Organic interlamellar layers,mesolayers and mineral nanobridges: Contribution to strength in abalone (Haliotis rufescence) nacre

The contributions of mesolayers, organic interlamellar layers and nanoasperities/mineral bridges to the strength of nacre from red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) shell nacre are investigated. Samples were demineralized and deproteinized to separate the organic and mineral components, respectively. Tensile tests were performed on both the isolated organic constituent and the isolated mineral. The strength of the isolated organic component suggests that growth bands play an important role in the mechanical behavior as they are thick regions of protein that are a significant fraction (∼0.4) of the total organic content. The thickness variation of the nacre tablets was measured and found to be a small fraction of the mean tablet thickness (0.568 μm); the standard deviation is 26 nm, indicating that the wedge mechanism of toughening does not operate in the nacre investigated. Results obtained from the isolated mineral validate the importance of the organic constituent as the mechanical properties decline greatly when the organic component is removed. The results presented herein add to the understanding of the mechanical response of the organic interlayers and growth bands and their effect on the toughness of the abalone nacre.     

First detection and molecular identification of Neospora caninum from naturally infected cattle and sheep in North Africa

Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum , is a major cause of reproductive failure in ruminants causing enormous economic losses. The objective of this study was to estimate the infection rate and molecular identification of N. caninum in Tunisian cattle and sheep. A total number of 348 meat samples were collected from 150 cows and 198 ewes slaughtered in the regional slaughterhouse of Béja (North‐west Tunisia) and tested for the presence of N. caninum ITS 1 gene using PCR followed by sequencing of some PCR products. A phylogenetic tree was then constructed to compare the partial sequences of the ITS 1 gene with GenBank sequences. The overall molecular infection prevalence of N. caninum was significantly higher in cattle than in sheep (22 and 10.6%, respectively, p  = .003). In sheep, the highest prevalence was observed in the northern Béja locality (31.2 ± 16.1), with the Noire de Thibar breed as the most infected sheep breed (31.7 ± 14.2%) (p  < .001). In cattle, there were no differences in the molecular prevalence of N. caninum according to breeds and localities. The association between age and N. caninum molecular prevalence was statistically significant in both species; the highest prevalence was observed in sheep of more than one year of age (19.4 ± 9.1%), and in cattle between two and eight years of age (28.8 ± 10.9%). Comparison of the partial sequences of the ITS 1 gene revealed 96%–100% similarity among our N. caninum amplicon and those deposited in GenBank. To our knowledge, this is the first detection and molecular identification of N. caninum in sheep and cattle in North Africa. This information is pertinent in designing control programmes that would reduce economic losses in the livestock industry.     

血液储存时间对红细胞免疫功能影响及临床安全输血分析

目的对不同的血液储存时间对红细胞免疫功能的影响和输血的安全性进行研究分析。方法随机抽取健康人血液采集标本180份,将其分为A、B、C3组,平均每组60份。分别在采集的当天、第14、28天对血液的RBC-C3b、RBC-IC、RBC-SOD、IL-84项指标进行检测。结果 C组血液的RBC-C3b、RBC-SOD水平明显低于B组血液,B组血液的RBC-C3b、RBC-IC（应为RBC-SOD）水平明显低于A组血液;C组血液的RBC-IC、IL-8水平明显高于B组血液,B组血液的RBC-IC、IL-8水平明显高于A组血液。结论在正常情况下,血液中的红细胞的部分免疫功能,会随着血液储存时间的延长而降低,在临床上一般情况下要尽量为患者输注采集时间在2周之内的血液,这样可以提高输血的安全系数。     

Comparison of Antioxidant Potentials of Red Wine,White Wine,Grape Juice and Alcohol

Summary

Antioxidant potential (AOP) and non-enzymatic superoxide radical scavenger activity (NSSA) values of red wine, white wine, grape juice and ethyl alcohol were assessed and values were compared. The effects of these beverages on serum AOP and NSSA values were also measured in vitro.

Red wine, white wine and grape juice exert strong antioxidant activity in similar degrees and all produce significant effects on serum AOP and NSSA values. However, ethyl alcohol does not have either AOP or NSSA, nor does it have an effect on serum AOP or NSSA values. AOP values (nrnol/mlh) of red wine, white wine and grape juice were 20.8 k 4.2,23.2 k 4.0 and 24.6 f 4.8, respectively. NSSA values (U/ml) of red wine, white wine and grape juice were 30.4 f 6.8, 26.8 k 5.6 and 32.6 f 5.8, respectively. There were no statistically meaningful differences between AOP and NSSA values of the groups (p > 0.05 for all).

Results suggest that red wine, white wine and grape juice all have high antioxidant potential to protect cellular structures against peroxidation reactions owing to their rich phenolic contents.     

蒙脱石散联合达克宁散治疗婴幼儿红臀的疗效观察

目的：观察蒙脱石散联合达克宁散治疗婴幼儿尿布皮炎的效果。方法：将176例尿布皮炎患儿按照随机数字表法分为试验组96例和对照组80例，常规处理局部后，试验组采用蒙脱石散联合达克宁散混合剂外涂皮损部位；对照组采用0.02%高锰酸钾溶液泡浴臀部，再用棉布吸干水分后局部外涂金霉素软膏，比较两组治疗效果。结果：对照组总有效率为85.00%，试验组总有效率为97.92%，两组比较差异有统计学意义（X2=15.6382，P〈0.01）。结论：应用蒙脱石散联合达克宁散治疗婴幼儿红臀疗效显著，且操作简单，使用方便，节省时间，可提高护士的工作效率，又能缩短住院天数，免除了患者的经济负担，具有可用性和实用性，临床上值得推广。     

Calcium inhibits promotion by hot dog of 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine‐induced mucin‐depleted foci in rat colon

Epidemiology suggests that processed meat is associated with colorectal cancer risk, but few experimental studies support this association. We have shown that a model of cured meat made in a pilot workshop promotes preneoplastic lesions, mucin‐depleted foci (MDF) in the colon of rats. This study had two aims: to check if real store‐bought processed meats also promote MDF, and to test if calcium carbonate, which suppresses heme‐induced promotion, can suppress promotion by processed meat. A 14‐day study was done to test the effect of nine purchased cured meats on fecal and urinary biomarkers associated with heme‐induced carcinogenesis promotion. Fecal water from rats given hot dog or fermented raw dry sausage was particularly cytotoxic. These two cured meats were thus given to rats pretreated with 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine, to evaluate their effect on colorectal carcinogenesis. After a 100‐days feeding period, fecal apparent total N‐nitroso compounds (ATNC) were assayed and colons were scored for MDF. Hot dog diet increased fecal ATNC and the number of MDF per colon compared with the no‐meat control diet (3.0 ± 1.7 vs. 1.2 ± 1.4, p < 0.05). In a third study, addition of calcium carbonate (150 µmol/g) to the hot dog diet decreased the number of MDF/colon and fecal ATNC compared with the hot dog diet without calcium carbonate (1.2 ± 1.1 vs. 2.3 ± 1.4, respectively, p < 0.05). This is the first experimental evidence that a widely consumed processed meat promotes colon carcinogenesis in rats. It also shows that dietary prevention of this detrimental effect is possible.