein (nmgp-1) gene deficiency affects chemosensation-related behaviors, dauer exit and egg-laying in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The nervous system monitors the environment to maintain homeostasis, which can be affected by stressful conditions. Using mammalian models of chronic stress, we previously observed altered brain levels of GPM6A, a protein involved in neuronal morphology. However, GPM6A's role in systemic stress responses remains unresolved.

PEEK-WC-Based Mixed Matrix Membranes Containing Polyimine Cages for Gas Separation.

Membrane-based processes are taking a more and more prominent position in the search for sustainable and energy-efficient gas separation applications. It is known that the separation performance of pure polymers may significantly be improved by the dispersion of suitable filler materials in the polymer matrix, to produce so-called mixed matrix membranes. In the present work, four different organic cages were dispersed in the poly(ether ether ketone) with cardo group, PEEK-WC.

The Diverticular Disease Registry (DDR Trial) by the Advanced International Mini-Invasive Surgery Academy Clinical Research Network: Protocol for a Multicenter, Prospective Observational Study.

Unlabelled: Diverticular disease is an increasingly common issue, with a variety of clinical presentations and treatment options. However, very few prospective cohort studies explore outcomes between the different presentations and treatments. The Diverticular Disease Registry (DDR Trial) is a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study on behalf of the Advanced International Mini-Invasive Surgery (AIMS) academy clinical research network.

Neurofibromatosis and HIV infection in a pregnant woman.

Although pregnant neurofibromatosis or HIV patient established a high-risk group, this report demonstrated that a careful planning and widespread valuations should be associated with a favorable prognosis for both mother and newborn.