Adipose tissue mitochondrial dysfunction in human obesity is linked to a specific DNA methylation signature in adipose-derived stem cells

Background: A functional population of adipocyte precursors, termed adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs), is crucial for proper adipose tissue (AT) expansion, lipid handling, and prevention of lipotoxicity in response to chronic positive energy balance. We previously showed that obese human subjects contain a dysfunctional pool of ASCs. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying abnormal ASC function might lead to therapeutic interventions for prevention of lipotoxicity by improving the adipogenic capacity of ASCs. Methods: Using epigenome-wide association studies, we explored the impact of obesity on the methylation signature of human ASCs and their differentiated counterparts. Mitochondrial phenotyping of lean and obese ASCs was performed. TBX15 loss- and gain-of-function experiments were carried out and western blotting and electron microscopy studies of mitochondria were performed in white AT biopsies from lean and obese individuals. Results: We found that DNA methylation in adipocyte precursors is significantly modified by the obese environment, and adipogenesis, inflammation, and immunosuppression were the most affected pathways. Also, we identified TBX15 as one of the most differentially hypomethylated genes in obese ASCs, and genetic experiments revealed that TBX15 is a regulator of mitochondrial mass in obese adipocytes. Accordingly, morphological analysis of AT from obese subjects showed an alteration of the mitochondrial network, with changes in mitochondrial shape and number. Conclusions: We identified a DNA methylation signature in adipocyte precursors associated with obesity, which has a significant impact on the metabolic phenotype of mature adipocytes

Towards Validation of SMOS Land Products Using the Synergy Between Models, Airborne and Ground-based Data Over the Valencia Anchor Station. Definition of Matching-up Points to SMOS Observations

Ponencia presentada en el International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium celebrado en Honolulu (Hawaii) del 25 al 30 de julio de 2010López-Baeza et al.The main goal of ESA’s (European Space Agency) SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) mission is to deliver global fields of surface soil moisture (SM) and sea surface salinity, with enough resolution to be used in numerical weather prediction and global climate models, usin g L-band (1.4 GHz) radiometry. Within the context of the preparation for this mission over land, the Valencia Anchor Station (VAS) experimental site, in Spain, was chosen as a preferential test sites in Europe for SMOS Cal/Val activities. Ground and meteorological measurements over the area are used as input to a Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) model, SURFEX (SURFace EXternalisé) - module ISBA (Interactions between Soil-Biosphere-Atmosphere) to simulate surface SM. Calibration as well as validation of the ISBA model was made by using in situ SM measurements.Peer Reviewe

Finding e-business solutions with the help of a self-managed online tool

In recent years, providers of e-business software have started tailoring their solutions to the needs of SMEs, e.g. smaller sized ERP and CRM systems. However, for many SMEs, e-business systems are still too expensive or require a lot of effort on the SME's side. As SMEs often do not employ IT-specialists who possess the necessary skills and knowledge to evaluate and select an appropriate e-business software system that fits the company's needs, the need for external support becomes evident. The eBSN eBusiness Solutions Guide is an online tool that especially helps SMEs in finding suitable e-business solutions. It is equipped with different search algorithms and offers an e-business competence calculator. The paper introduces the tool and thereby focuses on the methods and concepts to match the offers of e-business suppliers and SME needs

Association between tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and appendicitis Asociación entre amigdalectomía, adenoidectomía y apendicitis

Introduction: tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy, is one of the most frequent surgical procedures generally performed, especially in young patients. Several studies suggest that there is a relationship between tonsillectomy and altered MALT immune system. Objective: to examine the possible association between tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy and the risk of subsequent appendicitis. Material and method: a cross-sectional study was performed in 650 patients admitted to the emergency department of a general hospital in Valencia, Spain. Previous history of tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy was related to a history of appendectomy. A descriptive study and an analysis of the relationship between previous operations and appendicitis was performed. A multivariable analysis controlled for age and sex was also performed, including the possible interaction of the gender variable. The independent effect of each of the procedures (tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy) was tested. Results: the 25.5% of patients had undergone tonsillectomy and 11.5% adenoidectomy; 17.5% had had an appendectomy. On average, women were operated on more frequently than men. In the bivariate analysis, both tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were significantly associated with subsequent appendectomy. In the multivariate analysis, this association was only maintained for tonsillectomy (OR: 3.23; 95% CI: 2.11-4.94). A stratified analysis controlling for sex showed a modification of this effect, with a higher association in women (OR: 5.20; 95% CI: 2.91-9.28) than in men (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 0.90-3.39). Conclusions: a clear association has been found, especially in women, between previous tonsillectomy and subsequent acute appendicitis. Due to a lack of data on acute appendicitis there should be further studies to explain the findings of this study, as this could be the first described risk factor of acute appendicitis.<br>Introducción: la amigdalectomía, sola o acompañada de adenoidectomía, es una de las intervenciones quirúrgicas más frecuentes, especialmente en las personas más jóvenes. Diversos estudios sugieren la existencia de algún tipo de relación entre el hecho de sufrir una amigdalectomía y la inmunidad a nivel del sistema MALT digestivo. Objetivo: examinar la posible asociación entre el hecho de haber sido sometido a la extirpación de las amígdalas o las adenoides y padecer posteriormente una apendicitis aguda. Material y método: encuesta transversal en 650 pacientes que acuden al Servicio de Urgencias de un Hospital de Valencia, España. Se relacionaron los antecedentes de apendicectomía con amigdalectomía y/o adenoidectomía previa. Se llevó a cabo la descripción de las variables así como el análisis de la relación entre las intervenciones previas y la apendicitis. Se efectuó un análisis multivariante controlando por las variables edad y sexo así como la posible interacción con la variable sexo. Se comprobó el efecto independiente de cada una de las dos intervenciones (amigdalectomía, adenoidectomía). Resultados: el 25,5% de pacientes habían sido intervenidos de amigdalectomía, el 11,5% de adenoidectomía y el 17,5% de apendicectomía. En promedio, las mujeres han sido sometidas a intervenciones con mayor frecuencia que los hombres. En el análisis simple, los antecedentes, tanto de amigdalectomía, como de adenoidectomía, se asociaron significativamente con haber sido sometidos posteriormente a apendicectomía. En el análisis multivariante, dicha asociación sólo se mantuvo para la amigdalectomía (OR: 3,23; IC 95%: 2,11-4,94). Por otro lado, se encontró una modificación de dicho efecto según la variable sexo, siendo la asociación más alta en mujeres (OR: 5,20; IC 95% 2,91-9,28) que en hombres (OR: 1,74; IC 95%: 0,90-3,39). Conclusiones: se ha encontrado una asociación clara, especialmente en mujeres, entre el hecho de ser amigdalectomizado y sufrir apendicitis con posterioridad. Dada la escasez de conocimientos de apendicitis aguda se debería investigar con mayor profundidad los factores que explicaran los hallazgos de este estudio, ya que podría ser el primer factor de riesgo descrito de apendicitis aguda

Comparison of the long-term outcome of two therapeutic strategies for the management of abdominal abscess complicating Crohn's disease: percutaneous drainage or immediate surgical treatment

AimThe management of abdominal abscesses complicating Crohn's disease is complex and involves a difficult choice between medical, radiological and surgical procedures. The long-term outcome was compared for two strategies for the management of abdominal abscess: percutaneous drainage (PD) followed by rescue surgery in the case of failure vs direct immediate surgery (IS). We also compared the results of IS with surgery performed after PD failure. MethodsWe retrospectively identified 44 patients with Crohn's disease with an abdominal abscess from January 2000 to December 2009. Therapeutic success was defined as abscess resolution and no reappearance within 1year of follow-up. ResultsThe first therapeutic approach was PD in 22 cases and IS in the other 22 cases. IS had a higher therapeutic success rate than PD (95.5% vs 27.2% respectively; P<0.001). PD was the only independent variable related to treatment failure in the multivariate analysis after adjustment for possible confounders such as abscess size, multilocularity, presence of fistula and corticosteroid use (OR 88.26, 95% CI 7.38-1055.36; P<0.001). Surgery after failure of PD (n=16) was associated with longer total hospitalization (56.1235.89 vs 27.52 +/- 15.11days; P=0.017) and longer postoperative stay (44.0 +/- 83.7 vs 14.3 +/- 30days; P=0.179) and needed a second operation more often (5/16, 31% vs 1/22, 4.5%; P=0.065) than IS. ConclusionsPercutaneous drainage provided durable abscess resolution in only one-third of the patients compared with more than 90% of those treated with IS. In addition, surgery performed after PD failure results in a poorer outcome than IS

MATHEMATISCHE BEHANDLUNG VON SINGLE-CELL-PROTEIN-PROZESSEN

Hansenula polymorpha fed-batch cultivations were carried out on ethanol-substrate in a cocurrent 275 cm high bubble column loop bioreactor. The studied single-cell-protein-( SCP-) processes are time- and spacedependent. The mathematical description leads to a set of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (distributed parameter system). The model equations contain X-, S-, and 0,- balances in the liquid phases of column and loop as well as 0,-, No- (inert) and C0, - balances in the gas phase of the reactor. Nonstationary model equations have been solved and unknow parameters, volumetric mass transfer coefficient ky +a, 0,- and Syield coefficients, Yyyo and Yyys> 0,- and S-saturation constants, Ko and Ko» have been identified -by fast hybrid simulation methods. Some identified parameters depend strongly on the process conditions, classified into unlimited growth, oxygen transferand substrate-limited growth. The time dependence of parameters during the dynamical processes needs adaptive control strategies. Based on excellent agreement of experiments and mathematical model on-line control algorithmen (OLFO=Open Loop Feedback Optimal Control) have been developed for optimal control of batch processes in tower reactors

Athermal metal optics made of nickel plated AlSi40

Metal optics is an inherent part of space instrumentation for years. Diamond turned aluminum (Al6061) mirrors are widely used for application in the mid- and near-infrared (mid-IR and NIR, respectively) spectral range. Aluminum mirrors plated with electroless nickel (NiP) expand the field of application towards multispectral operating instruments down to the ultraviolet wavelengths. Due to the significant mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between aluminum and NiP, however, this advantage occurs at the cost of bimetallic bending. Challenging requirements can be met by using bare beryllium or aluminum beryllium composites (AlBeMet) as a CTE tailored substrate material and amorphous NiP as polishable layer. For health reasons, the use of beryllium causes complications in the process chain. Thus, the beryllium approach is subjected to specific applications only. Metal optics has proven to be advantageous in respect of using conventional CNC and ultra-precision fabrication methods to realize complex and light-weighted instrument structures. Moreover, the mirror designs can be effectively optimized for a deterministic system assembly and optimization. Limitations in terms of dimensional stability over temperature and time are mainly given by the inherent material properties (figures of merit) of the substrate material in interaction with the polishing layer. To find an optimal compromise, a thermal matched aluminum-silicon alloy (silicon contents ≈ 40 wt%) plated with NiP (AlSi40/NiP ) was investigated in a joined project of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy MPIA and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF. The main tasks of the project were the minimization of the bimetallic bending, the development of reliable stabilizing and aging procedures, and the establishment of a proven fabrication method. This paper describes fundamental results regarding the optimization of the athermal material combination. Furthermore, the developed production chain for high quality freeform mirrors made of AlSi40/NiP is pointed out