Laplace-based modeling of fiber orientation in the tongue

Mechanical modeling of tongue deformation plays a significant role in the study of breathing, swallowing, and speech production. In the absence of internal joints, fiber orientations determine the direction of sarcomeric contraction and have great influence over real and simulated tissue motion. However, subject-specific experimental observations of fiber distribution are difficult to obtain; thus, models of fiber distribution are generally used in mechanical simulations. This paper describes modeling of fiber distribution using solutions of Laplace equations and compares the effectiveness of this approach against tractography from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. The experiments included qualitative comparison of streamlines from the fiber model against experimental tractography, as well as quantitative differences between biomechanical simulations focusing in the region near the genioglossus. The model showed good overall agreement in terms of fiber directionality and muscle positioning when compared to subject-specific imaging results and the literature. The angle between the fiber distribution model against tractography in the genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles averaged \(22^{\circ }\) likely due to experimental noise. However, kinematic responses were similar between simulations with modeled fibers versus experimentally obtained fibers; average discrepancy in surface displacement ranged from 1 to 7 mm, and average strain residual magnitude ranged from \(4\times 10^{-3}\) to 0.2. The results suggest that, for simulation purposes, the modeled fibers can act as a reasonable approximation for the tongue’s fiber distribution. Also, given its agreement with the global tongue anatomy, the approach may be used in model-based reconstruction of displacement tracking and diffusion results.     

A New Method of Assessing Lipid Mixtures by 31P Magic-Angle Spinning NMR

A variety of lipids that differ by their chains and headgroups are found in biomembranes. In addition to studying the overall membrane phase, determination of the structure, dynamics, and headgroup conformation of individual lipids in the mixture would be of great interest. We have thus developed, to our knowledge, a new approach using solid-state ³¹P NMR, magic-angle spinning, and chemical-shift anisotropy (CSA) recoupling, using an altered version of the recoupling of chemical shift anisotropy (ROCSA) pulse sequence, here penned PROCSA. The resulting two-dimensional spectra allowed the simultaneous measurement of the isotropic chemical shift and CSA of each lipid headgroup, thus providing a valuable measure of its dynamics and structure. PROCSA was applied to mixtures of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in various relative proportions, to mimic bacterial membranes and assess the respective roles of lipids in shaping these bilayers. The results were interpreted in terms of membrane topology, lipid propensity to adopt various phases or conformations, and lipid-lipid miscibility. Our results showed that PG dictates the lipid behavior when present in a proportion of 20 mol % or more. A small proportion of PG is thus able to impose a bilayer structure to the hexagonal phase forming PE. We discuss the requirement for lipids, such as PE, to be able to adopt non-bilayer phases in a membrane.     

Whole cell solid-state NMR study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis> microalgae

In vivo or whole-cell solid-state NMR is an emerging field which faces tremendous challenges. In most cases, cell biochemistry does not allow the labelling of specific molecules and an in vivo study is thus hindered by the inherent difficulty of identifying, among a formidable number of resonances, those arising from a given molecule. In this work we examined the possibility of studying, by solid-state NMR, the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii fully and non-specifically ¹³C labelled. The extension of NMR-based dynamic filtering from one-dimensional to two-dimensional experiments enabled an enhanced selectivity which facilitated the assignment of cell constituents. The number of resonances detected with these robust and broadly applicable experiments appears to be surprisingly sparse. Various constituents, notably galactolipids abundant in organelle membranes, carbohydrates from the cell wall, and starch from storage grains could be unambiguously assigned. Moreover, the dominant crystal form of starch could be determined in situ. This work illustrates the feasibility and caveats of using solid-state NMR to study intact non-specifically ¹³C labelled micro-organisms.     

How <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> Behaves with its Invasive Hornet Predator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vespa velutina</Emphasis>?

Invasive species are now recognized as a major cause of native biodiversity loss worldwide. In the current deleterious context for pollinators, the invasive yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, represents an additional threat to the domestic honeybee, Apis mellifera, in Europe. Therefore, understanding the impact of this predator on honeybee colonies is of major importance. In the present study, we tried to assess the impact of V. velutina on the honeybee foraging and defence behaviour based on the video monitoring of two hives. Balling behaviour is reported here for the first time under natural conditions in A. mellifera against V. velutina in Europe. Although these results are preliminary and should be carefully considered, we found that the number of hornets impacted honeybee foraging and defence behaviours. More defensive behaviours were notified in the hive, which survives slightly longer. This may suggest that selecting for more defensive colonies may provide an interesting perspective.     

Survival strategies of a frugivore,the sun bear,in a forest-oil palm landscape

As large areas of forest are lost throughout the tropics, prime habitat of many species decline and become fragmented. The island of Borneo is a prime example, with accelerated clearing of forests primarily for oil palm expansion. Borneo is recognized as an important stronghold for the conservation of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), but it is unclear how habitat reduction and fragmentation is affecting this frugivore. We used camera traps and sign surveys to understand patterns of sun bear habitat use in a matrix of fragmented forests and extensive oil palm development, which has existed as such for?>?15 years: the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Within these small forest fragments, squeezed between a major river and oil palm plantations, bears exhibited selection for areas farther from human activity (plantations, river boat traffic, and buildings), and were rarely active during the day, demonstrating both spatial and temporal avoidance of potential human-related threats. They selected large trees to feed and rest, and also exploited adjacent plantations to feed on oil palm fruits. We conclude that even relatively small forest fragments (~?2000 ha) within large agricultural landscapes can be important for sun bears. Our research highlights the remarkable adaptations this species has employed to persist in a drastically modified landscape.     

A Review of Clinical Radioprotection and Chemoprotection for Oral Mucositis

The first tenet of medicine, “primum non nocere” or “first, do no harm”, is not always compatible with oncological interventions e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation, since they commonly result in significant toxicities. One of the more frequent and serious treatment-induced toxicities is mucositis and particularly oral mucositis (OM) described as inflammation, atrophy and breakdown of the mucosa or lining of the oral cavity. The sequelae of oral mucositis (OM), which include pain, odynodysphagia, dysgeusia, decreased oral intake and systemic infection, frequently require treatment delays, interruptions and discontinuations that not only negatively impact quality of life but also tumor control and survivorship. One potential strategy to reduce or prevent the development of mucositis, for which no effective therapies exist only best supportive empirical care measures, is the administration of agents referred to as radioprotectors and/or chemoprotectors, which are intended to differentially protect normal but not malignant tissue from cytotoxicity. This limited-scope review briefly summarizes the incidence, pathogenesis, symptoms and impact on patients of OM as well as the background and mechanisms of four clinical stage radioprotectors/chemoprotectors, amifostine, palifermin, GC4419 and RRx-001, with the proven or theoretical potential to minimize the development of mucositis particularly in the treatment of head and neck cancers.     

Mechanism of lantibiotic-induced pore-formation

Nisin and other lantibiotics have a bacteriocidal effect against Gram-positive bacteria, and also inhibit the outgrowth of bacterial spores. The bacteriocidal effect appears to be due to the formation of pores in the bacterial membrane. In the absence of anionic membrane phospholipids, the lantibiotic nisin acts as an anion selective carrier. In the presence of anionic phospholipids, nisin forms nonselective, transient, multi-state pores in cells, proteoliposomes, liposomes and black lipid membranes. Pore formation involves distinct steps. First, nisin associates tightly with the anionic membrane surface leading to a high local concentration. This results in a disturbance of the lipid dynamics near the phospholipid polar head group-water interface, and an immobilization of lipids. In the presence of a transmembrane electrical potential above the threshold level, the molecules reorient, presumably as an aggregate, from a surface-bound into a membrane-inserted configuration. Co-insertion of bound, anionic phospholipids results in bending of the lipid surface giving rise to a wedge-like, nonspecific, water-filled pore.Abbreviations transmembrane electrical potential - p proton motive force