Pronounced genetic structure and low genetic diversity in European red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) populations

Conservation Genetics August 2015, Volume 16, Issue 4, pp 1011–1012 Erratum to: Pronounced genetic structure and low genetic diversity in European red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) populations Erratum to: Conserv Genet (2012) 13:1213–1230 DOI 10.1007/s10592-012-0366-6 In the original publication, Tables 3 and 6 were published with incorrect estimates of population heterozygosities. All other diversity statistics were correct as originally presented. Updated versions of Tables 3 and 6 with corrected heterozygosity estimates confirmed using Arlequin 3.5 (Excoffier and Lischer 2010) as in Dávila et al. (2014) are provided in this erratum. Discrepancies were minor for populations on the British Isles. The correct estimates for Spain are slightly larger than those reported for La Palma by Dávila et al. (2014), but this does not necessarily affect their interpretation that choughs on La Palma may have originated from multiple migration events. The original conclusion that chough populations on the British Isles have low genetic diversity compared to continental European populations remains and is now, in fact, strengthened.Peer reviewedPostprin

Novel micro-reactor flow cell for investigation of model catalysts using in situ grazing-incidence X-ray scattering

The design, fabrication and performance of a novel and highly sensitive micro-reactor device for performing in situ grazing-incidence X-ray scattering experiments of model catalyst systems is presented. The design of the reaction chamber, etched in silicon on insulator (SIO), permits grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) in transmission through 10 µm-thick entrance and exit windows by using micro-focused beams. An additional thinning of the Pyrex glass reactor lid allows simultaneous acquisition of the grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). In situ experiments at synchrotron facilities are performed utilizing the micro-reactor and a designed transportable gas feed and analysis system. The feasibility of simultaneous in situ GISAXS/GIWAXS experiments in the novel micro-reactor flow cell was confirmed with CO oxidation over mass-selected Ru nanoparticles

Determining the Contribution of Epidermal Cell Shape to Petal Wettability Using Isogenic Antirrhinum Lines

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Novel micro-reactor flow cell for investigation of model catalysts using in situ

The design, fabrication and performance of a novel and highly sensitive micro-reactor device for performing in situ grazing-incidence X-ray scattering experiments of model catalyst systems is presented. The design of the reaction chamber, etched in silicon on insulator (SIO), permits grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) in transmission through 10 µm-thick entrance and exit windows by using micro-focused beams. An additional thinning of the Pyrex glass reactor lid allows simultaneous acquisition of the grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). In situ experiments at synchrotron facilities are performed utilizing the micro-reactor and a designed transportable gas feed and analysis system. The feasibility of simultaneous in situ GISAXS/GIWAXS experiments in the novel micro-reactor flow cell was confirmed with CO oxidation over mass-selected Ru nanoparticles

Inhibition of pulmonary metastasis in a human MT3 breast cancer xenograft model by dual liposomes preventing intravasal fibrin clot formation

International audienceThe process of metastasis formation in cancer is not completely understood and is the main reason cancer therapies fail. Previously, we showed that dual liposomes simultaneously containing the hemostatic inhibitor, dipyridamole and the anticancer drug, perifosine potently inhibited metastasis, causing a 90% reduction in the number of lung metastases in a murine experimental metastasis model. To gain deeper insight into the mechanisms leading to the inhibition of metastasis by these dual liposomes, in the present study, the development of metastases by MT3 breast cancer cells in a mouse xenograft model was analyzed in more detail with regard to tumor cell settlement and metastatic growth. We found that the development of lung metastases by MT3 tumor cells is essentially dependent on the formation of fibrin clots as a precondition for the pulmonary arrest of tumor cells and the subsequent intravascular expansion of micrometastases before their invasion into the surrounding tissue

Development of a universal psycho-educational intervention to prevent common postpartum mental disorders in primiparous women: a multiple method approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prevention of postnatal mental disorders in women is an important component of comprehensive health service delivery because of the substantial potential benefits for population health. However, diverse approaches to prevention of postnatal depression have had limited success, possibly because anxiety and adjustment disorders are also problematic, mental health problems are multifactorially determined, and because relationships amongst psychosocial risk factors are complex and difficult to modify. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of a novel psycho-educational intervention to prevent postnatal mental disorders in mothers of firstborn infants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from a variety of sources were synthesised: a literature review summarised epidemiological evidence about neglected modifiable risk factors; clinical research evidence identified successful psychosocial treatments for postnatal mental health problems; consultations with clinicians, health professionals, policy makers and consumers informed the proposed program and psychological and health promotion theories underpinned the proposed mechanisms of effect. The intervention was pilot-tested with small groups of mothers and fathers and their first newborn infants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>What Were We Thinking! </it>is a psycho-educational intervention, designed for universal implementation, that addresses heightened learning needs of parents of first newborns. It re-conceptualises mental health problems in mothers of infants as reflecting unmet needs for adaptations in the intimate partner relationship after the birth of a baby, and skills to promote settled infant behaviour. It addresses these two risk factors in half-day seminars, facilitated by trained maternal and child health nurses using non-psychiatric language, in groups of up to five couples and their four-week old infants in primary care. It is designed to promote confidence and reduce mental disorders by providing skills in sustainable sleep and settling strategies, and the re-negotiation of the unpaid household workload in non-confrontational ways. Materials include a Facilitators' Handbook, creatively designed worksheets for use in seminars, and a book for couples to take home for reference. A website provides an alternative means of access to the intervention.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>What Were We Thinking! </it>is a postnatal mental health intervention which has the potential to contribute to psychologically-informed routine primary postnatal health care and prevent common mental disorders in women.</p

Geography, generalisability, and susceptibility in clinical trials

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Inhibition of tumor metastasis in mousel models by preventing the interaction between circulating tumor cells and platelets using dual liposomes

Tumormetastasierung ist ein komplexer Prozess, bei dem sich maligne Tumorzellen vom Primärtumor ablösen, in das Blutgefäßsystem einwandern und dort vor allem mit Thrombozyten oder dem Gefäßendothel interagieren, bevor sie in das umliegende Gewebe eindringen und dort Metastasen bilden. Mehrere Studien haben gezeigt, dass zirkulierende Tumorzellen in der Lage sind, Thrombozyten zu aktivieren, was zur Ausbildung von Komplexen aus Thrombozyten und Tumorzellen führen kann. Diese Aggregate können in engen Blutkapillaren verstärkt an das Endothel adhärieren, wodurch die Auswanderung der Tumorzellen erleichtert und damit die Metastasenbildung gefördert wird. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Entwicklung eines liposomalen Systems, das gleichzeitig eine zytotoxische Substanz und einen Thrombozytenaggregationshemmer enthält, wodurch eine wirksame Hemmung der Metastasierung erreicht werden sollte. Diese Liposomen sollten die Thrombozytenaggregation und Komplexbildung mit Tumorzellen reduzieren und damit die Metastasenbildung in verschiedenen Mausmodellen einschränken oder verhindern. Duale Liposomen, die zwei unterschiedliche Wirkstoffe enthalten, wurden durch die Lipidfilm- Hydrationsmethode hergestellt. Diese Vesikel wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Stabilität, sowie ihres Wirkstoff- und Lipidgehalts charakterisiert. Die Hemmung der Thrombozytenaggregation durch duale Liposomen in vitro wurde mittels Impedanz-Aggregometer gemessen und die Verhinderung der Komplexbildung von Tumorzellen in Gegenwart von Thrombozyten durch diese Liposomen wurde mikroskopisch analysiert. Anschließend wurde nach Charakterisierung der zu verwendenden Metastasierungsmodelle der anti-metastatische Effekt der dualen Liposomen in einem experimentellen und einem spontanen Metastasierungsmodell für Brustkrebs in Mäusen quantifiziert. Es wurden Liposomen hergestellt, die das zytotoxische Alkylphospholipid OPP und einen der beiden Thrombozytenaggregationshemmer Dipyridamol (DIP/OPP-L) oder Cilostazol (Cil/OPP-L) in ihrer Membran verkapselt haben. DIP/OPP-L und Cil/OPP-L konnten die Thrombozytenaggregation in vitro um 60 % bzw. 80 % reduzieren sowie die Komplex-bildung von Tumorzellen in Gegenwart von aktivierten Thrombozyten vollständig verhindern. In vivo konnten beide dualen Liposomenformulierungen die Metastasierung im experimentellen Metastasierungsmodell mit MT3 Brustkrebszellen um bis zu 90 % und im Spontanmetastasierungsmodell mit 4T1 Brustkrebszellen um bis zu 50 % reduzieren. In dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass Liposomen, die eine Wirk-stoffkombination aus einer zytotoxischen Substanz und einem Thrombozytenaggregations-hemmer enthalten, in der Lage sind, die Interaktion zwischen Tumorzellen und Thrombozyten zu beeinflussen und dadurch die Metastasierung in verschiedenen Mausmodellen signifikant zu reduzieren. Diese neu entwickelten Liposomenformulierungen stellen eine vielversprechende Herangehensweise zur Hemmung der Metastasierung dar.Tumor metastasis is a complex process where malign tumor cells detach from the primary tumor and invade the blood stream. There the tumor cells interact with platelets or the endothelium before they invade the surrounding tissue to develop new metastases. Several studies showed, that circulating tumor cells are able to activate platelets which results in the development of tumor cell- platelet aggregates. These complexes can adhere easily to the endothelium in small blood vessels, which enhances tumor cell extravasation and metastasis. The aim of this PhD thesis was the development of a liposomal system that encapsulates a cytotoxic substance and a platelet aggregation inhibitor at the same time to obtain an effective inhibition of metastasis. These liposomes should reduce platelet aggregation and complex formation of tumor cells and platelets and therefore reduce metastasis in different mouse models in vivo. Dual liposomes which contain two different active drugs were prepared by lipid film-hydration method. The vesicles were characterized regarding their stability and their drug and lipid content. The inhibition of platelet aggregation by dual liposomes in vitro was characterized with an impedance aggregometer. The complex formation of tumor cells in the presence of activated platelets was quantified microscopically. After characterization of the mouse metastasis models, the anti-metastatic effect of the dual liposomes was quantified in an experimental and a spontaneous metastasis model in mice. Liposomes were prepared, that encapsulate the cytotoxic alkylphospholipid OPP and one of the platelet aggregation inhibitors Dipyridamol (DIP/OPP-L) or Cilostazol (Cil/OPP-L) in their membrane. DIP/OPP-L and Cil/OPP-L were able to reduce platelet aggregation in vitro by 60 % and 80 %, respectively and completely abolished complex formation of tumor cells in the presence of activated platelets. In vivo both dual liposomal formulations could reduce metastasis by up to 90% in the experimental MT3 metastasis model and up to 50% in the spontaneous metastasis model using 4T1 breast cancer cells. This project demonstrated, that liposomes containing a combination of a cytotoxic substance and a platelet aggregation inhibitor are able to influence the interaction between circulating tumor cells and platelets and thereby reducing metastases formation in different mouse models. Those newly developed liposomes are a promising method to reduce metastasis