Behavior of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane fluidity and cystolic Ca2+ content in vascular atherosclerotic disease with and without non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

In 71 subjects with vascular atherosclerotic disease (VAD), in 32 VAD subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and in 31 normal controls, we evaluated polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) membrane fluidity and PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content. The PMN membrane fluidity was obtained by marking intact and unstimulated PMN cells with fluorescent probe 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) and the PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content was obtained by marking intact and unstimulated PMN cells with the fluorescent probe Fura 2-AM. From the obtained results, it is evident that PMN membrane fluidity does not differentiate normals from VAD subjects and VAD subjects with NIDDM, and normals from subjects with monovascular disease (MVAD) and polyvascular disease (PVAD) with and without NIDDM. The PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content is significantly increased in VAD subjects and VAD subjects with NIDDM, and also in MVAD and PVAD subjects with and without NIDDM. A positive correlation is present between PMN membrane fluidity and PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content in normals and VAD subjects, but not in VAD subjects with NIDDM. In conclusion, in VAD subjects with and without NIDDM, an increase of the PMN cytosolic Ca2+ content is present; this increase might be related to the PMN spontaneous activation.     

B. F. Skinner, organism.

B. F. Skinner illustrated the power of behavior analysis by turning it on his own behavior. This article considers parallels in the life and work of Charles Darwin and places Skinner's views of life and death in the context of his selectionist paradigm for psychology. The term organism plays a special role, and the account shows why Skinner might have regarded it as an appropriate title. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Data from the National AIDS Behavioral Surveys. III. Multiple sexual partners among blacks in high-risk cities

According to the claims of the manufacturer, aethylcyanoacrylate can be used to bond orthodontic brackets and some orthodontists have already adopted its use for this purpose. Because, however, the use of the material as thus applied has not yet been the object of research, the question of its adhesion to tensile forces immediately after bonding and after 50, 100, and 150 days of placement in a physiologic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) is the subject of this study. 40 bovine upper incisors were extracted from 20 animals for each of the four points in time. The brackets were bonded with Cyano-Veneer and Mono-Lok according to a randomized list. Mono-Lok, an adhesive from the group of common orthodontic adhesives, functioned as the reference material. The bonding strength of the brackets in relation to the tensile forces was measured by means of a "Zwickuniversalprüfmaschine" (Zwick universal testing machine). Immediately after bonding, the cyanoacrylate demonstrated significantly higher bonding strength values than Mono-Lok. At 50, 100, and 150 days in the physiologic saline solution, the bonding strength of both materials showed no significant difference. It can thus be concluded that, when wires are employed immediately after bonding, the danger of bracket loss is significantly reduced through the use of cyanoacrylate.     

Horizontal drilling assessment in Western Canada

The first horizontal well was drilled in Saskatchewan in 1987. Since then, the number of horizontal wells drilled has escalated rapidly, averaging approximately 500 per year since 1993. When combined with horizontal wells drilled in Alberta, the major Canadian oil-producing province, the total number drilled in 1995 was 978. This total exceeds the National Energy Board (NEB) projected maximum of 816 wells per year. The NEB projections were based on a break-even point for the drilling of horizontal wells of a return of CDN $285,000 using a discount rate of 15%. This corresponded to a cumulative production from each individual well of some 11,000 m³. The introduction of a royalty-free production volume of 12,000 m³ per horizontal well in Saskatchewan was instrumental in stimulating the rapid expansion in the use of horizontal wells and helping Canada to exceed the forecasted drilling level. Within Saskatchewan, daily production from 1964 active horizontal wells is in excess of 20,000 m³. Comparative analysis indicates that the average daily production per well has increased from approximately by 40% with the advent of horizontal wells. In total production terms, provincial production has increased from 11.7 million cubic metres in 1989 to 20.9 million m³ in 1996. This represents an increase of almost 79% based primarily on the extensive use of horizontal wells. In 1996, horizontal wells produced 36% of the province's oil from 12% of the active wells. In the southeastern producing area of Saskatchewan, the Williston Basin, declining oil-production has jumped 100%, with horizontal wells accounting for approximately 50% of total regional production. Pay zones in this area, as in most of the province, tend to be relatively thin, with net pay frequently less than 5 m. The modest investment of some CDN $5 million in government research funding 10 years ago to simulate the development of horizontal wells, combined with a favourable royalty structure, has been at least partially responsible for very significant benefits to the provincial economy. In Saskatchewan, horizontal wells have (i) paid over CDN $400 million in royalties since 1990, (ii) annually generated CDN $525 million in investment and (iii) sustained 4350 jobs. Details pertaining to the Winter Cummings Sand Pool and others as examples of the success of the horizontal well program in Saskatchewan are discussed in this paper.     

Temperature variations in the simulation of high-pressure injection-system transient flows under cavitation

Temperature variations and their effects on the simulation of unsteady pipe flows, in the presence of pressure-wave induced cavitation, were investigated with reference to high-pressure fuel injection systems. The thermal effects due to the compressibility of the liquid and to the thermodynamic process in the cavitating flow mixture were analyzed. To that end, the energy conservation equation was applied, in addition to the mass-continuity and momentum-balance equations, along with the constitutive state equation of the fluid. In particular, for the liquid, the physical properties (i.e., bulk modulus of elasticity, density, isothermal speed of sound, thermal expansivity, kinematic viscosity, specific heat at constant pressure) were implemented as functions of pressure and temperature in a closed analytical form matching carefully determined experimental data. Consistent with virtually negligible combined effects of heat transfer and viscous power losses involved in the flow process, the equation of energy was reduced to a state relation among the fluid thermodynamic properties, leading to a barotropic flow model. A comparison between isentropic and isothermal evolutions in the pure liquid regions was carried out for evaluating the influence of the temperature variation simulation on the macroscopic results given by local pressure time-histories. Besides, for cavitation analysis, different thermodynamic transformations of the vapor–liquid mixture were considered and compared.A recently developed conservative numerical model of general application, based on a barotropic flow model, was applied and further assessed through the comparison of prediction and measurement results on injection-system performance.A conventional pump-line-nozzle system was considered for this purpose, being relevant to model evaluation for its pressure-wave dynamics and also because it was subject to severely cavitating flow conditions at part loads. Predicted time-histories of injector-needle lift and pressure at two pipe locations were compared to experimental results. This substantiated the validity and robustness of the conservative model taking temperature variation effects into account, in the simulation of high-pressure injection-system transient flows with great degree of accuracy, even in the presence of cavitation induced discontinuities. The thermal effects due to the temperature variations in the liquid fuel and in the cavitating mixture were analyzed and discussed.     

Mitochondrial Malfunctioning,Proteasome Arrest and Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by Focused Intracellular Generation of Oxygen Radicals

Photofrin/photodynamic therapy (PDT) at sub-lethal doses induced a transient stall in proteasome activity in surviving A549 (p53^+/+) and H1299 (p53^−/−) cells as indicated by the time-dependent decline/recovery of chymotrypsin-like activity. Indeed, within 3 h of incubation, Photofrin invaded the cytoplasm and localized preferentially within the mitochondria. Its light activation determined a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and a reversible arrest in proteasomal activity. A similar result is obtained by treating cells with Antimycin and Rotenone, indicating, as a common denominator of this effect, the ATP decrease. Both inhibitors, however, were more toxic to cells as the recovery of proteasomal activity was incomplete. We evaluated whether combining PDT (which is a treatment for killing tumor cells, per se, and inducing proteasome arrest in the surviving ones) with Bortezomib doses capable of sustaining the stall would protract the arrest with sufficient time to induce apoptosis in remaining cells. The evaluation of the mitochondrial membrane depolarization, residual proteasome and mitochondrial enzymatic activities, colony-forming capabilities, and changes in protein expression profiles in A549 and H1299 cells under a combined therapeutic regimen gave results consistent with our hypothesis.     

Noise risk assessment in a bottling plant of a modern Italian winery

In the wine industry, bottling is a phase of the production cycle characterized by high levels of noise, mostly owing to repeated collisions between the bottles. In Italy, the Law Decree 81/2008 defined the requirements for assessing and managing noise risk, identifying a number of procedures to be adopted at different noise levels to limit worker exposure. This study was aimed at evaluating the equivalent and peak noise level inside the bottling plant area of a modern Italian winery. In particular, the influence of the working capacity (number of bottles produced per hour) on noise levels was evaluated. Three test conditions were considered: T1 with a working capacity of 4000 bottles/h; T2 with working capacity of 5000 bottles/h; and T3 with working capacity of 6000 bottles/h. Fifteen measurement points were identified inside the bottling area. The instrument used for the measurements was a precision integrating portable sound level meter, class 1, model HD2110L by Delta OHM, Italy. The results indicated that, as the bottling plant working capacity increased, noise levels increased. The measured sound levels exceeded the limits allowed by the regulations in all of the test conditions. Values exceeding the threshold limit of 80 dB(A) were recorded, increasing to a maximum value of 95 dB(A) in test T3. In this case, the operator working along the bottling line was obliged to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Peptide modulation of inflammatory processes within the brain

It is clear that inflammatory processes contribute to neurodegenerative disease, stroke, closed head injury, encephalitis, and other CNS disorders. These inflammatory processes are marked by local increases in cytokines, in particular tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). It is important to control such CNS inflammation in order to preserve neural function. The neuroimmunomodulatory peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) has been shown to modulate peripheral inflammation by acting on melanocortin receptors in host cells (macrophages, neutrophils) to inhibit production of such proinflammatory agents. Our results indicate that alpha-MSH likewise acts directly within the brain to modulate local inflammation. To determine if microglia are involved in anti-inflammatory responses to alpha-MSH within the brain, murine cells were tested; they produced TNF-alpha and nitric oxide in response to challenge, and production of both was reduced by alpha-MSH. In tests on human astrocytes, both alpha-MSH (1-13) and alpha-MSH (11-13) reduced TNF-alpha. Ischemia/reperfusion in the posterior circulation in dogs causes inflammatory reactions and disturbance of function, estimated from decreases in auditory-evoked potentials. These deficits were reduced by administering alpha-MSH systemically during reperfusion, moreso when the peptide was given during both ischemia and reperfusion. The results indicate that, much as for inflammation in the periphery, alpha-MSH modulates brain inflammatory responses mediated by proinflammatory agents.