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The metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1) plays a pivotal role in synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity. Despite the fact that several interacting proteins involved in the mGlu1 subcellular trafficking and intracellular transduction mechanisms have been identified, the protein network associated with this receptor in specific brain areas remains largely unknown. To identify novel mGlu1-associated protein complexes in the mouse cerebellum, we used an unbiased tissue-specific proteomic approach, namely co-immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Many well-known protein complexes as well as novel interactors were identified, including G-proteins, Homer, δ2 glutamate receptor, 14-3-3 proteins, and Na/K-ATPases. A novel putative interactor, KCTD12, was further investigated. Reverse co-immunoprecipitation with anti-KCTD12 antibodies revealed mGlu1 in wild-type but not in KCTD12-knock-out homogenates. Freeze-fracture replica immunogold labeling co-localization experiments showed that KCTD12 and mGlu1 are present in the same nanodomain in Purkinje cell spines, although at a distance that suggests that this interaction is mediated through interposed proteins. Consistently, mGlu1 could not be co-immunoprecipitated with KCTD12 from a recombinant mammalian cell line co-expressing the two proteins. The possibility that this interaction was mediated via GABAB receptors was excluded by showing that mGlu1 and KCTD12 still co-immunoprecipitated from GABAB receptor knock-out tissue. In conclusion, this study identifies tissue-specific mGlu1-associated protein clusters including KCTD12 at Purkinje cell synapses.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of herbal extracts on the quality of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillets throughout the storage period. Quality changes during ice storage of striped catfish fillets were studied after dip treatments in aqueous solutions of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus (0.02% and 0.04%, w/v) or Euphorbia hirta (0.06% and 0.02%, w/v). The control (dipped in tap water) and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for total viable counts (TVC), peroxide value, physicochemical parameters (pH, texture), and sensory properties. Results indicated that Pseudomonas spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were absent in the raw fish fillets, reflecting the safety of raw materials regarding specific spoilage and psychrotrophic pathogenic microorganisms. Fish fillets dipped in 0.04% P. amarus extract solution displayed lower TVC values (4.76 log10 CFU/g) during the initial storage period compared to treatment with E. hirta extracts. Dip treatments in water containing P. amarus or E. hirta extracts significantly reduced the primary lipid oxidation in fish samples. In conclusion, the dip treatment in water containing 0.04% P. amarus or 0.06% E. hirta extract was effective to maintain a good sensory quality of the fish fillets and to prolong their shelf life up to 8 days under ice storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through an analysis of a controversy about the accusations of “self-transformation” and “self-evolution”, formulated by the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) against Chu Hảo, an intellectual-member of the VCP, this paper aims to test the hypothesis whereby the existence of controversy would make possible coexistence in discord and thus democratize the public space in an authoritarian regime. Our analysis is based on the media coverage of this case produced over the last three months of 2018 and by two different sources: the Party-State’s official media (11 information occurrences) and social media (23 information occurrences from four websites and 8 Facebook’s entries). We will shed light on the procedures of polarization and the dialogical process that organize the co-presence of antagonistic discourses in the public space, but also on the facture that emerges from the camp of protesting intellectuals.

This article examines the media coverage of the 2013 campaign for the amendment and revision of the 1992 Constitution in Vietnam. Its purpose is to test the hypothesis whereby the mediatization of marginal speeches in the dominant public sphere is indicative of the emergence of a Vietnamese civil society. It draws on Gramscian conception of hegemony, of organic intellectual and of civil society.

A large percentage of the global population is currently afflicted by metabolic diseases (MD), and the incidence is likely to double in the next decades. MD associated co-morbidities such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiomyopathy contribute significantly to impaired health. MD are complex, polygenic, with many genes involved in its aetiology. A popular approach to investigate genetic contributions to disease aetiology is biological network analysis. However, data dependence introduces a bias (noise, false positives, over-publication) in the outcome. While several approaches have been proposed to overcome these biases, many of them have constraints, including data integration issues, dependence on arbitrary parameters, database dependent outcomes, and computational complexity. Network topology is also a critical factor affecting the outcomes. Here, we propose a simple, parameter-free method, that takes into account database dependence and network topology, to identify central genes in the MD network. Among them, we infer novel candidates that have not yet been annotated as MD genes and show their relevance by highlighting their differential expression in public datasets and carefully examining the literature. The method contributes to uncovering connections in the MD mechanisms and highlights several candidates for in-depth study of their contribution to MD and its co-morbidities.

Photonic crystal (PC) is usually realized in materials with high refractive indices contrast to achieve a photonic bandgap (PBG). In this work, we demonstrated an optimization of two-dimensional PCs using a low refractive index polymer material. An original idea of assembly of polymeric multiple rings in a hexagonal configuration allowed us to obtain a circular-like structure with higher symmetry, resulting in a larger PBG at a low refractive index of 1.6. The optical properties of such newly proposed structure are numerically calculated by using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The proposed structures were realized experimentally by using a direct laser writing technique based on low one-photon absorption method.

The first case of pulmonary talcosis or talc pneumoconiosis related to inhalation of talc during its extraction and processing in mines was described by Thorel in 1896. Pulmonary talcosis is most commonly seen secondary to occupational exposure or intravenous (IV) drug abuse and, occasionally, in excessive use of cosmetic talc. Based on literature review, there has been an increase in reported incidents of pulmonary talcosis due to various forms of exposure to the mineral. We report an 82-year-old man who is diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome positive pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with palliative imatinib who presented with chronic hemoptysis and dyspnea shortly after his diagnosis. His symptoms were initially thought to be due to an infectious etiology due to his malignancy, immunocompromised state, and radiographic findings until high-resolution computerized tomographic (HRCT) findings showed a diffuse pulmonary fibrosis picture that prompted further questioning and a more thorough history inquiry on his exposure to causative agents of interstitial lung disease. Very often, patients do not recognize their exposure, especially in those whose exposure is unrelated to their occupation. Our case emphasizes the need for thorough and careful history taking of occupational and nonoccupational exposure to known causative agents of interstitial lung disease.

• Composite of magnetite and Zn/Al layered double hydroxide was successfully synthesized. • The synthesis was done through coprecipitation using NaOH as precipitating agent. • Adsorption of humic acid on the composite material followed Langmuir isotherm model. • The composite material had better capacity than alum in removing humic acid. • The composite material was magnetically separable. In the present study, we synthesized a magnetically separable adsorbent, i.e., composite of magnetite and Zn/Al layered double hydroxide (Fe 3 O 4 −Zn/Al LDH), for effective removal of humic acid (HA). The composite was synthesized through conventional co-precipitation method using NaOH as precipitating agent. The presence of well-dispersed Fe 3 O 4 outside the interlayer space of Zn/Al LDH made the Fe 3 O 4 −Zn/Al LDH magnetically active and thus the adsorbent was easily separated from aqueous solution by application of an external magnetic field. The adsorption test on HA demonstrated that Fe 3 O 4 −Zn/Al LDH was optimum in removing HA at pH 4.0 with removal capacity estimated according to the Langmuir isotherm model was 1.21 × 10−4 mmol g−1 or equivalent to 35.28 mg g−1, while the removal rate constant according to the pseudo-second order kinetic model was 443.6 (mol/g)−1 min−1. The results strongly suggest that the removal of HA on Fe 3 O 4 –Zn/Al LDH occurs solely through simple adsorption on the outer surface through an electrostatic interaction. In addition, when the material was tested in a real raw water sample from a drinking water treatment agency in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the performance was far surpassing commercially available alum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve occurs at a frequency of about 0.5% and usually on the right side. The identification of a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve may be difficult. We describe a new method for its identification using intraoperative neurostimulation., Methods: We examined nine patients with a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve and five patients with a normal inferior laryngeal nerve anatomy who were operated on trans-sternally. Neurostimulation of the vagal nerve producing electromyographic signal in the intrinsic laryngeal musculature was performed at different points proximally and distally., Results: : Electromyographic signals were found proximally but not distally of the separation of the inferior laryngeal nerve from the vagus in 14 patients. In nine patients with a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve, we performed neurostimulation of the vagus opposite the lower and the upper thyroid poles. In all patients we found no electromyographic signals at the distal stimulation point. In contrast, proximal neurostimulation of the vagus opposite the upper thyroid pole produced positive electromyographic signals., Conclusion: Neurostimulation of the vagal nerve distally of the separation of the inferior laryngeal nerve did not produce electromyographic signals in the intrinsic laryngeal musculature, perhaps due to the different modalities in the vagal fascicles. Negative electromyographic signals following neurostimulation of the distal vagal nerve opposite the lower thyroid pole should lead to proximal neurostimulation of the vagus opposite the upper thyroid pole. Positive electromyographic signals proximally and negative electromyographic signals distally predict the occurrence of a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve which allows its diagnosis before surgical dissection of the thyroid gland and may prevent nerve palsy.