The association of HDL-apoCIII with coronary heart disease and the effect of statin treatment on it

Effect of statin treatment on lipid variables in CHD patients with DM or not. (DOC 37 kb

Modeling acute toxicity of metal mixtures to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using the biotic ligand model-based toxic units method

The combined toxic effects of copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) were predicted using the biotic ligand model (BLM) for different concentrations of magnesium (Mg2+) and pH levels, with parameters derived from Cu-only and Co-only toxicity data. The BLM-based toxic unit (TU) approach was used for prediction. Higher activities of Mg2+ linearly increased the EC50 of Cu and Co, supporting the concept of competitive binding of Mg2+ and metal ions in toxic action. The effects of pH on Cu and Co toxicity were related not only to free Cu2+ and Co2+ activity, respectively, but also to inorganic metal complexes. Stability constants for the binding of Cu2+, CuHCO3 +, CuCO3(aq), CuOH+, Mg2+, Co2+, CoHCO3+ and Mg2+ with biotic ligands were logK(CuBL) 5.87, logK(CuHCO3BL) 5.67, logK(CuCO3BL) 5.44, logK(CuOHBL) 5.07, logK(MgBL) 2.93, logK(CoBL) 4.72, logK(CoHCO3BL) 5.81 and logKMgBL 3.84, respectively. The combinations of Cu and Co showed additive effects under different conditions. When compared with the FIAM-based TU model (root mean square error [RMSE = 16.31, R-2 = 0.84]), the BLM-based TU model fitted the observed effects better (RMSE = 6.70, R-2 = 0.97). The present study supports the BLM principles, which indicate that metal speciation and major cations competition need to be accounted for when predicting toxicity of both single metals and mixtures of metals

Mitochondria-Localized Glutamic Acid-Rich Protein (MGARP) Gene Transcription Is Regulated by Sp1

Background: Mitochondria-localized glutamic acid-rich protein (MGARP) is a novel mitochondrial transmembrane protein expressed mainly in steroidogenic tissues and in the visual system. Previous studies showed that MGARP functions in hormone biosynthesis and its expression is modulated by the HPG axis. Methodology/principal findings: By bioinformatics, we identified two characteristic GC-rich motifs that are located proximal to the transcription start site (TSS) of MGARP, and each contains two Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) binding elements. We then determined that the −3 kb proximal MGARP promoter is activated in a Sp1-dependent manner using reporter assays and knockdown of Sp1 led to decreased expression of endogenous MGARP messages. We also demonstrated that one of the two GC-rich motifs, GC-Box1, harbors prominent promoter activity mediated by Sp1, and that it requires both GC boxes for full transcriptional activation. These findings suggest a dominant role for these GC boxes and Sp1 in activating the MGARP promoter through a synergistic mechanism. Consistently, the results of an Electrophoretic Mobility Gel Shift Assay (EMSA) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) confirmed that Sp1 specifically interacts with the GC-rich region. We further found that estrogen receptor α (ERα), a known Sp1 co-activator, could potentiate GC-boxes containing MGARP promoter activity and this effect is mediated by Sp1. Knockdown of Sp1 significantly diminished the MGARP promoter transactivation and the expression of endogenous MGARP mediated by both Sp1 and ERα. Conclusions/significance: The present study identified a proximal core sequence in the MGARP promoter that is composed of two enriched Sp1 binding motifs and established Sp1 as one major MGARP transactivator whose functions are synergistic with ERα, providing a novel understanding of the mechanisms of MGARP gene transcriptional regulation

Os sistemas de informação como ferramenta de controle na gestão de estacionamentos em shoppings

Orientador : Luiz Carlos SouzaMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas. Curso de Especialização em Contabilidade e FinançasInclui referênciasResumo : A pesquisa em tela trata da analise das ferramentas utilizadas pela controladoria na gestão de estacionamentos em shoppings centers, visando demonstrar os tipos de relatórios gerados pelos sistemas de gerenciamento desenvolvidos por empresas especializadas em software focado em tecnologias de gestão em estacionamentos. Observado que atualmente, grande parte dos gestores da área de gestão direcionada a estacionamento, tem dificuldade de desenvolver fatores de informação ao qual forneça dados comparativos e financeiros em que os gestores consigam elaborar projeções e estratégias visando maior retorno financeiro e amenizando as despesas operacionais. A pesquisa em questão trata também da importância da controladoria e os setores envolvidos e interligados, buscando cada vez mais ampliar o índice de informações que envolvem a operacionalidade, as metas a ser atingidas pela gestão do negócio

Effect of Ga on the Inoxidizability and Wettability of Sn-0.5Ag-0.7Cu-0.05Pr Solder

The effect of trace amount of Ga on the inoxidizability and wettability of Sn-0.5Ag-0.7Cu-0.05Pr solders was investigated systematically by means of microstructure characterizations. The results indicate that the wettability and oxidation resistance properties are remarkably improved with addition of trace amount of Ga. Moreover, it is observed that the trace amount of Ga in Sn-0.5Ag-0.7Cu-0.05Pr solders refines the matrix microstructure. The relationship between wettability and oxidation resistance was put into deep study. And Ga was found to be enriched on the surface of the molten solder, which benefited the properties correspondingly. The results of this study can stimulate the use of low-silver Sn-Ag-Cu-Pr solders for various applications

Mg2+-dependent facilitation and inactivation of L-type Ca2+ channels in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the intracellular Mg2+ regulation of the L-type Ca2+ channels in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. By adopting the inside-out configuration of the patch clamp technique, single channel currents of the L-type Ca2+ channels were recorded at different intracellular Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]i). At free [Mg2+]i of 0, 10−9, 10−7, 10−5, 10−3, and 10−1 M, 1.4 μM CaM + 3 mM ATP induced channel activities of 44%, 117%, 202%, 181%, 147%, and 20% of the control activity in cell-attached mode, respectively, showing a bell-shaped concentration-response relationship. Moreover, the intracellular Mg2+ modulated the Ca2+ channel gating properties, accounting for alterations in channel activities. These results imply that Mg2+ has a dual effect on the L-type Ca2+ channels: facilitation and inhibition. Lower [Mg2+]i maintains and enhances the basal activity of Ca2+ channels, whereas higher [Mg2+]i inhibits channel activity. Taken together, our data from the application of an [Mg2+]i series suggest that the dual effect of Mg2+ upon the L-type Ca2+ channels exhibits long open-time dependence

Label-free detection and identification of single bacteria via terahertz near-field imaging

In recent years, terahertz (THz) imaging has attracted much attention because of its ability to obtain physical and chemical information in a label-free, noninvasive and nonionizing manner. However, the low spatial resolution of traditional THz imaging systems and the weak dielectric response of biological samples hinder the application of this technology in the biomedical field. In this paper, we report a new THz near-field imaging method for a single bacteria, through the coupling effect of nanoscale radius of probe and platinum gold substrate, which greatly enhances THz near-field signal of biological samples. A THz super-resolution image of bacteria has been successfully obtained by strictly controlling the relevant test parameters such as tip parameters and driving amplitude. By analyzing and processing the THz spectral image, the morphology and inner structure of bacteria have been observed. The method has been used to detect and identify Escherichia coli represented by Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus represented by Gram-positive bacteria. This application provides a new label-free, noninvasive and nonionizing testing protocol for the detection of single bacteria

Chemical stability of carbon pool in peatlands dominated by different plant types in Jilin province (China) and its potential influencing factors

IntroductionThe peat carbon pool stores 30% of the total global soil carbon accounting for 3–4% of the global land surface. The stability of the peatland carbon pool is a key factor affecting global carbon cycling that is seriously disturbed by climate change and regional human activities. However, the impact of these factors on carbon pool stability remains poorly understood.MethodsBased on the physicochemical properties and carbon compounds of 973 peat samples from Jilin Province (China), which are widely distributed in different altitude regions of the Changbai Mountains, we investigated the stability of the carbon pool in different dominant plants and degradation types of peatlands and assessed the effects of regional environmental factors on the peatland carbon pool.Results and DiscussionOur results showed that the carbohydrate content of peat soils in different peatland types ranged from 33.2 ± 6.9% to 40.5 ± 4.8%, and the aromatic content ranged from 19.8 ± 1.2% to 22.7 ± 2.3%. Bulk density is the most important physicochemical factor, and annual average temperature is the most important environmental factor that influences carbon stability. The effects of selected environmental factors on the peatland carbon pool covered by different plants were different, and the carbon stability in shrub peatlands is more sensitive to climate characteristics than in peatlands dominated by the other two plant types. Peatland degradation decreases the carbon stability in herb and herb/shrub peatlands and increases the carbon stability in shrub peatlands, leading the peatland carbon pool to be more easily influenced by regional human activities than natural peatlands

Barrier membranes for periodontal guided bone regeneration: a potential therapeutic strategy

Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral diseases with the highest incidence world-wide. In particular, the treatment of periodontal bone defects caused by periodontitis has attracted extensive attention. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been recognized as advanced treatment techniques for periodontal bone defects. GBR technique relies on the application of barrier membranes to protect the bone defects. The commonly used GBR membranes are resorbable and non-resorbable. Resorbable GBR membranes are divided into natural polymer resorbable membranes and synthetic polymer resorbable membranes. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The current research focuses on exploring and improving its preparation and application. This review summarizes the recent literature on the application of GBR membranes to promote the regeneration of periodontal bone defects, elaborates on GBR development strategies, specific applications, and the progress of inducing periodontal bone regeneration to provide a theoretical basis and ideas for the future application of GBR membranes to promote the repair of periodontal bone defects