Functional analysis of altered channel-activating protease-1 (CAP1) expression in the skin

Summary : The skin is a complex organ that protects the body against entry of pathogens and supplies a relatively dry and impermeable barrier to water loss. This barrier function is mainly provided by the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. Serine proteases are involved in skin physiology and it is known that mutations or alterations in their expression can lead to skin diseases. In order to investigate the importance of the regulated expression of CAPI/Prss8, a membrane bound serine protease expressed in the epidermis, we developed transgenic mice ectopically expressing CAPI/Prss8 in the skin. These animals exhibited a phenotype characterized by scaly skin, epidermal hypertrophy, inflammation and scratching behavior. This phenotype could be completely abolished in mice lacking the proteinase activated receptor 2 (PAR2) revealing PAR2 as a potential in vivo downstream target of CAP 1 /Prss8. We could also provide evidence of a CAP1 /Prss8 function independent of its catalytic activity. Additionally, mice ectopically expressing PAR2 in the skin developed a skin phenotype very similar to CAPI/Prss8 transgenic animals, supporting the hypothesis of PAR2 activation by CAPI/Prss8. We could furthermore demonstrate an inhibitory effect of the serine protease inhibitor nexin-I on CAPI/Prss8, since nexin-1 transgenic expression negated the skin phenotype observed in CAPI/Prss8 transgenic mice. CAP1/Prss8 and PAR2 transgenic animals, and the understanding of the interaction between CAPl/Prss8 and PAR2, can be helpful in developing potential CAPI/Prss8 and PAR2 inhibitory molecules that may be used as drugs to treat ichthyoses-like skin diseases. Résumé : La peau est un organe complexe qui protège le corps contre l'entrée des pathogènes et forme une barrière imperméable qui empêche la déshydratation. Cette fonction de barrière est surtout fournie par l'épiderme, la couche la plus superficielle de la peau. Le bon fonctionnement de cet organe est permis, entre autres, par les protéases à sérine qui sont des enzymes dont l'altération peut causer des maladies de la peau. Pour étudier l'importance de la régulation de CAP1/Prss8, une protéase à sérine exprimée au niveau de l'épiderme, des souris génétiquement modifiées, dans lesquelles CAP1/Prss8 est exprimé d'une manière ectopique dans la peau, ont été générées. Les animaux transgéniques pour CAP1/Prss8 présentent une peau squameuse, un épiderme hypertrophique, des processus inflammatoires et se grattent. Ce phénotype a pu être complètement guéri lorsque le gène de PAR2, un récepteur qui règle l'activité des cellules de l'épiderme, est inactivé chez la souris. Ceci montre que PAR2 est une cible de CAP1/Prss8 dans le système étudié. Des études expérimentales suggèrent de plus que l'effet de CAP1/Prss8 dans ce modèle ne dépend pas de son activité enzymatique. En dernière analyse, il a été démontré que l'expression transgénique de nexin-1, un inhibiteur des protéases à sérine exprimé dans la peau, a la capacité d'améliorer la peau squameuse et l'épiderme hypertrophique causés par CAP1/Prss8 transgénique. Les animaux transgéniques pour CAP1/Prss8 et PAR2, et la compréhension du mécanisme d'interaction entre eux, pourraient aider à développer et à tester des molécules inhibitrices de CAP1 /Prss8 et PARI qui pourraient alors être utilisées comme médicaments pour traiter des maladies de la peau comme les ichthyoses.

Anthropogenic radionuclides in atmospheric air over Switzerland during the last few decades.

The atmospheric nuclear testing in the 1950s and early 1960s and the burn-up of the SNAP-9A satellite led to large injections of radionuclides into the stratosphere. It is generally accepted that current levels of plutonium and caesium radionuclides in the stratosphere are negligible. Here we show that those radionuclides are present in the stratosphere at higher levels than in the troposphere. The lower content in the troposphere reveals that dry and wet deposition efficiently removes radionuclides within a period of a few weeks to months. Since the stratosphere is thermally stratified and separated from the troposphere by the tropopause, radioactive aerosols remain longer. We estimate a mean residence time for plutonium and caesium radionuclides in the stratosphere of 2.5-5 years. Our results also reveal that strong volcanic eruptions like Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 have an important role in redistributing anthropogenic radionuclides from the stratosphere to the troposphere.

Index of soil physical quality of hardsetting soils on the brazilian coast

Many soils have a hard-setting behavior, also known as cohesive or "coesos". In such soils, the penetration resistance increases markedly when dry and decreases considerably when moist, creating serious limitations for plant emergence and growth. To evaluate the level of structure degradation in hard-setting soils with different texture classes and to create an index for assessing soil hardness levels in hard-setting soils, six soil representative profiles were selected in the field in various regions of Brazil. The following indices were tested: S, which measures soil physical quality, and H , which analyzes the degree of hardness and the effective stress in the soil during drying. Both indices were calculated using previously described functions based on data from the water-retention curves for the soils. The hard-setting values identified in different soils of the Brazilian Coastal Tablelands have distinct compaction (hardness) levels and can be satisfactorily measured by the H index. The S index was adequate for evaluating the structural characteristics of the hard-setting soils, classifying them as suitable or poor for cultivation, but only when the moisture level of the soil was near the inflection point. The H index showed that increases in density in hard-setting soils result from increases in effective stress and not from the soil texture. Values for Bd > 1.48 kg dm-3 classify the soil as hard-setting, and the structural organization is considered "poor".

Schmidtea mediterranea phylogeography: an old species surviving on a few mediterranean islands?

Schmidtea mediterranea (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Continenticola) is found in scattered localities on a few islands and in coastal areas of the western Mediterranean. Although S. mediterranea is the object of many regeneration studies, little is known about its evolutionary history. Its present distribution has been proposed to stem from the fragmentation and migration of the Corsica-Sardinia microplate during the formation of the western Mediterranean basin, which implies an ancient origin for the species. To test this hypothesis, we obtained a large number of samples from across its distribution area. Using known and new molecular markers and, for the first time in planarians, a molecular clock, we analysed the genetic variability and demographic parameters within the species and between its sexual and asexual populations to estimate when they diverged. Results: A total of 2 kb from three markers (COI, CYB and a nuclear intron N13) was amplified from ~200 specimens. Molecular data clustered the studied populations into three groups that correspond to the west, central and southeastern geographical locations of the current distribution of S. mediterranea. Mitochondrial genes show low haplotype and nucleotide diversity within populations but demonstrate higher values when all individuals are considered. The nuclear marker shows higher values of genetic diversity than the mitochondrial genes at the population level, but asexual populations present lower variability than the sexual ones. Neutrality tests are significant for some populations. Phylogenetic and dating analyses show the three groups to be monophyletic, with the west group being the basal group. The time when the diversification of the species occurred is between ~20 and ~4 mya, although the asexual nature of the western populations could have affected the dating analyses. Conclusions: S. mediterranea is an old species that is sparsely distributed in a harsh habitat, which is probably the consequence of the migration of the Corsica-Sardinia block. This species probably adapted to temperate climates in the middle of a changing Mediterranean climate that eventually became dry and hot. These data also suggest that in the mainland localities of Europe and Africa, sexual individuals of S. mediterranea are being replaced by asexual individuals that are either conspecific or are from other species that are better adapted to the Mediterranean climate.

Reduction of Concrete Deterioration by Ettringite Using Crystal Growth Inhibition Techniques, TR-431, 2001

Many researchers have concluded that secondary or delayed ettringite is responsible for serious premature deterioration of concrete highways. In some poorly performing Iowa concretes, ettringite is the most common secondary mineral but its role in premature deterioration is uncertain since some researchers still maintain that secondary ettringite does not itself cause deterioration. The current research project was designed to determine experimentally if it is possible to reduce secondary ettringite formation in concrete by treating the concrete with commercial crystallization inhibitor chemicals. The hypothesis is such that if the amount of ettringite is reduced, there will also be a concomitant reduction of concrete expansion and cracking. If both ettringite formation and deterioration are simultaneously reduced, then the case for ettringite induced expansion/cracking is strengthened. The experiment used four commercial inhibitors - two phosphonates, a polyacrylic acid, and a phosphate ester. Concrete blocks were subjected to continuous immersion, wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycling in sodium sulfate solutions and in sulfate solutions containing an inhibitor. The two phosphonate inhibitors, Dequest 2060 and Dequest 2010, manufactured by Monsanto Co., were effective in reducing ettringite nucleation and growth in concrete. Two other inhibitors, Good-rite K752 and Wayhib S were somewhat effective, but less so than the two phosphonates. Rapid experiments with solution growth inhibition of ettringite without the presence of concrete phases were used to explore the mechanisms of inhibition of this mineral. Reduction of new ettringite formation in concrete blocks also reduced expansion and cracking of the blocks. This relationship clearly links concrete expansion with this mineral - a conclusion that some research workers have disputed despite theoretical arguments for such a relationship and despite numerous observations of ettringite mineralization in prematurely deteriorated concrete highways. Secondary ettringite nucleation and growth must cause concrete expansion because the only known effect of the inhibitor chemicals is to reduce crystal nucleation and growth, and the inhibitors cannot in any other way be responsible for the reduction in expansion. The mechanism of operation of the inhibitors on ettringite reduction is not entirely clear but the solution growth experiments show that they prevent crystallization of a soluble ettringite precursor gel. The present study shows that ettringite growth alone is not responsible for expansion cracking because the experiments showed that most expansion occurs under wet/dry cycling, less under freeze/thaw cycling, and least under continuous soaking conditions. It was concluded from the different amounts of damage that water absorption by newly-formed, minute ettringite crystals is responsible for part of the observed expansion under wet/dry conditions, and that reduction of freeze resistance by ettringite filling of air-entrainment voids is also important in freeze/thaw environments.

Recycling of Asphalt Concrete From I-80 in Cass County, HR-1011, 1978

Approximately 40,000 tons of deteriorated asphalt concrete has been removed from Interstate 80 in Cass County and stockpiled. Laboratory tests indicate that this material has considerable value when upgraded with new aggregate and asphalt cement. This report documents the procedures used and results obtained on an experimental recycling project. It was demonstrated that present drum mixing-recycling equipment and procedures can be used to utilize this material with satisfactory results. Laboratory analyses of material components and mixtures were performed; these analyses indicate mixture can be produced that is uniform, stable, and very closely resembles mixture produced with all virgin material. A 1700 foot long test section was constructed on US 169 in Kossuth County wherein salvaged asphalt concrete from I-80 in Cass County was utilized. The salvaged mix was blended with virgin aggregate and recycled through a modified drum mixing plant, the reprocessed mixture was satisfactorily placed 1 1/2 inches thick as a resurfacing course on an old PCC pavement. An inspection of the test section was made in December of 1978 to evaluate the performance after one full year of service. There was no evidence of rutting or shoving from traffic. The surface does, however, have a very dry and somewhat ravelled appearance. This can be related to a low asphalt content in the mix and some temperature control problems which were difficult to get fully corrected on such a short project and with a short supply of readily available materials.

Evaluation of Asphalt Mixes Made from Reclaimed Concrete Aggregates, MLR-85-07, 1986

Three comparable hot mixed asphalt paving mixes were produced using two different aggregates produced from reclaimed portland cement concrete paving and one from a crushed limestone aggregate. These were subjected both dry and soaked to indirect tensile tests to determine the wet strength retention. One mix made from reclaimed concrete demonstrated a slightly better strength retention than the limestone mix and the other less. Satisfactory asphalt paving mixes can be produced from reclaimed concrete pavements but the increased asphalt demand (about 1%) negates part of the potential savings.

Effects of Implements of Husbandry (Farm Equipment) on Pavement Performance, TR-563, 2012

The effects of farm equipment on the structural behavior of flexible and rigid pavements were investigated in this study. The project quantified the difference in pavement behavior caused by heavy farm equipment as compared to a typical 5-axle, 80 kip semi-truck. This research was conducted on full scale pavement test sections designed and constructed at the Minnesota Road Research facility (MnROAD). The testing was conducted in the spring and fall seasons to capture responses when the pavement is at its weakest state and when agricultural vehicles operate at a higher frequency, respectively. The flexible pavement sections were heavily instrumented with strain gauges and earth pressure cells to measure essential pavement responses under heavy agricultural vehicles, whereas the rigid pavement sections were instrumented with strain gauges and linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs). The full scale testing data collected in this study were used to validate and calibrate analytical models used to predict relative damage to pavements. The developed procedure uses various inputs (including axle weight, tire footprint, pavement structure, material characteristics, and climatic information) to determine the critical pavement responses (strains and deflections). An analysis was performed to determine the damage caused by various types of vehicles to the roadway when there is a need to move large amounts agricultural product.

Growth of champa fruit under agroecological conditions of Miraflores, Boyacá, Colombia

The objective of this work was to analyze the growth of champa fruit (Campomanesia lineatifolia) as a function of growing-degree days (GDD) in the municipality of Miraflores, in Boyacá, Colombia. Thirty trees were selected at random, and 100 flowers in full bloom were marked in each tree. From the 26th day after flowering until harvest, 10 samples were taken every 15 days to determine the fruit parameters and growth rate. Temperature was recorded to calculate the GDD. From flowering until harvest, 1,489.1 GDD were accumulated over 145 days. Dry and fresh matter mass of pulp, seed, and total fruit were fitted to a logistic growth model, and three growth stages (S1, S2 and S3) were defined. In the S1, growth was slow, and the relative growth remained nearly stable, whereas the absolute growth rate (AGR) increased slowly. In the S2, maximum growth was observed. In the S3, which corresponds to maturation, dry mass increased gradually, and the AGR decreased, while the fresh pulp and total mass did not cease to increase. The polar and equatorial diameters increased linearly, while the volume followed an exponential model. Champa fruit show a simple sigmoid growth curve.

Höyrykattiloiden säilöntä

Tässä työssäon tarkasteltu yleisesti höyrykattiloiden säilöntää. Erilaisten säilöntämenetelmien perustietojen lisäksi työssä on pyritty selvittämään eri kattilatyypeille ominaiset säilöntätavat. Märkäsäilönnän jälkeistä käyttöönottoa on pohdittu selvittämällä laskennallisesti, onko tarpeen vaihtaa kattilaan vahvasti kemikaloidun säilöntäliuoksen tilalle puhtaampaa syöttövettä. Esimerkkinä on käytetty Voikkaan paperitehtaan höyryvoimalaitoksen kattila K13:ta. Työtä tehdessä on käytetty apuna aihetta käsittelevää kirjallisuutta, jota on saatu höyrykattiloita säilöviltä voimalaitoksilta, kemikaalitoimittajilta sekä asiantuntijoiden tekemistä luentomonisteista. Lieriökattiloiden höyrypuoli säilötään lähes poikkeuksetta märkänä, sillä se on vaikea tyhjentää täysin kosteudesta. Läpivirtauskattilalaitoksella käytetään usein sekä kuiva- että märkäsäilöntää. Savukaasupuolen korroosio ehkäistään useinmiten pitämällä kattila niin lämpimänä, että kastepistealituksia ei tapahdu.

Effect of water contamination on the shear bond strength of five orthodontic adhesives

Objectives: To evaluate the shear bond strength and site of failure of brackets bonded to dry and wet enamel. Study design: 50 teeth were divided into ten groups of 5 teeth each (10 surfaces). In half the groups enamel was kept dry before bonding, and in the other half distilled water was applied to wet the surface after etching. The following groups were established: 1)Acid/Transbond-XT (dry/wet) XT; 2) Transbond Plus Self Etching Primer (TSEP)/Transbond-XT paste (dry/wet); 3) Concise (dry), Transbond MIP/Concise (wet), 4) FujiOrtho-LC (dry/wet); 5) SmartBond (dry/wet). Brackets were bonded to both buccal and lingual surfaces. Specimens were stored in distilled water (24 hours at 37ºC) and thermocycled. Brackets were debonded using a Universal testing machine (cross-head speed 1 mm/min). Failure sites were classified using a stereomicroscope. Results: No significant differences in bond strength were detected between the adhesives under wet and dry conditions except for Smart- Bond, whose bond strength was significantly lower under dry conditions. For all the adhesives most bond failures were of mixed site location except for Smartbond, which failed at the adhesive-bracket interface. Conclusions: Under wet conditions the bonding capacity of the adhesives tested was similar than under dry conditions, with the exception of SmartBond which improved under wet conditions

Analysis of the process of inspection in recreational craft in Spain. Suggestions for safety improvement

Inspections of pleasure boats in Spain can be carried out by collaborating entities of inspection, entities that must be authorized by the Maritime Administration. This authorization allows to perform effective inspections and technical controls of recreational crafts. Recreational crafts are subjected to surveys that are based on the registration list and on the material used in the hull. In addition, required safety equipment of the recreational boat depends on the distance that the recreational boat is authorized to navigate. Following data obtained from inspections of recreational craft, this paper aims to analyze information about hulls within dry and afloat conditions, about the equipment for rescue and safety, and about other nautical equipment; as well as to perform and improve different verifications during the inspections. All this information points to several aspects relevant for the optimization of the inspection process, the ultimate target being increasing efficiency and effectiveness, and ensuring more safety in recreational craft.

Relação entre as massas úmida, seca e de cinza em materiais biológicos - uma ferramenta para amostragens em campo e análise de amostras

Little is known about the amount of water and ash in brazilian foodstuffs and plants. The relationships between fresh, dry and ash weight were determined in 40 different biological samples. It could be an important tool when one studies biological material containing low concentration of the chemical elements. This study address to determine these relationships and to provide the amount of biological material that one needs to collect. It aims to supply information that could be used to improve the detection limit, precision and accuracy of the analytical methodology utilized.

Influência do processamento e da torrefação sobre a atividade antioxidante do café (Coffea arabica)

The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of processing (semi-dry and dry) and roasting (light, medium and dark) on the antioxidant activity of coffee brews, using tests to determine the reducing power and the DPPH scavenging, Fe+2 chelating and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities. All of the coffee brews presented concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. The light coffee samples presented the higher reducing power and DPPH scavenging activity. Its ion chelating capacity was similar to the medium samples, but was less than the green coffee chelating capacity. The semi-dry processing was more efficient than the dry processing only for the reducing power. All of the samples presented high lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. Based on the results the degree of coffee roasting seems to be more important than the processing to determine the antioxidant activity of brews.

Estudo das condições de estocagem do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar por análise térmica

An evaluation was made of the properties of sugarcane bagasse during the storage process for subsequent burning in a boiler. Samples of bagasse were collected over a period of 150 days from the Caeté sugar mill (MG) at various points of the stockpile soon after the sugarcane was pressed to extract its juice, as well as from natural bagasse, dry and damp. Thermal analyses of the samples were carried out and the results indicated that, during the storage of bagasse, dry or damp, the biomass loses up to 32% of its calorific power, due to decomposition of the hemicellulose.