Associations of serum perfluoroalkyl acid levels with T-helper cell-specific cytokines in children: By gender and asthma status

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are a group of common chemicals that ubiquitously exist in wildlife and humans. Experimental data suggest that they may alter T-lymphocyte functioning in situ by preferentially enhancing the development of T-helper 2 (TH2)- and inhibiting TH1-lymphocyte development and might increase allergic inflammation, but few human studies have been conducted. To evaluate the association between serum PFAAs concentrations and T-lymphocyte-related immunological markers of asthma in children, and further to assess whether gender modified this association, 231 asthmatic children and 225 non-asthmatic control children from Northern Taiwan were recruited into the Genetic and Biomarker study for Childhood Asthma. Serum concentrations of ten PFAAs and levels of TH1 [interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2] and TH2 (IL-4 and IL-5) cytokines were measured. The results showed that asthmatics had significantly higher serum PFAAs concentrations compared with the healthy controls. When stratified by gender, a greater number of significant associations between PFAAs and asthma outcomeswere found in males than in females. Among males, adjusted odds ratios for asthma among those with the highest versus lowest quartile of PFAAs exposure ranged from 2.59 (95% CI: 1.14, 5.87) for the perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) to 4.38 (95% CI: 2.02, 9.50) for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS); and serum PFAAs were associated positively with TH2 cytokines and inversely with TH1 cytokines among male asthmatics. Among females, no significant associations between PFAAs and TH2 cytokines could be detected. In conclusion, increased serum PFAAs levels may promote TH cell dysregulation and alter the availability of key TH1 and TH2 cytokines, ultimately contributing to the development of asthma that may differentially impact males to a greater degree than females. These results have potential relevance in asthma prevention.

Vertex-Fused Metallaborane Clusters: Synthesis, Characterization and Electronic Structure of [(eta(5)-C5Me5Mo)(3)MoB9H18]

The reaction of the [(eta(5)-C5Me5)MoCl4] complex with [LiBH4 - TH F] in toluene at - 70 degrees C, followed by pyrolysis at 110 degrees C, afforded dark brown [(eta(5)-C5Me5Mo)(3)MoB9H18], 2, in parallel with the known [(eta(5)-C5Me5Mo)(2)B5H9], 1. Compound 2 has been characterized in solution by H-1, B-11, and C-13 NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic studies. The title compound represents a novel class of vertex-fused clusters in which a Mo atom has been fused in a perpendicular fashion between two molybdaborane clusters. Electronic structure calculations employing density functional theory yield geometries in agreement with the structure determinations, and on grounds of density functional theory calculations, we have analyzed the bonding patterns in the structure,

The influence of the elements of procedural justice and speed camera enforcement on young novice driver self-reported speeding

Road policing is an important tool used to modify road user behaviour. While other theories, such as deterrence theory, are significant in road policing, there may be a role for using procedural justice as a framework to improve outcomes in common police citizen interactions such as traffic law enforcement. This study, using a sample of 237 young novice drivers, considered how the four elements of procedural justice (voice, neutrality, respect and trustworthiness) were perceived in relation to two forms of speed enforcement: point-to-point (or average) speed and mobile speed cameras. Only neutrality was related to both speed camera types suggesting that it may be possible to influence behaviour by emphasising one or more elements, rather than using all components of procedural justice. This study is important as it indicates that including at least some elements of procedural justice in more automated policing encounters can encourage citizen compliance.

Delay Optimal Scheduling in a Two-Hop Vehicular Relay Network

We study a scheduling problem in a wireless network where vehicles are used as store-and-forward relays, a situation that might arise, for example, in practical rural communication networks. A fixed source node wants to transfer a file to a fixed destination node, located beyond its communication range. In the absence of any infrastructure connecting the two nodes, we consider the possibility of communication using vehicles passing by. Vehicles arrive at the source node at renewal instants and are known to travel towards the destination node with average speed v sampled from a given probability distribution. Th source node communicates data packets (or fragments) of the file to the destination node using these vehicles as relays. We assume that the vehicles communicate with the source node and the destination node only, and hence, every packet communication involves two hops. In this setup, we study the source node's sequential decision problem of transferring packets of the file to vehicles as they pass by, with the objective of minimizing delay in the network. We study both the finite file size case and the infinite file size case. In the finite file size case, we aim to minimize the expected file transfer delay, i.e. expected value of the maximum of the packet sojourn times. In the infinite file size case, we study the average packet delay minimization problem as well as the optimal tradeoff achievable between the average queueing delay at the source node buffer and the average transit delay in the relay vehicle.

Identification of novel target genes in different subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Ihon T-solulymfoomat (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, CTCL) ovat ryhmä imukudossyöpiä, joiden esiintyvyys on nousussa erityisesti länsimaissa. Taudin syntymekanismit ovat suurelta osin tuntemattomat, diagnostiikka on vaikeaa ja siksi usein viivästynyttä eikä parantavaa hoitoa ole. CTCL ilmenee iho-oirein, vaikka syöpäsolut eivät ole iholla normaalisti esiintyviä soluja, vaan elimistön puolustusjärjestelmän soluja, jotka ovat tuntemattomasta syystä vaeltaneet iholle. Syöpäsolut ovat kypsiä T-auttajasoluja (Th-soluja) ja ilmentävät tyypin 2 immuunivasteelle ominaisia sytokiineja. Kromosomaalinen epästabiilius on tautiryhmän keskeinen piirre. CTCL-potilailla on lisääntynyt riski sairastua myös muihin syöpiin, erityisesti keuhkosyöpään ja non-Hodgkin –lymfoomiin. Väitöskirjatutkimuksen tavoitteena oli havaita CTCL:n syntymekanismeja selvittäviä kromosomi- ja geenimuutoksia. Erityisesti tavoitteena oli identifioida molekyylejä, jotka soveltuisivat diagnostisiksi merkkiaineiksi tai täsmähoidon kohteeksi. Työssä on tutkittu kahta tautiryhmän yleisintä muotoa, mycosis fungoidesta (MF) ja Sezaryn syndroomaa (SS) sekä harvinaisempaa vaikeasti diagnosoitavaa subkutaanista pannikuliitin kaltaista T-solulymfoomaa (SPTL). Lisäksi on tutkittu CTCL:ään liittyvää keuhkosyöpää ja verrattu sitä tavalliseen (primaariin) keuhkosyöpään. Tutkimusmenetelminä on käytetty esimerkiksi molekyylisytogeneettisiä metodeja ja mikrosiruja. Väitöskirjatyössä havaittiin ensimmäinen CTCL:lle ominainen toistuva geenitason muutos: puutos- tai katkoskohta NAV3-geenissä. Tämän geenipoikkeavuuden havaittiin esiintyvän useissa taudin alaryhmissä (MF, SS, SPTL). NAV3-geenipuutoksen osoittaminen FISH-tekniikalla on sovellettavissa kliiniseen diagnostiikkaan. Tutkimukset geenipuutoksen aiheuttamista toiminnallisista seurauksista ovat käynnissä. Työssä saatiin myös uutta tietoa taudin syntymekanismeista havaitsemalla useiden Th1-tyypin immuunivasteelle ominaisten geenien alentunut ilmeneminen CTCL-potilailla. Tämän lisäksi potilasnäytteissä havaittiin eräiden solun pinta-antigeenien lisääntynyt ilmeneminen, mikä luo pohjan uusien vasta-ainepohjaisten täsmähoitojen kehittämiselle. Väitöskirjatutkimuksessa todettiin myös CTCL:ään liittyvän keuhkosyövän eroavan kromosomi- ja geenimuutosten suhteen verrokkikeuhkosyövästä, mikä jatkossa antaa aiheen tutkia syöpäkantasolujen merkitystä CTCL:n ja sen liitännäiskasvainten kehittymisen taustalla.

Thrombophilia and direct thrombin inhibitor lepirudin clinical and monitoring aspects

Thrombophilia (TF) predisposes both to venous and arterial thrombosis at a young age. TF may also impact the thrombosis or stenosis of hemodialysis (HD) vascular access in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When involved in severe thrombosis TF may associate with inappropriate response to anticoagulation. Lepirudin, a potent direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), indicated for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-related thrombosis, could offer a treatment alternative in TF. Monitoring of narrow-ranged lepirudin demands new insights also in laboratory. The above issues constitute the targets in this thesis. We evaluated the prevalence of TF in patients with ESRD and its impact upon thrombosis- or stenosis-free survival of the vascular access. Altogether 237 ESRD patients were prospectively screened for TF and thrombogenic risk factors prior to HD access surgery in 2002-2004 (mean follow-up of 3.6 years). TF was evident in 43 (18%) of the ESRD patients, more often in males (23 vs. 9%, p=0.009). Known gene mutations of FV Leiden and FII G20210A occurred in 4%. Vascular access sufficiently matured in 226 (95%). The 1-year thrombosis- and stenosis-free access survival was 72%. Female gender (hazards ratio, HR, 2.5; 95% CI 1.6-3.9) and TF (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3) were independent risk factors for the shortened thrombosis- and stenosis-free survival. Additionally, TF or thrombogenic background was found in relatively young patients having severe thrombosis either in hepatic veins (Budd-Chiari syndrome, BCS, one patient) or inoperable critical limb ischemia (CLI, six patients). Lepirudin was evaluated in an off-label setting in the severe thrombosis after inefficacious traditional anticoagulation without other treatment options except severe invasive procedures, such as lower extremity amputation. Lepirudin treatments were repeatedly monitored clinically and with laboratory assessments (e.g. activated partial thromboplastin time, APTT). Our preliminary studies with lepirudin in thrombotic calamities appeared safe, and no bleeds occurred. An effective DTI lepirudin calmed thrombosis as all patients gradually recovered. Only one limb amputation was performed 3 years later during the follow-up (mean 4 years). Furthermore, we aimed to overcome the limitations of APTT and confounding effects of warfarin (INR of 1.5-3.9) and lupus anticoagulant (LA). Lepirudin responses were assessed in vitro by five specific laboratory methods. Ecarin chromogenic assay (ECA) or anti-Factor IIa (anti-FIIa) correlated precisely (r=0.99) with each other and with spiked lepirudin in all plasma pools: normal, warfarin, and LA-containing plasma. In contrast, in the presence of warfarin and LA both APTT and prothrombinase-induced clotting time (PiCT®) were limited by non-linear and imprecise dose responses. As a global coagulation test APTT is useful in parallel to the precise chromogenic methods ECA or Anti-FIIa in challenging clinical situations. Lepirudin treatment requires multidisciplinary approach to ensure appropriate patient selection, interpretation of laboratory monitoring, and treatment safety. TF seemed to be associated with complicated thrombotic events, in venous (BCS), arterial (CLI), and vascular access systems. TF screening should be aimed to patients with repeated access complications or prior unprovoked thromboembolic events. Lepirudin inhibits free and clot-bound thrombin which heparin fails to inhibit. Lepirudin seems to offer a potent and safe option for treatment of severe thrombosis. Multi-centered randomized trials are necessary to assess the possible management of complicated thrombotic events with DTIs like lepirudin and seek prevention options against access complications.

Synthesis and bioassay of a new class of heterocycles pyrrolyl oxadiazoles/thiadiazoles/triazoles

A new class of heterocycles pyrrolyl thiadiazoles, pyrrolyl oxadiazoles and pyrrolyl triazoles were prepared from arylsulfonylethenesulfonylacetic acid methyl ester and tested for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Ion irradiation enhances the mechanical performance of metallic glasses

We demonstrate that irradiation may enhance the plasticity in metallic glasses by increasing the free-volume content via micropillar compression experiments on an ion-irradiated bulk metallic glass (BMG). Results show that irradiation decreases the flow stress and enhances the shear band formation by lowering the magnitude of stress serrations in plastic flow regime. These results highlight that amorphous alloys can mitigate the deleterious affects of severe ion irradiation as compared to their crystalline counterparts. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunological Effects of Probiotic Bacteria in Prevention and Treatment of Allergic Diseases in Children

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that changes in gut microbial balance are associated with increases in the prevalence of allergic diseases. Probiotics are proposed to provide beneficial immunoregulatory signals which aid in oral tolerance achievement and alleviation of symptoms of allergic diseases. The present study evaluates both the immunological mechanisms of probiotics in infants with allergic diseases and their preventive aspect among infants prone to allergy. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was to characterise the immunological features of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) in infants at high genetic risk for allergy. GATA-3 expression (p = 0.03), interleukin (IL) -2(p = 0.026), and IL-5 (p = 0.013) secretion of stimulated CBMCs were higher in IgE-sensitized infants at age 2 than in non-allergic, non-sensitized infants. Lactobacillus GG (LGG) treatment increased secretion of IFN-γ by PBMCs in vitro in infants with cow s milk allergy (CMA) (p = 0.006) and in infants with IgE-associated eczema (p = 0.017), when compared to levels in the placebo group. A probiotic mixture, increased secretion of IL-4 by PBMCs in vitro in infants with CMA (p = 0.028), when compared with placebo-group levels. The LGG treatment induced higher plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.021) and IL-6 (p = 0.036) levels in infants with IgE-associated eczema than in the placebo group. The probiotic mixture induced higher plasma IL-10 levels in infants with eczema (p = 0.016). In the prevention study of allergic dis-eases, the infants receiving the probiotic mixture had higher plasma levels of CRP (p = 0.008), total IgA (p = 0.016), total IgE (p = 0.047), and IL-10 (p = 0.002) than did infants in the placebo group. Increased CRP level at age 6 months was associated with a decreased risk for eczema at age 2 not only in the infants who received probiotics but also in the placebo group (p = 0.034). In conclusion, the priming of the GATA-3 and IL-5 pathway can occur in utero, and a primary feature of T-cells predisposing to IgE-sensitization seems to directly favour Th2 deviation. LGG treatment induced increased plasma levels of CRP and IL-6 in infants with IgE-associated eczema, suggesting an activation of innate immu-nity. The probiotic mixture, when given to allergy-prone infants, induced inflammation, detected as increased plasma CRP levels, which at age 6 months was associated with decreased risk for eczema at age 2.The probiotic-induced response in allergy prone infants was characterized by their higher plasma IL-10, total IgE, and CRP levels, without induction of an allergen-specific IgE response. In this respect, the probiotics in infancy appear to induce protective immune profiles that are characteristic for chronic low-grade inflammation, a response resembling that of helminth-like infections.

Process variables in biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles by aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves

Owing to widespread applications, synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles is recently attracting considerable attention. Increasing environmental concerns over chemical synthesis routes have resulted in attempts to develop biomimetic approaches. One of them is synthesis using plant parts, which eliminates the elaborate process of maintaining the microbial culture and often found to be kinetically favourable than other bioprocesses. The present study deals with investigating the effect of process variables like reductant concentrations, reaction pH, mixing ratio of the reactants and interaction time on the morphology and size of silver nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves. The formation of crystalline silver nanoparticles was confirmed using X-ray diffraction analysis. By means of UV spectroscopy, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques, it was observed that the morphology and size of the nanoparticles were strongly dependent on the process parameters. Within 4 h interaction period, nanoparticles below 20-nm-size with nearly spherical shape were produced. On increasing interaction time (ageing) to 66 days, both aggregation and shape anisotropy (ellipsoidal, polyhedral and capsular) of the particles increased. In alkaline pH range, the stability of cluster distribution increased with a declined tendency for aggregation of the particles. It can be inferred from the study that fine tuning the bioprocess parameters will enhance possibilities of desired nano-product tailor made for particular applications.

Electrical switching behavior of bulk Si15Te85-xSbx chalcogenide glasses - A study of compositional dependence

Studies on the electrical switching behavior of melt quenched bulk Si15Te85-xSbx glasses have been undertaken in the composition range (1 <= x <= 10), in order to understand the effect of Sb addition on the electrical switching behavior of Si15Te85-x base glass. It has been observed that all the Si15Te85-xSbx glasses studied exhibit a smooth memory type switching. Further, the switching voltages are found to decrease almost linearly with Sb content, which indicates that the metallicity of the dopant plays a dominant role in this system compared to network connectivity/rigidity. The thickness dependence of switching voltage (V-th) indicates a clear thermal origin for the switching mechanism. The temperature variation of switching voltages reveals that the Si15Te85-xSbx glasses studied have a moderate thermal stability. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the maximal rate of non-square STBCs from complex orthogonal designs

A Linear Processing Complex Orthogonal Design (LPCOD) is a p x n matrix epsilon, (p >= n) in k complex indeterminates x(1), x(2),..., x(k) such that (i) the entries of epsilon are complex linear combinations of 0, +/- x(i), i = 1,..., k and their conjugates, (ii) epsilon(H)epsilon = D, where epsilon(H) is the Hermitian (conjugate transpose) of epsilon and D is a diagonal matrix with the (i, i)-th diagonal element of the form l(1)((i))vertical bar x(1)vertical bar(2) + l(2)((i))vertical bar x(2)vertical bar(2)+...+ l(k)((i))vertical bar x(k)vertical bar(2) where l(j)((i)), i = 1, 2,..., n, j = 1, 2,...,k are strictly positive real numbers and the condition l(1)((i)) = l(2)((i)) = ... = l(k)((i)), called the equal-weights condition, holds for all values of i. For square designs it is known. that whenever a LPCOD exists without the equal-weights condition satisfied then there exists another LPCOD with identical parameters with l(1)((i)) = l(2)((i)) = ... = l(k)((i)) = 1. This implies that the maximum possible rate for square LPCODs without the equal-weights condition is the same as that or square LPCODs with equal-weights condition. In this paper, this result is extended to a subclass of non-square LPCODs. It is shown that, a set of sufficient conditions is identified such that whenever a non-square (p > n) LPCOD satisfies these sufficient conditions and do not satisfy the equal-weights condition, then there exists another LPCOD with the same parameters n, k and p in the same complex indeterminates with l(1)((i)) = l(2)((i)) = ... = l(k)((i)) = 1.

Total cross-section at LHC from minijets and soft gluon resummation in the infrared region

A model for total cross-sections incorporating QCD jet cross-sections and soft gluon resummation is described and compared with present data on pp and pp cross-sections. Predictions for LHC are presented for different parameter sets. It is shown that they differ according to the small x-behaviour of available parton density functions.