Suchergebnisse

The scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) is an important HDL receptor involved in cholesterol uptake and efflux, but its physiological role in human lipoprotein metabolism is not fully understood. Heterozygous carriers of the SR-B1P297S mutation are characterized by increased HDL cholesterol levels, impaired cholesterol efflux from macrophages and attenuated adrenal function. Here, the composition and function of lipoproteins were studied in SR-B1P297S heterozygotes. Lipoproteins from six SR-B1P297S carriers and six family controls were investigated. HDL and LDL/VLDL were isolated by ultracentrifugation and proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. HDL antioxidant properties, paraoxonase 1 activities, apoA-I methionine oxidations and HDL cholesterol efflux capacity were assessed. Multivariate modeling separated carriers from controls based on lipoprotein composition. Protein analyses showed a significant enrichment of apoE in LDL/VLDL and of apoL-1 in HDL from heterozygotes compared to controls. The relative distribution of plasma apoE was increased in LDL and in lipid-free form. There were no significant differences in paraoxonase 1 activities, HDL antioxidant properties or HDL cholesterol efflux capacity but heterozygotes showed a significant increase of oxidized methionines in apoA-I. The SR-B1P297S mutation affects both HDL and LDL/VLDL protein compositions. The increase of apoE in carriers suggests a compensatory mechanism for attenuated SR-B1 mediated cholesterol uptake by HDL. Increased methionine oxidation may affect HDL function by reducing apoA-I binding to its targets. The results illustrate the complexity of lipoprotein metabolism that has to be taken into account in future therapeutic strategies aiming at targeting SR-B1. ; Funding agencies: EUs Sixth Framework Program [037631]; European Union [FP7-603091-2]; CardioVascular Research Initiative [CVON2011-16]; Research Council of South East Sweden [FORSS-3755]; County Council of Ostergotland (C-ALF); Faculty of Health Sciences in Linkoping; Ven

Sometimes it would seem that the quietest moments turn out to have the loudest repercussions. This would seem to be a consistent case for twenty eight-year old Kendrick Lamar, whose career has been defined by surprise and unannounced publications of music that shortly afterward are spun into respected works of art. With an album that no one anticipated going to the 2013 Grammy awards, another album that leaked a week ahead of schedule (and brought Kendrick 5 Grammys), and an album that was released with almost no warning whatsoever, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth makes headlines with his art; of this there is no doubt. But the question posed by Kendrick himself is this: "And I hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone; Am I worth it? Did I put enough work in?" Kendrick Lamar deserves long-term academic respect by music historians because of his performance abilities, intellectual and lyrical content, musical push within the rap genre, and his position with both critics and fans.

Government regulations that limit social and community activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have a very negative impact on the economy. This negative impact has a more profound effect on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because their business models are highly dependent on sales flows. Falling demand will significantly threaten the survival of SMEs. To overcome this impact, SMEs need to consider digital technology to better market their products. Social commerce, a new e-commerce business model, is becoming an online sales platform that helps businesses connect with customers and gain a competitive edge. This study aimed to develop scenarios for the ability of SMEs to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We created scenarios based on a social commerce framework with four components: customer, platform, merchant, and context. These components were mapped in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) 4 to obtain scenarios of practical and well-documented actions by SMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used canonical action research to apply scenarios to an affected SME and then evaluated how these scenarios can help the SME survive based on its financial performance. This study proposes applicable social commerce scenarios to encourage the ability of SMEs to withstand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.