Modulation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-9 Expression and Processing by Insulin, Glucose, and Glucocorticoids: Possible Candidate for Hepatic Insulin-Sensitizing Substance

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP-9), a member of the TGF-beta superfamily predominantly expressed in nonparenchymal liver cells, has been demonstrated to improve glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. Along with this therapeutic effect, BMP-9 was proposed as a candidate for the hepatic insulin-sensitizing substance ( HISS). Whether BMP-9 plays a physiological role in glucose homeostasis is still unknown. In the present study, we show that BMP-9 expression and processing is severely reduced in the liver of insulin-resistant rats. BMP-9 expression and processing was directly stimulated by in situ exposition of the liver to the combination of glucose and insulin and oral glucose in overnight fasted rats. Additionally, prolonged fasting ( 72 h) abrogated refeeding-induced BMP-9 expression and processing. Previous exposition to dexamethasone, a known inductor of insulin resistance, reduced BMP-9 processing stimulated by the combination of insulin and glucose. Finally, we show that neutralization of BMP-9 with an anti-BMP-9 antibody induces glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in 12-h fasted rats. Collectively, the present results demonstrate that BMP-9 plays an important role in the control of glucose homeostasis of the normal rat. Additionally, BMP-9 is expressed and processed in an HISS-like fashion, which is impaired in the presence of insulin resistance. BMP-9 regulation according to the feeding status and the presence of diabetogenic factors reinforces the hypothesis that BMP-9 might exert the role of HISS in glucose homeostasis physiology. ( Endocrinology 149: 6326-6335, 2008)

Evidence Algorithm and Processing Formalized Mathematical Texts

The goal of a research programme Evidence Algorithm is a development of an open system of automated proving that is able to accumulate mathematical knowledge and to prove theorems in a context of a self-contained mathematical text. By now, the first version of such a system called a System for Automated Deduction, SAD, is implemented in software. The system SAD possesses the following main features: mathematical texts are formalized using a specific formal language that is close to a natural language of mathematical publications; a proof search is based on special sequent-type calculi formalizing natural reasoning style, such as application of definitions and auxiliary propositions. These calculi also admit a separation of equality handling from deduction that gives an opportunity to integrate logical reasoning with symbolic calculation.

Concentrations of Progesterone and Insulin in Serum of Nonlactating Dairy Cows in Response to Carbohydrate Source and processing

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Expression and processing of recombinant sarafotoxins precursor in Pichia pastoris

Sarafotoxins are peptides isolated from the Atractaspisw snake venom. with strong constrictor effect on cardiac and smooth muscle. They are structurally and functionally related to endothelins. The sarafotoxins precursor cDNA predicts an unusual structure 'rosary-type', with 12 successive similar stretches of sarafotoxin (SRTX) and spacer, in the present work, the recombinant precursor of SRTXs was sub-cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. and secreted to the culture medium, Characterization by SDS-PAGE, immunoblot, mass spectrometry and biological activity, suggests that intact precursor was expressed but processing into mature toxins also occurred. Furthermore, our results indicate that the correct proportion of sarafotoxin types as contained in the precursor, is obtained in the yeast culture medium. Contractile effects of the expressed toxins, on rat and Bothrops jararaca isolated aorta, were equivalent to 5 X 10(-10) M and 5 x 10(-11) M of sarafotoxin b, respectively. The enzymes responsible for the complete maturation of sarafotoxins precursor are still unknown. Our results strongly suggest that the yeast Pichia pastoris is able to perform such a maturation process. Thus, the yeast Pichia pastoris may offer an alternative to snake venom gland to tentatively identify the molecular process responsible for SRTXs release. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sintering of tin oxide and its applications in electronics and processing of high purity optical glasses

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of synthesis and processing on supersaturated rare earth-doped nanometric SnO2 powders

This paper presents and discusses some of the results of the effects of processing on rare earth-doped nanosize SnO2. Several relevant factors that may influence the characteristics of the final product are studied. The influence of two preparation routes and two heat-treatment conditions on the incorporation of dopants is investigated. The route whereby a soluble salt is used as the dopant source is found to provide the highest degree of dopant incorporation, even under the least favorable heat-treatment conditions.

Retention and processing methods of nasal prosthesis

Patients with congenital malformations, traumatic or pathological mutilation and maxillofacial developmental disorders can be restored aesthetically and emotionally by the production and use of facial prostheses. The aim of this study was to review the literature about the retention and processing methods of facial prostheses, and discuss their characteristics. A literature review on Medline (PubMed) database was performed by using the keywords maxillofacial prosthesis, silicone, resin, pigment, cosmetic, prosthetic nose, based on articles published from 1956 to 2010. Several methods of retention, from adhesives to the placement of implants, and different processing methods such as laser, CAD/CAM and rapid prototyping technologies have been reported. There are advantages and disadvantages of each procedure, and none can be classified as better compared to others.

Proposed procedure for the collection and processing of regional ports and shipping statistics

Presenta una breve descripción de la situación actual en materia de recopilación de estadísticas de puertos y embarques en el Caribe sobre una base regional. Propone una metodología para la recopilación de datos a nivel nacional y la creación de una oficina central para el procesamiento de datos a nivel regional.

Production, composition and processing of milk from ewes fed soybean seeds

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

GLUTAMATERGIC MECHANISMS OF THE DORSAL PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY MATTER MODULATE THE EXPRESSION OF CONDITIONED FREEZING AND FEAR-POTENTIATED STARTLE

It is well known that excitatory amino acids induce unconditioned fear responses when locally injected into the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (dPAG). However, there are only few studies about the involvement of excitatory amino acids mediation in dPAG in the expression of conditioned fear. The present series of experiments evaluates the participation of AMPA/Kainate and NMDA glutamatergic receptors of dPAG in the expression of conditioned fear, assessed by the fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and conditioned freezing responses. Wistar rats were subjected to fear conditioning to light. Twenty-four hours later, they received intra-dPAG injections of kainic acid or NMDA (AMPA/Kainate and NMDA agonists) and 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-nitro-2, 3-dioxo-benzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide disodium salt hydrate (NBQX) or D(-)-2-Amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (APT) (AMPA/Kainate and NMDA antagonists) and were submitted to the FPS test. Conditioned freezing response was simultaneously measured. Effects of drug treatment on motor activity were evaluated in the open-field test. Intra-dPAG injections of glutamatergic agonists enhanced conditioned freezing and promoted pro-aversive effects in the FPS. Lower doses of the agonists had no effect or enhanced FPS whereas higher doses disrupted FPS, indicating a non-monotonic relationship between fear and FPS. The antagonist NBQX had no significant effects while AP7 decreased conditioned freezing but did not affect FPS. Both antagonists reduced the effects of the agonists. The obtained results cannot be attributed to motor deficits. The results suggest an important role of the AMPA/Kainate and NMDA mechanisms of the dPAG in the expression of conditioned freezing and FPS. (C) 2012 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Statistical methods for biomedical signal analysis and processing

Statistical modelling and statistical learning theory are two powerful analytical frameworks for analyzing signals and developing efficient processing and classification algorithms. In this thesis, these frameworks are applied for modelling and processing biomedical signals in two different contexts: ultrasound medical imaging systems and primate neural activity analysis and modelling. In the context of ultrasound medical imaging, two main applications are explored: deconvolution of signals measured from a ultrasonic transducer and automatic image segmentation and classification of prostate ultrasound scans. In the former application a stochastic model of the radio frequency signal measured from a ultrasonic transducer is derived. This model is then employed for developing in a statistical framework a regularized deconvolution procedure, for enhancing signal resolution. In the latter application, different statistical models are used to characterize images of prostate tissues, extracting different features. These features are then uses to segment the images in region of interests by means of an automatic procedure based on a statistical model of the extracted features. Finally, machine learning techniques are used for automatic classification of the different region of interests. In the context of neural activity signals, an example of bio-inspired dynamical network was developed to help in studies of motor-related processes in the brain of primate monkeys. The presented model aims to mimic the abstract functionality of a cell population in 7a parietal region of primate monkeys, during the execution of learned behavioural tasks.

Statistical methods for analysis and processing of medical ultrasound: applications to segmentation and restoration

In this thesis two major topics inherent with medical ultrasound images are addressed: deconvolution and segmentation. In the first case a deconvolution algorithm is described allowing statistically consistent maximum a posteriori estimates of the tissue reflectivity to be restored. These estimates are proven to provide a reliable source of information for achieving an accurate characterization of biological tissues through the ultrasound echo. The second topic involves the definition of a semi automatic algorithm for myocardium segmentation in 2D echocardiographic images. The results show that the proposed method can reduce inter- and intra observer variability in myocardial contours delineation and is feasible and accurate even on clinical data.