Incorporation and distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids into nuclear lipids of hepatic cells

Liver nuclear incorporation of stearic (18∶0), linoleic (18∶2n−6), and arachidonic (20∶4n−6) acids was studied by incubation in vitro of the [1-¹⁴C] fatty acids with nuclei, with or without the cytosol fraction at different times. The [1-¹⁴C] fatty acids were incorporated into the nuclei as free fatty acids in the following order: 18∶0>20∶4n−6≫18∶2n−6, and esterified into nuclear lipids by an acyl-CoA pathway. All [1-¹⁴C] fatty acids were esterified mainly to phospholipids and triacylglycerols and in a minor proportion to diacylglycerols. Only [1-¹⁴C] 18∶2n−6-CoA was incorporated into cholesterol esters. The incorporation was not modified by cytosol addition. The incorporation of 20∶4n−6 into nuclear phosphatidylcholine (PC) pools was also studied by incubation of liver nuclei in vitro with [1-¹⁴C]20∶4n−6-CoA, and nuclear labeled PC molecular species were determined. From the 15 PC nuclear molecular species determined, five were labeled with [1-¹⁴C]20∶4n−6-CoA: 18∶0–20∶4, 16∶0–20∶4, 18∶1–20∶4, 18∶2–20∶4, and 20∶4–20∶4. The highest specific radioactivity was found in 20∶4–20∶4 PC, which is a minor species. In conclusion, liver cell nuclei possess the necessary enzymes to incorporate exogenous saturated and unsaturated fatty acids into lipids by an acyl-CoA pathway, showing specificity for each fatty acid. Liver cell nuclei also utilize exogenous 20∶4n−6-CoA to synthesize the major molecular species of PC with 20∶4n−6 at the sn-2 position. However, the most actively synthesized is 20∶4–20∶4 PC, which is a quantitatively minor component. The labeling pattern of 20∶4–20∶4 PC would indicate that this molecular species is synthesized mainly by the de novo pathway.     

Index-distributed planar microlenses for three-dimensional micro-optics fabricated by silver-sodium ion exchange in BGG35 substrates

Fabrication of planar microlens arrays by silver-sodium ion exchange is possible by using a new glass type, optimized for this technology. Because of its nonlinear diffusion response it is well suited to the fabrication of microlens arrays. We show that the diffusion coefficient can be described theoretically by an exponential concentration dependence. The parameters of the planar microlenses are measured interferometrically and by imaging experiments. Because of the specific index distribution, new evaluation techniques for the determination of lens parameters from interferometric measurements have been applied. We also present a simple model that relates the achievable lens parameters to the diffusion conditions.     

Astigmatic gradient-index elements for laser-diode collimation and beam shaping

For the conversion of light from edge-emitting laser diodes into symmetric laser beams two main tasks have to be performed: collimation and beam shaping. Generally these two jobs are performed separately. Because of the inherently different divergence angles of the emitted light, collimation with astigmatic lenses generally results in a beam with an elliptically shaped amplitude distribution. This asymmetry has to be compensated for by an anamorphic imaging step to obtain the desired spherical beam profile. It can be advantageous to combine both jobs in one element. We demonstrate the design, the fabrication, and the application of refractive gradient-index elements, which allow one to perform both jobs with a single element. Our astigmatic lenses were fabricated by silver-sodium ion exchange in glass.     

Characterization of laser hardened steels by laser induced ultrasonic surface waves

Ultrasonic surface waves are suitable for the characterization of surface hardened materials. This is shown on laser hardened turbine blades. The martensitic microstructure within the surface layer of surface hardened steels has a lower surface wave propagation velocity than the annealed or normalized substrate material. Because the propagation velocity depends on the ratio of layer thickness to wavelengthd/, its measurement allows the determination of the hardening depth. If the surface wave frequency is high enough, the surface wave propagates mainly within the hardened layer. A correlation of the surface wave velocity to the surface hardness has been found. Because the variation of the surface velocity in hardened steels is small, a high measurement accuracy is necessary to obtain the interesting hardening parameters with sufficient certainty. Therefore, a measuring arrangement has been developed where laser pulses, guided by optical fibers to the surface hardened structure, generate simultaneously surface wave pulses at two different positions. The two ultrasonic pulses are received by a piezoelectric transducer. The surface wave velocity is obtained from the time delay between these pulses which is determined by the cross-correlation method. To evaluate simultaneously surface waves with different penetration depths from the same signal acquisition, digital filtering has been used in connection with the cross-correlation.     

Integration of refractive micro-optical elements with differential-pair optical-thyristor arrays

We demonstrate a refractive micr-optical system by using ion-exchange microlenses and microprisms, which are combined to generate a superposition of two shifted images. The microlenses, fabricated with field-assisted Ag-Na exchange, achieve diffraction-limited imaging with a single-lens system and with a double-lens system for a field of 800 μm × 800 μm. Furthermore, we demonstrate cascading of two separate differential-pair optical-thyristor arrays by transcribing the information of a source array onto a second destination array.     

Atropine and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Six asthmatic children were studied to determine whether supplemental, parenteral atropine would increase the effects of bronchodilation and protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction after maximal effects had been achieved by inhalation. First, we determined the amount of inhaled atropine sulfate that would give maximal bronchodilation for each patient at rest. This quantity of atropine was designated as "A." Then all subjects exercised for five sessions with the following pre-exercise treatments in a random order: (a) inhaled distilled water plus intramuscular (IM) saline solution; (b) inhaled A dose of atropine plus IM saline solution; (c) inhaled distilled water plus 0.35 mg IM atropine; (d) inhaled A dose of atropine plus 0.35 mg IM atropine; and (e) inhaled double the A dose plus IM saline solution. The results showed that the combination of inhaled and IM atropine had the greatest bronchodilation effect and the greatest protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Atropine inhalation alone (A dose) or IM injection (0.35 mg) was not as effective in bronchodilation or in alleviation of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Doubling the dose of inhalation (2A) did not increase the effects of the A dose. These results support the hypothesis that inhaled atropine does not reach all the airways where cholinergic receptors are present.     

必需脂肪酸在美容化妆品中的应用

必需脂肪酸（EFAs）可以使皮肤增益，加强细胞膜结构与功能，维持并恢复皮肤天然屏障，预防皮肤刺激和炎症，以及增强细胞膜的通透性。详述了必需脂肪酸的新陈代谢过程和其在美容化妆品中的应用。     

A case of reversible deafness in cystic arachnoiditis (author's transl)

A patient studied preoperatively by a neuro-otological test battery showed signs of an extensive cerebellopontine angle tumour. During the operation dense fibrotic tissue was found extending from the choroid plexus to the right acoustic nerve, which was freed and thus decompressed. Postoperatively, low frequency hearing improved markedly in the right ear. In contrast to the well-known documented cases of successful decompression of the optic nerve it has not been possible up to now to achieve a successful outcome in similar procedures on the acoustic nerve. In the described case the fibrotic lesion had obviously just caused reversible damage to the myelin sheaths of the eighth nerve, which can be interpreted as "neurapraxia" (Seddon, 1943). Further investigations in regard to the systematic elucidation of possibly reversible damage to the acoustic nerve are currently being performed at the IInd ENT department of Vienna University.     

Characterization of tribo-layers on self-lubricating plasma-assisted chemical-vapor-deposited TiN coatings

Recently, several new solid lubricants and modern lubrication concepts have been developed to achieve lower friction and wear and thus longer lifetime in severe tribological applications. The aim of this study is to characterize tribo-layers formed during ball-on-disc testing on low-friction, Cl-containing TiN coatings deposited by plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition and to clarify their formation mechanism. Characterization of the transfer layers was done by optical microscopy, optical profilometry, Raman spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to provide information on the chlorine-influenced chemical reactions of the coatings in ambient air. Iron oxide layers of a thickness in the nm-range have been found on low-chlorine containing TiN coatings (<3 at.% Cl) showing friction coefficients of approximately 0.8, whereas on TiN coatings with higher chlorine contents (>3 at.% Cl) rutile layers were preferably formed, resulting in friction coefficients below 0.2. This self-lubrication mechanism can be explained by the in-situ formation of easy-shearable titanium oxides in the contact zone in the presence of humidity and oxygen.     

A Multicultural Test of the Theory of Work Adjustment: Investigating the Role of Heterosexism and Fit Perceptions in the Job Satisfaction of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Employees.

Two expanded models (i.e., mediated and moderated) of the theory of work adjustment (TWA; R. V. Dawis, G. England, & L. H. Lofquist, 1964; R. V. Dawis & L. H. Lofquist, 1984) were tested for their capacity to explain the job satisfaction of a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees (N=397). Consistent with cultural critiques of the TWA, person-organization fit perceptions were tested as the mediator of the relationship between heterosexism and job satisfaction in one set of hypotheses, and experiences with informal heterosexism were tested as a moderator in the relationship between person-organization fit perceptions and job satisfaction in a separate set of hypotheses. The mediated model but not the moderated model was supported. Results were confirmed by a cross-validation sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)