Time-dependent expression of annexin 1 in a model of chronic granulomatous inflammation

Objective and design: To determine the expression pattern and distribution of the glucocorticoid-inducible protein annexin 1 (ANXA1) in a murine model of chronic granulomatous inflammation.Materials or subjects: TO Mouse.Treatment: Chronic granulomatous inflammation was induced by injecting into dorsal sub-cutaneous air-pouches in mice, a mixture of croton oil and Freund's complete adjuvant (CO/FCA).Methods: Western and northern analysis, corticosterone assay, and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's pair-wise comparisons or Dunnett's multiple comparisons.Results: ANXA1 protein levels changed significantly throughout the 4-week time course, with an initial peak at day 7 and a later elevation at 28 days. ANXA1 mRNA levels peaked at days 1 and 3, with a significant decline at day 7 followed by an upward trend to day 28. Plasma corticosterone measurements taken throughout the time course revealed an increase from 14 days onward, suggesting that corticosterone does not influence ANXA1 expression during the initial stages of the model. Immunogold staining revealed that ANXA1 expression in the inflamed tissue was mainly in extravasated neutrophils, with intact protein (37 kDa) being predominantly observed on the cell membrane.Conclusions: the pattern of ANXA1 expression indicates that infiltrated neutrophils are responsible for the majority of ANXA1 present both at early and later stages of this model of granulomatous inflammation.

Combined D0 measurements constraining the CP-violating phase and width difference in the B-s(0) system

We combine the D0 measurement of the width difference between the light and heavy B-s(0) mass eigenstates and of the CP-violating mixing phase determined from the time-dependent angular distributions in the B-s(0)-> J/psi phi decays along with the charge asymmetry in semileptonic decays also measured with the D0 detector. With the additional constraint from the world average of the flavor-specific B-s(0) lifetime, we obtain Delta Gamma(s)equivalent to(Gamma(L)-Gamma(H))=0.13 +/- 0.09 ps(-1) and vertical bar phi(s)vertical bar=0.70(-0.47)(+0.39) or Delta Gamma(s)=-0.13 +/- 0.09 ps(-1) and vertical bar phi(s)vertical bar=2.44(-0.39)(+0.47). The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.1 fb(-1) accumulated with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider.

Quartz Crystal Microbalance monitoring the real-time binding of lectin with carbohydrate with high and low molecular mass

Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) was used to monitor the mass changes on a quartz crystal surface containing immobilized lectins that interacted with carbohydrates. The strategy for lectin immobilization was developed on the basis of a multilayer system composed of Au-cystamine-glutaraldehyde-lectin. Each step of the immobilization procedure was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The system was used to study the interactions of Concanavalin A (ConA) with maltose and Jacalin with Fetuin. The real-time binding of different concentrations of carbohydrate to the immobilized lectin was monitored by means of QCM measurements and the data obtained allowed for the construction of Langmuir isotherm curves. The association constants determined for the specific interactions analyzed here were (6.4 +/- 0.2) X 10(4) M-1 for Jacalin-Fetuin and (4.5 +/- 0.1) x 10(2) M-1 for ConA-maltose. These results indicate that the QCM constitutes a suitable method for the analysis of lectin-carbohydrate interactions, even when assaying low molecular mass ligands such as disaccharides. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of caffeine on time to exhaustion in exercise performed below and above the anaerobic threshold

Controversy still exists concerning the potential ergogenic benefit of caffeine (CAF) for exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of CAF ingestion on endurance performance during exercise on a bicycle ergometer at two different intensities, i.e., approximately 10% below and 10% above the anaerobic threshold (AT). Eight untrained males, non-regular consumers of CAF, participated in this study. AT, defined as the intensity (watts) corresponding to a lactate concentration of 4 mM, was determined during an incremental exercise test from rest to exhaustion on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. on the basis of these measurements, the subjects were asked to cycle until exhaustion at two different intensities, i.e., approximately 10% below and 10% above AT. Each intensity was performed twice in a double-blind randomized order by ingesting either CAF (5 mg/kg) or a placebo (PLA) 60 min prior to the test. Venous blood was analyzed for free fatty acid, glucose, and lactate, before, during, and immediately after exercise. Rating of perceived exertion and time to exhaustion were also measured during each trial. There were no differences in free fatty acids or lactate levels between CAF and PLA during and immediately after exercise for either intensity. Immediately after exercise glucose increased in the CAF trial at both intensities. Rating of perceived exertion was significantly lower (CAF = 14.1 ± 2.5 vs PLA = 16.6 ± 2.4) and time to exhaustion was significantly higher (CAF = 46.54 ± 8.05 min vs PLA = 32.42 ± 14.81 min) during exercise below AT with CAF. However, there was no effect of CAF treatment on rating of perceived exertion (CAF = 18.0 ± 2.7 vs PLA = 17.6 ± 2.3) and time to exhaustion (CAF = 18.45 ± 7.28 min vs PLA = 19.17 ± 4.37 min) during exercise above AT. We conclude that in untrained subjects caffeine can improve endurance performance during prolonged exercise performed below AT and that the decrease of perceived exertion can be involved in this process

High resolution spectroscopy of (CH3OH)-C-13 around the 10R(20) CO2 laser emission: New FIR laser lines, frequency measurements and assignments

We investigated the IR absorption spectrum of (CH3OH)-C-13 around the frequency of the 10R(20) CO2 laser line. We found two absorption lines which can be excited by 10R(20) and studied the FIR laser emissions excited by this pump line using a waveguide CO2 laser of 300 MHz tunability: We report two new FIR laser lines of large offset, not previously observed due to their weakness and closeness to other stronger lines. We measured the frequencies of five FIR laser lines for the first time by an accurate heterodyne technique and present the complete assignments of the IR-FIR laser systems relative to this pump line. Furthermore we present new frequency values for two FIR laser lines whose frequencies had been previously wrongly measured. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V. Ltd.

An application of neural network technique to correct the dome temperature effects on pyrgeometer measurements

This work describes an application of a multilayer perceptron neural network technique to correct dome emission effects on longwave atmospheric radiation measurements carried out using an Eppley Precision Infrared Radiometer (PIR) pyrgeometer. It is shown that approximately 7-month-long measurements of dome and case temperatures and meteorological variables available in regular surface stations (global solar radiation, air temperature, and air relative humidity) are enough to train the neural network algorithm and correct the observed longwave radiation for dome temperature effects in surface stations with climates similar to that of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The network was trained using data from 15 October 2003 to 7 January 2004 and verified using data, not present during the network-training period, from 8 January to 30 April 2004. The longwave radiation values generated by the neural network technique were very similar to the values obtained by Fairall et al., assumed here as the reference approach to correct dome emission effects in PIR pyrgeometers. Compared to the empirical approach the neural network technique is less limited to sensor type and time of day (allows nighttime corrections).

Hyperfine interaction measurements on ceramics: PZT revisited

The solid solution of PbZr1-xTixO3, known as lead-zirconate titanate (PZT), was probably one of the most studied ferroelectric materials, especially due to its excellent dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. The highest piezoelectric coefficients of the PZT are found near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) (0.46 <= x <= 0.49), between the tetragonal and rhombohedral regions of the composition-temperature phase diagram. Recently, a new monoclinic phase near the MPB was observed, which can be considered as a bridge between PZT's tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. This work is concerned with the study of the structural properties of the ferroelectric PZT (Zr/Ti = 52/48, 53/47) by hypertine interaction (HI) measurements obtained from experiments performed by using the nuclear spectroscopy time differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) in a wide temperature range. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of interstitial impurities on internal friction measurements in niobium

Measurements of internal friction as a function of temperature were carried out in samples of mobium containing different amounts of interstitial solutes (oxygen and nitrogen) and one sample of mobium containing initially only nitrogen as interstitial solute. The experimental spectra of internal friction as a function of temperature were obtained with a torsion pendulum of the inverted Ke-type and resolved, using the method of successive subtraction, into a series of constituent Debye peaks corresponding to different interactions. For each relaxation process it was possible to obtain the height (Q(max)(-1)) and temperature (T-p) of the peak, the activation energy (E) and the relaxation time (t(o)). The height, shape and temperature of these peaks depend on the concentration of interstitial elements. The observed peaks were associated with matrix-interstitial (Nb-O, Nb-N) and interstitial-interstitial (O-N) interaction processes. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurements of ambient ozone using indigo blue-coated filters

Ozone monitoring techniques utilize expensive instruments that are often large and heavy. These instruments are not easy to handle in the field, and their size also limits some sampling schemes, principally for indoor ozone determination. We have developed a lightweight, inexpensive, and sensitive method that offers flexibility to undertake measurements of ambient ozone in many environments, both indoor and outdoor. The method is based on the reaction of ozone with indigo blue dye. The indigo molecule contains 1 carbon double bond (C = C) that reacts with ozone and results in nearly colorless reaction products. During sample collection, 2 cellulose filters coated with 40 mu L of 1.0 x 10(-3) M indigo blue were used. The determinations were done spectrophotometrically at 250 and 600 nm. The analytical parameters studied were sampling time and flow rate. Analytical curves were constructed with concentrations ranging from 37 to 123 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) of standard ozone, at 0.4 L/min and 15 min sampling time. The detection limits achieved were 6 and 9 ppbv, respectively, at 250 and 600 nm. Considering interferences, measurements made at 250 nm gave more reliable and specific values for ozone.

The implications of laboratory Rn-222 flux measurements to the radioactivity in groundwaters: the case of a karstic limestone aquifer

Laboratory time-scale experiments were conducted on Carboniferous Limestone gravels from the Mendip Hills area, England, with the purpose of evaluating the release of Rn-222 to the water phase. The specific surface areas of the samples were 4.14 and 1.69 cm g(-1), which provided, respectively, values of 50.6 and 12.7 pCi for the released Rn. These results allowed the calculation of the emanation coefficient of this rock matrix with respect to the release of Rn, where completely different values corresponding to 23% and 6% were found, suggesting that the extent to which grain boundaries or imperfections in aggregates of micro-crystals of calcite intersect the particle surface certainly affects the Rn release. They also permitted the evaluation of models for the generation of Rn in rocks and transfer to water, in order to interpret the radioactivity due to this gas in groundwaters from the karstic aquifer of the Mendip Hills area, where the calculated activities in groundwater based on the values of 23% and 6% for the emanation coefficient were about 51 and 15 times higher than actually measured in groundwater. Therefore, the emanation coefficient in nature is considerably smaller than in the lab experiment, and another factor k (0 < k < 1) may be introduced into the equations related to the modelling, with the aim of adjusting the theoretical-practical results. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time-resolved spectroscopy studies of Gd2SiO5 : Ce3+ from spherical particles

This paper reports on time-resolved emission and excitation spectra measurement studies of Gd2SiO5:Ce3+ in powder or pellet samples, from spherical particles, in order to assign the Ce3+ ion transitions into two different symmetry sites. Samples were obtained from solid-state reaction of the spherical particles oxides, SiO2 and Gd2O3:Ce3+. From time-resolved spectroscopy measurements Ce3+ ion transitions occupying the two different gadolinium crystallographic sites in Gd2SiO5 were separated and assigned. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

An intelligent system to real time rainfall prediction using radar data

This work presents a new approach for rainfall measurements making use of weather radar data for real time application to the radar systems operated by institute of Meteorological Research (IPMET) - UNESP - Bauru - SP-Brazil. Several real time adjustment techniques has been presented being most of them based on surface rain-gauge network. However, some of these methods do not regard the effect of the integration area, time integration and distance rainfall-radar. In this paper, artificial neural networks have been applied for generate a radar reflectivity-rain relationships which regard all effects described above. To evaluate prediction procedure, cross validation was performed using data from IPMET weather Doppler radar and rain-gauge network under the radar umbrella. The preliminary results were acceptable for rainfalls prediction. The small errors observed result from the spatial density and the time resolution of the rain-gauges networks used to calibrate the radar.

Predicting beef carcass retail products of Mediterranean buffaloes by real-time ultrasound measures

Twenty eight Mediterranean buffaloes bulls were scanned with real-time ultrasound (RTU), slaughtered, and fabricated into retail cuts to determine the potential for ultrasound measures to predict carcass retail yield. Ultrasound measures of fat thickness, ribeye area and rump fat thickness were recorded three to five days prior to slaughter. Carcass measurements were taken, and one side of each carcass was fabricated into retail cuts. Stepwise regression analysis was used to compare possible models for prediction of either kilograms or percent retail product from carcass mesaurements and ultrasound measures. Results indicate that possible prediction models for percent or kilograms of retail products using RTU measures were similar in their predictive power and accuracy when compared to models derived from carcass measurements. Both fat thickness and ribeye area were over-predicted when measured ultrasonically compared to measurements taken on the carcass in the cooler. The mean absolute differences for both traits are larger than the mean differences, indicating that some images were interpreted to be larger and some smaller than actual carcass measurements. Ultrasound measurements of REA and FT had positive correlations with carcass measures of the same traits (r=.96 for REA and r=.99 for FT). Standard errors of prediction currently are being used as the standard to certify ultrasound technicians for accuracy. Regression equations using live weight (LW), rib eye area (REAU) and subcutaneous fat thickness (FTU) between 12(th) and 13 (th) ribs and also over the biceps femoris muscle (FTP8) by ultrasound explained 95% of the variation in the hot carcass weight when measure immediately before slaughter.

Advances in phase-stepping real-time holography using photorefractive sillenite crystals

This work presents a review of recent developments in phase-stepping real-time holographic interferometry with photorefractive sillenite crystals. Quantitative results are shown in micro-rotation, micro-displacement, and micro-deformation measurements, and in wave-optics and surface analysis as well. The phase stepping was carried out in a four-frame process and the resulting phase map was unwrapped by applying a sin/cos filter. The experimental results are in good agreement with the ones obtained through other means, showing the promising potentialities of phase-stepping real-time holographic interferometry for in situ visualisation, monitoring and analysis in non-destructive testing.

Pharyngeal clearance and pharyngeal transit time determined by a biomagnetic method in normal humans

Clearance and transit time are parameters of great value in studies of digestive transit. Such parameters are nowadays obtained by means of scintigraphy and videofluoroscopy, with each technique having advantages and disadvantages. In this study we present a new, noninvasive method to study swallowing pharyngeal clearance (PC) and pharyngeal transit time (PTT). This new method is based on variations of magnetic flux produced by a magnetic bolus passing through the pharynx and detected by an AC biosusceptometer (ACB). These measurements may be performed in a simple way. cause no discomfort. and do not use radiation. We measured PC in 8 volunteers (7 males and I female. 23-33 years old) and PTT in 8 other volunteers (7 males and I female. 21-29 years old). PC was 0.82 +/- 0.10 s (mean +/- SD) and PTT was 0.75 +/- 0.03 s. The results were similar for PC but longer for PTT than those determined by means of other techniques. We conclude that the biomagnetic method can be used to evaluate PC and PTT.