Variable Interfacial Water Nanosized Arrangements Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy.

While there seems to be broad agreement that cluster formation does exist near solid surfaces, its presence at the liquid/vapor interface is controversial. We report experimental studies we have carried out on interfacial water attached on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. Nanosized steps in the measured force vs distance to the surface curves characterize water cluster profiles.

Hydrated excess protons and their local hydrogen bond transport network as measured by translational, librational, and vibrational frequencies.

A clear molecular description of excess hydrated protons and their local hydrogen bond transport network remains elusive. Here, the hydrogen bond network of excess hydrated protons in water bridges was probed by measuring their Raman spectra and comparing them to the spectra of protons in ice and water. The proton vibrational spectrum and the hydrogen bond network translational and librational spectra were recorded.

Pregnancy favors the expansion of circulating functional follicular helper T Cells.

Pregnancy favors antibody production, and some evidence has suggested a direct effect of estrogen on B cells. The impact of pregnancy on circulating follicular helper T (T) cells, typically identified by the expression of CD45RO and CXCR5, has not been previously investigated. Here, the percentage of T cells, co-expressing or not PD-1, ICOS, or CXCR3 markers was significantly higher in pregnant women (PW) as compared with non-pregnant ones (nPW).

The proportion of different interleukin-17-producing T-cell subsets is associated with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Studies have suggested the pivotal role of T helper type 1 (Th1) -related cytokines on the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Nevertheless, the role of different interleukin-17 (IL-17) -secreting T cells on chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is less clear. Here, the in vivo IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 levels were positively correlated with both alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and hepatic lesions.