Neuropeptides, by direct interaction with T cells, induce cytokine secretion and break the commitment to a distinct T helper phenotype

Searching for nervous system candidates that could directly induce T cell cytokine secretion, I tested four neuropeptides (NPs): somatostatin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, neuropeptide Y, and substance P. Comparing neuropeptide-driven versus classical antigen-driven cytokine secretion from T helper cells Th0, Th1, and Th2 autoimmune-related T cell populations, I show that the tested NPs, in the absence of any additional factors, directly induce a marked secretion of cytokines [interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ, IL-4, and IL-10) from T cells. Furthermore, NPs drive distinct Th1 and Th2 populations to a “forbidden” cytokine secretion: secretion of Th2 cytokines from a Th1 T cell line and vice versa. Such a phenomenon cannot be induced by classical antigenic stimulation. My study suggests that the nervous system, through NPs interacting with their specific T cell-expressed receptors, can lead to the secretion of both typical and atypical cytokines, to the breakdown of the commitment to a distinct Th phenotype, and a potentially altered function and destiny of T cells in vivo.

Direct toxicity of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for renal medullary cells

Antipyretic analgesics, taken in large doses over a prolonged period, cause a specific form of kidney disease, characterized by papillary necrosis and interstitial scarring. Epidemiological evidence incriminated mixtures of drugs including aspirin (ASA), phenacetin, and caffeine. The mechanism of toxicity is unclear. We tested the effects of ASA, acetaminophen (APAF, the active metabolite of phenacetin), caffeine, and other related drugs individually and in combination on mouse inner medullary collecting duct cells (mIMCD3). The number of rapidly proliferating cells was reduced by ≈50% by 0.5 mM ASA, salicylic acid, or APAF. The drugs had less effect on confluent cells, which proliferate slowly. Thus, the slow in vivo turnover of IMCD cells could explain why clinical toxicity requires very high doses of these drugs over a very long period. Caffeine greatly potentiated the effect of acetaminophen, pointing to a potential danger of the mixture. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, indomethacin and NS-398, did not reduce cell number except at concentrations greatly in excess of those that inhibit COX. Therefore, COX inhibition alone is not toxic. APAF arrests most cells in late G1 and S and produces a mixed form of cell death with both oncosis (swollen cells and nuclei) and apoptosis. APAF is known to inhibit the synthesis of DNA and cause chromosomal aberrations due to inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. Such effects of APAF might account for renal medullary cell death in vivo and development of uroepithelial tumors from surviving cells that have chromosomal aberrations.

Low IGF-I suppresses VEGF-survival signaling in retinal endothelial cells: Direct correlation with clinical retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity is a blinding disease, initiated by lack of retinal vascular growth after premature birth. We show that lack of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in knockout mice prevents normal retinal vascular growth, despite the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor, important to vessel development. In vitro, low levels of IGF-I prevent vascular endothelial growth factor-induced activation of protein kinase B (Akt), a kinase critical for endothelial cell survival. Our results from studies in premature infants suggest that if the IGF-I level is sufficient after birth, normal vessel development occurs and retinopathy of prematurity does not develop. When IGF-I is persistently low, vessels cease to grow, maturing avascular retina becomes hypoxic and vascular endothelial growth factor accumulates in the vitreous. As IGF-I increases to a critical level, retinal neovascularization is triggered. These data indicate that serum IGF-I levels in premature infants can predict which infants will develop retinopathy of prematurity and further suggests that early restoration of IGF-I in premature infants to normal levels could prevent this disease.

A Case Study of the Economic and Environmental Impacts from a Bio-fuel Facility (Southwest Georgia Ethanol, LLC) on the Surrounding Communities, Southwest Georgia

Bio-fuels such as ethanol provide an extraordinary opportunity to address our dependency on foreign oil. This case study examines the economic and environmental impacts associated with constructing and operating a dry mill ethanol manufacturing facility in a Southwest Georgia town and surrounding communities. The case study found that the plant had little impact on air quality, water quality, and habitat fragmentation. However, economic results showed the plant produced $1.5 million in tax revenues, and 86 jobs. Ethanol producers and communities must consider both the economic and environmental impacts on a local community when searching or attracting a bio-fuels plant. Likewise, communities should be aware of these challenges when attracting ethanol production plants.

Ethanol dehydration via azeotropic distillation with gasoline fractions as entrainers: A pilot-scale study of the manufacture of an ethanol–hydrocarbon fuel blend

We establish experimentally and through simulations the economic and technical viability of dehydrating ethanol by means of azeotropic distillation, using a hydrocarbon as entrainer. The purpose of this is to manufacture a ready-to-use ethanol–hydrocarbon fuel blend. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of this proposition, we have tested an azeotropic water–ethanol feed mixture, using a hydrocarbon as entrainer, in a semi pilot-plant scale distillation column. Four different hydrocarbons (hexane, cyclohexane, isooctane, and toluene) that are representative of the hydrocarbons present in ordinary gasoline have been tested. Each of these hydrocarbons was tested separately in experiments under conditions of constant feed rate and variable reboiler heat duty. The experimentally obtained results are compared with results calculated by a simulator. Finally, the proposed and traditional ethanol dehydration processes are compared to ascertain the advantages of the former over the latter.

Ethanol dehydration via azeotropic distillation with gasoline fraction mixtures as entrainers: A pilot-scale study with industrially produced bioethanol and naphta

Various hydrocarbons (n-hexane, cyclohexane, toluene, isooctane) and mixtures of them (binary, ternary or quaternary), as well as two different types of industrially produced naphtha (one obtained by direct distillation and the other from a catalytic cracking process), have been tested as candidate entrainers to dehydrate ethanol. The tests were carried out in an azeotropic distillation column on a semi pilot plant. The results show that it is possible to dehydrate bioethanol using naphtha as entrainer, obtaining as a result a fuel blend with negligible water content and ready for immediate use in motor vehicles.

Operator, organizational, direct, and general support maintenance manual : heater, space, multi-fuel, with blower, 60,000 Btu/hr (Hunter model UH-68D), FSN 4520-114-1055.

"June 1969."

Operator's, organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance manual : pumping assembly, diesel engine driven, wheel mtd, 350 gpm, 275 ft. head, model 13220E1070 (97403) (fuel use only), NSN 4320-01-092-3551 ....

"15 August 1984."

Operator's, organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance manual for semitrailer, tank, fuel, 5000 gallon, 4 wheel, M131A4 (NSN 2330-00-994-9459), M131A5 (NSN 2330-00-226-6079), semitrailer, tank, fuel servicing, 5000 gallon, 4 wheel, M131A4C (NSN 2330-00-994-9458) ....

"June 1992."

Direct support and general support level : engine assembly, diesel (multifuel), naturally aspirated or turbocharged, fuel-injected, water-cooled, 6-cylinder : models, LD-465-1, NSN 2815-00-239-5824; LD-465-1C, NSN 2815-00-134-4830 ... and clutches.

"April 1981"--Vol. 2, pt. 2.

Direct support, general support and depot maintenance manual, including repair parts and special tools lists for engine, with container, turbosupercharged, diesel, fuel injection, 90-degree "V" type, air cooled, 12-cylinder, assembly; models AVDS-1790-2M (2815-856-4996), AVDS-1790-2A and AVDS-1790-2AM (2815-856-9005).

Includes indexes.

Operator, organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance manual for tester, fuel injector pump : single end drive, 150 to 3600 RPM (4910-01-037-9417) and adapter kits, fuel injector : American Bosch APE-6BB (4910-01-005-2850), American Bosch PSB-6A and PSB-6 (4910-01-005-2851), American Bosch PSB-12BT (4910-01-005-2852), Simmonds SU (4910-01-005-2853), International Harvester 3200 (4910-01-006-3073), American Bosch PSJ-6A (4910-01-006-3072), Caterpillar (4910-01-005-2854), Roosa Master (4910-01-005-2855), and Cummins (4910-00-763-7495).

Description based on vol. 1.

Direct support and general support maintenance manual for engine, with container, turbosupercharged, diesel, fuel injection, 90-degree "V" type, air-cooled, 12-cylinder, assembly; models AVDS-1790-2C, 2815-00-410-1203 and AVDS-1790-2D, 2815-00-410-1204.

Includes index.

Direct support and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools lists ... for engine, diesel (multifuel), turbocharged, fuel injected, water cooled, 6-cylinder assembly (military models LD-465-1, 2815-239-5824 ... and clutches).

"May 1974."

Operator, organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance manual for tester, fuel injector pump : single end drive, 150 to 3600 RPM (4910-01-037-9417) and adapter kits, fuel injector : American Bosch APE-6BB (4910-01-005-2850), American Bosch PSB-6A and PSB-6 ....

"May 1982"--Vol. 1.