Influence of 1 Alpha, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on T helper 17 cells and related cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. Emerging data suggests that T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a pathogenic role in SLE and the increased number of these cells correlates with disease activity. In recent years, 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VitD3) has been considered as an immunomodulatory factor. Objective: To investigate the effect of 1,25VitD3 on Th17 cells and on the expression of related cytokines in SLE patients. Method: Thirty SLE patients (newly diagnosed or in remission) were sampled for 10 ml whole blood to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation. Isolated cells were cultured in the presence and absence of 50 nM 1,25VitD3. After incubation, cells were harvested and stimulated for 4-5 hours with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin in the presence of brefeldin A. IL-17 secreting cells were analyzed by flowcytometry. RNA was extracted from cultured cells, cDNA was synthesized, and the expression levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and TGF-β genes were assessed by real-time PCR. Results: The percentage of Th17 cells (CD3+CD8- IL-17+ T cells) decreased significantly in 1,25VitD3-treated cells (3.67 ± 2.43%) compared to untreated cells (4.65 ± 2.75%) (p=0.003). The expression of TGF-β up regulated (1.38-fold) and the expression of IL-6 (50%), IL-17 (27%) and IL-23 (64%) down regulated after 1,25VitD3 treatment. Conclusion: This study showed that 1,25VitD3 modulates Th17 related pathways in SLE patients and revealed the immunomodulatory effect of 1,25VitD3 on the Th17 mediated autoimmunity. © 2015, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Precise Measurements of Atmospheric Muon Fluxes with the BESS Spectrometer

The vertical absolute fluxes of atmospheric muons and muon charge ratio have been measured precisely at different geomagnetic locations by using the BESS spectrometer. The observations had been performed at sea level (30 m above sea level) in Tsukuba, Japan, and at 360 m above sea level in Lynn Lake, Canada. The vertical cutoff rigidities in Tsukuba (36.2 N, 140.1 E) and in Lynn Lake (56.5 N, 101.0 W) are 11.4 GV and 0.4 GV, respectively. We have obtained vertical fluxes of positive and negative muons in a momentum range from 0.6 to 20 GeV/c with systematic errors less than 3 % in both measurements. By comparing the data collected at two different geomagnetic latitudes, we have seen an effect of cutoff rigidity. The dependence on the atmospheric pressure and temperature, and the solar modulation effect have been also clearly observed. We also clearly observed the decrease of charge ratio of muons at low momentum side with at higher cutoff rigidity region.Comment: 35 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to Astroparticle Physic

Tailoring Additively Manufactured Titanium Implants for Short-Time Pediatric Implantations with Enhanced Bactericidal Activity

Version of record online: November 3, 2021Paediatric titanium (Ti) implants are used for the short-term fixation of fractures, after which they are removed. However, bone overgrowth on the implant surface can complicate their removal. The current Ti implants research focuses on improving their osseointegration and antibacterial properties for long-term use while overlooking the requirements of temporary implants. This paper presents the engineering of additively manufactured Ti implants with antibacterial properties and prevention of bone cell overgrowth. 3D-printed implants were fabricated followed by electrochemical anodization to generate vertically aligned titania nanotubes (TNTs) on the surface with specific diameters (∼100 nm) to reduce cell attachment and proliferation. To achieve enhanced antibacterial performance, TNTs were coated with gallium nitrate as antibacterial agent. The physicochemical characteristics of these implants assessed by the attachment, growth and viability of osteoblastic MG-63 cells showed significantly reduced cell attachment and proliferation, confirming the ability of TNTs surface to avoid cell overgrowth. Gallium coated TNTs showed strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with reduced bacterial attachment and high rates of bacterial death. Thus a new approach for the engineering of temporary Ti implants with enhanced bactericidal properties with reduced bone cell attachment is demonstrated as a new strategy toward a new generation of short-term implants in paediatrics.Shaheer Maher, Denver Linklater, Hadi Rastin, Pei Le Yap, Elena P. Ivanova, and Dusan Losi

Measuring myocardial extracellular volume of the right ventricle in patients with congenital heart disease

The right ventricle ' s (RV) characteristics-thin walls and trabeculation-make it challenging to evaluate extracellular volume (ECV). We aimed to assess the feasibility of RV ECV measurements in congenital heart disease (CHD), and to introduce a novel ECV analysis tool. Patients (n=39) and healthy controls (n=17) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance T1 mapping in midventricular short axis (SAX) and transverse orientation (TRANS). Regions of interest (ROIs) were evaluated with regard to image quality and maximum RV wall thickness per ROI in pixels. ECV from plane ROIs was compared with values obtained with a custom-made tool that derives the mean T1 values from a "line of interest" (LOI) centered in the RV wall. In CHD, average image quality was good (no artifacts in the RV, good contrast between blood/myocardium), and RV wall thickness was 1-2 pixels. RV ECV was not quantifiable in 4/39 patients due to insufficient contrast or wall thickness= 1 pixel. T1 maps in SAX are recommended for RV ECV analysis. LOI application simplifies RV ECV measurements

Prompt muon contribution to the flux underwater

We present high energy spectra and zenith-angle distributions of the atmospheric muons computed for the depths of the locations of the underwater neutrino telescopes. We compare the calculations with the data obtained in the Baikal and the AMANDA muon experiments. The prompt muon contribution to the muon flux underwater due to recent perturbative QCD-based models of the charm production is expected to be observable at depths of the large underwater neutrino telescopes. This appears to be probable even at rather shallow depths (1-2 km), provided that the energy threshold for muon detection is raised above $\sim 100$ TeV.Comment: 7 pages, RevTeX, 7 eps figures, final version to be published in Phys.Rev.D; a few changes made in the text and the figures, an approximation formula for muon spectra at the sea level, the muon zenith-angle distribution table data and references adde

Study of some biological characteristics of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) in Iranian Coastal waters of the Caspian Sea

During last 65 years the catch of mullets had increasing trends with some fluctuations in the Iranian coastal water of the Caspian Sea .In this period about 138 thousand tons of mullets have been caught. Mullet’s account for 35% of total catch annually .In recent years species composition of mullets has chanched in the Iranian coastal water of the Caspian Sea and catch composition of golden grey mullet increased from 76% in 1995 to 98% in 2006. In this survey some biological characteristics of golden grey mullet have been studied in Iranian coastal water of the Caspian Sea .Fish samples have been gathered from commercial catch of beach seine cooperatives monthly in Iranian coastal water of the Caspian Sea over 2006 and 2007. In the laboratory fishes have been measured biometrically and biological parameters have been calculated .Also catch statistics of mullets during 2006-2007 have been obtained and discussed. Results showed that the catch of mullets in beach seine cooperatives during 2006 and 2007 was 4181 and 3685 tons respectively that golden grey mullet contribute 99% and 98% of the catch composition of mullets respectively. Length range of golden grey mullet caught by beach seine cooperatives was 19-50.2 cm with mean length of 32.7 ± 6.4 (± SD) and weight range was 67-1475 gr with mean weight of 411 ± 255 gr. The age structure of this species was comprised 2-10 years old fish with mean age of 4.42 years old. In this survey totally the sex ratio of male: female of golden grey mullet was 356: 434 that was significant variation from equal sex ratio. Pick of the spawning in Guilan province was in October and in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces was in November. In October the proportion of spawning females declined from western area (Guilan province) towards eastern parts (Golestan province).The highest proportion of spawning females was in December in Golestan province. The highest GSI index value was observed in September and October and it was decreased in November and December and it was consistent during January till April. The mean absolute fecundity was 700881±429987 eggs with minimum and maximum fecundity of 200112 and 2282862 eggs respectively. The Lm 50% for female golden grey mullet was calculated as 33.6 cm

The study of feeding, reproduction and biological parameters of kilka fishes in the Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

The overfishing and changing environmental following the introduction of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Caspian Sea, the population structure has a strong influence on kilka fishes in the Caspian Sea and therefore to in this investigation which had been done in commercial catch regions (where discharged theirs catch) in three ports Babolsar, Amirabad (in mazandaran) and Anzali (in Guilan), stimated catch and catch per unit effort, the age structur of catch, length- weight relationship, von Bertalanffy growth parameters, condition factor, sex ratios, maturity stags, spawning and feeding. The result shown that catch of kilka in Iranian coastal in 2012 decreased from 24080 ton to 22696 ton in 2013. But CPUE increased was 2.7 ton (Vessel ×Night) and there was no significant changes. Common kilka was the predominant all months of the year, 98.1 and 98.9 percent in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The mean length was 104.4±10.5 and 101.6±11.2 at the same time and range length 92/ 5 – 117/5 mm were the dominant population(about 75%). Relative abundance of fish less than 77.5 mm and more than 127.5 mm is very low. Age abundance during this period have not been substantially changed and always fishes with 3 and 4 year olds had the highest frequency73.6 and 73.5 percent respectively. The parameters of the Von Bertalanffy growth curve were (8.141) 048.1 for common kilka. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) was 0.506 yr-1. The instantaneous coefficient of fihing mortality and total mortality were 0.694 yr-1 and 1.2 yr^-1 , respectively. The exploitation rate of common kilka varied during 2012-2013 between 0.41-0.50. The mean condition factor 1.41±0.14 (n=5801) and 1.38±0.16 (n=6754) at the same time respectively. According to statistical analysis Anova oneway were a significant difference between condition factor at the same time . Main prey common kilka was Acartia tonsa accounting for over 80%. It seems Common kilka due to a decrease in the frequency of other zooplankton species depend more than ever on Acartia tonsa and this species is probably a concentration of prey for Common kilka

Measuring myocardial extracellular volume of the right ventricle in patients with congenital heart disease

The right ventricle's (RV) characteristics - thin walls and trabeculation - make it challenging to evaluate extracellular volume (ECV). We aimed to assess the feasibility of RV ECV measurements in congenital heart disease (CHD), and to introduce a novel ECV analysis tool. Patients (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 17) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance T1 mapping in midventricular short axis (SAX) and transverse orientation (TRANS). Regions of interest (ROIs) were evaluated with regard to image quality and maximum RV wall thickness per ROI in pixels. ECV from plane ROIs was compared with values obtained with a custom-made tool that derives the mean T1 values from a "line of interest" (LOI) centered in the RV wall. In CHD, average image quality was good (no artifacts in the RV, good contrast between blood/myocardium), and RV wall thickness was 1-2 pixels. RV ECV was not quantifiable in 4/39 patients due to insufficient contrast or wall thickness < 1 pixel. RV myocardium tended to be more clearly delineated in SAX than TRANS. ECV from ROIs and corresponding LOIs correlated strongly in both directions (SAX/TRANS: r = 0.97/0.87, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, RV ECV can be assessed if image quality allows sufficient distinction between myocardium and blood, and RV wall thickness per ROI is ≥ 1 pixel. T1 maps in SAX are recommended for RV ECV analysis. LOI application simplifies RV ECV measurements

On inconsistency of experimental data on primary nuclei spectra with sea level muon intensity measurements

For the first time a complete set of the most recent direct data on primary cosmic ray spectra is used as input into calculations of muon flux at sea level in wide energy range $E_\mu=1-3\cdot10^5$ GeV. Computations have been performed with the CORSIKA/QGSJET and CORSIKA/VENUS codes. The comparison of the obtained muon intensity with the data of muon experiments shows, that measurements of primary nuclei spectra conform to sea level muon data only up to several tens of GeV and result in essential deficit of muons at higher energies. As it follows from our examination, uncertainties in muon flux measurements and in the description of nuclear cascades development are not suitable to explain this contradiction, and the only remaining factor, leading to this situation, is underestimation of primary light nuclei fluxes. We have considered systematic effects, that may distort the results of the primary cosmic ray measurements with the application of the emulsion chambers. We suggest, that re-examination of these measurements is required with the employment of different hadronic interaction models. Also, in our point of view, it is necessary to perform estimates of possible influence of the fact, that sizable fraction of events, identified as protons, actually are antiprotons. Study of these cosmic ray component begins to attract much attention, but today nothing definite is known for the energies $>40$ GeV. In any case, to realize whether the mentioned, or some other reasons are the sources of disagreement of the data on primaries with the data on muons, the indicated effects should be thoroughly analyzed

Atmospheric Muon Flux at Sea Level, Underground, and Underwater

The vertical sea-level muon spectrum at energies above 1 GeV and the underground/underwater muon intensities at depths up to 18 km w.e. are calculated. The results are particularly collated with a great body of the ground-level, underground, and underwater muon data. In the hadron-cascade calculations, the growth with energy of inelastic cross sections and pion, kaon, and nucleon generation in pion-nucleus collisions are taken into account. For evaluating the prompt muon contribution to the muon flux, we apply two phenomenological approaches to the charm production problem: the recombination quark-parton model and the quark-gluon string model. To solve the muon transport equation at large depths of homogeneous medium, a semi-analytical method is used. The simple fitting formulas describing our numerical results are given. Our analysis shows that, at depths up to 6-7 km w. e., essentially all underground data on the muon intensity correlate with each other and with predicted depth-intensity relation for conventional muons to within 10%. However, the high-energy sea-level data as well as the data at large depths are contradictory and cannot be quantitatively decribed by a single nuclear-cascade model.Comment: 47 pages, REVTeX, 15 EPS figures included; recent experimental data and references added, typos correcte