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• Sensory difficulties are fundamental issues in the life of autistic individuals. • Shank3b and Cntnap2 KO mice recapitulate tactile sensory dysfunction and used as model. • The trigeminal ganglion (TG) is a key sensory hub in sensory transmission to CNS. • Shank3b and Cntnap2 KO demonstrate alteration at transcript level at the TG. Sensory difficulties represent a crucial issue in the life of autistic individuals. The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders describes both hyper- and hypo-responsiveness to sensory stimulation as a criterion for the diagnosis autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Among the sensory domain affected in ASD, altered responses to tactile stimulation represent the most commonly reported sensory deficits. Although tactile abnormalities have been reported in monogenic cohorts of patients and genetic mouse models of ASD, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Traditionally, autism research has focused on the central nervous system as the target to infer the neurobiological bases of such tactile abnormalities. Nonetheless, the peripheral nervous system represents the initial site of processing of sensory information and a potential site of dysfunction in the sensory cascade. Here we investigated the gene expression deregulation in the trigeminal ganglion (which directly receives tactile information from whiskers) in two genetic models of syndromic autism (Shank3b and Cntnap2 mutant mice) at both adult and juvenile ages. We found several neuronal and non-neuronal markers involved in inhibitory, excitatory, neuroinflammatory and sensory neurotransmission to be differentially regulated within the trigeminal ganglia of both adult and juvenile Shank3b and Cntnap2 mutant mice. These results may help in disentangling the multifaced complexity of sensory abnormalities in autism and open avenues for the development of peripherally targeted treatments for tactile sensory deficits exhibited in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge on the family Dorvilleidae Chamberlin, 1919 is still limited, mainly due to the scarcity of studies and the rarity of many genera and species in samples collected from shallow waters to great depths. This work presents a two folds aim: i) report the first record of Eliberidens from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, with Eliberidens forceps Wolf, 1986 and Eliberidens hartmannschroederae Hilbig, 1995 ; ii) providing a morphological cladistic analysis to test the monophyly of Eliberidens and its relationship with related genera. These new records increase the taxonomic knowledge and distribution of dorvilleids in the Southern Hemisphere through a detailed description of Eliberidens species. The cladistic analysis supports the monophyly of the taxon Eliberidens by two synapomorphies: presence of geniculate chaeta with short distal end in the first parapodia and the absence of maxillary plates of superior row. The genus is a sister group of the clade formed by all dorvilleids included in the present analysis, excluding Gymnodorvillea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.06.023 Byline: Feng-Ju Huang (a), Weon-Kyoo You (a), Paolo Bonaldo (b), Thomas N. Seyfried (c), Elena B. Pasquale (a), William B. Stallcup (a) Keywords: Blood vessel maturation; pericyte/endothelial cell interaction; tumor vascularization; tumor progression; NG2 proteoglycan; NG2 null mouse Abstract: Tightly regulated crosstalk between endothelial cells and pericytes is required for formation and maintenance of functional blood vessels. When the NG2 proteoglycan is absent from pericyte surfaces, vascularization of syngeneic tumors growing in the C57Bl/6 mouse brain is aberrant in several respects, resulting in retardation of tumor progression. In the NG2 null mouse brain, pericyte investment of the tumor vascular endothelium is reduced, causing deficiencies in both pericyte and endothelial cell maturation, as well as reduced basal lamina assembly. While part of this deficit may be due to the previously-identified role of NG2 in [beta]1 integrin-dependent periyte/endothelial cell crosstalk, the ablation of NG2 also appears responsible for loss of collagen VI anchorage, in turn leading to reduced collagen IV deposition. Poor functionality of tumor vessels in NG2 null brain is reflected by reduced vessel patency and increased vessel leakiness, resulting in large increases in tumor hypoxia. These findings demonstrate the importance of NG2-dependent pericyte/endothelial cell interaction in the development and maturation of tumor blood vessels, identifying NG2 as a potential target for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. Author Affiliation: (a) Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Cancer Center, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (b) University of Padova, Department of Histology, Microbiology, and Medical Biotechnologies, Viale Giuseppe Colombo 3, I-35121, Padova, Italy (c) Boston College, Higgins Hall, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA Article History: Received 16 March 2010; Revised 16 June 2010; Accepted 21 June 2010

This paper presents a techno-economic model based on experimental and market data able to evaluate the profitability of vanadium flow batteries, which are emerging as a promising technology for specific stationary energy services. Models like this are very informative on the present and perspective competitivity of industrial flow batteries in operating specific services, but they have not yet been developed to an accurate grade. This model uses technical parameters which are taken from large-area multi-cell stacks, rather than from small single cell experiments, to better characterize the behavior of real industrial reactors, and from real financial market and economic patterns of some major manufacturers. The model yields economic performance indicators as the capital cost, the operative cost, the levelized cost of storage and the net present value. A prudential present-state and a perspective analysis are elaborated to show where the economic indicators are heading, and which parameters affect more the investment profitability, thus tracking a possible roadmap for system optimization. Perspective estimations indicate that technological and market evolutions are heading to much more competitive systems, with capital costs down to 260 € kWh−1 at a energy/power duration of 10 h, to be compared with a break-even point in the net present value of 400 € kWh−1, which suggests that flow batteries may play a major role in some expanding markets, notably the long duration energy storage. [Display omitted] • A techno-economic model for vanadium redox flow battery is presented. • The method uses experimental data from a kW-kWh-class pilot plant. • A market analysis is developed to determine economic parameters. • Capital cost and profitability of different battery sizes are assessed. • The results of prudential and perspective analyses are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several bacterial species associated with the human gut and with fermented foods produce menaquinones (MK-n; vitamin K2) as part of their energy metabolism. Given that MK-n offer multiple health benefits to humans, research into this topic is of increasing interest. To outline the current understanding of bacterial MK-n production and how it relates to the gut microbiota, food fermentation, the production of dietary supplements, and health. In bacteria, MK-n display various functions in addition to their chief role in energy production, including a role in defense mechanisms, the sensing of environmental changes, the reduction of metals, sporulation, and pathogenicity. In humans, they are relevant for health beyond the effects of phylloquinones (vitamin K1), which are primarily related to blood coagulation, as they seem to be more effective extrahepatically, impacting on cardiovascular and bone health and protecting against non-communicable diseases. While the contribution of gut microbiota to the human vitamin K budget remains unclear, more is known about fermented foods. Some fermented foods from either plant (e.g., sauerkraut and natto) or animal origin (e.g., cheese) are valuable sources of MK-n, even compared to non-fermented animal source foods, which only contain limited amounts of one specific form (MK-4). Bacillus subtilis , commonly used in the production of natto, is the most employed microorganism at industrial level for the production of dietary MK-7 supplements, a process which can be optimized by selecting the appropriate fermentation parameters. • In bacteria, MK-n have various functions in addition to their chief role in energy production. • In humans, vitamin K2 exerts various health-related benefits, broader so than K1. • The contribution of gut bacteria to vitamin K2 intake is less clear than for fermented foods. • Based on the bacteria involved, fermented foods provide different vitamin K2 forms. • Bacillus subtilis is used for the industrial production of dietary MK-7 supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenols, synthetic organic compounds used in the production of plastics, are an extremely abundant class of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, i.e., exogenous chemicals or mixtures of chemicals that can interfere with any aspect of hormone action. Exposure to BPs can lead to a wide range of effects, and it is especially dangerous if it occurs during specific critical periods of life. Focusing on the perinatal exposure to BPA or its largely used substitute BPS, we investigated the effects on anxiety-related behaviors and the serotonergic system, which is highly involved in controlling these behaviors, in adult mice. We treated C57BL/6J dams orally with a dose of 4 μg/kg body weight/day (i.e., EFSA TDI) of BPA or BPS dissolved in corn oil or with vehicle alone, at the onset of mating and continued treatment until the offspring were weaned. Adult offspring of both sexes performed the elevated plus maze and the open field tests. Then, we analyzed the serotonergic system in dorsal (DR) and median (MnR) raphe nuclei by immunohistochemical techniques. Behavioral tests highlighted alterations in BPA- and BPS-treated mice, suggesting different effects of the bisphenols exposure on anxiety-related behavior in males (anxiolytic) and females (anxiogenic). The analysis of the serotonergic system highlighted a sex dimorphism in the DR only, with control females showing higher values of serotonin immunoreactivity (5-HT-ir) than control males. BPA-treated males displayed a significant increase of 5-HT-ir in all analyzed nuclei, whereas BPS-treated males showed an increase in ventral DR only. In females, both bisphenols-treated groups showed a significant increase of 5-HT-ir in dorsal DR compared to the controls, and BPA-treated females also showed a significant increase in MnR.These results provide evidence that exposure during the early phases of life to BPA or BPS alters anxiety and the raphe serotonergic neurons in a sex-dependent manner. [Display omitted] • Exposure to low-dose bisphenol A or S during the perinatal period represents a risk to the developing organism. • Anxiety-related behaviors are altered in bisphenol A or S-exposed mice. • Serotonergic system within dorsal and median raphe nuclei is altered in bisphenol A or S exposed mice. • Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A or S affected differentially the two sexes. • New and more stringent regulations on the use of BPA and its analogue BPS are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Here, we clarify the events described on a recent paper by Soares & Lucas in Marine Policy 93 (2018) that resulted in the establishment of large marine protected areas (MPAs) in Brazil. We describe crucial aspects of the planning process that were not addressed by the authors, particularly: (i) top-down changes on the original design that left the most diverse, unique and vulnerable ecosystems poorly protected; (ii) the permission of fishing activities within no-take areas; and (iii) shortfalls in using these MPAs for quantifying progress towards the Aichi Target 11. The spatial configuration of MPAs was modified by the government in a typical top-down scenario that received neither public nor scientific input. We call for a ban on fishing activities around the islands and on mining activities within all MPAs. We emphasize the need for reconciling qualitative aspects of Aichi Target 11 when establishing new MPAs as a strategy for enhancing conservation outcomes. The establishment of these large MPAs should not divert attention from actions needed for the protection of priority sites based on scientific evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aquaculture industry depends upon the development of sustainable protein sources to replace fishmeal (FM) in aquafeeds and the products derived from soybeans are some of the most studied plant feedstuffs. A key area of investigation for continuing to improve modern aquafeeds includes the evaluation of varying proportions and combinations of plant ingredients to identify mixtures that are more efficiently utilized by the fish. This study investigated the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) by replacing a mix of plant ingredients in low FM (20%) diets on growth, blood biochemistry profile and gut histology on European sea bass. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated: four diets containing increasing SBM levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%; 0SBM, 10SBM, 20SBM and 30SBM, respectively) with a low content of FM (20%) and one control diet (0% SBM; 35% FM). Diets containing SBM brought to comparable performance and protein utilization, while 0SBM had negative impact on feed conversion rate and protein utilization. Blood parameters suggested an optimal nutritional status under all feeding treatments, even though slightly decreased values were reported at increasing dietary SBM. Histology examination did not show any changes indicative of soy-induced enteritis. We can conclude that for European sea bass: (i) different blends of plant protein did not affect feed intake despite the 20% FM dietary level; (ii) the inclusion of SBM maintains optimal growth and feed utilization in low FM diets; (iii) blood biochemistry profile showed a good nutritional status under all feeding regimes; (iv) no evidence of soy-induced enteritis was reported in any group fed low FM diets. For formulation of practical diets in on-growing of European sea bass, SBM up to 30% can be successfully incorporated into feeds containing low FM inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The settlement of the genus Cronbergia as novel taxa has been frequently questioned among cyanobacterial taxonomists. Its validity is uncertain mainly because of the high similarity (97.4%) found between the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the type-species Cronbergia siamensis SAG 11.82 and Cylindrospermum stagnale PCC7417, despite their substantial morphological differences. In the present study, one filamentous heterocytous cyanobacterial strain isolated from the Solimões river (Brazilian Amazonia) was studied in detail by means of morphology and molecular phylogeny as well by ITS (internal transcribed spacer) secondary structures. According to the results, this novel strain showed all the morphological features recognized for the Cronbergia genus and its 16S rRNA gene sequence clustered with C . siamensis SAG 11.82, leading to the description of C . amazonensis as a novel species. However, this cluster did not group to the 16S rRNA gene sequence used in the description of the genus Cronbergia . Additionally, this study demonstrated the existence of multiple 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from the type-species, Cronbergia siamensis SAG 11.82, which fall into two distinct phylogenetic lineages. Herein, we suggest considering the C . amazonensis -cluster as the typical Cronbergia lineage. Meanwhile, the sequence originally adopted to describe the genus Cronbergia should be designated as a member of the genus Cylindrospermum . This study also emphasizes that both morphologic and genetic data must be generated with caution in order to avoid more misunderstandings in cyanobacterial systematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]