Lack of glucose and hsp70 responses in haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.) subjected to handling and heat shock

Juvenile haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (c. 39 g) were exposed to either a handling stressor (1 min out of water) or heat shock (increase from 10 to 15° C for 1 h), and plasma cortisol, plasma glucose and gill hsp70 levels were determined before, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post-stress. The pattern of cortisol increase was similar following both stressors, with levels increasing by 25-fold at 1 h post-stress, but returning to pre-stress levels (2–5 ng ml⁻¹) by 3 h. In contrast, neither handling nor heat shock caused an increase in plasma glucose levels. Although gill hsp70 was detected, presumably constitutive levels, in both control and heat shocked groups, there were not significant changes in gill hsp70 levels after exposure to heat shock. The lack of glucose and hsp70 responses to these typical stressors is consistent with previous studies on Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, and suggests that the stress physiology of Gadidae differs from the ‘typical’ teleost.

Enhancing bi-functional electrocatalytic activity of perovskite by temperature shock : a case study of LaNiO3-ᵟ

Perovskite oxide offers an attractive alternative to precious metal electrocatalysts given its low cost and high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. The results obtained in this work suggest a correlation of crystal structure with ORR and OER activity for LaNiO3-?. LaNiO3-? perovskites with different crystal structure were obtained by heating at different temperatures, e.g., 400, 600, and 800 C followed by quenching into room temperature. Cubic structure (relative to rhombohedral) leads to higher ORR and OER activity as well as enhanced bi-functional electrocatalytic activity, e.g., lower difference in potential between the ORR at -3 mA cm-2 and OER at 5 mA cm -2 (?E). Therefore, this work shows the possibility to adjust bi-functional activity through a simple process. This correlation may also extend to other perovskite oxide systems.

Intramuscular heat shock protein 72 and heme oxygenase-1 mRNA are reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes: evidence that insulin resistance is associated with a disturbed antioxidant defense mechanism

To examine whether genes associated with cellular defense against oxidative stress are associated with insulin sensitivity, patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 7) and age-matched (n = 5) and young (n = 9) control subjects underwent a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp for 120 min. Muscle samples were obtained before and after the clamp and analyzed for heat shock protein (HSP)72 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 mRNA, intramuscular triglyceride content, and the maximal activities of β-hyroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (β-HAD) and citrate synthase (CS). Basal expression of both HSP72 and HO-1 mRNA were lower (P < 0.05) by 33 and 55%, respectively, when comparing diabetic patients with age-matched and young control subjects, with no differences between the latter groups. Both basal HSP72 (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) and HO-1 (r = 0.50, P < 0.05) mRNA expression correlated with the glucose infusion rate during the clamp. Significant correlations were also observed between HSP72 mRNA and both β-HAD (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and CS (r = 0.65, P < 0.01). HSP72 mRNA was induced (P < 0.05) by the clamp in all groups. Although HO-1 mRNA was unaffected by the clamp in both the young and age-matched control subjects, it was increased (P < 0.05) ∼70-fold in the diabetic patients after the clamp. These data demonstrate that genes involved in providing cellular protection against oxidative stress are defective in patients with type 2 diabetes and correlate with insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and markers of muscle oxidative capacity. The data provide new evidence that the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes involves perturbations to the antioxidant defense mechanism within skeletal muscle.

Semantic shock: David Bowie!

David Bowie embodies certain identity positions that are alien, alternative, and transgressive via metaphor and alter-egos that render him essentially strange. This chapter argues that by using metaphor and metonym throughout his visual and sonic creations, David Bowie has been largely freed from the constraints of merely describing the world; his use of metaphor and metonym have afforded possible reevaluations of the world, in new ways, by breaking the association between language and things. His own sonic and visual assemblage have allowed fissures to be created; new and multiple meanings rendered possible and valid, with his work going beyond both the creator and viewing/listening-body. Using Sara Ahmed’s (2004) social philosophies of trauma and scarring, the chapter argues that what David Bowie’s work frequently does is ‘re-open wounds’ and reminds us of the scars; asking us to notice their existence, to become more aware, in the first instance. But then, offers a means to negotiate their healing.

Alzheimer's Abeta fused to green fluorescent protein induces growth stress and a heat shock response

The 42 amino acid Alzheimer's Aβ peptide is involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Here we describe the effects of intracellular Aβ, produced through its attachment to either end of a green fluorescent protein, in yeast. Cells producing Aβ exhibited a lower growth yield and a heat shock response, showing that Aβ fusions promote stress in cells and supporting the notion that intracellular Aβ is a toxic molecule. These studies have relevance in understanding the role of Aβ in the death of neuronal cells, and indicate that yeast may be a new tractable model system for the screening for inhibitors of the stress caused by Aβ.

Culture shock and reverse culture shock: the moderating role of cultural intelligence in international students' adaptation

This study extends previous research by examining the role of cultural intelligence (CQ) in both culture shock and reverse culture shock. Specifically, this study asserts that CQ acts as a moderating mechanism that lessens the negative effects of both culture shock and reverse culture shock on psychological and sociocultural adaptation among international students. Two studies were conducted in Australia to test these assertions. Study 1 (n = 189) was participated in by new international students. An online survey was set up and disseminated. Results indicated that culture shock is significantly but negatively related to both psychological and sociocultural adaptation. In addition, results demonstrated that CQ moderates the relationship by lessening the impact of culture shock on students’ psychological and sociocultural adaptation. Study 2 (n = 123) was participated in by international students who had recently graduated and returned to their home countries. An online survey was also set up and disseminated. Results indicated that reverse culture shock is significantly but negatively related to both psychological and sociocultural adaptation. CQ also served as a moderator in lessening the impact of reverse culture shock on both forms of adaptation.