Inducible nitric oxide synthase in human lymphomononuclear cells activated by synthetic peptides derived from extracellular matrix proteins.

Synthetic peptides with sequences present in extracellular matrix proteins are capable of causing the expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), detected by immunocytochemistry, and the release of NO by human lymphomononuclear cells incubated in their presence. Active peptides are 15-mers containing a characteristic 2-6-11 motif in which the amino acid residue at position 2 is Leu, Ile, Val, Gly, Ala or Lys; the residue at position 6 is always Pro; and residue 11 is Glu or Asp. The induction of iNOS in human monocytes and macrophages could be involved in the cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines also elicited by these peptides

Population variability in some genes involving the haemostatic system: data on the general population of Corsica (France), Sardinia and Sicily (Italy)

Three different population samples from Corsica (France), Sardinia and Sicily (Italy) were studied using nine genetic markers. For the first time, allele distributions of FGA TaqI, FGB Bcl I, FGB Hind III, PAI-1 Hind III, PLAT TPA-25, GPIIIa Taq I, GPIIb I/D 9bp, FVII HVR4 and FVII -323 10 bp markers, which are thought to be associated with cardiovascular disease risk, were studied in the general population of the three islands. The frequencies of the markers analysed in the present work show some peculiarities: the locus FVII HVR4 is characterized by the presence of a rare allele (H5), found in Corsicans and in Sardinians; the locus FBG BcII shows a low frequency of the B1 allele and the absence of the B1B1 genotype. The frequencies of some alleles have a distribution that is in agreement with the low risk for cardiovascular diseases in south European countries. The results highlight a genetic differentiation between the three Mediterranean islands and the other European populations

PhD fieldwork in developing countries – The issue of time

Educational field research in developing country contexts often exposes the fragility of mutual understanding and the tensions of diversity between researchers and those with whom they are researching. Postgraduate researchers face particular challenges arising from their lack of experience, and from the focused, individual nature of their enquiry. Logistical, emotional and ethical issues present themselves, even for researchers studying their cultures of origin. This paper seeks to learn some lessons from the experiences of a group of researchers doing fieldwork in developing countries for the first time, as part of their PhD. A review of the literature around fieldwork reveals substantially conflicting guidance for field researchers. Practical tips (Robson et al, 1991; Nash, 2000) contrast with the writings of anthropologists such as Geertz (1988), Rosaldo (1993) or Scheper-Hughes (1992), suggesting unavoidable complexities in terms of ethics, the building and maintenance of relationships, and the perceptions of both the researcher and those with whom he or she is researching. The experiences of a group of individual PhD field researchers form the central section of the paper, making use of a framework in which each sets out to explore examples of the relationships between the person of the researcher; the activities of the research, and a central but easily-overlooked feature of the field: the issue of time. These relationships are seen to impact on the nature of the main and often contentious object of academic research, data: its nature, its validity and reliability; or more broadly, on the development of a deeper understanding of individuals and institutions. Part of the power of these examples lies in the range of contexts and individuals represented. Activity theory is used as a basic framework through which to interrogate these experiences. Finally, the arguments of literature are challenged and developed in relation to these experiences, leading to some propositions but also exploring some critical questions, to form a useful basis for further discussion. The experiences of the authors might be of interest to other researchers doing fieldwork in the developing world

Transcriptome analysis of pterygium and pinguecula reveals evidence of genomic instability associated with chronic inflammation

Solar damage due to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is implicated in the development of two proliferative lesions of the ocular surface: pterygium and pinguecula. Pterygium and pinguecula specimens were collected, along with adjacent healthy conjunctiva specimens. RNA was extracted and sequenced. Pairwise comparisons were made of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Computational methods were used for analysis. Transcripts from 18,630 genes were identified. Comparison of two subgroups of pterygium specimens uncovered evidence of genomic instability associated with inflammation and the immune response; these changes were also observed in pinguecula, but to a lesser extent. Among the top DEGs were four genes encoding tumor suppressors that were downregulated in pterygium: C10orf90, RARRES1, DMBT1 and SCGB3A1; C10orf90 and RARRES1 were also downregulated in pinguecula. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis overwhelmingly linked DEGs to cancer for both lesions; however, both lesions are clearly still benign, as evidenced by the expression of other genes indicating their well‐differentiated and non‐invasive character. Pathways for epithelial cell proliferation were identified that distinguish the two lesions, as well as genes encoding specific pathway components. Upregulated DEGs common to both lesions, including KRT9 and TRPV3, provide a further insight into pathophysiology. Our findings suggest that pterygium and pinguecula, while benign lesions, are both on the pathological pathway towards neoplastic trans-formation.Fil: Suarez, María Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Tufts University School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Echenique, Jose Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Juan Manuel. Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Esteban Roberto. Instituto de Microcirugia Ocular Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Irós, Mariano. Instituto de Microcirugia Ocular Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Fini, M. Elizabeth. Tufts Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, Boston; Estados Unido

Fiber Optic Sensing System for Temperature and Gas Monitoring in Coal Waste Pile Combustion Environments

International audienceIt is presented an optical fiber sensing system projected to operate in the demanding conditions associated with coal waste piles in combustion. Distributed temperature measurement and spot gas sensing are requirements for such a system. A field prototype has been installed and is continuously gathering data, which will input a geological model of the coal waste piles in combustion aiming to understand their dynamics and evolution. Results are presented on distributed temperature and ammonia measurement, being noticed any significant methane emission in the short time period considered. Carbon dioxide is also a targeted gas for measurement, with validated results available soon. The assessment of this technology as an effective and reliable tool to address the problem of monitoring coal waste piles in combustion opens the possibility of its widespread application in view of the worldwide presence of coal related fires

Changes in the heart rate variability in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and its response to acute CPAP treatment

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The goal of this study was to demonstrate whether the use of CPAP produces significant changes in the heart rate or in the heart rate variability of patients with OSA in the first night of treatment and whether gender and obesity play a role in these differences. METHODS: Single-center transversal study including patients with severe OSA corrected with CPAP. Only patients with total correction after CPAP were included. Patients underwent two sleep studies on consecutive nights: the first night a basal study, and the second with CPAP. We also analyzed the heart rate changes and their relationship with CPAP treatment, sleep stages, sex and body mass index. Twenty-minute segments of the ECG were selected from the sleep periods of REM, no-REM and awake. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were studied by comparing the R-R interval in the different conditions. We also compared samples from the basal study and CPAP nights. RESULTS: 39 patients (15 females, 24 males) were studied. The mean age was 50.67 years old, the mean AHI was 48.54, and mean body mass index was 33.41 kg/m(2) (31.83 males, 35.95 females). Our results showed that HRV (SDNN) decreased after the use of CPAP during the first night of treatment, especially in non-REM sleep. Gender and obesity did not have any influence on our results. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support that cardiac variability improves as an acute effect, independently of gender or weight, in the first night of CPAP use in severe OSA patients, supporting the idea of continuous use and emphasizing that noncompliance of CPAP treatment should be avoided even if it is just once

Use of calculus of variations to determine the shape of hovering rotors of minimum power and its application to micro air vehicles

In this paper, calculus of variations and combined blade element and momentum theory (BEMT) are used to demonstrate that, in hover, when neither root nor tip losses are considered; the rotor, which minimizes the total power (MPR), generates an induced velocity that varies linearly along the blade span. The angle of attack of every blade element is constant and equal to its optimum value. The traditional ideal twist (ITR) and optimum (OR) rotors are revisited in the context of this variational framework. Two more optimum rotors are obtained considering root and tip losses, the ORL, and the MPRL. A comparison between these five rotors is presented and discussed. The MPR and MPRL present a remarkable saving of power for low values of both thrust coefficient and maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The result obtained can be exploited to improve the aerodynamic behaviour of rotary wing micro air vehicles (MAV). A comparison with experimental results obtained from the literature is presented

De la Investigación a la Extensión. “Campaña de Difusión de la Contaminación de Aguas Subterráneas con Arsénico”, con voluntarios universitarios

En el marco de una propuesta tecnológica diseñada por un grupo interdisciplinario de la UNLP, para reducir el contenido de Arsénico en aguas subterráneas, se realizaron acciones que permitieron instalar plantas de tratamiento en escuelas rurales de la provincia de Buenos Aires carentes de agua de red. A raíz de la implementación de la tecnología propuesta, se vio la necesidad de incrementar los lazos con la comunidad. En una primera instancia interactuando con la Dirección General de Escuelas de la PBA, se priorizó la educación y en particular a los establecimientos educativos como el vehículo de concientización de la comunidad. En este contexto se desarrolla un Proyecto de Voluntariado Universitario a fin de realizar la difusión de la problemática, así como la propuesta de solución. Las actividades de extensión se enmarcan en una forma de retribuir a la comunidad el uso social del conocimiento y por otra parte contribuir a la formación de los voluntarios universitarios. La trayectoria de esta propuesta se inicia en la investigación y se continúa con acciones en extensión. En esta etapa, cuya principal meta es la difusión, se cuenta con la participación de alumnos de las Facultades de Bellas Arte, (Carrera Diseño en Comunicación Visual), y de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, (Carreras de Geología y Biología), de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se diseñó una campaña de difusión de la problemática a partir de la definición de objetivos de comunicación, distinguiendo posibles receptores, definiendo códigos y analizando referentes visuales de la problemática a difundir. Actualmente, se realizan actividades educativas y lúdicas en los establecimientos que se visitan y se entrega folletería de lenguaje claro. Esta medida coloca al escolar en un rol protagónico difundiendo el problema y la solución en el seno familiar. Las actividades educativas son programadas conforme a la población escolar que asiste a cada escuela, (nivel inicial, primario y/o secundario). Asimismo, se entrega material didáctico para ser utilizado por los docentes a futuro, actividad que afianza la sustentabilidad del método. Las metas propuestas se están concretando, además de cumplir con el plan estratégico de la UNLP ya que la población estudiantil tiene un alto compromiso con la comunidad mostrando sus deseos de compartir con la sociedad los conocimientos adquiridos en la Universidad, promoviendo la utilidad social del conocimiento, la práctica solidaria y formativa. El impacto de las actividades realizadas ha sido evaluado a través de las manifestaciones de “satisfactorio” o “insatisfactorio” del sector social afectado. Los logros obtenidos se reflejan en las muestras de gratitud, apoyo y compromiso con el grupo de trabajo que expresan por los actores sociales involucrados