A reversible water-based electrostatic adhesive.

Commercial adhesives typically fall into two categories: structural or pressure sensitive. Structural glues rely on covalent bonds formed during curing and provide high tensile strength whilst pressure-sensitive adhesives use physical bonding to provide weaker adhesion, but with considerable convenience for the user. Here, a new class of adhesive is presented that is also reversible, with a bond strength intermediate between those of pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives. Complementary water-based formulations incorporating oppositely charged polyelectrolytes form electrostatic bonds that may be reversed through immersion in a low or high pH aqueous environment. This electrostatic adhesive has the advantageous property that it exhibits good adhesion to low-energy surfaces such as polypropylene. Furthermore, it is produced by the emulsion copolymerization of commodity materials, styrene and butyl acrylate, which makes it inexpensive and opens the possibility of industrial production. Bio-based materials have been also integrated into the formulations to further increase sustainability. Moreover, unlike other water-based glues, adhesion does not significantly degrade in humid environments. Because such electrostatic adhesives do not require mechanical detachment, they are appropriate for the large-scale recycling of, e.g., bottle labels or food packaging. The adhesive is also suitable for dismantling components in areas as varied as automotive parts and electronics.

BigBrain 3D atlas of cortical layers: Cortical and laminar thickness gradients diverge in sensory and motor cortices.

Histological atlases of the cerebral cortex, such as those made famous by Brodmann and von Economo, are invaluable for understanding human brain microstructure and its relationship with functional organization in the brain. However, these existing atlases are limited to small numbers of manually annotated samples from a single cerebral hemisphere, measured from 2D histological sections. We present the first whole-brain quantitative 3D laminar atlas of the human cerebral cortex. It was derived from a 3D histological atlas of the human brain at 20-micrometer isotropic resolution (BigBrain), using a convolutional neural network to segment, automatically, the cortical layers in both hemispheres. Our approach overcomes many of the historical challenges with measurement of histological thickness in 2D, and the resultant laminar atlas provides an unprecedented level of precision and detail. We utilized this BigBrain cortical atlas to test whether previously reported thickness gradients, as measured by MRI in sensory and motor processing cortices, were present in a histological atlas of cortical thickness and which cortical layers were contributing to these gradients. Cortical thickness increased across sensory processing hierarchies, primarily driven by layers III, V, and VI. In contrast, motor-frontal cortices showed the opposite pattern, with decreases in total and pyramidal layer thickness from motor to frontal association cortices. These findings illustrate how this laminar atlas will provide a link between single-neuron morphology, mesoscale cortical layering, macroscopic cortical thickness, and, ultimately, functional neuroanatomy.

Biased Clonal Evolution in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia through Imbalances Affecting the der(17) but Not the der(15) Chromosome: Report of Two Cases.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the chromosomal translocation t(15;17)(q24;q21), raising two hybrid genes: PML::RARA and RARA::PML. There is a biased clonal evolution in APL since imbalances affecting the der(15) chromosome (the one that carries the transforming PML::RARA gene) have never been reported; instead, imbalances of the der(17), mainly in form of an ider(17)(q10), have been repeatedly documented. We here present two cases with APL who acquired an ider(17)(q10) as a secondary chromosomal change. The presence of the ider(17)(q10) implies several genomic consequences with potential to fuel tumor progression: (1) a duplication of the hybrid gene RARA::PML; (2) a cumulative haploinsufficiency for tumor suppressor genes located in the 17p arm; and (3) a cumulative triplosensitivity of genes located in 17q10→RARA::PML→15qter. Both our patients were treated following the PETHEMA LPA 2012 protocol with ATRA plus idarubicin and they have had a long event-free survival.

Adhesive Interfaces toward a Zero-Waste Industry.

This Feature Article evaluates ongoing efforts to adapt adhesives toward the goal of zero-waste living and suggests the most promising future directions. Adhesives are not always considered in zero-waste manufacturing because they represent only a small fraction of a product and offer no additional functionality. However, their presence restricts the reintegration of constituent parts into a circular economy, so a new generation of adhesives is required. Furthermore, their production often leads to harmful pollutants. Here, two main approaches toward addressing these problems are considered: first, the use of natural materials that replace petroleum-based polymers from which conventional adhesives are made and second, the production of dismantlable adhesives capable of debonding on demand with the application of an external stimulus. These approaches, either individually or combined, offer a new paradigm in zero-waste industrial production and consumer applications.

Clinical, trichoscopy, and light microscopic findings in hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: Report of 21 patients and a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a genetic condition typified by alterations in skin structures including sweat glands, hair, nails, and teeth. Hair findings in HED have been poorly characterized in larger series. OBJECTIVE: To characterize scalp and hair findings of patients with HED clinically and with trichoscopy and light microscopy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 21 pediatric HED patients was performed using available clinical and scalp dermatoscopic images, as well as pulled-hair samples for clinical evaluation, trichoscopic, and light microscopic analyses. RESULTS: Seventeen out of 21 patients (81%) were men. Twenty patients had straight hair. Sixteen patients had decreased hair density, 6 of whom had hair loss mainly in the temporal and occipital regions. Fourteen patients had hair whorls. On trichoscopy, we observed: single-hair follicular units (n = 19, 90%), scalp hyperpigmentation (n = 13, 62%), variable diameter of the hair shafts (n = 12, 57%), perifollicular scales (n = 8, 38%), scalp erythema (n = 8, 38%), and short curly pigtail hairs (n = 6, 29%). On light microscopy, findings included: hair shafts with irregular diameter (n = 7, 33%), heterogeneous hair color (n = 6, 29%), trichoptilosis (n = 2, 10%), and pili torti (n = 1, 5%). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, hair findings in HED were similar to those described in previous studies. However, we describe two new clinical and two trichoscopic findings: decreased hair density mainly in the temporal and occipital regions, oblique upwards occipital hair follicles orientation, angled hairs, and short curly pigtail hairs. These heterogeneous findings may reflect the multiple factors and signaling pathways that can be affected in these syndromes.

Diagnosis and management of linear scleroderma in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Linear scleroderma is the most common subtype of localized scleroderma (LoS) in children. It can be associated with extracutaneous manifestations and long-term sequelae. Thus, appropriate diagnosis and management are key to improve the prognosis. In this review, we summarize the most relevant recent publications for the diagnosis, evaluation of disease activity and adequate management of patients with linear scleroderma. RECENT FINDINGS: There are specific clinical features that indicate activity in LoS; dermoscopy and Wood's lamp may be useful. Summarizing, scoring methods seem to provide the most adequate assessment of LoS; but several biomarkers that correlate with activity have been studied: E-selectin and IL-2 receptor, CD34+ dermal dendritic cells and Th/Th1 immunophenotype with decreased T helper (Th2), T regulatory (Tregs), B and natural killer (NK) cells. Recent studies propose hydroxychloroquine monotherapy and tocilizumab as potential therapeutic options. SUMMARY: Clinical evaluation, both physical exam and history, is the most important aspect in diagnosing and assessing activity of linear scleroderma. Clinical scoring methods may be most useful for evaluation of activity; eventually, other biomarkers could be relevant in clinical practice. For most patients with linear scleroderma, the first choice of treatment is methotrexate, but physical therapy, plastic surgery and/or orthopedic management are key to improve residual limitations and quality of life. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/MOP/A35.

Successful evolution of morphea after hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antiviral agent treatment.

Hepatitis C virus infection has been associated with many dermatologic conditions such as lichen planus, porphyria cutanea tarda, and cryoglobulinemia. Recently, an association of HCV with systemic sclerosis has been reported. However, there are few reports of the association of localized scleroderma or morphea with Hepatitis C Virus infection. We describe the case of a 36 years old female patient suffering from prolonged morphea with difficult management, who was recently diagnosed of Hepatitis C Virus and received direct-acting antiviral agents treatment with Hepatitis C Virus clearance. Skin lesion faded away in a short period after successful therapy.

From Classical to Unusual: Report on 5 Cases of Transient Reactive Aquagenic Pseudokeratoderma and Review of the Literature.

Transient reactive aquagenic pseudokeratoderma is characterized by transient whitish and translucent papules after water exposure in palms and soles. We report 5 additional cases and their histopathologic features. Patient 5 showed a topography that had not been reported before; this demonstrates that it is not an exclusive condition of palms and soles. Patient 2 presents very subtle clinical findings, making difficult the diagnosis. And the other 3 patients have a typical presentation. Transient reactive aquagenic pseudokeratoderma has heterogeneous clinical features; in some cases, histopathologic findings, although subtle, help to confirm the diagnosis.

[Leukemia cutis: clinical features of 27 mexican patients and a review of the literature]. / Leucemia cutis (LC): características clínicas de 27 pacientes mexicanos y una breve revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Leukemia Cutis (LC) consists in neoplastic leukocytic infiltration of the skin and is strongly associated with the presence of extramedullary disease and poor prognosis. However, there are few studies in the literature regarding this entity. We perform a retrospective study of 27 mexican patients in order to analyze the clinical features and prognosis of LC in Mexico, and a brief review of the literature. METHODS: Cases diagnosed as LC by skin biopsy were selected from the database of the Department of Dermatology of National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán. Cases were searched between the dates of January 1993 and December 2013. RESULTS: Twenty-seven cases which were histologically confirmed with cutaneous leukemic infiltrate were included. Of these patients 60% were male and the mean age at diagnosis was 42 yr (19 to 80 yr). The predominant tipe of LC was acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with 48% of the cases. Nodular neoformations were the main clinical manifestation with 63% of the cases. The mean interval between the diagnosis of LC and death was 10 months (CI 95%). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LC is a marker of poor prognosis and can precede the relapse of systemic leukemia. Cutaneous infiltration may be the first or the only sign of progression, so doctors should be familiar with the clinical manifestations of this disease.

Resolving phytosterols in microalgae using offline two-dimensional reversed phase liquid chromatography-supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Sterols are unsaponifiable lipids resulting from plant metabolism that exhibit interesting bioactive properties. Microalgae are a major source of specific phytosterols, most of which are still not fully characterized. The similarity in sterol structures and the existence of positional isomers make the separation of phytosterols challenging. A method was developed based on an offline two-dimensional (2D) system, reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)/quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-ToF) mass spectrometry, for the identification of sterols in microalgae. Subsequent positive-mode MS/MS was used to confirm the identified phytosterols. The 2D chromatogram exhibited a pattern related to the positions of the double bonds, which were confirmed by standard injection, enabling structural elucidation. The analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction of two algae, namely Scenedesmus obliquus, a freshwater microalgae, and Padina pavonica, a marine macroalgae, highlighted the ability of the method to distinguish a large number of sterol isomers.

Aqueous phase recycling: impact on microalgal lipid accumulation and biomass quality.

The potential success of microalgal biofuels greatly depends on the sustainability of the chosen pathway to produce them. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising route to convert wet algal biomass into biocrude. Recycling the resulting HTL aqueous phase (AP) aims not only to recover nutrients from this effluent but also to use it as a substrate to close the photosynthetic loop and produce algal biomass again and process this biomass again into new biocrude. With that purpose, the response to AP recycling of five Chlorellaceae strains was monitored over five cultivation cycles. After four successive cycles of dynamic growth under nutrient-replete conditions, the microalgae were cultivated for a prolonged fifth cycle of 18 days in order to assess the impact of the AP on lipid and biomass accumulation under nutrient-limited conditions. Using AP as a substrate reduced the demand for external sources of N, S, and P while producing a significant amount of biomass (2.95-4.27 g/L) among the strains, with a lipid content ranging from 16 to 36%. However, the presence of the AP resulted in biomass with suboptimal properties, as it slowed down the accumulation of lipids and thus reduced the overall energy content of the biomass in all strains. Although Chlorella vulgaris NIES 227 did not have the best growth on AP, it did maintain the best lipid productivity of all the tested strains. Understanding the impact of AP on microalgal cultivation is essential for further optimizing biofuel production via the HTL process.

Chlamydia trachomatis Tarp harbors distinct G and F actin binding domains that bundle actin filaments.

All species of Chlamydia undergo a unique developmental cycle that transitions between extracellular and intracellular environments and requires the capacity to invade new cells for dissemination. A chlamydial protein called Tarp has been shown to nucleate actin in vitro and is implicated in bacterial entry into human cells. Colocalization studies of ectopically expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-Tarp indicate that actin filament recruitment is restricted to the C-terminal half of the effector protein. Actin filaments are presumably associated with Tarp via an actin binding alpha helix that is also required for actin nucleation in vitro, but this has not been investigated. Tarp orthologs from C. pneumoniae, C. muridarum, and C. caviae harbor between 1 and 4 actin binding domains located in the C-terminal half of the protein, but C. trachomatis serovar L2 has only one characterized domain. In this work, we examined the effects of domain-specific mutations on actin filament colocalization with EGFP-Tarp. We now demonstrate that actin filament colocalization with Tarp is dependent on two novel F-actin binding domains that endow the Tarp effector with actin-bundling activity. Furthermore, Tarp-mediated actin bundling did not require actin nucleation, as the ability to bundle actin filaments was observed in mutant Tarp proteins deficient in actin nucleation. These data shed molecular insight on the complex cytoskeletal rearrangements required for C. trachomatis entry into host cells.

Vestibular papillomatosis as a normal vulvar anatomical condition.

At the beginning of the nineteen-eighties, vulvar vestibular papillomatosis (VVP) was thought to be a human papilloma virus (HPV) disease. Based upon these findings many clinicians have been treating this condition with laser ablation or by topical application of podophyllin or trichloroacetic acid. Currently, most authors believe that VVP should be considered an anatomical variant of the vestibular mucosa and not HPV related. We present a case of VVP in which there was no histological or molecular evidence of HPV; unnecessary treatment should be avoided.

[MMP-3 and MMP-8 levels in patients with chronic periodontitis before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy]. / Niveles de MMP-3 y MMP-8 en pacientes con periodontitis crónica antes y después del tratamiento periodontal no quirúrgico.

Immune-inflammatory processes are trigged in chronic periodontitis (CP), where matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are released and involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix components that can be detected in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The purpose of the study was to determine the levels of MMP-3 and MMP-8 in GCF, before and after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT), to evaluate disease activity and therapy response. Eleven patients with PC and eleven healthy controls were selected. Clinical measurements to evaluate gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were made in all the teeth of each individual and in six sites per tooth. GCF samples were taken from one tooth per quadrant, with a pocket depth > or =4 mm and a clinical attachment loss > or =5 mm, and the levels of MMP-3 and MMP-8 measured using an ELISA test. Statistically significant differences in clinical parameters were observed (p < 0.05) between patients with CP and control groups before the periodontal treatment, with significant decrease in all indexes after the NSPT. The initial concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-8 were significantly higher than those obtained after the NSPT and in the control group, without observing a correlation between the clinical parameters and the levels of MMPs. Increased levels of MMP-3 and MMP-8 in the GCF of patients with PC declined significantly after NSPT, and the difference between the levels in healthy individuals and patients, suggests the important participation of these MMPs in tissue destruction in PC disease..

Advances in Nonviral mRNA Delivery Materials and Their Application as Vaccines for Melanoma Therapy.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are promising platforms for cancer immunotherapy because of their potential to encode for a variety of tumor antigens, high tolerability, and capacity to induce strong antitumor immune responses. However, the clinical translation of mRNA cancer vaccines can be hindered by the inefficient delivery of mRNA in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of mRNA cancer vaccines by discussing their utility in treating melanoma. Specifically, we begin our review by describing the barriers that can impede mRNA delivery to target cells. We then review native mRNA structure and discuss various modification methods shown to enhance mRNA stability and transfection. Next, we outline the advantages and challenges of three nonviral carrier platforms (lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and lipopolyplexes) frequently used for mRNA delivery. Last, we summarize preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated nonviral mRNA vaccines for the treatment of melanoma. In writing this review, we aim to highlight innovative nonviral strategies designed to address mRNA delivery challenges while emphasizing the exciting potential of mRNA vaccines as next-generation therapies for the treatment of cancers.

Unveiling invasive insect threats to plant biodiversity: Leveraging eDNA metabarcoding and saturated salt trap solutions for biosurveillance.

The negative global impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on biodiversity are second only to habitat loss. eDNA metabarcoding allows for a faster and more comprehensive evaluation of community species composition, with a higher taxonomic resolution and less taxonomic expertise required than traditional morphological-based biosurveillance. These advantages have positioned eDNA metabarcoding as the standard method for molecular-based detection of invasive alien species, where fast and accurate detectability allows prompt responses to mitigate their adverse effects. Here, eDNA metabarcoding is used for biosurveillance of invasive alien species regulated by Canada in high-risk areas with four main objectives: i) validate the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding of salt trap solutions as a molecular technique for IAS detection, ii) compare detection from DNA extracts obtained from filter quarters versus whole filters, iii) benchmark two different bioinformatic pipelines (MetaWorks and mBRAVE), and iv) compare canopy and ground level trapping. eDNA from up to five IAS (Agrilus planipennis, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Lymantria dispar, Popillia japonica, and Trichoferus campestris) were successfully detected across years from 2017 to 2022 in southern Ontario, Canada, with successful morphological validation for all except Lymantria dispar and Trichoferus campestris. Analysis of filter quarters in contrast to whole filters was demonstrated to be insufficient for effective IAS detection in each sample. All IAS were detected in only one filter quarter, suggesting a patchy eDNA distribution on the filter. The MetaWorks and mBRAVE bioinformatics pipelines proved effective in identifying IAS, with MetaWorks yielding a higher success rate when comparing molecular and morphological identifications. Ground-level and canopy-level sampling showed differential IAS recovery rates based on the molecular detection, which also varied per collection year, with all found IAS detected at the canopy level in 2022 while only one (Lymantria dispar) in 2020. The present study ratifies the efficacy and importance of eDNA-based detection in a regulatory context and the utility of adding eDNA metabarcoding of saturated salt trap solutions, a critical tool for IAS detection.

A novel approach for direct detection of the IGH::CRLF2 gene fusion by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

BACKGROUND: High expression of the Cytokine Receptor-Like Factor 2 (CRLF2) gene has been observed in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia BCR-ABL1-like subtype. Currently, there is no commercial system available for the direct detection of the IGH::CRLF2 fusion by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), as there are for many other leukemia-related gene fusions. In an effort to verify the IGH::CRLF2 fusion, some researchers prepare home-grown FISH probes from bacterial artificial chromosome clones flanking the IGH and CRLF2 genes, which is the best alternative to confirm the fusion, however difficult to reproduce in most cytogenetic laboratories. RESULTS: For the direct observation of the IGH::CRLF2 gene fusion we designed a methodological approach requiring the two commercially available IGH and CRLF2 break-apart probes. CONCLUSIONS: Our methodological approach allows direct visualization of the IGH::CRLF2 gene fusion and has the potential to be used for identification of other gene fusions.

Microalgae adaptation as a strategy to recycle the aqueous phase from hydrothermal liquefaction.

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) produces bio-crude oil from wet algae along with an aqueous phase (AP). This effluent contains minerals that can be reused for cultivating new microalgae but whose utility remains limited due to the presence of inhibitors. Reduced photosynthetic performance, growth, and null lipid accumulation were observed in wild-type Chlorella vulgaris NIES 227 cultivated in AP (1/200). Adaptive laboratory evolution was studied by batch transfers and turbidostat mode. Both methods effectively counterbalanced AP toxicity and restored the fitness of the microalgae. After adaptation, a higher AP addition was achieved, from 1/600 to 1/200, without inhibition. As compared with the wild typein control medium (0.261 g/L/d), both adapted-strains maintained competitive productivity (0.310 and 0.258 g/L/d) of lipid-rich biomass (37 %-56 %). The improved tolerance of the adapted strains persisted after the removal of AP and under axenic conditions. Adaptive laboratory evolution is suggested for AP reutilization in the algae production process.