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Brain mural cells regulate development and function of the blood-brain barrier and control blood flow. Existing in vitro models of human brain mural cells have low expression of key mural cell genes, including NOTCH3. Thus, we asked whether activation of Notch3 signaling in hPSC-derived neural crest could direct the differentiation of brain mural cells with an improved transcriptional profile. Overexpression of the Notch3 intracellular domain (N3ICD) induced expression of mural cell markers PDGFRβ, TBX2, FOXS1, KCNJ8, SLC6A12, and endogenous Notch3. The resulting N3ICD-derived brain mural cells produced extracellular matrix, self-assembled with endothelial cells, and had functional KATP channels. ChIP-seq revealed that Notch3 serves as a direct input to relatively few genes in the context of this differentiation process. Our work demonstrates that activation of Notch3 signaling is sufficient to direct the differentiation of neural crest to mural cells and establishes a developmentally relevant differentiation protocol.

Suggests strategies for addressing cases of student conscientious objections to the use of animals or animal parts in science teaching. Advises departments to have a written policy and philosophical statement, to use an Animal Care and Use Committee and to explore student motives. (PR)

This study used narrative inquiry to investigate the experiences of Australian public librarians with professional learning and development. Twelve librarians currently working in public libraries in Australia were interviewed. The interviews revealed stories that depicted the real experiences of professional learning for the librarians. These stories are represented in this paper via two components: five critical insights; and three personas. The five critical insights include: (i) there is not enough professional learning experiences (PLE) or learning culture in their library; (ii) PLE must be sought out personally and a major portion of PLE has to happen on their own time; (iii) PLE is primarily found online, and that utilizing social media is a crucial way to find PLE opportunities; and (iv) PLE opportunities are wanted. The three personas were articulated to best typify the different experiences of the Australian public librarians: the Strategic Learner, the Curious Ad Hoc Learner, and the Skeptical Learner. The study's findings have implications for how public libraries in Australia can support and enable a culture of professional learning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) undergoes conformational alterations in the presence of the lysine analog of 6-amino hexanoic acid (6-AHA). Binding of 6-AHA reduces the sedimentation coefficient and increases the frictional coefficient. Binding analysis shows that 1.4 to 4 molecules of 6-AHA bind to one particle of Lp(a) and the conformational change occurs at 100 to 200 mM concentrations of 6-AHA. Interactions between the high molecular glycoprotein apo(a) in Lp(a) and its disulfide link with apo(B) are responsible for the compact packing of Lp(a). The interaction of Lp(a) with apo(a) is discussed.

Physiochemical analysis of the molar ratio of apo(a) to apoB in lipoprotein(a) (Lpa) determined from the molecular weight of four different apo(a) polymorphs shows the presence of a complex of two apo(a) molecules and one apoB molecule in the protein system of all four Lpa particles. The molar ratio of apo(a) to apoB is computed using three procedures, estimation of the molecular weight of the Lpa units, mass of apo(a) lost from Lpa during reduction and carboxymethylation and the mass of the lipid-free apoB-apo(a) complex of the Lpa particle.