INTERLEUKIN 33 AND FIBROSIS: PATHOGENESIS UPDATED

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a member of the IL-1 family, which is widely expressed on all types of cells. IL-33 was identified as a functional ligand for the plasma membrane receptor complex, which is a heterodimer consisting of a membrane bound ST2 receptor (growth stimulating factor). IL-33 is involved in the development of immune response with predominant release of pro-inflammatory T helper type 2 cytokines. IL-33 is widely expressed on various structure-forming cells, such as epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Increased expression of IL-33 is observed during necrosis of these cells (after tissue or cell damage), and it is released into extracellular space, and acts as an endogenous danger signal, sending a sort of warnings to neighboring cells and tissues. Recently, many studies have shown that IL-33 can participate in development and progression of fibrosis in various organs. However, it exerts anti-inflammatory effects upon development of other diseases. This review will discuss biological characteristics of IL-33 and a role of the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway in the development of fibrosis

First Direct Measurement of the ^{17}O(p,\gamma)^{18}F Reaction Cross-Section at Gamow Energies for Classical Novae

Classical novae are important contributors to the abundances of key isotopes, such as the radioactive ^{18}F, whose observation by satellite missions could provide constraints on nucleosynthesis models in novae. The ^{17}O(p,\gamma)^{18}F reaction plays a critical role in the synthesis of both oxygen and fluorine isotopes but its reaction rate is not well determined because of the lack of experimental data at energies relevant to novae explosions. In this study, the reaction cross section has been measured directly for the first time in a wide energy range Ecm = 200 - 370 keV appropriate to hydrogen burning in classical novae. In addition, the E=183 keV resonance strength, \omega \gamma=1.67\pm0.12 \mueV, has been measured with the highest precision to date. The uncertainty on the ^{17}O(p,\gamma)^{18}F reaction rate has been reduced by a factor of 4, thus leading to firmer constraints on accurate models of novae nucleosynthesis.Comment: accepted by Phys. Rev. Let

Impact of a revised 25^{25}Mg(p,γ\gamma)26^{26}Al reaction rate on the operation of the Mg-Al cycle

Proton captures on Mg isotopes play an important role in the Mg-Al cycle active in stellar H-burning regions. In particular, low-energy nuclear resonances in the $^{25}$Mg(p,$\gamma$)$^{26}$Al reaction affect the production of radioactive $^{26}$Al$^{gs}$ as well as the resulting Mg/Al abundance ratio. Reliable estimations of these quantities require precise measurements of the strengths of low-energy resonances. Based on a new experimental study performed at LUNA, we provide revised rates of the $^{25}$Mg(p,$\gamma$)$^{26}$Al$^{gs}$ and the $^{25}$Mg(p,$\gamma$)$^{26}$Al$^{m}$ reactions with corresponding uncertainties. In the temperature range 50 to 150 MK, the new recommended rate of the $^{26}$Al$^{m}$ production is up to 5 times higher than previously assumed. In addition, at T$=100$ MK, the revised total reaction rate is a factor of 2 higher. Note that this is the range of temperature at which the Mg-Al cycle operates in an H-burning zone. The effects of this revision are discussed. Due to the significantly larger $^{25}$Mg(p,$\gamma$)$^{26}$Al$^{m}$ rate, the estimated production of $^{26}$Al$^{gs}$ in H-burning regions is less efficient than previously obtained. As a result, the new rates should imply a smaller contribution from Wolf-Rayet stars to the galactic $^{26}$Al budget. Similarly, we show that the AGB extra-mixing scenario does not appear able to explain the most extreme values of $^{26}$Al/$^{27}$Al, i.e. $>10^{-2}$, found in some O-rich presolar grains. Finally, the substantial increase of the total reaction rate makes the hypothesis of a self-pollution by massive AGBs a more robust explanation for the Mg-Al anticorrelation observed in Globular-Cluster stars

The 25Mg(p,g)Al reaction at low astrophysical energies

In the present work we report on a new measurement of resonance strengths in the reaction 25Mg(p,gamma)26Al at E_cm= 92 and 189 keV. This study was performed at the LUNA facility in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory using a 4pi BGO summing crystal. For the first time the 92 keV resonance was directly observed and a resonance strength omega-gamma=(2.9+/-0.6)x10E-10 eV was determined. Additionally, the gamma-ray branchings and strength of the 189 keV resonance were studied with a high resolution HPGe detector yielding an omega-gamma value in agreement with the BGO measurement, but 20% larger compared to previous works.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

From enterprise analysis to conceptual database design in production systems

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) as a marker of disease activity and treatment efficacy in seasonal asthma.

This study was carried out to determine whether serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) represents a sensitive marker for disease activity in atopic asthmatic patients during the pollen season. The study, in double-blind fashion, was performed between February and June 1994. Two groups of 10 seasonal asthmatic patients randomly received two different treatments. The first group was treated with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 500 mu g bid; the second received a matched placebo (P). At the beginning and every month, blood samples for determination of ECP and eosinophil count were collected and lung function (FEV(1)) and methacholine responsiveness (PD20) were performed. Subjects recorded daily symptoms of asthma, salbutamol consumption, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values. In the P group, all indices, except FEV(1), showed significant changes during the pollen season (P < 0.001). In the BDP group, significant changes were detected for symptom score (P < 0.01), salbutamol consumption (P < 0.01), and eosinophil number (P < 0.05). Between the two groups, significant differences for symptom score (P < 0.001), salbutamol consumption (P < 0.001), ECP levels (P < 0.05), eosinophil count (P < 0.02), PD20 methacholine (P < 0.02), and PEF values (P < 0.01) were detected. Changes in serum ECP significantly correlated with changes in other parameters (P < 0.001), except FEV(1). Our results provide evidence that serum ECP is a sensitive marker for monitoring of the disease activity in seasonal asthma. Furthermore, it may offer a useful tool for estimating treatment efficacy

Adipokine-cytokine profile of adipocytes of epicardial adipose tissue in ischemic heart disease complicated by visceral obesity

Introduction. To date, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the main cause of disability and mortality in population. The majority of ectopic fat deposits demonstrated a reliable association with cardiometabolic risks and clinical manifestations of most CVD. The elucidation of the metabolic features of adipocytes of epicardial adipose tissue localized in the immediate vicinity of the lesion in ischemic heart disease (IHD) can have both theoretical and practical significance for pathophysiology and cardiology. Aim. To study the adipokine-cytokine profile of epicardial adipocytes (EA) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT), blood serum in relation to the area of visceral adipose tissue (AVAT), biochemical and rhelinic characteristics of IHD patients. Methods. 84 patients (70 men and 14 women) with IHD were examined. In the presence of visceral obesity (VO), patients were divided into two groups. In patients with VO, adipocyte EA and SCAT were sampled, followed by cultivation and evaluation of adipokine and proinflammatory activity. The parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, adipokine and proinflammatory status in blood serum were determined. Results. It has been established that the adipokine-cytokine profile of the adipocytes EA and SCAT differ. Adipocytes of EA in IHD on the background of VO are characterized by an increase in IL-1, TNF-&alpha;, leptin-adiponectin ratio and a decrease in the protective factors: adiponectin and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. While adipocytes of SCAT were characterized by a decrease in the concentration of the soluble receptor to leptin and a more pronounced leptin resistance, and the increase in inflammatory cytokines was compensated by an increase in the concentration of IL-10, the presence of VO was associated with multivessel coronary disease, multifocal atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, adipokine imbalance, and markers of inflammation. Thus, the value of the area of VO determined higher values of leptin concentration, TNF-&alpha; in adipocytes and serum, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and a lower soluble receptor for leptin content. The conclusion. Thus, in IHD with VO the state of adipocytes, EA is characterized as "metabolic inflammation" and may indicate the direct involvement of adipocytes in the pathogenesis of IHD due to the formation of adipokine imbalance and the activation of proinflammatory reactions