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.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

中国氮肥消费状况及其发展展望

中国氮肥的消费在经历了快速的波动性增长以后,近年来的增长趋势变慢。通过对全国农技中心2003年统计数据和2000年农户调查数据的分析,阐明了我国氮肥消费的空间分布、品种结构和农作物需求状况;并指出了农作物氮肥施用中存在传统施肥习惯影响氮肥消费结构,氮肥施用面积不足、适量和超量各占三分之一,施肥方式影响肥料利用率,氮肥价格的上涨也影响氮肥消费结构等问题。因此,中国氮肥总消费量增长的趋势并不明朗。目前开展的测土配方施肥行动和减少氮肥农田损失的措施都会不同程度地影响未来氮肥的消费结构。     

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.     

Abnormal metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids in diabetic glomeruli

Studies were done on changes in phospholipid content and fatty acid composition of phospholipids and on the role of the acylation pathway in synthesis of phospholipids in the development of abnormal fatty acid composition in the glomeruli of rats 2 and 10 mo after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. The proportions of individual phospholipids in the glomeruli of rats were not changed 2 mo after induction of diabetes, but the proportion of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) decreased and that of sphingomyelin increased 10 mo after induction of diabetes. In contrast, in liver the proportion of PE was increased and that of phosphatidylcholine was decreased. These results showed that changes of individual phospholipids in glomeruli were time-dependent and tissue-specific. Two mo after induction of diabetes, the main change in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of diabetic glomeruli was a decrease in arachidonic acid (AA); the main change in serum free fatty acids (FFA) was an increase in linoleic acid (LA) and a decrease in AA. Ten mo after induction of diabetes, the main changes in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of glomeruli were an increase in LA and a decrease in AA; the main change of the serum FFA composition was a decrease in AA. Thus, the fatty acid composition of glomerular phospholipids was not directly correlated to that of the serum in diabetic rats. Acyl-CoA synthetase and acyltransferase activities increased in diabetic glomeruli with either AA or LA as substrate, but activity toward LA increased more at 2 mo after induction of diabetes. Acyl-CoA synthetase activity increased in diabetic glomeruli with LA as substrate, but that did not change with AA as substrate at 10 mo after induction of diabetes. Furthermore, acyltransferase activity decreased in diabetic glomeruli with AA as substrate, although that did not change with LA as substrate at 10 mo after induction of diabetes.     

Possible Role of Crystal-Bearing Cells in Tomato Fertility and Formation of Seedless Fruits

Crystal-bearing cells or idioblasts, which deposit calcium oxalate, are located in various tissues and organs of many plant species. The functional significance of their formation is currently unclear. Idioblasts in the leaf parenchyma and the development of crystal-bearing cells in the anther tissues of transgenic tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicon L.), expressing the heterologous FeSOD gene and which showed a decrease in fertility, were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The amount of calcium oxalate crystals was found to increase significantly in the transgenic plants compared to the wild type (WT) ones in idioblasts and crystal-bearing cells of the upper part of the anther. At the same time, changes in the size and shape of the crystals and their location in anther organs were noted. It seems that the interruption in the break of the anther stomium in transgenic plants was associated with the formation and cell death regulation of a specialized group of crystal-bearing cells. This disturbance caused an increase in the pool of these cells and their localization in the upper part of the anther, where rupture is initiated. Perturbations were also noted in the lower part of the anther in transgenic plants, where the amount of calcium oxalate crystals in crystal-bearing cells was reduced that was accompanied by disturbances in the morphology of pollen grains. Thus, the induction of the formation of crystal-bearing cells and calcium oxalate crystals can have multidirectional effects, contributing to the regulation of oxalate metabolism in the generative and vegetative organs and preventing fertility when the ROS balance changes, in particular, during oxidative stresses accompanying most abiotic and biotic environmental factors.     

Changes in the Properties of Synthetic Fibres in Thermal Aging

Thermal aging of complex lavsan, nitron, and anid fibres and lavsan and nitron yarn was investigated in the temperature region above the glass transition temperature (120, 150, 180°C) in the free state and with shrinkage for up to 300 h. It was shown that thermal aging of chemical fibres in the general case includes periods of structural and thermochemical aging. The kinetic characteristics of thermal shrinkage of chemical fibres and yarn in the first period of thermal aging were investigated. An exponential curve of shrinkage in time was obtained and can be used to predict the behavior of fibres and yarn in the first period of aging in the free state. The kinetics of the change in the strength and relative elongation at break was investigated in prolonged thermal aging of chemical fibres and yarn in the free (with shrinkage) and fixed (without shrinkage) states. The exponential dependence of the change in the fibre breaking characteristics on the duration of heat treatment was demonstrated. The change in the properties in prolonged thermal aging in the free and fixed states in the first stage of aging takes place differently. With shrinkage, the strength decreases and the deformability increases as a result of relaxation phenomena in the first stage, followed by a symbatic decrease in the strength and deformability as a result of thermal degradation processes in the second stage. In heat treatment in the fixed state, the change in the mechanical properties in the first stage is slight, while the strength and deformability simultaneously decrease in time as a result of thermal aging in the second stage. The quantitative characteristics found can be used to predict the change in the mechanical properties of chemical fibres and yarn in conditions of prolonged exposure to heat.     

Residual effects of phosphate fertilizers in relation to phosphate sorptivities of 27 soils

Three different parameters of the long term effects of phosphate fertilizers on perennial clover-based pastures were measured over 3–4 years in 27 experiments on acidic soils in an elevated region of eastern Australia. Recovery of fertilizer P was the difference between herbage P uptake in the presence of fertilizer and uptake in its absence, expressed as a % of the amount of P applied in the first year. Residual value was the size of the response to fertilizer P, applied in the first year, expressed as a percentage of the response to freshly applied P in the second and third years. Effectiveness was the product of the values of the Mitscherlich curvature and response parameters for each response curve, and residual effectiveness was relative to initial effectiveness. Soils varied widely in their P sorptivities, and represented Alfisols, Entisols, and Ultisols of basaltic, granitic and sedimentary origin. Mean P recoveries of 29% in the first year and 49% over 3 years, residual values of 84% in the second year and 60% in the third, and residual effectiveness of 77% in the second year and 47% in the third were high by most standards. Increasing P sorptivity tended to increase fertilizer effectiveness in the first year and residual value in the second year, but it depressed P recovery in the first year and residual effectiveness in later years. The long term effect of increasing P sorptivity on cumulative P recoveries tended to be negative at low to medium rates of fertilizer application and positive at high rates of application. There was a much smaller decline in residual values and effectiveness over the 3 or 4 years than there was in P recovery, and this was attributed to the beneficial effects of P on soil N fertility, via clover N fixation, and the subsequent growth of grasses in the phosphated treatments.     

Effect of the Intensification of Mechanical Processing on the Conversion of the Mineral Matter of Coal Fuel

The influence of intense preliminary mechanical processing in a disintegrator on the conversion of the mineral matter of Kuznetsk black coal was determined. With the use of X-ray spectral fluorescence analysis and a method of coal sample separation based on density, a significant redistribution of the mineral components with the use of an energy-intensive mill (disintegrator) was found in comparison with standard mills utilized in heat-power engineering in terms of both particle-size fractions and density. Crushing in the disintegrator leads to a more uniform distribution of mineral substances over the fractions. A small fraction becomes enriched in mineral elements such as calcium- and iron-containing minerals bound to the organic matter. The separation based on density showed that crushing in the disintegrator leads to a significant decrease in the concentration of iron-containing minerals and a decrease in the portion of organic components in the heavy fraction, as compared with crushing in a ball–tube mill.     

Considerations on Probe Design for Affinity-Guided Protein Conjugation

The plethora of methods developed for the creation of protein conjugates often differs significantly with regard to the heterogeneity of the resulting products, in the degree of genetic manipulation of the protein required, and in the technical skills required to perform the conjugation procedure. Affinity-guided protein conjugation is a protein labeling methodology based on noncovalent binding interactions between a labeling probe and the protein of interest. These interactions increase the local concentration of a reactive group in the probe on the protein surface thus facilitating the conjugation in proximity of the complexation site. The ability to produce high-quality conjugates from nongenetically modified proteins both in vitro, but also in cells, demonstrates the power of affinity-guided protein conjugation. Here, we present the progress of affinity-guided protein conjugation in relation to selective protein labeling in living systems and the formation of high-quality protein conjugates. Furthermore, the probe design will be discussed in relation to the utility of the probe for labeling in vitro or in living systems.     

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。     

Evaluation of surfactant-aided degumming of vegetable oils by membrane technology

The first step in the process of vegetable oil refining is degumming, in which phospholipids and mucilaginous gums are removed that otherwise result in a low-grade oil. A membrane process is remarkably simple yet potentially offers many advantages in degumming. Studies were conducted on surfactant-aided membrane degumming with soybean and rapeseed oils in a magnetically stirred flat membrane batch cell with different types of microfiltration membranes. The reduction of phospholipids in soybean oil was in the range of 85.8–92.8% during the membrane process. The phosphorus content of membrane permeates of soybean oil was in the range of 20–58 mg/kg. Crude rapeseed oil contained higher amount of nonhydratable phospholipids and hence resulted in lower reduction in phospholipids, in the range of 66.4–83.2%. Addition of hydratable phospholipids could improve the efficiency of degumming in the membrane process without using any electrolyte, resulting in improvement of quality as well as quantity of the phospholipids.     

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.     

Analysis of subcellular phosphatidyl choline in developing rabbit lung

Phosphatidyl choline is a major lung surfactant. Insufficient development of the surfactant in neonates is often associated with the Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The concentration and fatty acid composition of phosphatidyl choline have not been studied in the subcellular organelles of the developing lung. This study has investigated the development of the concentration and fatty acid composition of phosphatidyl choline in subcellular fractions of 28-day and 30-day fetal and maternal New Zealand rabbit lungs. The concentration of total phospholipids in lamellar bodies increased four to five fold from 28-day fetus to 30-day fetus which, in turn, was similar to the maternal level. Total phospholipid content increased only about 50% in mitochondria and microsomes. The percentage of phosphatidyl choline among total phospholipids in lamellar bodies increased successively from 60% at 28 days gestation to 84% at 30 days gestation and leveled at 84% in maternal lamellar bodies. Microsomal PC increased steadily from 52% in the 28-day fetus to 65% in the adult. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of phosphatidyl choline in lamellar bodies confirmed 16∶0 as the major fatty acid, and its content remained constant from 28 days gestation to adult. In contrast, the content of 16∶0 of the microsomal phosphatidyl choline decreased with increasing gestation. Changes of several unsaturated fatty acid components were observed in both lamellar bodies and microsomes in the developing lungs. Maturational development of phosphatidyl choline is reflected in an increase in the concentration of this surfactant, particularly in lamellar bodies, and possibly in remodeling of fatty acid composition in both lamellar bodies and microsomes.