Comment on “Effects of Arsenite during Fetal Development on Energy Metabolism and Susceptibility to Diet-Induced Fatty Liver Diseases in Male Mice” and “Mechanisms Underlying Latent Disease Risk Associated with Early-Life Arsenic Exposure: Current Trends and Scientific Gaps”

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Identification of stable endogenous reference genes for real-time PCR in the human fetal gonad using an external standard technique

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Fluid-crystal coexistence for proteins and inorganic nanocolloids: dependence on ionic strength

We investigate theoretically the fluid-crystal coexistence of solutions of globular charged nanoparticles like proteins and inorganic colloids. The thermodynamic properties of the fluid phase are computed via the optimized Baxter model. This is done specifically for lysozyme and silicotungstates for which the bare adhesion parameters are evaluated via the experimental second virial coefficients. The electrostatic free energy of the crystal is approximated by supposing the cavities in the interstitial phase between the particles are spherical in form. In the salt-free case a Poisson-Boltzmann equation is solved to calculate the effective charge on a particle and a Donnan approximation is used to derive the chemical potential and osmotic pressure in the presence of salt. The coexistence data of lysozyme and silicotungstates are analyzed within this scheme, especially with regard to the ionic-strength dependence of the chemical potentials. The latter agree within the two phases provided some upward adjustment of the effective charge is allowed for.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Community Structure in Congressional Cosponsorship Networks

We study the United States Congress by constructing networks between Members of Congress based on the legislation that they cosponsor. Using the concept of modularity, we identify the community structure of Congressmen, as connected via sponsorship/cosponsorship of the same legislation, to investigate the collaborative communities of legislators in both chambers of Congress. This analysis yields an explicit and conceptually clear measure of political polarization, demonstrating a sharp increase in partisan polarization which preceded and then culminated in the 104th Congress (1995-1996), when Republicans took control of both chambers. Although polarization has since waned in the U.S. Senate, it remains at historically high levels in the House of Representatives.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures (some with multiple parts), to appear in Physica A; additional background info and explanations added from last versio

Nutrient transporter expression in both the placenta and fetal liver are affected by maternal smoking

ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS Authors would like to thank the nurses of ward 309 (Aberdeen Royal Infirmary) for consenting participants and NHS Grampian Biorepository staff. Also, Gary Cameron for performing the LC-MS/MS cotinine analyses and Ms Linda Robertson for technical assistance. The authors state there are no conflicts of interest. Author contributions: NW, PF and PAF designed the research; NW conducted research, analysed data and wrote paper; PAF responsible for ethics (SAFeR study). All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Authors would like to thank the study funders: Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity YRSS/PHD/2016/05 and UK Medical Research Council: MR/L010011/1, to PAF & PJOS and MR/P011535/1 to PAF. The funders played no role in the conduct, analysis or publication of the studyPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Life-Threatening Adenovirus Infections in the Setting of the Immunocompromised Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

A single institution case series of adenovirus infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is presented to highlight the consideration for adenovirus infections as an etiology in patients with rapid hepatic or other sudden organ deterioration in the setting of apparent GVHD stabilization. The series also highlights that survival is limited with these infections often due in part to concomitant opportunistic infections. In addition, the pathophysiological events, such as GVHD and hepatic dysfunction, may complicate the clinical picture and delay therapy of an opportunistic infection. This is particularly true for adenoviral infections as they also have a distinct clinical picture in immunocompromised patients when compared to immune competent patients. Adenovirus infections also have the additional challenge that its treatment, cidofovir, has associated toxicities that can delay its administration. Recent developments has yielded an assay that can be used in the early detection and for serial determinations of adenovirus in patients with advanced GVHD, as well as a new therapeutic agent currently undergoing clinical trials