Effects of Reducing Antimicrobial Use and Applying a Cleaning and Disinfection Program in Veal Calf Farming: Experiences from an Intervention Study to Control Livestock-Associated MRSA.

PubMed

Dorado-García, Alejandro; Graveland, Haitske; Bos, Marian E H; Verstappen, Koen M; Van Cleef, Brigitte A G L; Kluytmans, Jan A J W; Wagenaar, Jaap A; Heederik, Dick J J

2015-01-01

With the ultimate aim of containing the emergence of resistant bacteria, a Dutch policy was set in place in 2010 promoting a reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals. In this context, a study evaluated strategies to curb livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA). Fifty-one veal calf farms were assigned to one of 3 study arms: RAB farms reducing antimicrobials by protocol; RAB-CD farms reducing antimicrobials by protocol and applying a cleaning and disinfection program; and Control farms without interventions. MRSA carriage was tested in week 0 and week 12 of 2 consecutive production cycles in farmers, family members and veal calves. Interventions were validated and a cyclic rise in MRSA-prevalence in animals was shown with a more moderate increase in RAB farms. Prevalence in humans declined parallel over time in the study arms but RAB farms were at the lowest MRSA levels from the beginning of the study. In RAB-CD farms, human and animal prevalence did not differ from Control farms and MRSA air loads were significantly higher than in the other study arms. Mimicking the national trend, an overall AMU decrease (daily dosages per animal per cycle (DDDA/C)) was observed over 4 pre-study and the 2 study cycles; this trend did not have a significant effect on a set of evaluated farm technical parameters. AMU was positively associated with MRSA across study arms (ORs per 10 DDDA/C increase = 1.26 for both humans (p = 0.07) and animals (p = 0.12 in first cycle)). These results suggest that AMU reduction might be a good strategy for curbing MRSA in veal calf farming, however the specific cleaning and disinfecting program in RAB-CD farms was not effective. The drop in MRSA prevalence in people during the study could be attributed to the observed long-term AMU decreasing trend.

Supplemental materials for the ICDP-USGS Eyreville A, B, and C core holes, Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Core-box photographs, coring-run tables, and depth-conversion files

USGS Publications Warehouse

Durand, C.T.; Edwards, L.E.; Malinconico, M.L.; Powars, D.S.

2009-01-01

During 2005-2006, the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program and the U.S. Geological Survey drilled three continuous core holes into the Chesapeake Bay impact structure to a total depth of 1766.3 m. A collection of supplemental materials that presents a record of the core recovery and measurement data for the Eyreville cores is available on CD-ROM at the end of this volume and in the GSA Data Repository. The supplemental materials on the CD-ROM include digital photographs of each core box from the three core holes, tables of the three coring-run logs, as recorded on site, and a set of depth-conversion programs. In this chapter, the contents, purposes, and basic applications of the supplemental materials are briefly described. With this information, users can quickly decide if the materials will apply to their specific research needs. ?? 2009 The Geological Society of America.

Automatic procedure for stable tetragonal or hexagonal structures: application to tetragonal Y and Cd

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcus, P. M.; Jona, F.

2005-05-01

A simple effective procedure (MNP) for finding equilibrium tetragonal and hexagonal states under pressure is described and applied. The MNP procedure finds a path to minima of the Gibbs free energy G at T=0 K (G=E+pV, E=energy per atom, p=pressure, V=volume per atom) for tetragonal and hexagonal structures by using the approximate expansion of G in linear and quadratic strains at an arbitrary initial structure to find a change in the strains which moves toward a minimum of G. Iteration automatically proceeds to a minimum within preset convergence criteria on the calculation of the minimum. Comparison is made with experimental results for the ground states of seven metallic elements in hexagonal close-packed (hcp), face- and body-centered cubic structures, and with a previous procedure for finding minima based on tracing G along the epitaxial Bain path (EBP) to a minimum; the MNP is more easily generalized than the EBP procedure to lower symmetry and more atoms in the unit cell. Comparison is also made with a molecular-dynamics program for crystal equilibrium structures under pressure and with CRYSTAL, a program for crystal equilibrium structures at zero pressure. Application of MNP to the elements Y and Cd, which have hcp ground states at zero pressure, finds minima of E at face-centered cubic (fcc) structure for both Y and Cd. Evaluation of all the elastic constants shows that fcc Y is stable, hence a metastable phase, but fcc Cd is unstable.

HIV-1 Tat affects the programming and functionality of human CD8⁺ T cells by modulating the expression of T-box transcription factors.

PubMed

Sforza, Fabio; Nicoli, Francesco; Gallerani, Eleonora; Finessi, Valentina; Reali, Eva; Cafaro, Aurelio; Caputo, Antonella; Ensoli, Barbara; Gavioli, Riccardo

2014-07-31

HIV infection is characterized by several immune dysfunctions of both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells as hyperactivation, impairment of functionality and expansion of memory T cells. CD8⁺ T-cell dysfunctions have been associated with increased expression of T-bet, Eomesdermin and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and with down-regulation of CD127. The HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein, which is released by infected cells and detected in tissues of HIV-positive individuals, is known to contribute to the dysregulation of CD4⁺ T cells; however, its effects on CD8⁺ T cells have not been investigated. Thus, in this study, we sought to address whether Tat may affect CD8⁺ T-cell functionality and programming. CD8⁺ T cells were activated by T-cell receptor engagement in the presence or absence of Tat. Cytokine production, killing capacity, surface phenotype and expression of transcription factors important for T-cell programming were evaluated. Tat favors the secretion of interleukin-2, interferon-γ and granzyme B in CD8⁺ T cells. Behind this functional modulation we observed that Tat increases the expression of T-bet, Eomesdermin, Blimp-1, Bcl-6 and Bcl-2 in activated but not in unstimulated CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. This effect is associated with the down-regulation of CD127 and the up-regulation of CD27. Tat deeply alters the programming and functionality of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes.

X-37 CD Rom (Mini Business Card Version)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Scotty

2000-01-01

The mini X-37 CD was developed as an educational tool for the public and commercial industry about the X-37 pathfinder vehicle program. This CD contains overview information about the X-37 program along with general vehicle system and technology description information.

HP-41CX Programs for HgCdTe Detectors and IR Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-10-01

FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP IPocket Computer HgCdTe PhotoSensor Programs Detectors Analysis I I l-IP-41 Infrared IR Systems __________ 19 ABSTRACT (Continue... HgCdTe detectors , focal planes, and infrared systems. They have been written to run in a basic HP-41CV or HP-41CX with no card reader or additional ROMs...Programs have been written for the HP-41CX which aid in the analysis of HgCdTe detectors , focal r planes, and infrared systems. They have been installed as a

CD134/CD137 Dual Costimulation-Elicited IFN-γ Maximizes Effector T Cell Function but Limits Treg Expansion

PubMed Central

Rose, Marie-Clare St.; Taylor, Roslyn A.; Bandyopadhyay, Suman; Qui, Harry Z.; Hagymasi, Adam T.; Vella, Anthony T.; Adler, Adam J.

2012-01-01

T cell tolerance to tumor antigens represents a major hurdle in generating tumor immunity. Combined administration of agonistic monoclonal antibodies to the costimulatory receptors CD134 plus CD137 can program T cells responding to tolerogenic antigen to undergo expansion and effector T cell differentiation, and also elicits tumor immunity. Nevertheless, CD134 and CD137 agonists can also engage inhibitory immune components. To understand how immune stimulatory versus inhibitory components are regulated during CD134 plus CD137 dual costimulation, the current study utilized a model where dual costimulation programs T cells encountering a highly tolerogenic self-antigen to undergo effector differentiation. IFN-γ was found to play a pivotal role in maximizing the function of effector T cells while simultaneously limiting the expansion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs. In antigen-responding effector T cells, IFN-γ operates via a direct cell-intrinsic mechanism to cooperate with IL-2 to program maximal expression of granzyme B. Simultaneously, IFN-γ limits expression of the IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) and IL-2 signaling through a mechanism that does not involve T-bet-mediated repression of IL-2. IFN-γ also limited CD25 and Foxp3 expression on bystanding CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs, and limited the potential of these Tregs to expand. These effects could not be explained by the ability of IFN-γ to limit IL-2 availability. Taken together, during dual costimulation IFN-γ interacts with IL-2 through distinct mechanisms to program maximal expression of effector molecules in antigen-responding T cells while simultaneously limiting Treg expansion. PMID:23295363

Evidence for a stepwise program of extrathymic T cell development within the human tonsil

PubMed Central

McClory, Susan; Hughes, Tiffany; Freud, Aharon G.; Briercheck, Edward L.; Martin, Chelsea; Trimboli, Anthony J.; Yu, Jianhua; Zhang, Xiaoli; Leone, Gustavo; Nuovo, Gerard; Caligiuri, Michael A.

2012-01-01

The development of a broad repertoire of T cells, which is essential for effective immune function, occurs in the thymus. Although some data suggest that T cell development can occur extrathymically, many researchers remain skeptical that extrathymic T cell development has an important role in generating the T cell repertoire in healthy individuals. However, it may be important in the setting of poor thymic function or congenital deficit and in the context of autoimmunity, cancer, or regenerative medicine. Here, we report evidence that a stepwise program of T cell development occurs within the human tonsil. We identified 5 tonsillar T cell developmental intermediates: (a) CD34+CD38dimLin– cells, which resemble multipotent progenitors in the bone marrow and thymus; (b) more mature CD34+CD38brightLin– cells; (c) CD34+CD1a+CD11c– cells, which resemble committed T cell lineage precursors in the thymus; (d) CD34–CD1a+CD3–CD11c– cells, which resemble CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells in the thymus; and (e) CD34–CD1a+CD3+CD11c– cells. The phenotype of each subset closely resembled that of its thymic counterpart. The last 4 populations expressed RAG1 and PTCRA, genes required for TCR rearrangement, and all 5 subsets were capable of ex vivo T cell differentiation. TdT+ cells found within the tonsillar fibrous scaffold expressed CD34 and/or CD1a, indicating that this distinct anatomic region contributes to pre–T cell development, as does the subcapsular region of the thymus. Thus, we provide evidence of a role for the human tonsil in a comprehensive program of extrathymic T cell development. PMID:22378041

The relative efficacy of pamphlets, CD-ROM, and the Internet for disseminating adolescent drug abuse prevention programs: an exploratory study.

PubMed

Di Noia, Jennifer; Schwinn, Traci M; Dastur, Zubin A; Schinke, Steven P

2003-12-01

Despite the availability of an increasing array of empirically validated adolescent drug abuse prevention programs, program materials and evaluation findings are poorly disseminated. CD-ROM and the Internet hold promise for disseminating this information to schools and agencies that directly serve youth, and to policy-making bodies that exercise control over funds to support adolescent drug abuse prevention programming. However, data on the relative efficacy of these newer technologies over conventional print means of dissemination are lacking. Recruited through schools, community agencies, and policy-making bodies, 188 professionals were randomized to receive prevention program materials via pamphlets (55 participants), CD-ROM (64 participants), and the Internet (69 participants). Participants completed pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up measures that assessed their access to prevention program materials; self-efficacy for identifying, obtaining, and recommending these programs; and their likelihood of requesting, implementing, and recommending prevention programs to their constituents. Participants exposed to dissemination via CD-ROM and the Internet evidenced the greatest short- and long-term gains on accessibility, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention variables. CD-ROM and the Internet are viable means for disseminating adolescent drug abuse prevention programs to schools, community agencies, and policy-making bodies, and should be increasingly used for dissemination purposes.

The relative efficacy of pamphlets, CD-ROM, and the Internet for disseminating adolescent drug abuse prevention programs: an exploratory study⋆

PubMed Central

Di Noia, Jennifer; Schwinn, Traci M.; Dastur, Zubin A.; Schinke, Steven P.

2010-01-01

Background Despite the availability of an increasing array of empirically validated adolescent drug abuse prevention programs, program materials and evaluation findings are poorly disseminated. CD-ROM and the Internet hold promise for disseminating this information to schools and agencies that directly serve youth, and to policy-making bodies that exercise control over funds to support adolescent drug abuse prevention programming. However, data on the relative efficacy of these newer technologies over conventional print means of dissemination are lacking. Methods Recruited through schools, community agencies, and policy-making bodies, 188 professionals were randomized to receive prevention program materials via pamphlets (55 participants), CD-ROM (64 participants), and the Internet (69 participants). Participants completed pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up measures that assessed their access to prevention program materials; self-efficacy for identifying, obtaining, and recommending these programs; and their likelihood of requesting, implementing, and recommending prevention programs to their constituents. Results Participants exposed to dissemination via CD-ROM and the Internet evidenced the greatest short- and long-term gains on accessibility, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention variables. Conclusions CD-ROM and the Internet are viable means for disseminating adolescent drug abuse prevention programs to schools, community agencies, and policy-making bodies, and should be increasingly used for dissemination purposes. PMID:14636798

The EDTA effect on phytoextraction of single and combined metals-contaminated soils using rainbow pink (Dianthus chinensis).

PubMed

Lai, Hung-Yu; Chen, Zueng-Sang

2005-08-01

Rainbow pink (Dianthus chinensis), a potential phytoextraction plant, can accumulate high concentrations of Cd from metal-contaminated soils. The soils used in this study were artificially added with different metals including (1) CK: original soil, (2) Cd-treated soil: 10 mg Cd kg(-1), (3) Zn-treated soil: 100 mg Zn kg(-1), (4) Pb-treated soil: 1000 mg Pb kg(-1), (5) Cd-Zn-treated soil: 10 mg Cd kg(-1) and 100 mg Zn kg(-1), (6) Cd-Pb-treated soil: 10 mg Cd kg(-1) and 1000 mg Pb kg(-1), (7) Zn-Pb-treated soil: 100 mg Zn kg(-1) and 1000 mg Pb kg(-1), and (8) Cd-Zn-Pb-treated soil: 10 mg Cd kg(-1), 100 mg Zn kg(-1), and 1000 mg Pb kg(-1). Three concentrations of 2Na-EDTA solutions (0 (control), 2, and 5 mmol kg(-1) soil) were added to the different metals-treated soils to study the influence of applied EDTA on single and combined metals-contaminated soils phytoextraction using rainbow pink. The results showed that the Cd, Zn, Pb, Fe, or Mn concentrations in different metals-treated soil solutions significantly increased after applying 5 mmol EDTA kg(-1) (p<0.05). The metal concentrations in different metals-treated soils extracted by deionized water also significantly increased after applying 5 mmol EDTA kg(-1) (p<0.05). Because of the high extraction capacity of both 0.005 M DTPA (pH 5.3) and 0.05 M EDTA (pH 7.0), applying EDTA did not significantly increase the Cd, Zn, or Pb concentration in both extracts for most of the treatments. Applying EDTA solutions can significantly increase the Cd and Pb concentrations in the shoots of rainbow pink (p<0.05). However, this was not statistically significant for Zn because of the low Zn concentration added into the contaminated soils. The results from this study indicate that applying 5 mmol EDTA kg(-1) can significantly increase the Cd, Zn, or Pb concentrations both in the soil solution or extracted using deionized water in single or combined metals-contaminated soils, thus increasing the accumulated metals concentrations in rainbow pink shoots. The proposed method worked especially well for Pb (p<0.05). The application of 2 mmol EDTA kg(-1) might too low to enhance the phytoextraction effect when used in silty clay soils.

Influence of antiretroviral therapy on programmed death-1 (CD279) expression on T cells in lymph nodes of human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals.

PubMed

Ehrhard, Simone; Wernli, Marion; Dürmüller, Ursula; Battegay, Manuel; Gudat, Fred; Erb, Peter

2009-10-01

Human immunodeficiency virus infection leads to T-cell exhaustion and involution of lymphoid tissue. Recently, the programmed death-1 pathway was found to be crucial for virus-specific T-cell exhaustion during human immunodeficiency virus infection. Programmed death-1 expression was elevated on human immunodeficiency virus-specific peripheral blood CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and correlated with disease severity. During human immunodeficiency infection, lymphoid tissue acts as a major viral reservoir and is an important site for viral replication, but it is also essential for regulatory processes important for immune recovery. We compared programmed death-1 expression in 2 consecutive inguinal lymph nodes of 14 patients, excised before antiretroviral therapy (antiretroviral therapy as of 1997-1999) and 16 to 20 months under antiretroviral therapy. In analogy to lymph nodes of human immunodeficiency virus-negative individuals, in all treated patients, the germinal center area decreased, whereas the number of germinal centers did not significantly change. Programmed death-1 expression was mostly found in germinal centers. The absolute extent of programmed death 1 expression per section was not significantly altered after antiretroviral therapy resulting in a significant-relative increase of programmed death 1 per shrunken germinal center. In colocalization studies, CD45R0+ cells that include helper/inducer T cells strongly expressed programmed death-1 before and during therapy, whereas CD8+ T cells, fewer in numbers, showed a weak expression for programmed death-1. Thus, although antiretroviral therapy seems to reduce the number of programmed death-1-positive CD8+ T lymphocytes within germinal centers, it does not down-regulate programmed death-1 expression on the helper/inducer T-cell subset that may remain exhausted and therefore unable to trigger immune recovery.

Cadmium distribution in field-grown fruit trees

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Korcak, R.F.

The effect of soil applied Cd on Cd distribution in and growth of five species of fruit trees was investigated. Cadmium was applied at three rates (0, 5, and 10 mg kg{sup {minus}1} soil) as CdSO{sub 4} to orchard plots established at two pH levels, low (5.5) and high (6.5). Five fruit tree types were planted: Gala apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) budded on M.26 (dwarfing) or MM.111 (semistandard) rootstocks, Redskin peach (Prunus persica L.) on Lovell rootstock, Stanley plum (Prunus domestica L.) on Myrobalon rootstock, and Seckel pear (Pyrus communis L.) on seedling rootstock. The trees were grown for 6more » yr, 7 yr in the case of pear, and leaf, bark, wood, fruit, and root Cd concentrations were monitored. Gala apple on both rootstocks accumulated very small concentrations of Cd, usually 0.1 mg kg{sup {minus}1} dry wt. in all tissues tested. Peach and plum were intermediate in Cd accumulation, but both still relatively low. Seckel pear had high Cd concentrations in all tissues including fruit flesh and peel. Pear leaf Cd concentrations were 2.0 mg kg{sup {minus}1} from the 10 mg kg{sup {minus}1} soil Cd application after 5 yr. Pear fruit peel and flesh showed elevated, although nonsignificant, Cd concentrations with increased Cd applied. There was little difference between bark and wood tissue Cd concentrations independent of tree type. Root Cd concentrations were highest for pear followed by peach and plum, and lowest in apple.« less

Human-Specific Bacterial Pore-Forming Toxins Induce Programmed Necrosis in Erythrocytes

PubMed Central

LaRocca, Timothy J.; Stivison, Elizabeth A.; Hod, Eldad A.; Spitalnik, Steven L.; Cowan, Peter J.; Randis, Tara M.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT A subgroup of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) has an unusually narrow host range due to a requirement for binding to human CD59 (hCD59), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked complement regulatory molecule. hCD59-specific CDCs are produced by several organisms that inhabit human mucosal surfaces and can act as pathogens, including Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus intermedius. The consequences and potential selective advantages of such PFT host limitation have remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to species restriction, PFT ligation of hCD59 triggers a previously unrecognized pathway for programmed necrosis in primary erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBCs]) from humans and transgenic mice expressing hCD59. Because they lack nuclei and mitochondria, RBCs have typically been thought to possess limited capacity to undergo programmed cell death. RBC programmed necrosis shares key molecular factors with nucleated cell necroptosis, including dependence on Fas/FasL signaling and RIP1 phosphorylation, necrosome assembly, and restriction by caspase-8. Death due to programmed necrosis in RBCs is executed by acid sphingomyelinase-dependent ceramide formation, NADPH oxidase- and iron-dependent reactive oxygen species formation, and glycolytic formation of advanced glycation end products. Bacterial PFTs that are hCD59 independent do not induce RBC programmed necrosis. RBC programmed necrosis is biochemically distinct from eryptosis, the only other known programmed cell death pathway in mature RBCs. Importantly, RBC programmed necrosis enhances the growth of PFT-producing pathogens during exposure to primary RBCs, consistent with a role for such signaling in microbial growth and pathogenesis. PMID:25161188

Creating a CD-ROM program for cancer-related patient education.

PubMed

Agre, Patricia; Dougherty, James; Pirone, Jane

2002-04-01

To describe the process of developing a cancer-related patient and family education CD-ROM program and initial evaluation results. Published research, theory, practice, and personal experience. CD-ROM programs can be far more comprehensive than the booklets and videotapes used more commonly in patient education. Developing CD-ROM programs requires funding, organizational skills, access to content experts, and a team composed of people who have the varied skills required for a finished multimedia product. The time frame for CD-ROM production is often longer than that of other patient-education formats. Published reports and this institution's experience confirm that patients accept this medium. Evaluation to date suggests that CD-ROMs may be more useful to patients and their families than any other single information source. CD-ROM technology is more expensive than videotapes and booklets, but it allows for greater depth of content and may satisfy a broader range of educational needs than other media. Funding often can be obtained through foundations and with unrestricted educational grants from pharmaceutical companies. Nurses can lead multidisciplinary teams to produce CD-ROMs for their patient populations. These programs can be used before a patient has a first consultation to introduce a cancer or treatment and anytime during cancer diagnosis and treatment. They can reinforce one-on-one teaching or provide greater depth of content than ever could be provided in individualized teaching sessions. They can facilitate patients' self-directed learning and may allow nurses and doctors to teach on a different level. These programs also can complement patients' Internet searches either by creating a solid foundation for further investigation or by confirming the reliability of information gained through a variety of Internet sources.

Biomarkers for Prostate and Bladder Cancer — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

CD26+ cancer cells and CD90+ tumor-associated stromal cells were sorted from tumor tissue. Dataset analysis with transcriptomes of CD26+ luminal, CD104+ basal, CD49a+ stromal and CD31+ endothelial was carried out to identify candidates: CD90, AGR2, BCMP11, CEACAM5, CRISP3. Quantitative protomics was applied to measure these proteins in urine samples.

Theoretical estimation of 13C-D clumped isotope effects in methyl of several organic compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LIU, Q.; Yin, X.; Liu, Y.

2015-12-01

Recent developments in mass spectrometry and tunable infrared laser direct absorption spectroscopy make it possible to measure 13C-D clumped isotope effects of methane. These techniques can be further applied to determine 13C-D clumped isotope effects of methyl fragments, therefore need accurate equilirbium Δi values to calibrate experimental measurements. In this study, we calculate temperature depandences of 13C-D clumped isotope signatures in methyl of several organic compounds including ethane, propane, acetic acid, etc. Our calculation are performed at CCSD/6-311+G(3df,3pd) by using Gaussian 03 program with no scale treament. Our results show that the Δi values of 13C-D clumping in methyl fragments of different organic compounds yield similar signals (~5.5‰ at 25˚C, slightly lower than Δi value of 13C-D clumping in methane). For testing the calculated accuracy, theoretical treaments beyond the harmonic level by including several higher-order corrections to the Bigeleisen-Mayer equation are used. Contributions from higher-order corrections (e.g., AnZPE, AnEXC, VrZPE, VrEXC, QmCorr and CenDist) are estimated to repire the ignorings of the Bigeleisen-Mayer equation (the anharmonic effects of vibration, vibration-rotation coupling, quantum mechanics and centrifugal distortion for rotation, etc.) for the calculation of partition function ratios. The results show that the higher-order corrections contribute ~0.05‰ at 25˚C, which is similar to the contribution for calculating 13C-D clumped isotope signature of methane. By comparing our calculated frequencies to the measured ones, the uncertainty of our calculation of Δi values 13C-D clumping in methyl fragments is considered to be within ~0.05‰ at room temperature.

Space station MSFC-DPD-235/DR no. MA-05 phase C/D program development plan. Volume 2: Phase C/D, programmatic requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The design plan requirements define the design implementation and control requirements for Phase C/D of the Modular Space Station Project and specifically address the Initial Space Station phase of the Space Station Program (modular). It is based primarily on the specific objective of translating the requirements of the Space Station Program, Project, Interface, and Support Requirements and preliminary contract end x item specifications into detail design of the operational systems which comprise the initial space station. This document is designed to guide aerospace contractors in the planning and bidding for Phase C/D.

Correspondence between Video CD-ROM and Community-Based Job Preferences for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellerd, David A.; Morgan, Robert L.; Salzberg, Charles L.

2006-01-01

This study examined correspondence in selections of job preference across a video CD-ROM assessment program, community jobs observed during employment site visits, and photographs of employment sites. For 20 participants ages 18 - 22 with developmental disabilities, the video CD-ROM program was initially administered to identify preferred jobs,…

AF Ni-Cd cell qualification program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Steve; Brown, Harry; Collins, G.; Hwang, Warren

1994-01-01

The present status of the USAF NiCd cell qualification program, which is underway at the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division, is summarized. The following topics are discussed: overview; background; purpose; stress tests; results for super Ni-Cd; results for SAFT cells; GPS stress test; GPS simulated orbit; and results for gates cells. The discussion is presented in viewgraph format.

Hyperaccumulator straw improves the cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of emergent plant Nasturtium officinale.

PubMed

Li, Keqiang; Lin, Lijin; Wang, Jin; Xia, Hui; Liang, Dong; Wang, Xun; Liao, Ming'an; Wang, Li; Liu, Li; Chen, Cheng; Tang, Yi

2017-08-01

With the development of economy, the heavy metal contamination has become an increasingly serious problem, especially the cadmium (Cd) contamination. The emergent plant Nasturtium officinale R. Br. is a Cd-accumulator with low phytoremediation ability. To improve Cd phytoextraction efficiency of N. officinale, the straw from Cd-hyperaccumulator plants Youngia erythrocarpa, Galinsoga parviflora, Siegesbeckia orientalis, and Bidens pilosa was applied to Cd-contaminated soil and N. officinale was then planted; the study assessed the effect of hyperaccumulator straw on the growth and Cd accumulation of N. officinale. The results showed that application of hyperaccumulator species straws increased the biomass and photosynthetic pigment content and reduced the root/shoot ratio of N. officinale. All straw treatments significantly increased Cd content in roots, but significantly decreased Cd content in shoots of N. officinale. Applying hyperaccumulator straw significantly increased the total Cd accumulation in the roots, shoots, and whole plants of N. officinale. Therefore, application of straw from four hyperaccumulator species promoted the growth of N. officinale and improved the phytoextraction efficiency of N. officinale in Cd-contaminated paddy field soil; the straw of Y. erythrocarpa provided the most improvement.

Producible Alternative to CdTe for Epitaxy (PACE-2) of LWIR HgCdTe

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

esmv and .de~aty "p bisto momnberl isrepor cover the progre made toward the achievenientof device quality LWIR HgCdTe on an alternate substrte...initial phase of the research program en- titled, _Producible Alternative to CdTe for Epitaxyý(PACE-2) of LWIR HgCJie". Also described are alternate...objective of this program is the demonstration of the feasibility of PACE-2 technology through fabrication and evaluation of multi- plexed LWIR hybrid

Identification and chemical enhancement of two ornamental plants for phytoremediation.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-Nv; Zhou, Qi-Xing; Sun, Ting; Ma, Lena Q; Wang, Song

2008-03-01

With an increase in the contamination of urban areas, more and more attention has been paid to the role of ornamental plants in remedying contaminated soils. Thus, cadmium (Cd) tolerance and accumulation characteristics of Calendula officinalis and Althaea rosea as ornamental plants under the concentration gradient experiment with single Cd, as well as the effect of ethylenegluatarotriacetic acid (EGTA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on their Cd phytoremediation capacity under the chemically enhanced experiment was further investigated. It was showed that they had strong tolerance and accumulation capacity of Cd under single Cd treatments, thus they had great potential to be used for Cd contaminated soil remediation. Furthermore, under chemically enhanced treatments, the great efficiency was found through applying EGTA and SDS, they could not only increase the dry biomass of the plants, but also promote the Cd accumulation in shoots and roots. Particularly, Althaea rosea can be regarded as a potential Cd-hyperaccumulator through applying chemical agents. In conclusion, the two ornamental plants are promising to be used for phytoremediation.

Blocking contacts for N-type cadmium zinc telluride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stahle, Carl M. (Inventor); Parker, Bradford H. (Inventor); Babu, Sachidananda R. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A process for applying blocking contacts on an n-type CdZnTe specimen includes cleaning the CdZnTe specimen; etching the CdZnTe specimen; chemically surface treating the CdZnTe specimen; and depositing blocking metal on at least one of a cathode surface and an anode surface of the CdZnTe specimen.

Computer-assisted Biology Learning Materials: Designing and Developing an Interactive CD on Spermatogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haviz, M.

2018-04-01

The purpose of this article is to design and develop an interactive CD on spermatogenesis. This is a research and development. Procedure of development is making an outline of media program, making flowchart, making story board, gathering of materials, programming and finishing. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Qualitative data obtained were analyzed with Miles and Huberman techniques. The instrument used is a validation sheet. The result of CD design with a Macro flash MX program shows there are 17 slides generated. This prototype obtained a valid value after a self-review technique with many revisions, especially on sound and programming. This finding suggests that process-oriented spermatogenesis can be audio-visualized into a more comprehensive form of learning media. But this interactive CD product needs further testing to determine consistency and resistance to revisions.

Low-Tech High-Tech.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hart, Tom

1997-01-01

Outlines how Compact Disc-interactive (CD-i)--software that looks like a CD-ROM but operates independently using a television set--can be used in elementary, secondary, and vocational education. Discusses the cost effectiveness of CD-i and compares costs and operational issues with CD-ROM. Describes special features of one CD-i program,…

A three-season field study on the in-situ remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soil using lime, two industrial by-products, and a low-Cd-accumulation rice cultivar.

PubMed

Yan-Bing, He; Dao-You, Huang; Qi-Hong, Zhu; Shuai, Wang; Shou-Long, Liu; Hai-Bo, He; Han-Hua, Zhu; Chao, Xu

2017-02-01

To mitigate the serious problem of Cd-contaminated paddy soil, we investigated the remediation potential of combining in-situ immobilization with a low-Cd-accumulation rice cultivar. A three-season field experiment compared the soil pH, available Cd and absorption of Cd by three rice cultivars with different Cd accumulation abilities grown in Cd-contaminated paddy soil amended with lime (L), slag (S), and bagasse (B) alone or in combination. The three amendments applied alone and in combination significantly increased soil pH, reduced available Cd and absorption of Cd by rice with no effect on grain yield. Among these, the LS and LSB treatments reduced the brown rice Cd content by 38.3-69.1% and 58.3-70.9%, respectively, during the three seasons. Combined with planting of a low-Cd-accumulation rice cultivar (Xiang Zaoxian 32) resulted in a Cd content in brown rice that met the contaminant limit (≤0.2mgkg -1 ). However, the grain yield of the low-Cd-accumulation rice cultivar was approximately 30% lower than the other two rice cultivars. Applying LS or LSB as amendments combined with planting a low-Cd-accumulation rice cultivar is recommended for the remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soil. The selection and breeding of low-Cd-accumulation rice cultivars with high grain production requires further research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A new technique for promoting cyclic utilization of cyclodextrins in biotransformation.

PubMed

Shen, Yanbing; Yu, Ziqi; Yang, Xu; Wang, Fang; Luo, Jianmei; Wang, Min

2017-01-01

Cyclodextrins (CDs) can improve the productivity of steroid biotransformation by enhancing substrate solubility. CDs can be recycled by grafting them with appropriate carriers. Loofah fiber is an excellent grafting material for CDs, and can be applied to the biotransformation and recycling of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). In this work, a technique for recycling β-CD in cortisone acetate (CA) biotransformation by Arthrobacter simplex CPCC 140451 was studied. Loofah fiber-grafted β-CD (LF-β-CD) was prepared using epichlorohydrin, which is a cross-linking agent. The grafting yield of β-CD was 74.8 mg g -1 dried fibers. LF-β-CD could increase the solubility of CA and enhance biotransformation. The initial conversion rate of CA was 1.5-fold higher than that of the blank group. LF-β-CD was also used in biocatalytic reactions for eight cycles, and it maintained the conversion ratio of CA at approximately 90%. Given the above positive results, LF-β-CD can be utilized in biotechnological recycling applications. This method can also be applied to CD derivatives and hydrophobic compounds.

Requirement for CD4 T Cell Help in Generating Functional CD8 T Cell Memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shedlock, Devon J.; Shen, Hao

2003-04-01

Although primary CD8 responses to acute infections are independent of CD4 help, it is unknown whether a similar situation applies to secondary responses. We show that depletion of CD4 cells during the recall response has minimal effect, whereas depletion during the priming phase leads to reduced responses by memory CD8 cells to reinfection. Memory CD8 cells generated in CD4+/+ mice responded normally when transferred into CD4-/- hosts, whereas memory CD8 cells generated in CD4-/- mice mounted defective recall responses in CD4+/+ adoptive hosts. These results demonstrate a previously undescribed role for CD4 help in the development of functional CD8 memory.

High-throughput manufacturing of thin-film CdS/CdTe photovoltaic modules. Annual subcontract report, 16 November 1994--15 November 1995

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sandwisch, D.W.

1997-02-01

The objectives of this subcontract are to advance Solar Cells, Inc.`s (SCI`s) photovoltaic manufacturing technologies, reduce module production costs, increase module performance, and provide the groundwork for SCI to expand its commercial production capacities. Activities during the second year of the program concentrated on process development, equipment design and testing, quality assurance, and ES and H programs. These efforts broadly addressed the issues of the manufacturing process for producing thin-film monolithic CdS/CdTe photovoltaic modules.

Cancer vaccine enhanced, non-tumor-reactive CD8(+) T cells exhibit a distinct molecular program associated with "division arrest anergy".

PubMed

Beyer, Marc; Karbach, Julia; Mallmann, Michael R; Zander, Thomas; Eggle, Daniela; Classen, Sabine; Debey-Pascher, Svenja; Famulok, Michael; Jäger, Elke; Schultze, Joachim L

2009-05-15

Immune-mediated tumor rejection relies on fully functional T-cell responses and neutralization of an adverse tumor microenvironment. In clinical trials, we detected peptide-specific but non-tumor-reactive and therefore not fully functional CD8(+) T cells post-vaccination against tumor antigens. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind nontumor reactivity will be a prerequisite to overcome this CD8(+) T-cell deviation. We report that these non-tumor-reactive CD8(+) T cells are characterized by a molecular program associated with hallmarks of "division arrest anergy." Non-tumor-reactive CD8(+) T cells are characterized by coexpression of CD7, CD25, and CD69 as well as elevated levels of lck(p505) and p27(kip1). In vivo quantification revealed high prevalence of non-tumor-reactive CD8(+) T cells with increased levels during cancer vaccination. Furthermore, their presence was associated with a trend toward shorter survival. Dynamics and frequencies of non-target-reactive CD8(+) T cells need to be further addressed in context of therapeutic vaccine development in cancer, chronic infections, and autoimmune diseases.

Retrogenic ICOS Expression Increases Differentiation of KLRG-1hi CD127lo CD8+ T Cells During Listeria Infection and Diminishes Recall Responses1

PubMed Central

Liu, Danya; Burd, Eileen M.; Coopersmith, Craig M.; Ford, Mandy L.

2016-01-01

Following T cell encounter with antigen, multiple signals are integrated to collectively induce distinct differentiation programs within antigen-specific CD8+ T cell populations. Several factors contribute to these cell fate decisions including the amount and duration of antigen, exposure to inflammatory cytokines, and degree of ligation of cosignaling molecules. The inducible costimulator (ICOS) is not expressed on resting T cells but is rapidly upregulated upon encounter with antigen. However, the impact of ICOS signaling on programmed differentiation is not well understood. In this study we therefore sought to determine the role of ICOS signaling on CD8+ T cell programmed differentiation. Through the creation of novel ICOS retrogenic antigen-specific TCR transgenic CD8+ T cells, we interrogated the phenotype, functionality, and recall potential of CD8+ T cells that receive early and sustained ICOS signaling during antigen exposure. Our results reveal that these ICOS signals critically impacted cell fate decisions of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, resulting in increased frequencies of KLRG-1hiCD127lo cells, altered BLIMP-1, T-bet, and eomesodermin expression, and increased cytolytic capacity as compared to empty vector controls. Interestingly, however, ICOS retrogenic CD8+ T cells also preferentially homed to non-lymphoid organs, and exhibited reduced multi-cytokine functionality and reduced ability to mount secondary recall responses upon challenge in vivo. In sum, our results suggest that an altered differentiation program is induced following early and sustained ICOS expression, resulting in the generation of more cytolyticly potent, terminally differentiated effectors that possess limited capacity for recall response. PMID:26729800

Retrogenic ICOS Expression Increases Differentiation of KLRG-1hiCD127loCD8+ T Cells during Listeria Infection and Diminishes Recall Responses.

PubMed

Liu, Danya; Burd, Eileen M; Coopersmith, Craig M; Ford, Mandy L

2016-02-01

Following T cell encounter with Ag, multiple signals are integrated to collectively induce distinct differentiation programs within Ag-specific CD8(+) T cell populations. Several factors contribute to these cell fate decisions, including the amount and duration of Ag, exposure to inflammatory cytokines, and degree of ligation of cosignaling molecules. The ICOS is not expressed on resting T cells but is rapidly upregulated upon encounter with Ag. However, the impact of ICOS signaling on programmed differentiation is not well understood. In this study, we therefore sought to determine the role of ICOS signaling on CD8(+) T cell programmed differentiation. Through the creation of novel ICOS retrogenic Ag-specific TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells, we interrogated the phenotype, functionality, and recall potential of CD8(+) T cells that receive early and sustained ICOS signaling during Ag exposure. Our results reveal that these ICOS signals critically impacted cell fate decisions of Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells, resulting in increased frequencies of KLRG-1(hi)CD127(lo) cells, altered BLIMP-1, T-bet, and eomesodermin expression, and increased cytolytic capacity as compared with empty vector controls. Interestingly, however, ICOS retrogenic CD8(+) T cells also preferentially homed to nonlymphoid organs and exhibited reduced multicytokine functionality and reduced ability to mount secondary recall responses upon challenge in vivo. In sum, our results suggest that an altered differentiation program is induced following early and sustained ICOS expression, resulting in the generation of more cytolyticly potent, terminally differentiated effectors that possess limited capacity for recall response. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Support, shape and number of replicate samples for tree foliage analysis.

PubMed

Luyssaert, Sebastiaan; Mertens, Jan; Raitio, Hannu

2003-06-01

Many fundamental features of a sampling program are determined by the heterogeneity of the object under study and the settings for the error (alpha), the power (beta), the effect size (ES), the number of replicate samples, and sample support, which is a feature that is often overlooked. The number of replicates, alpha, beta, ES, and sample support are interconnected. The effect of the sample support and its shape on the required number of replicate samples was investigated by means of a resampling method. The method was applied to a simulated distribution of Cd in the crown of a Salix fragilis L. tree. Increasing the dimensions of the sample support results in a decrease in the variance of the element concentration under study. Analysis of the variance is often the foundation of statistical tests, therefore, valid statistical testing requires the use of a fixed sample support during the experiment. This requirement might be difficult to meet in time-series analyses and long-term monitoring programs. Sample supports have their largest dimension in the direction with the largest heterogeneity, i.e. the direction representing the crown height, and this will give more accurate results than supports with other shapes. Taking the relationships between the sample support and the variance of the element concentrations in tree crowns into account provides guidelines for sampling efficiency in terms of precision and costs. In terms of time, the optimal support to test whether the average Cd concentration of the crown exceeds a threshold value is 0.405 m3 (alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.20, ES = 1.0 mg kg(-1) dry mass). The average weight of this support is 23 g dry mass, and 11 replicate samples need to be taken. It should be noted that in this case the optimal support applies to Cd under conditions similar to those of the simulation, but not necessarily all the examinations for this tree species, element, and hypothesis test.

Maternal CD4+ cell count decline after interruption of antiretroviral prophylaxis for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

PubMed

Ekouevi, Didier; Abrams, Elaine J; Schlesinger, Malka; Myer, Landon; Phanuphak, Nittaya; Carter, Rosalind J

2012-01-01

We evaluated maternal CD4+ cell count (CD4+) decline after PMTCT prophylaxis in a multi-country HIV care program. Analysis was restricted to antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive, HIV-infected pregnant women with CD4+ ≥250 cells/mm(3) at enrollment. Single-dose nevirapine (sd-NVP) or short-course antiretroviral prophylaxis (sc-ARVp) with zidovudine (AZT) or AZT + lamivudine (3TC) was initiated in 11 programs while 2 programs offered triple-drug antiretroviral prophylaxis (tARVp) (AZT+3TC+ NVP or nelfinavir). All regimens were stopped at delivery. CD4+ decline was defined as proportion of women who declined to CD4+ <350 cells/mm(3) or <200 cells/mm(3) at 24 months. Weibull regression was used for multivariable analysis. A total of 1,393 women with enrollment CD4+ ≥250 cells/mm(3) initiated tARVp (172; 12%) or sc-ARVp (532; 38%) during pregnancy or received intrapartum sd-NVP (689; 50%). At enrollment, maternal median age was 27 years (interquartile range (IQR) 23-30), median CD4+ was 469 cells/mm(3) (IQR: 363-613). At 24 months post-delivery, the cumulative probability of CD4+ decline to <200 cells/mm(3) was 12% (95% CI: 10-14). Among a subgroup of 903 women with CD4+ ≥400 cells at enrollment, the 24 month cumulative probability of decline to CD4+ <350 cells/mm(3) was 28%; (95% CI: 25-32). Lower antepartum CD4+ was associated with higher probability of CD4+ decline to <350 cells/mm(3): 46% (CD4+400-499 cells/mm(3)) vs. 19% (CD4+ ≥500 cells/mm(3)). After adjusting for age, enrollment CD4+ and WHO stage, women who received tARVp or sd-NVP were twice as likely to experience CD4+ decline to <350 cells/mm(3) within 24 months than women receiving sc-ARVp (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5-3.2, p<0.0001). Decline in CD4+ cell count to ART eligibility thresholds by 24 months postpartum was common among women receiving PMTCT prophylaxis during pregnancy and/or delivery.

Report on an Investigation into an Entry Level Clinical Doctorate for the Genetic Counseling Profession and a Survey of the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors.

PubMed

Reiser, Catherine; LeRoy, Bonnie; Grubs, Robin; Walton, Carol

2015-10-01

The master's degree is the required entry-level degree for the genetic counseling profession in the US and Canada. In 2012 the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD) passed resolutions supporting retention of the master's as the entry-level and terminal degree and opposing introduction of an entry-level clinical doctorate (CD) degree. An AGCPD workgroup surveyed directors of all 34 accredited training programs with the objective of providing the Genetic Counseling Advanced Degrees Task Force (GCADTF) with information regarding potential challenges if master's programs were required to transition to an entry-level CD. Program demographics, projected ability to transition to an entry-level CD, factors influencing ability to transition, and potential effects of transition on programs, students and the genetic counseling workforce were characterized. Two programs would definitely be able to transition, four programs would close, thirteen programs would be at risk to close and fourteen programs would probably be able to transition with varying degrees of difficulty. The most frequently cited limiting factors were economic, stress on clinical sites, and administrative approval of a new degree/program. Student enrollment under an entry-level CD model was projected to decrease by 26.2 %, negatively impacting the workforce pipeline. The results further illuminate and justify AGCPD's position to maintain the master's as the entry-level degree.

DFT-derived reactive potentials for the simulation of activated processes: the case of CdTe and CdTe:S.

PubMed

Hu, Xiao Liang; Ciaglia, Riccardo; Pietrucci, Fabio; Gallet, Grégoire A; Andreoni, Wanda

2014-06-19

We introduce a new ab initio derived reactive potential for the simulation of CdTe within density functional theory (DFT) and apply it to calculate both static and dynamical properties of a number of systems (bulk solid, defective structures, liquid, surfaces) at finite temperature. In particular, we also consider cases with low sulfur concentration (CdTe:S). The analysis of DFT and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed with the same protocol leads to stringent performance tests and to a detailed comparison of the two schemes. Metadynamics techniques are used to empower both Car-Parrinello and classical molecular dynamics for the simulation of activated processes. For the latter, we consider surface reconstruction and sulfur diffusion in the bulk. The same procedures are applied using previously proposed force fields for CdTe and CdTeS materials, thus allowing for a detailed comparison of the various schemes.

Combining new technologies for effective collection development: a bibliometric study using CD-ROM and a database management program.

PubMed Central

Burnham, J F; Shearer, B S; Wall, J C

1992-01-01

Librarians have used bibliometrics for many years to assess collections and to provide data for making selection and deselection decisions. With the advent of new technology--specifically, CD-ROM databases and reprint file database management programs--new cost-effective procedures can be developed. This paper describes a recent multidisciplinary study conducted by two library faculty members and one allied health faculty member to test a bibliometric method that used the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases on CD-ROM and the Papyrus database management program to produce a new collection development methodology. PMID:1600424

Investigation to optimize the energy resolution and efficiency of cadmium(zinc)telluride for photon measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hadong

While the investigations of the Cd(Zn)Te characteristics were completed, a new method to make arbitrary anode shapes, without the troublesome shadow mask technique, was found. With this technique, the two-anode geometry Cd(Zn)Te detector was introduced and tested. The semiconductor performance of the two-anode geometry detectors for the incoming gamma rays of 241Am, 57Co, and 137Cs were compared to the responses of the planar device. The very promising photon energy resolutions of 9.3 and 5.4% FWHM were obtained with the two-anode geometry detector for the gamma rays energies of 122 keV and 662 keV, respectively, while no discernible full energy peaks were apparent with the planar detector. Several simulation programs that are very easy to handle were developed as useful tools for investigating the complicated gamma ray pulse height distributions, which were due to the energy deposition events inside the semiconductors. Comparisons to the known values and with the results from other application programs, validated the information obtained from the simulation programs, which were developed during this research effort. A graphical user interface (GUI) was designed for the user's convenience in order to enter the required input parameters for the specific requirements of each simulation programs. The idealized noise free spectra for the planar detector and for the small pixel geometry detector were successfully obtained by applying Monte Carlo techniques.

[The development of educational CD-program for obesity prevention and management for primary school students].

PubMed

Kim, Yi-Soon; Ju, Hyeon-Ok; Song, Mi-Gyoung; Shin, Yoo-Sun

2003-02-01

The study is designed to develop an educational CD-Program for prevention and control of obesity among primary school students. The study is conducted from June 15, 2000 to April 15, 2002. Based on the course of program development suggested by Dick and Cray (1990), the study followed the planning, development, education and evaluation of a program. The developed CD-Program consists 2 parts each for lower and higher grades of primary school students. The introduction part of the first trial for lower grade students uses quiz to encourage their motivations, the body proceeds with motion pictures and animations to trigger their interests. The introduction part of the second trial for the lower grades consists of remembering the exhibition lecture. The first trial for higher grades of primary school students builds on the contents of the low grades. Its body part, how to determine obesity and calculate ones own obesity, puts ones own weight and height in by the mouse. For the second trial of the higher grades, the body consists of life-style, diet, and regiments. The merits of this CD-Program are that to be possible an interaction between teachers and students.

NiCd battery electrodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holleck, G.; Turchan, M.; Hopkins, J.

1972-01-01

The objective of this research program was to develop and evaluate electrodes for a negative limited nickel-cadmium cell and to prove its feasibility. The program consisted of three phases: (1) the development of cadmium electrodes with high hydrogen overvoltage characteristics, (2) the testing of positive and negative plates, and (3) the fabrication and testing of complete negative limited NiCd cells. The following electrode structures were manufactured and their physical and electrochemical characteristics were evaluated: (1) silver sinter-based Cd electrodes, (2) Teflon-bonded Cd electrodes, (3) electrodeposited Cd sponge, and (4) Cd-sinter structures. All cadmium electrode structures showed a sharp increase in potential at the end of charge, with the advent of hydrogen evolution occurring at approximately -1.3 V versus Hg/HgO. The hydrogen advent potentials on pure cadmium structures were 50 to 70 mV more cathodic than those of their silver-containing counterparts.

Using and Developing with CD-Interactive: Frequently Asked Questions Are Answered.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lediaev, Lucy; van Sonderen, Lex

1994-01-01

Discusses Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) using a question-and-answer format. Highlights include development of the CD-I technology; where to purchase discs and players; compatibility with other CD-ROM drives; how to make discs; authoring systems versus custom programs; entertainment and educational applications; licensing issues; specifications;…

Human memory CD8 T cell effector potential is epigenetically preserved during in vivo homeostasis.

PubMed

Abdelsamed, Hossam A; Moustaki, Ardiana; Fan, Yiping; Dogra, Pranay; Ghoneim, Hazem E; Zebley, Caitlin C; Triplett, Brandon M; Sekaly, Rafick-Pierre; Youngblood, Ben

2017-06-05

Antigen-independent homeostasis of memory CD8 T cells is vital for sustaining long-lived T cell-mediated immunity. In this study, we report that maintenance of human memory CD8 T cell effector potential during in vitro and in vivo homeostatic proliferation is coupled to preservation of acquired DNA methylation programs. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of primary human naive, short-lived effector memory (T EM ), and longer-lived central memory (T CM ) and stem cell memory (T SCM ) CD8 T cells identified effector molecules with demethylated promoters and poised for expression. Effector-loci demethylation was heritably preserved during IL-7- and IL-15-mediated in vitro cell proliferation. Conversely, cytokine-driven proliferation of T CM and T SCM memory cells resulted in phenotypic conversion into T EM cells and was coupled to increased methylation of the CCR7 and Tcf7 loci. Furthermore, haploidentical donor memory CD8 T cells undergoing in vivo proliferation in lymphodepleted recipients also maintained their effector-associated demethylated status but acquired T EM -associated programs. These data demonstrate that effector-associated epigenetic programs are preserved during cytokine-driven subset interconversion of human memory CD8 T cells. © 2017 Abdelsamed et al.

Vitamin D increases programmed death receptor-1 expression in Crohn’s disease

PubMed Central

Bendix, Mia; Greisen, Stinne; Dige, Anders; Hvas, Christian L.; Bak, Nina; Jørgensen, Søren P.; Dahlerup, Jens F.; Deleuran, Bent; Agnholt, Jørgen

2017-01-01

Background: Vitamin D modulates inflammation in Crohns disease (CD). Programmed death (PD)-1 receptor contributes to the maintenance of immune tolerance. Vitamin D might modulate PD-1 signalling in CD. Aim: To investigate PD-1 expression on T cell subsets in CD patients treated with vitamin D or placebo. Methods: We included 40 CD patients who received 1200 IU vitamin D3 for 26 weeks or placebo and eight healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma were isolated at baseline and week 26. The expressions of PD-1, PD-L1, and surface activation markers were analysed by flow cytometry. Soluble PD-1 plasma levels were measured by ELISA. Results: PD-1 expression upon T cell stimulation was increased in CD4+CD25+int T cells in vitamin D treated CD patients from 19% (range 10 39%) to 29% (11 79%)(p = 0.03) compared with placebo-treated patients. Vitamin D treatment, but not placebo, decreased the expression of the T cell activation marker CD69 from 42% (31 62%) to 33% (19 - 54%)(p = 0.01). Soluble PD-1 levels were not influenced by vitamin D treatment. Conclusions: Vitamin D treatment increases CD4+CD25+int T cells ability to up-regulate PD-1 in response to activation and reduces the CD69 expression in CD patients. PMID:28412753

Atmosphere, Magnetosphere and Plasmas in Space (AMPS). Spacelab payload definition study. Volume 7, book 2: AMPS phase C/D analysis and planning document

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The results are presented of the AMPS Phase C/D (Design, Development, and Operations) program analysis and planning effort. Cost and schedule estimates are included. Although the AMPS program has been specifically addressed, these task descriptions are basically adaptable to a broader-based program incorporating additional or different Spacelab/orbiter payloads.

CD-ROMs review 1995-1997: a multicentre pilot trial.

PubMed

Grey-Lloyd, J

1998-03-01

This article describes an evaluation of CD-ROMs carried out at four NHS Trust Libraries in Wales. It covers interactive CD-ROMs which take the form of either computer assisted learning programs, encyclopaedia or well-known text books.

CD-SEM real time bias correction using reference metrology based modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ukraintsev, V.; Banke, W.; Zagorodnev, G.; Archie, C.; Rana, N.; Pavlovsky, V.; Smirnov, V.; Briginas, I.; Katnani, A.; Vaid, A.

2018-03-01

Accuracy of patterning impacts yield, IC performance and technology time to market. Accuracy of patterning relies on optical proximity correction (OPC) models built using CD-SEM inputs and intra die critical dimension (CD) control based on CD-SEM. Sub-nanometer measurement uncertainty (MU) of CD-SEM is required for current technologies. Reported design and process related bias variation of CD-SEM is in the range of several nanometers. Reference metrology and numerical modeling are used to correct SEM. Both methods are slow to be used for real time bias correction. We report on real time CD-SEM bias correction using empirical models based on reference metrology (RM) data. Significant amount of currently untapped information (sidewall angle, corner rounding, etc.) is obtainable from SEM waveforms. Using additional RM information provided for specific technology (design rules, materials, processes) CD extraction algorithms can be pre-built and then used in real time for accurate CD extraction from regular CD-SEM images. The art and challenge of SEM modeling is in finding robust correlation between SEM waveform features and bias of CD-SEM as well as in minimizing RM inputs needed to create accurate (within the design and process space) model. The new approach was applied to improve CD-SEM accuracy of 45 nm GATE and 32 nm MET1 OPC 1D models. In both cases MU of the state of the art CD-SEM has been improved by 3x and reduced to a nanometer level. Similar approach can be applied to 2D (end of line, contours, etc.) and 3D (sidewall angle, corner rounding, etc.) cases.

Water. Shopware[R] Applied Biology/Chemistry. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2000

This CD-ROM is part of a multimedia software and video collection for high school and vocational schools. Applied Biology/Chemistry is one of many series providing resources for science education. There are six individual titles in this series which include: (1) Natural Resources; (2) Air and Other Gases; (3) Nutrition; (4) Continuity of Life; (5)…

ACVP-03: Novel CD4+ T Cell Specific Immunohistochemistry Detection and Analysis Utilizing Masking of Not-T Cell CD4 in Fixed Tissues from Virally Infected and Uninfected Specimens | Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

The Tissue Analysis Core (TAC) within the AIDS and Cancer Virus Program will process, embed, and perform microtomy on fixed tissue samples presented in ethanol. CD4 (DAB) and CD68/CD163 (FastRed) double immunohistochemistry will be performed, in whic

Cyclodextrin Enhanced In-situ Removal of Organic Contaminants from Groundwater at Department of Defense Sites

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-12-16

mass recovery results achieved by applying CDEF technology are shown in comparison with those of a (theoretical) pump-and-treat system without CD...results achieved by applying CDEF technology are shown in comparison with those of a (theoretical) pump-and-treat system without CD present. ESTCP...The TCE mass recovery results achieved by applying CDEF technology are shown in comparison with those of a (theoretical) pump-and-treat system

Education Statistics on Disk. [CD-ROM.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center for Education Statistics (ED), Washington, DC.

This CD-ROM disk contains a computer program developed by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement to provide convenient access to the wealth of education statistics published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The program contains over 1,800 tables, charts, and text files from the following NCES publications,…

Energy-Smart Choices for Schools. An HVAC Comparison Tool. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, Inc., Washington, DC.

A CD ROM program provides comparison construction cost capabilities for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in educational facilities. The program combines multiple types of systems with square footage data on low and high construction cost and school size to automatically calculate HVAC comparative construction costs. (GR)

Human-specific bacterial pore-forming toxins induce programmed necrosis in erythrocytes.

PubMed

LaRocca, Timothy J; Stivison, Elizabeth A; Hod, Eldad A; Spitalnik, Steven L; Cowan, Peter J; Randis, Tara M; Ratner, Adam J

2014-08-26

A subgroup of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) has an unusually narrow host range due to a requirement for binding to human CD59 (hCD59), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked complement regulatory molecule. hCD59-specific CDCs are produced by several organisms that inhabit human mucosal surfaces and can act as pathogens, including Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus intermedius. The consequences and potential selective advantages of such PFT host limitation have remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to species restriction, PFT ligation of hCD59 triggers a previously unrecognized pathway for programmed necrosis in primary erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBCs]) from humans and transgenic mice expressing hCD59. Because they lack nuclei and mitochondria, RBCs have typically been thought to possess limited capacity to undergo programmed cell death. RBC programmed necrosis shares key molecular factors with nucleated cell necroptosis, including dependence on Fas/FasL signaling and RIP1 phosphorylation, necrosome assembly, and restriction by caspase-8. Death due to programmed necrosis in RBCs is executed by acid sphingomyelinase-dependent ceramide formation, NADPH oxidase- and iron-dependent reactive oxygen species formation, and glycolytic formation of advanced glycation end products. Bacterial PFTs that are hCD59 independent do not induce RBC programmed necrosis. RBC programmed necrosis is biochemically distinct from eryptosis, the only other known programmed cell death pathway in mature RBCs. Importantly, RBC programmed necrosis enhances the growth of PFT-producing pathogens during exposure to primary RBCs, consistent with a role for such signaling in microbial growth and pathogenesis. In this work, we provide the first description of a new form of programmed cell death in erythrocytes (RBCs) that occurs as a consequence of cellular attack by human-specific bacterial toxins. By defining a new RBC death pathway that shares important components with necroptosis, a programmed necrosis module that occurs in nucleated cells, these findings expand our understanding of RBC biology and RBC-pathogen interactions. In addition, our work provides a link between cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) host restriction and promotion of bacterial growth in the presence of RBCs, which may provide a selective advantage to human-associated bacterial strains that elaborate such toxins and a potential explanation for the narrowing of host range observed in this toxin family. Copyright © 2014 LaRocca et al.

Analysis of gene expression in small numbers of purified hemopoietic progenitor cells by RT-PCR.

PubMed

Ziegler, B L; Lamping, C P; Thoma, S J; Fliedner, T M

1995-05-01

Primitive hemopoietic stem cells represent the most probable targets for genetic alterations due to exposure to ionizing irradiation or chemical carcinogens. We have applied a two-step protocol for the purification of CD34+HLA-DR-/low hemopoietic progenitor cells from cord blood (CB). CD34+ cells were isolated by monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD34 (My10) and immunomagnetic beads. Beads were cleaved off the CD34+ cells by enzymatic treatment with chymopapain. Due to chymopapain-resistance of epitopes recognized by the used mAbs purity control of CD34+ cells and separation into CD34+HLA-DR-/low and CD34+HLA-DR+ subsets could be performed by using flow cytometry. Two miniaturized procedures were applied to isolate poly(A)+ mRNA for the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from small numbers of CD34+HLA-DR-/low cells. In five experiments, the mean purity of immunomagnetically isolated CD34+ cells was 93.8% +/- 3.9. Flow cytometry sorting of CD34+ cells resulted in pure CD34+HLA-DR-/low populations (purity > 98.8%; range 98.8% to 99.9%; viability > 96%) with an average yield of 2600 +/- 800 cells/5 x 10(7) low density CB cells. By RT-PCR using both poly(A)+ mRNA isolation procedures, sequences corresponding to CD34 and beta 2-microglobulin were amplified from as few as 20 cells. Furthermore, a sequence-independent RT-PCR (SIP-RT-PCR) was applied to amplify the cDNA derived from five erythroblasts isolated from a burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E). Upon hybridization, full-length c-fos message was detected in the SIP-RT-PCR amplified material. Our data demonstrate that gene expression can be detected at the transcriptional level in small numbers of hemopoietic progenitor cells. In addition, the SIP-RT-PCR may allow the amplification of unique mRNA species when subtractive hybridization procedures are performed. The presented data should be useful to analyze gene expression in rare subsets of radiation-exposed immature hemopoietic stem/progenitor cells.

CO-CD base management model of Universitas Terbuka community service program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kridasakti, S. W.; Sudirah; Siregar, H.

2018-03-01

These studies were to respond whether the UT social-aid management had been executed under CO-CD principles (Ife J. 1995) and what CO-CD base community service management model can be built. The goals of these evaluational studies were UT social-aid managerial performance profile (2011-2013) and CO-CD management model development. The methods used were Survey and FGD. For data collection were involving the UT officers, the counterparts, and the documents. The analysis used combination between the Performance Analysis (Irawan P., 2003) and the CIPP (Stuffelbeam, D, L., & Shinkfield, A, J., 1985). The findings showed that the quantitative targeting in program completion was credible in achievement (85%). However, the “qulitative targeting” of the management goals was indicating far from a good-stage (≤5.0_Interval-Force: 1-10 Scale). The “Gap” was due to the absent of socialization_needs-analysis_maintenance_release factors on the UT social-service grand-policy. The trial of CO-CD Base Management Model had been imposed to the community that turned out to be very effective to self-help, and the ensuing SOP had been successfully defined. Conclusion, ‘CO-CD Principles’ were not designed in UT community service programs management. However, if efficiency and effectivity likely to be achieved, the SOP of ‘CO-CD Base Management Model has to be adopted.

Phase C/D program development plan. Volume 1: Program plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The Phase C/D definition of the Modular Space Station has been developed. The modular approach selected during the option period was evaluated, requirements were defined, and program definition and preliminary design were accomplished. The Space Station Project is covered in depth, the research applications module is limited to a project-level definition, and the shuttle operations are included for interface requirements identification, scheduling, and costing. Discussed in detail are: (1) baseline program and project descriptions; (2) phase project planning; (3) modular space station program schedule; (4) program management plan; (5) operations; (6) facilities; (7) logistics; and (8) manpower.

Dendritic Cells Program Non-Immunogenic Prostate-Specific T Cell Responses Beginning at Early Stages of Prostate Tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Mihalyo, Marianne A.; Hagymasi, Adam T.; Slaiby, Aaron M.; Nevius, Erin E.; Adler, Adam J.

2010-01-01

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer promotes the development of T cell tolerance towards prostatic antigens, potentially limiting the efficacy of prostate cancer vaccines targeting these antigens. Here, we sought to determine the stage of disease progression when T cell tolerance develops, as well as the role of steady state dendritic cells (DC) and CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) in programming tolerance. METHODS The response of naïve HA-specific CD4+ T cells were analyzed following adoptive transfer into Pro-HA × TRAMP transgenic mice harboring variably-staged HA-expressing prostate tumors on two genetic backgrounds that display different patterns and kinetics of tumorigenesis. The role of DC and Tregs in programming HA-specific CD4 cell responses were assessed via depletion. RESULTS HA-specific CD4 cells underwent non-immunogenic responses at all stages of tumorigenesis in both genetic backgrounds. These responses were completely dependent on DC, but not appreciably influenced by Tregs. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that tolerogenicity is an early and general property of prostate tumors. PMID:17221844

Computer-assisted uncertainty assessment of k0-NAA measurement results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bučar, T.; Smodiš, B.

2008-10-01

In quantifying measurement uncertainty of measurement results obtained by the k0-based neutron activation analysis ( k0-NAA), a number of parameters should be considered and appropriately combined in deriving the final budget. To facilitate this process, a program ERON (ERror propagatiON) was developed, which computes uncertainty propagation factors from the relevant formulae and calculates the combined uncertainty. The program calculates uncertainty of the final result—mass fraction of an element in the measured sample—taking into account the relevant neutron flux parameters such as α and f, including their uncertainties. Nuclear parameters and their uncertainties are taken from the IUPAC database (V.P. Kolotov and F. De Corte, Compilation of k0 and related data for NAA). Furthermore, the program allows for uncertainty calculations of the measured parameters needed in k0-NAA: α (determined with either the Cd-ratio or the Cd-covered multi-monitor method), f (using the Cd-ratio or the bare method), Q0 (using the Cd-ratio or internal comparator method) and k0 (using the Cd-ratio, internal comparator or the Cd subtraction method). The results of calculations can be printed or exported to text or MS Excel format for further analysis. Special care was taken to make the calculation engine portable by having possibility of its incorporation into other applications (e.g., DLL and WWW server). Theoretical basis and the program are described in detail, and typical results obtained under real measurement conditions are presented.

Archive of mass spectral data files on recordable CD-ROMs and creation and maintenance of a searchable computerized database.

PubMed

Amick, G D

1999-01-01

A database containing names of mass spectral data files generated in a forensic toxicology laboratory and two Microsoft Visual Basic programs to maintain and search this database is described. The data files (approximately 0.5 KB/each) were collected from six mass spectrometers during routine casework. Data files were archived on 650 MB (74 min) recordable CD-ROMs. Each recordable CD-ROM was given a unique name, and its list of data file names was placed into the database. The present manuscript describes the use of search and maintenance programs for searching and routine upkeep of the database and creation of CD-ROMs for archiving of data files.

Do Memory CD4 T Cells Keep Their Cell-Type Programming: Plasticity versus Fate Commitment? Epigenome: A Dynamic Vehicle for Transmitting and Recording Cytokine Signaling.

PubMed

Johnson, John L; Vahedi, Golnaz

2018-03-01

CD4 + T cells are critical for the elimination of an immense array of microbial pathogens. Although there are aspects of helper T-cell differentiation that can be modeled as a classic cell-fate commitment, CD4 + T cells also maintain considerable flexibility in their transcriptional program. Here, we present an overview of chromatin biology during cellular reprogramming and, within this context, envision how the scope of cellular reprogramming may be expanded to further our understanding of the controversy surrounding CD4 + T lymphocyte plasticity or determinism. Copyright © 2018 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved.

BUY CLEAN MANUAL INTERACTIVE CD-ROM

EPA Science Inventory

This interactive CD-ROM contains exercises and opportunities to help users develop a Buy Clean Program for janitorial cleaning products. CD users can learn about Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), complete an inventory list, and compare cleaning products to see which have the le...

Rapid point-of-care CD4 testing at mobile HIV testing sites to increase linkage to care: an evaluation of a pilot program in South Africa.

PubMed

Larson, Bruce A; Schnippel, Kathryn; Ndibongo, Buyiswa; Xulu, Thembisile; Brennan, Alana; Long, Lawrence; Fox, Matthew P; Rosen, Sydney

2012-10-01

A mobile HIV counseling and testing (HCT) program around Johannesburg piloted the integration of point-of-care (POC) CD4 testing, using the Pima analyzer, to improve linkages to HIV care. We report results from this pilot program for patients testing positive (n = 508) from May to October 2010. We analyzed 3 primary outcomes: assignment to testing group (offered POC CD4 or not), successful follow-up (by telephone), and completed the referral visit for HIV care within 8 weeks after HIV testing if successfully followed up. Proportions for each outcome were calculated, and relative risks were estimated using a modified Poisson approach. Three hundred eleven patients were offered the POC CD4 test, and 197 patients were not offered the test. No differences in patient characteristics were observed between the 2 groups. Approximately 62.7% of patients were successfully followed up 8 weeks after HIV testing, with no differences observed between testing groups. Among those followed up, 54.4% reported completing their referral visit. Patients offered the POC CD4 test were more likely to complete the referral visit for further HIV care (relative risk 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.57). In this mobile HCT setting, patients offered POC CD4 testing as part of the HCT services were more likely to visit a referral clinic after testing, suggesting that rapid CD4 testing technology may improve linkage to HIV care. Future research can evaluate options for adjusting HCT services if POC CD4 testing was included permanently and the cost-effectiveness of the POC CD4 testing compared with other approaches for improving linkage of care.

Effect of magnetic field on the donor impurity in CdTe/Cd1-xMnxTe quantum well wire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalpana, P.; Reuben, A. Merwyn Jasper D.; Nithiananthi, P.; Jayakumar, K.

2016-05-01

The donor impurity binding energy in CdTe / Cd1-xMnxTe QWW with square well confinement along x - direction and parabolic confinement along y - direction under the influence of externally applied magnetic field has been computed using variational principle in the effective mass approximation. The spin polaronic shift has also been computed. The results are presented and discussed.

Nitric oxide modulates cadmium influx during cadmium-induced programmed cell death in tobacco BY-2 cells.

PubMed

Ma, Wenwen; Xu, Wenzhong; Xu, Hua; Chen, Yanshan; He, Zhenyan; Ma, Mi

2010-07-01

Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive gas and functions as a signaling molecule in plants exposed to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses including cadmium (Cd(2+)). Cd(2+) is a non-essential and toxic heavy metal, which has been reported to induce programmed cell death (PCD) in plants. Here, we investigated the role of NO in Cd(2+)-induced PCD in tobacco BY-2 cells (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2). In this work, BY-2 cells exposed to 150 microM CdCl(2) underwent PCD with TUNEL-positive nuclei, significant chromatin condensation and the increasing expression of a PCD-related gene Hsr203J. Accompanied with the occurring of PCD, the production of NO increased significantly. The supplement of NO by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) had accelerated the PCD, whereas the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and NO-specific scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) alleviated this toxicity. To investigate the mechanism by which NO exerted its function, Cd(2+) concentration was measured subsequently. SNP led more Cd(2+) content than Cd(2+) treatment alone. By contrast, the prevention of NO by L-NAME decreased Cd(2+) accumulation. Using the scanning ion-selective electrode technique, we analyzed the pattern and rate of Cd(2+) fluxes. This analysis revealed the promotion of Cd(2+) influxes into cells by application of SNP, while L-NAME and cPTIO reduced the rate of Cd(2+) uptake or even resulted in net Cd(2+) efflux. Based on these founding, we concluded that NO played a positive role in CdCl(2)-induced PCD by modulating Cd(2+) uptake and thus promoting Cd(2+) accumulation in BY-2 cells.

Applied research on 2-6 compound materials for heterojunction solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bube, R. H.

1975-01-01

Several II-VI heterojunctions show promise for photovoltaic conversion of solar energy. The three of greatest interest are p-CdTe/n-CdS, p-CdTe/n-ZnSe, and p-ZnTe/n-CdSe. Several p-CdTe/n-CdS heterojunction cells have been prepared by close spaced transport deposition of p-CdTe on single crystal n-CdS, and by two source vacuum evaporation of n-CdS on single crystal p-CdTe. Both types of cells, in an experimental stage, are quite comparable, exhibiting values of quantum efficiency between 0.5 and 0.9, open circuit voltages between 0.50 and 0.66 V, fill factors between 0.4 and 0.6, and solar efficiencies up to 4 percent. Cells of p-ZnTe/n-CdSe have also been made by close spaced vapor transport deposition of n-CdSe on single crystal p-ZnTe.

Divergent response profile in activated cord blood T cells from first-born child implies birth-order-associated in utero immune programming.

PubMed

Kragh, M; Larsen, J M; Thysen, A H; Rasmussen, M A; Wolsk, H M; Bisgaard, H; Brix, S

2016-03-01

First-born children are at higher risk of developing a range of immune-mediated diseases. The underlying mechanism of 'birth-order effects' on disease risk is largely unknown, but in utero programming of the child's immune system may play a role. We studied the association between birth order and the functional response of stimulated cord blood T cells. Purified cord blood T cells were polyclonally activated with anti-CD3-/anti-CD28-coated beads in a subgroup of 28 children enrolled in the COPSAC2010 birth cohort. Expression levels of seven activation markers on helper and cytotoxic T cells as well as the percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10 was measured in the supernatants. IL-10 secretion (P = 0.007) and CD25 expression on CD4(+) helper T cells (P = 0.0003) in the activated cord blood T cells were selectively reduced in first-born children, while the percentage of circulating CD4(+) CD25(+) cord blood T cells was independent of birth order. First-born infants display a reduced anti-inflammatory profile in T cells at birth. This possible in utero 'birth-order' T-cell programming may contribute to later development of immune-mediated diseases by increasing overall immune reactivity in first-born children as compared to younger siblings. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Zone leveling and solution growth of complex compound semiconductors in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachmann, K. J.

1986-01-01

A research program on complex semiconducting compounds and alloys was completed that addressed the growth of single crystals of CdSe(y)Te(1-y), Zn(x)Cd(1-x)Te, Mn(x)Cd(1-x)Te, InP(y)As(1-y) and CuInSe2 and the measurement of fundamental physico-chemical properties characterizing the above materials. The purpose of this ground based research program was to lay the foundations for further research concerning the growth of complex ternary compound semiconductors in a microgravity environment.

HgCdTe Surface and Defect Study Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-03-01

different potential for Hg and Cd and hence be reflected in the electronic structure. The techniques of PES and ARPES available to our research group ...D-A166 795 HOME SURFCE ND DEFECT STUDY PROQRN(U) SATA / BARBRA RESEARCH CENTER GOLETA CALXF J A WILSON ET AL. USI FE MAR 86 SBRC-60411 ND93-63-C...0168 FO2/2 N L6 ILO 1.5 1. 11111 .6 .ICnrnp CHR HgCdTo SURFACE AND DEFECT STUDY PROGRAM J. A. Wilson and V. A. Cotton Santa Barbara Research Center

Effects of cadmium on cork oak (Quercus suber L.) plants grown in hydroponics.

PubMed

Gogorcena, Yolanda; Larbi, Ajmi; Andaluz, Sofia; Carpena, Ramón O; Abadía, Anunciación; Abadía, Javier

2011-12-01

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is an autochthonous tree species that is being used for reforestation in heavy-metal-contaminated areas in Spain. A hydroponics experiment was carried out to characterize the effects of Cd on several morphological and physiological parameters in this species, including shoot length, nutrient concentrations and allocation in different organs, leaf pigment concentrations, photosynthetic efficiency, root ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity and organic acid concentrations in xylem sap. Four different Cd treatments were applied, adding Cd chelated with EDTA or as chloride salt at two different concentrations (10 and 50 µM Cd). After 1 month of Cd treatment, plant growth was significantly inhibited in all treatments. Results indicate that Cd accumulates in all organs 7- to 500-fold when compared with control plants. The highest Cd concentration was found in the 50 µM CdCl(2) treatment, which led to concentrations of ~30, 123 and 1153 µg Cd g(-1) dry weight in leaves, stems and roots, respectively. In the strongest Cd treatments the concentrations of P and Ca decreased in some plant parts, whereas the Mn leaf concentrations decreased with three of the four Cd treatments applied. The concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoids on an area basis decreased, whereas the (zeaxanthin plus antheraxanthin)/(total violaxanthin cycle carotenoids) ratio and the non-photochemical quenching increased significantly in all Cd treatments. Cadmium treatments caused significant increases in the activity of the enzyme FCR in roots and in the concentrations of organic acids in xylem sap. Some of the physiological changes found support the fact that Cd induces a deficiency of Fe in cork oak, although the plant Fe concentrations were not reduced significantly. At higher concentrations the effects of Cd were more pronounced, and were more marked when Cd was in the free ion form than when present in the form of Cd-EDTA.

Chemokine programming dendritic cell antigen response: part II - programming antigen presentation to T lymphocytes by partially maintaining immature dendritic cell phenotype.

PubMed

Park, Jaehyung; Bryers, James D

2013-05-01

In a companion article to this study,(1) the successful programming of a JAWSII dendritic cell (DC) line's antigen uptake and processing was demonstrated based on pre-treatment of DCs with a specific 'cocktail' of select chemokines. Chemokine pre-treatment modulated cytokine production before and after DC maturation [by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. After DC maturation, it induced an antigen uptake and processing capacity at levels 36% and 82% higher than in immature DCs, respectively. Such programming proffers a potential new approach to enhance vaccine efficiency. Unfortunately, simply enhancing antigen uptake does not guarantee the desired activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, e.g. CD4(+) T cells. In this study, phenotype changes and antigen presentation capacity of chemokine pre-treated murine bone marrow-derived DCs were examined in long-term co-culture with antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells to quantify how chemokine pre-treatment may impact the adaptive immune response. When a model antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), was added after intentional LPS maturation of chemokine-treated DCs, OVA-biased CD4(+) T-cell proliferation was initiated from ~ 100% more undivided naive T cells as compared to DCs treated only with LPS. Secretion of the cytokines interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-2 and interleukin-10 in the CD4(+) T cell : DC co-culture (with or without chemokine pre-treatment) were essentially the same. Chemokine programming of DCs with a 7 : 3 ratio of CCL3 : CCL19 followed by LPS treatment maintained partial immature phenotypes of DCs, as indicated by surface marker (CD80 and CD86) expression over time. Results here and in our companion paper suggest that chemokine programming of DCs may provide a novel immunotherapy strategy to obviate the natural endocytosis limit of DC antigen uptake, thus potentially increasing DC-based vaccine efficiency. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Metal availability, soil nutrient, and enzyme activity in response to application of organic amendments in Cd-contaminated soil.

PubMed

Yang, Zhanbiao; Liu, Lixia; Lv, Yanfeng; Cheng, Zhang; Xu, Xiaoxun; Xian, Junren; Zhu, Xuemei; Yang, Yuanxiang

2018-01-01

The study investigated the effects of organic amendments: green tea amendment (GTA) and oil cake amendment (OCA) on Cd bioavailability, soil nutrients, and soil enzyme activity in Cd-contaminated soil. The amendments were added to the soil at the doses of 1, 3, and 5% and were incubated for 45 days. Then, pakchoi cabbage was planted to test the remediation effect of the above two organic amendments. The diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd in GTA and OCA treatments was reduced by 14.69-27.51 and 13.75-68.77%, respectively, compared to no amendment-applied treatment. The application of GTA and OCA notably decreased the proportion of exchangeable fraction of Cd, but increased the percentage of oxide and organic-bound fraction of Cd, thereby suppressing the uptake by pakchoi cabbage. Cd concentration of aboveground parts decreased by 8.21-18.05 and 7.77-35.89% in GTA and OCA treatments, respectively. Relative to the no amendment-applied treatment, both GTA and OCA had enhanced soil nutrients and enzyme activities largely. Redundancy analysis showed that organic matter, total P, available N, and DTPA-extractable Cd significantly affected the enzyme activities. Furthermore, the application of OCA at the dose of 5% was more effective in reducing bioavailable Cd, enhancing soil available nutrients and urease and catalase activities in contaminated soil. These results indicated that oil cake should be used to immobilize metal and improve fertility and quality of Cd-contaminated soil.

The Respiratory Environment Diverts the Development of Antiviral Memory CD8 T Cells.

PubMed

Shane, Hillary L; Reagin, Katie L; Klonowski, Kimberly D

2018-06-01

Our understanding of memory CD8 + T cells has been largely derived from acute, systemic infection models. However, memory CD8 + T cells generated from mucosal infection exhibit unique properties and, following respiratory infection, are not maintained in the lung long term. To better understand how infection route modifies memory differentiation, we compared murine CD8 + T cell responses to a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) challenge generated intranasally (i.n.) or i.v. The i.n. infection resulted in greater peak expansion of VSV-specific CD8 + T cells. However, this numerical advantage was rapidly lost during the contraction phase of the immune response, resulting in memory CD8 + T cell numerical deficiencies when compared with i.v. infection. Interestingly, the antiviral CD8 + T cells generated in response to i.n. VSV exhibited a biased and sustained proportion of early effector cells (CD127 lo KLRG1 lo ) akin to the developmental program favored after i.n. influenza infection, suggesting that respiratory infection broadly favors an incomplete memory differentiation program. Correspondingly, i.n. VSV infection resulted in lower CD122 expression and eomesodermin levels by VSV-specific CD8 + T cells, further indicative of an inferior transition to bona fide memory. These results may be due to distinct (CD103 + CD11b + ) dendritic cell subsets in the i.n. versus i.v. T cell priming environments, which express molecules that regulate T cell signaling and the balance between tolerance and immunity. Therefore, we propose that distinct immunization routes modulate both the quality and quantity of antiviral effector and memory CD8 + T cells in response to an identical pathogen and should be considered in CD8 + T cell-based vaccine design. Copyright © 2018 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

ACVP-12: Quantitative Assessment of HIV/SIV Viral DNA in Laser Capture Microdissected (LCM) CD4+ T cell and/or Macrophage Populations from Formalin-Fixed Tissue Specimens | Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

The Tissue Analysis Core (TAC) within the AIDS and Cancer Virus Program will process, embed, and perform microtomy on fixed tissue samples presented in ethanol. CD4 (DAB) and CD68/CD163 (FastRed) double immunohistochemistry will be performed, allowin

Biocompatible water soluble quantum dots as new biophotonic tools for hematologic cells: applications for flow cell cytometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lira, Rafael B.; de Sales Neto, Antonio T.; Carvalho, Kilmara K. H. G.; Leite, Elisa S.; Brasil, Aluizio G., Jr.; Azevedo, Denise P. L.; Cabral Filho, Paulo E.; Cavalcanti, Mariana B.; Amaral, Ademir J.; Farias, Patricía M. A.; Santos, Beate S.; Fontes, Adriana

2010-02-01

Quantum dots (QDs) are a promising class of fluorescent probes that can be conjugated to a variety of specific cell antibodies. For this reason, simple, cheap and reproducible routes of QDśs syntheses are the main goal of many researches in this field. The main objective of this work was to demonstrate the ability of QDs as biolabels for flow cell cytometry analysis. We have synthesized biocompatible water soluble CdS/Cd(OH)2 and CdTe/CdS QDs and applied them as fluorescent labels of hematologic cells. CdTe/CdS QDs was prepared using using a simple aqueous route with mercaptoacetic acid and mercaptopropionic acid as stabilizing agents. The resulting CdTe/CdS QDs can target biological membrane proteins and can also be internalized by cells. We applied the CdTe/CdS QDs as biolabels of human lymphocytes and compared the results obtained for lymphocytes treated and non-treated with permeabilizing agents for cell membranes. Permeabilized cells present higher fluorescence pattern than non permeabilized ones. We associated antibody A to the CdS/Cd(OH)2 QDs to label type A red blood cell (RBC). In this case, the O erythrocytes were used as the negative control. The results demonstrate that QDs were successfully functionalized with antibody A. There was a specific binding of QDs-antibody A to RBC membrane antigen only for A RBCs. We have also monitored QDs-hematologic cell interaction by using fluorescence microscopy. Our method shows that QDs can be conjugated to a variety of specific cell antibodies and can become a potential, highly efficient and low cost diagnostic tool for flow cell cytometry, very compatible with the lasers and filters used in this kind of equipments.

Tuberculosis is associated with expansion of a motile, permissive and immunomodulatory CD16+ monocyte population via the IL-10/STAT3 axis

PubMed Central

Lastrucci, Claire; Bénard, Alan; Balboa, Luciana; Pingris, Karine; Souriant, Shanti; Poincloux, Renaud; Al Saati, Talal; Rasolofo, Voahangy; González-Montaner, Pablo; Inwentarz, Sandra; Moraña, Eduardo Jose; Kondova, Ivanela; Verreck, Frank AW; Sasiain, Maria del Carmen; Neyrolles, Olivier; Maridonneau-Parini, Isabelle; Lugo-Villarino, Geanncarlo; Cougoule, Céline

2015-01-01

The human CD14+ monocyte compartment is composed by two subsets based on CD16 expression. We previously reported that this compartment is perturbed in tuberculosis (TB) patients, as reflected by the expansion of CD16+ monocytes along with disease severity. Whether this unbalance is beneficial or detrimental to host defense remains to be elucidated. Here in the context of active TB, we demonstrate that human monocytes are predisposed to differentiate towards an anti-inflammatory (M2-like) macrophage activation program characterized by the CD16+CD163+MerTK+pSTAT3+ phenotype and functional properties such as enhanced protease-dependent motility, pathogen permissivity and immunomodulation. This process is dependent on STAT3 activation, and loss-of-function experiments point towards a detrimental role in host defense against TB. Importantly, we provide a critical correlation between the abundance of the CD16+CD163+MerTK+pSTAT3+ cells and the progression of the disease either at the local level in a non-human primate tuberculous granuloma context, or at the systemic level through the detection of the soluble form of CD163 in human sera. Collectively, this study argues for the pathogenic role of the CD16+CD163+MerTK+pSTAT3+ monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation program and its potential as a target for TB therapy, and promotes the detection of circulating CD163 as a potential biomarker for disease progression and monitoring of treatment efficacy. PMID:26482950

Single-particle states in ^112Cd probed with the ^111Cd(d,p) reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garrett, P. E.; Jamieson, D.; Demand, G. A.; Finlay, P.; Green, K. L.; Leach, K. G.; Phillips, A. A.; Sumithrarachchi, C. S.; Svensson, C. E.; Triambak, S.; Wong, J.; Ball, G. C.; Hertenberger, R.; Wirth, H.-F.; Kr"Ucken, R.; Faestermann, T.

2009-10-01

As part of a program of detailed spectroscopy of the Cd isotopes, the single-particle neutron states in ^112Cd have been probed with the ^111Cd(d,p) reaction. Beams of polarized 22 MeV deuterons, obtained from the LMU/TUM Tandem Accelerator, bombarded a target of ^111Cd. The protons from the reaction, corresponding to excitation energies up to 3 MeV in ^112Cd, were momentum analyzed with the Q3D spectrograph. Cross sections and analyzing powers were fit to results of DWBA calculations, and spectroscopic factors were determined. The results from the experiment, and implications for the structure of ^112Cd, will be presented.

Novel Adult Stem Cells for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

were also positive for MSC surface marker CD29 and CD44 (Fig. 1F-G). However, CD29 and CD44 are also expressed in SMCs, so we will not use these non...tubulin. In addition, MVSCs were negative for perivascular MSC marker CD146 (Fig. 1H) and SMC progenitor marker Sca-1 (Fig. 1I). MVSCs were also...University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. 2 UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. 3

On Orbit Performance of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) 5D3 Spacecraft Power System

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-30

TD O £ c c ^ co — £ °> S5 o E r^ I— E o> ^ LO o 2 O c Q. £ g * CO O =3 CO E c CX) IT) <* CD Q_ C E _Q i_...fe co oo h- O I I I CO (D CO p CO c5 "S _c co o o CO _ TD 5 *> =3 CD -K Ö) s i- CO c 2 o) o .E o CO...CD •o O 0 -4—» CO CD E Ü Q. •D o TD ^ CO O O E CD •+—. CD O CD (D >> ^ >% •4—< *§ CD -•-• O) CD _Q _£Z C CD = < •o D)

My Favorite Things Electronically Speaking, 1997 Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glantz, Shelley

1997-01-01

Responding to an informal survey, 96 media specialists named favorite software, CD-ROMs, and online sites. This article lists automation packages, electronic encyclopedias, CD-ROMs, electronic magazine indexes, CD-ROM and online database services, electronic sources of current events, laser disks for grades 6-12, word processing programs for…

An Experimental Test of CD-ROM Aided Instruction in Transnational Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oviatt, Benjamin M.; Bansal, Ptraima; Houghton, Susan

2000-01-01

Twenty-seven graduate students used a CD-ROM program to study transnational management, while a control group (n=26) used traditional study methods. Use of the CD-ROM was not associated with better examination performance. Implications for increased investment in new classroom technology are drawn. (Author/DB)

Macintosh and Photo-CD Technologies Provide Orientations to Southwestern College Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alexander, William J.; And Others

Due to a rapidly increasing demand for bibliographic instruction, Southwestern College in San Ysidro, California, devised an interactive English-Spanish multimedia library skills program using Macintosh and Kodak PhotoCD technologies. First, a PhotoCD containing 100 photos of library services was produced. Then, an interactive Macintosh program…

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger turns on the effector T cell program without requirement for agonist TCR signaling.

PubMed

Savage, Adam K; Constantinides, Michael G; Bendelac, Albert

2011-05-15

Thymocytes expressing the NKT cell semi-invariant αβ TCR are thought to undergo agonist interactions with CD1d ligands prior to expressing promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), a broad complex, tramtrack, bric-a-brac, poxvirus, and zinc finger transcription factor that directs acquisition of the effector program of these innate-like T cells. Whether PLZF can mediate this effector conversion independently of agonist signaling has not been investigated. We demonstrated that transgenic (Tg) expression of PLZF under the CD4 promoter induced the innate effector program in two different MHC class II-restricted TCR-Tg Rag1(-/-) models examined. In CD4 thymocytes expressing a fixed Tg TCR β-chain, the associated TCRα sequences in wild-type and PLZF-Tg mice overlapped extensively, further demonstrating that PLZF could induce the effector program in most CD4 T cells that would normally be selected as naive cells. In contrast, PLZF altered the negative selection of thymocytes expressing TCR β-chains reactive against several retroviral superantigens. Thus, PLZF is remarkable in that it is a transcription factor capable of inducing an effector program in the absence of T cell agonist interactions or cell division. Its expression may also enhance the survival of agonist-signaled thymocytes.

Lack of the programmed death-1 receptor renders host susceptible to enteric microbial infection through impairing the production of the mucosal natural killer cell effector molecules.

PubMed

Solaymani-Mohammadi, Shahram; Lakhdari, Omar; Minev, Ivelina; Shenouda, Steve; Frey, Blake F; Billeskov, Rolf; Singer, Steven M; Berzofsky, Jay A; Eckmann, Lars; Kagnoff, Martin F

2016-03-01

The programmed death-1 receptor is expressed on a wide range of immune effector cells, including T cells, natural killer T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. In malignancies and chronic viral infections, increased expression of programmed death-1 by T cells is generally associated with a poor prognosis. However, its role in early host microbial defense at the intestinal mucosa is not well understood. We report that programmed death-1 expression is increased on conventional natural killer cells but not on CD4(+), CD8(+) or natural killer T cells, or CD11b(+) or CD11c(+) macrophages or dendritic cells after infection with the mouse pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. Mice genetically deficient in programmed death-1 or treated with anti-programmed death-1 antibody were more susceptible to acute enteric and systemic infection with Citrobacter rodentium. Wild-type but not programmed death-1-deficient mice infected with Citrobacter rodentium showed significantly increased expression of the conventional mucosal NK cell effector molecules granzyme B and perforin. In contrast, natural killer cells from programmed death-1-deficient mice had impaired expression of those mediators. Consistent with programmed death-1 being important for intracellular expression of natural killer cell effector molecules, mice depleted of natural killer cells and perforin-deficient mice manifested increased susceptibility to acute enteric infection with Citrobacter rodentium. Our findings suggest that increased programmed death-1 signaling pathway expression by conventional natural killer cells promotes host protection at the intestinal mucosa during acute infection with a bacterial gut pathogen by enhancing the expression and production of important effectors of natural killer cell function. © Society for Leukocyte Biology.

CD-ROM-aided Databases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sano, Tomoyuki; Suzuki, Masataka; Nishida, Hideo

The Development of CAI system using CD-ROM and NAPLPS (North American Presentation Level Protocol Syntax) was taken place by Himeji Dokkyo University. The characteristics of CAI using CD-ROM as information processing series for the department of liberal arts student are described. The system is that the computer program, vast amount of voice data and graphics data are stored in a CD-ROM. It is very effective to improve learning ability of student.

Clinical and biological significance of stem-like CD133(+)CXCR4(+) cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Lu, Chunlai; Xu, Fengkai; Gu, Jie; Yuan, Yunfeng; Zhao, Guangyin; Yu, Xiaofang; Ge, Di

2015-08-01

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignant tumors. Cancer stem cells are considered to be responsible for tumor growth, metastasis, and recurrence. Cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) are frequently applied markers for the identification and isolation of cancer stem cells. However, few studies have investigated the coexpression of CD133 and CXCR4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This study aims to explore the clinical and biological role of stem-like CD133(+)CXCR4(+) cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of CD133 and CXCR4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues of patients. Flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting were applied to analyze and isolate each subgroup in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line TE-1. The characteristic differences between each subgroup were assayed in vitro. The association between CD133/CXCR4 expression and patients' prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Among 154 patient tissues, concomitant high CD133-CXCR4 expression accounts for 20.78% (32/154). In vitro, CXCR4(+) cells (CD133(+)CXCR4(+) and CD133(-)CXCR4(+)) showed high invasive potential and CD133(+)CXCR4(+) cells showed high proliferative capacity. Clinically, patients with concomitant high CD133-CXCR4 expression had decreased disease-free survival and overall survival (P < .01). Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells coexpressing CD133 and CXCR4 possess the characteristics of cancer stem cells. The concomitant high CD133-CXCR4 expression might be a novel marker for predicting the poor prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and CD133 and CXCR4 may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of zinc-lysine on growth, yield and cadmium uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and health risk assessment.

PubMed

Rizwan, Muhammad; Ali, Shafaqat; Hussain, Afzal; Ali, Qasim; Shakoor, Muhammad Bilal; Zia-Ur-Rehman, Muhammad; Farid, Mujahid; Asma, Maliha

2017-11-01

Cadmium (Cd) is among the most widespread toxic trace elements found in agricultural soils due to various anthropogenic activities. The role of micronutrient-amino chelates on reducing Cd toxicity in crop plants is recently introduced. The current study was conducted to highlight the role of foliar application of zinc-lysine (Zn-lys) complex on biochemical and growth parameters and Cd uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in aged Cd-contaminated soil. Foliar concentration of Zn-lys (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg L -1 ) was applied at different time intervals (2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th week of sowing) and plants were harvested at maturity. Folliar application of Zinc-lys significantly increased the photosynthesis, grain yield, enzyme activities and Zn contents in different plant tissues. Zinc-lys reduced Cd contents in grains, shoot and root as well as reduced the oxidative stress in wheat linearly in a dose-additive manner. Taken together, Zn-lys chelate efficiently improved wheat growth and fortified Zn contents while reduced Cd concentration in plant in a Zn-deficient Cd-contaminated soil. Although, health risk index (HRI) from the soil sampling area seems to be lower than <1 for Cd but may exceed due to long-term consumption of grains produced from such contaminated soil. Foliar applied Zn-lys reduced HRI which may help to reduce health risks associated with Cd. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cleaning and disinfection in home care: A comparison of 2 commercial products with potentially different consequences for respiratory health.

PubMed

Goodyear, Nancy; Markkanen, Pia; Beato-Melendez, Christian; Mohamed, Hagir; Gore, Rebecca; Galligan, Catherine; Sama, Susan; Quinn, Margaret

2018-04-01

Home care aides perform personal care and homemaking services in client homes, including cleaning and disinfection (C&D). Although C&D are performed to remove soil and dust, they are increasingly performed for infection prevention. Many C&D products contain respiratory irritants. The objective of this study was to evaluate 2 commercial products for C&D effectiveness on common household surfaces in seniors' homes. Two C&D visits were conducted in 46 seniors' homes. One visit applied a bleach-containing cleaning product and the other applied an environmentally preferable product. Before and after C&D, the study team performed organic soil bioluminometer measurements on surfaces and collected cotton swab and wipe samples for total bacteria count, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium difficile identification. Both products removed microorganisms from tested surfaces. S aureus was found in 7 households, 1 strain of which was methicillin-resistant. Both products removed S aureus from all surfaces. Bleach-containing products removed somewhat more soil than environmentally preferable products, although results were statistically significant for only 1 surface. The study showed similar, not identical, C&D performance for 2 cleaning products with potentially different consequences for respiratory health. Additional research is needed to develop robust recommendations for safe, effective C&D in home care. Copyright © 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mindfulness meditation training effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes in HIV-1 infected adults: A small randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Creswell, J. David; Myers, Hector F.; Cole, Steven W.; Irwin, Michael R.

2009-01-01

Mindfulness meditation training has stress reduction benefits in various patient populations, but its effects on biological markers of HIV-1 progression are unknown. The present study tested the efficacy of an 8-week Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) meditation program compared to a 1-day control seminar on CD4+ T lymphocyte counts in stressed HIV infected adults. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with enrollment and follow-up occurring between November 2005 and December 2007. A diverse community sample of 48 HIV-1 infected adults was randomized and entered treatment in either an 8-week MBSR or a 1-day control stress reduction education seminar. The primary outcome was circulating counts of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Participants in the 1-day control seminar showed declines in CD4+ T lymphocyte counts whereas counts among participants in the 8-week MBSR program were unchanged from baseline to post-intervention (time × treatment condition interaction, p = .02). This effect was independent of antiretroviral (ARV) medication use. Additional analyses indicated that treatment adherence to the mindfulness meditation program, as measured by class attendance, mediated the effects of mindfulness meditation training on buffering CD4+ T lymphocyte declines. These findings provide an initial indication that mindfulness meditation training can buffer CD4+ T lymphocyte declines in HIV-1 infected adults. PMID:18678242

A Novel Sphingomyelinase-Like Enzyme in Ixodes scapularis Tick Saliva Drives Host CD4+ T cells to Express IL-4

PubMed Central

Alarcon-Chaidez, F. J.; Boppana, V. D.; Hagymasi, A.T.; Adler, A. J.; Wikel, S. K.

2009-01-01

Tick feeding modulates host immune responses. Tick-induced skewing of host CD4+ T cells towards a Th2 cytokine profile facilitates transmission of tick-borne pathogens that would otherwise be neutralized by Th1 cytokines. Tick-derived factors that drive this Th2 response have not previously been characterized. In the current study, we examined an I. scapularis cDNA library prepared at 18-24 hours of feeding and identified and expressed a tick gene with homology to Loxosceles spider venom proteins with sphingomyelinase activity. This I. scapularis sphingomyelinase-like (IsSMase) protein is a Mg+2-dependent, neutral (pH 7.4) form of sphingomyelinase. Significantly, in an in vivo TCR transgenic adoptive transfer assay IsSMase programmed host CD4+ T cells to express the hallmark Th2 effector cytokine IL-4. IsSMase appears to directly program host CD4 T cell IL-4 expression (as opposed to its metabolic by-products) because induced IL-4 expression was not altered when enzymatic activity was neutralized. TCR transgenic CD4 T cell proliferation (CFSE-dilution) was also significantly increased by IsSMase. Furthermore, a Th2 response is superimposed onto a virally-primed Th1 response by IsSMase. Thus, IsSMase is the first identified tick molecule capable of programming host CD4+ T cells to express IL-4. PMID:19292772

CD63 tetraspanin is a negative driver of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human melanoma cells.

PubMed

Lupia, Antonella; Peppicelli, Silvia; Witort, Ewa; Bianchini, Francesca; Carloni, Vinicio; Pimpinelli, Nicola; Urso, Carmelo; Borgognoni, Lorenzo; Capaccioli, Sergio; Calorini, Lido; Lulli, Matteo

2014-12-01

The CD63 tetraspanin is highly expressed in the early stages of melanoma and decreases in advanced lesions, suggesting it as a possible suppressor of tumor progression. We employed loss- and gain-of-gene-function approaches to investigate the role of CD63 in melanoma progression and acquisition of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. We used two human melanoma cell lines derived from primary tumors and one primary human melanoma cell line isolated from a cutaneous metastasis, differing by levels of CD63 expression. CD63-silenced melanoma cells showed enhanced motility and invasiveness with downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of N-cadherin and Snail. In parallel experiments, transient and stable ectopic expression of CD63 resulted in a robust reduction of cell motility, invasiveness, and protease activities, which was proportional to the increase in CD63 protein level. Transfected cells overexpressing the highest level of CD63 when transplanted into immunodeficient mice showed a reduced incidence and rate of tumor growth. Moreover, these cells showed a reduction of N-cadherin, Vimentin, Zeb1, and a-SMA, and a significant resistance to undergo an EMT program both in basal condition and in the following stimulation with TGFβ. Thus, our results establish a previously unreported mechanistic link between the tetraspanin CD63 and EMT abrogation in melanoma.

Irradiation resistance of intravolume shading elements embedded in photomasks used for CD uniformity control by local intra-field transmission attenuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zait, Eitan; Ben-Zvi, Guy; Dmitriev, Vladimir; Oshemkov, Sergey; Pforr, Rainer; Hennig, Mario

2006-05-01

Intra-field CD variation is, besides OPC errors, a main contributor to the total CD variation budget in IC manufacturing. It is caused mainly by mask CD errors. In advanced memory device manufacturing the minimum features are close to the resolution limit resulting in large mask error enhancement factors hence large intra-field CD variations. Consequently tight CD Control (CDC) of the mask features is required, which results in increasing significantly the cost of mask and hence the litho process costs. Alternatively there is a search for such techniques (1) which will allow improving the intrafield CD control for a given moderate mask and scanner imaging performance. Currently a new technique (2) has been proposed which is based on correcting the printed CD by applying shading elements generated in the substrate bulk of the mask by ultrashort pulsed laser exposure. The blank transmittance across a feature is controlled by changing the density of light scattering pixels. The technique has been demonstrated to be very successful in correcting intra-field CD variations caused by the mask and the projection system (2). A key application criterion of this technique in device manufacturing is the stability of the absorbing pixels against DUV light irradiation being applied during mask projection in scanners. This paper describes the procedures and results of such an investigation. To do it with acceptable effort a special experimental setup has been chosen allowing an evaluation within reasonable time. A 193nm excimer laser with pulse duration of 25 ns has been used for blank irradiation. Accumulated dose equivalent to 100,000 300 mm wafer exposures has been applied to Half Tone PSM mask areas with and without CDC shadowing elements. This allows the discrimination of effects appearing in treated and untreated glass regions. Several intensities have been investigated to define an acceptable threshold intensity to avoid glass compaction or generation of color centers in the glass. The impact of the irradiation on the mask transmittance of both areas has been studied by measurements of the printed CD on wafer using a wafer scanner before and after DUV irradiation.

Indole-3-butyric acid mediates antioxidative defense systems to promote adventitious rooting in mung bean seedlings under cadmium and drought stresses.

PubMed

Li, Shi-Weng; Zeng, Xiao-Ying; Leng, Yan; Feng, Lin; Kang, Xiao-Hu

2018-06-08

In vitro experiments were performed to determine whether auxin can mediate the formation of adventitious roots in response to heavy metal and drought stresses using a model rooting plant, mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]. The treatments with CdCl 2 or mannitol alone significantly inhibited the formation and growth of adventitious roots in mung bean seedlings. In contrast, when CdCl 2 or mannitol was applied together with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), IBA considerably cancelled the inhibition of adventitious rooting by stresses. Treatment with CdCl 2 or mannitol alone significantly increased the soluble protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. CdCl 2 and mannitol stress each induced differentially significant changes in the activities of antioxidative enzyme and antioxidant levels during adventitious rooting. Notably, both CdCl 2 and mannitol stress strongly reduced the peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and glutathione (GSH) and phenols levels. Catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were enhanced by CdCl 2 but reduced by mannitol. CdCl 2 increased the ascorbate acid (ASA) level, which was decreased by mannitol. Furthermore, when CdCl 2 or mannitol was applied together with IBA, IBA counteracted the CdCl 2 - or mannitol-induced increase or decrease in certain antioxidants, MDA, and antioxidative enzymes. These results suggest that Cd and mannitol stress inhibition of adventitious rooting is associated with the regulation of antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants in cells to defense the oxidative stress. Moreover, IBA alleviates the effects of Cd and mannitol stress on the rooting process partially through the regulation of antioxidative defense systems. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cadmium dynamics in soil pore water and uptake by rice: Influences of soil-applied selenite with different water managements.

PubMed

Wan, Yanan; Camara, Aboubacar Younoussa; Yu, Yao; Wang, Qi; Guo, Tianliang; Zhu, Lina; Li, Huafen

2018-05-11

Cadmium (Cd) in rice grains is a potential threat to human health. This study investigated the effects of selenite fertilisation (0 mg kg -1 , 0.5 mg kg -1 , and 1.0 mg kg -1 ) on soil solution Cd dynamics and rice uptake. Rice was grown in two Cd-contaminated soils in Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces under two different sets of conditions: aerobic and flooded. The experiments were conducted in pots. The plants were harvested at the seedling stage and at maturity to determine their Cd levels. Soil solutions were also extracted during the growing season to monitor Cd dynamics. The results showed that in the Jiangxi soil (pH 5.25), Cd concentrations in the soil solutions, seedlings, and mature rice plants were higher under aerobic than under flooded water management conditions. In the Hunan soil (pH 7.26), however, flooding decreased Cd levels in the rice seedlings but not in mature plants. Selenite additions to the Hunan soil decreased Cd concentrations in the soil solutions and in the mature rice plants. These effects were not observed for the solutions or the plants from Jiangxi soil amended with selenite. Relative to the control treatment, 0.5 mg kg -1 selenite decreased the rice grain Cd content by 45.2% and 67.7% under aerobic and flooding conditions, respectively. The results demonstrated that water management regimes affected rice Cd uptake more effectively in Jiangxi than in Hunan soil, whereas selenite addition was more effective in Hunan than in Jiangxi soil. Selenite addition was also more effective at reducing rice grain Cd levels when it was applied under flooding than under aerobic conditions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of rapid intervascular transport of cadmium in rice stem by radioisotope imaging

PubMed Central

Tanoi, Keitaro

2013-01-01

Participation of the intervascular transport system within the rice stem during cadmium (Cd) partitioning was investigated by characterizing 109Cd behaviour in the shoot. In addition, 45Ca, 32P, and 35S partitioning patterns were analysed for comparison with that of 109Cd. Each tracer was applied to the seedling roots for 15min, and the shoots were harvested either at 15min (i.e. immediately after tracer application) or at 48h. Distribution patterns of each element at 15min were studied to identify the primary transport pathway before remobilization was initiated. 32P was preferentially transported to completely expanded leaf blades having the highest transpiration rate. The newest leaf received minimal amounts of 32P. In contrast, the amount of 35S transported to the newest leaf was similar to that transported to the other mature leaf blades. Preferential movement towards the newest leaf was evident for 109Cd and 45Ca. These results directly indicate that elemental transport is differentially regulated in the vegetative stem as early as 15min before the elements are transported to leaves. Cd behaviour in the stem was investigated in detail by obtaining serial section images from the bottom part of shoots after 109Cd was applied to a single crown root. At 30min, the maximum amount of 109Cd was distributed in the peripheral cylinder of the longitudinal vascular bundles (PV) and, interestingly, some amount of 109Cd was transported downwards along the PV. This transport manner of 109Cd provides evidence that Cd can be loaded on the phloem at the stem immediately after Cd is transported from the root. PMID:23202130

Software Engineering: Tools of the Profession

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-09-01

Sequencing Discipline Each of the flowcharts share the property that they have a single entry (at the top) and a single exit (at the bottom) . The three...structures is what Dijkstra refers to as a "sequencing discipline". Flowcharts of programs using only these 20 <u CU -H CO J2 CD G 01 S 0) o jj O CO 8...4-1 3 CD CO a* 0) C-O 21 decompositions show a straight- line program (restricted topology) as compared with flowcharts of programs allowing multiple

Independent Reading of CD-ROM Storybooks: Measuring Comprehension with Oral Retellings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearman, Cathy J.

2008-01-01

CD-ROM storybooks may facilitate reading comprehension for students who are struggling with reading comprehension. Therefore, the use of CD-ROM storybooks in the classroom as part of a reading instruction program, literacy center, or for independent reading time could benefit young readers. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

CD-ROM Technology for Education and Support of Site Supervisors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manzanares, Mark G.; O'Halloran, Theresa M.; McCartney, Teri J.; Filer, Rex D.; Varhely, Susan C.; Calhoun, Ken

2004-01-01

In this article, the authors discuss the creation and evaluation of a CD-ROM to train and support prepracticum, practicum, and internship site supervisors in a master's-level counselor education program. The authors, from a small, rural, southwestern college, created and distributed a CD-ROM containing video and document resources for this…

Effectiveness of Comprehensive Health Education Combining Lifestyle Education and Hot Spa Bathing for Male White-Collar Employees: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 1-Year Follow-Up

PubMed Central

Kamioka, Hiroharu; Nakamura, Yosikazu; Okada, Shinpei; Kitayuguchi, Jun; Kamada, Masamitsu; Honda, Takuya; Matsui, Yuzuru; Mutoh, Yoshiteru

2009-01-01

Background Physical activity is known to prevent obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly people; however, the effectiveness of a comprehensive health education program for male white-collar employees is uncertain. Methods Forty-three men volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The intervention group participated in a 2-hour program comprising comprehensive health education and hot spa bathing, offered once every 2 weeks, in addition to individualized programs once a week, for 24 weeks. The control group received only general health guidance. We compared their lifestyle characteristics and physical and mental health criteria at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 year after the end of the intervention. Results Rates of adherence to individualized programs were 60.0 ± 27.2% and 30.5 ± 29.6% at the end of the intervention and at 1 year after the end of the intervention, respectively. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction of criteria was observed for cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) cells and the ratio of cluster of differentiation 4+ to 8+ (CD4/8) cells, which were used to represent the participants' immunological function. We divided the intervention group into 2 subgroups on the basis of their attendance. Among the resulting 3 groups, significant interaction of criteria was observed for CD4+ and CD4/8 cells. In addition, the high attendance group had the highest CD4+ count and CD4/8 ratio. Conclusions Participants who attended classes and/or performed the supplementary individualized programs tended to maintain their immunological function and to experience a decrease in body fat percentage. However, few effects were noted in participants with poor adherence, even in the intervention group. PMID:19687610

Contribution of enhanced engagement of antigen presentation machinery to the clinical immunogenicity of a human interleukin (IL)-21 receptor-blocking therapeutic antibody.

PubMed

Xue, L; Hickling, T; Song, R; Nowak, J; Rup, B

2016-01-01

Reliable risk assessment for biotherapeutics requires accurate evaluation of risk factors associated with immunogenicity. Immunogenicity risk assessment tools were developed and applied to investigate the immunogenicity of a fully human therapeutic monoclonal antibody, ATR-107 [anti-interleukin (IL)-21 receptor] that elicited anti-drug antibodies (ADA) in 76% of healthy subjects in a Phase 1 study. Because the ATR-107 target is expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), the immunogenicity risk related to engagement with DC and antigen presentation pathways was studied. Despite the presence of IL-21R on DCs, ATR-107 did not bind to the DCs more extensively than the control therapeutic antibody (PF-1) that had elicited low clinical ADA incidence. However, ATR-107, but not the control therapeutic antibody, was translocated to the DC late endosomes, co-localized with intracellular antigen-D related (HLA-DR) molecules and presented a dominant T cell epitope overlapping the complementarity determining region 2 (CDR2) of the light chain. ATR-107 induced increased DC activation exemplified by up-regulation of DC surface expression of CD86, CD274 (PD-L1) and CD40, increased expansion of activated DC populations expressing CD86(hi), CD40(hi), CD83(hi), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)(hi), HLA-DR(hi) or CCR7(hi), as well as elevated secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α by DCs. DCs exposed to ATR-107 stimulated an autologous T cell proliferative response in human donor cells, in concert with the detection of immunoglobulin (Ig)G-type anti-ATR-107 antibody response in clinical samples. Collectively, the enhanced engagement of antigen presentation machinery by ATR-107 was suggested. The approaches and findings described in this study may be relevant to identifying lower immunogenicity risk targets and therapeutic molecules. © 2015 British Society for Immunology.

CdS/CdSe co-sensitized SnO2 photoelectrodes for quantum dots sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yibing; Lin, Yu; Meng, Yongming; Tu, Yongguang; Zhang, Xiaolong

2015-07-01

SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method and applied to photo-electrodes of quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). After sensitizing SnO2 films via CdS quantum dots, CdSe quantum dots was decorated on the surface of CdS/SnO2 photo-electrodes to further improve the power conversion efficiency. CdS and CdSe quantum dots were deposited by successive ionic layer absorption and reaction method (SILAR) and chemical bath deposition method (CBD) respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to identify the surface profile and crystal structure of SnO2 photo-electrodes before and after deposited quantum dots. After CdSe co-sensitized process, an overall power conversion efficiency of 1.78% was obtained in CdSe/CdS/SnO2 QDSSC, which showed 66.4% improvement than that of CdS/SnO2 QDSSC.

Magnetic field induced mixing of light hole excitonic states in (Cd, Mn)Te/(Cd, Mg)Te core/shell nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Płachta, Jakub; Grodzicka, Emma; Kaleta, Anna; Kret, Sławomir; Baczewski, Lech T.; Pietruczik, Aleksiej; Wiater, Maciej; Goryca, Mateusz; Kazimierczuk, Tomasz; Kossacki, Piotr; Karczewski, Grzegorz; Wojtowicz, Tomasz; Wojnar, Piotr

2018-05-01

A detailed magneto-photoluminescence study of individual (Cd, Mn)Te/(Cd, Mg)Te core/shell nanowires grown by molecular beam epitaxy is performed. First of all, an enhancement of the Zeeman splitting due to sp-d exchange interaction between band carriers and Mn-spins is evidenced in these nanostructures. Then, it is found that the value of this splitting depends strongly on the magnetic field direction with respect to the nanowire axis. The largest splitting is observed when the magnetic field is applied perpendicular and the smallest when it is applied parallel to the nanowire axis. This effect is explained in terms of magnetic field induced valence band mixing and evidences the light hole character of the excitonic emission. The values of the light and heavy hole splitting are determined for several individual nanowires based on the comparison of experimental results to theoretical calculations.

CdS nanorods/organic hybrid LED array and the piezo-phototronic effect of the device for pressure mapping.

PubMed

Bao, Rongrong; Wang, Chunfeng; Dong, Lin; Shen, Changyu; Zhao, Kun; Pan, Caofeng

2016-04-21

As widely applied in light-emitting diodes and optical devices, CdS has attracted the attention of many researchers due to its nonlinear properties and piezo-electronic effect. Here, we demonstrate a LED array composed of PSS and CdS nanorods and research the piezo-photonic effect of the array device. The emission intensity of the device depends on the electron-hole recombination at the interface of the p-n junction which can be adjusted using the piezo-phototronic effect and can be used to map the pressure applied on the surface of the device with spatial resolution as high as 1.5 μm. A flexible LED device array has been prepared using a CdS nanorod array on a Au/Cr/kapton substrate. This device may be used in the field of strain mapping using its high pressure spatial-resolution and flexibility.

Magnetic field induced mixing of light hole excitonic states in (Cd, Mn)Te/(Cd, Mg)Te core/shell nanowires.

PubMed

Płachta, Jakub; Grodzicka, Emma; Kaleta, Anna; Kret, Sławomir; Baczewski, Lech T; Pietruczik, Aleksiej; Wiater, Maciej; Goryca, Mateusz; Kazimierczuk, Tomasz; Kossacki, Piotr; Karczewski, Grzegorz; Wojtowicz, Tomasz; Wojnar, Piotr

2018-05-18

A detailed magneto-photoluminescence study of individual (Cd, Mn)Te/(Cd, Mg)Te core/shell nanowires grown by molecular beam epitaxy is performed. First of all, an enhancement of the Zeeman splitting due to sp-d exchange interaction between band carriers and Mn-spins is evidenced in these nanostructures. Then, it is found that the value of this splitting depends strongly on the magnetic field direction with respect to the nanowire axis. The largest splitting is observed when the magnetic field is applied perpendicular and the smallest when it is applied parallel to the nanowire axis. This effect is explained in terms of magnetic field induced valence band mixing and evidences the light hole character of the excitonic emission. The values of the light and heavy hole splitting are determined for several individual nanowires based on the comparison of experimental results to theoretical calculations.

Car Builder: Design, Construct and Test Your Own Cars. School Version with Lesson Plans. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Highsmith, Joni Bitman

Car Builder is a scientific CD-ROM-based simulation program that lets students design, construct, modify, test, and compare their own cars. Students can design sedans, four-wheel-drive vehicles, vans, sport cars, and hot rods. They may select for aerodynamics, power, and racing ability, or economic and fuel efficiency. It is a program that teaches…

Identification of cadmium-resistant fungi related to Cd transportation in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers].

PubMed

Xie, Yan; Luo, Hongji; Du, Zhimin; Hu, Longxing; Fu, Jinmin

2014-12-01

Phytoremediation utilizing plants and microbes has been increasingly adopted as a green technology for cleaning up heavy metal polluted soils. Cd polluted soil and native bermudagrass from Liuyang and Zhuzhou in Hunan province of China were collected to investigate microbial diversity and isolate Cd resistant fungi, and then to determine the effect of Cd resistant fungi on Cd tolerance and transportation of bermudagrass. The functional diversity of microorganisms was evaluated using the BIOLOG Eco method. Cd-resistant fungi strain was isolated and identified as Aspergillus aculeatus based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region sequence analysis. Bermudagrass was exposed to control, Cd only, and Cd plus A. aculeatus (Cd + A. aculeatus) with growth matrix (sawdust/sand = 3/1 in volume). Results indicated that Cd + A. aculeatus treated bermudagrass exhibited a higher photosynthetic activity compared to Cd only treated plants. Inoculation of A. aculeatus resulted in a decrease in stem and leaf Cd concentrations, to a greater extent for Cd-sensitive than for Cd-tolerant genotype. However, inoculation of A. aculeatus increased root Cd concentration under Cd stress conditions, significantly elevated soil pH, and decreased soil water-soluble Cd concentration. These results suggested that A. aculeatus might be potentially applied to improve Cd tolerance and to reduce Cd transportation to shoot of bermudagrass.

CD4 Counts at Entry to HIV Care in Mexico for Patients under the “Universal Antiretroviral Treatment Program for the Uninsured Population,” 2007–2014

PubMed Central

Hernández-Romieu, Alfonso C.; del Rio, Carlos; Hernández-Ávila, Juan Eugenio; Lopez-Gatell, Hugo; Izazola-Licea, José Antonio; Uribe Zúñiga, Patricia; Hernández-Ávila, Mauricio

2016-01-01

In Mexico, public health services have provided universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2004. For individuals receiving HIV care in public healthcare facilities, the data are limited regarding CD4 T-lymphocyte counts (CD4e) at the time of entry into care. Relevant population-based estimates of CD4e are needed to inform strategies to maximize the impact of Mexico’s national ART program, and may be applicable to other countries implementing universal HIV treatment programs. For this study, we retrospectively analyzed the CD4e of persons living with HIV and receiving care at state public health facilities from 2007 to 2014, comparing CD4e by demographic characteristics and the marginalization index of the state where treatment was provided, and assessing trends in CD4e over time. Our sample included 66,947 individuals who entered into HIV care between 2007 and 2014, of whom 79% were male. During the study period, the male-to-female ratio increased from 3.0 to 4.3, reflecting the country's HIV epidemic; the median age at entry decreased from 34 years to 32 years. Overall, 48.6% of individuals entered care with a CD4≤200 cells/μl, ranging from 42.2% in states with a very low marginalization index to 52.8% in states with a high marginalization index, and from 38.9% among individuals aged 18–29 to 56.5% among those older than 50. The adjusted geometric mean (95% confidence interval) CD4e increased among males from 135 (131,142) cells/μl in 2007 to 148 (143,155) cells/μl in 2014 (p-value<0.0001); no change was observed among women, with a geometric mean of 178 (171,186) and 171 (165,183) in 2007 and 2014, respectively. There have been important gains in access to HIV care and treatment; however, late entry into care remains an important barrier in achieving optimal outcomes of ART in Mexico. The geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic differences observed reflect important inequities in timely access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services, and highlight the need to develop contextual and culturally appropriate prevention and HIV testing strategies and linkage programs. PMID:27027505

CD4 Counts at Entry to HIV Care in Mexico for Patients under the "Universal Antiretroviral Treatment Program for the Uninsured Population," 2007-2014.

PubMed

Hernández-Romieu, Alfonso C; del Rio, Carlos; Hernández-Ávila, Juan Eugenio; Lopez-Gatell, Hugo; Izazola-Licea, José Antonio; Uribe Zúñiga, Patricia; Hernández-Ávila, Mauricio

2016-01-01

In Mexico, public health services have provided universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2004. For individuals receiving HIV care in public healthcare facilities, the data are limited regarding CD4 T-lymphocyte counts (CD4e) at the time of entry into care. Relevant population-based estimates of CD4e are needed to inform strategies to maximize the impact of Mexico's national ART program, and may be applicable to other countries implementing universal HIV treatment programs. For this study, we retrospectively analyzed the CD4e of persons living with HIV and receiving care at state public health facilities from 2007 to 2014, comparing CD4e by demographic characteristics and the marginalization index of the state where treatment was provided, and assessing trends in CD4e over time. Our sample included 66,947 individuals who entered into HIV care between 2007 and 2014, of whom 79% were male. During the study period, the male-to-female ratio increased from 3.0 to 4.3, reflecting the country's HIV epidemic; the median age at entry decreased from 34 years to 32 years. Overall, 48.6% of individuals entered care with a CD4≤200 cells/μl, ranging from 42.2% in states with a very low marginalization index to 52.8% in states with a high marginalization index, and from 38.9% among individuals aged 18-29 to 56.5% among those older than 50. The adjusted geometric mean (95% confidence interval) CD4e increased among males from 135 (131,142) cells/μl in 2007 to 148 (143,155) cells/μl in 2014 (p-value<0.0001); no change was observed among women, with a geometric mean of 178 (171,186) and 171 (165,183) in 2007 and 2014, respectively. There have been important gains in access to HIV care and treatment; however, late entry into care remains an important barrier in achieving optimal outcomes of ART in Mexico. The geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic differences observed reflect important inequities in timely access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services, and highlight the need to develop contextual and culturally appropriate prevention and HIV testing strategies and linkage programs.

Putting a Medical Library Online: Phase III--Remote Access to CD-ROMs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kittle, Paul

1989-01-01

Describes the implementation of a project that provides dial-up access to MEDLINE on remote optical data disk (CD-ROM) using software that enables callers to use programs like Wordstar, Lotus, and dBase. Highlights include networking CD-ROM databases, hardware considerations, advantages and disadvantages of remote access, and future plans. A…

The Combination of DGT Technique and Traditional Chemical Methods for Evaluation of Cadmium Bioavailability in Contaminated Soils with Organic Amendment

PubMed Central

Yao, Yu; Sun, Qin; Wang, Chao; Wang, Pei-Fang; Miao, Ling-Zhan; Ding, Shi-Ming

2016-01-01

Organic amendments have been proposed as a means of remediation for Cd-contaminated soils. However, understanding the inhibitory effects of organic materials on metal immobilization requires further research. In this study colza cake, a typical organic amendment material, was investigated in order to elucidate the ability of this material to reduce toxicity of Cd-contaminated soil. Available concentrations of Cd in soils were measured using an in situ diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique in combination with traditional chemical methods, such as HOAc (aqua regia), EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid), NaOAc (sodium acetate), CaCl2, and labile Cd in pore water. These results were applied to predict the Cd bioavailability after the addition of colza cake to Cd-contaminated soil. Two commonly grown cash crops, wheat and maize, were selected for Cd accumulation studies, and were found to be sensitive to Cd bioavailability. Results showed that the addition of colza cake may inhibit the growth of wheat and maize. Furthermore, the addition of increasing colza cake doses led to decreasing shoot and root biomass accumulation. However, increasing colza cake doses did lead to the reduction of Cd accumulation in plant tissues, as indicated by the decreasing Cd concentrations in shoots and roots. The labile concentration of Cd obtained by DGT measurements and the traditional chemical extraction methods, showed the clear decrease of Cd with the addition of increasing colza cake doses. All indicators showed significant positive correlations (p < 0.01) with the accumulation of Cd in plant tissues, however, all of the methods could not reflect plant growth status. Additionally, the capability of Cd to change from solid phase to become available in a soil solution decreased with increasing colza cake doses. This was reflected by the decreases in the ratio (R) value of CDGT to Csol. Our study suggests that the sharp decrease in R values could not only reflect the extremely low capability of labile Cd to be released from its solid phase, but may also be applied to evaluate the abnormal growth of the plants. PMID:27314376

The Combination of DGT Technique and Traditional Chemical Methods for Evaluation of Cadmium Bioavailability in Contaminated Soils with Organic Amendment.

PubMed

Yao, Yu; Sun, Qin; Wang, Chao; Wang, Pei-Fang; Miao, Ling-Zhan; Ding, Shi-Ming

2016-06-15

Organic amendments have been proposed as a means of remediation for Cd-contaminated soils. However, understanding the inhibitory effects of organic materials on metal immobilization requires further research. In this study colza cake, a typical organic amendment material, was investigated in order to elucidate the ability of this material to reduce toxicity of Cd-contaminated soil. Available concentrations of Cd in soils were measured using an in situ diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique in combination with traditional chemical methods, such as HOAc (aqua regia), EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid), NaOAc (sodium acetate), CaCl₂, and labile Cd in pore water. These results were applied to predict the Cd bioavailability after the addition of colza cake to Cd-contaminated soil. Two commonly grown cash crops, wheat and maize, were selected for Cd accumulation studies, and were found to be sensitive to Cd bioavailability. Results showed that the addition of colza cake may inhibit the growth of wheat and maize. Furthermore, the addition of increasing colza cake doses led to decreasing shoot and root biomass accumulation. However, increasing colza cake doses did lead to the reduction of Cd accumulation in plant tissues, as indicated by the decreasing Cd concentrations in shoots and roots. The labile concentration of Cd obtained by DGT measurements and the traditional chemical extraction methods, showed the clear decrease of Cd with the addition of increasing colza cake doses. All indicators showed significant positive correlations (p < 0.01) with the accumulation of Cd in plant tissues, however, all of the methods could not reflect plant growth status. Additionally, the capability of Cd to change from solid phase to become available in a soil solution decreased with increasing colza cake doses. This was reflected by the decreases in the ratio (R) value of CDGT to Csol. Our study suggests that the sharp decrease in R values could not only reflect the extremely low capability of labile Cd to be released from its solid phase, but may also be applied to evaluate the abnormal growth of the plants.

The effect of municipal sludge compost on the mobility and bioavailability of Cd in a sierozem-wheat system in an arid region northwest of China.

PubMed

Liu, Zheng; Yang, Yang; Bai, Ying; Huang, Yu; Nan, Zhongren; Zhao, Chuanyan; Ma, Jianmin; Wang, Houcheng

2016-10-01

The effect of sewage sludge on the mobility and the bioavailability of trace metals in plant-soil systems have aroused wide interested and been widely explored. Based on a wheat-cultivating experiment, the effect of municipal sludge compost (MSC) on the mobility and bioavailability of Cd in a soil-wheat system was studied. With the application of MSC, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the soil increased significantly, while concentrations of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd) were below the China's minimum thresholds. The application of MSC could improve wheat growth. The application of MSC at the rate of 0.5 % had no significant effect on the chemical fraction distribution of Cd in soil. In two soil treatments, Cd mainly existed in the labile chemical fractions (exchangeable chemical fraction (EXCF) and carbonate chemical fraction (CABF)). However, the application of MSC could reduce accumulation of Cd by wheat. Cd contents in each part of the MSC-applied wheat were significantly less than that of non-MSC-applied wheat. In the tested soils, the extractable concentrations decreased in the order: EDTA > MgCl 2 ≈ NH 4 OAc > DTPA. There were no significant differences between soil treatments in the amounts of extractable Cd when the extraction was done under neutral conditions, although significant differences were observed when the extraction was done under alkaline conditions. In this study, the DTPA extraction procedure provided a good indication of Cd bioavailability. Our results suggest that, in the short term at least, amending soils with MSC may benefit crop dry matter production while not increasing the risk of human exposure to Cd through consumption of wheat grown on MSC-amended soils.

[Increased expressions of peripheral PD-1+ lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in gastric adenocarcinoma patients].

PubMed

Li, Hao; Li, Songyan; Hu, Shidong; Zou, Guijun; Hu, Zilong; Wei, Huahua; Wang, Yufeng; Du, Xiaohui

2017-01-01

Objective To detect the frequencies of peripheral programmed death-1 + (PD-1 + ) lymphocytes and CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods The study enrolled 29 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Frequencies of PD-1 + lymphocytes and CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells were detected using flow cytometry. Results The number of PD-1 + lymphocytes and CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells in peripheral blood was higher in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma than that in the control group. Moreover, linear correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between PD-1 expression and frequency of CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of the patients. Conclusion Gastric adenocarcinoma patients present with increased PD-1 + lymphocytes and CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood.

Mitigating cadmium accumulation in greenhouse lettuce production using biochar.

PubMed

Zheng, Ruilun; Sun, Guoxin; Li, Cui; Reid, Brian J; Xie, Zubin; Zhang, Bo; Wang, Qinghai

2017-03-01

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of rice straw biochar (RSB) on soil cadmium (Cd) availability and accumulation in lettuce. The RSB was applied either in bands or broadcast in the test site of four greenhouses with soil Cd concentrations ranging from 1.70-3.14 μg g -1 . Biochar doses applied in bands were half of those broadcast. The Cd levels in the shoots of lettuce were observed to be reduced by up to 57% with increasing RSB application rate (0, 6, 12, 18 t ha -1 ). Following RSB application, shoot Cd concentrations of lettuce were reduced to below the Chinese threshold value set for food, and hazard quotients for Cd associated with vegetable consumption were reduced from 0.70-1.11 to 0.42-0.65. A decrease in soil bulk density (11%) and increases in water holding capacity (16%), available phosphorus (30%), available potassium (197%), and lettuce yield (15%) were observed after RSB application. Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that the soil extractable Cd level (but not biomass dilution) and soil bulk density, as influenced by RSB addition, were the dominant contributors to the shoot Cd levels in lettuce and lettuce yield, respectively. These results highlight the potential for RSB to mitigate the phytoaccumulation of Cd and thereby to reduce human exposure from vegetable consumption. Application of biochar in band, rather than broadcasting over the entire area, represents an opportunity to halve the biochar cost while retaining a good remediation effect.

Effector CD8 T cells dedifferentiate into long-lived memory cells.

PubMed

Youngblood, Ben; Hale, J Scott; Kissick, Haydn T; Ahn, Eunseon; Xu, Xiaojin; Wieland, Andreas; Araki, Koichi; West, Erin E; Ghoneim, Hazem E; Fan, Yiping; Dogra, Pranay; Davis, Carl W; Konieczny, Bogumila T; Antia, Rustom; Cheng, Xiaodong; Ahmed, Rafi

2017-12-21

Memory CD8 T cells that circulate in the blood and are present in lymphoid organs are an essential component of long-lived T cell immunity. These memory CD8 T cells remain poised to rapidly elaborate effector functions upon re-exposure to pathogens, but also have many properties in common with naive cells, including pluripotency and the ability to migrate to the lymph nodes and spleen. Thus, memory cells embody features of both naive and effector cells, fuelling a long-standing debate centred on whether memory T cells develop from effector cells or directly from naive cells. Here we show that long-lived memory CD8 T cells are derived from a subset of effector T cells through a process of dedifferentiation. To assess the developmental origin of memory CD8 T cells, we investigated changes in DNA methylation programming at naive and effector cell-associated genes in virus-specific CD8 T cells during acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice. Methylation profiling of terminal effector versus memory-precursor CD8 T cell subsets showed that, rather than retaining a naive epigenetic state, the subset of cells that gives rise to memory cells acquired de novo DNA methylation programs at naive-associated genes and became demethylated at the loci of classically defined effector molecules. Conditional deletion of the de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3a at an early stage of effector differentiation resulted in reduced methylation and faster re-expression of naive-associated genes, thereby accelerating the development of memory cells. Longitudinal phenotypic and epigenetic characterization of the memory-precursor effector subset of virus-specific CD8 T cells transferred into antigen-free mice revealed that differentiation to memory cells was coupled to erasure of de novo methylation programs and re-expression of naive-associated genes. Thus, epigenetic repression of naive-associated genes in effector CD8 T cells can be reversed in cells that develop into long-lived memory CD8 T cells while key effector genes remain demethylated, demonstrating that memory T cells arise from a subset of fate-permissive effector T cells.

Recovery of heavy metals from spent Ni-Cd batteries by a potentiostatic electrodeposition technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chun-Chen

Two heavy metals, Cd and Ni, have been separately recovered from spent AA-size Ni-Cd batteries by the potentiostatic electrodeposition and chemical precipitation methods, respectively. Various types and concentrations of HCl, H 2SO 4, and HNO 3 acids had been used as leach extractants. Experimental results indicate that the acid with the best leach capability is 4 M HCl. Three complexing reagents of NH 3, sodium acetate, sodium citrate have been chosen and tested. The most effective buffer is sodium citrate. The optimum mole ratio of metallic ion to citrate ion is 1:1. The recovery process for Cd metal is conducted by the potentiostatic electrodeposition in a leach electrolyte with a sodium citrate complex. The optimum applied potential for Cd recovery is in the range -1100 to -1120 mV (versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). The current efficiency for the recovery process is between 70 and 90% and depends strongly on the process parameters, e.g. liquor, concentration, applied potential, temperature, type of complex reagents, mole ratio, mass-transfer rate.

Status of HgCdTe Barrier Infrared Detectors Grown by MOCVD in Military University of Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopytko, M.; Jóźwikowski, K.; Martyniuk, P.; Gawron, W.; Madejczyk, P.; Kowalewski, A.; Markowska, O.; Rogalski, A.; Rutkowski, J.

2016-09-01

In this paper we present the status of HgCdTe barrier detectors with an emphasis on technological progress in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth achieved recently at the Institute of Applied Physics, Military University of Technology. It is shown that MOCVD technology is an excellent tool for HgCdTe barrier architecture growth with a wide range of composition, donor /acceptor doping, and without post-grown annealing. The device concept of a specific barrier bandgap architecture integrated with Auger-suppression is as a good solution for high-operating temperature infrared detectors. Analyzed devices show a high performance comparable with the state-of-the-art of HgCdTe photodiodes. Dark current densities are close to the values given by "Rule 07" and detectivities of non-immersed detectors are close to the value marked for HgCdTe photodiodes. Experimental data of long-wavelength infrared detector structures were confirmed by numerical simulations obtained by a commercially available software APSYS platform. A detailed analysis applied to explain dark current plots was made, taking into account Shockley-Read-Hall, Auger, and tunneling currents.

Distribution of cadmium in leg muscle and liver of game birds from Serbia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolić, D.; Đinović-Stojanović, J.; Stefanović, S.; Radičević, T.; Trbović, D.; Spirić, D.; Janković, S.

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was to present the distribution of cadmium (Cd) levels in leg muscle and liver of game birds. Samples (n=464) of: pheasants (n=182), mallards (n=25), Eurasian jay (n=7), partridges (n=5), woodcocks (n=8) and common quail (n=5) were collected during regular hunting seasons within the Serbian National Residue Monitoring Program from 2013 to 2016. Analysis of Cd was performed by ICP-MS. In all liver samples, Cd levels were above the limit of detection (LOD=0.001 mg/kg) while in 66.4% of muscle samples, Cd was detected. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between Cd levels in leg muscle and liver of woodcocks and others game birds. The highest mean Cd level was observed in muscle samples of woodcocks (0.042 mg/kg). The lowest mean Cd levels in liver were observed in common quails (0.130 mg/kg) and mallards (0.160 mg/kg) while the highest levels were measured in woodcocks (1.247 mg/kg) and pheasants (0.262 mg/kg). During four years of the Serbian National Residue Monitoring Program, leg muscle samples of woodcocks (n=3), liver samples of pheasants (n=23), woodcocks (n=6) and mallards (n=3) exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL).

The Effect of Pollination on Cd Phytoextraction From Soil by Maize (Zea mays L.).

PubMed

Xu, Wending; Lu, Guining; Wang, Rui; Guo, Chuling; Liao, Changjun; Yi, Xiaoyun; Dang, Zhi

2015-01-01

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of pollination on cadmium (Cd) phytoextraction from soil by mature maize plants. The results showed that the unpollinated maize plants accumulated 50% more Cd than that of the pollinated plants, even though the dry weight of the former plants was 15% less than that of the latter plants. The Cd accumulation in root and leaf of the unpollinated maize plant was 0.47 and 0.89 times higher than that of the pollinated plant, respectively. The Cd concentration in the cob was significantly decreased because of pollination. Preventing pollination is a promising approach for enhancing the effectiveness of phytoextraction in Cd-contaminated soils by maize. This study suggested that in low Cd-contaminated soil pollination should be encouraged because accumulation of Cd in maize grains is very little and maize seeds can bring farmers economic benefits, while in high Cd-contaminated soil, inhibition of pollination can be applied to enhance phytoextraction of Cd from soil by maize plant.

Aerospace Nickel-cadmium Cell Verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manzo, Michelle A.; Strawn, D. Michael; Hall, Stephen W.

2001-01-01

During the early years of satellites, NASA successfully flew "NASA-Standard" nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) cells manufactured by GE/Gates/SAFF on a variety of spacecraft. In 1992 a NASA Battery Review Board determined that the strategy of a NASA Standard Cell and Battery Specification and the accompanying NASA control of a standard manufacturing control document (MCD) for Ni-Cd cells and batteries was unwarranted. As a result of that determination, standards were abandoned and the use of cells other than the NASA Standard was required. In order to gain insight into the performance and characteristics of the various aerospace Ni-Cd products available, tasks were initiated within the NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Systems Program that involved the procurement and testing of representative aerospace Ni-Cd cell designs. A standard set of test conditions was established in order to provide similar information about the products from various vendors. The objective of this testing was to provide independent verification of representative commercial flight cells available in the marketplace today. This paper will provide a summary of the verification tests run on cells from various manufacturers: Sanyo 35 Ampere-hour (Ali) standard and 35 Ali advanced Ni-Cd cells, SAFr 50 Ah Ni-Cd cells and Eagle-Picher 21 Ali Magnum and 21 Ali Super Ni-CdTM cells from Eagle-Picher were put through a full evaluation. A limited number of 18 and 55 Ali cells from Acme Electric were also tested to provide an initial evaluation of the Acme aerospace cell designs. Additionally, 35 Ali aerospace design Ni-MH cells from Sanyo were evaluated under the standard conditions established for this program. Ile test program is essentially complete. The cell design parameters, the verification test plan and the details of the test result will be discussed.

Spatial luminescence imaging of dopant incorporation in CdTe Films

DOE PAGES

Guthrey, Harvey; Moseley, John; Colegrove, Eric; ...

2017-01-25

State-of-the-art cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum imaging with spectrum-per-pixel CL emission mapping is applied to spatially profile how dopant elements are incorporated into Cadmium telluride (CdTe). Emission spectra and intensity monitor the spatial distribution of additional charge carriers through characteristic variations in the CL emission based on computational modeling. Our results show that grain boundaries play a role in incorporating dopants in CdTe exposed to copper, phosphorus, and intrinsic point defects in CdTe. Furthermore, the image analysis provides critical, unique feedback to understand dopant incorporation and activation in the inhomogeneous CdTe material, which has struggled to reach high levels of hole density.

Micro-PIXE studies of elemental distribution in Cd-accumulating Brassica juncea L.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Thorsten; Haag-Kerwer, Angela; Maetz, Mischa; Niecke, Manfred; Povh, Bogdan; Rausch, Thomas; Schüßler, Arthur

1999-10-01

Brassica juncea L. is a high biomass producing crop plant, being able to accumulate Cd and other heavy metals in their roots and shoots. It is a good candidate for efficient phytoextraction of heavy metals - such as Cd - from polluted soils. PIXE and STIM analyses were applied to investigate Cd-uptake in roots and the resulting effects on the elemental distribution of Cd stressed plants. The axial distribution of trace elements as a function of distance from the root tip as well as the radial distribution within cross-sections were analysed. The results are compared with the elemental distribution in control plants.

The Long-Term Impact of Early Life Poverty on Orbitofrontal Cortex Volume in Adulthood: Results from a Prospective Study Over 25 Years

PubMed Central

Holz, Nathalie E; Boecker, Regina; Hohm, Erika; Zohsel, Katrin; Buchmann, Arlette F; Blomeyer, Dorothea; Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine; Baumeister, Sarah; Hohmann, Sarah; Wolf, Isabella; Plichta, Michael M; Esser, Günter; Schmidt, Martin; Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas; Banaschewski, Tobias; Brandeis, Daniel; Laucht, Manfred

2015-01-01

Converging evidence has highlighted the association between poverty and conduct disorder (CD) without specifying neurobiological pathways. Neuroimaging research has emphasized structural and functional alterations in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as one key mechanism underlying this disorder. The present study aimed to clarify the long-term influence of early poverty on OFC volume and its association with CD symptoms in healthy participants of an epidemiological cohort study followed since birth. At age 25 years, voxel-based morphometry was applied to study brain volume differences. Poverty (0=non-exposed (N=134), 1=exposed (N=33)) and smoking during pregnancy were determined using a standardized parent interview, and information on maternal responsiveness was derived from videotaped mother–infant interactions at the age of 3 months. CD symptoms were assessed by diagnostic interview from 8 to 19 years of age. Information on life stress was acquired at each assessment and childhood maltreatment was measured using retrospective self-report at the age of 23 years. Analyses were adjusted for sex, parental psychopathology and delinquency, obstetric adversity, parental education, and current poverty. Individuals exposed to early life poverty exhibited a lower OFC volume. Moreover, we replicated previous findings of increased CD symptoms as a consequence of childhood poverty. This effect proved statistically mediated by OFC volume and exposure to life stress and smoking during pregnancy, but not by childhood maltreatment and maternal responsiveness. These findings underline the importance of studying the impact of early life adversity on brain alterations and highlight the need for programs to decrease income-related disparities. PMID:25315195

The long-term impact of early life poverty on orbitofrontal cortex volume in adulthood: results from a prospective study over 25 years.

PubMed

Holz, Nathalie E; Boecker, Regina; Hohm, Erika; Zohsel, Katrin; Buchmann, Arlette F; Blomeyer, Dorothea; Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine; Baumeister, Sarah; Hohmann, Sarah; Wolf, Isabella; Plichta, Michael M; Esser, Günter; Schmidt, Martin; Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas; Banaschewski, Tobias; Brandeis, Daniel; Laucht, Manfred

2015-03-01

Converging evidence has highlighted the association between poverty and conduct disorder (CD) without specifying neurobiological pathways. Neuroimaging research has emphasized structural and functional alterations in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as one key mechanism underlying this disorder. The present study aimed to clarify the long-term influence of early poverty on OFC volume and its association with CD symptoms in healthy participants of an epidemiological cohort study followed since birth. At age 25 years, voxel-based morphometry was applied to study brain volume differences. Poverty (0=non-exposed (N=134), 1=exposed (N=33)) and smoking during pregnancy were determined using a standardized parent interview, and information on maternal responsiveness was derived from videotaped mother-infant interactions at the age of 3 months. CD symptoms were assessed by diagnostic interview from 8 to 19 years of age. Information on life stress was acquired at each assessment and childhood maltreatment was measured using retrospective self-report at the age of 23 years. Analyses were adjusted for sex, parental psychopathology and delinquency, obstetric adversity, parental education, and current poverty. Individuals exposed to early life poverty exhibited a lower OFC volume. Moreover, we replicated previous findings of increased CD symptoms as a consequence of childhood poverty. This effect proved statistically mediated by OFC volume and exposure to life stress and smoking during pregnancy, but not by childhood maltreatment and maternal responsiveness. These findings underline the importance of studying the impact of early life adversity on brain alterations and highlight the need for programs to decrease income-related disparities.

The Evaluation on the Cadmium Net Concentration for Soil Ecosystems.

PubMed

Yao, Yu; Wang, Pei-Fang; Wang, Chao; Hou, Jun; Miao, Ling-Zhan

2017-03-12

Yixing, known as the "City of Ceramics", is facing a new dilemma: a raw material crisis. Cadmium (Cd) exists in extremely high concentrations in soil due to the considerable input of industrial wastewater into the soil ecosystem. The in situ technique of diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT), the ex situ static equilibrium approach (HAc, EDTA and CaCl2), and the dissolved concentration in soil solution, as well as microwave digestion, were applied to predict the Cd bioavailability of soil, aiming to provide a robust and accurate method for Cd bioavailability evaluation in Yixing. Moreover, the typical local cash crops-paddy and zizania aquatica-were selected for Cd accumulation, aiming to select the ideal plants with tolerance to the soil Cd contamination. The results indicated that the biomasses of the two applied plants were sufficiently sensitive to reflect the stark regional differences of different sampling sites. The zizania aquatica could effectively reduce the total Cd concentration, as indicated by the high accumulation coefficients. However, the fact that the zizania aquatica has extremely high transfer coefficients, and its stem, as the edible part, might accumulate large amounts of Cd, led to the conclusion that zizania aquatica was not an ideal cash crop in Yixing. Furthermore, the labile Cd concentrations which were obtained by the DGT technique and dissolved in the soil solution showed a significant correlation with the Cd concentrations of the biota accumulation. However, the ex situ methods and the microwave digestion-obtained Cd concentrations showed a poor correlation with the accumulated Cd concentration in plant tissue. Correspondingly, the multiple linear regression models were built for fundamental analysis of the performance of different methods available for Cd bioavailability evaluation. The correlation coefficients of DGT obtained by the improved multiple linear regression model have not significantly improved compared to the coefficients obtained by the simple linear regression model. The results revealed that DGT was a robust measurement, which could obtain the labile Cd concentrations independent of the physicochemical features' variation in the soil ecosystem. Consequently, these findings provide stronger evidence that DGT is an effective and ideal tool for labile Cd evaluation in Yixing.

The Evaluation on the Cadmium Net Concentration for Soil Ecosystems

PubMed Central

Yao, Yu; Wang, Pei-Fang; Wang, Chao; Hou, Jun; Miao, Ling-Zhan

2017-01-01

Yixing, known as the “City of Ceramics”, is facing a new dilemma: a raw material crisis. Cadmium (Cd) exists in extremely high concentrations in soil due to the considerable input of industrial wastewater into the soil ecosystem. The in situ technique of diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT), the ex situ static equilibrium approach (HAc, EDTA and CaCl2), and the dissolved concentration in soil solution, as well as microwave digestion, were applied to predict the Cd bioavailability of soil, aiming to provide a robust and accurate method for Cd bioavailability evaluation in Yixing. Moreover, the typical local cash crops—paddy and zizania aquatica—were selected for Cd accumulation, aiming to select the ideal plants with tolerance to the soil Cd contamination. The results indicated that the biomasses of the two applied plants were sufficiently sensitive to reflect the stark regional differences of different sampling sites. The zizania aquatica could effectively reduce the total Cd concentration, as indicated by the high accumulation coefficients. However, the fact that the zizania aquatica has extremely high transfer coefficients, and its stem, as the edible part, might accumulate large amounts of Cd, led to the conclusion that zizania aquatica was not an ideal cash crop in Yixing. Furthermore, the labile Cd concentrations which were obtained by the DGT technique and dissolved in the soil solution showed a significant correlation with the Cd concentrations of the biota accumulation. However, the ex situ methods and the microwave digestion-obtained Cd concentrations showed a poor correlation with the accumulated Cd concentration in plant tissue. Correspondingly, the multiple linear regression models were built for fundamental analysis of the performance of different methods available for Cd bioavailability evaluation. The correlation coefficients of DGT obtained by the improved multiple linear regression model have not significantly improved compared to the coefficients obtained by the simple linear regression model. The results revealed that DGT was a robust measurement, which could obtain the labile Cd concentrations independent of the physicochemical features’ variation in the soil ecosystem. Consequently, these findings provide stronger evidence that DGT is an effective and ideal tool for labile Cd evaluation in Yixing. PMID:28287500

The Boreal Virtual Forest. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ., Indianapolis.

This CD-ROM is an educational CD-ROM aimed at classroom audiences in 5th grade and above. Using QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR), the Boreal Virtual Forest is designed so that students are able to see views from inside the central hardwood forest and look up or down or spin around 360 degrees. The program allows students to become familiar with…

Evaluation of Two CD-ROMs from a Series on Cell Biology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sander, Uwe; Kerlen, Gertraude; Steinke, Mattias; Huk, Thomas; Floto, Christian

2003-01-01

Two CD-ROMs from a series dealing with various major aspects of cell biology are evaluated in this paper using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings delimit similarities and differences of the two CD-ROMs and shed light on how the programs could be used in the learning process and how they should not be. The overall impression, as…

Long-term in vivo provision of antigen-specific T cell immunity by programming hematopoietic stem cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Lili; Baltimore, David

2005-03-01

A method to genetically program mouse hematopoietic stem cells to develop into functional CD8 or CD4 T cells of defined specificity in vivo is described. For this purpose, a bicistronic retroviral vector was engineered that efficiently delivers genes for both and chains of T cell receptor (TCR) to hematopoietic stem cells. When modified cell populations were used to reconstruct the hematopoietic lineages of recipient mice, significant percentages of antigen-specific CD8 or CD4 T cells were observed. These cells expressed normal surface markers and responded to peptide antigen stimulation by proliferation and cytokine production. Moreover, they could mature into memory cells after peptide stimulation. Using TCRs specific for a model tumor antigen, we found that the recipient mice were able to partially resist a challenge with tumor cells carrying the antigen. By combining cells modified with CD8- and CD4-specific TCRs, and boosting with dendritic cells pulsed with cognate peptides, complete suppression of tumor could be achieved and even tumors that had become established would regress and be eliminated after dendritic cell/peptide immunization. This methodology of "instructive immunotherapy" could be developed for controlling the growth of human tumors and attacking established pathogens.

Leaching variations of heavy metals in chelator-assisted phytoextraction by Zea mays L. exposed to acid rainfall.

PubMed

Lu, Yayin; Luo, Dinggui; Liu, Lirong; Tan, Zicong; Lai, An; Liu, Guowei; Li, Junhui; Long, Jianyou; Huang, Xuexia; Chen, Yongheng

2017-11-01

Chelant-enhanced phytoextraction method has been put forward as an effective soil remediation method, whereas the heavy metal leaching could not be ignored. In this study, a cropping-leaching experiment, using soil columns, was applied to study the metal leaching variations during assisted phytoextraction of Cd- and Pb-polluted soils, using seedlings of Zea mays, applying three different chelators (EDTA, EDDS, and rhamnolipid), and artificial rainfall (acid rainfall or normal rainfall). It showed that artificial rainfall, especially artificial acid rain, after chelator application led to the increase of heavy metals in the leaching solution. EDTA increased both Cd and Pb concentrations in the leaching solution, obviously, whereas EDDS and rhamnolipid increased Cd concentration but not Pb. The amount of Cd and Pb decreased as the leaching solution increased, the patterns as well matched LRMs (linear regression models), with R-square (R 2 ) higher than 90 and 82% for Cd and Pb, respectively. The maximum cumulative Cd and Pb in the leaching solutions were 18.44 and 16.68%, respectively, which was amended by EDTA and acid rainwater (pH 4.5), and followed by EDDS (pH 4.5), EDDS (pH 6.5), rhamnolipid (0.5 g kg -1 soil, pH 4.5), and rhamnolipid (pH 6.5).

Surface tuning laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (STLDI-MS) for the analysis of small molecules using quantum dots.

PubMed

Abdelhamid, Hani Nasser; Chen, Zhen-Yu; Wu, Hui-Fen

2017-08-01

In most applications of quantum dots (QDs) for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS), one side of QDs is supported by a solid substrate (stainless - steel plate), whereas the other side is in contact with the target analytes. Therefore, the surface capping agent of QDs is a key parameter for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). Cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) modified with different capping agents are synthesized, characterized, and applied for surface tuning laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (STLDI-MS). Data shows that CdTe quantum dot modified cysteine (cys@CdTe QDs) has an absorption that matches with the wavelength of the N 2 laser (337 nm). The synergistic effect of large surface area and absorption of the laser irradiation of cys@CdTe QDs enhances the LDI-MS process for small - molecule analysis, including α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin, gramicidin D, perylene, pyrene, and triphenylphosphine. Cys@CdTe QDs are also applied using Al foils as substrates. Aluminum foil combined with cys@CdTe QDs enhances the ionization efficiency and is cheap compared to traditional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) with a stainless - steel plate.

Elucidation of the EP defect in Diamond-Blackfan anemia by characterization and prospective isolation of human EPs.

PubMed

Iskander, Deena; Psaila, Bethan; Gerrard, Gareth; Chaidos, Aristeidis; En Foong, Hui; Harrington, Yvonne; Karnik, Leena C; Roberts, Irene; de la Fuente, Josu; Karadimitris, Anastasios

2015-04-16

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a disorder characterized by a selective defect in erythropoiesis. Delineation of the precise defect is hampered by a lack of markers that define cells giving rise to erythroid burst- and erythroid colony-forming unit (BFU-E and CFU-E) colonies, the clonogenic assays that quantify early and late erythroid progenitor (EEP and LEP) potential, respectively. By combining flow cytometry, cell-sorting, and single-cell clonogenic assays, we identified Lin(-)CD34(+)CD38(+)CD45RA(-)CD123(-)CD71(+)CD41a(-)CD105(-)CD36(-) bone marrow cells as EEP giving rise to BFU-E, and Lin(-)CD34(+/-)CD38(+)CD45RA(-)CD123(-)CD71(+)CD41a(-)CD105(+)CD36(+) cells as LEP giving rise to CFU-E, in a hierarchical fashion. We then applied these definitions to DBA and identified that, compared with controls, frequency, and clonogenicity of DBA, EEP and LEP are significantly decreased in transfusion-dependent but restored in corticosteroid-responsive patients. Thus, both quantitative and qualitative defects in erythroid progenitor (EP) contribute to defective erythropoiesis in DBA. Prospective isolation of defined EPs will facilitate more incisive study of normal and aberrant erythropoiesis. © 2015 by The American Society of Hematology.

Stress among healthcare students--a cross disciplinary perspective.

PubMed

Jacob, Tamar; Itzchak, Esther Ben; Raz, Olga

2013-07-01

Perceived stress (PS) among healthcare students worldwide is a recognized problem. To address the paucity of data about the actual degree of PS, this study aimed to: 1) evaluate and compare PS across three healthcare programs (Physical Therapy [PT], Communication Disorders [CD], and Nutrition Sciences [NS]) in one university; 2) evaluate changes in PS across study years; 3) identify the contribution of academic- and socio-demographic-related variables to PS; and 4) determine whether the Israeli students' PS levels differ from those of their peers in other countries. A cross-sectional survey was performed among all undergraduate PT, CD, and NS students from one university. Data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. Instruments included the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS) and the Undergraduate Sources of Stress (USOS). ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences between the three programs, and regression analysis to evaluate the contribution of socio-demographic factors to PS and USOS. A total of 312 students (PT--154; CD--92; NS--66) participated in the study. Mean PSS (range: 13.5-13.6) was similar in the three programs. The USOS academic factor was the most reported source of stress in all programs. Most socio-demographic variables were not related to either PS or USOS. Students from PT, CD, and NS programs perceived similar levels of stress. The academic factor was perceived as the most important source of stress by students from the three departments, despite differences in the academic educational programs. Further studies are needed to generalize these results and enable a comparison between healthcare students and other students' stress perceptions.

Aerobic physical training does not condition against strenuous exercise-induced changes in immune function but modulates T cell proliferative responses.

PubMed

Patiño, Pablo J; Caraballo, Domingo I; Szewczyk, Katarzyna; Quintana, Juan C; Bedoya, Lady R; Ramírez, Beatriz E; Jaramillo, Andrés

2017-09-29

Exercise-induced stress induces considerable changes in the immune system. To better understand the mechanisms related to these immune changes during acute and chronic physical stress, we studied the effects of aerobic physical training (APT) on several parameters of the immune system. Previously untrained males (18-25 years of age) were divided into a group that was subjected to 6 months of APT (n=10) and a sedentary control group (n=7). The subjects performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CET) at 0, 3, and 6 months of the APT program. B cell (CD19+), T cell (CD4+ and CD8+), and natural killer cell (CD56+) levels, and mitogen-induced T cell proliferation and cytokine production (interleukin-1, interleukin-4, interleukin-12, and interferon-) were evaluated before and at 30 seconds and 24 hours after the CET. There was a significant increase in CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells and a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in both groups 30 seconds after the CET at 3 and 6 months of the APT program. Of note, the trained group showed significantly lower resting T cell proliferation (before and 24 hour after the CET) than the sedentary control group at 3 and 6 months of the APT program. There were no significant differences in cytokine production after the CET between both groups at any time point of the APT program. These data show that APT does not condition against strenuous exercise induced immune changes but significantly modulates T cell proliferative responses.

Biochar and Glomus caledonium Influence Cd Accumulation of Upland Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) Intercropped with Alfred Stonecrop (Sedum alfredii Hance)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Junli; Wu, Fuyong; Wu, Shengchun; Lam, Cheung Lung; Lin, Xiangui; Wong, Ming Hung

2014-04-01

Both biochar application and mycorrhizal inoculation have been proposed to improve plant growth and alter bioaccumulation of toxic metals. A greenhouse pot trial was conducted to investigate growth and Cd accumulation of upland kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) intercropped with Alfred stonecrop (Sedum alfredii Hance) in a Cd-contaminated soil inoculated with Glomus caledonium and/or applied with biochar. Compared with the monocultural control, intercropping with stonecrop (IS) decreased kangkong Cd acquisition via rhizosphere competition, and also decreased kangkong yield. Gc inoculation (+M) accelerated growth and Cd acquisition of stonecrop, and hence resulted in further decreases in kangkong Cd acquisition. Regardless of IS and +M, biochar addition (+B) increased kangkong yield via elevating soil available P, and decreased soil Cd phytoavailability and kangkong Cd concentration via increasing soil pH. Compared with the control, the treatment of IS + M + B had a substantially higher kangkong yield (+25.5%) with a lower Cd concentration (-62.7%). Gc generated additive effects on soil alkalinization and Cd stabilization to biochar, causing lower DTPA-extractable (phytoavailable) Cd concentrations and post-harvest transfer risks.

A circular dichroism sensor for selective detection of Cd2 + and S2 - based on the in-situ generation of chiral CdS quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sianglam, Pradthana; Kulchat, Sirinan; Tuntulani, Thawatchai; Ngeontae, Wittaya

2017-08-01

We demonstrate an advance in the fabrication of circular dichroism (CD) sensors for detection of Cd2 + and S2 - based on chiral CdS quantum dots (QDs) generated by a facile in-situ reaction. The chiral quantum dots are generated in solutions composed of Cd2 +, S2 -, cysteamine (CA) and L-penicillamine (L-PA), with the number of the generated particles limited by either the Cd2 + or S2 - concentration. We show that the magnitude of the CD signal produced by the QDs is linearly related to the initial concentration of Cd2 + and S2 -, with excellent selectivity over other ions. Our sensor functions over concentration ranges of 65-200 μM and 7-125 μM with detection limits of 59.7 and 1.6 μM for Cd2 + and S2 -, respectively. The sensor is applied in real water samples with results comparing favorably with those obtained from ICP-OES (for Cd2 +) and HPLC (for S2 -).

Brentuximab vedotin for relapsed or refractory CD30+ hematologic malignancies: the German Hodgkin Study Group experience.

PubMed

Rothe, Achim; Sasse, Stephanie; Goergen, Helen; Eichenauer, Dennis A; Lohri, Andreas; Jäger, Ulrich; Bangard, Christopher; Böll, Boris; von Bergwelt Baildon, Michael; Theurich, Sebastian; Borchmann, Peter; Engert, Andreas

2012-08-16

The CD30-targeting Ab-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) was recently approved for the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma by the Food and Drug Administration. In the present study, we report the experience of the German Hodgkin Study Group with brentuximab vedotin as single agent in 45 patients with refractory or relapsed CD30(+) Hodgkin lymphoma who were treated either in a named patient program (n = 34) or in the context of a safety study associated with the registration program of this drug. In these very heavily pretreated patients, an objective response rate of 60%, including 22% complete remissions, could be documented. The median duration of response was 8 months. This retrospective analysis supports the previously reported excellent therapeutic efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in heavily pretreated CD30(+) malignancies.

Laboratory and field studies related to the Hydrologic Resources Management Program. Progress report, October 1, 1992--September 30, 1993

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thompson, J.L.; Hawkins, W.L.; Mathews, M.

This report describes research done at Los Alamos in FY 1993 for the Hydrologic Resources Management Program. The US Department of Energy funds this research through two programs at the Nevada Test Site (NTS): defense and groundwater characterization. Los Alamos personnel have continued to study the high-pressure zone created in the aquifer under Yucca Flat. We analyzed data from a hole in this area (U-7cd) and drilled another hole and installed a water monitoring tube at U-4t. We analyzed water from a number of locations on the NTS where we know there are radionuclides in the groundwater and critiqued themore » effectiveness of this monitoring effort. Our program for analyzing postshot debris continued with material from the last nuclear test in September 1992. We supported both the defense program and the groundwater characterization program by analyzing water samples from their wells and by reviewing documents pertaining to future drilling. We helped develop the analytical methodology to be applied to water samples obtained in the environmental restoration and waste management efforts at the NTS. Los Alamos involvement in the Hydrologic Resources Management Program is reflected in the appended list of documents reviewed, presentations given, papers published, and meetings attended.« less

Environmental Management Science Program Workshop. Proceedings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1998-07-01

The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM), in partnership with the Office of Energy Research (ER), designed, developed, and implemented the Environmental Management Science Program as a basic research effort to fund the scientific and engineering understanding required to solve the most challenging technical problems facing the government's largest, most complex environmental cleanup program. The intent of the Environmental Management Science Program is to: (1) Provide scientific knowledge that will revolutionize technologies and cleanup approaches to significantly reduce future costs, schedules, and risks. (2) Bridge the gap between broad fundamental research that has wide-ranging applications such as thatmore » performed in the Department's Office of Energy Research and needs-driven applied technology development that is conducted in Environmental Management's Office of Science and Technology. (3) Focus the nation's science infrastructure on critical Department of Energy environmental problems. In an effort to share information regarding basic research efforts being funded by the Environmental Management Science Program and the Environmental Management/Energy Research Pilot Collaborative Research Program (Wolf-Broido Program), this CD includes summaries for each project. These project summaries, available in portable document format (PDF), were prepared in the spring of 1998 by the principal investigators and provide information about their most recent project activities and accomplishments.« less

Nonspecific uptake and homeostasis drive the oceanic cadmium cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horner, Tristan J.; Lee, Renee B. Y.; Henderson, Gideon M.; Rickaby, Rosalind E. M.

2013-02-01

The global marine distributions of Cd and phosphate are closely correlated, which has led to Cd being considered as a marine micronutrient, despite its toxicity to life. The explanation for this nutrient-like behavior is unknown because there is only one identified biochemical function for Cd, an unusual Cd/Zn carbonic anhydrase. Recent developments in Cd isotope mass spectrometry have revealed that Cd uptake by phytoplankton causes isotopic fractionation in the open ocean and in culture. Here we investigate the physiochemical pathways that fractionate Cd isotopes by performing subcellular Cd isotope analysis on genetically modified microorganisms. We find that expression of the Cd/Zn carbonic anhydrase makes no difference to the Cd isotope composition of whole cells. Instead, a large proportion of the Cd is partitioned into cell membranes with a similar direction and magnitude of Cd isotopic fractionation to that seen in surface seawater. This observation is well explained if Cd is mistakenly imported with other divalent metals and subsequently managed by binding within the cell to avoid toxicity. This process may apply to other divalent metals, whereby nonspecific uptake and subsequent homeostasis may contribute to elemental and isotopic distributions in seawater, even for elements commonly considered as micronutrients.

Development and Validation of the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm (PMCA) Version 3.0.

PubMed

Simon, Tamara D; Haaland, Wren; Hawley, Katherine; Lambka, Karen; Mangione-Smith, Rita

2018-02-26

To modify the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm (PMCA) to include both International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification (ICD-9/10-CM) codes for classifying children with chronic disease (CD) by level of medical complexity and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the new PMCA version 3.0 for correctly identifying level of medical complexity. To create version 3.0, PMCA version 2.0 was modified to include ICD-10-CM codes. We applied PMCA version 3.0 to Seattle Children's Hospital data for children with ≥1 emergency department (ED), day surgery, and/or inpatient encounter from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Starting with the encounter date, up to 3 years of retrospective discharge data were used to classify children as having complex chronic disease (C-CD), noncomplex chronic disease (NC-CD), and no CD. We then selected a random sample of 300 children (100 per CD group). Blinded medical record review was conducted to ascertain the levels of medical complexity for these 300 children. The sensitivity and specificity of PMCA version 3.0 was assessed. PMCA version 3.0 identified children with C-CD with 86% sensitivity and 86% specificity, children with NC-CD with 65% sensitivity and 84% specificity, and children without CD with 77% sensitivity and 93% specificity. PMCA version 3.0 is an updated publicly available algorithm that identifies children with C-CD, who have accessed tertiary hospital emergency department, day surgery, or inpatient care, with very good sensitivity and specificity when applied to hospital discharge data and with performance to earlier versions of PMCA. Copyright © 2018 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gluten Introduction and the Risk of Coeliac Disease: A Position Paper by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

PubMed

Szajewska, Hania; Shamir, Raanan; Mearin, Luisa; Ribes-Koninckx, Carmen; Catassi, Carlo; Domellöf, Magnus; Fewtrell, Mary S; Husby, Steffen; Papadopoulou, Alexandra; Vandenplas, Yvan; Castillejo, Gemma; Kolacek, Sanja; Koletzko, Sibylle; Korponay-Szabó, Ilma R; Lionetti, Elena; Polanco, Isabel; Troncone, Riccardo

2016-03-01

The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition recommended in 2008, based on observational data, to avoid both early (<4 months) and late (≥7 months) introduction of gluten and to introduce gluten while the infant is still being breast-fed. New evidence prompted ESPGHAN to revise these recommendations. To provide updated recommendations regarding gluten introduction in infants and the risk of developing coeliac disease (CD) during childhood. The risk of inducing CD through a gluten-containing diet exclusively applies to persons carrying at least one of the CD risk alleles. Because genetic risk alleles are generally not known in an infant at the time of solid food introduction, the following recommendations apply to all infants, although they are derived from studying families with first-degree relatives with CD. Although breast-feeding should be promoted for its other well-established health benefits, neither any breast-feeding nor breast-feeding during gluten introduction has been shown to reduce the risk of CD. Gluten may be introduced into the infant's diet anytime between 4 and 12 completed months of age. In children at high risk for CD, earlier introduction of gluten (4 vs 6 months or 6 vs 12 months) is associated with earlier development of CD autoimmunity (defined as positive serology) and CD, but the cumulative incidence of each in later childhood is similar. Based on observational data pointing to the association between the amount of gluten intake and risk of CD, consumption of large quantities of gluten should be avoided during the first weeks after gluten introduction and during infancy. The optimal amounts of gluten to be introduced at weaning, however, have not been established.

Oral dendritic cells mediate antigen-specific tolerance by stimulating TH1 and regulatory CD4+ T cells.

PubMed

Mascarell, Laurent; Lombardi, Vincent; Louise, Anne; Saint-Lu, Nathalie; Chabre, Henri; Moussu, Hélène; Betbeder, Didier; Balazuc, Anne-Marie; Van Overtvelt, Laurence; Moingeon, Philippe

2008-09-01

A detailed characterization of oral antigen-presenting cells is critical to improve second-generation sublingual allergy vaccines. To characterize oral dendritic cells (DCs) within lingual and buccal tissues from BALB/c mice with respect to their surface phenotype, distribution, and capacity to polarize CD4(+) T-cell responses. In situ analysis of oral DCs was performed by immunohistology. Purified DCs were tested in vitro for their capacity to capture, process, and present the ovalbumin antigen to naive CD4(+) T cells. In vivo priming of ovalbumin-specific T cells adoptively transferred to BALB/c mice was analyzed by cytofluorometry in cervical lymph nodes after sublingual administration of mucoadhesive ovalbumin. Three subsets of oral DCs with a distinct tissue distribution were identified: (1) a minor subset of CD207(+) Langerhans cells located in the mucosa itself, (2) a major subpopulation of CD11b(+)CD11c(-) and CD11b(+)CD11c(+) myeloid DCs at the mucosal/submucosal interface, and (3) B220(+)120G8(+) plasmacytoid DCs found in submucosal tissues. Purified myeloid and plasmacytoid oral DCs capture and process the antigen efficiently and are programmed to elicit IFN-gamma and/or IL-10 production together with a suppressive function in naive CD4(+) T cells. Targeting the ovalbumin antigen to oral DCs in vivo by using mucoadhesive particles establishes tolerance in the absence of cell depletion through the stimulation of IFN-gamma and IL-10-producing CD4(+) regulatory T cells in cervical lymph nodes. The oral immune system is composed of various subsets of tolerogenic DCs organized in a compartmentalized manner and programmed to induce T(H)1/regulatory T-cell responses.

Response to programmed cell death-1 blockade in a murine melanoma syngeneic model requires costimulation, CD4, and CD8 T cells

PubMed Central

Moreno, Blanca Homet; Zaretsky, Jesse M.; Garcia-Diaz, Angel; Tsoi, Jennifer; Parisi, Giulia; Robert, Lidia; Meeth, Katrina; Ndoye, Abibatou; Bosenberg, Marcus; Weeraratna, Ashani T.; Graeber, Thomas G.; Comin-Anduix, Begoña; Hu-Lieskovan, Siwen; Ribas, Antoni

2016-01-01

The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) limits effector T-cell functions in peripheral tissues and its inhibition leads to clinical benefit in different cancers. To better understand how PD-1 blockade therapy modulates the tumor-host interactions, we evaluated three syngeneic murine tumor models, the BRAFV600E-driven YUMM1.1 and YUMM2.1 melanomas, and the carcinogen-induced murine colon adenocarcinoma MC38. The YUMM cell lines were established from mice with melanocyte-specific BRAFV600E mutation and PTEN loss (BRAFV600E/PTEN-/-). Anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 therapy engendered strong antitumor activity against MC38 and YUMM2.1, but not YUMM1.1. PD-L1 expression did not differ between the three models at baseline or upon interferon stimulation. Whereas mutational load was high in MC38, it was lower in both YUMM models. In YUMM2.1, the antitumor activity of PD-1 blockade had a critical requirement for both CD4 and CD8 T cells, as well as CD28 and CD80/86 costimulation, with an increase in CD11c+CD11b+MHC-IIhigh dendritic cells and tumor associated macrophages in the tumors after PD-1 blockade. Compared to YUMM1.1, YUMM2.1 exhibited a more inflammatory profile by RNA sequencing analysis, with an increase in expression from chemokine-trafficking genes that are related to immune cell recruitment and T-cell priming. In conclusion, response to PD-1 blockade therapy in tumor models requires CD4 and CD8 T cells and costimulation that is mediated by dendritic cells and macrophages. PMID:27589875

Modulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Controls CD4+ T-cell Activation and Antitumor Function.

PubMed

Thaxton, Jessica E; Wallace, Caroline; Riesenberg, Brian; Zhang, Yongliang; Paulos, Chrystal M; Beeson, Craig C; Liu, Bei; Li, Zihai

2017-08-01

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an energy-sensing organelle with intimate ties to programming cell activation and metabolic fate. T-cell receptor (TCR) activation represents a form of acute cell stress and induces mobilization of ER Ca 2+ stores. The role of the ER in programming T-cell activation and metabolic fate remains largely undefined. Gp96 is an ER protein with functions as a molecular chaperone and Ca 2+ buffering protein. We hypothesized that the ER stress response may be important for CD4 + T-cell activation and that gp96 may be integral to this process. To test our hypothesis, we utilized genetic deletion of the gp96 gene Hsp90b1 in a CD4 + T cell-specific manner. We show that gp96-deficient CD4 + T cells cannot undergo activation-induced glycolysis due to defective Ca 2+ mobilization upon TCR engagement. We found that activating naïve CD4 + T cells while inhibiting ER Ca 2+ exchange, through pharmacological blockade of the ER Ca 2+ channel inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R), led to a reduction in cytosolic Ca 2+ content and generated a pool of CD62L high /CD44 low CD4 + T cells compared with wild-type (WT) matched controls. In vivo IP 3 R-inhibited CD4 + T cells exhibited elevated tumor control above WT T cells. Together, these data show that ER-modulated cytosolic Ca 2+ plays a role in defining CD4 + T-cell phenotype and function. Factors associated with the ER stress response are suitable targets for T cell-based immunotherapies. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(8); 666-75. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Programmed Death 1 Regulates Memory Phenotype CD4 T Cell Accumulation, Inhibits Expansion of the Effector Memory Phenotype Subset and Modulates Production of Effector Cytokines

PubMed Central

Charlton, Joanna J.; Tsoukatou, Debbie; Mamalaki, Clio; Chatzidakis, Ioannis

2015-01-01

Memory phenotype CD4 T cells are found in normal mice and arise through response to environmental antigens or homeostatic mechanisms. The factors that regulate the homeostasis of memory phenotype CD4 cells are not clear. In the present study we demonstrate that there is a marked accumulation of memory phenotype CD4 cells, specifically of the effector memory (TEM) phenotype, in lymphoid organs and tissues of mice deficient for the negative co-stimulatory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). This can be correlated with decreased apoptosis but not with enhanced homeostatic turnover potential of these cells. PD-1 ablation increased the frequency of memory phenotype CD4 IFN-γ producers but decreased the respective frequency of IL-17A-producing cells. In particular, IFN-γ producers were more abundant but IL-17A producing cells were more scarce among PD-1 KO TEM-phenotype cells relative to WT. Transfer of peripheral naïve CD4 T cells suggested that accumulated PD-1 KO TEM-phenotype cells are of peripheral and not of thymic origin. This accumulation effect was mediated by CD4 cell-intrinsic mechanisms as shown by mixed bone marrow chimera experiments. Naïve PD-1 KO CD4 T cells gave rise to higher numbers of TEM-phenotype lymphopenia-induced proliferation memory cells. In conclusion, we provide evidence that PD-1 has an important role in determining the composition and functional aspects of memory phenotype CD4 T cell pool. PMID:25803808

Analysis of PD-1 and Tim-3 expression on CD4+ T cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; negative association with DAS28.

PubMed

Koohini, Zohreh; Hossein-Nataj, Hadi; Mobini, Maryam; Hosseinian-Amiri, Aref; Rafiei, Alireza; Asgarian-Omran, Hossein

2018-04-07

Expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (Tim-3) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) was studied on CD4 + T cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Association of Tim-3 and PD-1 expression with disease activity of RA patients was also addressed. A total of 37 RA patients and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Disease activity of RA patients was determined by Disease Activity Score of 28 joints scoring system (DAS28). A three-color flow cytometry method was applied to determine the frequency of Tim-3 + /PD-1 + /CD4 + T cells. To measure the cytokine production, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with PMA/ionomycin. Concentrations of IL-17, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were measured in culture supernatants by ELISA. The frequency of PD-1 + /CD4 + and Tim-3 + /PD-1 + /CD4 + T cells was significantly higher in patients with RA compared to that in controls (p = 0.0013 and p = 0.050, respectively). The percentage of Tim-3 + /CD4 + T cells was similar in patients and controls (p = 0.4498). The RA patients have produced significant higher levels of TNF-α, IL-17, and IFN-γ than those of healthy controls (p = 0.0121, p = 0.0417, and p = 0.0478, respectively). Interestingly, an inverse correlation was found between the frequency of Tim-3 + /CD4 + cells and DAS28 of RA patients (r = - 0.4696, p = 0.0493). Similarly, the percentage of Tim-3 + /PD-1 + /CD4 + T cells was also revealed an inverse correlation with DAS28 (r = - 0.5268, p = 0.0493). Moreover, significant positive correlations were detected between the concentrations of TNF-α (r = 0.6418, p = 0.0023) and IL-17 (r = 0.4683, p = 0.0373) with disease activity of RA patients. Our results indicate that Tim-3 and PD-1 are involved in immune dysregulation mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis and could be considered as useful biomarkers for determination of disease activity and progression.

A chiral enantioseparation generic strategy for anti-Alzheimer and antifungal drugs by short end injection capillary electrophoresis using an experimental design approach.

PubMed

Abdel-Megied, Ahmed M; Hanafi, Rasha S; Aboul-Enein, Hassan Y

2018-02-01

The present study describes a generic strategy using capillary electrophoretic (CE) method for chiral enantioseparation of anti-Alzheimer drugs, namely, donepezil (DON), rivastigmine (RIV), and antifungal drugs, namely, ketoconazole (KET), Itraconazole (ITR), fluconazole (FLU), and sertaconazole (SRT) in which these drugs have different basic and acidic properties. Several modified cyclodextrins (CDs) were applied for enantioseparation of racemates such as highly sulfated α, γ CDs, hydroxyl propyl-β-CD, and Sulfobutyl ether-β-CD. The starting screening conditions consist of 50-mM phosphate-triethanolamine buffer at pH 2.5, an applied voltage of 15 kV, and a temperature of 25°C. The CE strategy implemented in the separation starts by screening prior to the optimization stage in which an experimental design is applied. The design of experiment (DOE) was based on a full factorial design of the crucial two factors (pH and %CD) at three levels, to make a total of nine (3 2 ) experiments with high, intermediate, and low values for both factors. Evaluation of the proposed strategy pointed out that best resolution was obtained at pH 2.5 for five racemates using low percentages of HS-γ-CD, while SBE-β-CD was the most successful chiral selector offering acceptable resolution for all the six racemates, with the best separation at low pH values and at higher %CD within 10-min runtime. Regression study showed that the linear model shows a significant lack of fit for all chiral selectors, anticipating that higher orders of the factors are most likely to be present in the equation with possible interactions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mobility of selected trace elements in Mediterranean red soil amended with phosphogypsum: experimental study.

PubMed

Kassir, Lina Nafeh; Darwish, Talal; Shaban, Amin; Ouaini, Naim

2012-07-01

Soil amendment by phosphogypsum (PG) application becomes of increasing importance in agriculture. This may lead, however, to soil, plant, and groundwater contamination with trace elements (TEs) inherently present in PG. Monitoring of selected TEs (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) distribution and mobility in a Mediterranean red soil profile has been performed in soil parcels applied with PG over a 16-month period. Concentrations were measured in soil and plant samples collected from various depth intervals at different points in time. TEs sequential extraction was performed on soil and PG samples. Results showed soil profile enrichment peaked 5 months after PG application for Cd, and 12 months for Pb, Zn, and Cu. Rainwater, pH, total organic carbon, and cationic exchange capacity were the main controlling factors in TEs accumulation in soils. Cd was transferred to a soil depth of about 20 cm. Zn exhibited mobility towards deeper layers. Pb and Cu were accumulated in around 20-55-cm-deep layers. PG increased the solubility of the studied TEs; PG-applied soils contained TEs bound to exchangeable and acid-soluble fractions in higher percentages than reference soil. Pb, Zn, and Cu were sorbed into mineral soil phases, while Cd was mainly found in the exchangeable (bio-available) form. The order of TEs decreasing mobility was Zn > Cd > Pb > Cu. Roots and leaves of existed plants, Cichorium intybus L., accumulated high concentrations of Cd (1-2.4 mg/kg), exceeding recommended tolerable levels, and thus signifying potential health threats through contaminated crops. It was therefore recommended that PG should be applied in carefully established, monitored, and controlled quantities to agricultural soils.

Tunable electronic properties of CdS nanoribbons by edge effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Ruican; Zhao, Hui; Wang, Yaping; Ji, Weixiao; Li, Ping

2017-08-01

Based on first-principles calculations, the electronic properties of Cadmium Sulfide nanoribbons (CdSNRs) have been studied with both zigzag (Z-CdSNRs) and armchair shaped edges (A-CdSNRs). For Z-CdSNRs, the structures with both edges decorated by H or F atoms show half-metallic or semiconducting properties, respectively. Only S-dominated edge decorated by H/F atoms, Z-CdSNRs show metallic properties. Only Cd-dominated edge is hydrogenated, Z-CdSNRs can be observed from a metallic to half metallic transition. But instead of fluorinated, the structures show the metallic properties. However, either edge or both edges are hydrogenated or fluorinated, A-CdSNRs exhibit semiconducting properties, and their band gap decreases monotonically with increasing ribbons width (n). When a stress is applied on the half-hydrogenated A-CdSNRs, their band gap displays a steady decrease trend. Moreover, A-CdSNRs are more stable than Z-CdSNRs, while the hydrogenated systems are more stable than fluorinated systems. The results show that different structures of CdSNRs decorated with the different edges can play different nature as semiconducting - half-metallic - metallic properties. The research has important theoretical significance for the electronic design and assembly of CdSNRs structures, and provides a new perspective for the potential application of CdSNRs in nanoelectronics.

RasGRP1 regulates antigen-induced developmental programming by naive CD8 T cells.

PubMed

Priatel, John J; Chen, Xiaoxi; Huang, Yu-Hsuan; Chow, Michael T; Zenewicz, Lauren A; Coughlin, Jason J; Shen, Hao; Stone, James C; Tan, Rusung; Teh, Hung Sia

2010-01-15

Ag encounter by naive CD8 T cells initiates a developmental program consisting of cellular proliferation, changes in gene expression, and the formation of effector and memory T cells. The strength and duration of TCR signaling are known to be important parameters regulating the differentiation of naive CD8 T cells, although the molecular signals arbitrating these processes remain poorly defined. The Ras-guanyl nucleotide exchange factor RasGRP1 has been shown to transduce TCR-mediated signals critically required for the maturation of developing thymocytes. To elucidate the role of RasGRP1 in CD8 T cell differentiation, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed with 2C TCR transgenic CD8 T cells lacking RasGRP1. In this study, we report that RasGRP1 regulates the threshold of T cell activation and Ag-induced expansion, at least in part, through the regulation of IL-2 production. Moreover, RasGRP1(-/-) 2C CD8 T cells exhibit an anergic phenotype in response to cognate Ag stimulation that is partially reversible upon the addition of exogenous IL-2. By contrast, the capacity of IL-2/IL-2R interactions to mediate Ras activation and CD8 T cell expansion and differentiation appears to be largely RasGRP1-independent. Collectively, our results demonstrate that RasGRP1 plays a selective role in T cell signaling, controlling the initiation and duration of CD8 T cell immune responses.

Conditioned medium from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes skin moisturization and effacement of wrinkles in UVB-irradiated SKH-1 hairless mice.

PubMed

Kwon, Tae-Rin; Oh, Chang Taek; Choi, Eun Ja; Kim, Soon Re; Jang, Yu-Jin; Ko, Eun Jung; Yoo, Kwang Ho; Kim, Beom Joon

2016-05-01

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising therapeutic agents for various diseases. To investigate the effects of conditioned medium from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-CdM) on pro-collagen production and wrinkle formation, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments. We assessed the effects of MSC-CdM on proliferation and photo-aging in human dermal fibroblasts after UVB exposure using enzyme activity assays for collagen type I secretion and MMP-1. To determine the effect of topically applied MSC-CdM on wrinkle formation, MSC-CdM (1% and 10%) and vehicle (propylene glycol: ethanol, 7 : 3) were applied to the dorsal skin of UVB-irradiated hairless mice for 8 weeks. We examined the effects on wrinkle formation by assessing visual skin grading, replica, tape stripping, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin hydration measurement. We also examined histology of the lesions using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining. MSC-CdM markedly reduced UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression and increased pro-collagen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that MSC-CdM induces repair of dermal damage and effacement of wrinkles on UVB-irradiated hairless mice through protective effect of hydration. These results support an anti-wrinkle effect of MSC-CdM that involves increased collagen synthesis and suggest that MSC-CdM might be a potential candidate for preventing UV-induced skin damage. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Enhanced numerical analysis of three-color HgCdTe detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jóźwikowski, K.; Rogalski, A.

2007-04-01

The performance of three-color HgCdTe photovoltaic heterostructure detector is examined theoretically. In comparison with two-color detectors with two back-to-back junctions, three-color structure contain an absorber of intermediate wavelength placed between two junctions, and electronic barriers are used to isolate this intermediate region. This structure was first proposed by British workers. Enhanced original computer programs are applied to solve the system of non-linear continuity equations for carriers and Poisson equations. In addition, the numerical analysis includes the dependence of absorption coefficient on Burstein effect as well as interference effects in heterostructure with metallic electrical contacts. Three detector structures with different localizations of separating barriers are analyzed. The calculations results are presented in the form of spatial distributions of bandgap energy and quantum efficiency. It is shown that the performance of the detector is critically dependent on the barrier's doping level and position in relation to the junction. This behavior is serious disadvantage of the considered three color detector. A small shift of the barrier location and doping level causes serious changes in spectral responsivity.

Numerical analysis of three-colour HgCdTe detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jóźwikowski, K.; Rogalski, A.

2007-12-01

The performance of three-colour HgCdTe photovoltaic heterostructure detector is examined theoretically. In comparison with two-colour detectors with two back-to-back junctions, three-colour structure contains an absorber of intermediate wavelength placed between two junctions and electronic barriers are used to isolate this intermediate region. This structure was first proposed by British workers. Three-detector structures with different localizations of separating barriers are analyzed. The calculation results are presented in the form of spatial distributions of bandgap energy and quantum efficiency. Enhanced original computer programs are applied to solve the system of non-linear continuity equations for carriers and Poisson equations. In addition, the numerical analysis includes the dependence of absorption coefficient on Burstein effect as well as interference effects in heterostructure with metallic electrical contacts. It is shown that the performance of the detector is critically dependent on the barrier’s doping level and position in relation to the junction. This behaviour is serious disadvantage of the considered three-colour detector. A small shift of the barrier location and doping level causes serious changes in spectral responsivity.

The chromatin accessibility signature of human immune aging stems from CD8+ T cells.

PubMed

Ucar, Duygu; Márquez, Eladio J; Chung, Cheng-Han; Marches, Radu; Rossi, Robert J; Uyar, Asli; Wu, Te-Chia; George, Joshy; Stitzel, Michael L; Palucka, A Karolina; Kuchel, George A; Banchereau, Jacques

2017-10-02

Aging is linked to deficiencies in immune responses and increased systemic inflammation. To unravel the regulatory programs behind these changes, we applied systems immunology approaches and profiled chromatin accessibility and the transcriptome in PBMCs and purified monocytes, B cells, and T cells. Analysis of samples from 77 young and elderly donors revealed a novel and robust aging signature in PBMCs, with simultaneous systematic chromatin closing at promoters and enhancers associated with T cell signaling and a potentially stochastic chromatin opening mostly found at quiescent and repressed sites. Combined analyses of chromatin accessibility and the transcriptome uncovered immune molecules activated/inactivated with aging and identified the silencing of the IL7R gene and the IL-7 signaling pathway genes as potential biomarkers. This signature is borne by memory CD8 + T cells, which exhibited an aging-related loss in binding of NF-κB and STAT factors. Thus, our study provides a unique and comprehensive approach to identifying candidate biomarkers and provides mechanistic insights into aging-associated immunodeficiency. © 2017 Ucar et al.

The chromatin accessibility signature of human immune aging stems from CD8+ T cells

PubMed Central

Marches, Radu; Rossi, Robert J.; Uyar, Asli; Wu, Te-Chia; Stitzel, Michael L.; Palucka, A. Karolina

2017-01-01

Aging is linked to deficiencies in immune responses and increased systemic inflammation. To unravel the regulatory programs behind these changes, we applied systems immunology approaches and profiled chromatin accessibility and the transcriptome in PBMCs and purified monocytes, B cells, and T cells. Analysis of samples from 77 young and elderly donors revealed a novel and robust aging signature in PBMCs, with simultaneous systematic chromatin closing at promoters and enhancers associated with T cell signaling and a potentially stochastic chromatin opening mostly found at quiescent and repressed sites. Combined analyses of chromatin accessibility and the transcriptome uncovered immune molecules activated/inactivated with aging and identified the silencing of the IL7R gene and the IL-7 signaling pathway genes as potential biomarkers. This signature is borne by memory CD8+ T cells, which exhibited an aging-related loss in binding of NF-κB and STAT factors. Thus, our study provides a unique and comprehensive approach to identifying candidate biomarkers and provides mechanistic insights into aging-associated immunodeficiency. PMID:28904110

Programmed death ligand 1 expression and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density differences between paired primary and brain metastatic lesions in non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Zhou, Jie; Gong, Zhihua; Jia, Qingzhu; Wu, Yan; Yang, Zhen-Zhou; Zhu, Bo

2018-04-15

Immunotherapy targeting the programmed cell death-1/programmed death ligand 1(PD-L1) pathway has shown promising antitumor activity in brain metastases (BMs) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with an acceptable safety profile; however, the response rates often differ between primary lesions and intracranial lesions. Studies are necessary to identify detailed characterizations of the response biomarkers. In this study, we aimed to compare the differences of PD-L1 expression and CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density, two major response biomarkers of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, between paired primary and brain metastatic lesions in advanced NSCLC. We observed that among primary lesions or BMs, only a small number of patients harbored common PD-L1 expression on both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Additionally, we found that the numbers of CD8 + TILs were significantly fewer in BMs than in primary lung cancers. Low stromal CD8 + TIL numbers in BMs were associated with significantly shorter overall survival compared to high stromal CD8 + TIL counts. Notably, we demonstrated a discrepancy in PD-L1 expression and CD8 + TIL density between primary lung cancers and their corresponding BMs. Such heterogeneities are significantly associated with the time at which BMs occurred. Our study emphasizes the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of biomarkers for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, which should be concerned in clinical practice. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Kawachin na ri kitzij-kipixab' Qanan Qatat--Florezcan las palabras de los hombres de maiz (The Blossoming of Our Ancestors' Words). [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Academy for Educational Development, Washington, DC.

This CD-ROM is part of an interactive and dynamic multimedia package of information and games for learning K'iche' and Ixil. This CD-ROM contains selected radio programs for preschool students, scripted from the four storybooks created by Project "Enlace Quiche." It includes stories in K'iche', Ixil, and Spanish. (VWL)

The Basic Economics of CD-ROM Pricing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erkkila, John E.

1991-01-01

This explanation of how the basic economic model of pricing applies to the CD-ROM industry considers the supply and demand sides of the market and compares three distinct pricing strategies: (1) pricing to maximize profits; (2) average cost pricing; and (3) marginal cost pricing. (EAM)

SUSTAINABLE REUSE AND REVITALIZATION OF POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED SITES CD

EPA Science Inventory

The goal of this CD is to demonstrate and discuss principles of sustainable reuse and revitalization through examples of sustainable practices as applied to redevelopment in both the USA and Germany, emphasizing urban development and sites at the urban/rural fringe or interface.

Internal distribution of Cd in lettuce and resulting effects on Cd trophic transfer to the snail: Achatina fulica.

PubMed

Li, Cheng-Cheng; Dang, Fei; Cang, Long; Zhou, Dong-Mei; Peijnenburg, Willie J G M

2015-09-01

The mechanisms underlying Cd trophic transfer along the soil-lettuce-snail food chain were investigated. The fate of Cd within cells, revealed by assessment of Cd chemical forms and of subcellular partitioning, differed between the two examined lettuce species that we examined (L. longifolia and L. crispa). The species-specific internal Cd fate not only influenced Cd burdens in lettuce, with higher Cd levels in L. crispa, but also affected Cd transfer efficiency to the consumer snail (Achatina fulica). Especially, the incorporation of Cd chemical forms (Cd in the inorganic, water-soluble and pectates and protein-integrated forms) in lettuce could best explain Cd trophic transfer, when compared to dietary Cd levels alone and/or subcellular Cd partitioning. Trophically available metal on the subcellular partitioning base failed to shed light on Cd transfer in this study. After 28-d of exposure, most Cd was trapped in the viscera of Achatina fulica, and cadmium bio-magnification was noted in the snails, as the transfer factor of lettuce-to-snail soft tissue was larger than one. This study provides a first step to apply a chemical speciation approach to dictate the trophic bioavailability of Cd through the soil-plant-snail system, which might be an important pre-requisite for mechanistic understanding of metal trophic transfer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electro-optical properties of the metal oxide-carbon thin film system of CdO-LCC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokshina, A. V.; Smirnov, A. V.; Razina, A. G.

2016-08-01

This article presents the results of a study electrical and optical properties of the thin film system of CdO-LCC. Cadmium oxide films were obtained by method of thermal oxidation. CdO-LCC thin film system was produced by applying on a CdO film a linear chain carbon film in thickness of 100 nm using the ion-plasma method, after which the obtained system was annealed. The studies showed that the obtained CdO-LCC films are quite transparent in the visible region; it has polycrystalline structure, thickness around 300 nm, the band gap to 2.3 eV. The obtained thin film system has photosensitive properties.

[CD34(+)/CD123(+) cell sorting from the patients with leukemia by Midi MACS method].

PubMed

Wang, Guang-Ping; Cao, Xin-Yu; Xin, Hong-Ya; Li, Qun; Qi, Zhen-Hua; Chen, Fang-Ping

2006-10-01

The aim of this study was to sort the CD34(+)/CD123(+) cells from the bone marrow cells of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by Midi MACS method. Firstly, the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) were isolated from the patients with AML with Ficoll Paque, CD34(+) cells were then isolated by Midi MACS method followed by the isolation of CD34(+)/CD123(+) cells from the fraction of CD34(+) cells. The enrichment and recovery of CD34(+) and CD34(+)/CD123(+) cells were assayed by FACS technique. The results showed that the enrichment of CD34(+) cells was up to 98.73%, its average enrichment was 95.6%, and the recovery of CD34(+) was 84.6%, its average recovery was 51% after the first round sorting, by the second round sorting, the enrichment of CD34(+)/CD123(+) cells was up to 99.23%, its average enrichment was 83%. With regard to BMMNCs before sorting, the recovery of CD34(+)/CD123(+) was 34%. But, on the CD34(+) cells obtained by the first round sorting, its recovery was 56%. In conclusion, these results confirmed that the method of Midi MACS sorting can be applied to sort CD34(+)/CD123(+) cells from the bone marrow cells of AML patients, which give rise to the similar enrichment and recovery of the sorted cells with that of literature reported by the method of FACS.

Novel photonic crystals: incorporation of nano-CdS into the natural photonic crystals within peacock feathers.

PubMed

Han, Jie; Su, Huilan; Song, Fang; Gu, Jiajun; Di, Zhang; Jiang, Limin

2009-03-03

In this investigation, the natural 2D photonic crystals (PhCs) within peacock feathers are applied to incorporate CdS nanocrystallites. Peacock feathers are activated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic/dimethylformamide suspension to increase the reactive sites on the keratin component, on which CdS nanoparticles (nano-CdS) are in situ formed in succession and serve as the "seeds" to direct further incorporation during the following solvothermal procedure. Thus, homogeneous nano-CdS are loaded both on the feathers' surface layer and inside the 2D PhCs. The obtained nano-CdS/peacock feathers hybrids are novel photonic crystals whose photonic stop bands are markedly different from that of the natural PhCs within original peacock feathers, as observed by the reflection spectra.

Phytoextraction of cadmium by Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) in hydroponic solution: effects of cadmium speciation.

PubMed

Wang, Kai-Sung; Huang, Lung-Chiu; Lee, Hong-Shen; Chen, Pai-Ye; Chang, Shih-Hsien

2008-06-01

Phytoextraction is a promising technique to remediate heavy metals from contaminated wastewater. However, the interactions of multi-contaminants are not fully clear. This study employed cadmium, Triton X-100 (TX-100), and EDTA to investigate their interactions on phytotoxicity and Cd phytoextraction of Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) in simulated wastewater. The Cd speciation was estimated by a chemical equilibrium model and MINEQL+. Statistic regression was applied to evaluate Cd speciation on Cd uptake in shoots and stems of I. aquatica. Results indicated that the root length was a more sensitive parameter than root weight and shoot weight. Root elongation was affected by Cd in the Cd-EDTA solution and TX-100 in the Cd-TX-100 solution. Both the root length and the root biomass were negatively correlated with the total soluble Cd ions. In contrast, Cd phytoextraction of I. aquatic was correlated with the aqueous Cd ions in the free and complex forms rather than in the chelating form. Additionally, the high Cd bioconcentration factors of I. aquatica (375-2227 l kg(-1) for roots, 45-144 l kg(-1) for shoots) imply that I. aquatica is a potential aquatic plant to remediate Cd-contaminated wastewater.

Photoelectrochemical sensitive detection of insulin based on CdS/polydopamine co-sensitized WO3 nanorod and signal amplification of carbon nanotubes@polydopamine.

PubMed

Wang, Rongyu; Ma, Hongmin; Zhang, Yong; Wang, Qi; Yang, Zhongping; Du, Bin; Wu, Dan; Wei, Qin

2017-10-15

An ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sandwich immunosensor was designed for detection of insulin based on WO 3 /CdS/polydopamine (WO 3 /CdS/PDA) co-sensitized and PDA@carbon nanotubes (PDA@CNT) conjugates for signal amplification. The CdS nanoparticles were first deposited on the WO 3 nanorods via sequential chemical bath deposition to form the WO 3 /CdS structure to enhance photocurrent. Then equipped with PDA to form the WO 3 /CdS/PDA photosensitive structure. The PDA was used not only to reduce the toxicity of CdS but also adsorb insulin primary antibodies (Ab 1 ). Meanwhile, insulin secondary antibodies (Ab 2 ) were decorated by PDA@CNT conjugates for signal amplification and further enhance photocurrent. Different photocurrent intensities were obtained by the photoelectrochemical workstation at applied bias of 0V due to the different amount of the PDA@CNT conjugates introduced by the different concentrations of insulin. A good linear relationship was obtained between the increased photocurrent and insulin concentrations range from 0.01ngmL -1 to 50ngmL -1 . And a detection limit of 2.8pgmL -1 was obtained. The proposed sensor was applied to the determination of the insulin in human serum sample, and satisfactory results were obtained. The sensor presented good specificity, reproducibility and stability, thus it might find application in the clinical diagnosis of insulin or other biomarkers in the near future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proposed minimal panel of antibodies for cost-effectiveness and accuracy in acute leukemias immunophenotyping: Prospective study at a tertiary care center.

PubMed

Singh, Neha; Pati, Hara Prasad P; Tyagi, Seema; Deka, Roopam; Sharma, Rahul; Saxena, Renu

2016-07-01

Flowcytometry has an essential role in the diagnosis and classification of acute leukemias. However, there exists a great degree of inter-laboratory variability on issues like panel selection, antibody combinations, gating strategies, fluorochromes, and clonal selection. The primary aim of this study was to derive a minimal panel of antibodies and evaluate its diagnostic usefulness in acute leukemias by flowcytometry by using the detailed immune-phenotype of different lineage-specific or non-specific markers. This prospective observational study involved 400 newly diagnosed cases of acute leukemias. Bone marrow aspirate samples were subjected to morphological evaluation, cytogenetics and flow cytometric immunophenotyping. A minimal panel of eight antibodies comprising of CD45/CD34/CD19/MPO/cytoCD3/CD64/CD117/CD79a was derived by applying different permutations and combinations with a diagnostic yield of 97.5%. The minimal panel was further validated by testing in an independent cohort of patients with similar demographic characteristics, where it showed a high diagnostic yield of 98% in comparison with the screening panels proposed by other recently published studies. It may be concluded that the diagnostic performance of the eight antibody panel is better than most other panels used across the different laboratories in terms of yield, number of antibodies used and the scientific approach used to derive and validate the results and so henceforth may be applied in any setting with limited resources for better diagnostic accuracy.

Mitigation of cadmium and arsenic in rice grain by applying different silicon fertilizers in contaminated fields.

PubMed

Wang, Hong-Yan; Wen, Shi-Lin; Chen, Peng; Zhang, Lu; Cen, Kuang; Sun, Guo-Xin

2016-02-01

A field experiment was established to support the hypothesis that application of different silicon (Si) fertilizers can simultaneously reduce cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) concentration in rice grain. The "semi-finished product of Si-potash fertilizer" treatment at the high application of 9000 kg/ha (NP+S-KSi9000) significantly reduced the As concentration in rice grain by up to 20.1%, compared with the control. Si fertilization reduces the Cd concentration in rice considerably more than the As concentration. All Si fertilizers apart from sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) exhibited a high ability to reduce Cd concentration in rice grain. The Si-calcium (CaSi) fertilizer is the most effective in the mitigation of Cd concentration in rice grain. The CaSi fertilizer applied at 9000 kg/ha (NPK+CaSi9000) and 900 kg/ha (NPK+CaSi900) reduced the Cd concentration in rice grain about 71.5 and 48.0%, respectively, while the Si-potash fertilizer at 900 kg/ha (NP+KSi900), the semi-finished product of Si-potash fertilizer at both 900 kg/ha (NP+S-KSi900) and 9000 kg/ha (NP+S-KSi9000), and the rice straw (NPK+RS) treatments reduced the Cd concentration in rice grain about 42, 26.5, 40.7, and 23.1%, respectively. The results of this investigation demonstrated the potential effects of Si fertilizers in reducing Cd and As concentrations in rice grain.

THEMIS, a new T cell specific protein important for late thymocyte development

PubMed Central

Lesourne, Renaud; Uehara, Shoji; Lee, Jan; Song, Ki-Duk; Li, LiQi; Pinkhasov, Julia; Zhang, Yongqing; Weng, Nan-Ping; Wildt, Kathryn F.; Wang, Lie; Bosselut, Remy; Love, Paul E.

2010-01-01

During positive selection, thymocytes transition through a stage during which T cell receptor (TCR) signaling controls CD4 versus CD8 lineage choice and subsequent maturation. Here, we describe a new T cell specific protein, THEMIS, that performs a distinct function during this stage. In Themis-/- mice, thymocyte selection was impaired and the number of transitional CD4+CD8int thymocytes as well as CD4 and CD8 single positive thymocytes was decreased. Remarkably, although no overt TCR-proximal signaling deficiencies were detected, Themis-/-CD4+CD8int thymocytes exhibited developmental defects consistent with attenuated signaling that were reversible by increased TCR stimulation. These results identify THEMIS as a critical component of the T cell developmental program and suggest that THEMIS functions to sustain and/or integrate signals required for proper lineage commitment and maturation. PMID:19597498

Enantiomeric separation of the antiuremic drug colchicine by electrokinetic chromatography. Method development and quantitative analysis.

PubMed

Menéndez-López, Nuria; Valimaña-Traverso, Jesús; Castro-Puyana, María; Salgado, Antonio; García, María Ángeles; Marina, María Luisa

2017-05-10

Two analytical methodologies were developed by CE enabling the enantiomeric separation of colchicine, an antiuremic drug commercialized as pure enantiomer. Succinyl-γ-CD and Sulfated-γ-CD were selected as chiral selectors after a screening with different anionic CDs. Under the optimized conditions, chiral resolutions of 5.6 in 12min and 3.2 in 8min were obtained for colchicine with Succinyl-γ-CD and Sulfated-γ-CD, respectively. An opposite enantiomeric migration order was observed with these two CDs being S-colchicine the first-migrating enantiomer with Succinyl-γ-CD and the second-migrating enantiomer with Sulfated-γ-CD. H NMR experiments showed a 1:1 stoichiometry for the enantiomer-CD complexes in both cases. However, the apparent and averaged equilibrium constants for the enantiomer-CD complexes could be calculated only for Succinyl-γ-CD. The developed methods were applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations but only the use of Succinyl-γ-CD enabled to detect a 0.1% of enantiomeric impurity in colchicine formulations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lab on a CD.

PubMed

Madou, Marc; Zoval, Jim; Jia, Guangyao; Kido, Horacio; Kim, Jitae; Kim, Nahui

2006-01-01

In this paper, centrifuge-based microfluidic platforms are reviewed and compared with other popular microfluidic propulsion methods. The underlying physical principles of centrifugal pumping in microfluidic systems are presented and the various centrifuge fluidic functions, such as valving, decanting, calibration, mixing, metering, heating, sample splitting, and separation, are introduced. Those fluidic functions have been combined with analytical measurement techniques, such as optical imaging, absorbance, and fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, to make the centrifugal platform a powerful solution for medical and clinical diagnostics and high throughput screening (HTS) in drug discovery. Applications of a compact disc (CD)-based centrifuge platform analyzed in this review include two-point calibration of an optode-based ion sensor, an automated immunoassay platform, multiple parallel screening assays, and cellular-based assays. The use of modified commercial CD drives for high-resolution optical imaging is discussed as well. From a broader perspective, we compare technical barriers involved in applying microfluidics for sensing and diagnostic use and applying such techniques to HTS. The latter poses less challenges and explains why HTS products based on a CD fluidic platform are already commercially available, whereas we might have to wait longer to see commercial CD-based diagnostics.

Study of CdTe/CdS solar cell at low power density for low-illumination applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devi, Nisha; Aziz, Anver; Datta, Shouvik

2016-05-01

In this paper, we numerically investigate CdTe/CdS PV cell properties using a simulation program Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator in 1D (SCAPS-1D). A simple structure of CdTe PV cell has been optimized to study the effect of temperature, absorber thickness and work function at very low incident power. Objective of this research paper is to build an efficient and cost effective solar cell for portable electronic devices such as portable computers and cell phones that work at low incident power because most of such devices work at diffused and reflected sunlight. In this report, we simulated a simple CdTe PV cell at very low incident power, which gives good efficiency.

Novel potato plants with enhanced cadmium resistance and antioxidative defence generated after in vitro cell line selection.

PubMed

Ashrafzadeh, Seyedardalan; Leung, David W M

2017-01-01

It is of interest to apply plant tissue culture to generate plants resistant to toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) on plant growth. Callus cultures were initiated from leaf explants of micropropagated potato plantlets (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Iwa) for in vitro selection comprising 18 different Cd treatments varying in Cd exposure timing and duration. Plantlets regenerated from two different lines of Cd-selected calli, L9 and L11, were found to exhibit enhanced resistance to 218 μM Cd compared to control (source plantlets for leaf explants used to initiate callus cultures for Cd resistance). In response to 218 μM Cd, L11 plantlets had lower levels of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide than control and L9 plantlets. In addition, antioxidative enzyme activities in L11 were generally higher than control. L11 also had a higher level of proline than control.

Optical study of HgCdTe infrared photodetectors using internal photoemission spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lao, Yan-Feng; Unil Perera, A. G., E-mail: uperera@gsu.edu; Wijewarnasuriya, Priyalal S.

2014-03-31

We report a study of internal photoemission spectroscopy (IPE) applied to a n-type Hg{sub 1−x}Cd{sub x}Te/Hg{sub 1−y}Cd{sub y}Te heterojunction. An exponential line-shape of the absorption tail in HgCdTe is identified by IPE fittings of the near-threshold quantum yield spectra. The reduction of quantum yield (at higher photon energy) below the fitting value is explained as a result of carrier-phonon scatterings. In addition, the obtained bias independence of the IPE threshold indicates a negligible electron barrier at the heterojunction interface.

Installation Restoration Program, Phase 2. Confirmation/Quantification, Stage 2, Hancock Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York. Volume 2. Appendices

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

4) 0) C)-D C 0401 C) 0 -c eL4 CD CD r, r- *,-A (mz61L 00 rC- 4ic 0Cm q) CD) C) -DC DC )C wl ~ ~ ’ %0 0 0 0 koko%04 4 J 4 J I+ C-M 44. 0 4J 44) -) 4...SAC) and 5,6-Dihydro-5-Azacytidine (H5AC) in L1210 Cell Culture Samples by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS), C.J. Nielson, S.W

Evaluation of Mobility, Bioavailability and Toxicity of Pb and Cd in Contaminated Soil Using TCLP, BCR and Earthworms

PubMed Central

Kede, Maria Luiza F. M.; Correia, Fabio V.; Conceição, Paulo F.; Salles Junior, Sidney F.; Marques, Marcia; Moreira, Josino C.; Pérez, Daniel V.

2014-01-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the reduction of mobility, availability and toxicity found in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from Santo Amaro Municipality, Bahia, Brazil using two combined methods, commonly tested separately according to the literature: metal mobilization with phosphates and phytoextraction. The strategy applied was the treatment with two sources of phosphates (separately and mixed) followed by phytoremediation with vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.)). The treatments applied (in triplicates) were: T1—potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4); T2—reactive natural phosphate fertilizer (NRP) and; T3—a mixture 1:1 of KH2PO4 and NRP. After this step, untreated and treated soils were planted with vetiver grass. The extraction procedures and assays applied to contaminated soil before and after the treatments included metal mobility test (TCLP); sequential extraction with BCR method; toxicity assays with Eisenia andrei. The soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) for Pb and Cd were estimated in all cases. All treatments with phosphates followed by phytoremediation reduced the mobility and availability of Pb and Cd, being KH2PO4 (T1) plus phytoremediation the most effective one. Soil toxicity however, remained high after all treatments. PMID:25386955

Role of ZnO photoanode nanostructures and sensitizer deposition approaches on the photovoltaic properties of CdS/CdSe and CdS1-xSex quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Şişman, İlkay; Tekir, Oktay; Karaca, Hüseyin

2017-02-01

Hierarchical bundle-like ZnO nanorod arrays (BNRs) were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method based on two consecutive temperature steps for cascade CdS/CdSe and ternary CdS1-xSex alloy quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) as photoanode. The CdS/CdSe and CdS1-xSex QDs were deposited on the surface of the ZnO BNRs by conventional and modified successive ionic-layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methods, respectively. Using the ZnO BNRs/CdS/CdSe photoanode, the power conversion efficiency reaches 2.08%, which is 1.8 times higher than that of pristine ZnO nanorods/CdS/CdSe photoanode, while by applying ZnO BNRs/CdS1-xSex, the power conversion efficiency improves 2.52%. The remarkably improved photovoltaic performance is mainly derived from the bundle-like nanorod arrays structure, which increases the QDs loading amount and the scattering effect for light absorption, and the appropriate conduction band energy, sufficient Se amount and well coverage of the ternary CdS1-xSex QDs result in enhanced photogenerated electron injection, high light absorption and reduced recombination, respectively. As a result, ZnO BNRs/CdS1-xSex combination can significantly improve performance of QDSSCs.

Underlying mechanisms and effects of hydrated lime and selenium application on cadmium uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings.

PubMed

Huang, Gaoxiang; Ding, Changfeng; Guo, Fuyu; Li, Xiaogang; Zhang, Taolin; Wang, Xingxiang

2017-08-01

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) and hydrated lime (Lime), applied alone or simultaneously (Se+Lime), on growth and cadmium (Cd) uptake and translocation in rice seedlings grown in an acid soil with three levels of Cd (slight, mild, and moderate contamination). In the soil with 0.41 mg kg -1 Cd (slight Cd contamination), Se addition alone significantly decreased Cd accumulation in the root and shoot by 35.3 and 40.1%, respectively, but this tendency weakened when Cd level in the soil increased. However, Se+Lime treatment effectively reduced Cd accumulation in rice seedlings in the soil with higher Cd levels. The results also showed that Se application alone strongly increased Cd concentration in the iron plaque under slight Cd contamination, which was suggested as the main reason underlying the inhibition of Cd accumulation in rice seedlings. Se+Lime treatment also increased the ability of the iron plaques to restrict Cd uptake by rice seedlings across all Cd levels and dramatically decreased the available Cd concentration in the soil. These results suggest that Se application alone would be useful in the soil with low levels of Cd, and the effect would be enhanced when Se application is combined with hydrated lime at higher Cd levels.

CD147-mediated chemotaxis of CD4+CD161+ T cells may contribute to local inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Lv, Minghua; Miao, Jinlin; Zhao, Peng; Luo, Xing; Han, Qing; Wu, Zhenbiao; Zhang, Kui; Zhu, Ping

2018-01-01

CD161 is used as a surrogate marker for Th17 cells, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we evaluated the percentage, clinical significance, and CD98 and CD147 expression of CD4 + CD161 + T cells. The potential role of CD147 and CD98 in cyclophilin A-induced chemotaxis of CD4 + CD161 + T cells was analyzed. Thirty-seven RA patients, 15 paired synovial fluid (SF) of RA, and 22 healthy controls were recruited. The cell populations and surface expression of CD98 and CD147 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were applied to calculate the correlations. Chemotaxis assay was used to investigate CD4 + CD161 + T cell migration. We found that the percentage of CD4 + CD161 + T cells and their expression of CD147 and CD98 in SF were higher than in the peripheral blood of RA patients. Percentage of SF CD4 + CD161 + T cells was positively correlated with 28-Joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). CD147 monoclonal antibody (HAb18) attenuated the chemotactic ability of CD4 + CD161 + T cells. An increased CD4 + CD161 + T cell percentage and expression of CD147 and CD98 were shown in RA SF. Percentage of SF CD4 + CD161 + T cells can be used as a predictive marker of disease activity in RA. CD147 block significantly decreased the chemotactic index of CD4 + CD161 + cells induced by cyclophilin A (CypA). These results imply that the accumulation of CD4 + CD161 + T cells in SF and their high expression of CD147 may be associated with CypA-mediated chemotaxis and contribute to local inflammation in RA.

Reviewing and Updating the Major Molecular Markers for Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Calloni, Raquel; Cordero, Elvira Alicia Aparicio; Henriques, João Antonio Pêgas

2013-01-01

Stem cells (SC) are able to self-renew and to differentiate into many types of committed cells, making SCs interesting for cellular therapy. However, the pool of SCs in vivo and in vitro consists of a mix of cells at several stages of differentiation, making it difficult to obtain a homogeneous population of SCs for research. Therefore, it is important to isolate and characterize unambiguous molecular markers that can be applied to SCs. Here, we review classical and new candidate molecular markers that have been established to show a molecular profile for human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The commonly cited markers for embryonic ESCs are Nanog, Oct-4, Sox-2, Rex-1, Dnmt3b, Lin-28, Tdgf1, FoxD3, Tert, Utf-1, Gal, Cx43, Gdf3, Gtcm1, Terf1, Terf2, Lefty A, and Lefty B. MSCs are primarily identified by the expression of CD13, CD29, CD44, CD49e, CD54, CD71, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD166, and HLA-ABC and lack CD14, CD31, CD34, CD45, CD62E, CD62L, CD62P, and HLA-DR expression. HSCs are mainly isolated based on the expression of CD34, but the combination of this marker with CD133 and CD90, together with a lack of CD38 and other lineage markers, provides the most homogeneous pool of SCs. Here, we present new and alternative markers for SCs, along with microRNA profiles, for these cells. PMID:23336433

Musculoskeletal education in physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs.

PubMed

Smith, Jay; Krabak, Brian J; Malanga, Gerard A; Moutvic, Margaret A

2004-10-01

To characterize current musculoskeletal (MSK) education experiences in physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs and to identify perceived barriers to providing more extensive MSK education experiences. In addition, to establish utilization patterns for the PASSOR Physical Examination Core Competencies List. Between March and November 2003, all 81 physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program directors were asked to complete an MSK education survey developed by the authors. A total of 69 of 81 program directors (86%) responded after multiple contacts. The most frequently utilized MSK education formats were MSK lecture series, MSK departmental conferences, and physical examination workshops. Potential barriers to expanded MSK education included money, time, and staff number. Given unlimited resources, most residency programs would greatly increase utilization of visiting lecturers, CD-ROMs/DVDs, objective structured clinical examinations, and physical examination videos. Of the 30 program directors who recalled receiving the Core Competencies List, only 40% (12 of 30) have formally integrated the list into their residency training. Barriers to implementation included logistical challenges and lack of direction regarding implementation. Residency program directors indicate a strong interest in expanding resident MSK education through the use of CD-ROMs/DVDs, physical examination videos, objective structured clinical examinations, and visiting lecturer programs. CD-ROMs/DVDs and videos represent particularly attractive educational formats for supplementing resident MSK education due to the advantages of central production, nominal costs, widespread distribution, multimedia capabilities, and accessibility. These educational formats should be considered for targeted educational initiatives to enhance resident MSK education, regardless of residency program size or resources.

Moderate physical activity of music aerobic exercise increases lymphocyte counts, specific subsets, and differentiation.

PubMed

Yeh, Shu-Hui; Lai, Hsiu-Ling; Hsiao, Chiu-Yueh; Lin, Li-Wei; Chuang, Yu-Kuan; Yang, Yu-Yeng; Yang, Kuender D

2014-09-01

Moderate physical activity has been shown to promote immunity. Different moderate physical activities may have different effects on immunity. This study investigated the impacts of a 12-week regular music aerobic exercise (MAE) program on leukocyte distribution, lymphocyte subsets, and lymphocyte polarization. The study used a case-control design with pretest and posttest. Forty-seven middle-age women were recruited for this study. Three participants dropped out, 22 completed the 12-week MAE program, and the other 22 participants who had heat-intolerance or limited schedule eligibility were enrolled as the control group without the MAE exercise. Results showed that the MAE exercise for 12 weeks didn't change red blood cells or total leukocytes but increased lymphocyte counts. The women in MAE group revealed significant increases (P ≤ 0.01) of CD3CD4, CD3CD8, and CD4CD25 cells, associated with Treg polarization showing enhanced FoxP3 but not T-bet, Gata-3, or RORγT expression (P < .01). The control group without exercise revealed insignificant change of lymphocyte subsets or lymphocyte polarization. This study shows that MAE increases specific lymphocyte subsets and enhances Treg cell differentiation. It is suggested to encourage moderate physical activity of music aerobic exercise to enhance lymphocyte function of middle-aged women.

Raman characterization of a new Te-rich binary compound: CdTe2.

PubMed

Rousset, Jean; Rzepka, Edouard; Lincot, Daniel

2009-04-02

Structural characterization by Raman spectroscopy of CdTe thin films electrodeposited in acidic conditions is considered in this work. This study focuses on the evolution of material properties as a function of the applied potential and the film thickness, demonstrating the possibility to obtain a new Te-rich compound with a II/VI ratio of 1/2 under specific bath conditions. Raman measurements carried out on etched samples first allow the elimination of the assumption of a mixture of phases CdTe + Te and tend to confirm the formation of the CdTe(2) binary compound. The signature of this phase on the Raman spectrum is the increase of the LO band intensity compared to that obtained for the CdTe. The influence of the laser power is also considered. While no effect is observed on CdTe films, the increase of the incident irradiation power leads to the decomposition of the CdTe(2) compound into two more stable phases namely CdTe and Te.

Nickel-cadium batteries for Apollo telescope mount

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirsch, W. W.; Shikoh, A. E.

1974-01-01

The operational testing and evaluation program is presented which was conducted on 20-ampere-hour nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries for use on the Apollo telescope mount (ATM). The test program was initiated in 1967 to determine if the batteries could meet ATM mission requirements and to determine operating characteristics and methods. The ATM system power and charging power for the Ni-Cd secondary batteries is provided by a solar array during the 58-minute daylight portion of the orbit; during the 36-minute night portion of the orbit, the Ni-Cd secondary batteries will supply ATM system power. The test results reflect battery operating characteristics and parameters relative to simulated ATM orbital test conditions. Maximum voltage, charge requirements, capacity, temperature, and cyclic characteristics are presented.

A critical review on effects, tolerance mechanisms and management of cadmium in vegetables.

PubMed

Rizwan, Muhammad; Ali, Shafaqat; Adrees, Muhammad; Ibrahim, Muhammad; Tsang, Daniel C W; Zia-Ur-Rehman, Muhammad; Zahir, Zahir Ahmad; Rinklebe, Jörg; Tack, Filip M G; Ok, Yong Sik

2017-09-01

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in vegetables is an important environmental issue that threatens human health globally. Understanding the response of vegetables to Cd stress and applying management strategies may help to reduce the Cd uptake by vegetables. The aim of the present review is to summarize the knowledge concerning the uptake and toxic effects of Cd in vegetables and the different management strategies to combat Cd stress in vegetables. Leafy vegetables grown in Cd contaminated soils potentially accumulate higher concentrations of Cd, posing a threat to food commodities. The Cd toxicity decreases seed germination, growth, biomass and quality of vegetables. This reduces the photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and alteration in mineral nutrition. Toxicity of Cd toxicity also interferes with vegetable biochemistry causing oxidative stress and resulting in decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Several management options have been employed for the reduction of Cd uptake and toxicity in vegetables. The exogenous application of plant growth regulators, proper mineral nutrition, and the use of organic and inorganic amendments might be useful for reducing Cd toxicity in vegetables. The use of low Cd accumulating vegetable cultivars in conjunction with insolubilizing amendments and proper agricultural practices might be a useful technique for reducing Cd exposure in the food chain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solid-phase cadmium speciation in soil using L3-edge XANES spectroscopy with partial least-squares regression.

PubMed

Siebers, Nina; Kruse, Jens; Eckhardt, Kai-Uwe; Hu, Yongfeng; Leinweber, Peter

2012-07-01

Cadmium (Cd) has a high toxicity and resolving its speciation in soil is challenging but essential for estimating the environmental risk. In this study partial least-square (PLS) regression was tested for its capability to deconvolute Cd L(3)-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of multi-compound mixtures. For this, a library of Cd reference compound spectra and a spectrum of a soil sample were acquired. A good coefficient of determination (R(2)) of Cd compounds in mixtures was obtained for the PLS model using binary and ternary mixtures of various Cd reference compounds proving the validity of this approach. In order to describe complex systems like soil, multi-compound mixtures of a variety of Cd compounds must be included in the PLS model. The obtained PLS regression model was then applied to a highly Cd-contaminated soil revealing Cd(3)(PO(4))(2) (36.1%), Cd(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O (24.5%), Cd(OH)(2) (21.7%), CdCO(3) (17.1%) and CdCl(2) (0.4%). These preliminary results proved that PLS regression is a promising approach for a direct determination of Cd speciation in the solid phase of a soil sample.

Programmed death-1 expression on HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells is shaped by epitope specificity, T-cell receptor clonotype usage and antigen load

PubMed Central

Kløverpris, Henrik N.; McGregor, Reuben; McLaren, James E.; Ladell, Kristin; Stryhn, Anette; Koofhethile, Catherine; Brener, Jacqui; Chen, Fabian; Riddell, Lynn; Graziano, Luzzi; Klenerman, Paul; Leslie, Alasdair; Buus, Søren; Price, David A.; Goulder, Philip

2014-01-01

Objectives: Although CD8+ T cells play a critical role in the control of HIV-1 infection, their antiviral efficacy can be limited by antigenic variation and immune exhaustion. The latter phenomenon is characterized by the upregulation of multiple inhibitory receptors, such as programmed death-1 (PD-1), CD244 and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), which modulate the functional capabilities of CD8+ T cells. Design and methods: Here, we used an array of different human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B∗15 : 03 and HLA-B∗42 : 01 tetramers to characterize inhibitory receptor expression as a function of differentiation on HIV-1-specific CD8+ T-cell populations (n = 128) spanning 11 different epitope targets. Results: Expression levels of PD-1, but not CD244 or LAG-3, varied substantially across epitope specificities both within and between individuals. Differential expression of PD-1 on T-cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes within individual HIV-1-specific CD8+ T-cell populations was also apparent, independent of clonal dominance hierarchies. Positive correlations were detected between PD-1 expression and plasma viral load, which were reinforced by stratification for epitope sequence stability and dictated by effector memory CD8+ T cells. Conclusion: Collectively, these data suggest that PD-1 expression on HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells tracks antigen load at the level of epitope specificity and TCR clonotype usage. These findings are important because they provide evidence that PD-1 expression levels are influenced by peptide/HLA class I antigen exposure. PMID:24906112

Steady State Dendritic Cells Present Parenchymal Self-Antigen and Contribute to, but Are Not Essential for, Tolerization of Naive and Th1 Effector CD4 Cells1

PubMed Central

Hagymasi, Adam T.; Slaiby, Aaron M.; Mihalyo, Marianne A.; Qui, Harry Z.; Zammit, David J.; Lefrançois, Leo; Adler, Adam J.

2010-01-01

Bone marrow-derived APC are critical for both priming effector/memory T cell responses to pathogens and inducing peripheral tolerance in self-reactive T cells. In particular, dendritic cells (DC) can acquire peripheral self-Ags under steady state conditions and are thought to present them to cognate T cells in a default tolerogenic manner, whereas exposure to pathogen-associated inflammatory mediators during the acquisition of pathogen-derived Ags appears to reprogram DCs to prime effector and memory T cell function. Recent studies have confirmed the critical role of DCs in priming CD8 cell effector responses to certain pathogens, although the necessity of steady state DCs in programming T cell tolerance to peripheral self-Ags has not been directly tested. In the current study, the role of steady state DCs in programming self-reactive CD4 cell peripheral tolerance was assessed by combining the CD11c-diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic system, in which DC can be depleted via treatment with diphtheria toxin, with a TCR-transgenic adoptive transfer system in which either naive or Th1 effector CD4 cells are induced to undergo tolerization after exposure to cognate parenchymally derived self-Ag. Although steady state DCs present parenchymal self-Ag and contribute to the tolerization of cognate naive and Th1 effector CD4 cells, they are not essential, indicating the involvement of a non-DC tolerogenic APC population(s). Tolerogenic APCs, however, do not require the cooperation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Similarly, DC were required for maximal priming of naive CD4 cells to vaccinia viral-Ag, but priming could still occur in the absence of DC. PMID:17641018

Influence of ESAT-6 secretion system 1 (RD1) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the interaction between mycobacteria and the host immune system.

PubMed

Majlessi, Laleh; Brodin, Priscille; Brosch, Roland; Rojas, Marie-Jésus; Khun, Huot; Huerre, Michel; Cole, Stewart T; Leclerc, Claude

2005-03-15

The chromosomal locus encoding the early secreted antigenic target, 6 kDa (ESAT-6) secretion system 1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also referred to as "region of difference 1 (RD1)," is absent from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). In this study, using low-dose aerosol infection in mice, we demonstrate that BCG complemented with RD1 (BCG::RD1) displays markedly increased virulence which albeit does not attain that of M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Nevertheless, phenotypic and functional analyses of immune cells at the site of infection show that the capacity of BCG::RD1 to initiate recruitment/activation of immune cells is comparable to that of fully virulent H37Rv. Indeed, in contrast to the parental BCG, BCG::RD1 mimics H37Rv and induces substantial influx of activated (CD44highCD45RB(-)CD62L(-)) or effector (CD45RB(-)CD27(-)) T cells and of activated CD11c(+)CD11bhigh cells to the lungs of aerosol-infected mice. For the first time, using in vivo analysis of transcriptome of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines of lung interstitial CD11c+ cells, we show that in a low-dose aerosol infection model, BCG::RD1 triggered an activation/inflammation program comparable to that induced by H37Rv while parental BCG, due to its overattenuation, did not initiate the activation program in lung interstitial CD11c+ cells. Thus, products encoded by the ESAT-6 secretion system 1 of M. tuberculosis profoundly modify the interaction between mycobacteria and the host innate and adaptive immune system. These modifications can explain the previously described improved protective capacity of BCG::RD1 vaccine candidate against M. tuberculosis challenge.

Characterization of tumor-associated T-lymphocyte subsets and immune checkpoint molecules in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

PubMed Central

Thelen, Martin; Reuter, Sabrina; Zentis, Peter; Shimabukuro-Vornhagen, Alexander; Theurich, Sebastian; Wennhold, Kerstin; Garcia-Marquez, Maria; Tharun, Lars; Quaas, Alexander; Schauss, Astrid; Isensee, Jörg; Hucho, Tim; Huebbers, Christian

2017-01-01

The composition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) reflects biology and immunogenicity of cancer. Here, we characterize T-cell subsets and expression of immune checkpoint molecules in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We analyzed TIL subsets in primary tumors (n = 34), blood (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); n = 34) and non-cancerous mucosa (n = 7) of 34 treatment-naïve HNSCC patients and PBMC of 15 healthy controls. Flow cytometry analyses revealed a highly variable T-cell infiltration mainly of an effector memory phenotype (CD45RA−/CCR7−). Naïve T cells (CD45RA+/CCR7+) were decreased in the microenvironment compared to PBMC of patients, while regulatory T cells (CD4+/CD25+/CD127low and CD4+/CD39+) were elevated. Furthermore, we performed digital image analyses of entire cross sections of HNSCC to define the ‘Immunoscore’ (CD3+ and CD8+ cell infiltration in tumor core and invasive margin) and quantified MHC class I expression on tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. Immune checkpoint molecules cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) were increased in TILs compared to peripheral T cells in flow-cytometric analysis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tumors showed higher numbers of TILs, but a similar composition of T-cell subsets and checkpoint molecule expression compared to HPV negative tumors. Taken together, the tumor microenvironment of HNSCC is characterized by a strong infiltration of regulatory T cells and high checkpoint molecule expression on T-cell subsets. In view of increasingly used immunotherapies, a detailed knowledge of TILs and checkpoint molecule expression on TILs is of high translational relevance. PMID:28574843

Biochar and Glomus caledonium Influence Cd Accumulation of Upland Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) Intercropped with Alfred Stonecrop (Sedum alfredii Hance)

PubMed Central

Hu, Junli; Wu, Fuyong; Wu, Shengchun; Lam, Cheung Lung; Lin, Xiangui; Wong, Ming Hung

2014-01-01

Both biochar application and mycorrhizal inoculation have been proposed to improve plant growth and alter bioaccumulation of toxic metals. A greenhouse pot trial was conducted to investigate growth and Cd accumulation of upland kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) intercropped with Alfred stonecrop (Sedum alfredii Hance) in a Cd-contaminated soil inoculated with Glomus caledonium and/or applied with biochar. Compared with the monocultural control, intercropping with stonecrop (IS) decreased kangkong Cd acquisition via rhizosphere competition, and also decreased kangkong yield. Gc inoculation (+M) accelerated growth and Cd acquisition of stonecrop, and hence resulted in further decreases in kangkong Cd acquisition. Regardless of IS and +M, biochar addition (+B) increased kangkong yield via elevating soil available P, and decreased soil Cd phytoavailability and kangkong Cd concentration via increasing soil pH. Compared with the control, the treatment of IS + M + B had a substantially higher kangkong yield (+25.5%) with a lower Cd concentration (−62.7%). Gc generated additive effects on soil alkalinization and Cd stabilization to biochar, causing lower DTPA-extractable (phytoavailable) Cd concentrations and post-harvest transfer risks. PMID:24728157

Impact of chelator-induced phytoextraction of cadmium on yield and ionic uptake of maize.

PubMed

Anwar, Sumera; Khan, Shahbaz; Ashraf, M Yasin; Noman, Ali; Zafar, Sara; Liu, Lijun; Ullah, Sana; Fahad, Shah

2017-06-03

Enhanced phytoextraction uses soil chelators to increase the bioavailability of heavy metals. This study tested the effectiveness of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid in enhancing cadmium (Cd) phytoextraction and their effects on the growth, yield, and ionic uptake of maize (Zea mays). Maize seeds of two cultivars were sown in pots treated with 15 (Cd 15 ) or 30 mg Cd kg -1 soil (Cd 30 ). EDTA and citric acid at 0.5 g kg -1 each were applied 2 weeks after germination. Results demonstrated that the growth, yield per plant, and total grain weight were reduced by exposure to Cd. EDTA increased the uptake of Cd in shoots, roots, and grains of both maize varieties. Citric acid did not enhance the uptake of Cd, rather it ameliorated the toxicity of Cd, as shown by increased shoot and root length and biomass. Cadmium toxicity reduced the number of grains, rather than the grain size. The maize cultivar Sahiwal-2002 extracted 1.6% and 3.6% of Cd from soil in both Cd+ EDTA treatments. Hence, our study implies that maize can be used to successfully phytoremediate Cd from soil using EDTA, without reducing plant biomass or yield.

Self-compensating design for reduction of timing and leakage sensitivity to systematic pattern dependent variation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Puneet; Kahng, Andrew B.; Kim, Youngmin; Sylvester, Dennis

2006-03-01

Focus is one of the major sources of linewidth variation. CD variation caused by defocus is largely systematic after the layout is finished. In particular, dense lines "smile" through focus while isolated lines "frown" in typical Bossung plots. This well-defined systematic behavior of focus-dependent CD variation allows us to develop a self-compensating design methodology. In this work, we propose a novel design methodology that allows explicit compensation of focus-dependent CD variation, either within a cell (self-compensated cells) or across cells in a critical path (self-compensated design). By creating iso and dense variants for each library cell, we can achieve designs that are more robust to focus variation. Optimization with a mixture of iso and dense cell variants is possible both for area and leakage power, with the latter providing an interesting complement to existing leakage reduction techniques such as dual-Vth. We implement both heuristic and Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) solution methods to address this optimization, and experimentally compare their results. Our results indicate that designing with a self-compensated cell library incurs ~12% area penalty and ~6% leakage increase over original layouts while compensating for focus-dependent CD variation (i.e., the design meets timing constraints across a large range of focus variation). We observe ~27% area penalty and ~7% leakage increase at the worst-case defocus condition using only single-pitch cells. The area penalty of circuits after using either the heuristic or MILP optimization approach is reduced to ~3% while maintaining timing. We also apply our optimizations to leakage, which traditionally shows very large variability due to its exponential relationship with gate CD. We conclude that a mixed iso/dense library combined with a sensitivity-based optimization approach yields much better area/timing/leakage tradeoffs than using a self-compensated cell library alone. Self-compensated design shows an average of 25% leakage reduction at the worst defocus condition for the benchmark designs that we have studied.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical aptasensing platform based on exciton energy transfer between CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots and SiO2@Au nanocomposites.

PubMed

Fan, Gao-Chao; Zhu, Hua; Shen, Qingming; Han, Li; Zhao, Ming; Zhang, Jian-Rong; Zhu, Jun-Jie

2015-04-25

High-efficient exciton energy transfer between CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots and SiO2@Au nanocomposites was applied to develop an enhanced photoelectrochemical aptasensing platform with ultrahigh sensitivity, good selectivity, reproducibility and stability.

High efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells by applying a double In2S3/CdS emitter.

PubMed

Kim, Jeehwan; Hiroi, Homare; Todorov, Teodor K; Gunawan, Oki; Kuwahara, Masaru; Gokmen, Tayfun; Nair, Dhruv; Hopstaken, Marinus; Shin, Byungha; Lee, Yun Seog; Wang, Wei; Sugimoto, Hiroki; Mitzi, David B

2014-11-26

High-efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells are reported by applying In2S3/CdS double emitters. This new structure offers a high doping concentration within the Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells, resulting in a substantial enhancement in open-circuit voltage. The 12.4% device is obtained with a record open-circuit voltage deficit of 593 mV. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Programmed death 1-mediated T cell exhaustion during visceral leishmaniasis impairs phagocyte function.

PubMed

Esch, Kevin J; Juelsgaard, Rachel; Martinez, Pedro A; Jones, Douglas E; Petersen, Christine A

2013-12-01

Control of Leishmania infantum infection is dependent upon Th1 CD4(+) T cells to promote macrophage intracellular clearance of parasites. Deficient CD4(+) T cell effector responses during clinical visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are associated with elevated production of IL-10. In the primary domestic reservoir of VL, dogs, we define occurrence of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell exhaustion as a significant stepwise loss of Ag-specific proliferation and IFN-γ production, corresponding to increasing VL symptoms. Exhaustion was associated with a 4-fold increase in the population of T cells with surface expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) between control and symptomatic populations. Importantly, exhausted populations of CD8(+) T cells and to a lesser extent CD4(+) T cells were present prior to onset of clinical VL. VL-exhausted T cells did not undergo significant apoptosis ex vivo after Ag stimulation. Ab block of PD-1 ligand, B7.H1, promoted return of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell function and dramatically increased reactive oxygen species production in cocultured monocyte-derived phagocytes. As a result, these phagocytes had decreased parasite load. To our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time that pan-T cell, PD-1-mediated, exhaustion during VL influenced macrophage-reactive oxygen intermediate production. Blockade of the PD-1 pathway improved the ability of phagocytes isolated from dogs presenting with clinical VL to clear intracellular parasites. T cell exhaustion during symptomatic canine leishmaniasis has implications for the response to vaccination and therapeutic strategies for control of Leishmania infantum in this important reservoir species.

Tetraspanin CD151 regulates alpha6beta1 integrin adhesion strengthening

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lammerding, Jan; Kazarov, Alexander R.; Huang, Hayden; Lee, Richard T.; Hemler, Martin E.

2003-01-01

The tetraspanin CD151 molecule associates specifically with laminin-binding integrins, including alpha6beta1. To probe strength of alpha6beta1-dependent adhesion to laminin-1, defined forces (0-1.5 nN) were applied to magnetic laminin-coated microbeads bound to NIH 3T3 cells. For NIH 3T3 cells bearing wild-type CD151, adhesion strengthening was observed, as bead detachment became more difficult over time. In contrast, mutant CD151 (with the C-terminal region replaced) showed impaired adhesion strengthening. Static cell adhesion to laminin-1, and detachment of beads coated with fibronectin or anti-alpha6 antibody were all unaffected by CD151 mutation. Hence, CD151 plays a key role in selectively strengthening alpha6beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion to laminin-1.

DGT estimates cadmium accumulation in wheat and potato from phosphate fertilizer applications

PubMed Central

Pérez, Angela L.; Anderson, Kim A.

2014-01-01

Cadmium is a common impurity in phosphatic fertilizers and may contribute to soil Cd accumulation. Changes in total and bioavailable Cd burdens to agricultural soils and the potential for plant Cd accumulation resulting from fertilizer input was investigated. Three year field studies were conducted using three dose levels of cadmium-rich, commercial, phosphate fertilizers applied at four agricultural sites. Labile Cd concentrations, measured using the passive sampling device Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (CdDGT), increased with increasing fertilizer application rates. Cd also accumulated in the edible portion of wheat and potato crops grown at the sites, and showed strong positive dose response with fertilizer treatment. Regression models were calculated for each site, year, and for individual crops. Model comparisons indicated that soil physical and chemical parameters in addition to soil Cd fractions, were important determinants of CdDGT. Significant factors contributing to CdDGT concentrations were Cd from fertilizer input (Cdfertilizer), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and total recoverable Cd (Cdtotal). Important factors used to determine Cd concentrations in wheat grain (Cdwheat) and in potato (Cdpotato) were as follows: Cdwheat:Cdfertilizer, and CdDGT; and Cdpotato:Cdfertilizer, CdDGT, % O.M. The effective concentration, CE, calculated from DGT did not correlate well with Cdwheat or with Cdpotato. Direct measurements of CdDGT correlated better with Cd found in edible plant tissue. The modeling approach presented in this study helps to estimate Cd accumulation in plant tissue over multiple years and in distinct agricultural soil systems. PMID:19552942

Scaling up HIV viral load - lessons from the large-scale implementation of HIV early infant diagnosis and CD4 testing.

PubMed

Peter, Trevor; Zeh, Clement; Katz, Zachary; Elbireer, Ali; Alemayehu, Bereket; Vojnov, Lara; Costa, Alex; Doi, Naoko; Jani, Ilesh

2017-11-01

The scale-up of effective HIV viral load (VL) testing is an urgent public health priority. Implementation of testing is supported by the availability of accurate, nucleic acid based laboratory and point-of-care (POC) VL technologies and strong WHO guidance recommending routine testing to identify treatment failure. However, test implementation faces challenges related to the developing health systems in many low-resource countries. The purpose of this commentary is to review the challenges and solutions from the large-scale implementation of other diagnostic tests, namely nucleic-acid based early infant HIV diagnosis (EID) and CD4 testing, and identify key lessons to inform the scale-up of VL. Experience with EID and CD4 testing provides many key lessons to inform VL implementation and may enable more effective and rapid scale-up. The primary lessons from earlier implementation efforts are to strengthen linkage to clinical care after testing, and to improve the efficiency of testing. Opportunities to improve linkage include data systems to support the follow-up of patients through the cascade of care and test delivery, rapid sample referral networks, and POC tests. Opportunities to increase testing efficiency include improvements to procurement and supply chain practices, well connected tiered laboratory networks with rational deployment of test capacity across different levels of health services, routine resource mapping and mobilization to ensure adequate resources for testing programs, and improved operational and quality management of testing services. If applied to VL testing programs, these approaches could help improve the impact of VL on ART failure management and patient outcomes, reduce overall costs and help ensure the sustainable access to reduced pricing for test commodities, as well as improve supportive health systems such as efficient, and more rigorous quality assurance. These lessons draw from traditional laboratory practices as well as fields such as logistics, operations management and business. The lessons and innovations from large-scale EID and CD4 programs described here can be adapted to inform more effective scale-up approaches for VL. They demonstrate that an integrated approach to health system strengthening focusing on key levers for test access such as data systems, supply efficiencies and network management. They also highlight the challenges with implementation and the need for more innovative approaches and effective partnerships to achieve equitable and cost-effective test access. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of the International AIDS Society published by John Wiley & sons Ltd on behalf of the International AIDS Society.

Design principles for HgTe based topological insulator devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sengupta, Parijat; Kubis, Tillmann; Tan, Yaohua; Povolotskyi, Michael; Klimeck, Gerhard

2013-07-01

The topological insulator properties of CdTe/HgTe/CdTe quantum wells are theoretically studied. The CdTe/HgTe/CdTe quantum well behaves as a topological insulator beyond a critical well width dimension. It is shown that if the barrier (CdTe) and well-region (HgTe) are altered by replacing them with the alloy CdxHg1-xTe of various stoichiometries, the critical width can be changed. The critical quantum well width is shown to depend on temperature, applied stress, growth directions, and external electric fields. Based on these results, a novel device concept is proposed that allows to switch between a normal semiconducting and topological insulator state through application of moderate external electric fields.

Progress in MOCVD growth of HgCdTe epilayers for HOT infrared detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kebłowski, A.; Gawron, W.; Martyniuk, P.; Stepień, D.; Kolwas, K.; Piotrowski, J.; Madejczyk, P.; Kopytko, M.; Piotrowski, A.; Rogalski, A.

2016-05-01

In this paper we present progress in MOCVD growth of (100) HgCdTe epilayers achieved recently at the Institute of Applied Physics, Military University of Technology and Vigo System S.A. It is shown that MOCVD technology is an excellent tool in fabrication of different HgCdTe detector structures with a wide range of composition, donor/acceptor doping and without post grown annealing. Particular progress has been achieved in the growth of (100) HgCdTe epilayers for long wavelength infrared photoconductors operated in HOT conditions. The (100) HgCdTe photoconductor optimized for 13-μm attain detectivity equal to 6.5x109 Jones and therefore outperform its (111) counterpart. The paper also presents technological progress in fabrication of MOCVD-grown (111) HgCdTe barrier detectors. The barrier device performance is comparable with state-of-the-art of HgCdTe photodiodes. The detectivity of HgCdTe detectors is close to the value marked HgCdTe photodiodes. Dark current densities are close to the values given by "Rule 07".

Sodium alginate-grafted β-cyclodextrins as a matrix for immobilized Arthrobacter simplex for cortisone acetate biotransfromation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yanbing; Niu, Lulu; Yu, Ziqi; Wang, Min; Shang, Zhihua; Yang, Yan

2018-06-01

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are used to resolve the low aqueous solubility of steroids, but the high cost of CDs is still a limiting factor in biotransformation process. This study, which is based on grafting and immobilization techniques, focused on synthesizing for the first time sodium alginate (SA)-grafted β-CD (SA-β-CD) and alginate-grafted β-CD for the immobilization of Arthrobacter simplex (ASP) cells (SA-β-CD-cells) and subsequent recycling of CDs and cells. FTIR spectium and X-ray diffraction proved that β-CD was successfully grafted with SA, whereas the grafting yield of β-CD was 10.3 μmol g-1. SA-β-CD could increase the solubility of CA by 3.5-fold, whereas the transformation rate was enhanced by 10%. The conversion ratio of CA was over 92% after the SA-β-CD recycling for nine cycles. In addition, after SA-β-CD-cells were applied in biocatalytic reactions for eight cycles, the conversion ratio of CA was over 90%. These advantages suggest great potential for using both grafting and immobilized techniques in steroid transformation.

Automation of cellular therapy product manufacturing: results of a split validation comparing CD34 selection of peripheral blood stem cell apheresis product with a semi-manual vs. an automatic procedure.

PubMed

Hümmer, Christiane; Poppe, Carolin; Bunos, Milica; Stock, Belinda; Wingenfeld, Eva; Huppert, Volker; Stuth, Juliane; Reck, Kristina; Essl, Mike; Seifried, Erhard; Bonig, Halvard

2016-03-16

Automation of cell therapy manufacturing promises higher productivity of cell factories, more economical use of highly-trained (and costly) manufacturing staff, facilitation of processes requiring manufacturing steps at inconvenient hours, improved consistency of processing steps and other benefits. One of the most broadly disseminated engineered cell therapy products is immunomagnetically selected CD34+ hematopoietic "stem" cells (HSCs). As the clinical GMP-compliant automat CliniMACS Prodigy is being programmed to perform ever more complex sequential manufacturing steps, we developed a CD34+ selection module for comparison with the standard semi-automatic CD34 "normal scale" selection process on CliniMACS Plus, applicable for 600 × 10(6) target cells out of 60 × 10(9) total cells. Three split-validation processings with healthy donor G-CSF-mobilized apheresis products were performed; feasibility, time consumption and product quality were assessed. All processes proceeded uneventfully. Prodigy runs took about 1 h longer than CliniMACS Plus runs, albeit with markedly less hands-on operator time and therefore also suitable for less experienced operators. Recovery of target cells was the same for both technologies. Although impurities, specifically T- and B-cells, were 5 ± 1.6-fold and 4 ± 0.4-fold higher in the Prodigy products (p = ns and p = 0.013 for T and B cell depletion, respectively), T cell contents per kg of a virtual recipient receiving 4 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg was below 10 × 10(3)/kg even in the worst Prodigy product and thus more than fivefold below the specification of CD34+ selected mismatched-donor stem cell products. The products' theoretical clinical usability is thus confirmed. This split validation exercise of a relatively short and simple process exemplifies the potential of automatic cell manufacturing. Automation will further gain in attractiveness when applied to more complex processes, requiring frequent interventions or handling at unfavourable working hours, such as re-targeting of T-cells.

Coupling of non-aqueous electrokinetic chromatography using cationic cyclodextrins with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Mol, Roelof; de Jong, Gerhardus J; Somsen, Govert W

2008-01-01

Non-aqueous electrokinetic chromatography (NAEKC) using cationic cyclodextrins (CDs) was coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). A methanolic background electrolyte (BGE) was used which contained the hydrochloride salts of the single-isomer derivative cyclodextrins 6-monodeoxy-6-mono(2-hydroxy)propylamino-beta-cyclodextrin (IPA-beta-CD) or 6-monodeoxy-6-mono(3-hydroxy)propylamino-beta-cyclodextrin (PA-beta-CD). Applying a reversed capillary electrophoresis (CE) polarity (-30 kV), efficient separation of negatively charged compounds was achieved with plate numbers of up to 190,000. PA-beta-CD appeared to be the most suitable for the separation of various acidic drugs while also providing a high chiral selectivity. Analyte detection was achieved by ESI-MS in the negative-ion mode using a sheath-liquid interface. In order to prevent current drops caused by the cathodic electroosmotic flow, a pressure of 15 mbar was applied on the inlet vial during NAEKC/MS analysis. The effect of the cationic CDs on the MS signal intensities of acidic test drugs was thoroughly studied. When a voltage is applied across the CE capillary, the overall mobility of the cationic CDs is towards the inlet vial so that no CD molecules enter the ion source. The chloride counter ions of the CDs, which migrated towards the capillary outlet, were found to cause ionization suppression, although significant analyte signals could still be detected. Depending on the CD concentration in the BGE, limits of detection for acidic drugs were in the 50-400 ng/mL range in full-scan mode.

Regulatory T cells inhibit acute IFN-γ synthesis without blocking T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) differentiation via a compartmentalized requirement for IL-10

PubMed Central

Sojka, Dorothy K.; Fowell, Deborah J.

2011-01-01

CD4+CD25+Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) control immune responses to self and foreign antigens in secondary lymphoid organs and at tissue sites of inflammation. Tregs can modify the function of many immune cells and have been proposed to block early proliferation, differentiation, and effector function. Acute ablation of Tregs has revealed rapid cytokine production immediately after Treg removal, suggesting that Tregs may regulate effector function acutely rather than regulating the programming for immune function. We developed in vitro and in vivo models that enabled the direct test of Treg regulation of T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) differentiation. CD28 signaling is known to abrogate Treg suppression of IL-2 secretion and proliferation, but our studies show that Treg suppression of IFN-γ during Th1 priming proceeds despite enhanced CD28 signaling. Importantly, during Th1 differentiation, Tregs inhibited early IFN-γ transcription without disrupting expression of Th1-specific T-box transcription factor (Tbet) and Th1 programming. Acute shutoff of effector cytokine production by Tregs was selective for IFN-γ but not TNF-α and was independent of TGF-β and Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3. In vivo, Tregs potently controlled CD4 IFN-γ and CD4 effector cell expansion in the lymph node (four- to fivefold reduction) but not Th1 programming, independent of IL-10. Tregs additionally reduced CD4 IFN-γ in the inflamed dermis (twofold reduction) dependent on their production of IL-10. We propose a model for Treg inhibition of effector function based on acute cytokine regulation. Interestingly, Tregs used different regulatory mechanisms to regulate IFN-γ (IL-10–dependent or –independent) subject to the target T-cell stage of activation and its tissue location. PMID:22025707

Educational use of World Wide Web pages on CD-ROM.

PubMed

Engel, Thomas P; Smith, Michael

2002-01-01

The World Wide Web is increasingly important for medical education. Internet served pages may also be used on a local hard disk or CD-ROM without a network or server. This allows authors to reuse existing content and provide access to users without a network connection. CD-ROM offers several advantages over network delivery of Web pages for several applications. However, creating Web pages for CD-ROM requires careful planning. Issues include file names, relative links, directory names, default pages, server created content, image maps, other file types and embedded programming. With care, it is possible to create server based pages that can be copied directly to CD-ROM. In addition, Web pages on CD-ROM may reference Internet served pages to provide the best features of both methods.

Study of CdTe/CdS solar cell at low power density for low-illumination applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Devi, Nisha, E-mail: nishatanwer1989@gmail.com; Aziz, Anver, E-mail: aaziz@jmi.ac.in; Datta, Shouvik

In this paper, we numerically investigate CdTe/CdS PV cell properties using a simulation program Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator in 1D (SCAPS-1D). A simple structure of CdTe PV cell has been optimized to study the effect of temperature, absorber thickness and work function at very low incident power. Objective of this research paper is to build an efficient and cost effective solar cell for portable electronic devices such as portable computers and cell phones that work at low incident power because most of such devices work at diffused and reflected sunlight. In this report, we simulated a simple CdTe PV cellmore » at very low incident power, which gives good efficiency.« less

Developmentally determined reduction in CD31 during gestation is associated with CD8+ T cell effector differentiation in preterm infants

PubMed Central

Scheible, Kristin M.; Emo, Jason; Yang, Hongmei; Holden-Wiltse, Jeanne; Straw, Andrew; Huyck, Heidie; Misra, Sara; Topham, David J.; Ryan, Rita M.; Reynolds, Anne Marie; Mariani, Thomas J.; Pryhuber, Gloria S.

2015-01-01

Homeostatic T cell proliferation is more robust during human fetal development. In order to understand the relative effect of normal fetal homeostasis and perinatal exposures on CD8+ T cell behavior in PT infants, we characterized umbilical cord blood CD8+ T cells from infants born between 23–42 weeks gestation. Subjects were recruited as part of the NHLBI-sponsored Prematurity and Respiratory Outcomes Program. Cord blood from PT infants had fewer naïve CD8+ T cells and lower regulatory CD31 expression on both naïve and effector, independent of prenatal exposures. CD8+ T cell in vitro effector function was greater at younger gestational ages, an effect that was exaggerated in infants with prior inflammatory exposures. These results suggest that CD8+ T cells earlier in gestation have loss of regulatory co-receptor CD31 and greater effector differentiation, which may place PT neonates at unique risk for CD8+ T cell-mediated inflammation and impaired T cell memory formation. PMID:26232733

Down-regulation of CD73 on B cells of patients with viremic HIV correlates with B cell activation and disease progression.

PubMed

Kim, Eun-Seong; Ackermann, Christin; Tóth, Ilona; Dierks, Patrick; Eberhard, Johanna M; Wroblewski, Raluca; Scherg, Felix; Geyer, Matthias; Schmidt, Reinhold E; Beisel, Claudia; Bockhorn, Maximilian; Haag, Friedrich; van Lunzen, Jan; Schulze Zur Wiesch, Julian

2017-05-01

Recently, alterations of the T cell expression of the ectonucleotidases, CD39 and CD73, during HIV infection have been described. Here, peripheral ( n = 70) and lymph nodal B cells ( n = 10) of patients with HIV at different stages of disease as well as uninfected individuals were analyzed via multicolor flow cytometry with regard to expression of CD39 and CD73 and differentiation, proliferation, and exhaustion status. Patients with chronic, untreated HIV showed a significantly decreased frequency of CD73-expressing B cells ( P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Decreased frequencies of CD39 + CD73 + B cells in patients with HIV correlated with low CD4 + counts ( P < 0.0256) as well as increased proliferation and exhaustion status as determined by Ki-67 and programmed death-1 expression. Down-regulation of CD73 was observed in naive and memory B cells as determined by CD27 and CD21. Neither HIV elite controller patients nor antiretroviral therapy-treated patients had significantly lower CD39 and CD73 expression on B cells compared with healthy controls. Of importance, low CD73 + expression on B cells was associated with modulated in vitro B cell function. Further in vivo studies are warranted to evaluate the in vivo role of phenotypic loss of CD73 in B cell dysregulation in HIV. © Society for Leukocyte Biology.

Phase transfer of 1- and 2-dimensional Cd-based nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodanek, Torben; Banbela, Hadeel M.; Naskar, Suraj; Adel, Patrick; Bigall, Nadja C.; Dorfs, Dirk

2015-11-01

In this work, luminescent CdSe@CdS dot-in-rod nanocrystals, CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods as well as CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets were transferred into aqueous phase via ligand exchange reactions. For this purpose, bifunctional thiol-based ligands were employed, namely mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) as well as 2-(dimethylamino)ethanthiol (DMAET). Systematic investigations by means of photoluminescence quantum yield measurements as well as photoluminescence decay measurements have shown that the luminescence properties of the transferred nanostructures are affected by hole traps (induced by the thiol ligands themselves) as well as by spatial insulation and passivation against the environment. The influence of the tips of the nanorods on the luminescence is, however, insignificant. Accordingly, different ligands yield optimum results for different nanoparticle samples, mainly depending on the inorganic passivation of the respective samples. In case of CdSe@CdS nanorods, the highest emission intensities have been obtained by using short-chain ligands for the transfer preserving more than 50% of the pristine quantum yield of the hydrophobic nanorods. As opposed to this, the best possible quantum efficiency for the CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods has been achieved via MUA. The gained knowledge could be applied to transfer for the first time 2-dimensional CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets into water while preserving significant photoluminescence (up to 12% quantum efficiency).In this work, luminescent CdSe@CdS dot-in-rod nanocrystals, CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods as well as CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets were transferred into aqueous phase via ligand exchange reactions. For this purpose, bifunctional thiol-based ligands were employed, namely mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) as well as 2-(dimethylamino)ethanthiol (DMAET). Systematic investigations by means of photoluminescence quantum yield measurements as well as photoluminescence decay measurements have shown that the luminescence properties of the transferred nanostructures are affected by hole traps (induced by the thiol ligands themselves) as well as by spatial insulation and passivation against the environment. The influence of the tips of the nanorods on the luminescence is, however, insignificant. Accordingly, different ligands yield optimum results for different nanoparticle samples, mainly depending on the inorganic passivation of the respective samples. In case of CdSe@CdS nanorods, the highest emission intensities have been obtained by using short-chain ligands for the transfer preserving more than 50% of the pristine quantum yield of the hydrophobic nanorods. As opposed to this, the best possible quantum efficiency for the CdSe@CdS/ZnS nanorods has been achieved via MUA. The gained knowledge could be applied to transfer for the first time 2-dimensional CdSe-CdS core-crown nanoplatelets into water while preserving significant photoluminescence (up to 12% quantum efficiency). Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Further TEM images, further extinction spectra, particle size distribution and discussion about optical properties of the hydrophobic nanostructures. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06221g

Calcineurin-dependent negative regulation of CD94/NKG2A expression on naive CD8+ T cells.

PubMed

Cho, Jae-Ho; Kim, Hee-Ok; Webster, Kylie; Palendira, Mainthan; Hahm, Bumsuk; Kim, Kyu-Sik; King, Cecile; Tangye, Stuart G; Sprent, Jonathan

2011-07-07

Immune responses lead to expression of immunoregulatory molecules on T cells, including natural killer (NK) receptors, such as CD94/NKG2A on CD8(+) T cells; these receptors restrain CD8(+) responses, thereby preventing T-cell exhaustion in chronic infections and limiting immunopathology. Here, we examined the requirements for inducing CD94/NKG2A on T cells responding to antigen. In vitro, moderate induction of CD94/NKG2A expression occurred after exposure of naive CD8(+) (but not CD4(+)) cells to CD3 ligation or specific peptide. Surprisingly, expression was inhibited by CD28/B7 costimulation. Such inhibition applied only to CD94/NKG2A and not other NK receptors (NKG2D) and was mediated by IL-2. Inhibition by IL-2 occurred via a NFAT cell-independent component of the calcineurin pathway, and CD94/NKG2A induction was markedly enhanced in the presence of calcineurin blockers, such as FK506 or using calcineurin-deficient T cells, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to CD28-dependent inhibition by IL-2, CD94/NKG2A expression was impaired by several other cytokines (IL-4, IL-23, and transforming growth factor-β) but enhanced by others (IL-6, IL-10, and IL-21). The complex interplay between these various stimuli may account for the variable expression of CD94/NKG2A during responses to different pathogens in vivo.

Geology and mineral and energy resources, Roswell Resource Area, New Mexico; an interactive computer presentation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tidball, Ronald R.; Bartsch-Winkler, S. B.

1995-01-01

This Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) contains a program illustrating the geology and mineral and energy resources of the Roswell Resource Area, an administrative unit of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in east-central New Mexico. The program enables the user to access information on the geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mining history, metallic and industrial mineral commodities, hydrocarbons, and assessments of the area. The program was created with the display software, SuperCard, version 1.5, by Aldus. The program will run only on a Macintosh personal computer. This CD-ROM was produced in accordance with Macintosh HFS standards. The program was developed on a Macintosh II-series computer with system 7.0.1. The program is a compiled, executable form that is nonproprietary and does not require the presence of the SuperCard software.

Quiescence of Memory CD8(+) T Cells Is Mediated by Regulatory T Cells through Inhibitory Receptor CTLA-4.

PubMed

Kalia, Vandana; Penny, Laura Anne; Yuzefpolskiy, Yevgeniy; Baumann, Florian Martin; Sarkar, Surojit

2015-06-16

Immune memory cells are poised to rapidly expand and elaborate effector functions upon reinfection yet exist in a functionally quiescent state. The paradigm is that memory T cells remain inactive due to lack of T cell receptor (TCR) stimuli. Here, we report that regulatory T (Treg) cells orchestrate memory T cell quiescence by suppressing effector and proliferation programs through inhibitory receptor, cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4). Loss of Treg cells resulted in activation of genome-wide transcriptional programs characteristic of effector T cells and drove transitioning as well as established memory CD8(+) T cells toward terminally differentiated KLRG-1(hi)IL-7Rα(lo)GzmB(hi) phenotype, with compromised metabolic fitness, longevity, polyfunctionality, and protective efficacy. CTLA-4 functionally replaced Treg cells in trans to rescue memory T cell defects and restore homeostasis. These studies present the CTLA-4-CD28-CD80/CD86 axis as a potential target to accelerate vaccine-induced immunity and improve T cell memory quality in current cancer immunotherapies proposing transient Treg cell ablation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chip-based magnetic solid phase microextraction coupled with ICP-MS for the determination of Cd and Se in HepG2 cells incubated with CdSe quantum dots.

PubMed

Yu, Xiaoxiao; Chen, Beibei; He, Man; Wang, Han; Hu, Bin

2018-03-01

The quantification of trace Cd and Se in cells incubated with CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is critical to investigate the cytotoxicity of CdSe QDs. In this work, a miniaturized platform, namely chip-based magnetic solid phase microextraction (MSPME) packing with sulfhydryl group functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, was fabricated and combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of trace Cd and Se in cells. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection (LOD) of the developed chip-based MSPME-ICP-MS system are 2.2 and 21ngL -1 for Cd and Se, respectively. The proposed method is applied successfully to the analysis of total and released small molecular fraction of Cd and Se in Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 cells) incubated with CdSe QDs, and the recoveries for the spiked samples are in the range of 86.0-109%. This method shows great promise to analyze cell samples and the obtained results are instructive to explore the cytotoxicity mechanism of CdSe QDs in cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soluble CD30 as a prognostic factor for outcome following renal transplantation.

PubMed

Platt, R E; Wu, K S T; Poole, K; Newstead, C G; Clark, B

2009-07-01

To determine whether measurement of soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels predicts for early rejection in a cohort of first deceased kidney transplant recipients. Pre-transplant serum samples were analysed for sCD30 levels using a commercial ELISA kit (Biotest). A 100 U/ml cut-off for "high sCD30" was applied. Clinical outcome parameters were biopsy-proven rejection episodes, creatinine levels and glomerular filtration rate. In the cohort of patients who experienced at least one episode of rejection in the first 6 months post-transplant, levels of pre-transplant sCD30 were significantly higher than in those who did not experience rejection. Despite this association, the occurrence of a high sCD30 level did not predict for rejection on an individual basis. The prognostic value of pre-transplant sCD30 testing is diminished by the large number of patients with high sCD30 levels who do not develop rejection. Although this limits the utility of the test in informing clinical management of individual patients, a high pre-transplant sCD30 level should still be considered a risk factor for poorer outcome.

Highly luminescent silica-coated CdS/CdSe/CdS nanoparticles with strong chemical robustness and excellent thermal stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Nianfang; Koh, Sungjun; Jeong, Byeong Guk; Lee, Dongkyu; Kim, Whi Dong; Park, Kyoungwon; Nam, Min Ki; Lee, Kangha; Kim, Yewon; Lee, Baek-Hee; Lee, Kangtaek; Bae, Wan Ki; Lee, Doh C.

2017-05-01

We present facile synthesis of bright CdS/CdSe/CdS@SiO2 nanoparticles with 72% of quantum yields (QYs) retaining ca 80% of the original QYs. The main innovative point is the utilization of the highly luminescent CdS/CdSe/CdS seed/spherical quantum well/shell (SQW) as silica coating seeds. The significance of inorganic semiconductor shell passivation and structure design of quantum dots (QDs) for obtaining bright QD@SiO2 is demonstrated by applying silica encapsulation via reverse microemulsion method to three kinds of QDs with different structure: CdSe core and 2 nm CdS shell (CdSe/CdS-thin); CdSe core and 6 nm CdS shell (CdSe/CdS-thick); and CdS core, CdSe intermediate shell and 5 nm CdS outer shell (CdS/CdSe/CdS-SQW). Silica encapsulation inevitably results in lower photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) than pristine QDs due to formation of surface defects. However, the retaining ratio of pristine QY is different in the three silica coated samples; for example, CdSe/CdS-thin/SiO2 shows the lowest retaining ratio (36%) while the retaining ratio of pristine PL QY in CdSe/CdS-thick/SiO2 and SQW/SiO2 is over 80% and SQW/SiO2 shows the highest resulting PL QY. Thick outermost CdS shell isolates the excitons from the defects at surface, making PL QY relatively insensitive to silica encapsulation. The bright SiO2-coated SQW sample shows robustness against harsh conditions, such as acid etching and thermal annealing. The high luminescence and long-term stability highlights the potential of using the SQW/SiO2 nanoparticles in bio-labeling or display applications.

Expression of immune checkpoints in T cells of esophageal cancer patients.

PubMed

Xie, Jinhua; Wang, Ji; Cheng, Shouliang; Zheng, Liangfeng; Ji, Feiyue; Yang, Lin; Zhang, Yan; Ji, Haoming

2016-09-27

Inhibition of immune checkpoint proteins (checkpoints) has become a promising anti-esophageal cancer strategy. We here tested expressions of immune checkpoints in human esophageal cancers. Our results showed the expressions of many immune checkpoints, including CD28, CD27, CD137L, programmed death 1 (PD-1), T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3), T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT), CD160, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), CD200, CD137 and CD158, were dysregulated in peripheral T cells of esophageal cancer patients. Further, the expressions of PD-1, TIM-3 and TIGIT were upregulated in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which might be associated with TILs exhaustion. Meanwhile, the expressions of PD-1 and TIM-3 on CD4+ T cells were closely associated with clinic pathological features of esophageal cancer patients. These results indicate that co-inhibitory receptors PD-1, TIM-3 and TIGIT may be potential therapeutic oncotargets for esophageal cancer.

Impact of a cardiac rehabilitation program and inflammatory state on endothelial progenitor cells in acute coronary syndrome patients.

PubMed

Cesari, Francesca; Marcucci, Rossella; Gori, Anna Maria; Burgisser, Costanza; Francini, Sara; Sofi, Francesco; Gensini, Gian Franco; Abbate, Rosanna; Fattirolli, Francesco

2013-09-01

Among the benefits of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). However not all patients respond to CR with an increase of EPC. We performed this study to identify the characteristics of patients who will not benefit from an increase of EPCs at the end of a CR program. 112 ACS patients were admitted to a four-week CR program. EPCs, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and NT-ProBNP levels were determined at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the CR program. All patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test at T1 and at T2. EPCs were defined as CD34+KDR+, CD133+KDR+ and CD34+CD133+KDR+. hsCRP and NT-ProBNP were measured by nephelometric and immunometric method, respectively. At T2, we observed a significant increase of EPCs (p=0.001), VO2 peak, Watt max HDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001) and a significant decrease (p<0.001) of hsCRP and NT-ProBNP, triglycerides, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference. Variations of VO2 peak were significantly correlated with the variations of EPCs. Patients with increased EPCs showed significantly (p=0.01) lower baseline levels of CRP and higher basal Watt max (p=0.04). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the lowest tertile of baseline hsCRP significantly affected the likelihood of having an increase of EPCs at the end of the CR program. A CR program determines an increase of EPCs with a decrease of CRP and NT-ProBNP. A different trend for EPCs can be detected among patients correlated to CRP levels and exercise tolerance. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Incomplete Recovery of CD4 count, CD4 Percentage, and CD4/CD8 ratio in HIV-Infected Patients on Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy with Suppressed Viremia.

PubMed

Mutoh, Yoshikazu; Nishijima, Takeshi; Inaba, Yosuke; Tanaka, Noriko; Kikuchi, Yoshimi; Gatanaga, Hiroyuki; Oka, Shinichi

2018-03-02

The extent and duration of long-term recovery of CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in patients with suppressed viral load are largely unknown. HIV-1 infected patients who started cART between January 2004 and January 2012 and showed persistent viral suppression (<200 copies/mL) for at least 4 years were followed up at AIDS Clinical Center, Tokyo. Change point analysis was used to determine the time point where CD4 count recovery shows a plateau, and linear mixed model was applied to estimate CD4 count at the change point. Data of 752 patients were analyzed [93% males, median age 38, median baseline CD4 count 172/µL (IQR, 62-253), CD4% 13.8% (IQR, 7.7-18.5), and CD4/8 ratio 0.23 (IQR, 0.12-0.35)]. The median follow-up period was 81.2 months and 91 (12.1%) patients were followed for >10 years. Change point analysis showed that CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio, continued to increase until 78.6, 62.2, and 64.3 months, respectively, with adjusted mean of 590 /µL (95%CI 572-608), 29.5% (29-30.1), and 0.89 (0.86-0.93), respectively, at the change point. Although 73.8% of the study patients achieved CD4 count ≥500 /μL, 48.2% of the patients with baseline CD4 count <100 /μL did not achieve CD4 count ≥500 /μL. Neither CD4% nor CD4/CD8 ratio normalized in a majority of patients. The results showed lack of normalization of CD4 count, CD4%, and CD4/CD8 ratio to the levels seen in healthy individuals even after long-term successful cART in patients with suppressed viral load.

Development of Automatic Live Linux Rebuilding System with Flexibility in Science and Engineering Education and Applying to Information Processing Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonoda, Jun; Yamaki, Kota

We develop an automatic Live Linux rebuilding system for science and engineering education, such as information processing education, numerical analysis and so on. Our system is enable to easily and automatically rebuild a customized Live Linux from a ISO image of Ubuntu, which is one of the Linux distribution. Also, it is easily possible to install/uninstall packages and to enable/disable init daemons. When we rebuild a Live Linux CD using our system, we show number of the operations is 8, and the rebuilding time is about 33 minutes on CD version and about 50 minutes on DVD version. Moreover, we have applied the rebuilded Live Linux CD in a class of information processing education in our college. As the results of a questionnaires survey from our 43 students who used the Live Linux CD, we obtain that the our Live Linux is useful for about 80 percents of students. From these results, we conclude that our system is able to easily and automatically rebuild a useful Live Linux in short time.

Cadmium induced changes in Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) grown on organically fertilized soil with reference to mycorrhizae, metabolism, anatomy and ultrastructure.

PubMed

Pereira, Lidiane Silva; de Araújo, Romária Pereira; de Oliveira, Priscila Souza; da Silva, Leandro Dias; Alves, Patricia Alves Casaes; Fernandes, Valéria Ferreira; Gross, Eduardo

2018-04-15

Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) is a medicinal important plant with few studies on nutrition and metabolism and none information on cadmium phytotoxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate Cd induced responses on the growth and metabolism in S. chilensis and on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, consisting of a 5 × 4 factorial with five doses of manure (0, 3.5, 7, 14 and 21gdm -3 ) and four doses of cadmium (0, 25, 50 and 75mgdm -3 ) applied to a Dystrophic Ultisol. After 250 days of plant cultivation, biomass, nutrient content, photosynthetic rate, guaiacol peroxidase activity, mycorrhizal colonization, glomalin content, anatomical and ultrastucture were evaluated. Plants were significantly affected by interaction of manure and Cd doses with anatomical, ultrastructural, physiological and nutritional modifications. Manure applied into Cd contaminated soil significantly improved mycorrhizal colonization and glomalin production. The highest organic manure dose (21gdm -3 ) alleviated toxicity symptoms of Cd on S. chilensis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Direct Spectroscopic Detection of ATP Turnover Reveals Mechanistic Divergence of ABC Exporters.

PubMed

Collauto, Alberto; Mishra, Smriti; Litvinov, Aleksei; Mchaourab, Hassane S; Goldfarb, Daniella

2017-08-01

We have applied high-field (W-band) pulse electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) and electron-electron double resonance (ELDOR)-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (EDNMR) to characterize the coordination sphere of the Mn 2+ co-factor in the nucleotide binding sites (NBSs) of ABC transporters. MsbA and BmrCD are two efflux transporters hypothesized to represent divergent catalytic mechanisms. Our results reveal distinct coordination of Mn 2+ to ATP and transporter residues in the consensus and degenerate NBSs of BmrCD. In contrast, the coordination of Mn 2+ at the two NBSs of MsbA is similar, which provides a mechanistic rationale for its higher rate constant of ATP hydrolysis relative to BmrCD. Direct detection of vanadate ion, trapped in a high-energy post-hydrolysis intermediate, further supports the notion of asymmetric hydrolysis by the two NBSs of BmrCD. The integrated spectroscopic approach presented here, which link energy input to conformational dynamics, can be applied to a variety of systems powered by ATP turnover. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Teaching Teachers to Search Electronically.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Nancy H. G.

1992-01-01

Describes an inservice teacher training program developed to teach secondary school teachers how to search CD-ROMs, laser disks, and automated catalogs. Training sessions held during faculty meetings are described, computer activities are explained, a sample worksheet for searching an electronic encyclopedia is included, and sources for CD-ROMs…

Teaching with Technology: Literature and Software.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allen, Denise

1994-01-01

Reviews five computer programs and compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) products designed to improve students' reading and problem-solving skills: (1) "Reading Realities" (Teacher Support Software); (2) "Kid Rhymes" (Creative Pursuits); (3) "First-Start Biographies" (Troll Associates); (4) "My Silly CD of ABCs" (Discis Classroom Editions); and…

A central role for Notch in effector CD8+ T cell differentiation

PubMed Central

Backer, Ronald A.; Helbig, Christina; Gentek, Rebecca; Kent, Andrew; Laidlaw, Brian J.; Dominguez, Claudia X.; de Souza, Yevan S.; van Trierum, Stella E.; van Beek, Ruud; Rimmelzwaan, Guus F.; ten Brinke, Anja; Willemsen, A. Marcel; van Kampen, Antoine H. C.; Kaech, Susan M.; Blander, J. Magarian; van Gisbergen, Klaas; Amsen, Derk

2014-01-01

Activated CD8+ T cells choose between terminal effector cell (TEC) or memory precursor cell (MPC) fates. We show that Notch controls this choice. Notch promoted differentiation of immediately protective TECs and was correspondingly required for clearance of an acute influenza virus infection. Notch activated a major portion of the TEC-specific gene expression program and suppressed the MPC-specific program. Expression of Notch receptors was induced on naïve CD8+ T cells by inflammatory mediators and interleukin 2 (IL-2) via mTOR and T-bet dependent pathways. These pathways were subsequently amplified downstream of Notch, creating a positive feedback loop. Notch thus functions as a central hub where information from different sources converges to match effector T cell differentiation to the demands of the infection. PMID:25344724

Heavy Metal Pollution, Fractionation, and Potential Ecological Risks in Sediments from Lake Chaohu (Eastern China) and the Surrounding Rivers

PubMed Central

Zhang, Lei; Liao, Qianjiahua; Shao, Shiguang; Zhang, Nan; Shen, Qiushi; Liu, Cheng

2015-01-01

Heavy metal (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) pollution, fractionation, and ecological risks in the sediments of Lake Chaohu (Eastern China), its eleven inflowing rivers and its only outflowing river were studied. An improved BCR (proposed by the European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure was applied to fractionate heavy metals within sediments, a geoaccumulation index was used to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution, and a risk assessment code was applied to evaluate potential ecological risks. Heavy metals in the Shuangqiao and Nanfei Rivers were generally higher than the other studied sites. Of the three Lake Chaohu sites, the highest concentrations were identified in western Chaohu. Heavy metal pollution and ecological risks in the lake’s only outflowing river were similar to those in the eastern region of the lake, to which the river is connected. Heavy metal concentrations occurred in the following order: Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb ≈ Ni ≈ Cr. Cr, Ni, and Cu made up the largest proportion of the residual fraction, while Cd was the most prominent metal in the exchangeable and carbonate-included fraction. Cd posed the greatest potential ecological risk; the heavy metals generally posed risks in the following order: Cd > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr. PMID:26561822

Funding a smoking cessation program for Crohn's disease: an economic evaluation.

PubMed

Coward, Stephanie; Heitman, Steven J; Clement, Fiona; Negron, Maria; Panaccione, Remo; Ghosh, Subrata; Barkema, Herman W; Seow, Cynthia; Leung, Yvette P Y; Kaplan, Gilaad G

2015-03-01

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who smoke are at a higher risk of flaring and requiring surgery. Cost-effectiveness studies of funding smoking cessation programs are lacking. Thus, we performed a cost-utility analysis of funding smoking cessation programs for CD. A cost-utility analysis was performed comparing five smoking cessation strategies: No Program, Counseling, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), NRT+Counseling, and Varenicline. The time horizon for the Markov model was 5 years. The health states included medical remission (azathioprine or antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF), dose escalation of an anti-TNF, second anti-TNF, surgery, and death. Probabilities were taken from peer-reviewed literature, and costs (CAN$) for surgery, medications, and smoking cessation programs were estimated locally. The primary outcome was the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained associated with each smoking cessation strategy. Threshold, three-way sensitivity, probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA), and budget impact analysis (BIA) were carried out. All strategies dominated No Program. Strategies from most to least cost effective were as follows: Varenicline (cost: $55,614, QALY: 3.70), NRT+Counseling (cost: $58,878, QALY: 3.69), NRT (cost: $59,540, QALY: 3.69), Counseling (cost: $61,029, QALY: 3.68), and No Program (cost: $63,601, QALY: 3.67). Three-way sensitivity analysis demonstrated that No Program was only more cost effective when every strategy's cost exceeded approximately 10 times their estimated costs. The PSA showed that No Program was the most cost-effective <1% of the time. The BIA showed that any strategy saved the health-care system money over No Program. Health-care systems should consider funding smoking cessation programs for CD, as they improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas: A Clinicopathological Study.

PubMed

Hayano, Azusa; Komohara, Yoshihiro; Takashima, Yasuo; Takeya, Hiroto; Homma, Jumpei; Fukai, Junya; Iwadate, Yasuo; Kajiwara, Koji; Ishizawa, Shin; Hondoh, Hiroaki; Yamanaka, Ryuya

2017-10-01

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) have been shown to predict response to PD-L1/PD-1-targeted therapy. We analyzed PD-L1 expression in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs). PD-L1 protein and mRNA expression were evaluated in 64 PCNSL tissue samples. IFN-γ, IL-10, CD4, and CD8 mRNA expression was also evaluated. PD-L1 protein was detected in tumor cells in 2 (4.1%) cases and in tumor microenvironments in 25 (52%) cases. PD-L1 mRNA positively correlated with IFN-γ (p=0.0024) and CD4 (p=0.0005) mRNA expression. IFN-γ mRNA positively correlated with CD8 mRNA expression (p=0.0001). Furthermore, tumor cell PD-L1 expression correlated positively with overall survival (p=0.0177), whereas microenvironmental PD-L1 expression exhibited an insignificant negative trend with overall survival (p=0.188). PD-L1 was expressed on both tumor and/or tumor-infiltrating immune cells in PCNSL. The biological roles of this marker warrant further investigation. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Usefulness of symptoms to screen for celiac disease.

PubMed

Rosén, Anna; Sandström, Olof; Carlsson, Annelie; Högberg, Lotta; Olén, Ola; Stenlund, Hans; Ivarsson, Anneli

2014-02-01

To describe the frequency of symptoms and associated conditions among screening-detected celiac disease (CD) cases and non-CD children and to evaluate questionnaire-based case-finding targeting the general population. In a population-based CD screening of 12-year-olds, children and their parents completed questionnaires on CD-associated symptoms and conditions before knowledge of CD status. Questionnaire data for those who had their CD detected in the screening (n = 153) were compared with those of children with normal levels of CD markers (n = 7016). Hypothetical case-finding strategies were also evaluated. Questionnaires were returned by 7054 (98%) of the children and by 6294 (88%) of their parents. Symptoms were as common among screening-detected CD cases as among non-CD children. The frequency of children with screening-detected CD was similar when comparing the groups with and without any CD-related symptoms (2.1% vs 2.1%; P = .930) or CD-associated conditions (3.6% vs 2.1%; P = .07). Case-finding by asking for CD-associated symptoms and/or conditions would have identified 52 cases (38% of all cases) at a cost of analyzing blood samples for 2282 children (37%) in the study population. The current recommended guidelines for finding undiagnosed CD cases, so-called active case-finding, fail to identify the majority of previously undiagnosed cases if applied in the general population of Swedish 12-year-olds. Our results warrant further studies on the effectiveness of CD case-finding in the pediatric population, both at the clinical and population-based levels.

Simultaneous quantification of arginine, alanine, methionine and cysteine amino acids in supplements using a novel bioelectro-nanosensor based on CdSe quantum dot/modified carbon nanotube hollow fiber pencil graphite electrode via Taguchi method.

PubMed

Hooshmand, Sara; Es'haghi, Zarrin

2017-11-30

A number of four amino acids have been simultaneously determined at CdSe quantum dot-modified/multi-walled carbon nanotube hollow fiber pencil graphite electrode in different bodybuilding supplements. CdSe quantum dots were synthesized and applied to construct a modified carbon nanotube hollow fiber pencil graphite electrode. FT-IR, TEM, XRD and EDAX methods were applied for characterization of the synthesized CdSe QDs. The electro-oxidation of arginine (Arg), alanine (Ala), methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) at the surface of the modified electrode was studied. Then the Taguchi's method was applied using MINITAB 17 software to find out the optimum conditions for the amino acids determination. Under the optimized conditions, the differential pulse (DP) voltammetric peak currents of Arg, Ala, Met and Cys increased linearly with their concentrations in the ranges of 0.287-33670μM and detection limits of 0.081, 0.158, 0.094 and 0.116μM were obtained for them, respectively. Satisfactory results were achieved for calibration and validation sets. The prepared modified electrode represents a very good resolution between the voltammetric peaks of the four amino acids which makes it suitable for the detection of each in presence of others in real samples. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Mechanotransduction Effects on Endothelial Cell Proliferation via CD31 and VEGFR2: Implications for Immunomagnetic Separation.

PubMed

Mahajan, Kalpesh D; Nabar, Gauri M; Xue, Wei; Anghelina, Mirela; Moldovan, Nicanor I; Chalmers, Jeffrey J; Winter, Jessica O

2017-09-01

Immunomagnetic separation is used to isolate circulating endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for diagnostics and tissue engineering. However, potentially detrimental changes in cell properties have been observed post-separation. Here, the effect of mechanical force, which is naturally applied during immunomagnetic separation, on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), kinase insert domain-positive receptor (KDR) cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Cells are exposed to CD31 or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR2) targeted MACSi beads at varying bead to cell ratios and compared to free antibody and unconjugated beads. A vertical magnetic gradient is applied to static 2D cultures, and a magnetic cell sorter is used to analyze cells in dynamic flow. No significant difference in EC proliferation is observed for controls or VEGFR2-targeting beads, whereas CD31-conjugated beads increase proliferation in a dose dependent manner in static 2-D cultures. This effect occurs in the absence of magnetic field, but is more pronounced with magnetic force. After flow sorting, similar increases in proliferation are seen for CD31 targeting beads. Thus, the effects of targeting antibody and magnetic force applied should be considered when designing immunomagnetic separation protocols for ECs. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of salinity on the precipitation of dissolved metals in the wastewater that produced during fly ash disposal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Lina; Yang, Yanling; Tian, Junguo; Li, Yaojian; Li, Jun; Yan, Shengjun

2018-02-01

In this study, a salinity wastewater was produced during the fly ash treatment in the waste incineration plant. Chemical precipitation method was applied for heavy metals removal in the salinity wastewater. The effect of salinity on the removal of dissolved heavy metal ions (Zn2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+ and Cd2+) was studied, especially on the removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+. Because of the formation of [PbCl3]- and [PbCl4]2- complexes, the residual concentration of dissolved Pb2+ increased from 0.02 mg/L to 4.08 mg/L, as the NaCl concentration increased from 0 % to 10 %. And the residual concentration of dissolved Cd2+ increased from 0.02 mg/L to 1.39 mg/L, due to the formation of [CdCl3]-, [CdCl4]2- and [CdCl6]4- complexes.

Cleaning efficacy of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin for biofouling reduction on reverse osmosis membranes.

PubMed

Alayande, Abayomi Babatunde; Kim, Lan Hee; Kim, In S

2016-01-01

In this study, an environmentally friendly compound, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was applied to clean reverse osmosis (RO) membranes fouled by microorganisms. The cleaning with HP-β-CD removed the biofilm and resulted in a flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 102%. As cleaning efficiency is sometimes difficult to determine using flux recovery data alone, attached bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were quantified after cleaning the biofouled membrane with HP-β-CD. Membrane surface characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the effectiveness of HP-β-CD in removal of biofilm from the RO membrane surface. Finally, a comparative study was performed to investigate the competitiveness of HP-β-CD with other known cleaning agents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Tween 20, rhamnolipid, nisin, and surfactin. In all cases, HP-β-CD was superior.

Preparation of anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) particles and their application on CD4+ lymphocyte separation.

PubMed

Pimpha, Nuttaporn; Chaleawlert-umpon, Saowaluk; Chruewkamlow, Nuttapol; Kasinrerk, Watchara

2011-03-15

Novel immunomagnetic particles have been prepared for separation of CD4(+) lymphocytes. The magnetic nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 5-6 nm were first synthesized by co-precipitation from ferrous and ferric iron solutions and subsequently encapsulated with poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) by precipitation polymerization. Monoclonal antibody specific to CD4 molecules expressed on CD4(+) lymphocytes was conjugated to the surface of magnetic PGMA particles through covalent bonding between epoxide functional groups on the particle surface and primary amine groups of the antibodies. The generated immunomagnetic particles have successfully separated CD4(+) lymphocytes from whole blood with over 95% purity. The results indicated that these particles can be employed for cell separation and provide a strong potential to be applied in various biomedical applications including diagnosis, and monitoring of human diseases. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The biological aspects of chromatin diminution].

PubMed

Akif'ev, A P; Grishanin, A K

1993-01-01

The chromatine diminution (CD), first discovered by Boveri (1887) in ascarids, represents programmed elimination of a part of genetic material in the nuclei of the somatic cells in cyclops and ascarids, and in the protist macronuclei. The CD can be considered as a macromutation sharply changing chromosomal structure, though minimally effecting the phenotype. The analysis of CD is of significance for discussing mechanisms of origin of chromosomal organization, transformation of genome molecular structure in eucaryote evolution, role of the extra DNA.

Reconfigurable Optical Elements Based on Single and Coupled Microdisk Resonators with Quantum DOT Active Media

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-29

of active-passive integrated polymer waveguides. The active waveguides consist of CdSe quantum dots dispersed in SU8 . Bottom panel shows CCD images...successfully demonstrated (i) incorporation of CdSe QDs into polymer and dielectric host and realization of devices such as active waveguides, microdisk...the significant outcomes of the program: • Successful incorporation of CdSe QDs into polymer and dielectric host and realization of devices such as

Transient and diffusion analysis of HgCdTe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clayton, J. C.

1982-01-01

Solute redistribution during directional solidification of HgCdTe is addressed. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional models for solute redistribution are treated and model results compared to experiment. The central problem studied is the cause of radial inhomogeneities found in directionally solidified HgCdTe. A large scale gravity-driven interface instability, termed shape instability, is postulated to be the cause of radial inhomogeneities. Recommendations for future work, along with appropriate computer programs, are included.

Cancer immunotherapy: activating innate and adaptive immunity through CD40 agonists

PubMed Central

Beatty, Gregory L.; Li, Yan; Long, Kristen B.

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION CD40 is a promising therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. In patients with advanced solid malignancies, CD40 agonists have demonstrated some anti-tumor activity and a manageable toxicity profile. A 2nd generation of CD40 agonists has now been designed with optimized Fc receptor (FcR) binding based on preclinical evidence suggesting a critical role for FcR engagement in defining the potency of CD40 agonists in vivo. AREAS COVERED We provide a comprehensive review using PubMed and Google Patent databases on the current clinical status of CD40 agonists, strategies for applying CD40 agonists in cancer therapy, and the preclinical data that supports and is guiding the future development of CD40 agonists. EXPERT COMMENTARY There is a wealth of preclinical data that provide rationale on several distinct approaches for using CD40 agonists in cancer immunotherapy. This data illustrates the need to strategically combine CD40 agonists with other clinically active treatment regimens in order to realize the full potential of activating CD40 in vivo. Thus, critical to the success of this class of immune-oncology drugs, which have the potential to restore both innate and adaptive immunosurveillance, will be the identification of biomarkers for monitoring and predicting responses as well as informing mechanisms of treatment resistance. PMID:27927088

Sulfur Protects Pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) Seedlings against Cadmium Stress by Regulating Ascorbate-Glutathione Metabolism

PubMed Central

Lou, Lili; Kang, Jingquan; Pang, Hongxi; Li, Qiuyu; Du, Xiaoping; Wu, Wei; Chen, Junxiu; Lv, Jinyin

2017-01-01

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in food chains pose a potential health risk for humans. Sulfur (S) is a significant macronutrient that plays a significant role in the regulation of plant responses to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. However, no information is currently available about the impact of S application on ascorbate-glutathione metabolism (ASA-GSH cycle) of Pakchoi plants under Cd stress. The two previously identified genotypes, namely, Aikangqing (a Cd-tolerant cultivar) and Qibaoqing (a Cd-sensitive cultivar), were utilized to investigate the role of S to mitigate Cd toxicity in Pakchoi plants under different Cd regimes. Results showed that Cd stress inhibited plant growth and induced oxidative stress. Exogenous application of S significantly increased the tolerance of Pakchoi seedlings suffering from Cd stress. This effect was demonstrated by increased growth parameters; stimulated activities of the antioxidant enzymes and upregulated genes involved in the ASA-GSH cycle and S assimilation; and by the enhanced ASA, GSH, phytochelatins, and nonprotein thiol production. This study shows that applying S nutrition can mitigate Cd toxicity in Pakchoi plants which has the potential in assisting the development of breeding strategies aimed at limiting Cd phytoaccumulation and decreasing Cd hazards in the food chain. PMID:28933771

28 CFR 549.13 - Programming, duty, and housing restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Programming, duty, and housing... INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT MEDICAL SERVICES Infectious Disease Management § 549.13 Programming, duty, and housing restrictions. (a) The CD will assess any inmate with an infectious disease for appropriateness for programming...

28 CFR 549.13 - Programming, duty, and housing restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Programming, duty, and housing... INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT MEDICAL SERVICES Infectious Disease Management § 549.13 Programming, duty, and housing restrictions. (a) The CD will assess any inmate with an infectious disease for appropriateness for programming...

A facile and green preparation of high-quality CdTe semiconductor nanocrystals at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yan; Shen, Qihui; Yu, Dongdong; Shi, Weiguang; Li, Jixue; Zhou, Jianguang; Liu, Xiaoyang

2008-06-01

One chemical reagent, hydrazine hydrate, was discovered to accelerate the growth of semiconductor nanocrystals (cadmium telluride) instead of additional energy, which was applied to the synthesis of high-quality CdTe nanocrystals at room temperature and ambient conditions within several hours. Under this mild condition the mercapto stabilizers were not destroyed, and they guaranteed CdTe nanocrystal particle sizes with narrow and uniform distribution over the largest possible range. The CdTe nanocrystals (photoluminescence emission range of 530-660 nm) synthesized in this way had very good spectral properties; for instance, they showed high photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 60%. Furthermore, we have succeeded in detecting the living Borrelia burgdorferi of Lyme disease by its photoluminescence image using CdTe nanocrystals.

Heavy metal displacement in chelate-irrigated soil during phytoremediation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madrid, F.; Liphadzi, M. S.; Kirkham, M. B.

2003-03-01

Heavy metals in wastewater sewage sludge (biosolids), applied to land, contaminate soils. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to clean up toxic heavy metals, might remove them. Chelating agents are added to soil to solubilize the metals for enhanced phytoextraction. Yet no studies follow the displacement and leaching of heavy metals in soil with and without roots following solubilization with chelates. The objective of this work was to determine the mobility of heavy metals in biosolids applied to the surface of soil columns (76 cm long; 17 cm diam.) with or without plants (barley; Hordeum vulgare L.). Three weeks after barley was planted, all columns were irrigated with the disodium salt of the chelating agent, EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) (0.5 g/kg soil). Drainage water, soil, and plants were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). Total concentrations of the heavy metals in all columns at the end of the experiment generally were lower in the top 30 cm of soil with EDTA than without EDTA. The chelate increased concentrations of heavy metals in shoots. With or without plants, the EDTA mobilized Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, which leached to drainage water. Drainage water from columns without EDTA had concentrations of these heavy metals below detection limits. Only Cu did not leach in the presence of EDTA. Even though roots retarded the movement of Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn through the EDTA-treated soil from 1 d (Cd) to 5 d (Fe), the drainage water from columns with EDTA had concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mn, and Pb that exceeded drinking water standards by 1.3, 500, 620, and 8.6 times, respectively. Because the chelate rendered Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn mobile, it is suggested that the theory for leaching of soluble salts, put forward by Nielsen and associates in 1965, could be applied to control movement of the heavy metals for maximum uptake during chelate-assisted phytoremediation.

Uniform 2 nm gold nanoparticles supported on iron oxides as active catalysts for CO oxidation reaction: structure-activity relationship

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yu; Gu, Dong; Jin, Zhao; Du, Pei-Pei; Si, Rui; Tao, Jing; Xu, Wen-Qian; Huang, Yu-Ying; Senanayake, Sanjaya; Song, Qi-Sheng; Jia, Chun-Jiang; Schüth, Ferdi

2015-03-01

Uniform Au nanoparticles (~2 nm) with narrow size-distribution (standard deviation: 0.5-0.6 nm) supported on both hydroxylated (Fe_OH) and dehydrated iron oxide (Fe_O) have been prepared by either deposition-precipitation (DP) or colloidal-deposition (CD) methods. Different structural and textural characterizations were applied to the dried, calcined and used gold-iron oxide samples. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) showed high homogeneity in the supported Au nanoparticles. The ex situ and in situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) characterization monitored the electronic and short-range local structure of active gold species. The synchrotron-based in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), together with the corresponding temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (H2-TPR), indicated a structural evolution of the iron-oxide supports, correlating to their reducibility. An inverse order of catalytic activity between DP (Au/Fe_OH < Au/Fe_O) and CD (Au/Fe_OH > Au/Fe_O) was observed. Effective gold-support interaction results in a high activity for gold nanoparticles, locally generated by the sintering of dispersed Au atoms on the oxide support in the DP synthesis, while a hydroxylated surface favors the reactivity of externally introduced Au nanoparticles on Fe_OH support for the CD approach. This work reveals why differences in the synthetic protocol translate to differences in the catalytic performance of Au/FeOx catalysts with very similar structural characteristics in CO oxidation.

Uniform 2 nm gold nanoparticles supported on iron oxides as active catalysts for CO oxidation reaction: Structure-activity relationship

DOE PAGES

Guo, Yu; Senanayake, Sanjaya; Gu, Dong; ...

2015-01-12

Uniform Au nanoparticles (~2 nm) with narrow size-distribution (standard deviation: 0.5–0.6 nm) supported on both hydroxylated (Fe_OH) and dehydrated iron oxide (Fe_O) have been prepared by either deposition-precipitation (DP) or colloidal-deposition (CD) methods. Different structural and textural characterizations were applied to the dried, calcined and used gold-iron oxide samples. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) described the high homogeneity in the supported Au nanoparticles. The ex-situ and in-situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) characterization monitored the electronic and short-range local structure of active gold species. The synchrotron-based in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), together with the corresponding temperature-programmed reductionmore » by hydrogen (H₂-TPR), indicated a structural evolution of the iron-oxide supports, correlating to their reducibility. An inverse order of catalytic activity between DP (Au/Fe_OH < Au/Fe_O) and CD (Au/Fe_OH > Au/Fe_O) was observed. Effective gold-support interaction results in a high activity for gold nanoparticles, locally generated by the sintering of dispersed Au atoms on the oxide support in the DP synthesis, while a hydroxylated surface favors the reactivity of externally introduced Au nanoparticles on Fe_OH support for the CD approach. This work reveals why differences in the synthetic protocol translate to differences in the catalytic performance of Au/FeO x catalysts with very similar structural characteristics in CO oxidation.« less

Cadmium-Induced Hydrogen Sulfide Synthesis Is Involved in Cadmium Tolerance in Medicago sativa by Reestablishment of Reduced (Homo)glutathione and Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostases

PubMed Central

Cui, Weiti; Chen, Huiping; Zhu, Kaikai; Jin, Qijiang; Xie, Yanjie; Cui, Jin; Xia, Yan; Zhang, Jing; Shen, Wenbiao

2014-01-01

Until now, physiological mechanisms and downstream targets responsible for the cadmium (Cd) tolerance mediated by endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been elusive. To address this gap, a combination of pharmacological, histochemical, biochemical and molecular approaches was applied. The perturbation of reduced (homo)glutathione homeostasis and increased H2S production as well as the activation of two H2S-synthetic enzymes activities, including L-cysteine desulfhydrase (LCD) and D-cysteine desulfhydrase (DCD), in alfalfa seedling roots were early responses to the exposure of Cd. The application of H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), not only mimicked intracellular H2S production triggered by Cd, but also alleviated Cd toxicity in a H2S-dependent fashion. By contrast, the inhibition of H2S production caused by the application of its synthetic inhibitor blocked NaHS-induced Cd tolerance, and destroyed reduced (homo)glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostases. Above mentioned inhibitory responses were further rescued by exogenously applied glutathione (GSH). Meanwhile, NaHS responses were sensitive to a (homo)glutathione synthetic inhibitor, but reversed by the cotreatment with GSH. The possible involvement of cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling in NaHS responses was also suggested. In summary, LCD/DCD-mediated H2S might be an important signaling molecule in the enhancement of Cd toxicity in alfalfa seedlings mainly by governing reduced (homo)glutathione and ROS homeostases. PMID:25275379

Development and implementation of an integrated, multi-modality, user-centered interactive dietary change program

PubMed Central

Glasgow, Russell E.; Christiansen, Steve; Smith, K. Sabina; Stevens, Victor J.; Toobert, Deborah J.

2009-01-01

Computer-tailored behavior change programs offer the potential for reaching large populations at a much lower cost than individual or group-based programs. However, few of these programs to date appear to integrate behavioral theory with user choice, or combine different electronic modalities. We describe the development of an integrated CD-ROM and interactive voice response dietary change intervention that combines behavioral problem-solving theory with a high degree of user choice. The program, WISE CHOICES, is being evaluated as part of an ongoing trial. This paper describes the program development, emphasizing how user preferences are accommodated, and presents implementation and user satisfaction data. The program was successfully implemented; the linkages among the central database, the CD-ROM and the automated telephone components were robust, and participants liked the program almost as well as a counselor-delivered dietary change condition. Multi-modality programs that emphasize the strengths of each approach appear to be feasible. Future research is needed to determine the program impact and cost-effectiveness compared with counselor-delivered intervention. PMID:18711204

Estimated Costs for Delivery of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy to Individuals with CD4+ T-Cell Counts >350 cells/uL in Rural Uganda

PubMed Central

Jain, Vivek; Chang, Wei; Byonanebye, Dathan M.; Owaraganise, Asiphas; Twinomuhwezi, Ellon; Amanyire, Gideon; Black, Douglas; Marseille, Elliot; Kamya, Moses R.; Havlir, Diane V.; Kahn, James G.

2015-01-01

Background Evidence favoring earlier HIV ART initiation at high CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4>350/uL) has grown, and guidelines now recommend earlier HIV treatment. However, the cost of providing ART to individuals with CD4>350 in Sub-Saharan Africa has not been well estimated. This remains a major barrier to optimal global cost projections for accelerating the scale-up of ART. Our objective was to compute costs of ART delivery to high CD4+count individuals in a typical rural Ugandan health center-based HIV clinic, and use these data to construct scenarios of efficient ART scale-up. Methods Within a clinical study evaluating streamlined ART delivery to 197 individuals with CD4+ cell counts >350 cells/uL (EARLI Study: NCT01479634) in Mbarara, Uganda, we performed a micro-costing analysis of administrative records, ART prices, and time-and-motion analysis of staff work patterns. We computed observed per-person-per-year (ppy) costs, and constructed models estimating costs under several increasingly efficient ART scale-up scenarios using local salaries, lowest drug prices, optimized patient loads, and inclusion of viral load (VL) testing. Findings Among 197 individuals enrolled in the EARLI Study, median pre-ART CD4+ cell count was 569/uL (IQR 451–716). Observed ART delivery cost was $628 ppy at steady state. Models using local salaries and only core laboratory tests estimated costs of $529/$445 ppy (+/-VL testing, respectively). Models with lower salaries, lowest ART prices, and optimized healthcare worker schedules reduced costs by $100–200 ppy. Costs in a maximally efficient scale-up model were $320/$236 ppy (+/- VL testing). This included $39 for personnel, $106 for ART, $130/$46 for laboratory tests, and $46 for administrative/other costs. A key limitation of this study is its derivation and extrapolation of costs from one large rural treatment program of high CD4+ count individuals. Conclusions In a Ugandan HIV clinic, ART delivery costs—including VL testing—for individuals with CD4>350 were similar to estimates from high-efficiency programs. In higher efficiency scale-up models, costs were substantially lower. These favorable costs may be achieved because high CD4+ count patients are often asymptomatic, facilitating more efficient streamlined ART delivery. Our work provides a framework for calculating costs of efficient ART scale-up models using accessible data from specific programs and regions. PMID:26632823

Estimated Costs for Delivery of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy to Individuals with CD4+ T-Cell Counts >350 cells/uL in Rural Uganda.

PubMed

Jain, Vivek; Chang, Wei; Byonanebye, Dathan M; Owaraganise, Asiphas; Twinomuhwezi, Ellon; Amanyire, Gideon; Black, Douglas; Marseille, Elliot; Kamya, Moses R; Havlir, Diane V; Kahn, James G

2015-01-01

Evidence favoring earlier HIV ART initiation at high CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4>350/uL) has grown, and guidelines now recommend earlier HIV treatment. However, the cost of providing ART to individuals with CD4>350 in Sub-Saharan Africa has not been well estimated. This remains a major barrier to optimal global cost projections for accelerating the scale-up of ART. Our objective was to compute costs of ART delivery to high CD4+count individuals in a typical rural Ugandan health center-based HIV clinic, and use these data to construct scenarios of efficient ART scale-up. Within a clinical study evaluating streamlined ART delivery to 197 individuals with CD4+ cell counts >350 cells/uL (EARLI Study: NCT01479634) in Mbarara, Uganda, we performed a micro-costing analysis of administrative records, ART prices, and time-and-motion analysis of staff work patterns. We computed observed per-person-per-year (ppy) costs, and constructed models estimating costs under several increasingly efficient ART scale-up scenarios using local salaries, lowest drug prices, optimized patient loads, and inclusion of viral load (VL) testing. Among 197 individuals enrolled in the EARLI Study, median pre-ART CD4+ cell count was 569/uL (IQR 451-716). Observed ART delivery cost was $628 ppy at steady state. Models using local salaries and only core laboratory tests estimated costs of $529/$445 ppy (+/-VL testing, respectively). Models with lower salaries, lowest ART prices, and optimized healthcare worker schedules reduced costs by $100-200 ppy. Costs in a maximally efficient scale-up model were $320/$236 ppy (+/- VL testing). This included $39 for personnel, $106 for ART, $130/$46 for laboratory tests, and $46 for administrative/other costs. A key limitation of this study is its derivation and extrapolation of costs from one large rural treatment program of high CD4+ count individuals. In a Ugandan HIV clinic, ART delivery costs--including VL testing--for individuals with CD4>350 were similar to estimates from high-efficiency programs. In higher efficiency scale-up models, costs were substantially lower. These favorable costs may be achieved because high CD4+ count patients are often asymptomatic, facilitating more efficient streamlined ART delivery. Our work provides a framework for calculating costs of efficient ART scale-up models using accessible data from specific programs and regions.

Ambient CdCl{sub 2} treatment on CdS buffer layer for improved performance of Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 3} thin film photovoltaics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Liang; Luo, Miao; Qin, Sikai

2015-10-05

Antimony selenide (Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 3}) is appealing as a promising light absorber because of its intrinsically benign grain boundaries, suitable band gap (∼1.1 eV), strong absorption coefficient, and relatively environmentally friendly constituents. Recently, we achieved a certified 5.6% efficiency Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 3} thin film solar cell with the assistance of ambient CdCl{sub 2} treatment on the CdS buffer layer. Here, we focused on investigating the underlying mechanism from a combined materials and device physics perspective applying current density-voltage (J-V) fitting analysis, atomic force microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence, and UV–Vis transmission spectroscopy. Our results indicated that ambient CdCl{sub 2} treatment onmore » CdS film not only improved CdS grain size and quality, but also incorporated Cl and more O into the film, both of which can significantly improve the heterojunction quality and device performance of CdS/Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 3} solar cells.« less

Engaging New Software.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allen, Denise

1994-01-01

Reviews three educational computer software products: (1) a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) bundle of five mathematics programs from the Apple Education Series; (2) "Sammy's Science House," with science activities for preschool through second grade (Edmark); and (3) "The Cat Came Back," an interactive CD-ROM game designed to build language…

Standards and Assessment Resource Bank, Version 2.5 [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver.

The Colorado "Standards and Assessment Resource Bank" on CD-ROM contains updated information about the Colorado Student Assessment Program, the text of the "Standards-Based Classroom Operator's Manual," and a bank of standards-based units, assessments, and staff development materials submitted by Colorado teachers and school…

Innate signals overcome acquired TCR signaling pathway regulation and govern the fate of human CD161(hi) CD8α⁺ semi-invariant T cells.

PubMed

Turtle, Cameron J; Delrow, Jeff; Joslyn, Rochelle C; Swanson, Hillary M; Basom, Ryan; Tabellini, Laura; Delaney, Colleen; Heimfeld, Shelly; Hansen, John A; Riddell, Stanley R

2011-09-08

Type 17 programmed CD161(hi)CD8α(+) T cells contribute to mucosal immunity to bacteria and yeast. In early life, microbial colonization induces proliferation of CD161(hi) cells that is dependent on their expression of a semi-invariant Vα7.2(+) TCR. Although prevalent in adults, CD161(hi)CD8α(+) cells exhibit weak proliferative and cytokine responses to TCR ligation. The mechanisms responsible for the dichotomous response of neonatal and adult CD161(hi) cells, and the signals that enable their effector function, have not been established. We describe acquired regulation of TCR signaling in adult memory CD161(hi)CD8α(+) T cells that is absent in cord CD161(hi) cells and adult CD161(lo) cells. Regulated TCR signaling in CD161(hi) cells was due to profound alterations in TCR signaling pathway gene expression and could be overcome by costimulation through CD28 or innate cytokine receptors, which dictated the fate of their progeny. Costimulation with IL-1β during TCR ligation markedly increased proinflammatory IL-17 production, while IL-12-induced Tc1-like function and restored the response to TCR ligation without costimulation. CD161(hi) cells from umbilical cord blood and granulocyte colony stimulating factor-mobilized leukaphereses differed in frequency and function, suggesting future evaluation of the contribution of CD161(hi) cells in hematopoietic stem cell grafts to transplant outcomes is warranted.

Expression and clinical association of programmed cell death-1, programmed death-ligand-1 and CD8+ lymphocytes in primary sarcomas is subtype dependent

PubMed Central

van Erp, Anke E.M.; Versleijen-Jonkers, Yvonne M.H.; Hillebrandt-Roeffen, Melissa H.S.; van Houdt, Laurens; Gorris, Mark A.J.; van Dam, Laura S.; Mentzel, Thomas; Weidema, Marije E.; Savci-Heijink, C. Dilara; Desar, Ingrid M.E.; Merks, Hans H.M.; van Noesel, Max M.; Shipley, Janet; van der Graaf, Winette T.A.; Flucke, Uta E.; Meyer-Wentrup, Friederike A.G.

2017-01-01

In order to explore the potential of immune checkpoint blockade in sarcoma, we investigated expression and clinical relevance of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and CD8 in tumors of 208 sarcoma patients. Primary untreated osteosarcoma (n = 46), Ewing sarcoma (n = 32), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 20), embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 77), synovial sarcoma (n = 22) and desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) (n = 11) were examined immunohistochemically. PD-L1 expression was predominantly detected in alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas (15% and 16%, respectively). In the alveolar subtype PD-L1 expression was associated with better overall, event-free and metastases-free survival. PD-1 expression on lymphocytes was predominantly seen in synovial sarcomas (18%). High levels of CD8+ lymphocytes were predominantly detected in osteosarcomas (35%) and associated with worse event-free survival in synovial sarcomas. Ewing sarcoma and DSRCTs showed PD-1 on tumor cells instead of on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Overall, expression and clinical associations were found to be subtype dependent. For the first time PD-1 expression on Ewing sarcoma (19%) and DSRCT (82%) tumor cells was described. PMID:29050367

Expression and clinical association of programmed cell death-1, programmed death-ligand-1 and CD8+ lymphocytes in primary sarcomas is subtype dependent.

PubMed

van Erp, Anke E M; Versleijen-Jonkers, Yvonne M H; Hillebrandt-Roeffen, Melissa H S; van Houdt, Laurens; Gorris, Mark A J; van Dam, Laura S; Mentzel, Thomas; Weidema, Marije E; Savci-Heijink, C Dilara; Desar, Ingrid M E; Merks, Hans H M; van Noesel, Max M; Shipley, Janet; van der Graaf, Winette T A; Flucke, Uta E; Meyer-Wentrup, Friederike A G

2017-09-19

In order to explore the potential of immune checkpoint blockade in sarcoma, we investigated expression and clinical relevance of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and CD8 in tumors of 208 sarcoma patients. Primary untreated osteosarcoma ( n = 46), Ewing sarcoma ( n = 32), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma ( n = 20), embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma ( n = 77), synovial sarcoma ( n = 22) and desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) ( n = 11) were examined immunohistochemically. PD-L1 expression was predominantly detected in alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas (15% and 16%, respectively). In the alveolar subtype PD-L1 expression was associated with better overall, event-free and metastases-free survival. PD-1 expression on lymphocytes was predominantly seen in synovial sarcomas (18%). High levels of CD8+ lymphocytes were predominantly detected in osteosarcomas (35%) and associated with worse event-free survival in synovial sarcomas. Ewing sarcoma and DSRCTs showed PD-1 on tumor cells instead of on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Overall, expression and clinical associations were found to be subtype dependent. For the first time PD-1 expression on Ewing sarcoma (19%) and DSRCT (82%) tumor cells was described.

Interactions of Cd and Cu in anaerobic estuarine sediments. 1: Partitioning in geochemical fractions of sediments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rule, J.H.; Alden, R.W. III

1996-04-01

Partitioning of Cd and Cu between geochemical fractions of an anaerobic estuarine sediment was determined after equilibrating fine-sandy sediment with different combinations of added Cd (0, 2.5, 5 mg/kg) and Cu(0, 12.5, 25 mg/kg). Sediments were placed in aquaria with 20 ppt seawater where bioassay test organisms were exposed for 14 d. At the start and conclusion of the experimental period, sediments were sequentially extracted to determine the elemental content of the exchangeable (EP), easily reducible (ERP), organic- sulfide (OSP), moderately reducible (MRP), and acid extractable (AEP) phases. Partitioning of the metals in both the native and treated sediments was,more » for Cd: OSP {much_gt} ERP > AEP > EP (MRP was below detection) and for Cu: OSP {much_gt} AEP > ERP > MRP > EP. Cadmium extracted in all phases and Cu in the EP, RP, and OSP were proportional to the respective treatments. The EP-Cd, ERP-Cd, and OSP-Cd were affected by the Cu treatment and significant interactions occurred between Cd and Cu for the EP-Cd, ERP-Cd, OSP-Cd, EP-Cu, and ERP-Cu. Increasing levels of applied Cd and Cu resulted in greater amounts of EP-Cd and ERP-Cd, fractions that are the most bioavailable and the most readily available for desorption into the water column. A significant conclusion is that the input of nontoxic metals may affect the geochemical phase distribution, potential bioavailability, and toxicity of native sediment metals.« less

CD-Based Indices for Link Prediction in Complex Network.

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Wang, Hongjue; Wang, Xiaoxia

2016-01-01

Lots of similarity-based algorithms have been designed to deal with the problem of link prediction in the past decade. In order to improve prediction accuracy, a novel cosine similarity index CD based on distance between nodes and cosine value between vectors is proposed in this paper. Firstly, node coordinate matrix can be obtained by node distances which are different from distance matrix and row vectors of the matrix are regarded as coordinates of nodes. Then, cosine value between node coordinates is used as their similarity index. A local community density index LD is also proposed. Then, a series of CD-based indices include CD-LD-k, CD*LD-k, CD-k and CDI are presented and applied in ten real networks. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of CD-based indices. The effects of network clustering coefficient and assortative coefficient on prediction accuracy of indices are analyzed. CD-LD-k and CD*LD-k can improve prediction accuracy without considering the assortative coefficient of network is negative or positive. According to analysis of relative precision of each method on each network, CD-LD-k and CD*LD-k indices have excellent average performance and robustness. CD and CD-k indices perform better on positive assortative networks than on negative assortative networks. For negative assortative networks, we improve and refine CD index, referred as CDI index, combining the advantages of CD index and evolutionary mechanism of the network model BA. Experimental results reveal that CDI index can increase prediction accuracy of CD on negative assortative networks.

CD-Based Indices for Link Prediction in Complex Network

PubMed Central

Wang, Tao; Wang, Hongjue; Wang, Xiaoxia

2016-01-01

Lots of similarity-based algorithms have been designed to deal with the problem of link prediction in the past decade. In order to improve prediction accuracy, a novel cosine similarity index CD based on distance between nodes and cosine value between vectors is proposed in this paper. Firstly, node coordinate matrix can be obtained by node distances which are different from distance matrix and row vectors of the matrix are regarded as coordinates of nodes. Then, cosine value between node coordinates is used as their similarity index. A local community density index LD is also proposed. Then, a series of CD-based indices include CD-LD-k, CD*LD-k, CD-k and CDI are presented and applied in ten real networks. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of CD-based indices. The effects of network clustering coefficient and assortative coefficient on prediction accuracy of indices are analyzed. CD-LD-k and CD*LD-k can improve prediction accuracy without considering the assortative coefficient of network is negative or positive. According to analysis of relative precision of each method on each network, CD-LD-k and CD*LD-k indices have excellent average performance and robustness. CD and CD-k indices perform better on positive assortative networks than on negative assortative networks. For negative assortative networks, we improve and refine CD index, referred as CDI index, combining the advantages of CD index and evolutionary mechanism of the network model BA. Experimental results reveal that CDI index can increase prediction accuracy of CD on negative assortative networks. PMID:26752405

Environmental Technology Verification Program - ETV - Case Studies: Demonstrating Program Outcomes

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program evaluates the performance of innovative air, water, pollution prevention and monitoring technologies that have the potential to improve human health and the environment. This cd con...

Air Force Ni-Cd cell qualification program update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Steve; Brown, Harry; Collins, G.; Hwang, W.; Bui, Q.

1993-01-01

The generic qualification of aerospace nickel-cadmium cells is discussed. The test program includes the following: all available manufacturers, all available designs, cells from the previous program, and high and low orbit life cycling. It is the purpose of this program to characterize the beginning of life performance.

After-rinsing hair growth promotion of minoxidil-containing amino alpha-cyclodextrins.

PubMed

Kim, Jin-Chul; Kim, Myoung-Dong

2007-12-01

Triamino alpha-cyclodextrin (CD) was synthesized and the inclusion complex with Minoxidil (MXD) was prepared. alpha-CD was azidated by modifying the 6-hydroxylmethyl CD rim with sodium azide. Then, mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-azidocyclodextrins were separated by a flash column chromatography and reduced to the corresponding amines by hydrogenation with Pd/C. The substantivities of MXD included in either 2-hydroxypropyl alpha-CD (HP alpha-CD) or triamino alpha-CD were evaluated in vitro using hairless mice skins. After applying the preparations onto the skin and rinsing it, the amount of the drug left on the skin was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was the highest when the drug was included in triamino alpha-CD. The electrostatic interaction between the protonated amino CD and the negatively charged skin would be responsible for the relatively high substantivity. The in vivo hair growth promotion effect of each preparation was investigated, where the sample application onto the clipped backs of female mice (C57BL6) and the subsequent rinsing of the backs were done once a day for 30 days. Only MXD in triamino alpha-CD had hair growth promotion effect, possibly due to the significant substantivity.

Regulatory role of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway on hepatic cancer stem cell marker CD133 under low glucose conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shu-Hai; Liu, Tengfei; Ming, Xiaoyan; Tang, Zhi; Fu, Li; Schmitt-Kopplin, Philippe; Kanawati, Basem; Guan, Xin-Yuan; Cai, Zongwei

2016-02-01

Cancer was hypothesized to be driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs), but the metabolic determinants of CSC-like phenotype still remain elusive. Here, we present that hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) at least in part rescues cancer cell fate with inactivation of glycolysis. Firstly, metabolomic analysis profiled cellular metabolome in CSCs of hepatocellular carcinoma using CD133 cell-surface marker. The metabolic signatures of CD133-positive subpopulation compared to CD133-negative cells highlighted HBP as one of the distinct metabolic pathways, prompting us to uncover the role of HBP in maintenance of CSC-like phenotype. To address this, CSC-like phenotypes and cell survival were investigated in cancer cells under low glucose conditions. As a result, HBP inhibitor azaserine reduced CD133-positive subpopulation and CD133 expression under high glucose condition. Furthermore, treatment of N-Acetylglucosamine in part restores CD133-positive subpopulation when either 2.5 mM glucose in culture media or glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose in HCC cell lines was applied, enhancing CD133 expression as well as promoting cancer cell survival. Together, HBP might be a key metabolic determinant in the functions of hepatic CSC marker CD133.

Opposing Development of Cytotoxic and Follicular Helper CD4 T Cells Controlled by the TCF-1-Bcl6 Nexus.

PubMed

Donnarumma, Tiziano; Young, George R; Merkenschlager, Julia; Eksmond, Urszula; Bongard, Nadine; Nutt, Stephen L; Boyer, Claude; Dittmer, Ulf; Le-Trilling, Vu Thuy Khanh; Trilling, Mirko; Bayer, Wibke; Kassiotis, George

2016-11-01

CD4 + T cells develop distinct and often contrasting helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic activities. Typically a property of CD8 + T cells, granzyme-mediated cytotoxic T cell (CTL) potential is also exerted by CD4 + T cells. However, the conditions that induce CD4 + CTLs are not entirely understood. Using single-cell transcriptional profiling, we uncover a unique signature of Granzyme B (GzmB) + CD4 + CTLs, which distinguishes them from other CD4 + T helper (Th) cells, including Th1 cells, and strongly contrasts with the follicular helper T (Tfh) cell signature. The balance between CD4 + CTL and Tfh differentiation heavily depends on the class of infecting virus and is jointly regulated by the Tfh-related transcription factors Bcl6 and Tcf7 (encoding TCF-1) and by the expression of the inhibitory receptors PD-1 and LAG3. This unique profile of CD4 + CTLs offers targets for their study, and its antagonism by the Tfh program separates CD4 + T cells with either helper or killer functions. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tumor cell-released TLR4 ligands stimulate Gr-1+CD11b+F4/80+ cells to induce apoptosis of activated T cells.

PubMed

Liu, Yan-Yan; Sun, Ling-Cong; Wei, Jing-Jing; Li, Dong; Yuan, Ye; Yan, Bin; Liang, Zhi-Hui; Zhu, Hui-Fen; Xu, Yong; Li, Bo; Song, Chuan-Wang; Liao, Sheng-Jun; Lei, Zhang; Zhang, Gui-Mei; Feng, Zuo-Hua

2010-09-01

Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells play important roles in tumor development and have a negative effect on tumor immunotherapy. So far, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of their immunosuppressive phenotype by classical and alternative macrophage activation stimuli are not well elucidated. In this study, we found that molecules from necrotic tumor cells (NTC-Ms) stimulated Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells to induce apoptosis of activated T cells but not nonstimulated T cells. The apoptosis-inducing capacity was determined by higher expression levels of arginase I and IL-10 relative to those of NO synthase 2 and IL-12 in Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells, which were induced by NTC-Ms through TLR4 signaling. The apoptosis-inducing capacity of NTC-Ms-stimulated Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells could be enhanced by IL-10. IFN-gamma may reduce the apoptosis-inducing capacity of Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells only if their response to IFN-gamma was not attenuated. However, the potential of Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells to express IL-12 in response to IFN-gamma could be attenuated by tumor, partially due to the existence of active STAT3 in Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells and NTC-Ms from tumor. In this situation, IFN-gamma could not effectively reduce the apoptosis-inducing capacity of Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells. Tumor immunotherapy with 4-1BBL/soluble programmed death-1 may significantly reduce, but not abolish the apoptosis-inducing capacity of Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells in local microenvironment. Blockade of TLR4 signaling could further reduce the apoptosis-inducing capacity of Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells and enhance the suppressive effect of 4-1BBL/soluble form of programmed death-1 on tumor growth. These findings indicate the relationship of distinct signaling pathways with apoptosis-inducing capacity of Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells and emphasize the importance of blocking TLR4 signaling to prevent the induction of T cell apoptosis by Gr-1(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+) cells.

Increased numbers of circulating ICOS⁺ follicular helper T and CD38⁺ plasma cells in patients with newly diagnosed primary biliary cirrhosis.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Sun, Xiguang; Qiu, Jinpeng; Cai, Yanjun; Ma, Liang; Zhao, Pingwei; Jiang, Yanfang

2015-02-01

Aberrant activation of follicular helper T (TFH) and B cells is associated with the development of autoimmune diseases. However, little is known about the potential role of these cells in the development of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This study aimed at characterizing the numbers of different subsets of circulating Tfh and B cells as well as evaluating their potential association with the levels of immunoglobulins and autoantibodies in newly diagnosed PBC patients. The numbers of circulating CD27(+), CD38(+), CD86(+) and CD95(+) B cells as well as inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS)(+) and programmed death-1 (PD-1)(+), IL-21(+) TFH cells were examined in 58 patients with newly diagnosed PBC and 30 matched healthy controls (HCs). The numbers of circulating CD38(+)CD19(+), CD86(+)CD19(+), and CD95(+)CD19(+) B cells; CD3(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+)ICOS(+) and CD3(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+)PD-1(+) Tfh cells; and the levels of serum IL-21 in the PBC patients were significantly greater, but the numbers of CD27(+)CD19(+) B cells were significantly less than those in the HCs (p < 0.05). The numbers of CD3(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+)ICOS(+) Tfh cells were positively correlated with the numbers of CD38(+)CD19(+) and CD86(+)CD38(+)CD19(+) B cells and the levels of serum anti-mitochondrial antibodies against M2 antigen (AMA-M2), AMA and immunolgubin M (IgM) in the PBC patients. The levels of serum IL-21 were positively correlated with the levels of serum AMA-M2, AMA, IgG and IgM, but negatively with the numbers of CD27(+)CD19(+) B cells in the PBC patients. Increased numbers of circulating ICOS(+) and IL-21(+) Tfh and CD38(+) plasma cells may be exhibited by patients with recent diagnoses of PBC.

[Transfer characteristics of cadmium in soil-vegetable-insect food chain].

PubMed

Ding, Ping; Zhuang, Ping; Li, Zhi-An; Xia, Han-Ping; Tai, Yi-Ping; Lu, Huan-Ping

2012-11-01

Taking two kinds of vegetables (Brassica rapa and Amaranthus mangostanus) and one insect species (Prodenia litura) as test materials, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the transfer characteristics of cadmium (Cd) in soil-vegetable-insect food chain and the distribution patters of different Cd chemical forms in the organs of the two vegetables. With the increasing concentration of applied Cd in soil, the biomass of the two vegetables decreased significantly, while the Cd concentration in the vegetables had a significant increase. The Cd concentration in the vegetable organs decreased in the order of stem > root > leaf for A. mangostanus, and of stem > leaf > root for B. rapa. The Cd concentration in P. litura larvae also increased with the increasing concentration of Cd in soil, and the maximum Cd concentration in the P. litura larvae on B. rapa and A. mangostanus was 36.7 and 46.3 mg x kg(-1), respectively. In the feces of the larvae on B. rapa and A. mangostanus, the Cd concentration was up to 190 and 229.8 mg x kg(-1), respectively, suggesting that the most part of Cd absorbed by P. litura larvae was excreted out of their bodies via feces. In the organs of the two vegetables, NaCl-extractable Cd was the dominant Cd form (> 70%), followed by d-H2O- and ethanol-extractable Cd, while the HAc-extractable Cd (insoluble cadmium phosphate), HCl-extractable Cd (insoluble cadmium oxalate), and residual Cd only had a very low concentration. Such a present pattern of different Cd forms in vegetable organs could be conducive to the Cd transfer in the food chain. P. litura could ease Cd poison by excreting large amount of absorbed Cd via feces, and effectively restrict the transfer of Cd to next trophic level. Since B. rapa and A. mangostanus could accumulate large amount of Cd in their biomass, the two vegetables were suggested not to be planted in highly Cd-contaminated soil.

Influence of Controlled Drainage and Liquid Dairy Manure Application on Phosphorus Leaching from Intact Soil Cores.

PubMed

Young, Eric O; Geibel, Justin R; Ross, Donald S

2017-01-01

Controlled drainage can reduce nitrate export from tile drainage flow, but its impact on phosphorus (P) loss is largely unknown. We compared P leaching from soil cores treated as free drainage (FD) or controlled drainage (CD) before and after manure application. In August 2012, 16 intact cores (45 cm long, 15 cm diameter) were collected from a grass forage field () located in Chazy, NY, and modified for drainage control and sampling. In Experiment 1 (no manure), initial leachate was defined as FD, and leachate collected 21 d later (valves closed) was considered CD. In Experiment 2, seven cores were randomly assigned to CD or FD. Liquid dairy manure was applied at 1.2 × 10 L ha, followed by simulated rainfall 2 h later. Leachate was sampled on Day 7, 14, and 21. Deionized water was applied at 3.4 cm h over 1 h to mimic a 10-yr rainfall event. Total P (TP), soluble reactive P (SRP), dissolved oxygen, iron (Fe), and pH were measured. Results showed that TP ( = 0.03) and SRP ( = 0.35) were lower for CD prior to manure application. Manure application caused 36- and 42-fold increases in TP and SRP; however, TP was lower for CD at 7 ( = 0.06), 14 ( = 0.003), and 21 d ( = 0.002) of water retention. Mean SRP for CD was nearly 40-fold lower than FD by Day 7 ( = 0.02) and remained low, suggesting CD in the field may reduce P export risk to tile drain flow after manure applications. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Multichannel Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for CdTe Photovoltaics: from Materials and Interfaces to Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koirala, Prakash

Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) in the mid-infrared to ultraviolet range has been implemented in order to develop and evaluate optimization procedures for CdTe solar cells at the different stages of fabrication. In this dissertation research, real time SE (RT-SE) has been applied during the fabrication of the as-deposited CdS/CdTe solar cell. Two areas of background research were addressed before undertaking the challenging RT-SE analysis procedures. First, optical functions were parameterized versus temperature for the glass substrate and its overlayers, including three different SnO2 layers. This database has applications not only for RT-SE analysis but also for on-line monitoring of the coated glass itself at elevated temperature. Second, post-deposition modifications of substrate have been studied by infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IR-SE) prior to the RT-SE analysis in order to evaluate the need for such modification in the analysis. With support from these background studies, RT-SE has been implemented in analyses of the evolution of the thin film structural properties during sputter deposition of polycrystalline CdS/CdTe solar cells on the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) coated glass substrates. The real time optical spectra collected during CdS/CdTe deposition were analyzed using the optical property database for all substrate components as a function of measurement temperature. RT-SE enables characterization of the filling process of the surface roughness modulations on the top-most SnO2 substrate layer, commonly referred to as the high resistivity transparent (HRT) layer. In this filling process, the optical properties of this surface layer are modified in accordance with an effective medium theory. In addition to providing information on interface formation to the substrate during film growth, RT-SE also provides information on the bulk layer CdS growth, its surface roughness evolution, as well as overlying CdTe interface formation and bulk layer growth. Information from RT-SE at a single point during solar cell stack deposition assists in the development of a model that has been used for mapping the properties of the completed cell stack, which can then be correlated with device performance. Independent non-uniformities in the layers over the full area of the cell stack enable optimization of cell performance combinatorially. The polycrystalline CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cell in the superstrate configuration has been studied by SE using glass side illumination whereby the single reflection from the glass/film-stack interface is collected whereas that from the ambient/glass interface and those from multiple glass/film-stack reflections are rejected. The SE data analysis applies an optical model consisting of a multilayer stack with bulk and interface layers. The dielectric functions epsilonfor the solar cell component materials were obtained by variable-angle and in-situ SE. Variability in the properties of the materials are introduced through free parameters in analytical expressions for the dielectric functions. In the SE analysis of the complete cell, a step-wise procedure ranks all free parameters of the model, including thicknesses and those defining the spectra in epsilon, according to their ability to reduce the root-mean-square deviation between simulated and measured SE spectra. The results for the best fit thicknesses compare well with electron microscopy. From the optical model, including all best-fit parameters, the solar cell quantum efficiency (QE) can be simulated without free parameters, and comparisons with QE measurements have enabled the identification of losses. The capabilities have wide applications in off-line photovoltaic module mapping and in-line monitoring of coated glass at intermediate stages of production. Mapping spectroscopic ellipsometry (M-SE) has been applied in this dissertation research as an optimization procedure for polycrystalline CdS/CdTe solar cell fabrication on TCO coated glass superstrates. During fabrication of these solar cells, the structure undergoes key processing steps after the sputter-deposition of the CdS/CdTe. These steps include CdCl2 treatment of the CdTe layer and subsequent deposition of ultrathin Cu. Additional steps involve final metal back contact layer deposition and an anneal for Cu diffusion that completes the device. In this study, we have fabricated cells with variable absorber thicknesses, ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mum, and variable CdCl2 treatment times, ranging from 5 to 30 min. Because both CdS window and Cu back contact layers are critical for determining device performance, the ability to characterize their deposition processes and determine the resulting process-property-performance relationships is important for device optimization. We have applied M-SE to map the effective thickness (volume/area) of the CdS and Cu films over 15 cm x 15 cm substrates prior to the fabrication of 16 x 16 arrays of dot cells. We report correlations of cell performance parameters with the CdCl2 treatment time and with the effective thicknesses from M-SE analysis. We demonstrate that correlations between optical/structural parameters extracted from M-SE analysis and device performance parameters facilitate process optimization. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

The BioScope Initiative: Integrating Technology into the Biology Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashburn, Sarah J.; Eichinger, David C.; Witham, Shelly A.; Cross, Vanessa D.; Krockover, Gerald H.; Pae, Tae-Il; Islam, Samantha; Robinson, J. Paul

2002-01-01

Reports on the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the CD-ROM "Cell Structure and Function" which includes five sections: (1) Basics; (2) Simple Cell; (3) Cell Viewer; (4) Cellular Changes; and (5) Handles. Evaluates the effectiveness of the CD-ROM with the participation of (n=65) students. Applies both qualitative and statistical methods.…

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/CdS-SiO 2 nanocomposites via ultrasonic process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jing; Zhou, Yu-Ming; Nan, Qiu-Li; Ye, Xiao-Yun; Sun, Yan-Qing; Wang, Zhi-Qiang; Zhang, Shi-Ming

2008-12-01

In this study, the high-intensity ultrasound was applied in the preparation of chiral polyurethane/CdS-SiO 2 nanocomposites. The polyurethane/CdS-SiO 2 nanocomposites were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), TEM and SEM. The results indicated that the heat stability of the nanocomposites was improved in the presence of CdS-SiO 2 core-shell nanoparticles. The infrared emissivity (8-14 μm) study revealed that the nanocomposites possessed much lower infrared values compared with those of the neat polymers and nanoparticles, respectively. A possible mechanism of ultrasonic induced composite reaction was proposed based on the experimental results.

A Demonstration Test of the Modular Automated Weather System (MAWS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-03-24

Through the Atmosphere, University of -- Toronto Press, Chaps 6-7. 21 4-I where ET s illuminance threshold, I is light intensity , Vr is visual range, and a... intensity per unit distance and is expressed 1l 7 -1as cd mi . Douglas and Booker found a value of 0. 084 cd mi for S corre- sponded to a light ...threshold of 0.055. However if the calculated RVR was less than 1200 m or it was night, Allard’s Law was applied using a light intensity of 10, 000 cd

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kolka, R., K.; Trettin, C., C.; Nelson, E., A.

Kolka, R.K., C.C. Trettin, E.A. Nelson, C.D. Barton, and D.E. Fletcher. 2002. Application of the EPA Wetland Research Program Approach to a floodplain wetland restoration assessment. J. Env. Monitoring & Restoration 1(1):37-51. Forested wetland restoration assessment is difficult because of the timeframe necessary for the development of a forest ecosystem. The development of a forested wetland ecosystem includes the recovery of hydrology, soils, vegetation, and faunal communities. To assess forested wetland restoration projects, measures need to be developed that are sensitive to early changes in community development and are predictive of future conditions. In this study we apply the EPS'smore » Wetland Research Program's (WRP) approach to assess the recovery of two thermally altered riparian wetland systems in South Carolina. In one of the altered wetland systems, approximately 75% of the wetland was planted with bottomland tree seedlings in an effort to hasten recovery. Individual studies addressing hydrology, soils, vegetation, and faunal communities indicate variable recovery responses.« less

Cadmium spiked soil modulates root organic acids exudation and ionic contents of two differentially Cd tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars.

PubMed

Javed, M Tariq; Akram, M Sohail; Tanwir, Kashif; Javed Chaudhary, Hassan; Ali, Qasim; Stoltz, Eva; Lindberg, Sylvia

2017-07-01

Our earlier work described that the roots of two maize cultivars, grown hydroponically, differentially responded to cadmium (Cd) stress by initiating changes in medium pH depending on their Cd tolerance. The current study investigated the root exudation, elemental contents and antioxidant behavior of the same maize cultivars [cv. 3062 (Cd-tolerant) and cv. 31P41 (Cd-sensitive)] under Cd stress. Plants were maintained in a rhizobox-like system carrying soil spiked with Cd concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/kg soil. The root and shoot Cd contents increased, while Mg, Ca and Fe contents mainly decreased at higher Cd levels, and preferentially in the sensitive cultivar. Interestingly, the K contents increased in roots of cv. 3062 at low Cd treatments. The Cd stress caused acidosis of the maize root exudates predominantly in cv. 3062. The concentration of various organic acids was significantly increased in the root exudates of cv. 3062 with applied Cd levels. This effect was diminished in cv. 31P41 at higher Cd levels. Cd exposure increased the relative membrane permeability, anthocyanin (only in cv. 3062), proline contents and the activities of peroxidases (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The only exception was the catalase activity, which was diminished in both cultivars. Root Cd contents were positively correlated with the secretion of acetic acid, oxalic acid, glutamic acid, citric acid, and succinic acid. The antioxidants like POD and SOD exhibited a positive correlation with the organic acids under Cd stress. It is likly that a high exudation of dicarboxylic organic acids improves nutrient uptake and activities of antioxidants, which enables the tolerant cultivar to acclimatize in Cd polluted environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cd Mobility in Anoxic Fe-Mineral-Rich Environments - Potential Use of Fe(III)-Reducing Bacteria in Soil Remediation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muehe, E. M.; Adaktylou, I. J.; Obst, M.; Schröder, C.; Behrens, S.; Hitchcock, A. P.; Tylsizczak, T.; Michel, F. M.; Krämer, U.; Kappler, A.

2014-12-01

Agricultural soils are increasingly burdened with heavy metals such as Cd from industrial sources and impure fertilizers. Metal contaminants enter the food chain via plant uptake from soil and negatively affect human and environmental health. New remediation approaches are needed to lower soil metal contents. To apply these remediation techniques successfully, it is necessary to understand how soil microbes and minerals interact with toxic metals. Here we show that microbial Fe(III) reduction initially mobilizes Cd before its immobilization under anoxic conditions. To study how microbial Fe(III) reduction influences Cd mobility, we isolated a new Cd-tolerant, Fe(III)-reducing Geobacter sp. from a heavily Cd-contaminated soil. In lab experiments, this Geobacter strain first mobilized Cd from Cd-loaded Fe(III) hydroxides followed by precipitation of Cd-bearing mineral phases. Using Mössbauer spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, the original and newly formed Cd-containing Fe(II) and Fe(III) mineral phases, including Cd-Fe-carbonates, Fe-phosphates and Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides, were identified and characterized. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, Cd was mapped in the Fe(II) mineral aggregates formed during microbial Fe(III) reduction. Microbial Fe(III) reduction mobilizes Cd prior to its precipitation in Cd-bearing mineral phases. The mobilized Cd could be taken up by phytoremediating plants, resulting in a net removal of Cd from contaminated sites. Alternatively, Cd precipitation could reduce Cd bioavailability in the environment, causing less toxic effects to crops and soil microbiota. However, the stability and thus bioavailability of these newly formed Fe-Cd mineral phases needs to be assessed thoroughly. Whether phytoremediation or immobilization of Cd in a mineral with reduced Cd bioavailability are feasible mechanisms to reduce toxic effects of Cd in the environment remains to be determined.

Scrutinizing the Expression and Blockade of Inhibitory Molecules Expressed on T Cells from Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

PubMed

Abdolmaleki, Mohsen; Mojtabavi, Nazanin; Zavvar, Mahdi; Vaezi, Mohammad; Noorbakhsh, Farshid; Nicknam, Mohammad Hossein

2018-06-01

T cell exhaustion is an immunosuppressive mechanism which occurs in chronic viral infections, solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Exhausted T cell has increased the expression of inhibitory receptors, and functional impairment. In this study, we investigated the expression from some of those inhibitory receptors being Programmed death 1 (PD-1), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing molecules 3 (TIM-3) and CD244 on T cells from Iranian acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from Iranian newly diagnosed AML patients and flow cytometric analysis was accomplished for cell surface expression of PD-1, TIM-3, and CD244 on T lymphocytes. Functionality and proliferation assay were done in the presence of anti-PD-1 and anti-CD244 blocking antibodies. Immunophenotyping of T cells showed a significant increase of PD-1 and CD244 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of AML patients. Whereas blockade of PD1 and CD244 increased the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes of AML patients but IFN-γ production was not significantly increased. In conclusion, our data indicate that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from AML patients appeared to be exhausted and blockade of some immune checkpoints can improve the proliferation of those cells.

Spontaneous apoptosis, oxidative status and immunophenotype markers in blood lymphocytes of AIDS patients.

PubMed

Losa, G A; Graber, R

2000-01-01

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 251 HIV-positive drug abusers of known clinical stage and from 40 healthy donors were tested for conventional immunologic markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD14, CD16/CD56, CD45 and HLA-DR). Additional cell parameters and the occurrence of spontaneous apoptosis (programmed cell death) were investigated on freshly isolated PBMC by flow cytometric measurement of either annexin-V bound to plasma membrane phosphatidylserine or propidium iodide uptake. The activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), an ectoenzyme contributing to the synthesis of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and involved in early apoptosis, was also determined in these cells. Immunocompetent T-cell counts were lower in HIV+ patients, with the exception of CD8+ and HLA-DR+ lymphocytes. The external binding of annexin-V was significantly higher in HIV+ PBMC and occurred in both CD8+ and CD4+ T-lymphocyte subsets. The activity of gamma-GT, was significantly lower in the PBMC from HIV+ patients, indicating that the redox status of PBMC may be affected in HIV+ individuals. Finally, the most dominant features characterising patients receiving antiretroviral therapy were greater long-term stability in the distribution of various cell parameters excepted the level of apoptosis.

Spontaneous Apoptosis, Oxidative Status and Immunophenotype Markers in Blood Lymphocytes of AIDS Patients

PubMed Central

Losa, Gabriele A.; Graber, Riccardo

2000-01-01

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 251 HIV‐positive drug abusers of known clinical stage and from 40 healthy donors were tested for conventional immunologic markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD14, CD16/CD56, CD45 and HLA‐DR). Additional cell parameters and the occurrence of spontaneous apoptosis (programmed cell death) were investigated on freshly isolated PBMC by flow cytometric measurement of either annexin‐V bound to plasma membrane phosphatidylserine or propidium iodide uptake. The activity of γ‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT), an ectoenzyme contributing to the synthesis of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and involved in early apoptosis, was also determined in these cells. Immunocompetent T‐cell counts were lower in HIV+ patients, with the exception of CD8+ and HLA‐DR+ lymphocytes. The external binding of annexin‐V was significantly higher in HIV+ PBMC and occurred in both CD8+ and CD4+ T‐lymphocyte subsets. The activity of γ‐GT, was significantly lower in the PBMC from HIV+ patients, indicating that the redox status of PBMC may be affected in HIV+ individuals. Finally, the most dominant features characterising patients receiving antiretroviral therapy were greater long‐term stability in the distribution of various cell parameters excepted the level of apoptosis. PMID:11254221

CD32-Expressing CD4 T Cells Are Phenotypically Diverse and Can Contain Proviral HIV DNA.

PubMed

Martin, Genevieve E; Pace, Matthew; Thornhill, John P; Phetsouphanh, Chansavath; Meyerowitz, Jodi; Gossez, Morgane; Brown, Helen; Olejniczak, Natalia; Lwanga, Julianne; Ramjee, Gita; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Porter, Kholoud; Willberg, Christian B; Klenerman, Paul; Nwokolo, Nneka; Fox, Julie; Fidler, Sarah; Frater, John

2018-01-01

Efforts to both characterize and eradicate the HIV reservoir have been limited by the rarity of latently infected cells and the absence of a specific denoting biomarker. CD32a (FcγRIIa) has been proposed to be a marker for an enriched CD4 T cell HIV reservoir, but this finding remains controversial. Here, we explore the expression of CD32 on CD3 + CD4 + cells in participants from two primary HIV infection studies and identify at least three distinct phenotypes (CD32 low , CD32 + CD14 + , and CD32 high ). Of note, CD4 negative enrichment kits remove the majority of CD4 + CD32 + T cells, potentially skewing subsequent analyses if used. CD32 high CD4 T cells had higher levels of HLA-DR and HIV co-receptor expression than other subsets, compatible with their being more susceptible to infection. Surprisingly, they also expressed high levels of CD20, TCRαβ, IgD, and IgM (but not IgG), markers for both T cells and naïve B cells. Compared with other populations, CD32 low cells had a more differentiated memory phenotype and high levels of immune checkpoint receptors, programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), Tim-3, and TIGIT. Within all three CD3 + CD4 + CD32 + phenotypes, cells could be identified in infected participants, which contained HIV DNA. CD32 expression on CD4 T cells did not correlate with HIV DNA or cell-associated HIV RNA (both surrogate measures of overall reservoir size) or predict time to rebound viremia following treatment interruption, suggesting that it is not a dominant biomarker for HIV persistence. Our data suggest that while CD32 + T cells can be infected with HIV, CD32 is not a specific marker of the reservoir although it might identify a population of HIV enriched cells in certain situations.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS VECTORS VIOLATE CD8+ T CELL EPITOPE RECOGNITION PARADIGMS

PubMed Central

Hansen, Scott G.; Sacha, Jonah B.; Hughes, Colette M.; Ford, Julia C.; Burwitz, Benjamin J.; Scholz, Isabel; Gilbride, Roxanne M.; Lewis, Matthew S.; Gilliam, Awbrey N.; Ventura, Abigail B.; Malouli, Daniel; Xu, Guangwu; Richards, Rebecca; Whizin, Nathan; Reed, Jason S.; Hammond, Katherine B.; Fischer, Miranda; Turner, John M.; Legasse, Alfred W.; Axthelm, Michael K.; Edlefsen, Paul T.; Nelson, Jay A.; Lifson, Jeffrey D.; Früh, Klaus; Picker, Louis J.

2013-01-01

CD8+ T cell responses focus on a small fraction of pathogen- or vaccine-encoded peptides, and for some pathogens, these restricted recognition hierarchies limit the effectiveness of anti-pathogen immunity. We found that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) protein-expressing Rhesus Cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors elicit SIV-specific CD8+ T cells that recognize unusual, diverse and highly promiscuous epitopes, including dominant responses to epitopes restricted by class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Induction of canonical SIV epitope-specific CD8+ T cell responses is suppressed by the RhCMV-encoded Rh189 (US11) gene, and the promiscuous MHC class I- and class II-restricted CD8+ T cell responses only occur in the absence of the Rh157.4-.6 (UL128-131) genes. Thus, CMV vectors can be genetically programmed to achieve distinct patterns of CD8+ T cell epitope recognition. PMID:23704576

Compensation of flare-induced CD changes EUVL

DOEpatents

Bjorkholm, John E [Pleasanton, CA; Stearns, Daniel G [Los Altos, CA; Gullikson, Eric M [Oakland, CA; Tichenor, Daniel A [Castro Valley, CA; Hector, Scott D [Oakland, CA

2004-11-09

A method for compensating for flare-induced critical dimensions (CD) changes in photolithography. Changes in the flare level results in undesirable CD changes. The method when used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography essentially eliminates the unwanted CD changes. The method is based on the recognition that the intrinsic level of flare for an EUV camera (the flare level for an isolated sub-resolution opaque dot in a bright field mask) is essentially constant over the image field. The method involves calculating the flare and its variation over the area of a patterned mask that will be imaged and then using mask biasing to largely eliminate the CD variations that the flare and its variations would otherwise cause. This method would be difficult to apply to optical or DUV lithography since the intrinsic flare for those lithographies is not constant over the image field.

Perturbed angular distributions with LaBr3 detectors: The g factor of the first 10+ state in 110Cd reexamined

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, T. J.; Stuchbery, A. E.; Reed, M. W.; Akber, A.; Coombes, B. J.; Dowie, J. T. H.; Eriksen, T. K.; Gerathy, M. S. M.; Kibédi, T.; Lane, G. J.; Mitchell, A. J.; Palazzo, T.; Tornyi, T.

2017-11-01

The time differential perturbed angular distribution technique with LaBr3 detectors has been applied to the Iπ=11/2- isomeric state (Ex=846 keV, τ =107 ns) in 107Cd, which was populated and recoil-implanted into a gadolinium host following the 98Mo(12C, 3 n )107Cd reaction. The static hyperfine field strength of Cd recoil implanted into gadolinium was thus measured, together with the fraction of nuclei implanted into field-free sites, under similar conditions as pertained for a previous implantation perturbed angular distribution g -factor measurement on the Iπ=10+ state in 110Cd. The 110Cdg (10+) value was thereby reevaluated, bringing it into agreement with the value expected for a seniority-two ν h11/2 configuration.

First external quality assurance program for bloodstream Real-Time PCR monitoring of treatment response in clinical trials of Chagas disease.

PubMed

Ramírez, Juan C; Parrado, Rudy; Sulleiro, Elena; de la Barra, Anabelle; Rodríguez, Marcelo; Villarroel, Sandro; Irazu, Lucía; Alonso-Vega, Cristina; Alves, Fabiana; Curto, María A; García, Lineth; Ortiz, Lourdes; Torrico, Faustino; Gascón, Joaquim; Flevaud, Laurence; Molina, Israel; Ribeiro, Isabela; Schijman, Alejandro G

2017-01-01

Real-Time PCR (qPCR) testing is recommended as both a diagnostic and outcome measurement of etiological treatment in clinical practice and clinical trials of Chagas disease (CD), but no external quality assurance (EQA) program provides performance assessment of the assays in use. We implemented an EQA system to evaluate the performance of molecular biology laboratories involved in qPCR based follow-up in clinical trials of CD. An EQA program was devised for three clinical trials of CD: the E1224 (NCT01489228), a pro-drug of ravuconazole; the Sampling Study (NCT01678599), that used benznidazole, both conducted in Bolivia; and the CHAGASAZOL (NCT01162967), that tested posaconazole, conducted in Spain. Four proficiency testing panels containing negative controls and seronegative blood samples spiked with 1, 10 and 100 parasite equivalents (par. eq.)/mL of four Trypanosoma cruzi stocks, were sent from the Core Lab in Argentina to the participating laboratories located in Bolivia and Spain. Panels were analyzed simultaneously, blinded to sample allocation, at 4-month intervals. In addition, 302 random blood samples from both trials carried out in Bolivia were sent to Core Lab for retesting analysis. The analysis of proficiency testing panels gave 100% of accordance (within laboratory agreement) and concordance (between laboratory agreement) for all T. cruzi stocks at 100 par. eq./mL; whereas their values ranged from 71 to 100% and from 62 to 100% at 1 and 10 par. eq./mL, respectively, depending on the T. cruzi stock. The results obtained after twelve months of preparation confirmed the stability of blood samples in guanidine-EDTA buffer. No significant differences were found between qPCR results from Bolivian laboratory and Core Lab for retested clinical samples. This EQA program for qPCR analysis of CD patient samples may significantly contribute to ensuring the quality of laboratory data generated in clinical trials and molecular diagnostics laboratories of CD.

Keep Up the Good Work! Part III: Using Multimedia To Build Reading Fluency and Enjoyment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glasgow, Jacqueline N.

1997-01-01

Discusses building fluency in reading and writing and teaching students to read and write for pleasure. Highlights include multimedia storyboards; bilingual instruction; writing programs for building fluency; CD-ROM storyboards; student-created storyboards; and an annotated bibliography of CD-ROM storyboards, poetry collections, and composing…

Recovery of Data from the Narragansett Bay Project, 1985-1992: User's Manual and CD-ROM

EPA Science Inventory

Data from the 1985-1992 era of the Narragansett Bay Project, an estuary of the National Estuary Program, were recovered from numerous storage media, updated to modern software, and burned to CD-ROM. The data will be used by, among others, EPA researchers working on long-term tren...

Helping Family Physicians Improve Their Cardiac Auscultation Skills with an Interactive CD-ROM.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roy, Douglas; Sargeant, Joan; Gray, Jean; Hoyt, Brian; Allen, Michael; Fleming, Michael

2002-01-01

Physicians (n=42) studied cardiac auscultation using a 15-hour CD-ROM program. Nine months later, 21 who completed a posttest showed significant improvement in identifying heart sounds. CDs were valued for opportunities to review material at an individual pace. Lack of computer skills hindered use. (Contains 26 references.) (SK)

Managing CD-ROM Service in Malaysian Academic Libraries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Majid, Shaheen

1998-01-01

Explores the management of CD-ROM service in Malaysian academic libraries and marketing strategies used to popularize it. Findings revealed that these libraries use a variety of marketing and promotional channels, some of which need improvement; the libraries need to strengthen their end-user education programs to suit users with different levels…

MILE Curriculum [and Nine CD-ROM Lessons].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reiman, John

This curriculum on money management skills for deaf adolescent and young adult students is presented on nine video CD-ROMs as well as in a print version. The curriculum was developed following a survey of the needs of school and rehabilitation programs. It was also piloted and subsequently revised. Each teaching segment is presented in sign…

Managing tile drainage, subirrigation, and nitrogen fertilization to enhance crop yields and reduce nitrate loss.

PubMed

Drury, C F; Tan, C S; Reynolds, W D; Welacky, T W; Oloya, T O; Gaynor, J D

2009-01-01

Improving field-crop use of fertilizer nitrogen is essential for protecting water quality and increasing crop yields. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of controlled tile drainage (CD) and controlled tile drainage with subsurface irrigation (CDS) for mitigating off-field nitrate losses and enhancing crop yields. The CD and CDS systems were compared on a clay loam soil to traditional unrestricted tile drainage (UTD) under a corn (Zea Mays L.)-soybean (Glycine Max. (L.) Merr.) rotation at two nitrogen (N) fertilization rates (N1: 150 kg N ha(-1) applied to corn, no N applied to soybean; N2: 200 kg N ha(-1) applied to corn, 50 kg N ha(-1) applied to soybean). The N concentrations in tile flow events with the UTD treatment exceeded the provisional long-term aquatic life limit (LT-ALL) for freshwater (4.7 mg N L(-1)) 72% of the time at the N1 rate and 78% at the N2 rate, whereas only 24% of tile flow events at N1 and 40% at N2 exceeded the LT-ALL for the CDS treatment. Exceedances in N concentration for surface runoff and tile drainage were greater during the growing season than the non-growing season. At the N1 rate, CD and CDS reduced average annual N losses via tile drainage by 44 and 66%, respectively, relative to UTD. At the N2 rate, the average annual decreases in N loss were 31 and 68%, respectively. Crop yields from CDS were increased by an average of 2.8% relative to UTD at the N2 rate but were reduced by an average of 6.5% at the N1 rate. Hence, CD and CDS were effective for reducing average nitrate losses in tile drainage, but CDS increased average crop yields only when additional N fertilizer was applied.

CD34 cells from patients with trisomy 8 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) express early apoptotic markers but avoid programmed cell death by up-regulation of antiapoptotic proteins

PubMed Central

Pfannes, Loretta; Chen, Gubin; Shah, Simant; Solomou, Elena E.; Barrett, John; Young, Neal S.

2007-01-01

CD34 cells from patients with trisomy 8 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are distinguished from other MDS cells and from normal hematopoietic cells by their pronounced expression of apoptotic markers. Paradoxically, trisomy 8 clones can persist in patients with bone marrow failure and expand following immunosuppression. We previously demonstrated up-regulation of c-myc and CD1 by microarray analysis. Here, we confirmed these findings by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), demonstrated up-regulation of survivin, c-myc, and CD1 protein expression, and documented comparable colony formation by annexin+ trisomy 8− CD34+ and annexin− CD34 cells. There were low levels of DNA degradation in annexin+ trisomy 8 CD34 cells, which were comparable with annexin− CD34 cells. Trisomy 8 cells were resistant to apoptosis induced by gamma irradiation. Knock-down of survivin by siRNA resulted in preferential loss of trisomy 8 cells. These results suggest that trisomy 8 cells undergo incomplete apoptosis and are nonetheless capable of colony formation and growth. PMID:17090657

Combination of counterpropagation artificial neural networks and antioxidant activities for comprehensive evaluation of associated-extraction efficiency of various cyclodextrins in the traditional Chinese formula Xue-Zhi-Ning.

PubMed

Sun, Lili; Yang, Jianwen; Wang, Meng; Zhang, Huijie; Liu, Yanan; Ren, Xiaoliang; Qi, Aidi

2015-11-10

Xue-Zhi-Ning (XZN) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine formula to treat hyperlipidemia. Recently, cyclodextrins (CDs) have been extensively used to minimize problems relative to medicine bioavailability, such as low solubility and poor stability. The objective of this study was to determine the associated-extraction efficiency of various CDs in XZN. Three various type CDs were evaluated, including native CDs (α-CD, β-CD), hydrophilic CD derivatives (HP-β-CD and Me-β-CD), and ionic CD derivatives (SBE-β-CD and CM-β-CD). An ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) fingerprint was applied to determine the components in CD extracts and original aqueous extract (OAE). A counterpropagation artificial neural network (CP-ANN) was used to analyze the components in different extracts and compare the selective extraction of various CDs. Extraction efficiencies of the various CDs in terms of extracted components follow the ranking, ionic CD derivatives>hydrophilic CD derivatives>native CDs>OAE. Besides, different types of CDs have their own selective extraction and ionic CD derivatives present the strongest associated-extraction efficiency. Antioxidant potentials of various extracts were evaluated by determining the inhibition of spontaneous, H2O2-induced, CCl4-induced and Fe(2+)/ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and analyzing the scavenging capacity for DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. The order of extraction efficiencies of the various CDs relative to antioxidant activities is as follows: SBE-β-CD>CM-β-CD>HP-β-CD>Me-β-CD>β-CD>α-CD. It can be demonstrated that all of the CDs studied increase the extraction efficiency and that ionic CD derivatives (SBE-β-CD and CM-β-CD) present the highest extraction capability in terms of amount extracted and antioxidant activities of extracts. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prognostic value of CD8CD45RO tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Kim, Richard; Coppola, Domenico; Wang, Emilie; Chang, Young Doo; Kim, Yuhree; Anaya, Daniel; Kim, Dae Won

2018-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy arising from the biliary tract epithelial cells with poor prognosis. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL)s and programmed cell death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) have a prognostic impact in various solid tumors. We aimed to investigate TILs and PD-L1 expression and their clinical relevance in cholangiocarcinoma. Tumor samples from 44 patients with resected and histologically verified extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were evaluated for CD8, CD45RO and PD-L1 expression, and their correlations with clinicopathological data and survival data were analyzed. Total 44 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues were evaluated. CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL)s were observed in 30 (68%) tumors. Among them, 14 had CD8+CD45RO+ TILs. PD-L1 was expressed on cancer cells in 10 (22.7%) tumors in 34 evaluable extrahepatic cholangiocarciniomas. The presence of CD8+ TILs or CD8+CD45RO+ TILs was not associated with clinical staging or tumor differentiation. Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with CD8+CD45RO+ TILs had longer overall survival (OS) on univariate (P = 0.013) and multivariate (P = 0.012) analysis. Neither CD8+TIL nor PD-L1 expression on cancer cells correlated significantly with OS. These results add to the understanding of the clinical features associated with CD8 TILs and PD-L1 expression in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and they support the potential rationale of using PD-1 blockade immunotherapy in cholangiocarcinoma.

Transcriptome Analysis of Mycobacteria-Specific CD4+ T Cells Identified by Activation-Induced Expression of CD154.

PubMed

Kunnath-Velayudhan, Shajo; Goldberg, Michael F; Saini, Neeraj K; Johndrow, Christopher T; Ng, Tony W; Johnson, Alison J; Xu, Jiayong; Chan, John; Jacobs, William R; Porcelli, Steven A

2017-10-01

Analysis of Ag-specific CD4 + T cells in mycobacterial infections at the transcriptome level is informative but technically challenging. Although several methods exist for identifying Ag-specific T cells, including intracellular cytokine staining, cell surface cytokine-capture assays, and staining with peptide:MHC class II multimers, all of these have significant technical constraints that limit their usefulness. Measurement of activation-induced expression of CD154 has been reported to detect live Ag-specific CD4 + T cells, but this approach remains underexplored and, to our knowledge, has not previously been applied in mycobacteria-infected animals. In this article, we show that CD154 expression identifies adoptively transferred or endogenous Ag-specific CD4 + T cells induced by Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination. We confirmed that Ag-specific cytokine production was positively correlated with CD154 expression by CD4 + T cells from bacillus Calmette-Guérin-vaccinated mice and show that high-quality microarrays can be performed from RNA isolated from CD154 + cells purified by cell sorting. Analysis of microarray data demonstrated that the transcriptome of CD4 + CD154 + cells was distinct from that of CD154 - cells and showed major enrichment of transcripts encoding multiple cytokines and pathways of cellular activation. One notable finding was the identification of a previously unrecognized subset of mycobacteria-specific CD4 + T cells that is characterized by the production of IL-3. Our results support the use of CD154 expression as a practical and reliable method to isolate live Ag-specific CD4 + T cells for transcriptomic analysis and potentially for a range of other studies in infected or previously immunized hosts. Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Measuring piconewton forces with micropipette suction and its application to the flow and adhesion of individual neutrophils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Jin-Yu

A versatile technique for measuring piconewton forces, based upon a micropipette manipulation system and low Reynolds number hydrodynamics, was established. Spherical cells or beads can be used directly as force transducers, and the force resolution is determined by the diameter of the micropipette that contains the transducer and the accuracy of the pressure measurements. The strength of the technique is in its simplicity and its ability to measure forces between cells without requiring the use of a solid surface. Here, it was employed to study: (1) The adhesion between human neutrophils and antibody-coated latex beads. Three antibodies, directed against three receptors on the neutrophil surface (CD62L, CD18 and CD45), were used. It was found that CD62L could be more easily extracted from the neutrophil surface than CD18, while the anchorage of CD45 was much stronger than that of CD62L or CD18. The logarithm of the adhesion lifetime showed a linear dependence upon the force applied to the adherent neutrophil. The association energy of CD62L or CD18 with the membrane and the cytoskeleton is equivalent to that for about fourteen hydrogen bonds. From the experiments with CD45, the natural lengths of neutrophil microvilli were inferred (˜0.3 mum). According to the force applied on their tips, microvilli can be either extended to constant lengths or pulled out to form membrane tethers. The characteristic time of microvillus extension is ˜0.83 s and the minimum force required to form a tether from neutrophils is ˜45 pN. (2) The resistance to flow of individual human neutrophils in glass capillary tubes with diameters between 4.65 and 7.75 μm. With the aid of a theory that describes the motion of a concentric, smooth-walled, sausage-shaped body in a tube, the maximum gap width in the larger capillary tubes was calculated to be on the order of 0.1 mum, whereas the minimum gap width in the smaller capillaries was only about 0.015 mum. Maximum values for the adhesive force caused by the static friction were on the order of 80 pN. These data show that even a single white cell entirely within a capillary can cause a significant increase in the resistance to flow.

Epigenetic Networks Regulate the Transcriptional Program in Memory and Terminally Differentiated CD8+ T Cells.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Ramon M; Suarez-Alvarez, Beatriz; Lavín, José L; Mosén-Ansorena, David; Baragaño Raneros, Aroa; Márquez-Kisinousky, Leonardo; Aransay, Ana M; Lopez-Larrea, Carlos

2017-01-15

Epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role during differentiation of T cells by contributing to the formation of stable and heritable transcriptional patterns. To better understand the mechanisms of memory maintenance in CD8 + T cells, we performed genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation, histone marking (acetylated lysine 9 in histone H3 and trimethylated lysine 9 in histone), and gene-expression profiles in naive, effector memory (EM), and terminally differentiated EM (TEMRA) cells. Our results indicate that DNA demethylation and histone acetylation are coordinated to generate the transcriptional program associated with memory cells. Conversely, EM and TEMRA cells share a very similar epigenetic landscape. Nonetheless, the TEMRA transcriptional program predicts an innate immunity phenotype associated with genes never reported in these cells, including several mediators of NK cell activation (VAV3 and LYN) and a large array of NK receptors (e.g., KIR2DL3, KIR2DL4, KIR2DL1, KIR3DL1, KIR2DS5). In addition, we identified up to 161 genes that encode transcriptional regulators, some of unknown function in CD8 + T cells, and that were differentially expressed in the course of differentiation. Overall, these results provide new insights into the regulatory networks involved in memory CD8 + T cell maintenance and T cell terminal differentiation. Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Implementation issues for consumer-directed programs: comparing views of policy experts, consumers, and representatives.

PubMed

Simon-Rusinowitz, Lori; Marks, Lori N; Loughlin, Dawn M; Desmond, Sharon M; Mahoney, Kevin J; Zacharias, B Lee; Squillace, Marie R; Allison, Ann Marie

2002-01-01

An increasing number of aging community providers and consumers support consumer-direction (CD) in long-term care services. In regard to devolution, consumer-direction goes beyond the usual approach of shifting responsibilities from the federal government to state governments to bring programs "closer to the people." Consumer-direction goes even further by placing resources directly in the hands of consumers. Yet, many questions remain unanswered regarding how to implement CD personal assistance services in general, and especially for older persons. This article describes the importance of examining views from multiple key stakeholders involved in implementing CD programs. We report on three background studies that have informed the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) design and implementation-policy expert interviews as well as surveys and focus groups with consumers and representatives. As a fourth data source, we drew upon experiences in designing the CCDE and initial results from the first year of implementation. Each of the three studies on its own provided essential information for planning the CCDE. However, when we examined the studies together, and added CCDE design and implementation experiences, views expressed by the different stakeholders formed a type of multi-perspective "dialogue" that expanded our knowledge about implementing CD services. We hope this increased knowledge will help expand the availability of such services for consumers of any age who want to direct their own care.

Comprehensive morphometric analysis of mononuclear cell infiltration during experimental renal allograft rejection.

PubMed

Hoffmann, Ute; Bergler, Tobias; Jung, Bettina; Steege, Andreas; Pace, Claudia; Rümmele, Petra; Reinhold, Stephan; Krüger, Bernd; Krämer, Bernhard K; Banas, Bernhard

2013-01-01

The role of specific subtypes of infiltrating cells in acute kidney allograft rejection is still not clear and was so far not examined by different analyzing methods under standardized conditions of an experimental kidney transplantation model. Immunohistochemical staining of CD3, CD20 and CD68 was performed in rat allografts, in syngeneically transplanted rats and in control rats with a test duration of 6 and 28 days. The detailed expression and localization of infiltrating cells were analyzed manually in different kidney compartments under light microscope and by the two different morphometric software programs. Data were correlated with the corresponding kidney function as well as with histopathological classification. The information provided by the morphometric software programs on the infiltration of the specific cell types after renal transplantation was in accordance with the manual analysis. Morphometric methods were solid to analyze reliably the induction of cellular infiltrates after renal transplantation. By manual analysis we could clearly demonstrate the detailed localization of the specific cell infiltrates in the different kidney compartments. Besides infiltration of CD3 and CD68 infiltrating cells, a robust infiltration of CD20 B-cells in allogeneically transplanted rats, even at early time points after transplantation was detected. Additionally an MHC class I expression could reliable be seen in allogeneically transplanted rats. The infiltration of B-cells and the reliable antigen presentation might act as a silent subclinical trigger for subsequent chronic rejection and premature graft loss. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Early-onset Evans syndrome, immunodeficiency, and premature immunosenescence associated with tripeptidyl-peptidase II deficiency

PubMed Central

Stepensky, Polina; Rensing-Ehl, Anne; Gather, Ruth; Revel-Vilk, Shoshana; Fischer, Ute; Nabhani, Schafiq; Beier, Fabian; Brümmendorf, Tim H.; Fuchs, Sebastian; Zenke, Simon; Firat, Elke; Pessach, Vered Molho; Borkhardt, Arndt; Rakhmanov, Mirzokhid; Keller, Bärbel; Warnatz, Klaus; Eibel, Hermann; Niedermann, Gabriele; Elpeleg, Orly

2015-01-01

Autoimmune cytopenia is a frequent manifestation of primary immunodeficiencies. Two siblings presented with Evans syndrome, viral infections, and progressive leukopenia. DNA available from one patient showed a homozygous frameshift mutation in tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP2) abolishing protein expression. TPP2 is a serine exopeptidase involved in extralysosomal peptide degradation. Its deficiency in mice activates cell death programs and premature senescence. Similar to cells from naïve, uninfected TPP2-deficient mice, patient cells showed increased major histocompatibility complex I expression and most CD8+ T-cells had a senescent CCR7-CD127−CD28−CD57+ phenotype with poor proliferative responses and enhanced staurosporine-induced apoptosis. T-cells showed increased expression of the effector molecules perforin and interferon-γ with high expression of the transcription factor T-bet. Age-associated B-cells with a CD21− CD11c+ phenotype expressing T-bet were increased in humans and mice, combined with antinuclear antibodies. Moreover, markers of senescence were also present in human and murine TPP2-deficient fibroblasts. Telomere lengths were normal in patient fibroblasts and granulocytes, and low normal in lymphocytes, which were compatible with activation of stress-induced rather than replicative senescence programs. TPP2 deficiency is the first primary immunodeficiency linking premature immunosenescence to severe autoimmunity. Determination of senescent lymphocytes should be part of the diagnostic evaluation of children with refractory multilineage cytopenias. PMID:25414442

A CD22-reactive TCR from the T-cell allorepertoire for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by TCR gene transfer

PubMed Central

Jahn, Lorenz; Hagedoorn, Renate S.; van der Steen, Dirk M.; Hombrink, Pleun; Kester, Michel G.D.; Schoonakker, Marjolein P.; de Ridder, Daniëlle; van Veelen, Peter A.; Falkenburg, J.H. Frederik; Heemskerk, Mirjam H.M.

2016-01-01

CD22 is currently evaluated as a target-antigen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cells or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CAR- and mAbs-based immunotherapies have been successfully applied targeting other antigens, however, occurrence of refractory disease to these interventions urges the identification of additional strategies. Here, we identified a TCR recognizing the CD22-derived peptide RPFPPHIQL (CD22RPF) presented in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*07:02. To overcome tolerance to self-antigens such as CD22, we exploited the immunogenicity of allogeneic HLA. CD22RPF-specific T-cell clone 9D4 was isolated from a healthy HLA-B*07:02neg individual, efficiently produced cytokines upon stimulation with primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia and healthy B-cells, but did not react towards healthy hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell subsets, including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages expressing low levels of CD22. Gene transfer of TCR-9D4 installed potent CD22-specificity onto recipient CD8+ T-cells that recognized and lysed primary B-cell leukemia. TCR-transduced T-cells spared healthy CD22neg hematopoietic cell subsets but weakly lysed CD22low-expressing DCs and macrophages. CD22-specific TCR-engineered T-cells could form an additional immunotherapeutic strategy with a complementary role to CAR- and antibody-based interventions in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, CD22 expression on non-B-cells may limit the attractiveness of CD22 as target-antigen in cellular immunotherapy. PMID:27689397

A CD22-reactive TCR from the T-cell allorepertoire for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by TCR gene transfer.

PubMed

Jahn, Lorenz; Hagedoorn, Renate S; van der Steen, Dirk M; Hombrink, Pleun; Kester, Michel G D; Schoonakker, Marjolein P; de Ridder, Daniëlle; van Veelen, Peter A; Falkenburg, J H Frederik; Heemskerk, Mirjam H M

2016-11-01

CD22 is currently evaluated as a target-antigen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cells or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CAR- and mAbs-based immunotherapies have been successfully applied targeting other antigens, however, occurrence of refractory disease to these interventions urges the identification of additional strategies. Here, we identified a TCR recognizing the CD22-derived peptide RPFPPHIQL (CD22RPF) presented in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*07:02. To overcome tolerance to self-antigens such as CD22, we exploited the immunogenicity of allogeneic HLA. CD22RPF-specific T-cell clone 9D4 was isolated from a healthy HLA-B*07:02neg individual, efficiently produced cytokines upon stimulation with primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia and healthy B-cells, but did not react towards healthy hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell subsets, including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages expressing low levels of CD22. Gene transfer of TCR-9D4 installed potent CD22-specificity onto recipient CD8+ T-cells that recognized and lysed primary B-cell leukemia. TCR-transduced T-cells spared healthy CD22neg hematopoietic cell subsets but weakly lysed CD22low-expressing DCs and macrophages. CD22-specific TCR-engineered T-cells could form an additional immunotherapeutic strategy with a complementary role to CAR- and antibody-based interventions in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, CD22 expression on non-B-cells may limit the attractiveness of CD22 as target-antigen in cellular immunotherapy.

Impact of nurse-delivered community-based CD4 services on facilitating pre-ART care in rural South Africa.

PubMed

Kompala, T; Moll, A P; Mtungwa, N; Brooks, R P; Friedland, G H; Shenoi, S V

2016-08-11

HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment programs have expanded globally, particularly in resource-limited settings. Diagnosis must be followed by determination of treatment eligibility and referral to care prior to initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART). However, barriers and delays along these early steps in the treatment cascade may impede successful ART initiation. New strategies are needed to facilitate the treatment cascade. We evaluated the role of on site CD4+ T cell count phlebotomy services by nurses in facilitating pre-ART care in a community-based voluntary counseling and testing program (CBVCT) in rural South Africa. We retrospectively evaluated CBVCT services during five continuous time periods over three years: three periods when a nurse was present on site, and two periods when the nurse was absent. When a nurse was present, CD4 count phlebotomy was performed immediately after HIV testing to determine ART eligibility. When a nurse was absent, patients were referred to their local primary care clinic for CD4 testing. For each period, we determined the proportion of HIV-positive community members who completed CD4 testing, received notification of CD4 count results, as well as the time to test completion and result notification. Between 2010 and 2013, 7213 individuals accessed CBVCT services; of these, 620 (8.6 %) individuals were HIV-positive, 205 (33.1 %) were eligible for ART according to South African national CD4 count criteria, and 78 (38.0 % of those eligible) initiated ART. During the periods when a professional nurse was available to provide CD4 phlebotomy services, HIV-positive clients were significantly more likely to complete CD4 testing than during periods when these services were not available (85.5 % vs. 37.3 %, p < 0.001). Additionally, when nurses were present, individuals were significantly more likely to be notified of CD4 results (60.6 % vs. 26.7 %, p <0.001). The time from HIV screening to CD4 test completion was also significantly shorter during nurse presence than nurse absence (median 8 days (IQR 4-19) vs. 35 days (IQR 15-131), p < 0.001). These findings indicate that in addition to CBVCT, availability of on site CD4 phlebotomy may reduce loss along the pre-ART care cascade and facilitate timely entry into HIV care.

Determination of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in herbs using slurry sampling electrothermal vaporisation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lin, Mei-Ling; Jiang, Shiuh-Jen

2013-12-01

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled with ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporisation (USS-ETV-ICP-MS) has been applied to determine As, Cd, Hg and Pb in 0.5% m/v slurries of several herb samples. 1% m/v 8-Hydroxyquinoline was used as the modifier to enhance the ion signals. The influences of instrument operating conditions, slurry preparation and interferences on the ion signals were reported. This method has been applied to the determination of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in NIST SRM 1547 peach leaves and SRM 1573a tomato leaves reference materials and three herb samples purchased from the local market and ground to 150 μm. The analysis results of the standard reference materials agreed with the certified values which are at sub μg g(-1) levels. Precision between sample replicates was better than 4% for all the determinations. The method detection limits estimated from standard addition curves were about 0.3, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.2 ng g(-1) for As, Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively, in original herb samples. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tissue Microarray Analysis Applied to Bone Diagenesis

PubMed Central

Mello, Rafael Barrios; Silva, Maria Regina Regis; Alves, Maria Teresa Seixas; Evison, Martin Paul; Guimarães, Marco Aurelio; Francisco, Rafaella Arrabaca; Astolphi, Rafael Dias; Iwamura, Edna Sadayo Miazato

2017-01-01

Taphonomic processes affecting bone post mortem are important in forensic, archaeological and palaeontological investigations. In this study, the application of tissue microarray (TMA) analysis to a sample of femoral bone specimens from 20 exhumed individuals of known period of burial and age at death is described. TMA allows multiplexing of subsamples, permitting standardized comparative analysis of adjacent sections in 3-D and of representative cross-sections of a large number of specimens. Standard hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and silver methenamine, and picrosirius red staining, and CD31 and CD34 immunohistochemistry were applied to TMA sections. Osteocyte and osteocyte lacuna counts, percent bone matrix loss, and fungal spheroid element counts could be measured and collagen fibre bundles observed in all specimens. Decalcification with 7% nitric acid proceeded more rapidly than with 0.5 M EDTA and may offer better preservation of histological and cellular structure. No endothelial cells could be detected using CD31 and CD34 immunohistochemistry. Correlation between osteocytes per lacuna and age at death may reflect reported age-related responses to microdamage. Methodological limitations and caveats, and results of the TMA analysis of post mortem diagenesis in bone are discussed, and implications for DNA survival and recovery considered. PMID:28051148

Preparation and Characterization of Ternary Antimicrobial Films of β-Cyclodextrin/Allyl Isothiocyanate/Polylactic Acid for the Enhancement of Long-Term Controlled Release

PubMed Central

Wang, Jinpeng; Qiu, Chao; Narsimhan, Ganesan; Jin, Zhengyu

2017-01-01

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) are natural essential oil components that have outstanding antimicrobial activities. However, low water solubility, high volatility, and easy degradation by heat, restricting their application in food packing industry. Development of the inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin/AITC (β-CD/AITC) is a promising solution. Furthermore, the incorporation of β-CD/AITC complex into polylactic acid (PLA) films would be an attractive method to develop food antimicrobial materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement in physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activities, and controlled release of β-CD/AITC from such films. The addition of β-CD/AITC significantly increased the flexibility and thermal stability of films. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed that the interactions between β-CD/AITC and PLA films occurred. The controlled release of AITC encapsulated in β-CD was significantly affected by relative humidity and temperature. The PLA films containing β-CD/AITC can be applied as an effective antimicrobial packing material for food and non-food applications. PMID:29053573

The design of novel visible light driven Ag/CdO as smart nanocomposite for photodegradation of different dye contaminants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saravanakumar, K.; Muthuraj, V.; Jeyaraj, M.

2018-01-01

In this paper, we report a novel visible light driven Ag/CdO photocatalyst, fabricated for the first time via one pot hydrothermal method and further applied for the photodegradation of two important exemplar water contaminants, Malachite green and Acid Orange 7. The microstructure, composition and optical properties of Ag/CdO nanocomposites were thoroughly investigated by various techniques. Scanning electron microscopy clearly shows that Ag NPs were strongly embedded between the CdO nanoparticles. Among the series of synthesized Ag/CdO nanocomposites, (5%) Ag/CdO nanocomposite possesses enhanced photocatalytic activity. This result was attributed to the synergistic effect between Ag and CdO, and mainly Ag NPs can act as an electron trap site, which could reduce the recombination of the electron-hole and induce the visible light absorption. The active species trapping experiments implicate radOH and O2rad - radicals as the respective primary and secondary reactive species responsible for oxidative photodegradation of organic pollutants. On the basis of the results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism has also been proposed.

CdS QDs-chitosan microcapsules with stimuli-responsive property generated by gas-liquid microfluidic technique.

PubMed

Chen, Yanjun; Yao, Rongyi; Wang, Yifeng; Chen, Ming; Qiu, Tong; Zhang, Chaocan

2015-01-01

This article describes a straightforward gas-liquid microfluidic approach to generate uniform-sized chitosan microcapsules containing CdS quantum dots (QDs). CdS QDs are encapsulated into the liquid-core of the microcapsules. The sizes of the microcapsules can be conveniently controlled by gas flow rate. QDs-chitosan microcapsules show good fluorescent stability in water, and exhibit fluorescent responses to chemical environmental stimuli. α-Cyclodextrin (α-CD) causes the microcapsules to deform and even collapse. More interestingly, α-CD induces obvious changes on the fluorescent color of the microcapsules. However, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has little influence on the shape and fluorescent color of the microcapsules. Based on the results of scanning electron microscopy, the possible mechanism about the effects of α-CD on the chitosan microcapsules is analyzed. These stimuli-responsive microcapsules are low-cost and easy to be prepared by gas-liquid microfluidic technique, and can be applied as a potential micro-detector to chemicals, such as CDs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Genome-wide Regulatory Network Identifies Key Transcription Factors for Memory CD8+ T Cell Development

PubMed Central

Hu, Guangan; Chen, Jianzhu

2014-01-01

Memory CD8+ T cell development is defined by the expression of a specific set of memory signature genes (MSGs). Despite recent progress, many components of the transcriptional control of memory CD8+ T cell development are still unknown. To identify transcription factors (TFs) and their interactions in memory CD8+ T cell development, we construct a genome-wide regulatory network and apply it to identify key TFs that regulate MSGs. Most of the known TFs in memory CD8+ T cell development are rediscovered and about a dozen new TFs are also identified. Sox4, Bhlhe40, Bach2 and Runx2 are experimentally verified and Bach2 is further shown to promote both development and recall proliferation of memory CD8+ T cells through Prdm1 and Id3. Gene perturbation study identifies the mode of interactions among the TFs with Sox4 as a hub. The identified TFs and insights into their interactions should facilitate further dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying memory CD8+ T cell development. PMID:24335726

Estimation of building-related construction and demolition waste in Shanghai.

PubMed

Ding, Tao; Xiao, Jianzhuang

2014-11-01

One methodology is proposed to estimate the quantification and composition of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) waste in a fast developing region like Shanghai, PR China. The varieties of structure types and building waste intensities due to the requirement of progressive building design and structure codes in different decades are considered in this regional C&D waste estimation study. It is concluded that approximately 13.71 million tons of C&D waste was generated in 2012 in Shanghai, of which more than 80% of this C&D waste was concrete, bricks and blocks. Analysis from this study can be applied to facilitate C&D waste governors and researchers the duty of formulating precise policies and specifications. As a matter of fact, at least a half of the enormous amount of C&D waste could be recycled if implementing proper recycling technologies and measures. The appropriate managements would be economically and environmentally beneficial to Shanghai where the per capita per year output of C&D waste has been as high as 842 kg in 2010. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cadmium tolerance and accumulation of Althaea rosea Cav. and its potential as a hyperaccumulator under chemical enhancement.

PubMed

Liu, Jia Nv; Zhou, Qi Xing; Wang, Song; Sun, Ting

2009-02-01

The role of ornamental plants has drawn much attention as the urban pollution levels exacerbate. Althaea rosea Cav. had showed its strong tolerance and accumulation ability of Cd in our previous work, thus, the effects of ethylenediamine triacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenegluatarotriacetic acid (EGTA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on its Cd phytoremediation capacity were further investigated in this work. It reconfirmed that the species had strong tolerance and accumulation ability of Cd. Particularly, the species can be regarded as a potential Cd-hyperaccumulator through applying chemical agents. However, different chelators and surfactants had great differences in affecting hyperaccumulating characteristics of the species. EGTA and SDS could not only increase the dry biomass of the plants, but also promote Cd accumulation in shoots and roots. On the contrary, EDTA was toxic to the species by restraining the growth of plants, although it could promote Cd accumulation in shoots and roots of the plants to a certain extent. Thus, EGTA and SDS were effective in enhancing phytoremediation with Althaea rosea Cav. for Cd contaminated soils, while EDTA is ineffective in this regard.

FSGS3/CD2AP is a barbed-end capping protein that stabilizes actin and strengthens adherens junctions

PubMed Central

Brieher, William M.

2013-01-01

By combining in vitro reconstitution biochemistry with a cross-linking approach, we have identified focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 3/CD2-associated protein (FSGS3/CD2AP) as a novel actin barbed-end capping protein responsible for actin stability at the adherens junction. FSGS3/CD2AP colocalizes with E-cadherin and α-actinin-4 at the apical junction in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Knockdown of FSGS3/CD2AP compromised actin stability and decreased actin accumulation at the adherens junction. Using a novel apparatus to apply mechanical stress to cell–cell junctions, we showed that knockdown of FSGS3/CD2AP compromised adhesive strength, resulting in tearing between cells and disruption of barrier function. Our results reveal a novel function of FSGS3/CD2AP and a previously unrecognized role of barbed-end capping in junctional actin dynamics. Our study underscores the complexity of actin regulation at cell–cell contacts that involves actin activators, inhibitors, and stabilizers to control adhesive strength, epithelial behavior, and permeability barrier integrity. PMID:24322428

Multifunctionalized iron oxide nanoparticles for selective drug delivery to CD44-positive cancer cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aires, Antonio; Ocampo, Sandra M.; Simões, Bruno M.; Josefa Rodríguez, María; Cadenas, Jael F.; Couleaud, Pierre; Spence, Katherine; Latorre, Alfonso; Miranda, Rodolfo; Somoza, Álvaro; Clarke, Robert B.; Carrascosa, José L.; Cortajarena, Aitziber L.

2016-02-01

Nanomedicine nowadays offers novel solutions in cancer therapy and diagnosis by introducing multimodal treatments and imaging tools in one single formulation. Nanoparticles acting as nanocarriers change the solubility, biodistribution and efficiency of therapeutic molecules, reducing their side effects. In order to successfully apply these novel therapeutic approaches, efforts are focused on the biological functionalization of the nanoparticles to improve the selectivity towards cancer cells. In this work, we present the synthesis and characterization of novel multifunctionalized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with antiCD44 antibody and gemcitabine derivatives, and their application for the selective treatment of CD44-positive cancer cells. The lymphocyte homing receptor CD44 is overexpressed in a large variety of cancer cells, but also in cancer stem cells (CSCs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Therefore, targeting CD44-overexpressing cells is a challenging and promising anticancer strategy. Firstly, we demonstrate the targeting of antiCD44 functionalized MNPs to different CD44-positive cancer cell lines using a CD44-negative non-tumorigenic cell line as a control, and verify the specificity by ultrastructural characterization and downregulation of CD44 expression. Finally, we show the selective drug delivery potential of the MNPs by the killing of CD44-positive cancer cells using a CD44-negative non-tumorigenic cell line as a control. In conclusion, the proposed multifunctionalized MNPs represent an excellent biocompatible nanoplatform for selective CD44-positive cancer therapy in vitro.

Single-color, in situ photolithography marking of individual CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots containing a single Mn{sup 2+} ion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sawicki, K.; Malinowski, F. K.; Gałkowski, K.

2015-01-05

A simple, single-color method for permanent marking of the position of individual self-assembled semiconductor Quantum Dots (QDs) at cryogenic temperatures is reported. The method combines in situ photolithography with standard micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy. Its utility is proven by a systematic magnetooptical study of a single CdTe/ZnTe QD containing a Mn{sup 2+} ion, where a magnetic field of up to 10 T in two orthogonal, Faraday and Voigt, configurations is applied to the same QD. The presented approach can be applied to a wide range of solid state nanoemitters.

Cd(II) Sorption on Montmorillonite-Humic acid-Bacteria Composites

PubMed Central

Du, Huihui; Chen, Wenli; Cai, Peng; Rong, Xingmin; Dai, Ke; Peacock, Caroline L.; Huang, Qiaoyun

2016-01-01

Soil components (e.g., clays, bacteria and humic substances) are known to produce mineral-organic composites in natural systems. Herein, batch sorption isotherms, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and Cd K-edge EXAFS spectroscopy were applied to investigate the binding characteristics of Cd on montmorillonite(Mont)-humic acid(HA)-bacteria composites. Additive sorption and non-additive Cd(II) sorption behaviour is observed for the binary Mont-bacteria and ternary Mont-HA-bacteria composite, respectively. Specifically, in the ternary composite, the coexistence of HA and bacteria inhibits Cd adsorption, suggesting a “blocking effect” between humic acid and bacterial cells. Large positive entropies (68.1 ~ 114.4 J/mol/K), and linear combination fitting of the EXAFS spectra for Cd adsorbed onto Mont-bacteria and Mont-HA-bacteria composites, demonstrate that Cd is mostly bound to bacterial surface functional groups by forming inner-sphere complexes. All our results together support the assertion that there is a degree of site masking in the ternary clay mineral-humic acid-bacteria composite. Because of this, in the ternary composite, Cd preferentially binds to the higher affinity components-i.e., the bacteria. PMID:26792640

Phosphate fertilizer affected rhizospheric soils: speciation of cadmium and phytoremediation by Chlorophytum comosum.

PubMed

Wang, Youbao; Zhu, Chengfeng; Yang, Hongfei; Zhang, Xiaowei

2017-02-01

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of phosphate fertilization on chemical speciation of cadmium (Cd) in the rhizospheric soil of Chlorophytum comosum, a potential cadmium hyperaccumulator. The results revealed that when 200 mg kg -1 phosphate was applied into the soil, the Cd contents in the exchangeable fraction (EXC), carbonate-binding fraction (CA), and Fe-Mn oxides-binding fraction (Fe-Mn) were the highest, and the Cd content in the residual fraction (RES) was the lowest. Phosphate fertilization could enhance Cd conversion from RES into CA and weak RES, thereby improving the bioavailability of Cd and enhancing Cd enrichment and adsorption by C. comosum. The total Cd content in the soil was reduced by 10.15 mg kg -1 in the planted group, which was significantly different from the control group (p < 0.01). The highest bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) values in root and aboveground parts appeared when the phosphate rates were 276 and 217 mg kg -1 , whereas the highest translocation factor (TF) occurred with a phosphate rate of 188 mg kg -1 . Phosphate fertilization facilitated phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soil by C. comosum.

Disrupted Topological Patterns of Large-Scale Network in Conduct Disorder

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yali; Liu, Weixiang; Ming, Qingsen; Gao, Yidian; Ma, Ren; Zhang, Xiaocui; Situ, Weijun; Wang, Xiang; Yao, Shuqiao; Huang, Bingsheng

2016-01-01

Regional abnormalities in brain structure and function, as well as disrupted connectivity, have been found repeatedly in adolescents with conduct disorder (CD). Yet, the large-scale brain topology associated with CD is not well characterized, and little is known about the systematic neural mechanisms of CD. We employed graphic theory to investigate systematically the structural connectivity derived from cortical thickness correlation in a group of patients with CD (N = 43) and healthy controls (HCs, N = 73). Nonparametric permutation tests were applied for between-group comparisons of graphical metrics. Compared with HCs, network measures including global/local efficiency and modularity all pointed to hypo-functioning in CD, despite of preserved small-world organization in both groups. The hubs distribution is only partially overlapped with each other. These results indicate that CD is accompanied by both impaired integration and segregation patterns of brain networks, and the distribution of highly connected neural network ‘hubs’ is also distinct between groups. Such misconfiguration extends our understanding regarding how structural neural network disruptions may underlie behavioral disturbances in adolescents with CD, and potentially, implicates an aberrant cytoarchitectonic profiles in the brain of CD patients. PMID:27841320

A new photoelectric ink based on nanocellulose/CdS quantum dots for screen-printing.

PubMed

Tang, Aimin; Liu, Yuan; Wang, Qinwen; Chen, Ruisong; Liu, Wangyu; Fang, Zhiqiang; Wang, Lishi

2016-09-05

CdS quantum dots with excellent photoelectrical properties embedded in nanocellulose could be exploited for use in photoelectrical ink. In this work, nanocellulose/CdS quantum dot composites were fabricated by controlling the carboxylate content of the nanocellulose and the molar ratio of Cd(2+)/-COOH. New photoelectric inks were prepared based on the composites, in which the CdS quantum dots acted as the pigment and the nanocellulose as the binder. The results of the photocurrent of the composites showed that the photocurrent could be tailored by the carboxylate content and the molar ratio of Cd(2+)/-COOH. And the photocurrent could be as high as 2μA. The surface tension of the photoelectric ink was 27.80±0.03mN/m and its viscosity was 30.3mPas. The photoelectric ink was stable with excellent fluidity and rheology, it could therefore be applied to screen-printing and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Facile fabrication of CdSe/CdS quantum dots and their application on the screening of colorectal cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Hongfeng; Dong, Quanjin; Hu, Li; Tu, Shiliang; Chai, Rui; Dai, Qiaoqiong

2015-11-01

In this paper, a facile aqueous route to water-soluble CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) under mild conditions has been developed. The samples were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The PL property of the QDs can be controlled by adjusting the reaction time. The CdSe/CdS QDs after 48-h reaction with size of 5 nm have the strongest PL intensity located at 553 nm, and the highest quantum yield of 19.9 %. The obtained QDs were applied for the colorectal cancer screening. The QDs could be conjugated with antibody of aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (AKR1B10) for the detection of AKR1B10. The AKR1B10 in PBS/5 % serum solution with concentration of 1 ng/mL could be well calibrated, and the limit of detection could be lower than 0.05 ng/mL.

Application of path analysis to urinary findings of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction.

PubMed

Abe, T; Kobayashi, E; Okubo, Y; Suwazono, Y; Kido, T; Shaikh, Z A; Nogawa, K

2001-01-01

In order to identify some causal relations among various urinary indices of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction, such as glucose, total protein, amino nitrogen, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), metallothionein (MT), and cadmium (Cd), we applied path analysis method to previous epidemiological studies targeting the residents of the Cd-polluted Kakehashi River basin of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. We obtained a diagram-termed path model, representing some causal relations among the above urinary indices. It shows that urinary Cd is located at the beginning point in the diagram, and Cd-induced renal dysfunction develops in the following order: Cd exposure-->increase of beta 2-m and/or MT excretion-->increase of amino-N and/or total protein excretion-->increase of glucose excretion. It was proved mathematically, that in the case of both males and females, increased excretions of beta 2-m and/or MT were the most sensitive urinary indices of the early stage of chronic Cd-induced renal dysfunction.

Programmed death-1 ligands 1 and 2 expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and their relationship with tumour- infiltrating dendritic cells.

PubMed

Jiao, Q; Liu, C; Li, W; Li, W; Fang, F; Qian, Q; Zhang, X

2017-06-01

The programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, are co-stimulatory molecules that contribute to the negative regulation of T lymphocyte activation. It is still unclear whether there is correlation between PD-L1 or PD-L2 and tumour-infiltrating dendritic cells (TIDCs) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). The aim of this study was to analyse PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression and dendritic cells infiltration in tumour tissue of CSCC patients and investigate their clinical significance. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the expression of PD-L1, PD-L2, CD1a and CD83 in 61 CSCC tissues. The immunofluoresence double-labelling technique was performed to detect the co-expression of PD-L1 or PD-L2 and CD1a or CD83 in tumour tissues. We found that 25 of 61 cases CSCC (40·98%) exhibited positivity for PD-L1, whereas 37 of 61 cases CSCC (60·66%) exhibited positivity for PD-L2. A higher percentage of CD1a-positive cases were observed on both PD-L1-positive and PD-L2-positive specimens compared with that of CD83-positive cases (92·29% versus 37·60%, 83·20% versus 33·16%). The expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 on CD1a + cells was significantly higher than that on CD83 + cells in tumour tissues of CSCC patients. Furthermore, the expression rate of PD-L1 was associated with UICC stage, and the expression rate of PD-L2 was associated with predominant differentiation and tumour size in CSCC. Our results indicated that higher expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 on CD1a + cells than that on CD83 + cells in CSCC tumour tissues may contribute to negative regulation in anti-tumour immune responses. © 2017 British Society for Immunology.

48 CFR 1353.219 - Small business programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Small business programs. 1353.219 Section 1353.219 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CLAUSES AND FORMS FORMS Prescription of Forms 1353.219 Small business programs. Use Form CD-570, Small Business Set...

48 CFR 1353.219 - Small business programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Small business programs. 1353.219 Section 1353.219 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CLAUSES AND FORMS FORMS Prescription of Forms 1353.219 Small business programs. Use Form CD-570, Small Business Set...

48 CFR 1353.219 - Small business programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Small business programs. 1353.219 Section 1353.219 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CLAUSES AND FORMS FORMS Prescription of Forms 1353.219 Small business programs. Use Form CD-570, Small Business Set...

28 CFR 549.13 - Programming, duty, and housing restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT MEDICAL SERVICES Infectious Disease Management § 549.13 Programming, duty, and housing restrictions. (a) The CD will assess any inmate with an infectious disease for appropriateness for programming, duty, and housing. Inmates with infectious diseases that are transmitted through casual contact will be...

28 CFR 549.13 - Programming, duty, and housing restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT MEDICAL SERVICES Infectious Disease Management § 549.13 Programming, duty, and housing restrictions. (a) The CD will assess any inmate with an infectious disease for appropriateness for programming, duty, and housing. Inmates with infectious diseases that are transmitted through casual contact will be...

28 CFR 549.13 - Programming, duty, and housing restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT MEDICAL SERVICES Infectious Disease Management § 549.13 Programming, duty, and housing restrictions. (a) The CD will assess any inmate with an infectious disease for appropriateness for programming, duty, and housing. Inmates with infectious diseases that are transmitted through casual contact will be...

48 CFR 1353.219 - Small business programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Small business programs. 1353.219 Section 1353.219 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CLAUSES AND FORMS FORMS Prescription of Forms 1353.219 Small business programs. Use Form CD-570, Small Business Set...

48 CFR 1353.219 - Small business programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Small business programs. 1353.219 Section 1353.219 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CLAUSES AND FORMS FORMS Prescription of Forms 1353.219 Small business programs. Use Form CD-570, Small Business Set...

CD83 is a new potential biomarker and therapeutic target for Hodgkin lymphoma.

PubMed

Li, Ziduo; Ju, Xinsheng; Lee, Kenneth; Clarke, Candice; Hsu, Jennifer L; Abadir, Edward; Bryant, Christian E; Pears, Suzanne; Sunderland, Neroli; Heffernan, Scott; Hennessy, Annemarie; Lo, Tsun-Ho; Pietersz, Geoffrey A; Kupresanin, Fiona; Fromm, Phillip D; Silveira, Pablo A; Tsonis, Con; Cooper, Wendy A; Cunningham, Ilona; Brown, Christina; Clark, Georgina J; Hart, Derek N J

2018-04-01

Chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are effective treatments for most Hodgkin lymphoma patients, however there remains a need for better tumor-specific target therapy in Hodgkin lymphoma patients with refractory or relapsed disease. Herein, we demonstrate that membrane CD83 is a diagnostic and therapeutic target, highly expressed in Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines and Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in 29/35 (82.9%) Hodgkin lymphoma patient lymph node biopsies. CD83 from Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells was able to trogocytose to surrounding T cells and, interestingly, the trogocytosing CD83 + T cells expressed significantly more programmed death-1 compared to CD83 - T cells. Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells secreted soluble CD83 that inhibited T-cell proliferation, and anti-CD83 antibody partially reversed the inhibitory effect. High levels of soluble CD83 were detected in Hodgkin lymphoma patient sera, which returned to normal in patients who had good clinical responses to chemotherapy confirmed by positron emission tomography scans. We generated a human anti-human CD83 antibody, 3C12C, and its toxin monomethyl auristatin E conjugate, that killed CD83 positive Hodgkin lymphoma cells but not CD83 negative cells. The 3C12C antibody was tested in dose escalation studies in non-human primates. No toxicity was observed, but there was evidence of CD83 positive target cell depletion. These data establish CD83 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in Hodgkin lymphoma. Copyright© 2018 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

Nonvolatile floating gate organic memory device based on pentacene/CdSe quantum dot heterojuction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Ik-Soo; Kim, Jung-Min; Jeun, Jun-Ho; Yoo, Seok-Hyun; Ge, Ziyi; Hong, Jong-In; Ho Bang, Jin; Kim, Yong-Sang

2012-04-01

An organic floating-gate memory device using CdSe quantum dots (QDs) as a charge-trapping element was fabricated. CdSe QDs were localized beneath a pentacene without any tunneling insulator, and the QD layer played a role as hole-trapping sites. The band bending formed at the junction between pentacene and QD layers inhibited back-injection of holes trapped in CdSe into pentacene, which appeared as a hysteretic capacitance-voltage response during the operation of the device. Nearly, 60% of trapped charge was sustained even after 104 s in programmed state, and this long retention time can be potentially useful in practical applications of non-volatile memory.

Effects of combined general-epidural anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia on cellular immunity and prognosis in patients with non‑small cell lung cancer: A comparative study.

PubMed

Xu, Qiang; Shi, Nian-Jun; Zhang, Hao; Zhu, Yan-Mei

2017-10-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of combined general‑epidural anesthesia (CGEA) and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on cellular immunity and prognosis in patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Chinese population. One‑hundred and twenty NSCLC patients were randomly divided into a TIVA group (n=60) and a CGEA group (n=60) using a random number table. All patients underwent video‑assisted thoracoscopic surgery for radical resection. Blood pressure (BP) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured. Post‑operative analgesic effects were evaluated with a visual analog scale pain score. Flow cytometry was applied to measure T lymphocyte subsets [cluster of differentiation (CD)3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+] and natural killer cell CD56+. A 3‑year follow‑up was conducted to observe the prognosis. The analgesic effects of CGEA were identified to be better than those of TIVA. Compared with the TIVA group, the CGEA group demonstrated a shorter time of spontaneous breathing recovery, eyes opening, and extubation, lower heart rate, blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, and higher SpO2. At 24 and 48 h after surgery, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ and CD56+ in the CGEA group were higher than those in the TIVA group. At 72 h after surgery, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ in the CGEA group were higher than those in the TIVA group. These results indicate that CGEA and TIVA effected cellular immunity, and CGEA had a reduced effect on cellular immunity and improved postoperative analgesic effects.

Growth responses of three ornamental plants to Cd and Cd-Pb stress and their metal accumulation characteristics.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-nv; Zhou, Qi-xing; Sun, Ting; Ma, Lena Q; Wang, Song

2008-02-28

Up to now, there was no document on ornamental plants that had been applied to phytoremediation, which can remedy contaminated environment and beautify it at the same time. Thus, the growth responses and possible phytoremediation ability of three ornamental plants selected from the previous preliminary experiments were further examined under single Cd or combined Cd-Pb stress. The results showed that these tested plants had higher tolerance to Cd and Pb contamination and could effectively accumulate the metals, especially for Calendula officinalis and Althaea rosea. For C. officinalis, it grew normally in soils containing 100 mg kg(-1) Cd without suffering phytotoxicity, and the Cd concentration in the roots was up to 1084 mg kg(-1) while the Cd concentration in the shoots was 284 mg kg(-1). For A. rosea, the Cd accumulation in the shoots was higher than that in the roots when the Cd concentration in soils was <100 mg kg(-1), and reached 100 mg kg(-1) as the criteria of a Cd hyperaccumulator when the Cd concentration in soils was 100 mg kg(-1). Their accumulation and tolerance to Cd and Pb were further demonstrated through the hydroponic-culture method. And A. rosea had a great potential as a possible Cd hyperaccumulator under favorable or induced conditions. Furthermore, the interactive effects of Cd and Pb in the three ornamentals were complicated, not only additive, antagonistic or synergistic, but also related to many factors including concentration combinations of heavy metals, plant species and various parts of plants. Thus, it can be forecasted that this work will provide a new way for phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

Prevalence and clinicopathologic features of CD30-positive de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Chinese patients: a retrospective study of 232 cases

PubMed Central

Gong, Qi-Xing; Lu, Ting-Xun; Liu, Chong; Wang, Zhen; Liang, Jin-Hua; Xu, Wei; Li, Jian-Yong; Zhang, Zhi-Hong; Chen, Qi

2015-01-01

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease that great efforts had been made in to build up molecular and immunophenotypic subgroups that could relatively accurate indicate prognosis and give clue to therapy. Recently, CD30 was reported as a useful predictor with favorable clinical outcome. However, CD30 expression patterns and the clinicopathologic features of CD30 positive DLBCL are not well described thus far, especially in Asian patients. Here, we studied 232 cases of de novo DLBCL in East China to investigate the prevalence and clinicopathological features of CD30-positive DLBCL using a panel of immunohistochemical markers. Applying a >0% threshold, CD30 was expressed in approximately 12% patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) negative DLBCL, affecting younger people and showing a lower frequency of BCL2 expression and MYC/BCL2 co-expression. Patients with CD30-positive DLBCLs showed better progression-free survival and overall survival compared with patients with CD30-negative DLBCLs, although the superior outcome of CD30 positivity had minimal effects on BCL2+ DLBCL or DLBCL with MYC/BCL2 co-expression. Moreover, CD30 could express in CD5+ DLBCL. We concluded that CD30 may be useful as a prognostic marker in rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) treated DLBCLs, indicating favorable outcomes in a Chinese population. Further studies with larger samples should be performed to investigate the function of CD30 expression in BCL2+ DLBCLs, DLBCLs with MYC/BCL2 co-expression, and CD5+ DLBCLs, and to evaluate the feasibility of anti-CD30 targeted treatment in DLBCL therapy. PMID:26884853

Atmospheric, Magnetospheric and Plasmas in Space (AMPS) spacelab payload definition study - program analysis and planning for phase C/D document - Volume 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keeley, J. T.

1976-01-01

Typical missions identified for AMPS flights in the arly 1980's are described. Experiment objectives and typical scientific instruments selected to accomplish these objectives are discussed along with mission requirements and shuttle and Spacelab capabilities assessed to determine any AMPS unique requirements. Preliminary design concepts for the first two AMPS flights form the basis for the Phase C/D program plan. This plan implements flights 1 and 2 and indicates how both the scientific and flight support hardware can be systematically evolved for future AMPS flights.

Physiological responses to cadmium stress in strawberry treated with pomegranate peel-activated carbon.

PubMed

Naderi, Somayeh; Gholami, Mahdiyeh; Baninasab, Bahram; Afyuni, Majid

2018-05-12

Many reports have already been published regarding the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon. However, the biosorbents' effect on the plant response still needs further investigation. In this study, activated carbon derived from the pomegranate peel [pomegranate activated carbons (PAC)] was used to see the effects of the addition of PAC on growing strawberry in Cd-contaminated sand. Cd accumulation and toxicity to strawberry was investigated by measuring the concentration of Cd in plant tissues and various biochemical activities of plant. Our results suggested that PAC had a high sorption capacity for Cd. Strawberry plant tried to deal with the Cd-induced oxidative stress by strengthening its antioxidant competences and decreasing Cd absorption. In comparison with the control, PAC applied to the sand decreased the level of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the carotenoid content. The greater tolerance of strawberry toward the level of Cd due to the application of PAC was associated with improving the physical conditions of the soil, increasing the amounts of some essential elements and decreasing the level of Cd absorption. Gaviota strawberry cultivar exposed to 5 or 10 mg kg -1 Cd was able to adopt a new metabolic equilibrium, allowing the plant to cope with this metal.

Specific gene delivery to liver sinusoidal and artery endothelial cells.

PubMed

Abel, Tobias; El Filali, Ebtisam; Waern, Johan; Schneider, Irene C; Yuan, Qinggong; Münch, Robert C; Hick, Meike; Warnecke, Gregor; Madrahimov, Nodir; Kontermann, Roland E; Schüttrumpf, Jörg; Müller, Ulrike C; Seppen, Jurgen; Ott, Michael; Buchholz, Christian J

2013-09-19

Different types of endothelial cells (EC) fulfill distinct tasks depending on their microenvironment. ECs are therefore difficult to genetically manipulate ex vivo for functional studies or gene therapy. We assessed lentiviral vectors (LVs) targeted to the EC surface marker CD105 for in vivo gene delivery. The mouse CD105-specific vector, mCD105-LV, transduced only CD105-positive cells in primary liver cell cultures. Upon systemic injection, strong reporter gene expression was detected in liver where mCD105-LV specifically transduced liver sinusoidal ECs (LSECs) but not Kupffer cells, which were mainly transduced by nontargeted LVs. Tumor ECs were specifically targeted upon intratumoral vector injection. Delivery of the erythropoietin gene with mCD105-LV resulted in substantially increased erythropoietin and hematocrit levels. The human CD105-specific vector (huCD105-LV) transduced exclusively human LSECs in mice transplanted with human liver ECs. Interestingly, when applied at higher dose and in absence of target cells in the liver, huCD105-LV transduced ECs of a human artery transplanted into the descending mouse aorta. The data demonstrate for the first time targeted gene delivery to specialized ECs upon systemic vector administration. This strategy offers novel options to better understand the physiological functions of ECs and to treat genetic diseases such as those affecting blood factors.

Increased B7-H1 expression on dendritic cells correlates with programmed death 1 expression on T cells in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques and may contribute to T cell dysfunction and disease progression.

PubMed

Xu, Huanbin; Wang, Xiaolei; Pahar, Bapi; Moroney-Rasmussen, Terri; Alvarez, Xavier; Lackner, Andrew A; Veazey, Ronald S

2010-12-15

Suppression of dendritic cell (DC) function in HIV-1 infection is thought to contribute to inhibition of immune responses and disease progression, but the mechanism of this suppression remains undetermined. Using the rhesus macaque model, we show B7-H1 (programmed death [PD]-L1) is expressed on lymphoid and mucosal DCs (both myeloid DCs and plasmacytoid DCs), and its expression significantly increases after SIV infection. Meanwhile, its receptor, PD-1, is upregulated on T cells in both peripheral and mucosal tissues and maintained at high levels on SIV-specific CD8(+) T cell clones in chronic infection. However, both B7-H1 and PD-1 expression in SIV controllers was similar to that of controls. Expression of B7-H1 on both peripheral myeloid DCs and plasmacytoid DCs positively correlated with levels of PD-1 on circulating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, viremia, and declining peripheral CD4(+) T cell levels in SIV-infected macaques. Importantly, blocking DC B7-H1 interaction with PD-1(+) T cells could restore SIV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell function as evidenced by increased cytokine secretion and proliferative capacity. Combined, the results indicate that interaction of B7-H1-PD-1 between APCs and T cells correlates with impairment of CD4(+) Th cells and CTL responses in vivo, and all are associated with disease progression in SIV infection. Blockade of this pathway may have therapeutic implications for HIV-infected patients.

Novel red-emission of ternary ZnCdSe semiconductor nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Shu-Ru; Wang, Kuan-Wen; Chen, Hong-Shuo; Chen, Hong-Hong

2015-02-01

The effect of chain lengths of fatty acids on the physical properties of CdSe and ZnCdSe semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) synthesized by the colloidal chemistry procedure is investigated. The fatty acids, lauric acid (LA), and stearic acid (SA), with different lengths of carbon chains, are used to prepare CdSe and ZnCdSe NCs when hexyldecylamine (HDA) is applied as the sole surfactant. For CdSe-SA and ZnCdSe-SA, they have the same emission wavelength at 592 nm and the same particle size of 3.3 nm; however, their quantum yield (QY) is 75 and 16 %, respectively. In contrast, the emission wavelength of CdSe-LA and ZnCdSe-LA NCs is 609 and 615 nm, the particle size is about 3.5 and 4 nm under the same reaction time, and the QY of them are 33 and 59 %, respectively. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that ZnCdSe NCs all have the wurtzite structure, and their main peaks are located between those of pure CdSe and ZnSe materials. The main phase of ZnCdSe-SA and ZnCdSe-LA is ZnSe and CdSe, respectively, implying that alloyed ZnCdSe NC can be prepared and ZnSe and CdSe phase can be promoted by SA and LA, respectively. Moreover, the QY of red-emission ZnCdSe-LA is higher than 50 %. These results suggest that the growth rate of CdSe as well as ZnCdSe NC can be enhanced by using LA as complex reagent and HDA as sole surfactant. It is expected that the reported effective synthetic strategy can be developed as a very practical, easy and not time-consuming approach to prepare red emissive NCs with high QY and high reproducibility.

Volcanoes of México: An Interactive CD-ROM From the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siebert, L.; Kimberly, P.; Calvin, C.; Luhr, J. F.; Kysar, G.

2002-12-01

The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program is nearing completion of an interactive CD-ROM, the Volcanoes of México. This CD is the second in a series sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Geothermal Technologies to collate Smithsonian data on Quaternary volcanism as a resource for the geothermal community. It also has utility for those concerned with volcanic hazard and risk mitgation as well as an educational tool for those interested in Mexican volcanism. We acknowledge the significant contributions of many Mexican volcanologists to the eruption reports, data, and images contained in this CD, in particular those contributions of the Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED), the Colima Volcano Observatory of the University of Colima, and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). The Volcanoes of México CD has a format similar to that of an earlier Smithsonian CD, the Volcanoes of Indonesia, but also shows Pleistocene volcanic centers and additional data on geothermal sites. A clickable map of México shows both Holocene and Pleistocene volcanic centers and provides access to individual pages on 67 volcanoes ranging from Cerro Prieto in Baja California to Tacaná on the Guatemalan border. These include geographic and geologic data on individual volcanoes (as well as a brief paragraph summarizing the geologic history) along with tabular eruption chronologies, eruptive characteristics, and eruptive volumes, when known. Volcano data are accessible from both geographical and alphabetical searches. A major component of the CD is more than 400 digitized images illustrating the morphology of volcanic centers and eruption processes and deposits, providing a dramatic visual primer to the country's volcanoes. Images of specific eruptions can be directly linked to from the eruption chronology tables. The Volcanoes of México CD includes monthly reports and associated figures and tables cataloging volcanic activity in México from the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network and its predecessor, the Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, as well as early event-card notices of the Smithsonian's Center for Short-Lived Phenomena. An extensive petrologic database contains major-element analyses and other petrological and geochemical data for 1776 samples. The user also has access to a database of the Global Volcanism Program's map archives. Another option on the CD views earthquake hypocenters and volcanic eruptions from 1960 to the present plotted sequentially on a map of México and Central America. A bibliography of Mexican volcanism and geothermal research includes references cited in the Smithsonian's volcano database as well as those obtained from a search of the Georef bibliographic database. For more advanced queries and searches both the petrologic database and volcanic activity reports can be uploaded from the CD.

Comparative Assessment of Response to Cadmium in Heavy Metal-Tolerant Shrubs Cultured In Vitro.

PubMed

Wiszniewska, A; Hanus-Fajerska, E; Muszyńska, E; Smoleń, S

2017-01-01

Two species of Pb-adapted shrubs, Alyssum montanum and Daphne jasminea , were evaluated in vitro for their tolerance to elevated concentrations of cadmium. Shoot cultures were treated with 0.5, 2.5, and 5.0 μM CdCl 2 for 16 weeks and analyzed for their organogenic response, biomass accretion, pigment content, and macronutrient status. Cadmium accumulation and its root-to-shoot translocation were also determined. In both species, rooted microplantlets, suitable for acclimatization, were obtained in the presence of Cd applied as selection agent. In A. montanum , low and moderate dose of Cd stimulated multiplication, rooting, and biomass production. Growth tolerance index (GTI) in Cd-treated shoots ranged from 120 to 215%, while in the roots 51-202%. In turn, in Cd-treated D. jasminea proliferation and rooting were inhibited, and GTI for shoots decreased with increasing doses of Cd. However, roots exposed to Cd had higher biomass accretion. Both species accumulated Cd in developed organs, and its content increased with increasing CdCl 2 dose. Interestingly, D. jasminea accumulated higher amounts of Cd in the roots than A. montanum and immobilized this metal in the root system. On the contrary, A. montanum translocated some part of accumulated Cd to the shoots, but with low efficiency. In the presence of Cd, A. montanum maintained macronutrient homeostasis and synthesized higher amounts of phytosynthetic pigments in the shoots. D. jasminea accumulated root biomass, immobilized Cd, and restricted its translocation at the expense of nutrient balance. Considering remediation potential, A. montanum could be exploited in phytoextraction, while D. jasminea in phytostabilization of polluted substrate.

Planning and Preparation for CD-ROM Implementation: The Citadel Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maynard, J. Edmund

Management guidelines for library planning and a strategic planning program profile based on the literature were used in the planning process for implementing access to databases on CD-ROM at the Daniel Library of the Citadel, Military College of South Carolina. According to this model, the planning process would consist of five stages: (1)…

76 FR 17637 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Miele...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-30

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [Case No. CD-005] Energy... Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Decision and order. SUMMARY: The U.S... Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Decision and Order In the Matter of: Miele, Inc. (Case No. CD-005...

Nonlinear optical switching and optical limiting in colloidal CdSe quantum dots investigated by nanosecond Z-scan measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valligatla, Sreeramulu; Haldar, Krishna Kanta; Patra, Amitava; Desai, Narayana Rao

2016-10-01

The semiconductor nanocrystals are found to be promising class of third order nonlinear optical materials because of quantum confinement effects. Here, we highlight the nonlinear optical switching and optical limiting of cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) using nanosecond Z-scan measurement. The intensity dependent nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction of CdSe QDs were investigated by applying the Z-scan technique with 532 nm, nanosecond laser pulses. At lower intensities, the nonlinear process is dominated by saturable absorption (SA) and it is changed to reverse saturable absorption (RSA) at higher intensities. The SA behaviour is attributed to the ground state bleaching and the RSA is ascribed to free carrier absorption (FCA) of CdSe QDs. The nonlinear optical switching behaviour and reverse saturable absorption makes CdSe QDs are good candidate for all-optical device and optical limiting applications.

Synthesis and Characteristics of Large-Area and High-Filling CdS Nanowire Arrays in AAO Template.

PubMed

Lv, Xiao-Yi; Hou, Jun-Wei; Gao, Zhi-Xian; Liu, Hong-Fei

2018-05-01

CdS nanowires arrays were successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal process using AAO as templates. The phase structures, morphologies, and optical properties of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It was found that the nanowires were composed of hexagonal structure CdS nanoparticles and the average diameters is about 60-70 nm. A strong green emission with a maximum around 505 nm was observed from the synthesized CdS nanowires at room temperature, which was attributed to near-band-edge emission. A 3D self-seed nucleation coalescent process was proposed for the formation of CdS nanowires structures. The present synthetic route is expected to be applied to the synthesis of other II-VI groups or other group's 1D semiconducting materials.

High efficiency solution processed sintered CdTe nanocrystal solar cells: the role of interfaces.

PubMed

Panthani, Matthew G; Kurley, J Matthew; Crisp, Ryan W; Dietz, Travis C; Ezzyat, Taha; Luther, Joseph M; Talapin, Dmitri V

2014-02-12

Solution processing of photovoltaic semiconducting layers offers the potential for drastic cost reduction through improved materials utilization and high device throughput. One compelling solution-based processing strategy utilizes semiconductor layers produced by sintering nanocrystals into large-grain semiconductors at relatively low temperatures. Using n-ZnO/p-CdTe as a model system, we fabricate sintered CdTe nanocrystal solar cells processed at 350 °C with power conversion efficiencies (PCE) as high as 12.3%. JSC of over 25 mA cm(-2) are achieved, which are comparable or higher than those achieved using traditional, close-space sublimated CdTe. We find that the VOC can be substantially increased by applying forward bias for short periods of time. Capacitance measurements as well as intensity- and temperature-dependent analysis indicate that the increased VOC is likely due to relaxation of an energetic barrier at the ITO/CdTe interface.

Uncooled middle wavelength infrared photoconductors based on (111) and (100) oriented HgCdTe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madejczyk, Paweł; Kębłowski, Artur; Gawron, Waldemar; Martyniuk, Piotr; Kopytko, Małgorzata; Stępień, Dawid; Rutkowski, Jarosław; Piotrowski, Józef; Piotrowski, Adam; Rogalski, Antoni

2017-09-01

We present progress in metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of (100) HgCdTe epilayers achieved recently at the Institute of Applied Physics, Military University of Technology and Vigo System S.A. It is shown that MOCVD technology is an excellent tool for the fabrication of different HgCdTe detector structures with a wide range of composition, donor/acceptor doping, and without post grown ex-situ annealing. Surface morphology, residual background concentration, and acceptor doping efficiency are compared in (111) and (100) oriented HgCdTe epilayers. At elevated temperatures, the carrier lifetime in measured p-type photoresistors is determined by Auger 7 process with about one order of magnitude difference between theoretical and experimental values. Particular progress has been achieved in the growth of (100) HgCdTe epilayers for medium wavelength infrared photoconductors operated in high-operating temperature conditions.

Aerial image metrology for OPC modeling and mask qualification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ao; Foong, Yee Mei; Thaler, Thomas; Buttgereit, Ute; Chung, Angeline; Burbine, Andrew; Sturtevant, John; Clifford, Chris; Adam, Kostas; De Bisschop, Peter

2017-06-01

As nodes become smaller and smaller, the OPC applied to enable these nodes becomes more and more sophisticated. This trend peaks today in curve-linear OPC approaches that are currently starting to appear on the roadmap. With this sophistication of OPC, the mask pattern complexity increases. CD-SEM based mask qualification strategies as they are used today are starting to struggle to provide a precise forecast of the printing behavior of a mask on wafer. An aerial image CD measurement performed on ZEISS Wafer-Level CD system (WLCD) is a complementary approach to mask CD-SEMs to judge the lithographical performance of the mask and its critical production features. The advantage of the aerial image is that it includes all optical effects of the mask such as OPC, SRAF, 3D mask effects, once the image is taken under scanner equivalent illumination conditions. Additionally, it reduces the feature complexity and analyzes the printing relevant CD.

A FORTRAN IV Computer Program for the Time Domain Analysis of the Two- Dimensional Dynamic Motions of General Buoy-Cable-Body Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-06-01

SPHEROIDAL BUOYS As mentioned previously, for the limiting case of zero ; educed frequency where tile free surface behaves as a rigid plane, the...4P ) -4 -4 ft O D - % Cdd :# P) fy ou Cd 1d Cd’. . 6 - C3 ’o .. eg S w Cd *g.4C~dI~**II~.a Ký 0 4 : 10 In H-C IV ..4 _ C) bu 0 40 la W C2C W cc lp lqa

Surface complexation modeling of proton and Cd adsorption onto an algal cell wall.

PubMed

Kaulbach, Emily S; Szymanowski, Jennifer E S; Fein, Jeremy B

2005-06-01

This study quantifies Cd adsorption onto the cell wall of the algal species Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata by applying a surface complexation approach to model the observed adsorption behavior. We use potentiometric titrations to determine deprotonation constants and site concentrations for the functional groups on the algal cell wall. Adsorption and desorption kinetics experiments illustrate that adsorption of Cd onto the cell wall is rapid and reversible, except under low pH conditions. Adsorption experiments conducted as a function of pH and total Cd concentration yield the stoichiometry and site-specific stability constants for the important Cd-algal surface complexes. We model the acid/base properties of the algal cell wall by invoking four discrete surface functional group types, with pKa values of 3.9 +/- 0.3, 5.4 +/- 0.1, 7.6 +/- 0.3, and 9.6 +/- 0.4. The results of the Cd adsorption experiments indicate that the first, third, and fourth sites contribute to Cd adsorption under the experimental conditions, with calculated log stability constant values of 4.1 +/- 0.5, 5.4 +/- 0.5, and 6.1 +/- 0.4, respectively. Our results suggest that the stabilities of the Cd-surface complexes are high enough for algal adsorption to affect the fate and transport of Cd under some conditions and that on a per gram basis, algae and bacteria exhibit broadly similar extents of Cd adsorption.

Second Korean guidelines for the management of Crohn's disease

PubMed Central

Park, Jae Jun; Ye, Byong Duk; Kim, Jong Wook; Park, Dong Il; Yoon, Hyuk; Im, Jong Pil; Lee, Kang Moon; Yoon, Sang Nam; Lee, Heeyoung

2017-01-01

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected. PMID:28239314

Performance and mechanism of simultaneous removal of Cd(II) and Congo red from aqueous solution by hierarchical vaterite spherulites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yuan-Yuan; Yu, Sheng-Hui; Jiang, Hao-Fan; Yao, Qi-Zhi; Fu, Sheng-Quan; Zhou, Gen-Tao

2018-06-01

Hierarchical vaterite spherulites, synthesized by a simple injection-precipitation method at room temperature, were applied for the simultaneous removal of heavy metal Cd(II) and dye Congo red (CR) from aqueous solution. Batch experiments reveal that the maximum removal capacities of as-prepared vaterite spherulites to Cd(II) and CR are 984.5 and 89.0 mg/g, respectively, showing excellent removal performance for Cd(II) and CR. Furthermore, in the binary Cd(II)-CR system, the removal capacity of vaterite to Cd(II) is significantly enhanced at lower CR concentration (<100 mg/L), but inhibited at higher CR concentration (>100 mg/L). In contrast, the concurrent Cd(II) shows negligible effect on the CR removal. The simultaneous removal mechanism was investigated by FESEM, EDX, XRD, FT-IR and XPS techniques. The simultaneous removal of Cd(II) and CR in the binary system is shown to be a multistep process, involving the preferential adsorption of dye CR, stabilization of CR to vaterite, coordination of the adsorbed CR molecules with Cd(II), and transformation of vaterite into otavite. Given the facile and green synthesis procedure, and effective removal of Cd(II) and CR in the binary system, the obtained vaterite spherulites have considerable practical interest in integrative treatment of wastewater contaminated by heavy metals and dyes.

Expansion of PD-1-positive effector CD4 T cells in an experimental model of SLE: contribution to the self-organized criticality theory.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Yumi; Tsumiyama, Ken; Yamane, Takashi; Ito, Mitsuhiro; Shiozawa, Shunichi

2013-04-18

We have developed a systems biology concept to explain the origin of systemic autoimmunity. From our studies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) we have concluded that this disease is the inevitable consequence of over-stimulating the host's immune system by repeated exposure to antigen to levels that surpass a critical threshold, which we term the system's "self-organized criticality". We observed that overstimulation of CD4 T cells in mice led to the development of autoantibody-inducing CD4 T cells (aiCD4 T) capable of generating various autoantibodies and pathological lesions identical to those observed in SLE. We show here that this is accompanied by the significant expansion of a novel population of effector T cells characterized by expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1)-positive, CD27(low), CD127(low), CCR7(low) and CD44(high)CD62L(low) markers, as well as increased production of IL-2 and IL-6. In addition, repeated immunization caused the expansion of CD8 T cells into fully-matured cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that express Ly6C(high)CD122(high) effector and memory markers. Thus, overstimulation with antigen leads to the expansion of a novel effector CD4 T cell population that expresses an unusual memory marker, PD-1, and that may contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 3: Program acquisition planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonderesch, A. H.

1972-01-01

Plans for conducting Phase C/D for a solid rocket motor booster vehicle are presented. Methods for conducting this program with details of scheduling, testing, and program management and control are included. The requirements of the space shuttle program to deliver a minimum cost/maximum reliability booster vehicle are examined.

Books and Pets: Our Friends for Life! Arizona Reading Program Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arizona State Dept. of Library, Archives and Public Records, Phoenix.

This reading program manual delineates the "Books and Pets" program, a project of Arizona Reads, which is a collaboration between the Arizona Humanities Council and the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records. A CD-ROM version of the program accompanies the manual. The manual is divided into the following parts: Introduction;…

Immune evasion via PD-1/PD-L1 on NK cells and monocyte/macrophages is more prominent in Hodgkin lymphoma than DLBCL

PubMed Central

Vari, Frank; Arpon, David; Keane, Colm; Hertzberg, Mark S.; Talaulikar, Dipti; Jain, Sanjiv; Cui, Qingyan; Han, Erica; Tobin, Josh; Bird, Robert; Cross, Donna; Hernandez, Annette; Gould, Clare; Birch, Simone

2018-01-01

Much focus has been on the interaction of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on malignant B cells with programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) on effector T cells in inhibiting antilymphoma immunity. We sought to establish the contribution of natural killer (NK) cells and inhibitory CD163+ monocytes/macrophages in Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Levels of PD-1 on NK cells were elevated in cHL relative to DLBCL. Notably, CD3−CD56hiCD16-ve NK cells had substantially higher PD-1 expression relative to CD3−CD56dimCD16+ cells and were expanded in blood and tissue, more marked in patients with cHL than patients with DLBCL. There was also a raised population of PD-L1-expressing CD163+ monocytes that was more marked in patients with cHL compared with patients with DLBCL. The phenotype of NK cells and monocytes reverted back to normal once therapy (ABVD [doxorubicin 25 mg/m2, bleomycin 10 000 IU/m2, vinblastine 6 mg/m2, dacarbazine 375 mg/m2, all given days 1 and 15, repeated every 28 days] or R-CHOP [rituximab 375 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 IV, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 IV, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (2 mg maximum) IV, prednisone 100 mg/day by mouth days 1-5, pegfilgrastim 6 mg subcutaneously day 4, on a 14-day cycle]) had commenced. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressed high levels of PD-L1/PD-L2 within diseased lymph nodes. Consistent with this, CD163/PD-L1/PD-L2 gene expression was also elevated in cHL relative to DLBCL tissues. An in vitro functional model of TAM-like monocytes suppressed activation of PD-1hi NK cells, which was reversed by PD-1 blockade. In line with these findings, depletion of circulating monocytes from the blood of pretherapy patients with cHL and patients with DLBCL enhanced CD3−CD56hiCD16-ve NK-cell activation. We describe a hitherto unrecognized immune evasion strategy mediated via skewing toward an exhausted PD-1-enriched CD3−CD56hiCD16-ve NK-cell phenotype. In addition to direct inhibition of NK cells by the malignant B cell, suppression of NK cells can occur indirectly by PD-L1/PD-L2-expressing TAMs. The mechanism is more prominent in cHL than DLBCL, which may contribute to the clinical sensitivity of cHL to PD-1 blockade. PMID:29449276

Depletion of CD52-positive cells inhibits the development of central nervous system autoimmune disease, but deletes an immune-tolerance promoting CD8 T-cell population. Implications for secondary autoimmunity of alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

von Kutzleben, Stephanie; Pryce, Gareth; Giovannoni, Gavin; Baker, David

2017-04-01

The objective was to determine whether CD52 lymphocyte depletion can act to promote immunological tolerance induction by way of intravenous antigen administration such that it could be used to either improve efficiency of multiple sclerosis (MS) inhibition or inhibit secondary autoimmunities that may occur following alemtuzumab use in MS. Relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced in ABH mice and immune cell depletion was therapeutically applied using mouse CD52 or CD4 (in conjunction with CD8 or CD20) depleting monoclonal antibodies. Immunological unresponsiveness was then subsequently induced using intravenous central nervous system antigens and responses were assessed clinically. A dose-response of CD4 monoclonal antibody depletion indicated that the 60-70% functional CD4 T-cell depletion achieved in perceived failed trials in MS was perhaps too low to even stop disease in animals. However, more marked (~75-90%) physical depletion of CD4 T cells by CD4 and CD52 depleting antibodies inhibited relapsing disease. Surprisingly, in contrast to CD4 depletion, CD52 depletion blocked robust immunological unresponsiveness through a mechanism involving CD8 T cells. Although efficacy was related to the level of CD4 T-cell depletion, the observations that CD52 depletion of CD19 B cells was less marked in lymphoid organs than in the blood provides a rationale for the rapid B-cell hyper-repopulation that occurs following alemtuzumab administration in MS. That B cells repopulate in the relative absence of T-cell regulatory mechanisms that promote immune tolerance may account for the secondary B-cell autoimmunities, which occur following alemtuzumab treatment of MS. © 2016 The Authors. Immunology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Reproducible diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by flow cytometry: An European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC) & European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis (ESCCA) Harmonisation project

PubMed Central

Kreuzer, Karl‐Anton; Soosapilla, Asha; Spacek, Martin; Stehlikova, Olga; Gambell, Peter; McIver‐Brown, Neil; Villamor, Neus; Psarra, Katherina; Arroz, Maria; Milani, Raffaella; de la Serna, Javier; Cedena, M. Teresa; Jaksic, Ozren; Nomdedeu, Josep; Moreno, Carol; Rigolin, Gian Matteo; Cuneo, Antonio; Johansen, Preben; Johnsen, Hans E.; Rosenquist, Richard; Niemann, Carsten Utoft; Kern, Wolfgang; Westerman, David; Trneny, Marek; Mulligan, Stephen; Doubek, Michael; Pospisilova, Sarka; Hillmen, Peter; Oscier, David; Hallek, Michael; Ghia, Paolo; Montserrat, Emili

2018-01-01

The diagnostic criteria for CLL rely on morphology and immunophenotype. Current approaches have limitations affecting reproducibility and there is no consensus on the role of new markers. The aim of this project was to identify reproducible criteria and consensus on markers recommended for the diagnosis of CLL. ERIC/ESCCA members classified 14 of 35 potential markers as “required” or “recommended” for CLL diagnosis, consensus being defined as >75% and >50% agreement, respectively. An approach to validate “required” markers using normal peripheral blood was developed. Responses were received from 150 participants with a diagnostic workload >20 CLL cases per week in 23/150 (15%), 5–20 in 82/150 (55%), and <5 cases per week in 45/150 (30%). The consensus for “required” diagnostic markers included: CD19, CD5, CD20, CD23, Kappa, and Lambda. “Recommended” markers potentially useful for differential diagnosis were: CD43, CD79b, CD81, CD200, CD10, and ROR1. Reproducible criteria for component reagents were assessed retrospectively in 14,643 cases from 13 different centers and showed >97% concordance with current approaches. A pilot study to validate staining quality was completed in 11 centers. Markers considered as “required” for the diagnosis of CLL by the participants in this study (CD19, CD5, CD20, CD23, Kappa, and Lambda) are consistent with current diagnostic criteria and practice. Importantly, a reproducible approach to validate and apply these markers in individual laboratories has been identified. Finally, a consensus “recommended” panel of markers to refine diagnosis in borderline cases (CD43, CD79b, CD81, CD200, CD10, and ROR1) has been defined and will be prospectively evaluated. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society PMID:29024461

Reproducible diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by flow cytometry: An European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC) & European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis (ESCCA) Harmonisation project.

PubMed

Rawstron, Andy C; Kreuzer, Karl-Anton; Soosapilla, Asha; Spacek, Martin; Stehlikova, Olga; Gambell, Peter; McIver-Brown, Neil; Villamor, Neus; Psarra, Katherina; Arroz, Maria; Milani, Raffaella; de la Serna, Javier; Cedena, M Teresa; Jaksic, Ozren; Nomdedeu, Josep; Moreno, Carol; Rigolin, Gian Matteo; Cuneo, Antonio; Johansen, Preben; Johnsen, Hans E; Rosenquist, Richard; Niemann, Carsten Utoft; Kern, Wolfgang; Westerman, David; Trneny, Marek; Mulligan, Stephen; Doubek, Michael; Pospisilova, Sarka; Hillmen, Peter; Oscier, David; Hallek, Michael; Ghia, Paolo; Montserrat, Emili

2018-01-01

The diagnostic criteria for CLL rely on morphology and immunophenotype. Current approaches have limitations affecting reproducibility and there is no consensus on the role of new markers. The aim of this project was to identify reproducible criteria and consensus on markers recommended for the diagnosis of CLL. ERIC/ESCCA members classified 14 of 35 potential markers as "required" or "recommended" for CLL diagnosis, consensus being defined as >75% and >50% agreement, respectively. An approach to validate "required" markers using normal peripheral blood was developed. Responses were received from 150 participants with a diagnostic workload >20 CLL cases per week in 23/150 (15%), 5-20 in 82/150 (55%), and <5 cases per week in 45/150 (30%). The consensus for "required" diagnostic markers included: CD19, CD5, CD20, CD23, Kappa, and Lambda. "Recommended" markers potentially useful for differential diagnosis were: CD43, CD79b, CD81, CD200, CD10, and ROR1. Reproducible criteria for component reagents were assessed retrospectively in 14,643 cases from 13 different centers and showed >97% concordance with current approaches. A pilot study to validate staining quality was completed in 11 centers. Markers considered as "required" for the diagnosis of CLL by the participants in this study (CD19, CD5, CD20, CD23, Kappa, and Lambda) are consistent with current diagnostic criteria and practice. Importantly, a reproducible approach to validate and apply these markers in individual laboratories has been identified. Finally, a consensus "recommended" panel of markers to refine diagnosis in borderline cases (CD43, CD79b, CD81, CD200, CD10, and ROR1) has been defined and will be prospectively evaluated. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society. © 2017 The Authors. Cytometry Part B: Clinical Cytometry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Nano-Pulse Stimulation induces immunogenic cell death in human papillomavirus-transformed tumors and initiates an adaptive immune response

PubMed Central

Skeate, Joseph G.; Da Silva, Diane M.; Chavez-Juan, Elena; Anand, Snjezana; Nuccitelli, Richard; Kast, W. Martin

2018-01-01

Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) is a non-thermal pulsed electric field modality that has been shown to have cancer therapeutic effects. Here we applied NPS treatment to the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16)-transformed C3.43 mouse tumor cell model and showed that it is effective at eliminating primary tumors through the induction of immunogenic cell death while subsequently increasing the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment. In vitro NPS treatment of C3.43 cells resulted in a doubling of activated caspase 3/7 along with the translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, indicating programmed cell death activity. Tumor-bearing mice receiving standard NPS treatment showed an initial decrease in tumor volume followed by clearing of tumors in most mice, and a significant increase in overall survival. Intra-tumor analysis of mice that were unable to clear tumors showed an inverse correlation between the number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and the size of the tumor. Approximately half of the mice that cleared established tumors were protected against tumor re-challenge on the opposite flank. Selective depletion of CD8+ T cells eliminated this protection, suggesting that NPS treatment induces an adaptive immune response generating CD8+ T cells that recognize tumor antigen(s) associated with the C3.43 tumor model. This method may be utilized in the future to not only ablate primary tumors, but also to induce an anti-tumor response driven by effector CD8+ T cells capable of protecting individuals from disease recurrence. PMID:29324830

Nano-Pulse Stimulation induces immunogenic cell death in human papillomavirus-transformed tumors and initiates an adaptive immune response.

PubMed

Skeate, Joseph G; Da Silva, Diane M; Chavez-Juan, Elena; Anand, Snjezana; Nuccitelli, Richard; Kast, W Martin

2018-01-01

Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) is a non-thermal pulsed electric field modality that has been shown to have cancer therapeutic effects. Here we applied NPS treatment to the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16)-transformed C3.43 mouse tumor cell model and showed that it is effective at eliminating primary tumors through the induction of immunogenic cell death while subsequently increasing the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment. In vitro NPS treatment of C3.43 cells resulted in a doubling of activated caspase 3/7 along with the translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, indicating programmed cell death activity. Tumor-bearing mice receiving standard NPS treatment showed an initial decrease in tumor volume followed by clearing of tumors in most mice, and a significant increase in overall survival. Intra-tumor analysis of mice that were unable to clear tumors showed an inverse correlation between the number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and the size of the tumor. Approximately half of the mice that cleared established tumors were protected against tumor re-challenge on the opposite flank. Selective depletion of CD8+ T cells eliminated this protection, suggesting that NPS treatment induces an adaptive immune response generating CD8+ T cells that recognize tumor antigen(s) associated with the C3.43 tumor model. This method may be utilized in the future to not only ablate primary tumors, but also to induce an anti-tumor response driven by effector CD8+ T cells capable of protecting individuals from disease recurrence.

CdS-sensitized TiO2 nanocorals: hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, application.

PubMed

Mali, S S; Desai, S K; Dalavi, D S; Betty, C A; Bhosale, P N; Patil, P S

2011-10-01

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticle-sensitized titanium oxide nanocorals (TNC) were synthesized using a two-step deposition process. The TiO(2) nanocorals were grown on the conducting glass substrates (FTO) using A hydrothermal process and CdS nanoparticles were loaded on TNC using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The TiO(2), CdS and TiO(2)-CdS samples were characterized by optical absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-Raman, FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle. Further, their photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance was tested in NaOH, Na(2)S-NaOH-S and Na(2)S electrolytes, respectively. When CdS nanoparticles are coated on TNCs, the optical absorption is found to be enhanced and band edge is red-shifted towards visible region. The TiO(2)-CdS sample exhibits improved photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance with maximum short circuit current of (J(sc)) 1.04 mA cm(-2). After applying these TiO(2)-CdS electrodes in photovoltaic cells, the photocurrent was found to be enhanced by 2.7 and 32.5 times, as compared with those of bare CdS and TiO(2) nanocorals films electrodes respectively. Also, the power conversion efficiency of TiO(2)-CdS electrodes is 0.72%, which is enhanced by about 16 and 29 times for TiO(2), CdS samples. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry and Owner Societies 2011

Existence of CD8α-like dendritic cells with a conserved functional specialization and a common molecular signature in distant mammalian species.

PubMed

Contreras, Vanessa; Urien, Céline; Guiton, Rachel; Alexandre, Yannick; Vu Manh, Thien-Phong; Andrieu, Thibault; Crozat, Karine; Jouneau, Luc; Bertho, Nicolas; Epardaud, Mathieu; Hope, Jayne; Savina, Ariel; Amigorena, Sebastian; Bonneau, Michel; Dalod, Marc; Schwartz-Cornil, Isabelle

2010-09-15

The mouse lymphoid organ-resident CD8alpha(+) dendritic cell (DC) subset is specialized in Ag presentation to CD8(+) T cells. Recent evidence shows that mouse nonlymphoid tissue CD103(+) DCs and human blood DC Ag 3(+) DCs share similarities with CD8alpha(+) DCs. We address here whether the organization of DC subsets is conserved across mammals in terms of gene expression signatures, phenotypic characteristics, and functional specialization, independently of the tissue of origin. We study the DC subsets that migrate from the skin in the ovine species that, like all domestic animals, belongs to the Laurasiatheria, a distinct phylogenetic clade from the supraprimates (human/mouse). We demonstrate that the minor sheep CD26(+) skin lymph DC subset shares significant transcriptomic similarities with mouse CD8alpha(+) and human blood DC Ag 3(+) DCs. This allowed the identification of a common set of phenotypic characteristics for CD8alpha-like DCs in the three mammalian species (i.e., SIRP(lo), CADM1(hi), CLEC9A(hi), CD205(hi), XCR1(hi)). Compared to CD26(-) DCs, the sheep CD26(+) DCs show 1) potent stimulation of allogeneic naive CD8(+) T cells with high selective induction of the Ifngamma and Il22 genes; 2) dominant efficacy in activating specific CD8(+) T cells against exogenous soluble Ag; and 3) selective expression of functional pathways associated with high capacity for Ag cross-presentation. Our results unravel a unifying definition of the CD8alpha(+)-like DCs across mammalian species and identify molecular candidates that could be used for the design of vaccines applying to mammals in general.

Morpho-Physiological and Proteome Level Responses to Cadmium Stress in Sorghum

PubMed Central

Kamal, Abu Hena Mostafa; Kim, Sang-Woo; Oh, Myeong-Won; Lee, Moon-Soon; Chung, Keun-Yook; Xin, Zhanguo; Woo, Sun-Hee

2016-01-01

Cadmium (Cd) stress may cause serious morphological and physiological abnormalities in addition to altering the proteome in plants. The present study was performed to explore Cd-induced morpho-physiological alterations and their potential associated mechanisms in Sorghum bicolor leaves at the protein level. Ten-day-old sorghum seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 μM) of CdCl2, and different morpho-physiological responses were recorded. The effects of Cd exposure on protein expression patterns in S. bicolor were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in samples derived from the leaves of both control and Cd-treated seedlings. The observed morphological changes revealed that the plants treated with Cd displayed dramatically altered shoot lengths, fresh weights and relative water content. In addition, the concentration of Cd was markedly increased by treatment with Cd, and the amount of Cd taken up by the shoots was significantly and directly correlated with the applied concentration of Cd. Using the 2-DE method, a total of 33 differentially expressed protein spots were analyzed using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Of these, treatment with Cd resulted in significant increases in 15 proteins and decreases in 18 proteins. Major changes were absorbed in the levels of proteins known to be involved in carbohydrate metabolism, transcriptional regulation, translation and stress responses. Proteomic results revealed that Cd stress had an inhibitory effect on carbon fixation, ATP production and the regulation of protein synthesis. Our study provides insights into the integrated molecular mechanisms involved in responses to Cd and the effects of Cd on the growth and physiological characteristics of sorghum seedlings. We have aimed to provide a reference describing the mechanisms involved in heavy metal damage to plants. PMID:26919231

Stewplan: software for creating forest stewardship plans (Version 1.3)

Treesearch

Peter D. Knopp; Mark J. Twery

2003-01-01

Describes the purpose and function of the Stewplan computer program. Provides instructions for loading Stewplan, a tutorial for getting started, and instructions for use. A copy of the program is included. [User's manual; CD-ROM].

General Chemistry Collection for Students (CD-ROM), Abstract of Special Issue 16, 4th Edition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2000-07-01

The General Chemistry Collection contains both new and previously published JCE Software programs that are intended for use by introductory-level chemistry students. These peer-reviewed programs for Macintosh and for Windows are available on a single CD-ROM for convenient distribution to and access by students, and the CD may be adopted for students to purchase as they would a textbook. General Chemistry Collection covers a broad range of topics providing students with interesting information, tutorials, and simulations that will be useful to them as they study chemistry for the first time. There are 22 programs included in the General Chemistry Collection 4th Edition. Their titles and the general chemistry topics they cover are listed in Table 1. Features in This Edition General Chemistry Collection, 4th edition includes:

• Lessons for Introductory Chemistry and INQUAL-S, two new programs not previously published by JCE Software (abstracts appear below)
• Writing Electron Dot Structures (1) and Viscosity Measurement: A Virtual Experiment for Windows (2), two programs published individually by JCE Software
• Periodic Table Live! LE, a limited edition of Periodic Table Live!, 2nd Edition (3) (this replaces Chemistry Navigator (4) and Illustrated Periodic Table (5))
• Many of the programs from previous editions (6)1

CD30 expression defines a novel subgroup of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with favorable prognosis and distinct gene expression signature: a report from the International DLBCL Rituximab-CHOP Consortium Program Study

PubMed Central

Hu, Shimin; Xu-Monette, Zijun Y.; Balasubramanyam, Aarthi; Manyam, Ganiraju C.; Visco, Carlo; Tzankov, Alexander; Liu, Wei-min; Miranda, Roberto N.; Zhang, Li; Montes-Moreno, Santiago; Dybkær, Karen; Chiu, April; Orazi, Attilio; Zu, Youli; Bhagat, Govind; Richards, Kristy L.; Hsi, Eric D.; Choi, William W. L.; Han van Krieken, J.; Huang, Qin; Huh, Jooryung; Ai, Weiyun; Ponzoni, Maurilio; Ferreri, Andrés J. M.; Zhao, Xiaoying; Winter, Jane N.; Zhang, Mingzhi; Li, Ling; Møller, Michael B.; Piris, Miguel A.; Li, Yong; Go, Ronald S.; Wu, Lin; Medeiros, L. Jeffrey; Young, Ken H.

2013-01-01

CD30, originally identified as a cell-surface marker of Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin cells of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, is also expressed by several types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the prognostic and biological importance of CD30 expression in DLBCL is unknown. Here we report that CD30 expression is a favorable prognostic factor in a cohort of 903 de novo DLBCL patients. CD30 was expressed in ∼14% of DLBCL patients. Patients with CD30+ DLBCL had superior 5-year overall survival (CD30+, 79% vs CD30–, 59%; P = .001) and progression-free survival (P = .003). The favorable outcome of CD30 expression was maintained in both the germinal center B-cell and activated B-cell subtypes. Gene expression profiling revealed the upregulation of genes encoding negative regulators of nuclear factor κB activation and lymphocyte survival, and downregulation of genes encoding B-cell receptor signaling and proliferation, as well as prominent cytokine and stromal signatures in CD30+ DLBCL patients, suggesting a distinct molecular basis for its favorable outcome. Given the superior prognostic value, unique gene expression signature, and significant value of CD30 as a therapeutic target for brentuximab vedotin in ongoing successful clinical trials, it seems appropriate to consider CD30+ DLBCL as a distinct subgroup of DLBCL. PMID:23343832

Digital Education to Limit Salt in the Home (DELISH) Program Improves Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Behaviors Among Children.

PubMed

Grimes, Carley Ann; Booth, Alison; Khokhar, Durreajam; West, Madeline; Margerison, Claire; Campbell, Karen Jane; Nowson, Caryl Anne

2018-06-01

To determine the efficacy of a Web-based salt reduction program on children's salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs), self-efficacy, and intake of dietary salt. Pretest and posttest. An online survey determined KABs and self-efficacy and a 24-hour urine collection revealed salt intake. Victoria, Australia. Child-parent dyads (n = 102) recruited from 5 government schools. A 5-week behavior-based education program delivered via weekly online interactive education sessions. Change in KABs, self-efficacy, and daily salt intake. Changes in outcomes were assessed using McNemar test, paired t test, and Cohen's δ (CD). A total of 83 children participated (mean age, 9.2 years [SD, 0.8 years]; 59% girls); 35% to 76% of children viewed weekly education session. Children with complete survey data (n = 75) had improved scores for salt-related knowledge (+3.6 ± 0.4 points; P < .001; CD: 1.16), behaviors (+1.3 ± 0.1 points; P < .001; CD: 1.08), and self-efficacy (+0.9 ± 0.2 points; P < .001; CD: 0.64), but not attitude. Children with valid urine collections (n = 51) showed no change in salt intake. Participation resulted in improvement of salt related knowledge, self-efficacy and behavior. Further research is required to confirm these results using a more robust study design which includes a control group. In addition, the long term impact on children's salt intakes of comparable education programs needs to be assessed. Copyright © 2018 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Durable antitumor responses to CD47 blockade require adaptive immune stimulation

PubMed Central

Sockolosky, Jonathan T.; Dougan, Michael; Ingram, Jessica R.; Ho, Chia Chi M.; Kauke, Monique J.; Almo, Steven C.; Ploegh, Hidde L.; Garcia, K. Christopher

2016-01-01

Therapeutic antitumor antibodies treat cancer by mobilizing both innate and adaptive immunity. CD47 is an antiphagocytic ligand exploited by tumor cells to blunt antibody effector functions by transmitting an inhibitory signal through its receptor signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα). Interference with the CD47–SIRPα interaction synergizes with tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies to eliminate human tumor xenografts by enhancing macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), but synergy between CD47 blockade and ADCP has yet to be demonstrated in immunocompetent hosts. Here, we show that CD47 blockade alone or in combination with a tumor-specific antibody fails to generate antitumor immunity against syngeneic B16F10 tumors in mice. Durable tumor immunity required programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade in combination with an antitumor antibody, with incorporation of CD47 antagonism substantially improving response rates. Our results highlight an underappreciated contribution of the adaptive immune system to anti-CD47 adjuvant therapy and suggest that targeting both innate and adaptive immune checkpoints can potentiate the vaccinal effect of antitumor antibody therapy. PMID:27091975

Interview with Paul W. Kruse on the Early History of HgCdTe, Conducted on October 22, 1980

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reine, Marion B.

2015-09-01

This paper presents an interview with Dr Paul W. Kruse (1927-2012) on the early history of the semiconductor alloy mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe or Hg1- x Cd x Te) at the Honeywell Corporate Research Center near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Conducted on October 22, 1980, the interview covers two main areas. One area is the story of how the HgCdTe research effort came about at the Honeywell Research Center in the early 1960s, what technical choices were made and when, and what technical challenges were overcome and how. The other area is the organization, culture, environment and personnel at the Honeywell Research Center that made the early HgCdTe research programs so successful. HgCdTe has emerged as the highest-performance, most widely applicable infrared detector material. HgCdTe continues to satisfy a broad variety of advanced military and space applications. It is illustrative to look back on the early history of this remarkable semiconductor alloy to help to understand why its technological development as an infrared detector has been so successful.

A Brief Chronicle of CD4 as a Biomarker for HIV/AIDS: A Tribute to the Memory of John L. Fahey.

PubMed

Kagan, Jonathan M; Sanchez, Ana M; Landay, Alan; Denny, Thomas N

Foundational cellular immunology research of the 1960s and 1970s, together with the advent of monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry, provided the knowledge base and the technological capability that enabled the elucidation of the role of CD4 T cells in HIV infection. Research identifying the sources and magnitude of variation in CD4 measurements, standardized reagents and protocols, and the development of clinical flow cytometers all contributed to the feasibility of widespread CD4 testing. Cohort studies and clinical trials provided the context for establishing the utility of CD4 for prognosis in HIV-infected persons, initial assessment of in vivo antiretroviral drug activity, and as a surrogate marker for clinical outcome in antiretroviral therapeutic trials. Even with sensitive HIV viral load measurement, CD4 cell counting is still utilized in determining antiretroviral therapy eligibility and time to initiate therapy. New point of care technologies are helping both to lower the cost of CD4 testing and enable its use in HIV test and treat programs around the world.

Effect of biochar and humic acid on the copper, lead, and cadmium passivation during composting.

PubMed

Zhou, Haibin; Meng, Haibo; Zhao, Lixin; Shen, Yujun; Hou, Yueqing; Cheng, Hongsheng; Song, Liqiu

2018-06-01

In this study, two different biochars (sawdust charcoal (SDC) and wheat straw charcoal (WSC)) and biological humic acid (BHA) were used with different addition rates in pig manure composting to illustrate the effect on heavy metals passivation. And the composts were applied to rape (Brassica campestris L.) growth to illustrate the stability of the passivation. Results showed the concentration of Cu, Cd, and Pb increased after composting, whereas the passivation rates of Cu, Pb, and Cd reached a maximum of 94.98%, 65.55%, and 68.78%, respectively. When the composts were applied to rape growth, the exchangeable fraction of Cu, Pb, and Cd in the soil further decreased and reduced the accumulation of heavy metals in the rape plant. The rape yield increased by 19.39%-34.35%. The optimal addition ratios of the three passivators were SDC 5%, WSC 7.5% and BHA 2.5% to reduce the health risk of heavy metals in rape products. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Costimulatory receptors in jawed vertebrates: Conserved CD28, odd CTLA4 and multiple BTLAs

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bernard, D.; Hansen, J.D.; Du, Pasquier L.; Lefranc, M.-P.; Benmansour, A.; Boudinot, P.

2007-01-01

CD28 family of costimulatory receptors is comprised of molecules with a single V-type extracellular Ig domain, a transmembrane and an intracytoplasmic region with signaling motifs. CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) homologs have been recently identified in rainbow trout. Other sequences similar to mammalian CD28 family members have now been identified using teleost, Xenopus and chicken databases. CD28- and CTLA4 homologs were found in all vertebrate classes whereas inducible costimulatory signal (ICOS) was restricted to tetrapods, and programmed cell death-1 (PD1) was limited to mammals and chicken. Multiple B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) sequences were found in teleosts, but not in Xenopus or in avian genomes. The intron/exon structure of btlas was different from that of cd28 and other members of the family. The Ig domain encoded in all the btla genes has features of the C-type structure, which suggests that BTLA does not belong to the CD28 family. The genomic localization of these genes in vertebrate genomes supports the split between the BTLA and CD28 families. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reactive glia promote development of CD103+ CD69+ CD8+ T-cells through programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1).

PubMed

Prasad, Sujata; Hu, Shuxian; Sheng, Wen S; Chauhan, Priyanka; Lokensgard, James R

2018-06-01

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated in vivo persistence of CD103 + CD69 + brain resident memory CD8 + T-cells (bT RM ) following viral infection, and that the PD-1: PD-L1 pathway promotes development of these T RM cells within the brain. Although glial cells express low basal levels of PD-L1, its expression is upregulated upon IFN-γ-treatment, and they have been shown to modulate antiviral T-cell effector responses through the PD-1: PD-L1 pathway. We performed flow cytometric analysis of cells from co-cultures of mixed glia and CD8 + T-cells obtained from wild type mice to investigate the role of glial cells in the development of bT RM . In this study, we show that interactions between reactive glia and anti-CD3 Ab-stimulated CD8 + T-cells promote development of CD103 + CD69 + CD8 + T-cells through engagement of the PD-1: PD-L1 pathway. These studies used co-cultures of primary murine glial cells obtained from WT animals along with CD8 + T-cells obtained from either WT or PD-1 KO mice. We found that αCD3 Ab-stimulated CD8 + T-cells from WT animals increased expression of CD103 and CD69 when co-cultured with primary murine glial cells. In contrast, significantly reduced expression of CD103 and CD69 was observed using CD8 + T-cells from PD-1 KO mice. We also observed that reactive glia promoted high levels of CD127, a marker of memory precursor effector cells (MPEC), on CD69 + CD8 + T-cells, which promotes development of T RM cells. Interestingly, results obtained using T-cells from PD-1 KO animals showed significantly reduced expression of CD127 on CD69 + CD8 + cells. Additionally, blocking of glial PD-L1 resulted in decreased expression of CD103, along with reduced CD127 on CD69 + CD8 + T-cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate a role for activated glia in promoting development of bT RM through the PD-1: PD-L1 pathway. © 2018 The Authors. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Phenotypically non-suppressive cells predominate among FoxP3-positive cells in oral lichen planus.

PubMed

Schreurs, Olav; Karatsaidis, Andreas; Schenck, Karl

2016-11-01

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common T-cell-dominated oral chronic inflammatory disease occurring in periods of remission, quiescence, activity with pronounced inflammation, and acute ulceration. Cell infiltrates in OLP contain varying numbers of CD4 + T cells expressing the transcription factor FoxP3. FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells are, however, a heterogeneous cell population containing suppressive and non-suppressive cells, and their distribution in infiltrates from OLP is unknown. Biopsies were taken from normal oral mucosa (n = 8) and OLP lesions (n = 19), and a set of in situ methods for the determination of the functional phenotype of FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells was applied. Numbers of FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells were highest in the atrophic form of the disease, yet low in the ulcerative form. The main FoxP3 + CD4 + T-cell population observed was FoxP3 + CD45RA - CD25 + CD45RO + and CD15s - , a phenotype delineating a non-suppressive subset. Numbers of cells with an actively suppressing phenotype (FoxP3 + CD45RA - CD25 + CD45RO + and CD15s + ) were, however, about twice as high in reticular lesions as compared with the atrophic form. Many FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells expressed T-bet, the hallmark transcription factor for IFN-γ-producing T cells, indicating that they may enhance immune and inflammatory responses rather than suppress them. The absence of actively suppressing FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells may in part explain why OLP is a remarkably persisting condition, in spite of the presence of substantially high numbers of FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells. The findings emphasize that it is crucial to examine not only numbers but also functional phenotype of FoxP3 + CD4 + T cells in human tissues. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Low uptake affinity cultivars with biochar to tackle Cd-tainted rice--A field study over four rice seasons in Hunan, China.

PubMed

Chen, De; Guo, Hu; Li, Ruiyue; Li, Lianqing; Pan, Genxing; Chang, Andrew; Joseph, Stephen

2016-01-15

Biochar is becoming an environmentally friendly material for remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils and improving food safety. A field trial over four rice seasons was conducted to investigate the use of biochar and low Cd accumulating cultivars on Cd uptake in a heavy metal contaminated soil. Wheat straw derived biochar was applied at 0, 20 and 40 t ha(-1). Two rice cultivars with differing Cd accumulation abilities were selected in each season. The results showed that both biochar and low Cd affinity cultivars significantly reduced rice grain Cd accumulation. Biochar had no significant effect the first season but thereafter consistently reduced rice grain Cd by a maximum of 61, 86 and 57% over the next three seasons. Zn accumulation in the rice grains was not decreased by biochar application, although available soil Zn was sharply reduced (35-91%). Indica conventional rice cultivars had much lower Cd, but higher Zn and lower Cd/Zn ratios in the grain than indica hybrid cultivars. Biochar was more effective for mitigating grain Cd accumulation in low Cd affinity cultivars than in high affinity cultivars. Soil pH was sustainably increased (up to nearly 1 unit) while available Cd significantly decreased by a maximum of 85% after biochar addition. The translocation of Cd from rice roots to shoots was reduced from 20 to 80% by biochar. Low uptake affinity cultivars combined with biochar reduced late rice grain Cd concentration and Cd/Zn ratios by 69-80% and 72-80%, respectively. It indicated that the management of combining biochar and low Cd affinity cultivars should be an efficient way to remediate Cd contaminated rice paddies and reduce health risk associated with consuming rice from these soils. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Immobilization of Cd in landfill-leachate-contaminated soil with cow manure compost as soil conditioners: A laboratory study.

PubMed

Liao, Zhuwei; Wang, Jia; Wan, Rui; Xi, Shuang; Chen, Zhuqi; Chen, Zhulei; Yu, Yingjian; Long, Sijie; Wang, Huabin

2016-12-01

Introducing cow manure compost as an amendment in landfill-leachate-contaminated soils is proved to be an effective technique for the immobilization of Cd in this study. Landfill-leachate-contaminated soil was collected from an unlined landfill in China and amended with a different blending quantity of cow manure compost (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 g per 200 g soil), which was made by mixing cow manure and chaff at a ratio of 1/1 and maturing for 6 months. pH values of five different blending quantity mixtures increased by 0.2-0.4, and the organic matter levels increased by 2.5-7%, during a remediation period of 5 weeks. Four fractions of Cd named exchangeable Cd, reducible Cd, oxidizable Cd, and residual Cd in soil were respectively analyzed by a sequential extraction procedure. Introducing the cow manure compost application resulted in more than 40% lower exchangeable Cd but a higher concentration of oxidizable Cd in soils, and mass balance results showed nearly no Cd absorption by applied material, indicating that transformation of exchangeable Cd into oxidization forms was the main mechanism of Cd immobilization when cow manure compost was used as an amendment. The Pearson correlation showed that increasing of pH values significantly improved the efficiency of Cd immobilization, with a correlation coefficiency of 0.940 (p < 0.05). This is the first attempt at heavy metal immobilization in landfill-leachate-contaminated soil by cow manure compost, and findings of this work can be integrated to guide the application. Addition of cow manure compost (CMC) was effective in reducing exchangeable Cd in landfill-leachate-contaminated soils (LLCS). The immobilization effect of Cd was mainly assigned to the redistribution of labile soil Cd. Organic matter (OM) and pH value increased with CMC application. The pH values were more sensitive to Cd immobilization efficiency. It was proved that CMC can be safely and effectively used for the restoration of LLCS.

Effects of the addition and aging of humic acid-based amendments on the solubility of Cd in soil solution and its accumulation in rice.

PubMed

Yu, Yao; Wan, Yanan; Camara, Aboubacar Younoussa; Li, Huafen

2018-04-01

Humic substances can reduce mobility and bio-accessibility of Cd in soil and therefore inhibit its uptake by rice, which is a major source of human Cd intake. Yet, the effects of aging humic substances are not fully understood. A rice pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of humic acid-based amendments on the mobility of Cd in soil solution and its uptake by rice when amendments were freshly added or aged for 130 d. The results showed that the aged and the unaged amendments generally decreased Cd concentration in soil solution, but the effect declined with time. Unaged HA-K (humic-potassium) reduced Cd concentration by 88% for the first sampling, but this dropped to 46% for the last sampling, compared to that of the control. All amendments, whether aged or not, reduced the content of Cd in rice seedlings, as well as in mature plants. Aged and unaged woody peat reduced the Cd content in seedlings by 79% and in grains by 70%, respectively. Aging of amendments caused lower pH and higher Cd concentration in the soil solution for all amendments and accordingly, the Cd content in rice seedlings or each part of mature plants in the aged group was higher than that of the unaged group. The applied amendments might reduce the solubility of Cd through the alteration in soil pH, and thus inhibit the uptake of Cd by rice, but the effects diminished with aging. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of brassinosteroids in alleviation of phenanthrene–cadmium co-contamination-induced photosynthetic inhibition and oxidative stress in tomato

PubMed Central

Ahammed, Golam Jalal; Yu, Jingquan

2013-01-01

Heavy metal pollution often occurs together with organic contaminants. Brassinosteroids (BRs) induce plant tolerance to several abiotic stresses, including phenanthrene (PHE) and cadmium (Cd) stress. However, the role of BRs in PHE+Cd co-contamination-induced stress amelioration is unknown. Here, the interactive effects of PHE, Cd, and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR; a biologically active BR) were investigated in tomato plants. The application of Cd (100 µM) alone was more phytotoxic than PHE applied alone (100 µM); however, their combined application resulted in slightly improved photosynthetic activity and pigment content compared with Cd alone after a 40 d exposure. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species and membrane lipid peroxidation were induced by PHE and/or Cd; however, the differences in effect were insignificant between Cd and PHE+Cd. The foliar application of EBR (0.1 µM) to PHE- and/or Cd-stressed plants alleviated photosynthetic inhibition and oxidative stress by causing enhancement of the activity of the enzymes and related transcript levels of the antioxidant system, secondary metabolism, and the xenobiotic detoxification system. Additionally, PHE and/or Cd residues were significantly decreased in both the leaves and roots after application of EBR, more specifically in PHE+Cd-stressed plants when treated with EBR, indicating a possible improvement in detoxification of these pollutants. The findings thus suggest a potential interaction of EBR and PHE for Cd stress alleviation. These results advocate a positive role for EBR in reducing pollutant residues for food safety and also strengthening phytoremediation. PMID:23201830

Pediatric medical complexity algorithm: a new method to stratify children by medical complexity.

PubMed

Simon, Tamara D; Cawthon, Mary Lawrence; Stanford, Susan; Popalisky, Jean; Lyons, Dorothy; Woodcox, Peter; Hood, Margaret; Chen, Alex Y; Mangione-Smith, Rita

2014-06-01

The goal of this study was to develop an algorithm based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), codes for classifying children with chronic disease (CD) according to level of medical complexity and to assess the algorithm's sensitivity and specificity. A retrospective observational study was conducted among 700 children insured by Washington State Medicaid with ≥1 Seattle Children's Hospital emergency department and/or inpatient encounter in 2010. The gold standard population included 350 children with complex chronic disease (C-CD), 100 with noncomplex chronic disease (NC-CD), and 250 without CD. An existing ICD-9-CM-based algorithm called the Chronic Disability Payment System was modified to develop a new algorithm called the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm (PMCA). The sensitivity and specificity of PMCA were assessed. Using hospital discharge data, PMCA's sensitivity for correctly classifying children was 84% for C-CD, 41% for NC-CD, and 96% for those without CD. Using Medicaid claims data, PMCA's sensitivity was 89% for C-CD, 45% for NC-CD, and 80% for those without CD. Specificity was 90% to 92% in hospital discharge data and 85% to 91% in Medicaid claims data for all 3 groups. PMCA identified children with C-CD (who have accessed tertiary hospital care) with good sensitivity and good to excellent specificity when applied to hospital discharge or Medicaid claims data. PMCA may be useful for targeting resources such as care coordination to children with C-CD. Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm: A New Method to Stratify Children by Medical Complexity

PubMed Central

Cawthon, Mary Lawrence; Stanford, Susan; Popalisky, Jean; Lyons, Dorothy; Woodcox, Peter; Hood, Margaret; Chen, Alex Y.; Mangione-Smith, Rita

2014-01-01

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to develop an algorithm based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), codes for classifying children with chronic disease (CD) according to level of medical complexity and to assess the algorithm’s sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted among 700 children insured by Washington State Medicaid with ≥1 Seattle Children’s Hospital emergency department and/or inpatient encounter in 2010. The gold standard population included 350 children with complex chronic disease (C-CD), 100 with noncomplex chronic disease (NC-CD), and 250 without CD. An existing ICD-9-CM–based algorithm called the Chronic Disability Payment System was modified to develop a new algorithm called the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm (PMCA). The sensitivity and specificity of PMCA were assessed. RESULTS: Using hospital discharge data, PMCA’s sensitivity for correctly classifying children was 84% for C-CD, 41% for NC-CD, and 96% for those without CD. Using Medicaid claims data, PMCA’s sensitivity was 89% for C-CD, 45% for NC-CD, and 80% for those without CD. Specificity was 90% to 92% in hospital discharge data and 85% to 91% in Medicaid claims data for all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: PMCA identified children with C-CD (who have accessed tertiary hospital care) with good sensitivity and good to excellent specificity when applied to hospital discharge or Medicaid claims data. PMCA may be useful for targeting resources such as care coordination to children with C-CD. PMID:24819580

Transcription factor NF-kappaB regulates inducible CD83 gene expression in activated T lymphocytes.

PubMed

McKinsey, T A; Chu, Z; Tedder, T F; Ballard, D W

2000-01-01

The immunoglobulin superfamily member CD83 is expressed on the surface of mature dendritic cells that present processed antigens to T lymphocytes. In addition, T cells acquire CD83 expression following mitogenic stimulation in vitro. Here we report two lines of evidence demonstrating that this inducible lymphocyte response is genetically programmed by transcription factor NF-kappaB and contingent upon proteolytic breakdown of its cytoplasmic inhibitor IkappaBalpha. First, signal-dependent induction of CD83 mRNA expression is blocked in both transformed and primary T cells harboring a degradation-resistant mutant of IkappaBalpha that constitutively represses NF-kappaB. Second, as revealed in gel retardation assays, the IkappaBalpha constitutive repressor prevents the inducible interaction of NF-kappaB with consensus recognition sites identified in the CD83 promoter. Given that IkappaBalpha is functionally coupled to the T-cell antigen receptor, these findings suggest that the downstream transcription unit for CD83 is triggered by NF-kappaB during an adaptive immune response.

Genetically distinct leukemic stem cells in human CD34− acute myeloid leukemia are arrested at a hemopoietic precursor-like stage

PubMed Central

Quek, Lynn; Garnett, Catherine; Karamitros, Dimitris; Stoilova, Bilyana; Doondeea, Jessica; Kennedy, Alison; Metzner, Marlen; Ivey, Adam; Sternberg, Alexander; Hunter, Hannah; Price, Andrew; Virgo, Paul; Grimwade, David; Freeman, Sylvie; Russell, Nigel; Mead, Adam

2016-01-01

Our understanding of the perturbation of normal cellular differentiation hierarchies to create tumor-propagating stem cell populations is incomplete. In human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), current models suggest transformation creates leukemic stem cell (LSC) populations arrested at a progenitor-like stage expressing cell surface CD34. We show that in ∼25% of AML, with a distinct genetic mutation pattern where >98% of cells are CD34−, there are multiple, nonhierarchically arranged CD34+ and CD34− LSC populations. Within CD34− and CD34+ LSC–containing populations, LSC frequencies are similar; there are shared clonal structures and near-identical transcriptional signatures. CD34− LSCs have disordered global transcription profiles, but these profiles are enriched for transcriptional signatures of normal CD34− mature granulocyte–macrophage precursors, downstream of progenitors. But unlike mature precursors, LSCs express multiple normal stem cell transcriptional regulators previously implicated in LSC function. This suggests a new refined model of the relationship between LSCs and normal hemopoiesis in which the nature of genetic/epigenetic changes determines the disordered transcriptional program, resulting in LSC differentiation arrest at stages that are most like either progenitor or precursor stages of hemopoiesis. PMID:27377587

PD-1 and Tim-3 Pathways Regulate CD8+ T Cells Function in Atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Qiu, Ming-Ke; Wang, Song-Cun; Dai, Yu-Xin; Wang, Shu-Qing; Ou, Jing-Min; Quan, Zhi-Wei

2015-01-01

T cell-mediated immunity plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis (AS). There is increasing evidence that CD8+ T cells are also involved in AS but their exact roles remain unclear. The inhibitory receptors programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) are well known inhibitory molecules that play a crucial role in regulating CD8+ T cell activation or tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that the co-expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 on CD8+ T cells is up-regulated in AS patients. PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells are enriched for within the central T (TCM) cell subset, with high proliferative activity and CD127 expression. Co-expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 on CD8+ T cells is associated with increased anti-atherogenic cytokine production as well as decreased pro-atherogenic cytokine production. Blockade of PD-1 and Tim-3 results in a decrease of anti-atherogenic cytokine production by PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells and in an augmentation of TNF-α and IFN-γ production. These findings highlight the important role of the PD-1 and Tim-3 pathways in regulating CD8+ T cells function in human AS.

PD-1 and Tim-3 Pathways Regulate CD8+ T Cells Function in Atherosclerosis

PubMed Central

Qiu, Ming-Ke; Wang, Song-Cun; Dai, Yu-Xin; Wang, Shu-Qing; Ou, Jing-Min; Quan, Zhi-Wei

2015-01-01

T cell-mediated immunity plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis (AS). There is increasing evidence that CD8+ T cells are also involved in AS but their exact roles remain unclear. The inhibitory receptors programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) are well known inhibitory molecules that play a crucial role in regulating CD8+ T cell activation or tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that the co-expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 on CD8+ T cells is up-regulated in AS patients. PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells are enriched for within the central T (TCM) cell subset, with high proliferative activity and CD127 expression. Co-expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 on CD8+ T cells is associated with increased anti-atherogenic cytokine production as well as decreased pro-atherogenic cytokine production. Blockade of PD-1 and Tim-3 results in a decrease of anti-atherogenic cytokine production by PD-1+ Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells and in an augmentation of TNF-α and IFN-γ production. These findings highlight the important role of the PD-1 and Tim-3 pathways in regulating CD8+ T cells function in human AS. PMID:26035207

Evaluation of two different protocols for peripheral blood stem cell collection with the Fresenius AS 104 blood cell separator.

PubMed

Menichella, G; Lai, M; Pierelli, L; Vittori, M; Serafini, R; Ciarli, M; Foddai, M L; Salerno, G; Sica, S; Scambia, G; Leone, G; Bizzi, B

1997-01-01

Reconstitution of hematopoiesis by means of peripheral blood stem cells is a valid alternative to autologous bone marrow transplantation. The aim of this investigation was to increase the efficiency of collection of circulating blood progenitor cells and to obtain a purer product for transplant. We carried out leukapheresis procedures with the Fresenius AS 104 blood cell separator, using two different protocols, the previously used PBSC-LYM and a new mononuclear cell collection program. Both programs were highly effective in collecting mononuclear cells (MNC) and CD34+ cells. Some differences were found, especially regarding MNC yield and efficiencies. There are remarkable differences in the efficiency of collection of CD34+ cells (62.38% with the new program as opposed to 31.69% with the older one). Linear regression analysis showed a negative correlation between blood volume processed and MNC efficiency only for the PBSC-LYM program. Differences were also observed in the degree of inverse correlation existing in both programs between patients' white blood cell precount and MNC collection efficiency. The inverse correlation was stronger for the PBSC-LYM program. Seven patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies received high dose chemotherapy and were subsequently transplanted with peripheral blood stem cells collected using the new protocol. All patients obtained a complete and stable engraftment with the reinfusion product collected with one or two leukapheresis procedures. High efficiencies and yields were observed in the new protocol for MNC and CD34+ cells. These were able to effect rapid and complete bone marrow recovery after myeloablative chemotherapy.

Sulfur K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of homoleptic thiolato complexes with Zn(II) and Cd(II).

PubMed

Matsunaga, Yuki; Fujisawa, Kiyoshi; Ibi, Naoko; Fujita, Mitsuharu; Ohashi, Tetuya; Amir, Nagina; Miyashita, Yoshitaro; Aika, Ken-Ichi; Izumi, Yasuo; Okamoto, Ken-Ichi

2006-02-01

The sulfur K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is applied to homoleptic thiolato complexes with Zn(II) and Cd(II), (Et(4)N)[Zn(SAd)(3)] (1), (Et(4)N)(2)[{Zn(ScHex)(2)}(2)(mu-ScHex)(2)] (2), (Et(4)N)(2)[{Cd(ScHex)(2)}(2)(mu-ScHex)(2)] (3), (Et(4)N)(2)[{Cd(ScHex)}(4)(mu-ScHex)(6)] (4), [Zn(mu-SAd)(2)](n) (5), and [Cd(mu-SAd)(2)](n) (6) (HSAd=1-adamantanethiol, HScHex=cyclohexanethiol). The EXAFS results are consistent with the X-ray crystal data of 1-4. The structures of 5 and 6, which have not been determined by X-ray crystallography, are proposed to be polynuclear structures on the basis of the sulfur K-edge EXAFS, far-IR spectra, and elemental analysis. Clear evidences of the S...S interactions (between bridging atoms or neighboring sulfur atoms) and the S...C(far) interactions (in which C(far) atom is next to carbon atom directly bonded to sulfur atom) were observed in the EXAFS data for all complexes and thus lead to the reliable determination of the structures of 5 and 6 in combination with conventional zinc K-edge EXAFS analysis for 5. This new methodology, sulfur K-edge EXAFS, could be applied for the structural determination of in vivo metalloproteins as well as inorganic compounds.

A new automated assessment method for contrast-detail images by applying support vector machine and its robustness to nonlinear image processing.

PubMed

Takei, Takaaki; Ikeda, Mitsuru; Imai, Kuniharu; Yamauchi-Kawaura, Chiyo; Kato, Katsuhiko; Isoda, Haruo

2013-09-01

The automated contrast-detail (C-D) analysis methods developed so-far cannot be expected to work well on images processed with nonlinear methods, such as noise reduction methods. Therefore, we have devised a new automated C-D analysis method by applying support vector machine (SVM), and tested for its robustness to nonlinear image processing. We acquired the CDRAD (a commercially available C-D test object) images at a tube voltage of 120 kV and a milliampere-second product (mAs) of 0.5-5.0. A partial diffusion equation based technique was used as noise reduction method. Three radiologists and three university students participated in the observer performance study. The training data for our SVM method was the classification data scored by the one radiologist for the CDRAD images acquired at 1.6 and 3.2 mAs and their noise-reduced images. We also compared the performance of our SVM method with the CDRAD Analyser algorithm. The mean C-D diagrams (that is a plot of the mean of the smallest visible hole diameter vs. hole depth) obtained from our devised SVM method agreed well with the ones averaged across the six human observers for both original and noise-reduced CDRAD images, whereas the mean C-D diagrams from the CDRAD Analyser algorithm disagreed with the ones from the human observers for both original and noise-reduced CDRAD images. In conclusion, our proposed SVM method for C-D analysis will work well for the images processed with the non-linear noise reduction method as well as for the original radiographic images.

Dissecting HIV Virulence: Heritability of Setpoint Viral Load, CD4+ T-Cell Decline, and Per-Parasite Pathogenicity.

PubMed

Bertels, Frederic; Marzel, Alex; Leventhal, Gabriel; Mitov, Venelin; Fellay, Jacques; Günthard, Huldrych F; Böni, Jürg; Yerly, Sabine; Klimkait, Thomas; Aubert, Vincent; Battegay, Manuel; Rauch, Andri; Cavassini, Matthias; Calmy, Alexandra; Bernasconi, Enos; Schmid, Patrick; Scherrer, Alexandra U; Müller, Viktor; Bonhoeffer, Sebastian; Kouyos, Roger; Regoes, Roland R

2018-01-01

Pathogen strains may differ in virulence because they attain different loads in their hosts, or because they induce different disease-causing mechanisms independent of their load. In evolutionary ecology, the latter is referred to as "per-parasite pathogenicity". Using viral load and CD4+ T-cell measures from 2014 HIV-1 subtype B-infected individuals enrolled in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, we investigated if virulence-measured as the rate of decline of CD4+ T cells-and per-parasite pathogenicity are heritable from donor to recipient. We estimated heritability by donor-recipient regressions applied to 196 previously identified transmission pairs, and by phylogenetic mixed models applied to a phylogenetic tree inferred from HIV pol sequences. Regressing the CD4+ T-cell declines and per-parasite pathogenicities of the transmission pairs did not yield heritability estimates significantly different from zero. With the phylogenetic mixed model, however, our best estimate for the heritability of the CD4+ T-cell decline is 17% (5-30%), and that of the per-parasite pathogenicity is 17% (4-29%). Further, we confirm that the set-point viral load is heritable, and estimate a heritability of 29% (12-46%). Interestingly, the pattern of evolution of all these traits differs significantly from neutrality, and is most consistent with stabilizing selection for the set-point viral load, and with directional selection for the CD4+ T-cell decline and the per-parasite pathogenicity. Our analysis shows that the viral genotype affects virulence mainly by modulating the per-parasite pathogenicity, while the indirect effect via the set-point viral load is minor. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Dissecting HIV Virulence: Heritability of Setpoint Viral Load, CD4+ T-Cell Decline, and Per-Parasite Pathogenicity

PubMed Central

Bertels, Frederic; Marzel, Alex; Leventhal, Gabriel; Mitov, Venelin; Fellay, Jacques; Günthard, Huldrych F; Böni, Jürg; Yerly, Sabine; Klimkait, Thomas; Aubert, Vincent; Battegay, Manuel; Rauch, Andri; Cavassini, Matthias; Calmy, Alexandra; Bernasconi, Enos; Schmid, Patrick; Scherrer, Alexandra U; Müller, Viktor; Bonhoeffer, Sebastian; Kouyos, Roger; Regoes, Roland R

2018-01-01

Abstract Pathogen strains may differ in virulence because they attain different loads in their hosts, or because they induce different disease-causing mechanisms independent of their load. In evolutionary ecology, the latter is referred to as “per-parasite pathogenicity”. Using viral load and CD4+ T-cell measures from 2014 HIV-1 subtype B-infected individuals enrolled in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, we investigated if virulence—measured as the rate of decline of CD4+ T cells—and per-parasite pathogenicity are heritable from donor to recipient. We estimated heritability by donor–recipient regressions applied to 196 previously identified transmission pairs, and by phylogenetic mixed models applied to a phylogenetic tree inferred from HIV pol sequences. Regressing the CD4+ T-cell declines and per-parasite pathogenicities of the transmission pairs did not yield heritability estimates significantly different from zero. With the phylogenetic mixed model, however, our best estimate for the heritability of the CD4+ T-cell decline is 17% (5–30%), and that of the per-parasite pathogenicity is 17% (4–29%). Further, we confirm that the set-point viral load is heritable, and estimate a heritability of 29% (12–46%). Interestingly, the pattern of evolution of all these traits differs significantly from neutrality, and is most consistent with stabilizing selection for the set-point viral load, and with directional selection for the CD4+ T-cell decline and the per-parasite pathogenicity. Our analysis shows that the viral genotype affects virulence mainly by modulating the per-parasite pathogenicity, while the indirect effect via the set-point viral load is minor. PMID:29029206

Preparation of water soluble L-arginine capped CdSe/ZnS QDs and their interaction with synthetic DNA: Picosecond-resolved FRET study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Giri, Anupam; Goswami, Nirmal; Lemmens, Peter

2012-08-15

Graphical abstract: Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies on the interaction of water soluble arginine-capped CdSe/ZnS QDs with ethidium bromide (EB) labeled synthetic dodecamer DNA. Highlights: ► We have solubilized CdSe/ZnS QD in water replacing their TOPO ligand by L-arginine. ► We have studied arginine@QD–DNA interaction using FRET technique. ► Arginine@QDs act as energy donor and ethidium bromide-DNA acts as energy acceptor. ► We have applied a kinetic model to understand the kinetics of energy transfer. ► Circular dichroism studies revealed negligible perturbation in the DNA B-form in the arg@QD-DNA complex. -- Abstract: We have exchanged TOPO (trioctylphosphine oxide) ligandmore » of CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) with an amino acid L-arginine (Arg) at the toluene/water interface and eventually rendered the QDs from toluene to aqueous phase. We have studied the interaction of the water soluble Arg-capped QDs (energy donor) with ethidium (EB) labeled synthetic dodecamer DNA (energy acceptor) using picoseconds resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique. Furthermore, we have applied a model developed by M. Tachiya to understand the kinetics of energy transfer and the distribution of acceptor (EB-DNA) molecules around the donor QDs. Circular dichroism (CD) studies revealed a negligible perturbation in the native B-form structure of the DNA upon interaction with Arg-capped QDs. The melting and the rehybridization pathways of the DNA attached to the QDs have been monitored by the CD which reveals hydrogen bonding is the associative mechanism for interaction between Arg-capped QDs and DNA.« less

Bioavailability and bioaccumulation characterization of essential and heavy metals contents in R. acetosa, S. oleracea and U. dioica from copper polluted and referent areas.

PubMed

Balabanova, Biljana; Stafilov, Trajče; Bačeva, Katerina

2015-01-01

Bioavailability of metals occurring in soil is the basic source of its accumulation in vegetables and herbs. The impact of soil pollution (due to urban and mining areas) on the food chain presents a challenge for many investigations. Availability of metals in a potentially polluted soil and their possible transfer and bioaccumulation in sorrel (Rumex acetosa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and common nettle (Urtica dioica), were examined. Microwave digestion was applied for total digestion of the plant tissues, while on the soil samples open wet digestion with a mixture of acids was applied. Three extraction methods were implemented for the bioavailable metals in the soil. Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used for determination of the total contents of 21 elements. Significant enrichments in agricultural soil for As, Pb and Zn (in urban area), Cd, Cu and Ni (in a copper mine area), compared with the respective values from European standards were detected. On the basis of three different extraction methods, higher availability was assumed for both lithogenic and anthropogenic elements. Translocation values >1 were obtained for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Higher bioconcentrating value was obtained only for Cd, while the bioaccumulation values vary from 0.17 for Cd to 0.82 for Zn. The potential availability of hazardous metals in urban and mining soils is examined using DTPA-TEA-CaCl2 (urban) and HCl (Cu-mines areas). Our results suggested that S. oleracea and R. acetosa have a phytostabilization potential for Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb, while U. dioica only for Cu. R. acetosa has a potential for phytoextraction of Cd in urban and copper polluted areas.

Combining strategies to optimize a gel formulation containing miconazole: the influence of modified cyclodextrin on textural properties and drug release.

PubMed

Ribeiro, Andreza Maria; Figueiras, Ana; Freire, Cristina; Santos, Delfim; Veiga, Francisco

2010-06-01

Miconazol, an antimycotic drug, is commonly formulated into semisolid formulations designed to be applied in the oral cavity to treat oral candidiasis. However, given its limited aqueous solubility, permeation through the biological membranes is low and therefore its activity is also limited. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used to increase the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The aim of this study is to formulate a gel containing an inclusion complex between a modified CD, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), and miconazole (MCZ). The influence of the CD on the textural properties of the prepared gel and the drug release from formulation were evaluated. The gels were prepared using two polymers, Carbopol 71G and Pluronic F127, which were selected taking into account their bioadhesiveness and thermal-sensitive gelling properties, respectively. Texture profile analyses were performed at two different temperatures to ascertain the influence of the temperature on the gel texture properties. The in vitro MCZ release profiles from the prepared gel and the commercial gel formulations were evaluated and compared using modified Franz diffusion cells. The addition of MbetaCD to the gel resulted in a decrease of the gel adhesiveness and firmness, and the MCZ release profile through f1 and f2 proved to be similar to the commercial product. A gel comprising miconazol in the form of an inclusion complex with MbetaCD showed suitable textural properties to be applied to the buccal mucosa. The MbetaCD enhanced the solubility of the MCZ in the gel formulation resulting in adequate in vitro drug release profiles.

PREPARATION OF B-CYCLODEXTRIN-THIABENDAZOLE-PIPERONYL BUTOXIDE SUPRAMOLECULAR COMPLEX AND ITS ACTIVITY AGAINST BLUE AND GREEN MOULD DECAY ON INOCULATED SATSUMA FRUIT.

PubMed

Fadda, A; Schirra, M; D'Aquino, S; Migheli, Q; Borzatta, V; Delogu, G

2015-01-01

The supramolecular complex of β-cyclodextrin-thiabendazole-piperony butoxide (βCD-TBZ/PBO) was prepared and its structure was characterized by 1H NMR. Additionally, the antifungal activity of βCD-TBZ/PBO was investigated in comparison with the commercially available thiabendazole (TBZ) fungicide by in vitro tests and on artificially inoculated 'Okitsu' satsuma fruit dipped in water at 20 degrees C or at 50 degrees C to control postharvest blue (Penicillium italicum) and green mould (P. digitatum). β-CD-TBZ/PBO is stable for several months when stored as powder in a dark bottle. At pH 7.0 the water solubility of the βCD-TBZ/PBO complex was consistently higher than free TBZ. Water dip at 20 degrees C did not affect decay incidence caused by blue mould but favoured the development of green mould during 4-8 days of storage at 20 degrees C with respect to untreated (control) fruit. Water at 50 degrees C effectively reduced the incidence of blue mould and totally suppressed green mould during the first 4 days but lost its efficacy afterwards. By contrast, both TBZ and βCD-TBZ/PBO had a lasting effect and were equally effective in controlling green and blue mould decay when applied at 20 degrees C and 60 mg L(-1) active ingredient (a.i.). When applied at 50 degrees C and 20 mg L(-1) a.i. the activity of the complex against blue mould was inferior than the corresponding treatment with TBZ. In vitro assays revealed a significant effectiveness of βCD-TBZ/PBO complex at low concentration compared to commercial formulation of TBZ.

Three-Year College Discovery Master Plan, Bronx Community College, 1998-2001, Parts I-III.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Shirley; Santa Rita, Emilio

Bronx Community College created a three-year College Discovery (CD) master plan for 1998-2001 to help restructure its counseling programs and support services and enable CD students to acquire an associate's degree level of education. The first area of restructuring is in the role of the director of College Discovery and Counseling. General…

78 FR 79638 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Proposed Determination of Hearth Products as a...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-31

... a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. Hand Delivery... on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. Instructions: All submissions... v. Department of Energy, et al., 706 F.3d 499 (D.C. Cir. 2013). DOE has not previously conducted an...

Using "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature" on CD-Rom To Teach Database Searching to High School Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kern, Joanne F.

The lack of opportunity for high school sophomores to learn database searching was addressed by the implementation of a computerized magazine article search program. "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature" on CD-ROM was used to train students in database searching during the time they were assigned to the library to do research papers…

Comparison of Interactive Computer-Based and Classroom Training on Human Rights Awareness in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tardif-Williams, Christine Y.; Owen, Frances; Feldman, Maurice; Tarulli, Donato; Griffiths, Dorothy; Sales, Carol; McQueen-Fuentes, Glenys; Stoner, Karen

2007-01-01

We tested the effectiveness of an interactive, video CD-ROM in teaching persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) about their human rights. Thirty-nine participants with ID were trained using both a classroom activity-based version of the training program and the interactive CD-ROM in a counterbalanced presentation. All individuals were pre- and…

Mars Navigator: An Interactive Multimedia Program about Mars, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy, and the JPL Mars Missions. [CD-ROM

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gramoll, Kurt

This CD-ROM introduces basic astronomy and aerospace engineering by examining the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor missions to Mars. It contains numerous animations and narrations in addition to detailed graphics and text. Six interactive laboratories are included to help understand topics such as the…

The Use of CD-ROM Based Books To Improve Reading Comprehension in Second Grade Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Standish, Dorothy G.

This paper describes a practicum designed to use CD-ROM books as a supplement to the basal reading program to improve reading comprehension in second grade students from a predominantly rural area in Delaware. A non-equivalent control group design was used involving a 20-member treatment and a 16-member control group. Pre- and postreading…

The Phenomenal World of Physics. The Science Club. Ages 10-14. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1999

This CD-ROM allows students to learn about physics principles and the scientists who discovered them through genius or luck. The simplicity of these physical laws and how the discovery of these laws has improved the daily lives of humans is discussed. The computer program explores the physics behind the earth's rotation, Archimedes' Principles,…

Multimedia Language Learning Courseware: A Design Solution to the Production of a Series of CD-ROMs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brett, P. A.; Nash, M.

1999-01-01

Discusses multimedia software and describes the production and the learning rationale of a series of six multimedia CD-ROMs that develop the listening skills of learners of Business English. Describes problems of cost, time, and quality in producing multiple courseware and explains the programming solution which gives control to subject experts.…

Adventures in Evaluation: Reviewing a CD-ROM Based Adventure Game Designed for Young People Recovering from Psychosis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shrimpton, Bradley; Hurworth, Rosalind

2005-01-01

Recently the Centre for Program Evaluation (CPE) at the University of Melbourne was approached by a mental health agency to undertake the unique and challenging task of evaluating a prototype CD-ROM based adventure game designed for young people recovering from psychosis. This unusual and inventive game, titled Pogo's Pledge, used…

FOXO1 opposition of CD8+ T cell effector programming confers early memory properties and phenotypic diversity.

PubMed

Delpoux, Arnaud; Lai, Chen-Yen; Hedrick, Stephen M; Doedens, Andrew L

2017-10-17

The factors and steps controlling postinfection CD8 + T cell terminal effector versus memory differentiation are incompletely understood. Whereas we found that naive TCF7 (alias "Tcf-1") expression is FOXO1 independent, early postinfection we report bimodal, FOXO1-dependent expression of the memory-essential transcription factor TCF7 in pathogen-specific CD8 + T cells. We determined the early postinfection TCF7 high population is marked by low TIM3 expression and bears memory signature hallmarks before the appearance of established memory precursor marker CD127 (IL-7R). These cells exhibit diminished TBET, GZMB, mTOR signaling, and cell cycle progression. Day 5 postinfection, TCF7 high cells express higher memory-associated BCL2 and EOMES, as well as increased accumulation potential and capacity to differentiate into memory phenotype cells. TCF7 retroviral transduction opposes GZMB expression and the formation of KLRG1 pos phenotype cells, demonstrating an active role for TCF7 in extinguishing the effector program and forestalling terminal differentiation. Past the peak of the cellular immune response, we report a gradient of FOXO1 and TCF7 expression, which functions to oppose TBET and orchestrate a continuum of effector-to-memory phenotypes.

Prospects of In/CdTe X- and γ-ray detectors with MoO Ohmic contacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maslyanchuk, Olena L.; Solovan, Mykhailo M.; Maistruk, Eduard V.; Brus, Viktor V.; Maryanchuk, Pavlo D.; Gnatyuk, Volodymyr A.; Aoki, Toru

2018-01-01

The present paper analyzes the charge transport mechanisms and spectrometric properties of In/CdTe/MoOx heterojunctions prepared by magnetron sputtering of indium and molybdenum oxide thin films onto semi-insulating p-type single-crystal CdTe semiconductor, produced by Acrorad Co. Ltd. Current-voltage characteristics of the detectors at different temperatures were investigated. The charge transport mechanisms in the heterostructures under investigation were determined: the generation-recombination in the space charge region (SCR) at relatively low voltages and the space charge limited currents at high voltages. The spectra of 137Cs and 241Am isotopes taken at different applied bias voltages are presented. It is shown that the In/CdTe/MoOx structures can be used as X/γ-ray detectors in the spectrometric mode.

Early transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of CD8+ T cell differentiation revealed by single-cell RNA-seq

PubMed Central

Kakaradov, Boyko; Arsenio, Janilyn; Widjaja, Christella E.; He, Zhaoren; Aigner, Stefan; Metz, Patrick J.; Yu, Bingfei; Wehrens, Ellen J.; Lopez, Justine; Kim, Stephanie H.; Zuniga, Elina I.; Goldrath, Ananda W.; Chang, John T.; Yeo, Gene W.

2017-01-01

SUMMARY During microbial infection, responding CD8+ T lymphocytes differentiate into heterogeneous subsets that together provide immediate and durable protection. To elucidate the dynamic transcriptional changes that underlie this process, we applied a single-cell RNA sequencing approach and analyzed individual CD8+ T lymphocytes sequentially throughout the course of a viral infection in vivo. Our analyses revealed a striking transcriptional divergence among cells that had undergone their first division and identified previously unknown molecular determinants controlling CD8+ T lymphocyte fate specification. These findings suggest a model of terminal effector cell differentiation initiated by an early burst of transcriptional activity and subsequently refined by epigenetic silencing of transcripts associated with memory lymphocytes, highlighting the power and necessity of single-cell approaches. PMID:28218746

Continuous-wave, single-frequency 229  nm laser source for laser cooling of cadmium atoms.

PubMed

Kaneda, Yushi; Yarborough, J M; Merzlyak, Yevgeny; Yamaguchi, Atsushi; Hayashida, Keitaro; Ohmae, Noriaki; Katori, Hidetoshi

2016-02-15

Continuous-wave output at 229 nm for the application of laser cooling of Cd atoms was generated by the fourth harmonic using two successive second-harmonic generation stages. Employing a single-frequency optically pumped semiconductor laser as a fundamental source, 0.56 W of output at 229 nm was observed with a 10-mm long, Brewster-cut BBO crystal in an external cavity with 1.62 W of 458 nm input. Conversion efficiency from 458 nm to 229 nm was more than 34%. By applying a tapered amplifier (TA) as a fundamental source, we demonstrated magneto-optical trapping of all stable Cd isotopes including isotopes Cd111 and Cd113, which are applicable to optical lattice clocks.

Development of a multimedia CD-ROM on telemedicine and teleradiology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schnur, Mark T.; Williamson, Morgan P.; Goeringer, Fred; Zimnik, Paul; Linn, Reid; Suitor, Charles T.; Rocca, Mitra A.; Strother, Thomas

1996-04-01

The Department of Defense Telemedicine Test Bed produced a CD-ROM including information on telemedicine, teleradiology and military medical advanced technology projects. The CD-ROM was produced using media from the Telemedicine Test Bed World Wide Web site and academic papers and presentations. Apple Media Tools software was used to produce the interactive program and the authoring was done on a high speed Apple Macintosh Power PC computer. The process took roughly 100 hours to author 50 Mb of data into 200 frames of interactive material. Future versions of the Telemedicine CD-ROM are in progress which will include much more material to take advantage of the 650 Mb available on a compact disk. This paper graphically depicts and explains the authoring process.

Predicted structure of MIF/CD74 and RTL1000/CD74 complexes.

PubMed

Meza-Romero, Roberto; Benedek, Gil; Leng, Lin; Bucala, Richard; Vandenbark, Arthur A

2016-04-01

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key cytokine in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that attracts and then retains activated immune cells from the periphery to the tissues. MIF exists as a homotrimer and its effects are mediated through its primary receptor, CD74 (the class II invariant chain that exhibits a highly structured trimerization domain), present on class II expressing cells. Although a number of binding residues have been identified between MIF and CD74 trimers, their spatial orientation has not been established. Using a docking program in silico, we have modeled binding interactions between CD74 and MIF as well as CD74 and a competitive MIF inhibitor, RTL1000, a partial MHC class II construct that is currently in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis. These analyses revealed 3 binding sites on the MIF trimer that each were predicted to bind one CD74 trimer through interactions with two distinct 5 amino acid determinants. Surprisingly, predicted binding of one CD74 trimer to a single RTL1000 antagonist utilized the same two 5 residue determinants, providing strong suggestive evidence in support of the MIF binding regions on CD74. Taken together, our structural modeling predicts a new MIF(CD74)3 dodecamer that may provide the basis for increased MIF potency and the requirement for ~3-fold excess RTL1000 to achieve full antagonism.

"I Cannot Be Worried": Living with Chagas Disease in Tropical Bolivia.

PubMed

Forsyth, Colin J

2017-01-01

Chagas disease (CD) profoundly affects the social and emotional dimensions of patients' lives, and disproportionately impacts poor, marginalized populations in Latin America. Biomedical treatment for CD fails to reach up to 99% of the people affected, and in any case seldom addresses the emotional health or socioeconomic conditions of patients. This study examines patient strategies for coping with CD in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. In this ethnographic study, semistructured interviews took place from March-June 2013 with 63 patients who had previously tested positive for CD. During the fieldwork period, participant observation was conducted and patient family members, providers, community members, and public health officials were consulted. Patients often experienced emotional distress when diagnosed with CD, yet were generally unable to find biomedical treatment. Respondents stressed the need to avoid powerful emotions which would worsen the impact of CD symptoms. To manage CD, patients embraced a calm state of mind, described in Spanish as tranquilidad, which partially empowered them to return to a normal existence. In the perceived absence of biomedical treatment options, patients seek their own means of coping with CD diagnosis. Rather than fatalism or resignation, patients' emphasis on maintaining calm and not worrying about CD represents a pragmatic strategy for restoring a sense of normalcy and control to their lives. Programs focused on treatment of CD should remain mindful of the emotional and social impact of the disease on patients.

Mutation in the Fas Pathway Impairs CD8+ T Cell Memory1

PubMed Central

Dudani, Renu; Russell, Marsha; van Faassen, Henk; Krishnan, Lakshmi; Sad, Subash

2014-01-01

Fas death pathway is important for lymphocyte homeostasis, but the role of Fas pathway in T cell memory development is not clear. We show that whereas the expansion and contraction of CD8+ T cell response against Listeria monocytogenes were similar for wild-type (WT) and Fas ligand (FasL) mutant mice, the majority of memory CD8+ T cells in FasL mutant mice displayed an effector memory phenotype in the long-term in comparison with the mainly central memory phenotype displayed by memory CD8+ T cells in WT mice. Memory CD8+ T cells in FasL mutant mice expressed reduced levels of IFN-γ and displayed poor homeostatic and Ag-induced proliferation. Impairment in CD8+ T cell memory in FasL mutant hosts was not due to defective programming or the expression of mutant FasL on CD8+ T cells, but was caused by perturbed cytokine environment in FasL mutant mice. Although adoptively transferred WT memory CD8+ T cells mediated protection against L. monocytogenes in either the WT or FasL mutant hosts, FasL mutant memory CD8+ T cells failed to mediate protection even in WT hosts. Thus, in individuals with mutation in Fas pathway, impairment in the function of the memory CD8+ T cells may increase their susceptibility to recurrent/latent infections. PMID:18292515

Program Evaluation: Food Stamps and Commodity Distribution in Rural Areas of Central Pennsylvania.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madden J. Patrick; Yoder, Marion D.

Since one primary goal of the Commodity Distribution (CD) Program and the Food Stamp (FS) Program is to improve diets of low-income families, this 1969-70 study focused on whether the adequacy of a low-income family's dietary intake was improved by their participation in a food-assistance program. As stated, the adequacy of a family's dietary…

Simultaneous alleviation of cadmium and arsenic accumulation in rice by applying zero-valent iron and biochar to contaminated paddy soils.

PubMed

Qiao, Jiang-Tao; Liu, Tong-Xu; Wang, Xiang-Qin; Li, Fang-Bai; Lv, Ya-Hui; Cui, Jiang-Hu; Zeng, Xiao-Duo; Yuan, Yu-Zhen; Liu, Chuan-Ping

2018-03-01

The fates of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in paddy fields are generally opposite; thus, the inconsistent transformation of Cd and As poses large challenges for their remediation. In this study, the impacts of zero valent iron (ZVI) and/or biochar amendments on Cd and As bioavailability were examined in pot trials with rice. Comparison with the untreated soil, both Cd and As accumulation in different rice tissues decreased significantly in the ZVI-biochar amendments and the Cd and As accumulation in rice decreased with increasing ZVI contents. In particular, the concentrations of Cd (0.15 ± 0.01 mg kg -1 ) and As (0.17 ± 0.01 mg kg -1 ) in rice grains were decreased by 93% and 61% relative to the untreated soil, respectively. A sequential extraction analysis indicated that with increasing Fe ratios in the ZVI-biochar mixtures, bioavailable Cd and As decreased, and the immobilized Cd and As increased. Furthermore, high levels of Fe, Cd, and As were detected in Fe plaque of the ZVI-biochar amendments in comparison with the single biochar or single ZVI amendments. The ZVI-biochar mixture may have a synergistic effect that simultaneously reduces Cd and As bioavailability by increasing the formation of amorphous Fe and Fe plaque for Cd and As immobilization. The single ZVI amendment significantly decreased As bioavailability, while the single biochar amendment significantly reduced the bioavailability of Cd compared with the combined amendments. Hence, using a ZVI-biochar mixture as a soil amendment could be a promising strategy for safely-utilizing Cd and As co-contaminated sites in the future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inhibitory Phenotype of HBV-Specific CD4+ T-Cells Is Characterized by High PD-1 Expression but Absent Coregulation of Multiple Inhibitory Molecules

PubMed Central

Kurktschiev, Peter; Schraut, Winfried; Zachoval, Reinhart; Wendtner, Clemens; Wächtler, Martin; Spannagl, Michael; Denk, Gerald; Ulsenheimer, Axel; Bengsch, Bertram; Pircher, Hanspeter; Diepolder, Helmut M.; Grüner, Norbert H.; Jung, Maria-Christina

2014-01-01

Background T-cell exhaustion seems to play a critical role in CD8+ T-cell dysfunction during chronic viral infections. However, up to now little is known about the mechanisms underlying CD4+ T-cell dysfunction during chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection and the role of inhibitory molecules such as programmed death 1 (PD-1) for CD4+ T-cell failure. Methods The expression of multiple inhibitory molecules such as PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, CD244, KLRG1 and markers defining the grade of T-cell differentiation as CCR7, CD45RA, CD57 and CD127 were analyzed on virus-specific CD4+ T-cells from peripheral blood using a newly established DRB1*01-restricted MHC class II Tetramer. Effects of in vitro PD-L1/2 blockade were defined by investigating changes in CD4+ T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Results CD4+ T-cell responses during chronic HBV infection was characterized by reduced Tetramer+CD4+ T-cell frequencies, effector memory phenotype, sustained PD-1 but low levels of CTLA-4, TIM-3, KLRG1 and CD244 expression. PD-1 blockade revealed individualized patterns of in vitro responsiveness with partly increased IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α secretion as well as enhanced CD4+ T-cell expansion almost in treated patients with viral control. Conclusion HBV-specific CD4+ T-cells are reliably detectable during different courses of HBV infection by MHC class II Tetramer technology. CD4+ T-cell dysfunction during chronic HBV is basically linked to strong PD-1 upregulation but absent coregulation of multiple inhibitory receptors. PD-L1/2 neutralization partly leads to enhanced CD4+ T-cell functionality with heterogeneous patterns of CD4+ T-cell rejunivation. PMID:25144233

Accumulation of cadmium, zinc, and copper by Helianthus annuus L.: impact on plant growth and uptake of nutritional elements.

PubMed

Rivelli, Anna Rita; De Maria, Susanna; Puschenreiter, Markus; Gherbin, Piergiorgio

2012-04-01

We investigated the effects on physiological response, trace elements and nutrients accumulation of sunflower plants grown in soil contaminated with: 5 mg kg(-1) of Cd; 5 and 300 mg kg(-1) of Cd and Zn, respectively; 5, 300, and 400 mg kg(-1) of Cd, Zn, and Cu, respectively. Contaminants applied did not produce large effects on growth, except in Cd-Zn-Cu treatment in which leaf area and total dry matter were reduced, by 15%. The contamination with Cd alone did not affect neither growth nor physiological parameters, despite considerable amounts of Cd accumulated in roots and older leaves, with a high bioconcentration factor from soil to plant. By adding Zn and then Cu to Cd in soil, significant were the toxic effects on chlorophyll content and water relations due to greater accumulation of trace elements in tissues, with imbalances in nutrients uptake. Highly significant was the interaction between shoot elements concentration (Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Ca) and treatments. Heavy metals concentrations in roots always exceeded those in stem and leaves, with a lower translocation from roots to shoots, suggesting a strategy of sunflower to compartmentalise the potentially toxic elements in physiologically less active parts in order to preserve younger tissues.

The quadrupole moments of Cd and Zn isotopes - an apology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haas, H.; Barbosa, M. B.; Correia, J. G.

2016-12-01

In 2010 we presented an update of the nuclear quadrupole moments (Q) for the Cd and Zn isotopes, based essentially on straightforward density functional (DF) calculations (H. Haas and J.G. Correia, Hyperfine Interact 198, 133-137 (2010)). It has been apparent for some years that the standard DF procedure obviously fails, however, to reproduce the known electric-field gradient (EFG) for various systems, typical cases being Cu2O, As and Sb, and the solid halogens. Recently a cure for this deficiency has been found in the hybrid DF technique. This method is now applied to solid Cd and Zn, and the resultant quadrupole moments are about 15 % smaller than in our earlier report. Also nuclear systematics, using the recently revised values of Q for the long-lived 11/2 isomers in111Cd to129Cd, together with earlier PAD data for107,109Cd, leads to the same conclusion. In addition, EFG calculations for the cadmium dimethyl molecule further support the new values: Q(111Cd, 5/2+) = .683(20) b, Q(67Zn, gs) = .132(5) b. This implies, that the value for the atomic EFG in the 3it {P}1 state of Zn must be revised, as it has been for Cd.

Hyaluronan functionalizing QDs as turn-on fluorescent probe for targeted recognition CD44 receptor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Shang; Huo, Danqun; Hou, Changjun; Yang, Mei; Fa, Huanbao

2017-09-01

The recognition of tumor markers in living cancer cells has attracted increasing interest. In the present study, the turn-on fluorescence probe was designed based on the fluorescence of thiolated chitosan-coated CdTe QDs (CdTe/TCS QDs) quenched by hyaluronan, which could provide the low background signal for sensitive cellular imaging. This system is expected to offer specific recognition of CD44 receptor over other substances owing to the specific affinity of hyaluronan and CD44 receptor ( 8-9 kcal/mol). The probe is stable in aqueous and has little toxicity to living cells; thus, it can be utilized for targeted cancer cell imaging. The living lung cancer cell imaging experiments further demonstrate its value in recognizing cell-surface CD44 receptor with turn-on mode. In addition, the probe can be used to recognize and differentiate the subtypes of lung cancer cells based on the difference of CD44 expression on the surface of lung cancer cells. And, the western blot test further confirmed that the expression level of the CD44 receptor in lung cancer cells is different. Therefore, this probe may be potentially applied in recognizing lung cancer cells with higher contrast and sensitivity and provide new tools for cancer prognosis and therapy. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Successive Onset of Molecular, Cellular and Tissue-Specific Responses in Midgut Gland of Littorina littorea Exposed to Sub-Lethal Cadmium Concentrations

PubMed Central

Benito, Denis; Izagirre, Urtzi; Dallinger, Reinhard; Soto, Manu

2017-01-01

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most harmful metals, being toxic to most animal species, including marine invertebrates. Among marine gastropods, the periwinkle (Littorina littorea) in particular can accumulate high amounts of Cd in its midgut gland. In this organ, the metal can elicit extensive cytological and tissue-specific alterations that may reach, depending on the intensity of Cd exposure, from reversible lesions to pathological cellular disruptions. At the same time, Littorina littorea expresses a Cd-specific metallothionein (MT) that, due to its molecular features, expectedly exerts a protective function against the adverse intracellular effects of this metal. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to assess the time course of MT induction in the periwinkle’s midgut gland on the one hand, and cellular and tissue-specific alterations in the digestive organ complex (midgut gland and digestive tract) on the other, upon exposure to sub-lethal Cd concentrations (0.25 and 1 mg Cd/L) over 21 days. Depending on the Cd concentrations applied, the beginning of alterations of the assessed parameters followed distinct concentration-dependent and time-dependent patterns, where the timeframe for the onset of the different response reactions became narrower at higher Cd concentrations compared to lower exposure concentrations. PMID:28829377

Applying the erythrocyte Pig-a assay concept to rat epididymal sperm for germ cell mutagenicity evaluation.

PubMed

Ji, Zhiying; LeBaron, Matthew J

2017-08-01

The Pig-a assay, a recently developed in vivo somatic gene mutation assay, is based on the identification of mutant erythrocytes that have an altered repertoire of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface markers. We hypothesized that the erythrocyte Pig-a assay concept could be applied to rat cauda epididymal spermatozoa (sperm) for germ cell mutagenicity evaluation. We used GPI-anchored CD59 as the Pig-a mutation marker and examined the frequency of CD59-negative sperm using flow cytometry. A reconstruction experiment that spiked un-labeled sperm (mutant-mimic) into labeled sperm at specific ratios yielded good agreement between the detected and expected frequencies of mutant-mimic sperm, demonstrating the analytical ability for CD59-negative sperm detection. Furthermore, this methodology was assessed in F344/DuCrl rats administered N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), a prototypical mutagen, or clofibrate, a lipid-lowering drug. Rats treated with 1, 10, or 20 mg/kg body weight/day (mkd) ENU via daily oral garage for five consecutive days showed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of CD59-negative sperm on study day 63 (i.e., 58 days after the last ENU dose). This ENU dosing regimen also increased the frequency of CD59-negative erythrocytes. In rats treated with 300 mkd clofibrate via daily oral garage for consecutive 28 days, no treatment-related changes were detected in the frequency of CD59-negative sperm on study day 85 (i.e., 57 days after the last dose) or in the frequency of CD59-negative erythrocytes on study day 29. In conclusion, these data suggest that the epidiymal sperm Pig-a assay in rats is a promising method for evaluating germ cell mutagenicity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:485-493, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cadmium and zinc in soil solution extracts following the application of phosphate fertilizers.

PubMed

Lambert, Raphaël; Grant, Cynthia; Sauvé, Sébastien

2007-06-01

This study investigated the solubility of cadmium and zinc in soils after the application of phosphate fertilizers containing those two metals. The solubility of cadmium and zinc was assessed by measuring their concentration in soil water extracts. Three monoammonium phosphate fertilizers containing various amounts of metals were applied on cultivated fields for 3 years at three different rates. In order to investigate the effects of long-term applications of fertilizers on the solubility of Cd and Zn, a similar design was used to apply contaminated fertilizers to soils in a laboratory experiment using a single fertilizer addition equivalent to 15 years of application. Phosphate fertilizers increased the concentration of Cd in soil extracts compared to control in 87% and 80% of the treatments in field and laboratory experiments respectively. Both increasing the rate of application and using fertilizer containing more Cd lead to higher Cd concentrations in extracts for the field and the laboratory experiments. The addition of the equivalent of 15 years of fertilizer application in the laboratory results in higher Cd concentration in extracts compared to the field experiment. For Zn, the fertilizer treatments enhanced the metal solution concentration in 83% of field treatments, but no significant correlations could be found between Zn inputs and its concentration in solution. In the laboratory, fertilizer additions increase the Zn concentrations in 53% of the treatments and decrease it in most of the other treatments. The decrease in Zn concentrations in the laboratory trial is attributed to the higher phosphate concentrations in the soil solution; which is presumed to have contributed to the precipitation of Zn-phosphates. For both trials, the metal concentrations in soil extracts cannot be related to the Zn concentration in the fertilizer or the rate of application. The high Zn to Cd ratio is presumably responsible for the Cd increase in the soil extracts due to competitive displacement by Zn. Finally, the observed acidification of soils with fertilizer application will also contribute to metal solubilisation.

Immunologic considerations for generating memory CD8 T cells through vaccination.

PubMed

Butler, Noah S; Nolz, Jeffrey C; Harty, John T

2011-07-01

Following infection or vaccination, naïve CD8 T cells that receive the appropriate integration of antigenic, co-stimulatory and inflammatory signals undergo a programmed series of biological changes that ultimately results in the generation of memory cells. Memory CD8 T cells, in contrast to naïve cells, more effectively limit or prevent pathogen re-infection because of both qualitative and quantitative changes that occur following their induction. Unlike vaccination strategies aimed at generating antibody production, the ability to generate protective memory CD8 T cells has proven more complicated and problematic. However, recent experimental results have revealed important principles regarding the molecular and genetic basis for memory CD8 T cell formation, as well as identified ways to manipulate their development through vaccination, resulting in potential new avenues to enhance protective immunity. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Elevated free fatty acid uptake via CD36 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma

PubMed Central

Nath, Aritro; Li, Irene; Roberts, Lewis R.; Chan, Christina

2015-01-01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and the factors influencing HCC progression are poorly understood. Here we reveal that HCC progression via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely associated with the expression of CD36/fatty acid translocase and elevated free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Although obesity is manifested as elevated FFA levels, the degree of EMT was not associated with the body mass index of the patients, highlighting the specific roles of CD36 and FFA uptake. Treatment of human liver cancer cell lines with FFAs exacerbated the EMT phenotype, whereas chemical inhibition of CD36 mitigated these effects. Furthermore, the Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathways were activated upon FFA treatment, potentially acting as upstream activators of the EMT program. These results provide the first direct evidence associating CD36 and elevated FFAs with HCC progression. PMID:26424075

Monitoring patron use of CD-ROM databases using SignIn-Stat.

PubMed Central

Silver, H; Dennis, S

1990-01-01

SignIn-Stat, a PC-based, menu-driven program, collects information from users of the library's public access computer systems. It was used to collect patron use data for the library's four CD-ROM workstations for the period September 1987 to April 1988 and to survey users for the period December 1987 to March 1988. During the sample period, 5,909 CD-ROM uses were recorded. MEDLINE was the most heavily used database, followed by PsycLIT and Micromedex CCIS. Students accounted for 61% of the use, while faculty, residents, and staff were responsible for 31%. Graduate students had the highest rate of use per student. Nineteen percent of use was by patrons who had never used CD-ROMs before, while 37% was by patrons who had used CD-ROMs ten or more times. Residents were the least experienced user group, while graduate students and faculty were the most experienced. PMID:2203498

Elevated free fatty acid uptake via CD36 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Nath, Aritro; Li, Irene; Roberts, Lewis R; Chan, Christina

2015-10-01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and the factors influencing HCC progression are poorly understood. Here we reveal that HCC progression via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely associated with the expression of CD36/fatty acid translocase and elevated free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Although obesity is manifested as elevated FFA levels, the degree of EMT was not associated with the body mass index of the patients, highlighting the specific roles of CD36 and FFA uptake. Treatment of human liver cancer cell lines with FFAs exacerbated the EMT phenotype, whereas chemical inhibition of CD36 mitigated these effects. Furthermore, the Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathways were activated upon FFA treatment, potentially acting as upstream activators of the EMT program. These results provide the first direct evidence associating CD36 and elevated FFAs with HCC progression.

Evaluating the performance and intellectual structure of construction and demolition waste research during 2000-2016.

PubMed

Liu, Yanli; Sun, Tiantian; Yang, Lie

2017-08-01

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste diminishes scarce land resources and endangers human health and the surrounding environment. Quantitative and visualized analysis was conducted to evaluate worldwide scientific research output on C&D waste from 2000 to 2016. The related information of 857 publications was collected from SCI-Expanded database and statistically analyzed. The number of documents about C&D waste presented a general growth during the last 17 years. Construction and Building Materials publication ranked first in the most productive journals. China and Spain acted as dominated roles comparing to other countries, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University was the institution with the largest amount of C&D waste research. Recycled aggregates, sustainable C&D waste management, and the rewarding program and commerce system were the hottest topics during 2000-2016 and in the near future according to the intellectual structure analysis.

The design of novel visible light driven Ag/CdO as smart nanocomposite for photodegradation of different dye contaminants.

PubMed

Saravanakumar, K; Muthuraj, V; Jeyaraj, M

2018-01-05

In this paper, we report a novel visible light driven Ag/CdO photocatalyst, fabricated for the first time via one pot hydrothermal method and further applied for the photodegradation of two important exemplar water contaminants, Malachite green and Acid Orange 7. The microstructure, composition and optical properties of Ag/CdO nanocomposites were thoroughly investigated by various techniques. Scanning electron microscopy clearly shows that Ag NPs were strongly embedded between the CdO nanoparticles. Among the series of synthesized Ag/CdO nanocomposites, (5%) Ag/CdO nanocomposite possesses enhanced photocatalytic activity. This result was attributed to the synergistic effect between Ag and CdO, and mainly Ag NPs can act as an electron trap site, which could reduce the recombination of the electron-hole and induce the visible light absorption. The active species trapping experiments implicate OH and O 2 - radicals as the respective primary and secondary reactive species responsible for oxidative photodegradation of organic pollutants. On the basis of the results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism has also been proposed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of heavy metal Cd in polluted fresh leafy vegetables by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

PubMed

Yao, Mingyin; Yang, Hui; Huang, Lin; Chen, Tianbing; Rao, Gangfu; Liu, Muhua

2017-05-10

In seeking a novel method with the ability of green analysis in monitoring toxic heavy metals residue in fresh leafy vegetables, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to prove its capability in performing this work. The spectra of fresh vegetable samples polluted in the lab were collected by optimized LIBS experimental setup, and the reference concentrations of cadmium (Cd) from samples were obtained by conventional atomic absorption spectroscopy after wet digestion. The direct calibration employing intensity of single Cd line and Cd concentration exposed the weakness of this calibration method. Furthermore, the accuracy of linear calibration can be improved a little by triple Cd lines as characteristic variables, especially after the spectra were pretreated. However, it is not enough in predicting Cd in samples. Therefore, partial least-squares regression (PLSR) was utilized to enhance the robustness of quantitative analysis. The results of the PLSR model showed that the prediction accuracy of the Cd target can meet the requirement of determination in food safety. This investigation presented that LIBS is a promising and emerging method in analyzing toxic compositions in agricultural products, especially combined with suitable chemometrics.

Vertically aligned CdSe nanowire arrays for energy harvesting and piezotronic devices.

PubMed

Zhou, Yu Sheng; Wang, Kai; Han, Weihua; Rai, Satish Chandra; Zhang, Yan; Ding, Yong; Pan, Caofeng; Zhang, Fang; Zhou, Weilie; Wang, Zhong Lin

2012-07-24

We demonstrated the energy harvesting potential and piezotronic effect in vertically aligned CdSe nanowire (NW) arrays for the first time. The CdSe NW arrays were grown on a mica substrate by the vapor-liquid-solid process using a CdSe thin film as seed layer and platinum as catalyst. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy image and selected area electron diffraction pattern indicate that the CdSe NWs have a wurtzite structure and growth direction along (0001). Using conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM), an average output voltage of 30.7 mV and maximum of 137 mV were obtained. To investigate the effect of strain on electron transport, the current-voltage characteristics of the NWs were studied by positioning an AFM tip on top of an individual NW. By applying normal force/stress on the NW, the Schottky barrier between the Pt and CdSe was found to be elevated due to the piezotronic effect. With the change of strain of 0.12%, a current decreased from 84 to 17 pA at 2 V bias. This paper shows that the vertical CdSe NW array is a potential candidate for future piezo-phototronic devices.

Glutathione-capped CdTe nanocrystals as probe for the determination of fenbendazole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qin; Tan, Xuanping; Li, Jin; Pan, Li; Liu, Xiaorong

2015-04-01

Water-soluble glutathione (GSH)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized. In pH 7.1 PBS buffer solution, the interaction between GSH-capped CdTe QDs and fenbendazole (FBZ) was investigated by spectroscopic methods, including fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) spectroscopy. In GSH-capped CdTe QDs solution, the addition of FBZ results in the fluorescence quenching and RRS enhancement of GSH-capped CdTe QDs. And the quenching intensity (enhanced RRS intensity) was proportional to the concentration of FBZ in a certain range. Investigation of the interaction mechanism, proved that the fluorescence quenching and RRS enhancement of GSH-capped CdTe QDs by FBZ is the result of electrostatic attraction. Based on the quenching of fluorescence (enhancement of RRS) of GSH-capped CdTe QDs by FBZ, a novel, simple, rapid and specific method for FBZ determination was proposed. The detection limit for FBZ was 42 ng mL-1 (3.4 ng mL-1) and the quantitative determination range was 0-2.8 μg mL-1 with a correlation of 0.9985 (0.9979). The method has been applied to detect FBZ in real simples and with satisfactory results.

The effectiveness of municipal sewage sludge application on the stabilization of Pb, Zn, and Cd in a soil contaminated from mining activities.

PubMed

Xenidis, A; Stouraiti, C; Moirou, A

2001-01-01

The effectiveness of municipal sewage sludge for the stabilisation of Pb, Zn and Cd in a heavily contaminated soil was evaluated by performing pot experiments on soil-sludge mixtures. The soil sample originated from the Montevecchio mining district, Sardinia, Italy, and presented high Pb, Zn and Cd content, as well as US EPA TCLP solubility values for Pb and Cd, which exceeded the respective regulatory limits. Sewage sludge application increased the soil pH. Stabilisation experiments showed that 10% w/w sewage sludge addition effectively reduced Pb and Cd solubilities below the TCLP regulatory limits. At the same addition rate, the EDTA extractable fraction of Pb, Zn, Cd in the treated soil was reduced by 12, 47 and 50% respectively compared with the untreated sample. The five-stage sequential extraction procedure applied on the untreated and treated soil samples, showed a remarkable shift of the metals towards more stable forms. The reducible fractions of Zn and Cd and the residual fraction of Pb were increased by 12, 20 and 18% respectively, while a corresponding decrease in the mobile fractions (exchangeable and carbonate) occurred which accounted for 14, 23 and 25% respectively.

Graphene and CdS nanocomposite: a facile interface for construction of DNA-based electrochemical biosensor and its application to the determination of phenformin.

PubMed

Zeng, Lijiao; Wang, Rui; Zhu, Lihua; Zhang, Jingdong

2013-10-01

Graphene/cadmium sulphide (GR-CdS) nanocomposite was synthesized via a low temperature process in aqueous solution. The as-prepared nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The impedance analysis indicated that GR-CdS nanocomposite possessed outstanding electrochemical performance for facile electron transfer. When DNA was immobilized on GR-CdS (DNA/GR-CdS) modified electrode, the electrochemical oxidation of guanine and adenine in DNA residue bases was significantly promoted. Due to the interaction of DNA with phenformin, the voltammetric current of guanine or adenine on the DNA/GR-CdS electrode was decreased when phenformin was present in the electrolytic solution. Under optimized conditions, the signal of guanine on DNA/GR-CdS electrode decreased linearly with increasing the concentration of phenformin in the range of 1.0×10(-6)molL(-1) to 1.0×10(-3)molL(-1). The proposed DNA-based electrochemical biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of phenformin in real samples. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Painless skin nodules and ecchymosis in a school-aged girl].

PubMed

Liu, Ying-Ting; Yang, Ming-Hua; Cao, Li-Zhi; Huang, Ye-Hong; Xie, Min; Yang, Liang-Chun; Yang, Hui; Tang, Xing

2015-10-01

A 7-year-old girl was admitted to Xiangya Hospital due to systemic lymphadenectasis for 2 months and skin ecchymosis for 3 days. Nine months ago, the girl experienced painless nodules in the left lower extremity with no apparent causes. Three months later, dermatorrhagia and ecchymosis occurred in many regions such as the periocular areas, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, perineal area, and groin, with a "raccoon sign" in both eyes; superficial lymphadenectasis and hepatosplenomegaly were also observed in many regions. The pathological sections for the skin nodules showed malignant tumors in lymphohematopoietic cells, and in combination with clinical manifestations, immunohistochemistry, and positive results for CD4, CD56, and CD123 by bone marrow flow cytometry, the girl was diagnosed with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Then high-risk ALL regimen was applied as the chemotherapy for this girl. At present, the girl has been followed up for 3 months; ecchymosis has disappeared, and the enlarged lymph nodes have shrunk. No abnormal cells have been found in bone marrow morphological examination, and bone marrow flow cytometry has shown that primitive precursor cells account for 1.5% and express CD33, CD34, CD123, and CD117.

IL-4 downregulates expression of the target receptor CD30 in neoplastic canine mast cells

PubMed Central

Bauer, K.; Hadzijusufovic, E.; Cerny-Reiterer, S.; Hoermann, G.; Reifinger, M.; Pirker, A.; Valent, P.; Willmann, M.

2018-01-01

CD30 is a novel therapeutic target in human mast cell (MC) neoplasms. In this ‘comparative oncology’ study, we examined CD30 expression and regulation in neoplastic canine MC using a panel of immunomodulatory cytokines [interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 and stem cell factor (SCF)] and the canine mastocytoma cell lines NI-1 and C2. Of all cytokines tested IL-4 was found to downregulate expression of CD30 in NI-1 and C2 cells. We also found that the CD30-targeting antibody-conjugate brentuximab vedotin induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in both MC lines. Next, we asked whether IL-4-induced downregulation of CD30 interferes with brentuximab vedotin-effects. Indeed, pre-incubation of NI-1 cells with IL-4 decreased responsiveness towards brentuximab vedotin. To overcome IL-4-mediated resistance, we applied drug combinations and found that brentuximab vedotin synergizes with the Kit-targeting drugs masitinib and PKC412 in inhibiting growth of NI-1 and C2 cells. In summary, CD30 is a new marker and IL-4-regulated target in neoplastic canine MC. PMID:27507155

A computational ab initio study of surface diffusion of sulfur on the CdTe (111) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naderi, Ebadollah; Ghaisas, S. V.

2016-08-01

In order to discern the formation of epitaxial growth of CdS shell over CdTe nanocrystals, kinetics related to the initial stages of the growth of CdS on CdTe is investigated using ab-initio methods. We report diffusion of sulfur adatom on the CdTe (111) A-type (Cd-terminated) and B-type (Te-terminated) surfaces within the density functional theory (DFT). The barriers are computed by applying the climbing Nudge Elastic Band (c-NEB) method. From the results surface hopping emerges as the major mode of diffusion. In addition, there is a distinct contribution from kick-out type diffusion in which a CdTe surface atom is kicked out from its position and is replaced by the diffusing sulfur atom. Also, surface vacancy substitution contributes to the concomitant dynamics. There are sites on the B- type surface that are competitively close in terms of the binding energy to the lowest energy site of epitaxy on the surface. The kick-out process is more likely for B-type surface where a Te atom of the surface is displaced by a sulfur adatom. Further, on the B-type surface, subsurface migration of sulfur is indicated. Furthermore, the binding energies of S on CdTe reveal that on the A-type surface, epitaxial sites provide relatively higher binding energies and barriers than on B-type.

A computational ab initio study of surface diffusion of sulfur on the CdTe (111) surface

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Naderi, Ebadollah, E-mail: enaderi42@gmail.com; Ghaisas, S. V.

2016-08-15

In order to discern the formation of epitaxial growth of CdS shell over CdTe nanocrystals, kinetics related to the initial stages of the growth of CdS on CdTe is investigated using ab-initio methods. We report diffusion of sulfur adatom on the CdTe (111) A-type (Cd-terminated) and B-type (Te-terminated) surfaces within the density functional theory (DFT). The barriers are computed by applying the climbing Nudge Elastic Band (c-NEB) method. From the results surface hopping emerges as the major mode of diffusion. In addition, there is a distinct contribution from kick-out type diffusion in which a CdTe surface atom is kicked outmore » from its position and is replaced by the diffusing sulfur atom. Also, surface vacancy substitution contributes to the concomitant dynamics. There are sites on the B- type surface that are competitively close in terms of the binding energy to the lowest energy site of epitaxy on the surface. The kick-out process is more likely for B-type surface where a Te atom of the surface is displaced by a sulfur adatom. Further, on the B-type surface, subsurface migration of sulfur is indicated. Furthermore, the binding energies of S on CdTe reveal that on the A-type surface, epitaxial sites provide relatively higher binding energies and barriers than on B-type.« less

Expression and prognostic value of soluble CD97 and its ligand CD55 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Meng, Ze-Wu; Liu, Min-Chao; Hong, Hai-Jie; Du, Qiang; Chen, Yan-Ling

2017-03-01

The incidence rate of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is rising, and treatment options are limited. Therefore, new biological markers of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are needed. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were applied to analyze the expressions of CD97, CD55, and soluble CD97 in 71 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 10 patients with hepatolithiasis. CD97 and CD55 were not expressed in hepatolithiatic tissues, but positive expression was observed in 76.1% (54/71) and 70.4% (50/71) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients. The univariate analyses indicated that the positive expressions of CD97 and CD55 were related to short intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma survival of patients (both p = 0.001). Furthermore, CD97 and CD55 expressions and biliary soluble CD97 levels were significantly associated with histological grade (p = 0.004, 0.002, and 0.012, respectively), lymph node metastases (p = 0.020, 0.038, and 0.001, respectively), and venous invasion (p = 0.003, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively). The multivariate analyses indicated that lymph node metastases (hazard ratio: 2.407, p = 0.003), positive CD55 expression (hazard ratio: 4.096, p = 0.003), and biliary soluble CD97 levels (hazard ratio: 2.434, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma survival. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that when the cutoff values of biliary soluble CD97 were 1.15 U/mL, the diagnostic value for predicting lymph node metastasis had a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 51.3%. For intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patient death within 60 months at a cutoff value of 0.940 U/mL, the diagnostic value sensitivity was 89.3% and the specificity was 93.3%. Biliary soluble CD97 may be a new biological marker for early diagnosis, prediction of lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis, and discovery of a therapeutic target.

Lymphocyte senescence in COPD is associated with loss of glucocorticoid receptor expression by pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic lymphocytes.

PubMed

Hodge, Greg; Jersmann, Hubertus; Tran, Hai B; Holmes, Mark; Reynolds, Paul N; Hodge, Sandra

2015-01-09

Glucocorticoid (GC) resistance is a major barrier in COPD treatment. We have shown increased expression of the drug efflux pump, Pgp1 in cytotoxic/pro-inflammatory lymphocytes in COPD. Loss of lymphocyte co-stimulatory molecule CD28 (lymphocyte senescence) was associated with a further increase in their pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic potential and resistance to GC. We hypothesized that lymphocyte senescence and increased Pgp1 are also associated with down-regulation of the GC receptor (GCR). Blood was collected from 10 COPD and 10 healthy aged-matched controls. Flow cytometry was applied to assess intracellular pro-inflammatory cytokines, CD28, Pgp1, GCR, steroid binding and relative cytoplasm/nuclear GCR by CD28+ and CD28null T, NKT-like cells. GCR localization was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. COPD was associated with increased numbers of CD28nullCD8+ T and NKT-like cells. Loss of CD28 was associated with an increased percentage of T and NKT-like cells producing IFNγ or TNFα and associated with a loss of GCR and Dex-Fluor staining but unchanged Pgp1. There was a significant loss of GCR in CD8 + CD28null compared with CD8 + CD28+ T and NKT-like cells from both COPD and controls (eg, mean ± SEM 8 ± 3% GCR + CD8 + CD28null T-cells vs 49 ± 5% GCR + CD8 + CD28+ T-cells in COPD). There was a significant negative correlation between GCR expression and IFNγ and TNFα production by T and NKT-like cells(eg, COPD: T-cell IFNγ R = -.615; ) and with FEV1 in COPD (R = -.777). COPD is associated with loss of GCR in senescent CD28null and NKT-like cells suggesting alternative treatment options to GC are required to inhibit these pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic cells.

Social and Occupational Integration of Disadvantaged People. Leonardo da Vinci Good Practices Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Commission of the European Communities, Brussels (Belgium). Directorate-General for Education and Culture.

This document profiles nine European programs that exemplify good practice in social and occupational integration of disadvantaged people. The programs profiled are as follows: (1) Restaurant Venezia (a CD-ROM program to improve the reading and writing skills of young people in Luxembourg who have learning difficulties); (2) an integrated…

Generation of Level 3 SMMR and SSM/I Brightness Temperatures for the Period 1978-1999

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Partington, Kim

1999-01-01

The NOAA/NASA Pathfinder Program was initially designed to assure that certain key remote sensing data sets of particular significance to global change research were scientifically validated, consistently processed and made readily available to the research community at minimal cost. Through this Program the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), University of Colorado has successfully processed, archived and distributed the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) and Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) Level 3 (EASE-Grid format) Pathfinder data sets for the period 1978 to 1999. These data are routinely distributed to approximately 150 researchers through various media including CD-ROM, 8 mm tape, ftp and the EOS Information Management System (IMS). At NSIDC these data are currently being applied in the development and validation of algorithms to derive snow water equivalent (NASA NAG5-6636), the mapping of frozen ground and the detection of the onset of melt over ice sheets, sea ice and snow cover. The EASE-Grid format, developed at NSIDC in conjunction with the SMMR-SSM/I Pathfinder project has also been applied to Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and TOVS Pathfinder data, as well as ancillary data such as digital elevation, land cover classification and several in situ data sets. EASE-Grid will also be used for all land products derived from the NASA EOS AMSR-E instrument.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Cryptococcal Antigen Screening and Prevalence of Cryptocococcemia in Patients Attending a Resource-Limited HIV/AIDS Clinic in Malawi.

PubMed

Chipungu, Chifundo; Veltman, Jennifer A; Jansen, Perry; Chiliko, Peter; Lossa, Christina; Namarika, Dan; Benner, Blake; Hoffman, Risa M; Bristow, Claire C; Klausner, Jeffrey D

2015-01-01

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends screening patients living with AIDS to detect and treat early cryptococcal infection. The authors evaluated a cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening and treatment program at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Malawi. Eligible patients were of age >18 years, had a CD4 count <100 cells/µL or WHO clinical HIV/AIDS stage III or IV. Of 552 patients who presented for care, 113 were eligible, and all (100%) agreed to CrAg screening. Of them, 2 (1.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0-4.2%) patients were CrAg positive. Among those with CD4 count <100 cells/µL or WHO stage IV, the CrAg prevalence was 3.5% (95% CI: 0-8.4%) and 5.0% (95% CI: 0-15%), respectively. A CrAg screening program was acceptable to new patients in a Malawian HIV/AIDS clinic. The CrAg prevalence for patients with CD4 count < 100 cells/µL and WHO stage IV was consistent with cost-effectiveness estimates. CrAg screening and treatment programs for patients living with AIDS should be expanded. © The Author(s) 2015.

PD-1 identifies the patient-specific CD8+ tumor-reactive repertoire infiltrating human tumors

PubMed Central

Gros, Alena; Robbins, Paul F.; Yao, Xin; Li, Yong F.; Turcotte, Simon; Tran, Eric; Wunderlich, John R.; Mixon, Arnold; Farid, Shawn; Dudley, Mark E.; Hanada, Ken-ichi; Almeida, Jorge R.; Darko, Sam; Douek, Daniel C.; Yang, James C.; Rosenberg, Steven A.

2014-01-01

Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can mediate regression of metastatic melanoma; however, TILs are a heterogeneous population, and there are no effective markers to specifically identify and select the repertoire of tumor-reactive and mutation-specific CD8+ lymphocytes. The lack of biomarkers limits the ability to study these cells and develop strategies to enhance clinical efficacy and extend this therapy to other malignancies. Here, we evaluated unique phenotypic traits of CD8+ TILs and TCR β chain (TCRβ) clonotypic frequency in melanoma tumors to identify patient-specific repertoires of tumor-reactive CD8+ lymphocytes. In all 6 tumors studied, expression of the inhibitory receptors programmed cell death 1 (PD-1; also known as CD279), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3; also known as CD223), and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) on CD8+ TILs identified the autologous tumor-reactive repertoire, including mutated neoantigen-specific CD8+ lymphocytes, whereas only a fraction of the tumor-reactive population expressed the costimulatory receptor 4-1BB (also known as CD137). TCRβ deep sequencing revealed oligoclonal expansion of specific TCRβ clonotypes in CD8+PD-1+ compared with CD8+PD-1– TIL populations. Furthermore, the most highly expanded TCRβ clonotypes in the CD8+ and the CD8+PD-1+ populations recognized the autologous tumor and included clonotypes targeting mutated antigens. Thus, in addition to the well-documented negative regulatory role of PD-1 in T cells, our findings demonstrate that PD-1 expression on CD8+ TILs also accurately identifies the repertoire of clonally expanded tumor-reactive cells and reveal a dual importance of PD-1 expression in the tumor microenvironment. PMID:24667641

Correlation of cancer stem cell markers and immune cell markers in resected non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Huang, Zhaoqin; Yu, Haining; Zhang, Jianbo; Jing, Haiyan; Zhu, Wanqi; Li, Xiaolin; Kong, Lingling; Xing, Ligang; Yu, Jinming; Meng, Xiangjiao

2017-01-01

Background: Recent studies confirmed that immunotherapy showed prominent efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cancer stem cells/cancer initiating cells are resistant to anticancer treatment. The purpose of the study was to analyze the correlation of cancer stem cells/cancer initiating cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in NSCLC. Methods: CD133, octamer 4 (OCT-4), CD8, CD56, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) were assessed in 172 resected NSCLC samples. The staining was analyzed and scored by the pathologist who was blinded to the clinical pathological data of the patients. Results: High CD8+ T cell infiltration was correlated significantly with squamous cell carcinoma histology (p=0.008). High PD-L1 expression (≥10%) was associated with high tumor status (p=0.043). Pearson's correlation test showed that CD56+ cells were negatively correlated with CD133 expression (r=-0.361, p<0.001) and weakly correlated with negative OCT-4 expression (r=-0.180, p=0.018). There was a strong positive correlation between CD8 and HLA class I (r=0.573, p<0.001). In the survival analysis, high CD8+ T cell infiltration is an independent predictor of improved disease-free survival and overall survival. Patients with low CD133 expression and high CD56 expression had a longer overall survival than those with high CD133 expression and/or low CD56 expression (p=0.013). Conclusion: There is a negative correlation between CD56+ cells and cancer stem cell markers. This correlation may confirm the possibility that natural killer cells can target CD133+ cancer stem cells/cancer initiating cells in non-small cell lung cancer.

Numerical methods for industrial vertical Bridgman growth of (Cd,Zn)Te

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, K.; Boschert, S.; Dold, P.; Benz, K. W.; Kriessl, O.; Schmidt, A.; Siebert, K. G.; Dziuk, G.

2002-04-01

This paper presents efficient numerical methods—the "inverse modeling" method and the adaptive finite element method—for optimizing the heat transport as well as for investigating the heat and mass transport under the influence of convection during crystal growth, especially near the liquid/solid interface. These methods have been applied to industrial Bridgman-furnaces for the growth of 65-75 mm diameter (Cd,Zn)Te crystals.

Community vs. Clinic-Based Modular Treatment of Children with Early-Onset ODD or CD: A Clinical Trial with 3-Year Follow-Up

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kolko, David J.; Dorn, Lorah D.; Bukstein, Oscar G.; Pardini, Dustin; Holden, Elizabeth A.; Hart, Jonathan

2009-01-01

This study examines the treatment outcomes of 139, 6-11 year-old, clinically referred boys and girls diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (CD) who were randomly assigned to a modular-based treatment protocol that was applied by research study clinicians either in the community (COMM) or a clinic office (CLINIC).…

Electronically excited states of vitamin B12 and methylcobalamin: theoretical analysis of absorption, CD, and MCD data.

PubMed

Solheim, Harald; Kornobis, Karina; Ruud, Kenneth; Kozlowski, Pawel M

2011-02-03

Linear and quadratic response time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) has been applied to investigate absorption (Abs), circular dichroism (CD), and magnetic CD (MCD) spectra of cyanocobalamin (CNCbl) and methylcobalamin (MeCbl). Although electronically excited states of both cobalamins have been probed by applying different experimental techniques, their exact nature remains poorly understood from an electronic structure point of view. Recent theoretical studies have revealed a lot of relevant information about their properties but also left some unresolved issues related to the nature of individual transitions. In this contribution, not only Abs but also CD and MCD spectra of both cobalamins were computed for direct comparison with experiment. The results were evaluated with respect to the choice of exchange-correlation functional, basis set, and the environment (gas phase or solvent) used in the calculation. Taking into account the complexity of the CNCbl and MeCbl systems, reliable agreement between theory and experiment was achieved based on calculations employing the BP86 functional, particularly for the low-energy α/β bands. This spectral range has been traditionally interpreted as a vibrational progression associated with a single electronic excitation, but according to the present analysis for both cobalamins, these bands are best interpreted as consisting of multiple electronic transitions.

Electrically assisted liquid-phase microextraction combined with capillary electrophoresis for quantification of propranolol enantiomers in human body fluids.

PubMed

Tabani, Hadi; Fakhari, Ali Reza; Shahsavani, Abolfath; Gharari Alibabaou, Hossein

2014-05-01

In this study, electromembrane extraction (EME) combined with cyclodextrin (CD)-modified capillary electrophoresis (CE) was applied for the extraction, separation, and quantification of propranolol (PRO) enantiomers from biological samples. The PRO enantiomers were extracted from aqueous donor solutions, through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) consisting of 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) impregnated on the wall of the hollow fiber, and into a 20-μL acidic aqueous acceptor solution into the lumen of hollow fiber. Important parameters affecting EME efficiency such as extraction voltage, extraction time, pH of the donor and acceptor solutions were optimized using a Box-Behnken design (BBD). Then, under these optimized conditions, the acceptor solution was analyzed using an optimized CD-modified CE. Several types of CD were evaluated and best results were obtained using a fused-silica capillary with ammonium acetate (80 mM, pH 2.5) containing 8 mM hydroxypropyl-β-CD as a chiral selector, applied voltage of 18 kV, and temperature of 20°C. The relative recoveries were obtained in the range of 78-95%. Finally, the performance of the present method was evaluated for the extraction and determination of PRO enantiomers in real biological samples. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured Mg-doped CdS/AAO nanoporous membrane for sensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaban, Mohamed; Mustafa, Mona; Hamdy, Hany

2016-04-01

In this study, Mg-doped CdS nanostructure was deposited onto anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane substrate using sol-gel spin coating method. The AAO membrane was prepared by a two-step anodization process combined with pore widening process. The morphology, chemical composition, and structure of the spin- coated CdS nanostructure have been studied. The morphology of the fabricated AAO membrane and the deposited Mg-doped CdS nanostructure was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM of AAO illustrates a typical hexagonal and smooth nanoporous alumina membrane with interpore distance of ~ 100 nm, the pore diameter of ~ 60 nm. SEM of Mgdoped CdS shows porous nanostructured film of CdS nanoparticles. This film well adherents and covers the AAO substrate. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) pattern exhibits the signals of Al, O from AAO membrane and Mg, Cd, and S from the deposited CdS. This indicates the high purity of the fabricated membrane and the deposited Mg-doped CdS nanostructure. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Scherrer equation was used to calculate the average crystallite size. Additionally, the texture coefficients and density of dislocations were calculated. The fabricated CdS/AAO was applied to detect glucose of different concentrations. The proposed method has some advantages such as simple technology, low cost of processing, and high throughput. All of these factors facilitate the use of the prepared films in sensing applications.

Impacts of rapeseed dregs on Cd availability in contaminated acid soil and Cd translocation and accumulation in rice plants.

PubMed

Yang, Wen-Tao; Gu, Jiao-Feng; Zou, Jia-Ling; Zhou, Hang; Zeng, Qing-Ru; Liao, Bo-Han

2016-10-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of rapeseed dregs (RSD, a commonly organic fertilizer in rural China) at application rates of 0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 % on Cd availability in soil and its accumulation in rice plants (Oryza sativa L., Xiangwanxian 12 # , and Weiyou 46 # ) by means of a pot experiment. The results showed that application of RSD resulted in a sharp decrease in the soil TCLP-extractable Cd content. However, the soil TCLP-extractable Cd content in amended soil gradually increased during the rice growing period. Application of RSD significantly increased Cd transport from root to shoot and the amount of Cd accumulated in the aerial part. RSD was an effective organic additive for increasing rice grain yield, but total Cd content in rice grain was also increased. At an application rate of 1.5-3.0 % RSD, the total Cd content in Weiyou 46 # brown rice was 0.27-0.31 mg kg -1 , which exceeded the standard safe limit (0.2 mg kg -1 ) and was also higher than that of Xiangwanxian 12 # (0.04-0.14 mg kg -1 ). Therefore, Weiyou 46 # had a higher dietary risk than Xiangwanxian 12 # with RSD application. We do not recommend planting Weiyou 46 # and applying more than 0.75 % RSD in Cd-contaminated paddy fields.

Cell banking for regulatory T cell-based therapy: strategies to overcome the impact of cryopreservation on the Treg viability and phenotype

PubMed Central

Gołąb, Karolina; Grose, Randall; Placencia, Veronica; Wickrema, Amittha; Solomina, Julia; Tibudan, Martin; Konsur, Evelyn; Ciepły, Kamil; Marek-Trzonkowska, Natalia; Trzonkowski, Piotr; Millis, J. Michael; Fung, John; Witkowski, Piotr

2018-01-01

The first clinical trials with adoptive Treg therapy have shown safety and potential efficacy. Feasibility of such therapy could be improved if cells are cryopreserved and stored until optimal timing for infusion. Herein, we report the evaluation of two cell-banking strategies for Treg therapy: 1) cryopreservation of CD4+ cells for subsequent Treg isolation/expansion and 2) cryopreservation of ex-vivo expanded Tregs (CD4+CD25hiCD127lo/- cells). First, we checked how cryopreservation affects cell viability and Treg markers expression. Then, we performed Treg isolation/expansion with the final products release testing. We observed substantial decrease in cell number recovery after thawing and overnight culture. This observation might be explained by the high percentage of necrotic and apoptotic cells found just after thawing. Furthermore, we noticed fluctuations in percentage of CD4+CD25hiCD127- and CD4+FoxP3+ cells obtained from cryopreserved CD4+ as well as Treg cells. However, after re-stimulation Tregs expanded well, presented a stable phenotype and fulfilled the release criteria at the end of expansions. Cryopreservation of CD4+ cells for subsequent Treg isolation/expansion and cryopreservation of expanded Tregs with re-stimulation and expansion after thawing, are promising solutions to overcome detrimental effects of cryopreservation. Both of these cell-banking strategies for Treg therapy can be applied when designing new clinical trials. PMID:29515766

Cell banking for regulatory T cell-based therapy: strategies to overcome the impact of cryopreservation on the Treg viability and phenotype.

PubMed

Gołąb, Karolina; Grose, Randall; Placencia, Veronica; Wickrema, Amittha; Solomina, Julia; Tibudan, Martin; Konsur, Evelyn; Ciepły, Kamil; Marek-Trzonkowska, Natalia; Trzonkowski, Piotr; Millis, J Michael; Fung, John; Witkowski, Piotr

2018-02-09

The first clinical trials with adoptive Treg therapy have shown safety and potential efficacy. Feasibility of such therapy could be improved if cells are cryopreserved and stored until optimal timing for infusion. Herein, we report the evaluation of two cell-banking strategies for Treg therapy: 1) cryopreservation of CD4 + cells for subsequent Treg isolation/expansion and 2) cryopreservation of ex-vivo expanded Tregs (CD4 + CD25 hi CD127 lo/- cells). First, we checked how cryopreservation affects cell viability and Treg markers expression. Then, we performed Treg isolation/expansion with the final products release testing. We observed substantial decrease in cell number recovery after thawing and overnight culture. This observation might be explained by the high percentage of necrotic and apoptotic cells found just after thawing. Furthermore, we noticed fluctuations in percentage of CD4 + CD25 hi CD127 - and CD4 + FoxP3 + cells obtained from cryopreserved CD4 + as well as Treg cells. However, after re-stimulation Tregs expanded well, presented a stable phenotype and fulfilled the release criteria at the end of expansions. Cryopreservation of CD4 + cells for subsequent Treg isolation/expansion and cryopreservation of expanded Tregs with re-stimulation and expansion after thawing, are promising solutions to overcome detrimental effects of cryopreservation. Both of these cell-banking strategies for Treg therapy can be applied when designing new clinical trials.

CdS/TiO2 photoanodes via solution ion transfer method for highly efficient solar hydrogen generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna Karuturi, Siva; Yew, Rowena; Reddy Narangari, Parvathala; Wong-Leung, Jennifer; Li, Li; Vora, Kaushal; Tan, Hark Hoe; Jagadish, Chennupati

2018-03-01

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) is a unique semiconducting material for solar hydrogen generation applications with a tunable, narrow bandgap that straddles water redox potentials. However, its potential towards efficient solar hydrogen generation has not yet been realized due to low photon-to-current conversions, high charge carrier recombination and the lack of controlled preparation methods. In this work, we demonstrate a highly efficient CdS/TiO2 heterostructured photoelectrode using atomic layer deposition and solution ion transfer reactions. Enabled by the well-controlled deposition of CdS nanocrystals on TiO2 inverse opal (TiIO) nanostructures using the proposed method, a saturation photocurrent density of 9.1 mA cm-2 is realized which is the highest ever reported for CdS-based photoelectrodes. We further demonstrate that the passivation of a CdS surface with an ultrathin amorphous layer (˜1.5 nm) of TiO2 improves the charge collection efficiency at low applied potentials paving the way for unassisted solar hydrogen generation.

Typhoon air-sea drag coefficient in coastal regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zhong-Kuo; Liu, Chun-Xia; Li, Qi; Dai, Guang-Feng; Song, Qing-Tao; Lv, Wei-Hua

2015-02-01

The air-sea drag during typhoon landfalls is investigated for a 10 m wind speed as high as U10 ≈ 42 m s-1, based on multilevel wind measurements from a coastal tower located in the South China Sea. The drag coefficient (CD) plotted against the typhoon wind speed is similar to that of open ocean conditions; however, the CD curve shifts toward a regime of lower winds, and CD increases by a factor of approximately 0.5 relative to the open ocean. Our results indicate that the critical wind speed at which CD peaks is approximately 24 m s-1, which is 5-15 m s-1 lower than that from deep water. Shoaling effects are invoked to explain the findings. Based on our results, the proposed CD formulation, which depends on both water depth and wind speed, is applied to a typhoon forecast model. The forecasts of typhoon track and surface wind speed are improved. Therefore, a water-depth-dependence formulation of CD may be particularly pertinent for parameterizing air-sea momentum exchanges over shallow water.

Field electron extraction from surface modified Cd(OH)2 nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagal, Vivekanand S.; Patil, Girish P.; Jadhav, Chandradip; Sharma, Malvika; Shivhare, Sugam; Chavan, Padmakar G.

2018-04-01

The Cd(OH)2 nanowires were grown on Silicon(Si) substrate by simple chemical bath deposition technique and gold(Au) nanoparticles were decorated on surface of the Cd(OH)2 nanowiresby sputtering method. Detail characterization such as morphological and structural analysis of Au/Cd(OH)2 nanowires has been carried out using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffraction. Low turn-on field of 0.75 V/μm was found forthe emission current density of 10 µA/cm2 and high currentdensity of 1.478mA/cm2 was drawn at an applied field of 1.6 V/μm from Au/Cd(OH)2 nanowires, observed low turn-on field was found superior to other metal nanoparticles decorated semiconducting nanostructures reported in the literature. Also the field emission current stability for the preset value of 10 µA over the period of 3 hr is found to be good. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis and field emission studies Au/Cd(OH)2 nanowires.

Genome-wide analysis of differential transcriptional and epigenetic variability across human immune cell types.

PubMed

Ecker, Simone; Chen, Lu; Pancaldi, Vera; Bagger, Frederik O; Fernández, José María; Carrillo de Santa Pau, Enrique; Juan, David; Mann, Alice L; Watt, Stephen; Casale, Francesco Paolo; Sidiropoulos, Nikos; Rapin, Nicolas; Merkel, Angelika; Stunnenberg, Hendrik G; Stegle, Oliver; Frontini, Mattia; Downes, Kate; Pastinen, Tomi; Kuijpers, Taco W; Rico, Daniel; Valencia, Alfonso; Beck, Stephan; Soranzo, Nicole; Paul, Dirk S

2017-01-26

A healthy immune system requires immune cells that adapt rapidly to environmental challenges. This phenotypic plasticity can be mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic variability. We apply a novel analytical approach to measure and compare transcriptional and epigenetic variability genome-wide across CD14 + CD16 - monocytes, CD66b + CD16 + neutrophils, and CD4 + CD45RA + naïve T cells from the same 125 healthy individuals. We discover substantially increased variability in neutrophils compared to monocytes and T cells. In neutrophils, genes with hypervariable expression are found to be implicated in key immune pathways and are associated with cellular properties and environmental exposure. We also observe increased sex-specific gene expression differences in neutrophils. Neutrophil-specific DNA methylation hypervariable sites are enriched at dynamic chromatin regions and active enhancers. Our data highlight the importance of transcriptional and epigenetic variability for the key role of neutrophils as the first responders to inflammatory stimuli. We provide a resource to enable further functional studies into the plasticity of immune cells, which can be accessed from: http://blueprint-dev.bioinfo.cnio.es/WP10/hypervariability .

Efficiency of C3 and C4 Plant Derived-Biochar for Cd Mobility, Nutrient Cycling and Microbial Biomass in Contaminated Soil.

PubMed

Bashir, Saqib; Shaaban, Muhammad; Mehmood, Sajid; Zhu, Jun; Fu, Qingling; Hu, Hongqing

2018-06-01

Biochar is considered a novel soil amendment to reduce metal mobility, but its influence on soil chemical and biochemical properties is not fully understood. In the present study, biochar derived from rice straw (RSB), rice hull (RHB), and maize stover (MSB) was used to evaluate comparative efficiency on Cd mobility and soil biochemical properties. Ammonium nitrate extractable Cd significantly decreased among all the applied biochar types and application rates. The European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) technique showed significant decrease in acid-soluble Cd by 24%-32%, 19%-23%, and 22%-27% for RSB, RHB, and MSB, respectively at the 1.5% and 3% rate. However, the concentration of Cd in the residual increased by 38%, 35% and 36% for RSB, RHB and MSB, respectively at a 3% application rate. Soil microbial biomass (C and N) and inorganic nitrogen forms (NH 4 and NO 3 ) significantly increased among all biochar applications. Overall, RSB demonstrated positive results as soil amendments for Cd immobilization, increasing soil nutrient availability, and enhancing soil microbial biomass.

HgCdTe barrier infrared detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopytko, M.; Rogalski, A.

2016-05-01

In the last decade, new strategies to achieve high-operating temperature (HOT) detectors have been proposed, including barrier structures such as nBn devices, unipolar barrier photodiodes, and multistage (cascade) infrared detectors. The ability to tune the positions of the conduction and valence band edges independently in a broken-gap type-II superlattices is especially helpful in the design of unipolar barriers. This idea has been also implemented in HgCdTe ternary material system. However, the implementation of this detector structure in HgCdTe material system is not straightforward due to the existence of a valence band discontinuity (barrier) at the absorber-barrier interface. In this paper we present status of HgCdTe barrier detectors with emphasis on technological progress in fabrication of MOCVD-grown HgCdTe barrier detectors achieved recently at the Institute of Applied Physics, Military University of Technology. Their performance is comparable with state-of-the-art of HgCdTe photodiodes. From the perspective of device fabrication their important technological advantage results from less stringent surface passivation requirements and tolerance to threading dislocations.

Evaluation of a Change Detection Methodology by Means of Binary Thresholding Algorithms and Informational Fusion Processes

PubMed Central

Molina, Iñigo; Martinez, Estibaliz; Arquero, Agueda; Pajares, Gonzalo; Sanchez, Javier

2012-01-01

Landcover is subject to continuous changes on a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales. Those changes produce significant effects in human and natural activities. Maintaining an updated spatial database with the occurred changes allows a better monitoring of the Earth’s resources and management of the environment. Change detection (CD) techniques using images from different sensors, such as satellite imagery, aerial photographs, etc., have proven to be suitable and secure data sources from which updated information can be extracted efficiently, so that changes can also be inventoried and monitored. In this paper, a multisource CD methodology for multiresolution datasets is applied. First, different change indices are processed, then different thresholding algorithms for change/no_change are applied to these indices in order to better estimate the statistical parameters of these categories, finally the indices are integrated into a change detection multisource fusion process, which allows generating a single CD result from several combination of indices. This methodology has been applied to datasets with different spectral and spatial resolution properties. Then, the obtained results are evaluated by means of a quality control analysis, as well as with complementary graphical representations. The suggested methodology has also been proved efficiently for identifying the change detection index with the higher contribution. PMID:22737023

Evaluation of a change detection methodology by means of binary thresholding algorithms and informational fusion processes.

PubMed

Molina, Iñigo; Martinez, Estibaliz; Arquero, Agueda; Pajares, Gonzalo; Sanchez, Javier

2012-01-01

Landcover is subject to continuous changes on a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales. Those changes produce significant effects in human and natural activities. Maintaining an updated spatial database with the occurred changes allows a better monitoring of the Earth's resources and management of the environment. Change detection (CD) techniques using images from different sensors, such as satellite imagery, aerial photographs, etc., have proven to be suitable and secure data sources from which updated information can be extracted efficiently, so that changes can also be inventoried and monitored. In this paper, a multisource CD methodology for multiresolution datasets is applied. First, different change indices are processed, then different thresholding algorithms for change/no_change are applied to these indices in order to better estimate the statistical parameters of these categories, finally the indices are integrated into a change detection multisource fusion process, which allows generating a single CD result from several combination of indices. This methodology has been applied to datasets with different spectral and spatial resolution properties. Then, the obtained results are evaluated by means of a quality control analysis, as well as with complementary graphical representations. The suggested methodology has also been proved efficiently for identifying the change detection index with the higher contribution.

The basis of distinctive IL-2- and IL-15-dependent signaling: weak CD122-dependent signaling favors CD8+ T central-memory cell survival but not T effector-memory cell development.

PubMed

Castro, Iris; Yu, Aixin; Dee, Michael J; Malek, Thomas R

2011-11-15

Recent work suggests that IL-2 and IL-15 induce distinctive levels of signaling through common receptor subunits and that such varied signaling directs the fate of Ag-activated CD8(+) T cells. In this study, we directly examined proximal signaling by IL-2 and IL-15 and CD8(+) T cell primary and memory responses as a consequence of varied CD122-dependent signaling. Initially, IL-2 and IL-15 induced similar p-STAT5 and p-S6 activation, but these activities were only sustained by IL-2. Transient IL-15-dependent signaling is due to limited expression of IL-15Rα. To investigate the outcome of varied CD122 signaling for CD8(+) T cell responses in vivo, OT-I T cells were used from mouse models where CD122 signals were attenuated by mutations within the cytoplasmic tail of CD122 or intrinsic survival function was provided in the absence of CD122 expression by transgenic Bcl-2. In the absence of CD122 signaling, generally normal primary response occurred, but the primed CD8(+) T cells were not maintained. In marked contrast, weak CD122 signaling supported development and survival of T central-memory (T(CM)) but not T effector-memory (T(EM)) cells. Transgenic expression of Bcl-2 in CD122(-/-) CD8(+) T cells also supported the survival and persistence of T(CM) cells but did not rescue T(EM) development. These data indicate that weak CD122 signals readily support T(CM) development largely through providing survival signals. However, stronger signals, independent of Bcl-2, are required for T(EM) development. Our findings are consistent with a model whereby low, intermediate, and high CD122 signaling support T(CM) memory survival, T(EM) programming, and terminal T effector cell differentiation, respectively.

Design of Safer Flame Retardant Textiles through Inclusion Complex Formation with Cyclodextrins: A Combined Experimental and Modeling Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Nanshan

Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) is widely used as a phosphorus flame retardant. It is also one component of a commercial flame retardant mixture known as Firemaster 550. TPP is likely to be released into the environment due to its high volatility and has been detected at a concentration as high as 47,000 ng/m3 in air. Recent studies have also indicated that FRs like TPP could contribute to obesity and osteoporosis in humans. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are enzymatic degradation products of starch and consist of several (alpha-1,4)-linked alpha-Dglucopyranose units. CDs own a hydrophilic outside and a hydrophobic inner cavity, which enables the formation of non-covalently bonded cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (CD-ICs) with a vast array of molecules. We hypothesize that the formation of inclusion complexes between TPP and cyclodextrins will reduce its exposure yet also retain flame retarding properties of TPP, since the formation of FR-CD-ICs is expected to eliminate unnecessary loss of FRs, especially volatile FR compounds like TPP, and release them only during a fire when they are actually needed. After creating the TPP-beta-CD-IC, we applied it to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films by a hot press technique. Flame tests indicated TPP-beta-CD-IC exhibited flame resistant performance matching that of neat TPP, even though much less TPP was contained in its beta-CD-IC. Incorporation of FRs and other chemical additives into textile substrates in the form of their crystalline CD-ICs is a promising way to reduce the exposure of hazardous chemicals to humans and to our environment while not impacting their efficacy. Two other parent CDs (alpha-CD and gamma-CD) were applied and their abilities to form ICs with guest TPP were studied. Results from a series of characterization methods, including FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD and NMR indicated the successful synthesis of TPP-gamma-CD-IC via two routes. However, alpha-CD appears unable to form an IC with TPP, which is likely attributable to a size mismatch between them. A novel analytical chemistry technique - tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF) was used to study the inclusion complexes of TPP and CDs. Successful formation of TPP-beta-/gamma-CD-IC was further proved by ESI mass spec in the positive mode. Experimental results demonstrated that 1:1 inclusion complex ions of the guest FR and the host CDs were detected. Experimentally alpha-CD cannot form an IC with TPP and this was further confirmed by tandem mass spec. Mass spectrometry provides a fast and accurate method to investigate cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and verify the formation of ICs. Computational methods were applied to help understand the energetically favorable geometry of TPP and beta-/gamma-CD in their IC form. Semi-empirical theoretical methods (PM3 and PM6) were used to find the global minima of TPP-CD geometry and density functional theory calculations at a B3LYP/6-31G(d) level were employed for elaborate geometry optimization. Solvent effect was also considered using the polarized continuum model (IEF-PCM). Analysis of the results indicated that after optimization, IC geometries provided by PM6 had stronger interactions and were more energetically favorable than the ones calculated by PM3. DFT calculations are more accurate than PM3/PM6 and enabled more interactions between the host and the guest than two semi-empirical approaches. DFT calculations also proved that initial structures prepared by PM6 were more favorable in H-bonding profiles and key energy parameters. For TPP-beta-CD system in vacuum and water, Model A owned a lower total and complexation energy while a stronger interaction between them was present in Model B. In TPP-gamma-CD system, Model B was preferred than Model A in both vacuum and water. This was potentially attributed to more H-bonds formed between TPP and gamma-CD in Model B and its ability to retain most of the internal linkages among primary hydroxyl groups.

Sulfasalazine attenuates evading anticancer response of CD133-positive hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

PubMed

Song, Yeonhwa; Jang, Jaewoo; Shin, Tae-Hoon; Bae, Sang Mun; Kim, Jin-Sun; Kim, Kang Mo; Myung, Seung-Jae; Choi, Eun Kyung; Seo, Haeng Ran

2017-03-03

CD133-positive cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibit cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties as well as resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation; however, their function remains unknown. In this paper, we identified a hitherto unknown mechanism to overcome CD133-induced resistance to anticancer therapy. We applied an alternative approach to enrich the CD133-positive HCC population by manipulating 3D culture conditions. Defense mechanisms against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CSC spheroids were evaluated by fluorescence image-based phenotypic screening system. Further, we studied the effect of sulfasalazine on ROS defense system and synergistic therapeutic efficacy of anticancer therapies both in culture and in vivo HCC xenograft mouse model. Here, we found that oxidative stress increase CD133 expression in HCC and increased CD133 expression enhanced the capacity of the defense system against ROS, and thereby play a central role in resistance to liver cancer therapy. Moreover, ablation of CD133 attenuated not only the capacity for defense against ROS, but also chemoresistance, in HCC through decreasing glutathione (GSH) levels in vitro. Sulfasalazine, a potent xCT inhibitor that plays an important role in maintaining GSH levels, impaired the ROS defense system and increased the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer therapies in CD133-positive HCC but not CD133-negative HCC in vivo and in vitro. These results strongly indicate functional roles for CD133 in ROS defense and in evading anticancer therapies in HCC, and suggest that sulfasalazine, administered in combination with conventional chemotherapy, might be an effective strategy against CD133-positive HCC cells.

Effect of inorganic amendments for in situ stabilization of cadmium in contaminated soils and its phyto-availability to wheat and rice under rotation.

PubMed

Rehman, Muhammad Zia-ur; Rizwan, Muhammad; Ghafoor, Abdul; Naeem, Asif; Ali, Shafaqat; Sabir, Muhammad; Qayyum, Muhammad Farooq

2015-11-01

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a widespread problem in crops grown on contaminated soils, and little information is available on the role of inorganic amendments in Cd immobilization, uptake, and tolerance in crops especially under filed conditions. The effect of three amendments, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), gypsum, and elemental sulfur (S), on Cd immobilization in soil and uptake in wheat and rice plants, under rotation, were investigated under field conditions receiving raw city effluent since >20 years and contaminated with Cd. Three levels of each treatment, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% by weight, were applied at the start of the experiment, and wheat was sown in the field. After wheat harvesting, rice was sown in the same field without application of amendments. Both crops were harvested at physiological maturity, and data regarding grain yield, straw biomass, Cd concentrations, and uptake in grain and straw, and bioavailable Cd in soil and soil pH were recorded. Both MAP and gypsum application increased grain yield and biomass of wheat and rice, while S application did not increase the yield of both crops. MAP and gypsum amendments decreased gain and straw Cd concentrations and uptake in both crops, while S application increased Cd concentrations in these parts which were correlated with soil bioavailable Cd. We conclude that MAP and gypsum amendments could be used to decrease Cd uptake by plants receiving raw city effluents, and gypsum might be a better amendment for in situ immobilization of Cd due to its low cost and frequent availability.

Silicon nanocrystals as handy biomarkers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujioka, Kouki; Hoshino, Akiyoshi; Manabe, Noriyoshi; Futamura, Yasuhiro; Tilley, Richard; Yamamoto, Kenji

2007-02-01

Quantum dots (QDs) have brighter and longer fluorescence than organic dyes. Therefore, QDs can be applied to biotechnology, and have capability to be applied to medical technology. Currently, among the several types of QDs, CdSe with a ZnS shell is one of the most popular QDs to be used in biological experiments. However, when the CdSe QDs were applied to clinical technology, potential toxicological problems due to CdSe core should be considered. To eliminate the problem, silicon nanocrystals, which have the potential of biocompatibility, could be a candidate of alternate probes. Silicon nanocrystals have been synthesized using several techniques such as aerosol, electrochemical etching, laser pyrolysis, plasma deposition, and colloids. Recently, the silicon nanocrystals were reported to be synthesized in inverse micelles and also stabilized with 1-heptene or allylamine capping. Blue fluorescence of the nanocrystals was observed when excited with a UV light. The nanocrystals covered with 1-heptene are hydrophobic, whereas the ones covered with allylamine are hydrophilic. To test the stability in cytosol, the water-soluble nanocrystals covered with allylamine were examined with a Hela cell incorporation experiment. Bright blue fluorescence of the nanocrystals was detected in the cytosol when excited with a UV light, implying that the nanocrystals were able to be applied to biological imaging. In order to expand the application range, we synthesized and compared a series of silicon nanocrystals, which have variable surface modification, such as alkyl group, alcohol group, and odorant molecules. This study will provide a wider range of optoelectronic applications and bioimaging technology.

Interactive computerized learning program exposes veterinary students to challenging international animal-health problems.

PubMed

Conrad, Patricia A; Hird, Dave; Arzt, Jonathan; Hayes, Rick H; Magliano, Dave; Kasper, Janine; Morfin, Saul; Pinney, Stephen

2007-01-01

This article describes a computerized case-based CD-ROM (CD) on international animal health that was developed to give veterinary students an opportunity to "virtually" work alongside veterinarians and other veterinary students as they try to solve challenging disease problems relating to tuberculosis in South African wildlife, bovine abortion in Mexico, and neurologic disease in horses in Rapa Nui, Chile. Each of the three case modules presents, in a highly interactive format, a problem or mystery that must be solved by the learner. As well as acquiring information via video clips and text about the specific health problem, learners obtain information about the different countries, animal-management practices, diagnostic methods, related disease-control issues, economic factors, and the opinions of local experts. After assimilating this information, the learner must define the problem and formulate an action plan or make a recommendation or diagnosis. The computerized program invokes three principles of adult education: active learning, learner-centered education, and experiential learning. A medium that invokes these principles is a potentially efficient learning tool and template for developing other case-based problem-solving computerized programs. The program is accessible on the World Wide Web at . A broadband Internet connection is recommended, since the modules make extensive use of embedded video and audio clips. Information on how to obtain the CD is also provided.

Coregulatory Interactions among CD8α Dendritic Cells, the Latency-Associated Transcript, and Programmed Death 1 Contribute to Higher Levels of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency

PubMed Central

Mott, Kevin R.; Allen, Sariah J.; Zandian, Mandana

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT The latency-associated transcript (LAT) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), CD8α+ dendritic cells (DCs), and programmed death 1 (PD-1) have all been implicated in the HSV-1 latency-reactivation cycle. It is not known, however, whether an interaction between LAT and CD8α+ DCs regulates latency and T-cell exhaustion. To address this question, we used LAT-expressing [LAT(+)] and LAT-negative [LAT(−)] viruses. Depletion of DCs in mice ocularly infected with LAT(+) virus resulted in a reduction in the number of T cells expressing PD-1 in the trigeminal ganglia (TG), whereas depletion of DCs in mice similarly infected with LAT(−) virus did not alter PD-1 expression. CD8α+ DCs, but not CD4+ DCs, infected with LAT(+) virus had higher levels of ICP0, ICP4, thymidine kinase (TK), and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) transcripts than those infected with LAT(−) virus. Coculture of infected bone marrow (BM)-derived DCs from wild-type (WT) mice, but not infected DCs from CD8α−/− mice, with WT naive T cells contributed to an increase in PD-1 expression. Transfer of bone marrow from WT mice but not CD8α−/− mice to recipient Rag1−/− mice increased the number of latent viral genomes in reconstituted mice infected with the LAT(+) virus. Collectively, these data indicated that a reduction in latency correlated with a decline in the levels of CD8α+ DCs and PD-1 expression. In summary, our results demonstrate an interaction among LAT, PD-1, and CD11c CD8α+ cells that regulates latency in the TG of HSV-1-infected mice. IMPORTANCE Very little is known regarding the interrelationship of LAT, PD-1, and CD8α+ DCs and how such interactions might contribute to relative numbers of latent viral genomes. We show here that (i) in both in vivo and in vitro studies, deficiency of CD8α+ DCs significantly reduced T-cell exhaustion in the presence of LAT(+) virus but not LAT(−) virus; (ii) HSV-1 infectivity was significantly lower in LAT(−)-infected DCs than in their LAT(+)-infected counterparts; and (iii) adoptive transfer of bone marrow (BM) from WT but not CD8α−/− mice to recipient Rag1−/− mice restored latency to the level in WT mice following infection with LAT(+) virus. These studies point to a key role for CD8α+ DCs in T-cell exhaustion in the presence of LAT, which leads to larger numbers of latent viral genomes. Thus, altering this negative function of CD8α+ DCs can potentially be used to generate a more effective vaccine against HSV infection. PMID:24672046

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and biochar amendment on maize growth, cadmium uptake and soil cadmium speciation in Cd-contaminated soil.

PubMed

Liu, Ling; Li, Jiwei; Yue, Feixue; Yan, Xinwei; Wang, Fayuan; Bloszies, Sean; Wang, Yanfang

2018-03-01

Experiments conducted to understand how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation or biochar application affect plant growth and heavy metal uptake have thus far looked at single applications of either soil amendment. There is little evidence of their synergistic effects, in particular for plants grown in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to investigate the effect of AM inoculation (Glomus intraradices BEG 141) and/or wheat-straw biochar amendment on maize (Zea mays L. cv. Hongdan No. 897) growth, antioxidant enzymatic activities, and Cd uptake, as well as soil Cd speciation under applications of 0, 3, 6 mg Cd per kg soil. Applying either AM inoculant or biochar alone significantly increased maize growth and reduced Cd uptake. Furthermore, solo AM inoculation alleviating Cd stress more fully than biochar, in turn facilitating maize growth and decreasing soil Cd translocation into plant tissue. Still, solo biochar amendment was more effective at inducing soil alkalinization and contributing to Cd immobilization. Adding biochar together with AM inoculant significantly promoted fungal populations compared to a control. Amending soil with AM inoculant and biochar together produced the largest increase in maize growth and decrease in tissue Cd concentrations. This effect was additive, with 79.1% greater biomass, 51.42%, 82.91%, 43.96% higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and 50.06%, 67.19%, 58.04% and 76.19% lower Cd concentrations in roots, stems, leaves, and ears, respectively, at a 6 mg kg -1 Cd contamination rate. The combined treatment also had a synergistic effect on inducing soil alkalinization and causing Cd immobilization, and decreasing Cd phytoavailability and post-harvest transfer risks. These results suggest that AM inoculation in combination with biochar application may be applicable not only for maize production but also for phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soil. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

78 FR 63410 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Direct Heating Equipment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. Hand Delivery... on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. For detailed instructions on... opinion. Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association v. U.S. Department of Energy, 706 F.3d 499, 509 (D.C. Cir...

HgCdTe Surface Study Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

which the virtual crystal approximation breaks down using PES. This is well understood and was confirmed theoretically , working with Arden Sher of SRI...Quasistatic Capacitance of SiC on Hg07 Cd0 Te Treated with HF to Remove Native Oxide, Compared to Theoretical Curve...MIS devices show near ideal behav- ior. Figure I shows capacitance data taken quasistatically and at 1 MHz (dashed curves), compared to a theoretically

Purification of CD47-streptavidin fusion protein from bacterial lysate using biotin-agarose affinity chromatography.

PubMed

Salehi, Nasrin; Peng, Ching-An

2016-07-08

CD47 is a widely expressed transmembrane glycoprotein that modulates the activity of a plethora of immune cells via its extracellular domain. Therefore, CD47 plays important roles in the regulation of immune responses and may serve as targets for the development of immunotherapeutic agents. To make sure CD47 functionality is intact under the process of protein conjugation, CD47-streptavidin fusion protein was expressed and purified because it can easily bind to biotin-tagged materials via the unique biotin-streptavidin affinity. In this study, gene sequences of CD47 extracellular domain (CD47ECD) and core streptavidin (coreSA) with a total 834 bp were inserted into pET20b plasmid to construct recombinant plasmid encoding CD47-SA fusion gene. After bacteria transformation, the CD47-SA fusion protein was expressed by isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction. The collected bacteria lysate was loaded on biotinylated agarose to proceed the purification of CD47-SA fusion protein. Due to the unexpected high affinity between biotin and coreSA, standard washing and elution approaches (e.g., varying pH, using biotin, and applying guanidine hydrochloride) reported for biotin-streptavidin affinity chromatography were not able to separate the target fusion protein. Instead, using low concentration of the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 followed with alkaline buffer could efficiently weaken the binding between biotin and coreSA, thereby eluting out CD47-SA fusion protein from the biotin agarose column. The purified CD47-SA fusion protein was further characterized by molecular biology methods and its antiphagocytic functionality was confirmed by the phagocytosis assay. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:949-958, 2016. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Residual effects of monoammonium phosphate, gypsum and elemental sulfur on cadmium phytoavailability and translocation from soil to wheat in an effluent irrigated field.

PubMed

Qayyum, Muhammad Farooq; Rehman, Muhammad Zia Ur; Ali, Shafaqat; Rizwan, Muhammad; Naeem, Asif; Maqsood, Muhammad Aamer; Khalid, Hinnan; Rinklebe, Jörg; Ok, Yong Sik

2017-05-01

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in agricultural soils is one of the major threats to food security. The application of inorganic amendments such as mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), gypsum and elemental sulfur (S) could alleviate the negative effects of Cd in crops. However, their long-term residual effects on decreasing Cd uptake in latter crops remain unclear. A field that had previously been applied with treatments including control and 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% by weight of each MAP, gypsum and S, and grown with wheat and rice and thereafter wheat in the rotation was selected for this study. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown in the same field as the third crop without further application of amendments to evaluate the residual effects of the amendments on Cd uptake by wheat. Plants were harvested at maturity and grain, and straw yield along with Cd concentration in soil, straw, and grains was determined. The addition of MAP and gypsum significantly increased wheat growth and yield and decreased Cd accumulation in straw and grains compared to control while the reverse was found in S application. Both MAP and gypsum decreased AB-DTPA extractable Cd in soil while S increased the bioavailable Cd in soil. Both MAP and gypsum increased the Cd immobilization in the soil and S decreased Cd immobilization in a dose-additive manner. We conclude that MAP and gypsum had a significant residual effect on decreasing Cd uptake in wheat. The cost-benefit ratio revealed that gypsum is an effective amendment for decreasing Cd concentration in plants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combination of CD157 and FLAER to Detect Peripheral Blood Eosinophils by Multiparameter Flow Cytometry.

PubMed

Carulli, Giovanni; Marini, Alessandra; Sammuri, Paola; Domenichini, Cristiana; Ottaviano, Virginia; Pacini, Simone; Petrini, Mario

2015-01-01

The identification of eosinophils by flow cytometry is difficult because most of the surface antigens expressed by eosinophils are shared with neutrophils. Some methods have been proposed, generally based on differential light scatter properties, enhanced autofluorescence, lack of CD16 or selective positivity of CD52. Such methods, however, show several limitations. In the present study we report a novel method based on the analysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked molecules. The combination of CD157 and FLAER was used, since FLAER recognizes all GPI-linked molecules, while CD157 is absent on the membrane of eosinophils and expressed by neutrophils. Peripheral blood samples from normal subjects and patients with variable percentages of eosinophils (n = 31), and without any evidence for circulating immature myeloid cells, were stained with the combination of FLAER-Alexa Fluor and CD157-PE. A FascCanto II cytometer was used. Granulocytes were gated after CD33 staining and eosinophils were identified as CD157(-)/FLAER(+) events. Neutrophils were identified as CD157(+)/FLAER(+) events. The percentages of eosinophils detected by this method showed a very significant correlation both with automated counting and with manual counting (r = 0.981 and 0.989, respectively). Sorting assays were carried out by a S3 Cell Sorter: cytospins obtained from CD157(-)/FLAER(+) events consisted of 100% eosinophils, while samples from CD157(+)/FLAER(+) events were represented only by neutrophils. In conclusion, this method shows high sensitivity and specificity in order to distinguish eosinophils from neutrophils by flow cytometry. However, since CD157 is gradually up-regulated throughout bone marrow myeloid maturation, our method cannot be applied to cases characterized by immature myeloid cells.

Effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria inoculation on cadmium (Cd) uptake by Eruca sativa.

PubMed

Kamran, Muhammad Aqeel; Syed, Jabir Hussain; Eqani, Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah; Munis, Muhammad Farooq Hussain; Chaudhary, Hassan Javed

2015-06-01

Microbe-assisted phyto-remediation approach is widely applied and appropriate choice to reduce the environmental risk of heavy metals originated from contaminated soils. The present study was designed to screen out the nested belongings of Eruca sativa plants and Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 39213) at varying cadmium (Cd) levels and their potential to deal with Cd uptake from soils. We carried out pot trial experiment by examining the soil containing E. sativa seedlings either treated with P. putida and/or untreated plants subjected to three different levels (ppm) of Cd (i.e., 150, 250, and 500). In all studied cases, we observed an increase in Cd uptake for E. sativa plants inoculated with P. putida than those of un-inoculated plants. Cd toxicity was assessed by recording different parameters including stunted shoot growth, poor rooting, and Cd residual levels in the plants that were not inoculated with P. putida. Significant difference (p < 0.05) of different growth parameters for inoculated vs non-inoculated plants was observed at all given treatments. However, among the different treatments, E. sativa exhibited increased values for different growth parameters (except proline contents) at lower Cd levels than those of their corresponding higher levels, shoot length (up to 27 %), root length (up to 32 %), whole fresh plant (up to 40 %), dry weight (up to 22 %), and chlorophyll contents (up to 26 %). Despite the hyperaccumulation of Cd in whole plant of E. sativa, P. putida improved the plant growth at varying levels of Cd supply than those of associated non-inoculated plants. Present results indicated that inoculation with P. putida enhanced the Cd uptake potential of E. sativa and favors the healthy growth under Cd stress.

Associations between NRAMP1 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn's Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Sun, Manyi; Zhang, Li; Shi, Songli

2016-01-01

Multiple environmental and genetic factors contribute to the risks of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Several allelic variants have been identified in natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) gene; however, their association with UC/CD remains conflicting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether NRAMP1 polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to UC/CD. A meta-analysis on the association between the NRAMP1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to UC/CD was performed. Relevant studies were retrieved from the databases. After eligible data were extracted, Mantel-Haenszel statistics and random/fixed effects model were applied to calculate the pooled odds radio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Seven articles containing 536 UC cases, 997 CD cases, and 1361 controls were collected. No significant association between allele 2 frequency of NRAMP1 and susceptibility to UC/CD was detected in overall population (all p > 0.05). However, increased UC/CD risk for allele 3 was observed in Caucasian population (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.08~1.50, p = 0.04), whereas decreased UC/CD risk was detected in non-Caucasian population (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.60~0.87, p < 0.001), under "allele 3 vs. other alleles" model. Moreover, a significant increase in CD risk for T carrier frequency of -237 C/T (OR = 0.44, 95% CI, 0.26~0.75, p = 0.003) was detected, but not 274 C/T and 1729+55del4 (TGTG) +/del. The polymorphism of -237 C/T is related to the risk of CD; and the association of allele 3 with UC/CD risk differs in Caucasian and non-Caucasian population, which might be the potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of UC/CD.

Chemically Deposited CdS Buffer/Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 Solar Cells: Relationship between CdS Thickness and Device Performance.

PubMed

Hong, Chang Woo; Shin, Seung Wook; Suryawanshi, Mahesh P; Gang, Myeng Gil; Heo, Jaeyeong; Kim, Jin Hyeok

2017-10-25

Earth-abundant, copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS), kesterite, is an attractive absorber material for thin-film solar cells (TFSCs). However, the open-circuit voltage deficit (V oc -deficit) resulting from a high recombination rate at the buffer/absorber interface is one of the major challenges that must be overcome to improve the performance of kesterite-based TFSCs. In this paper, we demonstrate the relationship between device parameters and performances for chemically deposited CdS buffer/CZTS-based heterojunction TFSCs as a function of buffer layer thickness, which could change the CdS/CZTS interface conditions such as conduction band or valence band offsets, to gain deeper insight and understanding about the V oc -deficit behavior from a high recombination rate at the CdS buffer/kesterite interface. Experimental results show that device parameters and performances are strongly dependent on the CdS buffer thickness. We postulate two meaningful consequences: (i) Device parameters were improved up to a CdS buffer thickness of 70 nm, whereas they deteriorated at a thicker CdS buffer layer. The V oc -deficit in the solar cells improved up to a CdS buffer thickness of 92 nm and then deteriorated at a thicker CdS buffer layer. (ii) The minimum values of the device parameters were obtained at 70 nm CdS thickness in the CZTS TFSCs. Finally, the highest conversion efficiency of 8.77% (V oc : 494 mV, J sc : 34.54 mA/cm 2 , and FF: 51%) is obtained by applying a 70 nm thick CdS buffer to the Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 absorber layer.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Clostridium difficile Isolates from Family Dairy Farms.

PubMed

Bandelj, P; Golob, M; Ocepek, M; Zdovc, I; Vengust, M

2017-05-01

A significant risk factor for developing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in humans and animals is associated with the antimicrobial use. It has often been hypothesized that farm animals could be the source for human infection with Clostridium difficile (CD). In the European Union, family-run dairy farms are the predominant farming model, which are more interlinked within the community compared to large-scale intensive dairy or beef farms. Therefore, it is important to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of CD in such environment. A total of 159 CD isolates from 20 family dairy farms were tested with a customized broth microdilution plate for their antimicrobial resistance. Seventeen antimicrobials were selected (amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, daptomycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, imipenem, levofloxacin, linezolid, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, oxacillin, rifampicin, tetracycline, tigecycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin), which are commonly used for treatment of CDI in veterinary and human medicine, or were previously applied in CD epidemiological studies. Antimicrobials, which are used for treatment of CDI in humans (metronidazole, vancomycin, fusidic acid, tigecycline, linezolid) inhibited CD growth in vitro. Most CD isolates were resistant to erythromycin (93.1%), daptomycin (69.2%) and clindamycin (46.5%). High multiple-resistance was found in CD ribotype 012 (n = 5, 100%), some CD SLO 060 (n = 4, 25%) and one CD 033 (n = 1, 1.1%). High multiple-resistance in this study was linked with CD ribotypes and not with the origin of CD. The low prevalence of these ribotypes (6.3%; 10/159) indicates that family-run dairy farms are an unlikely source of CD with multiple-resistance to antimicrobials. © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Applied Statistics: From Bivariate through Multivariate Techniques [with CD-ROM

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warner, Rebecca M.

2007-01-01

This book provides a clear introduction to widely used topics in bivariate and multivariate statistics, including multiple regression, discriminant analysis, MANOVA, factor analysis, and binary logistic regression. The approach is applied and does not require formal mathematics; equations are accompanied by verbal explanations. Students are asked…

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the immune microenvironment in non-small cell lung carcinomas as determined by multiplex immunofluorescence and image analysis approaches.

PubMed

Parra, Edwin R; Villalobos, Pamela; Behrens, Carmen; Jiang, Mei; Pataer, Apar; Swisher, Stephen G; William, William N; Zhang, Jiexin; Lee, Jack; Cascone, Tina; Heymach, John V; Forget, Marie-Andrée; Haymaker, Cara; Bernatchez, Chantale; Kalhor, Neda; Weissferdt, Annikka; Moran, Cesar; Zhang, Jianjun; Vaporciyan, Ara; Gibbons, Don L; Sepesi, Boris; Wistuba, Ignacio I

2018-06-06

The clinical efficacy observed with inhibitors of programed cell death 1/programed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1/PD-1) in cancer therapy has prompted studies to characterize the immune response in several tumor types, including lung cancer. However, the immunological profile of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) is not yet fully characterized, and it may be therapeutically important. The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize and quantify PD-L1/PD-1 expression and tumor-associated immune cells (TAICs) in surgically resected NSCLCs from patients who received NCT or did not receive NCT (non-NCT). We analyzed immune markers in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues resected from 112 patients with stage II/III NSCLC, including 61 non-NCT (adenocarcinoma [ADC] = 33; squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] = 28) and 51 NCT (ADC = 31; SCC = 20). We used multiplex immunofluorescence to identify and quantify immune markers grouped into two 6-antibody panels: panel 1 included AE1/AE3, PD-L1, CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD68; panel 2 included AE1/AE3, PD1, granzyme B, FOXP3, CD45RO, and CD57. PD-L1 expression was higher (> overall median) in NCT cases (median, 19.53%) than in non-NCT cases (median, 1.55%; P = 0.022). Overall, density of TAICs was higher in NCT-NSCLCs than in non-NCT-NSCLCs. Densities of CD3+ cells in the tumor epithelial compartment were higher in NCT-ADCs and NCT-SCCs than in non-NCT-ADCs and non-NCT-SCCs (P = 0.043). Compared with non-NCT-SCCs, NCT-SCCs showed significantly higher densities of CD3 + CD4+ (P = 0.019) and PD-1+ (P < 0.001) cells in the tumor epithelial compartment. Density of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) was higher in NCT-NSCLCs than in non-NCT-NSCLCs and was significantly higher in NCT-SCCs than in non-NCT-SCCs. In NCT-NSCLCs, higher levels of epithelial T lymphocytes (CD3 + CD4+) and epithelial and stromal TAMs (CD68+) were associated with better outcome in univariate and multivariate analyses. NCT-NSCLCs exhibited higher levels of PD-L1 expression and T-cell subset regulation than non-NCT-NSCLCs, suggesting that NCT activates specific immune response mechanisms in lung cancer. These results suggest the need for clinical trials and translational studies of combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy prior to surgical resection of locally advanced NSCLC.

PD-1 Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas Derives Primarily from Functionally Anergic CD4+ TILs in the Presence of PD-L1+ TAMs.

PubMed

Mattox, Austin K; Lee, Jina; Westra, William H; Pierce, Robert H; Ghossein, Ronald; Faquin, William C; Diefenbach, Thomas J; Morris, Luc G; Lin, Derrick T; Wirth, Lori J; Lefranc-Torres, Armida; Ishida, Eiichi; Chakravarty, Patrick D; Johnson, Lauren; Zeng, Yang C; Chen, Huabiao; Poznansky, Mark C; Iyengar, Neil M; Pai, Sara I

2017-11-15

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is the most common oral cavity tumor. In this study, we examined the basis for the activity of programmed cell death protein (PD-1)-based immune checkpoint therapy that is being explored widely in head and neck cancers. Using multispectral imaging, we systematically investigated the OTSCC tumor microenvironment (TME) by evaluating the frequency of PD-1 expression in CD8 + , CD4 + , and FoxP3 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). We also defined the cellular sources of PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) to evaluate the utility of PD-1:PD-L1 blocking antibody therapy in this patient population. PD-L1 was expressed in 79% of the OTSCC specimens examined within the TME. Expression of PD-L1 was associated with moderate to high levels of CD4 + and CD8 + TILs. We found that CD4 + TILs were present in equal or greater frequencies than CD8 + TILs in 94% of OTSCC and that CD4 + FOXP3neg TILs were colocalized with PD-1/PD-L1/CD68 more frequently than CD8 + TILs. Both CD4 + PD1 + and CD8 + PD1 + TILs were anergic in the setting of PD-L1 expression. Overall, our results highlight the importance of CD4 + TILs as pivotal regulators of PD-L1 levels and in determining the responsiveness of OTSCC to PD1-based immune checkpoint therapy. Cancer Res; 77(22); 6365-74. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Infiltration of diametrically polarized macrophages predicts overall survival of patients with gastric cancer after surgical resection.

PubMed

Zhang, Heng; Wang, Xuefei; Shen, Zhenbin; Xu, Jiejie; Qin, Jing; Sun, Yihong

2015-10-01

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most predominant tumor-infiltrating immune cells, are emerging prognostic factors and therapeutic targets for personalized therapy against malignant neoplasms. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of diametrically polarized TAMs in gastric cancer and generate a predictive nomogram to refine a risk stratification system. We evaluated polarized functional status of infiltrated TAMs by immunohistochemical staining of CD68, CD11c, and CD206 in 180 consecutive gastric cancer patients from Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, China. Prognostic values were assessed in these patients. We created a predictive nomogram by integrating polarized TAMs with the TNM staging system for overall survival of gastric cancer patients. CD68(+) TAMs display polarized programs comprising CD11c(+) proinflammatory macrophages (M1) and CD206(+) immunosuppressive macrophages (M2) that configure versatile infiltration files in gastric cancer. CD11c(+) TAMs negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.012), whereas CD206(+) TAMs correlated with the Lauren classification (p = 0.031). No prognostic difference was observed for overall survival for CD68 density (high vs low, p = 0.1031), whereas high versus low CD11c density (p < 0.0001) and low vs high CD206 density (p = 0.0105) indicate better overall survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified CD11c and CD206 as independent prognostic factors (p < 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively), which could be integrated with the TNM staging system to generate a predictive nomogram for patient outcomes. Infiltration of polarized TAMs, a novel identified independent prognostic factor, could be combined with the TNM stage to refine a risk stratification system and better stratify patients with different prognosis. Tipping TAMs to an antitumoral phenotype might be a promising therapeutic target for postoperative treatment.

CD3+/CD8+ T-cell density and tumoral PD-L1 predict survival irrespective of rituximab treatment in Chinese diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients.

PubMed

Shi, Yunfei; Deng, Lijuan; Song, Yuqin; Lin, Dongmei; Lai, Yumei; Zhou, LiXin; Yang, Lei; Li, Xianghong

2018-05-10

To investigate the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating T-cell density and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). One-hundred-twenty-five Chinese DLBCL patients were enrolled in our study and provided samples; 76 of all cases were treated with rituximab (R). Tumor tissues were immunostained and analyzed for CD3+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T-cell density, tumoral PD-L1, and microenvironmental PD-L1 (mPD-L1). The density of CD3 was rated as high in 33.6% cases, while 64.0% of DLBCLs were classified as high CD8 density. Of all cases, 16.8% were PD-L1+. Of the remaining PD-L1-DLBCLs, 29.8% positively expressed mPD-L1. Both CD3 high density and CD8 high density were associated with mPD-L1 positivity (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, independently, high CD3 density predicted better OS (P = 0.023), while CD8 high density and PD-L1 positivity were both associated with prolonged PFS (P = 0.013 and P = 0.036, respectively). Even in the subgroup treated with R, univariate analyses indicated that high CD3 density and PD-L1 positivity were associated with better OS (P = 0.041) and PFS (P = 0.033), respectively. The infiltrating densities of CD3+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, and PD-L1 expression are predictive of survival in DLBCLs, irrespective of R usage.

B cells and TCR avidity determine distinct functions of CD4+ T cells in retroviral infection1

PubMed Central

Ploquin, Mickaël J-Y; Eksmond, Urszula; Kassiotis, George

2011-01-01

The T-cell-dependent B-cell response relies on cognate interaction between B cells and CD4+ Th cells. However, the consequences of this interaction for CD4+ T cells are not entirely known. B cells generally promote CD4+ T-cell responses to pathogens, albeit to a variable degree. In contrast, CD4+ T-cell responses to self or tumor antigens are often suppressed by B cells. Here we demonstrated that interaction with B cells dramatically inhibited the function of virus-specific CD4+ T cells in retroviral infection. We have used Friend virus (FV) infection of mice as a model for retroviral infection, in which the behavior of virus-specific CD4+ T cells was monitored according to their TCR avidity. We report that avidity for antigen and interaction with B cells determine distinct aspects of the primary CD4+ T-cell response to FV infection. Virus-specific CD4+ T cells followed exclusive Th1 and T follicular helper (Tfh) differentiation. High avidity for antigen facilitated expansion during priming and enhanced the capacity for IFN-γ and IL-21 production. In contrast, Tfh differentiation was not affected by avidity for antigen. By reducing or preventing B-cell interaction we found that B cells promoted Tfh differentiation, induced programmed death 1 (PD-1) expression and inhibited IFN-γ production by virus-specific CD4+ T cells. Ultimately, B cells protected hosts from CD4+ T-cell-mediated immune pathology, at the detriment of CD4+ T-cell-mediated protective immunity. Our results suggest that B-cell presentation of vaccine antigens could be manipulated to direct the appropriate CD4+ T-cell response. PMID:21841129

Second-order non-linear optical studies on CdS microcrystallite-doped alkali borosilicate glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hao; Liu, Qiming; Wang, Mingliang; Zhao, Xiujian

2007-05-01

CdS microcrystal-doped alkali borosilicate glasses were prepared by conventional fusion and heat-treatment method. Utilizing Maker fringe method, second-harmonic generation (SHG) was both observed from CdS-doped glasses before and after certain thermal/electrical poling. While because the direction of polarization axes of CdS crystals formed in the samples is random or insufficient interferences of generated SH waves occur, the fringe patterns obtained in samples without poling treatments showed no fine structures. For the poled samples, larger SH intensity has been obtained than that of the samples without any poling treatments. It was considered that the increase of an amount of hexagonal CdS in the anode surface layer caused by the applied dc field increased the SH intensity. The second-order non-linearity χ(2) was estimated to be 1.23 pm/V for the sample poled with 2.5 kV at 360 °C for 30 min.

Targeting the T-cell co-stimulatory CD27/CD70 pathway in cancer immunotherapy: rationale and potential.

PubMed

van de Ven, Koen; Borst, Jannie

2015-01-01

In 2013, cancer immunotherapy was named 'breakthrough of the year' based on the outcome of clinical trials with blocking antibodies to the T-cell co-inhibitory receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1. This success has emphasized that cytotoxic T-cell responses to cancer can occur, but are limited by peripheral tolerance and by immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting of CTLA-4, PD-1 or its ligands partly overcomes these limitations and can now be applied in multiple immunogenic cancer types. Furthermore, an increased success rate is expected from combining CTLA-4 and/or PD-1 blocking with deliberate engagement of T-cell co-stimulatory receptors, particularly TNF receptor (R) family members. The TNFR family includes CD27 (Tnfrsf7), for which an agonistic antibody has recently entered clinical trials. In this review, we describe how CD27 co-stimulation impacts the T-cell response, with the purpose to illuminate how CD27 agonism can be exploited in cancer immunotherapy.

An Estimation of Construction and Demolition Debris in Seoul, Korea: Waste Amount, Type, and Estimating Model.

PubMed

Seo, Seongwon; Hwang, Yongwoo

1999-08-01

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris is generated at the site of various construction activities. However, the amount of the debris is usually so large that it is necessary to estimate the amount of C&D debris as accurately as possible for effective waste management and control in urban areas. In this paper, an effective estimation method using a statistical model was proposed. The estimation process was composed of five steps: estimation of the life span of buildings; estimation of the floor area of buildings to be constructed and demolished; calculation of individual intensity units of C&D debris; and estimation of the future C&D debris production. This method was also applied in the city of Seoul as an actual case, and the estimated amount of C&D debris in Seoul in 2021 was approximately 24 million tons. Of this total amount, 98% was generated by demolition, and the main components of debris were concrete and brick.