Cyclic

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) plays a key role in the vital metabolic and regulatory processes in mammals. Disturbance of the NAD level regulation is associated with the development of such serious diseases as pellagra, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, cancer and others. This paper presents an experimental approach that allows to determine the amount of NAD + in mouse tissues using NMR spectroscopy, as well as the level of NAD +-dependent deacetylation of proteins in the cytosol and mitochondria.

BackgroundSeveral agents provide treatment for established rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but a crucial therapeutic goal is to delay/prevent progression of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) or very early RA.ObjectiveTo determine the impact of T-cell costimulation modulation in patients with UA or very early RA.MethodsIn this double-blind, phase II, placebocontrolled, 2-year study, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)2-positive patients with UA (not fulfilling the ACR criteria for RA) and clinical synovitis of two or more joints were randomised to abatacept (∼10 mg/kg) or placebo for 6 months; the study drug was then terminated. The primary end point was development of RA (by ACR criteria) at year 1. Patients were monitored by radiography, MRI, CCP2, rheumatoid factor and 28 joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) over 2 years.ResultsAt year 1, 12/26 (46%) abatacept-treated versus 16/24 (67%) placebo-treated patients developed RA (difference (95% CI) −20.5% (−47.4% to 7.8%)). Adjuste...

Structures must provide strength, stability, and stiffness to buildings and at the same time be efficient. This study addressed the effect of design elements and parameters on the strength of bolted lateral connections in steel beams under bending using the component-based finite element
method. The variables evaluated were plate thickness, horizontal and vertical spacing between bolts, and geometric arrangement of bolts. Finite element software was used to evaluate the stress state of the junction plate, its plastic deformation, and bolt shear. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine which bolt arrangements result in safer and more efficient designs using the same components. Stress distribution within the junction plate and plastic deformation values were used to evaluate the structural performance of the joints according to EuroCode 3. The results showed that placing bolts near the edge of a plate affected the bolts’ utilization, especially with thinner plates. Additionally, introducing an offset between central and outer bolt rows is not recommended as it
worsened the stress distribution and the structural performance.

Background Integrins are heterodimeric receptors that play a critical role in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion processes. Among them, αVβ3 integrin, that recognizes the aminoacidic RGD triad, is reported to be involved in angiogenesis, tissue repair and tumor growth. We have recently synthesized a new and selective ligand of αVβ3 receptor, referred to as RGDechiHCit, that contains a cyclic RGD motif and two echistatin moieties. Methods The aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the effects of RGDechiHCit. Therefore, we assessed its properties in cellular (endothelial cells [EC], and vascular smooth muscle cells [VSMC]) and animal models (Wistar Kyoto rats and c57Bl/6 mice) of angiogenesis. Results In EC, but not VSMC, RGDechiHCit inhibits intracellular mitogenic signaling and cell proliferation. Furthermore, RGDechiHCit blocks the ability of EC to form tubes on Matrigel. In vivo, wound healing is delayed in presence of RGDechiHCit. Similarly, Matrigel plugs demonstr...

Rises in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]cyt) are central in platelet activation, yet many aspects of the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Most studies examine how experimental manipulations affect agonist-evoked rises in [Ca(2+)]cyt, but these only monitor the net effect of manipulations on the processes controlling [Ca(2+)]cyt (Ca(2+) buffering, sequestration, release, entry and removal), and cannot resolve the source of the Ca(2+) or the transporters or channels affected. To investigate the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) on platelet Ca(2+) signalling, we here monitor Ca(2+) flux around the platelet by measuring net Ca(2+) fluxes to or from the extracellular space and the intracellular Ca(2+) stores, which act as the major sources and sinks for Ca(2+) influx into and efflux from the cytosol, as well as monitoring the cytosolic Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)]cyt), which influences platelet Ca(2+) fluxes via Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange. The intracellular store Ca(2+) c...

Lateral asymmetries in the lower limbs (LL) in motor actions are frequently treated as a dysfunction. In literature it has been reported that force differences of 15% between lower limbs increases the probability of injuries risk (Petschnig et al., 1998). The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity of two functional tests in detecting asymmetries in the lower limbs (hop test and impulse in the double force platform) and to compare the indexes of asymmetry between tests.

In this paper, cyclic triaxial loading tests were conducted on specimens of soft clay with varying cyclic stresses and frequencies to investigate the performance of soft soil subgrade subjected to cyclic loading. The laboratory results indicate that given the same level of cyclic stress, the stability of clay subgrade is primarily dependent on the loading time with no consistent frequency/train speed effect. There exists a critical level of cyclic stress between 60 and 80% of the monotonic shear strength, above which failure may occur regardless of the loading frequency. The nature that soils behave dependently on cyclic stress level rather than loading frequency was investigated through the strain rate during cyclic loading, which is considered responsible for the cyclic response of soft clays under various loading conditions. For loading frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 5 Hz, it was found that the strain rate depended on the cyclic stress ratio rather than the loading frequency, wh...

The Ovsynch protocol is a timed artificial insemination program compromise two GnRH and one PGF2α administrations in which ovulation was synchronized (GnRH 7d PGF2α 56h GnRH 18h AI). The advantage of this protocol is allowing successful artificial insemination (AI) without detection of estrus. Previous studies have shown that although the Ovsynch protocol synchronized ovulation successfully in both cyclic and noncyclic cows, conception rate is inconsistent between the studies. The aims of this study were (1) to detect the maximum follicle size in noncyclic cows (2) to determine the effect of maximum follicle size on Ovsynch outcome (3) to compare response to Ovsynch protocol between cyclic and noncyclic cows. Cows’ ovaries were 1 Uludağ Üniversitesi Veteriner, Fakültesi Doğum ve Jinekoloji A.B.D, 16059, Görükle, Bursa. 2 Lalahan Hayvancılık Araştırma Enstitüsü, 06852, Lalahan, Ankara. 3 Tarfaş A.Ş., 16190, Karacabey, Bursa. 4 Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Biyometri ve ...

Urocortin 1, 2 and 3 (Ucns) and corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRF2) are prominently expressed in various layers of the upper gut while current knowledge of their expression and regulation in the colonic layers are limited. We investigated Ucns and CRF2 isoforms expression by RT-PCR in the proximal colon separated into mucosa and submucosa plus muscle (S+M), or in laser captured layers, their regulations by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 μg/kg ip) and the effects of the CRF2 antagonist astresssin2-B on colonic immune response to LPS in rats. Transcripts of Ucns and CRF2b, the most common wild-type isoform in the periphery, were detected in all layers including myenteric neurons. LPS increased Ucn 1, Ucn 2 or Ucn 3 mRNA and decreased CRF2b mRNA levels in both colonic mucosa and S+M layers at 2, 6, 9 h after injection with a return to the basal level at 24 h. In addition, CRF2a, another wild-type isoform more prominently in the CNS, and a novel truncated splice variant CRF2a...

Alice in Wonderland syndrome is a disorienting perceptual disorder characterized by discrete episodes of bizarre visual illusions and spatial distortions which has been associated with numerous neurologic and psychiatric conditions. Little is known regarding the electrophysiologic correlates of the visual symptoms described in this syndrome. The authors report the unique case of an 8-year-old boy presenting with visual distortions consistent with Alice in Wonderland syndrome, and an electroencephalogram demonstrating bilateral temporo-occipital slowing which correlated with symptoms of micropsia, teleopsia, and dysmorphopsia. Identification of this clinical syndrome and its electroclinical features are important for establishing a proper diagnosis and subsequent reassurance or appropriate treatment directed toward the underlying etiology.

In recent years, steel or composite beam-column connections have drawn increasing praise due to the rapid development of assembled steel structures. However, limited researches have paid attention to the analytical behavior of square hollow column-beam joints. This work presents a numerical study on the static and cyclic behavior of the connections between a square hollow steel column and I-beam. Finite element analytical modeling of the joint was performed considering complex contact interactions and material models. Six different connections were evaluated by using ABAQUS. The modeling techniques used in this work, including the mesh and element types, the material properties, and the contact elements, were validated by comparing the numerical results of a through plate connection model with the experimental study results. Good agreement between the test and analytical results was observed in terms of the failure modes and the hysteretic behavior. Based on numerical results, the f...

The use of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns is highly encouraged nowadays in modern multistory structures. The major reason is the extensive resistance offered by the hollow steel column to high compression. Nevertheless, further studies and data are desirable to exhaustively characterize these members and their connections to other members, such as beams. This paper investigated the behavior of concrete-filled columns connected to I-beams by through plates. Three simple types of plate connections (easy to assemble and construct) were proposed and evaluated. The behavior of these connections was examined under static loading by using advanced finite element based software (ABAQUS). The modeling techniques used in this study were validated by comparing the numerical results of a through plate connection model with the results of two relevant experimental studies. The proposed connections were classified as semi-rigid connections according to Eurocode-3. These connections wer...

The aim of this study was to determine the bactericidal effect of indigenously isolated entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae against clinically isolated human pathogens such as Bacillus subtills, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Shigella spp, Entrocooci spp. Methods: The isolated fungus was mass cultivated in liquid state fermentation and the extracellular products were extracted with dichloromethane. With the support of preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) the extract was separated and the active metabolites were characterized. Further, the extract was tested for its bactericidal efficacy against clinically isolated human pathogens via well diffusion method. Briefly, different concentrations of the extracts were loaded onto the bacterial culture growing in nutrient agar plates. Results: Formation of clear zones after 24h of incubation indicates the significant inhibitory action of active metabolites present in the three different concentrations (25µl, 50µl, 75µl) of crude extract. High level exhibit best inhibitory activity was found against B.subtills (26.4±0.1), Conclusion: The findings of this preliminary study gives overview idea about the differential anti-bacterial property of M. anisopliae and additionally it will help us to find specific antibiotic products for biomedical applications.

In this paper, we introduce general classes of generalized monotonicity and generalized convexity. For each type of (relatively) generalized monotone map, we establish a relationship to (relatively) generalized convex function. In this way, we obtain first-order characterizations for various (relatively) generalized convex functions. Our results extend/generalize similar result obtained in (3).