High-performance yellow ceramic pigments Zr(Ti1−x−ySnx−yVyMy)O4 (M = Al, In, Y): Crystal structure, colouring mechanism and technological properties

Zirconium titanate-stannate doped with V with co-dopants Al, In or Y was synthesised by solid state reaction and its structural (XRD, SEM), optical (DRS) and technological properties were determined to assess its potential use as ceramic pigment. These compounds have a srilankite-type, disordered orthorhombic structure, implying a random distribution of Zr, Ti, Sn and dopants in a single, strongly distorted octahedral site. Doping caused an increase of unit-cell dimensions, metal-oxygen distances and octahedron distortion. Optical spectra show crystal field electronic transitions of V⁴⁺ as well as intense bands in the blue-UV range due to V⁴⁺-V⁵⁺ intervalence charge transfer and/or to V-O charge transfer. The formation of oxygen vacancies is supposed to compensate the occurrence of V⁴⁺ ensuring the lattice charge neutrality. These srilankite-type oxides develop a deep and brilliant yellow shade with colourimetric parameters close to those of industrial ceramic pigments. Technological tests in several ceramic applications proved that zirconium titanate-stannate is very stable at high temperature, exhibiting an excellent performance in the 1200-1250 °C range, even better than praseodymium-doped zircon.     

Farm Animal Serum Proteomics and Impact on Human Health

Due to the incompleteness of animal genome sequencing, the analysis and characterization of serum proteomes of most farm animals are still in their infancy, compared to the already well-documented human serum proteome. This review focuses on the implications of the farm animal serum proteomics in order to identify novel biomarkers for animal welfare, early diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of infectious disease treatment, and develop new vaccines, aiming at determining the reciprocal benefits for humans and animals.     

Biocompatible Electromechanical Actuators Composed of Silk‐Conducting Polymer Composites

Single‐component, metal‐free, biocompatible, electromechanical actuator devices are fabricated using a composite material composed of silk fibroin and poly(pyrrole) (PPy). Chemical modification techniques are developed to produce free‐standing films with a bilayer‐type structure, with unmodified silk on one side and an interpenetrating network (IPN) of silk and PPy on the other. The IPN formed between the silk and PPy prohibits delamination, resulting in a durable and fully biocompatible device. The electrochemical stability of these materials is investigated through cyclic voltammetry, and redox sensitivity to the presence of different anions is noted. Free‐end bending actuation performance and force generation within silk‐PPy composite films during oxidation and reduction in a biologically relevant environment are investigated in detail. These silk–PPy composites are stable to repeated actuation, and are able to generate forces comparable with natural muscle (>0.1 MPa), making them ideal candidates for interfacing with biological tissues.     

Biliary complications of liver transplant. Role of cholangiography with magnetic resonance

The association between physical training, low back extensor (erector spinae plus multifidus muscles) and psoas muscle cross-sectional areas (CSA) and strength characteristics of trunk extension and flexion were studied in adolescent girls. A group of athletes (n = 49) (age range 13.7-16.3 years) consisting of gymnasts, figure skaters and ballet dancers was age-matched with non-athletes (n = 17) who acted as a sedentary control group. The CSA of psoas muscles and multifidus plus erector spinae muscles were measured from lumbar axial images by magnetic resonance imaging. Maximal trunk extension and flexion forces were measured in a standing position using a dynamometer and trunk musculature endurance was evaluated using static holding tests. When CSA were adjusted with body mass, the athletes showed significantly greater CSA in both muscles studied (psoas P < 0.001; erector spinae plus multifidus P < 0.05) than the non-athletes. The athletes also had a greater absolute psoas muscle CSA (P < 0.01) and trunk flexion force (P < 0.01) compared to the controls. When the forces were expressed relative to body mass, the athletes were superior both in trunk flexion (P < 0.001) and extension (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between muscle CSA and strength parameters, but the force per muscle CSA did not differ significantly between the athletes and the non-athletes. In addition, the athletes showed a better body mass adjusted muscle endurance in trunk flexion (P < 0.05) than the non-athletes. Our study indicated that regular physical training enhances trunk musculature hypertrophy, force and endurance in adolescent girls, and that there is an association between muscle CSA and strength parameters.     

Hemispheric Specialization in the Primary Auditory Area of Awake and Anesthetized Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

Although evidence exists for a lateralization of song production, few studies have focused on the perceptual aspect of lateralization in songbirds. In the present study, the authors recorded neuronal responses to a variety of species-specific and artificial, nonspecific stimuli in both hemispheres of awake and anesthetized male starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Recordings were made in the primary auditory area of the songbird brain, the Field L complex. The right hemisphere exhibited significantly more responsive units than the left hemisphere in awake birds, and this difference was significantly reduced in anesthetized birds. Furthermore, clear hemispheric specialization toward categories of behaviorally relevant stimuli and precise parameters of these stimuli were found. The main auditory area of the starling's brain thus appears to show some degree of lateralization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transformation characteristic of a Cr-Mn steel with austenite

The microstructures of three steels with about 0.35% C, 10% Mn and 13% Cr were investigated. After homogenization treatment, all steels have an austenitic microstructure with some carbide precipitates. During cooling to ?196°C as well as by plastic deformation ε-martensite and α-martensite are formed. The influence of the degree of deformation at different temperatures on microstructure and stability of austenite is described in detail. This information will be used to find a microstructure optimized to have a high cavitation resistance.     

Effects of alkali treatment on the in-vitro digestibility of proteins and the release of amino acids

Three protein sources, casein, soya bean and rapeseed concentrates, were subjected to alkali treatment (0.2 M, 60° C) for 2 or 6 h. The impact of these treatments on protein digestibility and on release of amino acids, especially lysinoalanine, was evaluated by an in-vitro enzymic digestion method with simultaneous dialysis of digestion products. The impairment of digestibility was higher for casein and soya bean concentrate than for rapeseed concentrate. Whatever the amount of lysinoalanine produced in each protein, it was poorly released by proteolytic enzymes. The rate of release of other amino acids was reduced by the treatments, but to different levels for each protein. Arginine and lysine were particularly affected. As can be inferred from the release of the target amino acids, the hydrolytic capacity of chymotrypsin was not specifically impaired, in contrast to that of trypsin for casein and of elastase for all protein sources. This technique was useful to evaluate quickly the effects of processing on the digestibility of proteins.     

Laparoscopic sonography during abdominal laparoscopic surgery: technique and imaging findings

Laparoscopy is becoming the preferred approach for managing several abdominal disorders. The main limitations of laparoscopic surgery and diagnostic laparoscopy are the loss of the surgeon's tactile feedback and the inability to undertake a complete internal evaluation of solid parenchyma. Probes for laparoscopic sonography have been introduced to compensate for the limitations of laparoscopic surgery and to increase the diagnostic efficacy of laparoscopy [1]. In this article we describe our experience with laparoscopic sonography and illustrate the normal anatomic findings and some applications in biliary surgery and other abdominal laparoscopic procedures.     

The Emerging Clinical Role of Spermine in Prostate Cancer

Spermine, a member of polyamines, exists in all organisms and is essential for normal cell growth and function. It is highly expressed in the prostate compared with other organs and is detectable in urine, tissue, expressed prostatic secretions, and erythrocyte. A significant reduction of spermine level was observed in prostate cancer (PCa) tissue compared with benign prostate tissue, and the level of urinary spermine was also significantly lower in men with PCa. Decreased spermine level may be used as an indicator of malignant phenotype transformation from normal to malignant tissue in prostate. Studies targeting polyamines and key rate-limiting enzymes associated with spermine metabolism as a tool for PCa therapy and chemoprevention have been conducted with various polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors and polyamine analogues. The mechanism between spermine and PCa development are possibly related to the regulation of polyamine metabolism, cancer-driving pathways, oxidative stress, anticancer immunosurveillance, and apoptosis regulation. Although the specific mechanism of spermine in PCa development is still unclear, ongoing research in spermine metabolism and its association with PCa pathophysiology opens up new opportunities in the diagnostic and therapeutic roles of spermine in PCa management.