Opto-acoustic behavior of coated fiber Bragg gratings.

In this paper, we present the study of the acousto-optic behavior of underwater-acoustic sensors constituted by fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) coated by ring-shaped overlays. Via full-wave numerical simulations, we study the complex opto-acousto-mechanical interaction among an incident acoustic wave traveling in water, the optical fiber surrounded by the ring shaped coating, and the FBG inscribed the fiber, focusing on the frequency range 0.5-30 kHz of interest for SONAR applications. Our results fully characterize the mechanical behavior of an acoustically driven coated FBG, and highlight the key role played by the coating in enhancing significantly its sensitivity by comparison with a standard uncoated configuration. Furthermore, the hydrophone sensitivity spectrum exhibits characteristic resonances, which strongly improve the sensitivity with respect to its background (i.e., away from resonances) level. Via a three-dimensional modal analysis, we verify that the composite cylindrical structure of the sensor acts as an acoustic resonator tuned at the frequencies of its longitudinal vibration modes. In order to evaluate the sensor performance, we also carry out a comprehensive parametric analysis by varying the geometrical and mechanical properties of the coating, whose results also provide a useful design tool for performance optimization and/or tailoring for specific SONAR applications. Finally, a preliminary validation of the proposed numerical analysis has been carried out through experimental data obtained using polymeric coated FBGs sensors revealing a good agreement and prediction capability.

Phenotypic and functional analyses of dendritic cells in patients with lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes (LDGL).

We investigated whether dendritic cells (DCs) play a role in favoring granular lymphocyte (GL) proliferation in patients with lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes (LDGL). The presence of in vivo circulating DCs was studied in 11 patients (5 CD3+ and 6 CD3- LDGL). Autologous immature (iDCs) and mature (mDCs) DCs generated in vitro were studied for stimulatory activity on cell proliferation of CD3+ and CD3- GLs. The topographic organization of GLs and DCs was also studied in bone marrow (BM) biopsies. Peripheral blood (PB) CD3- GLs from patients showed significant proliferative activity in the presence of iDCs and mDCs. Conversely, monoclonal CD3+ GLs were unresponsive to autologous and allogeneic PB DCs. Analysis of BM biopsies demonstrated a topographic distribution of DCs and GLs that indicates contact between the 2 cell types. On functional assays, DCs obtained from BM were more efficient than PB DCs in stimulating CD3- GLs, and surprisingly, a low but definite stimulatory effect was demonstrated also on CD3+ GLs. The putative contact between DCs and GLs in the BM and, more crucial, the proliferative response of discrete GL populations to DC stimulation suggest the presence of a specific antigen within BM DCs, providing evidence for a role of DCs in the pathogenesis of LDGL.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection does not affect liver histology or response to therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin in intravenous drug users with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: the frequency and the impact of occult HBV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection is still a matter of some controversy. OBJECTIVES: our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of occult HBV infection and assess its impact on liver biochemistry, HCV viral titre, liver histology and on outcome of therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. STUDY DESIGN: paired liver biopsies and serum samples were collected from 51 patients (84% IVDUS) with HBsAg negative chronic hepatitis C, and tested for HBV-DNA with nested PCR. Liver biopsies were further studied histologically, with morphometric analyses and immunostaining techniques. Twenty-five were treated with alpha Interferon and ribavirin and followed for at least 18 months. RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in 29.4% of liver tissue specimens and in only one (1.9%) serum sample. Three liver specimens were positive for surface gene, nine for core gene, three for both and none for the X gene. No significant difference in mean transaminase values, HCV viral titre, HCV genotype, or grading and staging and morphometric analysis was observed in patients with or without HBV DNA. Moreover, all 51 liver specimens were negative for both HBsAg and HBcAg. Sustained response to combination therapy was achieved in 40% of patients with and in 53% of patients without HBV DNA in the liver specimens (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA is frequently found in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, the lack of any significant impact on HCV viral titre, liver enzymes, histological parameters and response to therapy, suggests that in most cases HBV DNA detected in the liver by PCR may be either an integrated or low level replicative form.