对稻谷直链淀粉测定方法的实验光源的改进

直链淀粉含量是影响稻谷品质的最重要因素之一,以目前测量所采用的国标法为基础,在实验装置的设计上对光源做了新的改进,选用半导体激光器作为单色光光源,简化了设备,降低了成本。     

CORRELATION AMONG METALLIC IONS,PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTION IN MEDICINAL PLANTS EXTRACTS

ABSTRACT

The extracts of three different medicinal plants –Calendula officinalis L., Maytenus ilicifolia Martius ex Reissek and Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf – obtained with 70% and 95% v/v ethanol had their antimicrobial activity tested against five pathogenic microorganisms. A quantitative analysis of total phenols, flavonoids and mineral species was performed on the extracts using UV‐vis spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Klebsiella pneumoniae showed the greatest sensibility to the extracts tested. The mineral content of the medicinal herbs varied according to the type of plant (Cu = not detected to 10.90; Zn = 0.85 to 10.04; Na = 24.94 to 153.62; Al = 90.04 to 420.39; Mg = 9.62 to 1,129.15; Ca = 7.15 to 167.27 and K = 913.85 to 9,578.94 µg/g); however, the concentration of heavy elements (Pb, Cd and Cr) was null in the extracts. The concentrations of flavonoids ranged from 13.55 to 41.54 mg/g and 92.35 to 518.28 mg/g for phenolic acids.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of plants with pharmacological activities has increased significantly because of their functional properties in the diet for the promotion of human health and antimicrobial effects. Moreover, medicinal herbs play an important role in public health, especially in developing countries. In Brazil, the use of plant extracts in the treatment of certain diseases is very common. This habit can be explained, at least in part, by the belief that herbs with therapeutic effects do not have toxic effects on the organism. In this paper, ethanolic extracts of three medicinal plants, widely cultivated and used by the population of Brazil and worldwide, had their levels of metals ions and total phenolic compounds determined. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against foodborne pathogens or food spoilage organisms or clinically isolates microorganisms.

     

Epidemiological studies regarding the "summer infertility syndrome" of sows in confinement housing

In confined pig herds, located in Northwest-Germany and affiliated to a hybrid breeding organisation, 3 retrospective observational studies were performed to study the effects of "meteorological seasons" on sow fertility. A subsequent field trial was performed to study the effects of photoperiod and of temperature on sow fertility separately. Associations of economically important fertility disorders and season resp. climate categories were determined by adjusted Relative Risks in stratified analysis (observational studies), or by Odds Ratios in the Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis (field trial). Due to nonconsistent seasonal findings in the observational studies and a lack of temperature or photoperiod effects in the field trial we conclude that season and its main contributing climatic factors had no substantial effects on sow fertility in the well-managed herds of our climate zone. Nonclimatic risk factors for the so-called "Summer Infertility Syndrome" are discussed.     

Formation of individual somatotype parameters and features of constitutional organization in 7-12-year-old boys (longitudinal)

Individual somatotype parameters and peculiarities of constitution in 7-12 years boys were evaluated in the present investigation. The age range studied was shown to be divided on 3 stages. Regular growth processes with the prevalence of "infantal" proportions occur at the age of 7-9. Signs of definite constitutional type are expressed yet insufficiently. The age of 10-11 is transitional which shows in delay of muscle growth. At the age of 11-12 prepubescent sets in, during which features of constitution types and appropriate somatotype parameters are distinctly manifested.     

Continuing medical education via questionnaire studies. Three pilot projects for anesthesiology, cardiology and neurology

The Danish Medical Association and the scientific societies have initiated three studies to evaluate the use of questionnaires for continuous medical education. One study was a questionnaire in anaesthesiology with 30 questions with answers yes/no/no answer, which was sent to 600 specialists in anaesthesiology. One study was in cardiology with a multiple choice questionnaire, sent to 300 general practitioners and 75 specialists in internal medicine outside cardiology. One study concerned the educational value of State-of-the-Art articles about neurology in Ugeskrift for Laeger (Journal of the Danish Medical Association) sent to 500 doctors outside neurology. All questionnaires were sent anonymously, with one general reminder. For the anaesthesiology study 234 questionnaires were returned (40.5%). In the cardiology study 195 questionnaires were returned (52%). For the study on neurology 278 answered (56%). Only about half of the questionnaires were returned for the three studies, and a lot of effort and resources were put into the studies. An extension from these small pilot studies to a general systematic continuous methodology with updated questionnaires in the postgraduate medical education seems troublesome. An optional self-registration for medical education such as The Canadian "Mocomp concept" might be a more realistic suggestion.     

Survival in neonatal biventricular repair of left-sided cardiac obstructive lesions associated with hypoplastic left ventricle

Patients with left ventricular hypoplasia and left-sided heart obstructive lesions other than critical aortic stenosis may be inappropriately subjected to single ventricular repair because their assessment is based on faulty qualitative evaluations or on quantitative methods developed for critical aortic stenosis. Patients with left ventricular hypoplasia and left-sided heart obstructions other than critical aortic stenosis successfully underwent biventricular repair despite "failing" to pass established criteria for critical aortic stenosis.     

A comparative study of water dispersible polyaniline nanocomposites prepared by laccase‐catalyzed and chemical methods

A comparative study of chemical and enzymatic methods of aniline polymerization was carried out. Fungal laccase from Trametes hirsuta was used in the synthesis of polyaniline nanoparticles made with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). Template polymerization of aniline was carried out in aqueous buffer. It was shown that the laccase had high long‐term and operating stabilities under acidic condition favorable for synthesis of conducting polyaniline. UV‐vis, FTIR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry analysis are used for the characterization of the polyelectrolyte complexes of polyaniline and PAMPS. The incorporation of the polymeric acid in polyaniline has been demonstrated by atomic force microscopy. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles of the polyaniline–PAMPS complexes depended on the method of the synthesis. A comparison of some physical and chemical properties of water dispersible conducting polyaniline–PAMPS was performed under production by enzymatic and chemical methods. It was found a difference in structures and some physicochemical properties of polyaniline colloids prepared by chemical and laccase‐catalyzed methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010