LKB1 signalling attenuates early events of adipogenesis and responds to adipogenic cues.

cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) is required for the induction of adipogenic transcription factors such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs). Interestingly, it is known from other tissues that LKB1 and its substrates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and salt-inducible kinases (SIKs), negatively regulate gene expression by phosphorylating the CREB co-activator CRTC2 and class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs), which results in their exclusion from the nucleus where they co-activate or inhibit their targets. In this study, we show that AMPK/SIK signalling is acutely attenuated during adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, which coincides with dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of CRTC2 and HDAC4. When subjected to differentiation, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in which LKB1 expression was stably reduced using shRNA (LKB1-shRNA), as well as LKB1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (LKB1-/- MEFs), differentiated more readily into adipocyte-like cells and accumulated more triglycerides compared to scrambled-shRNA 3T3-L1 cells or Wt MEFs. In addition, the phosphorylation of CRTC2 and HDAC4 was reduced, and the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors C/EBPα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and adipocyte-specific proteins such as hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), aP2, Glut4 and adiponectin was increased in the absence of LKB1. The mRNA and protein expression of CHOP-10, a dominant negative member of the C/EBP family, was reduced in LKB1 shRNA expressing cells, providing a potential mechanism for the up-regulation of Pparg and Cebpa. These results support the hypothesis that LKB1 signalling keeps preadipocytes in their non-differentiated form

Early to late sparing of radiation damage to the parotid gland by adrenergic and muscarinic receptor agonists

Damage to salivary glands after radiotherapeutic treatment of head and neck tumours can severely impair the quality of life of the patients. In the current study we have investigated the early-to-late pathogenesis of the parotid gland after radiation. Also the ability to ameliorate the damage using pretreatment with adrenergic or muscarinic receptor agonists is studied. Rats were locally irradiated with or without i.p. pretreatment with phenylephrine (α-adrenoceptor agonist, 5 mg kg−1), isoproterenol (β-adrenoceptor agonist, 5 mg kg−1), pilocarpine (4 mg kg−1), methacholine (3.75 mg kg−1) (muscarinic receptor agonists) or methacholine plus phenylephrine. Parotid salivary flow rate, amylase secretion, the number of cells and gland histology were monitored sequentially up to 240 days postirradiation. The effects were described in 4 distinct phases. The first phase (0–10 days) was characterised by a rapid decline in flow rate without changes in amylase secretion or acinar cell number. The second phase (10–60 days) consists of a decrease in amylase secretion and is paralleled by acinar cell loss. Flow rate, amylase secretion and acinar cell numbers do not change in the third phase (60–120 days). The fourth phase (120–240 days) is determined by a further deterioration of gland function but an increase in acinar cell number, albeit with poor tissue morphology. All drug pretreatments used could reduce radiation effects in phase I and II. The protective effects were lost during phase IV, with the exception of methacholine plus phenylephrine pretreatment. The latter combination of drugs ameliorated radiation-damage throughout the entire follow-up time. The data show that combined pre-irradiation stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with methacholine plus α-adrenoceptors with phenylephrine can reduce both early and late damage, possibly involving the PLC/PIP2 second messenger pathways. This opens perspectives for the development of clinical applicable methods for long-term sparing of parotid glands subjected to radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaignhttp://www.bjcancer.co

Characteristics of Different Systems for the Solar Drying of Crops

Solar dryers are used to enable the preservation of agricultural crops, food processing industries for dehydration of fruits and vegetables, fish and meat drying, dairy industries for production of milk powder, seasoning of wood and timber, textile industries for drying of textile materials. The fundamental concepts and contexts of their use to dry crops is discussed in the chapter. It is shown that solar drying is the outcome of complex interactions particular between the intensity and duration of solar energy, the prevailing ambient relative humidity and temperature, the characteristics of the particular crop and its pre-preparation and the design and operation of the solar dryer

Impact of Sediment Bioturbation on Microphytobenthic Primary Producers: Importance of Macrobenthic Functional Traits

Microphytobenthos (MPB) is one of the most important primary producers in coastal and estuarine ecosystems, where it plays a substantial role in many ecological functions. Although the influence of several environmental factors on MPB biomass and productivity is well documented, the effects of macrofaunal bioturbation remain poorly assessed. The purpose of this study was to experimentally quantify the influence of sediment bioturbation processes (that is, sediment reworking and bioirrigation) on biogeochemical fluxes across the sediment–water interface and MPB biomass and photosynthetic capacities. Two infaunal deposit feeders (the polychaete Hediste diversicolor and the bivalve Scrobicularia plana) exhibiting contrasting bioturbation modes and rates were studied as model organisms. They differently affected MPB biomass and photosynthetic performance. Hence, through an intense bioirrigation activity and the stimulation of nutrient fluxes (NH4+ , NOx, PO42− and dSi) at the sediment surface, H. diversicolor enhanced MPB growth, which seemed to compensate for its direct consumption. Conversely, high sediment reworking rates generated by S. plana, associated with an extensive grazing pressure, drastically limited the development of MPB at the sediment surface. The negative impact of bivalves on MPB biomass increased with increasing density, whereas there was no significant relationship with polychaete density, possibly due to trophic competition. This study demonstrates that macrofaunal bioturbation is a key factor regulating MPB dynamics, with complex interactions that can result in a net either positive or negative effect depending on dominant species functional traits and abundances. This may, in particular, explain the strong spatial and temporal variability of the microbenthic primary productivity in intertidal mudflats