The Human Host Defense Ribonucleases 1, 3 and 7 Are Elevated in Patients with Sepsis after Major Surgery—A Pilot Study

Sepsis is the most common cause of death in intensive care units and associated with widespread activation of host innate immunity responses. Ribonucleases (RNases) are important components of the innate immune system, however the role of RNases in sepsis has not been investigated. We evaluated serum levels of RNase 1, 3 and 7 in 20 surgical sepsis patients (Sepsis), nine surgical patients (Surgery) and 10 healthy controls (Healthy). RNase 1 and 3 were elevated in Sepsis compared to Surgery (2.2- and 3.1-fold, respectively; both p < 0.0001) or compared to Healthy (3.0- and 15.5-fold, respectively; both p < 0.0001). RNase 1 showed a high predictive value for the development of more than two organ failures (AUC 0.82, p = 0.01). Patients with renal dysfunction revealed higher RNase 1 levels than without renal dysfunction (p = 0.03). RNase 1 and 3 were higher in respiratory failure than without respiratory failure (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively). RNase 7 was not detected in Healthy patients and only in two patients of Surgery, however RNase 7 was detected in 10 of 20 Sepsis patients. RNase 7 was higher in renal or metabolic failure than without failure (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). In conclusion, RNase 1, 3 and 7 are secreted into serum under conditions with tissue injury, such as major surgery or sepsis. Thus, RNases might serve as laboratory parameters to diagnose and monitor organ failure in sepsis.     

Effect of sugar, citric acid and egg white type on the microstructural and mechanical properties of meringues

Meringues are characterized by a predominant air phase and their overall quality is intimately related with microstructure. The formation of meringues microstructure relies on the capacity of egg white (EW) proteins to form voluminous and stable foams and it is ultimately related with the chemical properties of proteins and with the addition of ingredients such as sugars, salts, acids and surfactants.The study aimed at assessing the influence of sugar/EW ratio, citric acid and EW type on the microstructural and mechanical properties of meringues. Meringues prepared with different sugar/EW, citric acid level and different EW type were subjected to microstructural analysis by X-ray microtomography and to mechanical assessment by compression tests.Results demonstrate the ability of X-ray microtomography to reconstruct the 3D microstructure of meringues allowing the measurement of porosity, size, shape and distribution of pores. Citric acid, sugar concentration and EW type play a fundamental role on meringues microstructural parameters and mechanical properties. Low sugar/EW ratios as well as increasing citric acid levels increase the air phase and result in a softer texture of meringues. Moreover, low sugar/EW ratios and increasing citric acid in the meringue result in a reduction of pore size and also influence the shape of pores. Meringues microstructural and mechanical properties are affected by the EW quality: fresh and pasteurized EWs and EWs stored at refrigerated temperatures scored the highest structural and mechanical performances, while powdered and frozen EWs and albumens from old eggs showed the worst results. Not only the balance among ingredients but also the choice of raw materials can strongly affect the final quality of meringues.     

EPA's Fracking Fluids Report Could Help Stop Negative State Moves

For much of the 20th century, domestic oil and gas development regulation was left up to the states. In doing so, this policy ensured that, depending on the state's specific interests, each could pass regulations that it deemed appropriate to protect the environment while simultaneously bolstering oil and gas production. Although management has primarily remained in the hands of the states, the federal government is still very involved in the industry, passing public health–oriented regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA), and administering such regulatory bodies as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to oversee production and recovery operations. For example, in constructing a well for the use of secondary recovery processes, oil and gas companies are subject to the CWA and oversight by OSHA, as well as Superfund regulations and the SDWA in the production phase.     

Deformation and water loss from solvent filled microcapsules under compressive loads

Microcapsules filled with liquid solvents for CO₂ absorption can be easily deformed due to their elastic polymer shells. We present a combination of experiments and model predictions to demonstrate that modest compressive forces can lead to significant capsule deformation and performance issues for this enabling technology. Contrary to expectations based on Raoult's law, capsules containing aqueous carbonate solution were found to lose water to flows of humidified nitrogen in centimeter-scale packed beds. Water loss increased with gas velocity, suggesting compression was responsible for mass transfer, an interpretation supported by microscope images of deformed and broken capsules. A model for compression induced mass transfer under packed/fluidized bed operating conditions was developed and validated with the experimental data for a range of conditions (gas velocities, temperatures, humidities). Design criteria for future generations of microcapsules that will more effectively resist compression are evaluated.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Iron(II) Complexes with a New Tripodal Imine Ligand

A new tripodal imine ligand tris(2-(propan-2-ylideneamino)ethyl)amine (imine₃tren) was prepared in order to stabilize high valent iron-oxido complexes. Iron complexes were synthesized in template reactions from iron(II) salts, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) and acetone. Due to the reversibility of the imine formation, complexes with different ligands were obtained depending on the reaction conditions. Three complexes, [Fe(imine₃tren)(OAc)₂] ( 1 ), [Fe(imine₃tren)(OAc)]OTf ( 2 ) and [(imine₃tren)₂Fe₂(F)₂](SbF₆)₂ ( 3 ), could be synthesized and structurally characterized. However, reactions with hydrogen peroxide, iodosobenzene or ozone did not lead to any kind of “oxygen adduct” complex that could be spectroscopically observed.     

Fate of fertilizer 15N in intensive ridge cultivation with plastic mulching under a monsoon climate

Reducing nitrogen (N) leaching to groundwater requires an improved understanding of the effect of microtopography on N fate. Because of the heterogeneity between positions, ridge tilled fields, frequently used in intensive agriculture, should be treated as two distinct management units. In this study, we measured N dynamics in plastic-mulched ridges and bare furrows with the goal of developing more sustainable agricultural practices with optimal gains, namely crop production versus limited impacts on water quality. We investigated: (1) biomass production; (2) crop N uptake; (3) N retention in soil; and (4) N leaching using ¹⁵N fertilizer in a radish crop. Broadcast mineral N fertilizer application prior to planting resulted in high total leaching losses (of up to 390 N kg ha^?1). The application of plastic mulch in combination with local fertilizer management did not help to reduce N leaching. At all fertilizer N rates, the mean NO₃ ^? concentrations in seepage water were found to be above the WHO drinking water standard of 50 mg NO₃ ^? l^?1. To reduce NO₃ ^? leaching, we recommend: (1) decreasing the fertilizer N rates to a maximum of 150 kg N ha^?1; (2) applying fertilizer N in 3–4 split applications according to the plant’s N needs; (3) applying fertilizer N to the ridges (after their formation) to avoid losses from the furrows; and (4) increasing the soil organic matter content to enhance the water and nutrient retention by covering the furrows with plant residues.     

Comparison of the relative recovery of polyphenolics in two fruit extracts from a model of degradation during digestion and metabolism

To simulate the effects of digestion and metabolism on the survival of different polyphenolic compounds, extracts of blueberry and apple were deglycosylated by acid hydrolysis, followed by enzymic glucuronidation under neutral conditions, yielding approximately 5% overall recovery of polyphenolics. The major polyphenolics before and after the treatment were compared, to estimate which species are likely to be present in the intestinal lumen, undegraded and available for absorption, after consumption of the fruit. Whereas blueberry extract consisted predominantly of anthocyanins, epicatechin and caffeoyl quinate esters, the major components of the treated extract were quercetin glucuronides and (unglucuronidated) caffeoyl quinates, with only traces of anthocyanidin derivatives. In apple extract, compositional changes were less marked, but caffeoyl quinates, procyanidins and quercetin were enriched at the expense of caffeic acid, epicatechin and catechin. Hydrophobic compounds like phloretin and quercetin were extensively glucuronidated, whereas caffeic acid and caffeoyl quinate were not. These results suggest that the major polyphenolic components of a fruit are not necessarily the most important contributors to any health benefits because the polyphenolic composition in the intestinal lumen and consequently, in the circulation, may be considerably different.     

Efficiency and stability of transition metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction using ionic liquids as electrolytes

Different electrodes (nickel, molybdenum, and iron alloys containing chromium, manganese, and nickel) were tested as cathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF₄) ionic liquid (IL) as the electrolyte. HERs were conducted at room temperature, at a cathodic potential of −1.7 V (PtQRE) using 10 vol.% aqueous BMI.BF₄ solutions. Reactions performed in a thermostated Hoffman cell gave current densities between 14.6 and 77.5 mA cm⁻² and efficiencies in the range 97.0–99.2%. Mo electrocatalysts in IL have been shown to be better than Pt, contrary to the classic behavior observed in an aqueous KOH medium. The electrochemical properties of molybdenum, as well as its resistance to corrosion (studied by Tafel plots and observed using SEM) indicate the potential use of this material as a cathode in an IL medium, which can lead to many attractive technological applications.     

Toxicity to Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri of Kraft bleach plant effluents treated by catalytic wet-air oxidation

Two Kraft-pulp bleaching effluents from a sequence of treatments which include chlorine dioxide and caustic soda were treated by catalytic wet-air oxidation (CWAO) at T=463 K in trickle-bed and batch-recycle reactors packed with either TiO2 extrudates or Ru(3 wt%)/TiO2 catalyst. Chemical analyses (TOC removal, color, HPLC) and bioassays (48-h and 30-min acute toxicity tests using Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri, respectively) were used to get information about the toxicity impact of the starting effluents and of the treated solutions. Under the operating conditions, complex organic compounds are mostly oxidized into carbon dioxide and water, along with short-chain carboxylic acids. Bioassays were found as a complement to chemical analyses for ensuring the toxicological impact on the ecosystem. In spite of a large decrease of TOC, the solutions of end products were all more toxic to Daphnia magna than the starting effluents by factors ranging from 2 to 33. This observation is attributed to the synergistic effects of acetic acid and salts present in the solutions. On the other hand, toxicity reduction with respect to Vibrio fischeri was achieved: detoxification factors greater than unity were measured for end-product solutions treated in the presence of the Ru(3 wt%)/TiO2 catalyst, suggesting the absence of cumulative effect for this bacteria, or a lower sensitivity to the organic acids and salts. Bleach plant effluents treated by the CWAO process over the Ru/TiO2 catalyst were completely biodegradable.