Pigmented storiform neurofibroma

A simple and rapid gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method was developed for the analysis of aqueous solutions of FMC 33297 (mphenoxybenzyl cis,trans-(+/-)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl) - 2,2 - dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate). The compound is extracted from aqueous solution with benzene and cleaned up by liquid chromatography. The sample extracts are analyzed by GLC with a flame ionization detector and quantitated by comparing integrator counts of extracts with those of standards. Recoveries of FMC 33297 were 90-100%. The method has good precision (the standard deviation for 4 determinations of a 0.002394% formulation was 6 X 10(-6)) and is sensitive to 0.00004% active ingredient by weight,     

Assessment of stress-related psychophysiological reactions in chronic back pain patients.

Compared the relationship of paraspinal EMG reactivity to personally relevant and general stress among 17 chronic back pain (CBP) patients, 17 non-back-pain patients, and 17 healthy controls. The 3 experimental groups were matched according to sex, age, marital status, education, and employment level. 78% of the Ss were male; 72% were married. The Ss ranged in age from 23 to 73 yrs. Ss participated in a psychophysiological assessment that included 4 trials (discussions of personal stress and pain, mental arithmetic, and reciting the alphabet). Paraspinal and frontalis EMG, heart rate, and skin resistance were recorded continuously. Psychological variables (e.g., depression and perceived control) were also assessed. Results indicate that CBP Ss displayed elevations and delayed return to baseline only in their paravertebral musculature and only when discussing personally relevant stress. Neither of the other groups displayed similar response patterns. Abnormal muscular reactivity was best predicted by depression and manner of coping with pain rather than by organic variables. These results suggest that the assessment of stress-related responses may be important in the evaluation and treatment of CBP. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Extracellular Matrix Composition Modulates the Responsiveness of Differentiated and Stem Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Lipophilic Derivate of Gemcitabine

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal disease. Gemcitabine (GEM) is used as the gold standard drug in PDAC treatment. However, due to its poor efficacy, it remains urgent to identify novel strategies to overcome resistance issues. In this context, an intense stroma reaction and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been shown to influence PDAC aggressiveness, metastatic potential, and chemoresistance. Methods: We used three-dimensional (3D) organotypic cultures grown on an extracellular matrix composed of Matrigel or collagen I to test the effect of the new potential therapeutic prodrug 4-(N)-stearoyl-GEM, called C18GEM. We analyzed C18GEM cytotoxic activity, intracellular uptake, apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy induction in both Panc1 cell line (P) and their derived CSCs. Results: PDAC CSCs show higher sensitivity to C18GEM treatment when cultured in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D conditions, especially on collagen I, in comparison to GEM. The intracellular uptake mechanisms of C18GEM are mainly due to membrane nucleoside transporters’ expression and fatty acid translocase CD36 in Panc1 P cells and to clathrin-mediated endocytosis and CD36 in Panc1 CSCs. Furthermore, C18GEM induces an increase in cell death compared to GEM in both cell lines grown on 2D and 3D cultures. Finally, C18GEM stimulated protective autophagy in Panc1 P and CSCs cultured on 3D conditions. Conclusion: We propose C18GEM together with autophagy inhibitors as a valid alternative therapeutic approach in PDAC treatment.     

Recent progress on the study of the microstructure and mechanical properties of ECAE copper

Results on the microstructure and the tensile properties of equal channel angular extruded (ECAE) copper processed for one to 16 passes are presented and compared with the available literature data. With increasing number of passes (N), the microstructure changes from a strongly elongated shear band structure after N = 1 and 2, towards a more equiaxed subgrain and grain structure. This is accompanied by a decrease in the cell wall or subgrain-boundary widths and an increase in recovered or even recrystallised grain structures with low dislocation densities. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements have indicated that for lower N, the location of Σ3 boundaries is restricted to shear bands, while at greater N, Σ3 boundaries were found to be more widely distributed. Texture measurements indicate close similarity with simple shear texture components and a spread of the orientation components with greater N. Upon comparing the tensile behaviour of as-ECAE Cu with the surveyed literature, broad agreement on the strength of the material is achieved. However, a strong variation in the percentage elongation to failure is also noted. Strain hardening and deformation kinetic analysis via strain rate jump tests indicate an evolution from stage III to V hardening during post-ECAE compression and a saturation in the strain rate sensitivity after N = 4 resulting in maximum values of ∼0.02. Our results suggest that rather than a change in deformation mechanism, the increase in ductility with increasing N is associated with an increase in the mean free path of dislocations—with the grain boundaries remaining actively involved as the transmitter of plastic strain and their interaction with dislocations being the rate controlling deformation mechanism.

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Meal simulation model of the glucose-insulin system

A simulation model of the glucose-insulin system in the postprandial state can be useful in several circumstances, including testing of glucose sensors, insulin infusion algorithms and decision support systems for diabetes. Here, we present a new simulation model in normal humans that describes the physiological events that occur after a meal, by employing the quantitative knowledge that has become available in recent years. Model parameters were set to fit the mean data of a large normal subject database that underwent a triple tracer meal protocol which provided quasi-model-independent estimates of major glucose and insulin fluxes, e.g., meal rate of appearance, endogenous glucose production, utilization of glucose, insulin secretion. By decomposing the system into subsystems, we have developed parametric models of each subsystem by using a forcing function strategy. Model results are shown in describing both a single meal and normal daily life (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in normal. The same strategy is also applied on a smaller database for extending the model to type 2 diabetes.     

Corn salad (Valerianella locusta (L.) Laterr.) growth in a water-saving floating system as affected by iron and sulfate availability

BACKGROUND: Unbalanced nutrient availability causes disequilibrated plant growth, which can result in a worsening of harvested product quality, such as high nitrate content in edible tissues. To cope with this problem, improved knowledge of the mechanisms involved in nutrient acquisition and regulation is necessary. For this purpose the responses of acquisition mechanisms of N, Fe and S were studied as a function of Fe and S availability using two corn salad cultivars grown hydroponically, considering also aspects related to N metabolism. RESULTS: The results showed that an increase in Fe or S availability enhanced nitrate uptake and assimilation, which in turn increased biomass production of leaves with lower nitrate content. In particular, high S availability exerted a positive effect (gene expression and functionality) both on the uptake and metabolism of N and on Fe acquisition mechanisms. CONCLUSION: The data presented here show close interactions between N, S and Fe, highlighting that relevant improvements in yield and quality from soilless culture might also be obtained through appropriate adjustments of nutrient availability. In this respect, concerning the role of S in the acquisition mechanisms of N and Fe and in N metabolism, its level of availability should be taken into high consideration for equilibrated plant growth. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Material saving and cost reduction with hot forming of U‐shaped titanium part

Titanium alloy sheets are widely used for highly loaded components in the aerospace industry as well as spacecrafts. The unique combination of high strength, outstanding corrosion resistance and thermal endurance makes titanium alloys the preferred material for applications with severe requirements. Due to the limited formability at room temperature, forming processes have to be conducted in a multitude of steps what is costly and labour intensive. Additionally, typical titanium alloy sheets show a significant anisotropy of mechanical properties and material flow. Undesired earing, wall thickness variation and residual stresses are the result. Complex shaped parts can be produced at elevated temperatures to avoid named drawbacks. The present work introduces a newly developed hot deep drawing process, applied to titanium sheets at FormTech. In comparison with conventional superplastic forming processes via gas pressure, hot deep drawing comes with a significantly reduced process time and hence, increased output over time. Titanium sheets of the work horse alloy Ti–6Al–4V were formed in a single stroke to a U‐shaped component at process temperatures ranging from 750 to 890 °C. Specimens were extracted to validate the neglectable influence of the hot forming process on mechanical properties and fatigue behaviour. In conclusion, hot deep drawing of titanium sheets offers a cost efficient alternative to a gas pressure superplastic forming process, while maintaining its main benefits such as significantly improved formability, low residual stresses and tight tolerances.     

Effect of feed restriction on reproductive and metabolic hormones in dairy cows

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction (FR) on serum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, progesterone (P4), insulin, and milk production in dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows, 114 ± 14 d pregnant and 685 ± 39 kg of body weight, were randomly assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 14-d periods. During the first 8 d of each period, cows in all treatments were fed for ad libitum feed intake. Beginning on d 9 of each period, cows received 1 of 4 treatments: ad libitum (AL), 25% feed restriction (25FR), 50% feed restriction (50FR), and 50% of TMR replaced with wheat straw (50ST). Daily feed allowance was divided into 3 equal portions allocated every 8 h with jugular blood samples collected immediately before each feeding through d 14. In addition, on d 12 of each period, blood samples were collected before and at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 min after morning feeding. The conventional total mixed ration and total mixed ration with straw averaged 15.1 and 10.8%, 32.1 and 50.5%, and 26.8 and 17.0% for concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and starch, respectively. Cows that were feed and energy restricted had reduced dry matter intake, net energy for lactation intake, circulating glucose concentrations, and milk production, but greater body weight and body condition score losses than AL cows. Circulating concentrations of insulin were lower for cows fed 50FR (8.27 μIU/mL) and 50ST (6.24 μIU/mL) compared with cows fed AL (16.65 μIU/mL) and 25FR (11.16 μIU/mL). Furthermore, the greatest plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration was observed for 50ST (647.7 μEq/L), followed by 50FR (357.5 μEq/L), 25FR (225.3 μEq/L), and AL (156.3 μEq/L). In addition, serum P4 concentration was lower for cows fed AL than cows fed 50ST and 25FR. Thus, FR reduced circulating glucose and insulin but increased P4 concentration, changes that may be positive in reproductive management programs.     

Screening of fibrinolytic enzymes from lactic acid bacterial isolates associated with traditional fermented soybean foods

Fibrinolytic enzyme producing microorganisms with high fibrin specificity were screened, including lactic acid bacteria from fermented soybean foods of North-East India. A total of 5 isolates, including Lactococcus lactis (FS1), Vagococcus lutrae (FS6), Vagococcus fluvialis (FS7), Weissella thailandensis (FS8), and Bacillus methylotrophicus (FS19) were found to hydrolyze fibrin directly on a plasminogen-free fibrin plate. Hydrolysis of fibrin was stronger with crude enzymes than with plasmin, indicating high fibrin specificity. The molecular weights of these enzymes, as determined by SDS-PAGE, ranged from 35 to 116 kDa.