In vitro batch cultures of gut microbiota from healthy and ulcerative colitis (UC) subjects suggest that sulphate-reducing bacteria levels are raised in UC and by a protein-rich diet

Imbalances in gut microbiota composition during ulcerative colitis (UC) indicate a role for the microbiota in propagating the disorder. Such effects were investigated using in vitro batch cultures (with/without mucin, peptone or starch) inoculated with faecal slurries from healthy or UC patients; the growth of five bacterial groups was monitored along with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Healthy cultures gave two-fold higher growth and SCFA levels with up to ten-fold higher butyrate production. Starch gave the highest growth and SCFA production (particularly butyrate), indicating starch-enhanced saccharolytic activity. Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were the predominant bacterial group (of five examined) for UC inocula whereas they were the minority group for the healthy inocula. Furthermore, SRB growth was stimulated by peptone presumably due to the presence of sulphur-rich amino acids. The results suggest raised SRB levels in UC, which could contribute to the condition through release of toxic sulphide.     

Major nutrient compositions and functional properties of sorghum flour at 0–3 days of grain germination

Germination is of importance to improving nutritional attributes of cereal grains for human consumption. The effect of germination time on major nutrient compositions and functional properties of sorghum flour was investigated in this study. Grains of Butanua, a new Sudanese sorghum cultivar, were germinated for 0,?1,?2, and 3 days to analyze their chemical and functional properties. The contents of starch, protein, oil, foaming stability, bulk density, and least gelation concentration of sorghum flour decreased, whereas oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity, and emulsion capacity and stability enhanced with an increase in germination time. Improved functional properties of sorghum flour by germination of the grains not only make it useful and suitable for various food processing formulations, but also improve the food product quality. This new finding will beneficially help develop innovative technologies, design new types of functional foods, and promote both sorghum production and relevant food processing industry in the future.     

Investigations on metabolism and carcinogenicity of 1,1,2-trichloroethane

Summary Two groups of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (50 animals/group per sex) were treated with either 15.37 or 46.77 mole of 1,1,2-TCE in DMSO/rat for 2 years. The animals were treated once a week by s.c. injection of test compound in the skin of neck. Two groups of controls received either DMSO or no treatment at all. The incidence of benign mesenchymal and epithelial tumors was not significant when compared with either DMSO-treated or untreated controls. The animals treated with 46.77 mole 1,1,2-TCE significantly developed sarcomas when compared with the untreated controls. In a further experiment, either 40 mole or 160 mole 1,1,2-TCE was injected into male Wistar rats and the metabolites, TdGA and HEMA, were determined in 24-h urine samples. Comparative studies were carried out giving equimolar amounts of chloroethanol and 2-chloroacetaldehyde diethyl acetal. Analysis of the metabolites showed that no detectable HEMA was excreted in urine after treatment of rats with 1,1,2-TCE or chloroethanol. TdGA was excreted in urine much more among chloroacetaldehyde-treated animals than among 1,1,2-TCE- or chloroethanol-treated rats.Abbreviations 1,1,2-TCE 1,1,2-trichloroethane - DMSO dimethyl-sulfoxide - Hema hydroxyethyl mercapturic acid - TdGA thiodiglycolic acid     

Precision Nutrition Model Predicts Glucose Control of Overweight Females Following the Consumption of Potatoes High in Resistant Starch

Individual glycemic responses following dietary intake result from complex physiological processes, and can be influenced by physical properties of foods, such as increased resistant starch (RS) from starch retrogradation. Predictive equations are needed to provide personalized dietary recommendations to reduce chronic disease development. Therefore, a precision nutrition model predicting the postprandial glucose response (PPGR) in overweight women following the consumption of potatoes was formulated. Thirty overweight women participated in this randomized crossover trial. Participants consumed 250 g of hot (9.2 g RS) or cold (13.7 g RS) potatoes on two separate occasions. Baseline characteristics included demographics, 10-day dietary records, body composition, and the relative abundance (RA) and α-diversity of gut microbiota. Elastic net regression using 5-fold cross-validation predicted PPGR after potato intake. Most participants (70%) had a favorable PPGR to the cold potato. The model explained 32.2% of the variance in PPGR with the equation: 547.65 × (0 [if cold, high-RS potato], ×1, if hot, low-RS potato]) + (BMI [kg/m²] × 40.66)—(insoluble fiber [g] × 49.35) + (Bacteroides [RA] × 8.69)—(Faecalibacterium [RA] × 73.49)—(Parabacteroides [RA] × 42.08) + (α-diversity × 110.87) + 292.52. This model improves the understanding of baseline characteristics that explain interpersonal variation in PPGR following potato intake and offers a tool to optimize dietary recommendations for a commonly consumed food.     

The Use of Chitosan and Starch-Based Flocculants for Filter Backwash Water Treatment

Inorganic aluminum or iron salts supported with synthetic polymers are commonly used to eradicate colloidal particles from water in coagulation and flocculation processes. Nevertheless, these agents have several disadvantages, such as large volumes of sludge produced or environmental toxicity. Recently biodegradable polymers have been suggested as eco-friendly flocculants for water treatment. This study aimed to investigate the possibilities of using starch and chitosan and their oxidized derivatives as flocculants for filter backwash water treatment. Dialdehyde starch (DST) and dialdehyde chitosan (DCT) were synthesized by periodate oxidization of natural starch from corn and low molecular weight chitosan. The obtained materials have been characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, we studied the flocculation properties of polysaccharide flocculants in a series of jar tests. The effectiveness of chitosan and starched-based flocculants was compared to synthetic polymers commonly used to treat iron ions-rich filter backwash water. The environmental aspects of these chemicals, particularly the biodegradability of post-flocculation residues, were also addressed. It was found that oxidized starch and chitosan derivatives can be used as ecological flocculating materials to treat potable water or sludge.     

高渗晶胶复合液静脉补液在犬烧伤早期防治休克疗效观察

目的研究应用高渗晶胶复合液快速静脉补液对35%TBSA烧伤犬伤后早期休克的防治作用及对血流动力学的影响。方法 Beagle犬12只,采用凝固汽油燃烧法制作Ⅲ度烧伤面积35%TBSA模型,随机分为常规补液组(A组)和高渗补液组(B组)。A组按照4ml/(kg.1%TBSA)输入乳酸钠林格氏液,在前8h输入总量的一半,B组采用高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40注射液,按照8ml/kg快速补液后终止补液。分别于伤前、伤后1h、2h、4h、6h、8h进行血流动力学检测,测定各组犬的胸腔内血容量指数(ITBI)、血管外肺水量(EVLW)、血容量(PV)及血浆渗透压。结果烧伤后两组ITBI均呈逐步降低趋势,B组经高渗补液后,伤后1h其ITBI降低与A组相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05),至伤后2h开始明显降低,4h后显著低于A组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05);A组EVLW显示伤后渗出增多,而B组经高渗补液,EVLW显示伤后2们h内血管外渗出较伤前差异无统计学意义(P0.05),渗出量显著低于A组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05);伤后A组PV明显降低,B组经高渗补液,PV在伤后1、2、4h降低缓慢,且PV明显高于A组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05),伤后4h后PV迅速减少,并显著低于A组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05);伤后A组血浆渗透压有所降低,B组经高渗补液,血浆渗透压在伤后1、2h较伤前增高,且显著高于A组(P0.05),两组相比差异有统计学意义,伤后4h后逐步降低,至伤后8hB组显著低于A组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论烧伤早期快速静脉补充高渗晶胶复合液,在4h内能够有效维持血流动力学指标稳定,并减少组织渗出,从而起到大大减少补液量、节约医疗资源、降低并发症、提高复苏疗效的作用,适于危重烧伤早期院外现场急救。     

Major childhood tumor resection using normovolemic hemodilution anesthesia and hetastarch

Acute normovolemic hemodilution is a safe technique for minimizing operative blood loss during major tumor resection in children. Based on our experience using hemodilution anesthesia in 14 successful extensive tumor resections, we conclude the following: (1) this is an effective means of reducing use of bank blood and thus avoiding the risks of multiple transfusions; (2) it facilitates surgical dissection due to increased visibility with dilute blood, and decreased bleeding due to controlled hypotension; (3) this technique is acceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses; (4) hetastarch is an effective, inexpensive colloid hemodiluent which minimized perioperative edema compared to crystalloid hemodilution.     

术前急性扩容血液稀释联合控制性降压用于脑膜瘤手术麻醉的临床研究

目的：观察急性扩容血液稀释联合控制性降压对脑膜瘤手术的血液保护效果。方法择期32例美国麻醉医师协会（American Society of Anesthesiologists,ASA）I～I级脑膜瘤手术患者,随机分成对照组和试验组(n=16)。常规麻醉诱导后,试验组快速输入羟乙基淀粉20mL/kg。术中静脉用硝酸甘油和艾司洛尔实施控制性降压,维持平均动脉压（mean arterial pressure,MAP）>65mmHg。记录麻醉诱导前(T1),血液扩容稀释后15min(T2),手术开始后60 min(T3)及手术结束(T4)时2组患者心率（heart rate,HR）、MAP、中心静脉压（central venous pressure,CVP）、血红蛋白（hemoglobin,Hb）和血球压积（hematocrit,Hct）。结果试验组T2时MAP显著高于对照组,术中T3时MAP显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。试验组中有9例患者接受输血,出血量显著低于对照组（P<0.05）;对照组中有15例患者术中接受了异体输血,输血量显著高于试验组（P<0.05）。结论急性扩容血液稀释联合控制性降压可以安全应用于脑膜瘤手术的麻醉,减少失血量。     

羟乙基淀粉和血定安对血凝图的影响

目的评价羟乙基淀粉和血定安对机体血凝图和血液动力学的影响.方法60例择期手术病人,ASAⅠ-Ⅲ级,随机分为羟乙基淀粉组(HES),血定安组(GEL),复方氯化钠液组(R)为对照组,每组各20例.以20ml/kg/h的速率分别由静脉输入HES,GEL,R液60min.采集输液前和输液后静脉血样立即送代化验室检测:凝血酶原时间(PT),活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT),纤维蛋白原(FIB).结果输入20ml/kg/h的HES和GEL后Bp、P、HR相对平稳,DBP的上升和HR的下降与R组的差异有显著意义.输入HES和GEL后PT有所延长但组间比较无显著差异,围术期内血凝三项的变化在正常生理范围内.