Tl(I) and Tl(III)-induce genotoxicity, reticulum stress and autophagy in PC12 Adh cells.

Thallium (Tl) and its two cationic species, Tl(I) and Tl(III), are toxic for most living beings. In this work, we investigated the effects of Tl (10-100 µM) on the viability and proliferation capacity of the adherent variant of PC12 cells (PC12 Adh cells). While both Tl(I) and Tl(III) halted cell proliferation from 24 h of incubation, their viability was ~ 90% even after 72 h of treatment.

Faecalibacterium duncaniae A2-165 regulates the expression of butyrate synthesis, ferrous iron uptake, and stress-response genes based on acetate consumption.

The promising next-generation probiotic Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is one of the most abundant acetate-consuming, butyrate-producing bacteria in the healthy human gut. Yet, little is known about how acetate availability affects this bacterium's gene expression strategies. Here, we investigated the effect of acetate on temporal changes in the transcriptome of F.

Generation of synthetic aortic valve stenosis geometries for in silico trials.

In silico trials are a promising way to increase the efficiency of the development, and the time to market of cardiovascular implantable devices. The development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) devices, could benefit from in silico trials to overcome frequently occurring complications such as paravalvular leakage and conduction problems. To be able to perform in silico TAVI trials virtual cohorts of TAVI patients are required.

Tl(I) and Tl(III) induce reticulum stress in MDCK cells.

The effects of the exposure of proliferating MDCK cells to thallium [Tl(I) or Tl(III)] on cell viability and proliferation were investigated. Although Tl stopped cell proliferation, the viability was > 95%. After 3 h, two autophagy markers (SQSTM-1 expression and LC3β localization) were altered, and at 48 h increased expression of SQSTM-1 (60%) and beclin-1 (50-100%) were found.

Comparison of true non-contrast and virtual non-contrast images in the characterization of renal lesions using detector-based spectral CT.

Objectives: Renal lesions are sometimes incidentally detected during computed tomography (CT) examinations in which an unenhanced series is not included, preventing the lesions from being fully characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility to use virtual non-contrast (VNC) images, acquired using a detector-based dual-energy CT, for the characterization of renal lesions.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (12 women) underwent a renal CT scan, including a non-contrast, an arterial, and a venous phase contrast-enhanced series, using a detector-based dual-energy CT scanner.

[The many challenges of population health and healthcare in Suriname since 1975].

Suriname inherited a weak colonial health system after political independence in 1975. In the decades that followed, political and economic developments have had an undeniable influence on the health situation and healthcare in Suriname, as well as on the (feasibility of the implementation of) plans to reform the healthcare system. The Surinamese health outcomes are not only particularly unfavorable compared to the Netherlands, but also compared to other states in the Caribbean region.

Glial Cell Metabolic Profile Upon Iron Deficiency: Oligodendroglial and Astroglial Casualties of Bioenergetic Adjustments.

Iron deficiency (ID) represents one of the most prevalent nutritional deficits, affecting almost two billion people worldwide. Gestational iron deprivation induces hypomyelination due to oligodendroglial maturation deficiencies and is thus a useful experimental model to analyze oligodendrocyte (OLG) requirements to progress to a mature myelinating state. A previous proteomic study in the adult ID brain by our group demonstrated a pattern of dysregulated proteins involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Spatiotemporal Registration of 3-D Multi-perspective Ultrasound Images of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Methods for patient-specific abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression monitoring and rupture risk assessment are widely investigated. Three-dimensional ultrasound can visualize the AAA's complex geometry and displacement fields. However, ultrasound has a limited field of view and low frame rate (i.

Surface cholesterol-enriched domains specifically promote invasion of breast cancer cell lines by controlling invadopodia and extracellular matrix degradation.

Tumor cells exhibit altered cholesterol content. However, cholesterol structural subcellular distribution and implication in cancer cell invasion are poorly understood mainly due to difficulties to investigate cholesterol both quantitatively and qualitatively and to compare isogenic cell models. Here, using the MCF10A cell line series (non-tumorigenic MCF10A, pre-malignant MCF10AT and malignant MCF10CAIa cells) as a model of breast cancer progression and the highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cell line which exhibits the common TP53 mutation, we investigated if cholesterol contributes to cancer cell invasion, whether the effects are specific to cancer cells and the underlying mechanism.

Description of a Newly Isolated Strain and Its Benefit in Mouse Models of Post-Influenza Secondary Enteric and Pulmonary Infections.

The expanding knowledge on the systemic influence of the human microbiome suggests that fecal samples are underexploited sources of new beneficial strains for extra-intestinal health. We have recently shown that acetate, a main circulating microbiota-derived molecule, reduces the deleterious effects of pulmonary and enteric serovar Typhimurium bacterial post-influenza superinfections. Considering the beneficial and broad effects of acetate, we intended to isolate a commensal strain, producing acetate and potentially exploitable in the context of respiratory infections.

Can subjective cognitive complaints at three months post stroke predict alteration in information processing speed during the first year?

Cognitive impairment, particularly slowing of information processing speed (IPS), is prevalent after stroke. However, the link between subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and cognitive deficit remains unclear. This study evaluated the link between SCC at three months post stroke and deficit as well as objective alterations in IPS in the first year post stroke.

Effect of Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids on Lipid Membranes: Studies on MRSA and Models of Membranes.

is an opportunistic pathogen and the major causative agent of life-threatening hospital- and community-acquired infections. A combination of antibiotics could be an opportunity to address the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, including Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA). We here investigated the potential synergy between ampicillin and plant-derived antibiotics (pentacyclic triterpenes, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA)) towards MRSA (ATCC33591 and COL) and the mechanisms involved.

Towards a Plastic Circular Economy: Bio-derived Plastics and their End-of-life Strategies.

Herein, we describe the status of bio-derived plastics as well as the existing and emerging technologies that are available for their post-consumer end-of-life valorization. We first present how bio-derived plastics can be produced from renewable materials such as biomass and CO₂. In the second section, we present an overview of the technologies available for the end-of-life, including pyrolysis and gasification and how they can be leveraged towards a circular economy.

Surfactant Protein B Promotes Cytosolic SiRNA Delivery by Adopting a Virus-like Mechanism of Action.

RNA therapeutics are poised to revolutionize medicine. To unlock the full potential of RNA drugs, safe and efficient (nano)formulations to deliver them inside target cells are required. Endosomal sequestration of nanocarriers represents a major bottleneck in nucleic acid delivery.

Label-Free Imaging of Cholesterol Assemblies Reveals Hidden Nanomechanics of Breast Cancer Cells.

Tumor cells present profound alterations in their composition, structural organization, and functional properties. A landmark of cancer cells is an overall altered mechanical phenotype, which so far are linked to changes in their cytoskeletal regulation and organization. Evidence exists that the plasma membrane (PM) of cancer cells also shows drastic changes in its composition and organization.

Lipid Membranes as Key Targets for the Pharmacological Actions of Ginsenosides.

In this review, we will focus on the activity of ginsenosides on membranes and their related effects, from physicochemical, biophysical, and pharmacological viewpoints. Ginsenosides are a class of saponins with a large structural diversity and a wide range of pharmacological effects. These effects can at least partly be related to their activity on membranes which results from their amphiphilic character.

COVID-19 Neurological Manifestations and Underlying Mechanisms: A Scoping Review.

Background: In the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the primary problem is respiratory-related, but there also is increasing evidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. This study aims to summarize the literature on neurological manifestations of COVID-19, underlying mechanisms of CNS involvement and cognitive consequences.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted with multiple searches in PubMed, PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases.

Motor Impairment Three Months Post Stroke Implies A Corresponding Cognitive Deficit.

Background: While both motor and cognitive impairment are common after stroke, the focus of (early) treatment has always been on motor deficit.

Aims: The objective of the current study was to explore the link between motor and cognitive performance in stroke patients and to examine whether motor performance is associated with cognitive functioning at three months post stroke.

Methods: In both stroke patients (n = 142) and controls (n = 135), with the groups matched on age, gender and premorbid IQ, motor functioning was evaluated using both objective (Purdue Pegboard Test) and subjective measures (specific items from the Frenchay Activities Index and Barthel Index).

Thallium Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans: Involvement of the SKN-1 Pathway and Protection by S-Allylcysteine.

Monovalent thallium (Tl) is a cation that can exert complex neurotoxic patterns in the brain by mechanisms that have yet to be completely characterized. To learn more about Tl toxicity, it is necessary to investigate its major effects in vivo and its ability to trigger specific signaling pathways (such as the antioxidant SKN-1 pathway) in different biological models. Caenorhabditis elegans (C.

Contribution of amenable mortality to life expectancy differences between the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao and the Netherlands.

Objective: To identify specific health care areas whose optimization could improve population health in the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao.

Methods: Comparative observational study using mortality and population data of the Dutch Caribbean islands and the Netherlands. Mortality trends were calculated, then analyzed with Joinpoint software, for the period 1988-2014.

Concentration-dependent effects of sodium cholate and deoxycholate bile salts on breast cancer cells proliferation and survival.

Bile acids (BAs) are bioactive molecules that have potential therapeutic interest and their derived salts are used in several pharmaceutical systems. BAs have been associated with tumorigenesis of several tissues including the mammary tissue. Therefore, it is crucial to characterize their effects on cancer cells.

Extracellular vesicles containing the transferrin receptor as nanocarriers of apotransferrin.

Previous work by our group has shown the pro-differentiating effects of apotransferrin (aTf) on oligodendroglial cells in vivo and in vitro. Further studies showed the remyelinating effect of aTf in animal demyelination models such as hypoxia/ischemia, where the intranasal administration of human aTf provided brain neuroprotection and reduced white matter damage, neuronal loss, and astrogliosis in different brain regions. These data led us to search for a less invasive and controlled technique to deliver aTf to the CNS.

Clamping versus nonclamping thoracoscopic box ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes of clamping devices and linear nonclamping devices for isolation of the posterior left atrium (box) in thoracoscopic ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Eighty patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation using a bipolar clamping device (42 patients) or bipolar nonclamping device (38 patients) to create the roof/inferior lesions for box isolation were included from 2 centers. Follow-up consisted of 24-hour Holter at regular intervals.

Gene identification and functional characterization of a Δ12 fatty acid desaturase in Tetrahymena thermophila and its influence in homeoviscous adaptation to low temperature.

Homeoviscous adaptation in poikilotherms is based in the regulation of the level of desaturation of fatty acids, variation in phospholipids head groups and sterol content in the membrane lipids, in order to maintain the membrane fluidity in response to changes in environmental temperature. Increased proportion of unsaturated fatty acids is thought to be the main response to low-temperature acclimation, which is mostly achieved by fatty acid desaturases. Genome analysis of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila and a gene knockout approach has allowed us to identify one Δ12 FAD and to study its activity in the original host and in a yeast heterologous expression system.

The commensal Escherichia coli CEC15 reinforces intestinal defences in gnotobiotic mice and is protective in a chronic colitis mouse model.

Escherichia coli is a regular inhabitant of the gut microbiota throughout life. However, its role in gut health is controversial. Here, we investigated the relationship between the commensal E.