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The neuropeptide urocortin 3 (UCN3) has a beneficial effect on metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It has been reported that UCN3 regulates insulin secretion and is dysregulated with increasing severity of obesity and diabetes. However, its function in the adipose tissue is unclear. We investigated the overexpression of UCN3 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and differentiated adipocytes and its effects on heat shock response, ER stress, inflammatory markers, and glucose uptake in the presence of stress-inducing concentrations of palmitic acid (PA). UCN3 overexpression significantly downregulated heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP72 and HSP90) and ER stress response markers (GRP78, PERK, ATF6, and IRE1α) and attenuated inflammation (TNFα) and apoptosis (CHOP). Moreover, enhanced glucose uptake was observed in both preadipocytes and mature adipocytes, which is associated with upregulated phosphorylation of AKT and ERK but reduced p-JNK. Moderate effects of UCN3 overexpression were also observed in the presence of 400 μM of PA, and macrophage conditioned medium dramatically decreased the UCN3 mRNA levels in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of UCN3 in adipocytes are reflected, at least partially, by the improvement in cellular stress response and glucose uptake and attenuation of inflammation and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium sulfide thin films with different amounts of silver doping were deposited by spray pyrolysis. The samples were tested as potential photocatalysts by degrading methylene blue (MB) dye aqueous solution under the effect of light. Samples were prepared using precursors with Ag/In ratios of 0 at.%, 4 at.%, and 6 at.%, corresponding to a measured and normalized Ag concentration in the films of 0.0 at.%, 1.4 at.%, and 2.3 at.%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the surface of the films was homogeneous and compact. Within the energy resolution of dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, the films were revealed to be stoichiometric with an S/In ratio of 1.50 ± 0.05. The films exhibited semiconductor behavior, and the best direct-current (DC) conductance was achieved for the film with 1.4 at.% Ag doping. Changes in the Ag concentration led to the activation of different conduction mechanisms, from correlated barrier hopping (for the undoped and for 1.4 at.% Ag-doped film) to overlapping large-polaron tunneling (for the 2.3 at.% Ag-doped film). After immersing the samples in MB solution and exposing them to visible light for 270 min, a significant decrease of the MB absorption was observed. The lowest absorption (and thus highest photodegradation efficiency) was measured for the solution containing the sample with 1.4 at.% Ag doping, showing a photodegradation efficiency of 83%. Considering their performance and relatively low manufacturing cost, such In2S3:Ag films could contribute to the solution of environmental problems related to wastewater via photodegradation of contaminants under illumination by sunlight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of silver-doped indium sulphide (In2S3:Ag) thin films were deposited by spray pyrolysis technique, at 350 °C, to analyze the effects of the Ag doping on the physical properties of the films. Within the limits of the analyzed dopant concentration, X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the polycrystalline nature of the films, crystalizing in the β-In2S3 cubic phase, regardless the level of doping. Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the absence of secondary phases. Optical absorption spectra evidenced that the films are opaque to ultraviolet radiation, but transparent in visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. According to absorption and extinction coefficients variations, the films are smooth and homogeneous. The forbidden bandgap (Eg) increases with increasing Ag concentration. Photoluminescence measurements reveal that the films exhibit seven emissions related to In2S3 defects. The films are semiconductor and the transport phenomena are assisted via small polaron hopping. The photovoltaic effect in Ag/In2S3(n)/Si(p)/Ag is confirmed by I–V characterization in dark and under illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spexin is a novel neuropeptide playing an emerging role in metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes via involvement in energy homeostasis and food intake. The present study investigated the effects of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) on circulating levels of spexin and its modulation by physical exercise. Normal-weight (n = 50) and obese adults with and without T2D (n = 69 and n = 66, respectively) were enrolled in the study. A subgroup of obese participants (n = 47) underwent a supervised 3-month exercise programme. Plasma spexin levels were measured by ELISA and correlated with various markers. Plasma spexin levels decreased in obese participants with or without T2D compared with those of normal-weight participants (0.43 ± 0.11, 0.44 ± 0.12 and 0.61 ± 0.23 ng/ml, respectively; P < 0.001). Spexin levels negatively correlated with adiposity markers and blood pressure in the whole study population (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed blood pressure was the greatest predictive determinant of plasma spexin levels, which significantly increased in response to physical exercise in obese participants without and with T2D (P < 0.05). Spexin levels significantly increased only in responders to exercise (those with increased oxygen consumption, VO2 max) with a concomitant improvement in metabolic profile. In conclusion, plasma spexin levels may be an indicator of response to physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extra siliceous limestone sample of the Lower Eocene from the abandoned cement quarry part of the limestone deposit from the area of Bizerte (Extreme North East of Tunisia) has been investigated for its suitability for cement making. Petrological as well as X-ray diffraction pattern studies indicated that the limestone sample was crystalline and dominantly composed of calcite and quartz. They have variable silica and lime contents. Geochemical analysis results of 25 samples indicated that the limestone from the Bizerte deposit shows a wide range of variation in LOI (33–39 wt%), SiO2 (7–6 wt%), CaO (4–49 wt%) Al2O3 (2–4 wt%), and Fe2O3 (0.74–1.45 wt%). MgO, K2O, Na2O, and TiO2 are present in traces. CaO shows a strong positive correlation with LOI, whereas CaO and SiO2 show a negative correlation. The chemical composition of limestone confirms the mineralogical composition. The aim of this paper is to show the influence of high siliceous limestone component from Bizerte deposit on clinker parameters (silica modulus and lime saturation factor) in order to highlight their effect for the cement process making. In addition, to establish a predictionnal geochemical model in order to integrate and optimize this raw material estimated at 81,78,000 tons in cement manufacturing. The geochemical analysis by XRF of the limestone samples taken at different levels from the quarry proves their affluence in carbonate with a lime content of 46 wt% and the abundance of silica with a content of 12 wt%. Mineralogical analysis shows the predominance of calcite and quartz at the XRD diffraction patterns. The obtained results are used subsequently to establish geochemical maps of lime and silica allowing the orientation of the operational plan according to the geochemical quarry composition. The geochemical as well as mineralogical analyses show that the integration of the extra siliceous limestone in the raw powder composition permits the filling in of the defect of silica in limestone exploitation by preserving the quality of the produced cement in accordance with the Tunisian and European standard requirements. This study explains then the importance of geochemical assessment of limestone for cement manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement or clinker phase quantification is considered as an important task for the control of the cement quality and its manufacturing conditions. Indeed, precise clinker phase quantification allows the prediction of cement properties and the identification of possible anomalies during its production process. However, the complexity of cement and clinker mineralogy makes this step very difficult. In this work, a study was carried out to quantify the mineralogical phases of four Portland cements and two clinkers using two different methods: The first is the traditional Bogue method and the second is X-ray diffraction coupled with Rietveld refinement. The comparison method results showed that the Rietveld method is the most precise and powerful tool for cement and clinker phase quantification since it takes into account the minor phases such as gypsum, anhydrite, and hemihydrate and differentiates between the polymorphism varieties of cement phases (M1 alite, M3 alite, β belite, and γ belite). However, it was shown that Bogue calculation remains a primary estimation method of only the major clinker phases (C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF). Only for calcite amount must be better estimated by thermogravimetric technique or calcimetry method than Rietveld method, since there is an overlapping of the peaks of calcite and alite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate, rapid methods for controlling and determining composition are necessary to aid in classification of cements and for correlation of performance characteristics with composition. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is used to adjust the raw material proportions and to control the process conditions. The aim of the present study was to establish a reliable analytical program by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, based on the choice of a well-defined range of standards, which are used to control the quality of the clinker. The results showed a second order polynomial regression model that could properly interpret the experimental data with an R2 value >0.97 even after correction for some elements. The results obtained indicate the reliability, reproducibility, and the ease of use of the established program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the methodology of providing multiprobability predictions for proteomic mass spectrometry data. The methodology is based on a newly developed machine learning framework called Venn machines. Is allows to output a valid probability interval. The methodology is designed for mass spectrometry data. For demonstrative purposes, we applied this methodology to MALDI-TOF data sets in order to predict the diagnosis of heart disease and early diagnoses of ovarian cancer and breast cancer. The experiments showed that probability intervals are narrow, that is, the output of the multiprobability predictor is similar to a single probability distribution. In addition, probability intervals produced for heart disease and ovarian cancer data were more accurate than the output of corresponding probability predictor. When Venn machines were forced to make point predictions, the accuracy of such predictions is for the most data better than the accuracy of the underlying algorithm that outputs single probability distribution of a label. Application of this methodology to MALDI-TOF data sets empirically demonstrates the validity. The accuracy of the proposed method on ovarian cancer data rises from 66.7 % 11 months in advance of the moment of diagnosis to up to 90.2 % at the moment of diagnosis. The same approach has been applied to heart disease data without time dependency, although the achieved accuracy was not as high (up to 69.9 %). The methodology allowed us to confirm mass spectrometry peaks previously identified as carrying statistically significant information for discrimination between controls and cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock response (HSR) is an essential host-defense mechanism that is dysregulated in obesity-induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our recent data demonstrated that DNAJB3 was downregulated in obese human subjects and showed negative correlation with inflammatory markers. Nevertheless, DNAJB3 expression pattern in diabetic subjects and its mode of action are not yet known. In this study, we showed reduction in DNAJB3 transcript and protein levels in PBMC and subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese T2D compared to obese non-diabetic subjects. Overexpression of DNAJB3 in HEK293 and 3T3-L1 cells reduced JNK, IRS-1 Ser-307 phosphorylation and enhanced Tyr-612 phosphorylation suggesting an improvement in IRS-1 signaling. Furthermore, DNAJB3 mediated the PI3K/AKT pathway activation through increasing AKT and AS160 phosphorylation. AS160 mediates the mobilization of GLUT4 transporter to the cell membrane and thereby improves glucose uptake. Using pre-adipocytes cells we showed that DNAJB3 overexpression caused a significant increase in the glucose uptake, possibly through its phosphorylation of AS160. In summary, our results shed the light on the possible role of DNAJB3 in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake through JNK repression and suggest that DNAJB3 could be a potential target for therapeutic treatment of obesity-induced insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]