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The reinforcement of shield tunnels with secondary linings is a widely used method to enhance the overall rigidity of tunnels; therefore, ensuring tunnel safety during construction and operational periods. According to a new composite curved Euler beam theory, an analytical method will be proposed to analyze a shield tunnel that is reinforced by a secondary lining, in which the radial joints and the interaction between the segmental lining and the surrounding soil will be simulated by a series of concentrated and distributed springs, respectively. In contrast to the radial rigid connection that was assumed in previous studies, radial detachment and tangential slippage between the segmental and secondary linings will be allowed. The solutions for the internal forces and deformations will be derived using the state-space method with arbitrary loads and joint distributions. In addition, the proposed method will be extended to cases with partial reinforcement that have a segment of secondary lining and a reinforcement connected by bolts. The proposed method will be validated using finite element numerical simulations. In addition, the variations in the internal forces and deformation for the soil reaction stiffness under different joint and interfacial stiffnesses will be examined. The results indicate that the internal forces and deformations of the linings decreased with the increase of soil reaction spring stiffness, and the interfacial radial spring stiffness had a more significant influence on the axial force transfer between the linings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport of a charged adsorbate biomolecule in a porous polymeric adsorbent medium and its adsorption onto the covalently immobilized ligands have been modeled and investigated using molecular dynamics modeling and simulations as the third part of a novel fundamental methodology developed for studying ion-exchange chromatography based bioseparations. To overcome computational challenges, a novel simulation approach is devised where appropriate atomistic and coarse grain models are employed simultaneously and the transport of the adsorbate is characterized through a number of locations representative of the progress of the transport process. The adsorbate biomolecule for the system studied in this work changes shape, orientation, and lateral position in order to proceed toward the site where adsorption occurs and exhibits decreased mass transport coefficients as it approaches closer to the immobilized ligand. Furthermore, because the ligands are surrounded by counterions carrying the same type of charge as the adsorbate biomolecule, it takes the biomolecule repeated attempts to approach toward a ligand in order to displace the counterions in the proximity of the ligand and to finally become adsorbed. The formed adsorbate-ligand complex interacts with the counterions and polymeric molecules and is found to evolve slowly and continuously from one-site (monovalent) interaction to multisite (multivalent) interactions. Such a transition of the nature of adsorption reduces the overall adsorption capacity of the ligands in the adsorbent medium and results in a type of surface exclusion effect. Also, the adsorption of the biomolecule also presents certain volume exclusion effects by not only directly reducing the pore volume and the availability of the ligands in the adjacent regions, but also causing the polymeric molecules to change to more compact structures that could further shield certain ligands from being accessible to subsequent adsorbate molecules. These findings have significant practical implications to the design and construction of polymeric porous adsorbent media for effective bioseparations and to the synthesis and operation of processes employed in the separation of biomolecules. The modeling and analysis methods presented in this work could also be suitable for the study of biocatalysis where an enzyme is immobilized on the surface of the pores of a porous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a theoretical treatment of the force exerted by a fluctuating membrane on a polymer rod tip, taking into account the effects of an underlying biological cytoskeleton by way of a simple harmonic dependence on displacement. We also consider theoretically and experimentally the dynamics of a growing fiber tip under the influence of such a fluctuation-induced membrane force, including the effects of an underlying cytoskeletal network. We compare our model with new experimental data for the growth of hemoglobin fibers within red blood cells, revealing a good agreement. We are also able to estimate the force and membrane/cytoskeletal displacement required to stall growth of, or buckle, a growing fiber. We discuss the significance of our results in a biological context, including how the properties of the membrane and cytoskeleton relate to the thermodynamics of rod polymerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies and presents an inner-interface trapping physical model for the ultra-thin (effective oxide thickness= 15 Å) zirconium oxide (ZrO[sub 2]) film to explain its hysteresis phenomenon. The shift of the capacitance-voltage characteristics swept from accumulation to inversion and then swept back with light illumination is about 110 mV, which is larger than the shift without light illumination (∼45 mV). The mobile ion effect is obviated using bias-temperature stress measurement. The proposed model successfully explains not only the phenomenon but also the thickness effect for the capacitance-voltage characteristics and the different turn-around voltages of the current density-voltage characteristics of the zirconium dielectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the dielectric properties of a zinc-manganese selenide alloy by capacitance and dissipation factor measurements. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

An anodic oxidation film on 7475 aluminium alloy was processed using a laser heat treatment. Thereafter the salt spray corrosion behaviours of the obtained anodic oxidation film were investigated with 5 ±0.5% NaCl solution. The surface-interface morphologies, compositions of chemical elements and phases of the anodic oxidation films were analysed. The chemical elements of the anodic oxidation film surface-interface after salt spray corrosion were examined and the effect of laser heat treatment on the anodic oxidation film structures and salt spray corrosion resistance were researched. The results show that the anodic oxidation film by laser heat treatment is primarily composed of Al2O3 and SiO2, while after salt spray corrosion the oxide layer is composed of Al2O3, the heat affected zone (HAZ) is primarily composed of Al2O3 before and after salt spray corrosion. The bonding form of compound plus diffusion is formed at the interface after salt spray corrosion, there are only a few pits, without spalling on the anodic oxidation film after laser heat treatment, showing high salt spray corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The pine nematode Bursaphelenchus mucronatus has been associated with pine wilt in China. This work was intended to investigate the role of the pathogenicity‐related β‐1,4‐endoglucanase gene of B. mucronatus in the infection of pines. In this study, the full‐length cDNA of the Bm‐eng‐1 gene was cloned and characterized from a B. mucronatus isolate. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Bm‐eng‐1 gene of B. mucronatus may be acquired from fungi through horizontal gene transfer. The function of the gene was demonstrated using RNA interference. RNA interference indicated that Bm‐eng‐1 was involved in the dispersal, reproductive ability and pathogenicity of B. mucronatus. In situ hybridization showed that Bm‐eng‐1 was specifically expressed in the oesophageal gland of B. mucronatus. Furthermore, to investigate the relation between β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activities and virulence of different isolates, the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activities and the expression levels of Bm‐eng‐1 were detected in six B. mucronatus isolates with different virulence. β‐1,4‐Endoglucanase activity was generally higher in pathogenic isolates than in non‐pathogenic isolates, and the Bm‐eng‐1 expression levels in different isolates were positively correlated with the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activity. These findings suggested that β‐1,4‐endoglucanase plays important roles in the pathogenic process of B. mucronatus, and the differential expression of the gene may underlie the different activity levels of β‐1,4‐endoglucanase, subsequently influencing variations in virulence of B. mucronatus isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parameters of the narrow gap gas metal arc welding (NG-GMAW) method are complex and strongly coupled, which can easily cause welding defects, such as poor sidewall fusion, overlap, gas pore and slag inclusion. So parameter optimization of NG-GMAW is very difficult. The common experimental analysis method is complex, especially take a long time and cost. In this paper, the simulation analysis method is used to analyse NG-GMAW welding process. After the analysis of the NG-GMAW welding mechanism, the dynamic simulation model of the rotating arc NG-GMAW welding process is established firstly. Then, the influence of key process parameters on the welding quality is analysed in detail, which include the rotation angular velocity, rotation angular amplitude, wire feed speed, welding speed, sidewall stay time and so on. The simulation and analysis results illustrate the role and influence of the above parameters. In short, this paper provides a flexible and efficient method for the analysis and optimization of NG-GMAW welding process parameters to discover new phenomena, improve efficiency and save cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A honeycomb array of submicrometer holes in a Nb superconducting thin film has been fabricated to investigate the flux pinning effect. It is found that the minima positions reveal two regimes characterized by the matching fields and the fractional ones. It is believed that the complex behavior may come from more than one vortex being captured per pinning site. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the saturation number of vortices per pinning site together with vortex-vortex interaction gives the complex vortex configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing sensitivity affects survival and reproduction in animals that communicate vocally. The Chinese tiger frog exhibits sexual dimorphism in body size, reflecting the evolution of mating behaviour and life-history strategies. In this study, we recorded auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to determine hearing sensitivity in both female and male frogs. We also compared male and female hearing characteristics with the shape of the tympanic membrane in light of previous studies showing that smaller middle ear cavities improve hearing sensitivity. We found that ABR thresholds differ significantly between males and females, with the greatest sensitivities in both sexes at frequencies close to the dominant frequency of male calls. ABR thresholds were significantly lower in females compared to males for frequencies in the 0.9–1.3 kHz range and at 1.6 kHz. The tympanic membrane diameter was significantly smaller in females (5.94 ± 0.87 mm) than in males (6.71 ± 0.49 mm). Our results indicate that sexual selection has in all likelihood differentially affected male and female hearing sensitivity as well as the shape of the tympanic membrane in frogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been public concern about the possibility of biological hazards from human exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by wearable sensors or devices. Specific absorption rate (SAR), is used as a factor to estimate health risks and needs to be measured to meet the safety limits recommended by the IEEE/FCC. Two SAR measurement methods, namely, the Electric-field probe method and the thermographic method, are reviewed in this paper with respect to the measurement system and procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most frequent genitourinary cancers, with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The connection of m6A-related lncRNAs with PD-L1 and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in BLCA prognosis was extensively investigated in this study, which could suggest novel therapeutic targets for further investigation. 30 m6A-associated lncRNAs with predictive values from the TCGA data set were identified with co-expression analysis. Cluster2 was correlated with a poor prognosis, upregulated PD-L1 expression, and higher immune ratings. Cluster2 had larger amounts of resting CD4 memory-activated T cells, M2 macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells infiltration. "CHEMOKINE SIGNALING PATHWAY" was the most significantly enriched signaling pathway according to GSEA, which may play an important role in the different immune cell infiltrates between cluster1/2. The risk model for m6A-related lncRNAs could be employed in a prognostic model to predict BLCA prognosis, regardless of other clinical features. Collectively, m6A-related lncRNAs were linked to PD-L1 and TIME, which would dynamically affect the number of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. m6A-related lncRNAs may be key mediators of PD-L1 expression and immune cells infiltration and may strongly affect the TIME of BLCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amylose-based polymeric porous material with an additive solute, potassium sorbate, has been constructed and studied by molecular dynamics modeling and simulations. It was found that the strong interactions of water molecules with the polymer and additive molecules stabilize the porous structure of the polymeric material and require the dehydration energy to be greater than that involved in pure water vaporization. They also cause the water interaction energetics to be highly nonuniform in all three spatial dimensions. As dehydration proceeds, polymer conformational compaction and pore structural reduction occur due to downward stresses resulting from the surface tension of the descending water interface coupled with strong water-polymer and polymer-additive solute interactions. The stability of the porous structure was found to be enhanced by increased polymer chain density and by the presence of the additive solute which functions as a filler in the pore space and interacts strongly with the polymer chains and water molecules of the porous material. During dehydration, the descending water level tends to accumulate the additive molecules at the vapor-liquid interface, which form dense clusters of polymer chains at the interface, reduce the level of structural reduction, and increase the energy requirement for water removal. This phenomenon suggests that dehydration could be employed as a means to construct porous media with desirable spatial nonuniform density distributions of adsorption sites/ligands or catalyst sites/enzymes as the dissolved solutes. Extensively dehydrated porous structures were found to have substantially improved stability so that the water molecules introduced during the rehydration process expand slightly the dehydrated porous structure of the systems examined here but could not recover the original pore structures that existed before the commencement of dehydration; the findings of this work suggest that the original pore structures could be reduced less during dehydration and could be recovered more effectively during rehydration, if cross-linking reagents or extender molecules with elongated shapes are parts of the original polymeric porous material or incorporated later as additive solutes. The exterior aqueous phase was found to be capable of relaxing the dense interfacial clusters of dehydrated polymer chains and redissolving the additive molecules accumulated at the interface during dehydration. The approach presented here could form a basis for the systematic evaluation of the physicochemical effects of additive components on the polymeric porous structures and their stability from the extent of water-polymer, water-water, water-additive solute, polymer-polymer, and polymer-additive solute interactions during dehydration and rehydration, and it could also provide a molecular level design method of chemical engineering science for mechanistically controlling the structure and morphology of polymeric porous media as well as the spatial distribution of additive solutes in such media during dehydration and rehydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sr2IrO4 is a spin-orbit-coupled insulator with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition at TN=240K. We report results of a comprehensive study of single-crystal Sr2Ir1-xTbxO4(0≤x≤0.03). This study found that a mere 3% (x=0.03) of tetravalent Tb4+(4f7) substituting for Ir4+ (rather than Sr2+) completely suppresses the long-range collinear AFM transition but retains the insulating state, leading to a phase diagram featuring a decoupling of the magnetic interactions and charge gap. The insulating state at x=0.03 is characterized by an unusually large specific heat at low temperatures and an incommensurate magnetic state having magnetic peaks at (0.95,0,0) and (0,0.95,0) in the neutron diffraction, suggesting a spiral or spin-density-wave order. It is apparent that Tb doping effectively changes the relative strength of the spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and the tetragonal crystal electric field and enhances the Hund's rule coupling that competes with the SOI, and destabilizes the AFM state. However, the disappearance of the AFM is accompanied by no metallic state chiefly because an energy level mismatch for the Ir and Tb sites weakens charge carrier hopping and causes a persistent insulating state. This work highlights an unconventional correlation between the AFM and insulating states in which the magnetic transition plays no critical role in the formation of the charge gap in the iridate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized and studied single-crystal Ba5AlIr2O11 that features dimer chains of two inequivalent octahedra occupied by tetravalent Ir4+(5d5) and pentavalent Ir5+(5d4) ions, respectively. Ba5AlIr2O11 is a Mott insulator that undergoes a subtle structural phase transition near TS = 210K and a magnetic transition at TM = 4.5K; the latter transition is surprisingly resistant to applied magnetic fields μoH ≤ 12T but more sensitive to modest applied pressure (dTM/dp ≈ +0.61K/GPa). All results indicate that the phase transition at TS signals an enhanced charge order that induces electrical dipoles and strong dielectric response near TS. It is clear that the strong covalency and spin-orbit interaction (SOI) suppress double exchange in Ir dimers and stabilize a novel magnetic state that is neither S = 3/2 nor J = 1/2, but rather lies in an "intermediate" regime between these two states. The novel behavior of Ba5AlIr2O11 therefore provides unique insights into the physics of SOI along with strong covalency in competition with double-exchange interactions of comparable strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various surfactants of different molecular weights, including alkylamine, poly(oxypropylene) diamine (POP), and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PPgMA) oligomers, were used for simultaneous funtionalization and reduction of graphite oxide (fGO). In this study, the effect of molecular weight and compatibility of the surfactants on the morphology and properties of the nanocomposites are reported. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) exhibited a definite interlayer thickness for GOA (alkylamine intercalated GO), however, the diffraction peaks were nearly suppressed for fGOs combining ODA with either POP (GOAP) or PPgMA (GOAE). The uniform dispersion of the fGO flakes in the polypropylene matrix resulted in the significant increase in both the degradation temperature and the crystallization temperature. A single characteristic melting peak of monoclinic (α) crystalline phase was observed from DSC traces, which was consistent with WAXD results. Dynamic mechanical analysis clearly indicated increase in both the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites due to the enhanced affinity between fGO and the polypropylene matrix. However, GOAP composite showed lower E' and Tg than GOAE because POP is less compatible with the matrix than PPgMA oligomer. Dielectric analysis also showed significant increase in both dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss at low frequency regimes with GOAE showing maximum dielectric properties. The finely dispersed GOAE and its compatibility with polymer matrix manifested the interfacial polarization, which gave rise to much greater Ɛ' and Ɛ" than other nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesize and study single crystals of the layered honeycomb lattice Mott insulators Na2RuO3 and Li2RuO3 with magnetic Ru4+(474) ions. The newly found Na2RuO3 features a nearly ideal honeycomb lattice and orders antiferromagnetically at 30 K. Single crystals of Li2RuO3 adopt a honeycomb lattice with either C2/m or more distorted P21/m below 300 K, depending on detailed synthesis conditions. We find that Li2RuO3 in both structures hosts a well-defined magnetic state, in contrast to the singlet ground state found in polycrystalline Li2RuO3. A phase diagram generated based on our results uncovers a new, direct correlation between the magnetic ground state and basal-plane distortions in the honeycomb ruthenates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To determine noise intensity during middle-ear aspiration in order to evaluate whether levels can be potentially harmful.Methods:In this prospective, observational study, middle-ear effusion was aspirated following myringotomy using a suction instrument with a probe tube microphone. Sound pressure levels and duration were measured, and frequency domain analysis was performed.Results:Forty-four ears were analysed, consisting of 20 with mucoid effusion, 11 with serous effusion and 13 with no effusion. Maximum peak sound intensity ranged from 84 to 157 dB. Half of the ears (50 per cent) were exposed to greater than 140 dB; of these, 82 per cent were exposed for longer than 0.2 ms (range, 0.05–14 ms). There was no significant difference in sound pressure level between ears with mucoid and serous effusion; however, ears with mucoid effusion required longer suction times (p < 0.0030). In addition, peak intensity was greater for ears with mucoid effusion versus those with serous or no effusion (p < 0.0001).Conclusion:Middle-ear aspiration during myringotomy caused noise levels within a potentially harmful range. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Several studies have identified genes associated with alcohol-use disorders (AUDs), but the variation in each of these genes explains only a small portion of the genetic vulnerability. The goal of the present study was to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in extended families from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism to identify novel genes affecting risk for alcohol dependence (AD). To maximize the power of the extended family design, we used a quantitative endophenotype, measured in all individuals: number of alcohol-dependence symptoms endorsed (symptom count (SC)). Secondary analyses were performed to determine if the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SC were also associated with the dichotomous phenotype, DSM-IV AD. This family-based GWAS identified SNPs in C15orf53 that are strongly associated with DSM-IV alcohol-dependence symptom counts (P=4.5 × 10−8, inflation-corrected P=9.4 × 10−7). Results with DSM-IV AD in the regions of interest support our findings with SC, although the associations were less significant. Attempted replications of the most promising association results were conducted in two independent samples: nonoverlapping subjects from the Study of Addiction: Genes and Environment (SAGE) and the Australian Twin Family Study of AUDs (OZALC). Nominal association of C15orf53 with SC was observed in SAGE. The variant that showed strongest association with SC, rs12912251 and its highly correlated variants (D′=1, r2 0.95), have previously been associated with risk for bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of ataxic sensory neuronopathy (ASN) is rare in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). ASN has been described in case reports and case series in patients with CTDs, mostly Sjögren’s syndrome, and most often occurring during middle or old age. ASN in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare; there has been only one reported case in the literature. In addition, to our knowledge, adolescent onset of symptoms in CTD-associated ASN has not been reported previously. We report the case of a young woman who presented with ASN, characterized by sensory ataxia, with elevated antinuclear antibodies, leukopenia and anemia; she fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SLE about 7 years after the onset of sensory ataxia. Our case points out that ASN may be the initial presenting feature of SLE. SLE should be included in the differential diagnosis of ASN, especially in patients of young age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A molecular dynamics (MD) modeling and simulations approach has been rationally built and developed to study porous food systems constructed with amylose and dextran chains. The findings from our MD studies indicate that the presence of food macromolecules decreases the energetics of the water–water interactions for the nearby water molecules in the pore space, but provides additional water–macromolecule interactions that can significantly outweigh the partial loss of water–water interactions to make the adjacent water molecules strongly bound to the food macromolecules so that the water activity and water removal rate are decreased as dehydration proceeds and, thus, the dehydration energy requirement would be increased. The effects of pore structures are greater in systems with higher densities of food macromolecules, smaller in size pores, and stronger water–macromolecule interactions. Dehydration of food materials can thus be reasonably expected to start from the largest pores and from the middle of the pores, and to have non-uniform water removal rates and non-planar water–vapor interfaces inside individual pores as well as across sections of the food materials. The food porous structures are found to have good pore connectivity for water molecules. As dehydration proceeds, water content and the support from water–water and water–macromolecule interactions both decrease, causing the food porous structures to adopt more compact conformations and their main body to decrease in size. Dehydration in general also reduces pore sizes and the number of pore openings, increases the water–macromolecule interactions, and leads to the reduction of the overall thermal conductivity of the system, so that more energy (heat), longer times, and/or greater temperature gradients are needed in order to further dehydrate the porous materials. Our thermodynamic analysis also shows that the average minimum entropy requirement for food dehydration is greater when the water–macromolecule interactions are stronger and the food macromolecular density is higher. The importance of the physicochemical affinity of food molecules for water and of the compatibility of the resultant porous structures with water configurational structures in determining food properties and food processing through the water–macromolecule interactions, is clearly and fundamentally verified by the results and discussion presented in this work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Activity and specificity of chemotherapeutic agents against solid tumors can be augmented via the targeted or localized delivery of 'suicide' genes. Selective activation of specific prodrugs in cells expressing the 'suicide' gene drives their elimination by apoptosis, while also enabling the killing of adjacent bystander cells. Strong bystander effects can compensate for poor 'suicide' gene delivery, and depend on the prodrugs used and mechanisms for the acquisition of activated drug by the bystander population, such as the presence of gap junctional intercellular communications. Although a number of 'suicide' gene therapies for cancer have been developed and characterized, such as herpes simplex virus-derived thymidine kinase (HSV-tk)-based activation of ganciclovir, their limited success highlights the need for the development of more robust approaches. Limiting activation kinetics and evolution of chemoresistance are major obstacles. Here we describe 'suicide' gene therapy of cancer based on the lentivirus-mediated delivery of a thymidine-active human deoxycytidine kinase variant. This enzyme possesses substrate plasticity that enables it to activate a multitude of prodrugs, some with distinct mechanisms of action. We evaluated the magnitude and mechanisms of bystander effects induced by different prodrugs, and show that when used in combination, they can synergistically enhance the bystander effect while avoiding off-target toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide coated silica hybirds (SiO2-GO) were fabricated through electrostatic assembly in this work, then blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) by solution mixing to make PVDF nanocomposites. The interfacial interaction was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the interfacial interaction was enhanced by adding of SiO2-GO and strong hydrogen bonds were observed. The as-made nanocomposites were investigated using standard tensile test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements, mechanical properties of PVDF with SiO2-GO hybrids showed limited improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel room-temperature-vulcanized silicone rubber/calcium sulfate whisker composites have been prepared. Properties such as viscosity, hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability were researched and compared. A combination of scanning electronic microscopy studies was used to characterize the structure and reinforcing mechanism of calcium sulfate whisker. Results showed that the addition of 10% calcium sulfate whisker-Y into room-temperature-vulcanized composites improved the tensile strength from 4.2 to 5.0 MPa and elongation at break from 210 to 590%. In addition, some improvement in thermal stability was obtained between 350 and 700°C for room-temperature-vulcanized systems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recent investigations have demonstrated that adenoviral and lentiviral vectors encoding HER-2 can be utilized in cancer immunotherapy. However, it is not known whether both viral systems elicit a similar immune response. Here, we compare the immune response in mice induced by dendritic cells (DCs) infected with either recombinant adenovirus or lentivirus encoding rat HER-2 (rHER-2). Both vaccine types yielded similar control of tumor growth, but we found clear differences in their immune responses 10 days after DC immunization. Adenovirus rHER-2-transduced DCs elicited locally and systemically high frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, while lentivirus rHER-2-transduced DCs predominantly led to CD4+ T-cell infiltration at the tumor site. Splenocytes from mice immunized with lentivirus rHER-2-transduced DCs secreted higher levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, mainly by CD4+ T cells, following stimulation by RM-1-mHER-2 tumors. In contrast, the adenovirus vaccinated group exhibited CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that both contributed to IFN-γ production. Besides an established cellular immune response, the rHER-2/DC vaccine elicited a significant humoral response that was highest in the adenovirus group. DC subsets and regulatory T cells in the spleen were also differentially modulated in the two vaccine systems. Finally, adoptive transfer of splenocytes from both groups of immunized mice strongly inhibited in vivo tumor growth. Our results suggest that not only the target antigen but also the virus system may determine the nature and magnitude of antitumor immunity by DC vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates the thermal performance of the vapor chamber-based thermal module in the thermal module industry. The study uses analytic model to investigate thermal conductivity, in which the copper meshes are bonded to the lower, upper, and around the internal surfaces to insure circulation of the working fluid. Conclusions show that thermal performance of the vapor-chamber-based thermal module is known within several seconds based on the deduced results.

The article discusses the effect of vapor chamber in an injection molding process on part tensile strength. An experimental setup was conducted on tensile test parts and multiholed plates which were test-molded utilizing the vapor chamber-based rapid heating and cooling system that was manufactured by Taiwan Microloops Corp. The study uses two different mold designs and a mold with one gate. Results show that the system can minimize the depth of the V-notch as much as 24 times.

The non-isothermal polycrystalline solidification of a binary alloy is simulated by employing a phase field model which takes into account the heat transition and the random crystallographic orientation. The stochastic nucleation is taken into account in the simulation through the Poisson seeding algorithm and a kinetic calculation for binary melts based on the classical nucleation theory. Different microstructures are obtained under various cooling conditions. It is found that the grain structure becomes finer with increasing the cooling rate, which agrees with experimental result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of selecting fluorescence in situ hybridization probes to be used for preimplantation genetic diagnosis in couples with balanced reciprocal translocations, we found 2 individuals with unexpected breaks in the centromeric α-satellite DNA. Subsequently, centromere breaks were specifically sought in reciprocal translocations in which 1 or both breakpoints appeared cytogenetically near the centromere. In a total of 11 individuals studied, we found 8 centromere breaks in 6 individuals; in 2 individuals, the α-satellite DNA of both chromosomes involved in the translocation split into 2 arrays. These findings suggest that breaks in α-satellite DNA are not rare events. Together with those previously reported in the literature, α-satellite DNA breaks of at least chromosomes X, 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, and 19 have now been documented. The breaks are familial in 2 of the 6 cases in our study, indicating the derivative chromosomes are both mitotically and meiotically stable. These derivative chromosomes that are either cytogenetically dicentric or molecular cytogenetically dicentric, or have altered amounts of α-satellite DNA may prove to be valuable in studying centromere dynamics and biology. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol dependence frequently co-occurs with cigarette smoking, another common addictive behavior. Evidence from genetic studies demonstrates that alcohol dependence and smoking cluster in families and have shared genetic vulnerability. Recently a candidate gene study in nicotine dependent cases and nondependent smoking controls reported strong associations between a missense mutation (rs16969968) in exon 5 of the CHRNA5 gene and a variant in the 3′-UTR of the CHRNA3 gene and nicotine dependence. In this study we performed a comprehensive association analysis of the CHRNA5–CHRNA3–CHRNB4 gene cluster in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) families to investigate the role of genetic variants in risk for alcohol dependence. Using the family-based association test, we observed that a different group of polymorphisms, spanning CHRNA5-CHRNA3, demonstrate association with alcohol dependence defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn (DSM-IV) criteria. Using logistic regression we replicated this finding in an independent case-control series from the family study of cocaine dependence. These variants show low linkage disequilibrium with the SNPs previously reported to be associated with nicotine dependence and therefore represent an independent observation. Functional studies in human brain reveal that the variants associated with alcohol dependence are also associated with altered steady-state levels of CHRNA5 mRNA.Molecular Psychiatry (2009) 14, 501–510; doi:10.1038/mp.2008.42; published online 15 April 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transposon mutant library was constructed from the bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv . oryzae ( Xoo) KACC10331 by Tn5 transposon mutagenesis. The susceptible rice cultivar Milyang 23 was inoculated with a total of 24 540 mutants resistant to kanamycin and 67 avirulent or reduced-pathogenicity mutant strains were selected for study. Southern hybridization verified that 84 mutant strains had single-copy insertions and their single-transposon insertion sites were identified by sequencing analysis combined with thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL)-PCR. The single-transposon-tagged sequences of 21 mutant strains belonged to pathogenicity-related genes previously reported in Xanthomonas species, while the other 46 single-transposon-tagged sequences included diverse functional genes encoding, five cell-wall-degrading enzymes, three fimbrial and flagella assembly regulators, five regulatory proteins, 15 metabolic regulators and 18 hypothetical proteins, which were identified as novel pathogenicity genes of Xoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cell model, together with finite element method (FEM), was employed to analyse the damping capacity of Al/SiC(p) at room temperature. In the model, four different kinds of SiC particulate shape, i.e. circle, rectangle, hexagon and triangle, under different particulate/matrix interface conditions have been respectively considered. Numerical results show that the influence of SiC particle morphology on the damping capacity of the composite is quite different under different matrix/particulate interface conditions: when the interface is ideal, the variation of the damping capacity of Al/SiC(p) at room temperature with the shape of particulates of SiC from high to low is triangle, hexagon, circle and rectangle, in turn, under the condition of the same strain amplitude; when the interface is weak, the order is hexagon, triangle, circle and rectangle. The difference of the damping capacity with different particle shapes was ascribed to the plastic deformation of the cell. Numerical results also show good agreements with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD9, a member of the tetraspanin family of proteins, is involved in a variety of cellular interactions with many other proteins and molecules. Although CD9 has been implicated in cell fusion, migration and cancer progression, the detailed function of this protein is not completely understood and likely depends on interactions with different protein partners, which are not yet all known. Using co-immunoprecipitation and mass-spectrometric protein sequencing, we have identified in prostate cancer cells, a novel CD9 partner, the 75-kDa protein HSPA9B, also known as mortalin. We further show that introduction and overexpression of wild-type CD9 into human PC-3 prostate cancer cells induces mitotic catastrophe. We also demonstrate, by immunocolocalisation studies, the interaction of CD9 and mortalin in PC-3 cells undergoing mitotic catastrophe. Our results not only identified mortalin as a new CD9 partner, but also clarify the mechanisms by which CD9 may control prostate cancer progression.British Journal of Cancer (2007) 97, 941–948. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603964 www.bjcancer.com Published online 11 September 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strategy was proposed for constructing core collections by least distance stepwise sampling (LDSS) based on genotypic values. In each procedure of cluster, the sampling is performed in the subgroup with the least distance in the dendrogram during constructing a core collection. Mean difference percentage (MD), variance difference percentage (VD), coincidence rate of range (CR) and variable rate of coefficient of variation (VR) were used to evaluate the representativeness of core collections constructed by this strategy. A cotton germplasm collection of 1,547 accessions with 18 quantitative traits was used to construct core collections. Genotypic values of all quantitative traits of the cotton collection were unbiasedly predicted based on mixed linear model approach. By three sampling percentages (10, 20 and 30%), four genetic distances (city block distance, Euclidean distance, standardized Euclidean distance and Mahalanobis distance) combining four hierarchical cluster methods (nearest distance method, furthest distance method, unweighted pair-group average method and Ward’s method) were adopted to evaluate the property of this strategy. Simulations were conducted in order to draw consistent, stable and reproducible results. The principal components analysis was performed to validate this strategy. The results showed that core collections constructed by LDSS strategy had a good representativeness of the initial collection. As compared to the control strategy (stepwise clusters with random sampling strategy), LDSS strategy could construct more representative core collections. For LDSS strategy, cluster methods did not need to be considered because all hierarchical cluster methods could give same results completely. The results also suggested that standardized Euclidean distance was an appropriate genetic distance for constructing core collections in this strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calorimetric data of binders containing pure Portland cement, 20% fly ash, 20% slag and 10% silica fume respectively are determined at different initial casting temperatures using an adiabatic calorimeter to measure the adiabatic temperature rising of concrete. The calorimetric data of binders with different dosages of fly ash at two water binder ratios ( w/ b) are determined, too. Elevation of initial casting temperature decreases the heat evolution of binder, enhances the heat evolution rate of binder and increases the heat evolution rate of binder at early age. The dosage of fly ash in concrete has different effects on the heat evolution of binder with different w/ b. At high w/ b ratio the heat evolution of binder decreases when dosage of fly ash increases. At low w/ b ratio the heat evolution of binders increases when dosage of fly ash increases from 0 to 40% of total binder quantity. The heat evolution of binder decreases after the dosage of fly ash over 40%. An appropriate dosage of fly ash in binder benefits the performance of concrete at low w/ b ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The conformations, the values of the lateral transport coefficient of a charged biomolecule (desmopressin) in the adsorbed layer and in the liquid layers above the adsorbed layer, the potential energies of the interaction between the biomolecules located in different liquid layers with the charged solid surface and with the biomolecules in the adsorbed layer, the potential energies of the interaction between water molecules in the hydration layers surrounding the conformations of the biomolecules in different layers, as well as the structure and number of hydration layers between the different conformations of desmopressin, were determined by molecular dynamics simulation studies. The results show that the lateral mobility of the adsorbed desmopressin is approximately equal to zero and the value of the lateral transport coefficient of the biomolecule in the liquid layers located above the adsorbed layer increases as the distance of the liquid layer from the charged solid surface increases. But the values of the lateral transport coefficient of the biomolecule in the liquid layers above the adsorbed layer are lower in magnitude than the value of the transport coefficient of desmopressin along the direction normal to the charged solid surface in the liquid phase located above the vacant charged sites of the solid surface, and these differences in the values of the transport coefficients have important implications with respect to the replenishment of the biomolecules in the inner parts of a channel (pore), the overall rate of adsorption, and the form of the constitutive equations that would have to be used in macroscopic models to describe the mechanisms of mass transfer and adsorption in the pores of adsorbent media. Furthermore, a novel method is presented in this work that utilizes the information about the sizes of the conformations of the biomolecule in the adsorbed layer and in the liquid layers above the adsorbed layer along the direction that is normal to the charged solid surface, as well as the number and size of the hydration layers along the same direction, and could be used to estimate the value of the lower bound of the linear characteristic dimension of a pore (i.e., pore radius) in porous adsorbent media (e.g., porous adsorbent particles; skeletons of porous monoliths) in order to realize effective transport and overall adsorption rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Primitive human hematopoietic cells have low endogenous telomerase activity, yet telomeres are not maintained. In contrast, ectopic telomerase expression in fibroblasts and other cells leads to telomere length maintenance or elongation. It is unclear whether this disparity can be attributed to telomerase level or stems from fundamentally different telomere biology. Here, we show that telomerase overexpression does not prevent proliferation-associated telomere shortening in human hematopoietic cells, pointing to the existence of cell type-specific differences in telomere dynamics. Furthermore, we observed eventual stabilization of telomere length without detectable changes in telomerase activity during establishment of two leukemic cell lines from normal cord blood cells, indicating that additional cooperating events are required for telomere maintenance in immortalized human hematopoietic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although genetic abnormalities associated with hematological malignancies are readily identified, the natural history of human leukemia cannot be observed because initiating and subsequent transforming events occur before clinical presentation. Furthermore, it has not been possible to study leukemogenesis in vitro as normal human cells do not spontaneously transform. Thus, the nature and sequence of genetic changes required to convert human hematopoietic cells into leukemia cells have never been directly examined. We have developed a system where the first step in the leukemogenic process is an engineered disruption of differentiation and self-renewal due to expression of the TLS-ERG oncogene, followed in some cases by overexpression of hTERT. In two of 13 experiments, transduced cells underwent step-wise transformation and immortalization through spontaneous acquisition of additional changes. The acquired karyotypic abnormalities and alterations including upregulation of Bmi-1 and telomerase all occur in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), establishing the relevance of this system. One resultant cell line studied in depth exhibits cellular properties characteristic of AML, notably a hierarchical organization initiated by leukemic stem cells that differentiate abnormally. These findings provide direct evidence for multiple cooperating events in human leukemogenesis, and provide a foundation for studying the genetic changes that occur during leukemic initiation and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed in order to study the transport and adsorption of a charged macromolecule (desmopressin) onto a charged solid surface in an electrolytic solution. The strong Coulombic interaction from the charged solid surface represents the major force for accelerating, orienting, entrapping in the electrical double layer, and adsorbing the macromolecule onto the charged solid surface. The macromolecule is flattened as it approaches the charged surface, giving rise to a stronger surface exclusion effect that shields surface sites. When adsorbed, the macromolecule is restrained by a surface interaction more than one hundred times stronger than the thermal energy, of which 99.8% results from the strong dominant Coulombic interaction, and trapped by a hydration layer adjacent to the surface. This leads to zero lateral displacement of the adsorbed macromolecule and indicates that surface diffusion is a physically implausible mechanism in similar systems. Explicit solvent is required for realistic representation of the macromolecular structure and the surface interaction energy. The adsorbed macromolecule also decreased the electrostatic potential gradient perpendicular to the charged solid surface and introduced additional electrostatic potential gradients laterally. The results obtained from the molecular dynamics simulations confirm the importance of electrophoretic migration and support the physical mechanisms used in a macroscopic continuum model that predicts an overshoot in the concentration of a charged macromolecule in the adsorbed phase under certain conditions of pH and ionic strength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim To compare the interocular asymmetry in visual field loss of patients with primary open-angle (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).Methods Subjects entering a prospective, randomised, controlled trial of intraoperative 5-fluorouracil in glaucoma surgery in Singapore were included. Preoperative visual field testing was performed using automated white-on-white perimetry (24-2 test pattern, threshold program, Mk II, Model 750, Zeiss-Humphrey, San Leandro, CA, USA). A minimum of two tests were required with mean deviation within 2?dB on two tests, fixation losses <20%, false positives <33%, and false negatives <33%. The second field was scored using AGIS II criteria and the ‘mean asymmetry score’ defined as the mean difference between eyes for both AGIS scores and global indices.Results In 230 subjects assessed (128 POAG, 102 PACG), mean interocular asymmetry of visual field loss was greater for the PACG group. The mean AGIS asymmetry scores for total (PACG=9.21±6.87 vs POAG=6.48±5.58, P=0.001), superior (PACG=4.31±3.39 vs POAG=3.35±3.13, P=0.035), and inferior (PACG=4.43±3.31 vs POAG=2.64±2.77, P<0.0001) areas and mean deviation (MD) asymmetry scores (PACG=6.89±13.22 vs POAG=1.66±16.97, P=0.012) were all significantly different. Interocular correlation of visual field loss for POAG was significant; total AGIS, r=0.27 (P=0.003), superior field AGIS, r=0.24 (P=0.008), inferior field AGIS, r=0.34 (P=0.0001), and MD, r=0.27 (P=0.003). In PACG, there was no significant correlation between eyes; total AGIS, r=-0.02 (P=0.85), superior field AGIS, r=-0.02 (P=0.82), inferior field AGIS, r=-0.17 (P=0.87), and MD, r=0.015 (P=0.89).Conclusion There was a greater asymmetry of visual field loss between eyes, as measured by AGIS scores and MD, in PACG than that in POAG.Eye (2004) 18, 365-368. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6700664 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beta-decay of the neutron-rich nucleus 110Mo, separated by the IGISOL on-line mass separator from other fission products, has been investigated by using beta-gamma and gamma-gamma coincidence techniques. The decay scheme of 110Mo has been revised, including 3 new excited states and 7 new γ transitions in 110Tc. The β-feedings were measured and log ft values and B(GT) values were deduced based on a Qβ-value from systematics. Three excited 1+ states in 110Tc fed by spin-flip allowed-unhindered beta transitions were identified. The deduced beta-decay strengths are compared with the Gamow-Teller strength distribution obtained from a macroscopic-microscopic calculation. The role of the asymptotic quantum numbers in the context of the allowed beta-decay is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-chain fatty acids (FAs) stimulate clonal preadipocyte differentiation with α-linolenic acid (C18:3) being very potent. Porcine preadipocytes were differentiated for 24 h with 0, 50, 100, or 300 μM oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), or C18:3. Differentiation was increased to a greater extent by C18:1 and C18:2 than by C18:3 (P<0.01) suggesting species differences. The increase in mRNA for the transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer binding protein alpha, and for the adipocyte-characteristic protein, lipoprotein lipase was less than twofold in all cases. Increased differentiation with small increases in PPARγ mRNA suggests the FAs provided ligand to activate PPARγ already present at initiation of differentiation when ligand synthesis was minimal. Fatty acid binding protein mRNA was increased several-fold by all three FAs. If these results extrapolate to the intact animal, they suggest the dietary FA composition will differentially affect fat deposition in the pig.Abbreviations: aP2, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein; C/EBPα, CCAAT-enhancer binding protein alpha, C/EBPβ, CCAAT-enhancer binding protein beta; C/EBPδ, CCAAT-enhancer binding protein delta; C18:0, stearic acid; C18:1, oleic acid, C18:2, linoleic acid, C18:3, α-linolenic acid; C20:4, arachidonic acid; C22:6, docosaheaxaenoic acid; 9,11-CLA, cis 9, trans 11-conjugated linoleic acid; DMEM, Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium; 18S, 18S ribosomal RNA; FA, long-chain fatty acid; F12, nutrient mixture F-12 Ham; LPL, lipoprotein lipase; PPARγ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid; RXRα, retinoid x receptor alpha. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Systemic ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is in part an oxidant injury mediated by neutrophils. Diethylmaleate (DEM), an intracellular pro-oxidant agent, has been shown to alleviate neutrophil-mediated tissue injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether DEM could have a protective effect on neutrophil-mediated lung injury in an animal model of lower-torso IR. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats (seven per group) were randomized into three groups. The control group underwent midline laparotomy only; the IR group underwent laparotomy and clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 30 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion; and the third group was pretreated with DEM 6 mmol/kg intraperitoneally 1 h before the IR insult. Results: IR resulted in a significant increase in both microvascular leakage and pulmonary neutrophil infiltration as measured by bronchoalveolar lavage protein concentration and pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity respectively. Pretreatment with DEM significantly attenuated both microvascular leakage and neutrophil infiltration. Conclusion: Preconditioning with DEM protected against IR-induced lung injury. This protective effect raises the possibility of using pro-oxidants to prevent inflammatory injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bench-scale sequential batch reactors (SBRs) were fed with glucose-and acetate-containing synthetic wastewaters to evaluate microbial population dynamics and types of phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) using a cellular fatty acid profile analysis. The phosphorus content in the sludge was 38% (w/w) for the acetate-fed SBR and 20% (w/w) for the glucose-fed SBR with a VSS/TSS ratio of 50%. Glucose-fed PAOs were found to remove phosphorus with accumulation of glycogen in cells without synthesizing poly-βhydroxybutyrate (PHB) at influent phosphorus concentration < 20 mg-P/L and nitrate concentration < 2 mgN/L. From the fatty acid profile biomarker study, it was found that the glucose-fed SBR maintained the same fatty acid profile before and after biological phosphorus removal (BPR) occurred while the acetate-fed SBR had a different fatty acid profile. The microbial population in the glucose-fed SBR was significantly different in terms of metabolic behavior and cellular fatty acid profile from that introduced in the acetate-fed SBR. Fatty acid a15:0 (anteiso methyl-branching) was abundant in the glucose-fed PAOs. Among the five PAO candidates (Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, Aeromonas, and Micrococcus), only Arthrobacter spp. had the biomarker of fatty acid a15:0, indicating that Arthrobacter spp. may be one of the PAOs existing in the glucose-fed bioreactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides a systematic construction of such orthogonal arrays with small runs. Two types of nearly orthogonal arrays; Effects of near orthogonality on estimation efficiency and analysis.

Use of asymmethcal orthogonal arrays (OA's) for planning industrial experiments with mixed levels has become increasingly popular. In addition to applications to experimental investigations in many disciplines, they can also be used in the balanced repeated-replications method of inference from general stratified survey samples. In this article, we propose a general approach to the construction of asymmetrical OA's with economic run size and flexibility in the choice of factor levels. As applications of this approach, we-construct several general classes of arrays that include numerous existing classes of arrays as special cases. A large number of known asymmetrical OA's can be reproduced by our approach in a unified and simple manner. Many new arrays are obtained. A list of asymmetrical OA's with moderate run size is given. Our approach consists of three steps. We first construct an OA as the generalized Kronecker sum of an OA and some difference matrices. We then add, to the constructed OA, columns that are based on another OA. Since the choice of the second OA is quite flexible, the resulting array can take several forms. As the third step we use the replacement method to substitute p-level columns by p-level columns, r > 1. Use of the methods in steps 2 and 3 greatly increases the variety of asymmetrical OA's. As an example, for 48 runs, we found thirteen asymmetrical OA's with factor levels equal to 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12. Out of these OA's seven are apparently new. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) is a disease characterized by bone marrow megakaryocyte hyperplasia and clusters of megakaryocytes, in which many of the megakaryocytes are atypical. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of megakaryocytosis, ELISA assays of blood levels of thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) were done in 45 patients with AMM and compared with normal volunteer controls. Higher blood TPO levels were found in AMM than in controls (P < 0.0001), and blood TPO levels were correlated with the degree of marrow fibrosis (P = 0.0078). Blood levels of IL-6 were also significantly higher in AMM, when compared with controls (P < 0.0001). However, no correlation was found between blood IL-6 levels and degree of marrow fibrosis. No correlation was found between either TPO or IL-6 and the number of blood platelet counts, the number of marrow megakaryocytes, WBC counts, or the degree of splenomegaly. Blood IL-11 levels were undetectable in most patients and no significant difference was found in AMM as compared to controls. The present study demonstrated that, while in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or aplastic anemia, blood TPO levels are relatively correlated with the numbers of platelet and/or megakaryocyte mass, blood TPO levels do not correlate with blood platelet counts, or marrow megakaryocyte mass in AMM. Therefore, in AMM, other mechanisms such as the number of TPO receptors on platelets or megakaryocytes, c-MPL receptor abnormalities, abnormal production of TPO mRNA and so on, will have to be studied. Furthermore, TPO may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of marrow fibrosis; IL-6 may be a factor in the development of marrow megakaryocytosis but its elevated blood levels may represent a secondary immune phenomenon; and IL-11 probably does not play a significant role in causing marrow megakaryocytosis in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host evolves redundant mechanisms to preserve physiological processing and homeostasis. These functions range from sensing internal and external threats, creating a memory of the insult and generating reflexes, which aim to resolve inflammation. Impairment in such functioning leads to chronic inflammatory diseases. By interacting through a common language of ligands and receptors, the immune and sensory nervous systems work in concert to accomplish such protective functions. Whilst this bidirectional communication helps to protect from danger, it can contribute to disease pathophysiology. Thus, the somatosensory nervous system is anatomically positioned within primary and secondary lymphoid tissues and mucosa to modulate immunity directly. Upstream of this interplay, neurons detect danger, which prompts the release of neuropeptides initiating (i) defensive reflexes (ranging from withdrawal response to coughing) and (ii) chemotaxis, adhesion and local infiltration of immune cells. The resulting outcome of such neuro-immune interplay is still ill-defined, but consensual findings start to emerge and support neuropeptides not only as blockers of TH 1-mediated immunity but also as drivers of TH 2 immune responses. However, the modalities detected by nociceptors revealed broader than mechanical pressure and temperature sensing and include signals as various as cytokines and pathogens to immunoglobulins and even microRNAs. Along these lines, we aggregated various dorsal root ganglion sensory neuron expression profiling datasets supporting such wide-ranging sensing capabilities to help identifying new danger detection modalities of these cells. Thus, revealing unexpected aspects of nociceptor neuron biology might prompt the identification of novel drivers of immunity, means to resolve inflammation and strategies to safeguard homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the dielectric properties of Zn[sub 1-x]Mn[sub x]Te(0...x...0.268) epilayers studied by capacitance and dissipation factor measurements at a temperature of 200K