Quantitative and structural changes of blood platelet cytoskeleton proteins in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Epidemiological studies show that cardiovascular events related to platelet hyperactivity remain the leading causes of death among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Quantitative or structural changes of platelet cytoskeleton alter their morphology and function. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time, the structural changes in MS platelets that may be related to their hyperactivity. MS platelets were found to form large aggregates compared to control platelets. In contrast to the control, the images of overactivated, irregularly shaped MS platelets show changes in the cytoskeleton architecture, fragmented microtubule rings. Furthermore, MS platelets have long and numerous pseudopodia rich in actin filaments. We showed that MS platelets and megakaryocytes, overexpress ß1-tubulin and ß-actin mRNAs and proteins and have altered post-translational modification patterns. Moreover, we identified two previously undisclosed mutations in the gene encoding ß1-tubulin in MS. We propose that the demonstrated structural changes of platelet cytoskeleton enhance their ability to adhere, aggregate, and degranulate fueling the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in MS.

The Effect of Pore Size Distribution and l-Lysine Modified Apatite Whiskers (HAP) on Osteoblasts Response in PLLA/HAP Foam Scaffolds Obtained in the Thermally Induced Phase Separation Process.

In this research, we prepared foam scaffolds based on poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and apatite whiskers (HAP) using thermally induced phase separation technique supported by the salt leaching process (TIPS-SL). Using sodium chloride having a size of (a) 150-315 µm, (b) 315-400 µm, and (c) 500-600 µm, three types of foams with different pore sizes have been obtained. Internal structure of the obtained materials has been investigated using SEM as well as µCT. The materials have been studied by means of porosity, density, and compression tests. As the most promising, the composite prepared with salt size of 500-600 µm was prepared also with the l-lysine modified apatite. The osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell response for the scaffolds was also investigated by means of cell viability, proliferation, adhesion/penetration, and biomineralization. Direct contact cytotoxicity assay showed the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds. All types of foam scaffolds containing HAP whiskers, regardless the pore size or l-lysine modification induced significant stimulatory effect on the cal-cium deposits formation in osteoblasts. The PLLA/HAP scaffolds modified with l-lysine stimulated hFOB 1.19 osteoblasts proliferation. Compared to the scaffolds with smaller pores (150-315 µm and 315-400 µm), the PLLA/HAP foams with large pores (500-600 µm) promoted more effective ad-hesion of osteoblasts to the surface of the biomaterial.

Muvi schmallenbergi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Crustacea, Tanaidacea) from the southeast Australian coast, with comments on the distribution and habitat preferences of Chondropodinae.

Based on material collected from the shelf off southeast Australia (offshore of Portland), a new genus and new species, Muvi schmallenbergi gen. nov., sp. nov., of the tanaidacean family Metapseudidae, is described. Muvi is distinguishable from other genera within the subfamily Chondropodinae by having equally long antennular flagella. It also differs from other Chondropodinae by a combination of characters such as eyelobes with a group of visual elements, rostrum with smooth lateral edges, pereonites with lateral processes and pleotelson lacking lateral process, antennule article-1 with a single apophysis, maxillule inner lobe well-developed, labial palp bearing three distal setae, cheliped exopod well-developed and setose, pereopod-1 coxa with distinct apophysis, pleopods in five pairs, and uropod basis without apophysis. The genus Deidamiapseudes Sganga & Roccatagliata, 2016 is moved from Chondropodinae (Metapseudidae) to Apseudoidea incertae sedis. An identification key for the genera within Chondropodinae is given, and their distribution is discussed.

Quantum generators of random numbers.

Generation of random numbers is a central problem for many applications in the field of information processing, including, e.g., cryptography, in classical and quantum regime, but also mathematical modeling, Monte Carlo methods, gambling and many others. Both, the quality of the randomness and efficiency of the random numbers generation process are crucial for the most of these applications. Software produced pseudorandom bit sequences, though sufficiently quick, do not fulfill required randomness quality demands. Hence, the physical hardware methods are intensively developed to generate truly random number sequences for information processing and electronic security application. In the present paper we discuss the idea of the quantum random number generators. We also present a variety of tests utilized to assess the quality of randomness of generated bit sequences. In the experimental part we apply such tests to assess and compare two quantum random number generators, PQ4000KSI (of company ComScire US) and JUR01 (constructed in Wroclaw University of Science and Technology upon the project of The National Center for Research and Development) as well as a pseudorandom generator from the Mathematica Wolfram package. Finally, we present our new prototype of fully operative miniaturized quantum random generator JUR02 producing a random bit sequence with velocity of 1 Mb/s, which successfully passed standard tests of randomness quality (like NIST and Dieharder tests). We also shortly discuss our former concept of an entanglement-based quantum random number generator protocol with unconditionally secure public randomness verification.

Integrative systematics and ecology of a new deep-sea family of tanaidacean crustaceans.

A new family of paratanaoidean Tanaidacea - Paranarthrurellidae fam. nov. - is erected to accommodate two genera without family classification (Paratanaoidea incertae sedis), namely Armatognathia Kudinova-Pasternak, 1987 and Paranarthrurella Lang, 1971. Seven new species of Paranarthrurella and two of Armatognathia are described from material taken in different deep-sea areas of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The type species of Paranarthrurella - P. caudata (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1965) - is redescribed based on the paratype. The genus Cheliasetosatanais Larsen and Araújo-Silva, 2014 originally classified within Colletteidae is synonymised with Paranarthrurella, and Arthrura shiinoi Kudinova-Pasternak, 1973 is transferred to Armatognathia. Amended diagnoses of Armatognathia and Paranarthrurella genera are given. Choosing characters for distinguishing and defining both genera was supported by Principal Component Analysis. Designation of the new family is supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis of COI and 18S datasets. The distribution of all species currently included in the new family was visualised and their bathymetric distribution analysed.

[Monoamnotic twin pregnancy. Multicenter study]. / Ciaza blizniacza jednoowodniowa. Badanie wieloosrodkowe.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate of perinatal mortality and morbidity of monoamniotic twins. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter retrospective analysis of 26 monoamniotic twin gestations identified between 1985 and 2004 in a 3 perinatal departments. Of these 26 pregnancies, 11 women were admitted electively for inpatient fetal monitoring. Overall mortality rates, the risk of intrauterine fetal death and neonatal mortality and morbidity, pregnancy complications and fetal anomalies were calculated. RESULTS: Monoamniotic twin pregnancies were diagnosed reliably prenatally by ultrasound in 22 women and at delivery in 4 cases. Of the 26 gestations, spontaneous fetal losses before 22 weeks of gestation were 4 cases. The overall loss rate and the perinatal mortality rate were 52% and 19.4%, respectively. Twenty-two women had both twins alive at 24 weeks of gestation; 11 women were admitted electively for inpatient fetal monitoring at 26-27 week of gestation. In this group there were 2 neonatal deaths. No intrauterine fetal death occurred in any hospitalized patient. In our series there were 100% incidence of prematurity, 38,5% of umbilical cord entaglement, 23% of TTTS, 3.6% of TRAP and 9.6% fetal congenital anomalies. CONCLUSION: Monoamniotic twins are at extremly risk of pregnancy complications and fetal loss. These pregnancies can be diagnosed reliably by ultrasound in most cases. Electively admitted women for inpatient fetal monitoring could be improved neonatal survival and decreased perinatal morbidity.

Taxonomic etymology - in search of inspiration.

We present a review of the etymology of zoological taxonomic names with emphasis on the most unusual examples. The names were divided into several categories, starting from the most common - given after morphological features - through inspiration from mythology, legends, and classic literature but also from fictional and nonfictional pop-culture characters (e.g., music, movies or cartoons), science, and politics. A separate category includes zoological names created using word-play and figures of speech such as tautonyms, acronyms, anagrams, and palindromes. Our intention was to give an overview of possibilities of how and where taxonomists can find the inspirations that will be consistent with the ICZN rules and generate more detail afterthought about the naming process itself, the meaningful character of naming, as well as the recognition and understanding of names.

First record of Tanaidacea (Crustacea) from a deep-sea coral reef in the Gulf of Guinea.

Four undescribed species of Tanaidacea were discovered during a baseline monitoring program conducted off the coast of Ghana. The specimens came from a deep-water reef largely composed of the ahermatypic coral, Lophelia pertusa. The tanaidacean material was collected during November 2012 onboard the RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen using a van Veen grab in depths of between 375 and 386 m. Three of the new species described herein are tanaidomorphans belonging to the genera Bathyleptochelia (Leptocheliidae), Pseudotanais (Pseudotanaidae) and Cryptocopoides (Cryptocopidae). The fourth species, an apseudomorphan, belongs to Calozodion (Metapseudidae), a genus hitherto known only from shallow waters (<200 m). This report constitutes the first records of tanaidaceans from a deep-sea Lophelia reef.

A new genus and new species of Agathotanaidae (Crustacea, Tanaidacea) from West Australia.

A new genus of Tanaidacea - Bunburia,collected from the region of Ningaloo in the vicinity of Bunbury (Western Australia), is erected to accommodate the new species - Bunburia primasp. n. This genus is classified in the family Agathotanaidae and it can be distinguished from the other members of the family by having a combination of antennulae covered with minute setae, reduced uropods and unusual setation of the propodus of pereopods 4 to 6. Bunburia prima is the second species of Agathotanaidae known so far from Australia.