Defective Th1 and Th2 cytokine synthesis in the T-T cell presentation model for lack of CD40/CD40 ligand interaction

In this study, T or NK cell clones used as antigen-presenting cells (T- or NK-APC) were shown to be significantly less efficient than professional APC in inducing Th1 and Th2 cytokines by antigen-specific T cell clones. This phenomenon was not related to a limited engagement of TCR by T-APC, since comparable thresholds of TCR down-regulation were shown when antigen was presented by either T-APC or professional APC. Rather, the stimulatory T-APC weakness was due to their inability, because they are CD40-, to provide the appropriate co-stimuli to responder T cells both indirectly via IL-12, and partially via direct CD40L triggering on T cells. Indeed, the simultaneous addition of IL-12 and reagents directly engaging CD40L on responder T cells restored T cell cytokine synthesis when antigen was presented by T-APC. In addition, either IL-12 production or blocking of T cell cytokine synthesis by anti-IL-12 p75 antibodies was evident only when professional APC were used in our antigen-specific system. The down-regulation of cytokine synthesis in the system of T-T cell presentation could represent a novel mechanism of immune regulation, which may intervene to switch off detrimental Th1- or Th2-mediated responses induced by antigen presentation among activated T cells infiltrating inflamed tissues.     

Criticality of the measurement of corneal thickness in specular reflection by digital biomicroscope

Purpose

The aim was to evaluate the effects on corneal thickness (t) measurement, of asymmetry of the CCD position for a digital biomicroscope in specular reflection.

Characterization of laser-induced damage in silicon solar cells during selective ablation processes

Selective laser ablation of silicon nitride layers on crystalline silicon wafers was investigated for solar cell fabrication. Laser processing was performed with a nanosecond UV laser at various energy densities ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 J cm^?2. Optical microscopy was used as a simple mean to assess the ablation threshold that was correlated to the temperature at the interface between the silicon nitride coating and the silicon substrate. Minority carrier lifetime measurements were performed using a microwave photo-conductance decay technique. Band to band photoluminescence spectroscopy proved to be a sensitive technique to qualify the laser-induced damage to the silicon substrate. The crystalline structure of silicon seemed to be maintained after silicon nitride ablation as shown by UV reflectivity measurements. Laser parameters corresponding to fluences of around 0.4 J cm^?2 were found to achieve selective ablation of SiN_x without causing detrimental damage to the surrounding material.     

Prenatal exposure to lead in Spain: cord blood levels and associated factors

Introduction and Objective

Lead is a known neurotoxic. Fetuses and infants are very vulnerable to lead exposure, since their blood-brain barrier is not completely formed. Hence, there is an importance for monitoring of blood lead levels prenatally and during early infancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prenatal exposure to lead and its association with maternal factors in four population based mother-child cohorts in Spain. The present research was carried out within the framework of the INMA project INfancia y Medio Ambiente (Environment and Childhood).

Methods

A total of 1462 pregnant women were recruited between 2004 and 2008. Lead was analyzed in a sample of cord blood by thermal decomposition, amalgation, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Maternal sociodemographic, lifestyle and dietary factors were obtained by questionnaires during pregnancy. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed. The dependent variable was a dichotomous lead level variable (detected vs no detected, i.e. ≥ vs < 2 μg/dL).

Results

A low percentage of cord blood samples with lead levels ≥ 2 μg/dL were found (5.9%). Geometric mean and maximum were 1.06 μg/dL and 19 μg/dL, respectively. Smoking at the beginning of pregnancy, age, social class, weight gain during pregnancy, gravidity, and place of residence were the maternal factors associated with detectable cord blood lead levels. Mother's diet does not appear to be a determining factor of lead exposure. Nevertheless, daily intake of iron and zinc may act as a protective factor against having cord blood lead levels ≥ 2 μg/dL.

Conclusion

In the different regions of Spain taking part in this study, lead levels to which newborns are exposed are low. Mobilization of lead from bones may be the main contributor to the cord blood levels.     

Immunophenotypic,immunocytochemistry, ultrastructural,and cytogenetic characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from equine bone marrow

The aim of this study was to isolate, culture, and characterize mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from horse bone marrow (BM) using the techniques of flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, cytogenetics, and electron microscopy. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed the presence of MSCs with high expression of the CD90 marker, lower expression of the CD44 marker, and absent expression of the CD34 marker. In assays of differentiation, the positive response to osteogenic (OST), chondrogenic (CDG), and adipogenic (ADP) differentiation signals was observed and characterized by deposition of calcium‐rich extracellular matrix (OST), proteoglycans and collagen II (CDG) and intracellular deposition of fat drops (ADP). In immunocytochemical characterization, MSCs were immunopositive for CD44, vimentin, and PCNA, and they were negative for CD13. In the ultrastructural analysis of MSCs, the most outstanding characteristic was the presence of rough endoplasmic reticulum with very dilated cisterns filled with a low electrodensity material. Additionally, MSCs had normal karyotypes (2n = 64) as evidenced by cytogenetic analysis, and aneuploidy in metaphase was not observed. The protocols for isolating, culturing, and characterizing equine MSCs used in this study were shown to be appropriate for the production of a cell population with a good potential for differentiation and without aneuploidy that can be used to study future cellular therapies. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:618–624, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Assessment of impact distances for particulate matter dispersion: A stochastic approach

It is known that pollutants can be dispersed from the emission sources by the wind, or settled on the ground. Particle size, stack height, topography and meteorological conditions strongly affect particulate matter (PM) dispersion. In this work, an impact distance calculation methodology considering different particulate sizes is presented. A Gaussian-type dispersion model for PM that handles size particles larger than 0.1 μm is used. The model considers primary particles and continuous emissions. PM concentration distribution at every affected geographical point defined by a grid is computed. Stochastic uncertainty caused by the natural variability of atmospheric parameters is taken into consideration in the dispersion model by applying a Monte Carlo methodology. The prototype package (STRRAP) that takes into account the stochastic behaviour of atmospheric variables, developed for risk assessment and safe distances calculation [Godoy SM, Santa Cruz ASM, Scenna NJ. STRRAP SYSTEM - A software for hazardous materials risk assessment and safe distances calculation. Reliability Engineering and System Safety 2007;92(7):847-57] is enlarged for the analysis of the PM air dispersion. STRRAP computes distances from the source to every affected receptor in each trial and generates the impact distance distribution for each particulate size. In addition, a representative impact distance value to delimit the affected area can be obtained. Fuel oil stack effluents dispersion in Rosario city is simulated as a case study. Mass concentration distributions and impact distances are computed for the range of interest in environmental air quality evaluations (PM_2.5-PM₁₀).     

Electricity consumption and CO2 capture potential in Spain

In this paper, different electricity demand scenarios for Spain are presented. Population, income per capita, energy intensity and the contribution of electricity to the total energy demand have been taken into account in the calculations. Technological role of different generation technologies, i.e. coal, nuclear, renewable, combined cycle (CC), combined heat and power (CHP) and carbon capture and storage (CCS), are examined in the form of scenarios up to 2050. Nine future scenarios corresponding to three electrical demands and three options for new capacity: minimum cost of electricity, minimum CO₂ emissions and a criterion with a compromise between CO₂ and cost (CO₂-cost criterion) have been proposed. Calculations show reduction in CO₂ emissions from 2020 to 2030, reaching a maximum CO₂ emission reduction of 90% in 2050 in an efficiency scenario with CCS and renewables. The contribution of CCS from 2030 is important with percentage values of electricity production around 22–28% in 2050. The cost of electricity (COE) increases up to 25% in 2030, and then this value remains approximately constant or decreases slightly.     

Effect of areal density and fiber orientation on the deformation of thermomechanical bonds in a nonwoven fabric

This study proposes a novel method to mechanically characterize the performance of individual bonds in low‐density, thermomechanically bonded nonwoven fabrics. Commercial bicomponent, polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP), nonwoven fabric was laser cut into bowtie‐shaped specimens for uniaxial tensile testing so that the central region of each specimen contained an individual bond. Three groups, each composed of 20 specimens, were tested with their longitudinal axes oriented along the machine direction (MD), the cross direction (CD), and at 45° between these two directions (DD). Prior to testing, the intrinsic variation in areal density and fiber orientation in the region surrounding the individual bond were quantified via orientation and relative basis weight parameters. During testing, images of the specimens were acquired to determine the occurrence of fiber breakage, bond deformation, and bond cohesive failure. Maximum force, stiffness, and orientation parameters were found to be significantly different among the three specimen groups (p < 0.01) but the relative basis weight was not (p > 0.01). The stiffness and maximum load were linearly correlated with both the areal density and fiber orientation. Pre‐existing voids or windows within the bond lowered the maximum force for specimens with the longitudinal axes aligned with the MD. These voids had no influence on the maximum force achieved by the specimens aligned with the CD and DD. The bonds in these specimens were observed to deform less than the bonds in the specimens with the longitudinal axes aligned with the MD. The results indicate the importance of the fiber structure surrounding the bond on the tensile properties, deformation and failure mode of individual bonds within the nonwoven fabric. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:311–322, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Milling performance and bread-making aptitude of the new soft kernel durum wheat variety Faridur

Faridur is the first ‘soft kernel’ durum wheat variety released in Italy. This variety has not yet been evaluated for its end-use quality. In the present study, the milling performance (using two different mills) and bread-making ability of Faridur were compared with Svevo. An effect of the mill type on flour properties was observed, with the Chopin CD1 mill leading to finer particle size, higher starch damage and water absorption than Bühler MLU 202. Protein and gluten content was significantly higher in Faridur, but gluten quality was lower, as indicated by alveograph and farinograph analyses. The softer nature of Faridur facilitated milling, reducing energy consumption and starch damage. The baking test led to a compact product, with low specific volume, needing adjustments in processing and formulation. As energy saving has become a key competitive factor in the milling sector, Faridur has potential for expanding the use of durum wheat.