Genetic disruption of KCC cotransporters in a mouse model of thalassemia intermedia

\u3b2-thalassemia (\u3b2-Thal) is caused by defective \u3b2-globin production leading to globin chain imbalance, aggregation of free alpha chain in developing erythroblasts, reticulocytes, and mature circulating red blood cells. The hypochromic thalassemic red cells exhibit increased cell dehydration in association with elevated K+ leak and increased K-Cl cotransport activity, each of which has been linked to globin chain imbalance and related oxidative stress. We therefore tested the effect of genetic inactivation of K-Cl cotransporters KCC1 and KCC3 in a mouse model of \u3b2-thalassemia intermedia. In the absence of these transporters, the anemia of \u3b2-Thal mice was ameliorated, in association with increased MCV and reductions in CHCM and hyperdense cells, as well as in spleen size. The resting K+ content of \u3b2-Thal red cells was greatly increased, and Thal-associated splenomegaly slightly decreased. Lack of KCC1 and KCC3 activity in Thal red cells reduced red cell density and improved \u3b2-Thal-associated osmotic fragility. We conclude that genetic inactivation of K-Cl cotransport can reverse red cell dehydration and partially attenuate the hematologic phenotype in a mouse model of \u3b2-thalassemia

Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for multicomponent reactions

[EN] Organic synthesis performed through multicomponent reactions is an attractive area of research in organic chemistry. Multicomponent reactions involve more than two starting reagents that couple in an exclusive ordered mode under the same reaction conditions to form a single product which contains the essential parts of the starting materials. Multicomponent reactions are powerful tools in modern drug discovery processes, because they are an important source of molecular diversity, allowing rapid, automated and high throughput generation of organic compounds. This review aims to illustrate progress in a large variety of catalyzed multicomponent reactions performed with acid, base and metal heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Within each type of multicomponent approach, relevant products that can be obtained and their interest for industrial applications are presented.The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the Generalitat Valenciana for the financial support in the project CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 (CSD2009-00050)Climent Olmedo, MJ.; Corma Canós, A.; Iborra Chornet, S. (2012). Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for multicomponent reactions. RSC Advances. 2(1):16-58. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1ra00807bS16582

Proton MR spectroscopy in patients with pyogenic brain abscess: MR spectroscopic imaging versus single-voxel spectroscopy

Purpose: Single-voxel spectroscopy (SVS) has been the gold standard technique to diagnose the pyogenic abssess. Two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is able to provide spatial distribution of metabolic concentration, and is potentially more suitable for differential diagnosis between abscess and necrotic tumors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the equivalence of MRSI and SVS in the detection of the metabolites in pyogenic brain abscesses.aterials and methods Forty-two patients with pyogenic abscesses were studied by using both SVS and MRSI methods. Two neuroradiologists reviewed the MRS data independently. A κ value was calculated to express inter-reader agreement of the abscesses metabolites, and a correlation coefficient was calculated to show the similarity of two spectra. After consensus judgment of two readers, the binary value of metabolites of pyogenic abscesses (presence or absence) was compared between SVS and MRSI.ults The consistency of spectral intern of the two readers was very good (κ ranged from 0.95 to 1), and the similarity of two spectra was also very high (cc = 0.9 ± 0.05). After consensus judgment of two readers, the sensitivities of MRSI ranged from 91% (acetate) to 100% (amino acids, succinate, lactate, lipid), and the specificities of MRSI were 100% for detecting all metabolites with SVS as reference. Conclusion SVS and MRSI provide similar metabolites in the cavity of pyogenic brain abscess. With additional metabolic information of cavity wall and contralateral normal-appearing brain tissue, MRSI would be a more suitable technique to differentiate abscesses from necrotic tumors

In-Vivo Measurements of Micrometer-Sized Particle Deposition in the Nasal Cavities of Taiwanese Adults

[[abstract]]It has been observed that Asians and Caucasians possess considerably different craniofacial features, which may affect the anatomical structure of the upper respiratory tract and, consequently, the characteristics of particle deposition. Most deposition studies on the human respiratory tract were primarily based on a limited number of Caucasian subjects. Therefore, data of the particle deposition efficiency in the upper respiratory tract of Asians are needed to supplement the understanding of the deposition characteristics in the human respiratory tract. This study measured the nasal deposition efficiency of particles ranging from 0.5 to 20 μm in five Taiwanese male and four Taiwanese female adults under different inspiratory flow rates. The measured deposition efficiency showed a very large intersubject variability in the inertial parameters, ranging between 103 to 5 × 104 μm2 cm3/s, and the deposition efficiency of the subjects with similar values of the minimum nasal cross-sectional area approaches to each other. This study showed that Taiwanese adults have lower nasal deposition efficiency than Caucasians, and that the differences in the nostril shape, inclination of nostrils, and nasal hair density between the two ethnic groups are likely the causes. In addition, this study suggested that up to 15% of overestimation in the nasal deposition efficiency for larger particles may occur if the inhalation efficiency is not considered. An empirical equation adopting inspiratory flow rate and the minimum nasal cross-sectional area was developed to predict the nasal particle deposition in the upper airway of Taiwanese adults

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and particulate matter in buses on highways in Taiwan

[[abstract]]Although airborne pollutants in urban buses have been studied in many cities globally, long-distance buses running mainly on highways have not been addressed in this regard. This study investigates the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) in the long-distance buses in Taiwan. Analytical results indicate that pollutants levels in long-distance buses are generally lower than those in urban buses. This finding is attributable to the driving speed and patterns of long-distance buses, as well as the meteorological and geographical features of the highway surroundings. The levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) found in bus cabins exceed the proposed indoor VOC guidelines for aromatic compounds, and are likely attributable to the interior trim in the cabins. The overall average CO level is 2.3 ppm, with higher average level on local streets (2.9 ppm) than on highways (2.2 ppm). The average CO2 level is 1493 ppm, which is higher than the guideline for non-industrial occupied settings. The average PM level in this study is lower than those in urban buses and IAQ guidelines set by Taiwan EPA. However, the average PM10 and PM2.5 is higher than the level set by WHO. Besides the probable causes mentioned above, fewer passenger movements and less particle re-suspension from bus floor might also cause the lower PM levels. Measurements of particle size distribution reveal that more than 75% of particles are in submicron and smaller sizes. These particles may come from the infiltration from the outdoor air. This study concludes that air exchange rates in long-distance buses should be increased in order to reduce CO2 levels. Future research on long-distance buses should focus on the emission of VOCs from brand new buses, and the sources of submicron particles in bus cabins

Larger than Self: The Influence of Interpersonal Goals on Self-regulation and Pro-group Behaviors

自尊在西方社會是個很受歡迎的概念，因為對自我感到滿意被認為與個體表現及心理適應有關。然而後續研究發現一味強調提升自尊將造成個體過度聚焦自我，反而無益於自我調節及人際關係。J. Crocker認為個體若能採取自己與他人為一體的生態系統觀點將能避免追求自我形象帶來的副作用，因此提出兩種人際目標：關愛目標與自我形象目標。本研究目的在探討不同人際目標對個體自我調節及利團體行為之影響。以往研究顯示兩種人際目標對於心理適應與人際關係均有不同預測力。據此，研究一以96名受試者先進行中文版量表的信效度分析，結果顯示關愛目標能正向預測心理適應指標，自我形象目標則無預測力。研究二以209名受試者探討人際目標對自我調節歷程的影響。結果顯示關愛目標能有效預測建設性自我批評，自我形象目標則預測情緒性自我批評。研究三利團體行為的部分，以實地研究進行組內互評，結果發現在人際效應上，個體自我形象目標對其關愛目標與他人關係需求滿足具有調節作用，也就是說當個體持有高關愛目標時，組上其他人的關係需求滿足程度皆較高，但若個體同時也持有高自我形象目標則無此效果。在行動者效應上，關愛目標能顯著預測行動者受助程度及關係滿足程度，不受個體所持有的自我形象目標程度影響。以上結果顯示，關愛目標雖然聚焦於人際層次，但仍有助於提升個體的心理適應；同時，有利於個體與他人形成互相關照對方關係需求的正向循環。最後針對關愛與自我形象目標的研究與應用進行討論。Self-esteem is a well-known construct in western society. It is related to individual achievement and psychological adjustment. However, previous studies found enhancing self-esteem would result in focusing on self, and then do harm to self regulation and interpersonal relationship. J. Crocker proposed individuals adopting ecosystem perspective would see people as interconnected and avoid negative effects of pursuing self-image. As a result, she proposed two interpersonal goals: compassionate goal and self-image goal. Previous studies showed that two interpersonal goals predicted psychological adjustment and relationship quality distinctively. Thus, study 1 recruited 96 participants for testing the psychometric properties of Chinese version of interpersonal goal measure. Results indicated compassionate goal predicted psychological adjustment positively, and self-image goal did not predict psychological adjustment. Study 2 recruited 209 participants to examine how interpersonal goals influence self-regulation. Results revealed that compassionate goal predicted constructive self-criticism, and self-image goal predicted emotional self-criticism. Study 3 used field study and group evaluation to examine the correlation between interpersonal goals and pro-group behavior. About partner effect, compassionate goal predicted partners’ relationship need satisfactory; self-image goal moderated this effect. About actor effect, compassionate goal predicted individuals’ received help and relationship need satisfactory. In sum, although compassionate goal focuses on interpersonal level, it enhances individuals’ psychological adjustments. Besides, compassionate goal benefits individuals to consider each other and form a positive path among themselves and others. Possible theoretical and practical applications of the research findings were discussed