Stability of flexible thin-film metallization stimulation electrodes: analysis of explants after first-in-human study and improvement of in vivo performance.

Objective: Micro-fabricated neural interfaces based on polyimide (PI) are achieving increasing importance in translational research. The ability to produce well-defined micro-structures with properties that include chemical inertness, mechanical flexibility and low water uptake are key advantages for these devices.

Approach: This paper reports the development of the transverse intrafascicular multichannel electrode (TIME) used to deliver intraneural sensory feedback to an upper-limb amputee in combination with a sensorized hand prosthesis.

Sawfly Genomes Reveal Evolutionary Acquisitions That Fostered the Mega-Radiation of Parasitoid and Eusocial Hymenoptera.

The tremendous diversity of Hymenoptera is commonly attributed to the evolution of parasitoidism in the last common ancestor of parasitoid sawflies (Orussidae) and wasp-waisted Hymenoptera (Apocrita). However, Apocrita and Orussidae differ dramatically in their species richness, indicating that the diversification of Apocrita was promoted by additional traits. These traits have remained elusive due to a paucity of sawfly genome sequences, in particular those of parasitoid sawflies.

Novel insights into retinal neovascularization secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy using 3D optical coherence tomography angiography.

Purpose: To describe the clinical presentation and novel anatomical features of a patient with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) complicated by retinal neovascularization (RNV).

Observations: A 48 year-old patient with a long-standing history of bilateral CSCR presented to our clinic complaining about a sudden onset of tiny floaters. Multimodal imaging including fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fundus fluorescein (FA) and ICG angiography (ICG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) confirmed the diagnosis of CSCR and revealed a pre-retinal neovascularization and concurring vitreous hemorrhage.

The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway is activated in sarcoidosis and involved in granuloma formation.

Sarcoidosis is a disease characterised by granuloma formation. There is an unmet need for new treatment strategies beyond corticosteroids. The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway is expressed in innate immune cells and senses danger signals to elicit inflammatory interleukin (IL)-1β; it has recently become a druggable target.

Geochemistry and tectonic significance of late Paleoproterozoic A-type granites along the southern margin of the North China Craton.

The Longwangzhuang pluton is a typical example of Paleoproterozoic A-type granite intrusions at the southern margin of the North China Craton. This pluton is composed of arfvedsonite granite and minor aegirine-augite granites. Samples from both granite types display similar zircon U-Pb ages with U-Pb ages of 1612 ± 19 Ma [mean square weighted deviation (MSWD) = 0.

Hierarchical quantum master equation approach to vibronic reaction dynamics at metal surfaces.

A novel quantum dynamical method to simulate vibronic reaction dynamics in molecules at metal surfaces is proposed. The method is based on the hierarchical quantum master equation approach and uses a discrete variable representation of the nuclear degrees of freedom in combination with complex absorbing potentials and an auxiliary source term. It provides numerically exact results for a range of models.

Evaluation of a programming algorithm for deep brain stimulation in dystonia used in a double-blind, sham-controlled multicenter study.

Background: Programming deep brain stimulation in dystonia is difficult because of the delayed benefits and absence of evidence-based guidelines. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of a programming algorithm applied in a double-blind, sham-controlled multicenter study of pallidal deep brain stimulation in dystonia.

Methods: A standardized monopolar review to identify the contact with the best acute antidystonic effect was applied in 40 patients, who were then programmed 0.

DNA processing by the MOBH family relaxase TraI encoded within the gonococcal genetic island.

Relaxases of the MOBH family are often found on large plasmids, genetic islands and integrative conjugative elements. Many members of this family contain an N-terminal relaxase domain (TraI_2) followed by a disordered middle part and a C-terminal domain of unknown function (TraI_2_C). The TraI_2 domain contains two putative metal-binding motifs, an HD domain motif and an alternative 3H motif.

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in the Stabilization of Keratoconus.

Background: Keratoconus is a slowly progressive ectatic deformity of the cornea with a prevalence of 200 to 400 cases per 100 000 persons. The cornea is thinner than normal and irregularly warped; irregular astigmatism and myopia result. Riboflavin-UVA crosslinking (collagen cross-linking) makes corneal tissue more rigid through a photochemical effect and can stop the progression of the disease.

RDFBones - making research explicit: an extensible digital standard for research data.

A fundamental impediment to the adoption of digital standards in physical anthropology is the vast diversity of this area of research. Even within osteology, many investigations require some modification of existing standards to suit their specific study designs. This might be a reason for researchers not to use database software based exclusively on one particular standard.

Synthetic Cargo Internalization Receptor System for Nanoparticle Tracking of Individual Cell Populations by Fluorine Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Specific detection of target structures or cells lacking particular surface epitopes still poses a serious problem for all imaging modalities. Here, we demonstrate the capability of synthetic "cargo internalization receptors" (CIRs) for tracking of individual cell populations by H/F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To this end, a nanobody for green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to engineer cell-surface-expressed CIRs which undergo rapid internalization after GFP binding.

Nanoscaled ultrasound contrast agents for enhanced sonothrombolysis.

Sonothrombolysis, the enhancement of thrombolysis with ultrasound (US), is widely used in clinical practice. The use of an ultrasound contrast agent can lead to a further reduced recanalization time of the occluded blood vessel and thus to better outcome for the patient. In this study the sonothrombolytic efficacy of our new nanoscaled ultrasound contrast agent (NUSCA) was investigated.

Developmental Biology: Reissner's Fiber and Straightening of the Body Axis.

A straight longitudinal body axis supports efficient directed locomotion of fish and other vertebrates. New research demonstrates that Reissner's fiber, an enigmatic structure within the spinal central canal, is essential for development of an extended trunk to tail axis.

Signatures of DNA Methylation across Insects Suggest Reduced DNA Methylation Levels in Holometabola.

It has been experimentally shown that DNA methylation is involved in the regulation of gene expression and the silencing of transposable element activity in eukaryotes. The variable levels of DNA methylation among different insect species indicate an evolutionarily flexible role of DNA methylation in insects, which due to a lack of comparative data is not yet well-substantiated. Here, we use computational methods to trace signatures of DNA methylation across insects by analyzing transcriptomic and genomic sequence data from all currently recognized insect orders.

On the use of Parylene C polymer as substrate for peripheral nerve electrodes.

Parylene C is a highly flexible polymer used in several biomedical implants. Since previous studies have reported valuable biocompatible and manufacturing characteristics for brain and intraneural implants, we tested its suitability as a substrate for peripheral nerve electrodes. We evaluated 1-year-aged in vitro samples, where no chemical differences were observed and only a slight deviation on Young's modulus was found.

Quantifying effects of cyclic stretch on cell-collagen substrate adhesiveness of vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelium is continuously subjected to mechanical stimulation in the form of shear forces due to blood flow as well as tensile forces as a consequence of blood pressure. Such stimuli influence endothelial behavior and regulate cell-tissue interaction for an optimized functionality. This study aimed to quantify influence of cyclic stretch on the adhesive property and stiffness of endothelial cells.

Preferential Reduction of Circulating Innate Lymphoid Cells Type 2 in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency with Secondary Complications Is Part of a Broader Immune Dysregulation.

Purpose: Over a third of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) suffer from secondary complications like inflammatory organ disease, autoimmune manifestations, or lymphoproliferation contributing to increased morbidity and mortality in affected patients. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have emerging roles in setting the milieu for physiological, but also pathological, immune responses and inflammation. We therefore sought to correlate the recently identified disturbed homeostasis of ILCs with alterations of the adaptive immune system in complex CVID patients (CVIDc).

The histidine-rich peptide LAH4-L1 strongly promotes PAMAM-mediated transfection at low nitrogen to phosphorus ratios in the presence of serum.

Non-viral vectors are widely used and investigated for the delivery of genetic material into cells. However, gene delivery barriers like lysosomal degradation, serum inhibition and transient gene expression so far still limit their clinical applications. Aiming to overcome these limitations, a pH-sensitive hybrid gene vector (PSL complex) was designed by self-assembly of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, the histidine-rich peptide LAH4-L1 and the sleeping beauty transposon system (SB transposon system, a plasmid system capable of efficient and precise genomic insertion).

RIP-Seq Suggests Translational Regulation by L7Ae in .

L7Ae is a universal archaeal protein that recognizes and stabilizes kink-turn (k-turn) motifs in RNA substrates. These structural motifs are widespread in nature and are found in many functional RNA species, including ribosomal RNAs. Synthetic biology approaches utilize L7Ae/k-turn interactions to control gene expression in eukaryotes.

The application of P-gp inhibiting phospholipids as novel oral bioavailability enhancers - An in vitro and in vivo comparison.

The efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) significantly modulates drug transport across the intestinal mucosa, strongly reducing the systemic absorption of various active pharmaceutical ingredients. P-gp inhibitors could serve as helpful tools to enhance the oral bioavailability of those substances. As a membrane-associated protein P-gp is surrounded and influenced by phospholipids.

Monitoring the pH Triggered Collapse of Liposomes in the Far IR Hydrogen Bonding Continuum.

Far infrared spectra of complex molecular structures like lipid membranes or proteins show large and broad continuum modes that include contributions of the internal hydrogen bonding of the assembled structures. Here we corroborate the pH triggered structural rearrangement in pH-sensitive liposomes with a clear shift of the far-infrared mode from 170 to 159 cm(-1). This spectral change was accompanied by the broadening of the hydrogen bonding signature by about 25 cm(-1) and correlates with the well-known hydrogen bonding dependent shifts of the ν(PO2(-))(as) vibration of the lipid headgroup in the mid infrared and with further shifts of functional group vibrations.