Development and pathologies of the arterial wall

Arteries consist of an inner single layer of endothelial cells surrounded by layers of smooth muscle and an outer adventitia. The majority of vascular developmental studies focus on the construction of endothelial networks through the process of angiogenesis. Although many devastating vascular diseases involve abnormalities in components of the smooth muscle and adventitia (i.e., the vascular wall), the morphogenesis of these layers has received relatively less attention. Here, we briefly review key elements underlying endothelial layer formation and then focus on vascular wall development, specifically on smooth muscle cell origins and differentiation, patterning of the vascular wall, and the role of extracellular matrix and adventitial progenitor cells. Finally, we discuss select human diseases characterized by marked vascular wall abnormalities. We propose that continuing to apply approaches from developmental biology to the study of vascular disease will stimulate important advancements in elucidating disease mechanism and devising novel therapeutic strategies.     

Electroneutral absorption of NaCl by the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron: implication for normal electrolytes homeostasis and blood pressure regulation

Sodium absorption by the distal part of the nephron, i.e., the distal convoluted tubule, the connecting tubule, and the collecting duct, plays a major role in the control of homeostasis by the kidney. In this part of the nephron, sodium transport can either be electroneutral or electrogenic. The study of electrogenic Na⁺ absorption, which is mediated by the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), has been the focus of considerable interest because of its implication in sodium, potassium, and acid–base homeostasis. However, recent studies have highlighted the crucial role played by electroneutral NaCl absorption in the regulation of the body content of sodium chloride, which in turn controls extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure. Here, we review the identification and characterization of the NaCl cotransporter (NCC), the molecule accounting for the main part of electroneutral NaCl absorption in the distal nephron, and its regulators. We also discuss recent work describing the identification of a novel “NCC-like” transport system mediated by pendrin and the sodium-driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger (NDCBE) in the β-intercalated cells of the collecting system.     

Melatonin transport into mitochondria

Melatonin is a well-known, nighttime-produced indole found in bacteria, eukaryotic unicellulars, animals or vascular plants. In vertebrates, melatonin is the major product of the pineal gland, which accounts for its increase in serum during the dark phase, but it is also produced by many other organs and cell types. Such a wide distribution is consistent with its multiple and well-described functions which include from the circadian regulation and adaptation to seasonal variations to immunomodulatory and oncostatic actions in different types of tumors. The discovery of its antioxidant properties in the early 1990s opened a new field of potential protective functions in multiple tissues. A special mention should be made regarding the nervous system, where the indole is considered a major neuroprotector. Furthermore, mitochondria appear as one of the most important targets for the indole’s protective actions. Melatonin’s mechanisms of action vary from the direct molecular interaction with free radicals (free radical scavenger) to the binding to membrane (MLT1A and MLT1B) or nuclear receptors (RZR/RORα). Receptor binding has been associated with some, but not all of the indole functions reported to date. Recently, two new mechanisms of cellular uptake involving the facilitative glucose transporters GLUT/SLC2A and the proton-driven oligopeptide transporter PEPT1/2 have been reported. Here we discuss the potential importance that these newly discovered transport systems could have in determining the actions of melatonin, particularly in the mitochondria. We also argue the relative importance of passive diffusion vs active transport in different parts of the cell.     

Optimal Multimodel Representation by Laguerre Filters Applied to a Communicating Two Tank System

This paper presents the development of a new nonlinear representation by exploiting the multimodel approach and the new linear representation ARX-Laguerre for each operating region. The resulting multimodel, entitled ARX-Laguerre multimodel, is characterized by the parameter number reduction with a recursive representation. However, a significant reduction of this multimodel is subject to an optimal choice of Laguerre poles characterizing each local linear model ARX-Laguerre. Therefore, the authors propose an optimization algorithm to estimate, from input/output measurements, the optimal values of Laguerre poles. The ARX-Laguerre multimodel as well as the proposed optimization algorithm are tested on a continuous stirred tank reactor system (CSTR). Moreover, the authors take into account a practical validation on an experimental communicating two tank system (CTTS).     

Morphology of tube-like threads related to Limnochares aquatica (L., 1758) (Acariformes: Hydrachnidia: Limnocharidae) in the laboratory

Water mites Limnochares aquatica (L., 1758) during maintenance in the laboratory for a long period of time in constant conditions periodically produced certain whitish flocculent material consisting of long rigid unbranched tube-like threads 1.3 ± 0.3 µm in diameter crossing freely. These threads were studied using light-optical as well as transmission electron microscopical and scanning electron microscopical methods. Microbiological staining was also applied to the threads to exclude their bacterial or fungal origin. The thread wall is built of fine fibrils arranged at different angles to the long axis of threads that is reflected in a certain stratification of the wall. Threads are mostly hollow or may contain electron-dense homogeneous material. No cell components are present in the thread composition. Numerous dermal glands with their small slit-like orifice scattered throughout the mite body surface are thought to produce these threads. Most probably the thread formation is a reaction of mites to stress under laboratory conditions, and this is expected to be a type of defensive reaction.     

新疆旅游业对经济增长影响的实证分析

近年来,旅游业已经成为很多地区拉动经济增长的重要产业之一。新疆具有浓郁的民族风情以及各种得天独厚的旅游资源,这为旅游业蓬勃发展提供了坚实基础。首先介绍了新疆旅游业的基本发展状况及趋势;其次,针对新疆2005-2017年的统计数据,运用Stata14.0软件对该数据进行多元回归,分析了旅游业对地区经济增长的贡献,并对新疆经济增长与旅游业之间的影响机制进行研究;最后根据实证分析得出的结论,提出了若干对策建议。