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J Water Health 2018 Dec;16(6):958-969

School of Architectural and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi, China E-mail:

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) was preserved using an agar embedding method to maintain its stability. No obvious damage was imposed on the granular appearance during 30 days of cold and dry storage, but the granular microstructure had an uneven surface with a large number of holes. The results were consistent with the extinction of microbial communities and the monitored consumption of extracellular polymeric substances, in which granular specific oxygen utilization rate and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids/mixed liquor suspended solids ratio, respectively, decreased by 72. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2019 Mar;14(3):485-490

Division of Physiology and Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.

Alcohol, a widely abused drug, has deleterious effects on the immature nervous system. This study investigates the effect of chronic in vitro ethanol exposure on the metabolism of immature rat cerebellar granular cells (CGCs) and on their response to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Primary CGC cultures were exposed to ethanol (100 mM in culture medium) or to control ethanol-free medium starting day one in vitro (DIV1). Read More

Ophthalmologe 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Augenklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Mathildenstr. 8, 80336, München, Deutschland.

Background: Corneal optical coherence tomography (anterior segment OCT, AS-OCT) is described in the current IC3D classification of corneal dystrophies to be a method for improvement of clinical diagnostics and treatment.

Objective: In this case series AS-OCT images of corneal dystrophies were analyzed with respect to morphological changes.

Material And Methods: This was a retrospective imaging and morphological case series with 38 eyes. Read More

Sci Adv 2018 Dec 7;4(12):eaat6387. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Cybermedia Center, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan.

Amorphous solids, such as glasses, have complex responses to deformations, with substantial consequences in material design and applications. In this respect, two intertwined aspects are important: stability and reversibility. It is crucial to understand, on the one hand, how a glass may become unstable due to increased plasticity under shear deformations, and, on the other hand, to what extent the response is reversible, meaning how much a system is able to recover the original configuration once the perturbation is released. Read More

Indian J Surg Oncol 2018 Dec 21;9(4):598-600. Epub 2018 Jul 21.

Department of Pathology, Seth GSMC & KEMH, Parel, Mumbai-12, India.

Granular cell tumours are uncommon, usually benign soft tissue tumours. They are thought to be neural, arising from Schwann cells and can occur at various sites. Their occurrence in gastrointestinal tract is rare, the commonest site being oesophagus followed by large intestine. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 3;219:130-139. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.

Biomass washout from high-speed anaerobic suspended bed bio-reactors is still a challenge to their stable operation. Preserving active biomass to efficiently retain biomass in the reactor is one of the solutions to this problem. Herein, two carriers (polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS) and PVA/CS/Fe gel beads) were prepared using the cross-linking method. Read More

J Anat 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

Several beneficial effects on oral health are ascribed to melatonin. Due to its lipophilic nature, non-protein-bound circulating melatonin is usually thought to enter the saliva by passive diffusion through salivary acinar gland cells. Recently, however, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), melatonin was found in acinar secretory granules of human salivary glands. Read More

Small 2018 Dec 7:e1804436. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.

Drinking water treatment processes (DWTPs) impact pathogen colonization and microbial communities in finished water; however, their efficacies against opportunistic pathogens are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of treatment steps on the removal of Legionella spp., Legionella pneumophila, nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium, and two amoeba hosts (Vermamoeba vermiformis, Acanthamoeba) are evaluated in two parallel trains of DWTPs equipped with different pretreatment units. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.

Cerebellum seems to be a specific target for both the decrease of estrogen and hypertension in menopause. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypertension and menopause-induced changes in rat's cerebellar cortex and the possible mechanisms of these changes. Rats were divided into four groups: the sham-operated control (SC-group), the ovariectomized (OVX-group), the hypertensive (H-group), and the ovariectomized-hypertensive (OVX-H-group) group. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Nov;22(22):7877-7882

Jinan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in gynecological practice. Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and ovarian granular stem cell factor (SCF) participate in the occurrence and progression of PCOS. This study aimed to investigate the expression of AMH and SCF in PCOS patients and attempt to analyze the effect of AMH on SCF. Read More

Microbiol Resour Announc 2018 Oct 4;7(13). Epub 2018 Oct 4.

School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is a Gram-negative fish pathogen responsible for visceral granular disease in large yellow croaker, . Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a verified virulent strain, XSDHY-P, that was isolated from spleen tissue of a diseased large yellow croaker. Read More

Autops Case Rep 2018 Apr-Jun;8(2):e2018025. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

a Centro Hospitalar de São João, Medical Oncology Department. Porto, Portugal.

Large-cell neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are poorly differentiated malignancies of rare incidence and aggressive nature. NETs mostly arise in the lung followed by the gastrointestinal tract, although they are potentially ubiquitous throughout the body. Primary unknown NET has a worse prognosis and shorter survival comparing with other NETs, with limited available data in the literature concerning this subgroup. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2018 ;59(11):2438-2440

Department of Hematology, Japan Community Health Care Organization, Kyoto Kuramaguchi Medical Center.

A 61-year-old female was diagnosed with a lymphoid crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in February 201X and started chemotherapy combined with dasatinib (DAS). After 1 month of initiating second consolidation therapy, the neutrophils decreased to 1%, bone marrow examination revealed large granular lymphocytes (LGL) at 13%, and complete cytogenetic remission was attained (CCyR). Suspecting DAS-induced agranulocytosis, DAS was discontinued. Read More

Neurosci Lett 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Biochemistry, German University in Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address:

The inability of central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate following traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be attributed to apoptotic cell death, inhibitory extrinsic environment and the limited ability of neurons to regenerate. Thus, fostering the intrinsic regenerative potential and minimizing neuronal cell death could be a promising therapeutic approach. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) was previously reported for its neuroprotective and regenerative potential on peripheral nerves. Read More

J Environ Sci (China) 2019 Feb 12;76:388-402. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, 339-700, South Korea. Electronic address:

We examined how long-term operation of anaerobic-oxic and anaerobic-anoxic sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) affects the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) performance and sludge characteristics. The microbial characteristics of phosphorus accumulating organism (PAO) and denitrifying PAO (DPAO) sludge were also analyzed through a quantitative analysis of microbial community structure. Compared with the initial stage of operation characterized by unstable EBPR, both PAO and DPAO SBR produced a stable EBPR performance after about 100-day operation. Read More

Waste Manag 2018 Nov 8;81:117-127. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. Electronic address:

Effects of methanogenic community of inoculum (liquid anaerobic digestion effluent (L-AD effluent), waste activated sludge (WAS), and anaerobic granular sludge (AGS)) and substrate/inoculum ratio (S/I) on reactor performance in solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) were investigated. L-AD effluent, which can provide sufficient microbes and enough buffering capacity to the reactor at an S/I ratio of 6, was found to quickly initiate SS-AD processes. The highest methane production was obtained in reactor inoculated with WAS at an S/I ratio of 2. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2018 Dec 10;19(1):350. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD), a mitochondrial genetic disorder, typically affects the kidneys and results in end-stage renal disease. Early diagnosis of MIDD is challenging when renal manifestations precede other key clinical features such as diabetes and deafness and/or when the disease is complicated by other renal pathologies.

Case Presentation: Here, we present the case of a 33-year-old Japanese woman who had initially been diagnosed with IgA nephropathy but was found to have MIDD 6 years later. Read More

Environ Sci Technol 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

This study provides a twenty-two-year record of in situ degradation of chlorinated organic compounds by a granular iron permeable reactive barrier (PRB). Groundwater concentrations of trichloroethene (TCE) entering the PRB were as high as 10,670 µg/L. Treatment efficiency ranged from 81 to >99% and TCE concentrations from <1 µg/L to 165 µg/L were detected within and hydraulically down-gradient of the PRB. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2018 Nov 15;366:160-168. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA. Electronic address:

Contamination of drinking water sources with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a major challenge for environmental engineers. While granular activated carbon (GAC) is an effective adsorbent-based treatment technology for long-chained PFASs, GAC is less effective for removal of short-chained compounds, necessitating a more complete treatment strategy. Super-fine powder activated carbon (SPAC; particle diameter <1 um) is potentially a superior adsorbent to GAC due to high specific surface area and faster adsorption kinetics. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 5;2018:8503427. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Rome "Sapienza", Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Sant'Andrea", Rome, Italy.

Traumatic, neoplastic, inflammatory, or infective dental removal promotes a gradual resorption process of bone which leads to a "nonuse" atrophy of the alveolar ridges. Many techniques allows restoring an appropriate bone thickness, but nowadays the attention is focused on the use of natural or synthetic grafts. Numerous studies have been conducted to develop and test new synthetic materials. Read More

Case Rep Ophthalmol 2018 Sep-Dec;9(3):457-464. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Balestrazzi Associated Ophthalmological Practice, Rome, Italy.

We report a severe case of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) following femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (femto-LASIK). A 25-year-old man was submitted to 150 kHz iFS® IntraLase-assisted LASIK in both eyes for compound myopic astigmatism. The day after surgery, clinical examination showed a diffuse whitish granular cell reaction particularly in the right eye. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 5;8(1):17637. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000, Grenoble, France.

We study the spontaneous crystallization of an assembly of highly monodisperse steel spheres under shaking, as it evolves from localized icosahedral ordering towards a packing reaching crystalline ordering. Towards this end, real space neutron tomography measurements on the granular assembly are carried out, as it is systematically subjected to a variation of frequency and amplitude. As expected, we see a presence of localized icosahedral ordering in the disordered initial state (packing fraction ≈ 0. Read More

J Neuroinflammation 2018 Dec 5;15(1):337. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Laboratory of Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain.

Background: Perinatal maternal malnutrition is related to altered growth of tissues and organs. The nervous system development is very sensitive to environmental insults, being the hippocampus a vulnerable structure, in which altered number of neurons and granular cells has been observed. Moreover, glial cells are also affected, and increased expression of proinflammatory mediators has been observed. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 11 30;9(1):5119. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Extremely useful techniques exist to observe the interior of deforming opaque materials, but these methods either require that the sample is replaced with a model material or that the motion is stopped intermittently. For example, X-ray computed tomography cannot measure the continuous flow of materials due to the significant scanning time required for density reconstruction. Here we resolve this technological gap with an alternative X-ray method that does not require such tomographs. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2018 Nov 6. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Center for Sports Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Current definitions of an athlete range from loosely defined to overly restrictive, rely on qualitative subjective descriptors, and fail to capture the majority of physically active patients. To improve the understanding between exercise and health metrics a more standardized and granular classification of exercising patients is required. We propose a simplified algorithm to categorize and define exercising patients based on the: (1) intent of exercise, (2) volume of exercise (hours/week), and (3) level of competition. Read More

Sex Med Rev 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Division of Urologic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, USA.

Introduction: Penile prosthesis (PP) implantation is associated with high patient satisfaction and improved sexual quality of life (SQoL). The SQoL benefits of PP implantation are generalizable across subpopulations of PP implant patients, but the literature is heterogeneous in design and largely without instruments to specifically measure SQoL changes due to PP, requiring extrapolation from less granular measures.

Aim: To provide a comprehensive review of available literature regarding SQoL with a penile prosthesis. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Dec 1;53(12):2502-2506. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Division of Pediatric Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: The kidney develops from an intimate interaction between the ureteric bud and the metanephric mass. We attempted to differentially stain the derivatives of the ureteric bud and the metanephric mass in ovine fetuses.

Methods: After appropriate approval, 47 fetal lambs' kidneys at 50 (4), 60 (6), 70 (5), 80 (4), 100 (10), 110 (8), 145 (10) days' gestation (term is 140-145 days) were obtained. Read More

J Comp Pathol 2018 Nov 20;165:40-44. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

Department of Veterinary Pathology, Brazil.

A 9-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier was presented to a veterinary hospital with diarrhoea, severe prostration, hypothermia, dehydration and anaemia. The dog died 6 days after the first consultation. At necropsy examination the serosa of the large intestine showed a granular appearance and the mucosa was thickened, ulcerated and red, with prominent folding. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2018 Nov 28;169:722-729. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

College of Resources and Environmental Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China. Electronic address:

In this study, Auricularia Matrix Waste (AMW) was modified by sodium hydroxide and immobilized into granular adsorbent with sodium alginate to remove lead ions from aqueous solution through a fixed-bed column. The results of Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) illuminated that immobilization greatly changed the structure, elements, polarity and functional groups of the adsorbent. Amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl groups on the adsorbent actively participated lead(II) adsorption and cation exchange also played an important role in adsorption process. Read More

Waste Manag 2019 Jan 8;83:57-67. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, Shandong Province, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology (Jiangnan University), Wuxi 214122, PR China. Electronic address:

Batch tests inoculated with granular and suspended sludge of mono chicken manure (CM) digestion were conducted. Kinetic analysis showed a maximum bio-CH generation (6 mL/gVS/d) at an optimal TS of 10-12%. At a TS of 25%, serious inhibition was found for granular sludge and even greater inhibition for the suspended sludge caused by free ammonia. Read More

Popul Health Manag 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

2 National Pharmaceutical Council , Washington, District of Columbia.

This study compared utilization patterns of high-cost services and medications for patients receiving care from Accountable Care Organization (ACO)-participating physicians and those receiving care from non-ACO physicians during the initial phases of ACO development in a commercially insured environment. Patients ≥18 years (≥40 years for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) with prevalent rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, COPD, or chronic low back pain between January 1, 2012, and August 31, 2014 were identified in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database. Patients were assigned to the ACO cohort if their primary treating physician was contracted to the health plan through an ACO agreement. Read More

Brain Struct Funct 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.

Cerebellar granule neurons are the most numerous neuronal subtype in the central nervous system. Within the developing cerebellum, these neurons are derived from a population of progenitor cells found within the external granule layer of the cerebellar anlage, namely the cerebellar granule neuron precursors (GNPs). The timely proliferation and differentiation of these precursor cells, which, in rodents occurs predominantly in the postnatal period, is tightly controlled to ensure the normal morphogenesis of the cerebellum. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2019 9;26:31-34. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

, which colonizes upper respiratory and digestive tracts, is a leading cause of respiratory diseases in many host species. Here, we describe a case of pneumonia with hemoptysis. A 72-year-old female diagnosed with bronchiectasis with a 36-year history presented with a worsened infiltrative and granular shadow in the lower right lobe and lingular segment. Read More

Mar Pollut Bull 2018 Nov 11;136:135-140. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Faculty of Science and Engineering, SOKA University, Tokyo, Japan.

This study aims understand microplastics from personal care and cosmetic products in Malaysia via quantification and characterization of microplastics together with emission estimation to marine environment. A total of 214 respondents from all over Malaysia were surveyed with identification of top ten personal care and cosmetic products usage. Particles found in facial cleaner/scrub and toothpaste were colored and colorless with majority of granular shapes. Read More

Folia Neuropathol 2018 ;56(3):215-228

M1 muscarinic receptor plays a fundamental role in memory and is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD); it has long been assumed as a therapeutic goal. By activating of the cholinergic receptor vitamin E helps with memory retention. But effects of vitamin E on density of M1 muscarinic receptor-immunoreactive (ir) neurons remain poorly understood. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Nov 24;218:749-757. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Technische Universität Berlin, Chair of Water Quality Control, Str. des 17 Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany.

Hexavalent chromium is highly toxic and elaborate technology is necessary for ensured removal during drinking water production. The present study aimed at estimating the potential of a micro-sized iron hydroxide (μGFH] adsorbent for chromate removal in competition to ions presents in drinking water. Freundlich and Langmuir models were applied to describe the adsorption behaviour. Read More

Water Res 2018 Nov 14;150:21-28. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Division of Environmental Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan.

Intensive membrane cleaning can be used with ceramic membranes since they are physically/chemically robust. It might therefore be possible for membrane bioreactors (MBRs) to be operated under the condition of a high membrane flux when ceramic membranes are used with such intensive membrane cleaning. In this study, bench-scale MBRs equipped with flat-sheet ceramic membranes were operated for long periods. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Nov 26;218:632-642. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

The College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science & Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the long-term effects of N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-based quorum sensing on the characteristics of ANAMMOX granules in high-loaded reactors. Results clearly showed that adding 30 mg L N-octanoyl-DL-homoserinelactone (C-HSL) at the initial stage (1-40 d) of the experiment had long-term positive effects on the settleability of granules and controlled the sludge floatation effectively. C-HSL decreased the content of bound extracellular polymeric substances (B-EPS) and the ratio of protein to carbohydrate (PN/PS) by 17% and 48%, respectively and increased the relative hydrophobicity (RH) of the granules by 28%. Read More

J Colloid Interface Sci 2018 Nov 24;538:149-158. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305701, Korea.

Rapid evaporation of solvent from spray colloidal droplets induces directed self-assembly among the nanoparticles, eventually interlocking them into correlated granular structures. In this work, it is demonstrated that anisotropy in colloidal interparticle interaction plays a key role in governing the surface topology of spray-dried granules. Colloidal dispersion comprised of spherical nanosilica (NS) and cylindrical carbon nanotubes (CNT) was chosen as a model system in this regard. Read More

Water Sci Technol 2018 Nov;78(8):1812-1821

Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Fasa University, Fasa, Iran E-mail:

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide, as an aromatic hydrocarbon, is a dangerous and toxic organic pollutant among the agricultural pesticides. In this research, the performance of the biochar made from rice husk (BRH), granular activated carbon (GAC), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated for adsorption of 2,4-D in a fixed-bed column system. The influence of pH (2, 5, 7, 9), flow rate (0. Read More

Bioresour Technol 2018 Nov 19;274:43-47. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Water and Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros, s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain. Electronic address:

This study is the first test that proves high rate anaerobic digestion as an efficient technological process for the treatment of gin spent wash. The gin spent wash was co-digested in UASB reactors with swine wastewater, which provided nutrients and alkalinity. The process was optimized by increasing the proportion of gin spent wash in the feed, and thus the organic loading rate (OLR) up to reactor failure. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Nov 27;124:548-556. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Laboratório de Histologia Integrativa, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address:

The parotoid gland of bufonids is characterized as a specialized integument region, formed by different gland types. The secretion elaborated by the largest glandular alveoli has been related to animal chemical defense and is constituted by granular protein content, associated with a basophilic and alcianophilic material with features of glycoconjugates. This study aimed to identify and characterize the glycoconjugates in the secretion of the largest granular gland of the parotoid gland of Rinella icterica by histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques at light microscopy, biochemical methods, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Read More

Phys Rev Lett 2018 Nov;121(20):208001

Institut für Geophysik und extraterrestrische Physik, Technische Universität zu Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 3, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany.

The impact-induced energy transfer and dissipation in granular targets without any confining walls are studied by microgravity experiments. A solid projectile impacts into a granular target at low impact speed (0.045≤v_{p}≤1. Read More

Cornea 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Ophthalmology, Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.

Purpose: To present a new technique for treating Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy (LECD) in cases of recurrence of the disease.

Methods: We present a single case report of a 41-year-old man who presented to the cornea clinic with progressive loss of vision in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination showed a large white-gray whorl-like epithelial opacity connected to the limbus, which spread over the visual axis, affecting visual acuity. Read More

Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2018 7;9:2813-2831. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Eduard-Zintl-Institut für Anorganische und Physikalische Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Straße 12, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.

The design of efficient substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for large-scale fabrication at low cost is an important issue in further enhancing the use of SERS for routine chemical analysis. Here, we systematically investigate the effect of different radio frequency (rf) plasmas (argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, air and oxygen plasma) as well as combinations of these plasmas on the surface morphology of thin silver films. It was found that different surface structures and different degrees of surface roughness could be obtained by a systematic variation of the plasma type and condition as well as plasma power and treatment time. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 11 29;9(1):5064. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.

The nucleolus, the site for ribosome biogenesis contains hundreds of proteins and several types of RNA. The functions of many non-ribosomal nucleolar proteins are poorly understood, including Surfeit locus protein 6 (SURF6), an essential disordered protein with roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation. SURF6 co-localizes with Nucleophosmin (NPM1), a highly abundant protein that mediates the liquid-like features of the granular component region of the nucleolus through phase separation. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Nov 1:1-6. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

OBJECTIVEDiagnostic workup for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) includes imaging such as radiography, MRI, and/or CT myelography. If a patient has unsuccessful nonoperative treatment, the surgeon must then decide if obtaining updated images prior to surgery is warranted. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the timing of preoperative neuroimaging altered clinical outcome, as reflected by the subsequent rate of revision surgery, in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal pathology. Read More

J Environ Manage 2018 Nov 26;232:342-353. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran.

In the current study, the prediction efficiency of lead adsorption by highly functional nanocomposite adsorbent of hydroxyapatite (HAp)/chitosan using ANFIS system was investigated. In this regard, the nanocomposite was applied in order to investigate the lead adsorption capacity. The operational conditions were pH (2-6), contact time between lead ions and adsorbent (15-360 min), shaker velocity (80-400 rpm), temperature (25-55 °C), amount of adsorbent (0. Read More

Arthropod Struct Dev 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave. 4, 194064, St.-Petersburg, Russia. Fax: +7 812 297-35-41. Electronic address:

This study is the first attempt to describe the ultrastructure and functional morphology of the dermal glands in Limnochares aquatica (L., 1758). The dermal glands were studied using light-optical, SEM and TEM microscopy methods during different stages of their activity. Read More

Biol Reprod 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Departamento Neurociencia Cognitiva.

The estrous cycle is an iterative change in the anatomy, endocrinology, physiology, and behavior to provide maximum fecundity. Ovarian steroid production involves gonadotrophin-induced [Ca2+]i raises due in part to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) whose identity and tissue distribution in situ is largely unknown. Using fluorescence Ca2+ imaging and confocal microscopy, we recorded both spontaneous and depolarization induced Ca2+ signals in living mouse ovarian slices. Read More