Distinct in vitro T-helper Th17 differentiation capacity of peripheral naive T cells in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis

BACKGROUND: The T-helper 17 (Th17) cells have a prominent role in inflammation as well as in bone and join destruction in both rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis (RA and PsA). Here, we studied Th17 cell differentiation in RA and PsA. METHODS: Blood samples from healthy donors, RA and PsA patients were collected. CD45RO- (naive) and CD45RO+ (memory) T cells were isolated from peripherial blood mononuclear cell by magnetic separation. Naive T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and goat anti-mouse IgG antibodies and treated with transforming grow factor beta, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-23 cytokines and also with anti-IL-4 antibody. IL-17A and IL-22 production were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, RORC, and T-box 21 (TBX21) expression were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. C-C chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6), CCR4, and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 expression were determined by flow cytometry. Cell viability was monitored by impedance-based cell analyzer (CASY-TT). RESULTS: RORC, TBX21, CCR6, and CCR4 expression of memory T cells of healthy individuals (but not RA or PsA patients) were increased (p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p < 0.05; p < 0.05, respectively) compared to the naive cells. Cytokine-induced IL-17A production was different in both RA and PsA patients when compared to healthy donors (p = 0.0000026 and p = 0.0001047, respectively). By contrast, significant differences in IL-22 production were observed only between RA versus healthy or RA versus PsA patients (p = 0.000006; p = 0.0013454, respectively), but not between healthy donors versus PsA patients. CONCLUSION: The naive CD4 T-lymphocytes are predisposed to differentiate into Th17 cells and the in vitro Th17 cell differentiation is profoundly altered in both RA and PsA

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs, roselle; Malvaceae) has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts. Extracts showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others. This might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), and direct vaso-relaxant effect or calcium channel modulation. Phenolic acids (esp. protocatechuic acid), organic acid (hydroxycitric acid and hibiscus acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) are likely to contribute to the reported effects. More well designed controlled clinical trials are needed which use phytochemically characterised preparations. Hs has an excellent safety and tolerability record. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Digital color spaces and its role in influencing and controlling color quality of traditional and digital cinema image

Over the years of digital image system work - whether static or animated - many Digital Color Spaces have been created, all of which have been used to define and classify colors according to their different names. However, a certain number of color spaces Which is related to the production of color in both traditional or digital cinematic image types. These color spaces are based on the color scheme (C.I.E). The most common color schemes are used to describe the color boundaries of the film, whether traditional or digital.     Here, we would like to point out that the main role of digital color space is determined by the ability of this digital color space to represent and encode all the color grades that the human eye can define and distinguish in the final cinematic picture. Although not yet created, The full color vision of the human eye, but the modern digital color spaces approached this goal, the most important of these digital color spaces, digital color space (CIE XYZ) and digital color vacuum (DCI-P3) and digital color space (ACES), these color spaces The digital is the most Shi Amos and commonly used in identifying and coding color values, traditional and digital cinema image, throughout the filming stages of correction and color scheme and even display digital cinema stage

The Reality of the Use of Learning Resource Centers Specialist for Libraries and Digital Resources as a Tool for Continuing Professional Development “A Comparative Study between Egypt and Saudi Arabia”

AbstractThe present study was geared to investigate the reality of Using Learning resource centres’ specialist for libraries and digital resources as a tool for continuing professional development “A Comparative Study between Egypt and Saudi Arabia” limitation of the study consisted of 120 Egyptian and Saudi learning resource centres’ specialist,Who Charcot-mail in the questionnaire addressed to them, by using the descriptive method approach –the way the causal comparison- Based on the conclusion that the difference between specialists learning resource centres’ of both country of the application in their estimates the reality of the use of libraries and electronic resource as a tool for professional development and substantial due to differences in demographic variable. The result showed substantial convergence in the reality of use between specialists from both country of the application, and the great care of them to develop themselves professionally

Blood Levels Of Iron, Copper, Zinc, Nitric Oxide, And Apoe &#949 4 Allele Frequency In Patients With Alzheimer\'s Disease

Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterized by slow, progressive memory loss. As the disease progresses other symptoms such as visuospatial disorientation, language impairment, and executive dysfunction or frontal lobe signs develop. The current study was performed to investigate the role of iron, copper, zinc, nitric oxide (NO) in relation to ApoE epsilon 4 allele frequencies in patients with AD. This study was carried out on sixty elderly subjects aged &#8805; 60 years. The subjects were classified into two groups matched for age and gender: Group I: included 30 elderly patients (74.3 ±7.2 years) diagnosed as probable Alzheimer\'s disease according to The DSM-IV-TR and the NINCDS-ADRDA. Group II: included 30 cognitively normal elderly subjects (71.7 ± 3.6 years) with no evidence of any neurological or psychiatric diseases, or any medical illness that affects cognition. Laboratory investigations were done for patients. The following plasma parameters were measured: iron, copper, zinc and nitric oxide together with ApoE genotyping by PCR – RFLP. The current study revealed that plasma copper, zinc and nitric oxide levels were higher in AD group than control group. But, no statistically significant difference could be found between the two groups in plasma iron level. The frequency of ApoE 4 allele was higher among AD patients than control subjects. In comparison between ApoE4 +ve and ApoE4 –ve patients, no statistical significant difference in the neuropsychological assessment and biochemical assays was observed. Plasma copper level had statistically significant negative correlation with constructional praxis, ward list recognition, recall of constructional praxis, and stage of AD. While, iron, zinc, and NO plasma levels were not significantly correlated with any of the tested neuropsychological tests. We have demonstrated that, NO level had the highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting AD, followed by copper level. It can be concluded that, the ApoE4 gene is a strong risk factor for the AD but it is neither necessary, nor enough for the disease occurrence. Trace metals and NO abnormalities would influence ApoE, leading to development AD. Also, Copper blood levels are related to the abnormal cognition in AD patients. Keywords: Alzheimer\'s disease, copper, nitric oxide, ApoE4, genotyping Egyptian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Vol. 26 (2) 2008: pp. 153-17

Technical Loss Reduction in Rural Areas - The Case of Saih Al Khairat

This article investigates the potential for reducing technical losses in the rural area network of Saih Al Khairat in Thumrait, Oman. Based on the available network data, a power flow model of the system under study is built and the system performance is studied. To reduce losses and improve the voltage profile, different candidate solutions are investigated in coordination with the distribution system operator. An economic evaluation of the different options is conducted.