Punicalagin Induces Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Influx to Macrophages

High levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are a primary initiating event in the development of atherosclerosis. Recently, the antiatherogenic effect of polyphenols has been shown to be exerted via a mechanism unrelated to their antioxidant capacity and to stem from their interaction with specific intracellular or plasma proteins. In this study, we investigated the interaction of the main polyphenol in pomegranate, punicalagin, with apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB100) that surrounds LDL. Punicalagin bound to ApoB100 at low concentrations (0.25–4 μM). Upon binding, it induced LDL influx to macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner, up to 2.5-fold. In contrast, another polyphenol which binds to ApoB100, glabridin, did not affect LDL influx. We further showed that LDL influx occurs specifically through the LDL receptor, with LDL then accumulating in the cell cytoplasm. Taken together with the findings of Aviram et al., 2000, that pomegranate juice and punicalagin induce plasma LDL removal and inhibit macrophage cholesterol synthesis and accumulation, our results suggest that, upon binding, punicalagin stimulates LDL influx to macrophages, thus reducing circulating cholesterol levels

Aspectos biológicos de Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) em Eucalyptus benthamii em diferentes temperaturas.

Resumo

A compact UWB monopole antenna with penta band notched characteristics

A modified rectangular monopole ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with penta notched frequency bands is presented. An inverted U shaped and slanted U-shaped on the radiating patch are inserted to achieve WiMAX and ARN bands rejection respectively, two mirrored summation Σ-shaped and four mirrored 5-shaped slots are inserted on the partial ground to achieve WLAN and X-band bands rejection respectively, finally rectangular shaped slot with partially open on the feed is inserted to achieve ITU-8 band rejection. The proposed antenna which was simulated has a compact size 30×35×1.6 m3. It is operated with impedance bandwidth 2.8-10.6 GHz at |S11| < −10 dB, that supported UWB bandwidth with filtering the five narrowbands that avoid the possible interference with them. The simulated resonant frequency for notched filters received 3.55, 4.55, 5.53, 7.45, 8.16 GHZ, for WiMAX, ARN, WLAN, X-Band, ITU-8 respectively. The proposed antenna is suitable for wireless communication such as mobile communication and internet of everything (IoE). Throughout this paper, CST-EM software package was used for the design implementation. Surface current distributions for all notched filters were investigated and shown that it is concentrated around the feeding point and the inserted notched slots proving that there is no radiation to the space due to maximum stored electromagnetic energy around each investigated notch slot, proving that the slots play a role of a quarter wavelength transformer which generates for each notched band, maximum gain, and radiation pattern are also investigated

A new method for voice signal features creation

Digital audio is one of the most important types of data at present. It is used in several applications, such as human knowledge and many security and banking applications. A digital voice signal is usually of a large size where the acoustic signal consists of a set of values distributed in one column (one channel) (mono signal) or distributed in two columns (two channels) (stereo signal), these values usually are the results of sampling and quantization of the original analogue voice signal. In this paper we will introduce a method which can be used to create a signature or key, which can be used later to identify or recognize the wave file. The proposed method will be implemented and tested to show the accuracy and flexibility of this method

Towards a comprehensive design-time compliance management:A roadmap

Today’s business climate demands business processes to meet many compliance regulations that require all enterprises to review their processes and ensure that they satisfy the set of relevant compliance requirements. Compliance management should be considered from the very early stages of business process design, thus achieving compliance by design. In this paper, we give a brief overview of an approach for managing business process compliance during design-time phase of business process lifecycle. We also discuss the roadmap for the key components and their relationship for a comprehensive design-time compliance support

Percevejo bronzeado em eucalipto.

Resumo

Efeito de Eucalyptus spp. e da superfície foliar na excreção de honeydew e sobrevivência de adultos do percevejo bronzeado.

bitstream/item/68282/1/CT-307.pd

Multiple model MIMO predictive control for variable speed variable pitch wind turbines

Abstract-A multivariable control strategy based on model predictive control techniques for the control of variable speed variable pitch wind turbines is proposed. The proposed control strategy is described for the whole operating region of the wind turbine (both partial and full load regimes). Pitch angle and generator torque are controlled simultaneously to maximize energy capture, mitigate drive train transient loads and smooth the power generated while reducing the pitch actuator activity. This has the effect of improving the efficiency and the power quality of the electrical power generated, and of increasing the life time of the system's mechanical parts. Furthermore, safe and acceptable operation of the system is guaranteed by incorporating most of the constraints on the physical variables of the WECS in the controller design. In order to cope with nonlinearities in the WECS and continuous variations in the operating point, a multiple model predictive controller is suggested which provides near optimal performance throughout the whole operating region

The chemopreventive effect of Ginkgo biloba and Silybum marianum extracts on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/objective</p> <p>This study was designed to evaluate the potential chemopreventive activities of <it>Ginkgo biloba </it>extract (EGb) and <it>Silybum marianum </it>extract (silymarin) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rats were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 served as normal control rats. Group 2 animals were intragastrically administrated NDEA at a dose of 10 mg/kg five times a week for 12 weeks to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Groups 3 and 4 animals were pretreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. Groups 5 and 6 animals were posttreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. The investigated parameters in serum are alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The investigated parameters in liver tissue are malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and comet assay parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In NDEA group, MDA level was elevated with subsequent decrease in GSH level and SOD, GPx and GR activities. In addition, NDEA group revealed a significant increase in serum ALT, AST and GGT activities and VEGF level. Furthermore, NDEA administrated animals showed a marked increase in comet assay parameters. These biochemical alterations induced by NDEA were confirmed by the histopathological examination of rat livers intoxicated with NDEA that showed an obvious cellular damage and well differentiated HCC.</p> <p>In contrast, silymarin+NDEA treated groups (3&5) and EGb+NDEA treated groups (4&6) showed a significant decrease in MDA level and a significant increase in GSH content and SOD, GPx and GR activities compared to NDEA group. Silymarin and EGb also beneficially down-regulated the increase in serum ALT, AST, GGT activities and VEGF level induced by NDEA. In addition, silymarin and EGb significantly decreased comet assay parameters. Histopathological examination of rat livers treated with either silymarin or EGb exhibited an improvement in the liver architecture compared to NDEA group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The obtained findings suggested that silymarin and EGb may have beneficial chemopreventive roles against hepatocarcinogenesis through their antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antigenotoxic activities.</p