Mechanochemical feedback control of dynamin independent endocytosis modulates membrane tension in adherent cells.

Plasma membrane tension regulates many key cellular processes. It is modulated by, and can modulate, membrane trafficking. However, the cellular pathway(s) involved in this interplay is poorly understood. Here we find that, among a number of endocytic processes operating simultaneously at the cell surface, a dynamin independent pathway, the CLIC/GEEC (CG) pathway, is rapidly and specifically upregulated upon a sudden reduction of tension. Moreover, inhibition (activation) of the CG pathway results in lower (higher) membrane tension. However, alteration in membrane tension does not directly modulate CG endocytosis. This requires vinculin, a mechano-transducer recruited to focal adhesion in adherent cells. Vinculin acts by controlling the levels of a key regulator of the CG pathway, GBF1, at the plasma membrane. Thus, the CG pathway directly regulates membrane tension and is in turn controlled via a mechano-chemical feedback inhibition, potentially leading to homeostatic regulation of membrane tension in adherent cells

Surface modification of methylvinylsilicone rubber vulcanizates with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes functionalized using chloride groups (POSS-Cl)

Zbadano wpływ modyfikacji powierzchniowej na właściwości wulkanizatów kauczuku metylowinylosilikonowego (MVQ). W charakterze modyfikatorów zastosowano funkcjonalizowane silseskwioksany klatkowe (POSS-Cl). Zbadano gęstość sieci, właściwości mechaniczne i barierowe, energię powierzchniową oraz czas indukcji utleniania impregnowanych wulkanizatów MVQ. Na podstawie wyników badań stwierdzono, że modyfikacja polepszyła właściwości kompozytów. Wszystkie badane próbki charakteryzowały się dobrą wytrzymałością mechaniczną, ograniczoną przepuszczalnością gazów oraz zwiększoną hydrofobowością powierzchni. Na skutek modyfikacji zwiększyła się także stabilność termiczna wytworzonych wulkanizatów.The effect of surface modification on the properties of methylvinylsilicone rubber vulcanizates (MVQ) was investigated. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) functionalized with chloropropyl, chlorobenzyl and chlorobenzylethyl groups were used as modifying agents. The crosslink density, mechanical and barrier properties, thermal stability, surface free energy and oxygen induction time of the impregnated MVQ vulcanizates were investigated. It was found that the modification led to an improvement in the composite properties. All the investigated samples showed good mechanical strength, reduced gas permeability and increased surface hydrophobicity. Also, the thermal stability of the vulcanizates was increased as aresult of the modification

Influence of calcination temperature on optical and structural properties of TiO2 thin films prepared by means of sol-gel and spin coating

In this study, ceramic TiO2 thin films were prepared on glass substrates using sol-gel and spin-coating methods from the TNBT/ AcOH/ EtOH/ H2O solution. The obtained coatings were subjected to drying at room temperature and were then calcined in the air at different temperatures in a range of 400–600°C in order to obtain clean TiO2   layers. The surface morphology and chemical composition were characterized with the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX). Research has shown the presence of elements in the TiO2   and the influence of temperatures on layer thickness. Analysis of optical properties and energy gap width of the prepared coatings was determined by means of spectra analysis of absorbance as a function of radiation energy obtained with the use of the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The obtained spectra of the layers are characterized by a shift of absorption lines towards the visible light wavelengths and the obtained values of band gaps decrease as the calcination temperature rises. The obtained and developed results of TiO2   thin films testify to the wide application possibilities of the layers in elements which use photocatalytic processes such as self-cleaning surfaces, solar cells, pollution removing membranes and optoelectronic components

New prime focus rotator system for the WHT

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Risk factors for left atrial thrombus in younger patients (aged < 65 years) with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: Data from the multicenter left atrial thrombus on transesophageal echocardiography (LATTEE) registry

BackgroundOur aim was to assess the characteristics and to identify predictors of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in patients under age 65 with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFl). MethodsWe conducted a subanalysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study [the LATTEE registry]. Consecutive AF/AFl patients referred for cardioversion or ablation were enrolled. ResultsOf the 3,109 patients included in the study, 1,276 were under age 65 (41%). Compared to non-LAT patients, those with LAT (n = 76) had higher CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score (p < 0.001), more frequently had non-paroxysmal AF/AFl (p < 0.001), heart failure (p < 0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), transient ischemic attack (p = 0.04), coronary artery disease (p = 0.02), and chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001). The LAT patients were also more often smokers (p = 0.004) and were more frequently treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (p < 0.001). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a higher left atrial area (p < 0.001), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.001), and lower value of LA appendage emptying volume in LAT than in non-LAT patients (p < 0.001). LVEF (OR 2.95; 95% CI: 1.32-6.59, p = 0.008), non-paroxysmal AF/AFl (OR 7.1; 95% CI: 2.05-24.63, p = 0.002) and treatment with VKAs (OR 4.92; 95% CI: 2.48-9.75, p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of LAT in younger patients. ConclusionsOur study, which focused on younger patients with AF/AFl, indicated substantial clinical and echocardiographic differences between participants with and without LAT. In the AF/AFl patients younger than age 65, the independent predictors of LAT included non-paroxysmal AF/AFl, lower LVEF, and treatment with VKAs

Risk factors for left atrial thrombus in younger patients (aged &lt; 65 years) with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: Data from the multicenter left atrial thrombus on transesophageal echocardiography (LATTEE) registry

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess the characteristics and to identify predictors of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in patients under age 65 with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFl). METHODS: We conducted a subanalysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study [the LATTEE registry]. Consecutive AF/AFl patients referred for cardioversion or ablation were enrolled. RESULTS: Of the 3,109 patients included in the study, 1,276 were under age 65 (41%). Compared to non-LAT patients, those with LAT (n = 76) had higher CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score (p < 0.001), more frequently had non-paroxysmal AF/AFl (p < 0.001), heart failure (p < 0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), transient ischemic attack (p = 0.04), coronary artery disease (p = 0.02), and chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001). The LAT patients were also more often smokers (p = 0.004) and were more frequently treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (p < 0.001). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a higher left atrial area (p < 0.001), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.001), and lower value of LA appendage emptying volume in LAT than in non-LAT patients (p < 0.001). LVEF (OR 2.95; 95% CI: 1.32–6.59, p = 0.008), non-paroxysmal AF/AFl (OR 7.1; 95% CI: 2.05–24.63, p = 0.002) and treatment with VKAs (OR 4.92; 95% CI: 2.48–9.75, p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of LAT in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, which focused on younger patients with AF/AFl, indicated substantial clinical and echocardiographic differences between participants with and without LAT. In the AF/AFl patients younger than age 65, the independent predictors of LAT included non-paroxysmal AF/AFl, lower LVEF, and treatment with VKAs

Increased Body Mass Index and Risk of Left Atrial Thrombus in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients-Data from the Left Atrial Thrombus on Transesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) Registry

An increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and a higher risk of thromboembolic complications in AF patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMI on the risk of left atrial thrombi (LATs) in patients with nonvalvular AF/atrial flutter (AFl) (NV AF/AFl). Patients diagnosed with NVAF/AFl (between November 2018 and May 2020) were selected from the multicenter, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry that included AF/AFl patients referred for cardioversion or ablation followed by transesophageal echocardiography. A total of 2816 AF/AFl patients (63.6% males; mean age 65.8 years; mean BMI 29.8 kg/m(2)) were included in the study. Two hundred and twenty-two of them (7.9%) had LATs. Compared with normal-weight patients, those with BMIs >= 25 kg/m(2) more frequently presented clinical factors potentially provoking LATs, such as non-paroxysmal AF/AFl (p = 0.04), hypertension (p < 0.001), and diabetes (p < 0.001); had higher CHA(2)DS(2) scores (p < 0.001); and had larger LA dimensions (LA diameter and LA area) (p < 0.001 for both parameters). On the other hand, they showed some features negatively related to thromboembolic risk; for example, they were younger (p < 0.001) and were more often male (p = 0.002). In addition, patients with abnormal BMIs were more likely to be smokers (p = 0.006) and to be treated with oral anticoagulants (p = 0.005). Despite these differences in the prevalence of thromboembolic risk factors, the incidence of LATs was not increased in patients with abnormal body weight (overweight and obese compared to normal-weight patients) in this large real-life cohort of AF/AFl patients. This is probably due to the balanced composition regarding the prevalence of positive and negative thromboembolic risk factors