Fibrocytes are associated with vascular and parenchymal remodelling in patients with obliterative bronchiolitis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to explore the occurrence of fibrocytes in tissue and to investigate whether the appearance of fibrocytes may be linked to structural changes of the parenchyme and vasculature in the lungs of patients with obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) following lung or bone marrow transplantation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Identification of parenchyme, vasculature, and fibrocytes was done by histological methods in lung tissue from bone marrow or lung-transplanted patients with obliterative bronchiolitis, and from controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The transplanted patients had significantly higher amounts of tissue in the alveolar parenchyme (46.5 ± 17.6%) than the controls (21.7 ± 7.6%) (p < 0.05). The patients also had significantly increased numbers of fibrocytes identified by CXCR4/prolyl4-hydroxylase, CD45R0/prolyl4-hydroxylase, and CD34/prolyl4-hydroxylase compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was a correlation between the number of fibrocytes and the area of alveolar parenchyma; CXCR4/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01), CD45R0/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.05) and CD34/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.05). In the pulmonary vessels, there was an increase in the endothelial layer in patients (0.31 ± 0.13%) relative to the controls (0.037 ± 0.02%) (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the number of fibrocytes and the total area of the endothelial layer CXCR4/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.001), CD45R0/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.001) and CD34/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01). The percent areas of the lumen of the vessels were significant (p < 0.001) enlarged in the patient with OB compared to the controls. There was also a correlation between total area of the lumen and number of fibrocytes, CXCR4/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01), CD45R0/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.001) and CD34/prolyl 4-hydroxylase (p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate that fibrocytes are associated with pathological remodelling processes in patients with OB and that tissue fibrocytes might be a useful biomarker in these processes.</p

A Common Anterior Insula Representation of Disgust Observation, Experience and Imagination Shows Divergent Functional Connectivity Pathways

Similar brain regions are involved when we imagine, observe and execute an action. Is the same true for emotions? Here, the same subjects were scanned while they (a) experience, (b) view someone else experiencing and (c) imagine experiencing gustatory emotions (through script-driven imagery). Capitalizing on the fact that disgust is repeatedly inducible within the scanner environment, we scanned the same participants while they (a) view actors taste the content of a cup and look disgusted (b) tasted unpleasant bitter liquids to induce disgust, and (c) read and imagine scenarios involving disgust and their neutral counterparts. To reduce habituation, we inter-mixed trials of positive emotions in all three scanning experiments. We found voxels in the anterior Insula and adjacent frontal operculum to be involved in all three modalities of disgust, suggesting that simulation in the context of social perception and mental imagery of disgust share a common neural substrates. Using effective connectivity, this shared region however was found to be embedded in distinct functional circuits during the three modalities, suggesting why observing, imagining and experiencing an emotion feels so different

The impact of insect herbivory on biogeochemical cycling in broadleaved forests varies with temperature

Herbivorous insects alter biogeochemical cycling within forests, but the magnitude of these impacts, their global variation, and drivers of this variation remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap and help improve biogeochemical models, we established a global network of 74 plots within 40 mature, undisturbed broadleaved forests. We analyzed freshly senesced and green leaves for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and silica concentrations, foliar production and herbivory, and stand-level nutrient fluxes. We show more nutrient release by insect herbivores at non-outbreak levels in tropical forests than temperate and boreal forests, that these fluxes increase strongly with mean annual temperature, and that they exceed atmospheric deposition inputs in some localities. Thus, background levels of insect herbivory are sufficiently large to both alter ecosystem element cycling and influence terrestrial carbon cycling. Further, climate can affect interactions between natural populations of plants and herbivores with important consequences for global biogeochemical cycles across broadleaved forests

Calix[n]arenes as components for the construction of micellar systems: synthesis and self-assembly properties of 5,11,17-Tris[(dimethylamino)methyl]-25-monoalkoxy-26,27,28-trihydroxycalix[4]arene derivatives

International audienceA series of mono-O-alkylated calix [4] arenes derivatives, with alkyl chain lengths of between 1 and 12 carbon atoms are reported. Monoalkylation is best achieved using potassium carbonate as the weak base and the respective alkyl iodide for chain lengths of one to three carbon atoms and using caesium fluoride as the base and the respective alkyl iodide for longer chain lengths. The mono-alkylated derivatives were converted into the tri-para-dimethylaminomethylene derivatives by the para-quinonemethide reaction in good yields. Surface tension measurements showed that at pH 2, 4, 6 and 8 all the tri-dimethylaminomethylene derivatives showed surfactant behaviour, and at pH 2 all show a Critical Micellar Concentration values. No correlation between Critical Micellar Concentration values and chain length is observed. Dynamic Light Scattering measurements showed that the CMC behaviour may be correlated with the observed aggregate sizes. The solid state structure of mono-O-ethoxy-calix[4]arene is described, in this structure a 1-D inclusion polymer is observed.A series of mono-O-alkylated calix [4] arenes derivatives, with alkyl chain lengths of between 1 and 12 carbon atoms are reported. Monoalkylation is best achieved using potassium carbonate as the weak base and the respective alkyl iodide for chain lengths of one to three carbon atoms and using caesium fluoride as the base and the respective alkyl iodide for longer chain lengths. The mono-alkylated derivatives were converted into the tri-para-dimethylaminomethylene derivatives by the para-quinonemethide reaction in good yields. Surface tension measurements showed that at pH 2, 4, 6 and 8 all the tri-dimethylaminomethylene derivatives showed surfactant behaviour, and at pH 2 all show a Critical Micellar Concentration values. No correlation between Critical Micellar Concentration values and chain length is observed. Dynamic Light Scattering measurements showed that the CMC behaviour may be correlated with the observed aggregate sizes. The solid state structure of mono-O-ethoxy-calix[4]arene is described, in this structure a 1-D inclusion polymer is observed

Static Leaching and Alteration Mechanisms of Zirconium Alkali Resistant Glasses Containing Heavy Metals

International audienceThe aim of this study is to understand mechanisms that occur during leaching of alkali-resistant zirconium-containing glasses in acid and alkaline solutions. For this, we have developed 5 glass compositions: two alkali-resistant model glasses type CEMFIL, V1 (with zirconium and without heavy metals) and V2 (with zirconium and heavy metals), then three glasses of fly ashes V3 (without zirconium and with heavy metals), V4 (with 30 % of V3, zirconium and heavy metals) and V5 (with 60% of V3, zirconium and heavy metals). V4 and V5 are obtained using V3 as raw material and supplementing with SiO2, ZrO2 and Na2O to give them alkali-resistant properties. Glasses leaching in acidic and basic medium led to an important basification from the first times of alteration at pH = 4 when a basification decrease is observed for solutions initially at pH = 13. Normalized elementary mass losses results showed that, glass alteration is higher for low-calcium glasses (V1 and V2) and V4 and V5 glasses have the lowest elemental mass losses at pH = 4 and 13. SIMS profiles made on glass alteration films permitted to observe behaviour of H, Na, Ca, Si and Zr elements after 28 days at pH = 4 and 13 and understand the different dissolution mechanisms involved. SIMS profiles showed that a hydrated film develops on glass surface characterized by hydrogen enrichment and sodium depletion irrespective of the glass. These glasses are also characterized by a surface enrichment of zirconium (except V3 which does not contain zirconium) whatever the pH. Hydrated film thickness confirm that V1, V2 and V3 glasses are more altered than V4 and V5 glasses. These results are confirmed by ICP-AES leachate analysis

Performance Evaluation of Industrial Brewery Wastewater Biologic Treatment in an UASB Reactor Using Activated Sludge in Republic of Congo

The brewing industry generates large amounts of wastewater which are released into surface water after treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of the anaerobic treatment of brewery wastewaters in a UASB bioreactor containing activated sludge. After six-weeks operation, 30 samples were taken. Physicochemical analyzes were carried out on activated sludge (T, pH, VFA) and raw and treated waters (T, pH, AT, CAT, TSS, and COD). These analyzes showed that the conditions of the environment were favorable to an optimal growth of the bacteria:&nbsp; temperatures and pH were mostly mesophilic. the ionization of VFA was continuous and their concentration increased at the exit of the bioreactor thus revealing a significant conversion of organic materials by bacteria. The average values ​​of the physicochemical parameters of the raw and treated wastewaters respectively increased from 31.5°C to 35°C for the temperature, from 8.9 to 7.5 for the pH, to 5.54 mg/l at 0 for AT, from 12.35 mg/l to 3.45 mg/l for TAC, from 234.08 mg/l to 129.61 mg/l for TSS and from 1637 mg/l to 282, 46 mg/l for COD. The effectiveness of the treatment allowed a COD reduction ranging from 70 to 94%

Phytoremediation of Industrial Waste Leachates by Planted Filters Composed of Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin ex Steud, Typha latifolia L. and Cyperus papyrus L.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the purifying ability of 3 parallel planted filters (PF1, PF2 and PF3) composed of three plants (Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin ex Steud, Typha latifolia L., Cyperus papyrus L.) on leachates from a landfill of industrial waste in Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo). This landfill site includes a technical landfill for ordinary industrial waste (OIW) and a technical landfill for hazardous and soiled industrial waste (SIW). In order to assess purifying ability, we sampled 14 samples over 8 weeks, with 7 samples of the raw leachates from the technical landfill center, and 7 samples of leachates cleaned after passing through the tryptic vegetable filter. The physico-chemical analyzes made it possible to determine the following parameters: TOC, COD, NO3 -,PO42-, Ni, Cd, CrVI, Zn, Cu and Pb. The results showed a significant decrease in organic pollution with abatement rates in TOC and COD greater than 90%. The average removal efficiency is respectively 45.97% for nitrates and 40.2% for phosphates. The abatement rates for heavy metals range from 41.2% to 60.9% for nickel, from 52.2% to 68.5 % for cadmium, from 49% to 71.7% for chromium VI, from 59% to 74.6% for zinc, from 50.9 % to 65 % for copper and from 61.4% to 75.1% for lead. However, additional analyzes are needed to confirm the hypperaccumulator nature of these plant filters in particular absorption isotherms and kinetics of extraction of heavy metals of Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin ex Steud, Typha latifolia L., Cyperus papyrus L.