Modeling and simulation in tribology across scales: An overview

This review summarizes recent advances in the area of tribology based on the outcome of a Lorentz Center workshop surveying various physical, chemical and mechanical phenomena across scales. Among the main themes discussed were those of rough surface representations, the breakdown of continuum theories at the nano- and micro-scales, as well as multiscale and multiphysics aspects for analytical and computational models relevant to applications spanning a variety of sectors, from automotive to biotribology and nanotechnology. Significant effort is still required to account for complementary nonlinear effects of plasticity, adhesion, friction, wear, lubrication and surface chemistry in tribological models. For each topic, we propose some research directions

Transcription Factor NF-κB Is Transported to the Nucleus via Cytoplasmic Dynein/Dynactin Motor Complex in Hippocampal Neurons

Mikenberg I, Widera D, Kaus A, Kaltschmidt B, Kaltschmidt C. Transcription Factor NF-kappa B Is Transported to the Nucleus via Cytoplasmic Dynein/Dynactin Motor Complex in Hippocampal Neurons. PLOS ONE. 2007;2(7):e589.Background. Long-term changes in synaptic plasticity require gene transcription, indicating that signals generated at the synapse must be transported to the nucleus. Synaptic activation of hippocampal neurons is known to trigger retrograde transport of transcription factor NF-kappa B. Transcription factors of the NF-kappa B family are widely expressed in the nervous system and regulate expression of several genes involved in neuroplasticity, cell survival, learning and memory. Principal Findings. In this study, we examine the role of the dynein/dynactin motor complex in the cellular mechanism targeting and transporting activated NF-kappa B to the nucleus in response to synaptic stimulation. We demonstrate that overexpression of dynamitin, which is known to dissociate dynein from microtubules, and treatment with microtubule-disrupting drugs inhibits nuclear accumulation of NF-kappa B p65 and reduces NF-kappa B-dependent transcription activity. In this line, we show that p65 is associated with components of the dynein/dynactin complex in vivo and in vitro and that the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) within NF-kappa B p65 is essential for this binding. Conclusion. This study shows the molecular mechanism for the retrograde transport of activated NF-kappa B from distant synaptic sites towards the nucleus

Solution Structure and Phylogenetics of Prod1, a Member of the Three-Finger Protein Superfamily Implicated in Salamander Limb Regeneration

Prod1 is a cell-surface molecule of the three-finger protein (TFP) superfamily involved in the specification of newt limb PD identity. The TFP superfamily is a highly diverse group of metazoan proteins that includes snake venom toxins, mammalian transmembrane receptors and miscellaneous signaling molecules..The available data suggest that Prod1, and thereby its role in encoding PD identity, is restricted to salamanders. The lack of comparable limb-regenerative capability in other adult vertebrates could be correlated with the absence of the Prod1 gene

A Genome-Wide Gene Function Prediction Resource for Drosophila melanogaster

Predicting gene functions by integrating large-scale biological data remains a challenge for systems biology. Here we present a resource for Drosophila melanogaster gene function predictions. We trained function-specific classifiers to optimize the influence of different biological datasets for each functional category. Our model predicted GO terms and KEGG pathway memberships for Drosophila melanogaster genes with high accuracy, as affirmed by cross-validation, supporting literature evidence, and large-scale RNAi screens. The resulting resource of prioritized associations between Drosophila genes and their potential functions offers a guide for experimental investigations

Understanding the clinical spectrum of complicated Plasmodium vivax malaria: a systematic review on the contributions of the Brazilian literature

The resurgence of the malaria eradication agenda and the increasing number of severe manifestation reports has contributed to a renewed interested in the Plasmodium vivax infection. It is the most geographically widespread parasite causing human malaria, with around 2.85 billion people living under risk of infection. The Brazilian Amazon region reports more than 50% of the malaria cases in Latin America and since 1990 there is a marked predominance of this species, responsible for 85% of cases in 2009. However, only a few complicated cases of P. vivax have been reported from this region. A systematic review of the Brazilian indexed and non-indexed literature on complicated cases of vivax malaria was performed including published articles, masters' dissertations, doctoral theses and national congresses' abstracts. The following information was retrieved: patient characteristics (demographic, presence of co-morbidities and, whenever possible, associated genetic disorders); description of each major clinical manifestation. As a result, 27 articles, 28 abstracts from scientific events' annals and 13 theses/dissertations were found, only after 1987. Most of the reported information was described in small case series and case reports of patients from all the Amazonian states, and also in travellers from Brazilian non-endemic areas. The more relevant clinical complications were anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, jaundice and acute respiratory distress syndrome, present in all age groups, in addition to other more rare clinical pictures. Complications in pregnant women were also reported. Acute and chronic co-morbidities were frequent, however death was occasional. Clinical atypical cases of malaria are more frequent than published in the indexed literature, probably due to a publication bias. In the Brazilian Amazon (considered to be a low to moderate intensity area of transmission), clinical data are in accordance with the recent findings of severity described in diverse P. vivax endemic areas (especially anaemia in Southeast Asia), however in this region both children and adults are affected. Finally, gaps of knowledge and areas for future research are opportunely pointed out

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac

Epidemiologia de la malaria falciparum complicada: estudio de casos y controles en Tumaco y Turbo, Colombia, 2003 The epidemiology of complicated falciparum malaria: case and controls study in Tumaco and Turbo, Colombia, 2003

OBJETIVOS: Identificar aspectos del hospedero, del parásito y del ambiente asociados con ocurrencia de malaria por Plasmodium falciparum complicada. MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos y controles en pacientes de Tumaco y Turbo (Colombia) aplicando los criterios de complicación de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. RESULTADOS: Entre noviembre 2002 y julio 2003 se captaron 64 casos (malaria complicada) y 135 controles (malaria no complicada). Las complicaciones fueron: hiperparasitemia (40%), falla hepática (36%), síndrome dificultad respiratoria aguda (7%), falla renal (4%), trombocitopenia grave (3%), anemia grave (2%), malaria cerebral (2%) e hipoglicemia grave (1%). Se encontraron como factores de riesgo para malaria falciparum complicada: a) Los antecedentes de malaria falciparum durante el último año fueron menores en los casos (OR= 7.0 (1.2-43.6) P=0.019); b) Mayor uso previo de antimaláricos en los casos (OR=2.2 (1.1-4.4) P=0.031) y c) mayor uso de cloroquina en los casos (OR=7.4 (1.1-7.8) P=0.017). Se hallaron los alelos MAD-20 y K1 del gen msp1 y FC-27 e IC-1 del gen msp2, cuya distribución de frecuencias fue similar entre casos y controles, aunque el alelo K1 mostró una variación importante entre grupos (casos: 9.4%, controles: 3.5%). La frecuencia de "signos de peligro" fue significativamente mayor en los casos (OR= 3.3, (1.5-7.4) P=0.001). Los criterios de complicación malárica de la Organización Mundial de la Salud se comparan con otros y se discuten algunas implicaciones. CONCLUSIÓN: Se identificaron como factores de riesgo para malaria falciparum complicada, la ausencia de antecedentes de malaria falciparum en el último año y el uso de antimaláricos antes de llegar al hospital.<br>OBJECTIVES: Aimed at identifying host and parasite aspects associated to the presence of Plasmodium falciparum complicated malaria. METHODS: Case and controls study in patients from Tumaco and Turbo (Colombia). We used the World Health Organization criteria to assess the presence of complicated malaria. RESULTS: A total 64 cases and 135 controls were included between November 2002 and July 2003. Observed complications were hyperparasitaemia (40%), liver failure (36%), adult respiratory distress syndrome (7%), renal failure (4%), severe thrombocytopenia (3%), severe anemia (2%), cerebral malaria (2%) and severe hypoglicemia (1%). Were identified as risk factors: a) falciparum malaria history in the previous year was lower in the cases (OR= 7.0 (1.2-43.6) P=0.019), b) the high use by the cases of antimalarials (OR=2.2, (1.1-4.4) P=0.031) and c) the high use of chloroquine by the cases (OR=7.4 (1.1-7.8), P=0.017) before attending to the hospital. Presence of P. falciparum alleles MAD-20 and K1 (msp1 gene), FC-27 and IC-1 (msp2 gene) was confirmed. No significant differences were observed in the presence of these alleles; however K1 was more frequent in cases (9.4%) than in controls (3.5%). The frequency of danger signs during the disease was significantly greater in the cases (OR= 3.3 (1.5-7.4) P=0.001). The World Health Organization criteria for complicated malaria are compared with others and some implications are discussed. CONCLUSION: They were identified as risk factors for complicated falciparum malaria, the absence of falciparum malaria antecedents in the last year and the use of antimalarials before attending to the hospital