Cystic Fibrosis from Laboratory to Bedside: The Role of A20 in NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lifelong, inflammatory multi-organ disease and the most common lethal, genetic condition in Caucasian populations, with a median survival rate of 41.5 years. Pulmonary disease, characterized by infective exacerbations, bronchiectasis and increasing airway insufficiency is the most serious manifestation of this disease process, currently responsible for over 80% of CF deaths. Chronic dysregulation of the innate immune and host inflammatory response has been proposed as a mechanism central to this genetic condition, primarily driven by the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. Chronic activation of this transcription factor complex leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. A20 has been described as a central and inducible negative regulator of NF-κB. This intracellular molecule negatively regulates NF-κB-driven pro-inflammatory signalling upon toll-like receptor activation at the level of TRAF6 activation. Silencing of A20 increases cellular levels of p65 and induces a pro-inflammatory state. We have previously shown that A20 expression positively correlates with lung function (FEV1%) in CF. Despite improvement in survival rates in recent years, advancements in available therapies have been incremental. We demonstrate that the experimental use of naturally occurring plant diterpenes such as gibberellin on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cell lines reduces IL-8 release in an A20-dependent manner. We discuss how the use of a novel bio-informatics gene expression connectivity-mapping technique to identify small molecule compounds that similarly mimic the action of A20 may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches capable of reducing chronic airway inflammation in CF. 

High-resolution optical spectroscopy of the sharp-lined B-type star HD83206

Very-high-resolution (R~160000) spectroscopic observations are presented for the early B-type star, HD83206. Because it has very sharp metal lines, this star affords an opportunity to test theories of model atmospheres and line formation. Non-LTE model atmosphere calculations have been used to estimate the atmospheric parameters and absolute metal abundances (C, N, O, Mg and Si); an LTE analysis was also undertaken to investigate the validity of this simpler approach and to estimate an iron abundance. For the non-LTE calculations, there is excellent agreement with observations of the Balmer lines Ha and Hd and the lines of Siii and Siiii for atmospheric parameters of Teff~=21700+/-600K and logg~=4.00+/-0.15dex. The agreement is less convincing for the LTE calculations, and a higher gravity is deduced. Careful comparison of the metal line profiles with non-LTE calculations implies that the projected rotational and microturbulent velocities have maximum values of ~=5 and ~=2kms-1, respectively. The latter value is smaller than has often been adopted in LTE model atmosphere analyses of main-sequence stars. Non-LTE absolute metal abundances are estimated, and a comparison with those for normal B-type stars (deduced using similar non-LTE techniques) shows no significant differences. A comparison of the abundances deduced using non-LTE and LTE calculations implies systematic differences of 0.1-0.2dex, showing the importance of using a non-LTE approach when accurate absolute abundances are required. Its location in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and normal metal abundance lead us to conclude that HD83206 is probably a main-sequence B-type star. As such, it is among the sharpest-lined young B-type star discovered to date.

Analysis of the effect of finite d.c. blocking capacitance and finite d.c. feed inductance on the performance of inverse class-E amplifiers

The first analysis and synthesis equations for the newly introduced inverse Class-E amplifier when operated with a finite d.c. blocking capacitance and a finite d.c.-feed inductance are presented in the paper. Closed-form design equations are derived in order to establish the circuit component values required for optimum synthesis. Excellent agreement between numerical simulation results and theoretical prediction is obtained. It is shown that drain efficiency approaching 100 at a pre-specified output power level can be achieved as zero-current switching and zero-current derivative conditions are simultaneously satisfied. The proposed analysis offers the prospect for realistic MMIC implementation.

The Yin and Yang of vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling in neoplastic progression: Operational networks and tissue-specific growth control

Substantive evidence implicates vitamin D receptor (VDR) or its natural ligand 1a,25-(OH)2 D3 in modulation of tumor growth. However, both human and animal studies indicate tissue-specificity of effect. Epidemiological studies show both inverse and direct relationships between serum 25(OH)D levels and common solid cancers. VDR ablation affects carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in a tissue-specific manner in model systems. Better understanding of the tissue-specificity of vitamin D-dependent molecular networks may provide insight into selective growth control by the seco-steroid, 1a,25-(OH)2 D3. This commentary considers complex factors that may influence the cell- or tissue-specificity of 1a,25-(OH)2 D3/VDR growth effects, including local synthesis, metabolism and transport of vitamin D and its metabolites, vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression and ligand-interactions, 1a,25-(OH)2 D3 genomic and non-genomic actions, Ca2+ flux, kinase activation, VDR interactions with activating and inhibitory vitamin D responsive elements (VDREs) within target gene promoters, VDR coregulator recruitment and differential effects on key downstream growth regulatory genes. We highlight some differences of VDR growth control relevant to colonic, esophageal, prostate, pancreatic and other cancers and assess the potential for development of selective prevention or treatment strategies.

New ruthenium(II) complexes of functionalized monoanionic aryldiamine N,C,N'-terdentate ligands: Syntheses of [Ru-II{2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)-4-R-C6H2}(terpy)]Cl+(-); X-ray structure of a dimeric organolithium compound,[Li{2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)-4-Ph-C6H2}](2)

The new anionic functionalized aryldiamine ligands [2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)-4-R-C6H2](-) (R = Me(3)SiC=C, C6H5, Me(3)Si), formally derived from [2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)C6H3](-), have been prepared as their lithium compounds. The compound [Li{2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)-4-Ph-C6H2}](2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) with a = 13.1225(5), b = 13.5844(7), c = 15.9859(12) Angstrom, beta = 105.329(5)degrees, V = 3264.0(3)Angstrom(3), Z = 4. The structure refinement converged to R(1) = 0.0374 for 2037 observed reflections [F-o>4 sigma(F-o)] and wR(2) = 0.0922 for 2560 unique data. The organolithium compounds have been used in transmetalation reactions to give the corresponding functionalized organoruthenium(II) complexes [Ru-II{2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)-4-R-C6H2}(terpy)]Cl-+(-) (terpy = 2,2';6',2 ''-terpyridine). The Ru-II species with R = HC = C has also been synthesized.

The empirical metallicity dependence of the mass-loss rate of O- and early B-type stars

We present a comprehensive study of the observational dependence of the mass-loss rate in stationary stellar winds of hot massive stars on the metal content of their atmospheres. The metal content of stars in the Magellanic Clouds is discussed, and a critical assessment is given of state-of-the-art mass-loss determinations of OB stars in these two satellite systems and the Milky-Way. Assuming a power-law dependence of mass loss on metal content,. M. Z(m), and adopting a theoretical relation between the terminal flow velocity and metal content, v(infinity). Z(0.13) (Leitherer et al. 1992, ApJ, 401, 596), we find m = 0.83 +/- 0.16 for non-clumped outflows from an analysis of the wind momentum luminosity relation (WLR) for stars more luminous than 105.2 L circle dot. Within the errors, this result is in agreement with the prediction m = 0.69 +/- 0.10 by Vink et al. (2001, A& A, 369, 574). Absolute empirical values for the mass loss, based on Ha and ultraviolet (UV) wind lines, are found to be a factor of two higher than predictions in this high luminosity regime. If this difference is attributed to inhomogeneities in the wind, and this clumping does not impact the predictions, this would imply that luminous O and early-B stars have clumping factors in their Ha and UV line forming regions of about a factor of four. For lower luminosity stars, the winds are so weak that their strengths can generally no longer be derived from optical spectral lines (essentially Ha) and one must currently rely on the analysis of UV lines. We confirm that in this low-luminosity domain the observed Galactic WLR is found to be much steeper than expected from theory (although the specific sample is rather small), leading to a discrepancy between UV mass-loss rates and the predictions by a factor 100 at luminosities of L similar to 10(4.75) L circle dot, the origin of which is unknown. We emphasize that even if the current mass-loss rates of hot luminous stars would turn out to be overestimated as a result of wind clumping, but the degree of clumping would be rather independent of metallicity, the scalings derived in this study are expected to remain correct.

Identification of a general secretory pathway in a human isolate of Burkholderia vietnamiensis (formerly B. cepacia complex genomovar V) that is required for the secretion of hemolysin and phospholipase C activities

Members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex can secrete proteases, lipases, and hemolysins. We report in this study the identification of a general secretory pathway present in a B. vietnamiensis (formerly genomovar V) clinical isolate, which is required for the efficient secretion of phospholipase C and hemolysin activities. Southern blot hybridization experiments revealed that this general secretion pathway is highly conserved among the different genomovars of the B. cepacia complex and is homologous to a similar system described in B. pseudomallei. We also show that this pathway appears not to be necessary for intracellular survival of B. vietnamiensis within Acanthamoeba polyphaga.

Interpreting A-level Mathematics grades – as easy as A, B, C?

Many concerns have been expressed that students’ basic mathematical skills have deteriorated during the 1990s and there has been disquiet that current A-level grading does not distinguish adequately between the more able students. This study reports the author’s experiences of teaching maths to large classes of first-year engineering students and aims to enhance understanding of levels of mathematical competence in more recent years. Over the last four years, the classes have consisted of a very large proportion of highly qualified students – about 91% of them had at least grade B in A-level Mathematics. With a small group of students having followed a non-traditional route to university (no A-level maths) and another group having benefitted through taking A-level Further Mathematics at school, the classes have contained a very wide range of mathematical backgrounds. Despite the introductory maths course at university involving mainly repetition of A-level material, students’ marks were spread over a very wide range – for example, A-level Mathematics grade B students have scored across the range 16 – 97%. Analytical integration is the topic which produced the largest variation in performance across the class but, in contrast, the A-level students generally performed well in differentiation. Initial analysis suggests some stability in recent years in the mathematical proficiency of students with a particular A-level Mathematics grade. Allowing choice of applied maths modules as part of the A-level maths qualification increases the variety of students’ mathematical backgrounds and their selection from mechanics, statistics or decision maths is not clear from the final qualification.

Repeated measures of body mass index and C-reactive protein in relation to all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease: Results from the consortium on health and ageing network of cohorts in Europe and the United States (CHANCES)

Obesity has been linked with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and both have been associated with increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous studies have used a single ‘baseline’ measurement and such analyses cannot account for possible changes in these which may lead to a biased estimation of risk. Using four cohorts from CHANCES which had repeated measures in participants 50 years and older, multivariate time-dependent Cox proportional hazards was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and CRP with all-cause mortality and CVD. Being overweight (≥25–<30 kg/m2) or moderately obese (≥30–<35) tended to be associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to normal (≥18.5–<25): ESTHER, HR (95 % CI) 0.69 (0.58–0.82) and 0.78 (0.63–0.97); Rotterdam, 0.86 (0.79–0.94) and 0.80 (0.72–0.89). A similar relationship was found, but only for overweight in Glostrup, HR (95 % CI) 0.88 (0.76–1.02); and moderately obese in Tromsø, HR (95 % CI) 0.79 (0.62–1.01). Associations were not evident between repeated measures of BMI and CVD. Conversely, increasing CRP concentrations, measured on more than one occasion, were associated with an increasing risk of mortality and CVD. Being overweight or moderately obese is associated with a lower risk of mortality, while CRP, independent of BMI, is positively associated with mortality and CVD risk. If inflammation links CRP and BMI, they may participate in distinct/independent pathways. Accounting for independent changes in risk factors over time may be crucial for unveiling their effects on mortality and disease morbidity.