Right thyroid hemiagenesis with adenoma and hyperplasia of parathyroid glands -case report

The uncertainties regarding dose similarities between basal long-acting insulin analogues remain. Recent real-world studies indicate dose similarities between insulin detemir and insulin glargine, but further studies are still warranted. The aim of this study was to compare real-life daily doses of insulin detemir and insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes patients when administered once daily. We analysed 536 patient cases from general practice (63%) and endocrinological outpatient clinics (37%). A self-administered questionnaire completed by the treating physician was used to obtain data on patient characteristics (gender, age, weight, height, latest HbA1c-value), daily doses, administration of and number of years treated with insulin detemir and insulin glargine, concomitant insulin use and use of non-insulin anti-diabetic medication. Both bivariate analyses and multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine whether there were differences in the daily doses of insulin detemir and insulin glargine. There was no significant difference in the mean daily doses of insulin detemir (0.414 U/kg) and insulin glargine (0.416 U/kg) (p = 0.4341). In multivariate regression analyses, age and BMI had a significant influence on daily insulin dose with the dose increasing 0.003 U/kg (p = 0.0375) and 0.008 U/kg (p = 0.0003) with every 1 increment in age and BMI, respectively. Dose similarities between insulin detemir and insulin glargine were seen in type 2 diabetes patients when administered once daily. Thus, the use of insulin detemir and insulin glargine is not associated with different medical costs if the price and treating algorithm are similar.     

Aspects of astrocyte energy metabolism,amino acid neurotransmitter homoeostasis and metabolic compartmentation

Astrocytes are key players in brain function; they are intimately involved in neuronal signalling processes and their metabolism is tightly coupled to that of neurons. In the present review, we will be concerned with a discussion of aspects of astrocyte metabolism, including energy-generating pathways and amino acid homoeostasis. A discussion of the impact that uptake of neurotransmitter glutamate may have on these pathways is included along with a section on metabolic compartmentation.     

Wetter is Better: Rewetting of Minerotrophic Peatlands Increases Plant Production and Moves Them Towards Carbon Sinks in a Dry Year

Ecosystems - Peatlands are effective carbon sinks as more biomass is produced than decomposed under the prevalent anoxic conditions. Draining peatlands coupled with warming releases stored carbon,...     

A new carbohydrate-active oligosaccharide dehydratase is involved in the degradation of ulvan

Marine algae catalyze half of all global photosynthetic production of carbohydrates. Owing to their fast growth rates, Ulva spp. rapidly produce substantial amounts of carbohydrate-rich biomass and represent an emerging renewable energy and carbon resource. Their major cell wall polysaccharide is the anionic carbohydrate ulvan. Here, we describe a new enzymatic degradation pathway of the marine bacterium Formosa agariphila for ulvan oligosaccharides involving unsaturated uronic acid at the nonreducing end linked to rhamnose-3-sulfate and glucuronic or iduronic acid (Δ-Rha3S-GlcA/IdoA-Rha3S). Notably, we discovered a new dehydratase (P29_PDnc) acting on the nonreducing end of ulvan oligosaccharides, i.e., GlcA/IdoA-Rha3S, forming the aforementioned unsaturated uronic acid residue. This residue represents the substrate for GH105 glycoside hydrolases, which complements the enzymatic degradation pathway including one ulvan lyase, one multimodular sulfatase, three glycoside hydrolases, and the dehydratase P29_PDnc, the latter being described for the first time. Our research thus shows that the oligosaccharide dehydratase is involved in the degradation of carboxylated polysaccharides into monosaccharides.     

An Application of the Shark Skin Denticle Geometry for Windbreak Fence Design and Fabrication

Windbreak fences in open and urban areas can be used to effectively reduce the wind velocity.In this paper we examine how the geometrical shape of the windbreak fence can optimally mitigate wind velocity.We propose an approach for windbreak fence design based on a bionic parametric model of the shark skin denticle geometry,which improves the reduction of the wind velocity around and behind the windbreak fences.The generative model was used to estimate improvements by variations in the parameters of the fence panel's geometrical shape,inspired by shark skin denticles.The results of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis indicates that the fence surface inspired by shark skin performs much better than both flat and corrugated surfaces.Taking into account the complex geometry of the surface inspired by shark skin denticles,we propose a fabrication process using an expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) material,created using an industrial robot ann with a hot-wire tool.Creating EPS moulds for the shark skin denticle panels allows for a richer variety material to be used in the final design,leading both to higher efficiency and a more attractive design.     

Novel approach for the prediction of cell densities and viability in standardized translucent cell culture biochips with near infrared spectroscopy

Near infrared spectroscopy is a rapid and nondestructive method for compositional analysis of biological material. The technology is widely used within bioreactors and possesses potential as a standardized method for quality control in miniaturized microfluidic cell culture systems. Here, we established a method for quantification of cell density and viability of adherent HepaRG cells cultured in a translucent, miniaturized cell culture biochip. The newly developed statistical models for interpretation of near infrared spectroscopy from biochips are the basis for a novel method of fast, continuous, and contact‐free analysis of cell viability and real‐time monitoring of cell growth. The technique thus paves the way for a robust and reliable high‐throughput analysis of biochip‐embedded cell cultures.     

DNA tension-modulated translocation and loop extrusion by SMC complexes revealed by molecular dynamics simulations

Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complexes play essential roles in genome organization across all domains of life. To determine how the activities of these large (≈50 nm) complexes are controlled by ATP binding and hydrolysis, we developed a molecular dynamics model that accounts for conformational motions of the SMC and DNA. The model combines DNA loop capture with an ATP-induced ‘power stroke’ to translocate the SMC complex along DNA. This process is sensitive to DNA tension: at low tension (0.1 pN), the model makes loop-capture steps of average 60 nm and up to 200 nm along DNA (larger than the complex itself), while at higher tension, a distinct inchworm-like translocation mode appears. By tethering DNA to an experimentally-observed additional binding site (‘safety belt’), the model SMC complex can perform loop extrusion (LE). The dependence of LE on DNA tension is distinct for fixed DNA tension vs. fixed DNA end points: LE reversal occurs above 0.5 pN for fixed tension, while LE stalling without reversal occurs at about 2 pN for fixed end points. Our model matches recent experimental results for condensin and cohesin, and makes testable predictions for how specific structural variations affect SMC function.