Adjacent Junctions Research Articles

Clustered macrophages cooperate to eliminate tumors via coordinated intrudopodia.

Macrophages often pervade solid tumors, but their nearest neighbor organization is understudied and potentially enables key functions such as phagocytosis. Here, we observe dynamic macrophage clusters in tumors under conditions that maximize cancer cell phagocytosis and use reductionist approaches to uncover pathways to cluster formation and roles for tumor-intrusive pseudopodia, which we term 'intrudopodia'. Macrophage clusters form over hours on low- adhesion substrates after M1 polarization with interferons, including T cell-derived cytokines, and yet clusters prove fluid on timescales of minutes. Clusters also sort from M2 macrophages that disperse on the same substrates. M1 macrophages upregulate specific cell-cell adhesion receptors but suppress actomyosin contractility, and while both pathways contribute to cluster formation, decreased cortical tension was predicted to unleash pseudopodia. Macrophage neighbors in tumor spheroids indeed extend intrudopodia between adjacent cancer cell junctions - at least when phagocytosis conditions are maximized, and coordinated intrudopodia help detach and individualize cancer cells for rapid engulfment. Macrophage clusters thereby provide a cooperative advantage for phagocytosis to overcome solid tumor cohesion.

A complex of the lipid transport ER proteins TMEM24 and C2CD2 with band 4.1 at cell-cell contacts.

Junctions between the ER and plasma membrane (PM) are implicated in calcium homeostasis, non-vesicular lipid transfer, and other cellular functions. Two ER proteins that function both as tethers to the PM via a polybasic C-terminus motif and as phospholipid transporters are brain-enriched TMEM24 (C2CD2L) and its paralog C2CD2. We report that both proteins also form a complex with band 4.1 family members, which in turn bind PM proteins including cell adhesion molecules such as SynCAM 1. This complex enriches TMEM24 and C2CD2 containing ER/PM junctions at sites of cell contacts. Dynamic properties of TMEM24-dependent ER/PM junctions are impacted when band 4.1 is part of the junction, as TMEM24 at cell-adjacent ER/PM junctions is not shed from the PM by calcium rise, unlike TMEM24 at non-cell adjacent junctions. Lipid transport between the ER and the PM by TMEM24 and C2CD2 at sites where cells, including neurons, contact other cells may participate in adaptive responses to cell contact-dependent signaling.

Smart Traffic Light Control System Using Arduino Mega

Abstract: This article presents the "Smart Traffic Light Control System using Arduino Mega" design. These systems manage traffic flow at intersections, aiming for smooth vehicle movement. However, synchronizing multiple traffic lights at adjacent junctions is complex because of a number of variables. Conventional systems struggle with fluctuating traffic flows and lack consideration for emergencies, pedestrian crossings, and accidents. This often leads to congestion and traffic jams. The suggested method resolves these problems by integrating advanced control mechanisms to adjust traffic signals dynamically, enhancing overall traffic management efficiency and safety

Effect of High-Intensity Microwave Treatment on Structural and Chemical Characteristics of Chinese Fir

High-intensity microwave (HIMW) treatment is a time-saving and environmentally friendly method widely applied in the wood processing industry. It enhances wood permeability, making it suitable for drying and impregnation modification. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HIMW on macroscopic and microscopic cracks, tracheid cell wall damage, and the chemical structure of Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook] wood. Through the use of a camera, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, the morphology of cracks, cell wall damage, the chemical composition of the cell wall, and the crystalline structure of cellulose treated with HIMW were examined and analyzed. The results revealed that the initial moisture content (MC) and microwave energy density (MWED) significantly influenced the crack characteristics and cell wall structure and slightly influenced the chemical composition and crystalline structure of cellulose of the Chinese fir cell wall. HIMW treatment can produce different characteristics of wood cracks. The size and number of cracks were significantly increased with the increase in MWED, and more cracks were found in low MC. Microcracks caused by HIMW treatment tended to initiate at the ray parenchyma, resulting in the stripping of ray cells along its radial direction. Meanwhile, the cracking of adjacent cell junctions, the rupturing of the pit margo and pit torus, and cell wall parts tearing along the direction of microfibers occurred as a result of the HIMW treatment. The most severe damage to the cell walls occurred at the interface of S1/S2, S1, and ML layers, and the cell walls were torn in the S2 layer. There were no significant changes in the FTIR spectra of the HIMW treatment samples. Hemicellulose degradation occurred first, which increased with the increase in MWED. The recrystallization of cellulose and the lignin content increased because of the change in the aromatic C=O groups. As MWED increased, both the crystallinity index (CI) and cellulose crystal width (D200) of the samples that underwent HIMW treatment increased accordingly, and the number of low-MC samples was greater than that of the high-MC samples. The findings contribute to understanding the crack characteristics and damage mechanism induced by HIMW treatment on wood. This study provides valuable insights into regulating the effects of HIMW treatment and expanding its application in wood processing, such as wood drying and functionalized impregnation, according to the specific end-use requirements.

Enhancing thermoelectric performance of single-walled carbon nanotube films by poly(styrene sulfonate acid) dispersing and sequential base treatment

Despite single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have attracted great interest for thermoelectric (TE) conversion, the strong van der Waals forces between SWCNTs cause them to aggregate into bundles with poor dispersibility, which dramatically deteriorates the charge carrier transport, and thereby induces low electrical conductivity and TE power factor. Herein, we report a facile and efficient approach to enhance TE performance of SWCNTs via the addition of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSH) and sequential base treatment. PSSH is served as a dispersant and dopant to improve the dispersibility of SWCNTs and facilitate charge carrier conduction, contributing to high electrical conductivity of 3749 ± 122 S cm−1 and power factor of 117.7 ± 3.4 μW m−1 K−2 for 20 wt% PSSH/SWCNT composite film. Further base treatment induces partial removal of insulative PSSH and de-doping effect of SWCNTs, which decreases the barriers between adjacent nanotubes junctions and modulates charge carrier transport to synergistically optimize the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. With fine-tuning base treatment temperature, the PSSH/SWCNT composite film reaches highest power factor of 160.6 ± 7.9 μW m−1 K−2, higher than pristine SWCNTs of 70.2 ± 4.4 μW m−1 K−2. This work demonstrates the feasibility of this approach to boost the TE properties of SWCNTs, exhibiting potential application for high performance renewable energy harvesting.

Joint Efforts of Replicative Helicase and SSB Ensure Inherent Replicative Tolerance of G-Quadruplex.

G-quadruplex (G4) is a four-stranded noncanonical DNA structure that has long been recognized as a potential hindrance to DNA replication. However, how replisomes effectively deal with G4s to avoid replication failure is still obscure. Here, using single-molecule and ensemble approaches, the consequence of the collision between bacteriophage T7 replisome and an intramolecular G4 located on either the leading or lagging strand is examined. It is found that the adjacent fork junctions induced by G4 formation incur the binding of T7 DNA polymerase (DNAP). In addition to G4, these inactive DNAPs present insuperable obstacles, impeding the progression of DNA synthesis. Nevertheless, T7 helicase can dismantle them and resolve lagging-strand G4s, paving the way for the advancement of the replication fork. Moreover, with the assistance of the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) gp2.5, T7 helicase is also capable of maintaining a leading-strand G4 structure in an unfolded state, allowing for a fraction of T7 DNAPs to synthesize through without collapse. These findings broaden the functional repertoire of a replicative helicase and underscore the inherent G4 tolerance of a replisome.

Localization of oskar mRNA by agglomeration in ribonucleoprotein granules.

Localization of oskar mRNA to the posterior of the Drosophila oocyte is essential for abdominal patterning and germline development. oskar localization is a multi-step process involving temporally and mechanistically distinct transport modes. Numerous cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors have been identified that mediate earlier motor-dependent transport steps leading to an initial accumulation of oskar at the posterior. Little is known, however, about the requirements for the later localization phase, which depends on cytoplasmic flows and results in the accumulation of large oskar ribonucleoprotein granules, called founder granules, by the end of oogenesis. Using super-resolution microscopy, we show that founder granules are agglomerates of smaller oskar transport particles. In contrast to the earlier kinesin-dependent oskar transport, late-phase localization depends on the sequence as well as on the structure of the spliced oskar localization element (SOLE), but not on the adjacent exon junction complex deposition. Late-phase localization also requires the oskar 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), which targets oskar to founder granules. Together, our results show that 3' UTR-mediated targeting together with SOLE-dependent agglomeration leads to accumulation of oskar in large founder granules at the posterior of the oocyte during late stages of oogenesis. In light of previous work showing that oskar transport particles are solid-like condensates, our findings indicate that founder granules form by a process distinct from that of well-characterized ribonucleoprotein granules like germ granules, P bodies, and stress granules. Additionally, they illustrate how an individual mRNA can be adapted to exploit different localization mechanisms depending on the cellular context.

Road Junction Configurations and the Severity of Traffic Accidents in Japan

In many countries, 40–60% of the traffic accidents occur at junctions, making the reduction of junction accidents paramount to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. In Japan, the road safety guidelines specify the proximity between junctions and non-perpendicular angles at junctions as the two main risk factors behind junction accidents, yet their impact remains understudied. Using binomial logistic regression models, this study investigates the impact of junction intervals and junction angles on the severity of traffic accidents. The study found that, in general, (1) shorter intervals between adjacent junctions helps reduce the risk of serious accidents, which is the opposite of the current road safety guidelines in Japan, and (2) results from the junction angle analysis were mixed but there was no evidence that the roads should meet at a right angle to reduce traffic accidents. Some types of accidents also returned a non-linear curve, e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle collisions at four-armed junctions involving a driver aged 65 years and over have the highest risk of fatal/serious accidents when adjacent junctions were 32 m apart, and the risk reduces at a shorter or longer interval. These results suggest that the current road safety guidelines require updating to improve road safety around junctions.

Temperature-insensitive conductive composites for noninterference strain sensing

Very few thin-film strain gauges (TFSGs) that exhibit temperature self-compensation have been developed. Their temperature insensitivity range is typically < 100 °C, and they cannot be used for static strain sensing in variable-temperature environments. In this study, environmental interference owing to temperature fluctuations was successfully eliminated by controlling electron scattering and thermally assisted hopping transport in conductive composites. A new temperature-insensitive material was developed. The proposed strategy enables noninterference dynamic strain monitoring over an ultrawide temperature range of 30–300 °C, which is approximately 200 °C higher than that of noninterference TFSGs that have been reported. In particular, we propose the smallest feature unit of electron transport in conducting composites, that is, the pathway of an electron through a conductive particle and adjacent junction. This unit retains all the features of the entire conductive network, such as the temperature-resistivity effect, and is the smallest unit that can fully reflect the electron transport behavior. We manipulated the microstructure such that the static strain affects only the arrangement and number of temperature-insensitive feature units without destroying its internal structure, enabling temperature independence under static strain. The first noninterference TFSG was designed with a gauge factor of > 2300 for static strain sensing. The thermal output strain error at 30–200 °C was < 0.0016%.

Atypical Macropinocytosis Contributes to Malignant Progression: A Review of Recent Evidence in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Cells.

Simple SummaryA novel type of macropinocytosis has been identified as a trigger for the malignant progression of endometrial cancer. Transiently reducing epithelial barrier homeostasis leads to macropinocytosis by splitting between adjacent cells in endometrioid endometrial cancer. Macropinocytosis causes morphological changes in well-differentiated to poorly differentiated cancer cells. Inhibition of macropinocytosis promotes a persistent dormant state in the intrinsic KRAS-mutated cancer cell line Sawano. This review focuses on the mechanisms of atypical macropinocytosis and its effects on cellular function, and it describes the physiological processes involved in inducing resting conditions in endometrioid endometrial cancer cells.Macropinocytosis is an essential mechanism for the non-specific uptake of extracellular fluids and solutes. In recent years, additional functions have been identified in macropinocytosis, such as the intracellular introduction pathway of drugs, bacterial and viral infection pathways, and nutritional supplement pathway of cancer cells. However, little is known about the changes in cell function after macropinocytosis. Recently, it has been reported that macropinocytosis is essential for endometrial cancer cells to initiate malignant progression in a dormant state. Macropinocytosis is formed by a temporary split of adjacent bicellular junctions of epithelial sheets, rather than from the apical surface or basal membrane, as a result of the transient reduction of tight junction homeostasis. This novel type of macropinocytosis has been suggested to be associated with the malignant pathology of endometriosis and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. This review outlines the induction of malignant progression of endometrial cancer cells by macropinocytosis based on a new mechanism and the potential preventive mechanism of its malignant progression.

Developing and evaluating a coordinated person-based signal control paradigm in a corridor network

ABSTRACT Connected Vehicles (CVs) provide both vehicle trajectory data and occupancy information to the junction controller, which make person-based signal controls to be possible by realizing the importance of reducing person delay. This study presents a coordinated person-based signal control algorithm (C-PBC), which has extended a previously developed approach from isolated junctions to multiple junctions. C-PBC incorporates vehicle information that is outside the CV communication range from the adjacent junction. It also updates data inputs for signal optimization algorithms based on formulated different arrival vehicle trajectory situations and coordinated data supplement algorithms. The developed algorithm has been evaluated using simulation with benchmarking signal control methods under a variety of scenarios involving CV penetration rates and predictive horizons. The results indicate that C-PBC is able to significantly improve person delay reduction when compared with fixed time control and vehicle-based control using CV data in 100% CV penetration rate under saturated flow conditions.

Xueshuantong injection alleviates cerebral microcirculation disorder in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion rats by suppressing inflammation via JNK mediated JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn the long history of traditional Chinese medicine, Panax notoginseng has been used as a key herb for the treatment of blood diseases. Brain microvessels support adequate blood circulation to maintain normal physiological function, therefore, brain microcirculation disorder is an important therapeutic target for various brain diseases.However, the role of Xueshuantong (XST) injection composed of saponins from P. Notoginseng (PNS) in the amelioration of cerebral microcirculation disorder is unclear. Aims of the studyCerebral microcirculation disorder and inflammation play a vital role in stroke. Capillary endothelial cells and adjacent tight junctions are fundamental to the structure and function of cerebrovascule. XST injection has been used clinically in the treatment of stroke, but no studies have reported its indication in cerebral microcirculation disorder. This study is to explore the action and mechanism of XST injection in the alleviation of cerebral microcirculation disorder in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats. Materials and methodsMCAO/R rats and LPS-induced bEnd.3 cells were employed for the investigation of effect and mechanism of XST injection. Brain damages were evaluated by neurobehavioral assessment, 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E), and Nissl staining. Morphology and density changes of cerebral microvessels were monitored by immunohistochemistry. Cell permeability was detected by measurement of trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and sodium fluorescein (NaF) leakage. The mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins, adhesion molecules, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in brain microvessels and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bEnd.3 cells were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsXST injection at 48 mg/kg significantly improved the neurological damage, inflammatory infiltration, and microvessel morphology, and increased microvessel density in brain of MCAO/R rats. The endothelial permeability was significantly mitigated by XST injection in LPS-induced bEnd.3 cells. Meanwhile, the tight junction proteins such as zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) and occludin were elevated remarkably in brain microvessel of MCAO/R rats and LPS-induced bEnd.3 cells. Moreover, the expression of inflammatory mediators including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cycloocygenases 2 (COX-2), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 were inhibited by XST injection. In addition, XST injection suppressed the phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3, IκB, NF-κB and JNK, which could be abolished by anisomycin, the JNK agonist. ConclusionXST injection improved cerebral microvescular structure damage and dysfunction in MCAO/R rats through inhibiting inflammation activated by JNK mediated JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. The novel findings may provide theoretical basis for the clinical application in the treatment of cerebral microcirculation disorder.

Droplet-microfluidics-assisted sequencing of HIV proviruses and their integration sites in cells from people on antiretroviral therapy.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrates its genome in that of infected cells and may enter an inactive state of reversible latency that cannot be targeted using antiretroviral therapy. The resulting HIV DNA is termed a provirus. Sequencing individual proviruses with the adjacent human cellular junctions may elucidate mechanisms of infected cell persistence in humans. Here, we introduce a high throughput microfluidic assay where droplet-based whole genome amplification of the HIV DNA in its native context is followed by a polymerase chain reaction to tag droplets containing proviruses for sequencing, resulting in the assembly of full-length viral genomes connected to their contiguous HIV-human DNA junctions, regardless of the 150 million-fold higher amount of human DNA present in the background. We analyzed infected cells from patients with HIV receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy, resulting in the detection and sequencing of paired proviral genomes and integration sites, 90% of which weren’t recovered by commonly used nested PCR methods. The sequencing of individual proviral genomes with their integration sites could improve the genetic analysis of persistent HIV-infected cell reservoirs.

Metal-wire-embedded alumina insulating material using micro- and nanoscale 3D printing for surface flashover mitigation in a vacuum

A micro- and nanoscale 3D printing technique is applied to fabricate a functional insulating material that mitigates surface discharge in a vacuum based on microscopic electron multipactor suppression. The proposed alumina ceramic insulator design consists of surface-embedded thin metal wires that introduce a local gradient of secondary electron emission (SEE) yield, such that the trajectories of multipactor electrons are distorted by accumulated negative surface charge and the SEE avalanche across the insulator surface becomes intermittent. Considerable increases of surface flashover threshold and surface charging reduction are verified by the experiment. Also, additional efforts are made to determine the optimal size and spatial distribution of the metal wire. A convex-shape flashover voltage trace is observed when increasing the width of the wire, suggesting a trade-off between the multipactor mitigation and the insulator strength. The wire’s position between the adjacent cathode triple junction and the middle of the insulator is proved to be favorable for flashover mitigation. The physical details of surface flashover mitigation by the proposed insulator design are revealed by an ab initio particle-in-cell simulation code, corroborating the experiment from a microscopic aspect.

Transportation modelling using PTV Vissim for the adjacent junction in Sampangan Semarang City

The growth of vehicles in the city of Semarang is fast, as calculated based on the BPS Semarang the number of vehicle growth is 11% per year. This causes the road capacity to be periodically increased. As is the case at the adjacent intersections on Dewi Sartika street and Talangsari street initially, to break up delays and queues and increase capacity, efforts were made to add a 7-meter-wide bridge. However, this widening will not solve the problem in the next 5 years so that alternative solutions are needed for the two intersections. This study aims to evaluate the two intersections using the Binamarga method based on the 1993 MKJI, to determine the capacity of the intersection and plan the design of the intersection in the future and then make modelling with PTV Vissim Software to describe the simulation of the actual situation.

Estimation Impact of Capital Development Projects on Adjacent Street and Road Network in Organization of Traffic by Means of Signal Controlled Intersections

The paper discusses problems of assessing the impact of mass attraction centers on the adjacent street and road network in the process of their functioning, expansion or conversion. The choice of criteria for assessing the organization of traffic flow, given in the Russian and foreign literature, has been substantiated, in particular, it is proposed to use v/c ratio for adjacent junction and corresponding level of traffic service (LOS). The main models for estimating capacity of signalized intersections are presented. The procedures of forming a mathematical model for estimating the load factor of signalized intersections is shown. The concepts of lane group capacity, total lost time per cycle, phase coefficients, saturation flow rate, and coefficients taking into account the decrease in the ideal saturation flow rate are explained. A mathematical model for estimating transport demand is presented, which allows to calculate the intensity of traffic flow to and from the center of mass attraction on the basis of the total traffic flow of correspondence, share of visitors in individual transport, average filling of individual transport, and coefficient of daily irregularity upon arrival and departure of visitors on an individual transport. An integrated mathematical model of loaf factor is proposed which includes parameters for estimating transport demand for centers of mass embarrassment and parameters that determine the signalized intersections capacity. The uniqueness of the integrated model is that it simultaneously involves parameters reflecting the demand and capacity of loading intersection. Recommendations are made on assessing the level of traffic service flows and the v/s ratio, based on the data of transport demand and capacity, adjacent to the centers of mass attraction of the road network. The presented method of estimating the LOS based on the capacity of the signalized intersections allows us to estimate the influence degree of mass attraction centers on the adjacent urban road network.

Smart Ambulance Traffic Control System

The traffic lights control system is broadly implemented to track and control the flow of vehicles through the intersection of multiple roads. Nevertheless, the synchronization of traffic light system at adjacent junctions is an intricate issue given the different parameters involved. Existing traffic light control systems do not control many flows approaching the same junctions. This results in traffic jams and congestion at urban areas or major cities with high volume traffic consisting of various types of vehicles. This includes emergency ambulances travelling on the same traffic junction during peak hour traffic. Thus, an enhanced traffic light control system is imperative to provide a smooth and free flow for an ambulance on the way to its destination. The Smart Ambulance Traffic Control System proposed in this paper is an integrated system of traffic light control for emergency ambulance service. The traffic lights can be controlled in a timely and efficient manner every time an emergency ambulance is approaching. The Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is used as an instrument to communicate with traffic lights during traffic congestion. The emergency ambulance driver needs to activate the RFID tag to allow the detection of RFID readers to control the traffic light operation at the upcoming traffic light junctions. The traffic lights in the path of the ambulance are forced to be green to allow the emergency ambulance to pass through the junction with top priority. Immediately after the ambulance has passed the junction, the control system will reset and return to normal operations.

Clavicular Metastasis as an Initial Presentation of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) metastases to the clavicular bone is rare. While the lung is considered the most common site of metastases from thyroid malignancy, osseous metastases, if seen, are usually observed at sites such as humerus, pelvis, radius, and scapula. Clinical Case: A 44-year-old man presented with an enlarging right neck mass for six months after light trauma to that area. Other than mild pain in the described area, the patient reported 20 lbs of weight loss. Initial x-ray revealed a large soft tissue density mass that extended to the midline of the right proximal clavicle. Soft-tissue neck ultrasound noted a 5.4 x 3.6 cm mass extending from the thyroid with findings of increased vascularity and calcification. CT scan of the neck depicted the extension of the mass into the adjacent sternoclavicular junction with osteolysis of the middle third of the clavicle as well as the superior aspect of the sternal body. A fine needle aspiration of the mass revealed thyroid neoplasm with follicular features and positive immunostaining consistent with thyroid carcinoma. Chest CT showed invasion into the right proximal clavicle, tracheal deviation and extension into the mediastinum. The patient underwent a composite resection of the tumor, including a segmental osteotomy of approximately two-thirds of the medial clavicle. Post surgically the patient’s serum calcium was low at 7.9 mg/dL with a concurrently low PTH of 9 pg/mL and a low 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 16.8 ng/mL. Thyroglobulin was markedly high at 15655.0 ng/mL (confirmed on dilution), and thyroglobulin antibody < 1.0 IU/mL. Pathology report confirmed PTC with extra-thyroidal extension and involvement of clavicle (staged pT4a pN0), however margins and lymph nodes were negative for carcinoma with further genomic findings showing positive KRAS mutation. The patient’s post-operative course was complicated by a large expanding left neck hematoma after a fall; he was immediately readmitted with the hematoma subsequently safely evacuated. Levothyroxine has been held at this time with plans for radioactive iodine treatment eight weeks after surgery. Conclusion: Bone metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer is rare, especially clavicular metastasis arising from PTC. Bone scintigraphy, x-ray and fine needle biopsy are some of the widely utilized methods employed in the evaluation of bone metastasis in the setting of thyroid malignancy. The prospect of recovery is generally favorable in cases of bone metastases, however various factors can affect prognosis and long-term outcomes. Reference: Krishnamurthy A. Clavicle metastasis from carcinoma thyroid- an atypical skeletal event and a management dilemma. Indian J Surg Oncol. 2015;6(3):267-270. doi:10.1007/s13193-015-0387-y

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection Compromises the Blood-Testis Barrier by Disturbing mTORC1-mTORC2 Balance.

The structural and functional destruction of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) following uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) infection may be a critical component of the pathologic progress of orchitis. Recent findings indicate that the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR)-signaling pathway is implicated in the regulation of BTB assembly and restructuring. To explore the mechanisms underlying BTB damage induced by UPEC infection, we analyzed BTB integrity and the involvement of the mTOR-signaling pathway using in vivo and in vitro UPEC-infection models. We initially confirmed that soluble virulent factors secreted from UPEC trigger a stress response in Sertoli cells and disturb adjacent cell junctions via down-regulation of junctional proteins, including occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), F-actin, connexin-43 (CX-43), β-catenin, and N-cadherin. The BTB was ultimately disrupted in UPEC-infected rat testes, and blood samples from UPEC-induced orchitis in these animals were positive for anti-sperm antibodies. Furthermore, we herein also demonstrated that mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) over-activation and mTORC2 suppression contributed to the disturbance in the balance between BTB “opening” and “closing.” More importantly, rapamycin (a specific mTORC1 inhibitor) significantly restored the expression of cell-junction proteins and exerted a protective effect on the BTB during UPEC infection. We further confirmed that short-term treatment with rapamycin did not aggravate spermatogenic degeneration in infected rats. Collectively, this study showed an association between abnormal activation of the mTOR-signaling pathway and BTB impairment during UPEC-induced orchitis, which may provide new insights into a potential treatment strategy for testicular infection.

Mapping the amelogenin protein expression during porcine molar crown development

IntroductionAmelogenin (AMEL) plays critical roles during enamel and dentin matrix deposition and mineralization. Most studies focused on the expression patterns of AMEL through the bud, cap, and bell stages. The spatial-temporal expression of AMEL protein during different mineralization stages, especially from presence of crypts to crown completed stages, remains unknown. Thus, the distribution pattern of AMEL in tooth crown formation from Nolla Stage 1 to 6 was investigated. MethodsPorcine mandibular molar tooth germs from Nolla Stage 1 to 6 were obtained. The dynamic morphologic changes of tooth germs were examined by X-ray and surgical operating microscope. The AMEL protein expression was evaluated immunohistochemically, then analyzed semi-quantitatively, and further visualized via heat map. ResultsTooth germs continuously increased in size from Nolla Stage 1 to 6. AMEL expression in the newly formed enamel kept negative, but presented intensively positive in the previously formed enamel from Stage 1 to 3. The adjacent enamel-dentin junction (EDJ) was strongly positive during the whole process. In predentin, AMEL was weakly seen at Stage 1 and then dramatically up-regulated from Stage 2 to Stage 3, then down-regulated but was still apparently seen in the whole process. AMEL expression in dentin was decreased during dentin matrix secretion and mineralization. ConclusionsThis study identified the dynamic distribution of AMEL during porcine tooth crown formation. Semi-quantitative analysis and heat map emerged as reliable indicators in demonstrating AMEL distribution pattern.