Identification of biomarkers of colitis to monitor effects of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the interleukin-10 gene-deficient mouse model of inflammatory bowel diseases : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract including the colon (colitis). Increased dietary intake of salmon, which is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), was well tolerated by IBD patients, leading to a perceived decrease in symptoms. However, better knowledge of the mechanisms by which EPA-rich diets affect IBD severity, and appropriate biomarkers for assessing these effects, are needed for potential targeted nutritional interventions. This dissertation aimed to determine the temporal effects (early (9 weeks of age) vs. established (12 weeks)) of a diet containing 3.7% EPA, and the dose-dependent effects (15% to 45%) of a salmon diet at 12 weeks of age, on the severity of colitis. Molecular responses in colon and/or liver of the interleukin-10 gene-deficient (Il10-/-) mouse model of IBD and healthy mice were assessed. Caecum digesta, urine and blood were mined to identify biomarkers (microbiota, metabolites and genes) of these responses. The EPA diet reduced the severity of colitis only in 12-week-old Il10-/- mice. This response was associated with changes in gene expression associated with lymphocyte function, eicosanoid signalling and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma signalling. The blood immune cell gene expression profile did not correlate with reduced colitis in these mice, but the urine metabolite profile was related to changes in colonic tryptophan metabolism. The effects of the salmon diets on colitis were dose-dependent in 12-week-old Il10-/- mice. The intermediate amount of salmon (30%) reduced the severity of colitis and lymphocyte-related gene expression, while enhancing genes in metabolic pathways. Tryptophan metabolism was not affected in these mice, but the urinary metabolite profile correlated with effects on hepatic tocopherol metabolism, as shown by reduced abundance of gamma-carboxyethylhydroxychroman glucoside. The abundances of V. akkermansia, Eubacterium spp., and an unclassified Rikenellaceae were further affected in these mice. This is the first report describing molecular responses in the colon and liver of Il10-/- mice fed a salmon diet associated with reduced colitis. Ultimately these responses could be validated for use in humans, and potentially enable management of IBD with diet

Free massive fermions inside the quantum discrete sine-Gordon model

We extend the notion of space shifts introduced by L. D. Faddeev and A. Yu. Volkov (Phys. Lett. B 315 (1993)) for certain quantum light cone lattice equations of sine-Gordon type at root of unity. As a result we obtain a compatibility equation for the roots of central elements within the algebra of observables (also called current algebra). The equation which is obtained by exponentiating these roots is exactly the evolution equation for the "classical background" as described in V. Bazhanov, A. Bobenko, N. Reshetikhin (Comm. Math. Phys. 175 (1996)). As an application for the introduced constructions, a one to one correspondence between a special case of the quantum light cone lattice equations of sine-Gordon type and free massive fermions on a lattice as constructed in Destri and de Vega (Nucl. Phys. B 290 (1987)) is derived.Comment: LaTex, 18 pages, 6 figure

Almost group theory

The notion of almost centralizer and almost commutator are introduced and basic properties are established. They are used to study $\widetilde{\mathfrak M}\_c$-groups, i. e.groups for which every descending chain of centralizers each having infinite index in its predecessor stabilizes after finitely many steps. The Fitting subgroup of such groups is shown to be nilpotent and a theorem of Hall for nilpotent groups is generalized to ind-definable almost nilpotent subgroups of $\widetilde{\mathfrak M}\_c$-groups

On n-dependent groups and fields

First, an example of a 2-dependent group without a minimal subgroup of bounded index is given. Second, all infinite n-dependent fields are shown to be Artin-Schreier closed. Furthermore, the theory of any non separably closed PAC field has the IPn property for all natural numbers n and certain properties of dependent (NIP) valued fields extend to the n-dependent context

Challenges in Signal Analysis of Resonant-Mass Gravitational Wave Detectors

An overview of the main points related to data analysis in resonant-mass gravitational wave detectors will be presented. Recent developments on the data analysis system for the Brazilian detector SCHENBERG will be emphasized.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, presented at the international conference "100 Years of Relativity" (Sao Paulo, Brazil, 22-24 August 2005), to appear in Brazilian Journal of Physics (Dec. 2005

The impact of competition on unilateral incentives to innovate

We investigate the impact of the degree of competition in a Cournot market on one firm's unilateral incentives to invest in R&D. Applying comparative static analyses we get different predictions depending on the magnitude of the innovation efficiency parameter alpha. Even inner solutions arose. For alpha->1 the comparative statics predicate that incentives to invest in R&D are strongest in a monopoly whereas for smaller alpha the optimal market structure for unilateral innovation varies depending on the cost level.innovation incentives; market structure; Cournot competition

Tax Loss Offset Restrictions - Last Resort for the Treasury?: An Empirical Evaluation of Tax Loss Offset Restrictions Based on Micro Data

In Germany, the tax loss carry-forward of corporations significantly increased over the last decade. At the same time only a small percentage of losses have been effectively offset in the following periods. One potential reason for this puzzle is that stricter loss offset restrictions have been introduced in recent years. I use a newly developed micro simulation model for the corporate sector in Germany to evaluate the fiscal effects of these restrictions. Additionally, distributional breakdowns concerning the amounts of tax loss carry-forward and the effects of loss offset restrictions are provided. I find that the restrictions on the use of tax loss carryback are rather ineffective while the newly introduced minimum taxation considerably increases yearly tax revenue by 1.1 billion EUR.Micro simulation, loss offset restrictions, corporate taxation, tax loss carryforward, tax loss carry-back, tax reform

Assessing the Role of Technology Adoption in China's Growth Performance.

China has experienced a period of tremendous economic growth in recent years. In an attempt to explain this development, several existing growth-accounting studies reveal that impressively high rates of productivity growth have been at the heart of China's performance. This study investigates to what extent these productivity increases can be explained by technology-adoption theory. In less developed countries, the key element behind technological progress is technology adoption, the process of copying technological knowledge invented throughout the world. To uncover a measure of China's technological advances, the paper constructs a hybrid of some prominent technology-adoption models and calibrates it to reasonable parameter values. The calibrated version of the model is then combined with Chinese economic data. For the period 1978-2005, the analysis finds that the Chinese performance can be explained to a surprisingly large extent by the suggested technology-adoption framework. It can account for roughly 80% of China's productivity gains.technological progress; technology adoption; TFP; China