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To optimize the extraction process of peach gum polysaccharide (PGP) and investigate its immune effects in vitro, the method of extracting peach gum polysaccharide was used by pressurized alkaline water. Based on singlefactor analysis, the extraction process was optimized using response surface methodology. The results showed that the optimal extraction process conditions were liquid-solid ratio of 30:1(mL/g), extraction pressure of 1.0 MPa, and extraction time of 35 minutes. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the PGP yield was 85.59%. The results of immune effect experiments in vitro showed that peach gum polysaccharide could increase the body weight and organ index of mice, increase the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and tnterleukin-6 (IL-6) in mice cytokine, and increase the levels of immunoglobulin A(IgA), immunoglobulin G(IgG), and immunoglobulin M(IgM) in mice, which indicating that peach gum polysaccharide had the effect of enhancing immunity. This study provides a reference for the efficient extraction, development and utilization of peach gum polysaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to apply response surface methodology (RSM) to model and optimize the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique for extracting the crude polysaccharides (GLP-K) from Gracilaria lemaneiformis. In terms of the yield of polysaccharide, single factor tests and Box-Behnken design response surface method were developed. The structure of the prepared polysaccharides was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). And the anti-inflammatory potential of GLP-K in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages was also explored. Briefly, the optimal extraction conditions for GLP-K were as follows: 70 °C of extraction temperature, 8.5 min of extraction time, and 4 extraction cycles. Under the condition, the experimental yield of polysaccharide was 9.58%±0.31%. FT-IR showed that the polysaccharide contained uronic acid, and the weight-average molecular weight ranged from 4.4 to 747.1 kDa. GLP-K had no significant cytotoxic effects at or below the concentrations of 1000 μg/mL (P

Copyright of Storage & Process is the property of Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Oil Drilling & Production Technology / Shiyou Zuancai Gongyi is the property of Shiyou Zuancai Gongyi Bianjibu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Sepsis-associated hyperlactatemia is a widely used biomarker, associated with initial severity and poor outcomes. This increased circulating lactate concentration has been proposed to result in part from a mismatch between oxygen delivery and demand in organs. However, other mechanisms may participate. In particular, a metabolic reprogramming similar to the Warburg effect initially described in cancer cells could lead to increased lactate production by immune cells such as T lymphocytes after sepsis. The objective of this study was to set up a protocol for lactate measurement in T lymphocytes, and to evaluate whether lactate production by T lymphocytes was increased in septic shock patients. Methods We first optimized protocols for lactate and pyruvate measurements in T lymphocytes purified from healthy volunteers’ blood, either stimulated with phytohaemagglutinine (PHA) or left untreated. We then conducted a pilot study to confirm the feasibility of this protocol in samples from septic shock patients. Results PHA stimulation induced aerobic glycolysis in human lymphocytes ex vivo, with increased lactate and pyruvate productions. To correctly measure this phenomenon, minimal cell number was 250,000 and optimal culture duration was 40 h. We also observed a significant correlation between lactate concentration in T lymphocytes and in their culture supernatants. We were able to measure lactate concentration in T lymphocytes from septic shock patients. Our preliminary results showed that intra-lymphocyte lactate concentration was not different between patients and healthy volunteers. Conclusion This protocol should now be tested in a larger cohort of patients. The association between immune cell metabolic reprogramming as measured by lactate concentration in T cells and functionality represents an exciting field for research.

Copyright of Coal Science & Technology (0253-2336) is the property of Coal Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: To evaluate whether core length impacts biopsy accuracy and Gleason score underestimation compared to radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Methods: From 2010 to 2011, 8,928 cores were trans-rectal obtained from 744 consecutive patients (178 RP, 24 %), 557 by an experienced performer (>250/year) and 187 (25 %) by in-training urology residents. Prospectively analyzed variables were core length, age, prostate volume, free and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density and free/total PSA ratio. Results: Mean core length for Gleason upgrading on RP (42.7 %, n = 76) was 11.61 (±2.5, median 11.40) compared to 13.52 (±3.2, median 13.70), p < 0.001 for perfect biopsy-RP Gleason agreement (57.3 %, n = 102). In multivariate analysis, for each unit of core length increment in millimeter, the Gleason upgrading risk decreased 89.9 %, p = 0.049 [odds ratio (OR) 0.10, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.01-0.99]. Biopsy positivity between experienced (35.5 %) and in-training performer (30.1 %) was not significantly different ( p = 0.20), with comparable mean patient age (65.1 vs. 64.1), prostate volume (52.3 vs. 50.7) and median PSA (5.2 vs. 5.1), respectively. Denoting wider variability in terms of core length, in-training performers obtained significantly larger cores for positive biopsies (11.33 ± 3.42 vs. 10.83 ± 3.68), p = 0.043, compared to experienced performer (11.39 ± 3.36 vs. 11.37 ± 3.64), p = 0.30. In multivariate analysis, PSA density (OR 1.14, 95 % CI 1.02-1.28) and age (OR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.01-1.07) were significantly associated with biopsy positivity, p = 0.021 and p = 0.011, respectively. Conclusion: While core length on trans-rectal biopsy independently affects Gleason upgrading on RP specimens, performer experience has minor impact on Gleason discordance or biopsy positivity due to a sharp learning curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanowires are considered as high-performance thermoelectric materials with large Seebeck coefficients due to quantum confinement and low thermal conductivity because of enhanced boundary scattering of phonons. In this work, a seed-assisted growth method has been developed to synthesize high-purity bismuth nanowires. The bismuth seeds were first synthesized by reducing BiCl in the ice water with NaBH. The high-purity bismuth nanowires about 40-50 nm in diameter and several tens of micrometers in length were then grown on bismuth seeds by reducing NaBiO with ethylene glycol. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to characterize the crystal structure, microstructure, and growth direction of the bismuth seeds and nanowires. The effects of temperature, reductant, and bismuth seeds template on the microstructures of the bismuth nanowires were also investigated. The synthesis conditions of bismuth seeds and nanowires were optimized. The selected area electron diffraction pattern confirms that the growth direction of bismuth nanowires is parallel to [ $$ 11\bar{2}0$$ ] direction. It was discovered that high-purity bismuth nanowires with high aspect ratio can be synthesized by precisely controlling the temperature to adjust the nucleation rate of the bismuth nuclei, selecting the appropriate reductant to maintain a low nucleation rate, and using bismuth seeds as the template of the epitaxial growth of the bismuth nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The compound enzyme extraction process for safflor yellow from Carthamus tinctorius L. was optimized to provide references for utilizing safflor yellow. [Method] Based on the single factor experiments including four factors (enzymatic concentration, enzymolysis temperature, enzymolysis time, pH) and three levels, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the compound enzyme extracting safflor yellow with its yield as the indicator. [Result] Quadratic regression model of safflor yellow extraction yield (Y) on enzymatic concentration (X1), enzymolysis temperature (X2), enzymolysis time(X3) and pH(X4) was Y=-1.16333+24.9875X1+0.14083X2+0.6X3+0.375X4- 0.06875X1X2+0.075X1X3+0.4125X1X4+0.013X2X4-0.0075X3X4-18.55208X12-0.0016833X22-0.14833X32-0.13208X42(R2=0.976), which showed good fitting degree. Enzymatic concentration had extremely significant effects on safflor yellow extraction yield (P<0.01) and pH had significant influence (P<0.05, the same as below). The interactive role between pH and enzymolysis temperature & enzymolysis temperature and enzymatic concentration also had significant influence. The optimal conditions were: enzymatic concentration (the ratio of pectinase to cellulose = 1:1) of 0.64% (w/w), enzymolysis temperature of 47 °C, enzymolysis time of 2 h, and pH of 4.7. Under these conditions, the safflor yellow extraction yield was up to 11.59%, close to 11.65%, the theoretical prediction. [Conclusion] Using RSM for compound enzyme extracting safflor yellow is highly applicable, which should be extended in production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective]The extraction parameters of polysaccharide in volva of Dictyophora indusiata were optimized to provide technical support for its further development. [Method]Volva of Dictyophora indusiata was used as material. Single-factor experiments and response surface methodology were used to select appropriate levels on extraction temperature, extraction time, liquid-to-material ratio and extraction times. A quadratic regression model describing the effects of extraction conditions on the extraction rate of polysaccharide was developed by Box-Behnken experimental design. [Result]The quadratic multinomial regression equation of polysaccharide extraction in volva of Dictyophora indusiata was established as Y=12.96+0.29A+0.13B+0.17C-0.13AB-0.039AC-0.014BC-0.34A2-0.27B2-0.34C2(A: extraction temperature, B: extraction time, C: liquid-material ratio, Y: extraction rate of polysaccharide, R2=0.9551 ), and the model fitted well with the experimental data. The influencing order of parameters on the extraction rate was extraction temperature>liquid-to-material ratio>extraction time. Extraction temperature and liquid-to-material ratio extremely affected the extraction rate of polysaccharide and extraction time was less influential. However, interactive function of two factors slightly affected the extraction yield of polysaccharide. The optimal extraction conditions for polysaccharide were determined as follows: extraction temperature at 82 °C, extraction time of 3.1 h and liquid-to-material ratio of 62:1 ml/g. After one extraction under the optimized conditions, the extraction rate of polysaccharide reached 13.016%, basically close to the theoretical content of 13.040%. [Conclusion]The response surface methodology is a workable method to optimize the extraction parameters of polysaccharide in volva of Dictyophora indusiata, so it could be used in practical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vacuum resin impregnation method has been used to prepare polymer/compressed expanded graphite (CEG) composite bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this research, three different preparation techniques of the epoxy/CEG composite bipolar plate (Compression–Impregnation method, Impregnation–Compression method and Compression–Impregnation–Compression method) are optimized by the physical properties of the composite bipolar plates. The optimum conditions and the advantages/disadvantages of the different techniques are discussed respectively. Although having different characteristics, bipolar plates obtained by these three techniques can all meet the demands of PEMFC bipolar plates as long as the optimum conditions are selected. The Compression–Impregnation–Compression method is shown to be the optimum method because of the outstanding properties of the bipolar plates. Besides, the cell assembled with these optimum composite bipolar plates shows excellent stability after 200h durability testing. Therefore the composite prepared by vacuum resin impregnation method is a promising candidate for bipolar plate materials in PEMFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Digital mammography requires revisiting techniques that have been optimized for prior screen/film mammography systems. The objective of the study was to determine optimized radiographic technique for a digital mammography system and demonstrate the potential for dose reduction in comparison to the clinically established techniques based on screen- film. An objective figure of merit (FOM) was employed to evaluate a direct-conversion amorphous selenium (a-Se) FFDM system (Siemens Mammomat NovationDR, Siemens AG Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) and was derived from the quotient of the squared signal-difference-to-noise ratio to mean glandular dose, for various combinations of technique factors and breast phantom configurations including kilovoltage settings (23–35 kVp), target/filter combinations (Mo–Mo and W–Rh), breast-equivalent plastic in various thicknesses (2–8 cm) and densities (100% adipose, 50% adipose/50% glandular, and 100% glandular), and simulated mass and calcification lesions. When using a W–Rh spectrum, the optimized FOM results for the simulated mass and calcification lesions showed highly consistent trends with kVp for each combination of breast density and thickness. The optimized kVp ranged from 26 kVp for 2 cm 100% adipose breasts to 30 kVp for 8 cm 100% glandular breasts. The use of the optimized W–Rh technique compared to standard Mo–Mo techniques provided dose savings ranging from 9% for 2 cm thick, 100% adipose breasts, to 63% for 6 cm thick, 100% glandular breasts, and for breasts with a 50% adipose/50% glandular composition, from 12% for 2 cm thick breasts up to 57% for 8 cm thick breasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human observer performance tests were conducted to identify optimal imaging techniques in dual-energy (DE) imaging of the chest with respect to a variety of visualization tasks for soft and bony tissue. Specifically, the effect of kVp selection in low- and high-energy projection pairs was investigated. DE images of an anthropomorphic chest phantom formed the basis for observer studies, decomposed from low-energy and high-energy projections in the range 60–90 kVp and 120–150 kVp, respectively, with total dose for the DE image equivalent to that of a single chest radiograph. Five expert radiologists participated in observer preference tests to evaluate differences in image quality among the DE images. For visualization of soft-tissue structures in the lung, the [60/130] kVp pair provided optimal image quality, whereas [60/140] kVp proved optimal for delineation of the descending aorta in the retrocardiac region. Such soft-tissue detectability tasks exhibited a strong dependence on the low-kVp selection (with 60 kVp providing maximum soft-tissue conspicuity) and a weaker dependence on the high-kVp selection (typically highest at 130–140 kVp). Qualitative examination of DE bone-only images suggests optimal bony visualization at a similar technique, viz., [60/140] kVp. Observer preference was largely consistent with quantitative analysis of contrast, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio, with subtle differences likely related to the imaging task and spatial-frequency characteristics of the noise. Observer preference tests offered practical, semiquantitative identification of optimal, task-specific imaging techniques and will provide useful guidance toward clinical implementation of high-performance DE imaging systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer Analysis of Mammography Phantom Images (CAMPI) is a method for making quantitative measurements of image quality. This article reports on a recent application of this method to a prototype full-field digital mammography (FFDM) machine. Images of a modified ACR phantom were acquired on the General Electric Diagnostic Molybdenum Rhodium (GE-DMR) FFDM machine at a number of x-ray techniques, both with and without the scatter reduction grid. The techniques were chosen so that one had sets of grid and non-grid images with matched doses (200 mrads) and matched gray-scale values (1500). A third set was acquired at constant 26 kVp and varying mAs for both grid conditions. Analyses of the images yielded signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast and noise corresponding to each target object, and a nonuniformity measure. The results showed that under conditions of equal gray-scale value the grid images were markedly superior, albeit at higher doses than the non-grid images. Under constant dose conditions, the non-grid images were slightly superior in SNR (7%) but markedly less uniform (60%). Overall, the grid images had substantially greater contrast and superior image uniformity. These conclusions applied to the whole kVp range studied for the Mo-Mo target filter combination and 4 cm of breast equivalent material of average composition. These results suggest that use of the non-grid technique in digital mammography with the GE-DMR-FFDM unit, is presently not warranted. With improved uniformity correction procedure, this conclusion would change and one should be able to realize a 14% reduction in patient dose at the same SNR by using a non-grid technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, aerated underbalanced drilling becomes one of the most commonly used techniques in coalbed methane drilling. It is difficult to satisfy the rock cuttings portability requirement and control the stability of bottom hole pressure, while controlling the gas injection pressure, rate, and volume. The pressure drop performance is obtained at the corresponding cave through numerical simulation by FLUENT software under different gas injection pressure, rate and volume. So a reasonable set of technical parameters are selected, which can guarantee the expected flow type to fulfill the rock portability requirements, and stabilize the bottom hole pressure during aerated underbalanced drilling. An analyzing model is built up through the real-time parameters from one well, and the gas injection pressure, rate and volume are optimized, following with the parameter varying rules. The results have some guidance to ensure drilling safety and optimize drilling operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of a "coal-like" pelletization technique based on the sustainable biomass fuel of hydrothermal carbonization of wheat straw was investigated. Wheat straw was selected as the raw material. Single factor experiment was used to study effects of various hydrothermal carbonization and molding conditions on the fuel and pelletization characteristics of hydrochar pellets. Response surface methodology was used to explore the interactions of significant conditions and optimize the wheat straw hydrochar pelletization techniques. Experimental conditions included raw material particle size, hydrothermal carbonization temperature, hydrothermal carbonization time, moisture content, molding pressure, pressure holding time and compression speed. The results showed that effects of hydrothermal carbonization temperature on fuel characteristics of hydrochar pellets was significant (P < 0.05). Hydrothermal carbonization temperature, hydrothermal carbonization time, moisture content and molding pressure had significant effects on water resistance, compressive strength and molding energy consumption of hydrochar pellets (P < 0.05), meanwhile they had interactive effects on water resistance and molding energy consumption. The raw material particle size, pressure holding time and compression speed had no significant effect on the fuel and pelletization characteristics (P > 0.05). The optimized experimental conditions of wheat straw hydrochar pelletization were: hydrothermal carbonization temperature of 231 °C, hydrothermal carbonization time of 25 min, molding pressure of 130 MPa, moisture content of 13%. Higher heating value of the optimum-processed hydrochar pellets was 21.03 MJ/kg, its ash content was 2.11% and comprehensive combustibility index was 9.55 × 10−7%2/(°С3·min2). Using these optimized conditions, it could be produced the hydrochar pellets with similar energy yields and lower ash contents than lignite, as well as a product with better pelletization and fuel characteristics than its parent material pellet. • HTC–temperature significantly affected on fuel characteristics of hydrochar pellets. • The HTC and molding conditions had significant effects on WR, CS, MEC. • The HTC and molding conditions had interactive effects on WR and MEC. • The optimum conditions for WS hydrochar pelletization were performed. • The optimum–processed WS hydrochar pellets is a sustainable clean "coal-like" fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. Pediatric CT angiography (CTA) presents unique challenges compared with adult CTA. Because of the ionizing radiation exposure, CTA should be used judiciously in children. The pearls offered here are observations gleaned from the authors' experience in the use of pediatric CTA. We also present some potential follies to be avoided. CONCLUSION. Understanding the underlying principles and paying meticulous attention to detail can substantially optimize dose and improve the diagnostic quality of pediatric CTA.

Background: Sepsis-associated hyperlactatemia is a widely used biomarker, associated with initial severity and poor outcomes. This increased circulating lactate concentration has been proposed to result in part from a mismatch between oxygen delivery and demand in organs. However, other mechanisms may participate. In particular, a metabolic reprogramming similar to the Warburg effect initially described in cancer cells could lead to increased lactate production by immune cells such as T lymphocytes after sepsis. The objective of this study was to set up a protocol for lactate measurement in T lymphocytes, and to evaluate whether lactate production by T lymphocytes was increased in septic shock patients.Methods: We first optimized protocols for lactate and pyruvate measurements in T lymphocytes purified from healthy volunteers’ blood, either stimulated with phytohaemagglutinine (PHA) or left untreated. We then conducted a pilot study to confirm the feasibility of this protocol in samples from septic shock patients.Results: PHA stimulation induced aerobic glycolysis in human lymphocytes ex vivo, with increased lactate and pyruvate productions. To correctly measure this phenomenon, minimal cell number was 250,000 and optimal culture duration was 40 h. We also observed a significant correlation between lactate concentration in T lymphocytes and in their culture supernatants. We were able to measure lactate concentration in T lymphocytes from septic shock patients. Our preliminary results showed that intra-lymphocyte lactate concentration was not different between patients and healthy volunteers.Conclusion: This protocol should now be tested in a larger cohort of patients. The association between immune cell metabolic reprogramming as measured by lactate concentration in T cells and functionality represents an exciting field for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]