Ethical considerations in the use of brain-computer interfaces

Nervous system disorders are among the most severe disorders. Significant breakthroughs in contemporary clinical practice may provide brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and neuroprostheses (NPs). The aim of this article is to investigate the extent to which the ethical considerations in the clinical application of brain-computer interfaces and associated threats are being identified. Ethical considerations and implications may significantly influence further development of BCIs and NPs. Moreover, there is significant public interest in supervising this development. Awareness of BCIs’ and NPs’ threats and limitations allow for wise planning and management in further clinical practice, especially in the area of long-term neurorehabilitation and care.     

APC promoter methylation and protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose We investigated the impact of promoter methylation on APC protein expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods 50 patients [HCC (n=19), liver metastasis (n=19), cholangiocellular cancer (n=7), and benign liver tumors (n=5)] were studied for methylation using Methylight analysis. APC mutation was investigated by protein truncation test and direct sequencing of genomic DNA. The protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Results The APC promoter was hypermethylated in 81.8% of non-cancerous liver tissue samples. All HCC samples and ten patients with liver metastasis (52.6%) exhibited APC promoter methylation. The degree of methylation was significantly higher in samples from HCC compared to the non-cancerous liver tissue samples (63.1% vs. 24.98%; p=0.001). The level of APC protein expression was significantly reduced in HCC samples compared to that of the corresponding non-tumor liver tissue (p<0.05). Conclusions Promoter methylation of the APC gene seems to be of significance in hepatocarcinogenesis and results in reduced protein expression in HCC. Interestingly, APC promoter methylation is also present in the vast majority of non-cancerous liver tissue whose (patho)physiological function remains unresolved.     

Correction: A novel biomass-based support (Starbon) for TiO2 hybrid photocatalysts: a versatile green tool for water purification

Correction for ‘A novel biomass-based support (Starbon) for TiO₂ hybrid photocatalysts: a versatile green tool for water purification’ by Juan Carlos Colmenares et al., RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 20186–20192.

The authors regret that the Experimental section (2.2 Preparation of hybrid TiO₂-based carbonaceous materials) of the original article requires a small correction. There was apparently some minor arithmetic error involved in the calculation of the nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ which was deposited on carbonaceous carbon materials. The nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ deposited on carbonaceous carbon materials was calculated incorrectly (should be 20.9 wt% TiO₂ instead of 25 wt% TiO₂). It should be recognized that this error does not affect any discussion and conclusions reported in this publication. However, this correction is necessary to determine the nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ which was deposited on carbon materials and improve the quality of this scientific publication.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.