Altered Distribution and Expression of Syndecan-1 and -4 as an Additional Hallmark in Psoriasis

Syndecans act as independent co-receptors to exert biological activities and their altered function is associated with many pathophysiological conditions. Here, syndecan-1 and -4 were examined in lesional skin of patients with psoriasis. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed altered syndecan-1 distribution and revealed absence of syndecan-4 expression in the epidermis. Fibronectin (FN)—known to influence inflammation and keratinocyte hyperproliferation via α5β1 integrin in psoriasis—was also decreased. Syndecan-1 and -4 expression was analyzed in freshly isolated lesional psoriatic human keratinocytes (PHK) characterized based on their proliferation and differentiation properties. mRNA levels of syndecan-1 were similar between healthy and PHK, while syndecan-4 was significantly decreased. Cell growth and release of the pro-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) were selectively and significantly induced in PHKs plated on FN. Results from co-culture of healthy keratinocytes and psoriatic fibroblasts led to the speculation that at least one factor released by fibroblasts down-regulate syndecan-1 expression in PHK plated on FN. To assay if biological treatments for psoriasis target keratinocyte proliferation, gelatin-based patches enriched with inteleukin (IL)-17α or TNFα blockers were prepared and tested using a full-thickness healthy epidermal model (Phenion^®). Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that both blockers impacted the localisation of syndecan-1 within the refined epidermis. These results provide evidence that syndecans expression are modified in psoriasis, suggesting that they may represent markers of interest in this pathology.     

Effect of moisture on salmonella spp. heat resistance in cocoa and hazelnut shells

The heat resistance of food-poisoning outbreak and non-outbreak associated strains of Salmonella (S. Enteritidis, S. Montevideo, S. Napoli, S. Oranienburg, S. Poona, S. Senftenberg and S. Typhimurium) was established in confectionery-related materials such as crushed cocoa bean and hazelnut shells at low moisture contents (≤ 4% w/w). The two most heat resistant strains in cocoa and hazelnut shells at ca. 4% w/w moisture were S. Oranienburg and S. Enteritidis PT30. Both strains were associated with outbreaks from dried materials. Their D_100°C values were ca. 2.5 min in crushed cocoa bean shells and 7–11 min in crushed hazelnut shells. Addition of moisture to ca. 7% w/w markedly reduced D-values (D_80°C of 2–4.5 min) for both strains in the two matrices.     

A multigroup analysis of the job demands-resources model in four home care organizations.

The job demands-resources (JD-R) model was tested in a study among 3,092 employees working in 1 of 4 different home care organizations. The central assumption in the model is that burnout develops when certain job demands are high and when job resources are limited because such negative working conditions lead to energy depletion and undermine worker motivation and learning opportunities, respectively. A series of multigroup structural equation modeling analyses provide strong evidence for the JD-R model. Specifically, results showed that job demands are primarily and positively related to the exhaustion component of burnout, whereas job resources are primarily related to cynicism (negatively) and professional efficacy (positively). The theoretical and practical implications of the JD-R model are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Molecular Advances in Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome

Preeclampsia (PE) constitutes one of the principal reasons for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The circumstance typically implicates formerly healthful normotensive women, after 20 weeks of gestation, typically withinside the third trimester, without regarded threat elements or past deliveries. PE can be further complicated with hemolysis and thrombocytopenia, leading to the emergence of HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low platelets). Both conditions are classified as hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP), and their pathogenesis has been linked to an excessive maternal inflammatory response, accompanied by enhanced endothelial activation. Several studies have found that in pregnancies affected by PE/HELLP, von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen levels (vWF:Ag) are significantly elevated, while its cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13, A Disintegrin-like and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity is normal to decreased. Furthermore, the higher urine excretion of the terminal complement complex C5b-9, as well as its greater deposition in the placental surface in preeclamptic women, imply that the utero-placental unit’s distinctive deficits are intimately tied to disproportionate complement activation. The goal of this updated evaluation is to provide the most up-to-date molecular advances in the pathophysiology of PE/HELLP syndromes. Recent medical data on vWF:Ag levels in patients with PE, ADAMTS-13, and dysregulation of the complement system, are highlighted and evaluated. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between those entities and the progression of the disease, as well as their significance in the diagnostic process. Finally, considering the difficulties in analyzing and controlling those symptoms in pregnant women, we can provide a current diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.     

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in fruit juices and its control by nisin

Summary The acid-tolerant and heat-resistant bacterium Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is a spoilage problem in pasteurized and heat-treated fruit juices. In this study it was shown to grow in orange juice, grapefruit juice and apple juice to produce detectable taint at levels of about 10⁴–10⁵ c.f.u. ml⁻¹. Decimal reduction times were determined at 80 °, 90 ° and 95 °C in each juice and confirmed the heat-resistant nature of the spores under normal juice pasteurization conditions. They also confirmed that heat sensitivity increased with decreasing pH but that this effect was less pronounced at higher temperatures. The organism was, however, sensitive to the bacteriocin food preservative nisin. The presence of nisin during heating decreased the D value by up to 40% and the MIC for nisin against spores at 25 °C was only 5 International Units (IU) ml⁻¹. The results indicate that use of nisin is a potentially useful way of controlling this organism in fruit juices and fruit juice-containing products.     

Experimental investigations of non‐Newtonian/Newtonian liquid‐liquid flows in microchannels

The plug flow of a non‐Newtonian and a Newtonian liquid was experimentally investigated in a quartz microchannel (200‐µm internal diameter). Two aqueous glycerol solutions containing xanthan gum at 1000 and 2000 ppm were the non‐Newtonian fluids and 0.0046 Pa s silicone oil was the Newtonian phase forming the dispersed plugs. Two‐color particle image velocimetry was used to obtain the hydrodynamic characteristics and the velocity profiles in both phases under different fluid flow rates. The experimental results revealed that the increase in xanthan gum concentration produced longer, bullet‐shaped plugs, and increased the thickness of the film surrounding them. From the shear rate and viscosity profiles, it was found that the polymer solution was in the shear‐thinning region while the viscosity was higher in the middle of the channel compared to the region close to the wall. Circulation times in the aqueous phase increased with the concentration of xanthan gum. © 2017 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3599–3609, 2017     

Structure and thermoelectric properties of higher manganese silicides synthesized by pack cementation

Higher manganese silicides (HMS) are promising alternative materials for middle to high temperature thermoelectric applications as a low-cost, non-toxic and highly stable p-type leg. Many of the preparation methods that have been reported previously require long-time and energy consuming processes, as well as expensive equipment, and often do not result in a material of sufficient quality. In this study, the simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly technique of pack cementation is applied. HMS powders synthesized at different experimental conditions are studied and compared considering their structure, composition, short-term thermal stability in air and thermoelectric properties. X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and thermoelectric measurements (in terms of Seebeck coefficient, electrical and thermal conductivity) were employed for the characterization of the material and evaluation of its performance. All samples were identified as HMS and only some negligible traces of MnSi were detected. They moderately oxidize when heated non-isothermally under air atmosphere up to 1473 K, while the presence of HMS remains dominant even at such high temperatures. Their thermoelectric properties were remarkable for an undoped material, with a maximum figure of merit (ZT) of 0.47 at 777 K. Pack cementation appeared to have a great potential as the synthesis route of high-efficiency HMS.