Sexual and size dimorphism in two deep-water hermit crabs (Decapoda: Parapaguridae) from the Western Atlantic Ocean

Abstract The Parapaguridae comprises hermit crabs that inhabit deep-water environments. In these environments, shell availability can be limited, mostly consisting of small and fragile-shelled gastropods. Thus, different strategies have evolved to mitigate this limited shell supply. Sympagurus dimorphus (Studer, 1883) lives in association with a zoanthid cnidarian that creates a pseudo-shell that grows with the hermit crab. In contrast, Oncopagurus gracilis (Henderson, 1888) inhabits small, calcified gastropod shells. Therefore, we selected these two species as models to test sexual dimorphism and shape patterns of their chelipeds and cephalothoracic shield, due to their different shelter acquisition methods. We photographed the animals and digitized the images to employ comparative geometric morphometric techniques. We tested the differences in shape between the sexes within each species, and also tested sexual size dimorphism based on centroid size. For O. gracilis, we found shape differences for the chelipeds and cephalothoracic shield, however, we only observed sexual size dimorphism for the chelipeds. For S. dimorphus, an inverse pattern was found, in which females presented more robust chelipeds, and sexual size dimorphism was present in which males were larger. These differences can be reasonably explained by their shelter acquisition methods, in which O. gracilis depends on small shells that limit growth, while S. dimorphus grows with its cnidarian pseudo-shell. The robustness found in the shape patterns may also be related to their behaviors, e.g., in addition to competition for shells, they also fight during mating. However, we emphasize that future studies with other populations of these species are needed for comparative purposes

Conditions for efficient charge generation preceded by energy transfer process in non-fullerene organic solar cells

The minimum driving force strategy is applied to promote the exciton dissociation in organic solar cells (OSCs) without significant loss of open-circuit voltage. However, this strategy tends to promote F\"orster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the donor to the acceptor (D-A), a consequence generally ignored until recently. In spite of the advances reported on this topic, the correlation between charge-transfer (CT) state binding energy and driving force remains unclear, especially in the presence of D-A FRET. To address this question, we employ a kinetic approach to model the charge separation in ten different D/A blends using non-fullerene acceptors. The model considers the influence of FRET on photoluminescence (PL) quenching efficiency. It successfully predicts the measured PL quenching efficiency for D or A photoexcitation in those blends, including the ones for which the D-A FRET process is relevant. Furthermore, the application of the model allows to quantifying the fractions of quenching loss associated with charge transfer and energy transfer. Fundamental relationships that controls the exciton dissociation was derived evidencing the key roles played by the Marcus inverted regime, exciton lifetime and mainly by the correlation between the driving force and binding energy of CT state. Based on those findings, we propose some strategies to maximize the quenching efficiency and minimize energy loss of OSCs in the presence of D-A FRET.Comment: 44 pages, 10 figures, 3 table

Effect of Angiogenesis-Related Cytokines on Rotator Cuff Disease: The Search for Sensitive Biomarkers of Early Tendon Degeneration

Background Hallmarks of the pathogenesis of rotator cuff disease (RCD) include an abnormal immune response, angiogenesis, and altered variables of vascularity. Degenerative changes enhance production of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and vascular angiogenesis-related cytokines (ARC) that play a pivotal role in the immune response to arthroscopic surgery and participate in the pathogenesis of RCD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ARC profile, ie, interleukin (IL): IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and angiogenin (ANG), in human peripheral blood serum and correlate this with early degenerative changes in patients with RCD. Methods Blood specimens were obtained from 200 patients with RCD and 200 patients seen in the orthopedic clinic for nonrotator cuff disorders. Angiogenesis imaging assays was performed using power Doppler ultrasound to evaluate variables of vascularity in the rotator cuff tendons. Expression of ARC was measured by commercial Bio-Plex Precision Pro Human Cytokine Assays. Results Baseline concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, and VEGF was significantly higher in RCD patients than in controls. Significantly higher serum VEGF levels were found in 85% of patients with RCD, and correlated with advanced stage of disease (r = 0.75; P < 0.0005), average microvascular density (r = 0.68, P < 0.005), and visual analog score (r = 0.75, P < 0.0002) in RCD patients. ANG and IL-10 levels were significantly lower in RCD patients versus controls. IL-1β and ANG levels were significantly correlated with degenerative tendon grade in RCD patients. No difference in IL-6 and bFGF levels was observed between RCD patients and controls. Patients with degenerative changes had markedly lower ANG levels compared with controls. Power Doppler ultrasound showed high blood vessel density in patients with tendon rupture. Conclusion The pathogenesis of RCD is associated with an imbalance between pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and vascular ARC

PO-338 Recurrent glioblastoma: a complex scenario dominated by loss of MMR proteins

Introduction Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumour in adults and the Stupp protocol represents the standard of care. However, the tumour invariably relapses suggesting marked intra-tumour genetic heterogeneity enabling rapid adaptation to therapy. In-depth characterisation of recurrent GBM (rGBM) might contribute to better understand mechanisms behind tumour progression and enable rGBM treatment with targeted drugs. Material and methods Matched GBM samples have been collected at diagnosis and recurrence from adult patients (n=57) treated with the Stupp protocol. Expression of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6) was evaluated by IHC, followed by exome sequencing of 3 pairs showing loss of MSH6 reactivity as well as of 3 MSH6 positive pairs. In addition, established genetic and epigenetic markers of GBM were investigated along with their correlation with loss of MMR proteins and patients' survival. Results and discussions According to IHC results, 13 out of 52 rGBM samples (25%) lacked expression of MMR proteins. In particular, 11 among the 13 samples (85%) showed partial or total reduction of MSH6 expression. Conversely, almost all GBM samples at diagnosis (96.4%) stained positive for the 4 MMR markers. Consistent with IHC data, exome sequencing disclosed lack of variants in MMR genes in primary samples whereas rGBM samples lacking MSH6 expression were mutated in the abovementioned genes and shared a c.3438+1G>A* splicing variant in MSH6 with a potential loss of function effect. Moreover, MSH6 negative relapsed specimens were characterised by 30 to 100-fold more variants compared to the matched primary ones and lacked microsatellite instability. Notably, MMR deficiency was associated with significant telomere shortening. Conversely, the tumour pairs expressing MMR proteins showed an almost comparable number of mutations in primary versus relapsed samples and absence of variants in MMR genes both in the initial tumours and in their recurrent counterpart. Conclusion Our study shows that IHC staining is a valuable tool to identify a subset of rGBM patients with alterations in MMR genes linked to high mutational burden and, hence, potentially eligible for drugs targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors

Dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene: synthesis, characterization and application in OLEDs

A soluble, green-blue fluorescent, pi-extended azatrioxa[8]circulene was synthesized by oxidative condensation of a 3,6-dihydroxycarbazole and 1,4-anthraquinone by using benzofuran scaffolding. This is the first circulene to incorporate anthracene within its carbon framework. Solvent-dependent fluorescence and bright green electroluminescence accompanied by excimer emission are the key optical properties of this material. The presence of sliding pi-stacked columns in the single crystal of dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene is found to cause a very high electron-hopping rate, thus making this material a promising n-type organic semiconductor with an electron mobility predicted to be around 2.26 cm(2) V-1 s(-1). The best organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device based on the dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene fluorescent emitter has a brightness of around 16 000 Cd m(-2) and an external quantum efficiency of 3.3 %. Quantum dot-based OLEDs were fabricated by using dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene as a host matrix material.Peer reviewe