Effect of functional group of ferrocene redox substance on the transport properties of newly designed ion exchange membrane prepared from polymer gel

A different newly designed cationic exchange polymer membrane and anionic exchange polymer membrane were introduced, and also the transport properties of these polymeric membranes were investigated in this study. The transport properties of these polymer membranes in contact with ferrocene redox derivatives were estimated by using electrochemical techniques such as cyclicvoltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and chronoamperometry techniques, respectively. The used ferrocene redox substances, which have different functional groups, were (Ferrocenylmethyl) trimethylamonium iodide, FcMA, Ferrocenedimethanol, FcDM, and Ferrocene carboxylic acid, FcCA. It indicated that the performance of a membrane depended on the content of polymer gel, anionic exchange polymer site (20 wt % and 50 wt %) or cationic polymer exchange site (20 wt % and 50 wt %), and the efficiency of the functional groups of cationic and anionic exchange polymer site as well. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Water and salt permeability of reinforcement polymer‐gel composite membrane

The charged mosaic polymer membrane (CMM) without reinforcement and the composite charged mosaic polymer membrane (CCMM) with reinforcement were investigated in terms of salt and water transport (permeability). The composite charged mosaic polymer membrane (CCMM) with reinforcement showed a unique transport behavior such as preferential material transport L_p and ω. Water permeability coefficient, L_p and salt permeability coefficient, ω were estimated by taking account of active layer thickness of composite polymer gel. The L_p and ω values of CCMM with reinforcement were larger than those of CMM without reinforcement. On the other hand, the reflection coefficient of CCMM, σ, showed negative value, which suggested preferential material transport to solvent transport. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effects of Ajoene on lymphocyte and macrophage membrane-dependent functions

An increasing flow of evidences collected on elementary forms of learning processes in selected animal models evidentiates some mechanisms which can represent the basic cellular principles underlying plastic changes: 1. 5HT and second messengers of nucleotide type (like cAMP) have a pivotal role in the learning process. 2. In almost all short-term learning processes the modifications are subserved by a mechanism of protein phosphorylation. 3. In various animal models the modulation of K+ and Ca2+ channels is the molecular mechanism for learning. Experiments performed in sensory T neuron of the leech indicate that the modulation of Na+/K+ electrogenic pump is one of the fundamental mechanism for learning. 4. In long-term plastic changes, the most important finding is that newly synthesized proteins are formed. 5. In addition to what has been observed in the Aplysia model, where changes in synaptic efficacy represent the basic principles of memory storage, in the leech it has been demonstrated that a molecular machinery present in a single neuron can adapt the activity of the cell to environmental stimuli.     

Accelerated Maturation of Cheddar Cheese: Influence of Added Lactobacilli and Commercial Protease on Composition and Texture

The addition of live and heat-shocked Lactobacillus casei-casei L2A and Neutrase© was tested for its ability to accelerate the maturation of Cheddar cheese. An evaluation of physicochemical and rheological properties showed that cheese pH was decreased by bacterial and enzymatic additives, while fracturability and cohesiveness were influenced principally by Neutrase. The integrated process recommended is composed of three parts: first, the addition of live L. casei-casei L2A to control the undesirable microflora, second, heat-shocked cells of the same species at a concentration of 1.0%, and third, Neutrase at a concentration not higher than 1.0 × 10^-5 AU/g of cheese. This process led to a good-quality sharp Cheddar cheese with 60% increase in flavor intensity compared to control cheese.     

Physico-chemical properties of a protein-inhibitor of serine proteinases from the potato]

Serine proteases inhibitor with pl-7.3, isolated from potatoe tubers by isoelectric focusing procedure as described previously (V.V. Mosolov et al., Bioorganic Chem., 1, 1449, 1975), was homogeneous under ultracentrifugation, having sedimentation coefficient S20,w 2.8S. Its molecular weight, investigated by sedimentation equilibrium and gel filtration through Sephadex G-100, was found to be 32500 and 31500 respectively. The Stokes radius R and frictional ratio f/fo were found to be 24 A and 1.14. The molecular weight of the inhibitor as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis was twice as low as determined in ultracentrifuge and by gel filtration procedure. It is suggested that the inhibitor is dimer and consists of two protomers of equal molecular weight.     

The cost of auditing outpatient records

When patient records are to be auditied in a program designed to assess the quality of medical care rendered, careful consideration must be given to the cost of the system implemented. Structured data collection and a defined treatment plan are advantageous in facilitating the use of nonphysicians for the majority of the audit. A system using checklists to ensure adequate recording of subjective and objective data and a defined treatment plan for a common symptom complex were implemented by physicians and physician's assistants with a patient load averaging more than 1,000 patient contacts per week in a general medical clinic at Duke University Medical Center. Audit was subsequently accomplished at a cost of 96 cents per record. To reduce this cost, more efficient methods of selecting records for audit should be developed.     

Afterload reduction in the management of postinfarction ventricular septal defect

The primary goal in the medical management of ventricular septal defect complicating myocardial infarction is to support cardiac function and control symptoms, if possible, for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. If the patient survives this period, surgical correction of the defect is technically easier and safer. In many cases, However, cardiac function is severly compromised, intractable biventricular failure develops,early operation is necessary and the likelihood of successful repair is diminished.