Expression studies of the proteolytic p10 fragment of the neuronal Cdk5 activator in mammalian cells

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

Determinants of Air Quality in Building Environments: A Multi-Regression Analysis and Implications for Open Teaching Practices

In the ever-evolving educational milieu, the integration of innovative teaching methodologies is increasingly crucial to meet the changing needs of modern learners. This research meticulously explores the application of open teaching practices in the fields of building environment and energy application engineering. Through an in-depth examination of multi-regression data pertaining to various environmental factors, this study reveals significant correlations and patterns that are relevant to both educators and environmental specialists. Emphasis is placed on the student-centric ethos of this approach, combining the dual concepts of environmental science and pedagogical progression. The relationship between environmental variables, such as PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity, and the air quality index (AQI) is rigorously analyzed. Such analysis underscores the educational improvements brought about by open teaching strategies. The presented findings not only offer nuanced insights into how the aforementioned variables influence air quality but also highlight the benefits and potential of open teaching methodologies in creating a more interactive and enlightening academic environment

Modification of HDL by reactive aldehydes alters select cardioprotective functions of HDL in macrophages

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154382/1/febs15034_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154382/2/febs15034.pd

Regulation of caveolin-1 membrane trafficking by the Na/K-ATPase

Here, we show that the Na/K-ATPase interacts with caveolin-1 (Cav1) and regulates Cav1 trafficking. Graded knockdown of Na/K-ATPase decreases the plasma membrane pool of Cav1, which results in a significant reduction in the number of caveolae on the cell surface. These effects are independent of the pumping function of Na/K-ATPase, and instead depend on interaction between Na/K-ATPase and Cav1 mediated by an N-terminal caveolin-binding motif within the ATPase α1 subunit. Moreover, knockdown of the Na/K-ATPase increases basal levels of active Src and stimulates endocytosis of Cav1 from the plasma membrane. Microtubule-dependent long-range directional trafficking in Na/K-ATPase–depleted cells results in perinuclear accumulation of Cav1-positive vesicles. Finally, Na/K-ATPase knockdown has no effect on processing or exit of Cav1 from the Golgi. Thus, the Na/K-ATPase regulates Cav1 endocytic trafficking and stabilizes the Cav1 plasma membrane pool

Effective Application of Solid Expandable Tubular During the Enhancement of Heavy Oil Recovery in China, Lessons Learned and Experience Shared

As the traditional thermal recovery became less effective in exploring the heavy oil reservoirs, some newly developed techniques such as chemical flooding, SAGD and HDCS are demonstrating their advantage in the recovery process in China. However, the ever increasingly used new techniques often compromised severely the well integrity as the flow of extremely high temperature fluid or gas caused quick damage to casing, leaving the wellbore less reliable. This compromise requires urgently a workover strategy that would maximize the well’s life span and guarantee the effectiveness of new techniques.Solid expandable tubular (SET) was field-proven in casing patching activities, but its application in the heavy oil recovery has not been attempted due to severe temperature challenge. We made innovations on the traditional structure of SET and got valuable results. The tubular after expansion was integrated with the original casing as a whole and the rubber was removed in-between, the wellbore size was maintained utmost and the casing was further strengthened. Meanwhile the expansion cone was put outside the tubular which is a big step forward in SET structure.Indoors experiments demonstrated sound performance of the new structure in the simulative temperature of 350 ℃, the plan for the field application was optimized based on the lessons collected in this experiment. High temperature well applications by SET were carried out in Liaohe oilfield which is famous for its heavy oil resource in China, and the detailed process as well as the outcome were compared and analyzed, finally the conclusions were drawn as a result of the whole study.We expect our work will help expand this enabling technology to better facilitate the enhancement of heavy oil recovery and maintain solid well integrity during the heavy oil production.Key words: Solid expandable tubular; Heavy oil recovery; Chin

Potential effective diagnostic biomarker in patients with primary and metastatic small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors

Background: Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) are the most common malignant tumors of the small intestine, with many patients presenting with metastases and their incidence increasing. We aimed to find effective diagnostic biomarkers for patients with primary and metastatic SI-NETs that could be applied for clinical diagnosis.Methods: We downloaded GSE65286 (training set) and GSE98894 (test set) from the GEO database and performed differential gene expression analysis to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNAs). The functions and pathways involved in these genes were further explored by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. In addition, a global regulatory network involving dysregulated genes in SI-NETs was constructed based on RNAInter and TRRUST v2 databases, and the diagnostic power of hub genes was identified by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Results: A total of 2,969 DEGs and DElncRNAs were obtained in the training set. Enrichment analysis revealed that biological processes (BPs) and KEGG pathways were mainly associated with cancer. Based on gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we obtained five BPs (cytokinesis, iron ion homeostasis, mucopolysaccharide metabolic process, platelet degranulation and triglyceride metabolic process) and one KEGG pathway (ppar signaling pathway). In addition, the core set of dysregulated genes obtained included MYL9, ITGV8, FGF2, FZD7, and FLNC. The hub genes were upregulated in patients with primary SI-NETs compared to patients with metastatic SI-NETs, which is consistent with the training set. Significantly, the results of ROC analysis showed that the diagnostic power of the hub genes was strong in both the training and test sets.Conclusion: In summary, we constructed a global regulatory network in SI-NETs. In addition, we obtained the hub genes including MYL9, ITGV8, FGF2, FZD7, and FLNC, which may be useful for the diagnosis of patients with primary and metastatic SI-NETs

Optical Imaging of Visual Cortical Responses Evoked by Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation With Different Parameters

Citation: Ma Z, Cao P, Sun P, et al. Optical imaging of visual cortical responses evoked by transcorneal electrical stimulation with different parameters. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014;55:5320-5331. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14600 PURPOSE. The use of phosphenes evoked by transcorneal electrical stimulation (TcES) has been proposed as a means of residual visual function evaluation and candidate selection before implantation of retinal prostheses. Compared to the subjective measures, measurement of neuronal activity in visual cortex can objectively and quantitatively explore their response properties to electrical stimulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate systematically the properties of cortical responses evoked by TcES. METHODS. The visual cortical responses were recorded using a multiwavelength optical imaging of intrinsic signals (OIS) combining with electrophysiological recording by a multichannel electrode array. The effects of different parameters of TcES on cortical responses, including the changes of hemoglobin oxygenation and cerebral blood volume, were examined. RESULTS. We found consistent OIS activation regions in visual cortex after TcES, which also showed strong evoked field potentials according to electrophysiological results. The OIS response regions were located mainly in cortical areas representing peripheral visual field. The extent of activation areas and strength of intrinsic signals were increased with higher current intensities and longer pulse widths, and the largest responses were acquired in the frequency range 10 to 20 Hz. CONCLUSIONS. Use of TcES through the ERG-jet corneal electrode may preferentially activate peripheral retina. Revealing the hemodynamic changes in visual cortex occurred after electrical stimulation can contribute to comprehension of neurophysiological underpinnings underlying prosthetic vision. This study provided an objective foundation for optimizing parameters of TcES and would bring considerable benefits in the application of TcES for assessment and screening in patients

Contribution of adipocyte Na/K-ATPase α1/CD36 signaling induced exosome secretion in response to oxidized LDL

IntroductionAdipose tissue constantly secretes adipokines and extracellular vesicles including exosomes to crosstalk with distinct tissues and organs for whole-body homeostasis. However, dysfunctional adipose tissue under chronic inflammatory conditions such as obesity, atherosclerosis, and diabetes shows pro-inflammatory phenotypes accompanied by oxidative stress and abnormal secretion. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms of how adipocytes are stimulated to secrete exosomes under those conditions remain poorly understood.MethodsMouse and human in vitro cell culture models were used for performing various cellular and molecular studies on adipocytes and macrophages. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test (two-tailed, unpaired, and equal variance) for comparisons between two groups or ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison test for comparison among more than two groups.Results and discussionIn this work, we report that CD36, a scavenger receptor for oxidized LDL, formed a signaling complex with another membrane signal transducer Na/K-ATPase in adipocytes. The atherogenic oxidized LDL induced a pro-inflammatory response in in vitro differentiated mouse and human adipocytes and also stimulated the cells to secrete more exosomes. This was largely blocked by either CD36 knockdown using siRNA or pNaKtide, a peptide inhibitor of Na/K-ATPase signaling. These results showed a critical role of the CD36/Na/K-ATPase signaling complex in oxidized LDL-induced adipocyte exosome secretion. Moreover, by co-incubation of adipocyte-derived exosomes with macrophages, we demonstrated that oxidized LDL-induced adipocyte-derived exosomes promoted pro-atherogenic phenotypes in macrophages, including CD36 upregulation, IL-6 secretion, metabolic switch to glycolysis, and mitochondrial ROS production. Altogether, we show here a novel mechanism through which adipocytes increase exosome secretion in response to oxidized LDL and that the secreted exosomes can crosstalk with macrophages, which may contribute to atherogenesis

Reduction of Na/K-ATPase potentiates marinobufagenin-induced cardiac dysfunction and myocyte apoptosis

Background: Na/K-ATPase decrease has been reported in patients with heart failure and is related to cardiac dysfunction. Results: Reducing Na/K-ATPase activates caspase 9 and induces cardiac dilation when treated with marinobufagenin. Conclusion: Reduction of Na/K-ATPase potentiates marinobufagenin-induced cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Significance: Decreased Na/K-ATPase content together with increased cardiotonic steroids levels is a novel mechanism that may account for cardiac dysfunction