An inverse-breathing encapsulation system for cell delivery

Cell encapsulation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for many hormone-deficient diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, adequate oxygenation of the encapsulated cells remains a challenge, especially in the poorly oxygenated subcutaneous site. Here, we present an encapsulation system that generates oxygen (O2) for the cells from their own waste product, carbon dioxide (CO2), in a self-regulated (i.e., "inverse breathing") way. We leveraged a gas-solid (CO2-lithium peroxide) reaction that was completely separated from the aqueous cellular environment by a gas permeable membrane. O2 measurements and imaging validated CO2-responsive O2 release, which improved cell survival in hypoxic conditions. Simulation-guided optimization yielded a device that restored normoglycemia of immunocompetent diabetic mice for over 3 months. Furthermore, functional islets were observed in scaled-up device implants in minipigs retrieved after 2 months. This inverse breathing device provides a potential system to support long-term cell function in the clinically attractive subcutaneous site

Supplement 1. Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations for 16 species of fishes from Clear Lake, California, USA, during the years 1976–2004.

<h2>File List</h2><blockquote> <p><a href="Suchanek-Supplement-Fish.txt">Suchanek-Supplement-Fish.txt</a> -- ASCII text file </p> </blockquote><h2>Description</h2><blockquote> <p>The file Suchanek-Fish-Supplement.txt contains total mercury and methylmercury concentrations for 16 species of fishes from Clear Lake, California, USA, during the years 1976–2004. The following numbers (found as superscripts associated with various entries within the Supplement) help define specific information about the samples: (1) Length extrapolated from weight using the formula: L_[mm] = e^(3.04)·wet wt^(0.40[g]), (2) Channel catfish collected from fisherman participating in year 2000 catfish derby, (3) Wet wt for 1992 inland silversides was derived from length using the exponential curve fit formula: wet wt_[g] = 0.049·e^{(0.054 length[mm])}, (4) Analyzed as body less head, skin, and viscera, (5) Wet wt Hg was extrapolated from dry wt Hg using the average percentage moisture of 77.8%. Abbreviations are defined as: CDFG = California Department of Fish and Game database; TSMP = California Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Substances Monitoring Program database. Included in the bottom row of several data columns is a COLUMN SUM value (cumulative sum of values for each data column) to assist in QA/QC of downloaded data.</p> </blockquote

Sub-Stations, etc.

Correspondences relating to agricultural experiment stations

Transforming Growth Factor-beta and Interleukin-1beta Signaling Pathways Converge on the Chemokine CCL20 Promoter.

CCL20 is the only chemokine ligand for the chemokine receptor CCR6, which is expressed by the critical antigen presenting cells, dendritic cells. Increased expression of CCL20 is likely involved in the increased recruitment of dendritic cells observed in fibroinflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). CCL20 expression is increased by the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. We have determined that IL-1beta-dependent CCL20 expression is also dependent on the multifunctional cytokine TGF-beta. TGF-beta is expressed in a latent form that must be activated to function, and activation is achieved through binding to the integrin alphavbeta8 (itgb8). Here we confirm correlative increases in alphavbeta8 and IL-1beta with CCL20 protein in lung parenchymal lysates of a large cohort of COPD patients. How IL-1beta- and alphavbeta8-mediated TGF-beta activation conspire to increase fibroblast CCL20 expression remains unknown, because these pathways have not been shown to directly interact. We evaluate the 5'-flanking region of CCL20 to determine that IL-1beta-driven CCL20 expression is dependent on alphavbeta8-mediated activation of TGF-beta. We identify a TGF-beta-responsive element (i.e. SMAD) located on an upstream enhancer of the human CCL20 promoter required for efficient IL-1beta-dependent CCL20 expression. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, this upstream enhancer complexes with the p50 subunit of NF-kappaB on a NF-kappaB-binding element close to the transcriptional start site of CCL20. These interactions are confirmed by electromobility shift assays in nuclear extracts from human lung fibroblasts. These data define a mechanism by which alphavbeta8-dependent activation of TGF-beta regulates IL-1beta-dependent CCL20 expression in COPD

Busman’s stomach and the embodiment of modernity

This paper examines the relationship between the gastric illness, ‘busman’s stomach’ and the Coronation bus strike of May 1937 in which 27,000 London busworkers walked out for better working conditions and a seven-and-half-hour day. It explores the way in which new patterns of somatisation, gastroenterological techniques, psychological theories and competing understandings of time worked together to create new political institutions and new forms of political action in inter-war Britain