Cardiosphere-derived cells suppress allogeneic lymphocytes by production of PGE2 acting via the EP4 receptor

derived cells (CDCs) are a cardiac progenitor cell population, which have been shown to possess cardiac regenerative properties and can improve heart function in a variety of cardiac diseases. Studies in large animal models have predominantly focussed on using autologous cells for safety, however allogeneic cell banks would allow for a practical, cost-effective and efficient use in a clinical setting. The aim of this work was to determine the immunomodulatory status of these cells using CDCs and lymphocytes from 5 dogs. CDCs expressed MHC I but not MHC II molecules and in mixed lymphocyte reactions demonstrated a lack of lymphocyte proliferation in response to MHC-mismatched CDCs. Furthermore, MHC-mismatched CDCs suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and activation in response to Concanavalin A. Transwell experiments demonstrated that this was predominantly due to direct cell-cell contact in addition to soluble mediators whereby CDCs produced high levels of PGE2 under inflammatory conditions. This led to down-regulation of CD25 expression on lymphocytes via the EP4 receptor. Blocking prostaglandin synthesis restored both, proliferation and activation (measured via CD25 expression) of stimulated lymphocytes. We demonstrated for the first time in a large animal model that CDCs inhibit proliferation in allo-reactive lymphocytes and have potent immunosuppressive activity mediated via PGE2

The "Ram Effect": A "Non-Classical" Mechanism for Inducing LH Surges in Sheep

During spring sheep do not normally ovulate but exposure to a ram can induce ovulation. In some ewes an LH surge is induced immediately after exposure to a ram thus raising questions about the control of this precocious LH surge. Our first aim was to determine the plasma concentrations of oestradiol (E2) E2 in anoestrous ewes before and after the "ram effect" in ewes that had a "precocious" LH surge (starting within 6 hours), a "normal" surge (between 6 and 28h) and "late» surge (not detected by 56h). In another experiment we tested if a small increase in circulating E2 could induce an LH surge in anoestrus ewes. The concentration of E2 significantly was not different at the time of ram introduction among ewes with the three types of LH surge. "Precocious" LH surges were not preceded by a large increase in E2 unlike "normal" surges and small elevations of circulating E2 alone were unable to induce LH surges. These results show that the "precocious" LH surge was not the result of E2 positive feedback. Our second aim was to test if noradrenaline (NA) is involved in the LH response to the "ram effect". Using double labelling for Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) we showed that exposure of anoestrous ewes to a ram induced a higher density of cells positive for both in the A1 nucleus and the Locus Coeruleus complex compared to unstimulated controls. Finally, the administration by retrodialysis into the preoptic area, of NA increased the proportion of ewes with an LH response to ram odor whereas treatment with the α1 antagonist Prazosin decreased the LH pulse frequency and amplitude induced by a sexually active ram. Collectively these results suggest that in anoestrous ewes NA is involved in ram-induced LH secretion as observed in other induced ovulators

Digitalization in dental implants

This article examines the transformative impact of digitalization on implant dentistry, with a particular focus on technological advancements that have significantly enhanced patient outcomes, treatment precision, and procedural efficiency. Key digital technologies under investigation for their potential to augment diagnostic accuracy and optimize implant placement include intraoral scanners, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The integration of three-dimensional (3D) printing in implantology is also explored, emphasizing its role in accelerating prosthesis fabrication and streamlining clinical workflows. Additionally, the paper delves into the emerging contributions of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing surgical precision and improving implant success rates. The conclusion provides an outlook on the future trajectory of digital implantology, highlighting ongoing technological innovations that hold promise for further advancements in patient care and clinical outcomes.

Search for High Mass Photon Pairs in p-pbar --> gamma-gamma-jet-jet Events at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV

A search has been carried out for events in the channel p-barp --> gamma gamma jet jet. Such a signature can characterize the production of a non-standard Higgs boson together with a W or Z boson. We refer to this non-standard Higgs, having standard model couplings to vector bosons but no coupling to fermions, as a "bosonic Higgs." With the requirement of two high transverse energy photons and two jets, the diphoton mass (m(gamma gamma)) distribution is consistent with expected background. A 90(95)% C.L. upper limit on the cross section as a function of mass is calculated, ranging from 0.60(0.80) pb for m(gamma gamma) = 65 GeV/c^2 to 0.26(0.34) pb for m(gamma gamma) = 150 GeV/c^2, corresponding to a 95% C.L. lower limit on the mass of a bosonic Higgs of 78.5 GeV/c^2.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Replacement has new H->gamma gamma branching ratios and corresponding new mass limit

Search For Heavy Pointlike Dirac Monopoles

We have searched for central production of a pair of photons with high transverse energies in $p\bar p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 1.8$ TeV using $70 pb^{-1}$ of data collected with the D\O detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994--1996. If they exist, virtual heavy pointlike Dirac monopoles could rescatter pairs of nearly real photons into this final state via a box diagram. We observe no excess of events above background, and set lower 95% C.L. limits of $610, 870, or 1580 GeV/c^2$ on the mass of a spin 0, 1/2, or 1 Dirac monopole.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Ecological niche dynamics of three invasive marine species under the conservatism and shift niche hypotheses

Marine bioinvasions are one of the main threats to biodiversity. According to assumptions based on ecological niche models, the conservatism and equilibrium of species with the environment are vital to understanding the bioinvasion process.However, these assumptions have been evaluated primarily for terrestrial species,with few examples in marine environments. We tested the niche conservatism and niche shift hypotheses in native and invaded environments and evaluated the niche dynamics and invasion stages on three invasive marine species: the algae Asparagopsis armata and Codium fragile, and the ascidian Asterocarpa humilis. We applied the identity and background similarity tests to assess the conservatism, the principal component analysis to evaluate the niche dynamics, the Gallien et al. approach to evaluate the invasion stages, and an ensemble of model to estimate potential distribution. Findings showed that the niche equivalence hypothesis was not rejected for any of the species, indicating equivalent ecological niches. Niche similarity demonstrated that niches in native and invaded ranges were not similar as expected by chance for A. humilis and C. fragile. However, for A. armata, the populations in the native and invaded areas had a very similar environmental niche. In addition, high niche stability is evident in the niche dynamics, and so as the stabilization phase of the invasion phases of the three species; thus, studying the three species supported the hypothesis of niche conservatism. These results indicated that all three species have dispersed and are in biogeographic equilibrium within their invaded regions

Intracapsular development in the freshwater gastropod Chilina dombeiana (Bruguiere, 1789). (Gastropoda: Hygrophila: Chilinidae)

Chilina dombeiana (Bruguière, 1789) is a native Chilean species inhabiting freshwater and estuarine environments. In the present study, a series of stages for embryonic development of the embryo is described. The snails lay gelatinous and transparent zig-zag-like string egg masses, ranging between 10 and 130 mm in length. Each egg mass contains a variable number of embryos ranging from 60 to 298 eggs with a mean density of 2.9 mm (+ 0.7 SD). Embryos inside egg masses are individually encapsulated and embedded in a jelly matrix. Hatching as crawling juveniles took place after 28 days, indicating that direct development occurs in this species. In contrast to other fresh water pulmonates, the well-developed operculum observed in C. dombeiana from the veliger stage, suggest a marine ancestry for this species

PROPUESTA DE UN MODELO DE GESTIÓN ESTRATÉGICA APLICANDO EL CUADRO DE MANDO INTEGRAL, PARA LA MEJORA DEL DESEMPEÑO DE LA EMPRESA KANIMAN SRL. EN LA CIUDAD DE PUCALLPA 2012 NEW MODEL OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT USING THE BALANCED SCORECARD TO IMPROVE THE PERFO

La investigación aplicó los conceptos y estrategias del nuevo modelo de gestión estratégica aplicando el cuadro de mando integral, ligado a otros enfoques en un esquema más amplio y completo de gestión, para influir en el desempeño de la empresa Kaniman SRL en la ciudad de Pucallpa, Perú, en el periodo 2012; para tal efecto se empleó la metodología de la investigación cuantitativa con diseño cuasi experimental, representando el proceso de investigación en series temporales o cronológicas, y la técnica de análisis: inferencial univariado. Para evaluar el resultado de la gestión empresarial se empleó diecisiete indicadores, como medida  de desempeño, en las cuatro dimensiones del Cuadro de Mando Integral, las cuales son: perspectiva financiera, perspectiva del cliente, perspectiva interna y perspectiva de aprendizaje y crecimiento. Estableciéndose que la aplicación del modelo de gestión propuesto, influyó positivamente en la mejora del desempeño de la empresa referida,  determinándose la influencia por la mayor puntuación de los valores de los  17 indicadores  del post test, en relación a los valores del pre test,  con un incremento del 19 %, después de la implementación del modelo de gestión estratégica propuesto;  por lo que se concluyó que la eficacia del modelo radica en una óptima comprensión de sus fundamentos, una aplicación completa que implique a la dirección de la empresa y una revisión permanente de sus resultados para el alineamiento hacia un desempeño de negocios superiores.Palabras clave: Mejora continua, mapa estratégico, Objetivos Estratégicos.SUMMARYThe research applied the concepts and strategies of the new model of strategic management using the Balanced Scorecard, integrated with other approaches on a broader and more comprehensive management scheme to influence the performance of the company Kaniman SRL in the city of Pucallpa, Peru, 2012 period; for this purpose the quantitative research methodology with quasi-experimental design was used, representing the research process in time or time series and technical analysis: univariate inferential; for assessing the performance of the company seventeen indicators as a measure of business performance, was used in the four dimensions of the Balanced Scorecard, which are: financial perspective, customer perspective, internal perspective and learning and growth perspective. establishing that the implementation of the proposed management model, positive influence on improving the performance of the company mentioned, determining the influence for the highest score of the values of the 17 indicators of the post test, relative to pre-test values with an increase of 19 % after the implementation of the proposed model of strategic management; therefore concluded that the effectiveness of the model lies in an understanding of its foundations, a complete program involving the corporation and an ongoing review of its results for the alignment to superior business performance.Key words: continuous improvement, strategic map, strategic objective

Limits on WWZ and WW\gamma couplings from p\bar{p}\to e\nu jj X events at \sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

We present limits on anomalous WWZ and WW-gamma couplings from a search for WW and WZ production in p-bar p collisions at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV. We use p-bar p -> e-nu jjX events recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider during the 1992-1995 run. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 96.0+-5.1 pb^(-1). Assuming identical WWZ and WW-gamma coupling parameters, the 95% CL limits on the CP-conserving couplings are -0.33<lambda<0.36 (Delta-kappa=0) and -0.43<Delta-kappa<0.59 (lambda=0), for a form factor scale Lambda = 2.0 TeV. Limits based on other assumptions are also presented.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, 2 table

The Dijet Mass Spectrum and a Search for Quark Compositeness in bar{p}p Collisions at sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

Using the DZero detector at the 1.8 TeV pbarp Fermilab Tevatron collider, we have measured the inclusive dijet mass spectrum in the central pseudorapidity region |eta_jet| < 1.0 for dijet masses greater than 200 Gev/c^2. We have also measured the ratio of spectra sigma(|eta_jet| < 0.5)/sigma(0.5 < |eta_jet| < 1.0). The order alpha_s^3 QCD predictions are in good agreement with the data and we rule out models of quark compositeness with a contact interaction scale < 2.4 TeV at the 95% confidence level.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let