KM3NeT broadcast optical data transport system

The optical data transport system of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea will provide more than 6000 optical modules in the detector arrays with a point-to-point optical connection to the control stations onshore. The ARCA and ORCA detectors of KM3NeT are being installed at a depth of about 3500 m and 2500 m, respectively and their distance to the control stations is about 100 kilometers and 40 kilometers. In particular, the two detectors are optimised for the detection of cosmic neutrinos with energies above about 1 TeV (ARCA) and for the detection of atmospheric neutrinos with energies in the range 1 GeV-1 TeV (ORCA). The expected maximum data rate is 200 Mbps per optical module. The implemented optical data transport system matches the layouts of the networks of electro-optical cables and junction boxes in the deep sea. For efficient use of the fibres in the system the technology of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing is applied. The performance of the optical system in terms of measured bit error rates, optical budget are presented. The next steps in the implementation of the system are also discussed

The nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat protein 3 inflammasome/IL-1 receptor I axis mediates innate, but not adaptive, immune responses after exposure to particulate matter under 10 µm

Exposure to particulate matter (PM), a major component of air pollution, contributes to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Inhaled PM induces innate immune responses by airway epithelial cells that may lead to the exacerbation or de novo development of airway disease. We have previously shown that 10-μm PM (PM₁₀) activates the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome in human airway epithelial cells. Our objective was to determine the innate and adaptive immune responses mediated by the airway epithelium NLRP3 inflammasome in response to PM₁₀ exposure. Using in vitro cultures of human airway epithelial cells and in vivo studies with wild-type and Nlrp3^-/- mice, we investigated the downstream consequences of PM₁₀-induced NLPR3 inflammasome activation on cytokine production, cellular inflammation, dendritic cell activation, and PM₁₀-facilitated allergic sensitization. PM₁₀ activates an NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1 receptor I (IL-1RI) axis in airway epithelial cells, resulting in IL-1β, CC chemokine ligand-20, and granulocyte/macrophage colony–stimulating factor production, which is associated with dendritic cell activation and lung neutrophilia. Despite these profound innate immune responses in the airway epithelium, the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1RI axis is dispensable for PM₁₀-facilitated allergic sensitization. We demonstrate the importance of the lung NLRP3 inflammasome in mediating PM₁₀ exposure–associated innate, but not adaptive, immune responses. Our study highlights a mechanism by which PM₁₀ exposure can contribute to the exacerbation of airway disease, but not PM₁₀-facilitated allergic sensitization

Identification and function of long non-coding RNA

Long non-coding (lnc) RNAs are defined as non-protein coding RNAs distinct from housekeeping RNAs such as tRNAs, rRNAs, and snRNAs, and independent from small RNAs with specific molecular processing machinery such as micro- or piwi-RNAs. Recent studies of lncRNAs across different species have revealed a diverse population of RNA molecules of differing size and function. RNA sequencing studies suggest transcription throughout the genome, so there is a need to understand how sequence relates to functional and structural relationships amongst RNA molecules. Our synthesis of recent studies suggests that neither size, presence of a poly-A tail, splicing, direction of transcription, nor strand specificity are of importance to lncRNA function. Rather, relative genomic position in relation to a target is fundamentally important. In this review, we describe issues of key importance in functional assessment of lncRNA and how this might apply to lncRNAs important in neurodevelopment

Airway cells after swimming outdoors or in the sea in nonasthmatic athletes

Contains fulltext : 151461.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, 27 januari 2016Promotor : Jetten, M.S.M. Co-promotores : Lüke, C., Ettwig, K.F.179 p

J Antimicrob Chemother

Objectives NEAT001/ANRS143 demonstrated non-inferiority of once-daily darunavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg) + twice-daily raltegravir (400 mg) versus darunavir/ritonavir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (245/200 mg once daily) in treatment-naive patients. We investigated the population pharmacokinetics of darunavir, ritonavir, tenofovir and emtricitabine and relationships with demographics, genetic polymorphisms and virological failure. Methods Non-linear mixed-effects models (NONMEM v. 7.3) were applied to determine pharmacokinetic parameters and assess demographic covariates and relationships with SNPs (SLCO3A1, SLCO1B1, NR1I2, NR1I3, CYP3A5*3, CYP3A4*22, ABCC2, ABCC10, ABCG2 and SCL47A1). The relationship between model-predicted darunavir AUC0–24 and C24 with time to virological failure was evaluated by Cox regression. Results Of 805 enrolled, 716, 720, 347 and 361 were included in the darunavir, ritonavir, tenofovir and emtricitabine models, respectively (11% female, 83% Caucasian). No significant effect of patient demographics or SNPs was observed for darunavir or tenofovir apparent oral clearance (CL/F); coadministration of raltegravir did not influence darunavir or ritonavir CL/F. Ritonavir CL/F decreased by 23% in NR1I2 63396C>T carriers and emtricitabine CL/F was linearly associated with creatinine clearance (P<0.001). No significant relationship was demonstrated between darunavir AUC0–24 or C24 and time to virological failure [HR (95% CI): 2.28 (0.53–9.80), P=0.269; and 1.82 (0.61–5.41), P=0.279, respectively]. Conclusions Darunavir concentrations were unaltered in the presence of raltegravir and not associated with virological failure. Polymorphisms investigated had little impact on study-drug pharmacokinetics. Darunavir/ritonavir + raltegravir may be an appropriate option for patients experiencing NRTI-associated toxicity