Influence of the use of Aliquat 336 in the immobilization procedure in sol-gel of lipase from Bacillus sp ITP-001

Aliquat 336, a liquid hydrophobic material, was used at different concentrations (0.5-3.0%, w/v) as an additive in the preparation of encapsulated lipase from Bacillus sp. ITP-001 on sol-gel silica matrices using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the precursor. The resulting hydrophobic matrices and immobilized lipases were characterized with regard to specific surface area (BET method), adsorption-desorption isotherms, pore volume (Vp) and size (dp) by nitrogen adsorption (BJH method) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The catalytic activities and the corresponding coupling yields were assayed in the hydrolysis of olive oil. In comparison with pure silica matrices, the immobilization process in the presence of Aliquat 336 decreased the values for specific surface area and increased the values for pore specific volume (Vp) and mean pore diameter (dp). This behavior may be related to the partial adsorption of the enzyme on the external surface of the hydrophobic matrix as indicated by scanning electron microscopy. Aliquat 336 concentrations in the range from 0.5 to 1.5% (w/v) provided immobilized derivatives with higher coupling yields and better substrate affinity. The highest coupling yield (Y-A = 71%) was obtained for the immobilized enzyme prepared in the presence of 1.5% Aliquat which gave the following morphological properties: specific surface area = 183 m(2)/g, pore specific volume (Vp) = 0.36 cc/g and mean pore diameter (dp)= 91 angstrom. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lung morphology and growth of rats exposed to tobacco smoke and alcohol

PURPOSE: Investigate the morphological effects of chronic exposure to tobacco smoke inhalation and alcohol consumption on the lungs and on the growth of rats. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, tobacco, alcohol, tobacco + alcohol, for a period of study 260 days. Morphological analysis was conducted by optical and electron microscopy. Rat growth was investigated by measuring the snout-anus length, body mass index and body weight. RESULTS: The three groups exposed to the drugs presented lower growth and lower weight than the control group. The percentages of alveolitis, bronchiolitis and the mean alveolar diameter were greater, particularly in the groups exposed to tobacco smoke, but were not significantly different from the control group. Electron microscopy revealed more intense apoptotic and degenerative lesions in the smoking group, while degenerative lesions in the lamellar bodies were more intense with the association of both drugs. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental model showed morphological alterations observed by electron microscopy, principally due to tobacco smoke exposure. Alcohol and tobacco hindered the growth of rats, such that tobacco showed a greater effect on body length and alcohol on body weight.

Morphometric analysis of fetal development of Cavia porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758) by ultrasonography: pilot study

Measurements on the growth process and placental development of the embryo and fetuses of Cavia porcellus were carried out using ultrasonography. Embryo, fetus, and placenta were monitored from Day 15 after mating day to the end of gestation. Based on linear and quadratic regressions, the following morphometric analysis showed a good indicator of the gestational age: placental diameter, biparietal diameter, renal length, and crown rump. The embryonic cardiac beat was first detected at an average of 22.5 days. The placental diameter showed constant increase from beginning of gestation then remained to term and presented a quadratic correlation with gestational age (r2 = 0.89). Mean placental diameter at the end of pregnancy was 3.5 ± 0.23 cm. By Day 30, it was possible to measure biparietal diameter, which followed a linear pattern of increase up to the end of gestation (r2 = 0.95). Mean biparietal diameter in the end of pregnancy was 1.94 ± 0.03 cm. Kidneys were firstly observed on Day 35 as hyperechoic structures without the distinction of medullar and cortical layers, thus the regression model equation between kidney length and gestational age presents a quadratic relationship (r2 = 0.7). The crown rump presented a simple linear growth, starting from 15 days of gestation, displaying a high correlation with the gestational age (r2 = 0.9). The offspring were born after an average gestation of 61.3 days. In this study, we conclude that biparietal diameter, placental diameter, and crown rump are adequate predictive parameters of gestational age in guinea pigs because they present high correlation index.

Carcinoma polmonare non a piccole cellule T1aN0M0: Ruolo prognostico della Microvessel Density

Obiettivi. Valutare l’angiogenesi tumorale mediante la Microvessel density (MVD) come fattore predittivo di mortalità per tumore polmonare non a piccole cellule (NSCLC) pT1aN0M0 trattato chirurgicamente. Metodi. I dati demografici, clinici e istopatologici sono stati registrati per 82 pazienti (60 maschi, 22 femmine) sottoposti a resezione chirurgica in due diverse Chirurgie Toraciche tra gennaio 2002 e dicembre 2007 per tumori polmonari non a piccole cellule pT1AN0M0. La MVD è stata valutata mediante il conteggio visivo dei microvasi positivi alla colorazione immunoistochimica con anticorpo monoclonale anti-CD31 e definita come il numero medio di microvasi per 1 mm2 di campo ottico. Risultati. Sono state eseguite 59 lobectomie (72%) e 23 resezioni sublobari (28%). Reperti istopatologici: 43 adenocarcinomi (52%) e 39 neoplasie non- adenocarcinoma (48%) pT1aN0M0; MVD media: 161 (CD31/mm2); mediana: 148; range 50-365, cut-off=150. Una MVD elevata (> 150 CD31/mm2) è stata osservata in 40 pazienti (49%), una MVD ridotta ( ≤ 150 CD31/mm2 ) in 42 pazienti (51%). Sopravvivenze a 5 anni: 70 % e 95%, rispettivamente per il gruppo ad elevata MVD vs il gruppo a ridotta MVD con una p = 0,0041, statisticamente significativa. Il tipo di resezione chirurgica, il diametro del tumore, le principali comorbidità e l’istotipo nono sono stati fattori predittivi significativi di mortalità correlata alla malattia. La MVD è risultata essere superiore nel gruppo “Adenocarcinoma” (MVD mediana=180) rispetto al gruppo “Non-Adenocarcinoma (MVD mediana=125), con un test di Mann-Whitney statisticamente significativo (p < 0,0001). Nel gruppo “Adenocarcinoma” la sopravvivenza a 5 anni è stata del 66% e 93 %, rispettivamente per i pazienti con MVD elevata e ridotta (p = 0.043. Conclusioni. Il nostro studio ha mostrato che la Microvessel density valutata con la colorazione immunoistochimica per CD31 ha un valore prognostico rilevante nel carcinoma polmonare in stadio precoce pT1aN0M0.

Ground-based and airborne in-situ measurements of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic aerosol plume in Switzerland in spring 2010

The volcanic aerosol plume resulting from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland in April and May 2010 was detected in clear layers above Switzerland during two periods (17–19 April 2010 and 16–19 May 2010). In-situ measurements of the airborne volcanic plume were performed both within ground-based monitoring networks and with a research aircraft up to an altitude of 6000 m a.s.l. The wide range of aerosol and gas phase parameters studied at the high altitude research station Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l.) allowed for an in-depth characterization of the detected volcanic aerosol. Both the data from the Jungfraujoch and the aircraft vertical profiles showed a consistent volcanic ash mode in the aerosol volume size distribution with a mean optical diameter around 3 ± 0.3 μm. These particles were found to have an average chemical composition very similar to the trachyandesite-like composition of rock samples collected near the volcano. Furthermore, chemical processing of volcanic sulfur dioxide into sulfate clearly contributed to the accumulation mode of the aerosol at the Jungfraujoch. The combination of these in-situ data and plume dispersion modeling results showed that a significant portion of the first volcanic aerosol plume reaching Switzerland on 17 April 2010 did not reach the Jungfraujoch directly, but was first dispersed and diluted in the planetary boundary layer. The maximum PM10 mass concentrations at the Jungfraujoch reached 30 μgm−3 and 70 μgm−3 (for 10-min mean values) duri ng the April and May episode, respectively. Even low-altitude monitoring stations registered up to 45 μgm−3 of volcanic ash related PM10 (Basel, Northwestern Switzerland, 18/19 April 2010). The flights with the research aircraft on 17 April 2010 showed one order of magnitude higher number concentrations over the northern Swiss plateau compared to the Jungfraujoch, and a mass concentration of 320 (200–520) μgm−3 on 18 May 2010 over the northwestern Swiss plateau. The presented data significantly contributed to the time-critical assessment of the local ash layer properties during the initial eruption phase. Furthermore, dispersion models benefited from the detailed information on the volcanic aerosol size distribution and its chemical composition.

Effect of oral donepezil on intraocular pressure in normotensive Alzheimer patients

Donepezil, a selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in ocular normotensive rabbit eyes. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of oral donepezil on IOP and pupil diameter after mid-term oral treatment in normotensive persons. Thirty-two newly diagnosed Alzheimer patients with normal IOP and no further antiglaucomatous treatment were included in the study. IOP and pupil diameter were evaluated before and 4 weeks after daily intake of 5 mg donepezil. IOP and pupil diameter were significantly lower/smaller after 4 weeks of treatment. The mean IOP of all 63 eyes was 14.1 mmHg before and 12.8 mmHg after treatment (8.8% reduction). Mean pupil diameter constricted from 3.9 to 3.6 mm (-7.4%). These findings show that donepezil, and, possibly, other selective AChE inhibitors, can potentially be used to treat glaucoma. They are also known to have neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's, and, therefore, might have an additional therapeutic benefit.

Animal model for percutaneous creation of traumatic thoracic aortic transection

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to create an animal model for thoracic aortic transection that is suitable for thoracic endograft research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous aortic transection creation was attempted in 12 sheep. A custom collapsible circumferential cutting device was inserted into the proximal descending thoracic aorta via a femoral approach with an 11-F delivery catheter. The device was deployed 2 cm distal to the left subclavian artery origin and rotated 20 times to create aortic transection. Aortic diameters, mean aortic pressures, and heart rates were tested for degrees of difference between measurements before and after the creation of transection. On necropsy, the extent of aortic damage was classified as none, nontransmural, or transmural, and aortic transection was classified as none, partial, or circumferential. RESULTS: On angiography, creation of transmural thoracic aortic transection was successful in 91.7% (11/12) of animals. Aortic transection was circumferential in 54.4% (6/11) of animals and partial in 45.6% (5/11) of animals. Mean aortic diameter was 19.6 +/- 3.4 mm (range 12-24 mm) pre-transection and 25.8 +/- 4.5 mm (range 17.8-33 mm) post-transection (P = .0003). Pre-transection, mean aortic pressure was 79 +/- 13.8 mmHg, and 64.6 +/- 15.8 mmHg 15 min post-transection (P = .041). Pre-transection, mean heart rate was 94.5 +/- 17.2 beats per minute (bpm), and 105.8 +/- 17.2 bpm 15 min post-transection (P = .0057). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aortic transection was successfully created percutaneously in most animals. The animals remained in hemodynamically stable condition for as long as 240 minutes after the creation of aortic injury. This percutaneous animal model is straightforward and may be of potential value for future thoracic endograft research.

Senile scleral plaques imaged with enhanced depth optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE Senile scleral plaques (SSP) are sharply demarcated greyish areas located just anterior to the insertions of the horizontal rectus muscles and thus are frequently encountered during transscleral intravitreal injections. The aim of this study was to characterize SSP using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a cohort of patients attending intravitreal injection clinics. METHODS Prospective cross-sectional study of 380 patients attending the clinic for intravitreal injections at the Department of Ophthalmology at the Bern University Hospital. Thirty-two patients with SSP were identified and the anatomical features were assessed using anterior segment OCT. RESULTS In our patient cohort, we found a SSP prevalence of 8.2%. Senile scleral plaques were easily identifiable using anterior segment OCT and were found at the insertion sites of the horizontal recti muscles. The mean horizontal diameter was 2.2 mm (±760 μm SD), the mean vertical diameter was 3.3 mm (±144 μm SD), and the average surface area was 5.3 mm(2) (±0.4 mm(2) SD). The mean senile scleral plaque thickness was 0.6 mm (±149 μm SD). The mean distance from the limbus was 2.24 mm for nasally located SSP and 3.22 mm for temporally located SSP. CONCLUSION SSP are frequently encountered during intravitreal injections as they are located just anterior to the insertion sites of the horizontal recti muscles. Because the scleral stroma is rarefied and due to calcifications within SSP, these areas should be avoided when performing multiple intravitreal injections as this may result in rupture of the sclera.

Morphological differentiation of Betula (birch) pollen in northwest North America and its palaeoecological application

Lake sediments from arcto-boreal regions commonly contain abundant Betula pollen. However, palaeoenvironmental interpretations of Betula pollen are often ambiguous because of the lack of reliable morphological features to distinguish among ecologically distinct Betula species in western North America. We measured the grain diameters and pore depths of pollen from three tree-birch species (B. papyrifera, B. kenaica and B. neoalaskana) and two shrub-birch species (B. glandulosa and B. nana), and calculated the ratio of grain diameter to pore depth (D/P ratio). No statistical difference exists in all three parameters between the shrub-birch species or between two of the tree-birch species (B. kenaica and B. papyrifera), and B. neoalaskana is intermediate between the shrub-birch and the other two tree-birch species. However, mean pore depth is significantly larger for the tree species than for the shrub species. In contrast, mean grain diameter cannot distinguish tree and shrub species. Mean D/P ratio separates tree and shrub species less clearly than pore depth, but this ratio can be used for verification. The threshold for distinguishing pollen of tree versus shrub birch lies at 2.55 μm and 8.30 for pore depth and D/P ratio, respectively. We'applied these thresholds to the analysis of Betula pollen in an Alaskan lake-sediment core spanning the past 800 years. Results show that shrub birch increased markedly at the expense of tree birch during the‘Little Ice Age’; this patten is not discernible in the profile of total birch pollen.

Radiographic volume analysis as a novel tool to determine nasopalatine duct cyst dimensions and its association with presenting symptoms and postoperative complications

OBJECTIVES The aims of the study were to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of nasopalatine duct cysts (NPDC) and to calculate the diameter, surface area, and 3D-volume using a custom-made software program. Furthermore, any associations of dimensions of NPDC with age, gender, presence/absence of maxillary incisors/canines (MI/MC), endodontic treatment of MI/MC, presenting symptoms, and postoperative complications were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study comprised 40 patients with a histopathologically confirmed NPDC. On preoperative CBCT scans, curves delineating the cystic borders were drawn in all planes and the widest diameter (in millimeter), surface area (in square millimeter), and volume (in cubic millimeter) were calculated. RESULTS The overall mean cyst diameter was 15 mm (range 7-47 mm), the mean cyst surface area 566 mm(2) (84-4,516 mm(2)), and the mean cyst volume 1,735 mm(3) (65-25,350 mm(3)). For 22 randomly allocated cases, a second measurement resulted in a mean absolute aberration of ±4.2 % for the volume, ±2.8 % for the surface, and ±4.9 % for the diameter. A statistically significant association was found for the CBCT determined cyst measurements and the need for preoperative endodontic treatment to MI/MC and for postoperative complications. CONCLUSION In the hands of a single experienced operator, the novel software exhibited high repeatability for measurements of cyst dimensions. Further studies are needed to assess the application of this tool for dimensional analysis of different jaw cysts and lesions including treatment planning. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Accurate radiographic information of the bone volume lost (osteolysis) due to expansion of a cystic lesion in three dimensions could help in personalized treatment planning.