Pleiotropic,Unique and Shared Responses Elicited by IL-6 Family Cytokines in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Vascular endothelial cells express glycoprotein 130 (gp130), which is utilized as a signaling receptor by cytokines in the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family. Several IL-6 family cytokines can be found in the circulatory system during physiological or pathological conditions, and may influence endothelial function and response. This study evaluated and compared the cellular and molecular responses induced by IL-6 family cytokines in human endothelial cells. A proteomic analysis showed that IL-6 family cytokines induce the release of a range of proteins from endothelial cells, such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 23, hepatocyte growth factor, and IL-6. Pathway analysis indicated that gp130-signaling in endothelial cells regulates several functions related to angiogenesis and immune cell recruitment. The present investigation also disclosed differences and similarities between different IL-6 family cytokines in their ability to induce protein release and regulate gene expression and intracellular signaling, in regards to which oncostatin M showed the most pronounced effect. Further, this study showed that soluble gp130 preferentially blocks trans-signaling-induced responses, but does not affect responses induced by classic signaling. In conclusion, IL-6 family cytokines induce both specific and overlapping molecular responses in endothelial cells, and regulate genes and proteins involved in angiogenesis and immune cell recruitment.     

Modeling the diffusion-adsorption kinetics of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in apple fruit and non-target materials in storage rooms

The purpose of this research was to model the kinetics of adsorption of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in apple fruit and non-target solid materials found in apple storage rooms. The process was described by Fick’s second law of diffusion of the gas through the pores of the material coupled with adsorption kinetics of the gas on the material’s binding sites. A finite element formulation of the model, describing the diffusion and adsorption mechanisms separately, was first developed. The values of the relevant parameters were estimated based on headspace measurements of the decrease of 1-MCP in jars containing the different materials. The headspace concentration of 1-MCP was measured using gas chromatography. Apple fruit (Golden Delicious and Jonagold) and the following bin construction materials were investigated: high density polyethylene (HDPE), oak, poplar wood and card lining. The range in the magnitude of the diffusion coefficient, adsorption coefficient, and concentration of active sites in the various solids was 10,000-, 8-, and 30-fold, respectively.     

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Airflow Inside Refrigerated Shipping Containers

During transportation of fruits and vegetables, factors such as temperature, air exchange, humidity levels, packaging design and stacking arrangements in the reefer (refrigerated shipping container) are extremely important to maintain the cold chain. In this study, the airflow distribution inside two types of refrigerated shipping containers (T-bar floor and flat floor) used for transporting fresh fruit handling were investigated. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of airflow was developed and experimentally validated. Measurements of air velocities were taken from 222 sample positions inside a full-size reefer. The validated model was then implemented to study the effects of container designs and operational conditions on airflow pattern and distribution. High and low evaporator speed scenarios of the two reefer designs (T-bar floor and flat floor) were investigated. The result showed that airflow distribution in the two container designs were markedly different. Good agreement was found between measured and predicted values of air velocities. The air exchange rate in the rear part of the reefers for the two designs were compared. For the flat floor reefer, the air exchange was 0.2 m³ h^?1 while for the T-bar floor, it was 0.6 m³ h^?1. Also, in the primary recirculation region, (between 3 and 8 m from the inlet side) the average vertical air velocity was higher in the T-bar floor reefer (0.04 m s^?1) than in the flat floor reefer (0.01 m s^?1). As a result, reefer with T-bar floor design exhibited a noticeable reduction of air recirculation zone and enhanced uniform vertical air movement compared to the reefer with flat floor design.     

Cultivation,preparation and consumption of ensete (ensete ventricosum) in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia almost 10 million people are dependent on ensete (Ensete ventricosum (Welw) Cheesrnan), also known as ‘false banana’. In the Gurage area in Central Ethiopia, agronomic and nutritional aspects of ensete were studied in 60 households in six villages. Ensete is propagated vegetatively and has a 6-year growing cycle during which it is transplanted three or four times. Men harvest the plants; women scrape the pseudo stem in order to separate the starchy pulp from the fibre, and pulverise the corm. The pulp is fermented and stored for up to 5–7 years in earthen pits. The yield of ensete food (ko'cho) was found to be 34 kg per plant or 9.5 tons ha ^?1 per year. Compared with other foods grown in Ethiopia, the energy yield of ensete (6.1 MJ m ^?2 per year) was higher than that of all cereals, Irish potato, sweet potato and banana, but lower than that of cassava. The protein yield of ensete was higher (11 ± 4gm^?2 per year) than all of the crops mentioned above, except for banana and Irish potato. To make ensete bread, fermented pulp is squeezed to make it drier, chopped to shorten the fibres and a 2 cm layer is baked for 15 min. Unfermented freshly harvested corm is also eaten after boiling. All foods have a low protein content (4–22 gkg^?1). Bu'lla, white desiccated juice collected from the pulp, is more energy rich (8.5 MJ kg^?1) than ko'cho (6.5 MJkg^?1). A dietary survey, conducted in 39 households comprising 237 persons, showed that the average daily intake of 0.55 kg ensete provided 68% of total energy intake, 20% of protein, 28% of iron but no vitamin A. Energy intake from all food consumed was very low, being only 60% of requirements, while protein intake at 107% was ample. Since ensete can be stored for years, is readily available throughout the year and can withstand dry periods, its cultivation can significantly improve household food security in highland areas prone to drought and famine.     

Effect of crop residues on grain yield response of sorghum (t Sorghum bicolor) (L.) to application of N and P fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted on two soil types for seven years (1988–1994) to investigate the effect of the presence of crop residue on grain yield response of sorghum to NP fertilizer applied every year or once only at the start of the experiment. Grain yield was increased by the NP fertilizer alone, but was not further significantly increased by application of both residues and NP fertilizer. During the study period yields decreased abruptly with decreasing rainfall after the first year particularly on the Typic Pellustert. Thus there was a difference according to soil type. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth of germanium–carbide thin film on crystal substrate

The formation of germanium-carbide in crystalline germanium substrate is studied using the perturbed γ–γ angular correlation (PAC) method. The growth of Ge–C micro-crystalline system in the host matrix was observed after annealing the sample above 450°C in vacuum. The Ge–C complexes have been detected at high dose carbon implantation in germanium (≥1 × 10¹⁵cm ⁻²). Information about the lattice locations of the carbon atoms in the host lattice can be obtained via the interaction between carbon atoms with unstable probe nucleus (¹¹¹In). Several carbon related complexes have been detected in this investigations which can be characterized by unique quadrupole interaction frequencies. The parameters of the hyperfine interactions drawn from the time spectra provide additional information about the formation of Ge–C system in germanium.