SDF1 Gene Variation Is Associated with Circulating SDF1 alpha Level and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Number-The Bruneck Study

BACKGROUND: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) play a critical role in progenitor cell homing, mobilization and differentiation. It would be interesting to assess the predictive value of SDF-1alpha level for EPC number, and to ascertain whether there is a relationship between SDF1 gene variation, plasma SDF-1alpha level, and the number and function of circulating EPCs. We also tested whether EPC number and function was related to CXCR4 gene variation. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We genotyped a cohort of individuals who participated in the Bruneck Study for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SDF1 and CXCR4 genes, and measured blood SDF1alpha level as well as EPC number and function. SDF1alpha levels were correlated with age, gender, alcohol consumption, circulating reticulocyte numbers, and concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9, C-reactive protein, cystatin C, fibrinogen and homocytein. In blood samples taken in 2005, EPC number was inversely associated with SDF1alpha level (p<0.001). EPC number in 2005 was also inversely associated with SDF1alpha level in 2000 (p = 0.009), suggesting a predictive value of plasma SDF1alpha level for EPC number. There was an association between the SDF1 gene rs2297630 SNP A/A genotype, increased SDF1alpha level (p = 0.002) and lower EPC number (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a SDF1 gene variation (rs2297630) has an influence on SDF1alpha level and circulating EPC number, and that plasma SDF1alpha level is a predictor of EPC number

HOW HASAN ROOHANI'S DISCOURSE GOT DOMINANT IN THE ELEVENTH ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF IRAN: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Within the political arena of Iran, parties, media and political activities are passing through initial stages; yet, they get suddenly active during the presidential election campaign. Hence, a proper investigation into the dominant discourses during this time can tell a lot about the politics of the country. The present paper aims at conducting a critical discourse analysis on the antagonistic discourses of Hasan Roohani and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to demonstrate how the former one’s discourse gets dominant and wins the election. The headlines of two supporting newspapers, Keyhan, supporting the fundamentalists, and Shargh, advocating the reformists, are analyzed as well to see how they try to back their candidates

Modelling the Effects of Competing Anions on Fluoride Removal by Functionalized Polyacrylonitrile Coated with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Fe2O3 nano particles supported on functionalized poly-acrylonitrile was prepared. PAN-oxime-nano Fe2O3 was characterized by XRD, FTIR andTEMand used for fluoride adsorption. The adsorption capacity increased with increasing initial fluoride concentration and reaction time. Fluoride-removal performance of PAN-oxime-nano Fe2O3 was also tested in the presence of various competing anions usually found in drinking water. Competitive sorption between fluoride and competing anions showed a minimum preference for chloride counterions. Carbonate was the greatest competitor for fluoride removal followed by phosphate and sulphate. Counterion presence decreased fluoride adsorption capacity in order of CO32−&gt; PO43−&gt; SO42−&gt; Cl−. The presence of anions at various concentrations decreased fluoride adsorption capacity on PAN-oxime-nano Fe2O3 by 1.22 to 6.51 mg g–1. Effects of each two anions exist simultaneously in aqueous solution on fluoride adsorption was investigated using Tukey’s test (called also a pairwise comparison). Tukey’s HSD results indicate that the differences between various pairs of anions are significant (P &lt; 0.05), except for chloride–sulphate (P = 0.08). In the design of PAN-oxime-nano Fe2O3 for environmental applications, the strong influence of the counter ions must be considered.KEYWORDS Fluoride, PAN-oxime- nano Fe2O3, counterion, adsorption

Repair, maintenance and procedures to prevent defects and fault detection test - a literature review study

A reliable technical method is required to analyze the present defects in the pipe. Technicalinspections aiming at detecting technical points concerning the defects begins from scientificexplanations from the damaged parts. Then, an analysis is made in view of materials and theirengineering so that it is detected how these damages have occurred [1]. Production ofreasonable technical results requires several items including expertise, experience andidentification of required equipment and above all, well-disciplined material experts andengineers [2]. The procedure for technical survey of defects is performed as per following stages.• Collection of initial data• Determination of mechanism of the defects• Determination of sequence of defects• Testing the assumptions• Determination of reasons for facture and its cause• Reporting the results