Study of the Ghrelin/LEAP-2 Ratio in Humans and Rats during Different Phases of Pregnancy

The Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 (LEAP-2) has emerged as an endogenous GHS-R antagonist and blunts the orexigenic action of ghrelin. This study aimed to determine the Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio in humans and rats during pregnancy. In humans, we conducted a nested case-control study within an observational prospective cohort. Healthy and mild preeclamptic pregnant women were studied at each trimester of gestation and three months postpartum. In addition, a group of non-pregnant women was studied into the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio was investigated in non-pregnant rats and at different periods of rat pregnancy. Human and rat serum ghrelin and LEAP-2 levels were determined using the commercially available ELISA kits. The Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio peak around the second trimester of gestation in healthy pregnant women (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio between healthy and preeclamptic pregnant women at each trimester of gestation (p > 0.05). The Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio in pregnant rat reached the peak around mid-gestation with a similar pattern to the human pregnancy. LEAP-2 was visualized by immunohistochemistry in human term placenta and rat placentas on days 12, 16 and 21 of pregnancy. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence of a Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio peak around the half-way point of pregnancy onwards during human and rat pregnancy, and it might be associated with increased rates of weight gain during pregnancy. Thus, this study suggests that LEAP-2 and Ghrelin/LEAP-2 ratio might play an important role in maternal physiology adaptation of weight gain during pregnancy.     

Pure red cell aplasia associated with large granular lymphocytic leukemia: a rare association in Western countries

The coexistence of large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGLL) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) has been previously described, but is rare in Western countries (7% in a recent series of LGLL cases). We present the clinical features, hematological parameters and immunophenotype of two patients with PRCA associated with CD3+ LGLL.     

Flow of a third grade fluid through a porous flat channel

The steady, laminar flow of a third grade fluid through a porous flat channel is considered, when the rate of injection of the fluid at one boundary is equal to the rate of suction at the other boundary. The flow is governed by a non-linear boundary value problem (BVP) in which the order of the differential equation is three, but only two boundary conditions are available. Two numerical schemes are developed to obtain the appropriate solution of the BVP. In the first scheme the dilemma is resolved by assuming that the solution is analytical in the neighborhood of K=0, where K is the non-dimensional viscoelastic fluid parameter. This scheme is practical to use only up to certain values of T, the third grade fluid parameter. The second scheme allows arbitrary values of T, but is restricted to small values of K and R, the cross-flow Reynolds number.A perturbation solution valid for small values of T is also derived. Finally two approximate solutions, based on Collatz’ iterative scheme, but with different starting trial solutions are obtained. A comparison is made of the results computed by using various methods and appropriate conclusions are drawn.     

如何选择电流互感变压器

长期以来，电流互感变压器作为仪器设备中的一种标准器件一直用来测量精密电流。即使在恶劣的环境和高温条件下，这种器件也非常精确，使用方便可靠。     

Prosocial behavior from early to middle childhood: Genetic and environmental influences on stability and change.

Prosocial behavior is important for the functioning of society. This study investigates the extent to which environment shared by family members, nonshared environment, and genetics account for children's prosocial behavior. The prosocial behavior of twins (9,424 pairs) was rated by their parents at the ages of 2, 3, 4, and 7 and by their teachers at age 7. For parent ratings, shared environmental effects decreased from .47 on average at age 2 to .03 at age 7, and genetic effects increased from .32 on average to .61. The finding of weak shared environmental effects and large heritability at age 7 was largely confirmed through the use of teacher ratings. Using longitudinal genetic analyses, the authors conclude that genetic effects account for both change and continuity in prosocial behavior and nonshared environment contributes mainly to change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Induction of T cell adhesion to extracellular matrix or endothelial cell ligands by soluble or matrix-bound interleukin-7

The putative effects of interleukin (IL)-7, operating in the context of extracellular matrix (ECM), on the adhesion of human T cells were examined. Recombinant human, IL-7 was found to bind ECM or fibronectin (FN) with IC50 values of 10-100 nM. Nanogram amounts of both soluble and, especially, FN- or ECM-bound IL-7, which differentially affected the morphologies of FN-adherent T cells, induced the adhesion of resting CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in dose-dependent and beta 1 integrin-dependent manners. Under static and flow conditions, soluble IL-7 also induced the binding of unstimulated T cells to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, suggesting that this cytokine can also modulate integrin binding to endothelial cell ligands. The effects of affinity modulation by IL-7 of FN-specific beta 1 integrins depend on the presence of soluble FN, which inhibited T cell adhesion to FN induced by FN-bound IL-7 or by an integrin-specific affinity-modulating monoclonal antibody, but not by soluble IL-7 or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. These findings provide an example of a major ECM integrin ligand, FN, which is capable of modulating its adhesive interactions with specific immune cells by associating with and presenting a cytokine in a bio-active state.     

The Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery: Theoretical orientation and comment.

Since the introduction of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB), issues related to its understanding, interpretation, and validity have generated much interest. In response to P. A. Spiers's (see record 1981-24833-001) criticism of the battery, the authors suggest that the controversy appears to arise from a divergence in theoretical orientation on the role of quantitative versus qualitative assessment as well as from differences in the understanding of measurement methodology and validity. The present article discusses the theoretical basis from which the LNNB was constructed and describes the process of test interpretation. Previous and current research on use and validity of the battery is presented as it relates to the theoretical and methodological concerns. While basic philosophical differences with other theoretical systems are not likely to be resolved, the authors of the LNNB will continue to emphasize the integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches, both in the use of the LNNB and in the field of neuropsychology in general. It is concluded that the LNNB will continue to be revised on the basis of research findings and experience with the test in different patient populations. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The flow of a viscoelastic fluid past a porous plate

Summary The flow of a second order viscoelastic fluid past a porous plate is considered. It is characterized by a boundary value problem in which the order of the differential equation exceeds the number of available boundary conditions. The boundary value problem is solved by making a plausible assumption, namely that the variation of the normal derivative of the velocity at the plate withk is sufficiently smooth, wherek is the viscoelastic fluid parameter. Under this assumption it is shown that dual solutions exist for values ofk less than a critical value. Beyond this value, no solution exists.     

Petrological and geochemical mass-balance equations: an algorithm for least-square fitting and general error analysis

Least-square fitting of petrological and geochemical overdetermined linear systems is carried out by means of a rapidly converging algorithm which allows a general treatment of coefficient uncertainties. Both constrained and unconstrained solutions are presented. The modal analysis of lunar rock 10022 and stoichiometric coefficients for two coronitic reactions are so determined, as an example, from application of the proposed procedure to available chemical analyses.     

A hand-held, two-channel stimulator-ophthalmoscope

A hand-held optical system for presenting focused stimuli on known retinal areas by direct ophthalmoscopy is described. The optical system provides a time-modulated stimulus beam of variable dimension, retinal illuminance, wave-length, and polarization, and a steady background beam of variable retinal illuminance and wavelength. Both beams enter the patient's eye in maxwellian-view for precise control of the ratio of stimulus to background retinal illuminance. The stimulator-ophthalmoscope allows the examiner to compensate easily for variable fixation.