Analysis of the impact of sex and age on the variation in the prevalence of antinuclear autoantibodies in Polish population: a nationwide observational, cross-sectional study

The detection of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) is dependent on many factors and varies between the populations. The aim of the study was first to assess the prevalence of ANA in the Polish adult population depending on age, sex and the cutoff threshold used for the results obtained. Second, we estimated the occurrence of individual types of ANA-staining patterns. We tested 1731 patient samples using commercially available IIFA using two cutoff thresholds of 1:100 and 1:160. We found ANA in 260 participants (15.0%), but the percentage of positive results strongly depended on the cutoff level. For a cutoff threshold 1:100, the positive population was 19.5% and for the 1:160 cutoff threshold, it was 11.7%. The most prevalent ANA-staining pattern was AC-2 Dense Fine speckled (50%), followed by AC-21 Reticular/AMA (14.38%) ANA more common in women (72%); 64% of ANA-positive patients were over 50 years of age. ANA prevalence in the Polish population is at a level observed in other highly developed countries and is more prevalent in women and elderly individuals. To reduce the number of positive results released, we suggest that Polish laboratories should set 1:160 as the cutoff threshold

Magnetic anisotropy of Ni modified by extreme lattice expansion

The induced magnetism of isolated Cd adatoms, soft landed onto ultrathin Ni layers grown pseudo morphologically on Pd 001 a Pd 3.8907 angstrom , was studied using the perturbed angular correlation PAC technique. The magnitude of the induced magnetic response magnetic hyperfine field of 5.2 T was found to be ca. 30 smaller than on bulk Ni a Ni 3.524 angstrom surfaces. This result is compared to ab initio calculations. Additionally, the magnetic anisotropy of the induced response was found to be modified as compared to bulk Ni surfaces and the induced hyperfine field was observed to emerge from the plane at an angle of 50 5 degrees to the surface normal. This canted magnetic anisotropy is attributed to the large lattice expansion of the ultrathin Ni film on Pd 00

Magnetic anisotropy of Ni modified by extreme lattice expansion

The induced magnetism of isolated (Cd) adatoms, soft-landed onto ultrathin Ni layers grown pseudo-morphologically on Pd(001) ($a_{Pd} = 3.8907$ Å), was studied using the perturbed angular correlation (PAC) technique. The magnitude of the induced magnetic response (magnetic hyperfine field of |5.2| T) was found to be ca. 30% smaller than on bulk Ni ($a_{Ni} = 3.524$ Å) surfaces. This result is compared to ab initio calculations. Additionally, the magnetic anisotropy of the induced response was found to be modified as compared to bulk Ni surfaces and the induced hyperfine field was observed to emerge from the plane at an angle of 50(5)$^{\circ}$ to the surface normal. This canted magnetic anisotropy is attributed to the large lattice expansion of the ultrathin Ni film on Pd(001)

Schwann Cells can be reprogrammed to multipotency by culture.

Widera D, Heimann P, Zander C, et al. Schwann Cells can be reprogrammed to multipotency by culture. STEM CELLS AND Development. 2011;20(12):2053-2064.Adult neural crest related-stem cells persist in adulthood, making them an ideal and easily accessible source of multipotent cells for potential clinical use. Recently, we reported the presence of neural crest-related stem cells within adult palatal ridges, thus raising the question of their localization in their endogenous niche. Using immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and correlative fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, we identified myelinating Schwann cells within palatal ridges as a putative neural crest stem cell source. Palatal Schwann cells expressed nestin, p75(NTR), and S100. Correlative fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy revealed the exclusive nestin expression within myelinating Schwann cells. Palatal neural crest stem cells and nestin-positive Schwann cells isolated from adult sciatic nerves were able to grow under serum-free conditions as neurospheres in presence of FGF-2 and EGF. Spheres of palatal and sciatic origin showed overlapping expression pattern of neural crest stem cell and Schwann cell markers. Expression of the pluripotency factors Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc, Oct4, the NF-κB subunits p65, p50, and the NF-κB-inhibitor IκB-β were up-regulated in conventionally cultivated sciatic nerve Schwann cells and in neurosphere cultures. Finally, neurospheres of palatal and sciatic origin were able to differentiate into ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal cell types emphasizing their multipotency. Taken together, we show that nestin-positive myelinating Schwann cells can be reprogrammed into multipotent adult neural crest stem cells under appropriate culture conditions

Investigations of “soft-landed” Cd surface atoms via nuclear methods: hyperfine-field sign determination

Using refined preparation techniques, cadmium guest atoms have been positioned at different sites on the surfaces of nickel crystals. The magnetic hyperfine fields and the electric field gradients at the Cd nuclei were measured by time-dependent perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) spectroscopy of the emitted gamma radiations. By measuring the combined interactions, electric field gradients and magnetic hyperfine fields can be unambiguously attributed to each surface site. The signs of the magnetic hyperfine fields are determined by applying an external magnetic field and choosing the appropriate γ-ray detector configuration. The measured fields correlate with the number of neighbouring host atoms. Band structure calculations confirm this finding and predict magnetic fields for various sp elements from the band structure of the s-like conduction electrons. The quadrupolar interactions are manifestations of the balance in the occupation of the guest p-sublevels. These results provide new information on the structure and formation of electronic configurations of sp elements in different local environments and will contribute to understanding electronic effects on surfaces. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 200773.20.-r Electron states at surfaces and interfaces, 75.70.Rf Surface magnetism, 76.80.+y Mossbauer effect; other gamma-ray spectroscopy,