A Presence- and Performance-Driven Framework to Investigate Interactive Networked Music Learning Scenarios

Cooperative music making in networked environments has been subject of extensive research, scientific and artistic. Networked music performance (NMP) is attracting renewed interest thanks to the growing availability of effective technology and tools for computer-based communications, especially in the area of distance and blended learning applications. We propose a conceptual framework for NMP research and design in the context of classical chamber music practice and learning: presence-related constructs and objective quality metrics are used to problematize and systematize the many factors affecting the experience of studying and practicing music in a networked environment. To this end, a preliminary NMP experiment on the effect of latency on chamber music duos experience and quality of the performance is introduced. The degree of involvement, perceived coherence, and immersion of the NMP environment are here combined with measures on the networked performance, including tempo trends and misalignments from the shared score. Early results on the impact of temporal factors on NMP musical interaction are outlined, and their methodological implications for the design of pedagogical applications are discussed

Striatin knock out induces a gain of function of INa and impaired Ca2+ handling in mESC‐derived cardiomyocytes

Aim: Striatin (Strn) is a scaffold protein expressed in cardiomyocytes (CMs) and alteration of its expression are described in various cardiac diseases. However, the alteration underlying its pathogenicity have been poorly investigated. Methods: We studied the role(s) of cardiac Strn gene (STRN) by comparing the functional properties of CMs, generated from Strn-KO and isogenic WT mouse embryonic stem cell lines. Results: The spontaneous beating rate of Strn-KO CMs was faster than WT cells, and this correlated with a larger fast INa conductance and no changes in If. Paced (2-8 Hz) Strn-KO CMs showed prolonged action potential (AP) duration in comparison with WT CMs and this was not associated with changes in ICaL and IKr. Motion video tracking analysis highlighted an altered contraction in Strn-KO CMs; this was associated with a global increase in intracellular Ca2+, caused by an enhanced late Na+ current density (INaL) and a reduced Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activity and expression. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the higher Na+ channel expression and a more dynamic microtubule network in Strn-KO CMs than in WT. Indeed, incubation of Strn-KO CMs with the microtubule stabilizer taxol, induced a rescue (downregulation) of INa conductance toward WT levels. Conclusion: Loss of STRN alters CMs electrical and contractile profiles and affects cell functionality by a disarrangement of Strn-related multi-protein complexes. This leads to impaired microtubules dynamics and Na+ channels trafficking to the plasma membrane, causing a global Na+ and Ca2+ enhancement

Caveolin-3 and Caveolin-1 interaction decreases channel dysfunction due to Caveolin-3 mutations

Caveolae constitute membrane microdomains where receptors and ion channels functionally interact. Caveolin-3 (cav-3) is the key structural component of muscular caveolae. Mutations in CAV3 lead to caveolinopathies, which result in both muscular dystrophies and cardiac diseases. In cardiomyocytes, cav-1 participates with cav-3 to form caveolae; skeletal myotubes and adult skeletal fibers do not express cav-1. In the heart, the absence of cardiac alterations in the majority of cases may depend on a conserved organization of caveolae thanks to the expression of cav-1. We decided to focus on three specific cav-3 mutations (Δ62-64YTT; T78K and W101C) found in heterozygosis in patients suffering from skeletal muscle disorders. We overexpressed both the WT and mutated cav-3 together with ion channels interacting with and modulated by cav-3. Patch-clamp analysis conducted in caveolin-free cells (MEF-KO), revealed that the T78K mutant is dominant negative, causing its intracellular retention together with cav-3 WT, and inducing a significant reduction in current densities of all three ion channels tested. The other cav-3 mutations did not cause significant alterations. Mathematical modelling of the effects of cav-3 T78K would impair repolarization to levels incompatible with life. For this reason, we decided to compare the effects of this mutation in other cell lines that endogenously express cav-1 (MEF-STO and CHO cells) and to modulate cav-1 expression with an shRNA approach. In these systems, the membrane localization of cav-3 T78K was rescued in the presence of cav-1, and the current densities of hHCN4, hKv1.5 and hKir2.1 were also rescued. These results constitute the first evidence of a compensatory role of cav-1 in the heart, justifying the reduced susceptibility of this organ to caveolinopathies

Mesomorphism and electrochemistry of thienoviologen liquid crystals

New π-conjugated ionic liquid crystals with a strong electron-acceptor thienoviologen core are potentially exploitable as electroactive materials in organic electronics.</p

When multiple caveolins make the difference: Cav1 partly compensates Cav3 alterations and rescues ion channels expression

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fondazione Cariplo Caveolae are small-membrane invagination that contribute both to buffering excessive contraction-dependent membrane strain and to initiation of membrane repair. Moreover, they constitute micro-domains where receptors and ion channels are clustered, favouring their functional interaction. Caveolin-3 (Cav3) is the key structural component of muscular caveolae. Mutations in Cav3 gene are associated with alterations of the skeletal muscle architecture leading to some rare forms of hereditary skeletal myopathies and/or cardiomyopathies called caveolinopathies. Notably, skeletal muscle dysfunctions usually precede cardiac dysfunctions, even though the mutated Cav3 is expressed in both cell types.  An important difference between skeletal fibers and cardiomyocytes is that in the latter, caveolin-1 (Cav1) participates with Cav3 to form caveolae; skeletal myotubes instead do not express Cav1.The delay or lack of onset of cardiac alterations in caveolinopathies may depend on a preserved micro-domains organization in the heart compared to skeletal muscle, due to Cav1 expression. We decided to focus on a specific mutation T78K found in heterozygous in a patient with Ripple muscle disease and hyperCKemia. We have characterized human cardiomyocytes (CM) differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from this patient and one healthy control. In particular, we have investigated which caveolin isoforms are expressed at day 30 of differentiation, finding both Cav1 and Cav3, with a significant decrease of Cav3 isoform in T78K-CM. Their different expressions significantly increase T78K membrane resistance (3.27 ± 0.6 GΩ versus 1.64 ± 0.4 GΩ in the CTRL-CM), and consequently membrane excitability. The T78K_CM showed an increase spontaneous beating rate compared to CTRL (1,75± 0,08 Hz and 0,89 ± 0,4 Hz, respectively).  Previous laboratory analysis conducted in caveolin-free MEF cells, co-transfected with WT and T78K Cav3 mutation, revealed that the T78K mutant is dominant, inducing the retention of WT Cav3 in the perinuclear areas and causes significant reduction in current density of three ion channels (HCN4, Kv1.5 and Kir2.1) known to interact with caveolins. The dominant decreased in cav3 expression is in line with previous data in skeletal muscle biopsy, however, electrophysiological data would be likely incompatible with life. For this reason, we decided to compare the impact of this mutation in CHO cells that exhibit high levels of Cav1, and in cav-1 expressing MEF line. In these systems, the membrane localization of Cav3 T78K is rescued both in heterozygous and homozygous conditions. In line with caveolin membrane expression, HCN4, Kv1.5 and Kir2.1 density is also rescued to normal levels. These results constitute the first evidence of a possible role of Cav1 in compensating membrane disorganization and disfunction due to Cav3 mutations in the heart, making this organ less susceptible to caveolinopathies. </jats:sec