High Activity State Research Articles

Analog Signaling With the "Digital" Molecular Switch CaMKII.

Molecular switches, such as the protein kinase CaMKII, play a fundamental role in cell signaling by decoding inputs into either high or low states of activity; because the high activation state can be turned on and persist after the input ceases, these switches have earned a reputation as “digital.” Although this on/off, binary perspective has been valuable for understanding long timescale synaptic plasticity, accumulating experimental evidence suggests that the CaMKII switch can also control plasticity on short timescales. To investigate this idea further, a non-autonomous, nonlinear ordinary differential equation, representative of a general bistable molecular switch, is analyzed. The results suggest that switch activity in regions surrounding either the high- or low-stable states of activation could act as a reliable analog signal, whose short timescale fluctuations relative to equilibrium track instantaneous input frequency. The model makes intriguing predictions and is validated against previous work demonstrating its suitability as a minimal representation of switch dynamics; in combination with existing experimental evidence, the theory suggests a multiplexed encoding of instantaneous frequency information over short timescales, with integration of total activity over longer timescales.

Mathematical modeling of oscillating CO oxidation on Pt-group metals at near atmospheric pressure: Activity of metallic and oxidized surfaces

This article is a theoretical and numerical analysis of experimental results concerning the oscillatory and steady-state behavior during CO oxidation on Pd(100) and Pt(110) catalysts in continuous flow and batch reactors at near atmospheric pressure conditions. In the literature there is disagreement about which mechanism describes the reaction of CO oxidation. Some authors suggested that the oxidized phase is more active than the metallic phase with chemisorbed oxygen and that the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism and not the traditional Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism is required to describe the catalytic reaction. To study this disagreement in data interpretation, we apply a slight modification of a well-known kinetic model suggested by Sales, Turner, and Maple, which is based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. We show that in a high-activity state the calculated concentration of the oxide can exceed 0.9 ML. However, this does not mean that the oxide phase is more active than the metallic phase, because oxide-free sites of the partially oxidized catalyst may be responsible for the observed reaction rate. Available experimental results, including oscillatory behavior, can be explained on the basis of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. We conclude that there is no need to introduce the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism to model CO oxidation on Pt-group metals.

Joint index vector: a novel assessment measure for stratified medicine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo predict the next-year status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using big data.MethodsJoint index (JI) of upper/large (UL), upper/small (US), lower/large (LL), and lower/small (LS) was calculated as the sum of tender and swollen joint counts divided by the number of evaluable joints in each region of interest. Joint index vector V (x, y, z) was defined as x = JIUL + JIUS, y = JILL + JILS, and z = JIUL + JILL − JIUS − JILS. Low disease activity was defined as |Vxy| (= √x2 + y2) ≤ 0.1. Patients with |Vxy| > 0.1 were further classified into three groups: evenly affected (EVN): |z| ≤ 0.2, small joint dominant (SML): z < − 0.2, and large joint dominant (LAR): z > 0.2. To predict the next-year V (x, y, z) of each patient, a transformation matrix was computed from the mean vectors of the EVN, SML, and LAR groups and their translation vectors.Results|Vxy| was correlated with Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) (r = 0.82). Z of mean vector increased as the disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-DI) and the Steinbrocker class worsened. The LAR group had the worst HAQ-DI and the second highest SDAI after those in the SML group. Positive predictive value and likelihood ratio in predicting the LAR group were 58.7% and 5.9, respectively. Likelihood ratio was greater with treatment, at 7.2, 7.4, and 8.6 when targeted patients were treated with methotrexate, biologics, and both drugs, respectively.ConclusionsPatients with high disease activity and poor functional state were predicted with high probability using joint index vectors.

Study of short term enhanced TeV γ- ray emission from Mrk 421 observed with TACTIC on December 28, 2014

In this work, we report on the detection of enhanced TeV γ- ray emission from the high synchrotron-peaked blazar Mrk 421 with the TACTIC telescope on the night of December 28, 2014 (MJD 57019). We use data from the TACTIC observations of Mrk 421 for one week during December 25–31, 2014 (MJD 57016–57022) in this study. The TACTIC observation on December 28, 2014 (MJD 57019) alone results in the detection of 86 ± 17 γ- ray like events from Mrk 421 with a statistical significance of 5.17σ in a livetime of ∼ 2.2 hours above an energy threshold of 0.85 TeV. The high statistics (higher than three Crab Units) of TeV photons enables us to study the very high energy (VHE) γ- ray emission from the source at shorter timescales. A minimum variability timescale of ∼ 0.72 days is obtained for the TeV γ- ray emission from Mrk 421 during the above flaring activity of the source. The intrinsic VHE spectrum is described by a power law with spectral index of 2.99 ± 0.38 in the energy range 0.85–8.5 TeV. The integral VHE γ- ray flux above 0.85 TeV is determined to be (3.68±0.64)×10−11 ph cm−2 s−1 from the TACTIC observations of Mrk 421 on the night of December 28, 2014 (MJD 57019). Near simultaneous measurements by the HAWC observatory give an integral flux of (2.90±0.40)×10−11 ph cm−2 s−1 above 2 TeV from Mrk 421 observations on December 29, 2014 (MJD 57020.33–57020.58). We have also analysed the contemporaneous data from Fermi-LAT to study the high energy (HE) γ–ray emission during the high activity state of the source. The HE γ–ray emission is observed to be increasing after the TeV flaring activity detected with the TACTIC. We also use other near simultaneous archival data available from the Swift-BAT in hard X-rays and from SPOL at Steward Observatory in optical V and R bands to characterize the multi-wavelength emission of Mrk 421 during the high activity state observed at TeV energies. The TeV γ- ray emission observed on December 28, 2014 (MJD 57019) is found to be more prominent than the emissions in lower energy bands during the same period. The TeV γ- ray observation of Mrk 421 in high activity state with the TACTIC telescope is also used to understand the physical mechanism for blazar emission under the frame work of the leptonic single zone synchrotron self Compton process.

Concurrent TSHR mutations and DIO2 T92A polymorphism result in abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism

Deiodinase 2 (DIO2) plays an important role in thyroid hormone metabolism and its regulation. However, molecular mechanism that regulates DIO2 activity remains unclear; only mutaions in selenocysteine insertion sequence binding protein 2 and selenocysteine tranfer RNA (tRNA[Ser]Sec) are reported to result in decreased DIO2 activity. Two patients with clinical evidence of abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism were identified and found to have TSHR mutations as well as DIO2 T92A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Primary-cultured fibroblasts from one patient present a high level of basal DIO2 enzymatic activity, possibly due to compensation by augmented DIO2 expression. However, this high enzymatic active state yet fails to respond to accelerating TSH. Consequently, TSHR mutations along with DIO2 T92A SNP (“double hit”) may lead to a significant reduction in DIO2 activity stimulated by TSH, and thereby may have clinical relevance in a select population of hypothyroidism patients who might benefit from a T3/T4 combination therapy.

Simulation of the small-scale magnetism in main-sequence stellar atmospheres

Context.Observations of the Sun tell us that its granular and subgranular small-scale magnetism has significant consequences for global quantities such as the total solar irradiance or convective blueshift of spectral lines.Aims.In this paper, properties of the small-scale magnetism of four cool stellar atmospheres, including the Sun, are investigated, and in particular its effects on the radiative intensity and flux.Methods.We carried out three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations with the CO5BOLD code in two different settings: with and without a magnetic field. These are thought to represent states of high and low small-scale magnetic activity of a stellar magnetic cycle.Results.We find that the presence of small-scale magnetism increases the bolometric intensity and flux in all investigated models. The surplus in radiative flux of the magnetic over the magnetic field-free atmosphere increases with increasing effective temperature,Teff, from 0.47% for spectral type K8V to 1.05% for the solar model, but decreases for higher effective temperatures than solar. The degree of evacuation of the magnetic flux concentrations monotonically increases withTeffas does their depression of the visible optical surface, that is the Wilson depression. Nevertheless, the strength of the field concentrations on this surface stays remarkably unchanged at ≈1560 G throughout the considered range of spectral types. With respect to the surrounding gas pressure, the field strength is close to (thermal) equipartition for the Sun and spectral type F5V but is clearly sub-equipartition for K2V and more so for K8V. The magnetic flux concentrations appear most conspicuous for model K2V owing to their high brightness contrast.Conclusions.For mean magnetic flux densities of approximately 50 G, we expect the small-scale magnetism of stars in the spectral range from F5V to K8V to produce a positive contribution to their bolometric luminosity. The modulation seems to be most effective for early G-type stars.

Brown adipose tissue thermogenic adaptation requires Nrf1-mediated proteasomal activity.

Adipocytes possess remarkable adaptive capacity to respond to nutrient excess, fasting or cold exposure, and thus are an important cell type to maintain proper metabolic health. While the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle for cellular homeostasis, the mechanisms that mediate adaptation of the ER in adipocytes to metabolic challenges are unclear. Here, we show that brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic function requires an adaptive increase in proteasomal activity to secure cellular protein quality control, and identify the ER-localized transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-2, like-1 (Nfe2l1, also known as Nrf1) as a critical driver of this process. We show that cold adaptation induced Nrf1 in BAT to increase proteasomal activity, and that this was crucial for maintaining ER homeostasis and cellular integrity, specifically when the cells are in a state of high thermogenic activity. In mice, under thermogenic conditions, brown adipocyte-specific deletion of Nrf1 resulted in ER stress, tissue inflammation, markedly diminished mitochondrial function and whitening of the BAT. In mouse models of both genetic and dietary obesity, stimulation of proteasomal activity by exogenously expressing Nrf1 or the proteasome activator PA28α in BAT resulted in improved insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, Nrf1 emerges as a novel guardian of brown adipocyte function, providing increased proteometabolic quality control for adapting to cold or to obesity.

Monitoring the dynamic photocatalytic activity of single CdS nanoparticles by lighting up H2 nanobubbles with fluorescent dyes.

The capability of semiconductor nanomaterials to convert solar energy to chemical energy has led to many promising applications, for instance, photocatalyzed H2 generation. Studying this important photocatalytic reaction at the single nanocatalyst level provides a great opportunity to understand the microscopic reaction kinetics and mechanism by overcoming the chemical and structural heterogeneity among individuals. Here we report a fluorescence (FL) labeling strategy to visualize individual H2 nanobubbles that are generated at single CdS nanoparticles during photocatalysis. In operando imaging of nanobubble growth kinetics allows for determination of the photocatalytic activity of single nanocatalysts, which was found to randomly alternate among high activity, low activity and inactive states. In addition to H2 nanobubbles, the present labeling strategy is also suitable for other types of gas nanobubbles. Since nanomaterial-catalyzed gas generation is widely involved in many important photochemical (water splitting), electrochemical (electrolysis) and chemical (nanomotors) reactions, the present work is promising for the general applicability of single nanoparticle catalysis in broad basic and industrial fields by lighting up nanobubbles under commercial and conventional FL microscopes.

Platelets derived from fresh and cold-stored whole blood participate in clot formation in rats with acute traumatic coagulopathy.

The invitro haemostatic functions of fresh whole blood (FWB) are well preserved after cold storage. This study aimed to determine whether platelets derived from FWB and stored whole blood (SWB) contribute to clot formation in tissue injury after transfusion into coagulopathic rats with polytrauma/haemorrhage (T/H). The rats were resuscitated 1h after trauma with FWB or SWB collected from green fluorescence protein (GFP) transgenic rats. After transfusion, a liver incision was made and the tissue was collected 10min after injury to identify GFP+ platelets by immunohistochemistry. In comparison to FWB, platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate and protease-activated receptor-4 was reduced by 35% and 20%, and clotting time was shortened by 25% in SWB. After transfusion, SWB led to a significant increase in platelet activation as measured by an elevation of CD62P and phosphatidylserine expression. The platelets from SWB were in a higher activation state, and showed higher clearance rate and formation of platelet-leucocyte aggregates than those from FWB after transfusion. Platelets from both FWB and SWB were equivalently incorporated into the clot at the incisional site, as determined by co-localization of CD61 and GFP. This study suggests that SWB contributes to haemostatic function and is an effective alternative resource to treat trauma patients.

Physiological and pathophysiological firing properties of single postganglionic sympathetic neurons in humans.

It has long been known from microneurographic recordings in human subjects that the activity of postganglionic sympathetic axons occurs as spontaneous bursts, with muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) exhibiting strong cardiac rhythmicity via the baroreflex and skin sympathetic nerve activity showing much weaker cardiac modulation. Here we review the firing properties of single sympathetic neurons, obtained using highly selective microelectrodes. Individual vasoconstrictor neurons supplying muscle or skin, or sudomotor neurons supplying sweat glands, always discharge with a low firing probability (~30%) and at very low frequencies (~0.5 Hz). Moreover, they usually fire only once per cardiac interval but can fire greater than four times within a burst. Modeling has shown that this pattern can best be explained by individual neurons being driven by, on average, two preganglionic inputs. Unitary recordings of muscle vasoconstrictor neurons have been made in several pathophysiological states, including heart failure, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, and panic disorder. The augmented MSNA in each of these diseases features an increase in firing probability and discharge frequency of individual muscle vasoconstrictor neurons above that seen in healthy subjects, yet firing rates rarely exceed 1 Hz. However, unlike patients with heart failure, all patients with respiratory disease or panic disorder, and patients with hyperhidrosis, exhibited an increase in multiple within-burst firing, which emphasizes the different modes by which the sympathetic nervous system grades its output in pathophysiological states of high sympathetic nerve activity.

Task-evoked pupil dilation and BOLD variance as indicators of locus coeruleus dysfunction

Pupillary responses during cognitive tasks are linked to functioning of the locus coeruleus (LC). The LC is an early site of abnormal tau deposition, which may contribute to key aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. We previously found attenuation of pupillary responses to increases in cognitive load in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), suggesting pupillary responses may provide a biomarker of early risk for AD associated with LC dysfunction. The LC modulates cortical activity through two modes of operation: tonic and phasic. Early LC damage has been predicted to result in a state of persistent high tonic LC activity that may disrupt task-related phasic activity. To further examine whether pupillary responses are associated with early LC dysfunction, we measured pupil dilation during a digit span task as a measure of phasic activity, and low frequency BOLD variance (LFBV) during resting-state fMRI in key nodes of the ventral attention network (VAN) as a measure of cortical reactivity related to LC tonic activity in 358 middle-aged men. Individuals with greater LFBV in VAN nodes, i.e., higher tonic brain activity at rest, showed a smaller increase in pupil dilation from low to moderate cognitive loads. Thus, higher tonic LFBV activity at rest was related to reduced task-appropriate phasic dilation increases. The results support predictions from prominent models of LC functioning in which early LC dysfunction leads to persistent high tonic rates of activity during rest and lower signal-to-noise of phasic responses during task performance. Taken together with previous findings of early AD pathophysiology in LC and reduced phasic dilation responses to increased cognitive load in individuals with MCI, the present results suggest that pupillary responses may index early LC dysfunction and should receive further study as a potential biomarker of risk for AD.

Intertemporal Information Loss and Asset Price Cycles

This paper studies a simple model with information and business cycles to explain an endogenous bust. In such a cycle, a booming economy experiences a bust despite the absence of an exogenous trigger shock; instead, increasing economic activity in a boom state itself causes a crash. The key is a feedback loop between investment activity and the efficiency of a public signal that aggregates information and determines the aggregate risk. High-risk and low economic activity augment each other (positive feedback), making the downturn state stable. In a low-risk and high-activity state, however, the feedback can be reversed: stronger activity contaminates the public signal, generating an increase in the risk and subsequent decline in investment. As a switch from positive to negative feedback is governed by the endogenous level of economic activity, a transition from boom to crash is explained as an endogenous event.

Abstract 1680: BPM31510, an anti-cancer agent selectively causes activation and proliferation of T cells, demonstrating potential utility in an immune-oncology setting

Abstract BPM 31510, a clinical stage, nanodispersion of ubidecarenone has a unique mechanism of action that effectuates an anti-Warburg switch in cancer cell metabolism and activation of apoptosis. Given the observed central role of BPM 31510 in regulating mitochondrial function in cancer cells, it is of great interest to investigate the ability of BPM 31510 to modulate immune cells and their functionality. Therefore, the effects of BPM 31510 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were investigated to elucidate the immuno-metabolic mechanism of BPM 31510. Healthy donor PBMCs activated with PHA or PWM was used as model system, and the effect of BPM 31510 on immune cells viability was determined using flow cytometry. In addition, the effect of BPM31510 on immune cell function was evaluated by measuring a panel cytokines released in these cells, using a quantitative ELISA platform from Meso Scale Discovery. Results: BPM 31510 has been shown in previous studies to effectively induce apoptosis on a variety of cancer cell lines while sparing normal cells. Interestingly, increasing concentrations of BPM31510 lead to an increased frequency of viable CD3+ cells. Further phenotypic analysis revealed that cytotoxic T cells (CD8+/CD3+) and T helper cells (CD4+/CD3+), as well as NKT cells (CD56+/CD3+) contributed to the observed increase in T cells frequency. On the other hand, B cells (CD19+), NK cells (CD56+/CD3-), and the monocytes (CD14+) showed a decrease in frequency, an effect reflected also by a reduction in viability with increasing BPM 31510 concentrations. Cytokine analysis indicated that effector cytokines IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF- α were secreted at significantly higher levels with increasing concentration of BPM 31510. Interestingly, IL-10 level, an immuno-regulatory cytokine, was strongly decreased in the supernatant of PBMCs treated with BPM31510. Taken together, we demonstrated that BPM 31510 has a direct effect on immune cells and their functionality. Although BPM 31510 induced apoptosis of cancer cells, our data indicate that it supports cell proliferation of T cells, and effector function of adaptive immune cells, likely by providing a higher energy supply for effector T cells. Subsequently, a higher activation state of effector T cells may result in increased levels of cytotoxic effector molecules (perforin, granzymes, Fas ligand) and macrophage activating effector molecules (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α) which supports and attracts other immune cells like NK cells to the tumor. Citation Format: Maria-D Nastke, Nidhi Gaur, Louisa Dowal, Samantha Fowler, Anne Diers, Stephane Gesta, Vivek K. Vishnudas, Niven R. Narain, Rangaprasad Sarangarajan. BPM31510, an anti-cancer agent selectively causes activation and proliferation of T cells, demonstrating potential utility in an immune-oncology setting [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1680. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1680

Ultrahigh hardness of carbon steel surface realized by novel solid carburizing with rapid diffusion of carbon nanostructures

In this study, a novel rapid solid carburizing process with a large diffusion depth using nano-diamonds (NDs) was conducted for low carbon steel. Changes of annealed NDs were obtained by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the results suggested that the NDs experience a stripping process before a special solid-reaction with surface iron atoms from steel substrate. Onion-like carbon (OLC) derived from the annealed NDs provided broken graphitic ribbons as carbon sources that accelerated the rate of adsorption and diffusion. Examination of the surface layer at equilibrium using TEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) also revealed the special state of carbon, and an ultrafine mixed phase microstructure was obtained by rapid solid-phase transformation. As a result, a surface hardened layer with ultrahigh hardness and a smooth transition region were realized. We believe that these kinds of diamond or graphitic structures with high activity states have an important influence not only on adsorption and diffusion but also on this special solid-phase transformation.

The changing face of α Centauri B: probing plage and stellar activity in K dwarfs

Abstract Detailed knowledge of stellar activity is crucial for understanding stellar dynamos, as well as pushing exoplanet radial-velocity detection limits towards Earth analogue confirmation. We directly compare archival High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher spectra taken at the minimum in α Cen B’s activity cycle to a high-activity state when clear rotational modulation of $\log {R^{\prime }_{HK}}$ is visible. Relative to the inactive spectra, we find a large number of narrow pseudo-emission features in the active spectra with strengths that are rotationally modulated. These features most likely originate from plage, spots or a combination of both. They also display radial velocity variations of ∼300 m s−1 – consistent with an active region rotating across the stellar surface. Furthermore, we see evidence that some of the lines originating from the ‘active immaculate’ photosphere appear broader relative to the ‘inactive immaculate’ case. This may be due to enhanced contributions of, for example, magnetic bright points to these lines, which then causes additional line broadening. More detailed analysis may enable measurements of plage and spot coverage using single spectra in the future.

Living with Volcan Tungurahua: The dynamics of vulnerability during prolonged volcanic activity

For the people that live around many of the world’s volcanos, the effects of eruptive activity on livelihoods and wellbeing are seldom experienced as a one-off event. Not only do volcanos commonly enter long-lived phases of activity, during which the physical hazards they create alter in characteristics, but the way exposure to such hazards generates impacts on society and shapes responses by people and institutions also modifies and evolves. Within this dynamic process, the behaviour of the volcano provides a framing, but social, economic and political changes interact to shape unfolding patterns of vulnerability. The research presented in this paper explored this complexity of impact and social change for the case of Volcan Tungurahua in Ecuador, which has been in eruptive phase since 1999. Focussing on the people who live in different areas around the volcano, the study used interview and survey evidence to examine changing knowledge about eruptions and how people have experienced the effects of the volcano over time on their economic livelihoods, mobility, residence patterns, and access to services and infrastructure. Crucially, this meant recognising that the existence of a threat from hazards had societal implications, regardless of whether or not the volcano is actually in a state of high activity. These implications played out differently for different sections of the neighbouring population, with the strongest contrast emerging between the rural and urban populations, though the complexity of the case defies a simple binary comparison. The research underlines the importance of building a longitudinal element into analysis.

Flux and Polarization Variability of OJ 287 during the Early 2016 Outburst

Abstract The gamma-ray blazar OJ 287 was in a high activity state during 2015 December–2016 February. Coinciding with this high brightness state, we observed this source for photometry on 40 nights in R-band and for polarimetry on nine epochs in UBV RI bands. During the period of our observations, the source brightness varied from 13.20 ± 0.04 mag to 14.98 ± 0.04 mag and the degree of polarization (P) fluctuated between 6.0% ± 0.3% and 28.3% ± 0.8% in R-band. Focusing on intranight optical variability (INOV), we find a duty cycle of about 71% using χ 2-statistics, similar to that known for blazars. From INOV data, the shortest variability timescale is estimated to be 142 ± 38 minutes, yielding a lower limit of the observed Doppler factor δ 0 = 1.17, the magnetic field strength B ≤ 3.8 G, and the size of the emitting region R s &lt; 2.28 × 1014 cm. On internight timescales, a significant anticorrelation between R-band flux and P is found. The observed P at U-band is generally larger than that observed at longer-wavelength bands, suggesting a wavelength-dependent polarization. Using V-band photometric and polarimetric data from Steward Observatory obtained during our monitoring period, we find a varied correlation between P and V-band brightness. While an anticorrelation is sometimes seen between P and V-band magnitude, no correlation is seen at other times, thereby suggesting the presence of more than one short-lived shock component in the jet of OJ 287.

Defining functioning categories in axial Spondyloarthritis: the role of the ASAS Health Index.

The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is an inclusive questionnaire, able to describe the total impairments and restrictions due to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Considering the relationship between ASAS HI and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP, the aim of this study is to establish the ASAS HI cut-off values for functioning categories employing the ASDAS-CRP disease activity states in axSpA patients. ASAS HI and ASDAS-CPR were obtained from 140 consecutive axSpA patients, divided in the four ASDAS-CRP disease activity categories. High and very high disease activity were considered together. The ASAS HI cut-offs were obtained from the arithmetic mean, rounded off to the closest whole number, of the 75th percentile mean value of a lower rank and the 25th percentile mean value of the adjacent higher rank. This approach was applied in the transition from inactive disease and moderate disease activity, and in the transition from moderate disease activity and high/very high disease activity. Twenty-three patients were classified as having inactive disease, 36 were classified as having moderate disease activity, and 81 were in a high/very high disease activity state. Using the approach of the 75th-25th percentile mean values of adjacent disease activity states, the ASAS HI cut-offs resulted: ≤4 to dinstinguish a normal functioning, >4 and ≤8 to distinguish a moderate impairment of functioning, and >8 to distinguish a severe impairment of functioning. ASAS HI seems a reliable tool to define functioning categories in patients with axSpA.

Increase in Salivary Alpha-Amylase Levels among Non-Attending Junior High School Students Diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder

Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated that the measurement of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels is a useful tool for evaluating the autonomic nervous system. Psychosocial stress increases the release of sAA as a useful marker for autonomic nervous system (ANS). To our knowledge, although some studies have evaluated sAA levels under psychosocial stress, no studies have investigated the changes in sAA activity that occur in junior high school students who are not attending school due to social anxiety disorder (SAD). We aimed to investigate the relationship between the sAA levels and psychiatric states of such patients. Methods: The study subjects consisted of SAD patients (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 57). We used a portable hand-held monitor to measure the level of sAA and State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) to evaluate the psychiatric state. Results: The patients’ sAA activity was significantly higher than that of the controls (n = 57) (p p p p < 0.001) were detected between the patients and healthy controls. Conclusions: These results indicated that junior high school students with SAD exhibit a higher state of anxiety and high autonomic activity, probably due to changes in the sympathetic nervous system. As a result, junior high school students with SAD are expected to exhibit high levels of sAA accompanied by anxiety symptoms.

Special Aspects of Investigation and Implementation of Exothermic Reactions over Heterogeneous Catalysts

The review paper deals with analysis of general features of exothermic catalytic reactions over heterogeneous catalysts. Data on studying and arrangement of a number of practically important catalytic reactions are discussed: partial oxidation of hydrocarbons and CO, syntheses of alcohols and hydrocarbons from CO and H 2 , hydrocarbon hydrogenation, preferable oxidation of CO. Variations in temperature or concentration of materials fed to the catalyst may result the system in passing through ignition and fading of the catalyst surface by transiting from the low active state to the high active state (external diffusion control regime) and back so that a temperature or concentration hysteresis is observed. The Semenov criterion is used for considering possible temperature profiles established in the catalytic tube reactor during stationary exothermic reaction. The reactors can be classified into isothermic, polytropic, adiabatic depending on the ratio of heat supply and sink rates. The presence of the hot zone shifted to the inlet to the catalyst bed is characteristic of the polytropic reactors. It is emphasized that the temperature profile is influenced by: occurrence of an endothermic reaction along with the exothermic reaction; strong adsorption of one of the reactants; catalyst deactivation. Specific aspects of the reaction transition to the regime of non-isothermic oscillations are considered.