Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning protects against traumatic brain injury at high altitude

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that preconditioning with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) can reduce ischemic and hemorrhagic brain injury. We investigated effects of HBO preconditioning on traumatic brain injury (TBI) at high altitude and examined the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in such protection.

METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: HBO preconditioning group (HBOP; n = 13), high-altitude group (HA; n = 13), and high-altitude sham operation group (HASO; n = 13). All groups were subjected to head trauma by weight-drop device, except for HASO group. HBOP rats received 5 sessions of HBO preconditioning (2.5 ATA, 100% oxygen, 1 h daily) and then were kept in hypobaric chamber at 0.6 ATA (to simulate pressure at 4000m altitude) for 3 days before operation. HA rats received control pretreatment (1 ATA, room air, 1 h daily), then followed the same procedures as HBOP group. HASO rats were subjected to skull opening only without brain injury. Twenty-four hours after TBI, 7 rats from each group were examined for neurological function and brain water content; 6 rats from each group were killed for analysis by H&E staining and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Neurological outcome in HBOP group (0.71 +/- 0.49) was better than HA group (1.57 +/- 0.53; p < 0.05). Preconditioning with HBO significantly reduced percentage of brain water content (86.24 +/- 0.52 vs. 84.60 +/- 0.37; p < 0.01). Brain morphology and structure seen by light microscopy was diminished in HA group, while fewer pathological injuries occurred in HBOP group. Compared to HA group, pretreatment with HBO significantly reduced the number of MMP-9-positive cells (92.25 +/- 8.85 vs. 74.42 +/- 6.27; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

HBO preconditioning attenuates TBI in rats at high altitude. Decline in MMP-9 expression may contribute to HBO preconditioning-induced protection of brain tissue against TBI.

Search for neutral Higgs Bosons at high tanbeta in the b(h/H/A)-->btau;{+}tau;{-} channel

The first search in pp[over ] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV for the production of neutral Higgs bosons in association with bottom quarks and decaying in two tau leptons is presented. The cross section for this process is enhanced in many extensions of the standard model, such as its minimal supersymmetric extension (MSSM) at large tanbeta. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 328 pb;{-1}, were collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. An upper limit is set on the production cross section of neutral Higgs bosons in the mass range of 90 to 150 GeV, and this limit is used to exclude part of the MSSM parameter space.

Search for associated W and Higgs Boson production in pp[over ] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We present results of a search for WH-->lnubb[over ] production in pp[over ] collisions based on the analysis of 1.05 fb;{-1} of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron, using a neural network for separating the signal from backgrounds. No signal-like excess is observed, and we set 95% C.L. upper limits on the WH production cross section multiplied by the branching ratio for H-->bb[over ] for Higgs boson masses between 100 and 150 GeV. For a mass of 115 GeV, we obtain an observed (expected) limit of 1.5 (1.4) pb, a factor of 11.4 (10.7) times larger than the standard model prediction.

Measurement of the semileptonic branching ratio of B_{s};{0} to an orbitally excited D_{s};{**} state: Br(B_{s};{0}-->D_{s1};{-}(2536)mu;{+}nuX)

In a data sample of approximately 1.3 fb;{-1} collected with the D0 detector between 2002 and 2006, the orbitally excited charm state D_{s1};{+/-}(2536) has been observed with a measured mass of 2535.7+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.5(syst) MeV/c;{2} via the decay mode B_{s};{0}-->D_{s1};{-}(2536)mu;{+}nu_{mu}X. A first measurement is made of the branching ratio product Br(b[over ]-->D_{s1};{-}(2536)mu;{+}nu_{mu}X)xBr(D_{s1};{-}-->D;{*-}K_{S};{0}). Assuming that D_{s1};{-}(2536) production in semileptonic decay is entirely from B_{s};{0}, an extraction of the semileptonic branching ratio Br(B_{s};{0}-->D_{s1};{-}(2536)mu;{+}nu_{mu}X) is made.

Search for large extra spatial dimensions in the dielectron and diphoton channels in pp[over ] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report on a search for large extra spatial dimensions in the dielectron and diphoton channels using a data sample of 1.05 fb;{-1} of pp[over ] collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The invariant mass spectrum of the data agrees well with the prediction of the standard model. We find the most restrictive 95% C.L. lower limits on the effective Planck scale between 2.1 and 1.3 TeV for 2 to 7 extra dimensions.

Modulation of inflammatory response via alpha2-adrenoceptor blockade in acute murine colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by heavy production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta. Interactions of the autonomic nervous system with local immune cells play an important role in the development of IBD, and the balance of autonomic nerve function is broken in IBD patients with sympathetic overactivity. However, the function of catecholamines in the progress of colitis is unclear. In this study, we examined the role of catecholamines via alpha2-adrenoreceptor in acute murine colitis. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine b-hydroxylase (DBH), two rate-limiting enzymes in catecholamine synthesis, was detected by immunohistochemistry in murine colitis. Murine colitis was induced by dextran sodium sulphate or trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS), and the mice were administered RX821002 or UK14304, alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists or agonists. Colitis was evaluated by clinical symptoms, myeloperoxidase assay, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta production and histology. Lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) from mice with TNBS colitis were cultured in the absence or presence of RX821002 or UK14304, and stimulated further by lipopolysaccharide. TH and DBH are induced in LPMCs of inflamed colon, the evidence of catecholamine synthesis during the process of colitis. RX821002 down-regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines from LPMCs, while UK14304 leads to exacerbation of colitis. Together, our data show a critical role of catecholamines via alpha2-adrenoreceptors in the progress of acute colitis, and suggest that use of the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist represents a novel therapeutic approach for the management of colitis.

Screening the missing electron: nanochemistry in action

The excitement of nano-test-tube chemistry in a single-walled carbon nanotube is exemplified in our study on electron doping in carbon nanotubes. Electron doping through the 1D van Hove singularity of single-walled carbon nanotubes is realized via a chemical reaction of an encapsulated organocerium compound, CeCp3. The decomposition of CeCp3 inside the carbon nanotubes increases the doping level and greatly enhances the density of conduction electrons. The transition of the cerium encapsulating semiconducting tubes to metallic results in enhanced screening of the photoexcited core hole potential. This fact illustrates the importance of many body effects in understanding core-level excitation process in carbon nanotubes.

Measurement of the angular and lifetime parameters of the decays Bd0-->J/psiK*0 and Bs0-->J/psiphi

We present measurements of the linear polarization amplitudes and the strong relative phases that describe the flavor-untagged decays Bd0-->J/psiK*0 and Bs0-->J/psiphi in the transversity basis. We also measure the mean lifetime taus of the Bs0 mass eigenstates and the lifetime ratio taus/taud. The analyses are based on approximately 2.8 fb(-1) of data recorded with the D0 detector. From our measurements of the angular parameters we conclude that there is no evidence for a deviation from flavor SU(3) symmetry for these decays and that the factorization assumption is not valid for the Bd0-->J/psiK*0 decay.

Genetic evaluation of fertility traits of dairy cattle using a multiple-trait animal model

A genetic evaluation system was developed for 5 fertility traits of dairy cattle: interval from first to successful insemination and nonreturn rate to 56 d of heifers, and interval from calving to first insemination, nonreturn rate to 56 d, and interval first to successful insemination of cows. Using the 2 interval traits of cows as components, breeding values for days open were derived. A multiple-trait animal model was applied to evaluate these fertility traits. Fertility traits of later lactations of cows were treated as repeated measurements. Genetic parameters were estimated by REML. Mixed model equations of the genetic evaluation model were solved with preconditioned conjugate gradients or the Gauss-Seidel algorithm and iteration on data techniques. Reliabilities of estimated breeding values were approximated with a multi-trait effective daughter contribution method. Daughter yield deviations and associated effective daughter contributions were calculated with a multiple trait approach. The genetic evaluation software was applied to the insemination data of dairy cattle breeds in Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, and it was validated with various statistical methods. Genetic trends were validated. Small heritability estimates were obtained for all the fertility traits, ranging from 1% for nonreturn rate of heifers to 4% for interval calving to first insemination. Genetic and environmental correlations were low to moderate among the traits. Notably, unfavorable genetic trends were obtained in all the fertility traits. Moderate to high correlations were found between daughter yield-deviations and estimated breeding values (EBV) for Holstein bulls. Because of much lower heritabilities of the fertility traits, the correlations of daughter yield deviations with EBV were significantly lower than those from production traits and lower than the correlations from type traits and longevity. Fertility EBV were correlated unfavorably with EBV of milk production traits but favorably with udder health and longevity. Integrating fertility traits into a total merit selection index can halt or reverse the decline of fertility and improve the longevity of dairy cattle.

Expression of osteopontin in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps

BACKGROUND

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional 34-kDa extracellular matrix protein that can influence the inflammatory process. However, the presence of OPN in human sinonasal mucosa and its roles in the inflammatory process of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are not clear. This study investigated the expression of OPN in human sinonasal mucosa, its cytokine-driven expression regulation, and its effect on cytokine production in sinonasal mucosa.

METHODS

Surgical samples were investigated by means of quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for evaluation of OPN messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, and the presence and location of OPN protein expression were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, nasal explant culture was used to investigate the mutual regulatory interactions between interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and OPN in sinonasal mucosa.

RESULTS

Osteopontin expression was significantly upregulated in CRS tissues compared with control tissues. There was a further significant increase of OPN expression in patients with nasal polyps (NPs) and asthma. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining of OPN in epithelial cells, submucosal glands, infiltrating cells, and extracellular matrix. Osteopontin mRNA was induced by IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha, but inhibited by IL-4 and IL-13. On the contrary, OPN induced IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha production in sinonasal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of OPN is upregulated in CRS. The mutual regulatory interactions between OPN and inflammatory cytokines suggest that OPN may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CRS.

The Study of Rearing, Coping, Attributional Style and their Relations in Depression Adolescents

Background and aims:

To explore rearing, coping, attributional style and their relations in depression adolescents.

Methods:

64 adolescents with depressive disorder and 125 normal subjects of similar age, sex were presented with self-made social demographic scale, Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran-own memories of parental rearing practices in childhood (EMBU), Children attributional style questionnaire (CASQ) and Coping style questionnaire.

Results:

1.

Conclusion:

Depressive adolescents had negative coping style and attributional style, and mother’ rearing style may has relation with them.

Clara cell 10-kDa protein expression in chronic rhinosinusitis and its cytokine-driven regulation in sinonasal mucosa

BACKGROUND

Clara cell 10-kDa protein (CC10) is a multifunction protein with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects; hence we compared the CC10 expression between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with and without nasal polyps (NPs), analyzed its association with disease severity and response to surgery, and explored its regulation via cytokines.

METHODS

The plasma and tissue CC10 levels were compared between controls and CRS patients with and without NPs by means of quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Computed tomography (CT) scan and endoscopy findings and symptoms were scored. Nasal explant culture was used to explore the effect of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-4, INF-gamma, and IL-10 on CC10 gene regulation.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, the CC10 expression in sinonasal mucosa was significantly inhibited in both CRS patients with and without NPs. There was a significant further decrease of CC10 expression in patients with NPs and asthma. No difference in CC10 plasma levels was found between controls and patients. CC10 levels inversely correlated with preoperative CT scores, and postoperative endoscopy and symptom scores. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-4 inhibited, whereas INF-gamma and IL-10 promoted CC10 production in nasal mucosa. A significantly faster decay of CC10 transcripts was seen after IL-1beta treatment. IL-1beta and IL-10 induced thyroid transcription factor-1 expression. INF-gamma increased, whereas IL-4 inhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor-3alpha expression.

CONCLUSION

CC10 may take part in the pathogenesis of CRS and correlates with disease severity and response to surgery. Different cytokines can regulate CC10 expression in nasal mucosa differentially through modulating mRNA stability and certain transcriptional factors expression.

Tripterygium wilfordii hook f increase the blood concentration of tacrolimus

OBJECTIVE

To observe the influence of the Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (T II) on the blood concentration of tacrolimus and analyze the impact of this effect.

METHOD

Twenty-two renal transplant receipts taking tacrolimus combined with the T II were selected for this study. We analyzed the blood concentrations and the rate of concentration compared with dosage (C/D rate) pre- and postcombination over 6 months. All cases underwent the CYP3A5 genotype test.

RESULT

The concentrations of tacrolimus were raised to a certain degree after the combination in all the cases. The first-time elevation differed from 1 week to 4 months. The C/D rate increased by 1.7 to 7.2 times with most evaluated C/D rates ranging from 1.8 to 3.8. The elevated C/D rate of the subgroup of CYP3A5 1/1 and 1/3 (n = 10) contrasted with the 3/3 genotype subgroup (n = 12: 2.99 +/- 1.71 vs 2.55 +/- 1.07; P = .472). The mycophenolate mofetil subgroup (n = 17) was not contrasted to the mizoribine subgroup (n = 5: 2.85 +/- 1.51 vs 2.31 +/- 0.26; P = .498).

CONCLUSION

T II considerably increased the blood concentration and the C/D rate of tacrolimus. The degree of increase was probably not related to the CYP3A5 genotype and the combination of immunosuppressive agents.

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the missing energy and acoplanar b-jet topology at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report a search for the standard model Higgs boson in the missing energy and acoplanar b-jet topology, using an integrated luminosity of 0.93 fb;{-1} recorded by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp[over ] Collider. The analysis includes signal contributions from pp[over ]-->ZH-->nunu[over ]bb[over ], as well as from WH production in which the charged lepton from the W boson decay is undetected. Neural networks are used to separate signal from background. In the absence of a signal, we set limits on sigma(pp[over ]-->VH)xB(H-->bb[over ]) at the 95% C.L. of 2.6-2.3 pb, for Higgs boson masses in the range 105-135 GeV, where V=W, Z. The corresponding expected limits range from 2.8 to 2.0 pb.

Search for third generation scalar leptoquarks decaying into taub

We have searched for third generation leptoquarks (LQ3) using 1.05 fb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider operating at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. We set a 95% C.L. lower limit of 210 GeV on the mass of a scalar LQ3 state decaying solely to a b quark and a tau lepton.

Measurement of Bs0 mixing parameters from the flavor-tagged decay Bs0-->J/psiphi

From an analysis of the flavor-tagged decay Bs0-->J/psiphi we obtain the width difference between the Bs0 light and heavy mass eigenstates, DeltaGammas = 0.19+/-0.07(stat)(-0.01)+0.02(syst) ps(-1), and the CP-violating phase, phi s= -0.57(-0.30)+0.24(stat)(-0.02)+0.08(syst). The allowed 90% CL intervals of DeltaGammas and phi s are 0.06 < DeltaGammas < 0.30 ps(-1) and -1.20 < phi s < 0.06, respectively. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.8 fb(-1) accumulated with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider.