Interplay between Selenium,Selenoproteins and HIV-1 Replication in Human CD4 T-Lymphocytes

The infection of CD4 T-lymphocytes with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiological agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), disrupts cellular homeostasis, increases oxidative stress and interferes with micronutrient metabolism. Viral replication simultaneously increases the demand for micronutrients and causes their loss, as for selenium (Se). In HIV-infected patients, selenium deficiency was associated with a lower CD4 T-cell count and a shorter life expectancy. Selenium has an important role in antioxidant defense, redox signaling and redox homeostasis, and most of these biological activities are mediated by its incorporation in an essential family of redox enzymes, namely the selenoproteins. Here, we have investigated how selenium and selenoproteins interplay with HIV infection in different cellular models of human CD4 T lymphocytes derived from established cell lines (Jurkat and SupT1) and isolated primary CD4 T cells. First, we characterized the expression of the selenoproteome in various human T-cell models and found it tightly regulated by the selenium level of the culture media, which was in agreement with reports from non-immune cells. Then, we showed that selenium had no significant effect on HIV-1 protein production nor on infectivity, but slightly reduced the percentage of infected cells in a Jurkat cell line and isolated primary CD4 T cells. Finally, in response to HIV-1 infection, the selenoproteome was slightly altered.     

The heat treatment and the gelation are strong determinants of the kinetics of milk proteins digestion and of the peripheral availability of amino acids

This study aimed to determine the kinetics of milk protein digestion and amino acid absorption after ingestion of four dairy matrices by six minipigs: unheated or heated skim milk and corresponding rennet gels. Digestive contents and plasma samples were collected over a 7 h-period after meal ingestion. Gelation of milk slowed down the outflow of the meal from the stomach and the subsequent absorption of amino acids, and decreased their bioavailability in peripheral blood. The gelled rennet matrices also led to low levels of milk proteins at the duodenum. Caseins and β-lactoglobulin, respectively, were sensitive and resistant to hydrolysis in the stomach with the unheated matrices, but showed similar digestion with the heated matrices, with a heat-induced susceptibility to hydrolysis for β-lactoglobulin. These results suggest a significant influence of the meal microstructure (resulting from heat treatment) and macrostructure (resulting from gelation process) on the different steps of milk proteins digestion.     

Kinetics of growth and inactivation of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium DT104 in pasteurised liquid egg products

The potential impact of post-pasteurisation contamination of liquid egg products with the multi-antibiotic resistant pathogen Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) was assessed by determining the viability of this bacterium in whole egg, albumen and 10% w/w sugared and salted yolk incubated at 4–42 °C. Results indicated that populations of S. Typhimurium DT104 were slowly inactivated in all four products when stored at 4 °C. However, based on the typical shelf-lives of cold-stored liquid egg, less than 0.6 log-kill would be achieved in those products prior to their use. Incubation at temperatures pertaining to abuse situations (10, 15, 20 and 25 °C) revealed an increasing potential for growth of S. Typhimurium DT104 in whole egg, albumen and sugared yolk, as indicated by trends in growth rate, lag duration and maximum population density. At even higher temperatures (30, 37 and 42 °C), growth rates of S. Typhimurium DT104 in whole egg and sugared yolk continued to increase. The same was true for S. Typhimurium DT104 in albumen except that growth was not observed at 42 °C and instead populations were inactivated within 30 h. At no temperature tested was S. Typhimurium DT104 able to grow in salted yolk. The influence of these growth and inactivation patterns on the risk of salmonellosis in relation to product type and storage temperature is discussed.     

Exposure influences expressive timing judgments in music.

This study is concerned with the question whether, and to what extent, listeners' previous exposure to music in everyday life, and expertise as a result of formal musical training, play a role in making expressive timing judgments in music. This was investigated by using a Web-based listening experiment in which listeners with a wide range of musical backgrounds were asked to compare 2 recordings of the same composition (15 pairs, grouped in 3 musical genres), 1 of which was tempo-transformed (manipulating the expressive timing). The results show that expressive timing judgments are not so much influenced by expertise levels, as is suggested by the expertise hypothesis, but by exposure to a certain musical idiom, as is suggested by the exposure hypothesis. As such, the current study provides evidence for the idea that some musical capabilities are acquired through mere exposure to music, and that these abilities are more likely enhanced by active listening (exposure) than by formal musical training (expertise). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exploring relationships among anger, perceived organizational support, and workplace outcomes.

The present study examines anger within a perceived organizational support (POS) theory framework. Using structural equation modeling, the authors explored relationships among POS, anger, and workplace outcomes in a sample of 1,136 employees in 21 stores of a U.S. retail organization. At both individual and store levels, low POS was directly associated with greater anger. At the individual level, anger partially mediated relationships among low POS and turnover intentions, absences, and accidents on the job. Anger had direct and indirect effects on alcohol consumption and health-related risk taking. At the store level, anger had direct negative effects on inventory loss and turnover. The authors interpret these findings in light of social exchange theory and emotion regulation theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioural Patterns and User Profiles related to energy consumption for heating

The difference between the actual and predicted energy consumption for heating in housing is thought to be partly attributable to the use of HVAC systems. More reliable data on energy consumption could help in determining the actual energy performance of dwellings and in the search for the most adequate design for housing and home amenities. Further reductions on energy consumption might also be achieved if energy-saving policy programmes were geared to different household groups. The aim of this paper is to statistically determine Behavioural Patterns associated with the energy spent on heating and to identify household and building characteristics that could contribute to the development of energy-User Profiles. This study had two outcomes: it identified Behavioural Patterns to be used in energy calculations and it discerned User Profiles with different behaviours. Five underlying groups of behavioural variables were found, which were used to define the Behavioural Patterns and User Profiles. The groups showed statistically significant differences in the scores for most of the behavioural factors. This study established clear relationships between occupant behaviour and household characteristics. However, it seems difficult to establish relationships between energy consumption and Behavioural Patterns and household groups.     

The mountain bike — the dream machine?

This paper examines the development of recreation on mountain bikes, since they were introduced in 1983. It considers some of the social conflicts that have reportedly arisen and then presents the results of a user survey undertaken in 1992. This provides a profile of mountain bike use and users. The aim of the study is to provide landscape managers, planners etc., with basic information about this latest form of countryside recreation so as to encourage more effective provision and management.     

Involvement of growth factors in thymic involution

The thymus undergoes an age-dependent degenerative process which is mainly characterized by a progressive loss of lymphoid tissue. Thymic involution is particularly important in relation to immunosenescence and its various associated diseases; this fact has prompted many studies aimed at understanding the causes and mechanisms of thymic degeneration which may, ultimately, lead to the possibility of manipulating it. In this sense, one of the aspects which has deserved most attention is the thymic microenvironment, and more precisely, the many growth factors to which the cells present in the organ are exposed. Thus, the levels of several of such factors have been reported to undergo age-dependent changes in the thymus, which may point at an influence on the regression of the organ. In this article we consider which growth factors and growth factor receptors occur in the vertebrate thymus. Then, focusing on those whose influences are better documented, i.e., neurotrophins, cytokines and IGFs, we discuss their potential role in the organ and the possibility of their being involved in thymic involution.     

Crosslinked chitosan doped with Y2(CO3)3 and surface energy and electrorheological properties

Novel electrorheological materials based on crosslinked chitosan doped with Y₂(CO₃)₃ were synthesized with biocompatible chitosan as the substrate of the materials. The electrorheological performance, surface energy, and thermal decomposition behavior of the materials were investigated as functions of the composition change. The results show that doping Y₂(CO₃)₃ can improve effectively the electrorheological performance of crosslinked chitosan with the formation of a metal–polymer complex when the doping degree is suitable. The surface energy plays an important role in influencing the electrorheological properties of the material. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007