Increased susceptibility in Hp knockout mice during acute hemolysis

Haptoglobin, a conserved plasma glycoprotein, forms very stable soluble complexes with free plasma hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binding by haptoglobin is thought to be important in the rapid hepatic clearance of hemoglobin from the plasma and in the inhibition of glomerular filtration of hemoglobin. To evaluate these functions, Haptoglobin knockout (-/-) mice were created. These mice were viable but had a small, significant reduction in postnatal viability. Contrary to popular belief, the lack of haptoglobin did not impair clearance of free plasma hemoglobin in -/- mice. Induction of severe hemolysis by phenylhydrazine caused extensive hemoglobin precipitation in the renal tubular cells of both -/- and +/+ mice, with death occurring in 55% of -/- mice and in 18% of +/+ mice. In general, phenylhydrazine-treated -/- mice suffered greater tissue damage, as evidenced by the induction of hepatic acute phase response resulting in increased plasma alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) levels. Among -/- and +/+ mice that survived, -/- mice tend to suffer greater oxidative damage and failed to repair or regenerate damaged renal tissues, as indicated by their higher plasma malonaldehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (HNE) levels and lower mitotic indices in their kidneys, respectively. This study suggested that a physiologically important role of hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex formation is the amelioration of tissue damages by hemoglobin-driven lipid peroxidation.     

Determination of cadmium, chromium, lead and vanadium in six fish species from the Adriatic Sea

Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, lead and vanadium were determined in samples of six fish species collected along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The concentrations of the elements studied were generally low, often below the detection limits of the analytical methods. The highest values (μg kg^-1 fresh weight) were observed, mainly in the central area of the Adriatic Sea, for anchovy (Cd 20.2, Cr 82.9, Pb 45.9, V 89.9), red mullet (Cd 3.1, Cr 31.0, Pb 36.0, V 79.1) and mackerel (Cd 7.7, Cr 28.0, Pb 11.4, V 43.5). The concentrations of cadmium and lead in all the species examined were below the maximum levels indicated by the European Community for these two elements in seafood, and also would lead to exposure levels lower than the provisional tolerable daily intakes suggested by the FAO/WHO for Cd (420 μg week^-1 for a 60-kg person) and Pb (1500 μg week^-1 for a 60-kg person). The concentration of chromium was lower than the recommended daily amount (50-200 μg day^-1 for a 60-kg person) indicated by the US National Research Council. An 11-34% contribution to the daily vanadium ingestion with fish was calculated for the population of the Adriatic coast.     

Tumor Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Promptly Modulates the Phenotype and Gene Expression of Infiltrating T Lymphocytes

The immune system is a fine modulator of the tumor biology supporting or inhibiting its progression, growth, invasion and conveys the pharmacological treatment effect. Tumors, on their side, have developed escaping mechanisms from the immune system action ranging from the direct secretion of biochemical signals to an indirect reaction, in which the cellular actors of the tumor microenvironment (TME) collaborate to mechanically condition the extracellular matrix (ECM) making it inhospitable to immune cells. TME is composed of several cell lines besides cancer cells, including tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocytes, and innate immunity cells. These populations interface with each other to prepare a conservative response, capable of evading the defense mechanisms implemented by the host’s immune system. The presence or absence, in particular, of cytotoxic CD8⁺ cells in the vicinity of the main tumor mass, is able to predict, respectively, the success or failure of drug therapy. Among various mechanisms of immunescaping, in this study, we characterized the modulation of the phenotypic profile of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells in resting and activated states, in response to the mechanical pressure exerted by a three-dimensional in vitro system, able to recapitulate the rheological and stiffness properties of the tumor ECM.     

Grounded dielectric slab finite size effect on patch antenna radiation patterns

The influence of the grounded dielectric substrate finite size on the surface-wave propagation in a microstrip patch antenna is investigated. A simple model that interprets this phenomenon is developed. To reduce surface mode levels and to improve the antenna gain and the radiation pattern, an electromagnetic bandgap structure consisting of a two-dimensional periodic pattern of circles etched in the ground plane of the antenna is adopted.     

Study of the Ion‐Irradiation Behavior of Advanced SiC Fibers by Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy

6H–SiC single crystals and two types of SiC fibers, Hi‐Nicalon type S and Tyranno SA3, have been irradiated with 4‐MeV Au³⁺ up to 2 × 10¹⁵ cm^?2 (4 dpa) at room temperature, 100°C and 200°C. These fibers are composed of highly faulted 3C–SiC grains and free intergranular C. Stacking fault linear density and grain size estimations yield, respectively, 0.29 nm^?1 and 26–36 nm for the Hi‐Nicalon type S fibers and 0.18 nm^?1 and 141–210 nm for the Tyranno SA3 fibers. Both transmission electron microscopy and surface micro‐Raman spectroscopy reveal the complete amorphization of all the samples when irradiated at room temperature and 100°C and a remaining crystallinity when irradiated at 200°C. The latter observations reveal a multi‐band irradiated layer consisting in a partially amorphized band near the surface and an in‐depth amorphous band. Also, nanocrystalline SiC grains with high stacking fault densities can be found embedded in amorphous SiC at the maximum damage zone of the Hi‐Nicalon type S fibers irradiated at 200°C.     

Occurrence of biogenic amines in wine: The role of grapes

The evolution of biogenic amines from must to wine has been studied in seven different grape cultivars before and after malolactic fermentation. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations have been carried out using selected yeasts and bacteria that, in a previous study, were unable to produce biogenic amines. The study has been performed under aseptic conditions to exclude possible interferences due to uncontrolled contaminating microorganisms present in grapes and/or in the environment. The goal of this work was to investigate the influence of grape on biogenic amines content of the wine. The results obtained showed that grape variety is related to the presence of some biogenic amines in wines and that, climatic conditions also affect the accumulation of these compounds in grapes.     

Herding and Clustering in Economics: The Yule-Zipf-Simon Model

The clustering of agents in the market is a typical problem discussed by the new approaches to macroeconomic modelling, that describe macroscopic variables in terms of the behavior of a large collection of microeconomic entities. Clustering is often described by Ewens Sampling Formula (ESF), that admits a very nice interpretation in terms of rational vs herding behavior. Focusing on the evergreen problem of the size of firms, we discuss the incompatibility between empirical data and ESF. An alternative model is suggested, inspired to Simon's approaches to the firm size problem. It differs from the Ewens model both in destruction and in creation. In particular the probability of herding is independent on the size of the herd. This very simple assumption destroys the exchangeability of the random partitions, and forbids an analytical solution. Simple computational simulations look to confirm that actually the mean number of clusters of size i (the equilibrium distribution) follows the corresponding Yule distribution. Finally we introduce a Markov chain, that resembles the marginal dynamics of a cluster, which drives the cluster to the right-censored Yule distribution.     

Discovering Reservoir Operating Rules by a Rough Set Approach

An integrated Rough Set approach is proposed and implemented to discover the historical operating rules of a Sicilian irrigation purpose reservoir. Operating rules are derived by expressing monthly releases from the reservoir as functions of stored volume, inflow and release during a 35-years period. This is accomplished through the Rough Set approach as implemented in the Rose package and the use of some indices able to recognize and further screen out the effective rules used in water supply reservoir management. This approach represents a new mathematical tool quite different to classical fuzzy rule-based systems in the decision rules induction. Results show that the integrated Rough Set approach allows to individuate with acceptable reliability the real criteria used for the system management. Work carried out with equivalent contributions of the Authors. Project AQUATEC “Tecnologie Innovative di Controllo, Trattamento e Manutenzione per la Soluzione dell'Emergenza Acqua” funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Research and Technological Development (PON 2000–2006).     

Diagnosis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) by indirect sandwich polyclonal ELISA

The establishment of two indirect sandwich polyclonal ELISAs for the virological diagnosis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is described. Each assay uses rabbit and guinea pig antisera raised to RHD or EBHS purified virus particles. The tests are sensitive and specific, but cross-reactions between rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) are observed. Most rabbit liver homogenates identified as RHDV-positive by ELISA do not haemagglutinate human red blood cells at room temperature.     

Effect of additives on the rehydration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains in active dry form: influence on viability and performance in the early fermentation phase

The effect of five additives on the rehydration process of three commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains, in the form of active dry yeast, was tested using the approach of design of experiments. The response to additives was monitored by observing the viability, measured using fluorescence methodology at the end of the rehydration experiments, and fermentative performance, focusing attention on the first phase of fermentation, assessed based on ethanol production and the total number of cells after 48 h from the time of inoculation in synthetic must. The results showed a correlation between viability and the presence of magnesium in the rehydration medium. However, improvement in viability was not associated with better fermentation performance, which was not affected or in some cases significantly reduced. Among the additives examined, only rehydration with inactive dry yeast and ammonium showed a positive effect on the subsequent fermentations, but not for all of the strains tested. In general, considering all of the additives tested, no relationship was found between viability at the end of rehydration and fermentation performance. These findings suggest that the viability of the rehydrated yeast cells may not be a good index of fitness in the subsequent fermentation. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling