Imaging of Local Thermal and Electrical Conductivity with Scanning Force Microscopy

The evaluation of thermal and electrical properties has been demonstrated using a scanning force microscope under ambient air condition. For the first time, the investigation of thermal conductivity on a chemical vapor deposited (CVD) grown diamond surface has been performed with a lateral resolution below 200 nm. Depending on the growing parameters, structures consisting of lines of different thicknesses and spacings are visible. The determination of the electrical structure has been carried out with a resolution of 2 nm using the contact current mode (CCM) showing similar structures. The thermal images exhibit a high thermal conductivity mostly on the diamond crystals whereas the electrical conductivity reached its highest values between them

IL-33 activates tumor stroma to promote intestinal polyposis

Tumor epithelial cells develop within a microenvironment consisting of extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines produced by nonepithelial stromal cells. In response to paracrine signals from tumor epithelia, stromal cells modify the microenvironment to promote tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we identify interleukin 33 (IL-33) as a regulator of tumor stromal cell activation and mediator of intestinal polyposis. In human colorectal cancer, IL-33 expression was induced in the tumor epithelium of adenomas and carcinomas, and expression of the IL-33 receptor, IL1RL1 (also referred to as IL1-R4 or ST2), localized predominantly to the stroma of adenoma and both the stroma and epithelium of carcinoma. Genetic and antibody abrogation of responsiveness to IL-33 in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal tumorigenesis inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed angiogenesis in adenomatous polyps, which reduced both tumor number and size. Similar to human adenomas, IL-33 expression localized to tumor epithelial cells and expression of IL1RL1 associated with two stromal cell types, subepithelial myofibroblasts and mast cells, in ApcMin/+ polyps. In vitro, IL-33 stimulation of human subepithelial myofibroblasts induced the expression of extracellular matrix components and growth factors associated with intestinal tumor progression. IL-33 deficiency reduced mast cell accumulation in ApcMin/+ polyps and suppressed the expression of mast cell-derived proteases and cytokines known to promote polyposis. Based on these findings, we propose that IL-33 derived from the tumor epithelium promotes polyposis through the coordinated activation of stromal cells and the formation of a protumorigenic microenvironment

A preclinical study on brugada syndrome with a CACNB2 variant using human cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells

AIMS: Some gene variants in the sodium channels, as well as calcium channels, have been associated with Brugada syndrome (BrS). However, the investigation of the human cellular phenotype and the use of drugs for BrS in presence of variant in the calcium channel subunit is still lacking. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to establish a cellular model of BrS in the presence of a CACNB2 variant of uncertain significance (c.425C > T/p.S142F) using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and test drug effects using this model. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study recruited cells from a patient with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and recurrent ventricular fibrillation carrying a missense variant in CACNB2 as well as from three healthy independent persons. These cells (hiPSC-CMs) generated from skin biopsies of healthy persons and the BrS patient (BrS-hiPSC-CMs) as well as CRISPR/Cas9 corrected cells (isogenic control, site-variant corrected) were used for this study. The hiPSC-CMs from the BrS patient showed a significantly reduced L-type calcium channel current (I(Ca-L)) compared with the healthy control hiPSC-CMs. The inactivation curve was shifted to a more positive potential and the recovery from inactivation was accelerated. The protein expression of CACNB2 of the hiPSC-CMs from the BrS-patient was significantly decreased compared with healthy hiPSC-CMs. Moreover, the correction of the CACNB2 site-variant rescued the changes seen in the hiPSC-CMs of the BrS patient to the normal state. These data indicate that the CACNB2 gene variant led to loss-of-function of L-type calcium channels in hiPSC-CMs from the BrS patient. Strikingly, arrhythmia events were more frequently detected in BrS-hiPSC-CMs. Bisoprolol (beta-blockers) at low concentration and quinidine decreased arrhythmic events. CONCLUSIONS: The CACNB2 variant (c.425C > T/p.S142F) causes a loss-of-function of L-type calcium channels and is pathogenic for this type of BrS. Bisoprolol and quinidine may be effective for treating BrS with this variant

Experimental evidence for sex-based palatability variation in fourwing saltbush

Two small-plot grazing trials were conducted in the spring of 1996 and the winter of 1997 to determine whether sheep would differentially graze fourwing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.] on the basis of shrub sex in a uniform garden. Consumption was determined using an Australian method of leaf tagging in conjunction with the Adelaide Technique of biomass estimation. The results confirmed anecdotal field observations that herbivores prefer to graze the male shrub during late spring. No sex based preference was apparent during winter. We suggest that differences in physiological vigor and/or chemistry may influence relative palatability of the sexes through time. Results of these experiments contrast with those for an Australian member of the genus (A. vesicaria Hew. ex Benth.), for which it was found that the female was the preferred phenotype throughout the year.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Real-world treatment patterns in patients initiating third-line therapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain

Objectives: To retrospectively analyze real-world treatment patterns in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who initiated third-line treatment in Europe. Methods: German and Italian administrative claims data were sourced from the German AOK PLUS health insurance fund and Italian local health units (2016–2020). Data for the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Spain were sourced from medical chart reviews (MCRs) from 2016 to 2018 (historical) and 2019 to 2021 (new) using electronic case report forms. Results: Across all countries, immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD)-based regimens were prominent in the third-line setting. From 2016 to 2020, lenalidomide-dexamethasone was most common in Italy (18.0%) and Germany (12.7%). From 2019 to 2021, the most common regimen was ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (67.5%) in the UK, pomalidomide-dexamethasone (17.1%) in France, and daratumumab-bortezomib-dexamethasone (15.0%) in Spain. In the historical data (2016–2018), third-line lenalidomide- and pomalidomide-dexamethasone doublet use across the UK (>47%), France (>46%), and Spain (>33%) was high. From historical to new, triplet use increased in Spain (>19% to >60%) as did anti-CD38 agent use in France (15.1% to 51.9%) and Spain (19.7% to 42.1%). Conclusions: From 2016 to 2021, third-line regimens were mostly IMiD based. The MCR data demonstrated evolving treatment choices from 2016 to 2018 and 2019 to 2021, providing insights into uptake of novel agents and current RRMM European clinical practice