Innovative Mini Ultralight Radioprobes to Track Lagrangian Turbulence Fluctuations within Warm Clouds: Electronic Design.

Characterization of dynamics inside clouds remains a challenging task for weather forecasting and climate modeling as cloud properties depend on interdependent natural processes at micro- and macro-scales. Turbulence plays an important role in particle dynamics inside clouds; however, turbulence mechanisms are not yet fully understood partly due to the difficulty of measuring clouds at the smallest scales. To address these knowledge gaps, an experimental method for measuring the influence of small-scale turbulence in cloud formation in situ and producing an in-field cloud Lagrangian dataset is being developed by means of innovative ultralight radioprobes. This paper presents the electronic system design along with the obtained results from laboratory and field experiments regarding these compact (diameter ≈30 cm), lightweight (≈20 g), and expendable devices designed to passively float and track small-scale turbulence fluctuations inside warm clouds. The fully customized mini-radioprobe board (5 cm × 5 cm) embeds sensors to measure local fluctuations and transmit data to the ground in near real time. The tests confirm that the newly developed probes perform well, providing accurate information about atmospheric turbulence as referenced in space. The integration of multiple radioprobes allows for a systematic and accurate monitoring of atmospheric turbulence and its impact on cloud formation.

Drug Repurposing by Simulating Flow Through Protein-Protein Interaction Networks.

As drug development is extremely expensive, the identification of novel indications for in-market drugs is financially attractive. Multiple algorithms are used to support such drug repurposing, but highly reliable methods combining simulation of intracellular networks and machine learning are currently not available. We developed an algorithm that simulates drug effects on the flow of information through protein-protein interaction networks, and used support vector machine to identify potentially effective drugs in our model disease, psoriasis. Using this method, we screened about 1,500 marketed and investigational substances, identified 51 drugs that were potentially effective, and selected three of them for experimental confirmation. All drugs inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced nuclear factor kappa B activity in vitro, suggesting they might be effective for treating psoriasis in humans. Additionally, these drugs significantly inhibited imiquimod-induced ear thickening and inflammation in the mouse model of the disease. All results suggest high prediction performance for the algorithm.

Anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory effects of glycerol and xylitol in sodium lauryl sulphate-induced acute irritation.

BACKGROUND: Glycerol is known to possess anti-irritant and hydrating properties and previous studies suggested that xylitol may also have similar effects. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study whether different concentrations of these polyols restore skin barrier function and soothe inflammation in sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-induced acute irritation. METHODS: The experiments were performed on male SKH-1 hairless mice. The skin of the dorsal region was exposed to SLS (5%) for 3 h alone or together with 5% or 10% of glycerol respectively. Further two groups received xylitol solutions (8.26% and 16.52% respectively) using the same osmolarities, which were equivalent to those of the glycerol treatments. The control group was treated with purified water. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration were determined. Microcirculatory parameters of inflammation were observed by means of intravital videomicroscopy (IVM). Furthermore, accumulation of neutrophil granulocytes and lymphocytes, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and SLS penetration were assessed, as well. RESULTS: Treatment with the 10% of glycerol and both concentrations of xylitol inhibited the SLS-induced elevation of TEWL and moderated the irritant-induced increase in dermal blood flow and in the number of leucocyte-endothelial interactions. All concentrations of the applied polyols improved hydration and prevented the accumulation of lymphocytes near the treatment site. At the mRNA level, neither glycerol nor xylitol influenced the expression of interleukin-1 alpha. However, expression of interleukin-1 beta was significantly decreased by the 10% glycerol treatment, while expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha decreased upon the same treatment, as well as in response to xylitol. Higher polyol treatments decreased the SLS penetration to the deeper layers of the stratum corneum. CONCLUSION: Both of the analysed polyols exert considerable anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties, but the effective concentration of xylitol is lower than that of glycerol.

Determination of endogenous methane formation by photoacoustic spectroscopy.

Aerobic methane generation was demonstrated earlier in plants and eukaryotes under various stress conditions. Our aims were to develop a real-time and noninvasive detection system for monitoring the methane production of small animals and humans with our without exposure to various treatments. A near-infrared diode laser technique was employed with photoacoustic spectroscopy to monitor a methane-containing atmosphere online. The whole-body methane generation of anesthetized mice and rats was determined under baseline conditions and following reduction of the intestinal methanogenic flora or after lipopolysaccharide administration. Single-breath methane analyses were also carried out in a cross-sectional clinical study in order to obtain comparative human data. The whole-body methane production of mice was significantly decreased after antibiotic treatment (M: 1.71 ppm cm(-2) 10(3); p25: 1.5 ppm cm(-2) 10(3); p75: 2.11 ppm cm(-2) 10(3)) and increased significantly in endotoxemia (M: 4.53 ppm cm(-2) 10(3); p25: 4.37 ppm cm(-2) 10(3); p75: 5.38 ppm cm(-2) 10(3)), while no difference was observed between the rat groups. The methane content of the exhaled breath in humans was found to be between 0 and 37 ppm. Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a reliable tool with which to monitor the in vivo dynamics of stress-induced methane production in laboratory animals, even in a very low concentration range.

Acrylamide, acrylic acid and N-isopropylacrylamide hydrogels as osmotic tissue expanders.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Osmotically active tissue expanders allow the harvesting of soft tissue for reconstruction after different injuries. However, their expansion properties could be improved. Thus, our goal was to examine the in vivo applicability of acrylamide (AAm), acrylic acid (AAc) and N- isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) hydrogels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cylinders of AAm, AAc and NIPAAm hydrogels were implanted under the skin of rats in the dorsal region. The diameter and the length of the cylinders were measured daily. After removal of the hydrogels, their mass and rheological properties were determined. Further, biopsies were taken from the adjacent tissue for histological analysis. RESULTS: The hydrogels reached the peak of swelling by the end of the 2nd postoperative week. The wet mass of the removed cylinders was 25 times their dry mass prior to implantation. NIPAAm polymers exhibited the most favourable visco-elastic properties, with the highest tendency to retain their preformed shape. The histological analysis revealed serious tissue damage when the AAc devices were used, whereas the AAm and NIPAAm did not result in such lesions. CONCLUSION: In view of its mechanical and biological properties, NIPAAm hydrogel seems to be the most appropriate of these materials for application in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Anti-inflammatory action of a phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-enriched diet in carrageenan-induced pleurisy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Phosphatidylcholine (PC)-derived choline exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in stress conditions. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) are endogenous bioactive phospholipids linked to the PC and endocannabinoid metabolisms. We hypothesized that an increased dietary input of PC, PE and NAPE may interfere with leukocyte reactions and thus decreases the inflammatory activation. METHODS: CFLP mice were fed with a control diet or with a diet supplemented with 1% PC, 0.4% PE and 0.1% NAPE for 7 days before the induction of pleurisy with carrageenan. Pleural leukocyte migration, pulmonary mast cell degranulation (Alcian blue-safranin O staining), and the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase, xanthine oxidoreductase and myeloperoxidase were determined in lung tissue biopsies. RESULTS: The carrageenan-induced inflammatory response was characterized by pulmonary leukocyte infiltration, mast cell degranulation and significantly increased inducible nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidoreductase activities (by 82 and 60%, respectively). Treatment of mice with acetylsalicylic acid or with dietary PC + PE + NAPE supplementation significantly decreased the leukocyte reaction, and suppressed the activity of the pulmonary proinflammatory enzymes. CONCLUSION: This study confirms a potential for dietary PC + PE + NAPE supplementation to influence events crucial for the remission of acute inflammation. PC + PE + NAPE administration could possibly be a novel preventive or pharmacotherapeutic option in inflammatory pathologies.

Microcirculatory changes in the canine oesophageal mucosa during experimental reflux oesophagitis: comparison of the effects of acid and bile.

BACKGROUND: The response of the oesophageal microcirculation to luminal damaging agents may play an important role in reflux-induced mucosal injury. We characterized the microcirculatory consequences of exposure to bile with or without hydrochloric acid, and determined the changes in the constitutive nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities in a canine model of acute reflux oesophagitis. METHODS: Group 1 served as a saline-treated control, while groups 2-4 were exposed for 3 h to bile alone, to hydrochloric acid, or to bile + hydrochloric acid, respectively. The mucosal microcirculation was observed continuously by means of intravital videomicroscopy with an orthogonal polarization spectral imaging technique. Myeloperoxidase, constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities were measured via tissue biopsies, while the degree of mucosal damage was evaluated histologically. RESULTS: Bile evoked deep tissue damage and leucocyte accumulation in the mucosa and muscle layer. The capillary red blood cell velocity and the relative vessel area increased significantly (P < 0.05). The constitutive NO synthase activity was decreased, and the inducible NO synthase activity was increased significantly. In the hydrochloric acid-treated group the functional capillary density decreased, the mucosal damage was less severe, the constitutive NO synthase activity did not change, whereas the inducible NO synthase activity was increased significantly. The constitutive NO synthase activity did not change after the bile + hydrochloric acid treatment either. CONCLUSION: Reflux components induce characteristic microcirculatory alterations. The structural damage and leucocyte invasion are accompanied by bile-induced constitutive NO synthase inhibition when hydrochloric acid production is suppressed.