Properdin and factor H: Opposing players on the alternative complement pathway "see-saw"

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Properdin and factor H are two key regulatory proteins having opposite functions in the alternative complement pathway. Properdin up-regulates the alternative pathway by stabilizing the C3bBb complex, whereas factor H downregulates the pathway by promoting proteolytic degradation of C3b. While factor H is mainly produced in the liver, there are several extrahepatic sources. In addition to the liver, factor H is also synthesized in fetal tubuli, keratinocytes, skin fibroblasts, ocular tissue, adipose tissue, brain, lungs, heart, spleen, pancreas, kidney, muscle, and placenta. Neutrophils are the major source of properdin, and it is also produced by monocytes, T cells and bone marrow progenitor cell line. Properdin is released by neutrophils from intracellular stores following stimulation by N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The HEP G2 cells derived from human liver has been found to produce functional properdin. Endothelial cells also produce properdin when induced by shear stress, thus is a physiological source for plasma properdin. The diverse range of extrahepatic sites for synthesis of these two complement regulators suggests the importance and need for local availability of the proteins. Here, we discuss the significance of the local synthesis of properdin and factor H. This assumes greater importance in view of recently identified unexpected and novel roles of properdin and factor H that are potentially independent of their involvement in complement regulation

Classification of Spherically Symmetric Static Spacetimes according to their Matter Collineations

The spherically symmetric static spacetimes are classified according to their matter collineations. These are studied when the energy-momentum tensor is degenerate and also when it is non-degenerate. We have found a case where the energy-momentum tensor is degenerate but the group of matter collineations is finite. For the non-degenerate case, we obtain either {\it four}, {\it five}, {\it six} or {\it ten} independent matter collineations in which four are isometries and the rest are proper. We conclude that the matter collineations coincide with the Ricci collineations but the constraint equations are different which on solving can provide physically interesting cosmological solutions.Comment: 15 pages, no figure, Late

Symmetries of the Energy-Momentum Tensor: Some Basic Facts

It has been pointed by Hall et al. [1] that matter collinations can be defined by using three different methods. But there arises the question of whether one studies matter collineations by using the ${\cal L}_\xi T_{ab}=0$, or ${\cal L}_\xi T^{ab}=0$ or ${\cal L}_\xi T_a^b=0$. These alternative conditions are, of course, not generally equivalent. This problem has been explored by applying these three definitions to general static spherically symmetric spacetimes. We compare the results with each definition.Comment: 17 pages, accepted for publication in "Communications in Theoretical Physics

Two-dimensional maps at the edge of chaos: Numerical results for the Henon map

The mixing properties (or sensitivity to initial conditions) of two-dimensional Henon map have been explored numerically at the edge of chaos. Three independent methods, which have been developed and used so far for the one-dimensional maps, have been used to accomplish this task. These methods are (i)measure of the divergence of initially nearby orbits, (ii)analysis of the multifractal spectrum and (iii)computation of nonextensive entropy increase rates. The obtained results strongly agree with those of the one-dimensional cases and constitute the first verification of this scenario in two-dimensional maps. This obviously makes the idea of weak chaos even more robust.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Fluorescence spectroscopy for analysing deterioration of palm olein in batch deep-fat frying

Palm olein has been commercially used as frying medium in batch deep-fat frying. During frying, the oil usually deteriorates due to the exposure to high temperature. In this study, a fluorescence spectroscopy technique was applied to monitor the deterioration of refined, bleached, and deodorized palm olein (RBDPO) in batch deep-fat frying. 22.5 kg of French fries were used as the frying material. In 30 batches, the french fries were intermittently fried at 185 ± 5°C for eight hours a day over five consecutive days capturing 40 hours. The fluorescence intensity of the RBDPO was recorded with excitation at 390 nm and resulting emission of 465 nm. The fluorescence intensity of the RBDPO over five days of frying decreased considering the wavelength range of emission 430-640 nm and excitation 360-430 nm. The decreased in intensity of fluorescence emission and excitation spectra were inversely correlated with the FFA content of the oil samples. This study demonstrates the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy in monitoring the deterioration of RBDPO during batch deep-fat frying

Stress induced hyperglycemia in stroke patients

Background: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in developed countries and second most common cause of death worldwide. High proportion of patients may develop hyperglycemia after an acute stress such as stroke or myocardial infarction even in the absence of preexisting diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Prolonged stress hyperglycemia in ischemic stroke increases the risk of in-hospital 28- day mortality, especially in non-diabetic patients. Aims and objectives:To determine the frequency of stress-induced hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Subjects and methods: A total of 255 patients admitted with acute stroke, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. After informed consent capillary blood glucose was monitored at the time of admission and after every 8-hour for three days. Glycosylated hemoglobin (hba1c) was measured simultaneously. Results: Hyperglycemia was noted in 67 (26.32%) patients. Out of which 50 (74.6%) presented with ischemic stroke while only 17 (25.4%) were associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Undiagnosed diabetes was found in 10% cases. Conclusion: Stress related hyperglycemia after acute stroke was found in 26% of patients especially those with high BMI, visceral obesity and positive family history for diabetes

Fourier Spektroskopische Untersuchungen im Mittleren und Fernen Infrarotbereich an Co 60 bestrahlten und thermisch belasteten ultrahochmolekularen Polyethylen Proben

Fourier Spektroskopische Untersuchungen von hochmolekularem Polyethylen HMW PE und ultrahochmolekularem Polyethylen UHMW PE im Mittleren und Fernen Infrarotbereich können Veränderungen der molekularen Strukturen nachweisen, die durch Co60 amp; 947; Strahlung und Rekristallisationsprozesse initiiert werden. UHMW PE und HMW PE sind im gewählten IR Bereich unterscheidbar. Die integrale Absorption der B1u Gitterschwingungen im Fernen Infrarotbereich THz Bereich ermöglichen die quantitative Beschreibung des Kristallinitätsgrades und dessen Abbau. Die Bildung ungesättigter Vinylengruppen und der Abbau ungesättigter Methylengruppen können im Mittleren Infrarotbereich nachgewiesen werde

THz and mid IR Fourier Transform Spectroscopy on Polyethylene irradiated with gamma Co60 radiation

THz and mid IR spectroscopy of high molecular PE HMW and ultra high molecular PE UHMW reveals modifications of the molecular structure induced by amp; 947; Co60 radiation. UHMW PE and HMW PE can be distinguished. The integral absorption in the B1u THz region can quantitatively describe the amorphization of crystallinity. The formation of trans vinylene unsaturations and the decay of vinyl can be followed by mid IR spectroscop

Comparison machining performance of Al2 O3 , ZTA and ZTA doped Cr2 O3 cutting tools on AISI 1045

This paper presents the comparison of machining performance for cutting tools that fabricated by pure alumina (Al2O3), Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) and Zirconia Toughened Alumina doped with Cr2O3 (ZTA Doped Cr2O3). Solid-state method was employed to prepare ceramic mixtures starting from 12 h ball milling with 40 rpm rotational speed. The green bodies were formed by 5 ton manual hydraulic press and 300 MPa Cold Isostatic Press (CIP) compaction pressure. The compacted powders then were sintered at 1400 °C and 9 h soaking time in the form of RNGN 120600 designated cutting tools. Properties assessment of the fabricated cutting tools were analysed based on hardness and density. The machining evaluation was performed by turning AISI 1045 with cutting speeds of 150–350 m min−1, feed rate of 0.125 mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.5 mm. The results show that maximum hardness recorded for ZTA Doped Cr2O3 with 13.73 GPa Vickers hardness and 3.82 g cm−3 density, followed by ZTA (12.75 GPa, 3.85 g cm−3) and pure Al2O3 (4.9 GPa, 3.76 g cm−3)In terms of machining performance, ZTA Doped Cr2O3 recorded highest tool life of 330-s with 57% improvement of tool life as compared to ZTA (210-s) and 200% improvement of pure Al2O3 (110-s). Dominant wear mechanisms for the fabricated cutting tool appeared to be notch wear, abrasive wear and chipping at the flank wear area