Isolation of a bioactive Ca(2+)-mobilizing complex lipid from bovine vitreous body

We have been undertaking the gene therapy for a 6 year-old boy with ADA deficiency and performed 11 cycles of the infusion of the peripheral T cells transduced with retroviral vector LASN since August 8th 1995. The percentage of the peripheral blood lymphocytes carrying the transduced ADA gene has remained stable at 10% to 20% since the 4th infusion. ADA enzyme activity in his circulating T cells increased to levels comparable to 1/3 of a heterozygous carrier individual and was associated with increased T lymphocytes counts and improvement in both humoral and cellular immune function. The results obtained in this clinical study support the usefulness of T lymphocyte-directed gene transfer in the treatment of ADA deficiency.     

Application of a Model for Liquid Inclusion Separation at a Steel‐Slag Interface for Laboratory and Industrial Situations

A mathematical model based on the equations of particle motion was used to predict inclusion behavior observed at steel‐slag interface in an in‐situ Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope. The results show that the model can be used to explain some phenomena observed in the experiments. In addition, a parameter study was done in order to illustrate how the model can be used to study the effect of physical properties on the inclusion behavior at the slag‐steel interface for some typical industrial ladle metallurgy conditions. Furthermore, to study the effect of steel temperature, sulfur and oxygen content in the steel, slag and inclusion density as well as initial inclusion velocity on the inclusions behavior at the slag‐steel interface. The results show that the temperature and initial velocity was of less importance and that the oxygen content in the steel had a larger influence on the inclusion behavior than the sulfur content in the steel.     

Toxic gas clouds: effects and implications of dry deposition on concentration

The influence of the dry deposition process on concentration pertaining to toxic gas clouds was investigated by model calculations. Three main release scenarios were simulated, with nine micrometeorological cases considered for each. To compare and confirm the results, two model types, a stochastic particle model and a box-type model, were independently used to simulate many of the different cases. The results showed that the effects of dry deposition may be strong for releases at, or confined close to the ground, e.g. neutral or unstable stratification can cause higher concentrations than stable stratification after 10-15 km. Risk distances are in turn affected and may be substantially shortened, e.g. for a zero-height release like that from an evaporating pool, a 50% reduction in total airborne substance may occur within 500 m at a low wind velocity and neutral or stable stratification.     

Critical levels of atmospheric pollution: criteria and concepts for operational modelling of mercury in forest and lake ecosystems

Mercury (Hg) is regarded as a major environmental concern in many regions, traditionally because of high concentrations in freshwater fish, and now also because of potential toxic effects on soil microflora. The predominant source of Hg in most watersheds is atmospheric deposition, which has increased 2- to >20-fold over the past centuries. A promising approach for supporting current European efforts to limit transboundary air pollution is the development of emission-exposure-effect relationships, with the aim of determining the critical level of atmospheric pollution (CLAP, cf. critical load) causing harm or concern in sensitive elements of the environment. This requires a quantification of slow ecosystem dynamics from short-term collections of data. Aiming at an operational tool for assessing the past and future metal contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, we present a simple and flexible modelling concept, including ways of minimizing requirements for computation and data collection, focusing on the exposure of biota in forest soils and lakes to Hg. Issues related to the complexity of Hg biogeochemistry are addressed by (1) a model design that allows independent validation of each model unit with readily available data, (2) a process- and scale-independent model formulation based on concentration ratios and transfer factors without requiring loads and mass balance, and (3) an equilibration concept that accounts for relevant dynamics in ecosystems without long-term data collection or advanced calculations. Based on data accumulated in Sweden over the past decades, we present a model to determine the CLAP-Hg from standardized values of region- or site-specific synoptic concentrations in four key matrices of boreal watersheds: precipitation (atmospheric source), large lacustrine fish (aquatic receptor and vector), organic soil layers (terrestrial receptor proxy and temporary reservoir), as well as new and old lake sediments (archives of response dynamics). Key dynamics in watersheds are accounted for by quantifying current states of equilibration in both soils and lakes based on comparison of contamination factors in sediment cores. Future steady-state concentrations in soils and fish in single watersheds or entire regions are then determined by corresponding projection of survey data. A regional-scale application to southern Sweden suggests that the response of environmental Hg levels to changes in atmospheric Hg pollution is delayed by centuries and initially not proportional among receptors (atmosphere > soils not equal sediments>fish; clearwater lakes > humic lakes). This has implications for the interpretation of common survey data as well as for the implementation of pollution control strategies. Near Hg emission sources, the pollution of organic soils and clearwater lakes deserves attention. Critical receptors, however, even in remote areas, are humic waters, in which biotic Hg levels are naturally high, most likely to increase further, and at high long-term risk of exceeding the current levels of concern: 相似文献   

Requirement for EGF receptor signalling in neural recruitment during formation of Drosophila chordotonal sense organ clusters

The different lesions of the glenoid labrum are described. They may involve the antero-inferior, the posterior or the superior (SLAP lesions) part of the labrum. CT-arthrography is the gold standard imaging modality in this field of shoulder abnormalities.     

Hydatidiform moles: DNA flow cytometry, image analysis and selected topics in molecular biology

PURPOSE: To present the means and technique used in our Department for prevention and management of posterior capsule rupture during planned extracapsular cataract extraction. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 550 extracapsular cataract operations from October 1993 to March 1994. Our technique (a slight modification of Blumenthal's technique) included a triplanar watertight small scleral incision, a relatively large continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, or can-opener capsulotomy, nucleus hydrodissection and hydroexpression, use of an anterior chamber maintainer and residual cortex removal through a 10 o'clock side-port corneal incision. RESULTS: Best corrected postoperative visual acuity ranged from 7-10/10 in 93.45% of our cases. Posterior capsule rupture with or without vitreous loss occurred in 1.63% and 2.72% of the cases, respectively. These rates are much lower than those, observed, when we used the sclerocorneal incision and nucleus extraction with external pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a triplanar watertight small scleral incision. A relatively large continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, an anterior chamber maintainer and residual cortex aspiration through the 10 o'clock side-port corneal incision greatly reduced the posterior capsule rupture rate.     

Simulating oil flow in porous media under asphaltene deposition

A simulator for one-phase flow in porous media near a wellbore is coupled with a thermodynamic model and a network model in order to predict the change in petroleum flow under asphaltene deposition. The thermodynamic model is capable of predicting the quantity of precipitated asphaltene. The network model is used to predict formation damage due to in situ asphaltene deposition. The model is qualitatively evaluated using data from literature. Results are in concordance with expected physical behavior.     

A theoretical and experimental study of continuous-casting tundishes focusing on slag-steel interaction

A model of a tundish has been developed that takes into account the steel, slag, and refractory phases. Predicted temperatures and velocities in the steel and refractory from the model were earlier found to agree well with measured velocities and temperatures. The model was also used to determine the optimal location of flow devices, making the temperature distribution in the steel more even and enhancing the removal of inclusions to the slag. In this study, the focus was on using the model to study the slag/steel interface in the tundish. Predictions showed that slag is dispersed into the steel close to the interface as well as close to the ladle shroud. In order to confirm these predictions, the momentary interfacial solidification sampling (MISS) method was developed. Using this method, a sample of the steel/slag interface could be taken that represented almost an instantaneous picture of the interface. The MISS sampler was used for sampling low-carbon steel in the tundish. Samples were analyzed using ultrasonic testing, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Analysis results confirmed the presence of nonmetallic particles close to the slag/steel interface and close to the ladle shroud, as suggested by the modeling results. The analyses also showed that the slag/steel interface is very irregular, despite the low velocities.