Expression Analysis of Fibronectin Type III Domain-Containing (FNDC) Genes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer

Background. Fibronectin type III domain-containing (FNDC) proteins fulfill manifold functions in tissue development and regulation of cellular metabolism. FNDC4 was described as anti-inflammatory factor, upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). FNDC signaling includes direct cell-cell interaction as well as release of bioactive peptides, like shown for FNDC4 or FNDC5. The G-protein-coupled receptor 116 (GPR116) was found as a putative FNDC4 receptor. We here aim to comprehensively analyze the mRNA expression of FNDC1, FNDC3A, FNDC3B, FNDC4, FNDC5, and GPR116 in nonaffected and affected mucosal samples of patients with IBD or colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods. Mucosa samples were obtained from 30 patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy or from surgical resection of IBD or CRC. Gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, FNDC expression data from publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets (GDS4296, GDS4515, and GDS5232) were analyzed. Results. Basal mucosal expression revealed higher expression of FNDC3A and FNDC5 in the ileum compared to colonic segments. FNDC1 and FNDC4 were significantly upregulated in IBD. None of the investigated FNDCs was differentially expressed in CRC, just FNDC3A trended to be upregulated. The GEO data set analysis revealed significantly downregulated FNDC4 and upregulated GPR116 in microsatellite unstable (MSI) CRCs. The expression of FNDCs and GPR116 was independent of age and sex. Conclusions. FNDC1 and FNDC4 may play a relevant role in the pathobiology of IBD, but none of the investigated FNDCs is regulated in CRC. GPR116 may be upregulated in advanced or MSI CRC. Further studies should validate the altered FNDC expression results on protein levels and examine the corresponding functional consequences

Comparison of structural colors achieved by laser-induced periodic surface structures and direct laser interference patterning

Engraving surfaces with holographic features is not only used for decorative applications, but also for protecting products from counterfeit and piracy. Tins structural coloration can be produced on large areas at high-throughput using laser-based methods such as Direct Laser Interference Pat- terning and Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structuring (LIPSS). hi this contribution, both technol- ogies were used to generate diffraction gratings on stainless steel with different processing parame- ters. Then, the resulting spectral reflectances were quantitatively compared and correlated to topo- graphical characteristics determined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Overall, the DLIP treated samples showed up to 42% higher diffuse reflectivity than the LIPSS samples when illuminated with a green laser diode. However, the LIPSS textures were less spectral dependent, probably due to their broader distribution of spatial periods and structure heights. These findings could also be appreciated with the naked eye as the samples patterned with LIPSS have a matte aspect with a homogeneous coloration, whereas the DLIP samples had a glossy appearance with brighter colors.Fil: Soldera, Marcos Maximiliano. Technische Universität Dresden; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Fortuna, Franco. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Teutoburg Weiss, Sascha. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Milles, Stephan. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Taretto, Kurt Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Lasag, Andrés Fabian. Technische Universität Dresden; Alemani

HDAC inhibitor treatment of hepatoma cells induces both TRAIL-independent apoptosis and restoration of sensitivity to TRAIL

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Influence of Temperature and Plastic Strain on Deformation Mechanisms and Kink Band Formation in Homogenized HfNbTaTiZr

Due to its outstanding ductility over a large temperature range, equiatomic HfNbTaTiZr is well-suited for investigating the influence of temperature and plastic strain on deformation mechanisms in concentrated, body centered cubic solid solutions. For this purpose, compression tests in a temperature range from 77 up to 1073 K were performed and terminated at varying plastic strains for comparison of plastic deformation behavior. The microstructure and chemical homogeneity of a homogenized HfNbTaTiZr ingot were evaluated on different length scales. The compression tests reveal that test temperature significantly influences yield strength as well as work hardening behavior. Electron backscatter diffraction aids in shedding light on the acting deformation mechanisms at various temperatures and strains. It is revealed that kink band formation contributes to plastic deformation only in a certain temperature range. Additionally, the kink band misorientation angle distribution significantly differs at varying plastic strains

Fast, economic and simultaneous identification of clinically relevant Gram-negative species with multiplex real-time PCR

Aim: A newly designed multiplex real-time PCR (rt-PCR) was validated to detect four clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Materials & methods: Serial dilutions of genomic DNA were used to determine the limit of detection. Colony PCR was performed with isolates of the four selected species and other species as negative controls. Isolates were characterized genotypically and phenotypically to evaluate the assay. Results: Specific signals of all target genes were detected with diluted templates comprising ten genomic equivalents. Using colony rt-PCR, all isolates of the target species were identified correctly. All negative control isolates were negative. Conclusion: The genes gad, basC, khe and ecfX can reliably identify these four species via multiplex colony rt-PCR. © 2018 Daniel Weiss

Statin use and risk of community acquired pneumonia in older people: population based case-control study

Objective To test the hypothesis that hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) may decrease the risk of community acquired pneumonia

Routine frailty assessment predicts postoperative complications in elderly patients across surgical disciplines – a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a frequent and underdiagnosed functional syndrome involving reduced physiological reserves and an increased vulnerability against stressors, with severe individual and socioeconomic consequences. A routine frailty assessment was implemented at our preoperative anaesthesia clinic to identify patients at risk. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship between frailty status and the incidence of in-hospital postoperative complications in elderly surgical patients across several surgical disciplines. DESIGN: Retrospective observational analysis. SETTING: Single center, major tertiary care university hospital. Data collection took place between June 2016 and March 2017. PATIENTS: Patients 65 years old or older were evaluated for frailty using Fried's 5-point frailty assessment prior to elective non-cardiac surgery. Patients were classified into non-frail (0 criteria, reference group), pre-frail (1-2 positive criteria) and frail (3-5 positive criteria) groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of postoperative complications was assessed until discharge from the hospital, using the roster from the National VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: From 1186 elderly patients, 46.9% were classified as pre-frail (n = 556), and 11.4% as frail (n = 135). The rate of complications were significantly higher in the pre-frail (34.7%) and frail groups (47.4%), as compared to the non-frail group (27.5%). Similarly, length of stay (non-frail: 5.0 [3.0;7.0], pre-frail: 7.0 [3.0;9.0], frail 8.0 [4.5;12.0]; p < 0.001) and discharges to care facilities (non-frail:1.6%, pre-frail: 7.4%, frail: 17.8%); p < 0.001) were significantly associated with frailty status. After propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing postoperative complications was approximately two-fold for pre-frail (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.04-3.05) and frail (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.21-3.60) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative frailty assessment of elderly patients identified pre-frail and frail subgroups to have the highest rate of postoperative complications, regardless of age, surgical discipline, and surgical risk. Significantly increased length of hospitalisation and discharges to care facilities were also observed. Implementation of routine frailty assessments appear to be an effective tool in identifying patients with increased risk. Now future studies are needed to investigate whether patients benefit from optimization of patient counselling, process planning, and risk reduction protocols based on the application of risk stratification

Where are the fastest master butterfly swimmers competing in the FINA World Masters Championships from?

While the butterfly stroke has received considerable attention in sports science, the origin of the fastest master butterfly swimmers remains unknown. The present study investigated which geographical locations produce the top-performing master butterfly swimmers within their age groups and gender. A total of 26,512 master butterfly swimmers (11,288 women and 15,224 men) competed in 50 m, 100 m and 200 m races in World Masters Championships held between 1986 and 2019. From each swimmer, the year of competition, first name, last name, age group and distance were recorded. Descriptive data were presented using mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, and/or confidence intervals. The top 10 race times for master butterfly swimming and gender were identified for descriptive purposes. Nationalities were then grouped into six categories: the top five nationalities with the most appearances in the top 10 fastest times in butterfly swimming by distance each year and one group consisting of all other nationalities. In the event of a tie, the nationality with the most participants overall was selected. Generalized linear models (GLMs) with a gamma probability distribution and log link function were used to assess the effect of age groups and gender on swimming time. In summary, Germany had the fastest women butterfly master swimmers across all distances, while the USA had the fastest men butterfly master swimmers for all distances. Men covered all distances faster than women and younger swimmers were quicker than older swimmers. The results of this study can be utilized to determine the countries that produce the most successful master butterfly swimmers, providing a foundation for further research to explore the factors that lead to their success

DYW domain structures imply an unusual regulation principle in plant organellar RNA editing catalysis

RNA上の遺伝情報を書き換える酵素であるDYWドメインの構造を解明 --植物オルガネラRNA編集のユニークな活性制御--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-06-23.RNA editosomes selectively deaminate cytidines to uridines in plant organellar transcripts—mostly to restore protein functionality and consequently facilitate mitochondrial and chloroplast function. The RNA editosomal pentatricopeptide repeat proteins serve target RNA recognition, whereas the intensively studied DYW domain elicits catalysis. Here we present structures and functional data of a DYW domain in an inactive ground state and activated. DYW domains harbour a cytidine deaminase fold and a C-terminal DYW motif, with catalytic and structural zinc atoms, respectively. A conserved gating domain within the deaminase fold regulates the active site sterically and mechanistically in a process that we termed gated zinc shutter. Based on the structures, an autoinhibited ground state and its activation are cross-validated by RNA editing assays and differential scanning fluorimetry. We anticipate that, in vivo, the framework of an active plant RNA editosome triggers the release of DYW autoinhibition to ensure a controlled and coordinated cytidine deamination playing a key role in mitochondrial and chloroplast homeostasis