Louisiana State University

About: Louisiana State University is a education organization based out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 40206 authors who have published 76587 publications receiving 2566076 citations. The organization is also known as: LSU & Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Adiponectin, a Therapeutic Target for Obesity, Diabetes, and Endothelial Dysfunction

Abstract: Adiponectin is the most abundant peptide secreted by adipocytes, whose reduction plays a central role in obesity-related diseases, including insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition to adipocytes, other cell types, such as skeletal and cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells, can also produce this adipocytokine. Adiponectin effects are mediated by adiponectin receptors, which occur as two isoforms (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). Adiponectin has direct actions in liver, skeletal muscle, and the vasculature.Adiponectin exists in the circulation as varying molecular weight forms, produced by multimerization. Several endoplasmic reticulum ER-associated proteins, including ER oxidoreductase 1-α (Ero1-α), ER resident protein 44 (ERp44), disulfide-bond A oxidoreductase-like protein (DsbA-L), and glucose-regulated protein 94 (GPR94), have recently been found to be involved in the assembly and secretion of higher-order adiponectin complexes. Recent data indicate that the high-molecular weight (HMW) complexes have the predominant action in metabolic tissues. Studies have shown that adiponectin administration in humans and rodents has insulin-sensitizing, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects, and, in certain settings, also decreases body weight. Therefore, adiponectin replacement therapy in humans may suggest potential versatile therapeutic targets in the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The current knowledge on regulation and function of adiponectin in obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease is summarized in this review.

Neuroprotectin D1: A docosahexaenoic acid-derived docosatriene protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative stress

Abstract: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a lipid peroxidation target in oxidative injury to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retina. Photoreceptor and synaptic membranes share the highest content of DHA of all cell membranes. This fatty acid is required for RPE functional integrity; however, it is not known whether specific mediators generated from DHA contribute to its biological significance. We used human ARPE-19 cells and demonstrated the synthesis of 10,17S-docosatriene [neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1)]. This synthesis was enhanced by the calcium ionophore A-23187, by IL-1beta, or by supplying DHA. Under these conditions, there is a time-dependent release of endogenous free DHA followed by NPD1 formation, suggesting that phospholipase A(2) releases the mediator's precursor. Added NPD1 potently counteracted H(2)O(2)/tumor necrosis factor alpha oxidative-stress-triggered apoptotic RPE DNA damage. NPD1 also up-regulated the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) and decreased proapoptotic Bax and Bad expression. Moreover, NPD1 (50 nM) inhibited oxidative-stress-induced caspase-3 activation. NPD1 also inhibited IL-1beta-stimulated expression of cyclooxygenase 2 promoter transfected into ARPE-19 cells. Overall, NPD1 protected RPE cells from oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis, and we predict that it will similarly protect neurons. This lipid mediator therefore may indirectly contribute to photoreceptor cell survival as well. Because both RPE and photoreceptor cells die in retinal degenerations, our findings contribute to the understanding of retinal cell survival signaling and potentially to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Properties of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817

Abstract: On August 17, 2017, the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors observed a low-mass compact binary inspiral. The initial sky localization of the source of the gravitational-wave signal, GW170817, allowed electromagnetic observatories to identify NGC 4993 as the host galaxy. In this work, we improve initial estimates of the binary's properties, including component masses, spins, and tidal parameters, using the known source location, improved modeling, and recalibrated Virgo data. We extend the range of gravitational-wave frequencies considered down to 23 Hz, compared to 30 Hz in the initial analysis. We also compare results inferred using several signal models, which are more accurate and incorporate additional physical effects as compared to the initial analysis. We improve the localization of the gravitational-wave source to a 90% credible region of 16 deg2. We find tighter constraints on the masses, spins, and tidal parameters, and continue to find no evidence for nonzero component spins. The component masses are inferred to lie between 1.00 and 1.89 M when allowing for large component spins, and to lie between 1.16 and 1.60 M (with a total mass 2.73-0.01+0.04 M) when the spins are restricted to be within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars. Using a precessing model and allowing for large component spins, we constrain the dimensionless spins of the components to be less than 0.50 for the primary and 0.61 for the secondary. Under minimal assumptions about the nature of the compact objects, our constraints for the tidal deformability parameter Λ are (0,630) when we allow for large component spins, and 300-230+420 (using a 90% highest posterior density interval) when restricting the magnitude of the component spins, ruling out several equation-of-state models at the 90% credible level. Finally, with LIGO and GEO600 data, we use a Bayesian analysis to place upper limits on the amplitude and spectral energy density of a possible postmerger signal.

An investigation into the antecedents of organizational citizenship behaviors in a personal selling context

Abstract: The authors report the results of two studies that attempt to model antecedents of organizational citizenship behaviors in a personal selling context. They draw the antecedents from extant research...