Compartmentalization Role of A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs) in Mediating Protein Kinase A (PKA) Signaling and Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

The Beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) stimulation enhances contractility through protein kinase-A (PKA) substrate phosphorylation. This PKA signaling is conferred in part by PKA binding to A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). AKAPs coordinate multi-protein signaling networks that are targeted to specific intracellular locations, resulting in the localization of enzyme activity and transmitting intracellular actions of neurotransmitters and hormones to its target substrates. In particular, mAKAP (muscle-selective AKAP) has been shown to be present on the nuclear envelope of cardiomyocytes with various proteins including: PKA-regulatory subunit (RIIα), phosphodiesterase-4D3, protein phosphatase-2A, and ryanodine receptor (RyR2). Therefore, through the coordination of spatial-temporal signaling of proteins and enzymes, mAKAP controls cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels very tightly and functions as a regulator of PKA-mediated substrate phosphorylation leading to changes in calcium availability and myofilament calcium sensitivity. The goal of this review is to elucidate the critical compartmentalization role of mAKAP in mediating PKA signaling and regulating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by acting as a scaffolding protein. Based on our literature search and studying the structure–function relationship between AKAP scaffolding protein and its binding partners, we propose possible explanations for the mechanism by which mAKAP promotes cardiac hypertrophy.     

Biomimetic acellular detoxified glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine pericardium for tissue engineering

Glutaraldehyde (GLUT) processing, cellular antigens, calcium ions in circulation, and phospholipids present in the native tissue are predominantly responsible for calcification, degeneration, and lack of natural microenvironment for host progenitor cell migration in tissue implants. The study presents an improved methodology for adhesion and proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) without significant changes in biomechanical and biodegradation properties of the processed acellular bovine pericardium. The anti-calcification potential of the processed tissue was enhanced by detoxification of GLUT-cross-linked bovine pericardium by decellularization, pretreating it with ethanol or removing the free aldehydes by citric acid treatment and lyophilization. The treated tissues were assessed for biomechanical properties, GLUT ligand quantification, adhesion, proliferation of EPCs, and biodegradability. The results indicate that there was no significant change in biomechanical properties and biodegradability when enzymatic hydrolysis (p > 0.05) is employed in detoxified acellular GLUT cross-linked tissue (DBP–G–CA–ET), compared with the native detoxified GLUT cross-linked bovine pericardium (NBP–G–CA–ET). DBP–G–CA–ET exhibited a significant (p > 0.05) increase in the viability of EPCs and cell adhesion as compared to acellular GLUT cross-linked bovine pericardium (p < 0.05). Lyophilized acellular detoxified GLUT cross-linked bovine pericardium, employed in our study as an alternative to conventional GLUT cross-linked bovine pericardium, might provide longer durability and better biocompatibility, and reduce calcification. The developed bovine pericardium patches could be used in cardiac reconstruction and repair, arteriotomy, soft tissue repair, and general surgical procedures with tissue regeneration dimensions.     

Bamboo Shoots: A Novel Source of Nutrition and Medicine

Bamboos, a group of large woody grasses belonging to the family Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae, are much talked about for their contribution to the environment. However, the food potential of Bamboo shoot per se remains unexploited. Literature on the nutritional and medicinal potential of bamboo shoots is scarce. This paper therefore provides insight on bamboo shoot as a food resource. Various edible species and exotic food products (fermented shoots, pickle, etc.) and recipes of bamboo shoots (bamboo beer, bamboo cookies) are consumed worldwide. Change in nutritional composition of different species of bamboo shoots with processing has also been reviewed. Bamboo shoots possess high protein, moderate fiber, and less fat content. They are also endowed for having essential amino acids, selenium, a potent antioxidant, and potassium, a healthy heart mineral. Occurrence of taxiphyllin, a cyanogenic glycoside in raw shoots, and its side effect on human health calls for the demand to innovate processing ways using scientific input to eliminate the toxic compound without disturbing the nutrient reserve. Lastly, the paper also reviews the utilization of medicinal properties acquired by bamboo shoot. Using the traditional knowledge, pharmaceutical preparations of bamboo shoots like bamboo salt, bamboo vinegar, bamboo extracts for diabetes and cholesterol control, etc. are now gaining importance. Further investigation is required by the researchers to make novel nutraceutical products and benefit the society.     

Correlations of Bridgman-Grown Cd0.9Zn0.1Te Properties with Different Ampoule Rotation Schemes

A unique ampoule rotation system was developed at the Center for Materials Research at Washington State University for enhancing convection in the cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) melt by applying different ampoule rotation schemes (RS). Experiments were performed with different initial charge material concentrations and rotation parameters (acceleration, speed, rotation time, etc.). The applied speed and acceleration ranged from 30 rpm to 50 rpm and 30 rpm² to 200 rpm², respectively. Zinc (Zn) distribution profiles of radial and axial slices from the same regions in the grown ingot were determined by room-temperature photoluminescence mapping. The results demonstrate the effects of ampoule rotation on Zn segregation and growth interface evolution. The most stable interface propagation was obtained when 0.2 atomic percent (at.%) excess tellurium (Te) was used in the initial charge material along with a trapezoidal RS. Uniform radial Zn distribution was achieved using triangular RS, which is because of the interface flatness near the axis. Comparison of secondary phase (SP) generation for different RS and initial excess Te was performed. Closed-container CZT growth was performed using the trapezoidal RS, which resulted in high single-crystal yield with lower-diameter SP near the last-to-freeze region. High-resistivity (on the order of 10¹⁰ Ω-cm) crystals were obtained from all the RS. The mobility–lifetime product (μτ)_e of electrons for planar detectors was found to be on the order of 3 × 10^?3 cm²/V to 5 × 10^?3 cm²/V for all the RS with 3.5 at.% excess Te growths.     

Synthesis and characterization of end‐capped polyimides and their gas permeability properties

Polyimides (PIs) based on 3,3′,4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) end capped with two new monoamines and other four different monoamines have been synthesized with a view to study the effect of different functional groups at the end of polymer chain on solubility, gas permeability, and thermal properties. The new monoamines have been synthesized from 3‐pentadecylphenol, obtained by hydrogenation of cardanol, a major constituent of cashew‐nut shell liquid. Introduction of different functional groups at the end of polyimide (PI) based on ODPA and ODA, by end capping with different monoamines, alters oxygen and nitrogen gas permeability, solubility, and thermal properties. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 627–635, 2000     

A general kinetic model for epoxy polymerization

A general kinetic framework to study epoxy polymerization is developed. Best-fit values of five rate constants are obtained using some experimental chromatographic data available in the open literature on a system involving a single liquid phase. Detailed sensitivity studies are then carried out to identify the most important rate constants. Average molecular weights and the polydispersity index are predicted using these parameters. The present model is more general than earlier kinetic models, and does not have the drawbacks of probabilistic models. The present model is used to predict the effect of intermediate addition of NaOH, to illustrate how general it really is. The model can easily be extended to apply to industrial reactors, which have additional physico-chemical phenomena associated with them, as for example, non-isothermal polymerization, presence of two liquid phases, etc. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 1859–1876, 1998     

Free-radical polymerizations associated with the Trommsdorff effect under semibatch reactor conditions. IV. On-line inferential-state estimation

A moving-horizon inferential-state estimation technique is described which uses simulated “experimental” data on temperature and viscosity to study bulk polymerization of free-radical systems. The short-term predictive capability of this technique is found to be quite good. A considerable amount of ringing (oscillations between the lower and upper bounds) is observed in the values of the estimated parameters which can be reduced significantly by narrowing down the range of parameter values or by including longer horizons in parameter estimation. Short-range prediction of viscosity was also found to be good. The model-calculated values of monomer conversion and molecular weights were found to be quite satisfactory in the entire range of operation. The long-term predictions of the model using the estimated parameters may or may not be accurate depending on the length of historical data used in the prediction. However, periodic use of state-variable estimation based on all the data up to that time, followed by the determination of the optimal temperature history in the future, could be a feasible strategy for experimental on-line optimizing control of bulk free-radical polymerizations which exhibit significant amounts of the Trommsdorff effect. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1861–1877, 1997     

Ultrastable Covalent Triazine Organic Framework Based on Anthracene Moiety as Platform for High-Performance Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Supercapacitors

Conductive and porous nitrogen-rich materials have great potential as supercapacitor electrode materials. The exceptional efficiency of such compounds, however, is dependent on their larger surface area and the level of nitrogen doping. To address these issues, we synthesized a porous covalent triazine framework (An-CTFs) based on 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (An-CN) units through an ionothermal reaction in the presence of different molar ratios of molten zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) at 400 and 500 °C, yielding An-CTF-10-400, An-CTF-20-400, An-CTF-10-500, and An-CTF-20-500 microporous materials. According to N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses (BET), these An-CTFs produced exceptionally high specific surface areas ranging from 406–751 m²·g⁻¹. Furthermore, An-CTF-10-500 had a capacitance of 589 F·g⁻¹, remarkable cycle stability up to 5000 cycles, up to 95% capacity retention, and strong CO₂ adsorption capacity up to 5.65 mmol·g⁻¹ at 273 K. As a result, our An-CTFs are a good alternative for both electrochemical energy storage and CO₂ uptake.     

Distribution of α-and γ-tocopherols in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) tissues

Groups of Atlantic salmon parr (mean initial weight 9.5 g) were fed three diets, the first containing no tocopherol supplement, the others supplemented with either all-rac-α-tocopherol (A-T) or RRR-γ-tocopherol (G-T). Tocopherol concentrations in the liver, serum, testes, kidney, brain, gill, muscle, and perivisceral fat were measured after 36 wk. Despite a higher dietary intake of G-T, compared to A-T, deposition of γ-tocopherol (γT) was less efficient than of α-tocopherol (αT) in most tissues except in the perivisceral fat, an adipose tissue. In fish fed the G-T diet, the γT/αT ratio was highest in the perivisceral fat and lowest in the liver, indicating that the liver is the most discriminatory organ for retaining αT as compared to γT, and the perivisceral fat is more suitable for the storage of γT. A negative correlation (P<0.01) was observed between the γT/αT ratio and the corresponding tissue phospholipid content, suggesting that γT is less efficiently deposited compared to αT in the phospholipid-rich membranes which are presumed to be the functional site for lipid antioxidants in vivo. During restricted intake of αT, the liver and muscle exhibited the greatest reduction of this tocopherol among the tissues analyzed. The presence of minimal αT in the muscle from fish fed the tocopherol-unsupplemented diet led to greater susceptibility to lipid peroxidation after frozen storage than was the case for muscle containing higher concentrations of either αT or γT. However, both αT and γT were effective stabilizers of salmon muscle lipids during frozen storage. Presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, San Antonio, Texas, May 1995.