Optical scanning system for quality control of GEM-foils

An optical scanning system was commissioned and further developed in the Detector Laboratory of Helsinki Institute of Physics and University of Helsinki. It was designed to automatically scan, perform on-line analysis and to classify the overall quality of GEM-foils especially of the GEM-TPC detectors for Super-FRS at FAIR. The optical scanning system consists of precision positioning table, lighting, optics and operating system with analysis software. It has active scanning area of 95×95 cm² and it can study this area with the minimum resolution of 128 lp/mm. Performance of the system and first results from the GEM-foil uniformity and quality analysis are presented.     

Effects of Ospemifene on Drug Metabolism Mediated by Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Humans in Vitro and in Vivo

The objective of these investigations was to determine the possible effects of the novel selective estrogen receptor modulator, ospemifene, on cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated drug metabolism. Ospemifene underwent testing for possible effects on CYP enzyme activity in human liver microsomes and in isolated human hepatocytes. Based on the results obtained in vitro, three Phase 1 crossover pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in healthy postmenopausal women to assess the in vivo effects of ospemifene on CYP-mediated drug metabolism. Ospemifene and its main metabolites 4-hydroxyospemifene and 4′-hydroxyospemifene weakly inhibited a number of CYPs (CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, and CYP2D6) in vitro. However, only CYP2C9 activity was inhibited by 4-hydroxyospemifene at clinically relevant concentrations. Induction of CYPs by ospemifene in cultured human hepatocytes was 2.4-fold or less. The in vivo studies showed that ospemifene did not have significant effects on the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of the tested CYP substrates warfarin (CYP2C9), bupropion (CYP2B6) and omeprazole (CYP2C19), demonstrating that pretreatment with ospemifene did not alter their metabolism. Therefore, the risk that ospemifene will affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are substrates for CYP enzymes is low.     

Biological effects of casein-derived tripeptide powders are not affected by fermentation process

Milk casein-derived biologically active tripeptides isoleucine–proline–proline and valine–proline–proline have shown antihypertensive effects both in animal and clinical studies. Contradictory findings from clinical intervention studies may be related to different manufacturing processes. The present study aimed to compare cardiovascular effects of two different tripeptide powders in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Rats received tripeptide powders produced either by Lactobacillus helveticus fermentation (A) or Lb. helveticus plus proline specific endoprotease (B) in drinking fluid for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was recorded weekly. At the end, blood and tissue samples were collected and arterial responses studied. Blood pressure was 13.6 and 14.2 mmHg lower in the groups A and B, respectively, versus the water group (P < 0.01). Vascular responses of aorta and mesenteric artery did not differ between the groups. Both tripeptide products increased urinary cGMP (P < 0.001) and decreased albumin (P < 0.05). The fermentation process did not influence the cardiovascular effects of the tripeptide powders.     

Role of microbes in controlling the speciation of arsenic and production of arsines in contaminated soils

The influence of microbes on the speciation of arsenic and production of arsines in contaminated soils was investigated under laboratory conditions. Microbes were able to carry out reactions that resulted in changes in the speciation of arsenic in soil. The transformation of soil dominating species, arsenate [As(V)], under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions to arsenite [As(III)], monomethylarsonic acid [MMAA], dimethylarsinic acid [DMAA] and to volatile trimethylarsine [TMA] was, however, less than 0.5%, of which the production of TMA represented 0.02-0.3%. The volatilization process was also verified in the field, in the soil of a dumping area. The 'life-time' of arsines in air was, however, short and they were rapidly converted back to water soluble species, As(V) and trimethyl arsine oxide (TMAO).     

Evaluation of basidiomycetous fungi for pretreatment of contaminated soil

BACKGROUND: For most dioxin‐contaminated sawmill soils, combustion is recommended. However, the process may be inefficient if the soil has a high organic matter content. The use of saprotrophic basidiomycetous fungi is an alternative for pretreatment of this kind of soil. A total of 147 fungi were evaluated for their ability to grow in sawmill soil. From this screening, the best soil colonizing fungi were selected to study their enzyme activities and degradation of soil organic matter. Pine (Pinus sylvestris) bark was used as a co‐substrate to propagate the fungi into the soil. The activities of manganese peroxidase (MnP), laccase, endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase, endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase, and endo‐1,4‐β‐mannanase were analysed from the inocula and fungal treated soil. RESULTS: The screening revealed that 56 out of 147 fungi were able to grow in non‐sterile soil, and most of them were litter‐decomposing fungi (LDF). In pine bark cultures, the highest enzyme activities were observed with Phanerochaete velutina, which produced 5 U g^?1 of MnP. The activity of endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase was generally higher than that of other hydrolytic enzymes. The highest carbon loss from soil with a high organic matter content was achieved by P. velutina (3.4%) and Stropharia rugosoannulata (2.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Many LDF, and in addition the white‐rot fungus P. velutina, are potential degraders of soil organic matter since they showed good growth and respiratory activity. Pine bark was a suitable lignocellulosic co‐substrate and a good promoter of MnP activity. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A novel hexagonal honeycomb K–Cr-oxalate anionic network with layers separated by a five-coordinated Cu(II)–pypn complex (pypn = N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine). Synthesis,characterisation, spectroscopy and crystal structure of {[KCr(C2O4)3][Cu(pypn)(H2O)](H2O)4}

A novel hexagonal-based honeycomb compound with overall formula {[KCr(C₂O₄)₃][Cu(pypn)(H₂O)](H₂O)₄} is reported in which pypn is with the tetradentate ligand (N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine). The [KCr(C₂O₄)₃]^2? moiety forms a hexagonal honeycomb structure, while the five-coordinated [Cu(pypn)(H₂O)]²⁺ moiety is located in between the layers, partly filling the holes in the cavities. The synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and some spectroscopic properties are presented. The coordination of Cr(III) is octahedral, with a CrO₆ chromophore, and the K⁺ ion is in a KO₆ environment (K–O distances vary from 2.36 to 2.48 ?). The [KCr(C₂O₄)₃]^2? layers have the K⁺ ions in a Λ conformation, while the Cr(III) ions in the Δ conformation. The geometry around the Cu(II) is five-coordinated with four nitrogens from the chelating pypn ligand in a plane and the apical position being occupied by the oxygen atom of the coordinating water molecule. The packing of the cationic and the anionic layers appears to be of special interest.     

Influence of microbes on the mobilization, toxicity and biomethylation of arsenic in soil.

To understand the effects of microbial activity on the mobilization and speciation of arsenic in soil, the cycling of arsenic was studied in microcosm experiments under laboratory conditions. Particular attention was paid to the biomethylation of arsenic and to the toxicity of inorganic and organic arsenic species for microbes. Microbes enhanced mobilization of arsenic from soil by 19-24% compared to formaldehyde inhibited controls. Formation of dissolved methylated arsenic species by microbes was low (< 0.1%) during the 5-day incubation. Even though methylation may function as a detoxification method, it was of minor importance in the soil tested.     

为您的产品选择正确的理念——美卓低定量箱纸板生产技术

重点介绍了美卓造纸机械公司研发的Val-Former靴刮刀叠网成形技术、OptiFormer夹网成形器和OptiFlo Ⅱ型流浆箱,以便为使用较高比例的混合废纸且在更高的车速下生产更低定量瓦楞原纸以及挂面纸板时,获得高效、低能耗和理想质量的产品.     

Antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering effects of a spread containing bioactive peptides IPP and VPP and plant sterols

The effects of a spread containing bioactive tripeptides isoleucine–proline–proline (IPP), valine–proline–proline (VPP) and plant sterols were studied in subjects with mild hypertension and elevated LDL cholesterol. Sixty-two subjects consumed 20 g/day spread containing 4.2 mg milk peptides and 2 g plant sterol esters or placebo for 10 weeks. Blood pressure was measured twice a week. Arterial stiffness was assessed by pulse wave analysis and by pulse wave velocity. Blood samples were analysed for serum lipids and high-sensitive CRP. A significant decrease was seen in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.026), but not in diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.53). Total cholesterol (p = 0.003) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.002) decreased, whereas HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols and CRP remained unchanged. No overall effects on arterial stiffness were seen. The results suggest that a spread containing bioactive milk peptides and plant sterols has a beneficial effect on two major cardiovascular risk factors, blood pressure and plasma lipids, in hypertensive, dyslipidemic subjects. Functional foods affecting two major risk factors can be valuable tools in managing cardiovascular risk.     

Changes in bone markers in children with asthma during inhaled budesonide and nedocromil treatments

We evaluated serum and urinary markers of bone turnover in 14 children with asthma during inhaled budesonide and nedocromil treatments. Both the markers of formation (serum carboxy- and amino-terminal propeptides of type I procollagen and serum osteocalcin) and the markers of degradation (serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and urinary pyridinium cross-links) decreased (p < 0.05) during budesonide treatment for 6 months. During inhaled nedocromil treatment (for the following 6 months), the markers returned to the normal levels. These transient decreases in the markers of both formation and degradation of bone suggest that inhaled budesonide may slightly decrease the bone turnover rate. However, normal "coupling" between formation and degradation seemed to operate, e.g. a change in one resulted in a corresponding change in the other, so that net bone loss did not necessarily occur.