Concentration and synthesis of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate in erythrocytes from normal, hyperuricemic, and gouty subjects.

Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase activity and the intracellular concentration of PRPP were assayed in erythrocytes from patients with primary hyperuricemia and primary metabolic gout. Sensitivity of the enzyme to feed-back inhibition by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), guanosine diphosphate (GDP), and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) was determined. All patients with gout and four of ten patients with hyperuricemia were taking allopurinol during the study. Mean PRPP synthetase activity in erythrocytes from hyperuricemic and gouty patients was similar to that in normal subjects, and feedback inhibition by ADP, GDP, and 2,3-DPG was intact. The concentration of PRPP in erythrocytes was higher in normal females than in normal males, higher in normal subjects than in gouty patients, and lower in hyperuricemic patients taking allopurinol than in those hyperuricemic patients not taking this drug. The difference in intracellular levels of PRPP in erythrocytes in gout versus hyperuricemic patients was not significant. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the regulation of PRPP synthetase and in the important regulatory role of PRPP in purine metabolism. © 1971

An Evaluation of Nutritional and Sensory Qualities of Wheat -Moringa Cake

The Nutritional and sensory attributes of wheat Moringa cake were evaluated. Cakes were produced from wheat flour and different quantities of Moringa leaf (2g, 4g, 6g, 8g and 10g) respectively with cake from 100% wheat flour used as control. Nutritional analyses carried out on the cake samples include crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, total ash and moisture content. Nutrient contents and sensory attributes of samples were carried out within 24 hours of cake sample production. All parameters determined, showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in cake samples. Moisture (7.35 9.04%), crude protein (7.21 11.20%), crude fibre (3.56 5.20%) and total ash (1.50 2.75%) showed an increase in value with increase in addition of Moringa while crude fat (5.95 4.00%) and carbohydrate (74.57 67.82%) showed a decrease in value with increased addition. Sensory evaluation showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between the control (100% wheat) and other samples in colour, taste, aroma and general acceptability. The cake sample with 4g Moringa addition was the most preferred in terms of colour, taste, aroma and general acceptability. Cake, being a snack that is commonly consumed by people is made up of high calorie ingredients which when taken for too long may have a negative effect on consumer health. Wheat Moringa cake will have a positive impact of controlling the negative effects of the ingredients used in the production of cake, because of its fibre content.Keywords: Wheat, Moringa, cake, nutritionaland sensory

Malondialdehyde level and some enzymatic activities in subclinical mastitis milk

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes occurring in milk malondialdehyde (MDA) level and some enzymatic activities as a result of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy cows. A total of 124 milk samples were collected from 124 lactating cows from the same herd in the period between the 2nd week after calving and the 10th week postpartum. They were classified by bacterial culture and the California mastitis test (CMT) as positive were deemed to have glands with SCM, and the periodic incidence rate of SCM was 26.6%. The most common bacterial isolates from SCM cases were Staphylococcus aureus (47%) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) (27%). The mean level of MDA and activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly higher in SCM milk than in normal milk, while the mean activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was significantly lower in SCM milk than in normal milk. There were no differences in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) between normal milk and SCM milk. Therefore, the measurement of milk MDA level and GPx, LDH and ALP activities, appears to be a suitable diagnostic method for identifying SCM in dairy cows.Key words: Subclinical mastitis, mastitis diagnostic, etiology, malonaldehyde (MDA), enzym

Impacts of biomass burning in Southeast Asia on ozone and reactive nitrogen over the western Pacific in spring

Aircraft measurements of ozone (O3) and its precursors (reactive nitrogen, CO, nonmethane hydrocarbons) were made over the western Pacific during the Transport and Chemical Evolution Over the Pacific (TRACE-P) campaign, which was conducted during February-April 2001. Biomass burning activity was high over Southeast Asia (SEA) during this period (dry season), and convective activity over SEA frequently transported air from the boundary layer to the free troposphere, followed by eastward transport to the sampling region over the western Pacific south of 30°N. This data set allows for systematic investigations of the chemical and physical processes in the outflow from SEA. Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and CO are chosen as primary and secondary tracers, respectively, to gauge the degree of the impact of emissions of trace species from biomass burning. Biomass burning is found to be a major source of reactive nitrogen (NO x, PAN, HNO3, and nitrate) and O3 in this region from correlations of these species with the tracers. Changes in the abundance of reactive nitrogen during upward transport are quantified from the altitude change of the slopes of the correlations of these species with CO. NOx decreased with altitude due to its oxidation to HNO3. On the other hand, PAN was conserved during transport from the lower to the middle troposphere, consistent with its low water solubility and chemical stability at low temperatures. Large losses of HNO3 and nitrate, which are highly water soluble, occurred in the free troposphere, most likely due to wet removal by precipitation. This has been shown to be the major pathway of NOy loss in the middle troposphere. Increases in the mixing ratios of O3 and its precursors due to biomass burning in SEA are estimated using the tracers. Enhancements of CO and total reactive nitrogen (NOy), which are directly emitted from biomass burning, were largest at 2-4 km. At this altitude the increases in NOy and O3 were 810 parts per trillion by volume (pptv) and 26 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) above their background values of 240 pptv and 31 ppbv, respectively. The slope of the O3-CO correlation in biomass burning plumes was similar to those observed in fire plumes in northern Australia, Africa, and Canada. The O3 production efficiency (OPE) derived from the O3-CO slope and NOx/CO emission ratio (ER) is shown to be positively correlated with the C2H4 /NOx ER, indicating that the C2H4/NO x ER is a critical parameter in determining the OPE. Comparison of the net O3 flux across the western Pacific region and total O3 production due to biomass burning in SEA suggests that about 70% of O3 produced was transported to the western Pacific. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union

Fabrication of robust superhydrophobic surfaces via aerosol-assisted CVD and thermo-triggered healing of superhydrophobicity by recovery of roughness structures

Artificial self-healing superhydrophobic surfaces have become a new research hotspot because of their recoverable non-wetting performance and practical perspective. In this paper, a superhydrophobic surface was fabricated by aerosol-assisted layer-by-layer chemical vapor deposition (AA-LbL-CVD) of epoxy resins and PDMS polymer films. The obtained samples still showed superhydrophobicity even after long-term exposure to different pH solutions and UV light irradiation as well as great mechanical stability against sandpaper abrasion and double-sided tape peeling. Importantly, due to the shape memory effect of the polymer films, the as-prepared samples could recover the previously crushed micro–nano structures upon heat treatment to make the surface superhydrophobic, showing thermo-triggered healing of superhydrophobicity

Prevalence and Predictors of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Children: A Great Britain Population Based Study

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) in children In Great Britain. Design A nationally representative cross-sectional study survey of children (1102) aged 4–18 years (999 white, 570 male) living in private households (January 1997–1998). Interventions provided information about dietary habits, physical activity, socio-demographics, and blood sample. Outcome measures were vitamin D insufficiency (<50 nmol/L). Results Vitamin D levels (mean = 62.1 nmol/L, 95%CI 60.4–63.7) were insufficient in 35%, and decreased with age in both sexes (p<0.001). Young People living between 53–59 degrees latitude had lower levels (compared with 50–53 degrees, p = 0.045). Dietary intake and gender had no effect on vitamin D status. A logistic regression model showed increased risk of VDI in the following: adolescents (14–18 years old), odds ratio (OR) = 3.6 (95%CI 1.8–7.2) compared with younger children (4–8 years); non white children (OR = 37 [95%CI 15–90]); blood levels taken December-May (OR = 6.5 [95%CI 4.3–10.1]); on income support (OR = 2.2 [95%CI 1.3–3.9]); not taking vitamin D supplementation (OR = 3.7 [95%CI 1.4–9.8]); being overweight (OR 1.6 [95%CI 1.0–2.5]); <1/2 hour outdoor exercise/day/week (OR = 1.5 [95%CI 1.0–2.3]); watched >2.5 hours of TV/day/week (OR = 1.6[95%CI 1.0–2.4]). Conclusion We confirm a previously under-recognised risk of VDI in adolescents. The marked higher risk for VDI in non-white children suggests they should be targeted in any preventative strategies. The association of higher risk of VDI among children who exercised less outdoors, watched more TV and were overweight highlights potentially modifiable risk factors. Clearer guidelines and an increased awareness especially in adolescents are needed, as there are no recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in older children

Ethanol reversal of tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects of morphine

Opioids are the most common drugs associated with unintentional drug overdose. Death results from respiratory depression. Prolonged use of opioids results in the development of tolerance but the degree of tolerance is thought to vary between different effects of the drugs. Many opioid addicts regularly consume alcohol (ethanol), and post-mortem analyses of opioid overdose deaths have revealed an inverse correlation between blood morphine and ethanol levels. In the present study, we determined whether ethanol reduced tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects of opioids. Mice were treated with opioids (morphine, methadone, or buprenorphine) for up to 6 days. Respiration was measured in freely moving animals breathing 5% CO(2) in air in plethysmograph chambers. Antinociception (analgesia) was measured as the latency to remove the tail from a thermal stimulus. Opioid tolerance was assessed by measuring the response to a challenge dose of morphine (10 mg/kg i.p.). Tolerance developed to the respiratory depressant effect of morphine but at a slower rate than tolerance to its antinociceptive effect. A low dose of ethanol (0.3 mg/kg) alone did not depress respiration but in prolonged morphine-treated animals respiratory depression was observed when ethanol was co-administered with the morphine challenge. Ethanol did not alter the brain levels of morphine. In contrast, in methadone- or buprenorphine-treated animals no respiratory depression was observed when ethanol was co-administered along with the morphine challenge. As heroin is converted to morphine in man, selective reversal of morphine tolerance by ethanol may be a contributory factor in heroin overdose deaths

Conversion of Central Subfield Thickness Measurements of Diabetic Macular Edema Across Cirrus and Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography Instruments

Purpose: Develop equations to convert Cirrus central subfield thickness (CST) to Spectralis CST equivalents and vice versa in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: The DRCR Retina Network Protocol O data were split randomly to train (70% sample) and validate (30% sample) conversion equations. Data from an independent study (CADME) also validated the equations. Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement between predicted and observed values evaluated the equations. Results: Protocol O included 374 CST scan pairs from 187 eyes (107 participants). The CADME study included 150 scan pairs of 37 eyes (37 participants). Proposed conversion equations are Spectralis = 40.78 + 0.95 × Cirrus and Cirrus = 1.82 + 0.94 × Spectralis regardless of age, sex, or CST. Predicted values were within 10% of observed values in 101 (90%) of Spectralis and 99 (88%) of Cirrus scans in the validation data; and in 136 (91%) of the Spectralis and 148 (99%) of the Cirrus scans in the CADME data. Adjusting for within-eye correlations, 95% of conversions are estimated to be within 17% (95% confidence interval, 14%-21%) of CST on Spectralis and within 22% (95% confidence interval, 18%-28%) of CST on Cirrus. Conclusions: Conversion equations developed in this study allow the harmonization of CST measurements for eyes with DME using a mix of current Cirrus and Spectralis device images. Translational Relevance: The CSTs measured on Cirrus and Spectralis devices are not directly comparable owing to outer boundary segmentation differences. Converting CST values across spectral domain optical coherence tomography instruments should benefit both clinical research and standard care efforts