Influence of an external electric field on the microstructure of superplastically deformed 7475 Al

An externally applied electric field retarded strain-enhanced grain growth and promoted dynamic recrystallization during superplastic deformation of 7475 Al. Also, a more extensive dispersoid-free zone was observed in specimens deformed in the electric field, suggesting that the electric field increased the contribution of diffusion creep to superplastic deformation. The electric field promoted the coarsening of dispersoids, especially in the vicinity of the grain boundaries. Possible mechanisms for the observed effects are discussed.     

Hartstoffschichten für das Pressen und Prägen von Gläsern bei hohen Temperaturen

Hard and wear resistant coatings for the moulding and embossing of glasses at elevated temperatures Hard and wear resistant coatings of Titanium Aluminium Nitride TiAlN were deposited on various substrates by the application of different reactive deposition processes: RF-magnetron-sputtering, ion beam-sputtering and by the energetic cluster impact (ECI) process. The deposition of the coatings was performed under variation of biasing conditions and of process parameters such as pressures and flow rates of the process gases argon and nitrogen as well as of energies of species hitting the substrate surfaces. The microstructure particularly the growth morphology of several films was investigated by pictures of film cross sections recorded by transmission electron microscopy. Residual intrinsic film stresses were analyzed by measuring deflections of substrates in an interference optical microscope before and after the deposition of the coatings. By heating coated substrates and in-situ observation of deflections at elevated temperatures dependencies of thermally induced stresses on temperatures and variations of intrinsic stresses due to changes within the films could be analyzed and related to microstructure and growth conditions. In the paper specific characteristics of the deposition processes occuring on the scale both of atoms and of clusters which may contain several thousand of atoms are described and related to microstructure, residual stress states and damaging conditions. Different contributions to residual film stresses are analyzed on the base of theoretical considerations taking into account deposition kinetics and thermomecanical properties. The significance of achieved film properties for application, i. e. for the coating of tools for the manufacturing of optical components by moulding and embossing of glasses is discussed.     

Photochemical identification of transmembrane segment IVS6 as the binding region of semotiadil, a new modulator for the L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel

To identify the binding domain of a new Ca2+ antagonist semotiadil on L-type Ca2+ channels from skeletal muscle, photolabeling was carried out by using an azidophenyl derivative of [3H]semotiadil. Photoincorporation was observed in several polypeptides of membrane triad preparations; the only specific photoincorporation was in the alpha1 subunit of the Ca2+ channel. After solubilization and purification, the photolabeled alpha1 subunit was subjected to proteolytic and CNBr cleavage followed by antibody mapping. Specific labeling was associated solely with the region of transmembrane segment S6 in repeat IV. Quantitative immunoprecipitation was found in the tryptic and the Lys-C/Glu-C fragments of 6.6 and 6.1 kDa, respectively. Further CNBr cleavage of the Lys-C digests produced two smaller fragments of 3.4 and 1.8 kDa that were included in the tryptic and Lys-C/Glu-C fragments. The smallest labeled fragments were: Tyr1350-Met1366 and Leu1367-Met1381 containing IVS6, a possible pore-forming region. The data suggest that semotiadil binds to a region that is overlapped with but not identical to those for phenylalkylamines, dihydropyridines and benzothiazepines. The present study also provides evidence that region IV represents an important component of a binding pocket for Ca2+ antagonists.     

Molecular computing: the lock-key paradigm

Molecular computers are natural or artificial systems in which macromolecules individually mediate critical information-processing functions. Biological organisms are the naturally occurring examples. Their information-processing virtuosity traces ultimately to the fact that macromolecules, most notably proteins, can recognize specific molecular objects in their environment in a manner that uses shape and depends sensitively on physiochemical context. The ultimate capabilities of this shape-based mode of computing and the technological implications that this mode may have are discussed. Basic principles of molecular computing are introduced and some ways that they might combine to yield new approaches to information technology are considered. Specifically, signal-integrating, optomolecular and neuromolecular computer architectures are described     

Modulation of the allergic immune response in BALB/c mice by subcutaneous injection of high doses of the dominant T cell epitope from the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1

Several in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that application of high doses of dominant T cell epitopes can induce a state of antigen-specific non-responsiveness (anergy). In the present study, we developed a murine model of an allergic immune response to Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen. Mice were sensitized by injection of rBet v 1 and the allergic state was proven by the presence of allergen-specific IgE and positive immediate-type skin tests to Bet v 1. In epitope mapping experiments, an immunodominant T cell epitope of Bet v 1 in BALB/c mice was identified by the use of overlapping peptides. This peptide (BV 139) was subsequently employed for treatment. Two tolerization protocols were used: in one approach, the peptide was administered to naive mice before immunization (group BV139-S), in the second, already sensitized mice were treated (S-BV139). The results demonstrated that administering high doses of the dominant T cell epitope of Bet v 1 profoundly diminished T cell proliferation to the peptide in the BV139-S group, and to the peptide as well as to the whole protein in the S-BV139 group. Skin test reactivity to Bet v 1 was reduced in the BV139-S group. However, no differences in terms of specific antibody production between treated and untreated mice could be observed. This study provides evidence that administration of dominant T cell epitopes can down-regulate the allergen-specific T cell response. Proceeding on the assumption that the T lymphocyte response to allergens is crucial for the induction and maintenance of the allergic disease, a modulation of the immune response to allergens by treatment with T cell epitope peptides could represent a promising concept for immunotherapy in the future.     

Is there a role for continuation phase cognitive therapy for depressed outpatients?

Two pilot studies evaluated the rate of relapse or recurrence (i.e., major depressive disorder) after cognitive therapy (CT). Two sequential cohorts included outpatients who responded to acute phase CT (A-CT) and who agreed to monthly, treatment-free follow-up. In Study 1, the Kaplan-Meier technique estimated relapse and recurrence rates of 40% at 6 months, 45% at 8 months, 50% at 12 months, 67% at 18 months, and 74% at 24 months. In Study 2, responders to A-CT received 8 months (10 sessions) of continuation phase CT (C-CT). In Study 2, relapse or recurrence was 20% at 6 and 8 months, 27% at 12 months, and 36% at 18 and 24 months after A-CT. An exploratory log-rank test showed that relapse or recurrence-free survival was greater in Study 2 than in Study 1. If replicated, this result suggests that C-CT can reduce depressive relapse or recurrence. Alternative explanations are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quantitation of intrathecal measles virus IgG antibody synthesis rate: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and multiple sclerosis

A method for quantitating specific anti-viral antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is established using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitated antibody levels are used to determine intrathecal specific IgG synthesis rate for the particular antibody. Measles virus was used as a model for validating this quantitative technique: a mutated form of measles virus is a cause of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and there is a possibility that measles virus is related to the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). Matched serum and CSF samples were assayed. Concentration of anti-measles IgG was determined and intrathecal measles-specific IgG synthesis rate was calculated. For the SSPE samples, measles-specific IgG synthesis rate was elevated and comprised > 20% of the total intrathecal IgG synthesis rate; these results are consistent with the literature. The ELISA method can be performed routinely, providing a quick, simple, reproducible means of quantitating specific antibody concentrations, with sensitivity greater than 1 nanogram per milliliter. With this method, quantitation of IgG antibodies to any other viral antigen can be reliably and precisely determined.     

Outcome criteria in strabismus surgery

PURPOSE: The authors describe the first case of delayed antimetabolite-related corneal epithelial toxicity after trabeculectomy and its successful treatment with limbal stem cell transplantation. METHODS: A 73-year-old woman underwent trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C. After surgery she received six 5-mg injections of subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) adjacent to the bleb. RESULTS: The patient had a functioning trabeculectomy and clear cornea until 30 months after surgery, at which time she developed a nonhealing superior corneal epithelial defect. After 4 months of conservative medical management, an autologous limbal stem cell transplantation was performed. The epithelial defect resolved completely within 1 week of limbal stem cell transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed corneal epithelial toxicity may be a late complication of antimetabolite-augmented trabeculectomy.