Promoting spontaneous second harmonic generation through organogelation

et al.An organogelator based on the Disperse Red nonlinear optical chromophore was synthesized according to a simple and efficient three-step procedure. The supramolecular gel organization leads to xerogels which display a spontaneous second harmonic generation (SHG) response without any need for preprocessing, and this SHG activity appears to be stable over several months. These findings, based on an intrinsic structural approach, are supported by favorable intermolecular supramolecular interactions, which promote a locally non-centrosymmetric NLO-active organization. This is in sharp contrast with most materials designed for SHG purposes, which generally require the use of expensive or heavy-to-handle external techniques for managing the dipoles' alignment.The authors sincerely acknowledge the University of Angers for funding an Arianes Fellowship as well as Angers Loire Metropole and the Region Pays de la Loire for their support through the LUMOMAT program (postdoctoral fellowship to F.A.). The authors are also grateful to the PIAM and the SCIAM platforms for their help. K.I. acknowledges support from the European Commission and General Secretariat for Research and Technology (Greece) for a National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) Project (PE3-(1612)). Research at the Universidad de Zaragoza was supported by MINECO (CTQ2014-52331R) and Gobierno de Aragon-Fondo Social Europeo (E39). A predoctoral fellowship to A.B.M. (FPI BES-2009-016966), with EEBB FPI 2012 and 2013, is also acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Variation in Thermal Sensitivity and Thermal Tolerances in an Invasive Species across a Climatic Gradient: Lessons from the Land Snail Cornu aspersum

The ability of organisms to perform at different temperatures could be described by a continuous nonlinear reaction norm (i.e., thermal performance curve, TPC), in which the phenotypic trait value varies as a function of temperature. Almost any shift in the parameters of this performance curve could highlight the direct effect of temperature on organism fitness, providing a powerful framework for testing thermal adaptation hypotheses. Inter-and intraspecific differences in this performance curve are also reflected in thermal tolerances limits (e.g., critical and lethal limits), influencing the biogeographic patterns of species' distribution. Within this context, here we investigated the intraspecific variation in thermal sensitivities and thermal tolerances in three populations of the invasive snail Cornu aspersum across a geographical gradient, characterized by different climatic conditions. Thus, we examined population differentiation in the TPCs, thermal-coma recovery times, expression of heat-shock proteins and standard metabolic rate (i.e., energetic costs of physiological differentiation). We tested two competing hypotheses regarding thermal adaptation (the "hotter is better" and the generalist-specialist trade-offs). Our results show that the differences in thermal sensitivity among populations of C. aspersum follow a latitudinal pattern, which is likely the result of a combination of thermodynamic constraints ("hotter is better") and thermal adaptations to their local environments (generalist-specialist trade-offs). This finding is also consistent with some thermal tolerance indices such as the Heat-Shock Protein Response and the recovery time from chill-coma. However, mixed responses in the evaluated traits suggest that thermal adaptation in this species is not complete, as we were not able to detect any differences in neither energetic costs of physiological differentiation among populations, nor in the heat-coma recovery. © 2013 Gaitán-Espitia et al.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Activation of PPARγ reduces N-acetyl-cysteine -induced hypercorticoidism by down-regulating MC2R expression into adrenal glands

We previously demonstrated that oral supplementation with antioxidants induced hyperactivity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, attested by hypercorticoidism, through an up-regulation of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) receptors (MC2R) in adrenal. This study analyzed the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ on HPA axis hyperactivity induced by N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Male Swiss-Webster mice were orally treated with NAC for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 18 consecutive days. The PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone and/or antagonist GW9662 were daily-injected i.p. for 5 consecutive days, starting concomitantly with NAC treatment. Rosiglitazone treatment inhibited NAC-induced adrenal hypertrophy and hypercorticoidism. Rosiglitazone also significantly reversed the NAC-induced increase in the MC2R expression in adrenal, but not steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). NAC treatment reduces the expression of PPARγ in the adrenals, but rosiglitazone did not restore the expression of this cytoprotective gene. In addition, GW9662 blocked the ability of rosiglitazone to decrease plasma corticosterone levels in NAC-treated mice. In conclusion, our findings showed that antioxidant supplementation induced a state of hypercorticoidism through down-regulation of PPARγ expression in the adrenals, in a mechanism probably related to a down-regulation of ACTH receptor expression.Fil: Ventura, Raíssa D.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Chaves, Amanda S.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Magalhães, Nathalia S.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: González, Florencia Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pacini, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Ransanz, Ana Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Patrícia M.R.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Martins, Marco A.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Carvalho, Vinicius F.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; Brasi

Thermal route for the synthesis of maghemite/hematite core/shell nanowires

Nowadays, iron oxide-based nanostructures are key materials in many technological areas. Their physical and chemical properties can be tailored by tuning the morphology. In particular, the possibility of increasing the specific surface area has turned iron oxide nanowires (NWs) into promising functional materials in many applications. Among the different possible iron oxide NWs that can be fabricated, maghemite/hematite iron oxide core/shell structures have particular importance since they combine the magnetism of the inner maghemite core with the interesting properties of hematite in different technological fields ranging from green energy to biomedical applications. However, the study of these iron oxide structures is normally difficult due to the structural and chemical similarities between both iron oxide polymorphs. In this work, we propose a route for the synthesis of maghemite/hematite NWs based on the thermal oxidation of previously electrodeposited iron NWs. A detailed spectroscopic analysis based on Raman, Mossbauer, and X-ray absorption shows that the ratio of both oxides can be controlled during fabrication. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to check the core/shell structure of the NWs. The biocompatibility and capability of internalization of these NWs have also been proven to show the potential of these NWs in biomedical applications

Obtention and characterization of ferrous chloride FeCl_2•4H_2O from water pickling liquors

As a hazardous waste, water pickling liquors must be properly treated. An alternative consists of promoting the formation of ferrous salts from this residue due to their higher ferrous content. Since FeCl_2•4H_2O is widely used in several applications, obtaining pure crystals of this material appears to be an interesting prospect. However, this compound has scarcely been investigated. In the present work, FeCl_2•4H_2O crystals were obtained from water pickling liquors. Their structural and morphological characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy as well as Mossbauer spectroscopy. In addition, the photoluminescence study of the obtained samples was also assessed. It was observed that after some aging time, the obtained crystals changed in colour from green to more yellowish. As such, the aged sample was also evaluated, and their structural characteristics were compared with the original crystals. Despite this, the obtained crystals exhibit a FeCl_2•4H_2O structure, which is not modified with the aging of the sample

The new world of RNA diagnostics and therapeutics

The 5th Workshop IRE on Translational Oncology was held in Rome (Italy) on 27–28 March at the IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute. This meeting entitled “The New World of RNA diagnostics and therapeutics” highlightes the significant progress in the RNA field made over the last years. Research moved from pure discovery towards the development of diagnostic biomarkers or RNA-base targeted therapies seeking validation in several clinical trials. Non-coding RNAs in particular have been the focus of this workshop due to their unique properties that make them attractive tools for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. This report collected the presentations of many scientists from different institutions that discussed recent oncology research providing an excellent overview and representative examples for each possible application of RNA as biomarker, for therapy or to increase the number of patients that can benefit from precision oncology treatment. In particular, the meeting specifically emphasized two key features of RNA applications: RNA diagnostic (Blandino, Palcau, Sestito, Díaz Méndez, Cappelletto, Pulito, Monteonofrio, Calin, Sozzi, Cheong) and RNA therapeutics (Dinami, Marcia, Anastasiadou, Ryan, Fattore, Regazzo, Loria, Aharonov)

Genomic mutation profile in progressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients prior to first-line chemoimmunotherapy with FCR and rituximab maintenance (REM)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent leukemia in Western countries and is notable for its variable clinical course. This variability is partly reflected by the mutational status of IGHV genes. Many CLL samples have been studied in recent years by next-generation sequencing. These studies have identified recurrent somatic mutations in NOTCH1, SF3B1, ATM, TP53, BIRC3 and others genes that play roles in cell cycle, DNA repair, RNA metabolism and splicing. In this study, we have taken a deep-targeted massive sequencing approach to analyze the impact of mutations in the most frequently mutated genes in patients with CLL enrolled in the REM (rituximab en mantenimiento) clinical trial. The mutational status of our patients with CLL, except for the TP53 gene, does not seem to affect the good results obtained with maintenance therapy with rituximab after front-line FCR treatment

Au@p4VP core@shell pH-sensitive nanocomposites suitable for drug entrapment

11 p.-2 schem.-1 graph. abst.We synthesize and characterize pH-responsive hybrid nanocomposites with SERS and drug loading applications. This colloidal system is structured by spherical 50 nm Au cores individually coated by a pH-sensitive shell of poly4-vinylpyridine (Au@p4VP). The synthesis of these hybrid nanocomposites is performed in two steps, a first one involves the fabrication of vinyl-functionalized Au nanoparticles, and a second one includes the controlled overgrowth of a p4VP shell by free radical polymerization. As a result, Au@p4VP hybrid systems with a mean diameter ranging from 150 to 57 nm are obtained upon varying the monomer concentration at synthesis. Au@p4VP nanocomposite exhibits pH-response capabilities, confirmed by cryo-TEM analysis, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Zeta Potential (ZP) measurements at different pH conditions. The Au@p4VP particles also display a controllable swelling response, which depends on the cross-linker density within the polymer. This swelling capability is analyzed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and UV–vis spectroscopy at different pHs. The pH-responsive capability is here exploited for the chemical entrapment of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) into the polymer network. The presence of this molecule is resolved by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) measurements. The entrapment efficiency of Dox by the Au@p4VP system is determined via NMR spectroscopy of the supernatants.JCR acknowledges funding from UOC, internal grant N116139473, aimed at enhancing submission to H2020 calls. RCC, JLR and JRR acknowledge financial support from the Spanish MINECO projects CTQ2013-48418P, CTQ2016-76311-R, BFU2016-75319-R and MAT2014-55065R. IF, RCC and ABRM thank the financial support given by Junta de Andalucía (Spain) under the project number P12-FQM-2668. J.F.D acknowledges the networking contributions by the COST actions CM1407 and CM1470.Peer reviewe

La Cueva de El Sidrón (Piloña Asturias)

Estado de las excavaciones y estudios en la Cueva de El Sidrón (PIloña, Asturias)

Similarity in Recombination Rate Estimates Highly Correlates with Genetic Differentiation in Humans

Recombination varies greatly among species, as illustrated by the poor conservation of the recombination landscape between humans and chimpanzees. Thus, shorter evolutionary time frames are needed to understand the evolution of recombination. Here, we analyze its recent evolution in humans. We calculated the recombination rates between adjacent pairs of 636,933 common single-nucleotide polymorphism loci in 28 worldwide human populations and analyzed them in relation to genetic distances between populations. We found a strong and highly significant correlation between similarity in the recombination rates corrected for effective population size and genetic differentiation between populations. This correlation is observed at the genome-wide level, but also for each chromosome and when genetic distances and recombination similarities are calculated independently from different parts of the genome. Moreover, and more relevant, this relationship is robustly maintained when considering presence/absence of recombination hotspots. Simulations show that this correlation cannot be explained by biases in the inference of recombination rates caused by haplotype sharing among similar populations. This result indicates a rapid pace of evolution of recombination, within the time span of differentiation of modern humans