Dimensions of fractals related to languages defined by tagged strings in complete genomes

A representation of frequency of strings of length K in complete genomes of many organisms in a square has led to seemingly self-similar patterns when K increases. These patterns are caused by under-represented strings with a certain "tag"-string and they define some fractals when K tends to infinite. The Box and Hausdorff dimensions of the limit set are discussed. Although the method proposed by Mauldin and Williams to calculate Box and Hausdorff dimension is valid in our case, a different and simpler method is proposed in this paper.Comment: 9 pages with two figure

GEOCHEMICAL AND CLAY-MINERAL STUDY OF HEALING MUD FROM WUDALIANCHI, NE CHINA

Over the centuries, people have used healing mud (peloids) to draw toxins out of the body, boost the immune system, cure psoriasis, acne, depression, and hair loss. The beauty industry has used mud-clay masks, body wraps, soaps, and baths. The useful properties of mud were established empirically. The most popular healing-mud spars are known in the Dead Sea in Israel, Baden-Baden in Germany, Calistoga in California, Budapest in Hungary, Akhtala and Kumisi in Georgia, Paratunka in Kamchatka, Wudalianchi in China.Over the centuries, people have used healing mud (peloids) to draw toxins out of the body, boost the immune system, cure psoriasis, acne, depression, and hair loss. The beauty industry has used mud-clay masks, body wraps, soaps, and baths. The useful properties of mud were established empirically. The most popular healing-mud spars are known in the Dead Sea in Israel, Baden-Baden in Germany, Calistoga in California, Budapest in Hungary, Akhtala and Kumisi in Georgia, Paratunka in Kamchatka, Wudalianchi in China

Leukotriene B4, administered via intracerebroventricular injection, attenuates the antigen-induced asthmatic response in sensitized guinea pigs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite intensive studies focused on the pathophysiology of asthmatic inflammation, little is known about how cross-talk between neuroendocrine and immune systems regulates the inflammatory response during an asthmatic attack. We recently showed corresponding changes of cytokines and leukotriene B₄(LTB₄) in brain and lung tissues of antigen-challenged asthmatic rats. Here, we investigated how LTB₄interacts with the neuroendocrine-immune system in regulating antigen-induced asthmatic responses in sensitized guinea pigs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs were challenged by inhalation of antigen. Vehicle, LTB₄or U75302 (a selective LTB₄BLT1 receptor inhibitor) was given via intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) 30 min before challenge. Airway contraction response was evaluated using Penh values before and after antigen challenge. The inflammatory response in lung tissue was evaluated 24 h after challenge. The LTB₄content of lung and brain homogenate preparations was detected by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) were measured using ELISA kits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Antigen challenge impaired pulmonary function and increased inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue. These responses could be significantly suppressed by LTB₄, 30 ng i.c.v., in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs. LTB₄content of lung and brain homogenates from antigen-challenged guinea pigs was significantly increased. In addition, administration of LTB₄via i.c.v. markedly increased CORT and ACTH level in plasma before antigen challenge, and there were further increases in CORT and ACTH levels in plasma after antigen challenge. U75302, 100 ng i.c.v., completely blocked the effects of LTB₄. In addition, U75302, 100 ng via i.c.v. injection, markedly decreased LTB₄content in lung homogenates, but not in brain homogenates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increased LTB₄levels in brain during asthmatic attacks down-regulates airway contraction response and inflammation through the BLT1 receptor. Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by LTB₄may result in an increase in systemic glucocorticoids which, in turn, would feed back to suppress the asthmatic response.</p