Corticosteroids in liver and urine in Sicilian cattle by a LC-MS/MS method

The presence of corticosteroid residues was assessed in urine and liver samples from livestock of Sicily. A total of 630 bovine samples were collected from farms and slaughterhouses. The samples were analysed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). All the corticosteroids found were under the maximum residue limit imposed by Commission Regulation (EC) 37/2010. About 4% of liver samples showed dexamethasone levels above the limit of detection (LOD), with a mean of 1.5 ± 0.2 µg kg^?1. Betamethasone was found only in seven liver samples, with a mean of 1.6 ± 0.1 µg kg^?1. Furthermore, prednisolone and prednisone were found only in urine and liver samples from slaughterhouse, probably related to the high rate of stress for bovines. These results suggest good control practices adopted by Sicilian farms, able to ensure the quality of food products.     

Making friends in online games: gender differences and designing for greater social connectedness

ABSTRACT

While online multiplayer games provide an opportunity for players to both maintain and establish new connections, male and female players have been found to experience these environments differently. Interviews (n?=?22) and focus groups (n?=?14) were used to explore these differences as they impact on creating new social connections, as well as to provide recommendations for the development of new social tools and features that account for these differences. While all participants experienced toxicity and performance pressure as barriers to forming new connections, female players uniquely reported the impacts of misogynistic targeting and stereotype threat. In turn, female players wishing to avoid these stresses would often mask their gender. The common practice of gender misrepresentation by both male and female players impacted female players’ ability to create social connections through voice technology, as well as building their distrust of unknown others. Recommendations are made to build social connectedness between players taking into account the specific constraints faced by female players. These include establishing mentoring opportunities as well as profiling players beyond their immediate skill or rank. Additionally, the desire for control of one’s online identity presents practical challenges that may be overcome through thoughtful design.     

Evaluation of environmental levels and biological impact of TBT in Malta (central Mediterranean)

Chemical monitoring for butyltins in bulk seawater, surface microlayer and superficial sediments determined that the two main local sources of marine contamination by tributyltin (TBT) compounds in Malta are ship-repairing dockyards and marinas. In bulk seawater, TBT values ranged from below the detection limit of 5 ng Sn l(-1) to 300 ng Sn l(-1); in sediments derived from the most polluted areas, TBT concentrations as high as 1500 ng Sn g(-1) were measured. At TBT levels found in local harbours, several sublethal biological responses are possible and were observed, including a significant reduction in MFO enzyme system activities of fish; digestive cell atrophy in the oyster Ostrea edulis; and induction of imposex in the snail Hexaplex trunculus. The latter two responses are evident at TBT concentrations below the environmental quality standard (20 ng TBT l(-1)). The ecological implications of these results are discussed and it is concluded that exposure of marine organisms to TBT in local harbours may be expected to lead to a reduction in the long-term survival of a number of such organisms. For these reasons, both the use of TBT-based antifouling paints for pleasure boats as well as drydock practices need to be controlled by appropriate regulations and their enforcement.     

Tuning the peak position of subwavelength silica nanosphere broadband antireflection coatings

Subwavelength nanostructures are considered as promising building blocks for antireflection and light trapping applications. In this study, we demonstrate excellent broadband antireflection effect from thin films of monolayer silica nanospheres with a diameter of 100 nm prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett method on glass substrates. With a single layer of compact silica nanosphere thin film coated on both sides of a glass, we achieved maximum transmittance of 99% at 560 nm. Furthermore, the optical transmission peak of the nanosphere thin films can be tuned over the UV-visible range by changing processing parameters during Langmuir-Blodgett deposition. The tunable optical transmission peaks of the Langmuir-Blodgett films were correlated with deposition parameters such as surface pressure, surfactant concentration, ageing of suspensions and annealing effect. Such peak-tunable broadband antireflection coating has wide applications in diversified industries such as solar cells, windows, displays and lenses.     

尊重斯德哥尔摩的历史中心—骑士岛的激活改造

正瑞典国家财产委员会拥有骑士岛的所有权与管理权,并计划对该岛上所有的公共空间进行更新和开发,以提高其可达性与吸引力。总的来说,从文化历史角度来看骑士岛很有     

A Semi-Theoretical Approach to a Correlation for the Thermal Conductivity of a Beryllium Pebble Bed

In the framework of the European Fusion Technology Programme, Lithium ceramics and Beryllium packed pebble beds are foreseen to be used as Tritium breeders and neutron multipliers, respectively, for the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed breeding blanket of a fusion power reactor operating with a D-T plasma. The present work is focused on the semi-theoretical investigation of the thermal conductivity of single size Beryllium pebble beds, starting from the main hypothesis that this conductivity depends linearly on pebble bed local temperature and mechanical volumetric strain and introducing a method to determine the coefficients of such dependence on the basis of the results obtained by the SUPER-PEHTRA experiments. It has been mainly assumed that the SUPER-PEHTRA Beryllium pebble bed can be considered as a homogeneous, isotropic, and linear elastic medium, and the analytical solution of the direct static problem of the thermo-elasticity for such a system has been used to fit the experimental thermal distributions, uncovering the best values for the thermal conductivity function coefficients. This thermal conductivity has been used together with a constitutive model, realistically taking into account the pebble bed mechanical behavior to reproduce the experimental tests. The results of the analyses agree quite well with the experimental ones, thus encouraging the use of the derived thermal conductivity correlation for Beryllium pebble beds undergoing low plastic volumetric strain.     

Endothelin receptor blockade prevents the rise in pulmonary vascular resistance after cardiopulmonary bypass in lambs with increased pulmonary blood flow

BACKGROUND: Children with increased pulmonary blood flow may experience morbidity as the result of increased pulmonary vascular resistance after operations in which cardiopulmonary bypass is used. Plasma levels of endothelin-1, a potent vasoactive substance implicated in pulmonary hypertension, are increased after cardiopulmonary bypass. OBJECTIVES: In a lamb model of increased pulmonary blood flow after in utero placement of an aortopulmonary shunt, we characterized the changes in pulmonary vascular resistance induced by hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and investigated the role of endothelin-1 and endothelin-A receptor activation in postbypass pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: In eleven 1-month-old lambs, the shunt was closed, and vascular pressures and blood flows were monitored. An infusion of a selective endothelin-A receptor blocker (PD 156707; 1.0 mg/kg/h) or drug vehicle (saline solution) was then begun 30 minutes before cardiopulmonary bypass and continued for 4 hours after bypass. The hemodynamic variables were monitored, and plasma endothelin-1 concentrations were determined before, during, and for 6 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: After 90 minutes of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, both pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance increased significantly in saline-treated lambs during the 6-hour study period (P <.05). In lambs pretreated with PD 156707, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased (P <. 05). After bypass, plasma endothelin-1 concentrations increased in all lambs; there was a positive correlation between postbypass pulmonary vascular resistance and plasma endothelin-1 concentrations (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that endothelin-A receptor-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction mediates, in part, the rise in pulmonary vascular resistance after cardiopulmonary bypass. Endothelin-A receptor antagonists may decrease morbidity in children at risk for postbypass pulmonary hypertension. This potential therapy warrants further investigation.     

Effects of five natural gonadotropin-releasing hormones on cell suspensions of marine bivalve gonad: stimulation of gonial DNA synthesis

Gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) constitute a family of neuropeptides which are important regulators of reproduction in vertebrates. The effect of mammalian GnRH (mGnRH), salmon GnRH, chicken GnRH-I, chicken GnRH-II, and lamprey GnRH-I on [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA of dissociated gonadal cells of marine bivalves has been studied. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine is linear between 1.5 and 8 h of incubation. All five GnRHs significantly increased DNA synthesis in gonial cells of Crassostrea gigas. The maximal activation was about of 135-140% above control. The activation is dose dependent, over the range 10(-11) to 10(-6) M, but is modulated by the physiological condition of the cells and the stage of sexual maturity of the gonad. mGnRH has also a mitogenic effect in dissociated mantle cells of Mytilus edulis. The effect of mGnRH is blocked by a GnRH antagonist ([D-pGlu1,D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]GnRH, 5 x 10(-6)M) in C. gigas as well as in M. edulis, suggesting that the GnRH action in the gonad is mediated by specific receptors for GnRH or GnRH-like peptides. The existence of GnRH-immunoreactive neurons and fibers in the cerebral and pedal ganglia of M. edulis was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry. They are located principally in the anterior internal area of the cerebral ganglia, close to the cerebral commissure and in the posterior part of the pedal ganglia. The presence of GnRH-responsive cells and GnRH-like immunoreactive material suggests that peptides of the GnRH-like family are present and functional in bivalve molluscs.     

Genitourinary anomalies in the CHARGE association

PURPOSE: We identified the incidence and types of genital and urinary anomalies, and established a plan for evaluating the urinary system in the CHARGE association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 32 patients in whom the CHARGE association was diagnosed. RESULTS: Of the 32 patients identified 22 (69%) had genitourinary abnormalities. Genital anomalies, including micropenis, penile agenesis, hypospadias, chordee, cryptorchidism, a bifid scrotum, atresia of the uterus, cervix and vagina, and hypoplastic labia majora, labia minora and clitoris, were present in 18 patients (56%). Of the 24 patients who underwent renal ultrasound 10 (42%) were diagnosed with urinary tract anomalies including a solitary kidney, hydronephrosis, renal hypoplasia and duplex kidneys. Further evaluation revealed vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal dysraphism, nephrolithiasis, ureteropelvic junction obstruction and a nonfunctioning upper pole in both duplex kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of genitourinary anomalies in the CHARGE association. Because of this high incidence of anomalies, patients with this condition should undergo a careful genitourinary evaluation, including renal and bladder ultrasound, and voiding cystourethrography screening.