Killer immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) haplogroups A and B track with Natural Killer Cells and Cytokine Profile in Aged Subjects: Observations from Octo/Nonagenarians in the Belfast Elderly Longitudinal Free-living Aging STudy (BELFAST)

Background: Natural Killer Cells (NK) play an important role in detection and elimination of virus-infected, damaged or cancer cells. NK cell function is guided by expression of Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) and contributed to by the cytokine milieu. KIR molecules are grouped on NK cells into stimulatory and inhibitory KIR haplotypes A and B, through which NKs sense and tolerate HLA self-antigens or up-regulate the NK-cytotoxic response to cells with altered HLA self-antigens, damaged by viruses or tumours. We have previously described increased numbers of NK and NK-related subsets in association with sIL-2R cytokine serum levels in BELFAST octo/nonagenarians. We hypothesised that changes in KIR A and B haplotype gene frequencies could explain the increased cytokine profiles and NK compartments previously described in Belfast Elderly Longitudinal Free-living Aging STudy (BELFAST) octo/nonagenarians, who show evidence of ageing well.<br/><br/>Results: In the BELFAST study, 24% of octo/nonagenarians carried the KIR A haplotype and 76% KIR B haplotype with no differences for KIR A haplogroup frequency between male or female subjects (23% v 24%; p=0.88) or for KIR B haplogroup (77% v 76%; p=0.99). Octo/nonagenarian KIR A haplotype carriers showed increased NK numbers and percentage compared to Group B KIR subjects (p=0.003; p=0.016 respectively). There were no KIR A/ B haplogroup-associated changes for related CD57+CD8 (high or low) subsets. Using logistic regression, KIR B carriers were predicted to have higher IL-12 cytokine levels compared to KIR A carriers by about 3% (OR 1.03, confidence limits CI 0.99–1.09; p=0.027) and 14% higher levels for TGF-ß (active), a cytokine with an anti-inflammatory role, (OR 1.14, confidence limits CI 0.99–1.09; p=0.002).<br/><br/>Conclusion: In this observational study, BELFAST octo/nonagenarians carrying KIR A haplotype showed higher NK cell numbers and percentage compared to KIR B carriers. Conversely, KIR B haplotype carriers, with genes encoding for activating KIRs, showed a tendency for higher serum pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to KIR A carriers. While the findings in this study should be considered exploratory they may serve to stimulate debate about the immune signatures of those who appear to age slowly and who represent a model for good quality survivor-hood.© 2013 Rea et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE AU SURFACE-STRUCTURE OF AL-L-AU LIGHT-EMITTING TUNNEL-JUNCTIONS

Visible light is emitted from the Au-air interface of Al-I-Au thin-film tunnel junctions (deposited over a thin layer of CaF2 on glass) as a result of the decay of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). We show the surface topography of such a Au film and relate its large-scale features to the outcoupling of fast SPP's to photons. The absence of short-scale roughness features is explained by thier disappearance through surface diffusion. To confirm this a controlled sequence of 5-nm, 20-ms scanning tunneling microscope (STM) W tip crashes has been used to produce indentations 3 nm deep with a lateral dimension of 5-7 nm on a Au crystal in air at room temperature. Four sequences of indentations were drawn in the form of a square box. Right from the start, feature decay is observed and over a period of 2 h a succession of images shows that the structure disappears into the background as a result of surface diffusion. The surface diffusion constant is estimated to be 10(-18) cm2 s-1. The lack of light output via slow mode SPPs is an inevitable consequence of surface annealing.

Electron-impact ionization of Al

Perturbative distorted-wave and non-perturbative close-coupling methods are used to calculate electron-impact ionization cross sections for the ground state of the neutral Al atom. Configuration-average distorted-wave calculations are made for both direct ionization and excitation-autoionization contributions. The total perturbative results are found to be almost a factor of 2 higher than experiment over a wide energy range. On the other hand, the R-matrix with pseudo-states results for total ionization are found to be in good agreement with experiment. Comparison of time-dependent close-coupling calculations for the direct ionization with the R-matrix with pseudo-state calculations for total ionization reveals that both the direct ionization and excitation-autoionization contributions are strongly affected by correlation effects.

Conferencias: Aproximaciones al indoeruropeo

La indoeuropeización de Europa: Genes y topónimos Modera: MTRO. DAVID BECERRA ISLAS Martes 17 de marzo Salas A y B 12:00 horas; Los celtas y los grupos "italoides" de la península Ib��rica Modera: DRA. CAROLINA PONCE HERNÁNDEZ Miércoles 18 de marzo Sala de Consejo Técnico 12:00 horas; Nuevos hallazgos documentales sobre los indoeuropeos en España Modera: DRA. LOURDES ROJAS ÁLVAREZ Lunes 23 de marzo Salón 01 de Educación Continua 12:00 horas

Recent changes to the biogeochemistry of Muchalat Inlet, B.C., and the implications for HABs

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 445

Exploración sobre recursos costeros y recursos demersales. Crucero 7104 B/I SNP 1

Da a conocer los resultados de la exploración desarrollada entre Pisco y Puerto Pizarro a bordo de SNP - 1, del 6 de abril al 9 de mayo de 1971, sobre recursos costeros y recursos demersales con la finalidad de obtener conocimientos más precisos sobre los peces para consumo humano, como información para estimados de la biomasa de los stocks. Los resultados se presentan por separado, para cada tipo de red y grupo de recursos.

Oeuvres d'Omer et de Denis Talon,.... Tome 1 / ; publiées sur les manuscrits autographes, par D.-B. Rives,...

Comprend : [Discours de Pierre Lallemant sur la mort d'Omer Talon,...]

Oeuvres d'Omer et de Denis Talon,.... Tome 6 / ; publiées sur les manuscrits autographes, par D.-B. Rives,...

Comprend : [Discours de Pierre Lallemant sur la mort d'Omer Talon,...]

Oeuvres d'Omer et de Denis Talon,.... Tome 2 / ; publiées sur les manuscrits autographes, par D.-B. Rives,...

Comprend : [Discours de Pierre Lallemant sur la mort d'Omer Talon,...]

Oeuvres d'Omer et de Denis Talon,.... Tome 3 / ; publiées sur les manuscrits autographes, par D.-B. Rives,...

Comprend : [Discours de Pierre Lallemant sur la mort d'Omer Talon,...]

Oeuvres d'Omer et de Denis Talon,.... Tome 5 / ; publiées sur les manuscrits autographes, par D.-B. Rives,...

Comprend : [Discours de Pierre Lallemant sur la mort d'Omer Talon,...]