Effect of Pasteurization and Retort Processing on Spectral Characteristics,Morphological, Thermal,Physico‐Mechanical,Barrier and Optical Properties of Nylon‐Based Food Packaging Materials

The effect of pasteurization and retort processing on spectral, morphological, thermal, physico‐mechanical, barrier and optical properties of three different packaging materials viz., PP/N6/PP, PET/N6/cPP and SiO_x‐PET/N6/cPP were studied. These packaging materials were packed with distilled water, which acted as a food simulant. Subsequently, these pouches were subjected to different thermal processing conditions such as pasteurization and retort processing. Both the processing techniques found to have retained the mechanical properties of all packaging materials. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of nylon‐based combinations were increased after processing. Gloss found to decrease invariably irrespective of the material and increases with the severity of the treatment. XRD diffractogram shows changes in crystal structure as a result of thermal processing, and SEM analysis shows the crystal fragmentation. Absorption of water by the amide group of nylon 6 was observed, which could be a reason for the increase in OTR and WVTR. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mediated short-term influence of alternating magnetic field on the epileptic brain

The changes of bioelectric activity of the brain hemispheres were studied under the influence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF), directed on the hand of 20 epileptic patients and 18 healthy normals. Under AMF influence there was intensification of epileptic activity--elevation of the focal bioelectric characteristics and of the processes of generalization. It permitted to apply AMF for diagnosis of epileptic focus. Under AMF influence more stable changes in posterio-parietal areas of the right hemisphere occur. The authors came to the conclusion that AMF effects were mainly realized with participation of right hemisphere.     

5-HT4 receptor antagonism does not affect motor and reward mechanisms in the rat

5-HT4 receptors are concentrated in areas of the brain which are rich in dopamine neuronal markers, which may suggest that they influence motor and reward processes. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, 8-amino-7-chloro-(N-butyl-4-piperidyl)methylbenzo-1,4-dioxan-5-car boxylate hydrochloride (SB-204070-A) on amphetamine- and nicotine-induced locomotor stimulation in intact rats. In rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions of the ascending nigrostriatal dopaminergic projection, SB-204070-A was tested for its effects on amphetamine-induced rotation. SB-204070-A was also tested for its effects on rewarded behaviour maintained by intracranial self-stimulation. SB-204070-A did not alter behaviour under any of these conditions, suggesting a lack of involvement of the 5-HT4 receptor in motor and reward processes.     

Mental processes in schizophrenia (based on data from neuropsychological studies)

Features were studied of brain organization of mental processes in schizophrenic patients during the period of aggravation of the condition, using methods common in neuropsychological diagnosis. Faulty mental functions are analyzed in connection with clinical manifestations. Groups have been identified of patients having particular neuropsychological and clinical characteristics.     

CCR5/delta(ccr5) heterozygosity: a selective pressure for the syncytium-inducing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 phenotype. NIAID AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 241 Virology Team

Mechanisms underlying the delay in dominance of syncytium-inducing (SI) phenotype HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) in vivo are unknown. Both random mutational events and selective pressures operative only late in the disease process have been suggested to underlie the shift from CCR5 to alternative coreceptor usage. Among the moderately advanced patients who entered AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 241, SI viral phenotype was more common among CCRS/delta(ccr5) heterozygotes (7/7, 100%) than among CCR5/CCR5 homozygotes (29/88, 33%; P < .001, Fisher's exact test). Other characteristics did not differ at study entry by CCR5 genotype, including median CD4 cell counts, plasma RNA levels, and infectious HIV-1 titers in circulating cells. These data indicate that CCR5/delta(ccr5) heterozygosity, which decreases cell-surface levels of CCR5 available to serve as an HIV-1 entry coreceptor, is a selective pressure for evolution of T cell line-tropic viruses that use an alternative coreceptor.     

Integrated MRI assessment of regional function and perfusion in canine myocardial infarction

A single integrated examination using regional measurements of perfusion from contrast-enhanced MRI and three-dimensional (3D) strain from tissue-tagged MRI was developed to differentiate infarcted myocardium from adjacent tissue with functional abnormalities. Ten dogs were studied at baseline and 10 days after a 2-hour occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Strain was determined using a 3D finite element model. Two-dimensional measurements of hypoenhancing regions were highly correlated with myocardial viability (r = 0.96). Signal intensity versus time curves obtained from contrast-enhanced MRI were used for quantitative perfusion analysis. The remote and adjacent noninfarcted tissue of the dogs with LAD occlusion, as well as the infarcted tissue, exhibited abnormal deformation patterns as compared to normal dogs (positive predictive value (PPV) of strain determination of infarction = 66%). Integration of contrast-enhanced MRI results with 3D strain analysis enabled the delineation of the myocardial infarction (PPV = 100%) from functionally compromised myocardium. This integrated cardiac examination shows promise for noninvasive serial assessment of potentially jeopardized noninfarcted myocardium to study the process of infarct remodeling and expansion.     

Variations of cardiac cycle length in patients with coronary heart disease before and after aortic coronary bypass surgery

It is well known that variations in cardiac cycle length or heart rates may be used for noninvasive evaluation of autonomic cardiovascular control. The investigation uses an original procedure. The data for analysis of cardiac cycle length variations (CCLV) are those obtained regularly at follow-up intervals, random 24-hour Holter 2-lead ECG recordings for 5 sec, and simultaneously calculated continuous sequence of mean heart rate. With the procedure, the correlations of CCLV with the parameters reflecting the early postoperative status of patients with CHD, including acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, rhythm and conduction disturbances, as well as age, operative stress, concurrent diseases. The findings are of both diagnostic and predictive value at subsequent stages of CHD treatment.