Comparative study of bone mineralization in children and adolescents with familial short stature and a control group

Within the past year there has been a dramatic increase in the number of molecular epidemiologic studies reported in the literature, particularly those evaluating gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Molecular epidemiologic studies have become more sophisticated owing to collaborations between laboratory scientists and epidemiologists, and because these studies are now conducted on well-characterized populations with appropriate study design. Although there continue to be inconsistencies across some studies, it is clear that the evaluation of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions can delineate portions of the population who are particularly sensitive to certain carcinogenic exposures, based on polymorphisms in genes involved in preventing and controlling carcinogenesis. Identification of these subsets of susceptible individuals can result in the design of preventive strategies targeting the most "at risk" populations.     

GLP-1 (7-36) amide: effects on glucose transport and metabolism in rat adipose tissue

In rat adipocytes, GLP-1 (7-36) amide induced an increment in 2-deoxy-glucose uptake, which was additive to that of insulin. Furthermore, in rat fat, GLP-1 (7-36) amide provoked a rise in glycogen synthesis, glucose oxidation and utilization and lipogenesis, the increments being lower than those obtained with insulin. These data support the idea that GLP-1 exerts insulin-like effects on glucose metabolism in rat adipose tissue, as it does in rat hepatocytes and skeletal muscle, although with a lower potency than that of insulin.     

Galectin-1 and -3 in cells of the first trimester placental bed

The beta-galactoside-binding proteins galectin-1 and -3 are thought to modulate cell-extracellular matrix interactions in cell adhesion and migration. In this study, their occurrence in human trophoblast has been investigated. In the first trimester placenta galectin-1 is expressed in the cytotrophoblast of the mid and distal cell columns, but absent from the villous and proximal column cytotrophoblast. The villous syncytiotrophoblast was also positive. Galectin-3, on the other hand, was uniformly localized in the villous cytotrophoblast and mid and distal cell columns. Immunolocalization of these proteins in placental bed tissue has shown that galectin-1 and -3 are not present in cytokeratin-positive interstitially migrating cytotrophoblast. The co-localization of galectin-1 with extracellular laminin in cultures of cytotrophoblast, choriocarcinoma or decidual stromal cells is consistent with a role in the organization of extracellular matrix and the regulation of cell motility.     

Tapping-mode atomic force microscopy on intact cells: optimal adjustment of tapping conditions by using the deflection signal

Difficulties in the proper adjustment of the scanning parameters are often encountered when using tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) for imaging thick and soft material, and particularly living cells, in aqueous buffer. A simple procedure that drastically enhances the successful imaging of the surface of intact cells by TMAFM is described. It is based on the observation, in liquid, of a deflection signal, concomitant with the damping of the amplitude that can be followed by amplitude-distance curves. For intact cells, the evolution of the deflection signal, steeper than the amplitude damping allows a precise adjustment of the feedback value. Besides its use in finding the appropriate tapping conditions, the deflection signal provides images of living cells that essentially reveal the organization of the membrane cytoskeleton. This allows to show that changes in the membrane surface topography are associated with a reorganization of the membrane skeleton. Studies on the relationships between the cell surface topography and membrane skeleton organization in living cells open a new field of applications for the atomic force microscope.     

Effect of different production phases on residual stress field in double-layer cast rolls

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of different production operations and parameters on residual stress level in double-layer cast rolls. Using a hole-drilling method, residual stress depth distribution in surface layer was measured around and along the body of the double-layer cast roll after casting, heat treatment, turning and grinding. Furthermore, using different turning and grinding parameters (speed, feed), and heat treatment parameters (temperature, time), influence of these parameters on residual stress level and distribution was determined.Results of the investigation show that the conditions in the casting pit have an influence on the residual stress field generated in double-layer cast rolls, with surfaces exposed to faster cooling rates in general showing higher residual stress values. Very critical phase in rolls production is coarse grinding, which if not carried out properly will generate very high tensile stresses in the roll surface and cause surface cracking or even roll fracture. Heat treatment on the other hand results in uniform compressive residual stress field in the roll's surface. However, reduction in tempering time and especially increase in hardening temperature lead to increased residual stress level in the roll surface. Final machining of the roll surface further influences residual stress level in the roll. Increase in turning speed of up to 40% results in compressive residual stress increase of up to 60%, while less than 30% increase in feeding rate gives almost 100% increase in residual stress level.     

Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Targeting HER2 Breast Cancer: A Novel Approach

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in women globally and is the primary cause of cancer mortality in females. BC is highly heterogeneous with various phenotypic expressions. The overexpression of HER2 is responsible for 15–30% of all invasive BC and is strongly associated with malignant behaviours, poor prognosis and decline in overall survival. Molecular imaging offers advantages over conventional imaging modalities, as it provides more sensitive and specific detection of tumours, as these techniques measure the biological and physiological processes at the cellular level to visualise the disease. Early detection and diagnosis of BC is crucial to improving clinical outcomes and prognosis. While HER2-specific antibodies and nanobodies may improve the sensitivity and specificity of molecular imaging, the radioisotope conjugation process may interfere with and may compromise their binding functionalities. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides capable of targeting biomarkers with remarkable binding specificity and affinity. Aptamers can be functionalised with radioisotopes without compromising target specificity. The attachment of different radioisotopes can determine the aptamer’s functionality in the treatment of HER2(+) BC. Several HER2 aptamers and investigations of them have been described and evaluated in this paper. We also provide recommendations for future studies with HER2 aptamers to target HER2(+) BC.     

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surficial Sediments of the Vigo Estuary,Spain, Central Axis and Adjacent Shelf

For the first time, 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified in samples of surface sediments at 17 stations on the Vigo estuary (northwest Spain) and its adjacent shelf. The separation and quantification of the analyzed compounds were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography, and a fluorescence detector with wavelength programming. The values found, for the sum of the 13 PAHs, varied between 28 and 2,150 w g/kg dry weight. These concentrations may be considered to be between very low and medium when compared with other estuaries. A concentration gradient with lower values on the continental shelf, that increase as the distance to the city of Vigo decreases, may be appreciated. Variations also can be noted in the participation of each PAH in the total sum, as a consequence of the differing degradability levels of each compound.     

A study of the effects of the matrix epoxy resin and graphene oxide (GO) manufacturing process on the tensile behaviour of GO-epoxy nanocomposites

This work comprises a study of the reinforcement capacity provided by the addition of different types of nano-reinforcements of graphene oxide (GO) to epoxy matrices. A range of nanocomposites, resulting from the use of two epoxy matrices (a mono-component system and a bi-component system) and different types of GOs, at different weight percentages were studied and tensile tests were performed on specimens of these materials in order to quantify the variations in their elastic constants and tensile strength. The GO reinforcements used were obtained by means of the modified Hummers method followed by thermal reduction at different temperatures. The aim was to quantify the effect of carbon/oxygen ratio on the reinforcement capacity of GO in order to optimise the manufacturing process. The stiffness of the nanocomposites improved with the addition of TRGO for both matrices, but the tensile strength depended on the matrix.