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Background: Platelet increment is reportedly lower for maximum stored platelet concentrates (PCs) and during pyrexia, and in vitro function differs between fresh and stored PCs. However, little is known about the function of fresh and stored platelets during inflammation. Objectives: The aim was to study differences in hemostatic function after transfusion of fresh or stored PCs in a human model of experimental endotoxemia. Methods: Thirty-six healthy male subjects received either 2 ng/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or a control (physiological saline 0.9%) and were randomly assigned to subsequently receive an autologous transfusion of either fresh (2-days-old) or stored (7-days-old) platelets, or saline control. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were determined using flow cytometry, thrombin–antithrombin complex (TATc) was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and hemostatic function was assessed using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Results: LPS infusion caused a marked increase in TATc, EVs and fibrinolysis. Thromboelastometry data revealed that following infusion of LPS, subjects exhibited in general a hypocoagulable state compared with those not receiving LPS. Platelet transfusions led to a reduced clotting time and an augmentation in clot strength, indicated by maximum clot firmness, solely among subjects undergoing endotoxemia. There were no significant differences in TATc or amount of EVs release after transfusion of fresh or stored platelets. Conclusion: A significant increase in TATc and EVs as well as a difference in hemostatic function after endotoxemia were observed. During endotoxemia, platelet transfusion resulted in enhanced coagulation and hemostatic function; however, no substantial differences were observed between transfusion of fresh or stored PCs.

Objectives: To evaluate the activity of intravesical mitomycin‐C (MMC) to ablate recurrent low‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and assess whether it may enable patients to avoid surgical intervention for treatment of recurrence. Patients and Methods: CALIBER is a phase II feasibility study. Participants were randomized (2:1) to treatment with four once‐weekly MMC 40‐mg intravesical instillations (chemoablation arm) or to surgical management. The surgical group was included to assess the feasibility of randomization. The primary endpoint was complete response to intravesical MMC in the chemoablation arm at 3 months, reported with exact 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Secondary endpoints included time to subsequent recurrence, summarized by Kaplan–Meier methods. Results: Between February 2015 and August 2017, 82 patients with visual diagnosis of recurrent low‐risk NMIBC were enrolled from 24 UK hospitals (chemoablation, n = 54; surgical management, n =28). The median follow‐up was 24 months. Complete response at 3 months was 37.0% (20/54; 95% CI 24.3–51.3) with chemoablation and 80.8% (21/26; 95% CI 60.6–93.4) with surgical management. Amongst patients with complete response at 3 months, a similar proportion was recurrence‐free by 12 months in both groups (84%). Amongst those with residual disease at 3 months, the 12‐month recurrence‐free proportion was lower in the surgical management group (40.0%) than in the chemoablation group (84%). Recruitment stopped early as chemoablation did not meet the prespecified threshold of 45% complete responses at 3 months. Conclusion: Intravesical chemoablation in low‐risk NMIBC is feasible and safe, but did not demonstrate sufficient response in the present trial. After chemoablation there may be a reduction in recurrence rate, even in non‐responders, that is greater than with surgery alone. Further research is required to investigate the role and optimal schedule of neoadjuvant intravesical chemotherapy prior to surgery for NMIBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of sonic infrared imaging (SIR) consists of the excitation of an object with a short pulse of 15 to 40 kHz sound, in combination with IR imaging of the object’s surface temperature as a function of time. Sonic infrared imaging is effective for detecting surface and subsurface cracks. The recent discovery of acoustic chaos has provided a means of greatly enhancing the effectiveness of SIR. We describe the properties of chaotic sound in the context of SIR crack detection, and show examples of the enhancement of the detectability of cracks through the use of chaotic sound. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Here, we present a 7-year-old patient suffering from severe haemolytic anaemia. The most common cause of chronic hereditary non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia is red blood cell pyruvate kinase (PK-R) deficiency. Because red blood cells rely solely on glycolysis to generate ATP, PK-R deficiency can severely impact energy supply and cause reduction in red blood cell lifespan. We determined the underlying cause of the anaemia and investigated how erythroid precursors in the patient survive. Methods PK activity assays, Western blot and Sanger sequencing were employed to determine the underlying cause of the anaemia. Patient erythroblasts were cultured and reticulocytes were isolated to determine PK-R and PKM2 contribution to glycolytic activity during erythrocyte development. Results We found a novel homozygous mutation (c.583G>A) in the PK-R coding gene ( PKLR). Although this mutation did not influence PKLR mRNA production, no PK-R protein could be detected in the red blood cells nor in its precursors. In spite of the absence of PK-R, the reticulocytes of the patient exhibited 20% PK activity compared with control. Western blotting revealed that patient erythroid precursors, like controls, express residual PKM2. Conclusions We conclude that PKM2 rescues glycolysis in PK-R-deficient erythroid precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though red blood cell (RBC) vesiculation is a well-documented phenomenon, notably in the context of RBC aging and blood transfusion, the exact signalling pathways and kinases involved in this process remain largely unknown. We have established a screening method for RBC vesicle shedding using the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin which is a rapid and efficient method to promote vesiculation. In order to identify novel pathways stimulating vesiculation in RBC, we screened two libraries: the Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC) and the Selleckchem Kinase Inhibitor Library for their effects on RBC from healthy donors. We investigated compounds triggering vesiculation and compounds inhibiting vesiculation induced by ionomycin. We identified 12 LOPAC compounds, nine kinase inhibitors and one kinase activator which induced RBC shrinkage and vesiculation. Thus, we discovered several novel pathways involved in vesiculation including G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)- Akt (protein kinase B) pathway, the Jak-STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway and the Raf-MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway. Moreover, we demonstrated a link between casein kinase 2 (CK2) and RBC shrinkage via regulation of the Gardos channel activity. In addition, our data showed that inhibition of several kinases with unknown functions in mature RBC, including Alk (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), induced RBC shrinkage and vesiculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Antioxidant activity of chitosans of different molecular weights (30, 90 and 120kDa chitosan) in salmon (Salmo salar) was investigated. The progress of oxidation was monitored by employing the 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assays. In general, all chitosans exhibited antioxidative activities in salmon. The addition of chitosans to salmon reduced lipid oxidation for seven days of storage. The TBARS values of salmon containing chitosan were significantly lower than those of the control (p <0.01). At 0.2% (w/v) and 0.5% (w/v) concentrations, the TBARS with chitosan addition was decreased by 75% and 45%, respectively, over 15 days. At 1% concentration, the TBARS value with native chitosan addition was decreased by 32% after 15 days of storage. 90kDa chitosan showed an increased DPPH free radical-scavenging activity with increasing concentration in the range of 0.2–1% (w/v). The free radical-scavenging activity of the 0.2mM DPPH solution was saturated by 30kDa chitosan at a concentration of ⩾0.7% (w/v), resulting in a strong antioxidant activity of approximately 85%. This was comparable to the DPPH free radical-scavenging activity of BHT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies of the sediments of Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, Canada, have shown variable degrees of pollution with a large number of organic and inorganic pollutants. Three areas in the Harbour – Windemere Basin, Cootes Paradise and Randle Reef – exhibited particularly high levels of contaminants, with concomitant impacts on benthic organisms. Sediment samples examined in this study were taken from a site in Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour and a station (LE 23) in Lake Erie used as a reference sample. The samples were subjected to chemical fractionation to remove organic contaminants, with one fraction being used as total extract, and another aliquot being subjected to silica gel fractionation to give four fractions. Each fraction was chemically analysed and an aliquot used for bioassays following exchange with dimethylsulfoxide. Standard biotests were performed with Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca, Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows) and Selenastrum capricornutum. Results from direct sediment contact bioassays indicated that sediment from Randle Reef is highly toxic, whereas the Lake Erie sample had no observable impacts. Total extract when added at 1% to the bioassays replicated the solid phase with acute toxicity for Randle Reef, and no effect on Lake Erie. For the silica gel fractionation, Fraction 1 (F1) showed similar toxicity as the total extract, even at low additions, whereas F2–4 gave variable and inconclusive results. F1 eluted with hexane contained the non-polar fractions, predominantly the polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and these compounds are the most likely causative agents for the highly acute toxicity observed in the sediment of Randle Reef. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activity of native chitosan was compared to that of lipase-degraded chitosan. The effects of O-carboxymethylated (O-CM) substitution on native (molecular weight, 120; degree of deacetylation, 84.71%) and lipase-degraded chitosans were also investigated. The antimicrobial activity of native chitosan was more extensive than that of lipase-degraded chitosan; however, lipase-degraded chitosan was still highly effective and more water-soluble. O-CM chitosan derived from degraded chitosan was more effective than O-CM chitosan derived from native chitosan. O-CM substitution enhanced lipasedegraded chitosan's antimicrobial activity without reducing its solubility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: Aqueous soy flour solutions (5% w/w) were treated for 3 h at 45 to 50 °C with Crystalzyme®, without enzyme at 45 to 50 °C, or blanched at 80 °C. Solutions were ultra- and dia-filtered to produce membrane soy concentrates (MSC). Total isoflavones of MSCs were 3.02 mg/g, 3.12 mg/g, or 3.42 mg/g, respectively, on a dry weight basis. Membrane processing contributed to approximately 18, 15, or 8% decreases, respectively, in total isoflavones of MSCs compared with soy flour (3.71mg/g). This represents at least an 82% recovery. There was no significant difference in total isoflavone content in any MSC, however the profile of isoflavones as glucosides or aglycones changed with treatment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT The functionality of membrane processed soy concentrate was very similar to soy flour in terms of solubility and water hydration capacity. The high emulsifying activity index of soy flour is believed to be reflective of its higher solubility, while surface hydrophobicity is believed to be responsible for an equally high emulsifying activity index in acid precipitated soy isolate. The proteins of soy flour and membrane soy concentrate seem to have most of their hydrophobic residues buried in the interior, while they are exposed in acid precipitated soy isolate. Heating resulted in a decrease in solubility but improved the hydration capacity and emulsifying activity of both soy flour and membrane soy concentrate. The essential amino acid profile of concentrate was comparable to current commercial isolates manufactured by acid precipitation. The majority of the polypeptides present in soy flour were observed to be present in the concentrate. The membrane soy concentrate was determined to have the least soybean aroma when compared to both soy flour and acid precipitated soy isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of a study which was conducted to examine the effect of maternal brooding and nest temperatures on hatchling phenotypes in water pythons (Liasis fuscus). Simulation of three thermal regimes typical of different types of natural nests.

A process for selective enrichment of immunoglobulins has been developed using formed-in-place membranes on sintered stainless steel tubes. The process employs both size exclusion and protein charge manipulation around the isoelectric point of proteins to selectively reject or pass components of the stream. Volume recoveries of 95% (20X concentration) could be achieved with a single filtration without loss of fractionation capabilities. The large initial volume reduction allows for small subsequent diafiltration volumes and insures optimization of fractionation while minimizing total processing volume. The process has been used to enrich proteins representing a small percentage of the total protein from a large feed volume. As an example, immunoglobulin G (IgG) from cheese whey was enriched from 8% to 20% of total whey protein with a 90% recovery of the IgG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the influence of unionization and estimated Phillips curve. Relationship between rates of wage inflation and unemployment levels; Structure of collective bargaining; Functions of the degree of labor force organization.

Provides information on research carried out which examined the plastic yield and fracture of rubber-modified polystyrene specimens under tensile load. What the experimental procedure consisted of; Analysis of single-edge-notched and dog-bone-shaped test coupons; Results of the research carried out.

A clear demonstration of the potential of ribbon shaped rein forcements in composite materials applications is presented. From a micromechanics analysis, supported by experimental results, we find that ribbon reinforcement offers superior stiffness properties in the plane of the lamina. The macromechanics analysis intro duces the concept of a hybrid composite in which the engineer may combine the outstanding strength properties of fibers with the superior stiffness properties offered by ribbon reinforcements. It is pointed out that the low strength observed for glass-ribbon com posites is a consequence of fabrication procedures and does not correspond to the theoretical limiting strength of ribbon rein forcements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]