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• A copper complex is synthesized and single crystal XRD showed that crystal structure of the synthesized compound is 1D zigzag polymeric. • Hirshfeld surface analysis inferred that H ⋯ O contacts are the most significant contributor of the supramolecular assembly stabilization. • Void analysis showed that the compound will have good response to an applied stress. • Computational study results are consistent with the corresponding ones of single crystal XRD. A new one-dimensional polymeric copper complex [Cu(DNSA)py] with salicylic acid and pyridine was synthesized and characterized by many techniques, including FT-IR, UV–Visible, elemental, TGA/DSC, and single crystal XRD analysis. In the crystal structure, two 3,5-dinitrosalicylic ligands were chelated by the copper cation, in which one ligand was coordinated by the carbonyl O-atom and one of the carboxylate O-atoms, while another symmetry-related ligand was coordinated by the O-atoms of the carboxylate group to form distorted square pyramidal geometry. Thus, a one-dimensional polymer structure is formed, extending along the b -axis. The solid-state assembly was stabilized by various intermolecular interactions, as examined through Hirshfeld surface analysis. Voids analysis was carried out to predict the response of the crystal under external pressure. The most stable structure of the [Cu(DNSA)py] monomer resulted from density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP/def2-TZVPP. The 6–311G(d,p) level of theory demonstrated that the Cu atom adapts distorted square pyramidal geometry. The MEP surface and Mulliken charge distribution identified the Cu monomer atoms suitable for electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analyses were conducted to anticipate the stability and chemical reactivity of the [Cu(DNSA)py] monomer and its ligand (DNSA). Furthermore, the quantum chemical descriptors of the title compound were obtained from E HOMO and E LUMO energy values. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently neutrophil-based nanoparticles (NPs) drug delivery systems have gained considerable attention in cancer therapy. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify optimal NPs parameters for passive tumor targeting, while there is a fundamental dearth of knowledge about the factors governing cell-mediated delivery. Here, by using intravital microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging, we describe accumulation dynamics of 140 nm magnetic cubes and clusters in murine breast cancer (4T1) and colon cancer (CT26) models. Notwithstanding rapid clearance from the blood flow, NPs readily accumulated in tumors at later time points. Both NPs types were captured mostly by intravascular neutrophils immediately after injection, and transmigration of NPs-bound neutrophils through the vessel wall was first shown in real-time. A dramatic drop in NPs accumulation upon Ly6G and Gr1 depletion further confirmed the role of neutrophils as a biocarrier for targeting tumors. Of note, for shorter circulating NPs, a cell-dependent delivery route was more impactful, while the accumulation of longer circulating counterpart was less compromised by neutrophil depletion. Neutrophil-mediated transport was also shown to depend on tumor type, with more efficiency noted in neutrophil-rich tumors. Revealing NPs characteristics and host factors influencing the neutrophil-based tumor targeting will help to rationally design drug delivery systems for improved cancer treatment. Utilizing host cells as trojan horses for delivery nanodrugs to tumor site is a promising approach for cancer therapy. However, it is not clear yet how nanoparticles characteristics and tumor properties affect the efficiency of cell-based nanoparticles transport. Here, we compare neutrophil-based delivery of different-shaped magnetic nanoparticles (cubes and clusters) in two tumor models. The results suggest that neutrophil-mediated route is more impactful for rapidly cleared cubes, than for longer circulating clusters. The efficiency of cell-based accumulation also correlated with the level of neutrophils recruitment to different tumor types. These finding are important for rationale design of nanocarriers and predicting the efficiency of neutrophil-mediated drug delivery between patients and tumor types. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inkjet printable graphene inks are very attractive for applications in flexible and foldable electronics, such as wearable electronics and the Internet of Things. However, the ink preparation is still very time consuming as high concentrations can be achieved only with prolonged sonication (>24 h) or with expensive setups. Here we demonstrate a water-based inkjet printable ink made from electrochemically exfoliated graphene. A printable and stable (>1 month) ink with concentration of ∼2.25 mg mL−1 was formulated in less than 5 h, using two successive steps: first exfoliation and dispersion of large graphene flakes (>5 μm) followed by 1 h tip-sonication to reduce the flake size below 1 μm, as required for the material to be ejected by the nozzle. The formulated ink contains more than 75% single- and few-layers (i.e. less than 2 nm in thickness) graphene flakes with an average lateral size of 740 nm. Thermal annealing allows to achieve high C/O ratio (>10), which translates into one of the highest electrical conductivity (≈3.91 × 104 S m−1) reported so far for solution-processed graphene, without the use of any harsh chemical processing. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new imaging biosensor technique based on waveguide modes is presented. • A standard color camera detects spectral shifts at each point of the planar waveguide. • The baseline noise of the biosensor in the adsorbate layer thickness is 1.3 pm. • A comparison with the photonic crystal imaging biosensor is made. Abstract A biosensing technique with a two-dimensional spatial resolution based on a planar optical waveguide is presented. The thickness of the waveguide is chosen such that the wavelength of the waveguide mode is located between the maxima of the blue and green pixels of a color camera. A prism based Kretschmann-like configuration is used for waveguide excitation. The prism is placed between crossed polarizers to obtain the waveguide resonance peak. The spectral shift of the resonance peak is determined through the normalized differences in intensities of the blue and green pixels at each point of the color camera. The spatial distribution of resonance wavelength shifts across the camera reflects the spatial distribution of changes in the thickness of the adsorbate over the sample. The sensitivity, dynamic range, and simplicity of practical implementation of this biosensor are compared with those of an imaging biosensor based on photonic crystal surface mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new imaging biosensor technique based on photonic crystal surface modes (PCSMs) is presented. • The spectral shift of the PCSM resonance peak is detected by a standard color camera at each point of the PC chip surface. • The dynamic range of the biosensor in the adsorbate layer thickness is 150 nm and the baseline noise is 3.5 pm. • The first experiments using the device showed that the proposed imaging method can surpass its plasmonic analog (SPRi) with respect to both signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range. Abstract A novel biosensing technique with a two-dimensional (2D) visualization, which is based on photonic crystal surface modes (PC SMs), is presented. The 2D image of the surface with picometer thickness resolution can be obtained when the PC chip under study is placed between crossed polarizers to convert a PC SM resonance dip into a resonance peak. The PC chip is designed so that the PC SM resonance peak is located between the maxima of the blue and green pixels of a color camera. The spectral shift of the resonance peak is determined by balancing of the intensities of the blue and green pixels at each point in the color camera. The spatial distribution of resonance wavelength shifts across the camera reflects the spatial distribution of changes in the thickness of the adsorbate over the sample. The spatial resolution of the resulting 2D image is determined by the propagation length of the PC surface wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis play a pivotal role in cardiovascular risk and disease. Although some pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions have been unveiled, several knowledge gaps still remain. Experimental models, both in vitro and in vivo , have been instrumental to our better understanding of such complex processes. The latter have often been based on rodent species, either wild-type or, in several instances, genetically modified. In this context, the zebrafish may represent an additional very useful in vivo experimental model for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Interestingly, the lipid metabolism of zebrafish shares several features with that present in humans, recapitulating some molecular features and pathophysiological aspects in a better way than that of rodents. The zebrafish model may be of help to address questions related to exposome factors as well as to genetic features, aiming to dissect selected aspects of the more complex scenario observed in humans. Indeed, exposome-related dyslipidemia/atherosclerosis research in zebrafish may target different scientific questions, related to nutrition, microbiota, temperature, light exposure at the larval stage, exposure to chemicals and epigenetic consequences of such external factors. Addressing genetic features related to dyslipidemia/atherosclerosis using the zebrafish model is already a reality and active research is now ongoing in this promising area. Novel technologies (gene and genome editing) may help to identify new candidate genes involved in dyslipidemia and dyslipidemia-related diseases. Based on these considerations, the zebrafish experimental model appears highly suitable for the study of exposome factors, genes and molecules involved in the development of atherosclerosis-related disease as well as for the validation of novel potential treatment options. • Experimental models to study dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis are relevant tools • Rodent species (wild-type/genetically modified) have been used over time • Zebrafish represents another very useful recently-developed experimental model • Lipid metabolism of zebrafish shares several features with that present in humans • Gene/genome editing in zebrafish may help to identify new candidate genes associated to dyslipidemia-related diseases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Gender moderates the effects of immigration-related specific threats (crime, etc.) on the perception of general threat. [•] Native women related the crime threat to a general threat more than did their male counterparts. [•] Among first-generation immigrants, gender moderated the effect of the cultural and out-group size threats. [•] Among second-generation immigrants, men and women differed with respect to the job, cultural and out-group size threats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we analyse the professional role of a group of 28 travel agents in the Russian tourism market. By breaking down the role into basic activities and evaluating the exchanges with personal contacts regarding the performance of each of these activities, we show the centrality of these agents in the tourism supply chain, as well as their mediating role between suppliers and customers. Agents perform tasks in the management of the trip and assistance to the tourist, by participating in contexts of interaction in which processes of interdependence and coordination of activities are generated. The results also serve to illustrate the combination of qualitative analysis and personal network analysis in a context of formal and informal relationships that reveal the exchange that occurs among tourism service provision professionals. • Interdependence and coordination of tasks are key processes of the social context for the performance of organisational roles in tourism. • The professional role of travel agents has a clear orientation towards the creation e of relationships that facilitate the coordination of activities for professional practice. • Travel agents acts as brokers between services and customers, in addition to connecting different professionals for providing assistance and support to tourists. • Personal network analysis allowed us to explore this complex process of coordination of activities and roles in the provision of the service by travel agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multipotent human adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) are promising therapy vehicles with tumor-homing capacity that can be easily modified to deliver cytotoxicity activating systems in the proximity of tumors. In a previous work, we observed that hAMSCs are very effective delivering cytotoxicity to glioma tumors. However, these results were difficult to reconcile with the relatively few hAMSCs surviving implantation. We use a bioluminescence imaging (BLI) platform to analyze the behavior of bioluminescent hAMSCs expressing HSV-tTK in a U87 glioma model and gain insight into the therapeutic mechanisms. Tumor-implanted hAMSCs express the endothelial marker PECAM1(CD31), integrate in tumor vessels and associate with CD133-expressing glioma stem cells (GSC). Inhibition of endothelial lineage differentiation in hAMSCs by Notch1 shRNA had no effect on their tumor homing and growth-promoting capacity but abolished the association of hAMSCs with tumor vessels and CD133+ tumor cells and significantly reduced their tumor-killing capacity. The current strategy allowed the study of tumor/stroma interactions, showed that tumor promotion and tumor-killing capacities of hAMSCs are based on different mechanisms. Our data strongly suggest that the therapeutic effectiveness of hAMSCs results from their association with special tumor vascular structures that also contain GSCs.Molecular Therapy (2013); 21 9, 1758-1766. doi:10.1038/mt.2013.145 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We prove the global existence and uniqueness of a classical solution to initial boundary value problem for a class of Sobolev type equations under the Dirichlet boundary conditions. This class of evolution equations covers the well-known viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation and the viscous Camassa–Holm equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,2′,3,4-Tetrahydroxy-3′,5′-disulphoazobenzene (tetrahydroxyazon 2S) has been synthesized for the first time. This reagent has been used for the spectrophotometric determination of aluminium and indium ions. The method is very sensitive and selective for the direct determination of aluminium and indium. The optimum pH and absorbance of complexes formed of tetrahydroxyazon 2S with aluminium and indium are 5; 500nm and 495nm for Al and In, respectively. The system obeys Beer's law at 0.05–1.6μgmL−1 of aluminium and 0.06–2.1μgmL−1 of indium concentration. The molar absorptivity is 6.42×104 Lmol−1 cm−1 for aluminium and 7.70×104 Lmol−1 cm−1 for indium. The molar compositions of the complexes are 1:1 at optimum conditions. Alkaline and alkaline earth elements, halogens, thiourea, ascorbic acid, Cd(II), Pb(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Bi(III), La(III), Si(IV) do not interfere this method. The method can be applied to the direct spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of aluminium in steel, alloys, waste water, river waters, spring water and ground water. The method was also successfully applied to the indium determination in artificial mixture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Gyrator transform is a new tool for manipulation of two-dimensional signals such as images or laser beam profiles. Here we demonstrate various applications of the gyrator transform for image processing. Several aspects such as noise reduction, filtering and encryption in the gyrator domains are discussed. These operations can be performed by numerical calculations or by an appropriate optical set up. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is shown that a lossless first-order optical system whose real symplectic ray transformation matrix can be diagonalized and has only real eigenvalues, is similar to a separable hyperbolic expander in the sense that the respective ray transformation matrices are related by means of a similarity transformation. Moreover, it is shown how eigenfunctions of such a system can be determined, based on the fact that simple powers are eigenfunctions of a separable magnifier. As an example, a set of eigenfunctions of a hyperbolic expander is determined and the resemblance between these functions and the well-known Hermite–Gauss modes is exploited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Individual ionic channels were shown to be formed in the brain cholesterol containing phospholipid membranes by two-sided addition of the amphotericin B alkyl derivatives. At concentrations between 10−8 and 10−7 M, the resulting conductance appeared to be transient. Existence of different antibiotic assemblies was justified by the kinetic analysis of the membrane conductance decline following the antibiotic washing out. In order to account for the transient characteristics of the induced conductance, it was proposed that the antibiotic oligomers incorporate into the membrane from the aqueous phase, form channels aggregating with cholesterol, and then dissociate in the bilayer into non-active degraded oligomeric or monomeric forms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The bending vibration of the CO–N2 complex has been investigated in the millimeter wave range from 130 to 155 GHz using an intracavity OROTRON jet spectrometer. Six transitions, P(2), P(1), R(0), R(1), R(2), and R(3) from the K=0 ground state to the K=0 bending state of the orthoN2 spin modification were measured and analyzed. Nuclear quadrupole structure due to the presence of two equivalent 14N nuclei was partly resolved and analyzed to give information about the angular anisotropy of the interaction potential. The frequency of the bending vibration was determined to be 139892.459(35) MHz. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constant for the K=0 bending state of CO–orthoN2 was obtained for the first time to be χaa=−0.768(43) MHz. The different value and sign of this constant from the one in the K=0 ground state, (χaa=+0.19641 MHz) suggests that the orientation and motion of the N2 subunit are very different in these two states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acromegaly patients were reported to have an increased arterial stiffness that could contribute to the frequent cardiovascular complications in this population. The chronic excess of GH and IGF-1 may lead to arterial stiffening via different mechanisms, including hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia, however, it is not known whether the activation of GH/IGF-1 axis might influence arterial stiffening independently of cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this prospective case-control study was to compare arterial stiffness assessed with pulse-wave velocity (PWV) in acromegaly versus non-acromegaly group with similar cardiovascular risk profile. This prospective case-control study included 27 patients with active acromegaly, who underwent the assessment of clinical, physiological, biochemical parameters and the evaluation of PWV with applanation tonometry. We used "The epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in different regions of the Russian Federation" study database (n = 522) to establish a non-acromegaly control group with similar cardiovascular risk profile (n = 54). Non-acromegaly control participants underwent the same assessment as acromegaly patients except for the measurement of serum GH and IGF-1 levels. We compared PWV in acromegaly patients to the general non-acromegaly cohort and its subset, matched with acromegaly patients for cardiovascular risk factors. We also investigated the associations of PWV with clinical, physiological and biochemical parameters in acromegaly and non-acromegaly group using correlation and regression analysis with adjustment for age and sex. Acromegaly patients had lower PWV (6.70 (5.75–7.65) m/s) compared to unmatched non-acromegaly control cohort (7.50 (6.70–8.57) m/s, p = 0.01) and to the non-acromegaly control group matched for cardiovascular risk factors (7.45 (6.73–8.60), p < 0.01). In non-acromegaly control group PWV was associated with BMI (ρ = 0.40, p < 0.01; β = 0.09, p < 0.01), obesity (r = 0.46, p < 0.01; β = 1.36, p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (ρ = 0.60, p < 0.01; β = 0.05, p < 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.01; β = 0.07, p < 0.01), triglycerides (ρ = 0.55, p < 0.01; β = 0.58, p = 0.04), glucose (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.01; β = 0.70, p < 0.01) and diabetes (r = 0.40, p < 0.01; β = 1.10, p = 0.03), while in acromegaly group PWV was associated with IGF-1 expressed in mcg/ml (ρ = −0.49, p ≤0.01; β = −0.002, p ≤0.01) and in percentage of the upper limit of the normal (ρ = −0.47, p = 0.01; β = −0.005, p ≤0.01) as well as with diuretics treatment (β = −1.17, p = 0.03). PWV is decreased in acromegaly patients compared to non-acromegaly control participants with similar cardiovascular risk profile. Future studies need to explore the role of GH/IGF-1 axis in the regulation of arterial wall properties and the reliability of PWV as a prognostic marker of cardiovascular complications in acromegaly. • Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is decreased in acromegaly versus non-acromegaly participants. • PWV is negatively associated with insulin-like growth factor-1 in acromegaly patients. • PWV reflects cardiovascular profile in non-acromegaly participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational fishers often oppose the implementation of marine protected areas when they perceive them as a threat to the continuity of their activity or when they understand that their interests are at risk. In this case study we describe the extension of illegal fishing practices in a group of underwater recreational fishers in the area of influence of Cabo Roche, in southern Spain. Since the group was reluctant to participate in the research, the participant observation in situ was complemented by a netnography and the analysis of social network of contacts in online networking sites. To document illegal practices, 429 photographs shared online were analyzed, and the network of friends on Facebook of 61 underwater recreational fishers was drawn. The results showed that illegal practices are widespread in the analyzed group, in which a subculture of black money has emerged that justifies the performance of activities not allowed. It is a highly cohesive group that competes to capture the largest specimens and demonstrate their fishing skills. Recreational fishers perceive that the main beneficiaries of a Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest would be small-scale commercial fishermen. In the conclusions of the study we underline the importance of involving recreational fishermen in the planning processes of marine protected areas, so that their interests are represented and they are committed to compliance with fishing regulations. • Recreational fishers perceive that the main beneficiaries of a Marine Reserve are small-scale commercial fishermen. • The involvement of recreational fishermen in the planning of marine protected areas may promote their fishing regulations. • Unauthorized or irregular catches are frequent among underwater recreational fishers. • A small group of underwater recreational fishers with a more deviant behavior can influence the rest of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure is the standard surgical treatment for cervical dysplasia. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure is advised to be performed under colposcopic guidance to minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes. To date, there is no evidence from randomized trials for this recommendation.Objective: We sought to assess the benefits of performing loop electrosurgical excision procedure under colposcopic guidance in women with cervical dysplasia.Study Design: In a prospective, randomized trial, we compared loop electrosurgical excision procedure with loop electrosurgical excision procedure performed under direct colposcopic vision in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was resected cone mass; the secondary endpoints were margin status, fragmentation of the surgical specimen, procedure time, time to complete hemostasis, blood loss, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. A sample size of 87 per group (n = 174) was planned (with an assumed type I error of 0.05 and drop-out rate of 5%) to achieve 90% power to detect a 25% reduction in cone mass (with an assumed cone mass of 2.5 ± 1.6 g in the control group) using a nonparametric test (Mann-Whitney U).Results: From October 2016 through December 2017, we randomized 182 women: 93 in the loop electrosurgical excision procedure group and 89 in the loop electrosurgical excision procedure-direct colposcopic vision group. Women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure-direct colposcopic vision had significantly smaller cone specimens than those undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure (weight: median 1.86 [interquartile range 1.20-2.72] vs median 2.37 [interquartile range 1.63-3.31] g, respectively, P = .006). Secondary outcome measures did not differ significantly between groups: resection margin status involved vs free margin: 12 (13%) vs 75 (82%) and 11 (12.4%) vs 75 (84.3%); fragmentation no vs yes: 85 (92.4%) vs 7 (7.6%) and 84 (94.4%) vs 5 (5.6%); procedure time: 190 (interquartile range 138-294) and 171 (interquartile range 133-290) seconds; time to complete hemostasis: 61 (interquartile range 31-108) and 51 (interquartile range 30-81) seconds; intraoperative blood loss (Δhemoglobin): 0.4 (interquartile range 0.2-1.0) and 0.5 (interquartile range 0.1-0.9); complication rate: 6 (6.5%) and 2 (2.2%). In a multivariate analysis, study group allocation (P = .021) and parity (P = .028), but not age, body mass index, type of transformation zone, and dysplasia degree independently influenced the amount of resected cone mass.Conclusion: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure with intraoperative colposcopy leads to significantly smaller cone specimens without compromising margin status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]