High DI Research Articles

Metallogeny of the Lietinggang-Leqingla Fe–Cu–(Mo)–Pb–Zn polymetallic deposit, evidence from Geochronology, Petrogenesis, and Magmatic oxidation state, Lhasa terrane

Lietinggang-Leqingla deposit consists of Lietinggang Fe–Cu–(Mo) ore block and Leqingla Pb–Zn–(Fe–Cu) ore block, locating in the southern margin of the central Lhasa subterrane. The ore occurs as laminated or lenticular units in skarns, distributed in the contact zone between the Jubuzhari complex intrusions and carbonate strata of the Mengla Formation. Intrusions associated with the two ore blocks are granodiorite, granodiorite porphyry, and granite porphyry of 62.4 ± 1.2 Ma, 62.6 ± 0.6 Ma, and 63.7 ± 1.0 Ma by zircon U–Pb age dating. Molybdenite Re–Os analyses yield an isochron age of 59.0 ± 1.7 Ma, with a MSWD of 1.6. Comparable isotopic ages between the intrusions and mineralization indicate that they are genetically related, and occurred during or shortly before the main stage of the Indian–Asian continental collision. Granodiorites have SiO2 content of 62.0–69.1 wt%; Al2O3 content of 15.1–15.3 wt%; total alkali concentration (K2O + Na2O) of 6.63–7.46 wt% and vary in terms of the differentiation index (DI = 67–78). Rocks from the granodiorite porphyry and granite porphyry are characterized by high SiO2 contents (72.3–74.0 wt%; 74.8–75.8 wt%) and DI (89–90; 93–94). Contents of CaO, Al2O3, MgO, Fe2O3, P2O5, TiO2 of granodiorite, granodiorite porphyry and granite porphyry show negative correlations with SiO2. Samples from the granite porphyry have the most negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.35–0.36), which are lower than the granodiorite porphyry and granodiorite (δEu = 0.46–0.55 and 0.46–0.66). All the rocks are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, Pb, K and Th) and depleted in high-field-strength elements (Ta, Ti and Nb). The granodiorites have zircon ƐHf(t) values from +2.5 to +8.4, while ƐHf(t) values of the granodiorite porphyries and granite porphyries range from −6.3 to +6.8, and +1.8 to +6.9, respectively. These data suggest that the three types of intrusions are genetically related, and the less evolved granodiorites are I-type granites that were derived from a mantle-crust mixed source. The granodiorite porphyries and granite porphyries were strongly fractionated, and most likely derived from the melts represented by granodiorites through fractional crystallization of plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, ilmenite, titanite, apatite, and zircon. Zircon trace elements (average ΔFMQ values of granodiorites, granodiorite porphyries, granite porphyries are 0.15, −0.07 and 0.25, respectively) indicate that the Lietinggang-Leqingla magmas were weakly oxidized to moderately reduced. The involvement of mantle materials and medium oxygen fugacity controlled the Fe-Cu mineralization, while the contribution of ancient crustal end-member and strongly fractional crystallization caused the Pb–Zn mineralization of the Lietinggang-Leqingla deposit. Combined with previously published data, we suggest that the Fe–Cu–Pb–Zn fertilities of magmas in the central Lhasa subterrane and their metal series were not only influenced by magma sources, but also by the evolution degree (fractional crystallization) and oxidation state of the magmas.

Influences of planarization modification and morphological filtering by AFM probe-tip on the evaluation accuracy of fractal dimension

The scaling characteristic of surface roughness could reveal the fractal property of a surface, which is common for the thin films fabricated via physical vapor deposition. In our previous study, a roughness scaling extraction (RSE) method was proposed to accurately calculate the fractal dimension (D), which is an effective parameter to represent the irregularity and fragmental property of a fractal surface. RSE method was based on a single morphological image of the concerned surface, and was much more accurate than the traditional methods with a low mean relative error of 0.64%. In this study, RSE method was firstly optimized by using the planarization modification on the morphological images of artificial surfaces with ideal dimensions (Di) ranging from 2.1 to 2.9, which were generated through Weierstrass-Mandelbrot (W-M) function. The calculation accuracy of RSE method could be enhanced by using the second order planarization modification, with a lowest mean relative error of only 0.42% between Di and the calculated dimensions (Dc). Secondly, artificial surfaces with high resolution and Di from 2.2 to 2.8 were utilized to investigate the influence of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe-tip geometry on the calculation accuracy. A typical geometry with a probe-tip radius (r) of 10 nm was employed to carry out the simulation of morphological filtering for the surface images, and the filtered images with various scales (L) from 0.5 μm to 7.5 μm were generated. RSE method was found to be robust only when the ratio of L/r was above 400, while a significant deviation occurred at lower ratio values, which would be instructive for the fractal analysis on the AFM images of various surface morphologies.

On the kinetics of phase transformations of dried porous vaterite particles immersed in deionized and tap water

Calcium carbonate exists in three allotropic forms: vaterite, aragonite and calcite. Metastable vaterite can be easily transformed into calcite and/or aragonite via different routes. We report how dry vaterite particles transform into aragonite and calcite when they are immersed into DeIonized water (DI) or tap water without additives at different temperature (22, 40 and 60 °C) with and without stirring. We show that the transformation rate of vaterite into more stable crystallographic forms is influenced not only by temperature but also by stirring and water purity. Low temperature, absence of stirring and absence of ions in water significantly slow down the kinetics of transformation of vaterite. Additionally, water purity influences the nature of the allotropic phase obtained after transformation. High temperatures and DI water favor the transformation of vaterite into single crystalline nanowires of aragonite, while tap water yields the transformation of vaterite into calcite. The absence of aragonite in tap water at high temperature can be explained by the presence of sulfate ions, which inhibit the formation of this phase. On the contrary, Mg2+ ions tend to stabilize vaterite.

Determinants of illness-specific social support and its relation to distress in long-term melanoma survivors

BackgroundSocial support is considered to be one of the most important resources for coping with cancer. However, social interactions may also be detrimental, e. g. disappointing or discouraging. The present study explored: 1. the extent of illness-specific positive aspects of social support and detrimental interactions in melanoma survivors, 2. their relationships to mental health characteristics (e. g. distress, quality of life, fatigue, coping processes, and dispositional optimism) and 3. Combinations of positive social support and detrimental interactions in relation to depression and anxiety.MethodsBased on the cancer registry of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, melanoma patients diagnosed at least 5 years before the survey were contacted by their physicians. N = 689 melanoma patients filled out the Illness-specific Social Support Scale ISSS (German version) and standardised instruments measuring potential psychosocial determinants of social support.ResultsUsing principal component analysis, the two factor structure of the ISSS could be reproduced with acceptable reliability; subscales were “Positive Support” (PS) and “Detrimental Interactions” (DI); Cronbach’s α = .95/.72. PS was rated higher than DI. Multivariable linear regressions identified different associations with psychosocial determinants. Survivors living in a partnership and those actively seeking out support had a higher probability of receiving PS, but not DI. PS and DI interacted regarding their association with distress: Survivors reporting high DI but low PS were the most depressed and anxious. High DI was partly buffered by PS. When DI was low, high or low PS made no difference regarding distress.ConclusionPsycho-oncologic interventions should take into account both positive and negative aspects of support in order to promote coping with the disease.

Assessment of landslide-triggering factors and occurrence using morphometric parameters in Geyraz Basin, Tokat, Northern Turkey

The Geyraz Stream is one of the tributaries of the Yesilirmak River, located within the southern of Middle Black Sea section, and enters the main river at Tokat city centre. Geyraz is a basin that has experienced numerous landslide events. In this study, morphometric parameters of areas prone to landslide occurrence were investigated and computed in GIS. These parameters included the Dissection Index, hypsometric integral, drainage density, Stream Power Index, and Compound Topographic Index, first and second orders. In addition, rocks, slopes and frequencies of first- and second-order streams in subbasins were considered and their correlations were examined. The moderate (15–20%) and high slope (20–25%) values with primarily clayey rocks (schist and flysch) correspond to high Di and Hi values, a maximum number of first- and second-order streams, and high landslide occurrence, while very steep slopes lead to low Di values and a low density of landslides. Results show that former landslides occurred in areas with Di values of 0.1–0.15, moderately steep and steep slopes, a maximum number of first- and second-order streams, high stream frequency on clayey rocks (schist and flysch), CTI values of 60–100, and SPI values of 75–85. In other words, landslide events are triggered by higher drainage frequency on primarily clayey rocks, intense fluvial incision and medium–high steep slopes. The location of agricultural land in the landslide area, reflecting lack of vegetation cover, is another landslide-triggering factor. Thus, the study area was ranked in six different classes and risk was rated as very low, low, medium, medium to high, high and very high. Determination of areas prone to landslide occurrence and their triggering factors is important for regional planning with respect to basin management and hazard prevention.

Prediction of NOx emissions for high speed DI Diesel engines using a semi-empirical, two-zone model

In the present paper, the authors have applied a newly developed semi-empirical, zero-dimensional, two-zone model on two automotive DI Diesel engines: a heavy (truck) and a light-duty (passenger car) engine. The aim of the study is to examine model’s ability to predict NOx trends with the variation of engine load/speed, fuel injection timing, EGR rate, boost pressure and fuel injection pressure.The model makes use of cylinder geometrical data, basis engine operating data and the experimental combustion rate, as deduced from heat release analysis, to calculate engine tailpipe exhaust NO emissions and their formation history inside the combustion chamber. Apparently, combustion and hence NOx formation, occurs inside the burnt zone. The required air for the combustion is provided from the unburnt zone. The entrained air mass, at each time step, is calculated using a mean equivalence ratio value and the corresponding fuel mass burnt during the calculation time step (as defined by the experimental combustion rate). The mean equivalence ratio value, at each operating point, is obtained using a new correlation which makes use of parameters derived from the processing of the measured pressure trace, as well as typical engine operating parameters. NO (the predominant part of total NOx) is calculated using the extended Zeldovich mechanism at each time step (during combustion and expansion). Thus, the NO formation history inside the cylinder is provided, considering the two-zone approach. The specific concept of the two-zone approach combined with the utilization of engine’s measured parameters, the empirical correlation for the mean equivalent ratio and the simplicity of the model’s calculations, provide a robust and time efficient tool for NO prediction which can be applied on various engine configurations and operating conditions without extended calibration.The derived results reveal model’s ability to predict exhaust NO emissions and trends satisfactorily at a variety of engine settings. Considering its low computational cost, it can serve as a useful tool for emissions trade-off optimization studies, as well as for real-time model based NOx control applications.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Clinicophysiologic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Temporomandibular Disorder Patients.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs) are a complex group of disorders that comprise dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In this study, we analyzed the objective and subjective findings of the TMJD patients by using Helkimo anamnesis (Ai) and clinical dysfunction (Di) indices, and tried to document a relation between these findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results.Ninety-eight patients who were admitted to our clinic were included in the study. The clinical evaluation was performed by using Ai, an 8-question-survey based on the objective symptoms of patients; Di, concluded as the score of 5 objective measurements of physical examination. The morphology of the TMJ was evaluated by MRI, and the findings were analyzed and statistically compared with respect to the Di.The most commonly seen symptoms were noise during mandibular movement (58%), pain around the joint (42.5%), and pain with mandibular movements (40%). Seventeen patients (17.3%) were Di0, 47 (48%) were DiI, 24 (24.5%) were DiII, and 10 (10.2%) were DiIII. Thirty-seven patients (37.8%) had abnormal MRI findings, whereas 61 patients (62.2%) had normal MRI. The most commonly encountered pathology was anterior disc displacement with reduction, which was reported in 15 patients. Increased TMJ Di, which points a more progressed TMJD, was found to be significantly related with the pathological MRI findings (P < 0.05).MRI is especially effective in particularly those with high Di; therefore, the results of the study may give a prospect in which types of patients does MRI give a valuable data toward diagnosis, in which stages of the TMJD should we expect pathological findings, and thereby preventing unnecessary use of MRI in patients with symptoms of TMJD.

Distress intolerance as a moderator of the relationship between daily stressors and affective symptoms: Tests of incremental and prospective relationships

BackgroundDistress intolerance (DI) is conceptualized as an individual difference reflective of the ability to tolerate aversive psychological states. Although high DI has demonstrated cross-sectional associations with multiple forms of psychopathology, few studies have tested key facets of its theoretical conceptualization. Specifically, little research has been conducted on DI's theorized role as an incrementally valid prospective moderator of the relationship between daily stressful events and affective symptoms reflective of preoccupation with aversive internal (e.g., depression, worry) rather than external stimuli (e.g., social anxiety). MethodA non-clinical sample (N = 147; 77% female; M age = 19.32) in which high DI individuals were oversampled was recruited. Participants completed baseline measures of DI and trait negative affect followed by six diary entries over a two-week period in which participants reported on daily stressors, negative affect, worry, depressive, and social anxiety symptoms. ResultsHierarchical linear models revealed that DI positively predicted depressive and worry, but not social anxiety symptoms, independent of daily stressors and negative affect. Further, a significant interaction effect was found such that the positive association between daily stressor(s) occurrence and daily worry was significant at high, but not low DI, and a similar trend-level interaction effect was observed for depressive symptoms. The interaction for social anxiety symptoms was non-significant LimitationsUtilization of a non-clinical sample precludes generalization of results to clinical samples. Only self-reported DI was assessed, limiting conclusions to perceived as opposed to behaviorally-indexed DI. ConclusionsResults largely supported DI's theoretical conceptualization as an incrementally valid moderator of stress responding with relevance to particular affective symptoms.

Definition of transcriptome-based indices for quantitative characterization of chemically disturbed stem cell development: introduction of the STOP-Toxukn and STOP-Toxukk tests

Stem cell-based in vitro test systems can recapitulate specific phases of human development. In the UKK test system, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) randomly differentiate into cells of the three germ layers and their derivatives. In the UKN1 test system, hPSCs differentiate into early neural precursor cells. During the normal differentiation period (14 days) of the UKK system, 570 genes [849 probe sets (PSs)] were regulated >fivefold; in the UKN1 system (6 days), 879 genes (1238 PSs) were regulated. We refer to these genes as ‘developmental genes’. In the present study, we used genome-wide expression data of 12 test substances in the UKK and UKN1 test systems to understand the basic principles of how chemicals interfere with the spontaneous transcriptional development in both test systems. The set of test compounds included six histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), six mercury-containing compounds (‘mercurials’) and thalidomide. All compounds were tested at the maximum non-cytotoxic concentration, while valproic acid and thalidomide were additionally tested over a wide range of concentrations. In total, 242 genes (252 PSs) in the UKK test system and 793 genes (1092 PSs) in the UKN1 test system were deregulated by the 12 test compounds. We identified sets of ‘diagnostic genes’ appropriate for the identification of the influence of HDACis or mercurials. Test compounds that interfered with the expression of developmental genes usually antagonized their spontaneous development, meaning that up-regulated developmental genes were suppressed and developmental genes whose expression normally decreases were induced. The fraction of compromised developmental genes varied widely between the test compounds, and it reached up to 60 %. To quantitatively describe disturbed development on a genome-wide basis, we recommend a concept of two indices, ‘developmental potency’ (Dp) and ‘developmental index’ (Di), whereby Dp is the fraction of all developmental genes that are up- or down-regulated by a test compound, and Di is the ratio of overrepresentation of developmental genes among all genes deregulated by a test compound. The use of Di makes hazard identification more sensitive because some compounds compromise the expression of only a relatively small number of genes but have a high propensity to deregulate developmental genes specifically, resulting in a low Dp but a high Di. In conclusion, the concept based on the indices Dp and Di offers the possibility to quantitatively express the propensity of test compounds to interfere with normal development.

Abstract 4899: Tumor T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity elucidates the immune response to genetic alterations of muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Abstract Background: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), unlike the more favorable low-grade papillary form, has a dismal prognosis with a significant risk of recurrence after surgical resection. Previous whole-exome sequencing of MIBC tumors performed by our lab demonstrated that carriers of mutations in any of six DNA mismatch repair genes (ATM, ERCC2, FANCD2, PALB2, BRCA1 or BRCA2) not only had a high somatic mutation burden, but also had enhanced recurrence-free survival compared to non-carriers of these mutations. We hypothesize that a high somatic mutation burden may generate a higher number of tumor-specific antigens that induce clonal expansion of tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) to reduce a risk of recurrence and improve the survival. To investigate this hypothesis, we have sequenced the TCR cDNAs of TILs. Methods: Tumor and adjacent normal tissue (verified by a pathologist) were collected from patients whose tumors had previously been whole-exome sequenced. Library preparation was performed using previously described methods. Next-generation sequencing of TCRs was conducted on the Illumina platform (San Diego, CA) and CDR3 sequences were identified using a published algorithm. The diversity index of the TCRα and TCRβ chains was calculated using Simpson's diversity index, an ecological formula for calculating biodiversity based on evenness and richness. CD4+, CD8+, and FOXP3 gene expression levels were also examined with TaqMan Gene Expression Assays (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Carlsbad, CA). Results: TCR sequencing of ten tumors (5 non-recurrent (NR) with at least two years follow-up, 5 recurrent) has been performed. The average TCRα DI of five recurrent patients is 97±56.5 (SEM) compared to 23± 12.7 for five NR patients. In addition, we found an average DI of 13.8±0.77 in tumors with a high somatic mutation burden (average number of mutations 221), while it was 71.4±36.8 for tumors with a low somatic mutation burden (avg mutations 31). In samples with a relatively high DI, the three most abundant TCR clones represent less than 15% of the total TCR population, while in samples with a low DI, the top three clones comprise 35-90% of the total population. Finally, the CD8+/FOXP3 ratios were 10.1±2.1(SEM) and 5.6±2.9 for tumors with a low DI and those with a high DI, respectively (low vs. high defined by the average). Conclusions: We have elicited a correlating pattern where MIBC tumors with a higher number of somatic mutations have a lower TCR DI, indicating an oligoclonal expansion. Furthermore, in patients with recurrence, the TCR DI is higher, suggesting a lack of anti-tumor immune responses and non-specific T-cell expansion. The higher CD8+/FOXP3 ratio observed in tumors with low DI suggests that the clonal expansion is of CD8+ cells in tumors, which have been shown to be associated with favorable prognosis. Citation Format: Noura Choudhury, Kai Lee Yap, Kazuma Kiyotani, Poh Yin Yew, Alexa Campanile, Tatjana Antic, Gary Steinberg, Jae-Hyun Park, Peter H. O'Donnell, Yusuke Nakamura. Tumor T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity elucidates the immune response to genetic alterations of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4899. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4899

창원시 가음정천의 생태복원에 따른 귀화식물 특성 분석과 관리방안

This study was carried out to present raw data on managing the restored urban stream by studying the naturalized plants distributed in Gaeumjeong Stream, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The results were as follows. The numbers of naturalized plants were summarized as 45 taxa including 17 families, 36 genera, 43 species and 2 varieties. The invasive alien plants were 2 taxa including Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Lactuca sativa. The following summarizes the attributes of the naturalized plants. Most of the plants commonly originated from Europe and North America. The 5 naturalized degree that was widely distributed and had many individual was the most common. Until 1921, after the opening of 1 period was the most common in the introduced period. Section 12 had the highest NI at 41.9%, and the lowest, at 20.5%, in sections 9 and 19 were analyzed. Section 1 had the highest UI at 6.2%, whereas, the lowest, at 2.5%, was calculated in sections 19 and 20. Section 2 showed the highest DI at 16.7%. The first results of the analysis of the causes for the invasion of naturalized plants on the riverside and waterways, and physical factors and maintenance are directly affected. Second, sewage, muddy water and sediment deposits this naturalized plant caused by a chemical factor. Third, it is thought that invasive alien plants are irregular as it happens in biological factor. The proposed management plan naturalized plants, the first, disturbance caused by species management is a young object is removed immediately before flowering scape to eliminate or suppress the propagation of physical methods will be needed. Second, the fact that the national spread of native plant species and planting management does not provide space for the growth is very important. Third, agricultural land is disturbed by agricultural practices by interfering with the action of naturalized plants because the source of the river should be prohibited in agriculture. In the future, if we studied the naturalized plants distributed in restored streams located in Changwon-si, the characteristics of change in the ecosystem impact is expected to be beneficial.

POST HARVEST CONTROL OF BACTERIAL SOFT ROT PATHOGENS OF ONION BULB IN STORAGE

General characteristics of bacterial pathogens based on the biochemical and physiological tests indicated that 41 isolates Out of 88 bacterial isolates collected from rotted onion bulbs were identified as; Erwinia cacticida (2), Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (5), Erwinia carotovora subsp. betavasculorum (6), Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (16), Pantoea spp (5) and Burkholderia cepacia (7). Storage trial for fresh harvest and cured onion bulbs collected from field plots irrigated, withholding irrigation four months before harvest and 4 different levels of fertilizers (N, K) treatments. Assessment of bacterial bulb rot disease incidence (DI%) were carried out every 2 months regular intervals during 10 months of storage for onion bulb samples after external treatments with propionic acid spray (0,025%), Streptomycin sulfate spray (100 ppm) and actinomycetes (Streptomyces coelicolor) dust formulation. Results indicated that highest DI % in check treatment after 10 months of onion bulb storage was 20.68%. Compared with this control treatment; significant reduction in DI% was found in most treatments after all periods of onion bulbs storage. The highly significant reduction in DI% attributed to spray with propionic acid were 2.13%, 1.51%, 1.27%, 0.67% and 0.0%; followed by dust treatment with actinomycetes were 4.32%, 3.71%, 3.23%, 1.86% and 1.50% after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 months; respectively. However; low significant difference or reduction in DI% was found between irrigation and withholding irrigation treatments. Among fertilizers treatments; N1K1 treatment (150kg N+ 24kg K2O/fed) showed significant reduction in DI% reached to 4.41%, 5.54%, 6.34% and 7.18% after 2, 4, 6 and 8 months of storage but after 10 months was not significant.

SAT0090 Impact of rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies on eular response to long-term treatment with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after failing one TNFI (first and refirst)

BackgroundReFIRST is an exploratory, multi-center, open label, uncontrolled phase IIIb study evaluating the efficacy of re-treatment with Rituximab (RTX). It is the extension of the FIRST study that included 302...

Multidimensional Modeling of Direct Injection Diesel Engine with Split Multiple Stage Fuel Injections

In the present study, an attempt has been made to predict the influence of split multiple stage fuel injection on a DI diesel engine performance and emission characteristics. The predictions have been made for both conventional continuous fuel injection as well as split multiple stage fuel injection. The analysis mainly emphasize on the prediction of SFC and NOx levels in a diesel engine for the above mentioned two fuel injection modes. These computational predictions can enhance the knowledge of the flow and combustion characteristics, which is of vital importance for the design and development of a high performance DI diesel engine. The aforementioned simulation work has been performed using a CFD code. It has been found that the split multiple stage fuel injection exhibits strong effects on combustion characteristics and provides controlled pressure and temperature inside the combustion chamber. It has also been seen that split multiple stage fuel injection significantly reduces the formation of NOx compared to that ofthe continuous fuel injection.

COMBUSTION MODELING FOR MODERN DIRECT INJECTION DIESEL ENGINES

In order to comply with stringent pollutant emissions regulations, a detailed analysis of the engine combustion and emission is required. In this field, computational tools like CFD and engine cycle simulation play a fundamental role. Therefore, the goal of the present work is to simulate a high speed DI diesel engine and study the combustion and major diesel engine emissions with more details, by using the AVL-FIRE commercial CFD code. The predicted values of the in cylinder pressure, heat release rate, emissions, spray penetration and in-cylinder isothermal contour plots by this code are compared with the corresponding experimental data in the literature and is derived good agreement. This agreement makes the model a reliable tool that can use for exploring new engine concepts.

Tu1027 Effect of Colesevelam on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Derived Fat Maps in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A S L D A b st ra ct s correlation was observed between PI signal and fibrosis scores (r = 0.33; p = 0.04). When patients were stratified according to their liver parenchyma PI signal, a significant difference was achieved between patients with Ishak score 1-2 vs 3-5 (p = 0.01). The median DI was 0.39 ± 0.15 (0.17 0.61); because DI is given by the ratio between the minimum velocity/ maximum velocity of downward HV flow, with higher DI, HV waveforms tended to become abnormal (r = 0.7, p = 0.01). All patients with Ishak > 3 had an abnormal hepatic vein waveform; DI > 0.45 was significantly more likely to be seen in patients with Ishak > 3. Conclusions: We report preliminary results suggesting that CEUS with software-based quantitative analysis in addition to standard Doppler indices may provide a useful noninvasive tool in assessing the severity of liver fibrosis in a clinical setting.

Tu1028 Correlation Between Liver Histology and Novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Adult Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

A S L D A b st ra ct s correlation was observed between PI signal and fibrosis scores (r = 0.33; p = 0.04). When patients were stratified according to their liver parenchyma PI signal, a significant difference was achieved between patients with Ishak score 1-2 vs 3-5 (p = 0.01). The median DI was 0.39 ± 0.15 (0.17 0.61); because DI is given by the ratio between the minimum velocity/ maximum velocity of downward HV flow, with higher DI, HV waveforms tended to become abnormal (r = 0.7, p = 0.01). All patients with Ishak > 3 had an abnormal hepatic vein waveform; DI > 0.45 was significantly more likely to be seen in patients with Ishak > 3. Conclusions: We report preliminary results suggesting that CEUS with software-based quantitative analysis in addition to standard Doppler indices may provide a useful noninvasive tool in assessing the severity of liver fibrosis in a clinical setting.

Induction of Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 in Human Vaginal Epithelial Cells in Response to TLR ligands and TNF‐α

Mucosal inflammation caused by infections of the female lower genital tract is considered to be an important cofactor for HIV transmission. We hypothesize that COX-2, a key inflammation-related enzyme, is involved in these responses and is upregulated by microbial ligands and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Human vaginal epithelial cells (VK-2/E6E7) and ectocervical biopsy tissues were stimulated with TLR ligands and the cytokine TNF-α, used as surrogates of vaginal infections, and assessed for COX-2 expression and activity by microarray, real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. TLR agonists and TNF-α induce transcriptional and translational expression of COX-2 in vaginal cells. TLR ligands, MALP2, Pam3CSK4, LTA, and imiquimod induced high epithelial COX-2 expression, while zymosan and poly dI:dC induced very low enzyme expression. Induced mRNA and protein expression correlated with increased COX-2 activity, which led to increased levels of PGE(2) in the cell culture supernatant. These cell-based findings were confirmed in primary cervicovaginal tissue explants. Induction of COX-2 expression and activity and the consequent increased levels of prostaglandins are common inflammatory pathways in human cervicovaginal epithelial cells and tissues in response to diverse TLR ligands and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings are relevant to the understanding of genital mucosal inflammation, its potential treatment, and its possible relationship with increased tissue susceptibility to HIV-1 infection.

Improvement of Coke Strength by PVA Coating on the Surface of Coke

Due to enlargement, stabilized and efficient operation of blast furnaces (BF), cokes with high strength have been required in BF in recent years. Recently, on the coke reactivity with carbon dioxide, it is reported that high reactive cokes can improve the reduction of iron ore in BF and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from BF. These coke strength (DI) and coke reactivity (CRI) have been primarily controlled by the blending operation of coals in coke production. However, it is difficult to get the cokes which possess both high DI and high CRI, because the blending operation for increasing DI usually results in the decrease of CRI. To get high DI, we investigated the effect of coating on coke with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on coke strength. Coke particles were dipped into the PVA aqueous solution and dried out. DI and CRI/CSR of the PVA coated coke prepared by the above method were measured. Those results showed that 0.011 g/g-coke PVA coating on the surface of the coke resulted in the increase of the DI by 4.2 points and no change in the CRI/CSR values. It may be possible to control the coke strength (DI) and the coke reactivity (CRI) independently without any change of coal blending by using our new method.

Molecular assays reveal the presence and diversity of genes encoding pea footrot pathogenicity determinants in Nectria haematococca and in agricultural soils.

The aim of this study was to develop molecular assays for investigating the presence and diversity of pathogenicity genes from the pea footrot pathogen Nectria haematococca (anamorph Fusarium solani f.sp. pisi) in soils. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed to amplify four N. haematococca pathogenicity genes (PDA, PEP1, PEP3 and PEP5) from isolates and soil-DNA from five agricultural fields with a prior footrot history. A collection of 15 fungi isolated on medium selective for Fusarium spp. exhibited variation in their virulence to peas as assessed via a disease index (DI: 0-5; no virulence to the highest virulence). PCR analyses showed that three isolates in which all four pathogenicity genes were detected resulted in the highest DI (>3.88). All four pathogenicity genes were detected in soil-DNA obtained from all five fields with a footrot disease history, but were not amplified from soils, which had no footrot history. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and/or sequence analysis revealed diversity amongst the pathogenicity genes. The PCR assays developed herein enable the specific detection of pathogenic N. haematococca in soils without recourse to culture. Molecular assays that specifically target pathogenicity genes have the capacity to assess the presence of the footrot-causing pathogen in agricultural soils.