Regulatory T cells and their role in rheumatic diseases: a potential target for novel therapeutic development

Regulatory T cells have an important role in limiting immune reactions and are essential regulators of self-tolerance. Among them, CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells are the best-described subset. In this article, we summarize current knowledge on the phenotype, function, and development of CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells. We also review the literature on the role of these T cells in rheumatic diseases and discuss the potential for their use in immunotherapy

Building and Growing a Hospital Intranet: A Case Study

BACKGROUND: The Intranet is a rapidly evolving technology in large hospitals. In this paper, we describe the first phase of an Intranet project in a multi-hospital system in New York City. OBJECTIVES: (1) To encourage the use of the Intranet among physicians, nurses, managers, and other associates in a multi-hospital system; and (2) to build the Intranet in a cost-effective manner using existing resources. METHODS: A WebTrends Log Analyzer assessed the Intranet use in terms of the number of accesses from each department. RESULTS: A broad range of features, including medical knowledge resources, clinical practice guidelines, directions, patient education, online forms, phone directory, and discussion forums were developed. Analysis of more than 890,000 hits revealed the departments with hits greater than 1,000 were the 'Library' (6,130), 'Physicians Gateway' (2,539), 'Marketing' (1,321), 'Information Systems' (1,241), and 'Nutrition' (1,221). Of 819 unique visitors, 74 per cent visited more than once. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to create and diffuse an Intranet in a multi-hospital system in a cost-effective manner. However, the key challenges were selling the potential of this new technology to opinion leaders and other stakeholders, and converting pre-existing printed content by obtaining word processed and image files from other departments or contracted print publishers

Attenuation of picosecond electrical pulses by two-dimensional electron gases integrated in coplanar striplines

We have measured the attenuation of picosecond electrical pulses by two-dimensional electron gases that are monolithically integrated in coplanar transmission lines. By integrating the two-dimensional electron gas structure into the transmission line, we avoid impedance mismatches that give rise to spurious reflection. The attenuated transients are simulated by an equivalent circuit transmission line model, where the conductivity of the two-dimensional electron gas underneath the transmission line is taken into account. The measured pulses are fitted with a specific conductivity of the layers corrected with a mode overlap factor, which describes the overlap of the electrical field lines with the two-dimensional layer. We obtain an overlap factor of 0.8–1.1

Next Generation Extractants for Cesium Separation from High-Level Waste: From Fundamental Concepts to Site Implementation

This project seeks a fundamental understanding and major improvement in cesium separation from high-level waste by cesium-selective calixcrown extractants. Systems of particular interest involve novel solvent-extraction systems containing specific members of the calix[4]arene-crown-6 family, alcohol solvating agents, and alkylamines. Questions being addressed bear upon cesium binding strength, extraction selectivity, cesium stripping, and extractant solubility. Enhanced properties in this regard will specifically benefit applied projects funded by the USDOE Office of Environmental Management to clean up sites such as the Savannah River Site (SRS), Hanford, and the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory. The most direct beneficiary will be the SRS Salt Processing Project, which has recently identified the Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) process employing a calixcrown as its preferred technology for cesium removal from SRS high-level tank waste

Next Generation Extractants for Cesium Separation from High-Level Waste: From Fundamental Concepts to Site Implementation

This project seeks a fundamental understanding and major improvement in cesium separation from high-level waste by cesium-selective calixcrown extractants. Systems of particular interest involve novel solvent-extraction systems containing specific members of the calix[4]arene-crown-6 family, alcohol solvating agents, and alkylamines. Questions being addressed pertain to cesium binding strength, extraction selectivity, cesium stripping, and extractant solubility. Enhanced properties in this regard will specifically benefit cleanup projects funded by the USDOE Office of Environmental Management to treat and dispose of high-level radioactive wastes currently stored in underground tanks at the Savannah River Site (SRS), the Hanford site, and the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory.1 The most direct beneficiary will be the SRS Salt Processing Project, which has recently identified the Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) process employing a calixcrown as its preferred technology for cesium removal from SRS high-level tank waste.2 This technology owes its development in part to fundamental results obtained in this program