Proteomic Analysis of Human Osteoblastic Cells: Relevant Proteins and Functional Categories for Differentiation

Abstract Osteoblasts are the bone forming cells, capable of secreting an extracellular matrix with mineralization potential. The exact mechanism by which osteoblasts differentiate and form a mineralized extracellular matrix is presently not fully understood. To increase our knowledge about this process, we conducted proteomics analysis in human immortalized preosteoblasts (SV-HFO) able to differentiate and mineralize. We identified 381 proteins expressed during the time course of osteoblast differentiation. Gene ontology analysis revealed an overrepresentation of protein categories established as important players for osteoblast differentiation, bone formation, and mineralization such as pyrophosphatases. Proteins involved in antigen presentation, energy metabolism and cytoskeleton rearrangement constitute other overrepresented processes, whose function, albeit interesting, is not fully understood in the context of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Correlation analysis, based on quantitative data, revealed a biphasic osteoblast differentiation, encompassing a premineralization and a mineralization period. Identified differentially expressed proteins between mineralized and nonmineralized cells include cytoskeleton (e.g., CCT2, PLEC1, and FLNA) and extracellular matrix constituents (FN1, ANXA2, and LGALS1) among others. FT-ICR-MS data obtained for FN1, ANXA2, and LMNA shows a specific regulation of these proteins during the different phases of osteoblast differentiation. Taken together, this study increases our understanding of the proteomics changes that accompany osteoblast differentiation and may permit the discovery of novel modulators of bone formation

History of spinal neurosurgery and spine societies

Historically, spine and spinal cord surgery have been an integral part of neurosurgery. It was always a part of the neurosurgery education and practically a significant part of neurosurgeons’ daily work. However, spine societies have mostly been pioneered by orthopedic spine surgeons. It’s only in the last 4 decades that neurosurgeons are also forming spine societies. The term “Neurospine” becomes more popular and used by many authors, institutions during the last decades, although it is not widely used in North America. There are specific reasons for its popularity: (1) It is like a combination of neurosurgery and spine surgery. Neurosurgeons widely prefer to use it. (2) It has a sense inside to remind patients that the spine is with neurological structures. “Neurospine Surgery” is also used in the sense of a combination of “neuroscience” and “spine”. There are at least 2 journals with this theme, i.e., “Neurospine” and “Journal of Neurosurgery Spine.” [1] In this paper, a brief history of spine surgery and spine-related societies is discussed. We aimed to create a global summary of neuro spine with spinal neurosurgeons’ perspectives from other parts of the world and comment on the world's current condition

Evidence of Color Coherence Effects in W+jets Events from ppbar Collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV

We report the results of a study of color coherence effects in ppbar collisions based on data collected by the D0 detector during the 1994-1995 run of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, at a center of mass energy sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV. Initial-to-final state color interference effects are studied by examining particle distribution patterns in events with a W boson and at least one jet. The data are compared to Monte Carlo simulations with different color coherence implementations and to an analytic modified-leading-logarithm perturbative calculation based on the local parton-hadron duality hypothesis.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures. Submitted to Physics Letters

Monitoring of species' genetic diversity in Europe varies greatly and overlooks potential climate change impacts.

Genetic monitoring of populations currently attracts interest in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity but needs long-term planning and investments. However, genetic diversity has been largely neglected in biodiversity monitoring, and when addressed, it is treated separately, detached from other conservation issues, such as habitat alteration due to climate change. We report an accounting of efforts to monitor population genetic diversity in Europe (genetic monitoring effort, GME), the evaluation of which can help guide future capacity building and collaboration towards areas most in need of expanded monitoring. Overlaying GME with areas where the ranges of selected species of conservation interest approach current and future climate niche limits helps identify whether GME coincides with anticipated climate change effects on biodiversity. Our analysis suggests that country area, financial resources and conservation policy influence GME, high values of which only partially match species' joint patterns of limits to suitable climatic conditions. Populations at trailing climatic niche margins probably hold genetic diversity that is important for adaptation to changing climate. Our results illuminate the need in Europe for expanded investment in genetic monitoring across climate gradients occupied by focal species, a need arguably greatest in southeastern European countries. This need could be met in part by expanding the European Union's Birds and Habitats Directives to fully address the conservation and monitoring of genetic diversity