Influence of some lysosomotropic compounds on calcium ion desorption process from liposome membrane

The effect of a group of model lysosomotropic compounds on the process of Ca2+ ion desorption from lecithin liposome membranes was studied. The compounds studied were: hydrochlorides of fatty acids 2-dimethylaminoethyl esters (DM-n) for n = 9, 11, 13 and 15 carbon atoms in the fatty acid alkyl chain and methochloride of 2-dimethylaminoethyl laurate (DMS-11). It was found that all the compounds studied caused increased desorption with increasing concentration of the compound. Most effective was the quaternary ammonium salt, DMS-11. Moreover, it was found that the process of Ca2+ desorption from the membrane depended on pH of the medium. Compound DM-11 was more active at pH 8 than at pH 5. The action of DM-n compounds depended on the alkyl chain length, DM-11 and DM-13 being the most active. Apparently free amines penetrate the phospholipid membranes and incorporate into its hydrophobic core causing structural deformations. Hydrochlorides of fatty acids and the quaternary ammonium salt induce desorption of calcium ions mostly as a result of competitive electrostatic interactions. By quantum chemistry, PM3 method, and methods of molecular modelling we established the higher hydrophilicity of the polar head of DM-n series with respect to the polar head of the DMS-n compounds. DM-n compounds possess both acceptor and donor properties for hydrogen bonding while DMS-n are instrumental as acceptors only. It should be noted, that the results obtained in this paper for model membranes are in accordance with those for biological ones.     

More on Goddard and the Kallikak family photographs.

Discusses retouching of the Kallikak family photographs in H. H. Goddard's (1912) study of mental retardation and heredity, with reference to analyses by R. E. Fancher (see record 1987-31600-001) and S. J. Gould (1981), and concurs with Fancher that the retouching was probably not done for deceitful purposes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discovery of Long Non-Coding RNA MALAT1 Amplification in Precancerous Colorectal Lesions

A colorectal adenoma, an aberrantly growing tissue, arises from the intestinal epithelium and is considered as precursor of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we investigated structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in adenomas, hypothesizing that chromosomal instability (CIN) occurs early in adenomas. We applied array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to fresh frozen colorectal adenomas and their adjacent mucosa from 16 patients who underwent colonoscopy examination. In our study, histologically similar colorectal adenomas showed wide variability in chromosomal instability. Based on the obtained results, we further stratified patients into four distinct groups. The first group showed the gain of MALAT1 and TALAM1, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The second group involved patients with numerous microdeletions. The third group consisted of patients with a disrupted karyotype. The fourth group of patients did not show any CIN in adenomas. Overall, we identified frequent losses in genes, such as TSC2, COL1A1, NOTCH1, MIR4673, and GNAS, and gene gain containing MALAT1 and TALAM1. Since long non-coding RNA MALAT1 is associated with cancer cell metastasis and migration, its gene amplification represents an important event for adenoma development.     

Plasma Parameters in the Reactor with Simultaneous Magnetron Discharge and Inductive Radio-Frequency Discharge in the Presence of External Magnetic Field

A plasma reactor that contains vacuum–arc and magnetron sputtering sources and radio-frequency discharge that generates high-density plasma in the presence of external magnetic field is developed, constructed, and optimized. The reactor can be used for deposition of various functional coatings with ion stimulation. The parameters of the inductive radio-frequency discharge generated in the presence of external magnetic field that serves as a source of assisting ions are optimized. It is shown that the working interval of the induction of external magnetic field corresponds to the resonant excitation of the coupled helicon and Trivelpiece–Gold waves. The effect of magnitude and configuration of magnetic field on the parameters of gas-discharge plasma and ion current in the substrate region is studied in the presence of separately and simultaneously initiated magnetron and inductive discharges. The effect of ion flux that is incident on the films in the course of growth on the structure of functional coatings is analyzed.     

Crystallography and Morphology of Niobium Carbide in As-Cast HP-Niobium Reformer Tubes

The microstructures of two as-cast heats of niobium-modified HP stainless steels were characterized. Particular attention was paid to the interdendritic niobium-rich carbides formed during solidification of these alloys. At low magnifications, these precipitates are grouped in colonies of similar lamellae. Higher magnifications revealed that the lamellae actually obtain two distinct morphologies. The type I morphology exhibits broad planar interfaces with a smooth platelike shape. Type II lamellae have undulating interfaces and an overall reticulated shape. To provide further insight into the origin of these two different morphologies, the microstructure and crystallography of each have been studied in detail using high resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, various electron diffraction methods (electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), selected area diffraction (SAD), and convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED)), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.     

Impact of a satellite-derived leaf area index monthly climatology in a global numerical weather prediction model

The leaf area index (LAI), defined as the one-sided green leaf area per unit ground area, is used in many numerical weather prediction (NWP) models as an indicator of the vegetation development state, which is of paramount importance to characterize land evaporation, photosynthesis, and carbon-uptake processes. LAI is often simply represented by lookup tables, dependent on the vegetation type and seasons. However, global LAI datasets derived from remote sensing observations have more recently become available. These products are based on sensors such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) or the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), onboard polar orbiting satellites that can cover the entire globe within typically 3 days and with a spatial resolution of the order of 1 km.

We examine the meteorological impact of satellite-derived LAI products on near-surface air temperature and humidity, which comes both from the stomatal transpiration of leaves and from the intercepted water on the surface of leaves, re-evaporating into the atmosphere.

Two distinct monthly LAI climatology datasets derived respectively from AVHRR and MODIS sensors are tested. A set of forecasts and data assimilation experiments with the integrated forecasting system of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts is performed with the monthly LAI climatology datasets as opposed to a vegetation-dependent constant LAI. The monthly LAI is shown to improve the forecasts of near-surface (screen-level) air temperature and relative humidity through its effect on evapotranspiration, with the largest impact obtained over needleleaf forests, crops, and grassland. At longer time-scales, the introduction of the monthly LAI is shown to have a positive impact on the model climate particularly during the boreal spring, where the LAI climatology has a large seasonal cycle.     

The effects of castration on body composition, adipose tissue cellularity and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in adult male rats

Gonadal hormones affect body composition, food intake, weight gain and serum lipids in numerous species including man. In this study, mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were castrated or sham-operated at 16 weeks of age. During the 6-week observation period with weekly records of food intake and weight gain, these parameters were significantly lower in the castrated group. The decrease in food intake in this group could not account for the difference in body weight between the groups, indicating a lower feed utilisation in the castrates. At sacrifice accessory reproductive organs, the levator ani muscle, thymus and adrenals were dissected for determination of organ weight and histology, revealing significant reductions in the accessory reproductive organs and levator ani of the castrates. The thymus was significantly heavier in the castrated animals. No differences were found in the adrenals. Two of the sham-operated animals had signs of accidental functional castration. The proportion of body cell mass and total lipid of the carcass was the same in both groups. Significant reductions in adipocyte weights were found in the epididymal depots of the castrated rats. Blood samples taken at sacrifice in pentobarbital anaesthesia were analysed for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, FFA, glycerol and protein. Statistically significant reductions in triglycerides and protein were recorded in the castrated animals without any significant changes in the other parameters studied. The results are discussed with reference to the age of castration and the importance of the reduced food intake in castrated animals.