IL-9 Induces VEGF Secretion from Human Mast Cells and IL-9/IL-9 Receptor Genes Are Overexpressed in Atopic Dermatitis

Interleukin 9 (IL-9) has been implicated in mast cell-related inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, where vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved. Here we report that IL-9 (10–20 ng/ml) induces gene expression and secretion of VEGF from human LAD2. IL-9 does not induce mast cell degranulation or the release of other mediators (IL-1, IL-8, or TNF). VEGF production in response to IL-9 involves STAT-3 activation. The effect is inhibited (about 80%) by the STAT-3 inhibitor, Stattic. Gene-expression of IL-9 and IL-9 receptor is significantly increased in lesional skin areas of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients as compared to normal control skin, while serum IL-9 is not different from controls. These results imply that functional interactions between IL-9 and mast cells leading to VEGF release contribute to the initiation/propagation of the pathogenesis of AD, a skin inflammatory disease

Control system of PLS 2-GeV electron linac

A graphic-based realtime control system is developed and used for commissioning and operation of the PLS 2-GeV electron linac. The system has three layers of hierarchy; operator interface computer, supervisory control computer (SCC) for data processing, and device interface computer (DIC) for distributed data acquisition. The operator interface is based on the UNIX system with a graphic-based development system named RTworks. The SCC consists of three subsystems; modulators, magnet power supplies, and beam diagnostics. DICs attached to individual devices are placed in the 200-m linac building. There are altogether 23 VME CPUs and various I/Os in both SCC and DIC levels. The realtime operating system is OS-9. The major role of DICs is to control and to monitor individual devices upon operator's requests. The SCC updates variable database from DICs and conveys commands from the operator to DICs. SCCs and DICs are connected through a local area network to form a client/server system. Low-cost workstations are used for the operator interface. In order to have quick manipulation and easy understanding we use intensive graphics for the control windows.110sciescopu

Control system of PLS 2-GeV electron linac

A graphic-based realtime control system is developed and used for commissioning and operation of the PLS 2-GeV electron linac. The system has three layers of hierarchyoperator interface computer, supervisory control computer (SCC) for data processing, and device interface computer (DIC) for distributed data acquisition. The operator interface is based on the UNIX system with a graphic-based development system named RTworks. The SCC consists of three subsystemsmodulators, magnet power supplies, and beam diagnostics. DICs attached to individual devices are placed in the 200-m linac building. There are altogether 23 VME CPUs and various I/Os in both SCC and DIC levels. The realtime operating system is OS-9. The major role of DICs is to control and to monitor individual devices upon operator's requests. The SCC updates variable database from DICs and conveys commands from the operator to DICs. SCCs and DICs are connected through a local area network to form a client/server system. Low-cost workstations are used for the operator interface. In order to have quick manipulation and easy understanding we use intensive graphics for the control windows.

Mechanical properties of Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B bulk glassy alloy

The mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of new Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B-based bulk glassy alloys were investigated. The suitability of the continuous roll casting method for the production of bulk metallic glass (BMG) sheets in such alloy systems was also examined. BMG samples (Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B, Fe-Ni-Zr-Cr-Si-B, Fe-Ni-Zr-Cr-W-Si-B) in amorphous strip, cylindrical, and sheet forms were prepared through melt spinning, copper mold casting, and twin roll strip casting, respectively. Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B alloy exhibited compressive strength of up to 2.93 GPa and plastic strain of about 1.51%. On the other hand, the Fe-Ni-Zr-Cr-Si-B, composite-type bulk sample with diameter of 2.0 mm showed remarkable compressive plastic strain of about 4.03%. The addition of zirconium was found to enhance the homogeneous precipitation of nanocrystalline less than 7 nm and to develop a hybrid-composite microstructure with increasing sample thickness. Twin roll strip casting was successfully applied to the fabrication of sheets in Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B-based BMGs. The combined characteristics of high mechanical properties and ease of microstructure control proved to be promising in terms of the future progress of structural bulk amorphous alloys. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.X117sciescopu