The Ultrasensitivity of Living Polymers

Synthetic and biological living polymers are self-assembling chains whose chain length distributions (CLDs) are dynamic. We show these dynamics are ultrasensitive: even a small perturbation (e.g. temperature jump) non-linearly distorts the CLD, eliminating or massively augmenting short chains. The origin is fast relaxation of mass variables (mean chain length, monomer concentration) which perturbs CLD shape variables before these can relax via slow chain growth rate fluctuations. Viscosity relaxation predictions agree with experiments on the best-studied synthetic system, alpha-methylstyrene.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Investigations on the micellization of amphiphilic dendritic copolymers: from unimers to micelles

Since the micellization kinetics is influenced by polymer structure, the spherical three-dimensional topology of amphiphilic dendritic copolymers (ADPs) which hinders the phase separation during micellization is assumed to make the micellization kinetics different. In the literatures, most of the attention has been paid to the morphology transition or the morphology at equilibrium and the micellization kinetics of ADPs is rarely reported. In this study, the micellization processes of amphiphilic dendritic copolymers from unimers to the final equilibrium micelles were monitored by laser light scattering. Based on the closed association mechanism, the thermodynamics of micellization was analysed. The negative thermodynamic quantities indicate that the micellization of ADPs is driven by enthalpy. Based on the change of scattering intensity and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) with time, the detailed micellization kinetics was analysed, which contains two steps. By controlling the temperature and type of solvent, a system in which the concentration has little influence on Rh is obtained. The relaxation times of the two steps decrease with concentration, indicating that at higher concentration the rate of micellization is quicker. With the increasing mass fraction of the hydrophobic part, the relaxation times decrease and the driving force of micellization increases

mRNA Expression and RNA Editing (2451 C-to-U) of IL-12 Receptor β2 in Adult Atopic Patients

Interleukin (IL)-12 activates T helper (Th) 1 cells to produce interferon (IFN)-γ which inhibits atopic inflammation. IL-12 acts through interaction with its receptor, especially β2 subunit. In several studies, the low production of IFN-γ in peripheral mononuclear cells of atopic patients on response to IL-12 stimulation has been reported. Therefore we investigated the IL-12 receptor β2 (IL-12Rβ2) mRNA expression and RNA editing, nucleotide 2451 C-to-U conversion, to find the cause of low responsiveness to IL-12 in atopy. Quantitative real time PCR for mRNA expression and sequence analysis for RNA editing were performed in 80 atopic patients and 54 healthy controls. The expression of IL-12Rβ2 mRNA was significantly lower in atopic patients than healthy controls (p<0.05). In sequence analysis, RNA editing on nucleotide 2451 was not found from either atopic patients or healthy controls. In additional evaluation, there was no relationship between expression of IL-12Rβ2 mRNA and serum total IgE or blood eosinophil count. Reduced IL-12Rβ2 mRNA expression in atopic patients indicate the reduced capacity to respond to IL-12 which induce IFN-γ production and this may contribute to Th2-skewed immune response in atopy

Repeatability and validity of a standardised maximal step-up test for leg function-a diagnostic accuracy study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Objectively assessed physical performance is a strong predictor for morbidity and premature death and there is an increasing interest in the role of sarcopenia in many chronic diseases. There is a need for robust and valid functional tests in clinical practice. Therefore, the repeatability and validity of a newly developed maximal step up test (MST) was assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The MST, assessing maximal step-up height (MSH) in 3-cm increments, was evaluated in 60 healthy middle-aged subjects, 30 women and 30 men. The repeatability of MSH and the correlation between MSH and isokinetic knee extension peak torque (IKEPT), self-reported physical function (SF-36, PF), patient demographics and self-reported physical activity were investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The repeatability between occasions and between testers was 6 cm. MSH (range 12-45 cm) was significantly correlated to IKEPT, (<it>r </it>= 0.68, <it>P </it>< 0.001), SF-36 PF score, (<it>r </it>= 0.29, <it>P </it>= 0.03), sex, age, weight and BMI. The results also show that MSH above 32 cm discriminates subjects in our study with no limitation in self-reported physical function.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The standardised MST is considered a reliable leg function test for clinical practice. The MSH was related to knee extension strength and self-reported physical function. The precision of the MST for identification of limitations in physical function needs further investigation.</p

Microbial Interactions during Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Competitive interactions between bacteria differ by number and species present; thus, vaccination and treatment strategies may alter nasopharyngeal flora and disease susceptibility

Short-term protein intake increases fractional synthesis rate of muscle protein in the elderly: meta-analysis

The precise effects of protein intake on fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of muscle protein are still under debate. The sample size of these studies was small and the conclusions in young and elderly subjects were inconsistent. To assess the effect of dietary protein intake on the FSR level, we conducted a meta-analysis of controlled protein intake trials. Random-effects models were used to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMDs). Ten studies were included and effects of short-term protein intake were evaluated. In an overall pooled estimate, protein intake significantly increased the FSR (20 trials, 368 participants; WMD: 0.025%/h; 95%CI: 0.019-0.031; P < 0.0001). Meta-regression analysis suggested that the protein dose was positively related to the effect size (regression coefficient = 0.108%/h; 95%CI: 0.035, 0.182; P = 0.009). A subgroup analysis indicated that protein intake significantly increased FSR when the protein dose was ≤ 0.80 g/kg BW (16 trials, 308 participants; WMD: 0.027%/h; 95%CI: 0.019-0.031; P < 0.0001), but did not affect FSR when the protein dose was > 0.80 g/kg BW (4 trials, 60 participants; WMD: 0.016%/h; 95%CI: 0.004-0.029; P = 0.98). In conclusion, this study is the first integrated results showing that a short-term protein intake is effective at improving the FSR of muscle protein in the healthy elderly as well as young subjects. This beneficial effect seems to be dose-dependent when the dose levels of protein range from 0.08 to 0.80 g/kg BW