Subdiffusion of nonlinear waves in quasiperiodic potentials

We study the spatio-temporal evolution of wave packets in one-dimensional quasiperiodic lattices which localize linear waves. Nonlinearity (related to two-body interactions) has destructive effect on localization, as recently observed for interacting atomic condensates [Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 230403 (2011)]. We extend the analysis of the characteristics of the subdiffusive dynamics to large temporal and spatial scales. Our results for the second moment $m_2$ consistently reveal an asymptotic $m_2 \sim t^{1/3}$ and intermediate $m_2 \sim t^{1/2}$ laws. At variance to purely random systems [Europhys. Lett. 91, 30001 (2010)] the fractal gap structure of the linear wave spectrum strongly favors intermediate self-trapping events. Our findings give a new dimension to the theory of wave packet spreading in localizing environments

Auditive direct in utero observation (Audio): A randomized controlled trial for a prenatal demonstration of fetal hearing

Introduction: The objective of this randomized controlled study was to demonstrate whether acoustic stimulation in utero is associated with fetal reactivity which is documentable by car-diotocography. Materials and methods: A monocentric randomized controlled trial was performed at a single university tertiary hospital between September 2016 and July 2017. This study was registered as a randomized clinical trial on clinicaltrail.gov (registration number NCT04622059). Unselected pregnancies at term of gestation were consecutively recruited for the purpose of this study. After 10 min of normal cardiotocography without accelerations (non-stress-test with a basal frequency between 110 and 150 beats/min, normal variability between 6 and 15 b/min, no accelerations, and no fetal movements), fetuses were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either of the two groups. Fetuses in group A (n = 105) received acoustic stimulation after 10 min from the beginning of the CTG, whereas fetuses in group B received no stimulation (n = 105). The outcome variables investigated were the lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the occurrence of the first accelera-tion, and the lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the first fetal movement noticed. Results: The lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the occurrence of the first acceleration was significantly shorter in the group with acoustic stimulation compared to the other group (14.87 ± 5.01 vs. 21.90 ± 6.94 min, p-value < 0.001 log-rank test). Similarly, the lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the occurrence of the first fetal movement was significantly shorter in group A compared to group B (17.77 ± 7.62 vs. 23.28 ± 7.61 min, p-value < 0.001, log-rank test). Fetal cardiac acceleration and the occurrence of a fetal movement during the first 20 min of the CTG were more frequently recorded in group A compared to group B (respectively, 15% vs. 5% and 20% vs. 8%). Conclusion: This RCT showed an early fetal reaction following auditive stimulus, documentable by cardiotocography. Further research is needed to investigate a possible role of acoustic stimulation in utero for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital hypoacusis

Holistic management of DSD

Disorder of sex development (DSD) presents a unique challenge, both diagnostically and in terms of acute and longer-term management. These are relatively rare conditions usually requiring a multidisciplinary approach from the outset and the involvement of a tertiary centre for assessment and management recommendations. This article describes the structure of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) at our centre, with contributions from key members of the team regarding their individual roles. The focus is on the newborn referred for assessment of ambiguous genitalia, rather than on individuals who present in the adolescent period or at other times, although the same MDT involvement is likely to be required. The approach to the initial assessment and management is discussed and the subsequent diagnosis and follow-up presented, with emphasis on the importance of careful transition and long-term support

Uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index at 11-38 weeks in ICSI pregnancies with egg donation

BACKGROUND: Uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (UtA-PI) may be different in pregnancies with egg donation (ICSI-ED) as compared to conceptions with autologous intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection (autologous ICSI) and to spontaneous conceptions (SC). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-four pregnant women with different modes of conception (MC) were prospectively evaluated: 53 ICSI-ED, 36 autologous ICSI and 105 SC. To evaluate the effects of different MC on PI, multivariable linear regression (MLR) models predicting UtA-PI were fitted after adjustment for maternal age, body mass index, race, parity, smoking status and gestational age. RESULTS: In the first trimester, at MLR, autologous ICSI was not associated with a significantly different UtA-PI [estimate (EST) 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.19, 0.2; P=0.9] when compared to SC. Conversely, MC by ICSI-ED was associated with lower first trimester UtA-PI (EST -0.32; CI -0.55, -0.08; P=0.01) when compared to SC. At MLR, MC by autologous ICSI and by ICSI-ED were not associated with significant differences in the second and third trimester UtA-PI when compared to SC. CONCLUSION: ICSI-ED conception presented lower UtA-PI when compared to SC at 11+0-13+6 weeks but not at later assessments. Correction of UtA-PI measurement specifying the origin of oocyte may be useful in first trimester screening

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in Kindler syndrome

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.-- et al.[Background]: Kindler Syndrome (KS) is an autosomal recessive skin disorder characterized by skin blistering, photosensitivity, premature aging, and propensity to skin cancer. In spite of the knowledge underlying cause of this disease involving mutations of FERMT1 (fermitin family member 1), and efforts to characterize genotype-phenotype correlations, the clinical variability of this genodermatosis is still poorly understood. In addition, several pathognomonic features of KS, not related to skin fragility such as aging, inflammation and cancer predisposition have been strongly associated with oxidative stress. Alterations of the cellular redox status have not been previously studied in KS. Here we explored the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of this rare cutaneous disease. [Methods]: Patient-derived keratinocytes and their respective controls were cultured and classified according to their different mutations by PCR and western blot, the oxidative stress biomarkers were analyzed by spectrophotometry and qPCR and additionally redox biosensors experiments were also performed. The mitochondrial structure and functionality were analyzed by confocal microscopy and electron microscopy.[Results]: Patient-derived keratinocytes showed altered levels of several oxidative stress biomarkers including MDA (malondialdehyde), GSSG/GSH ratio (oxidized and reduced glutathione) and GCL (gamma-glutamyl cysteine ligase) subunits. Electron microscopy analysis of both, KS skin biopsies and keratinocytes showed marked morphological mitochondrial abnormalities. Consistently, confocal microscopy studies of mitochondrial fluorescent probes confirmed the mitochondrial derangement. Imbalance of oxidative stress biomarkers together with abnormalities in the mitochondrial network and function are consistent with a pro-oxidant state. [Conclusions]: This is the first study to describe mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress involvement in KS.FL was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI11/01225) and Comunidad de Madrid (S2010/BMD- 2359; SKINMODEL). MDR was supported by grants from the Science and Innovation Ministry of Spain SAF2010-16976), Comunidad de Madrid (S2010/BMD-2420; CELLCAM), GENEGRAFT - contract N° HEALTH-F2-2011-261392 and CIBERER ACCI 13-714/172.04. MG is supported in part by ERA-NET grant: E-Rare-2 (SpliceEB). EZ was in part supported by a fellowship from CIBERER and SAF2010-16976.Peer reviewe

Evolution of a degradative bacterial consortium during the enrichment of naphtha solvent

A microbial mixed culture able to degrade naphtha solvent, a model of hydrocarbon aromatic mixture, was isolated from a hydrocarbon-polluted soil. Composition of the population was monitored by phenotypic and molecular methods applied on soil DNA, on whole enrichment culture DNA, and on 85 isolated strains. Strains were characterized for their 16S rDNA restriction profiles and for their random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles. Catabolic capabilities were monitored by phenotypic traits and by PCR assays for the presence of the catabolic genes methyl mono-oxygenase ( xylA,M), catechol 2,3 dioxygenase (xylE) and toluene dioxygenase (todC1) of TOL and TOD pathways. Different haplotypes belonging to Pseudomonas putida, Ps. aureofaciens and Ps. aeruginosa were found to degrade aromatic compounds and naphtha solvent. The intrinsic catabolic activity of the microbial population of the polluted site was detected by PCR amplification of the xylE gene directly from soil DNA

Growth hormone-releasing hormone attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and improves heart function in pressure overload-induced heart failure

It has been shown that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) reduces cardiomyocyte (CM) apoptosis, prevents ischemia/reperfusion injury, and improves cardiac function in ischemic rat hearts. However, it is still not known whether GHRH would be beneficial for life-threatening pathological conditions, like cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure (HF). Thus, we tested the myocardial therapeutic potential of GHRH stimulation in vitro and in vivo, using GHRH or its agonistic analog MR-409. We show that in vitro, GHRH(1-44)NH2attenuates phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiac cells, adult rat ventricular myocytes, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs, decreasing expression of hypertrophic genes and regulating hypertrophic pathways. Underlying mechanisms included blockade of Gq signaling and its downstream components phospholipase Cβ, protein kinase Ce, calcineurin, and phospholamban. The receptor-dependent effects of GHRH also involved activation of Gαsand cAMP/PKA, and inhibition of increase in exchange protein directly activated by cAMP1 (Epac1). In vivo, MR-409 mitigated cardiac hypertrophy in mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction and improved cardiac function. Moreover, CMs isolated from transverse aortic constriction mice treated with MR-409 showed improved contractility and reversal of sarcolemmal structure. Overall, these results identify GHRH as an antihypertrophic regulator, underlying its therapeutic potential for HF, and suggest possible beneficial use of its analogs for treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy