Small Minimal Blocking Sets inPG(2, q3)

AbstractWe extend the results of Polverino (1999, Discrete Math., 208/209, 469–476; 2000, Des. Codes Cryptogr., 20, 319–324) on small minimal blocking sets in PG(2,p3 ), p prime, p≥ 7, to small minimal blocking sets inPG (2, q3), q=ph, p prime, p≥ 7, with exponent e≥h. We characterize these blocking sets completely as being blocking sets of Rédei-type

Spreads of PG(3,q)PG(3,q) and ovoids of polar spaces

To any spread S of PG(3,q) corresponds a family of locally hermitian ovoids of the Hermitian surface H(3, q^2), and conversely; if in addition S is a semifield spread, then each associated ovoid is a translation ovoid, and conversely. In this paper we calculate the translation group of the locally hermitian ovoids of H(3,q^2) arising from a given semifield spread, and we characterize the p-semiclassical ovoid constructed by Cossidente, Ebert, Marino and Siciliano as the only translation ovoid of H(3,q^2) whose translation group is abelian. If S is a spread of PG(3,q) and O(S) is one of the associated ovoids of H(3,q^2), then using the duality between H(3,q^2) and Q^-(5, q) , another spread of PG(3,q) , say S_1, can be constructed. On the other hand, using the Barlotti-Cofman representation of H(3,q^2), one more spread of a 3-dimensional projective space, say S_2, arises from the ovoid O(S). Lunardon has posed some questions on the relations among S, S_1 and S_2; here we prove that the three spreads are always isomorphic

Maximum scattered linear sets and MRD-codes

The rank of a scattered -linear set of , rn even, is at most rn / 2 as it was proved by Blokhuis and Lavrauw. Existence results and explicit constructions were given for infinitely many values of r, n, q (rn even) for scattered -linear sets of rank rn / 2. In this paper, we prove that the bound rn / 2 is sharp also in the remaining open cases. Recently Sheekey proved that scattered -linear sets of of maximum rank n yield -linear MRD-codes with dimension 2n and minimum distance . We generalize this result and show that scattered -linear sets of of maximum rank rn / 2 yield -linear MRD-codes with dimension rn and minimum distance n - 1

A characterization of linearized polynomials with maximum kernel

We provide sufficient and necessary conditions for the coefficients of a q-polynomial f over Fqn which ensure that the number of distinct roots of f in Fqn equals the degree of f. We say that these polynomials have maximum kernel. As an application we study in detail q-polynomials of degree qn−2 over Fqn which have maximum kernel and for n≤6 we list all q-polynomials with maximum kernel. We also obtain information on the splitting field of an arbitrary q-polynomial. Analogous results are proved for qs-polynomials as well, where gcd⁡(s,n)=1

CFTR regulates B cell activation and lymphoid follicle development

The number of LFs, BAFF+, TLR4+ and proliferation marker Ki67+ B cells in lung explants or resections from subjects with CF and normal controls was quantified by immunostaining. The role of CFTR in B cell activation and LF development was then examined in two independent cohorts of uninfected CFTR-deficient mice (Cftr -/-) and wild type controls. The number of lung LFs, B cells and BAFF+, CXCR4+, immunoglobulin G+ B cells was examined by immunostaining. Lung and splenocyte B cell activation marker and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) expression was quantified by flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured in supernatants from isolated B cells from Cftr -/- and wild type mice stimulated in vitro with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS).CT/MA Cystic Fibrosis/Multiple Sclerosis Fund; May Family Trust; CF Foundation [DRUMMR0, DRUMMR1]Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Mononuclear Phagocytes and Airway Epithelial Cells: Novel Sources of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) promotes lung fibrotic responses to bleomycin in mice. Although prior studies reported that MMP-8 levels are increased in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from IPF patients, neither the bioactive forms nor the cellular sources of MMP-8 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients have been identified. It is not known whether MMP-8 expression is dys-regulated in IPF leukocytes or whether MMP-8 plasma levels correlate with IPF outcomes. Our goal was to address these knowledge gaps. Methods: We measured MMP-8 levels and forms in blood and lung samples from IPF patients versus controls using ELISAs, western blotting, and qPCR, and assessed whether MMP-8 plasma levels in 73 IPF patients correlate with rate of lung function decline and mortality. We used immunostaining to localize MMP-8 expression in IPF lungs. We quantified MMP-8 levels and forms in blood leukocytes from IPF patients versus controls. Results: IPF patients have increased BALF, whole lung, and plasma levels of soluble MMP-8 protein. Active MMP-8 is the main form elevated in IPF lungs. MMP-8 mRNA levels are increased in monocytes from IPF patients, but IPF patients and controls have similar levels of MMP-8 in PMNs. Surprisingly, macrophages and airway epithelial cells are the main cells expressing MMP-8 in IPF lungs. Plasma and BALF MMP-8 levels do not correlate with decline in lung function and/or mortality in IPF patients. Conclusion: Blood and lung MMP-8 levels are increased in IPF patients. Active MMP-8 is the main form elevated in IPF lungs. Surprisingly, blood monocytes, lung macrophages, and airway epithelial cells are the main cells in which MMP-8 is upregulated in IPF patients. Plasma and BALF MMP-8 levels are unlikely to serve as a prognostic biomarker for IPF patients. These results provide new information about the expression patterns of MMP-8 in IPF patients

Applications of Site-Specific Labeling to Study HAMLET, a Tumoricidal Complex of α-Lactalbumin and Oleic Acid

umor cells), and its tumoricidal activity has been well established.-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase II (ppGalNAc-T2) and further conjugated with aminooxy-derivatives of fluoroprobe or biotin molecules.We found that the molten globule form of hLA and αD-hLA proteins, with or without C-terminal extension, and with and without the conjugated fluoroprobe or biotin molecule, readily form a complex with OA and exhibits tumoricidal activity similar to HAMLET made with full-length hLA protein. The confocal microscopy studies with fluoroprobe-labeled samples show that these proteins are internalized into the cells and found even in the nucleus only when they are complexed with OA. The HAMLET conjugated with a single biotin molecule will be a useful tool to identify the cellular components that are involved with it in the tumoricidal activity

The T.O.S.C.A. Project: Research, Education and Care

Despite recent and exponential improvements in diagnostic- therapeutic pathways, an existing “GAP” has been revealed between the “real world care” and the “optimal care” of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We present the T.O.S.CA. Project (Trattamento Ormonale dello Scompenso CArdiaco), an Italian multicenter initiative involving different health care professionals and services aiming to explore the CHF “metabolic pathophysiological model” and to improve the quality of care of HF patients through research and continuing medical education