Implementierung eines parallelen vorkonditionierten Schur-Komplement CG-Verfahrens in das Programmpaket FEAP

A parallel realisation of the Conjugate Gradient Method with Schur-Complement preconditioning, based on a domain decomposition approach, is described in detail. Special kinds of solvers for the resulting interiour and coupling systems are presented. A large range of numerical results is used to demonstrate the properties and behaviour of this solvers in practical situations

Nuclear orphan receptor NR2F6 directly antagonizes NFAT and RORγt binding to the Il17a promoter

AbstractInterleukin-17A (IL-17A) is the signature cytokine produced by Th17 CD4+ T cells and has been tightly linked to autoimmune pathogenesis. In particular, the transcription factors NFAT and RORγt are known to activate Il17a transcription, although the detailed mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that the nuclear orphan receptor NR2F6 can attenuate the capacity of NFAT to bind to critical regions of the Il17a gene promoter. In addition, because NR2F6 binds to defined hormone response elements (HREs) within the Il17a locus, it interferes with the ability of RORγt to access the DNA. Consistently, NFAT and RORγt binding within the Il17a locus were enhanced in Nr2f6-deficient CD4+ Th17 cells but decreased in Nr2f6-overexpressing transgenic CD4+ Th17 cells. Taken together, our findings uncover an example of antagonistic regulation of Il17a transcription through the direct reciprocal actions of NR2F6 versus NFAT and RORγt

Killer-like receptors and GPR56 progressive expression defines cytokine production of human CD4+ memory T cells

All memory T cells mount an accelerated response on antigen reencounter, but significant functional heterogeneity is present within the respective memory T-cell subsets as defined by CCR7 and CD45RA expression, thereby warranting further stratification. Here we show that several surface markers, including KLRB1, KLRG1, GPR56, and KLRF1, help define low, high, or exhausted cytokine producers within human peripheral and intrahepatic CD4+ memory T-cell populations. Highest simultaneous production of TNF and IFN-γ is observed in KLRB1+KLRG1+GPR56+ CD4 T cells. By contrast, KLRF1 expression is associated with T-cell exhaustion and reduced TNF/IFN-γ production. Lastly, TCRβ repertoire analysis and in vitro differentiation support a regulated, progressive expression for these markers during CD4+ memory T-cell differentiation. Our results thus help refine the classification of human memory T cells to provide insights on inflammatory disease progression and immunotherapy development

Hierarchically preconditioned parallel CG-solvers with and without coarse-matrix-solvers inside FEAP

After some remarks on the parallel implementation of the Finite Element package FEAP, our realisation of the parallel CG-algorithm is sketched. From a technical point of view, a hierarchical preconditioner with and without additional global crosspoint preconditioning is presented. The numerical properties of this preconditioners are discussed and compared to a Schur-complement-preconditioning, using a wide range of data from computations on technical and academic examples from elasticity

Some remarks to large deformation elasto-plasticity (continuum formulation)

The continuum theory of large deformation elasto-plasticity is summarized as far as it is necessary for the numerical treatment with the Finite-Element-Method. Using the calculus of modern differential geometry and functional analysis, the fundamental equations are derived and the proof of most of them is shortly outlined. It was not our aim to give a contribution to the development of the theory, rather to show the theoretical background and the assumptions to be made in state of the art elasto-plasticity

Implementierung eines parallelen vorkonditionierten Schur-Komplement CG-Verfahrens in das Programmpaket FEAP

A parallel realisation of the Conjugate Gradient Method with Schur-Complement preconditioning, based on a domain decomposition approach, is described in detail. Special kinds of solvers for the resulting interiour and coupling systems are presented. A large range of numerical results is used to demonstrate the properties and behaviour of this solvers in practical situations

Mordanting of filter dyes in photographic materials

Almost all conventional acid filter dyes can be rendered nondiffusing in emulsion or thin auxiliary layers, without lowering their phys.-mech. properties or interference with their bleachability or washing-out during processing by a small amt. of a mordant (I; R1,R2 = C1-4 alkyl; n = 300-600; and X- = anion). Added as storable 5-10% soln. they have a low water absorption and have little effect on the viscosity of gelatin coatings. Thus, 2 solns. were made both contg. gelatin 100 and a pentamethine dye 8, and as mordant soln. A an imide of maleic anhydride interpolymers of US 3,048,487 (CA 59; 7726b) 4 g, and soln. B I (R1,R2 = Me, n = 300, X = Cl-) 4.15 g. A Yielded a 2.3m filter layer having an optical d. of 1.09, and B one of 2.0m and 0.98, resp. The water absorption of the layers was 4.1 and 3.0 g H2O/m2, and the dye diffusion after 2 wet contacts with a layer of unhardened gelatin 43 and 2% (as optical d.), resp. [on SciFinder (R)

Immunomodulatory placental‐expanded, mesenchymal stromal cells improve muscle function following hip arthroplasty

Abstract Background No regenerative approach has thus far been shown to be effective in skeletal muscle injuries, despite their high frequency and associated functional deficits. We sought to address surgical trauma‐related muscle injuries using local intraoperative application of allogeneic placenta‐derived, mesenchymal‐like adherent cells (PLX‐PAD), using hip arthroplasty as a standardized injury model, because of the high regenerative and immunomodulatory potency of this cell type. Methods Our pilot phase I/IIa study was prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo‐controlled. Twenty patients undergoing hip arthroplasty via a direct lateral approach received an injection of 3.0 × 108 (300 M, n = 6) or 1.5 × 108 (150 M, n = 7) PLX‐PAD or a placebo (n = 7) into the injured gluteus medius muscles. Results We did not observe any relevant PLX‐PAD‐related adverse events at the 2‐year follow‐up. Improved gluteus medius strength was noted as early as Week 6 in the treatment‐groups. Surprisingly, until Week 26, the low‐dose group outperformed the high‐dose group and reached significantly improved strength compared with placebo [150 M vs. placebo: P = 0.007 (baseline adjusted; 95% confidence interval 7.6, 43.9); preoperative baseline values mean ± SE: placebo: 24.4 ± 6.7 Nm, 150 M: 27.3 ± 5.6 Nm], mirrored by an increase in muscle volume [150 M vs. placebo: P = 0.004 (baseline adjusted; 95% confidence interval 6.0, 30.0); preoperative baseline values GM volume: placebo: 211.9 ± 15.3 cm3, 150 M: 237.4 ± 27.2 cm3]. Histology indicated accelerated healing after cell therapy. Biomarker studies revealed that low‐dose treatment reduced the surgery‐related immunological stress reaction more than high‐dose treatment (exemplarily: CD16+ NK cells: Day 1 P = 0.06 vs. placebo, P = 0.07 vs. 150 M; CD4+ T‐cells: Day 1 P = 0.04 vs. placebo, P = 0.08 vs. 150 M). Signs of late‐onset immune reactivity after high‐dose treatment corresponded to reduced functional improvement. Conclusions Allogeneic PLX‐PAD therapy improved strength and volume of injured skeletal muscle with a reasonable safety profile. Outcomes could be positively correlated with the modulation of early postoperative stress‐related immunological reactions