Non-diagonal solutions of the reflection equation for the trigonometric A((1)) (n-1) vertex model

We obtain a class of non-diagonal solutions of the reflection equation for the trigonometric A(n-1)((1)) vertex model. The solutions can be expressed in terms of intertwinner matrix and its inverse, which intertwine two trigonometric R-matrices. In addition to a discrete (positive integer) parameter l, 1 less than or equal to l less than or equal to n, the solution contains n + 2 continuous boundary parameters.

On recent developments in the theory of abstract differential equations with fractional derivatives

This note is motivated from some recent papers treating the problem of the existence of a solution for abstract differential equations with fractional derivatives. We show that the existence results in [Agarwal et al. (2009) [1], Belmekki and Benchohra (2010) [2], Darwish et al. (2009) [3], Hu et al. (2009) [4], Mophou and N`Guerekata (2009) [6,7], Mophou (2010) [8,9], Muslim (2009) [10], Pandey et al. (2009) [11], Rashid and El-Qaderi (2009) [12] and Tai and Wang (2009) [13]] are incorrect since the considered variation of constant formulas is not appropriate. In this note, we also consider a different approach to treat a general class of abstract fractional differential equations. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The existence of solutions for impulsive neutral functional differential equations

This work deals with the existence of mild solutions for a class of impulsive functional differential equations of the neutral type associated with the family of linear closed (not necessarily bounded) operators {A(t) : t is an element of 1}. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Existence Results for Second Order Differential Equations with Nonlocal Conditions in Banach Spaces

This work is concerned with implicit second order abstract differential equations with nonlocal conditions. Assuming that the involved operators satisfy sonic compactness properties, we establish the existence of local mild solutions, the existence of global mild solutions and the existence of asymptotically almost periodic solutions.

Assessment of the differential linear coherent scattering coefficient of biological samples

New differential linear coherent scattering coefficient, mu(CS), data for four biological tissue types (fat pork, tendon chicken, adipose and fibroglandular human breast tissues) covering a large momentum transfer interval (0.07 <= q <= 70.5 nm(-1)), resulted from combining WAXS and SAXS data, are presented in order to emphasize the need to update the default data-base by including the molecular interference and the large-scale arrangements effect. The results showed that the differential linear coherent scattering coefficient demonstrates influence of the large-scale arrangement, mainly due to collagen fibrils for tendon chicken and fibroglandular breast samples, and triacylglycerides for fat pork and adipose breast samples at low momentum transfer region. While, at high momentum transfer, the mu(CS) reflects effects of molecular interference related to water for tendon chicken and fibroglandular samples and, fatty acids for fat pork and adipose samples. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Purification and Partial Characterization of an Exo-polygalacturonase from Paecilomyces variotii Liquid Cultures

An extracellular polygalacturonase (PG) produced from Paecilomyces variotii was purified to homogeneity through two chromatography steps using DEAE-Fractogel and Sephadex G-100. The molecular weight of P. variotii PG was 77,300 Da by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. PG had isoelectric point of 4.37 and optimum pH 4.0. PG was very stable from pH 3.0 to 6.0. The extent of hydrolysis of different pectins by the purified enzyme was decreased with an increase in the degree of esterification. PG had no activity toward non-pectic polysaccharides. The apparent K (m) and V (max) values for hydrolyzing sodium polypectate were 1.84 mg/mL and 432 A mu mol/min/mg, respectively. PG was found to have temperature optimum at 65 A degrees C and was totally stable at 45 A degrees C for 90 min. Half-life at 55 A degrees C was 50.6 min. Almost all the examined metal cations showed partial inhibitory effects under enzymatic activity, except for Na(+1), K(+1), and Co(+2) (1 mM) and Cu(+2) (1 and 10 mM).

Effects of immunosuppressants on hepatocyte cell mitosis during liver regeneration in growing animal models of partial hepatectomy

Objective. We sought to evaluate the effects of immunosuppressant drugs (corticosteroid, cyclosporine [CsA], and tacrolimus [Tac]) on liver regeneration in growing animals submitted to 70% hepatectomy. Materials and Methods. Newborn and weaning rats were submitted to 70% hepatectomy receiving separately methylprednisolone, CsA, or Tac. All animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the procedure. The remnant liver lobes were subjected to histomorphometric analyses with determination of hepatocyte mitotic index. Results., Administration of immunosuppressants did not change the mitotic index of the regenerating liver in newborn animals. In weaning rats, methylprednisolone reduced the mitotic index (P = .01) and Tac caused a greater increase in this rate (P = .001). CsA had no effect on mitotic index. The number of hepatocyte mitoses in newborn animal livers was greater than that in weaning animal livers (P = .001). Conclusion. In situations in which intense, fast processes of liver regeneration are crucial, the advantages of the use of Tac must be considered, such as in pediatric transplant patients.

Effect of IIb-IIIa Glycoprotein Inhibitors in a Partial Limb Amputation Model Submitted to Warm Ischemia in Rats

Viability and functional results of a segment replantation depend on the prevention of deleterious effects of ischemia. Prolonged ischemia leads to alterations in the microcirculation: thrombosis, edema, production of oxygen free radicals, and platelet aggregation. The effect of IIb-IIIa glycoprotein inhibitors was tested in a partial limb amputation model submitted to warm ischemia. The male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: G1 with 0 hours of ischemia and saline (n = 20), G2 with 6 hours of ischemia and saline (n = 24), G3 with 6 hours of ischemia and abciximab (n = 23), and G4 with 6 hours of ischemia and tirofiban (n = 29). The limbs were observed for 7 days and classified as viable or nonviable. Viability, and mortality rates were obtained and analyzed by Q-square and Fisher exact tests (p < 0.05). The viability rates were 100% (G1), 30% (G2), 77.78% (G3), and 80.95% (G4). G2 was statistically different from G1, G3, and G4. G1, G3, and G4 were not statistically different. Transoperative and postoperative mortalities were not statistically different. The administration of abciximab and tirofiban improved limb salvage after ischemia and reperfusion and did not modify mortality rates significantly.

Peptides containing T cell epitopes, derived from Sm14, but not from paramyosin, induce a Th1 type of immune response, reduction in liver pathology and partial protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

Sm14 and paramyosin are two major Schistosoma mansoni vaccine candidate antigens. Recently, we have identified Sm14 and paramyosin epitopes that are recognized by T cells of resistant individuals living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis. Herein, mice were immunized with these peptides separately or in association in order to evaluate their vaccine potential. Immunization of mice with Sm14 peptides alone or mixed with paramyosin peptides was able to induce 26%-36.7% or 28%-29.2% of worm burden reduction, 67% or 46% of intestinal eggs reduction and also 54%-61% or 43%-52% of liver pathology reduction, respectively. Protection was associated with a Th1 type of immune response induced by Sm14 peptide immunization. In contrast, paramyosin peptide vaccination did not engender protective immunity or liver pathology reduction and immunization was associated with a Th2 type of immune response. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transient expression of a novel serine protease in the ectoderm of the ascidian Herdmania momus during development

We have studied gene expression during ascidian embryonic development using the technique of differential display and isolated partial cDNA sequences of 12 genes. Developmental regulation of these genes has been confirmed by northern hybridization analysis. Further cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of an mRNA that is present during gastrulation, neurulation and tailbud formation reveals that it encodes a novel serine protease containing a single kringle motif and catalytic domain. The spatial expression of this gene, designated Hmserp1, is restricted to precursor cells of the epidermis. The structure and expression of Hmsery1 is discussed in relation to possible functions during development.

A novel method for development of species and strain-specific DNA probes and PCR primers for identifying Burkholderia solanacearum (formerly Pseudomonas solanacearum)

Six Burkholderia solanacearum (formerly Pseudomonas solanacearum) genomic DNA fragments were isolated, using RAPD techniques and cloning, from the three genetically diverse strains: ACH092 (Biovar 4), ACH0158 (Biovar 2) and ACH0171 (Biovar 3) (1). One of these cloned fragments was selected because it was present constantly in all bacterial strains analysed. The remaining five clones were selected because Southern hybridisation revealed that each showed partial or complete specificity towards the strain of origin. A seventh genomic fragment showing a strain-specific distribution in Southern hybridisations was obtained by differential restriction, hybridisation and cloning of genomic DNA. Each of these clones was sequenced and primers to amplify the insert were designed. When DNA from the strain of origin was used as template, PCR amplification for each of these fragments yielded a single band on gel analysis. One pair of primers amplified the species-constant fragment of 281 bp from DNA of all B. solanacearum strains investigated, from DNA of the closely related bacterium which causes ''blood disease'' of banana (BDB) and in P. syzigii. The sensitivity of detection of B. solanacearum using these ubiquitous primers was between 1.3 and 20 bacterial cells. The feasibility and reliability of a PCR approach to detection and identification of B. solanacearum was tested in diverse strains of the bacterium in several countries and laboratories.

Differential disease reactions on lucerne genotypes inoculated with Phytophthora medicaginis isolates from lucerne and chickpea

Stem inoculation of clonally propagated lucerne genotypes was used to assess levels of host species and genotype specialisation in Phytophthora medicaginis. A quantitative assessment of pathogenic aggressiveness of 29 P. medicaginis isolates (from lucerne and chickpea) on 9 different clonally propagated lucerne genotypes revealed no significant difference in aggressiveness between isolates from lucerne and those from chickpea on all of the lucerne genotypes. This supported previous studies which showed that P. medicaginis isolates from lucerne and chickpea were indistinguishable using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Analysis of pathogenic aggressiveness towards individual lucerne genotypes revealed, for the first time, specificity of individual P. medicaginis isolates. This has implications for breeding for resistance to P. medicaginis in lucerne, where screening should be done using the widest range of pathogen specificity obtainable.

Structure optimization combining soft-core interaction functions, the diffusion equation method, and molecular dynamics

Smoothing the potential energy surface for structure optimization is a general and commonly applied strategy. We propose a combination of soft-core potential energy functions and a variation of the diffusion equation method to smooth potential energy surfaces, which is applicable to complex systems such as protein structures; The performance of the method was demonstrated by comparison with simulated annealing using the refinement of the undecapeptide Cyclosporin A as a test case. Simulations were repeated many times using different initial conditions and structures since the methods are heuristic and results are only meaningful in a statistical sense.