Mercury exposure Aasessment in fish and humans from Sundarban Mangrove Wetland of India

Present study had documented total mercury levels in six commonly consumed fish species, and performed across-sectional study on local residents to gauge their intake of fish (via dietary survey) and mercury exposure (via hair biomarker analyses). Mean total mercury content in edible composites of locally-caught fishes (topse, hilsa, mackerel, topse, sardinella, khoira) was low and ranged from 0.01 to 0.11 mu g g(-1) mercury, dry weight. In a cross-sectional study of 58 area residents, the mercury content in hair ranged from 0.25 to 1.23 mu g g(-1), with a mean of 0.65 +/- 0.23 mu g g(-1), Flair mercury level was not influenced by gender, age, or occupation. Mean number of meals consumed per week was 3.1 +/- 1.1, and all participants consumed at least one fish meal per week. When related to fish consumption, a significant positive association was found between number of fish meals consumed per week and hair mercury levels.

WNT-Inflammasome Signaling Mediates NOD2-Induced Development of Acute Arthritis in Mice

In addition to its role in innate immunity, the intracellular pathogen sensor nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) has been implicated in various inflammatory disorders, including the development of acute arthritis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of NOD2-responsive acute arthritis are not clear. In this study, we demonstrate that NOD2 signals to a cellular protein, Ly6/PLAUR domain-containing protein 6, in a receptor-interacting protein kinase 2-TGF-beta-activated kinase 1-independent manner to activate the WNT signaling cascade. Gain- or loss-of-function of the WNT signaling pathway in an in vivo experimental mouse arthritis model or in vitro systems established the role for WNT-responsive X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis during the development of acute arthritis. Importantly, WNT-stimulated X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis mediates the activation of inflammasomes. The subsequent caspase-1 activation and IL-1 beta secretion together contribute to the phenotypic character of the inflammatory condition of acute arthritis. Thus, identification of a role for WNT-mediated inflammasome activation during NOD2 stimulation serves as a paradigm to understand NOD2-associated inflammatory disorders and develop novel therapeutics.

Deformation field evolution in indentation of a porous brittle solid

An experimental study of plane strain wedge indentation of a model porous brittle solid has been made to understand the effect of indentation parameters on the evolution of the deformation field and the accompanying volume change. A series of high-speed, high-resolution images of the indentation region and simultaneous measurements of load response were captured through the progression of the indentation process. Particle image velocimetry analysis of the images facilitated in situ measurement of the evolution of the resulting plastic zone in terms of incremental material displacement (velocity), strain rate, strain and volume change (e.g., local pore collapse). These measurements revealed initiation and propagation of flow localizations and fractures, as well as enabled estimate of volume changes occurring in the deformation zone. The results were directly compared with theoretical estimates of indentation pressure and deformation zone geometry and were used to validate a modified cavity expansion solution that incorporates effects of volume changes in the plastic zone. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.