Supra-Molecular Assemblies of ORAI1 at Rest Precede Local Accumulation into Puncta after Activation

The Ca²⁺ selective channel ORAI1 and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident STIM proteins form the core of the channel complex mediating store operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE). Using liquid phase electron microscopy (LPEM), the distribution of ORAI1 proteins was examined at rest and after SOCE-activation at nanoscale resolution. The analysis of over seven hundred thousand ORAI1 positions revealed a number of ORAI1 channels had formed STIM-independent distinct supra-molecular clusters. Upon SOCE activation and in the presence of STIM proteins, a fraction of ORAI1 assembled in micron-sized two-dimensional structures, such as the known puncta at the ER plasma membrane contact zones, but also in divergent structures such as strands, and ring-like shapes. Our results thus question the hypothesis that stochastically migrating single ORAI1 channels are trapped at regions containing activated STIM, and we propose instead that supra-molecular ORAI1 clusters fulfill an amplifying function for creating dense ORAI1 accumulations upon SOCE-activation.     

Metabolomics profiling of xenobiotics in elite athletes: relevance to supplement consumption

Background

Supplements are widely used among elite athletes to maintain health and improve performance. Despite multiple studies investigating use of dietary supplements by athletes, a comprehensive profiling of serum supplement metabolites in elite athletes is still lacking. This study aims to analyze the presence of various xenobiotics in serum samples from elite athletes of different sports, focusing on metabolites that potentially originate from nutritional supplements.

Methods

Profiling of xenobiotics in serum samples from 478 elite athletes from different sports (football, athletics, cycling, rugby, swimming, boxing and rowing) was performed using non-targeted metabolomics-based mass spectroscopy combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis was performed using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Differences in metabolic levels among different sport groups were identified by univariate linear models.

Results

Out of the 102 detected xenobiotics, 21 were significantly different among sport groups including metabolites that potentially prolong exercise tolerance (caffeic acid), carry a nootropic effect (2-pyrrolidinone), exert a potent anti-oxidant effect (eugenol, ferulic acid 4 sulfate, thioproline, retinol), or originate from drugs for different types of injuries (ectoine, quinate). Using Gaussian graphical modelling, a metabolic network that links various sport group-associated xenobiotics was constructed to further understand their metabolic pathways.

Conclusions

This pilot data provides evidence that athletes from different sports exhibit a distinct xenobiotic profile that may reflect their drug/supplement use, diet and exposure to various chemicals. Because of limitation in the study design, replication studies are warranted to confirm results in independent data sets, aiming ultimately for better assessment of dietary supplement use by athletes.

     

Influence of silicoating,etching and heated glaze treatment on the surface of Y-TZP and its impact on bonding with veneering ceramic

The study aimed to investigate the influence of surface treatments of Y-TZP on its topography and their impact on shear bond strength (SBS) of Y-TZP to veneering porcelain. Thirty-four zirconia cubes (Cercon) (10 × 10 × 10 mm³) were divided randomly into 3 groups (n = 11) according to the different surface treatments, Silica Coating (SC); Hot Solution Etching (HE); and Heat Treatment after porcelain glaze and powder application (GP). Porcelain application (IPs e.max) was performed after surface treatment using a standardized technique. Porcelain application (Ceramco-3) was also performed on 10 metal cubes (I BOND 2) as controls (MC). Specimens were subjected to thermocycling (5–55 °C, 20,000 cycles) followed by SBS testing in a universal testing machine. Surface topography was assessed by scanning electron microscopy and surface roughness (Image J). SC developed significantly higher SBS (42.10 ± 5.84 MPa) of Y-TZP to veneering ceramics compared to treatment by HE (24.0 ± 6.4 MPa), GP (23.30 ± 4.72), and the MC (29.3 ± 5.4 MPa) control (p < 0.05). SBS among HE, GP and MC specimens was comparable (p > 0.05). Y-TZP specimens treated with SC and HE showed high surface roughness compared to GP. Silicoating of Y-TZP prior to veneering can potentially reduce the high failure rates of zirconia-based restorations by enhancing the chemical bond between the core and the veneer materials.     

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome leading to sudden brain death in a chronic hemodialysis patient

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) is a rare central nervous system (CNS) disease which develops in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). Although it has been reported in patients receiving chronic HD, DDS is more common during or immediately after the first HD treatment. The exact incidence of DDS is unknown. Death in DDS is an extremely rare phenomenon and to the best of our knowledge only 9 cases have been reported showing this association. We present a unique case of a 42‐year‐old female on chronic HD, and no prior history of CNS disease, who developed brain death in the setting of DDS 2 hours into the dialysis treatment. A literature review of all previously reported cases was performed.     

Life‐history traits of three Ambassid fishes (Chanda nama,Parambassis lala and Parambassis ranga) from the Mathabhanga River,southwestern Bangladesh

The present study provides the first indication of the life‐history traits, including, population structure, growth pattern, condition factor, form factor (a_3.0), size at first sexual maturity (L_m), natural mortality (M_W) and optimum catchable length (L_opt), of three Ambassid (Chanda nama, Parambassis lala and Parambassis ranga) fishes from the Mathabhanga River in southwest Bangladesh. A total of 370 individuals were occasionally collected from August 2017 to July 2018 with cast nets, gill nets, square lift nets, and conical‐ and box‐traps. The total length (TL) ranged from 2.4 to 7.5 cm for C. nama, 1.9–3.8 cm for P. lala and 1.8–6.5 cm for P. ranga. The length‐frequency distributions (LFDs) showed the 4.0–5.0 cm TL size group for C. nama and the 3.0–4.0 cm TL size group were numerically dominant for P. lala and P. ranga. The length–weight relationships (LWRs) indicated isometric growth for C. nama, and positive allometric growth for P. lala and P. ranga. All the LWR values were very significant (p < .001), with all r² values > .950. Based on the Spearman rank correlation test, body weight (BW) versus Fulton's‐condition factor (K_F) was extremely correlated (p < .001), indicating a better wellbeing for these species. The a_3.0 value was 0.0082, 0.0138 and 0.0104 for C. nama, P. lala and P. ranga, respectively. Based on the maximum length (L_max), the L_m was 4.4 cm TL for C. nama, 2.5 cm TL for P. lala, and 4.0 cm TL for P. ranga. Based on the asymptotic length (L_∞), the L_m was 4.88 cm TL for C. nama, 2.63 cm TL for P. lala, and 4.28 cm TL for P. ranga. The M_W value was 2.2, 3.3 and 2.7/year for C. nama, P. lala and P. ranga, respectively. The optimum catchable length (L_opt) was 5.36 cm TL for C. nama, 2.75 cm TL for P. lala and 4.65 cm TL for P. ranga. The findings of the present study should be very useful for effective and sustainable management of these fishes in the Mathabhanga River and the connecting ecosystems.     

Navigation waterway for Lake Nasser/Nubia on the Nile River

The High Aswan Dam is one of the largest dams in the world. Completion of the dam in 1970 resulted in the formation of Lake Nasser/Nubia (LNN). LNN has a highly irregular shape and dimensions. Its total length is about 500 km (335 km in Egypt, known as Lake Nasser; 165 km in Sudan, known as Lake Nubia). It has an average width of 12 km, an average depth of about 25 m and a maximum depth of 90 m. Large quantities of sediment are deposited in the lake, which complicates accurate knowledge of its navigational routes. Moreover, the sediment deposition and lowering of water levels has resulted in the creation of shallow areas that navigation bottlenecks. Furthermore, this problem is expected to increase in the future because of climate change impacts, and the effects of upper Nile River projects. The objective of this study was to identify a sustainable channel for navigation purposes in Lake Nasser/Nubia. A numerical model (Delft‐3D) was used to simulate the navigation waterway along Lake Nasser/Nubia. Calibration and verification of the model for flow and sediment deposition were performed during the period of 2009–2012. There was a good agreement between the observed and modelled results for the whole domain. The model was used to evaluate the designed navigation waterway, based on different scenarios. The calculated volume of the needed dredging, based on time series for the years 2002–2006 (‘which represents a minimum flood’), was 5.94 million m³ (mcm); the calculated volume of the dredging using time series for the years 1992–1996 (‘which represents an average flood’) was 6.64 mcm; and the calculated volume of the dredging using time series for the years 1996–2000 (‘which represents a maximum flood’) was 8.46 mcm. The modelling approach proved to be a useful tool for monitoring the future navigation waterway in Lake Nasser/Nubia.     

Reliability-Based Analysis and Design of Strip Footings against Bearing Capacity Failure

This paper presents a reliability-based approach for the analysis and design of a shallow strip footing subjected to a vertical load with or without pseudostatic seismic loading. Only the punching failure mode of the ultimate limit state is studied. The deterministic models are based on the upper-bound method of the limit analysis theory. The random variables used are the soil shear strength parameters and the horizontal seismic coefficient. The Hasofer-Lind reliability index and the failure probability are determined. A sensitivity analysis is also performed. The influence of the applied footing load on the reliability index and the corresponding design point is presented and discussed. It was shown that the negative correlation between the soil shear strength parameters highly increases the reliability of the foundation and that the failure probability is highly influenced by the coefficient of variation of the angle of internal friction of the soil and the horizontal seismic coefficient. For design, an iterative procedure is performed to determine the breadth of the footing for a target failure probability.     

Sustainability assessment of the energy projects implementation in regional scale

The concept of sustainable energy development cannot be separated from the understanding of additional positive socio-economic effect of sustainable energy projects (energy efficiency measures, use of renewable energy sources). Implementation of sustainable energy projects has positive impact on security of energy supply, provides financial economies and improved comfort and has multiplier effect for new jobs, involving small and medium size enterprises. Therefore integration of sustainable energy projects into regional development process may create external positive effect concerning increased energy security and other regional development goals (reduction of unemployment, reduction of environmental impact, etc.). The examples of EU-15 countries implementing their sustainable energy development and climate change mitigation policies on local level can be successfully applied in Lithuania. The aim of the article is to discuss methodological problems related with integration of sustainable energy projects into regional development procedures and provide guidelines, ensuring that energy elements may compile integral uniformity in terms of regional goals.     

Separation of no-carrier-added 52Mn from bulk chromium: a simulation study for accelerator mass spectrometry measurement of 53Mn

53Mn radionuclide (T(1/2) = 3.7 x 10(6) y) is produced through the interaction of cosmic rays. Measurements of concentrations of 53Mn in rocks might help to understand Earth surface processes that occurred in time periods not accessible with other cosmogenic nuclides. Only accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) can determine such ultratrace levels of 53Mn. The main interference in the detection of 53Mn by AMS is its stable isobar 53Cr, which is roughly approximately 10(12) times more abundant in nature. A prerequisite of any AMS measurement of 53Mn in geological samples is therefore chromium separation by an efficient chemistry. Thus, we have developed a method for the separation of chromium and manganese by using a radiometric simulation. The separation procedure was monitored by 51Cr (T(1/2) = 27.70 d) and 52Mn (T(1/2) = 5.59 d) as the corresponding radiotracers for chromium and manganese, respectively. The separation studies were performed by a liquid-liquid extraction technique using trioctylamine (TOA) diluted in cyclohexane. A high separation factor (approximately 16 000) for Mn and Cr can be obtained at optimal conditions of 0.8 M TOA and 9 M HCl. The developed method has been found equally applicable for real geological samples such as manganese crusts, lava, and sediment samples. Therefore, the method offers an important tool to improve 53Mn measurements by AMS.