Biomimetic surfaces with controlled direction-dependent adhesion

We propose a novel design of a biomimetic micro-structured surface, which exhibits controlled strongly direction-dependent adhesion properties. The micro-system consists of parallel elastic wall-like structures covered by a thin layer. Numerical calculations have been carried out to study the adhesive properties of the proposed system and to provide design criteria with the aim of obtaining optimized geometries. A numerically equivalent version of the double cantilever beam fracture experiment is, then, simulated by means of finite element analysis to investigate the anisotropic adhesion of the structure. We find that, because of inherent crack trapping properties of these types of structures, the wall-like geometry allows us to strongly enhance adhesion when the detachment direction is perpendicular to the walls. On the other hand, when the detachment occurs parallel to the walls, the system shows low adhesion. This controlled direction-dependent adhesive property of the proposed structure solves one of the key problems of biomimetic adhesive surfaces, which usually show very strong adhesion, even larger than biological systems, but are not suitable for object manipulation and locomotion, as detachment always occurs at high loads and cannot be controlled.     

The impact of IXPs on the AS-level topology structure of the Internet

The AS-level topology of the Internet has been quite a hot research topic in the last few years. However, only a small number of studies have been developed that give a structural interpretation of this graph. Such an interpretation is crucially important in order to test protocols and optimal routing algorithms, to design efficient networks, and for failure detection purposes. Moreover, most research does not highlight the role that IXPs have on the AS-level structure of the Internet, although their role is recognized as fundamental.The initial contribution of this study is an analysis of the most important AS-level topologies that are publicly found on the web and an analysis of the topology obtained when they are merged. We compiled structural information from this topology making considerable use of the k-core decomposition technique to delineate various particular classes of nodes. Next, we associated node properties with a reasonable modus operandi of the ASs on the Internet. The second contribution is a study of the impact that ASs connected to IXPs and BGP connections crossing IXPs have on the AS-level topology. To achieve this, we developed a procedure to gather reliable information related to IXPs and their participants.     

Performance of exterior semitransparent PVDF–acrylic coatings

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of a semitransparent PVDF–acrylic coating on two wood species: Black spruce and White pine. An accelerated aging test was performed on the PVDF–acrylic coating and the results obtained were compared with those obtained for a water-based acrylic coating. Color changes were found to be more significant for the acrylic coating, especially after 1000 h of exposure, and for the White pine panels. Infrared spectroscopy revealed that the acrylic resin was more affected by the accelerated aging test than the PVDF resin, although X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that PVDF was slightly affected at the extreme surface (first 10 nm). Star-shaped defects were found at the surface of the White pine panels finished with the PVDF–acrylic coating. Experiments revealed that the PVDF–acrylic coating does not seem to be flexible enough to sustain resin exudation or other stresses.     

AC corrosion - Part 1: Effects on overpotentials of anodic and cathodic processes

AC-induced corrosion is a controversial subject and many aspects of it need to be clarified, first and foremost, the mechanism and relationship between AC density and corrosion rate. This paper (Part 1) presents and discusses the effects of AC interference on kinetics parameters; the effects on corrosion rate and corrosion mechanism will be discussed in Part 2. Polarisation curves were obtained in different solutions (soil-simulating solution, 35 g L⁻¹ NaCl, 1 M FeSO₄, 1 M CuSO₄ and 1 M ZnSO₄) on different metallic materials (carbon steel, galvanised steel, zinc and copper) in the presence of AC interference (30-1000 A/m²).     

InBase, the New England Biolabs Intein Database

Inteins are intervening sequences that splice as proteins, not RNA. InBase, the New England Biolabs Intein Database (http://www.neb. com/neb/inteins.html), is a comprehensive on-line database that includes the Intein Registry, along with detailed information about each intein and its host protein, tabulated comparisons and a comprehensive bibliography including papers in press.     

Serum autoantibodies in chronic hepatitis C: comparison with autoimmune hepatitis and impact on the disease profile

Antibodies to nuclei (ANA), smooth muscle (SMA), and liver/kidney microsomes type 1 (anti-LKM1) may occur in chronic hepatitis C. Distinct subspecificities, including ANA with the homogeneous pattern (ANA-H) and SMA with antiactin specificity (SMA-AA), are found in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). This study was performed to characterize the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated autoantibodies and to evaluate their influence on the profile of the disease. Two hundred ninety consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C and 35 control cases with AIH were screened for autoantibodies by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) at 1:40 serum dilution. The ANA pattern was defined by IFL on HEp-2 cells and the SMA-AA identified by the presence of at least two of the following elements: 1) SMA(T) or SMA(G) pattern by IFL on kidney sections; 2) XR1 precipitating system by counterimmunoelectrophoresis; or 3) typical pattern by IFL on liver sections from phalloidin-intoxicated rats. ANA, SMA, and anti-LKM1 occurred in 9%, 20%, and 6% of chronic hepatitis C cases, respectively. The overall prevalence of autoantibodies was 30% (87 of 290). Compared with AIH, HCV-associated ANA and SMA exhibited ANA-H and SMA-AA at a lower prevalence (38% vs. 71%, P = .04 and 8% vs. 87%, P < .000001, respectively) and had a lower median titer (1:80 vs. 1:320, P < .001 and 1:40 vs. 1:320, P < .000001, respectively). The concomitant positivity for ANA-H and SMA-AA was detected in none of the HCV cases, but in 46% of AIH sera (P < .000001). Two parameters were independently associated with the autoantibodies in chronic hepatitis C: high alanine transaminase (ALT) serum levels (F = 14.04) and female gender (F = 5.03). At the univariate analysis, patients with autoantibodies had a more severe portal-periportal necroinflammation (median Scheuer's score: 2.05 vs. 1.64, P = .003). The presence of autoantibodies did not influence the response to interferon (IFN). In chronic hepatitis C, serum autoantibodies are common, but their subspecificities are distinct from those occurring in AIH. Whereas the absence of ANA-H and/or SMA-AA does not exclude AIH, the characterization of ANA and SMA may help to discriminate between the two conditions. As compared with the seronegative counterpart, autoantibody-positive chronic hepatitis C is more common in females and exhibits a more severe biochemical and histological activity. The response to IFN therapy, however, is similar.     

Microbial resistance: what is to be done? Information from the panel of experts

This document represents the recommendations of a panel of Spanish experts on antibiotic use and resistance. In a Task Force, under the auspices of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs that took place in 1994 in Madrid, the members were gravely concerned about the national increase in antibiotic resistance. They analysed the development, evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance among community-acquired human bacterial pathogens in Spain, its relation with antibiotic consumption, and they proposed future surveillance strategies for monitoring the patterns of antibiotic use and consumption. Success will require a collective action among the producers (pharmaceutical industry), prescribers (doctors, veterinarians), dispensers (pharmacists), and consumers (patients). Two similar documents have been recently published by the American Society of Microbiology and the World Health Organization showing the global concern about this topic.     

The phosphoinositol phosphatase activity of PTEN mediates a serum-sensitive G1 growth arrest in glioma cells

The PTEN gene (also called MMAC1 and TEP1) at chromosome 10q23 is mutated in a variety of predominantly late-stage tumors and has been shown to suppress glioma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Here we sought to determine the mechanism by which PTEN mediates growth inhibition. Using the mutant PTEN glioma cell line, U87MG, as a transfection recipient for a series of PTEN alleles, we provide direct evidence that this capacity requires phosphatase activity. Mutations mapping upstream, within, and downstream of the catalytic domain ablated activity toward a 3' phosphorylated phosphoinositide substrate of PTEN, whereas alleles with mutations flanking the catalytic domain retained activity toward the acidic protein polymer substrate, Glu4Tyr1. Thus, catalytic activity toward phosphoinositide substrates was required for growth suppression, whereas activity toward the protein substrate was dispensable for growth suppression. Finally, we used apoptotic and cell proliferation analyses to show that PTEN-mediated growth inhibition under reduced serum conditions was due to a G1 cell cycle block rather than to an induction of apoptosis.     

Cyanosis and multiple pulmonary nodules

Though thyroid hormone abnormalities have been identified in many cardiac conditions, the role of thyroid hormones in congestive heart failure has not been well defined. In a population of patients with advanced heart failure, a reduction in triiodothyronine (T3) with an increase in reverse T3 was identified in many patients, with an abnormally low ratio of T3/reverse T3 being the strongest predictor of mortality. Normalization of thyroid indices appeared to be necessary for prolonged survival to occur. To address the concern of T3 administration possibility exacerbating a hypermetabolic state, basal metabolic rate was measured in a group of advanced heart failure patients and was found to be generally within the normal range. A preliminary safety study of short-term intravenous T3 administration (bolus +/- 6 h infusion, total dose 0.15-2.7 micrograms/kg) was then performed in 23 patients under hemodynamic and electrocardiographic monitoring. There were neither adverse events nor substantial hemodynamic changes, but some patients had an increase in cardiac output, consistent with a peripheral vasodilatory effect. With this foundation, further investigation into the possible role of T3 and its analogs in congestive heart failure therapy may be pursued.