The time-dependent localization of Ki 67 antigen-positive cells in human skin wounds

A total of 77 human skin wounds with a post-infliction interval between 3 h and 7 months were investigated and the proliferation marker antigen Ki 67 was visualized in paraffin sections using a specific monoclonal antibody (MIB). The re-built epidermal layer covering the former lesional area showed only a few basal cells positively staining for Ki 67 antigen. No enhanced reactivity was found when compared to uninjured skin. In basal cells of the epidermis adjacent to the wound area, however, varying numbers of positive cells occurred, but no information useful for a reliable time estimation of skin wounds could be obtained due to the considerable variability in the number of Ki 67 positive epidermal basal cells found in non-damaged skin. Fibroblastic cells in the wound area revealed an increased number of Ki 67-positive sites which could first be detected in a 1.5-day-old skin lesion. Positive results could be obtained in every specimen investigated after a post-infliction interval of 6 days up to 1.5 months. Only the scar tissue of the oldest wound examined (wound age 7 months) revealed no increase in the number of positively staining fibroblasts. Therefore, positive results indicate a wound age of at least approximately 1.5 days and the lack of an increased number of positive fibroblastic cells in a sufficient number of specimens indicates at a wound age of less than 6 days, but cannot totally exclude longer post-infliction intervals

Examining a reduced jet-medium coupling in Pb+Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider

Recent data on the nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}$ of jet fragments in 2.76 ATeV Pb+Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) indicate that the jet-medium coupling in a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) is reduced at LHC energies and not compatible with the coupling deduced from data at the Relativistic Hadron Collider (RHIC). We estimate the reduction factor from a combined fit to the available data on $R_{AA}(\sqrt{s},p_T,b)$ and the elliptic flow $v_2(\sqrt{s},p_T,b)$ at $\sqrt{s}=0.2,2.76$ ATeV over a transverse momentum range $p_T$ 10-100 GeV and a broad impact parameter, b, range. We use a simple analytic "polytrope" model ($dE/dx=- \kappa E^{a} x^z T^{c}$) to investigate the dynamical jet-energy loss model dependence. Varying a=0-1 interpolates between weakly-coupled and strongly-coupled models of jet-energy dependence while z=0-2 covers a wide range of possible jet-path dependencies from elastic and radiative to holographic string mechanisms. Our fit to LHC data indicates an approximate 40% reduction of the coupling $\kappa$ from RHIC to LHC and excludes energy-loss models characterized by a jet-energy exponent with a>1/3. In particular, the rapid rise of $R_{AA}$ with $p_T$>10 GeV combined with the slow variation of the asymptotic $v_2(p_T)$ at the LHC rules out popular exponential geometric optics models (a=1). The LHC data are compatible with $0\leq a\leq 1/3$ pQCD-like energy-loss models where the jet-medium coupling is reduced by approximately 10% between RHIC and LHC.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, version published in Physical Review

The immunohistochemical analysis of fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 in putrified skin

Fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 were visualized in normal skin and in skin showing early or advanced signs of autolytic decomposition to prove whether the immunohistochemical analysis of these antigens can provide useful information for an age-estimation of skin wounds obtained from putrified corpses. In cases with early signs of decomposition (visible course of veins, greenish discoloration) and without microscopic alterations like relaxation of the epidermal cell layers or destruction of the blood vessel structures, the staining pattern was identical to that found in normal, non-putrefied skin. In skin already showing microscopic alteration of the tissue structure, fibronectin and collagen type III could not be localized unambiguously. The distribution of laminin and cytokeratin 5, however, was well preserved. In advanced putrefied skin no reliable staining results could be obtained for fibronectin, collagen type III, and laminin. Even though cytokeratin 5 was still detectable in remnants of decomposition-resistant skin appendages, no information useful for an age-estimation of skin wounds can be obtained due to the autolytic detachment of the epidermal layers

ALERT: FARMERS NEED TO SIGN UP FOR ACRE!

Corn, soybean and wheat producers are facing serious financial challenges. And it is even worse for livestock producers, most of who are also crop producers and are therefore eligible for ACRE. Crops are behind in maturity, some areas of the state need rain, product prices have fallen substantially, and USDA Counter Cyclical payments do not start until $2.35 on corn,$5.36 soybeans and $3.40 on wheat. Chances of prices that low are around 10-15%, but at that point ACRE payments would be much, much bigger. Many producers do not understand ACRE and the benefits available; most of the reasons given for not participating are invalid.Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management,