Effect of electron irradiation on alternating current electrical properties of gelatin – cadmium sulfide nano-composite films

Gelatin was doped with 1 %, 3 %, 5 % and 10 % cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in weight concentrations forming the gelatin-cadmium sulfide nanocomposites and irradiated by various electron beam doses equals 50 kGy, 75 kGy, 100 kGy, and 150 kGy using 3 MeV – 3 mA electron accelerator. The applied alternating current electrical field frequency ranging from 70 Hz to 5 MHz is what caused the fluctuation in dielectric properties and alternating current electrical conductivity of these nanocomposites. The results showed that the films of 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 10 % for blank (nanocomposite film without electron beam irradiation) nanocomposites had the highest dielectric parameters (έ, ϵ′′, tan δ) at 0.5 kHz with values of (0.696, 0.0233, 0.034), (0.533, 0.0114, 0.0215), (0.402, 0.001196, 0.003), and (0.459, 0.00418, 0.0091), respectively. However, the lowest dielectric parameters were (0.645, 0.00618, 0.0066), (0.523, 0.00165, 0.0215), (0.417, 0.00035, 0.0008), and (0.455, 0.00066, 0.0015) at 5 MHz, respectively. The highest conductivity values for blank nanocomposites of 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 10 % were 1.79×10⁻⁴ S/m, 1.45×10⁻⁴ S/m, 1.16×10⁻⁴ S/m, 1.27×10⁻⁴ S/m at 5 MHz, and the lowest values were 1.92×10⁻⁸ S/m, 1.49×10⁻⁸ S/m, 1.13×10⁻⁸ S/m, 1.26×10⁻⁸ S/m at 0.5 kHz, respectively. For irradiated nanocomposites at 5 MHz, the dielectric constant order for 1 % was 100 kGy, 150 kGy, 50 kGy, and 75 kGy with values 0.63, 0.537, 0.532, and 0.523, respectively. For 10 % weight concentration, the order was 50 kGy, 100 kGy, 150 kGy, and 75 kGy with values 0.515, 0.477, 0.47, and 0.437, respectively. Otherwise the dielectric constant order for 3 % and 5 % was 100 kGy, 75 kGy, 150 kGy, and 50 kGy. The highest dielectric properties and conductivity values for blank and irradiated nanocomposites were observed at 100 kGy for 1 %, 3 %, and 5 %.     

Immune and Anticancer Responses Elicited by Fully Synthetic Aberrantly Glycosylated MUC1 Tripartite Vaccines Modified by a TLR2 or TLR9 Agonist

The mucin MUC1 is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated by many epithelial cancer cells manifested by truncated O‐linked saccharides. Although tumor‐associated MUC1 has generated considerable attention because of its potential for the development of a therapeutic cancer vaccine, it has been difficult to design constructs that consistently induce cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes (CTLs) and ADCC‐mediating antibodies specific for the tumor form of MUC1. We have designed, chemically synthesized, and immunologically examined vaccine candidates each composed of a glycopeptide derived from MUC1, a promiscuous T_helper peptide, and a TLR2 (Pam₃CysSK₄) or TLR9 (CpG‐ODN 1826) agonist. It was found that the Pam₃CysSK₄‐containing compound elicits more potent antigenic and cellular immune responses, resulting in a therapeutic effect in a mouse model of mammary cancer. It is thus shown, for the first time, that the nature of an inbuilt adjuvant of a tripartite vaccine can significantly impact the quality of immune responses elicited against a tumor‐associated glycopeptide. The unique adjuvant properties of Pam₃CysSK₄, which can reduce the suppressive function of regulatory T cells and enhance the cytotoxicity of tumor‐specific CTLs, are likely responsible for the superior properties of the vaccine candidate 1 .     

Prothrombotic states associated with retinal venous occlusion in young adults

BACKGROUND: The etiology of retinal venous occlusion in young patients is not well understood although thrombosis does occur histologically. A search for the risk factors that may lead to thrombosis is highly desirable may contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of this complication and may improve our therapeutic strategies. METHODS: We studied 17 patients with retinal venous occlusion. All patients were under 45 years of age (mean 37.8 +/- 7.1). Antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) and certain hemostatic factors were determined. The results obtained in these patients were compared to those of normal controls. RESULTS: We found APAs in 8 out of 17 patients compared to 5 out of 60 controls (p = 0.0002). In patients with major trunk occlusion, there was a trend for the presence of APAs in those with poor visual acuity at presentation. Deficiencies of the coagulation inhibitor proteins C and S and antithrombin III activities were detected in 6 patients, and reduced levels of Factor XII were found in 4 patients. Levels of hematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Fibrinogen, alpha 1-globulin, and alpha 2-globulin were significantly higher in patients compared to the controls (p = 0.019; 0.014; 0.0001; 0.011; 0.047), indicating increased blood viscosity in patients with retinal venous occlusion. CONCLUSION: Prothrombotic changes in the form of APAs and/or deficiencies of coagulation inhibitors and Factor XII may contribute to the etiology of retinal venous occlusion in young adults. Young patients with retinal venous occlusion should be evaluated for these prothrombotic states.     

Potassium hexacyanocobalt ferrate and ammonium molybdophosphate sorption bags for the removal of 137Cs from aqueous solutions and a simulated waste

In the present study, the removal and immobilization of ¹³⁷Cs from aqueous waste solutions and a simulated waste was investigated. Two inorganic ion‐exchange complexes: di‐potassium hexacyanocobalt(II)‐ferrate(II), K₂CoFe(CN)_6·xH₂O (KCFC), and ammonium‐12‐molybdophosphate [(NH₄)₃PMo₁₂O_40·aq] (AMP), were charged separately into porous nylon bags (sorption bags) of 5 µm pore diameter. The first complex (KCFC) was prepared in our laboratory. The second (AMP) was used for comparison. Easy handling and increased potential for reuse characterize the sorption bag technique. The KCFC complex was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), porosity, infra‐red (IR) and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). The chemical and structural investigations revealed that the KCFC complex has adequate ion‐exchange capacity and high affinity for ¹³⁷Cs. The sorption bag technique showed promising results for the removal of ¹³⁷Cs from aqueous waste solutions. The KCFC bags showed the highest ¹³⁷Cs removal (～0.91 g g^?1), at pH 8.5; AMP bags gave the highest ¹³⁷Cs removal (～0.97 g g^?1) in 0.1 N HNO₃ and 1.5 N HNO₃, both with a waste: sorbent ratio of 80 cm³ g^?1. Sorption data for both KCFC and AMP revealed a good fit to the Freundlich sorption isotherm. To assess the potential of sorption bags, the used bags were regenerated in different leachants and reused in further sorption investigations. ¹³⁷Cs recovery from the used sorbents was ～0.46 g g^?1 using 6 N HCl as leachant for AMP, compared with ～0.253 g g^?1 for KCFC using 6 N NaCl. These results indicated stronger cesium immobilization in the KCFC complex. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxicity of Piper abyssinica seeds to Nubian goats

An investigation is described in which Nubian goats were given daily oral doses of Piper abyssinica seeds at 0.25; 1 and 5 g/kg body weight. The results of liver and kidney function tests were correlated with the clinical and pathological changes. In goats receiving the plant seed at 5 g/kg body weight/day, death occurred within 5-14 days and the main signs were bloated rumen, diarrhoea, dysponoea and ataxia. Enterohepatonephropathy was accompanied by increases in the activity of serum ALP and GGT, in the concentration of cholesterol, globulin, total lipids and urea and decreases in the level of albumin. Piper seed was toxic but not lethal to goats at doses of 0.25 and 1 g/kg body weight.     

Microprocessor-based real time system for eye motion analysis

A microprocessor-based real time video analysis system has been built and used in conjunction with an oculometer to perform some aspects of eye motion analysis. An outstanding feature of this system is its ability to process data in real time so that information concerning instantaneous eye point of regard is readily available for direct observation.     

Effect of drilling speed on the required torque and thrust force for non-ferrous materials

Constant-feed-rate drilling tests under conditions of dry cutting were performed on three non-ferrous materials, namely free machining brass, aluminium and lead. The tests covered a wide range of cutting speeds. Both thrust forces and torques were affected by the drill diameter and by speed variations. Empirical relationships between the thrust force, the torque and the cutting parameters were derived for the materials used.     

Effect of high temperatures on the dielectric behaviour of viscose fibres at low frequency

Commercial and purified viscose fibres exhibit dielectric dispersion and a loss peak within the frequency range 0.05–1 k c/s and at temperatures of 80–140°C. Such high temperature relaxation is local in nature and is attributed to side group motion. The characteristics of the absorption bands of these samples are compared and the results obtained are interpreted. The variation of the dielectric constant with temperature showed a second order transition at about 110°C with these samples, which disappears on hydrolysis.     

Effects of lupin oil on carp lipids during chilling 1. Changes in lipid class composition

The effect of lupin (Lupinus termis) oil on the muscle lipids of carp (Cyprinus carpio) during chilling was studied. During chilling, total lipids decreased whereas triglycerides remained almost constant. Neither the behavior of total lipids nor that of triglycerides during chilling was affected by the composition of the dietary lipids. The proportions of ?free”? fatty acids increased and the proportions of phospholipids decreased during chilling. These changes were markedly affected by the composition of the diet.