Coupling radiative, conductive and convective heat-transfers in a single Monte Carlo algorithm: A general theoretical framework for linear situations.

It was recently shown that radiation, conduction and convection can be combined within a single Monte Carlo algorithm and that such an algorithm immediately benefits from state-of-the-art computer-graphics advances when dealing with complex geometries. The theoretical foundations that make this coupling possible are fully exposed for the first time, supporting the intuitive pictures of continuous thermal paths that run through the different physics at work. First, the theoretical frameworks of propagators and Green's functions are used to demonstrate that a coupled model involving different physical phenomena can be probabilized.

Addressing nonlinearities in Monte Carlo.

Monte Carlo is famous for accepting model extensions and model refinements up to infinite dimension. However, this powerful incremental design is based on a premise which has severely limited its application so far: a state-variable can only be recursively defined as a function of underlying state-variables if this function is linear. Here we show that this premise can be alleviated by projecting nonlinearities onto a polynomial basis and increasing the configuration space dimension.

How do ants make sense of gravity? A Boltzmann Walker analysis of Lasius niger trajectories on various inclines.

The goal of this study is to describe accurately how the directional information given by support inclinations affects the ant Lasius niger motion in terms of a behavioral decision. To this end, we have tracked the spontaneous motion of 345 ants walking on a 0.5×0.

Real time device for biosensing: design of a bacteriophage model using love acoustic waves.

Love wave sensors (ST-cut quartz substrate with interdigital transducers, SiO(2) guiding layer and sensitive coating) have been receiving a great deal of attention for a few years. Indeed, the wave coupled in a guiding layer confers a high gravimetric sensitivity and the shear horizontal (SH) polarization allows to work in liquid media. In this paper, an analytical method is proposed to calculate the Love wave phase velocity and the gravimetric sensitivity for a complete multilayer structure.

Selection of down-regulated sequences along the monocytic differentiation of leukemic HL60 cells.

In order to dissect the molecular mechanisms of monocytic differentiation we have developed a subtractive hybridisation method based on a simplified 'representational difference analysis'. We have selected 16 sequences and confirmed their down-regulation along the TPA-induced monocytic differentiation of HL60 cells. Among these sequences we have identified the alpha-tubulin, the TaxREB protein and two ribosomal protein sequences which had not been previously described as differentially expressed.

Granulocyte activation and adhesion molecules during hemodialysis with cuprophane and a high-flux biocompatible membrane.

Hemodialysis with complement-activating membranes, such as cuprophane, induces neutropenia and expression of the granulocyte adhesion receptor Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), while hemodialysis with noncomplement-activating membranes does not. Increased expression of CD11b by neutrophils may mediate cuprophane-induced leukopenia. However, the rebound granulocytosis that follows leukopenia is not fully understood.

Demonstration that anti-phospholipid auto-antibodies react with both anionic and zwitterionic phospholipids.

The specificity of anti-phospholipid auto-antibodies present in the serum of systemic lupus erythematosus patients towards the phospholipids has been studied by two different methods. The antibodies have been characterized either after affinity purification or by inhibition experiments. Our results clearly demonstrate that anti-phospholipid auto-antibodies recognize all phospholipids, whatever their polar head.

Effect of PGE2 on thymocyte proliferation induced by Con A or IL-4 + PMA.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to inhibit peripheral T-lymphocyte and thymocyte proliferation activated by antigens, mitogens or anti-CD3 antibodies. In this study, we have investigated, the effect of PGE2 on thymocyte proliferation induced by the combination of IL-4 plus PMA. PGE2 inhibits the proliferation of thymocytes activated by ConA, whatever the culture period; in contrast PGE2 shifts the kinetics of thymocyte proliferation after stimulation by IL-4 plus PMA, but does not sustain the proliferation beyond day 3.

Flow cytometry analysis of adhesion molecules on human Langerhans cells.

The Langerhans cell (LC) migrates between the epidermis and the regional lymph nodes to present antigens. This migration pattern requires the expression of a changing repertoire of cell-surface molecules. In this work, we have investigated the expression of the adhesion molecules CD 11/CD 18 and CD 58 on LCs.

Production of epidermal sheets in a serum free culture system: a further appraisal of the role of extracellular calcium.

Rhenwald and Green's technique is currently the standard method for growing stratifying epidermal cell cultures. The serum free system developed in Ham's laboratory (MCDB 153) was designed to grow keratinocyte monolayers in clonogenic conditions. Our aim was to optimize conditions in serum-free MCDB 153 for culturing epidermal sheets from adult normal skin, and to assess the effect of extracellular calcium and temperature on proliferation and differentiation of cultured keratinocytes.

HILDA/LIF urinary excretion during acute kidney rejection.

Recently, a new lymphokine called HILDA (human interleukin for DA cells) has been described and cloned. This cytokine, initially described to be produced by alloreactive T lymphocyte clones grown from a rejected human kidney allograft, is identical to other factors termed D-factor, differentiation-inducing factor, differentiation inhibitory activity, hepatocyte-stimulating factor III, and leukemia inhibitory factor. HILDA/LIF induces various effects on neural, hemopoietic, embryonic cells as well as on bone remodeling and acute phase protein synthesis in hepatocyte.

Fatty acids rendered immunogenic.

A method allowing the covalent binding of fatty acids to a carrier was developed. The absence of absorbed fatty acids was controlled by HPTLC. Rabbits were immunized with these immunogens.

In vitro culture of hybridoma cells in agarose beads producing antibody secretion for two weeks.

A new process for embedding cells in agarose is described. Beads were obtained by extruding an ultralow gelling temperature agarose solution in a capillary containing a hydrophobic medium flowthrough. The toxicity of the procedure has been evaluated by monitoring the energy status of agarose-embedded C(6) glioma cells with (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

In vitro study of platelets and circulating mononuclear cells of subjects presenting an intolerance to aspirin.

Aspirine-sensitive asthma (ASA) is a disease defined only by clinical criteria. It is an intrinsic asthma related to a hypersensitivity to aspirin. The illness is linked to abnormalities in platelet and macrophage arachidonic acid metabolism.

[Seroepidemiologic study of sexually transmitted diseases caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in Casablanca (Morocco)].

Screening 579 sera specimens obtained in Casablanca (Morocco) we have performed a retrospective seroepidemiological survey with regard to the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis involved in genital tract infections. The surveyed populations are divided into 3 groups: 177 patients affected with sexually transmitted diseases (STD), 319 reference patients, 83 maghrebian patients affected with STD but living in France. The study was performed by the indirect microimmunofluorescence technique.

Effect of LTB4 on the inhibition of natural cytotoxic activity by PGE2.

NK activity is regulated by arachidonic acid metabolites. More precisely PGE2 and LTB4 decreases and increases respectively non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity in humans. We have observed similar data in mice since NK activity was inhibited by PGE2 (10(-6) to 10(-8) M) and enhanced by LTB4 (10(-8) to 10(-12) M).

Synthesis of a monoclonal antibody-indium-111-porphyrin conjugate.

Antibodies were labelled with indium-111 with a view to their use in the radio-immunodetection of cancers. The covalent coupling between indium-111 porphyrin and monoclonal antibodies (IgG and F(ab')2 fragment) was achieved using the ester activated method [N-hydroxy-succinimide/1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide]. After purification, this provided conjugated with specific activities of 6 muCi/micrograms Mab (9.

Improvement of leucocytic Na+ K+ pump activity in uremic patients on low protein diet.

Leucocytic Na+ K+ pump activity was assessed in 20 patients with advanced renal failure. Na+ K(+)-ATPase activity was reduced when compared with the values obtained from normal subjects (101.8 +/- 48.

Autoantibodies against all the phospholipids: a comparative systematic study with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy sera.

The sera of systemic lupus erythematosus patients were tested by ELISA for the presence of autoantibodies against all the phospholipids: cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. The quantity of phospholipid coated (in comparison with that initially deposited) on the microtitration plates was precisely evaluated in order to determine if the results (absorbance values) obtained for each phospholipid could be compared directly. The systemic lupus erythematosus sera tested gave positive results for all the phospholipids.

Treatment of leg ulcers with an allogeneic cultured-keratinocyte-collagen dressing.

A living cellular allogeneic dressing made up of cultured keratinocytes adhering to a collagen film was used to treat 20 leg ulcers of various aetiologies in 16 patients. A reduction in pain was noted in 80% of cases, and promotion of granulation tissue in the ulcer bed in 70% of cases. In 10 patients, epithelialization of 71 +/- 29% of the ulcer was noted at Day 30.

Biocompatibility of polyacrylamide microcapsules implanted in peritoneal cavity or spleen of the rat. Effect on various inflammatory reactions in vitro.

The biocompatibility of polyacrylamide microcapsules was investigated by implanting microcapsules in the peritoneal cavity or the spleen of rats. The capsules were retrieved every four weeks for twenty weeks. They remained isolated and free in the peritoneal cavity, but led to a slight inflammatory reaction in the spleen.

Effect of a low-protein diet on chemiluminescence production by leukocytes from uremic patients.

Chemiluminescence (CL) emission from leukocytes was studied in 20 uremic patients after ingestion of opsonized zymosan. CL production was impaired when compared with control groups. Six months after a low-protein, low-phosphorus diet supplemented with essential amino acids and ketoanalogues (SD) was started, a significant improvement in CL production was observed.

Cutaneous metastasis from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. A case confirmed by monoclonal antithyroglobulin antibody.

A 59-year-old woman with a history of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland developed three reddish nodules on the scalp. A skin biopsy showed a dermal tumor composed of sheets of clearly differentiated thyroid vesicles. Cutaneous metastases of thyroid carcinoma are very rare and this case is the first case confirmed by immunoperoxidase studies using monoclonal antithyroglobulin antibody.