Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Causes Changes in Serotonin-Positive Neurons in the Small Intestine in Pig Model

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter of the central and peripheral nervous systems, predominantly secreted in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the gut. 5-HT is a crucial enteric signaling molecule and is well known for playing a key role in sensory-motor and secretory functions in the gut. Gastroenteropathy is one of the most clinical problems in diabetic patients with frequent episodes of hyperglycemia. Changes in 5-HT expression may mediate gastrointestinal tract disturbances seen in diabetes, such as nausea and diarrhea. Based on the double immunohistochemical staining, this study determined the variability in the population of 5-HT-positive neurons in the porcine small intestinal enteric neurons in the course of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The results show changes in the number of 5-HT-positive neurons in the examined intestinal sections. The greatest changes were observed in the jejunum, particularly within the myenteric plexus. In the ileum, both de novo 5-HT synthesis in the inner submucosal plexus neurons and an increase in the number of neurons in the outer submucosal plexus were noted. The changes observed in the duodenum were also increasing in nature. The results of the current study confirm the previous observations concerning the involvement of 5-HT in inflammatory processes, and an increase in the number of 5-HT -positive neurons may also be a result of increased concentration of the 5-HT in the gastrointestinal tract wall and affects the motor and secretory processes, which are particularly intense in the small intestines.     

Liver and thymus lipid composition in AKR mice with and without lymphomas

Lipid composition of liver and thymus in controls, early stage lymphoma, and advanced stage lymphoma-bearing AKR mice was studied. There was a significant decrease in the liver total lipid content in mice with advanced lymphoma, whereas in the early stages, no quantitative change was seen. In livers of mice with advanced stage lymphoma, there was a significant decrease in the nonpolar fraction. The decrease was in triglyceride, whereas the cholesterol fractions were relatively increased though highly variable. There was an increase in the polar lipid/nonpolar lipid ratio in the advanced lymphoma livers and a very large increase in the polar lipid/triglyceride ratio, indicating that the decrease in total lipid in these livers was largely in the triglyceride fraction. Similar changes were seen in the thymus, in which the lipid composition reflected the transformation from normal to malignant cells.     

亚临界燃煤电厂的用能分析

燃煤发电是我国的主要电力方式,分析燃煤电厂的能量利用情况对节能减排有重要作用。本文以国际典型亚临界燃煤电厂和我国西南地区某亚临界燃煤电厂为计算实例,结合Aspen Plus软件和有效能分析法,对其整个热力过程进行系统模拟计算和能量分析,得出每个设备的有效能损失。结果表明,热力过程中有效能损失最大的部位在锅炉;锅炉中有效能损失最大的是煤的燃烧过程,其次为锅炉受热面的换热过程。通过对国内外两个电厂的比较,发现国内亚临界燃煤电厂有效能效率较国外低约6个百分点。     

Formation of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones in high-density polyethylene film irradiated with ultraviolet light

Polyethylene films were irradiated in air by ultraviolet light. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine was reacted on the irradiated films. The changes in amounts of carbonyl groups and 2,4-dinitrophenynlhydrazones formed in the films were inferred by comparing their absorptions in the infrared and ultraviolet spectra, respectively. It seems that the contents of carbonyl groups formed in the amorphous regions in the high-density polyethylene films by the irradiation were larger than the contents of carbonyl groups formed in the amorphous regions in the low-density polyethylene films. The decreases in contact angles of water on the high-density polyethylene films by the irradiation were larger than the decreases in the contact angles on the low-density polyethylene films. The amounts of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones formed in the irradiated high-density polyethylene films were less than the amounts of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones formed in the irradiated low-density polyethylene films.     

Physiologie der alternden Haut (Stoffwechselsituation)

Physiology of the Ageing Skin (Metabolic State) Results of investigations on the enzymatic activity in epidermis, in the contents of cantharidin vessel and in the cutis of young and ageing skin are reported. Thereby a differentiation has been made between non-exposed skin and skin exposed to light. The decrease in enzymatic activity in the skin of grown-up persons, as compared to young subjects, is most pronounced in the epidermis and to a lesser extent in the contents of cantharidin vessel. In the cutis, however, an increase in activity is observed. A similar relationship is found in the case of aged skin by comparing unexposed skin to the one exposed to light. Whereas a reduction in enzymatic activity occurs in the epidermis of skin exposed to light, an increase (25–300%) in activity of all the enzymes is found in the cutis.     

Drying characteristics of porous material immersed in a bed of hygroscopic porous particles fluidized under reduced pressure

A relatively large wet material was immersed in a fluidized bed of hygroscopic porous particle (silica gel beads) under reduced pressure. And then the drying characteristics were compared with those in the case of inert particle (glass beads). The comparison of drying characteristics is performed experimentally and theoretically. In calculation, the water transfer from the sample to the fluidized bed was considered. The calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The effects of the operational conditions (the pressure in the drying chamber and the temperature of the drying gas) on the drying characteristics were also examined in both fluidizing particles.The drying finishes earlier in the case of hygroscopic porous particle than in the case of inert particle regardless of pressure in the drying chamber, since the water transfer from the sample facilitates the drying in the case of hygroscopic porous particles. The temperature decrement in drying appears in the case of inert particle. This phenomenon is also observed in the case of hygroscopic porous particle, but the decrement degree of the temperature is much smaller than that in the case of inert particle. The difference of the minimum temperature in the sample in drying between the cases of hygroscopic porous particle and inert particle is very slight for different pressures in the drying chamber.     

Iodine content of cattle milk from mountain and coast from Perú

With the objective to establish the cause-effect relationship between a geological area and the iodine content in cattle milk, and to estimate the contribution of milk consumption to the dietary iodine intake, the iodine content in cattle milk from the sierra and the coastal regions of Perú was determined. Milk samples were collected of cows from the three main productive zones of Perú, 62 in Cajamarca, 42 in Arequipa, both in the sierra, and 27 in Lima at the coast. The measurement of iodine was made by the method of Zak, based on the Sandell- Kolthoff reaction. The median values obtained were 24 microg/L in Cajamarca, 34 microg/L in Arequipa, and 170 microg/L in Lima. The median value in the sierra, 26 microg/L, was significantly lower than the one found in the coast. Moreover, while in the former 81% of individual values were below 50 microg/L, in the latter, on the contrary, 77% were above 80 microg/L. These results confirm that the iodine content in cattle milk is related to ecological factors. At the same time, they demonstrate that the iodine content in milk from the sierra is six times lower than in milk from the coast, and also that its consumption does not contribute significantly to satisfy the human physiological requirements of iodine in that zone.     

An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of electrocatalytic activity of platinum group metals for chlorine evolution

A correlation of the catalytic activity for anodic chlorine evolution of platinum group metals to the nature of the surface film formed during chlorine evolution in a sodium chloride solution was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The change in the surface film with increasing potential was found on platinum, including an increase in the cationic valence. This seemed responsible for the decrease in the activity for chlorine evolution on platinum in the high potential region. Increasing potential did not result in the appreciable increase in the cationic valence in the surface film on the other platinum group metals. Replacement of hydroxyl ions in the surface film by chloride ions became easier in the order of rhodium, iridium and palladium, and the activity for anodic chlorine evolution increased in this order due possibly to an increase in the amount of chloride ions in the film which seemed to be one of the reactants in the rate determining electrochemical desorption of adsorbed chlorine atom. Chlorine molecules adsorbed on the surface film were also found. It was assumed that the activity for anodic chlorine evolution might be low when the metal surface was covered by a large amount of molecular chlorine which was the reaction product.     

Zeta-potential Studies in Cellulose Fibre–Aqueous Electrolyte Solution Systems

Zeta-potential studies of cotton and viscose rayon fibres in aqueous sodium and potassium chloride solutions of different concentrations have been carried out using the streaming-potential method. The Eversole and Boardman equation, which relates the measured zeta potential to the thickness of the electrical double layer, has been found to be valid in all cases. Using the surface-potential values calculated from this equation, the surface-charge densities in these fibres have been estimated. They are in good agreement with the theoretical surface-charge densities calculated from data on the carboxyl-group content of these fibres and the BET nitrogen surface areas for the water-swollen uncollapsed fibres. Two alternative explanations for the apparent increase in surface-charge density with decrease in the zeta potential have been given, without assuming that the anions are absorbed. The variation in zeta potential with increasing carboxyl-group content in samples of oxycellulose has been explained in terms of changes in the degree of dissociation of carboxyl groups with increasing carboxyl content, and an increase in the surface area of the cellulose fibre on oxidation. Studies of the zeta potentials in Form-W and Form-D formaldehyde-crosslinked cotton fibres have indicated that the zeta potential increases with increase in formaldehyde content with Form-D fibres. This result can be explained in terms of the decrease in the surface area of Form-D cottons with increase in the content of bound formaldehyde.     

污泥生物炭中氮硫行为及环境效应研究进展

污泥生物炭中氮硫元素含量高,其氮硫行为和环境效应对全球气候变化的影响不容忽视。以往的研究中,研究者往往以富碳生物炭作为主要研究对象,关注碳对全球气候变化的行为和功效,而对氮硫元素的作用关注不够。本文从原始污泥基本性质到其热解过程,再到生物炭的老化,逐步对污泥生物炭整个生命周期内氮硫的行为及其环境效应研究进行综述,并对未来应注重开展的研究方向进行展望,为生物炭中氮硫元素固定、释放及与之关联的环境效应和温室气体排放控制研究提供理论基础。分析表明,污泥中氮元素含量普遍高于硫元素,且热解过程中氮比硫更容易转移至气相产物。氮硫元素随热解温度的增加,在三相产物中的分配都是炭中持续减少,油中先增后减,气中一直增加。高温（＞800℃）条件下,气相中的氮含量高于固相,而硫元素则仍然主要存在于固相中。污泥生物炭老化及其环境效应研究表明,污泥生物炭氮硫元素与土壤的相互作用及其温室效应问题在今后的研究中应引起重视。     

RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION IN A SCREW EXTRUDER

It has been studied that the residence time distribution(RTD)function in a screw extruder in relation to that in thescrew and that in the die.For a complex flow field such as that between screw and die,it was supposed that the RTDfunction in the screw and that in the die were almost independent on each other.Therefore,a probabilistic method wasused to predict the RTD function in a complete extruder from that in the screw and that in the die.The experiments fordetermining the RTD were based on a stimulus-response technique.The results predicted,both in single-screw extruderand in twin-screw extruder,were in good agreement with those experimentally obtained.     

Stress and strain state of concrete during freezing and thawing cycles

The objective of this work is to calculate the pressures, stresses, and strains induced into moist concrete during freezing and thawing. The applied theory is based on thermodynamics and the linear theory of elasticity. If no additional salts are dissolved in the pore water the inputs needed in the theory are relative humidity and temperature measured in the sample chamber and inside concrete and evaporable water amount in the pore structure. Theoretical results were compared with the test results made with two concretes cured under water or at 96% relative humidity. One of the concretes was air entrained and in the comparison concrete no air-entraining agents were used. In the test cylinders cured under water the largest tensional stresses in freezing occurred on the surface of the test cylinders both in the axial and tangential direction. The largest tensional stress was 2.2 MPa, both in air-entrained and in non air-entrained concretes. The largest tensional stresses in the warming phase took place at the end of the thawing period when the chamber temperature was around +5 °C. Then the maximum tension occurred in the middle of the concrete cylinder in the axial direction of the cylinder. This maximum tensional stress was over 2.5 MPa in the air-entrained concrete cured in the relative humidity of 96%. The thermodynamic pumping effect at the end of the thawing phase in every cycle can increase the pore water amount remarkably if free water or moisture is available on the surface of the structure or in the environment vapor. The thermodynamic pumping effect seems to be remarkably greater and more dangerous in air-entrained concretes.     

Comparison of concentrations and size distributions of fungal spores in buildings with and without mould problems

Concentrations and types of airborne fungal spores and their aerodynamic sizes were studied in nine buildings with mould problems and in matched reference buildings in order to characterize the exposure in buildings with mould problems. Samples were taken with Andersen six-stage impactors in the autumn and winter. In winter, total concentrations of fungal spores in buildings with mould problems were twice those in reference buildings, even though all concentrations were quite small. In the autumn, the differences were less obvious due to the masking effect of outdoor air fungi. Also, the compositions of fungal genera differed in buildings with mould problems from that in reference buildings. The difference was most significant in the size range 2.1-4.7 μm. The size distribution of fungal spores in dwellings with mould problems skewed towards larger particles than in reference dwellings. The observed differences in size distribution indicate differences in airborne behaviour of fungal spores and, consequently, in respiratory exposure.     

GAS MIXING IN SLUGGING AND TURBULENT FLUIDIZED BEDS

The gas phase mixing in a fluidized bed of glass beads (d_p = 0.362 mm) in the slugging and turbulent flow regimes has been studied in a 0.1 m-ID × 3.0 m high Plexiglas column.

The gas dispersion in the downstream of the bed has been described by a diffusion process with the axial and radial dispersion coefficients. The radial dispersion coefficient of the gas phase is nearly constant with the variation of gas velocity in the slugging flow regime, but it increases with an increase in gas velocity in the turbulent flow regime.

Appreciable backmixing of the gas phase is pronounced in the slugging flow regime whereas the lower gas backmixing is produced in the turbulent flow regime. The gas backmixing coefficient increases with an increase in gas velocity in the slugging flow regime, but it decreases slightly with an increase in gas velocity in the turbulent flow regime.

The radial mixing and backmixing coefficients of the gas in terms of Peclet numbers have been correlated with the relevant dimensionless parameters (U_g/U_mf, p_s/p_g, d_p/D_t).

The gas flow pattern in the bed has been well represented by a simplified model based on the two gas phases in the dilute and dense phases which are percolating through the bed in plug flow. The present model can predict the gas exchange coefficient between the phases, the fractions of the dilute phase, the interstitial gas in the dense phase, and the interstitial gas velocity in the bed.     

Bile acid metabolism in mammals: VI. Effect of ethionine upon bile acids of rat bile

Sex differences in the effect of ethionine upon rat liver metabolism prompted our investigation into possible sex differences in the effect of ethionine upon bile acid metabolism. The bile ducts of 24 rats, 12 male and 12 female, were cannulated. After 1 hr of bile collection, 6 rats of each sex were given ethionine, 1 mg/g body wt, by feeding tube. The bile acid composition of the bile collected during the subsequent 4 hr was analyzed by combined thin layer and gas chromatography. Ethionine induced a reduction in bile flow (3rd and 4th hr) and in bile acid concentration (4th hr) in female rats. The amino acid had no effect upon bile flow but did increase biliary secretion of bile acids (1st and 2nd hr) in male rats. Cholic acid accounted for the bulk of the reduction in total bile acid secretion in the female studies. The increase in total bile acid secretion in the male studies involved all bile acids. The effects of ethionine upon bile acid secretion were delayed in the female studies, immediate in the male. The changes in bile acid secretion involved only the taurine conjugates in the female studies, both taurine and glycine conjugates in the male. There are substantial sex differences in the effect of ethionine upon bile acid metabolism in the rat.     

Sulfur groups in the cokes obtained from coals of different ranks

Coals of different ranks having their sulfur content distributed in different forms were heated up to 1000°C. It was shown that the higher the rank of the coal the more sulfur remained in the coke. The retention of sulfur in the coke is strongly dependent on the proportion of the thiophenic sulfur in the organic coal sulfur. The sulfur in the cokes examined was mainly organic in form. Iron sulfide, FeS, constituted most of the inorganic sulfur. A correlation was observed between the sulfide sulfur content in coke and the pyritic sulfur content in coal. The form and size of the iron sulfide present in the coke were determined by microscopic examination.     

Intake of dietary fiber in the Central American isthmus: nutritional implications

Mean intakes of dietary fiber (DF) were estimated in the population of Central America and Panama, using the results of dietary surveys conducted in 1969 and 1986 both in rural and urban areas, as well as data on the DF content of foods as consumed in the region. Data on preschool children were also estimated. The results indicated that DF intake in urban areas is lower than that of rural areas, particularly in Costa Rica and Panama. In 1969, intake varied from 32g in El Salvador to 15g in Panama in urban areas, while in rural areas intake was from 45g in El Salvador to 13g in Panama. The foods which contributed most to the total intake in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras were tortillas and beans, while in Costa Rica and Panama, beans provided the largest intake. In preeschool children, intake was 12.5g in El Salvador and 5.4g in Costa Rica in 1969, which is the same tendency as that found for adults. From more recent data on food intake, it was found that DF intake had decreased in the rural areas of El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica, being between 4 and 9% in the first two countries and 12% in Costa Rica. In the urban area of the latter, from 1969 to 1986 a decrease in DF intake of around 20% has taken place.     

我国耐火材料生产节能方向

作者与业内人士推算,我国耐火材料行业2005年消耗能源折合约16000kt标煤,单位产品的热耗与国外先进水平还有一定差距,因此需要从耐火材料生产的薄弱环节寻找原因,从中发现问题,以确定节能方向。     

泰乐菌素在提取工艺中溶液中的稳定性研究

为探讨泰乐菌素在提取工艺中溶液中的稳定性,取提取工艺中不同环节的泰乐菌素溶液,采用高效液相色谱法测定在一定时间内检测泰乐菌素的含量,观察不同环节的泰乐菌素溶液的降解情况。结果显示,在提取工艺中不同环节的泰乐菌素溶液,均较稳定,结果证明,提取工艺中不同环节的泰乐菌素溶液稳定,基本上不降解。     

Stability boundaries for spinning of fibres based on poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide through an air gap

The restriction of the zone of stationary jet flow of LC sulfuric-acid solutions of PPTA and the conditions of stable spinning of fibres with small air gaps using spinnerets with small-diameter channels is explained with the well-known theory of resonance in drawing for viscoelastic, non-Newtonian media in continuation of the effect of shear flow in the channels on longitudinal flow in the jets. In spinning fibres from 19.5% LC sulfuric acid solutions of PPTA and copolyamide, drawing of the jet in the spinning bath supplements drawing of the jet in the air gap. The former is slight and is a function of the stress created in deformation of the LC solution in the air gap, area of the jet cross-section on the surface of the spinning bath, and type of polymer. The conditions of extreme spinning regimes with breaks in PPTA and polyamide monofilaments in the spinning bath medium in the absence of resonance in drawing of the jet in an air gap are presented. Terlon Co., Mytishchi. Translated fromKhimicheskie Volokna, No. 1, pp. 12–16, January–February, 1999.