Manifestation of higher-order inter-granular exchange in magnetic recording media

Exchange coupling between magnetic grains is essential for maintaining the stability of stored information in magnetic recording media. Using an atomistic spin model, we have investigated the coupling between neighbouring magnetic grains where magnetic impurity atoms have migrated into the non-magnetic grain boundary. We find that when the impurity density is low, a biquadratic term in addition to the bilinear term is found to better describe the inter-granular exchange coupling. The temperature dependence of both terms is found to follow a power law behaviour with the biquadratic exchange constant decaying faster than the bilinear. For the increasing grain boundary thickness, the inter-granular exchange reduces and also decays more quickly with temperature. Further simulations of a grain at a bit boundary show an unexpected energy minimum for in-plane magnetisation. This feature is reproduced if the biquadratic exchange term is included

MGMT methylation analysis of glioblastoma on the Infinium methylation BeadChip identifies two distinct CpG regions associated with gene silencing and outcome, yielding a prediction model for comparisons across datasets, tumor grades, and CIMP-status

The methylation status of the O6-methylguanine- DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene is an important predictive biomarker for benefit from alkylating agent therapy in glioblastoma. Recent studies in anaplastic glioma suggest a prognostic value for MGMT methylation. Investigation of pathogenetic and epigenetic features of this intriguingly distinct behavior requires accurate MGMT classification to assess high throughput molecular databases. Promoter methylation-mediated gene silencing is strongly dependent on the location of the methylated CpGs,

Variation in Structure and Process of Care in Traumatic Brain Injury: Provider Profiles of European Neurotrauma Centers Participating in the CENTER-TBI Study.

INTRODUCTION: The strength of evidence underpinning care and treatment recommendations in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is low. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has been proposed as a framework to provide evidence for optimal care for TBI patients. The first step in CER is to map the existing variation. The aim of current study is to quantify variation in general structural and process characteristics among centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. METHODS: We designed a set of 11 provider profiling questionnaires with 321 questions about various aspects of TBI care, chosen based on literature and expert opinion. After pilot testing, questionnaires were disseminated to 71 centers from 20 countries participating in the CENTER-TBI study. Reliability of questionnaires was estimated by calculating a concordance rate among 5% duplicate questions. RESULTS: All 71 centers completed the questionnaires. Median concordance rate among duplicate questions was 0.85. The majority of centers were academic hospitals (n = 65, 92%), designated as a level I trauma center (n = 48, 68%) and situated in an urban location (n = 70, 99%). The availability of facilities for neuro-trauma care varied across centers; e.g. 40 (57%) had a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit (ICU), 36 (51%) had an in-hospital rehabilitation unit and the organization of the ICU was closed in 64% (n = 45) of the centers. In addition, we found wide variation in processes of care, such as the ICU admission policy and intracranial pressure monitoring policy among centers. CONCLUSION: Even among high-volume, specialized neurotrauma centers there is substantial variation in structures and processes of TBI care. This variation provides an opportunity to study effectiveness of specific aspects of TBI care and to identify best practices with CER approaches

Exploring the feasibility of a stand alone muon facility for muSR research

The current paper discusses possible designs for a high intensity stand alone muon source formuSR studies of condensed matter. In particular we shall focus upon the potential implementation of a new generation of high power but relatively compact and cost effective proton drivers based on non-scaling fixed field alternating gradient (ns-FFAG) accelerator technology. The technical issues which must be addressed are also considered

Characterisation of an important enzymatic component in collagenase that is essential for the effective digestion of the human and porcine pancreas

Recent clinical results from Edmonton have demonstrated the feasibility of achieving normoglycemia in type I diabetic patients by islet transplantation. One of the key issues in obtaining this success was transplanting sufficient numbers of islets by sequential transplants. Although the development of semipurified endotoxin-free Clostridium histolyticum-derived collagenase (Liberase) has improved islet yields from the human pancreas, batch-to-batch variation and loss of activity with time still hampers progress in obtaining consistent islet preparations. In order to define key components of crude collagenase, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) was raised against crude collagenase. Monoclonal antibodies were generated by fusions between splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with Boheringer P collagenase and the myeloma cell line NS-0. These monoclonal antibodies were used as probes to study molecular differences between effective and ineffective collagenase batches using Western blotting. Two monoclonal antibodies (LDS71 and LDS81) were raised and characterized as recognizing separate epitopes on a 125-kDa component. Western blotting indicated that the 125-kDa band was rapidly broken down by storage or by dialysis in the presence of dithiothreitol. However, this breakdown could be prevented by the addition of leupeptin (a protease inhibitor) to the dialysis buffer. On testing fractions at 5-min intervals from the “Ricordi” digestion circuit during porcine and human pancreas digestion, the 125-kDa component was rapidly broken down in relatively ineffective collagenase batches but in effective batches was present throughout the digestion process. The correlation between the presence of the 125-kDa band and effectiveness of pancreas digestion suggests that this may be a key component in the formulation of C. histolyticum collagenase

Inhibitory Effect of Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Saturated Fatty Acid-Induced Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic β-Cells: Activation of Caspases and ER Stress Induction

Aims: In this study we have tested the effect of unsaturated fatty acids on the proapoptotic effects of saturated fatty acids in the human pancreatic β-cells NES2Y. Results: We found that unsaturated palmitoleic and oleic acid at a concentration of 0.2 mM and higher are able to completely inhibit the proapoptotic effect of their counterpart saturated palmitic and stearic acid at a concentration of 1 mM. Apoptosis induced by stearic acid was associated with significant activation of caspase-6, -7, -9, -2 and -8, but not with significant activation of caspase-3. The activation of caspases was blocked by coincubation with oleic acid. Stearic acid treatment was not associated with a significant change in mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species level and with cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Furthermore, stearic acid treatment was not associated with changes in p21[superscript WAF1/CIP1], PIDD, Fas receptor and Fas ligand expression. However, we detected endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, i.e. a significant upregulation of BiP and CHOP expression as well as XBP1 mRNA splicing. These changes were inhibited by coincubation with oleic acid. Conclusion: Presented data indicate that oleic acid inhibits apoptosis induction by stearic acid in NES2Y cells upstream of caspase activation and ER stress induction. It does not involve an interference with the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis induction, with p53 activation and PIDD expression as well as with Fas receptor and Fas ligand expression

Fréquence et formes de consommation du niébé en milieu urbain au Bénin et freins potentiels à cette consommation.

Ce numéro est constitué d’articles issus de la seconde édition des Rencontres Francophones sur les Légumineuses (RFL2) qui s’est tenu à Toulouse (France) les 17 et 18 octobre 2018.A cross-sectional survey have been conducted among a sample of 641 adults aged from 19 to 65 in Cotonou, an urban area in Benin. We collected information on the socio-economic status of the household, the frequency of consumption of legumes and cowpea-based dishes and on the reasons of non-consumption of those dishes. We also evaluated the quantities consumed for each dish using a food portion photograph books presenting different sizes of these cowpea foods. The study showed that cowpea is a very popular legume consumed by the population because only 2% of the population interviewed are not consumers. In Cotonou, nine cowpea-based dishes have been identified. Among them, the percentage of consumption during the last week before the survey varied highly and the most cowpea’s dishes consumed are the stews (in local name: Vêyi and Abobo) and the donuts (in local name: Ata and Ata-doco) (72% and 60% of cowpea’s consumers respectively). However, digestive problems encountered after the consumption of legumes appear to be the factor that decrease cowpea consumption.Une enquête transversale a été réalisée auprès d’un échantillon de 641 adultes âgés entre 19-65 ans dans la ville de Cotonou au Bénin. Le questionnaire d’enquête visait à recueillir des informations sur le niveau socio-économique du ménage, la fréquence de consommation des légumineuses et des plats à base de niébé, les raisons de non-consommation et les quantités consommées pour chaque type de plat (estimation faite à l’aide d’un « catalogue photo » représentant des portions de différentes tailles). L’étude a montré que le niébé est une légumineuse très consommée par la population car seulement 2% des enquêtés se sont déclarés non-consommateurs. Neuf plats à base de niébé ont été recensés, avec des fréquences de consommation variables: 72% et 60% des consommateurs de niébé le consomment sous forme de ragoût (variante Abobo et Vêyi) et de beignets (Variante Ata et Ata-doco) respectivement. Cependant, les problèmes digestifs souvent rencontrés après la consommation des légumineuses freinent parfois la consommation du niébé

Pig empire under infectious threat: risk of African swine fever introduction into the People's Republic of China

Pig production and pork consumption are very important to the People's Republic of China for both economic and cultural reasons. The incursion and spread of a disease such as African swine fever (ASF), which emerged in Eastern Europe in 2007, could have devastating socioeconomic consequences for both the Chinese and the global pig industry. The Chinese government consequently attributes a very high priority to ASF and is actively seeking to improve its preparedness. This paper discusses different drivers and pathways of potential emergence of ASF in China in light of the country's specificities, including international movements of people, pigs and pig products, swill feeding practices and wild boar populations. It suggests that effective ASF risk management in China will require a comprehensive and integrated approach linking science and policy and will need to involve all relevant stakeholders to develop realistic policies