ULTRASOUND - A USEFUL TOOL TO INVESTIGATE COMPLEX MATERIALS

In the paper ultrasonic techniques more frequently used for studies of complex materials are reviewed. The scope of the paper is limited to methods that serve for evaluation of material properties, neglecting other methods as for example those, which are applied in image analysis. Discussion of selected applications of the discussed techniques for identification of properties of some complex materials and remarks to model approaches used within the procedures are included

Er3+-to-Yb3+ and Pr3+-to-Yb3+ energy transfer for highly efficient near-infrared cryogenic optical temperature sensing

Here, the very high thermal sensing capability of Er3+,Yb3+ doped LaF3 nanoparticles, where Er3+-to-Yb3+ energy transfer is used, is reported. Also Pr3+,Yb3+ doped LaF3 nanoparticles, with Pr3+-to-Yb3+ energy transfer, showed temperature sensing in the same temperature regime, but with lower performance. The investigated Er3+,Yb3+ doped LaF3 nanoparticles show a remarkably high relative sensitivity S-r of up to 6.6092% K-1 (at 15 K) in the near-infrared (NIR) region, in the cryogenic (15-105 K) temperature region opening a whole new thermometric system suitable for advanced applications in the very low temperature ranges. To date reports on NIR cryogenic sensors have been very scarce

TeSen : tool for determining thermometric parameters in ratiometric optical thermometry

This work presents the method and numerical program along with graphical user interface (GUI) for calculating the standard parameters necessary to evaluate luminescence ratiometric thermometers - the thermometric parameter Delta, absolute sensitivity S-a, and relative sensitivity S-r. Despite the high interest in temperature sensing materials, to the best of our knowledge, no such tool has been reported up to date. This is currently usually done by researchers using a trial and error method and is a rather laborious task, with high risk of errors. The undoubtful benefit of employing an optimization technique lies in the very fast and precise determination of the parameters employing different models. The thermometric parameters Delta, S-a and S-r are calculated based on the luminescence emission spectra measured over a certain temperature range. Using the TeSen tool the thermometric parameters Delta can be calculated based both on the peak maxima and integrated surface areas under the peaks. The tool also allows testing the ratio of multiple peaks, different peak ranges, and different temperature ranges in a very convenient way. In this work TeSen tool was used to study several new sensor materials, presenting new cases of single and dual center luminescent ratiometric theremometers

'Laboratory investigations of diclofenac migration in saturated porous media - a case study

At present, concentrations of pharmaceuticals in surface and ground waters are low; however, even low concentrations of certain substances may prove very harmful. One of such pharmaceutical drugs is diclofenac, a popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). For this reason, it is important to determine its mobility in groundwater and to estimate parameters of migration. Authors conducted column tests for two porous media: an artificial one, consisting of glass granules, and a natural one, i.e., sandur sand obtained from a site north of the city of Poznań (Poland). During the test, impulse breakthrough curves of chloride ions and diclofenac were recorded. The results were used to identify a specific sorption model and to determine values of migration parameters. Solutions of the inverse problem using optimisation methods and of equations of mathematical migration models were carried out in a MATLAB environment. Based on test results, the mobility of diclofenac is shown to be very high and comparable to that of chloride ions. The tests also revealed a slight and irreversible sorption of diclofenac on grains of both porous media

Analysis of expression of MHC class I molecules and TAP genes in malignant human cell lines.

TAP proteins (transporters associated with antigen processing) take part in the transport of oligopeptides created in proteasomes from cytoplasm into endoplasmic reticulum. In the endoplasmic reticulum those oligopeptides are bound to MHC class I molecules and transported to the cell surface. TAP proteins consist of two subunits: TAP1 and TAP2. It has been previously shown that TAP protein expression can be decreased in malignant cells, followed by reduced protein expression or complete lack of MHC class I antigens on the cell surface. The aim of the study was to characterize of MHC class I protein expression and TAP mRNA synthesis in twenty human malignant tumor cell lines. MHC class I protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Expression of TAP genes was studied using RT-PCR and real-time PCR. All tested cell lines expressed MHC class I molecules. Flow cytometry showed different expression of MHC class I protein in tested cell lines. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of TAP1 and TAP2 gene transcripts in all cell lines examined. Quantitative real time PCR analysis showed differences of gene expression among cell lines tested

Ovarian morphology and hormonal profiles in gilts following surgical denervation at day 12 of the oestrous cycle - preliminary data

To establish the role of the nervous system in the etiopathogenesis of ovarian cysts we studied ovarian morphology and hormonal profiles in gilts that had undergone bilateral surgical denervation at day 12 of the oestrous cycle. Blood samples were collected from day 13 of the first cycle until day 20 of the second studied cycle. On this day the number of follicles (6 to 10 mm in diameter) was lower (p < 0.01) in the denervated ovaries when compared to the control group. Denervation resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of TH/D &#946;H- and/or NPY-IR nerve fibres, especially in the vicinity of the follicles. Furthermore, denervation lead to a decrease (p < 0.05&#8211;0.001) in plasma concentrations of P4 (at day 15 and 16 of the first cycle and during the luteal phase of the second studied cycle) and LH and E2 (mainly during the perioestrous period). These results suggest that sympathetic neurons supplying ovaries may participate in the follicular development and steroidogenesis in gilts

The verification of the estimation of transport and sorption parameters in the MATLAB environment. A column test

Mathematical modelling of the migration of pollutants in the groundwater environment requires knowledge of the values of transport and sorption parameters. The aim of this study was 1) to determine the values of advection, dispersion and sorption parameters of selected tracers that are transported through a porous medium, and 2) to verify the applied parameters estimation procedure.The authors examined the migration of a solution containing conservative and reactive tracers (chloride, nitrate, lithium and ammonium ions) through a sample of medium sand. The soil sample for the column test was taken from an aquifer near the Tursko groundwater intake (Wielkopolska province, Poland).The parameter estimation procedure, conducted in the MATLAB environment, included the numerical solution of the differential equations of transport and sorption, and the application of the numerical optimization method. During the identification, the authors tested twelve mathematical models including the advection-dispersion model, as well as single and hybrid (i.e. two-site) sorption models. The authors made a comparison of parameter values obtained by means of the global and local optimization method. The fitting quality was assessed by calculatingthe root mean square error RMSE and correlation coefficient r. As a result of the research, the authors determined the values of the advection-dispersion parameters: hydraulic conductivity k, effective porosity ne, and longitudinal dispersivity α. The authors found out that the nature of lithium ions migration is best captured by the single sorption model (equilibrium sorption), whereas the nature of ammonium ions migration is by the hybrid model with irreversible sorption. Lithium ions on the tested soil revealed low sorption intensity, ammonium ions showed medium intensity, while nitrate ions were transported at the same rate as chloride ions, exhibiting no retardation. The verification of parameter estimation in the MATLAB environment was carried out by comparing itagainst the alternative, well-known and often tested method, based on analytical solutions of the transport and sorption equation, combined with optimization within the FIELD and KLUTE-STEP programmes

TLR receptors in laryngeal carcinoma - immunophenotypic, molecular and functional studies.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been shown to play crucial role in the recognition of unicellular pathogens. We have shown the expression of three TLRs on tumor cells of human laryngeal carcinoma by means of immunohistochemistry. In the current study we searched presence of TLR1-10 on protein and molecular level in larynx carcinoma cell lines and the impact of respective TLR ligands on TLR expression. Larynx carcinoma cell lines have been used. Cell were subjected to immunocytochemistry. RNA isolated from the cells was tested by RT-PCR. Cells were cultured in the presence of respective TLR ligands. Cells than were harvested and subjected to flow cytometry, using anti TLR1-10 Moabs. The cells were evaluated of membrane and cytoplasmic cell staining. TLR reactivity varied in individual cell lines. RT-PCR allowed to show mRNA for all TLRs tested. After short-term cell culture each cell line exhibited distinct pattern of expression of TLRs following interaction with respective ligand. Cytoplasmic TLR staining had usually higher MFI value than membrane one, but after culture with ligand it became reversed. TLRs 7 and 9 showed highest expression in the majority of tumor cells tested. In conclusion, larynx carcinoma cell lines exhibit rather universal expression of TLRs, both on protein and molecular level. Culture of TLR expressing tumor cells with ligands points out for potential reactivity of tumor cells with TLR agonists, what may have therapeutic implications

Analysis of expression of MHC class I molecules and TAP genes in malignant human cell lines.

TAP proteins (transporters associated with antigen processing) take part in the transport of oligopeptides created in proteasomes from cytoplasm into endoplasmic reticulum. In the endoplasmic reticulum those oligopeptides are bound to MHC class I molecules and transported to the cell surface. TAP proteins consist of two subunits: TAP1 and TAP2. It has been previously shown that TAP protein expression can be decreased in malignant cells, followed by reduced protein expression or complete lack of MHC class I antigens on the cell surface. The aim of the study was to characterize of MHC class I protein expression and TAP mRNA synthesis in twenty human malignant tumor cell lines. MHC class I protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Expression of TAP genes was studied using RT-PCR and real-time PCR. All tested cell lines expressed MHC class I molecules. Flow cytometry showed different expression of MHC class I protein in tested cell lines. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of TAP1 and TAP2 gene transcripts in all cell lines examined. Quantitative real time PCR analysis showed differences of gene expression among cell lines tested