ADAM2 Interactions with Mouse Eggs and Cell Lines Expressing α4/α9 (ITGA4/ITGA9) Integrins: Implications for Integrin-Based Adhesion and Fertilization

Integrins are heterodimeric cell adhesion molecules, with 18 α (ITGA) and eight β (ITGB) subunits forming 24 heterodimers classified into five families. Certain integrins, especially the α(4)/α(9) (ITGA4/ITGA9) family, interact with members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family. ADAM2 is among the better characterized and also of interest because of its role in sperm function. Having shown that ITGA9 on mouse eggs participates in mouse sperm-egg interactions, we sought to characterize ITGA4/ITGA9-ADAM2 interactions.An anti-β(1)/ITGB1 function-blocking antibody that reduces sperm-egg binding significantly inhibited ADAM2 binding to mouse eggs. Analysis of integrin subunit expression indicates that mouse eggs could express at least ten different integrins, five in the RGD-binding family, two in the laminin-binding family, two in the collagen-binding family, and ITGA9-ITGB1. Adhesion assays to characterize ADAM2 interactions with ITGA4/ITGA9 family members produced the surprising result that RPMI 8866 cell adhesion to ADAM2 was inhibited by an anti-ITGA9 antibody, noteworthy because ITGA9 has only been reported to dimerize with ITGB1, and RPMI 8866 cells lack detectable ITGB1. Antibody and siRNA studies demonstrate that ITGB7 is the β subunit contributing to RPMI 8866 adhesion to ADAM2.These data indicate that a novel integrin α-β combination, ITGA9-ITGB7 (α(9)β(7)), in RPMI 8866 cells functions as a binding partner for ADAM2. ITGA9 had previously only been reported to dimerize with ITGB1. Although ITGA9-ITGB7 is unlikely to be a widely expressed integrin and appears to be the result of "compensatory dimerization" occurring in the context of little/no ITGB1 expression, the data indicate that ITGA9-ITGB7 functions as an ADAM binding partner in certain cellular contexts, with implications for mammalian fertilization and integrin function

Strategic position of the forest service sector company in Poznan, Pila and Szczecin RDSF

The study attempts to assess the strategic position of the forest service sector companies based on the SWOT method. Positioning of the company development was done on the example of 49 companies, which are providing services for the forest management in Poznań, Piła and Szczecin Regional State Forest Directorates (western Poland). Data that enabled the analysis was obtained by the usage of the questionnaire method. The structure analysis of the respondents from the point of view of points assigned to the investigated factors and assessments of these factors was performed. The results showed that the vast majority of companies that were participating in the research was on the average and aggressor developmental position. The internal factors such as ‘work experience of human resources', ‘machines technical quality' and external factor such as ‘forest services contract principle' were the most important for the forest companies owners. ‘Leasing of forest machines' and ‘opportunity for action as consortiums' are said to bring about strengths, while ‘purchase of machinery by the State Forest', ‘business ethics', ‘increase of fuel prices' and ‘new competing companies' are considered as the main threats

Production costs in a novel method of manufacture of the methyl esters from false flax (Camelina sativa L.) oil for feed the piston compression-ignition engines

W krajach europejskich podstawowym surowcem tłuszczowym jest olej rzepakowy, ale jego potencjalne zasoby są ograniczone, gdyż uprawa rzepaku wymaga określonych warunków klimatycznych i glebowych. Praca poświęcona jest badaniom nad lnianką siewną (Camelina sativa L.), zapomnianą rośliną oleistą, której historia uprawy na ziemiach Polski sięga czasów kultury łużyckiej. Roślina ta jest stosunkowo mało wymagająca pod względem glebowym jak i zabiegów agrotechnicznych. Przeprowadzono ocenę kosztów wyprodukowania biopaliwa - estrów metylowych (FAME) z wyhodowanych specjalnie do tego celu w rzeczywistych warunkach rolnictwa wielkopolskiego nasion lnianki siewnej. Z nasion wytłoczono olej w standardowej olejarni który z kolei w wyniku nowo opatentowanego przez pracowników PIMR procesu estryfikacji wyprodukowano paliwo do tłokowych silników z napędem samoczynnym. Koszt wyprodukowania jednego litra biodiesla wyniósł 5,82 zł, a w przypadku wykorzystania wszystkich dopłat z Unii Europejskiej koszt produkcji wyniósł 2,99 zł z litr.In European countries rapeseed oil is the primary fat raw material, but its potential resources are limited because the cultivation of rapeseed requires specific climatic and soil conditions. The paper concerns research on false flax (Camelina sativa L.), a forgotten oil plant, which history of cultivation in the Polish territory dates back to the era of the Lusatian culture. This plant has relatively low requirements both concerning soil and cultivation measures. An estimation of the costs was conducted for the production of biodiesel-fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from seeds of false flax grown specially for this purpose under actual farming conditions of the Wielkopolska region. The oil was pressed from seeds in a conventional oil mill and from the oil, applying an esterification process newly patented by the IIAE employees, fuel for piston compression-ignition engines was produced. Production cost per 11 of biodiesel was PLN5.82, and when all EU subsidies were used, the production cost was 2.99 złotys per 1 litre of fuel

Open and Laparoscopic Colposuspension in Girls with Refractory Urinary Incontinence

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are very common in children. Standard treatments consist of urotherapy, antibiotic prophylaxis, anti-muscarinics, physical therapy, and the treatment of coexisting constipation. A small group of girls also present with stress incontinence or with stress-induced urge incontinence. In cases of persistent LUTS due to congenital bladder neck insufficiency (BNI), surgical treatment might be considered. The aim of this paper is to assess the results of open and laparoscopic colposuspension in children with refractory urinary incontinence (UI). Materials and methods: The results of 18 open and 18 laparoscopic consecutive colposuspensions were analyzed. All patients had UI and failed conservative treatment. BNI was proven by repeated perineal ultrasound and video-urodynamic study. The laparoscopic procedure was performed preperitoneally and the open procedure was via a transverse lower abdominal incision. The same postoperative protocol was used in both groups. Results: The mean operation time was 65 min for the open and 90 min for the lap procedure (p < 0.05). Full success was achieved in 7/18 in the open and in 8/18 in the lap group and partial response was seen in 3/18 and in 5/18, respectively (p = 0.64). No intraoperative complications occurred in this cohort. Conclusion: Open and laparoscopic colposuspension can be used to treat refractory UI in children with BNI when non-invasive methods fail

Open and Laparoscopic Colposuspension in Girls with Refractory Urinary Incontinence

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are very common in children. Standard treatments consist of urotherapy, antibiotic prophylaxis, anti-muscarinics, physical therapy, and the treatment of coexisting constipation. A small group of girls also present with stress incontinence or with stress-induced urge incontinence. In cases of persistent LUTS due to congenital bladder neck insufficiency (BNI), surgical treatment might be considered. The aim of this paper is to assess the results of open and laparoscopic colposuspension in children with refractory urinary incontinence (UI). The results of 18 open and 18 laparoscopic consecutive colposuspensions were analyzed. All patients had UI and failed conservative treatment. BNI was proven by repeated perineal ultrasound and video-urodynamic study. The laparoscopic procedure was performed preperitoneally and the open procedure was via a transverse lower abdominal incision. The same postoperative protocol was used in both groups. The mean operation time was 65 min for the open and 90 min for the lap procedure (p  < 0.05). Full success was achieved in 7/18 in the open and in 8/18 in the lap group and partial response was seen in 3/18 and in 5/18, respectively (p = 0.64). No intraoperative complications occurred in this cohort. Open and laparoscopic colposuspension can be used to treat refractory UI in children with BNI when non-invasive methods fai

Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien fuer die wissenschaftlich-technische Informationsversorgung in den 80 er Jahren - Engpaesse und Ansaetze

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