Influence of thermal parameters on microstructure of Al-Cu alloys directionally solidified

Para investigar la influencia de los parámetros de solidificación sobre la microestructura dendrítica de las aleaciones Al-Cu de diferentes concentraciones se realizaron experiencias con diferentes valores de velocidades de enfriamiento y gradientes de temperatura. La microestructura de solidificación fue estudiada comparando los espaciamientos dendríticos experimentales con los predichos por los modelos teóricos, calculando el espaciamiento dendrítico primario como una función de la composición, de la velocidad de crecimiento, el gradiente térmico y de parámetros termofísicos. El espaciamiento dendrítico secundario se calcula como una función de la velocidad de enfriamiento y del gradiente térmico, y además, del tiempo de solidificación local. Se presentan y analizan los resultados obtenidos, comparándolos con trabajos previos.In order to investigate the influence of the solidification parameters on the dendritic microstructure of Al-Cu alloys of different concentrations, experiments with different values of cooling rates and temperature gradients were performed. The solidification microstructure was studied by comparing the experimental dendritic spacing with those predicted by the theoretical models, calculating the primary dendrite spacing as a function of the composition, the growth speed, the thermal gradient and the thermophysical parameters. Secondary dendrite spacing is calculated as a function of cooling rate and the thermal gradient, and also the local solidification time. We present and analyze the results, comparing them with previous worksFil: Rodriguez, Carlos María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Candia, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schvezov, Carlos Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Rosenberger, Mario Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ares, Alicia Esther. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentin

CM-proteins and thionins in cereals: characterization and cloning of cDNA

The study of cereal albumins and globulins has lagged somewhat behind that of the prolamins, which nave been considered as typical reserve proteins. However, these protein fractions merit closer attention for a variety of reasons. The main individual albumins and globulins are at least as abundant as many prolamin components, and it can be speculated that in a tissue, such as the cereal endosperm, which is completely consumed during germination, al 1 abundant proteins may play a reserve role. They have also a higher proportion of essential amino acids, as compared with the prolamins, and thus may be releyant in connec^ tion with the genetic alteration of overall grain composition. Finally, a high proportion of the main components of these protein fractions have inhibitory and even toxic properties, which may be related to the protection of this tissue during development and germination, and might influence the nutritional valué of the cereal products. We report here the characterization in barley of cDNA clones encoding two major groups of proteins: the CM-proteins, a family that inciudes inhibitors of trypsin and a-amylase, and the thionins, a group of high-lysine toxic polypeptides

Genetics of CM-proteins (A-hordeins) in barley

The CM-proteins, which are the main components of the A-hordeins, include four previously described proteins (CMa-1, CMb-1, CMc-1, CMd-1), plus a new one, CMe-1, which has been tentatively included in this group on the basis of its solubility properties and electrophoretic mobility. The variability of the five proteins has been investigated among 38 Hordeum vulgare cultivars and 17 H. spontaneum accessions. Proteins CMa-1, CMc-1 and CMd-1 were invariant within the cultivated species; CMd was also invariant in the wild one. The inheritance of variants CMb-1/CMb-2 and CMe-1/CMe-2,2 was studied in a cross H. spontaneum x H. vulgare. The first two proteins were inherited as codominantly expressed allelic variations of a single mendelian gene. Components CMe-2,2 were jointly inherited and codominantly expressed with respect to CMe-1. Gene CMb and gene(s) CMe were found to be unlinked. The chromosomal locations of genes encoding CM-proteins were investigated using wheat-barley addition lines. Genes CMa and CMc were associated with chromosome 1, and genes CMb and CMd with chromosome 4. These gene locations further support the proposed homoeology of chromosomes 1 and 4 of barley with chromosomes groups 7 and 4 of wheat, respectively. Gene(s) CMe has been assigned to chromosome 3 of barley. The accumulation of protein CMe-1 is totally blocked in the high lysine mutant Riso 1508 and partially so in the high lysine barley Hiproly

First-Line Nivolumab in Stage IV or Recurrent Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Nivolumab has been associated with longer overall survival than docetaxel among patients with previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In an open-label phase 3 trial, we compared first-line nivolumab with chemotherapy in patients with programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive NSCLC. We randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, patients with untreated stage IV or recurrent NSCLC and a PD-L1 tumor-expression level of 1% or more to receive nivolumab (administered intravenously at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight once every 2 weeks) or platinum-based chemotherapy (administered once every 3 weeks for up to six cycles). Patients receiving chemotherapy could cross over to receive nivolumab at the time of disease progression. The primary end point was progression-free survival, as assessed by means of blinded independent central review, among patients with a PD-L1 expression level of 5% or more. Among the 423 patients with a PD-L1 expression level of 5% or more, the median progression-free survival was 4.2 months with nivolumab versus 5.9 months with chemotherapy (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.45; P=0.25), and the median overall survival was 14.4 months versus 13.2 months (hazard ratio for death, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.30). A total of 128 of 212 patients (60%) in the chemotherapy group received nivolumab as subsequent therapy. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade occurred in 71% of the patients who received nivolumab and in 92% of those who received chemotherapy. Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 18% of the patients who received nivolumab and in 51% of those who received chemotherapy. Nivolumab was not associated with significantly longer progression-free survival than chemotherapy among patients with previously untreated stage IV or recurrent NSCLC with a PD-L1 expression level of 5% or more. Overall survival was similar between groups. Nivolumab had a favorable safety profile, as compared with chemotherapy, with no new or unexpected safety signals. (Funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb and others; CheckMate 026 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02041533 .)

Cloning of cDNA and chromosomal location of genes encoding the three types of subunits of the wheat tetrameric inhibitor of insect a-amylase

We have characterized three cDNA clones corresponding to proteins CM1, CM3 and CM16, which represent the three types of subunits of the wheat tetrameric inhibitor of insect -amylases. The deduced amino acid sequences of the mature polypeptides are homologous to those of the dimeric and monomeric -amylase inhibitors and of the trypsin inhibitors. The mature polypeptides are preceded by typical signal peptides. Southern blot analysis of appropriate aneuploids, using the cloned cDNAs as probes, has revealed the location of genes for subunits of the CM3 and of the CM16 type within a few kb of each other in chromosomes 4A, 4B and 4D, and those for the CM1 type of subunit in chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D. Known subunits of the tetrameric inhibitor corresponding to genes from the B and D genomes have been previously characterized. No proteins of this class have been found to be encoded by the A genome in hexaploid wheat (genomes AA, BB, DD) or in diploid wheats (AA) and no anti -amylase activity has been detected in the latter, so that the A-genome genes must be either silent (pseudogenes) or expressed at a much lower level

Genes encoding α-amylase inhibitors are located in the short arms of chromosomes 3B, 3D and 6D of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Three -amylase inhibitors, designated Inh. I, II and III have been purified from the 70% ethanol extract of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and characterized by amino acid analysis, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and enzyme inhibition tests. Inhibitors I and III have identical N-terminal sequences and inhibitory properties to those of the previously described 0.19/0.53 group of dimeric inhibitors. Inhibitor II has an N-terminal sequence which is identical to that of the previously described 0.28 monomeric inhibitor, but differs from it in that in addition to being active against -amylase from Tenebrio molitor, it is also active against mammalian salivary and pancreatic -amylases. Compensating nulli-tetrasomic and ditelosomic lines of wheat cv. Chinese Spring have been analysed by two-dimensional electrophoresis, under conditions in which there is no overlap of the inhibitors with other proteins, and the chromosomal locations of the genes encoding these inhibitors have been established: genes for Inh. I and Inh. III are in the short arms of chromosomes 3B and 3D, respectively, and that for Inh. II in the short arm of chromosome 6D

The HL-60 human promyelocytic cell line constitutes an effective in vitro model for evaluating toxicity, oxidative stress and necrosis/apoptosis after exposure to black carbon particles and 2.45 GHz radio frequency

The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which atmospheric pollution from particulate matter and/or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may prove harmful to human health have not been extensively researched. We analyzed whether the combined action of EMFs and black carbon (BC) particles induced cell damage and a pro-apoptotic response in the HL-60 promyelocytic cell line when exposed to 2.45 GHz radio frequency (RF) radiation in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber at sub-thermal specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. RF and BC induced moderately significant levels of cell damage in the first 8 or 24 h for all exposure times/doses and much greater damage after 48 h irradiation and the higher dose of BC. We observed a clear antiproliferative effect that increased with RF exposure time and BC dose. Oxidative stress or ROS production increased with time (24 or 48 h of radiation), BC dose and the combination of both. Significant differences between the proportion of damaged and healthy cells were observed in all groups. Both radiation and BC participated separately and jointly in triggering necrosis and apoptosis in a programmed way. Oxidative-antioxidant action activated mitochondrial anti-apoptotic BCL2a gene expression after 24 h irradiation and exposure to BC. After irradiation of the cells for 48 h, expression of FASR cell death receptors was activated, precipitating the onset of pro-apoptotic phenomena and expression and intracellular activity of caspase-3 in the mitochondrial pathways, all of which can lead to cell death. Our results indicate that the interaction between BC and RF modifies the immune response in the human promyelocytic cell line and that these cells had two fates mediated by different pathways: necrosis and mitochondria-caspase dependent apoptosis. The findings may be important in regard to antimicrobial, inflammatory and autoimmune responses in humansS

PD-(L)1 Inhibitors as Monotherapy for the First-Line Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients with High PD-L1 Expression: A Network Meta-Analysis

Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has emerged as a potential biomarker for selection of patients more likely to respond to immunotherapy and as a prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this network meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of first-line anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients with high PD-L1 expression (≥50%) compared to platinum-based chemotherapy. We also evaluated efficacy outcomes according to tumor mutational burden (TMB). To that end, we conducted a systematic review. Six clinical trials with 2111 patients were included. In head-to-head comparisons, immunotherapy showed a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS: HRpooled = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.90, p = 0.007), overall survival (OS: HRpooled = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.61–0.78; p < 0.001) and overall response rate (ORR) (Risk ratio (RR)pooled = 1.354, 95% CI: 1.04–1.762, p = 0.024). In the assessment of relative efficacy for PFS through indirect comparisons, pembrolizumab (results from KEYNOTE-024) ranked highest followed by cemiplimab and atezolizumab, with statistical significance determined for some of the drugs. In terms of OS, cemiplimab ranked highest followed by atezolizumab and pembrolizumab, although non-significant OS was determined for these drugs. In conclusion, PD-(L)1 inhibitor monotherapy improves efficacy outcomes in the first line setting of advanced NSCLC patients with high PD-L1 expression. Evaluations with longer follow up are still needed to determine the superiority of any specific drug

Rompendo Regras Lab proxecto transversal por unha menstruación digna e ecosaudábel

Colección: Contextos Universitarios Transformadores (CUT). Número 7[Resumo] Rompendo Regras LAB (2021-22) é unha iniciativa transversal xurdida da interacción entre profesorado, estudantes e persoal técnico de varias Facultades e Servizos, incluíndo institucións locais e organizacións sociais. Vincúlase aos “Laboratorios bibliotecarios” (“MediaLabMatadero”). Actúa como un espazo intelectual, físico e dixital para ensaiar formas novidosas de abordar a menstruación digna e ecosaudable partindo da convivencia entre saberes, organizacións e persoas heteroxéneas e documentar os procesos. Desenvolvéronse nove proxectos con profesoras, alumnas e técnicas como promotoras e colaboradoras, así como con persoas alleas a UDC. Acolle accións de intensidade e alcance diverso: experimentos sociais e artísticos (eu poemas, performance Útero contaminado), metodoloxías específicas (fotovoz e imaxinación sociolóxica), procedementos de recollida de información, difusión de coñecemento (seminario, obradoiros e palestras), accións ambientais (Campaña Lixo Retrete) e produción de artefactos (compresas de tela, carteis, collages, fotografías). Cunha perspectiva transdisciplinar fusiónanse o civil e o cidadán de xeito non predeterminado. Aprovéitase o traballo en materias específicas e Servizos concretos para diversificar as experiencias formativas enlazando con iniciativas externas. Así, técense fíos entre o académico e o social, entre o civil e o cidadá ampliando e diversificando unha comunidade de práctica ao redor da menstruación e explóranse maneiras alternativas de exercer a cidadanía na Universidade.[Abstract] Rompendo Regras LAB (2021-22) is a transversal initiative produced by the interaction between professors, students and technicians of several University Faculties and Services including, also, local institutions and social organizations. It is related to “Laboratorios bibliotecarios” (“MediaLabMatadero”). It acts as an intellectual, physical, and digital space focused on exploring new ways of defining dignified and eco-healthy menstruation. It is based upon the confluence of heterogeneous knowledge, organizations and people and the documentation of the processes generated. Nine projects were developed with professors, students and technicians as promoters and collaborators, as well with people outside the University. Actions evolve with a variety of intensity and scope: socio-artistic experiment (I poems, social cartography, performance), specific methodologies (photo-voice and sociological imagination), gather information procedures, knowledge diffusion (seminars, workshop, conferences), environmental actions (Lixo Retrete Campaign) and artifact production (cloth napkins, posters, collages, photographs, games). Applying a transdisciplinary perspective, the projects intertwine institutions and citizenship in non-predetermined ways. Drawing upon the work in specific subject and services the projects diversify formative experiences linking them to external initiatives. In this way, we amplify and diversify a community of practice around menstruation. In addition, we explore alternative paths to performance citizenship in university.http://hdl.handle.net/2183/3249