Multimodel Approach for Intelligent Control and Applications

IntroductionThemultimodelapproachappearsasapowerfultechniquetodealwithcomplex,nonlinearand/orilldefinedsystemsrepresentedusingasetofsimplelinearorsmoothlynonlinearmodelseachofthemallowingthegenerationofapartialcontroller.Differentapproachesexistintheliterature[1,2]tocopewiththetwokeypointsofthemultimodel/multicontrolstrategy:themodelbasisdeterminationandtheuseofpartialcontrollersinordertoderiveaglobalone.Hence,itappearsobviousthatoneofthemainobjectstofocusoninthemultimodel/multicontrolapproach…     

Inhibition of protein misfolding and aggregation by natural phenolic compounds

Protein misfolding and aggregation into fibrillar deposits is a common feature of a large group of degenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system or peripheral organs, termed protein misfolding disorders (PMDs). Despite their established toxic nature, clinical trials aiming to reduce misfolded aggregates have been unsuccessful in treating or curing PMDs. An interesting possibility for disease intervention is the regular intake of natural food or herbal extracts, which contain active molecules that inhibit aggregation or induce the disassembly of misfolded aggregates. Among natural compounds, phenolic molecules are of particular interest, since most have dual activity as amyloid aggregation inhibitors and antioxidants. In this article, we review many phenolic natural compounds which have been reported in diverse model systems to have the potential to delay or prevent the development of various PMDs, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, prion diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, systemic amyloidosis, and type 2 diabetes. The lower toxicity of natural compounds compared to synthetic chemical molecules suggest that they could serve as a good starting point to discover protein misfolding inhibitors that might be useful for the treatment of various incurable diseases.     

Radioprotectors from pyrodextrins

Cornstarch heated in the range of 230–280°C depolymerized into pyrodextrins characterized by two-component EPR signals of relatively stable free radicals. These thermally generated radicals could serve as efficient scavengers for free radicals generated from pyrodextrins with the 200 Gy dose of γ-radiation. The most efficient traps/scavengers were produced from cornstarch at 250–280°C. IR data indicated incorporation of the OH groups to the pyrodextrins. These groups most probably originated from the OH· radicals formed by the radiolysis of water. EPR spectra provided evidence for trapping free radicals generated by γ-irradiation and for their subsequent annihilation on contact with pyrodextrins. Water affected radical processes occurring in pyrodextrins caused by γ-irradiation.     

Cortisone sensitive T-cells in Peyer's patches

Summary Pretreatment of donor lymphoid cells with cortisone has been shown to depress the T-cell subpopulation responsible for cellular proliferation in the GVH reaction. A quantitative assay as well as the histological criteria of the GVH reaction have been used in this study to demonstrate the presence of cortisone-sensitive T-cells within the Peyer's patches as well as in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in the rat.This work was supported by a grant of the Délégation Générale à la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (No. 74-7-0619).     

Common loss-of-function variants of the epidermal barrier protein filaggrin are a major predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis

Atopic disease, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergy and asthma, has increased in frequency in recent decades and now affects approximately 20% of the population in the developed world. Twin and family studies have shown that predisposition to atopic disease is highly heritable. Although most genetic studies have focused on immunological mechanisms, a primary epithelial barrier defect has been anticipated. Filaggrin is a key protein that facilitates terminal differentiation of the epidermis and formation of the skin barrier. Here we show that two independent loss-of-function genetic variants (R510X and 2282del4) in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) are very strong predisposing factors for atopic dermatitis. These variants are carried by approximately 9% of people of European origin. These variants also show highly significant association with asthma occurring in the context of atopic dermatitis. This work establishes a key role for impaired skin barrier function in the development of atopic disease.     

Alteration in the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones during dimethylbenzathracene induction of mammary tumors in rats]

In a sensitive strain of Rat (Sprague-Dawley) a deregulation of the secretion of some pituitary hormones was noted in the female during induction of mammary tumors by dimethylbenzanthracene administration. The deregulation occurred quickly and depended on the stage of the estrous cycle. It mainly consists of hyposecretion of gonadotropins. TSH and GH and of hypersecretion of prolactin.     

Gastrin: Obligatory intermediate in the postprandial mobilization of gastric histamine in the rat

Summary In unoperated fasted rats, feeding raised the serum gastrin concentration, reduced the gastric mucosal histamine content and activated the gastric histidine decarboxylase. The reduction of gastric histamine and activation of histidine decarboxylase was induced also by the injection of pentagastrin. In antrectomized rats, feeding failed to produce these effects. Injection of pentagastrin, however, still lowered gastric histamine and activated gastric histidine decarboxylase. Thus, antral gastrin seems to be an obligatory mediator of the postprandial activation of histidine decarboxylase and mobilization of histamine.Acknowledgments. Grant support from the Swedish and Danish Medical Research Councils (14P-4822, 04X-1007, 17X-4144 and 512-2540).     

Renal handling of bilirubin photoderivatives

Summary The renal handling of unconjugated bilirubin in the dark and during light exposure was analyzed using an isolated rat kidney preparation. The parameters tested were pigment disappearance from the perfusion medium, pigment uptake by tissue, and its renal clearance. The results indicated that despite the fact that pigment disappearance from the medium was similar for both forms of pigment, the extraction ratio was higher for irradiated pigment than for pigment in the dark. When renal clearance of pigment was plotted vs pigment uptake of tissue, the results indicated that irradiated pigment may be more efficiently removed by the kidney. In addition, data on the rate of secretion of p-aminohippurate suggested that both pigment forms shared a common site for secretion.13 August 1986Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grants from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), República Argentina. The valuable technical assistance of J. Pellegrino and E. Luque is gratefully acknowledged. We are also indebted to Dr S. Bravlavsky (Max-Planck Institut für Strahlenchemie, D-4330 Mülheim a. d. Ruhr, FRG) for stimulating discussion, and to Mr B. Leguizamón for secretarial assistance.     

Genetic control of dormancy in the potato cyst-nematode

Summary Matings of early-hatched parents of the potato cyst-nematode:H. rostochiensis, gave F₁ which hatched early-late-hatched parents gave progeny which showed dormancy, the extent fo which was in most instances determined by the parents' time of hatching. It is suggested that dormancy is genetically controlled.