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Angiopoietin-related protein 1 (ARP1) is one of the antiangiogenic factors and plays an important role in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and blood vessel network formation. Here a rapid method to prepare ARP1 polyclonal antibody in 1 month was developed. The gene of fibrinogen homology domain (FD) for ARP1 was cloned and the protein was expressed in a soluble form of MBP-FD fused protein. The MBP-FD protein was purified using amylose affinity chromatography of maltose-binding protein. Polyclonal antibodies against MBP-FD were obtained through immunization in BALB/c mice. The titer was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the antibody specificity was assessed by Western blot. The full-length ARP1 protein in stable form expressed in transfected human large lung cancer cell lines NCI-H460 was detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis using ARP1 polyclonal antibodies. The result shows that the antibody possesses good specificity and sensitivity. This work provides a substantial base for the further studies of ARP1 function and associated mechanisms. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology to view the supplemental file. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the fault detection and diagnosis of stochastic distribution control systems is to use the measured input and the system output probability density functions (PDFs) to obtain the fault information of the system. In this paper, the rational square‐root B‐spline model is used to represent the dynamics between the output PDF and the input. This is then followed by the novel design of a non‐linear neural network observer‐based fault diagnosis (FD) algorithm so as to diagnose the fault in the dynamic part of such systems. Convergency analysis is performed for the error dynamic system raised from the fault detection and diagnosis phase using the Lyapunov stability theorem. Finally, based on the FD information, a new fault‐tolerant control based on proportional integral tracking control scheme is designed to make the post‐fault PDF still track the given distribution. A simulated example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Gene determination of flowering is the result of complex interactions involving both promoters and inhibitors. In this study, the expression of flowering-related genes at the meristem level in alternate-bearing citrus trees is analysed, together with the interplay between buds and leaves in the determination of flowering. Methods First defruiting experiments were performed to manipulate blossoming intensity in ‘Moncada’ mandarin, Citrus clementina. Further defoliation was performed to elucidate the role leaves play in the flowering process. In both cases, the activity of flowering-related genes was investigated at the flower induction (November) and differentiation (February) stages. Key Results Study of the expression pattern of flowering-genes in buds from on (fully loaded) and off (without fruits) trees revealed that homologues of FLOWERING LOCUS T (CiFT), TWIN SISTER OF FT (TSF), APETALA1 (CsAP1) and LEAFY (CsLFY) were negatively affected by fruit load. CiFT and TSF activities showed a marked increase in buds from off trees through the study period (ten-fold in November). By contrast, expression of the homologues of the flowering inhibitors of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (CsTFL), TERMINAL FLOWER 2 (TFL2) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) was generally lower in off trees. Regarding floral identity genes, the increase in CsAP1 expression in off trees was much greater in buds than in leaves, and significant variations in CsLFY expression (approx. 20 %) were found only in February. Defoliation experiments further revealed that the absence of leaves completely abolished blossoming and severely affected the expression of most of the flowering-related genes, particularly decreasing the activity of floral promoters and of CsAP1 at the induction stage. Conclusions These results suggest that the presence of fruit affects flowering by greatly altering gene-expression not only at the leaf but also at the meristem level. Although leaves are required for flowering to occur, their absence strongly affects the activity of floral promoters and identity genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH) and fibrous dysplasia (FD) are genetic diseases of bone formation at opposite ends of the osteogenic spectrum: imperfect osteogenesis of the skeleton occurs in FD, while heterotopic ossifi cation in skin, subcutaneous fat, and skeletal muscle forms in POH. POH is caused by heterozygous inactivating germline mutations in GNAS , which encodes G-protein subunits regulating the cAMP pathway, while FD is caused by GNAS somatic activating mutations. We used pluripotent mouse ES cells to examine the effects of Gnas dysregulation on osteoblast diff erentiation. At the earliest stages of osteogenesis, Gnas transcripts G s α, XLαs and 1A are expressed at low levels and cAMP levels are also low. Inhibition of cAMP signaling (as in POH) by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine enhanced osteoblast differentiation while conversely, increased cAMP signaling (as in FD), induced by forskolin, inhibited osteoblast differentiation. Notably, increased cAMP was inhibitory for osteogenesis only at early stages after osteogenic induction. Expression of osteogenic and adipogenic markers showed that increased cAMP enhanced adipogenesis and impaired osteoblast differentiation even in the presence of osteogenic factors, supporting cAMP as a critical regulator of osteoblast and adipocyte lineage commitment. Furthermore, increased cAMP signaling decreased BMP pathway signaling, indicating that G protein-cAMP pathway activation (as in FD) inhibits osteoblast differentiation, at least in part by blocking the BMP-Smad pathway, and suggesting that GNAS inactivation as occurs in POH enhances osteoblast differentiation, at least in part by stimulating BMP signaling. These data support that differences in cAMP levels during early stages of cell differentiation regulate cell fate decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When examining Form 8-K filings under the Securities and Exchange Commissions' (SEC) Rule 10b-5, Carter and Soo (1999) found that over 26% are filed after the statutory due date. "Bad news" filings resulted in over 30% tardiness. Effective August 23, 2004, the SEC passed the Additional Form 8-K Disclosure and Acceleration of Filing Date Rule (henceforth, the 2004 Current Report Rule), which expanded the number of disclosures required to be submitted on the Form 8-K, while decreasing the reporting deadline from 15 calendar days (for most events) to only four business days after event occurrence. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to assess the immediate compliance behavior of firms, consequent to the passage of the 2004 Current Report Rule (CRR). In order to examine immediate effects, our sample consists of 2004 fourth quarter Form 8-K filings. Results indicate that compliance with stated Form 8-K deadlines has significantly improved. Relative to the other events examined, Form 8-K filings are more likely to be late if they report director resignations (i.e. "bad news"). Other results indicate no discernable differences between the number of days to file within the four day requirement and no industry is more likely than another to be noncompliant. In sum, this paper's findings should be of interest to the SEC, because they support the SEC's policy (i.e. the 2004 CRR) of firms providing material information to investors in a more timely fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe some specific brain areas or cerebral functional network participating in the modulation of depression and anxiety factors in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients by detecting cerebral glucose metabolism (CGM) in fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scans. Methods: Eight FD patients with depression and anxiety (DA-FD group) and eight FD patients without depression and anxiety (non-DA-FD group) were recruited and evaluated by the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) and Dyspepsia Symptom Scores (DSS). Cerebral F-FDG PET-CT scans were performed on the DA-FD group and non-DA-FD group, respectively. The differences in CGM between the two groups were analyzed with SPM2. Results: Extensive changes in the CGM signals were observed in the cerebral cortex and limbic system of FD patients with depression and anxiety. Compared to non-DA-FD patients, DA-FD patients showed a higher glucose metabolism in the right postcentral gyrus (BA 1 and 5), inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45), superior temporal gyrus (BA 22), middle temporal gyrus (BA 22), inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), lingual gyrus (BA 18) and the left middle occipital gyrus (BA 37), as well as the limbic system including the left thalamus, lateral globus pallidus, parahippocampal gyrus (BA 35), right insular cortex (BA 13) and parahippocampal gyrus (BA 18); a lower glucose metabolism was presented in the left middle cingulated gyrus (BA 24), the right superior frontal gyrus (BA 6), the medial frontal gyrus (BA 6) and middle temporal gyrus (BA 21). Conclusion: An extensive cortical-limbic brain network might modulate the procession of FD patients with depression and anxiety factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our paper examines the timeliness of Form 8-K filings immediately after significant US regulation and legislation. Our events are issuance of regulation fair disclosure by the SEC and Congress’s passage of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act. We use sample from 1993 for the pre-SOX and pre-FD data. For all firms that filed an 8-K in the sample periods, the post-FD sample filings are timelier than the pre-FD sample, and the post-SOX filings are more timely than most of the post-FD filings. For large firms, the post-SOX sample has significantly shorter filing lags in most cases relative to the post-FD sample, but we only find weak evidence of the shorter filing lags resulting in improved compliance with stated Form 8-K filing deadlines. We conclude that management reporting behavior has positively changed post-SOX, but that the results are less conclusive post-FD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The present survey aimed to clarify the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD) in patients presenting with epigastric symptoms in Japan based on the Montreal definition and the Rome III criteria, respectively, and to determine the degree of overlap between the two disease entities and the validity of using these Western-developed diagnostic criteria in Japan. Methods: Patients presenting with epigastric symptoms for whom the first upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was scheduled from April through August 2007 at 55 institutions were asked to complete a questionnaire to ascertain the type, frequency, and severity of epigastric symptoms. The prevalence of esophageal mucosal damage was also determined from endoscopic findings. Results: A total of 1,076 patients were included in the analysis population. There was a high degree of coincidence for all symptoms, with the mean number of symptoms per patient of 2.8. With strict application of the Montreal and Rome III definitions, symptomatic GERD accounted for 15.6% (168 patients), whereas FD accounted for 10.3% (111 patients), and the overlap between GERD and FD symptoms was less than 10%. However, when frequency and severity alone were considered in more broadly defined criteria, the overlap between GERD and FD symptoms was 30-40%. Conclusion: A highly specific disease classification is possible when the Montreal definition and the Rome III criteria are strictly applied. On the other hand, the present survey highlighted a problem with the criteria whereby a definitive diagnosis could not be made in a substantial number of patients. This problem will require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microwave freeze drying (MFD) normally contains three stages, i.e., pre-freeze stage, primary drying stage and secondary drying stage, just as in conventional freeze drying. This research examines the variations of structure, starch content, reducing sugar content, color change as well as expansion ratio during these stages of microwave freeze drying banana chips. Results show that biggest changes are found at the primary drying stage in the banana slices’ starch content, reduced sugar content, their structure and their changed colors while the biggest change of expansion ratio occurs at the secondary drying stage. Similar results can also be obtained for FD samples. Thus it is concluded that the primary stage can do most damage to the banana chips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common, and have negative impacts on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). Several studies demonstrated a significant overlap between two of these three diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of GERD, FD, and IBS, their overlap rates, and HR-QOL for each disease and each overlap compared with healthy controls in the Japanese general population. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of Japanese workers who visited a clinic for a routine health check-up, and asked them to fill out a self-report questionnaire. Prevalence and overlap rate of GERD defined as heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least weekly, FD and IBS based on Rome III criteria, and HR-QOL by SF-8 were examined. Results: Of the 2680 eligible subjects, 207 (7.7%) were diagnosed as having GERD, 269 (10.0%) as FD, and 381 (14.2%) as IBS. Overlaps were found in 46.9% in GERD, 47.6% in FD, and 34.4% in IBS. Prevalence of overlaps in subjects with IBS was significantly lower compared with those among GERD or FD. Sufferers from GERD, FD, or IBS reported significantly poorer HR-QOL across all domains compared with controls. Overlaps significantly worsened HR-QOL in most domains except in the ‘role emotional’ domain. HR-QOL was particularly poor in the physical component summary for overlapping GERD and in the mental component summary for overlapping IBS. Conclusion: Overlaps among GERD, FD and IBS were common and worsened HR-QOL in Japanese general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. In patients with achalasia, little is known about symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract other than the esophagus. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of two functional disorders, functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in a group of treated achalasia patients and to assess the additional impact of these disorders on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Material and methods. Questionnaires assessing the Rome II criteria for FD and IBS together with the Eckardt clinical symptom score and RAND-36 were sent to 171 treated achalasia patients. Results. Of these patients, 76.6% returned their questionnaires. In the group of achalasia patients, 23% fulfilled the criteria for FD (Dutch general population 13-14%), and 21% fulfilled the criteria for IBS (Dutch general population 1-6%). The prevalence of frequent chest pain (at least weekly) was higher in patients with FD and/or IBS than in those without these symptoms (54.2% versus 28.2%; p=0.004). Female patients with achalasia and with frequent chest pain showed a higher probability of fulfilling the FD and/or IBS criteria (adjusted OR 2.90 (1.18-7.14) and 3.35 (1.4-8.1), respectively; both with p <0.05). Patients fulfilling the FD and/or IBS criteria scored a lower HRQoL on the RAND-36 subscales - pain, social functioning, and vitality - as compared with patients not fulfilling these criteria (p <0.006). Conclusions. Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. Therefore, this has to be included in the standard evaluation of achalasia patients. The association with chest pain suggests a mutual underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object trackers based on Siamese network usually transform the tracking task into a matching problem between the candidate samples and the target template. However, with the increasing depth and width of backbone networks, researches on Siamese trackers using backbone networks are not very advanced. Therefore, it is necessary for us to further investigate the characteristics of backbone network. As a fact, the ability of backbone network to extract features can directly determine the performance of object tracker. Given this, in this paper, we first propose an asymmetric convolutional network to improve the representational capability of backbone network. And then, the strip convolution is employed to enhance the operational capability of square kernel convolution in the backbone network. Besides, we also construct a novel module named Feature Dropblock (i.e., FD) to simulate the occlusion of hidden space, which goal is to improve the performance of backbone network in the target tracking under occlusion. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tracker, extensive ablation studies are conducted. Better results are obtained on the tracking benchmarks OTB100 and VOT2018, compared to other state-of-the-art trackers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new oral patch delivery system has been designed to increase the overall oral bioavailability of drugs within the gastrointestinal tract. The patch system consists of four layered films: a mucoadhesive matrix layer, a water insoluble backing layer, a middle layer and an enteric surface layer. The separation layer between the two matrix layers contained lactose, starch and confectioners' sugar. The matrix layer, exhibiting a diameter of 2.5 mm and a weight of 5 mg, comprised Polycarbophil-cysteine conjugate (49%), fluoresceine isothiocyanate-dextran (26%), glutathione (5%), and mannitol (20%). A standard tablet formulation consisting of the same matrix served as control. Entire fluoresceine isothiocyanate-dextran (FD4) was released from the delivery system within 2 h. For in vivo studies patch systems were administered orally to Male Sprague–Dawley rats. Maximum FD4 concentration in blood of the patch system was 46.1 ± 8.9 ng/mL and was reached 3 h after administration. In contrast cmax of control tablets displayed 50.5 ± 14.9 ng/mL after 2 h and the absorption of FD4 after administration in oral solution was negligible. The absolute bioavailability of orally administered patch systems and control tablets was 0.54% and 0.32% respectively. Results of this study indicate that a prolonged and higher oral bioavailability of FD4 is obtained with patches thou with tablets. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:620–627, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background, aim and scope Freshwater is a basic resource for humans; however, its link to human health is seldom related to lack of physical access to sufficient freshwater, but rather to poor distribution and access to safe water supplies. On the other hand, freshwater availability for aquatic ecosystems is often reduced due to competition with human uses, potentially leading to impacts on ecosystem quality. This paper summaries summarisesspecific resource use can be dealt with in life cycle analysis (LCA). Main features The main quantifiable impact pathways linking freshwater use to the available supply are identified, leading to definition of the flows requiring quantification in the life cycle inventory (LCI). Results The LCI needs to distinguish between and quantify evaporative and non-evaporative uses of 'blue' and 'green' water, along with land use changes leading to changes in the availability of freshwater. Suitable indicators are suggested for the two main impact pathways [namely freshwater ecosystem impact (FEI) and freshwater depletion (FD)], and operational characterisation factors are provided for a range of countries and situations. For FEI, indicators relating current freshwater use to the available freshwater resources (with and without specific consideration of water ecosystem requirements) are suggested. For FD, the parameters required for evaluation of the commonly used abiotic depletion potentials are explored. Discussion An important value judgement when dealing with water use impacts is the omission or consideration of non-evaporative uses of water as impacting ecosystems. We suggest considering only evaporative uses as a default procedure, although more precautionary approaches (e.g. an `Egalitarian' approach) may also include non-evaporative uses. Variation in seasonal river flows is not captured in the approach suggested for FEI, even though abstractions during droughts may have dramatic consequences for ecosystems; this has been considered beyond the scope of LCA. Conclusions The approach suggested here improves the representation of impacts associated with freshwater use in LCA. The information required by the approach is generally available to LCA practitioners. Recommendations and perspectives The widespread use of the approach suggested here will require some development (and consensus) by LCI database developers. Linking the suggested midpoint indicators for FEI to a damage approach will require further analysis of the relationship between FEI indicators and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A precise regulation of flowering time is central to plant species survival. Therefore, mechanisms have evolved in plants to integrate various environmental cues to optimize flowering time. In this study, we show that the product of the wheat gene TaFT, which integrates photoperiod and vernalization signals promoting flowering, interacts with bZIP proteins TaFDL2 and TaFDL6. We also show that TaFDL2 can interact in vitro with five ACGT elements in the promoter of the meristem identity gene VRN1, suggesting that TaFDL2 is a functional homologue of Arabidopsis FD. No direct interactions between the TaFT protein and the VRN1 promoter were detected. Transgenic wheat plants over-expressing TaFT showed parallel increases in VRN1 transcripts, suggesting that TaFT provides transcriptional activation of VRN1, possibly through interactions with the TaFDL2 protein. The same transgenic plants also showed increased transcript levels of TaFT2 (a TaFT paralogue), indicating that TaFT2 acts downstream of TaFT. The fact that TaFT2 interacts with another bZIP protein TaFDL13, which lacks the ability to interact with the VRN1 promoter, suggests that TaFT and TaFT2 have different gene targets. This observation agrees with the functional divergence observed for the TaFT and TaFT2 orthologous genes in rice. The temperate cereals analyzed so far show VRN1 transcripts in the leaves, a characteristic not observed in Arabidopsis or rice. The high levels of TaFDL2 transcripts observed in wheat leaves provide a simple explanation for this difference. We present a hypothesis to explain the conservation of VRN1 expression in the leaves of temperate cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tissue of Norway spruce wood was investigated by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Different sample preparation techniques (including sectioning and drying) traditionally used for SEM analysis were compared and critically evaluated. A high contamination of wood surfaces by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) introduced onto the sample during sectioning was detected by ToF-SIMS. A new protocol was developed and images of wood sections dried in different ways were compared. Main location of Mg, Na, K and Ca, but no lignin in membranes of bordered pits in spruce section surfaces was detected by ToF-SIMS imaging if critical point drying (CPD) or acetone extraction followed by drying under nitrogen flow (AEND) was applied. No specific locations of wood components as well as low signals from metal ions (Mg and Na) were observed on the wood surfaces of freeze-dried (FD) or air-dried (AD) sections. It was found that extractive substances, presenting on surfaces of FD and AD wood section, were evenly distributed on the surfaces and interfered with ToF-SIMS analysis. Our results indicated that ToF-SIMS imaging was critically sensitive to the sample preparation technique and a strict protocol for characterization of metals, lignin and polysaccharides in wood was suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transition to flowering is one of the most important developmental decisions made by plants. Classical studies have highlighted the importance of photoperiod in controlling flowering time. More recently, the identification of mutants specifically affected in the photoperiod pathway in the model system Arabidopsis thaliana has enabled the flowering time pathways to be placed in a molecular context. This review highlights recent advances in understanding how photoperiod signals (perceived in the leaves) act at the apex of the plant where the floral stimulus is perceived. The photoperiod pathway acts predominantly through the gene CONSTANS to activate the small signalling molecule FT. While FT transcription is induced in the leaves, it is essential that FT protein is present at the apex of the plant. FT at the apex interacts with the transcription factor FD to induce flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed using diethylamine (DEA) solid-phase extraction (SPE), 9-fluorenylmethyl derivative (FMOC) and fluorescence detection for quantifying alendronate in human plasma. Sample preparation involved a manual protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid, a manual coprecipitation of the bisphosphonate with calcium phosphate and derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate in citrate buffer at pH 11.9. Liquid chromatography was performed on a Capcell Pak C18 column (4.6mm×150mm, 5μm particles), using a gradient method starting with mobile phase acetonitrile/methanol-citrate/pyrophosphate buffer (32:68, v/v). The total run time was 25min. The fluorometric detector was operated at 260nm (excitation) and 310nm (emission). Pamidronate was used as the internal standard. The limit of quantification was 1ng/ml using 3ml of plasma. The intra- and inter-day precision expressed as the relative standard deviation was less than 15%. The assay was applied to the analysis of samples from a pharmacokinetic study. Following the oral administration of 70mg of alendronate sodium to volunteers, the maximum plasma concentration (C max) and elimination half-life were 40.94±19.60ng/ml and 1.67±0.50h, respectively. The method was demonstrated to be highly feasible and reproducible for pharmacokinetic studies including bioequivalence test of alendronate sodium in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new analytical model for two-terminal fully depleted silicon-on-insulator metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors capacitor for low frequency applications is presented. To simplify the model, the structure capacitor is modeled by a series combination of front and back gates capacitors. The former has symmetrical capacitance voltage behavior while the latter has an asymmetrical one. Explicit expressions for the Si film capacitances are derived based on charge based modeling approach. The closed form expressions presented in the model are valid for a wide range of gate voltages. In addition, the model takes into account the variations of SOI film thickness and is valid for Si films with thickness between 100nm and 250nm. A comparison between the results predicted by the analytical model and those of a numerical Poisson’s solver indicates errors less than 1.3% over a wide range of gate voltages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The harmonic and intermodulation distortions of both fully-depleted (FD) and partially-depleted (PD) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs are studied. The analysis is based on the recently developed integral function method and the results are compared to a third-order Volterra model of the MOSFET. This modelling helps us to understand the non-linear mechanisms of the considered devices and to predict their frequency behaviour. The models are validated through large-signal network analyser measurements. The devices performances are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: The objective of the study described here was to analyze in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) the effects of low protein intake on peripheral glucose phosphorylation capacities and gluconeogenic enzymes in kidney and intestine. Fish were food-deprived for 14 days or kept under a low and a high protein intake regime using a pair feeding protocol in order to maintain constant carbohydrate and lipid intakes. We analyzed the effect of protein restriction on (i) hepatic, renal and intestinal fructose-1.6-bisphophatase (FBPase) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) enzymes at the molecular and enzymatic levels and (ii) glucose phosphorylation activities (hexokinases) in the liver, peri-visceral adipose tissue, red muscle and white muscle. Irrespective of the nutritional status, we observed the same levels of hexokinase activities in all the tissues studied. Renal G6Pase and FBPase gene expression and activities were not modified among the groups. In contrast, there was increased intestinal FBPase gene expression in fish under a low protein intake and higher G6Pase activities in both groups of fed fish. This result differs from what is observed in rats and suggest a role of intestine in the regulation of postprandial gluconeogenesis in fed trout. In conclusion, our data did not demonstrate any specific effect of low dietary protein intake to either gluconeogenic capacities or glucose phosphorylation capacities in rainbow trout. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of molecular weight (MW) on the transdermal delivery of macromolecules by erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran (FD) of increasing MWs (4.4, 19.4, 38, and 77 kDa) was used as the model macromolecules to investigate the skin permeation in vitro. Fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were utilized to examine the transport mechanisms of the macromolecules via the skin after laser treatment. The results indicate a significant increase in the permeation of FITC and FD across skin treated by the laser. The MWs of macromolecules and laser fluences were found to play important roles in controlling macromolecular absorption. Transdermal delivery of FD with a MW of at least 77 kDa could be achieved with laser treatment. Follicular routes were significant for FITC permeation, whereas intercellular pathways played important roles on the delivery of FD. Ablation of the stratum corneum (SC) layer, photomechanical stress on intercellular regions, and alterations of the morphology and arrangement of corneocytes are possible mechanisms of how the Er:YAG laser promotes macromolecular delivery. No alteration of viable skin morphology was observed after laser treatment and the partly ablation of the SC may be reversible. Hexameric insulin showed higher skin permeation than did FD with similar MWs (38 kDa) with laser enhancement. From the study presented herein, it is concluded that the Er:YAG laser can be effective for transdermal delivery of macromolecules and hydrophilic permeants such as peptides and protein-based drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have previously reported that ferredoxin-NADP-reductase (FNR) from the photosynthetic alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was fully N-trimethylated in vivo on three specific lysines (K83, K89 and K135) located in two sequence insertions comparative to photosynthetic FNRs. This paper deals with the comparison of the biochemical properties of the “native” algal FNR (thus methylated) and the homologous recombinant protein expressed in E. coli, which did not undergo this post-translational modification. Few differences could be observed between the two forms except that their apparent molecular mass was significantly different. This could be indicative that methylation induced changes in the tertiary structure of FNR, making the protein more compact. Another difference was the fivefold higher Km value for NADPH exhibited by the recombinant protein. However, the binding of ferredoxin (Fd) to its reductase seems to be independent of the methylation status. We have also studied four mutated FNRs, in which each Lys was substituted with a hydrophobic amino acid. The results indicate that a cluster of positive charges including K83 and K89 is required for catalytic activity, like in photosynthetic FNRs although the fine interactions are probably different in the algal protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Functional diversity is an important component of biodiversity, yet in comparison to taxonomic diversity, methods of quantifying functional diversity are less well developed. Here, we propose a means for quantifying functional diversity that may be particularly useful for determining how functional diversity is related to ecosystem functioning. This measure of functional diversity “FD” is defined as the total branch length of a functional dendrogram. Various characteristics of FD make it preferable to other measures of functional diversity, such as the number of functional groups in a community. Simulating species' trait values illustrates how the relative importance of richness and composition for FD depends on the effective dimensionality of the trait space in which species separate. Fewer dimensions increase the importance of community composition and functional redundancy. More dimensions increase the importance of species richness and decreases functional redundancy. Clumping of species in trait space increases the relative importance of community composition. Five natural communities show remarkably similar relationships between FD and species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Administration of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) either systemically or locally results in tumorspecific accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). When excited with light at a defined wavelength and viewed with the appropriate filter cells containing PpIX, have a characteristic red fluorescence. We evaluated both locally (intraperitoneally [IP]) and systemically (intravenously [IV]) administered ALA to compare its effectiveness for laparoscopic fluorescent visualization of intraperitoneal tumors. Peritoneal carcinosis was induced in rats using colon carcinoma cells (CC531). Photosensitization was achieved either by intravenous (IV group) or intraperitoneal (IP group) application of ALA solution. Staging laparoscopy was performed in both groups, first using conventional white light and subsequently using blue light (380–440 nm) to excite PpIX-induced fluorescence. Conventional white light laparoscopy showed 142 visible intraperitoneal tumor foci in the IP group and 116 such foci in the IV group. In the IP group, all tumors (100%) also were fluorescence positive, whereas in the IV group only 32 of the tumors (28%) showed the typical red fluorescence. In the IP group, 30 additional tumors were detected by fluorescence excitation (21%), as compared with eight additional tumors in the IV group (7%). Fluorescence laparoscopy after local (IP) photosensitization with ALA is a more reliable and effective method than systemic (IV) photosensitization for the detection of small or occult IP tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fractal dimension (FD) is an important feature used for classification and shape recognition. The best method to obtain the FD is the Bouligand‐Minkowski method. However, this method is computationally exhaustive because of the use of the distance transform. Presented is a modification in the method and a proposed architecture, suitable for field programmable gate array implementation that enables calculating the FD in a simple and efficient way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients suffering from Fabry disease (FD) have an increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), mostly impairment in cognitive performance and depression. Single cases of psychosis have been reported, however, their association with FD can be coincidental. Furthermore, deficits in social functioning and adaptation as well as specific coping styles in FD patients were observed. Recent studies focused on a longitudinal course of the disease and identified risk factors associated with specific NPS. Since 2001, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been available and in preliminary studies seems to improve cognitive impairment and adaptive skills. In this systematic review, we analyze the available literature on the NPS in FD and investigate if there are any differences in their distribution between males and females, children/adolescents and adults, and individuals treated with ERT and untreated. We discuss the role of the psychological, environmental, and molecular alterations and their correlation to psychiatric manifestations in FD. Finally, we would like to increase awareness of the spectrum of NPS in FD., Competing Interests: AN received research support and speaker honoraria from Amicus, Takeda and Sanofi Genzyme. RB declares Grant/Research Support from: Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Genzyme GmbH, Grünenthal GmbH, Mundipharma Research GmbH und Co. KG., Novartis Pharma GmbH, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., Zambon GmbH, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH. Speaker: Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Genzyme GmbH, Grünenthal GmbH, Mundipharma, Sanofi Pasteur, Medtronic Inc. Neuromodulation, Eisai Co. Ltd., Lilly GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH&Co., KG, Astellas Pharma GmbH, Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH, Teva GmbH, Bayer-Schering, MSD GmbH, Seqirus Australia Pty. Ltd., Novartis Pharma GmbH, TAD Pharma GmbH, Grünenthal SA Portugal, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Agentur Brigitte Süss, Grünenthal Pharma AG Schweiz, Grünenthal B.V. Niederlande, Evapharma, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG Schweiz, Ology Medical Education Netherlands, Ever Pharma GmbH. He also declares consultancy work for: Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Genzyme GmbH, Grünenthal GmbH, Mundipharma Research GmbH und Co., KG, Allergan, Sanofi Pasteur, Medtronic, Eisai, Lilly GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH&Co., KG, Astellas Pharma GmbH, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biogenidec, AstraZeneca GmbH, Merck, Abbvie, Daiichi Sankyo, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals S.A., Seqirus Australia Pty. Ltd., Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe Niederlande, Teva GmbH, Genentech, Mundipharma International Ltd., United Kingdom, Astellas Pharma Ltd., United Kingdom, Galapagos NV, Kyowa Kirin GmbH, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biotest AG, Celgene GmbH, Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., United States, Theranexus DSV CEA Frankreich, Abbott Products Operations AG Schweiz, Bayer AG, Grünenthal Pharma AG Schweiz, Mundipharma Research Ltd., United Kingdom, Akcea Therapeutics Germany GmbH, Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH&Co., KG, Air Liquide Sante International Frankreich, Alnylam Germany GmbH, Lateral Pharma Pty Ltd., Hexal AG, Angelini, Janssen, SIMR Biotech Pty Ltd., Australien, Confo Therapeutics N. V. Belgium, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Neumentum Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Switzerland. MS has received personal fees from Sanofi Genzyme, Grünenthal GmbH, Amicus Therapeutics and Takeda Pharmaceutical, outside the submitted work. ES received in the last 3 years honoraria and grants for advice and educational lectures from Lundbeck Switzerland, Schwabe Switzerland and Germany, Janssen Switzerland, Otsuka Switzerland, Mepha Pharma Switzerland, Otsuka Pharma Switzerland, Ricordati Switzerland and Sunovion Pharma UK and Angelini. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Mroczek, Maniscalco, Sendel, Baron, Seifritz and Nowak.)