Showing papers by "University of Rijeka published in 2006"
TL;DR: The majority of patients with epilepsy maintain seizure control during pregnancy, and the apparently higher risk of seizures among women treated with ox carbazepine and the more frequent increases in drug load in the oxcarbazepines and lamotrigine cohorts prompts further studies on relationships with pharmacokinetic changes.
Abstract: Objective: To analyze seizure control and treatment in pregnant women with epilepsy. Methods: Seizure control and treatment were recorded prospectively in 1,956 pregnancies of 1,882 women with epilepsy participating in EURAP, an international antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and pregnancy registry. Results: Of all cases, 58.3% were seizure-free throughout pregnancy. Occurrence of any seizures was associated with localization-related epilepsy (OR: 2.5; 1.7 to 3.9) and polytherapy (OR: 9.0; 5.6 to 14.8) and for tonic-clonic seizures, with oxcarbazepine monotherapy (OR: 5.4; 1.6 to 17.1). Using first trimester as reference, seizure control remained unchanged throughout pregnancy in 63.6%, 92.7% of whom were seizure-free during the entire pregnancy. For those with a change in seizure frequency, 17.3% had an increase and 15.9% a decrease. Seizures occurred during delivery in 60 pregnancies (3.5%), more commonly in women with seizures during pregnancy (OR: 4.8; 2.3 to 10.0). There were 36 cases of status epilepticus (12 convulsive), which resulted in stillbirth in one case but no cases of miscarriage or maternal mortality. AED treatment remained unchanged in 62.7% of the pregnancies. The number or dosage of AEDs were more often increased in pregnancies with seizures (OR: 3.6; 2.8 to 4.7) and with monotherapy with lamotrigine (OR: 3.8; 2.1 to 6.9) or oxcarbazepine (OR: 3.7; 1.1 to 12.9). Conclusions: The majority of patients with epilepsy maintain seizure control during pregnancy. The apparently higher risk of seizures among women treated with oxcarbazepine and the more frequent increases in drug load in the oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine cohorts prompts further studies on relationships with pharmacokinetic changes. Risks associated with status epilepticus appear to be lower than previously reported.
283 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented a mathematical model regarding the conjugate problem of transient forced convection and solid-liquid phase change heat transfer based on the enthalpy formulation, which was validated with experimental data obtained by experimental investigations that have been performed on the test unit with technical grade paraffin as the phase change material and water as the heat transfer fluid (HTF).
162 citations
TL;DR: A p53-dependent checkpoint is activated during gastrulation in response to ribosome insufficiency to prevent improper execution of the developmental program.
Abstract: Nascent ribosome biogenesis is required during cell growth. To gain insight into the importance of this process during mouse oogenesis and embryonic development, we deleted one allele of the ribosomal protein S6 gene in growing oocytes and generated S6-heterozygous embryos. Oogenesis and embryonic development until embryonic day 5.5 (E5.5) were normal. However, inhibition of entry into M phase of the cell cycle and apoptosis became evident post-E5.5 and led to perigastrulation lethality. Genetic inactivation of p53 bypassed this checkpoint and prolonged development until E12.5, when the embryos died, showing decreased expression of D-type cyclins, diminished fetal liver erythropoiesis, and placental defects. Thus, a p53-dependent checkpoint is activated during gastrulation in response to ribosome insufficiency to prevent improper execution of the developmental program.
135 citations
TL;DR: The Francisella pathogenicity island and its transcriptional regulator MglA are essential for arresting biogenesis of the Francisella-containing phagosome, which defies the dogma of classification of intracellular pathogens into vacuolar or cytosolic.
134 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the mouse cytomegalovirus molecule fcr-1 promotes a rapid down-regulation of NKG2D ligands murine UL16-binding protein like transcript (MULT)-1 and H60 from the cell surface.
Abstract: Members of the α- and β-subfamily of herpesviridae encode glycoproteins that specifically bind to the Fc part of immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Plasma membrane resident herpesviral Fc receptors seem to prevent virus-specific IgG from activating antibody-dependent effector functions. We show that the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) molecule fcr-1 promotes a rapid down-regulation of NKG2D ligands murine UL16-binding protein like transcript (MULT)-1 and H60 from the cell surface. Deletion of the m138/fcr-1 gene from the MCMV genome attenuates viral replication to natural killer (NK) cell response in an NKG2D-dependent manner in vivo. A distinct N-terminal module within the fcr-1 ectodomain in conjunction with the fcr-1 transmembrane domain was required to dispose MULT-1 to degradation in lysosomes. In contrast, down-modulation of H60 required the complete fcr-1 ectodomain, implying independent modes of fcr-1 interaction with the NKG2D ligands. The results establish a novel viral strategy for down-modulating NK cell responses and highlight the impressive diversity of Fc receptor functions.
103 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyze the European transition economics and show that many time series of major indices exhibit (i) power-law correlations in their values, (ii) power law correlation in their magnitudes and (iii) an asymmetric probability distribution.
Abstract: We analyze the European transition economics and show that many time series of major indices exhibit (i) power-law correlations in their values, (ii) power-law correlations in their magnitudes and (iii) an asymmetric probability distribution. Applying the phase randomization procedure to these time series, we show that magnitude correlations completely vanish. We propose a stochastic model that can generate time series with features (i), (ii) and (iii), and we show by means of numerical simulations that this model is capable of reproducing these three features found in the empirical data.
98 citations
TL;DR: A number of potentially useful integral representations for the familiar Mathieu a-series as well as for its alternating version are presented and are shown to yield sharp bounding inequalities involving the Mathieu and alternating MathieuA-series.
93 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored comprehension monitoring and perceived use of reading strategies as factors of reading comprehension in elementary school students from the fifth to the eighth grade, and found that reading strategies were significantly related to reading comprehension only in eighth-grade students.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore comprehension monitoring and perceived use of reading strategies as factors of reading comprehension. Participants were elementary school students from the fifth to the eighth grade. Error correction and text sensitivity tasks from the Metacomprehension test (Pazzaglia, De Beni, & Cristante, 1994). and the cloze-task were used as measures of comprehension monitoring during reading. A Strategic reading questionnaire (Kolic-Vehovec & Bajsanski, 2001b) was applied as a measure of perceived use of strategies during reading. Girls had better results than boys on text comprehension, all measures of comprehension monitoring, as well as on the Strategic reading questionnaire. Significant developmental improvements in comprehension monitoring occurred after the fifth grade and between the sixth and the eighth grade. A similar change was evident in reading comprehension. All measures of comprehension monitoring were significantly related to text comprehension in all age groups. However, perceived use of reading strategies was significantly related to reading comprehension only in eighth-grade students.
75 citations
TL;DR: This article examined the relationship between goal orientation, coping with school failure and school achievement, using two questionnaires, Goal Orientation (Niemivirta, 1996a) and The School Failure Coping Scale (Rijavec & Brdar, 1997), which were administered to 1057 high school students.
Abstract: The present study examined the relationship between goal orientation, coping with school failure and school achievement. Two questionnaires, Goal Orientation (Niemivirta, 1996a) and The School Failure Coping Scale (Rijavec & Brdar, 1997), were administered to 1057 high school students (aged from 15 to 17 years).
74 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an inversion method of phase portion estimation based on calculated hardness in the quenched steel has been established, which has been used in computer simulation of phase part and mechanical properties in quench specimens of steel 41Cr4 (DIN).
73 citations
TL;DR: In patients with BMS, IL-2 and IL-6 levels in saliva are elevated, correlating with the severity of illness, and these levels are significantly increased in patients compared to healthy subjects.
Abstract: The etiology of BMS remains unknown Role of various cytokines has been implicated in the development of BMS The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of salivary IL-2 and IL-6 in patients with BMS, compared with age-matched healthy volunteers (control group) Whole saliva from 30 patients with BMS, age range 55-65, was tested for the presence of IL-6 and IL-2 by enzyme immunoassay Control group consisted of 30 healthy participants, aged 55-65 years Saliva IL-2 concentrations in BMS were significantly increased in patients compared to healthy subjects: mean 341 +/- 97 versus 73 +/- 30 pg/mL; P < 001 Patients with BMS had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 compared to control: mean 308 +/- 56 versus 52 +/- 28 pg/mL; P < 001 In patients with BMS, IL-2 and IL-6 levels in saliva are elevated, correlating with the severity of illness
TL;DR: An association with disease severity rather than susceptibility to tuberculosis in Croatian Caucasian population is suggested and T/T+874 (possible high IFN‐γ producer) and +874A/A (putative low producer) genotypes were associated with microscopically positive–negative forms of disease.
Abstract: Genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis includes several unknown yet different loci each contributing to a small extent. Intronic polymorphisms within the interferon- g (IFN-g) gene IFNG Tþ 874A and IFNG Gþ 2109A correlate with the IFN-g production in vitro, and the frequency of potential high IFN-g producers was previously reported by others to be lower in patients than in controls from Sicily. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between polymorphisms in the IFN-g gene and predisposition to tuberculosis. We analysed two IFNG SNPs (Tþ 874A and Gþ 2109A) in patients (n¼ 253) hospitalized in Rijeka (Croatia) and controls (n¼ 519) from the same area. One fifth of the controls were healthy contacts of the diseased, and the rest were blood donors. IFNG alleles, their predicted haplotypes or genotypes were not associated with disease susceptibility. Thus, we could not reproduce results from Sicilian case-control study. However, T/Tþ 874 (possible high IFN-g producer) and þ 874A/A (putative low producer) genotypes were associated with microscopically positive– negative forms of disease. Haplotypes (Tþ 874A and Gþ 2109A) based on a prediction by software PHASE and subsequent genotype analysis corroborated these findings. Patients had significantly higher frequency of genotypes without T at þ 874 (AA/AA ; AA/AG and AG/AG) in microscopy or bacterial culture-positive groups compared with their negative counterparts.These data suggest an association with disease severity rather than susceptibility to tuberculosis in Croatian Caucasian population.
TL;DR: The results suggest that a particular combination of IFNG and IFNGR1 SNP might offer a better protection against tuberculosis in this population of patients from Croatia.
Abstract: We analysed frequencies of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) receptor-1 (IFNGR1) gene promoter (G-611A, T-56C) in tuberculosis patients (n = 244) and compared them with controls (n = 521). These frequencies were not significantly different, whether analysed independently or as haplotypes. Because these SNP affect transcription, the results suggest that the expression of the IFNGR1 gene does not confer susceptibility to disease in patients from Croatia. Further analysis revealed a significant association between the protective (CA)n polymorphism (22 repeats, 192 FA1), located in the fifth intron of the IFNGR1 gene (+16682), and GT promoter haplotype (−611; −56) that showed the strongest expression capacity. In addition to this cis relationship, the (CA)22 allele was correlated in trans with an IFN-γ SNP (IFNG G + 2109A), which might affect the transcription of the IFNG gene. These results suggest that a particular combination of IFNG and IFNGR1 SNP might offer a better protection against tuberculosis in this population.
TL;DR: The teeth of the maxilla are more convenient for the age determination than the teeth of mandible, and the results show that sex too, is in significant correlation with the real age, p<0.001.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate the presence of yet another NK cell-dependent viral resistance mechanism, named Cmv4, which most likely encodes for a new NK activating receptor and will expand the understanding of the specificity of the innate recognition of infection by NK cells.
Abstract: CMV can cause life-threatening disease in immunodeficient hosts. Experimental infection in mice has revealed that the genetically determined natural resistance to murine CMV (MCMV) may be mediated either by direct recognition between the NK receptor Ly49H and the pathogen-encoded glycoprotein m157 or by epistatic interaction between Ly49P and the host MHC H-2D k . Using stocks of wild-derived inbred mice as a source of genetic diversity, we found that PWK/Pas (PWK) mice were naturally resistant to MCMV. Depletion of NK cells subverted the resistance. Analysis of backcrosses to susceptible BALB/c mice revealed that the phenotype was controlled by a major dominant locus effect linked to the NK gene complex. Haplotype analysis of 41 polymorphic markers in the Ly49h region suggested that PWK mice may share a common ancestral origin with C57BL/6 mice; in the latter, MCMV resistance is dependent on Ly49H-m157 interactions. Nevertheless, PWK mice retained viral resistance against m157-defective mutant MCMV. These results demonstrate the presence of yet another NK cell-dependent viral resistance mechanism, named Cmv4 , which most likely encodes for a new NK activating receptor. Identification of Cmv4 will expand our understanding of the specificity of the innate recognition of infection by NK cells.
TL;DR: Serum concentration of CRP above 6.2 mg/L is a strong predictor of overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with ESRD, and non-survivors had a higher median CRP value than survivors.
Abstract: Background. To establish the baseline cutoff value of C-reactive protein (CRP) that would predict increased overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods. A cohort of 270 prevalent hemodialysis patients treated at Rijeka University Hospital was eligible for the study. Monthly CRP measurements were performed for three consecutive months. Only the patients with CRP values varying 10.0 mg/L. The survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curve. Results. During the two-year follow-up, 59 patients died. The major cause of death was cardiovascular disease (64%). Significantly higher overall and cardiovascular mortality was observed in group 3 when compared with groups 1 and 2 (χ2=11.97; P < 0.001) and in group 4 when compared with groups 1 and 2 (χ2=14.40; P<0.001). Compared with survivors, non-survivors had a higher median CRP value (19.0 [1.5–99.7] mg/L vs. 2.3 [0.1–49.1] mg/L, respectively; P<0.001). Conclusion. Serum concentration of CRP above 6.2 mg/L is a strong predictor of overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with ESRD.
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that patients with psoriasis are more prone to osteoporosis than healthy subjects and a large prospective, case-control study with the data on BMD, biochemical parameters of bone turnover and fractures have to be done to test the hypothesis.
TL;DR: A negative correlation between VEGF expression and ER status may not only shed more light on tumor biology but may also have future therapeutic implications.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression on tumor cells and other clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer that could give additional information on its prognostic significance. Immunohistochemical analysis of expression of VEGF, estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), HER-2/neu, and Ki67 was performed in 233 breast cancers. VEGF expression estimated semiquantitatively was correlated with all the above-mentioned parameters as well as with clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer such as menopausal status of patients, tumor size, histologic and nuclear grade, vascular invasion, and lymph node status. Most of the tumor cells and some stromal components expressed VEGF. A higher percentage of VEGF-positive tumor cells was present in premenopausal patients and in ER-negative tumors. In postmenopausal patients tumors with a higher expression of VEGF were associated not only with ER-negative but also with HER-2/neu-positive tumor cells. These ER-negative tumors were characterized by a higher proliferative activity. Angiogenic switch as well as proliferative activity of breast cancer cells probably are unfavorably dependent on estrogen activity. This negative correlation between VEGF expression and ER status may not only shed more light on tumor biology but may also have future therapeutic implications.
TL;DR: The authors evaluated the influence of haute pression on solubilite, hydrophobicite, and emulsifiant caracterisees of a pouvoir moussant and an isolat of proteines de lactoserum.
Abstract: L'objectif de cette etude etait d'evaluer l'influence des traitements haute pression sur la solubilite, l'hydrophobicite de surface, le pouvoir moussant et emulsifiant d'un concentre (WPC) et d'un isolat (WPI) de proteines de lactoserum. Les dispersions de poudres WPC ET WPI (10 % w/w) etaient traitees a 300 MPa et 600 MPa pendant 5 et 10 min, a 40 ± 2 °C. Les changements de solubilite des proteines etaient determines a pH 7.0 et a pH 4.6. L'evaluation des proprietes moussantes etait basee sur l'expansion de la mousse au cours d'un fouettage prolonge et sur la stabilite de mousse. Les proprietes emulsifiantes etaient caracterisees par la stabilite de l'emulsion et les indices d'activite emulsifiante. Les resultats ont montre une modification significative (P < 0,05) de la solubilite et de l'hydrophobicite de surface avec l'application d'une pression de duree et d'intensite croissantes, indiquant une denaturation partielle et l'agregation des proteines. Il a ete demontre que les traitements haute pression amelioraient de facon significative (P < 0,05) le comportement moussant de l'isolat de proteines de lactoserum, tandis que la capacite moussante du concentre de proteines etait diminuee. Cependant, les mousses formees avec le WPC et le WPI traites par haute pression montraient une stabilite significativement prolongee (P < 0,05) par rapport au temoin. Une tendance significative a la diminution de l'efficacite emulsifiante et de la stabilite de l'emulsion, liee a l'intensite de la pression appliquee et de la duree de traitement, etait observee aussi bien pour le WPC que le WPI.
TL;DR: Girls with higher BMI, who accepted societal standards of thin-ideal, perceived major social pressure to be thin through direct and persuasive comments designed to establish the importance of dieting, and probably develop eating disturbed habits, or some symptoms of anorexia (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN).
Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to study the relationship between unhealthy eating habits and behaviors, perception and acceptance of societal standards regarding thinness, body dissatisfaction, and family and peer pressure to be thin. One hundred and twentythree high school girls from Rijeka (Croatia) were surveyed using Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ), Body Esteem Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults (BES), and Scale of perceived pressure to be thin from family and peers. The results of path analyses showed that social pressure from family and peers, experience of weight-related teasing and criticism by family members, contributed to development of eating disturbance. The acceptance of social standards related to appearance, contributed to onset of disturbed eating habits. Weight satisfaction alone influences the development of some eating disorder symptoms, but it is also a mediator of higher body mass index (BMI) and internalization of societal appearance standards. Girls with higher BMI, who accepted societal standards of thin-ideal, perceived major social pressure to be thin through direct and persuasive comments designed to establish the importance of dieting, and probably develop eating disturbed habits, or some symptoms of anorexia (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN).
Journal Article•
TL;DR: According to the results, the imbalance between apoptosis and proliferation caused by X-irradiation may be the reason for gland impairment during the late post-IRradiation phase.
Abstract: Severe xerostomia is a common late radiation consequence, which occurs after irradiation of head and neck malignancies. The aim of the present study was to analyze apoptosis and proliferation and their relationship during the late post-irradiation phase. C57BL/6 mice were locally irradiated in head and neck region with a single dose of 7.5 or 15 Gy and their submandibular glands were collected at 40 and 90 days after irradiation. To identify apoptotic cells, the TUNEL method was employed and immunohistochemistry with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used for detecting proliferation. Histological changes at day 40 were mild in contrast to day 90 when glands of irradiated mice showed severe atrophy, vacuolization and mononuclear infiltration. Acinar cells, granular and intercalated duct cells of mice irradiated with 7.5 and 15 Gy expressed higher apoptotic index than cells of non-irradiated, control glands at both examined time points. At 40 days, a higher proliferation index in granular and intercalated duct cells was detected only in group irradiated with 7.5 Gy. At 90 days, proliferation index for all cell types in both irradiated groups was similar to the controls. According to our results, the imbalance between apoptosis and proliferation caused by X-irradiation may be the reason for gland impairment during the late post-irradiation phase.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In the set of tests used to assess specific motor abilities in karate, the speed of blockade, the rate of moving in multiple directions, and frequency of foot kicking were found to be the best predictors of technical efficiency, whereas the speedof moving in several directions, the speeds of blockade and frequencyof foot kick were the best Predictors of fighting efficiency.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to identify the motor structures that determine achievement of top results in karate. The study included a sample of 85 karateka aged 18-29 years, competing as senior category athletes of the Croatian Karate Society. Fourteen motor tests (9 basic motor tests and 5 specific motor tests) were used to assess technical efficiency; fighting efficiency was estimated on the basis of results achieved at a number of contests. Factorial analysis of the basic set of motor variables indicated the presence of three major factors of coordination, explosive strength, and movement frequency. Factorial analysis of pooled basic and specific motor variables also pointed to three major factors of speed (basic and specific), controlled power (explosive strength and specific agility), and basic coordination. Regression analysis showed the isolated basic factors to significantly determine both technical and fighting efficiency of the karateka, with the major role of the factor of explosive strength (power). Regression analysis of pooled basic and specific factors revealed the factors of controlled speed and controlled power to predominantly determine the karateka fighting and technical efficiency. In the set of tests used to assess specific motor abilities in karate, the speed of blockade, the speed of moving in multiple directions, and frequency of foot kicking were found to be the best predictors of technical efficiency, whereas the speed of moving in multiple directions, the speed of blockade, and frequency of foot kicking were the best predictors of fighting efficiency.
TL;DR: A novel approach for solving the cell-formation problem based on implementation of a GA, called modified genetic algorithm (MGA), based on Emergent Synthesis idea, of top-down problem decomposition and emerging solution from bottom-up feedback is presented.
TL;DR: The results allow an assumption of a trend of cranial vault and face shape remodeling in the younger adult population toward a narrower vault and more elongated face, consistent with ongoing dolichocephalization, to be assumed.
Abstract: A secular change of body height and neurocranial variables was registered in the Croatian population during the last century. We investigated the continuity of this process, and introduced facial measurements into the study. The results cover a 13-year period, from the birth of the subjects in 1974-1986, with a gap in the period from 1977-1981. The subjects were first-year students of the University of Rijeka School of Medicine, aged 19-21 years. Secular changes were evaluated by analysis of variance and multivariate regression analysis. A statisti- cally significant decrease was found in head breadth, and an increase in morphological face height values, in both sexes. A significant increase of head circumference was observed in female students. The height and length of the head in both sexes displayed a slight but insignifi- cant increase, while face breadth revealed no notable change during the investigated period. The results allow an assumption of a trend of cranial vault and face shape remodeling in our younger adult population toward a narrower vault and more elongated face, consistent with ongoing dolichocephalization. The correlation analysis revealed a low to moderate relationship of vertical and longitudinal craniofacial measures and body height, while partial correlation analysis showed facial height changes in our sample to be independent of cranial breadth
TL;DR: A stable high prevalence of MS as well as a high number of familial MS cases was identified in the neighbouring regions of Slovenia and Croatia.
TL;DR: A unique case of cardiac embolization with the Kirschner wire that has been used for osteosynthesis for 24 months previously, with a total length of 13.5 cm with no pericardial tamponade, despite myocardial perforation is reported.
TL;DR: The goal of this paper is to assess changes in inputs and outputs of an extreme efficient DMU that will not alter its efficiency status, thus obtaining the region of efficiency for that DMU.
Abstract: In this paper we consider the Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. In a DEA model each Decision Making Unit (DMU) is classified either as efficient or inefficient. Changes in inputs or outputs of any DMU can alter its classification, i.e. an efficient DMU can become inefficient and vice versa. The goal of this paper is to assess changes in inputs and outputs of an extreme efficient DMU that will not alter its efficiency status, thus obtaining the region of efficiency for that DMU. Namely, a DMU will remain efficient if and only if after applying changes this DMU stays in that region. The representation of this region is done using an iterative procedure. In the first step an extended DEA model, whereby a DMU under evaluation is excluded from the reference set, is used. In the iterative part of the procedure, by using the obtained optimal simplex tableau we apply parametric programming, thus moving from one facet to the adjacent one. At the end of the procedure we obtain the complete region of efficiency for a DMU under consideration.
TL;DR: This work investigated whether decidual adherent cells (DAC) and interleukin (IL)‐15, in comparison to interleukesin ( IL)‐2, affect cytolytic potential of first trimester decidUAL lymphocytes (DL).
Abstract: We investigated whether decidual adherent cells (DAC) and IL-15 affects cytolytic potential of first trimester decidual lymphocytes (DL) in comparison with IL-2. Decidual mononuclear cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation. Non-adherent DL were collected after 2 hour adherence and cultured with IL-15 (0.5-5 ng/ml), IL-2 (100-1000 U/ml), or both of these cytokines, DAC at ratio 3:1 and 1:1 or DAC and anti-IL-15 antibody for 18 hours or 72 hours. Perforin, FasL and granzyme B were detected at protein and mRNA level in indicated culture conditions. Cytolytic activity of DL against K-562, P815 and P815-Fas was measured by 2 hour PKH-26 cytotoxicity assay and the variations of perforin protein and mRNA were measured in DL after a contact with K-562 targets. Interleukin-15 prevented the perforin protein down-regulation observed after culture of DL and enhanced perforin, FasL and granzyme B transcription after 18 hour-culture. IL-2 had similar effects. DAC contain 33.52 ± 9.02% of IL-15 expressing cells (HLA-DR+ and HLA-DR-) and sustained perforin expression in DL. Anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibody abrogated this effect. Therefore DAC increased cytotoxicity of DL against K-562 mediated by an IL-15 secretion. Interleukin-15, produced by DAC, up-regulates cytolytic mediator expression with equal efficiency as high concentration of IL-2 and perforin mediated cytotoxicity in DL.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The original extrusion force model is obtained for experimental domain of forming parameters and identification of parameters influence in that model showed an improvement in minimization of tool loading.
Abstract: Purpose: This research is determination of the optimal cold forward extrusion parameters with objective the minimization of tool load. Design/methodology/approach: This paper deals with the different optimization approaches relating to determine optimal values of logarithmic strain, die angle and coefficient of friction with the purpose to find minimal tool loading obtained by cold forward extrusion process. To achieve this, it has been carried out two experimental plans based on factorial design of experiment and orthogonal array. By using these plans it was performed classical optimization, according to response model of extrusion forming force, and the Taguchi approach, respectively. Findings: Experimental verification of optimal forming parameters with their influences on the forming forces was done. The experimental results showed an improvement in minimization of tool loading. It was compared results of optimal forming parameters obtained with different optimization approaches and based on that the analysis of the characteristics (features and limitations) of both techniques. Research limitations/implications: Suggestion for future research it will be application of evolutionary algorithms namely model prediction of the process by genetic programming and optimization of extrusion parameters by genetic algorithm. Practical implications: a practical (industrial) implication on the smallest energy consumption, longer tool life, better formability of the work material and the quality of the finished product. Originality/value: This paper is obtained original extrusion force model for experimental domain of forming parameters and identification of parameters influence in that model.
TL;DR: Angiotensin‐converting enzyme activity is increased in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS, the blockade of ACE suppresses the disease itself.
Abstract: Objectives - Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity is increased in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, the blockade of ACE suppresses the disease itself. To analyze the genetic association of the ACE gene with MS, we examined ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in MS patients. Materials and methods - A total of 313 MS patients from Slovenia and Croatia and 376 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction method. Results - We found statistically significant differences in the distribution of ACE I/D allele frequencies (P<0.01) and genotypes (P<0.04) in male patients. ACE DD genotype was associated with MS in men at an odds ratio of 1.86 (95% CI 1.09-3.19, P=0.02). Conclusions - DD genotype of ACE gene might contribute to a higher risk of developing MS in men.