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DE WILDE, W. J. J. O., DUYFJES, B. E. E. & RUGAYAH. 2015. Gymnopetalum pectinatum (W. J. De Wilde &Duyfjes) Rugayah: rank of species for Gymnopetalum scabrum var. pectinatum ( Cucurbitaceae). Reinwardtia 14(2):323 ‒ 324. — With Gymnopetalum pectinatum (W. J.de Wilde & Duyfjes) Rugayah, stat. nov.& comb. nov., a coastalspecies, four species in Gymnopetalum are now recognized in Malesia

Background: The goal of this study was to establish preliminary criterion-referenced cut points for adult pedometer-determined physical activity (PA) related to weight status defined by body mass index (BMI). Methods: Researchers contributed directly measured BMI and pedometer data that had been collected (1) using a Yamax-manufactured pedometer, (2) for a minimum of 3 days, (3) on ostensibly healthy adults. The contrasting groups method was used to identify age- and gender-specific cut points for steps/d related to BMI cut points for normal weight and overweight/obesity (defined as BMI <25 and ≥25 kg/m², respectively). Results: Data included 3127 individuals age 18 to 94 years (976 men, age = 46.8 ± 15.4 years, BMI = 27.3 ± 4.9; 2151 women, age = 47.4 ± 14.9 years, BMI = 27.6 ± 6.4; all gender differences NS). Best estimated cut points for normal versus overweight/obesity ranged from 11,000 to 12,000 steps/d for men and 8000 to 12,000 steps/d for women (consistently higher for younger age groups). Conclusions: These steps/d cut points can be used to identify individuals at risk, or the proportion of adults achieving or falling short of set cut points can be reported and compared between populations. Cut points can also be used to set intervention goals, and they can be referred to when evaluating program impact, as well as environmental and policy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the modeling of experiments that measure iron opacity in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) using laser-driven hohlraums at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). A previous set of experiments fielded at Sandia's Z facility [Bailey et al., Nature 517, 56 (2015)] have shown up to factors of two discrepancies between the theory and experiment, casting doubt on the validity of the opacity models. The purpose of the new experiments is to make corroborating measurements at the same densities and temperatures, with the initial measurements made at a temperature of 160 eV and an electron density of 0.7 × 1022 cm−3. The X-ray hot spots of a laser-driven hohlraum are not in LTE, and the iron must be shielded from a direct line-of-sight to obtain the data [Perry et al., Phys. Rev. B 54, 5617 (1996)]. This shielding is provided either with the internal structure (e.g., baffles) or external wall shapes that divide the hohlraum into a laser-heated portion and an LTE portion. In contrast, most inertial confinement fusion hohlraums are simple cylinders lacking complex gold walls, and the design codes are not typically applied to targets like those for the opacity experiments. We will discuss the initial basis for the modeling using LASNEX, and the subsequent modeling of five different hohlraum geometries that have been fielded on the NIF to date. This includes a comparison of calculated and measured radiation temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by B cell-dependent autoantibody production. Recently, a new B-cell subset was discovered that has a regulatory capacity. The aim of this study was to analyse regulatory B cells (Bregs) in SLE patients.Method: Peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) of 34 SLE patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE and 21 healthy controls (HC) were included. PBMCs were stained for CD19, CD24, and CD38 and analysed by flow cytometry. In vitro stimulated PBMCs with CpG and restimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin were investigated for IL-10(+) Bregs .Results: The percentages of circulating CD19(+)CD24(hi)CD38(hi) cells in HC were not different those in from SLE patients. The percentages of IL-10(+) Bregs were significantly decreased in SLE patients, in particular those with lupus nephritis (LN), compared to HC. The proportion was independent of disease activity.Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate a decrease in IL-10-producing B cells in LN patients compared to HC, reflecting an impaired regulatory function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Programmed death (PD)-1 is a cell death receptor that, upon stimulation, leads to apoptosis. Previous studies have shown alteration of PD-1 expression on T cells and PD-1 genes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to assess the expression of this receptor on effector T cells in patients with SLE. Method: In this study we enrolled 32 SLE patients and 31 healthy controls. T cells from peripheral blood were analysed by flow cytometry for the expression of PD-1. Interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17-producing cells were investigated for the expression of this co-stimulatory marker. Results: Percentages of CD4+ T cells expressing PD-1 were significantly increased in patients with SLE compared to healthy controls. The percentage of PD-1 expression was correlated with the production of INF-γ (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001). We also investigated the production of IL-17 by PD-1+ CD3+ T cells. Inactive patients (3.2 ± 1.2% vs. 5.9 ± 3.5%, p = 0.002) and patients without lupus nephritis (LN) (3.2 ± 1.5% vs. 5.9 ± 3.5%, p = 0.005) showed lower levels of IL-17 compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: We have demonstrated increased expression of PD-1 on CD4+ T cells in SLE patients and an association between PD-1 expression on CD4+ T cells and IFN-γ expression on CD3+ T cells. We have also shown that there is an altered subset of PD-1+ T cells in inactive patients and patients without LN producing lower amounts of IL-17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral immunoregulation depends on T regulatory cell trafficking into the allograft to modulate the local alloresponse. Little is known about the relevance of trafficking receptors for Tregs after solid organ transplantation in humans. In this study, expression of the peripheral chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 on CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells was analysed and correlated with allograft function in renal transplant recipients. Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 54 renal transplant recipients receiving a calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression was performed for CD4, CD25, FOXP3, CXCR3 and CCR5 within the first 18 months post-transplantation. Correlation analysis of chemokine receptor expression and glomerular filtration rate as calculated by MDRD (eGFR) was performed. Expression of the peripheral homing receptors CXCR3 ( r = 0.44, P < 0.05) and CCR5 ( r = 0.45, P < 0.05) on FOXP3+ Tregs correlated with renal allograft function (eGFR) in patients receiving tacrolimus ( n = 28), but not cyclosporine A (CsA) ( n = 26). CsA but not tacrolimus reduced surface expression of CXCR3 on FOXP3+ Tregs in renal transplant recipients as correlated to trough levels ( r = −0.42, P < 0.05). In contrast to CD4+ CXCR3+ CD25lo T cells, flow-sorted CD4+ CXCR3+ CD25hi Tregs isolated from healthy individuals did not produce IFNγ or IL-17 ex vivo and expressed high levels of GARP mRNA both at baseline as well as after TCR activation indicating functional regulatory activity. Expression of the peripheral trafficking receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 on FOXP3+ Tregs is associated with renal allograft function. These results suggest that Treg trafficking may also depend on the interaction of CXCR3 or CCR5 and their respective ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new, third-epoch Hubble Space Telescope Ha and [S II] images of three Herbig-Haro (HH) jets (HH 1&2, HH 34, and HH 47) and compare the new images with those from previous epochs. The high spatial resolution, coupled with a time series whose cadence is of order both the hydrodynamic and radiative cooling timescales of the flow, allows us to follow the hydrodynamic/magnetohydrodynamic evolution of an astrophysical plasma system in which ionization and radiative cooling play significant roles. Cooling zones behind the shocks are resolved, so it is possible to identify which way material flows through a given shock wave. The images show that heterogeneity is paramount in these jets, with clumps dominating the morphologies of both bow shocks and their Mach disks. This clumpiness exists on scales smaller than the jet widths and determines the behavior of many of the features in the jets. Evidence also exists for considerable shear as jets interact with their surrounding molecular clouds, and in several cases we observe shock waves as they form and fade where material emerges from the source and as it proceeds along the beam of the jet. Fine structure within two extended bow shocks may result from Mach stems that form at the intersection points of oblique shocks within these clumpy objects. Taken together, these observations represent the most significant foray thus far into the time domain for stellar jets, and comprise one of the richest data sets in existence for comparing the behavior of a complex astrophysical plasma flow with numerical simulations and laboratory experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of irregular shock-wave reflection is of importance in high-temperature gas dynamics, astrophysics, inertial-confinement fusion, and related fields of high-energy-density science. However, most experimental studies of irregular reflection have used supersonic wind tunnels or shock tubes, and few or no data are available for Mach reflection phenomena in the plasma regime. Similarly, analytic studies have often been confined to calorically perfect gases. We report the first direct observation, and numerical modeling, of Mach stem formation for a warm, dense plasma. Two ablatively driven aluminum disks launch oppositely directed, near-spherical shock waves into a cylindrical plastic block. The interaction of these shocks results in the formation of a Mach-ring shock that is diagnosed by x-ray backlighting. The data are modeled using radiation hydrocodes developed by AWE and LANL. The experiments were carried out at the University of Rochester's Omega laser [J. M. Soures, R. L. McCrory, C. P. Verdon et al., Phys. Plasmas 3, 2108 (1996)] and were inspired by modeling [A. M. Khokhlov, P. A. Höflich, E. S. Oran et al., Astrophys J. 524, L107 (1999)] of core-collapse supernovae that suggest that in asymmetric supernova explosion significant mass may be ejected in a Mach-ring formation launched by bipolar jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to identify and evaluate the evidence for the non-surgical management of Piriformis Syndrome. A systematic review of electronic databases was carried out up to February 2006. This was supplemented by hand searching journals and 'snow-balling' from reference lists. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Five independent observers reviewed the methodological quality of the core studies using the published Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) critique tool. Differences were resolved by consensus. Two studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. PEDro scores were 6/10 and 10/10. Both studies demonstrated positive effects for botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections compared to a placebo or control treatment. One study identified this positive effect in addition to a physiotherapy protocol. Evidence implies that Botox is a potentially successful treatment for Piriformis Syndrome; however, a paucity of high-quality clinical trials limits evidence of its overall efficacy. Further clinical trials of the effectiveness of non-surgical measures in the management of this syndrome are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]