162 research outputs found
Vitamin E deficiency and risk of equine motor neuron disease
© 2007 Mohammed et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens
Non-Equilibrium Field Dynamics of an Honest Holographic Superconductor
Most holographic models of superconducting systems neglect the effects of
dynamical boundary gauge fields during the process of spontaneous
symmetry-breaking. Usually a global symmetry gets broken. This yields a
superfluid, which then is gauged "weakly" afterwards. In this work we build
(and probe the dynamics of) a holographic model in which a local boundary
symmetry is spontaneously broken instead. We compute two-point functions of
dynamical non-Abelian gauge fields in the normal and in the broken phase, and
find non-trivial gapless modes. Our AdS3 gravity dual realizes a p-wave
superconductor in (1+1) dimensions. The ground state of this model also breaks
(1+1)-dimensional parity spontaneously, while the Hamiltonian is
parity-invariant. We discuss possible implications of our results for a wider
class of holographic liquids.Comment: 32 pages, 12 figures; v3: string theory derivation of setup added
(section 3.1), improved presentation, version accepted by JHEP; v2: paragraph
added to discussion, figure added, references added, typos correcte
The use of oral recombinant feline interferon omega in two cats with type II diabetes mellitus and concurrent feline chronic gingivostomatitis syndrome
Articles in International JournalsFeline Chronic Gingivostomatitis Syndrome (FCGS) is a common disease in clinical practice. Among the therapeutic
options available, long-acting corticosteroids are frequently used due to their anti-inflammatory and
immunosuppressive properties. Although they may improve the clinical symptoms, they can lead to a progressive
form of the disease that becomes refractory to treatment. Furthermore, their direct relationship with type II diabetes
mellitus (DM) is well known. Consequently, these drugs are controversial and not recommended for routine
management of FCGS. Recombinant feline interferon-omega (rFeIFN-ω) is an immunomodulatory compound.
Recently, its daily oral administration has been shown to be successful in treating refractory cases of FCGS. This case
study describes two clinical cases of type II DM complicated by FCGS. Both animals were calicivirus positive and
they had been previously treated with long-acting corticosteroids, which may have been the major cause of DM.
The two cats were treated with glargine insulin (Lantus, starting dose 1 IU/cat twice daily (BID)), achieving remission
10 and 18 weeks later respectively. Considering the difficulty with control of FCGS in these animals, an oral daily
dose of rFeIFN-ω was started as an alternative to long-acting corticosteroids. In both cats oral clinical signs
gradually improved and 60 days after the start of therapy the owners reported a significant relief of pain during
mastication. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report that describes the successful use of
rFeIFN-ω in the management of FCGS in type II diabetic cats, in which long-acting corticosteroids are
contraindicated
Pleiotropic Effects of Cell Wall Amidase LytA on Streptococcus pneumoniae Sensitivity to the Host Immune Response
The complement system is a key component of the host immune response for the recognition and clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In this study, we demonstrate that the amidase LytA, the main pneumococcal autolysin, inhibits complement-mediated immunity independently of effects on pneumolysin by a complex process of impaired complement activation, increased binding of complement regulators, and direct degradation of complement C3. The use of human sera depleted of either C1q or factor B confirmed that LytA prevented activation of both the classical and alternative pathways, whereas pneumolysin inhibited only the classical pathway. LytA prevented binding of C1q and the acute-phase protein C-reactive protein to S. pneumoniae, thereby reducing activation of the classical pathway on the bacterial surface. In addition, LytA increased recruitment of the complement downregulators C4BP and factor H to the pneumococcal cell wall and directly cleaved C3b and iC3b to generate degradation products. As a consequence, C3b deposition and phagocytosis increased in the absence of LytA and were markedly enhanced for the lytA ply double mutant, confirming that a combination of LytA and Ply is essential for the establishment of pneumococcal pneumonia and sepsis in a murine model of infection. These data demonstrate that LytA has pleiotropic effects on complement activation, a finding which, in combination with the effects of pneumolysin on complement to assist with pneumococcal complement evasion, confirms a major role of both proteins for the full virulence of the microorganism during septicemia
Another beauty of analytical chemistry: chemical analysis of inorganic pigments of art and archaeological objects
[EN] This lecture text shows what fascinating tasks analytical chemists face in Art Conservation and Archaeology, and it is hoped that students reading it will realize that passions for science, arts or history are by no means mutually exclusive. This study describes the main analytical techniques used since the eighteenth century, and in particular, the instrumental techniques developed throughout the last century for analyzing pigments and inorganic materials, in general, which are found in cultural artefacts, such as artworks and archaeological remains. The lecture starts with a historical review on the use of analytical methods for the analysis of pigments from archaeological and art objects. Three different periods can be distinguished in the history of the application of the Analytical Chemistry in Archaeometrical and Art Conservation studies: (a) the "Formation'' period (eighteenth century1930), (b) the "Maturing'' period (1930-1970), and (c) the "Expansion'' period (1970-nowadays). A classification of analytical methods specifically established in the fields of Archaeometry and Conservation Science is also provided. After this, some sections are devoted to the description of a number of analytical techniques, which are most commonly used in routine analysis of pigments from cultural heritage. Each instrumental section gives the fundamentals of the instrumental technique, together with relevant analytical data and examples of applications.Financial support is gratefully acknowledged from Spanish ‘‘I+D+I MINECO’’ projects CTQ2011-28079-CO3-01 and CTQ2014-53736-C3-1-P supported by ERDEF funds.Domenech Carbo, MT.; Osete Cortina, L. (2016). 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In: Proceedings of the International School of Physics “Enrico Fermi”. IOS Press, Amsterdam, pp 407–432Doménech-Carbó A, Doménech-Carbó MT, Valle-Algarra FM, Domine ME, Osete-Cortina L (2013) On the dehydroindigo contribution to Maya Blue. J Mat Sci 48:7171–7183Lovric M, Scholz F (1997) A model for the propagation of a redox reaction through microcrystals. J Solid State Electrochem 1:108–113Fitzgerald AG, Storey BE, Fabian D (1993) Quantitative microbeam analysis. Scottish Universities Sumer School in Physics and Institute of Physics Publishing, BristolDoménech-Carbó A (2015) Dating: an analytical task. ChemTexts 1:5Mairinger F, Schreiner M (1982) New methods of chemical analysis-a tool for the conservator. Science and Technology in the service of conservation, IIC, London, pp 5–13Malissa H, Benedetti-Pichler AA (1958) Anorganische qualitative Mikroanalyse. Springer, New YorkTertian R, Claisse F (1982) Principles of quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis. Heyden, LondonMantler M, Schreiner M (2000) X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in art and archaeology. X-Ray Spectrom 29:3–17Scholz F (2015) Voltammetric techniques of analysis: the essentials. ChemTexts 1:17Inzelt G (2014) Crossing the bridge between thermodynamics and electrochemistry. From the potential of the cell reaction to the electrode potential. ChemTexts 1:2Milchev A (2016) Nucleation phenomena in electrochemical systems: thermodynamic concepts. ChemTexts 2:2Milchev A (2016) Nucleation phenomena in electrochemical systems: kinetic models. ChemTexts 2:4Seeber R, Zanardi C, Inzelt G (2015) Links between electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics. ChemTexts 1:18Feist M (2015) Thermal analysis: basics, applications, and benefit. ChemTexts 1:8Stoiber RE, Morse SA (1994) Crystal identification with the polarizing microscope. Springer, BerlinGoldstein JI, Newbury DE, Echlin P, Joy DC, Lyman CE, Echlin P, Lifshin E, Sawyer L, Michael JR (2003) Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Plenum Press, New YorkDoménech-Carbó A, Doménech-Carbó MT, Más-Barberá X (2007) Identification of lead pigments in nanosamples from ancient paintings and polychromed sculptures using voltammetry of nanoparticles/atomic force microscopy. Talanta 71:1569–1579Reedy TJ, Reedy ChL (1988) Statistical analysis in art conservation research. The Getty Conservation Institute, Los AngelesEastaugh N, Walsh V, Chaplin T, Siddall R (2004) Pigment compendium, optical microscopy of historical pigments. Elsevier, OxfordFeller RL, Bayard M (1986) Terminology and procedures used in the systematic examination of pigment particles with polarizing microscope. In: Feller RL (ed) Artists’ pigment. A handbook of their history and characteristics, vol 1. National Gallery of Art, Washington, pp 285–298Feller RL (ed) (1986) Artists’ pigment. 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National Gallery of Art, Washington, pp 65–108Domenech-Carbó MT, de Agredos Vazquez, Pascual ML, Osete-Cortina L, Domenech A, Guasch-Ferré N, Manzanilla LR, Vidal C (2012) Characterization of Pre-hispanic cosmetics found in a burial of the ancient city of Teotihuacan (Mexico). J Archaeol Sci 39:1043–1062Mühlethaler B, Thissen J (1993) Smalt. In: Roy A (ed) Artists’ pigments. A handbook of their history and characteristics, vol 2. National Gallery of Art, Washington, pp 113–130Musumarra G, Fichera M (1998) Chemometrics and cultural heritage. Chemometr Intell Lab Syst 44:363–372Hochleitner B, Schreiner M, Drakopoulos M, Snigireva I, Snigirev A (2005) Analysis of paint layers by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron induced X-ray micro-diffraction. In: Van Grieken R, Janssens K (eds) Cultural heritage conservation and environment impact assessment by non-destructive testing and micro-analysis. AA Balkema Publishers, London, pp 171–182Švarcová S, Kočí E, Bezdička P, Hradil D, Hradilová J (2010) Evaluation of laboratory powder X-ray micro-diffraction for applications in the fields of cultural heritage and forensic science. Anal Bioanal Chem 398:1061–1076Van de Voorde L, Vekemans B, Verhaeven E, Tack P, DeWolf R, Garrevoet J, Vandenabeele P, Vincze L (2015) Analytical characterization of a new mobile X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction instrument combined with a pigment identification case study. Spectrochim Acta B 110:14–19Hochleitner B, Desnica V, Mantler M, Schreiner M (2003) Historical pigments: a collection analyzed with X-ray diffraction analysis and X-ray fluorescence analysis in order to create a database. Spectrochim Acta B 58:641–649Middleton PS, Ospitali F, Di Lonardo F (2005) Case study: painters and decorators: Raman spectroscopic studies of five Romano-British villas and the Domus Coiedii at Suasa, Italy. 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Clay Miner 36:403–419Doménech-Carbó A, Doménech-Carbó MT, López-López F, Valle-Algarra FM, Osete-Cortina L, Arcos-Von Haartman E (2013) Electrochemical characterization of egyptian blue pigment in wall paintings using the voltammetry of microparticles methodology. Electroanalysis 25:2621–2630Doménech-Carbó MT, Edwards HGM, Doménech-Carbó A, del Hoyo-Meléndez JM, de la Cruz-Cañizares J (2012) An authentication case study: Antonio Palomino vs. Vicente Guillo paintings in the vaulted ceiling of the Sant Joan del Mercat church (Valencia, Spain). J Raman Spectrosc 43:1250–1259Lovric M, Scholz F (1999) A model for the coupled transport of ions and electrons in redox conductive microcrystals. J Solid State Electrochem 3:172–175Oldham KB (1998) Voltammetry at a three phase junction. J Solid State Electrochem 2:367–377Doménech A, Doménech-Carbó MT, Gimeno-Adelantado JV, Bosch-Reig F, Saurí-Peris MC, Sánchez-Ramos S (2001) Electrochemical identification of iron oxide pigments (earths) from pictorial microsamples attached to graphite/polyester composite electrodes. Analyst 126:1764–1772Doménech A, Doménech-Carbó MT, Moya-Moreno MCM, Gimeno-Adelantado JV, Bosch-Reig F (2000) Identification of inorganic pigments from paintings and polychromed sculptures immobilized into polymer film electrodes by stripping differential pulse voltammetry. Anal Chim Acta 407:275–289Doménech-Carbó A, Doménech-Carbó MT, Valle-Algarra FM, Gimeno-Adelantado JV, Osete-Cortina L, Bosch-Reig F (2016) On-line database of voltammetric data of immobilized particles for identifying pigments and minerals in archaeometry, conservation and restoration (ELCHER database). 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MSMEG_2731, an Uncharacterized Nucleic Acid Binding Protein from Mycobacterium smegmatis, Physically Interacts with RPS1
While the M. smegmatis genome has been sequenced, only a small portion of the genes have been characterized experimentally. Here, we purify and characterize MSMEG_2731, a conserved hypothetical alanine and arginine rich M. smegmatis protein. Using ultracentrifugation, we show that MSMEG_2731 is a monomer in vitro. MSMEG_2731 exists at a steady level throughout the M. smegmatis life-cycle. Combining results from pull-down techniques and LS-MS/MS, we show that MSMEG_2731 interacts with ribosomal protein S1. The existence of this interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. We also show that MSMEG_2731 can bind ssDNA, dsDNA and RNA in vitro. Based on the interactions of MSMEG_2731 with RPS1 and RNA, we propose that MSMEG_2731 is involved in the transcription-translation process in vivo
Time-related improvement of survival in resectable gastric cancer: the role of Japanese-style gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy
BACKGROUND: We investigated the change of prognosis in resected gastric cancer (RGC) patients and the role of radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyze the outcome of 426 consecutive patients from 1975 to 2002, divided into 2 time-periods (TP) cohort: Before 1990 (TP1, n = 207) and 1990 or after (TP2; n= 219). Partial gastrectomy and D1-lymphadenetomy was predominant in TP1 and total gastrectomy with D2-lymphadenectomy it was in TP2. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of mitomycin C (MMC), 10–20 mg/m2 iv 4 courses or MMC plus Tegafur 500 mg/m2 for 6 months. RESULTS: Positive nodes were similar in TP2/TP1 patients with 56%/59% respectively. Total gastrectomy was done in 56%/45% of TP2/TP1 respectively. Two-drug adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 65%/18% of TP2/TP1 respectively. Survival at 5 years was 66% for TP2 versus 42% for TP1 patients (p < 0.0001). Survival by stages II, IIIA y IIIB for TP2 versus TP1 patients was 70 vs. 51% (p = 0.0132); 57 vs. 22% (p = 0.0008) y 30 vs. 15% (p = 0.2315) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age, stage of disease and period of treatment were independent variables. CONCLUSION: The global prognosis and that of some stages have improved in recent years with case RGC patients treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy
Computation of Solar Radiative Fluxes by 1D and 3D Methods Using Cloudy Atmospheres Inferred from A-train Satellite Data
The main point of this study was to use realistic representations of cloudy atmospheres to assess errors in solar flux estimates associated with 1D radiative transfer models. A scene construction algorithm, developed for the EarthCARE satellite mission, was applied to CloudSat, CALIPSO, and MODIS satellite data thus producing 3D cloudy atmospheres measuring 60 km wide by 13,000 km long at 1 km grid-spacing. Broadband solar fluxes and radiances for each (1 km)2 column where then produced by a Monte Carlo photon transfer model run in both full 3D and independent column approximation mode (i.e., a 1D model)
Comparative epidemiologic characteristics of pertussis in 10 Central and Eastern European countries, 2000-2013
Publisher Copyright: © 2016 Heininger et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.We undertook an epidemiological survey of the annual incidence of pertussis reported from 2000 to 2013 in ten Central and Eastern European countries to ascertain whether increased pertussis reports in some countries share common underlying drivers or whether there are specific features in each country. The annual incidence of pertussis in the participating countries was obtained from relevant government institutions and/or national surveillance systems. We reviewed the changes in the pertussis incidence rates in each country to explore differences and/or similarities between countries in relation to pertussis surveillance; case definitions for detection and confirmation of pertussis; incidence and number of cases of pertussis by year, overall and by age group; population by year, overall and by age group; pertussis immunization schedule and coverage, and switch from whole-cell pertussis vaccines (wP) to acellular pertussis vaccines (aP). There was heterogeneity in the reported annual incidence rates and trends observed across countries. Reported pertussis incidence rates varied considerably, ranging from 0.01 to 96 per 100,000 population, with the highest rates generally reported in Estonia and the lowest in Hungary and Serbia. The greatest burden appears for the most part in infants (<1 year) in Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, and Serbia, but not in the other participating countries where the burden may have shifted to older children, though surveillance of adults may be inappropriate. There was no consistent pattern associated with the switch from wP to aP vaccines on reported pertussis incidence rates. The heterogeneity in reported data may be related to a number of factors including surveillance system characteristics or capabilities, different case definitions, type of pertussis confirmation tests used, public awareness of the disease, as well as real differences in the magnitude of the disease, or a combination of these factors. Our study highlights the need to standardize pertussis detection and confirmation in surveillance programs across Europe, complemented with carefully-designed seroprevalence studies using the same protocols and methodologies.publishersversionPeer reviewe
Heated indoor swimming pools, infants, and the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a neurogenic hypothesis
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In a case-control study a statistically significant association was recorded between the introduction of infants to heated indoor swimming pools and the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In this paper, a neurogenic hypothesis is formulated to explain how toxins produced by chlorine in such pools may act deleteriously on the infant's immature central nervous system, comprising brain and spinal cord, to produce the deformity of AIS.</p> <p>Presentation of the hypothesis</p> <p>Through vulnerability of the developing central nervous system to circulating toxins, and because of delayed epigenetic effects, the trunk deformity of AIS does not become evident until adolescence. In mature healthy swimmers using such pools, the circulating neurotoxins detected are chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. Cyanogen chloride and dichloroacetonitrile have also been detected.</p> <p>Testing the hypothesis</p> <p>In infants, the putative portals of entry to the blood could be dermal, oral, or respiratory; and entry of such circulating small molecules to the brain are via the blood-brain barrier, blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and circumventricular organs. Barrier mechanisms of the developing brain differ from those of adult brain and have been linked to brain development. During the first 6 months of life cerebrospinal fluid contains higher concentrations of specific proteins relative to plasma, attributed to mechanisms continued from fetal brain development rather than immaturity.</p> <p>Implications of the hypothesis</p> <p>The hypothesis can be tested. If confirmed, there is potential to prevent some children from developing AIS.</p
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