Laminin α2-mediated focal adhesion kinase activation triggers Alport glomerular pathogenesis.

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Duane Delimont

Full Text Available It has been known for some time that laminins containing α1 and α2 chains, which are normally restricted to the mesangial matrix, accumulate in the glomerular basement membranes (GBM of Alport mice, dogs, and humans. We show that laminins containing the α2 chain, but not those containing the α1 chain activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK on glomerular podocytes in vitro and in vivo. CD151-null mice, which have weakened podocyte adhesion to the GBM rendering these mice more susceptible to biomechanical strain in the glomerulus, also show progressive accumulation of α2 laminins in the GBM, and podocyte FAK activation. Analysis of glomerular mRNA from both models demonstrates significant induction of MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12, MMPs linked to GBM destruction in Alport disease models, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. SiRNA knockdown of FAK in cultured podocytes significantly reduced expression of MMP-9, MMP-10 and IL-6, but not MMP-12. Treatment of Alport mice with TAE226, a small molecule inhibitor of FAK activation, ameliorated fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis, significantly reduced proteinuria and blood urea nitrogen levels, and partially restored GBM ultrastructure. Glomerular expression of MMP-9, MMP-10 and MMP-12 mRNAs was significantly reduced in TAE226 treated animals. Collectively, this work identifies laminin α2-mediated FAK activation in podocytes as an important early event in Alport glomerular pathogenesis and suggests that FAK inhibitors, if safe formulations can be developed, might be employed as a novel therapeutic approach for treating Alport renal disease in its early stages.

Anti-laminin-1 Autoantibodies, Pregnancy Loss and Endometriosis

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Junko Inagaki

2004-01-01

Full Text Available Laminin-1 is a major component and multifunctional glycoprotein of basement membranes that consists of three different subunits, α1, β1 and γ1 chains. It is the earliest synthesized network-forming protein during embryogenesis and plays an important role in embryonic development, embryonic implantation and placentation. We have recently shown that IgG anti-laminin-1 antibodies were significantly associated with recurrent first-trimester miscarriages and with subsequent pregnancy outcome. Interestingly, these antibodies were also observed in patients with endometriosis-associated infertility but not in patients with other causes of infertility, including tubal factors, hormonal and uterine abnormalities. Laminin-α1, -β1 and -γ1 mRNAs have been detected in 90% of endometriotic lesions and all laminin-α1, -β1 and -γ1 chains were localized in the basement membranes of glandular epithelium in endometriotic peritoneal lesions. Western blot analysis showed that anti-laminin-1 antibodies from those patients reacted with all laminin-1's chains. ELISA also confirmed that one of the target epitopes for these antibodies was located in a particular region of the laminin-1 molecule, i.e. the carboxyl-terminal globular G domain of α1 chain. IgM monoclonal anti-laminin-1 autoantibody, that we recently established, also recognized the G domain. Anti-laminin-1 antibodies from mice immunized with –mouse— laminin-1, caused a higher fetal resorption rate with lower embryonic and placental weights. Thus, anti-laminin-1 antibodies may be important in development of autoimmune-mediated reproductive failures and the assessment of the antibodies may provide a novel non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis.

CD90-positive cells, an additional cell population, produce laminin α2 upon transplantation to dy3k/dy3k mice

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fukada, So-ichiro; Yamamoto, Yukiko; Segawa, Masashi; Sakamoto, Kenta; Nakajima, Mari; Sato, Masaki; Morikawa, Daisuke; Uezumi, Akiyoshi; Miyagoe-Suzuki, Yuko; Takeda, Shin'ichi; Tsujikawa, Kazutake; Yamamoto, Hiroshi

2008-01-01

Laminin α2 is a component of skeletal and cardiac muscle basal lamina. A defect of the laminin α2 chain leads to severe congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A) in humans and dy/dy mice. Myogenic cells including myoblasts, myotubes, and myofibers in skeletal muscle are a possible source of the laminin α2 chain, and myogenic cells are thus proposed as a cell source for congenital muscular dystrophy therapy. However, we observed production of laminin α2 in non-myogenic cells of normal mice, and we could enrich these laminin α2-producing cells in CD90 + cell fractions. Intriguingly, the number of CD90 + cells increased dramatically during skeletal muscle regeneration in mice. This fraction did not include myogenic cells but exhibited a fibroblast-like phenotype. Moreover, these cells were resident in skeletal muscle, not derived from bone marrow. Finally, the production of laminin α2 in CD90 + cells was not dependent on fusion with myogenic cells. Thus, CD90 + cells are a newly identified additional cell fraction that increased during skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo and could be another cell source for therapy for lama2-deficient muscular dystrophy

Carcinoma-associated perisinusoidal laminin may signal tumour cell metastasis to the liver

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Wewer, U M; Albrechtsen, R

1992-01-01

using chain-specific monoclonal antibodies against B2 laminin. In an ex vivo assay, viable tumour cells (Panc-1 and clone A) were found to bind with remarkable specificity to frozen sections of liver tissue containing perisinusoidal laminin as opposed to liver tissues without laminin. We suggest...

Senescence-Induced Alterations of Laminin Chain Expression Modulate Tumorigenicity of Prostate Cancer Cells

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Cynthia C.T. Sprenger

2008-12-01

Full Text Available Prostate cancer is an age-associated epithelial cancer, and as such, it contributes significantly to the mortality of the elderly. Senescence is one possible mechanism by which the body defends itself against various epithelial cancers. Senescent cells alter the microenvironment, in part, through changes to the extracellular matrix. Laminins (LMs are extracellular proteins important to both the structure and function of the microenvironment. Overexpression of the senescence-associated gene mac25 in human prostate cancer cells resulted in increased mRNA levels of the LM α4 and β2 chains compared to empty vector control cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of these senescence-induced LM chains on tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells. We created stable M12 human prostate cancer lines overexpressing either the LM α4 or β2 chain or both chains. Increased expression of either the LM α4 or β2 chain resulted in increased in vitro migration and in vivo tumorigenicity of those cells, whereas high expression of both chains led to decreased in vitro proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity compared to M12 control cells. This study demonstrates that senescent prostate epithelial cells can alter the microenvironment and that these changes modulate progression of prostate cancer.

Senescence-Induced Alterations of Laminin Chain Expression Modulate Tumorigenicity of Prostate Cancer Cells1

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Sprenger, Cynthia C T; Drivdahl, Rolf H; Woodke, Lillie B; Eyman, Daniel; Reed, May J; Carter, William G; Plymate, Stephen R

2008-01-01

Prostate cancer is an age-associated epithelial cancer, and as such, it contributes significantly to the mortality of the elderly. Senescence is one possible mechanism by which the body defends itself against various epithelial cancers. Senescent cells alter the microenvironment, in part, through changes to the extracellular matrix. Laminins (LMs) are extracellular proteins important to both the structure and function of the microenvironment. Overexpression of the senescence-associated gene mac25 in human prostate cancer cells resulted in increased mRNA levels of the LM α4 and β2 chains compared to empty vector control cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of these senescence-induced LM chains on tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells. We created stable M12 human prostate cancer lines overexpressing either the LM α4 or β2 chain or both chains. Increased expression of either the LM α4 or β2 chain resulted in increased in vitro migration and in vivo tumorigenicity of those cells, whereas high expression of both chains led to decreased in vitro proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity compared to M12 control cells. This study demonstrates that senescent prostate epithelial cells can alter the microenvironment and that these changes modulate progression of prostate cancer. PMID:19048114

Skeletal muscle laminin and MDC1A: pathogenesis and treatment strategies

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Gawlik Kinga I

2011-03-01

Full Text Available Abstract Laminin-211 is a cell-adhesion molecule that is strongly expressed in the basement membrane of skeletal muscle. By binding to the cell surface receptors dystroglycan and integrin α7β1, laminin-211 is believed to protect the muscle fiber from damage under the constant stress of contractions, and to influence signal transmission events. The importance of laminin-211 in skeletal muscle is evident from merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A, in which absence of the α2 chain of laminin-211 leads to skeletal muscle dysfunction. MDC1A is the commonest form of congenital muscular dystrophy in the European population. Severe hypotonia, progressive muscle weakness and wasting, joint contractures and consequent impeded motion characterize this incurable disorder, which causes great difficulty in daily life and often leads to premature death. Mice with laminin α2 chain deficiency have analogous phenotypes, and are reliable models for studies of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches. In this review, we introduce laminin-211 and describe its structure, expression pattern in developing and adult muscle and its receptor interactions. We will also discuss the molecular pathogenesis of MDC1A and advances toward the development of treatment.

Secondary reduction of alpha7B integrin in laminin alpha2 deficient congenital muscular dystrophy supports an additional transmembrane link in skeletal muscle.

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Cohn, R D; Mayer, U; Saher, G; Herrmann, R; van der Flier, A; Sonnenberg, A; Sorokin, L; Voit, T

1999-03-01

The integrins are a large family of heterodimeric transmembrane cellular receptors which mediate the association between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cytoskeletal proteins. The alpha7beta1 integrin is a major laminin binding integrin in skeletal and cardiac muscle and is thought to be involved in myogenic differentiation and migration processes. The main binding partners of the alpha7 integrin are laminin-1 (alpha1-beta1-gamma1), laminin-2 (alpha2-beta1-gamma1) and laminin-4 (alpha2-beta2-gamma1). Targeted deletion of the gene for the alpha7 integrin subunit (ITGA7) in mice leads to a novel form of muscular dystrophy. In the present study we have investigated the expression of two alternative splice variants, the alpha7B and beta1D integrin subunits, in normal human skeletal muscle, as well as in various forms of muscular dystrophy. In normal human skeletal muscle the expression of the alpha7 integrin subunit appeared to be developmentally regulated: it was first detected at 2 years of age. In contrast, the beta1D integrin could be detected in immature and mature muscle in the sarcolemma of normal fetal skeletal muscle at 18 weeks gestation. The expression of alpha7B integrin was significantly reduced at the sarcolemma in six patients with laminin alpha2 chain deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) (age >2 years). However, this reduction was not correlated with the amount of laminin alpha2 chain expressed. In contrast, the expression of the laminin alpha2 chain was not altered in the skeletal muscle of the alpha7 knock-out mice. These data argue in favor that there is not a tight correlation between the expression of the alpha7 integrin subunit and that of the laminin alpha2 chain in either human or murine dystrophic muscle. Interestingly, in dystrophinopathies (Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy; DMD/BMD) expression of alpha7B was upregulated irrespective of the level of dystrophin expression as shown by a strong sarcolemmal staining pattern even

Further biochemical characterization of Mycobacterium leprae laminin-binding proteins

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M.A.M. Marques

2001-04-01

Full Text Available It has been demonstrated that the alpha2 chain of laminin-2 present on the surface of Schwann cells is involved in the process of attachment of Mycobacterium leprae to these cells. Searching for M. leprae laminin-binding molecules, in a previous study we isolated and characterized the cationic proteins histone-like protein (Hlp and ribosomal proteins S4 and S5 as potential adhesins involved in M. leprae-Schwann cell interaction. Hlp was shown to bind alpha2-laminins and to greatly enhance the attachment of mycobacteria to ST88-14 Schwann cells. In the present study, we investigated the laminin-binding capacity of the ribosomal proteins S4 and S5. The genes coding for these proteins were PCR amplified and their recombinant products were shown to bind alpha2-laminins in overlay assays. However, when tested in ELISA-based assays and in adhesion assays with ST88-14 cells, in contrast to Hlp, S4 and S5 failed to bind laminin and act as adhesins. The laminin-binding property and adhesin capacity of two basic host-derived proteins were also tested, and only histones, but not cytochrome c, were able to increase bacterial attachment to ST88-14 cells. Our data suggest that the alanine/lysine-rich sequences shared by Hlp and eukaryotic H1 histones might be involved in the binding of these cationic proteins to laminin.

Distinct antigenic characteristics of murine parietal yolk sac laminin

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Wewer, U M; Tichy, D; Damjanov, A

1987-01-01

Two monoclonal antibodies (LAM-A and LAM-B) specific for laminin from normal and neoplastic parietal yolk sac (PYS) cells were produced in rats immunized with a mouse yolk sac carcinoma cell line. Both antibodies immunoprecipitated the 400,000- and 200,000-Da chains of laminin and reacted...... with purified PYS laminin in ELISA. LAM-A reacted with mouse and rat PYS laminin, whereas LAM-B reacted only with mouse PYS laminin. Formaldehyde- and methanol-fixed adult and fetal somatic tissues were immunohistochemically unreactive with either of the two antibodies. In acetone-fixed tissue sections, both...

Defective muscle basement membrane and lack of M-laminin in the dystrophic dy/dy mouse

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Xu, H; Christmas, P; Wu, X R

1994-01-01

-linked Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. We have examined M-laminin expression in mice with autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy caused by the mutation dy. The heavy chain of M-laminin was undetectable in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and peripheral nerve by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting......M-laminin is a major member of the laminin family of basement membrane proteins. It is prominently expressed in striated muscle and peripheral nerve. M-laminin is deficient in patients with the autosomal recessive Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy but is normal in patients with the sex...... tissue from dy/dy mice, suggesting that M-laminin heavy-chain mRNA may be produced at very low levels or is unstable. Information about the chromosomal localization of the M heavy-chain in human and mouse suggests that a mutation in the M-chain gene causes the muscular dystrophy in dy/dy mice. The dy...

Increased Expression of Laminin Subunit Alpha 1 Chain by dCas9-VP160

OpenAIRE

Perrin, Arnaud; Rousseau, Jo?l; Tremblay, Jacques P.

2016-01-01

Laminin-111 protein complex links the extracellular matrix to integrin α7β1 in sarcolemma, thus replacing in dystrophic muscles links normally insured by the dystrophin complex. Laminin-111 injection in mdx mouse stabilized sarcolemma, restored serum creatine kinase to wild-type levels, and protected muscles from exercised-induced damages. These results suggested that increased laminin-111 is a potential therapy for DMD. Laminin subunit beta 1 and laminin subunit gamma 1 are expressed in adul...

Increased Expression of Laminin Subunit Alpha 1 Chain by dCas9-VP160

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Arnaud Perrin

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Laminin-111 protein complex links the extracellular matrix to integrin α7β1 in sarcolemma, thus replacing in dystrophic muscles links normally insured by the dystrophin complex. Laminin-111 injection in mdx mouse stabilized sarcolemma, restored serum creatine kinase to wild-type levels, and protected muscles from exercised-induced damages. These results suggested that increased laminin-111 is a potential therapy for DMD. Laminin subunit beta 1 and laminin subunit gamma 1 are expressed in adult human muscle, but laminin subunit alpha 1 (LAMA1 gene is expressed only during embryogenesis. We thus developed an alternative method to laminin-111 protein repeated administration by inducing expression of the endogenous mouse Lama1 gene. This was done with the CRSPR/Cas9 system, i.e., by targeting the Lama1 promoter with one or several gRNAs and a dCas9 coupled with the VP160 transcription activation domain. Lama1 mRNA (qRT-PCR and proteins (immunohistochemistry and western blot were not detected in the control C2C12 myoblasts and in control muscles. However, significant expression was observed in cells transfected and in mouse muscles electroporated with plasmids coding for dCas9-VP160 and a gRNA. Larger synergic increases were observed by using two or three gRNAs. The increased Lama1 expression did not modify the expression of the α7 and β1 integrins. Increased expression of Lama1 by the CRISPR/Cas9 system will have to be further investigated by systemic delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 components to verify whether this could be a treatment for several myopathies.

Tissue-specific expression of the human laminin alpha5-chain, and mapping of the gene to human chromosome 20q13.2-13.3 and to distal mouse chromosome 2 near the locus for the ragged (Ra) mutation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Durkin, M E; Loechel, F; Mattei, M G

1997-01-01

, heart, lung, skeletal muscle, kidney, and pancreas. The human laminin alpha5-chain gene (LAMA5) was assigned to chromosome 20q13.2-q13.3 by in situ hybridization, and the mouse gene (Lama5) was mapped by linkage analysis to a syntonic region of distal chromosome 2, close to the locus for the ragged (Ra...

Increased Expression of Laminin Subunit Alpha 1 Chain by dCas9-VP160.

Science.gov (United States)

Perrin, Arnaud; Rousseau, Joël; Tremblay, Jacques P

2017-03-17

Laminin-111 protein complex links the extracellular matrix to integrin α7β1 in sarcolemma, thus replacing in dystrophic muscles links normally insured by the dystrophin complex. Laminin-111 injection in mdx mouse stabilized sarcolemma, restored serum creatine kinase to wild-type levels, and protected muscles from exercised-induced damages. These results suggested that increased laminin-111 is a potential therapy for DMD. Laminin subunit beta 1 and laminin subunit gamma 1 are expressed in adult human muscle, but laminin subunit alpha 1 (LAMA1) gene is expressed only during embryogenesis. We thus developed an alternative method to laminin-111 protein repeated administration by inducing expression of the endogenous mouse Lama1 gene. This was done with the CRSPR/Cas9 system, i.e., by targeting the Lama1 promoter with one or several gRNAs and a dCas9 coupled with the VP160 transcription activation domain. Lama1 mRNA (qRT-PCR) and proteins (immunohistochemistry and western blot) were not detected in the control C2C12 myoblasts and in control muscles. However, significant expression was observed in cells transfected and in mouse muscles electroporated with plasmids coding for dCas9-VP160 and a gRNA. Larger synergic increases were observed by using two or three gRNAs. The increased Lama1 expression did not modify the expression of the α7 and β1 integrins. Increased expression of Lama1 by the CRISPR/Cas9 system will have to be further investigated by systemic delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 components to verify whether this could be a treatment for several myopathies. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intestinal epithelial restitution. Involvement of specific laminin isoforms and integrin laminin receptors in wound closure of a transformed model epithelium

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lotz, M M; Nusrat, A; Madara, J L

1997-01-01

laminins 5, 6, and 7 as indicated by immunostaining using laminin subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). A MAb (BM2) specific for the laminin alpha 3 subunit, a component of laminins 5, 6, and 7, completely inhibited the closure of mechanical wounds in T84 monolayers. Confocal microscopy using MAbs...... BM2 (laminin alpha 3 subunit) and 6F12 (laminin beta 3 subunit) revealed that laminin-5 is deposited in a basal matrix that extends into the wound. The MAbs 4E10 (laminin beta 1 subunit) and C4 (laminin beta 2 subunit) stained the lateral membranes between T84 cells. This staining was enhanced...

Template Based Design of Anti-Metastatic Drugs from the Active Conformation of Laminin Peptide II

Science.gov (United States)

2001-01-01

affords lactam 10 as a 7 X=OH, Y=H Ph2BuSiO HH separable mixture of diastereomers rather 8 x = CI, Y NO2 9 10 than tricycle 11. Treatment of 10 with base...of mimotopes. explain the fact that pre- treatment of laminin with Amongst the phage that mimic the LBP൜ 9 peptide G in solution increases its...of ca6 - Colnagi, M. I. (1994). The simultaneous expression of integrin receptors and of mRNA encoding the puta- c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and laminin

Forced expression of laminin beta1 in podocytes prevents nephrotic syndrome in mice lacking laminin beta2, a model for Pierson syndrome.

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Suh, Jung Hee; Jarad, George; VanDeVoorde, Rene G; Miner, Jeffrey H

2011-09-13

Pierson syndrome is a congenital nephrotic syndrome with ocular and neurological defects caused by mutations in LAMB2, the gene encoding the basement membrane protein laminin β2 (Lamβ2). It is the kidney glomerular basement membrane (GBM) that is defective in Pierson syndrome, as Lamβ2 is a component of laminin-521 (LM-521; α5β2γ1), the major laminin in the mature GBM. In both Pierson syndrome and the Lamb2(-/-) mouse model for this disease, laminin β1 (Lamβ1), a structurally similar homolog of Lamβ2, is marginally increased in the GBM, but it fails to fully compensate for the loss of Lamβ2, leading to the filtration barrier defects and nephrotic syndrome. Here we generated several lines of Lamβ1 transgenic mice and used them to show that podocyte-specific Lamβ1 expression in Lamb2(-/-) mice abrogates the development of nephrotic syndrome, correlating with a greatly extended lifespan. In addition, the more Lamβ1 was expressed, the less urinary albumin was excreted. Transgenic Lamβ1 expression increased the level of Lamα5 in the GBM of rescued mice, consistent with the desired increased deposition of laminin-511 (α5β1γ1) trimers. Ultrastructural analysis revealed occasional knob-like subepithelial GBM thickening but intact podocyte foot processes in aged rescued mice. These results suggest the possibility that up-regulation of LAMB1 in podocytes, should it become achievable, would likely lessen the severity of nephrotic syndrome in patients carrying LAMB2 mutations.

Laminin-dependent and laminin-independent adhesion of human melanoma cells to sulfatides

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Roberts, D D; Wewer, U M; Liotta, L A

1988-01-01

Sulfatides (galactosylceramide-I3-sulfate) but not neutral glycolipids or gangliosides adsorbed on plastic promote adhesion of the human melanoma cell line G361. Direct adhesion of G361 cells requires densities of sulfatide greater than 1 pmol/mm2. In the presence of laminin, however, specific...... adhesion of G361 cells to sulfatide or seminolipid (galactosylalkylacyl-glycerol-I3-sulfate) but not to other lipids is strongly stimulated and requires only 25 fmol/mm2 of adsorbed lipid. The effects of laminin and sulfatide on adhesion are synergistic, suggesting that laminin is mediating adhesion...... by cross-linking receptors on the melanoma cell surface to sulfatide adsorbed on the plastic. Although thrombospondin binds to sulfatides and G361 cells, it does not enhance, but rather inhibits direct and laminin-dependent G361 cell adhesion to sulfatide. In contrast, C32 melanoma cells also adhere...

Forced expression of laminin β1 in podocytes prevents nephrotic syndrome in mice lacking laminin β2, a model for Pierson syndrome

Science.gov (United States)

Suh, Jung Hee; Jarad, George; VanDeVoorde, Rene G.; Miner, Jeffrey H.

2011-01-01

Pierson syndrome is a congenital nephrotic syndrome with ocular and neurological defects caused by mutations in LAMB2, the gene encoding the basement membrane protein laminin β2 (Lamβ2). It is the kidney glomerular basement membrane (GBM) that is defective in Pierson syndrome, as Lamβ2 is a component of laminin-521 (LM-521; α5β2γ1), the major laminin in the mature GBM. In both Pierson syndrome and the Lamb2−/− mouse model for this disease, laminin β1 (Lamβ1), a structurally similar homolog of Lamβ2, is marginally increased in the GBM, but it fails to fully compensate for the loss of Lamβ2, leading to the filtration barrier defects and nephrotic syndrome. Here we generated several lines of Lamβ1 transgenic mice and used them to show that podocyte-specific Lamβ1 expression in Lamb2−/− mice abrogates the development of nephrotic syndrome, correlating with a greatly extended lifespan. In addition, the more Lamβ1 was expressed, the less urinary albumin was excreted. Transgenic Lamβ1 expression increased the level of Lamα5 in the GBM of rescued mice, consistent with the desired increased deposition of laminin-511 (α5β1γ1) trimers. Ultrastructural analysis revealed occasional knob-like subepithelial GBM thickening but intact podocyte foot processes in aged rescued mice. These results suggest the possibility that up-regulation of LAMB1 in podocytes, should it become achievable, would likely lessen the severity of nephrotic syndrome in patients carrying LAMB2 mutations. PMID:21876163

Intrathymic laminin-mediated interactions: role in T cell migration and development

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Wilson eSavino

2015-11-01

Full Text Available Intrathymic T cell differentiation is a key process for the development and maintenance of cell-mediated immunity, and occurs concomitantly to highly regulated migratory events. We have proposed a multivectorial model for describing intrathymic thymocyte migration. One of the individual vectors comprises interactions mediated by laminins, a heterotrimeric protein family of the extracellular matrix. Several laminins are expressed in the thymus, being produced by microenvironmental cells, particularly thymic epithelial cells. Also, thymocytes and epithelial cells express integrin-type laminin receptors. Functionally, it has been reported that the dy/dy mutant mouse (lacking the laminin isoform 211 exhibits defective thymocyte differentiation. Several data show haptotactic effects of laminins upon thymocytes, as well as their adhesion on thymic epithelial cells; both effects being prevented by anti-laminin or anti-laminin receptor antibodies. Interestingly, laminin synergizes with chemokines to enhance thymocyte migration, whereas classe-3 semaphorins and B ephrins, which exhibit chemorepulsive effects in the thymus, downregulate laminin-mediated migratory responses of thymocytes. More recently, we showed that knocking down the ITGA6 gene (which encodes the α6 integrin chain of laminin receptors in human thymic epithelial cells, modulates a large number of cell-migration related genes, and results in changes of adhesion pattern of thymocytes onto the thymic epithelium. Overall, laminin-mediated interactions can be placed at the cross-road of the multivectorial process of thymocyte migration, with a direct influence per se, as well as by modulating other molecular interactions associated with the intrathymic trafficking events.

Double immunohistochemical staining with laminin 5 (γ2 chain) and collagen IV in colorectal neoplasms

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Fiehn, Anne-Marie Kanstrup; Bzorek, Michael; Warnecke, Mads

2016-01-01

divided according to the primary histopathological diagnoses of tubular adenoma, tubulovillous adenoma, adenoma with pseudoinvasion and glandular adenocarcinoma stages pT1, pT2 or pT3, were included in the study. In normal colonic mucosa, no expression of laminin 5 staining was observed. BM was always...... as a supplement for the diagnosis of pT1 CRC. In adenomas, the double staining highlights the areas for the pathologist to pay extra attention. By itself, the double staining cannot determine whether or not there is invasion. Morphology remains the single most important factor in differentiating adenoma...

Divergent mechanisms underlie Smad4-mediated positive regulation of the three genes encoding the basement membrane component laminin-332 (laminin-5)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zboralski, Dirk; Böckmann, Miriam; Zapatka, Marc; Hoppe, Sabine; Schöneck, Anna; Hahn, Stephan A; Schmiegel, Wolff; Schwarte-Waldhoff, Irmgard

2008-01-01

Functional inactivation of the tumor suppressor Smad4 in colorectal and pancreatic carcinogenesis occurs coincident with the transition to invasive growth. Breaking the basement membrane (BM) barrier, a prerequisite for invasive growth, can be due to tumor induced proteolytic tissue remodeling or to reduced synthesis of BM molecules by incipient tumor cells. Laminin-332 (laminin-5), a heterotrimeric BM component composed of α3-, β3- and γ2-chains, has recently been identified as a target structure of Smad4 and represents the first example for expression control of an essential BM component by a tumor and invasion suppressor. Biochemically Smad4 is a transmitter of signals of the TGFβ superfamily of cytokines. We have reported previously, that Smad4 functions as a positive transcriptional regulator of constitutive and of TGFβ-induced transcription of all three genes encoding Laminin-332, LAMA3, LAMB3 and LAMC2. Promoter-reporter constructs harboring 4 kb upstream regions, each of the three genes encoding Laminin-322 as well as deletion and mutations constructs were established. Promoter activities and TGFβ induction were assayed through transient transfections in Smad4-negative human cancer cells and their stable Smad4-positive derivatives. Functionally relevant binding sites were subsequently confirmed through chromatin immunoprecipitation. Herein, we report that Smad4 mediates transcriptional regulation through three different mechanisms, namely through Smad4 binding to a functional SBE site exclusively in the LAMA3 promoter, Smad4 binding to AP1 (and Sp1) sites presumably via interaction with AP1 family components and lastly a Smad4 impact on transcription of AP1 factors. Whereas Smad4 is essential for positive regulation of all three genes, the molecular mechanisms are significantly divergent between the LAMA3 promoter as compared to the LAMB3 and LAMC2 promoters. We hypothesize that this divergence in modular regulation of the three promoters may lay the

The heterotrimeric laminin coiled-coil domain exerts anti-adhesive effects and induces a pro-invasive phenotype.

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Patricia Santos-Valle

Full Text Available Laminins are large heterotrimeric cross-shaped extracellular matrix glycoproteins with terminal globular domains and a coiled-coil region through which the three chains are assembled and covalently linked. Laminins are key components of basement membranes, and they serve as attachment sites for cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. In this work, we produced a recombinant fragment comprising the entire laminin coiled-coil of the α1-, β1-, and γ1-chains that assemble into a stable heterotrimeric coiled-coil structure independently of the rest of the molecule. This domain was biologically active and not only failed to serve as a substrate for cell attachment, spreading and focal adhesion formation but also inhibited cell adhesion to laminin when added to cells in a soluble form at the time of seeding. Furthermore, gene array expression profiling in cells cultured in the presence of the laminin coiled-coil domain revealed up-regulation of genes involved in cell motility and invasion. These findings were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR and zymography assays. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that the laminin coiled-coil domain displays anti-adhesive functions and has potential implications for cell migration during matrix remodeling.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Invasion-Resistant Cells Identifies Laminin α2 as a Host Factor for Bacterial Invasion

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

van Wijk, Xander M.; Döhrmann, Simon; Hallstrom, Bjorn

2017-01-01

cells. Whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) uncovered a deletion in the gene encoding the laminin subunit α2 (Lama2) that eliminated much of domain L4a. Silencing of the long Lama2 isoform in wild-type cells strongly reduced bacterial invasion, whereas transfection with human...... LAMA2 cDNA significantly enhanced invasion in pgsA745 cells. The addition of exogenous laminin-α2β1γ1/laminin-α2β2γ1 strongly increased bacterial invasion in CHO cells, as well as in human alveolar basal epithelial and human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Thus, the L4a domain in laminin α2...

A novel biomarker of laminin turnover is associated with mortality and disease progression in chronic kidney disease

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Nielsen, Signe Holm; Guldager Kring Rasmussen, Daniel; Fenton, Anthony

2017-01-01

matrix (ECM) remodeling. The laminin γ1 (LAMC1) chain is a constituent of the laminin types present in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), and its turnover may be altered in CKD. Fragments of LAMC1 could quantify GBM turnover in human CKD and reflect pathological tissue changes. We developed...

Relationship between laminin binding capacity and laminin expression on tumor cells sensitive or resistant to natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Laybourn, K.A.; Varani, J.; Fligiel, S.E.G.; Hiserodt, J.C.

1986-01-01

Previous studies have identified the presence of laminin binding sites on murine NK and NC sensitive tumor cells by 125 I-laminin binding and laminin induced cell-cell aggregation. The finding that the addition of exogenous laminin inhibits NK/NC binding to sensitive tumor cells suggests laminin binding sites may serve as target antigens for NK cells. The present study extends earlier reports by analyzing a large panel of tumor cells for laminin binding capacity, laminin expression and sensitivity to NK/NC killing. The data indicate that all tumor cells which bind to NK/NC cells (8 lines tested) express laminin binding sites. All of these tumor cells were capable of competing for NK lysis of YAC-1 cells in cold target competition assays, and all bound enriched NK cells in direct single cell binding assays. In contrast, tumor cells expressing high levels of surface laminin (B16 melanomas, C57B1/6 fibrosarcomas, and RAS transfected 3T3 fibroblasts) but low levels of laminin binding capacity did not bind NK/NC cells and were resistant to lysis. These data support the hypothesis that expression of laminin/laminin binding sites may contribute to tumor cell sensitivity to NK/NC binding and/or killing

Role of laminin receptor in tumor cell migration

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wewer, U M; Taraboletti, G; Sobel, M E

1987-01-01

Polyclonal antisera were made against biochemically purified laminin receptor protein as well as against synthetic peptides deduced from a complementary DNA clone corresponding to the COOH-terminal end of the laminin receptor (U.M. Wewer et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83: 7137-7141, 1986......). These antisera were used to study the potential role of laminin receptor in laminin-mediated attachment and haptotactic migration of human A2058 melanoma cells. The anti-laminin receptor antisera reacted with the surface of suspended, nonpermeabilized melanoma and carcinoma cells. The anti-laminin receptor...... antisera blocked the surface interaction of A2058 cells with endogenous laminin, resulting in the inhibition of laminin-mediated cell attachment. The A2058 melanoma cells migrated toward a gradient of solid phase laminin or fibronectin (haptotaxis). Anti-laminin antiserum abolished haptotaxis on laminin...

Laminin binding protein, 34/67 laminin receptor, carries stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 epitope defined by monoclonal antibody Raft.2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Katagiri, Yohko U.; Kiyokawa, Nobutaka; Nakamura, Kyoko; Takenouchi, Hisami; Taguchi, Tomoko; Okita, Hajime; Umezawa, Akihiro; Fujimoto, Junichiro

2005-01-01

We previously produced monoclonal antibodies against the detergent-insoluble microdomain, i.e., the raft microdomain, of the human renal cancer cell line ACHN. Raft.2, one of these monoclonal antibodies, recognizes sialosyl globopentaosylceramide, which has the stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-4 epitope. Although the mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line F9 does not express SSEA-4, some F9 cells stained with Raft.2. Western analysis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry identified the Raft.2 binding molecule as laminin binding protein (LBP), i.e., 34/67 laminin receptor. Weak acid treatment or digestion with Clostridium perfringens sialidase reduced Raft.2 binding to LBP on nitrocellulose sheets and [ 14 C]galactose was incorporated into LBP, indicating LBP to have a sialylated carbohydrate moiety. Subcellular localization analysis by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation and examination by confocal microscopy revealed LBP to be localized on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. An SSEA-4-positive human EC cell line, NCR-G3 cells, also expressed Raft.2-binding LBP

Biophysical analysis of a lethal laminin alpha-1 mutation reveals altered self-interaction

KAUST Repository

Patel, Trushar R.; Nikodemus, Denise; Besong, Tabot M.D.; Reuten, Raphael; Meier, Markus; Harding, Stephen E.; Winzor, Donald J.; Koch, Manuel; Stetefeld, Jö rg

2015-01-01

Laminins are key basement membrane molecules that influence several biological activities and are linked to a number of diseases. They are secreted as heterotrimeric proteins consisting of one α, one β, and one γ chain, followed by their assembly into a polymer-like sheet at the basement membrane. Using sedimentation velocity, dynamic light scattering, and surface plasmon resonance experiments, we studied self-association of three laminin (LM) N-terminal fragments α-1 (hLM α-1 N), α-5 (hLM α-5 N) and β-3 (hLM β-3 N) originating from the short arms of the human laminin αβγ heterotrimer. Corresponding studies of the hLM α-1 N C49S mutant, equivalent to the larval lethal C56S mutant in zebrafish, have shown that this mutation causes enhanced self-association behavior, an observation that provides a plausible explanation for the inability of laminin bearing this mutation to fulfill functional roles in vivo, and hence for the deleterious pathological consequences of the mutation on lens function.

Biophysical analysis of a lethal laminin alpha-1 mutation reveals altered self-interaction

KAUST Repository

Patel, Trushar R.

2015-07-26

Laminins are key basement membrane molecules that influence several biological activities and are linked to a number of diseases. They are secreted as heterotrimeric proteins consisting of one α, one β, and one γ chain, followed by their assembly into a polymer-like sheet at the basement membrane. Using sedimentation velocity, dynamic light scattering, and surface plasmon resonance experiments, we studied self-association of three laminin (LM) N-terminal fragments α-1 (hLM α-1 N), α-5 (hLM α-5 N) and β-3 (hLM β-3 N) originating from the short arms of the human laminin αβγ heterotrimer. Corresponding studies of the hLM α-1 N C49S mutant, equivalent to the larval lethal C56S mutant in zebrafish, have shown that this mutation causes enhanced self-association behavior, an observation that provides a plausible explanation for the inability of laminin bearing this mutation to fulfill functional roles in vivo, and hence for the deleterious pathological consequences of the mutation on lens function.

Immobilization of Dystrophin and Laminin α2-Chain Deficient Zebrafish Larvae In Vivo Prevents the Development of Muscular Dystrophy.

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Mei Li

Full Text Available Muscular dystrophies are often caused by genetic alterations in the dystrophin-dystroglycan complex or its extracellular ligands. These structures are associated with the cell membrane and provide mechanical links between the cytoskeleton and the matrix. Mechanical stress is considered a pathological mechanism and muscle immobilization has been shown to be beneficial in some mouse models of muscular dystrophy. The zebrafish enables novel and less complex models to examine the effects of extended immobilization or muscle relaxation in vivo in different dystrophy models. We have examined effects of immobilization in larvae from two zebrafish strains with muscular dystrophy, the Sapje dystrophin-deficient and the Candyfloss laminin α2-chain-deficient strains. Larvae (4 days post fertilization, dpf of both mutants have significantly lower active force in vitro, alterations in the muscle structure with gaps between muscle fibers and altered birefringence patterns compared to their normal siblings. Complete immobilization (18 hrs to 4 dpf was achieved using a small molecular inhibitor of actin-myosin interaction (BTS, 50 μM. This treatment resulted in a significantly weaker active contraction at 4 dpf in both mutated larvae and normal siblings, most likely reflecting a general effect of immobilization on myofibrillogenesis. The immobilization also significantly reduced the structural damage in the mutated strains, showing that muscle activity is an important pathological mechanism. Following one-day washout of BTS, muscle tension partly recovered in the Candyfloss siblings and caused structural damage in these mutants, indicating activity-induced muscle recovery and damage, respectively.

INHERITED PATHOLOGY OF β2-LAMININ (PIERSON SYNDROME: CLINICAL AND GENETIC ASPECTS

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M.Yu. Kagan

2010-01-01

Full Text Available For the last decade a great successes were attained in the study of molecular bases of glomerular diseases. It was certain that the most frequent reasons of congenital and infantile nephrotic syndrome are mutations in the genes of NPHS1, NPHS2, and WT1. Nevertheless, until now, a number of patients, having combination of early nephrotic syndrome with inherent pathology of other organs, which etiology remains un known. These cases continue to be intensively probed. One of the most important recent achievements in understanding of molecular mechanisms of early nephrotic syndrome is the discovery of mutations of gene of LAMB2, encoding β2 laminin, as the cause of Pearson syndrome (OMIM#609049. In this article the author presents the basic genetic and clinical descriptions of this recently identified pathology. Key words: Pearson syndrome, congenital nephrotic syndrome, β2 laminin, malformation of organ of vision. (Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(3:114-117

The Effect of Laminin-1-Doped Nanoroughened Implant Surfaces: Gene Expression and Morphological Evaluation

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Humberto Osvaldo Schwartz-Filho

2012-01-01

Full Text Available Aim. This study aimed to observe the morphological and molecular effect of laminin-1 doping to nanostructured implant surfaces in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods. Nanostructured implants were coated with laminin-1 (test; dilution, 100 μg/mL and inserted into the rabbit tibiae. Noncoated implants were used as controls. After 2 weeks of healing, the implants were removed and subjected to morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM and gene expression analysis using the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR. Results. SEM revealed bony tissue attachment for both control and test implants. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of osteoblast markers RUNX-2, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and collagen I was higher (1.62-fold, 1.53-fold, 1.97-fold, and 1.04-fold, resp. for the implants modified by laminin-1 relative to the control. All osteoclast markers investigated in the study presented higher expression on the test implants than controls as follows: tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (1.67-fold, calcitonin receptor (1.35-fold, and ATPase (1.25-fold. The test implants demonstrated higher expression of inflammatory markers interleukin-10 (1.53-fold and tumour necrosis factor-α (1.61-fold relative to controls. Conclusion. The protein-doped surface showed higher gene expression of typical genes involved in the osseointegration cascade than the control surface.

The diagnostic and biological implications of laminin expression in serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma.

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Kuhn, Elisabetta; Kurman, Robert J; Soslow, Robert A; Han, Guangming; Sehdev, Ann Smith; Morin, Patrick J; Wang, Tian-Li; Shih, Ie-Ming

2012-12-01

There is compelling evidence to suggest that serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) is the likely primary site for the development of many pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs). Identifying molecules that are upregulated in STIC is important not only to provide biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis of STIC but also to elucidate our understanding of the pathogenesis of HGSC. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing to compare transcriptomes between HGSC and normal fallopian tube epithelium (FTE), and we identified LAMC1 encoding laminin γ1 as one of the preferentially upregulated genes associated with HGSC. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction further validated LAMC1 upregulation in HGSC as compared with normal FTE. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 32 cases of concurrent HGSC and STIC. The latter was diagnosed on the basis of morphology, TP53 mutations, and p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical patterns. Laminin γ1 immunostaining intensity was found to be significantly higher in STIC and HGSC compared with adjacent FTE in all cases (PSTIC and HGSC cells, laminin γ1 staining was diffuse and intense throughout the cytoplasm. More importantly, strong laminin γ1 staining was detected in all 13 STICs, which lacked p53 immunoreactivity because of null mutations. These findings suggest that the overexpression of laminin γ1 immunoreactivity and alteration of its staining pattern in STICs can serve as a useful tissue biomarker, especially for those STICs that are negative for p53 and have a low Ki-67 labeling index.

Laminin isoforms: biological roles and effects on the intracellular distribution of nuclear proteins in intestinal epithelial cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Turck, Natacha; Gross, Isabelle; Gendry, Patrick; Stutzmann, Jeanne; Freund, Jean-Noel; Kedinger, Michele; Simon-Assmann, Patricia; Launay, Jean-Francois

2005-01-01

Laminins are structurally and functionally major components of the extracellular matrix. Four isoforms of laminins (laminin-1, -2, -5 and -10) are expressed in a specific pattern along the crypt-villus axis of the intestine. Previous works indicated that expression of these isoforms is developmentally regulated and that laminins could modulate the behaviour of intestinal cells, but the exact role of each isoform remained unclear. Here, we report the first systematic analysis of the cellular functions of the four isoforms using the human colon adenocarcinoma Caco2/TC7 cell line as a model. We compared the respective abilities of each isoform to modulate adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. We found that the isoforms were functionally distinct, with laminin-10 being the most adhesive substratum, laminin-2, laminin-5 and laminin-10 enhancing cellular proliferation and at the opposite, laminin-1 stimulating intestinal cell differentiation. To begin to characterise the molecular events induced by the different isoforms, we examined by immunofluorescence the intracellular distribution of several nuclear proteins, recently highlighted by a nuclear proteomic approach. We observed clear nucleocytoplasmic redistribution of these proteins, which depended on the laminin isoform. These results provide evidence for a distinct functional role of laminins in intestinal cell functions characterised by specific localisation of nuclear proteins

Laminin isoforms differentially regulate adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and ERK activation of β1 integrin-null cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kikkawa, Yamato; Yu, Hao; Genersch, Elke; Sanzen, Noriko; Sekiguchi, Kiyotoshi; Faessler, Reinhard; Campbell, Kevin P.; Talts, Jan F.; Ekblom, Peter

2004-01-01

The presence of many laminin receptors of the β1 integrin family on most cells makes it difficult to define the biological functions of other major laminin receptors such as integrin α6β4 and dystroglycan. We therefore tested the binding of a β1 integrin-null cell line GD25 to four different laminin variants. The cells were shown to produce dystroglycan, which based on affinity chromatography bound to laminin-1, -2/4, and -10/11, but not to laminin-5. The cells also expressed the integrin α6Aβ4A variant. GD25 β1 integrin-null cells are known to bind poorly to laminin-1, but we demonstrate here that these cells bind avidly to laminin-2/4, -5, and -10/11. The initial binding at 20 min to each of these laminins could be inhibited by an integrin α6 antibody, but not by a dystroglycan antibody. Hence, integrin α6Aβ4A of GD25 cells was identified as a major receptor for initial GD25 cell adhesion to three out of four tested laminin isoforms. Remarkably, cell adhesion to laminin-5 failed to promote cell spreading, proliferation, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, whereas all these responses occurred in response to adhesion to laminin-2/4 or -10/11. The data establish GD25 cells as useful tools to define the role integrin α6Aβ4A and suggest that laminin isoforms have distinctly different capacities to promote cell adhesion and signaling via integrin α6Aβ4A

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes laminin-binding protein Lbp

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Linke, Christian; Caradoc-Davies, Tom T.; Proft, Thomas; Baker, Edward N.

2008-01-01

The S. pyogenes laminin-binding protein Lbp, which is essential for adhesion to human laminin, has been expressed, purified and crystallized. The laminin-binding protein Lbp (Spy2007) from Streptococcus pyogenes (a group A streptococcus) mediates adhesion to the human basal lamina glycoprotein laminin. Accordingly, Lbp is essential in in vitro models of cell adhesion and invasion. However, the molecular and structural basis of laminin binding by bacteria remains unknown. Therefore, the lbp gene has been cloned for recombinant expression in Escherichia coli. Lbp has been purified and crystallized from 30%(w/v) PEG 1500 by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belonged to the monoclinic space group P2 1 , with unit-cell parameters a = 42.62, b = 92.16, c = 70.61 Å, β = 106.27°, and diffracted to 2.5 Å resolution

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes laminin-binding protein Lbp

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Linke, Christian, E-mail: clin180@ec.auckland.ac.nz [School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland (New Zealand); Caradoc-Davies, Tom T. [School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland (New Zealand); Australian Synchrotron, Clayton, Victoria 3168 (Australia); Proft, Thomas [School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland (New Zealand); Baker, Edward N. [School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland (New Zealand)

2008-02-01

The S. pyogenes laminin-binding protein Lbp, which is essential for adhesion to human laminin, has been expressed, purified and crystallized. The laminin-binding protein Lbp (Spy2007) from Streptococcus pyogenes (a group A streptococcus) mediates adhesion to the human basal lamina glycoprotein laminin. Accordingly, Lbp is essential in in vitro models of cell adhesion and invasion. However, the molecular and structural basis of laminin binding by bacteria remains unknown. Therefore, the lbp gene has been cloned for recombinant expression in Escherichia coli. Lbp has been purified and crystallized from 30%(w/v) PEG 1500 by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belonged to the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 42.62, b = 92.16, c = 70.61 Å, β = 106.27°, and diffracted to 2.5 Å resolution.

A splice site mutation in laminin-α2 results in a severe muscular dystrophy and growth abnormalities in zebrafish.

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Vandana A Gupta

Full Text Available Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited muscle disorders. In patients, muscle weakness is usually present at or shortly after birth and is progressive in nature. Merosin deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A is a form of CMD caused by a defect in the laminin-α2 gene (LAMA2. Laminin-α2 is an extracellular matrix protein that interacts with the dystrophin-dystroglycan (DGC complex in membranes providing stability to muscle fibers. In an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis screen to develop zebrafish models of neuromuscular diseases, we identified a mutant fish that exhibits severe muscular dystrophy early in development. Genetic mapping identified a splice site mutation in the lama2 gene. This splice site is highly conserved in humans and this mutation results in mis-splicing of RNA and a loss of protein function. Homozygous lama2 mutant zebrafish, designated lama2(cl501/cl501, exhibited reduced motor function and progressive degeneration of skeletal muscles and died at 8-15 days post fertilization. The skeletal muscles exhibited damaged myosepta and detachment of myofibers in the affected fish. Laminin-α2 deficiency also resulted in growth defects in the brain and eye of the mutant fish. This laminin-α2 deficient mutant fish represents a novel disease model to develop therapies for modulating splicing defects in congenital muscular dystrophies and to restore the muscle function in human patients with CMD.

Laminin-332 alters connexin profile, dye coupling and intercellular Ca2+ waves in ciliated tracheal epithelial cells

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Olsen Colin E

2006-08-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Tracheal epithelial cells are anchored to a dynamic basement membrane that contains a variety of extracellular matrix proteins including collagens and laminins. During development, wound repair and disease of the airway epithelium, significant changes in extracellular matrix proteins may directly affect cell migration, differentiation and events mediated by intercellular communication. We hypothesized that alterations in cell matrix, specifically type I collagen and laminin α3β3γ2 (LM-332 proteins within the matrix, directly affect intercellular communication in ciliated rabbit tracheal epithelial cells (RTEC. Methods Functional coupling of RTEC was monitored by microinjection of the negatively charged fluorescent dyes, Lucifer Yellow and Alexa 350, into ciliated RTEC grown on either a LM-332/collagen or collagen matrix. Coupling of physiologically significant molecules was evaluated by the mechanism and extent of propagated intercellular Ca2+ waves. Expression of connexin (Cx mRNA and proteins were assayed by reverse transcriptase – polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Results When compared to RTEC grown on collagen alone, RTEC grown on LM-332/collagen displayed a significant increase in dye transfer. Although mechanical stimulation of RTEC grown on either LM-332/collagen or collagen alone resulted in intercellular Ca2+ waves, the mechanism of transfer was dependent on matrix: RTEC grown on LM-332/collagen propagated Ca2+waves via extracellular purinergic signaling whereas RTEC grown on collagen used gap junctions. Comparison of RTEC grown on collagen or LM-332/collagen matrices revealed a reorganization of Cx26, Cx43 and Cx46 proteins. Conclusion Alterations in airway basement membrane proteins such as LM-332 can induce connexin reorganizations and result in altered cellular communication mechanisms that could contribute to airway tissue function.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Sphincter Regeneration: Role of Laminin Isoforms upon Myogenic Differentiation

Science.gov (United States)

Seeger, Tanja; Hart, Melanie; Patarroyo, Manuel; Rolauffs, Bernd; Aicher, Wilhelm K.; Klein, Gerd

2015-01-01

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are well known for their tri-lineage potential and ability to differentiate in vitro into osteogenic, chondrogenic or adipogenic lineages. By selecting appropriate conditions MSCs can also be differentiated in vitro into the myogenic lineage and are therefore a promising option for cell-based regeneration of muscle tissue such as an aged or damaged sphincter muscle. For the differentiation into the myogenic lineage there is still a need to evaluate the effects of extracellular matrix proteins such as laminins (LM) which are crucial for different stem cell types and for normal muscle function. The laminin family consists of 16 functionally different isoforms with LM-211 being the most abundant isoform of adult muscle tissues. In the sphincter tissue a strong expression of the isoforms LM-211/221, LM-411/421 and LM-511/521 can be detected in the different cell layers. Bone marrow-derived MSCs in culture, however, mainly express the isoforms LM-411 and LM-511, but not LM-211. Even after myogenic differentiation, LM-211 can hardly be detected. All laminin isoforms tested (LM-211, LM-411, LM-511 and LM-521) showed a significant inhibition of the proliferation of undifferentiated MSCs but, with the exception of LM-521, they had no influence on the proliferation of MSCs cultivated in myogenic medium. The strongest cellular adhesion of MSCs was to LM-511 and LM-521, whereas LM-211 was only a weakly-adhesive substrate for MSCs. Myogenic differentiation of MSCs even reduced the interaction with LM-211, but it did not affect the interaction with LM-511 and LM-521. Since during normal myogenesis the latter two isoforms are the major laminins surrounding developing myogenic progenitors, α5 chain-containing laminins are recommended for further improvements of myogenic differentiation protocols of MSCs into smooth muscle cells. PMID:26406476

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Sphincter Regeneration: Role of Laminin Isoforms upon Myogenic Differentiation.

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Tanja Seeger

Full Text Available Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs are well known for their tri-lineage potential and ability to differentiate in vitro into osteogenic, chondrogenic or adipogenic lineages. By selecting appropriate conditions MSCs can also be differentiated in vitro into the myogenic lineage and are therefore a promising option for cell-based regeneration of muscle tissue such as an aged or damaged sphincter muscle. For the differentiation into the myogenic lineage there is still a need to evaluate the effects of extracellular matrix proteins such as laminins (LM which are crucial for different stem cell types and for normal muscle function. The laminin family consists of 16 functionally different isoforms with LM-211 being the most abundant isoform of adult muscle tissues. In the sphincter tissue a strong expression of the isoforms LM-211/221, LM-411/421 and LM-511/521 can be detected in the different cell layers. Bone marrow-derived MSCs in culture, however, mainly express the isoforms LM-411 and LM-511, but not LM-211. Even after myogenic differentiation, LM-211 can hardly be detected. All laminin isoforms tested (LM-211, LM-411, LM-511 and LM-521 showed a significant inhibition of the proliferation of undifferentiated MSCs but, with the exception of LM-521, they had no influence on the proliferation of MSCs cultivated in myogenic medium. The strongest cellular adhesion of MSCs was to LM-511 and LM-521, whereas LM-211 was only a weakly-adhesive substrate for MSCs. Myogenic differentiation of MSCs even reduced the interaction with LM-211, but it did not affect the interaction with LM-511 and LM-521. Since during normal myogenesis the latter two isoforms are the major laminins surrounding developing myogenic progenitors, α5 chain-containing laminins are recommended for further improvements of myogenic differentiation protocols of MSCs into smooth muscle cells.

Laminin-111 protein therapy reduces muscle pathology and improves viability of a mouse model of merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy.

Science.gov (United States)

Rooney, Jachinta E; Knapp, Jolie R; Hodges, Bradley L; Wuebbles, Ryan D; Burkin, Dean J

2012-04-01

Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) is a lethal muscle-wasting disease that is caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene, resulting in the loss of laminin-α2 protein. MDC1A patients exhibit severe muscle weakness from birth, are confined to a wheelchair, require ventilator assistance, and have reduced life expectancy. There are currently no effective treatments or cures for MDC1A. Laminin-α2 is required for the formation of heterotrimeric laminin-211 (ie, α2, β1, and γ1) and laminin-221 (ie, α2, β2, and γ1), which are major constituents of skeletal muscle basal lamina. Laminin-111 (ie, α1, β1, and γ1) is the predominant laminin isoform in embryonic skeletal muscle and supports normal skeletal muscle development in laminin-α2-deficient muscle but is absent from adult skeletal muscle. In this study, we determined whether treatment with Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm-derived mouse laminin-111 protein could rescue MDC1A in the dy(W-/-) mouse model. We demonstrate that laminin-111 protein systemically delivered to the muscles of laminin-α2-deficient mice prevents muscle pathology, improves muscle strength, and dramatically increases life expectancy. Laminin-111 also prevented apoptosis in laminin-α2-deficient mouse muscle and primary human MDC1A myogenic cells, which indicates a conserved mechanism of action and cross-reactivity between species. Our results demonstrate that laminin-111 can serve as an effective protein substitution therapy for the treatment of muscular dystrophy in the dy(W-/-) mouse model and establish the potential for its use in the treatment of MDC1A. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The role of laminins in cartilaginous tissues: from development to regeneration.

Science.gov (United States)

Sun, Y; Wang, T L; Toh, W S; Pei, M

2017-07-21

As a key molecule of the extracellular matrix, laminin provides a delicate microenvironment for cell functions. Recent findings suggest that laminins expressed by cartilage-forming cells (chondrocytes, progenitor cells and stem cells) could promote chondrogenesis. However, few papers outline the effect of laminins on providing a favorable matrix microenvironment for cartilage regeneration. In this review, we delineated the expression of laminins in hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage and cartilage-like tissue (nucleus pulposus) throughout several developmental stages. We also examined the effect of laminins on the biological activities of chondrocytes, including adhesion, migration and survival. Furthermore, we scrutinized the potential influence of various laminin isoforms on cartilage-forming cells' proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. With this information, we hope to facilitate the understanding of the spatial and temporal interactions between cartilage-forming cells and laminin microenvironment to eventually advance cell-based cartilage engineering and regeneration.

LAMININS IN COLORECTAL CANCER: EXPRESSION, FUNCTION, PROGNOSTIC POWER AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS

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S. A. Rodin

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Extracellular matrix (ECM proteins are a major component of the tumor stroma. Laminins emerge as one of the main families of ECM proteins with signaling properties. Apart from the structural function, laminins and products of their degradation affect survival and differentiation of cancer cells, motility of cancer and stromal cells, angiogenesis, invasion into distant organs, and other aspects of cancer development. Here, we discus expression of laminins in colorectal cancer (CRC, studying of laminin functions in in vitro and in vivo models of CRC, and using laminins as prognostic markers of CRC. Recently, we have reported a new approach to assessing prognostic power using classifiers constructed from sets of laminin genes. The method allows for accurate prognosis of CRC and provides additional information that may suggest possible molecular mechanisms of laminin function in CRC progression.

The role of laminins in cartilaginous tissues: from development to regeneration

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Y Sun

2017-07-01

Full Text Available As a key molecule of the extracellular matrix, laminin provides a delicate microenvironment for cell functions. Recent findings suggest that laminins expressed by cartilage-forming cells (chondrocytes, progenitor cells and stem cells could promote chondrogenesis. However, few papers outline the effect of laminins on providing a favorable matrix microenvironment for cartilage regeneration. In this review, we delineated the expression of laminins in hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage and cartilage-like tissue (nucleus pulposus throughout several developmental stages. We also examined the effect of laminins on the biological activities of chondrocytes, including adhesion, migration and survival. Furthermore, we scrutinized the potential influence of various laminin isoforms on cartilage-forming cells’ proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. With this information, we hope to facilitate the understanding of the spatial and temporal interactions between cartilage-forming cells and laminin microenvironment to eventually advance cell-based cartilage engineering and regeneration.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of laminin-binding protein (Lmb) from Streptococcus agalactiae

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ragunathan, Preethi; Spellerberg, Barbara; Ponnuraj, Karthe

2009-01-01

Laminin-binding protein from S. agalactiae was expressed, purified and crystallized and X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.5 Å resolution. Laminin-binding protein (Lmb), a surface-exposed lipoprotein from Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus), mediates attachment to human laminin and plays a crucial role in the adhesion/invasion of eukaryotic host cells. However, the structural basis of laminin binding still remains unclear. In the context of detailed structural analysis, the lmb gene has been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. The crystals diffracted to a resolution of 2.5 Å and belonged to the monoclinic space group P2 1 , with unit-cell parameters a = 56.63, b = 70.60, c = 75.37 Å, β = 96.77°

A fractal nature for polymerized laminin.

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Camila Hochman-Mendez

Full Text Available Polylaminin (polyLM is a non-covalent acid-induced nano- and micro-structured polymer of the protein laminin displaying distinguished biological properties. Polylaminin stimulates neuritogenesis beyond the levels achieved by ordinary laminin and has been shown to promote axonal regeneration in animal models of spinal cord injury. Here we used confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM to characterize its three-dimensional structure. Renderization of confocal optical slices of immunostained polyLM revealed the aspect of a loose flocculated meshwork, which was homogeneously stained by the antibody. On the other hand, an ordinary matrix obtained upon adsorption of laminin in neutral pH (LM was constituted of bulky protein aggregates whose interior was not accessible to the same anti-laminin antibody. SEM and AFM analyses revealed that the seed unit of polyLM was a flat polygon formed in solution whereas the seed structure of LM was highly heterogeneous, intercalating rod-like, spherical and thin spread lamellar deposits. As polyLM was visualized at progressively increasing magnifications, we observed that the morphology of the polymer was alike independently of the magnification used for the observation. A search for the Hausdorff dimension in images of the two matrices showed that polyLM, but not LM, presented fractal dimensions of 1.55, 1.62 and 1.70 after 1, 8 and 12 hours of adsorption, respectively. Data in the present work suggest that the intrinsic fractal nature of polymerized laminin can be the structural basis for the fractal-like organization of basement membranes in the neurogenic niches of the central nervous system.

A fractal nature for polymerized laminin.

Science.gov (United States)

Hochman-Mendez, Camila; Cantini, Marco; Moratal, David; Salmeron-Sanchez, Manuel; Coelho-Sampaio, Tatiana

2014-01-01

Polylaminin (polyLM) is a non-covalent acid-induced nano- and micro-structured polymer of the protein laminin displaying distinguished biological properties. Polylaminin stimulates neuritogenesis beyond the levels achieved by ordinary laminin and has been shown to promote axonal regeneration in animal models of spinal cord injury. Here we used confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize its three-dimensional structure. Renderization of confocal optical slices of immunostained polyLM revealed the aspect of a loose flocculated meshwork, which was homogeneously stained by the antibody. On the other hand, an ordinary matrix obtained upon adsorption of laminin in neutral pH (LM) was constituted of bulky protein aggregates whose interior was not accessible to the same anti-laminin antibody. SEM and AFM analyses revealed that the seed unit of polyLM was a flat polygon formed in solution whereas the seed structure of LM was highly heterogeneous, intercalating rod-like, spherical and thin spread lamellar deposits. As polyLM was visualized at progressively increasing magnifications, we observed that the morphology of the polymer was alike independently of the magnification used for the observation. A search for the Hausdorff dimension in images of the two matrices showed that polyLM, but not LM, presented fractal dimensions of 1.55, 1.62 and 1.70 after 1, 8 and 12 hours of adsorption, respectively. Data in the present work suggest that the intrinsic fractal nature of polymerized laminin can be the structural basis for the fractal-like organization of basement membranes in the neurogenic niches of the central nervous system.

Laminins and cancer stem cells: Partners in crime?

Science.gov (United States)

Qin, Yan; Rodin, Sergey; Simonson, Oscar E; Hollande, Frédéric

2017-08-01

As one of the predominant protein families within the extracellular matrix both structurally and functionally, laminins have been shown to be heavily involved in tumor progression and drug resistance. Laminins participate in key cellular events for tumor angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastasis development, including the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and basement membrane remodeling, which are tightly associated with the phenotypic characteristics of stem-like cells, particularly in the context of cancer. In addition, a great deal of studies and reports has highlighted the critical roles of laminins in modulating stem cell phenotype and differentiation, as part of the stem cell niche. Stemming from these discoveries a growing body of literature suggests that laminins may act as regulators of cancer stem cells, a tumor cell subpopulation that plays an instrumental role in long-term cancer maintenance, metastasis development and therapeutic resistance. The accumulating evidence in this emerging research area suggests that laminins represent potential therapeutic targets for anti-cancer treatments against cancer stem cells, and that they may be used as predictive and prognostic markers to inform clinical management and improve patient survival. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Knockdown of Laminin gamma-3 (Lamc3 impairs motoneuron guidance in the zebrafish embryo [version 1; referees: 2 approved, 2 approved with reservations

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alexander M. J. Eve

2017-11-01

Full Text Available Background: Previous work in the zebrafish embryo has shown that laminin γ-3 (lamc3 is enriched in endothelial cells marked by expression of fli1a, but the role of Lamc3 has been unknown. Methods: We use antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of F0 embryos, to create zebrafish embryos in which lamc3 expression is compromised. Transgenic imaging, immunofluorescence, and in situ hybridisation reveal that Lamc3 loss-of-function affects the development of muscle pioneers, endothelial cells, and motoneurons. Results: Lamc3 is enriched in endothelial cells during zebrafish development, but it is also expressed by other tissues. Depletion of Lamc3 by use of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides perturbs formation of the parachordal chain and subsequently the thoracic duct, but Lamc3 is not required for sprouting of the cardinal vein. F0 embryos in which lamc3 expression is perturbed by a CRISPR/Cas9 approach also fail to form a parachordal chain, but we were unable to establish a stable lamc3 null line. Lamc3 is dispensable for muscle pioneer specification and for the expression of netrin-1a in these cells. Lamc3 knockdown causes netrin-1a up-regulation in the neural tube and there is increased Netrin-1 protein throughout the trunk of the embryo. Axonal guidance of rostral primary motoneurons is defective in Lamc3 knockdown embryos. Conclusions: We suggest that knockdown of Lamc3 perturbs migration of rostral primary motoneurons at the level of the horizontal myoseptum, indicating that laminin γ3 plays a role in motoneuron guidance.

Inhibition on Apoptosis Induced by Elevated Hydrostatic Pressure in Retinal Ganglion Cell-5 via Laminin Upregulating β1-integrin/Focal Adhesion Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Yi; Chen, Yan-Ming; Sun, Ming-Ming; Guo, Xiao-Dan; Wang, Ya-Chen; Zhang, Zhong-Zhi

2016-04-20

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by degeneration of neurons due to loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). High intraocular pressure (HIOP), the main risk factor, causes the optic nerve damage. However, the precise mechanism of HIOP-induced RGC death is not yet completely understood. This study was conducted to determine apoptosis of RGC-5 cells induced by elevated hydrostatic pressures, explore whether laminin is associated with apoptosis under pressure, whether laminin can protect RGCs from apoptosis and affirm the mechanism that regulates the process of RGCs survival. RGC-5 cells were exposed to 0, 20, 40, and 60 mmHg in a pressurized incubator for 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. The effect of elevated hydrostatic pressure on RGC-5 cells was measured by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and Western blotting of cleaved caspase-3 protein. Location and expression of laminin were detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of β1-integrin, phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and protein kinase B (PKB, or AKT) were investigated with real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis. Elevated hydrostatic pressure induced apoptosis in cultured RGC-5 cells. Pressure with 40 mmHg for 24 h induced a maximum apoptosis. Laminin was declined in RGC-5 cells after exposing to 40 mmHg for 24 h. After pretreating with laminin, RGC-5 cells survived from elevated pressure. Furthermore, β1-integrin and phosphorylation of FAK and AKT were increased compared to 40 mmHg group. The data show apoptosis tendency of RGC-5 cells with elevated hydrostatic pressure. Laminin can protect RGC-5 cells against high pressure via β1-integrin/FAK/AKT signaling pathway. These results suggest that the decreased laminin of RGC-5 cells might be responsible for apoptosis induced by elevated hydrostatic pressure, and laminin or activating β1-integrin

Laminin peptide YIGSR induces collagen synthesis in Hs27 human dermal fibroblasts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoon, Jong Hyuk; Kim, Jaeyoon; Lee, Hyeongjoo; Kim, So Young; Jang, Hwan-Hee; Ryu, Sung Ho; Kim, Beom Joon; Lee, Taehoon G.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► We identify a function of the YIGSR peptide to enhance collagen synthesis in Hs27. ► YIGSR peptide enhanced collagen type 1 synthesis both of gene and protein levels. ► There were no changes in cell proliferation and MMP-1 level in YIGSR treatment. ► The YIGSR effect on collagen synthesis mediated activation of FAK, pyk2 and ERK. ► The YIGSR-induced FAK and ERK activation was modulated by FAK and MEK inhibitors. -- Abstract: The dermal ECM is synthesized from fibroblasts and is primarily compromised of fibrillar collagen and elastic fibers, which support the mechanical strength and resiliency of skin, respectively. Laminin, a major glycoprotein located in the basement membrane, promotes cell adhesion, cell growth, differentiation, and migration. The laminin tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine (YIGSR) peptide, corresponding to the 929–933 sequence of the β1 chain, is known to be a functional motif with effects on the inhibition of tumor metastasis, the regulation of sensory axonal response and the inhibition of angiogenesis through high affinity to the 67 kDa laminin receptor. In this study, we identified a novel function of the YIGSR peptide to enhance collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. To elucidate this novel function regarding collagen synthesis, we treated human dermal fibroblasts with YIGSR peptide in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. According to subsequent experiments, we found that the YIGSR peptide strongly enhanced collagen type 1 synthesis without changing cell proliferation or cellular MMP-1 level. This YIGSR peptide-mediated collagen type 1 synthesis was modulated by FAK inhibitor and MEK inhibitor. This study clearly reveals that YIGSR peptide plays a novel function on the collagen type 1 synthesis of dermal fibroblasts and also suggests that YIGSR is a strong candidate peptide for the treatment of skin aging and wrinkles.

Quantum spin circulator in Y junctions of Heisenberg chains

Science.gov (United States)

Buccheri, Francesco; Egger, Reinhold; Pereira, Rodrigo G.; Ramos, Flávia B.

2018-06-01

We show that a quantum spin circulator, a nonreciprocal device that routes spin currents without any charge transport, can be achieved in Y junctions of identical spin-1 /2 Heisenberg chains coupled by a chiral three-spin interaction. Using bosonization, boundary conformal field theory, and density matrix renormalization group simulations, we find that a chiral fixed point with maximally asymmetric spin conductance arises at a critical point separating a regime of disconnected chains from a spin-only version of the three-channel Kondo effect. We argue that networks of spin-chain Y junctions provide a controllable approach to construct long-sought chiral spin-liquid phases.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its correlation with basal membrane components laminin-5 and collagen type IV in paediatric burn patients measured with Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRI) biosensors.

Science.gov (United States)

Weremijewicz, Artur; Matuszczak, Ewa; Sankiewicz, Anna; Tylicka, Marzena; Komarowska, Marta; Tokarzewicz, Anna; Debek, Wojciech; Gorodkiewicz, Ewa; Hermanowicz, Adam

2018-01-30

The purpose of this study was the determination of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its correlation with basal membrane components laminin-5 and collagen type IV in the blood plasma of burn patients measured with Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRI) biosensors. 31 children scalded by hot water who were managed at the Department of Paediatric Surgery between 2014-2015, after primarily presenting with burns in 4-20% TBSA were included into the study (age 9 months up to 14 years, mean age 2,5+1 years). There were 10 girls and 21 boys. Venous blood samples were drawn 2-6h, and 12-16h after the thermal injury, and on the subsequent days 3, 5 and 7. The matrix metalloproteinase-2, collagen type IV and laminin-5 concentrations were assessed using Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging by the investigators blinded to the other data. The MMP-2, laminin-5 and collagen type IV concentrations in the blood plasma of patients with burns, were highest 12-16h after thermal injury, the difference was statistically significant. The MMP-2, laminin-5 and collagen type IV concentrations measured 3 days, 5 days and 7 days after the thermal injury, slowly decreased over time, and on the 7th day reached the normal range, when compared with the concentration measured in controls. Current work is the first follow-up study regarding MMP-2 in burns. MMP-2, laminin-5 and collagen type IV levels were elevated early after burn injury in the plasma of studied patients, and were highest 12-16h after the injury. MMP-2, laminin-5 and collagen type IV levels were not proportional to the severity of the burn. We believe in the possibility that the gradual decrease of MMP-2, collagen type IV and laminin-5 concentrations could be connected with the process of healing, but to prove it, more investigation is needed in this area. The SPR imaging biosensor is a good diagnostic tool for determination of MMP-2, laminin-5 and collagen type IV in blood plasma of patients with burns. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Dystroglycan loss disrupts polarity and beta-casein induction inmammary epithelial cells by perturbing laminin anchoring

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weir, M. Lynn; Oppizzi, Maria Luisa; Henry, Michael D.; Onishi,Akiko; Campbell, Kevin P.; Bissell, Mina J.; Muschler, John L.

2006-02-17

Precise contact between epithelial cells and their underlying basement membrane is critical to the maintenance of tissue architecture and function. To understand the role that the laminin receptor dystroglycan (DG) plays in these processes, we assayed cell responses to laminin-111 following conditional ablation of DG expression in cultured mammary epithelial cells (MECs). Strikingly, DG loss disrupted laminin-111-induced polarity and {beta}-casein production, and abolished laminin assembly at the step of laminin binding to the cell surface. DG re-expression restored these deficiencies. Investigations of mechanism revealed that DG cytoplasmic sequences were not necessary for laminin assembly and signaling, and only when the entire mucin domain of extracellular DG was deleted did laminin assembly not occur. These results demonstrate that DG is essential as a laminin-111 co-receptor in MECs that functions by mediating laminin anchoring to the cell surface, a process that allows laminin polymerization, tissue polarity, and {beta}-casein induction. The observed loss of laminin-111 assembly and signaling in DG-/-MECs provides insights into the signaling changes occurring in breast carcinomas and other cancers, where DG's laminin-binding function is frequently defective.

Laminin-binding integrins and their tetraspanin partners as potential antimetastatic targets

Science.gov (United States)

Stipp, Christopher S.

2010-01-01

Within the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors, integrins α3β1, α6β1, α6β4 and α7β1 make up a laminin-binding subfamily. The literature is divided on the role of these laminin-binding integrins in metastasis, with different studies indicating either pro- or antimetastatic functions. The opposing roles of the laminin-binding integrins in different settings might derive in part from their unusually robust associations with tetraspanin proteins. Tetraspanins organise integrins into multiprotein complexes within discrete plasma membrane domains termed tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs). TEM association is crucial to the strikingly rapid cell migration mediated by some of the laminin-binding integrins. However, emerging data suggest that laminin-binding integrins also promote the stability of E-cadherin-based cell–cell junctions, and that tetraspanins are essential for this function as well. Thus, TEM association endows the laminin-binding integrins with both pro-invasive functions (rapid migration) and anti-invasive functions (stable cell junctions), and the composition of TEMs in different cell types might help determine the balance between these opposing activities. Unravelling the tetraspanin control mechanisms that regulate laminin-binding integrins will help to define the settings where inhibiting the function of these integrins would be helpful rather than harmful, and may create opportunities to modulate integrin activity in more sophisticated ways than simple functional blockade. PMID:20078909

Four-concurrence in the transverse X Y spin-1/2 chain

Science.gov (United States)

Osterloh, Andreas; Schützhold, Ralf

2017-07-01

We analyze the entanglement measure C4 for specific mixed states in general and for the ground state of the transverse X Y spin-1/2 chain. We find that its factorizing property for pure states does not easily extend to mixed states. For cases where the density matrix is a tensor product, C4 is definitely upper bounded by the product of the corresponding concurrences. In transverse X Y chains, we find that for large distances this condition goes conform with the working hypotheses of a factorizing property of density matrices in this limit. Additionally, we find that C4 together with the genuine multipartite negativity makes it impossible to decide—at the present state of knowledge—which type of entanglement prevails in the system. In particular, this is true for all entanglement measures that detect SL-invariant genuine n -partite entanglement for different n . Further measures of SL-invariant genuine multipartite entanglement have to be considered here. C4 is, however, of the same order of magnitude as the genuine multipartite negativity in Phys. Rev. B 89, 134101 (2014), 10.1103/PhysRevB.89.134101 and shows the same functional behavior, which we read as a hint towards the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) type of entanglement. Furthermore, we observe an interesting feature in the C4 values that resembles a destructive interference with the underlying concurrence.

Basal cell adhesion molecule/lutheran protein. The receptor critical for sickle cell adhesion to laminin.

Science.gov (United States)

Udani, M; Zen, Q; Cottman, M; Leonard, N; Jefferson, S; Daymont, C; Truskey, G; Telen, M J

1998-01-01

Sickle red cells bind significant amounts of soluble laminin, whereas normal red cells do not. Solid phase assays demonstrate that B-CAM/LU binds laminin on intact sickle red cells and that red cell B-CAM/LU binds immobilized laminin, whereas another putative laminin binding protein, CD44, does not. Ligand blots also identify B-CAM/LU as the only erythrocyte membrane protein(s) that binds laminin. Finally, transfection of murine erythroleukemia cells with human B-CAM cDNA induces binding of both soluble and immobilized laminin. Thus, B-CAM/LU appears to be the major laminin-binding protein of sickle red cells. Previously reported overexpression of B-CAM/LU by epithelial cancer cells suggests that this protein may also serve as a laminin receptor in malignant tumors. PMID:9616226

Distinct roles for dystroglycan, beta1 integrin and perlecan in cell surface laminin organization

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Henry, M D; Satz, J S; Brakebusch, C

2001-01-01

Dystroglycan (DG) is a cell surface receptor for several extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules including laminins, agrin and perlecan. Recent data indicate that DG function is required for the formation of basement membranes in early development and the organization of laminin on the cell surface...... integrin-deficient ES cells, laminin-1 binds to the cell surface, but fails to organize into more morphologically complex structures. This result indicates that beta1 integrin function is required after DG function in the cell surface-mediated laminin assembly process. In perlecan-deficient ES cells......, the formation of complex laminin-1 structures is defective, implicating perlecan in the laminin matrix assembly process. Moreover, laminin and perlecan reciprocally modulate the organization of the other on the cell surface. Taken together, the data support a model whereby DG serves as a receptor essential...

Distribution of Basement Membrane Molecules, Laminin and Collagen Type IV, in Normal and Degenerated Cartilage Tissues.

Science.gov (United States)

Foldager, Casper Bindzus; Toh, Wei Seong; Gomoll, Andreas H; Olsen, Bjørn Reino; Spector, Myron

2014-04-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of 2 basement membrane (BM) molecules, laminin and collagen type IV, in healthy and degenerative cartilage tissues. Normal and degenerated tissues were obtained from goats and humans, including articular knee cartilage, the intervertebral disc, and meniscus. Normal tissue was also obtained from patella-tibial enthesis in goats. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using anti-laminin and anti-collagen type IV antibodies. Human and goat skin were used as positive controls. The percentage of cells displaying the pericellular presence of the protein was graded semiquantitatively. When present, laminin and collagen type IV were exclusively found in the pericellular matrix, and in a discrete layer on the articulating surface of normal articular cartilage. In normal articular (hyaline) cartilage in the human and goat, the proteins were found co-localized pericellularly. In contrast, in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage, collagen type IV but not laminin was found in the pericellular region. Nonpathological fibrocartilaginous tissues from the goat, including the menisci and the enthesis, were also positive for both laminin and collagen type IV pericellularly. In degenerated fibrocartilage, including intervertebral disc, as in degenerated hyaline cartilage only collagen type IV was found pericellularly around chondrocytes but with less intense staining than in non-degenerated tissue. In calcified cartilage, some cells were positive for laminin but not type IV collagen. We report differences in expression of the BM molecules, laminin and collagen type IV, in normal and degenerative cartilaginous tissues from adult humans and goats. In degenerative tissues laminin is depleted from the pericellular matrix before collagen type IV. The findings may inform future studies of the processes underlying cartilage degeneration and the functional roles of these 2 extracellular matrix proteins

Distribution of Basement Membrane Molecules, Laminin and Collagen Type IV, in Normal and Degenerated Cartilage Tissues

Science.gov (United States)

Toh, Wei Seong; Gomoll, Andreas H.; Olsen, Bjørn Reino; Spector, Myron

2014-01-01

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of 2 basement membrane (BM) molecules, laminin and collagen type IV, in healthy and degenerative cartilage tissues. Design: Normal and degenerated tissues were obtained from goats and humans, including articular knee cartilage, the intervertebral disc, and meniscus. Normal tissue was also obtained from patella-tibial enthesis in goats. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using anti-laminin and anti–collagen type IV antibodies. Human and goat skin were used as positive controls. The percentage of cells displaying the pericellular presence of the protein was graded semiquantitatively. Results: When present, laminin and collagen type IV were exclusively found in the pericellular matrix, and in a discrete layer on the articulating surface of normal articular cartilage. In normal articular (hyaline) cartilage in the human and goat, the proteins were found co-localized pericellularly. In contrast, in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage, collagen type IV but not laminin was found in the pericellular region. Nonpathological fibrocartilaginous tissues from the goat, including the menisci and the enthesis, were also positive for both laminin and collagen type IV pericellularly. In degenerated fibrocartilage, including intervertebral disc, as in degenerated hyaline cartilage only collagen type IV was found pericellularly around chondrocytes but with less intense staining than in non-degenerated tissue. In calcified cartilage, some cells were positive for laminin but not type IV collagen. Conclusions: We report differences in expression of the BM molecules, laminin and collagen type IV, in normal and degenerative cartilaginous tissues from adult humans and goats. In degenerative tissues laminin is depleted from the pericellular matrix before collagen type IV. The findings may inform future studies of the processes underlying cartilage degeneration and the functional

Laminin peptide YIGSR induces collagen synthesis in Hs27 human dermal fibroblasts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yoon, Jong Hyuk; Kim, Jaeyoon; Lee, Hyeongjoo [NovaCell Technology Inc., Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784 (Korea, Republic of); Kim, So Young [Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of); Department of Convergence Medicine and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of); Jang, Hwan-Hee [Functional Food and Nutrition Division, Department of Agrofood Resources, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-853 (Korea, Republic of); Ryu, Sung Ho [Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784 (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Beom Joon [Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of); Department of Convergence Medicine and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Taehoon G., E-mail: taehoon@novacelltech.com [NovaCell Technology Inc., Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784 (Korea, Republic of)

2012-11-23

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We identify a function of the YIGSR peptide to enhance collagen synthesis in Hs27. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer YIGSR peptide enhanced collagen type 1 synthesis both of gene and protein levels. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer There were no changes in cell proliferation and MMP-1 level in YIGSR treatment. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The YIGSR effect on collagen synthesis mediated activation of FAK, pyk2 and ERK. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The YIGSR-induced FAK and ERK activation was modulated by FAK and MEK inhibitors. -- Abstract: The dermal ECM is synthesized from fibroblasts and is primarily compromised of fibrillar collagen and elastic fibers, which support the mechanical strength and resiliency of skin, respectively. Laminin, a major glycoprotein located in the basement membrane, promotes cell adhesion, cell growth, differentiation, and migration. The laminin tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine (YIGSR) peptide, corresponding to the 929-933 sequence of the {beta}1 chain, is known to be a functional motif with effects on the inhibition of tumor metastasis, the regulation of sensory axonal response and the inhibition of angiogenesis through high affinity to the 67 kDa laminin receptor. In this study, we identified a novel function of the YIGSR peptide to enhance collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. To elucidate this novel function regarding collagen synthesis, we treated human dermal fibroblasts with YIGSR peptide in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. According to subsequent experiments, we found that the YIGSR peptide strongly enhanced collagen type 1 synthesis without changing cell proliferation or cellular MMP-1 level. This YIGSR peptide-mediated collagen type 1 synthesis was modulated by FAK inhibitor and MEK inhibitor. This study clearly reveals that YIGSR peptide plays a novel function on the collagen type 1 synthesis of dermal fibroblasts and also suggests that YIGSR is a strong candidate

Augmentation de l'expression de la chaine α1 de la laminine 111, un potentiel traitement pour la Dystrophie musculaire de Duchenne

OpenAIRE

Perrin, Arnaud

2016-01-01

La protéine hétérotrimérique laminine-111 permet le lien entre la matrice-extracellulaire et l’intégrine α7β1 du sarcolemme, remplaçant ainsi dans les muscles dystrophiques, des liens normalement assurés par le complexe de la dystrophine. L’injection de laminine-111 dans des souris mdx a permis, entre autre, l’augmentation de l'expression de l'intégrine α7β1, d’empêcher les bris du sarcolemme lors de la contraction musculaire, de restaurer un niveau normal de la créatine kinase sérique, ainsi...

Crystal Structure of the Human Laminin Receptor Precursor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jamieson,K.; Wu, J.; Hubbard, S.; Meruelo, D.

2008-01-01

The human laminin receptor (LamR) interacts with many ligands, including laminin, prions, Sindbis virus, and the polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and has been implicated in a number of diseases. LamR is overexpressed on tumor cells, and targeting LamR elicits anti-cancer effects. Here, we report the crystal structure of human LamR, which provides insights into its function and should facilitate the design of novel therapeutics targeting LamR.

Diseased muscles that lack dystrophin or laminin-α2 have altered compositions and proliferation of mononuclear cell populations

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Miller Jeffrey

2005-04-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Multiple types of mononucleate cells reside among the multinucleate myofibers in skeletal muscles and these mononucleate cells function in muscle maintenance and repair. How neuromuscular disease might affect different types of muscle mononucleate cells had not been determined. In this study, therefore, we examined how two neuromuscular diseases, dystrophin-deficiency and laminin-α2-deficiency, altered the proliferation and composition of different subsets of muscle-derived mononucleate cells. Methods We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting combined with bromodeoxyuridine labeling to examine proliferation rates and compositions of mononuclear cells in diseased and healthy mouse skeletal muscle. We prepared mononucleate cells from muscles of mdx (dystrophin-deficient or Lama2-/- (laminin-α2-deficient mice and compared them to cells from healthy control muscles. We enumerated subsets of resident muscle cells based on Sca-1 and CD45 expression patterns and determined the proliferation of each cell subset in vivo by BrdU incorporation. Results We found that the proliferation and composition of the mononucleate cells in dystrophin-deficient and laminin-α2-deficient diseased muscles are different than in healthy muscle. The mdx and Lama2-/- muscles showed similar significant increases in CD45+ cells compared to healthy muscle. Changes in proliferation, however, differed between the two diseases with proliferation increased in mdx and decreased in Lama2-/- muscles compared to healthy muscles. In particular, the most abundant Sca-1-/CD45- subset, which contains muscle precursor cells, had increased proliferation in mdx muscle but decreased proliferation in Lama2-/- muscles. Conclusion The similar increases in CD45+ cells, but opposite changes in proliferation of muscle precursor cells, may underlie aspects of the distinct pathologies in the two diseases.

Electronic structure of the CuO3 chains in RBa2Cu3O6+x (R=Y or a rare earth)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aligia, A.A.; Gagliano, E.R.; Vairus, P.

1995-01-01

We consider the appropriate generalization of the three-band Hubbard model to describe the CuO 3 chains of RBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+x (R=Y or a rare earth). The model is mapped numerically into a t-J model with t∼0.85 eV and J∼0.2 eV. Making the reasonable assumption that ∼5% of the O atoms between two Cu atoms are lacking, the model allows an explanation of the optical conductivity σ(ω) of the chains, the small change of the occupation of the chains when Y is substituted by Pr, and the charge corrugations observed by scanning-tunneling microscopy

Folliculostellate Cells Are Required for Laminin Release from Gonadotrophs in Rat Anterior Pituitary

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsukada, Takehiro; Fujiwara, Ken; Horiguchi, Kotaro; Azuma, Morio; Ramadhani, Dini; Tofrizal, Alimuddin; Batchuluun, Khongorzul; Maliza, Rita; Syaidah, Rahimi; Kikuchi, Motoshi; Yashiro, Takashi

2014-01-01

The anterior pituitary gland is organized tissue comprising hormone-producing cells and folliculostellate (FS) cells. FS cells interconnect to form a meshwork, and their cytoplasmic processes are anchored by a basement membrane containing laminin. Recently, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture that reproduces this FS cell architecture. In this study of the novel function of FS cells, we used transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein in FS cells for the 3D culture. Anterior pituitary cells were cultured with different proportions of FS cells (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%). Anterior pituitary cells containing 5–20% FS cells formed round/oval cell aggregates, whereas amorphous cell aggregates were formed in the absence of FS cells. Interestingly, immunohistochemistry showed laminin-immunopositive cells instead of extracellular laminin deposition in FS cell-deficient cell aggregates. Double-immunostaining revealed that these laminin-immunopositive cells were gonadotrophs. Laminin mRNA expression did not differ in relation to the presence or absence of FS cells. When anterior pituitary cells with no FS cells were cultured with FS cell-conditioned medium, the proportion of laminin-immunopositive cells was lower than in control. These results suggest that a humoral factor from FS cells is required for laminin release from gonadotrophs

Nidogen-1 regulates laminin-1-dependent mammary-specific gene expression

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pujuguet, Philippe; Simian, Marina; Liaw, Jane; Timpl, Rupert; Werb, Zena; Bissell, Mina J..

2000-02-01

Nidogen-1 (entactin) acts as a bridge between the extracellular matrix molecules laminin-1 and type IV collagen, and thus participates in the assembly of basement membranes. To investigate the role of nidogen-1 in regulating cell-type-specific gene expression in mammary epithelium, we designed a culture microecosystem in which each component, including epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, lactogenic hormones and extracellular matrix, could be controlled. We found that primary and established mesenchymal and myoepithelial cells synthesized and secreted nidogen-1, whereas expression was absent in primary and established epithelial cells. In an epithelial cell line containing mesenchymal cells, nidogen-1 was produced by the mesenchymal cells but deposited between the epithelial cells. In this mixed culture, mammary epithelial cells express b-casein in the presence of lactogenic hormones. Addition of either laminin-1 plus nidogen-1, or laminin-1 alone to mammary epithelial cells induced b- casein production. We asked whether recombinant nidogen-1 alone could signal directly for b-casein. Nidogen-1 did not induce b-casein synthesis in epithelial cells, but it augmented the inductive capacity of laminin-1. These data suggest that nidogen-1 can cooperate with laminin-1 to regulate b-casein expression. Addition of full length nidogen-1 to the mixed cultures had no effect on b-casein gene expression; however, a nidogen-1 fragment containing the laminin-1 binding domain, but lacking the type IV collagen-binding domain, had a dominant negative effect on b-casein expression. These data point to a physiological role for nidogen-1 in the basement membrane-induced gene expression by epithelial cells.

Lung-specific loss of α3 laminin worsens bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Science.gov (United States)

Morales-Nebreda, Luisa I; Rogel, Micah R; Eisenberg, Jessica L; Hamill, Kevin J; Soberanes, Saul; Nigdelioglu, Recep; Chi, Monica; Cho, Takugo; Radigan, Kathryn A; Ridge, Karen M; Misharin, Alexander V; Woychek, Alex; Hopkinson, Susan; Perlman, Harris; Mutlu, Gokhan M; Pardo, Annie; Selman, Moises; Jones, Jonathan C R; Budinger, G R Scott

2015-04-01

Laminins are heterotrimeric proteins that are secreted by the alveolar epithelium into the basement membrane, and their expression is altered in extracellular matrices from patients with pulmonary fibrosis. In a small number of patients with pulmonary fibrosis, we found that the normal basement membrane distribution of the α3 laminin subunit was lost in fibrotic regions of the lung. To determine if these changes play a causal role in the development of fibrosis, we generated mice lacking the α3 laminin subunit specifically in the lung epithelium by crossing mice expressing Cre recombinase driven by the surfactant protein C promoter (SPC-Cre) with mice expressing floxed alleles encoding the α3 laminin gene (Lama3(fl/fl)). These mice exhibited no developmental abnormalities in the lungs up to 6 months of age, but, compared with control mice, had worsened mortality, increased inflammation, and increased fibrosis after the intratracheal administration of bleomycin. Similarly, the severity of fibrosis induced by an adenovirus encoding an active form of transforming growth factor-β was worse in mice deficient in α3 laminin in the lung. Taken together, our results suggest that the loss of α3 laminin in the lung epithelium does not affect lung development, but plays a causal role in the development of fibrosis in response to bleomycin or adenovirally delivered transforming growth factor-β. Thus, we speculate that the loss of the normal basement membrane organization of α3 laminin that we observe in fibrotic regions from the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis contributes to their disease progression.

The Laminin 511/521 Binding Site on the Lutheran Blood Group Glycoprotein is Located at theFlexible Junction of Ig Domains 2 and 3

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mankelow, Tosti J.; Burton, Nicholas; Stedansdottir, Fanney O.; Spring, Frances A.; Parsons, Stephen F.; Pesersen, Jan S.; Oliveira, Cristiano L.P.; Lammie, Donna; Wess, Timothy; Mohandas, Narla; Chasis, Joel A.; Brady, R. Leo; Anstee, David J.

2007-07-01

The Lutheran blood group glycoprotein, first discovered on erythrocytes, is widely expressed in human tissues. It is a ligand for the {alpha}5 subunit of Laminin 511/521, an extracellular matrix protein. This interaction may contribute to vasocclusive events that are an important cause of morbidity in sickle cell disease. Using X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering and site directed mutagenesis we show that the extracellular region of Lutheran forms an extended structure with a distinctive bend between the second and third immunoglobulin-like domains. The linker between domains 2 and 3 appears to be flexible and is a critical determinant in maintaining an overall conformation for Lutheran that is capable of binding to Laminin. Mutagenesis studies indicate that Asp312 of Lutheran and the surrounding cluster of negatively charged residues in this linker region form the Laminin binding site. Unusually, receptor binding is therefore not a function of the domains expected to be furthermost from the plasma membrane. These studies imply that structural flexibility of Lutheran may be essential for its interaction with Laminin and present a novel opportunity for the development of therapeutics for sickle cell disease.

Construction of a fucoidan/laminin functional multilayer to direction vascular cell fate and promotion hemocompatibility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ye, Changrong; Wang, Yan; Su, Hong; Yang, Ping; Huang, Nan; Maitz, Manfred F.; Zhao, Anshan

2016-01-01

Surface biofunctional modification of cardiovascular stents is a versatile approach to reduce the adverse effects after implantation. In this work, a novel multifunctional coating was fabricated by coimmobilization of the sulfated polysaccharide of brown algae fucoidan and laminin to biomimic the vascular intimal conditions in order to support rapid endothelialization, prevent restenosis and improve hemocompatibility. The surface properties of the coating such as hydrophilicity, bonding density of biomolecules and stability were evaluated and optimized. According to the biocompatibility tests, the fucoidan/laminin multilayer coated surface displayed less platelet adhesion with favorable anticoagulant property. In addition, the fucoidan/laminin complex showed function to selectively regulate vascular cells growth behavior. The proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs) on the fucoidan/laminin biofunctional coating was significantly promoted. For the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), inhibitory effects on cell adhesion and proliferation were observed. In conclusion, the fucoidan/laminin biofunctional coating was successfully fabricated with desirable anticoagulant and endothelialization properties which show a promising application in the vascular devices such as vascular stents or grafts surface modification. - Highlights: • Construction of fucoidan/laminin functional multilayer to biomimic the basement membrane of vascular • The fucoidan/laminin complex demonstrates anti-coagulation property. • The fucoidan/laminin complex can selectively regulate EC and SMC growth behavior to prevent restenosis.

Construction of a fucoidan/laminin functional multilayer to direction vascular cell fate and promotion hemocompatibility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ye, Changrong; Wang, Yan; Su, Hong; Yang, Ping; Huang, Nan [Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); Maitz, Manfred F. [Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Dresden 01069 (Germany); Zhao, Anshan [Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China)

2016-07-01

Surface biofunctional modification of cardiovascular stents is a versatile approach to reduce the adverse effects after implantation. In this work, a novel multifunctional coating was fabricated by coimmobilization of the sulfated polysaccharide of brown algae fucoidan and laminin to biomimic the vascular intimal conditions in order to support rapid endothelialization, prevent restenosis and improve hemocompatibility. The surface properties of the coating such as hydrophilicity, bonding density of biomolecules and stability were evaluated and optimized. According to the biocompatibility tests, the fucoidan/laminin multilayer coated surface displayed less platelet adhesion with favorable anticoagulant property. In addition, the fucoidan/laminin complex showed function to selectively regulate vascular cells growth behavior. The proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs) on the fucoidan/laminin biofunctional coating was significantly promoted. For the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), inhibitory effects on cell adhesion and proliferation were observed. In conclusion, the fucoidan/laminin biofunctional coating was successfully fabricated with desirable anticoagulant and endothelialization properties which show a promising application in the vascular devices such as vascular stents or grafts surface modification. - Highlights: • Construction of fucoidan/laminin functional multilayer to biomimic the basement membrane of vascular • The fucoidan/laminin complex demonstrates anti-coagulation property. • The fucoidan/laminin complex can selectively regulate EC and SMC growth behavior to prevent restenosis.

Laminin-111-derived peptide conjugated fibrin hydrogel restores salivary gland function.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kihoon Nam

Full Text Available Hyposalivation reduces the patient quality of life, as saliva is important for maintaining oral health. Current treatments for hyposalivation are limited to medications such as the muscarinic receptor agonists, pilocarpine and cevimeline. However, these therapies only provide temporary relief. Therefore, alternative therapies are essential to restore salivary gland function. An option is to use bioengineered scaffolds to promote functional salivary gland regeneration. Previous studies demonstrated that the laminin-111 protein is critical for intact salivary gland cell cluster formation and organization. However, laminin-111 protein as a whole is not suitable for clinical applications as some protein domains may contribute to unwanted side effects such as degradation, tumorigenesis and immune responses. Conversely, the use of synthetic laminin-111 peptides makes it possible to minimize the immune reactivity or pathogen transfer. In addition, it is relatively simple and inexpensive as compared to animal-derived proteins. Therefore, the goal of this study was to demonstrate whether a 20 day treatment with laminin-111-derived peptide conjugated fibrin hydrogel promotes tissue regeneration in submandibular glands of a wound healing mouse model. In this study, laminin-111-derived peptide conjugated fibrin hydrogel significantly accelerated formation of salivary gland tissue. The regenerated gland tissues displayed not only structural but also functional restoration.

Laminin, a noncollagenous component of epithelial basement membranes synthesized by a rat yolk sac tumor

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wewer, U; Albrechtsen, R; Ruoslahti, E

1981-01-01

Laminin, a glycoprotein antigenically similar or identical to a component of epithelial basement membranes, was identified as a major component of the abundant extracellular matrix synthesized by an experimentally induced rat yolk sac tumor. Immunocytochemical staining revealed laminin in cultured...... polypeptides with molecular weights of approximately 200,000 and 400,000. These comigrated with the polypeptides of mouse laminin isolated previously. The yolk sac tumor tissue grown in vivo contained laminin in the tumor cells and in the extracellular material as evidenced by immunofluorescence...... membranes in rat tissues in a manner indistinguishable from antilaminin. The presence of laminin in rat yolk sac cells, the presumed origin of our yolk sac tumor, was studied in some detail. Laminin was found to be present in normal cells of the visceral as well as the parietal yolk sac layer...

Laminin in the anterior pituitary gland of the rat. Laminin in the gonadotrophic cells correlates with their functional state

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Holck, S; Albrechtsen, R; Wewer, U M

1987-01-01

The distribution pattern of laminin in the rat anterior pituitary gland under physiological and hormonally altered conditions was studied immunohistochemically. Intense immunoreactivity of the capillaries and of the basement membranes surrounding parenchymal cells was found. Five to 10......% of the parenchymal cells of normal adult rat pituitary gland exhibited also intense positive cytoplasmic staining. These were identified as gonadotrophic cells on the basis of their topographic distribution and typical 700-nm light bodies. By immunoelectron microscopy it was shown that the light bodies contain...... laminin and the number of light bodies reflects the hormonal activity of the gonadotrophic cells of the rat pituitary gland....

Bond-versus-site doping models for off-chain-doped Haldane-gap system Y2BaNiO5

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lou Jizhong; Qin Shaojin; Su Zhaobin; Yu Lu

1998-09-01

Using the density matrix renormalization-group technique, we calculate the impurity energy levels for two different effective models of off-chain doping for quasi-one-dimensional Heisenberg chain compound Y 2 BaNiO 5 : ferromagnetic bond doping and antiferromagnetic site spin-1/2 doping. Thresholds of the impurity strength for the appearance of localized states are found for both models. However, the ground-state and low-energy excitations for weak impurity strength are different for these two models and the difference can be detected by experiments. (author)

Lysophosphatidic Acid Upregulates Laminin-332 Expression during A431 Cell Colony Dispersal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hironobu Yamashita

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA is a bioactive phospholipid that affects various biological functions, such as cell proliferation, migration, survival, wound healing, and tumor invasion through LPA receptors. Previously, we reported that LPA induces A431 colony dispersal, accompanied by disruption of cell-cell contacts and cell migration. However, it remains unclear how LPA affects cell migration and gene expression during A431 colony dispersal. In this paper, we performed cDNA microarray analysis to investigate this question by comparing gene expression between untreated and LPA-treated A431 cells. Interestingly, these results revealed that LPA treatment upregulates several TGF-β1 target genes, including laminin-332 (Ln-332 components (α3, β3, and γ2 chains. Western blot analysis also showed that LPA increased phosphorylation of Smad2, an event that is carried out by TGF-β1 interactions. Among the genes upregulated, we further addressed the role of Ln-332. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the transcriptional upregulation of all α3, β3, and γ2 chains of Ln-332 by LPA, corresponding to the protein level increases revealed by western blot. Further, the addition of anti-Ln-332 antibody prevented LPA-treated A431 colonies from dispersing. Taken together, our results suggest that LPA-induced Ln-332 plays a significant role in migration of individual cells from A431 colonies.

Keratinocyte-derived laminin-332 protein promotes melanin synthesis via regulation of tyrosine uptake.

Science.gov (United States)

Chung, Heesung; Jung, Hyejung; Lee, Jung-Hyun; Oh, Hye Yun; Kim, Ok Bin; Han, Inn-Oc; Oh, Eok-Soo

2014-08-01

Melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin, are known to be closely regulated by neighboring keratinocytes. However, how keratinocytes regulate melanin production is unclear. Here we report that melanin production in melanoma cells (B16F10 and MNT-1) was increased markedly on a keratinocyte-derived extracellular matrix compared with a melanoma cell-derived extracellular matrix. siRNA-mediated reduction of keratinocyte-derived laminin-332 expression decreased melanin synthesis in melanoma cells, and laminin-332, but not fibronectin, enhanced melanin content and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-regulated melanin production in melanoma cells. Similar effects were observed in human melanocytes. Interestingly, however, laminin-332 did not affect the expression or activity of tyrosinase. Instead, laminin-332 promoted the uptake of extracellular tyrosine and, subsequently, increased intracellular levels of tyrosine in both melanocytes and melanoma cells. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that keratinocyte-derived laminin-332 contributes to melanin production by regulating tyrosine uptake. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Hypertonic saline impedes tumor cell-endothelial cell interaction by reducing adhesion molecule and laminin expression.

LENUS (Irish Health Repository)

Shields, Conor J

2012-02-03

BACKGROUND: Hypertonic saline infusion dampens inflammatory responses and suppresses neutrophil-endothelial interaction by reducing adhesion molecule expression. This study tested the hypothesis that hypertonic saline attenuates tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium through a similar mechanism. METHODS: Human colon cancer cells (LS174T) were transfected with green fluorescent protein and exposed to lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 under hypertonic and isotonic conditions for 1 and 4 hours. Confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells were similarly exposed. Cellular apoptosis and expression of adhesion molecules and laminin were measured by flow cytometry. Tumor cell adhesion to endothelium and laminin was assessed with fluorescence microscopy. Data are represented as mean +\\/- standard error of mean, and an ANOVA test was performed to gauge statistical significance, with P <.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Hypertonic exposure significantly reduced tumor cell adhesion despite the presence of the perioperative cell stressors (42 +\\/- 2.9 vs 172.5 +\\/- 12.4, P <.05), attenuated tumor cell beta-1 integrin (14.43 vs 23.84, P <.05), and endothelial cell laminin expression (22.78 +\\/- 2.2 vs 33.74 +\\/- 2.4, P <.05), but did not significantly alter cell viability. CONCLUSION: Hypertonic saline significantly attenuates tumor cell adhesion to endothelium by inhibiting adhesion molecule and laminin expression. This may halt the metastatic behavior of tumor cells shed at surgery.

De novo deposition of laminin-positive basement membrane in vitro by normal hepatocytes and during hepatocarcinogenesis

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Albrechtsen, R; Wewer, U M; Thorgeirsson, S S

1988-01-01

De novo formation of laminin-positive basement membranes was found to be a distinct morphologic feature of diethylnitrosamine/phenobarbital-induced hepatocellular carcinomas of the rat. The first appearance of extracellularly located laminin occurred in the preneoplastic liver lesions...... (corresponding to neoplastic nodules), and this feature became successively more prominent during the course of hepatocellular carcinoma development. Most groups of tumor cells were surrounded by laminin-positive basement membrane material. The laminin-positive material was also deposited along the sinusoids......, a location where no laminin was seen in normal rat liver. The amount of extractable laminin from hepatocellular carcinomas was significantly higher (approximately 100 ng per mg tissue) than that of normal liver tissue (less than 20 ng per mg). In vitro experiments demonstrated that normal and preneoplastic...

Basement membrane changes in breast cancer detected by immunohistochemical staining for laminin

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Albrechtsen, R; Nielsen, M; Wewer, U

1981-01-01

The distribution of the basement membrane glycoprotein laminin was studied by the immunoperoxidase technique in benign and malignant human breast tissue and in axillary lymph nodes from patients with breast cancer. An antiserum prepared against rat laminin was used. The specificity...

Laminin-5 Degradation Due to Mustard in Cultured Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK)

National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

Ray, Prabhati; Jin, Xiannu; Leng, Yan; Li, Zhuangwu; Ray, Radharaman

2003-01-01

.... We observed that in NHEK, mustards degrade laminin-5. Calmodulin antagonist, W7 or the serine protease inhibitor, TLCK prior to mustard exposure prevented mustard-induced degradation of laminin-5...

The role of alpha3beta1 integrin in determining the supramolecular organization of laminin-5 in the extracellular matrix of keratinocytes.

Science.gov (United States)

deHart, Gregory W; Healy, Kevin E; Jones, Jonathan C R

2003-02-01

incorporation of laminin-5 into its proper higher-order structure within the extracellular matrix of keratinocytes and (2) that the organizational state of laminin-5 has an influence on laminin-5 matrix function. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science (USA)

Laminin enhances the growth of human neural stem cells in defined culture media

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lathia Justin D

2008-07-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Human neural stem cells (hNSC have the potential to provide novel cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. In order to realise this goal, protocols need to be developed that allow for large quantities of hNSC to be cultured efficiently. As such, it is important to identify factors which enhance the growth of hNSC. In vivo, stem cells reside in distinct microenvironments or niches that are responsible for the maintenance of stem cell populations. A common feature of niches is the presence of the extracellular matrix molecule, laminin. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of exogenous laminin on hNSC growth. Results To measure hNSC growth, we established culture conditions using B27-supplemented medium that enable neurospheres to grow from human neural cells plated at clonal densities. Limiting dilution assays confirmed that neurospheres were derived from single cells at these densities. Laminin was found to increase hNSC numbers as measured by this neurosphere formation. The effect of laminin was to augment the proliferation/survival of the hNSC, rather than promoting the undifferentiated state. In agreement, apoptosis was reduced in dissociated neurospheres by laminin in an integrin β1-dependent manner. Conclusion The addition of laminin to the culture medium enhances the growth of hNSC, and may therefore aid their large-scale production.

Cellular Interaction of Integrin α3β1 with Laminin 5 Promotes Gap Junctional Communication

Science.gov (United States)

Lampe, Paul D.; Nguyen, Beth P.; Gil, Susana; Usui, Marcia; Olerud, John; Takada, Yoshikazu; Carter, William G.

1998-01-01

Wounding of skin activates epidermal cell migration over exposed dermal collagen and fibronectin and over laminin 5 secreted into the provisional basement membrane. Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) has been proposed to integrate the individual motile cells into a synchronized colony. We found that outgrowths of human keratinocytes in wounds or epibole cultures display parallel changes in the expression of laminin 5, integrin α3β1, E-cadherin, and the gap junctional protein connexin 43. Adhesion of keratinocytes on laminin 5, collagen, and fibronectin was found to differentially regulate GJIC. When keratinocytes were adhered on laminin 5, both structural (assembly of connexin 43 in gap junctions) and functional (dye transfer) assays showed a two- to threefold increase compared with collagen and five- to eightfold over fibronectin. Based on studies with immobilized integrin antibody and integrin-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, the interaction of integrin α3β1 with laminin 5 was sufficient to promote GJIC. Mapping of intermediate steps in the pathway linking α3β1–laminin 5 interactions to GJIC indicated that protein trafficking and Rho signaling were both required. We suggest that adhesion of epithelial cells to laminin 5 in the basement membrane via α3β1 promotes GJIC that integrates individual cells into synchronized epiboles. PMID:9852164

Can alterations in integrin and laminin-5 expression be used as markers of malignancy?

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Thorup, Alis Karabulut; Reibel, J.; Schjødt, Morten

1998-01-01

Integrins, laminin-5, cell adhesion molecules, oral, leukoplakia, premalignant, squamous cell carcinomas......Integrins, laminin-5, cell adhesion molecules, oral, leukoplakia, premalignant, squamous cell carcinomas...

Laminin-411 Is a Vascular Ligand for MCAM and Facilitates TH17 Cell Entry into the CNS

Science.gov (United States)

Flanagan, Ken; Fitzgerald, Kent; Baker, Jeanne; Regnstrom, Karin; Gardai, Shyra; Bard, Frederique; Mocci, Simonetta; Seto, Pui; You, Monica; Larochelle, Catherine; Prat, Alexandre; Chow, Samuel; Li, Lauri; Vandevert, Chris; Zago, Wagner; Lorenzana, Carlos; Nishioka, Christopher; Hoffman, Jennifer; Botelho, Raquel; Willits, Christopher; Tanaka, Kevin; Johnston, Jennifer; Yednock, Ted

2012-01-01

TH17 cells enter tissues to facilitate pathogenic autoimmune responses, including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the adhesion molecules involved in the unique migratory capacity of TH17 cells, into both inflamed and uninflamed tissues remain unclear. Herein, we characterize MCAM (CD146) as an adhesion molecule that defines human TH17 cells in the circulation; following in vitro restimulation of human memory T cells, nearly all of the capacity to secrete IL-17 is contained within the population of cells expressing MCAM. Furthermore, we identify the MCAM ligand as laminin 411, an isoform of laminin expressed within the vascular endothelial basement membranes under inflammatory as well as homeotstatic conditions. Purified MCAM-Fc binds to laminin 411 with an affinity of 27 nM, and recognizes vascular basement membranes in mouse and human tissue. MCAM-Fc binding was undetectable in tissue from mice with targeted deletion of laminin 411, indicating that laminin 411 is a major tissue ligand for MCAM. An anti-MCAM monoclonal antibody, selected for inhibition of laminin binding, as well as soluble MCAM-Fc, inhibited T cell adhesion to laminin 411 in vitro. When administered in vivo, the antibody reduced TH17 cell infiltration into the CNS and ameliorated disease in an animal model of MS. Our data suggest that MCAM and laminin 411 interact to facilitate TH17 cell entry into tissues and promote inflammation. PMID:22792325

Oxygen chain disorder and compensation by Ca in Y(1-2-3) cuprates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suryanarayanan, R.; Ouhammou, L.; Das, A.; Leelaprute, S.

1994-01-01

Several M dopants such as Al, Fe, and Co at the Cu site destroy the superconductivity of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+z . However, superconductivity is restored by substituting Ca at the Y site. Arguments are developed to show that the oxygen chain disorder is not the only cause for destroying the superconductivity. A universal relation seems to exist between the net hole density as a result of Ca substitution and Tc. To stabilize the perovskite structure of YSr 2 Cu 3 O 6+z , it is necessary to substitute Cu by certain elements. Examples are given on Ti and Re substitution. Again, Ca cosubstitution increases Tc. Further, the irreversibility line is enhanced by Ca, indicating improved pinning in these materials in spite of the oxygen disorder. 16 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab

Linkage of genes for laminin B1 and B2 subunits on chromosome 1 in mouse.

Science.gov (United States)

Elliott, R W; Barlow, D; Hogan, B L

1985-08-01

We have used cDNA clones for the B1 and B2 subunits of laminin to find restriction fragment length DNA polymorphisms for the genes encoding these polypeptides in the mouse. Three alleles were found for LamB2 and two for LamB1 among the inbred mouse strains. The segregation of these polymorphisms among recombinant inbred strains showed that these genes are tightly linked in the central region of mouse Chromosome 1 between Sas-1 and Ly-m22, 7.4 +/- 3.2 cM distal to the Pep-3 locus. There is no evidence in the mouse for pseudogenes for these proteins.

Interdependence of laminin-mediated clustering of lipid rafts and the dystrophin complex in astrocytes.

Science.gov (United States)

Noël, Geoffroy; Tham, Daniel Kai Long; Moukhles, Hakima

2009-07-17

Astrocyte endfeet surrounding blood vessels are active domains involved in water and potassium ion transport crucial to the maintenance of water and potassium ion homeostasis in brain. A growing body of evidence points to a role for dystroglycan and its interaction with perivascular laminin in the targeting of the dystrophin complex and the water-permeable channel, aquaporin 4 (AQP4), at astrocyte endfeet. However, the mechanisms underlying such compartmentalization remain poorly understood. In the present study we found that AQP4 resided in Triton X-100-insoluble fraction, whereas dystroglycan was recovered in the soluble fraction in astrocytes. Cholesterol depletion resulted in the translocation of a pool of AQP4 to the soluble fraction indicating that its distribution is indeed associated with cholesterol-rich membrane domains. Upon laminin treatment AQP4 and the dystrophin complex, including dystroglycan, reorganized into laminin-associated clusters enriched for the lipid raft markers GM1 and flotillin-1 but not caveolin-1. Reduced diffusion rates of GM1 in the laminin-induced clusters were indicative of the reorganization of raft components in these domains. In addition, both cholesterol depletion and dystroglycan silencing reduced the number and area of laminin-induced clusters of GM1, AQP4, and dystroglycan. These findings demonstrate the interdependence between laminin binding to dystroglycan and GM1-containing lipid raft reorganization and provide novel insight into the dystrophin complex regulation of AQP4 polarization in astrocytes.

Integrin β4 Regulates Migratory Behavior of Keratinocytes by Determining Laminin-332 Organization*s

Science.gov (United States)

Sehgal, Bernd U.; DeBiase, Phillip J.; Matzno, Sumio; Chew, Teng-Leong; Claiborne, Jessica N.; Hopkinson, Susan B.; Russell, Alan; Marinkovich, M. Peter; Jones, Jonathan C. R.

2010-01-01

Whether α6β4 integrin regulates migration remains controversial. β4 integrin-deficient (JEB) keratinocytes display aberrant migration in that they move in circles, a behavior that mirrors the circular arrays of laminin (LM)-332 in their matrix. In contrast, wild-type keratinocytes and JEB keratinocytes, induced to express β4 integrin, assemble laminin-332 in linear tracks over which they migrate. Moreover, laminin-332-dependent migration of JEB keratinocytes along linear tracks is restored when cells are plated on wild-type keratinocyte matrix, whereas wild-type keratinocytes show rotation over circular arrays of laminn-332 in JEB keratinocyte matrix. The activities of Rac1 and the actin cytoskeleton-severing protein cofilin are low in JEB keratinocytes compared with wild-type cells but are rescued following expression of wild-type β4 integrin in JEB cells. Additionally, in wild-type keratinocytes Rac1 is complexed with α6β4 integrin. Moreover, Rac1 or cofilin inactivation induces wild-type keratinocytes to move in circles over rings of laminin-332 in their matrix. Together these data indicate that laminin-332 matrix organization is determined by the α6β4 integrin/actin cytoskeleton via Rac1/cofilin signaling. Furthermore, our results imply that the organizational state of laminin-332 is a key determinant of the motility behavior of keratinocytes, an essential element of skin wound healing and the successful invasion of epidermal-derived tumor cells. PMID:16973601

The CodY-dependent clhAB2 operon is involved in cell shape, chaining and autolysis in Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579.

Science.gov (United States)

Huillet, Eugénie; Bridoux, Ludovic; Wanapaisan, Pagakrong; Rejasse, Agnès; Peng, Qi; Panbangred, Watanalai; Lereclus, Didier

2017-01-01

The Gram-positive pathogen Bacillus cereus is able to grow in chains of rod-shaped cells, but the regulation of chaining remains largely unknown. Here, we observe that glucose-grown cells of B. cereus ATCC 14579 form longer chains than those grown in the absence of glucose during the late exponential and transition growth phases, and identify that the clhAB2 operon is required for this chain lengthening phenotype. The clhAB2 operon is specific to the B. cereus group (i.e., B. thuringiensis, B. anthracis and B. cereus) and encodes two membrane proteins of unknown function, which are homologous to the Staphylococcus aureus CidA and CidB proteins involved in cell death control within glucose-grown cells. A deletion mutant (ΔclhAB2) was constructed and our quantitative image analyses show that ΔclhAB2 cells formed abnormal short chains regardless of the presence of glucose. We also found that glucose-grown cells of ΔclhAB2 were significantly wider than wild-type cells (1.47 μm ±CI95% 0.04 vs 1.19 μm ±CI95% 0.03, respectively), suggesting an alteration of the bacterial cell wall. Remarkably, ΔclhAB2 cells showed accelerated autolysis under autolysis-inducing conditions, compared to wild-type cells. Overall, our data suggest that the B. cereus clhAB2 operon modulates peptidoglycan hydrolase activity, which is required for proper cell shape and chain length during cell growth, and down-regulates autolysin activity. Lastly, we studied the transcription of clhAB2 using a lacZ transcriptional reporter in wild-type, ccpA and codY deletion-mutant strains. We found that the global transcriptional regulatory protein CodY is required for the basal level of clhAB2 expression under all conditions tested, including the transition growth phase while CcpA, the major global carbon regulator, is needed for the high-level expression of clhAB2 in glucose-grown cells.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells exhibit immature nucleus pulposus cell phenotype in a laminin-rich pseudo-three-dimensional culture system.

Science.gov (United States)

Chon, Brian H; Lee, Esther J; Jing, Liufang; Setton, Lori A; Chen, Jun

2013-10-02

Cell supplementation to the herniated or degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) is a potential strategy to promote tissue regeneration and slow disc pathology. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (HUCMSCs) - originating from the Wharton's jelly - remain an attractive candidate for such endeavors with their ability to differentiate into multiple lineages. Previously, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been studied as a potential source for disc tissue regeneration. However, no studies have demonstrated that MSCs can regenerate matrix with unique characteristics matching that of immature nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues of the IVD. In our prior work, immature NP cells were found to express specific laminin isoforms and laminin-binding receptors that may serve as phenotypic markers for evaluating MSC differentiation to NP-like cells. The goal of this study is to evaluate these markers and matrix synthesis for HUCMSCs cultured in a laminin-rich pseudo-three-dimensional culture system. HUCMSCs were seeded on top of Transwell inserts pre-coated with Matrigel™, which contained mainly laminin-111. Cells were cultured under hypoxia environment with three differentiation conditions: NP differentiation media (containing 2.5% Matrigel™ solution to provide for a pseudo-three-dimensional laminin culture system) with no serum, or the same media supplemented with either insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) or transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Cell clustering behavior, matrix production and the expression of NP-specific laminin and laminin-receptors were evaluated at days 1, 7, 13 and 21 of culture. Data show that a pseudo-three-dimensional culture condition (laminin-1 rich) promoted HUCMSC differentiation under no serum conditions. Starting at day 1, HUCMSCs demonstrated a cell clustering morphology similar to that of immature NP cells in situ and that observed for primary immature NP cells within the similar laminin-rich culture system (prior study

Magnetic transitions in the system YBa2Cu/sub 2.8/Co/sub 0.2/O/sub 6+y/

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miceli, P.F.; Tarascon, J.M.; Barboux, P.; Greene, L.H.; Bagley, B.G.; Hull, G.W.; Giroud, M.; Rhyne, J.J.; Neumann, D.A.; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899)

1989-01-01

We have studied the oxygen dependence of the two magnetic transitions (antiferromagnetic ordering of chains and planes) in YBa 2 Cu/sub 2.8/Co/sub 0.2/O/sub 6+y/ using neutron scattering. It is found that both transition temperatures increase with decreasing oxygen concentration. At y approx. 0.37 ( equivalent to y 0 ) the two transition temperatures are equal, so that chains and planes order at a single transition temperature for y less than or equal to y/sub 0/. For y=1 the compound is superconducting at 60 K. Therefore, this system qualitatively exhibits the magnetic and superconducting properties of pure YBa 2 Cu 3 O/sub 6+y/ while providing important insight on the oxygen dependence of chain site magnetic ordering. A discussion is presented which also includes results on Ni and Al substitutions

Exact phase boundaries and topological phase transitions of the X Y Z spin chain

Science.gov (United States)

Jafari, S. A.

2017-07-01

Within the block spin renormalization group, we give a very simple derivation of the exact phase boundaries of the X Y Z spin chain. First, we identify the Ising order along x ̂ or y ̂ as attractive renormalization group fixed points of the Kitaev chain. Then, in a global phase space composed of the anisotropy λ of the X Y interaction and the coupling Δ of the Δ σzσz interaction, we find that the above fixed points remain attractive in the two-dimesional parameter space. We therefore classify the gapped phases of the X Y Z spin chain as: (1) either attracted to the Ising limit of the Kitaev-chain, which in turn is characterized by winding number ±1 , depending on whether the Ising order parameter is along x ̂ or y ̂ directions; or (2) attracted to the charge density wave (CDW) phases of the underlying Jordan-Wigner fermions, which is characterized by zero winding number. We therefore establish that the exact phase boundaries of the X Y Z model in Baxter's solution indeed correspond to topological phase transitions. The topological nature of the phase transitions of the X Y Z model justifies why our analytical solution of the three-site problem that is at the core of the present renormalization group treatment is able to produce the exact phase boundaries of Baxter's solution. We argue that the distribution of the winding numbers between the three Ising phases is a matter of choice of the coordinate system, and therefore the CDW-Ising phase is entitled to host appropriate form of zero modes. We further observe that in the Kitaev-chain the renormalization group flow can be cast into a geometric progression of a properly identified parameter. We show that this new parameter is actually the size of the (Majorana) zero modes.

Regulation of Laminin γ2 Expression by CDX2 in Colonic Epithelial Cells Is Impaired During Active Inflammation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Coskun, Mehmet; Soendergaard, Christoffer; Jørgensen, Steffen

2017-01-01

and to assess the influence of inflammation. Transcriptional regulation of LAMC2 was examined by reporter gene assays, overexpression, and shRNA-mediated knock-down of CDX2. CDX2-DNA interactions were assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation on Caco-2 cells without or with TNF-α, as well as in purified colonic......The expression of Caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) is impaired by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Laminin subunit γ2 (LAMC2) is an epithelial basement membrane protein implicated in cell migration......, proliferation, differentiation, as well as tumor invasion and intestinal inflammation, and its expression is enhanced by TNF-α in a NF-κB-dependent regulation of the recently identified LAMC2 enhancer. The aim was to determine whether CDX2 is involved in the basal regulation of LAMC2 in epithelial cells...

Differential expression of integrins and laminin-5 in normal oral epithelia

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Thorup, A K; Dabelsteen, Erik; Schou, S

1997-01-01

beta 1 and beta 4 integrins are receptors on epithelial cells mediating cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. Furthermore, alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 contribute to cell-cell adhesion. Laminin-5 in epithelial basement membranes (BMs) is a ligand for alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha 3 beta 1. Expressi...

Y-junction of superconducting Josephson chains

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Giuliano, Domenico; Sodano, Pasquale

2009-01-01

We show that, for pertinent values of the fabrication and control parameters, an attractive finite coupling fixed point emerges in the phase diagram of a Y-junction of superconducting Josephson chains. The new fixed point arises only when the dimensionless flux f piercing the central loop of the network equals π and, thus, does not break time-reversal invariance; for f≠π, only the strongly coupled fixed point survives as a stable attractive fixed point. Phase slips (instantons) have a crucial role in establishing this transition: we show indeed that, at f=π, a new set of instantons-the W-instantons-comes into play to destabilize the strongly coupled fixed point. Finally, we provide a detailed account of the Josephson current-phase relationship along the arms of the network, near each one of the allowed fixed points. Our results evidence remarkable similarities between the phase diagram accessible to a Y-junction of superconducting Josephson chains and the one found in the analysis of quantum Brownian motion on frustrated planar lattices

Adhesion of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes to fibronectin or laminin modifies tubulin and paraflagellar rod protein phosphorylation.

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Eliciane C Mattos

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: The unicellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagaś disease in humans. Adherence of the infective stage to elements of the extracellular matrix (ECM, as laminin and fibronectin, is an essential step in host cell invasion. Although members of the gp85/TS, as Tc85, were identified as laminin and fibronectin ligands, the signaling events triggered on the parasite upon binding to these molecules are largely unexplored. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Viable infective parasites were incubated with laminin, fibronectin or bovine serum albumin for different periods of time and the proteins were separated by bidimensional gels. The phosphoproteins were envisaged by specific staining and the spots showing phosphorylation levels significantly different from the control were excised and identified by MS/MS. The results of interest were confirmed by immunoblotting or immunoprecipitation and the localization of proteins in the parasite was determined by immunofluorescence. Using a host cell-free system, our data indicate that the phosphorylation contents of T. cruzi proteins encompassing different cellular functions are modified upon incubation of the parasite with fibronectin or laminin. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Herein it is shown, for the first time, that paraflagellar rod proteins and α-tubulin, major structural elements of the parasite cytoskeleton, are predominantly dephosphorylated during the process, probably involving the ERK1/2 pathway. It is well established that T. cruzi binds to ECM elements during the cell infection process. The fact that laminin and fibronectin induce predominantly dephosphorylation of the main cytoskeletal proteins of the parasite suggests a possible correlation between cytoskeletal modifications and the ability of the parasite to internalize into host cells.

Laminin and Matrix metalloproteinase 11 regulate Fibronectin levels in the zebrafish myotendinous junction.

Science.gov (United States)

Jenkins, Molly H; Alrowaished, Sarah S; Goody, Michelle F; Crawford, Bryan D; Henry, Clarissa A

2016-01-01

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates cell adhesion as well as signaling between cells and their microenvironment. Despite the importance of tightly regulated ECM remodeling for normal muscle development and function, mechanisms underlying ECM remodeling in vivo remain elusive. One excellent paradigm in which to study ECM remodeling in vivo is morphogenesis of the myotendinous junction (MTJ) during zebrafish skeletal muscle development. During MTJ development, there are dramatic shifts in the primary components comprising the MTJ matrix. One such shift involves the replacement of Fibronectin (Fn)-rich matrix, which is essential for both somite and early muscle development, with laminin-rich matrix essential for normal function of the myotome. Here, we investigate the mechanism underlying this transition. We show that laminin polymerization indirectly promotes Fn downregulation at the MTJ, via a matrix metalloproteinase 11 (Mmp11)-dependent mechanism. Laminin deposition and organization is required for localization of Mmp11 to the MTJ, where Mmp11 is both necessary and sufficient for Fn downregulation in vivo. Furthermore, reduction of residual Mmp11 in laminin mutants promotes a Fn-rich MTJ that partially rescues skeletal muscle architecture. These results identify a mechanism for Fn downregulation at the MTJ, highlight crosstalk between laminin and Fn, and identify a new in vivo function for Mmp11. Taken together, our data demonstrate a novel signaling pathway mediating Fn downregulation. Our data revealing new regulatory mechanisms that guide ECM remodeling during morphogenesis in vivo may inform pathological conditions in which Fn is dysregulated.

Effects of laminin blended with chitosan on axon guidance on patterned substrates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhu, N; Guan, Y J; Chen, X B [Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 5A9 (Canada); Li, M G [Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 5A9 (Canada); Schreyer, D J, E-mail: niz504@mail.usask.c [Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7K 0M7 (Canada)

2010-12-15

Axon guidance is a crucial consideration in the design of tissue scaffolds used to promote nerve regeneration. Here we investigate the combined use of laminin (a putative axon adhesion and guidance molecule) and chitosan (a leading candidate base material for the construction of scaffolds) for promoting axon guidance in cultured adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Using a dispensing-based rapid prototyping (DBRP) technique, two-dimensional grid patterns were created by dispensing chitosan or laminin-blended chitosan substrate strands oriented in orthogonal directions. In vitro experiments illustrated DRG neurites on these patterns preferentially grew upon and followed the laminin-blended chitosan pathways. These results suggest that an orientation of neurite growth can be achieved in an artificially patterned substrate by creating selectively biofunctional pathways. The DBRP technique may provide improved strategies for the use of biofunctional pathways in the design of three-dimensional scaffolds for guidance of nerve repair.

Effects of laminin blended with chitosan on axon guidance on patterned substrates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhu, N; Guan, Y J; Chen, X B; Li, M G; Schreyer, D J

2010-01-01

Axon guidance is a crucial consideration in the design of tissue scaffolds used to promote nerve regeneration. Here we investigate the combined use of laminin (a putative axon adhesion and guidance molecule) and chitosan (a leading candidate base material for the construction of scaffolds) for promoting axon guidance in cultured adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Using a dispensing-based rapid prototyping (DBRP) technique, two-dimensional grid patterns were created by dispensing chitosan or laminin-blended chitosan substrate strands oriented in orthogonal directions. In vitro experiments illustrated DRG neurites on these patterns preferentially grew upon and followed the laminin-blended chitosan pathways. These results suggest that an orientation of neurite growth can be achieved in an artificially patterned substrate by creating selectively biofunctional pathways. The DBRP technique may provide improved strategies for the use of biofunctional pathways in the design of three-dimensional scaffolds for guidance of nerve repair.

Peramivir analogues bearing hydrophilic side chains exhibit higher activities against H275Y mutant than wild-type influenza virus.

Science.gov (United States)

Chiu, Din-Chi; Lin, Tzu-Chen; Huang, Wen-I; Cheng, Ting-Jen; Tsai, Keng-Chang; Fang, Jim-Min

2017-11-29

Peramivir is an effective anti-influenza drug in the clinical treatment of influenza, but its efficacy toward the H275Y mutant is reduced. The previously reported cocrystal structures of inhibitors in the mutant neuraminidase (NA) suggest that the hydrophobic side chain should be at the origin of reduced binding affinity. In contrast, zanamivir having a hydrophilic glycerol side chain still possesses high affinity toward the H275Y NA. We thus designed five peramivir analogues (5-9) carrying hydrophilic glycol or glycerol side chains, and evaluated their roles in anti-influenza activity, especially for the H275Y mutant. The synthetic sequence involves a key step of (3 + 2) cycloaddition reactions between alkenes and nitrile oxides to construct the scaffold of peramivir carrying the desired hydrophilic side chains and other appropriate functional groups. The molecular docking experiments reveal that the hydrophilic side chain can provide extra hydrogen bonding with the translocated Glu-276 residue in the H275Y NA active site. Thus, the H275Y mutant may be even more sensitive than wild-type virus toward the peramivir analogues bearing hydrophilic side chains. Notably, the peramivir analogue bearing a glycerol side chain inhibits the H275Y mutant with an IC 50 value of 35 nM, which is better than the WSN virus by 9 fold.

In vitro Evaluation of Calcium Phosphate Precipitation on Possibly Bioactive Titanium Surfaces in the Presence of Laminin

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Kostas Bougas

2011-07-01

Full Text Available Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate calcium phosphate precipitation and the amount of precipitated protein on three potentially bioactive surfaces when adding laminin in simulated body fluid.Material and Methods: Blasted titanium discs were prepared by three different techniques claimed to provide bioactivity: alkali and heat treatment (AH, anodic oxidation (AO or hydroxyapatite coating (HA. A blasted surface incubated in laminin-containing simulated body fuid served as a positive control (B while a blasted surface incubated in non laminin-containing simulated body fuid served as a negative control (B-. The immersion time was 1 hour, 24 hours, 72 hours and 1 week. Surface topography was investigated by interferometry and morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM. Analysis of the precipitated calcium and phosphorous was performed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX and the adsorbed laminin was quantified by iodine (125I labeling.Results: SEM demonstrated that all specimens except for the negative control were totally covered with calcium phosphate (CaP after 1 week. EDX revealed that B- demonstrated lower sum of Ca and P levels compared to the other groups after 1 week. Iodine labeling demonstrated that laminin precipitated in a similar manner on the possibly bioactive surfaces as on the positive control surface.Conclusions: Our results indicate that laminin precipitates equally on all tested titanium surfaces and may function as a nucleation center thus locally elevating the calcium concentration. Nevertheless further studies are required to clarify the role of laminin in the interaction of biomaterials with the host bone tissue.

Laminin and biomimetic extracellular elasticity enhance functional differentiation in mammary epithelia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alcaraz, Jordi; Xu, Ren; Mori, Hidetoshi; Nelson, Celeste M.; Mroue, Rana; Spencer, Virginia A.; Brownfield, Doug; Radisky, Derek C.; Bustamante, Carlos; Bissell, Mina J.

2008-10-20

In the mammary gland, epithelial cells are embedded in a 'soft' environment and become functionally differentiated in culture when exposed to a laminin-rich extracellular matrix gel. Here, we define the processes by which mammary epithelial cells integrate biochemical and mechanical extracellular cues to maintain their differentiated phenotype. We used single cells cultured on top of gels in conditions permissive for {beta}-casein expression using atomic force microscopy to measure the elasticity of the cells and their underlying substrata. We found that maintenance of {beta}-casein expression required both laminin signalling and a 'soft' extracellular matrix, as is the case in normal tissues in vivo, and biomimetic intracellular elasticity, as is the case in primary mammary epithelial organoids. Conversely, two hallmarks of breast cancer development, stiffening of the extracellular matrix and loss of laminin signalling, led to the loss of {beta}-casein expression and non-biomimetic intracellular elasticity. Our data indicate that tissue-specific gene expression is controlled by both the tissues unique biochemical milieu and mechanical properties, processes involved in maintenance of tissue integrity and protection against tumorigenesis.

Laminin active peptide/agarose matrices as multifunctional biomaterials for tissue engineering.

Science.gov (United States)

Yamada, Yuji; Hozumi, Kentaro; Aso, Akihiro; Hotta, Atsushi; Toma, Kazunori; Katagiri, Fumihiko; Kikkawa, Yamato; Nomizu, Motoyoshi

2012-06-01

Cell adhesive peptides derived from extracellular matrix components are potential candidates to afford bio-adhesiveness to cell culture scaffolds for tissue engineering. Previously, we covalently conjugated bioactive laminin peptides to polysaccharides, such as chitosan and alginate, and demonstrated their advantages as biomaterials. Here, we prepared functional polysaccharide matrices by mixing laminin active peptides and agarose gel. Several laminin peptide/agarose matrices showed cell attachment activity. In particular, peptide AG73 (RKRLQVQLSIRT)/agarose matrices promoted strong cell attachment and the cell behavior depended on the stiffness of agarose matrices. Fibroblasts formed spheroid structures on the soft AG73/agarose matrices while the cells formed a monolayer with elongated morphologies on the stiff matrices. On the stiff AG73/agarose matrices, neuronal cells extended neuritic processes and endothelial cells formed capillary-like networks. In addition, salivary gland cells formed acini-like structures on the soft matrices. These results suggest that the peptide/agarose matrices are useful for both two- and three-dimensional cell culture systems as a multifunctional biomaterial for tissue engineering. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetic variation in a member of the laminin gene family affects variation in body composition in Drosophila and humans

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Hunter Gary R

2008-08-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background The objective of the present study was to map candidate loci influencing naturally occurring variation in triacylglycerol (TAG storage using quantitative complementation procedures in Drosophila melanogaster. Based on our results from Drosophila, we performed a human population-based association study to investigate the effect of natural variation in LAMA5 gene on body composition in humans. Results We identified four candidate genes that contributed to differences in TAG storage between two strains of D. melanogaster, including Laminin A (LanA, which is a member of the α subfamily of laminin chains. We confirmed the effects of this gene using a viable LanA mutant and showed that female flies homozygous for the mutation had significantly lower TAG storage, body weight, and total protein content than control flies. Drosophila LanA is closely related to human LAMA5 gene, which maps to the well-replicated obesity-linkage region on chromosome 20q13.2-q13.3. We tested for association between three common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs in the human LAMA5 gene and variation in body composition and lipid profile traits in a cohort of unrelated women of European American (EA and African American (AA descent. In both ethnic groups, we found that SNP rs659822 was associated with weight (EA: P = 0.008; AA: P = 0.05 and lean mass (EA: P= 0.003; AA: P = 0.03. We also found this SNP to be associated with height (P = 0.01, total fat mass (P = 0.01, and HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.003 but only in EA women. Finally, significant associations of SNP rs944895 with serum TAG levels (P = 0.02 and HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.03 were observed in AA women. Conclusion Our results suggest an evolutionarily conserved role of a member of the laminin gene family in contributing to variation in weight and body composition.

One-Step Purification of Human Skeletal Muscle Myoblasts and Subsequent Expansion Using Laminin-Coated Surface.

Science.gov (United States)

Chowdhury, Shiplu Roy; binti Ismail, Annis; Chee, Sia Chye; bin Laupa, Mohd Suffian; binti Jaffri, Fadhlun; Saberi, Salfarina Ezrina Mohmad; Idrus, Ruszymah Bt Hj

2015-11-01

Skeletal myoblasts have been extensively used to study muscle growth and differentiation, and were recently tested for their application as cell therapy and as a gene delivery system to treat muscle and nonmuscle diseases. However, contamination of fibroblasts in isolated cells from skeletal muscle is one of the long-standing problems for routine expansion. This study aimed to establish a simple one-step process to purify myoblasts and maintain their purity during expansion. Mixed cells were preplated serially on laminin- and collagen type I-coated surfaces in a different array for 5, 10, and 15 min. Immunocytochemical staining with antibodies specific to myoblasts was performed to evaluate myoblast attachment efficiency, purity, and yield. It was found that laminin-coated surface favors the attachment of myoblasts. Highest myoblast purity of 78.9% ± 6.8% was achieved by 5 min of preplating only on the laminin-coated surface with a yield of 56.9% ± 3.3%. Primary cells, isolated from skeletal muscle (n = 4), confirm the enhancement of purity through preplating on laminin-coated surface for 5 min. Subsequent expansion after preplating enhanced myoblast purity due to an increase in myoblast growth than fibroblasts. Myoblast purity of ∼ 98% was achieved when another preplating was performed during passaging. In conclusion, myoblasts can be purified and efficiently expanded in one step by preplating on laminin-coated surface, which is a simple and robust technique.

Laminin-521 Promotes Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheet Formation on Light-Induced Cell Sheet Technology

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Zhiwei Jiang

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell sheets (rBMSC sheets are attractive for cell-based tissue engineering. However, methods of culturing rBMSC sheets are critically limited. In order to obtain intact rBMSC sheets, a light-induced cell sheet method was used in this study. TiO2 nanodot films were coated with (TL or without (TN laminin-521. We investigated the effects of laminin-521 on rBMSCs during cell sheet culturing. The fabricated rBMSC sheets were subsequently assessed to study cell sheet viability, reattachment ability, cell sheet thickness, collagen type I deposition, and multilineage potential. The results showed that laminin-521 could promote the formation of rBMSC sheets with good viability under hyperconfluent conditions. Cell sheet thickness increased from an initial 26.7 ± 1.5 μm (day 5 up to 47.7 ± 3.0 μm (day 10. Moreover, rBMSC sheets maintained their potential of osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. This study provides a new strategy to obtain rBMSC sheets using light-induced cell sheet technology.

Agrin and synaptic laminin are required to maintain adult neuromuscular junctions.

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Melanie A Samuel

Full Text Available As synapses form and mature the synaptic partners produce organizing molecules that regulate each other's differentiation and ensure precise apposition of pre- and post-synaptic specializations. At the skeletal neuromuscular junction (NMJ, these molecules include agrin, a nerve-derived organizer of postsynaptic differentiation, and synaptic laminins, muscle-derived organizers of presynaptic differentiation. Both become concentrated in the synaptic cleft as the NMJ develops and are retained in adulthood. Here, we used mutant mice to ask whether these organizers are also required for synaptic maintenance. Deletion of agrin from a subset of adult motor neurons resulted in the loss of acetylcholine receptors and other components of the postsynaptic apparatus and synaptic cleft. Nerve terminals also atrophied and eventually withdrew from muscle fibers. On the other hand, mice lacking the presynaptic organizer laminin-α4 retained most of the synaptic cleft components but exhibited synaptic alterations reminiscent of those observed in aged animals. Although we detected no marked decrease in laminin or agrin levels at aged NMJs, we observed alterations in the distribution and organization of these synaptic cleft components suggesting that such changes could contribute to age-related synaptic disassembly. Together, these results demonstrate that pre- and post-synaptic organizers actively function to maintain the structure and function of adult NMJs.

Growth hormone in the presence of laminin modulates interaction of human thymic epithelial cells and thymocytes in vitro

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Marvin Paulo Lins

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Several evidences indicate that hormones and neuropeptides function as immunomodulators. Among these, growth hormone (GH is known to act on the thymic microenvironment, supporting its role in thymocyte differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GH on human thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells (TEC in the presence of laminin. RESULTS: GH increased thymocyte adhesion on BSA-coated and further on laminin-coated surfaces. The number of migrating cells in laminin-coated membrane was higher in GH-treated thymocyte group. In both results, VLA-6 expression on thymocytes was constant. Also, treatment with GH enhanced laminin production by TEC after 24 h in culture. However, VLA-6 integrin expression on TEC remained unchanged. Finally, TEC/thymocyte co-culture model demonstrated that GH elevated absolute number of double-negative (CD4-CD8- and single-positive CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. A decrease in cell number was noted in double-positive (CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that GH is capable of enhancing the migratory capacity of human thymocytes in the presence of laminin and promotes modulation of thymocyte subsets after co-culture with TEC.

Generation and characterization of recombinant human antibodies specific for native laminin epitopes. Potential application in cancer therapy. Cancer Immunol. Immunother

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sanz, Laura; Kristensen, Peter; Russell, Stephen J.

2001-01-01

of human-derived antibody fragments able to modulate laminin-regulated biological functions would allow the development of new strategies to improve treatment of cancer patients. In this report, we explore the use of phage display technology to isolate human anti-laminin antibody fragments. A library...... to mouse, rat and human laminin. and show strong immunohistochemical reactivity with basement membranes in human and murine tissue sections. Their properties make them ideal candidates for in vivo applications....

Loss of laminin alpha 1 results in multiple structural defects and divergent effects on adhesion during vertebrate optic cup morphogenesis

Science.gov (United States)

Bryan, Chase D.; Chien, Chi-Bin; Kwan, Kristen M.

2016-01-01

The vertebrate eye forms via a complex set of morphogenetic events. The optic vesicle evaginates and undergoes transformative shape changes to form the optic cup, in which neural retina and retinal pigmented epithelium enwrap the lens. It has long been known that a complex, glycoprotein-rich extracellular matrix layer surrounds the developing optic cup throughout the process, yet the functions of the matrix and its specific molecular components have remained unclear. Previous work established a role for laminin extracellular matrix in particular steps of eye development, including optic vesicle evagination, lens differentiation, and retinal ganglion cell polarization, yet it is unknown what role laminin might play in the early process of optic cup formation subsequent to the initial step of optic vesicle evagination. Here, we use the zebrafish lama1 mutant (lama1UW1) to determine the function of laminin during optic cup morphogenesis. Using live imaging, we find, surprisingly, that loss of laminin leads to divergent effects on focal adhesion assembly in a spatiotemporally-specific manner, and that laminin is required for multiple steps of optic cup morphogenesis, including optic stalk constriction, invagination, and formation of a spherical lens. Laminin is not required for single cell behaviors and changes in cell shape. Rather, in lama1UW1 mutants, loss of epithelial polarity and altered adhesion lead to defective tissue architecture and formation of a disorganized retina. These results demonstrate that the laminin extracellular matrix plays multiple critical roles regulating adhesion and polarity to establish and maintain tissue structure during optic cup morphogenesis. PMID:27339294

Immobilization and therapeutic passive stretching generate thickening and increase the expression of laminin and dystrophin in skeletal muscle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cação-Benedini, L.O.; Ribeiro, P.G.; Prado, C.M.; Chesca, D.L.; Mattiello-Sverzut, A.C.

2014-01-01

Extracellular matrix and costamere proteins transmit the concentric, isometric, and eccentric forces produced by active muscle contraction. The expression of these proteins after application of passive tension stimuli to muscle remains unknown. This study investigated the expression of laminin and dystrophin in the soleus muscle of rats immobilized with the right ankle in plantar flexion for 10 days and subsequent remobilization, either by isolated free movement in a cage or associated with passive stretching for up to 10 days. The intensity of the macrophage response was also evaluated. One hundred and twenty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: free for 10 days; immobilized for 10 days; immobilized/free for 1, 3, or 10 days; or immobilized/stretched/free for 1, 3, or 10 days. After the experimental procedures, muscle tissue was processed for immunofluorescence (dystrophin/laminin/CD68) and Western blot analysis (dystrophin/laminin). Immobilization increased the expression of dystrophin and laminin but did not alter the number of macrophages in the muscle. In the stretched muscle groups, there was an increase in dystrophin and the number of macrophages after 3 days compared with the other groups; dystrophin showed a discontinuous labeling pattern, and laminin was found in the intracellular space. The amount of laminin was increased in the muscles treated by immobilization followed by free movement for 10 days. In the initial stages of postimmobilization (1 and 3 days), an exacerbated macrophage response and an increase of dystrophin suggested that the therapeutic stretching technique induced additional stress in the muscle fibers and costameres

Immobilization and therapeutic passive stretching generate thickening and increase the expression of laminin and dystrophin in skeletal muscle

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cação-Benedini, L.O.; Ribeiro, P.G. [Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor, Departamento de Biomecânica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, Departamento de Biomecânica, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP (Brazil); Prado, C.M.; Chesca, D.L. [Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Patologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP (Brazil); Mattiello-Sverzut, A.C. [Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor, Departamento de Biomecânica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, Departamento de Biomecânica, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP (Brazil)

2014-05-09

Extracellular matrix and costamere proteins transmit the concentric, isometric, and eccentric forces produced by active muscle contraction. The expression of these proteins after application of passive tension stimuli to muscle remains unknown. This study investigated the expression of laminin and dystrophin in the soleus muscle of rats immobilized with the right ankle in plantar flexion for 10 days and subsequent remobilization, either by isolated free movement in a cage or associated with passive stretching for up to 10 days. The intensity of the macrophage response was also evaluated. One hundred and twenty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: free for 10 days; immobilized for 10 days; immobilized/free for 1, 3, or 10 days; or immobilized/stretched/free for 1, 3, or 10 days. After the experimental procedures, muscle tissue was processed for immunofluorescence (dystrophin/laminin/CD68) and Western blot analysis (dystrophin/laminin). Immobilization increased the expression of dystrophin and laminin but did not alter the number of macrophages in the muscle. In the stretched muscle groups, there was an increase in dystrophin and the number of macrophages after 3 days compared with the other groups; dystrophin showed a discontinuous labeling pattern, and laminin was found in the intracellular space. The amount of laminin was increased in the muscles treated by immobilization followed by free movement for 10 days. In the initial stages of postimmobilization (1 and 3 days), an exacerbated macrophage response and an increase of dystrophin suggested that the therapeutic stretching technique induced additional stress in the muscle fibers and costameres.

The pattern of distribution of laminin in neurogenic tumors, granular cell tumors, and nevi of the oral mucosa

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Reibel, J; Wewer, U; Albrechtsen, R

1985-01-01

. Accentuated staining was seen in Verocay bodies. In granular cell myoblastomas (GCM), small groups of tumor cells were encircled by laminin-positive material, whereas individual tumor cells were unstained. In nevi, diffusely spread nevus cells were surrounded by a rim of laminin, whereas when arranged...

Systematic study of spin crossover and structure in [Co(terpyRX)2](Y)2 systems (terpyRX = 4'-alkoxy-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, X = 4, 8, 12, Y = BF4(-), ClO4(-), PF6(-), BPh4(-))

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Nielsen, Pia; Nielsen, Hans Toftlund; Bond, Andrew

2009-01-01

A family of spin crossover cobalt(II) complexes of the type [Co(terpyRX)(2)](Y)(2) x nH(2)O (X = 4, 8, 12 and Y = BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-), PF(6)(-), BPh(4)(-)) has been synthesized, whereby the alkyl chain length, RX, and counteranion, Y, have been systematically varied. The structural (single crystal...

Laminin-Coated Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) Nanofiber Scaffold Facilitates the Enrichment of Skeletal Muscle Myoblast Population.

Science.gov (United States)

Zahari, Nor Kamalia; Idrus, Ruszymah Binti Haji; Chowdhury, Shiplu Roy

2017-10-30

Myoblasts, the contractile cells of skeletal muscle, have been invaluable for fundamental studies of muscle development and clinical applications for muscle loss. A major limitation to the myoblast-based therapeutic approach is contamination with non-contractile fibroblasts, which overgrow during cell expansion. To overcome these limitations, this study was carried out to establish a 3D culture environment using nanofiber scaffolds to enrich the myoblast population during construct formation. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofiber (PM) scaffolds were fabricated using electrospinning techniques and coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen or laminin, in the presence or absence of genipin. A mixed population of myoblasts and fibroblasts was isolated from human skeletal muscle tissues and cultured on plain surfaces, as well as coated and non-coated PM scaffolds. PMMA can produce smooth fibers with an average diameter of 360 ± 50 nm. Adsorption of collagen and laminin on PM scaffolds is significantly enhanced in the presence of genipin, which introduces roughness to the nanofiber surface without affecting fiber diameter and mechanical properties. It was also demonstrated that laminin-coated PM scaffolds significantly enhance myoblast proliferation (0.0081 ± 0.0007 h -1 ) and migration (0.26 ± 0.04 μm/min), while collagen-coated PM scaffolds favors fibroblasts proliferation (0.0097 ± 0.0009 h -1 ) and migration (0.23 ± 0.03 μm/min). Consequently, the myoblast population was enriched on laminin-coated PM scaffolds throughout the culture process. Therefore, laminin coating of nanofiber scaffolds could be a potential scaffold for the development of a tissue-engineered muscle substitute.

Basement Membrane Type IV Collagen and Laminin: An Overview of Their Biology and Value as Fibrosis Biomarkers of Liver Disease.

Science.gov (United States)

Mak, Ki M; Mei, Rena

2017-08-01

Basement membranes provide structural support to epithelium, endothelium, muscles, fat cells, Schwann cells, and axons. Basement membranes are multifunctional: they modulate cellular behavior, regulate organogenesis, promote tissue repair, form a barrier to filtration and tumor metastasis, bind growth factors, and mediate angiogenesis. All basement membranes contain type IV collagen (Col IV), laminin, nidogen, and perlecan. Col IV and laminin self-assemble into two independent supramolecular networks that are linked to nidogen and perlecan to form a morphological discernable basement membrane/basal lamina. The triple helical region, 7S domain and NCI domain of Col IV, laminin and laminin fragment P1 have been evaluated as noninvasive fibrosis biomarkers of alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Elevated serum Col IV and laminin are related to degrees of fibrosis and severity of hepatitis, and may reflect hepatic basement membrane metabolism. But the serum assays have not been linked to disclosing the anatomical sites and lobular distribution of perisinusoidal basement membrane formation in the liver. Hepatic sinusoids normally lack a basement membrane, although Col IV is a normal matrix component of the space of Disse. In liver disease, laminin deposits in the space of Disse and codistributes with Col IV, forming a perisinusoidal basement membrane. Concomitantly, the sinusoidal endothelium loses its fenestrae and is transformed into vascular type endothelium. These changes lead to capillarization of hepatic sinusoids, a significant pathology that impairs hepatic function. Accordingly, codistribution of Col IV and laminin serves as histochemical marker of perisinusoidal basement membrane formation in liver disease. Anat Rec, 300:1371-1390, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

CHAIN 2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bailey, D.

1998-04-01

The Second Processing Chain (CHAIN2) consists of a suite of ten programs which together provide a full local analysis of the bulk plasma physics within the JET Tokamak. In discussing these ten computational models this report is intended to fulfil two broad purposes. Firstly it is meant to be used as a reference source for any user of CHAIN2 data, and secondly it provides a basic User Manual sufficient to instruct anyone in running the CHAIN2 suite of codes. In the main report text each module is described in terms of its underlying physics and any associated assumptions or limitations, whilst deliberate emphasis is put on highlighting the physics and mathematics of the calculations required in deriving each individual datatype in the standard module PPF output. In fact each datatype of the CHAIN2 PPF output listed in Appendix D is cross referenced to the point in the main text where its evaluation is discussed. An effort is made not only to give the equation used to derive a particular data profile but also to explicitly define which external data sources are involved in the computational calculation

Laminin-Coated Poly(Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA Nanofiber Scaffold Facilitates the Enrichment of Skeletal Muscle Myoblast Population

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Nor Kamalia Zahari

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Myoblasts, the contractile cells of skeletal muscle, have been invaluable for fundamental studies of muscle development and clinical applications for muscle loss. A major limitation to the myoblast-based therapeutic approach is contamination with non-contractile fibroblasts, which overgrow during cell expansion. To overcome these limitations, this study was carried out to establish a 3D culture environment using nanofiber scaffolds to enrich the myoblast population during construct formation. Poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA nanofiber (PM scaffolds were fabricated using electrospinning techniques and coated with extracellular matrix (ECM proteins, such as collagen or laminin, in the presence or absence of genipin. A mixed population of myoblasts and fibroblasts was isolated from human skeletal muscle tissues and cultured on plain surfaces, as well as coated and non-coated PM scaffolds. PMMA can produce smooth fibers with an average diameter of 360 ± 50 nm. Adsorption of collagen and laminin on PM scaffolds is significantly enhanced in the presence of genipin, which introduces roughness to the nanofiber surface without affecting fiber diameter and mechanical properties. It was also demonstrated that laminin-coated PM scaffolds significantly enhance myoblast proliferation (0.0081 ± 0.0007 h−1 and migration (0.26 ± 0.04 μm/min, while collagen-coated PM scaffolds favors fibroblasts proliferation (0.0097 ± 0.0009 h−1 and migration (0.23 ± 0.03 μm/min. Consequently, the myoblast population was enriched on laminin-coated PM scaffolds throughout the culture process. Therefore, laminin coating of nanofiber scaffolds could be a potential scaffold for the development of a tissue-engineered muscle substitute.

Sarcospan integration into laminin-binding adhesion complexes that ameliorate muscular dystrophy requires utrophin and α7 integrin

Science.gov (United States)

Marshall, Jamie L.; Oh, Jennifer; Chou, Eric; Lee, Joy A.; Holmberg, Johan; Burkin, Dean J.; Crosbie-Watson, Rachelle H.

2015-01-01

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in loss of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex, a laminin receptor that connects the myofiber to its surrounding extracellular matrix. Utrophin, a dystrophin ortholog that is normally localized to the neuromuscular junction, is naturally upregulated in DMD muscle, which partially compensates for the loss of dystrophin. Transgenic overexpression of utrophin causes broad sarcolemma localization of utrophin, restoration of laminin binding and amelioration of disease in the mdx mouse model of DMD. We previously demonstrated that overexpression of sarcospan, a dystrophin- and utrophin-binding protein, ameliorates mdx muscular dystrophy. Sarcospan boosts levels of utrophin to therapeutic levels at the sarcolemma, where attachment to laminin is restored. However, understanding the compensatory mechanism is complicated by concomitant upregulation of α7β1 integrin, which also binds laminin. Similar to the effects of utrophin, transgenic overexpression of α7 integrin prevents DMD disease in mice and is accompanied by increased abundance of utrophin around the extra-synaptic sarcolemma. In order to investigate the mechanisms underlying sarcospan ‘rescue’ of muscular dystrophy, we created double-knockout mice to test the contributions of utrophin or α7 integrin. We show that sarcospan-mediated amelioration of muscular dystrophy in DMD mice is dependent on the presence of both utrophin and α7β1 integrin, even when they are individually expressed at therapeutic levels. Furthermore, we found that association of sarcospan into laminin-binding complexes is dependent on utrophin and α7β1 integrin. PMID:25504048

Newtonian Analysis of a Folded Chain Drop

Science.gov (United States)

Mungan, Carl E.

2018-05-01

Consider a chain of length L that hangs in a U shape with end A fixed to a rigid support and free end E released from rest starting from the same initial height (call it y = 0) as A. Figure 1 sketches the chain after end E has fallen a distance y. Points O and A are assumed to be close enough to each other and the chain flexible enough that the radius of curvature r at the bottom point C can be taken to be negligibly small (compared to the length of the chain). The problem is to compare the speed of descent v(y) = dy/dt of the free end E of the chain to the speed vfree(y )=√{2 g y } of a free-falling point mass that has descended the same distance y. If v(y) > vfree (y) for all y > 0, then, in a race to fall any arbitrary distance Y (where 0 < Y < L), the chain end E will always beat a simultaneously released point mass, because the fall time t for E will be shorter than tfree for the point mass, t = ∫0 Y d/y v (y ) Y d/y vfree(y ). (1) Experimentally, this outcome of the race is observed in a "Veritasium" video.

ADAM12 overexpression does not improve outcome in mice with laminin alpha2-deficient muscular dystrophy

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Guo, Ling T; Shelton, G Diane; Wewer, Ulla M

2005-01-01

We have recently shown that overexpression of ADAM12 results in increased muscle regeneration and significantly reduced pathology in mdx, dystrophin deficient mice. In the present study, we tested the effect of overexpressing ADAM12 in dy(W) laminin-deficient mice. dy mice have a very severe...... clinical phenotype and would be expected to benefit greatly from enhanced regeneration. We found that dy(W) mice overexpressing ADAM12 indeed have increased muscle regeneration, as evidenced by increased numbers of muscle fibers expressing fetal myosin. However, overexpression of ADAM12 had no significant...

Vimentin and laminin are altered on cheek pouch microvessels of streptozotocin-induced diabetic hamsters

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jemima Fuentes R Silva

2011-01-01

Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: Normal endothelial cells respond to shear stress by elongating and aligning in the direction of fluid flow. Hyperglycemia impairs this response and contributes to microvascular complications, which result in deleterious effects to the endothelium. This work aimed to evaluate cheek pouch microvessel morphological characteristics, reactivity, permeability, and expression of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix components in hamsters after the induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. METHODS: Syrian golden hamsters (90-130 g were injected with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p. or vehicle either 6 (the diabetes mellitus 6 group or 15 (the diabetes mellitus 15 group days before the experiment. Vascular dimensions and density per area of vessels were determined by morphometric and stereological measurements. Changes in blood flow were measured in response to acetylcholine, and plasma extravasation was measured by the number of leakage sites. Actin, talin, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, type IV collagen, and laminin were detected by immunohistochemistry and assessed through a semiquantitative scoring system. RESULTS: There were no major alterations in the lumen, wall diameters, or densities of the examined vessels. Likewise, vascular reactivity and permeability were not altered by diabetes. The arterioles demonstrated increased immunoreactivity to vimentin and laminin in the diabetes mellitus 6 and diabetes mellitus 15 groups. DISCUSSION: Antibodies against laminin and vimentin inhibit branching morphogenesis in vitro. Therefore, laminin and vimentin participating in the structure of the focal adhesion may play a role in angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated the existence of changes related to cell-matrix interactions, which may contribute to the pathological remodeling that was already underway one week after induction of experimental diabetes.

Evaluation of Lama5 as a candidate for the mouse ragged (Ra) mutation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Durkin, M E; Albrechtsen, R; Chambers, D M

1998-01-01

The laminin alpha5 chain is a component of the basement membranes of many developing and adult tissues. The mouse laminin alpha5 chain gene (Lama5) has been mapped close to the locus of the semidominant ragged (Ra) mutation on distal chromosome 2. The cause of the Ra mutation, which is usually...... lethal in the homozygous state, has not been determined. We have investigated whether a defect in Lama5 is responsible for the ragged mutation, using the RaJ strain. No differences in the level of the laminin alpha5 chain transcript were found in placental RNA from homozygous RaJ mutant embryos compared...... to normal littermates. Antiserum raised against a recombinant laminin alpha5 chain polypeptide stained the basement membranes of both normal and homozygous mutant embryos to a similar extent. More precise mapping of Lama5 on an interspecific Ra backcross indicated that Lama5 is proximal to the Ra locus...

Some exact calculations on a chain of spins 1/2 II

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Niemeijer, Th.

1968-01-01

The chain of spins 1/2 with anisotropic nearest neighbour interaction, known as the X–Y model, which was introduced by Lieb, Schultz and Mattis1) and studied in ref. 2*) in the presence of a constant field along the z axis, is now studied with a small oscillating field superimposed on the constant

Laminin and collagen modulate expression of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan fibromodulin in rat anterior pituitary gland.

Science.gov (United States)

Syaidah, Rahimi; Horiguchi, Kotaro; Fujiwara, Ken; Tsukada, Takehiro; Kikuchi, Motoshi; Yashiro, Takashi

2013-11-01

The anterior pituitary is a complex organ consisting of five types of hormone-producing cells, non–hormone-producing cells such as folliculostellate (FS) cells and vascular cells (endothelial cells and pericytes). We have previously shown that FS cells and pericytes produce fibromodulin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP). SLRPs are major proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are important in regulating cell signaling pathways and ECM assembly. However, the mechanism regulating fibromodulin expression in the anterior pituitary has not been elucidated. Here, we investigate whether fibromodulin expression is modulated by major anterior pituitary ECM components such as laminin and type I collagen. Using transgenic rats expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) specifically in FS cells, we examine fibromodulin expression in GFP-positive (FS cells) and GFP-negative cells (e.g., pericytes, endocrine cells and endothelial cells). Immunostaining and Western blot analysis were used to assess protein expression in the presence and absence of laminin or type I collagen. We confirmed fibromodulin expression in the pituitary and observed the up-regulation of fibromodulin in FS cells in the presence of ECM components. However, neither laminin nor type I collagen affected expression in GFP-negative cells. This suggests that laminin and type I collagen support the function of FS cells by increasing fibromodulin protein expression in the anterior pituitary.

A Novel Mutation in Isoform 3 of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump Impairs Cellular Ca2+ Homeostasis in a Patient with Cerebellar Ataxia and Laminin Subunit 1α Mutations.

Science.gov (United States)

Calì, Tito; Lopreiato, Raffaele; Shimony, Joshua; Vineyard, Marisa; Frizzarin, Martina; Zanni, Ginevra; Zanotti, Giuseppe; Brini, Marisa; Shinawi, Marwan; Carafoli, Ernesto

2015-06-26

The particular importance of Ca(2+) signaling to neurons demands its precise regulation within their cytoplasm. Isoform 3 of the plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase (the PMCA3 pump), which is highly expressed in brain and cerebellum, plays an important role in the regulation of neuronal Ca(2+). A genetic defect of the PMCA3 pump has been described in one family with X-linked congenital cerebellar ataxia. Here we describe a novel mutation in the ATP2B3 gene in a patient with global developmental delay, generalized hypotonia and cerebellar ataxia. The mutation (a R482H replacement) impairs the Ca(2+) ejection function of the pump. It reduces the ability of the pump expressed in model cells to control Ca(2+) transients generated by cell stimulation and impairs its Ca(2+) extrusion function under conditions of low resting cytosolic Ca(2+) as well. In silico analysis of the structural effect of the mutation suggests a reduced stabilization of the portion of the pump surrounding the mutated residue in the Ca(2+)-bound state. The patient also carries two missense mutations in LAMA1, encoding laminin subunit 1α. On the basis of the family pedigree of the patient, the presence of both PMCA3 and laminin subunit 1α mutations appears to be necessary for the development of the disease. Considering the observed defect in cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and the previous finding that PMCAs act as digenic modulators in Ca(2+)-linked pathologies, the PMCA3 dysfunction along with LAMA1 mutations could act synergistically to cause the neurological phenotype. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

A Novel Mutation in Isoform 3 of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump Impairs Cellular Ca2+ Homeostasis in a Patient with Cerebellar Ataxia and Laminin Subunit 1α Mutations*

Science.gov (United States)

Calì, Tito; Lopreiato, Raffaele; Shimony, Joshua; Vineyard, Marisa; Frizzarin, Martina; Zanni, Ginevra; Zanotti, Giuseppe; Brini, Marisa; Shinawi, Marwan; Carafoli, Ernesto

2015-01-01

The particular importance of Ca2+ signaling to neurons demands its precise regulation within their cytoplasm. Isoform 3 of the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase (the PMCA3 pump), which is highly expressed in brain and cerebellum, plays an important role in the regulation of neuronal Ca2+. A genetic defect of the PMCA3 pump has been described in one family with X-linked congenital cerebellar ataxia. Here we describe a novel mutation in the ATP2B3 gene in a patient with global developmental delay, generalized hypotonia and cerebellar ataxia. The mutation (a R482H replacement) impairs the Ca2+ ejection function of the pump. It reduces the ability of the pump expressed in model cells to control Ca2+ transients generated by cell stimulation and impairs its Ca2+ extrusion function under conditions of low resting cytosolic Ca2+ as well. In silico analysis of the structural effect of the mutation suggests a reduced stabilization of the portion of the pump surrounding the mutated residue in the Ca2+-bound state. The patient also carries two missense mutations in LAMA1, encoding laminin subunit 1α. On the basis of the family pedigree of the patient, the presence of both PMCA3 and laminin subunit 1α mutations appears to be necessary for the development of the disease. Considering the observed defect in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and the previous finding that PMCAs act as digenic modulators in Ca2+-linked pathologies, the PMCA3 dysfunction along with LAMA1 mutations could act synergistically to cause the neurological phenotype. PMID:25953895

Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy. Partial genetic correction in two mouse models

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kuang, W; Xu, H; Vachon, P H

1998-01-01

Humans and mice with deficiency of the alpha2 subunit of the basement membrane protein laminin-2/merosin suffer from merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MCMD). We have expressed a human laminin alpha2 chain transgene under the regulation of a muscle-specific creatine kinase promoter...

An adhesome comprising laminin, dystroglycan and myosin IIA is required during notochord development in Xenopus laevis.

Science.gov (United States)

Buisson, Nicolas; Sirour, Cathy; Moreau, Nicole; Denker, Elsa; Le Bouffant, Ronan; Goullancourt, Aline; Darribère, Thierry; Bello, Valérie

2014-12-01

Dystroglycan (Dg) is a transmembrane receptor for laminin that must be expressed at the right time and place in order to be involved in notochord morphogenesis. The function of Dg was examined in Xenopus laevis embryos by knockdown of Dg and overexpression and replacement of the endogenous Dg with a mutated form of the protein. This analysis revealed that Dg is required for correct laminin assembly, for cell polarization during mediolateral intercalation and for proper differentiation of vacuoles. Using mutations in the cytoplasmic domain, we identified two sites that are involved in cell polarization and are required for mediolateral cell intercalation, and a site that is required for vacuolation. Furthermore, using a proteomic analysis, the cytoskeletal non-muscle myosin IIA has been identified for the first time as a molecular link between the Dg-cytoplasmic domain and cortical actin. The data allowed us to identify the adhesome laminin-Dg-myosin IIA as being required to maintain the cortical actin cytoskeleton network during vacuolation, which is crucial to maintain the shape of notochordal cells. © 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Large deviations for Markov chains in the positive quadrant

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Borovkov, A A; Mogul' skii, A A [S.L. Sobolev Institute for Mathematics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk (Russian Federation)

2001-10-31

The paper deals with so-called N-partially space-homogeneous time-homogeneous Markov chains X(y,n), n=0,1,2,..., X(y,0)=y, in the positive quadrant. These Markov chains are characterized by the following property of the transition probabilities P(y,A)=P(X(y,1) element of A): for some N{>=}0 the measure P(y,dx) depends only on x{sub 2}, y{sub 2}, and x{sub 1}-y{sub 1} in the domain x{sub 1}>N, y{sub 1}>N, and only on x{sub 1}, y{sub 1}, and x{sub 2}-y{sub 2} in the domain x{sub 2}>N, y{sub 2}>N. For such chains the asymptotic behaviour is found for a fixed set B as s{yields}{infinity}, |x|{yields}{infinity}, and n{yields}{infinity}. Some other conditions on the growth of parameters are also considered, for example, |x-y|{yields}{infinity}, |y|{yields}{infinity}. A study is made of the structure of the most probable trajectories, which give the main contribution to this asymptotics, and a number of other results pertaining to the topic are established. Similar results are obtained for the narrower class of 0-partially homogeneous ergodic chains under less restrictive moment conditions on the transition probabilities P(y,dx). Moreover, exact asymptotic expressions for the probabilities P(X(0,n) element of x+B) are found for 0-partially homogeneous ergodic chains under some additional conditions. The interest in partially homogeneous Markov chains in positive octants is due to the mathematical aspects (new and interesting problems arise in the framework of general large deviation theory) as well as applied issues, for such chains prove to be quite accurate mathematical models for numerous basic types of queueing and communication networks such as the widely known Jackson networks, polling systems, or communication networks associated with the ALOHA algorithm. There is a vast literature dealing with the analysis of these objects. The present paper is an attempt to find the extent to which an asymptotic analysis is possible for Markov chains of this type in their general

Síntesis y Caracterización de Ag2Cu2O3, el primer óxido de cobre y plata

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gómez-Romero, P.

2000-06-01

Full Text Available Despite the crystal-chemical similarities between copper and silver ions, there is no known silver copper oxide, neither natural nor synthetic. In this work, we present the synthesis at room-temperature of the first silver copper oxide of formula Ag2Cu2O3 (tetragonal, a=5.8857(3Å, c=10.6868(7Å, space group I41/amd, Z=4. It should be noted that the thermal stability of this new oxide is enhanced with respect to Ag2O or even CuO. The structure consists of alternating chains of edge-sharing square planar Cu(II and zigzag chains of linearly coordinated Ag(I ions.A pesar de las similitudes cristaloquímicas entre los iones de cobre y los de plata, no existe ningún óxido mixto de cobre y plata ni natural ni sintético. En este trabajo se presenta la síntesis a bajas temperaturas del primer óxido mixto de cobre y plata, de fórmula Ag2Cu2O3 (tetragonal, a=5.8857(3Å, c=10.6868(7Å, grupo espacial I41/amd, Z=4. Este óxido posee una estabilidad térmica superior a los correspondientes óxidos de cobre y de plata. Contiene cadenas de iones Cu(II cuadrado-planos que alternan con cadenas en zig-zag de Ag(I con coordinación lineal.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Collagen IV and Laminin Expression in Spontaneous Melanoma Regression in the Melanoma-Bearing Libechov Minipig

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Plánská, Daniela; Burocziová, Monika; Strnádel, Ján; Horák, Vratislav

2015-01-01

Roč. 48, č. 1 (2015), s. 15-26 ISSN 0044-5991 R&D Projects: GA MŠk ED2.1.00/03.0124 Institutional support: RVO:67985904 ; RVO:61388971 Keywords : collagen IV * laminin * MeLiM * porcine melanoma * spontaneous regression Subject RIV: EB - Genetics ; Molecular Biology Impact factor: 0.912, year: 2015

Single-cell force spectroscopy as a technique to quantify human red blood cell adhesion to subendothelial laminin.

Science.gov (United States)

Maciaszek, Jamie L; Partola, Kostyantyn; Zhang, Jing; Andemariam, Biree; Lykotrafitis, George

2014-12-18

Single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS), an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based assay, enables quantitative study of cell adhesion while maintaining the native state of surface receptors in physiological conditions. Human healthy and pathological red blood cells (RBCs) express a large number of surface proteins which mediate cell-cell interactions, or cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. In particular, RBCs adhere with high affinity to subendothelial matrix laminin via the basal cell adhesion molecule and Lutheran protein (BCAM/Lu). Here, we established SCFS as an in vitro technique to study human RBC adhesion at baseline and following biochemical treatment. Using blood obtained from healthy human subjects, we recorded adhesion forces from single RBCs attached to AFM cantilevers as the cell was pulled-off of substrates coated with laminin protein. We found that an increase in the overall cell adhesion measured via SCFS is correlated with an increase in the resultant total force measured on 1 µm(2) areas of the RBC membrane. Further, we showed that SCFS can detect significant changes in the adhesive response of RBCs to modulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Lastly, we identified variability in the RBC adhesion force to laminin amongst the human subjects, suggesting that RBCs maintain diverse levels of active BCAM/Lu adhesion receptors. By using single-cell measurements, we established a powerful new method for the quantitative measurement of single RBC adhesion with specific receptor-mediated binding. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mycobacterial laminin-binding histone-like protein mediates collagen-dependent cytoadherence

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André Alves Dias

2012-12-01

Full Text Available When grown in the presence of exogenous collagen I, Mycobacterium bovis BCG was shown to form clumps. Scanning electron microscopy examination of these clumps revealed the presence of collagen fibres cross-linking the bacilli. Since collagen is a major constituent of the eukaryotic extracellular matrices, we assayed BCG cytoadherence in the presence of exogenous collagen I. Collagen increased the interaction of the bacilli with A549 type II pneumocytes or U937 macrophages, suggesting that BCG is able to recruit collagen to facilitate its attachment to host cells. Using an affinity chromatography approach, we have isolated a BCG collagen-binding protein corresponding to the previously described mycobacterial laminin-binding histone-like protein (LBP/Hlp, a highly conserved protein associated with the mycobacterial cell wall. Moreover, Mycobacterium leprae LBP/Hlp, a well-characterized adhesin, was also able to bind collagen I. Finally, using recombinant fragments of M. leprae LBP/Hlp, we mapped the collagen-binding activity within the C-terminal domain of the adhesin. Since this protein was already shown to be involved in the recognition of laminin and heparan sulphate-containing proteoglycans, the present observations reinforce the adhesive activities of LBP/Hlp, which can be therefore considered as a multifaceted mycobacterial adhesin, playing an important role in both leprosy and tuberculosis pathogenesis.

Imaging-Based Screen Identifies Laminin 411 as a Physiologically Relevant Niche Factor with Importance for i-Hep Applications

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John Ong

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Summary: Use of hepatocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (i-Heps is limited by their functional differences in comparison with primary cells. Extracellular niche factors likely play a critical role in bridging this gap. Using image-based characterization (high content analysis; HCA of freshly isolated hepatocytes from 17 human donors, we devised and validated an algorithm (Hepatocyte Likeness Index; HLI for comparing the hepatic properties of cells against a physiological gold standard. The HLI was then applied in a targeted screen of extracellular niche factors to identify substrates driving i-Heps closer to the standard. Laminin 411, the top hit, was validated in two additional induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC lines, primary tissue, and an in vitro model of α1-antitrypsin deficiency. Cumulatively, these data provide a reference method to control and screen for i-Hep differentiation, identify Laminin 411 as a key niche protein, and underscore the importance of combining substrates, soluble factors, and HCA when developing iPSC applications. : Rashid and colleagues demonstrate the utility of a high-throughput imaging platform for identification of physiologically relevant extracellular niche factors to advance i-Heps closer to their primary tissue counterparts. The extracellular matrix (ECM protein screen identified Laminin 411 as an important niche factor facilitating i-Hep-based disease modeling in vitro. Keywords: iPS hepatocytes, extracellular niche, image-based screening, disease modeling, laminin

Characterization of Y1-xCaxBa2Cu4O8 (x=0.0˜ 0.1) with Double Cu-O Chains by Raman Spectra

Science.gov (United States)

Kodama, Yasuharu; Tanemura, Sakae; Ikeda, Teruki

1991-08-01

Raman spectra of Y1-xCaxBa2Cu4O8 (x=0.0, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1) ceramic samples synthesized under high oxygen pressure were investigated. Seven clear peaks assigned to Ag modes were observed for the sample with x=0. With increasing x, the peaks at 238 cm-1, 332 cm-1, 430 cm-1 and 590 cm-1 were broadened. The origin of the broadening of the peaks at 238 cm-1 and 590 cm-1 is considered to be the destruction of the double Cu-O chains due to the substitution of Ca for Y.

Resolution and evolution of the duck-billed platypus karyotype with an X1Y1X2Y2X3Y3X4Y4X5Y5 male sex chromosome constitution.

Science.gov (United States)

Rens, Willem; Grützner, Frank; O'brien, Patricia C M; Fairclough, Helen; Graves, Jennifer A M; Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A

2004-11-16

The platypus (2n = 52) has a complex karyotype that has been controversial over the last three decades. The presence of unpaired chromosomes and an unknown sex-determining system especially has defied attempts at conventional analysis. This article reports on the preparation of chromosome-specific probes from flow-sorted chromosomes and their application in the identification and classification of all platypus chromosomes. This work reveals that the male karyotype has 21 pairs of chromosomes and 10 unpaired chromosomes (E1-E10), which are linked by short regions of homology to form a multivalent chain in meiosis. The female karyotype differs in that five of these unpaired elements (E1, E3, E5, E7, and E9) are each present in duplicate, whereas the remaining five unpaired elements (E2, E4, E6, E8, and E10) are absent. This finding indicates that sex is determined by the alternate segregation of the chain of 10 during spermatogenesis so that equal numbers of sperm bear either one of the two groups of five elements, i.e., five X and five Y chromosomes. Chromosome painting reveals that these X and Y chromosomes contain pairing (XY shared) and differential (X- or Y-specific) segments. Y differential regions must contain male-determining genes, and X differential regions should be dosage-compensated in the female. Two models for the evolution of the sex-determining system are presented. The resolution of the longstanding debate over the platypus karyotype is an important step toward the understanding of mechanisms of sex determination, dosage compensation, and karyotype evolution.

NMR/NQR study of the superconductor Y2Ba4Cu7O15

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stern, R.

1995-01-01

This dissertation concentrates on several important aspects of the high temperature superconductivity research. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) studies in Y-Ba-O compounds contribute information regarding various aspects, ranging from the direct observation of strong coupling between the adjacent planes in the double plane to conclusions concerning the spatial symmetry of paring state in these cuprates. We report the first results in the 93 K superconductor Y 2 Ba 4 Cu 7 O 15 . This compound turns out to be a structure containing differently doped CuO 2 planes. The planes in the 1-2-3(1-2-4) block are only slightly lower (higher) doped than those in the corresponding parent compounds YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 and YBa 2 Cu 4 O 8 . The results obtained from measurements on oxygen depleted Y 2 Ba 4 Cu 7 O 15-x show two new features which could explain the dissimilar variation of T c with oxygen content compared to YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x : i) the double chains donate charge carriers to the planes and ii) the chain fragments which survive when emptying single chains are longer than in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x . The pressure induced charge transfer from chain to plane in each block of Y 2 Ba 4 Cu 7 O 15 is the same as in the corresponding parent compound. We explore the strong coupling between nonequivalent planes in this compound using the three main NMR/NQR quantities, K spin , 1/T 1 ; and T 2G,ind , and estimate its approximate strength directly from spin-echo double resonance (SEDOR) experiments. We obtain for the ratio of the effective inter- and intraplane exchange-coupling constants the value of 0.3 just above T c . This ratio decreases with increasing temperature. (author) figs., tabs., refs

Laminin beta 2 chain and adhalin deficiency in the skeletal muscle of Walker-Warburg syndrome (cerebro-ocular dysplasia-muscular dystrophy)

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wewer, U M; Durkin, M E; Zhang, X

1995-01-01

Muscular dystrophy may be caused by disturbances in a number of muscle proteins that appear to be part of a chain of interacting molecules that includes cytoskeletal, cell membrane, and basement membrane components. We found that the skeletal muscle cells in two cases of Walker-Warburg syndrome w...

The extracellular matrix component laminin promotes gap junction formation in the rat anterior pituitary gland.

Science.gov (United States)

Horiguchi, Kotaro; Kouki, Tom; Fujiwara, Ken; Kikuchi, Motoshi; Yashiro, Takashi

2011-03-01

Folliculo-stellate (FS) cells in the anterior pituitary gland are believed to have multifunctional properties. FS cells connect to each other not only by mechanical means, but also by gap junctional cell-to-cell communication. Using transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) specifically in FS cells in the anterior pituitary gland (S100b-GFP rats), we recently revealed that FS cells in primary culture markedly change their shape, and form numerous interconnections with neighboring FS cells in the presence of laminin, an extracellular matrix (ECM) component of the basement membrane. Morphological and functional changes in cells are believed to be partly modified by matricrine signaling, by which ECM components function as cellular signals. In the present study, we examined whether gap junction formation between FS cells is affected by matricrine cues. A cell sorter was used to isolate FS cells from male S100b-GFP rat anterior pituitary for primary culture. We observed that mRNA and protein levels of connexin 43 in gap junction channels were clearly higher in the presence of laminin. In addition, we confirmed the formation of gap junctions between FS cells in primary culture by electron microscopy. Interestingly, we also observed that FS cells in the presence of laminin displayed well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Our findings suggest that, in anterior pituitary gland, FS cells may facilitate functional roles such as gap junctional cell-to-cell communication by matricrine signaling.

Levels of α7 integrin and laminin-α2 are increased following prednisone treatment in the mdx mouse and GRMD dog models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ryan D. Wuebbles

2013-09-01

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD is a fatal neuromuscular disease for which there is no cure and limited treatment options. Prednisone is currently the first line treatment option for DMD and studies have demonstrated that it improves muscle strength. Although prednisone has been used for the treatment of DMD for decades, the mechanism of action of this drug remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that the α7β1 integrin is a major modifier of disease progression in mouse models of DMD and is therefore a target for drug-based therapies. In this study we examined whether prednisone increased α7β1 integrin levels in mdx mouse and GRMD dog models and myogenic cells from humans with DMD. Our results show that prednisone promotes an increase in α7 integrin protein in cultured myogenic cells and in the muscle of mdx and GRMD animal models of DMD. The prednisone-mediated increase in α7 integrin was associated with increased laminin-α2 in prednisone-treated dystrophin-deficient muscle. Together, our results suggest that prednisone acts in part through increased merosin in the muscle basal lamina and through sarcolemmal stabilization of α7β1 integrin in dystrophin-deficient muscle. These results indicate that therapies that target an increase in muscle α7β1 integrin, its signaling pathways and/or laminin could be therapeutic in DMD.

Rethinking Molecular Mimicry in Rheumatic Heart Disease andAutoimmune Myocarditis: Laminin, Collagen IV, CAR and B1AR as Initial Targets of Disease

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Robert eRoot-Bernstein

2014-08-01

Full Text Available Rationale: Molecular mimicry theory (MMT suggests that epitope mimicry between pathogens and human proteins can activate autoimmune disease. Group A streptococci (GAS mimics human cardiac myosin in rheumatic heart disease (RHD and coxsackie viruses (CX mimic actin in autoimmune myocarditis (AM. But myosin and actin are immunologically inaccessible and unlikely initial targets. Extracellular cardiac proteins that mimic GAS and CX would be more likely.Objectives: To determine whether extracellular cardiac proteins such as coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR, beta 1 adrenergic receptor (B1AR, CD55/DAF, laminin, and collagen IV mimic GAS, CX and/or cardiac myosin or actin. Methods: BLAST 2.0 and LALIGN searches of the UniProt protein database were employed to identify potential molecular mimics. Quantitative ELISA was used to measure antibody cross-reactivity. Measurements: Similarities were considered to be significant if a sequence contained at least 5 identical amino acids in 10. Antibodies were considered to be cross-reactive if the binding constant had a Kd less than 10-9 M. Main Results: GAS mimics laminin, CAR and myosin. CX mimics actin and collagen IV and B1AR. The similarity search results are mirrored by antibody cross-reactivities. Additionally, antibodies against laminin recognize antibodies against collagen IV; antibodies against actin recognize antibodies against myosin, and antibodies against GAS recognize antibodies against CX. Thus, there is both mimicry of extracellular proteins and antigenic complementarity between GAS-CX in RHD/AM.Conclusions: RHD/AM may be due to combined infections of GAS with CX localize at cardiomyocytes may produce a synergistic, hyperinflammatory response that cross-reacts with laminin, collagen IV, CAR and/or B1AR. Epitope drift shifts the immune response to myosin and actin after cardiomyocytes become damaged.

Growth Factor and Laminin Effect with Muscular Fiber Sheath on Repairing of the Sciatica Nerve

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

S Torabi

2014-01-01

Background & aim: Peripheral nerve injuries which can lead to a physical disability. If the defect is very low, direct suture without tension on both ends of the cut nerve regeneration is considered as a standard procedure. Otherwise, to reconstruct the axons, the gap must be filled by graft material in order to the guidance. Due to the similarity of the matrix tubular skeletal muscle and nerve muscles graft was used to repair in this study. Methods: In the present experimental study, 42 female Wistar rats were divided into three groups and underwent surgery. In the first group a narrow strip of muscle was prepared by freezing – thawing, and later sutured between the distal and proximal sciatic nerve. In the second group, the gap caused by muscle graft was regenerated and the nerve growth factor and laminin was injected into the graft. In the control group, the two ends of the cut nerve were hidden beneath the adjacent muscles. Next, a group of rats with sciatic functional index was investigated for the behavioral. On the other group were examined for histological studies after two months. Results: Sciatic functional index and Mean counts of myelinated fibers in two graft groups compared with the control group was significant p<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test. Conclusion: co-axially aligned muscle grafts were an appropriate alternative substitute for repairing. It seems that the nerve growth factor and laminin have a positive role in axonal regeneration and functional recovery acceleration. Key words: Sciatic Functional Index, muscle graft, NGF, Laminin

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Collagen IV and Laminin Expression in Spontaneous Melanoma Regression in the Melanoma-Bearing Libechov Minipig

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Planska, Daniela; Burocziova, Monika; Strnadel, Jan; Horak, Vratislav

2015-01-01

Spontaneous regression (SR) of human melanoma is a rare, well-documented phenomenon that is not still fully understood. Its detailed study cannot be performed in patients due to ethical reasons. Using the Melanoma-bearing Libechov Minipig (MeLiM) animals of various ages (from 3 weeks to 8 months) we implemented a long-term monitoring of melanoma growth and SR. We focused on immunohistochemical detection of two important extracellular matrix proteins, collagen IV and laminin, which are associated with cancer. We showed that SR of melanoma is a highly dynamic process. The expression of collagen IV and laminin correlated with changes in population of melanoma cells. Tumours of 3-week-old animals consisted primarily of melanoma cells with a granular expression of collagen IV and laminin around them. Thereafter, melanoma cells were gradually destroyed and tumour tissue was rebuilt into the connective tissue. Collagen IV expression slightly increased in tumours of 10-week-old pigs showing extracellular fibrous appearance. In tumours of older animals, areas lacking melanoma cells demonstrated a low expression and areas still containing melanoma cells a high expression of both proteins. We considered the age of 10 weeks as a turning point in the transition between tumour growth and SR of the MeLiM melanoma

A novel cell binding site in the coiled‐coil domain of laminin involved in capillary morphogenesis

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sanz, Laura; García-Bermejo, Laura; Blanco, Francisco J

2003-01-01

Recently, we reported the isolation and characterization of an anti‐laminin antibody that modulates the extracellular matrix‐dependent morphogenesis of endothelial cells. Here we use this antibody to precisely map the binding site responsible for mediating this biologically important interaction....

Recombinant human laminin isoforms can support the undifferentiated growth of human embryonic stem cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miyazaki, Takamichi; Futaki, Sugiko; Hasegawa, Kouichi; Kawasaki, Miwa; Sanzen, Noriko; Hayashi, Maria; Kawase, Eihachiro; Sekiguchi, Kiyotoshi; Nakatsuji, Norio; Suemori, Hirofumi

2008-01-01

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are thought to be a promising cell source for cell transplantation therapy. For such a clinical application, the hESCs should be manipulated using appropriate and qualified materials. In this study, we examined the efficacy of recombinant human laminin (rhLM) isoforms on the undifferentiated growth of hESCs. We first determined the major integrins expressed on the hESCs to reveal the preference of the hESCs for rhLMs, and found that the hESCs mainly expressed integrin α6β1, which binds predominantly to laminin-111, -332 and -511/-521. When the hESCs were seeded onto rhLMs, the cells indeed adhered markedly to rhLM-332, and to rhLM-511 and rhLM-111 to a lesser extent. The hESCs proliferated on these three rhLMs for several passages while preserving their pluripotency. These results show that rhLM-111, -332, and -511 are good substrates to expand undifferentiated hESCs due to their high affinity to integrin α6β1 expressed on hESCs

Punch grafting of chronic ulcers in patients with laminin-332-deficient, non-Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Yuen, Wing Yan; Huizinga, Janneke; Jonkman, Marcel F.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic, heterogeneous, trauma-induced blistering disease. Patients with laminin-332-deficient non-Herlitz junctional EB (JEB-nH) can have impaired wound healing witnessed by persistent, small, deep ulcers on the hands and feet that adversely affect the

Disruption of the 37-kDa/67-kDa laminin receptor gene in bovine ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

... gene encoding for the prion binding site in bovine fetal fibroblasts. The heterozygous BFF are ready to be used in producing homozygous cattle, which will be applied to study the interaction between prion and the 37-kDa/67-kDa LRP/LR. Key words: Prion, PrPC, PrPSc, 37-kDa/67-kDa laminin receptor, gene targeting.

Surface biomimetic modification with laminin-loaded heparin/poly-L-lysine nanoparticles for improving the biocompatibility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Tao, E-mail: 11140021@hyit.edu.cn [Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for Interventional Medical Devices, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai' an (China); Hu, Youdong [Department of Geriatrics, The Affiliated Huai' an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Huai' an (China); Tan, Jianying [Key Lab. of Advanced Technology for Materials of Chinese Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu (China); Liu, Shihui [Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for Interventional Medical Devices, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai' an (China); Chen, Junying [Key Lab. of Advanced Technology for Materials of Chinese Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu (China); Guo, Xin; Pan, Changjiang [Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for Interventional Medical Devices, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai' an (China); Li, Xia, E-mail: xial_li@qq.com [Department of Geriatrics, The Affiliated Huai' an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Huai' an (China)

2017-02-01

Late thrombus and restenosis caused by delayed endothelialization and insufficient biocompatibility of polymer coating continue to be the greatest limitations of drug-eluting stents. In this study, based on the specific structure of vascular basement membrane, a novel biomimetic nano-coating was constructed by incorporating laminin into electrostatic-assembled heparin/poly-L-lysine nanoparticles. Alteration of heparin and poly-L-lysine concentration ratio in a certain range has no significantly influence nanoparticle size, uniformity and stability, but may affect the chemical property and subsequently the binding efficiency to dopamine-coated titanium surface. By use of this feature, four different nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized on titanium surface for creating gradient nanoparticle binding density. According to in vitro biocompatibility evaluation, the nanoparticle modified surfaces were found to effectively block coagulation pathway and reduce thrombosis formation. Moreover, NP10L and NP15L modified surface with relatively low heparin exposing density (4.9 to 7.1 μg/cm2) showed beneficial effect in selective promoting EPCs and ECs proliferation, as well as stimulating cell migration and NO synthesis. - Highlights: • A novel laminin-loaded anticoagulant nanoparticle was prepared and used for titanium surface modification. • The nanoparticle binding density was adjustable by alteration the concentration ratio of heparin and poly-L-lysine. • In a certain range of NPs density, the surface was found to selectively direct platelet and vascular cells behavior.

Surface biomimetic modification with laminin-loaded heparin/poly-L-lysine nanoparticles for improving the biocompatibility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu, Tao; Hu, Youdong; Tan, Jianying; Liu, Shihui; Chen, Junying; Guo, Xin; Pan, Changjiang; Li, Xia

2017-01-01

Late thrombus and restenosis caused by delayed endothelialization and insufficient biocompatibility of polymer coating continue to be the greatest limitations of drug-eluting stents. In this study, based on the specific structure of vascular basement membrane, a novel biomimetic nano-coating was constructed by incorporating laminin into electrostatic-assembled heparin/poly-L-lysine nanoparticles. Alteration of heparin and poly-L-lysine concentration ratio in a certain range has no significantly influence nanoparticle size, uniformity and stability, but may affect the chemical property and subsequently the binding efficiency to dopamine-coated titanium surface. By use of this feature, four different nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized on titanium surface for creating gradient nanoparticle binding density. According to in vitro biocompatibility evaluation, the nanoparticle modified surfaces were found to effectively block coagulation pathway and reduce thrombosis formation. Moreover, NP10L and NP15L modified surface with relatively low heparin exposing density (4.9 to 7.1 μg/cm2) showed beneficial effect in selective promoting EPCs and ECs proliferation, as well as stimulating cell migration and NO synthesis. - Highlights: • A novel laminin-loaded anticoagulant nanoparticle was prepared and used for titanium surface modification. • The nanoparticle binding density was adjustable by alteration the concentration ratio of heparin and poly-L-lysine. • In a certain range of NPs density, the surface was found to selectively direct platelet and vascular cells behavior.

The cytochrome b p.278Y>C mutation causative of a multisystem disorder enhances superoxide production and alters supramolecular interactions of respiratory chain complexes

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ghelli, Anna; Tropeano, Concetta V; Calvaruso, Maria Antonietta

2013-01-01

, the examination of respiratory supercomplexes revealed that the amounts of CIII dimer and III2IV1 were reduced, whereas those of I1III2IVn slightly increased. We therefore suggest that the deleterious effects of p.278Y>C mutation on cytochrome b are palliated when CIII is assembled into the supercomplexes I1III2......IVn, in contrast to when it is found alone. These findings underline the importance of supramolecular interactions between complexes for maintaining a basal respiratory chain activity and shed light to the molecular basis of disease manifestations associated with this mutation.......Cytochrome b is the only mtDNA-encoded subunit of the mitochondrial complex III (CIII), the functional bottleneck of the respiratory chain. Previously, the human cytochrome b missense mutation m.15579A>G, which substitutes the Tyr 278 with Cys (p.278Y>C), was identified in a patient with severe...

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Y{sub 2}(Cu{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 5} obtained by SHS method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gebrel, Z., E-mail: z_gebrel@yahoo.com; Blanusa, J.; Kusigerski, V.; Spasojevic, V.; Mrakovic, A.; Perovic, M.; Alqat, A.

2014-01-05

Highlights: • Y{sub 2}(Cu{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 5} solid solutions were synthesized for the first time by SHS method. • Ferromagnetic interactions are weakened by the induced structure changes. • Metamagnetism of the Y{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 5} is preserved up to 15% of Mg concentration. • Significant influence of finite-size Cu–O chains is observed at low temperatures. -- Abstract: The single-phase polycrystalline samples of Y{sub 2}(Cu{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 5}, x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.15 were successfully synthesized by a modified self-propagating high temperature synthesis. Effects of Mg{sup +2} substitution for Cu{sup +2} in metamagnetic Y{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 5} on its crystal structure and magnetic properties have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements performed within 2–300 K range. Mg doping was found to introduce small distortions in the main intradimmer superexchange paths so that ferromagnetic correlations decrease with Mg concentration. More significant impact of Cu substitution was found on the low temperature magnetism due to the breaking of infinite Cu–O chains. The formation of finite size chains introduces low temperature paramagnetic contribution and reduction in Néel temperature. Overall results give a strong indication that the antiferromagnetic ordering as well as metamagnetism persists up to the 15% of the Mg concentration.

Altered expression of epithelial cell surface glycoconjugates and intermediate filaments at the margins of mucosal wounds

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Dabelsteen, Erik; Grøn, B.; Mandel, U.

1998-01-01

Alterations in cell to cell adhesion are necessary to enable the type of cell movements that are associated with epithelial wound healing and malignant invasion. Several studies of transformed cells have related epithelial cell movement to changes in the cell surface expression of the carbohydrate......-T antigen. The changes induced by wounding in the expression of collagen IV, laminin gamma2-chain (laminin-5), and laminin alpha5-chain were similar to those found in skin wounds and served to define the region of epithelial movement. This region was found to show a marked increase in staining for both...... epithelium, a pattern of expression similar to K16, which was also strongly upregulated in both the outgrowth and the adjacent nonwounded epithelium. These findings provide further support for an influence of such carbohydrate structures on the migratory behavior of epithelial cells....

Charge transfer and bond lengths in YBa2Cu3-xMxO6+y

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jorgensen, J.D.; Rhyne, J.J.; Neumann, D.A.; Miceli, P.F.; Tarascon, J.M.; Greene, L.H.; Barboux, P.

1989-01-01

We discuss the effects of doping on the Cu chain sites in YBa 2 Cu 3-x M x O 6+y . The relationship between bond lengths obtained from neutron scattering and charge transfer is evaluated in terms of bond valence. In particular, it is concluded that removing an oxygen from the chains transfers one electron to the planes. 24 refs., 3 figs

Magnetic tri-axial orientation in (Y1-xErx)2Ba4Cu7O15-y superconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Horii, S.; Okuhira, S.; Yamaki, M.; Haruta, M.; Maeda, T.; Shimoyama, J.

2011-01-01

(Y 1-x Er x ) 2 Ba 4 Cu 7 O 15-y [(Y,Er)247] was synthesized for clarifying a magnetic role of Er ion. The three magnetization axes of (Y,Er)247 were obtained from tri-axial orientation using a modulated rotation magnetic field. Magnetic anisotropy of Er ion is roughly ten times higher than that for Y247 at room temperature. Importance of rare-earth ions was shown for reduction of required magnetic fields in the tri-axial magnetic orientation. We report the tri-axial grain-orientation effects under a modulated rotation magnetic field for (Y 1-x Er x ) 2 Ba 4 Cu 7 O y [(Y, Er)247]. The magnetic easy axis at room temperature was drastically changed around x ∼ 0.1; however, the Er-doping levels for the conversion of magnetic easy axes from the c-axis to the ab-direction and from the a- to b-axes were quite different. Tri-axial single-ion magnetic anisotropy of Er 3+ was roughly 10 times greater than tri-axial magnetic anisotropy generated by both the superconducting CuO 2 plane and the blocking Cu-O chain layer. An appropriate choice of rare-earth (RE) ions in RE-based cuprate superconductors enables the reduction of the required magnetic field for the production of bulks and thick films based on the magnetic orientation technique.

Expression of periglandular tenascin-C and basement membrane laminin in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Xue, Y.; Li, J.; Latijnhouwers, M. A.; Smedts, F.; Umbas, R.; Aalders, T. W.; Debruyne, F. M.; de la Rosette, J. J.; Schalken, J. A.

1998-01-01

To evaluate the structural relationship of the distribution between tenascin (tenascin-C, an extra-cellular matrix glycoprotein involved in stromal-epithelial interactions in both normal and pathological conditions) and laminin, an important component of the basement membrane, in normal and

Structure analysis of mutually incommensurate composite crystal (Ca0.5Y0.5)0.8CuO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gotoh, Y.; Yamaguchi, I.; Takeya, S.; Fujihisa, H.; Honda, K.; Ito, T.; Oka, K.; Yamaguchi, H.

2006-01-01

Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of mutually incommensurate (Ca 0.5 Y 0.5 ) 0.8 CuO 2 , 'Ca 2 Y 2 Cu 5 O 1 ' has been performed by the composite approach which leads to average substructures and their relative arrangement. The composite crystal structure of (Ca 0.5 Y 0.5 ) 0.8 CuO 2 has the CuO 2 substructure and the Ca 0.5 Y 0.5 substructure. The CuO 2 substructure with a 1 = 10.598(2) A, b = 6.189(2) A, c 1 = 2.825(2) A, β 1 = 90.19(4) o , V 1 = 185.4(1) A 3 , Z = 4 and space group F2/m has the plane of edge-shared one-dimensional CuO 2 chains along the c-axis. The Ca 0.5 Y 0.5 substructure with a 2 = 10.629(2) A, b = 6.189(2) A, c 2 3.517(1) A, β 2 = 94.36(3) o , V 2 = 230.7(1) A 3 , Z = 4 and space group F2/m forms the sheet of (Ca, Y) atoms in the ac-plane. By considering (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace group symmetry, it is concluded that the incommensurate composite crystal structure of (Ca 0.5 Y 0.5 ) 0.8 CuO 2 should be described by the combination of F2/m for the CuO 2 substructure and F2/c for the Ca 0.5 Y 0.5 substructure. The composite approach has made clear that the plane of CuO 2 chains and the sheet of (Ca, Y) atoms stack alternately to form a mutually incommensurate composite crystal with layered substructures

The alpha3 laminin subunit, alpha6beta4 and alpha3beta1 integrin coordinately regulate wound healing in cultured epithelial cells and in the skin

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Goldfinger, L E; Hopkinson, S B; deHart, G W

1999-01-01

Previously, we demonstrated that proteolytic processing within the globular domain of the alpha3 subunit of laminin-5 (LN5) converts LN5 from a cell motility-inducing factor to a protein complex that can trigger the formation of hemidesmosomes, certain cell-matrix attachment sites found in epithe......-inhibiting antibodies, we provide evidence that LN5 and its two integrin receptors (alpha6beta4 and alpha3beta1) appear necessary for wound healing to occur in MCF-10A cell culture wounds. We propose a model for healing of wounded epithelial tissues based on these results....... in epithelial cells. We have prepared a monoclonal antibody (12C4) whose epitope is located toward the carboxy terminus of the globular domain of the alpha3 laminin subunit. This epitope is lost from the alpha3 subunit as a consequence of proteolytic processing. Antibody 12C4 stains throughout the matrix...... the wound site. A similar phenomenon is observed in human skin wounds, since we also detect expression of the unprocessed alpha3 laminin subunit at the leading tip of the sheet of epidermal cells that epithelializes skin wounds in vivo. In addition, using alpha3 laminin subunit and integrin function...

Direct observation of the edge spin structure and chain length dependence of a finite haldane chain by high field ESR measurements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoshida, Makoto; Ohta, Hitoshi; Ito, Toshimitsu; Ajiro, Yoshitami

2006-01-01

We have performed high field and multi-frequency ESR measurements of finite length S=1 antiferromagnetic chains in Y 2 BaNi 0.96 Mg 0.04 O 5 . Owing to the high spectral resolution by high fields and high frequencies, observed ESR signals can be separated into the contributions of the finite chains with various chain lengths. Our results clearly show that the edge spins actually interact with each other through the quantum spin chain and the interaction depends on the chain length N. (author)

EVALUATION OF METEOROLOGICAL ALERT CHAIN IN CASTILLA Y LEÓN (SPAIN): How can the meteorological risk managers help researchers?

Science.gov (United States)

López, Laura; Guerrero-Higueras, Ángel Manuel; Sánchez, José Luis; Matía, Pedro; Ortiz de Galisteo, José Pablo; Rodríguez, Vicente; Lorente, José Manuel; Merino, Andrés; Hermida, Lucía; García-Ortega, Eduardo; Fernández-Manso, Oscar

2013-04-01

Evaluating the meteorological alert chain, or, how information is transmitted from the meteorological forecasters to the final users, passing through risk managers, is a useful tool that benefits all the links of the chain, especially the meteorology researchers and forecasters. In fact, the risk managers can help significantly to improve meteorological forecasts in different ways. Firstly, by pointing out the most appropriate type of meteorological format, and its characteristics when representing the meteorological information, consequently improving the interpretation of the already-existing forecasts. Secondly, by pointing out the specific predictive needs in their workplaces related to the type of significant meteorological parameters, temporal or spatial range necessary, meteorological products "custom-made" for each type of risk manager, etc. In order to carry out an evaluation of the alert chain in Castilla y León, we opted for the creation of a Panel of Experts made up of personnel specialized in risk management (Responsible for Protection Civil, Responsible for Alert Services and Hydrological Planning of Hydrographical Confederations, Responsible for highway maintenance, and management of fires, fundamentally). In creating this panel, a total of twenty online questions were evaluated, and the majority of the questions were multiple choice or open-ended. Some of the results show how the risk managers think that it would be interesting, or very interesting, to carry out environmental educational campaigns about the meteorological risks in Castilla y León. Another result is the elevated importance that the risk managers provide to the observation data in real-time (real-time of wind, lightning, relative humidity, combined indices of risk of avalanches, snowslides, index of fires due to convective activity, etc.) Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the Junta de Castilla y León for its financial support through the project LE220A11-2.

Distorted chain sites for Co- and Fe-substituted YBa2Cu3O/sub 7-δ/

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bridges, F.; Boyce, J.B.; Claeson, T.; Geballe, T.H.; Tarascon, J.M.; Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, Palo Alto, California 94304; Physics Department, Chalmers University of Technology, S-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305; Bell Communications Research Laboratory, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701)

1989-01-01

We present x-ray-absorption fine-structure (XAFS) measurements for a series of Co- and Fe-substituted samples of YBa 2 Cu 3 O/sub 7-δ/(Y-Ba-Cu-O). Our analysis of the first- and second-neighbor environments indicates that the Co atoms primarily replace the Cu in the chain sites, the Cu(1) atoms, in Y-Ba-Cu-O, but many of these Co(1) sites and their neighboring oxygen sites are highly distorted. The first-neighbor Co-O peak consists of approximately 3.5 oxygen at 1.8 A and approximately 1.3 oxygen at 2.4 A, while the second-neighbor multipeak in the XAFS data is unexpectedly low in amplitude. Structure in this peak is inconsistent with a simple Gaussian broadening and indicates that several Co(1)-Ba distances exist. We propose an aggregation of the Co atoms into distorted, zigzag chains along the directions, with some of the Co displaced off center by approximately 0.4 A along a perpendicular direction. This model is consistent with the second-neighbor XAFS data, provides an explanation for the tetragonal structure via twinning on a microscopic scale, and accommodates excess oxygen within the Co chains. The Fe data suggest that similar chains also exist in the Fe-substituted samples. There are, however, some differences between the local environments of the Fe and Co. The primary difference is that a small but significant number of Fe atoms occupy the Cu(2) plane sites while no appreciable number of Co atoms are found on the Cu(2) sites in the more dilute samples. Finally, near-edge measurements on the Co and Fe K-absorption edges indicate that the valence is primarily +3, but a mixture of valences exists. For Co the edge position corresponds to a mixture of +2 and +3 valences, while Fe exists in a mixture of +2, +3, and +4 states

The relationship of serum and urinary laminin and glomerular filtration rate in diabetes mellitus

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Jianlin

2002-01-01

Objective: To observe the relationship of serum and urinary laminin and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in diabetes mellitus. Methods: The level of serum and urinary laminin was measured by radioimmunoassay, GFR acquired by 99m Tc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid ( 99m Tc-DTPA), renal dynamic imaging in 75 diabetes mellitus and 42 normal subjects. Results: (1) The level of serum LN (136.30 ± 11.20 ng/ml) and urinary LN (31.76 ± 5.77 ng/ml) in diabetic nephropathy was significantly higher than that in diabetes without nephrosis group (P<0.05) and control group (P<0.01), the level of serum LN (126.54 ± 6.98 ng/ml) and urinary LN (26.27 ± 3.81 ng/ml) in diabetes without nephrosis group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05); the GFR of diabetic nephropathy (78.84 ± 10.79 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in diabetes without nephrosis group (P<0.05) and control group (P<0.01); the level of serum (131.49 ± 10.74 ng/ml) and urinary LN (29.05 ± 5.60 ng/ml) in diabetes mellitus was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05), but GFR was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). (2) The value of GFR in diabetes mellitus lasted less than 1 year was higher than that of control group (P<0.05), but inverse in diabetes mellitus more than 10 years (P<0.05). (3) The level of serum and urinary LN had significantly negative correlation with GFR (P<0.01). Conclusion: LN may accelerates the alteration of GFR and causes microangiopathy of diabetic nephropathy. It may be an important indicator in the diagnosis of the early diabetic nephropathy

Y2K

OpenAIRE

Stephanie Schmitt-Grohe; Martin Uribe

1999-01-01

This paper studies, within a general equilibrium model, the dynamics of Y2K-type shocks: anticipated, permanent losses in output whose magnitude can be lessened by investing resources in advance. The implied dynamics replicate three observed characteristics of those triggered by the Y2K bug: (1) Precautionary investment: investment in solving the Y2K problem begins before the year 2000; (2) Investment delay: although economic agents have been aware of the Y2K problem since the 1960s, investme...

Laminin Peptide-Immobilized Hydrogels Modulate Valve Endothelial Cell Hemostatic Regulation.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Liezl Rae Balaoing

Full Text Available Valve endothelial cells (VEC have unique phenotypic responses relative to other types of vascular endothelial cells and have highly sensitive hemostatic functions affected by changes in valve tissues. Furthermore, effects of environmental factors on VEC hemostatic function has not been characterized. This work used a poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA hydrogel platform to evaluate the effects of substrate stiffness and cell adhesive ligands on VEC phenotype and expression of hemostatic genes. Hydrogels of molecular weights (MWs 3.4, 8, and 20 kDa were polymerized into platforms of different rigidities and thiol-modified cell adhesive peptides were covalently bound to acrylate groups on the hydrogel surfaces. The peptide RKRLQVQLSIRT (RKR is a syndecan-1 binding ligand derived from laminin, a trimeric protein and a basement membrane matrix component. Conversely, RGDS is an integrin binding peptide found in many extracellular matrix (ECM proteins including fibronectin, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor (VWF. VECs adhered to and formed a stable monolayer on all RKR-coated hydrogel-MW combinations. RGDS-coated platforms supported VEC adhesion and growth on RGDS-3.4 kDa and RGDS-8 kDa hydrogels. VECs cultured on the softer RKR-8 kDa and RKR-20 kDa hydrogel platforms had significantly higher gene expression for all anti-thrombotic (ADAMTS-13, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and tissue plasminogen activator and thrombotic (VWF, tissue factor, and P-selectin proteins than VECs cultured on RGDS-coated hydrogels and tissue culture polystyrene controls. Stimulated VECs promoted greater platelet adhesion than non-stimulated VECs on their respective culture condition; yet stimulated VECs on RGDS-3.4 kDa gels were not as responsive to stimulation relative to the RKR-gel groups. Thus, the syndecan binding, laminin-derived peptide promoted stable VEC adhesion on the softer hydrogels and maintained VEC phenotype and natural hemostatic function. In

Three-layer microfibrous peripheral nerve guide conduit composed of elastin-laminin mimetic artificial protein and poly(L-lactic acid

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sachiro eKakinoki

2014-07-01

Full Text Available We developed a microfibrous poly(L-lactic acid (PLLA nerve conduit with a three-layered structure to simultaneously enhance nerve regeneration and prevent adhesion of surrounding tissue. The inner layer was composed of PLLA microfiber containing 25% elastin-laminin mimetic protein (AG73-(VPGIG30 that promotes neurite outgrowth. The thickest middle layer was constructed of pure PLLA microfibers that impart the large mechanical stremgth to the conduit. A 10% poly(ethylene glycol was added to the outer layer to prevent the adhesion with the surrounding tissue. The AG73-(VPGIG30 composisting of an elastin-like repetitive sequence (VPGIG30 and a laminin-derived sequence (RKRLQVQLSIRT: AG73 was biosynthesized using Escherichia coli. The PLLA microfibrous conduits were fabricated using an electrospinning procedure. AG73-(VPGIG30 was successfully mixed in the PLLA microfibers, and the PLLA/AG73-(VPGIG30 microfibers were stable under physiological conditions. The PLLA/AG73-(VPGIG30 microfibers enhanced adhesion and neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. The electrospun microfibrous conduit with a three-layered structure was implanted for bridging a 2.0-cm gap in the tibial nerve of a rabbit. Two months after implantation, no adhesion of surrounding tissue was observed, and the action potential was slightly improved in the nerve conduit with the PLLA/AG73-(VPGIG30 inner layer.

Three-layer microfibrous peripheral nerve guide conduit composed of elastin-laminin mimetic artificial protein and poly(L-lactic acid)

Science.gov (United States)

Kakinoki, Sachiro; Nakayama, Midori; Moritan, Toshiyuki; Yamaoka, Tetsuji

2014-07-01

We developed a microfibrous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nerve conduit with a three-layered structure to simultaneously enhance nerve regeneration and prevent adhesion of surrounding tissue. The inner layer was composed of PLLA microfiber containing 25% elastin-laminin mimetic protein (AG73-(VPGIG)30) that promotes neurite outgrowth. The thickest middle layer was constructed of pure PLLA microfibers that impart the large mechanical stremgth to the conduit. A 10% poly(ethylene glycol) was added to the outer layer to prevent the adhesion with the surrounding tissue. The AG73-(VPGIG)30 composisting of an elastin-like repetitive sequence (VPGIG)30 and a laminin-derived sequence (RKRLQVQLSIRT: AG73) was biosynthesized using Escherichia coli. The PLLA microfibrous conduits were fabricated using an electrospinning procedure. AG73-(VPGIG)30 was successfully mixed in the PLLA microfibers, and the PLLA/AG73-(VPGIG)30 microfibers were stable under physiological conditions. The PLLA/AG73-(VPGIG)30 microfibers enhanced adhesion and neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. The electrospun microfibrous conduit with a three-layered structure was implanted for bridging a 2.0-cm gap in the tibial nerve of a rabbit. Two months after implantation, no adhesion of surrounding tissue was observed, and the action potential was slightly improved in the nerve conduit with the PLLA/AG73-(VPGIG)30 inner layer.

Dietary intake and adipose tissue content of long-chain n-3 PUFAs and subsequent 5-y change in body weight and waist circumference.

Science.gov (United States)

Jakobsen, Marianne U; Madsen, Lise; Skjøth, Flemming; Berentzen, Tina L; Halkjær, Jytte; Tjønneland, Anne; Schmidt, Erik B; Sørensen, Thorkild Ia; Kristiansen, Karsten; Overvad, Kim

2017-05-01

Background: Adding long-chain n-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to a rodent diet reduces fat mass and prevents the development of obesity, but evidence of a similar effect in humans is rather limited. Objectives: We investigated the associations between dietary intake and adipose tissue content of long-chain n-3 PUFAs and subsequent 5-y change in body weight and waist circumference in humans. Effect modification by the carbohydrate:protein ratio and glycemic index was also investigated. Design: A total of 29,152 participants included in the Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort were followed. Dietary intake was assessed with the use of a validated 192-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Adipose tissue content of fatty acids was determined by gas chromatography in a random sample of the cohort ( n = 1660). Anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and 5 y later. Associations were investigated with the use of a linear regression model. Results: For high (1.22 g/d) compared with low (0.28 g/d) total n-3 PUFA intake, the difference in 5-y weight change was 147.6 g (95% CI: -42.3, 337.5 g); P -trend = 0.088. No associations between the individual n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were observed. Intake of n-3 PUFAs was not associated with a 5-y change in waist circumference. For high (0.16%) compared with low (0.06%) adipose tissue content of EPA, the difference in 5-y weight change was -649.6 g (95% CI: -1254.2, -44.9 g); P -trend = 0.027. No associations between total n-3 PUFA, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid and 5-y weight change were observed. Adipose tissue content of n-3 PUFAs was not associated with 5-y change in waist circumference. No effect modification by carbohydrate:protein ratio or glycemic index was found. Conclusion: Dietary intake and adipose tissue content of long-chain n-3 PUFAs were neither consistently nor appreciably associated with change in body weight

Y2K

OpenAIRE

Schmitt-Grohe, Stephanie; Uribe, Martin

1998-01-01

As the millennium draws to an end, the threat posed by the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem is inducing vast private and public spending on its remediation. In this paper, we model the Y2K problem as an anticipated, permanent loss in output whose magnitude can be lessened by investing resources in advance. We embed the Y2K problem into a dynamic general equilibrium framework and show that our model replicates three observed characteristics of the dynamics triggered by the Y2K bug: (1) Precautionary in...

Y1-XPRXBA2CU3O7 - CHARGE REDISTRIBUTION BETWEEN PLANES AND CHAINS

NARCIS (Netherlands)

KHOMSKII, D

A qualitative discussion is given of the electronic structure and properties of the system Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7 in which there is a transition from a high-T(c) superconductor to a magnetic insulator. To reconcile the apparently contradicting experimental data, it is suggested that the progressive hole

Structure and charge transfer correlated with oxygen content for a Y0.8Ca0.2Ba2Cu3Oy (y = 6.84 6.32) system: a positron study

Science.gov (United States)

Cao, Shixun; Li, Lingwei; Liu, Fen; Li, Wenfeng; Chi, Changyun; Jing, Chao; Zhang, Jincang

2005-05-01

The structure and charge transfer correlated with oxygen content are studied by measuring the positron lifetime parameters of the Y0.8Ca0.2Ba2Cu3Oy system with a large range of oxygen content (y = 6.84-6.32). The local electron density ne is evaluated from the positron lifetime data. The positron lifetime parameters show a clear change around y = 6.50 where the compounds undergo the orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition. The effect of ne and oxygen content on the structure, charge transfer and superconductivity are discussed. With the decrease of oxygen content y, O(4) tends to the Cu(1) site, causing carrier localization, and accordingly, the decrease of ne. This would prove that the localized carriers (electrons and holes) in the Cu-O chain region have great influence on the superconductivity by affecting the charge transfer between the reservoir layers and the conducting layers. The positron annihilation mechanism and its relation with superconductivity are also discussed.

On the simultaneous Pell equations x 2 - (4m 2 - 1)y 2 = y 2 - pz 2 ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Let m be a positive integer, and let p be an odd prime. By using certain properties of Pell and quartic diophantine equations with some elementary number theory methods, we prove that the system of equations x2 - (4m2 - 1)y2 = 1 and y2 - pz2 = 1 has positive integer solutions (x, y, z) if and only if p ≡ 7(mod 8) and m = 1/4 ...

Laminin promotes vascular network formation in 3D in vitro collagen scaffolds by regulating VEGF uptake.

Science.gov (United States)

Stamati, Katerina; Priestley, John V; Mudera, Vivek; Cheema, Umber

2014-09-10

Angiogenesis is an essential neovascularisation process, which if recapitulated in 3D in vitro, will provide better understanding of endothelial cell (EC) behaviour. Various cell types and growth factors are involved, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 key components. We were able to control the aggregation pattern of ECs in 3D collagen hydrogels, by varying the matrix composition and/or having a source of cells signalling angiogenic proteins. These aggregation patterns reflect the different developmental pathways that ECs take to form different sized tubular structures. Cultures with added laminin and thus increased expression of α6 integrin showed a significant increase (p3D. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased mRNA expression of a laminin-binding protein in human colon carcinoma: Complete sequence of a full-length cDNA encoding the protein

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yow, Hsiukang; Wong, Jau Min; Chen, Hai Shiene; Lee, C.; Steele, G.D. Jr.; Chen, Lanbo

1988-01-01

Reliable markers to distinguish human colon carcinoma from normal colonic epithelium are needed particularly for poorly differentiated tumors where no useful marker is currently available. To search for markers the authors constructed cDNA libraries from human colon carcinoma cell lines and screened for clones that hybridize to a greater degree with mRNAs of colon carcinomas than with their normal counterparts. Here they report one such cDNA clone that hybridizes with a 1.2-kilobase (kb) mRNA, the level of which is ∼9-fold greater in colon carcinoma than in adjacent normal colonic epithelium. Blot hybridization of total RNA from a variety of human colon carcinoma cell lines shows that the level of this 1.2-kb mRNA in poorly differentiated colon carcinomas is as high as or higher than that in well-differentiated carcinomas. Molecular cloning and complete sequencing of cDNA corresponding to the full-length open reading frame of this 1.2-kb mRNA unexpectedly show it to contain all the partial cDNA sequence encoding 135 amino acid residues previously reported for a human laminin receptor. The deduced amino acid sequence suggests that this putative laminin-binding protein from human colon carcinomas consists of 295 amino acid residues with interesting features. There is an unusual C-terminal 70-amino acid segment, which is trypsin-resistant and highly negatively charged

Graded algebras of the second rank and integration of nonlinear equations Ysub(z)sub(z) = exp(2Y) - exp(-2Y), Ysub(z)sub(z) = 2 exp(Y) - exp(-2Y)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leznov, A.N.; Smirnov, V.G.

1981-01-01

In the terms of the notions of the theory of infinite-dimensional algebras of finite growth of the second rank, we have derived solutions to the equations Ysub(z)sub(z) = exp(2Y) - exp(-2Y); Ysub(z)sub(z) = 2 exp(Y) - exp(-2Y) dependent on two arbitrary functions. (orig.)

Downregulation of the non-integrin laminin receptor reduces cellular viability by inducing apoptosis in lung and cervical cancer cells.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kiashanee Moodley

Full Text Available The non-integrin laminin receptor, here designated the 37-kDa/67-kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR, is involved in many physiologically relevant processes, as well as numerous pathological conditions. The overexpression of LRP/LR on various cancerous cell lines plays critical roles in tumour metastasis and angiogenesis. This study investigated whether LRP/LR is implicated in the maintenance of cellular viability in lung and cervical cancer cell lines. Here we show a significant reduction in cellular viability in the aforementioned cell lines as a result of the siRNA-mediated downregulation of LRP. This reduction in cellular viability is due to increased apoptotic processes, reflected by the loss of nuclear integrity and the significant increase in the activity of caspase-3. These results indicate that LRP/LR is involved in the maintenance of cellular viability in tumorigenic lung and cervix uteri cells through the blockage of apoptosis. Knockdown of LRP/LR by siRNA might represent an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of lung and cervical cancer.

Clinical significance of serum laminin in the patients with diabetic nephropathy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang Lu; Qian Caifeng; Lu Aibin

2002-01-01

The concentration of serum LN is determined by radioimmunoassay in 78 diabetic patients and 30 normal subjects as control. The mean concentration of LN in total 78 diabetic patients [(132.54 +- 31.05) μg/L] is higher than that of control [(97.63 +- 19.31) μg/L, P<0.01], especially in group B [(134.25 +- 29.12)μg/L] and group C [(158.51 +- 37.82)μg/L] are remarkably higher as comparable with control (P<0.01). There is significantly positive correlation between serum LN and diabetic duration, UAE, FBG. The results show that abnormal laminin metabolism exists in diabetic patients. The increased serum LN level in diabetic patients related to the severity of diabetic renal lesion and could be an early and sensitive marker of DN

The laminin beta 1-competing peptide YIGSR induces a hypercontractile, hypoproliferative airway smooth muscle phenotype in an animal model of allergic asthma

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Dekkers, Bart G. J.; Bos, I. Sophie T.; Halayko, Andrew J.; Zaagsma, Johan; Meurs, Herman

2010-01-01

Background: Fibroproliferative airway remodelling, including increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass and contractility, contributes to airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. In vitro studies have shown that maturation of ASM cells to a (hyper)contractile phenotype is dependent on laminin, which can

Stimulated polarization wave process in spin 3/2 chains

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Furman, G. B.

2007-01-01

Stimulated wave of polarization, triggered by a flip of a single spin, presents a simple model of quantum amplification. Recently, it has been demonstrated that, in an idealized one-dimensional Ising spin 1/2 chain with nearest-neighbor interactions and realistic spin 1/2 chain including the natural dipole-dipole interactions, irradiated by a weak resonant transverse field, a wave of flipped spins can be triggered by a single spin flip. Here we focuse on control of polarization wave in chain of spin 3/2, where the nuclear quadrupole interaction is dominant. Results of simulations for 1D spin chains and rings with up to five spins are presented.

Purine receptor P2Y_6 mediates cellular response to γ-ray-induced DNA damage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ide, Shunta; Nishimaki, Naoko; Tsukimoto, Mitsutoshi; Kojima, Shuji

2014-01-01

We previously showed that nucleotide P2 receptor agonists such as ATP and UTP amplify γ-ray-induced focus formation of phosphorylated histone H2A variant H2AX (γH2AX), which is considered to be an indicator of DNA damage so far, by activating purine P2Y_6 and P2Y_1_2 receptors. Therefore, we hypothesized that these P2 receptors play a role in inducing the repair response to γ-ray-induced DNA damage. In the present study, we tested this idea by using human lung cancer A549 cells. First, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that P2Y_6 receptor is highly expressed in A549 cells, but P2Y_1_2 receptor is only weakly expressed. Next, colony formation assay revealed that P2Y_6 receptor antagonist MRS2578 markedly reduced the survival rate of γ-ray-exposed A549 cells. The survival rate was also significantly reduced in P2Y_6-knock-down cells, compared with scramble siRNA-transfected cells. Since it has reported that phosphorylation of ERK1/2 after activation of EGFR via P2Y_6 and P2Y_1_2 receptors is involved in the repair response to γ-ray-induced DNA damage, we next examined whether γ-ray-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was also inhibited by MRS2578 in A549 cells. We found that it was. Taken together, these findings indicate that purinergic signaling through P2Y_6 receptor, followed by ERK1/2 activation, promotes the cellular repair response to γ-ray-induced DNA damage. (author)

Oxygen partial pressure modulates 67-kDa laminin receptor expression, leading to altered activity of the green tea polyphenol, EGCG.

Science.gov (United States)

Tsukamoto, Shuntaro; Yamashita, Shuya; Kim, Yoon Hee; Kumazoe, Motofumi; Huang, Yuhui; Yamada, Koji; Tachibana, Hirofumi

2012-09-21

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) exhibits anti-tumor activity mediated via the 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR). In this study, we found that 67LR protein levels are reduced by exposure to low O(2) levels (5%), without affecting the expression of HIF-1α. We also found that EGCG-induced anti-cancer activity is abrogated under low O(2) levels (5%) in various cancer cells. Notably, treatment with the proteasome inhibitor, prevented down-regulation of 67LR and restored sensitivity to EGCG under 5% O(2). In summary, 67LR expression is highly sensitive to O(2) partial pressure, and the activity of EGCG can be regulated in cancer cells by O(2) partial pressure. Copyright © 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analytic evidence of the equivalence of the alternating Heisenberg spin chain to the mixed spin (1, 1/2) Heisenberg chain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jiang Jianjun; Liu Yongjun; Tang Fei; Yang Cuihong

2011-01-01

We investigated the properties of the spin-1/2 ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic alternating Heisenberg chain using the spin-wave theory. The spin-wave excitation spectra, the sublattice magnetizations and the local bond energies of the model are calculated to be compared with the corresponding properties of the mixed spin (1, 1/2) chain for a range of α. The results demonstrate that all the properties show similar behaviours in the small α limit, so the properties of the mixed spin (1, 1/2) chain can be described using the spin-1/2 ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic alternating Heisenberg chain. -- Research Highlights: →The spin-wave excitation spectra, the sublattice magnetizations and the local bond energies of the spin-1/2 ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic alternating Heisenberg chain are calculated. →In the small α limit, the properties of the mixed spin (1,1/2) chain can be described using the spin-1/2 ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic alternating Heisenberg chain. →The spin-1/2 ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic alternating Heisenberg chain may be of interest for some real quasi-one-dimensional molecular magnetic materials.

Supply chain risk management: outlining an agenda for future research.

OpenAIRE

Jüttner, Uta; Peck, Helen; Christopher, Martin

2003-01-01

In recent years the issue of supply chain risk has been pushed to the fore, initially by fears related to possible disruptions from the much publicised ‘millennium bug’. Y2K passed seemingly without incident, though the widespread disruptions caused by fuel protests and then Foot and Mouth Disease in the UK, and by terrorist attacks on the USA have underlined the vulnerability of modern supply chains. Despite increasing awareness among practitioners, the concepts of supply chain vulnerabi...

Tissue-engineered cartilaginous constructs for the treatment of caprine cartilage defects, including distribution of laminin and type IV collagen.

Science.gov (United States)

Jeng, Lily; Hsu, Hu-Ping; Spector, Myron

2013-10-01

The purpose of this study was the immunohistochemical evaluation of (1) cartilage tissue-engineered constructs; and (2) the tissue filling cartilage defects in a goat model into which the constructs were implanted, particularly for the presence of the basement membrane molecules, laminin and type IV collagen. Basement membrane molecules are localized to the pericellular matrix in normal adult articular cartilage, but have not been examined in tissue-engineered constructs cultured in vitro or in tissue filling cartilage defects into which the constructs were implanted. Cartilaginous constructs were engineered in vitro using caprine chondrocyte-seeded type II collagen scaffolds. Autologous constructs were implanted into 4-mm-diameter defects created to the tidemark in the trochlear groove in the knee joints of skeletally mature goats. Eight weeks after implantation, the animals were sacrificed. Constructs underwent immunohistochemical and histomorphometric evaluation. Widespread staining for the two basement membrane molecules was observed throughout the extracellular matrix of in vitro and in vivo samples in a distribution unlike that previously reported for cartilage. At sacrifice, 70% of the defect site was filled with reparative tissue, which consisted largely of fibrous tissue and some fibrocartilage, with over 70% of the reparative tissue bonded to the adjacent host tissue. A novel finding of this study was the observation of laminin and type IV collagen in in vitro engineered cartilaginous constructs and in vivo cartilage repair samples from defects into which the constructs were implanted, as well as in normal caprine articular cartilage. Future work is needed to elucidate the role of basement membrane molecules during cartilage repair and regeneration.

Functional and molecular evidence for heteromeric association of P2Y1 receptor with P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors in mouse granulocytes.

Science.gov (United States)

Ribeiro-Filho, Antonio Carlos; Buri, Marcus Vinicius; Barros, Carlos Castilho; Dreyfuss, Juliana Luporini; Nader, Helena Bonciani; Justo, Giselle Zenker; Craveiro, Rogério Bastos; Pesquero, João Bosco; Miranda, Antonio; Ferreira, Alice Teixeira; Paredes-Gamero, Edgar Julian

2016-07-07

All hematopoietic cells express P2 receptors, however pharmacological characteristics such as expression and affinity in granulocytes are unknown. Pharmacological characteristics of P2 receptors were evaluated by Ca(2+) measurements using Fura-2 fluorophore. P2 receptors expression were analyzed by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. P2 interaction were shown by coimmunoprecipitation, western blotting and FRET. Granulocytes were responsive to P2Y agonists, whereas P2X agonists were ineffective. Ca(2+) increase, elicited by ADP and UTP was dependent on intracellular stocks and sensitive to G-coupled receptor inhibition. Moreover, MRS2179, a specific antagonist of the P2Y1 receptor, abolished ADP response. Interestingly, ADP and UTP exhibited full heterologous desensitization, suggesting that these agonists interact with the same receptor. The heteromeric association between P2Y1 receptor and the P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors was shown by immunoprecipitation and FRET analysis. Clear evidence of heteromeric association of P2Y receptors was found during the evaluation of P2 receptors present in mice granulocytes, which could impact in the classical pharmacology of P2Y receptors in granulocytes.

The integrable quantum group invariant A2n-1(2) and Dn+1(2) open spin chains

Science.gov (United States)

Nepomechie, Rafael I.; Pimenta, Rodrigo A.; Retore, Ana L.

2017-11-01

A family of A2n(2) integrable open spin chains with Uq (Cn) symmetry was recently identified in arxiv:arXiv:1702.01482. We identify here in a similar way a family of A2n-1(2) integrable open spin chains with Uq (Dn) symmetry, and two families of Dn+1(2) integrable open spin chains with Uq (Bn) symmetry. We discuss the consequences of these symmetries for the degeneracies and multiplicities of the spectrum. We propose Bethe ansatz solutions for two of these models, whose completeness we check numerically for small values of n and chain length N. We find formulas for the Dynkin labels in terms of the numbers of Bethe roots of each type, which are useful for determining the corresponding degeneracies. In an appendix, we briefly consider Dn+1(2) chains with other integrable boundary conditions, which do not have quantum group symmetry.

The integrable quantum group invariant A2n−1(2 and Dn+1(2 open spin chains

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rafael I. Nepomechie

2017-11-01

Full Text Available A family of A2n(2 integrable open spin chains with Uq(Cn symmetry was recently identified in arXiv:1702.01482. We identify here in a similar way a family of A2n−1(2 integrable open spin chains with Uq(Dn symmetry, and two families of Dn+1(2 integrable open spin chains with Uq(Bn symmetry. We discuss the consequences of these symmetries for the degeneracies and multiplicities of the spectrum. We propose Bethe ansatz solutions for two of these models, whose completeness we check numerically for small values of n and chain length N. We find formulas for the Dynkin labels in terms of the numbers of Bethe roots of each type, which are useful for determining the corresponding degeneracies. In an appendix, we briefly consider Dn+1(2 chains with other integrable boundary conditions, which do not have quantum group symmetry.

Recapitulation of Extracellular LAMININ Environment Maintains Stemness of Satellite Cells In Vitro.

Science.gov (United States)

Ishii, Kana; Sakurai, Hidetoshi; Suzuki, Nobuharu; Mabuchi, Yo; Sekiya, Ichiro; Sekiguchi, Kiyotoshi; Akazawa, Chihiro

2018-02-13

Satellite cells function as precursor cells in mature skeletal muscle homeostasis and regeneration. In healthy tissue, these cells are maintained in a state of quiescence by a microenvironment formed by myofibers and basement membrane in which LAMININs (LMs) form a major component. In the present study, we evaluated the satellite cell microenvironment in vivo and found that these cells are encapsulated by LMα2-5. We sought to recapitulate this satellite cell niche in vitro by culturing satellite cells in the presence of recombinant LM-E8 fragments. We show that treatment with LM-E8 promotes proliferation of satellite cells in an undifferentiated state, through reduced phosphorylation of JNK and p38. On transplantation into injured muscle tissue, satellite cells cultured with LM-E8 promoted the regeneration of skeletal muscle. These findings represent an efficient method of culturing satellite cells for use in transplantation through the recapitulation of the satellite cell niche using recombinant LM-E8 fragments. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neutron scattering studies of nuclear and magnetic structures of YBa2(Cu1-yZny)3O6+x

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Villeneuve, R.; Mirebeau, I.; Collin, G.; Bouree, F.

1994-01-01

Structural effects of zinc substitution in YBCO have been studied by neutron diffraction in order to determine the substitution site of zinc atoms. Electron neutron diffraction experiments are performed on YBa 2 (Cu 1-y Zn y ) 3 O 6+x powders. Nuclear structures have been refined using the Rietveld method on powders of compositions x=1 and y ranging from 0.01 to 0.06. The results suggest a solubility limit of zinc in the copper planes at y ≅ 0.04 and zinc may start to substitute for chain copper sites for higher y values. Magnetic structure of a y=0.02 and x=0.05 powder has been studied by neutron elastic diffraction. The antiferromagnetic structure is not affected by non-magnetic zinc atoms but the ordering temperature is strongly reduced. 2 figs., 11 refs

Quantum phases of AB2 fermionic chains

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Murcia-Correa, L S; Franco, R; Silva-Valencia, J

2016-01-01

A fermionic chain is a one-dimensional system with fermions that interact locally and can jump between sites in the lattice, in particular an AB n chain type, where A and B are sites that exhibit a difference in energy level of Δ and site B is repeated n-times, such that the unit cell has n +1 sites. A limit case of this model, called the ionic Hubbard model (n = 1), has been widely studied due to its interesting physics and applications. In this paper, we study the ground state of an AB 2 chain, which describes the material R 4 [Pt 2 (P 2 O 5 H 2 ) 4 X] · nH 2 O. Specifically, we consider a filling with two electrons per unit cell, and using the density matrix renormalization group method we found that the system exhibits the band insulator and Mott correlated insulator phases, as well as an intermediate phase between them. For couplings of Δ = 2,10 and 20, we estimate the critical points that separate these phases through the structure factor and the energy gap in the sector of charge and spin, finding that the position of the critical point rises as a function of Δ. (paper)

Dietary intake and adipose tissue content of long-chain n-3 PUFAs and subsequent 5-y change in body weight and waist circumference

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jakobsen, Marianne U.; Madsen, Lise; Skjøth, Flemming

2017-01-01

Background: Adding long-chain n-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to a rodent diet reduces fat mass and prevents the development of obesity, but evidence of a similar effect in humans is rather limited.Objectives: We investigated the associations between dietary intake and adipose tissue....... Dietary intake was assessed with the use of a validated 192-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Adipose tissue content of fatty acids was determined by gas chromatography in a random sample of the cohort (n = 1660). Anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and 5 y later...... acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were observed. Intake of n-3 PUFAs was not associated with a 5-y change in waist circumference. For high (0.16%) compared with low (0.06%) adipose tissue content of EPA, the difference in 5-y weight change was -649.6 g (95% CI: -1254.2, -44.9 g); P...

The XXX spin s quantum chain and the alternating s1, s2 chain with boundaries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Doikou, Anastasia

2002-01-01

The integrable XXX spin s quantum chain and the alternating s 1 , s 2 (s 1 -s 2 =1/2) chain with boundaries are considered. The scattering of their excitations with the boundaries via the Bethe ansatz method is studied, and the exact boundary S matrices are computed in the limit s,s 1,2 →∞. Moreover, the connection of these models with the SU(2) Principal Chiral, WZW and the RSOS models is discussed

Real-time tracking of dissociation of hyperpolarized 89Y-DTPA: a model for degradation of open-chain Gd3+ MRI contrast agents

Science.gov (United States)

Ferguson, Sarah; Niedbalski, Peter; Parish, Christopher; Kiswandhi, Andhika; Kovacs, Zoltan; Lumata, Lloyd

Gadolinium (Gd) complexes are widely used relaxation-based clinical contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Gd-based MRI contrast agents with open-chain ligand such as Gd-DTPA, commercially known as magnevist, are less stable compared to Gd complexes with macrocyclic ligands such as GdDOTA (Dotarem). The dissociation of Gd-DPTA into Gd ion and DTPA ligand under certain biological conditions such as high zinc levels can potentially cause kidney damage. Since Gd is paramagnetic, direct NMR detection of the Gd-DTPA dissociation is quite challenging due to ultra-short relaxation times. In this work, we have investigated Y-DTPA as a model for Gd-DPTA dissociation under high zinc content solutions. Using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), the 89Y NMR signal is amplified by several thousand-fold. Due to the the relatively long T1 relaxation time of 89Y which translates to hyperpolarization lifetime of several minutes, the dissociation of Y-DTPA can be tracked in real-time by hyperpolarized 89Y NMR spectroscopy. Dissociation kinetic rates and implications on the degradation of open-chain Gd3+ MRI contrast agents will be discussed. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Defense Award Number W81XWH-14-1-0048 and by the Robert A. Welch Foundation research Grant Number AT-1877.

Deletion of GOLGA2P3Y but not GOLGA2P2Y is a risk factor for oligozoospermia.

Science.gov (United States)

Sen, Sanjukta; Agarwal, Rupesh; Ambulkar, Prafulla; Hinduja, Indira; Zaveri, Kusum; Gokral, Jyotsna; Pal, Asoke; Modi, Deepak

2016-02-01

The AZFc locus on the human Y chromosome harbours several multicopy genes, some of which are required for spermatogenesis. It is believed that deletion of one or more copies of these genes is a cause of infertility in some men. GOLGA2LY is one of the genes in the AZFc locus and it exists in two copies, GOLGA2P2Y and GOLGA2P3Y. The involvement of GOLGA2LY gene copy deletions in male infertility, however, is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association of deletions of GOLGA2P2Y and GOLGA2P3Y gene copies with male infertility and with sperm concentration and motility. The frequency of GOLGA2P3Y deletion was significantly higher in oligozoospermic men compared with normozoospermic men (7.7% versus 1.2%; P = 0.0001), whereas the frequency of GOLGA2P2Y deletion was comparable between oligozoospermic and normozoospermic men (10.3% versus 11.3%). The deletion of GOLGA2P3Y but not GOLGA2P2Y was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in men with gr/gr rearrangements, indicating that GOLGA2P3Y deletions increase the susceptibility of men with gr/gr rearrangements to oligozoospermia. Furthermore, men with GOLGA2P3Y deletion had reduced sperm concentration and motility compared with men without deletion or with deletion of GOLGA2P2Y. These findings indicate GOLGA2P3Y gene copy may be candidate AZFc gene for male infertility. Copyright © 2015 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Y2K UPDATE

CERN Multimedia

Sverre JARP

1999-01-01

Concerning Y2K preparation, please note the following:Everybody, who has a NICE installation on his/her PC, needs to log in to NICE at least once before Xmas to get the Y2K update installed. This applies especially to dual boot systems.The test schedule on Y2Kplus.cern.ch will be prolonged. The last restart took place on 10 November and two more will take place on 24 November and 8 December, respectively. The Oracle users responsible for the maintenance of Oracle Forms applications which include PL/SQL blocks where date fields are handled with the default format are requested to contact oracle.support@cern.ch at their earliest convenience.Sverre Jarp (CERN Y2K co-ordinator, phone: 74944)

Regulation of rat hepatocyte function by P2Y receptors: focus on control of glycogen phosphorylase and cyclic AMP by 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-diphosphate.

Science.gov (United States)

Dixon, C Jane; Hall, John F; Webb, Tania E; Boarder, Michael R

2004-10-01

Hepatocyte function is regulated by several P2Y receptor subtypes. Here we report that 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-diphosphate (2-MeSADP), an agonist at P2Y(1), P2Y(12), and P2Y(13) receptors, potently (threshold 30 nM) stimulates glycogen phosphorylase in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Antagonism by N(6)-methyl 2'-deoxyadenosine 3',5'-bisphosphate (MRS 2179) confirms that this response is mediated by P2Y(1) receptors. In addition, in these cells, both 2-MeSADP and UTP inhibited glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. This inhibitory effect of 2-MeSADP was not reversed by the P2Y(1) antagonists, adenosine-3'-phosphate-5'-phosphate (A3P5P) or MRS 2179, both in the range 1 to 300 microM, indicating that it was not mediated by P2Y(1) receptors. This contrasts with the increase in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) induced by 2-MeSADP, which has shown to be inhibited by A3P5P. Pertussis toxin abolished the inhibitory effect of both UTP and 2-MeSADP. After culture of cells for 48 h, the ability of 2-MeSADP to inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation was greatly diminished. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that during this culture period, there was a decline in the ability to detect transcripts for P2Y(12) and P2Y(13) receptors, both of which are activated by 2-MeSADP and negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase. However, in freshly isolated cells, the P2Y(12) and P2Y(13) receptor antagonist, 2-propylthio-beta,gamma-dichloromethylene-d-ATP (AR-C67085) (10 nM to 300 microM) did not alter the ability of 2-MeSADP to inhibit glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. We conclude that 2-MeSADP regulates rat hepatocyte glycogen phosphorylase by acting on P2Y(1) receptors coupled to raised [Ca(2+)](c), and by inhibiting cyclic AMP levels by an unknown G(i)-coupled receptor subtype, distinct from P2Y(1), P2Y(12), or P2Y(13) receptors.

Following DNA chain extension and protein conformational changes in crystals of a Y-family DNA polymerase via Raman crystallography.

Science.gov (United States)

Espinoza-Herrera, Shirly J; Gaur, Vineet; Suo, Zucai; Carey, Paul R

2013-07-23

Y-Family DNA polymerases are known to bypass DNA lesions in vitro and in vivo. Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA polymerase (Dpo4) was chosen as a model Y-family enzyme for investigating the mechanism of DNA synthesis in single crystals. Crystals of Dpo4 in complexes with DNA (the binary complex) in the presence or absence of an incoming nucleotide were analyzed by Raman microscopy. (13)C- and (15)N-labeled d*CTP, or unlabeled dCTP, were soaked into the binary crystals with G as the templating base. In the presence of the catalytic metal ions, Mg(2+) and Mn(2+), nucleotide incorporation was detected by the disappearance of the triphosphate band of dCTP and the retention of *C modes in the crystal following soaking out of noncovalently bound C(or *C)TP. The addition of the second coded base, thymine, was observed by adding cognate dTTP to the crystal following a single d*CTP addition. Adding these two bases caused visible damage to the crystal that was possibly caused by protein and/or DNA conformational change within the crystal. When d*CTP is soaked into the Dpo4 crystal in the absence of Mn(2+) or Mg(2+), the primer extension reaction did not occur; instead, a ternary protein·template·d*CTP complex was formed. In the Raman difference spectra of both binary and ternary complexes, in addition to the modes of d(*C)CTP, features caused by ring modes from the template/primer bases being perturbed and from the DNA backbone appear, as well as features from perturbed peptide and amino acid side chain modes. These effects are more pronounced in the ternary complex than in the binary complex. Using standardized Raman intensities followed as a function of time, the C(*C)TP population in the crystal was maximal at ∼20 min. These remained unchanged in the ternary complex but declined in the binary complexes as chain incorporation occurred.

Noninvasive imaging of malignant tumors using laminin peptide fragments YIGSR labeled with Technetium-99m

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qin, G.M.; Zhang, Y.X.; Hu, J.; An, R.; Gao, Z.R.; Cao, G.X.; Hnatowich, D.J.

2002-01-01

The radiopharmaceuticals that localize specifically at certain sites (such as peptides directed against receptors expressed on tumor cells or antibodies with high binding affinities for bacterial determinants) may be expected to display greater specificity of localization. Peptides, which diffuse rapidly into target lesions and clear rapidly elsewhere, may be expected to enjoy a pharmacokinetic advantage over those, such as antibodies, which accumulate and clear more slowly. The laminin peptide fragments YIGSR is known to bind to a 67-kDa laminin receptor. This receptor is understood to be expressed at higher than normal levels in malignant tumor cells, particularly those of breast and colon carcinomas. Methods 1 peptide conjugation and labeling A 2.5 mg/mL solution of YIGSR in 0.1 M N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer, pH8.0, and a fresh 10mg/mL solution of NHS-S-acetyl-MAG 3 in dimethylformamide dried over molecular sieve were prepared. 2 biodistribution and imaging studies A colony of KM mice (15-20g) were inoculated with 1x10 6 Ehrlich (breast) carcinoma tumor cells in the right thigh, and the tumors were allowed to grow for 6-7 days to a size of 1.0-1.5 cm in diameter. Biodistribution studies were performed in 40 KM mice after 50 μCi per mouse of 99m Tc-labeled YIGSR were injected intravenously. A total of 10 mice were injected intravenously in the tail vein with 1-2 mCi of 99m Tc-labeled YIGSR, immobilized with ketamine hydrochloride and imaged periodically from 0.5 hr to 24 hr with a gamma camera. The identical imaging procedure was also performed in mice with sterile infection/inflammation lesions to evaluate the specificity. Results Essentially complete conjugation was achieved by reverse-phase Sep-Pak C18 chromatography analysis. The highest accumulation of label was in the kidney first, with the liver and small bowel next. The injected activity localized in the lesion as early as 15 min and reached a saturation value at 3

The SU(2 vertical stroke 3) spin chain sigma model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernandez, R.; Lopez, E.

2005-01-01

The one-loop planar dilatation operator of N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills is isomorphic to the hamiltonian of an integrable PSU(2,2 vertical stroke 4) spin chain. We construct the non-linear sigma model describing the continuum limit of the SU(2 vertical stroke 3) subsector of the N = 4 chain. We explicitly identify the spin chain sigma model with the one for a superstring moving in AdS 5 x S 5 with large angular momentum along the five-sphere. (Abstract Copyright [2005], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Microglia P2Y13 Receptors Prevent Astrocyte Proliferation Mediated by P2Y1 Receptors

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Clara Quintas

2018-05-01

Full Text Available Cerebral inflammation is a common feature of several neurodegenerative diseases that requires a fine interplay between astrocytes and microglia to acquire appropriate phenotypes for an efficient response to neuronal damage. During brain inflammation, ATP is massively released into the extracellular medium and converted into ADP. Both nucleotides acting on P2 receptors, modulate astrogliosis through mechanisms involving microglia-astrocytes communication. In previous studies, primary cultures of astrocytes and co-cultures of astrocytes and microglia were used to investigate the influence of microglia on astroglial proliferation induced by ADPβS, a stable ADP analog. In astrocyte cultures, ADPβS increased cell proliferation through activation of P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors, an effect abolished in co-cultures (of astrocytes with ∼12.5% microglia. The possibility that the loss of the ADPβS-mediated effect could have been caused by a microglia-induced degradation of ADPβS or by a preferential microglial localization of P2Y1 or P2Y12 receptors was excluded. Since ADPβS also activates P2Y13 receptors, the contribution of microglial P2Y13 receptors to prevent the proliferative effect of ADPβS in co-cultures was investigated. The results obtained indicate that P2Y13 receptors are low expressed in astrocytes and mainly expressed in microglia. Furthermore, in co-cultures, ADPβS induced astroglial proliferation in the presence of the selective P2Y13 antagonist MRS 2211 (3 μM and of the selective P2Y12 antagonist AR-C66096 (0.1 μM, suggesting that activation of microglial P2Y12 and P2Y13 receptors may induce the release of messengers that inhibit astroglial proliferation mediated by P2Y1,12 receptors. In this microglia-astrocyte paracrine communication, P2Y12 receptors exert opposite effects in astroglial proliferation as a result of its cellular localization: cooperating in astrocytes with P2Y1 receptors to directly stimulate proliferation and in

2D Toda chain and associated commutator identity

OpenAIRE

Pogrebkov, A. K.

2007-01-01

Developing observation made in \\cite{commut} we show that simple identity of the commutator type on an associative algebra is in one-to-one correspondence to 2D (infinite) Toda chain. We introduce representation of elements of associative algebra that, under some generic conditions, enables derivation of the Toda chain equation and its Lax pair from the given commutator identity.

Polymer ultrapermeability from the inefficient packing of 2D chains

Science.gov (United States)

Rose, Ian; Bezzu, C. Grazia; Carta, Mariolino; Comesaña-Gándara, Bibiana; Lasseuguette, Elsa; Ferrari, M. Chiara; Bernardo, Paola; Clarizia, Gabriele; Fuoco, Alessio; Jansen, Johannes C.; Hart, Kyle E.; Liyana-Arachchi, Thilanga P.; Colina, Coray M.; McKeown, Neil B.

2017-09-01

The promise of ultrapermeable polymers, such as poly(trimethylsilylpropyne) (PTMSP), for reducing the size and increasing the efficiency of membranes for gas separations remains unfulfilled due to their poor selectivity. We report an ultrapermeable polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-TMN-Trip) that is substantially more selective than PTMSP. From molecular simulations and experimental measurement we find that the inefficient packing of the two-dimensional (2D) chains of PIM-TMN-Trip generates a high concentration of both small (Gas permeability data for PIM-TMN-Trip surpass the 2008 Robeson upper bounds for O2/N2, H2/N2, CO2/N2, H2/CH4 and CO2/CH4, with the potential for biogas purification and carbon capture demonstrated for relevant gas mixtures. Comparisons between PIM-TMN-Trip and structurally similar polymers with three-dimensional (3D) contorted chains confirm that its additional intrinsic microporosity is generated from the awkward packing of its 2D polymer chains in a 3D amorphous solid. This strategy of shape-directed packing of chains of microporous polymers may be applied to other rigid polymers for gas separations.

Quantum criticality and duality in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev/AdS2 chain

Science.gov (United States)

Jian, Shao-Kai; Xian, Zhuo-Yu; Yao, Hong

2018-05-01

We show that the quantum critical point (QCP) between a diffusive metal and ferromagnetic (or antiferromagnetic) phases in the SYK chain has a gravitational description corresponding to the double-trace deformation in an AdS2 chain. Specifically, by studying a double-trace deformation of a Z2 scalar in an AdS2 chain where the Z2 scalar is dual to the order parameter in the SYK chain, we find that the susceptibility and renormalization group equation describing the QCP in the SYK chain can be exactly reproduced in the holographic model. Our results suggest that the infrared geometry in the gravity theory dual to the diffusive metal of the SYK chain is also an AdS2 chain. We further show that the transition in SYK model captures universal information about double-trace deformation in generic black holes with near horizon AdS2 space-time.

Spontaneous magnetization of quantum XY-chain from finite chain form-factor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iorgov, N.Z.

2010-01-01

Using the explicit factorized formulas for matrix elements (form-factors) of the spin operators between vectors of the Hamiltonian of a finite quantum XY-chain in a transverse field, the spontaneous magnetization for σ x and σ y is re-derived in a simple way.

CD2 probe infrared method for determining polymethylene chain conformation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maroncelli, M.; Strauss, H.L.; Snyder, R.G.

1985-01-01

The rocking mode frequency of a CD 2 group substituted in a polymethylene chain is sensitive to conformation in the immediate vicinity of the CD 2 group. This sensitivity forms the basis of a commonly used infrared method for determining site-specific conformation in polymethylene systems. In the present work, the CD 2 probe method has been extended and quantified with the use of infrared data on model CD 2 -substituted n-alkanes. The frequency of the CD 2 rocking band is determined primarily by the conformation of adjoining CC bonds, i.e., by tt, gt, and gg pairs. However, we have found that there are significant frequency shifts associated with other factors. These include the conformation of the next nearest CC bonds, both with the CD 2 positioned at the end and in the interior of the chain, and chain length. In addition, the ratio of the absorptivities of the tt to gt bands has been established. These results enable the method to provide new details about the conformation of the chains in polymethylene systems and reliable estimates of the concentrations of specific kinds of short conformational sequences. 14 references, 6 figures, 2 tables

Seventeen copies of the human 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor/p40 ribosome-associated protein gene are processed pseudogenes arisen from retropositional events

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jackers, P; Clausse, N; Fernandez, M

1996-01-01

A cDNA coding for a 37 kDa polypeptide has been identified in several species as both the potential precursor of the 67 kDa laminin receptor (37LRP) and a putative ribosome-associated protein (p40). Interestingly, increased expression of this polypeptide (37LRP/p40) is consistently observed...

Form factors of the finite quantum XY-chain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iorgov, Nikolai

2011-01-01

Explicit factorized formulas for the matrix elements (form factors) of the spin operators σ x and σ y between the eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian of the finite quantum periodic XY-chain in a transverse field were derived. The derivation is based on the relations between three models: the model of quantum XY-chain, Ising model on 2D lattice and N = 2 Baxter-Bazhanov-Stroganov τ (2) -model. Due to these relations we transfer the formulas for the form factors of the latter model recently obtained by the use of separation of variables method to the model of quantum XY-chain. Hopefully, the formulas for the form factors will help in analysis of multipoint dynamic correlation functions at a finite temperature. As an example, we re-derive the asymptotics of the two-point correlation function in the disordered phase without the use of the Toeplitz determinants and the Wiener-Hopf factorization method.

Synergetic downregulation of 67 kDa laminin receptor by the green tea (Camellia sinensis secondary plant compound epigallocatechin gallate: a new gateway in metastasis prevention?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Müller Jakob

2012-12-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background In traditional Chinese medicine, green tea is considered to have a life-prolonging effect, possibly as a result of its rich content of antioxidant tea polyphenols, and hence has the potential to prevent cancer. This study investigated the role of the major tea secondary plant compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG for its inhibitory effects on the metastasis-associated 67 kDa laminin receptor (67LR. Methods To clarify the impact of EGCG on siRNA-silenced expression of 67LR, we applied an adenoviral-based intestinal in vitro knockdown model, porcine IPEC-J2 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze 67LR gene expression following treatment with physiological and pharmacological concentrations of EGCG (1.0 g/l, 0.1 g/l, 0.02 g/l and 0.002 g/l. Results We report co-regulation of EGCG and 67LR, which is known to be an EGCG receptor. siRNA selectively and highly significantly suppressed expression of 67LR under the impact of EGCG in a synergetic manner. Conclusions Our findings suggest that 67LR expression is regulated by EGCG via a negative feedback loop. The explicit occurrence of this effect in synergy with a small RNA pathway and a plant-derived drug reveals a new mode of action. Our findings may help to provide insights into the many unsolved health-promoting activities of other natural pharmaceuticals.

Characterization of Laminin Binding Integrin Internalization in Prostate Cancer Cells†

Science.gov (United States)

Das, Lipsa; Anderson, Todd A.; Gard, Jaime M.C.; Sroka, Isis C.; Strautman, Stephanie R.; Nagle, Raymond B.; Morrissey, Colm; Knudsen, Beatrice S.; Cress, Anne E.

2017-01-01

Laminin binding integrins α6 (CD49f) and α3 (CD49c) are persistently but differentially expressed in prostate cancer (PCa). Integrin internalization is an important determinant of their cell surface expression and function. Using flow cytometry, and first order kinetic modelling, we quantitated the intrinsic internalization rates of integrin subunits in a single cycle of internalization. In PCa cell line DU145, α6 integrin internalized with a rate constant (kactual) of 3.25min−1, 3-fold faster than α3 integrin (1.0 min−1), 1.5-fold faster than the vitronectin binding αv integrin (CD51) (2.2 min−1), and significantly slower than the unrelated transferrin receptor (CD71) (15 min−1). Silencing of α3 integrin protein expression in DU145, PC3 and PC3B1 cells resulted in up to a 1.71-fold increase in kactual for α6 integrin. The internalized α6 integrin was targeted to early endosomes but not to lamp1 vesicles. Depletion of α3 integrin expression resulted in redistribution of α6β4 integrin to an observed cell-cell staining pattern that is consistent with a suprabasal distribution observed in epidermis and early PIN lesions in PCa. Depletion of α3 integrin increased cell migration by 1.8 fold, which was dependent on α6β1 integrin. Silencing of α6 integrin expression however, had no significant effect on the kactual of α3 integrin or its distribution in early endosomes. These results indicate that α3 and α6 integrins have significantly different internalization kinetics and that coordination exists between them for internalization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved PMID:27509031

Characterization of Laminin Binding Integrin Internalization in Prostate Cancer Cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Das, Lipsa; Anderson, Todd A; Gard, Jaime M C; Sroka, Isis C; Strautman, Stephanie R; Nagle, Raymond B; Morrissey, Colm; Knudsen, Beatrice S; Cress, Anne E

2017-05-01

Laminin binding integrins α6 (CD49f) and α3 (CD49c) are persistently but differentially expressed in prostate cancer (PCa). Integrin internalization is an important determinant of their cell surface expression and function. Using flow cytometry, and first order kinetic modeling, we quantitated the intrinsic internalization rates of integrin subunits in a single cycle of internalization. In PCa cell line DU145, α6 integrin internalized with a rate constant (k actual ) of 3.25 min -1 , threefold faster than α3 integrin (1.0 min -1 ), 1.5-fold faster than the vitronectin binding αv integrin (CD51) (2.2 min -1 ), and significantly slower than the unrelated transferrin receptor (CD71) (15 min -1 ). Silencing of α3 integrin protein expression in DU145, PC3, and PC3B1 cells resulted in up to a 1.71-fold increase in k actual for α6 integrin. The internalized α6 integrin was targeted to early endosomes but not to lamp1 vesicles. Depletion of α3 integrin expression resulted in redistribution of α6β4 integrin to an observed cell-cell staining pattern that is consistent with a suprabasal distribution observed in epidermis and early PIN lesions in PCa. Depletion of α3 integrin increased cell migration by 1.8-fold, which was dependent on α6β1 integrin. Silencing of α6 integrin expression however, had no significant effect on the k actual of α3 integrin or its distribution in early endosomes. These results indicate that α3 and α6 integrins have significantly different internalization kinetics and that coordination exists between them for internalization. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1038-1049, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}Te{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 13}: A new telluro-phosphate with S=1/2 Heisenberg chain

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xia, Mingjun [Beijing Center for Crystal Research and Development, Key Laboratory of Functional Crystals and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China); Shen, Shipeng; Lu, Jun; Sun, Young [Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China); Li, R.K., E-mail: rkli@mail.ipc.ac.cn [Beijing Center for Crystal Research and Development, Key Laboratory of Functional Crystals and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China)

2015-10-15

A new telluro-phosphate compound Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}Te{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 13} with S=1/2 Heisenberg chain has been successfully synthesized by solid state reaction and grown by flux method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}Te{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 13} crystallizes into a monoclinic space group C2/c and cell parameters of a=17.647(3) Å, b=7.255(2) Å, c=9.191(2) Å and β=100.16 (3)°. In the structure of Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}Te{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 13}, one dimensional [CuTePO{sub 7}]{sup 3−} chains are formed by tetrahedral PO{sub 4} and trigonal bi-pyramidal TeO{sub 4} joining square planar CuO{sub 4} groups. Those [CuTePO{sub 7}]{sup 3−} chains are inter-connected by sharing one oxygen atom from the TeO{sub 4} group to form two dimensional layers. Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements confirm that the title compound is a model one dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain system. - Graphical abstract: Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}Te{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 13}, containing (CuTePO{sub 7}){sup 3−} chains formed by PO{sub 4} and TeO{sub 4} joining CuO{sub 4} groups, shows typical 1D Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain model behavior as confirmed by magnetic measurements. - Highlights: • New telluro-phosphate Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}Te{sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 13} has been grown. • It features layered structure composed of [CuTePO{sub 7}]{sup 3−} chains and TeO{sub 4} groups. • It shows the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain behavior. • It is transparent in the range of 1000–2500 nm with a UV absorption edge of 393 nm.

Insertion Chemistry of Cp*2Y(2-pyridyl) and Molecular Structure of the Unexpected CO Insertion Product (Cp*2Y)2(μ-η2 : η2-OC(NC5H4)2)

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Deelman, Berth-Jan; Stevels, Willem M.; Teuben, Jan H.; Lakin, Miles T.; Spek, Anthony L.

1994-01-01

Pyridine is metalated selectively at the 2-position by (Cp*2YH)2 to yield Cp*2Y(2-pyridyl) (1). Compound 1 reacts with H2 to give the hydride addition product Cp*2Y(NC5H6) (2). With THF and pyridine the adducts Cp*2Y(η2-2-pyridyl)(THF) (3) and Cp*2Y(η1-2-pyridyl)(py) (4) are formed. The pyridine

Chain Ends and the Ultimate Tensile Strength of Polyethylene Fibers

Science.gov (United States)

O'Connor, Thomas C.; Robbins, Mark O.

Determining the tensile yield mechanisms of oriented polymer fibers remains a challenging problem in polymer mechanics. By maximizing the alignment and crystallinity of polyethylene (PE) fibers, tensile strengths σ ~ 6 - 7 GPa have been achieved. While impressive, first-principal calculations predict carbon backbone bonds would allow strengths four times higher (σ ~ 20 GPa) before breaking. The reduction in strength is caused by crystal defects like chain ends, which allow fibers to yield by chain slip in addition to bond breaking. We use large scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to determine the tensile yield mechanism of orthorhombic PE crystals with finite chains spanning 102 -104 carbons in length. The yield stress σy saturates for long chains at ~ 6 . 3 GPa, agreeing well with experiments. Chains do not break but always yield by slip, after nucleation of 1D dislocations at chain ends. Dislocations are accurately described by a Frenkel-Kontorova model, parametrized by the mechanical properties of an ideal crystal. We compute a dislocation core size ξ = 25 . 24 Å and determine the high and low strain rate limits of σy. Our results suggest characterizing such 1D dislocations is an efficient method for predicting fiber strength. This research was performed within the Center for Materials in Extreme Dynamic Environments (CMEDE) under the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Financial support was provided by Grant W911NF-12-2-0022.

A uranium-based UO_2"+-Mn"2"+ single-chain magnet assembled trough cation-cation interactions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mougel, Victor; Chatelain, Lucile; Hermle, Johannes; Pecaut, Jacques; Mazzanti, Marinella; Caciuffo, Roberto; Colineau, Eric; Tuna, Floriana; Magnani, Nicola; Geyer, Arnaud de

2014-01-01

Single-chain magnets (SCMs) are materials composed of magnetically isolated one-dimensional (1D) units exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization. The occurrence of SCM behavior requires the fulfillment of stringent conditions for exchange and anisotropy interactions. Herein, we report the synthesis, the structure, and the magnetic characterization of the first actinide-containing SCM. The 5f-3d heterometallic 1D chains [{[UO_2(salen)(py)][M(py)_4](NO_3)}]_n, (M=Cd (1) and M=Mn (2); py=pyridine) are assembled trough cation-cation interaction from the reaction of the uranyl(V) complex [UO_2(salen)py][Cp"*_2Co] (Cp"*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with Cd(NO_3)_2 or Mn(NO_3)_2 in pyridine. The infinite UMn chain displays a high relaxation barrier of 134±0.8 K (93±0.5 cm"-"1), probably as a result of strong intra-chain magnetic interactions combined with the high Ising anisotropy of the uranyl(V) dioxo group. It also exhibits an open magnetic hysteresis loop at T<6 K, with an impressive coercive field of 3.4 T at 2 K.

Seven Fundamental Economic Characteristics Exclusivity of Agrifood Supply Chains (part 2

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Thomas L. Sporleder

2013-12-01

Full Text Available This analysis focuses on defining and describing the unique economic characteristics of agrifood supply chains. The analysis includes seven specific economic characteristics of agrifood supply chains that distinguish them from other industrial manufacturing and service supply chains. The seven characteristics are: 1 risk emanating from the biological nature of agrifood supply chains, 2 the role of buffer stocks within the supply chain, 3 the scientific foundation of innovation in production agriculture having shifted from chemistry to biology, 4 cyberspace and information technology influences on agrifood supply chains, 5 the prevalent market structure at the farm gate remains oligopsony, 6 relative market power shifts in agrifood supply chains away from food manufacturers downstream to food retailers, and 7 globalization of agriculture and agri- food supply chains.

Mild hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of the [MxIIM2.5-xIII(H2O)2(HPIIIO3)y(PVO4)2-yF] [M=Fe, x=2.08, y=1.58; M=Co, Ni, x=2.5, y=2] compounds

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Orive, Joseba; Mesa, Jose L.; Legarra, Estibaliz; Plazaola, Fernando; Arriortua, Maria I.; Rojo, Teofilo

2009-01-01

The [M x II M 2.5-x III (H 2 O) 2 (HP III O 3 ) y (P V O 4 ) 2-y F] [M=Fe (1), x=2.08, y=1.58; M=Co (2), x=2.5, y=2; Ni (3), x=2.5, y=2] compounds have been synthesized using mild hydrothermal conditions at 170 deg. C during five days. Single-crystals of (1) and (2), and polycrystalline sample of (3) were obtained. These isostructural compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic system, space group Aba2, with a=9.9598(2), b=18.8149(4) and c=8.5751(2) A for (1), a=9.9142(7), b=18.570(1) and c=8.4920(5) A for (2) and a=9.8038(2), b=18.2453(2) and c=8.4106(1) A for (3), with Z=8 in the three phases. An X-ray diffraction study reveals that the crystal structure is composed of a three-dimensional skeleton formed by [MO 5 F] and [MO 4 F 2 ] (M=Fe, Co and Ni) octahedra and [HPO 3 ] tetrahedra, partially substituted by [PO 4 ] tetrahedra in phase (1). The IR spectra show the vibrational modes of the water molecules and those of the (HPO 3 ) 2- tetrahedral oxoanions. The thermal study indicates that the limit of thermal stability of these phases is 195 deg. C for (1) and 315 deg. C for (2) and (3). The electronic absorption spectroscopy shows the characteristic bands of the Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) high-spin cations in slightly distorted octahedral geometry. Magnetic measurements indicate the existence of global antiferromagnetic interactions between the metallic centers with a ferromagnetic transition in the three compounds at 28, 14 and 21 K for (1), (2) and (3), respectively. Compound (1) exhibits a hysteresis loop with remnant magnetization and coercive field values of 0.72 emu/mol and 880 Oe, respectively. - Abstract: Polyhedral view of the crystal structure of the [M x II M 2.5-x III (H 2 O) 2 (HP III O 3 ) y (P IV O 4 ) 2-y F] [M=Fe, x=2.08, y=1.58; M=Co, Ni, x=2.5, y=2] compounds showing the sheets along the [001] direction.

Structural and intrinsic Josephson properties of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 1−y}Y{sub y}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 8+δ} single crystal

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yamaki, K., E-mail: kyamaki@cc.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp; Murata, K.; Irie, A.

2016-10-15

Highlights: • Single crystals of yttrium-doped BSCCO (BSCYCO) were grown by a self-flux method. • T{sub c} and c-axis lattice constant of BSCYCO were controlled by the substitution of Y. • A multibranch structure was observed up to y = 0.10 (Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 1−y}Y{sub y}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 8+δ}). • The BSCYCO mesa has higher maximum voltage compared with nondoped BSCCO. - Abstract: In this study, Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 1−y}Y{sub y}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 8+δ} (BSCYCO) single crystals with yttrium doping content of y = 0–0.30 were synthesized by a self-flux method. The critical temperature and c-axis lattice constant of BSCYCO were controlled by the substitution of yttrium at the calcium site. A 290 × 90 × 0.4 µm{sup 3} mesa structure was fabricated using photolithography and argon-ion milling. A multibranch structure in current–voltage characteristics was successfully observed for mesas of BSCYCO (y = 0–0.10). The critical current of intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs) in BSCYCO mesas was systematically investigated.

Geography and history of the Louisville Hotspot Chain in the southwest Pacific

Science.gov (United States)

Lonsdale, Peter

1988-04-01

The Louisville "Ridge" is a 4300-km-long Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic hotspot chain, the South Pacific equivalent of the Hawaiian-Emperor chain. Its northwestern end is being consumed by the Tonga-Kermadec subduction zone, but Seabeam and magnetic mapping shows that the chain still includes more than 60 major volcanoes, of both normal and reversed polarity, distributed along a 75-km-wide band that can be fitted to small circles about three successive poles of Pacific plate/hotspot rotation. This band obliquely crosses fracture zones of the Eltanin system, but there is little interaction and no evidence of any genetic connection between the two structures. Forty of the Louisville volcanoes grew above sea level and are preserved as high-latitude (i.e., coral-free) guyots. They are spaced less than 100 km apart along most of the chain, but there are none within 750 km of the inferred present location of the hotspot, beneath a swell at the southeast end of the chain. The rate of volcano building by the Louisville hotspot declined sharply about 20 m.y. ago, after being remarkably constant at 3-4×103 km3/m.y. for the previous 50 m.y., and none of the Louisville volcanoes built during the past 10-12 m.y. (the time of most profuse Hawaiian volcanism) has reached sea level. However, a seamount from which Pleistocene lavas were dredged rises to within 540 m of the sea surface from the crest of the hotspot swell at 50.5°S, 139.2°W. Guyot heights demonstrate that a hotspot swell several hundred meters high has persisted throughout the known life of the chain, and sometimes had an isostatic depression on its loaded crest. The depths of guyot shelf breaks increase systematically to the northwest (from 530 to 2100 m) proportional to the square root of volcano age, with some scatter and tilting caused by plate boundary tectonism and local isostatic subsidence and uplift.

Cooperative microexcitations in 2+1D chain-bundle dusty plasma liquids

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Io, C.-W.; Chan, C.-L.; Lin I

2010-01-01

Through direct visualization at the discrete level, the microexcitations in cold 2+1D dusty plasma liquids formed by negatively charged dusts suspended in low pressure gaseous discharges were experimentally investigated, in which the downward ion flow wake field induces strong vertical coupling and chain bundle structure. It is found that the horizontal structure and motion are similar to those of the two-dimensional liquid. Different types of basic cooperative chain excitations: straight vertical chains with small amplitude jittering, chain tilting-restraightening, bundle twisting-restraightening, and chain breaking-reconnection, are observed. The region with good (poor) horizontal structural order prefers the straight (tilted or broken) chains with little (large) titling and tilting rate.

A uranium-based UO_2"+-Mn"2"+ single-chain magnet assembled trough cation-cation interactions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mougel, Victor; Chatelain, Lucile; Hermle, Johannes; Pecaut, Jacques; Mazzanti, Marinella; Caciuffo, Roberto; Colineau, Eric; Tuna, Floriana; Magnani, Nicola; Geyer, Arnaud de

2014-01-01

Single-chain magnets (SCMs) are materials composed of magnetically isolated one-dimensional (1D) units exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization. The occurrence of SCM behavior requires the fulfillment of stringent conditions for exchange and anisotropy interactions. Herein, we report the synthesis, the structure, and the magnetic characterization of the first actinide-containing SCM. The 5f-3d heterometallic 1D chains [{[UO_2(salen)(py)][M(py)_4](NO_3)}]_n, (M=Cd (1) and M=Mn (2); py=pyridine) are assembled trough cation-cation interaction from the reaction of the uranyl(V) complex [UO_2(salen)py][Cp*_2Co] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with Cd(NO_3)_2 or Mn(NO_3)_2 in pyridine. The infinite UMn chain displays a high relaxation barrier of 134 ±0.8 K (93 ±0.5 cm"-"1), probably as a result of strong intra-chain magnetic interactions combined with the high Ising anisotropy of the uranyl(V) dioxo group. It also exhibits an open magnetic hysteresis loop at T <6 K, with an impressive coercive field of 3.4 T at 2 K. (Copyright copyright 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Synthesis of structured triacylglycerols containing medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids by interesterification with a stereoespecific lipase from Mucor miehei.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nieto, Susana

1999-06-01

Full Text Available The preparation of structured triacylglycerols sn-1, sn-3 dilauryl, sn-2 eicosapentaenoyl glycerol and sn-1, sn-3 dilauryl, sn-2 docosahexaenoyl glycerol by enzymatic interesterification under restricted water availability is described. Laurie acid, one of the substrates for interesterification, was obtained by the controlled hydrolysis of coconut oil by a non-specific lipase obtained from Candida cylindracea. The fatty acid was separated from the hydrolysis products by silverresin column chromatography and converted to methyl ester, sn-2 Eicosapentaenoyl glycerol and sn-2 docosahexaenoyl glycerol were prepared by the hydrolysis of fish oil by the sn-1, sn-3 stereospecific immobilized lipase Lipozyme IM-20 obtained from Mucor miehei as described in the accompanying paper. The interesterification was carried out in a water jacketed glass reactor and the triacylglycerol products were separated and recovered through aluminum oxide column chromatography The interesterification procedure described allows to obtain In laboratory scale structured triacylglycerols containing medium-chain fatty acids at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid from marine origin at the sn-2 glycerol position.

Se describe la preparación de triacilgliceroles estructurados sn-1, sn-3 dilauril, sn-2 ecosapentaenoil glicerol y sn-1, sn-3 diiauril, sn-2 docosahexaenoil glicerol por interesterificación enzimática bajo disponibilidad de agua reducida. Acido láurico, uno de los sustratos para la interesterificación, se obtuvo mediante hidrólisis controlada del aceite de coco por una lipasa no-específica obtenida de Candida cylindracea. Los ácidos grasos se separaron de los productos de hidrólisis mediante cromatografía en columna de resina de plata y convertidos en sus esteres metílicos, sn-2 Eicosapentaenoil glicerol y sn-2 docosahexaenoil glicerol se prepararon mediante hidrólisis de aceite de pescado por la sn-1, sn

Online Appendix to Y2K

OpenAIRE

Stephanie Schmitt-Grohe; Martin Uribe

1998-01-01

As the millenium draws to an end, the threat posed by the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem is inducing vast private and public spending on its remediation. In this paper, we embed the Y2K problem into a dynamic general equilibrium framework. We model the Y2K problem as an anticipated, permanent loss to output whose magnitude can be lessened by investing resources in advance. Our model replicates three observed characteristics of the dynamics triggered by the Y2K bug: (1) Precautionary investment: inve...

INSERTION CHEMISTRY OF CP-ASTERISK(2)Y(2-PYRIDYL) AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF THE UNEXPECTED CO INSERTION PRODUCT (CP-ASTERISK(2)Y)2(MU-ETA-2-ETA-2-OC(NC5H4)2)

NARCIS (Netherlands)

DEELMAN, BJ; STEVELS, WM; TEUBEN, JH; LAKIN, MT; SPEK, AL

1994-01-01

Pyridine is metalated selectively at the 2-position by (Cp*2YH)2 to yield Cp*2Y(2-pyridyl) (1). Compound 1 reacts with H2 to give the hydride addition product Cp*2Y(NC5H6) (2). With THF and pyridine the adducts Cp*2Y(eta2-2-pyridyl)(THF) (3) and Cp*2Y(eta1-2-pyridyl)-(py) (4) are formed. The

Repression of branched-chain amino acid synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by isoleucine via CodY, and by a leucine-rich attenuator peptide.

Science.gov (United States)

Kaiser, Julienne C; King, Alyssa N; Grigg, Jason C; Sheldon, Jessica R; Edgell, David R; Murphy, Michael E P; Brinsmade, Shaun R; Heinrichs, David E

2018-01-01

Staphylococcus aureus requires branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; isoleucine, leucine, valine) for protein synthesis, branched-chain fatty acid synthesis, and environmental adaptation by responding to their availability via the global transcriptional regulator CodY. The importance of BCAAs for S. aureus physiology necessitates that it either synthesize them or scavenge them from the environment. Indeed S. aureus uses specialized transporters to scavenge BCAAs, however, its ability to synthesize them has remained conflicted by reports that it is auxotrophic for leucine and valine despite carrying an intact BCAA biosynthetic operon. In revisiting these findings, we have observed that S. aureus can engage in leucine and valine synthesis, but the level of BCAA synthesis is dependent on the BCAA it is deprived of, leading us to hypothesize that each BCAA differentially regulates the biosynthetic operon. Here we show that two mechanisms of transcriptional repression regulate the level of endogenous BCAA biosynthesis in response to specific BCAA availability. We identify a trans-acting mechanism involving isoleucine-dependent repression by the global transcriptional regulator CodY and a cis-acting leucine-responsive attenuator, uncovering how S. aureus regulates endogenous biosynthesis in response to exogenous BCAA availability. Moreover, given that isoleucine can dominate CodY-dependent regulation of BCAA biosynthesis, and that CodY is a global regulator of metabolism and virulence in S. aureus, we extend the importance of isoleucine availability for CodY-dependent regulation of other metabolic and virulence genes. These data resolve the previous conflicting observations regarding BCAA biosynthesis, and reveal the environmental signals that not only induce BCAA biosynthesis, but that could also have broader consequences on S. aureus environmental adaptation and virulence via CodY.

Repression of branched-chain amino acid synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by isoleucine via CodY, and by a leucine-rich attenuator peptide.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Julienne C Kaiser

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Staphylococcus aureus requires branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; isoleucine, leucine, valine for protein synthesis, branched-chain fatty acid synthesis, and environmental adaptation by responding to their availability via the global transcriptional regulator CodY. The importance of BCAAs for S. aureus physiology necessitates that it either synthesize them or scavenge them from the environment. Indeed S. aureus uses specialized transporters to scavenge BCAAs, however, its ability to synthesize them has remained conflicted by reports that it is auxotrophic for leucine and valine despite carrying an intact BCAA biosynthetic operon. In revisiting these findings, we have observed that S. aureus can engage in leucine and valine synthesis, but the level of BCAA synthesis is dependent on the BCAA it is deprived of, leading us to hypothesize that each BCAA differentially regulates the biosynthetic operon. Here we show that two mechanisms of transcriptional repression regulate the level of endogenous BCAA biosynthesis in response to specific BCAA availability. We identify a trans-acting mechanism involving isoleucine-dependent repression by the global transcriptional regulator CodY and a cis-acting leucine-responsive attenuator, uncovering how S. aureus regulates endogenous biosynthesis in response to exogenous BCAA availability. Moreover, given that isoleucine can dominate CodY-dependent regulation of BCAA biosynthesis, and that CodY is a global regulator of metabolism and virulence in S. aureus, we extend the importance of isoleucine availability for CodY-dependent regulation of other metabolic and virulence genes. These data resolve the previous conflicting observations regarding BCAA biosynthesis, and reveal the environmental signals that not only induce BCAA biosynthesis, but that could also have broader consequences on S. aureus environmental adaptation and virulence via CodY.

Wnt/β-Catenin Stimulation and Laminins Support Cardiovascular Cell Progenitor Expansion from Human Fetal Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Agneta Månsson-Broberg

2016-04-01

Full Text Available The intrinsic regenerative capacity of human fetal cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs has not been fully characterized. Here we demonstrate that we can expand cells with characteristics of cardiovascular progenitor cells from the MSC population of human fetal hearts. Cells cultured on cardiac muscle laminin (LN-based substrata in combination with stimulation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway showed increased gene expression of ISL1, OCT4, KDR, and NKX2.5. The majority of cells stained positive for PDGFR-α, ISL1, and NKX2.5, and subpopulations also expressed the progenitor markers TBX18, KDR, c-KIT, and SSEA-1. Upon culture of the cardiac MSCs in differentiation media and on relevant LNs, portions of the cells differentiated into spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes, and endothelial and smooth muscle-like cells. Our protocol for large-scale culture of human fetal cardiac MSCs enables future exploration of the regenerative functions of these cells in the context of myocardial injury in vitro and in vivo.

P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors regulate pancreatic Ca²+-activated K+ channels differently

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Klærke, Susanne Edeling Hede; Amstrup, Jan; Klærke, Dan Arne

2005-01-01

Extracellular ATP is an important regulator of transepithelial transport in a number of tissues. In pancreatic ducts, we have shown that ATP modulates epithelial K+ channels via purinergic receptors, most likely the P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors, but the identity of the involved K+ channels was not cle...

Site-selective doping and superconductivity in (La/sub 1-//sub y/Pr/sub y/)(Ba/sub 2-//sub x/La/sub x/)Cu3O/sub 7+//sub δ/

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mitzi, D.B.; Feffer, P.T.; Newsam, J.M.; Webb, D.J.; Klavins, P.; Jacobson, A.J.; Kapitulnik, A.

1988-01-01

Samples in the quaternary system (La/sub 1-//sub y/Pr/sub y/)(Ba/sub 2-//sub x/La/sub x/)Cu 3 O/sub 7+//sub δ/ have been prepared and characterized using x-ray and neutron diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and transport and magnetic measurements. Pr substitutes on the oxygen-depleted La layers for y>0.0, while La substitutes on the Ba sites for x>0.0. The effect of doping on each site is inferred to be primarily local, affecting immediately adjacent Cu-O layers. The similar suppression of superconductivity that accompanies doping on each of the two distinct sites apparently correlates with the degree of oxidation of the Cu-O sheets (and not the chains), indicating that the sheets support the high temperature superconductivity. Comparison of orthorhombic and tetragonal samples with similar Ba:La ratios (and y = 0) demonstrates that the orthorhombic phase yields the largest Meissner signals and highest transition temperatures in the La(Ba/sub 2-//sub x/La/sub x/)Cu 3 O/sub 7+//sub δ/ system

Sustained phenotypic reversion of junctional epidermolysis bullosa dog keratinocytes: Establishment of an immunocompetent animal model for cutaneous gene therapy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spirito, Flavia; Capt, Annabelle; Rio, Marcela Del; Larcher, Fernando; Guaguere, Eric; Danos, Olivier; Meneguzzi, Guerrino

2006-01-01

Gene transfer represents the unique therapeutic issue for a number of inherited skin disorders including junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), an untreatable genodermatose caused by mutations in the adhesion ligand laminin 5 (α3β3γ2) that is secreted in the extracellular matrix by the epidermal basal keratinocytes. Because gene therapy protocols require validation in animal models, we have phenotypically reverted by oncoretroviral transfer of the curative gene the keratinocytes isolated from dogs with a spontaneous form of JEB associated with a genetic mutation in the α3 chain of laminin 5. We show that the transduced dog JEB keratinocytes: (1) display a sustained secretion of laminin 5 in the extracellular matrix; (2) recover the adhesion, proliferation, and clonogenic capacity of wild-type keratinocytes; (3) generate fully differentiated stratified epithelia that after grafting on immunocompromised mice produce phenotypically normal skin and sustain permanent expression of the transgene. We validate an animal model that appears particularly suitable to demonstrate feasibility, efficacy, and safety of genetic therapeutic strategies for cutaneous disorders before undertaking human clinical trials

Hydrolysis of short-chain phosphatidylcholines by bee venom phospholipase A2.

Science.gov (United States)

Raykova, D; Blagoev, B

1986-01-01

In order to find out the aggregation state of the substrate, preferred by bee venom phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4), its action on short-chain phosphatidylcholines with two identical (C6-C10) fatty acids has been tested. The rate of hydrolysis as a function of acyl chain length showed a maximum at dioctanoylphosphatidylcholine. The effects of alcohols, NaCl and Triton X-100, which affect the aggregation state of phospholipids in water, were also studied. The addition of n-alcohol led to a significant inhibition of the hydrolysis of the substrates present in micellar form and activated the hydrolysis of substrates which form liposomes. The inhibitory effect increased with increasing length of the aliphatic carbon chain of the alcohol. Triton X-100 at low Triton/phospholipid molar ratios enhanced enzyme activity. These results do not agree with the accepted idea that bee venom phospholipase A2 hydrolyzes short-chain lecithins in their molecularly dispersed form and that micelles cannot act as substrates. The data indicate that short-chain lecithins in the aggregated state are hydrolyzed and that the requirements of bee venom phospholipase A2 for the aggregation state of the substrate are not strict.

Control of Chain Walking by Weak Neighbouring Group Interac-tions in Unsymmetric Catalysts

KAUST Repository

Falivene, Laura

2017-12-20

A combined theoretical and experimental study shows how weak attractive interactions of a neighbouring group can strongly promote chain walking and chain transfer. This accounts for the previously observed very different micro-structures obtained in ethylene polymerization by [κ^{2-N,O-{(2,6-(3\\',5\\'-R2C6H3)2C6H3-N=C(H)-(3,5-X,Y2-2-O-C6H2)}]NiCH3(pyridine)], namely hyperbranched oligomers for remote substituents R = CH3 versus. high molecular weight polyethylene for R = CF3. From a full mechanistic consideration the alkyl olefin complex with the growing chain cis to the salicylaldiminato oxygen donor is identified as the key species. Alternative to ethylene chain growth by insertion in this species, decoordination of the monomer to form a cis ß-agostic complex provides an entry into branching and chain transfer pathways. This release of monomer is promoted and made competitive by a weak η2-coordination of the distal aryl rings to the metal center, operative only for the case of sufficiently electron rich aryls. This concept for controlling chain walking is underlined by catalysts with other weakly coordinating furane and thio-phene motifs, which afford highly branched oligomers with > 120 branches per 1000 carbon atoms.}

Y2K Resources for Public Libraries.

Science.gov (United States)

Foster, Janet

1999-01-01

Presents information for public libraries on computer-related vulnerabilities as the century turns from 1999 to 2000. Highlights include: general Y2K information; the Y2K Bug and PCs; Y2K sites for librarians; Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and USMARC; technological developments in cyberspace; and a list of Web sites and Y2K resources. (AEF)

Effects of hole doping on the electronic transport properties of PrBa sub 1 sub . sub 8 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub y and PrSr sub 2 Cu sub 2 sub . sub 7 Mo sub 0 sub . sub 3 O sub y

CERN Document Server

Yang, C F; Zhang, H

2002-01-01

We investigate the effect of Ca doping on the electronic transport properties and superconductivity of Pr sub 1 sub - sub x Ca sub x Ba sub 1 sub . sub 8 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub y and Pr sub 1 sub - sub x Ca sub x Sr sub 2 Cu sub 2 sub . sub 7 Mo sub 0 sub . sub 3 O sub y systems. It is found that when PrBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub y (Pr123) is in a highly localized state, the Ca doping mainly decreases the 4f-2p hybridized states and thus releases the holes into the CuO sub 2 planes. Whereas when Pr123 is in a less localized state, the Ca doping not only introduces holes into the CuO sub 2 planes, but also induces dramatic charge transfer. Our results suggest that only when the hole concentration in both the CuO chain and the CuO sub 2 planes reaches a proper value, can the superconductivity be restored in the Pr123 system.

The 2-group of symmetries of a split chain complex

OpenAIRE

Elgueta, Josep

2010-01-01

We explicitly compute the 2-group of self-equivalences and (homotopy classes of) chain homotopies between them for any {\\it split} chain complex $A_{\\bullet}$ in an arbitrary $\\kb$-linear abelian category ($\\kb$ any commutative ring with unit). In particular, it is shown that it is a {\\it split} 2-group whose equivalence class depends only on the homology of $A_{\\bullet}$, and that it is equivalent to the trivial 2-group when $A_\\bullet$ is a split exact sequence. This provides a description ...

Distinct charge orders in the planes and chains of ortho-III-ordered YBa2Cu3O(6+δ) superconductors identified by resonant elastic x-ray scattering.

Science.gov (United States)

Achkar, A J; Sutarto, R; Mao, X; He, F; Frano, A; Blanco-Canosa, S; Le Tacon, M; Ghiringhelli, G; Braicovich, L; Minola, M; Sala, M Moretti; Mazzoli, C; Liang, Ruixing; Bonn, D A; Hardy, W N; Keimer, B; Sawatzky, G A; Hawthorn, D G

2012-10-19

Recently, charge density wave (CDW) order in the CuO(2) planes of underdoped YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+δ) was detected using resonant soft x-ray scattering. An important question remains: is the chain layer responsible for this charge ordering? Here, we explore the energy and polarization dependence of the resonant scattering intensity in a detwinned sample of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6.75) with ortho-III oxygen ordering in the chain layer. We show that the ortho-III CDW order in the chains is distinct from the CDW order in the planes. The ortho-III structure gives rise to a commensurate superlattice reflection at Q=[0.33 0 L] whose energy and polarization dependence agrees with expectations for oxygen ordering and a spatial modulation of the Cu valence in the chains. Incommensurate peaks at [0.30 0 L] and [0 0.30 L] from the CDW order in the planes are shown to be distinct in Q as well as their temperature, energy, and polarization dependence, and are thus unrelated to the structure of the chain layer. Moreover, the energy dependence of the CDW order in the planes is shown to result from a spatial modulation of energies of the Cu 2p to 3d(x(2)-y(2)) transition, similar to stripe-ordered 214 cuprates.

Definitive evidence for Ufd2-catalyzed elongation of the ubiquitin chain through Lys48 linkage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saeki, Yasushi; Tayama, Yoko; Toh-e, Akio; Yokosawa, Hideyoshi

2004-01-01

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ufd2 is a ubiquitin chain elongation factor in the ubiquitin fusion degradation (UFD) pathway and functions in stress tolerance. A recent study has suggested that the mammalian Ufd2 homologue UFD2a catalyzes formation of Lys27- and Lys33-linked polyubiquitin chains rather than the Lys48-linked chain, but the linkage type of the polyubiquitin chain formed by yeast Ufd2 remains unclear. To determine the property of Ufd2, we reconstituted the UFD pathway using purified enzymes from yeast. Direct determination of the ubiquitin chain linkage type in polyubiquitinated UFD substrates by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed that Ufd2 catalyzes elongation of the ubiquitin chain through Lys48 linkage

Supply chain collaboration and responsiveness : a comparison between Thai automotive and electronics industries

OpenAIRE

Ueki, Yasushi

2013-01-01

This paper examines factors that promote firms to develop supply chain collaborations (SCC) with their partners and relationships between SCC and supply chain operational performances (SCOP), using a questionnaire survey on Thai automotive and electronics industries in 2012. This paper also carries out a comparative study on these questions between the electronics and automotive industries. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) regressions verifY that supplier evaluation and audit is a foundation fo...

Low-frequency phase diagram of irradiated graphene and a periodically driven spin-1/2 X Y chain

Science.gov (United States)

Mukherjee, Bhaskar; Mohan, Priyanka; Sen, Diptiman; Sengupta, K.

2018-05-01

We study the Floquet phase diagram of two-dimensional Dirac materials such as graphene and the one-dimensional (1D) spin-1/2 X Y model in a transverse field in the presence of periodic time-varying terms in their Hamiltonians in the low drive frequency (ω ) regime where standard 1 /ω perturbative expansions fail. For graphene, such periodic time-dependent terms are generated via the application of external radiation of amplitude A0 and time period T =2 π /ω , while for the 1D X Y model, they result from a two-rate drive protocol with a time-dependent magnetic field and nearest-neighbor couplings between the spins. Using the adiabatic-impulse method, whose predictions agree almost exactly with the corresponding numerical results in the low-frequency regime, we provide several semianalytic criteria for the occurrence of changes in the topology of the phase bands (eigenstates of the evolution operator U ) of such systems. For irradiated graphene, we point out the role of the symmetries of the instantaneous Hamiltonian H (t ) and the evolution operator U behind such topology changes. Our analysis reveals that at low frequencies, topology changes of irradiated graphene phase bands may also happen at t =T /3 and2 T /3 (apart from t =T ) showing the necessity of analyzing the phase bands of the system for obtaining its phase diagrams. We chart out the phase diagrams at t =T /3 ,2 T /3 ,and T , where such topology changes occur, as a function of A0 and T using exact numerics, and compare them with the prediction of the adiabatic-impulse method. We show that several characteristics of these phase diagrams can be analytically understood from results obtained using the adiabatic-impulse method and point out the crucial contribution of the high-symmetry points in the graphene Brillouin zone to these diagrams. We study the modes that can appear at the edges of a finite-width strip of graphene and show that the change in the number of such modes agrees with the change in the

Identification of 6H1 as a P2Y purinoceptor: P2Y5.

Science.gov (United States)

Webb, T E; Kaplan, M G; Barnard, E A

1996-02-06

We have determined the identity of the orphan G-protein coupled receptor cDNA, 6H1, present in activated chicken T cells, as a subtype of P2Y purinoceptor. This identification is based on first on the degree of sequence identity shared with recently cloned members of the P2Y receptor family and second on the pharmacological profile. Upon transient expression in COS-7 cells the 6H1 receptor bound the radiolabel [35S]dATP alpha S specifically and with high affinity (Kd, 10 nM). This specific binding could be competitively displaced by a range of ligands active at P2 purinoceptors, with ATP being the most active (K (i)), 116 nM). Such competition studies have established the following rank order of activity: ATP ADP 2-methylthioATP alpha, beta-methylene ATP, UTP, thus confirming 6H1 as a member of the growing family of P2Y purinoceptors. As the fifth receptor of this type to be identified we suggest that it be named P2Y5.

Wound healing effects of collagen-laminin dermal matrix impregnated with resveratrol loaded hyaluronic acid-DPPC microparticles in diabetic rats.

Science.gov (United States)

Gokce, Evren H; Tuncay Tanrıverdi, Sakine; Eroglu, Ipek; Tsapis, Nicolas; Gokce, Goksel; Tekmen, Isıl; Fattal, Elias; Ozer, Ozgen

2017-10-01

An alternative formulation for the treatment of diabetic foot wounds that heal slowly is a requirement in pharmaceutical field. The aim of this study was to develop a dermal matrix consisting of skin proteins and lipids with an antioxidant that will enhance healing and balance the oxidative stress in the diabetic wound area due to the high levels of glucose. Thus a novel three dimensional collagen-laminin porous dermal matrix was developed by lyophilization. Resveratrol-loaded hyaluronic acid and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine microparticles were combined with this dermal matrix. Characterization, in vitro release, microbiological and in vivo studies were performed. Spherical microparticles were obtained with a high RSV encapsulation efficacy. The microparticles were well dispersed in the dermal matrix from the surface to deeper layers. Collagenase degraded dermal matrix, however the addition of RSV loaded microparticles delayed the degradation time. The release of RSV was sustained and reached 70% after 6h. Histological changes and antioxidant parameters in different treatment groups were investigated in full-thickness excision diabetic rat model. Collagen fibers were intense and improved by the presence of formulation without any signs of inflammation. The highest healing score was obtained with the dermal matrix impregnated with RSV-microparticles with an increased antioxidant activity. Collagen-laminin dermal matrix with RSV microparticles was synergistically effective due to presence of skin components in the formulation and controlled release achieved. This combination is a safe and promising option for the treatment of diabetic wounds requiring long recovery. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of 89Y (n, 2n)88Y cross sections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhu Chuanxin

2006-12-01

The 89 Y(n, 2n) 88 Y cross sections in 13.5-14.8 MeV induced by D-T neutrons have been measured, using the activation method and related measurement technology. 89 Y(n,2n) 88 Y cross sections are 629-1053 mb. The relative accuracy is 1.7%. The results were compared with the experiment result by using large liquid scintillator and with the cross section data of ENDF/B-6 base, the ratio of ENDF/B-6 data to experiment values in 14.1 MeV is 0.99. (authors)

Synthesis of the (N2)3- radical from Y2+ and its protonolysis reactivity to form (N2H2)2- via the Y[N(SiMe3)2]3/KC8 reduction system.

Science.gov (United States)

Fang, Ming; Lee, David S; Ziller, Joseph W; Doedens, Robert J; Bates, Jefferson E; Furche, Filipp; Evans, William J

2011-03-23

Examination of the Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/KC(8) reduction system that allowed isolation of the (N(2))(3-) radical has led to the first evidence of Y(2+) in solution. The deep-blue solutions obtained from Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) and KC(8) in THF at -35 °C under argon have EPR spectra containing a doublet at g(iso) = 1.976 with a 110 G hyperfine coupling constant. The solutions react with N(2) to generate (N(2))(2-) and (N(2))(3-) complexes {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) (1) and {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2))[K(THF)(6)] (2), respectively, and demonstrate that the Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/KC(8) reaction can proceed through an Y(2+) intermediate. The reactivity of (N(2))(3-) radical with proton sources was probed for the first time for comparison with the (N(2))(2-) and (N(2))(4-) chemistry. Complex 2 reacts with [Et(3)NH][BPh(4)] to form {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-N(2)H(2)), the first lanthanide (N(2)H(2))(2-) complex derived from dinitrogen, as well as 1 as a byproduct, consistent with radical disproportionation reactivity.

PMBOK y PRINCE 2 similitudes y diferencias

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kenia Fernández Parra

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Existen diferentes estándares enfocados a la gestión de proyectos. Ejemplo de estos estándares lo constituyen la guía PMBOK y el método PRINCE2. En el presente trabajo se realizó un análisis comparativo de la guía PMBOK respecto al método estructurado PRINCE2, basado en la evaluación de diferentes fuentes bibliográficas. Durante el desarrollo de la investigación fueron analizados diferentes elementos teóricos de cada uno, tales como: el origen, la evolución, la estructura y su aplicación, lo que permite identificar similitudes y diferencias entre estos. El resultado de la investigación arroja que estos estándares no se consideran excluyentes y que pueden coexistir en un mismo proyecto. PRINCE2 determina qué, cómo, cuándo y por quiénes se ejecutarán las actividades, utilizando un lenguaje común de fácil asimilación y PMBOK constituye una guía de referencia internacional que incorpora una amplia gama de conocimientos sobre la gestión de proyectos. PMBOK and PRINCE 2, similarities and differences ABSTRACT There are different standards focused on project management. Examples of these standards are the PMBOK Guide and PRINCE2 method. In this paper it is made a comparative analysis of the PMBOK Guide in relation to PRINCE2 structured method, based on the assessment of different literature sources. During the course of the investigation different theoretical elements of both PMBOK and PRINCE2 were analyzed, such as the origin, evolution, structure and application, allowing the identification of similarities and differences between them. The result of this research reveals that these standards are not considered mutually exclusive and that can coexist on the same project. PRINCE2 determines what, how, when and by whom the activities will be implemented using a common language easily assimilated and PMBOK is an international reference guide that incorporates a wide range of knowledge about project management. PMBOK e PRINCE2

Excitation of bond-alternating spin-1/2 Heisenberg chains by tunnelling electrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gauyacq, J-P; Lorente, N

2014-01-01

Inelastic electron tunneling spectra (IETS) are evaluated for spin-1/2 Heisenberg chains showing different phases of their spin ordering. The spin ordering is controlled by the value of the two different Heisenberg couplings on the two sides of each of the chain's atoms (bond-alternating chains). The perfect anti-ferromagnetic phase, i.e. a unique exchange coupling, marks a topological quantum phase transition (TQPT) of the bond-alternating chain. Our calculations show that the TQPT is recognizable in the excited states of the chain and hence that IETS is in principle capable of discriminating the phases. We show that perfectly symmetric chains, such as closed rings mimicking infinite chains, yield the same spectra on both sides of the TQPT and IETS cannot reveal the nature of the spin phase. However, for finite size open chains, both sides of the TQPT are associated with different IETS spectra, especially on the edge atoms, thus outlining the transition. (paper)

The su(2 vertical bar 3) dynamic spin chain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beisert, Niklas

2004-01-01

The complete one-loop, planar dilatation operator of the N=4 superconformal gauge theory was recently derived and shown to be integrable. Here, we present further compelling evidence for a generalisation of this integrable structure to higher orders of the coupling constant. For that we consider the su(2 vertical bar 3) subsector and investigate the restrictions imposed on the spin chain Hamiltonian by the symmetry algebra. This allows us to uniquely fix the energy shifts up to the three-loop level and thus prove the correctness of a conjecture in hep-th/0303060. A novel aspect of this spin chain model is that the higher-loop Hamiltonian, as for N=4 SYM in general, does not preserve the number of spin sites. Yet this dynamic spin chain appears to be integrable

CHAINS-PC, Decay Chain Atomic Densities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1994-01-01

1 - Description of program or function: CHAINS computes the atom density of members of a single radioactive decay chain. The linearity of the Bateman equations allows tracing of interconnecting chains by manually accumulating results from separate calculations of single chains. Re-entrant loops can be treated as extensions of a single chain. Losses from the chain are also tallied. 2 - Method of solution: The Bateman equations are solved analytically using double-precision arithmetic. Poles are avoided by small alterations of the loss terms. Multigroup fluxes, cross sections, and self-shielding factors entered as input are used to compute the effective specific reaction rates. The atom densities are computed at any specified times. 3 - Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: Maxima of 100 energy groups, 100 time values, 50 members in a chain

Possible roles of long-chain sphingomyelines and sphingomyelin synthase 2 in mouse macrophage inflammatory response

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sakamoto, Hideaki; Yoshida, Tetsuya; Sanaki, Takao; Shigaki, Shuhei; Morita, Hirotoshi; Oyama, Miki; Mitsui, Masaru; Tanaka, Yoshikazu; Nakano, Toru; Mitsutake, Susumu; Igarashi, Yasuyuki; Takemoto, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

To evaluate the precise role of sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2) in sphingomyelin (SM) metabolism and their anti-inflammatory properties, we analyzed species of major SM and ceramide (Cer) (18:1, 18:0 sphingoid backbone, C14 - C26 N-acyl part) in SMS2 knockout and wild-type mouse plasma and liver using HPLC-MS. SMS2 deficiency significantly decreased very long chain SM (SM (d18:1/22:0) and SM (d18:1/24:0 or d18:0/24:1)) and increased very long chain Cer (Cer (d18:1/24:0 or d18:0/24:1) and Cer (d18:1/24:1)), but not long chain SM (SM (d18:1/16:0), SM (d18:1/18:0 or d18:0/18:1) and SM (d18:1/18:1)) in plasma. To examine the effects of SM on inflammation, we studied the role of very long chain SM in macrophage activation. Addition of SM (d18:1/24:0) strongly upregulated several macrophage activation markers, SM (d18:1/6:0) and Cer (d18:1/24:0) however, did not. It was suggested that very long chain SM but not long chain SM were decreased in SMS2-deficient mice liver and plasma. And the exogenously added very long chain SM (d18:1/24:0) could activate macrophages directly, suggesting a novel role of plasma very long chain SM in modulating macrophage activation and resulting inflammation. - Highlights: • Very long-chain SM species were decreased in SMS2 knockout mouse plasma and liver. • Very long-chain ceramide species were increased in SMS2 knockout mouse plasma. • SMS2 deficiency diminished the inflammatory response of macrophages. • Very long-chain SM enhanced ICAM1 and iNOS expression in peritoneal macrophages.

The complementarity-determining region sequences in IgY antivenom hypervariable regions

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

David Gitirana da Rocha

2017-08-01

Full Text Available The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Development of IgY antibodies against anti-snake toxins endowed with highly lethal neutralizing activity" (da Rocha et al., 2017 [1]. Complementarity-determining region (CDR sequences are variable antibody (Ab sequences that respond with specificity, duration and strength to identify and bind to antigen (Ag epitopes. B lymphocytes isolated from hens immunized with Bitis arietans (Ba and anti-Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt venoms and expressing high specificity, affinity and toxicity neutralizing antibody titers were used as DNA sources. The VLF1, CDR1, CDR2, VLR1 and CDR3 sequences were validated by BLASTp, and values corresponding to IgY VL and VH anti-Ba or anti-Cdt venoms were identified, registered [Gallus gallus IgY Fv Light chain (GU815099/Gallus gallus IgY Fv Heavy chain (GU815098] and used for molecular modeling of IgY scFv anti-Ba. The resulting CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences were combined to construct the three - dimensional structure of the Ab paratope.

The atomic arrangement of iimoriite-(Y), Y2(SiO4)(CO3)

Science.gov (United States)

Hughes, J.M.; Foord, E.E.; Jai-Nhuknan, J.; Bell, J.M.

1996-01-01

Iimoriite-(Y) from Bokan Mountain, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska has been studied using single-crystal X-ray-diffraction techniques. The mineral, ideally Y2(SiO4)(CO3), crystallizes in space group P1, with a 6.5495(13), b 6.6291(14), c 6.4395(11)A??, ?? 116.364(15), ?? 92.556(15) and ?? 95.506(17)??. The atomic arrangement has been solved and refined to an R value of 0.019. The arrangement of atoms consists of alternating (011) slabs of orthosilicate groups and carbonate groups, with no sharing of oxygen atoms between anionic complexes in adjacent slabs. Y1 atoms separate adjacent tetrahedra along [100] within the orthosilicate slab, and Y2 atoms separate adjacent carbonate groups along [100] within the carbonate slab. Adjacent orthosilicate and carbonate slabs are linked in (100) by bonding Y atoms from each slab to oxygen atoms of adjacent slabs, in the form of YO8 polyhedra. The Y1 atoms exist in Y12O14 dimers in the orthosilicate slab, and the Y2 atoms exist in continuous [011] ribbons of edge-sharing Y2O8 polyhedra in the carbonate slab.

O2O - Based Agricultural Products Supply Chain Process Integration Optimization Based on Internet +

OpenAIRE

Li Huijuan

2017-01-01

Traditional wholesale and retail, electricity supplier of agricultural products supply chain have many difficulties. The O2O supply chain of agricultural products of “Internet+”, committed to the integration of online and offline advantage process, has become the main direction of the agricultural products supply chain transformation. Practice operation results show that O2O supply chain can effectively play the advantages of online and offline process integration, but its further development...

Disorder and chain superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7-δ

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Atkinson, W.A.

1999-01-01

The effects of chain disorder on superconductivity in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ are discussed within the context of a proximity model. Chain disorder causes both pair breaking and localization. The hybridization of chain and plane wave functions reduces the importance of localization, so that the transport anisotropy remains large in the presence of a finite fraction δ of oxygen vacancies. Penetration depth and specific heat measurements probe the pair breaking effects of chain disorder, and are discussed in detail at the level of the self-consistent T-matrix approximation. Quantitative agreement with these experiments is found when chain disorder is present. copyright 1999 The American Physical Society

2-DB, 2-D Multigroup Diffusion, X-Y, R-Theta, Hexagonal Geometry Fast Reactor, Criticality Search

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Little, W.W. Jr.; Hardie, R.W.; Hirons, T.J.; O'Dell, R.D.

1969-01-01

1 - Description of problem or function: 2DB is a flexible, two- dimensional (x-y, r-z, r-theta, hex geometry) diffusion code for use in fast reactor analyses. The code can be used to: (a) Compute fuel burnup using a flexible material shuffling scheme. (b) Perform criticality searches on time absorption (alpha), material concentrations, and region dimensions using a regular or adjoint model. Criticality searches can be performed during burnup to compensate for fuel depletion. (c) Compute flux distributions for an arbitrary extraneous source. 2 - Method of solution: Standard source-iteration techniques are used. Group re-balancing and successive over-relaxation with line inversion are used to accelerate convergence. Material burnup is by reactor zone. The burnup rate is determined by the zone and energy (group) averaged cross sections which are recomputed after each time-step. The isotopic chains, which can contain any number of isotopes, are formed by the user. The code does not contain built-in or internal chains. 3 - Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: Since variable dimensioning is employed, no simple bounds can be stated. The current 1108 version, however, is nominally restricted to 50 energy groups in a 65 K memory. In the 6600 version the power fraction, average burnup rate, and breeding ratio calculations are limited to reactors with a maximum of 50 zones

Developmental changes in rat liver branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase.

OpenAIRE

May, E E; May, M E; Aftring, R P; Buse, M G

1982-01-01

Branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase catalyses the first irreversible step in the degradation of the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. With specifically labelled 4-methyl-2-oxo[1-14C]pentanoate as substrate, the enzyme's activity was measured in rat liver homogenates. Activity (per g wet wL of liver or per mg of protein) increased most rapidly during the perinatal period (2 days before to 1 day after birth), reaching approximately adult values by the time of weanin...

Identification of TNF-α-responsive promoters and enhancers in the intestinal epithelial cell model Caco-2

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Boyd, Mette; Coskun, Mehmet; Lilje, Berit

2014-01-01

The Caco-2 cell line is one of the most important in vitro models for enterocytes, and is used to study drug absorption and disease, including inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. In order to use the model optimally, it is necessary to map its functional entities. In this study, we have generated...... genome-wide maps of active transcription start sites (TSSs), and active enhancers in Caco-2 cells with or without tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulation to mimic an inflammatory state. We found 520 promoters that significantly changed their usage level upon TNF-α stimulation; of these, 52...... promoters. As a case example, we characterize an enhancer regulating the laminin-5 γ2-chain (LAMC2) gene by nuclear factor (NF)-κB binding. This report is the first to present comprehensive TSS and enhancer maps over Caco-2 cells, and highlights many novel inflammation-specific promoters and enhancers....

O2O - Based Agricultural Products Supply Chain Process Integration Optimization Based on Internet +

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Li Huijuan

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Traditional wholesale and retail, electricity supplier of agricultural products supply chain have many difficulties. The O2O supply chain of agricultural products of “Internet+”, committed to the integration of online and offline advantage process, has become the main direction of the agricultural products supply chain transformation. Practice operation results show that O2O supply chain can effectively play the advantages of online and offline process integration, but its further development is still subject to the logistics, information flow of the dispersion, fracture and high cost. The integrated optimization of various regions and various enterprises and all sectors of the supply chain process is the key to optimize the process Internet plus era of agricultural products supply chain.

Yangian Y(sl(2)) in Coulomb problem

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Shengli

1998-01-01

In this paper, the Yangian Y(sl(2)) is shown existing in the system that a particle moves in Coulomb field. The generators of Y(sl(2)) are constructed in terms of the angular momentum operators and so-called Yangian Runge-Lenz vector. The selection rule and matrix element of Y(sl(2)) generators are calculated. (orig.)

The roles of P2Y2 purinergic receptors in osteoblasts and mechanotransduction.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yanghui Xing

Full Text Available We previously demonstrated, using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, that P2Y2 purinergic receptors are involved in osteoblast mechanotransduction. In this study, our objective was to further investigate, using a knockout mouse model, the roles of P2Y2 receptors in bone mechanobiology. We first examined bone structure with micro-CT and measured bone mechanical properties with three point bending experiments in both wild type mice and P2Y2 knockout mice. We found that bones from P2Y2 knockout mice have significantly decreased bone volume, bone thickness, bone stiffness and bone ultimate breaking force at 17 week old age. In order to elucidate the mechanisms by which P2Y2 receptors contribute to bone biology, we examined differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow cells from wild type and P2Y2 knockout mice. We found that P2Y2 receptor deficiency reduces the differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow cells. Next, we compared the response of primary osteoblasts, from both wild type and P2Y2 knockout mice, to ATP and mechanical stimulation (oscillatory fluid flow, and found that osteoblasts from wild type mice have a stronger response, in terms of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, to both ATP and fluid flow, relative to P2Y2 knockout mice. However, we did not detect any difference in ATP release in response to fluid flow between wild type and P2Y2 knock out osteoblasts. Our findings suggest that P2Y2 receptors play important roles in bone marrow cell differentiation and mineralization as well as in bone cell mechanotransduction, leading to an osteopenic phenotype in P2Y2 knockout mice.

Sentence‐Chain Based Seq2seq Model for Corpus Expansion

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Euisok Chung

2017-08-01

Full Text Available This study focuses on a method for sequential data augmentation in order to alleviate data sparseness problems. Specifically, we present corpus expansion techniques for enhancing the coverage of a language model. Recent recurrent neural network studies show that a seq2seq model can be applied for addressing language generation issues; it has the ability to generate new sentences from given input sentences. We present a method of corpus expansion using a sentence‐chain based seq2seq model. For training the seq2seq model, sentence chains are used as triples. The first two sentences in a triple are used for the encoder of the seq2seq model, while the last sentence becomes a target sequence for the decoder. Using only internal resources, evaluation results show an improvement of approximately 7.6% relative perplexity over a baseline language model of Korean text. Additionally, from a comparison with a previous study, the sentence chain approach reduces the size of the training data by 38.4% while generating 1.4‐times the number of n‐grams with superior performance for English text.

Web 2.0 y herramientas en red para Educación Infantil y Primaria

OpenAIRE

Solano Fernández, Isabel Mª

2010-01-01

Documento sobre Web 2.0 y herramientas y recursos para Eduación Infantil y Primaria, en el que se hace un recorrido por los términos Web 1.0, Web 2.0 y Web 3.0, y se presentan diversos recursos a partir de diferentes categorías: en función de las variables espacio-temporales, del sistema simbólico y la función. Ejercicios prácticos

Secretive production of long-chain fatty acids, triacylglycerols and n-alkane-2-ones by fermentation processes; Hakkoho ni yoru ekitai nenryo no seisan wa kanoka (shishitsu no bunpi seisan)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fukui, S. [University of Fukuyama, Hiroshima (Japan). Faculty of Engineering

1995-10-20

Secretive production of lipids, which are useful source for engine-driving fuel, by microbial process using carbohydrate biomasses as substrate has been investigated in our laboratory. This review consists of four parts concerning breedings and selection of lipid-secretive microorganisms : (1) breedings of long-chain fatty acid-secretive strains from Candida lipolytica L-1 by a step-wise mutagenesis process, (2) selection of a triacylglycerol (TG)-secretive and accumulative yeast strain Trichosporon sp. SH45Y, (3) breedings of mutants, SH45Y-derivatieves, having potent ability to produce TG secretively from glucose, a typical biomass charbohydrate, and (4) selection of microorganisms which produce liquid-n-alkane in culture medium by utilizing long-chain fatty acids and TG; a strain of Penicillium decumbens can produce liquid alkalis with a yield of approximately 60 % in weight from palm kernel oil, a commercial TG. 10 refs., 7 figs., 7 tabs.

Geometric distribution of CuO chains in YBa2Cu3O6+x

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matic, V.M.; Lazarov, N.Dj.

2006-01-01

Statistics of CuO chains in basal planes of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+x high-T c superconductor has been studied in terms of two dimensional asymmetric next-to-nearest-neighbor Ising (ASYNNNI) model, with accentuation on distribution of CuO chains per different chain lengths. It has been shown that the fraction p(l) of CuO chains containing l oxygen ions (i.e., having the length equal to l), satisfies so-called ''law of geometric distribution''p(l)=ω(1-ω) l-1 , where the quantity ω is equal to the inverse of average chain length l av in the system, for given values of oxygen content x and temperature T. In the case of ortho-II (OII) structural phase, the geometric chain probability distribution is shown to hold separately for each of two different sublattices of oxygen sites, commonly known as α 1 and α 2 , with respectively defined l av α 1 (x,T) and l av α 2 (x,T). The theoretically derived result of the chain probability distribution p(l) is shown to be in a remarkable agreement with the results obtained out of extensive Monte Carlo calculations that were made within region of stability of orthorhombic structural phases in (x,T) space. The relevance of chain length distribution for accurate count of the number of transferred electronic holes to superconducting CuO 2 layers has been pointed out and expression for hole concentration has been derived. The concept of critical chain length for charge transfer mechanism was briefly discussed

A Pst I polymorphism in the human laminin B2 chain gene on 1q25-q31

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kallunki, T; Pikkarainen, T; Tryggvason, K; Savolainen, E R [Univ. of Oulu (Finland)

1989-06-12

pHL-210 is a 2.7 kb cDNA insert in pBR322 that codes for the central position of the 7.5 kb mRNA. A Pst I polymorphism was identified with pHL-210. The allele frequency was studied in 40 chromosomes of unrelated Finnish individuals. The probe was localized to chromosome 1q25-q31 by somatic cell and in situ hybridization. Co-dominant inheritance was shown in three families.

The status of Thailand Y2K Progress

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Srisanan, V.; Junlanan, M.; Malaivongs, K.

1999-01-01

This report divided into two parts deals with the general status of Y2K issues in Thailand and its effects in nuclear safeguards and physical protection and control of nuclear materials. It includes a description of safeguards in Thailand, Y2K action plan, contingency (emergency) plan, Thailand Y2K status report and the Thailand answer sheet about safeguards Y2K problem

Reaction of (CP(2)asterisk-lnH)(2) (ln=Y, La) and CP(2)asterisk-Y(2-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2)) with esters and amides and molecular-structure of [CP(2)asterisk-Y(mu- ocme=chc(oet)o)](2)

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Deelman, B.J; Wierda, F.; Meetsma, A.; Teuben, J.H

1995-01-01

The activation of esters and amides by (Cp(2)*LnH)(2) [Ln = Y (1a), Ln = La (1b), Cp*=C(5)Me] and Cp(2)*Y(2-C(6)H(4)CH(2)NMe(2)) (2) is described. Compounds 1a and 1b react with ethyl acetate to form Cp(2)*YOEt (3a) and Cp(2)*LaOEt (30). With 1a and ethyl benzoate a 1:1 mixture of 3a and

Critical surface phase of α2(2 × 4) reconstructed zig-zag chains on InAs(001)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guo, Xiang [Department of Electronic Information Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025 (China); Zhou, Xun [Department of Electronic Information Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025 (China); School of Physics and Electronics Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550001 (China); Wang, Ji-Hong [Department of Electronic Information Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025 (China); Luo, Zi-Jiang [Department of Electronic Information Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025 (China); School of Education Administration, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guizhou, Guiyang 550004 (China); Zhou, Qing; Liu, Ke; Hu, Ming-Zhe [Department of Electronic Information Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025 (China); Ding, Zhao, E-mail: zding@gzu.edu.cn [Department of Electronic Information Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025 (China)

2014-07-01

The critical condition for InAs(001) surface phase transition has been studied, the surface phase transition of InAs(001) showed discontinuity with hysteresis cycle as a function of substrate temperature. A mixed reconstruction surface and zig-zag chain α2(2 × 4) reconstruction surface have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Considering the interaction and dynamics of surface arsenic atoms, the zig-zag chains of α2(2 × 4) reconstruction were found to be actually caused by the selective adsorption and desorption of surface arsenic dimers, they played a critical role in the surface phase transition between (2 × 4) and (4 × 2). - Highlights: • Discontinuous surface phase transition phenomena on the flat InAs(001) surface • Nanoscale InAs(001) surface observed by scanning tunneling microscopy • “Zig-Zag” chains of α2(2 × 4) reconstruction • Critical role in the surface phase transition between (2 × 4) and (4 × 2)

Critical surface phase of α2(2 × 4) reconstructed zig-zag chains on InAs(001)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guo, Xiang; Zhou, Xun; Wang, Ji-Hong; Luo, Zi-Jiang; Zhou, Qing; Liu, Ke; Hu, Ming-Zhe; Ding, Zhao

2014-01-01

The critical condition for InAs(001) surface phase transition has been studied, the surface phase transition of InAs(001) showed discontinuity with hysteresis cycle as a function of substrate temperature. A mixed reconstruction surface and zig-zag chain α2(2 × 4) reconstruction surface have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Considering the interaction and dynamics of surface arsenic atoms, the zig-zag chains of α2(2 × 4) reconstruction were found to be actually caused by the selective adsorption and desorption of surface arsenic dimers, they played a critical role in the surface phase transition between (2 × 4) and (4 × 2). - Highlights: • Discontinuous surface phase transition phenomena on the flat InAs(001) surface • Nanoscale InAs(001) surface observed by scanning tunneling microscopy • “Zig-Zag” chains of α2(2 × 4) reconstruction • Critical role in the surface phase transition between (2 × 4) and (4 × 2)

Electronic structures of PrBa2Cu3O7, Pr2Ba4Cu7O15-y(y=0,1), and PrBa2Cu4O8 based on LSDA+U method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tavana, A.; Shirazi, M.; Akhavan, M.

2009-01-01

The electronic structures of PrBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 (Pr123), Pr 2 Ba 4 Cu 7 O 15-y (Pr247), and PrBa 2 Cu 4 O 8 (Pr124) cuprates have been obtained using density-functional theory in the local spin density approximation plus onsite Coulomb interaction (LSDA+U). Onsite Hubbard correlation, U, has been considered for Pr-f and Cu-d orbitals and the effects of considering these correlation corrections on the Pr-O hybridizations have been inspected. Results imply that the Pr ionization state in Pr123 system is constituted from two different configurations, and the energy of the f states in these two configurations has an important role in superconductivity properties of the system. Our calculations also show that in both Pr124 and Pr247 systems, suppression of superconductivity is weaker than that in the Pr123 system. This occurs due to the weaker Pr-O bond in both Pr124 and Pr247 systems. The role of the double chain and single chain on the conduction properties of these compounds has been investigated. We have also studied the effect of oxygen deficiency in Pr247 system, which seems to revive superconductivity in this system. Investigating the hole carriers in the CuO 2 plane shows a correlation between superconductivity suppression and hole decrement in the planes. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Movilidad de oxígeno en conductores iónicos A2Ti2-yZryO7 (A: Y, Gd

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

León, C.

2004-08-01

Full Text Available We report a study of ionic conductivity in the series Y2Ti2-yZryO7 and Gd2Ti2-yZryO7 (0≤y≤2 obtained by mechanochemical synthesis. We present a study of oxygen ion dynamics in these materials by Impedance Spectroscopy. The change in dc conductivity and activation energy with Zr content is interpreted in terms of the increase in the number of oxygen vacancies and of structural disorder when increasing Zr content.Presentamos un estudio de la conductividad iónica en las series Y2Ti2-yZryO7 y Gd2Ti2-yZryO7 (0≤y≤2 obtenidas por síntesis mecanoquímica. Se presenta un estudio de la dinámica de iones oxígeno en estos materiales mediante la técnica de Espectroscopia de Admitancias. La variación con el contenido en Zr de la conductividad dc y de su energía de activación se interpreta en términos del aumento tanto del número de vacantes de oxígeno como del desorden en la estructura al aumentar el contenido en Zr.

{sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of single-crystalline K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} and K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}Se{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsuchiya, Yuu, E-mail: tsuchiya.yuu1990@gmail.com; Ikeda, Shugo; Kobayashi, Hisao [University of Hyogo (Japan)

2016-12-15

We have investigated the physical properties of single-crystalline K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} and K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}Se{sub 2} samples using {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The observed {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectra were reconstructed using a major antiferromagnetic ordered K{sub 2}Fe{sub 4}Se{sub 5} phase and a minor paramagnetic phase down to 5 K, despite being superconducting below 32.2 K in K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}Se{sub 2}. The analysis of {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectrum for K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} at 290 K confirms the presence of a major antiferromagnetic ordered K{sub 2}Fe{sub 4}S{sub 5} phase and a minor paramagnetic phase in the K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} single crystal. The derived hyperfine interaction parameters of the paramagnetic phase in K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} suggest that the microstructure of this phase in K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} is similar to that of the superconducting phase in K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}Se{sub 2} although the K{sub x}Fe{sub 2-y}S{sub 2} single crystals exhibit no superconductivity down to 5 K.

Floral Developmental Pattern Changes on Neoregelia‘Flandria’(BROMELIACEAE Analysed by Markov Chain methodologyADRIANA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Adriana Pico

2003-01-01

Full Text Available Neoregelia 'Flandria'and N. 'Van Durme'are ornamental cultivars of Bromelia.Propagation by seeds is not viable and prunes constitutes the only way to propagateavoiding alterations. In this article the developmental floral pattern of 72 Bromeliastreated with ANA 190 ppm (T1, Ethrel: ANA + ETHREL,(T2 y ETHREL, (T3 anddivided into two age groups: E1 y E2 are shown. The treatments studied generated moreelongated plants and six new patterns. Using the Markov chain methodology theprobability to evolve to any pattern and the percentage of each were studied.

Magnetic and transport properties of the (Tb{sub 1-} {sub x} Y {sub x} )Mn{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and TbMn{sub 2}(Si{sub 1-} {sub y} Ge {sub y} ){sub 2} systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Granovsky, S.A. [Department of Physics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory GSP-2 119992 Moscow (Russian Federation) and TU Dresden, Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, D-01062, Dresden (Germany)]. E-mail: ser@plms.phys.msu.ru; Gaidukova, I.Yu. [Department of Physics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory GSP-2 119992 Moscow (Russian Federation); Doerr, M. [TU Dresden, Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, D-01062, Dresden (Germany); Loewenhaupt, M. [TU Dresden, Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, D-01062, Dresden (Germany); Markosyan, A.S. [Department of Physics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory GSP-2 119992 Moscow (Russian Federation)

2005-04-15

Magnetic and transport characteristics of pseudo-ternary compounds (Tb{sub 1-} {sub x} Y {sub x} )Mn{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and TbMn{sub 2}(Si{sub 1-} {sub y} Ge {sub y} ){sub 2} have been studied. The role of the 4f-3d exchange and Mn-Mn distances in the formation of the magnetic structure of these compounds is discussed.

On Ba2Ge2Te5, a new telluridogermanate(III) with chain structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brinkmann, C.; Eisenmann, B.; Schaefer, H.

1984-01-01

The new compound Ba 2 Ge 2 Te 5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system (space group: Pna2 1 (No. 33)). The lattice constants are given. In the structure distorted Ge 2 Te 6 -trigonal prisms are connected by common corners to infinite chains. (author)

Y2K: Focus on systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dillner, M.

1999-01-01

During the past three years the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been actively working with the US DOE to understand the Y2K impacts that exist and perform appropriate remediation of critical systems. The Y2K problem has the potential for affecting software, hardware, embedded chips, control devices as well as telephone and power equipment. Successful Y2K remediation requires that a risk assessment be performed based on a view of the 'complete' system (e.g. input, outputs, infrastructure, operating systems, communication mechanisms, and development tools as compilers). All DOE facilities have followed the Y2K life cycle of system inventory, assessment (system and risk), renovation, testing, transition planning, implementation, validation and business continuity planning. Within this process, each organization has used the particular systems life-cycle methodology. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory would like to share lessons learned about the entire Year 2000 program particularly in the areas of performing Year 2000 assessments, the identification of appropriate system remediation, and project mechanisms

Enhanced 77 K vortex-pinning in Y Ba2Cu3O7−x films with Ba2Y TaO6 and mixed Ba2Y TaO6 + Ba2Y NbO6 nano-columnar inclusions with irreversibility field to 11 T

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

F. Rizzo

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Pulsed laser deposited thin Y Ba2Cu3O7−x (YBCO films with pinning additions of 5 at. % Ba2Y TaO6 (BYTO were compared to films with 2.5 at. % Ba2Y TaO6 + 2.5 at. % Ba2Y NbO6 (BYNTO additions. Excellent magnetic flux-pinning at 77 K was obtained with remarkably high irreversibility fields greater than 10 T (YBCO-BYTO and 11 T (YBCO-BYNTO, representing the highest ever achieved values in YBCO films.

Beta1 integrins activate a MAPK signalling pathway in neural stem cells that contributes to their maintenance

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Campos, Lia S; Leone, Dino P; Relvas, Joao B

2004-01-01

, signalling is required for neural stem cell maintenance, as assessed by neurosphere formation, and inhibition or genetic ablation of beta1 integrin using cre/lox technology reduces the level of MAPK activity. We conclude that integrins are therefore an important part of the signalling mechanisms that control......The emerging evidence that stem cells develop in specialised niches highlights the potential role of environmental factors in their regulation. Here we examine the role of beta1 integrin/extracellular matrix interactions in neural stem cells. We find high levels of beta1 integrin expression...... in the stem-cell containing regions of the embryonic CNS, with associated expression of the laminin alpha2 chain. Expression levels of laminin alpha2 are reduced in the postnatal CNS, but a population of cells expressing high levels of beta1 remains. Using neurospheres - aggregate cultures, derived from...

Superconductivity induced by oxygen doping in Y{sub 2}O{sub 2}Bi

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng, Xiyue; Deng, Shuiquan [State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fuzhou (China); Gordon, Elijah E. [Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (United States); Whangbo, Myung-Hwan [State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fuzhou (China); Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (United States)

2017-08-14

When doped with oxygen, the layered Y{sub 2}O{sub 2}Bi phase becomes a superconductor. This finding raises questions about the sites for doped oxygen, the mechanism of superconductivity, and practical guidelines for discovering new superconductors. We probed these questions in terms of first-principles calculations for undoped and O-doped Y{sub 2}O{sub 2}Bi. The preferred sites for doped O atoms are the centers of Bi{sub 4} squares in the Bi square net. Several Bi 6p x/y bands of Y{sub 2}O{sub 2}Bi are raised in energy by oxygen doping because the 2p x/y orbitals of the doped oxygen make antibonding possible with the 6p x/y orbitals of surrounding Bi atoms. Consequently, the condition necessary for the ''flat/steep'' band model for superconductivity is satisfied in O-doped Y{sub 2}O{sub 2}Bi. (copyright 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Photoluminescence properties of Eu2+-activated Ca2Y2Si2O9 phosphor

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Zhang, Zhijun; Delsing, A.C.A.; Notten, P.H.L.; Zhao, Jingtai; Hintzen, H.T.J.M.

2012-01-01

Eu2+-activated Ca2Y2Si2O9 phosphors with different Eu2+ concentrations have been prepared by a solid-state reaction method at high temperature and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. Photoluminescence results show that Eu2+-doped Ca2Y2Si2O9 can be efficiently excited by

Tracing Primary PM2.5 emissions via Chinese supply chains

Science.gov (United States)

Meng, Jing; Liu, Junfeng; Xu, Yuan; Tao, Shu

2015-05-01

In this study, we examine a supply-chain approach to more effectively mitigate primary PM2.5 emissions in China from the perspectives of production, consumption and their linkages using structural path analysis. We identify the pattern of all supply chain paths using principal component analysis. To address the severe haze problems in China, it is important to understand how final demand purchase initiates production processes and ultimately leads to primary PM2.5 emission. We found that consumers’ demands on power and transportation mainly induce direct emissions, quite different from the demands on construction, industry and service products which largely drive emissions in upstream activities. We also found that nearly 80% of the economic sectors in China follow a similar pattern in generating primary PM2.5 emissions in electricity, cement and the ferrous metal industries; but only the construction sector increases the release of PM2.5 due to the production of non-metallic mineral products. These findings indicate that further reduction of end-of-pipe emissions in the power and transportation sectors will facilitate cleaner production in almost all the economic sectors. However, for urbanization induced emissions, China should mitigate PM2.5 emissions through the supply chain of construction, either severely reducing its life-cycle intensity or carefully planning to avoid extensive, unnecessary building activity.

Tracing Primary PM2.5 emissions via Chinese supply chains

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Meng, Jing; Liu, Junfeng; Tao, Shu; Xu, Yuan

2015-01-01

In this study, we examine a supply-chain approach to more effectively mitigate primary PM 2.5 emissions in China from the perspectives of production, consumption and their linkages using structural path analysis. We identify the pattern of all supply chain paths using principal component analysis. To address the severe haze problems in China, it is important to understand how final demand purchase initiates production processes and ultimately leads to primary PM 2.5 emission. We found that consumers’ demands on power and transportation mainly induce direct emissions, quite different from the demands on construction, industry and service products which largely drive emissions in upstream activities. We also found that nearly 80% of the economic sectors in China follow a similar pattern in generating primary PM 2.5 emissions in electricity, cement and the ferrous metal industries; but only the construction sector increases the release of PM 2.5 due to the production of non-metallic mineral products. These findings indicate that further reduction of end-of-pipe emissions in the power and transportation sectors will facilitate cleaner production in almost all the economic sectors. However, for urbanization induced emissions, China should mitigate PM 2.5 emissions through the supply chain of construction, either severely reducing its life-cycle intensity or carefully planning to avoid extensive, unnecessary building activity. (letter)

A uranium-based UO{sub 2}{sup +}-Mn{sup 2+} single-chain magnet assembled trough cation-cation interactions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mougel, Victor; Chatelain, Lucile; Hermle, Johannes; Pecaut, Jacques; Mazzanti, Marinella [CEA-Grenoble (France). Lab. de Reconnaissance Ionique et Chimie de Coordination; Caciuffo, Roberto; Colineau, Eric [European Commission, Karlsruhe (Germany). Inst. for Transuranium Elements; Tuna, Floriana [Manchester Univ. (United Kingdom). School of Chemistry; Magnani, Nicola [KIT Karlsruhe (Germany). Inst. of Nanotechnology; Geyer, Arnaud de [CEA-Grenoble (France). Service General des Rayons X

2014-01-13

Single-chain magnets (SCMs) are materials composed of magnetically isolated one-dimensional (1D) units exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization. The occurrence of SCM behavior requires the fulfillment of stringent conditions for exchange and anisotropy interactions. Herein, we report the synthesis, the structure, and the magnetic characterization of the first actinide-containing SCM. The 5f-3d heterometallic 1D chains [{[UO_2(salen)(py)][M(py)_4](NO_3)}]{sub n}, (M=Cd (1) and M=Mn (2); py=pyridine) are assembled trough cation-cation interaction from the reaction of the uranyl(V) complex [UO{sub 2}(salen)py][Cp{sup *}{sub 2}Co] (Cp{sup *}=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with Cd(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} or Mn(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} in pyridine. The infinite UMn chain displays a high relaxation barrier of 134±0.8 K (93±0.5 cm{sup -1}), probably as a result of strong intra-chain magnetic interactions combined with the high Ising anisotropy of the uranyl(V) dioxo group. It also exhibits an open magnetic hysteresis loop at T<6 K, with an impressive coercive field of 3.4 T at 2 K.

Thermodynamical properties of random spin-1/2 XY chain with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Derzhko, O.; Krokhmalskii, T.; Verkholyak, T.

1995-07-01

For computation of the equilibrium statistical properties of finite spin-1/2 XY chains with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction the suggested earlier approach (JMMM 140-144 (1995) 1623) is generalized. It is applied for calculation of transverse dynamical susceptibility of spin-1/2 Ising chain in non-random and random Gaussian transverse field with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. (author). 7 refs, 2 figs

Opaque Transparency: Why California’s Supply Chain Transparency Act is Unenforceable

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Benjamin Thomas Greer

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Traffickers are dynamic, fluid operators; reacting well to consumer demand, under-regulated economic sectors, and easily adapting to exploit weaknesses in prevailing laws. Corporate globalization of storefronts and extensive manufacturing supply chains have contributed to human trafficking becoming the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. California’s legislative and social experiments are often models other governments look to for guidance. California is the first government to require businesses to disclose their anti-trafficking supply chain policies to their consumers. Under the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (CATSCA, large retailer sellers must conspicuously disclose on their web site their policies, if any, to detect and fight slave labor within their supply chain. This article explores the requirements of the CATSCA and will examine the legal effectiveness of the California transparency framework. Los traficantes son agentes dinámicos, de gran fluidez: reaccionan bien a la demanda de los consumidores y a los sectores económicos sin regular, y se adaptan fácilmente para explotar las debilidades de las leyes vigentes. La globalización corporativa de los comercios y de las grandes cadenas de suministro ha contribuido a que el tráfico de personas se haya convertido en el negocio criminal de crecimiento más rápido en el mundo. El gobierno de California ha sido el primero en exigir que los negocios revelen a sus clientes su política anti-tráfico. El llamado California Transparency in Supply Chains Act (CATSCA, de 2010, obliga a los mayoristas a publicar en sus sitios web, de forma preeminente, las políticas que siguen - caso de que las tengan - para detectar y combatir el trabajo en esclavitud dentro de su cadena de suministro. Este artículo explora los requisitos del CATSCA y examina la efectividad legal de las normas sobre transparencia de California. DOWNLOAD THIS PAPER FROM SSRN: http

Oxidation modifies the structure and function of the extracellular matrix generated by human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Chuang, Christine Y; Degendorfer, Georg; Hammer, Astrid; Whitelock, John M; Malle, Ernst; Davies, Michael J

2014-04-15

ECM (extracellular matrix) materials, such as laminin, perlecan, type IV collagen and fibronectin, play a key role in determining the structure of the arterial wall and the properties of cells that interact with the ECM. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of peroxynitrous acid, an oxidant generated by activated macrophages, on the structure and function of the ECM laid down by HCAECs (human coronary artery endothelial cells) in vitro and in vivo. We show that exposure of HCAEC-derived native matrix components to peroxynitrous acid (but not decomposed oxidant) at concentrations >1 μM results in a loss of antibody recognition of perlecan, collagen IV, and cell-binding sites on laminin and fibronectin. Loss of recognition was accompanied by decreased HCAEC adhesion. Real-time PCR showed up-regulation of inflammation-associated genes, including MMP7 (matrix metalloproteinase 7) and MMP13, as well as down-regulation of the laminin α2 chain, in HCAECs cultured on peroxynitrous acid-treated matrix compared with native matrix. Immunohistochemical studies provided evidence of co-localization of laminin with 3-nitrotyrosine, a biomarker of peroxynitrous acid damage, in type II-III/IV human atherosclerotic lesions, consistent with matrix damage occurring during disease development in vivo. The results of the present study suggest a mechanism through which peroxynitrous acid modifies endothelial cell-derived native ECM proteins of the arterial basement membrane in atherosclerotic lesions. These changes to ECM and particularly perlecan and laminin may be important in inducing cellular dysfunction and contribute to atherogenesis.

Fast response dry-type artificial molecular muscles with [c2]daisy chains

Science.gov (United States)

Iwaso, Kazuhisa; Takashima, Yoshinori; Harada, Akira

2016-06-01

Hierarchically organized myosin and actin filaments found in biological systems exhibit contraction and expansion behaviours that produce work and force by consuming chemical energy. Inspired by these naturally occurring examples, we have developed photoresponsive wet- and dry-type molecular actuators built from rotaxane-based compounds known as [c2]daisy chains (specifically, [c2]AzoCD2 hydrogel and [c2]AzoCD2 xerogel). These actuators were prepared via polycondensation between four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) and a [c2]daisy chain based on α-cyclodextrin as the host component and azobenzene as a photoresponsive guest component. The light-induced actuation arises from the sliding motion of the [c2]daisy chain unit. Ultraviolet irradiation caused the gels to bend towards the light source. The response of the [c2]AzoCD2 xerogel, even under dry conditions, is very fast (7° every second), which is 10,800 times faster than the [c2]AzoCD2 hydrogel (7° every 3 h). In addition, the [c2]AzoCD2 xerogel was used as a crane arm to lift an object using ultraviolet irradiation to produce mechanical work.

Size, shape, and diffusivity of a single Debye-Hückel polyelectrolyte chain in solution

Science.gov (United States)

Soysa, W. Chamath; Dünweg, B.; Prakash, J. Ravi

2015-08-01

Brownian dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained bead-spring chain model, with Debye-Hückel electrostatic interactions between the beads, are used to determine the root-mean-square end-to-end vector, the radius of gyration, and various shape functions (defined in terms of eigenvalues of the radius of gyration tensor) of a weakly charged polyelectrolyte chain in solution, in the limit of low polymer concentration. The long-time diffusivity is calculated from the mean square displacement of the centre of mass of the chain, with hydrodynamic interactions taken into account through the incorporation of the Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa tensor. Simulation results are interpreted in the light of the Odjik, Skolnick, Fixman, Khokhlov, and Khachaturian blob scaling theory (Everaers et al., Eur. Phys. J. E 8, 3 (2002)) which predicts that all solution properties are determined by just two scaling variables—the number of electrostatic blobs X and the reduced Debye screening length, Y. We identify three broad regimes, the ideal chain regime at small values of Y, the blob-pole regime at large values of Y, and the crossover regime at intermediate values of Y, within which the mean size, shape, and diffusivity exhibit characteristic behaviours. In particular, when simulation results are recast in terms of blob scaling variables, universal behaviour independent of the choice of bead-spring chain parameters, and the number of blobs X, is observed in the ideal chain regime and in much of the crossover regime, while the existence of logarithmic corrections to scaling in the blob-pole regime leads to non-universal behaviour.

Dynamics of extracellular matrix in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea of mice

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Irving-Rodgers, Helen F; Hummitzsch, Katja; Murdiyarso, Lydia S

2009-01-01

Despite the mouse being an important laboratory species, little is known about changes in its extracellular matrix (ECM) during follicle and corpora lutea formation and regression. Follicle development was induced in mice (29 days of age/experimental day 0) by injections of pregnant mare's serum...... and antral follicles. The focimatrix, a specialised matrix of the membrana granulosa, contained collagen type IV alpha1 and alpha2, laminin alpha1, beta1 and gamma1 chains, nidogens 1 and 2, perlecan and collagen type XVIII. In the corpora lutea, staining was restricted to capillary sub-endothelial basal...... gonadotrophin on days 0 and 1 and ovulation was induced by injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin on day 2. Ovaries were collected for immunohistochemistry (n=10 per group) on days 0, 2 and 5. Another group was mated and ovaries were examined on day 11 (n=7). Collagen type IV alpha1 and alpha2, laminin...

The fluorite-pyrochlore transformation of Ho2-yNdyZr2O7

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Clements, Richard; Hester, James R.; Kennedy, Brendan J.; Ling, Chris D.; Stampfl, Anton P.J.

2011-01-01

Twelve members of the Ho 2-y Nd y Zr 2 O 7 series, prepared using conventional solid state methods, have been characterised by neutron powder diffraction. Ho 2 Zr 2 O 7 has a defect fluorite structure whereas Nd 2 Zr 2 O 7 is found to adopt the ordered pyrochlore structure with the composition induced fluorite-pyrochlore transformation occurring near y=1. Rietveld analysis on the neutron data for all the compositions reveals an increase in lattice parameter as a function of y across the entire series, with a small discontinuity associated with the transformation. The neutron profile results suggest that domains of pyrochlore-type initially begin to form before crystallising into a separate phase, and therefore that anion and cation ordering processes are distinct. There is a strong correlation between the extent of disorder in the anion sublattice and the x-parameter of 48f oxygen. These results point the way to a better understanding of the stability observed in pyrochlore structures. - Graphical abstract: Neutron diffraction profiles for Nd 2-y Ho y Zr 2 O 7 type oxides reveal details of the transformation from the ordered pyrochlore structure (y=0) to the disordered fluorite structure (y=2). Highlights: → Structures of twelve members of the Ho 2-y Nd y Zr 2 O 7 series studied using neutron powder diffraction. → Domains of pyrochlore-type materials form at low doping levels. → Higher doping stabilises the pyrochlore. → Anion and cation ordering processes are distinct.

Thermoluminescent dosimetry of beta radiations of 90 Sr/ 90 Y using amorphous ZrO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rivera M, T.; Olvera T, L.; Azorin N, J.; Barrera R, M.; Soto E, A.M.

2005-01-01

In this work the results of studying the thermoluminescent properties (Tl) of the zirconium oxide in its amorphous state (ZrO 2 -a) before beta radiations of 90 Sr/ 90 Y are presented. The amorphous powders of the zirconium oxide were synthesized by means of the sol-gel technique. The sol-gel process using alkoxides like precursors, is an efficient method to prepare a matrix of zirconium oxide by hydrolysis - condensation of the precursor to form chains of Zr-H 3 and Zr-O 2 . One of the advantages of this technique is the obtention of gels at low temperatures with very high purity and homogeneity. The powders were characterized by means of thermal analysis and by X-ray diffraction. The powders of ZrO 2 -a, previously irradiated with beta particles of 90 Sr/ 90 Y, presented a thermoluminescent curve with two peaks at 150 and 257 C. The dissipation of the information of the one ZrO 2 -a was of 40% the first 2 hours remaining constant the information for the following 30 days. The reproducibility of the information was of ± 2.5% in standard deviation. The studied characteristics allow to propose to the amorphous zirconium oxide as thermoluminescent dosemeter for the detection of beta radiation. (Author)

A newly identified protein of Leptospira interrogans mediates binding to laminin.

Science.gov (United States)

Longhi, Mariana T; Oliveira, Tatiane R; Romero, Eliete C; Gonçales, Amane P; de Morais, Zenaide M; Vasconcellos, Silvio A; Nascimento, Ana L T O

2009-10-01

Pathogenic Leptospira is the aetiological agent of leptospirosis, a life-threatening disease that affects populations worldwide. The search for novel antigens that could be relevant in host-pathogen interactions is being pursued. These antigens have the potential to elicit several activities, including adhesion. This study focused on a hypothetical predicted lipoprotein of Leptospira, encoded by the gene LIC12895, thought to mediate attachment to extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 Star (DE3)pLys by using the expression vector pAE. The recombinant protein tagged with N-terminal hexahistidine was purified by metal-charged chromatography and characterized by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The capacity of the protein to mediate attachment to ECM components was evaluated by binding assays. The leptospiral protein encoded by LIC12895, named Lsa27 (leptospiral surface adhesin, 27 kDa), bound strongly to laminin in a dose-dependent and saturable fashion. Moreover, Lsa27 was recognized by antibodies from serum samples of confirmed leptospirosis specimens in both the initial and the convalescent phases of the disease. Lsa27 is most likely a surface protein of Leptospira as revealed in liquid-phase immunofluorescence assays with living organisms. Taken together, these data indicate that this newly identified membrane protein is expressed during natural infection and may play a role in mediating adhesion of L. interrogans to its host.

Evidence of IgY subclass diversification in snakes: evolutionary implications.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Tao; Sun, Yi; Shao, Wenwei; Cheng, Gang; Li, Lingxiao; Cao, Zubing; Yang, Zhi; Zou, Huiying; Zhang, Wei; Han, Binyue; Hu, Yang; Ren, Liming; Hu, Xiaoxiang; Guo, Ying; Fei, Jing; Hammarström, Lennart; Li, Ning; Zhao, Yaofeng

2012-10-01

Mammalian IgG and IgE are thought to have evolved from IgY of nonmammalian tetrapods; however, no diversification of IgY subclasses has been reported in reptiles or birds, which are phylogenetically close to mammals. To our knowledge, we report the first evidence of the presence of multiple IgY-encoding (υ) genes in snakes. Two υ genes were identified in the snake Elaphe taeniura, and three υ genes were identified in the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus). Although four of the υ genes displayed a conventional four-H chain C region exon structure, one of the υ genes in the Burmese python lacked the H chain C region 2 exon, thus exhibiting a structure similar to that of the mammalian γ genes. We developed mouse mAbs specific for the IgY1 and IgY2 of E. taeniura and showed that both were expressed in serum; each had two isoforms: one full-length and one truncated at the C terminus. The truncation was not caused by alternative splicing or transcriptional termination. We also identified the μ and δ genes, but no α gene, in both snakes. This study provides valuable clues for our understanding of Ig gene evolution in tetrapods.

Production, Characterization and Use of Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing IgY Epitopes Shared by Chicken, Turkey, Pheasant, Peafowl and Sparrow

OpenAIRE

Narat, Mojca; Biček, Ajda; Vadnjal, Robert; Benčina, Dušan

2004-01-01

Chicken antibodies are not only a part of immune defense but are more and more popular commercial products in form of chicken polyclonal, monoclonal or recombinant antibodies. We produced and characterized mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognize epitopes located on heavy or light chain of chicken immunoglobulin Y (chIgY) shared also by some other Phasianidae birds. The use of mAbs 1F5 and 2F10 that recognize heavy chain on chIgY common epitopes was demonstrated on immunoglobulins of...

Chemical durability and Structural approach of the glass series (40-y) Na2O-yFe2O3-5Al2O3-55P2O5-by IR, X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer Spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aqdim, S; Sayouty, El H; Elouad, B; Greneche, J M

2012-01-01

The relationship between the composition and structure for the glasses of general composition (40-y)Na 2 O-yFe 2 O 3 -5Al 2 O 3 -55P 2 O 5 (5≤y≤20), has been studied. The chemical durability and density of these glasses increase with increasing Fe 2 O 3 content. The dissolution rate (D R ), calculated from the weight loss in distilled water at 90°C for up to 20 days was ≈ 3.10 −9 g/cm 2 /mn which is 30 times lower than that of window glass. The structure and valence states of the iron ions in the glasses were investigated using, X-ray diffraction, 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry, potentiometric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Both Mössbauer spectrometry and potentiometric analysis allow to estimate both Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ contents in all these glasses. X-ray diffraction indicates that the local structure of iron phosphate glasses is related to the short range structures of NaFeP 2 O 7 . Infrared spectra indicate the formation of P–O–Fe bonds in the pyrophosphate glasses that replace P–O–Na bonds. The presence of a small content of Al 2 O 3 in the glass seems to play a role as a network modifier. The addition of Fe 2 O 3 to Al 2 O 3 in phosphate glasses favours the enhancement of the formation of pyrophosphate units because iron ions have stronger effect on the depolymerization of metaphosphate chains than the aluminium ions. Finally, the I.R spectra indicate that the presence of P-O-Fe bands of these glasses containing more than 15 mol%Fe 2 O 3 is consistent with their good chemical durability.

Crystallization and characterization of Y2O3-SiO2 glasses

Science.gov (United States)

Drummond, Charles H., III; Lee, William E.; Sanders, W. A.; Kiser, J. D.

1991-01-01

Glasses in the yttria-silica system with 20 to 40 mol pct Y2O3 were subjected to recrystallization studies after melting at 1900 to 2100 C in W crucibles in 1 and 50 atm N2. The TEM and XRD results obtained indicate the presence of the delta, gamma, gamma prime, and beta-Y2Si2O7 crystalline phases, depending on melting and quenching conditions. Heat treatment in air at 1100 to 1600 C increased the amount of crystallization, and led to the formation of Y2SiO5, cristabalite, and polymorphs of Y2Si2O7. Also investigated were the effects of 5 and 10 wt pct zirconia additions.

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of hydrogen mobility in LaY2Ni9Hx and CeY2Ni9Hx

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Soloninin, A.V.; Buzlukov, A.L.; Skripov, A.V.; Latroche, M.; Paul-Boncour, V.

2009-01-01

In order to investigate the mobility of hydrogen in the ternary compounds LaY 2 Ni 9 and CeY 2 Ni 9 , we have measured the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and the proton spin-lattice relaxation rates R 1 for LaY 2 Ni 9 H x (x=0.78 and 10.3) and CeY 2 Ni 9 H x (x=0.79 and 7.2). The measurements have been performed at the resonance frequencies of 14, 23.8 and 90 MHz over the temperature range of 11-404 K. For LaY 2 Ni 9 H x , the behavior of R 1 is consistent with the presence of a considerable contribution due to motionally modulated dipole-dipole interaction between nuclear spins. This contribution can be satisfactorily described in terms of the Bloembergen-Purcell-Pound model with a Gaussian distribution of activation energies for hydrogen diffusion; the value of the average activation energy resulting from such a description for LaY 2 Ni 9 H 10.3 is approximately 0.36 eV. For CeY 2 Ni 9 H x compounds, the measured proton spin-lattice relaxation rates are dominated by the contribution due to the interaction between proton spins and paramagnetic centers over the entire temperature range studied. Only qualitative information on H mobility in these compounds has been obtained from the narrowing of NMR spectra. Possible paths of H diffusion in LaY 2 Ni 9 H x and CeY 2 Ni 9 H x are discussed in terms of the distances between the interstitial sites occupied by hydrogen. - Graphical abstract: The temperature dependences of the proton spin-lattice relaxation rates R 1 measured at 14, 23.8 and 90 MHz for LaY 2 Ni 9 H 10.3 . The frequency-dependent increase in R 1 at T>250 K indicates the onset of the motional contribution to the relaxation rates

Flow cytometric analysis of expression of interleukin-2 receptor beta chain (p70-75) on various leukemic cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoshino, S.; Oshimi, K.; Tsudo, M.; Miyasaka, M.; Teramura, M.; Masuda, M.; Motoji, T.; Mizoguchi, H.

1990-01-01

We analyzed the expression of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta chain (p70-75) on various leukemic cells from 44 patients by flow cytometric analysis using the IL-2R beta chain-specific monoclonal antibody, designated Mik-beta 1. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the expression of the IL-2R beta chain on granular lymphocytes (GLs) from all eight patients with granular lymphocyte proliferative disorders (GLPDs), on adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells from all three patients with ATL, and on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells from one of three patients with T-ALL. Although GLs from all the GLPD patients expressed the IL-2R beta chain alone and not the IL-2R alpha chain (Tac-antigen: p55), ATL and T-ALL cells expressing the beta chain coexpressed the alpha chain. In two of seven patients with common ALL (cALL) and in both patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the leukemic cells expressed the alpha chain alone. Neither the alpha chain nor the beta chain was expressed on leukemic cells from the remaining 28 patients, including all 18 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, five of seven patients with cALL, all three patients with multiple myeloma, and two of three patients with T-ALL. These results indicate that three different forms of IL-2R chain expression exist on leukemic cells: the alpha chain alone; the beta chain alone; and both the alpha and beta chains. To examine whether the results obtained by flow cytometric analysis actually reflect functional aspects of the expressed IL-2Rs, we studied the specific binding of 125I-labeled IL-2 (125I-IL-2) to leukemic cells in 18 of the 44 patients. In addition, we performed 125I-IL-2 crosslinking studies in seven patients. The results of IL-2R expression of both 125I-IL-2 binding assay and crosslinking studies were in agreement with those obtained by flow cytometric analysis

Excitations and possible bound states in the S = 1/2 alternating chain compound (VO)2P2O7

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tennant, D.A.; Nagler, S.E.; Sales, B.C.

1997-01-01

Magnetic excitations in an array of (VO) 2 P 2 O 7 single crystals have been measured using inelastic neutron scattering. Until now, (VO) 2 P 2 O 7 has been thought of as a two-leg antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin ladder with chains running in the a-direction. The present results show unequivocally that (VO) 2 P 2 O 7 is best described as an alternating spin-chain directed along the crystallographic b-direction. In addition to the expected magnon with magnetic zone-center energy gap Δ = 3.1 meV, a second excitation is observed at an energy just below 2Δ. The higher mode may be a triplet two-magnon bound state. Numerical results in support of bound modes are presented

Creation of Y2Ti2O7 nanoprecipitates to strengthen the Fe-14Cr-3Al-2W steels by adding Ti hydride and Y2O3 nanoparticles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Linbo; Bai, Zhonglian; Shen, Hailong; Wang, Chenxi; Liu, Tong

2017-01-01

In order to prohibit the formation of large Y-Al-O precipitates, Ti hydride nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and used to replace Ti as raw particles to fabricate the oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe-14Cr-3Al-2W-0.35Y 2 O 3 steels by mechanical alloying (MA) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). As the content of Ti hydride increases from 0.1 to 0.5 and 1.0 wt%, the oxide nanoprecipitates in the ODS steels changes from Y 3 Al 5 O 12 phase to Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 phase (semicoherent with the matrix), and the particle size is successfully reduced. The tensile strength of the ODS steel increases remarkably with increasing Ti hydride content. The sample with 1.0 wt% Ti hydride exhibits a high strength of 1049 MPa at 25 °C and 278 MPa at 700 °C. The creation of Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 nanoprecipitates by adding Ti hydride NPs opens a new way to control the structure and size of the oxide precipitates in the ODS steels. - Graphical abstract: The creation of Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 nanoprecipitates by adding Ti hydride nanoparticles remarkably increases the mechanical properties of the Al-containing ODS steels. - Highlights: •TiH 1.971 reacts with Y 2 O 3 to form Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 in the Al-containing ODS steel. •Addition of TiH 1.971 nanoparticles can prevent the formation of Y-Al-O phases. •Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 nanoparticles share semicoherent interface with the ferrite matrix. •The mean size of oxide dispersion is reduced to 11.2 ± 7.1 nm with 1.0 wt% TiH 1.971 . •The tensile strength of the ODS steel enlarges with increasing TiH 1.971 content.

A uranium-based UO{sub 2}{sup +}-Mn{sup 2+} single-chain magnet assembled trough cation-cation interactions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mougel, Victor; Chatelain, Lucile; Hermle, Johannes; Pecaut, Jacques; Mazzanti, Marinella [Laboratoire de Reconnaissance Ionique et Chimie de Coordination, SCIB, UMR-E3 CEA-UJF, INAC, CEA-Grenoble (France); Caciuffo, Roberto; Colineau, Eric [European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe (Germany); Tuna, Floriana [EPSRC UK EPR Facility, School of Chemistry and Photon Science Institute, The University of Manchester (United Kingdom); Magnani, Nicola [Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (Germany); Geyer, Arnaud de [Service General des Rayons X, SP2M, INAC, CEA-Grenoble (France)

2014-01-13

Single-chain magnets (SCMs) are materials composed of magnetically isolated one-dimensional (1D) units exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization. The occurrence of SCM behavior requires the fulfillment of stringent conditions for exchange and anisotropy interactions. Herein, we report the synthesis, the structure, and the magnetic characterization of the first actinide-containing SCM. The 5f-3d heterometallic 1D chains [{[UO_2(salen)(py)][M(py)_4](NO_3)}]{sub n}, (M=Cd (1) and M=Mn (2); py=pyridine) are assembled trough cation-cation interaction from the reaction of the uranyl(V) complex [UO{sub 2}(salen)py][Cp*{sub 2}Co] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with Cd(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} or Mn(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} in pyridine. The infinite UMn chain displays a high relaxation barrier of 134 ±0.8 K (93 ±0.5 cm{sup -1}), probably as a result of strong intra-chain magnetic interactions combined with the high Ising anisotropy of the uranyl(V) dioxo group. It also exhibits an open magnetic hysteresis loop at T <6 K, with an impressive coercive field of 3.4 T at 2 K. (Copyright copyright 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Seamless communication in supply chains based on M2M technology

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Walid Moneimne

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Background: Access to information is the key element in the successful and efficient organization of transport & logistic processes. The importance of real-time access to information is confirmed by a panel workshop carried out with support of design thinking methodology. There are two ways of gaining access to the right information - manual, where human agency is needed and fully automatic, where new M2M technology is implemented. Implementation of such technology improves seamless communication during transport execution and allows real-time access to needed information. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the influence of the effectiveness of using M2M technology and traditional way of communication as well as data gathering in order to ensure seamless communication in the supply chain. Methods: Survey, design thinking, desk research and real case study results were used in the paper. Results and conclusions: Seamless communication and implementation of M2M technology within the whole supply (including modes of transport and transport units chain is a backbone of the lean and reliable digital supply chain.

Chains of phase-shift ambiguities in elastic spin-0-spin-1/2 scattering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berends, F.A.; Reisen, J.C.J.M. van

1977-01-01

It is shown, that a previously constructed phase-shift ambiguity for an arbitrary number, 2L + 1, of partial waves can be connected to L - 1 other ambiguities. The two sets of phase shifts defined by the chain of ambiguities become equal (modulo π) at the endpoints of the chain, but in general not at the endpoints of the ambiguities. Also other examples of such chains are given. (Auth.)

Quantum phase transitions driven by rhombic-type single-ion anisotropy in the S =1 Haldane chain

Science.gov (United States)

Tzeng, Yu-Chin; Onishi, Hiroaki; Okubo, Tsuyoshi; Kao, Ying-Jer

2017-08-01

The spin-1 Haldane chain is an example of the symmetry-protected-topological (SPT) phase in one dimension. Experimental realization of the spin chain materials usually involves both the uniaxial-type, D (Sz)2 , and the rhombic-type, E [(Sx)2-(Sy)2] , single-ion anisotropies. Here, we provide a precise ground-state phase diagram for a spin-1 Haldane chain with these single-ion anisotropies. Using quantum numbers, we find that the Z2 symmetry breaking phase can be characterized by double degeneracy in the entanglement spectrum. Topological quantum phase transitions take place on particular paths in the phase diagram, from the Haldane phase to the large-Ex, large-Ey, or large-D phases. The topological critical points are determined by the level spectroscopy method with a newly developed parity technique in the density matrix renormalization group [Phys. Rev. B 86, 024403 (2012), 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.024403], and the Haldane-large-D critical point is obtained with an unprecedented precision, (D/J ) c=0.9684713 (1 ) . Close to this critical point, a small rhombic single-ion anisotropy |E |/J ≪1 can destroy the Haldane phase and bring the system into a y -Néel phase. We propose that the compound [Ni (HF2) (3-Clpy ) 4] BF4 is a candidate system to search for the y -Néel phase.

Are You Ready for Y2K?

Science.gov (United States)

Day, C. William

1999-01-01

Examines the planning process to identify equipment or systems within an educational facility that could be Y2K sensitive. Discusses developing a contingency plan to prevent operational shutdown. Concluding comments describe a simple Y2K equipment-testing procedure. (GR)

Observation of spin reorientation in layered manganites La1.2Sr1.8(Mn1-yRuy)2O7 (0.0=<y=<0.2) by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yu, X.Z.; Uchida, M.; Onose, Y.; He, J.P.; Kaneko, Y.; Asaka, T.; Kimoto, K.; Matsui, Y.; Arima, T.; Tokura, Y.

2006-01-01

The effect of Ru substitution for Mn in bilayered oxides La 1.2 Sr 1.8 (Mn 1-y Ru y ) 2 O 7 (0= for the y=0 crystal to the c-axis for y=0.2, and it rotates away from the c-axis for the y=0.05 and y=0.07 crystals with decreasing temperature. Furthermore, maze-shaped magnetic domain structures were observed in the (001) thin crystals with 0.05=< y=<0.2. Changes in domain size and structure indicate that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy becomes stronger as Ru content y increases

LOS GENES BRCA1 y BRCA2. ESTUDIO MOLECULAR

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

N. Alonso

2006-11-01

Full Text Available RESUMENEn los últimos años, se realizaron numerosos estudios para establecer la predisposición hereditaria al cáncer y las alteraciones mutacionales a nivel de genes susceptibles de originar cáncer de mama y ovario. En 1994 se identificaron los genes BRCA1 (Breast Cancer Gene 1 y BRCA2 (Breast Cancer Gene 2 como susceptibles de cáncer de mama y ovario. En la actualidad se sabe que las mutaciones en BRCA1 y BRCA2 están lejos de explicar la totalidad de los casos de cáncer de mama y/o ovario, y a pesar de que se postulan alteraciones mutacionales en otros genes como CHEK2, TP53 y PTEN, el BRCA1 y BRCA2, siguen teniendo su importancia y utilidad en la valoración del riesgo de predisposición hereditaria. Aunque las cifras son variables según los distintos estudios y autores, se trata en cualquier caso de porcentajes importantes. Entre el 15 y el 85% de las mujeres portadoras de mutación BRCA 1 o BRCA 2 tienen riesgo de desarrollar un cáncer de mama y entre un 10 y 60% de desarrollar un cáncer de ovario. ABSTRACT:In the last years, numerous studies were made to establish the hereditary predisposition to the cancer and the mutationals alterations at level of genes susceptible to originate breast and ovarian cancers. In 1994 genes BRCA1 (Breast Cancer Gene 1 and BRCA2 were identified (Breast Cancer Gene 2 as susceptible of both of breast and ovarian cancers. At the present time, it is knows that the mutations in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are far from explaining the totality of the cases of breast cancer and/or ovary, and although mutationals alterations in other genes like CHEK2, TP53 and PTEN, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 are postulated, they continue having his importance and utility in the valuation of the risk of hereditary predisposition. Correlations between both BRCA1 and BRCA2 levels with tumour grade metastasis and prognostic accuracy. Between 15 and 85% of the carrying women of mutation BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 have risk of developing a cancer of breast

Heterologous SUMO-2/3-ubiquitin chains optimize IκBα degradation and NF-κB activity.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fabienne Aillet

Full Text Available The NF-κB pathway is regulated by SUMOylation at least at three levels: the inhibitory molecule IκBα, the IKK subunit γ/NEMO and the p52 precursor p100. Here we investigate the role of SUMO-2/3 in the degradation of IκBα and activation of NF-κB mediated by TNFα. We found that under conditions of deficient SUMOylation, an important delay in both TNFα-mediated proteolysis of IκBα and NF-κB dependent transcription occurs. In vitro and ex vivo approaches, including the use of ubiquitin-traps (TUBEs, revealed the formation of chains on IκBα containing SUMO-2/3 and ubiquitin after TNFα stimulation. The integration of SUMO-2/3 appears to promote the formation of ubiquitin chains on IκBα after activation of the TNFα signalling pathway. Furthermore, heterologous chains of SUMO-2/3 and ubiquitin promote a more efficient degradation of IκBα by the 26S proteasome in vitro compared to chains of either SUMO-2/3 or ubiquitin alone. Consistently, Ubc9 silencing reduced the capture of IκBα modified with SUMO-ubiquitin hybrid chains that display a defective proteasome-mediated degradation. Thus, hybrid SUMO-2/3-ubiquitin chains increase the susceptibility of modified IκBα to the action of 26S proteasome, contributing to the optimal control of NF-κB activity after TNFα-stimulation.

Porcine circovirus type 2 ORF4 protein binds heavy chain ferritin

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Porcine circovirus type 2 ORF4 protein binds heavy chain ferritin. Qizhuang Lv Kangkang Guo Tao Wang ... Keywords. Cellular protein; FHC; ORF4 protein; porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2); yeast two-hybrid ... Journal of Biosciences | News ...

A BENCHMARKING ANALYSIS FOR FIVE RADIONUCLIDE VADOSE ZONE MODELS (CHAIN, MULTIMED_DP, FECTUZ, HYDRUS, AND CHAIN 2D) IN SOIL SCREENING LEVEL CALCULATIONS

Science.gov (United States)

Five radionuclide vadose zone models with different degrees of complexity (CHAIN, MULTIMED_DP, FECTUZ, HYDRUS, and CHAIN 2D) were selected for use in soil screening level (SSL) calculations. A benchmarking analysis between the models was conducted for a radionuclide (99Tc) rele...

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of CuY{sub y}Fe{sub 2-y}O{sub 4}-CuCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites for H{sub 2} evolution under visible light irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yan, Jianhui; Yang, Haihua; Yao, Maohai; Han, Yong [Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Shuyuan Load, Yueyang, Hunan 414000 (China); College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083 (China); Tang, Yougen; Lu, Zhouguang [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083 (China); Zheng, Shuqin [Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Shuyuan Load, Yueyang, Hunan 414000 (China)

2009-11-15

Spinel-type CuY{sub y}Fe{sub 2-y}O{sub 4}-CuCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized via a facile citric acid (CA)-assisted sol-gel method. And the as-synthesized nanocomposites have been characterized by techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption BET method, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The samples are composed of primary ultrafine nanoparticles with nearly spherical morphology and mean particle size of about 80 nm. Moreover, the photocatalytic H{sub 2} evolution activity of the as-obtained samples has been evaluated from aqueous oxalic acid solution under visible light irradiation. The influence of photocatalyst type, calcination temperature, Y{sup 3+} doping content, and the durability of the as-obtained photocatalyst have been investigated in detail. The best photocatalytic H{sub 2} evolution activity was obtained over the as-synthesized CuY{sub 0.08}Fe{sub 1.92}O{sub 4}-CuCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposite. (author)

Data of evolutionary structure change: 1QRZC-2FODA [Confc[Archive

Lifescience Database Archive (English)

Full Text Available 1QRZC-2FODA 1QRZ 2FOD C A FDCGKPQVEPKKCPGRVVGGCVAHPHSWPWQVSLRTR--...ine> PHE CA 397 2FOD A 2FODA...> A 2FODA HGVTSFVSRLG...yChain> 2FOD A 2FODA HCVDR---ELTF...pdbChain>A 2FODA GCQGD-SGGPL

Synergistic action between inhibition of P2Y12/P2Y1 and P2Y12/thrombin in ADP- and thrombin-induced human platelet activation

Science.gov (United States)

Nylander, Sven; Mattsson, Christer; Ramström, Sofia; Lindahl, Tomas L

2004-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate if there is a synergistic effect of a combination of P2Y12 and P2Y1 inhibition and P2Y12 and thrombin inhibition, on ADP- and thrombin-induced platelet activation, respectively. The rationale being that these combinations will cause a concurrent inhibition of both Gαq and Gαi signalling.Blood from healthy volunteers was preincubated with AR-C69931MX, a reversible P2Y12 antagonist; MRS2179, a reversible P2Y1 antagonist; or melagatran, a direct reversible thrombin inhibitor; alone or in various combinations prior to activation with ADP or thrombin. Platelet function in whole blood was assessed by flow cytometry using the antibody PAC-1 to estimate the expression of active αIIbβ3 (the fibrinogen receptor GPIIb/IIIa). A synergistic effect was evaluated by comparing the concentrations in the different combinations with those of corresponding equipotent concentrations of each single inhibitor alone. The equipotent single concentrations were experimentally obtained from concentration response curves performed in parallel.A synergistic effect regarding inhibition of ADP-induced platelet activation (10 μM) was obtained with different combinations of AR-C69931MX and MRS2179.Inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet activation (2 nM) with combinations of AR-C69931MX and the thrombin inhibitor melagatran did also result in a strong synergistic effect.To our knowledge, this is the first time that data supporting a synergistic effect has been published for the inhibitor combinations described.Whether this synergistic effect in vitro also results in an improved antithrombotic effect in vivo with or without an increased risk of bleeding remains to be studied in well-conducted clinical studies. PMID:15265806

Infinite coherence time of edge spins in finite-length chains

Science.gov (United States)

Maceira, Ivo A.; Mila, Frédéric

2018-02-01

Motivated by the recent observation that exponentially long coherence times can be achieved for edge spins in models with strong zero modes, we study the impact of level crossings in finite-length spin chains on the dynamics of the edge spins. Focusing on the X Y spin-1 /2 chain with a transverse or longitudinal magnetic field, two models relevant to understanding recent experimental results on cobalt adatoms, we show that the edge spins can remain coherent for an infinite time even for a finite-length chain if the magnetic field is tuned to a value at which there is a level crossing. Furthermore, we show that the edge spins remain coherent for any initial state for the integrable case of a transverse field because all states have level crossings at the same value of the field, while the coherence time is increasingly large for lower temperatures in the case of a longitudinal field, which is nonintegrable.

Weakly coupled S=1/2 quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains in an effective staggered field

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sato, Masahiro; Oshikawa, Masaki

2002-01-01

We study weakly coupled S=1/2 quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains in an effective staggered field. Applying mean-field (MF) theory, spin-wave theory and chain MF (CMF) theory, we can see analytically some effects of the staggered field in this higher dimensional spin system. In particular, when the staggered field and the inter-chain inter-action compete with each other, we conjecture from the MF theory that a nontrivial phase is present. The spin wave theory predicts that the behavior of the gaps induced by a staggered field is different between the competitive case and the non-competitive case. When the inter-chain interactions are weak enough, we can improve the MF phase diagram by using CMF theory and the analytical results of field theories. The ordered phase region predicted by the CMF theory is fairly smaller than one of the MF theory. Cu-benzoate, CuCl 2 · 2DMSO (dimethylsulphoxide), BaCu 2 (Si 1-x Ge x ) 2 O 7 , etc., could be described by our model in enough low temperature. (author)

Tools and drugs for uracil nucleotide-activated P2Y receptors.

Science.gov (United States)

Rafehi, Muhammad; Müller, Christa E

2018-04-13

P2Y receptors (P2YRs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors activated by extracellular nucleotides. Physiological P2YR agonists include purine and pyrimidine nucleoside di- and triphosphates, such as ATP, ADP, UTP, UDP, nucleotide sugars, and dinucleotides. Eight subtypes exist, P2Y 1 , P2Y 2 , P2Y 4 , P2Y 6 , P2Y 11 , P2Y 12 , P2Y 13 , and P2Y 14 , which represent current or potential future drug targets. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of ligands for the subgroup of the P2YR family that is activated by uracil nucleotides: P2Y 2 (UTP, also ATP and dinucleotides), P2Y 4 (UTP), P2Y 6 (UDP), and P2Y 14 (UDP, UDP-glucose, UDP-galactose). The physiological agonists are metabolically unstable due to their fast hydrolysis by ectonucleotidases. A number of agonists with increased potency, subtype-selectivity and/or enzymatic stability have been developed in recent years. Useful P2Y 2 R agonists include MRS2698 (6-01, highly selective) and PSB-1114 (6-05, increased metabolic stability). A potent and selective P2Y 2 R antagonist is AR-C118925 (10-01). For studies of the P2Y 4 R, MRS4062 (3-15) may be used as a selective agonist, while PSB-16133 (10-06) represents a selective antagonist. Several potent P2Y 6 R agonists have been developed including 5-methoxyuridine 5'-O-((R p )α-boranodiphosphate) (6-12), PSB-0474 (3-11), and MRS2693 (3-26). The isocyanate MRS2578 (10-08) is used as a selective P2Y 6 R antagonist, although its reactivity and low water-solubility are limiting. With MRS2905 (6-08), a potent and metabolically stable P2Y 14 R agonist is available, while PPTN (10-14) represents a potent and selective P2Y 14 R antagonist. The radioligand [ 3 H]UDP can be used to label P2Y 14 Rs. In addition, several fluorescent probes have been developed. Uracil nucleotide-activated P2YRs show great potential as drug targets, especially in inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Rigorous decoupling between edge states in frustrated spin chains and ladders

Science.gov (United States)

Chepiga, Natalia; Mila, Frédéric

2018-05-01

We investigate the occurrence of exact zero modes in one-dimensional quantum magnets of finite length that possess edge states. Building on conclusions first reached in the context of the spin-1/2 X Y chain in a field and then for the spin-1 J1-J2 Heisenberg model, we show that the development of incommensurate correlations in the bulk invariably leads to oscillations in the sign of the coupling between edge states, and hence to exact zero energy modes at the crossing points where the coupling between the edge states rigorously vanishes. This is true regardless of the origin of the frustration (e.g., next-nearest-neighbor coupling or biquadratic coupling for the spin-1 chain), of the value of the bulk spin (we report on spin-1/2, spin-1, and spin-2 examples), and of the value of the edge-state emergent spin (spin-1/2 or spin-1).

Y2K compliance readiness and contingency planning.

Science.gov (United States)

Stahl, S; Cohan, D

1999-09-01

As the millennium approaches, discussion of "Y2K compliance" will shift to discussion of "Y2K readiness." While "compliance" focuses on the technological functioning of one's own computers, "readiness" focuses on the operational planning required in a world of interdependence, in which the functionality of one's own computers is only part of the story. "Readiness" includes the ability to cope with potential Y2K failures of vendors, suppliers, staff, banks, utility companies, and others. Administrators must apply their traditional skills of analysis, inquiry and diligence to the manifold imaginable challenges which Y2K will thrust upon their facilities. The SPICE template can be used as a systematic tool to guide planning for this historic event.

β1 integrin signaling promotes neuronal migration along vascular scaffolds in the post-stroke brain

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Teppei Fujioka

2017-02-01

Full Text Available Cerebral ischemic stroke is a main cause of chronic disability. However, there is currently no effective treatment to promote recovery from stroke-induced neurological symptoms. Recent studies suggest that after stroke, immature neurons, referred to as neuroblasts, generated in a neurogenic niche, the ventricular-subventricular zone, migrate toward the injured area, where they differentiate into mature neurons. Interventions that increase the number of neuroblasts distributed at and around the lesion facilitate neuronal repair in rodent models for ischemic stroke, suggesting that promoting neuroblast migration in the post-stroke brain could improve efficient neuronal regeneration. To move toward the lesion, neuroblasts form chain-like aggregates and migrate along blood vessels, which are thought to increase their migration efficiency. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating these migration processes are largely unknown. Here we studied the role of β1-class integrins, transmembrane receptors for extracellular matrix proteins, in these migrating neuroblasts. We found that the neuroblast chain formation and blood vessel-guided migration critically depend on β1 integrin signaling. β1 integrin facilitated the adhesion of neuroblasts to laminin and the efficient translocation of their soma during migration. Moreover, artificial laminin-containing scaffolds promoted neuroblast chain formation and migration toward the injured area. These data suggest that laminin signaling via β1 integrin supports vasculature-guided neuronal migration to efficiently supply neuroblasts to injured areas. This study also highlights the importance of vascular scaffolds for cell migration in development and regeneration.

Fermi surface ridge at second and third Umklapp positron annihilations in Y Ba2Cu3Oτ-γ

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Adam, G.; Adam, S.; Barbiellini, B.; Hoffmann, L.; Manuel, A.A.; Peter, M.

1993-06-01

Results of statistical noise smoothing of the electron momentum distribution got by two-dimensional angular correlation of the electron-positron annihilation radiation technique on untwinned Y Ba 2 Cu 3 O τ-γ single crytals are reported. Two distinct signatures of the sheet of Fermi surface related to the CuO chains (the ridge) are resolved. The first occurs at second Umklapp processes, in agreement with previous evidence. The second one, identified for the first time, occurs at third Umklapp processes. Comparison with FLAPW calculations confirms this results. (author). 13 refs, 7 figs

Chimeric relaxin peptides highlight the role of the A-chain in the function of H2 relaxin.

Science.gov (United States)

Hossain, Mohammed Akhter; Wade, John D; Bathgate, Ross A D

2012-05-01

Human gene-2 (H2) relaxin is a member of the insulin-relaxin peptide superfamily. Because of the potential clinical applications of H2 relaxin, there is a need for novel analogs that have improved biological activity and receptor specificity. In this respect, we have chemically assembled chimeric peptides consisting of the B-chain of H2 relaxin in combination with A-chains from other insulin/relaxin family members. The peptides were prepared using solid phase peptide synthesis together with regioselective disulfide bond formation and characterized by RP-HPLC, MALDI-TOF MS and amino acid analysis. Their in vitro activity was assessed in RXFP1 or RXFP2 expressing cells. Replacement of the H2 relaxin A-chain resulted in parallel losses of binding affinity and activity on RXFP1. Not surprisingly H1A-H2B demonstrated the highest activity as the H1 A-chain shares high homology with H2 relaxin whereas INSLA-H2B, which shows low homology, had very poor activity. Importantly A-chain replacements had a dramatic effect on RXFP2 activity similar to previous results demonstrating different modes of activation of A-chain variants on RXFP1 and RXFP2. H3A-H2B is particularly interesting as it displays moderate activity at RXFP1 but poor activity at RXFP2 indicating that it may be a template for specific RXFP1 agonist development. Our study confirms that the activity of H2 relaxin at both RXFP1 and RXFP2 relies on interactions with both the B- and A-chains, and also provide new biochemical insights into the mechanism of relaxin action that the A-chain needs to be in native or near-native form for strong RXFP1 or RXFP2 agonist activity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Linear chain compounds of molybdenum (II) acetate linked by pyrazine, 4,4'-bipyridine, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Handa, Makoto; Yamada, Kori; Nakao, Tadahiro; Matsumoto, Hiroki; Kasuga, Kuninobu; Mikuriya, Masahiro; Kotera, Takanori.

1995-01-01

A series of linear-chain complexes of molybdenum (II) acetate linked by bidentate bridging ligands, [Mo 2 (O 2 CCH 3 ) 4 L] n (L=pyrazine (pyz), 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy), and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco)), have been prepared, and their crystal structures determined by an X-ray diffraction method. It has been shown that the relatively weak coordinations of the bridging ligands at the axial positions of Mo 2 (O 2 CCH 3 ) 4 (Mo-N=2.619 (8)-2.658(6) A) can effectively control the arrangement of the dimer units to give chain structures with good linearities. No significant interactions between the dimer units have been observed. (author)

El CO2 como disolvente y como reactivo

OpenAIRE

La Franca Pitarresi, Vincenzo Rosario

2016-01-01

Existen numerosas ventajas asociada con el uso de CO2 , tanto como disolvente que como reactivo, y todas se pueden resumir en cuatro categorías generales: beneficios ambiental, beneficios de salud y seguridad, beneficios en el procedimiento y beneficios químicos. Los procesos que implican el CO2 como disolvente no aumentaría las emisiones de CO2, más bien proporcionaría una oportunidad para el reciclaje de CO2 residual. Además, los esfuerzos para secuestrar el CO2 producido de los gases de co...

Chain reaction on de-halogenation of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane induced by irradiation in alcohols

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakagawa, Seiko

2015-01-01

Methanol and 2-propanol solutions of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane were irradiated with γ-rays after perfect de-oxygenation. The product, formed by the substitution of one of the bromine or chlorine atoms with a hydrogen atom, was observed by radiation-induced degradation and the product was also de-halogenated. The G-value of de-halogenation was more than a thousand times higher than G(e solv − ) and increased with the decreasing dose rate, meaning that a chain reaction is involved in the process. The efficiency of the degradation in 2-propanol was several times higher than that in methanol. It is concluded that the charge transfer from an alcohol radical will be the trigger of the chain reaction the same as in the degradation of hexachloroethane in alcohol solutions (Sawai et al., 1978). - Highlights: • Halone2402 and Furon113 were de-halogenated by radiation-induced chain reaction in pure alcohol. • The efficiency of the degradation in 2-propanol was several times higher than that in methanol. • The charge transfer from an alcohol radical will be the trigger of the chain reaction

Sustained Release of Prostaglandin E2 in Fibroblasts Expressing Ectopically Cyclooxygenase 2 Impairs P2Y-Dependent Ca2+-Mobilization

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

María Pimentel-Santillana

2014-01-01

Full Text Available The nucleotide uridine trisphosphate (UTP released to the extracellular milieu acts as a signaling molecule via activation of specific pyrimidine receptors (P2Y. P2Y receptors are G protein-coupled receptors expressed in many cell types. These receptors mediate several cell responses and they are involved in intracellular calcium mobilization. We investigated the role of the prostanoid PGE2 in P2Y signaling in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs, since these cells are involved in different ontogenic and physiopathological processes, among them is tissue repair following proinflammatory activation. Interestingly, Ca2+-mobilization induced by UTP-dependent P2Y activation was reduced by PGE2 when this prostanoid was produced by MEFs transfected with COX-2 or when PGE2 was added exogenously to the culture medium. This Ca2+-mobilization was important for the activation of different metabolic pathways in fibroblasts. Moreover, inhibition of COX-2 with selective coxibs prevented UTP-dependent P2Y activation in these cells. The inhibition of P2Y responses by PGE2 involves the activation of PKCs and PKD, a response that can be suppressed after pharmacological inhibition of these protein kinases. In addition to this, PGE2 reduces the fibroblast migration induced by P2Y-agonists such as UTP. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PGE2 is involved in the regulation of P2Y signaling in these cells.

Highly active Ni/Y-doped ZrO{sub 2} catalysts for CO{sub 2} methanation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Takano, H., E-mail: takano_hi@hitachizosen.co.jp [Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kashiwa, 277-8515 (Japan); Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628 (Japan); Kirihata, Y.; Izumiya, K.; Kumagai, N. [Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kashiwa, 277-8515 (Japan); Habazaki, H., E-mail: habazaki@eng.hokudai.ac.jp [Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628 (Japan); Division of Applied Chemistry & Frontier Chemistry Center, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628 (Japan); Hashimoto, K. [Tohoku Institute of Technology, Sendai, 277-8515 (Japan)

2016-12-01

Highlights: • The Ni/Y-doped ZrO{sub 2} catalysts show highly catalytic activity for CO{sub 2} methanation. • Bidentate carbonate is a major adsorption spice on the Ni/Y-doped ZrO{sub 2} catalysts. • The oxide support of t-ZrO{sub 2} and/or c-ZrO{sub 2} with oxygen vacancies plays a key role. - Abstract: The catalytic methanation of CO{sub 2} was carried out on Ni catalysts supported on Y-doped ZrO{sub 2} with various Y{sup 3+} concentrations and Ni/(Zr + Y) molar ratio = 1. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy, specific surface area, temperature-programmed desorption of CO{sub 2}, and temperature-programmed reaction. In addition, operando diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFT) was used to identify the adsorbed reaction intermediate. Catalysts supported on Y-doped ZrO{sub 2} show higher catalytic activity than the catalyst on Y-free ZrO{sub 2} with a monoclinic ZrO{sub 2} phase. The catalytic activity is also dependent upon the Y{sup 3+} concentration, and the highest activity was obtained for the catalyst with a Y/(Zr + Y) molar ratio of 0.333, which consists mainly of fcc Ni and cubic ZrO{sub 2} phase. Y{sup 3+} doping into ZrO{sub 2} introduces oxygen vacancies, which play an important role in enhancing the catalytic activity. The operando DRIFT study reveals that a CO adsorption intermediate is absent, and bidentate carbonate is an important intermediate for CH{sub 4} formation.

Phase diagrams of particles with dissimilar patches: X-junctions and Y-junctions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tavares, J M; Teixeira, P I C

2012-01-01

We use Wertheim’s first-order perturbation theory to investigate the phase behaviour and the structure of coexisting fluid phases for a model of patchy particles with dissimilar patches (two patches of type A and f B patches of type B). A patch of type α = {A,B} can bond to a patch of type β = {A,B} in a volume v αβ , thereby decreasing the internal energy by ε αβ . We analyse the range of model parameters where AB bonds, or Y-junctions, are energetically disfavoured (ε AB AA /2) but entropically favoured (v AB ≫ v αα ), and BB bonds, or X-junctions, are energetically favoured (ε BB > 0). We show that, for low values of ε BB /ε AA , the phase diagram has three different regions: (i) close to the critical temperature a low-density liquid composed of long chains and rich in Y-junctions coexists with a vapour of chains; (ii) at intermediate temperatures there is coexistence between a vapour of short chains and a liquid of very long chains with X- and Y-junctions; (iii) at low temperatures an ideal gas coexists with a high-density liquid with all possible AA and BB bonds formed. It is also shown that in region (i) the liquid binodal is reentrant (its density decreases with decreasing temperature) for the lower values of ε BB /ε AA . The existence of these three regions is a consequence of the competition between the formation of X- and Y-junctions: X-junctions are energetically favoured and thus dominate at low temperatures, whereas Y-junctions are entropically favoured and dominate at higher temperatures. (paper)

Entanglement in a two-spin (1/2, 3/2) mixed-spin Heisenberg XXZ chain with an inhomogeneous external magnetic field

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guo Ketao; Liang Mingchao; Xu Hongyu; Zhu Chengbo

2010-01-01

Using the concept of negativity, we investigate the thermal entanglement of a two-spin (1/2, 3/2) mixed-spin Heisenberg XXZ chain with an inhomogeneous external magnetic field. We obtain the analytical results of entanglement of this model. For the case of uniform magnetic field, we find that the critical temperature increases with the increase of the anisotropy parameter k, and for the same couplings, the critical temperature is higher than the results of the spin-1/2 XXZ chain and (1/2, 1) mixed-spin XXZ chain. Evidence of the quantum phase transition is found, and by adjusting the inhomogeneous magnetic parameter b, one is able to obtain more entanglement at higher temperature.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Sensitive to Pathological Amelioration in a Model for Laminin-Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (MDC1A.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ravneet Vohra

Full Text Available To elucidate the reliability of MRI as a non-invasive tool for assessing in vivo muscle health and pathological amelioration in response to Losartan (Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor blocker in DyW mice (mouse model for Laminin-deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Type 1A.Multiparametric MR quantifications along with histological/biochemical analyses were utilized to measure muscle volume and composition in untreated and Losartan-treated 7-week old DyW mice.MRI shows that DyW mice have significantly less hind limb muscle volume and areas of hyperintensity that are absent in WT muscle. DyW mice also have significantly elevated muscle levels (suggestive of inflammation and edema. Muscle T2 returned to WT levels in response to Losartan treatment. When considering only muscle pixels without T2 elevation, DyW T2 levels are significantly lower than WT (suggestive of fibrosis whereas Losartan-treated animals do not demonstrate this decrease in muscle T2. MRI measurements suggestive of elevated inflammation and fibrosis corroborate with increased Mac-1 positive cells as well as increased Picrosirius red staining/COL1a gene expression that is returned to WT levels in response to Losartan.MRI is sensitive to and tightly corresponds with pathological changes in DyW mice and thus is a viable and effective non-invasive tool for assessing pathological changes.

Radiation induced solid-state polymerization of long-chain acrylates containing fluorocarbon chain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shibasaki, Y.; Zhu, Zhi-Qin

1995-01-01

γ-Ray irradiation post-polymerizations of long-chain acrylates containing fluorocarbon chain, H(CF 2 ) 10 CH 2 OCOCH=CH 2 and H(CF 2 ) 8 CH 2 OCOCH=CH 2 , were investigated and also the structures and thermal properties of comb-like polymers obtained were studied. It was found that these monomers exhibited very high polymerizability at wide temperature ranges around the melting points. Because the fluorocarbon chains are less flexible and thicker than the hydrocarbon chains, it can be expected that the aggregation force among the monomer molecules is strong and the conformational freedom of functional group for polymerization is large. According to the DSC and the X-ray diffraction measurements of the comb-like polymers obtained, the fluorocarbon chains are aggregated in a mode of hexagonal packing in the lamellar crystals. This situation can be considered as an optimum condition for the γ-ray irradiation post-polymerization. (author)

Transport properties of the LiNi{sub 1-y}Co{sub y}O{sub 2} system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Molenda, J.; Wilk, P.; Marzec, J. [Department of Solid State Chemistry, Stanislaw Staszic University of Mining and Metallurgy, Al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow (Poland)

1999-04-15

In this paper results are presented concerning structure, electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power measurements of the LiNi{sub 1-y}Co{sub y}O{sub 2} system. It has been stated that holes are dominating carriers. It has been also found that cobalt worsens the transport properties of the LiNi{sub 1-y}Co{sub y}O{sub 2} system

Identification of Y-Chromosome Sequences in Turner Syndrome.

Science.gov (United States)

Silva-Grecco, Roseane Lopes da; Trovó-Marqui, Alessandra Bernadete; Sousa, Tiago Alves de; Croce, Lilian Da; Balarin, Marly Aparecida Spadotto

2016-05-01

To investigate the presence of Y-chromosome sequences and determine their frequency in patients with Turner syndrome. The study included 23 patients with Turner syndrome from Brazil, who gave written informed consent for participating in the study. Cytogenetic analyses were performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes, with 100 metaphases per patient. Genomic DNA was also extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes, and gene sequences DYZ1, DYZ3, ZFY and SRY were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction. The cytogenetic analysis showed a 45,X karyotype in 9 patients (39.2 %) and a mosaic pattern in 14 (60.8 %). In 8.7 % (2 out of 23) of the patients, Y-chromosome sequences were found. This prevalence is very similar to those reported previously. The initial karyotype analysis of these patients did not reveal Y-chromosome material, but they were found positive for Y-specific sequences in the lymphocyte DNA analysis. The PCR technique showed that 2 (8.7 %) of the patients with Turner syndrome had Y-chromosome sequences, both presenting marker chromosomes on cytogenetic analysis.

Aspectos de seguridad en Web 2.0 y redes sociales

OpenAIRE

Caballero Velasco, María Ángeles

2011-01-01

Este proyecto final de carrera de universidad va enfocado a la seguridad en la Web 2.0 y las redes sociales. El documento se divide en dos partes. La primera parte define la visión principal del mundo 2.0, cómo nació y que implicaciones tiene hoy en día en la sociedad. Se definen las características de la Web 2.0 y su historia. Se analizan las diferencias entre la Web 2.0 y la Web 1.0, llegando hasta la Web 3.0. Se clasifican los tipos de Web 2.0 por uso y por aplicación y se analizan todas l...

Thermoluminescent dosimetry of beta radiations of {sup 90} Sr/ {sup 90} Y using amorphous ZrO{sub 2}; Dosimetria termoluminiscente de radiaciones beta de {sup 90} Sr/ {sup 90} Y usando ZrO{sub 2} amorfo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rivera M, T. [CICATA-Legaria, IPN, Legaria Num. 694, 11500 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Olvera T, L.; Azorin N, J.; Barrera R, M.; Soto E, A.M. [UAM-I, 09340 Mexico D.F. (Mexico)

2005-07-01

In this work the results of studying the thermoluminescent properties (Tl) of the zirconium oxide in its amorphous state (ZrO{sub 2}-a) before beta radiations of {sup 90} Sr/ {sup 90} Y are presented. The amorphous powders of the zirconium oxide were synthesized by means of the sol-gel technique. The sol-gel process using alkoxides like precursors, is an efficient method to prepare a matrix of zirconium oxide by hydrolysis - condensation of the precursor to form chains of Zr-H{sub 3} and Zr-O{sub 2}. One of the advantages of this technique is the obtention of gels at low temperatures with very high purity and homogeneity. The powders were characterized by means of thermal analysis and by X-ray diffraction. The powders of ZrO{sub 2}-a, previously irradiated with beta particles of {sup 90} Sr/{sup 90} Y, presented a thermoluminescent curve with two peaks at 150 and 257 C. The dissipation of the information of the one ZrO{sub 2}-a was of 40% the first 2 hours remaining constant the information for the following 30 days. The reproducibility of the information was of {+-} 2.5% in standard deviation. The studied characteristics allow to propose to the amorphous zirconium oxide as thermoluminescent dosemeter for the detection of beta radiation. (Author)

Allocation of Transportation Cost & CO2 Emission in Pooled Supply Chains Using Cooperative Game Theory

OpenAIRE

Xiaozhou Xu; Shenle Pan; Eric Ballot

2012-01-01

International audience; The sustainability of supply chain,both economical and ecological, has attracted intensive attentions of academic and industry. It is proven in former works that supply chain pooling given by horizontal cooperation among several independent supply chains create a new common supply chain network that could reduce the costs and the transport CO2 emissions. In this regard, this paper introduces a scheme to share in a fairly manner the savings. After a summary of the conce...

Protein kinase C-mediated ATP stimulation of Na(+)-ATPase activity in LLC-PK1 cells involves a P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 receptor.

Science.gov (United States)

Wengert, M; Ribeiro, M C; Abreu, T P; Coutinho-Silva, R; Leão-Ferreira, L R; Pinheiro, A A S; Caruso-Neves, C

2013-07-15

ATP-activated P2Y receptors play an important role in renal sodium excretion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modulation of ATPase-driven sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule by ATP or adenosine (Ado). LLC-PK1 cells, a model of porcine proximal tubule cells, were used. ATP (10(-6)M) or Ado (10(-6)M) specifically stimulated Na(+)-ATPase activity without any changes in (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase activity. Our results show that the Ado effect is mediated by its conversion to ATP. Furthermore, it was observed that the effect of ATP was mimicked by UTP, ATPγS and 2-thio-UTP, an agonist of P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors. In addition, ATP-stimulated Na(+)-ATPase activity involves protein kinase C (PKC). Our results indicate that ATP-induced stimulation of proximal tubule Na(+)-ATPase activity is mediated by a PKC-dependent P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 pathway. These findings provide new perspectives on the role of the effect of P2Y-mediated extracellular ATP on renal sodium handling. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Homotopic Chain Maps Have Equal s-Homology and d-Homology

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. Z. Kazemi-Baneh

2016-01-01

Full Text Available The homotopy of chain maps on preabelian categories is investigated and the equality of standard homologies and d-homologies of homotopic chain maps is established. As a special case, if X and Y are the same homotopy type, then their nth d-homology R-modules are isomorphic, and if X is a contractible space, then its nth d-homology R-modules for n≠0 are trivial.

Disruption of fibronectin matrix affects type IV collagen, fibrillin and laminin deposition into extracellular matrix of human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Filla, Mark S; Dimeo, Kaylee D; Tong, Tiegang; Peters, Donna M

2017-12-01

Fibronectin fibrils are a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the trabecular meshwork (TM). They are a key mediator of the formation of the ECM which controls aqueous humor outflow and contributes to the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The purpose of this work was to determine if a fibronectin-binding peptide called FUD, derived from the Streptococcus pyogenes Functional Upstream Domain of the F1 adhesin protein, could be used to control fibronectin fibrillogenesis and hence ECM formation under conditions where its expression was induced by treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. FUD was very effective at preventing fibronectin fibrillogenesis in the presence or absence of steroid treatment as well as the removal of existing fibronectin fibrils. Disruption of fibronectin fibrillogenesis by FUD also disrupted the incorporation of type IV collagen, laminin and fibrillin into the ECM. The effect of FUD on these other protein matrices, however, was found to be dependent upon the maturity of the ECM when FUD was added. FUD effectively disrupted the incorporation of these other proteins into matrices when added to newly confluent cells that were forming a nascent ECM. In contrast, FUD had no effect on these other protein matrices if the cell cultures already possessed a pre-formed, mature ECM. Our studies indicate that FUD can be used to control fibronectin fibrillogenesis and that these fibrils play a role in regulating the assembly of other ECM protein into matrices involving type IV collagen, laminin, and fibrillin within the TM. This suggests that under in vivo conditions, FUD would selectively disrupt fibronectin fibrils and de novo assembly of other proteins into the ECM. Finally, our studies suggest that targeting fibronectin fibril assembly may be a viable treatment for POAG as well as other glaucomas involving excessive or abnormal matrix deposition of the ECM. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular mechanisms of platelet P2Y(12) receptor regulation.

Science.gov (United States)

Cunningham, Margaret R; Nisar, Shaista P; Mundell, Stuart J

2013-02-01

Platelets are critical for haemostasis, however inappropriate activation can lead to the development of arterial thrombosis, which can result in heart attack and stroke. ADP is a key platelet agonist that exerts its actions via stimulation of two surface GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors), P2Y(1) and P2Y(12). Similar to most GPCRs, P2Y receptor activity is tightly regulated by a number of complex mechanisms including receptor desensitization, internalization and recycling. In the present article, we review the molecular mechanisms that underlie P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) receptor regulation, with particular emphasis on the structural motifs within the P2Y(12) receptor, which are required to maintain regulatory protein interaction. The implications of these findings for platelet responsiveness are also discussed.