Guided growth of neurons and glia using microfabricated patterns of parylene-C on a SiO2 background.

This paper describes a simple technique for the patterning of glia and neurons. The integration of neuronal patterning to Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs), planar patch clamp and silicon based 'lab on a chip' technologies necessitates the development of a microfabrication-compatible method, which will be reliable and easy to implement. In this study a highly consistent, straightforward and cost effective cell patterning scheme has been developed. It is based on two common ingredients: the polymer parylene-C and horse serum. Parylene-C is deposited and photo-lithographically patterned on silicon oxide (SiO(2)) surfaces. Subsequently, the patterns are activated via immersion in horse serum. Compared to non-activated controls, cells on the treated samples exhibited a significantly higher conformity to underlying parylene stripes. The immersion time of the patterns was reduced from 24 to 3h without compromising the technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of parylene and SiO(2) surfaces before and after immersion in horse serum and gel based eluant analysis suggests that the quantity and conformation of proteins on the parylene and SiO(2) substrates might be responsible for inducing glial and neuronal patterning.

HIV感染中的细胞凋亡

HIV感染以后,病毒蛋白的持续性产出导致免疫系统的持续性激活,引起Th1细胞的丢失,Th1细胞通过合成Ⅰ型细胞因子,抑制淋巴细胞的自发凋亡。另外,病毒蛋白或其他因素能够使CD4~(+)、CD8~(+) T细胞和APC转化为凋亡的效应细胞,通过Fas/FasL或其他途径引起细胞凋亡。HIV感染人体后凋亡细胞不仅有CD4~(+) T细胞,还包括B细胞、NK细胞、粒细胞、神经细胞和单细胞。凋亡作为机体的自我防护措施,在清除感染细胞的同时,并没有抑制HIV在单细胞/巨噬细胞内的复制,反而造成大量未感染细胞的凋亡,导致对HIV复制的失控,发展为严重的免疫缺陷,引起AIDS相关的机会性感染。

猪-猕猴延迟性异种移植排斥反应的发生机制

　目的:探讨猪2猕猴延迟性异种移植排斥反应(DXR) 的发生机制。方法:建立湖北白猪2云南猕猴的腹腔异位心 脏移植模型,应用中华眼镜蛇毒因子(Y2CVF) 完全清除受者体内补体,并应用环孢素A(CsA) 、环磷酰胺(CTX) 和甲泼尼龙(M. P) 三联免疫抑制治疗。检测血清C3、C4、抗猪内皮细胞天然抗体,免疫组化方法染色检测移植物中C3、C5b29、IgG、IgM、细胞间 黏附分子21 ( ICAM21) 、肿瘤坏死因子2α(TNF2α) 、单核巨噬细胞(CD68) 、NK细胞(CD57) 、CD4 + T 细胞和CD8 + T 细胞的表达。 结果:移植心存活时间分别为8、10、13 和13 天,血清C3 和补体总活性均下降为0 ,抗猪内皮细胞天然抗体水平在移植后则有 一个更为明显的下降,在移植心失功前2～4 天开始天然抗体稍有回升,但较术前正常时仍明显偏低。移植心有程度不等的 C3、C4、C5b29、IgG及IgM 沉积,大量的单核细胞(50 %) ,少量的NK细胞(8 %～10 %) 、CD4 + T 细胞(15 %) 和CD8 + T 细胞 (25 %) 。移植物血管内皮细胞表面出现ICAM21 的表达上调,移植物间质中出现TNF2α的表达增加。结论:体液免疫和细胞免 疫参与猪2猕猴DXR 排斥反应的发生。

单核细胞、N K细胞和T 细胞在猪-猕猴延迟性异种移植排斥反应中的作用

　目的　观察单核细胞、NK细胞和T 细胞在猪2猕猴延迟性异种移植排斥反应(DXR) 中的作用。方法　建立湖北白猪2云南猕猴的腹腔异位心脏移植模型,实验分为2 组:对照组( n = 5) ,不使用中华眼睛蛇毒因( Y2CVF) ;实验组( n = 4) 应用Y2CVF 完全清除受者体内补体。2 组受 体猴均采用环孢素A(CsA) ,环磷酰胺(CTX) 和甲基强的松龙(MP) 三联免疫抑制治疗。免疫组织 化学方法检测移植心组织中细胞间黏附分子( ICAM)21 、肿瘤坏死因子( TNF)2α、单核细胞、NK 细 胞和T 细胞的表达。结果　对照组3 个移植心在15～60 min 内发生超急性排斥反应(HAR) ,另2 个分别存活22 h 及6 d ,移植心均未见明显的炎性细胞浸润及ICAM21 和TNF2α的表达。实验组 移植心存活时间分别为8 、10 、13 和13 d ,移植物浸润细胞中可见大量的单核细胞(50 %) ,少量的 NK细胞(8 %～10 %) ,CD4 + T 细胞(15 %) 和CD8 + T 细胞(25 %) 。移植物血管内皮细胞表面出现 ICAM21 的表达上调,移植物间质中出现TNF2α的表达增加。结论　单核细胞、NK细胞和T 细胞 介导的移植物损伤,在应用Y2CVF 处理的猪2猕猴DXR 发生中发挥重要作用　

Proceedings of an international workshop on the value of computer-based engineering tools, held in Cambridge in April 1997

There is increasing adoption of computer-based tools to support the product development process. Tolls include computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacture, systems engineering and product data management systems. The fact that companies choose to invest in tools might be regarded as evidence that tools, in aggregate, are perceived to possess business value through their application to engineering activities. Yet the ways in which value accrues from tool technology are poorly understood.

This report records the proceedings of an international workshop during which some novel approaches to improving our understanding of this problem of tool valuation were presented and debated. The value of methods and processes were also discussed. The workshop brought together British, Dutch, German and Italian researchers. The presenters included speakers from industry and academia (the University of Cambridge, the University of Magdeburg and the Politechnico de Torino)

The work presented showed great variety. Research methods include case studies, questionnaires, statistical analysis, semi-structured interviews, deduction, inductive reasoning, the recording of anecdotes and analogies. The presentations drew on financial investment theory, the industrial experience of workshop participants, discussions with students developing tools, modern economic theories and speculation on the effects of company capabilities.

Effects of testosterone undecanoate as a male contraceptive candidate on rat immunological features

Testosterone undecanoate (TU) is under phase III clinical trial as a hormonal male contraceptive in China. Sex hormones can modulate the immune system. Female hormonal contraceptives may affect SIV/HIV-1 transmission. To evaluate the safety of TU and to understand whether long-term use of TU for a male contraceptive affects users' immunological features, adult male rats were treated for a 32-week TU-treated phase at the dose of 20 mg TU/kg body weight and a 24-week recovery phase. The reproductive and immunological parameters of 4-6 rats in each subgroup were examined at the stated time point. The mean sperm count and viability in the treated rats were significantly suppressed (p < 0.01). In the TU-treated group: the mean blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts; the proliferation indexes of T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and spleen; and, of B cells from spleen, as well as the mean counts of blood T, NK, and B cells decreased in comparison with those of control group. These decreases were not significant (p > 0.01). Similarly, the mean serum IgM, IgG, and IgA levels and complement activity in TU-treated rats were lower than those in control group (p > 0.01), and the changes in the antibody levels of the examined genital secretions were not significant (p > 0.01). The changes in the thickness of urethra epithelium, and in secretory component (SC) expression in genitals were not observed in the treated group. These results demonstrated that long-term supraphysiological TU injection did not obviously affect the examined rat immunological parameters.

Algorithm-based continuous pulse duration tuning and performance control of a mode-locked laser diode.

A control algorithm is presented that addresses the stability issues inherent to the operation of monolithic mode-locked laser diodes. It enables a continuous pulse duration tuning without any onset of Q-switching instabilities. A demonstration of the algorithm performance is presented for two radically different laser diode geometries and continuous pulse duration tuning between 0.5 ps to 2.2 ps and 1.2 ps to 10.2 ps is achieved. With practical applications in mind, this algorithm also facilitates control over performance parameters such as output power and wavelength during pulse duration tuning. The developed algorithm enables the user to harness the operational flexibility from such a laser with 'push-button' simplicity.