Iron Deprivation in Synechocystis : Inference of Pathways, Non-coding RNAs, and Regulatory Elements from Comprehensive Expression Profiling

Iron is an essential cofactor in many metabolic reactions. Mechanisms controlling iron homeostasis need to respond rapidly to changes in extracellular conditions, but they must also keep the concentration of intracellular iron under strict control to avoid the generation of damaging reactive oxygen species. Due to its role as a redox carrier in photosynthesis, the iron quota in cyanobacteria is about 10 times higher than in model enterobacteria. The molecular details of how such a high quota is regulated are obscure. Here we present experiments that shed light on the iron regulatory system in cyanobacteria. We measured time-resolved changes in gene expression after iron depletion in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using a comprehensive microarray platform, monitoring both protein-coding and non-coding transcripts. In total, less than a fifth of all protein-coding genes were differentially expressed during the first 72 hr. Many of these proteins are associated with iron transport, photosynthesis, or ATP synthesis. Comparing our data with three previous studies, we identified a core set of 28 genes involved in iron stress response. Among them were genes important for assimilation of inorganic carbon, suggesting a link between the carbon and iron regulatory networks. Nine of the 28 genes have unknown functions and constitute key targets for further functional analysis. Statistical and clustering analyses identified 10 small RNAs, 62 antisense RNAs, four 59UTRs, and seven intragenic elements as potential novel components of the iron regulatory network in Synechocystis. Hence, our genome-wide expression profiling indicates an unprecedented complexity in the iron regulatory network of cyanobacteria.Portuguese Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) [PTDC/BIA-MIC/101036/2008]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Focus program "Sensory and regulatory RNAs in Prokaryotes [SPP1258]; FCT [PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2011]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis of the potential of cancer cell lines to release tissue factor-containing microvesicles: correlation with tissue factor and PAR2 expression

BackgroundDespite the association of cancer-derived circulating tissue factor (TF)-containing microvesicles and hypercoagulable state, correlations with the incidence of thrombosis remain unclear.MethodsIn this study the upregulation of TF release upon activation of various cancer cell lines, and the correlation with TF and PAR2 expression and/or activity was examined. Microvesicle release was induced by PAR2 activation in seventeen cell lines and released microvesicle density, microvesicle-associated TF activity, and phoshpatidylserine-mediated activity were measured. The time-course for TF release was monitored over 90 min in each cell line. In addition, TF mRNA expression, cellular TF protein and cell-surface TF activities were quantified. Moreover, the relative expression of PAR2 mRNA and cellular protein were analysed. Any correlations between the above parameters were examined by determining the Pearson’s correlation coefficients.ResultsTF release as microvesicles peaked between 30–60 min post-activation in the majority of cell lines tested. The magnitude of the maximal TF release positively correlated with TF mRNA (c = 0.717; p

The effects of powder reuse on the mechanical response of electron beam additively manufactured Ti6Al4V parts

High cost of metal powders has increased the demand for recycling of unmelted powder in electron beam powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process. However, powder characteristics are likely to change during manufacturing, recovery and reuse. It is important to track the evolution of powder characteristics at different stages of recycling to produce components with consistent properties. The present work evaluates the changes in Ti6Al4V powder properties during manufacturing by characterising powder particles at different locations in the powder bed; recovery and reuse, through evaluating the effects of the powder recovery system and sieving for 10 build cycles. Heterogeneous powder degradation occurred during manufacturing with the particles closer to the melt zone showing higher oxygen content and thicker α laths with β phase boundaries. Most of them had a hard-sintered and agglomerated powder morphology in contrast to particles at the edges of the powder bed. Recovery and reuse resulted in a refined particle size distribution, but only marginal change in powder morphology. The increased oxygen caused a slight increase in the yield and tensile strengths of the build. The effect of powder reuse on material elongation, hardness and Charpy impact energy was negligible. The high cycle fatigue performance deteriorated with reuse due to the increased lack-of-fusion defects. This might be attributed to the voids formed in the powder bed due to decrease in the number of fine particles coupled with an increase in the number of high-aspect ratio particles

Microencapsulation techniques: a proposal for microencapsulated probiotics.

A la hora de utilizar probióticos, el principal problema que se presenta, es la escasa resistencia de estos a diferentes condiciones ambientales y tecnológicas. Las técnicas de microencapsulación son un buen método para proteger a estos microorganismos, sin embargo no todas las técnicas son apropiadas para los probióticos. En este artículo proponemos la técnica de gelificación interna, que por sus características permite la obtención de un tamaño de partícula adecuado y la supervivencia de los microorganismos.The main problem when probiotics are used is the low resistance of these to different environmental and technological conditions. The microencapsulation techniques are a good method in order to protect the probiotics, Nevertheless not all techniques of microencapsulation are suitable for probiotics. In this paper, we propose the internal gelification which allows us to obtain a suitable particle size and the survival of the microorganisms

Effective Theory of a Dynamically Broken Electroweak Standard Model at NLO

We consider the Standard Model as an effective theory at the weak scale $v$ of a generic new strong interaction that dynamically breaks electroweak symmetry at the energy scale $\Lambda\sim$ (few) TeV. Assuming only the minimal field content with the Standard Model fermions and gauge bosons, but without a light Higgs particle, we construct the complete Lagrangian through next-to-leading order, that is, including terms of order $v^2/\Lambda^2$. The systematics behind this expansion is clarified. Although similar to chiral perturbation theory, it is not governed by the dimension of operators alone, but depends in an essential way on the loop expansion. Power-counting formulas are derived that indicate the classes of operators required at the next-to-leading order. The complete set of operators at leading and next-to-leading order is then listed, based on the restrictions implied by the Standard-Model gauge symmetries. We recover the well-known operators discussed in the literature in connection with the electroweak chiral Lagrangian and in similar contexts, but we collect a complete and systematic list of all terms through order $v^2/\Lambda^2$. This includes some operators not discussed in explicit terms before. We also show that a few of the previously considered operators can be eliminated via the equations of motion. As another important result we confirm the known list of dimension-6 operators in the Standard Model with an elementary Higgs doublet, essentially as a special case of our scenario.Comment: 35 pages, 1 figure; references adde

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and “indeterminate” stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests

Methodology for the reduction and integration of data in the performance measurement of industries cement plants

The investigation responded to the need outlined by directive and interested parts, in relation to the lack of mechanisms for the administration control and the need to reduce the amount of data when making measurements of performance in the cement industry. Throughout the employment of an outlined methodology, it was obtained an Integral Index of Acting that relates to the aspects that controlled the acting of the processes in function of managerial strategies, of easy mensuration as a result, automatic and that it facilitates to summarize a big amount of criteria and data, through their standardization, and thus the realization of comparisons with other production plants

LA INMIGRANTE Y SU SALUD, UN CAMINO POR RECORRER EN EL S. XXI

Introduction The demand for health care in Murcia has made us question how immigrants perceive our health care system. Thus the importance of observing the behavior of immigrants, as they face obstacles appearing because they are women and belong to a different culture, an issue that can be difficult for health care workers. Methodology: The study was conducted with a sample of 41 female immigrants in the Murcia region. Five introductory interviews were carried out as an introductory tool in this observational descriptive study. After obtaining the results some forms were filled out consisting of closed questions concerning the attention given, obstacles and gender issues when it comes to receiving their health care. As a criterion of exclusion, there was an absence of males during the questioning so as not to affect the response of the interviewee. Discussion The vast majority of those interviewed have difficulty communicating with health care staff. Dissatisfaction with the service provided could arise. It shows the great importance of a mediator between professionals and female immigrants. Therefore, health care services should be open to all people in our society, not only in situations of illness but also to improve health. Conclusions • Encourage the need for a multicultural mediator in all places where health care is provided. •Required that health professionals who provide care should be trained in cultural aspects. •Health policy towards immigration groups should be implemented.Introducción La demanda de atención sanitaria en nuestra Región nos ha llevado a cuestionarnos cómo las inmigrantes perciben nuestra atención sanitaria, por ello la importancia de observar el comportamiento de las inmigrantes ante los obstáculos que se les presentan por el hecho de ser mujeres y de pertenecer a una cultura diferente y que pueda ser objeto de dificultad para el personal sanitario. Metodología El estudio se ha realizado con una muestra de 41 mujeres inmigrantes de la Región de Murcia de tipo observacional descriptivo, en el que se hicieron 5 entrevistas como herramienta introductoria. Tras los resultados obtenidos se han llevado a cabo unos formularios que constan de preguntas cerradas referentes a la atención prestada, obstáculos y razón de sexo a la hora de recibir su atención sanitaria. Como criterio de exclusión, ausencia del género masculino durante las preguntas-respuestas para no influir en la respuesta de la entrevistada. Discusión La gran mayoría de las entrevistadas presentan dificultades para comunicarse con el personal sanitario. Pudiendo provocar una insatisfacción del servicio que se le presta. Se muestra la gran importancia de una persona mediadora entre profesionales y mujeres inmigrantes. Por tanto, los servicios de Salud deben estar abiertos a todas las personas que configuran nuestra sociedad, no solamente en situación de enfermedad sino también para mejorar la salud. Conclusiones • Potenciar la necesidad de un mediador multicultural en todos los centros donde se presta atención sanitaria. • Exigencia curricular de formación en aspectos culturales a los profesionales sanitarios que prestan sus cuidados. • Se debería proyectar la política sanitaria hacia los grupos inmigratorios

Survival in Southern European patients waitlisted for kidney transplant after graft failure: A competing risk analysis

Background Whether patients waitlisted for a second transplant after failure of a previous kidney graft have higher mortality than transplant-näive waitlisted patients is uncertain. Methods We assessed the relationship between a failed transplant and mortality in 3851 adult KT candidates, listed between 1984–2012, using a competing risk analysis in the total population and in a propensity score-matched cohort. Mortality was also modeled by inverse probability weighting (IPTW) competing risk regression. Results At waitlist entry 225 (5.8%) patients had experienced transplant failure. All-cause mortality was higher in the post-graft failure group (16% vs. 11%; P = 0.033). Most deaths occurred within three years after listing. Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death (25.3%), followed by infections (19.3%). Multivariate competing risk regression showed that prior transplant failure was associated with a 1.5-fold increased risk of mortality (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.2). After propensity score matching (1:5), the competing risk regression model revealed a subhazard ratio (SHR) of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.01–2.5). A similar mortality risk was observed after the IPTW analysis (SHR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1–2.6). Conclusions Previous transplant failure is associated with increased mortality among KT candidates after relisting. This information is important in daily clinical practice when assessing relisted patients for a retransplant.This study was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (grant ICI14/00016) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III co-funded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional±FEDER, RETICS (REDINREN RD16/0009/0006, RD16/0009/0031