Silica Nanoparticle Phytotoxicity to Arabidopsis thaliana

The phytotoxicity of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) was evaluated as a function of particle size (14, 50, and 200 nm), concentration (250 and 1000 mg L(-1)), and surface composition toward Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown hydroponically for 3 and 6 weeks. Reduced development and chlorosis were observed for plants exposed to highly negative SiNPs (-20.3 and -31.9 mV for the 50 and 200 nm SiNPs, respectively) regardless of particle concentration when not controlling pH of the hydroponic medium, which resulted in increased alkalinity (～pH 8). Particles were no longer toxic to the plants at either concentration upon calcination or removal of surface silanols from the SiNP surface, or adjusting the pH of the growth medium to pH 5.8. The phytotoxic effects observed for the negatively charged 50 and 200 nm SiNPs were attributed to pH effects and the adsorption of macro- and micro-nutrients to the silica surface. Size-dependent uptake of the nanoparticles by the plants was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) with plant roots containing 32.0, 1.85, and 7.00 × 10(-3) mg Si·kg tissue(-1)/nm(3) (normalized for SiNP volume) for the 14, 50, and 200 nm SiNPs respectively, after 6 weeks exposure at 1000 ppm (pH 5.8). This study demonstrates that the silica scaffolds are not phytotoxic up to 1000 ppm despite significant uptake of the SiNPs (14, 50, and 200 nm) into the root system of A. thaliana.     

Estimation of heterogeneous variances using empirical Bayes methods: theoretical considerations.

Procedures are described to estimate variances when heterogeneity of genetic and residual dispersion parameters exists for some criterion. Genetic and residual variances are considered to follow distributions with either known or unknown parameters. The estimates of variances obtained are weighted averages of the corresponding parameter and of a data-based statistic. Although the techniques presented are largely inspired by Bayesian ideas, the procedures can be given a frequentist interpretation, and the parameters of the prior distributions can be estimated from the data at hand. Techniques are described and illustrated for situations in which animals are related or unrelated across herds. We conjecture that the proposed estimators have smaller mean squared error than those obtained by grouping observations in some way and then applying REML within each group.     

Matrix effects on flavour volatiles release in dark chocolates varying in particle size distribution and fat content using GC–mass spectrometry and GC–olfactometry

Influences of matrix particle size distribution (PSD) (18, 25, 35 and 50 μm) and fat content (25%, 30% and 35%) on flavour release of dark chocolate volatiles were quantified by static headspace gas chromatography using GC–MS. Sixty-eight (68) flavour compounds were identified, comprising alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, furans, pyrans, pyrazines, pyridines, pyroles, phenols, pyrones and thiozoles. From GC–olfactometry, 2-methylpropanal, 2-methylbutanal and 3-methylbutanal had chocolate notes. With cocoa/roasted/nutty notes were trimethyl-, tetramethyl-, 2,3-dimethyl-, 2,5-dimethyl-, 3(or 2),5-dimethyl-2(or 3)-ethyl- and 3,5(or 6)-diethyl-2-methylpyrazine and furfuralpyrrole. Compounds with fruity/floral notes included 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol and 5-ethenyltetrahydro-R,R,5-trimethyl-cis-2-furanmethanol. Caramel-like, sweet and honey notes were conferred by 2-phenylethanol, phenylacetaldehyde, 2-phenylethylacetate, 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-ethylpyrazine, 2-carboxaldehyde-1H-pyrrole, furancarboxaldehyde, furfuryl alcohol and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)furanone. There were direct relationships of fat content with 3-methylbutanal and branched pyrazines but inverse ones with 2-phenylethanol, furfuryl alcohol, methylpyrazine, phenylacetaldehyde, 2, 3, 5-trimethyl-6-ethylpyrazine and 2-carboxaldehyde-1-H-pyrrole. Particle size influenced higher alcohol, aldehyde, ester, ketone and pyrazine concentrations at all fat contents. A multivariate product space suggested flavour effects of the interacting factors.     

Emergency open lung biopsy

Twenty-eight patients underwent open lung biopsy on an emergency basis. The clinical course in each case was deteriorating rapidly, and all were in respiratory failure. The correct diagnosis was established in 96% of the biopsies (27 of the 28 patients). The clinical diagnosis prior to biopsy was in error or incomplete in 15 (55%) of the patients. Specific therapy was lifesaving in 12 of the 28 patients. The value of the procedure outweighed the complications. Thrombocytopenia and positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation were not contraindications to biopsy.     

Does the T-locus in the mouse include ribosomal DNA?

We studied in 130 parturients during childbirth the effects of general anaesthesia by Alfatesine on the state of the foetus at birth. The examinations took into account the APGAR score, blood gas analysis, pH, bases excess in the umbilical artery and vein and the foetal EEG. The subjects are divided into three groups: prophylactic caesarians, extractions during labor in the absence of any foetal distress and extractions for reasons of acute or chronic foetal distress. The results are evaluated in comparison with the same tests conducted on a series of newborn infants in normal conditions and without anaesthesia. The APGAR score is hardly affected by the Alfatesine; the EEG is perturbed (but without any clinical manifestations) during the two hours following delivery. However, theses modifications are less pronounced than those observed with barbiturates. The study of blood gases and pH shows lower values under anaesthesia than without.     

Elective experiences in family medicine for medical students

A new technique to insert acupuncture needles into the tissue without touching the needle with the fingers of the acupuncturist was developed by the authors. It is easy to perform and completely eliminates the problem of contamination. The bending of the needle is less frequent and the pain sensation of the patient is also minimized.     

Experimental approaches for the estimation of uncertainty in analysis of trace inorganic contaminants in foodstuffs by ICP-MS

Total Diet Studies to estimate dietary exposure to food contaminants need to evaluate laboratory measurements data variance. In this process it is critical that data from analytical methods are reliable to correctly scrutinize and compare values over time and between countries. In Europe it is widely recognized that the evaluation of measurement uncertainty is an important parameter when assessing the sources of analytical data variability. Two approaches are considered to estimate uncertainty in analytical measurement. Arsenic, Lead, Chromium and Cadmium, content in several food matrix determined by Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) microwave digestion assisted, are used as examples. The aim of the present research work is to compare both approaches accepted by Eurolab and GUM: Mathematical modeling to assess uncertainty components based on a classical model (bottom up) and an empirical method (top down), based on either experimental data obtained from a single laboratory validation data or inter-laboratory data from Proficiency Testing schemes. Relative expanded uncertainty calculated by both approaches agree when U (%) <20%. These values are concordant with RSD_R reported in collaborative studies of EN 15763 (2009), which were assumed as target uncertainty. The top down approach described is simple and easy to use when compared with the mathematical modeling approach providing considerable benefits to those who assess data produced by several laboratories.