Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the Human Diacylglycerol Kinase β (DGKβ) Gene ALTERNATIVE SPLICING GENERATES DGKβ ISOTYPES WITH DIFFERENT PROPERTIES

Diacylglycerol kinases are key modulators of levels of diacylglycerol, a second messenger involved in a variety of cellular responses to extracellular stimuli. A number of diacylglycerol kinases encoded by separate genes are present in mammalian genomes. We have cloned cDNAs encoding several isoforms of the human homologue of the rat diacylglycerol kinase β gene and characterized two such isoforms that differ at their carboxyl terminus through alternative splicing and the usage of different polyadenylation signals. Quantitative analysis of gene expression in a panel of human tissue cDNAs revealed that transcripts corresponding to both isoforms are co-expressed in central nervous system tissues and in the uterus, with one variant being expressed at relatively higher levels. As green fluorescent protein fusions, the two isoforms displayed localization to different subcellular compartments, with one variant being associated with the plasma membrane, while the other isoform was predominantly localized within the cytoplasm. Differences were also observed in their subcellular localization in response to phorbol ester stimulation. Enzymatic assays demonstrated that the two isoforms display comparable diacylglycerol kinase activities. Therefore, the human diacylglycerol kinase β gene can generate several enzyme isoforms, which can display different expression levels and subcellular localization but similar enzymatic activities in vitro

TopIE: An Integral Equation Tool for Topology Optimization in Electromagnetics

Topology optimization for the design of electromagnetic devices has recently garnered significant interest, thanks to advancements in additive manufacturing techniques that enable the fabrication of intricate geometries. This has opened up new possibilities for utilizing integral equation methods to solve electromagnetic (EM) problems, particularly in the analysis of Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) devices. In this context, we introduce a novel topology optimization tool called TopIE, which is built upon the Integral Equation method for EM problem solutions. TopIE adopts the logic of Topology Optimization of Binary Structures (TOBS), a sensitivity-based approach that leverages binary design variables to clearly differentiate the material properties within the design domain. The tool is specifically employed for optimizing IPT devices, and sample implementations of the method are made publicly available. By combining the power of topology optimization and integral equation methods, TopIE offers a promising avenue for enhancing the design and performance of EM devices

Identification of the Plasma Magnetic Contour from External Magnetic Measurements by means of Equivalent Currents

One of the main research issues in the thermonuclear fusion area is the identification of plasma contour starting from external magnetic measurements. Possible approaches to this inverse problem make use of equivalent currents to represent the plasma internal current density, regularizing in this way the magnetic field reconstruction. Of course, the choice of the representation basis for such equivalent currents is critical. The paper aims at analyzing the effect of the number and position of base currents on the performance of the identification algorithm

Use of inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of right ventricular myocardial infarction

In 50% of acute left ventricular inferior-posterior wall myocardial infarction (MI), concomitant right ventricular MI (RVMI) has been reported, with a dramatic increased rate of mortality. We report the case of a woman with RVMI complicated by cardiogenic shock due to dissection of the right coronary artery. She was treated with liquid infusion, epinephrine, milrinone, and an intraaortic balloon pump, but clinical condition decreased. She was then intubated, and prolonged inhalation of nitric oxide (12-15 ppm) was added. Both clinical and hemodynamic parameters slowly improved with decrease of systemic (2513 ± 708 shifted to 1802 ± 369 dynes × s/cm5) and pulmonary vascular resistance (365 ± 183 to 309 ± 80 dynes × s/cm5) and central venous pressure (fell from 13 ± 4 mm Hg to 6 ± 4 mm Hg) and improvement of cardiac index (from 2.2 ± 0.5 to 3 ± 0.3 L/min per square meter). Inhalation of nitric oxide (iNO) withdrawal on day 7 caused a significant rebound pulmonary hypertension with decrease of cardiac output. Inhalation of nitric oxide was then reinstituted until day 8 and was finally gradually withdrawn without major hemodynamic variations. The patient was weaned from the ventilator on day 9 and was stable clinically and hemodynamically

Detection of Voids in Carbon/Epoxy Laminates and Their Influence on Mechanical Properties

Defects, such as voids and delaminations, may significantly reduce the mechanical performance of components made of composite laminates. Distributed voids and porosity are generated during composite processing and are influenced by prepreg characteristics as well as by curing cycle parameters. On the basis of rheological and thermal analyses, as well as observations of laminates produced by different processing conditions, curing pressure appears the most influent factor affecting the void content. This work compares different methods for void analysis and quantitative evaluation (ultrasonic scan, micro-computed tomography, acid digestion, SEM image analysis) evidencing their applicative limitations. Carbon/epoxy laminates were produced in autoclave or oven by vacuum bag technique, using different processing conditions, so that void contents ranging from 0% to 7% volume were obtained. Effects of porosity over laminates mechanical performances are analysed. The results of tensile and compressive tests are discussed, considering the effect that different curing cycles have over void content as well as over fibre/resin fraction. Interlaminar strength, as measured by short beam shear tests, which is a matrix-dominated property, exhibits a reduction of failure strength up to 25% in laminates with the highest void content, compared to laminates with no porosity

VASA expression suggests shared germ line dynamics in bivalve molluscs

Germ line segregation can occur during embryogenesis or after embryogenesis completion, with multipotent cells able to give rise to both germ and somatic cells in the developing juvenile or even in adulthood. These undifferentiated cells, in some animals, are self-renewing stem cells. In all these cell lineages, the same set of genes, among which vasa, appears to be expressed. We traced VASA expression during the peculiar gonad rebuilding of bivalves to verify its presence from undifferentiated germ cells to mature gametes in an animal taxon in which the mechanism of germ line establishment is still under investigation. We utilized antibodies produced against VASPH, VASA homolog of Ruditapes philippinarum (Subclass Heterodonta), to compare the known expression pattern of R. philippinarum to two species of the Subclass Pteriomorphia, Anadara kagoshimensis and Crassostrea gigas, and another species of the Subclass Heterodonta, Mya arenaria. The immunohistological data obtained support a conserved mechanism of proliferation of \ue2\u80\u9cprimordial stem cells\ue2\u80\u9d among the simple columnar epithelium of the gut, as well as in the connective tissue, contributing to the seasonal gonad reconstitution. Given the taxonomic separation of the analyzed species, we suggest that the process could be shared in bivalve molluscs. The presence of germ cell precursors in the gut epithelium appears to be a feature in common with model organisms, such as mouse, fruit fly, and human. Thus, the comparative study of germ line establishment can add details on bivalve development, but can also help to clarify the role that VASA plays during germ cell specification

Toxin genotyping of Clostridium perfringens field strains isolated from healthy and diseased chickens

Clostridium perfringens is well known as the aetiological agent of necrotic enteritis in chicken. Type A and type C are considered the C. perfringens toxin types responsible for this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of genes coding for α, β, ε, ι, β2 and enterotoxin in C. perfringens field strains collected from healthy and diseased chickens. Thirty-seven C. perfringens field strains were toxin typed: all strains resulted to be toxin type A and 3 of these tested positive for the presence of the toxin β2 coding gene. Four isolates showed the cpa gene with the insertion of a group II intron. Our findings confirm the most recent results reported from different countries and the data suggest that the role of C. perfringens type C should be revaluated in the etiopathogenesis of necrotic enteritis