1,638 research outputs found
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in ring enhancing lesions
We report a 4 year old girl with ring enhancing lesions in brain CT, initially diagnosed as neurocysticercosis but did not respond to cysticidal therapy. A Magnetic resonance spectropscopy (MRS) revealed lipid peaks suggestive of tuberculoma which was successfully treated with antituberculosis therapy. This report highlights the role of MRS in the diagnosis of ring enhancing lesios
Myeloid dendritic cells display downregulation of C-type lectin receptors and aberrant lectin uptake in systemic lupus erythematosus
Abstract
Introduction
There is a growing body of evidence implicating aberrant dendritic cell function as a crucial component in the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the phagocytic capacity and expression of receptors involved in pathogen recognition and self-nonself discrimination on myeloid dendritic cells from patients with lupus.
Methods
Unstimulated or stimulated monocyte-derived dendritic cells were obtained from lupus patients and healthy control individuals, and expression of C-type lectin receptors (mannose receptor and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing nonintegrin), complement-receptor 3 and Fcγ receptors was determined by flow cytometry. Dextran uptake by lupus and control dendritic cells was also assessed by flow cytometry. Serum IFNγ was quantified by ELISA, and uptake of microbial products was measured using fluorescently labeled zymosan.
Results
When compared with dendritic cells from healthy control individuals, unstimulated and stimulated lupus dendritic cells displayed significantly decreased dextran uptake and mannose receptor and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing nonintegrin expression. Decreased expression of the mannose receptor was associated with high serum IFNγ levels, but not with maturation status or medications. Diminished dextran uptake and mannose receptor expression correlated with lupus disease activity. There were no differences between control and lupus dendritic cells in the expression of other pattern recognition receptors or in the capacity to uptake zymosan particles
Conclusions
Lupus dendritic cells have diminished endocytic capacity, which correlates with decreased mannose receptor expression. While this phenomenon appears primarily intrinsic to dendritic cells, modulation by serum factors such as IFNγ could play a role. These abnormalities may be relevant to the aberrant immune homeostasis and the increased susceptibility to infections described in lupus.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112498/1/13075_2008_Article_2366.pd
Tons of excreta and ways to treat them
In most cities in developing or newly industrialised countries, collection, haulage and treatment of faecal sludges (FS) from latrines, aqua privies and septic tanks pose a multitude of problems. Due to excessive haulage distances and to a lack of suitable treatment options, the sludges are normally dumped untreated within the shortest possible distance. To illustrate the quantitative aspect of the problem, e.g. Manila and Bangkok, where 65 per cent of the population are
served by septic tanks, will have to deal daily with the haulage and treatment of 300 and 500 tanker loads,
respectively, in the near future; i.e., when emptying services will have been improved (Veroy, Arellano and Sahagun
1994; Stoll 1995). Only in a few countries (e.g. Ghana, Thailand, Indonesia, and Argentina), purposely designed treatment plants exist to treat septage and nightsoil. In some countries (e.g. Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa), FS are added to the urban wastewater stream for cotreatment
in wastewater treatment plants; generally waste stabilisation ponds (WSP). These are frequently overloaded
and malfunctioning as they are not originally designed to receive the additional load
Effects of chromium on the immune system
Chromium is a naturally occurring heavy metal found commonly in the environment in trivalent, Cr(III), and hexavalent, Cr(VI), forms. Cr(VI) compounds have been declared as a potent occupational carcinogen among workers in chrome plating, stainless steel, and pigment industries. The reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) results in the formation of reactive intermediates that together with oxidative stress oxidative tissue damage and a cascade of cellular events including modulation of apoptosis regulatory gene p53, contribute to the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of Cr(VI)-containing compounds. On the other hand, chromium is an essential nutrient required to promote the action of insulin in body tissues so that the body can use sugars, proteins and fats. Chromium is of significant importance in altering the immune response by immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive processes as shown by its effects on T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, cytokine production and the immune response that may induce hypersensitivity reactions. This review gives an overview of the effects of chromium on the immune system of the body
Additivity properties of a Gaussian Channel
The Amosov-Holevo-Werner conjecture implies the additivity of the minimum
Re'nyi entropies at the output of a channel. The conjecture is proven true for
all Re'nyi entropies of integer order greater than two in a class of Gaussian
bosonic channel where the input signal is randomly displaced or where it is
coupled linearly to an external environment.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure (minor error present in the published version
corrected
Minimum Renyi and Wehrl entropies at the output of bosonic channels
The minimum Renyi and Wehrl output entropies are found for bosonic channels
in which the signal photons are either randomly displaced by a Gaussian
distribution (classical-noise channel), or in which they are coupled to a
thermal environment through lossy propagation (thermal-noise channel). It is
shown that the Renyi output entropies of integer orders z>1 and the output
Wehrl entropy are minimized when the channel input is a coherent state.Comment: Minimal revision. Accepted for publication on Phys. Rev.
Positioning and clock synchronization through entanglement
A method is proposed to employ entangled and squeezed light for determining
the position of a party and for synchronizing distant clocks. An accuracy gain
over analogous protocols that employ classical resources is demonstrated and a
quantum-cryptographic positioning application is given, which allows only
trusted parties to learn the position of whatever must be localized. The
presence of a lossy channel and imperfect photodetection is considered. The
advantages in using partially entangled states is discussed.Comment: Revised version. 9 pages, 6 figure
Shoreline Change Near Gopalpur Port, East Coast of India
Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv
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