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A computational method for wave propagation from a point load in an anisotropic material

One approach which is employed to solve dynamic point load problems in plates and laminates is to take integral transforms to reduce the governing equations to a system of ordinary differential equations with respect to the depth variable. The solution of this system leads to expressions for the transforms of the displacement and stress components at any level in the plate and the transient response at any location may then be recovered by inversion of the multiple transforms. The formal transform inversion involves a double infinite integral but by making a change of variable this may be replaced by an infinite integral associated with a line source and a finite integral with respect to the orientation of the line. A first attempt at applying this approach to obtain the point load response of quasi-isotropic fibre composite laminate led to a non-causal predicted signal. This paper deals with an investigation of this proposed method applied to the simpler model problem of wave propagation in a two-dimensional anisotropic medium. Results are obtained for two different time histories of point loads, namely: a delta function; and a single period of a sine function. In the case of the delta function source a comparison is made with the analytic solution and the errors arising from the numerical approach are discussed. Graphs are also presented showing the non-causal contributions to the overall response which arise at individual angles of orientation of the line source.

Journal Article↗

Adsorption behavior of heavy metals on biomaterials.

We have investigated adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) at pH 2-6.7 onto the biomaterials chitosan, coffee, green tea, tea, yuzu, aloe, and Japanese coarse tea, and onto the inorganic adsorbents, activated carbon and zeolite. High adsorptive capabilities were observed for all of the biomaterials at pH 4 and 6.7. In the adsorption of Cd(II), blend coffee, tea, green tea, and coarse tea have comparable loading capacities to activated carbon and zeolite. Although activated carbon, zeolite, and chitosan are utilized in a variety of fields such as wastewater treatment, chemical and metallurgical engineering, and analytical chemistry, these adsorbents are costly. On the other hand, processing of the test biomaterials was inexpensive, and all the biomaterials except for chitosan were able to adsorb large amounts of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions after a convenient pretreatment of washing with water followed by drying. The high adsorption capability of the biomaterials prepared from plant materials is promising in the development of a novel, low-cost adsorbent. From these results, it is concluded that heavy metal removal using biomaterials would be an effective method for the economic treatment of wastewater. The proposed adsorption method was applied to the determination of amounts of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in water samples.

Adsorption↗

Choice of exposure scores for categorical regression in meta-analysis: a case study of a common problem.

OBJECTIVE: Reporting categorical relative risk estimates for a series of exposure levels versus a common reference category is a widespread practice. In meta-analysis, categorical regression estimates a dose-response trend from such results. This method requires the assignment of a single score to each exposure category. We examined how closely meta-analytical categorical regression approximates the results of analysis based on the individual-level continuous exposure. METHODS: The analysis included five studies on tea intake and outcomes related to colorectal cancer. In addition, we derived categorical mean and median values from published distributions of tea consumption in similar populations to assign scores to the categories of tea intake when possible. We examined whether these derived mean and median values well approximate the individual-level results. RESULTS: In meta-analytical categorical regression, using the midrange scores approximated the individual-level continuous analyses reasonably well, if the value assigned to the uppermost, open-ended category was at least as high as the lower bound plus the width of the second-highest category. Categorical mean values derived from the published distributions of regular tea (in the US) and green tea (in Japan) well approximated the slope obtained from individual-level analysis. CONCLUSION: Publication of both the categorical and the continuous estimates of effect in primary studies, with their standard errors, can enhance the quality of meta-analysis, as well as providing intrinsically valuable information on dose-response.

Age Distribution↗

Analysis of morphine and its 3- and 6-glucuronides by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection following solid phase extraction from neonatal plasma.

A rapid, sensitive and simple to operate high performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in plasma is described. The drug and its metabolites were extracted from plasma using commercially available reversed phase octylsilane bonded silica columns (1 mL Bond Elut C8, 50 mg). Chromatographic separation of morphine and its metabolites was achieved using a mobile phase, consisting of 2 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate in 0.05% phosphoric acid:acetonitrile (71.5:28.5 by volume), at a flow-rate of 1.2 mL/min, in conjunction with a Waters Nova-Pak C18 column (300 x 3.9 mm). The analytical column was used in combination with a Guard-Pak module containing a Nova-Pak C18 Guard-Pak insert. Using fluorescence detection (excitation 245 nm, emission 335 nm), plasma levels in the region of 5-10 micrograms/L for the drug and its metabolites can be detected with only 200 microL of plasma. The method has been applied to studies of the disposition of morphine and its metabolites in premature neonates requiring mechanical ventilation who were receiving the drug intravenously; preliminary findings in patients at steady state are presented.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

A sequential injection system for the spectrophotometric determination of calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in water samples.

A sequential injection methodology for the spectrophotometric determination of calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in water samples is proposed. A single manifold is used for the determination of the three analytes, and the same protocol sequence allows the sequential determination of calcium and magnesium (the sum corresponds to the water hardness). The determination of both metals is based on their reaction with cresolphtalein complexone; mutual interference is minimized by using 8-hydroxyquinoline for the determination of calcium and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for the determination of magnesium. Alkalinity determination is based on a reaction with acetic acid, and corresponding color change of Bromcresol Green. Working ranges of 0.5 - 5 mg dm(-3) for Ca, 0.5 - 10 mg dm(-3) for Mg, and 10 - 100 mg HCO3- dm(-3), for alkalinity have been achieved. The results for water samples were comparable to those of the reference methods and to a certified reference water sample. RSDs lower than 5% were obtained, a low reagent consumption and a reduced volume of effluent have been accomplished. The determination rate for calcium and magnesium is 80 h(-1), corresponding to 40 h(-1) per element, while 65 determinations of alkalinity per hour could be carried out.

Alkalies↗

Spectrophotometry of occult blood in feces.

This method for measuring fecal occult blood is based on the heme-catalyzed oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine by H2O2. An aliquot of heated stool homogenate is mixed with acetic acid to chemically separate heme from globin. The heme is extracted into ethyl acetate and reacted with the reagent and H2O2 to produce a green oxidation product. The reaction is followed kinetically for 30 to 60 s at 660 nm. A660 is linearly related to the amount of hemoglobin. The lower limit of detection is 1 to 2 mg of hemoglobin per gram (wet weight) of feces. Within-day precision (CV) of the analysis for hemoglobin added to stool specimens (4 to 30 mg/g) ranged from 2.3 to 7.6%, between-day CV from 2.1 to 8.1%. Analytical recovery of hemoglobin added to fecal specimens (4 to 30 mg/g) ranged from 86.7 to 106.2%. Of the substances known to interfere with conventional dye-oxidation tests for fecal occult blood, only myoglobin and ascorbic acid interfere with hemoglobin quantification by our procedure. The test is fast, inexpensive, and easy to perform, and involves equipment available in hospital laboratories.

Benzidines↗

A technique to detect and to quantify fasciocutaneous blood vessels in small laboratory animals ex vivo.

PURPOSE: A microangiographical technique is described, which allows visualization of small and capillary blood vessels and quantification of fasciocutaneous blood vessels by means of digital computer analysis in very small laboratory animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The left carotid artery of 20 nu/nu mice was cannulated (26 gauge) and a mixture of gelatin, bariumsulfate, and green ink was injected according to standardized protocol. Fasciocutaneous blood vessels were visualized by digital mammography and analyzed for vessel length and vessel surface area as standardized units [SU] by computer program. RESULTS: With the described microangiography method, fasciocutaneous blood vessels down to capillary size level can be clearly visualized. Regions of interest (ROIs) can be defined and the containing vascular network quantified. Comparable results may be obtained by calculating the microvascular area index (MAI) and the microvascular length index (MLI), related to the ROIs size. Identical ROIs showed a high reproducibility for measured [SU] < 0.01 +/- 0.0012%. CONCLUSION: Combining microsurgical techniques, pharmacological knowledge, and modern digital image technology, we were able to visualize small and capillary blood vessels even in small laboratory animals. By using our own computer analytical program, quantification of vessels was reliable, highly reproducible, and fast.

Angiography↗

Fluorescence-sensing methods.

Novel approaches to sensor design, based on the use of an internal standard with appropriate spectral properties, provide new possibilities for designing simple devices for fluorescence sensing. Detection of combined emission from the reference and an analyte-sensitive fluorophore has been achieved in numerous measurements in cuvettes, tissues, and high-throughput formats. These methods have been used with a long-lifetime reference to measure pH, O2, pCO2, glucose, and calcium by means of modulation-sensing methods as well as by the use of oriented films as the reference for polarization sensing of glucose, pH, oxygen, and lactate. Polarization sensing has also been developed with visual detection to measure the concentration of rhodamine B and pH. Modulation and polarization sensing was found to be effective in highly scattering media such as Intralipid or tissue. The applicability of these technologies to transdermal diagnostics depends on the availability of red fluorophores that can be used in vivo. One dye that could possibly be used is indocyanine green (IcG), which absorbs and emits at wavelengths above 700 nm. Furthermore, IcG has already been approved for use in humans for monitoring burn severity and it has been detected through the skin. It appears likely that modern optics and electronic technology will allow the development of practical devices for biomedical use as shown in Scheme 1.

Fluorescence↗

Determination of tea components with antioxidant activity.

Levels of essential elements with antioxidant activity, as well as catechins, gallic acid, and caffeine levels, in a total of 45 samples of different teas commercialized in Spain have been evaluated. Chromium, manganese, selenium, and zinc were determined in the samples mineralized with HNO(3) and V(2)O(5), using ETAAS as the analytical technique. The reliability of the procedure was checked by analysis of a certified reference material. Large variations in the trace element composition of teas were observed. The levels ranged from 50.6 to 371.4 ng/g for Cr, from 76.1 to 987.6 microg/g for Mn, from 48.5 to 114.6 ng/g for Se, and from 56.3 to 78.6 ng/g for Zn. The four major catechins [(-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (-)-epicatechin (EC)], gallic acid (GA), and caffeine were simultaneously determined by a simple and fast HPLC method using a photodiode array detector. In all analyzed samples, EGCG ranged from 1.4 to 103.5 mg/g, EGC from 3.9 to 45.3 mg/g, ECG from 0.2 to 45.6 mg/g, and EC ranged from 0.6 to 21.2 mg/g. These results indicated that green tea has a higher content of catechins than both oolong and fermented teas (red and black teas); the fermentation process during tea manufacturing reduces the levels of catechins significantly. Gallic acid content ranged from 0.039 to 6.7 mg/g; the fermentation process also elevated remarkably gallic acid levels in black teas (mean level of 3.9 +/- 1.5 mg/g). The amount of caffeine in the analyzed samples ranged from 7.5 to 86.6 mg/g, and the lower values were detected in green and oolong teas. This study will be useful for the appraisal of trace elements and antioxidant components in various teas, and it will also be of interest for people who like drinking this beverage.

Antioxidants↗

The steroid hormonal milieu of the undisturbed human fetus and mother at 16-20 weeks gestation.

The interrelations of steroid hormone levels in plasma and amniotic fluid from mothers and their undisturbed fetuses at early midgestation of human pregnancy have not been defined previously. We, therefore, studied 12 healthy mothers and their fetuses undergoing termination of pregnancy for social reasons at 16-20 weeks gestation. Fetal arterial and venous blood was obtained by direct vessel puncture through a fetoscope in the conscious sedated mothers immediately before termination of pregnancy. Simultaneously, maternal peripheral venous blood and amniotic fluid were collected. Aldosterone (Aldo), corticosterone (B), 11-deoxycorticosterone, progesterone (P), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol (F), and cortisone were simultaneously determined by specific RIA after extraction and chromatography. Positive fetal arterio-venous differences were found for F, B, and Aldo, whereas arteriovenous differences were negative for P and 17OHP. In amniotic fluid, six of the eight corticosteroids showed significantly lower levels during fetoscopy than during routine amniocentesis, as reported previously using the same analytical methods. The present study demonstrates that the undisturbed human fetus at 16-20 weeks gestation actively secretes the most important gluco- and mineralocorticoids, F, B, and Aldo, independent of the mother. P and 17OHP were shown to be primarily derived from placental production and supplied to the fetus as a source of F and Aldo biosynthesis. The fetoscopy procedure with premedication seemed to give rise to less stress to the fetus than routine amniocentesis without sedation. Fetoscopy is, therefore, an ideal method to study feto-maternal steroid interrelations in human pregnancy.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

Determination of bopindolol using the flow injection technique coupled with solid phase extraction.

In the proposed procedure, the determination of bopindolol using a flow injection analysis (FIA) technique, with spectrophotometric detection at 635 nm, is described. The method is based on the production of a green, water-soluble complex with ferric ions in acid medium. The automated lab-made FIA system was used for the direct determination of bopindolol in tablets. Bopindolol was adsorbed onto the solid phase in a mini-column, which was integrated directly into the flow system. The positive feature of the use of solid phase extraction (SPE) was the pre-concentration of bopindolol (seven times). The sample throughput was 50 samples per hour. Using the SPE method, bopindolol was determined with a linear range from 125 to 1000 microg ml(-1) (Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.)=1.87%), with a detection limit (3sigma) of 70 microg ml(-1). The method was applied to the determination of bopindolol in Sandonorm tablets. The results obtained were compared with a conventional HPLC method, both analytical techniques were in good agreement.

Calibration↗

Effectiveness of universal pre-enrichment broth for recovery of Salmonella from selected dairy foods.

The relative efficiencies of 2 Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) pre-enrichments, lactose broth (LAC) and brilliant green water (BGW), were compared with Universal Pre-enrichment (UP) broth for the recovery of individual Salmonella serovars from instant nonfat dry milk (NFDM), dry whole milk (DWM), lactic casein (LC), and liquid whole milk (LWM). BGW was compared with UP broth for the analysis of NFDM and DWM but not with the other 2 matrixes. LAC was compared with UP broth for the analysis of LC and LWM. UP broth was made both from a commercial dehydrated preparation (UPC) and from individual ingredients (UPI). Bulk quantities of the selected dairy foods were inoculated with Salmonella serovars at levels intended to produce fractionally positive results, where at least half of the test portions analyzed, with one of the methods being evaluated, would be shown to be Salmonella-positive. For NFDM, in 6 of 9 experiments, with 2 different Salmonella serovars, BGW was significantly more productive than either UPI or UPC broth (p < 0.05). Salmonella was recovered from 118 of 180 test portions with BGW, from 25 of 180 test portions with UPC, and from 14 of 180 test portions with UPI. For DWM, in 2 of 4 experiments, with 2 different Salmonella serovars, BGW was significantly more productive than either UPI or UPC broth (p < 0.05). Salmonella was recovered from 67 of 80 test portions with BGW, from 36 of 80 test portions with UPC, and from 37 of 80 test portions with UPI. For LWM, in 9 of 9 experiments, with 3 different Salmonella serovars, there were no significant differences among the broths. Salmonella was recovered from 120 of 180 test portions with LAC, from 135 of 180 test portions with UPC, and from 129 of 180 test portions with UPI. For LC, in 5 of 7 experiments, with 2 different Salmonella serovars, both UPI and UPC broth were significantly more productive than LAC (p < 0.05). Salmonella was recovered from 42 of 140 test portions with LAC, from 114 of 140 test portions with UPC, and from 114 of 140 test portions with UPI. In addition, overall results showed that UPC and UPI broths were equivalent for the recovery of Salmonella from the foods tested, without regard to their performance in comparison with either LAC or BGW.

Animals↗

Retroviral infection and selection of culture-derived platelets allows study of the effect of transgenes on platelet physiology ex vivo and on thrombus formation in vivo.

UNLABELLED: Background- We recently reported the development of culture-derived (CD) platelets with the aim to express any protein of interest in these platelets. We now report a specific protocol of retroviral infection into the progenitor cells and subsequent selection, which allows to generate large amounts of highly homogenous transgene-expressing CD platelets and to study transgene function rapidly and reliably at large-scale ex vivo and in vivo settings. METHODS AND RESULTS: After retroviral infection and selection, the activation-dependent expression profile of surface markers, aggregation, and granule release were investigated. The function of transgene-expressing CD platelets, the precursor cells of which had been retrovirally infected, compared well to noninfected CD platelets or freshly isolated platelets. Hence, the retroviral infection protocol did not alter platelet physiology. In contrast, adenoviral infection of precursors to CD platelets resulted in marked functional alterations that obviated their use in analytic experiments. Additionally, sufficient amounts of selected CD platelets were generated to warrant intravenous injections into living mice. This approach permitted study of their adhesive profile at endothelial lesions and their effect on thrombus formation in vivo by intravital videofluorescence microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The novel selection method allowed us to produce recombinant transgene-expressing platelets in sufficient amounts to study genetically modified platelets in vitro and in vivo.

Adenoviridae↗

Side-by-side comparison of three sampling methods for aerosolized endotoxin in a wastewater treatment facility.

Research studies have established the occurrence of adverse health effects in individuals exposed to organic dusts and water aerosols laden with endotoxin. To determine what exposure levels cause these health effects, it is necessary to quantify airborne endotoxin. Several scientific studies have demonstrated that the quantification of detectable endotoxin is affected by differences in sampling media, analytical method, and aerosol composition. The study reported here performed side-by-side endotoxin sampling using a liquid impinger, a glass fiber filter, and a polycarbonate filter in a wastewater treatment plant. Results show levels of detected endotoxin appear to be highest with the impinger. Coefficients of variation calculated for each sampling method show the glass fiber filter having the least variability when sampling was conducted at the highest endotoxin levels. Lastly, a Spearman rank order correlation test identified an apparent correlation between endotoxin levels obtained with the impinger and the glass fiber filter.

Aerosols↗

Red- and green-emitting firefly luciferase mutants for bioluminescent reporter applications.

Light emission from the North American firefly Photinus pyralis, which emits yellow-green (557-nm) light, is widely believed to be the most efficient bioluminescence system known, making this luciferase an excellent tool for monitoring gene expression. Here, we present studies leading to the production of a set of red- and green-emitting luciferase mutants with bioluminescent properties suitable for expanding the use of the P. pyralis system to dual-color reporter assays, biosensor measurements with internal controls, and imaging techniques. Using a combination of mutagenesis methods, we determined that the Ser284Thr mutation was sufficient to create an excellent red-emitting luciferase with a bioluminescence maximum of 615 nm, a narrow emission bandwidth, and favorable kinetic properties. Also, we developed a luciferase, containing the changes Val241Ile, Gly246Ala, and Phe250Ser, whose emission maximum was blue-shifted to 549 nm, providing a set of enzymes whose bioluminescence maxima were separated by 66 nm. Model studies demonstrated that in assays using a set of optical filters, the luciferases could be detected at the attomole level and seven orders of magnitude higher. In addition, in the presence of the Ser284Thr enzyme serving as a control, green light emission could be measured over a 10,000-fold range. The results presented here with the P. pyralis mutants provide evidence that simultaneous multiple analyte assay development is feasible with these novel proteins that require only a single substrate.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

[Serum status of carotenoids in control subjects and its relation to the diet].

Carotenoids are a group of fat soluble pigments which are present in the human being, both in blood, as in tissues, and which are obtained through the diet, mainly from fruits and vegetables. The interest of these compounds is due not only to the provitamin A activity of some of them, but also due to a whole series of biological activities such as: antioxidant or prooxidant, photo-protective, modulator of the immune response, anti-carcinogen, etc. The best analytical method available for the analysis of carotenoids is high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which is used in our study both for serum as for foods, and it is controlled throughout periodic quality controls. In this article we present the preliminary results of the levels of the major serum carotenoids (b-carotene, a-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene) in control subjects from five European countries, as well as indicating the major dietary contributors to the carotenoids intake in the Spanish population. The percentage of each carotenoid to the total of the carotenoids analyzed, varies according to the origin of the studied population. Ireland and the UK show a very similar carotenoids profile. France presents the highest levels of lutein and b-carotene, which are present simultaneously in green vegetables. Spain shows the lowest levels of b-carotene, along with the highest levels of b-cryptoxanthin, which in our country is supplied mainly by oranges and tangerines. The most abundant carotenoid in all countries was lycopene. The average daily intake of these carotenoids (from fresh fruits and vegetables) in our population, is 3.5 mg/day. Through the relationships between the dietary carotenoid contents and serum the identification of "biomarkers" have been proposed, which might be correlated with several pathological situations, and thus contribute to the prevention of certain diseases.

Adult↗

A compound poisson process for relaxing the molecular clock.

The molecular clock hypothesis remains an important conceptual and analytical tool in evolutionary biology despite the repeated observation that the clock hypothesis does not perfectly explain observed DNA sequence variation. We introduce a parametric model that relaxes the molecular clock by allowing rates to vary across lineages according to a compound Poisson process. Events of substitution rate change are placed onto a phylogenetic tree according to a Poisson process. When an event of substitution rate change occurs, the current rate of substitution is modified by a gamma-distributed random variable. Parameters of the model can be estimated using Bayesian inference. We use Markov chain Monte Carlo integration to evaluate the posterior probability distribution because the posterior probability involves high dimensional integrals and summations. Specifically, we use the Metropolis-Hastings-Green algorithm with 11 different move types to evaluate the posterior distribution. We demonstrate the method by analyzing a complete mtDNA sequence data set from 23 mammals. The model presented here has several potential advantages over other models that have been proposed to relax the clock because it is parametric and does not assume that rates change only at speciation events. This model should prove useful for estimating divergence times when substitution rates vary across lineages.

Bayes Theorem↗

Normal and perturbed Chinese hamster ovary cells: correlation of DNA, RNA, and protein content by flow cytometry.

Quantitative, correlated determinations of DNA, RNA, and protein, as well as RNA to DNA and RNA to protein ratios, were performed on three-color stained cells using a multiwavelength-excitation flow cytometer. DNA-bound Hoechst 33342 (blue), protein-fluorescein isothiocyanate (green), and RNA-bound pyronin Y (red) fluorescence measurements were correlated as each stained cell intersected three spatially separated laser beams. The analytical scheme provided sensitive and accurate fluorescence determinations by minimizing the effects of overlap in the spectral characteristics of the three dyes. Computer analysis was used to generate two-parameter contour density profiles as well as to obtain numerical data for subpopulations delineated on the basis of cellular DNA content. Such determinations allowed for analysis of RNA to DNA and RNA to protein ratios for cells within particular regions of the cell cycle. The technique was used to study the interrelationship of DNA, RNA, and protein contents in exponentially growing Chinese hamster ovary cells as well as in cell populations progressing the cell cycle after release from arrest in G1 phase. The sensitivity of the method for early detection of conditions of unbalanced growth is demonstrated in the comparison of the differential effects of the cycle-perturbing agent, adriamycin, on cells treated either during exponential growth or while reversibly arrested in G1 phase.

Animals↗