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Distinct Increase (distinct + increase)
Selected AbstractsProductivity and Sustainability of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.),Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System as Influenced by Prilled Urea, Farmyard Manure and AzotobacterJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 5 2004A. Das Abstract Field experiments were conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during 2001,2002 and 2002,2003, to study the effect of inorganic, organic and Azotobacter combined sources of N on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and their residual effect on succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The results indicated considerable increase in yield attributes and mean seed cotton yield (2.33 Mg ha,1) with the combined application of 30 kg N and farmyard manure (FYM) at 12 Mg ha,1 along with Azotobacter (M4). The treatment in cotton that included FYM, especially when fertilizer N was also applied could either improve or maintain the soil fertility status in terms of available N, P and K. Distinct increase in yield attributes and grain yield of wheat was observed with the residual effect of integrated application of 30 kg N ha,1 + FYM at 12 Mg ha,1 + Azotobacter. Direct application of 120 kg N ha,1 resulted 67.4 and 17.7 % increase in mean grain yield of wheat over no N and 60 kg N ha,1, respectively. Integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizer is therefore, recommended for higher productivity and sustainability of the cotton,wheat system. [source] The lower esophageal sphincter strength in patients with gastroesophageal reflux before and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplicationDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 1 2007J. H. Schneider SUMMARY., Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and sphincter strength (LESS) were measured before and after short and floppy laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in 38 patients with severe gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). These patients were compared with a control group of 23 healthy volunteers. GERD was assessed by stationary manometry, 24-h pH recordings and endoscopy. LESS was verified by motorized pull-back of an air-filled balloon catheter from the stomach into the esophagus. The catheter assembly was well tolerated by all study participants. LESP increased significantly after operation from 8 mmHg to 14 mmHg (75% of normal values; P < 0.0001), but compared to the control group, LESP (22 mmHg) decreased significantly (P < 0.002). In the control group and in patients with GERD, LESP and LESS showed excellent correlation (r = 0.97, r = 0.94, respectively). After LNF, LESS increased significantly from 0.6 to 1.6 N (P < 0.0001), about 166%. We conclude that the measurement of LESS is able to explain the discrepancy between satisfactory NF operation and the distinct increase of postoperative LESP. The evaluation of LESS is a helpful tool in assessing functional understanding of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with a short and floppy wrap. [source] Biocatalytic Racemization of (Hetero)Aryl-aliphatic ,-Hydroxycarboxylic Acids by Lactobacillus spp.EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 20 2006Proceeds via an Oxidation, Reduction Sequence Abstract The biocatalytic racemization of a range of (hetero)aryl- and (di)aryl-aliphatic ,-hydroxycarboxylic acids has been achieved by using whole resting cells of Lactobacillus spp. The essentially mild (physiological) reaction conditions ensure the suppression of undesired side reactions, such as elimination, decomposition or condensation. Cofactor/inhibitor studies using a cell-free extract of Lactobacillus paracasei DSM 20207 reveal that the addition of redox cofactors (NAD+/NADH) leads to a distinct increase in the racemization rate, while strong inhibition is observed in the presence of Thio-NAD+, which suggests that the racemization proceeds by an oxidation,reduction sequence rather than involvement of a "racemase" enzyme. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] NBT-PABA test to assess efficiency and kinetics of substituted proteolytic enzyme action in pancreatic duct ligated minipigs,JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3 2008A. Mößeler Summary The NBT-PABA test is an established method for diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. In the present study the NBT-PABA test was used to test and compare the efficacy of two multienzyme preparations (product A and B) differing in galenic preparation in minipigs in which pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) was induced by pancreatic duct ligation. Without enzyme substitution no distinct increase in PABA was found in blood after oral administration of NBT-PABA. Administration of both enzyme preparations led to a clear dose dependent rise in PABA-concentrations in blood. Interestingly, the two preparations showed different time curves of serum PABA concentration, indicating differences in the kinetic of proteolytic enzyme action. It is concluded that the NBT-PABA test can be a very useful test for indirectly evaluating proteolytic enzyme efficacy in vivo, and also gives information about the kinetics of enzyme action, not only the end-result of enzyme action (like digestibility trials which were used traditionally). A single test is performed in a few hours and there is no need for fistulated animals. [source] Brain-derived neurotrophic factor applied to the motor cortex promotes sprouting of corticospinal fibers but not regeneration into a peripheral nerve transplantJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2002G.W. Hiebert Abstract Previous experiments from our laboratory have shown that application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to the red nucleus or the motor cortex stimulates an increase in the expression of regeneration-associated genes in rubrospinal and corticospinal neurons. Furthermore, we have previously shown that BDNF application stimulates regeneration of rubrospinal axons into a peripheral graft after a thoracic injury. The current study investigates whether application of BDNF to the motor cortex will facilitate regeneration of corticospinal neurons into a peripheral nerve graft placed into the thoracic spinal cord. In adult Sprague Dawley rats, the dorsal columns and the corticospinal tract between T9 and T10 were ablated by suction, and a 5-mm-long segment of predegenerated tibial nerve was autograft implanted into the lesion. With an osmotic pump, BDNF was infused directly into the parenchyma of the motor cortex for 14 days. Growth of the corticospinal tract into the nerve graft was then evaluated by transport of an anterograde tracer. Anterogradely labeled corticospinal fibers were not observed in the peripheral nerve graft in animals treated with saline or BDNF. Serotinergic and noradrenergic fibers, as well as peripheral sensory afferents, were observed to penetrate the graft, indicating the viability of the peripheral nerve graft as a permissive growth substrate for these specific fiber types. Although treatment of the corticospinal fibers with BDNF failed to produce regeneration into the graft, there was a distinct increase in the number of axonal sprouts rostral to the injury site. This indicates that treatment of corticospinal neurons with neurotrophins, e.g., BDNF, can be used to enhance sprouting of corticospinal axons within the spinal cord. Whether such sprouting leads to functional recovery after spinal cord injury is currently under investigation. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effect of the reversal of coenzyme specificity by expression of mutated Pichia stipitis xylitol dehydrogenase in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiaeLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007J. Hou Abstract Aims:, To determine the effects on xylitol accumulation and ethanol yield of expression of mutated Pichia stipitis xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) with reversal of coenzyme specificity in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods and Results:, The genes XYL2 (D207A/I208R/F209S) and XYL2 (S96C/S99C/Y102C/D207A/I208R/F209S) were introduced into S. cerevisiae, which already contained the P. stipitis XYL1 gene (encoding xylose reductase, XR) and the endogenously overexpressed XKS1 gene (encoding xylulokinase, XK). The specific activities of mutated XDH in both strains showed a distinct increase in NADP+ -dependent activity in both strains with mutated XDH, reaching 0·782 and 0·698 U mg,1. In xylose fermentation, the strain with XDH (D207A/I208R/F209S) had a large decrease in xylitol and glycerol yield, while the xylose consumption and ethanol yield were decreased. In the strain with XDH (S96C/S99C/Y102C/D207A/I208R/F209S), the xylose consumption and ethanol yield were also decreased, and the xylitol yield was increased, because of low XDH activity. Conclusions:, Changing XDH coenzyme specificity was a sufficient method for reducing the production of xylitol, but high activity of XDH was also required for improved ethanol formation. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The difference in coenzyme specificity was a vital parameter controlling ethanolic xylose fermentation but the XDH/XR ratio was also important. [source] On Toughness and Stiffness of Poly(butylene terephthalate) with Epoxide-Containing Elastomer by Reactive ExtrusionMACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 8 2004Zhong-Zhen Yu Abstract Summary: To obtain a balance between toughness (as measured by notched impact strength) and elastic stiffness of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), a small amount of tetra-functional epoxy monomer was incorporated into PBT/[ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (E-MA-GMA)] blends during the reactive extrusion process. The effectiveness of toughening by E-MA-GMA and the effect of the epoxy monomer were investigated. It was found that E-MA-GMA was finely dispersed in PBT matrix, whose toughness was significantly enhanced, but the stiffness decreased linearly, with increasing E-MA-GMA content. Addition of 0.2 phr epoxy monomer was noted to further improve the dispersion of E-MA-GMA particles by increasing the viscosity of the PBT matrix. While use of epoxy monomer had little influence on the notched impact strength of the blends, there was a distinct increase in the elastic stiffness. SEM micrographs of impact-fracture surfaces indicated that extensive matrix shear yielding was the main impact energy dissipation mechanism in both types of blends, with or without epoxy monomer, and containing 20 wt.-% or more elastomer. SEM micrographs of freeze-fractured surfaces of PBT/E-MA-GMA blend illustrating the finer dispersion of E-MA-GMA in the presence of epoxy monomer. [source] Binding of the periodontitis associated bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis to glycoproteins from human epithelial cellsMOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008U. Hallén Introduction:, In the present study we examined the ability of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis to adhere to glycoconjugates on intact cells and to protein preparations of epithelial cells (KB cells). Methods:, The KB cell protein preparation was separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate,polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes by Western blotting. The membranes were used in overlay assays with labeled P. gingivalis. Flow cytometry was used to analyze attachment of bacteria to intact KB cells. Results:, Glycoconjugate expression on the KB cells and in the protein preparation was confirmed. Binding was detected to several bands on the Western blots. Flow cytometry showed a distinct increase in fluorescence for strain FDC 381. Preincubation of the bacteria with mannose, fucose, N -acetylglucosamine and N -acetylgalactosamine inhibited the binding to KB cells by approximately 30% whereas preincubation with N -acetylneuraminic acid reduced the binding by 60%. Conclusion:, These results indicate that carbohydrate structures are involved in the binding process of P. gingivalis to oral epithelial cells and that neuraminic acid plays a significant role in the adhesion process. [source] Detection of Overexpressed COX-2 in Precancerous Lesions of Hamster Pancreas and Lungs by Molecular Imaging: Implications for Early Diagnosis and PreventionCHEMMEDCHEM, Issue 6 2006Hildegard Abstract The enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in many cancers, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and arthritis. Selective inhibitors of COX-2 have been developed as therapeutics or preventive agents for these diseases. However, recent reports have revealed a significant increase in cardiovascular mortality in long-term users of the COX-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Celebrex, emphasizing the need for noninvasive tests that allow the identification of individuals whose COX-2 levels are overexpressed prior to assignment to treatment with these drugs. In this study, we have prepared a radioiodinated analogue of the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, and verified its binding to the COX-2 enzyme in,vitro. Biodistribution studies in hamsters demonstrated significantly higher levels of radiotracer in animals treated with the tobacco carcinogen NNK in lung, pancreas, and liver. Assessment of COX-2 levels by whole-body planar nuclear imaging two hours after injection of the radiotracer was suggestive of a distinct increase in COX-2 in the pancreas and liver of a hamster treated for 10 weeks with NNK, in the lungs and liver of a second animal, and in the liver only, in two additional animals from the same treatment group. Immunostains showed selective overexpression of COX-2 in pre-neoplastic lesions of the pancreas and lungs in only those animals that showed tracer accumulation in these organs and in the livers of all NNK-treated hamsters. Immunostains for COX-1 yielded detectable reactions in the intestinal epithelium but not in pancreas, lungs, or liver, supporting the specificity of the tracer for COX-2. Our data provide proof of principle for the hypothesis that molecular imaging with radiolabeled COX-2 inhibitors can be used for the noninvasive monitoring of overexpressed COX-2 levels. [source] Effect of Nano-Aluminum and Fumed Silica Particles on Deflagration and Detonation of NitromethanePROPELLANTS, EXPLOSIVES, PYROTECHNICS, Issue 5 2009Justin Abstract The heterogeneous interaction between nitromethane (NM), particles of nanoscale aluminum (38 and 80,nm diameter), and fumed silica is examined in terms of the deflagration and detonation characteristics. Burning rates are quantified as functions of pressure using an optical pressure vessel up to 14.2,MPa, while detonation structure is characterized in terms of failure diameter. Nitromethane is gelled using fumed silica (CAB-O-SIL®), as well as by the nanoaluminum particles themselves. Use of nanoaluminum particles with fumed silica slightly increases burning rates compared to the use of larger diameter Al particles; however distinct increases in burning rates are found when CAB-O-SIL is removed and replaced with more energetic aluminum nanoparticles, whose high surface area allows them to also act as the gellant. Mixtures including fumed silica yield a reduced burning rate pressure exponent compared to neat NM, while mixtures of aluminum particles alone show a significant increase. Failure diameters of mixture detonations are found to vary significantly as a function of 38,nm aluminum particle loading, reducing more than 50% from that of neat nitromethane with 12.5% (by mass) aluminum loading. Failure diameter results indicate a relative minimum with respect to particle separation (% loading) which is not observed in other heterogeneous mixtures. 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