Involvement of a transforming-growth-factor-beta-like molecule in tumor-cell-derived inhibition of nitric-oxide synthesis in cerebral endothelial cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to exert cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. We have reported that EC219 cells, a rat-brain-microvessel-derived endothelial cell line, produced NO through cytokine-inducible NO synthase (iNOS), the induction of which was significantly decreased by (a) soluble factor(s) secreted by DHD/PROb, an invasive sub-clone of a rat colon-carcinoma cell line. In this study, the DHD/PROb cell-derived NO-inhibitory factor was characterized. Northern-blot analysis demonstrated that the induction of iNOS mRNA in cytokine-activated EC219 cells was decreased by PROb-cell-conditioned medium. When DHD/PROb cell supernatant was fractionated by affinity chromatography using Con A-Sepharose or heparin-Sepharose, the NO-inhibitory activity was found only in Con A-unbound or heparin-unbound fractions, respectively, indicating that the PROb-derived inhibitory factor was likely to be a non-glycosylated and non-heparin-binding molecule. Pre-incubation of DHD/PROb-cell supernatant with anti-TGF-beta neutralizing antibody completely blocked the DHD/PROb-derived inhibition of NO production by EC219 cells. Addition of exogenous TGF-beta 1 dose-dependently inhibited NO release by EC219 cells. The presence of active TGF-beta in the DHD/PROb cell supernatant was demonstrated using a growth-inhibition assay. Moreover, heat treatment of medium conditioned by the less invasive DHD/REGb cells, which constitutively secreted very low levels of active TGF-beta, increased both TGF-beta activity and the ability to inhibit NO production in EC219 cells. Thus, DHD/PROb colon-carcinoma cells inhibited NO production in EC219 cells by secreting a factor identical or very similar to TGF-beta.

Aamulla

Soitinnus: sekakuoro.

Florística e estrutura do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo de uma floresta restaurada com 40 anos, Viçosa, MG

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estrato arbustivo-arbóreo de uma floresta restaurada por meio de plantio, após 40 anos de sua implantação, no Município de Viçosa, MG. Foram alocadas na área total de 1 ha 16 parcelas contíguas de 25 x 25 m para avaliação do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo, registrando todos os indivíduos com CAP >15 cm. Também se realizou a classificação quanto à classe sucessional e à síndrome de dispersão, bem como a análise física e química do solo da floresta restaurada. Registraram-se 1.432 indivíduos, 112 espécies e 36 famílias, sendo 95 espécies nativas e 16 exóticas, com maior VI para espécie Guarea guidonia e família Fabaceae, alta diversidade (H'=3,51) e baixa dominância ecológica (J'=0,743), maior porcentagem da classe sucessional secundária inicial, em nível de espécie (34,82%), e de secundária tardia, em nível de indivíduos (34,29%), e predomínio de síndrome de dispersão zoocórica. A área basal foi de 47,8 m²/ha e a altura média de 10,6 m, variando de 2,2 m a 27,2 m. A camada de 0-20 cm do solo apresentou média saturação de bases (V = 43,40%) e a camada de 20-40 cm baixa saturação de bases (V = 34,70%), com densidades do solo (1,08 e 1,07 kg/m³) dentro da faixa ideal para solos com textura argilosa. A floresta restaurada, após 40 anos, alcançou patamar semelhante às Florestas Estacionais Semideciduais, em estádio avançado de sucessão, da região de Viçosa, MG, em termos dos parâmetros fitossociológicos no estrato arbustivo-arbóreo.

L'Univers

1869/05/12 (Numéro 743).

Technological development of 40mg furosemide tablets: equivalence and bioavaibility study in dogs

Furosemide (40mg) was administered to 20 street dogs, 10 males and 10 females, in two different pharmaceutical forms: (1) compressed furosemide 40mg formulated at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE-tablet), and (2) a commercial formulation with equal bioequivalence produced by the Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Technology of Pernambuco State (LAFEPE), the LAFEPE-furosemide. The study aimed to evaluate the kinetics of dissolution of the UFPE-tablet in order to analyze the behavior of bioavailability of the best formulation for veterinary use. The plasmatic concentrations of furosemide for the determination of parameters of pharmacological kinetics were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC). The in vitro study accomplished through physiochemical analyses demonstrated that the formulas of the furosemide tablets attained the pharmaceutical requirements in agreement with USP 23 and the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The evaluation accomplished in dogs with UFPE-tablets given in only dose demonstrated uniformity in blood levels indicating stability in maintenance of the pharmaceutical formulation and efficiency in absorption of the active compound. These values are not significantly different in relation to the 5% confidence limit. Regarding maximum concentration (Tmax) time and global bioavaibility assessed by AUC means, there were no considerable differences as well. UFPE-furosemide displayed 743.492µg/mL.h as AUC average value whereas LAFEPE-furosemide had an average of 537.284µg/mL.h.

Raportti osaamistarpeista ja rekrytoinnin haasteista Lapin kaivoksilla : Tunturiosaaja-hanke 2013

Raportti osaamistarpeista ja rekrytoinnin haasteista Lapin kaivoksilla koostuu kolmesta osasta. Ensimmäinen osa pohjautuu aikaisempiin selvityksiin ja asiantuntija-arvioihin. Siinä esitellään Lapissa toimivat Kemin, Kittilän, Pahtavaaran ja Kevitsan kaivokset sekä suunnitteilla olevat kaivoshankkeet. Toteutuessaan kaivoshankkeiden arvioidaan työllistävän jopa yli 5000 uutta työntekijää. Erityisesti korkeasti koulutetusta työvoimasta tulee pula. Myös työntekijätasolla on havaittavissa sama ilmiö. Vapailla työmarkkinoilla olevilla henkilöillä ei ole riittävästi teollisuuden ammattiosaamista. Samalla myös Pohjois-Ruotsi elää kaivosbuumia, ja tarjoaa kielitaitoiselle mahdollisuuden työllistyä. Vuonna 2013 Pohjois-Suomessa annetaan kaivosalan koulutusta kaikilla koulutusasteilla. Lisäksi kaivosyhtiöt ovat kouluttaneet työntekijöitä yhteishankintakoulutuksina yhteistyössä työ- ja elinkeinotoimistojen kanssa sekä oppilaitosten täydennyskoulutuksissa. Raportin toisen osan kaivoshaastatteluissa kaivokset toteavat rekrytointi- ja osaamistarvetilanteen olevan tällä hetkellä kohtuullisen hyvä. Tulevaisuudessa toivotaan koulutuspaikkoja kaikille koulutusasteille. Kaivosalan koulutuksissa pitää jatkossa kiinnittää entistä enemmän huomiota työturvallisuuden, taloudellisen ajattelutavan ja ympäristön huomioivan toiminnan omaksumiseen. Lisäksi kaikki kaivokset korostivat sitä, että lopullinen oppiminen tapahtuu kaivoksissa todellisilla prosesseilla ja tuotantolaitteilla. Koulutuksen toivotaan tapahtuvan lähellä kaivosta, jotta rekrytointi sekä työharjoittelut ja kesätyöt voidaan toteuttaa joustavasti. Kaivosten, oppilaitosten ja muiden sidosryhmien välisen yhteistyön kehittäminen on entistä tärkeämpää jatkossa Lapin kaivoshankkeiden mennessä eteenpäin. Raportin kolmannessa osassa keskitytään matkailu-, hissi- ja kuljetusalan työllisyystilanteeseen kaivosyhtiöiden naapurissa. Heidän ei nähty kilpailevan samasta työvoimasta. Selvityksen tilaaja oli Lapin elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskuksen toteuttama ja Euroopan Sosiaalirahaston (ESR) osarahoittama Tunturiosaaja-hanke. Toteuttajana oli Kemi-Tornion ammattikorkeakoulu.

Mode B ultrasonography and abdominal Doppler in crab-eating-foxes ( Cerdocyon thous )

Abstract: Annually hundreds of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) are referred to rehabilitation centers and zoos in Brazil. The ultrasonographic study of wildlife species is an important tool for a non-invasive and accurate anatomical description and provides important information for wildlife veterinary care. The aim of the present study was to determine the characteristics of the main abdominal organs as well as the vascular indexes of the abdominal aorta and renal arteries of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) using mode B ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. Ultrasonographic features of the main abdominal organs were described and slight differences were noticed between ultrasound imaging of abdominal organs of crab-eating foxes and other species. The bladder presented wall thickness of 12±0.01mm, with three defined layers. Both, the right and left kidneys presented corticomedullary ratio of 1:1 and similarly to the adrenals and the liver, they were homogeneous and hypoechoic compared to the spleen. The spleen was homogeneous and hyperechoic compared to the kidneys. The stomach presented 3 to 5 peristaltic movements per minute, wall thickness of 39±0.05mm and lumen and mucosa with hyperechoic and hypoechoic features, respectively. Small and large intestines presented 2 to 3 peristaltic movements per minute, wall thickness of 34±0.03mm and three defined layers with hyperechogenic (submucosa and serosa) and hypoechogenic (muscular) features. Ovaries of the female crab-eating fox were hypoechoic compared to the spleen and with heterogeneous parenchyma due to the presence of 2x2mm ovarian follicles. Prostates of the six males were regular and with a well defined boundary, with a homogeneous and hyperechoic parenchyma compared to the spleen. Vascular indexes of the abdominal aorta (PSV: 25.60±0.32cm/s; EDV: 6.96±1.68cm/s; PI: 1.15±0.07 e RI: 0.73±0.07) and right (PSV: 23.08±3.34cm/s; EDV: 9.33±2.36cm/s; PI: 1.01±0.65 e RI: 0.65±0.16) and left renal arteries (PSV: 23.74±3.94cm/s; EDV: 9.07±3.02cm/s; PI: 1.04±0.31 e RI: 0.64±0.10) were determined. Thus, conventional and Doppler ultrasonographic imaging provides basic information that can be used as reference for the species as well for other wild canids and it is a precise and non-invasive method that can be safely used to evaluate and diagnose abdominal injuries in these patients.

Hydrometallurgical recovery of valuable metals from secondary raw materials

Wastes and side streams in the mining industry and different anthropogenic wastes often contain valuable metals in such concentrations their recovery may be economically viable. These raw materials are collectively called secondary raw materials. The recovery of metals from these materials is also environmentally favorable, since many of the metals, for example heavy metals, are hazardous to the environment. This has been noticed in legislative bodies, and strict regulations for handling both mining and anthropogenic wastes have been developed, mainly in the last decade. In the mining and metallurgy industry, important secondary raw materials include, for example, steelmaking dusts (recoverable metals e.g. Zn and Mo), zinc plant residues (Ag, Au, Ga, Ge, In) and waste slurry from Bayer process alumina production (Ga, REE, Ti, V). From anthropogenic wastes, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), among them LCD screens and fluorescent lamps, are clearly the most important from a metals recovery point of view. Metals that are commonly recovered from WEEE include, for example, Ag, Au, Cu, Pd and Pt. In LCD screens indium, and in fluorescent lamps, REEs, are possible target metals. Hydrometallurgical processing routes are highly suitable for the treatment of complex and/or low grade raw materials, as secondary raw materials often are. These solid or liquid raw materials often contain large amounts of base metals, for example. Thus, in order to recover valuable metals, with small concentrations, highly selective separation methods, such as hydrometallurgical routes, are needed. In addition, hydrometallurgical processes are also seen as more environmental friendly, and they have lower energy consumption, when compared to pyrometallurgical processes. In this thesis, solvent extraction and ion exchange are the most important hydrometallurgical separation methods studied. Solvent extraction is a mainstream unit operation in the metallurgical industry for all kinds of metals, but for ion exchange, practical applications are not as widespread. However, ion exchange is known to be particularly suitable for dilute feed solutions and complex separation tasks, which makes it a viable option, especially for processing secondary raw materials. Recovering valuable metals was studied with five different raw materials, which included liquid and solid side streams from metallurgical industries and WEEE. Recovery of high purity (99.7%) In, from LCD screens, was achieved by leaching with H2SO4, extracting In and Sn to D2EHPA, and selectively stripping In to HCl. In was also concentrated in the solvent extraction stage from 44 mg/L to 6.5 g/L. Ge was recovered as a side product from two different base metal process liquors with Nmethylglucamine functional chelating ion exchange resin (IRA-743). Based on equilibrium and dynamic modeling, a mechanism for this moderately complex adsorption process was suggested. Eu and Y were leached with high yields (91 and 83%) by 2 M H2SO4 from a fluorescent lamp precipitate of waste treatment plant. The waste also contained significant amounts of other REEs such as Gd and Tb, but these were not leached with common mineral acids in ambient conditions. Zn was selectively leached over Fe from steelmaking dusts with a controlled acidic leaching method, in which the pH did not go below, but was held close as possible to, 3. Mo was also present in the other studied dust, and was leached with pure water more effectively than with the acidic methods. Good yield and selectivity in the solvent extraction of Zn was achieved by D2EHPA. However, Fe needs to be eliminated in advance, either by the controlled leaching method or, for example, by precipitation. 100% Pure Mo/Cr product was achieved with quaternary ammonium salt (Aliquat 336) directly from the water leachate, without pH adjustment (pH 13.7). A Mo/Cr mixture was also obtained from H2SO4 leachates with hydroxyoxime LIX 84-I and trioctylamine (TOA), but the purities were 70% at most. However with Aliquat 336, again an over 99% pure mixture was obtained. High selectivity for Mo over Cr was not achieved with any of the studied reagents. Ag-NaCl solution was purified from divalent impurity metals by aminomethylphosphonium functional Lewatit TP-260 ion exchange resin. A novel preconditioning method, named controlled partial neutralization, with conjugate bases of weak organic acids, was used to control the pH in the column to avoid capacity losses or precipitations. Counter-current SMB was shown to be a better process configuration than either batch column operation or the cross-current operation conventionally used in the metallurgical industry. The raw materials used in this thesis were also evaluated from an economic point of view, and the precipitate from a waste fluorescent lamp treatment process was clearly shown to be the most promising.

Bevegelsens lindring - lindringens bevegelse : omsorgssamtale med barn

Den overordnede hensikten med avhandlingen er å utvikle kunnskap om omsorgssamtalen og hva som er lindrende i omsorgssamtale med barn, og presentere en teorimodell om dette i et omsorgsvitenskapelig perspektiv. Studien har tre typer datamateriale: i) begrepsbestemmelse av samtale, ii) utforskning av samtalebegrepet ved hjelp av tekster av Gadamer, Ricoeur, Wittgenstein og Vygotsky samt iii) casestudier bestående av observasjoner av barn og psykisk helsearbeidere og samtaler med barna. Studiens design er hermeneutisk. Det innebærer at det brukes en fortolkende metodologi der ny forståelse skapes gjennom sammensmelting av ulike forståelseshorisonter. Gadamers filosofiske hermeneutikk tjener som et teoretisk fundament i denne fortolkningsprosessen. Den filosofiske hermeneutikken kombineres med den omsorgsvitenskapelige tradisjonen slik den er utviklet ved Åbo Akademi. Dette er rammen rundt avhandlingen, som ser på mennesket som del av et fellesskap, og lidelse som en naturlig del av både barn og voksnes liv. Fortolkningsprosessen som er gjort i denne avhandlingen, kan betraktes som ulike samtaler mellom forsker og materialet, mellom ulike deler av materialet og mellom deler av og helheten til materialet. Disse samtalene finner sted i det omsorgsvitenskapelige rommet. Teorimodellen som presenteres, består av tre hovedkomponenter. Bevegelse er den første av hovedkomponentene: Lengselen etter fellesskap, det å få være et medmenneske, bevirker en kraft som i omsorgssamtalen bidrar til samskaping av den lindrende bevegelsen. Fellesskapets forutsetninger og bevegende kraft er den neste hovedkomponenten i teorimodellen: Her legges det vekt på autentisitet og tillit som nødvendige fundamenter for fremvekst av et kjærlighetsfylt fellesskap som gir kraft og retning til den lindrende bevegelsen. Den tredje hovedkomponenten i teorimodellen har fått benevnelsen helhetsspråk: En omsorgssamtale kjennetegnes ved et helhetsspråk der enheten kropp, sjel og ånd utgjør menneskebildet. Bevegelsene i samtalen kretser i en helhetsspråklig sfære, og slik frigjøres mange og varierte språklige uttrykk og inntrykk. Et frigjørende helhetsspråk kan sies å utgjøre omdreiningsaksen i den lindrende bevegelsen. Studien bidrar til å avdekke hva som er lindrende ved en omsorgssamtale. Viktige deler av materialet omhandler lindring av barns lidelse, men den nye forståelsen er ikke kun relevant for målgruppen barn. Teorimodellen har en allmennmenneskelig karakter og er like relevant i kontekster med voksne. At studien har barns lidelse og lindring i sitt sikte har imidlertid muliggjort fremveksten av akkurat denne teorimodellen.

Neonatal handling and the expression of immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamus of adult male rats

Neonatal handling has long-lasting effects on behavior and stress reactivity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of neonatal handling on the number of dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamic nuclei of adult male rats as part of a series of studies that could explain the long-lasting effects of neonatal stimulation. Two groups of Wistar rats were studied: nonhandled (pups were left undisturbed, control) and handled (pups were handled for 1 min once a day during the first 10 days of life). At 75-80 days, the males were anesthetized and the brains were processed for immunohistochemistry. An anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibody and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method were used. Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-IR) neurons were counted bilaterally in the arcuate, paraventricular and periventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus in 30-µm sections at 120-µm intervals. Neonatal handling did not change the number of TH-IR neurons in the arcuate (1021 ± 206, N = 6; 1020 ± 150, N = 6; nonhandled and handled, respectively), paraventricular (584 ± 85, N = 8; 682 ± 62, N = 9) or periventricular (743 ± 118, N = 7; 990 ± 158, N = 7) nuclei of the hypothalamus. The absence of an effect on the number of dopaminergic cells in the hypothalamus indicates that the reduction in the amount of neurons induced by neonatal handling, as shown by other studies, is not a general phenomenon in the brain.

De republica

Variantti A.

Alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol concentration in vegetable oils

Vegetable oils are the richest dietary sources of vitamin E. Vitamin E determination levels in foods are of great importance to adjust the ingestion of nutrients by the population. The purpose of this paper is to determine the concentration of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol in vegetable oils and compare the alpha-tocopherol value to the nutritional requirement of vitamin E. The analysis was performed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The values expressed as mg/kg for alpha and gamma-tocopherol were, respectively, 120.3±4.2 and 122.0±7.9 in canola oil; 432.3±86.6 and 92.3±9.5 in sunflower oil; 173.0±82.3 and 259.7±43.8 in corn oil; 71.3±6.4 and 273.3±11.1 in soybean oil. A significant difference was encountered between the alpha-tocopherol concentrations in vegetable oils. Similar results were found for gamma-tocopherol, except for corn and soybean oils. It was concluded that the soybean oil was not considered a source of vitamin E. The canola and corn oils were considered sources, and the sunflower oil was considered an excellent source.

Velan vallat ja voimat

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Le Petit journal. Supplément du dimanche

1905/02/12 (Numéro 743).