Role of zinc and α2macroglobulin on thymic endocrine activity and on peripheral immune efficiency (natural killer activity and interleukin 2) in cervical carcinoma

Decreased natural killer (NK) activity as well as interleukin 2 (IL-2) are risk factors for the progression of cervical carcinoma. NK activity and IL-2 may be thymus controlled. Plasma levels of active thymulin, a zinc-dependent thymic hormone (ZnFTS), are reduced in cancer because of the low peripheral zinc bioavailability. Zinc and thymulin are relevant for normal immune functions. α2-Macroglobulin is an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) against invasive tumour proliferation. Because α2-macroglobulin has a binding affinity (Kd) for zinc that is higher than does thymulin, it may play a key role in immune efficiency in cancer. Plasma samples of 22 patients (age range 35–60 years) with locally advanced squamous cervical carcinoma and with FIGO stage Ib2–IIb were examined. They showed reduced active thymulin, decreased NK activity and IL-2 production, increased soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and augmented α2-macroglobulin in the circulation, whereas plasma zinc levels were within the normal range for age. Significant positive correlations were found between zinc or active thymulin and α2-macroglobulin (r = 0.75, P< 0.01, r = 0.78, P< 0.01, respectively) in cancer patients. In vitro zinc increases IL-2 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of cancer patients. These data suggest that an increase in α2-macroglobulin, which competes with thymulin for zinc binding, may be involved in causing a thymulin deficit with a consequent decrease of IL-2 and NK cytotoxicity. Thus, physiological zinc treatment in cervical carcinoma maybe restores impaired central and peripheral immune efficiency. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

EuPRAXIA - A compact, cost-efficient particle and radiation source

Plasma accelerators present one of the most suitable candidates for the development of more compact particle acceleration technologies, yet they still lag behind radiofrequency (RF)-based devices when it comes to beam quality, control, stability and power efficiency. The Horizon 2020-funded project EuPRAXIA ("European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence In Applications") aims to overcome the first three of these hurdles by developing a conceptual design for a first international user facility based on plasma acceleration. In this paper we report on the main features, simulation studies and potential applications of this future research infrastructure

Horizon 2020 EuPRAXIA design study

The Horizon 2020 Project EuPRAXIA ("European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence In Applications") is preparing a conceptual design report of a highly compact and cost-effective European facility with multi-GeV electron beams using plasma as the acceleration medium. The accelerator facility will be based on a laser and/or a beam driven plasma acceleration approach and will be used for photon science, high-energy physics (HEP) detector tests, and other applications such as compact X-ray sources for medical imaging or material processing. EuPRAXIA started in November 2015 and will deliver the design report in October 2019. EuPRAXIA aims to be included on the ESFRI roadmap in 2020

Whole Genome Sequences of Three Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue Strains: Yaws and Syphilis Treponemes Differ in Less than 0.2% of the Genome Sequence

Spirochete Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue (TPE) is the causative agent of yaws while strains of Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA) cause syphilis. Both yaws and syphilis are distinguished on the basis of epidemiological characteristics and clinical symptoms. Neither treponeme can reproduce outside the host organism, which precludes the use of standard molecular biology techniques used to study cultivable pathogens. In this study, we determined high quality whole genome sequences of TPE strains and compared them to known genetic information for T. pallidum ssp. pallidum strains. The genome structure was identical in all three TPE strains and also between TPA and TPE strains. The TPE genome length ranged between 1,139,330 bp and 1,139,744 bp. The overall sequence identity between TPA and TPE genomes was 99.8%, indicating that the two pathogens are extremely closely related. A set of 34 TPE genes (3.5%) encoded proteins containing six or more amino acid replacements or other major sequence changes. These genes more often belonged to the group of genes with predicted virulence and unknown functions suggesting their involvement in infection differences between yaws and syphilis

EuPRAXIA - A Compact, Cost-Efficient Particle and Radiation Source

Plasma accelerators present one of the most suitable candidates for the development of more compact particle acceleration technologies, yet they still lag behind radiofrequency (RF)-based devices when it comes to beam quality, control, stability and power efficiency. The Horizon 2020-funded project EuPRAXIA (“European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence In Applications”) aims to overcome the first three of these hurdles by developing a conceptual design for a first international user facility based on plasma acceleration. In this paper we report on the main features, simulation studies and potential applications of this future research infrastructure

A model to predict the development of particle morphology in seeded emulsion polymerizations

Polymer blends can be obtained from two-phase polymer particles synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization, whose properties depend on their particle morphology. Here, a mathematical simulator is presented to predict the development of particle morphology during the seeded stage and after the reaction (aging period). Two experimental systems previously reported showing as the only difference the type of initiator used (AIBN or KPS) were simulated, as an example, and an acceptable agreement between predictions and experimental morphologies was obtained

Synthesis and characterization of anionic exchange resins with a gradient in polymer composition for the PS-co-DVB/PDEAMA-co-DVB system

Anionic exchange resins with a gradient in polymer composition were prepared in two stages. After P(S-co-DVB) suspension beads were obtained, N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate monomer was let to diffuse into the beads at 25 °C, and immediately photopolymerized to fix the gradient polymer composition with high surface concentration of ion exchanger. Chemical composition through the radial position was estimated by means of a mathematical algorithm and using UV spectroscopy. Resin characterization included particle size distribution, "settled" density and total anion exchange capacity, following ASTM D-2187. Values were compared with a porous commercial resin (Amberlite IRA900RF Cl). Since non porous structure with high ion exchange capacity resins were obtained, useful resins for ion exchange with long term stability can be prepared with this methodology. © 2007 Springer-Verlag

Synthesis of l-cystine nanotubes by alkalinization of l-cysteine in the presence of gallium nitride

Anionic exchange resins with a gradient in polymer composition were prepared in two stages. After P(S-co-DVB) suspension beads were obtained, N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate monomer was let to diffuse into the beads at 25 °C, and immediately photopolymerized to fix the gradient polymer composition with high surface concentration of ion exchanger. Chemical composition through the radial position was estimated by means of a mathematical algorithm and using UV spectroscopy. Resin characterization included particle size distribution, "settled" density and total anion exchange capacity, following ASTM D-2187. Values were compared with a porous commercial resin (Amberlite IRA900RF Cl). Since non porous structure with high ion exchange capacity resins were obtained, useful resins for ion exchange with long term stability can be prepared with this methodology. " 2007 Springer-Verlag.",,,,,,"10.1007/s00289-007-0825-2",,,"http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12104/44922","http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-36549016134&partnerID=40&md5=8f8f9a3f3a4773b59a83879d08f1027c",,,,,,"6",,"Polymer Bulletin",,"77

Future upgrades for GANIL

International audienceWe will present the plans and ideas for the next upgrades as discussed for the GANIL-SPIRAL2 installation in France. Recently, a report "French roadmap for Nuclear, Particle, and Astroparticle physics, along with associated technical developments and applications." were produced. It particularly focused to “The future of GANIL”. This was further enriched through extensive discussions by an international expert committee led by Michel SPIRO. These endeavors aim to push the boundaries of research capabilities at GANIL-SPIRAL2 during the next decades. Since the starting up in 1983, 40 years ago, successful exploitation with stable beams at the cyclotrons of GANIL, the laboratory has continuously evaluated and enhanced its capabilities. The latest evolution was the starting up of the SPIRAL2 facility. Today GANIL, with its state-of-the-art installations, including cyclotrons, a linear accelerator, and experimental areas, presents unique opportunities for cutting-edge research. The next upgrades under discussion are to be presented. Involving increasing beam intensities, exploring new exotic nuclei. Endeavors that aim to push the boundaries of research capabilities at GANIL-SPIRAL2 for the next decades