Current large deviations in a driven dissipative model

We consider lattice gas diffusive dynamics with creation-annihilation in the bulk and maintained out of equilibrium by two reservoirs at the boundaries. This stochastic particle system can be viewed as a toy model for granular gases where the energy is injected at the boundary and dissipated in the bulk. The large deviation functional for the particle currents flowing through the system is computed and some physical consequences are discussed: the mechanism for local current fluctuations, dynamical phase transitions, the fluctuation-relation

Correction: E. coli Nissle 1917 is a safe mucosal delivery vector for a birch-grass pollen chimera to prevent allergic poly-sensitization

International audienc

E. coli Nissle 1917 is a safe mucosal delivery vector for a birch-grass pollen chimera to prevent allergic poly-sensitization

International audienceAllergic poly-sensitization affects a large number of allergic patients and poses a great challenge for their treatment. In this study we evaluated the effects of the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) expressing a birch and grass pollen allergen chimera ‘Bet v 1, Phl p 1 and Phl p 5’ (EcN-Chim) on allergy prevention after oral or intranasal application in poly-sensitized mice. In contrast to oral application, intranasal pretreatment with EcN-Chim prior to poly-sensitization led to a significant reduction of lung inflammation (eosinophils, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage) along with suppressed levels of allergen-specific serum IgE. The suppression was associated with increased levels of allergen-specific IgA in lungs and serum IgG2a along with increased Foxp3, TGF-β, and IL-10 mRNA in bronchial lymph nodes. In vitro EcN induced high levels of IL-10 and IL-6 in both lung and intestinal epithelial cells. Importantly, using in vivo imaging techniques we demonstrated that intranasally applied EcN do not permanently colonize nose, lung, and gut and this strain might therefore be a safe delivery vector against allergy in humans. In conclusion, our data show that intranasal application of recombinant EcN expressing a multiallergen chimera presents a novel and promising treatment strategy for prevention of allergic poly-sensitization

Insecticidal Potential of Defense Metabolites from <i>Ocimum kilimandscharicum</i> against <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i>

<div><p>Genus <i>Ocimum</i> contains a reservoir of diverse secondary metabolites, which are known for their defense and medicinal value. However, the defense-related metabolites from this genus have not been studied in depth. To gain deeper insight into inducible defense metabolites, we examined the overall biochemical and metabolic changes in <i>Ocimum kilimandscharicum</i> that occurred in response to the feeding of <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> larvae. Metabolic analysis revealed that the primary and secondary metabolism of local and systemic tissues in <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> was severely affected following larval infestation. Moreover, levels of specific secondary metabolites like camphor, limonene and β-caryophyllene (known to be involved in defense) significantly increased in leaves upon insect attack. Choice assays conducted by exposing <i>H. armigera</i> larvae on <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> and tomato leaves, demonstrated that <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> significantly deters larval feeding. Further, when larvae were fed on <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> leaves, average body weight decreased and mortality of the larvae increased. Larvae fed on artificial diet supplemented with <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> leaf extract, camphor, limonene and β-caryophyllene showed growth retardation, increased mortality rates and pupal deformities. Digestive enzymes of <i>H. armigera -</i> namely, amylase, protease and lipase- showed variable patterns after feeding on <i>O. kilimandscharicum,</i> which implies striving of the larvae to attain required nutrition for growth, development and metamorphosis. Evidently, selected metabolites from <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> possess significant insecticidal activity.</p></div

Metabolic changes in leaves of <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i> following <i>H. armigera</i> infestation.

<p>Heat map representing relative expression of a sub-set of volatiles elicited in leaf tissue during <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i>-<i>H. armigera</i> interaction; comparison between metabolite profiles of local (L) and systemic (S) leaf tissue in <i>O. kilimandscharicum</i>, 12 h and 24 h after feeding by <i>H. armigera</i>, and also on days 3 (D3) and 6 (D6), compared to control (C) plants.</p