Implications of the polymorphism of HLA-G on its function, regulation, evolution and disease association

The HLA-G gene displays several peculiarities that are distinct from those of classical HLA class I genes. The unique structure of the HLA-G molecule permits a restricted peptide presentation and allows the modulation of the cells of the immune system. Although polymorphic sites may potentially influence all biological functions of HLA-G, those present at the promoter and 3′ untranslated regions have been particularly studied in experimental and pathological conditions. The relatively low polymorphism observed in the MHC-G coding region both in humans and apes may represent a strong selective pressure for invariance, whereas, in regulatory regions several lines of evidence support the role of balancing selection. Since HLA-G has immunomodulatory properties, the understanding of gene regulation and the role of polymorphic sites on gene function may permit an individualized approach for the future use of HLA-G for therapeutic purposes

Efektywność produkcyjna ochrony ziemniaka z wykorzystaniem wybranych insektycydów do zwalczania stonki ziemniaczanej (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say)

Effectiveness of insecticide protection of very early edible potato cultivars against potato beetle was assessed in the years 2005-2006. The research used Prestige 290 FS, Regent 200 SC and Spruzit 04 preparations, as well as Beauveria bassiana entomopathogenic fungus spore suspension. The selection of preparations for potato beetle control significantly diversified the amount and structure of potato tuber yield. Average total tuber yield on the control, without insecticide protection, was 30.3 t∙ha-1, whereas on the treatments where Spruzit 04E C and B. bassiana spore suspension were applied the yield was on the level of 36 t∙ha-1, whereas potatoes protected by chemical preparations Regent 200 SC and Prestige 290 FS produced the largest yields, respectively on the level 41.0 and 41.8 t∙ha-1. Potato beetle control in potato cultivation contributed to an increase in average tuber weight and the share of big tuber fractions in the yield. A significant rise in the marketable tuber fraction was registered only on treatments protected with B. bassiana spore suspension and by Prestige 290 FS preparation.W latach 2005-2006 w Prusach koło Krakowa (50º11’ N; 20º08’ E) oceniano efektywność insektycydowej ochrony bardzo wczesnych odmian ziemniaka jadalnego przed stonką ziemniaczaną. W badaniach wykorzystano preparaty Prestige 290 FS, Regent 200 SC, Spruzit 04 EC oraz zawiesinę zarodników owadobójczego grzyba Beauveria bassiana. Dobór preparatów do zwalczania stonki ziemniaczanej istotnie różnicował wielkość i strukturę plonu bulw ziemniaka. Średni plon ogólny bulw w obiekcie kontrolnym – bez ochrony insektycydowej – wynosił 30,3 t·ha-1, w obiektach, w których stosowano Spruzit 04 EC i zawiesinę zarodników B. bassiana plon kształtował się na poziomie 36,0 t·ha-1, najwyżej plonowały natomiast ziemniaki chronione chemicznie preparatami Regent 200 SC oraz Prestige 290 FS, odpowiednio na poziomie 41,0 i 41,8 t·ha-1. Zwalczanie stonki w uprawie ziemniaka przyczyniło się do wzrostu średniej masy bulwy oraz udziału frakcji bulw dużych w plonie. Istotny wzrost udziału frakcji bulw handlowych odnotowano tylko w obiektach chronionych zawiesiną zarodników B. bassiana oraz preparatem Prestige 290 FS

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE WAKE OF A SIMPLIFIED TRUCK MODEL IN GROUND PROXIMITY IN VIEW OF DEFINING A CONTROL STRATEGY FOR DRAG REDUCTION

International audienceNear wake study of a simplified truck model is presented for various underbody velocity. The mean base pressure evolution and the near wake structure evolution for a change of the underbody velocity lead to the identification of four classes of flow. The wake of class (I), for un-derbody velocities below 15% of the free stream velocity U ∞ looks like a 3D backward facing step. Then for higher underbody velocities, until typically 0.4U ∞ , the wakes of classes (II) and (III) are associated to a back-flow impag-ing the rear base. This back-flow is responsible for a low pressure area on the bottom of the rear base. It would then be interesting to limit the curvature of the back-flow in order to limit the low pressure. The last class is identified for an underbody velocity above 0.6U ∞ and the wake looks like an Ahmed body wake. For all classes, turbulence is mainly localized in the upper and lateral shear layers. Flow control on these sides would be useful to attenuate these velocity fluctuations for stabilizing the near wake

Impact of the underside velocity on the drag reduction of a trailer model using a passive control system

International audienceThe effect of passive control (inclined boat-tails) on the flow in the wake of a 1:43 scale simplified trailer model is experimentally studied for various underside flow conditions. Base pressure measurements show that the boat-tails allows increasing the base pressure whatever are underside flow velocities studied and the base pressure distribution is always symmetric in the vertical mid plane. In addition, according to the underside flow velocity, the near-wake flow structure consists of a recirculating area attached or completely detached from the ground

Impact of the underside velocity on the drag reduction of a trailer model using a passive control system

International audienceThe effect of passive control (inclined boat-tails) on the flow in the wake of a 1:43 scale simplified trailer model is experimentally studied for various underside flow conditions. Base pressure measurements show that the boat-tails allows increasing the base pressure whatever are underside flow velocities studied and the base pressure distribution is always symmetric in the vertical mid plane. In addition, according to the underside flow velocity, the near-wake flow structure consists of a recirculating area attached or completely detached from the ground

Nanoscale Pattern Definition by Edge Oxidation of Silicon under the Si3N4Si_{3}N_{4} mask - PaDEOx

Well-controlled method of Si nanopattern definition - pattern definition by edge oxidation have been presented. The technique is suitable for fabrication of narrow paths of width ranged from several tens of nm to several μm by means of photolithography equipment working with μm-scale design rules. Process details influencing a shape of the Si pattern have been discussed. SEM examinations have been presented

Preparation and characterization of ZnO-PMMA resin nanocomposites for denture bases

Purpose: The aim of the paper was to investigate the antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) against Candida albicans. Some attempts have been made to find out the best way to introduce ZnONPs into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin material and to determine some parameters of a newly formed composite. Material and methods: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were manufactured and their basic physical parameters were determined (average particle size, density, specific surface area). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ZnONPs was determined for the Candida albicans standard strain. The average size of ZnO conglomerates in the monomer solution of PMMA resin was measured using a dynamic light scattering instrument. PMMA resin samples with incorporated ZnONPs were produced. The morphology of nanopowder and the newly formed composite was examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the roughness parameter of PMMA resin material was investigated before and after ZnONPs modification. Results: Nanopowder with the average particle size of 30 nm, density of 5.24 g/cm3 and surface area of 39 m2 /g was obtained. MIC was determined at the level of 0.75 mg/mL. The average size of ZnO conglomerates in the monomer solution of acrylic resin dropped by 11 times after ultrasound activation. SEM examination of a newly formed composite showed a successful introduction of ZnONPs confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in the biomaterial roughness before and after the modification of ZnONPs. Conclusion: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into acrylic resin used for the production of denture bases. The presence of nanoparticles with sizes below 100 nm was confirmed. Nevertheless a newly created composite needs to be further investigated to improve its homogeneity, and to check its microbiological properties, strength and biocompatibility prior to its possible clinical use