S100A13 is involved in the regulation of fibroblast growth factor-1 and p40 synaptotagmin-1 release in vitro

We have previously characterized the release of the signal peptide sequence-less fibroblast growth factor (FGF) prototype, FGF-1, in vitro as a stress-induced pathway in which FGF-1 is released as a latent homodimer with the p40 extravesicular domain of p65 synaptotagmin (Syn)-1. To determine the biologic relevance of the FGF-1 release pathway in vivo, we sought to resolve and characterize from ovine brain a purified fraction that contained both FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 and report that the brain-derived FGF-1:p40 Syn-1 aggregate is associated with the calcium-binding protein, S100A13. Since S100A13 binds the anti-inflammatory compound amlexanox and FGF-1 is involved in inflammation, we examined the effects of amlexanox on the release of FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 in response to stress in vitro. We report that while amlexanox was able to repress the heat shock-induced release of FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 in a concentration-dependent manner, it had no effect on the constitutive release of p40 Syn-1 from p40 Syn-1 NIH 3T3 cell transfectants. These data suggest the following: (i) FGF-1 is associated with Syn-1 and S100A13 in vivo; (ii) S100A13 may be involved in the regulation of FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 release in response to temperature stress in vitro; and (iii) the FGF-1 release pathway may be accessible to pharmacologic regulation.     

Scalability of Peer Configuration Management in Logically Ad Hoc Networks

Current interest in ad hoc and peer-to-peer networking technologies prompts a re-examination of models for configuration management within these frameworks. In the future, network management methods may have to scale to millions of nodes within a single organization, with complex social constraints. In this paper, we discuss whether it is possible to manage the configuration of large numbers of network devices using well known and not so well known configuration models, and we discuss how the special characteristics of ad hoc and peer-to-peer networks are reflected in this problem.     

The extravesicular domain of synaptotagmin-1 is released with the latent fibroblast growth factor-1 homodimer in response to heat shock

The heparin-binding fibroblast growth factor (FGF) prototypes lack a classical signal sequence, yet their presence is required in the extracellular compartment for the activation of cell-surface receptor-dependent signaling. Early studies with FGF-1 demonstrated its presence in bovine brain as a novel high molecular weight complex, and subsequent studies identified a second heparin-binding protein that co-purified with FGF-1. Polypeptide sequence analysis revealed that this heparin-binding protein corresponded to the extravesicular domain of bovine synaptotagmin (Syn)-1, a transmembrane component of synaptic vesicles involved in the regulation of organelle traffic. Since FGF-1 is released in response to heat shock as a mitogenically inactive Cys-30 homodimer, we sought to determine whether this heparin-binding protein was involved in the release of FGF-1. We report that a proteolytic fragment of the extravesicular domain of Syn-1 is associated with FGF-1 in the extracellular compartment of FGF-1-transfected NIH 3T3 cells following temperature stress. By using heparin-Sepharose affinity to discriminate between the monomer and homodimer forms of FGF-1 and resolution by conventional and limited denaturant gel shift immunoblot analysis, it was possible to identify FGF-1 and Syn-1 as potential components of a denaturant- and reducing agent-sensitive extracellular complex. It was also possible to demonstrate that the expression of an antisense-Syn-1 gene represses the release of FGF-1 in response to heat shock. These data indicate that FGF-1 may be able to utilize the cytosolic face of conventional exocytotic vesicles to traffic to the inner surface of the plasma membrane where it may gain access to the extracellular compartment as a complex with Syn-1.     

Epitope mapping using histidine-tagged protein fragments: application to Escherichia coli RNA polymerase sigma 70

The pathogenic Neisseria have exploited the processes of horizontal DNA transfer and genetic recombination as mechanisms for the generation of extensive protein variation and modulation of gene expression. Localized recombinations have been well documented in members of multigene families as have alterations in short repetitive sequences. Here we report an analysis of the chromosomal structure of a defined lineage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MSl1 pilin variants. This study reveals the occurrence of large rearrangements, including the amplification of a 26 kb region and an inversion involving more than a third of the chromosome. Additionally, a restriction site polymorphism that correlates with pilin expression has been observed. These findings highlight the flexibility of the gonococcal genome.     

Hypnosis, reporting bias, and suggested negative hallucinations.

Examined the role of reporting bias in hypnotic negative hallucinations by using a paradigm in which reporting bias was assessed independently of perceptual change. In Exp 1, highly hypnotizable Ss reported significant loudness reductions when tested for hypnotic deafness. Later, however, these Ss biased their reported loudness reductions in the absence of perceptual change, and their reporting bias scores were almost as large as their hypnotic deafness reports. Ss also biased their ratings of strategy use. In Exp 2, ratings of blindness given in response to a hypnotic negative visual hallucination suggestion were significantly correlated with reporting bias scores obtained in this paradigm. Although hypnotic blindness and hypnotic deafness correlated significantly, the partial correlation between these variables was nonsignificant when reporting bias scores were statistically controlled. Theoretical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

In vitro and in vivo gene delivery mediated by a synthetic polycationic amino polymer

The r?le of chemotherapy in the treatment of operable soft tissue sarcomas is still debatable. In high-grade tumors, randomized trials using adjuvant chemotherapy have resulted in controversial results. A recent meta-analysis showed a higher median disease-free survival in groups with chemotherapy compared to controls. Doxorubicin, ifosfamide and dacarbazine are the majors drugs. Their combination in adjuvant treatment is currently being investigated. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has allowed conservative surgery in initially unoperable tumors, but its role in primarily operable tumors remains to be defined.     

Treatment of wine distillery wastewater by high rate anaerobic digestion.

Wine distillery wastewaters (WDW) are acidic and have a high content of potential organic pollutants. This causes high chemical oxygen demand (COD) values. Polyphenols constitute a significant portion of this COD, and limit the efficiency of biological treatment of WDWs. WDW starting parameters were as follows: pH 3.83, 4,185 mg/l soluble COD (COD(s)) and 674.6 mg/l of phenols. During operation, amendments of CaCO3 and K2HPO4, individually or in combination, were required for buffering the digester. Volatile fatty acid concentrations were < 300 mg/l throughout the study, indicating degradation of organic acids present. Mean COD(s) removal efficiency for the 130 day study was 87%, while the mean polyphenol, removal efficiency was 63%. Addition of 50 mg/l Fe(3+) between days 86 and 92 increased the removal efficiencies of COD(s) to 97% and of polyphenols to 65%. Addition of Co(3+) improved removal efficiencies to 97% for COD(s) and 92% for polyphenols. Optimization of anaerobic treatment was achieved at 30% WDW feed strength. Removal efficiencies of 92% and 84% were recorded at increased feed strength from days 108 to 130. High removal efficiencies of COD(s) and polyphenols after day 82 were attributed to the addition of macronutrients and micronutrients that caused pH stability and thus stimulated microbial activity.