Nuclear factor-inducing kinase plays a crucial role in osteopontin-induced MAPK/IκBα kinase-dependent nuclear factor κB-mediated promatrix metalloproteinase-9 activation

We have recently demonstrated that osteopontin (OPN) induces nuclear factor κB (NFκB)-mediated promatrix metalloproteinase-2 activation through IκBα/IκBα kinase (IKK) signaling pathways. However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which OPN regulates promatrix metalloproteinase-9 (pro-MMP-9) activation, MMP-9-dependent cell motility, and tumor growth and the involvement of upstream kinases in regulation of these processes in murine melanoma cells are not well defined. Here we report that OPN induced αvβ3 integrin-mediated phosphorylation and activation of nuclear factor-inducing kinase (NIK) and enhanced the interaction between phosphorylated NIK and IKKα/β in B16F10 cells. Moreover, NIK was involved in OPN-induced phosphorylations of MEK-1 and ERK1/2 in these cells. OPN induced NIK-dependent NFκB activation through ERK/IKKα/β -mediated pathways. Furthermore OPN enhanced NIK-regulated urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) secretion, uPA-dependent pro-MMP-9 activation, cell motility, and tumor growth. Wild type NIK, IKKa/ß, and ERK1/2 enhanced and kinase-negative NIK (mut NIK), dominant negative IKKa/β (dn IKKα/β), and dn ERK1/2 suppressed the OPN-induced NFκB activation, uPA secretion, pro-MMP-9 activation, cell motility, and chemoinvasion. Pretreatment of cells with anti-MMP-2 antibody along with anti-MMP-9 antibody drastically inhibited the OPN-induced cell migration and chemoinvasion, whereas cells pretreated with anti-MMP-2 antibody had no effect on OPN-induced pro-MMP-9 activation suggesting that OPN induces pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 activations through two distinct pathways. The level of active MMP-9 in the OPN-induced tumor was higher compared with control. To our knowledge, this is the first report that NIK plays a crucial role in OPN-induced NFκB activation, uPA secretion, and pro-MMP-9 activation through MAPK/IKKα /β-mediated pathways, and all of these ultimately control the cell motility, invasiveness, and tumor growth

Osteopontin stimulates tumor growth and activation of promatrix metalloproteinase-2 through nuclear factor-κB-mediated induction of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase in murine melanoma cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and play critical roles in tissue repair, tumor invasion, and metastasis. MMPs are regulated by different cytokines, ECM proteins, and other factors. However, the molecular mechanisms by which osteopontin (OPN), an ECM protein, regulates ECM invasion and tumor growth and modulates MMP activation in B16F10 cells are not well defined. We have purified OPN from human milk and shown that OPN induces pro-MMP-2 production and activation in these cells. Moreover, our data revealed that OPN-induced membrane type 1 (MT1) MMP expression correlates with translocation of p65 (nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)) into the nucleus. However, when the super-repressor form of IκBα (inhibitor of NF-κB) was transfected into cells followed by treatment with OPN, no induction of MT1-MMP expression was observed, indicating that OPN activates pro-MMP-2 via an NF-κB-mediated pathway. OPN also enhanced cell migration and ECM invasion by interacting with α vβ3 integrin, but these effects were reduced drastically when the MMP-2-specific antisense S-oligonucleotide was used to suppress MMP-2 expression. Interestingly, when the OPN-treated cells were injected into nude mice, the mice developed larger tumors, and the MMP-2 levels in the tumors were significantly higher than in controls. The proliferation data indicate that OPN increases the growth rate in these cells. Both tumor size and MMP-2 expression were reduced dramatically when anti-MMP-2 antibody or antisenseS-oligonucleotide-transfected cells were injected into the nude mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report that MMP-2 plays a direct role in OPN-induced cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth and that demonstrates that OPN-stimulated MMP-2 activation occurs through NF-κB-mediated induction of MT1-MMP

Characterization of End of Life Personal Computers for Optimum Resource Recovery

The End of Life Personal Computers (EOL-PCs) generated by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), end up in waste streams and form a part of E-waste. This waste forms a secondary resource for many metals and non metals recovered through recycling processes. The computers have undergone revolutionary change in size, shape, configuration and its material content, particularly from the last two decades. However, the Handy-Harmann data of 1966 related to quality and quantity of the material used in manufacturing of computer has been very old and not updated since 1966. This may result in inefficient resource recovery and partially treated waste containing hazardous substances may end up in unauthorized landfill or water bodies causing permanent damage to the environment. Therefore, an attempt has been made to characterize the EOL-PCs model P-III which form a major part of E-waste even today. The results obtained help assessment of economic viability of recoverable and recyclable quantities of metals viz., Fe, Cu, Al, Au, Ag, Pd, etc., non metals like plastics and glass from P-III model computers. The paper also discusses comparative study of latest characterization of EOL-PCs with Handy-Harmann data of 1996

Algorithms of Distance, color & Shape Detection for 2-D Images

This paper represents our work on non contact distance calculation method. It is based on pixel variation of 2D images. This can be done by referencing two points in the image frames. The methodology of distance calculation starts with capturing of particular object image from any distances. Again capture another image of same object with some known distance. If an object goes far from the camera the object has a reduced size in the image. As the object moves closer to the camera the object becomes comparatively bigger. Thus we get the variation of pixel size between two images. Using the pixel variation we can calculate the distance of the object from the camera .This paper focuses on recognition of 2D shapes of objects such as square, circle, triangle, rectangle and ellipse as well as colors of objects. The algorithm was simulated and developed using MATLAB

REVIEW OF WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS IN BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), which is being employed in Building Automation Systems (BAS), are an effective tool to monitor various parameters and help automate these systems. WSN prove to be more reliable and efficient than traditional systems which employ cabled networks, and are used in various applications like security, appliances control, Home automation etc. But, use of WSN in automating Plumbing systems has not attracted much attention. Implementing WSN to detect pipe failures and ensure a good health of Water and Drainage system is necessary to improve the lifetime of these systems. This paper reviews the work that has been done in implementing WSN in BAS and detection of Pipe failures

Titrimetric and spectrophotometric assay of diethylcarbamazine citrate in formulations using iodate and iodide mixture as reagents

One titrimetric and two spectrophotometric methods are proposed for the determination of diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) in bulk drug and in formulations using potassium iodate and potassium iodide as reagent. The methods employ the well-known analytical reaction between iodate and iodide in the presence of acid. In titrimetry (method A), the drug was treated with a measured excess of thiosulfate in the presence of unmeasured excess of iodate-iodide mixture and after a standing time of 10 min, the surplus thiosulfate was determined by back titration with iodine towards starch end point. Titrimetric assay is based on a 1:3 reaction stoichiometry between DEC and iodine and the method is applicable over 2.0-10.0 mg range. The liberated iodine is measured spectrophotometrically at 370 nm (method B) or the iodine-starch complex measured at 570 nm (method C). In both methods, the absorbance is found to be linearly dependent on the concentration of iodine, which in turn is related to DEC concentration. The calibration curves are linear over 2.5-50 and 2.5-30 µg mL-1 DEC for method B and method C, respectively. The calculated molar absorptivity and Sandell sensitivity values were 6.48×103 L mol-1 cm-1 and 0.0604 µg cm-2, respectively, for method B, and their respective values for method C are 9.96×103 L mol-1 cm-1 and 0.0393 µg cm-2. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision studies were carried out according to the ICH guidelines. The methods were successfully applied to the analysis of DEC formulations

Thermal transformations of Cu–Mg (Zn)–Al(Fe) hydrotalcite-like materials into metal oxide systems and their catalytic activity in selective oxidation of ammonia to dinitrogen

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing $Mg^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$ or $Zn^{2+}$ cations in the $Me^{II}$ positions and $Al^{3+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ in the $Me^{III}$ positions were synthesized by co- precipitation method. Detailed studies of thermal trans- formation of obtained LDHs into metal oxide systems were performed using high temperature X-ray diffraction in oxidising and reducing atmosphere, thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry and temperature-pro- grammed reduction. The LDH samples calcined at 600 and 900 $^{o}\textrm{C}$ were tested in the role of catalysts for selective oxidation of ammonia into nitrogen and water vapour. It was shown that all copper congaing samples presented high catalytic activity and additionally, for the Cu–Mg–Al and Cu–Mg–Fe hydrotalcite samples calcined at 600 $^{o}\textrm{C}$ rela- tively high stability and selectivity to dinitrogen was obtained. An increase in calcination temperature to 900 $^{o}\textrm{C}$ resulted in a decrease of their catalytic activity, possibly due to formation of well-crystallised metal oxide phase which are less catalytically active in the process of selective oxidation of ammonia