Impact of Zinc on Oxidative Signaling Pathways in the Development of Pulmonary Vasoconstriction Induced by Hypobaric Hypoxia

Hypobaric hypoxia is a condition that occurs at high altitudes (>2500 m) where the partial pressure of gases, particularly oxygen (PO₂), decreases. This condition triggers several physiological and molecular responses. One of the principal responses is pulmonary vascular contraction, which seeks to optimize gas exchange under this condition, known as hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV); however, when this physiological response is exacerbated, it contributes to the development of high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). Increased levels of zinc (Zn²⁺) and oxidative stress (known as the “ROS hypothesis”) have been demonstrated in the vasoconstriction process. Therefore, the aim of this review is to determine the relationship between molecular pathways associated with altered Zn²⁺ levels and oxidative stress in HPV in hypobaric hypoxic conditions. The results indicate an increased level of Zn²⁺, which is related to increasing mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), alterations in nitric oxide (NO), metallothionein (MT), zinc-regulated, iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-induced protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) activation in the development of HPV. In conclusion, there is an association between elevated Zn²⁺ levels and oxidative stress in HPV under different models of hypoxia, which contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism involved in HPV to prevent the development of HAPH.     

Genomic and Immunological Characterization of Hypermucoviscous Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST25 Isolates from Northwest Argentina

In recent years, an increase in the prevalence hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae with sequence type 25 (ST25) was detected in hospitals of Tucuman (Northwest Argentina). In this work, the virulence and the innate immune response to two K. pneumoniae ST25 strains (LABACER 01 and LABACER 27) were evaluated in a murine model after a respiratory challenge. In addition, comparative genomics was performed with K. pneumoniae LABACER01 and LABACER27 to analyze genes associated with virulence. Both LABACER01 and LABACER27 were detected in the lungs of infected mice two days after the nasal challenge, with LABACER01 counts significantly higher than those of LABACER27. Only LABACER01 was detected in hemocultures. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were significantly higher in mice challenged with LABACER01 than in LABACER27-infected animals, indicating greater lung tissue damage. Both strains increased the levels of neutrophils, macrophages, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, KC, MCP-1, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in the respiratory tract and blood, with the effect of LABACER01 more marked than that of LABACER27. In contrast, LABACER27 induced higher levels of IL-10 in the respiratory tract than LABACER01. Genomic analysis revealed that K. pneumoniae LABACER01 and LABACER27 possess virulence factors found in other strains that have been shown to be hypervirulent, including genes required for enterobactin (entABCDEF) and salmochelin (iroDE) biosynthesis. In both strains, the genes of toxin–antitoxin systems, as well as regulators of the expression of virulence factors and adhesion genes were also detected. Studies on the genetic potential of multiresistant K. pneumoniae strains as well as their cellular and molecular interactions with the host are of fundamental importance to assess the association of certain virulence factors with the intensity of the inflammatory response. In this sense, this work explored the virulence profile based on genomic and in vivo studies of hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae ST25 strains, expanding the knowledge of the biology of the emerging ST25 clone in Argentina.     

Matisse: A System-on-Chip Design Methodology Emphasizing Dynamic Memory Management

MATISSE is a design environment intended for developing systems characterized by a tight interaction between control and data-flow behavior, intensive data storage and transfer, and stringent real-time requirements. Matisse bridges the gap from a system specification, using a concurrent object-oriented language, to an optimized embedded single-chip hardware/software implementation. Matisse supports stepwise exploration and refinement of dynamic memory management, memory architecture exploration, and gradual incorporation of timing constraints before going to traditional tools for hardware synthesis, software compilation, and inter-processor communication synthesis. With this approach, specifications of embedded systems can be written in a high-level programming language using data abstraction. Application of MATISSE on telecom protocol processing systems in the ATM area shows significant improvements in area usage and power consumption.     

Potential for identification of wild night-flying moths by remote infrared microscopy

There are hundreds of thousands of moth species with crucial ecological roles that are often obscured by their nocturnal lifestyles. The pigmentation and appearance of moths are dominated by cryptic diffuse shades of brown. In this study, 82 specimens representing 26 moth species were analysed using infrared polarimetric hyperspectral imaging in the range of 0.95–2.5 µm. Contrary to previous studies, we demonstrate that since infrared light does not resolve the surface roughness, wings appear glossy and specular at longer wavelengths. Such properties provide unique reflectance spectra between species. The reflectance of the majority of our species could be explained by comprehensive models, and a complete parametrization of the spectral, polarimetric and angular optical properties was reduced to just 11 parameters with physical units. These parameters are complementary and, compared with the within-species variation, were significantly distinct between species. Counterintuitively to the aperture-limited resolution criterion, we could deduce microscopic features along the surface from their infrared properties. These features were confirmed by electron microscopy. Finally, we show how our findings could greatly enhance opportunities for remote identification of free-flying moth species, and we hypothesize that such flat specular wing targets could be expected to be sensed over considerable distances.     

Functionalized galactoglucomannan‐based hydrogels for the removal of metal cations from aqueous solutions

New types of hydrogels derived from O‐acetyl galactoglucomannan (AcGGM) hemicellulose have been synthesized and characterized. The objective of this work was to analyze the sorption capacity (S) of three types of hydrogels containing AcGGM derivatives incorporated into the carboxylic groups of the polymer chain in the AA hydrogel, sulfonic groups in the APA hydrogel, and amide groups in the acrylamide (Aam) hydrogel. These hydrogels are capable of interacting and removing ions such as cadmium [Cd(II)], copper [Cu(II)], lead [Pb(II)], nickel [Ni(II)], and zinc [Zn(II)]. The results show that AA and Aam hydrogels had a lower sorption capacity of ions compared to the APA hydrogel, which had a high sorption capacity. The maximal sorption capacity was determined by the successive enrichment method, obtaining Pb(II) amount of 48.3 mg/g of AA hydrogel, 65.8 mg/g of APA hydrogel, and 40.8 mg/g of Aam hydrogel. Hence, Pb(II) ions are greatly retained by the three hydrogels. These results are promising for the development of new materials with potential applications in metal ion removal. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44093.     

Production and purification of a fused recombinant protein gp-36 (HIV-2) from Escherichia coli

A fragment of the gp-36 gene of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) was fused to a stabilizer sequence, which encodes for the first N-terminal 58 amino acids of the human interleukin-2. The fused protein was expressed under the control of the tryptophan promoter in Escherichia coli, and expressed as 20% of the total cellular protein. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the fusion protein formed cytoplasmic insoluble inclusion bodies. Inclusion bodies were semipurified by a wash pellet cell procedure, rendering a material with a purity higher than 70% by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After solubilization with urea, this preparation was further purified by gel-filtration chromatography up to 95% purity.     

Proximate Composition and Seed Lipid Components of Sorghum Cultivars from Argentina

Seeds of 11 sorghum cultivars ( Sorghum bicolor ) from Argentina were analysed for proximate composition, fatty acids and sterols. Oil, protein, carbohydrate and ash contents varied between 41 and 66 g kg⁻¹, 111 and 156 g kg⁻¹, 670 and 730 g kg⁻¹ and 13·8 and 20·6 g kg⁻¹ of dry matter, respectively. Fatty acid profiles revealed that the major acids were palmitic (15·1–24·8%), oleic (29·9–41·8%) and linoleic (35·9–51·3%). Unsaponifiable matter was examined for sterols. Sitosterol was the prominent component in all cultivars (43·8–57·9%), followed by campesterol (18·7–29·1%) and stigmasterol (12·4–20·5%).     

T-Cell Response against Varicella Zoster Virus in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis during Relapse and Remission

An association between varicella zoster virus (VZV) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in Mexican populations. The aim of this study was to compare the response of T cells from MS patients, during relapse and remission, to in vitro stimulation with VZV, adenovirus (AV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Proliferation and cytokine secretion of T cells from 29 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 38 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed by flow cytometry after stimulating with VZV, AV or EBV. IgG and IgM levels against VZV and EBV were quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Relapsing MS patients showed a higher percentage of responding CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against VZV compared to AV. In HC and remitting MS patients, proliferation of CD4+ T cells was higher when stimulated with VZV as compared to EBV. Moreover, T cells isolated from remitting patients secreted predominantly Th1 cytokines when cell cultures were stimulated with VZV. Finally, high concentration of anti-VZV IgG was found in sera from patients and controls. The results support previous studies of an VZV-MS association in the particular population studied and provide additional information about the possible role of this virus in the pathogenesis of MS.     

A Finite-Element Approach for the Partitioning of Carbon in Q&P Steel

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - This paper reports a Galerkin finite-element analysis of carbon partitioning from martensite into austenite during the quenching and partitioning...