Ultrasonic Signal Processing Applied to Flaw Characterization in Composite Materials

Composite material evaluation still remains a tricky business for various configurations of materials, structures, and of manufacturing and aging processes. The main issue is how to distinguish critical defects in materials which provide naturally a low S/N ratio. Other diagnosis problems such as bounding and water ingress, or corrosion for metallics will benefit from the utilization of signal processing and in particular of the Wavelet Transformation which should offer a more exhaustive and smart approach in signal processing than the standard FFT or Split spectrum procedures

Early-life exposure to combustion-derived particulate matter causes pulmonary immunosuppression

Elevated levels of combustion-derived particulate matter (CDPM) are a risk factor for the development of lung diseases such as asthma. Studies have shown that CDPM exacerbates asthma, inducing acute lung dysfunction and inflammation; however, the impact of CDPM exposure on early immunological responses to allergens remains unclear. To determine the effects of early-lifeCDPMexposure on allergic asthma development in infants, we exposed infant mice to CDPM and then induced a mouse model of asthma using house dust mite (HDM) allergen. Mice exposed to CDPMHDM failed to develop a typical asthma phenotype including airway hyper-responsiveness, T-helper type 2 (Th2) inflammation, Muc5ac expression, eosinophilia, and HDM-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) compared with HDM-exposed mice. Although HDM-specific IgE was attenuated, total IgE was twofold higher in CDPMHDM mice compared with HDM mice. We further demonstrate that CDPM exposure during early life induced an immunosuppressive environment in the lung, concurrent with increases in tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells, resulting in the suppression of Th2 responses. Despite having early immunosuppression, these mice develop severe allergic inflammation when challenged with allergen as adults. These findings demonstrate a mechanism whereby CDPM exposure modulates adaptive immunity, inducing specific antigen tolerance while amplifying total IgE, and leading to a predisposition to develop asthma upon rechallenge later in life. © 2014 Society for Mucosal Immunology

3D morphometric analysis of calcified cartilage properties using micro-computed tomography

Objective: Our aim is to establish methods for quantifying morphometric properties of calcified cartilage (CC) from micro-computed tomography (mu CT). Furthermore, we evaluated the feasibility of these methods in investigating relationships between osteoarthritis (OA), tidemark surface morphology and open subchondral channels (OSCCs). Method: Samples (n = 15) used in this study were harvested from human lateral tibial plateau (n = 8). Conventional roughness and parameters assessing local 3-dimensional (3D) surface variations were used to quantify the surface morphology of the CC. Subchondral channel properties (percentage, density, size) were also calculated. As a reference, histological sections were evaluated using Histopathological osteoarthritis grading (OARSI) and thickness of CC and subchondral bone (SCB) was quantified. Results: OARSI grade correlated with a decrease in local 3D variations of the tidemark surface (amount of different surface patterns (r(s) = -0.600, P = 0.018), entropy of patterns (EP) (r(s) = -0.648, P = 0.018), homogeneity index (HI) (r(s) = 0.555, P = 0.032)) and tidemark roughness (TMR) (r(s) = -0.579, P = 0.024). Amount of different patterns (ADP) and EP associated with channel area fraction (CAF) (r(p) = 0.876, P <0.0001; r(p) = 0.665, P = 0.007, respectively) and channel density (CD) (r(p) = 0.680, P = 0.011; r(p) = 0.582, P = 0.023, respectively). TMR was associated with CAF (r(p) = 0.926, P <0.0001) and average channel size (r(p) = 0.574, P = 0.025). CC topography differed statistically significantly in early OA vs healthy samples. Conclusion: We introduced a mu-CT image method to quantify 3D CC topography and perforations through CC. CC topography was associated with OARSI grade and OSCC properties; this suggests that the established methods can detect topographical changes in tidemark and CC perforations associated with OA. (c) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Osteoarthritis Research Society International. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Recombinant Escherichia coli as a gene delivery vector into airway epithelial cells

Abstract To transfer genes into airway epithelial cells, we have generated auxotrophic dap Escherichia coli BM2710 mutant that expresses the invasin of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and the listeriolysin of Listeria monocytogenes. E. coli BM2710 harboring a plasmid carrying the gfp gene was incubated with immortalized normal or cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelial cells or with primary bronchial epithelial cells grown as an explant-outgrowth cell culture model. Approximately 2% of immortalized cells expressed GFP. Few primary cells were transfected that were always poorly differentiated and located at the edge of the outgrowth. This was consistent with the expression of h1-integrins only on these cells and with the required interaction for cell entry of E. coli expressing the invasin with h1-integrins. The subsequent intracellular trafficking of E. coli BM2710 studied by confocal and electronic microscopy showed that the E. coli-containing phagosomes rapidly matured into phagolysosomes. This is the first demonstration that recombinant bacteria are able to transfer genes into primary airway epithelial cells, provided that they are able to invade the cells

Local and systemic mycorrhiza-induced protection against the ectoparasitic nematode Xiphinema index involves priming of defence gene responses in grapevine

The ectoparasitic dagger nematode (Xiphinema index), vector of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), provokes gall formation and can cause severe damage to the root system of grapevines. Mycorrhiza formation by Glomus (syn. Rhizophagus) intraradices BEG141 reduced both gall formation on roots of the grapevine rootstock SO4 (Vitis berlandieri×V. riparia) and nematode number in the surrounding soil. Suppressive effects increased with time and were greater when the nematode was post-inoculated rather than co-inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus. Using a split-root system, decreased X. index development was shown in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal parts of mycorrhizal root systems, indicating that both local and systemic induced bioprotection mechanisms were active against the ectoparasitic nematode. Expression analyses of ESTs (expressed sequence tags) generated in an SSH (subtractive suppressive hybridization) library, representing plant genes up-regulated during mycorrhiza-induced control of X. index, and of described grapevine defence genes showed activation of chitinase 1b, pathogenesis-related 10, glutathione S-transferase, stilbene synthase 1, 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase, and a heat shock proein 70-interacting protein in association with the observed local and/or systemic induced bioprotection against the nematode. Overall, the data suggest priming of grapevine defence responses by the AM fungus and transmission of a plant-mediated signal to non-mycorrhizal tissues. Grapevine gene responses during AM-induced local and systemic bioprotection against X. index point to biological processes that are related either to direct effects on the nematode or to protection against nematode-imposed stress to maintain root tissue integrity

Design and in vitro studies of a needle-type glucose sensor for subcutaneous monitoring

International audienceA new miniaturized glucose oxidase based needle-type glu¬ cose mlcrosensor has been developed for subcutaneous glu¬ cose monitoring. The sensor Is equivalent In shape and size to a 26-gauge needle (0.45-mm o.d.) and can be Implanted with ease without any Incision. The novel configuration greatly facilitates the deposition of enzyme and polymer films so that sensors with characteristics suitable for In vivo use (upper limit of linear range > 15 mM, response time 60%). The sensor response is largely Independent of ox¬ ygen tension In the normal physiological range. It also ex¬ hibits good selectivity against common interferences except for the exogenous drug acetaminophen

Superhard Phases of Simple Substances and Binary Compounds of the B-C-N-O System: from Diamond to the Latest Results (a Review)

The basic known and hypothetic one- and two-element phases of the B-C-N-O system (both superhard phases having diamond and boron structures and precursors to synthesize them) are described. The attention has been given to the structure, basic mechanical properties, and methods to identify and characterize the materials. For some phases that have been recently described in the literature the synthesis conditions at high pressures and temperatures are indicated.Comment: Review on superhard B-C-N-O phase

Formation of Nano-Bio-Complex as Nanomaterials Dispersed in a Biological Solution for Understanding Nanobiological Interactions

Information on how cells interface with nanomaterials in biological environments has important implications for the practice of nanomedicine and safety consideration of nanomaterials. However, our current understanding of nanobiological interactions is still very limited. Here, we report the direct observation of nanomaterial bio-complex formation (other than protein corona) from nanomaterials dispersed in biologically relevant solutions. We observed highly selective binding of the components of cell culture medium and phosphate buffered saline to ZnO and CuO nanoparticles, independent of protein molecules. Our discoveries may provide new insights into the understanding of how cells interact with nanomaterials

Covalent enzyme coupling on cellulose acetate membranes for glucose sensor development

International audienceMethods for immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOx) on cellulose acetate (CA) membranes are compared. The optimal method involves covalent coupling of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to CA membrane and a subsequent reaction of the membrane with GOx, which has previously been activated with an excess of p-benzoquinone. This coupling procedure is fairly reproducible and allows the preparation of thin membranes (5-20 µm) showing high surface activities (1-3 U/cm2) which are stable over a period of 1-3 months. Electrochemical and radiolabeling experiments show that enzyme inactivation as a result of immobilization is negligible. A good correlation between surface activity of membranes and their GOx load is observed

Use of albumin infusion for cirrhosis-related complications. An international position statement

Background &amp; Aims: Numerous studies have evaluated the role of human albumin (HA) in managing various liver cirrhosis-related complications. However, their conclusions remain partially controversial, probably because HA was evaluated in different settings, including indications, patient characteristics, and dosage and duration of therapy. Methods: Thirty-three investigators from 19 countries with expertise in the management of liver cirrhosis-related complications were invited to organise an International Special Interest Group. A three-round Delphi consensus process was conducted to complete the international position statement on the use of HA for treatment of liver cirrhosis-related complications. Results: Twelve clinically significant position statements were proposed. Short-term infusion of HA should be recommended for the management of hepatorenal syndrome, large volume paracentesis, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in liver cirrhosis. Its effects on the prevention or treatment of other liver cirrhosis-related complications should be further elucidated. Long-term HA administration can be considered in specific settings. Pulmonary oedema should be closely monitored as a potential adverse effect in cirrhotic patients receiving HA infusion. Conclusions: Based on the currently available evidence, the international position statement suggests the potential benefits of HA for the management of multiple liver cirrhosis-related complications and summarises its safety profile. However, its optimal timing and infusion strategy remain to be further elucidated. Impact and implications: Thirty-three investigators from 19 countries proposed 12 position statements on the use of human albumin (HA) infusion in liver cirrhosis-related complications. Based on current evidence, short-term HA infusion should be recommended for the management of HRS, LVP, and SBP; whereas, long-term HA administration can be considered in the setting where budget and logistical issues can be resolved. However, pulmonary oedema should be closely monitored in cirrhotic patients who receive HA infusion