The T-cell receptor repertoires expressed by CD4+ and CD4- large granular lymphocytes derived from the same patients suggest the persistent action of an immune-mediated selection process

The lymphoproliferative syndrome with large granular lymphocytes (LGL) is an heterogeneous disorder of unknown etiology. The analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes rearrangements has shown that, in most cases, the disease is associated with clonal proliferation of CD8+CD57+ LGL. However, the putative neoplastic nature of these expansions remains questionable because clonal proliferations of CD8+ cells have recently been found also in physiologic conditions. To obtain more precise information on the mechanisms responsible for LGL expansions, we decided to compare the molecular characteristics of TCRBV chains expressed by LGL with different phenotype and function, but derived from the same patients. To this end, we characterized, at the molecular level, the TCR repertoires of fractionated T-cell populations of two unusual patients with concurrent expansions of CD4+CD57+ and CD4-CD57+ LGL. Our results show that the dominant TCRBV chains expressed by the different CD4+ and CD4- LGL populations were strictly oligoclonal. However, the molecular characteristics of the dominant V-D-J rearrangements also imply that the selection of these clones was not due to a neoplastic event. Rather, our data suggest that these particular LGL proliferations can be ascribed to a chronic T-cell-mediated immune response that involves recognition by the engaged TCR of antigens that are not necessarily presented to immune system in the classical major histocompatibility complex-restricted pathway.     

Combined Effects of Sb-Doping and of Preparation via Lacunary Precursor for P/Mo-Based, Keggin-Type Polyoxometalates, Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of Isobutane to Methacrylic Acid

Catalysts for the selective oxidation of isobutane to methacrylic acid, based on ammonium salts of phosphorus/molybdenum Keggin-type polyoxometalates, were prepared by precipitation of a lacunary precursor at pH 4.0, and by calcination of the precipitate at 350 °C in air. The thermal treatment led to the transformation of the lacunary polyoxometalate into (NH₄)₃PMo₁₂ O₄₀. This procedure yielded a catalyst that was active, but poorly selective, from the beginning of its reaction time, since the active sites were generated during the calcination, and thus during the transformation of the lacunary precursor into the Keggin compound. Nevertheless, for the reaction under isobutane-rich conditions, the catalyst exhibited an initial period during which the progressive reduction of the polyoxometalate led to an improvement of the selectivity to methacrylic acid. An alternative method to develop a partially reduced compound was by preparation of a Sb³⁺-doped polyoxometalate. A solid-state redox reaction between Sb³⁺ and Mo⁶⁺ occurred in the Keggin framework during the calcination of the precursor. With this procedure, a catalyst was obtained, which did not require the preliminary equilibration, and which therefore was active and selective from the beginning of its reaction time. Furthermore, the catalyst was found to be surprisingly very active under isobutane-lean conditions.     

DNA/protein flow cytometry as a predictive marker of malignancy in dysplasia-free Barrett's esophagus: thirteen-year follow-up study on a cohort of patients

Intestinal metaplasia identifies Barrett's esophagus (BE) and is associated with an increased risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Dysplasia occurs as an intermediate step. However, progression from metaplasia to neoplasia without the demonstration of dysplasia has been described. The role of dual-parameter flow cytometry (FC) as a predictor of neoplastic risk in dysplasia-free cases was evaluated. DNA/protein FC and histology were performed on 362 samples from 30 dysplasia-free BE patients, followed up since 1985 once every 1-2 years. Nine cases were aneuploid, five of which (group IV) were frankly aneuploid; in the other four cases (group III), aneuploidy was detectable by dual-parameter analysis only. Twenty-one patients were diploid. Twelve (group II) also had an abnormally high G1-phase protein content compared to group I (nine patients), which were diploid with a low-moderate protein content. In three patients of group IV an adenocarcinoma in situ was diagnosed, after 5, 6, and 10 years, respectively. In two patients of group III, a low- and a high-grade dysplasia were observed at 3 and 6 years follow-up, respectively. One patient of group I first acquired a high protein content, then an aneuploid DNA content, and then progressed to adenocarcinoma (12 years). None of the still diploid patients (17 cases) have progressed to dysplasia or cancer compared with 6 of 13 presently aneuploid patients (P < 0.01). In conclusion, DNA/protein FC is a marker of increased malignant potential and thus may be used to detect patients at higher risk in dysplasia-free BE and assist in understanding the various stages of malignant transformation in long-term follow-up studies.     

Gravimetric method for the determination of insoluble and soluble dietary fibres

The present paper describes a simple method for the determination of the insoluble and soluble dietary fibres in food. In a first step, starch and proteins are removed by enzyme treatment. The insoluble dietary fibres are determined gravimetrically after centrifugation and washing of the residue with water, ethanol, acetone and diethyl ether. The water-soluble dietary fibres are recovered from the supernatant liquid of the centrifugation by dialysis, freeze-drying, and subsequent weighing. The method has been used for the determination of dietary fibres in by-products from the industry.     

The primary structure of a lipoxygenase from the shoots of etiolated lentil seedlings derived from its cDNA

A case of intramedullary neuroschistosomal granuloma in a 15-year-old girl is reported. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia is endemic for schistosomiasis, neuroschistosomiasis has rarely been reported from that country. A review of the literature on the incidence, pathogenesis, clinical patterns and management of neuroschistosomiasis, particularly myelopathy, is given.     

Single-channel and two-channel methods for land surface temperature retrieval from DAIS data and its application to the Barrax site

In this paper, a methodology using a single-channel and a two-channel method is presented to estimate the land surface temperature from the DAIS (Digital Airborne Imaging Spectrometer) thermal channels 74 (8.747?µm), 75 (9.648?µm), 76 (10.482?µm), 77 (11.266?µm), 78 (11.997?µm) and 79 (12.668?µm). The land surface temperature retrieved with both methods has been validated over the Barrax site (Albacete, Spain) in the framework of the DAISEX (Digital Airborne Imaging Spectrometer Experiment) field campaigns. Prior to the validation an analysis of the DAIS data quality has been performed in order to check the agreement between in situ data and the values extracted from the DAIS images supplied by the DLR (German Optoelectronic Institute). Suitable differences between in situ and DAIS data have been found. To solve this problem a linear re-calibration of the DAIS thermal channels has been applied using two ground calibration points (bare soil and water). For the land surface temperature retrieved, rms deviations of 0.96?K using a single-channel method and 1.46?K using a two-channel method with the DAIS thermal channels 77 and 78 have been obtained considering re-calibrated data.