Two-dimensional scattering of a Gaussian beam by a periodic array of circular cylinders

The two-dimensional scattering of a Gaussian beam by a periodic array of circular cylinders is studied. The incident Gaussian beam is expressed as a superposition of plane waves of different amplitudes and different incident angles, using the plane-wave spectrum technique based on Fourier optics. For each plane wave, the scattered field is calculated with the T-matrix of an isolated circular cylinder and its lattice sums characterizing a periodic arrangement of the circular cylinders. The circular cylinders may be perfect conductors, dielectric or gyrotropic cylinders, as long as their T-matrices are known.     

Harmful dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata Fukuyo: detection of ovatoxins in field samples and cell immunolocalization using antipalytoxin antibodies

Ostreopsis cf. ovata, a benthic dinoflagellate often blooming along the Mediterranean coasts, has been associated with toxic events ranging from dyspnea to mild dermatitis. In late September 2009, an Ostreopsis cf. ovata bloom occurred in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea; Italy), causing pruritus and mild dermatitis in beachgoers. An integrated study was initiated to characterize Ostreopsis cells by light and confocal microscopy, PCR techniques, immunocytochemistry, and high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HR LC-MS). The presence of Ostreopsis cf. ovata of the Atlantic/Mediterranean clade was unambiguously established by morphological and genetic analyses in field samples. Several palytoxin-like compounds (ovatoxin-a,-b,-c,-d,-e) were identified by HR LC-MS, ovatoxin-a being the most abundant (45-64 pg/cell). Surprisingly, no palytoxin was detected. For the first time, monoclonal and polyclonal antipalytoxin antibodies revealed the intracellular cytoplasmic localization of ovatoxins, suggesting their cross-reactivity with these antibodies. Since harmful dinoflagellates do not always produce toxins, the immunocytochemical localization of ovatoxins, although qualitative, can provide an early warning for toxic Ostreopsis cells before their massive diffusion and/or concentration in seafood.     

Improved airway healing using basic fibroblast growth factor in a canine tracheal autotransplantation model

OBJECTIVE: We studied 22 dogs to examine the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) alone, in comparison with omental or muscular wrapping on airway healing in a tracheal autotransplantation model. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Basic fibroblast growth factor is one of the most potent promoters of angiogenesis and has an ability to enhance blood supply to the ischemic airway. Topical administration of a fibrin glue enriched with 5 microg/cm2 bFGF, determined as a proportion of surface area of the tracheal grafts, improved revascularization of orthotopic canine tracheal autografts in a previous study. METHODS: All animals received orthotopic tracheal transplantation using 6-ring autografts that occupied a distal part of the thoracic trachea. Twenty-two animals were classified randomly into the following four groups: no treatment (Group G1, n = 4), muscular wrapping (Group G2, n = 4), omental wrapping (Group G3, n = 4), and topical administration of fibrin glue enriched with 5 microg/cm2 bFGF (Group G4, n = 10). Autografts were harvested 60 days after transplantation and assessed by the percent patency and histology. RESULTS: Devascularized tracheal autografts could not maintain their structural integrity without other treatments (Group G1). In contrast, more than half of all autografts receiving treatments remained viable, as demonstrated by gross and histologic findings (Groups G2, G3, and G4). Treatments with bFGF and omentum showed significantly better graft viability than no treatment. However, there was no statistical difference in the viability of tracheal autografts among the three treatment groups. In terms of the time performance ratio, bFGF was the best treatment for the devascularized autografts. CONCLUSIONS: Topical administration of bFGF was superior to the omental or muscular wrapping in terms of the time performance ratio. Clinical trials will be necessary to determine whether these findings are applicable to humans.     

Radiation from a Line Source Placed in Two-dimensional Photonic Crystals

A novel formulation of radiation from a localized line source placed in two-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of layered periodic arrays of parallel circular cylinders is presented. The method employs the spectral domain approach. The spectral response of the photonic crystals to the line source excitation is calculated using the lattice sums, the T-matrix of a circular cylinder, and the generalized reflection and transmission matrices of the layered system. The far-zone radiated field is obtained using the conventional asymptotic method to the spectral response. The radiation patterns of the localized line source sandwiched by two photonic crystals are numerically studied.     

Rutin content in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) food materials and products

The rutin content of buckwheat products was compared to the rutin content in their raw materials, in order to evaluate their value for producing functional foods. There is much less rutin in noodles (78 mg/kg, d.w.b. – dry weight basis), than in the dark buckwheat flour (218 mg/kg, d.w.b.) from which they are produced. One of the possible explanations is the presence of the rutin degrading enzyme. In raw (uncooked) groats there is 230 mg/kg (d.w.b.) of rutin and in precooked groats, 88 mg/kg (d.w.b.). In buckwheat beer and vinegar there is a negligible content of rutin. Buckwheat leaf flour contains about 2700 mg/kg (d.w.b.) rutin, and is thus a suitable material for enriching functional foods, giving it the potential for preventive nutrition.     

Establishment of ameloblastoma cell line, AM-1

For a number of years titanium osteointegrated implants have represented a major step forward in dentistry, plastic and maxillofacial surgery, providing a lively stimulus to research both in their application and in the experimental field. The study of osteointegration has led to a more detailed knowledge of bone remodelling regulation mechanisms and the biological mediators involved. In this review the authors examine the role played by cytokines in the homeostasis of bone tissue, paying special reference to the phase of osteoclast activation and its possible effects on peri-implant bone resorption. The authors focus in particular on the effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as an important osteotropic factor and a hypothetical target on which to act in order to modulate its effects for therapeutical purposes.     

Two-dimensional inverse filter using floating-gate tapped c.c.d.s

A two-dimensional inverse filter has been implemented using floating-gate tapped c.c.d.s. The least-mean-square criterion was applied to obtain tap gains. Filter responses in both frequency and time domains were examined. Results confirm that the two-dimensional inverse filter can effectively eliminate both intersymbol and crosschannel interferences.     

Accumulation enhancement of human monoclonal antibody HB4C5 to lung tumor xenografts by N-deglycosylation

The fractional uptake of intact monoclonal antibodies by tumors is relatively low. Various methods to alter the molecular structure have been used to augment tumor uptake. These chemical manipulations, however, may alter the specificity of antibody binding. METHODS: Comparative studies of biodistribution, radioimmunoimaging and macroautoradiography in LC-6 xenografted mice were conducted with the 125I-labeled intact and N-terminal deglycosylated monoclonal antibodies to evaluate the effect on deglycosylation on antibody binding. RESULTS: The removal of N-glycosyl residues from this monoclonal antibody significantly enhanced specific localization of the radioactivity to the tumor, especially to its necrotic fraction. Nonspecific accumulation of radioactivity to the necrotic fraction of the tumor was excluded by biodistribution studies demonstrating selective accumulation of 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody after coadministration of 125I-monoclonal antibody (intact or N-deglycosylated) with 131I-labeled control IgM. CONCLUSION: The lung cancer-associated human monoclonal antibody HB4C5, which recognizes histone H2B as the antigen, accumulates specifically to the necrotic fraction of tumor. The uptake is enhanced by removal of N-terminal glycosyl residues from the antigen-binding site of the light chain.