Molecular analysis of the adaptive response of intestinal bile acid transport after ileal resection in the rat

OBJECTIVES: Major operative trauma like aorta-coronary bypass operation may lead to postoperative immunodisturbance, putting the patient at an increased risk for infection and sepsis. The monocyte/macrophage system and the endotoxin receptor CD14 are important in the early recognition and elimination of invading bacteria. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in membrane-associated CD14 and soluble CD14 during and after cardiac involving cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: We studied numbers of leukocytes, monocytes, and monocyte subpopulations, expression of monocyte membrane-associated CD14 and plasma levels of soluble CD14 in 10 patients (63 +/- 8 years of age), who underwent elective cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass induced marked postoperative monocytosis, which was maximal 20 hours after the operation (485 +/- 242 cells/microl before, 1080 +/- 264 cells/microl 20 hours after surgery). Expression of membrane-associated CD14 on classical CD14++ monocytes decreased significantly by 40%, reaching a nadir 20 hours after surgery (p < 0.05). At the time of maximal membrane-associated CD14 suppression, the levels of soluble CD14 measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were clearly increased (3.2 +/- 1.0 microg/ml before versus 5.6 +/- 1.0 microg/ml 20 hours after, p < 0.001). No significant change of the percentage of small (alpha) and large (beta) forms of soluble CD14 was found. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass leads to reduced membrane-associated CD14 expression on peripheral blood monocytes and increased levels of soluble CD14 through shedding or secretion of membrane-associated CD14 from the cell surface. These findings indicate that bypass is associated with significant monocyte activation.     

Studying the local character of Raman features of single-walled carbon nanotubes along a bundle using TERS

Here, we show that the Raman intensity of the G-mode in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is strongly dependent on the height of the bundle. Moreover, using TERS we are able to position different single-walled carbon nanotubes along a bundle, by correlating the observed radial breathing mode (RBM) with the AFM topography at the measuring point. The frequency of the G^- mode behaves differently in TERS as compared to far-field Raman. Using the RBM frequency, the diameters of the tubes were calculated and a very good agreement with the G^- -mode frequency was observed.     

不同脱毒方法对玉米秸秆水解液酒精发酵的影响

利用湿热预处理(195℃,15 min)后的玉米秸秆水解液,考察了3种不同脱毒方法(中和法、饱和生石灰法和Na2SO3法)对水解液中的抑制剂的去除效果,研究了树干毕赤酵母(Pichia stipitis 58376)对脱毒后的水解液酒精发酵情况.结果表明:玉米秸秆水解液经过3种方法脱毒处理后,醛类抑制荆(糠醛和5-羟甲...     

An ESDIRK method with sensitivity analysis capabilities

A new algorithm for numerical sensitivity analysis of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is presented. The underlying ODE solver belongs to the Runge–Kutta family. The algorithm calculates sensitivities with respect to problem parameters and initial conditions, exploiting the special structure of the sensitivity equations. A key feature is the reuse of information already computed for the state integration, hereby minimizing the extra effort required for sensitivity integration. Through case studies the new algorithm is compared to an extrapolation method and to the more established BDF based approaches. Several advantages of the new approach are demonstrated, especially when frequent discontinuities are present, which renders the new algorithm particularly suitable for dynamic optimization purposes.     

Investigation of Lipid Oxidation in High- and Low-Lipid-Containing Topical Skin Formulations

Lipid oxidation can impact the odour of skin care products during storage. A study was conducted to identify and monitor representative markers for lipid oxidation in skin care products over time. Four lip care formulations and three skin care formulations with different lipid contents were stored at various cosmetic industry‐relevant conditions for 84 days. The skin care products were analysed for lipid hydroperoxides and secondary volatile oxidation products. A trained sensory panel performed an odour difference (triangle) test and odour‐profiled the products to detect and describe odour changes during storage. Several potential markers for lipid oxidation were identified. In skin care formulations, peroxide value (PV) analysis was a useful marker for lipid oxidation if the product was exposed to light during storage, but no clear changes were observed for PV in samples stored under other conditions. Furthermore, concentrations of several secondary volatile oxidation products increased during storage, and the highest increase was observed for products exposed to light. Pentanal and heptanal were found to be reliable markers for secondary volatile oxidation products in the skin care formulations (especially during exposure to light), whereas in the lip care formulations the best candidates were pentanal (especially during exposure to light and iron), 2‐methyl furan and 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐one (especially during exposure to light, iron and high temperatures).     

Consumption of fish from a contaminated lake strongly affects the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in serum

Very high concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) have been reported in fish from Lake Mj?sa in Norway. This study was performed to examine the serum concentrations of PBDE and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in consumers of fish from this lake and to investigate possible relationships between serum concentrations, self-reported fish intake and calculated total dietary PBDE exposure. Serum concentrations of the sum of the seven PBDE (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154 and 183) were significantly higher than those of a reference group of Norwegians eating only food with background levels of contamination (medians: 18 ng/g lipids men, 8.4 ng/g lipids women). The median dietary intake of Sum 7 PBDE was 2549 ng/day (30 ng/kg body weight/day), the highest dietary intake of PBDE reported. The contribution from fish caught from the contaminated lake comprised 98.7% of the total dietary exposure. For men, serum levels of PBDE were strongly correlated with the calculated dietary exposure, except for BDE-209. This suggests that sources other than the diet are important for human BDE-209 exposure. The median serum HBCD concentration was 4.1 and 2.6 ng/g lipids for men and women, respectively, and was also found to be associated with consumption of fish from Lake Mj?sa.     

Across-family marker-assisted selection using selective genotyping strategies in dairy cattle breeding schemes

This study investigated the potential loss expected from marker-assisted selection (MAS) when only a proportion of animals are genotyped using several selective genotyping strategies. A population resembling a commercial dairy cattle population over 25 yr was simulated, and the most informative individuals for genotyping were identified among the potential breeding candidates (young bulls and bull-dams). Two strategies were used to identify the most informative animals. The first genotyping strategy was based on selecting individuals for genotyping with predicted total genetic effect [sum of the predicted quantitative trait locus (QTL) and polygenic effects] close to the truncation point for selection. The second strategy used an index that extended the previous strategy to include the variance due to segregation of the QTL in the parents. The 2 strategies for selective genotyping were applied at the 2 different genotyping levels and compared with random selection of candidates for genotyping and complete genotyping of the potential candidates. All selective genotyping strategies at the same proportion of genotyping showed similar cumulative genetic level. The frequency of the favorable QTL allele increased faster with more animals genotyped. Extra response in total genetic effect (polygenic and QTL) was not significantly different between genotyping all candidates (100%), 20%, and 50% genotyping (except for yr 13), but all MAS strategies resulted in significantly higher response than BLUP until yr 18. With 50% (20%) genotyping of candidates for selection within a population, 95% (89%) of maximum cumulative QTL response was achieved in yr 13. All MAS schemes resulted in a 19% decrease in the rate of inbreeding compared with the BLUP scheme. Therefore, it is possible to use selective genotyping in practical dairy cattle breeding and decrease the genotyping costs with a minimal loss of response compared with complete genotyping of the potential candidates.     

Detection of quantitative trait loci in Danish Holstein cattle affecting clinical mastitis, somatic cell score, udder conformation traits, and assessment of associated effects on milk yield

The aim of this study was to 1) detect QTL across the cattle genome that influence the incidence of clinical mastitis and somatic cell score (SCS) in Danish Holsteins, and 2) characterize these QTL for pleiotropy versus multiple linked quantitative trait loci (QTL) when chromosomal regions affecting clinical mastitis were also affecting other traits in the Danish udder health index or milk production traits. The chromosomes were scanned using a granddaughter design where markers were typed for 19 to 34 grandsire families and 1,373 to 2,042 sons. A total of 356 microsatellites covering all 29 autosomes were used in the scan. Among the across-family regression analyses, 16 showed chromosome-wide significance for the primary traits incidence of clinical mastitis in first (CM1), second (CM2), and third (CM3) lactations, and SCS. Regions of chromosomes 5, 6, 9, 11, 15, and 26 were found to affect CM and regions of chromosomes 5, 6, 8, 13, 22, 23, 24, and 25 affected SCS. Markers on chromosomes 6, 11, 15, and 26 can be used to perform marker-assisted selection on CM without a direct negative selection on milk yield, because no effects were detected on the milk traits. Comparing multi-trait models assuming either a pleiotropic QTL affecting 2 traits or 2 QTL each affecting 1 trait gave some evidence to distinguish between these models. For Bos taurus autosome 5, the most likely models were a pleiotropic QTL affecting CM2, CM3, and SCS, and a linked QTL affecting fat yield index. For Bos taurus autosome 9, the most likely model is a pleiotropic QTL affecting CM1 and CM2 at approximately 8 cM.     

Biomass gasification cogeneration – A review of state of the art technology and near future perspectives

Biomass is a renewable resource from which a broad variety of commodities can be produced. However, the resource is scarce and must be used with care to avoid depleting future stock possibilities. Flexibility and efficiency in production are key characteristics for biomass conversion technologies in future energy systems. Thermal gasification of biomass is proved throughout this article to be both highly flexible and efficient if used optimally. Cogeneration processes with production of heat-and-power, heat-power-and-fuel or heat-power-and-fertilizer are described and compared. The following gasification platforms are included in the assessment: The Harboøre up draft gasifier with gas engine, the Güssing FICFB gasifier with gas engine or PDU, the LT-CFB gasifier with steam cycle and nutrient recycling and finally the TwoStage down draft gasifier with gas engine, micro gas turbine (MGT), SOFC, SOFC/MGT or catalytic fuel synthesis.