Expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A prevents spontaneous and random motility.

Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is a cell-surface glycoprotein that localizes to intercellular junctions and associates with intracellular proteins via PSD95-Dlg-ZO1-binding residues. To define the functional consequences of JAM-A expression, we have produced endothelial cells from JAM-A-deficient mice. We report here that the absence of JAM-A enhanced spontaneous and random motility. In turn, the enhanced motility of JAM-A-negative cells was abrogated either on transfection of exogenous JAM-A or on treatment with inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). In addition, in JAM-A-positive cells, motility was enhanced on inactivation of protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ), which is an inhibitor of GSK-3β. Although these findings suggested that JAM-A might inhibit GSK-3β, we found that expression per se of JAM-A did not change the levels of inactive GSK-3β. Thus, JAM-A expression may regulate effectors of motility that are also downstream of the PKCζ/GSK-3β axis. In support of this view, we found that JAM-A absence increased the number of actin-containing protrusions, reduced the stability of microtubules and impaired the formation of focal adhesions. Notably, all the functional consequences of JAM-A absence were reversed either on treatment with GSK-3β inhibitors or on transfection of full-length JAM-A, but not on transfection of a JAM-A deletion mutant devoid of the PSD95-Dlg-ZO1-binding residues. Thus, by regulating cytoskeletal and adhesive structures, JAM-A expression prevents cell motility, probably in a PSD95-Dlg-ZO1-dependent manner

Coconut Shells As Filling Material For Anaerobic Filters

In rural areas of developing countries, there is a lack of sanitation services and the installation of such infrastructure is hampered by the high investment costs for initial implementation and by the limited availability of qualified personnel. An alternative to traditional sanitation services include an anaerobic filter, but the high cost of appropriate filling material can be an obstacle to its wide-spread implementation. To decrease this construction cost, the objective of this work was to study the use of coconut shells as filling material for anaerobic filters. Anaerobic filters were built and filled with the studied material and operated with up flow and hydraulic retention time of 9 hours. The reactors provided a removal of 79 ± 16% in BOD terms, indicating that the coconut shell filling had efficiency consistent with the literature data. In addition, the husks were found to retain their tensile strength following use in the reactors. Coconut husks have more empty bed volume than other low cost materials, such as crushed stone, nearing properties of traditional materials. The results of this study indicate that coconut husks may prove to be a low cost alternative to traditional fillers for anaerobic treatment in rural communities. © 2013 Cruz et al.; licensee Springer.2116Alexiou, G.E., Mara, D.D., Anaerobic waste stabilization ponds (2003) Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 109, pp. 241-252Baek, S.H., Pagilla, K.R., Kim, H., Lab-scale study of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for dilute municipal wastewater treatment (2010) Biotechnol Bioprocess Eng, 15, pp. 704-708Barros, A.R., Adorno, M.A.T., Sakamoto, I.K., Maintinguer, S.I., Varesche, M.B.A., Silva, E.S., Performance evaluation and phylogenetic characterization of anaerobic fluidized bed reactors using ground tire and pet as support materials for biohydrogen production (2011) Bioresour Technol, 102, pp. 3840-3847Camargo, S.A.R., Nour, E.A.A., Bamboo as an anaerobic medium: Effect of filter column height (2001) Water Sci Technol, 44, pp. 63-70Chernicharo, C.A.L., Post-treatment options for the anaerobic treatment of domestic wastewater (2006) Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol, 5, pp. 73-92Chernicharo, C., (2007) Reatores Anaeróbios, p. 379. , 1st edn. UFMG, Belo Horizonte(2008) Deliberação Normativa no 1, , COPAM-Conselho Estadual De Política Ambiental, Diário do Executivo de Minas Gerais, Minas GeraisCruz, L.M.O., Tonetti, A.L., Coraucci Filho, B., Tonon, D., Stefanutti, R., Remoção da matéria orgânica de efluente doméstico por reator anaeróbio preenchido com coco verde (2010) Revista DAE, 184, pp. 11-16(2011) Evolução da produção de coco no Brasil e o comércio internacional, , EMBRAPA Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiro, AracajuForesti, E., Anaerobic treatment of domestic sewage: Established technologies and perspectives (2002) Water Sci Technol, 45 (10), pp. 181-186Frankin, R.J., Full-scale experiences with anaerobic treatment of industrial wastewater (2001) Water Sci Technol, 44, pp. 1-6Hedberg, T., Attitudes to traditional and alternative sustainable sanitary systems (1999) Water Sci Technol, 39, pp. 9-16Henley, E.J., Seader, J.D., (2005) Separation Process Principles, p. 700. , 2nd edn. John Wiley&Sons, Inc, New York (USA)(2010) Pesquisa Nacional de Saneamento Básico, , IBGE-Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, Ministério do Planejamento e Orçamento, Rio de JaneiroKang, H., Moon, S., Shin, K., Park, S., Pretreatment of swine wastewater using anaerobic filter (2003) Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 109, pp. 117-126Massoud, M.A., Tarhini, B.A., Nasr, J.A., Decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment and management: Applicability in developing countries (2009) J Environ Manag, 90, pp. 652-659Mergaert, K., Vanderhaegen, B., Verstraete, W., Applicability and trends of anaerobic pre-treatment of municipal wastewater (1992) Water Res, 26 (8), pp. 1025-1033Metcalf, L., Eddy, H.P., (2003) Wastewater Engineering: Treatment, Disposal, and Reuse, p. 1848. , 4th edn. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc, New York (USA)(2006) Agregados-Determinação da massa unitária e do volume de vazios, , NBR NM45, ABNT, São PauloOhmiya, K., Sakka, K., Kimura, T., Anaerobic bacterial degradation for the effective utilization of biomass (2005) Biotechnol Bioprocess Eng, 10, pp. 482-493Paraskevas, P.A., Giokas, D.L., Lekkas, T.D., Wastewater management in coastal urban areas: The case of Greece (2002) Water Sci Technol, 46, pp. 177-186Pinto, J.D.S., (1995) Tratamento de esgotos sanitários em filtros anaeróbios utilizando escória de alto forno como meio suporte, , Dissertation in Sanitary Engineering. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, BrazilRosa, A.P., Lobato, L.C.S., Chernicharo, C.A.L., Martins, D.C.R.B., Maciel, F.M., Borges, J.M., Improving performance and operational control of UASB reactors via proper sludge and scum discharge routines (2012) Water Pract Tech, 7 (3), pp. 1-11Show, K.Y., Tay, J.H., Influence of support media on biomass growth and retention in anaerobic filters (1999) Water Res, 33 (6), pp. 1471-1481(2012) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, , 22nd edn American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation, Washington DC, USATonetti, A.L., Coraucci Filho, B., Guimarães, J.R., Cruz, M.O.C., Nakamura, M.S., Avaliação da partida e operação de filtros anaeróbios tendo bambu como material de recheio (2011) Revista Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, 16 (1), pp. 11-16Tonetti, A.L., Coraucci Filho, B., Nicolau, C.E., Barbosa, M., Tonon, D., Tratamento de esgoto e produção de água de reúso com o emprego de filtros de areia (2012) Revista Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, 17 (1), pp. 287-294Van Haandel, A., Kato, M.T., Cavalcanti, P.F.F., Florencio, L., Anaerobic reactor design concepts for thetreatment of domestic wastewater (2006) Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol, 5, pp. 21-38Wilderer, P.A., Schreff, D., Decentralized and centralized wastewater management: A challenge for technology developers (2000) Water Sci Technol, 41 (1), pp. 1-8Yang, Y., Tada, C., Miah, M.S., Tsukahara, K., Yagishita, T., Sawayama, S., Influence of bed materials on methanogenic characteristics and immobilized microbes in anaerobic digester (2004) Mater Sci Eng, 24, pp. 413-41

Identification of an L-Rhamnose Synthetic Pathway in Two Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses

Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are characterized by large genomes that often encode proteins not commonly found in viruses. Two species in this group are Acanthocystis turfacea chlorella virus 1 (ATCV-1) (family Phycodnaviridae, genus Chlorovirus) and Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (family Mimiviridae), commonly known as mimivirus. ATCV-1 and other chlorovirus members encode enzymes involved in the synthesis and glycosylation of their structural proteins. In this study, we identified and characterized three enzymes responsible for the synthesis of the sugar L-rhamnose: two UDP-D-glucose 4,6-dehydratases (UGDs) encoded by ATCV-1 and mimivirus and a bifunctional UDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose epimerase/reductase (UGER) from mimivirus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that ATCV-1 probably acquired its UGD gene via a recent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from a green algal host, while an earlier HGT event involving the complete pathway (UGD and UGER) probably occurred between a protozoan ancestor and mimivirus. While ATCV-1 lacks an epimerase/reductase gene, its Chlorella host may encode this enzyme. Both UGDs and UGER are expressed as late genes, which is consistent with their role in posttranslational modification of capsid proteins. The data in this study provide additional support for the hypothesis that chloroviruses, and maybe mimivirus, encode most, if not all, of the glycosylation machinery involved in the synthesis of specific glycan structures essential for virus replication and infection

Immediate versus delayed implant placement after anterior single tooth extraction: the timing randomized controlled clinical trial

published_or_final_versio

Immediate vs. Delayed Implant Placement after Anterior Single Tooth Extraction: The Timing Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial.

to compare need for bone augmentation, surgical complications, periodontal, radiographic, aesthetic and patient reported outcomes in subjects receiving implant placement at the time of extraction (IMI) or 12 weeks thereafter. METHODS: Subjects requiring single tooth extraction in the anterior and premolar areas were recruited in 7 private practices. Implant position and choice of platform were restoratively driven. Measurements were performed by calibrated and masked examiners. RESULTS: IMI was unfeasible in 7.5% of cases. 124 subjects were randomized. One implant was lost in the IMI group. IMI required bone augmentation in 72% of cases compared with 43.9% for delayed (P=0.01), while wound failure occurred in 26.1% and 5.3% of cases, respectively (P=0.02). At 1 year, IMI had deeper probing depths (4.1±1.2 mm vs. 3.3±1.1 mm, P<0.01). A trend for greater radiographic bone loss was observed at IMI over the initial 3-year period (Ptrend<0.01). Inadequate pink aesthetic scores were obtained in 19% of delayed and in 42% of IMI implant cases (P=0.03). No differences in patient reported outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate implant placement should not be recommended when aesthetics are important, IMI should be limited to selected cases. Longer follow-up is needed to assess differences in complication rates. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

EO-Alert: A Satellite Architecture for Detection and Monitoring of Extreme Events in Real Time

This paper presents the architecture and results achieved by the EO-ALERT H2020 project. EO-ALERT proposes the definition and development of the next-generation Earth Observation (EO) data processing chain, based on a novel flight segment architecture that moves optimised key EO data processing elements from the ground segment to onboard the satellite, with the aim of delivering the EO products to the end user with very low latency (in almost real-time). This paper presents the EO-ALERT architecture, its performance and hardware. Performances are presented for two reference user scenarios; ship detection and extreme weather nowcasting/monitoring. The hardware testing results show that, when implemented using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components and available communication links, the proposed architecture can deliver EO products and alerts to the end user with a latency lower than one-point-five minutes, for both SAR and Optical Very High Resolution (VHR) missions, demonstrating the viability of the EO-ALERT concept and architecture

Periodontal Disease and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and its Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVE—Type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease are known to be associated, but the temporality of this relationship has not been firmly established. We investigated whether baseline periodontal disease independently predicts incident diabetes over two decades of follow-up

Antinociceptivna i protuupalna svojstva vodeno-etanolnog ekstrakta pokožice grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca izolirane iz otpada vinske industrije

Research background. Extracts from grape pomace, including the wine, show many biological effects such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Unfortunately, winemakers discard the bagasse, so the waste is not exploited, although it contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The work aims to analyze the hydroethanolic extract of peels from Vitis labrusca agro-industrial waste and to evaluate its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is relevant for reusing a residue and adding value to the grape economic chain. Experimental approach. A representative sample of pomace was obtained and the peels were used to produce the extract. The phenolic compounds were determined by mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode and Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, using gallic acid as standard. The biological analyses were carried out using mice orally treated with crude extract at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. We evaluated mechanical hyperalgesia by the von Frey method, thermal heat hyperalgesia using a hot plate at 55 °C, paw edema using a pachymeter, and neutrophil recruitment by measurement of myeloperoxidase activity. The nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were evaluated by biochemical analyses using blood samples that were collected after the Vitis labrusca administration. Results and conclusions. In all wet winemaking residues peel mass fraction was 75%, and in dry residues 59%. We identified nine anthocyanins (3-O-glucosides: peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin; 3-p-coumaroyl-glucosides: cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin and malvidin, and malvidin-3,5-diglucoside), five flavonoids (apigenin-7-glucoside, luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, isorhamnetin-3-glucoside and myricetin-3-rutinoside), and mass fraction of phenolic compounds, expressed as gallic acid equivalents, was 26.62 mg/g. In vivo assays showed that Vitis labrusca extract at mass fractions 100 and 300 mg/kg reduced carrageenan-induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, 50% of the paw edema, and neutrophil recruitment. In addition, there were no indications of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Our extract obtained from winemaking residue has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, related at least in part to the presence of phenolic compounds, and it is not toxic to renal and hepatic tissues. Novelty and scientific contribution. This bio-product can be used as an alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory agents with the same pharmacological potential and fewer side effects. We demonstrated that Vitis labrusca winemaking waste can be used for the production of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory products (nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics) without toxicity, contributing to the environmental economy.Pozadina istraživanja. Ekstrakt komine grožđa, kao i vino, ima mnoga biološka svojstva, poput antioksidacijskog i protuupalnog učinka. Nažalost, proizvođači vina odbacuju neiskorišteni trop iako sadržava bioaktivne spojeve s antioksidacijskim i protuupalnim svojstvima. Svrha je ovoga rada bila ispitati antinociceptivna i protuupalna svojstva vodeno-etanolnog ekstrakta pokožice grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca iz agroindustrijskog otpada. Značaj je ovoga istraživanja u tome što se korištenjem otpada daje dodatna ekonomska vrijednost grožđu u uzgojnom lancu. Eksperimentalni pristup. Ekstrakt je dobiven iz pokožica izdvojenih iz reprezentativnog uzorka komine. Udjel fenolnih spojeva određen je praćenjem višestrukih reakcija pomoću masene spektrometrije i metodom Folin-Ciocalteu, uz galnu kiselinu kao standard. Biološka aktivnost ekstrakata ispitana je na miševima koji su hranjeni sirovim ekstraktom u dozama od 30, 100 i 300 mg/kg. Ispitani su sljedeći parametri: mehanička hiperalgezija pomoću von Frey filamenata, toplinska hiperalgezija na vrućoj ploči pri 55 °C, edem šape pomoću pomičnog mjerila i aktivnost mijeloperoksidaze kao pokazatelj aktivacije neutrofila. Nefrotoksičnost i hepatotoksičnost su ispitane biokemijskim pretragama uzoraka krvi miševa hranjenih ekstraktom grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca. Rezultati i zaključci. Maseni udjel pokožica u svim uzorcima otpada vinske industrije iznosio je 75 % mokre tvari i 59 % suhe tvari. Identificirali smo devet različitih antocijanina (3-O-glukozide peonidin, delfinidin, petunidin i malvidin; 3-p-kumaroil-glukozide cijanidin, peonidin, pe¬tunidin i malvidin, te malvidin-3,5-diglukozid), pet flavonoida (apigenin-7-glukozid, luteolin-7-glukozid, kvercetin-3-galaktozid, izorhamnetin-3-glukozid i miri¬cetin-3-rutinozid), a maseni udjel fenolnih spojeva, izražen kao ekvivalent galne kiseline, bio je 26,62 mg/g. Ispitivanja in vivo pokazala su da su ektrakti grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca masenog udjela 100 i 300 mg/kg smanjili mehaničku i toplinsku hiperalgeziju kod miševa nakon injekcije karagenana, reducirali edem šape za 50 % i smanjili broj neutrofila. Osim toga, nije bilo pokazatelja nefrotoksičnosti i hepatotoksičnosti. Ekstrakt dobiven iz otpada vinske industrije ima analgetska i protuupalna svojstva, djelomično zbog toga što sadržava fenolne spojeve, a nije toksičan za tkiva bubrega i jetre. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Dobiveni se bioproizvod može upotrijebiti kao alternativa sintetičkim protuupalnim agensima, s istim farmakološkim potencijalom a manje nuspojava. Pokazali smo da se vinski otpad grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca može upotrijebiti za proizvodnju antinociceptivnih i protuupalnih proizvoda (nutraceutičkih, farmaceutskih i kozmetičkih) koji nemaju toksični učinak, te na taj način pridonijeti zaštiti okoliša

Core outcomes in periodontal trials:study protocol for core outcome set development

Abstract Background There are a large number of clinical outcome measures used to assess the effectiveness of prevention and management strategies of periodontal diseases. This heterogeneity causes difficulties when trying to synthesise data for systematic reviews or clinical guidelines, reducing their impact. Core outcome sets are an agreed, standardised list of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all trials in specific clinical areas. We aim to develop a core outcome set for effectiveness trials investigating the prevention and management of periodontal disease in primary or secondary care. Methods To identify existing outcomes we screened the Cochrane systematic reviews and their included studies on the prevention and management of periodontal diseases. The core outcome set will be defined by consensus of key stakeholders using an online e-Delphi process and face-to-face meeting. Key stakeholders involved in the development will include: patients, dentists, hygienists/therapists, specialists, clinical researchers and policy-makers. Stakeholders will be asked to prioritise outcomes and feedback will be provided in the next round(s). Stakeholders will have an opportunity to add outcomes found in the Cochrane review screening process at the end of the first round. If consensus is not reached after the second round we will provide feedback prior to a third round. Remaining outcomes will be discussed at a face-to-face meeting and agreement will be measured via defined consensus rules of outcome inclusion. Discussion The inclusive consensus process should provide a core outcome set that is relevant to all key stakeholders. We will actively disseminate our findings to help improve clinical trials, systematic reviews and clinical guidelines with the ultimate aim of improving the prevention and management of periodontal diseases. Trial registration COMET ( http://www.comet-initiative.org/studies/details/265?result=true ). Registered on August 2012