Search results for "structural"
showing 10 items of 5047 documents
The translocation of signaling molecules in dark adapting mammalian rod photoreceptor cells is dependent on the cytoskeleton.
2008
In vertebrate rod photoreceptor cells, arrestin and the visual G-protein transducin move between the inner segment and outer segment in response to changes in light. This stimulus dependent translocation of signalling molecules is assumed to participate in long term light adaptation of photoreceptors. So far the cellular basis for the transport mechanisms underlying these intracellular movements remains largely elusive. Here we investigated the dependency of these movements on actin filaments and the microtubule cytoskeleton of photoreceptor cells. Co-cultures of mouse retina and retinal pigment epithelium were incubated with drugs stabilizing and destabilizing the cytoskeleton. The actin a…
Identification and characterization of the nano-sized vesicles released by muscle cells
2013
AbstractSeveral cell types secrete small membranous vesicles that contain cell-specific collections of proteins, lipids, and genetic material. The function of these vesicles is to allow cell-to-cell signaling and the horizontal transfer of their cargo molecules. Here, we demonstrate that muscle cells secrete nano-sized vesicles and that their release increases during muscle differentiation. Analysis of these nanovesicles allowed us to characterize them as exosome-like particles and to define the potential role of the multifunctional protein Alix in their biogenesis.
Storage Diseases: Diagnostic Position
2013
Storage diseases are metabolic multiorgan conditions, which may be divided into lysosomal and nonlysosomal diseases. Disorders of the lysosomal type require electron microscopy for morphological diagnosis. It is the metabolic substrate that determines involvement of the cell type or organ in the individual storage disease, allowing extracerebral biopsies, for instance, in the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL). A hierarchy of tissues biopsied for diagnosis can be based on easy accessibility: blood lymphocytes, skin, conjunctiva, rectum, skeletal muscle. Lysosomal diseases are divided into vacuolar and nonvacuolar ones. NCL display variegated ultrastructural patterns. Drugs may induce lyso…
Regulation of the type II oncostatin M receptor expression in lung-derived epithelial cells
1998
AbstractOncostatin M (OSM) is a potent modulator of human lung-derived epithelial cell function. This cytokine binds two distinct receptor complexes: type I OSM receptor which is also a functional receptor for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and type II OSM-specific receptor. The role of these two distinct receptors in mediating the response of individual cell types to OSM has not been delineated. In contrast to LIF, OSM induces synthesis of α1-antichymotrypsin and α1-antiproteinase inhibitor in lung-derived epithelial cells. The differential responsiveness to LIF and OSM suggested that the response of lung epithelial cells to OSM may be mediated by the OSM-specific receptor. Therefore, w…
Hexapeptides that interfere with HIV-1 fusion peptide activity in liposomes block GP41-mediated membrane fusion
2006
AbstractUpon receptor-mediated activation, the gp41 hydrophobic, conserved fusion peptide inserts into the target membrane and promotes the kind of perturbations required for the progression of the HIV-cell fusion reaction. Using a synthetic combinatorial library we have identified all d-amino acid hexapeptide sequences that inhibited the fusion peptide capacity of perturbing model membranes. Two hexapeptides that effectively inhibited the fusion peptide in these systems were subsequently shown to inhibit cell–cell fusion promoted by gp41 expressed at cell surfaces. These observations might be of importance for understanding the mechanisms underlying fusion peptide activity and suggest new …
Cell-Free Coelomic Fluid Extracts of the Sea Urchin Arbacia lixula Impair Mitochondrial Potential and Cell Cycle Distribution and Stimulate Reactive …
2020
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly malignant tumor histotype which lacks effective targeted therapies, thereby being considered as the most aggressive form of breast carcinoma. To identify novel compounds which could counteract TNBC cell growth, we explored the in vitro effects of crude extracts and <
Does phosphorus affect the industrial Portland cement reactivity?
2018
Abstract The effect of phosphorous on the mineralogy and reactivity of Portland cement has been investigated through an industrial clinkers series. The samples were collected from the same Tunisian cement plant and classified according to the content of P2O5 from 0.5% to 1.1%. All samples were manufactured at the same thermal and cooling conditions as well as possible. The specimens were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and optical microscopy techniques and their mineralogy was determined by X-ray powder diffraction coupled to the Rietveld analysis. The cements reactivity prepared from the clinkers was followed by means of isothermalcalorimetry. The compressive strength of t…
Pumice powder as filler of self-compacting concrete
2015
Abstract An experimental study on the rheological and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete with pumice powder used as filler additive is presented. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) shows its peculiar characteristics in the fresh state and many researches have been developed with reference to its rheological characteristics paying attention to the techniques of self-compacting properties assessment. One of the most important aspect in concrete mix-design is the type and the amount of fillers with respect to water and cement: this amount has great influence not only on self-compacting properties (fluidity, segregation, etc.), but also on the mechanical properties of the mixture. Vo…
Photocatalytic Properties of Cement-Based Plasters and Paints Containing Mineral Pigments
2010
Innovative cement-based premix products for surface coating of buildings that possess photocatalytic activity arouse great interest because of the results they can achieve in reducting air pollution and maintaining aesthetics. This photoactivity is induced by a photocatalyst, titanium dioxide, that can accelerate the oxidation processes of air pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which are mainly produced by incomplete combustion of fuel and are present in urban environments through the exhaust gases of motor vehicles. Surfaces that are coated with these products acquire a self-cleaning characteristic (maintenance of original color) because the decomposi…
Experimental Study of Central Baffle Flume
2019
In this paper, the hydraulics of a central baffle flume (CBF) were experimentally studied. Extensive experimental runs were carried out to highlight the effects of different geometrical parameters such as baffle length, contraction ratio, and the length of upstream and downstream guide walls. Two different approaches, i.e., the Π theorem of dimensional analysis coupled with the incomplete self-similarity theory and the energy balance equation, were applied to deduce the stage–discharge formula of a CBF characterized by different geometrical parameters. The stage–discharge relationship deduced by the dimensional analysis approach was more accurate than that obtained by the energy approach. F…