109 research outputs found
Mechanisms of Hemolysis-Associated Platelet Activation
Background
Intravascular hemolysis occurs after blood transfusion, in hemolytic anemias, and in other conditions, and is associated with hypercoagulable states. Hemolysis has been shown to potently activate platelets in vitro and in vivo, and several mechanisms have been suggested to account for this, including: (i) direct activation by hemoglobin (Hb); (ii) increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS); (iii) scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) by released Hb; and (iv) release of intraerythrocytic ADP. Objective
To elucidate the mechanism of hemolysis-mediated platelet activation. Methods
We used flow cytometry to detect PAC-1 binding to activated platelets for in vitro experiments, and a Siemens\u27 Advia 120 hematology system to assess platelet aggregation by using platelet counts from in vivo experiments in a rodent model. Results
We found that Hb did not directly activate platelets. However, ADP bound to Hb could cause platelet activation. Furthermore, platelet activation caused by shearing of red blood cells (RBCs) was reduced in the presence of apyrase, which metabolizes ADP to AMP. The use of ROS scavengers did not affect platelet activation. We also found that cell-free Hb enhanced platelet activation by abrogating the inhibitory effect of NO on platelet activation. In vivo infusions of ADP and purified (ADP-free) Hb, as well as hemolysate, resulted in platelet aggregation, as shown by decreased platelet counts. Conclusion
Two primary mechanisms account for RBC hemolysis-associated platelet activation: ADP release, which activates platelets; and cell-free Hb release, which enhances platelet activation by lowering NO bioavailability
Circumstellar molecular composition of the oxygen-rich AGB star IK Tau: I. Observations and LTE chemical abundance analysis
The aim of this paper is to study the molecular composition in the
circumstellar envelope around the oxygen-rich star IK Tau. We observed IK Tau
in several (sub)millimeter bands using the APEX telescope during three
observing periods. To determine the spatial distribution of the
emission, mapping observations were performed. To
constrain the physical conditions in the circumstellar envelope, multiple
rotational CO emission lines were modeled using a non local thermodynamic
equilibrium radiative transfer code. The rotational temperatures and the
abundances of the other molecules were obtained assuming local thermodynamic
equilibrium. An oxygen-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch star has been surveyed in
the submillimeter wavelength range. Thirty four transitions of twelve molecular
species, including maser lines, were detected. The kinetic temperature of the
envelope was determined and the molecular abundance fractions of the molecules
were estimated. The deduced molecular abundances were compared with
observations and modeling from the literature and agree within a factor of 10,
except for SO, which is found to be almost a factor 100 stronger than
predicted by chemical models. From this study, we found that IK Tau is a good
laboratory to study the conditions in circumstellar envelopes around
oxygen-rich stars with (sub)millimeter-wavelength molecular lines. We could
also expect from this study that the molecules in the circumstellar envelope
can be explained more faithful by non-LTE analysis with lower and higher
transition lines than by simple LTE analysis with only lower transition lines.
In particular, the observed CO line profiles could be well reproduced by a
simple expanding envelope model with a power law structure.Comment: 13 pages, 14 figures, 8 tables *Accepted for publication in Astronomy
and Astrophysic
Integration of first-principles methods and crystallographic database searches for new ferroelectrics: Strategies and explorations
In this concept paper, the development of strategies for the integration of
first-principles methods with crystallographic database mining for the
discovery and design of novel ferroelectric materials is discussed, drawing on
the results and experience derived from exploratory investigations on three
different systems: (1) the double perovskite Sr(SbMn)O as a
candidate semiconducting ferroelectric; (2) polar derivatives of schafarzikite
SbO; and (3) ferroelectric semiconductors with formula
P(S,Se). A variety of avenues for further research and
investigation are suggested, including automated structure type classification,
low-symmetry improper ferroelectrics, and high-throughput first-principles
searches for additional representatives of structural families with desirable
functional properties.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, 4 table
Circumstellar molecular composition of the oxygen-rich AGB star IK~Tau: II. In-depth non-LTE chemical abundance analysis
Aims: Little information exists on the circumstellar molecular abundance
stratifications of many molecules. The aim is to study the circumstellar
chemical abundance pattern of 11 molecules and isotopologs (CO,
CO, SiS, SiO, SiO, SiO, HCN, CN, CS, SO, SO) in
the oxygen-rich evolved star IK~Tau. Methods: We have performed an in-depth
analysis of a large number of molecular emission lines excited in the
circumstellar envelope around IK~Tau. The analysis is done based on a non-local
thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiative transfer analysis, which
calculates the temperature and velocity structure in a self-consistent way. The
chemical abundance pattern is coupled to theoretical outer wind model
predictions including photodestruction and cosmic ray ionization. Not only the
integrated line intensities, but also the line shapes, are used as diagnostic
tool to study the envelope structure. Results: The deduced wind acceleration is
much slower than predicted from classical theories. SiO and SiS are depleted in
the envelope, possibly due to the adsorption onto dust grains. For HCN and CS a
clear difference with respect to inner wind non-equilibrium predictions is
found, either indicating uncertainties in the inner wind theoretical modeling
or the possibility that HCN and CS (or the radical CN) participate in the dust
formation. The low signal-to-noise profiles of SO and CN prohibit an accurate
abundance determination; the modeling of high-excitation SO lines is
cumbersome, possibly related to line misidentifications or problems with the
collisional rates. The SiO isotopic ratios (SiO/SiO and
SiO/SiO) point toward an enhancement in SiO compared to
results of classical stellar evolution codes. Predictions for HO lines in
the spectral range of the Herschel/HIFI mission are performed. [abbreviated]Comment: 24 pagees, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic
Neutrophils in cancer: neutral no more
Neutrophils are indispensable antagonists of microbial infection and facilitators of wound healing. In the cancer setting, a newfound appreciation for neutrophils has come into view. The traditionally held belief that neutrophils are inert bystanders is being challenged by the recent literature. Emerging evidence indicates that tumours manipulate neutrophils, sometimes early in their differentiation process, to create diverse phenotypic and functional polarization states able to alter tumour behaviour. In this Review, we discuss the involvement of neutrophils in cancer initiation and progression, and their potential as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Five areas to advance branding theory and practice
The paper suggests five areas to advance branding theory and practice based on the authorsâ recent work in brand management.
In this commentary, we aim to put forward suggestions and ideas for further research in brand management; ideas, which we believe will have an impact on the way branding is researched and practiced by both academics and practitioners alike. We will focus on the future of branding in the following areas, inspired by our own work in the field: (1) branding in higher education, (2) branding in Asia Pacific, (3) brand ambidexterity, (4) brand innovation on social media, and (5) brand likeability
Phenotypic and transcriptomic characterization of canine myeloid-derived suppressor cells
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key players in immune evasion, tumor progression and metastasis. MDSCs accumulate under various pathological states and fall into two functionally and phenotypically distinct subsets that have been identified in humans and mice: polymorphonuclear (PMN)-MDSCs and monocytic (M)-MDSCs. As dogs are an excellent model for human tumor development and progression, we set out to identify PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs in clinical canine oncology patients. Canine hypodense MHC class II-CD5-CD21-CD11b+ cells can be subdivided into polymorphonuclear (CADO48A+CD14-) and monocytic (CADO48A-CD14+) MDSC subsets. The transcriptomic signatures of PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs are distinct, and moreover reveal a statistically significant similarity between canine and previously published human PMN-MDSC gene expression patterns. As in humans, peripheral blood frequencies of canine PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs are significantly higher in dogs with cancer compared to healthy control dogs (PMN-MDSCs: pâ<â0.001; M-MDSCs: pâ<â0.01). By leveraging the power of evolution, we also identified additional conserved genes in PMN-MDSCs of multiple species that may play a role in MDSC function. Our findings therefore validate the dog as a model for studying MDSCs in the context of cancer
Consensus Paper: Cerebellum and Social Cognition.
The traditional view on the cerebellum is that it controls motor behavior. Although recent work has revealed that the cerebellum supports also nonmotor functions such as cognition and affect, only during the last 5 years it has become evident that the cerebellum also plays an important social role. This role is evident in social cognition based on interpreting goal-directed actions through the movements of individuals (social "mirroring") which is very close to its original role in motor learning, as well as in social understanding of other individuals' mental state, such as their intentions, beliefs, past behaviors, future aspirations, and personality traits (social "mentalizing"). Most of this mentalizing role is supported by the posterior cerebellum (e.g., Crus I and II). The most dominant hypothesis is that the cerebellum assists in learning and understanding social action sequences, and so facilitates social cognition by supporting optimal predictions about imminent or future social interaction and cooperation. This consensus paper brings together experts from different fields to discuss recent efforts in understanding the role of the cerebellum in social cognition, and the understanding of social behaviors and mental states by others, its effect on clinical impairments such as cerebellar ataxia and autism spectrum disorder, and how the cerebellum can become a potential target for noninvasive brain stimulation as a therapeutic intervention. We report on the most recent empirical findings and techniques for understanding and manipulating cerebellar circuits in humans. Cerebellar circuitry appears now as a key structure to elucidate social interactions
Management and cross-infectivity potential of Colletotrichum acutatum causing anthracnose on bell pepper in Florida
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