Heavy metal bioaccumulation by the important food plant, olea europaea L., in an ancient metalliferous polluted area of Cyprus

Aspects of the bioaccumulation of heavy metals are reviewed and possible evidence of homeostasis is highlighted. Examination and analysis of olive (Olea europaea L.) trees growing in close proximity to a copper dominated spoil tip dating from at least 2000 years BP, on the island of Cyprus, revealed both bioaccumulation and partitioning of copper, lead and zinc in various parts of the tree. A factor to quantify the degree of accumulation is illustrated and a possible seed protective mechanism suggested

A new nonlinear lifting-line method for aerodynamic analysis and deep learning modeling of small UAVs

In this work, a computationally efficient and high-precision nonlinear aerodynamic configuration analysis method is presented for both design optimization and mathematical modeling of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). First, we have developed a novel nonlinear lifting line method which (a) provides very good match for the pre- and poststall aerodynamic behavior in comparison to experiments and computationally intensive tools, (b) generates these results in order of magnitudes less time in comparison to computationally intensive methods such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This method is further extended to a complete configuration analysis tool that incorporates the effects of basic fuselage geometries. Moreover, a deep learning based surrogate model is developed using data generated by the new aerodynamic tool that can characterize the nonlinear aerodynamic performance of UAVs. The major novel feature of this model is that it can predict the aerodynamic properties of UAV configurations by using only geometric parameters without the need for any special input data or pre-process phase as needed by other computational aerodynamic analysis tools. The obtained black-box function can calculate the performance of a UAV over a wide angle of attack range on the order of milliseconds, whereas CFD solutions take several days/weeks in a similar computational environment. The aerodynamic model predictions show an almost 1-1 coincidence with the numerical data even for configurations with different airfoils that are not used in model training. The developed model provides a highly capable aerodynamic solver for design optimization studies as demonstrated through an illustrative profile design example

Correlation between nasal eosinophils and nasal airflows in children with asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitised to house dust mites

PubMedID: 23122003Background: Allergic rhinitis and asthma due to mite sensitisation are diseases which are frequently associated and characterised by persistent inflammation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between nasal airflows and nasal eosinophils in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis due to house dust mite sensitisation. Methods: Twenty-four children with both rhinitis and asthma (R. +. A), 13 children with rhinitis and no asthma (R) and 10 non-allergic healthy children were evaluated prospectively. The patients belonging to the first two groups had moderate-severe grade of nasal obstruction. Total nasal symptom scores, peak nasal inspiratory flows (PNIFs) obtained by anterior rhinomanometry, skin prick tests, nasal eosinophils and FEV1 values were all assessed. Results: Percentages of nasal eosinophils and PNIFs in patients with R. +. A and R (r= -0.415, p= 0.04) were found to be statistically significant and to have an inverse correlation. Skin prick tests were also significantly correlated with nasal eosinophils and PNIFs (r= 0.372, p= 0.01 and r= -0.306, p= 0.04, respectively). Both PNIFs and nasal eosinophils of patients with R. +. A were significantly correlated with FEV1 values (r= -0.641, p= 0.001 and r= 0.548, p= 0.007, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, a close relationship was demonstrated between eosinophil infiltration and nasal airflows in children having asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitised to mites. Additionally, the significant association found between FEV1 values and nasal eosinophils or PNIFs supported the close link of upper and lower airways. © 2012 SEICAP

Ketotifen ameliorates development of fibrosis in alkali burns of the esophagus

WOS: 000223007900008PubMed ID: 15108014An experimental study was performed to investigate the efficacy of ketotifen, which is a mast cell stabilizer and histamine H-1-receptor antagonist, on the prevention of stricture development after esophageal caustic injuries in the rat. Caustic esophageal burn was created by applying 37.5% NaOH to the distal esophagus. Forty rats were divided into four equal groups. Group A (sham) animals were uninjured. Group B rats were injured but untreated. Group C rats were injured and received ketotifen (1 mg/kg/day) via the oral route. Group D rats were injured and received ketotifen (1 mg/kg/day) via the intraperitoneal route. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed on day 28 by measuring the stenosis index and histopathologic damage score and biochemically by determining tissue hydroxyproline content. The stenosis index in group B (0.93+/-0.22) was significantly increased compared with group A (0.39+/-0.06, p <0.05), group C (0.42+/-0.09, p <0.05), and group D (0.35+/-0.07, p <0.05). The hydroxyproline level (mug/mg wet tissue) was significantly increased in group B (1.31+/-0.08, p <0.05) compared with group A (0.69+/-0.16, p <0.05), group C (1.06+/-0.16, p <0.05), and group D (0.95+/-0.12, p <0.05). In group B the histopathologic damage score was significantly higher than in groups C (p <0.05) and D (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between group C and group D in terms of all parameters evaluated. Treatment with ketotifen decreased tissue hydroxyproline levels, histological damage, and the stenosis index. We conclude that ketotifen has a preventive effect in the development of fibrosis in an experimental model of corrosive esophagitis in rats

Two year follow-up of clinical and inflammation parameters in children monosensitised to mites undergoing subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy

31st Congress of the European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology (EAACI) -- JUN 16-20, 2012 -- Geneva, SWITZERLANDWOS: 000310247703191…European Acad Allergy & Clin Immunol (EAACI