Differential alterations of ethanolamine and choline phosphoglyceride metabolism by clofibrate and retinoic acid in human fibroblasts are not mediated by phorbol ester-sensitive protein kinase C

Peroxisomal proliferators and retinoids have been reported to interact to regulate lipid metabolism, particularly β-oxidation of fatty acids. Based on postulated interactions of these agents at the levels of receptors and response elements, we examined whether interactions exist between the peroxisomal proliferator, clofibrate (CLF), and retinoic acid (RA) in modulation of phospholipid turnover in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Treatment of cultured cells with either 25 μM CLF or 1 μM RA alone decreased [¹⁴C]ethanolamine incorporation into ethanolamine phosphoglycerides (EPG) by 20–30%, and simultaneous exposure to both agents resulted in additive inhibition. By contrast, [³H]choline incorporation into phospholipid was stimulated 5–30% by incubation with either agent; when CLF and RA were administered together, the stimulatory effects were additive. Different types of pulse-chase studies examining effects on uptake, biosynthesis, and degradation of labelled phospholipids indicated stimulation of EPG degradation and inhibition of phosphatidylcholine degradation by CLF; no effect on catabolism of either phospholipid was observed with RA. Combinations of modifiers of protein kinase activity [4β-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (β-TPA), 1-(5-isoquino-linesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride,N-(2′-guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride,bis-indolylmaleimide, staurosporine] indicated that β-TPA-responsive protein kinases were not involved. Accordingly, CLF and RA regulate biosynthesis and degradation of ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides in cultured skin fibroblasts by different mechanisms that do not involve classical protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, even though turnover of phospholipids generating lipid activators of PKC occurs.     

Osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells cultured on poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate), poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffolds

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine - A thin endocrown restoration was often applied in endodontically treated teeth with vertical bite height loss or inadequate clinical crown...     

Mechanical Properties of Plasma‐Sprayed Mullite‐Reinforced Titania–Bioglass Composite

Bioceramics have been extensively used for various medical applications including hip and knee prostheses, tissue engineering scaffolds, and dental implants. Bioceramics, particularly bioglass, are desired because of their bioactivity but are often limited by their inherent brittleness. To compensate, composites have been formed to obtain unique properties where both bioactivity and mechanical integrity can be achieved. Mullite‐reinforced titania–bioglass (TiO₂–BG) composites were therefore deposited using plasma spraying technique. The microstructure of the coating materials were analyzed for their morphology and microstructure using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry. Mechanical properties of the coatings were tested using three‐point bend test, indentation test, and pin‐on‐disk wear test to determine their fracture strength, fracture toughness, and wear resistance, respectively. The addition of mullite fibers improved the fracture strength and wear resistance of TiO₂–BG composites while having minimal effect on fracture toughness. After the addition of mullite, failure mode was bimodal, failing intergranularly and by fiber pull‐out. Although mullite fibers have not been particularly used for medical applications, fiber reinforcement has shown efficacy in mechanically reinforcing composites of various medical applications.     

Maximizing the lifetime of energy‐constrained cooperative spectrum sensing sensor network

Adding the cognitive capability to wireless sensor networks allows the sensors to monitor the spectrum and identify the spectrum holes to operate in different frequencies according to the radio environment which result in better spectrum utilization. Spectrum sensing is a main component in any cognitive radio network. In this paper, we propose a new cooperative sensing scheme based on energy detection for cognitive sensor networks which is constrained by the energy limitation of the wireless sensor elements. The proposed scheme minimizes the sensing energy for individual sensor and carefully selects the suitable participant sensors in each cooperative sensing process. This results in maximizing the lifetime of energy‐constrained wireless sensor networks. The proposed scheme also takes into consideration the constraints on the detection accuracy. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme prolonged the lifetime of the cognitive network, makes efficient usage of available spectrum by secondary users, and satisfy the target detection performance.     

Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of Turkish pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) accessions

The objective of this study was to assess antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of four different Turkish pomegranate varieties (Hatay, Hicaz, Adana and Antalya) using an in vitro HepG2 cancer cell model. All the pomegranate extracts employed in this study significantly diminish the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. The total phenolic acid, anthocyanin and flavonoid contents for each of the four varieties were determined. The Hatay pomegranate variety had the highest total phenolic acid (337.4 ± 2.34 mg/100 g) and flavonoid (58.42 ± 2.25 mg/100 g) contents of the pomegranates examined. Antioxidant activities of the pomegranates were determined using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. The lack of correlation between colour index value and antioxidant–antiproliferative activities suggested that phenolic acids and flavonoids are predominant compounds influencing pomegranate's bioactivity rather than anthocyanins. Individual phenolic acids found in Hatay pomegranates were determined, using an HPLC system, as gallic acid being the most predominant phenolic compound.     

Child-Centered Group Play Therapy with Children with Speech Difficulties.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of child-centered group play therapy as an intervention for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children with speech difficulties. A pre-test, post-test comparison group design was utilized. Child-centered group play therapy was shown to have a large practical significance in helping children improve both their expressive and receptive language skills. Child-centered group play therapy was shown to have a mixed effect upon children's anxiety. Qualitative data was examined to determine clinical significance of the intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The work–family research agenda in changing contexts.

This article argues that research on the work–family interface has evolved against a backdrop of dramatic and ongoing social and workplace change and must continue to reflect current and future context. The article overviews current trends that have implications for work and family and considers some possible future scenarios. It identifies a number of research areas and questions that build on previous theoretical and practical developments in the work–family field and reflect current trends. It is argued that questions about the well-being and sustainability of workplace human resources, of families in their diverse forms, and of communities are of overriding significance for the work–family research agenda, particularly if current trends continue unabated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of BPN Pyrotechnic Composition Containing Micro‐ and Nanometer‐Sized Boron Particles

The effect of micro‐ and nanometer‐sized boron particles on boron‐potassium nitrate (BPN) ignition composition was investigated in this paper. As a starting point, thermochemical calculations were made to determine the most promising ignition compositions. Both stoichiometric and fuel‐rich formulations of BPN were produced to observe the performance variation due to boron content. Particle morphology of boron particles and the surface structure of the ignition compositions were investigated by SEM. The influence of micro‐ and nanometer‐sized boron particles on the calorific value, sensitivity properties, and pressure buildup of compositions were investigated. Sensitivity tests showed that all compositions were safe enough for handling. It was seen that although nanometer‐sized boron particles enhanced calorific value and pressurization rate, they did not have a contribution on the maximum pressure level. The maximum adiabatic flame temperature was attained by the stoichiometric composition, but in practice, the stoichiometric composition resulted in much lower performance than the fuel rich composition. Possible reasons for these behaviors of the compositions were discussed in the paper.     

The influence of the business cycle on bankruptcy probability

Two fields of research on default prediction are combined on a unique dataset covering all limited liability firms in Norway. This is done by empirically testing a bankruptcy prediction function where unlisted firms are evaluated on the basis of both their financial statement analysis and movements in the business cycle. This combination is found to improve the default prediction compared with financial statements alone. The GDP gap, a production index and the money supply M1 in combination with some financial health indicators for individual firms are found to be significant predictors on default for Norwegian firms during both recovery and expansion in the 1990s.     

Wet separation of wheat flours into starch and gluten fractions: the combined effects of water to flour ratio–dough maturation time and the effects of flour aging and ascorbic acid addition

The process of making a dough, allowing time for maturation, dispersing the dough in water and wet sieving/washing to obtain a protein fraction and starch milk was studied using response surface methodology by changing the water to flour ratio in dough making (400–710 g kg^?1), maturation time (45–660 s) and the type of flour. Two grades of bread wheat flour and durum clear flour were studied. The effects of aging at ambient temperature for up to 29 days and the addition of ascorbic acid at 100 or 500 mg kg^?1 flour on separation behaviour were also studied for freshly milled high‐grade (65% extraction) bread wheat flours at constant maturation time, 600 s, and at optimum farinograph water absorption value. The quantities and dry matter contents of the protein fraction and starch milk were measured; a sample of starch milk was centrifuged to obtain decantate, tailings and prime starch fractions, and the dry matter contents of each were determined. All the dried samples were also analysed for protein content. The fractional recoveries of dry matter and protein in the protein fraction, prime starch, tailings and decantate were calculated for each experiment. The acid values of flour oils were also determined on some aged flour samples. The results indicated superior separation characteristics in high‐grade wheat flour compared with lower‐grade flours. The water to flour ratio was more influential than maturation time within the range studied. Contrary to the initial expectation, no statistically significant effect of flour aging was observed in the studies with no additive, and ascorbic acid addition was not found to improve the wet separation behaviour, the separation behaviour becoming even worse at the 100 mg kg^?1 level. Acid value showed a slight increase with time. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry