The n-acetyl phenylalanine glucosamine derivative attenuates the inflammatory/catabolic environment in a chondrocyte-synoviocyte co-culture system

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent degenerative joint disease, still lacks a true disease-modifying therapy. The involvement of the NF-κB pathway and its upstream activating kinases in OA pathogenesis has been recognized for many years. The ability of the N-acetyl phenylalanine glucosamine derivative (NAPA) to increase anabolism and reduce catabolism via inhibition of IKKα kinase has been previously observed in vitro and in vivo. The present study aims to confirm the chondroprotective effects of NAPA in an in vitro model of joint OA established with primary cells, respecting both the crosstalk between chondrocytes and synoviocytes and their phenotypes. This model satisfactorily reproduces some features of the previously investigated DMM model, such as the prominent induction of ADAMTS-5 upon inflammatory stimulation. Both gene and protein expression analysis indicated the ability of NAPA to counteract key cartilage catabolic enzymes (ADAMTS-5) and effectors (MCP-1). Molecular analysis showed the ability of NAPA to reduce IKKα nuclear translocation and H3Ser10 phosphorylation, thus inhibiting IKKα transactivation of NF-κB signalling, a pivotal step in the NF-κB-dependent gene expression of some of its targets. In conclusion, our data confirm that NAPA could truly act as a disease-modifying drug in OA

The antiquity of hydrocephalus: the first full palaeo-neuropathological description

The Pathology Museum of the University of Florence houses a rich collection of anatomical specimens and over a hundred waxworks portraying pathological conditions occurring in the nineteenth century, when the museum was established. Clinical and autopsy findings of these cases can still be retrieved from the original museum catalogue, offering a rare opportunity for retrospective palaeo-pathological diagnostics. We present a historical case of severe hydrocephalus backed by modern-day anthropological, radiological and molecular analyses conducted on the skeleton of an 18-month-old male infant deceased in 1831. Luigi Calamai (1796-1851), a wax craftsman of La Specola workshop in Florence, was commissioned to create a life-sized wax model of the child's head, neck and upper thorax. This artwork allows us to appreciate the cranial and facial alterations determined by 30 lb of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulated within the cerebral ventricular system. Based on the autopsy report, gross malformations of the neural tube, tumours and haemorrhage could be excluded. A molecular approach proved helpful in confirming sex. We present this case as the so-far most compelling case of hydrocephalus in palaeo-pathological research

Peran Locus Of Control pada Hubungan Job Insecurity, Komitmen dan Kepuasan Kerja

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between job insecurity and its outcomes (job satisfaction and commitment), also to examine the moderator role of locus of control in this relationship. Data were collected from 143 employees across different industries, and also different job levels. A series of regressions are employed to test the hypotheses. The results showed that job insecurity was directly and negatively related to job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The research findings also showed that locus of control moderated relations between job insecurity and two studied outcomes (job satisfaction and commitment). This study offers implications for managerial practices. This result suggest for manager how to overcome the impact of job insecurity on commitment and job satisfaction through locus of control. Keywords: job insecurity, locus of control, job satisfaction, commitmen

Discussion of a didactic proposal on quantum mechanics with secondary school students

Within some research projects a proposal for the teaching of quantum mechanics in secondary school has been carried out, and some didactic material has been prepared in order to illustrate it, offering resources for its class experimentation (www.fisica.uniud.it/URDF/). In order to study in depth the critical points, which cause learning difficulties for the students in this field, a pilot activity was carried out for a restricted group of students with which the crucial points were discussed. Some interesting elements emerged, such as for example the fact that the major problems in understanding the concept of quantum state are linked to the meaning of incompatible observables

The ideal gas as an urn model: derivation of the entropy formula

The approach of an ideal gas to equilibrium is simulated through a generalization of the Ehrenfest ball-and-box model. In the present model, the interior of each box is discretized, {\it i.e.}, balls/particles live in cells whose occupation can be either multiple or single. Moreover, particles occasionally undergo random, but elastic, collisions between each other and against the container walls. I show, both analitically and numerically, that the number and energy of particles in a given box eventually evolve to an equilibrium distribution $W$ which, depending on cell occupations, is binomial or hypergeometric in the particle number and beta-like in the energy. Furthermore, the long-run probability density of particle velocities is Maxwellian, whereas the Boltzmann entropy $\ln W$ exactly reproduces the ideal-gas entropy. Besides its own interest, this exercise is also relevant for pedagogical purposes since it provides, although in a simple case, an explicit probabilistic foundation for the ergodic hypothesis and for the maximum-entropy principle of thermodynamics. For this reason, its discussion can profitably be included in a graduate course on statistical mechanics.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure

Penentuan Status Resistensi Aedes Aegypti dari Daerah Endemis Dbd di Kota Depok terhadap Malathion

PENENTUAN STATUS RESISTENSI Aedes aegypti DARI DAERAH ENDEMIS DBD DI KOTA DEPOK TERHADAP MALATHIO

Hubungan Hygiene Perorangan dan Pemakaian Alat Pelindung Diri (APD) dengan Keluhan Gangguan Kulit dan Kecacingan pada Petugas Pengangkut Sampah Kota Pematangsiantar Tahun 2012

Waste is something material or solid objects that are no longer used by humans and discarded. Worse system of waste management can be a negative impact on health. In addition to infecting the skin, the disease can be congenital garbage worm infections. One of the people at risk for skin disorders and intestinal worms are officers garbage. It is necessary to know the relationship between personal hygiene and using of personal protective equipment (PPE) with complaints of skin disorders and worm on Pematangsiantar waste transporter officer. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of personal hygiene and using of personal protective equipment (PPE) with complaints of skin disorders and worm on Pematangsiantar waste transporter officer in 2012. This research is analytic survey research to a sample of 45 respondents were selected by simple random sampling method. The method used was interviews using questionnaires and took examinations on faecal worm respondent. The results showed that all respondents have good personal hygiene in the category so that data analysis can not be done. Fisher's exact test results, there was no significant relationship between the use of personal protective equipment with complaints of skin disorders (p = 0.321) and worms (p = 0.613). The Sanitation Department is expected in order to further improve sanitation and provide personal protective equipment for transporter officer. Also expected to cooperate with the Health Department in an effort to educate officers about personal hygiene and the using of personal protective equipment at work so they do not pay attention to personal hygiene and disease associated with waste