Hyphal growth of phagocytosed fusarium oxysporum causes cell lysis and death of murine macrophages

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Tumor site immune markers associated with risk for subsequent basal cell carcinomas.

BackgroundBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumors are the most common skin cancer and are highly immunogenic.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess how immune-cell related gene expression in an initial BCC tumor biopsy was related to the appearance of subsequent BCC tumors.Materials and methodsLevels of mRNA for CD3ε (a T-cell receptor marker), CD25 (the alpha chain of the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor expressed on activated T-cells and B-cells), CD68 (a marker for monocytes/macrophages), the cell surface glycoprotein intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were measured in BCC tumor biopsies from 138 patients using real-time PCR.ResultsThe median follow-up was 26.6 months, and 61% of subjects were free of new BCCs two years post-initial biopsy. Patients with low CD3ε CD25, CD68, and ICAM-1 mRNA levels had significantly shorter times before new tumors were detected (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, p = 0.003, and p = 0.08, respectively). Furthermore, older age diminished the association of mRNA levels with the appearance of subsequent tumors.ConclusionsOur results show that levels of CD3ε, CD25, CD68, and ICAM-1 mRNA in BCC biopsies may predict risk for new BCC tumors

Tadpole Analysis of Orientifolded Plane-Waves

We study orientifolds of type IIB string theory in the plane-wave background supported by null RR 3-form flux F^{(3)}. We describe how to extract the RR tadpoles in the Green-Schwarz formalism in a general setting. Two models with orientifold groups {1, \Omega} and {1,\Omega I_4}, which are T-dual to each other, are considered. Consistency of these backgrounds requires 32 D9 branes for the first model and 32 D5 branes for the second one. We study the spectra and comment on the heterotic duals of our models.Comment: 22+1 pages, 3 figures References added, minor typos correcte

<i>In situ</i> observation of strain and phase transformation in plastically deformed 301 austenitic stainless steel

To inform the design of superior transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels, it is important to understand what happens at the microstructural length scales. In this study, strain-induced martensitic transformation is studied by in situ digital image correlation (DIC) in a scanning electron microscope. Digital image correlation at submicron length scales enables mapping of transformation strains with high confidence. These are correlated with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) prior to and post deformation process to get a comprehensive understanding of the strain-induced transformation mechanism. The results are compared with mathematical models for enhanced prediction of strain-induced martensitic phase transformation

Non-extremal fractional branes

We construct non-extremal fractional D-brane solutions of type-II string theory at the Z_2 orbifold point of K3. These solutions generalize known extremal fractional-brane solutions and provide further insights into N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories and dual descriptions thereof. In particular, we find that for these solutions the horizon radius cannot exceed the non-extremal enhancon radius. As a consequence, we conclude that a system of non-extremal fractional branes cannot develop into a black brane. This conclusion is in agreement with known dual descriptions of the system.Comment: 29 pages, LaTeX. v2: 30 pages; equation (3.4) corrected; typos fixed; discussion in section 3 streamlined and slightly extended; reference adde

Open String Plane-Wave Light-Cone Superstring Field Theory

We construct the cubic interaction vertex and dynamically generated supercharges in light-cone superstring field theory for a large class half-supersymmetric D-branes in the plane-wave background. We show that these satisfy the plane-wave superalgebra at first order in string coupling. The cubic interaction vertex and dynamical supercharges presented here are given explicitly in terms of oscilators and can be used to compute three-point functions of open strings with endpoints on half-supersymmetric D-branes

Walking into the Footprint of EU Law: Unpacking the Gendered Consequences of Brexit

This article explores the gendered nature of the process of withdrawing from the European Union. Considering the EU is widely accepted as a gender actor, particularly in the context of employment policy, the marginality of these issues in current debates reflects a hierarchy in the value attributed to different policy areas that crystallizes the high-low politics binary. European led initiatives have undoubtedly changed the nature of equality policies in the Member States. Recent studies have also outlined how, and to what extent, EU policy contributes to shifts in gender regimes, gender policy and gender relations at the national level. Women in the UK have benefited greatly from membership of the EU/EEC, thus looking at Brexit as a process provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the relationship, and patterns of influence, between European and national legislation

N=1 Super Yang Mills renormalization schemes for Fractional Branes

We investigate N=1 super Yang-Mills theory using fractional branes. We first define the beta-function with respect to a supergravity coordinate. To provide the relation between the supergravity parameter and the renormalization group scale we use the UV known gauge theory beta-function as a type of boundary condition. We show that there are no privileged renormalization schemes connected to a given supergravity solution while we investigate in some detail two schemes. The Wilsonian one where just one loop is manifest and the one containing multi-loops. A new functional relation between the gaugino condensate and the supergravity coordinates is finally determined.Comment: 5 pages, revtex4, no figures. Corrected typos and added some clarification

Effect of smoking habits on accuracy of implant placement using mucosally supported stereolithographic surgical guides

Background: Smoking is considered as a factor for implant survival and peri-implant bone loss of dental implants. Several studies revealed the negative effect of smoking on osseointegration, and its dose-related effect. Aim: To evaluate the effect of smoking habits on accuracy of implant placement using mucosally supported stereolithographic surgical guides. Material and Methods: Six OsseoSpeed™ implants (Astra Tech AB) were inserted into the maxilla in 13 patients. Patients were excluded if they suffered from any systemic disease or if they were actually taking any kind of medication. Software (Mimics 9.0) was used to fuse images of the virtually planned and actually placed implants, and locations and axes were compared between the nonsmoking and smoking subgroups. As the mucosal biotype could probably influence accuracy data, twelve reference points were defined within each patient to define a mean mucosal thickness value. Results: In the smoking subgroup, 36 implants were placed compared to 42 in the nonsmoking subgroup. Mean coronal deviation was 1.04 mm (range: 0.29-2.45 mm) in smokers compared to 0.80 mm in the nonsmokers (range: 0.29-1.67 mm). At apical point mean deviation was 1.26 mm (range: 0.39-3.01 mm) in smokers compared to 1.02 mm in the nonsmokers (range: 0.32-2.59 mm). Mean angular deviation was 2.64° (range: 0.41°-6.81°) in smokers compared to 2.57° in the nonsmokers (range: 0.16°-8.86°). Significant differences were found when comparing global coronal and apical deviation between smokers and nonsmokers (P<0,05). Evaluating mucosal thickness, mean value was 3.19 mm (range: 2.39-4.01 mm) in smokers compared to 2.43 mm in the nonsmokers (range: 1.44-3.03 mm) Conclusions: Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the accuracy of dental implant placement in smokers to nonsmokers. Smokers have significant thicker supporting mucosal tissues compared to nonsmokers which may explain inaccuracy due to less stability of the surgical guide or the scanning prosthesis

Erk5 is a key regulator of naïve-­primed transition and Embryonic Stem Cell identity

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can self-renew or differentiate into any cell type, a phenomenon known as pluripotency. Distinct pluripotent states, termed naive and primed pluripotency, have been described. However, the mechanisms that control naive-primed pluripotent transition are poorly understood. Here, we perform a targeted screen for kinase inhibitors, which modulate the naive-primed pluripotent transition. We find that XMD compounds, which selectively inhibit Erk5 kinase and BET bromodomain family proteins, drive ESCs toward primed pluripotency. Using compound selectivity engineering and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we reveal distinct functions for Erk5 and Brd4 in pluripotency regulation. We show that Erk5 signaling maintains ESCs in the naive state and suppresses progression toward primed pluripotency and neuroectoderm differentiation. Additionally, we identify a specialized role for Erk5 in defining ESC lineage selection, whereby Erk5 inhibits a cardiomyocyte-specific differentiation program. Our data therefore reveal multiple critical functions for Erk5 in controlling ESC identity