Growth control by EGF repeats of the C. elegans Fibulin-1C isoform

Fibulin is a broadly conserved component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Previous studies have shown that Caenorhabditis elegans FIBULIN-1 (FBL-1) controls the width of the gonad (Hesselson, D., C. Newman, K.W. Kim, and J. Kimble. 2004. Curr. Biol. 14:2005–2010; Kubota, Y., R. Kuroki, and K. Nishiwaki. 2004. Curr. Biol. 14:2011–2018; Muriel, J.M., C. Dong, H. Hutter, and B.E. Vogel. 2005. Development. 132: 4223–4234). In this study, we report that FBL-1 also controls developmental growth and that one isoform of fibulin-1, called FBL-1C, controls both functions by distinct mechanisms. A large FBL-1C fragment, including both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibulin-type C domains, is responsible for constraining gonadal width, but a much smaller fragment containing only two complete EGF repeats (EGF1-2C+) is critical for developmental growth. We suggest that the larger fragment serves a scaffolding function to stabilize the basement membrane and that the smaller fragment provides a regulatory function at the cell surface or within the ECM to control growth

Growth and Laboratory Maintenance of Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is a fastidious organism, growing in microaerophilic conditions with a temperature range between 37° and 42°C. Multiple types of media can be used to cultivate it; however, Mueller Hinton broth and agar support the best C. jejuni growth. Optimum atmosphere for C. jejuni is 85% N2, 10% CO2, and 5% O2. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 10:8A.1.1‐8A.1.7. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154622/1/cpmc08a01.pd

The adenomatous polyposis coli protein unambiguously localizes to microtubule plus ends and is involved in establishing parallel arrays of microtubule bundles in highly polarized epithelial cells

Loss of full-length adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein correlates with the development of colon cancers in familial and sporadic cases. In addition to its role in regulating β-catenin levels in the Wnt signaling pathway, the APC protein is implicated in regulating cytoskeletal organization. APC stabilizes microtubules in vivo and in vitro, and this may play a role in cell migration (Näthke, I.S., C.L. Adams, P. Polakis, J.H. Sellin, and W.J. Nelson. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 134:165–179; Mimori-Kiyosue, Y., N. Shiina, and S. Tsukita. 2000. J. Cell Biol. 148:505–517; Zumbrunn, J., K. Inoshita, A.A. Hyman, and I.S. Näthke. 2001. Curr. Biol. 11:44–49) and in the attachment of microtubules to kinetochores during mitosis (Fodde, R., J. Kuipers, C. Rosenberg, R. Smits, M. Kielman, C. Gaspar, J.H. van Es, C. Breukel, J. Wiegant, R.H. Giles, and H. Clevers. 2001. Nat. Cell Biol. 3:433–438; Kaplan, K.B., A. Burds, J.R. Swedlow, S.S. Bekir, P.K. Sorger, and I.S. Näthke. 2001. Nat. Cell Biol. 3:429–432). The localization of endogenous APC protein is complex: actin- and microtubule-dependent pools of APC have been identified in cultured cells (Näthke et al., 1996; Mimori-Kiyosue et al., 2000; Reinacher-Schick, A., and B.M. Gumbiner. 2001. J. Cell Biol. 152:491–502; Rosin-Arbesfeld, R., G. Ihrke, and M. Bienz. 2001. EMBO J. 20:5929–5939). However, the localization of APC in tissues has not been identified at high resolution. Here, we show that in fully polarized epithelial cells from the inner ear, endogenous APC protein associates with the plus ends of microtubules located at the basal plasma membrane. Consistent with a role for APC in supporting the cytoskeletal organization of epithelial cells in vivo, the number of microtubules is significantly reduced in apico-basal arrays of microtubule bundles isolated from mice heterozygous for APC

Technical note: Feasibility of near infrared transmittance spectroscopy to predict cheese ripeness

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of near infrared (NIR) transmittance spectroscopy to predict cheese ripeness using the ratio of water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) to total nitrogen (TN) as an index of cheese maturity (WSN/TN). Fifty-two Protected Designation of Origin cow milk cheeses of 5 varieties (Asiago, Grana Padano, Montasio, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Piave) and different ripening times were available for laboratory and chemometric analyses. Reference measures of WSN and TN were matched with cheese spectral information obtained from ground samples by a NIR instrument that operated in transmittance mode for wavelengths from 850 to 1,050 nm. Prediction equations for WSN and TN were developed using (1) cross-validation on the whole data set and (2) external validation on a subset of the entire data. The WSN/TN was calculated as ratio of predicted WSN to predicted TN in cross-validation. The coefficients of determination for WSN and TN were >0.85 both in cross- and external validation. The high accuracy of the prediction equations for WSN and TN could facilitate implementation of NIR transmittance spectroscopy in the dairy industry to objectively, rapidly, and accurately monitor the ripeness of cheese through WSN/TN

In vivo measurement of intragastric pressure with a rubber balloon in the anesthetized rat.

The protocols described in this unit are designed to measure the intragastric pressure in anesthetized rats by a water-filled low-compliance rubber balloon. The balloon is introduced into the stomach either orally (by passing the balloon down the esophagus) or directly via a small incision of the fundus after laparotomy. The effects of both stimulatory (e.g., carbachol) and inhibitory (e.g., oxymetazoline) agents can be evaluated on the gastric tone and phasic contractions. The model allows the evaluation of dose-response curves and also the time-course of the effects. Furthermore, by combining centrally or peripherally acting agents the site of action can also be determined. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 57:21.12.1-21.12.11. (c) 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Development of methods for predicting large crack growth in elastic-plastic work-hardening materials in fully plastic conditions

The objects of the first, exploratory, stage of the project were listed as: (1) to make a detailed and critical review of the Boundary Element method as already published and with regard to elastic-plastic fracture mechanics, to assess its potential for handling present concepts in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases. To this was subsequently added the Finite Volume method and certain aspects of the Finite Element method for comparative purposes; (2) to assess the further steps needed to apply the methods so far developed to the general field, covering a practical range of geometries, work hardening materials, and composites: to consider their application under higher temperature conditions; (3) to re-assess the present stage of development of the energy dissipation rate, crack tip opening angle and J-integral models in relation to the possibilities of producing a unified technology with the previous two items; and (4) to report on the feasibility and promise of this combined approach and, if appropriate, make recommendations for the second stage aimed at developing a generalized crack growth technology for its application to real-life problems

Increasing Physical Activity Among African-American Women and Girls

WHITT-GLOVER, M. C., D. J. BRAND, M. E. TURNER, S. A. WARD, and E. M. JACKSON. Increasing physical activity among African-American women and girls. Curr. Sports Med. Rep., Vol. 8, No. 6, pp. 318-324, 2009. The benefits of physical activity on diseases and risk factors are well known. Despite the known benefits, many segments of the population, particularly African-American women and girls, do not obtain adequate levels of physical activity. Strategies are needed to identify successful and sustainable interventions to increase physical activity among this population. We reviewed literature published between 2007 and 2009 that focused on increasing physical activity or fitness among this population. We identified 37 studies, 11 of which focused on increasing physical activity. This article summarizes the findings from those 11 studies and provides recommendations for improving strategies to increase physical activity in African-American women and girls

Miscellanea. Folyóirat-referátum

Folyóirat-referátum. Geriátria A mérsékelt sporttevékenység és a kor befolyása az erőre, az állóképességre és az egyensúlytartásra idősödő korban (Der Einfluss von moderater sportlicher Aktivität und Alter auf Kraft, Ausdauer und Gleichgewicht im Erwachsenenalter) Last, J., Weisser, B. (Julia Last, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Abteilung Sportmedizin, Christian-Albrechts- Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 75, 24098 Kiel, Németország; e-mail: [email protected]): Dtsch. Z. Sportmed., 2015, 66 (1), 5–11. | Kardiológia Alkalmas-e a cardiovascularis kockázat előrejelzésére az apolipoproteinek meghatározása? (Apolipoproteins for cardiovascular risk assesment) Chang, J. G., Paulson, C. P., Smith, R. F. (Offutt Air Force Base Family Medicine Residency, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Amerikai Egyesült Államok; e-mail: jenifer.chang@us. af.mil): Am. Fam. Physician, 2014, 89 (8), 662A–662B. | Lipidológia A gyógyszerek pozitív és negatív – nem várt – hatásai a lipoproteinekre (Unintended positive and negative effects of drugs on lipoproteins) Siahmansur, T. J., Schofield, J. D., Azmi, S., et al. (Levelező szerző: Dr. Handrean Soran, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, Egyesült Királyság): Curr. Opin. Lipidol., 2015, 26 (4), 325–337