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1.
Int J Biometeorol ; 2024 Jun 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38922422

RESUMO

Characterization of crop-growing environments in relation to crop's genotypic performance is crucial to harness positive genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) in systematic breeding programs. Given that, the study aimed to delineate the impact of diverse environments on crop phenology and yield traits of dwarf-statured field pea, pinpointing location(s) favoring higher yield and distinctiveness within breeding lines. We tested twelve field pea breeding lines across twenty locations in India, covering Central Zone (CZ), North Western Plain Zone (NWPZ), North Eastern Plain Zone (NEPZ), and Northern Hill Zone (NHZ). Across these locations, maximum and minimum temperatures during flowering (TMAXF, TMINF) and reproductive period (TMAXRP, TMINRP) ranged 18.9-28.3, 3.3-18.0, 15.0-30.8, and 7.9-22.1oC, respectively. Meanwhile, notable variations in phenological and agronomic traits (coefficient of variation) were observed: flowering (31%), days to maturity (21%), reproductive period (18%), grain yield (48%), and 100-seed weight (18%). Combined ANOVA demonstrated an oversized impact of environment (81%) on yield, while genotype and GEI effects were 2% and 14%, respectively. The variables TMINF, TMINRP, and cumulative growing degree-day showed positive correlations with yield, while extended vegetative and maturity durations negatively influenced yield (p < 0.05). Additionally, linear mixed-models and PCA results explained that instability in crop phenology had significant influence on field pea yield. Seed weight was markedly varied within the locations (9.9-20.8 g) and both higher and lower seed weights were associated with lower yields (Optimal = 17.1 g). HA-GGE biplot-based on environment focus-scaling demonstrated three mega-environments and specific locations viz. Kota (CZ), SK Nagar (CZ), Raipur (CZ), Sehore (CZ), and Pantnagar (NWPZ) as the ideal testing-environments with high efficiency in selecting new genotypes with wider adaptability. The study findings highlight distinct impact of environments on crop phenology and agronomic traits of field pea (dwarf-type), hold substantial value in designing efficient field pea (dwarf-type) breeding program at mega-environment scale.

2.
J Minim Access Surg ; 19(1): 57-61, 2023.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36722531

RESUMO

Context: While laparoscopy has been the standard procedure for gallstone treatment, recent advances including the use of indocyanine green (ICG) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy have made it easier to understand the biliary tree and reduce the risk of bile duct injury. Aims: In this retrospective study, we aim to determine the efficacy of ICG in near-infrared fluorescence cholangiography (NIRFC) for visualising biliary anatomy. Settings and Design: A total of 90 patients with the symptoms of cholelithiasis were enrolled for this retrospective study. Subjects and Methods: All the patients underwent cholecystectomy approximately 53.8 min (40-90 min) after the intravenous administration of mean volume 1.6 ml (1-2 ml) ICG. The surgeons used NIRFC along with ICG for real-time visualisation of biliary anatomy. Results: The mean operative time for the surgery was 65.7 min (25-120 min) with no post-surgical complications observed in the patients. The average length of stay was 2 days (1-3 days). ICG usage with NIRFC enabled identification of cystic duct, common hepatic and common bile duct, the junction between common hepatic and bile duct, right and left hepatic duct in 87.7%, 94.4%, 80% and 14.4% of cases, respectively. Conclusions: ICG fluorescence allowed successful visualisation of at least 1 biliary structure in 100% of cases.

3.
Georgian Med News ; (343): 71-77, 2023 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38096520

RESUMO

Antibiotic resistance is a major worldwide problem that has an impact on the well-being of humans as well as animals. Antibiotic resistance is caused by the misuse and excessive use of antibiotics. The key to reducing this issue lies in educating veterinary medical learners on the proper and accountable utilization of antibiotics for the care of animals. Objective - using awareness-raising and instruction as the foundation, this research of Indian veterinary learners can help resolve the issue of antibiotic resistance throughout the care of animals. The questionnaire survey was taken between June and July 2022 and it was aimed at learners registered in veterinary medical studies at academic and research institutions in India. The study included 500 pupils overall. The purpose of the survey was to gather information about students' knowledge of antibiotics, including antibiotic resistance, as well as their feelings on the consequences of antibiotic resistance on the globe at large and their acquaintance with the one health ideology. According to this study's findings, 83.3 percent of respondents thought antibiotic resistance was a serious problem. 57.92 percent of respondents understood the issue's worldwide consequences and its one health ideology. The study emphasizes the significance of expanding the veterinary educational program to include thorough instruction on prudent antibiotic usage and the concepts of one health.


Assuntos
Antibacterianos , Médicos Veterinários , Animais , Humanos , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Prescrições , Inquéritos e Questionários
4.
Georgian Med News ; (343): 165-171, 2023 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38096535

RESUMO

Parkinson's Disease in Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) is a complex condition characterized by a variety of cognitive problems that coexist with the physical symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aims to examine the different medical indicators and associated tendencies among different PD-MCI groups. We investigated 132 people who had been given PD-MCI diagnoses. Utilizing SPSS, statistical evaluations are carried out. In overall PD-MCI variants, this investigation found that visuospatial ability and attentional/executive performance are the most impaired cognitive areas. It was also noticed that distinct PD-MCI groups had variances in their neurological characteristics, in multi domain amnesia (Non-Memory) PD-MCI patients exhibiting especially severe issues with unstable posture and walking. The intricacy of PD- Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is highlighted by those results, which also imply that the interplay between mental and physical signs may be controlled by a number of interrelated factors, such as particular cognitive areas, brain surfaces, and the general level of cognitive impairment.


Assuntos
Disfunção Cognitiva , Doença de Parkinson , Humanos , Doença de Parkinson/complicações , Doença de Parkinson/epidemiologia , Doença de Parkinson/diagnóstico , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Disfunção Cognitiva/epidemiologia , Disfunção Cognitiva/diagnóstico , Atenção , Encéfalo
5.
Nature ; 537(7620): 378-81, 2016 09 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27629642

RESUMO

Nanocrystalline metals, with a mean grain size of less than 100 nanometres, have greater room-temperature strength than their coarse-grained equivalents, in part owing to a large reduction in grain size. However, this high strength generally comes with substantial losses in other mechanical properties, such as creep resistance, which limits their practical utility; for example, creep rates in nanocrystalline copper are about four orders of magnitude higher than those in typical coarse-grained copper. The degradation of creep resistance in nanocrystalline materials is in part due to an increase in the volume fraction of grain boundaries, which lack long-range crystalline order and lead to processes such as diffusional creep, sliding and rotation. Here we show that nanocrystalline copper-tantalum alloys possess an unprecedented combination of properties: high strength combined with extremely high-temperature creep resistance, while maintaining mechanical and thermal stability. Precursory work on this family of immiscible alloys has previously highlighted their thermo-mechanical stability and strength, which has motivated their study under more extreme conditions, such as creep. We find a steady-state creep rate of less than 10(-6) per second-six to eight orders of magnitude lower than most nanocrystalline metals-at various temperatures between 0.5 and 0.64 times the melting temperature of the matrix (1,356 kelvin) under an applied stress ranging from 0.85 per cent to 1.2 per cent of the shear modulus. The unusual combination of properties in our nanocrystalline alloy is achieved via a processing route that creates distinct nanoclusters of atoms that pin grain boundaries within the alloy. This pinning improves the kinetic stability of the grains by increasing the energy barrier for grain-boundary sliding and rotation and by inhibiting grain coarsening, under extremely long-term creep conditions. Our processing approach should enable the development of microstructurally stable structural alloys with high strength and creep resistance for various high-temperature applications, including in the aerospace, naval, civilian infrastructure and energy sectors.

6.
Environ Res ; 206: 112546, 2022 04 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34902377

RESUMO

The global environmental changes owing to natural and anthropogenic influences are challenging the structure and functioning of the ocean ecosystem. The complex processes interacting within the physical, chemical, and biological environment at different spatio-temporal scales and their impact on the ocean ecosystem processes are yet to be investigated. A long term trend on phytoplankton biomass in terms of Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), phytoplankton compositions and the processes that control the variability is required for understanding the ocean ecosystem. This study investigated decadal trends (2002-2015) of phytoplankton composition and biogeochemical parameters over the Global Ocean (GO), Southern Ocean (SO), and the Arctic Ocean (AO) using ocean color remote sensing and assimilated data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ocean biogeochemical model. The results revealed the dominance of larger cell phytoplankton mainly diatoms throughout the SO and AO; however, the coccolithophores dominate in the remaining part of the GO. Analysis of nutrients showed that nitrate is not a limiting factor for the variability of phytoplankton biomass in the SO and AO. The low nitrate concentration influenced in the rest of the GO. The photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) limiting the phytoplankton biomass and composition in the SO and AO. Although the SO is known as the high nutrient low chlorophyll (HNLC) region of the GO, the low iron concentration along with the PAR co-limits the growth of phytoplankton biomass. Trend analysis showed that an increase in Chl-a and diatoms in the SO and AO. In contrast, it declined significantly in the other regions of the GO, in response to the consistent increase in sea surface temperature. The results indicated that, shifting of phytoplankton community from regional to global scale have a greater implication for climate change and marine ecosystem.


Assuntos
Ecossistema , Fitoplâncton , Biomassa , Clorofila A/metabolismo , Mudança Climática , Oceanos e Mares , Fitoplâncton/metabolismo , Água do Mar/química
7.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 45(3): 537-550, 2022 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34669152

RESUMO

PURPOSE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and Diabetes mellitus affect each other bidirectionally. However, the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection on the incidence of diabetes is unclear. In the SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, host microRNAs (miRNAs) may target the native gene transcripts as well as the viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Here, we investigated the role of miRNAs in linking Diabetes to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human pancreas. METHODS: Differential gene expression and disease enrichment analyses were performed on an RNA-Seq dataset of human embryonic stem cell-derived (hESC) mock-infected and SARS-CoV-2-infected pancreatic organoids to obtain the dysregulated Diabetes-associated genes. The miRNA target prediction for the Diabetes-associated gene transcripts and the SARS-CoV-2 RNAs has been made to determine the common miRNAs targeting them. Minimum Free Energy (MFE) analysis was done to identify the miRNAs, preferably targeting SARS-CoV-2 RNAs over the Diabetes-associated gene transcripts. RESULTS: The gene expression and disease enrichment analyses of the RNA-Seq data have revealed five biomarker genes, i.e., CP, SOCS3, AGT, PSMB8 and CFB that are associated with Diabetes and get significantly upregulated in the pancreas following SARS-CoV-2-infection. Four miRNAs, i.e., hsa-miR-298, hsa-miR-3925-5p, hsa-miR-4691-3p and hsa-miR-5196-5p, showed preferential targeting of the SARS-CoV-2 genome over the cell's Diabetes-associated messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the human pancreas. CONCLUSION: Our study proposes that the differential targeting of the Diabetes-associated host genes by the miRNAs may lead to diabetic complications or new-onset Diabetes that can worsen the condition of COVID-19 patients.


Assuntos
COVID-19/epidemiologia , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Diabetes Mellitus/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , Pâncreas/virologia , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas/genética , Regiões 5' não Traduzidas/genética , COVID-19/virologia , Comorbidade , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/genética , Humanos , Pâncreas/química , Pâncreas/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Viral/genética
8.
Lett Appl Microbiol ; 74(4): 577-585, 2022 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34957584

RESUMO

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern worldwide. The gut microbiota harbours multiple antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) that contribute to the existing and future microbial population in a community or ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of 35 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the gut microbiota of the tribal people of Nabarangpur, Odisha, India. A total of 83 faecal samples were collected from three different tribes (Bhatra, Gond, and Paraja). Total faecal DNA was extracted, and the simplex polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect selected ARGs. Further analysis was done to estimate the incidence of these ARGs across these tribes based on alcohol consumption habits. We identified a higher prevalence of tetracycline resistance genes (tetW, tetQ and tetM) in the gut microbiota among three populations. Furthermore, a significant (P = 0·024) difference in ARG prevalence against vancomycin in individuals with and without alcohol consumption habits was noticed. The overall distribution of ARGs among the three major tribes of this location was found to be very similar. Together, irrespective of the tribes, the people of this location have gut microbiota harbouring different kinds of ARGs and tetracycline-resistant genes are the most commonly found ARGs.


Assuntos
Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Resistência Microbiana a Medicamentos/genética , Ecossistema , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/genética , Genes Bacterianos/genética , Humanos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Prevalência
9.
Br Poult Sci ; 63(5): 720-729, 2022 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35363112

RESUMO

1. Moulting is a natural physiological process in birds when they shed their old feathers and replace them with new ones, and it is followed by reproductive quiescence resulting in reduced egg production. Different birds undergo moulting at different points in their life. Some birds have seasonal moulting while some moult at the end of their breeding cycle. This review will mainly focus on moulting practices associated with commercial layer birds because, in all other bird types, this is not managed.2. Commercial farms commonly analyse the cost-benefit ratio to decide the time and method to adopt for moulting. Commercial layer farms adopt different practices to force birds out of moult and restart the production cycle. Animal welfare groups consider this as stressful and against animal welfare, raising questions about the ethics of this practice.3. Many studies have been conducted using complete or partial feed withdrawal and non-feed withdrawal programs to measure their effectiveness in maintaining animal welfare, economy, and post-moult performance in mind.4. Animal welfare should not be compromised during moulting. The United States Egg Producers and other such groups from the United Kingdom and Europe have decided to sell eggs produced only through a non-feed withdrawal moulting programs.


Assuntos
Galinhas , Muda , Animais , Feminino , Muda/fisiologia , Galinhas/fisiologia , Óvulo , Plumas/fisiologia , Reprodução
10.
J Radiol Prot ; 41(2)2021 06 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33571976

RESUMO

A study has been carried out to experimentally determine the calibration factor (CF) of the passive bronchial dosimeter, which consists of a direct radon progeny sensor capped with a 100-wire mesh. First, the CF was determined in controlled environmental conditions simulated in a calibration chamber. With aerosol concentrations varying from 104p cm-3to 105p cm-3and relative humidity varying from 60% to 80% in the chamber, CF was observed to be nearly constant with an average value of (3.8 ± 0.5) × 10-3mSv tracks-1cm2. Then, the CF was determined in real indoor environments in which it was again observed to be almost constant and the mean value was found to be (5.6 ± 0.1) × 10-3mSv tracks-1cm2. Pooling all the data on CFs obtained under controlled conditions and in real indoor environments, a lognormal distribution of the CF was observed with a geometric mean and geometric standard deviation of 0.0052 mSv tracks-1cm2and 1.28 respectively. The experimentally determined value of CF was found to be in close agreement with the theoretically estimated value, taking into consideration the unattached fraction of radon progeny. This dosimeter is passive, cheap, lightweight and, moreover, the CF being stable against environmental variations, will be useful in monitoring inhalation doses due to radon progeny for occupational workers.


Assuntos
Poluentes Radioativos do Ar , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados , Monitoramento de Radiação , Radônio , Poluentes Radioativos do Ar/análise , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/análise , Humanos , Dosímetros de Radiação , Radônio/análise , Produtos de Decaimento de Radônio/análise , Telas Cirúrgicas
11.
J Appl Microbiol ; 129(3): 753-767, 2020 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32145053

RESUMO

AIMS: To examine the modulation of the interacting partners of the calcineurin (CaN)-NFAT pathway in T cells during Cryptococcus neoformans fungal infection and post-T11TS immunotherapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wistar rats were infected with C. neoformans and followed by immunotherapy with immune-potentiator T11TS. T cells were analysed by flow cytometry, immunoblotting and nuclear translocation study. The signalling proteins LCK, FYN, LAT, PLCγ1 and CaN in T cells were regulated by C. neoformans infection resulting in reduced nuclear translocation of NFAT and IL-2 expression. Following T11TS immunotherapy, the expressions of the above-mentioned proteins were boosted and thus resulting in the clearance of C. neoformans from lung and spleen. CONCLUSIONS: The precise mechanism of suppression of the T-cell function by C. neoformans is still unknown. Previously, we have shown that T11TS positively regulates the function of T cells to abrogate glioma and other immunosuppressive conditions. T11TS immunotherapy increased the expression of the above signalling partners of the CaN-NFAT pathway in T cells and improved nuclear retention of NFAT. As a result, an increased IL-2 expression leads to activation and proliferation of T cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results demonstrate the role of T11TS in restoring the CaN-NFAT signalling pathway in T cells. It identifies T11TS as an immunotherapeutic agent with potential clinical outcomes to counteract C. neoformans infection.


Assuntos
Antígenos CD58/uso terapêutico , Calcineurina/metabolismo , Criptococose/terapia , Fatores de Transcrição NFATC/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Animais , Criptococose/imunologia , Criptococose/microbiologia , Cryptococcus neoformans/efeitos dos fármacos , Cryptococcus neoformans/imunologia , Imunoterapia/métodos , Interleucina-2/metabolismo , Ativação Linfocitária/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Ovinos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/metabolismo
12.
Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) ; 18(71): 320-323, 2020.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34158445

RESUMO

Solid Pseudo-papillary Tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare tumor which typically affects young women without any significant clinical symptoms. Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor usually shows an indolent behavior and only rare cases recur and/or metastasize after complete resection. Here is a case report of 18 years old girl who presented to our centre with complaints of severe epigastric pain and underwent pancreatic parenchyma saving surgery for a large pancreatic head mass. In conclusion, Solid Pseudo-papillary Tumor being a large tumor possess a low malignant potential in which R0 resection has excellent prognosis.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Papilar , Neoplasias Pancreáticas , Adolescente , Carcinoma Papilar/diagnóstico , Carcinoma Papilar/cirurgia , Feminino , Humanos , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia , Pâncreas , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/cirurgia , Prognóstico
13.
Dokl Biochem Biophys ; 488(1): 293-295, 2019 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31768843

RESUMO

The interaction of the GAF protein with the promoters of neuron-specific genes during activation and repression of transcription was studied. We showed that, while the Su(Hw) protein remains stably associated with the promoters of these genes at different transcriptional state, the GAF protein level is significantly higher when transcription is activated.


Assuntos
Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/biossíntese , Proteínas de Drosophila/biossíntese , Proteínas de Drosophila/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Proteínas Repressoras/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição/biossíntese , Transcrição Gênica , Animais , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Proteínas de Drosophila/genética , Drosophila melanogaster , Proteínas Repressoras/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/genética
14.
BMC Pediatr ; 18(1): 4, 2018 01 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29310616

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Partial trisomy is often the result of an unbalanced segregation of a parental balanced translocation. Partial trisomy16q is characterized by a common, yet non-specific group of craniofacial dysmorphic features, and systemic malformations with limited post-natal survival. Most of the cases of partial trisomy 16q described in the scientific literature have reported only one, or less frequently two cardiac defects in the affected babies. Herein, we report a case of partial trisomy 16q21➔qter with multiple and complex cardiac defects that have not previously been reported in association with this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the phenotypic and cytogenetic features of a Sri Lankan female infant with partial trisomy 16q21➔qter. The baby had a triangular face with downslanting eyes, low set ears and a cleft palate. Systemic abnormalities included multiple cardiac defects, namely double outlet right ventricle, ostium secundum atrial septal defect, mild pulmonary stenosis, small patent ductus arteriosus, and bilateral superior vena cavae. An anteriorly placed anus was also observed. The proband was trisomic for 16q21➔qter chromosomal region with a karyotype, 46,XX,der(15)t(15;16)(p13;q21)mat. The chromosomal anomaly was the result of an unbalanced segregation of a maternal balanced translocation; 46,XX,t(15;16)(p13;q21). Partial trisomy 16q was established by fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The craniofacial dysmorphic features and the presence of cardiac and anorectal malformation in the proband are consistent with the phenotypic spectrum of partial trisomy 16q reported in the scientific literature. More proximal breakpoints in chromosome 16q are known to be associated with multiple cardiac abnormalities and poor long-term survival of affected cases. This report presents a unique case with multiple, complex cardiac defects that have not previously been described in association with a distal breakpoint in 16q. These findings have important diagnostic and prognostic implications.


Assuntos
Anormalidades Múltiplas/diagnóstico , Anormalidades Múltiplas/genética , Translocação Genética , Trissomia , Canal Anal/anormalidades , Cromossomos Humanos Par 16 , Anormalidades Craniofaciais/diagnóstico , Anormalidades Craniofaciais/genética , Feminino , Cardiopatias Congênitas/diagnóstico , Cardiopatias Congênitas/genética , Humanos , Recém-Nascido
15.
Insect Mol Biol ; 26(2): 127-139, 2017 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27991710

RESUMO

RNA interference (RNAi) refers to the process of post-transcriptional silencing of cellular mRNA by the application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). RNAi strategies have been widely employed to regulate gene expression in plants and animals including insects. With the availability of the full genome sequences of major vector mosquitoes, RNAi has been increasingly used to conduct genetic studies of human pathogens in mosquito vectors and to study the evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. This review summarizes the recent progress in our understanding of mosquito-pathogen interactions using RNAi and various methods of dsRNA delivery in mosquitoes at different stages. We also discuss potential applications of this technology to develop novel tools for vector control.


Assuntos
Controle de Mosquitos , Interferência de RNA , RNA de Cadeia Dupla/administração & dosagem , Animais , Nanotecnologia
16.
Phys Rev Lett ; 119(10): 106102, 2017 Sep 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28949171

RESUMO

Two basic lattice distortions permeate the structural phase diagram of oxide perovskites: antiferrodistortive (AFD) rotations and tilts of the oxygen octahedral network and polar ferroelectric modes. With some notable exceptions, these two order parameters rarely coexist in a bulk crystal, and understanding their competition is a lively area of active research. Here we demonstrate, by using the LaAlO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} system as a test case, that quantum confinement can be a viable tool to shift the balance between AFD and polar modes and selectively stabilize one of the two phases. By combining scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and first-principles-based models, we find a crossover between a bulklike LaAlO_{3} structure where AFD rotations prevail, to a strongly polar state with no AFD tilts at a thickness of approximately three unit cells; therefore, in addition to the celebrated electronic reconstruction, our work unveils a second critical thickness, related not to the electronic properties but to the structural ones. We discuss the implications of these findings, both for the specifics of the LaAlO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} system and for the general quest towards nanoscale control of material properties.

17.
Phys Rev Lett ; 118(19): 194801, 2017 May 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28548516

RESUMO

We report experimental evidence that multi-MeV protons accelerated in relativistic laser-plasma interactions are modulated by strong filamentary electromagnetic fields. Modulations are observed when a preplasma is developed on the rear side of a µm-scale solid-density hydrogen target. Under such conditions, electromagnetic fields are amplified by the relativistic electron Weibel instability and are maximized at the critical density region of the target. The analysis of the spatial profile of the protons indicates the generation of B>10 MG and E>0.1 MV/µm fields with a µm-scale wavelength. These results are in good agreement with three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and analytical estimates, which further confirm that this process is dominant for different target materials provided that a preplasma is formed on the rear side with scale length ≳0.13λ_{0}sqrt[a_{0}]. These findings impose important constraints on the preplasma levels required for high-quality proton acceleration for multipurpose applications.

18.
Parasite Immunol ; 39(4)2017 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28208221

RESUMO

Cellular hyporesponsiveness observed during helminth infections is attributed to factors such as antigen-presenting cells (APC) dysfunction, increased interleukin-10(IL-10), regulatory T cells and induction of CD4+ T (Th)-cell apoptosis. Increased Fas ligand (FasL) expression on the surface of B-1 cells and induction of apoptosis of Th cells by FasL-expressing B-1 cells due to helminth infection were demonstrated in murine model of helminth infection where as profile of FasL expression, Th-cell apoptosis and correlation between these two populations of cells in clinical filariasis remain unknown. In this study, we have scored the profile of apoptotic Th-cell population and FasL-expressing B-1 cells in different clinical categories of filariasis. The peripheral apoptotic T-helper cells were significantly increased in filarial patients compared to endemic controls. Expression of FasL on the surface of peripheral B-1 cells increased in filarial patients and positively correlated with peripheral apoptotic T-helper cells indicating FasL-expressing B-1 cells may be one of the important mediators of Th-cell apoptosis and immune anergy during filarial pathology.


Assuntos
Apoptose , Subpopulações de Linfócitos B/imunologia , Filariose/imunologia , Linfócitos T Auxiliares-Indutores/imunologia , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Anergia Clonal , Proteína Ligante Fas/genética , Filariose/patologia , Humanos , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/imunologia , Linfócitos T Auxiliares-Indutores/patologia , Receptor fas/metabolismo
19.
Parasite Immunol ; 39(9)2017 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28665520

RESUMO

Although the precise host-defence mechanisms are not completely understood, T-cell-mediated immune responses are believed to play a pivotal role in controlling parasite infection. In this study, the potential HLA*A2 restricted peptides were predicted and the ability of peptides to bind HLA-A*02 was confirmed by a MHC stabilization assay. Two of the peptides tested stabilized HLA-A*02: (a) LLATTVSGL (P1) and (b) LMTNGPLEV (P3). The potential of the peptides to generate protective immune response was evaluated in patients with treated visceral leishmaniasis as well as in healthy control subjects. Our data suggest that CD8+ T-cell proliferation against the selected peptide was significantly higher compared to unstimulated culture conditions. The stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with epitopes individually or as a cocktail upregulated IFN-γ production, which indicates its pivotal role in protective immune response. The IFN-γ production was mainly in a CD8+ T-cells-dependent manner, which suggested that these epitopes had an immunoprophylactic potential in a MHC class I-dependent manner. Moreover, no role of the CD3+ T cell was observed in the IL-10 production against the selected peptides, and no role was found in disease pathogenesis. Further studies on the role of these synthetic peptides may contribute significantly to developing a polytope vaccine idea towards leishmaniasis.


Assuntos
Cisteína Proteases/imunologia , Epitopos de Linfócito T/imunologia , Antígeno HLA-A2/imunologia , Leishmania/imunologia , Vacinas contra Leishmaniose/imunologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Proliferação de Células , Cisteína Proteases/química , Epitopos de Linfócito T/química , Feminino , Antígeno HLA-A2/química , Humanos , Imunogenicidade da Vacina , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Leishmania/enzimologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/tratamento farmacológico , Leishmaniose Visceral/parasitologia , Leucócitos Mononucleares/imunologia , Masculino , Modelos Moleculares , Peptídeos/síntese química , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/imunologia , Adulto Jovem
20.
J Radiol Prot ; 37(2): 379-389, 2017 Jun 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28418936

RESUMO

Experiments have been carried out using the deposition-based Direct Thoron Progeny Sensors (DTPS) in a thoron experimental house. The objective was to study the thoron decay product characteristics such as the deposition velocities, spatial variability and dependence on aerosol particle concentrations. Since the deposition velocity is an important characteristic in the calibration of the DTPS, it is very important to study its dependence on aerosol concentration in a controlled environment. At low aerosol concentration (1500 particles/cm3) the mean effective deposition velocity was measured to be 0.159 ± 0.045 m h-1; at high aerosol concentration (30 000 particles/cm3) it decreased to 0.079 ± 0.009 m h-1. The deposition velocity for the attached fraction of the thoron decay products did not change with increasing aerosol concentration, showing measurement results of 0.048 ± 0.005 m h-1 and 0.043 ± 0.014 m h-1, respectively. At low particle concentration, the effective deposition velocity showed large scattering within the room at different distances from center. The attached fraction deposition velocity remained uniform at different distances from the wall. The measurements in the thoron experimental house can be used as a sensitivity test of the DTPS in an indoor environment with changing aerosol concentration. The uniform spatial distribution of thoron decay products was confirmed within the experimental house. This indicates that direct measurement of thoron decay product concentration should be carried out instead of inferring it from thoron gas concentration, which is very inhomogeneous within the experimental house.


Assuntos
Poluentes Radioativos do Ar/análise , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/análise , Habitação , Monitoramento de Radiação/métodos , Produtos de Decaimento de Radônio/análise , Radônio/análise , Aerossóis , Movimentos do Ar , Calibragem , Exposição Ambiental , Modelos Teóricos
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