The structure of the ophiolitic beltin Albania inferred from geomagnetic anomalies

The ground magnetic measurements in Albania were used for the compilation of the Total Magnetic Field (TMF) anomaly map of Albania. The magnetic data were processed and interpreted in order to study the structure of the ophiolitic belts of Albania. The ophiolites of Albania are placed at the Mirdita zone and are divided into two parallel alignments which are called the eastern and western ophiolitic belts. They are associated with strong potential field anomalies and their characteristics are considered crucial for a better understanding of the tectonic settings of Albania. The ground TMF data used in this study were acquired over various campaigns (1990-1994) and cover most of Albania's territory. The data were compiled to a map after reduction to the epoch 1990.4. The strongest magnetic anomalies in Albania appear along the known ophiolitic belts which trend NE-SW to the north and NW-SE to the south. Several processing steps were applied to the unified and gridded data in order to obtain information on the distribution of the magnetic sources. The magnetic sources were subsequently modeled using a 2.5D inversion technique. The magnetic properties of the ophiolites determined from laboratory measurements on rock samples, while their lateral extent was calculated from the processing of the magnetic data and used as constraints to the inversion procedure. The bottom of the ophiolitic belts is considered to be predominated by harzburgites. They exhibit lower magnetization than other rocks of the complex, i.e. gabbros, basalt. In fact gabbros are associated with the observed high frequency magnetic anomalies. The modeling results indicate that the thickness of the ophiolites is reduced from east to west. The eastern ophiolitic belt has a maximum thickness of approximately 12 km at its northern section (Kukesi and Lura massifs). The magnetic sources appear with relatively small thickness at the western ophiolitic belt. Boundaries of the eastern ophiolites are characterized by vertical contacts

LGALS3BP, lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein, promotes oncogenic cellular events impeded by antibody intervention

The extracellular matrix protein lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) constitutes a negative prognostic marker of cancer onset and progression with increasing value in clinical application. Since its discovery, however, although the glycoprotein has been implicated in a growing number of disease-related processes, its actual role and mechanism of action have remained ambiguous, thus hindering opportunities for therapeutic development. In this study, we have determined that LGALS3BP constitutes a novel ligand for integrins alpha(1)beta(1), alpha(5)beta(1), alpha(v)beta(1) and alpha(6)beta(1) and have identified that these newly established partnerships at the membrane level are responsible for exerting the molecule's involvement in cancer through manipulation of multiple canonical 'outside-in' integrin signalling events. We demonstrate that LGALS3BP-mediated integrin activation results into signal transmission via Akt, JNK and the Ras cascade via the Raf-ERK axis while p38 activity is kept at baseline levels. Transient cellular adherence to LGALS3BP favours survival and proliferation signalling while apoptosis is kept at bay. Sustained cellular exposure to LGALS3BP significantly supports viability, motility and migration. Importantly, an anti-LGALS3BP antibody, SP2 is capable of impeding these newly defined LGALS3BP-driven processes without, however, compromising cell viability. These novel findings reveal the mechanism of action of LGALS3BP during cellular adherence and warrant its further validation as a potential pharmacological target for anticancer therapies

LGALS3BP, lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein, promotes oncogenic cellular events impeded by antibody intervention

The extracellular matrix protein lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) constitutes a negative prognostic marker of cancer onset and progression with increasing value in clinical application. Since its discovery, however, although the glycoprotein has been implicated in a growing number of disease-related processes, its actual role and mechanism of action have remained ambiguous, thus hindering opportunities for therapeutic development. In this study, we have determined that LGALS3BP constitutes a novel ligand for integrins a1b1, a5b1, avb1 and a6b1 and have identified that these newly established partnerships at the membrane level are responsible for exerting the molecule’s involvement in cancer through manipulation of multiple canonical ‘outside-in’ integrin signalling events. We demonstrate that LGALS3BP-mediated integrin activation results into signal transmission via Akt, JNK and the Ras cascade via the Raf-ERK axis while p38 activity is kept at baseline levels. Transient cellular adherence to LGALS3BP favours survival and proliferation signalling while apoptosis is kept at bay. Sustained cellular exposure to LGALS3BP significantly supports viability, motility and migration. Importantly, an anti-LGALS3BP antibody, SP2 is capable of impeding these newly defined LGALS3BP-driven processes without, however, compromising cell viability. These novel findings reveal the mechanism of action of LGALS3BP during cellular adherence and warrant its further validation as a potential pharmacological target for anticancer therapies

Analysis of potential field anomalies in Lavrion mining area, Greece

Mining activities in Lavrion began during the first millennium B.C, after the decline of ancient Athens and then restarted more deliberately during the nineteenth century. Aeromagnetic data from a 1967 survey of the mining area was recompiled, processed, and interpreted for the present study. The original flight lines were digitized and leveled, and the international geomagnetic reference field (IGRF) was removed. The data were inverted by means of a terracing technique that defines separate domains of uniform distribution of physical properties that cause the magnetic anomalies. The log power spectrum was computed; along with the results of terracing, it suggested the existence of two sources of the magnetic anomaly. The long-wavelength anomaly reflects a large, concealed body that is most probably a granitic intrusion, consistent with local geological evidence. The source of the short-wavelength anomaly is a strongly magnetized body attributed to the net effect of various thin, magnetite-bearing sulfide zones. The anomalies were then separated in the wavenumber domain. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were made in situ on the exposed parts of the local formations. Three-dimensional models whose effect simulates the observed anomalies were calculated. Results of the modeling show that the large magnetic body is buried at 0.68 km depth. The small, relatively shallow body is about 0.035 km thick and buried at 0.6 km depth. The bodies do not show any corresponding gravity anomaly on the regional Bouguer gravity anomaly map