Catalysts of Ni/α-Al2O3 and Ni/La2O3-αAl2O3 for hydrogen production by steam reforming of bio-oil aqueous fraction with pyrolytic lignin retention

This paper reports on the steam reforming, in continuous regime, of the aqueous fraction of bio-oil obtained by flash pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass (sawdust). The reaction system is provided with two steps in series: i) thermal step at 200 °C, for the pyrolytic lignin retention, and ii) reforming in-line of the treated bio-oil in a fluidized bed reactor, in the range 600–800 °C, with space-time between 0.10 and 0.45 g_catalyst h (g_bio-oil)⁻¹. The benefits of incorporating La₂O₃ to the Ni/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst on the kinetic behavior (bio-oil conversion, yield and selectivity of hydrogen) and deactivation were determined. The significant role of temperature in gasifying coke precursors was also analyzed. Complete conversion of bio-oil is achieved with the Ni/La₂O₃-αAl₂O₃ catalyst, at 700 °C and space-time of 0.22 g_catalyst h (g_bio-oil)⁻¹. The catalyst deactivation is low and the hydrogen yield and selectivity achieved are 96% and 70%, respectively.     

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in Oat and Soya Drinks by Enterocin AS‐48 in Combination with Other Antimicrobials

The presence of toxicogenic Staphylococcus aureus in foods and the dissemination of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the food chain are matters of concern. In the present study, the circular bacteriocin enterocin AS‐48, applied singly or in combination with phenolic compounds (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, and citral) or with 2‐nitro‐1‐propanol (2NPOH), was investigated in the control of a cocktail made from 1 methicillin‐sensitive and 1 MRSA strains inoculated on commercial oat and soya drinks. Enterocin AS‐48 exhibited low bactericidal activity against staphylococci in the drinks investigated when applied singly. The combinations of sub‐inhibitory concentrations of enterocin AS‐48 (25 μg/mL) and phenolic compounds or 2NPOH caused complete inactivation of staphylococci in the drinks within 24 h of incubation at 22 °C. When tested in oat and soya drinks stored for 7 d at 10 °C, enterocin AS‐48 (25 μg/mL) in combination with 2NPOH (5.5 mM) reduced viable counts rapidly in the case of oat drink (4.2 log cycles after 12 h) or slowly in soya drink (3.8 log cycles after 3 d). The same combined treatment applied on drinks stored at 22 °C achieved a fast inactivation of staphylococci within 12 to 24 h in both drinks, and no viable staphylococci were detected for up to 7 d of storage. Results from the study highlight the potential of enterocin AS‐48 in combination with 2NPOH for inactivation of staphylococci.     

Loxin Reduced the Inflammatory Response in the Liver and the Aortic Fatty Streak Formation in Mice Fed with a High-Fat Diet

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is the most harmful form of cholesterol associated with vascular atherosclerosis and hepatic injury, mainly due to inflammatory cell infiltration and subsequent severe tissue injury. Lox-1 is the central ox-LDL receptor expressed in endothelial and immune cells, its activation regulating inflammatory cytokines and chemotactic factor secretion. Recently, a Lox-1 truncated protein isoform lacking the ox-LDL binding domain named LOXIN has been described. We have previously shown that LOXIN overexpression blocked Lox-1-mediated ox-LDL internalization in human endothelial progenitor cells in vitro. However, the functional role of LOXIN in targeting inflammation or tissue injury in vivo remains unknown. In this study, we investigate whether LOXIN modulated the expression of Lox-1 and reduced the inflammatory response in a high-fat-diet mice model. Results indicate that human LOXIN blocks Lox-1 mediated uptake of ox-LDL in H4-II-E-C3 cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that overexpression of LOXIN reduced both fatty streak lesions in the aorta and inflammation and fibrosis in the liver. These findings were associated with the down-regulation of Lox-1 in endothelial cells. Then, LOXIN prevents hepatic and aortic tissue damage in vivo associated with reduced Lox-1 expression in endothelial cells. We encourage future research to understand better the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic use of LOXIN.     

Trading forensic and family commitments

This pilot study explores the balancing of conflicting family and forensic commitments among forensic experts. Drawing upon consumer preference theory and behavioral economics, the authors devised an instrument to elicit choices between upholding family commitments and professional commitments. The instrument was administered to 15 forensic experts, and the data were used to construct trading functions for each individual. These functions were examined to reveal the decision-making process behind balancing conflicting sets of commitments. The study also examined the relationship between the trading functions and each participant's attitude toward the role of the expert witness, as well as some personal characteristics.     

Emergency use of the laryngeal mask airway in severe upper airway obstruction caused by supraglottic oedema

We report two cases of severe upper airway obstruction caused by supraglottic oedema which developed rapidly at the time of anaesthesia. Conventional methods to relieve the obstruction failed and it was only overcome when a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was inserted and positive pressure applied manually during inspiration. In one case a fibrescope was passed via the LMA and this revealed two cushions of oedematous false vocal cords protruding into the bowel of the LMA which were pushed out of the way when positive pressure was applied during inspiration. We believe that the LMA should be considered in the emergency management of severe upper airway obstruction even when this involves supraglottic oedema.     

Root caries in a sample of elderly persons

With the anticipated increase in the aged adult population and the associated gingival recession, the prevalence of root caries is expected to increase. The purpose of this study was to determine the experience and distribution of root caries in a group of aged adults living in Kayelitsha. All non-institutionalized elderly black adults participating in a community geriatric programme were examined. Root caries was recorded using visual and tactile criteria and expressed as the root caries index (RCI) rate. The mean age of the subjects was 65.2 years, the mean number of teeth present was 17.3 and the mean RCI rate was 2.2 per cent. All subjects had gingival recession while only 23.8 per cent had root caries. No surfaces with restored root caries lesions were found. In the maxilla the highest RCI rate was observed on the interproximal surfaces of the posterior teeth (4.4 per cent) but in the mandible the buccal surfaces of the posterior teeth had the highest RCI rate (4.2 per cent). In both the maxilla and the mandible the lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth showed no root caries. Maxillary teeth did not have a significantly higher root caries attack rate than mandibular teeth. Root caries does not appear to be a public health problem in the sampled population.     

Rehabilitation of fractures in the elderly

Rehabilitation is the most important aspect of care after a fracture in an older person. Epidemiology, contributing factors, general principles of management are discussed in this article. Proper management requires knowledge of various mechanisms of injury, different forms of orthopedic treatments, interpretation of radiographs, and familiarity with available therapeutic modalities.     

Effect on coronary artery anatomy of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial insertion sites of accessory pathways

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrial insertion site of accessory pathways on the angiographic appearance of coronary arteries. BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways requires the application of energy to the endocardial surface of the atrioventricular groove adjacent to the major epicardial coronary arteries. A systematic analysis of the effect of radiofrequency ablation on coronary arteries has not previously been demonstrated. METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients with 76 accessory pathways (7 right free wall, 44 left free wall, 12 posteroseptal, 8 anteroseptal and 5 midseptal) were studied. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed before, immediately after and a mean of 69 +/- 42 days after radiofrequency catheter ablation. RESULTS: Coronary artery diameter adjacent to the ablating electrode was 2.6 +/- 0.9 mm before ablation, 2.7 +/- 0.9 mm immediately after ablation and 2.7 +/- 1.0 mm at the time of follow-up study. Angiographic findings were unchanged from baseline in 69 of 70 patients immediately after ablation and in all 70 patients at the time of follow-up study. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrial insertion site of accessory pathways does not result in short-term angiographic changes in coronary artery anatomy.     

Effect of changes in daily protein intake on renal function in chronic renal insufficiency: differences in reaction according to disease entity

Protein restriction is advocated in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) in an attempt to slow down further renal function deterioration, with the most obvious effect in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) and diabetic nephropathy, and much less in other disease entities, such as adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD), tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and nephrosclerosis (NS). The mechanism by which protein restriction slows down the progression of renal failure remains unclear. Decline of hyperfiltration has been implicated. Whether long-term protein restriction in patients with CRI is associated with a decrease in hyperfiltration is not clear. We studied the effects of prolonged protein intake variation (isocaloric diets in 4-week periods of low (goal: 30-40 g protein daily) and high protein intake (goal: 80-90 g daily) on renal function in 51 patients with CRI. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the underlying renal disease (GN, n = 17; APKD, n = 9; TIN, n = 12; NS, n = 13). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were measured at the end of each study period. Overall, GFR rose from 39 (9-90) to 46 (9-100) ml/min/1.73 m2 (median and ranges, p < 0.01), and ERPF from 158 (39-558) to 171 (32-676) ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.01). GFR rose significantly in GN (15%, range -23 to 51%), APKD (5%, range -10 to 33%), and NS (8%, range -8 to 25%). ERPF only rose significantly in GN (14%, range -45 to 47%) and APKD (9%, range -9 to 25%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)