Continuous membrane potential fluctuations in motor cortex and striatum neurons during voluntary forelimb movements and pauses

Publication date: Available online 4 March 2017
Source:Neuroscience Research
Author(s): Satoshi Nonomura, Yoko Fujiwara-Tsukamoto, Takafumi Kajihara, Fumino Fujiyama, Yoshikazu Isomura
Theoretical simulations suggest that spike rate is regulated by varying both membrane potential and its fluctuation. We investigated whether membrane potential fluctuation functionally changes in motor cortex and striatum neurons during discrete forelimb movements and pauses, or at rest, using whole-cell recording in task-performing rats. Membrane potential fluctuation was diminished by task performance, but maintained overall in the alpha/beta and gamma bands during forelimb movements and pauses. By contrast, membrane potential itself was correlated with spike rate in task-related neurons. Thus, membrane potential, but not its fluctuation, is a critical determinant of execution and pausing of discrete movements.



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Redox-responsive mesoporous selenium delivery of doxorubicin targets MCF-7 cells and synergistically enhances its anti- tumor activity

Publication date: Available online 4 March 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Shuang Zhao, Qianqian Yu, Jiali Pan, Yanhui Zhou, Chengwen Cao, Jian-Ming Ouyang, Jie Liu
To reduce the side effects and enhance the anti-tumor activities of anticancer drugs in the clinic, the use of nano mesoporous materials, with mesoporous silica (MSN) being the best-studied, has become an effective method of drug delivery. In this study, we successfully synthesized mesoporous selenium (MSe) nanoparticles and first introduced them to the field of drug delivery. Loading MSe with doxorubicin (DOX) is mainly driven by the physical adsorption mechanism of the mesopores, and our results demonstrated that MSe could synergistically enhance the antitumor activity of DOX. Coating the surface of MSe@DOX with Human serum albumin (HSA) generated a unique redox-responsive nanoparticle (HSA-MSe@DOX) that demonstrated glutathione-dependent drug release, increased tumor-targeting effects and enhanced cellular uptake throug nanoparticle interact with SPARC in MCF-7 cells. In vitro, HSA-MSe@DOX prominently induced cancer cell toxicity by synergistically enhancing the effects of MSe and DOX. Moreover, HSA-MSe@DOX possessed tumor-targeting abilities in tumor-bearing nude mice and not only decreased the side effects associated with DOX, but also enhanced its antitumor activity. Therefore, HSA-MSe@DOX is a promising new drug that warrants further evaluation in the treatments of tumors.Statement of significanceTo reduce the side effects and enhance the anti-tumor activities of anticancer drugs, we successfully synthesized mesoporous selenium (MSe) nanoparticles and first introduced them to the field of drug delivery. Loading MSe with doxorubicin (DOX) is mainly driven by the physical adsorption mechanism of the mesopores. Coating the surface of MSe@DOX with Human serum albumin (HSA) generated a unique redox-responsive nanoparticle (HSA-MSe@DOX) that demonstrated glutathione-dependent drug release, increased tumor-targeting effects and enhanced cellular uptake throug nanoparticle interact with SPARC in MCF-7 cells. In vitro and in vivo, HSA-MSe@DOX possessed tumor-targeting abilities and not only decreased the side effects associated with DOX, but also enhanced its antitumor activity. Therefore, HSA-MSe@DOX is a promising new drug that warrants further evaluation in the treatments of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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Toothpick inside the Common Bile Duct: A Case Report and Literature Review

The incidence and prevalence of foreign body (FB) ingestion are difficult to estimate. Unlike other foreign bodies, the ingestion of a toothpick is very uncommon and carries high morbidity and mortality rates. We report a case of a 73-year-old female patient presenting mid-term epigastric pain. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a slightly dilated common bile duct (CBD) and magnetic resonance showed an irregular filling failure in distal CBD and gallstones. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography revealed major papilla on the edge of a diverticulum and confirmed the distal filling failure. After sphincterotomy, a partially intact toothpick was extracted from the CBD. Neither fistulas nor perforation signs were found. Literature related to foreign bodies and toothpick ingestion was reviewed and some hypotheses to explain the reported case were created. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a toothpick lodged inside the biliary tract.

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Effect of modified flux on MIG arc brazing-fusion welding of aluminum alloy to steel butt joint

Publication date: July 2017
Source:Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Volume 245
Author(s): Guoliang Qin, Yang Ji, Hong Ma, Zhiyong Ao
Pulsed MIG arc brazing-fusion welding process was applied to realize the butt joining of galvanized steel and 5052 aluminum alloy with no enclosed slot or groove adopted. A modified flux mixture was developed to improve the butt joint performance. After applying the modified flux, weld appearance became better and the spreadability of filler metal was also greatly improved. During brazing-fusion welding process, flux floating on the surface of welding pool weakened the surface tension between filler metal and Fe and reduced the evaporation of Zn, which both led to the greatly enhanced spreadability. The analysis of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at brazed interface showed that Fe3Al was formed at upper side of steel plate, while Fe2Al5 was formed at other areas with the consideration of its lowest Gibbs free energy under certain temperature range. With modified flux, the tensile strength of the joint could reach up to 120MPa, which was about 60% of that of 5052 aluminum alloy base metal. From the fractured surface, two different fracture modes were identified, tear fracture and intergranular fracture, which confirmed that joint fractured in a brittle mode. The crack initiated at the front side of brazed interface due to the thicker IMCs layer, then propagated to the surface before the whole joint failed. The improved spreadability of filler metal on the top and back sides of steel plate due to the application of flux, contributed to the improvement of joint strength.

Graphical abstract

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The impact of time to treatment initiation on survival from head and neck cancer in north-eastern Italy

Fast staging procedures and treatment are crucial for the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). HNSCC have shown rapid tumor growth, with a doubling of tumor volume in approximately 90 days [1], resulting in poor outcomes in patients with delayed treatment initiation [2–4]. In the last decades, however, time to treatment initiation (TTI) has increased in several countries [5–8], as a consequence of rising use of high-definition diagnostic techniques and treatment personalization [4].

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Subcutaneous immunoglobulins for the treatment of a patient with antisynthetase syndrome and secondary chronic immunodeficiency after anti-CD20 treatment: a case report

Antisynthetase syndrome is a rare and debilitating multiorgan disease characterized by inflammatory myopathy, interstitial lung disease, cutaneous involvement, and frequent chronic inflammation of the joints. ...

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Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Cowden Syndrome and Review of Anesthetic Concerns

Cowden syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder demonstrating variable penetrance and an incidence of 1:200 000. The syndrome is characterized by gastrointestinal polyposis, mucocutaneous hamartomas of face and oral papillomatosis. Eighty percent of patients with CS have mutation in phosphatase and tensin homolog tumor-suppressor gene making them prone for developing malignancies of breast, thyroid and genitourinary system. Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in brain, vertebral column and skin are also common features [1].

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