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Presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in excess of normal physiological level results in oxidative stress. This can lead to a range of pathological conditions including inflammation, diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease. Biomarkers of oxidative stress play an important role in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. A number of fluorescent biomarkers exist. However, a non-invasive and label-free identification technique would be advantageous for in vivo measurements. In this work we establish a spectroscopic method to identify oxidative stress in cells and tissues by fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). We identified an autofluorescent, endogenous species with a characteristic fluorescent lifetime distribution as a probe for oxidative stress. To corroborate our hypothesis that these species are products of lipid oxidation by ROS, we correlate the spectroscopic signals arising from lipid droplets by combining FLIM with THG and CARS microscopy which are established techniques for selective lipid body imaging. Further, we performed spontaneous Raman spectral analysis at single points of the sample which provided molecular vibration information characteristics of lipid droplets.

Coherent Raman scattering (CRS) microscopy is gaining acceptance as a valuable addition to the imaging toolset of biological researchers. Optimal use of this label-free imaging technique benefits from a basic understanding of the physical principles and technical merits of the CRS microscope. This tutorial offers qualitative explanations of the principles behind CRS microscopy and provides information about the applicability of this nonlinear optical imaging approach for biological research.

Diplura are an ancient group of basal (apterygote) hexapods that thrive in various cryptic terrestrial habitats. Despite an ancient origin that extends at least to the Devonian period, the dipluran fossil record is exceedingly sparse. Here, we document five very rare fossil specimens of the family Campodeidae in amber from the Miocene of the Dominican Republic and the Eocene of the Baltic region. Microscopic preservation in amber provides unique detail for taxonomic placement of small, delicate, soil- and leaf litter-dwelling organisms like these. New taxa include the following: in Lepidocampinae, Lepidocampa glaesi sp. nov. (in Dominican amber); and in Campodeinae, Litocampa eobaltica sp. nov. (in Baltic amber) and Rostricampa engeli gen. et sp. nov. (in Dominican amber). Rostricampa has an extraordinary rostrum formed by sclerotized extensions of the clypeus and, probably, the labium, unique among diplurans. These new taxa provide rare additional data on the fossil record of the earliest diverging lineages of the hexapods and shed light on their evolution and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortwave ultraviolet light (UV-C) disinfection is an emerging technology used to enhance food safety by reducing the pathogen load. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) served as a numerical simulation tool to calculate the average radiation intensity within a disinfection chamber. The resulting CFD data was employed to estimate the UV-C inactivation kinetic parameters for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. Experimental procedures involved irradiating bacterial suspensions with UV-C doses ranging from 0 to 6.028 kJ/m2. The inactivation of S. Typhimurium was described using a log-linear equation, while UV-C survival curves for E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were best fitted to Weibull model. Subsequently, the integration of CFD simulations and kinetic parameters enabled the estimation of UV-C doses approaching 6 kJ/m2 for the treatment of fresh-cut 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes inoculated with the mentioned microorganisms. This integrated approach partially predicted the inactivation of pathogens on the surface of mango spears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parc Tramuntana is the first offshore wind project being promoted in the Catalonian waters, and due to this newness, it has generated a strong social debate surrounding expected environmental and socioeconomic impacts traditionally associated to marine wind farms, as there are no relevant references in this area. The objective of this report is to provide a specific analysis of some of the main potential impacts, based on detailed information and quantitative data, in order to place these impacts in a realistic context and determine their actual magnitude. This analysis is fed by diverse and detailed studies carried out over the last two years to assess the environmental impact of the project, in accordance with current regulations. According to environmental impact assessment, which is based on a standardized methodology, the impact of the project is objectively qualified as MODERATE on vectors such as turbidity and sedimentation, underwater noise, hydrodynamic circulation or the alteration of electromagnetic fields, and NOT SIGNIFICANT on aspects such as the proliferation of invasive exotic species. As this is an ongoing assessment process, this report presents initial conclusions that do not yet address all possible impacts. Nevertheless, the authors stress the importance of framing the debate on offshore wind in Catalonia in the context of the urgency of the climate emergency and its inevitable impacts on the natural environment.

Starburst galaxies at redshifts z~2 to 4 are among the most intensely star-forming galaxies in the universe. The way they accrete their gas to form stars at such high rates is still a controversial issue. We have detected the CH+(1-0) line in emission and/or in absorption in all the gravitationally lensed starburst galaxies observed so far with ALMA in this redshift range. The unique spectroscopic and chemical properties of CH+ allow its rotational transition to highlight the sites of dissipation of mechanical energy. Whilst the absorption lines reveal highly turbulent reservoirs of low-density molecular gas extending far out of the galaxies, the broad emission lines with widths up to a few thousands of km/s, arise in myriad molecular shocks powered by the feedback of star formation and possibly active galactic nuclei. The CH+(1-0) lines therefore probe the sites of prodigious energy releases, mainly stored in turbulent reservoirs before being radiated away. These turbulent reservoirs act as extended buffers of mass and energy over timescales of a few tens to hundreds of Myr. Their mass supply involves multi-phasic gas inflows from galaxy mergers and/or cold stream accretion, as supported by Keck/KCWI Lyα observations of one of these starburst galaxies.

Background: We longitudinally assessed Down syndrome individuals at the age of risk of developing dementia to measure changes in brain anatomy and their relationship to cognitive impairment progression. Methods: Forty-two Down syndrome individuals were initially included, of whom 27 (mean age 46.8 years) were evaluable on the basis of completing the 2-year follow-up and success in obtaining good quality MRI exams. Voxel-based morphometry was used to estimate regional brain volumes at baseline and follow-up on 3D anatomical images. Longitudinal volume changes for the group and their relationship with change in general cognitive status and specific cognitive domains were mapped. Results: As a group, significant volume reduction was identified in the substantia innominata region of the basal forebrain, hippocampus, lateral temporal cortex and left arcuate fasciculus. Volume reduction in the substantia innominata and hippocampus was more prominent in individuals whose clinical status changed from cognitively stable to mild cognitive impairment or dementia during the follow-up. Relevantly, longitudinal memory score change was specifically associated with volume change in the hippocampus, prospective memory with prefrontal lobe and verbal comprehension with language-related brain areas. Conclusions: Results are notably concordant with the well-established anatomical changes signaling the progression to dementia in Alzheimer's disease, despite the dense baseline pathology that developmentally accumulates in Down syndrome. This commonality supports the potential value of Down syndrome as a genetic model of Alzheimer's neurodegeneration and may serve to further support the view that Down syndrome patients are best candidates to benefit from treatment research in Alzheimer's disease. Keywords: Brain aging, Alzheimer's, Cognitive aging