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Containing Water (containing + water)
Selected AbstractsCharacterization and differentiation of diverse transgenic and nontransgenic soybean varieties from CE protein profilesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 13 2007Carmen García-Ruiz Abstract Nowadays, soybeans are commercialized in a wide variety of colors and tones. Moreover, some pigmented seeds are being commercialized as soybeans while, on other occasions, these seeds are labeled as mung beans, azuki beans or soybean frijoles generating confusion on their identity. In this work, CE has been applied for the first time for the characterization and differentiation of different pigmented beans commercialized as soybeans. Other seeds commercialized as azuki, mung green soybeans or soybean frijoles were also analyzed. Borate buffer (at pH,8.5) containing 20% v/v ACN was used as the separation media and solution containing ACN/water (75:25 v/v) with 0.3% v/v acetic acid was used to solubilize the proteins from the samples. A 50,cm bare fused-silica capillary was employed for obtaining adequate separations in about 12,min. The CE protein pattern observed for yellow soybeans was different from that corresponding to green and red soybeans. The seeds commercialized as black soybean presented electropherograms identical or similar to those yielded by the yellow seeds with the exception of the sample labeled as black soybeans frijoles that presented a totally different pattern. In addition, CE protein profiles obtained for azuki and mung green soybeans were very similar to those corresponding to red soybeans and green soybeans, respectively. Finally, the CE method was also applied to differentiate transgenic and nontransgenic soybean varieties. Discriminant analysis, using several protein peak areas as variable, was used to successfully classify these samples. [source] Cadmium accumulation by invertebrates living at the sediment,water interfaceENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2001Landis Hare Abstract Benthic animals can take up trace metals both from the sediment compartment in which they burrow and from the water column compartment above their burrows (we define both compartments as containing water and particles). If criteria for the protection of benthic animals are based on metal concentrations in one of these two compartments, then it should first be demonstrated that the majority of the metal taken up by these animals comes from the given compartment. To determine whether benthic animals take up the majority of their cadmium (Cd) from the sediment compartment, we created a Cd gradient in lake sediment and compared Cd accumulation by the invertebrates colonizing these sediments with Cd concentrations in the sediment compartment. On the basis of this relationship and using a bioaccumulation model, we estimate that indigenous benthic invertebrates take up the majority of their Cd from the water column compartment. The results of our experiment are similar to those from a previous study conducted on a different benthic community in a larger lake. Taxa common to both lakes obtained similar proportions of their Cd from the water column compartment, suggesting that Cd accumulation by the same species will be constant across lakes of differing size and chemistry. Our results strengthen the argument that the protection of benthic communities from metal pollution should consider metal in both the water column and sediment compartments. In this regard, the AVS model, which considers only sedimentary metals, was more effective in predicting Cd concentrations in pore waters than those in most animal taxa. We suggest that measurements of vertical chemical heterogeneity in sediments and of animal behavior would aid in predicting the bioaccumulation and effects of sedimentary pollutants. [source] Recovery of lipase by adsorption at the n -hexadecane,water interfaceJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2003Hui-Min Wang Abstract A novel separation process based on the hydrophobic adsorption at the n -hexadecane,water interface was developed for the recovery of Acinetobacter radioresistens lipase from a pre-treated fermentation broth. In a mixture containing water, lipase and n -hexadecane, a water-in-oil emulsion was formed when the n -hexadecane-to-water ratio (o/w ratio) was larger than 3, and a large amount of lipase was found to be adsorbed at the interface. Compared with the oil-in-water emulsion (occurring when o/w ratio < 3), the water-in-oil emulsion generated smaller droplets and larger interfacial area, and was more stable. The harvested emulsion phase could be centrifuged to give an aqueous, concentrated lipase solution. Adsorption of lipase at the interface could be described by the Langmuir isotherm. For lipase concentrations ranging from 8.4 to 87.2 U cm,3, a single-stage adsorption resulted in a six- to four-fold concentration and 16,45% activity recovery, where lipase concentration was the dominant factor. A method using data from a single-stage adsorption to predict multiple-stage operation was described, and the agreement between the experimental and the predicted results was good. To improve the enzyme recovery, a multiple-run adsorption process was proposed. The use of salts enhanced the hydrophobic interaction between lipase and n -hexadecane. Advantages of the proposed process include simple operation, low operational cost, environmentally friendly, no requirement for pre-concentration of the enzyme solution, and negligible enzyme denaturation. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Increased Consumption but Not Operant Self-administration of Ethanol in Mice Lacking the RII, Subunit of Protein Kinase AALCOHOLISM, Issue 5 2006Frank M. Ferraro III Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) is involved in the neurobiological responses to ethanol. Previous reports indicate that mice lacking the RII, subunit of PKA (RII,,/,) voluntarily consume more ethanol than wild-type controls (RII,+/+) using 2-bottle testing procedures. Although such procedures primarily measure consummatory behavior, operant self-administration procedures allow analysis of consummatory as well as appetitive or "ethanol-seeking" behavior (i.e., lever pressing is required to gain access to the ethanol solution). Therefore, we determined whether the high ethanol consumption characteristic of RII,,/, mice would be complemented by increased appetitive ethanol-seeking behavior in an operant paradigm. Methods: RII,,/, (n=8) and RII,+/+ (n=8) mice were initially sucrose-faded until they were lever responding for nonsweetened ethanol (10, 14, and 18%). Following the self-administration testing, RII,+/+ and RII,,/, mice were given access to 2 bottles, one containing water and the other ethanol to replicate the voluntary ethanol drinking data previously from our laboratory. Finally, immediately after voluntary consumption all mice were again tested for self-administration of 10% ethanol. Alterations in the reinforcement schedule were also explored as RII,+/+ and RII,,/, mice were tested for self-administration of 10% ethanol at FR-3 and FR-5 schedules. Results: The RII,,/, mice displayed lower operant responding for ethanol and food reinforcement compared with RII,+/+ controls. However, this effect was driven by a significant increase in lever responses made by female RII,+/+ mice. When the excessive lever responses of the female RII,+/+ mice are accounted for, the RII,,/, mice show ethanol lever responses comparable to controls. Following operant self-administration testing, RII,,/, mice of both sexes consumed more ethanol solution compared with RII,+/+ mice during 2-bottle testing. Conclusions: Increased ingestion of ethanol by RII,,/, mice is likely the result of altered PKA activity within neuronal pathways that control ethanol-consummatory behaviors. Conversely, the RII, subunit of PKA appears not to play a critical role in neuronal pathways that regulate appetitive behaviors directed at obtaining ethanol. Finally, increased operant self-administration of food and ethanol by female wild-type mice was absent in female RII,,/, mice, suggesting that normal PKA signaling may be part of a general, and sex-dependent, mechanism involved with reinforcement-seeking behavior. [source] Preparation of Pie-Shaped and Rugged Aromatic Polyamide ParticlesMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2008Yayoi Yoshioka Abstract Aromatic polyamide particles were prepared by reacting diamines and diacid chlorides in a reaction solution containing water. They consisted of submicron-sized pie-shaped or rugged spherical particles with a narrow size distribution. The surface morphology of these particles was found to vary with the volume of water added, the reaction solvent, and the monomer concentration, but the degree of crystallinity of the particles obtained was almost the same. In addition, the molecular weight of the resulting material depended on the volume of water added and the monomer concentration. During the particle formation process, the degree of crystallinity was set at the initial stage, and thereafter the morphology and the molecular weight changed gradually with reaction time. [source] Apoptosis of circulating lymphocyte in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction: Role of angiotensin IINEPHROLOGY, Issue 5 2005SOMCHIT EIAM-ONG SUMMARY: Background: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) could induce increased renal angiotensin II (ANG II), which enhances apoptosis of renal tubular cells and renal tissue loss. Systemic ANG II is also increased in UUO. There are no data available about whether UUO can induce apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes or not. Methods: UUO or sham-operated male Wistar rats (n = 8 in each group) were fed a drinking solution containing water, angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist (ARA; losartan, 500 mg/L) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI; enalapril: 200 mg/L) for 1 day or 7 days. Blood samples were collected and circulating lymphocyte cells were separated. The apoptotic cells were detected by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT assay)-mediated digoxigenin/antidigoxigenin conjugated fluorescein method and counted under a fluorescence microscope. The apoptotic index was calculated. Results: UUO caused marked increases in the apoptotic index of circulating lymphocytes in UUO rats at both 1 day and 7 days when compared with the respective sham groups (P < 0.001). Neither ARA nor ACEI treatment had an effect on the apoptotic index values in the UUO rats at 1 day. In the UUO rats at 7 days, the apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes was markedly decreased from 29.2 ± 2.7% to 11.9 ± 2.7% (P < 0.01) in the ARA-treated rats and to 7.6 ± 2.7% (P < 0.001) in the ACEI-treated rats. Conclusion: UUO, via stimulation of ANG II, could promptly enhance apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes. The apoptosis persisted throughout the 7 days of the study. Prolonged UUO would impair lymphocyte cell immunity and the host defense mechanism. Continuous treatment with either ARA or ACEI could abrogate ANG II-stimulated circulating lymphocyte apoptosis. [source] A Novel Approach to Teaching PeriocardiocentesisACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2009Mara Aloi Pericardiocentesis can be a life-saving intervention but it is associated with significant complications if not performed appropriately. Periocardiocentesis should ideally be done under ultrasound guidance. However, in many community emergency departments (EDs) ultrasound is not routinely available, leaving the ED physician the anatomic approach. Emergency medicine residents need to achieve competence in this procedure using both techniques, but there are limited opportunities for residents to perform this procedure on live patients. Many residency programs teach this procedure using cadaver models. We have devised a model, made with readily available, inexpensive materials, that allows residents to practice pericardiocentesis using both the subxiphoid and parasternal approach in a setting that we feel is more life-like than with that using the dessicated tissue of routine cadaver models. Materials: Two racks of pork or beef ribs, wire, pericardiocentesis tray, Betadine, plastic baggies. The racks of ribs are wired together to make a thorax and are then covered with an opaque covering to simulate skin. One plastic bag is filled with Betadine and then placed within another plastic bag containing water, to simulate pericardial effusion. The bag-within-bag set-up is then secured on the under surface of the thorax. Residents can then practice either the parasternal or subxiphoid approach with the intent of aspirating clear fluid. Aspiration of dark-fluid represents cardiac penetration and is considered an unsuccessful procedure. Bags can be replaced as needed, but based on our experience, approximately 10 attempts were done before any significant leakage occurred. Total cost for the materials was less than $35. [source] A Model for Ultrasound-Assisted Lumbar PunctureACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2009Matthew Herron Clinicians may find traditional lumbar puncture (LP) attempts fail due to indistinct landmarks in morbidly obese patients necessitating ultrasound localization or fluoroscopy. We believe a readily available teaching model is needed because many emergency physicians may be unfamiliar with ultrasound-assisted LP. Review of current literature shows that there are few commercially available LP models suitable for use with ultrasound. Those on the market are expensive and have limited reusability. We have succeeded in creating a low-cost reusable model for training health care professionals to perform ultrasound-assisted LP. We believe there will be many benefits to using this model including: increase in emergency department (ED) LP success rates, decrease in number of radiology consults for fluoroscopy, increase in patient satisfaction, decreased waiting time in the ED, and fewer complications due to fewer needle passes. This model effectively reproduces the sonographic appearance of the lumbar spine and overlying soft tissue and aids in teaching bedside ultrasound-assisted LP. The model has an opaque "skin" overlying a gel wax mold containing a lumbar spine. A catheter containing water is imbedded in the spine to simulate the spinal canal and cerebrospinal fluid. The skin allows for a more realistic procedure and can be removed for visual confirmation of a successful LP. In addition, successful needle placement will result in return of clear fluid. Construction of the model requires a commercially available lumbar spine and items found in craft stores with a total cost of approximately $100. [source] Spatial Modeling of Wetland Condition in the U.S. Prairie Pothole RegionBIOMETRICS, Issue 2 2002J. Andrew Royle Summary. We propose a spatial modeling framework for wetland data produced from a remote-sensing-based waterfowl habitat survey conducted in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). The data produced from this survey consist of the area containing water on many thousands of wetland basins (i.e., prairie potholes). We propose a two-state model containing wet and dry states. This model provides a concise description of wet probability, i.e., the probability that a basin contains water, and the amount of water contained in wet basins. The two model components are spatially linked through a common latent effect, which is assumed to be spatially correlated. Model fitting and prediction is carried out using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The model primarily facilitates mapping of habitat conditions, which is useful in varied monitoring and assessment capacities. More importantly, the predictive capability of the model provides a rigorous statistical framework for directing management and conservation activities by enabling characterization of habitat structure at any point on the landscape. [source] Double-blind placebo-controlled house dust mite control measures in adult patients with atopic dermatitisBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2001C. Gutgesell Background Avoidance of allergens has been shown to be of benefit in patients with atopic asthma sensitized to indoor allergens. In atopic dermatitis, there is so far little information about the effect of house dust mite elimination strategies. Objectives We therefore performed a randomized controlled study of house dust mite control in patients with this disease. Methods Twenty adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis were included. Inclusion criteria were a positive RAST to house dust mite antigen (CAP class >,3) and a concentration of >,2 µg g,1 of the house dust mite antigen Der p1 in the patient's mattress dust. Patients were randomized to either the active treatment group (allergen-impermeable mattress encasing, acaricide spray containing tannic acid and benzylbenzoate) or a control group (allergen-permeable encasing, spray containing water and traces of ethanol). Severity of disease was estimated every 2 months by an established score (SCORAD), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the use of topical steroids was quantified. Patients assessed daytime pruritus and pruritus-induced sleeplessness weekly on a visual analogue scale. The study lasted 1 year. Results At the end of the study, the active treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction in Der p1 exposure as compared with the control group. However, when comparing the change from the start to the end of the study, there was no statistically significant difference between active treatment and control groups as measured by the SCORAD score and by ECP levels in the serum. Some patients in the active treatment group reported less pruritus-induced sleeplessness, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups. Conclusions For adult patients with atopic dermatitis it was shown that 1 year of house dust mite avoidance reduced the allergen exposure, but an improvement of overall disease activity was not demonstrated. [source] | |||||||||||||