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This study aimed to explore the effect of topically administering an orabase gel containing cashew gum (CG), a complex polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L., on the transcription of important proinflammatory (COX-2, NOS-2, INF-γ, OSCAR, and MYD88) and anti-inflammatory genes (IL-10, IL-4, and TGFβ1) in the gingival tissues of rats with ligature-induced periodontitis, compared to the effect observed upon topically applying a well-known antibiofilm agent (chlorhexidine) under the same experimental conditions. The gene expression profile in the gingival tissues of rats with periodontitis treated with CG did not statistically significantly differ from that observed in the group of animals treated with chlorhexidine. Results showed that CG is able to attenuate general inflammation in the periodontium by reducing the transcription of proinflammatory mediators in a MYD88-independent manner, and not by inducing the expression of anti-inflammatory factors. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CG and chlorhexidine treatment reduced significantly the gene overexpression (COX-2, NOS-2, INF-γ, OSCAR, and TGFβ1) in the model of ligature-induced periodontitis.

Bimetallic catalysts applied to the n-hexane isomerization reaction were prepared with a constant molar content of 130 μmol Me/gcat of Ni and Pt and characterized in its active form by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature programmed reduction and hydrogen chemisorption techniques. The metal was dispersed in a HUSY zeolite matrix in order to provide both types of sites, metallic and acid, to obtain a bifunctional catalyst. The catalytic activity was evaluated using the catalyst activated at different temperatures following a new activation process, named "fast activation method" and the profile pointed out a maximum catalytic activity when the catalyst was activated at 400 °C. XANES results showed that all samples present similar electronic properties in the studied conditions, despite the differences found in the average particle diameter obtained by TEM, suggesting that the catalytic activity is related to the metal/acid balance. Fil: Yoshioka, Carlos M.N.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil Fil: Jordão, Maura H.. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sincrotron; Fil: Zanchet, Daniela. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sincrotron; Fil: Garetto, Teresita Francisca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; Argentina Fil: Cardoso, Dilson. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

This study examined the immunohistochemical expression and localization of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) in synovial tissues from patients with internal derangement (ID) or osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Synovial tissues from patients with condylar fractures of the mandible were studied as control. Synovial tissues from 13 TMJs of 10 patients with ID or OA and from 5 TMJs of 4 patients with fractures were examined for COX-1 and COX-2 expression by immunohistochemical staining using two monoclonal antibodies. In addition, whether the COX-2 expression grade correlated with the synovitis score and clinical findings was assessed. COX-2 was expressed in the synovial lining, infiltrating mononuclear cells, fibroblast-like cells, and blood vessels, including CD31-positive endothelial cells, in the synovium of patients with ID or OA. Expression levels of COX-1 in synovial lining cells and endothelial cells were similar in the specimens obtained from the patients with ID or OA and those obtained from the controls. The expression of COX-2 positively correlated with arthroscopic findings of synovitis (p = 0.55, P = 0.023) and with joint pain (p = 0.56, P = 0.021). These results suggest that up-regulation of COX-2 in synovium may play a part in the pathogenesis of synovitis in patients with ID or OA of the TMJ.

NASDA of Japan, at the research division, has been examining possible scenarios for unmanned lunar-exploration systems. The paper discusses the remote control aspects of a lunar rover for “long-range travel”. The concept of a “window of attention” is considered to be one of the key aspects in the workload distribution between the onboard and the ground systems. Finally, to obtain qualitative data concerning fundamental “operability”, the driving tests are described, along with test results, and applications.

Diabetic nephropathy is currently the single largest cause of endstage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States and many European countries. The primary cause for the development of diabetic complications (including diabetic nephropathy) is persistent exposure to hyperglycemia, although genetic and other incompletely understood factors also play an important role. Although much consideration has been given to the pathogenesis and genetics of the disease itself, the mechanisms by which persistent exposure to hyperglycemia cause biochemical and metabolic alterations have been very sketchily understood. Recently, a growing body of evidence has linked the accumulation of the late products of glucose-protein interaction to a variety of chronic complications, including diabetic nephropathy. The formation of irreversible advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) resulting from the spontaneous reaction between glucose and proteins occur most noticeably on long-lived structural proteins. Recent studies demonstrate that the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is caused by the hyperglycemia-accelerated formation of AGEs. Also, reactive AGE peptides in the circulation are thought to play a role as a new version of so called middle molecule toxic substances. This evidence is opening a new window for our understanding of the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

There are several kinds of automatic control techniques on cement production process, such as raw material grinding process, raw meal homogenizing process, clinker burning process, and so on. Regarding the clinker burning process, however, an automatic kiln control complying with practical use has not been really estalished yet under the present circumstances despite several kinds of kiln control method having been put into operation in the past. So, the kiln control function has been often left to the skill and experience of human operators. ISHIKAWAJIMA-HARIMA Heavy Industries (IHI) has developed kiln control system whose automatic control is possible and practical through a long term experience of operation and control techniques. This paper presents the advanced kiln control system based on modern control theory. It has realized a long stable operation, more uniform clinker quality, reduced frequency of coating falls, and fuel saving in the JIDONG CEMENT PLANT put into operation in the People's Republic of China in 1984. This result has successfully proved that kiln control by computer is possible, practical and economically attractive.

Magnetization, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and polar Kerr rotation were investigated for Mn100-xSbx (18⩽x⩽70) and Mn/Sb multilayer films (dSb=32 A, 3 A⩽dMn⩽110 A). The dependence of saturation magnetization on composition and thickness dMn was explained by considering the ferrimagnetic coupling of Mn atoms for alloy films, and by taking into account a 30 to 35 A inter-diffused layer of Mn-Sb alloys for multilayer films, respectively. Both films exhibits in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The values of θk for alloy and multilayer films were 0.52 and 0.24 degrees (λ = 633 nm), respectively. The values were roughly proportional to the intensity of the saturation magnetization.

Two new series of thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes have been developed and fabricated into spiral wound modules. The NTR-7100 series membrane is able to desalt sea and brackish water. The NTR-7250 membrane is designed for use at pressures below 20 kg/cm 2 . The membrane has a very high water permeability and is resistant to chemical and microbiological attack. In particular, the membrane is stable to chlorine, as shown by long-term reverse osmosis tests with tap water containing about 1 ppm of residual chlorine. The membrane has an unusual pattern of solute rejection. Salts containing divalent anions, such as sodium sulphate or magnesium sulfate, are rejected more than 98%; while salts with monovalent anions and bivalent cations, such as magnesium chloride, are rejected about 90% and salts with monovalent anions and cations, such as sodium chloride, are rejected 30–50%. Neutral solutes have relatively high rejection; for example, glucose, 90% and sucrose