Modeling of neoclassical tearing mode stabilization by electron cyclotron heating and current drive in tokamak plasmas

An integrated numerical system is established to model time-dependent behavior of the neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) in a tokamak which solves the modified Rutherford equation (MRE) by coupling with plasma transport, equilibrium, heating and current drive. The MRE is formulated in a simple form to be well-suited for time-dependent simulations including a predictive purpose for the feedback controller design by coupling the electron cyclotron effect self-consistently. In particular the electron cyclotron heating (ECH) effect is newly included to the MRE in addition to the electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) effect to investigate their impact to stabilize the NTM. The integrated numerical system is applied to experiments for benchmarking in which NTMs are stabilized by ECCD and by ECH at ASDEX Upgrade and TCV, respectively. The impact of ECCD and ECH on stabilizing NTMs is identified in the simulations. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

A retrospective study of viral skin diseases of cattle, sheep and goats in Plateau State, Nigeria

Viral skin diseases namely lumpy skin disease (LSD), bovine papilloma (BP), goat pox (GTP) and contagious ecthyma (CE) have been reported in Plateau State, but our search through literatures did not reveal any documented prevalence rates of these diseases. A retrospective study of LSD, BP, GTP and CE was carried out based on Jos abattoir (2005-2016) and laboratory records of National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria (2010-2016). Based on the Jos Abattoir records, the prevalence rates were as follows LSD: 0.13% and BP 0.5% in Cattle. The prevalence of CE was 4.2%in sheep and 3.6% in goats. While LSD was diagnosed only in 2005, 2008 and 2016, BP was diagnosed every year except 2013, 2015 and 2016. Comparatively, CE was diagnosed in every year and month of the period reviewed. The analysis of records revealed that 11 samples were submitted for lab confirmation from suspected cases of LSD, 45.4% of which were positive by PCR. Additionally, 10 samples submitted for lab confirmation from suspected cases of GTP and 40% of the samples analyzed were positive by PCR. Of the 11 samples submitted for lab confirmation of CE, 36.4% of samples were confirmed to be CE by PCR. The laboratory results validate the Jos abattoir records which confirm that LSD, GTP and CE occur in Plateau State, Nigeria.Keywords: Abattoir, Plateau State, Prevalence, Retrospective, Viral skin disease

Cytotoxic effects of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin preparations on primary human thymic epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) presents a major cause for morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) treatment reduces the incidence of GvHD after alloHSCT. However, delayed immune reconstitution following rATG treatment, partly due to hampered thymic function, is being discussed. The present study aimed at elucidating possible cytotoxic effects of two commonly used rATG preparations on cultured human thymic stroma, especially thymic epithelial cells (TECs). METHODS: A primary thymic epithelial cell culture was established and the binding and cytotoxicity of two rATG preparations to the aforementioned cells were assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analyses. The release of several cytokines by cultured TSCs in response to rATG was analyzed via multiplex ELISA. RESULTS: Both preparations showed a comparable dose-dependent binding to TECs and exerted a similar complement-independent, dose-dependent cytotoxicity. rATG exposure further resulted in hampered secretion of IL-7, IL-15 and IL-6, cytokines being involved in thymic T cell development and proliferation. Pretreatment with keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) diminished rATG-induced cytotoxicity of TECs and restored their IL-7 and IL-15 secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Cytotoxic effects on TECs link a rATG-induced thymic damage to the delayed T cell reconstitution witnessed after rATG treatment. Our data support a combination treatment of rATG and thymus-protective strategies such as KGF in order to simultaneously offer sufficient GvHD prophylaxis and overcome delayed T cell reconstitution due to thymic damage

Multifunctional tumor pH-sensitive self-assembled nanoparticles for bimodal imaging and treatment of resistant heterogeneous tumors

Nanoparticle-based diagnosis-therapy integrative systems represent an emerging approach to cancer treatment. However, the diagnostic sensitivity, treatment efficacy, and bioavailability of nanoparticles as well as the heterogeneity and drug resistance of tumors pose tremendous challenges for clinical implementation. We herein report on the fabrication of tumor pH-sensitive magnetic nanogrenades (termed PMNs) composed of self-assembled iron oxide nanoparticles and pH-responsive ligands. These PMNs can readily target tumors via surface-charge switching triggered by the acidic tumor microenvironment, and are further disassembled into a highly active state in acidic subcellular compartments that ""turns on"" MR contrast, fluorescence and photodynamic therapeutic activity. We successfully visualized small tumors implanted in mice via unique pH-responsive T1MR contrast and fluorescence, demonstrating early stage diagnosis of tumors without using any targeting agents. Furthermore, pH-triggered generation of singlet oxygen enabled pH-dependent photodynamic therapy to selectively kill cancer cells. In particular, we demonstrated the superior therapeutic efficacy of PMNs in highly heterogeneous drug-resistant tumors, showing a great potential for clinical applications. © 2014 American Chemical Society.11901981sciescopu