The acid-base impact of free water removal from, and addition to, plasma

Water, compared with plasma at a pH of 7.4, is a weak acid. The addition of free water to a patient should have an acidifying effect (dilutional acidosis) and the removal of it, an alkalinizing effect (concentrational alkalosis). The specific effects of free water loss or gain in a relatively complex fluid such as plasma has, to the authors' knowledge, not been reported. This information would be useful in the interpretation of the effect of changes in free water in patients. Plasma samples from goats were either evaporated in a tonometer to 80% of baseline volume or hydrated by the addition of distilled water to 120% of baseline volume. The pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, chloride, lactate, phosphorous, albumin, and total protein concentrations were measured. Actual base excess (ABE), standard bicarbonate, anion gap, strong ion difference, strong ion gap, unmeasured anions, and the effects of sodium, chloride, phosphate, and albumin changes on ABE were calculated. Most parameters changed 20% in proportion to the magnitude of dehydration or hydration. Bicarbonate concentration, however, increased only 11% in the evaporation trial and decreased only -2% in the dehydration trial. The evaporation trial was associated with a mild, but significant, metabolic alkalotic effect (ABE increased 3.2 mM/L), whereas the hydration trial was associated with a slight, insignificant metabolic acidotic effect (ABE decreased only 0.6 mM/L). The calculated free water ABE effect (change in sodium concentration) was offset by opposite changes in calculated chloride, lactate, phosphate, and albumin ABE effects.

Partial purification, heat stability and kinetic characterization of the pectinmethylesterase from Brazilian guava, Paluma cultivars

Pectinmethylesterase (PME) was extracted from guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.), cultivar Paluma, by 70% ammonium sulphate saturation and partially purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G100. Gel filtration showed PME isoenzymes with different values of molecular mass. Two samples were examined: concPME (70% saturation by ammonium sulphate) and Iso4 PME (one of the isoforms from gel filtration with the greatest specific activity). Optimum pH of the enzyme (for both samples) was 8.5 and optimum temperature ranged from 75 and 85 degrees C. The optimum sodium chloride concentration was 0.15 M. The K-M and V-max ranged from 0.32 to 0.23 mg m1(-1) and 244 to 53.2 mu mol/min, respectively, for concPME and Iso4PME. The activation energies (E-a) were 64.5 and 103 kJ/mol, respectively, for concPME and Iso4PME. Guava PME, cv Paluma, is a very thermostable enzyme, showing great heat stability at all temperatures studied. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

EFFECT OF ELECTROLYTIC AND CHEMICAL LESION BY IBOTENIC ACID OF THE AMYGDALA ON SALT INTAKE

Sodium chloride intake was studied in male Holtzman rats weighing 250-300 g submitted to electrolytic and chemical lesion of the cell bodies, not fibers of the amygdaloid complex. Sodium chloride (1.5%) intake increased in animals with electrolytic lesion of the corticomedial nucleus of the amygdala. Sodium chloride (1.5%) intake increased after ibotenic acid injection into the corticomedial nucleus of the amygdala to a larger extent (26.6 +/- 9.2 to 147.6 +/- 34.6 ml/5 days). The results indicate that sodium intake response can be induced by lesions, which involved only cell bodies. The fibers of passage of the corticomedial nucleus of the amygdala produce a water intake less consistent than that induced by ibotenic acid, which is more acute. The results show that cell bodies of this region of the amygdala are involved in the control of sodium chloride intake.

Cholecystokinin actions in the parabrachial nucleus: effects on thirst and salt appetite

The present study investigated the effects of bilateral injections of the nonselective CCK receptor antagonist proglumide or CCK-8 into the lateral parabrachial nuclei (LPBN) on the ingestion of 0.3 M NaCl and water induced by intracerebroventricular injection of ANG II or by a combined treatment with subcutaneous furosemide (Furo) + captopril (Cap). Compared with the injection of saline (vehicle), bilateral LPBN injections of proglumide (50 mu g . 200 nl(-1). site(-1)) increased the intake of 0.3 ill NaCl induced by intracerebroventricular ANG II (50 ng/1 mu l). Bilateral injections of proglumide into the LPBN also increased ANG II-induced water intake when NaCl was simultaneously available, but not when only water was present. Similarly, the ingestion of 0.3 M NaCl and water induced by the treatment with Furo (10 mg/kg) + Cap (5 mg/kg) was increased by bilateral LPBN proglumide pretreatment. Bilateral CCK-8 (0.5 mu g . 200 nl(-1). site(-1)) injections into the LPBN did not change Furo + Cap-induced 0.3 M NaCl intake but reduced water consumption. When only water was available after intracerebroventricular ANG II, bilateral LPBN injections of proglumide or CCK-8 had no effect or significantly reduced water intake compared with LPBN vehicle-treated rats. Taken together, these results suggest that CCK actions in the LPBN play a modulatory role on the control of NaCl and water intake induced by experimental treatments that induce hypovolemia and/or hypotension or that mimic those states.

Influence of the iron source on the solar photo-Fenton degradation of different classes of organic compounds

In this work the influence of two different iron sources, Fe(NO3)(3) and complexed ferrioxalate (FeOx), on the degradation efficiency of 4-chlorophenol (4CP), malachite green, formaldehyde, dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and the commercial products of the herbicides diuron and tebuthiuron was studied. The oxidation of 4CP, DCA, diuron and tebuthiuron shows a strong dependence on the iron source. While the 4CP degradation is favored by the use of Fe(NO3)(3), the degradation of DCA and the herbicides diuron and tebuthiuron is most efficient when ferrioxalate is used. on the other hand, the degradation of malachite green and formaldehyde is not very influenced by the iron source showing only a slight improvement when ferrioxalate is used. In the case of formaldehyde, DCA, diuron and tebuthiuron, despite of the additional carbon introduced by the use of ferrioxalate, higher mineralization percentages were observed, confirming the beneficial effect of ferrioxalate on the degradation of these compounds. The degradation of tebuthiuron was studied in detail using a shallow pond type solar flow reactor of 4.5 L capacity and 4.5 cm solution depth. Solar irradiation of tebuthiuron at a flow rate of 9 L h(-1), in the presence of 10.0 mmol L-1 H2O2 and 1.0 mmol L-1 ferrioxalate resulted in complete conversion of this herbicide and 70% total organic carbon removal. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kinetic aspects of ion exchange in KhFek[Fe(CN)(6)](l)center dot mH(2)O compounds: A combined electrical and mass transfer functions approach

The present paper quantifies and develops the kinetic aspects involved in the mechanism of interplay between electron and ions presented elsewhere(1) for KhFek[Fe(CN)(6)](l)center dot mH(2)O (Prussian Blue) host materials. Accordingly, there are three different electrochemical processes involved in the PB host materials: H3O+, K+, and H+ insertion/extraction mechanisms which here were fully kinetically studied by means of the use of combined electronic and mass transfer functions as a tool to separate all the processes. The use of combined electronic and mass transfer functions was very important to validate and confirm the proposed mechanism. This mechanism allows the electrochemical and chemical processes involved in the KhFek[Fe(CN)(6)](l)center dot mH(2)O host and Prussian Blue derivatives to be understood. In addition, a formalism was also developed to consider superficial oxygen reduction. From the analysis of the kinetic processes involved in the model, it was possible to demonstrate that the processes associated with K+ and H+ exchanges are reversible whereas the H3O+ insertion process was shown not to present a reversible pattern. This irreversible pattern is very peculiar and was shown to be related to the catalytic proton reduction reaction. Furthermore, from the model, it was possible to calculate the number density of available sites for each intercalation/deintercalation processes and infer that they are very similar for K+ and H+. Hence, the high prominence of the K+ exchange observed in the voltammetric responses has a kinetic origin and is not related to the amount of sites available for intercalation/deintercalation of the ions.

EFFECT OF CAFFEINE ON THE METABOLISM OF RATS EXERCISING BY SWIMMING

Several studies have demonstrated that caffeine improves endurance exercise performance but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Possibilities include increased free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation with consequent sparing of muscle glycogen as well as enhancement of neuromuscular function during exercise. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of caffeine on liver and muscle glycogen of 3-month old, male Wistar rats (250-300 g) exercising by swimming. Caffeine (5 mg/kg) dissolved in saline (CAF) or 0.9% sodium chloride (SAL) was administered by oral intubation (1 mu l/g) to fed rats 60 min before exercise. The rats (N = and-IO per group) swam bearing a load corresponding to 5% body weight for 30 or 60 min. FFA levels were significantly elevated to 0.475 +/- 0.10 mEq/l in CAF compared to 0.369 +/- 0.06 mEq/l in SAL rats at the beginning of exercise. During exercise, a significant difference in FFA levels between CAF and SAL rats was observed at 30 min (0.325 +/- 0.06 vs 0.274 +/- 0.05 mEq/l) but not at 60 min (0.424 +/- 0.13 vs 0.385 +/- 0.10 mEq/l). Blood glucose showed an increase due to caffeine only at the end of exercise (CAF = 142.1 +/- 27.4 and SAL = 120.2 +/- 12.9 mg/100 ml). No significant difference in liver or muscle glycogen was observed in CAF as compared to SAL rats, at rest or during exercise. Caffeine increased blood lactate only at the beginning of exercise (CAF = 2.13 +/- 0.2 and SAL = 1.78 +/- 0.2 mmol/l). These data indicate that caffeine (5 mg/kg) has no glycogen-sparing effect on rats exercising by swimming even though the FFA levels of CAF rats were significantly higher at the beginning of exercise.

Antagonism produced by hypertonic nutrient solutions on the depressive effect of carbofuran on isolated guinea pig atria

The action of hyperosmotic nutrient solutions on the depressive effects of carbofuran was studied on spontaneously contracting guinea pig atria. The force and frequency of contraction were recorded using an isotonic lever. Carbofuran 33.0 mu g ml(-1) produced a gradual depressive effect. The time for stabilization of the depressive effect was 6.0+/-2.3 min. After the depressive effect of carbofuran was established, NaCI, mannitol, or urea were introduced into the organ bath to increase the osmolarity of the nutrient solution to about 100 mosmol kg(-1) of water. This resulted in a reversal of the contraction force and frequency to the initial levels. The addition of the osmotic agents at the same concentrations before the addition of 33.0 mu g ml(-1) carbofuran avoided its depressive effect on guinea pig atria. (C) 1996 the Italian Pharmacological Society.

Natural gum-assisted phthalocyanine immobilization in electroactive nanocomposites: Physicochemical characterization and sensing applications

Natural gums have been traditionally applied in cosmetics and the food industry, mainly as emulsification agents. Due to their biodegradability and excellent mechanical properties, new technological applications have been proposed involving their use with conventional polymers forming blends and composites. In this study, we take advantage of the polyelectrolyte character exhibited by the natural gum Chicha (Sterculia striata), extracted in the Northeastern region of Brazil, to produce electroactive nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were fabricated in the form of ultrathin films by combining a metallic phthalocyanine (nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine, NiTsPc) and the Chicha gum in a tetralayer architecture, in conjunction with conventional polyelectrolytes. The presence of the gum led to an efficient adsorption of the phthalocyanine and enhanced the electrochemical response of the films. Upon combining the electrochemical and UV-vis absorption data, energy diagrams of the Chicha/NiTsPc-based system were obtained. Furthermore, modified electrodes based on gum/phthalocyanine films were able to detect dopamine at concentrations as low as 10(-5) M.

Viscoelasticity of frozen/thawed egg yolk as affected by salts, sucrose and glycerol

Based on dynamic rheological measurements, sucrose, glycerol and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) prevented egg yolk gelation at concentrations of 2% and higher, These additives showed improved cryoprotectant effects as their concentrations were increased, Sodium chloride (NaCl) at higher than 2% also prevented gelation but at 10%, it caused a considerable increase in viscosity of unfrozen yolk, Calcium chloride (CaCl2) showed an opposite effect, promoting protein coagulation before freezing, Samples with 2% CaCl2 gelled completely after 36h at -24 degrees C, Before freezing, potassium chloride (KCl) in the range 2-10% had an effect similar to that of NaCl, However, after freezing its effect changed, Yolk with 2% KCl, frozen 36h at -24 degrees C, showed very elastic behavior.

EFFECT OF CHOLINERGIC STIMULATION OF THE AMYGDALOID COMPLEX ON WATER AND SALT INTAKE

The effect of carbachol (80 nmol/mul) injection into the amygdaloid nuclear complex (AMG) on sodium appetite and water intake was studied in male Holtzman rats weighing 240-270 g. Twenty-five satiated rats and 38 water-deprived rats were used in the experiment on water intake. In the experiment on sodium intake, 19 rats were injected with atropine + carbachol and 9 rats with hexamethonium + carbachol. After carbachol injection into the AMG, water intake decreased in rats submitted to 30 h of water deprivation (10.28 +/- 1.04 ml/120 min vs 0.69 +/- 0.22 ml/120 min). The decrease in water intake was blocked by prior local injection of a tropine (20 nmol/1 mul)(11.66 +/- 1.46 ml/120 min vs 0.69 +/- 0.22 ml/120 min), but not of hexamethonium (30 nmol/1 mul), into the AMG. In water-deprived animals, carbachol injection into the AMG caused a decrease in sodium chloride intake (6.16 +/- 1.82 ml/h vs 0.88 +/- 0.54 ml/h) which was blocked by previous injection of hexamethonium but not of a tropine. These results suggest that the cholinergic system of the AMG plays a role in the control of water and salt intake.

Níveis de cloreto de sódio em rações para frangos de corte

A trial was carried out using 1,000 day-old chicks to evaluate levels of NaCl (0.30, 0.45, 0.60, 0.75 and 0.90%) in diets. Water and feeding with 20.1 and 18.2% CP, 2, 900 and 2,950 kcal/kg ME respectively for initial and finishing phases were offered ad libitum. High levels of NaCl (0.60, 0.75 and 0.90%) increased the water intake and water:feed ratio during the first 21 days (P<0.05). Whitin the period of 21-42 days only water intake increased (P<0.05). Body weight, feed and water intake, mortality were higher (P<0.05)for males. High levels of NaCl (0.60, 0.75 and 0.90%) increased (P<0.05) body weight, water intake, water:feed ratio and moist litter during the trial. The supplementation of high levels of NaCl increased performance, bur implied in higher litter moisture.

The workload and plasma ion concentration in a training match session of high-goal (elite) polo ponies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Electronic Perspective on the Electrochemistry of Prussian Blue Films

The derivative of the voltabsommetric scans, together with previous nano-electrogravimetric and X-ray diffraction results, allow different electrochemical processes to be distinguished during the Prussian blue (PB) voltammetric scan. Potassium, proton, and hydrated proton counterions involved in PB electrochemistry are related here to the electrochemical reactions of specific Fe sites. Potassium counterions show two different sites for their insertion: one located in the crystalline framework and another in ferrocyanide vacancies. From the monitoring of electroactive Fe sites, the covalent-exchange model is suggested as one of the first approaches to explain the origin of the PB magnetic ordering observed at room temperature during voltammetric scanning.

Intercalation processes and diffusion paths of lithium ions in spinel-type structured Li(1+x)Ti(2)O(4): Density functional theory study

Intercalation processes and corresponding diffusion paths of Li ions into spinel-type structured Li(1+x)Ti(2)O(4) (0 <= x <= 0.375) are systematically studied by means of periodic density functional theory calculations for different compositions and arrangements. An analysis of the site preference for intercalation processes is carried out, while energy barriers for the diffusion paths have been computed in detail. Our results indicate that the Li insertion is thermodynamically favorable at octahedral sites 16c in the studied composition range, and Li migration from tetrahedral sites 8a to octahedral sites 16c stabilizes the structure and becomes favorable for compositions x >= 0.25. Diffusion paths from less stable arrangements involving Li migrations between tetrahedral and octahedral sites exhibit the lowest energy barrier since the corresponding trajectories and energy profiles take place across a triangle made by three neighboring oxygen anions without structural modification. Theoretical and experimental diffusion coefficients are in reasonable agreement.