Insulin modulates the secretion of proteins from mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes: a role for transcriptional regulation of processing

Aims/hypothesis Under conditions of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, fat cells are subjected to increased levels of insulin, which may have a major impact on the secretion of adipokines. Materials and methods Using transcriptomics and proteomics, we investigated how insulin affects the transcription and protein secretion profile of mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results We found that insulin has a significant impact on protein secretion of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, transcription is not the major regulation point for these secreted proteins. For extracellular matrix components, our data suggest that the mRNA level of processing enzymes, but not of target proteins, is the regulating point at which insulin stimulates secretion and function of the relevant proteins. Among these enzymes, we report a novel finding, namely that sulfatase 2 gene is regulated by insulin, which may induce a functional change in cultured adipocytes. Conclusions/interpretation We propose that enhancement of protein processing and secretion rather than transcription of the secreted protein genes is part of the strategic role of insulin in the induction of cellular response

High-contrast imaging constraints on gas giant planet formation - The Herbig Ae/Be star opportunity

Planet formation studies are often focused on solar-type stars, implicitly considering our Sun as reference point. This approach overlooks, however, that Herbig Ae/Be stars are in some sense much better targets to study planet formation processes empirically, with their disks generally being larger, brighter and simply easier to observe across a large wavelength range. In addition, massive gas giant planets have been found on wide orbits around early type stars, triggering the question if these objects did indeed form there and, if so, by what process. In the following I briefly review what we currently know about the occurrence rate of planets around intermediate mass stars, before discussing recent results from Herbig Ae/Be stars in the context of planet formation. The main emphasis is put on spatially resolved polarized light images of potentially planet forming disks and how these images - in combination with other data - can be used to empirically constrain (parts of) the planet formation process. Of particular interest are two objects, HD100546 and HD169142, where, in addition to intriguing morphological structures in the disks, direct observational evidence for (very) young planets has been reported. I conclude with an outlook, what further progress we can expect in the very near future with the next generation of high-contrast imagers at 8-m class telescopes and their synergies with ALMA.Comment: Accepted by Astrophysics and Space Science as invited short review in special issue about Herbig Ae/Be stars; 12 pages incl. 5 figures, 2 tables and reference

Automated estimation of pose features in broilers using computer vision

The importance of sensor-based phenotyping is increasing in the broiler industry, aiming at improved animal health and welfare, and lower economic losses. We analysed 11 pose features of 87 individual chickens at three ages (day 14, 21, and 33) using video recordings filmed from behind while the broilers walked through a corridor one by one. A pre-trained deep learning model was trained on a limited number of frames (n=181) to adapt it to a new environment for accurate keypoint detection. Extraction of the three poses of interest (double support, left and right steps) was fully automated. Significant (

Vervolgonderzoek ecologische risico's Noorderbos; rapportage fase 1

Om inzicht te krijgen in de gevolgen van verzuring op de mobiliteit en toxiciteit van de met chroom, arseen en zware metalen verontreinigde bodem is een deel van de in eerder onderzoek aangelegde veldplots in het Noorderbos te Tilburg kunstmatig verzuurd

Is the perceived impact of disciplinary procedures on medical doctors' professional practice associated with working in an open culture and feeling supported? A questionnaire among medical doctors in the Netherlands who have been disciplined

INTRODUCTION: Disciplinary procedures can have a negative impact on the professional functioning of medical doctors. In this questionnaire study, doctors' experience with open culture and support during a disciplinary procedure is studied to determine whether open culture and support are associated with perceived changes in the professional practice of doctors. METHODS: All doctors who received a warning or a reprimand from the Dutch Medical Disciplinary Board between July 2012 and August 2016 were invited to fill in a 60-item questionnaire concerning open culture, perceived support during the disciplinary procedure and the impact of the procedure on professional functioning as reported by doctors themselves. The response rate was 43% (n=294). RESULTS: A majority of doctors perceive their work environment as a safe environment in which to talk about and report incidents (71.2% agreed). Respondents felt supported by a lawyer or legal representative and colleagues (92.8% and 89.2%, respectively). The disciplinary procedure had effects on professional practice. Legal support and support from a professional confidant and a professional association were associated with fewer perceived changes to professional practice. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that doctors who had been disciplined perceive their working environment as open. Doctors felt supported by lawyers and/or legal representatives and colleagues. Legal support was associated with less of a perceived impact on doctors' professional practice

How do doctors in the Netherlands perceive the impact of disciplinary procedures and disclosure of disciplinary measures on their professional practice, health and career opportunities? A questionnaire among medical doctors who received a disciplinary measure

Introduction: Disciplinary procedures can have serious consequences for the health, personal life and professional functioning of doctors. Until recently, specific disciplinary measures (reprimands) were publicly disclosed in the Netherlands. The perceived additional impact of disclosing reprimands on the professional and personal life of doctors is unclear. Methods: All doctors who received a disciplinary measure from the Dutch Disciplinary Board between July 2012 and August 2016 were invited to partake in a 60-item questionnaire concerning the respondents' characteristics, the complaint, experience with the procedure and perceived impact of the procedure on health and professional functioning as reported by doctors themselves. The response rate was 43% (n=210). 21.4% received a reprimand (disclosed); the remainder received a warning (not disclosed). Differences between the two groups were calculated. Results: Respondents with a reprimand reported significantly more negative experiences and impact on health and work than respondents with a warning. 37.8% of the doctors said their health was very good. A small percentage reported moderate-to-severe depressive complaints (3.6%), moderate-to-severe anxiety disorder (2%) or indications of burnout (10.8%). The majority reported changes in their professional practices associated with 'defensive medicine', such as doing more supplementary research (41%) and complying more with patients' wishes (35%). Conclusion: The Dutch disciplinary procedure has strong negative side effects, that disclosing measures seems to increase. Dutch disciplinary law aims to contribute to the quality of professional practice. A safe environment is a basic condition for quality improvement and therefore, disclosure of disciplinary measures should be carefully considered. Disclosure of disciplinary measures has always been controversial and the results of this study has rekindled this debate. Recently, a majority in the Dutch House of Representatives has voted against disclosure of reprimands, leaving disclosure of reprimands a discretion of the disciplinary board when deemed appropriate or necessary

Passive radio frequency identification and video tracking for the determination of location and movement of broilers

Phenotypes on individual animals are required for breeding programs to be able to select for traits. However, phenotyping individual animals can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for traits related to health, welfare, and performance. Individual broiler behavior could serve as a proxy for these traits when recorded automatically and reliably on many animals. Sensors could record individual broiler behavior, yet different sensors can differ in their assessment. In this study a comparison was made between a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) system (grid of antennas underneath the pen) and video tracking for the determination of location and movement of 3 color-marked broilers at d 18. Furthermore, a systems comparison of derived behavioral metrics such as space usage, locomotion activity and apparent feeding and drinking behavior was made. Color-marked broilers simplified the computer vision task for YOLOv5 to detect, track, and identify the animals. Animal locations derived from the RFID-system and based on video were largely in agreement. Most location differences (77.5%) were within the mean radius of the antennas’ enclosing circle (≤128 px, 28.15 cm), and 95.3% of the differences were within a one antenna difference (≤256 px, 56.30 cm). Animal movement was not always registered by the RFID-system whereas video was sensitive to detection noise and the animal's behavior (e.g., pecking). The method used to determine location and the systems’ sensitivities to movement led to differences in behavioral metrics. Behavioral metrics derived from video are likely more accurate than RFID-system derived behavioral metrics. However, at present, only the RFID-system can provide individual identification for non-color marked broilers. A combination of verifiable and detailed video with the unique identification of RFID could make it possible to identify, describe, and quantify a wide range of individual broiler behaviors

Disruption of a CD1d-mediated interaction between mast cells and NKT cells aggravates atherosclerosis

The development of atherosclerosis is tightly regulated by the innate and adaptive immune system. Communication between these two compartments occurs, among others, upon presentation of lipid antigens to the NKT cell population by CD1d-expressing antigen-presenting cells. Recent evidence states that also mast cells express CD1d and can directly communicate with NKT cells. However, no such relationship has been reported in atherosclerosis. Here, we aimed to elucidate in vivo the CD1d-mediated interaction between mast cells and NKT cells upon atherosclerosis progression.\n mice and subsequently placed the animals on a Western-type diet for 10 weeks.\n circulating T cells.\nThis study is the first to illustrate that disruption of the CD1d communication pathway between mast cells and NKT cells aggravates atherosclerosis, through a shift towards pro-inflammatory T cell responses. This ability of mast cell action during plaque progression sheds new light on their role in atherosclerosis.Biopharmaceutic