Protean Forms: Three Studies in Poetry and Dance

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Languages and Literature of Bard College

The laminA/NF-Y protein complex reveals an unknown transcriptional mechanism on cell proliferation

Lamin A is a component of the nuclear matrix that also controls proliferation by largely unknown mechanisms. NF-Y is a ubiquitous protein involved in cell proliferation composed of three subunits (-YA -YB -YC) all required for the DNA binding and transactivation activity. To get clues on new NF-Y partner(s) we performed a mass spectrometry screening of proteins that co-precipitate with the regulatory subunit of the complex, NF-YA. By this screening we identified lamin A as a novel putative NF-Y interactor. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments and confocal analysis confirmed the interaction between the two endogenous proteins. Interestingly, this association occurs on euchromatin regions, too. ChIP experiments demonstrate lamin A enrichment in several promoter regions of cell cycle related genes in a NF-Y dependent manner. Gain and loss of function experiments reveal that lamin A counteracts NF-Y transcriptional activity. Taking advantage of a recently generated transgenic reporter mouse, called MITO-Luc, in which an NF-Y–dependent promoter controls luciferase expression, we demonstrate that lamin A counteracts NF-Y transcriptional activity not only in culture cells but also in living animals. Altogether, our data demonstrate the occurrence of lamin A/NF-Y interaction and suggest a possible role of this protein complex in regulation of NF-Y function in cell proliferatio

dietary supplementation with high doses of regular vitamin d3 safely reduces diabetes incidence in nod mice when given early and long term

High doses of the active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) prevent diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse but also elicit unwanted calcemic side-effects. Because immune cells themselves can convert vitamin D3 into 1,25(OH)2D3 locally, we hypothesized that dietary vitamin D3 can also prevent disease. Thus, we evaluated whether dietary administration of high doses of regular vitamin D3 (800 IU per day) during different periods of life (pregnancy and lactation, early-life (3-14 weeks of age), or lifelong (3-35 weeks of age)) safely prevents diabetes in NOD mice. We found that only lifelong treatment raised serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 from 173 nmol/L in controls to 290 nmol/L, without inducing signs of calcemic or bone toxicity, and significantly reduced diabetes development in both male and female NOD mice. This diabetes protection by vitamin D3 correlated with preserved pancreatic insulin content and improved insulitis scores. Moreover, vitamin D3 treatment decreased interferon-γ-positive CD8+ T-cells and increased CD4+(CD25+)FoxP3+ T-cells in pancreatic draining lymph nodes. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that high doses of regular dietary vitamin D3 can safely prevent diabetes in NOD mice when administered lifelong, although caution is warranted with regards to administering equivalently high doses in humans

Influence of localized corrosion on the experimental response of R.C. columns under horizontal actions

La valutazione degli effetti della corrosione sul comportamento locale e globale di elementi in calcestruzzo armato è oggi un tema di scottante attualità, visto che molte strutture hanno raggiunto la vita utile di servizio. Le strutture in calcestruzzo armato danneggiate dalla corrosione possono andare soggette non solo ad una riduzione di capacità portante, ma anche a variazioni dei meccanismi di collasso con riduzione di duttilità. Tale problema è stato affrontata da alcuni degli autori con precedenti sperimentazioni e approcci numerici. Il presente lavoro mira ad ampliare la conoscenza in tale ambito, attraverso la descrizione e discussione dei risultati di una nuova campagna sperimentale. In particolare, sono realizzati quattro pilastri in scala reale soggetti a corrosione delle barre di armatura e sollecitati da un carico verticale e da una forza ciclica orizzontali. I risultati delle prove sperimentali mostrano come la corrosione (sia in termini di entità e morfologia) delle barre di armatura possa portare ad una riduzione di resistenza e duttilità e/o variazione delle modalità di rottura.The evaluation of the corrosion effects on both the local and global behaviour of reinforced concrete elements is nowadays a topical problem, since many structures have reached their designed life cycle. RC structures damaged by reinforcement corrosion can exhibit not only reduction of the bearing capacity but also an alteration of the collapse mechanism with a reduction of the structural ductility. In order to study the problem, some of the authors carried out experimental tests and numerical models. The presented paper provides in-depth information, since a new experimental survey is presented and discussed. In particular, full-scale experimental tests on four corroded column specimens are performed under vertical force and horizontal cyclic loads. The results of the cyclic experimental tests show how the reinforcement corrosion (in terms of amount and morphology) can lead to a reduction of both the structural strength and ductility, and/or can change the failure modes

Influence of corrosion on the flexural behavior of corroded reinforced concrete beams

A wide experimental survey has been planned, within the framework of an Italian PRIN project, for the evaluation of the flexural response of corroded reinforced concrete beams. The first experimental re-sults are presented and discussed in the paper. Full-scale experimental tests are performed on beam specimens, having a length of 3700 mm and a rectangular 200 mm x 300 mm section. The beams, firstly subjected to artificial corrosion through electrolytic cells to obtain different damage levels, were tested in four-point bending. Particular care is devoted to the calibration of the corrosion process and to the interpretation of the experimental results. Based on these outcomes, the effect of the reinforcement corrosion in reducing both ultimate strength and displacement capacity and in changing the failure mode is discussed and assessed

Immunology in the clinic review series; focus on type 1 diabetes and viruses: how viral infections modulate beta cell function.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a multi-factorial immune-mediated disease characterized by the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic islet beta cells in genetically susceptible individuals. Epidemiological evidence has also documented the constant rise in the incidence of T1DM worldwide, with viral infections representing one of the candidate environmental risk factors identified by several independent studies. In fact, epidemiological data showed that T1DM incidence increases after epidemics due to enteroviruses and that enteroviral RNA can be detected in the blood of >50% of T1DM patients at the time of disease onset. Furthermore, both in-vitro and ex-vivo studies have shown that viruses can infect pancreatic beta cells with consequent effects ranging from functional damage to cell death.FLWINinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Beta cell expression of enteroviral receptor CAR and islet inflammation in human type 1 diabetes

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Dimostrazione dei linfociti T CD8 autoreattivi contro autoantigeni insulari nell’insulite dei pazienti con diabete tipo 1. SID 2012, 24th National Conference, Società Italiana Diabetologia

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Beta cell expression of enteroviral receptor CAR and islets inflammation in human type 1 diabetes

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe