IL-27 increases energy storage in white adipocytes by enhancing glucose uptake and fatty acid esterification

The cytokine interleukin (IL)-27 has been reported to induce thermogenesis in white adipocytes. However, it remains unknown whether IL-27-mediated adipocyte energy dissipation is paralleled by an elevated energy supply from lipids and/or carbohydrates. We hypothesized that IL-27 increases lipolysis and glucose uptake in white adipocytes, thereby providing substrates for thermogenesis. Unexpectedly, we found that treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with IL-27 reduced intra- and extracellular free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations and that phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was not affected by IL-27. These results were confirmed in subcutaneous white adipocytes. Further, application of IL-27 to 3T3-L1 adipocytes increased intracellular triglyceride (TG) content but not mitochondrial ATP production nor expression of enzymes involved in beta-oxidation indicating that elevated esterification rather than oxidation causes FFA disappearance. In addition, IL-27 significantly increased GLUT1 protein levels, basal glucose uptake as well as glycolytic ATP production, suggesting that increased glycolytic flux due to IL-27 provides the glycerol backbone for TG synthesis. In conclusion, our findings suggest IL-27 increases glucose uptake and TG deposition in white adipocytes

A Wireless LC Sensor Coated with Ba0.9Bi0.066TiO3 for Measuring Temperature

This paper presents a passive LC wireless sensor for measuring temperature. The sensor is designed as a parallel connection of a spiral inductor and an interdigitated capacitor and it was fabricated in a conductive layer using LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) technology. The inderdigitated capacitor electrodes were coated with a thin film of bismuth doped barium titanate (Ba0.9Bi0.066TiO3), whose permittivity changes with temperature, which directly induces changes in the capacitance of the interdigitated capacitor and consequently changes the resonant frequency of the sensor. The measurements of S-parameter of the sensor were performed using a Vector Network Analyzer (E5071B, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA), whose port was connected to the antenna coil that was placed around the sensor in order to be able to wirelessly detect temperature, in the temperature range from 25 degrees C to 165 degrees C

The antitumor immune response in HER-2 positive, metastatic breast cancer patients

The aim of this study was to determine the basis for anti-tumor immune reactivity observed in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) (3+) breast carcinoma using an in vitro model in which the role of the HER-2-specific monoclonal antibody Herceptin was also investigated. Patients with metastatic breast cancer who had their primary tumor resected were included in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-dependent cytotoxicity in the presence or absence of Herceptin were assessed using the survival of target breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-361 cells as a parameter in a (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. We observed a significant increase in PBMC-dependent cytotoxicity when autologous serum was introduced in the assay. Furthermore, the addition of Herceptin significantly increases their cytotoxicity. These data suggest that autologous serum constitutively contains factors that might affect PBMC-dependent cytotoxic activity against HER-2 positive cancer cells

SiC/GaN power semiconductor devices: a theoretical comparison and experimental evaluation under different switching conditions

The conduction and switching losses of SiC and GaN power transistors are compared in this paper. Voltage rating of commercial GaN power transistors is less than 650V while that of SiC power transistors is less than 1200V. The paper begins with a theoretical analysis that examines how the characteristics of a 1200V SiC-MOSFET change if device design is re-optimised for 600V blocking voltage. Afterwards, a range of commercial devices (1200V SiC-JFET, 1200V SiC-MOSFET, 650V SiC-MOSFET and 650V GaN-HEMT) with the same current rating are characterised experimentally and their conduction losses, inter-electrode capacitances and switching energy Esw are compared, where it is shown that GaN-HEMT has smaller ON-state resistance, inter-electrode capacitance values and Esw than SiC devices. Finally, in order to reduce device Esw, a zero voltage switching circuit is used to evaluate all the devices, where device only produces turn-OFF switching losses and it is shown that GaN-HEMT has less switching losses than SiC device in this soft switching mode. It is also shown in the paper that 1200V SiC-MOSFET has smaller conduction and switching losses than 650V SiC-MOSFET

Анализ эффективности применения технологии кластерного гидравлического разрыва пласта в низкопроницаемых коллекторах нефтяных месторождений

Объектом исследования является технология кластерного ГРП. Цель исследования – анализ эффективности применения технологии кластерного ГРП в низкопроницаемых коллекторах нефтяных месторождений. В процессе исследования был подробно рассмотрен механизм проведения кластерного ГРП. Проведен анализ геологических условий применения данной технологии. Изучен процесс подбора рабочих агентов кластерного ГРП. Выполнен анализ технологического процесса кластерного ГРП на нефтяных месторождениях. В результате исследования выявлен положительный эффект кластерного ГРП и разработаны рекомендации по развитию данной технологииThe object of the study is the technology of cluster hydraulic fracturing. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of the application of cluster hydraulic fracturing technology in low-permeable reservoirs of oil fields. In the course of the study, the mechanism of cluster hydraulic fracturing was considered in detail. The analysis of geological conditions of application of this technology is carried out. The process of selecting working agents for cluster hydraulic fracturing is studied. The analysis of the technological process of cluster hydraulic fracturing in oil fields is carried out. The study revealed the positive effect of cluster hydraulic fracturing and developed recommendations for the development of this technolog

INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN MIXED-HANDEDNESS, DIGIT RATIOS AND HAND AND FOOT MINOR ANOMALIES IN PREDICTING SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: According to the neurodevelopmental theory, brain structuring early markers could be seen in different body parts as minor physical anomalies. Alongside minor physical anomalies, handedness and index to ring finger ratio are brain development indicators, specifically brain lateralization. Studies are consentient about the association of these findings with schizophrenia, though there is inconsistency about individual anatomical regions\u27 contribution. We proposed that handedness in combination with morphological indicators of early brain development could be sensitive and specific in predicting schizophrenia status. Subjects and methods: Within the list for the assessment of schizophrenia patients and normal controls of the Caucasian race were seven categorical minor physical anomalies of hand and feet, handedness, and index to ring finger ratio. In this cross-sectional study the examinees were recruited from January 2012 to December 2015. Results: Forced-entry binary logistic regression model correctly classified 86.5% of patients and 99.2% of the comparison subjects with a 92.8% overall accuracy. Mixed-handedness, hyperconvex fingernails, big gap between 1st and 2nd toe, and partial syndactyly of 2nd and 3rd toe made a significant independent contribution to the patient-control prediction group status. Furthermore, these items showed a significant correlation with the predictors of the head from the previous study. Conclusion: Briefly, the limb components, assessed independently of other body regions, proved to be worthy as schizophrenia predictors

Implikacije oplemenjivanja biljaka u proizvodnji hrane

Food production is based on scientific developments and their application depending on environmental factors and economic development. An important role in crop production of food varieties and hybrids have been created in the breeding of crops such care by applying optimal growing in specific environmental conditions. Created by breeding new varieties and hybrids that are higher yield several times since the old selection and natural populations which plays a major role in food security. The need for food security imposed new approaches in breeding based on the manipulation of gene recombinant DNA. By using biotechnological methods, genetically modified plants, the incorporation of desirable genes from evolutionarily distant species. The occurrence of adverse effects of GM foods, a high degree of pollution of the biosphere and significant climate changes imposed by the need to produce safe food. Thus, the developing trend of organic production, characterized by low yields and control of product safety. Conventional breeding, its development and achievements impose new approaches in creating, producing varieties and their (organic farming and genetically modified food). GM varieties have higher yields several times of the varieties that are created in conventional breeding, greater resistance to stress and better qualityProizvodnja hrane se bazira na naučnim dostignućima i njihovoj primeni u zavisnosti od ekoloških faktora i ekonomske razvijenosti. Značajnu ulogu u biljnoj proizvodnji hrane imaju sorte i hibridi stvoreni oplemenjivanjem i nega useva sa optimalnom tehnologijom gajenja u konkretnim ekološkim uslovima. Oplemenjivanjem su stvorene nove sorte i hibridi koji su nekoliko puta prinosniji od starih selekcija i prirodnih populacija što ima veliku ulogu u obezbedjivanju hrane. Potreba za obezbeđenjem hrane nametnula je nove pristupe u oplemenjivanju na bazi manipulacije genа rekombinantne DNK. Korišćenjem biotehnoloških metoda stvorene su genetički modifikovane biljke, koje su nastale inkorporacijom poželjnog gena iz evolutivno udaljene vrste. Pojava neželjenih efekata od GM hrane, visok stepen zagadjenosti biosfere i znatne klimatske promene, nametnule su potrebu proizvodnje bezbedne hrane. Tako se razvija trend organske proizvodnje, koju karakteriše nizak prinos i kontrola bezbednnosti proizvoda. Konvencionalno oplemenjivanje, je svojim razvojem i dostignućima nametnulo nove pristupe u stvaranju sorti i njihovoj proizvodji (organska proizvodnja i genetički modifikovana hrana). GM sorte imaju veći prinos nekoliko puta od sorti koje su stvorene u konvencionalnom oplemenjivanju, veću otpornost na stresne uslove i bolji kvalitet