Surface properties of magnesium oxide obtained from basic magnesium carbonate: Influence of preparation conditions of magnesium carbonate

Surface area, total basicity and base strength distribution (weak, strong and intermediate strength basic sites) of magnesium oxide obtained from basic magnesium carbonate (by its decomposition at 873 K) prepared by precipitation using different magnesium slats, precipitating agents and precipitating conditions (viz. concentration of magnesium salt. pH, temperature, mode of mixing and ageing period) have been thoroughly investigated. The total basicity and base strength distribution of the different magnesium oxide samples have been determined by step-wise thermal desorption of carbon dioxide from 323 to 1253 K. The chemical composition of basic magnesium carbonate and the surface properties and carbon dioxide content of magnesium oxide are found to be strongly influenced by the aforementioned preparation conditions of basic magnesium carbonate.     

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human burn wounds

A water-soluble synthetic peptide with only nine amino acid residues, comprising the 131-139 sequence region of the cytotoxic protein alpha-sarcin (secreted by the mold Aspergillus giganteus), interacts with large unilamellar vesicles composed of acid phospholipids. It promotes lipid mixing between bilayers and leakage of vesicle aqueous contents, and it also abolishes the phospholipid phase transition. Other larger peptides containing such an amino acid sequence also produce these effects. These peptides acquire alpha-helical conformation in the presence of trifluoroethanol, but display beta-strand conformation in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The interaction of these peptides with the lipid vesicles also results in beta-structure. The obtained data are discussed in terms of the involvement of the 131-139 stretch of alpha-sarcin in its interaction with lipid membranes.     

A method for rapid filling of fine-tipped micropipettes with electrolyte solutions including those containing horseradish peroxidase

Cooling the tips of micropipettes pulled from filament-containing capillary glass dramatically increases the rate and completeness of filling with a variety of electrolyte solutions. In tests with solutions containing horseradish peroxidase this method increased the completeness of filling by more than two orders of magnitude.     

Simultaneous absorption of two gases which react between themselves in a liquid medium: An approximate solution

An approximate solution for the simultaneous absorption and reaction of two gases in a liquid has been presented based on the film theory, assuming a nonlinear (exponential) profile for the concentration of each of the gaseous species in the film. The solution obtained has been compared with the numerical solution of Roper, Hatch and Pigford and found to be in good agreement, thus proving the validity of the approximations.     

Imaging findings in hypertensive encephalopathy

Hypertensive encephalopathy is a neurologic syndrome caused by a marked and rapid rise of blood pressure above baseline levels. Efficacy of current anti-hypertensive drugs greatly diminished the frequency of this situation in which diagnosis is essentially based on clinical parameters. This can justify the few papers found in radiologic literature. Nevertheless it is sometimes important to exclude ischemic or hemorrhagic complications or establish a differential diagnosis with other neuropathologic conditions. Then a striking imagiologic picture of focal or diffuse reversible edema of cerebral white matter can be found. We present three clinical cases of hypertensive encephalopathy. Imagiologic findings are reviewed and correlated with the pathophysiologic basis of the disease.