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FI
Terms modified by FI Selected AbstractsMulticenter clinical experience with flow cytometric method for fetomaternal hemorrhage detectionCYTOMETRY, Issue 6 2002Jenn C. Chen Abstract BACKGROUND Enumeration of fetal red blood cells (RBCs) is important in the management of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), particularly in situations of Rh incompatibility. METHODS We evaluated results from three institutions using the flow cytometric method (FCM) to detect fetal RBCs based on the anti-hemoglobin F (HbF) monoclonal antibody method. RESULTS During 1997,2001, 69 of 1,248 patients (5.5%) had measurable fetal erythrocytes (RBCs) in maternal blood. Only 21 patients (1.7%) had more than 30 mL of fetal blood detected in maternal blood. Of the 11 patients with large FMH and clinical follow-up, 7 had fetal demise (64%). In positive samples, significant differences were found in the fluorescence intensity (FI) of anti-HbF antibody staining between HbF-negative erythrocytes (HbF-) and adult HbF containing erythrocytes (F cells; 4 ± 0 versus 57 ± 9 linear mean channels [LMC]; P < 0.001) and between HbF-cells and fetal RBCs (4 ± 0 versus 433 ± 136 LMC; P < 0.001). In addition, significant differences were observed in forward light scatter intensity between HbF-cells and fetal RBCs (298 ± 15 versus 355 ± 68 LMC, P = 0.03). The transportability of the test is also addressed by comparing results from two other laboratories. The experience of our three laboratories, as well as the results from the recently reinitiated College of American Pathologists survey, which compares FCM and manual methods, clearly documents the superiority of the FCM test over the manual Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test. CONCLUSIONS The FCM is a simpler, more objective, and more precise alternative to the KB method in clinical testing. The high mortality rate associated with large FMH and therapeutic implications of these results should give laboratories motivation to abandon the KB method with more robust FCM to detect FMH. Cytometry (Clin. Cytometry) 50:285,290, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The combination of flow injection with electrophoresis using capillaries and chipsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 1 2009Wen-juan Lü Abstract The technique of combined flow injection CE (FI-CE) integrates the essential favorable merits of FI and CE. It utilizes the various excellent on-line sample pretreatments and preconcentration (such as cloud point extraction, SPE, ion-exchange, dynamic pH junction and head-column field-amplified sample stacking technique) of FI, which has the advantages of high speed, accuracy, precision and avoiding manual handling of sample and reagents. Therefore, the coupling of FI-CE is an attractive technique; it can significantly expand the application of CE and has achieved many publications since its first appearance. The basic principles, instrumental developments and applications of FI-CE system from 2006 to 2008 are reviewed. [source] Lipid damage in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after slaughtering and chilled storageEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Jaime Ortiz Abstract The flow ice system including ozone (OFI condition) was tested for slaughtering and storage (up to 16,days) of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Lipid damage analyses were carried out and compared to sensory acceptance and instrumental colour changes. Comparison to individuals processed with the flow ice system in the absence of ozone (FI condition) was undertaken. Rainbow trout slaughtered and chilled under FI and OFI conditions showed a low lipid damage development, according to lipid oxidation and hydrolysis events and lipid composition (polyunsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids and endogenous antioxidants) changes. Additionally, both icing conditions led to largely good quality and shelf life times and to the absence of changes in colour properties. It is concluded that flow ice as such, or including the presence of ozone, can be considered as ideal strategy to be employed as slaughtering and storage system during the commercialisation of the actual farmed species. The ozone presence has shown some profitable effects as leading to an extended shelf life time by quality retention of several sensory parameters; in contrast, some negligible negative effects could be observed on the secondary and tertiary lipid oxidation development. However, the oxidation values reached by individuals kept under OFI conditions cannot be considered as particularly high. [source] Effect of Maternal Nutrient Restriction in Early Gestation on Responses of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis to Acute Isocapnic Hypoxaemia in Late Gestation Fetal SheepEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Paul Hawkins Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy may alter development of fetal organ systems. We have demonstrated previously that fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses to exogenous corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) + arginine vasopressin (AVP), or adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH), are reduced in fetuses of mildly undernourished ewes. To examine these effects further we tested HPA axis responses to acute isocapnic hypoxaemia in fetal sheep at 114-129 days gestation (dGA), following 15% reduction in maternal nutritional intake between 0 and 70 dGA. Fetuses from control (C) and nutrient-restricted (R) ewes were chronically catheterised and plasma ACTH and cortisol responses were determined at 114-115, 120-123 and 126-129 dGA during hypoxaemia (1 h) induced by lowering the maternal inspired O2 fraction (FI,O2). Basal plasma cortisol concentrations and HPA axis responses at 114-115 and 120-123 dGA did not differ between C and R fetuses. At 126-129 dGA, both plasma ACTH (P < 0.01) and cortisol (P < 0.05) responses were smaller in R fetuses compared to C fetuses. Fetal blood gas status, fetal body weight, body proportions and organ weights did not differ between the groups. We conclude that mild maternal undernutrition alters development of the fetal HPA axis producing a reduction in pituitary and adrenal responsiveness to endogenous stimuli. [source] Dendrimer-Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Specific Targeting and Imaging of Cancer Cells,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2007H. Wang Abstract We demonstrated a unique approach that combines a layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method with dendrimer chemistry to functionalize Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) for specific targeting and imaging of cancer cells. In this approach, positively charged Fe3O4 NPs (8.4,nm in diameter) synthesized by controlled co-precipitation of FeII and FeIII ions were modified with a bilayer composed of polystyrene sulfonate sodium salt and folic acid (FA)- and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FI)-functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers of generation 5 (G5.NH2 -FI-FA) through electrostatic LbL assembly, followed by an acetylation reaction to neutralize the remaining surface amine groups of G5 dendrimers. Combined flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging studies show that Fe3O4/PSS/G5.NHAc-FI-FA NPs can specifically target cancer cells overexpressing FA receptors. The present approach to functionalizing Fe3O4 NPs opens a new avenue to fabricating various NPs for numerous biological sensing and therapeutic applications. [source] A Comparison of CV-Catheters (CV) Grafts (GR) and Fistulae (FI) in Quotidian HemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2003C Kjellstrand We studied longevity and complications from CV, GR, and FI in 23 patients on quotidian hemodialysis. There were a total of 409 patient months, mean 18,10 months observation and a total of 9209 dialyses. There were 14 FI, 5 GR and 4 CV. 1, 1 and 2 replacements were necessary during a total observation time of 254, 105 and 50 patient months, respectively. For fistulae there were 0.02 replacements/year vs. 0.30 for GR and 0.41 for CV. P = 0.042 FI vs. other. The cumulative survival at 15 months was 100% for FI, 80% for GR and 20% for CV. P = 0.041. The cumulative survival at 3 years were 80% for fistulae and grafts, no CV lasted beyond 15 months. P = 0.013. There were 27 events requiring hospitalization or outpatient intervention. FI: 0.42/patient year, GR 1.22/patient year and CV 1.36/patient year. P = 0.080, FI vs. Other. Patients reported more problems between dialysis for FI, 3.2% of the days and least on GR (0.2%), CV (0.4%). P < 0.0001. Of the problems 85% were pain and redness. To the contrary there were more problems during dialysis with CV, 9.1% vs. FI 2.7%, and GR 0.9%. P < 0.0001. The complications and survival data are similar to those reported by others for quotidian hemodialysis and no different from reports on conventional 3 times per week dialyses. Conclusion: Daily hemodialysis does not adversely affect the different types of blood access. The survival and intervention need of accesses is best for fistulae, worst for CV, but GR, when functioning, have fewer problems between and during dialyses. [source] Arbutin determination in medicinal plants and creamsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009W. Thongchai Synopsis A simple flow injection (FI) manifold with spectrophotometric detection was fabricated and tested for arbutin determination. It is based on the measurement of a red-coloured product at 514 nm formed by the complexation reaction between arbutin and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AP) in the presence of hexacyanoferrate (III) in an alkaline medium. On injecting 300 ,L standard solutions at various concentrations of arbutin into the FI system under optimum conditions, a linear calibration graph over the range of 1.0,30.0 ,g mL,1 arbutin was established. It is expressed by the regression equation y = 0.2188 ± 0.0036x + 0.1019 ± 0.0366 (r2 = 0.9990, n = 5). The detection limit (3,) and the limit of quantitation (10,) were 0.04 ,g mL,1 and 0.13 ,g mL,1, respectively. The RSD of intraday and interday precisions were found to be 1.2,1.4% and 1.7,2.7%, respectively. The method was successfully applied in the determination of arbutin in four selected fruits and three commercial whitening cream extracts with the mean recoveries of the added arbutin over the range of 96.2,99.0%. No interference effects from some common excipients used in commercial whitening creams were observed. The method is simple, rapid, selective, accurate, reproducible and relatively inexpensive. Résumé Un collecteur simple pour injection en flux (FI) avec détection spectrométrique a été fabriqué et testé pour le dosage de l'arbutine. Son principe repose sur la mesure à 514 nm du produit rouge formé par la réaction de complexation entre l'arbutine et le 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AP) en présence d'hexacyanoferrate (III) en milieu alcalin. On procède à une injection de 300 ,L des solutions standards à diverses concentrations d'arbutine dans le système FI aux conditions optimales, puis on réalise un graphe de calibration linéaire dans l'intervalle de 1,0 à 30,0 ,g mL,1 d'arbutine. Le graphe correspond à l'équation de régression y = 0.2188 ± 0.0036x + 0.1019 ± 0.0366 (r2 = 0.9990, n = 5). La limite de détection (3,) et la limite de quantification (10,) sont respectivement de 0.04 ,g mL,1 et 0.13 ,g mL,1. La RSD des précisions intra et inter jours sont respectivement de 1.2,1.4% et 1.7,2.7%. La méthode a été appliquée avec succès à la mesure de l'arbutine dans 4 fruits sélectionnés et 3 extraits de crèmes de blanchiment commercialisées avec une recouvrance moyenne de l'arbutine ajoutée de 96.2 à 99%. Aucune interférence avec les excipients communément utilisés dans les crèmes de blanchiment commerciales n'a été observée. La méthode est simple, rapide, sélective, précise, reproductible et relativement bon marché. [source] Quality changes of farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) subjected to slaughtering and storage under flow ice and ozonised flow iceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Victoria Álvarez Summary Flow ice (FI) combined with ozone (OFI condition) was evaluated for slaughter and storage of farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) when compared with FI alone (FI condition). When processed in either OFI or FI conditions, this species exhibited slow biochemical and microbiological spoilage mechanisms when compared with other commercial fish species. The presence of ozone slowed down microbial development (1.00,3.53 and 1.60,4.04 log CFU g,1 for fish mesophile counts from OFI and FI conditions, respectively) and trimethylamine formation, so that fish kept under OFI condition was still acceptable at the end of the experiment (day 16), while its counterpart fish treated with FI was rejectable. In contrast, a small pro-oxidant effect could be assessed by means of the ozone presence; however, oxidation values (peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid index) reached at day 16 by individuals treated under OFI conditions (8.34 and 0.19, respectively) cannot be considered specially high. [source] Effect of Water Stress at Various Growth Stages on Some Quality Characteristics of Winter WheatJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004A. Ozturk Abstract A field experiment was carried out in Erzurum (Turkey) on winter wheat to analyse the effect of water stress at different growth stages , fully irrigated (FI), rainfed (R), early water stress (EWS), late water stress (LWS) and continuous water stress (CWS), on some quality characteristics , in the 1995,96 and 1996,97 cropping seasons. Water stress had a substantial effect on most of the quality characteristics. As averages of cropping seasons, CWS, EWS, R and LWS treatments decreased grain yields by 65.5, 40.6, 30.5 and 24.0 %, respectively, compared with the FI treatment. CWS increased grain protein content by 18.1 %, sedimentation volume by 16.5 %, wet gluten content by 21.9 % and decreased 1000-kernel weight by 7.5 g compared with FI treatment. LWS caused an increase of 8.3 % in grain protein content, 8.7 % in sedimentation volume, 10.8 % in wet gluten content and a reduction of 3.8 g in 1000-kernel weight compared with FI. EWS and R increased sedimentation volume and wet gluten content, but decreased 1000-kernel weight compared with FI. The effect of LWS on grain quality was more significant than that of EWS. The results suggest that soil moisture conditions increase grain yield and kernel weight of winter wheat but decrease its quality. [source] Variance components due to direct genetic, maternal genetic and permanent environmental effect for growth and feed-efficiency traits in young male Japanese Black cattleJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 3 2007M. A. Hoque Summary Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using data recorded on 740 young male Japanese Black cattle during the period from 1971 to 2003. Traits studied were feed intake (FI), feed-conversion ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), average daily gain (ADG), metabolic body weight (MWT) at the mid-point of the test period and body weight (BWT) at the finish of the test (345 days). Data were analysed using three alternative animal models (direct, direct + maternal environmental, and direct + maternal genetic effects). Comparison of the log likelihood values has shown that the direct genetic effect was significant (p < 0.05) for all traits and that the maternal environmental effects were significant (p < 0.05) for MWT and BWT. The heritability estimates were 0.20 ± 0.12 for FI, 0.14 ± 0.10 for FCR, 0.33 ± 0.14 for RFI, 0.19 ± 0.12 for ADG, 0.30 ± 0.14 for MWT and 0.30 ± 0.13 for BWT. The maternal effects (maternal genetic and maternal environmental) were not important in feed-efficiency traits. The genetic correlation between RFI and ADG was stronger than the corresponding correlation between FCR and ADG. These results provide evidence that RFI should be included for genetic improvement in feed efficiency in Japanese Black breeding programmes. [source] Partial compensatory growth in hybrid tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus following food deprivationJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Y. Wang Summary The capacity of hybrid tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus [23.2 ± 0.2 g (mean ± SE)] to show compensatory growth was assessed in an 8-week experiment. Fish were deprived of feed for 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and then fed to satiation for 4 weeks; fish fed to satiation during the experiment served as control. Water temperature gradually declined from 28.1 to 25.5°C throughout the experiment. Specific growth rate (SGR) decreased with progressive food deprivation. At the end of deprivation, body weight was lower in the deprived fish than in the control. Fish deprived for 4 weeks exhibited lower contents of lipids and energy in whole body, and higher moisture content and ratio of protein to energy (P/E) than those of the control; they also consumed feed faster than the control when normal feeding was resumed. All deprived fish showed higher food intake (FI) than that of the control during re-alimentation; however, enhanced SGR was only observed in the fish deprived for 4 weeks. There were no significant differences in digestibility of protein and energy, food efficiency (FE) or energy retention efficiency between the control and deprived fish. At the end of re-alimentation, deprived fish failed to catch up in body weight with the control, while content of moisture, lipids and energy, and P/E in whole body of the deprived fish did not significantly differ from that of the control. The results of the experiment revealed that the hybrid tilapia reared in freshwater showed partial capacity for compensatory growth following food deprivation of 4 weeks, and that growth compensation was due mainly to increased FI, rather than to improved FE. [source] Characteristics of Complex Fractionated Electrograms in Nonpulmonary Vein Ectopy Initiating Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial TachycardiaJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 12 2009LI-WEI LO M.D. Background: Nonpulmonary vein (PV) ectopy initiating atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial tachycardia (AT) is not uncommon in patients with AF. The relationship of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) and non-PV ectopy initiating AF/AT has not been assessed. We aimed to characterize the CFAEs in the non-PV ectopy initiating AF/AT. Methods: Twenty-three patients (age 53 ± 11 y/o, 19 males) who underwent a stepwise AF ablation with coexisting PV and non-PV ectopy initiating AF or AT were included. CFAE mapping was applied before and after the PV isolation in both atria by using a real-time NavX electroanatomic mapping system. A CFAE was defined as a fractionation interval (FI) of less than 120 ms over 8-second duration. A continuous CFAE (mostly, an FI < 50 ms) was defined as electrogram fractionation or repetitive rapid activity lasting for more than 8 seconds. Results: All patients (100%) with non-PV ectopy initiating AF or AT demonstrated corresponding continuous CFAEs at the firing foci. There was no significant difference in the FI among the PV ostial or non-PV atrial ectopy or other atrial CFAEs (54.1 ± 5.6, 58.3 ± 11.3, 52.8 ± 5.8 ms, P = 0.12). Ablation targeting those continuous CFAEs terminated the AF and AT and eliminated the non-PV ectopy in all patients (100%). During a follow-up of 7 months, 22% of the patients had an AF recurrence with PV reconnections. There was no recurrence of any ablated non-PV ectopy during the follow-up. Conclusion: The sites of the origin of the non-PV ectopies were at the same location as those of the atrial continuous CFAEs. Those non-PV foci were able to initiate and sustain AF/AT. By limited ablation targeting all atrial continuous CFAEs, the AF could be effectively eliminated. [source] Loss of molars in periodontally treated patients: a retrospective analysis five years or more after active periodontal treatmentJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Bettina Dannewitz Abstract Objectives: Evaluation of tooth loss in molars and prognostic factors for molar survival. Material and Methods: Five hundred and five molars in 71 patients (mean age 46 years; 40 females) were evaluated. The following inclusion criteria were required: periodontal therapy of at least one molar, at least 5 years of supportive periodontal therapy, and baseline assessment of furcation involvement (FI). Results: At baseline 200 of 505 molars exhibited no FI, 116 degree I, 122 degree II, and 67 degree III FI. Twenty-seven molars did not receive periodontal treatment; 127 molars were subjected to non-surgical therapy, and 227 to flap surgery. Tunnel preparation was performed on 14 molars, root resection on 20, regenerative therapy on 57 teeth, and 33 molars were extracted. During the average follow-up period of 107 months 38 molars were lost additionally. Molars with degree III FI had the highest mortality. A multi-level proportional hazard model revealed smoking, baseline bone loss, number of molars left, and degree III FI as risk factors influencing the retention time of molars. Conclusion: Overall periodontal therapy results in a good prognosis of molars. Degree III FI leads to a significant deterioration of prognosis. Beyond FI smoking, baseline bone loss, and number of molars left influence molar survival. [source] Innervation pattern and Ca2+ signalling in labial salivary glands of healthy individuals and patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 3 2000Anne Marie Pedersen Abstract: We have characterised the innervation pattern and intracellular Ca2+ -signalling in labial salivary glands (LSG) of 16 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and 27 healthy controls. Numerous immunoreactive nerve fibers (IRF) containing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) were found around acini, ducts and blood vessels. Substance P (SP)-, neuropeptide Y-, tyrosine hydroxylase- and nitric oxide synthase-IRF were mainly surrounding ducts and blood vessels. The majority of pSS patients had inflamed LSG and the presence of focal lymphocytic infiltrates (FI) were more frequent and pronounced as compared with healthy controls. In areas with normal or diffusely inflamed LSG tissue, pSS patients demonstrated the same distribution of IRF as healthy controls with similar histology. However, IRF were absent in central areas of FI both in pSS and age-matched healthy controls. Although all pSS patients had hyposalivation, stimulation with acetylcholine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, isoproterenol, VIP, PACAP, SP, adenosine 5,-triphosphate and uridine 5,-triphosphate induced the same increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in LSG acini from both pSS patients and healthy controls, indicating the presence of functional receptor systems in vitro. [source] Biowaiver monographs for immediate release solid oral dosage forms based on biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) literature data: Chloroquine phosphate, chloroquine sulfate, and chloroquine hydrochloride,JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 7 2005R.K. Verbeeck Abstract Literature data on the properties of chloroquine phosphate, chloroquine sulfate, and chloroquine hydrochloride related to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) are reviewed. The available information indicates that these chloroquine salts can be classified as highly soluble and highly permeable, i.e., BCS class I. The qualitative composition of immediate release (IR) tablets containing these Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) with a Marketing Authorization (MA) in Belgium (BE), Germany (DE), Finland (FI), and The Netherlands (NL) is provided. In view of these MA's and the critical therapeutic indication of chloroquine, it is assumed that the registration authorities had evidence that these formulations are bioequivalent to the innovator. It is concluded that IR tablets formulated with these excipients are candidates for a biowaiver. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 94:1389,1395, 2005 [source] Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of fractions from kolaviron, a biflavonoid complex from Garcinia Kola in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus ratsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006O. A. Adaramoye In the search for natural hypoglycaemic agents as alternatives to synthetic ones that are expensive and not easily accessible, and to justify the use of Garcinia kola seeds in traditional African medicine to treat diabetes, the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of fractions from kolaviron (KV) (a Garcinia kola seed extract) were investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. KV, a biflavonoid complex from Garcinia kola seed, was separated by thin-layer chromatography into three fractions; Fraction I (FI), Fraction II (FII) and Fraction III (FIII) with RF values of 0.48, 0.71 and 0.76, respectively. In normoglycaemic rats, KV, FI and FII administered at a dose of 100 mg kg,1 body weight elicited significant (P < 0.05) hypoglycaemic activity within 4 h of oral administration. Precisely, KV, FI and FII decreased blood glucose levels of normoglycaemic rats by 66%, 50% and 61%, respectively, when compared with controls 30 min after oral administration of the extracts. In hyperglycaemic rats, KV, FI and FII significantly (P < 0.05) reduced blood sugar levels in STZ-diabetic rats within 4 h of oral administration. Furthermore, KV alone produced a significant (P < 0.05) anti-diabetic effect from day 3 to day 7 of oral intubation of STZ-diabetic rats. In addition, the extracts showed favourable effect on the plasma lipid profile of STZ-diabetic rats, and also decreased significantly (P < 0.05) the STZ-induced increase in the activity of microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) products. This study confirms the anti-diabetic and hypo-lipidaemic effects of KV in STZ-diabetic rats. These observed effects of KV are attributed to two of its fractions, FI and FII, with RF values of 0.48 and 0.71, respectively. [source] Synthesis and stability study of dental monomers containing methacrylamidoethyl phosphonic acidsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 1 2007Xiaoming Xu Abstract Three new dental monomers containing methacrylamidoethyl phosphonic acids were synthesized. The structures of the synthesized monomers were determined with electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS), Fourier transform infrared, and NMR. The hydrolytic stabilities of the synthesized monomers and a commercial monomer, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoric acid (MEP; used as a control), were studied with flow injection (FI)/ESMS, 1H NMR, and 31P NMR analysis of a CD3OD/D2O (4:1 v/v) solution of each monomer before and after storage at 60 °C for 2 months. The 1H NMR and 31P NMR chemical shifts of the monomers 2-methacrylamidoethylphosphonic acid (I) and N,N,-[4,4,-(propane-2,2-diyl)-bis(phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)]-bis(2-methacrylamidoethylphosphonic acid) (II) showed little change after storage at 60 °C for 2 months, but those of MEP changed significantly. FI/ESMS also showed that MEP was nearly completely decomposed, whereas monomers I and II remained largely intact. MEP could react with H2ZrF6 to form ternary zirconium fluoride complexes that were partially soluble in methanol, but all the monomers containing phosphonic acids formed precipitates. This study demonstrates that ESMS is a more sensitive and effective method than NMR for studying the hydrolytic stability or degradation of dental monomers. The new monomers containing methacrylamidoethyl phosphonic acids have higher hydrolytic stability than methacrylate phosphate monomers and may be used in dental bonding agents and other dental materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 99,110, 2007 [source] Cumin seed meal with enzyme and polyethylene glycol as an alternative to wheat bran in broiler dietsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 15 2006Behzad Mansoori Abstract Iran produces about 7000 metric tons of cumin seed meal (CSM) as a by-product of cumin oil extraction factories, annually. To evaluate the nutritional significance of cumin seed meal as a broiler feedstuff, an experiment was conducted using 288 male broiler chicks (14 days old) receiving diets containing 0, 25 and 50 g kg,1 of CSM with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG) and enzyme (GrindazymeÔ GP 15000) for 28 days. Total body weight (BW), body weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight of carcass and percentage of legs, breast and edible parts of carcass were measured. The results showed that, inclusion of CSM in broiler diets had no negative influence on parameters evaluated compared to the control diet containing wheat bran (P > 0.05). PEG and enzyme had no influence on the bird performance (P > 0.05). There was an increase in relative weight of gizzard when the amount of CSM in the diet was increased (P < 0.01). An increase in relative weight of gizzard in birds that received the CSM diet was likely to be due to the increase in fibre content of CSM diets. In respect of the low price of CSM, it could be concluded that inclusion of CSM at levels used in this experiment has no negative effect on broiler performance and reduces the overall cost of broiler production. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Integrating Formal and Functional Approaches to Language Teaching in French Immersion: An Experimental StudyLANGUAGE LEARNING, Issue 2001Elaine M. Day This experimental study was designed to evaluate the effect on French language proficiency of an integrated formal, analytic and functional, communicative approach (experiential) to second-language teaching in the immersion classroom. The impetus for the study arises from previous research indicating that immersion children show persistent weaknesses in their grammatical skills despite the fluent, functional proficiency they achieve in their second language. The experimental materials, which were custom-designed for our study, highlight form-function relations, promote noticing, encourage metalin-guistic awareness, and provide opportunities for language practice and thus relate to some of the theoretical issues that Rod Ellis (this volume) has indicated are important in SLA in the 90s. This classroom-based study on the conditional is one of a series of studies undertaken in Canadian French immersion to investigate the effectiveness of form-focused instruction in classrooms (see Swain, 2000). The results of our study, which was conducted in grade 7 early immersion, showed that the Experimental group performed significantly higher in writing than the Control group, in both the post- and the follow-up testing. Although this was not found for speaking, an examination of the individual class data revealed greater and more consistent growth in speaking for the Experimental than for the Control classes, suggesting that they benefited somewhat from the experi- mental treatment in this domain as well. Although Ellis (this volume) notes that research on form-focused instruc- tion in the 90s has tended to split pedagogy from theory, the immersion research in this area does not seem t o reflect this shift. In a recent article, Swain (2000) reviews the French Immersion (FI) studies and summarizes their re- sults as follows: "Overall, the set of experiments conducted in FI classes suggest that there is value in focusing on language form through the use of pre-planned curriculum materials in the context of content-based language learn- ing" (Swain, 2000, p. 205). Her reference to curriculum materials and to the specific context of content-based lan- guage learning should signal to the reader the orientation t o pedagogical considerations that characterize this research. As Ellis notes, hybrid research using both experimental and qualitative methods is becoming more common in SLA. Recently, the experimental materials in our study were implemented in a grade 8 immersion classroom, and the children's collaborative language activity was observed by a researcher working from a sociocultural theoretical per- spective (Spielman-Davidson, 2000). The uptake of our research by a researcher working in another paradigm introduces another kind of hybridity that we hope will also shed further light on questions in form-focused instruction and lead to appropriate changes in pedagogy and in the design of immersion curricula. [source] Transient elastography: a valid alternative to biopsy in patients with chronic liver diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2006E. GÓMEZ-DOMÍNGUEZ Summary Background Transient elastography is a novel and non-invasive technique for the evaluation of fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Few studies that exist value the efficacy of transient elastography, mainly in hepatitis C virus-infected patients. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness, objectivity, reproducibility and safety of this technique. Methods We included 103 consecutive patients who underwent a liver biopsy in the last 48 months with a wide spectrum of chronic liver diseases. Median stiffness value (expressed as kilopascals , kPa) was kept as representative of the liver elastic modulus. All biopsy specimens were analysed by the same pathologist according to the METAVIR scoring system. Results Median value of stiffness in patients with mild or moderate fibrosis (FI and FII), and severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (FIII and FIV) was of 7, 4 ± 5 and 16, 4 ± 10 kPa, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves showed the optimal liver stiffness cut-off values for each group. Conclusions We found a positive correlation between the liver stiffness found by transient elastography and fibrosis stage on biopsy in all patients, independently of the liver disease aetiology. Transient elastography is an easy, quick to perform and safe non-invasive procedure, reliable for assessing liver fibrosis. [source] Colloids decrease clot propagation and strength: role of factor XIII-fibrin polymer and thrombin,fibrinogen interactionsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 8 2005V. G. Nielsen Colloid-mediated hypocoagulability is clinically important, but the mechanisms responsible for coagulopathy have been incompletely defined. Thus, my goal was to elucidate how colloids decrease plasma coagulation function. Plasma was diluted 0% or 40% with 0.9% NaCl, three different hydroxyethyl starches (HES, mean molecular weight 450, 220 or 130 kDa), or 5% human albumin. Samples (n = 6 per condition) were activated with celite, and diluted samples had either no additions or addition of fibrinogen (FI), thrombin (FIIa) or activated Factor XIII (FXIIIa) to restore protein function to prediluted values. Thrombelastographic variables measured included clot propagation (angle, ,), and clot strength (amplitude, A; or shear elastic modulus, G). Dilution with 0.9% NaCl significantly decreased ,, A and G -values compared to undiluted samples. Supplementation with FI, but not FIIa or FXIIIa, resulted in 0.9% NaCl-diluted thrombelastographic variable values not different from those of undiluted samples. FI supplementation of HES 450, HES 220, HES 130 and albumin-diluted samples only partially restored ,, A and G -values compared to undiluted samples. FIIa addition only improved clot propagation and strength in albumin-diluted samples. FXIIIa supplementation improved propagation in samples diluted with HES 450, HES 220 and albumin, and clot strength improved in HES 450 and albumin-diluted plasma. Considered as a whole, these data support compromise of FIIa-FI and FXIIIa , fibrin polymer interactions as the mechanisms by which colloids compromise plasma coagulation. Investigation to determine if clinical enhancement of FXIII activity and/or FI concentration (e.g. fresh-frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate) can attenuate colloid-mediated decreases in hemostasis is warranted. [source] Determination of serum glucose by horseradish peroxidase-catalysed imidazole chemiluminescence coupled to a micro-flow-injection systemLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 5 2007Osamu Nozaki Abstract The reactivity of flow-injection (FI)-horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalysed imidazole chemiluminescence (CL) was studied for continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and serum glucose with immobilized glucose oxidase. Light emission by the HRP-catalysed imidazole CL was obtained when immobilized HRP, alkaline imidazole (in Tricine solution, pH 9.3) and H2O2 were reacted at room temperature. The optimal pH for the CL reaction was 9.3 and the optimal concentration of imidazole was 100 µmol/L. When no imidazole was added, the light intensity of the same H2O2 specimen decreased to a level that could not be quantitatively determined. The spectrum of the light emitted by imidazole CL was in the range 400,600 nm with a peak at 500 nm. The calibration equation for determination of H2O2 was y = 9860x2 + 3830x + 11 700, where y = light intensity (RLU) and x = concentration of H2O2 (µmol/L). The detection limit of H2O2 was 5 pmol, and the reproducibility of the H2O2 assay was 2.3% of the coefficient of variation (H2O2 48 µmol/L, n = 13). The CL method was successfully applied to assay glucose after on-line generation of H2O2 with the immobilized glucose oxidase column, resulting in good reproducibility (CV = 3.3% and 1.0% for the standard glucose and the control serum, respectively). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Determination of tsumacide residues in vegetable samples using a flow-injection chemiluminescence methodLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 4 2007Haiyan Liu Abstract A sensitive, simple and rapid flow-injection chemiluminescence (FI,CL) method is described to determine tsumacide pesticide residue based on the CL reaction of the alkaline degradation product of tsumacide with acidic KMnO4 when rhodamine 6G was present. Under the optimum conditions, the relative CL intensity is linear with the concentration of tsumacide in the range of 2.0 × 10,3,0.20 mg/L. The detection limit is 6.6 × 10,4 mg/L (3,) and the relative standard deviation for 2.0 × 10,2 mg/L tsumacide solution was 2.28% (intra-day) and 4.85% (inter-day). The proposed method has been applied to determine the residue of tsumacide in vegetable samples and the recovery test is very satisfactory. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Investigation on the interaction between dihydroxybenzene and Fe3+,H2O2,Rh6G system based on enhancing chemiluminescenceLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 1 2006Deyong He Abstract A highly sensitive flow-injection chemiluminescence (FI,CL) method has been developed for the determination of dihydroxybenzene, based on the hydroxyl radical reaction. Hydroxyl radical (·OH) produced by the reaction of Fe3+ and H2O2 oxidize rhodamine 6G to produce weak CL. It was observed that catechol and hydroquinone greatly enhanced the weak CL reaction. However, the proposed CL system is not suitable for determination of resorcinol because the enhancement reaction is very slow. The proposed procedure has a linear range of 0.01,2 mg/L for catechol, with a detection limit of 0.006 mg/L, and 0.008,1 mg/L for hydroquinone, with a detection limit of 0.004 mg/L. The possible mechanism of the CL system is discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Flow injection analysis of tetracyclines using inhibited Ru(bpy)32+/tripropylamine electrochemiluminescence systemLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 1 2005Yong-Qiang Pang Abstract Tetracyclines (TCs) were found to strongly inhibit the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) from the Ru(bpy)32+,tripropylamine system when a working Pt electrode was maintained at 1.05 V (vs. Ag[sol ]AgCl) in pH 8.0 carbonate buffer solution. On this basis, a flow injection (FI) procedure with inhibited electrochemiluminescence detection has been developed for the determination of tetracycline (TC) and oxytetracycline (OTC). Under the optimized condition, the linear ranges of 2.0 × 10,8,1.0 × 10,5 and 1.0 × 10,8,1.0 × 10,5 g[sol ]mL and the detection limits of 4.0 × 10,9 and 3.8 × 10,9 g[sol ]mL were obtained for TC and OTC, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD) were 0.68% and 1.18% for 5.0 × 10,7 g[sol ]mL TC and OTC (n = 13), respectively. The method showed higher sensitivity than most of the reported methods. It was successfully applied to the determination of tetracycline in a Chinese proprietary medicine, Tetracyclini and Cortisone Eye Ointment, and the residues of tetracycline in honey products. The inhibition mechanism has been proposed due to an energy transfer between electrogenerated Ru(bpy)32+* and benzoquinone derivatives at the electrode surface. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A randomized-controlled trial comparing an educational intervention alone vs education and biofeedback in the management of faecal incontinence in womenNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 1 2005A. Ilnyckyj Abstract, Biofeedback (BF) training is an accepted therapy in the treatment of faecal incontinence (FI) despite a paucity of data demonstrating benefit. This study aims to determine whether BF has any specific effect above and beyond an educational intervention. Twenty-three women with regular and frequent idiopathic FI were randomized to education and pelvic exercise vs education and BF therapy. Complete data is available for 18 women. Overall, 61% of participants demonstrated a complete response. There was no difference in response rate between treatment arms. Women with FI demonstrate a good response to treatment with education and exercise and education plus BF thus questioning the specific effect of BF. [source] Regional Differences in Arrhythmogenic Aftereffects of High Intensity DC Stimulation in the VentriclesPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000ITSUO KODAMA Regional differences of the aftereffects of high intensity DC stimulation were investigated in isolated rabbit hearts stained with a voltage-sensitive dye (di-4-ANEPPS). Optical action potential signals were recorded from the epicardial surface of the right and left ventricular free wall (RVep, LVep) and from the right endocardial surface of the interventricular septum (IVS). Ten-millisecond monophasic DC stimulation (S2, 20,120 V) was applied to the signal recording spots during the early plateau phase of the action potential induced by basic stimuli (S1, 2.5 Hz). There was a linear relationship between S2 voltage and the S2 field intentisy (FI). S2 caused postshock additional depolarization. giving rise to a prolongation of the shocked action potential. With S2, 40 V (FI ,,20 V/cm), terminal repolarization of action potential was inhibited, and subsequent postshock S1 action potentials for 1,5 minutes were characterized by a decrease in the maximum diastolic potential and a decrease in the amplitude and a slowing of their upstroke phase. The higher the S2 voltage, the larger the aftereffects. The changes in postshock action potential configuration in RVep were significantly greater than those observed in LVep and IVS when compared at the same levels of S2 intensity. In RVep, 12 of 20 shocks of 120 V resulted in a prolonged refractoriness to S1 (> 1 s), and the arrest was often followed by oscillation of membrane potential. Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation ensued from the oscillation in five cases. No such long arrest or serious arrhythmias were elicited in LVep and IVS. These results suggest that RVep is more susceptible than LVep and IVS for arrhythmogenic aftereffects of high intensity DC stimulation. [source] Monitoring of pacemaker induced changes in cardiac output with inspired to endtidal oxygen difference in paediatric cardiac surgery patientsPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 2 2001Jan Bengtsson MD Methods:,Fourteen children aged 4,15 months were studied after corrective cardiac surgery. Heart rate was increased by 20% with an external pacemaker. Cardiac output (CO) was measured with thermodilution. Oxygen saturation was measured in systemic artery (SaO2), central vein (ScvcO2) and pulmonary artery (SvO2). Inspiratory to endtidal oxygen difference (FI - ETO2) was measured using a paramagnetic technique. SvO2 was measured continuously using a spectrophotometric technique. Results:,CO increased in three patients and decreased in 11 patients during pacing. Regression between ,CO and ,(1/Sa-vO2), ,(FI - ETO2/Sa-vO2), ,(FI - ETO2/Sa-cvcO2) showed r=0.70, r=0.76 and r=0.75, respectively. ,CO exceeded 10% in 17 of 26 interventions. Changes in FI - ETO2 of equal direction as changes in CO occurred in 12 of these 17 interventions. Conclusions:,Estimations of CO changes, based on SvO2, can be enhanced if changes in FI - ETO2 are also measured. ScvcO2 instead of SvO2 gives equivalent results. Sudden changes in FI - ETO2 after pacemaker initiation or termination can predict the direction of CO changes. [source] Drought stress effects on photosystem I content and photosystem II thermotolerance analyzed using Chl a fluorescence kinetics in barley varieties differing in their drought tolerancePHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2009Abdallah Oukarroum Drought stress has multiple effects on the photosynthetic system. Here, we show that a decrease of the relative contribution of the I-P phase, ,VIP = ,VI = (FM,FI)/(FM, Fo), to the fluorescence transient OJIP is observed in 10 drought-stressed barley and 9 chickpea varieties. The extent of the I-P loss in the barley varieties depended on their drought tolerance. The relative loss of the I-P phase seems to be related to a loss of photosystem (PS) I reaction centers as determined by 820-nm transmission measurements. In the second part of this study, the interaction of drought and heat stress in two barley varieties (the drought tolerant variety A¨t Baha and the drought sensitive variety Lannaceur) was studied using a new approach. Heat stress was induced by exposing the plant leaves to temperatures of 25,45°C and the inactivation of the O2 -evolving complex (OEC) was followed measuring chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence using a protocol consisting of two 5-ms pulses spaced 2.3 ms apart. In active reaction centers, the dark interval is long enough to allow the OEC to recover from the first pulse; whereas in heat-inactivated reaction centers it is not. In the latter category of reaction centers, no further fluorescence rise is induced by the second pulse. Lannaceur, under well-watered conditions, was more heat tolerant than Aït Baha. However, this difference was lost following drought stress. Drought stress considerably increased the thermostability of PS II of both varieties. [source] Screening of binding activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus suis to berries and juicesPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue S1 2010Marko Toivanen Abstract Antiadhesion therapy is a promising approach to the fight against pathogens. Antibiotic resistance and the lack of effective vaccines have increased the search for new methods to prevent infectious diseases. Previous studies have shown the antiadhesion activity of juice from cultivated cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) against bacteria, especially E. coli. In this study, the binding of two streptococcal strains, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus agalactiae, to molecular size fractions (FI, FII and FIII, <10,kDa, 10,100,kDa, and >100,kDa, respectively) of berries and berry and fruit juices from 12 plant species were studied using a microtiter well assay. For Streptococcus suis a hemagglutination inhibition assay was used. In general, binding activity was detected especially to wild cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) and to other Vaccinium species. S. pneumoniae cells bound most to cranberry juice fraction FI and S. agalactiae cells to cranberry fraction FIII. Hemagglutination induced by S. suis was most effectively inhibited by cranberry fraction FII. NMR spectra of some characteristic active and non-active fractions were also measured. They indicate that fractions FII and FIII contained proanthocyanidins and/or other phenolic compounds. The results suggest Vaccinium berries as possible sources of antiadhesives against bacterial infections. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||