Glucose and bicarbonate reabsorption in edematous dogs

Glucose and bicarbonate reabsorption were studied in dogs made edematour by aortocaval fistula (A-V dogs) and in sham-operated dogs. Following construction of the A-V fistula, there was a significant increase in body weight; glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, hematocrit, and sodium excretion decreased significantly. Bicarbonate reabosorption was significantly higher in A-V than in sham dogs both during control and volume expansion. Volume expansion depressed bicarbonate reabsorption significantly in both groups. Glucose reabsorption fell following volume expansion in both groups; glucose reabsorption was significantly higher in A-V dogs than in sham dogs during control and volume expansion. Volume expansion led to a minimal increase in sodium excretion in A-V dogs when compared to the increase in the sham dogs. These data demonsttate that chronic sodium retention is associated with enhanced reabsorption of glucose and bicarbonate. The site in the neophron responsible for the increase in reabsorption of these substances cannot be determined with certainty based on these clearance studies although it is possible that proximal reabsorption may be enhanced in this model.     

Circadian rhythms and photoperiodic time measurement in mammals

Many mammalian species display seasonal breeding patterns correlated with annual cycles of change in the physiology and morphology of the reproductive system. Such annual reproductive cycles are often photoperiodically controlled (i.e, the annual change in day length determines when reproductive activity begins and when it ends within the annual cycle). Photoperiodic control of seasonally appropriate changes in reproductive activity is dependent on an endogenous time measuring process. Among mammals the physiological basis of photoperiodic time measurement has been studied most extensively in the golden hamster. Studies with this species indicate that photoperiodic time measurement is executed by the circadian system. The time measuring process depends on a circadian oscillation of responsiveness to light with properties similar to those of the hypothetical rhythm originally proposed by Bünning to explain photoperiodic phenomena in plants. The available evidence strongly suggests the participation of the pineal gland and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the photoperiodic regulation of mammalian reproductive cycles. However, little is known regarding concrete physiological mechanisms, and the extent to which the SCN and the pineal gland may participate in the time measuring process per se remains to be determined.     

Study of TRH in the postganglionic sypnasis of the isolated human vas deferens

Cummulative dose-response curves to l-noradrenaline and in presence of different concentrations of TRH (10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5), 10(-6), 10(-7), and 10(-8) M) were investigated. 25 segments of vas deferens (escrotal tract) were obtained from different surgical patients of urological disorders. At the lower concentration (greater than 10(-7) M), we can not appreciate any influence of TRH on the l-noradrenaline response. Nevertheless there was a reduction of response to l-noradrenaline, with displacement of the curves to the right side, for the high concentrations, and a proportional ratio to the concentration to TRH.     

Action of prolactin on ornithine decarboxylase activity in mammary gland explants of mice

Prolactin stimulated ornithine decarboxylase activity in mammary gland explants from midpregnant mice. The enhanced enzyme activity occurred in explants which were preincubated for 1 day in medium containing insulin, hydrocortisone, insulin plus hydrocortisone, or in medium containing no hormones. The largest prolactin effect was observed in tissues which were pretreated with insulin plus hydrocortisone; a greater than ten-fold increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity was observed when these tissues were incubated with prolactin for 2 hours. An effect of prolactin on ornithine decarboxylase activity was also observed in explants prepared from lactating mouse mammary glands.     

Althesin infusion for cardiac catheterisation

A trial of a continuous intravenous infusion of Althesin is described for sedation during cardiac catheterisation, both for children and adults. The conditions produced for the procedure were very satisfactory. The advantages and problems of its use are discussed. The technique justifies further trials.     

Family planning opinion leadership in Korea, 1971

The characteristics of Korean family planning opinion leaders are assessed through a secondary analysis of the 1971 national survey conducted by the Korean Institute for Research in the Behavioral Sciences. In effect, what characterized Korean family planning opinion leaders was a rather national and democratic model. Those who had tried methods, discussed them, and knew a lot about them assumed leadership roles more than others. Place of residence, education, and other such variables mattered relatively little unless a woman had credibility imparted by actual use and knowledge imparted by use or discussions with family planning professionals.     

Hydrogen isotopic enrichment: an indicator of biodegradation at a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated field site

Compound-specific carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis was used to investigate biodegradation of benzene and ethylbenzene in contaminated groundwater at Dow Benelux BV industrial site. delta13C values for dissolved benzene and ethylbenzene in downgradient samples were enriched by up to 2+/-0.5 per thousand, in 13C, compared to the delta13C value of the source area samples. delta2H values for dissolved benzene and ethylbenzene in downgradient samples exhibited larger isotopic enrichments of up to 27+/-5 per thousand for benzene and up to 50+/-5 per thousand for ethylbenzene relative to the source area. The observed carbon and hydrogen isotopic fractionation in downgradient samples provides evidence of biodegradation of both benzene and ethylbenzene within the study area at Dow Benelux BV. The estimated extents of biodegradation of benzene derived from carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions for each sample are in agreement, supporting the conclusion that biodegradation is the primary control on the observed differences in carbon and hydrogen isotope values. Combined carbon and hydrogen isotope analyses provides the ability to compare biodegradation in the field based on two different parameters, and hence provides a stronger basis for assessment of biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants.     

Chitosan inhibits premature browning in ground beef

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of chitosan on premature browning in refrigerated ground beef patties stored in different packaging systems. Ground beef patties (15% fat) with chitosan (1% w/w) or without chitosan (control) were individually packaged either in vacuum (VP), aerobic packaging (AP), carbon monoxide modified atmosphere packaging (LO-OX; 0.4% CO+19.6% CO(2)+80% N(2)), or high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (HI-OX; 80% O(2)+20% CO(2)), and stored for 0, 1, or 3 days at 1°C. At the conclusion of storage, raw surface redness was evaluated, patties were cooked to internal end-point temperatures of either 66°C or 71°C, and internal cooked color was measured. The incorporation of chitosan increased (P<0.05) the interior redness of patties stored in AP, VP, and LO-OX, but not in HI-OX. The results of the present study suggest that the incorporation of 1% chitosan minimizes premature browning in ground beef patties stored under AP, VP, and LO-OX.     

Influence of lipase and/or emulsifier addition on the ileal and faecal nutrient digestibility in growing pigs fed diets containing 4% animal fat

Information on the addition of lipase and/or emulsifiers to less digestible or saturated fat sources, such as tallow or other animal fats, used in swine feeding is very limited. Therefore, in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, the effects of adding lipase (0.05% L5, microbial source) and/or an emulsifier (0.3% Lysoforte) on the apparent ileal (AID) and faecal (AFD) digestibility of the main nutrients and fatty acids in particular were studied with four ileal‐cannulated growing pigs (female, initial live weight 20 kg) fed diets containing barley/soybean meal supplemented with 4% animal fat. The fat source contained 35% saturated (S) and 65% unsaturated (U) fatty acids. All diets were free of antibacterial substances (antibiotics, copper sulphate or zinc oxide beyond requirements), in order to avoid interactions between the parameters studied and the gut flora. Lipase addition did not affect the AID or AFD of fat. However, the digestibility of minor fatty acids (C6:0, C14:0) was significantly improved by lipase at both ileal and faecal level. On the other hand, lipase supplementation (P < 0.05) improved the AID of dry matter (DM) and energy as well as the AFD of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ash and energy. Addition of an emulsifier did not have any significant influence on the AID or AFD of fat, while the AID values of DM, OM, CP and energy as well as the AFD values of DM, OM, CP and ash were significantly (P < 0.05) improved. Adding lipase in combination with an emulsifier to the diets decreased (P < 0.05) the AID and AFD of fat, with minor effects on the AID and AFD of the non‐fat components of the diet. The lack of improvement in the digestion of fat by exogenous lipase and/or emulsifier may be related to the rather high U/S ratio (0.65:0.35) of the animal fat source used and to the mode of incorporation of the emulsifier (no pre‐dispersion in the fat source). Furthermore, during the trial the diets, stored at room temperature, showed a steady increase in their content of free fatty acids (to more than 700 g kg^?1 fat), due to endogenous lipase activity, leaving less room for upgrading the digestion of animal fat by exogenous lipase and/or emulsifier. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Elevated carbon dioxide affects fruit flavor in field‐grown strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch)

The effect of elevated carbon dioxide on fruit quality and aroma volatile composition in field‐grown strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) was studied. Elevating the ambient CO₂ concentration (ambient + 300, and ambient +600 µmol mol^?1 CO₂) resulted in high fruit dry matter, fructose, glucose and total sugar contents and low citric and malic acid contents. High CO₂ growing conditions significantly enhanced the fruit content of ethyl hexanoate, ethyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, methyl butanonate, hexyl acetate, hexyl hexanoate, furaneol, linalool and methyl octanoate. Thus, the total amounts of these compounds were higher in berries grown in CO₂‐enriched conditions than those grown in ambient conditions. The highest CO₂ enrichment (600 µmol mol^?1) condition yielded fruit with the highest levels of these aroma compounds. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry