Characterization of protein functionality and texture of tumbled squid,octopus and cuttlefish muscles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tumbling on the physicochemical and textural characteristics of squid (Loligo vulgaris), octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) muscles. Before tumbling the cephalopod samples were placed in plastic bags and 0.5 M NaCl was added. Tumbling process was performed continuously in three different tumbling times (2, 4, and 6 h). The results of the analyses showed that tumbling affected the physicochemical properties of cephalopod muscles. The increase in the time of tumbling resulted in the tenderness of the cephalopod muscles. The total soluble protein, the total free amino acid, and pH values increased with the increase of the tumbling time. The water holding capacity decreased and the cooking loss increased. The squid and octopus hardness and shear force values decreased after tumbling, according to instrumental and sensorial texture measurements. As a result, tumbling was found to be an effective method for tenderizing of squid and octopus muscle, but not for cuttlefish.     

Seasonal variations in proximate and elemental composition of pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata,Leach, 1814)

Pearl oysters (Pinctada radiata) were investigated for proximate and elemental composition throughout the year. Oysters were collected bimonthly by hand during scuba diving from the Gulf of Antalya. Ranges of dry matter, protein, fat and ash contents were 144.7–209.8, 65.9–160.4, 4.3–10.9 and 4.6–27.0 g kg^?1, respectively. While the highest protein and fat values were found in the summer months, the highest dry matter and ash contents were found in the winter months. The highest element contents were found in the spring and autumn months. Cadmium and zinc were found to be over the legislative limits, while copper was below, throughout year. The highest concentration among the elements was obtained for zinc. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ureteroscopic management of lower ureteral stones: two years'' experience

1. This study was to determine the effects of heat load early in life on thermoregulatory responses and whole blood viscosity of broilers during a subsequent exposure to high environmental temperature later in life. 2. The birds, which had been subjected to exposure to 38 degrees C for 24 h at 5-d-old, served as prior exposure group (group A). Both group A and control group B were exposed to 33 degrees C for 3 h when near marketable weight. 3. On exposure to 33 degrees C, although there were no significant differences in the increases in heat production (HP) between the two groups, abdominal temperature (Ta), temperature of external ear tract (Tee), shank skin temperature (Tss), standing-lying frequency and lying time were lower in group A than in group B. Heart rate (HR) and comb surface temperature (Tcs) did not differ but increased in both groups during exposure to 33 degrees C. Respiration rate (RR) was greater in group A. 4. Blood viscosity decreased markedly in both groups after exposure to 33 degrees C; the decrease was greater in group A. 5. These results suggest that early exposure may promote broilers' ability to cope with the subsequent heat load by altering thermoregulatory physiological responses and behavioural patterns, resulting in an alleviation of heat stress.     

Wear and friction behavior of metal impregnated microporous carbon composites

Metal-matrix composites have been prepared by pressure-infiltration casting of copper-base alloy melts into microporous carbon preforms. The carbon preforms contained varying proportions of amorphous carbon and graphite. Load dependence of the wear and friction behavior of the composite pins has been examined under ambient conditions against cast-iron plates, using a pin-on-plate reciprocating wear tester. The wear resistance of the composite is significantly improved, as compared with the base alloy. Contrary to the normally expected behavior, the addition of graphite to the amorphous carbon does not reduce the friction coefficient, especially at high loads. The wear and friction behavior of the composites is very sensitive to the size and distribution of the microstructural constituents.     

Effect of Ultrasound on the Production Reaction Kinetics of Sodium Thiosulfate

It is known that the production reaction of sodium thiosulfate which consists of the reaction of Na₂SO₃ with sulfur is considerably slow. Ultrasound energy was used to increase the conversion fraction of sulfur and to accelerate the production reaction of Na₂S₂O₃, and the effect of ultrasonic energy on the reaction kinetics was investigated. The particle size, reaction temperature, concentration of Na₂SO₃ solution and amplitude of ultrasound power were chosen as parameters. The experiments were performed in the absence and presence of ultrasound. Considering the results the reaction is chemically controlled first order and the activation energy is equal to 42 kJ/mol in both cases. The results indicated that the ultrasound energy increased the reaction speed but it did not vary the activation energy. The effect of ultrasound is on the pre‐exponential factor A. Finally, an empirical relation is given which relates the rate constant to ultrasound power.     

Increasing the conversion fraction of sulfur to sodium thiosulfate with the ultrasound energy

The usage of ultrasound has gained popularity in the recent years. Ultrasonic processing means blasting liquids, usually water, with very intense sound at high frequency, producing very well mixed powerful chemical and physical reactions. This paper deals with the investigation of the effect of ultrasonic energy on the conversion fraction of sulfur in the production reaction of sodium thiosulfate which was obtained from sulfur and Na₂SO₃ solution. Concentration of Na₂SO₃ solution parameter was chosen as the constant parameter. The experiments were performed with various amplitudes of ultrasound power and in the absence and presence of ultrasound energy in various temperatures with various particle sizes. The results indicate that the conversion fraction values increase in the presence of ultrasound energy and increase at high amplitude values.     

Pars plana vitrectomy with pars plana tube implantation in eyes with intractable glaucoma

Fas Ligand (FasL) can induce apoptosis of Fas-bearing cells. It is expressed on the cell surface of many tumor cells, immune-privileged tissues and activated lymphocytes. We report here that FasL can itself transduce signals, leading to cell-cycle arrest and cell death in CD4+ T cells. In vitro, FasL engagement inhibited CD4+ T-cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, and IL-2 secretion. In vivo, FasL engagement prevented superantigen-mediated CD4+, but not CD8+, T-cell expansion. These findings demonstrate that FasL engagement regulates cell-cycle progression, and show that FasL engagement in vivo has a potent anti-inflammatory effect specific for CD4+ T cells.