Uptake of advanced glycation end products by proximal tubule epithelial cells via macropinocytosis.

Chronic hyperglycaemia during diabetes leads to non-enzymatic glycation of proteins to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that contribute to nephropathy. We describe AGE uptake in LLC-PK1 and HK2 proximal tubule cell lines by macropinocytosis, a non-specific, endocytic mechanism. AGE-BSA induced dorsal circular actin ruffles and amiloride-sensitive dextran-TRITC uptake, significantly increased AGE-BSA-FITC uptake (167±20% vs BSA control, p<0.

A facile route towards the synthesis of polystyrene/zinc oxide nanocomposites.

ZnO nanoparticles were covalently wrapped by polystyrene (PS) through surface thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization using the grafting from approach. The surface of ZnO nanoparticles was initially modified by 3-mercapto propyltrimethoxysilane to afford thiol functionalized ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-SH). The controlled radical polymerization of styrene (St) was subsequently accomplished by using an initiating system of ZnO-SH and butyrolactam.

Immobilization of proteins onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) functionalized Fe-Au/core-shell nanoparticles via adsorption strategy.

Biocompatible magnetic nanocomposites of Fe-AuNPs and poly(2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) were employed as a strategic protein immobilization platform. The hybrid magnetic nanocomposites were prepared by applying a 'grafting to' ATRP protocol. Fe-AuNPs having Fe core and Au shell were initially prepared by the inverse micelle method.

IGF-II and IGFBP-6 regulate cellular contractility and proliferation in Dupuytren's disease.

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common and heritable fibrosis of the palmar fascia that typically manifests as permanent finger contractures. The molecular interactions that induce the development of hyper-contractile fibroblasts, or myofibroblasts, in DD are poorly understood. We have identified IGF2 and IGFBP6, encoding insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-6 respectively, as reciprocally dysregulated genes and proteins in primary cells derived from contracture tissues (DD cells).

Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum CDPK1 by conditional expression of its J-domain demonstrates a key role in schizont development.

PfCDPK1 [Plasmodium falciparum CDPK1 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 1)] is highly expressed in parasite asexual blood and mosquito stages. Its role is still poorly understood, but unsuccessful gene knockout attempts suggest that it is essential for parasite replication and/or RBC (red blood cell) invasion. In the present study, by tagging endogenous CDPK1 with GFP (green fluorescent protein), we demonstrate that CDPK1 localizes to the parasite plasma membrane of replicating and invasive forms as well as very young intracellular parasites and does not appear to be exported into RBCs.

Dissecting the impact of CO2 and pH on the mechanisms of photosynthesis and calcification in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi.

Coccolithophores are important calcifying phytoplankton predicted to be impacted by changes in ocean carbonate chemistry caused by the absorption of anthropogenic CO2 . However, it is difficult to disentangle the effects of the simultaneously changing carbonate system parameters (CO2 , bicarbonate, carbonate and protons) on the physiological responses to elevated CO2 . Here, we adopted a multifactorial approach at constant pH or CO2 whilst varying dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) to determine physiological and transcriptional responses to individual carbonate system parameters.

Smoke-free workplace ballot campaigns: case studies from Missouri and lessons for policy and media advocacy.

Purpose: To assess the key components of smoke-free campaigns that may have influenced voting outcomes in three communities.

Design: Community case studies with content analysis of tobacco-related newspaper articles.

Setting: Three semiurban Missouri communities.

Phenoscope: an automated large-scale phenotyping platform offering high spatial homogeneity.

Increased phenotyping accuracy and throughput are necessary to improve our understanding of quantitative variation and to be able to deconstruct complex traits such as those involved in growth responses to the environment. Still, only a few facilities are known to handle individual plants of small stature for non-destructive, real-time phenotype acquisition from plants grown in precisely adjusted and variable experimental conditions. Here, we describe Phenoscope, a high-throughput phenotyping platform that has the unique feature of continuously rotating 735 individual pots over a table.

Poly(allyl methacrylate) functionalized hydroxyapatite nanocrystals via the combination of surface-initiated RAFT polymerization and thiol-ene protocol: a potential anticancer drug nanocarrier.

Hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (HAP NCs) were encapsulated by poly(allyl methacrylate) (PolyAMA) employing controlled surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization of allyl methacrylate to afford HAP-PolyAMA nanohybrids. The subsequent thiol-ene coupling of nanohybrids with 2-mercaptosuccinic acid resulted HAP-Poly(AMA-COOH) possessing multicarboxyl group. The formation of the nanohybrids was confirmed by FT-IR and EDS analyses.

An unexpectedly high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in patients awaiting lung transplantation.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common complication after lung transplantation but its prevalence prior to transplantation has not been determined. We sought to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for DM in adults awaiting lung transplantation and to determine whether pre-transplant DM could be diagnosed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) alone.

Methods: All patients wait-listed for lung transplantation over a 2-year period had HbA1c measured.

Modelling atmospheric bulk deposition of Pb, Zn and Cd near a former Pb-Zn mine in West Greenland using transplanted Flavocetraria nivalis lichens.

Atmospheric deposition of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) was investigated near the former Black Angel Pb-Zn mine in Maarmorilik, West Greenland during 2010-2011. Thalli of the lichen Flavocetraria nivalis were transplanted from an uncontaminated site into sites near the mine and collected the following year. At 20 of the total 21 sites, concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd were significantly elevated in lichens after 1 year of transplantation compared to initial concentrations.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 and cancer.

The IGF (insulin-like growth factor) system is essential for physiological growth and it is also implicated in a number of diseases including cancer. IGF activity is modulated by a family of high-affinity IGF-binding proteins, and IGFBP-6 is distinctive because of its marked binding preference for IGF-II over IGF-I. A principal role for IGFBP-6 is inhibition of IGF-II actions, but recent studies have indicated that IGFBP-6 also has IGF-independent effects, including inhibition of angiogenesis and promotion of cancer cell migration.

Targeting the AGE-RAGE axis improves renal function in the context of a healthy diet low in advanced glycation end-product content.

Aim: Mouse chow is commonly high in advanced glycation end-products, known contributors to diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate if targeting of the AGE-RAGE axis was still effective in the context of a diet low in AGE content, which is more comparable to diets consumed by individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: C57BL/6J wild-type and mice deficient in the receptor for AGEs (RAGE-KO) consumed a diet low in AGE content.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of Cushing disease: an Australian experience.

Stereotactic radiation therapy has emerged as an alternative to conventional radiotherapy for treatment of Cushing disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of this treatment. Records of patients with Cushing disease treated with stereotactic radiation were reviewed.

Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites via surface thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization.

An approach to the surface modification of TiO2 nanoparticles was described based on the thiol functionalization of TiO2 followed by thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization (TLIRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). FT-IR, XRD and XPS analyses confirmed the grafting of the polymer on the TiO2 surface. TGA analysis revealed superior thermal stability of PMMA-g-TiO2 compared with PMMA.

Advanced glycation end-products induce calpain-mediated degradation of ezrin.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are important mediators of diabetic complications via incompletely understood pathways. AGEs bind to intracellular ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin and moesin) that modulate cell shape, motility, adhesion and signal transduction. AGEs bind to the N-terminal domain of ezrin but not full-length ezrin.

A high-resolution 15,000(Rad) radiation hybrid panel for the domestic cat.

The current genetic and recombination maps of the cat have fewer than 3,000 markers and a resolution limit greater than 1 Mb. To complement the first-generation domestic cat maps, support higher resolution mapping studies, and aid genome assembly in specific areas as well as in the whole genome, a 15,000(Rad) radiation hybrid (RH) panel for the domestic cat was generated. Fibroblasts from the female Abyssinian cat that was used to generate the cat genomic sequence were fused to a Chinese hamster cell line (A23), producing 150 hybrid lines.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and functionality of reverse cholesterol transport in patients with type 2 diabetes and in mouse models.

Aims/hypothesis: We investigated the contribution of AGEs to the impairment of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) variables in diabetic individuals and in two animal models of diabetic obesity and of renal impairment.

Methods: The capacity of plasma and HDL from 26 individuals with moderately controlled type 2 diabetes to support cholesterol efflux was compared with 26 age- and sex-matched individuals without diabetes. We also compared the rates of RCT in vivo in two animal models: db/db mice and mice with chronic renal failure.

Local contamination in relation to population genetic diversity and resilience of an arctic marine amphipod.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether populations inhabiting a contaminated environment are affected in terms of decreased genetic diversity due to selection of tolerant genotypes and if such effect carries a cost. Marine arctic amphipod populations (Orchomenella pinguis) were collected from sites within a contaminated fjord, as well as from sites outside the fjord on the west-coast of Greenland over three years (2006-2008). Impacts on genetic diversity, effects on resilience such as development of tolerance and cost were determined.

An approach for particle sinking velocity measurements in the 3-400 μm size range and considerations on the effect of temperature on sinking rates.

The flux of organic particles below the mixed layer is one major pathway of carbon from the surface into the deep ocean. The magnitude of this export flux depends on two major processes-remineralization rates and sinking velocities. Here, we present an efficient method to measure sinking velocities of particles in the size range from approximately 3-400 μm by means of video microscopy (FlowCAM).

The insulin-like growth factor system in kidney disease and hypertension.

Purpose Of Review: The insulin-like growth factor system plays an important role in renal physiology and it is perturbed in a range of kidney diseases.

Recent Findings: Some insulin-like growth factor (IGF) actions in the kidney are mediated by nitric oxide. Growth hormone and IGF-binding proteins may contribute to renal diseases via effects on podocytes and proximal tubule cells.

Hypoxic regulation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent kinase by the ubiquitin conjugating system.

We previously reported that hypoxia attenuates nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP)-mediated fetal pulmonary vessel relaxation by inhibiting cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG1) activity, but not all the mechanisms by which acute hypoxia inhibits PKG1 activity have been delineated. Here we demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that acute hypoxia induces an accumulation of ubiquitinated PKG1 in ovine fetal and newborn pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Such a modification was not evident in ovine fetal systemic (cerebral) artery smooth muscle cells.

The history of the Endocrine Society of Australia. The first fifty years.

The Endocrine Society of Australia was formed in 1958 with the aims of advancing knowledge and practice in endocrinology (the study of hormones) and to bring together physicians and scientists in this area of study. It was one of the first medical specialist societies in Australia. From humble beginnings with ninety-nine foundation members, it has flourished to a society with almost 950 members which annually runs three successful clinical and scientific meetings, and provides scholarships, research grants, and travel grants for its young members.

Very-long-chain fatty acids are required for cell plate formation during cytokinesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Acyl chain length is thought to be crucial for biophysical properties of the membrane, in particular during cell division, when active vesicular fusion is necessary. In higher plants, the process of cytokinesis is unique, because the separation of the two daughter cells is carried out by de novo vesicular fusion to generate a laterally expanding cell plate. In Arabidopsis thaliana, very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) depletion caused by a mutation in the microsomal elongase gene PASTICCINO2 (PAS2) or by application of the selective elongase inhibitor flufenacet altered cytokinesis.