Inhibition of TGF-β Signaling Promotes Human Pancreatic β-Cell Replication.

Diabetes is associated with loss of functional pancreatic β-cells, and restoration of β-cells is a major goal for regenerative therapies. Endogenous regeneration of β-cells via β-cell replication has the potential to restore cellular mass; however, pharmacological agents that promote regeneration or expansion of endogenous β-cells have been elusive. The regenerative capacity of β-cells declines rapidly with age, due to accumulation of p16(INK4a), resulting in limited capacity for adult endocrine pancreas regeneration. Here, we show that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling via Smad3 integrates with the trithorax complex to activate and maintain Ink4a expression to prevent β-cell replication. Importantly, inhibition of TGF-β signaling can result in repression of the Ink4a/Arf locus, resulting in increased β-cell replication in adult mice. Furthermore, small molecule inhibitors of the TGF-β pathway promote β-cell replication in human islets transplanted into NOD-scid IL-2Rg(null) mice. These data reveal a novel role for TGF-β signaling in the regulation of the Ink4a/Arf locus and highlight the potential of using small molecule inhibitors of TGF-β signaling to promote human β-cell replication

Strategies for the control of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks in a world of conventional acaricide and macrocyclic lactone resistance

Infestations with the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, constitute the most important ectoparasite problem for cattle production in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, resulting in major economic losses. The control of R. microplus is mostly based on the use of conventional acaricides and macrocyclic lactones. However, the intensive use of such compounds has resulted in tick populations that exhibit resistance to all major acaricide chemical classes. Consequently, there is a need for the development of alternative approaches, possibly including the use of animal husbandry practices, synergized pesticides, rotation of acaricides, pesticide mixture formulations, manual removal of ticks, selection for host resistance, nutritional management, release of sterile male hybrids, environmental management, plant species that are unfavourable to ticks, pasture management, plant extracts, essential oils and vaccination. Integrated tick management consists of the systematic combination of at least two control technologies aiming to reduce selection pressure in favour of acaricide-resistant individuals, while maintaining adequate levels of animal production. The purpose of this paper is to present a current review on conventional acaricide and macrocyclic lactone resistance for better understanding and control of resistant ticks with particular emphasis on R. microplus on cattle

“Erp and its Effective Application in Infrastructure Construction Industry”

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) was initiated in the manufacturing industry. It provides a general working environment for an enterprise to incorporate its major business management functions with one single common database so that information can be shared and efficient communications can be achieved between management functions. Based on the requirements of running a construction scenario, ERP shows its potential for the infrastructure construction industry. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is now being greeted as a base for the integration of organization-wide information systems. ERP systems link with entire organization’s procedure such as accounting, finance, human resources, store, quality control, manufacturing and distribution, etc. There are only some studies conducted about the effective implementation of ERP systems in the infrastructure construction industry, particularly for the construction contractors. The emphasis so far has been on client firms, engineering and design firms. Now the aim is to investigate the appropriateness and the effective application status of ERP systems in infrastructure contractor firms

Serum magnesium in pregnancy induced hypertension

Background: PIH is a major cause of maternal & perinatal morbidity & mortality worldwide because of its complications. The etiology of PIH is uncertain but appears to be related to uteroplacental ischaemia. Magnesium is one of the principle macronutrients, regulates vascular tone, causes relaxation of muscles of uterus and decreases excitability of nerves & muscles. Hence the study was planned to estimate and compare the levels of magnesium between women with PIH and normal pregnant women.Methods: The study comprised of thirty clinically diagnosed PIH patients and thirty gestational age-matched controls. Serum magnesium was estimated spectrophotometrically. Results: Significant decrease was observed in magnesium levels in women with PIH as compared to normal pregnant women. Conclusion: The decreased serum magnesium levels may indicate its possible role as one of the risk factors in the development of PIH in pregnant women. Hence the screening of clinically diagnosed cases of PIH for hypomagnesemia may help in minimizing the complications of PIH. Hypomagnesemia could be treated with magnesium supplementation and follow up of the patients for complications would be necessary to comment further

Analysis of trapping parameters of KCaSO4Cl:Eu phosphor prepared by acid method

This paper reports the systematic study of KCaSO4Cl:Eu phosphor synthesised by acid distillation method. Single glow peak at 432 is observed in KCaSO4Cl:Eu phosphor. The study of trapping parameters is done with the help of Chen’s peak shape method

Kinetics of Solid State Reaction between Copper & Bromine Vapours

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