Medium Effects in rho-Meson Photoproduction

We compute dilepton invariant mass spectra from the decays of rho mesons produced by photon reactions off nuclei. Our calculations employ a realistic model for the rho photoproduction amplitude on the nucleon which provides fair agreement with measured cross sections. Medium effects are implemented via an earlier constructed rho propagator based on hadronic many-body theory. At incoming photon energies of 1.5 -3 GeV as used by the CLAS experiment at JLAB, the average density probed for iron targets is estimated at about half saturation density. At the pertinent rho-meson 3-momenta the predicted medium effects on the rho propagator are rather moderate. The resulting dilepton spectra approximately agree with recent CLAS data.Comment: One numerical error corrected, conclusions unchange

pi and rho loop corrections to omega photoproduction in the resonance region

One-loop corrections due to the intermediate $\pi N$ and $\rho N$ states are studied in $\omega$ photoproduction near threshold. Our results show that the coupled-channel effects should be taken into account in extracting reliable nucleon resonance parameters from the forthcoming vector meson photoproduction data in the resonance region.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in the proceedings of XVI International Conference on Particles and Nuclei (PANIC'02), Osaka, Japan, Sep. 30 - Oct. 4, 200

Nano encapsulation of Drug-loaded Lipid by Temperature induced Phase Transition

Pluronic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by means of a temperature-induced phase transition in the mixture composed of Pluronic F-68 and liquid Tween 80/soybean oil containing model drugs such as orlistat, caffeine, and ibuprofen sodium salt. Liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 was used as a solubilizer for model drugs, and Pluronic F-68 was the polymer that stabilizes liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 containing model drugs. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyzer were used to observe the morphology and size distribution of the prepared NPs. X-ray diffractometer was used to understand relationship between the crystalline state of the model drug and its solubility in the aqueous media. To observe the feasibility of Pluronic NPs as a drug delivery system, the release pattern of model drugs was observed

Nano encapsulation of Drug-loaded Lipid by Temperature induced Phase Transition

Pluronic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by means of a temperature-induced phase transition in the mixture composed of Pluronic F-68 and liquid Tween 80/soybean oil containing model drugs such as orlistat, caffeine, and ibuprofen sodium salt. Liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 was used as a solubilizer for model drugs, and Pluronic F-68 was the polymer that stabilizes liquid soybean oil/Tween 80 containing model drugs. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyzer were used to observe the morphology and size distribution of the prepared NPs. X-ray diffractometer was used to understand relationship between the crystalline state of the model drug and its solubility in the aqueous media. To observe the feasibility of Pluronic NPs as a drug delivery system, the release pattern of model drugs was observed

Clinical effect of IRT-5 probiotics on immune modulation of autoimmunity or alloimmunity in the eye

Background: Although the relation of the gut microbiota to a development of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases has been investigated in various animal models, there are limited studies that evaluate the effect of probiotics in the autoimmune eye disease. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of IRT-5 probiotics consisting of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus on the autoimmunity of uveitis and dry eye and alloimmunity of corneal transplantation. Methods: Experimental autoimmune uveitis was induced by subcutaneous immunization with interphotoreceptor-binding protein and intraperitoneal injection of pertussis toxin in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. For an autoimmune dry eye model, 12-weeks-old NOD.B10.H2b mice were used. Donor cornea of B6 mice was transplanted into BALB/C mice. IRT-5 probiotics or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were administered for three weeks immediately after induction of uveitis or transplantation. The inflammation score of the retinal tissues, dry eye manifestations (corneal staining and tear secretion), and graft survival were measured in each model. The changes of T cells were evaluated in drainage lymph nodes using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Results: Retinal histology score in IRT-5 group of uveitis was lower than that in PBS group (p = 0.045). Ocular staining score was lower (p < 0.0001) and tear secretion was higher (p < 0.0001) in the IRT-5 group of NOD.B10.H2b mice than that in the PBS group. However, the graft survival in the IRT-5 group was not different from those of PBS group. The percentage of regulatory T cells was increased in the IRT-5-treated dry eye models (p = 0.032). The percentage of CD8+IL-17hi (p = 0.027) and CD8+ interferon gamma (IFN��)hi cells (p = 0.022) were significantly decreased in the IRT-5-treated uveitis models and the percentage of CD8+IFN��hi cells was markedly reduced (p = 0.036) in IRT-5-treated dry eye model. Conclusion: Our results suggest that administration of IRT-5 probiotics may modulate clinical manifestations of autoimmunity in the eye, but not on alloimmunity of corneal transplantation. ? 2017 by the authors.112Nsciescopu

Evidence for hadronic deconfinement in pˉ\bar{p}-p collisions at 1.8 TeV

We have measured deconfined hadronic volumes, $4.4 < V < 13.0$ fm$^{3}$, produced by a one dimensional (1D) expansion. These volumes are directly proportional to the charged particle pseudorapidity densities $6.75 < dN_{c}/d\eta < 20.2$. The hadronization temperature is $T = 179.5 \pm 5$ (syst) MeV. Using Bjorken's 1D model,the hadronization energy density is $\epsilon_{F} = 1.10 \pm 0.26$ (stat) GeV/fm$^{3}$ corresponding to an excitation of $24.8 \pm 6.2$ (stat) quark-gluon degrees of freedom.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Time and Amplitude of Afterpulse Measured with a Large Size Photomultiplier Tube

We have studied the afterpulse of a hemispherical photomultiplier tube for an upcoming reactor neutrino experiment. The timing, the amplitude, and the rate of the afterpulse for a 10 inch photomultiplier tube were measured with a 400 MHz FADC up to 16 \ms time window after the initial signal generated by an LED light pulse. The time and amplitude correlation of the afterpulse shows several distinctive groups. We describe the dependencies of the afterpulse on the applied high voltage and the amplitude of the main light pulse. The present data could shed light upon the general mechanism of the afterpulse.Comment: 11 figure

Recognition of Candida albicans Als3 by the germ tube-specific monoclonal antibody 3D9.3

Monoclonal antibody 3D9.3 (MAb 3D9.3) reacts with the surface of Candida albicans germ tubes and recognizes a protein epitope. We used a two-step chromatography procedure to purify and identify the antigen (3D9) from C. albicans strain 66396 germ tubes. MAb 3D9.3 recognized two intense protein bands at 140 and 180 kDa. A comparative analysis between theoretical and experimental mass spectrum peaks showed that both bands corresponded to Als3. This conclusion was supported by lack of reactivity between MAb 3D9.3 and an als3Δ/als3Δ mutant strain, and the fact that an immunoglobulin preparation enriched for Als3 specificity recognized the purified 3D9 antigen. PCR demonstrated that C. albicans strain 66396 has two different-sized ALS3 alleles that correspond to the two purified protein bands. Strain- and species-specificity of the 3D9 epitope were studied with various C. albicans strains and Candida species, such as closely related Candida dubliniensis. The 3D9 epitope was detected only in C. albicans, demonstrating the utility of MAb 3D9.3 for differentiation between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis. Adhesion assays demonstrated that MAb 3D9.3 blocks adhesion of C. albicans germ tubes to human buccal epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells

High-speed polarization sensitive optical frequency domain imaging with frequency multiplexing

Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) provides a cross-sectional image of birefringence in biological samples that is complementary in many applications to the standard reflectance-based image. Recent ex vivo studies have demonstrated that birefringence mapping enables the characterization of collagen and smooth muscle concentration and distribution in vascular tissues. Instruments capable of applying these measurements percutaneously in vivo may provide new insights into coronary atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. We have developed a polarization sensitive optical frequency domain imaging (PS-OFDI) system that enables high-speed intravascular birefringence imaging through a fiber-optic catheter. The novel design of this system utilizes frequency multiplexing to simultaneously measure reflectance of two incident polarization states, overcoming concerns regarding temporal variations of the catheter fiber birefringence and spatial variations in the birefringence of the sample. We demonstrate circular cross-sectional birefringence imaging of a human coronary artery ex vivo through a flexible fiber-optic catheter with an A-line rate of 62 kHz and a ranging depth of 6.2 mm