Effects of Platelet-Activating Factor on Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent phospholipid mediator that exerts various pathophysiological effects by interacting with a G protein-coupled receptor. PAF has been reported to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) via incompletely characterized mechanisms. We investigated the effect of PAF on rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVEC), a critical component of the BBB. PAF produced a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration; the effect was prevented by the PAF receptor antagonist, WEB2086. The effect of PAF on cytosolic Ca2+ was abolished in Ca2+-free saline or in the presence of L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel inhibitor, nifedipine, indicating that Ca2+ influx is critical for PAF-induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+. PAF produced RBMVEC depolarization; the effect was inhibited by WEB2086. In cells loaded with [(4-amino-5-methylamino-2\u27,7\u27-difluoro-fluorescein)diacetate] (DAF-FM), a nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive fluorescent dye, PAF increased the NO level; the effect was prevented by WEB2086, nifedipine or by l-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthase. Immunocytochemistry studies indicate that PAF reduced the immunostaining of ZO-1, a tight junction-associated protein, increased F-actin fibers, and produced intercellular gaps. PAF produced a decrease in RBMVEC monolayer electrical resistance assessed with Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS), indicative of a disruption of endothelial barrier function. In vivo studies indicate that PAF increased the BBB permeability, assessed with sodium fluorescein and Evans Blue methods, via PAF receptor-dependent mechanisms, consequent to Ca2+ influx and increased NO levels. Our studies reveal that PAF alters the BBB permeability by multiple mechanisms, which may be relevant for central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disorders

Mechanisms of modulation of brain microvascular endothelial cells function by thrombin.

Brain microvascular endothelial cells are a critical component of the blood-brain barrier. They form a tight monolayer which is essential for maintaining the brain homeostasis. Blood-derived proteases such as thrombin may enter the brain during pathological conditions like trauma, stroke, and inflammation and further disrupts the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, via incompletely characterized mechanisms. We examined the underlying mechanisms evoked by thrombin in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVEC). Our results indicate that thrombin, acting on protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) increases cytosolic C

Stereospecific Opiate Binding in Human Erythrocyte Membranes and Changes in Heroin Addicts

Stereospecific opiate binding has been demonstrated in human erythrocyte membranes, having a Kd of 9-10(-9) M. In most respects the binding characteristics resemble those of synaptic membranes. These included the correlation of binding affinity and pharmacological potency of opiates; competition by naloxone; inhibition by Ca2+ and Na+; and sensitivity to phospholipases and trypsin. A comparison of stereospecific opiate binding in control human subjects and heroin addicts revealed a 43% increase in the addict group

Design and realization of motion detector system for house security

In this paper, the design and realization of motion detector system for house security based GSM network is presents. The development of microcontroller carried out intruder detection that supports tracking techniques to provide vital security with control and alert operation inside and outside the home. The pivot of security on the integration the motion detector and cameras into web applications has become more interested. The smart surveillance Pi camera obtain the input from the motion detector and controller which is send the video to the web server allowing the homeowner to access this video by use web applications. An intrusion alert send to the owner by mean of message via mobile and buzzers alarms located at suitable distance. This system is typify proficient video camera for remote sensing and tracking with live video for succeeding play again to offers efficient and easy implementation with omnipresent surveillance solutio

Improvement the voltage stability margin of Iraqi power system using the optimal values of FACTS devices

The detection of potential voltage collapse in power systems is essential to maintain the voltage stability in heavy load demand. This paper proposes a method to detect weak buses in power systems using two stability indices: the voltage stability margin factor (dS/dY) and the voltage collapse prediction index (VCPI). Hence, the paper aims to improve the voltage stability of Iraqi transmission grid by allocating FACTS devices in the optimal locations and optimal sizes. Two types of FACTS are used in this paper which are Thyristor controlled series compensator (TCSC) and static var compensator (SVC). The objective function of the problem is fitted using particle swarm optimization (PSO). The proposed method is verified using simulation test on Diyala-132 kV network which is a part of the Iraqi power system. The results observed that improvement the voltage stability margin, the voltage profile of Diyala-132 kV is increased and the power losses is decreased

Effects of defoliation from an outbreak of the teak skeletoniser, Paliga damastesalis walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), on the growth of teak, Tectona grandis L.

The effects of defoliation by the teak skeletoniser Paliga damastesalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on a six-month old stand of teak Tectona grandis L. was evaluated on the subsequent year-long growth in the field. Defoliation did not exceed 10%. It had a transient negative effect on post-defoliation height increment and new leaf production of up to two and three months of growth. However, defoliation severity significantly affected collar diameter increment up to the seventh month. A peak in the mean monthly growth increments for new leaf production occurred in April, followed by collar diameter increment in June and height in July. In addition, a peak in one of these three growth parameters also corresponded with a trough in the other or both of the other parameters; as such, the height increment peaked with a concomitant trough in collar diameter increment a month later. As for the remaining period of the dry season after July, new leaf production remained at a constant low level, while increments for both the height and collar diameter were found to decrease. Tree recovery appeared rapid with regard to these growth parameters, thus the impact of defoliation was generally and relatively negligible on the growth parameters measured

Feeding behaviour, food consumption indices and infestation of the tiger moth, Atteva Sciodoxa, on Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali).

Atteva sciodoxa is a serious pest of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali ) plants in Malaysia. The larvae feed gregariously by building communal webs on terminal shoots. Observations in this study showed infestation levels between 65.0±2.03 and 92.6±1.13% with a population intensity of 2.4±0.28 and 9.5±0.77 larvae per leaf on a plantation plot in Setiu, Terengganu. The infestation was observed from 0.5 to 9.0 year old E. longifolia plantation with plant height of 45.2±1.25 to 151.2±5.44 cm. The highest food ingestibility and efficiency of conversion of digested food was 75.2±0.32% and 67.8±0.74% respectively, in the fifth instar larvae while the highest efficiency of conversion of ingested food and approximate digestibility was 37.0±1.21% and 63.1±0.73%, respectively in the third instar larvae. The food ingestibility and efficiency of conversion of digested food increased with increasing age of larva, while the efficiency of conversion of ingested food and approximate digestibility decreased. The highest food consumption index of 0.51 mg dry leaf mg-1 larval body weight day-1 was recorded in the fourth instar larva and the highest relative growth rate was 0.16 mg larval body weight gain mg-1 larval body weight day-1 in the third instar. The overall consumption index of 0.23 and growth rate of 0.08 indicates A. sciodoxa has high food consumption and assimilation on the host plant, E. Longifolia. This reflects the extent and speed of attack the insect is capable of on tongkat Ali plants

8605 Gynecologic Laparoscopy in the Bariatric Patient: A Retrospective Review of Abdominal Access and Associated Complications

Study Objective: To provide clinical direction on laparoscopic abdominal entry techniques in women with known history of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) undergoing gynecologic surgery and to identify any associated complications. Design: Retrospective Chart Review and Case Series. Setting: Community-based tertiary care medical center. Patients or Participants: All patients who underwent RYGB between 2013 and 2020 and had a subsequent gynecologic procedure. Interventions: Abdominal access. Measurements and Main Results: Thirty-one patients were identified, of which 18 had an adnexal surgery and 13 a hysterectomy. At time of surgery, the mean age was 44 years and body mass index was 32 kg/m2. The average interval time from RYGB to gynecologic surgery was 29 months. The majority of women (71%) had additional abdominal surgeries, among them 82% had prior laparotomies. Three entry sites were identified at the initial attempt to access the abdominal cavity; umbilical (71%), left upper quadrant (LUQ, 26%) and left lower quadrant (LLQ, 3%). Closed entry technique using the Veress needle was the most commonly used entry technique (68% versus 29% for optical trocar entry and 3% for open entry). There were no injuries resulting from abdominal access irrespective of the entry site or technique chosen. However, access was unsuccessful in 25% (2 out of 8) of the cases when attempted in the LUQ, resulting in conversion to alternative entry sites. Conclusion: Successful and safe abdominal access in the bariatric patient can sometimes be challenging and preoperative surgical planning is essential. While no injuries during entry were reported regardless of site chosen, closed entry at the umbilicus using the Veress needle was the technique the most practiced and was associated with fewer attempts and conversions to alternative sites as compared to LUQ entry

Experimental study for the effect of dust cleaning on the performance of grid-tied photovoltaic solar systems

One of the challenges facing investment in photovoltaic (PV) energy is the accumulation of dust on the surface of the PV panels due to frequent dust storms in many countries, including Iraq. Surface dust particles reduce solar irradiance which declining the electrical performance of the PV solar systems. Therefore, this paper proposes an experimental study to analyze and evaluate the power efficiency of a PV system installed in Baghdad city, Iraq. The performance of dusty solar PV array is compared with that of the clean array of the same PV system. The clean solar array is equipped with an automatic-sprayer cleaning system that is powered by the PV system. The automatic cleaning system utilized in the test system reduces human effort by cleaning the PV array using closed-cycle water with low energy consumption (less than 10 Wh). The PV array under test is part of a 15 kW grid-tied PV system. The experimental results show significant improvement in the performance parameters of efficiency, performance ratio, and the energy gain compared to the clean array. Furthermore, the experimental study contributes to a reduction in CO2 emission, which is substantial for the Iraqi environment that suffers from predominate fossil-fuel power plants