Crystallization During Volume Reduction of Solutions with an Ion-Composition Corresponding to that in the Distal Tubuli

The effect of macromolecules on the crystallization in solutions with an ion-composition and a pH corresponding to that of urine in the distal part of the distal tubuli was examined by recording the number and volume of crystals in a Coulter Multisizer and by studying the crystal morphology with scanning electron microscopy at different degrees of evaporation. The experiments were carried out with 100 ml samples of salt solutions with and without different concentrations of dialysed urine (dU) from normal subjects. Addition of dU resulted in a greater number of crystals and a reduction in the mean crystal volume (MCV). Under the experimental conditions, the maximal effect of the macro-molecules appeared to be accomplished in solutions with an initial dU concentration of 10%. The precipitate was strongly suggestive of calcium phosphate (CaP) as shown by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This conclusion was further supported by the ion-activity products of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and different CaP salts in those samples in which crystal formation was recorded. The obtained results give support to the view that macromolecules might exert a promotive effect on the nucleation of CaP. The macromolecules also appear to counteract the development of large CaP crystals, but whether this is due to an inhibition of crystal growth, an inhibition of crystal aggregation or both could not be concluded from these experiments. The way in which CaP crystals initially form in the nephron might be of importance for the sub-sequent crystallization of CaOx and the formation of CaOx containing stones

Shear viscosity of the A_1-phase of superfluid 3He

The scattering processes between the quasiparticles in spin- up superfluid with the quasiparticles in spin-down normal fluid are added to the other relevant scattering processes in the Boltzmann collision terms. The Boltzmann equation has been solved exactly for temperatures just below T_c_1. The shear viscosity component of the A_1- phase drops as C_1(1-T/T_c_1)^(1/2). The numerical factor C_1 is in fairly good agreement with the experiments

Impactos e condicionantes da logística na definição da estratégia de uma empresa – caso de estudo do setor siderúrgico em Portugal

Logística, gestão e estratégia são conceitos fundamentais para o bom funcionamento, eficiência, eficácia e competitividade de qualquer negócio. Neste sentido, estes tornam-se complementares, interdependentes e fortemente influenciados pelo setor de atividade em que a empresa atua. O presente estudo foca a importância de cada um dos referidos conceitos, a forma como se influenciam mutuamente e, consequentemente, os aspetos que as empresas devem valorizar e ter em especial atenção no que respeita ao equilíbrio entre estratégia e logística. O estudo de caso foca uma empresa do setor siderúrgico dando atenção no ao modo de funcionamento, principais falhas e respetivas sugestões de melhoria. Sendo que a metodologia aplicada para a realização do mesmo passou, essencialmente, por um período de observação presencial do funcionamento da empresa. As principal conclusão que se retira do presente estudo passa pela forma como as variáveis enunciadas na revisão da literatura influenciam o setor em análise e o facto da empresa em análise, devido à sua antiguidade, representar a evolução do setor

The MatP/matS Site-Specific System Organizes the Terminus Region of the E. coli Chromosome into a Macrodomain

The organization of the Escherichia coli chromosome into insulated macrodomains influences the segregation of sister chromatids and the mobility of chromosomal DNA. Here, we report that organization of the Terminus region (Ter) into a macrodomain relies on the presence of a 13 bp motif called matS repeated 23 times in the 800-kb-long domain. matS sites are the main targets in the E. coli chromosome of a newly identified protein designated MatP. MatP accumulates in the cell as a discrete focus that colocalizes with the Ter macrodomain. The effects of MatP inactivation reveal its role as main organizer of the Ter macrodomain: in the absence of MatP, DNA is less compacted, the mobility of markers is increased, and segregation of Ter macrodomain occurs early in the cell cycle. Our results indicate that a specific organizational system is required in the Terminus region for bacterial chromosome management during the cell cycle

Molecular characterization of a new isolate of Borrelia lusitaniae derived from Apodemus sylvaticus in Portugal

A total of 196 small mammals were collected in Portugal and tested for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Tissue samples were taken from each animal and cultured in Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly (BSK)-II medium. The single strain of spirochete isolated was confirmed as Borrelia lusitaniae by genetic analyses. This is the first report of B. lusitaniae isolated from Apodemus sylvaticus

Pulmonary effects of nanofibrillated celluloses in mice suggest that carboxylation lowers the inflammatory and acute phase responses

We studied if the pulmonary and systemic toxicity of nanofibrillated celluloses can be reduced by carboxylation. Nanofibrillated celluloses administered at 6 or 18 mu g to mice by intratracheal instillation were: 1) FINE NFC, 2-20 mu m in length, 2-15 nm in width, 2) AS (-COOH), carboxylated, 0.5-10 mu m in length, 4-10 nm in width, containing the biocide BIM MC4901 and 3) BIOCID FINE NFC: as (1) but containing BIM MC4901. FINE NFC administration increased neutrophil influx in BAL and induced SAA3 in plasma. AS (-COOH) produced lower neutrophil influx and systemic SAA3 levels than FINE NFC. Results obtained with BIOCID FINE NFC suggested that BIM MC4901 biocide did not explain the lowered response. Increased DNA damage levels were observed across materials, doses and time points. In conclusion, carboxylation of nanofibrillated cellulose was associated with reduced pulmonary and systemic toxicity, suggesting involvement of OH groups in the inflammatory and acute phase responses.Peer reviewe

Clinical trial discrimination of physical function instruments for psoriatic arthritis:A systematic review

OBJECTIVES: Physical function (PF) is a core domain to be measured in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), yet the discriminative performance of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for PF in RCTs has not been evaluated systematically. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the clinical trial discrimination of PF-PROMs in PsA RCTs. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Scopus databases in English to identify all original RCTs on biological and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) conducted in PsA. We assessed quality in each article using the OMERACT good method checklist. Effect sizes (ES) for the PF-PROMs were calculated and appraised using a priori hypotheses. Evidence supporting clinical trial discrimination for each PF-PROM was summarized to derive recommendations. RESULTS: 35 articles from 31 RCTs were included. Four PF-PROMs had data for evaluation: HAQ-Disability Index (DI), HAQ-Spondyloarthritis (S), and Short Form 36-item Health Survey Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS) and Physical Functioning domain (SF-36 PF). As anticipated, higher ES values were observed for intervention groups than the control groups. Across all studies, for HAQ-DI, the median ES were -0.73 and -0.24 for intervention and control groups, respectively. Whereas for SF-36 PCS, the median ES were 0.77 and 0.23. For intervention and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Clinical trial discrimination was supported for HAQ-DI and SF-36 PCS in PsA with low risk of bias; and for SF-36 PF and HAQ-S with some caution. More studies are required for HAQ-S

Body Adiposity Index Utilization in a Spanish Mediterranean Population: Comparison with the Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Body fat content and fat distribution or adiposity are indicators of health risk. Several techniques have been developed and used for assessing and/or determining body fat or adiposity. Recently, the Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which is based on the measurements of hip circumference and height, has been suggested as a new index of adiposity. The aim of the study was to compare BAI and BMI measurements in a Caucasian population from a European Mediterranean area and to assess the usefulness of the BAI in men and women separately. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a Caucasian population. All participants in the study (1,726 women and 1,474 men, mean age 39.2 years, SD 10.8) were from Mallorca (Spain). Anthropometric data, including percentage of body fat mass obtained by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, were determined. Body Mass Index (BMI) and BAI were calculated. BAI and BMI showed a good correlation (r = 0.64, p<0.001). A strong correlation was also found between BAI and the % fat determined using BIA (r = 0.74, p<0.001), which is even stronger than the one between BMI and % fat (r = 0.54, p<0.001). However, the ROC curve analysis showed a higher accuracy for BMI than for the BAI regarding the discriminatory capacity. CONCLUSION: The BAI could be a good tool to measure adiposity due, at least in part, to the advantages over other more complex mechanical or electrical systems. Probably, the most important advantage of BAI over BMI is that weight is not needed. However, in general it seems that the BAI does not overcome the limitations of BMI

Potential benefits of using a toolkit developed to aid in the adaptation of HTA reports: a case study considering positron emission tomography (PET) and Hodgkin's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The preparation of HTA reports requires a great deal of time, effort and resource, and there is a desire to improve efficiency, avoid duplication of effort and facilitate the transfer of knowledge between countries. This is of particular importance for countries with more limited resources which have less capacity to produce their own reports. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of duplication of published Health Technology Assessment (HTA) reports, on the same technology, for the same indication; using positron emission tomography (PET) for lung cancer and Hodgkin's disease as a case study. This was done in order to assess the potential usefulness of a toolkit developed to aid in the adaptation of HTA reports from one context or country to another.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic search of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) CRD HTA database was conducted in June 2008 in order to identify full HTA reports containing information on the use of PET for lung cancer and Hodgkin's disease, written in English, and readily available on the web. The contents of the reports identified were then examined to assess the extent of duplication of content between reports and potential for the use of the toolkit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From 132 records of HTA reports about PET, 8 reports were identified as fulfilling all the criteria set, and therefore demonstrating potential duplication of effort. All these reports covered four similar domains, technology use, safety, effectiveness and economic evaluation. Five of the reports also considered organisational aspects.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There was some duplication of effort in the preparation of HTA reports concerned with the use of PET for lung cancer and Hodgkin's disease. This is an example of where resource could have been conserved and time saved by the use of a toolkit developed to aid in the adaptation of HTA reports from one context to another.</p