The Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) aerodynamics and systems: Description and analysis

The aerodynamics, control system, instrumentation complement and recording system of the USAF Total In/Flight Simulator (TIFS) airplane are described. A control system that would allow the ailerons to be operated collectively, as well as, differentially to entrance the ability of the vehicle to perform the dual function of maneuver load control and gust alleviation is emphasized. Mathematical prediction of the rigid body and the flexible equations of longitudinal motion using the level 2.01 FLEXSTAB program are included along with a definition of the vehicle geometry, the mass and stiffness distribution, the calculated mode frequencies and mode shapes, and the resulting aerodynamic equations of motion of the flexible vehicle. A complete description of the control and instrumentation system of the aircraft is presented, including analysis, ground test and flight data comparisons of the performance and bandwidth of the aerodynamic surface servos. Proposed modification for improved performance of the servos are also presented

A study for active control research and validation using the Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) aircraft

The results of a feasibility study and preliminary design for active control research and validation using the Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) aircraft are documented. Active control functions which can be demonstrated on the TIFS aircraft and the cost of preparing, equipping, and operating the TIFS aircraft for active control technology development are determined. It is shown that the TIFS aircraft is as a suitable test bed for inflight research and validation of many ACT concepts

Diagnostische Bedeutung der Proteinbindung von Plasmacortisol, bestimmt durch Dextrangelfiltration

1. Mittels Dextrangelfiltration wurde nach Inkubation von markiertem Cortisol und Plasma der proteingebundene und der sog. freie Anteil (%) des endogenen Plasmacortisols ermittelt und bei gleichzeitiger fluorimetrischer Bestimmung der 11-OHCS auch die Menge proteingebundenen, bzw. sog. freien Cortisols (µg-%) berechnet. 2. Die diagnostische Brauchbarkeit der Methode wurde bei Patienten mit Nebennierenrindeninsuffizienz, mit Hypophysentumoren, nach Hypophysektomie, mit Cushing-Syndrom mit der fluorimetrischen Bestimmung der 11-OHCS verglichen. Die einfache Bestimmung der Cortisolbindung war bei hypophysektomierten Patienten der Bestimmung der 11-OHCS überlegen und entsprach der aufwendigeren ACTH-Belastung. 3. Falsch hohe fluorimetrische 11-OHCS-Spiegel im Plasma unter Spirolacton- oder Oestrogenbehandlung und in der Gravidität lassen sich durch Bestimmung der Cortisolbindung klären. Bei Schilddrüsenüberfunktion war das sog. freie Cortisol im Plasma relativ und absolut vermehrt, bei Schilddrüsenunterfunktion fand sich eine Zunahme des plasmaproteingebundenen Cortisols.1. Following incubation of labeled cortisol and plasma the percentages of protein bound and socalled free endogenous cortisol were determined by means of dextran gel filtration. 2. The diagnostic value of this method was compared with fluorimetric determinations of 11-OHCS for patients with adrenal insufficiency, Cushing-Syndrome, pituitary tumors and after hypophysectomy. In hypophysectomized patients the simple determination of protein bound cortisol was found to correlate well with diagnostic ACTH-infusion tests and to be more sensitive than fluorimetric determinations of 11-OHCS in 9 a.m. plasma. 3. Falsely elevated fluorimetric values of plasma 11-OHCS in patients treated with spirolactone or estrogens, resp. during pregnancy may be recognized through determination of cortisol binding. — In thyrotoxicosis socalled free cortisol was elevated, both relatively and absolutely; in hypothyroidism an increase of protein bound cortisol was found

Association of IGF-I gene polymorphisms with milk yield and body size in Chinese dairy goats

The association of IGF-I gene polymorphisms with certain traits in 708 individuals of two Chinese dairy-goat breeds (Guanzhong and Xinong Saanen) was investigated. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing methods were employed in screening for genetic variation. Two novel mutations were detected in the 5'-flanking region and in intron 4 of IGF-I gene, viz., g.1617 G > A and g.5752 G > C (accession D26119.2), respectively. The associations of the g.1617 G > A mutation with milk yield and the body size were not significant (p > 0.05). However, in the case of g.5752 G > C, Xinong Saanen dairy goats with the CG genotype presented longer bodies (p < 0.05). Chest circumference (p < 0.05) was larger in Guanzhong goats with the GG genotype. In Xinong Saanen dairy goats with the CC genotype, milk yields were significantly higher during the first and second lactations (p < 0.05). Hence, the g.5752 G > C mutation could facilitate association analysis and serve as a genetic marker for Chinese dairy-goat breeding and genetics

Expression of midkine in the early stage of carcinogenesis in human colorectal cancer

It has been suggested that a heparin-binding growth factor, midkine (MK), plays an important role incarcinogenesis because of its frequent overexpression in various malignant tumours. To clarify whether or not MK contributes to theearly stage of carcinogenesis, we examined the status of MK mRNA in 20 adenomas with moderate- and severe-grade dysplasia, 28carcinomas and 28 corresponding normal tissues, by means of Northern blotting. The MK expression level was significantly moreelevated in adenomas than in normal tissues P< 0.001, unpaired Student's t -test). A difference wasalso observed between carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues P< 0.04, paired Student's t-test). Moreover, MK immunostaining was positive in the adenomas with moderate- and severe-grade dysplasia and in the carcinomas,but not in mild-grade dysplasia or in normal tissues. These findings were in line with those on Western blotting. In three patientswith both adenomas with moderate- or severe-grade dysplasia and carcinomas, elevated MK expression was observed in the neoplasticlesions. This is the first report of the association of elevated MK expression with the early stage of carcinogenesis in humans. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Growth hormone axis in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children is associated with dramatic changes in the growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) axis, resulting in growth retardation. Moderate-to-severe growth retardation in CKD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Renal failure is a state of GH resistance and not GH deficiency. Some mechanisms of GH resistance are: reduced density of GH receptors in target organs, impaired GH-activated post-receptor Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling, and reduced levels of free IGF-1 due to increased inhibitory IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been proven to be safe and efficacious in children with CKD. Even though rhGH has been shown to improve catch-up growth and to allow the child to achieve normal adult height, the final adult height is still significantly below the genetic target. Growth retardation may persist after renal transplantation due to multiple factors, such as steroid use, decreased renal function and an abnormal GH–IGF1 axis. Those below age 6 years are the ones to benefit most from transplantation in demonstrating acceleration in linear growth. Newer treatment modalities targeting the GH resistance with recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1), recombinant human IGFBP3 (rhIGFBP3) and IGFBP displacers are under investigation and may prove to be more effective in treating growth failure in CKD

Alterations in the insulin-like growth factor system during treatment with diethylstilboestrol in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Alterations in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-system were evaluated in 16 patients treated with diethylstilboestrol 5 mg 3 times daily. Fasting blood samples were obtained before treatment and after 2 weeks, 1 month and/or 2–3 months on therapy. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, free IGF-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 were measured by radioimmuno-/immunoradiometric-assays. All samples were subjected to Western ligand blotting as well as immunoblotting for IGFBP-3. We observed a significant decrease (percentage of pretreatment levels with 95 confidence intervals of the mean) in IGF-I [2 weeks 63% (49–79); 1 month 56% (44–73); 2–3 months 66% (53–82)], IGF-II [2 weeks 67% (56–80); 1 month 60% (52–68); 2–3 months 64% (55–75)], free IGF-I [2 weeks 29% (19–42); 1 month 25% (18–36); 2–3 months 31% (21–46)], IGFBP-2 [2 weeks 53% (18–156); 1 month 69% (61–78); 2–3 months 66% (57–78)], IGFBP-3 [2 weeks 74% (63–85); 1 month 69% (62–76); 2–3 months 71% (63–80)], as well as IGFBP-3 protease activity [2 weeks 71% (54–95); 1 month 78% (64–94); 2–3 months 71% (54–93)]. Contrary, the plasma levels (percentage of pretreatment levels with 95 confidence intervals of the mean) of IGFBP-1 [2 weeks 250% (127–495); 1 month 173% (138–542); 2–3 months 273% (146–510)] and IGFBP-4 [2 weeks 146% (112–192); 1 month 140% (116–169); 2–3 months 150% (114–198)] increased significantly. While this study confirms previous observations during treatment with oral oestrogens in substitution doses, the reduction in plasma IGF-II, free IGF-I, IGFBP-2 and -3 are all novel findings. A profound decrease in free IGF-I suggests a reduced bioavailability of IGFs from plasma to the tissues. These observations may be of significance to understand the mechanisms of the antitumour effect of diethylstilboestrol in pharmacological doses. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Body weight and risk of soft-tissue sarcoma

The relation between body mass (BMI) and soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) risk was evaluated in a case–control study from Northern Italy based on 217 incident STS and 1297 hospital controls. The risk of STS rose with BMI, with multivariate odds ratios of 3.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–11.55) among men and 3.26 (95% CI 1.27–8.35) among women with a BMI >30 kg m–2 compared to those with BMI ≤ 20 kg m–2. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Organ-Specific and Age-Dependent Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA Variants: IGF-IA and IB mRNAs in the Mouse

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene generates several IGF-I mRNA variants by alternative splicing. Two promoters are present in mouse IGF-I gene. Each promoter encodes two IGF-I mRNA variants (IGF-IA and IGF-IB mRNAs). Variants differ by the presence (IGF-IB) or absence (IGF-IA) of a 52-bp insert in the E domain-coding region. Functional differences among IGF-I mRNAs, and regulatory mechanisms for alternative splicing of IGF-I mRNA are not yet known. We analyzed the expression of mouse IGF-IA and IGF-IB mRNAs using SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR. In the liver, IGF-I mRNA expression increased from 10 days of age to 45 days. In the uterus and ovary, IGF-I mRNA expression increased from 21 days of age, and then decreased at 45 days. In the kidney, IGF-I mRNA expression decreased from 10 days of age. IGF-IA mRNA levels were higher than IGF-IB mRNA levels in all organs examined. Estradiol-17 beta (E2) treatment in ovariectomized mice increased uterine IGF-IA and IGF-IB mRNA levels from 3 hr after injection, and highest levels for both mRNAs were detected at 6 hr, and relative increase was greater for IGF-IB mRNA than for IGF-IA mRNA. These results suggest that expression of IGF-I mRNA variants is regulated in organ-specific and age-dependent manners, and estrogen is involved in the change of IGF-I mRNA variant expression