Induction of protein citrullination and auto-antibodies production in murine exposed to nickel

Abstract Citrullination, or the post-translational deimination of polypeptide-bound arginine, is involved in several pathological processes in the body, including autoimmunity and tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that nanomaterials can trigger protein citrullination, which might constitute a common pathogenic link to disease development. Here we demonstrated auto-antibody production in serum of nanomaterials-treated mice. Citrullination-associated phenomena and PAD levels were found to be elevated in nanomaterials -treated cell lines as well as in the spleen, kidneys and lymph nodes of mice, suggesting a systemic response to nanomaterials injection, and validated in human pleural and pericardial malignant mesothelioma (MM) samples. The observed systemic responses in mice exposed to nanomaterials support the evidence linking exposure to environmental factors with the development of autoimmunity responses and reinforces the need for comprehensive safety screening of nanomaterials. Furthermore, these nanomaterials induce pathological processes that mimic those observed in Pleural MM, and therefore require further investigations into their carcinogenicity

Isolation and characterization of glioblastoma nuclei and chromosomes in the lyophilized state

✓ Intact lyophilized nuclei and chromosomes were obtained from glioblastomas or brain, either in situ or in culture, by freezing at −156°C, drying at −25°C, and mechanical disassociation in glycerol at 2°C. Nuclear or chromosomal isolation was accomplished in hygroscopic nonaqueous media of high density. The method gave homogeneous nuclear and chromosomal preparations in high yield with preservation of labile, water-soluble constituents and residual biosynthetic activity. Unique opportunities for quantitative cytochemical studies at the level of the subcellular organelle are made available by the method.</jats:p

Motility activation and metabolism characteristics of spermatozoa of the black-lip-pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera var: cumingii (Jameson, 1901)

International audienceMotility of Pinctada margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758); var: cumingii (Jameson, 1901) (P. margaritifera) spermatozoa collected from gonads are not immediately activated at spawning in seawater (SW) but motility occurs when spermatozoa are transferred into alkaline seawater (pH ranging from 9.0 to 11.4). This motility-activating effect of alkaline pH is reversed when pH is shifted back to more acidic values. In both cases, activity of sperm (% motile cells) increases gradually after alkaline pH activation then lasts for several minutes. The characteristics of these fully motile spermatozoa are described in details at the level of flagella: the wave amplitude and wave-length range 5 to 6 μm and 15 μm respectively, while the flagellar beat frequency is approximately 49 Hz. The velocity of sperm displacement is from 220 to 230 μm/sec. The general swimming pattern is almost circular: the head trajectories describe portions of circles intercalated with small linear segments. Spermatozoa saved in natural seawater at 4°C retain potent motility for several days and can be subsequently activated by alkaline seawater. Respiration and ATP concentration were measured in 3 conditions: regular seawater (pH 7.8), artificial diluent (pH 8.2), and alkaline Tris-buffered seawater (pH 10.5). Results show that sperm respiration rates are higher whereas ATP levels are lower in the latter two media

Steady-State Concentrations of Glucose-6-Phosphate, 6-Phosphogluconate, and Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate in Strains of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Sensitive and Resistant to Catabolite Repression

No correlation was found between the cellular steady-state concentrations of glucose-6-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, and reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate and resistance versus sensitivity to catabolite repression.</jats:p

Glass thickness for windows

The choice of glass thickness for windows has always been one of conventional practice. This digest presents information regarding glass strength and wind pressure characteristics. It is now possible to incorporate this information in an improved procedure for determining appropriate glass thicknesses for windows of different sizes subjected to different wind pressures.Aussi disponible en fran\ue7ais : \uc9paisseur du verre destin\ue9 aux fen\ueatresPeer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye