The purification of cobalt advance electrolyte using ion exchange

Laboratory scale development work is reported for the removal of trace amounts of copper and zinc from a 40 g/l cobalt advance electrolyte solution at pH 5–6. A chelating ion exchange resin is used for copper removal but a novel Levextrel resin is used for zinc removal. Data are presented on loading and regeneration cycles and also on the loss of organic material from the Levextrel. A scanning electron microscope linked to an X-ray probe analyser has been used in an attempt to explain the mode of cobalt/zinc loading on the Levextrel resin.The information obtained from this development work has been used in the design of the proposed plant.     

Rhubarb inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell metastasis via GSK-3-β activation to enhance protein degradation and attenuate nuclear translocation of β-catenin

The aim of our study was to investigate the mechanisms by which rhubarb regulates β-catenin as well as metastasis of hepatocellular carcinomas. Our results revealed that rhubarb extract inhibited HA22T cell migration ability in wound healing, migration and invasion assays in a dose-dependent manner. Rhubarb also reduced β-catenin protein level, downregulated its downstream proteins, cyclin D, Tbx3 and c-Myc, and attenuated the expression of MMP9 and contactin-1 metastatic factors. Additionally, rhubarb inhibited β-catenin nuclear accumulation and induced its degradation via proteasome-mediated pathway. Furthermore, we found that rhubarb suppressed the p-ser⁹ GSK-3-β protein level to inactivate Wnt signalling and reduce β-catenin protein level. Taken together; we found that rhubarb blocked the metastatic process of HA22T hepatocellular carcinoma cells mediated through GSK-3-β activation, and enhancement of protein degradation as well as reduction of the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin.     

过敏性皮肤贴身穿轻薄毛织物的主要医用规格

最新研究表明贴身穿细美利奴羊毛的衣服对敏感型皮肤的皮疹有一定的治疗作用。为了确保这类过敏性皮肤穿着的舒适性,文章利用澳大利亚羊业合作研究中心的穿着试验数据和成衣,借助新近研发的羊毛舒适仪,对过敏性皮肤贴身穿轻薄毛织物的医用规格进行了研究。通过相关性分析发现:纯羊毛织物的刺痒性能很大程度上决定了穿着者的皮肤舒适度。进而通过使用多元变量主成分分析,辨别出人们对羊毛织物刺痒性能在不同的穿着环境和不同的活动强度下的感应模式,从而对织物的刺痒性能进行分类。最后通过对试穿服装的纤维细度和舒适度指数进行测试分析,确定了该类贴身穿毛织物的主要医用规格。包括舒适度指数不高于200,纤维的平均直径不大于17.5μm,直径大于25μm的纤维含量不高于2.0%。     

The Glycemic Potential of White and Red Rice Affected by Oil Type and Time of Addition

Limited research exists on how different oil types and time of addition affect starch digestibility of rice. This study aimed to assess the starch digestibility of white and red rice prepared with 2 oil types: vegetable oil (unsaturated fat) and ghee (clarified butter, saturated fat) added at 3 different time points during the cooking process (“before”: frying raw rice in oil before boiling, “during”: adding oil during boiling, and “after”: stir‐frying cooked rice in oil). Red rice produced a slower digestion rate than white rice. White rice digestibility was not affected by oil type, but was affected by addition time of oil. Adding oil “after” (stir‐frying) to white or red rice resulted in higher slowly digestible starch. Red rice cooked using ghee showed the lowest amount of glucose release during in vitro digestion. The addition of ghee “during” (that is boiling with ghee) or “before” (that is frying rice raw with ghee then boiling) cooking showed potential for attenuating the postprandial glycemic response and increasing resistant starch content. This is the first report to show healthier ways of preparing rice. White rice with oil added “after” (stir‐fried) may provide a source of sustained glucose and stabilize blood glucose levels. Boiling red rice with ghee or cooking red rice with ghee pilaf‐style may provide beneficial effects on postprandial blood glucose and insulin concentrations, and improve colonic health. The encouraging results of the present study justify extending it to an in vivo investigation to conclusively determine the effect of time of addition of fat when rice is cooked on blood glucose homeostasis.     

Bacterial contamination of cucumber fruit through adhesion

In this study, the adhesion of bacteria to fresh cucumber surfaces in aqueous suspension was shown to be dependent on time of incubation, inoculum species and concentration, and temperature. The adhesion of bacteria to the fruit in wash water was less extensive at lower temperatures and shorter exposure times. Various species of bacteria were adsorbed to cucumber surfaces in the following relative order: Salmonella Typhimurium > Staphylococcus aureus > Lactobacillus plantarum > Listeria monocytogenes. Cells were adsorbed at all temperatures tested (5, 15, 25, and 35 degrees C) at levels that depended on incubation time, but the numbers of cells adsorbed were larger at higher incubation temperatures. Levels of adhesion of bacteria to dewaxed fruit were higher for L. monocytogenes and lower for Salmonella Typhimurium, L. plantarum, and S. aureus than were levels of adhesion to waxed fruit.     

Nudging hair shedding by antidandruff shampoos. A comparison of 1% ketoconazole, 1% piroctone olamine and 1% zinc pyrithione formulations

Hair shedding and hair thinning have been reported to be affected by dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. The present study was conducted in 150 men presenting with telogen effluvium related to androgenic alopecia associated with dandruff. They were randomly allocated to three groups receiving each one of the three shampoos in the market containing either 1% ketoconazole (KTZ), 1% piroctone olamine (PTO) or 1% zinc pyrithione (ZPT). Shampoos had to be used 2-3 times a week for 6 months. Hair shedding during shampoo was evaluated semiquantitatively. Hair density on the vertex was evaluated on photographs using a Dermaphot. Trichograms were used for determining the anagen hair percentage and the mean proximal hair shaft diameter using computerized image analysis. The sebum excretion rate (SER, mug cm(-2) h(-1)) was also measured using a Sebumeter. The three treatments cleared pruritus and dandruff rapidly. At end point, hair density was unchanged, although hair shedding was decreased (KTZ: -17.3%, PTO: -16.5%, ZPT: -10.1%) and the anagen hair percentage was increased (KTZ: 4.9%, PTO: 7.9%, ZPT: 6.8%). The effect on the mean hair shaft diameter was contrasted between the three groups of volunteers (KTZ: 5.4%, PTO: 7.7%, ZPT: -2.2%). In conclusion, telogen effluvium was controlled by KTZ, PTO and ZPT shampoos at 1% concentration. In addition, KTZ and PTO increased the mean hair shaft thickness while discretely decreasing the sebum output at the skin surface.     

Decontamination of aflatoxin B1‐contaminated corn by ammonium persulphate during fermentation

The decontamination of aflatoxin B₁(AFB₁)‐contaminated corn, which is required if the corn is to be suitable for alternative use, by an ammoniation–fermentation integrated process was studied. This process could be used for the production of fuel ethanol from aflatoxin‐containing corn. Different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.5 and 2.0% w/w) of ammonium persulphate were tested in the detoxification of AFB₁‐contaminated corn during fermentation. In order to increase the decontamination of corn, 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w) azodicarbonamide, benzoyl peroxide and hydrogen peroxide were tested. Peroxides were added at three different stages of the fermentation process: liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation. Levels of AFB₁ and ethanol were determined after each fermentation process. Treated corn was tested for mutagenic potential using the Ames test with TA100 tester strain and pure AFB₁ as positive control. Addition of 2.0% (w/w) ammonium persulphate caused the highest level of decontamination without affecting ethanol production. Addition of peroxides did not significantly (P < 0.05) increase ethanol production or significantly (P < 0.05) improve the decontamination process. The best processes for decontamination of corn and for ethanol production included the addition of 2.0% (w/w) ammonium persulphate for both and of 1.0 and 0.5% (w/w) benzoyl peroxide respectively. All treated corn samples showed no mutagenic potential. Possible industrial use of these processes is discussed. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

EVALUATION OF BARLEY AND MALT QUALITY USING NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE TECHNIQUES

A scanning near-infrared reflectance spectrophotometer was calibrated for the prediction of barley aleurone colour and malt moisture. The malt moisture was predicted on malt ground for the determination of malt extract (coarse grind) making the method suitable for moisture correction in malt extract estimation. Calibrations for the prediction of malt extract and endosperm modification from barley and malt were also attempted. A correlation (r= 0.851 n = 135) was found between malt hot water extract and the percentage of the endosperm estimated as being modified by microscopy following staining with Calcofluor. Probably because of this influence of modification on malt extract, the use of near-infrared reflectance to predict malt extract was most successful at predicting the malt extract values obtained following micro-malting in the absence of the additives, gibberellic acid and potassium bromate.     

Molecular regulators of resolution of inflammation: potential therapeutic targets in the reproductive system

Inflammatory processes are central to reproductive events including ovulation, menstruation, implantation and labour, while inflammatory dysregulation is a feature of numerous reproductive pathologies. In recent years, there has been much research into the endogenous mechanisms by which inflammatory reactions are terminated and tissue homoeostasis is restored, a process termed resolution. The identification and characterisation of naturally occurring pro-resolution mediators including lipoxins and annexin A1 has prompted a shift in the field of anti-inflammation whereby resolution is now observed as an active process, triggered as part of a normal inflammatory response. This review will address the process of resolution, discuss available evidence for expression of pro-resolution factors in the reproductive tract and explore possible roles for resolution in physiological reproductive processes and associated pathologies.     

Factors associated with food workers working while experiencing vomiting or diarrhea

This study sought to determine the frequency with which food workers said they had worked while experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, and to identify restaurant and worker characteristics associated with this behavior. We conducted interviews with food workers (n=491) and their managers (n=387) in the nine states that participate in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Environmental Health Specialists Network. Restaurant and worker characteristics associated with repeatedly working while experiencing vomiting or diarrhea were analyzed via multivariable regression. Fifty-eight (11.9%) workers said they had worked while suffering vomiting or diarrhea on two or more shifts in the previous year. Factors associated with workers having worked while experiencing vomiting or diarrhea were (i) high volume of meals served, (ii) lack of policies requiring workers to report illness to managers, (iii) lack of on-call workers, (iv) lack of manager experience, and (v) workers of the male gender. Our findings suggest that policies that encourage workers to tell managers when they are ill and that help mitigate pressures to work while ill could reduce the number of food workers who work while experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.