Binding of Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase to TLR4 Signalling Allows Tissue Factor Activation in Monocytes

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is involved in the progression of atherosclerosis, since its enzymatic activity promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Besides, GGT may act as a prothrombotic factor by inducing tissue factor (TF) expression, independently of its enzymatic activity. The aim of this study was to assess whether GGT-induced TF stimulation was a consequence of binding to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressed on monocytes, the precursors of macrophages and foam cells which colocalize with GGT activity within atherosclerotic plaques. Experiments were performed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), THP-1 cells (a monocytic cellular model), and HEK293 cells, which were genetically modified to study the activation of TLR4. TF procoagulant activity was assessed by a one-stage clotting time test, and TF protein expression was estimated by western blot. Human recombinant (hr) GGT protein increased TF procoagulant activity and protein expression in both PBMCs and THP-1 cells. The GGT-induced TF stimulation was prevented by cellular pretreatment with TLR4/NF-κB inhibitors (LPS-Rs, CLI-095, and BAY-11-7082), and HEK293 cells lacking TLR4 confirmed that TLR4 is essential for GGT-induced activation of NF-κB. In conclusion, hrGGT induced TF expression in monocytes through a cytokine-like mechanism that involved the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling.     

Serratiopeptidase Affects the Physiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently involved in cystic fibrosis (CF) airway infections. Biofilm, motility, production of toxins and the invasion of host cells are different factors that increase P. aeruginosa’s virulence. The sessile phenotype offers protection to bacterial cells and resistance to antimicrobials and host immune attacks. Motility also contributes to bacterial colonization of surfaces and, consequently, to biofilm formation. Furthermore, the ability to adhere is the prelude for the internalization into lung cells, a common immune evasion mechanism used by most intracellular bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa. In previous studies we evaluated the activity of metalloprotease serratiopeptidase (SPEP) in impairing virulence-related properties in Gram-positive bacteria. This work aimed to investigate SPEP’s effects on different physiological aspects related to the virulence of P. aeruginosa isolated from CF patients, such as biofilm production, pyoverdine and pyocyanin production and invasion in alveolar epithelial cells. Obtained results showed that SPEP was able to impair the attachment to inert surfaces as well as adhesion/invasion of eukaryotic cells. Conversely, SPEP’s effect on pyocyanin and pyoverdine production was strongly strain-dependent, with an increase and/or a decrease of their production. Moreover, SPEP seemed to increase swarming motility and staphylolytic protease production. Our results suggest that a large number of clinical strains should be studied in-depth before drawing definitive conclusions. Why different strains sometimes react in opposing ways to a specific treatment is of great interest and will be the object of future studies. Therefore, SPEP affects P. aeruginosa’s physiology by differently acting on several bacterial factors related to its virulence.     

Physical anhedonia and schizophrenia.

Assessed the relation of anhedonia to schizophrenia using 69 schizophrenics and 54 psychiatric control outpatients from 3 mental health centers. In addition to indexes of schizophrenia, each S was given the Physical Anhedonia Scale, a measure of premorbidity, and a vocabulary test. Measures of chronicity and education were also included. ANOVAs indicated no significant differences in anhedonia among 4 diagnostic groups: paranoid schizophrenics, nonparanoid schizophrenics, unipolar affective psychiatric control Ss, and other psychiatric control Ss. Intercorrelations showed that anhedonia was negatively related to premorbid social status, years of education and vocabulary, but it was not significantly related to hospitalization. Data do not support the hypothesis that anhedonia is a consistent sign of schizophrenia but are compatible with the notion that anhedonia is the consequence of such liabilities as psychiatric disturbance, poor premorbid status, low educational level, and low verbal ability. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of Perceived Importance in Intergroup Contact.

Furthering G. W. Allport's (1954) contentions for optimal contact, the authors introduce a new construct: the perceived importance of contact. They propose that perceived importance is the best proximal predictor of contact's reduction of prejudice. If individuals have opportunities for contact at work or in the neighborhood, their chances to have intergroup acquaintances and friends increase. Intergroup contact among acquaintances and friends can be perceived as more or less important, which in turn determines intergroup evaluations. A 1st study shows that the new measure of perceived importance is indeed distinct from established quantity and quality indicators. The results are cross-validated in a 2nd study that also sheds light on the meaning of importance. In 3rd and 4th studies, structural equation analyses and a meta-analysis support the hypotheses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of global cross flows on the flow field and local heat transfer performance of miniature centrifugal fans

Centrifugal fans are often integrated into thermal management solutions for a range of applications. Consequently, centrifugal fan designs can be subjected to varying environmental conditions, many of which can alter fan performance characteristics and ultimately influence the heat transfer performance of the cooling solution. Global cross flows are a commonly encountered practical operating condition, particularly in the cooling of electronics. Air-cooled electronic enclosures often incorporate miniature centrifugal fans to maintain reliable component operating temperatures at a local level, while larger system level fans are used to simultaneously control the ambient temperature within the enclosure. This type of operating condition has been investigated by introducing a uniform crossing air flow above a centrifugal fan inlet. Two scaled miniature centrifugal fan designs were selected to fundamentally assess the influence on local velocity field and heat transfer performance. This was achieved experimentally using Particle Image Velocimetry, and a combined infrared and heated-thin-foil technique developed for the accurate measurement of local heat transfer coefficients. the introduction of a crossing air flow above the fan inlet indirectly reduced both the local and global thermal performance of the centrifugal fan, and the resultant distorted inflow shifted the surface heat transfer distribution at the fan outlet from an axisymmetric to asymmetric profile. However, strategic positioning of components relative to a centrifugal fan can maintain the average component heat transfer coefficient at a similar level to a case without any cross flow. Results also indicate issues associated with the implementation of miniature centrifugal fan designs into crossing air flow environments, with reductions in thermal performance of over 30% observed.     

On arginine-based polyurethane-blends specific to vascular prostheses

Polymer blends based on Tecoflex™ and an experimental aliphatic polyurethane (HMDI-PCL-arginine stands for 4,4 (metylene-biscyclohexyl) isocyanate - poly (ε caprolactone) diol, SPUUR stands for segmented poly(urea)urethanes using amino acid of L-Arginine as chain extender) were obtained by solvent casting, and further studied by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their biological performances were assessed in terms of hemocompatibility and Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cytotoxicity. Tensile properties of dumbbell specimens were compared to longitudinal and circumferential tensile properties of tubular vascular graft. FTIR showed that as the SPUUR content increased in the blend, absorptions at 2860 cm⁻¹ increased, carbonyl absorptions at 1724 cm⁻¹ broaden and the small peak at 2796 cm⁻¹, typical of Tecoflex™ disappeared. Raman spectroscopy showed that the low intensity carbonyl absorption at 1724 cm⁻¹ also increased with SPUUR content. DSC allowed detection of PCL soft segment melting (T_m = 50°C) in agreement with X-ray reflections at 21.3° and 23.6°, assigned to SPUUR. However, no improvements in thermal stability were detected by TGA by blending. The addition of SPUUR to Tecoflex™ improved hemocompatibility and HUVEC cytotoxicity. The vascular grafts performance showed that 40% SPUUR blends exhibited the highest force in the longitudinal test whereas 50% SPUUR blends showed the highest circumferential force. Pressure burst strength was higher than 1000 mmHg for all blends. Overall, these blends can be used for high caliber vascular grafts.     

A methodology for developing product platforms in the specific setting of the housebuilding industry

Platform based strategies have proved to be a successful approach for achieving optimum balances between standardization and variation in many industries. However, application of this concept in the housebuilding industry is relatively new. This article describes a new methodology for developing product platform architectures in the specific setting of the housebuilding industry. This methodology comprises a reference framework describing the basic elements that constitutes a product platform, supported by a protocol for developing product platforms. The applicability of the proposed methodology has been tested at a Dutch housebuilding company. In this study, the methodology demonstrated its added value in determining which modules to standardize and defining a product platform. This article also describes a distinctive method of housing classification that is based on the spatial use of houses. Compared to the traditional classification system based on technical construction elements, the proposed new classification system facilitates a better translation of functional requirements into technical specifications.     

Body Compositional Changes and Growth Alteration in Chicks from Hens Fed Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Effects of feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to hens on progeny chick development and composition at hatch (NHC) and three weeks of age (TWC) were assessed. CLA (0 or 0.5%, composed of mixed isomers of cis-9,trans-11 or trans-10,cis-12-CLA) was fed to hens with either safflower (SO) or olive oil (OO) (3 or 3.5%) to assure successful hatch for 2 weeks prior to collection for incubation. Maternal CLA feeding had no effect on hatchability, but improved egg fertility (p < 0.05). Maternal feeding of CLA with SO increased 21 day-old progeny growth, while CLA with OO decreased growth (oil*CLA, p < 0.05). In 25 day-old chicks (TWC), but not NHC, maternal CLA decreased the proportion of total body water (p < 0.05) and increased body ash (p < 0.05). While monounsaturated fatty acids were decreased and saturated fatty acids increased in eggs and NHC from hens fed CLA, no differences in fatty acid composition were observed in chicks at 25 days of age from hens fed CLA. Maternal CLA feeding resulted in the presence of c9,t11 and t10,c12-CLA in NHC, but only c9,t11 in the TWC. In conclusion, hens fed CLA led to improved fertility and altered body composition at 3 weeks of age.     

Copper(I) selenophene-2-carboxylate (CuSC) promoted C–S cross-coupling reaction of thiols with aryl iodides

We reported the synthesis of copper (I)-selenophene-2-carboxylate (CuSC) and application as new catalyst in the cross-coupling reactions of thiols with aryl iodide to afford the corresponding unsymmetrical thioethers. The optimized reaction conditions were applied to thiols and aryl iodides having a wide range of functional groups, including electron rich and electron poor substrates. The chemoselectivity of the reaction with 4-iodobromobenzene and 2-aminothiophenol derivatives was briefly examined through the competitive iodine versus bromine and thiol versus nitrogen cross-coupling.