Predicting the onset of net carbon uptake by deciduous forests with soil temperature and climate data: a synthesis of FLUXNET data

We tested the hypothesis that the date of the onset of net carbon uptake by temperate deciduous forest canopies corresponds with the time when the mean daily soil temperature equals the mean annual air temperature. The hypothesis was tested using over 30 site-years of data from 12 field sites where CO(2) exchange is being measured continuously with the eddy covariance method. The sites spanned the geographic range of Europe, North America and Asia and spanned a climate space of 16 degrees C in mean annual temperature. The tested phenology rule was robust and worked well over a 75 day range of the initiation of carbon uptake, starting as early as day 88 near Ione, California to as late as day 147 near Takayama, Japan. Overall, we observed that 64% of variance in the timing when net carbon uptake started was explained by the date when soil temperature matched the mean annual air temperature. We also observed a strong correlation between mean annual air temperature and the day that a deciduous forest starts to be a carbon sink. Consequently we are able to provide a simple phenological rule that can be implemented in regional carbon balance models and be assessed with soil and temperature outputs produced by climate and weather models.

Transmembrane serine protease TADG-15 (ST14/Matriptase/MT-SP1): expression and prognostic value in ovarian cancer

Tumour-associated differentially expressed gene-15 (TADG-15/ST14/matriptase/MT-SP1) is a novel member of the transmembrane serine proteases. Previous studies indicated that TADG-15 is overexpressed in ovarian tumours; however, relationships between expression of TADG-15 and clinical characteristics of ovarian cancer remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine TADG-15 expression in ovarian cancers and determine any associations with clinicopathological characteristics or patient survival. Immunohistochemical study revealed that TADG-15 was expressed in 50 (56.2%) of 89 ovarian carcinomas, whereas it was not detected in normal ovaries. TADG-15 expression was significantly more common in patients with early stage disease compared with patients with advanced stage diseases (namely, stage I, 24 out of 33: 72.7%; stage II/III/IV, 26 out of 56: 46.4%; P=0.0157). Kaplan–Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with TADG-15-positive tumours have had substantially longer survival (P=0.0480). The mean value of relative TADG-15 mRNA expression ratio was significantly higher in stage I tumours than in stage II/III/IV tumours (P=0.0053). Increased expression of TADG-15 is frequently detected in early stage cancers, with expression level downregulated during progression of disease. TADG-15 is associated with early stage ovarian cancer and longer patient survival; therefore, it may be a favourable prognostic marker for this malignancy.

Production and characterization of single-crystal FeCo nanowires inside carbon nanotubes

We describe the synthesis of novel monocrystalline FeCo nanowires encapsulated inside multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). These FeCo nanowires exhibit homogeneous Fe and Co concentrations and do not contain an external oxide layer due to the presence of insulating nanotube layers. The method involves the aerosol thermolysis of toluene-ferrocene-cobaltocene solutions in inert atmospheres. The materials have been carefully characterized using state-of-the-art high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), electron diffraction, HREELS-STM elemental mapping, X-ray powder diffraction, and SQUID magnetometry. We noted that the formation of FeCo alloys occurs at relatively low pyrolytic temperatures (e.g., 650-750 degrees C). These single-crystal nanowires, which have not been reported hitherto, always exhibit the FeCo (110) plane parallel to the carbon nanotube axis. The FeCo nanomaterials have shown large coercive fields at room temperature (e.g., 900 Oe). We envisage that these aligned ferromagnetic nanowires could be used in the fabrication of high-density magnetic storage devices and magnetic composites.

Use of CD34+ autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of children with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus

We report on the unique effects and benefits of autologous stem cell transplantation in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and describe this procedure in two young girls with severe and refractory disease. The patients' stem cells were mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and collected by CS-3000 Blood Cell Separator (Baxter Healthcare, Round Lake, Ill., USA), and the CliniMACS CD34+ cell selection device (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) was used to obtain CD34+ cells. A total of 1.7x10(6) and 1.0x10(6)/kg CD34+ cells were obtained, with 2.0x10(5) and 1.0x10(4)/kg of CD3+ cells remaining, respectively. The conditioning regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg per day for 4 days) plus antithymocyte globulin (ATG-Fresenius, 5 mg/kg per day for 3 days). Neutrophil counts recovered within 9 days in both cases. Within 15 days, the platelet counts recovered and were sustained over 100x10(9)/l. Cushingoid features disappeared completely 3 months after transplantation because of the removal of corticosteroid medication. One 13-year-old child increased her height by 5 cm in 6 months after stopping steroids. She had not increased her height in her previous 7 years of disease. As of the time of this report, the first patient remains in clinical and laboratory remission for nearly 4 years, while the second suffered a relapse of thrombocytopenia 9 months post-transplantation. One residual effect of their treatment is that their CD4+ cell counts remained in the lower range after one year of transplant. The effect of this conditioning regimen plus CD34+ autologous stem cell transplantation on these two children with refractory SLE was beneficial, but long-term follow-up data and additional experience with this procedure are required. Autologous stem cell transplantation may limit the long-term toxicity of therapy in childhood SLE.

Wet Spheronization by Rotary Processing—A Multistage Single‐Pot Process for Producing Spheroids

Spheronization is an agglomerative size enlargement process for producing spherical agglomerates that have many technological and therapeutical advantages. Rotary processing is an efficient multistage, single-pot spheroid production method. The rotary processor can be used for spheroid production, drying as well as coating. In the course of spheroid production, centrifugal, fluidizing, and gravitational forces act upon the product from different directions and collectively contribute to the spheroid formation process during rotary processing. The outcome of the process depends on the complex interactions between the equipment, formulation, and process variables.

Predicting psychrometric conditions in biocontaminant microenvironments with a microclimate heat and moisture transfer model -- description and field comparison

A numerical model is described that is designed to model psychrometric conditions in biocontaminant microenvironments, such as in bedding and the base of carpets for dust-mites, and on the surface of linings for molds. The model is very general and can include room air, other room components, other zones including the outdoors, other rooms and any subfloor space. Mechanical plant can be modeled. Good agreement between modeled and field results are reported for the complex case of an occupied bed and for the microclimate in the base of a carpet, before and after its timber floor above a crawl space was retrofitted with insulation.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Biocontaminants such as dust-mites and molds can pose serious health problems. Understanding microclimates in biocontaminant microhabitats, when coupled with biologic models, will make it possible to predict how the life cycles of these biocontaminants are affected as these conditions change. In turn, this will suggest which interventions that modify indoor climate and microclimate are likely to control these biocontaminants. Furthermore such interventions might include indoor humidity control, changing building insulation and ventilation levels, covering mattresses, use of electric blankets, use of carpet heating, etc. Such models will provide a fast way for screening for interventions that are likely to be effective in the control of biocontaminants.

[Evaluation of penicilloyl proteins of allergic impurity in gene engineering drugs]

It is well known that penicillins are necessary for prevention of contamination during cell culture or fermentation in the production of gene engineering drugs. As penicillins are easily combined with proteins forming allergic impurities, the benzyl penicilloyl proteins in aqueous solution, an evaluation system should be established for control of the gene engineering drugs. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with high specificity and high sensitivity in vitro, by which the conjugated penicillins of 0.3 ppm in a sample could be detected and a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test, a classical method for evaluation of allergic reaction in vivo are integral parts of this system. Some domestic gene engineering drugs such as erythropoietin (EPO), G-CSF, GM-CSF and 125SerIL-2 are evaluated with this system. No matter whether the expression products was produced in secretion manner or in inclusion body, it was possible that some residues of allergic impurities may remain in the finished products if an unsuitable process of isolation and purification was used. The maximum absolute content of the conjugated penicillins in a sample was up to about one per thousand.

Fibrinogen induces chemotactic activity in endothelial cells

Chemotaxis of blood monocytes into the vessel wall together with the change of the relative content of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins at sites of predilection is an early cellular marker of atherogenesis. To examine the influence of ECM proteins on secretion of chemoattractants by endothelial cells (EC), porcine EC were seeded on gelatin (G), fibronectin (Fn) and fibrinogen (Fg). After 24 h cells seeded on G and Fn showed the histiotypic 'cobblestone'-morphology whereas cells seeded on Fg did not. Chemotactic activity for monocytes in supernatants from cells seeded on Fg was more than two-fold higher compared with G and was independent of soluble Fn or Fg in the supernatant. Quantification of monocyte chemoattracting protein-1, PDGF-AB and IL-8 in EC supernatants showed that Fg led to a significant increase in secretion of all three proteins compared with cells cultured on G. Preincubation of porcine EC with the tripeptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid, as inhibitor of binding of Fg to integrin receptors, but not with the control tripeptide arginine-glycine-glutamic acid showed a decrease in chemotactic activity for cells cultured on Fg but not on Fn or G. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in EC by GF109203 resulted in a decrease of fibrinogen-induced chemotactic activity. Also the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor herbimycin inhibited fibrinogen mediated secretion of chemokines. The role of the PKC pathway for matrix mediated signal transduction is further corroborated by Fg-dependent induction of the PKC isoform delta. These data indicate an integrin-dependent signal transduction pathway leading to induction of chemotactic activity by the ECM protein fibrinogen. This mechanism may contribute to induction of chemokines in early atherosclerotic lesions.

The influence of operational variables on mean size and size distribution of spheroids produced by rotary spheronization using teardrop studs

The rotary processor can be used for single step spheroid production directly from powder with multiple formulation and process variables involved. In this study, a frictional base plate with teardrop studs was used. Four selected independent variables, base plate rotational speed during liquid addition (A), spray rate of water (B), total amount of water added (C) and base plate rotational speed during the tumbling stage (D), were put into an orthogonal design with three levels for each variable. Mean spheroid size and size distribution were used as the response variables to evaluate the effect of these independent variables. The variables C and D were identified as more important among the four variables and should be at optimal levels for producing good quality spheroids.

Influence of teardrop studs on rotating frictional base plate on spheroid quality in rotary spheronization

The effects of teardrop-shaped studs on the quality of rotary processed spheroids were investigated. The spheroids were produced under similar conditions using three rotating frictional base plates with teardrop studs of different height, volume, cross-sectional area and surface area. Spheroid properties were rated by size, size distribution, shape, friability and density. The amounts of lumps and fines produced, and the adhesion of material on the rotating frictional base plates was also looked into. The dimension of the teardrop studs on the rotating frictional base plate affected spheroid quality. The resultant shear forces and energy input during rotary spheronization differed depending on the different height, volume, cross-sectional area and surface area of studs. With the increase in height, volume, cross-sectional area and surface area of studs on the frictional base plate, the mass median diameter, e(R) and circularity of spheroids increased with corresponding decrease in span, lumps and fines. Although the frictional base plate with shortest studs had little adhesion, it may not supply enough shear force and energy input for the spheronization process, resulting in a less stable process. A balance between energy input and adhesion on the rotating frictional base plate was needed in order to optimize the production of spheroids by rotary processing.

Exchange of the actin-bound nucleotide in intact arterial smooth muscle

The actin-bound ADP was separated from cytoplasmic nucleotides by treatment of intact arterial smooth muscle with 50% ethanol. In (32)P-labeled smooth muscle the actin-bound ADP and phosphate readily exchanged with the cytoplasmic [gamma,beta-(32)P]ATP; the specific radioactivity of actin-bound ADP was equal to that of the beta-phosphate of cytoplasmic ATP and the specific radioactivity of actin-bound phosphate was equal to that of the gamma-phosphate of cytoplasmic ATP. In contrast, the exchange of the actin-bound ADP in skeletal muscle was very slow. The presence of cytoplasmic ATP was required for the exchange of the actin-bound ADP and phosphate; if ATP synthesis was inhibited the exchange was also inhibited. The extent of exchange was reduced in muscles contracted by histamine or K(+), as compared with resting muscles. The exchange was also shown in other mammalian smooth muscles, uterus, urinary bladder, and stomach. The data indicate a dynamic state of actin in smooth muscle. The data also suggest that polymerization-depolymerization of actin is part of the contraction-relaxation cycle of smooth muscle.

[Clinical value of the symptom-relieving operation in multimodality therapy of stage IIIB and IV lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To explore the clinical value of the symptom-relieving operation in multimodality therapy of stage IIIB and IV lung cancer for rising quality of life and prolonging survival time.

METHODS

The pain incidence rate, fraction of Karnofsky and anesthesia, clinical effect of treatment and survival rate of 29 cases were statistically analysed using SPSS software, in multimodality therapy of stage IIIB and IV lung cancer, before and after symptom-relieving operation. The difference between before and after operation was compared with Chi-Square and t test. The survival rate was calculate with Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The complete remission rate for cases of malignant pleural effusion and pericardial effusion was 100% ( 15/ 15) . The 1-year survival rate was 66. 67%, mean survival time was 13. 81± 1. 61 months, and median survival time was 16. 00 months. The 1-year survival rate of cases with bone metastasis was 20. 0%, mean survival time was 9. 90± 0. 99 months, median survival time was 10. 00 months. After therapy, the pain incidence rate of all patients was decreased from 89. 7% to 34. 5% ( P < 0. 001) ; Karnofsky score was increased from 58. 28 ± 2. 17 to 82. 41± 1. 54( P < 0. 001) ; fraction of anesthesia was decreased from 5. 17± 0. 53 to 1. 45± 0. 38 ( P < 0. 001) .

CONCLUSIONS

The symptom-relieving operation for metastasis lesion can rise the quality of life, prolong survival time, decrease dependence of anesthetic and analgesic drugs in multimodality therapy of stage IIIB and IV lung cancer.

[The significance of thrombosis after experimental pulmonary thromboembolism]

OBJECTIVE

To study the significance of thrombosis after experimental pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

METHODS

Acute PTE models of rabbits were established with injection of autologous blood clots (0.04 g/kg) stabilized in a temperature-controlled (70 degrees C) of distilled water for 10 minutes through the femoral vein, then the regulation of thrombosis was explored at dissection and upon microscopic examination after PTE. Moreover, the coagulability of blood and the plasma level of thromboxane A2(TXA2) and endothelin (ET) were examined.

RESULTS

Thrombotic propensity was found at 1 h, and fresh thrombosis started to form at 24 h following clots infusion. Emboli were completely or partly dissolved at 5 d and organized at 10 and 14 d after clots infused. Prothrombin time was significantly lower [(7.15 +/- 0.06)s], and fibrinogen was higher [(5.86 +/- 1.50) g/L] at 24 h post-clots, compared with pre-clots [(7.34 +/- 0.19)s, (3.37 +/- 1.02) g/L] (P < 0.05). Venous plasma level of TXA2 began to increase at 5 min [(2.5 +/- 0.7) micrograms/L] and continued to rise to its maximum at 15 min [(2.5 +/- 0.6) micrograms/L], then declined at 60 min after clots infusion. The level of ET in both arterial and venous blood increased at 5 d post-clots [(0.84 +/- 0.15) micrograms/L and (0.23 +/- 0.05) micrograms/L] separately, while most of emboli resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

There is thrombus formation after autologous-blood-clots-induced PTE. Furthermore, thrombus formation, fibrinolysis and organization may always interact on each other consistently, and control the pathogenesis of PTE. Abnormalities of ET metabolism occur after PTE and the major mediator of TXA2 plays an important role in the early phase of PTE.