HMGB1 enhances the protumoral activities of M2 macrophages by a RAGE-dependent mechanism.

The monocyte-macrophage lineage shows a high degree of diversity and plasticity. Once they infiltrate tissues, they may acquire two main functional phenotypes, being known as the classically activated type 1 macrophages (M1) and the alternative activated type 2 macrophages (M2). The M1 phenotype can be induced by bacterial products and interferon-γ and exerts a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells.

Evidence of involvement of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in the adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelial cells.

The adherence of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelial cells is required for prolonged persistence in the stomach and for induction of injury. Here, we first reported a new role of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) on the adherence of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells, assessed by different methods and binding to immobilized RAGE.

High prevalence of virulence-associated genotypes in Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates in the Region del Maule, Chile.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the gastric cancer mortality rate in Chile are remarkably high. This study identified some virulence-associated genes in 78 H. pylori clinical isolates from dyspeptic patients from the Region del Maule, which is the region with the higher gastric cancer mortality rate in the country.

Comparative study of methane adsorption on graphite.

To study methane adsorption on graphite in a wide range of coverages and temperatures, we compare experimental results with Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) of the grand canonical ensemble (GCE) and mean-field approximation (MFA) of the lattice gas model (LGM). MCSs were performed by employing two models for the substrate description; we utilized Steele's 10-4-3 analytical potential, and as a second approach, we represented the graphite surface as composed of several graphene layers (at the atomic level). We obtained adsorption isotherms and density profiles that confirm a layer-by-layer mechanism at low temperatures; the later results in the analytical model having a denser condensed phase than the atomistic one.