Complexed rheumatoid factor measurements in sera, synovial fluids and in immune complex fractions.

Mild acidic treatment increases the rheumatoid factor titre of some sera and synovial fluids (SF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile RA (JRA) and most frequently in rheumatoid vasculitis. This unmasking of 'hidden' RF in serum and SF samples correlated with the RF-immune complexes (RF-IC) and complexed C4 present in the 3% polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitates, indicating that by means of 'hidden' RF measurements RF-ICs are possibly detected. This method seems to provide a diagnostic tool for detecting RF-ICs in RA and other related diseases.     

Distinguishing causality principles

We distinguish two sub-types of each of the two causality principles formulated in connection with the Common Cause Principle in Henson (2005) and raise and investigate the problem of logical relations among the resulting four causality principles. Based in part on the analysis of the status of these four principles in algebraic quantum field theory we will argue that the four causal principles are non-equivalent.     

Predictability of Plastic Parts Behaviour Made from Rapid Manufacturing

One of the most important issues to resolve in parts manufactured from rapid manufacturing (RM) technologies is to know their behavior working under real conditions. Total quality manufacturing (TQM) is only possible if mechanical properties are well known in the design stage depending on the processing parameters. This work is mainly focused on testing of several samples made with different selective laser sintering (SLS) parameters and technologies. This procedure is the starting point to establish a basis for designing for RM and the standardization of RM testing. The experiments and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyzed the effects of several factors on mechanical properties. The SLS technologies were 3DSystem and EOS. The results show which factor has a large effect on the variables and the interaction between them. The conclusions are very useful for developing rules for designing (designing for RM) and creating new standard rules (ISO, AISI, and DIN) for RM materials and parts testing. The ANOVA gives a better knowledge of the effects of these factors and eliminates unimportant parameters.     

Histone H3 lysine 9 methylation is an epigenetic imprint of facultative heterochromatin.

Post-translational modifications of histone amino termini are an important regulatory mechanism that induce transitions in chromatin structure, thereby contributing to epigenetic gene control and the assembly of specialized chromosomal subdomains. Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3-Lys9) by site-specific histone methyltransferases (Suv39h HMTases) marks constitutive heterochromatin. Here, we show that H3-Lys9 methylation also occurs in facultative heterochromatin of the inactive X chromosome (Xi) in female mammals. H3-Lys9 methylation is retained through mitosis, indicating that it might provide an epigenetic imprint for the maintenance of the inactive state. Disruption of the two mouse Suv39h HMTases abolishes H3-Lys9 methylation of constitutive heterochromatin but not that of the Xi. In addition, HP1 proteins, which normally associate with heterochromatin, do not accumulate with the Xi. These observations suggest the existence of an Suv39h-HP1-independent pathway regulating H3-Lys9 methylation of facultative heterochromatin.     

Construction of an improved baculovirus insecticide containing an insect-specific toxin gene

Baculoviruses provide alternatives to chemicals for controlling insect pests and can be applied by spraying. Baculoviruses have a limited host range, but work relatively slowly. They are dissolved in the midgut of insect larvae to release infectious virions which enter gut epithelial cells and begin to replicate. Replication in other organs causes extensive tissue damage and eventually death. This process can take 4-5 days, but in the field may last for more than a week, allowing the larvae to feed for longer and thereby damaging the host plant. Baculovirus expression vectors expressing foreign genes, such as those for insect-specific toxins, hormones or enzymes, might alleviate this problem. We have now constructed a recombinant baculovirus derived from Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus containing an insect-specific neurotoxin from the venom of the North African (Algerian) scorpion, Androctonus australis Hector. The neurotoxin acts by causing specific modifications to the Na+ conductance of neurons, producing a presynaptic excitatory effect leading to paralysis and death; it has no effect in mice. Expression of the neurotoxin by the virus causes a reduction in the time required to kill the host insect.     

Releasable GABA in tubular epithelium of rat kidney

Summary The distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the rat kidney was examined by immunocytochemical techniques. GABA-like immunoreactivity (GABA-LI) was predominantly confined to the renal tubules, including the ascending parts of the distal tubules, and the loops of Henle, the collecting tubules and ducts, and the connective parts of the convoluted tubules. In GABA-positive cortical tubules, about half of the epithelial cells were labelled. The labelled cell type showed the ultrastructural features of principal cells. Depolarizing stimulation by ouabain and high K⁺ concentration evoked the efflux of endogenous GABA from kidney slices. The present findings, along with previous results, suggest that GABA released from renal tubular epithelium, and transported with the urine, might be involved in the modulation of contractility in the urinary tract.     

以龙舌兰蔗渣作为还原剂使磁铁矿精矿有效地金属化

The reduction behavior and metallization degree of magnetite concentrate with agave bagasse were investigated in an inert atmosphere. The effects of temperature, biomass content, and residence time on reduction experiments and metallization degree were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Compared with other types of biomass, agave bagasse had lower contents of nitrogen, sulfur, and ash. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the metallization degree improved with increasing temperature and biomass content. Complete metallization was achieved at 1100°C for 30 min with 65:35 and 50:50 ratios of the magnetite concentrate to the agave bagasse. These results demonstrate that agave bagasse promotes the efficient metallization of magnetite concentrate without the external addition of a reducing agent. Therefore, this biomass is a technical suitable alternative to replace fossil fuels in steelmaking.