Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation: a preharvest intervention for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in feedlot steers

Ascophyllum nodosum (Tasco-14) decreased the prevalence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 in animals fed prior to harvest. Tasco-14 was supplemented on a 2% dry matter basis 14 days prior to harvest to determine its effects on EHEC and Salmonella spp. prevalence. Two hundred mixed crossbred steers and heifers (Bos indicus x Bos taurus), in a large commercial finishing facility, served as experimental units. Treatment (TRT, n = 100) animals received a steam-rolled corn-based diet containing 2% Tasco-14 on a dry matter basis, and control (CON, n = 100) animals received only the steam-rolled corn-based diet. Hide swabs and fecal samples were obtained for EHEC and Salmonella spp. evaluations. Animals were sampled 1 day prior to (d - 1) the feeding of Tasco-14 and immediately following exsanguinations. The prevalence of EHEC O157 on hide swabs and in fecal samples (P = 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) and the prevalence of EHEC O157:H7 on hide swabs and in fecal samples (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) was reduced by 33 and 36% from d - 1 levels on TRT hide swabs and by 9 and 11% in TRT fecal samples. The prevalence of EHEC O157 and EHEC O157:H7 was reduced by 33 and 36% from d - 1 levels on TRT hide swabs and by 9 and 11% in TRT fecal samples. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. on hide swabs did not change for TRT animals (P = 0.64). CON animals showed an increase in Salmonella spp. prevalence (P < 0.0001) from d - 1 feeding levels on hide swabs. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. increased in both TRT and CON fecal samples when compared to d - 1 levels (P = 0.002). However, TRT samples exhibited a lower (P < 0.05) postfeeding prevalence of Salmonella spp. in fecal samples than did CON samples. Results from this study indicate that 2% Tasco-14 supplementation in feedlot cattle diets reduces EHEC O157 and EHEC O157:H7 prevalence on hide swabs and in fecal samples and may suppress increases in Salmonella spp.     

How much will China weigh? Perspectives from consumption structure and technology development

Current patterns and future possibilities of China's material metabolism are evaluated from perspectives of consumption structure change and technology development using the approach of input-output modeling to integrate ecological and economic systems. A physical input monetary output (PIMO) model is created and is applied to the Chinese economy with 43 sectors and 25 material categories. A set of scenarios, five exploring aspects of consumption structure change and three doing the same for technology development, is analyzed to quantitatively predict China's future possible material metabolism patterns in 2010. The results provide a foundation for quantitative studies of resource consumption and waste generation in China, which given its increasing pivotal role in manufacturing is also helpful for research on the material metabolism of the entire world.     

The effects of nocturnal compared with conventional hemodialysis on mineral metabolism: A randomized‐controlled trial

Hyperphosphatemia is common among patients receiving dialysis and is associated with increased mortality. Nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) is a long, slow dialytic modality that may improve hyperphosphatemia and disorders of mineral metabolism. We performed a randomized‐controlled trial of NHD compared with conventional hemodialysis (CvHD); in this paper, we report detailed results of mineral metabolism outcomes. Prevalent patients were randomized to receive NHD 5 to 6 nights per week for 6to 10 hours per night or to continue CvHD thrice weekly for 6 months. Oral phosphate binders and vitamin D analogs were adjusted to maintain phosphate, calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels within recommended targets. Compared with CvHD patients, patients in the NHD group had a significant decrease in serum phosphate over the course of the study (0.49 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval 0.24–0.74; P=0.002) despite a significant reduction in the use of phosphate binders. Sixty‐one percent of patients in the NHD group compared with 20% in the CvHD group had a decline in intact PTH (P=0.003). Nocturnal hemodialysis lowers serum phosphate, calcium‐phosphate product and requirement for phosphate binders. The effects of NHD on PTH are variable. The impact of these changes on long‐term cardiovascular and bone‐related outcomes requires further investigation.     

Review of the biological response to a novel bone cement containing poly(ethyl methacrylate) and n-butyl methacrylate

This review describes work published independently elsewhere in which the biological reactions to poly(ethyl methacrylate) n-butyl methacrylate (PEMBMA) have been studied. This material has been compared throughout with conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Butyl methacrylate monomer used in PEMBMA was slightly less toxic than methyl methacrylate monomer used in PMMA when injected intraperitoneally in mice. No differences in cardiorespiratory effects were found between n-butyl and methyl monomer infused intravenously into anaesthetized rabbits. The tissue reaction to the beaded polymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(ethyl methacrylate) implanted subcutaneously was identical. The surface appearance of the two materials differed significantly when viewed by scanning electron microscopy, showing a series of elevations resembling tightly packed spheres in the case of PMMA, but a smooth surface with only occasional smooth elevations in the case of PEMBMA. Intramuscular implantation showed more fibrous tissue and tissue damage in relation to PMMA cured in situ compared with PEMBMA and there was more bone necrosis and a thicker fibrous tissue layer adjacent to PMMA than PEMBMA when cured intraosseously.     

Lattice dynamics of (Ba/K)BiO3

The Lattice dynamics of Ba_.6K_.4BiO₃ was investigated by inelastic neutron scattering on a superconducting single crystal (T _c =26 K (midpoint)). At low frequencies the dispersion curves are very similar to those observed in BaPb_.75Bi_.25O₃. Differences were found in the bond bending vibrations of the BiO₆ octahedra which indicate that the binding in the K-doped compound is more ionic. Rather anomalous features were observed in the high frequency Bi-O bond stretching vibrations which resemble those observed in the high T _c cuprates La_1.85Sr_.15CuO₄ and YBa₂Cu₃O₇. The observed frequency shifts are interpreted as the consequence from a strong electron phonon coupling. The data are compared to the results obtained on non superconducting Ba_.98K_.02BiO₃.     

Dietary polyunsaturated fat in relation to mammary carcinogenesis in rats

High fat diets promote the development of mammary tumors induced in rats by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), and polyunsaturated fats are more effective than saturated fats. This difference is related to the linoleic acid content of polyunsaturated vegetable oils, but the amount of linolealte required for maximum tumor promotion appears to be higher than indicated by earlier experiments. Comparison of the effects of a polyunsaturated vegetable oil (corn oil) containing linoleate with a fish oilo (menhaden oil) containing polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from linolenic acid showed that higher dietary mammary tumors, while corresponding levels of menhaden oil had an inhibitory effect. This is further evidence that promotion of mammary tumorigenesis by polyunsaturated vegetable oils may be mediated by prostaglandins or other biologically active eicosanoids derived from n−6 fatty acids.     

Microwave properties of planar hexagonal ferrites

A large number of samples of hexagonal ferrite, with planar anisotropy incorporating various metal ions, were synthesized and tested for FMR (ferromagnetic resonance). Measurements were made at room temperature in transmission cavities at frequencies between 10 and 35 Gc/s on magnetically oriented polycrystalline compounds. Of the possible crystal forms for hexagonal ferrite, those designated asW, Y, andZwere investigated. TheYcompounds were found to have the most useful microwave properties. The resonance line width was found to vary between 100 and 1200 Oe, and the anisotropy field varied from zero to 40000 Oe. TheWandZcompounds have planar or uniaxial anisotropy, depending on the composition. The region of zero anisotropy was determined. The magnetically oriented polycrystalline materials resemble single crystals in having easy and hard directions of magnetization which require different magnetic field values for FMR. Qualitative information about how well the crystallites are aligned with each other can be obtained from the examination of two FMR absorption curves made with the sample turned so that its easy and hard directions, respectively, are aligned with the magnetic field. Curves are shown to illustrate the difference between nonoriented, partially oriented, and well-oriented materials.     

Kinetics of hydration of autoclaved calcium sulphate hemihydrate

The kinetics of the hydration of two sources of autoclaved calcium sulphate hemihydrate have been followed by an essentially isothermal method. Experiments have been carried out at different temperatures, water/powder ratios, and with added nuclei of crystallisation. A kinetic equation, based on the Avrami theory of crystallisation, and assuming the reaction to be diffusion-controlled, has been developed and tested and found to be moderately successful under most conditions. The effects of variations of temperature and water/powder ratio are discussed.