The interactions between SATB1 and F-actin are important for mechanisms of active cell death

Introduction. The direct involvement of nuclear actin filaments in gene transcription and remodeling of chromatin is still debatable. However, nuclear localization of F-actin and its interactions with other nuclear matrix proteins have been reported. The aim of the study was to estimate the interactions between nuclear F-actin and one of the matrix proteins, special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1), during active cell death induced in vitro by geldanamycin (GA). Material and methods. The expression of SATB1 was modified by the transfection of non-aggressive breast cancer MCF-7 cells with siRNA against SATB1 or expression plasmid with cloned cDNA of SATB1. The amount and localization of F-actin were altered by changes of cofilin-1 (CFL1) expression in MCF-7 cells. The association between SATB1 and F-actin during GA-induced cell death was analyzed using confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Results. Our studies revealed the colocalization between nuclear F-actin and SATB1 protein, during GA-induced death of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The colocalization was enhanced in cells with overexpressed SATB1 and cofilin-1. At the ultrastructural level the SATB1 and F-actin complexes were seen at the border of condensed and decondensed chromatin. The presence of SATB1/F-actin molecular complexes was confirmed by magnetic separation of F-actin and interacting proteins. Conclusion. We suggest that the molecular interactions between SATB1 and F-actin are necessary for active cell death to occur

Revelations About Carotid Body Function Through its Pathological Role in Resistant Hypertension

Much recent attention has been given to the carotid body because of its potential role in cardiovascular disease states. One disease, neurogenic hypertension, characterised by excessive sympathetic activity, appears dependent on carotid body activity that may or may not be accompanied by sleep-disordered breathing. Herein, we review recent literature suggesting that the carotid body acquires tonicity in hypertension. We predict that carotid glomectomy will be a powerful way to temper excessive sympathetic discharge in diseases such as hypertension. We propose a model to explain that signalling from the ‘hypertensive’ carotid body is tonic, and hypothesise that there will be a sub-population of glomus cells that channel separately into reflex pathways controlling sympathetic motor outflows

Dermacentor reticulatus: a vector on the rise

Dermacentor reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor reticulatus can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the emergence and establishment of D. reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the last three years (2013–2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less frequently than Ixodes ricinus, D. reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues’ experience where needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D. reticulatus. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The influence of soil structure on clay soil shrinkage

This paper deals with the structural factors affecting shrinkage phenomena. Seventy eight soil samples were tested, including: Neogene (Mio-Pliocene) clays, glacial tills, clayey alluvial soils, bentonite, illitic clay and kaolinite. Destructed soils (remoulded samples) were compared with undisturbed soils (NNS). Analysis of shrinkage curves showed that the most hydrophilic clays and well-graded soils have the lowest void ratio and shrinkage limit. Shrinkage curves ofsilty and sandy soils are relatively plane with poorly differentiated shrinkage stages. For Neogene clays, shrinkage curves of remoulded samples are similar to the undisturbed ones. Both series of samples yielded similar final void ratio and shrinkage limit values. For alluvial soils and glacial tills, remoulded samples yielded a lower void ratio and higher shrinkage limit values than NNS samples. The results obtained showed that the soil fabric (natural preserved versus disturbed) does not influence shrinkage of Neogene clays while affects significantly shrinkage of alluvial soils and glacial tills. The statistical analysis revealed that there was no correlation between shrinkage limit and clay content or plastic index. A linear rela¬tionship was found between shrinkage limit and void ratio for clays as well as remoulded samples

Identification of clay soil mineralogy and swelling by the free swell ratio method

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań parametrów pęcznienia iłów neogeńskich serii poznańskiej z rejonu Mazowsza oraz iłów modelowych przygotowanych z bentonitu z Wyoming i kaolinitu z Sedlec. Określono parametry pęcznienia takie jak: zmodyfikowany wskaźnik swobodnego pęcznienia (MFSI) i współczynnik swobodnego pęcznienia (FSR) oraz przeprowadzono analizę ich zależności od chemizmu roztworu, składu mineralnego i zawartości frakcji iłowej. Ocena składu mineralnego gruntów naturalnych na podstawie współczynnika swobodnego pęcznienia FSR, zdefiniowanego jako stosunek objętości 10 g gruntu wysuszonego w 105°C po sedymentacji w roztworze 0,0025% NaCl do objętości osadu w nafcie, okazała się orientacyjna.The paper presents the results of free swell measurements of Neogene clays and model clay mixtures composed of Wyoming bentonite and Sedlec kaolinite. Modified free swell index (MFSI) as well as free swell ratio (FSR) were determined and analyzed with respect to pore fluid chemistry, mineral composition and clay content. The FSR, defined as the ratio of the equilibrium sediment volume of 10-g oven dried soil in 0.0025% NaCl solution to that in kerosene, has proved to provide only a rough prediction of clay mineralogy in natural soils