879 research outputs found
A Large-scale Synthesis and Characterization of Quaternary CuInâGaâââSâ Chalcopyrite Nanoparticles via Microwave Batch Reactions
Various quaternary CuInxGa1-xS2 (0â€xâ€1) chalcopyrite nanoparticles have been prepared from molecular single-source precursors via microwave decomposition. We were able to control the nanoparticle size, phase, stoichiometry, and solubility. Depending on the choice of surface modifiers used, we were able to tune the solubility of the resulting nanoparticles. This method has been used to generate up to 5g of nanoparticles and up to 150g from multiple batch reactions with excellent reproducibility. Data from UV-Vis, photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, TEM, DSC/TGA-MS, and ICP-OES analyses have shown high reproducibility in nanoparticle size, composition, and bandgap
Comparison of Methods to Correct Survival Estimates and Survival Regression Analysis on a Large HIV African Cohort
The evaluation of HIV treatment programs is generally based on an estimation of survival among patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART). In large HIV programs, loss to follow-up (LFU) rates remain high despite active patient tracing, which is likely to bias survival estimates and survival regression analyses
Link between Intestinal CD36 Ligand Binding and Satiety Induced by a High Protein Diet in Mice
CD36 is a ubiquitous membrane glycoprotein that binds long-chain fatty acids. The presence of a functional CD36 is required for the induction of satiety by a lipid load and its role as a lipid receptor driving cellular signal has recently been demonstrated. Our project aimed to further explore the role of intestinal CD36 in the regulation of food intake. Duodenal infusions of vehicle or sulfo-N-succinimidyl-oleate (SSO) was performed prior to acute infusions of saline or Intralipid (IL) in mice. Infusion of minute quantities of IL induced a decrease in food intake (FI) compared to saline. Infusion of SSO had the same effect but no additive inhibitory effect was observed in presence of IL. No IL- or SSO-mediated satiety occurred in CD36-null mice. To determine whether the CD36-mediated hypophagic effect of lipids was maintained in animals fed a satietogen diet, mice were subjected to a High-Protein diet (HPD). Concomitantly with the satiety effect, a rise in intestinal CD36 gene expression was observed. No satiety effect occurred in CD36-null mice. HPD-fed WT mice showed a diminished FI compared to control mice, after saline duodenal infusion. But there was no further decrease after lipid infusion. The lipid-induced decrease in FI observed on control mice was accompanied by a rise in jejunal oleylethanolamide (OEA). Its level was higher in HPD-fed mice than in controls after saline infusion and was not changed by lipids. Overall, we demonstrate that lipid binding to intestinal CD36 is sufficient to produce a satiety effect. Moreover, it could participate in the satiety effect induced by HPD. Intestine can modulate FI by several mechanisms including an increase in OEA production and CD36 gene expression. Furthermore, intestine of mice adapted to HPD have a diminished capacity to modulate their food intake in response to dietary lipids
Toxicity Associated with Stavudine Dose Reduction from 40 to 30 mg in First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy
To compare the incidence and timing of toxicity associated with the use of a reduced dose of stavudine from 40 to 30 mg in first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV treatment and to investigate associated risk factors
Klotho Lacks a Vitamin D Independent Physiological Role in Glucose Homeostasis, Bone Turnover, and Steady-State PTH Secretion In Vivo
Apart from its function as co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), Klotho is thought to regulate insulin signaling, intracellular oxidative stress, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in an FGF23 independent fashion. Here, we crossed Klotho deficient (Klâ/â) mice with vitamin D receptor (VDR) mutant mice to examine further vitamin D independent functions of Klotho. All mice were fed a rescue diet enriched with calcium, phosphorus, and lactose to prevent hyperparathyroidism in VDR mutants, and were killed at 4 weeks of age after double fluorochrome labeling. Klâ/â mice displayed hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, dwarfism, organ atrophy, azotemia, pulmonary emphysema, and osteomalacia. In addition, glucose and insulin tolerance tests revealed hypoglycemia and profoundly increased peripheral insulin sensitivity in Klâ/â mice. Compound mutants were normocalcemic and normophosphatemic, did not show premature aging or organ atrophy, and were phenocopies of VDR mutant mice in terms of body weight, bone mineral density, bone metabolism, serum calcium, serum phosphate, serum PTH, gene expression in parathyroid glands, as well as urinary calcium and phosphate excretion. Furthermore, ablation of vitamin D signaling in double mutants completely normalized glucose and insulin tolerance, indicating that Klotho has no vitamin D independent effects on insulin signaling. Histomorphometry of pancreas islets showed similar beta cell volume per body weight in all groups of animals. In conclusion, our findings cast doubt on a physiologically relevant vitamin D and Fgf23 independent function of Klotho in the regulation of glucose metabolism, bone turnover, and steady-state PTH secretion in vivo
Priorities and interactions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with focus on wetlands
Wetlands are often vital physical and social components of a country's natural capital, as well as providers of ecosystem services to local and national communities. We performed a network analysis to prioritize Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for sustainable development in iconic wetlands and wetlandscapes around the world. The analysis was based on the information and perceptions on 45 wetlandscapes worldwide by 49 wetland researchers of the GlobalWetland Ecohydrological Network (GWEN). We identified three 2030 Agenda targets of high priority across the wetlandscapes needed to achieve sustainable development: Target 6.3-'Improve water quality'; 2.4-'Sustainable food production'; and 12.2-'Sustainable management of resources'. Moreover, we found specific feedback mechanisms and synergies between SDG targets in the context of wetlands. The most consistent reinforcing interactions were the influence of Target 12.2 on 8.4-'Efficient resource consumption'; and that of Target 6.3 on 12.2. The wetlandscapes could be differentiated in four bundles of distinctive priority SDG-targets: 'Basic human needs', 'Sustainable tourism', 'Environmental impact in urban wetlands', and 'Improving and conserving environment'. In general, we find that the SDG groups, targets, and interactions stress that maintaining good water quality and a 'wise use' of wetlandscapes are vital to attaining sustainable development within these sensitive ecosystems. © 2019 by the authors
Protein Kinase C Delta (PKCÎŽ) Affects Proliferation of Insulin-Secreting Cells by Promoting Nuclear Extrusion of the Cell Cycle Inhibitor p21Cip1/WAF1
BACKGROUND:High fat diet-induced hyperglycemia and palmitate-stimulated apoptosis was prevented by specific inhibition of protein kinase C delta (PKCÎŽ) in ÎČ-cells. To understand the role of PKCÎŽ in more detail the impact of changes in PKCÎŽ activity on proliferation and survival of insulin-secreting cells was analyzed under stress-free conditions. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, the effect of reduced and increased PKCÎŽ activity on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation of insulin secreting cells was examined. Proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Increased expression of wild type PKCÎŽ (PKCÎŽWT) significantly stimulated proliferation of INS-1E cells with concomitant reduced expression and cytosolic retraction of the cell cycle inhibitor p21(Cip1/WAF1). This nuclear extrusion was mediated by PKCÎŽ-dependent phosphorylation of p21(Cip1/WAF1) at Ser146. In kinase dead PKCÎŽ (PKCÎŽKN) overexpressing cells and after inhibition of endogenous PKCÎŽ activity by rottlerin or RNA interference phosphorylation of p21(Cip1/WAF1) was reduced, which favored its nuclear accumulation and apoptotic cell death of INS-1E cells. Human and mouse islet cells express p21(Cip1/WAF1) with strong nuclear accumulation, while in islet cells of PKCÎŽWT transgenic mice the inhibitor resides cytosolic. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE:These observations disclose PKCÎŽ as negative regulator of p21(Cip1/WAF1), which facilitates proliferation of insulin secreting cells under stress-free conditions and suggest that additional stress-induced changes push PKCÎŽ into its known pro-apoptotic role
Activation of the Innate Immune Response against DENV in Normal Non-Transformed Human Fibroblasts
In this work, we demonstrate that that both human whole skin and freshly isolated skin fibroblasts are productively infected with Dengue virus (DENV). In addition, primary skin fibroblast cultures were established and subsequently infected with DENV-2; we showed in these cells the presence of the viral antigen NS3, and we found productive viral infection by a conventional plaque assay. Of note, the infectivity rate was almost the same in all the primary cultures analyzed from different donors. The skin fibroblasts infected with DENV-2 underwent signaling through both TLR3 and RIG-1, but not Mda5, triggering up-regulation of IFNÎČ, TNFα, defensin 5 (HB5) and ÎČ defensin 2 (HÎČD2). In addition, DENV infected fibroblasts showed increased nuclear translocation of interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), but not interferon regulatory factor 7 IRF7, when compared with mock-infected fibroblasts. Our data suggest that fibroblasts might even participate producing mediators involved in innate immunity that activate and contribute to the orchestration of the local innate responses. This work is the first evaluating primary skin fibroblast cultures obtained from different humans, assessing both their susceptibility to DENV infection as well as their ability to produce molecules crucial for innate immunity
A pair of TESS planets spanning the radius valley around the nearby mid-M dwarf LTT 3780
We present the confirmation of two new planets transiting the nearby mid-M
dwarf LTT 3780 (TIC 36724087, TOI-732, , , =0.374
R, =0.401 M, d=22 pc). The two planet candidates are
identified in a single TESS sector and are validated with reconnaissance
spectroscopy, ground-based photometric follow-up, and high-resolution imaging.
With measured orbital periods of days, days and sizes
R, R, the
two planets span the radius valley in period-radius space around low mass stars
thus making the system a laboratory to test competing theories of the emergence
of the radius valley in that stellar mass regime. By combining 63 precise
radial-velocity measurements from HARPS and HARPS-N, we measure planet masses
of M and
M, which indicates that LTT 3780b has a bulk composition consistent
with being Earth-like, while LTT 3780c likely hosts an extended H/He envelope.
We show that the recovered planetary masses are consistent with predictions
from both photoevaporation and from core-powered mass loss models. The
brightness and small size of LTT 3780, along with the measured planetary
parameters, render LTT 3780b and c as accessible targets for atmospheric
characterization of planets within the same planetary system and spanning the
radius valley.Comment: Accepted to AJ. 8 figures, 6 tables. CSV file of the RV measurements
(i.e. Table 2) are included in the source cod
Searching for eV-scale sterile neutrinos with eight years of atmospheric neutrinos at the IceCube neutrino telescope
We report in detail on searches for eV-scale sterile neutrinos, in the
context of a 3+1 model, using eight years of data from the IceCube neutrino
telescope. By analyzing the reconstructed energies and zenith angles of 305,735
atmospheric and events we construct confidence
intervals in two analysis spaces: vs.
under the conservative assumption ; and
vs. given sufficiently large that
fast oscillation features are unresolvable. Detailed discussions of the event
selection, systematic uncertainties, and fitting procedures are presented. No
strong evidence for sterile neutrinos is found, and the best-fit likelihood is
consistent with the no sterile neutrino hypothesis with a p-value of 8\% in the
first analysis space and 19\% in the second.Comment: This long-form paper is a companion to the letter "An eV-scale
sterile neutrino search using eight years of atmospheric muon neutrino data
from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory". v2: update other experiments contours
on results plo
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