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this study, Ni(OH)2 was synthesized by the continuous reaction by the Taylor fluid flow and compared with those prepared from the conventional batch type reaction. The nickel powders were synthesized by reduction of Ni(OH)2 in an aqueous solution with hydrazine hydrate acting as the reductant. And then the characteristics of the nickel powder according to the synthesis method were compared. The average particle size of the synthesized Ni(OH)2 using Taylor reactor was generally decreased about 1.5~2.5 times more than the batch reaction. The nickel powders prepared by the batch reaction highly agglomerated with non-uniform particles. In the Taylor reaction, the agglomeration of particles was broken and uniform nickel powder was produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction associated with many cardiovascular diseases is largely due to reduced nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Piceatannol (trans-3,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene; Pic) is reported to have cardiovascular therapeutic effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of Pic are still unclear. Here, we investigated whether Pic could influence endothelial NO release in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In HUVECs exposed to Pic, NO production and phosphoryla-tion of eNOS and protein kinase B (Akt) were determined by using a commercially available NO assay kit and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Pic stimulated dose- and time-dependent NO production via eNOS phosphorylation. Pic also stimulated dose-dependent phos-phorylation of Akt. Interestingly, NO production and eNOS phosphorylation in response to Pic were significantly abolished by the phospho-inositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY294002. CONCLUSIONS: Pic is capable of inducing eNOS phosphorylation and the subsequent NO release, presumably, by activating PI3K/Akt pathway. The potential efficacy of Pic, a natural hydroxylated analog and a metabolite of resveratrol, may aid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases characterized by endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, scheduled for launch in 2020, will provide a step-change improvement in the measurement of terrestrial surface-water storage and dynamics. In particular, it will provide the first, routine two-dimensional measurements of water-surface elevations. In this paper, we aimed to (i) characterise and illustrate in two dimensions the errors which may be found in SWOT swath measurements of terrestrial surface water, (ii) simulate the spatio-temporal sampling scheme of SWOT for the Amazon, and (iii) assess the impact of each of these on estimates of water-surface slope and river discharge which may be obtained from SWOT imagery. We based our analysis on a virtual mission for a ~260 km reach of the central Amazon (Solimões) River, using a hydraulic model to provide water-surface elevations according to SWOT spatio-temporal sampling to which errors were added based on a two-dimensional height error spectrum derived from the SWOT design requirements. We thereby obtained water-surface elevation measurements for the Amazon main stem as may be observed by SWOT. Using these measurements, we derived estimates of river slope and discharge and compared them to those obtained directly from the hydraulic model. We found that cross-channel and along-reach averaging of SWOT measurements using reach lengths greater than 4 km for the Solimões and 7.5 km for Purus reduced the effect of systematic height errors, enabling discharge to be reproduced accurately from the water height, assuming known bathymetry and friction. Using cross-sectional averaging and 20 km reach lengths, results show Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency values of 0.99 for the Solimões and 0.88 for the Purus, with 2.6 and 19.1% average overall error in discharge, respectively. We extend the results to other rivers worldwide and infer that SWOT-derived discharge estimates may be more accurate for rivers with larger channel widths (permitting a greater level of cross-sectional averaging and the use of shorter reach lengths) and higher water-surface slopes (reducing the proportional impact of slope errors on discharge calculation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, scheduled for launch in 2020, will provide a step-change improvement in the measurement of terrestrial surface water storage and dynamics. In particular, it will provide the first, routine twodimensional measurements of water surface elevations. In this paper, we aimed to (i) characterize and illustrate in two-dimensions the errors which may be found in SWOT swath measurements of terrestrial surface water, (ii) simulate the spatio-temporal sampling scheme of SWOT for the Amazon, and (iii) assess the impact of each of these on estimates of water surface slope and river discharge which may be obtained from SWOT imagery. We based our analysis on a "virtual mission" for a 300 km reach of the central Amazon (Solimões) River at its confluence with the Purus River, using a hydraulic model to provide water surface elevations according to SWOT spatio-temporal sampling to which errors were added based on a two-dimension height error spectrum derived from the SWOT design requirements. We thereby obtained water surface elevation measurements for the Amazon mainstem as may be observed by SWOT. Using these measurements, we derived estimates of river slope and discharge and compared them to those obtained directly from the hydraulic model. We found that cross-channel and along-reach averaging of SWOT measurements using reach lengths of greater than 4km for the Solimões and 7.5km for Purus reduced the effect of systematic height errors, enabling discharge to be reproduced accurately from the water height, assuming known bathymetry and friction. Using cross-section averaging and 20 km reach lengths, results show Nash--Sutcliffe model efficiency values of 0.99 for the Solimões and 0.88 for the Purus, with 2.6 and 19.1% average overall error in discharge, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical models of a standard organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system and the heat exchangers comprising the system are developed as a design tool platform for a flexible design. The objective is design of an efficient, cost-effective ORC power plant that can effectively exploit low-grade industrial waste heat or low to medium-temperature geothermal fluid. Typical heat exchanger configurations were modelled, including the circular finned-tube evaporator, air-cooled condenser, and flat-plate preheater. A published ORC configuration and process conditions from experiments are used for the thermodynamic cycle analysis in order to validate of the system model. Heat transfer correlations and friction factors are described for the modelling of the heat exchangers. The simulation results of the ORC system provide the design requirements for the heat exchangers. Geometric specifications and performance of the heat exchangers are determined by iterative simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is known to demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, little information is available on the effect of fluoxetine regarding intestinal inflammation. This study investigates the role of fluoxetine in the attenuation of acute murine colitis by suppression of the NF-κB pathway in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Fluoxetine significantly inhibited activated NF-κB signals and the upregulated expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in COLO 205 colon epithelial cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Pretreatment with fluoxetine attenuated the increased IκB kinase (IKK) and IκBα phosphorylation induced by TNF-α. In a murine model, administration of fluoxetine significantly reduced the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, as assessed by the disease activity index, colon length, and histology. In addition, the DSS-induced phospho-IKK activation, myeloperoxidase activity, a parameter of neutrophil accumulation, and the secretion of macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, a mouse homolog of IL-8, were significantly decreased in fluoxetine-pretreated mice. Moreover, fluoxetine significantly attenuated the development of colon cancer in mice inoculated with azoxymethane and DSS. These results indicate that fluoxetine inhibits NF-κB activation in IEC and that it ameliorates DSS-induced acute murine colitis and colitis-associated tumorigenesis, suggesting that fluoxetine is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solvothermal synthesis and structural characterization of silicate based oxyapatite Tb3+ activated Ca2Gd8Si6O26 (COS) nano-phosphors have been reported. The structure of these phosphors was elucidated by the powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) and further characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The XRD results revealed that the obtained Tb3+:CGS shows the characteristic peaks of oxyapatite in a hexagonal lattice structure. The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied with variations of Tb3+ concentration and sintering temperature. Under 275 nm excitation, both Tb3+ (5D34 → 7FJ=6.5.4.3) and Gd3+ (6P7/2 → 8S7/2) characteristic emissions associated with 4f-4f transitions have been observed, and when the concentration of Tb3+ increases above 1 mol % the 5D3 emission intensity decreases due to cross relaxation. The Gd3+ emission intensity decreases with increasing Tb3+ concentration and the PL intensity of Tb3+ at 378 nm excitation was much weaker than the obtained intensity with excitation at 275 nm, suggesting that the efficient energy transfer occurred from Gd3+ to Tb3+ ions in CGS host lattice. The decay curves of the 5D4 level show that the lifetime decreases with increasing crystallite size and concentration of Tb3+ ions. These luminescent powders are expected to find potential applications such as white light emitting diodes and optical display systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser forming is a flexible sheet metal manufacturing technique capable of producing various shapes, without hard tools and external forces, by irradiation across the surface of the metal piece. A three-dimensional thermal-elasto-plastic (TEP) finite element model for a straight line laser forming process has been developed during the course of this study, which simulates bend angles and temperature distributions. Laser forming process optimization and material sensitivity are investigated. In order to seek the optimal process conditions to generate a desired bend angle in the multi-scan laser bending process, an optimization algorithm based on the approximation of objective function and state variables is integrated into the numerical model. An optimal set of process parameters such as laser power, scan speed, beam diameter and the number of scans are obtained with optimization procedure. In order to assess process sensitivity to material roperties, associations between bend angle and material properties are statistically determined using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient via Monte Carlo simulations, for which a large number of the finite element simulations are carried out. The material properties of interest include the coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, specific heat, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson's ratio. Results show that the process optimization coupled with finite element analysis can be used to determine processing parameters, and that the material properties of primary importance are the coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and specific heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of studies has shown that Helicobacter pylori eradication induces remission in most patients with low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, there have been few reports about the effect of bacterial treatment on the gastric MALT lymphoma in Korea, a well-known H. pylori endemic area. A total of 111 H. pylori-infected patients were prospectively enrolled in Seoul National University Hospital and 99 among them were completely followed up according to our protocol. After H. pylori eradication, tumoural response was evaluated by endoscopy and histopathology every 2–3 months till complete remission (CR) and every 6 months after achieving CR. Median follow-up period was 41 months (range, 11–125 months). Helicobacter pylori was successfully eradicated in all 99 patients and CR was obtained in 84 (84.8%) of 99 patients. The median time to reach CR was 3 months and 94% of CR is in continuous complete remission. Five patients with CR relapsed after 10–22 months without the evidence of H. pylori reinfection. Cumulative recurrence rate was 2.3, 7.7 and 9.3% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Tumours were mainly located in distal stomach (67.7%) and tumours in distal stomach were associated with more favourable response than those in proximal stomach (P=0.001). Majority of patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma treated by exclusive H. pylori eradication have a favourable long-term outcome, offering a real chance of cure. Tumour location could be a predictive factor for remission following H. pylori eradication.British Journal of Cancer (2007) 96, 1324–1328. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603708 www.bjcancer.com Published online 3 April 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter pylori infection elicits persistent neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa. The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) -2 by the neutrophils results in prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthesis, which may account for alterations in tissue homeostasis. In this study, we found that COX-2 mRNA was up-regulated in the neutrophils when stimulated with both H. pylori water extract (HPWE) and live H. pylori in a transwell model and determined by quantitative RT-PCR. PGE2 synthesis was also enhanced in the neutrophils activated by both the HPWE and live H. pylori. A specific COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398) blocked PGE2 synthesis, and an anti-ulcer agent (rebamipide) suppressed it dose dependently. An NF-kappaB inhibitor (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate), a MAP kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059), and a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor (SB203580) significantly suppressed the COX-2 gene transcription and PGE2 synthesis in the neutrophils. In conclusion, H. pylori water-soluble proteins may enhance the COX-2 expression, and this action could be mediated through the NF-kappaB and MAP kinase signaling pathways. The increased section of PGE2 by the neutrophils may play a proinflammatory role in the gastric mucosal response to H. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pyloriinfection in humans causes persistent neutrophil infiltration into the gastric mucosa. It is believed that a prolongation of neutrophil life-span could contribute to the pathogenesis of H. pyloriinfection. We therefore examined whether the water-soluble surface proteins of H. pylorican influence the apoptosis of neutrophils. Methods: After neutrophils were incubated with H. pyloriwater extract (HPWE), neutrophil apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, electron microscopy and ELISA for cytosolic oligonucleosome-bound DNA for up to 48 h. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of neutrophil apoptosis associated with HPWE, mRNA expression and protein production of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) were analyzed by RT-PCR, ribonuclease protection assay, Northern blot and Western blotting. Cell surface expression of these death factors was also measured by flow cytometry. Results: HPWE inhibited neutrophil apoptosis and cytotoxicity for up to 48 h. The mRNA and protein expression of FasL and the cell surface expression of Fas, FasL and TNF-R1 in HPWE-treated neutrophils were suppressed compared with the controls. Conclusion: The water-soluble surface proteins of H. pyloricould suppress neutrophil apoptosis. This may be caused by the suppression of FasL expression in neutrophils and Fas, FasL and TNF-R1 expression on the surface of neutrophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter pylori induces apoptosis and alters the proliferation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible form of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, is known to cause alteration in epithelial cell growth. The goal of this study was to determine whether COX-2 gene expression by H. pylori infection could influence gastric epithelial cell apoptosis. Expression of COX-2 mRNA and proteins was up-regulated in Hs746T gastric epithelial cell lines infected with H. pylori, when assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot. Inhibition of COX-2 expression using NS-398, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, showed a significant increase of gastric epithelial cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in Hs746T cells infected with H. pylori. Moreover, the effect of NS-398 on H. pylori-induced apoptosis was reversed by the addition of PGE2. These results suggest that up-regulated COX-2 expression by H. pylori infection can inhibit apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin (Vac) production have been reported to be major virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori. However, there have been some disputes regarding the correlation between these virulence factors and clinical outcomes. We evaluated whether the cagA-positive genotype and Vac production might be correlated with various gastroduodenal diseases in Korea and whether this correlation could be due to differences in proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells in vitro. The presence of the cagA gene was examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Vac production was detected using the bacterial culture supernatant and HeLa cells after H. pylori was isolated from Korean patients. Gastric epithelial cells were infected with cagA+Vac+, cagA+Vac-, or cagA-Vac- strains, after which cytokine gene expression was evaluated, using quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Apoptosis and caspase-3 activation were measured in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. There was no significant correlation between the presence of these virulence factors in H. pylori isolates and peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. Upregulation of cytokine gene expression, including that of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-8, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, as well as apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, were similar in infections with cagA-positive and cagA-negative strains, but were not correlated with the production of Vac. These results suggest that the lack of correlation between virulence factors of isolated H. pylori strains and serious gastroduodenal disease entities in Korea may be due to the similar capacity for proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and apoptosis caused by infection with each of the H. pylori strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate whether or not the eradication of H. pylori could lead to the regression of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in patients with either duodenal ulcer (DU) or benign gastric ulcer (BGU). The initial antral IM grade was 0.21 in the 72 patients of the H. pylori-eradicated DU group, this decreased to 0.17, 0.14, 0.13, and 0.09 after periods of four weeks, one year, two years, and four years, respectively, but without statistical significance. In the corpus of the DU group, where IM grade was low (0.02), there was no detectable change in IM. The initial antral IM grade of 0.69 in the 41 patients of the H. pylori-eradicated BGU group decreased substantially to 0.61, 0.44, and 0.39 after periods of four weeks and one and two years, respectively, but again without statistical significance. The initial corporal IM grade of the BGU group of 0.27 decreased to 0.20, 0.15, and 0.06 after periods of four weeks and one and two years, again without statistical significance. In contrast, the IM grades of the noneradicated DU group (N = 20) and the BGU group (N = 16) showed nearly no change in the antrum and corpus. Gastritis grades of antrum and corpus in the H. pylori-eradicated DU or BGU group significantly decreased with respect to time (P = 0.0001), but there were no significant changes in the corresponding noneradicated groups. Although there was no statistical significance, IM decreased in the antrum and corpus of the stomach with BGU and in antrum of those with DU over a two to four-year period after H. pylori eradication, suggesting the possible reversibility of IM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]