Metal and alloy nanoparticles by amine-borane reduction of metal salts by solid-phase synthesis: atom economy and green process.

PubMed

Sanyal, Udishnu; Jagirdar, Balaji R

2012-12-03

A new solid state synthetic route has been developed toward metal and bimetallic alloy nanoparticles from metal salts employing amine-boranes as the reducing agent. During the reduction, amine-borane plays a dual role: acts as a reducing agent and reduces the metal salts to their elemental form and simultaneously generates a stabilizing agent in situ which controls the growth of the particles and stabilizes them in the nanosize regime. Employing different amine-boranes with differing reducing ability (ammonia borane (AB), dimethylamine borane (DMAB), and triethylamine borane (TMAB)) was found to have a profound effect on the particle size and the size distribution. Usage of AB as the reducing agent provided the smallest possible size with best size distribution. Employment of TMAB also afforded similar results; however, when DMAB was used as the reducing agent it resulted in larger sized nanoparticles that are polydisperse too. In the AB mediated reduction, BNH(x) polymer generated in situ acts as a capping agent whereas, the complexing amine of the other amine-boranes (DMAB and TMAB) play the same role. Employing the solid state route described herein, monometallic Au, Ag, Cu, Pd, and Ir and bimetallic CuAg and CuAu alloy nanoparticles of <10 nm were successfully prepared. Nucleation and growth processes that control the size and the size distribution of the resulting nanoparticles have been elucidated in these systems.

Control of oxidation-reduction potential during Cheddar cheese ripening and its effect on the production of volatile flavour compounds.

PubMed

Caldeo, Veronica; Hannon, John A; Hickey, Dara-Kate; Waldron, Dave; Wilkinson, Martin G; Beresford, Thomas P; McSweeney, Paul L H

2016-11-01

In cheese, a negative oxidation-reduction (redox) potential is required for the stability of aroma, especially that associated with volatile sulphur compounds. To control the redox potential during ripening, redox agents were added to the salted curd of Cheddar cheese before pressing. The control cheese contained only salt, while different oxidising or reducing agents were added with the NaCl to the experimental cheeses. KIO3 (at 0·05, 0·1 and 1%, w/w) was used as the oxidising agent while cysteine (at 2%, w/w) and Na2S2O4 (at 0·05 and 0·1%, w/w) were used as reducing agents. During ripening the redox potential of the cheeses made with the reducing agents did not differ significantly from the control cheese (E h ≈ -120 mV) while the cheeses made with 0·1 and 0·05% KIO3 had a significantly higher and positive redox potential in the first month of ripening. Cheese made with 1% KIO3 had positive values of redox potential throughout ripening but no starter lactic acid bacteria survived in this cheese; however, numbers of starter organisms in all other cheeses were similar. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the volatile compounds clearly separated the cheeses made with the reducing agents from cheeses made with the oxidising agents at 2 month of ripening. Cheeses with reducing agents were characterized by the presence of sulphur compounds whereas cheeses made with KIO3 were characterized mainly by aldehydes. At 6 month of ripening, separation by PCA was less evident. These findings support the hypothesis that redox potential could be controlled during ripening and that this parameter has an influence on the development of cheese flavour.

Chemical agents for the control of plaque and plaque microflora: an overview.

PubMed

Gaffar, A; Afflitto, J; Nabi, N

1997-10-01

This presentation provides an overview of the technologies available for the chemical control of plaque. It is generally accepted that the formation of dental plaque at the interfaces of tooth/gingiva is one of the major causes of gingival inflammation and dental caries. Several therapeutic approaches have been used to control dental plaque and supragingival infections. These include fluoride preparations such as stannous fluoride, oxygenating agents, anti-attachment agents, and cationic and non-cationic antibacterial agents. Among the fluoride preparations, stable stannous fluoride pastes and gels have been shown to reduce supragingival plaque, gingivitis, hypersensitivity and caries. The effect of the oxygenating agents on the supragingival plaque has been equivocal, but recent data indicate that a stable agent which provides sustained active oxygen release is effective in controlling plaque. A polymer, PVPA, which reduced attachment of bacteria to teeth was shown to significantly reduce plaque formation in humans. A new generation of antibacterials includes non-ionics such as triclosan, which in combination with a special polymer delivery system, has been shown to reduce plaque, gingivitis, supragingival calculus and dental caries in long-term studies conducted around the world. Unlike the first generation of agents, the triclosan/copolymer/sodium fluoride system is effective in long-term clinicals and does not cause staining of teeth, increase in calculus, or disturbance in the oral microbial ecology.

Enhancement of the Musca domestica hytrosavirus infection with orally delivered reducing agents.

PubMed

Boucias, D; Baniszewski, J; Prompiboon, P; Lietze, V; Geden, C

2015-01-01

House flies (Musca domestica L.) throughout the world are infected with the salivary gland hypertrophy virus MdSGHV (Hytrosaviridae). Although the primary route of infection is thought to be via ingestion, flies that are old enough to feed normally are resistant to infection per os, suggesting that the peritrophic matrix (PM) is a barrier to virus transmission. Histological examination of the peritrophic matrix of healthy flies revealed a multilaminate structure produced by midgut cells located near the proventriculus. SEM revealed the PM to form a confluent sheet surrounding the food bolus with pores/openings less than 10nm in diameter. TEM revealed the PM to be multilayered, varying in width from 350 to 900 nm, and generally thinner in male than in female flies. When flies were fed on the reducing agents dithiothetriol (DTT) or tris (2-caboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP) for 48 h before per os exposure to the virus, infection rates increased 10- to 20-fold compared with flies that did not receive the reducing agent treatments. PM's from flies treated with DTT and TCEP displayed varying degrees of disruption, particularly in the outer layer, and lacked the electron-dense inner layer facing the ectoperitrophic space. Both drugs were somewhat toxic to the flies, resulting in>40% mortality at doses greater than 10mM (DTT) or 5 mM (TCEP). DTT increased male fly susceptibility (55.1% infected) more than that of females (7.8%), whereas TCEP increased susceptibility of females (42.9%) more than that of males (26.2%). The cause for the sex differences in response to oral exposure the reducing agents is unclear. Exposing flies to food treated with virus and the reducing agents at the same time, rather than pretreating flies with the drugs, had no effect on susceptibility to the virus. Presumably, the reducing agent disrupted the enveloped virus and acted as a viricidal agent. In summary, it is proposed that the reducing agents influence integrity of the PM barrier and increase the susceptibility of flies to infection by MdSGHV. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spatial Control of Cell Transfection Using Soluble or Solid-Phase Redox Agents and a Redox-Active Ferrocenyl Lipid

PubMed Central

Aytar, Burcu S.; Muller, John P. E.; Kondo, Yukishige; Abbott, Nicholas L.; Lynn, David M.

2013-01-01

We report principles for active, user-defined control over the locations and timing with which DNA is expressed in cells. Our approach exploits unique properties of a ferrocenyl cationic lipid that is inactive when oxidized, but active when chemically reduced. We show that methods that exert spatial control over the administration of reducing agents can lead to local activation of lipoplexes and spatial control over gene expression. The versatility of this approach is demonstrated using both soluble and solid-phase reducing agents. These methods provide control over cell transfection, including methods for remote activation and the patterning of expression using solid-phase redox agents, that are difficult to achieve using conventional lipoplexes. PMID:23965341

Spatial control of cell transfection using soluble or solid-phase redox agents and a redox-active ferrocenyl lipid.

PubMed

Aytar, Burcu S; Muller, John P E; Kondo, Yukishige; Abbott, Nicholas L; Lynn, David M

2013-09-11

We report principles for active, user-defined control over the locations and timing with which DNA is expressed in cells. Our approach exploits unique properties of a ferrocenyl cationic lipid that is inactive when oxidized, but active when chemically reduced. We show that methods that exert spatial control over the administration of reducing agents can lead to local activation of lipoplexes and spatial control over gene expression. The versatility of this approach is demonstrated using both soluble and solid-phase reducing agents. These methods provide control over cell transfection, including methods for remote activation and the patterning of expression using solid-phase redox agents, that are difficult to achieve using conventional lipoplexes.

Quantitative comparison of topical aluminum salt solution efficacy for management of sweating: a randomized, controlled trial.

PubMed

Swary, Jillian H; West, Dennis P; Kakar, Rohit; Ortiz, Sara; Schaeffer, Matthew R; Veledar, Emir; Alam, Murad

2015-12-01

There is a lack of studies objectively comparing the efficacy of topical antiperspirants in reducing sweat. To objectively and quantitatively compare the efficacy of two aluminum salt solutions for the reduction of induced sweating. A subject, rater, and statistician-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Nineteen subjects were exposed to a standardized heat challenge for 3 h. Topical agent A (20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate) was randomized to either axilla, and topical agent B (1% aluminum acetate) assigned to the contralateral side. A sauna suit induced sweating during three 30-min heat intervals: (1) with no study agents (pre); (2) with both study agents, one on each side; and (3) after the agents were washed off (post). Sweat levels were measured by securing Whatman(®) filter paper to each axilla and measuring the paper weight after each heat interval. The difference in paper weight following each heat interval between Study Agent A and Study Agent B was measured by a gravimetric scale. Topical agent A had a significantly greater effect at reducing axillary sweating than B (P = 0.0002). In a sweating simulation, 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate quantitatively and objectively appeared to reduce sweat more effectively than 1% aluminum acetate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Biotechnology Research Requirements for Aeronautical Systems through the Year 2000. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-30

signature. Reducing the aero contain radic.?z,:"ve fallout. vehicle’s detectibility by reducing the optical, electro, acoustic, and infrared 0 Pulsed...arsenal devoted to agent doses. At this time, basic biochemical and chemical agents, reported use of mycotoxins and pharmacological data are minimal and...mass spectroscopy , quartz chemical agents must be developed. This research microbalances, Industrial hygiene dosimetry, damp should quantify human

Impact of the morphology and reactivity of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) on dechlorinating bacteria.

PubMed

Rónavári, Andrea; Balázs, Margit; Tolmacsov, Péter; Molnár, Csaba; Kiss, István; Kukovecz, Ákos; Kónya, Zoltán

2016-05-15

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) is increasingly used for reducing chlorinated organic contaminants in soil or groundwater. However, little is known about what impact the particles will have on the biochemical processes and the indigenous microbial communities. Nanoiron reactivity is affected by the structure and morphology of nanoparticles that complicates the applicability in bioremediation. In this study, the effect of precursors (ferrous sulfate and ferric chloride) and reducing agents (sodium dithionite and sodium borohydride) on the morphology and the reactivity of NZVIs was investigated. We also studied the impact of differently synthesized NZVIs on microbial community, which take part in reductive dechlorination. We demonstrated that both the applied iron precursor and the reducing agent had influence on the structure of the nanoparticles. Spherical nanoparticles with higher Fe(0) content (>90%) was observed by using sodium borohydride as reducing agent, while application of sodium dithionite as reducing agent resulted nanostructures with lower Fe(0) content (between 68,7 and 85,5%). To determine the influence of differently synthesized NZVIs on cell viability anaerobic enriched microcosm were used. NVZI was used in 0.1 g/L concentration in all batch experiments. Relative amount of Dehalococcoides, sulfate reducers (SRBs) and methanogens were measured by quantitative PCR. We found that the relative amount of Dehalococcoides slowly decreased in all experiments independently from the precursor and reducing agent, whereas the total amount of microbes increased. The only clear distinction was in relative amount of sulfate reducers which were higher in the presence of NZVIs synthesized from sodium dithionite. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Direct radiolabeling of antibody against stage specific embryonic antigen for diagnostic imaging

DOEpatents

Rhodes, Buck A.

1994-01-01

Antibody against stage specific embryonic antigen-1 is radiolabeled by direct means with a radionuclide for use in detection of occult abscess and inflammation. Radiolabeling is accomplished by partial reduction of the disulfide bonds of the antibody using Sn(II), or using other reducing agents followed by the addition of Sn(II), removal of excess reducing agent and reduction by-products, and addition of a specified amount of radionuclide reducing agent, such as stannous tartrate. The resulting product may be store frozen or lyophilized, with radiolabeling accomplished by the addition of the radionuclide.

Direct radiolabeling of antibody against stage specific embryonic antigen for diagnostic imaging

DOEpatents

Rhodes, B.A.

1994-09-13

Antibodies against stage specific embryonic antigen-1 is radiolabeled by direct means with a radionuclide for use in detection of occult abscess and inflammation. Radiolabeling is accomplished by partial reduction of the disulfide bonds of the antibody using Sn(II), or using other reducing agents followed by the addition of Sn(II), removal of excess reducing agent and reduction by-products, and addition of a specified amount of radionuclide reducing agent, such as stannous tartrate. The resulting product may be stored frozen or lyophilized, with radiolabeling accomplished by the addition of the radionuclide. No Drawings

Metal inks

DOEpatents

Ginley, David S; Curtis, Calvin J; Miedaner, Alex; van Hest, Marinus Franciscus Antonius Maria; Kaydanova, Tatiana

2014-02-04

Self-reducing metal inks and systems and methods for producing and using the same are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method may comprise selecting metal-organic (MO) precursor, selecting a reducing agent, and dissolving the MO precursor and the reducing agent in an organic solvent to produce a metal ink that remains in a liquid phase at room temperature. Metal inks, including self-reducing and fire-through metal inks, are also disclosed, as are various applications of the metal inks.

Drag reduction of nata de coco suspensions in circular pipe flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warashina, J.; Ogata, S.

2015-04-01

Reducing pipe friction by adding a drag-reducing agent has attracted interest as a means to reduce energy consumption. In addition to reducing drag, these agents are required to have a low environmental load and conserve natural resources. However, no drag-reducing agent currently satisfies both these conditions. We focused on nata de coco and found that the nata de coco fiber reduced drag by up to 25%. With respect to the mechanism of drag reduction by nata de coco fiber, the relationship between drag-reduction phenomena and the fiber form of nata de coco was investigated by visualization. We also found that the drag-reduction effect appeared to be due to the formation of networks of tangled fibers of nata de coco. However, drag reduction did not occur in the case in which fibers of nata de coco did not form networks.

Reducing the Complexity of an Agent-Based Local Heroin Market Model

PubMed Central

Heard, Daniel; Bobashev, Georgiy V.; Morris, Robert J.

2014-01-01

This project explores techniques for reducing the complexity of an agent-based model (ABM). The analysis involved a model developed from the ethnographic research of Dr. Lee Hoffer in the Larimer area heroin market, which involved drug users, drug sellers, homeless individuals and police. The authors used statistical techniques to create a reduced version of the original model which maintained simulation fidelity while reducing computational complexity. This involved identifying key summary quantities of individual customer behavior as well as overall market activity and replacing some agents with probability distributions and regressions. The model was then extended to allow external market interventions in the form of police busts. Extensions of this research perspective, as well as its strengths and limitations, are discussed. PMID:25025132

Alternative Agents to Prevent Fogging in Head and Neck Endoscopy

PubMed Central

Piromchai, Patorn; Kasemsiri, Pornthep; Thanaviratananich, Sanguansak

2011-01-01

Background: The essential factor for diagnosis and treatment of diseases in head and neck endoscopy is the visibility of the image. An anti-fogging agent can reduce this problem by minimizing surface tension to prevent the condensation of water in the form of small droplets on a surface. There is no report on the use of hibiscrub® or baby shampoo to reduce fogging in the literature. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy between commercial anti-fogging agent, hibiscrub® and baby shampoo to reduce fogging for the use in head and neck endoscopy. Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University in August 2010. Commercial anti-fogging agent, baby shampoo and hibiscrub® were applied on rigid endoscope lens before putting them into a mist generator. The images were taken at baseline, 15 seconds, 30 seconds and 1 minute. The images’ identifiers were removed before they were sent to two evaluators. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to rate the image quality from 0 to 10. Results: The difference in mean VAS score between anti-fogging agent, baby shampoo and hibiscrub® versus no agent were 5.46, 4.45 and 2.1 respectively. The commercial anti-fogging agent and baby shampoo had most protective benefit and performed significantly better than no agent (P = 0.05). Conclusions: Baby shampoo is an effective agent to prevent fogging during head and neck endoscopy and compares favourably with commercial anti-fogging agent. PMID:24179399

Treating exhaust gas from a pressurized fluidized bed reaction system

DOEpatents

Isaksson, J.; Koskinen, J.

1995-08-22

Hot gases from a pressurized fluidized bed reactor system are purified. Under super atmospheric pressure conditions hot exhaust gases are passed through a particle separator, forming a filtrate cake on the surface of the separator, and a reducing agent--such as an NO{sub x} reducing agent (like ammonia)--is introduced into the exhaust gases just prior to or just after particle separation. The retention time of the introduced reducing agent is enhanced by providing a low gas velocity (e.g. about 1--20 cm/s) during passage of the gas through the filtrate cake while at super atmospheric pressure. Separation takes place within a distinct pressure vessel, the interior of which is at a pressure of about 2--100 bar, and introduction of reducing agent can take place at multiple locations (one associated with each filter element in the pressure vessel), or at one or more locations just prior to passage of clean gas out of the pressure vessel (typically passed to a turbine). 8 figs.

Treating exhaust gas from a pressurized fluidized bed reaction system

DOEpatents

Isaksson, Juhani; Koskinen, Jari

1995-01-01

Hot gases from a pressurized fluidized bed reactor system are purified. Under superatmospheric pressure conditions hot exhaust gases are passed through a particle separator, forming a flitrate cake on the surface of the separator, and a reducing agent--such as an NO.sub.x reducing agent (like ammonia), is introduced into the exhaust gases just prior to or just after particle separation. The retention time of the introduced reducing agent is enhanced by providing a low gas velocity (e.g. about 1-20 cm/s) during passage of the gas through the filtrate cake while at superatmospheric pressure. Separation takes place within a distinct pressure vessel the interior of which is at a pressure of about 2-100 bar, and-introduction of reducing agent can take place at multiple locations (one associated with each filter element in the pressure vessel), or at one or more locations just prior to passage of clean gas out of the pressure vessel (typically passed to a turbine).

Beyond self-serving bias: diffusion of responsibility reduces sense of agency and outcome monitoring

PubMed Central

Sidarus, Nura; Bonicalzi, Sofia; Haggard, Patrick

2017-01-01

Abstract Diffusion of responsibility across agents has been proposed to underlie decreased helping and increased aggression in group behaviour. However, few studies have directly investigated effects of the presence of other people on how we experience the consequences of our actions. This EEG study investigated whether diffusion of responsibility simply reflects a post-hoc self-serving bias, or rather has direct effects on how we process the outcomes of our actions, and our experience of agency over them. Participants made voluntary actions whose outcomes were more or less negative. Presence of another potential agent reduced participants’ sense of agency over those outcomes, even though it was always obvious who caused each outcome. Further, presence of another agent reduced the amplitude of feedback-related negativity evoked by outcome stimuli, suggesting reduced outcome monitoring. The presence of other agents may lead to diffusion of responsibility by weakening the neural linkage between one’s actions and their outcomes. PMID:27803288

Beyond self-serving bias: diffusion of responsibility reduces sense of agency and outcome monitoring.

PubMed

Beyer, Frederike; Sidarus, Nura; Bonicalzi, Sofia; Haggard, Patrick

2017-01-01

Diffusion of responsibility across agents has been proposed to underlie decreased helping and increased aggression in group behaviour. However, few studies have directly investigated effects of the presence of other people on how we experience the consequences of our actions. This EEG study investigated whether diffusion of responsibility simply reflects a post-hoc self-serving bias, or rather has direct effects on how we process the outcomes of our actions, and our experience of agency over them. Participants made voluntary actions whose outcomes were more or less negative. Presence of another potential agent reduced participants' sense of agency over those outcomes, even though it was always obvious who caused each outcome. Further, presence of another agent reduced the amplitude of feedback-related negativity evoked by outcome stimuli, suggesting reduced outcome monitoring. The presence of other agents may lead to diffusion of responsibility by weakening the neural linkage between one's actions and their outcomes. © The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press.

Using Motivational Interviewing to reduce threats in conversations about environmental behavior.

PubMed

Klonek, Florian E; Güntner, Amelie V; Lehmann-Willenbrock, Nale; Kauffeld, Simone

2015-01-01

Human behavior contributes to a waste of environmental resources and our society is looking for ways to reduce this problem. However, humans may perceive feedback about their environmental behavior as threatening. According to self-determination theory (SDT), threats decrease intrinsic motivation for behavior change. According to self-affirmation theory (SAT), threats can harm individuals' self-integrity. Therefore, individuals should show self-defensive biases, e.g., in terms of presenting counter-arguments when presented with environmental behavior change. The current study examines how change recipients respond to threats from change agents in interactions about environmental behavior change. Moreover, we investigate how Motivational Interviewing (MI) - an intervention aimed at increasing intrinsic motivation - can reduce threats at both the social and cognitive level. We videotaped 68 dyadic interactions with change agents who either did or did not use MI (control group). We coded agents verbal threats and recipients' verbal expressions of motivation. Recipients also rated agents' level of confrontation and empathy (i.e., cognitive reactions). As hypothesized, threats were significantly lower when change agents used MI. Perceived confrontations converged with observable social behavior of change agents in both groups. Moreover, behavioral threats showed a negative association with change recipients' expressed motivation (i.e., reasons to change). Contrary to our expectations, we found no relation between change agents' verbal threats and change recipients' verbally expressed self-defenses (i.e., sustain talk). Our results imply that MI reduces the adverse impact of threats in conversations about environmental behavior change on both the social and cognitive level. We discuss theoretical implications of our study in the context of SAT and SDT and suggest practical implications for environmental change agents in organizations.

Method to synthesize and produce thin films by spray pyrolysis

DOEpatents

Turcotte, Richard L.

1982-07-06

Forming a film by spraying onto a heated substrate an atomized solution containing the appropriate salt of a constituent element of the film and a reducing agent at a concentration greater than 1 M and greater than 10 times the stoichiometric amount of reducing agent.

Dye-sensitized solar cells

DOEpatents

Skotheim, T.A.

1980-03-04

A low-cost dye-sensitized Schottky barrier solar cell is comprised of a substrate of semiconductor with an ohmic contact on one face, a sensitizing dye adsorbed onto the opposite face of the semiconductor, a transparent thin-film layer of a reducing agent over the dye, and a thin-film layer of metal over the reducing agent. The ohmic contact and metal layer constitute electrodes for connection to an external circuit and one or the other or both are made transparent to permit light to penetrate to the dye and be absorbed therein for generating electric current. The semiconductor material chosen to be the substrate is one having a wide bandgap and which therefore is transparent; the dye selected is one having a ground state within the bandgap of the semiconductor to generate carriers in the semiconductor, and a first excited state above the conduction band edge of the semiconductor to readily conduct electrons from the dye to the semiconductor; the reducing agent selected is one having a ground state above the ground state of the sensitizer to provide a plentiful source of electrons to the dye during current generation and thereby enhance the generation; and the metal for the thin-film layer of metal is selected to have a Fermi level in the vicinity of or above the ground state of the reducing agent to thereby amply supply electrons to the reducing agent. 3 figs.

Dye-sensitized solar cells

DOEpatents

Skotheim, Terje A. [Berkeley, CA

1980-03-04

A low-cost dye-sensitized Schottky barrier solar cell comprised of a substrate of semiconductor with an ohmic contact on one face, a sensitizing dye adsorbed onto the opposite face of the semiconductor, a transparent thin-film layer of a reducing agent over the dye, and a thin-film layer of metal over the reducing agent. The ohmic contact and metal layer constitute electrodes for connection to an external circuit and one or the other or both are made transparent to permit light to penetrate to the dye and be absorbed therein for generating electric current. The semiconductor material chosen to be the substrate is one having a wide bandgap and which therefore is transparent; the dye selected is one having a ground state within the bandgap of the semiconductor to generate carriers in the semiconductor, and a first excited state above the conduction band edge of the semiconductor to readily conduct electrons from the dye to the semiconductor; the reducing agent selected is one having a ground state above the ground state of the sensitizer to provide a plentiful source of electrons to the dye during current generation and thereby enhance the generation; and the metal for the thin-film layer of metal is selected to have a Fermi level in the vicinity of or above the ground state of the reducing agent to thereby amply supply electrons to the reducing agent.

Dye-sensitized Schottky barrier solar cells

DOEpatents

Skotheim, Terje A.

1978-01-01

A low-cost dye-sensitized Schottky barrier solar cell comprised of a substrate of semiconductor with an ohmic contact on one face, a sensitizing dye adsorbed onto the opposite face of the semiconductor, a transparent thin-film layer of a reducing agent over the dye, and a thin-film layer of metal over the reducing agent. The ohmic contact and metal layer constitute electrodes for connection to an external circuit and one or the other or both are made transparent to permit light to penetrate to the dye and be absorbed therein for generating electric current. The semiconductor material chosen to be the substrate is one having a wide bandgap and which therefore is transparent; the dye selected is one having a ground state within the bandgap of the semiconductor to generate carriers in the semiconductor, and a first excited state above the conduction band edge of the semiconductor to readily conduct electrons from the dye to the semiconductor; the reducing agent selected is one having a ground state above the ground state of the sensitizer to provide a plentiful source of electrons to the dye during current generation and thereby enhance the generation; and the metal for the thin-film layer of metal is selected to have a Fermi level in the vicinity of or above the ground state of the reducing agent to thereby amply supply electrons to the reducing agent.

Biological agents for controlling excessive scarring.

PubMed

Berman, Brian

2010-01-01

The potential of various biological agents to reduce or prevent excessive scar formation has now been evaluated in numerous in-vitro studies, experimental animal models and preliminary clinical trials, in some cases with particularly promising results. Perhaps prominent among this group of biological agents, and, to some degree, possibly representing marketed compounds already being used 'off label' to manage excessive scarring, are the tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist etanercept, and immune-response modifiers such as IFNalpha2b and imiquimod. Additional assessment of these novel agents is now justified with a view to reducing or preventing hypertrophic scars, keloid scars and the recurrence of post-excision keloid lesions.

Effect and removal mechanisms of 6 different washing agents for building wastes containing chromium.

PubMed

Xing-run, Wang; Yan-xia, Zhang; Qi, Wang; Jian-min, Shu

2012-01-01

With the building wastes contaminated by chromium in Haibei Chemical Plan in China as objects, we studied the contents of total Cr and Cr (VI) of different sizes, analyzed the effect of 6 different washing agents, discussed the removal mechanisms of 6 different washing agents for Cr in various forms, and finally selected applicable washing agent. As per the results, particle size had little impact on the contents of total Cr and Cr (VI); after one washing with water, the removal rate of total Cr and Cr (VI) was 75% and 78%, respectively, and after the second washing with 6 agents, the removal rate of citric acid was the highest, above 90% for total Cr and above 99% for hexavalent chromium; the pH of building wastes were reduced by citric acid, and under acid condition, hexavalent chromium was reduced to trivalent chromium spontaneously by organic acid, which led to better removal rate of acid soluble Cr and reducible Cr; due to the complexing action, citric acid had best removal rate for oxidizable trivalent chromium. In conclusion, citric acid is the most applicable second washing agent for building wastes.

Natural Ferrihydrite as an Agent for Reducing Turbidity Caused by Suspended Clays

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The turbidity of water can be reduced by the addition of positively charged compounds which coagulate negatively charged clay particles in suspension causing them to flocculate. This research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Fe oxide mineral ferrihydrite as a flocculating agent fo...

Sorbitol as an efficient reducing agent for laser-induced copper deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kochemirovsky, V. A.; Logunov, L. S.; Safonov, S. V.; Tumkin, I. I.; Tver'yanovich, Yu. S.; Menchikov, L. G.

2012-10-01

We have pioneered in revealing the fact that sorbitol may be used as an efficient reducing agent in the process of laser-induced copper deposition from solutions; in this case, it is possible to obtain copper lines much higher quality than by using conventional formalin.

Reductive amination of tertiary anilines and aldehydes.

PubMed

Lv, Yunhe; Zheng, Yiying; Li, Yan; Xiong, Tao; Zhang, Jingping; Liu, Qun; Zhang, Qian

2013-10-09

An unprecedented oxidant-mediated reductive amination of tertiary anilines and aldehydes without external reducing agents was developed via the nucleophilic attack of the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group to in situ generated iminium ions, in which tertiary anilines were used as both nitrogen source and reducing agent for the first time.

7 CFR 4290.1620 - Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Debentures and/or TCs. (iv) Arranging for the production of Offering Circulars, certificates, and such other... to determine those factors that will minimize or reduce the cost of funding Debentures. (iii) Monitor... the Secretary; (vii) Remain custodian of such other documentation as the Secretary shall direct by...

13 CFR 108.1620 - Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... periodic sales of Debentures and/or TCs. (iv) Arranging for the production of Offering Circulars... financial markets to determine those factors that will minimize or reduce the cost of funding Debentures... SBA; (vii) Remain custodian of such other documentation as SBA shall direct by written instructions...

13 CFR 107.1620 - Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Participating Securities and/or TCs. (iv) Arranging for the production of the Offering Circular, certificates... markets to determine those factors that will minimize or reduce the cost of funding Debentures or... instructions from SBA; (vii) Remain custodian of such other documentation as SBA shall direct by written...

Why fibers are better turbulent drag reducing agents than polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boelens, Arnout; Muthukumar, Murugappan

2016-11-01

It is typically found in literature that fibers are not as effective as drag reducing agents as polymers. However, for low concentrations, when adding charged polymers to either distilled or salt water, it is found that polymers showing rod-like behavior are better drag reducing agents than polymers showing coil-like behavior. In this study, using hybrid Direct Numerical Simulation with Langevin dynamics, a comparison is performed between polymer and fiber stress tensors in turbulent flow. The stress tensors are found to be similar, suggesting a common drag reducing mechanism in the onset regime. Since fibers do not have an elastic backbone, this must be a viscous effect. Analysis of the viscosity tensor reveals that all terms are negligible, except the off-diagonal shear viscosity associated with rotation. Based on this analysis, we are able to explain why charged polymers showing rod-like behavior are better drag reducing agents than polymers showing coil-like behavior. Additionally, we identify the rotational orientation time as the unifying time scale setting a new time criterion for drag reduction by both flexible polymers and rigid fibers. This research was supported by NSF Grant No. DMR-1404940 and AFOSR Grant No. FA9550-14-1-0164.

Limonene and tetrahydrofurfurly alcohol cleaning agent

DOEpatents

Bohnert, George W.; Carter, Richard D.; Hand, Thomas E.; Powers, Michael T.

1997-10-21

The present invention is a tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and limonene cleaning agent and method for formulating and/or using the cleaning agent. This cleaning agent effectively removes both polar and nonpolar contaminants from various electrical and mechanical parts and is readily used without surfactants, thereby reducing the need for additional cleaning operations. The cleaning agent is warm water rinsable without the use of surfactants. The cleaning agent can be azeotropic, enhancing ease of use in cleaning operations and ease of recycling.

Limonene and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol cleaning agent

DOEpatents

Bohnert, G.W.; Carter, R.D.; Hand, T.E.; Powers, M.T.

1997-10-21

The present invention is a tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and limonene cleaning agent and method for formulating and/or using the cleaning agent. This cleaning agent effectively removes both polar and nonpolar contaminants from various electrical and mechanical parts and is readily used without surfactants, thereby reducing the need for additional cleaning operations. The cleaning agent is warm water rinsable without the use of surfactants. The cleaning agent can be azeotropic, enhancing ease of use in cleaning operations and ease of recycling.

Agent Collaborative Target Localization and Classification in Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Wang, Xue; Bi, Dao-wei; Ding, Liang; Wang, Sheng

2007-01-01

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are autonomous networks that have been frequently deployed to collaboratively perform target localization and classification tasks. Their autonomous and collaborative features resemble the characteristics of agents. Such similarities inspire the development of heterogeneous agent architecture for WSN in this paper. The proposed agent architecture views WSN as multi-agent systems and mobile agents are employed to reduce in-network communication. According to the architecture, an energy based acoustic localization algorithm is proposed. In localization, estimate of target location is obtained by steepest descent search. The search algorithm adapts to measurement environments by dynamically adjusting its termination condition. With the agent architecture, target classification is accomplished by distributed support vector machine (SVM). Mobile agents are employed for feature extraction and distributed SVM learning to reduce communication load. Desirable learning performance is guaranteed by combining support vectors and convex hull vectors. Fusion algorithms are designed to merge SVM classification decisions made from various modalities. Real world experiments with MICAz sensor nodes are conducted for vehicle localization and classification. Experimental results show the proposed agent architecture remarkably facilitates WSN designs and algorithm implementation. The localization and classification algorithms also prove to be accurate and energy efficient.

Effect of both protective and reducing agents in the synthesis of multicolor silver nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivero, Pedro Jose; Goicoechea, Javier; Urrutia, Aitor; Arregui, Francisco Javier

2013-02-01

In this paper, the influence of variable molar ratios between reducing and loading agents (1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1) and between protective and loading agents (0.3:1, 0.75:1, 1.5:1, 3:1, 7.5:1, 30:1, 75:1) in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by chemical reduction has been evaluated to obtain multicolor nanoparticles with a high stability in time. The protective agent poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) (PAA) and reducing agent dimethylaminoborane (DMAB) play a key role in the formation of the resultant color. Evolution of the optical absorption bands of the silver nanoparticles as a function of PAA and DMAB molar ratios made it possible to confirm the presence of silver nanoparticles or clusters with a specific shape. The results reveal that a wide range of colors (violet, blue, green, brown, yellow, red, orange), sizes (from nanometer to micrometer), and shapes (cubic, rod, triangle, hexagonal, spherical) can be perfectly tuned by means of a fine control of the PAA and DMAB molar concentrations.

Desensitizing Agent Reduces Dentin Hypersensitivity During Ultrasonic Scaling: A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Suda, Tomonari; Akiyama, Toshiharu; Takano, Takuya; Gokyu, Misa; Sudo, Takeaki; Khemwong, Thatawee; Izumi, Yuichi

2015-01-01

Background Dentin hypersensitivity can interfere with optimal periodontal care by dentists and patients. The pain associated with dentin hypersensitivity during ultrasonic scaling is intolerable for patient and interferes with the procedure, particularly during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for patients with gingival recession. Aim This study proposed to evaluate the desensitizing effect of the oxalic acid agent on pain caused by dentin hypersensitivity during ultrasonic scaling. Materials and Methods This study involved 12 patients who were incorporated in SPT program and complained of dentin hypersensitivity during ultrasonic scaling. We examined the availability of the oxalic acid agent to compare the degree of pain during ultrasonic scaling with or without the application of the dentin hypersensitivity agent. Evaluation of effects on dentin hypersensitivity was determined by a questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores after ultrasonic scaling. The statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student t-test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results The desensitizing agent reduced the mean VAS pain score from 69.33 ± 16.02 at baseline to 26.08 ± 27.99 after application. The questionnaire revealed that >80% patients were satisfied and requested the application of the desensitizing agent for future ultrasonic scaling sessions. Conclusion This study shows that the application of the oxalic acid agent considerably reduces pain associated with dentin hypersensitivity experienced during ultrasonic scaling. This pain control treatment may improve patient participation and treatment efficiency. PMID:26501012

Desensitizing Agent Reduces Dentin Hypersensitivity During Ultrasonic Scaling: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Suda, Tomonari; Kobayashi, Hiroaki; Akiyama, Toshiharu; Takano, Takuya; Gokyu, Misa; Sudo, Takeaki; Khemwong, Thatawee; Izumi, Yuichi

2015-09-01

Dentin hypersensitivity can interfere with optimal periodontal care by dentists and patients. The pain associated with dentin hypersensitivity during ultrasonic scaling is intolerable for patient and interferes with the procedure, particularly during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for patients with gingival recession. This study proposed to evaluate the desensitizing effect of the oxalic acid agent on pain caused by dentin hypersensitivity during ultrasonic scaling. This study involved 12 patients who were incorporated in SPT program and complained of dentin hypersensitivity during ultrasonic scaling. We examined the availability of the oxalic acid agent to compare the degree of pain during ultrasonic scaling with or without the application of the dentin hypersensitivity agent. Evaluation of effects on dentin hypersensitivity was determined by a questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores after ultrasonic scaling. The statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student t-test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The desensitizing agent reduced the mean VAS pain score from 69.33 ± 16.02 at baseline to 26.08 ± 27.99 after application. The questionnaire revealed that >80% patients were satisfied and requested the application of the desensitizing agent for future ultrasonic scaling sessions. This study shows that the application of the oxalic acid agent considerably reduces pain associated with dentin hypersensitivity experienced during ultrasonic scaling. This pain control treatment may improve patient participation and treatment efficiency.

Simple sol-gel synthesis and characterization of new CoTiO3/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite by using liquid glucose, maltose and starch as fuel, capping and reducing agents.

PubMed

Ansari, Fatemeh; Sobhani, Azam; Salavati-Niasari, Masoud

2018-03-15

The sol-gel auto-combustion technique is an effective method for the synthesis of the composites. In this research for the first time, CoTiO 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites are successfully synthesized via a new sol-gel auto-combustion technique. The glucose, maltose and starch are used as fuel, capping and reducing agents, also the optimal reducing agent is chosen. The effects of quantity of reducing agent, molar ratio of Ti:Co, calcination temperature and time on the morphology, particle size, magnetic property, purity and phase of the nanocomposites are investigated. XRD patterns show formation of CoTiO 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 spherical nanoparticles with nearly evenly distribution, when the molar ratio of Co/Ti is 1:1. EDS analysis confirm results of XRD. The magnetic behavior of the nanocomposites is studied by VSM. The nanocomposites exhibit a high coercivity at room temperature. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increase of chromium yield by slag reduction during production of chromium steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bažan, J.; Socha, L.; Kurka, V.; Jonšta, P.; Sušovský, M.

2017-02-01

The paper is focused on the evaluation of the course of Cr2O3 reduction from slag to alloyed steel under laboratory conditions. The experiments were aimed at the evaluation of increase in the chromium content in the melt together with the studying the behaviour of Cr2O3 and the mechanism of reduction by means of three reducing agents. Anthracite, ferrosilicon and mixtures of anthracite and ferrosilicon belong among the selected reducing agents. The experimental melts were focused on the proposal of a theoretical calculation of the consumption of selected reducing agents, study of reduction under laboratory conditions at application of alloyed steel with content of chromium of 12.16 wt. %, temperatures of 1600 °C and 1650 °C, together with the change of amount of reducing agents and reduction time. The results indicated in the paper constitute basic information on the possibilities of Cr2O3 reduction from slag; they will be used for verification of results in the pilot plant and operation experiments which will simulate operating conditions in the electric arc furnace.

Characteristics and production of tantalum powders for solid-electrolyte capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Jae Sik; Kim, Byung Il

The effects of using K 2TaF 7 as the raw material and sodium as the reducing agent on the characteristics of tantalum powder are investigated. Batch-type metallothermic reduction (BTMR) is used to charge the reactor with the raw material and the reducing agent, and external continuous supply metallothermic reduction (ESMR) is used to supply the raw material and the reducing agent at a constant rate at the temperature of the reduction reaction. In the case of ESMR, the yield increases by several tens of percent because of the uniform reaction between the raw material and the reducing agent. It is possible to obtain a powder of over 99.5% purity. The powder particles obtained with BTMR are relatively large (4-6 μm) and have a coarse lamellar shape, while those prepared via ESMR are of uniform 1-2 μm size with a coral-like shape. Measurements of the electric properties show that the leakage current and the dielectric dissipation are low with higher reliability in ESMR than in BTMR, and the capacitance is 26,000 and 8400 CV for ESMR and in BTMR, respectively.

Facile and green synthesis of highly stable L-cysteine functionalized copper nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Nikhil; Upadhyay, Lata Sheo Bachan

2016-11-01

A simple eco-friendly method for L-cysteine capped copper nanoparticles (CCNPs) synthesis in aqueous solution has been developed. Glucose and L-cysteine were used as reducing agent and capping/functionalizing agent, respectively. Different parameters such as capping agent concentration, pH, reaction temperature, and reducing agent concentration were optimized during the synthesis. The L-cysteine capped copper nanoparticle were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Particle size and zeta potential analyser, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Spherical shaped cysteine functionalized/capped copper nanoparticles with an average size of 40 nm were found to be highly stable at room temperature (RT) for a period of 1 month

Limonene and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol cleaning agent

DOEpatents

Bohnert, George W.; Carter, Richard D.; Hand, Thomas E.; Powers, Michael T.

1996-05-07

The present invention is a tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and limonene or terpineol cleaning agent and method for formulating and/or using the cleaning agent. This cleaning agent effectively removes both polar and nonpolar contaminants from various electrical and mechanical parts and is readily used without surfactants, thereby reducing the need for additional cleaning operations. The cleaning agent is warm water rinsable without the use of surfactants. The cleaning agent can be azeotropic, enhancing ease of use in cleaning operations and ease of recycling.

Neural Mechanisms of Updating under Reducible and Irreducible Uncertainty.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Kenji; Hsu, Ming

2017-07-19

Adaptive decision making depends on an agent's ability to use environmental signals to reduce uncertainty. However, because of multiple types of uncertainty, agents must take into account not only the extent to which signals violate prior expectations but also whether uncertainty can be reduced in the first place. Here we studied how human brains of both sexes respond to signals under conditions of reducible and irreducible uncertainty. We show behaviorally that subjects' value updating was sensitive to the reducibility of uncertainty, and could be quantitatively characterized by a Bayesian model where agents ignore expectancy violations that do not update beliefs or values. Using fMRI, we found that neural processes underlying belief and value updating were separable from responses to expectancy violation, and that reducibility of uncertainty in value modulated connections from belief-updating regions to value-updating regions. Together, these results provide insights into how agents use knowledge about uncertainty to make better decisions while ignoring mere expectancy violation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To make good decisions, a person must observe the environment carefully, and use these observations to reduce uncertainty about consequences of actions. Importantly, uncertainty should not be reduced purely based on how surprising the observations are, particularly because in some cases uncertainty is not reducible. Here we show that the human brain indeed reduces uncertainty adaptively by taking into account the nature of uncertainty and ignoring mere surprise. Behaviorally, we show that human subjects reduce uncertainty in a quasioptimal Bayesian manner. Using fMRI, we characterize brain regions that may be involved in uncertainty reduction, as well as the network they constitute, and dissociate them from brain regions that respond to mere surprise. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/376972-11$15.00/0.

Neural Mechanisms of Updating under Reducible and Irreducible Uncertainty

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Adaptive decision making depends on an agent's ability to use environmental signals to reduce uncertainty. However, because of multiple types of uncertainty, agents must take into account not only the extent to which signals violate prior expectations but also whether uncertainty can be reduced in the first place. Here we studied how human brains of both sexes respond to signals under conditions of reducible and irreducible uncertainty. We show behaviorally that subjects' value updating was sensitive to the reducibility of uncertainty, and could be quantitatively characterized by a Bayesian model where agents ignore expectancy violations that do not update beliefs or values. Using fMRI, we found that neural processes underlying belief and value updating were separable from responses to expectancy violation, and that reducibility of uncertainty in value modulated connections from belief-updating regions to value-updating regions. Together, these results provide insights into how agents use knowledge about uncertainty to make better decisions while ignoring mere expectancy violation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To make good decisions, a person must observe the environment carefully, and use these observations to reduce uncertainty about consequences of actions. Importantly, uncertainty should not be reduced purely based on how surprising the observations are, particularly because in some cases uncertainty is not reducible. Here we show that the human brain indeed reduces uncertainty adaptively by taking into account the nature of uncertainty and ignoring mere surprise. Behaviorally, we show that human subjects reduce uncertainty in a quasioptimal Bayesian manner. Using fMRI, we characterize brain regions that may be involved in uncertainty reduction, as well as the network they constitute, and dissociate them from brain regions that respond to mere surprise. PMID:28626019

Green chemistry approach for the synthesis of biocompatible graphene

PubMed Central

Gurunathan, Sangiliyandi; Han, Jae Woong; Kim, Jin-Hoi

2013-01-01

Background Graphene is a single-atom thick, two-dimensional sheet of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms isolated from its three-dimensional parent material, graphite. One of the most common methods for preparation of graphene is chemical exfoliation of graphite using powerful oxidizing agents. Generally, graphene is synthesized through deoxygenation of graphene oxide (GO) by using hydrazine, which is one of the most widespread and strongest reducing agents. Due to the high toxicity of hydrazine, it is not a promising reducing agent in large-scale production of graphene; therefore, this study focused on a green or sustainable synthesis of graphene and the biocompatibility of graphene in primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (PMEFs). Methods Here, we demonstrated a simple, rapid, and green chemistry approach for the synthesis of reduced GO (rGO) from GO using triethylamine (TEA) as a reducing agent and stabilizing agent. The obtained TEA reduced GO (TEA-rGO) was characterized by ultraviolet (UV)–visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results The transition of graphene oxide to graphene was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy. XRD and SEM were used to investigate the crystallinity of graphene and the surface morphologies of prepared graphene respectively. The formation of defects further supports the functionalization of graphene as indicated in the Raman spectrum of TEA-rGO. Surface morphology and the thickness of the GO and TEA-rGO were analyzed using AFM. The presented results suggest that TEA-rGO shows significantly more biocompatibility with PMEFs cells than GO. Conclusion This is the first report about using TEA as a reducing as well as a stabilizing agent for the preparation of biocompatible graphene. The proposed safe and green method offers substitute routes for large-scale production of graphene for several biomedical applications. PMID:23940417

Non-dopaminergic treatments for motor control in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Fox, Susan H

2013-09-01

The pathological processes underlying Parkinson's disease (PD) involve more than dopamine cell loss within the midbrain. These non-dopaminergic neurotransmitters include noradrenergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, and cholinergic systems within cortical, brainstem and basal ganglia regions. Several non-dopaminergic treatments are now in clinical use to treat motor symptoms of PD, or are being evaluated as potential therapies. Agents for symptomatic monotherapy and as adjunct to dopaminergic therapies for motor symptoms include adenosine A2A antagonists and the mixed monoamine-B inhibitor (MAO-BI) and glutamate release agent safinamide. The largest area of potential use for non-dopaminergic drugs is as add-on therapy for motor fluctuations. Thus adenosine A2A antagonists, safinamide, and the antiepileptic agent zonisamide can extend the duration of action of levodopa. To reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia, drugs that target overactive glutamatergic neurotransmission can be used, and include the non-selective N-methyl D-aspartate antagonist amantadine. More recently, selective metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR₅) antagonists are being evaluated in phase II randomized controlled trials. Serotonergic agents acting as 5-HT2A/2C antagonists, such as the atypical antipsychotic clozapine, may also reduce dyskinesia. 5-HT1A agonists theoretically can reduce dyskinesia, but in practice, may also worsen PD motor symptoms, and so clinical applicability has not yet been shown. Noradrenergic α2A antagonism using fipamezole can potentially reduce dyskinesia. Several non-dopaminergic agents have also been investigated to reduce non-levodopa-responsive motor symptoms such as gait and tremor. Thus the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil showed mild benefit in gait, while the predominantly noradrenergic re-uptake inhibitor methylphenidate had conflicting results in advanced PD subjects. Tremor in PD may respond to muscarinic M4 cholinergic antagonists (anticholinergics), but tolerability is often poor. Alternatives include β-adrenergic antagonists such as propranolol. Other options include 5-HT2A antagonists, and drugs that have mixed binding properties involving serotonin and acetylcholine, such as clozapine and the antidepressant mirtazapine, can be effective in reducing PD tremor. Many other non-dopaminergic agents are in preclinical and phase I/II early stages of study, and the reader is directed to recent reviews. While levodopa remains the most effective agent to treat motor symptoms in PD, the overall approach to using non-dopaminergic drugs in PD is to reduce reliance on levodopa and to target non-levodopa-responsive symptoms.

Hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-neoplastic properties of amine carboxyboranes.

PubMed Central

Hall, I H; Chen, S Y; Rajendran, K G; Sood, A; Spielvogel, B F; Shih, J

1994-01-01

The amine-carboxyborane derivatives were shown to be effective antineoplastic/cytotoxic agents with selective activity against single-cell and solid tumors derived from murine and human leukemias, lymphomas, sarcomas, and carcinomas. The agents inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis in preference to protein synthesis in L1210 lymphoid leukemia cells. Inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase apparently is a target site of the compounds; similar effects on phosphoribosyl-pyrophosphate amido transferase, orotidine-monophosphate decarboxylase, and both nucleoside and nucleotide kinases were observed. Deoxyribonucleotide pool levels were reduced in the cells; DNA strand scission was observed with the agents. In rodents, the amine carboxyboranes were potent hypolipidemic agents, lowering both serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, in addition to lowering cholesterol content of very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and elevating high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. De novo regulatory enzymes involved in lipid synthesis were also inhibited (e.g., hypocholesterolemic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-Coenzyme A reductase, acyl-Coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase, and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase). Concurrently, the agents modulated LDL and HDL receptor binding, internalization, and degradation, so that less cholesterol was delivered to the plaques and more broken down from esters and conducted to the liver for biliary excretion. Tissue lipids in the aorta wall of the rat were reduced and fewer atherosclerotic morphologic lesions were present in quail aortas after treatment with the agents. Cholesterol resorption from the rat intestine was reduced in the presence of drug. Genetic hyperlipidemic mice demonstrated the same types of reduction after treatment with the agents. The agents would effectively lower lipids in tissue based on the inhibition of regulatory enzymes in pigs. These findings should help improve domestic meat supplies from fowl and pigs. The amine-carboxyboranes were effective anti-inflammatory agents against septic shock, induced edema, pleurisy, and chronic arthritis at 2.5 to 8 mg/kg. Lysosomal and proteolytic enzyme activities were also inhibited. More significantly, the agents were dual inhibitors of prostaglandin cyclooxygenase and 5'-lipoxygenase activities. These compounds also affected cytokine release and white cell migration. Subsequent studies showed that the amine-carboxyboranes were potent anti-osteoporotic agents reducing calcium resorption as well as increasing calcium and proline incorporation into mouse pup calvaria and rat UMR-106 collagen. PMID:7889876

THE IMPORTANCE OF RISK COMMUNICATION

EPA Science Inventory

The goal of environmental and public health is to reduce the health risks associated with microbial and toxic agents in the environment, and also to agents of injury. There have generally been three approaches to managing these risks: first, control releases of the agent to the e...

Mechanochemical processing for metals and metal alloys

DOEpatents

Froes, Francis H.; Eranezhuth, Baburaj G.; Prisbrey, Keith

2001-01-01

A set of processes for preparing metal powders, including metal alloy powders, by ambient temperature reduction of a reducible metal compound by a reactive metal or metal hydride through mechanochemical processing. The reduction process includes milling reactants to induce and complete the reduction reaction. The preferred reducing agents include magnesium and calcium hydride powders. A process of pre-milling magnesium as a reducing agent to increase the activity of the magnesium has been established as one part of the invention.

Modification of the mitochondrial sulfonylurea receptor by thiol reagents.

PubMed

Szewczyk, A; Wójcik, G; Lobanov, N A; Nalecz, M J

1999-08-19

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects exerted by thiol-modifying reagents on themitochondrial sulfonylurea receptor. The thiol-oxidizing agents (timerosal and 5, 5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)) were found to produce a large inhibition (70% to 80%) of specific binding of [(3)H]glibenclamide to the beef heart mitochondrial membrane. Similar effects were observed with membrane permeable (N-ethylmaleimide) and non-permeable (mersalyl) thiol modifying agents. Glibenclamide binding was also decreased by oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide) but not by reducing agents (reduced gluthatione, dithiothreitol and the 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dithiolbutane). The results suggest that intact thiol groups, facing the mitochondrial matrix, are essential for glibenclamide binding to the mitochondrial sulfonylurea receptor. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

TANDEM: A Trust-Based Agent Framework for Networked Decision Making

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-10

selective (20–80 %), while the rest are good citizens, trust acts as a method to isolate misbehaving agents. If the majority of the agents have high...competence and low selectivity, then they can use trust to isolate route information around the misbehaving agents, improving Comm and Steps. The impact is...more dramatic when only 20–40 % of the agents are misbehaving . However, using trust results in reduced SA as the information available at the

Reduced DNA repair in mouse satellite DNA after treatment with methylmethanesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

PubMed Central

Bodell, W J; Banerjee, M R

1976-01-01

We have measured DNA repair in mouse satellite and main band DNA as resolved by Ag+-Cs2SO4 centrifugation in response to treatment with the alkylating agents, methyl methanesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. We find that there is a statistically significant lower incorporation of 3H-Tdr into the satellite DNA as compared to the main band at varying periods after treatment with the alkylating agents. This suggests a reduced repair activity in the satellite DNA. We have measured the extent of binding of 14C-methyl methanesulfonate to the satellite, and main band DNA, and no difference in binding was observed, indicating that the reduced repair activity of satellite DNA is not due to a difference in binding of alkylating agents. We believe that the reduced incorporation of 3H-Tdr into satellite DNA may be due to its location in the condensed chromatin fraction. PMID:184436

7 CFR 3201.99 - Water clarifying agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Water clarifying agents. 3201.99 Section 3201.99... Designated Items § 3201.99 Water clarifying agents. (a) Definition. Products designed to clarify and improve the quality of water by reducing contaminants such as excess nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, ammonia...

7 CFR 3201.99 - Water clarifying agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Water clarifying agents. 3201.99 Section 3201.99... Designated Items § 3201.99 Water clarifying agents. (a) Definition. Products designed to clarify and improve the quality of water by reducing contaminants such as excess nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, ammonia...

Ink composition for making a conductive silver structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walker, Steven B.; Lewis, Jennifer A.

An ink composition for making a conductive silver structure comprises a silver salt and a complex of (a) a complexing agent and a short chain carboxylic acid or (b) a complexing agent and a salt of a short chain carboxylic acid, according to one embodiment. A method for making a silver structure entails combining a silver salt and a complexing agent, and then adding a short chain carboxylic acid or a salt of the short chain carboxylic acid to the combined silver salt and a complexing agent to form an ink composition. A concentration of the complexing agent in themore » ink composition is reduced to form a concentrated formulation, and the silver salt is reduced to form a conductive silver structure, where the concentrated formulation and the conductive silver structure are formed at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. or less.« less

Investigational opioid antagonists for treating opioid-induced bowel dysfunction.

PubMed

Mozaffari, Shilan; Nikfar, Shekoufeh; Abdollahi, Mohammad

2018-03-01

Opioids have been highlighted for their role in pain relief among cancer and non-cancer patients. Novel agents have been investigated to reduce opioid-induced constipation (OIC) as the main adverse effect that may lead to treatment discontinuation. Development of peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORA) has resulted in a novel approach to preserve the efficacy of pain control along with less OIC. Areas covered: Clinical evidence for investigational PAMORAs was reviewed and clinical trials on investigational agents to reduce OIC were included. TD-1211 is currently being evaluated in Phase II clinical trial. Oxycodone-naltrexone and ADL-5945 went through Phase III clinical trials, but have been discontinued. Expert opinion: There is a substantial need to develop agents with specific pharmacokinetic properties to meet the needs of patients with underlying diseases. Holding the efficacy of a medicine with the highest selectivity on targeted receptors and the least adverse effects is the main approach in upcoming investigations to improve patients' quality of life (QoL). Novel agents to reduce opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OIBD) that do not reverse peripherally mediated pain analgesia are of great interest. Direct comparison of available agents in this field is lacking in the literature.

Immunoconjugates: Magic Bullets for Cancer Therapy?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Passeri, Daniel R.; Spiegel, Jack

1993-01-01

Conjugating cytotoxic agents to antibodies allows for site-specific delivery of the agent to tumor cells and should provide increased efficacy and reduced non-specific toxicity. These site-specific cytotoxic agents are known as immunoconjugates or 'magic bullets' and have demonstrated great promise as therapeutic agents for cancer and other diseases. The historical developments and future potential of this new approach to cancer therapy are reviewed.

Efficacy of reducing agent and surfactant contacting pattern on the performance characteristics of nickel electroless plating baths coupled with and without ultrasound.

PubMed

Agarwal, Amrita; Pujari, Murali; Uppaluri, Ramgopal; Verma, Anil

2014-07-01

This article addresses furthering the role of sonication for the optimal fabrication of nickel ceramic composite membranes using electroless plating. Deliberating upon process modifications for surfactant induced electroless plating (SIEP) and combined surfactant and sonication induced electroless plating (SSOEP), this article highlights a novel method of contacting of the reducing agent and surfactant to the conventional electroless nickel plating baths. Rigorous experimental investigations indicated that the combination of ultrasound (in degas mode), surfactant and reducing agent pattern had a profound influence in altering the combinatorial plating characteristics. For comparison purpose, purely surfactant induced nickel ELP baths have also been investigated. These novel insights consolidate newer research horizons for the role of ultrasound to achieve dense metal ceramic composite membranes in a shorter span of total plating time. Surface and physical characterizations were carried out using BET, FTIR, XRD, FESEM and nitrogen permeation experiments. It has been analyzed that the SSOEP baths provided maximum ratio of percent pore densification per unit metal film thickness (PPDδ) and hold the key for further fine tuning of the associated degrees of freedom. On the other hand SIEP baths provided lower (PPDδ) ratio but higher PPD. For SSOEP baths with dropwise reducing agent and bulk surfactant, the PPD and metal film thickness values were 73.4% and 8.4 μm which varied to 66.9% and 13.3 μm for dropwise reducing agent and drop surfactant case. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Antifibrinolytic agents and desmopressin as hemostatic agents in cardiac surgery.

PubMed

Erstad, B L

2001-09-01

To review the use of systemic hemostatic medications for reducing bleeding and transfusion requirements with cardiac surgery. Articles were obtained through computerized searches involving MEDLINE (from 1966 to September 2000). Additionally, several textbooks containing information on the diagnosis and management of bleeding associated with cardiac surgery were reviewed. The bibliographies of retrieved publications and textbooks were reviewed for additional references. Due to the large number of randomized investigations involving systemic hemostatic medications for reducing bleeding associated with cardiac surgery, the article selection process focused on recent randomized controlled trials, metaanalyses and pharmacoeconomic evaluations. The primary outcomes extracted from the literature were blood loss and associated transfusion requirements, although other outcome measures such as mortality were extracted when available. Although the majority of investigations for reducing cardiac bleeding and transfusion requirements have involved aprotinin, evidence from recent meta-analyses and randomized trials indicates that the synthetic antifibrinolytic agents, aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, have similar clinical efficacy. Additionally, aminocaproic acid (and to a lesser extent tranexamic acid) is much less costly. More comparative information of hemostatic agents is needed retative to other outcomes (eg., reoperation rates, myocardial infarction, stroke). There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of desmopressin for reducing bleeding and transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery, although certain subsets of patients may benefit from its use. Of the medications that have been used to reduce bleeding and transfusion requirements with cardiac surgery, the antifibrinolytic agents have the best evidence supporting their use. Aminocaproic acid is the least costly therapy based on medication costs and transfusion requirements.

40 CFR Appendix O to Subpart G of... - Substitutes Listed in the September 27, 2006 Final Rule, Effective November 27, 2006

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... End-use Substitute Decision Conditions Further information Total flooding Gelled Halocarbon/Dry... ventilation should be in place to reduce airborne exposure to constituents of agent; —An eye wash fountain and... reduce airborne exposure to constituents of agent; —An eye wash fountain and quick drench facility should...

Complexation Effect on Redox Potential of Iron(III)-Iron(II) Couple: A Simple Potentiometric Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rizvi, Masood Ahmad; Syed, Raashid Maqsood; Khan, Badruddin

2011-01-01

A titration curve with multiple inflection points results when a mixture of two or more reducing agents with sufficiently different reduction potentials are titrated. In this experiment iron(II) complexes are combined into a mixture of reducing agents and are oxidized to the corresponding iron(III) complexes. As all of the complexes involve the…

The Removal of Cu (II) from Aqueous Solution using Sodium Borohydride as a Reducing Agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sithole, N. T.; Ntuli, F.; Mashifana, T.

2018-03-01

The removal and recovery of metals from wastewater has been a subject of significant importance due the negative impact these toxic metals have on human health and the environment as a result of water and soil pollution. Increased use of the metals and chemicals in the process industries has resulted in generation of large quantity of effluents that contains high level of toxic metals and other pollutants. The objective of this work was to recover of Cu in its elemental form as metallic powder from aqueous solution using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. Reductive precipitation was achieved in a batch reactor at 65°C using Cu powder as a seeding material. This study also investigated the effect of concentration of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a reducing agent. The amount of NaBH4 was varied based on mole ratios which are 1:1, 1:0.25 and 1:0.1 to recover Cu from synthetic wastewater. The results obtained showed that sodium borohydride is an effective reducing agent to recover Cu from wastewater. The optimum concentration of NaBH4 that gives the best results the 1:1 molar ratio with over 99% Cu removal.

Role of Humic-Bound Iron as an Electron Transfer Agent in Dissimilatory Fe(III) Reduction

PubMed Central

Lovley, Derek R.; Blunt-Harris, Elizabeth L.

1999-01-01

The dissimilatory Fe(III) reducer Geobacter metallireducens reduced Fe(III) bound in humic substances, but the concentrations of Fe(III) in a wide range of highly purified humic substances were too low to account for a significant portion of the electron-accepting capacities of the humic substances. Furthermore, once reduced, the iron in humic substances could not transfer electrons to Fe(III) oxide. These results suggest that other electron-accepting moieties in humic substances, such as quinones, are the important electron-accepting and shuttling agents under Fe(III)-reducing conditions. PMID:10473447

Balancing Human and Inter-Agent Influences for Shared Control of Bio-Inspired Collectives

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

the higher-level intelligence and ingenuity of a human operator as well as the collective intelligence and robustness of a bio-inspired collective...for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway...agents, or that receive information from, but are not directly controlled by, a human operator . Unlike, agents in the human-controlled partition, agents

Pharmacotherapy of bone metastases in breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Petrut, Bianca; Simmons, Christine; Broom, Reuben; Trinkaus, Mateya; Clemons, Mark

2008-04-01

A diagnosis of bone metastases is often a devastating occurrence in breast cancer patients. Bone metastases are associated with increased morbidity as reflected through pain, reduced quality of life and skeletal-related events. This paper reviews the role of different pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer. Randomised controlled trials of osteoclast-inhibiting agents, that is the bisphosphonates, have shown significant patient benefit. The aims of bisphosphonates are to prevent and delay skeletal-related events, reduce bone pain and improve quality of life. However, there are some limitations with bisphosphonate treatment. Biochemical markers of bone turnover seem to be a promising tool in guiding bisphosphonate treatment and future research directions. Hopefully, patient management will be further improved as new agents become available such as denosumab, osteoprotegerin analogues and anti-angiogenic agents.

Using Motivational Interviewing to reduce threats in conversations about environmental behavior

PubMed Central

Klonek, Florian E.; Güntner, Amelie V.; Lehmann-Willenbrock, Nale; Kauffeld, Simone

2015-01-01

Human behavior contributes to a waste of environmental resources and our society is looking for ways to reduce this problem. However, humans may perceive feedback about their environmental behavior as threatening. According to self-determination theory (SDT), threats decrease intrinsic motivation for behavior change. According to self-affirmation theory (SAT), threats can harm individuals’ self-integrity. Therefore, individuals should show self-defensive biases, e.g., in terms of presenting counter-arguments when presented with environmental behavior change. The current study examines how change recipients respond to threats from change agents in interactions about environmental behavior change. Moreover, we investigate how Motivational Interviewing (MI) — an intervention aimed at increasing intrinsic motivation — can reduce threats at both the social and cognitive level. We videotaped 68 dyadic interactions with change agents who either did or did not use MI (control group). We coded agents verbal threats and recipients’ verbal expressions of motivation. Recipients also rated agents’ level of confrontation and empathy (i.e., cognitive reactions). As hypothesized, threats were significantly lower when change agents used MI. Perceived confrontations converged with observable social behavior of change agents in both groups. Moreover, behavioral threats showed a negative association with change recipients’ expressed motivation (i.e., reasons to change). Contrary to our expectations, we found no relation between change agents’ verbal threats and change recipients’ verbally expressed self-defenses (i.e., sustain talk). Our results imply that MI reduces the adverse impact of threats in conversations about environmental behavior change on both the social and cognitive level. We discuss theoretical implications of our study in the context of SAT and SDT and suggest practical implications for environmental change agents in organizations. PMID:26257676

Pharmacoeconomics of inhaled anesthetic agents: considerations for the pharmacist.

PubMed

Chernin, Eric L

2004-10-15

Types of economic analyses used for inhaled anesthetic agents, factors to consider in calculating the cost of inhaled anesthetics, limitations of pharmacoeconomic studies of these agents, and strategies for controlling inhaled anesthetic costs are discussed. Inhaled anesthetic agents comprise a substantial component of drug budgets. Calculation of the cost of administering an inhaled anesthetic should take into consideration the cost per mL, potency, waste, concentration and duration of gas delivery, fresh gas flow rate, molecular weight, and density. The use of newer inhaled anesthetic agents with low solubility in blood and tissue provides a more rapid recovery from anesthesia than older, more soluble agents, and also provides the same level of control of depth of anesthesia at a lower fresh gas flow rate and possibly a lower cost than older agents at a higher fresh gas flow rate. A more rapid recovery may facilitate fast-track recovery and yield cost savings if it allows the completion of additional surgical cases or allows a reduction in personnel overtime expenses. Interpretation of pharmacoeconomic studies of inhaled anesthetics requires an appreciation of the limitations in methodology and ability to extrapolate results from one setting to another. Pharmacists' efforts to reduce anesthetic waste and collaborate with anesthesiologists to improve the use of these agents can help contain costs, but improving scheduling and efficiency in the operating room has a greater potential to reduce operating room costs. Much can be done to control costs of anesthetic agents without compromising availability of these agents and patient care.

Modeling Peer Assessment as Agent Negotiation in a Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, K. Robert; Lan, Chung Hsien

2006-01-01

This work presents a novel method for modeling collaborative learning as multi-issue agent negotiation using fuzzy constraints. Agent negotiation is an iterative process, through which, the proposed method aggregates student marks to reduce personal bias. In the framework, students define individual fuzzy membership functions based on their…

High char yield epoxy curing agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delvigs, P.; Serafini, T. T.; Vanucci, R. D.

1981-01-01

Class of imide-amine curing agents preserves structural integrity, prevents fiber release, and is fully compatible with conventional epoxy resins; agents do not detract from composite properties while greatly reducing char yield. Materials utilizing curing are used in aerospace, automotive, and other structural components where deterioration must be minimized and fiber release avoided in event of fire.

Combination therapy in combating cancer

PubMed Central

Mokhtari, Reza Bayat; Homayouni, Tina S.; Baluch, Narges; Morgatskaya, Evgeniya; Kumar, Sushil; Das, Bikul; Yeger, Herman

2017-01-01

Combination therapy, a treatment modality that combines two or more therapeutic agents, is a cornerstone of cancer therapy. The amalgamation of anti-cancer drugs enhances efficacy compared to the mono-therapy approach because it targets key pathways in a characteristically synergistic or an additive manner. This approach potentially reduces drug resistance, while simultaneously providing therapeutic anti-cancer benefits, such as reducing tumour growth and metastatic potential, arresting mitotically active cells, reducing cancer stem cell populations, and inducing apoptosis. The 5-year survival rates for most metastatic cancers are still quite low, and the process of developing a new anti-cancer drug is costly and extremely time-consuming. Therefore, new strategies that target the survival pathways that provide efficient and effective results at an affordable cost are being considered. One such approach incorporates repurposing therapeutic agents initially used for the treatment of different diseases other than cancer. This approach is effective primarily when the FDA-approved agent targets similar pathways found in cancer. Because one of the drugs used in combination therapy is already FDA-approved, overall costs of combination therapy research are reduced. This increases cost efficiency of therapy, thereby benefiting the “medically underserved”. In addition, an approach that combines repurposed pharmaceutical agents with other therapeutics has shown promising results in mitigating tumour burden. In this systematic review, we discuss important pathways commonly targeted in cancer therapy. Furthermore, we also review important repurposed or primary anti-cancer agents that have gained popularity in clinical trials and research since 2012. PMID:28410237

Toughened uni-piece fibrous insulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leiser, Daniel B (Inventor); Smith, Marnell (Inventor); Churchward, Rex A. (Inventor); Katvala, Victor W. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A porous body of fibrous, low density silica-based insulation material is at least in part impregnated with a reactive boron oxide containing borosilicate glass frit, a silicon tetraboride fluxing agent and a molybdenum silicide emittance agent. The glass frit, fluxing agent and emittance agent are separately milled to reduce their particle size, then mixed together to produce a slurry in ethanol. The slurry is then applied to the insulation material and sintered to produce the porous body.

Signalling and obfuscation for congestion control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mareček, Jakub; Shorten, Robert; Yu, Jia Yuan

2015-10-01

We aim to reduce the social cost of congestion in many smart city applications. In our model of congestion, agents interact over limited resources after receiving signals from a central agent that observes the state of congestion in real time. Under natural models of agent populations, we develop new signalling schemes and show that by introducing a non-trivial amount of uncertainty in the signals, we reduce the social cost of congestion, i.e., improve social welfare. The signalling schemes are efficient in terms of both communication and computation, and are consistent with past observations of the congestion. Moreover, the resulting population dynamics converge under reasonable assumptions.

Regeneration of anion exchange resins by catalyzed electrochemical reduction

DOEpatents

Gu, Baohua; Brown, Gilbert M.

2002-01-01

Anion exchange resins sorbed with perchlorate may be regenerated by a combination of chemical reduction of perchlorate to chloride using a reducing agent and an electrochemical reduction of the oxidized reducing agent. Transitional metals including Ti, Re, and V are preferred chemical reagents for the reduction of perchlorate to chloride. Complexing agents such as oxalate are used to prevent the precipitation of the oxidized Ti(IV) species, and ethyl alcohol may be added to accelerate the reduction kinetics of perchlorate. The regeneration may be performed by continuously recycling the regenerating solution through the resin bed and an electrochemical cell so that the secondary waste generation is minimized.

Impact of chemical leaching on permeability and cadmium removal from fine-grained soils.

PubMed

Lin, Zhongbing; Zhang, Renduo; Huang, Shuang; Wang, Kang

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of chemical leaching on permeability and Cd removal from fine-grained polluted soils. Column leaching experiments were conducted using two types of soils (i.e., artificially Cd-polluted loam and historically polluted silty loam). Chemical agents of CaCl 2 , FeCl 3 , citric acid, EDTA, rhamnolipid, and deionized water were used to leach Cd from the soils. Results showed that organic agents reduced permeability of both soils, and FeCl 3 reduced permeability of loam soil, compared with inorganic agents and deionized water. Entrapment and deposition of colloids generated from the organic agents and FeCl 3 treatments reduced the soil permeability. The peak Cd effluence from the artificially polluted loam columns was retarded. For the artificially polluted soils treated with EDTA and the historically polluted soils with FeCl 3 , Cd precipitates were observed at the bottom after chemical leaching. When Cd was associated with large colloid particles, the reduction of soil permeability caused Cd accumulation in deeper soil. In addition, the slow process of disintegration of soil clay during chemical leaching might result in the retardation of peak Cd effluence. These results suggest the need for caution when using chemical-leaching agents for Cd removal in fine-grained soils.

Study of disulfide reduction and alkyl chloroformate derivatization of plasma sulfur amino acids using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Svagera, Zdeněk; Hanzlíková, Dagmar; Simek, Petr; Hušek, Petr

2012-03-01

Four disulfide-reducing agents, dithiothreitol (DTT), 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS), and the newly tested 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA) and Tris(hydroxypropyl)phosphine (THP), were investigated in detail for release of sulfur amino acids in human plasma. After protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid (TCA), the plasma supernatant was treated with methyl, ethyl, or propyl chloroformate via the well-proven derivatization-extraction technique and the products were subjected to gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. All the tested agents proved to be rapid and effective reducing agents for the assay of plasma thiols. When compared with DTT, the novel reducing agents DMPS, MESNA, and THP provided much cleaner extracts and improved analytical performance. Quantification of homocysteine, cysteine, and methionine was performed using their deuterated analogues, whereas other analytes were quantified by means of 4-chlorophenylalanine. Precise and reliable assay of all examined analytes was achieved, irrespective of the chloroformate reagent used. Average relative standard deviations at each analyte level were ≤6%, quantification limits were 0.1-0.2 μmol L(-1), recoveries were 94-121%, and linearity was over three orders of magnitude (r(2) equal to 0.997-0.998). Validation performed with the THP agent and propyl chloroformate derivatization demonstrated the robustness and reliability of this simple sample-preparation methodology.

Liquefaction process

DOEpatents

Gorbaty, Martin L.; Stone, John B.; Poddar, Syamal K.

1982-01-01

Scale formation during the liquefaction of lower ranking coals and similar carbonaceous materials is significantly reduced and/or prevented by pretreatment with a combination of pretreating agents comprising SO.sub.2 and an oxidizing agent. The pretreatment is believed to convert at least a portion of the scale-forming components and particularly calcium, to the corresponding sulfate prior to liquefaction. The pretreatment may be accomplished with the combination of pretreating agents either simultaneously by using a mixture comprising SO.sub.2 and an oxidizing agent or sequentially by first treating with SO.sub.2 and then with an oxidizing agent.

Model reduction for agent-based social simulation: coarse-graining a civil violence model.

PubMed

Zou, Yu; Fonoberov, Vladimir A; Fonoberova, Maria; Mezic, Igor; Kevrekidis, Ioannis G

2012-06-01

Agent-based modeling (ABM) constitutes a powerful computational tool for the exploration of phenomena involving emergent dynamic behavior in the social sciences. This paper demonstrates a computer-assisted approach that bridges the significant gap between the single-agent microscopic level and the macroscopic (coarse-grained population) level, where fundamental questions must be rationally answered and policies guiding the emergent dynamics devised. Our approach will be illustrated through an agent-based model of civil violence. This spatiotemporally varying ABM incorporates interactions between a heterogeneous population of citizens [active (insurgent), inactive, or jailed] and a population of police officers. Detailed simulations exhibit an equilibrium punctuated by periods of social upheavals. We show how to effectively reduce the agent-based dynamics to a stochastic model with only two coarse-grained degrees of freedom: the number of jailed citizens and the number of active ones. The coarse-grained model captures the ABM dynamics while drastically reducing the computation time (by a factor of approximately 20).

Model reduction for agent-based social simulation: Coarse-graining a civil violence model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Yu; Fonoberov, Vladimir A.; Fonoberova, Maria; Mezic, Igor; Kevrekidis, Ioannis G.

2012-06-01

Agent-based modeling (ABM) constitutes a powerful computational tool for the exploration of phenomena involving emergent dynamic behavior in the social sciences. This paper demonstrates a computer-assisted approach that bridges the significant gap between the single-agent microscopic level and the macroscopic (coarse-grained population) level, where fundamental questions must be rationally answered and policies guiding the emergent dynamics devised. Our approach will be illustrated through an agent-based model of civil violence. This spatiotemporally varying ABM incorporates interactions between a heterogeneous population of citizens [active (insurgent), inactive, or jailed] and a population of police officers. Detailed simulations exhibit an equilibrium punctuated by periods of social upheavals. We show how to effectively reduce the agent-based dynamics to a stochastic model with only two coarse-grained degrees of freedom: the number of jailed citizens and the number of active ones. The coarse-grained model captures the ABM dynamics while drastically reducing the computation time (by a factor of approximately 20).

Method for the decontamination of metallic surfaces

DOEpatents

Purohit, Ankur; Kaminski, Michael D.; Nunez, Luis

2003-01-01

A method of decontaminating a radioactively contaminated oxide on a surface. The radioactively contaminated oxide is contacted with a diphosphonic acid solution for a time sufficient to dissolve the oxide and subsequently produce a precipitate containing most of the radioactive values. Thereafter, the diphosphonic solution is separated from the precipitate. HEDPA is the preferred diphosphonic acid and oxidizing and reducing agents are used to initiate precipitation. SFS is the preferred reducing agent.

76 FR 3076 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Air Potato

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-19

...] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Air Potato AGENCY: Animal and... environmental assessment (EA) relative to the control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). The EA considers the... States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of air potato infestations. We are...

Semantic Comprehension of the Action-Role Relationship in Early-Linguistic Infants.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fritz, Janet J.; Suci, George J.

This study attempted to determine: (1) whether lower-order units (agent or agent-action) within the agent-action-recipient relationship exist in any functional way in the 1-word infant's comprehension of speech; and (2) whether the use of repetition and/or reduced length (common modifications in adult-to-infant speech) used to focus on these…

Asset Prices and Trading Volume under Fixed Transactions Costs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lo, Andrew W.; Mamaysky, Harry; Wang, Jiang

2004-01-01

We propose a dynamic equilibrium model of asset prices and trading volume when agents face fixed transactions costs. We show that even small fixed costs can give rise to large "no-trade" regions for each agent's optimal trading policy. The inability to trade more frequently reduces the agents' asset demand and in equilibrium gives rise to a…

Anaesthetic modulation of nicotinic ion channel kinetics in bovine chromaffin cells.

PubMed Central

Charlesworth, P; Richards, C D

1995-01-01

1. We have investigated the action of the anaesthetics methoxyflurane, methohexitone and etomidate on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells using the whole cell patch clamp technique. 2. Spectral analysis of macroscopic currents evoked by 25 microM carbachol revealed that each of the agents tested reduced the lifetime of the channel open state in a dose-dependent manner. The whole cell current was inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion by each agent. 3. Channel gating parameters were calculated from single channel studies and the results used to test models explaining the modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels by anaesthetics. 4. Each of the agents studied reduced the mean channel open time in a concentration-dependent manner. Anaesthetic concentrations reducing mean open time by 50% were: 370 microM methoxyflurane, 30 microM methohexitone or 23 microM etomidate. 5. Methohexitone and etomidate produced an increase in the number of brief closures within bursts, while no such increase was observed with methoxyflurane. Despite these inter-burst gaps, mean burst length was reduced by each of the agents tested. 6. It is concluded that a simple sequential blocking model fails to account for the action of these anaesthetics. An extended model, in which blocked channels can close, may be applicable. PMID:7773553

Agent-specific learning signals for self–other distinction during mentalising

PubMed Central

Dolan, Raymond J.; Kurth-Nelson, Zeb

2018-01-01

Humans have a remarkable ability to simulate the minds of others. How the brain distinguishes between mental states attributed to self and mental states attributed to someone else is unknown. Here, we investigated how fundamental neural learning signals are selectively attributed to different agents. Specifically, we asked whether learning signals are encoded in agent-specific neural patterns or whether a self–other distinction depends on encoding agent identity separately from this learning signal. To examine this, we tasked subjects to learn continuously 2 models of the same environment, such that one was selectively attributed to self and the other was selectively attributed to another agent. Combining computational modelling with magnetoencephalography (MEG) enabled us to track neural representations of prediction errors (PEs) and beliefs attributed to self, and of simulated PEs and beliefs attributed to another agent. We found that the representational pattern of a PE reliably predicts the identity of the agent to whom the signal is attributed, consistent with a neural self–other distinction implemented via agent-specific learning signals. Strikingly, subjects exhibiting a weaker neural self–other distinction also had a reduced behavioural capacity for self–other distinction and displayed more marked subclinical psychopathological traits. The neural self–other distinction was also modulated by social context, evidenced in a significantly reduced decoding of agent identity in a nonsocial control task. Thus, we show that self–other distinction is realised through an encoding of agent identity intrinsic to fundamental learning signals. The observation that the fidelity of this encoding predicts psychopathological traits is of interest as a potential neurocomputational psychiatric biomarker. PMID:29689053

Inhibition of Inflammation Mediated Through the Tumor Necrosis Factor α Biochemical Pathway Can Lead to Favorable Outcomes in Alzheimer Disease

PubMed Central

Shamim, Daniah; Laskowski, Michael

2017-01-01

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors have long been used as disease-modifying agents in immune disorders. Recently, research has shown a role of chronic neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, and interest has been generated in the use of anti-TNF agents and TNF-modulating agents for prevention and treatment. This article extensively reviewed literature on animal studies testing these agents. The results showed a role for direct and indirect TNF-α inhibition through agents such as thalidomide, 3,6-dithiothalidomide, etanercept, infliximab, exendin-4, sodium hydrosulfide, minocycline, imipramine, and atorvastatin. Studies were performed on mice, rats, and monkeys, with induction of neurodegenerative physiology either through the use of chemical agents or through the use of transgenic animals. Most of these agents showed an improvement in cognitive function as tested with the Morris water maze, and immunohistochemical and histopathological staining studies consistently showed better outcomes with these agents. Brains of treated animals showed significant reduction in pro-inflammatory TNF-α and reduced the burden of neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid precursor protein, and β-amyloid plaques. Also, recruitment of microglial cells in the central nervous system was significantly reduced through these drugs. These studies provide a clearer mechanistic understanding of the role of TNF-α modulation in Alzheimer disease. All studies in this review explored the use of these drugs as prophylactic agents to prevent Alzheimer disease through immune modulation of the TNF inflammatory pathway, and their success highlights the need for further research of these drugs as therapeutic agents. PMID:28811745

Inhibition of Inflammation Mediated Through the Tumor Necrosis Factor α Biochemical Pathway Can Lead to Favorable Outcomes in Alzheimer Disease.

PubMed

Shamim, Daniah; Laskowski, Michael

2017-01-01

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors have long been used as disease-modifying agents in immune disorders. Recently, research has shown a role of chronic neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, and interest has been generated in the use of anti-TNF agents and TNF-modulating agents for prevention and treatment. This article extensively reviewed literature on animal studies testing these agents. The results showed a role for direct and indirect TNF-α inhibition through agents such as thalidomide, 3,6-dithiothalidomide, etanercept, infliximab, exendin-4, sodium hydrosulfide, minocycline, imipramine, and atorvastatin. Studies were performed on mice, rats, and monkeys, with induction of neurodegenerative physiology either through the use of chemical agents or through the use of transgenic animals. Most of these agents showed an improvement in cognitive function as tested with the Morris water maze, and immunohistochemical and histopathological staining studies consistently showed better outcomes with these agents. Brains of treated animals showed significant reduction in pro-inflammatory TNF-α and reduced the burden of neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid precursor protein, and β-amyloid plaques. Also, recruitment of microglial cells in the central nervous system was significantly reduced through these drugs. These studies provide a clearer mechanistic understanding of the role of TNF-α modulation in Alzheimer disease. All studies in this review explored the use of these drugs as prophylactic agents to prevent Alzheimer disease through immune modulation of the TNF inflammatory pathway, and their success highlights the need for further research of these drugs as therapeutic agents.

Agent-specific learning signals for self-other distinction during mentalising.

PubMed

Ereira, Sam; Dolan, Raymond J; Kurth-Nelson, Zeb

2018-04-01

Humans have a remarkable ability to simulate the minds of others. How the brain distinguishes between mental states attributed to self and mental states attributed to someone else is unknown. Here, we investigated how fundamental neural learning signals are selectively attributed to different agents. Specifically, we asked whether learning signals are encoded in agent-specific neural patterns or whether a self-other distinction depends on encoding agent identity separately from this learning signal. To examine this, we tasked subjects to learn continuously 2 models of the same environment, such that one was selectively attributed to self and the other was selectively attributed to another agent. Combining computational modelling with magnetoencephalography (MEG) enabled us to track neural representations of prediction errors (PEs) and beliefs attributed to self, and of simulated PEs and beliefs attributed to another agent. We found that the representational pattern of a PE reliably predicts the identity of the agent to whom the signal is attributed, consistent with a neural self-other distinction implemented via agent-specific learning signals. Strikingly, subjects exhibiting a weaker neural self-other distinction also had a reduced behavioural capacity for self-other distinction and displayed more marked subclinical psychopathological traits. The neural self-other distinction was also modulated by social context, evidenced in a significantly reduced decoding of agent identity in a nonsocial control task. Thus, we show that self-other distinction is realised through an encoding of agent identity intrinsic to fundamental learning signals. The observation that the fidelity of this encoding predicts psychopathological traits is of interest as a potential neurocomputational psychiatric biomarker.

Effect of spent mushroom substrate as a bulking agent on gaseous emissions and compost quality during pig manure composting.

PubMed

Li, Shuyan; Li, Danyang; Li, Jijin; Li, Yangyang; Li, Guoxue; Zang, Bing; Li, Yun

2018-05-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the gaseous emissions (CH 4 , N 2 O, and NH 3 ) and compost quality during the pig manure composting by adding spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as a bulking agent. The control treatment was also studied using corn stalk (CS) as a bulking agent. The experiment was conducted in a pilot scale composting reactor under aerobic condition with the initial C/N ratio of 20. Results showed that bulking agents significantly affected gaseous emissions and compost quality. Using SMS as a bulking agent improved composting efficiency by shortening the time for maturity. SMS increased germination index and humic acid of the final compost (by 13.44 and 41.94%, respectively) compared with CS. Furthermore, composting with SMS as a bulking agent could reduce nitrogen loss, NH 3 , and N 2 O emissions (by 13.57, 35.56, and 46.48%, respectively) compared with the control. SMS slightly increased CH 4 emission about 1.1 times of the CS. However, a 33.95% decrease in the global warming potential of CH 4 and N 2 O was obtained by adding SMS treatment. These results indicate that SMS is a favorable bulking agent for reducing gaseous emissions and increasing compost quality.

Effects of dual antibacterial agents MDPB and nano-silver in primer on microcosm biofilm, cytotoxicity and dentin bond properties

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ke; Cheng, Lei; Imazato, Satoshi; Antonucci, Joseph M.; Lin, Nancy J.; Lin-Gibson, Sheng; Bai, Yuxing; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2013-01-01

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dentin primer containing dual antibacterial agents, namely, 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB) and nanoparticles of silver (NAg), on dentin bond strength, dental plaque microcosm biofilm response, and fibroblast cytotoxicity for the first time. Methods Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) was used as the parent bonding agent. Four primers were tested: SBMP primer control (referred to as “P”), P+5%MDPB, P+0.05%NAg, and P+5%MDPB+0.05%NAg. Dentin shear bond strengths were measured using extracted human teeth. Biofilms from the mixed saliva of 10 donors were cultured to investigate metabolic activity, colony-forming units (CFU), and lactic acid production. Human fibroblast cytotoxicity of the four primers was tested in vitro. Results Incorporating MDPB and NAg into primer did not reduce dentin bond strength compared to control (p>0.1). SEM revealed well-bonded adhesive-dentin interfaces with numerous resin tags. MDPB or NAg each greatly reduced biofilm viability and acid production, compared to control. Dual agents MDPB+NAg had a much stronger effect than either agent alone (p<0.05), increasing inhibition zone size and reducing metabolic activity, CFU and lactic acid by an order of magnitude, compared to control. There was no difference in cytotoxicity between commercial control and antibacterial primers (p>0.1). Conclusions The method of using dual agents MDPB+NAg in the primer yielded potent antibacterial properties. Hence, this method may be promising to combat residual bacteria in tooth cavity and invading bacteria at the margins. The dual agents MDPB+NAg may have wide applicability to other adhesives, composites, sealants and cements to inhibit biofilms and caries. PMID:23402889

Triggered pore-forming agents

DOEpatents

Bayley, Hagan; Walker, Barbara J.; Chang, Chung-yu; Niblack, Brett; Panchal, Rekha

1998-01-01

An inactive pore-forming agent which is activated to lytic function by a condition such as pH, light, heat, reducing potential, or metal ion concentration, or substance such as a protease, at the surface of a cell.

Learning other agents` preferences in multiagent negotiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bui, H.H.; Kieronska, D.; Venkatesh, S.

In multiagent systems, an agent does not usually have complete information about the preferences and decision making processes of other agents. This might prevent the agents from making coordinated choices, purely due to their ignorance of what others want. This paper describes the integration of a learning module into a communication-intensive negotiating agent architecture. The learning module gives the agents the ability to learn about other agents` preferences via past interactions. Over time, the agents can incrementally update their models of other agents` preferences and use them to make better coordinated decisions. Combining both communication and learning, as two complementmore » knowledge acquisition methods, helps to reduce the amount of communication needed on average, and is justified in situations where communication is computationally costly or simply not desirable (e.g. to preserve the individual privacy).« less

Study on antibacterial alginate-stabilized copper nanoparticles by FT-IR and 2D-IR correlation spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Díaz-Visurraga, Judith; Daza, Carla; Pozo, Claudio; Becerra, Abraham; von Plessing, Carlos; García, Apolinaria

2012-01-01

Background The objective of this study was to clarify the intermolecular interaction between antibacterial copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and to process the spectra applying two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) correlation analysis. To our knowledge, the addition of NaAlg as a stabilizer of copper nanoparticles has not been previously reported. It is expected that the obtained results will provide valuable additional information on: (1) the influence of reducing agent ratio on the formation of copper nanoparticles in order to design functional nanomaterials with increased antibacterial activity, and (2) structural changes related to the incorporation of Cu NPs into the polymer matrix. Methods Cu NPs were prepared by microwave heating using ascorbic acid as reducing agent and NaAlg as stabilizing agent. The characterization of synthesized Cu NPs by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and semiquantitative analysis of the weight percentage composition indicated that the average particle sizes of Cu NPs are about 3–10 nm, they are spherical in shape, and consist of zerovalent Cu and Cu2O. Also, crystallite size and relative particle size of stabilized Cu NPs were calculated by XRD using Scherrer’s formula and FT from the X-ray diffraction data. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR, second-derivative spectra, and 2D-IR correlation analysis were applied to studying the stabilization mechanism of Cu NPs by NaAlg molecules. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of stabilized Cu NPs against five bacterial strains (Staphylococccus aureus ATCC 6538P, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and O157: H7, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311 and 14028) were evaluated with macrodilution, agar dilution plate count, and well-diffusion methods. Results On the basis of the semiquantitative analysis, there was a direct correlation between the reducing agent ratio and the percentage of zerovalent Cu. This was confirmed with the statistical analysis of population of Cu NPs from TEM micrographs. At lower reducing agent ratios, two phases coexist (Cu2O and zerovalent Cu) due to incomplete reduction of copper ions by the reducing agent; however, at higher reducing agent ratios, the Cu NPs consist mainly of zerovalent Cu. Crystallite size and relative particle size of stabilized Cu NPs showed considerable differences in results and tendencies in respect to TEM analysis. However, the relative particle size values obtained from FT of XRD data agreed well with the histograms from the TEM observations. From FT results, the relative particle size and reducing agent ratio of stabilized Cu NPs showed an inverse correlation. The incomplete reduction of copper ions at lower reducing agent ratios was also confirmed by DSC studies. FT-IR and 2D-IR correlation spectra analysis suggested the first event involved in the stabilization of Cu NPs is their electrostatic interaction with –C=O of carboxylate groups of NaAlg, followed by the interaction with the available O–C–O−, and finally with the –OH groups. Bacterial susceptibility to stabilized nanoparticles was found to vary depending on the bacterial strains. The lowest MIC and MBC of stabilized Cu NPs ranged between 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L for all studied strains. Disk-diffusion studies with both E. coli strains revealed greater effectiveness of the stabilized Cu NPs compared to the positive controls (cloxacillin, amoxicillin, and nitrofurantoin). S. aureus showed the highest sensitivity to stabilized Cu NPs compared to the other studied strains. Conclusion Cu NPs were successfully synthesized via chemical reduction assisted with microwave heating. Average particle size, polydispersity, and phase composition of Cu NPs depended mainly on the reducing agent ratio. Likewise, thermal stability and antibacterial activity of stabilized Cu NPs were affected by their phase composition. Because of the carboxylate groups in polymer chains, the structural changes of stabilized Cu NPs are different from those of NaAlg. NaAlg acted as a size controller and stabilizing agent of Cu NPs, due to their ability to bind strongly to the metal surface. Our study on the stabilizing agent–dependent structural changes of stabilized NPs is helpful for wide application of NaAlg as an important biopolymer. PMID:22848180

Effect of Reduction of Redox Modifications of Cys-Residues in the Na,K-ATPase α1-Subunit on Its Activity

PubMed Central

Dergousova, Elena A.; Petrushanko, Irina Yu.; Klimanova, Elizaveta A.; Mitkevich, Vladimir A.; Ziganshin, Rustam H.; Lopina, Olga D.; Makarov, Alexander A.

2017-01-01

Sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) creates a gradient of sodium and potassium ions necessary for the viability of animal cells, and it is extremely sensitive to intracellular redox status. Earlier we found that regulatory glutathionylation determines Na,K-ATPase redox sensitivity but the role of basal glutathionylation and other redox modifications of cysteine residues is not clear. The purpose of this study was to detect oxidized, nitrosylated, or glutathionylated cysteine residues in Na,K-ATPase, evaluate the possibility of removing these modifications and assess their influence on the enzyme activity. To this aim, we have detected such modifications in the Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit purified from duck salt glands and tried to eliminate them by chemical reducing agents and the glutaredoxin1/glutathione reductase enzyme system. Detection of cysteine modifications was performed using mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis. We have found that purified Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit contains glutathionylated, nitrosylated, and oxidized cysteines. Chemical reducing agents partially eliminate these modifications that leads to the slight increase of the enzyme activity. Enzyme system glutaredoxin/glutathione reductase, unlike chemical reducing agents, produces significant increase of the enzyme activity. At the same time, the enzyme system deglutathionylates native Na,K-ATPase to a lesser degree than chemical reducing agents. This suggests that the enzymatic reducing system glutaredoxin/glutathione reductase specifically affects glutathionylation of the regulatory cysteine residues of Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit. PMID:28230807

Theoretical analysis of the effects of light intensity on the photocorrosion of semiconductor electrodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Benito, R.M.; Nozik, A.J.

1985-07-18

A kinetic model was developed to describe the effects of light intensity on the photocorrosion of n-type semiconductor electrodes. The model is an extension of previous work by Gomes and co-workers that includes the possibility of multiple steps for the oxidation reaction of the reducing agent in the electrolyte. Six cases are considered where the semiconductor decomposition reaction is multistep (each step involves a hole); the oxidation reaction of the reducing agent is multistep (each step after the first involves a hole or a chemical intermediate), and the first steps of the competing oxidation reactions are reversible or irreversible. Itmore » was found, contrary to previous results, that the photostability of semiconductor electrodes could increase with increased light intensity if the desired oxidation reaction of the reducing agent in the electrolyte was multistep with the first step being reversible. 14 references, 5 figures, 1 table.« less

High energy chemical laser system

DOEpatents

Gregg, D.W.; Pearson, R.K.

1975-12-23

A high energy chemical laser system is described wherein explosive gaseous mixtures of a reducing agent providing hydrogen isotopes and interhalogen compounds are uniformly ignited by means of an electrical discharge, flash- photolysis or an electron beam. The resulting chemical explosion pumps a lasing chemical species, hydrogen fluoride or deuterium fluoride which is formed in the chemical reaction. The generated lasing pulse has light frequencies in the 3- micron range. Suitable interhalogen compounds include bromine trifluoride (BrF$sub 3$), bromine pentafluoride (BrF$sub 5$), chlorine monofluoride (ClF), chlorine trifluoride (ClF$sub 3$), chlorine pentafluoride (ClF$sub 5$), iodine pentafluoride (IF$sub 5$), and iodine heptafluoride (IF$sub 7$); and suitable reducing agents include hydrogen (H$sub 2$), hydrocarbons such as methane (CH$sub 4$), deuterium (D$sub 2$), and diborane (B$sub 2$H$sub 6$), as well as combinations of the gaseous compound and/or molecular mixtures of the reducing agent.

Preparation of gold nanoparticles by surfactant-promoted reductive reaction without extra reducing agent.

PubMed

Tang, Junqi; Huang, Jiamin; Man, Shi-Qing

2013-02-15

Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) has been extensively applied in the solution-phase synthesis of many types of colloidal nanoparticles. However, the uses of CTAB were mainly considered as template or capping agents to form controllable shape and protect the product from agglomeration. Here it was discovered that CATB could serve as a very mild reductant to reduce gold salt precursors preparing gold nanoparticles (GNPs) at base environment. CTAB acted as the reducing agent suffering a partial degradation and forming CTA macro radicals. FTIR proved the formation of CCl and/or CBr bond after CTAB degraded. The characterization of synthesized GNPs was examined by UV-Vis spectra, TEM and XRD. Several factors affecting the process of reaction, such as the amount of NaOH, the molar ratio of CTAB and HAuCl(4), the reaction temperature, the effect of light and oxygen, and stirring were discussed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reducing agent-free synthesis of curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles by self-assembly at room temperature.

PubMed

Safavi, Maryam Sadat; Shojaosadati, Seyed Abbas; Yang, Hye Gyeong; Kim, Yejin; Park, Eun Ji; Lee, Kang Choon; Na, Dong Hee

2017-08-30

The purpose of this study was to prepare curcumin-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (CCM-BSA-NPs) by reducing agent-free self-assembly at room temperature. A 2 4 factorial design approach was used to investigate the CCM-BSA-NP preparation process at different pH values, temperatures, dithiothreitol amounts, and CCM/BSA mass ratios. Increasing the ionic strength enabled preparation of CCM-BSA-NPs at 25°C without reducing agent. CCM-BSA-NPs prepared under the optimized conditions at 25°C showed a particle size of 110±6nm, yield of 88.5%, and drug loading of 7.1%. The CCM-BSA-NPs showed strong antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects in glutamate-induced mouse hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells. This study suggests that ionic strength can be a key parameter affecting the preparation of albumin-based NPs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A comparison of midazolam with remifentanil for the prevention of myoclonic movements following etomidate injection.

PubMed

Hwang, J-Y; Kim, J-H; Oh, A-Y; Do, S-H; Jeon, Y-T; Han, S-H

2008-01-01

Etomidate is a popular anaesthetic induction agent, but it frequently causes myoclonic movements. Although both benzodiazepines and opioids reduce myoclonus, there has been no comparative study between these agents. Thus, we conducted a prospective, randomized study to compare midazolam and remifentanil as pre-treatment agents for reducing etomidate-induced myoclonus in 90 adults undergoing surgery. Patients were pre-treated before the etomidate injection, either with saline (Group C), midazolam 0.5 mg/kg (Group M) or remifentanil 1 microg/kg (Group R). Both Groups M and R showed a significantly lower incidence of myoclonus compared with Group C (17%, 17% and 77%, respectively). The incidence of myoclonus was not significantly different between Groups M and R, but 10% (n = 10) of the patients in Group R experienced remifentanil-related side-effects. We conclude that midazolam is probably a better choice than remifentanil for reducing etomidate-induced myoclonus during anaesthesia induction.

18-Methoxycoronaridine, a potential anti-obesity agent, does not produce a conditioned taste aversion in rats

PubMed Central

Taraschenko, Olga D.; Maisonneuve, Isabelle M.; Glick, Stanley D.

2015-01-01

18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), a selective antagonist of α3β4 nicotinic receptors, has been shown to reduce the self-administration of several drugs of abuse. Recently, this agent has also been shown to attenuate sucrose reward, decrease sucrose intake and prevent the development of sucrose-induced obesity in rats. The present experiments were designed to determine whether the latter effect was due to an 18-MC-induced conditioned taste aversion to sucrose. Both 18-MC (20 mg/ kg, i.p.) and control agent, lithium chloride (100 mg/kg, i.p.), reduced sucrose intake 24 h after association with sucrose; however, only lithium chloride reduced sucrose intake 72h later. Consistent with previous data, 18-MC appears to have proactive effect for 24h and it does not induce a conditioned taste aversion. PMID:20457177

Kinetically Controlled Lifetimes in Redox-Responsive Transient Supramolecular Hydrogels.

PubMed

Wojciechowski, Jonathan P; Martin, Adam D; Thordarson, Pall

2018-02-28

It remains challenging to program soft materials to show dynamic, tunable time-dependent properties. In this work, we report a strategy to design transient supramolecular hydrogels based on kinetic control of competing reactions. Specifically, the pH-triggered self-assembly of a redox-active supramolecular gelator, N,N'-dibenzoyl-l-cystine (DBC) in the presence of a reducing agent, which acts to disassemble the system. The lifetimes of the transient hydrogels can be tuned simply by pH or reducing agent concentration. We find through kinetic analysis that gel formation hinders the ability of the reducing agent and enables longer transient hydrogel lifetimes than would be predicted. The transient hydrogels undergo clean cycles, with no kinetically trapped aggregates observed. As a result, multiple transient hydrogel cycles are demonstrated and can be predicted. This work contributes to our understanding of designing transient assemblies with tunable temporal control.

Redox mediation and hydrogen-generation with bipyridinium reagents

DOEpatents

Wrighton, Mark S.; Bookbinder, Dana C.; Bruce, James A.; Dominey, Raymond N.; Lewis, Nathan S.

1984-03-27

A variety of redox mediating agents employing bipyridinium reagents and such reagents in conjunction with dispersed noble metals, such as platinium, are disclosed as coatings for substrates and electrodes. The agents may be charged by an applied voltage or by photoelectric effects or may be equilibrated with hydrogen. The agents are useful in reducing biological materials and electrolytic hydrogen production.

Topical non-barrier agents for postoperative adhesion prevention in animal models.

PubMed

Imai, Atsushi; Suzuki, Noriko

2010-04-01

Pelvic adhesion can form as a result of inflammation, endometriosis or surgical trauma. Most surgical procedures performed by obstetrician-gynecologists are associated with pelvic adhesions that may cause subsequent serious sequelae, including small bowel obstruction, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and difficulty in postoperative treatment, including complexity during subsequent surgical procedures. An increasing number of adhesion reduction agents, in the form of site-specific and broad-coverage barriers and solutions, are becoming available to surgical teams. The most widely studied strategies include placing synthetic barrier agents between the pelvic structures. Most of the adhesions in the barrier-treated patients develop in uncovered areas in the abdomen. This fact suggests that the application of liquid or gel anti-adhesive agents to cover all potential peritoneal lesions, together with the use of barrier agents, may reduce the formation of postoperative adhesions. This article introduces the topical choices available for adhesion prevention mentioned in preliminary clinical applications and animal models. To date there is no substantial evidence that their use reduces the incidence of postoperative adhesions. In combination with good surgical techniques, these non-barrier agents may play an important role in adhesion reduction. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Social effects of an anthropomorphic help agent: humans versus computers.

PubMed

David, Prabu; Lu, Tingting; Kline, Susan; Cai, Li

2007-06-01

The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of fairness of a computer-administered quiz as a function of the anthropomorphic features of the help agent offered within the quiz environment. The addition of simple anthropomorphic cues to a computer help agent reduced the perceived friendliness of the agent, perceived intelligence of the agent, and the perceived fairness of the quiz. These differences were observed only for male anthropomorphic cues, but not for female anthropomorphic cues. The results were not explained by the social attraction of the anthropomorphic agents used in the quiz or by gender identification with the agents. Priming of visual cues provides the best account of the data. Practical implications of the study are discussed.

Agents for replacement of NAD+/NADH system in enzymatic reactions

DOEpatents

Fish, Richard H.; Kerr, John B.; Lo, Christine H.

2004-04-06

Novel agents acting as co-factors for replacement of NAD(P).sup.+ /NAD(P)H co-enzyme systems in enzymatic oxido-reductive reactions. Agents mimicking the action of NAD(P).sup.+ /NAD(P)H system in enzymatic oxidation/reduction of substrates into reduced or oxidized products. A method for selection and preparation of the mimicking agents for replacement of NAD(P).sup.+ /NAD(P)H system and a device comprising co-factors for replacement of NAD(P).sup.+ /NAD(P)H system.

SEPARATION OF PLUTONIUM HYDROXIDE FROM BISMUTH HYDROXIDE

DOEpatents

Watt, G.W.

1958-08-19

An tmproved method is described for separating plutonium hydroxide from bismuth hydroxide. The end product of the bismuth phosphate processes for the separation amd concentration of plutonium is a inixture of bismuth hydroxide amd plutonium hydroxide. It has been found that these compounds can be advantageously separated by treatment with a reducing agent having a potential sufficient to reduce bismuth hydroxide to metalltc bisinuth but not sufficient to reduce the plutonium present. The resulting mixture of metallic bismuth and plutonium hydroxide can then be separated by treatment with a material which will dissolve plutonium hydroxide but not metallic bismuth. Sodiunn stannite is mentioned as a preferred reducing agent, and dilute nitric acid may be used as the separatory solvent.

High temperature cooling system and method

DOEpatents

Loewen, Eric P.

2006-12-12

A method for cooling a heat source, a method for preventing chemical interaction between a vessel and a cooling composition therein, and a cooling system. The method for cooling employs a containment vessel with an oxidizable interior wall. The interior wall is oxidized to form an oxide barrier layer thereon, the cooling composition is monitored for excess oxidizing agent, and a reducing agent is provided to eliminate excess oxidation. The method for preventing chemical interaction between a vessel and a cooling composition involves introducing a sufficient quantity of a reactant which is reactive with the vessel in order to produce a barrier layer therein that is non-reactive with the cooling composition. The cooling system includes a containment vessel with oxidizing agent and reducing agent delivery conveyances and a monitor of oxidation and reduction states so that proper maintenance of a vessel wall oxidation layer occurs.

Redox and Lewis acid-base activities through an electronegativity-hardness landscape diagram.

PubMed

Das, Ranjita; Vigneresse, Jean-Louis; Chattaraj, Pratim Kumar

2013-11-01

Chemistry is the science of bond making and bond breaking which requires redistribution of electron density among the reactant partners. Accordingly acid-base and redox reactions form cardinal components in all branches of chemistry, e.g., inorganic, organic, physical or biochemistry. That is the reason it forms an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum all throughout the globe. In an electronegativity (χ)- hardness (η) landscape diagram the diagonal χ = η line separates reducing agents from oxidizing agents as well as Lewis acids from Lewis bases. While electronegativity is related to the degree of electron transfer between two reactants, hardness is related to the resistance to that process. Accordingly the electronegativities of oxidizing agents/Lewis acids are generally greater than the corresponding hardness values and the reverse is true for reducing agents/Lewis bases. Electrophiles and nucleophiles are also expected to follow similar trends.

Pharmacological management of osteogenesis

PubMed Central

Nardone, Valeria; D'Asta, Federica; Brandi, Maria Luisa

2014-01-01

Osteogenesis and bone remodeling are complex biological processes that are essential for the formation of new bone tissue and its correct functioning. When the balance between bone resorption and formation is disrupted, bone diseases and disorders such as Paget's disease, fibrous dysplasia, osteoporosis and fragility fractures may result. Recent advances in bone cell biology have revealed new specific targets for the treatment of bone loss that are based on the inhibition of bone resorption by osteoclasts or the stimulation of bone formation by osteoblasts. Bisphosphonates, antiresorptive agents that reduce bone resorption, are usually recommended as first-line therapy in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Numerous studies have shown that bisphosphonates are able to significantly reduce the risk of femoral and vertebral fractures. Other antiresorptive agents indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis include selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as raloxifene. Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody, is another antiresorptive agent that has been approved in Europe and the USA. This agent blocks the RANK/RANKL/OPG system, which is responsible for osteoclastic activation, thus reducing bone resorption. Other approved agents include bone anabolic agents, such as teriparatide, a recombinant parathyroid hormone that improves bone microarchitecture and strength, and strontium ranelate, considered to be a dual-action drug that acts by both osteoclastic inhibition and osteoblastic stimulation. Currently, anti-catabolic drugs that act through the Wnt-β catenin signaling pathway, serving as Dickkopf-related protein 1 inhibitors and sclerostin antagonists, are also in development. This concise review provides an overview of the drugs most commonly used for the control of osteogenesis in bone diseases. PMID:24964310

Triggered pore-forming agents

DOEpatents

Bayley, H.; Walker, B.J.; Chang, C.Y.; Niblack, B.; Panchal, R.

1998-07-07

An inactive pore-forming agent is revealed which is activated to lytic function by a condition such as pH, light, heat, reducing potential, or metal ion concentration, or substance such as a protease, at the surface of a cell. 30 figs.

A Simple Secondary Amine Synthesis: Reductive Amination Using Sodium Triacetoxyborohydride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlson, Merle W.; Ciszewski, James T.; Bhatti, Micah M.; Swanson, Wesley F.; Wilson, Anne M.

2000-02-01

We present a reductive amination experiment for a second-semester organic chemistry class. It utilizes an imine intermediate and sodium triacetoxyborohydride, a mild reducing agent. The progress of the reaction is followed by TLC as the starting materials (the aldehyde and primary amine), the imine intermediate, and the secondary amine product are visible under ultraviolet light. This experiment provides an introduction to the observation of intermediates, the synthesis of amines, and the concept of mild reducing agents.

Environmentally Safer, Less Toxic Fire-Extinguishing Agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parrish, Clyde F.

2003-01-01

Fire-extinguishing agents comprising microscopic drops of water microencapsulated in flame-retardant polymers have been proposed as effective, less toxic, non-ozone-depleting, non-globalwarming alternatives to prior fire-extinguishing agents. Among the prior fire-extinguishing agents are halons (various halocarbon fluids), which are toxic and contribute both to depletion of upperatmospheric ozone and to global warming. Other prior fire-extinguishing agents are less toxic and less environmentally harmful but, in comparison with halons, are significantly less effective in extinguishing fires. The proposal to formulate new waterbased agents is based on recent success in the use of water mist as a fire-suppression agent. Water suppresses a flame by reducing the flame temperature and the concentration of oxygen available for the combustion process. The temperature is reduced because the water droplets in the mist absorb latent heat of vaporization as they evaporate. The concentration of oxygen is reduced because the newly generated water vapor displaces air. Unfortunately, water mists are difficult to produce in confined spaces and can evaporate before they reach the bases of flames. The proposal addresses both of these issues: The proposed fire-extinguishing agents would be manufactured in microencapsulated form in advance, eliminating the problem of generating mists in confined spaces. Because of the microencapsulation, the droplets would not evaporate until exposed directly to the heat of flames. In addition, the proposal calls for the introduction of free radicals that would inhibit the propagation of the chemical reactions of the combustion reactions. Manufacturing of a fire-extinguishing agent according to the proposal would begin with the formulation of a suitable polymer (e.g., a polybromostyrene) that would contribute free radicals to the combustion process. The polymer would be dissolved in a suitable hydrocarbon liquid (e.g., toluene). Water would be dispersed in the polymer/toluene solution, then another hydrocarbon liquid (e.g., hexane) that is not a solvent for the polymer would be added to the mixture to make the dissolved polymer precipitate onto the water droplets. The resulting polymer-coated droplets would be removed from the coating mixture by filtration, dried, and stored for use.

Synthesis of functional materials in combustion reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuravlev, V. D.; Bamburov, V. G.; Ermakova, L. V.; Lobachevskaya, N. I.

2015-12-01

The conditions for obtaining oxide compounds in combustion reactions of nitrates of metals with organic chelating-reducing agents such as amino acids, urea, and polyvinyl alcohol are reviewed. Changing the nature of internal fuels and the reducing agent-to-oxidizing agent ratio makes possible to modify the thermal regime of the process, fractal dimensionality, morphology, and dispersion of synthesized functional materials. This method can be used to synthesize simple and complex oxides, composites, and metal powders, as well as ceramics and coatings. The possibilities of synthesis in combustion reactions are illustrated by examples of αand γ-Al2O3, YSZ composites, uranium oxides, nickel powder, NiO and NiO: YSZ composite, TiO2, and manganites, cobaltites, and aluminates of rare earth elements.

Facile hydrothermal preparation of titanium dioxide decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

PubMed Central

Chang, Betty Yea Sze; Huang, Nay Ming; An’amt, Mohd Nor; Marlinda, Abdul Rahman; Norazriena, Yusoff; Muhamad, Muhamad Rasat; Harrison, Ian; Lim, Hong Ngee; Chia, Chin Hua

2012-01-01

A simple single-stage approach, based on the hydrothermal technique, has been introduced to synthesize reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposites. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles are formed at the same time as the graphene oxide is reduced to graphene. The triethanolamine used in the process has two roles. It acts as a reducing agent for the graphene oxide as well as a capping agent, allowing the formation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (~20 nm). Transmission electron micrographs show that the nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheet. Thermogravimetric analysis shows the nanocomposites have an enhanced thermal stability over the original components. The potential applications for this technology were demonstrated by the use of a reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode, which enhanced the electrochemical performance compared to a conventional glassy carbon electrode when interacting with mercury(II) ions in potassium chloride electrolyte. PMID:22848166

The efficacy of targeted Health Agents education to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis in a rural population

PubMed Central

Padilla, Eduardo; Molina, Juan; Kamis, Danielle; Calvo, Maria; Stratton, Lee; Strejilevich, Sergio; Aleman, Gabriela Gonzalez; Guerrero, Gonzalo; Bourdieu, Mercedes; Conesa, Horacio A.; Escobar, Javier I.; de Erausquin, Gabriel A.

2014-01-01

The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a key determinant in the severity of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. DUP is a modifiable factor that if reduced can improve patient outcome and treatment response. We sought to decrease DUP in rural Argentina by instituting annual training of local health agents to better identify signs of mental illness and offer earlier intervention. DUP was estimated using Schedules of Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Ongoing training was correlated with a reduction in DUP. Reducing DUP through better screening can decrease the psychosocial burden of disease and improve the trajectory of psychosis. PMID:25439394

Method for selectively reducing plutonium values by a photochemical process

DOEpatents

Friedman, Horace A.; Toth, Louis M.; Bell, Jimmy T.

1978-01-01

The rate of reduction of Pu(IV) to Pu(III) in nitric acid solution containing a reducing agent is enhanced by exposing the solution to 200-500 nm electromagnetic radiation. Pu values are recovered from an organic extractant solution containing Pu(IV) values and U(VI) values by the method of contacting the extractant solution with an aqueous nitric acid solution in the presence of a reducing agent and exposing the aqueous solution to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 200-500 nm. Under these conditions, Pu values preferentially distribute to the aqueous phase and U values preferentially distribute to the organic phase.

Final Environmental Assessment for Fireworks Display and Cleanup for the Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Fourth of July Celebrations

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-21

perchlorates; reducing agents can be sulfur and charcoal; metals can be added to regulate the speed of reaction; starch is typically used as a binder; and...textured soil, or desert pavements consisting of gravel or rock. Plants are drought- resistant with hardened leaves and shortened distances between...reducing agents can be sulfur and charcoal; metals can be added to regulate the speed of reaction; starch is typically used as a binder; and metals

Thermal Inactivation of Viruses

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-10-01

thermal inactivation . 12 Bibliography 20 Table 3. Thermal inactivation of viruses in foods 25 Bibliography 31 Table 4, Agents modifying...the presence of protective agents that reduce the lethal effect of heat on the viruses at temperatures below 60 C In addition, whtn solid foods...systems but were observed j when animal inoculation was utilized. It is possible that free virus nucl’lc < acid may have been the causative agent in

Balloon-assisted embolization of skull base meningioma with liquid embolic agent.

PubMed

Abdel Kerim, Amr; Bonneville, Fabrice; Jean, Betty; Cornu, Philippe; LeJean, Lise; Chiras, Jacques

2010-01-01

The authors report a novel technique of balloon-assisted embolization of a skull base meningioma supplied by a branch of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery using liquid embolic agent. A temporarily inflated balloon distal to the meningioma's feeding vessel may improve the access to this small branch and may reduce the chances of unintended reflux during delivery of the liquid embolic agent.

Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-2-0153 TITLE: Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti - Inflammatory Agents...Sep 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction Through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti - Inflammatory Agents 5a. CONTRACT...applied anti - inflammatory drugs that will reduce recipient site inflammation and skin graft contraction. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Graft contraction, anti

Area and percent of forest affected by biotic agents beyond reference conditions

Treesearch

Jeffrey A. Mai

2012-01-01

Criterion 3, Indicator 15, of the Montréal Process identifies the impact that biotic processes and agents have on forests (Montréal Process Working Group 2007). Where change due to these agents and processes occurs beyond a critical threshold, forest ecosystem health and vitality may be significantly altered and a forest’s ability to recover could be reduced or lost....

Combination cisplatin and sulforaphane treatment reduces proliferation, invasion, and tumor formation in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Kerr, Candace; Adhikary, Gautam; Grun, Daniel; George, Nicholas; Eckert, Richard L

2018-01-01

Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma is an extremely common type of cancer. Early tumors can be successfully treated by surgery, but recurrent disease is aggressive and resistant to therapy. Cisplatin is often used as a treatment, but the outcome is rarely satisfactory. For this reason new strategies are required. Sulforaphane is a diet-derived cancer prevention agent that is effective in suppressing tumor growth in animal models of skin cancer. We monitored the efficacy of sulforaphane and cisplatin as a combined therapy for squamous cell carcinoma. Both agents suppress cell proliferation, growth of cancer stem cell spheroids, matrigel invasion and migration of SCC-13 and HaCaT cells, and combination treatment is more efficient. In addition, SCC-13 cell derived cancer stem cells are more responsive to these agents than non-stem cancer cells. Both agents suppress tumor formation, but enhanced suppression is observed with combined treatment. Moreover, both agents reduce the number of tumor-resident cancer stem cells. SFN treatment of cultured cells or tumors increases apoptosis and p21 Cip1 level, and both agents increase tumor apoptosis. We suggest that combined therapy with sulforaphane and cisplatin is efficient in suppressing tumor formation and may be a treatment option for advanced epidermal squamous cell carcinoma. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Research Recommendations for Selected IARC-Classified Agents

EPA Science Inventory

History of the NORA process and framework for the meeting. This is a concerted effort to identify means of reducing the insufficiency of available data for classifying particular agents in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) system by identifying information n...

Carbohydrate-directed synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles: effect of the structure of carbohydrates and reducing agents on the size and morphology of the composites.

PubMed

Shervani, Zameer; Yamamoto, Yasushi

2011-04-01

A monosaccharide (β-D-glucose) and polysaccharide (soluble starch) were used as structure directing and subsequently stabilizing agents for the synthesis of spherical nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires of silver and gold. Homogeneous monodispersed Ag(0) nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of 15 nm diameter were obtained when 10(-4)M AgNO(3) precursor salt was reduced in starch (1 wt%)-water gel by 1 wt% β-D-glucose. For a second preparation the effect of reducing agents on the synthesis of Au(0) metallic nanoparticles (Au NPs) of 2 × 10(-4)M concentration prepared in a β-D-glucose (0.03 M)-water dispersion was studied first in detail. Different equivalent amounts of NaBH(4) and a number of pH values were evaluated for the reduction of the Au salt HAuCl(4)·3H(2)O to obtain Au NPs. The type and the amount of reducing agent, as well as the pH of the solution was shown to affect the size and morphology of the NPs. NaBH(4) (4 equiv) produced the smallest (5.3 nm (σ 0.7)) metallic particles compared to larger particles (10.0 nm (σ 1.4)) when the salt was reduced by 1 equiv of NaBH(4). Addition of excess NaBH(4) caused the NPs to settle out as a precipitate forming a mesh or wire structure rather than monodispersed particles. Low pH (pH 6) resulted in incomplete reduction, while at pH 8 the salt was completely reduced. When the salt was reduced by NaOH at pH 8, the particles were larger (14.2 nm) and less homogeneous (σ 2.8) compared to those from NaBH(4) reduction. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of reducing agents on low-temperature synthesis of nanostructured LiFePO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulka, Andrzej; Walczak, Katarzyna; Zając, Wojciech; Molenda, Janina

2017-09-01

Simple co-precipitation synthesis procedure yielding nanometric LiFePO4 with enhanced electrochemical properties without any post-synthesis heat treatment is presented. XRD, SEM and TEM analysis of the obtained powders revealed platelet crystallites and well crystalized bulk structure. Effective way of decreasing amount of Fe3+ containing phases by addition of reducing agents (KI, (NH4)2S2O3, glucose and the atmosphere of 5%H2-95%Ar) during low-temperature (107 °C) synthesis is described. The traditional analytical chemistry methods or the Mӧssbauer spectroscopy methods revealed that utilization of selected reducing agents diminished Fe3+ concentration from 25 to 12 at%. The constructed cells with optimized LiFePO4 as a cathode material showed superior electrochemical performances, including high reversible capacity up to 162 mAh/g at C/10 current discharge rate, flat voltage plateau with a value close to 3.45 V vs. Li0/+.

Liposomal Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Breast Cancer Patients: A Review

PubMed Central

Lao, Juan; Madani, Julia; Puértolas, Teresa; Álvarez, María; Hernández, Alba; Pazo-Cid, Roberto; Artal, Ángel; Antón Torres, Antonio

2013-01-01

Drug delivery systems can provide enhanced efficacy and/or reduced toxicity for anticancer agents. Liposome drug delivery systems are able to modify the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of cytostatic agents, increasing the concentration of the drug released to neoplastic tissue and reducing the exposure of normal tissue. Anthracyclines are a key drug in the treatment of both metastatic and early breast cancer, but one of their major limitations is cardiotoxicity. One of the strategies designed to minimize this side effect is liposome encapsulation. Liposomal anthracyclines have achieved highly efficient drug encapsulation and they have proven to be effective and with reduced cardiotoxicity, as a single agent or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of either anthracyclines-treated or naïve metastatic breast cancer patients. Of particular interest is the use of the combination of liposomal anthracyclines and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. In this paper, we discuss the different studies on liposomal doxorubicin in metastatic and early breast cancer therapy. PMID:23634302

Block copolymer micelles with a dual-stimuli-responsive core for fast or slow degradation.

PubMed

Han, Dehui; Tong, Xia; Zhao, Yue

2012-02-07

We report the design and demonstration of a dual-stimuli-responsive block copolymer (BCP) micelle with increased complexity and control. We have synthesized and studied a new amphiphilic ABA-type triblock copolymer whose hydrophobic middle block contains two types of stimuli-sensitive functionalities regularly and repeatedly positioned in the main chain. Using a two-step click chemistry approach, disulfide and o-nitrobenzyle methyl ester groups are inserted into the main chain, which react to reducing agents and light, respectively. With the end blocks being poly(ethylene oxide), micelles formed by this BCP possess a core that can be disintegrated either rapidly via photocleavage of o-nitrobenzyl methyl esters or slowly through cleavage of disulfide groups by a reducing agent in the micellar solution. This feature makes possible either burst release of an encapsulated hydrophobic species from disintegrated micelles by UV light, or slow release by the action of a reducing agent, or release with combined fast-slow rate profiles using the two stimuli.

A one-pot parallel reductive amination of aldehydes with heteroaromatic amines.

PubMed

Bogolubsky, Andrey V; Moroz, Yurii S; Mykhailiuk, Pavel K; Panov, Dmitriy M; Pipko, Sergey E; Konovets, Anzhelika I; Tolmachev, Andrey

2014-08-11

A parallel reductive amination of heteroaromatic amines has been performed using a combination of ZnCl2-TMSOAc (activating agents) and NaBH(OAc)3 (reducing agent). A library of diverse secondary amines was easily prepared on a 50-300 mg scale.

Application of insoluble fibers in the fining of wine phenolics.

PubMed

Guerrero, Raúl F; Smith, Paul; Bindon, Keren A

2013-05-08

The application of animal-derived proteins as wine fining agents has been subject to increased regulation in recent years. As an alternative to protein-based fining agents, insoluble plant-derived fibers have the capacity to adsorb red wine tannins. Changes in red wine tannin were analyzed following application of fibers derived from apple and grape and protein-based fining agents. Other changes in wine composition, namely, color, monomeric phenolics, metals, and turbidity, were also determined. Wine tannin was maximally reduced by application of an apple pomace fiber and a grape pomace fiber (G4), removing 42 and 38%, respectively. Potassium caseinate maximally removed 19% of wine tannin, although applied at a lower dose. Fibers reduced anthocyanins, total phenolics, and wine color density, but changes in wine hue were minor. Proteins and apple fiber selectively removed high molecular mass phenolics, whereas grape fibers removed those of both high and low molecular mass. The results show that insoluble fibers may be considered as alternative fining agents for red wines.

Combination of different antifungal agents in oil-in-water emulsions to control strawberry jam spoilage.

PubMed

Ribes, Susana; Fuentes, Ana; Talens, Pau; Barat, Jose Manuel

2018-01-15

The combination of antifungal agents (cinnamon bark oil, zinc gluconate and trans-ferulic acid) in oil-in-water emulsions to control the fungal spoilage of strawberry jams, minimising essential oil's sensory impact, was evaluated in this work. The in vitro assays of free antifungal agents were performed against five fungal strains; meanwhile, the emulsions assays were conducted against Aspergillus niger given its strong resistance and its relevance in strawberry products. The emulsion formulated with 0.08mg/g of essential oil was able to inhibit mould growth after the incubation period. The incorporation of zinc gluconate or trans-ferulic acid, independently of the concentration used, allowed to reduce a 25% the amount of essential oil needed to inhibit the microbial growth. The combination of antifungal agents in the emulsions has demonstrated to be an effective alternative to reduce the amount of essential oil employed, maintaining the hygienic quality and sensory profile of the strawberry jam. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a prototypic chemopreventative agent for protection against cisplatin-based ototoxicity

PubMed Central

Borse, Vikrant; Al Aameri, Raheem F H; Sheehan, Kelly; Sheth, Sandeep; Kaur, Tejbeer; Mukherjea, Debashree; Tupal, Srinivasan; Lowy, Michelle; Ghosh, Sumana; Dhukhwa, Asmita; Bhatta, Puspanjali; Rybak, Leonard P; Ramkumar, Vickram

2017-01-01

Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is one of the major factors limiting cisplatin chemotherapy. Ototoxicity results from damage to outer hair cells (OHCs) and other regions of the cochlea. At the cellular level, cisplatin increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to cochlear inflammation and apoptosis. Thus, ideal otoprotective drugs should target oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms without interfering with cisplatin's chemotherapeutic efficacy. In this study, we show that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a prototypic agent exhibiting these properties of an effect otoprotective agent. Rats administered oral EGCG demonstrate reduced cisplatin-induced hearing loss, reduced loss of OHCs in the basal region of the cochlea and reduced oxidative stress and apoptotic markers. EGCG also protected against the loss of ribbon synapses associated with inner hair cells and Na+/K+ ATPase α1 in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament. In vitro studies showed that EGCG reduced cisplatin-induced ROS generation and ERK1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) activity, but preserved the activity of STAT3 and Bcl-xL. The increase in STAT3/STAT1 ratio appears critical for mediating its otoprotection. EGCG did not alter cisplatin-induced apoptosis of human-derived cancer cells or cisplatin antitumor efficacy in a xenograft tumor model in mice because of its inability to rescue the downregulation of STAT3 in these cells. These data suggest that EGCG is an ideal otoprotective agent for treating cisplatin-induced hearing loss without compromising its antitumor efficacy. PMID:28703809

Effect of dissolved oxygen concentration on iron efficiency: Removal of three chloroacetic acids.

PubMed

Tang, Shun; Wang, Xiao-mao; Mao, Yu-qin; Zhao, Yu; Yang, Hong-wei; Xie, Yuefeng F

2015-04-15

The monochloroacetic, dichloroacetic and trichloroacetic acid (MCAA, DCAA and TCAA) removed by metallic iron under controlled dissolved oxygen conditions (0, 0.75, 1.52, 2.59, 3.47 or 7.09 mg/L DO) was investigated in well-mixed batch systems. The removal of CAAs increased first and then decreased with increasing DO concentration. Compared with anoxic condition, the reduction of MCAA and DCAA was substantially enhanced in the presence of O2, while TCAA reduction was significantly inhibited above 2.59 mg/L. The 1.52 mg/L DO was optimum for the formation of final product, acetic acid. Chlorine mass balances were 69-102%, and carbon mass balances were 92-105%. With sufficient mass transfer from bulk to the particle surface, the degradation of CAAs was limited by their reduction or migration rate within iron particles, which were dependent on the change of reducing agents and corrosion coatings. Under anoxic conditions, the reduction of CAAs was mainly inhibited by the available reducing agents in the conductive layer. Under low oxic conditions, the increasing reducing agents and thin lepidocrocite layer were favorable for CAA dechlorination. Under high oxic conditions, the redundant oxygen competing for reducing agents and significant lepidocrocite growth became the major restricting factors. Various CAA removal mechanisms could be potentially applied to explaining the effect of DO concentration on iron efficiency for contaminant reduction in water and wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advanced UV Source for Biological Agent Destruction

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

protection against chemical agents. The AUVS can be inserted into HVAC air ducts to eliminate BW agents, used to purify water, and / or used to reduce...operating costs are very low. The technology has been shown to be very effective for destroying Bacillus pumilus endospores that are significantly more...resistant to UV than anthrax spores . Up to7 orders of magnitude (7 logs) kill of B. pumilus spores have been demonstrated with the AUVS technology

Economic considerations in the use of inhaled anesthetic agents.

PubMed

Golembiewski, Julie

2010-04-15

To describe the components of and factors contributing to the costs of inhaled anesthesia, basis for quantifying and comparing these costs, and practical strategies for performing pharmacoeconomic analyses and reducing the costs of inhaled anesthetic agents. Inhaled anesthesia can be costly, and some of the variable costs, including fresh gas flow rates and vaporizer settings, are potential targets for cost savings. The use of a low fresh gas flow rate maximizes rebreathing of exhaled anesthetic gas and is less costly than a high flow rate, but it provides less control of the level of anesthesia. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) hour is a measure that can be used to compare the cost of inhaled anesthetic agents at various fresh gas flow rates. Anesthesia records provide a sense of patterns of inhaled anesthetic agent use, but the amount of detail can be limited. Cost savings have resulted from efforts to reduce the direct costs of inhaled anesthetic agents, but reductions in indirect costs through shortened times to patient recovery and discharge following the judicious use of these agents are more difficult to demonstrate. The patient case mix, fresh gas flow rates typically used during inhaled anesthesia, availability and location of vaporizers, and anesthesia care provider preferences and practices should be taken into consideration in pharmacoeconomic evaluations and recommendations for controlling the costs of inhaled anesthesia. Understanding factors that contribute to the costs of inhaled anesthesia and considering those factors in pharmacoeconomic analyses and recommendations for use of these agents can result in cost savings.

Use of an Anaerobic Chamber Environment for the Assay of Endogenous Cellular Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase Activities

PubMed Central

Zhu, Li

2002-01-01

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have a catalytic cysteine residue whose reduced state is integral to the reaction mechanism. Since exposure to air can artifactually oxidize this highly reactive thiol, PTPase assays have typically used potent reducing agents to reactivate the enzymes present; however, this approach does not allow for the measurement of the endogenous PTPase activity directly isolated from the in vivo cellular environment. Here we provide a method for using an anaerobic chamber to preserve the activity of the total PTPase complement in a tissue lysate or of an immunoprecipitated PTPase homolog to characterize their endogenous activation state. Comparison with a sample treated with biochemical reducing agents allows the determination of the activatable (reducible) fraction of the endogenous PTPase pool. PMID:12734574

Method for producing chemically bonded phosphate ceramics and for stabilizing contaminants encapsulated therein utilizing reducing agents

DOEpatents

Singh, Dileep; Wagh, Arun S.; Jeong, Seung-Young

2000-01-01

Known phosphate ceramic formulations are improved and the ability to produce iron-based phosphate ceramic systems is enabled by the addition of an oxidizing or reducing step during the acid-base reactions that form the phosphate ceramic products. The additives allow control of the rate of the acid-base reactions and concomitant heat generation. In an alternate embodiment, waste containing metal anions are stabilized in phosphate ceramic products by the addition of a reducing agent to the phosphate ceramic mixture. The reduced metal ions are more stable and/or reactive with the phosphate ions, resulting in the formation of insoluble metal species within the phosphate ceramic matrix, such that the resulting chemically bonded phosphate ceramic product has greater leach resistance.

A facile and green preparation of reduced graphene oxide using Eucalyptus leaf extract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chengyang; Zhuang, Zechao; Jin, Xiaoying; Chen, Zuliang

2017-11-01

In this paper, a green and facile synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (GO) by Eucalyptus leaf extract (EL-RGO) was investigated, which was characterized with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TG). Eucalyptus leaf extract also play both reducing and capping stabilizing agents prepared EL-RGO as shown a good stability and electrochemical properties. This approach could provide an alternative method to prepare EL-RGO in large-scale production. Moreover, the good electrochemical property and biocompatibility can be used in various applications. In addition, the merit of this study is that both the oxidized products and the reducing agents are environmental friendly by green reduction.

Accidental death and the rule of joint and several liability

PubMed Central

Carvell, Daniel; Currie, Janet; MacLeod, W. Bentley

2013-01-01

Most U.S. states have enacted JSL reform, the move from a regime of joint and several liability (JSL) that allows plaintiffs to claim full recovery from any one of multiple defendants to one where defendants are held liable only for the harm they cause. Contrary to previous theoretical work, we show that JSL reform can increase precaution by judgment proof agent by giving “deep pockets” an incentive to reduce their own liability by bringing judgment-proof agents into court. This result can help explain our empirical findings showing that JSL reform reduces death rates (and hence increase precaution) for many types of accidents. Together, these results highlight the role that litigation costs and judgment-proof agents play in the functioning of the American tort system. PMID:25076808

Synthesis of functional materials in combustion reactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhuravlev, V. D., E-mail: zhvd@ihim.uran.ru; Bamburov, V. G.; Ermakova, L. V.

2015-12-15

The conditions for obtaining oxide compounds in combustion reactions of nitrates of metals with organic chelating–reducing agents such as amino acids, urea, and polyvinyl alcohol are reviewed. Changing the nature of internal fuels and the reducing agent-to-oxidizing agent ratio makes possible to modify the thermal regime of the process, fractal dimensionality, morphology, and dispersion of synthesized functional materials. This method can be used to synthesize simple and complex oxides, composites, and metal powders, as well as ceramics and coatings. The possibilities of synthesis in combustion reactions are illustrated by examples of αand γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, YSZ composites, uranium oxides, nickelmore » powder, NiO and NiO: YSZ composite, TiO{sub 2}, and manganites, cobaltites, and aluminates of rare earth elements.« less

Performance of waste-paper/PETG wood–plastic composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Lijie; An, Shuxiang; Li, Chunying; Huang, Chongxing; Wang, Shuangfei; Zhang, Xiaoxiao; Xu, Mingzi; Chen, Jie; Zhou, Lei

2018-05-01

Wood-plastic composites were prepared from polyethylene terephthalate- 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol ester (PETG) and waste-paper fiber that was unmodified, modified with alkyl-ketene-dimer (AKD), and modified with a silane-coupling agent. The mechanical properties, water absorption properties, surface structure, and thermal properties of the three prepared materials were compared. The results showed that the optimum amount of waste-paper powder is 10 wt%, while that of the waste-paper particles is 60-80 mesh. The use of AKD and coupling agent KH550 can reduce the water absorption of the composite; however, the reductive effect of the coupling agent is better, in that it is reduced by 0.3%. Modification using a 1-wt% KH550 coupling agent can effectively increase the tensile strength of a composite from 31.36 to 41.67 MPa (increase of 32.8%), while the bending strength increased from 86.47 to 98.31 MPa (increase of 13.7%). This also enhances the thermal stability of the composites. With the addition of the coupling agent, the composite material maintains good mechanical properties even after being immersed in water; this can enable the safe use of these composite materials in outdoor environments.

Management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: Current treatment options, challenges and future directions

PubMed Central

Pachman, Deirdre R; Jones, Jason M; Loprinzi, Charles L

2010-01-01

Hot flashes are one of the most common and distressing symptoms associated with menopause, occurring in more than 75% of postmenopausal women. They are especially problematic in breast cancer patients since some breast cancer therapies can induce hot flashes. For mild hot flashes, it is proposed that behavioral modifications are the first step in management. Hormonal therapies, including estrogens and progestogens, are the most well known effective agents in relieving hot flashes; however, the safety of these agents is controversial. There is an increasing amount of literature on nonhormonal agents for the treatment of hot flashes. The most promising data regard newer antidepressant agents such as venlafaxine, which reduces hot flashes by about 60%. Gabapentin is another nonhormonal agent that is effective in reducing hot flashes. While many complimentary therapies, including phytoestrogens, black cohosh, and dehydroepiandrosterone, have been explored for the treatment of hot flashes; none can be recommended at this time. Furthermore, there is a lack of strong evidence to support exercise, yoga, or relaxation for the treatment of hot flashes. Paced respirations and hypnosis appear to be promising enough to warrant further investigation. Another promising nonpharmacological therapy, currently under investigation, involves a stellate ganglion block. PMID:21072305

The Promise of Neuroprotective Agents in Parkinson’s Disease

PubMed Central

Seidl, Stacey E.; Potashkin, Judith A.

2011-01-01

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. Since there are limited treatment options for PD, neuroprotective agents are currently being tested as a means to slow disease progression. Agents targeting oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation are prime candidates for neuroprotection. This review identifies Rasagiline, Minocycline, and creatine, as the most promising neuroprotective agents for PD, and they are all currently in phase III trials. Other agents possessing protective characteristics in delaying PD include stimulants, vitamins, supplements, and other drugs. Additionally, combination therapies also show benefits in slowing PD progression. The identification of neuroprotective agents for PD provides us with therapeutic opportunities for modifying the course of disease progression and, perhaps, reducing the risk of onset when preclinical biomarkers become available. PMID:22125548

Inhibitory activity of chelating agent against bacteria associated with poultry processing

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylenediamine-N, N’-disuccinic acid (EDDS) are chelating agents that can bind minerals that produce water hardness. By sequestering minerals in hard water, chelators reduce water hardness and increase the ability of cleansers to remove dirt and debris dur...

Pharmacokinetics and absorption of the anticancer agents dasatinib and GDC-0941 under various gastric conditions in dogs--reversing the effect of elevated gastric pH with betaine HCl.

PubMed

Pang, Jodie; Dalziel, Gena; Dean, Brian; Ware, Joseph A; Salphati, Laurent

2013-11-04

Changes in gastric pH can impact the dissolution and absorption of compounds presenting pH-dependent solubility. We assessed, in dogs, the effects of gastric pH-modifying agents on the oral absorption of two weakly basic anticancer drugs, dasatinib and GDC-0941. We also tested whether drug-induced hypochlorhydria could be temporarily mitigated using betaine HCl. Pretreatments with pentagastrin, famotidine, betaine HCl, or combinations of famotidine and betaine HCl were administered orally to dogs prior to drug dosing. The gastric pH was measured under each condition for up to 7 h, and the exposure of the compounds tested was calculated. The average gastric pH in fasted dogs ranged from 1.45 to 3.03. Pentagastrin or betaine HCl treatments lowered the pH and reduced its variability between dogs compared to control animals. In contrast, famotidine treatment maintained gastric pH at values close to 7 for up to 5 h, while betaine HCl transiently reduced the pH to approximately 2 in the famotidine-treated dogs. Famotidine pretreatment lowered GDC-0941 exposure by 5-fold, and decreased dasatinib measurable concentrations 30-fold, compared to the pentagastrin-treated dogs. Betaine HCl restored GDC-0941 AUC in famotidine-treated dogs to levels achieved in control animals, and increased dasatinib AUC to 1.5-fold that measured in control dogs. The results confirmed the negative impact of acid-reducing agents on the absorption of weakly basic drugs. They also suggested that betaine HCl coadministration may be a viable strategy in humans treated with acid-reducing agents in order to temporarily reduce gastric pH and restore drug exposure.

Emotional recognition from the speech signal for a virtual education agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tickle, A.; Raghu, S.; Elshaw, M.

2013-06-01

This paper explores the extraction of features from the speech wave to perform intelligent emotion recognition. A feature extract tool (openSmile) was used to obtain a baseline set of 998 acoustic features from a set of emotional speech recordings from a microphone. The initial features were reduced to the most important ones so recognition of emotions using a supervised neural network could be performed. Given that the future use of virtual education agents lies with making the agents more interactive, developing agents with the capability to recognise and adapt to the emotional state of humans is an important step.

Effect of clavulanic acid on minimal inhibitory concentrations of 16 antimicrobial agents tested against Legionella pneumophila.

PubMed Central

Pohlod, D J; Saravolatz, L D; Quinn, E L; Somerville, M M

1980-01-01

A total of 15 Legionella pneumophilia isolated were tested against 16 antimicrobial agents used singly and in combination with clavulanic acid. When combined with clavulanic acid, 4 of the 16 antimicrobial agents produced no enhanced effect. However, the minimal inhibitory concentrations of 12 of the antimicrobial agents were reduced by one-half to one-third when in combination with clavulanic acid. These reductions reflected only a one-dilution decrease, however, in the original minimal inhibitory concentrations. Thus, clavulanic acid combinations appear to be only nominally effective beta-lactamase inhibitors against L. pneumophilia. PMID:6969575

The efficacy of targeted health agents education to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis in a rural population.

PubMed

Padilla, Eduardo; Molina, Juan; Kamis, Danielle; Calvo, Maria; Stratton, Lee; Strejilevich, Sergio; Aleman, Gabriela Gonzalez; Guerrero, Gonzalo; Bourdieu, Mercedes; Conesa, Horacio A; Escobar, Javier I; de Erausquin, Gabriel A

2015-02-01

The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a key determinant in the severity of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. DUP is a modifiable factor that if reduced can improve patient outcome and treatment response. We sought to decrease DUP in rural Argentina by instituting annual training of local health agents to better identify signs of mental illness and offer earlier intervention. DUP was estimated using Schedules of Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Ongoing training was correlated with a reduction in DUP. Reducing DUP through better screening can decrease the psychosocial burden of disease and improve the trajectory of psychosis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Green reduction of graphene oxide via Lycium barbarum extract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Dandan; Liu, Qinfu; Cheng, Hongfei; Zhang, Hao; Wang, Sen

2017-02-01

The synthesis of graphene from graphene oxide (GO) usually involves toxic reducing agents that are harmful to human health and the environment. Here, we report a facile approach for effective reduction of GO, for the first time, using Lycium barbarum extract as a green and natural reducing agent. The morphology and de-oxidation efficiency of the reduced graphene were characterized and results showed that Lycium barbarum extract can effectively reduce GO into few layered graphene with a high carbon to oxygen ratio (6.5), comparable to that of GO reduced by hydrazine hydrate (6.6). The possible reduction mechanism of GO may be due to the active components existing in Lycium barbarum fruits, which have high binding affinity to the oxygen containing groups to form their corresponding oxides and other by-products. This method avoided the use of any nocuous chemicals, thus facilitating the mass production of graphene and graphene-based bio-materials.

New antiobesity agents: lorcaserin (Belviq) and phentermine/topiramate ER (Qsymia).

PubMed

Shyh, Grace; Cheng-Lai, Angela

2014-01-01

Obesity is a risk factor for a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Although lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone for the management of obesity, pharmacologic agents may be a helpful addition to patients who have comorbidities and do not respond adequately to diet and exercise. Lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate ER are 2 long-awaited agents, approved in 2012 for obesity management, 13 years since orlistat received US Food and Drug Administration approval in 1999. Lorcaserin is a serotonin agonist, whereas phentermine/topiramate is a combination of a sympathomimetic agent and an antiepileptic drug; both these agents have been shown to reduce weight significantly and improve cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, such as blood pressure, lipids, and HbA1C. This article reviews the pharmacology and clinical efficacy and safety of each of these agents. The differences among the three available agents for long-term management of obesity will also be examined.

Hibiscus sabdariffa L extract drying with different carrier agent: Drying rate evaluation and color analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djaeni, M.; Utari, F. D.; Kumoro, A. C.

2017-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different carrier agents on roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa L.extract drying. Carrier agent was used for reducing stickiness of material and avoiding agglomeration as well as improving stability. The method consisted of two steps involving roselle extraction and drying process. The liquid roselle extract was mixed with carrier agent (maltodextrin-arabic gum) in various composition. The mixture was then dried at different air temperature ranging 40 - 80°C. As a response, moisture content in the extract was observed by gravimetry every 10 minutes during90 minutes. The procedurewas repeated for the drying without carrieragent. The result showed that constant rate of drying with carrier agent was higher up to l.7 times than that of without carrier agent. Based on the color analysis,roselle extract drying with carrier agent also showed reasonable quality.

Abciximab (Reopro): a clinically effective glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker.

PubMed

de Belder, M A; Sutton, A G

1998-10-01

Acute coronary syndromes are responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of patients every year. Rupture of coronary atheromatous plaques with resultant luminal thrombosis is the cause in most cases. Although great steps forward have been taken in the management of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina (UA), new therapeutic strategies are required to reduce further the incidence and risk of these events. At present, aspirin, nitrates and heparin are the conventional treatments for unstable angina. Aspirin, in combination with a thrombolytic agent or with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality in acute MI. Heparin is conventionally used in all PTCA procedures, whereas its efficacy in enhancing the therapeutic role of thrombolytic agents remains uncertain and may depend on the thrombolytic agent used. PTCA, which is also an effective therapy for stable angina, can be complicated by intimal dissection and thrombosis in a minority of cases, with vessel restenosis leading to recurrent symptoms in approximately 30% of cases. A number of new agents are being evaluated in both acute coronary syndromes and PTCA. These can be classified as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonists, Factor Xa inhibitors (low-molecular weight heparin [LMWH], direct thrombin inhibitors, new thrombolytic agents and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers. Of the latter, the most studied is abciximab, the Fab fragment of the chimeric monoclonal antibody, 7E3. This is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Four major clinical studies of PTCA in high-risk patients have demonstrated clear efficacy of abciximab in reducing acute ischaemic complications, mainly by reducing the frequency of MI and the need for repeat revascularisation. Unlike other glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers, both short- and long-term efficacy have been demonstrated. Its impact on the rate of restenosis after PTCA is unclear. Abciximab's role in an era of intracoronary stent implantation is undergoing further study (with encouraging early results). Its role in other situations, such as the early (non-angioplasty) management of unstable angina and its ability to enhance the efficacy of thrombolytic agents, is under active investigation.

Experimenting with Different Bulking Agents in an Aerobic Food Waste Composter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chann, S.

2016-12-01

With one third of Hong Kong's solid wastage being food scraps, reducing food waste has become crucial. The ISF Academy, a Hong Kong private school, had an A900 Rocket Food Composter installed in 2013, hoping to reduce its carbon footprint. The 27 metric tons of food wastage produced annually by the school is put through an aerobic process and the wastage is converted into humus. The composter has a capacity of 1750 litres of food and it produces humus every 14 days. The base of the humus consists of a bulking agent and food waste (2:1). A bulking agent is a carbon based material used to absorb moisture and odors, add structure and air and eliminate bugs from humus. This study contains comparative data on a few of the listed bulking agents: Hemp, Kenaf, rapeseed oil straw, miscanthus and shredded cardboard. The aim of this study is to determine an alternative reliable, affordable and suitable bulking agent to wood shavings: the current agent used. The humus produced must pass regulations for "general agricultural use" as it is used for experiential learning and gardening with primary school students. Over 500 children are participating in the school's plantation project, producing legumes for the school cafeteria. ISF pioneers and sets an example for other Hong Kong schools, showing that a composting and plantation scheme, not only proves to have environmental benefits but also educational uses.

Effect of organic complexing agents on the interactions of Cs(+), Sr(2+) and UO(2)(2+) with silica and natural sand.

PubMed

Reinoso-Maset, Estela; Worsfold, Paul J; Keith-Roach, Miranda J

2013-05-01

Sorption processes play a key role in controlling radionuclide migration through subsurface environments and can be affected by the presence of anthropogenic organic complexing agents found at contaminated sites. The effect of these complexing agents on radionuclide-solid phase interactions is not well known. Therefore the aim of this study was to examine the processes by which EDTA, NTA and picolinate affect the sorption kinetics and equilibria of Cs(+), Sr(2+) and UO2(2+) onto natural sand. The caesium sorption rate and equilibrium were unaffected by the complexing agents. Strontium however showed greater interaction with EDTA and NTA in the presence of desorbed matrix cations than geochemical modelling predicted, with SrNTA(-) enhancing sorption and SrEDTA(2-) showing lower sorption than Sr(2+). Complexing agents reduced UO2(2+) sorption to silica and enhanced the sorption rate in the natural sand system. Elevated concentrations of picolinate reduced the sorption of Sr(2+) and increased the sorption rate of UO2(2+), demonstrating the potential importance of this complexing agent. These experiments provide a direct comparison of the sorption behaviour of Cs(+), Sr(2+) and UO2(2+)onto natural sand and an assessment of the relative effects of EDTA, NTA and picolinate on the selected elements. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance of Traditional and Molecular Methods for Detecting Biological Agents in Drinking Water

EPA Science Inventory

USGS Report - To reduce the impact from a possible bioterrorist attack on drinking-water supplies, analytical methods are needed to rapidly detect the presence of biological agents in water. To this end, 13 drinking-water samples were collected at 9 water-treatment plants in Ohio...

Increasing Fire Safety of Epoxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kourtides, D. A.; Mikroyannidis, J. A.

1985-01-01

Epoxy with increased resistance to fire made by reacting any of three commercial epoxide monomers with curing agent consisting of mixture of isomers called "DCEPD". Curing agent incorporates phosphorus and chlorine directly into crosslinking part of polymer. DCEPD produced by nitrating precursor phosphonylmethyl benzene, then reducing resulting isomeric mixture of dinitro compounds.

Teacher Unionization in School Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacoby, Dan

2011-01-01

The role of unions in school governance is reviewed to note that labor operates in a larger context of principal-agent relationships. As agents for teachers, unions articulate the concerns that must be addressed if teachers are to be successfully enlisted in the struggle to reduce achievement gaps among at-risk students. Transcending industrial…

Dynamic Simulation of Crime Perpetration and Reporting to Examine Community Intervention Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yonas, Michael A.; Burke, Jessica G.; Brown, Shawn T.; Borrebach, Jeffrey D.; Garland, Richard; Burke, Donald S.; Grefenstette, John J.

2013-01-01

Objective: To develop a conceptual computational agent-based model (ABM) to explore community-wide versus spatially focused crime reporting interventions to reduce community crime perpetrated by youth. Method: Agents within the model represent individual residents and interact on a two-dimensional grid representing an abstract nonempirically…

Leveraging culture collections for the discovery and development of microbial biological control agents

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The incorporation of living microbial biological control agents into integrated pest management programs is highly desirable because it reduces the use of chemical insecticides harmful to livestock, humans and the environment. In addition, it provides an alternative means to combat resistance to che...

Monochloramine inactivation of bacterial select agents.

PubMed

Rose, Laura J; Rice, Eugene W; Hodges, Lisa; Peterson, Alicia; Arduino, Matthew J

2007-05-01

Seven species of bacterial select agents were tested for susceptibility to monochloramine. Under test conditions, the monochloramine routinely maintained in potable water would reduce six of the species by 2 orders of magnitude within 4.2 h. Bacillus anthracis spores would require up to 3.5 days for the same inactivation with monochloramine.

Knowledge focus via software agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henager, Donald E.

2001-09-01

The essence of military Command and Control (C2) is making knowledge intensive decisions in a limited amount of time using uncertain, incorrect, or outdated information. It is essential to provide tools to decision-makers that provide: * Management of friendly forces by treating the "friendly resources as a system". * Rapid assessment of effects of military actions againt the "enemy as a system". * Assessment of how an enemy should, can, and could react to friendly military activities. Software agents in the form of mission agents, target agents, maintenance agents, and logistics agents can meet this information challenge. The role of each agent is to know all the details about its assigned mission, target, maintenance, or logistics entity. The Mission Agent would fight for mission resources based on the mission priority and analyze the effect that a proposed mission's results would have on the enemy. The Target Agent (TA) communicates with other targets to determine its role in the system of targets. A system of TAs would be able to inform a planner or analyst of the status of a system of targets, the effect of that status, adn the effect of attacks on that system. The system of TAs would also be able to analyze possible enemy reactions to attack by determining ways to minimize the effect of attack, such as rerouting traffic or using deception. The Maintenance Agent would scheudle maintenance events and notify the maintenance unit. The Logistics Agent would manage shipment and delivery of supplies to maintain appropriate levels of weapons, fuel and spare parts. The central idea underlying this case of software agents is knowledge focus. Software agents are createad automatically to focus their attention on individual real-world entities (e.g., missions, targets) and view the world from that entities perspective. The agent autonomously monitors the entity, identifies problems/opportunities, formulates solutions, and informs the decision-maker. The agent must be able to communicate to receive and disseminate information and provide the decision-maker with assistance via focused knowledge. THe agent must also be able to monitor the state of its own environment and make decisions necessary to carry out its delegated tasks. Agents bring three elements to the C2 domain that offer to improve decision-making. First, they provide higher-quality feedback and provide it more often. In doing so, the feedback loop becomes nearly continuous, reducing or eliminating delays in situation updates to decision-makers. Working with the most current information possible improves the control process, thus enabling effects based operations. Second, the agents accept delegation of actions and perform those actions following an established process. Agents' consistent actions reduce the variability of human input and stabilize the control process. Third, through the delegation of actions, agents ensure 100 percent consideration of plan details.

Agent-Supported Mission Operations Teamwork

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malin, Jane T.

2003-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the development of software agents to support of mission operations teamwork. The goals of the work was to make automation by agents easy to use, supervise and direct, manage information and communication to decrease distraction, interruptions, workload and errors, reduce mission impact of off-nominal situations and increase morale and decrease turnover. The accomplishments or the project are: 1. Collaborative agents - mixed initiative and creation of instructions for mediating agent 2. Methods for prototyping, evaluating and evolving socio-technical systems 3. Technology infusion: teamwork tools in mISSIons 4. Demonstrations in simulation testbed An example of the use of agent is given, the use of an agent to monitor a N2 tank leak. An incomplete instruction to the agent is handled with mediating assistants, or Intelligent Briefing and Response Assistant (IBRA). The IBRA Engine also watches data stream for triggers and executes Act-Whenever actions. There is also a Briefing and Response Instruction (BRI) which is easy for a discipline specialist to create through a BRI editor.

Nanodiamond-Manganese dual mode MRI contrast agents for enhanced liver tumor detection.

PubMed

Hou, Weixin; Toh, Tan Boon; Abdullah, Lissa Nurrul; Yvonne, Tay Wei Zheng; Lee, Kuan J; Guenther, Ilonka; Chow, Edward Kai-Hua

2017-04-01

Contrast agent-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is critical for the diagnosis and monitoring of a number of diseases, including cancer. Certain clinical applications, including the detection of liver tumors, rely on both T1 and T2-weighted images even though contrast agent-enhanced MR imaging is not always reliable. Thus, there is a need for improved dual mode contrast agents with enhanced sensitivity. We report the development of a nanodiamond-manganese dual mode contrast agent that enhanced both T1 and T2-weighted MR imaging. Conjugation of manganese to nanodiamonds resulted in improved longitudinal and transverse relaxivity efficacy over unmodified MnCl 2 as well as clinical contrast agents. Following intravenous administration, nanodiamond-manganese complexes outperformed current clinical contrast agents in an orthotopic liver cancer mouse model while also reducing blood serum concentration of toxic free Mn 2+ ions. Thus, nanodiamond-manganese complexes may serve as more effective dual mode MRI contrast agent, particularly in cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Scoping Planning Agents With Shared Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bedrax-Weiss, Tania; Frank, Jeremy D.; Jonsson, Ari K.; McGann, Conor

2003-01-01

In this paper we provide a formal framework to define the scope of planning agents based on a single declarative model. Having multiple agents sharing a single model provides numerous advantages that lead to reduced development costs and increase reliability of the system. We formally define planning in terms of extensions of an initial partial plan, and a set of flaws that make the plan unacceptable. A Flaw Filter (FF) allows us to identify those flaws relevant to an agent. Flaw filters motivate the Plan Identification Function (PIF), which specifies when an agent is is ready hand control to another agent for further work. PIFs define a set of plan extensions that can be generated from a model and a plan request. FFs and PIFs can be used to define the scope of agents without changing the model. We describe an implementation of PIFsand FFswithin the context of EUROPA, a constraint-based planning architecture, and show how it can be used to easily design many different agents.

Comparative effectiveness of fourth-line anti-hypertensive agents in resistant hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Sinnott, Sarah-Jo; Tomlinson, Laurie A; Root, Adrian A; Mathur, Rohini; Mansfield, Kathryn E; Smeeth, Liam; Douglas, Ian J

2017-02-01

Aim We assessed the effectiveness of fourth-line mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in comparison with other fourth-line anti-hypertensive agents in resistant hypertension. Methods and results We systematically searched Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane library from database inception until January 2016. We included randomised and non-randomised studies that compared mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists with other fourth-line anti-hypertensive agents in patients with resistant hypertension. The outcome was change in systolic blood pressure, measured in the office, at home or by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Secondary outcomes were changes in serum potassium and occurrence of hyperkalaemia. We used random effects models and assessed statistical heterogeneity using the I 2 test and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. From 2,506 records, 5 studies met our inclusion criteria with 755 included patients. Two studies were randomised and three were non-randomised. Comparative fourth-line agents included bisoprolol, doxazosin, furosemide and additional blockade of the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system. Using data from randomised studies, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists reduced blood pressure by 7.4 mmHg (95%CI 3.2 - 11.6) more than the active comparator. When limited to non-randomised studies, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists reduced blood pressure by 11.9 mmHg (95% CI 9.3 - 14.4) more than the active comparator. Conclusion On the basis of this meta-analysis, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists reduce blood pressure more effectively than other fourth-line agents in resistant hypertension. Effectiveness stratified by ethnicity and comorbidities, in addition to information on clinical outcomes such as myocardial infarction and stroke, now needs to be determined.

Automatic spectral imaging protocol selection and iterative reconstruction in abdominal CT with reduced contrast agent dose: initial experience.

PubMed

Lv, Peijie; Liu, Jie; Chai, Yaru; Yan, Xiaopeng; Gao, Jianbo; Dong, Junqiang

2017-01-01

To evaluate the feasibility, image quality, and radiation dose of automatic spectral imaging protocol selection (ASIS) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) with reduced contrast agent dose in abdominal multiphase CT. One hundred and sixty patients were randomly divided into two scan protocols (n = 80 each; protocol A, 120 kVp/450 mgI/kg, filtered back projection algorithm (FBP); protocol B, spectral CT imaging with ASIS and 40 to 70 keV monochromatic images generated per 300 mgI/kg, ASIR algorithm. Quantitative parameters (image noise and contrast-to-noise ratios [CNRs]) and qualitative visual parameters (image noise, small structures, organ enhancement, and overall image quality) were compared. Monochromatic images at 50 keV and 60 keV provided similar or lower image noise, but higher contrast and overall image quality as compared with 120-kVp images. Despite the higher image noise, 40-keV images showed similar overall image quality compared to 120-kVp images. Radiation dose did not differ between the two protocols, while contrast agent dose in protocol B was reduced by 33 %. Application of ASIR and ASIS to monochromatic imaging from 40 to 60 keV allowed contrast agent dose reduction with adequate image quality and without increasing radiation dose compared to 120 kVp with FBP. • Automatic spectral imaging protocol selection provides appropriate scan protocols. • Abdominal CT is feasible using spectral imaging and 300 mgI/kg contrast agent. • 50-keV monochromatic images with 50 % ASIR provide optimal image quality.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sumarukov, G.V.

Native crickets (Gryllus domesticus L) were irradiated in groups of 20 with Co/sup 60/ gamma rays ln the presence of air and in a nitrogen atmosphere. Separate groups were injected with free cysteine (0.6 mg/g) or with the hydrochloride cysteine salt (0.2 mg/g) as a protective agent, and were irradiated under the same condltions. The LD/sub 50/ dose (dose causing 50% deaths) was taken as a measure of the radio-resistance. A microplatinum electrode (diameter 0.1 mm, length 2 mm), inserted in the hemolymph of the cricket, was used to measure the oxidation-reduction potential Eh, which would vary as a resultmore » of the induced respiratory hypoxia due to lack of oxygen or as a result of the injection of the protective agent. The LD/sub 50/ dose was found to be 4200 r for irradiation in air without use of a protective agent, 6750 r for irradiation in air with the use of cysteine as a protective agent, 9900 r for irradiation in nitrogen with no protective agent, and 11,900 r for irradiation ln nitrogen with cysteine as a protective agent. The protective effects of cysteine, and of the hypoxia induced by replacing air with nitrogen were found to be additive in this case. The redox potential went from +140 millivolts for the unprotected insects (LD/sub 50/ dose of 4200 r) to --185 millivolts for the insects irradiated in nitrogen with the injection of free cysteine (LD/sub 50/ dose of 11,500 r). It is hymothesized that a high concentration of various reducing agents are produced in the cell by removing oxygen and by injection of cysteine, and these reducing agents react with peroxide formed by radlation. As a consequence, there is less damage to vital cell components. (TTT)« less

Oxidative phosphorylation-dependent regulation of cancer cell apoptosis in response to anticancer agents.

PubMed

Yadav, N; Kumar, S; Marlowe, T; Chaudhary, A K; Kumar, R; Wang, J; O'Malley, J; Boland, P M; Jayanthi, S; Kumar, T K S; Yadava, N; Chandra, D

2015-11-05

Cancer cells tend to develop resistance to various types of anticancer agents, whether they adopt similar or distinct mechanisms to evade cell death in response to a broad spectrum of cancer therapeutics is not fully defined. Current study concludes that DNA-damaging agents (etoposide and doxorubicin), ER stressor (thapsigargin), and histone deacetylase inhibitor (apicidin) target oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for apoptosis induction, whereas other anticancer agents including staurosporine, taxol, and sorafenib induce apoptosis in an OXPHOS-independent manner. DNA-damaging agents promoted mitochondrial biogenesis accompanied by increased accumulation of cellular and mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial protein-folding machinery, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Induction of mitochondrial biogenesis occurred in a caspase activation-independent mechanism but was reduced by autophagy inhibition and p53-deficiency. Abrogation of complex-I blocked DNA-damage-induced caspase activation and apoptosis, whereas inhibition of complex-II or a combined deficiency of OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V due to impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis did not modulate caspase activity. Mechanistic analysis revealed that inhibition of caspase activation in response to anticancer agents associates with decreased release of mitochondrial cytochrome c in complex-I-deficient cells compared with wild type (WT) cells. Gross OXPHOS deficiencies promoted increased release of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria compared with WT or complex-I-deficient cells, suggesting that cells harboring defective OXPHOS trigger caspase-dependent as well as caspase-independent apoptosis in response to anticancer agents. Interestingly, DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin showed strong binding to mitochondria, which was disrupted by complex-I-deficiency but not by complex-II-deficiency. Thapsigargin-induced caspase activation was reduced upon abrogation of complex-I or gross OXPHOS deficiency whereas a reverse trend was observed with apicidin. Together, these finding provide a new strategy for differential mitochondrial targeting in cancer therapy.

Mitochondrial pharmacology: electron transport chain bypass as strategies to treat mitochondrial dysfunction.

PubMed

Atamna, Hani; Mackey, Jeanette; Dhahbi, Joseph M

2012-01-01

Mitochondrial dysfunction (primary or secondary) is detrimental to intermediary metabolism. Therapeutic strategies to treat/prevent mitochondrial dysfunction could be valuable for managing metabolic and age-related disorders. Here, we review strategies proposed to treat mitochondrial impairment. We then concentrate on redox-active agents, with mild-redox potential, who shuttle electrons among specific cytosolic or mitochondrial redox-centers. We propose that specific redox agents with mild redox potential (-0.1 V; 0.1 V) improve mitochondrial function because they can readily donate or accept electrons in biological systems, thus they enhance metabolic activity and prevent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These agents are likely to lack toxic effects because they lack the risk of inhibiting electron transfer in redox centers. This is different from redox agents with strong negative (-0.4 V; -0.2 V) or positive (0.2 V; 0.4 V) redox potentials who alter the redox status of redox-centers (i.e., become permanently reduced or oxidized). This view has been demonstrated by testing the effect of several redox active agents on cellular senescence. Methylene blue (MB, redox potential ≅10 mV) appears to readily cycle between the oxidized and reduced forms using specific mitochondrial and cytosolic redox centers. MB is most effective in delaying cell senescence and enhancing mitochondrial function in vivo and in vitro. Mild-redox agents can alter the biochemical activity of specific mitochondrial components, which then in response alters the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes. We present the concept of mitochondrial electron-carrier bypass as a potential result of mild-redox agents, a method to prevent ROS production, improve mitochondrial function, and delay cellular aging. Thus, mild-redox agents may prevent/delay mitochondria-driven disorders. Copyright © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

The combined use of aspirin, a statin, and blood pressure-lowering agents (polypill components) in clinical practice in patients with vascular diseases or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Lafeber, Melvin; Grobbee, Diederick E; Spiering, Wilko; van der Graaf, Yolanda; Bots, Michiel L; Visseren, Frank L J

2013-10-01

Based on guidelines, patients with established cardiovascular disease are likely to already receive a combination of aspirin, a statin, and blood pressure (BP)-lowering agents. Combining these pharmacological agents into a cardiovascular polypill could be considered in these patients to reduce prescription gaps and non-adherence. We aimed to assess the prevalence of the combined use of aspirin, statin, and BP-lowering agents in patients with established cardiovascular diseases or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in the period 1996-2009. In total, 5702 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) or, DM2 were included in the period 1996-2009. The overall use of combination therapy with aspirin, statin, and ≥ 1 BP-lowering agent increased substantially from 9% in 1996 to 66% in 2009 and ≥ 2 BP-lowering agents increased from 1% to 47%. In 2009, combination therapy with ≥ 1 BP-lowering agent was used by 83% of those with CAD, 48% of those with CVD, 43% of those with PAOD, 36% of the patients with AAA, and 19% of the patients with DM2. In most patient groups, obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension concomitant CAD, CVD, or DM2 were related to the use of combination therapy in models adjusted for age and gender. A high proportion of patients with established cardiovascular diseases already uses a combination of pharmacological agents. Introduction of a polypill in high-risk patients might be feasible to reduce prescription gaps and increase adherence to indicated therapy.

Addressing population health and health inequalities: the role of fundamental causes.

PubMed

Cerdá, Magdalena; Tracy, Melissa; Ahern, Jennifer; Galea, Sandro

2014-09-01

As a case study of the impact of universal versus targeted interventions on population health and health inequalities, we used simulations to examine (1) whether universal or targeted manipulations of collective efficacy better reduced population-level rates and racial/ethnic inequalities in violent victimization; and (2) whether experiments reduced disparities without addressing fundamental causes. We applied agent-based simulation techniques to the specific example of an intervention on neighborhood collective efficacy to reduce population-level rates and racial/ethnic inequalities in violent victimization. The agent population consisted of 4000 individuals aged 18 years and older with sociodemographic characteristics assigned to match distributions of the adult population in New York City according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Universal experiments reduced rates of victimization more than targeted experiments. However, neither experiment reduced inequalities. To reduce inequalities, it was necessary to eliminate racial/ethnic residential segregation. These simulations support the use of universal intervention but suggest that it is not possible to address inequalities in health without first addressing fundamental causes.

Memoryless cooperative graph search based on the simulated annealing algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Jian; Yan, Gang-Feng; Fan, Zhen

2011-04-01

We have studied the problem of reaching a globally optimal segment for a graph-like environment with a single or a group of autonomous mobile agents. Firstly, two efficient simulated-annealing-like algorithms are given for a single agent to solve the problem in a partially known environment and an unknown environment, respectively. It shows that under both proposed control strategies, the agent will eventually converge to a globally optimal segment with probability 1. Secondly, we use multi-agent searching to simultaneously reduce the computation complexity and accelerate convergence based on the algorithms we have given for a single agent. By exploiting graph partition, a gossip-consensus method based scheme is presented to update the key parameter—radius of the graph, ensuring that the agents spend much less time finding a globally optimal segment.

Programming secure mobile agents in healthcare environments using role-based permissions.

PubMed

Georgiadis, C K; Baltatzis, J; Pangalos, G I

2003-01-01

The healthcare environment consists of vast amounts of dynamic and unstructured information, distributed over a large number of information systems. Mobile agent technology is having an ever-growing impact on the delivery of medical information. It supports acquiring and manipulating information distributed in a large number of information systems. Moreover is suitable for the computer untrained medical stuff. But the introduction of mobile agents generates advanced threads to the sensitive healthcare information, unless the proper countermeasures are taken. By applying the role-based approach to the authorization problem, we ease the sharing of information between hospital information systems and we reduce the administering part. The different initiative of the agent's migration method, results in different methods of assigning roles to the agent.

Method and reaction pathway for selectively oxidizing organic compounds

DOEpatents

Camaioni, Donald M.; Lilga, Michael A.

1998-01-01

A method of selectively oxidizing an organic compound in a single vessel comprises: a) combining an organic compound, an acid solution in which the organic compound is soluble, a compound containing two oxygen atoms bonded to one another, and a metal ion reducing agent capable of reducing one of such oxygen atoms, and thereby forming a mixture; b) reducing the compound containing the two oxygen atoms by reducing one of such oxygen atoms with the metal ion reducing agent to, 1) oxidize the metal ion reducing agent to a higher valence state, and 2) produce an oxygen containing intermediate capable of oxidizing the organic compound; c) reacting the oxygen containing intermediate with the organic compound to oxidize the organic compound into an oxidized organic intermediate, the oxidized organic intermediate having an oxidized carbon atom; d) reacting the oxidized organic intermediate with the acid counter ion and higher valence state metal ion to bond the acid counter ion to the oxidized carbon atom and thereby produce a quantity of an ester incorporating the organic intermediate and acid counter ion; and e) reacting the oxidized organic intermediate with the higher valence state metal ion and water to produce a quantity of alcohol which is less than the quantity of ester, the acid counter ion incorporated in the ester rendering the carbon atom bonded to the counter ion less reactive with the oxygen containing intermediate in the mixture than is the alcohol with the oxygen containing intermediate.

Biosynthesis of spherical and highly stable gold nanoparticles using Ferulago Angulata aqueous extract: dual role of extract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alizadeh, A.; Parsafar, S.; Khodaei, M. M.

2017-03-01

A biocompatible method for synthesizing of highly disperses gold nanoparticles using Ferulago Angulata leaf extract has been developed. It has been shown that leaf extract acts as reducing and coating agent. Various spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques were employed for the structural characterization of the prepared nanoparticles. The biosynthesized particles were identified as elemental gold with spherical morphology, narrow size distribution (ranged 9.2-17.5 nm) with high stability. Also, the effect of initial ratio of precursors, temperature and time of reaction on the size and morphology of the nanoparticles was studied in more detail. It was observed that varying these parameters provides an accessible remote control on the size and morphology of nanoparticles. The uniqueness of this procedure lies in its cleanliness using no extra surfactant, reducing agent or any capping agent.

Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents for MR Cancer Imaging

PubMed Central

Zhou, Zhuxian; Lu, Zheng-Rong

2013-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a clinical imaging modality effective for anatomical and functional imaging of diseased soft tissues, including solid tumors. MRI contrast agents have been routinely used for detecting tumor at an early stage. Gadolinium based contrast agents are the most commonly used contrast agents in clinical MRI. There have been significant efforts to design and develop novel Gd(III) contrast agents with high relaxivity, low toxicity and specific tumor binding. The relaxivity of the Gd(III) contrast agents can be increased by proper chemical modification. The toxicity of Gd(III) contrast agents can be reduced by increasing the agents’ thermodynamic and kinetic stability, as well as optimizing their pharmacokinetic properties. The increasing knowledge in the field of cancer genomics and biology provides an opportunity for designing tumor-specific contrast agents. Various new Gd(III) chelates have been designed and evaluated in animal models for more effective cancer MRI. This review outlines the design and development, physicochemical properties, and in vivo properties of several classes of Gd(III)-based MR contrast agents for tumor imaging. PMID:23047730

APC10.1 cells as a model for assessing the efficacy of potential chemopreventive agents in the Apc(Min) mouse model in vivo.

PubMed

Sale, Stewart; Fong, Isabel L; de Giovanni, Carla; Landuzzi, Lorena; Brown, Karen; Steward, William P; Gescher, Andreas J

2009-11-01

Apc(Min) mice are widely used for mechanism and efficacy studies associated with the development of chemopreventive agents. APC10.1 cells have been derived from Apc(Min) mouse adenomas and retain the heterozygous Apc genotype. We tested the hypothesis that this cell type may provide an in vitro model to predict chemopreventive activity of agents in the Apc(Min) mouse in vivo. The growth inhibitory properties of 14 putative colorectal cancer chemopreventive agents, tricin, apigenin, 3',4',5',5,7-pentamethoxyflavone, resveratrol, curcumin, 3,4-methylenedioxy-3',4',5'-trimethoxychalcone (DMU135), 3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU212), celecoxib, aspirin, piroxicam, all-trans-retinoic acid, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), quercetin and cyanidin-3-glucoside, were studied in this cell line, and the IC(50) values were calculated. The IC(50) values were plotted against previously published data of reduction of adenoma numbers caused by these agents in Apc(Min) mice. The correlation co-efficient was 0.678 (p<0.01), suggesting that there was a tentative correlation between the ability to inhibit the growth of APC10.1 cells and the ability to delay adenoma development in vivo. If this relationship is supported by using further agents, APC10.1 cells may serve in the future as an initial screen to prioritise compounds for assessing chemopreventive efficacy in Apc(Min) mice in vivo. Such a screen could reduce the number of animals required to find active agents, help reduce costs and increase throughput.

Transport and Reactivity of Decontaminants to Provide Hazard Mitigation of Chemical Warfare Agents from Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

Membranes .2. Neoprene, SBR, EPDM , NBR, and Natural- Rubber Versus Normal-Alkanes. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 1991, 42 (8), 2329–2336. 24. Harogoppad, S.B...highly absorptive (e.g., tire rubber ). Absorptive materials are often more challenging to decontaminate because of the reduced accessibility of the...then aged for 60 min. During the aging period, agent mass was absorbed by a flux-based process.7 The agent-contaminated area of the panel may affect

Properties and characterization of agar/CuNP bionanocomposite films prepared with different copper salts and reducing agents.

PubMed

Shankar, Shiv; Teng, Xinnan; Rhim, Jong-Whan

2014-12-19

Various types of agar-based bio-nanocomposite (BNC) films were prepared by blending agar and six different copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) with different shapes and sizes obtained from three different sources of copper salts and two different reducing agents. The BNC films were characterized by UV-visible, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and XRD. The thermogravimetric study showed that the melting point of BNC films was increased when ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent for CuNPs synthesis. Apparent surface color and transmittance of agar film was greatly influenced by the reinforcement of CuNPs. However, mechanical and water vapor barrier properties did not change significantly (p>0.05) by blending with CuNPs. Tensile modulus and tensile strength decreased slightly for all types of CuNPs reinforced while elongation at break slightly increased when CuNPs produced by ascorbic acid were blended. The agar bio-nanocomposite films showed profound antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical experience with drug delivery systems as tools to decrease the toxicity of anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.

PubMed

Maranhão, Raul C; Vital, Carolina G; Tavoni, Thauany M; Graziani, Silvia R

2017-10-01

The toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, resulting from their low pharmacological index, introduces considerable discomfort and risk to cancer patients. Among several strategies to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, targeted drug delivery is the most promising one. Areas covered: Liposomes, micelles, albumin-based, polymeric, dendritic and lipid core nanoparticles have been used as carriers to concentrate anticancer drugs in neoplastic tissues, and clinical studies of those preparations are reviewed. In most clinical studies, drug delivery systems reduced drug toxicity. Lipid core nanoparticles (LDE) that bind to cell lipoprotein receptors have the ability to concentrate in neoplastic tissues and were the first artificial non-liposomal system shown in in vivo studies to possess targeting properties. The toxicity reduction achieved by LDE as vehicle of carmustine, etoposide and paclitaxel was singularly strong. Expert opinion: The reduced toxicity offered by drug delivery systems has expanded treatment population that may benefit from chemotherapy including feeble, overtreated and elderly patients that would otherwise be offered palliative therapy. Drug delivery systems may either prolong the duration of treatments or allow increases in drug dose.

Interventions to Reduce the Incidence of Hospital-Onset Clostridium difficile Infection: An Agent-Based Modeling Approach to Evaluate Clinical Effectiveness in Adult Acute Care Hospitals.

PubMed

Barker, Anna K; Alagoz, Oguzhan; Safdar, Nasia

2018-04-03

Despite intensified efforts to reduce hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection (HO-CDI), its clinical and economic impacts continue to worsen. Many institutions have adopted bundled interventions that vary considerably in composition, strength of evidence, and effectiveness. Considerable gaps remain in our knowledge of intervention effectiveness and disease transmission, which hinders HO-CDI prevention. We developed an agent-based model of C. difficile transmission in a 200-bed adult hospital using studies from the literature, supplemented with primary data collection. The model includes an environmental component and 4 distinct agent types: patients, visitors, nurses, and physicians. We used the model to evaluate the comparative clinical effectiveness of 9 single interventions and 8 multiple-intervention bundles at reducing HO-CDI and asymptomatic C. difficile colonization. Daily cleaning with sporicidal disinfectant and C. difficile screening at admission were the most effective single-intervention strategies, reducing HO-CDI by 68.9% and 35.7%, respectively (both P < .001). Combining these interventions into a 2-intervention bundle reduced HO-CDI by 82.3% and asymptomatic hospital-onset colonization by 90.6% (both, P < .001). Adding patient hand hygiene to healthcare worker hand hygiene reduced HO-CDI rates an additional 7.9%. Visitor hand hygiene and contact precaution interventions did not reduce HO-CDI, compared with baseline. Excluding those strategies, healthcare worker contact precautions were the least effective intervention at reducing hospital-onset colonization and infection. Identifying and managing the vast hospital reservoir of asymptomatic C. difficile by screening and daily cleaning with sporicidal disinfectant are high-yield strategies. These findings provide much-needed data regarding which interventions to prioritize for optimal C. difficile control.

Reduced chemical warfare agent sorption in polyurethane-painted surfaces via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of perfluoroalkanes.

PubMed

Gordon, Wesley O; Peterson, Gregory W; Durke, Erin M

2015-04-01

Perfluoralkalation via plasma chemical vapor deposition has been used to improve hydrophobicity of surfaces. We have investigated this technique to improve the resistance of commercial polyurethane coatings to chemicals, such as chemical warfare agents. The reported results indicate the surface treatment minimizes the spread of agent droplets and the sorption of agent into the coating. The improvement in resistance is likely due to reduction of the coating's surface free energy via fluorine incorporation, but may also have contributing effects from surface morphology changes. The data indicates that plasma-based surface modifications may have utility in improving chemical resistance of commercial coatings.

Immobilization of Iron Nanoparticles on Multi Substrates and Its Reduction Removal of Chromium (VI) from Waste Streams

EPA Science Inventory

This article describes the in-situ synthesis and immobilization of iron nanoparticles on several substrates at room temperature using NaBH4 as a reducing agent and ascorbic acid as capping agent. The method is very effective in protecting iron nanoparticles from air oxidation for...

Biotechnology on the Battlefield: An Application of Agent-based Modelling for Emerging Technology Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Biotechnology on the Battlefield: An Application of Agent-based Modelling for Emerging Technology Assessment...wounds might be treatable using advanced biotechnologies to control haemorrhaging and reduce blood-loss until medical evacuation can be completed. This...APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Biotechnology on the Battlefield: An Application

THE EFFECT OF AN ANALGESIC AGENT ON MUSCULAR WORK DECREMENT

DTIC Science & Technology

observations might lead to the conclusion that the pain caused by ischemia limits the endurance of the muscle contraction . An analgesic agent, known to...reduce ischemic pain was shown to have no effect on the endurance or strength of a tonic muscle contraction . This was interpreted as demonstrating a lack

Minimizing Hemodialysis Catheter Dysfunction: An Ounce of Prevention

PubMed Central

Lee, Timmy; Lok, Charmaine; Vazquez, Miguel; Moist, Louise; Maya, Ivan; Mokrzycki, Michele

2012-01-01

The maintenance of tunneled catheter (TC) patency is critical for the provision of adequate hemodialysis in patients who are TC-dependent. TC dysfunction results in the need for costly and inconvenient interventions, and reduced quality of life. Since the introduction of TCs in the late 1980s, heparin catheter lock has been the standard prophylactic regimen for the prevention of TC dysfunction. More recently, alternative catheter locking agents have emerged, and in some cases have shown to be superior to heparin lock with respect to improving TC patency and reducing TC-associated infections. These include citrate, tissue plasminogen activator, and a novel agent containing sodium citrate, methylene blue, methylparaben, and propylparaben. In addition, prophylaxis using oral anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents, including warfarin, aspirin, ticlodipine, as well as the use of modified heparin-coated catheters have also been studied for the prevention of TC dysfunction with variable results. The use of oral anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet agents as primary or secondary prevention of TC dysfunction must be weighed against their potential adverse effects, and should be individualized for each patient. PMID:22518310

Optimizing contrast agents with respect to reducing beam hardening in nonmedical X-ray computed tomography experiments.

PubMed

Nakashima, Yoshito; Nakano, Tsukasa

2014-01-01

Iodine is commonly used as a contrast agent in nonmedical science and engineering, for example, to visualize Darcy flow in porous geological media using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Undesirable beam hardening artifacts occur when a polychromatic X-ray source is used, which makes the quantitative analysis of CT images difficult. To optimize the chemistry of a contrast agent in terms of the beam hardening reduction, we performed computer simulations and generated synthetic CT images of a homogeneous cylindrical sand-pack (diameter, 28 or 56 mm; porosity, 39 vol.% saturated with aqueous suspensions of heavy elements assuming the use of a polychromatic medical CT scanner. The degree of cupping derived from the beam hardening was assessed using the reconstructed CT images to find the chemistry of the suspension that induced the least cupping. The results showed that (i) the degree of cupping depended on the position of the K absorption edge of the heavy element relative to peak of the polychromatic incident X-ray spectrum, (ii) (53)I was not an ideal contrast agent because it causes marked cupping, and (iii) a single element much heavier than (53)I ((64)Gd to (79)Au) reduced the cupping artifact significantly, and a four-heavy-element mixture of elements from (64)Gd to (79)Au reduced the artifact most significantly.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of fluoride adhesive tape (F-PVA) in reducing dentin hypersensitivity.

PubMed

Lee, Sang-Ho; Lee, Nan-Young; Lee, In-Hwa

2013-06-01

To evaluate the in vivo effectiveness of an experimental 2.26% fluoride polyvinyl alcohol (F-PVA) tape in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. 30 healthy men and women (total of 79 teeth) in their third decade of life with dentin hypersensitivity were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into four groups: three experimental groups were treated with fluoride agents (F-PVA tape, Vanish varnish, and ClinPro XT varnish), and a control group was treated with gelatin as a placebo. Each fluoride agent was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stimulation was applied to the subjects' teeth using compressed air and ice sticks before applying the agent, as well as at 3 days and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after applying the agent. The degree of pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The VAS scores were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at 3 days and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks from baseline in both the air stream and ice stick tests. The reduction in the VAS scores for the three fluoride agents was decreased 8 weeks after their application. The F-PVA tape was found to be more effective for dentin hypersensitivity than the Vanish varnish and ClinPro XT varnish at 4 and 8 weeks of the examination period.

GREEN APPROACH TO BULK AND TEMPLATE-FREE SYNTHESIS OF THERMALLY STABLE REDUCED POLYANILINE NANOFIBERS FOR CAPACITOR APPLICATIONS

EPA Science Inventory

An extremely simple green approach is described that generates bulk quantities of nanofibers of the electronic polymer polyaniline in fully reduced state (leucoemeraldine form) in one step without using any reducing agent, surfactants, and/or large amounts of insoluble templates....

Effects of biomass reducing agent on magnetic properties and phase transformation of Baotou low-grade limonite during magnetizing-roasting

PubMed Central

Guo, Wen chao; Luo, Hui juan; Gong, Zhi jun; Li, Bao wei; Wu, Wen fei

2017-01-01

Biomass was used as reducing agent to roast the Baotou low-grade limonite in a high temperature vacuum atmosphere furnace. The effect of calcination temperature, time and ratio of reducing agent on the magnetic properties of calcined ore was studied by VSM. The phase and microstructure changes of limonite before and after calcination were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results show that in the roasting process the phase transition process of the ferrous material in limonite is first dehydrated at high temperature to formα-Fe2O3, and then it is converted into Fe3O4 by the reduction of biomass. With the increase of calcination temperature, the magnetic properties of the calcined ore first increase and then decrease. When the temperature is higher than 650°C, Fe3O4 will become Fe2SiO4, resulting in reduced the magnetic material in calcined ore and the magnetic weakened. The best magnetization effect was obtained when the roasting temperature is 550°C, the percentage of biomass was 15% and the roasting time was 30min. The saturation magnetization can reach 60.13emu·g-1, the recovery of iron was 72% and the grade of iron was 58%. PMID:29040307

Effects of biomass reducing agent on magnetic properties and phase transformation of Baotou low-grade limonite during magnetizing-roasting.

PubMed

Zhang, Kai; Chen, Xiu Li; Guo, Wen Chao; Luo, Hui Juan; Gong, Zhi Jun; Li, Bao Wei; Wu, Wen Fei

2017-01-01

Biomass was used as reducing agent to roast the Baotou low-grade limonite in a high temperature vacuum atmosphere furnace. The effect of calcination temperature, time and ratio of reducing agent on the magnetic properties of calcined ore was studied by VSM. The phase and microstructure changes of limonite before and after calcination were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results show that in the roasting process the phase transition process of the ferrous material in limonite is first dehydrated at high temperature to formα-Fe2O3, and then it is converted into Fe3O4 by the reduction of biomass. With the increase of calcination temperature, the magnetic properties of the calcined ore first increase and then decrease. When the temperature is higher than 650°C, Fe3O4 will become Fe2SiO4, resulting in reduced the magnetic material in calcined ore and the magnetic weakened. The best magnetization effect was obtained when the roasting temperature is 550°C, the percentage of biomass was 15% and the roasting time was 30min. The saturation magnetization can reach 60.13emu·g-1, the recovery of iron was 72% and the grade of iron was 58%.

Green Synthesis of Ag, Cu and AgCu Nanoparticles using Palm Leaves Extract as the Reducing and Stabilizing Agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamad, N. A. N.; Arham, N. A.; Junaidah, J.; Hadi, A.; Idris, S. A.

2018-05-01

This paper reports the green synthesis of Ag, Cu and AgCu nanoparticles at room temperature using palm leaves extract. The purpose of this study is to eliminate the use of chemicals in the synthesis of nanoparticles and evaluate the efficiency of the palm leaves extract as the reducing and stabilizing agents. The palm leaves extract was added to metal salt solution and continuously stirred until reaction completed. The produced nanoparticles were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analyses revealed that palm leaves extract has efficiently reduced the silver ions, but not the copper ions. During synthesis of AgCu nanoparticles, simultaneous reduction was occurred leading to formation of alloyed nanoparticles. Biomolecules from the palm leaves extract adsorbed on the surface of nanoparticles forming a capping layer thus stabilized the nanoparticles. The produced Ag and Cu nanoparticles were predominantly spherical with the particle size of Cu nanoparticles were larger than Ag nanoparticles. The AgCu nanoparticles closely resembled the Ag nanoparticles due to high Ag content with average size of 13nm. Therefore, palm leaves extract has a potential to be a good reducing and stabilizing agents.

Carbon Monoxide-Reacting Pigment from Desulfotomaculum nigrificans and Its Possible Relevance to Sulfite Reduction

PubMed Central

Trudinger, P. A.

1970-01-01

The separation of an autoxidizable brown pigment, P582, from Desulfotomaculum nigrificans is described. It reacted with Na2S2O4 and was characterized by absorption maxima in the oxidized state at 392, 582, and 700 nm. In the presence of Na2S2O4, P582 formed complexes with CO and, under alkaline conditions, pyridine. There was no reaction with cyanide. The molecular weight of P582 was approximately 145,000, and the purest preparations contained Fe, Zn, and acid-labile sulfide but not Cu, Mo, or Mn. Preparations of P582 catalyzed the reduced methyl viologen (MVH)-linked reduction of sulfite, hydroxylamine, and nitrite but not of sulfate, thiosulfate, or nitrate. Reduced pyridine nucleotides did not substitute for MVH. A major product of the MVH-sulfite reaction was sulfide. CO partially inhibited the enzymatic activities. Sulfite, hydroxylamine, and nitrite and CO caused changes in the spectrum of Na2S2O4-reduced P582. Fe2+-chelating reagents reacted with part of the Fe of P582 and caused partial losses of labile sulfide and enzymatic activity. The spectral and CO-reacting properties of P582 were, however, unaffected by chelating agents. The reaction between P582 and chelating agents was stimulated by reducing agents. PMID:5473884

Solving "Smart City" Transport Problems by Designing Carpooling Gamification Schemes with Multi-Agent Systems: The Case of the So-Called "Mordor of Warsaw".

PubMed

Olszewski, Robert; Pałka, Piotr; Turek, Agnieszka

2018-01-06

To reduce energy consumption and improve residents' quality of life, "smart cities" should use not only modern technologies, but also the social innovations of the "Internet of Things" (IoT) era. This article attempts to solve transport problems in a smart city's office district by utilizing gamification that incentivizes the carpooling system. The goal of the devised system is to significantly reduce the number of cars, and, consequently, to alleviate traffic jams, as well as to curb pollution and energy consumption. A representative sample of the statistical population of people working in one of the biggest office hubs in Poland (the so-called "Mordor of Warsaw") was surveyed. The collected data were processed using spatial data mining methods, and the results were a set of parameters for the multi-agent system. This approach made it possible to run a series of simulations on a set of 100,000 agents and to select an effective gamification methodology that supports the carpooling process. The implementation of the proposed solutions (a "serious game" variation of urban games) would help to reduce the number of cars by several dozen percent, significantly reduce energy consumption, eliminate traffic jams, and increase the activity of the smart city residents.

Polymer Multilayers Loaded with Antifungal β-Peptides Kill Planktonic Candida albicans and Reduce Formation of Fungal Biofilms on the Surfaces of Flexible Catheter Tubes

PubMed Central

Raman, Namrata; Lee, Myung-Ryul

2014-01-01

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections. Most C albicans infections are associated with the implantation of medical devices that act as points of entry for the pathogen and as substrates for the growth of fungal biofilms that are notoriously difficult to eliminate by systemic administration of conventional antifungal agents. In this study, we report a fill-and-purge approach to the layer-by-layer fabrication of biocompatible, nanoscale ‘polyelectrolyte multilayers’ (PEMs) on the luminal surfaces of flexible catheters, and an investigation of this platform for the localized, intraluminal release of a cationic β-peptide-based antifungal agent. We demonstrate that polyethylene catheter tubes with luminal surfaces coated with multilayers ~700 nm thick fabricated from poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) can be loaded, post-fabrication, by infusion with β-peptide, and that this approach promotes extended intraluminal release of this agent (over ~4 months) when incubated in physiological media. The β-peptide remained potent against intraluminal inoculation of the catheters with C albicans and substantially reduced the formation of C albicans biofilms on the inner surfaces of film-coated catheters. Finally, we report that these β-peptide-loaded coatings exhibit antifungal activity under conditions that simulate intermittent catheter use and microbial challenge for at least three weeks. We conclude that β-peptide-loaded PEMs offer a novel and promising approach to kill C albicans and prevent fungal biofilm formation on surfaces, with the potential to substantially reduce the incidence of device-associated infections in indwelling catheters. β-Peptides comprise a promising new class of antifungal agents that could help address problems associated with the use of conventional antifungal agents. The versatility of the layer-by-layer approach used here thus suggests additional opportunities to exploit these new agents in other biomedical and personal care applications in which fungal infections are endemic. PMID:24862322

Fire Suppression M and S Validation (Status and Challenges), Systems Fire Protection Information Exchange

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-14

rate Kinetics •14 Species & 12 reactionsCombustion Model •Participating Media Discrete Ordinate Method •WSG model for CO2, H2O and SootRadiation Model...Inhibition of JP-8 Combustion Physical Acting Agents • Dilute heat • Dilute reactants Ex: water, nitrogen Chemical Acting Agents • Reduce flame...Release; distribution is unlimited 5 Overview of Reduced Kinetics Scheme for FM200 • R1: JP-8 + O2 => CO + CO2 + H2O • R2: CO + O2 <=> CO2 • R3: HFP + JP-8

Dendrimer encapsulated Silver nanoparticles as novel catalysts for reduction of aromatic nitro compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asharani, I. V.; Thirumalai, D.; Sivakumar, A.

2017-11-01

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) core dendrimer encapsulated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized through normal chemical reduction method, where dendrimer acts as reducing and stabilizing agent. The encapsulated AgNPs were well characterized using TEM, DLS and XPS techniques. The synthesized AgNPs showed excellent catalytic activity towards the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds with sodium borohydride as reducing agent and the results substantiate that dendrimer encapsulated AgNPs can be an effective catalyst for the substituted nitro aromatic reduction reactions. Also the kinetics of different nitro compounds reductions was studied and presented.

In-situ small angle x-ray scattering investigation on nucleation and growth of silica colloids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahadur, J.; Tripathi, B. M.; Prakash, J.; Das, Avik; Sen, D.; Mazumder, S.

2018-04-01

The nucleation and growth of silica colloids has been studied using real time small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. The ammonium fluorosilicate was used as precursor and both weak (NH3) and strong base (NaOH) has been used as reducing agent for the precursor. It is observed that nucleation, growth and aggregation phenomenon occur simultaneously. The kinetics of the nucleation and growth of silica colloids depends on the strength of the reducing agent as well on its concentration. The kinetics is slow for NH3 but is very fast for higher concentration of NaOH.

The effects of social interactions with in-vehicle agents on a driver's anger level, driving performance, situation awareness, and perceived workload.

PubMed

Jeon, Myounghoon; Walker, Bruce N; Gable, Thomas M

2015-09-01

Research has suggested that interaction with an in-vehicle software agent can improve a driver's psychological state and increase road safety. The present study explored the possibility of using an in-vehicle software agent to mitigate effects of driver anger on driving behavior. After either anger or neutral mood induction, 60 undergraduates drove in a simulator with two types of agent intervention. Results showed that both speech-based agents not only enhance driver situation awareness and driving performance, but also reduce their anger level and perceived workload. Regression models show that a driver's anger influences driving performance measures, mediated by situation awareness. The practical implications include design guidelines for the design of social interaction with in-vehicle software agents. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Limits on relief through constrained exchange on random graphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LaViolette, Randall A.; Ellebracht, Lory A.; Gieseler, Charles J.

2007-09-01

Agents are represented by nodes on a random graph (e.g., “small world”). Each agent is endowed with a zero-mean random value that may be either positive or negative. All agents attempt to find relief, i.e., to reduce the magnitude of that initial value, to zero if possible, through exchanges. The exchange occurs only between the agents that are linked, a constraint that turns out to dominate the results. The exchange process continues until Pareto equilibrium is achieved. Only 40-90% of the agents achieved relief on small-world graphs with mean degree between 2 and 40. Even fewer agents achieved relief on scale-free-like graphs with a truncated power-law degree distribution. The rate at which relief grew with increasing degree was slow, only at most logarithmic for all of the graphs considered; viewed in reverse, the fraction of nodes that achieve relief is resilient to the removal of links.

Computerized bioterrorism education and training for nurses on bioterrorism attack agents.

PubMed

Nyamathi, Adeline M; Casillas, Adrian; King, Major L; Gresham, Louise; Pierce, Elaine; Farb, Daniel; Wiechmann, Carrie; Weichmann, Carrie

2010-08-01

Biological agents have the ability to cause large-scale mass casualties. For this reason, their likely use in future terrorist attacks is a concern for national security. Recent studies show that nurses are ill prepared to deal with agents used in biological warfare. Achieving a goal for bioterrorism preparedness is directly linked to comprehensive education and training that enables first-line responders such as nurses to diagnose infectious agents rapidly. The study evaluated participants' responses to biological agents using a computerized bioterrorism education and training program versus a standard bioterrorism education and training program. Both programs improved participants' ability to complete and solve case studies involving the identification of specific biological agents. Participants in the computerized bioterrorism education and training program were more likely to solve the cases critically without reliance on expert consultants. However, participants in the standard bioterrorism education and training program reduced the use of unnecessary diagnostic tests.

Methylene blue, midodrine, and pseudoephedrine: a review of alternative agents for refractory hypotension in the intensive care unit.

PubMed

Van Berkel, Megan A; Fuller, Laura A; Alexandrov, Anne W; Jones, G Morgan

2015-01-01

Hypotensive episodes are common among patients in the intensive care unit and can lead to multiorgan failure if uncontrolled. Fluid administration and continuous infusion of vasoactive agents are frequently used for management of hypotension; however, both therapies may be associated with adverse effects including pulmonary edema and tissue necrosis. In addition, availability of these first-line agents has been impacted by the increasing occurrence of drug shortages. Methylene blue, pseudoephedrine, and midodrine have been considered potential alternatives to standard therapy. These agents may not only be used when first-line agents are unavailable due to shortages, but they may also aid in reducing the cumulative dose of other vasoactive agents used. The purpose of this review was to discuss strategies for the safe and effective use of methylene blue, pseudoephedrine, and midodrine for the treatment of hypotension in the critically ill.

3′-Phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate synthase 1 (PAPSS1) knockdown sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to DNA damaging agents

PubMed Central

Leung, Ada W. Y.; Dragowska, Wieslawa H.; Ricaurte, Daniel; Kwok, Brian; Mathew, Veena; Roosendaal, Jeroen; Ahluwalia, Amith; Warburton, Corinna; Laskin, Janessa J.; Stirling, Peter C.; Qadir, Mohammed A.; Bally, Marcel B.

2015-01-01

Standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no known driver mutation is platinum-based chemotherapy, which has a response rate of only 30–33%. Through an siRNA screen, 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) synthase 1 (PAPSS1), an enzyme that synthesizes the biologically active form of sulfate PAPS, was identified as a novel platinum-sensitizing target in NSCLC cells. PAPSS1 knockdown in combination with low-dose (IC10) cisplatin reduces clonogenicity of NSCLC cells by 98.7% (p < 0.001), increases DNA damage, and induces G1/S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. PAPSS1 silencing also sensitized NSCLC cells to other DNA crosslinking agents, radiation, and topoisomerase I inhibitors, but not topoisomerase II inhibitors. Chemo-sensitization was not observed in normal epithelial cells. Knocking out the PAPSS1 homolog did not sensitize yeast to cisplatin, suggesting that sulfate bioavailability for amino acid synthesis is not the cause of sensitization to DNA damaging agents. Rather, sensitization may be due to sulfation reactions involved in blocking the action of DNA damaging agents, facilitating DNA repair, promoting cancer cell survival under therapeutic stress or reducing the bioavailability of DNA damaging agents. Our study demonstrates for the first time that PAPSS1 could be targeted to improve the activity of multiple anticancer agents used to treat NSCLC. PMID:26220590

GC-MS and LC-MS analysis of nerve agents in body fluids: intra-laboratory verification test using spiked plasma and urine samples.

PubMed

Koller, Marianne; Becker, Christian; Thiermann, Horst; Worek, Franz

2010-05-15

The purpose of this study was to check the applicability of different analytical methods for the identification of unknown nerve agents in human body fluids. Plasma and urine samples were spiked with nerve agents (plasma) or with their metabolites (urine) or were left blank. Seven random samples (35% of all samples) were selected for the verification test. Plasma was worked up for unchanged nerve agents and for regenerated nerve agents after fluoride-induced reactivation of nerve agent-inhibited butyrylcholinesterase. Both extracts were analysed by GC-MS. Metabolites were extracted from plasma and urine, respectively, and were analysed by LC-MS. The urinary metabolites and two blank samples could be identified without further measurements, plasma metabolites and blanks were identified in six of seven samples. The analysis of unchanged nerve agent provided five agents/blanks and the sixth agent after further investigation. The determination of the regenerated agents also provided only five clear findings during the first screening because of a rather noisy baseline. Therefore, the sample preparation was extended by a size exclusion step performed before addition of fluoride which visibly reduced baseline noise and thus improved identification of the two missing agents. The test clearly showed that verification should be performed by analysing more than one biomarker to ensure identification of the agent(s). Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical Action of Halogenated Agents in Fire Extinguishing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belles, Frank E.

1955-01-01

The action of halogenated agents in preventing flame propagation in fuel-air mixtures in laboratory tests is discussed in terms of a possible chemical mechanism. The mechanism chosen is that of chain-breaking reactions between agent and active particles (hydrogen and oxygen atoms and hydroxyl radicsls). Data from the literature on the flammability peaks of n-heptane agent-air mixtures are treated. Ratings of agent effectiveness in terms of the fuel equivalent of the agent, based on both fuel and agent concentrations at the peak, are proposed as preferable to ratings in terms of agent concentration alone. These fuel-equivalent ratings are roughly correlated by reactivities assigned to halogen and hydrogen atoms in the agent molecules. It is concluded that the presence of hydrogen in agent need not reduce its fire-fighting ability, provided there is enough halogen to make the agent nonflammable. A method is presented for estimating from quenching-distance data a rate constant for the reaction of agent with active particles. A quantitative result is obtained for methyl bromide. This rate constant predicts the observed peak concentration of methyl bromide quite well. However, more data are needed to prove the validity of the method. The assumption that hal.ogenatedagents act mainly by chain-bresking reactions with active particles is consistent with the experimental facts and should help guide the selection of agents for further tests.

Nitroxide-Based Macromolecular Contrast Agents with Unprecedented Transverse Relaxivity and Stability for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Metal-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents could overcome the established toxicity associated with metal-based agents in some patient populations and enable new modes of functional MRI in vivo. Herein, we report nitroxide-functionalized brush-arm star polymer organic radical contrast agents (BASP-ORCAs) that overcome the low contrast and poor in vivo stability associated with nitroxide-based MRI contrast agents. As a consequence of their unique nanoarchitectures, BASP-ORCAs possess per-nitroxide transverse relaxivities up to ∼44-fold greater than common nitroxides, exceptional stability in highly reducing environments, and low toxicity. These features combine to provide for accumulation of a sufficient concentration of BASP-ORCA in murine subcutaneous tumors up to 20 h following systemic administration such that MRI contrast on par with metal-based agents is observed. BASP-ORCAs are, to our knowledge, the first nitroxide MRI contrast agents capable of tumor imaging over long time periods using clinical high-field 1H MRI techniques. PMID:28776023

Smart Aerospace eCommerce: Using Intelligent Agents in a NASA Mission Services Ordering Application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moleski, Walt; Luczak, Ed; Morris, Kim; Clayton, Bill; Scherf, Patricia; Obenschain, Arthur F. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This paper describes how intelligent agent technology was successfully prototyped and then deployed in a smart eCommerce application for NASA. An intelligent software agent called the Intelligent Service Validation Agent (ISVA) was added to an existing web-based ordering application to validate complex orders for spacecraft mission services. This integration of intelligent agent technology with conventional web technology satisfies an immediate NASA need to reduce manual order processing costs. The ISVA agent checks orders for completeness, consistency, and correctness, and notifies users of detected problems. ISVA uses NASA business rules and a knowledge base of NASA services, and is implemented using the Java Expert System Shell (Jess), a fast rule-based inference engine. The paper discusses the design of the agent and knowledge base, and the prototyping and deployment approach. It also discusses future directions and other applications, and discusses lessons-learned that may help other projects make their aerospace eCommerce applications smarter.

Liquefaction process

DOEpatents

Poddar, Syamal K.

1981-01-01

Scale formation during the liquefaction of lower ranking coals and similar carbonaceous materials is significantly reduced and/or prevented by pretreatment with a combination of pretreating agents comprising SO.sub.2 and an oxidizing agent. It is essential to effective operation that the moisture content of the solid carbonaceous material be within the range from about 10 to about 25 wt %, based on dry solid carbonaceous material, during the pretreatment. The pretreatment is believed to convert at least a portion of the scale-forming components and particularly calcium, to the corresponding sulfate prior to liquefaction. The pretreatment may be accomplished with the combination of pretreating agents either simultaneously by using a mixture comprising SO.sub.2 and a gaseous oxidizing agent or sequentially by first treating with SO.sub.2 and then with an oxidizing agent.

Quantifying manganese and nitrogen cycle coupling in manganese-rich, organic carbon-starved marine sediments: Examples from the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mogollón, José M.; Mewes, Konstantin; Kasten, Sabine

2016-07-01

Extensive deep-sea sedimentary areas are characterized by low organic carbon contents and thus harbor suboxic sedimentary environments where secondary (autotrophic) redox cycling becomes important for microbial metabolic processes. Simulation results for three stations in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific with low organic carbon content (<0.5 dry wt %) and low sedimentation rates (10-1-100 mm ky-1) show that ammonium generated during organic matter degradation may act as a reducing agent for manganese oxides below the oxic zone. Likewise, at these sedimentary depths, dissolved reduced manganese may act as a reducing agent for oxidized nitrogen species. These manganese-coupled transformations provide a suboxic conversion pathway of ammonium and nitrate to dinitrogen. These manganese-nitrogen interactions further explain the presence and production of dissolved reduced manganese (up to tens of μM concentration) in sediments with high nitrate (>20 μM) concentrations.

Pain-relieving agents for infantile colic.

PubMed

Biagioli, Elena; Tarasco, Valentina; Lingua, Carla; Moja, Lorenzo; Savino, Francesco

2016-09-16

Infantile colic is a common disorder in the first months of life, affecting somewhere between 4% and 28% of infants worldwide, depending on geography and definitions used. Although it is self limiting and resolves by four months of age, colic is perceived by parents as a problem that requires action. Pain-relieving agents, such as drugs, sugars and herbal remedies, have been suggested as interventions to reduce crying episodes and severity of symptoms. To assess the effectiveness and safety of pain-relieving agents for reducing colic in infants younger than four months of age. We searched the following databases in March 2015 and again in May 2016: CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO, along with 11 other databases. We also searched two trial registers, four thesis repositories and the reference lists of relevant studies to identify unpublished and ongoing studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs evaluating the effects of pain-relieving agents given to infants with colic. We used the standard methodological procedures of The Cochrane Collaboration. We included 18 RCTs involving 1014 infants. All studies were small and at high risk of bias, often presenting major shortcomings across multiple design factors (e.g. selection, performance, attrition, lack of washout period).Three studies compared simethicone with placebo, and one with Mentha piperita; four studies compared herbal agents with placebo; two compared sucrose or glucose with placebo; five compared dicyclomine with placebo; and two compared cimetropium - one against placebo and the other at two different dosages. One multiple-arm study compared sucrose and herbal tea versus no treatment. Simethicone. Comparison with placebo revealed no difference in daily hours of crying reported for simethicone at the end of treatment in one small, low-quality study involving 27 infants. A meta-analysis of data from two cross-over studies comparing simethicone with placebo showed no difference in the number of of infants who responded positively to treatment (risk ratio (RR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 1.23; 110 infants, low-quality evidence).One small study (30 participants) compared simethicone with Mentha piperita and found no difference in crying duration, number of crying episodes or number of responders. Herbal agents. We found low-quality evidence suggesting that herbal agents reduce the duration of crying compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) 1.33, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.96; three studies, 279 infants), with different magnitude of benefit noted across studies (I² = 96%). We found moderate-quality evidence indicating that herbal agents increase response over placebo (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.70; three studies, 277 infants). Sucrose. One very low-quality study involving 35 infants reported that sucrose reduced hours spent crying compared with placebo (MD 1.72, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.06). Dicyclomine. We could consider only one of the five studies of dicyclomine (48 infants) for the primary comparison. In this study, more of the infants given dicyclomine responded than than those given placebo (RR 2.50, 95% CI 1.17 to 5.34). Cimetropium bromide. Data from one very low-quality study comparing cimetropium bromide with placebo showed reduced crying duration among infants treated with cimetropium bromide (MD -30.20 minutes per crisis, 95% CI -39.51 to -20.89; 86 infants). The same study reported that cimetropium increased the number of responders (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.64).No serious adverse events were reported for all of the agents considered, with the exception of dicyclomine, for which two of five studies reported relevant adverse effects (longer sleep 4%, wide-eyed state 4%, drowsiness 13%). At the present time, evidence of the effectiveness of pain-relieving agents for the treatment of infantile colic is sparse and prone to bias. The few available studies included small sample sizes, and most had serious limitations. Benefits, when reported, were inconsistent.We found no evidence to support the use of simethicone as a pain-relieving agent for infantile colic.Available evidence shows that herbal agents, sugar, dicyclomine and cimetropium bromide cannot be recommended for infants with colic.Investigators must conduct RCTs using standardised measures that allow comparisons among pain-relieving agents and pooling of results across studies. Parents, who most often provide the intervention and assess the outcome, should always be blinded.

Color stabilization of porcine hemoglobin during spray-drying and powder storage by combining chelating and reducing agents.

PubMed

Salvador, P; Toldrà, M; Parés, D; Carretero, C; Saguer, E

2009-10-01

This work focuses on the effects of adding a chelating agent - such as nicotinic acid (NA, 2% w/v) or nicotinamide (Nam, 2.5% w/v) - along with glucose as a reducing agent (G, 10% w/v) to fresh porcine hemoglobin in order to stabilize its red color during spray-drying and powder storage at room temperature. Correlations between the CIELAB color parameters and the relative percentages of the different hemoglobin derivatives (liganded and deliganded ferrohemoglobin, and methemoglobin) were analyzed. The results indicate that, although little effects could be observed for any of the combined treatments on fresh hemoglobin, they were effective against pigment autoxidation during dehydration and subsequent storage. From the results, it can also be concluded that glucose was the main contributor to the color stabilization of the hemoglobin powder, probably due to its high water retention capacity.

Effects of postmeal exercise on postprandial glucose excursions in people with type 2 diabetes treated with add-on hypoglycemic agents.

PubMed

Erickson, Melissa L; Little, Jonathan P; Gay, Jennifer L; McCully, Kevin K; Jenkins, Nathan T

2017-04-01

Type 2 diabetes treatment primarily focuses on reducing hyperglycemia, including postprandial glucose excursions. Hypoglycemic agents are used clinically to lower fasting and postprandial glucose. Metformin is the first-line therapy; however, if metformin is inadequate then 'add-on' hypoglycemic agents are implemented. Postmeal exercise has been shown to lower postprandial glucose. The aim of this study was to assess if postmeal exercise provides additional glucose-lowering benefit, beyond medication alone, in those on add-on hypoglycemic agents. Postprandial glucose excursions in eight participants with type 2 diabetes (Age: 60±10.7, HbA 1C : 7.9±2.3) being treated with add-on hypoglycemic agents were assessed during both drug-treated sedentary and drug-treated postmeal exercise conditions. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to assess peak and area under the glucose curve (AUC) during exercise, as well as peak within a 2-h time window, 2-h total and 2-h incremental AUC after a standardized breakfast meal. Postmeal exercise consisted of 3×10-min intervals of treadmill walking at 50% maximal oxygen uptake. Glucose peak (drug only: 13.8±3.7, drug/exercise: 9.9±2.7mmol/L; p=0.02) and AUC (drug only: 500±136, drug/exercise: 357±89mmol/L×40min; p=0.03) were reduced during postmeal exercise. Breakfast 2-h incremental AUC was also reduced (drug only: 585±291, drug/exercise: 330±294; p=0.047). Post-breakfast exercise lowered glucose during the exercise bout, although this effect was not sustained on later meals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dental plaque microcosm response to bonding agents containing quaternary ammonium methacrylates with different chain lengths and charge densities

PubMed Central

Zhou, Han; Li, Fang; Weir, Michael D.; Xu, Hockin H.K.

2013-01-01

Objectives Antibacterial bonding agents are promising to combat bacteria and caries at tooth-restoration margins. The objectives of this study were to incorporate new quaternary ammonium methacrylates (QAMs) to bonding agent and determine the effects of alkyl chain length (CL) and quaternary amine charge density on dental plaque microcosm bacteria response for the first time. Methods Six QAMs were synthesized with CL = 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18. Each QAM was incorporated into Scotchbond Multi-purpose (SBMP). To determine the charge density effect, dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM, CL = 16) was mixed into SBMP at mass fraction = 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%. Charge density was measured using a fluorescein dye method. Dental plaque microcosm using saliva from ten donors was tested. Bacteria were inoculated on resins. Early-attachment was tested at 4 hours. Biofilm colony-forming units (CFU) were measured at 2 days. Results Incorporating QAMs into SBMP reduced bacteria early-attachment. Microcosm biofilm CFU for CL = 16 was 4 log lower than SBMP control. Charge density of bonding agent increased with DMAHDM content. Bacteria early-attachment decreased with increasing charge density. Biofilm CFU at 10% DMAHDM was reduced by 4 log. The killing effect was similarly-strong against total microorganisms, total streptococci, and mutans streptococci. Conclusions Increasing alkyl chain length and charge density of bonding agent was shown for the first time to decrease microcosm bacteria attachment and reduce biofilm CFU by 4 orders of magnitude. Novel antibacterial resins with tailored chain length and charge density are promising for wide applications in bonding, cements, sealants and composites to inhibit biofilms and caries. PMID:23948394

Dental plaque microcosm response to bonding agents containing quaternary ammonium methacrylates with different chain lengths and charge densities.

PubMed

Zhou, Han; Li, Fang; Weir, Michael D; Xu, Hockin H K

2013-11-01

Antibacterial bonding agents are promising to combat bacteria and caries at tooth-restoration margins. The objectives of this study were to incorporate new quaternary ammonium methacrylates (QAMs) to bonding agent and determine the effects of alkyl chain length (CL) and quaternary amine charge density on dental plaque microcosm bacteria response for the first time. Six QAMs were synthesized with CL=3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18. Each QAM was incorporated into Scotchbond multi-purpose (SBMP). To determine the charge density effect, dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM, CL=16) was mixed into SBMP at mass fraction=0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%. Charge density was measured using a fluorescein dye method. Dental plaque microcosm using saliva from ten donors was tested. Bacteria were inoculated on resins. Early-attachment was tested at 4h. Biofilm colony-forming units (CFU) were measured at 2 days. Incorporating QAMs into SBMP reduced bacteria early-attachment. Microcosm biofilm CFU for CL=16 was 4 log lower than SBMP control. Charge density of bonding agent increased with DMAHDM content. Bacteria early-attachment decreased with increasing charge density. Biofilm CFU at 10% DMAHDM was reduced by 4 log. The killing effect was similarly-strong against total microorganisms, total streptococci, and mutans streptococci. Increasing alkyl chain length and charge density of bonding agent was shown for the first time to decrease microcosm bacteria attachment and reduce biofilm CFU by 4 orders of magnitude. Novel antibacterial resins with tailored chain length and charge density are promising for wide applications in bonding, cements, sealants and composites to inhibit biofilms and caries. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Meta-analysis of oral water-soluble contrast agent in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction.

PubMed

Abbas, S M; Bissett, I P; Parry, B R

2007-04-01

Adhesions are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction. Identification of patients who require surgery is difficult. This review analyses the role of Gastrografin as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction. A systematic search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies of the use of Gastrografin in adhesive small bowel obstruction. Studies that addressed the diagnostic role of water-soluble contrast agent were appraised, and data presented as sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results were pooled and a summary receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. A meta-analysis of the data from six therapeutic studies was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel test and both fixed- and random-effect models. The appearance of water-soluble contrast agent in the colon on an abdominal radiograph within 24 h of its administration predicted resolution of obstruction with a pooled sensitivity of 97 per cent and specificity of 96 per cent. The area under the summary ROC curve was 0.98. Water-soluble contrast agent did not reduce the need for surgical intervention (odds ratio 0.81, P = 0.300), but it did reduce the length of hospital stay for patients who did not require surgery compared with placebo (weighted mean difference--1.84 days; P < 0.001). Published data strongly support the use of water-soluble contrast medium as a predictive test for non-operative resolution of adhesive small bowel obstruction. Although Gastrografin does not reduce the need for operation, it appears to shorten the hospital stay for those who do not require surgery.

NRC/AMRMC Resident Research Associateship Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

antimicrobials (and antiseptics) as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of various biofilm dispersal agents utilizing a number of bacterial species as...combat related wounds. 3 Demonstrated the utility of combinations of biofilm dispersal agents and antimicrobials as an alternate therapy for...alone or in combination with antimicrobials ) to reduce infection in contaminated femoral segmental defects. 5 Characterized host responses of

Design of a unit to produce hot distilled water for the same power consumption as a water heater

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bambenek, R. A.; Nuccio, P. P.

1973-01-01

Unit recovers 97% of water contained in pretreated waste water. Some factors are: cleansing agent prevents fouling of heat transfer surface by highly concentrated waste; absence of dynamic seals reduces required purge gas flow rate; and recycle loop maintains constant flushing process to carry cleansing agent across evaporation surface.

Effects of biological control agents and exotic plant invasion on deer mouse populations

Treesearch

Yvette K. Ortega; Dean E. Pearson; Kevin S. McKelvey

2004-01-01

Exotic insects are commonly introduced as biological control agents to reduce densities of invasive exotic plants. Although current biocontrol programs for weeds take precautions to minimize ecological risks, little attention is paid to the potential nontarget effects of introduced food subsidies on native consumers. Previous research demonstrated that two gall flies (...

Approaching Mars-like geochemical conditions in the laboratory: omission of artificial buffers and reductants in a study of biogenic methane production on a smectite clay.

PubMed

Chastain, Brendon K; Kral, Timothy A

2010-11-01

Methanogens have not been shown to metabolize in conditions exactly analogous to those present in Mars' subsurface. In typical studies of methanogenic metabolism, nutrient-rich buffered media and reducing agents are added to the cultures in an attempt to optimize the environment for methanogen survival and growth. To study methanogens in more Mars-relevant laboratory conditions, efforts should be made to eliminate artificial media, buffers, and reducing agents from investigations of methanogenic metabolism. After preliminary work to compare methanogen viability on montmorillonite clay and JSC Mars-1 regolith simulant, a study was conducted to determine whether biological methanogenesis could occur in non-reduced, non-buffered environments containing only H(2), CO(2), montmorillonite, and the liquid fraction extracted from a montmorillonite/deionized water suspension. Biogenic methane was observed in the microenvironments despite the omission of traditional media, buffers, and reducing agents. Mean headspace methane concentration after 96 days of observation was 10.23% ± 0.64% (% vol ± SEM, n = 4). However, methane production was severely decreased with respect to reduced, buffered microenvironments (Day 28: 31.98% ± 0.19%, n = 3). Analysis of results and comparison to previous work indicate that montmorillonite clay has a strong ability to supply micronutrients necessary for methanogenic metabolism, and the liquid fraction from a montmorillonite/deionized water slurry can successfully be used as an alternative to reduced and buffered nutritive media in Mars-relevant studies of methanogenic metabolism.

Dual antibacterial agents of nano-silver and 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide in dental adhesive to inhibit caries

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ke; Li, Fang; Imazato, Satoshi; Cheng, Lei; Liu, Huaibing; Arola, Dwayne D.; Bai, Yuxing; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2013-01-01

Dental resins containing 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB) showed potent antibacterial functions. Recent studies developed antibacterial resins containing nanoparticles of silver (NAg). The objectives of this study were to develop an adhesive containing dual agents of MDPB and NAg for the first time, and to investigate the combined effects of antibacterial adhesive and primer on biofilm viability, metabolic activity, lactic acid, dentin bond strength, and fibroblast cytotoxicity. MDPB and NAg were incorporated into Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) adhesive “A” and primer “P”. Five systems were tested: SBMP adhesive A; A+MDPB; A+NAg; A+MDPB+NAg; P+MDPB+NAg together with A+MDPB+NAg. Dental plaque microcosm biofilms were cultured using mixed saliva from ten donors. Metabolic activity, colony-forming units, and lactic acid production of biofilms were investigated. Human fibroblast cytotoxicity of bonding agents was determined. MDPB+NAg in adhesive/primer did not compromise dentin bond strength (p>0.1). MDPB or NAg alone in adhesive substantially reduced the biofilm activities. Dual agents MDPB+NAg in adhesive greatly reduced the biofilm viability compared to each agent alone (p<0.05). The greatest inhibition of biofilms was achieved when both adhesive and primer contained MDPB+NAg. Fibroblast viability of groups with dual antibacterial agents was similar to control using culture medium without resin eluents (p>0.1). In conclusion, this study showed for the first time that the antibacterial potency of MDPB adhesive could be substantially enhanced via NAg. Adding MDPB+NAg into both primer and adhesive achieved the strongest anti-biofilm efficacy. The dual agent (MDPB+NAg) method could have wide applicability to other adhesives, sealants, cements and composites to inhibit biofilms and caries. PMID:23529901

Distributed Optimization of Multi-Agent Systems: Framework, Local Optimizer, and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zu, Yue

Convex optimization problem can be solved in a centralized or distributed manner. Compared with centralized methods based on single-agent system, distributed algorithms rely on multi-agent systems with information exchanging among connected neighbors, which leads to great improvement on the system fault tolerance. Thus, a task within multi-agent system can be completed with presence of partial agent failures. By problem decomposition, a large-scale problem can be divided into a set of small-scale sub-problems that can be solved in sequence/parallel. Hence, the computational complexity is greatly reduced by distributed algorithm in multi-agent system. Moreover, distributed algorithm allows data collected and stored in a distributed fashion, which successfully overcomes the drawbacks of using multicast due to the bandwidth limitation. Distributed algorithm has been applied in solving a variety of real-world problems. Our research focuses on the framework and local optimizer design in practical engineering applications. In the first one, we propose a multi-sensor and multi-agent scheme for spatial motion estimation of a rigid body. Estimation performance is improved in terms of accuracy and convergence speed. Second, we develop a cyber-physical system and implement distributed computation devices to optimize the in-building evacuation path when hazard occurs. The proposed Bellman-Ford Dual-Subgradient path planning method relieves the congestion in corridor and the exit areas. At last, highway traffic flow is managed by adjusting speed limits to minimize the fuel consumption and travel time in the third project. Optimal control strategy is designed through both centralized and distributed algorithm based on convex problem formulation. Moreover, a hybrid control scheme is presented for highway network travel time minimization. Compared with no controlled case or conventional highway traffic control strategy, the proposed hybrid control strategy greatly reduces total travel time on test highway network.

Nitric oxide donors attenuate clongenic potential in rat C6 glioma cells treated with alkylating chemotherapeutic agents.

PubMed

Yang, Jir-Jei; Yin, Jiu-Haw; Yang, Ding-I

2007-05-11

1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) kills tumor cells via multiple actions including alkylation and carbamoylation. Previously, we have reported that formation of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in glioma cells overexpressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contributed to nitric oxide (NO)-dependent carbamoylating chemoresistance against BCNU. To further characterize the effects of NO on alkylating cytotoxicity, colony formation assay was applied to evaluate the effects of various NO donors on rat C6 glioma cells challenged with alkylating agents. We demonstrate that NO donors including GSNO, diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NO), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) substantially reduced the extent of colony formation in glioma cells treated with alkylating agents, namely methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Without alkylating agents these NO-releasing agents alone had no effects on clongenic potential of rat C6 glioma cells. Among these three NO donors used, the effectiveness in potentiating alkylating cytotoxicity is in the order of "GSNO>DEA/NO>SNP" when applied at the same dosages. GSNO also exerted similar synergistic actions reducing the extents of colony formation when co-administrated with 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-hydrazine (compound #1), another alkylating agent that mimics the chloroethylating action of BCNU. Together with our previous findings, we propose that NO donors may be used as adjunct chemotherapy with alkylating agents for such malignant brain tumors as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In contrast, production of NO as a result of iNOS induction, such as that occurring after surgical resection of brain tumors, may compromise the efficacy of carbamoylating chemotherapy.

Ion mobility spectrometric analysis of vaporous chemical warfare agents by the instrument with corona discharge ionization ammonia dopant ambient temperature operation.

PubMed

Satoh, Takafumi; Kishi, Shintaro; Nagashima, Hisayuki; Tachikawa, Masumi; Kanamori-Kataoka, Mieko; Nakagawa, Takao; Kitagawa, Nobuyoshi; Tokita, Kenichi; Yamamoto, Soichiro; Seto, Yasuo

2015-03-20

The ion mobility behavior of nineteen chemical warfare agents (7 nerve gases, 5 blister agents, 2 lachrymators, 2 blood agents, 3 choking agents) and related compounds including simulants (8 agents) and organic solvents (39) was comparably investigated by the ion mobility spectrometry instrument utilizing weak electric field linear drift tube with corona discharge ionization, ammonia doping, purified inner air drift flow circulation operated at ambient temperature and pressure. Three alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates, tabun, and four organophosphorus simulants gave the intense characteristic positive monomer-derived ion peaks and small dimer-derived ion peaks, and the later ion peaks were increased with the vapor concentrations. VX, RVX and tabun gave both characteristic positive monomer-derived ions and degradation product ions. Nitrogen mustards gave the intense characteristic positive ion peaks, and in addition distinctive negative ion peak appeared from HN3. Mustard gas, lewisite 1, o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile and 2-mercaptoethanol gave the characteristic negative ion peaks. Methylphosphonyl difluoride, 2-chloroacetophenone and 1,4-thioxane gave the characteristic ion peaks both in the positive and negative ion mode. 2-Chloroethylethylsulfide and allylisothiocyanate gave weak ion peaks. The marker ion peaks derived from two blood agents and three choking agents were very close to the reactant ion peak in negative ion mode and the respective reduced ion mobility was fluctuated. The reduced ion mobility of the CWA monomer-derived peaks were positively correlated with molecular masses among structurally similar agents such as G-type nerve gases and organophosphorus simulants; V-type nerve gases and nitrogen mustards. The slope values of the calibration plots of the peak heights of the characteristic marker ions versus the vapor concentrations are related to the detection sensitivity, and within chemical warfare agents examined the slope values for sarin, soman, tabun and nitrogen mustards were higher. Some CWA simulants and organic solvents gave the ion peaks eluting at the similar positions of the CWAs, resulting in false positive alarms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of sodium hydroxide on drag reduction using banana peel as a drag reduction agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, H.; Jaafar, A.

2018-02-01

Drag reduction is observed as reduced frictional pressure losses under turbulent flow conditions. Drag reduction agent such as polymers can be introduced to increase the flowrate of water flowing and reduce the water accumulation in the system. Currently used polymers are synthetic polymers, which will harm our environment in excessive use of accumulation. A more environmentally-friendly drag reduction agent such as the polymer derived from natural sources or biopolymer, is then required for such purpose. As opposed to the synthetic polymers, the potential of biopolymers as drag reduction agents, especially those derived from a local plant source are not extensively explored. The drag reduction of a polymer produced from a local plant source within the turbulent regime was explored and assessed in this study using a rheometer, where a reduced a torque produced was perceived as a reduction of drag. This method proposed is less time consuming and is more practical which is producing carboxymethylcellulose from the banana peel. The cellulose powder was converted to carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) by etherification process. The carboxymethylation reaction during the synthesizing process was then optimized against the reaction temperature, reaction time and solubility. The biopolymers were then rheologically characterized, where the viscoelastic effects and the normal stresses produced by these biopolymers were utilized to further relate and explain the drag reduction phenomena. The research was structured to focus on producing the biopolymer and to assess the drag reduction ability of the biopolymer produced. The rheological behavior of the biopolymers was then analyzed based on the ability of reducing drag. The results are intended to expand the currently extremely limited experimental database. Based on the results, the biopolymer works as a good DRA.

Tetrachloroethene degradation by reducing-agent enhanced Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed percarbonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Z.; Brusseau, M. L.; Lu, S.; Gu, X.; Yan, N.; Qiu, Z.; Sui, Q.

2015-12-01

This project investigated the effect of reducing agents on the degradation of tetrachloroethene(PCE) by Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed sodium percarbonate (SPC). SPC possesses similar function as liquid H2O2, such that free H2O2 is released into solution when percarbonate is mixed with water. The addition of reducing agents, including hydroxylamine hydrochloride, sodium sulfite, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate, accelerated the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redoxcycle, leading to a relatively steady Fe(II) concentration and higher production of free radicals. This, in turn, resulted in enhanced PCE oxidation by SPC, with almost complete PCE removal obtained for appropriate Fe and SPC concentrations.The results of chemical probe tests, using nitrobenzene and carbon tetrachloride, demonstrated that HO● was the predominant radical in the system and that O2●-played a minor role. This was further confirmed by the results of electron paramagnetic resonance measurements and salicylic acid hydroxylationanalysis by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). PCE degradation decreased significantly with the addition of isopropanol, a strong HO● scavenger, supporting the hypothesis that HO● was primarily responsible for PCE degradation. It should be noted that the release of Cl- was slightly delayed in the first 20 mins, indicating that intermediate products were produced. However, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis did not detect any chlorinated organic compound except PCE, indicating these intermediates were quickly degraded, which resulted in the complete conversion of PCE to CO2. In conclusion, the use of reducing agents to enhance Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed SPC oxidation appears to be a promising approach for the rapid degradation of organic contaminants in groundwater.

Fetal cyclophosphamide exposure induces testicular cancer and reduced spermatogenesis and ovarian follicle numbers in mice.

PubMed

Comish, Paul B; Drumond, Ana Luiza; Kinnell, Hazel L; Anderson, Richard A; Matin, Angabin; Meistrich, Marvin L; Shetty, Gunapala

2014-01-01

Exposure to radiation during fetal development induces testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and reduces spermatogenesis in mice. However, whether DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents elicit these effects in mice remains unclear. Among such agents, cyclophosphamide (CP) is currently used to treat breast cancer in pregnant women, and the effects of fetal exposure to this drug manifested in the offspring must be better understood to offer such patients suitable counseling. The present study was designed to determine whether fetal exposure to CP induces testicular cancer and/or gonadal toxicity in 129 and in 129.MOLF congenic (L1) mice. Exposure to CP on embryonic days 10.5 and 11.5 dramatically increased TGCT incidence to 28% in offspring of 129 mice (control value, 2%) and to 80% in the male offspring of L1 (control value 33%). These increases are similar to those observed in both lines of mice by radiation. In utero exposure to CP also significantly reduced testis weights at 4 weeks of age to ∼ 70% of control and induced atrophic seminiferous tubules in ∼ 30% of the testes. When the in utero CP-exposed 129 mice reached adulthood, there were significant reductions in testicular and epididymal sperm counts to 62% and 70%, respectively, of controls. In female offspring, CP caused the loss of 77% of primordial follicles and increased follicle growth activation. The results indicate that i) DNA damage is a common mechanism leading to induction of testicular cancer, ii) increased induction of testis cancer by external agents is proportional to the spontaneous incidence due to inherent genetic susceptibility, and iii) children exposed to radiation or DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents in utero may have increased risks of developing testis cancer and having reduced spermatogenic potential or diminished reproductive lifespan.

Fetal Cyclophosphamide Exposure Induces Testicular Cancer and Reduced Spermatogenesis and Ovarian Follicle Numbers in Mice

PubMed Central

Comish, Paul B.; Drumond, Ana Luiza; Kinnell, Hazel L.; Anderson, Richard A.; Matin, Angabin; Meistrich, Marvin L.; Shetty, Gunapala

2014-01-01

Exposure to radiation during fetal development induces testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and reduces spermatogenesis in mice. However, whether DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents elicit these effects in mice remains unclear. Among such agents, cyclophosphamide (CP) is currently used to treat breast cancer in pregnant women, and the effects of fetal exposure to this drug manifested in the offspring must be better understood to offer such patients suitable counseling. The present study was designed to determine whether fetal exposure to CP induces testicular cancer and/or gonadal toxicity in 129 and in 129.MOLF congenic (L1) mice. Exposure to CP on embryonic days 10.5 and 11.5 dramatically increased TGCT incidence to 28% in offspring of 129 mice (control value, 2%) and to 80% in the male offspring of L1 (control value 33%). These increases are similar to those observed in both lines of mice by radiation. In utero exposure to CP also significantly reduced testis weights at 4 weeks of age to ∼70% of control and induced atrophic seminiferous tubules in ∼30% of the testes. When the in utero CP-exposed 129 mice reached adulthood, there were significant reductions in testicular and epididymal sperm counts to 62% and 70%, respectively, of controls. In female offspring, CP caused the loss of 77% of primordial follicles and increased follicle growth activation. The results indicate that i) DNA damage is a common mechanism leading to induction of testicular cancer, ii) increased induction of testis cancer by external agents is proportional to the spontaneous incidence due to inherent genetic susceptibility, and iii) children exposed to radiation or DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents in utero may have increased risks of developing testis cancer and having reduced spermatogenic potential or diminished reproductive lifespan. PMID:24691397

Reducing Urban Violence: A Contrast of Public Health and Criminal Justice Approaches.

PubMed

Cerdá, Magdalena; Tracy, Melissa; Keyes, Katherine M

2018-01-01

Cities are investing millions in Cure Violence, a public health approach to reduce urban violence by targeting at-risk youth and redirecting conflict to nonviolent responses. The impact of such a program compared with criminal justice responses is unknown because experiments directly comparing criminal justice and public health approaches to violence prevention are infeasible with observational data. We simulated experiments to test the influence of two interventions on violence: (1) Cure Violence and (2) directed police patrol in violence hot spots. We used an agent-based model to simulate a 5% sample of the New York City (NYC) adult population, with agents placed on a grid representing the land area of NYC, with neighborhood size and population density proportional to land area and population density in each community district. Agent behaviors were governed by parameters drawn from city data sources and published estimates. Under no intervention, 3.87% (95% CI, 3.84, 3.90) of agents were victimized per year. Implementing the violence interrupter intervention for 10 years decreased victimization by 13% (to 3.35% [3.32, 3.39]). Implementing hot-spots policing and doubling the police force for 10 years reduced annual victimization by about 11% (to 3.46% [3.42, 3.49]). Increasing the police force by 40% combined with implementing the violence interrupter intervention for 10 years decreased violence by 19% (to 3.13% [3.09, 3.16]). Combined investment in a public health, community-based approach to violence prevention and a criminal justice approach focused on deterrence can achieve more to reduce population-level rates of urban violence than either can in isolation. See video abstract at, http://links.lww.com/EDE/B298.

Effects of diversity on multiagent systems: Minority games

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, K. Y. Michael; Lim, S. W.; Gao, Zhuo

2005-06-01

We consider a version of large population games whose agents compete for resources using strategies with adaptable preferences. The games can be used to model economic markets, ecosystems, or distributed control. Diversity of initial preferences of strategies is introduced by randomly assigning biases to the strategies of different agents. We find that diversity among the agents reduces their maladaptive behavior. We find interesting scaling relations with diversity for the variance and other parameters such as the convergence time, the fraction of fickle agents, and the variance of wealth, illustrating their dynamical origin. When diversity increases, the scaling dynamics is modified by kinetic sampling and waiting effects. Analyses yield excellent agreement with simulations.

Exact solution of a modified El Farol's bar problem: Efficiency and the role of market impact

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marsili, Matteo; Challet, Damien; Zecchina, Riccardo

2000-06-01

We discuss a model of heterogeneous, inductive rational agents inspired by the El Farol Bar problem and the Minority Game. As in markets, agents interact through a collective aggregate variable - which plays a role similar to price - whose value is fixed by all of them. Agents follow a simple reinforcement-learning dynamics where the reinforcement, for each of their available strategies, is related to the payoff delivered by that strategy. We derive the exact solution of the model in the “thermodynamic” limit of infinitely many agents using tools of statistical physics of disordered systems. Our results show that the impact of agents on the market price plays a key role: even though price has a weak dependence on the behavior of each individual agent, the collective behavior crucially depends on whether agents account for such dependence or not. Remarkably, if the adaptive behavior of agents accounts even “infinitesimally” for this dependence they can, in a whole range of parameters, reduce global fluctuations by a finite amount. Both global efficiency and individual utility improve with respect to a “price taker” behavior if agents account for their market impact.

Bridge decks : mitigation of cracking and increased durability.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-06-01

The application of pre-soaked lightweight aggregates (LWA) as an internal curing agent in concrete to reduce the cracking due to drying shrinkage is thoroughly studied in this report. It is determined that although LWA can significantly reduce autoge...

Bridge Decks: Mitigation of Cracking and Increased Durability.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-06-01

The application of pre-soaked lightweight aggregates (LWA) as an internal curing agent in concrete to reduce the cracking due to drying shrinkage is thoroughly studied in this report. It is determined that although LWA can significantly reduce autoge...

Cooperation and Coordination Between Fuzzy Reinforcement Learning Agents in Continuous State Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berenji, Hamid R.; Vengerov, David

1999-01-01

Successful operations of future multi-agent intelligent systems require efficient cooperation schemes between agents sharing learning experiences. We consider a pseudo-realistic world in which one or more opportunities appear and disappear in random locations. Agents use fuzzy reinforcement learning to learn which opportunities are most worthy of pursuing based on their promise rewards, expected lifetimes, path lengths and expected path costs. We show that this world is partially observable because the history of an agent influences the distribution of its future states. We consider a cooperation mechanism in which agents share experience by using and-updating one joint behavior policy. We also implement a coordination mechanism for allocating opportunities to different agents in the same world. Our results demonstrate that K cooperative agents each learning in a separate world over N time steps outperform K independent agents each learning in a separate world over K*N time steps, with this result becoming more pronounced as the degree of partial observability in the environment increases. We also show that cooperation between agents learning in the same world decreases performance with respect to independent agents. Since cooperation reduces diversity between agents, we conclude that diversity is a key parameter in the trade off between maximizing utility from cooperation when diversity is low and maximizing utility from competitive coordination when diversity is high.

DNA sequencing with pyrophosphatase

DOEpatents

Tabor, S.; Richardson, C.C.

1996-03-12

A kit or solution is disclosed for use in extension of an oligonucleotide primer having a first single-stranded region on a template molecule and having a second single-stranded region homologous to the first single-stranded region. The first agent is able to cause extension of the first single-stranded region of the primer on the second single-stranded region of the template in a reaction mixture. The second agent is able to reduce the amount of pyrophosphate in the reaction mixture below the amount produced during the extension in the absence of the second agent.

DNA sequencing with pyrophosphatase

DOEpatents

Tabor, Stanley; Richardson, Charles C.

1996-03-12

A kit or solution for use in extension of an oligonucleotide primer having a first single-stranded region on a template molecule having a second single-stranded region homologous to the first single-stranded region, comprising a first agent able to cause extension of the first single-stranded region of the primer on the second single-stranded region of the template in a reaction mixture, and a second agent able to reduce the amount of pyrophosphate in the reaction mixture below the amount produced during the extension in the absence of the second agent.

Research Advances: Nitric Oxide Synthase Reduces Cr(VI); The Chemistry of Popcorn: It's All About "Pop-Ability"; Nanotubes May Help Heal Broken Bones; New Method Unites Organic Materials and Nanotechnology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Angela G.

2005-12-01

An enzyme can reduce chromium ions and increase toxicity. Chemistry may reduce the number of unpopped kernels. Nanotubes provide scaffolding for bone growth. A new method will aid fabrication of drug-delivery agents.

The role of natural indigo dye in alleviation of genotoxicity of sodium dithionite as a reducing agent.

PubMed

Bektaş, İdris; Karaman, Şengül; Dıraz, Emel; Çelik, Mustafa

2016-12-01

Indigo blue is a natural dye used for thousands of years by civilizations to dye fabric blue and it is naturally obtained from Isatis tinctoria. I. tinctoria is not only used for extraction of indigo blue color but also used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine because of its active compounds. Sodium dithionite (Na 2 S 2 O 4 ) is used in dye bath for indigo blue extraction, but this reducing agent and its derivatives are major pollutants of textile industry and subsequently have hazardous influences on public health. Herein, the present study was designed to obtain the high yield of natural indigo dye but with low possible toxic effect. In this context, genotoxic effects of particular combinations of natural dye solutions obtained from Isatis tinctoria subsp. tomentolla with Na 2 S 2 O 4 as reducing agent were investigated. Dye solutions were obtained using two different pH levels (pH 9 and 11) and three different concentrations of Na 2 S 2 O 4 (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml). In addition to the dye solutions and reducing agent, aqueous extracts of I. tinctoria were assessed for their genotoxicity on human lymphocytes. For in vitro testing of genotoxicity, chromosomal aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and mitotic indexes (MI) assays were used. Accordingly, Na 2 S 2 O 4 caused significant increases in CA and SCE as well decrease in MI but the genotoxic effects of sodium dithionite were reduced with natural indigo dye. As a result, aqueous extracts of Isatis leaves removed the toxic effects of sodium dithionite and showed anti-genotoxic effect. For the optimal and desired quality but with less toxic effects of natural dye, 2.5 mg/ml (for wool yarn) and 5 mg/ml (for cotton yarn) of Na 2 S 2 O 4 doses were found to be the best doses for reduction in the dye bath at Ph 9.

In Vitro Dissolution of Fluconazole and Dipyridamole in Gastrointestinal Simulator (GIS), Predicting in Vivo Dissolution and Drug-Drug Interaction Caused by Acid-Reducing Agents.

PubMed

Matsui, Kazuki; Tsume, Yasuhiro; Amidon, Gregory E; Amidon, Gordon L

2015-07-06

Weakly basic drugs typically exhibit pH-dependent solubility in the physiological pH range, displaying supersaturation or precipitation along the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, their oral bioavailabilities may be affected by coadministration of acid-reducing agents that elevate gastric pH. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a multicompartmental in vitro dissolution apparatus, Gastrointestinal Simulator (GIS), in predicting in vivo dissolution of certain oral medications. In vitro dissolution studies of fluconazole, a BCS class I, and dipyridamole, a BCS class II weak bases (class IIb), were performed in the GIS as well as United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus II and compared with the results of clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies. In both USP apparatus II and GIS, fluconazole completely dissolved within 60 min regardless of pH, reflecting no DDI between fluconazole and acid-reducing agents in a clinical study. On the other hand, seven-fold and 15-fold higher concentrations of dipyridamole than saturation solubility were observed in the intestinal compartments in GIS with gastric pH 2.0. Precipitation of dipyridamole was also observed in the GIS, and the percentage of dipyridamole in solution was 45.2 ± 7.0%. In GIS with gastric pH 6.0, mimicking the coadministration of acid-reducing agents, the concentration of dipyridamole was equal to its saturation solubility, and the percentage of drug in solution was 9.3 ± 2.7%. These results are consistent with the clinical DDI study of dipyridamole with famotidine, which significantly reduced the Cmax and area under the curve. An In situ mouse infusion study combined with GIS revealed that high concentration of dipyridamole in the GIS enhanced oral drug absorption, which confirmed the supersaturation of dipyridamole. In conclusion, GIS was shown to be a useful apparatus to predict in vivo dissolution for BCS class IIb drugs.

Synthetic wastewaters treatment by electrocoagulation to remove silver nanoparticles produced by different routes.

PubMed

Matias, M S; Melegari, S P; Vicentini, D S; Matias, W G; Ricordel, C; Hauchard, D

2015-08-15

Nanoscience is a field that has stood out in recent years. The accurate long-term health and environmental risks associated with these emerging materials are unknown. Therefore, this work investigated how to eliminate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from synthetic effluents by electrocoagulation (EC) due to the widespread use of this type of nanoparticle (NP) in industry and its potential inhibition power over microorganisms responsible for biological treatment in effluent treatment plants. Synthesized AgNPs were studied via four different routes by chemical reduction in aqueous solutions to simulate the chemical variations of a hypothetical industrial effluent, and efficiency conditions of the EC treatment were determined. All routes used silver nitrate as the source of silver ions, and two synthesis routes were studied with sodium citrate as a stabilizer. In route I, sodium citrate functioned simultaneously as the reducing agent and stabilizing agent, whereas route II used sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Route III used D-glucose as the reducing agent and sodium pyrophosphate as the stabilizer; route IV used sodium pyrophosphate as the stabilizing agent and sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. The efficiency of the EC process of the different synthesized solutions was studied. For route I, after 85 min of treatment, a significant decrease in the plasmon resonance peak of the sample was observed, which reflects the efficiency in the mass reduction of AgNPs in the solution by 98.6%. In route II, after 12 min of EC, the absorbance results reached the detection limit of the measurement instrument, which indicates a minimum reduction of 99.9% of AgNPs in the solution. During the 4 min of treatment in route III, the absorbance intensities again reached the detection limit, which indicates a minimum reduction of 99.8%. In route IV, after 10 min of treatment, a minimum AgNP reduction of 99.9% was observed. Based on these results, it was possible to verify that the solutions containing citrate considerably increased the necessary times required to eliminate AgNPs from the synthesized effluent, whereas solutions free of this reagent showed better results on floc formation and, therefore, are best for the treatment. The elimination of AgNPs from effluents by EC proved effective for the studied routes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Green reduction of graphene oxide by ascorbic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khosroshahi, Zahra; Kharaziha, Mahshid; Karimzadeh, Fathallah; Allafchian, Alireza

2018-01-01

Graphene, a single layer of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms in a hexagonal (two-dimensional honey-comb) lattice, has attracted strong scientific and technological interest due to its novel and excellent optical, chemical, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The solution-processable chemical reduction of Graphene oxide (GO is considered as the most favorable method regarding mass production of graphene. Generally, the reduction of GO is carried out by chemical approaches using different reductants such as hydrazine and sodium borohydride. These components are corrosive, combustible and highly toxic which may be dangerous for personnel health and the environment. Hence, these reducing agents are not promising choice for reducing of graphene oxide (GO). As a consequence, it is necessary for further development and optimization of eco-friendly, natural reducing agent for clean and effective reduction of GO. Ascorbic acid, an eco-friendly and natural reducing agents, having a mild reductive ability and nontoxic property. So, the aim of this research was to green synthesis of GO with ascorbic acid. For this purpose, the required amount of NaOH and ascorbic acid were added to GO solution (0.5 mg/ml) and were heated at 95 °C for 1 hour. According to the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical results, GO were reduced with ascorbic acid like hydrazine with better electrochemical properties and ascorbic acid is an ideal substitute for hydrazine in the reduction of graphene oxide process.

Emergent Aerospace Designs Using Negotiating Autonomous Agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deshmukh, Abhijit; Middelkoop, Timothy; Krothapalli, Anjaneyulu; Smith, Charles

2000-01-01

This paper presents a distributed design methodology where designs emerge as a result of the negotiations between different stake holders in the process, such as cost, performance, reliability, etc. The proposed methodology uses autonomous agents to represent design decision makers. Each agent influences specific design parameters in order to maximize their utility. Since the design parameters depend on the aggregate demand of all the agents in the system, design agents need to negotiate with others in the market economy in order to reach an acceptable utility value. This paper addresses several interesting research issues related to distributed design architectures. First, we present a flexible framework which facilitates decomposition of the design problem. Second, we present overview of a market mechanism for generating acceptable design configurations. Finally, we integrate learning mechanisms in the design process to reduce the computational overhead.

Implementation of Multi-Agent Object Attention System Based on Biologically Inspired Attractor Selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, Ryoji; Matsumura, Tomoya; Nozato, Yoshihiro; Watanabe, Kenji; Onoye, Takao

A multi-agent object attention system is proposed, which is based on biologically inspired attractor selection model. Object attention is facilitated by using a video sequence and a depth map obtained through a compound-eye image sensor TOMBO. Robustness of the multi-agent system over environmental changes is enhanced by utilizing the biological model of adaptive response by attractor selection. To implement the proposed system, an efficient VLSI architecture is employed with reducing enormous computational costs and memory accesses required for depth map processing and multi-agent attractor selection process. According to the FPGA implementation result of the proposed object attention system, which is accomplished by using 7,063 slices, 640×512 pixel input images can be processed in real-time with three agents at a rate of 9fps in 48MHz operation.

Maintaining Fluoroquinolone Class Efficacy: Review of Influencing Factors

PubMed Central

2003-01-01

Previous experience with antimicrobial resistance has emphasized the importance of appropriate stewardship of these pharmacotherapeutic agents. The introduction of fluoroquinolones provided potent new drugs directed primarily against gram-negative pathogens, while the newer members of this class demonstrate more activity against gram-positive species, including Streptococcus pneumoniae. Although these agents are clinically effective against a broad range of infectious agents, emergence of resistance and associated clinical failures have prompted reexamination of their use. Appropriate use revolves around two key objectives: 1) only prescribing antimicrobial therapy when it is beneficial and 2) using the agents(s) with optimal activity against the expected pathogens(s). Pharmacodynamic principles and properties can be applied to achieve the latter objective when prescribing agents belonging to the fluoroquinolone class. A focused approach emphasizing “correct-spectrum” coverage may reduce development of antimicrobial resistance and maintain class efficacy. PMID:12533274

Intravascular US-Guided Portal Vein Access: Improved Procedural Metrics during TIPS Creation.

PubMed

Gipson, Matthew G; Smith, Mitchell T; Durham, Janette D; Brown, Anthony; Johnson, Thor; Ray, Charles E; Gupta, Rajan K; Kondo, Kimi L; Rochon, Paul J; Ryu, Robert K

2016-08-01

To evaluate transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) outcomes and procedure metrics with the use of three different image guidance techniques for portal vein (PV) access during TIPS creation. A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent TIPS procedures for a range of indications during a 28-month study period identified a population of 68 patients. This was stratified by PV access techniques: fluoroscopic guidance with or without portography (n = 26), PV marker wire guidance (n = 18), or intravascular ultrasound (US) guidance (n = 24). Procedural outcomes and procedural metrics, including radiation exposure, contrast agent volume used, procedure duration, and PV access time, were analyzed. No differences in demographic or procedural characteristics were found among the three groups. Technical success, technical success of the primary planned approach, hemodynamic success, portosystemic gradient, and procedure-related complications were not significantly different among groups. Fluoroscopy time (P = .003), air kerma (P = .01), contrast agent volume (P = .003), and total procedural time (P = .02) were reduced with intravascular US guidance compared with fluoroscopic guidance. Fluoroscopy time (P = .01) and contrast agent volume (P = .02) were reduced with intravascular US guidance compared with marker wire guidance. Intravascular US guidance of PV access during TIPS creation not only facilitates successful TIPS creation in patients with challenging anatomy, as suggested by previous investigations, but also reduces important procedure metrics including radiation exposure, contrast agent volume, and overall procedure duration compared with fluoroscopically guided TIPS creation. Copyright © 2016 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Emerging vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PubMed

Hussain, Rehan M; Ciulla, Thomas A

2017-09-01

Evolving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) include long acting agents, combination strategies involving new pathways, topical agents, sustained-release, and genetic therapy strategies. Areas covered: Brolucizumab and abicipar pegol have smaller molecular size, facilitating higher concentrations and potentially longer duration than current anti-VEGF agents. Agents being combined with anti-VEGFs include OPT-302 (to inhibit VEGF-C and VEGF-D); pegpleranib and rinucumab (to inhibit platelet derived growth factor, PDGF - but both failed to show consistently improved visual outcomes compared to anti-VEGF monotherapy); and RG7716, ARP-1536 and nesvacumab (to activate the Tie-2 tyrosine kinase receptor, which reduces permeability). X-82 is an oral anti-VEGF and anti-PDGF being tested in phase 2 studies. Topical anti-VEGF ± anti-PDGF drugs under study include pazopanib, PAN-90806, squalamine lactate, regorafinib, and LHA510. Sustained-release anti-VEGF delivery treatments, such as the ranibizumab Port Delivery System, GB-102, NT-503, hydrogel depot, Durasert, and ENV1305 aim to reduce the burden of frequent injections. Gene therapies with new viral vectors hold the potential to induce sustained expression of anti-angiogenic proteins via the retina's cellular apparatus, and include AVA-101/201, ADVM-202/302, AAV2-sFLT01, RGX314, and Retinostat. Expert opinion: There are many emerging anti-VEGF treatments that aim to improve visual outcomes and reduce the treatment burden of nAMD.

Bio-fabrication of catalytic platinum nanoparticles and their in vitro efficacy against lungs cancer cells line (A549).

PubMed

Ullah, Sadeeq; Ahmad, Aftab; Wang, Aoke; Raza, Muslim; Jan, Amin Ullah; Tahir, Kamran; Rahman, Aziz Ur; Qipeng, Yuan

2017-08-01

Platinum based drugs are considered as effective agents against various types of carcinoma; however, the severe toxicity associated with the chemically prepared platinum complexes limit their practical applications. Similarly, water pollution caused by various organic moieties is another serious health problem worldwide. Hence, an intense need exists to develop new, effective and biocompatible materials with catalytic and biomedical applications. In the present contribution, we prepared platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) by a green route using phytochemicals as a source of reducing and stabilizing agents. Well dispersed and crystalline PtNPs of spherical shapes were prepared and characterized. The bio-fabricated PtNPs were used as catalyst and anticancer agents. Catalytic performance of the PtNPs showed that 84% of the methylene blue can be reduced in 32min under visible light irradiation (K=0.078min -1 ). Similarly the catalytic conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol was achieved in <20min (K=0.124min -1 ). The in vitro anticancer study revealed that biogenic PtNPs are the efficient nano-agents possessing strong anticancer activity against the lungs cancer cells line (A549). Interestingly, the as prepared PtNPs were well tolerated by normal human cells, and therefore, could be effective and biocompatible agents in the treatment of different cancer cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxidative phosphorylation-dependent regulation of cancer cell apoptosis in response to anticancer agents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yadav, N.; Kumar, S.; Marlowe, T.

Cancer cells tend to develop resistance to various types of anticancer agents, whether they adopt similar or distinct mechanisms to evade cell death in response to a broad spectrum of cancer therapeutics is not fully defined. Current study concludes that DNA-damaging agents (etoposide and doxorubicin), ER stressor (thapsigargin), and histone deacetylase inhibitor (apicidin) target oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for apoptosis induction, whereas other anticancer agents including staurosporine, taxol, and sorafenib induce apoptosis in an OXPHOS-independent manner. DNA-damaging agents promoted mitochondrial biogenesis accompanied by increased accumulation of cellular and mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial protein-folding machinery, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Induction of mitochondrialmore » biogenesis occurred in a caspase activation-independent mechanism but was reduced by autophagy inhibition and p53-deficiency. Abrogation of complex-I blocked DNA-damage-induced caspase activation and apoptosis, whereas inhibition of complex-II or a combined deficiency of OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V due to impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis did not modulate caspase activity. Mechanistic analysis revealed that inhibition of caspase activation in response to anticancer agents associates with decreased release of mitochondrial cytochrome c in complex-I-deficient cells compared with wild type (WT) cells. Gross OXPHOS deficiencies promoted increased release of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria compared with WT or complex-I-deficient cells, suggesting that cells harboring defective OXPHOS trigger caspase-dependent as well as caspase-independent apoptosis in response to anticancer agents. Interestingly, DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin showed strong binding to mitochondria, which was disrupted by complex-I-deficiency but not by complex-II-deficiency. Thapsigargin-induced caspase activation was reduced upon abrogation of complex-I or gross OXPHOS deficiency whereas a reverse trend was observed with apicidin. Together, these finding provide a new strategy for differential mitochondrial targeting in cancer therapy.« less

Effect of water-ageing on dentine bond strength and anti-biofilm activity of bonding agent containing new monomer dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ke; Cheng, Lei; Wu, Eric J.; Weir, Michael D.; Bai, Yuxing; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2013-01-01

Objectives The objectives of this study were to develop bonding agent containing a new antibacterial monomer dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) as well as nanoparticles of silver (NAg) and nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), and to investigate the effects of water-ageing for 6 months on dentine bond strength and anti-biofilm properties for the first time. Methods Four bonding agents were tested: Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) Primer and Adhesive control; SBMP + 5% DMADDM; SBMP + 5% DMADDM + 0.1% NAg; and SBMP + 5% DMADDM + 0.1% NAg with 20% NACP in adhesive. Specimens were water-aged for 1 d and 6 months at 37 °C. Then the dentine shear bond strengths were measured. A dental plaque microcosm biofilm model was used to inoculate bacteria on water-aged specimens and to measure metabolic activity, colony-forming units (CFUs), and lactic acid production. Results Dentine bond strength showed a 35% loss in 6 months of water-ageing for SBMP control (mean ± sd; n = 10); in contrast, the new antibacterial bonding agents showed no strength loss. The DMADDM–NAg–NACP containing bonding agent imparted a strong antibacterial effect by greatly reducing biofilm viability, metabolic activity and acid production. The biofilm CFU was reduced by more than two orders of magnitude, compared to SBMP control. Furthermore, the DMADDM–NAg–NACP bonding agent exhibited a long-term antibacterial performance, with no significant difference between 1 d and 6 months (p > 0.1). Conclusions Incorporating DMADDM–NAg–NACP in bonding agent yielded potent and long-lasting antibacterial properties, and much stronger bond strength after 6 months of water-ageing than a commercial control. The new antibacterial bonding agent is promising to inhibit biofilms and caries at the margins. The method of DMADDM–NAg–NACP incorporation may have a wide applicability to other adhesives, cements and composites. PMID:23583528

Oxidative phosphorylation-dependent regulation of cancer cell apoptosis in response to anticancer agents

DOE PAGES

Yadav, N.; Kumar, S.; Marlowe, T.; ...

2015-11-05

Cancer cells tend to develop resistance to various types of anticancer agents, whether they adopt similar or distinct mechanisms to evade cell death in response to a broad spectrum of cancer therapeutics is not fully defined. Current study concludes that DNA-damaging agents (etoposide and doxorubicin), ER stressor (thapsigargin), and histone deacetylase inhibitor (apicidin) target oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for apoptosis induction, whereas other anticancer agents including staurosporine, taxol, and sorafenib induce apoptosis in an OXPHOS-independent manner. DNA-damaging agents promoted mitochondrial biogenesis accompanied by increased accumulation of cellular and mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial protein-folding machinery, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Induction of mitochondrialmore » biogenesis occurred in a caspase activation-independent mechanism but was reduced by autophagy inhibition and p53-deficiency. Abrogation of complex-I blocked DNA-damage-induced caspase activation and apoptosis, whereas inhibition of complex-II or a combined deficiency of OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V due to impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis did not modulate caspase activity. Mechanistic analysis revealed that inhibition of caspase activation in response to anticancer agents associates with decreased release of mitochondrial cytochrome c in complex-I-deficient cells compared with wild type (WT) cells. Gross OXPHOS deficiencies promoted increased release of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria compared with WT or complex-I-deficient cells, suggesting that cells harboring defective OXPHOS trigger caspase-dependent as well as caspase-independent apoptosis in response to anticancer agents. Interestingly, DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin showed strong binding to mitochondria, which was disrupted by complex-I-deficiency but not by complex-II-deficiency. Thapsigargin-induced caspase activation was reduced upon abrogation of complex-I or gross OXPHOS deficiency whereas a reverse trend was observed with apicidin. Together, these finding provide a new strategy for differential mitochondrial targeting in cancer therapy.« less

Methods for the synthesis of deuterated vinyl pyridine monomers

DOEpatents

Hong, Kunlun; Yang, Jun; Bonnesen, Peter V

2014-02-25

Methods for synthesizing deuterated vinylpyridine compounds of the Formula (1), wherein the method includes: (i) deuterating an acyl pyridine of the Formula (2) in the presence of a metal catalyst and D.sub.2O, wherein the metal catalyst is active for hydrogen exchange in water, to produce a deuterated acyl compound of Formula (3); (ii) reducing the compound of Formula (3) with a deuterated reducing agent to convert the acyl group to an alcohol group, and (iii) dehydrating the compound produced in step (ii) with a dehydrating agent to afford the vinylpyridine compound of Formula (1). The resulting deuterated vinylpyridine compounds are also described.

Methods for the synthesis of deuterated vinyl pyridine monomers

DOEpatents

Hong, Kunlun; Yang, Jun; Bonnesen, Peter V

2015-01-13

Methods for synthesizing deuterated vinylpyridine compounds of the Formula (1), wherein the method includes: (i) deuterating an acyl pyridine of the Formula (2) in the presence of a metal catalyst and D.sub.2O, wherein the metal catalyst is active for hydrogen exchange in water, to produce a deuterated acyl compound of Formula (3); (ii) reducing the compound of Formula (3) with a deuterated reducing agent to convert the acyl group to an alcohol group, and (iii) dehydrating the compound produced in step (ii) with a dehydrating agent to afford the vinylpyridine compound of Formula (1). The resulting deuterated vinylpyridine compounds are also described.

Effect of Dietary Supplements in Reducing Probability of Death for Uremic Crises in Dogs Affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (Masked RCCT)

PubMed Central

Zatelli, Andrea; Pierantozzi, Marco; D'Ippolito, Paola; Bigliati, Mauro; Zini, Eric

2012-01-01

Chitosan and alkalinizing agents can decrease morbidity and mortality in humans with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether this holds true in dog is not known. Objective of the study was to determine whether a commercial dietary supplement containing chitosan, phosphate binders, and alkalinizing agents (Renal), compared to placebo, reduces mortality rate due to uremic crises in dogs with spontaneous CKD, fed a renal diet (RD). A masked RCCT was performed including 31 azotemic dogs with spontaneous CKD. Dogs enrolled in the study were randomly allocated to receive RD plus placebo (group A; 15 dogs) or RD plus Renal (group B; 16 dogs). During a first 4-week period, all dogs were fed an RD and then randomized and clinically evaluated up to 44 weeks. The effects of dietary supplements on mortality rate due to uremic crises were assessed. At 44 weeks, compared to group A, dogs in group B had approximately 50% lower mortality rate due to uremic crises (P = 0.015). Dietary supplementation with chitosan, phosphate binders, and alkalinizing agents, along with an RD, is beneficial in reducing mortality rate in dogs with spontaneous CKD. PMID:22593665

Role of ivabradine in management of stable angina in patients with different clinical profiles

PubMed Central

Kaski, Juan Carlos; Gloekler, Steffen; Ferrari, Roberto; Fox, Kim; Lévy, Bernard I; Komajda, Michel; Vardas, Panos; Camici, Paolo G

2018-01-01

In chronic stable angina, elevated heart rate contributes to the development of symptoms and signs of myocardial ischaemia by increasing myocardial oxygen demand and reducing diastolic perfusion time. Accordingly, heart rate reduction is a well-known strategy for improving both symptoms of myocardial ischaemia and quality of life (QOL). The heart rate-reducing agent ivabradine, a direct and selective inhibitor of the I f current, decreases myocardial oxygen consumption while increasing diastolic time, without affecting myocardial contractility or coronary vasomotor tone. Ivabradine is indicated for treatment of stable angina and chronic heart failure (HF). This review examines available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of ivabradine in stable angina, when used as monotherapy or in combination with beta-blockers, in particular angina subgroups and in patients with stable angina with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) or HF. Trials involving more than 45 000 patients receiving treatment with ivabradine have shown that this agent has antianginal and anti-ischaemic effects, regardless of age, sex, severity of angina, revascularisation status or comorbidities. This heart rate-lowering agent might also improve prognosis, reduce hospitalisation rates and improve QOL in angina patients with chronic HF and LVSD. PMID:29632676

A selective, non-peptide caspase-1 inhibitor, VRT-018858, markedly reduces brain damage induced by transient ischemia in the rat.

PubMed

Ross, Jerard; Brough, David; Gibson, Rosemary M; Loddick, Sarah A; Rothwell, Nancy J

2007-10-01

Numerous preclinical studies have reported neuroprotective effects of new agents in animal studies. None of these agents has yet translated into a successful clinical trial and therefore to a new therapy. There are many possible reasons for this failure, including poor design of clinical trials, mismatch between preclinical and clinical protocols, and insufficient preclinical data. The enzyme caspase-1 has been implicated in neuronal death. Deletion of the caspase-1 gene, or administration of partially selective inhibitors, reduces neuronal injury induced by cerebral ischemia in rodents. We report here, for the first time, that VRT-018858, the non-peptide, active metabolite of the selective caspase-1 inhibitor pro-drug, pralnacasan, markedly reduced ischemic injury in rats. VRT-018858 was neuroprotective when delivered at 1 and 3h (42% and 58% neuroprotection, respectively) but not 6h after injury, and protection was sustained 7 days after the induction of ischemia (66% neuroprotection). These data confirm caspase-1 as an important target for intervention in acute CNS injury, and propose a new class of caspase-1 inhibitors as highly effective neuroprotective agents.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SEVERAL PHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS AGAINST X-IRRADIATION (in Japanese)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shakudo, Y.

The protective effects of several pharmacological agents against lethal radiation effects were tested in mice. Noradrenaline, phenylephrine, naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline, and methoxamine markedly reduced radiation mortality when injected 5 min before exposure. Adrenaline and phenylethylamine had little protective effect, while ephedrine had no effect. Cocain was moderately effective, while caffein had little effect. (C.H.)

NRC/AMRMC Resident Research Associateship Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

antimicrobials (and antiseptics) as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of various biofilm dispersal agents utilizing a number of bacterial species as well...combat related wounds. 3 Demonstrated the utility of combinations of biofilm dispersal agents and antimicrobials as an alternate therapy for targeting...alone or in combination with antimicrobials ) to reduce infection in contaminated femoral segmental defects. 5 Characterized host responses of

NRC/AMRMC Resident Research Associateship Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-01

2011-9/6/2014 1 Developed in vitrobiofilm assays to test susceptibility to various antimicrobials (and antiseptics) as well as to evaluate the...combinations of biofilm dispersal agents and antimicrobials as an alternate therapy for targeting bacterial biofilms. 4 Through collaborative efforts...contributed to the development of biomaterials capable of delivering biofilm dispersal agents (alone or in combination with antimicrobials ) to reduce

The Effects of Social Cue Principles on Cognitive Load, Situational Interest, Motivation, and Achievement in Pedagogical Agent Multimedia Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Sanghoon

2015-01-01

Animated pedagogical agents have become popular in multimedia learning with combined delivery of verbal and non-verbal forms of information. In order to reduce unnecessary cognitive load caused by such multiple forms of information and also to foster generative cognitive processing, multimedia design principles with social cues are suggested…

Alternative to Blood Replacement in the Critically Ill.

PubMed

Tolich, Deborah J; McCoy, Kelly

2017-09-01

This article reviews treatments and strategies that can be used to reduce, or as adjuncts to, blood transfusion to manage blood volumes in patients who are critically ill. Areas addressed include iatrogenic anemia, fluid management, pharmaceutical agents, hemostatic agents, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, and management of patients for whom blood is not an option. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Method for mobilization of hazardous metal ions in soils

DOEpatents

Dugan, Patrick R.; Pfister, Robert M.

1995-01-01

A microbial process for removing heavy metals such as bismuth, cadmium, lead, thorium, uranium and other transuranics from soils and sediments, utilizing indigenous, or isolates of indigenous, microorganisms and reducing agents, such as cysteine or sodium thioglycollate, or complexing agents such as the amino acid glycine, to effect the mobilization or release of the metals from the soil particles.

Comparative Biochemistry and Metabolism. Part 1. Carcinogenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

1968), Nitrosamine-induced carcino- genesis. The alkylation of nucleic acids of the rat by N-methvl- N- nitrosourea , dimethylnitrosamine...inorganic reducing agent , hydrazine, is toxic and weakly carcinogenic. In earlier studies it was found that oral administration of a toxic dose of...metabolically activated to a methylatinj agent . Liver DNA from mice and hamsters contained considerably more 7-methyl- guanine and 0 6-methylguanine

Predatory behavior of long-legged flies (Diptera:Dolichopodidae) and their potential negative effects on the parasitoid biological control agent of the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera:Liviidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Impact of biological control agents such as parasitoids can be improved by determining best times for release when predation pressures will be reduced. Large populations of long-legged predatory flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) impose heavy predation pressure on inundative releases of the parasitoid ...

The synergistic effect of maltose enhances the anti-melanogenic activity of acarbose.

PubMed

Bin, Bum-Ho; Kim, Sung Tae; Bhin, Jinhyuk; Byoun, Kyounghee; Lee, Tae Ryong; Cho, Eun-Gyung

2017-04-01

Melanocytes play an important role in maintaining epidermal homeostasis by producing melanin and protecting the skin from harmful environmental factors. However, excessive up- or down-regulation of melanin production often causes hyper- or hypo-pigmented disorders, respectively, which affect the patient's quality of life. Therefore, various strategies for modulating melanin levels have been developed by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. We reported previously that voglibose, which is a well-known anti-hyperglycemic agent, could be used as an anti-melanogenic agent by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity and reducing tyrosinase protein levels. Of the other representative anti-hyperglycemic agents, acarbose showed less anti-melanogenic activity despite its potent anti-hyperglycemic efficacy. In this study, we report that acarbose exhibited considerable anti-melanogenic activity when melanocytes were co-treated with acarbose and a digestible sugar, such as maltose. Simultaneous treatment with maltose augmented the inhibitory effect of acarbose on α-glucosidase activity by enhancing its stability under physiological conditions, leading to the down-regulation of tyrosinase. These results suggest that the co-treatment of anti-hyperglycemic agents with hydrolysable sugars may be a useful tool for reducing glucosidase-associated melanogenesis as a potent sugar-based anti-melanogenic regimen.

Emerging drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris.

PubMed

Chong, Cher-Rin; Ong, Gao J; Horowitz, John D

2016-12-01

Angina pectoris, or symptomatic myocardial ischaemia, reflects an impairment of coronary blood flow, and usually a deficiency of available myocardial energetics. Treatment options vary with the precise cause, which may vary with regards to the roles of increased myocardial oxygen demand versus reduced supply. Traditionally, organic nitrates, β-adrenoceptor antagonists, and non-dihydropyridine calcium antagonists were the only commonly used prophylactic anti-anginal agents. However, many patients failed to respond adequately to such therapy, and/or were unsuitable for their use. Areas covered: A number of 'new' agents have been shown to represent ancillary forms of prophylactic anti-anginal therapy and are particularly useful in patients who are relatively unsuitable for either percutaneous or surgical revascularisation. These include modulators of myocardial metabolic efficiency, such as perhexiline, trimetazidine and ranolazine, as well as high dose allopurinol, nicorandil and ivabradine. The advantages and disadvantages of these various agents are summarized. Expert opinion: 'Optimal' medical treatment of angina pectoris now includes use of agents primarily intended to reduce risk of infarction (e.g. statins, aspirin, ACE inhibitors). In patients whose angina persists despite the use of 'standard' anti-anginal therapy, and who are not ideal for invasive revascularization options, a number of emerging drugs offer prospects of symptomatic relief.

Electron beam induced water-soluble silk fibroin nanoparticles as a natural antioxidant and reducing agent for a green synthesis of gold nanocolloid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wongkrongsak, Soraya; Tangthong, Theeranan; Pasanphan, Wanvimol

2016-01-01

The research proposes a novel water-soluble silk fibroin nanoparticles (WSSF-NPs) created by electron beam irradiation. In this report, we demonstrate the effects of electron beam irradiation doses ranging from 1 to 30 kGy on the molecular weight (MW), nanostructure formation, antioxidant activity and reducing power of the WSSF-NPs. Electron beam-induced degradation of SF causing MW reduction from 250 to 37 kDa. Chemical characteristic functions of SF still remained after exposing to electron beam. The WSSF-NPs with the MW of 37 kDa exhibited spherical morphology with a nanoscaled size of 40 nm. Antioxidant activities and reducing powers were investigated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhryl free radical (DPPH•) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, respectively. The WSSF-NPs showed greater antioxidant activity and reducing power than non-irradiated SF. By increasing their antioxidant and reducing power efficiencies, WSSF-NPs potentially created gold nanocolloid. WSSF-NPs produced by electron beam irradiation would be a great merit for the uses as a natural antioxidant additive and a green reducing agent in biomedical, cosmetic and food applications.

Using simulation modelling to examine the impact of venue lockout and last-drink policies on drinking-related harms and costs to licensees.

PubMed

Scott, Nick; Livingston, Michael; Reporter, Iyanoosh; Dietze, Paul

2017-06-01

Many variations of venue lockout and last-drink policies have been introduced in attempts to reduce drinking-related harms. We estimate the public health gains and licensee costs of these policies using a computer simulated population of young adults engaging in heavy drinking. Using an agent-based model we implemented 1 am/2 am/3 am venue lockouts in conjunction with last drinks zero/one/two hours later, or at current closing times. Outcomes included: the number of incidents of verbal aggression in public drinking venues, private venues or on the street; and changed revenue to public venues. The most effective policy in reducing verbal aggression among agents was 1 am lockouts with current closing times. All policies produced substantial reductions in street-based incidents of verbal aggression among agents (33-81%) due to the smoothing of transport demand. Direct revenue losses were 1-9% for simulated licensees, with later lockout times and longer periods between lockout and last drinks producing smaller revenue losses. Simulation models are useful for exploring consequences of policy change. Our simulation suggests that additional hours between lockout and last drinks could reduce aggression by easing transport demand, while minimising revenue loss to venue owners. Implications for public health: Direct policies to reduce late-night transport-related disputes should be considered. © 2017 The Authors.

Ribonuclease from Bacillus Acts as an Antiviral Agent against Negative- and Positive-Sense Single Stranded Human Respiratory RNA Viruses

PubMed Central

Müller, Christin; Romanova, Yulia; Mostafa, Ahmed; Ulyanova, Vera; Pleschka, Stephan; Ilinskaya, Olga

2017-01-01

Bacillus pumilus ribonuclease (binase) was shown to be a promising antiviral agent in animal models and cell cultures. However, the mode of its antiviral action remains unknown. To assess the binase effect on intracellular viral RNA we have selected single stranded negative- and positive-sense RNA viruses, influenza virus, and rhinovirus, respectively, which annually cause respiratory illnesses and are characterized by high contagious nature, mutation rate, and antigen variability. We have shown that binase exerts an antiviral effect on both viruses at the same concentration, which does not alter the spectrum of A549 cellular proteins and expression of housekeeping genes. The titers of influenza A (H1N1pdm) virus and human rhinovirus serotype 1A were reduced by 40% and 65%, respectively. A preincubation of influenza virus with binase before infection significantly reduced viral titer after single-cycle replication of the virus. Using influenza A virus mini genome system we showed that binase reduced GFP reporter signaling indicating a binase action on the expression of viral mRNA. Binase reduced the level of H1N1pdm viral NP mRNA accumulation in A549 cells by 20%. Since the viral mRNA is a possible target for binase this agent could be potentially applied in the antiviral therapy against both negative- and positive-sense RNA viruses. PMID:28546965

Solving “Smart City” Transport Problems by Designing Carpooling Gamification Schemes with Multi-Agent Systems: The Case of the So-Called “Mordor of Warsaw”

PubMed Central

Turek, Agnieszka

2018-01-01

To reduce energy consumption and improve residents’ quality of life, “smart cities” should use not only modern technologies, but also the social innovations of the “Internet of Things” (IoT) era. This article attempts to solve transport problems in a smart city’s office district by utilizing gamification that incentivizes the carpooling system. The goal of the devised system is to significantly reduce the number of cars, and, consequently, to alleviate traffic jams, as well as to curb pollution and energy consumption. A representative sample of the statistical population of people working in one of the biggest office hubs in Poland (the so-called “Mordor of Warsaw”) was surveyed. The collected data were processed using spatial data mining methods, and the results were a set of parameters for the multi-agent system. This approach made it possible to run a series of simulations on a set of 100,000 agents and to select an effective gamification methodology that supports the carpooling process. The implementation of the proposed solutions (a “serious game” variation of urban games) would help to reduce the number of cars by several dozen percent, significantly reduce energy consumption, eliminate traffic jams, and increase the activity of the smart city residents. PMID:29316643

The use of an oxidising mouthwash to reduce staining associated with chlorhexidine. Studies in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Addy, M; al-Arrayed, F; Moran, J

1991-04-01

Discolouration of the teeth, tongue and dental restorative materials associated with the use of cationic antiseptics is still the limiting factor in long-term usage of antiplaque agents such as chlorhexidine. Oxidising agents have been used successfully to remove dental stain in animals, but products and regimens have not been evaluated in humans. These pilot studies in vitro and in vivo assessed a long-established oxidising mouthwash, based on peroxyborate, for stain removal from teeth and acrylic. The laboratory studies measured chlorhexidine tea stain removal from tooth and acrylic specimens. The oxidising agent markedly reduced staining on specimens. In a short-term clinical experiment, dental staining was forced over a 2 1/2-day period by reciprocal chlorhexidine and tea rinsing. 5 rinses with the oxidising mouthwash during the next 1 1/2 days dramatically reduced staining compared with water after rinses. Additionally, a single rinse with peroxyborate following the 5 water after rinses, again considerably reduced the residual staining. Effects on tongue staining were less impressive. Both experimental models produced findings consistent with those from the animal model. The results suggest proprietary oxidising mouthwashes could have a place in the control of dental stain associated with the use of chlorhexidine. Further studies to evaluate such products in a more conventional chlorhexidine regimen are indicated.

Drug therapies for reducing gastric acidity in people with cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Ng, Sze May; Franchini, Angelo J

2014-07-13

Malabsorption of fat and protein contributes to poor nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis. Impaired pancreatic function may also result in increased gastric acidity, leading in turn to heartburn, peptic ulcers and the impairment of oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The administration of gastric acid-reducing agents has been used as an adjunct to pancreatic enzyme therapy to improve absorption of fat and gastro-intestinal symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis. It is important to establish the evidence regarding potential benefits of drugs that reduce gastric acidity in people with cystic fibrosis. To assess the effect of drug therapies for reducing gastric acidity for: nutritional status; symptoms associated with increased gastric acidity; fat absorption; lung function; quality of life and survival; and to determine if any adverse effects are associated with their use. We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals, abstract books and conference proceedings.Most recent search of the Group's Trials Register: 17 March 2014. All randomised and quasi-randomised trials involving agents that reduce gastric acidity compared to placebo or a comparator treatment. Both authors independently selected trials, assessed trial quality and extracted data. The searches identified 39 trials; 17 of these, with 273 participants, were suitable for inclusion, but the number of trials assessing each of the different agents was small. Seven trials were limited to children and four trials enrolled only adults. Meta-analysis was not performed, 14 trials were of a cross-over design and we did not have the appropriate information to conduct comprehensive meta-analyses. The included trials were generally not reported adequately enough to allow judgements on risk of bias.However, one trial found that drug therapies that reduce gastric acidity improved gastro-intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain; seven trials reported significant improvement in measures of fat malabsorption; and two trials reported no significant improvement in nutritional status. Only one trial reported measures of respiratory function and one trial reported an adverse effect with prostaglandin E2 analogue misoprostol. No trials have been identified assessing the effectiveness of these agents in improving quality of life, the complications of increased gastric acidity, or survival. Trials have shown limited evidence that agents that reduce gastric acidity are associated with improvement in gastro-intestinal symptoms and fat absorption. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to indicate whether there is an improvement in nutritional status, lung function, quality of life, or survival. Furthermore, due to the unclear risks of bias in the included trials, we are unable to make firm conclusions based on the evidence reported therein. We therefore recommend that large, multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trials are undertaken to evaluate these interventions.

Molecular targeting agents in cancer therapy: science and society.

PubMed

Shaikh, Asim Jamal

2012-01-01

The inception of targeted agents has revolutionized the cancer therapy paradigm, both for physicians and patients. A large number of molecular targeted agents for cancer therapy are currently available for clinical use today. Many more are in making, but there are issues that remain to be resolved for the scientific as well as social community before the recommendation of their widespread use in may clinical scenarios can be done, one such issue being cost and cost effectiveness, others being resistance and lack of sustained efficacy. With the current knowledge about available targeted agents, the growing knowledge of intricate molecular pathways and unfolding of wider spectrum of molecular targets that can really matter in the disease control, calls for only the just use of the agents available now, drug companies need to make a serious attempt to reduce the cost of the agents. Research should focus on agents that show sustained responses in preclinical data. More needs to be done in laboratories and by the pharmaceutical industries, before we can truly claim to have entered a new era of targeted therapy in cancer care.

ROOM TEMPERATURE BULK AND TEMPLATE-FREE SYNTHESIS OF LEUCOEMARLDINE POLYANILINE NANOFIBERS

EPA Science Inventory

An extremely simple single-step method is described for the bulk synthesis of nanofibers of the electronic polymer polyaniline in fully reduced state (leucoemarldine form) without using any reducing agents, surfactants, and/or large amounts of insoluble templates. Chemical oxida...

ROOM TEMPERATURE BULK AND TEMPLATE-FREE SYNTHESIS OF LEUCOEMARLDINE POLYANILINE NANOFIBERS

EPA Science Inventory

Herein, we describe a simple strategy for the bulk and template-free synthesis of reduced leucoemarldine polyaniline nanofibers size ranging from as low as 10 nm to 50 nm without the use of any reducing agents at room temperature.

Potential production of palm oil-based foaming agent as fire extinguisher of peatlands in Indonesia: Literature review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subekti, P.; Hambali, E.; Suryani, A.; Suryadarma, P.

2017-05-01

This study aims to analyze the potential aplication of of palm oil-based foaming agent as peat fires fighter in Indonesia. From literature review, it has been known that the foaming agent able to form foam to extinguish fire, wrap and refrigerate the burning peat. It is necessary to develop the production and application of foaming agent in Indonesia because peat fires occur almost every year that caused smoke haze. Potential raw material for the production of environmental friendly foaming agent as foam extinguishing for peat fires in Indonesia aong other is palm oil due to abundant availability, sustainable, and foam product easily degraded in the environment of the burnt areas. Production of foaming agent as fire-fighting in Indonesia is one alternative to reduce the time to control the fire and smog disaster impact. Application of palm oil as a raw material for fire-fighting is contribute to increase the value added and the development of palm oil downstream industry.

Sunscreening Agents

PubMed Central

Martis, Jacintha; Shobha, V; Sham Shinde, Rutuja; Bangera, Sudhakar; Krishnankutty, Binny; Bellary, Shantala; Varughese, Sunoj; Rao, Prabhakar; Naveen Kumar, B.R.

2013-01-01

The increasing incidence of skin cancers and photodamaging effects caused by ultraviolet radiation has increased the use of sunscreening agents, which have shown beneficial effects in reducing the symptoms and reoccurrence of these problems. Many sunscreen compounds are in use, but their safety and efficacy are still in question. Efficacy is measured through indices, such as sun protection factor, persistent pigment darkening protection factor, and COLIPA guidelines. The United States Food and Drug Administration and European Union have incorporated changes in their guidelines to help consumers select products based on their sun protection factor and protection against ultraviolet radiation, whereas the Indian regulatory agency has not yet issued any special guidance on sunscreening agents, as they are classified under cosmetics. In this article, the authors discuss the pharmacological actions of sunscreening agents as well as the available formulations, their benefits, possible health hazards, safety, challenges, and proper application technique. New technologies and scope for the development of sunscreening agents are also discussed as well as the role of the physician in patient education about the use of these agents. PMID:23320122

Agent Technology, Complex Adaptive Systems, and Autonomic Systems: Their Relationships

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truszkowski, Walt; Rash, James; Rouff, Chistopher; Hincheny, Mike

2004-01-01

To reduce the cost of future spaceflight missions and to perform new science, NASA has been investigating autonomous ground and space flight systems. These goals of cost reduction have been further complicated by nanosatellites for future science data-gathering which will have large communications delays and at times be out of contact with ground control for extended periods of time. This paper describes two prototype agent-based systems, the Lights-out Ground Operations System (LOGOS) and the Agent Concept Testbed (ACT), and their autonomic properties that were developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to demonstrate autonomous operations of future space flight missions. The paper discusses the architecture of the two agent-based systems, operational scenarios of both, and the two systems autonomic properties.

Protecting Dynamic Mobile Agent against Denial of Service Attacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Mayank; Nipur, Pallavi

2010-11-01

Mobile Agents are softwares migrating from one node to another to fulfill the task of its owner. The introduction of mobile agents has reduced network latency, network traffic a lot but at the same time it has increased the vulnerability for attacks by malicious hosts. One such attack is `Denial of Service', once the agent is launched it is free to roam without any control of its owner, this on one hand decreases the cost of agent—owner interaction and on the other hand increases the chances of `Denial Of Service'. In Denial Of Service attack the malicious host may deny resources required by the agent and kill the agent, thus the result computed so far is lost and this may happen every time the agent visits any malicious host. In this paper we continued the work done in [10] in which the authors proposed techniques by which owner can detect the malicious host for `Denial Of Service' but they did not covered technique for dynamic routes i.e. where the host or agent initiate migrations to hosts which were not contained in the route composed by the owner. We introduced an algorithm and a model which can be useful for the above purpose.

A renewable amine for photochemical reduction of CO(2).

PubMed

Richardson, Robert D; Holland, Edward J; Carpenter, Barry K

2011-04-01

Photochemical reduction of CO₂ (to produce formic acid) can be seen both as a method to produce a transportable hydrogen-based fuel and also to reduce levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere. However, an often overlooked necessity for photochemical CO₂ reduction is the need for a sacrificial electron donor, usually a tertiary amine. Here, we describe a new strategy for coupling the photochemical reduction of CO₂ to photochemical water splitting, and illustrate this with a prototype example. Instead of seeking to eliminate the use of an external reducing agent altogether, our alternative strategy makes the reducing agent recyclable. This has two potential advantages over the direct coupling of CO₂ reduction and water oxidation. First, it allows the two redox reactions to be carried out with existing chemistry, and second, it permits these reactions to be conducted under mutually incompatible conditions.

A rationale on the role of intermediate Au(III)-vitamin C complexation in the production of gold nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zümreoglu-Karan, B.

2009-07-01

Preparation of gold nanoparticles, particularly gold nanorods, by wet chemistry processes involves gold seeds, an Au(III) salt, structure directing surfactants, and metal ion additives in the growth solution into which a weak reducing agent is added. The most commonly employed weak reducing agent is l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) which is known to reduce many metal ions in the solution phase and form complexes with relatively low stability constants. A purple-gray gold-ascorbate compound, obtained from the reaction of sodium tetrachloroaurate(III) with sodium ascorbate, is now reported. The compound possesses the expected structural features of vitamin C-metal complexes as verified by its 13C CP-MAS NMR spectrum. A discussion is also presented on the possibility of gold-ascorbate complexation operating in gold nanoparticle formation.

Hydrolysis of Synthetic Esters by the Antibacterial Agent in Serum

PubMed Central

Yotis, William W.

1966-01-01

Yotis, William W. (Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.). Hydrolysis of synthetic esters by the antibacterial agent in serum. J. Bacteriol. 91:488–493. 1966.—An antistaphylococcal serum agent was assayed colorimetrically, manometrically, and titrimetrically for esterase activity. p-Nitrophenol acetate, triacetin, l-lysine methyl and ethyl ester, and norleucine methyl ester were hydrolyzed by the antistaphylococcal agent. Acetylcholine and benzoylcholine esters, triolein, tristearin, and p-tosylarginine methyl ester were not attacked by this agent. With p-nitrophenol acetate as substrate, optimal activity occurred at pH 7.4. Incubation at 60 C for 30 min reduced drastically the esterase activity of the antistaphylococcal agent, and incubation at 75 C for 30 min abolished the esterase activity of this agent. Almost complete inhibition of esterase activity was observed with 0.001 m HgCl2, ZnSO4, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). EDTA inhibition could be reversed by the addition of CaCl2, but not MgCl2. Cysteine reversed the inhibition of HgCl2. NaF, atoxyl, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, quinine, and physostigmine did not influence the esterase activity of the antibacterial agent. The demonstration of esterase activity of both the antistaphylococcal agent and coagulase may shed further light on the reported ability of coagulase to neutralize the antistaphylococcal activity of this agent, or the prevention of absorption of the agent on the staphylococcal cell surface. In addition, the colorimetric procedure described in this report may be a convenient tool in assaying the potency of the antistaphylococcal agent. Images PMID:4956776

Contrast agent choice for intravenous coronary angiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeman, H. D.; Siddons, D. P.

1990-05-01

The screening of the general population for coronary artery disease would be practical if a method existed for visualizing the extent of occlusion after an intravenous injection of contrast agent. Measurements performed with monochromatic synchrotron radiation X-rays and an iodine-containing contrast agent at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory have shown that such an intravenous angiography procedure would be possible with an adequately intense monochromatic X-ray source. Because of the size and cost of synchrotron radiation facilities it would be desirable to make the most efficient use of the intensity available, while reducing as much as possible the radiation dose experienced by the patient. By choosing contrast agents containing elements with a higher atomic number than iodine, it is possible to both improve the image quality and reduce the patient radiation dose, while using the same synchrotron radiation source. By using Si monochromator crystals with a small mosaic spread, it is possible to increase the X-ray flux available for imaging by over an order of magnitude, without any changes in the storage ring or wiggler magnet. The most critical imaging task for intravenous coronary angiography utilizing synchrotron radiation X-rays is visualizing a coronary artery through the left ventricle or aorta which also contain contrast agent. Calculations have been made of the signal to noise ratio expected for this imaging task for various contrast agents with atomic numbers between that of iodine and bismuth. The X-ray energy spectrum of the X-17 superconduction wiggler beam line at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory has been used for these calculations. Both perfect Si crystals and Si crystals with a small mosaic spread are considered as monochromators. Contrast agents containing Gd or Yb seem to have about the optimal calculated signal to noise ratio. Gd-DTPA is already approved for use as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Experiments have already been performed with Yb-DTPA in animals, and it appears to have a lower toxicity than that of Gd-DTPA. Reported animal experiments with Gd-DOTA contrast agent show no toxicity at all.

GRP78/Dna K Is a Target for Nexavar/Stivarga/Votrient in the Treatment of Human Malignancies, Viral Infections and Bacterial Diseases.

PubMed

Roberts, Jane L; Tavallai, Mehrad; Nourbakhsh, Aida; Fidanza, Abigail; Cruz-Luna, Tanya; Smith, Elizabeth; Siembida, Paul; Plamondon, Pascale; Cycon, Kelly A; Doern, Christopher D; Booth, Laurence; Dent, Paul

2015-10-01

Prior tumor cell studies have shown that the drugs sorafenib (Nexavar) and regorafenib (Stivarga) reduce expression of the chaperone GRP78. Sorafenib/regorafenib and the multi-kinase inhibitor pazopanib (Votrient) interacted with sildenafil (Viagra) to further rapidly reduce GRP78 levels in eukaryotes and as single agents to reduce Dna K levels in prokaryotes. Similar data were obtained in tumor cells in vitro and in drug-treated mice for: HSP70, mitochondrial HSP70, HSP60, HSP56, HSP40, HSP10, and cyclophilin A. Prolonged 'rafenib/sildenafil treatment killed tumor cells and also rapidly decreased the expression of: the drug efflux pumps ABCB1 and ABCG2; and NPC1 and NTCP, receptors for Ebola/Hepatitis A and B viruses, respectively. Pre-treatment with the 'Rafenib/sildenafil combination reduced expression of the Coxsackie and Adenovirus receptor in parallel with it also reducing the ability of a serotype 5 Adenovirus or Coxsackie virus B4 to infect and to reproduce. Sorafenib/pazopanib and sildenafil was much more potent than sorafenib/pazopanib as single agents at preventing Adenovirus, Mumps, Chikungunya, Dengue, Rabies, West Nile, Yellow Fever, and Enterovirus 71 infection and reproduction. 'Rafenib drugs/pazopanib as single agents killed laboratory generated antibiotic resistant E. coli which was associated with reduced Dna K and Rec A expression. Marginally toxic doses of 'Rafenib drugs/pazopanib restored antibiotic sensitivity in pan-antibiotic resistant bacteria including multiple strains of blakpc Klebsiella pneumoniae. Thus, Dna K is an antibiotic target for sorafenib, and inhibition of GRP78/Dna K has therapeutic utility for cancer and for bacterial and viral infections. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Drug therapies for reducing gastric acidity in people with cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Ng, Sze May; Francini, Angelo J

2012-04-18

Malabsorption of fat and protein contributes to poor nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis. Impaired pancreatic function may also result in increased gastric acidity, leading in turn to heartburn, peptic ulcers and the impairment of oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The administration of gastric acid-reducing agents has been used as an adjunct to pancreatic enzyme therapy to improve absorption of fat and gastro-intestinal symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis. It is important to establish the evidence regarding potential benefits of drugs that reduce gastric acidity in people with cystic fibrosis. To assess the effect of drug therapies for reducing gastric acidity for: nutritional status; symptoms associated with increased gastric acidity; fat absorption; lung function; quality of life and survival; and to determine if any adverse effects are associated with their use. We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals, abstract books and conference proceedings.Most recent search of the Group's Trials Register: 15 February 2012. All randomised and quasi-randomised trials involving agents that reduce gastric acidity compared to placebo or a comparator treatment. Both authors independently selected trials, assessed trial quality and extracted data. Thirty-eight trials were identified from the searches. Sixteen trials, with 256 participants, were suitable for inclusion. Seven trials were limited to children and three trials enrolled only adults. Meta-analysis was not performed. However, one trial found that drug therapies that reduce gastric acidity improved gastro-intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain; seven trials reported significant improvement in measures of fat malabsorption; and two trials reported no significant improvement in nutritional status. Only one trial reported measures of respiratory function and one trial reported an adverse effect with prostaglandin E2 analogue misoprostol. No trials have been identified assessing the effectiveness of these agents in improving quality of life, the complications of increased gastric acidity, or survival. Trials have shown limited evidence that agents that reduce gastric acidity are associated with improvement in gastro-intestinal symptoms and fat absorption. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to indicate whether there is an improvement in nutritional status, lung function, quality of life, or survival. We therefore recommend that large, multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trials are undertaken to evaluate these interventions.

Many-Agent Controlled Teleportation of Multi-qubit Quantum Information via Quantum Entanglement Swapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhan-Jun; Liu, Yi-Min; Man, Zhong-Xiao

2005-11-01

We present a method to teleport multi-qubit quantum information in an easy way from a sender to a receiver via the control of many agents in a network. Only when all the agents collaborate with the quantum information receiver can the unknown states in the sender's qubits be fully reconstructed in the receiver's qubits. In our method, agents's control parameters are obtained via quantum entanglement swapping. As the realization of the many-agent controlled teleportation is concerned, compared to the recent method [C.P. Yang, et al., Phys. Rev. A 70 (2004) 022329], our present method considerably reduces the preparation difficulty of initial states and the identification difficulty of entangled states, moreover, it does not need local Hadamard operations and it is more feasible in technology. The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 10304022

Stochastic Leader Gravitational Search Algorithm for Enhanced Adaptive Beamforming Technique

PubMed Central

Darzi, Soodabeh; Islam, Mohammad Tariqul; Tiong, Sieh Kiong; Kibria, Salehin; Singh, Mandeep

2015-01-01

In this paper, stochastic leader gravitational search algorithm (SL-GSA) based on randomized k is proposed. Standard GSA (SGSA) utilizes the best agents without any randomization, thus it is more prone to converge at suboptimal results. Initially, the new approach randomly choses k agents from the set of all agents to improve the global search ability. Gradually, the set of agents is reduced by eliminating the agents with the poorest performances to allow rapid convergence. The performance of the SL-GSA was analyzed for six well-known benchmark functions, and the results are compared with SGSA and some of its variants. Furthermore, the SL-GSA is applied to minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamforming technique to ensure compatibility with real world optimization problems. The proposed algorithm demonstrates superior convergence rate and quality of solution for both real world problems and benchmark functions compared to original algorithm and other recent variants of SGSA. PMID:26552032

The utilization of microbes as a fermentation agent to reduce saponin in Trembesi leaves (Sammanea saman)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sariri, A. K.; Mulyono, A. M. W.; Tari, A. I. N.

2018-03-01

This objective of this research was to observe the utilization of microbes as a fermentation agent of trembesi leaves that can increase the quality of trembesi leaves as ruminants feed. Before fermentation, trembesi leaves were divided into three treatments. They were control = non-agentic in fermentation, D-An = the addition of Aspergillus niger as fermentation agent, and D-Lp = the addition of Lactobacillus plantarum as fermentation agent. Each treatment experienced five repetitions. The experimental design used a randomized direct pattern group design. The analysis included proximate analysis consisting of water content, crude protein content, crude fiber content, lipid content, mineral content (ash) and saponin content after fermentation. It could be concluded that the utilization of Aspergillus niger and Lactobacillus plantarum in fermentation could decrease saponin content and could increase the nutrient content of trembesi leaves by increasing crude protein content otherwise by decreasing crude fiber content of trembesi leaves.

Nerve Agents: What They Are, How They Work, How to Counter Them.

PubMed

Costanzi, Stefano; Machado, John-Hanson; Mitchell, Moriah

2018-05-16

Nerve agents are organophosphorus chemical warfare agents that exert their action through the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, with a consequent overstimulation of cholinergic transmission followed by its shutdown. Beyond warfare, they have notoriously been employed in acts of terrorism as well as high profile assassinations. After a brief historical introduction on the development and deployment of nerve agents, this review provides a survey of their chemistry, the way they affect cholinergic transmission, the available treatment options, and the current directions for their improvement. As the review illustrates, despite their merits, the currently available treatment options present several shortcomings. Current research directions involve the search for improved antidotes, antagonists of the nicotinic receptors, small-molecule pretreatment options, as well as bioscavengers as macromolecular pretreatment options. These efforts are making good progress in many different directions and, hopefully, will lead to a lower target susceptibility, thus reducing the appeal of nerve agents as chemical weapons.

Dispensing patterns for antidiabetic agents in New Zealand: are the guidelines being followed?

PubMed

Murray, Peter; Norris, Hew; Metcalfe, Scott; Betty, Bryan; Young, Vanessa; Locke, Bronwyn

2017-11-10

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health issue in New Zealand. Effective management and glycaemic control is critical for reducing diabetes-related complications. Treatment guidelines are well established in New Zealand. Using dispensing data as a proxy for prescribing data, this paper aims to describe the pattern of first- and second-line antidiabetic agent (AA) dispensing for T2DM in New Zealand and assess adherence with treatment guidelines. Analysis of national dispensing data for AA medications using the Pharmaceutical Collection database from 2007/08 to 2015/16. Metformin monotherapy remains the most commonly prescribed first-line T2DM medication prescribed, accounting for 85% of initial agents prescribed. Sulfonylureas are the most common second-line agents used, accounting for 70% of all second-line agents. There is a high degree of adherence with the T2DM treatment guidelines in New Zealand.

Method and apparatus for enhanced detection of toxic agents

DOEpatents

Greenbaum, Elias; Rodriguez, Jr., Miguel; Wu, Jie Jayne; Qi, Hairong

2013-10-01

A biosensor based detection of toxins includes enhancing a fluorescence signal by concentrating a plurality of photosynthetic organisms in a fluid into a concentrated region using biased AC electro-osmosis. A measured photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms is obtained in the concentrated region, where chemical, biological or radiological agents reduce a nominal photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms. A presence of the chemical, biological and/or radiological agents or precursors thereof, is determined in the fluid based on the measured photosynthetic activity of the concentrated plurality of photosynthetic organisms. A lab-on-a-chip system is used for the concentrating step. The presence of agents is determined from feature vectors, obtained from processing a time dependent signal using amplitude statistics and/or time-frequency analysis, relative to a control signal. A linear discriminant method including support vector machine classification (SVM) is used to identify the agents.

Epidemic spreading induced by diversity of agents' mobility.

PubMed

Zhou, Jie; Chung, Ning Ning; Chew, Lock Yue; Lai, Choy Heng

2012-08-01

In this paper, we study the impact of the preference of an individual for public transport on the spread of infectious disease, through a quantity known as the public mobility. Our theoretical and numerical results based on a constructed model reveal that if the average public mobility of the agents is fixed, an increase in the diversity of the agents' public mobility reduces the epidemic threshold, beyond which an enhancement in the rate of infection is observed. Our findings provide an approach to improve the resistance of a society against infectious disease, while preserving the utilization rate of the public transportation system.

Efficient many-party controlled teleportation of multiqubit quantum information via entanglement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang Chuiping; Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, and Kansas Center for Advanced Scientific Computing, Lawrence, Kansas 66045; Chu, Shih-I

2004-08-01

We present a way to teleport multiqubit quantum information from a sender to a distant receiver via the control of many agents in a network. We show that the original state of each qubit can be restored by the receiver as long as all the agents collaborate. However, even if one agent does not cooperate, the receiver cannot fully recover the original state of each qubit. The method operates essentially through entangling quantum information during teleportation, in such a way that the required auxiliary qubit resources, local operation, and classical communication are considerably reduced for the present purpose.

Method and apparatus for enhanced detection of toxic agents

DOEpatents

Greenbaum, Elias [Knoxville, TN; Rodriguez, Jr., Miguel; Wu, Jie Jayne [Knoxville, TN; Qi, Hairong [Knoxville, TN

2012-06-12

A water quality analyzer for real-time detection according to the invention comprises a biased AC electro-osmosis (ACEO) cell for receiving a fluid to be analyzed having a plurality photosynthetic organisms therein, and concentrating the plurality photosynthetic organisms into at least one concentrated region. A photodetector is provided for obtaining a measured photosynthetic activity of the plurality of photosynthetic organisms in the concentrated region, wherein chemical, biological or radiological agents reduce a nominal photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms. An electronics package analyzes the measured photosynthetic activity to indicate a presence of the chemical, biological or radiological agents in the fluid.

Investigation of the Prebiotic Synthesis of Amino Acids and RNA Bases from CO2 Using FeS/H2S As a Reducing Agent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keefe, Anthony D.; Miller, Stanley L.; McDonald, Gene; Bada, Jeffrey

1995-01-01

An autotrophic theory of the origin of metabolism and life has been proposed in which carbon dioxide is reduced by ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide by means of a reversed citric acid cycle, leading to the production of amino acids. Similar processes have been proposed for purine synthesis. Ferrous sulfide is a strong reducing agent in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and can produce hydrogen as well as reduce alkenes, alkynes, and thiols to saturated hydrocarbons and reduce ketones to thiols. However, the reduction of carbon dioxide has not been demonstrated. We show here that no amino acids, purities, or pyrimidines are produced from carbon dioxide with the ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide system. Furthermore, this system does not produce amino acids from carboxylic acids by reductive amination and carboxylation. Thus, the proposed autotrophic theory, using carbon dioxide, ferrous sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide, lacks the robustness needed to be a geological process and is, therefore, unlikely to have played a role In the origin of metabolism or the origin of life.

Investigation of the Prebiotic Synthesis of Amino Acids and RNA Bases from CO2 using FeS/H2S as a Reducing Agent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keefe, Anthony D.; Miller, Stanley L.; McDonald, Gene; Bada, Jeffrey

1995-01-01

An autotrophic theory of the origin of metabolism and life has been proposed in which carbon dioxide is reduced by ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide by means of a reversed citric acid cycle, leading to the production of amino acids. Similar processes have been proposed for purine synthesis. Ferrous sulfide is a strong reducing agent in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and can produce hydrogen as well as reduce alkenes, alkynes, and thiols to saturated hydrocarbons and reduce ketones to thiols. However, the reduction of carbon dioxide has not been demonstrated. We show here that no amino acids, purines, or pyrimidines are produced from carbon dioxide with the ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide system. Furthermore, this system does not produce amino acids from carboxylic acids by reductive amination and carboxylation. Thus, the proposed autotrophic theory, using carbon dioxide, ferrous sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide, lacks the robustness needed to be a geological process and is, therefore, unlikely to have played a role in the origin of metabolism or the origin of life.

Process for treating fission waste

DOEpatents

Rohrmann, Charles A.; Wick, Oswald J.

1983-01-01

A method is described for the treatment of fission waste. A glass forming agent, a metal oxide, and a reducing agent are mixed with the fission waste and the mixture is heated. After melting, the mixture separates into a glass phase and a metal phase. The glass phase may be used to safely store the fission waste, while the metal phase contains noble metals recovered from the fission waste.

Method for mobilization of hazardous metal ions in soils

DOEpatents

Dugan, P.R.; Pfister, R.M.

1995-06-27

A microbial process is revealed for removing heavy metals such as bismuth, cadmium, lead, thorium, uranium and other transuranics from soils and sediments. The method utilizes indigenous, or isolates of indigenous, microorganisms and reducing agents, such as cysteine or sodium thioglycollate, or complexing agents such as the amino acid glycine, to effect the mobilization or release of the metals from the soil particles. 5 figs.

EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE AGENTS AND ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF TREATED SLUDGES (BIOSOLIDS)

EPA Science Inventory

This presentation looks at the pathogenic microorganisms present in municipal sludges and the public's concerns with the land application of sludges/biosolids. Methods for reducing pathogens in sludge; methods for reducing the vector attractiveness of sludge; and issues associate...

A review of the feasibility of lightening structural polymeric composites with voids without compromising mechanical properties.

PubMed

Rutz, Benjamin H; Berg, John C

2010-10-15

High performance polymer-fiber composites are high strength, low weight materials that have many applications, many of which would benefit from a decrease in weight, without a decrease in material properties. Generally, the fibers serve as the main load carriers, while the matrix serves to distribute load and protect the fibers from the environment. Thus, it is postulated that if the volume fraction of matrix is reduced, while still ensuring complete wetting of the fibers by the matrix, the per unit weight, i.e., specific, mechanical properties could be improved. This can be done by introducing small, spherical bubbles. Given the small average inter-fiber distance and assuming that the bubbles must not interact with the surface of the reinforcements the bubble diameter would need to be less than 1 μm. Introducing bubbles this small and ensuring that they do not form, or become attached, on the surface of the reinforcement are significant challenges. Two methods to produce such bubbles and the effect of these bubbles on mechanical properties of neat resins are reviewed: the addition of hollow spherical fillers, called microballoons, and the creation of bubbles from blowing agents. Microballoons in resins are a class of materials called syntactic foams. Although commercial microballoons are too large, smaller diameters can be made and could be used to reduce the weight of a reinforced composite on the order of 10%. The use of a physical blowing agent to produce bubbles in a composite is also considered. However, traditional polymer foaming techniques may be inadequate, as nucleation on the reinforcing phase is likely, and the bubbles formed are generally too large, so the use of blowing agent wells is considered. Blowing agent wells are discontinuous regions made from copolymer micelles or immiscible polymers that act as reservoirs of blowing agent. Additionally, the use of nano-sized materials for use as heterogeneous nucleation sites and secondary reinforcement of the matrix is also considered. Bubbles made from blowing agent could reduce the weight slightly more than using hollow spheres, but the reduction would also be of the order of 10%. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polymer multilayers loaded with antifungal β-peptides kill planktonic Candida albicans and reduce formation of fungal biofilms on the surfaces of flexible catheter tubes.

PubMed

Raman, Namrata; Lee, Myung-Ryul; Palecek, Sean P; Lynn, David M

2014-10-10

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections. Most C. albicans infections are associated with the implantation of medical devices that act as points of entry for the pathogen and as substrates for the growth of fungal biofilms that are notoriously difficult to eliminate by systemic administration of conventional antifungal agents. In this study, we report a fill-and-purge approach to the layer-by-layer fabrication of biocompatible, nanoscale 'polyelectrolyte multilayers' (PEMs) on the luminal surfaces of flexible catheters, and an investigation of this platform for the localized, intraluminal release of a cationic β-peptide-based antifungal agent. We demonstrate that polyethylene catheter tubes with luminal surfaces coated with multilayers ~700nm thick fabricated from poly-l-glutamic acid (PGA) and poly-l-lysine (PLL) can be loaded, post-fabrication, by infusion with β-peptide, and that this approach promotes extended intraluminal release of this agent (over ~4months) when incubated in physiological media. The β-peptide remained potent against intraluminal inoculation of the catheters with C. albicans and substantially reduced the formation of C. albicans biofilms on the inner surfaces of film-coated catheters. Finally, we report that these β-peptide-loaded coatings exhibit antifungal activity under conditions that simulate intermittent catheter use and microbial challenge for at least three weeks. We conclude that β-peptide-loaded PEMs offer a novel and promising approach to kill C. albicans and prevent fungal biofilm formation on surfaces, with the potential to substantially reduce the incidence of device-associated infections in indwelling catheters. β-Peptides comprise a promising new class of antifungal agents that could help address problems associated with the use of conventional antifungal agents. The versatility of the layer-by-layer approach used here thus suggests additional opportunities to exploit these new agents in other biomedical and personal care applications in which fungal infections are endemic. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel blocking agent ameliorates, but the opening agent aggravates, ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. Heart function studies in nonfibrillating isolated hearts.

PubMed

Tosaki, A; Hellegouarch, A

1994-02-01

This study was conducted to elucidate the role of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel blocking agent glibenclamide and the opener cromakalim in the mechanism of reperfusion-induced injury. Recently, ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers have been proposed to reduce ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury, including arrhythmias and heart function. Thus, one might hypothesize that pharmacologic agents that enhance the loss of potassium ions in the myocardium through ATP-sensitive potassium channels would be arrhythmogenic, and agents that interfere with tissue potassium ion loss would be antiarrhythmic. Isolated "working" guinea pig hearts and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to study the recovery of myocardial function and phosphorus compounds after 30, 40 and 50 min of normothermic global ischemia followed by reperfusion in untreated control and glibenclamide- and cromakalim-treated groups. After 30 min of ischemia, 1, 3, 10 and 30 mumol/liter of glibenclamide dose-dependently reduced the incidence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation (total) from its control value of 92% to 75%, 33% (p < 0.05), 33% (p < 0.05) and 42% (p < 0.05), respectively. The incidence of ventricular tachycardia followed the same pattern. A reduction of arrhythmias was also observed after 40 and 50 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion in the glibenclamide-treated hearts. Cromakalim, at the same concentrations, did not reduce the incidence of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. During reperfusion, glibenclamide (3 and 10 mumol/liter) improved the recovery of coronary blood flow, aortic flow, myocardial contractility and tissue ATP and creatine phosphate content, but cromakalim failed to ameliorate the recovery of postischemic myocardium compared with that in the drug-free control hearts. The preservation of myocardial potassium ions and phosphorus compounds by glibenclamide can improve the recovery of postischemic function, but the use of ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers as antihypertensive or antiarrhythmic agents may be of particular concern in those postinfarction patients who are known to be at high risk for sudden cardiac death.

Enhancement of the reduction efficiency of soluble starch for platinum nanoparticles synthesis.

PubMed

Tongsakul, Duangta; Wongravee, Kanet; Thammacharoen, Chuchaat; Ekgasit, Sanong

2012-08-01

In this work, the efficiency of soluble starch as a reducing and a stabilizing agent in the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles under acidic-alkaline treatment is systematically studied. The degraded intermediates with reducing potential (i.e., small molecules containing aldehyde and α-hydroxy ketone moieties) are concomitantly generated when the alkaline concentration is greater than 0.025 M. The in situ generated species could completely reduce platinum ions (20 mM) and sufficiently stabilize the obtained platinum nanoparticles (5 mM) of uniform particle size (2-4 nm). The reduction is efficient and rapid as a complete conversion is achieved within 5 min. In a stronger alkaline condition, the platinum nanoparticles tend to aggregate and form a bigger domain because extensive degradation generates small starch fragments with less stabilization efficiency. This observation suggests that starch is a promising green material which could be chemically treated and transformed to a powerful reducing agent and stabilizer for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanism of platelet functional changes and effects of anti-platelet agents on in vivo hemostasis under different gravity conditions.

PubMed

Li, Suping; Shi, Quanwei; Liu, Guanglei; Zhang, Weilin; Wang, Zhicheng; Wang, Yuedan; Dai, Kesheng

2010-05-01

Serious thrombotic and hemorrhagic problems or even fatalities evoked by either microgravity or hypergravity occur commonly in the world. We recently reported that platelet functions are inhibited in microgravity environments and activated under high-G conditions, which reveals the pathogenesis for gravity change-related hemorrhagic and thrombotic diseases. However, the mechanisms of platelet functional variations under different gravity conditions remain unclear. In this study we show that the amount of filamin A coimmunoprecipitated with GPIbalpha was enhanced in platelets exposed to modeled microgravity and, in contrast, was reduced in 8 G-exposed platelets. Hypergravity induced actin filament formation and redistribution, whereas actin filaments were reduced in platelets treated with modeled microgravity. Furthermore, intracellular Ca2+ levels were elevated by hypergravity. Pretreatment of platelets with the cell-permeable Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM had no effect on cytoskeleton reorganization induced by hypergravity but significantly reduced platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin/hypergravity. Two anti-platelet agents, aspirin and tirofiban, effectively reversed the shortened tail bleeding time and reduced the death rate of mice exposed to hypergravity. Furthermore, the increased P-selectin surface expression was obviously reduced in platelets from mice treated with aspirin/hypergravity compared with those from mice treated with hypergravity alone. These data suggest that the actin cytoskeleton reorganization and intracellular Ca2+ level play key roles in the regulation of platelet functions in different gravitational environments. The results with anti-platelet agents not only further confirm the activation of platelets in vivo but also suggest a therapeutic potential for hypergravity-induced thrombotic diseases.

Use of second-generation antipsychotic agents for sleep and sedation: a provider survey.

PubMed

Hermes, Eric D A; Sernyak, Michael; Rosenheck, Robert

2013-04-01

Anecdotal evidence suggests that second-generation antipsychotic agents are increasingly used to treat sleep problems. This study sought to quantify the proportion of new prescriptions for second-generation antipsychotic agents started for sleep/sedation and the correlates of such use. A cross-sectional survey of provider decision making at the time second-generation antipsychotic agents were prescribed, documenting the reasons for the medication, patient demographics, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, patient health characteristics, and provider background. A single Veterans Affairs Medical Center over a 20-month period. Prescribers of second-generation antipsychotic agents. N/A. Seven hundred seven (32.2%) of 2,613 surveys indicated sleep/sedation was at least one reason for using a second-generation anti-psychotic agent, whereas for 266 (12.1%) it was the only reason. Quetiapine was most frequently prescribed overall as well as for sleep/sedation (47.0% and 73.6% respectively). Second-generation antipsychotic agent use for sleep/sedation was unrelated to sociodemographic characteristics, least likely in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and most likely as a newly started second-generation antipsychotic agent. Sleep/sedation is a common reason given for new prescriptions of second-generation antipsychotic agents. Quetiapine is most frequently used for this purpose. A greater understanding of why providers use second-generation antipsychotic agents rather than safer and less costly alternatives for sleep problems may advance the development of interventions to reduce adverse effects.

Are SGLT2 inhibitors reasonable antihypertensive drugs and renoprotective?

PubMed

Lovshin, J A; Gilbert, R E

2015-06-01

By eliminating glucose in the urine, the sodium-glucose-linked cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors act as osmotic diuretics to lower blood pressure in addition to reducing plasma glucose and assisting with weight loss. While not approved as antihypertensive agents, the ability of this new class of antihyperglycemic agents to lower blood pressure is not insubstantial, and while not used primarily for this indication, they may assist diabetic individuals in attaining currently recommended blood pressure targets. In addition to lowering systemic pressure, preclinical and exploratory human studies suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may also lower intraglomerular pressure, potentially reducing the rate of GFR decline in patients with diabetic nephropathy. However, given the lack of clinically meaningful endpoint data, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors, primarily, as either antihypertensive or renoprotective agents would, at present, be premature. Fortunately, further insight will be garnered from large, randomized controlled trials that will assess the effects of various SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular and renal outcomes.

In situ Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticle Embedded Free Standing Multifunctional PDMS Films.

PubMed

Goyal, Anubha; Kumar, Ashavani; Patra, Prabir K; Mahendra, Shaily; Tabatabaei, Salomeh; Alvarez, Pedro J J; John, George; Ajayan, Pulickel M

2009-07-01

We demonstrate a simple one-step method for synthesizing noble metal nanoparticle embedded free standing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films. The process involves preparing a homogenous mixture of metal salt (silver, gold and platinum), silicone elastomer and the curing agent (hardener) followed by curing. During the curing process, the hardener crosslinks the elastomer and simultaneously reduces the metal salt to form nanoparticles. This in situ method avoids the use of any external reducing agent/stabilizing agent and leads to a uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the PDMS matrix. The films were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The nanoparticle-PDMS films have a higher Young's modulus than pure PDMS films and also show enhanced antibacterial properties. The metal nanoparticle-PDMS films could be used for a number of applications such as for catalysis, optical and biomedical devices and gas separation membranes. Copyright © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Sparing carbapenem usage.

PubMed

Wilson, A Peter R

2017-09-01

Carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is increasing in many countries and use of carbapenems and antibiotics to which resistance is linked should be reduced to slow its emergence. There are no directly equivalent antibiotics and the alternatives are less well supported by clinical trials. The few new agents are expensive. To provide guidance on strategies to reduce carbapenem usage. A literature review was performed as described in the BSAC/HIS/BIA/IPS Joint Working Party on Multiresistant Gram-negative Infection Report. Older agents remain active against some of the pathogens, although expectations of broad-spectrum cover for empirical treatment have risen. Education, expert advice on treatment and antimicrobial stewardship can produce significant reductions in use. More agents may need to be introduced onto the antibiotic formulary of the hospital, despite the poor quality of scientific studies in some cases. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

H2O2-responsive molecularly engineered polymer nanoparticles as ischemia/reperfusion-targeted nanotherapeutic agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Dongwon; Bae, Soochan; Hong, Donghyun; Lim, Hyungsuk; Yoon, Joo Heung; Hwang, On; Park, Seunggyu; Ke, Qingen; Khang, Gilson; Kang, Peter M.

2013-07-01

The main culprit in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the most abundant form of ROS produced during I/R, causes inflammation, apoptosis and subsequent tissue damages. Here, we report H2O2-responsive antioxidant nanoparticles formulated from copolyoxalate containing vanillyl alcohol (VA) (PVAX) as a novel I/R-targeted nanotherapeutic agent. PVAX was designed to incorporate VA and H2O2-responsive peroxalate ester linkages covalently in its backbone. PVAX nanoparticles therefore degrade and release VA, which is able to reduce the generation of ROS, and exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activity. In hind-limb I/R and liver I/R models in mice, PVAX nanoparticles specifically reacted with overproduced H2O2 and exerted highly potent anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities that reduced cellular damages. Therefore, PVAX nanoparticles have tremendous potential as nanotherapeutic agents for I/R injury and H2O2-associated diseases.

An Overview of Teratology.

PubMed

Calado, Ana M; Dos Anjos Pires, Maria

2018-01-01

In this chapter, we provide an overview of the basic principles of teratology, beginning with its definition, the critical point for teratogenesis to occur and the most evident etiological agents to improve the understanding of this science.Teratology is a recent science that began in the early twentieth century, and has greatly improved over the recent years with the advancements in molecular biology, toxicology, animal laboratory science, and genetics, as well as the improvement on the knowledge of the environmental influences.Nevertheless, more work is required to reduce the influence of hazardous products that could be deleterious during pregnancy, thus reducing teratogenic defects in the newborn. While some teratogenic defects are attributed to their agents with certainty, the same for a lot of other such defects is lacking, necessitating consistent studies to decipher the influence of various teratogenic agents on their corresponding teratogenic defects. It is here that the laboratory animal science is of great importance both in the present and in the future.

[New lipid lowering agents].

PubMed

Cuevas, Ada; Farías, María Magdalena; Alonso, Rodrigo

2014-07-01

Statins are the preferred treatment for hypercholesterolemia and several studies have demonstrated their long-term safety and efficacy in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, in some cases of severe hypercholesterolemia such as homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or statin intolerant patients, statins can be less efficient. In recent years, new lipid-lowering agents with novel mechanisms of action have been developed to reduce LDL-cholesterol in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia, associated or not to conventional lipid-lowering therapy. These therapies include microsomal transfer protein inhibitor (Lomitapide), antisense oligonucleotide to Apo B100 (Mipomersen) and monoclonal antibodies against Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Different studies have shown the great effectiveness of these new therapies. Short-term studies confirmed their adequate security profile, especially in patients with homozygous familiar hypercholesterolemia or severe hypercholesterolemia. Some of these agents have been also tested in statin-intolerant patients. However, long-term studies are needed to evaluate their safety, effectiveness and impact on cardiovascular risk reduction.

Long-term efficacy of diameter-limit cutting to reduce mountain pine beetle-caused tree mortality in a lodgepole pine forest

Treesearch

J. C. Vandygriff; E. Hansen; Barbara Bentz; K. K. Allen; G. D. Amman; L. A. Rasmussen

2015-01-01

Mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, is the most significant mortality agent in pine forests of western North America. Silvicultural treatments that reduce the number of susceptible host trees, alter age and size class distributions, and diversify species composition are considered viable, long-term options for reducing stand susceptibility...

One-pot wet-chemical co-reduction synthesis of bimetallic gold-platinum nanochains supported on reduced graphene oxide with enhanced electrocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, De-Jun; Zhang, Qian-Li; Feng, Jin-Xia; Ju, Ke-Jian; Wang, Ai-Jun; Wei, Jie; Feng, Jiu-Ju

2015-08-01

In this work, a simple, rapid and facile one-pot wet-chemical co-reduction method is developed for synthesis of bimetallic Au-Pt alloyed nanochains supported on reduced graphene oxide (Au-Pt NCs/RGO), in which caffeine is acted as a capping agent and a structure-directing agent, while no any seed, template, surfactant or polymer involved. The as-prepared nanocomposites display enlarged electrochemical active surface area, significantly enhanced catalytic activity and better stability for methanol and ethylene glycol oxidation, compared with commercial Pt-C (Pt 50 wt%), PtRu-C (Pt 30 wt% and Ru 15 wt%) and Pt black.

Cucurbit[7]uril as a tool in the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Premkumar, Thathan; Geckeler, Kurt E

2010-12-03

A simple, green, one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles was achieved through the reaction of an aqueous mixture of potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) and the macrocycle cucurbit[7]uril in the presence of sodium hydroxide at room temperature without introducing any kind of traditional reducing agents and/or external energy. The as-prepared gold nanoparticles showed catalytic activity for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH(4), which has been established by visual inspection and UV/Vis spectroscopy. This report is the first for the preparation of gold nanoparticles using cucurbit[7]uril in aqueous media through chemical reduction without employing conventional reducing agents and/or external energy.

Synthesis, characterization and SERS activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bindhu, M. R.; Sathe, V.; Umadevi, M.

2013-11-01

Silver nanoparticles were rapidly synthesized using Moringa oleifera flower extract as the reducing agent shows surface plasmon resonance peak at 439 nm. The size and shape of the nanoparticles controlled by varying the concentration of M. oleifera flower extract in the reaction medium. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles with the average size of 14 nm. The retinoic acid present in M. oleifera flower extract used as reducing agent and proteins was responsible for capping of the bioreduced silver nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticle shows size-dependent SERS activity. The SERS spectrum indicates that the pyridine adsorbed on the silver surface in a stand-on orientation via its nitrogen lone pair electrons.

Blood-loss Management in Spine Surgery.

PubMed

Bible, Jesse E; Mirza, Muhammad; Knaub, Mark A

2018-01-15

Substantial blood loss during spine surgery can result in increased patient morbidity and mortality. Proper preoperative planning and communication with the patient, anesthesia team, and operating room staff can lessen perioperative blood loss. Advances in intraoperative antifibrinolytic agents and modified anesthesia techniques have shown promising results in safely reducing blood loss. The surgeon's attention to intraoperative hemostasis and the concurrent use of local hemostatic agents also can lessen intraoperative bleeding. Conversely, the use of intraoperative blood salvage has come into question, both for its potential inability to reduce the need for allogeneic transfusions as well as its cost-effectiveness. Allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with elevated risks, including surgical site infection. Thus, desirable transfusion thresholds should remain restrictive.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE

DOEpatents

Harvey, B.G.

1954-09-14

>This patent relates to improvements in the method for producing uranium tetrafluoride by treating an aqueous solutlon of a uranyl salt at an elevated temperature with a reducing agent effective in acld solutlon in the presence of hydrofluoric acid. Uranium tetrafluoride produced this way frequentiy contains impurities in the raw material serving as the source of uranium. Uranium tetrafluoride much less contaminated with impurities than when prepared by the above method can be prepared from materials containing such impurities by first adding a small proportion of reducing agent so as to cause a small fraction, for example 1 to 5% of the uranium tetrafluoride to be precipitated, rejecting such precipitate, and then precipitating and recovering the remainder of the uranium tetrafluoride.

Can agent based models effectively reduce fisheries management implementation uncertainty?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drexler, M.

2016-02-01

Uncertainty is an inherent feature of fisheries management. Implementation uncertainty remains a challenge to quantify often due to unintended responses of users to management interventions. This problem will continue to plague both single species and ecosystem based fisheries management advice unless the mechanisms driving these behaviors are properly understood. Equilibrium models, where each actor in the system is treated as uniform and predictable, are not well suited to forecast the unintended behaviors of individual fishers. Alternatively, agent based models (AMBs) can simulate the behaviors of each individual actor driven by differing incentives and constraints. This study evaluated the feasibility of using AMBs to capture macro scale behaviors of the US West Coast Groundfish fleet. Agent behavior was specified at the vessel level. Agents made daily fishing decisions using knowledge of their own cost structure, catch history, and the histories of catch and quota markets. By adding only a relatively small number of incentives, the model was able to reproduce highly realistic macro patterns of expected outcomes in response to management policies (catch restrictions, MPAs, ITQs) while preserving vessel heterogeneity. These simulations indicate that agent based modeling approaches hold much promise for simulating fisher behaviors and reducing implementation uncertainty. Additional processes affecting behavior, informed by surveys, are continually being added to the fisher behavior model. Further coupling of the fisher behavior model to a spatial ecosystem model will provide a fully integrated social, ecological, and economic model capable of performing management strategy evaluations to properly consider implementation uncertainty in fisheries management.

Community-aware task allocation for social networked multiagent systems.

PubMed

Wang, Wanyuan; Jiang, Yichuan

2014-09-01

In this paper, we propose a novel community-aware task allocation model for social networked multiagent systems (SN-MASs), where the agent' cooperation domain is constrained in community and each agent can negotiate only with its intracommunity member agents. Under such community-aware scenarios, we prove that it remains NP-hard to maximize system overall profit. To solve this problem effectively, we present a heuristic algorithm that is composed of three phases: 1) task selection: select the desirable task to be allocated preferentially; 2) allocation to community: allocate the selected task to communities based on a significant task-first heuristics; and 3) allocation to agent: negotiate resources for the selected task based on a nonoverlap agent-first and breadth-first resource negotiation mechanism. Through the theoretical analyses and experiments, the advantages of our presented heuristic algorithm and community-aware task allocation model are validated. 1) Our presented heuristic algorithm performs very closely to the benchmark exponential brute-force optimal algorithm and the network flow-based greedy algorithm in terms of system overall profit in small-scale applications. Moreover, in the large-scale applications, the presented heuristic algorithm achieves approximately the same overall system profit, but significantly reduces the computational load compared with the greedy algorithm. 2) Our presented community-aware task allocation model reduces the system communication cost compared with the previous global-aware task allocation model and improves the system overall profit greatly compared with the previous local neighbor-aware task allocation model.

A quantitative risk assessment of exposure to adventitious agents in a cell culture-derived subunit influenza vaccine.

PubMed

Gregersen, Jens-Peter

2008-06-19

A risk-assessment model has demonstrated the ability of a new cell culture-based vaccine manufacturing process to reduce the level of any adventitious agent to a million-fold below infectious levels. The cell culture-derived subunit influenza vaccine (OPTAFLU), Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics) is produced using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells to propagate seasonal viral strains, as an alternative to embryonated chicken-eggs. As only a limited range of mammalian viruses can grow in MDCK cells, similar to embryonated eggs, MDCK cells can act as an effective filter for a wide range of adventitious agents that might be introduced during vaccine production. However, the introduction of an alternative cell substrate (for example, MDCK cells) into a vaccine manufacturing process requires thorough investigations to assess the potential for adventitious agent risk in the final product, in the unlikely event that contamination should occur. The risk assessment takes into account the entire manufacturing process, from initial influenza virus isolation, through to blending of the trivalent subunit vaccine and worst-case residual titres for the final vaccine formulation have been calculated for >20 viruses or virus families. Maximum residual titres for all viruses tested were in the range of 10(-6) to 10(-16) infectious units per vaccine dose. Thus, the new cell culture-based vaccine manufacturing process can reduce any adventitious agent to a level that is unable to cause infection.

In vitro antioxidant activity of Valeriana officinalis against different neurotoxic agents.

PubMed

Sudati, Jéssie Haigert; Fachinetto, Roselei; Pereira, Romaiana Picada; Boligon, Aline Augusti; Athayde, Margareth Linde; Soares, Felix Antunes; de Vargas Barbosa, Nilda Berenice; Rocha, João Batista Teixeira

2009-08-01

Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerian) is widely used as a traditional medicine to improve the quality of sleep. Although V. officinalis have been well documented as promising pharmacological agent; the exact mechanisms by which this plant act is still unknown. Limited literature data have indicated that V. officinalis extracts can exhibit antioxidant properties against iron in hippocampal neurons in vitro. However, there is no data available about the possible antioxidant effect of V. officinalis against other pro-oxidants in brain. In the present study, the protective effect of V. officinalis on lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by different pro-oxidant agents with neuropathological importance was examined. Ethanolic extract of valerian (0-60 microg/ml) was tested against quinolinic acid (QA); 3-nitropropionic acid; sodium nitroprusside; iron sulfate (FeSO4) and Fe2+/EDTA induced LPO in rat brain homogenates. The effect of V. officinalis in deoxyribose degradation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also investigated. In brain homogenates, V. officinalis inhibited thiobarbituric acid reactive substances induced by all pro-oxidants tested in a concentration dependent manner. Similarly, V. officinalis caused a significant decrease on the LPO in cerebral cortex and in deoxyribose degradation. QA-induced ROS production in cortical slices was also significantly reduced by V. officinalis. Our results suggest that V. officinalis extract was effective in modulating LPO induced by different pro-oxidant agents. These data may imply that V. officinalis extract, functioning as antioxidant agent, can be beneficial for reducing insomnia complications linked to oxidative stress.

GREENER SYNTHESIS OF NOBLE METAL NANOSTRUCTURES AND NANOCOMPOSITES

EPA Science Inventory

A brief account of a greener preparation of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is presented. The utility of vitamins B1 and B2, which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides an extremely simple, one-pot, gre...

Prevention of addiction in pain management

DOEpatents

Dewey, Stephen L.; Brodie, Jonathan D.; Ashby, Jr., Charles R.

2005-09-06

The present invention provides a composition for treating pain. The composition includes a pharmaceutically acceptable analgesic and a GABAergic agent, such as gamma vinyl GABA, effective in reducing or eliminating the addictive liability of the analgesic. The invention also includes a method for reducing or eliminating the addictive

Influence of quenching agent on microstructure, properties and thermal stress of SiC{sub p}/2009 composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

He, Tianbing, E-mail: tianbing_1988@sina.com

15% vol. SiC{sub p}/2009 composites prepared by powder metallurgy were quenched in room temperature water and 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution respectively, then aged naturally. The influence of quenching agent on microstructure, properties and thermal stress of SiC{sub p}/2009 composites were investigated by means of scanning/transmission electron microscope, hardness and tensile test. The results showed that the number of precipitated phase in water quenched composites increased, with much finer in size and more homogeneous in distribution compared with 20% PEG quenched one. Meanwhile, the density of dislocation in composites by water quenching was also much higher. Intergranular corrosion did notmore » occur with the two quenching agents. The 20% PEG quenched composites exhibited slight lower hardness and higher electrical conductivity than that of water quenched one. The two quenched composites showed same level in tensile strength, but the yield strength of water-quenched composites was higher (8 MPa, 3%). The usage of 20% PEG reduced thermal stress and minimized warping deformation of the parts, it is a more suitable quenching agent for SiC{sub p}/2009 composites in engineering application fields. - Highlights: •SiC{sub p}/2009 composites quenched by water and 20% PEG solution were investigated. •Aging precipitation behavior of SiC{sub p}/2009 composites is sensitive to quenchant. •Influence of quenching agent on properties of SiC{sub p}/2009 composites are minimal. •Quenching with 20% PEG reduces thermal stress of SiC{sub p}/2009 composites remarkably. •20% PEG is a more suitable quenching agent for SiC{sub p}/2009 composites than water.« less

[Obesity: a review of currently used antiobesity drugs and new compounds in clinical development].

PubMed

Zieba, Remigiusz

2007-10-19

This review summarizes data on currently used antiobesity drugs and new compounds under clinical development. Three antiobesity drugs are currently accepted for long-term use. Sibutramine is a noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitor which reduces body weight by about 4-5 kg but increases heart rate and arterial blood pressure. Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor which results in mean weight loss by about 3 kg and reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance; however, adverse gastrointestinal effects have been observed. Rimonabant is an endocannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist which induces a 4-5 kg mean weight loss and improves glycemic and lipid profiles, but it induces anxiety and depressive disorders. Unfortunately, there are no data on the chronic administration of these drugs. Other drugs can induce weight loss, e.g. some antidepressants, antiseizure agents, and antidiabetic drugs. The moderate efficacy of currently used antiobesity drugs has led to an intense effort to identify new, safe antiobesity drugs with better therapeutic profiles. The new antiobesity drugs under clinical development include: 1) agents that affect neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, including noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (bupropion, radafaxine), selective 5HT2C receptor agonists (lorcaserin), and selective 5HT6 receptor antagonists, 2) agents that modulate the activity of neuropeptides influencing food intake, including leptin analogues, human ciliary neurotrophic factor (Axokine), neuropeptide Y antagonists, and melanine-concentrating hormone antagonists, 3) agents that affect the peripheral satiety signals and brain-gut axis, e.g. selective cholecystokinin receptor A agonists, PYY3-36, agents decreasing ghrelin activity, 4) thermogenic agents, e.g. selective beta3 receptor agonists and selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonists, and 5) others, e.g. human growth hormone fragment (AOD9604) and gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor (cetilistat).

Green Synthesis of Ag and Pd Nanospheres, Nanowires, and Nanorods Using Vitamin B 2 : Catalytic Polymerisation of Aniline and Pyrrole

DOE PAGES

Nadagouda, Mallikarjuna N.; Varma, Rajender S.

2008-01-01

Formore » the first time, we report green chemistry approach using vitamin B 2 in the synthesis of silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd), nanospheres, nanowires, and nanorods at room temperature without using any harmful reducing agents, such as sodium borohydride ( NaBH 4 ) or hydroxylamine hydrochloride and any special capping or dispersing agent. Vitamin B 2 was used as reducing agent as well as capping agent due to its high-water solubility, biodegradability, and low-toxicity compared with other reducing agents. The average particle size of nanoprticle was found to be Ag (average size 6.1 ± 0.1 nm) and Pd (average size 4.1 ± 0.1 nm) nanoparticles in ethylene glycol and Ag (average size 5.9 ± 0.1 nm, and average size 6.1 ± 0.1) nanoparticles in acetic acid and NMP, respectively. The formation of noble multiple shape nanostructures and their self assembly were dependent on the solvent employed for the preparation. When water was used as solvent media, Ag and Pd nanoparticles started to self-assemble into rod-like structures and in isopropanol Ag and Pd nanoparticles yielded wire-like structures with a thickness in the range of 10 to 20 nm and several hundred microns in length. In acetone and acetonitrile medium, the Ag and Pd nanoparticles are self-assembled into a regular pattern making nanorod structures with thicknesses ranging from 100 to 200 nm and lengths of a few microns. The so-synthesized nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and UV spectroscopy. The ensuing Ag and Pd nanoparticles catalyzed the reactions of aniline and pyrrole to generate polyaniline and polypyrrole nanofibers and may find various technological and biological applications. This single-step greener approach is general and can be extended to other noble metals and transition metal oxides.« less

Evaluation of CO2, N2 and He as Fire Suppression Agents in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruff, Gary A.; Hicks, Michael; Pettegrew, Richard

2004-01-01

The U.S. modules of the International Space Station use gaseous CO2 as the fire extinguishing agent. This was selected as a result of extensive experience with CO2 as a fire suppressant in terrestrial applications, trade studies on various suppressants, and experiments. The selection of fire suppressants and suppression strategies for NASA s Lunar and Martian exploration missions will be based on the same studies and normal-gravity data unless reduced gravity fire suppression data is obtained. In this study, the suppressant agent concentrations required to extinguish a flame in low velocity convective flows within the 20-sec of low gravity on the KC-135 aircraft were investigated. Suppressant gas mixtures of CO2, N2, and He with the balance being oxygen/nitrogen mixtures with either 21% or 25% O2 were used to suppress flames on a 19-mm diameter PMMA cylinder in reduced gravity. For each of the suppressant mixtures, limiting concentrations were established that would extinguish the flame at any velocity. Similarly, concentrations were established that would not extinguish the flame. The limiting concentrations were generally consistent with previous studies but did suggest that geometry had an effect on the limiting conditions. Between the extinction and non-extinction limits, the suppression characteristics depended on the extinguishing agent, flow velocity, and O2 concentration. The limiting velocity data from the CO2, He, and N2 suppressants were well correlated using an effective mixture enthalpy per mole of O2, indicating that all act via O2 displacement and cooling mechanisms. In reduced gravity, the agent concentration required to suppress the flames increased as the velocity increased, up to approximately 10 cm/s (the maximum velocity evaluated in this experiment). The effective enthalpy required to extinguish flames at velocities of 10 cm/s is approximately the same as the concentrations in normal gravity. A computational study is underway to further evaluate these findings.

Efficacy of Aquatain, a Monomolecular Film, for the Control of Malaria Vectors in Rice Paddies

PubMed Central

Bukhari, Tullu; Takken, Willem; Githeko, Andrew K.; Koenraadt, Constantianus J. M.

2011-01-01

Background Rice paddies harbour a large variety of organisms including larvae of malaria mosquitoes. These paddies are challenging for mosquito control because their large size, slurry and vegetation make it difficult to effectively apply a control agent. Aquatain, a monomolecular surface film, can be considered a suitable mosquito control agent for such breeding habitats due to its physical properties. The properties allow Aquatain to self-spread over a water surface and affect multiple stages of the mosquito life cycle. Methodology/Principal Findings A trial based on a pre-test/post-test control group design evaluated the potential of Aquatain as a mosquito control agent at Ahero rice irrigation scheme in Kenya. After Aquatain application at a dose of 2 ml/m2 on rice paddies, early stage anopheline larvae were reduced by 36%, and late stage anopheline larvae by 16%. However, even at a lower dose of 1 ml/m2 there was a 93.2% reduction in emergence of anopheline adults and 69.5% reduction in emergence of culicine adults. No pupation was observed in treated buckets that were part of a field bio-assay carried out parallel to the trial. Aquatain application saved nearly 1.7 L of water in six days from a water surface of 0.2 m2 under field conditions. Aquatain had no negative effect on rice plants as well as on a variety of non-target organisms, except backswimmers. Conclusions/Significance We demonstrated that Aquatain is an effective agent for the control of anopheline and culicine mosquitoes in irrigated rice paddies. The agent reduced densities of aquatic larval stages and, more importantly, strongly impacted the emergence of adult mosquitoes. Aquatain also reduced water loss due to evaporation. No negative impacts were found on either abundance of non-target organisms, or growth and development of rice plants. Aquatain, therefore, appears a suitable mosquito control tool for use in rice agro-ecosystems. PMID:21738774

Faithful teleportation of multi-particle states involving multi spatially remote agents via probabilistic channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Min; Li, Hui; Zhang, Zeng-ke; Zeng, Jia

2011-02-01

We present an approach to faithfully teleport an unknown quantum state of entangled particles in a multi-particle system involving multi spatially remote agents via probabilistic channels. In our scheme, the integrity of an entangled multi-particle state can be maintained even when the construction of a faithful channel fails. Furthermore, in a quantum teleportation network, there are generally multi spatially remote agents which play the role of relay nodes between a sender and a distant receiver. Hence, we propose two schemes for directly and indirectly constructing a faithful channel between the sender and the distant receiver with the assistance of relay agents, respectively. Our results show that the required auxiliary particle resources, local operations and classical communications are considerably reduced for the present purpose.

Sunlight-assisted synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles using chitosan as reducing agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susilowati, E.; Maryani; Ashadi

2018-04-01

The present study we explore an environmentally friendly colloidal silver nanoparticles preparation using chitosan as reducing agent and stabilizer. It develops a new strategy on preparation of silver nanoparticles through the gel phase using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as accelerator reagent. Sunlight irradiation was employed to assisted reducing process of silver ions to silver nanoparticles. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon of silver nanoparticles was investigated using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The shape and size of silver particles were analyzed using TEM. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the appearance of LSPR absorption peak at 396.0–412.0 nm. The absorption peak of LSPR were affected by NaOH amount, time of sulight irradiation and concentration of AgNO3. The produced silver nanoparticles were spherical with dominant size range of 5 to 8 nm as shown by TEM images. All colloidals were stable without any aggregation for 30 days after preparation.

Analytical applications of condensed phosphoric acid-IV Iodometric determination of sulphur in sulphate and sulphide ores and minerals and other compounds after reduction with sodium hypophosphite and tin metal in condensed phosphoric acid.

PubMed

Mizoguchi, T; Ishii, H

1980-06-01

Sulphate in sulphate ores, e.g., alunite, anglesite, barytes, chalcanthite, gypsum, manganese sulphate ore, is reduced to hydrogen sulphide by the hypophosphite-tin metal-CPA method, if a slight modification is made. Sulphide ores, e.g., galena, sphalerite, are quantitatively decomposed with CPA alone to give hydrogen sulphide. Suitable reducing agents must be used for the quantitative recovery of hydrogen sulphide from pyrite, nickel sulphide, cobalt sulphide and cadmium sulphide, or elemental sulphur is liberated. Iodide must be used in the decomposition of chalcopyrite; the copper sulphide is too stable to be decomposed by CPA alone. Molybdenite is not decomposed in CPA even if reducing agents are added. The pretreatment methods for the determination of sulphur in sulphur oxyacids and elemental sulphur have also been investigated.

New insights into the formation mechanism of Ag, Au and AgAu nanoparticles in aqueous alkaline media: alkoxides from alcohols, aldehydes and ketones as universal reducing agents.

PubMed

Gomes, Janaina F; Garcia, Amanda C; Ferreira, Eduardo B; Pires, Cleiton; Oliveira, Vanessa L; Tremiliosi-Filho, Germano; Gasparotto, Luiz H S

2015-09-07

In this report we present new insights into the formation mechanism of Ag, Au and AgAu nanoparticles with alcohols, aldehydes and ketones in alkaline medium at room temperature. We selected methanol, ethanol, glycerol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone to demonstrate their capability of reducing gold and silver ions under the above-mentioned conditions. We showed that the particles are also formed with potassium tert-butoxide in the absence of hydroxides. Our results strongly suggest that alkoxides, formed from any molecule containing a hydroxyl or a functional group capable of generating them in alkaline medium, are the actual and universal reducing agent of silver and gold ions, in opposition to the currently accepted mechanisms. The universality of the reaction mechanism proposed in this work may impact on the production of noble nanoparticles with simple chemicals normally found in standard laboratories.

Evaluating Infection Prevention Strategies in Out-Patient Dialysis Units Using Agent-Based Modeling.

PubMed

Wares, Joanna R; Lawson, Barry; Shemin, Douglas; D'Agata, Erika M C

2016-01-01

Patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (CHD) are among the most vulnerable to infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), which are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines to reduce transmission of MDRO in the out-patient dialysis unit are targeted at patients considered to be high-risk for transmitting these organisms: those with infected skin wounds not contained by a dressing, or those with fecal incontinence or uncontrolled diarrhea. Here, we hypothesize that targeting patients receiving antimicrobial treatment would more effectively reduce transmission and acquisition of MDRO. We also hypothesize that environmental contamination plays a role in the dissemination of MDRO in the dialysis unit. To address our hypotheses, we built an agent-based model to simulate different treatment strategies in a dialysis unit. Our results suggest that reducing antimicrobial treatment, either by reducing the number of patients receiving treatment or by reducing the duration of the treatment, markedly reduces overall colonization rates and also the levels of environmental contamination in the dialysis unit. Our results also suggest that improving the environmental decontamination efficacy between patient dialysis treatments is an effective method for reducing colonization and contamination rates. These findings have important implications for the development and implementation of future infection prevention strategies.

Computational Trials: Unraveling Motility Phenotypes, Progression Patterns, and Treatment Options for Glioblastoma Multiforme

PubMed Central

Raman, Fabio; Scribner, Elizabeth; Saut, Olivier; Wenger, Cornelia; Colin, Thierry; Fathallah-Shaykh, Hassan M.

2016-01-01

Glioblastoma multiforme is a malignant brain tumor with poor prognosis and high morbidity due to its invasiveness. Hypoxia-driven motility and concentration-driven motility are two mechanisms of glioblastoma multiforme invasion in the brain. The use of anti-angiogenic drugs has uncovered new progression patterns of glioblastoma multiforme associated with significant differences in overall survival. Here, we apply a mathematical model of glioblastoma multiforme growth and invasion in humans and design computational trials using agents that target angiogenesis, tumor replication rates, or motility. The findings link highly-dispersive, moderately-dispersive, and hypoxia-driven tumors to the patterns observed in glioblastoma multiforme treated by anti-angiogenesis, consisting of progression by Expanding FLAIR, Expanding FLAIR + Necrosis, and Expanding Necrosis, respectively. Furthermore, replication rate-reducing strategies (e.g. Tumor Treating Fields) appear to be effective in highly-dispersive and moderately-dispersive tumors but not in hypoxia-driven tumors. The latter may respond to motility-reducing agents. In a population computational trial, with all three phenotypes, a correlation was observed between the efficacy of the rate-reducing agent and the prolongation of overall survival times. This research highlights the potential applications of computational trials and supports new hypotheses on glioblastoma multiforme phenotypes and treatment options. PMID:26756205

Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Where do we Stand? An Overview

PubMed Central

Dajani, Asad; AbuHammour, Adnan

2016-01-01

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common liver disease worldwide, the prevalence of which had progressively increased over the past 10 years where other liver diseases remained at the same prevalence rates or are expected to decrease as in the case of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The treatment of NAFLD is of prime concern to health care professionals and patients due to the significant mortality and morbidity it implies; the problem is further escalated by the fact that standard of care medications targeting NAFLD remain experimental and without evidence base. Treatment nowadays is focused on lifestyle modification and managing the comorbid associated diseases, with a possible role for some hepatic protective agents. This review presents all the medications that had been proposed and used for the treatment of NAFLD with or without scientific rationale and includes agents for weight loss, insulin sensitizers, drugs that reduce blood lipids, glucagon-mimetics, drugs that may reduce fibrosis, angiotensin receptor blockers, and medicines believed to reduce endoplasmic reticular stress such as vitamin E, ursodeoxycholic acid, and S-adenosyl methionine. A quick review of the newer agents that proved to be promising such as obeticholic acid and GFT505 and the medicines that are still in the pipeline is also presented. PMID:26997214

Further Screening of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Nematodes as Control Agents for Drosophila suzukii.

PubMed

Cuthbertson, Andrew G S; Audsley, Neil

2016-06-09

Drosophila suzukii populations remain low in the UK. To date, there have been no reports of widespread damage. Previous research demonstrated that various species of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes could potentially suppress D. suzukii population development under laboratory trials. However, none of the given species was concluded to be specifically efficient in suppressing D. suzukii. Therefore, there is a need to screen further species to determine their efficacy. The following entomopathogenic agents were evaluated for their potential to act as control agents for D. suzukii: Metarhizium anisopliae; Isaria fumosorosea; a non-commercial coded fungal product (Coded B); Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae, S. kraussei and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The fungi were screened for efficacy against the fly on fruit while the nematodes were evaluated for the potential to be applied as soil drenches targeting larvae and pupal life-stages. All three fungi species screened reduced D. suzukii populations developing from infested berries. Isaria fumosorosea significantly (p < 0.001) reduced population development of D. suzukii from infested berries. All nematodes significantly reduced adult emergence from pupal cases compared to the water control. Larvae proved more susceptible to nematode infection. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora proved the best from the four nematodes investigated; readily emerging from punctured larvae and causing 95% mortality. The potential of the entomopathogens to suppress D. suzukii populations is discussed.

Antihypertensive agents and risk of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dementia: a population-based prospective study (NEDICES).

PubMed

Louis, Elan D; Benito-León, Julián; Bermejo-Pareja, Félix

2009-01-01

Recent interest in antihypertensive agents, especially calcium channel blockers, has been sparked by the notion that these medications may be neuroprotective. A modest literature, with mixed results, has examined whether these medications might lower the odds or risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) or dementia. There are no data for essential tremor (ET). To examine the association between antihypertensive use (defined broadly and by individual subclasses) and ET, PD and dementia. For each disorder, we used cross-sectional data (association with prevalent disease) and prospective data (association with incident disease). Prospective population-based study in Spain enrolling 5,278 participants at baseline. Use of antihypertensive medications (aside from beta-blockers) was similar in prevalent ET cases and controls. Baseline use of antihypertensive agents was not associated with reduced risk of incident ET. Antihypertensive medication use was not associated with prevalent or incident PD. Calcium channel blocker use was marginally reduced in prevalent dementia cases (OR(adjusted) = 0.63, p = 0.06) but was not associated with reduced risk of incident dementia (RR(adjusted) = 1.02, p = 0.95). We did not find evidence of a protective effect of antihypertensive medications in these three neurodegenerative disorders. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Size tunable elemental copper nanoparticles: extracellular synthesis by thermoanaerobic bacteria and capping molecules

DOE PAGES

Jang, Gyoung Gug; Jacobs, Christopher B.; Gresback, Ryan G.; ...

2014-11-10

Bimodal sized elemental copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized from inexpensive oxidized copper salts by an extracellular metal-reduction process using anaerobic Thermoanaerobacter sp. X513 bacteria in aqueous solution. The bacteria nucleate NPs outside of the cell, and they control the Cu2+ reduction rate to form uniform crystallites with an average diameter of 1.75 0.46 m after 3-day incubation. To control the size and enhance air stability of Cu NPs, the reaction mixtures were supplemented with nitrilotriacetic acid as a chelator, and the surfactant capping agents oleic acid, oleylamine, ascorbic acid, or L-cysteine. Time-dependent UV-visible absorption measurements and XPS studies indicatedmore » well-suspended, bimodal colloidal Cu NPs (70 150 and 5 10 nm) with extended air-stability up to 300 min and stable Cu NP films surfaces with 14% oxidation after 20 days. FTIR spectroscopy suggested that these capping agents were effectively adsorbed on the NP surface providing oxidation resistance in aqueous and dry conditions. Compared to previously reported Cu NP syntheses, this biological process substantially reduced the requirement for hazardous organic solvents and chemical reducing agents, while reducing the levels of Cu oxide impurities in the product. This process was highly reproducible and scalable from 0.01 to 1-L batches.« less

Implications of bleeding in acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention

PubMed Central

Pham, Phuong-Anh; Pham, Phuong-Thu; Pham, Phuong-Chi; Miller, Jeffrey M; Pham, Phuong-Mai; Pham, Son V

2011-01-01

The advent of potent antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents over the past decade has resulted in significant improvement in reducing ischemic events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the use of antiplatelet and antithrombotic combination therapy, often in the settings of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), has led to an increase in the risk of bleeding. In patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with antithrombotic agents, bleeding has been reported to occur in 0.4%–10% of patients, whereas in patients undergoing PCI, periprocedural bleeding occurs in 2.2%–14% of cases. Until recently, bleeding was considered an intrinsic risk of antithrombotic therapy, and efforts to reduce bleeding have received little attention. There have been increasing data demonstrating that bleeding is associated with adverse outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and death. Therefore, it is imperative to optimize patient outcomes by adopting pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies to minimize bleeding while maximizing treatment efficacy. In this paper, we present a review of the bleeding classifications used in large-scale clinical trials in patients with ACS and those undergoing PCI treated with antiplatelets and antithrombotic agents, adverse outcomes, particularly mortality associated with bleeding complications, and suggested predictive risk factors. Potential mechanisms of the association between bleeding and mortality and strategies to reduce bleeding complications are also discussed. PMID:21915172

Gemfibrozil in Combination with Statins-Is It Really Contraindicated?

PubMed

Wiggins, Barbara S; Saseen, Joseph J; Morris, Pamela B

2016-04-01

Gemfibrozil is a lipid-modifying agent that belongs to the fibric acid derivative class. Fibric acid derivatives activate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPAR-α). The primary role of these agents in clinical practice is for the management of hypertriglyceridemia. Triglycerides may be reduced by as much as 74 % in some patients. In addition to lowering triglycerides, these agents can also decrease very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as well as raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Based on the 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults and the National Lipid Association, pharmacologic therapy to reduce triglycerides should be considered when triglyceride levels are ≥500 mg/dL. While the use of gemfibrozil has decreased over the years for a variety of reasons, muscle-associated adverse effects is the predominant reason and the one that is most clinically relevant. However, despite these concerns, there are situations in which the use of gemfibrozil in combination with a statin may be necessary. Understanding the metabolism of gemfibrozil and the degree of interaction with the various statins will assist health-care providers to optimize safety when this combination is clinically indicated.

Ultraviolet-ozone treatment reduces levels of disease-associated prion protein and prion infectivity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, C.J.; Gilbert, P.; McKenzie, D.; Pedersen, J.A.; Aiken, Judd M.

2009-01-01

Background. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by novel infectious agents referred to as prions. Prions appear to be composed primarily, if not exclusively, of a misfolded isoform of the cellular prion protein. TSE infectivity is remarkably stable and can resist many aggressive decontamination procedures, increasing human, livestock and wildlife exposure to TSEs. Findings. We tested the hypothesis that UV-ozone treatment reduces levels of the pathogenic prion protein and inactivates the infectious agent. We found that UV-ozone treatment decreased the carbon and prion protein content in infected brain homogenate to levels undetectable by dry-ashing carbon analysis or immunoblotting, respectively. After 8 weeks of ashing, UV-ozone treatment reduced the infectious titer of treated material by a factor of at least 105. A small amount of infectivity, however, persisted despite UV-ozone treatment. When bound to either montmorillonite clay or quartz surfaces, PrPTSE was still susceptible to degradation by UV-ozone. Conclusion. Our findings strongly suggest that UV-ozone treatment can degrade pathogenic prion protein and inactivate prions, even when the agent is associated with surfaces. Using larger UV-ozone doses or combining UV-ozone treatment with other decontaminant methods may allow the sterilization of TSE-contaminated materials. ?? 2009 Aiken et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Emerging Infectious Threats to the Blood Supply: Seroepidemiological Studies in Iran – a Review

PubMed Central

Karimi, Gharib; Gharehbaghian, Ahmad; Tafti, Mohammad Fallah; Vafaiyan, Vida

2013-01-01

Summary The risk of transfusion-transmitted infections has been greatly reduced by improvements in donor screening and testing. However, newly recognized blood-borne infectious agents can be threats to blood safety. In order to evaluate the prevalence some of these agents in blood donors, a systematic review was conducted. Data were obtained from published papers related to HGV, Torque Teno virus (TTV), HTLV, West Nile virus (WNV) and SEN virus (SEN-V). Based on these studies, the prevalence of HGV varied from 1 to 8.6% for anti-E2 and from 0 to 4.8% for HGV RNA. The prevalence of TTV DNA and HTLV-I varied from 2.7 to 79.5% and from 0.013 to 2.3%, respectively. The WNV-specific IgM antibody and WNV RNA are negative in blood donors. Prevalence rates of SEN-V in Iranian blood donors range from 23 to 90.8%. Consequences of these infectious agents for blood safety are different. Thus, the need to perform laboratory screening as well as effectiveness and efficiency of laboratory tests depend on pathogenicity level and epidemiological conditions of emerging infections. However, being prepared based on the current level of risk and interventions to reduce the risk can be effective in reducing the potential threat for blood supply. PMID:23922546

Effect of desensitizing agents on dentin permeability.

PubMed

Ishihata, Hiroshi; Kanehira, Masafumi; Nagai, Tomoko; Finger, Werner J; Shimauchi, Hidetoshi; Komatsu, Masashi

2009-06-01

To investigate the in vitro efficacy of two dentin desensitizing products at reducing liquid permeability through human dentin discs. The tested hypothesis was that the products, in spite of different chemical mechanisms were not different at reducing or eliminating flow through dentin discs. Dentin slices (1 mm thick) were prepared from 16 extracted human third molars and their permeability was indirectly recorded in a split chamber model, using a chemiluminescence technique, after EDTA treatment (control), after soaking with albumin, and after desensitizer application. Two products were studied: MS Coat, a self-curing resin-containing oxalate product, and Gluma Desensitizer, a glutaraldehyde/HEMA-based agent without initiator. The dentin slices were mounted between an upper chamber, filled with an aqueous solution of 1% potassium ferricyanide and 0.3% hydrogen peroxide, and a lower chamber filled with 1% sodium hydroxide solution and 0.02% luminol. The upper solution was pressurized, and upon contact with the luminol solution a photochemical signal was generated and recorded as a measure of permeability throughout two consecutive pressurizing cycles at 2.5 and 13 kPa (26 and 133 cm H2O), respectively. The permeability of the control and albumin-soaked samples was similarly high. After application of the desensitizing agents, dentin permeability was reduced to virtually zero at both pressure levels (P < 0.001).

Have clinical studies demonstrated diabetes prevention or delay of diabetes through early treatment?

PubMed

Southwood, Robin L

2010-01-01

The incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase at alarming rates. Prediabetes is a state of abnormal glycemic values that are not abnormal enough to result in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Significant interest in the prevention of diabetes has resulted in trials evaluating pharmacologic intervention and lifestyle intervention to prevent the development of diabetes. Controversy exists over the exact definition of diabetes prevention. Agents might possibly delay diagnosis of diabetes via pharmacologic lowering of blood glucose. Goals of diabetes prevention include decreased cardiovascular disease. Trials assessing diabetes prevention should assess 1) Impact of the study drug upon the incidence of diabetes, 2) Impact of the study drug upon diagnosis of diabetes after post-treatment washout phase, 3) Assessment of insulin sensitivity/@-cell function/insulin secretion and blood glucose, 4) Assessment of confounding factors, 5) Impact of the study drug on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The published studies were reviewed using these criteria. Six studies evaluating seven agents have been were reviewed. Six of the seven agents reduced diagnosis of diabetes during use, but only two demonstrated effect after washout phase. One of the two agents has been withdrawn from the market. The second agent had a short follow-up period making the results difficult to interpret. Assessment of insulin secretion at entry to trial was common, however ongoing reassessment was uncommon. All studies attempted to assess confounding factors, however stratification of drug benefit relative to amount of lifestyle modification benefit was not reported in trials. Cardiovascular benefit in the form of reduced hypertension was documented with three agents. Pharmacologic prevention of type 2 diabetes remains unproven, due in part to the difficulty distinguishing between prevention and delay. Reduction in cardiovascular benefit is unproven with most agents studied. Larger studies powered to detect cardiovascular endpoints are necessary to determine benefit of diabetes prevention.

Limitations and challenges in treatment of acute chemical warfare agent poisoning.

PubMed

Thiermann, Horst; Worek, Franz; Kehe, Kai

2013-12-05

Recent news from Syria on a possible use of chemical warfare agents made the headlines. Furthermore, the motivation of terrorists to cause maximal harm shifts these agents into the public focus. For incidents with mass casualties appropriate medical countermeasures must be available. At present, the most important threats arise from nerve agents and sulfur mustard. At first, self-protection and protection of medical units from contamination is of utmost importance. Volatile nerve agent exposure, e.g. sarin, results in fast development of cholinergic crisis. Immediate clinical diagnosis can be confirmed on-site by assessment of acetylcholinesterase activity. Treatment with autoinjectors that are filled with 2mg atropine and an oxime (at present obidoxime, pralidoxime, TMB-4 or HI-6) are not effective against all nerve agents. A more aggressive atropinisation has to be considered and more effective oximes (if possible with a broad spectrum or a combination of different oximes) as well as alternative strategies to cope with high acetylcholine levels at synaptic sites should be developed. A further gap exists for the treatment of patients with sustained cholinergic crisis that has to be expected after exposure to persistent nerve agents, e.g. VX. The requirement for long-lasting artificial ventilation can be reduced with an oxime therapy that is optimized by using the cholinesterase status for guidance or by measures (e.g. scavengers) that are able to reduce the poison load substantially in the patients. For sulfur mustard poisoning no specific antidote is available until now. Symptomatic measures as used for treatment of burns are recommended together with surgical or laser debridement. Thus, huge amounts of resources are expected to be consumed as wound healing is impaired. Possible depots of sulfur mustard in tissues may aggravate the situation. More basic knowledge is necessary to improve substantially therapeutic options. The use of stem cells may provide a new and promising option. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluating food additives as antifungal agents against Monilinia fructicola in vitro and in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-lipid composite edible coatings for plums.

PubMed

Karaca, Hakan; Pérez-Gago, María B; Taberner, Verònica; Palou, Lluís

2014-06-02

Common food preservative agents were evaluated in in vitro tests for their antifungal activity against Monilinia fructicola, the most economically important pathogen causing postharvest disease of stone fruits. Radial mycelial growth was measured in Petri dishes of PDA amended with three different concentrations of the agents (0.01-0.2%, v/v) after 7 days of incubation at 25 °C. Thirteen out of fifteen agents tested completely inhibited the radial growth of the fungus at various concentrations. Among them, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate were the most effective while sodium acetate and sodium formate were the least effective. The effective agents and concentrations were tested as ingredients of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-lipid edible coatings against brown rot disease on plums previously inoculated with M. fructicola (curative activity). 'Friar' and 'Larry Ann' plums were inoculated with the pathogen, coated with stable edible coatings about 24h later, and incubated at 20 °C and 90% RH. Disease incidence (%) and severity (lesion diameter) were determined after 4, 6, and 8 days of incubation and the 'area under the disease progress stairs' (AUDPS) was calculated. Coatings containing bicarbonates and parabens significantly reduced brown rot incidence in plums, but potassium sorbate, used at 1.0% in the coating formulation, was the most effective agent with a reduction rate of 28.6%. All the tested coatings reduced disease severity to some extent, but coatings containing 0.1% sodium methylparaben or sodium ethylparaben or 0.2% ammonium carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate were superior to the rest, with reduction rates of 45-50%. Overall, the results showed that most of the agents tested in this study had significant antimicrobial activity against M. fructicola and the application of selected antifungal edible coatings is a promising alternative for the control of postharvest brown rot in plums. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Permeation Studies of CW Agents with Fabric Treated with 8-Hydroxyquinoline

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

Jeffery R. Owens AIR FORCE CIVIL ENGINEER CENTER AFCEC/CXAE, Tyndall AFB, FL 32403-5320 December 2017 Approved for public release: distribution...P.O. Box 68, Gunpowder, MD 21010-0068 Universal Technology Corp.; 139 Barnes Drive Suite 2 Tyndall AFB, FL 32404-5325 Air Force Civil Engineer ...moisture transport. The garment prevents exposure to outside chemical weapons agents (CWAs) by reacting or reducing permeation of the CWA. By

Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

This proposal aims to identify topically applied anti-inflammatory drugs that will reduce recipient site inflammation and skin graft contraction. We...hypothesize that the elevated and prolonged inflammatory state of the recipient wound bed is a causative factor in the development of skin graft contraction...Using a porcine model of skin graft contraction, we will screen for anti-inflammatory agents (dose, schedule of administration, drug class

Process for treating fission waste. [Patent application

DOEpatents

Rohrmann, C.A.; Wick, O.J.

1981-11-17

A method is described for the treatment of fission waste. A glass forming agent, a metal oxide, and a reducing agent are mixed with the fission waste and the mixture is heated. After melting, the mixture separates into a glass phase and a metal phase. The glass phase may be used to safely store the fission waste, while the metal phase contains noble metals recovered from the fission waste.

Impact of diseases and other disturbances on non-timber forest resources: A case study involving small mammals

Treesearch

John. E. Lundquist; James. P. Jr. Ward

2004-01-01

Part of the diversity of a forest is the variety of agents that can kill trees. These agents differ in the nature, magnitude, and patterns of their impacts on forest resources. Diseases, insect pests, and other small-scale disturbances are commonly assessed on the basis of their impacts on timber production. Tree mortality usually means reduced volume of living stems....

Tertiary nitrogen heterocyclic material to reduce moisture-induced damage in asphalt-aggregate mixtures

DOEpatents

Plancher, Henry; Petersen, Joseph C.

1982-01-01

Asphalt-aggregate roads crack when subjected to freezing and thawing cycles. Herein, the useful life of asphalts are substantially improved by a minor amount of a moisture damage inhibiting agent selected from compounds having a pyridine moiety, including acid salts of such compounds. A shale oil fraction may serve as the source of the improving agent and may simply be blended with conventional petroleum asphalts.

Effects of Agent Transparency on Multi-Robot Management Effectiveness

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

capacity was found to be a significant predictor of participants’ trust in the agent. Individual differences in spatial ability accounted for...Another concern regarding autonomous systems is operator workload, which is the cost of performing a task that reduces an individual’s ability to complete...more elaborate and costly strategy that cost additional time (Clark et al. 2011). We hypothesize, therefore, that action GE will be associated with

Effects of a novel anti-aggressive agent upon two types of brain stimulated emotional behavior.

PubMed

Katz, R J; Thomas, E

1976-07-09

The effects of anti-aggressive agent Sch 12679 were evaluated upon stable baselines of rage and predation elicited by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus in cats. Sch 12679 depressed approach and terminal aspects of both forms of attack. This is consistent with previous reports, and suggests the drug is effective in reducing many forms of aggression including brain stimulated emotional behavior.

Systematic review: effective management strategies for lactose intolerance.

PubMed

Shaukat, Aasma; Levitt, Michael D; Taylor, Brent C; MacDonald, Roderick; Shamliyan, Tatyana A; Kane, Robert L; Wilt, Timothy J

2010-06-15

Lactose intolerance resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms is a common health concern. Diagnosis and management of this condition remain unclear. To assess the maximum tolerable dose of lactose and interventions for reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance among persons with lactose intolerance and malabsorption. Multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library, for trials published in English from 1967 through November 2009. Randomized, controlled trials of individuals with lactose intolerance or malabsorption. Three investigators independently reviewed articles, extracted data, and assessed study quality. 36 unique randomized studies (26 on lactase- or lactose-hydrolyzed milk supplements, lactose-reduced milk, or tolerable doses of lactose; 7 on probiotics; 2 on incremental lactose administration for colonic adaptation; and 1 on another agent) met inclusion criteria. Moderate-quality evidence indicated that 12 to 15 g of lactose (approximately 1 cup of milk) is well tolerated by most adults. Evidence was insufficient that lactose-reduced solution or milk with a lactose content of 0 to 2 g, compared with greater than 12 g, is effective in reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance. Evidence for probiotics, colonic adaptation, and other agents was also insufficient. Most studies evaluated persons with lactose malabsorption rather than lactose intolerance. Variation in enrollment criteria, outcome reporting, and the composition and dosing of studied agents precluded pooling of results and limited interpretation. Most individuals with presumed lactose intolerance or malabsorption can tolerate 12 to 15 g of lactose. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of lactose intolerance treatment.

Current Pharmacological Approaches to Reduce Chorea in Huntington's Disease.

PubMed

Coppen, Emma M; Roos, Raymund A C

2017-01-01

There are currently no effective pharmacological agents available to stop or prevent the progression of Huntington's disease (HD), a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder. In addition to psychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairments, HD causes progressive motor disturbances, in particular choreiform movements, which are characterized by unwanted contractions of the facial muscles, trunk and extremities. Management of choreiform movements is usually advised if chorea interferes with daily functioning, causes social isolation, gait instability, falls, or physical injury. Although drugs to reduce chorea are available, only few randomized controlled studies have assessed the efficacy of these drugs, resulting in a high variety of prescribed drugs in clinical practice. The current pharmacological treatment options to reduce chorea in HD are outlined in this review, including the latest results on deutetrabenazine, a newly developed pharmacological agent similar to tetrabenazine, but with suggested less peak dose side effects. A review of the existing literature was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane and Medline databases. In conclusion, mainly tetrabenazine, tiapride (in European countries), olanzapine, and risperidone are the preferred first choice drugs to reduce chorea among HD experts. In the existing literature, these drugs also show a beneficial effect on motor symptom severity and improvement of psychiatric symptoms. Generally, it is recommended to start with a low dose and increase the dose with close monitoring of any adverse effects. New interesting agents, such as deutetrabenazine and pridopidine, are currently under development and more randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess the efficacy on chorea severity in HD.

DNA Damage Reduces the Quality, but Not the Quantity of Human Papillomavirus 16 E1 and E2 DNA Replication.

PubMed

Bristol, Molly L; Wang, Xu; Smith, Nathan W; Son, Minkyeong P; Evans, Michael R; Morgan, Iain M

2016-06-22

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are causative agents in almost all cervical carcinomas. HPVs are also causative agents in head and neck cancer, the cases of which are increasing rapidly. Viral replication activates the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway; associated proteins are recruited to replication foci, and this pathway may serve to allow for viral genome amplification. Likewise, HPV genome double-strand breaks (DSBs) could be produced during replication and could lead to linearization and viral integration. Many studies have shown that viral integration into the host genome results in unregulated expression of the viral oncogenes, E6 and E7, promoting HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Previously, we have demonstrated that DNA-damaging agents, such as etoposide, or knocking down viral replication partner proteins, such as topoisomerase II β binding protein I (TopBP1), does not reduce the level of DNA replication. Here, we investigated whether these treatments alter the quality of DNA replication by HPV16 E1 and E2. We confirm that knockdown of TopBP1 or treatment with etoposide does not reduce total levels of E1/E2-mediated DNA replication; however, the quality of replication is significantly reduced. The results demonstrate that E1 and E2 continue to replicate under genomically-stressed conditions and that this replication is mutagenic. This mutagenesis would promote the formation of substrates for integration of the viral genome into that of the host, a hallmark of cervical cancer.

Does Environmental Knowledge Inhibit Hominin Dispersal?

PubMed

Wren, Colin D; Costopoulos, Andre

2015-07-01

We investigated the relationship between the dispersal potential of a hominin population, its local-scale foraging strategies, and the characteristics of the resource environment using an agent-based modeling approach. In previous work we demonstrated that natural selection can favor a relatively low capacity for assessing and predicting the quality of the resource environment, especially when the distribution of resources is highly clustered. That work also suggested that the more knowledge foraging populations had about their environment, the less likely they were to abandon the landscape they know and disperse into novel territory. The present study gives agents new individual and social strategies for learning about their environment. For both individual and social learning, natural selection favors decreased levels of environmental knowledge, particularly in low-heterogeneity environments. Social acquisition of detailed environmental knowledge results in crowding of agents, which reduces available reproductive space and relative fitness. Agents with less environmental knowledge move away from resource clusters and into areas with more space available for reproduction. These results suggest that, rather than being a requirement for successful dispersal, environmental knowledge strengthens the ties to particular locations and significantly reduces the dispersal potential as a result. The evolved level of environmental knowledge in a population depends on the characteristics of the resource environment and affects the dispersal capacity of the population.

Role of cytokines and treatment algorithms in retinopathy of prematurity.

PubMed

Hartnett, M Elizabeth

2017-05-01

Currently, severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is diagnosed by clinical evaluation and not a laboratory test. Laser is still considered standard care. However, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents are being used and there are questions whether and/or if to use them, what dose or type of agent should be considered and what agent may be most beneficial in specific cases. Also unclear are the effects of laser or anti-VEGF on severe ROP, refractive outcomes or infant development. This article reviews recent studies related to these questions and other trials for severe ROP. Imaging studies identify biomarkers of risk (plus disease, stage 3 ROP, and ROP in zone I). Intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab are reported effective in treating aggressive posterior ROP in small series. Recurrences and effects on myopia vary among studies. Use of anti-VEGF agents affects cytokines in the infant blood and reduces systemic VEGF for up to 2 months, raising potential safety concerns. The effects of treatment vary based on infant size and are not comparable. Evidence for most studies is not high. Studies support experimental evidence that inhibiting VEGF reduces stage 3 ROP and peripheral avascular retina. Ongoing large-scale clinical trials may provide clarity for best treatments of severe ROP. Current guidelines hold for screening and treatment for type 1 ROP.

Pharmacological therapy of spondyloarthritis.

PubMed

Palazzi, Carlo; D'Angelo, Salvatore; Gilio, Michele; Leccese, Pietro; Padula, Angela; Olivieri, Ignazio

2015-01-01

The current pharmacological therapy of spondyloarthritis (SpA) includes several drugs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic drugs. A systematic literature search was completed using the largest electronic databases (Medline, Embase and Cochrane), starting from 1995, with the aim to review data on traditional and biologic agents commercialised for SpA treatment. Randomised controlled trials and large observational studies were considered. In addition, studies performed in SpA patients treated with other, still unapproved, drugs (rituximab, anti-IL6 agents, apremilast, IL17 inhibitors and anakinra) were also taken into account. Biologic agents, especially anti-TNF drugs, have resulted in significant progress in improving clinical symptoms and signs, reducing inflammatory features in laboratory tests and imaging findings, and recovering all functional indexes. Anti-TNF drugs have radically changed the evolution of radiographic progression in peripheral joints; the first disappointing data concerning their efficacy on new bone formation of axial SpA has been recently challenged by studies enrolling patients who have been earlier diagnosed and treated. The opportunity to extend the interval of administration or to reduce the doses of anti-TNF agents can favourably influence the costs. Ustekinumab, the first non-anti-TNF biologic drug commercialised for psoriatic arthritis, offers new chances to patients that are unresponsive to anti-TNF.

Impact of an Anticaries Mouthrinse on In Vitro Remineralization and Microbial Control

PubMed Central

Sun, Frank C.; Engelman, E. Eric; McGuire, James A.; Kosmoski, Gabrielle; Carratello, Lauren; Ricci-Nittel, Danette; Zhang, Jane Z.; Schemehorn, Bruce R.; Gambogi, Robert J.

2014-01-01

Objective. The objective of this research was to evaluate the caries control potential of a new fluoride mouthrinse that also contained antimicrobial agents and a biofilm disrupting agent using different in vitro models. Methods. Four in vitro studies were conducted to assess the performance of this three pronged approach to caries control: (1) traditional enamel fluoride uptake, (2) surface microhardness study using pH cycling model and subsequent fluoride uptake, (3) a salivary biofilm flow-through study to determine the anti-microbial activity, and (4) a single species biofilm model measuring effect on biofilm matrix disruption. Results. The data showed that a LISTERINE rinse with fluoride, essential oils and xylitol was superior in promoting enamel fluoride uptake and in enhancing antimicrobial activity over traditional commercially available fluoridated products. An increase of the surface microhardness was observed when the LISTERINE rinse was used in combination with fluoridated toothpaste versus the fluoridated toothpaste alone. Finally, it was demonstrated that xylitol solutions disrupted and reduced the biovolume of biofilm matrix of mature Streptococcus mutans. Conclusion. These in vitro studies demonstrated that a fluoride mouthrinse with antimicrobial agent and biofilm matrix disrupting agent provided multifaceted and enhanced anti-caries efficacy by promoting remineralization, reducing acidogenic bacteria and disrupting biofilm matrix. PMID:24648842

A novel rumor diffusion model considering the effect of truth in online social media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Ling; Liu, Yun; Zeng, Qing-An; Xiong, Fei

2015-12-01

In this paper, we propose a model to investigate how truth affects rumor diffusion in online social media. Our model reveals a relation between rumor and truth — namely, when a rumor is diffusing, the truth about the rumor also diffuses with it. Two patterns of the agents used to identify rumor, self-identification and passive learning are taken into account. Combining theoretical proof and simulation analysis, we find that the threshold value of rumor diffusion is negatively correlated to the connectivity between nodes in the network and the probability β of agents knowing truth. Increasing β can reduce the maximum density of the rumor spreaders and slow down the generation speed of new rumor spreaders. On the other hand, we conclude that the best rumor diffusion strategy must balance the probability of forwarding rumor and the probability of agents losing interest in the rumor. High spread rate λ of rumor would lead to a surge in truth dissemination which will greatly limit the diffusion of rumor. Furthermore, in the case of unknown λ, increasing β can effectively reduce the maximum proportion of agents who do not know the truth, but cannot narrow the rumor diffusion range in a certain interval of β.

The BEAUTIFUL study: randomized trial of ivabradine in patients with stable coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction - baseline characteristics of the study population.

PubMed

Ferrari, R; Ford, I; Fox, K; Steg, P G; Tendera, M

2008-01-01

Ivabradine is a selective heart rate-lowering agent that acts by inhibiting the pacemaker current If in sinoatrial node cells. Patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction are at high risk of death and cardiac events, and the BEAUTIFUL study was designed to evaluate the effects of ivabradine on outcome in such patients receiving optimal medical therapy. This report describes the study population at baseline. BEAUTIFUL is an international, multicentre, randomized, double-blind trial to compare ivabradine with placebo in reducing mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <40%). A total of 10,917 patients were randomized. At baseline, their mean age was 65 years, 83% were male, 98% Caucasian, 88% had previous myocardial infarction, 37% had diabetes, and 40% had metabolic syndrome. Mean ejection fraction was 32% and resting heart rate was 71.6 bpm. Concomitant medications included beta-blockers (87%), renin-angiotensin system agents (89%), antithrombotic agents (94%), and lipid-lowering agents (76%). Main results from BEAUTIFUL are expected in 2008, and should show whether ivabradine, on top of optimal medical treatment, reduces mortality and cardiovascular events in this population of high-risk patients. (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

[Decorporation agents for internal radioactive contamination].

PubMed

Ohmachi, Yasushi

2015-01-01

When radionuclides are accidentally ingested or inhaled, blood circulation or tissue/organ deposition of the radionuclides causes systemic or local radiation effects. In such cases, decorporation therapy is used to reduce the health risks due to their intake. Decorporation therapy includes reduction and/or inhibition of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, isotopic dilution, and the use of diuretics, adsorbents, and chelating agents. For example, penicillamine is recommended as a chelating agent for copper contamination, and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid is approved for the treatment of internal contamination with plutonium. During chelation therapy, the removal effect of the drugs should be monitored using a whole-body counter and/or bioassay. Some authorities, such as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and International Atomic Energy Agency, have reported recommended decorporation agents for each radionuclide. However, few drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and many are off-label-use agents. Because many decontamination agents are drugs that have been available for a long time and have limited efficacy, the development of new, higher-efficacy drugs has been carried out mainly in the USA and France. In this article, in addition to an outline of decorporation agents for internal radioactive contamination, an outline of our research on decorporation agents for actinide (uranium and plutonium) contamination and for radio-cesium contamination is also presented.

A Unified Approach to Model-Based Planning and Execution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Muscettola, Nicola; Dorais, Gregory A.; Fry, Chuck; Levinson, Richard; Plaunt, Christian; Norvig, Peter (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Writing autonomous software is complex, requiring the coordination of functionally and technologically diverse software modules. System and mission engineers must rely on specialists familiar with the different software modules to translate requirements into application software. Also, each module often encodes the same requirement in different forms. The results are high costs and reduced reliability due to the difficulty of tracking discrepancies in these encodings. In this paper we describe a unified approach to planning and execution that we believe provides a unified representational and computational framework for an autonomous agent. We identify the four main components whose interplay provides the basis for the agent's autonomous behavior: the domain model, the plan database, the plan running module, and the planner modules. This representational and problem solving approach can be applied at all levels of the architecture of a complex agent, such as Remote Agent. In the rest of the paper we briefly describe the Remote Agent architecture. The new agent architecture proposed here aims at achieving the full Remote Agent functionality. We then give the fundamental ideas behind the new agent architecture and point out some implication of the structure of the architecture, mainly in the area of reactivity and interaction between reactive and deliberative decision making. We conclude with related work and current status.

INCREASE IN THE CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC COEFFICIENT OF MECHLORETHAMINE BY THE ACTION OF THE RADIOPROTECTIVE AGENT SODIUM DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE (in Italian)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cima, L; Pozza, F

1963-01-01

In mice of the SMZ strain the protective effect of various kinds of radioprotectant agents against the toxicity of the alkylating agent mechiorethamine (HN2) was investigated. HN2 was injected subcutaneously in doses of 6 mg/kg, corresponding to the LD/sub 99/6/. The most effective protective agent tested was the chelating agent Na diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), which when injected intraperitoneally in doses of 335 mg/kg raised the 4-day survival rate to 90% from a control value of 20%. Other chelating agents were less effective, showing the specific action of the dithiocarbamate anion: tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram), 2-guanidinothiazolidone, and diethylamine. Moderately effective against the toxicitymore » of HN2 were (in decreasing order): reserpine, chlorpromazine, propylene glycol, malononitrile, glutathione, cysteamine, oxytocin, and Na ethylenediaminetatraacetate. Tryptamine was ineffective and cysteine augmented the toxicity of HN2. DEDTC did not modify the carcinostatic effect of HN2 against Ehrlich ascites tumor and thus, by markedly reducing the toxicity of HN2, enhances the therapeutic index of HN2 3 fold. The protective effect of DEDTC and the other radioprotectant agents against HN2 suggest that alkylating agents and ionizing radiation have analogous effects on tissue constituents. (H.H.D.)« less

Gold-coated nanoparticles for use in biotechnology applications

DOEpatents

Berning, Douglas E [Los Alamos, NM; Kraus, Jr., Robert H.; Atcher, Robert W [Los Alamos, NM; Schmidt, Jurgen G [Los Alamos, NM

2009-07-07

A process of preparing gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles is disclosed and includes forming a suspension of magnetic nanoparticles within a suitable liquid, adding an amount of a reducible gold compound and a reducing agent to the suspension, and, maintaining the suspension for time sufficient to form gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

77 FR 497 - Control of Emissions From New Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines: Approval of New Scheduled...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-05

... replenishment of the nitrogen-containing reducing agent for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies... NO X reduction requirements for their diesel engines. SCR systems use a nitrogen-containing reducing... balance between the dictates of operating nonroad equipment (which requires DEF tanks of small enough...

Greener Biomimetic Approach to the Synthesis of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposite

EPA Science Inventory

A brief account of greener production of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is presented. The utility of vitamins B1 and B2, which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides an extremely simple, one-pot, greene...

Risk Reduction via Greener Synthesis of Noble Metal Nanostructures and Nanocomposites (Presentation)

EPA Science Inventory

A brief account of greener production of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is presented. The utility of vitamins B1 and B2, which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides an extremely simple, one-pot, greene...

Diet & Cancer: An Update for Biology Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anastasiou, Clifford J.

1988-01-01

Reports on dietary substances which act against cancer-causing agents. Indicates that adapting a lifestyle which combines reduced fat intake with increased fiber-containing foods will reduce the risk of some common cancers. Provides teaching strategies and activities to help students analyze their lifestyles for a reduction in cancer risk. (RT)

Greener Synthesis of Nanomaterials: Risk Reduction Strategies and Environmental Applications

EPA Science Inventory

A brief account of a greener preparation of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is presented. The utility of vitamins B1, B2, and C which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides an extremely simple and greene...

Gold-coated nanoparticles for use in biotechnology applications

DOEpatents

Berning, Douglas E [Los Alamos, NM; Kraus, Jr., Robert H.; Atcher, Robert W [Los Alamos, NM; Schmidt, Jurgen G [Los Alamos, NM

2007-06-05

A process of preparing gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles is disclosed and includes forming a suspension of magnetic nanoparticles within a suitable liquid, adding an amount of a reducible gold compound and a reducing agent to the suspension, and, maintaining the suspension for time sufficient to form gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

Inequity-aversion and relative kindness intention jointly determine the expenditure of effort in project teams.

PubMed

Han, Jiaojie; Rapoport, Amnon; Zhao, Rui

2017-01-01

The literature on team cooperation has neglected the effects of relative kindness intention on cooperation, which we measure by comparing the kindness intentions of an agent to her group members to the kindness shown by other members to this same agent. We argue that the agent's emotional reaction to material payoff inequity is not constant, but rather affected by her relative kindness intention. Then, we apply the model to team projects with multiple partners and investigate how inequity-aversion and relative kindness intention jointly influence team cooperation. We first consider the case of homogeneous agents, where their marginal productivity levels and technical capacities are the same, and then consider the case of heterogeneous agents, where their marginal productivity levels and technical capacities are not the same. Our results show that inequity-aversion has no effect on effort expenditure in the former case, but does affect it in the latter case. The consideration of relative kindness intention may impact the agents' optimal cooperative effort expenditure when their technical capacities are different. In addition, it is beneficial for team cooperation, and might not only reduce the negative impact but also enhance the positive impact of inequity-aversion on the agents' effort expenditures.

Biologically Targeted Therapeutics in Pediatric Brain Tumors

PubMed Central

Nageswara Rao, Amulya A.; Scafidi, Joseph; Wells, Elizabeth M.; Packer, Roger J.

2013-01-01

Pediatric brain tumors are often difficult to cure and involve significant morbidity when treated with traditional treatment modalities, including neurosurgery, conventional chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. During the past two decades, a clearer understanding of tumorigenesis, molecular growth pathways, and immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of cancer has opened up promising avenues for therapy. Pediatric clinical trials with novel biologic agents are underway to treat various pediatric brain tumors, including high and low grade gliomas and embryonal tumors. As the therapeutic potential of these agents undergoes evaluation, their toxicity profiles are also becoming better understood. These agents have potentially better central nervous system penetration and lower toxicity profiles compared with conventional chemotherapy. In infants and younger children, biologic agents may prove to be of equal or greater efficacy compared with traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and may reduce the deleterious side effects of traditional therapeutics on the developing brain. Molecular pathways implicated in pediatric brain tumors, agents that target these pathways, and current clinical trials are reviewed. Associated neurologic toxicities will be discussed subsequently. Considerable work is needed to establish the efficacy of these agents alone and in combination, but pediatric neurologists should be aware of these agents and their rationale. PMID:22490764

Biologically targeted therapeutics in pediatric brain tumors.

PubMed

Nageswara Rao, Amulya A; Scafidi, Joseph; Wells, Elizabeth M; Packer, Roger J

2012-04-01

Pediatric brain tumors are often difficult to cure and involve significant morbidity when treated with traditional treatment modalities, including neurosurgery, conventional chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. During the past two decades, a clearer understanding of tumorigenesis, molecular growth pathways, and immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of cancer has opened up promising avenues for therapy. Pediatric clinical trials with novel biologic agents are underway to treat various pediatric brain tumors, including high and low grade gliomas and embryonal tumors. As the therapeutic potential of these agents undergoes evaluation, their toxicity profiles are also becoming better understood. These agents have potentially better central nervous system penetration and lower toxicity profiles compared with conventional chemotherapy. In infants and younger children, biologic agents may prove to be of equal or greater efficacy compared with traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and may reduce the deleterious side effects of traditional therapeutics on the developing brain. Molecular pathways implicated in pediatric brain tumors, agents that target these pathways, and current clinical trials are reviewed. Associated neurologic toxicities will be discussed subsequently. Considerable work is needed to establish the efficacy of these agents alone and in combination, but pediatric neurologists should be aware of these agents and their rationale. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gaseous emissions from management of solid waste: a systematic review

PubMed Central

Pardo, Guillermo; Moral, Raúl; Aguilera, Eduardo; del Prado, Agustín

2015-01-01

The establishment of sustainable soil waste management practices implies minimizing their environmental losses associated with climate change (greenhouse gases: GHGs) and ecosystems acidification (ammonia: NH3). Although a number of management strategies for solid waste management have been investigated to quantify nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) losses in relation to varied environmental and operational conditions, their overall effect is still uncertain. In this context, we have analyzed the current scientific information through a systematic review. We quantified the response of GHG emissions, NH3 emissions, and total N losses to different solid waste management strategies (conventional solid storage, turned composting, forced aerated composting, covering, compaction, addition/substitution of bulking agents and the use of additives). Our study is based on a meta-analysis of 50 research articles involving 304 observations. Our results indicated that improving the structure of the pile (waste or manure heap) via addition or substitution of certain bulking agents significantly reduced nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions by 53% and 71%, respectively. Turned composting systems, unlike forced aerated composted systems, showed potential for reducing GHGs (N2O: 50% and CH4: 71%). Bulking agents and both composting systems involved a certain degree of pollution swapping as they significantly promoted NH3 emissions by 35%, 54%, and 121% for bulking agents, turned and forced aerated composting, respectively. Strategies based on the restriction of O2 supply, such as covering or compaction, did not show significant effects on reducing GHGs but substantially decreased NH3 emissions by 61% and 54% for covering and compaction, respectively. The use of specific additives significantly reduced NH3 losses by 69%. Our meta-analysis suggested that there is enough evidence to refine future Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodologies from solid waste, especially for solid waste composting practices. More holistic and integrated approaches are therefore required to develop more sustainable solid waste management systems. PMID:25393229

Gaseous emissions from management of solid waste: a systematic review.

PubMed

Pardo, Guillermo; Moral, Raúl; Aguilera, Eduardo; Del Prado, Agustín

2015-03-01

The establishment of sustainable soil waste management practices implies minimizing their environmental losses associated with climate change (greenhouse gases: GHGs) and ecosystems acidification (ammonia: NH3 ). Although a number of management strategies for solid waste management have been investigated to quantify nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) losses in relation to varied environmental and operational conditions, their overall effect is still uncertain. In this context, we have analyzed the current scientific information through a systematic review. We quantified the response of GHG emissions, NH3 emissions, and total N losses to different solid waste management strategies (conventional solid storage, turned composting, forced aerated composting, covering, compaction, addition/substitution of bulking agents and the use of additives). Our study is based on a meta-analysis of 50 research articles involving 304 observations. Our results indicated that improving the structure of the pile (waste or manure heap) via addition or substitution of certain bulking agents significantly reduced nitrous oxide (N2 O) and methane (CH4 ) emissions by 53% and 71%, respectively. Turned composting systems, unlike forced aerated composted systems, showed potential for reducing GHGs (N2 O: 50% and CH4 : 71%). Bulking agents and both composting systems involved a certain degree of pollution swapping as they significantly promoted NH3 emissions by 35%, 54%, and 121% for bulking agents, turned and forced aerated composting, respectively. Strategies based on the restriction of O2 supply, such as covering or compaction, did not show significant effects on reducing GHGs but substantially decreased NH3 emissions by 61% and 54% for covering and compaction, respectively. The use of specific additives significantly reduced NH3 losses by 69%. Our meta-analysis suggested that there is enough evidence to refine future Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodologies from solid waste, especially for solid waste composting practices. More holistic and integrated approaches are therefore required to develop more sustainable solid waste management systems. © 2014 The Authors. Global Change Biology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Protective effects of total saponins from stem and leaf of Panax ginseng against cyclophosphamide-induced genotoxicity and apoptosis in mouse bone marrow cells and peripheral lymphocyte cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiu Hua; Wu, Chun Fu; Duan, Lian; Yang, Jing Yu

2008-01-01

Cyclophosphamide (CP), commonly used anti-cancer, induces oxidative stress and is cytotoxic to normal cells. It is very important to choice the protective agent combined CP to reduce the side effects in cancer treatment. Ginsenosides are biological active constituents of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer that acts as the tonic agent for the cancer patients to reduce the side effects in the clinic application. Because CP is a pro-oxidant agent and induces oxidative stress by the generation of free radicals to decrease the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, the protective effects of the total saponins from stem and leaf of P. ginseng C.A. Meyer (TSPG) act as an anti-oxidant agent against the decreased anti-oxidant enzymes, the genotoxicity and apoptosis induced by CP was carried out. The alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis was employed to detect DNA damage; flow cytometry assay and AO/EB staining assay were employed to measure cell apoptosis; the enzymatic anti-oxidants (T-SOD, CAT and GPx) and non-enzymatic anti-oxidant (GSH) were measured by the various colorimetric methods. CP induced the significant DNA damage in mouse peripheral lymphocytes in time- and dose-dependent manners, inhibited the activities of T-SOD, GPx and CAT, and decreased the contents of GSH in mouse blood, triggered bone marrow cell apoptosis at 6 and 12h. TSPG significantly reduced CP-induced DNA damages in bone marrow cells and peripheral lymphocyte cells, antagonized CP-induced reduction of T-SOD, GPx, CAT activities and the GSH contents, decreased the bone marrow cell apoptosis induced by CP. TSPG, significantly reduced the genotoxicity of CP in bone marrow cells and peripheral lymphocyte cells, and decreased the apoptotic cell number induced by CP in bone marrow cells. The effects of TSPG on T-SOD, GPx, CAT activities and GSH contents might partially contribute to its protective effects on CP-induced cell toxicities.

Regulatory Myeloid Cells in Transplantation

PubMed Central

Rosborough, Brian R.; Raïch-Regué, Dàlia; Turnquist, Heth R.; Thomson, Angus W.

2013-01-01

Regulatory myeloid cells (RMC) are emerging as novel targets for immunosuppressive (IS) agents and hold considerable promise as cellular therapeutic agents. Herein, we discuss the ability of regulatory macrophages (Mreg), regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) to regulate alloimmunity, their potential as cellular therapeutic agents and the IS agents that target their function. We consider protocols for the generation of RMC and the selection of donor- or recipient-derived cells for adoptive cell therapy. Additionally, the issues of cell trafficking and antigen (Ag) specificity following RMC transfer are discussed. Improved understanding of the immunobiology of these cells has increased the possibility of moving RMC into the clinic to reduce the burden of current IS agents and promote Ag-specific tolerance. In the second half of this review, we discuss the influence of established and experimental IS agents on myeloid cell populations. IS agents believed historically to act primarily on T cell activation and proliferation are emerging as important regulators of RMC function. Better insights into the influence of IS agents on RMC will enhance our ability to develop cell therapy protocols to promote the function of these cells. Moreover, novel IS agents may be designed to target RMC in situ to promote Ag-specific immune regulation in transplantation and usher in a new era of immune modulation exploiting cells of myeloid origin. PMID:24092382

Using Agent Base Models to Optimize Large Scale Network for Large System Inventories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shameldin, Ramez Ahmed; Bowling, Shannon R.

2010-01-01

The aim of this paper is to use Agent Base Models (ABM) to optimize large scale network handling capabilities for large system inventories and to implement strategies for the purpose of reducing capital expenses. The models used in this paper either use computational algorithms or procedure implementations developed by Matlab to simulate agent based models in a principal programming language and mathematical theory using clusters, these clusters work as a high performance computational performance to run the program in parallel computational. In both cases, a model is defined as compilation of a set of structures and processes assumed to underlie the behavior of a network system.

Management of Allergic Rhinitis

PubMed Central

Sausen, Verra O.; Marks, Katherine E.; Sausen, Kenneth P.; Self, Timothy H.

2005-01-01

Allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic childhood disease. Reduced quality of life is frequently caused by this IgE-mediated disease, including sleep disturbance with subsequent decreased school performance. Asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm are commonly seen concurrently with allergic rhinitis, and poorly controlled allergic rhinitis negatively affects asthma outcomes. Nonsedating antihistamines or intranasal azelastine are effective agents to manage allergic rhinitis, often in combination with oral decongestants. For moderate to severe persistent disease, intranasal corticosteroids are the most effiective agents. Some patients require concomitant intranasal corticosteroids and nonsedating antihistamines for optimal management. Other available agents include leukotriene receptor antagonists, intranasal cromolyn, intranasal ipratropium, specific immunotherapy, and anti-IgE therapy. PMID:23118635

Effect of certain psychopharmacological preparations on adaptation under stress conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanishevskaya, A. V.; Mezentseva, L. N.

1980-01-01

Experiments staged on rats demonstrated that the formation of pathological states caused by stress and accompanied by the development of ulcerative lesion of the gastric mucosa are associated with the degree of the catecholamines level drop in the mesencephalon and hypothalamus. The application of seduxen and also of combinations consisting of L-DOPA with seduxen, or with an L-adrenoblocking agent pyroxan tends to reduce the frequency of developing alcerative lesions of the stomach. The protective effect produced by the combination of L-DOPA with an L-adrenoblocking agent pyroxan is barred by an additional administration of an B-adrenoblocking agent, inderal.

Cancer-targeted therapies and radiopharmaceuticals

PubMed Central

Rachner, Tilman D; Jakob, Franz; Hofbauer, Lorenz C

2015-01-01

The treatment of bone metastases remains a clinical challenge. Although a number of well-established agents, namely bisphosphonates and denosumab, are available to reduce the occurrence of skeletal-related events, additional cancer-targeted therapies are required to improve patients' prognosis and quality of life. This review focuses on novel targets and agents that are under clinical evaluation for the treatment of malignant bone diseases such as activin A, src and endothelin-1 inhibition or agents that are clinically approved and may positively influence bone, such as the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. In addition, the potential of alpharadin, a novel radiopharmaceutical approved for the treatment of prostatic bone disease, is discussed. PMID:26131359

In vivo detection of cucurbit[6]uril, a hyperpolarized xenon contrast agent for a xenon magnetic resonance imaging biosensor

PubMed Central

Hane, Francis T.; Li, Tao; Smylie, Peter; Pellizzari, Raiili M.; Plata, Jennifer A.; DeBoef, Brenton; Albert, Mitchell S.

2017-01-01

The Hyperpolarized gas Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (HyperCEST) Magnetic Resonance (MR) technique has the potential to increase the sensitivity of a hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI contrast agent. Signal enhancement is accomplished by selectively depolarizing the xenon within a cage molecule which, upon exchange, reduces the signal in the dissolved phase pool. Herein we demonstrate the in vivo detection of the cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) contrast agent within the vasculature of a living rat. Our work may be used as a stepping stone towards using the HyperCEST technique as a molecular imaging modality. PMID:28106110

A Deceptively Simple Solution for Refractory Melasma: Glycolic Acid Peels and Hydroquinone at Home

PubMed Central

Oka, Aiko; Osawa, Ema; Koshima, Isao

2017-01-01

Summary: Although various treatment methods for melasma have developed, substantial improvement of the condition is sometimes difficult. We have experientially found that some of refractory melasma caused by daily friction can easily be treated by using a combination of a peeling agent (20% glycolic acid) and a depigmenting agent (5% hydroquinone) twice daily at home. And here, by performing skin biopsies, we revealed the pathological mechanism: hyperkeratosis caused by repeated physical stimulus, which prevents infiltration of topical therapeutic agents, was dramatically reduced by chemical peeling, resulting that the melanin pigments were effectively cleared by topical hydroquinone. PMID:28607861

The Akt signaling pathway

PubMed Central

Madhunapantula, SubbaRao V; Mosca, Paul J

2011-01-01

Studies using cultured melanoma cells and patient tumor biopsies have demonstrated deregulated PI3 kinase-Akt3 pathway activity in ∼70% of melanomas. Furthermore, targeting Akt3 and downstream PRAS40 has been shown to inhibit melanoma tumor development in mice. Although these preclinical studies and several other reports using small interfering RNAs and pharmacological agents targeting key members of this pathway have been shown to retard melanoma development, analysis of early Phase I and Phase II clinical trials using pharmacological agents to target this pathway demonstrate the need for (1) selection of patients whose tumors have PI3 kinase-Akt pathway deregulation, (2) further optimization of therapeutic agents for increased potency and reduced toxicity, (3) the identification of additional targets in the same pathway or in other signaling cascades that synergistically inhibit the growth and progression of melanoma, and (4) better methods for targeted delivery of pharmaceutical agents inhibiting this pathway. In this review we discuss key potential targets in PI3K-Akt3 signaling, the status of pharmacological agents targeting these proteins, drugs under clinical development, and strategies to improve the efficacy of therapeutic agents targeting this pathway. PMID:22157148

Autonomous Mission Operations for Sensor Webs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Underbrink, A.; Witt, K.; Stanley, J.; Mandl, D.

2008-12-01

We present interim results of a 2005 ROSES AIST project entitled, "Using Intelligent Agents to Form a Sensor Web for Autonomous Mission Operations", or SWAMO. The goal of the SWAMO project is to shift the control of spacecraft missions from a ground-based, centrally controlled architecture to a collaborative, distributed set of intelligent agents. The network of intelligent agents intends to reduce management requirements by utilizing model-based system prediction and autonomic model/agent collaboration. SWAMO agents are distributed throughout the Sensor Web environment, which may include multiple spacecraft, aircraft, ground systems, and ocean systems, as well as manned operations centers. The agents monitor and manage sensor platforms, Earth sensing systems, and Earth sensing models and processes. The SWAMO agents form a Sensor Web of agents via peer-to-peer coordination. Some of the intelligent agents are mobile and able to traverse between on-orbit and ground-based systems. Other agents in the network are responsible for encapsulating system models to perform prediction of future behavior of the modeled subsystems and components to which they are assigned. The software agents use semantic web technologies to enable improved information sharing among the operational entities of the Sensor Web. The semantics include ontological conceptualizations of the Sensor Web environment, plus conceptualizations of the SWAMO agents themselves. By conceptualizations of the agents, we mean knowledge of their state, operational capabilities, current operational capacities, Web Service search and discovery results, agent collaboration rules, etc. The need for ontological conceptualizations over the agents is to enable autonomous and autonomic operations of the Sensor Web. The SWAMO ontology enables automated decision making and responses to the dynamic Sensor Web environment and to end user science requests. The current ontology is compatible with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Sensor Web Enablement (SWE) Sensor Model Language (SensorML) concepts and structures. The agents are currently deployed on the U.S. Naval Academy MidSTAR-1 satellite and are actively managing the power subsystem on-orbit without the need for human intervention.

Using Synchronous Boolean Networks to Model Several Phenomena of Collective Behavior

PubMed Central

Kochemazov, Stepan; Semenov, Alexander

2014-01-01

In this paper, we propose an approach for modeling and analysis of a number of phenomena of collective behavior. By collectives we mean multi-agent systems that transition from one state to another at discrete moments of time. The behavior of a member of a collective (agent) is called conforming if the opinion of this agent at current time moment conforms to the opinion of some other agents at the previous time moment. We presume that at each moment of time every agent makes a decision by choosing from the set (where 1-decision corresponds to action and 0-decision corresponds to inaction). In our approach we model collective behavior with synchronous Boolean networks. We presume that in a network there can be agents that act at every moment of time. Such agents are called instigators. Also there can be agents that never act. Such agents are called loyalists. Agents that are neither instigators nor loyalists are called simple agents. We study two combinatorial problems. The first problem is to find a disposition of instigators that in several time moments transforms a network from a state where the majority of simple agents are inactive to a state with the majority of active agents. The second problem is to find a disposition of loyalists that returns the network to a state with the majority of inactive agents. Similar problems are studied for networks in which simple agents demonstrate the contrary to conforming behavior that we call anticonforming. We obtained several theoretical results regarding the behavior of collectives of agents with conforming or anticonforming behavior. In computational experiments we solved the described problems for randomly generated networks with several hundred vertices. We reduced corresponding combinatorial problems to the Boolean satisfiability problem (SAT) and used modern SAT solvers to solve the instances obtained. PMID:25526612

Drug therapies for reducing gastric acidity in people with cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Ng, Sze May; Moore, Helen S

2016-08-22

Malabsorption of fat and protein contributes to poor nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis. Impaired pancreatic function may also result in increased gastric acidity, leading in turn to heartburn, peptic ulcers and the impairment of oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The administration of gastric acid-reducing agents has been used as an adjunct to pancreatic enzyme therapy to improve absorption of fat and gastro-intestinal symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis. It is important to establish the evidence regarding potential benefits of drugs that reduce gastric acidity in people with cystic fibrosis. This is an update of a previously published review. To assess the effect of drug therapies for reducing gastric acidity for: nutritional status; symptoms associated with increased gastric acidity; fat absorption; lung function; quality of life and survival; and to determine if any adverse effects are associated with their use. We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals, abstract books and conference proceedings.Most recent search of the Group's Trials Register: 12 May 2016. All randomised and quasi-randomised trials involving agents that reduce gastric acidity compared to placebo or a comparator treatment. Both authors independently selected trials, assessed trial quality and extracted data. The searches identified 39 trials; 17 of these, with 273 participants, were suitable for inclusion, but the number of trials assessing each of the different agents was small. Seven trials were limited to children and four trials enrolled only adults. Meta-analysis was not performed, 14 trials were of a cross-over design and we did not have the appropriate information to conduct comprehensive meta-analyses. All the trials were run in single centres and duration ranged from five days to six months. The included trials were generally not reported adequately enough to allow judgements on risk of bias.However, one trial found that drug therapies that reduce gastric acidity improved gastro-intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain; seven trials reported significant improvement in measures of fat malabsorption; and two trials reported no significant improvement in nutritional status. Only one trial reported measures of respiratory function and one trial reported an adverse effect with prostaglandin E2 analogue misoprostol. No trials have been identified assessing the effectiveness of these agents in improving quality of life, the complications of increased gastric acidity, or survival. Trials have shown limited evidence that agents that reduce gastric acidity are associated with improvement in gastro-intestinal symptoms and fat absorption. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to indicate whether there is an improvement in nutritional status, lung function, quality of life, or survival. Furthermore, due to the unclear risks of bias in the included trials, we are unable to make firm conclusions based on the evidence reported therein. We therefore recommend that large, multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trials are undertaken to evaluate these interventions.

Impact of anti-tacking agents on properties of gas-entrapped membrane and effervescent floating tablets.

PubMed

Kriangkrai, Worawut; Puttipipatkhachorn, Satit; Sriamornsak, Pornsak; Pongjanyakul, Thaned; Sungthongjeen, Srisagul

2014-12-01

Tackiness caused by the gas-entrapped membrane (Eudragit(®)RL 30D) was usually observed during storage of the effervescent floating tablets, leading to failure in floatation and sustained release. In this work, common anti-tacking agents (glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and talc) were used to solve this tackiness problem. The impact of anti-tacking agent on the properties of free films and corresponding floating tablets was investigated. GMS was more effective than talc in reducing tackiness of the film. Addition and increasing amount of anti-tacking agents lowered the film mechanical strength, but the coating films were still strong and flexible enough to resist the generated gas pressure inside the floating tablet. Wettability and water vapor permeability of the film decreased with increasing level of anti-tacking agents as a result of their hydrophobicity. No interaction between anti-tacking agents and polymer was observed as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimetry studies. Increasing amount of anti-tacking agents decreased time to float and tended to retard drug release of the floating tablets. Floating properties and drug release were also influenced by type of anti-tacking agents. The obtained floating tablets still possessed good floating properties and controlled drug release even though anti-tacking agent had some effects. The results demonstrated that the tackiness problem of the floating tablets could be solved by incorporating anti-tacking agent into the gas-entrapped membrane.

Aspirin and proton pump inhibitor combination therapy for prevention of cardiovascular disease and Barrett's esophagus.

PubMed

Peura, David A; Wilcox, C Mel

2014-01-01

Aspirin, used at low doses (75-325 mg daily), prevents aggregation of platelets and is prescribed for patients as pharmacologic prevention of cardiovascular disease. Despite the well-documented beneficial effects of aspirin, prolonged use is associated with damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa in the upper and lower GI tract. Patient risk of hemorrhage and peptic ulcer formation is increased with older age, previous ulcer history, Helicobacter pylori infection, and concomitant use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or antithrombotic agents. As termination of aspirin therapy can precipitate a cardiovascular event, patients at risk need co-therapy with gastroprotective agents, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), to reduce the GI side effects of aspirin treatment. Fixed-dose combinations of low-dose aspirin and gastroprotective agents have been designed to increase medication compliance, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce the overall cost of therapy. Prolonged use of PPIs may, however, lead to serious adverse effects or, in some cases, reduce the cardioprotective effects of aspirin. Hence, physicians need to carefully consider the benefits and risks associated with the condition of each patient to optimize clinical outcomes of combination therapy. A growing body of clinical evidence indicates that aspirin may decrease the risk of colorectal and other GI cancers, as well as reduce progression from Barrett's esophagus (BE) to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, PPIs have recently been shown to reduce neoplastic transformation in patients with BE. Thus, the use of a fixed-dose aspirin/PPI combination could potentially provide chemopreventive benefit to patients with BE, and, at the same time, treat the underlying gastroesophageal reflux responsible for the condition.

Assessment of nickel bioavailability through chemical extractants and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in an amended soil: Related changes in various parameters of red clover.

PubMed

Shahbaz, Ali Khan; Iqbal, Muhammad; Jabbar, Abdul; Hussain, Sabir; Ibrahim, Muhammad

2018-03-01

Application of immobilizing agents may efficiently reduce the bioavailability of nickel (Ni) in the soil. Here we report the effect of biochar (BC), gravel sludge (GS) and zeolite (ZE) as a sole treatment and their combinations on the bioavailability of Ni after their application into a Ni-polluted soil. The bioavailability of Ni after the application of immobilizing agents was assessed through an indicator plant (red clover) and chemical indicators of bioavailability like soil water extract (SWE), DTPA and Ca(NO 3 ) 2 extracts. Additionally, the effects of Ni bioavailability and immobilizing agents on the growth, physiological and biochemical attributes of red clover were also observed. Application of ZE significantly reduced Ni concentrations in all chemical extracts compared to rest of the treatments. Similarly, the combined application of BC and ZE (BC+ ZE) significantly reduced Ni concentrations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) whereas, significant enhancement in the growth, physiological and biochemical attributes along with an improvement in antioxidant defence machinery of red clover plant, compared to rest of the treatments, were observed. Furthermore, BC+ ZE treatment significantly reduced bioconcentration factor (BCF) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of Ni in red clover, compared to rest of the treatments. The Ni concentrations in red clover leaves individually reflected a good correlation with Ni concentrations in the extracts (SWE at R 2 =0.79, DTPA extract at R 2 =0.84 and Ca(NO 3 ) 2 extracts at R 2 =0.86). Our results indicate that combined application of ZE and BC can significantly reduce the Ni bioavailability in the soil while in parallel improve the antioxidant defence mechanism in plants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Expression of HSP72 in the gastric mucosa is regulated by gastric acid in rats-Correlation of HSP72 expression with mucosal protection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wada, Isao; Otaka, Michiro; Jin, Mario

2006-10-20

Background and aim: The real mechanism of adaptive cytoprotection in the gastric mucosa is not well established. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acid suppressing agents on a 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) expression, which is known as endogenous cytoprotective factor, in the gastric mucosa. Also, the association of gastric mucosal protective function against HCl-challenge was compared between HSP72-induced and -reduced group. Materials and methods: Expression of HSP72 was measured by Western blotting in the gastric mucosa before and after administration of famotidine or omeprazole. The gastric mucosal protective function against 0.6 N HCl was compared betweenmore » control group and HSP72-reduced group. Also, the effect of increased expression of gastric HSP72 by additional administration of zinc sulfate or zinc L-carnosine, which is known as HSP72-inducer, on mucosal protective function was studied. Results: HSP72 expression in the gastric mucosa was reduced by acid suppressing agents. The lowest expression level of HSP72 was observed 12 h (famotidine, H2-receptor antagonist) or 48 h (omeprazole, proton pump inhibitor) after administration. The gastric mucosal protective ability against 0.6 N HCl was also reduced when HSP72 expression was decreased by famotidine or omeprazole. This phenomenon was reversed by HSP72 induction by additional administration of zinc derivatives. Conclusion: Our results might indicate that the expression of HSP72 in the gastric mucosa is physiologically regulated by gastric acid, and that HSP72 induction could be important in view of mucosal protection especially when HSP72 expression is reduced by administration of acid suppressing agents such as proton pump inhibitor or H2 receptor antagonist.« less

In vitro Comparative Evaluation of Tensile Bond Strength of 6(th), 7(th) and 8(th) Generation Dentin Bonding Agents.

PubMed

Kamble, Suresh S; Kandasamy, Baburajan; Thillaigovindan, Ranjani; Goyal, Nitin Kumar; Talukdar, Pratim; Seal, Mukut

2015-05-01

Newer dentin bonding agents were developed to improve the quality of composite restoration and to reduce time consumption in its application. The aim of the present study was to evaluate tensile bond strength of 6(th), 7(th) and 8(th) generation bonding agents by in vitro method. Selected 60 permanent teeth were assigned into 20 in each group (Group I: 6(th) generation bonding agent-Adper SE plus 3M ESPE, Group II: 7(th) generation bonding agent-G-Bond GC Corp Japan and Group III: 8(th) generation dentin adhesives-FuturaBond, DC, Voco, Germany). With high-speed diamond disc, coronal dentin was exposed, and selected dentin bonding agents were applied, followed by composite restoration. All samples were saved in saline for 24 h and tensile bond strength testing was done using a universal testing machine. The obtained data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using ANOVA test. The tensile bond strength readings for 6(th) generation bonding agent was 32.2465, for 7(th) generation was 31.6734, and for 8(th)-generation dentine bonding agent was 34.74431. The highest tensile bond strength was seen in 8(th) generation bonding agent compared to 6(th) and 7(th) generation bonding agents. From the present study it can be conclude that 8(th) generation dentine adhesive (Futura DC, Voco, Germany) resulted in highest tensile bond strength compared to 6(th) (Adper SE plus, 3M ESPE) and 7(th) generation (G-Bond) dentin bonding agents.

Stable dispersions of polymer-coated graphitic nanoplatelets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Sonbinh T. (Inventor); Stankovich, Sasha (Inventor); Ruoff, Rodney S. (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A method of making a dispersion of reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets involves providing a dispersion of graphite oxide nanoplatelets and reducing the graphite oxide nanoplatelets in the dispersion in the presence of a reducing agent and a polymer. The reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets are reduced to an extent to provide a higher C/O ratio than graphite oxide. A stable dispersion having polymer-treated reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets dispersed in a dispersing medium, such as water or organic liquid is provided. The polymer-treated, reduced graphite oxide nanoplatelets can be distributed in a polymer matrix to provide a composite material.

Anagrelide

MedlinePlus

... platelet-reducing agents. It works by slowing the production of platelets in the body. ... plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. ...

Microbiologic aspects of dental plaque and dental caries.

PubMed

Marsh, P D

1999-10-01

Dental plaque is an example of a microbial biofilm with a diverse microbial composition; it is found naturally on teeth and confers advantages to the host, for example, by preventing colonization by exogenous, and often pathogenic, micro-organisms. In individuals with a high frequency sugar diet, or with a severely compromised saliva flow, the levels of potentially cariogenic bacteria (acid-producing and acid-tolerating species) can increase beyond those compatible with enamel health. This article discusses antimicrobial strategies to control dental caries, including; reducing plaque levels, in general or specific cariogenic bacteria in particular, by antiplaque or antimicrobial agents; reducing bacterial acid production by replacing fermentable carbohydrates in the diet with sugar substitutes, or by interfering with bacterial metabolism with fluoride or antimicrobial agents.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Sodium Alginate and Lignosulphonic Acid Blends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakur, Amrita; Reddy, Giridhar

2017-08-01

A simple method based on the principles of green chemistry has been developed to synthesize stable silver nanoparticles (AgNP) for possible biomedical applications. Blend of sodium alginate (SA) and lignosulphonic acid (LS) prepared in the ratio of 80/20 mass percent respectively was used as reducing and stabilizing agent. This blend is biocompatible and has shown drug release ability under physiological conditions. Use of blend has an added advantage as LS has the ability to reduce silver while the blend matrix acts as a stabilizing agent. Effect of precursor concentration (AgNO3) and temperature was investigated. Progress of synthesis was monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Higher temperature and lower silver nitrate concentration showed better synthesis of AgNP.

A novel approach in red mud neutralization using cow dung.

PubMed

Patel, Sucharita; Pal, Bhatu Kumar; Patel, Raj Kishore

2018-05-01

In this study, cow dung was identified as a neutralizing agent for red mud (RM). Present research estimated a significant reduction in pH value of red mud (10 g) from 10.28 to 8.15 and reduction in alkalinity of ~148 mg/L from ~488 mg/L by adding 80 g of cow dung in 40 days of anaerobic condition. XRD results exhibit a high intensity of quartz and found new compound, the calcium carbide. The acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of NRM reduces to ~0.87 from ~1.506 mol H + /kg. Based on the resultant research, present study proposes cow dung as an efficient neutralizing agent for reducing the pH and alkalinity in the red mud.

A PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENT ON DENITRIFICATION OF WASTE LANDFILL LEACHATE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wada, Nariaki; Nakamichi, Tamihiro; Yagi, Masahiro; Matsumoto, Toshihide; Kugimiya, Akikazu; Michioku, Kohji

A laboratory experiment on denitrification was carried out in order to reduce nitrogen load from municipal landfill leachate. Nitrogen was efficiently removed by feeding sludge of the leachate pond into the tanks, which could activate denitrification bacteria. Although inorganic reducing agent such as iron powder was not able to make the whole water mass anoxic, denitrification took place by supplying organic matters such as methanol, hydrogen feeding agent, etc.. It is considered that small amount of anoxic water film produced on surfaces of container and carriers might contribute to denitrification, although the bulk water is kept aerobic. It is found that organic matters contained in the leachate is so insufficient that nitrification liquid circulation does not work well for denitrification.

Energy, Electron Transfer and Photocatalytic Reactions of Visible Light Absorbing Transition Metal Complexes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmehl, Russell H.

2016-03-02

This is the final technical report for a project carried out at Tulane University of New Orleans that describes the development of light induced (solar) reactions geared toward decomposing water into its component elements : hydrogen and oxygen. Much of the work involved optimizing systems for absorbing visible light and undergoing light promoted reactions to generate very strong reducing agents that are capable of reacting with water to produce hydrogen. Additional portions of the research were collaborative efforts to put the strong reducing agents to work in reaction with hydrogen generation catalysts prepared elsewhere. Time resolved laser spectroscopic methods weremore » used to evaluate the light induced reactions and characterize very reactive intermediate substances formed during the reactions.« less

Effect of levetiracetam on penicillin induced epileptic activity in rats.

PubMed

Arık, Aliye Erguvan; Bağırıcı, Faruk; Sefil, Fatih; Marangoz, Cafer

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats. Penicillin was applied intracerebroventricularly (icv) at a dose of 500 IU to induce epileptiform activity. LEV was given intraperitoneally (ip) at doses of 20, 40, 80 mg/kg before penicillin injection. This agent reduced epileptiform activity by decreasing spike frequencies. The mean spike frequencies decreased significantly in all the LEV treated groups. There was no significant change in the spike amplitudes of the LEV groups compared with the control group. 40 mg/kg of LEV was determined as the most effective dose on reducing epileptiform activity. The results of this study suggest that LEV is an effective antiepileptic agent in penicillin-induced epilepsy.

Compaction agent clarification of microbial lysates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeWalt, Brad W.; Murphy, Jason C.; Fox, George E.; Willson, Richard C.

2003-01-01

Recombinant proteins are often purified from microbial lysates containing high concentrations of nucleic acids. Pre-purification steps such as nuclease addition or precipitation with polyethyleneimine or ammonium sulfate are normally required to reduce viscosity and to eliminate competing polyanions before anion exchange chromatography. We report that small polycationic compaction agents such as spermine selectively precipitate nucleic acids during or after Escherichia coli lysis, allowing DNA and RNA to be pelleted with the insoluble cell debris. Analysis by spectrophotometry and protein assay confirmed a significant reduction in the concentration of nucleic acids present, with preservation of protein. Lysate viscosity is greatly reduced, facilitating subsequent processing. We have used 5mM spermine to remove nucleic acids from E. coli lysate in the purification of a hexahistidine-tagged HIV reverse transcriptase.

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in rats by CDK inhibitors.

PubMed

Davis, S T; Benson, B G; Bramson, H N; Chapman, D E; Dickerson, S H; Dold, K M; Eberwein, D J; Edelstein, M; Frye, S V; Gampe, R T; Griffin, R J; Harris, P A; Hassell, A M; Holmes, W D; Hunter, R N; Knick, V B; Lackey, K; Lovejoy, B; Luzzio, M J; Murray, D; Parker, P; Rocque, W J; Shewchuk, L; Veal, J M; Walker, D H; Kuyper, L F

2001-01-05

Most traditional cytotoxic anticancer agents ablate the rapidly dividing epithelium of the hair follicle and induce alopecia (hair loss). Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a positive regulator of eukaryotic cell cycle progression, may represent a therapeutic strategy for prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) by arresting the cell cycle and reducing the sensitivity of the epithelium to many cell cycle-active antitumor agents. Potent small-molecule inhibitors of CDK2 were developed using structure-based methods. Topical application of these compounds in a neonatal rat model of CIA reduced hair loss at the site of application in 33 to 50% of the animals. Thus, inhibition of CDK2 represents a potentially useful approach for the prevention of CIA in cancer patients.

Hydrothermal growth of cross-linked hyperbranched copper dendrites using copper oxalate complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Truong, Quang Duc; Kakihana, Masato

2012-06-01

A facile and surfactant-free approach has been developed for the synthesis of cross-linked hyperbranched copper dendrites using copper oxalate complex as a precursor and oxalic acid as a reducing and structure-directing agent. The synthesized particles are composed of highly branched nanostructures with unusual cross-linked hierarchical networks. The formation of copper dendrites can be explained in view of both diffusion control and aggregation-based growth model accompanied by the chelation-assisted assembly. Oxalic acid was found to play dual roles as reducing and structure-directing agent based on the investigation results. The understanding on the crystal growth and the roles of oxalic acid provides clear insight into the formation mechanism of hyperbranched metal dendrites.

Aerosol reduction/expansion synthesis (A-RES) for zero valent metal particles

DOEpatents

Leseman, Zayd; Luhrs, Claudia; Phillips, Jonathan; Soliman, Haytham

2016-04-12

Various embodiments provide methods of forming zero valent metal particles using an aerosol-reductive/expansion synthesis (A-RES) process. In one embodiment, an aerosol stream including metal precursor compound(s) and chemical agent(s) that produces reducing gases upon thermal decomposition can be introduced into a heated inert atmosphere of a RES reactor to form zero valent metal particles corresponding to metals used for the metal precursor compound(s).

Chelating agents.

PubMed

Bergan, T; Klaveness, J; Aasen, A J

2001-01-01

The antibacterial activity of metal ions, metal chelates, and molecules with chelating ability for polyvalent cations have been evaluated. The chelator N, N'-ethylenebis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-glycine] (EHPG) exerted moderate-to-good activity against isolates of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Other chelating agents such as ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) revealed weak-to-moderate activity. Metal chelation of ligands reduced the activity of EDTA and DTPA. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Clearance Properties of Nano-sized Particles and Molecules as Imaging Agents: Considerations and Caveats

PubMed Central

Longmire, Michelle; Choyke, Peter L.; Kobayashi, Hisataka

2009-01-01

Summary Nanoparticles possess enormous potential as diagnostic imaging agents and hold promise for the development of multimodality agents with both imaging and therapeutic capabilities. Yet, some of the most promising nanoparticles demonstrate prolonged tissue retention and contain heavy metals. This presents serious concerns for toxicity. The creation of nanoparticles with optimal clearance characteristics will minimize toxicity risks by reducing the duration of exposure to these agents. Given that many nanoparticles possess easily modifiable surface and interior chemistry, if nanoparticle characteristics associated with optimal clearance from the body were well established, it would be feasible to design and create agents with more favorable clearance properties. This paper presents a thorough discussion of the physiologic aspects of nanoparticle clearance, focusing on renal mechanisms, as well as provides an overview of current research investigating clearance of specific types of nanoparticles and nano-sized macromolecules, including dendrimers, quantum dots, liposomes and carbon, gold, and silica-based nanoparticles. PMID:18817471

Intelligent agent-based intrusion detection system using enhanced multiclass SVM.

PubMed

Ganapathy, S; Yogesh, P; Kannan, A

2012-01-01

Intrusion detection systems were used in the past along with various techniques to detect intrusions in networks effectively. However, most of these systems are able to detect the intruders only with high false alarm rate. In this paper, we propose a new intelligent agent-based intrusion detection model for mobile ad hoc networks using a combination of attribute selection, outlier detection, and enhanced multiclass SVM classification methods. For this purpose, an effective preprocessing technique is proposed that improves the detection accuracy and reduces the processing time. Moreover, two new algorithms, namely, an Intelligent Agent Weighted Distance Outlier Detection algorithm and an Intelligent Agent-based Enhanced Multiclass Support Vector Machine algorithm are proposed for detecting the intruders in a distributed database environment that uses intelligent agents for trust management and coordination in transaction processing. The experimental results of the proposed model show that this system detects anomalies with low false alarm rate and high-detection rate when tested with KDD Cup 99 data set.

Intelligent Agent-Based Intrusion Detection System Using Enhanced Multiclass SVM

PubMed Central

Ganapathy, S.; Yogesh, P.; Kannan, A.

2012-01-01

Intrusion detection systems were used in the past along with various techniques to detect intrusions in networks effectively. However, most of these systems are able to detect the intruders only with high false alarm rate. In this paper, we propose a new intelligent agent-based intrusion detection model for mobile ad hoc networks using a combination of attribute selection, outlier detection, and enhanced multiclass SVM classification methods. For this purpose, an effective preprocessing technique is proposed that improves the detection accuracy and reduces the processing time. Moreover, two new algorithms, namely, an Intelligent Agent Weighted Distance Outlier Detection algorithm and an Intelligent Agent-based Enhanced Multiclass Support Vector Machine algorithm are proposed for detecting the intruders in a distributed database environment that uses intelligent agents for trust management and coordination in transaction processing. The experimental results of the proposed model show that this system detects anomalies with low false alarm rate and high-detection rate when tested with KDD Cup 99 data set. PMID:23056036

Design, Implementation and Case Study of WISEMAN: WIreless Sensors Employing Mobile AgeNts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Valenzuela, Sergio; Chen, Min; Leung, Victor C. M.

We describe the practical implementation of Wiseman: our proposed scheme for running mobile agents in Wireless Sensor Networks. Wiseman’s architecture derives from a much earlier agent system originally conceived for distributed process coordination in wired networks. Given the memory constraints associated with small sensor devices, we revised the architecture of the original agent system to make it applicable to this type of networks. Agents are programmed as compact text scripts that are interpreted at the sensor nodes. Wiseman is currently implemented in TinyOS ver. 1, its binary image occupies 19Kbytes of ROM memory, and it occupies 3Kbytes of RAM to operate. We describe the rationale behind Wiseman’s interpreter architecture and unique programming features that can help reduce packet overhead in sensor networks. In addition, we gauge the proposed system’s efficiency in terms of task duration with different network topologies through a case study that involves an early-fire-detection application in a fictitious forest setting.

An Unusual Complication With the Administration of a Volatile Anesthetic Agent for Status Asthmaticus in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Shutes, Brittany; Frazier, W Joshua; Tobias, Joseph D

2017-07-01

In severe cases of status asthmaticus, when conventional therapies fail, volatile anesthetic agents remain a therapeutic option. When delivered outside of the operating room setting, specialized delivery techniques are needed to ensure the safe and effective use of volatile anesthetic agents. We present a 16-year-old adolescent with status asthmaticus who required the therapeutic administration of the volatile anesthetic agent, sevoflurane, in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Although initially effective in reducing bronchospasm, progressive hypercarbia developed due to defective functioning of the carbon dioxide absorber of the anesthesia machine. This failure occurred as the soda lime compartment filled with water accumulated from circuit humidification and continuous albuterol therapy. The role of volatile anesthetic agents in the treatment of status asthmaticus in the PICU is discussed, options for delivery outside of the operating room presented, and potential problems with delivery reviewed.

Misreporting behaviour in iterated prisoner's dilemma game with combined trust strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bo; Zhang, Bin; Wu, Hua-qing

2015-01-01

Effects of agents' misreporting behaviour on system cooperation are studied in a multi-agent iterated prisoner's dilemma game. Agents, adopting combined trust strategy (denoted by CTS) are classified into three groups, i.e., honest CTS, positive-reporting CTS and negative-reporting CTS. The differences of cooperation frequency and pay-off under three different systems, i.e., system only with honest CTS, system with honest CTS and positive-reporting CTS and system with honest CTS and negative-reporting CTS, are compared. Furthermore, we also investigate the effects of misreporting behaviour on an exploiter who adopts an exploiting strategy (denoted by EXPL) in a system with two CTSs and one EXPL. At last, numerical simulations are performed for understanding the effects of misreporting behaviour on CTS. The results reveal that positive-reporting behaviour can strengthen system cooperation, while negative-reporting behaviour cannot. When EXPL exists in a system, positive-reporting behaviour helps the exploiter in reducing its exploiting cost and encourages agents to adopt exploiting strategy, but hurts other agents' interests.

Canada thistle biological control agents on two South Dakota wildlife refuges

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reed, C.C.; Larson, D.L.; Larson, J.L.

2006-01-01

We monitored populations of Canada thistle biocontrol agents Cassida rubiginosa, Ceutorhynchus litura, Larinus (= Hadroplantus) planus, Urophora cardui, Orellia (= Terellia) ruficauda, and Rhinocyllus conicus on Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) at two national wildlife refuges in South Dakota from 1999 through 2003. C. litura, U. cardui, O. ruficauda, and R. conicus were present on both refuges. Agent populations were low except for C. litura, which was present in up to 90% of stems in some plots. C. litura infestation did not reduce thistle flowering, stem length, or over-winter survival. There was no change in thistle stem numbers over the study period and no difference in stem numbers in areas of high C. litura populations compared to areas of low C. litura populations. Our results suggest that insect biological control agents are inadequate for reduction of Canada thistle in southern South Dakota.

Effect of nanoparticle encapsulation on the photostability of the sunscreen agent, 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate.

PubMed

Perugini, P; Simeoni, S; Scalia, S; Genta, I; Modena, T; Conti, B; Pavanetto, F

2002-10-10

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of nanoparticle-based systems on the light-induced decomposition of the sunscreen agent, trans-2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate (trans-EHMC). Ethylcellulose (EC) and poly-D,L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) were used as biocompatible polymers for the preparation of the particulate systems. The "salting out" method was used for nanoparticle preparation and several variables were evaluated in order to optimize product characteristics. The photodegradation of the sunscreen agent in emulsion vehicles was reduced by encapsulation into the PLGA nanoparticles (the extent of degradation was 35.3% for the sunscreen-loaded nanoparticles compared to 52.3% for free trans-EHMC) whereas the EC nanoparticle system had no significant effect. Therefore, PLGA nanoparticles loaded with trans-EHMC improve the photostability of the sunscreen agent.

Efficient priority queueing routing strategy on networks of mobile agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Gan-Hua; Yang, Hui-Jie; Pan, Jia-Hui

2018-03-01

As a consequence of their practical implications for communications networks, traffic dynamics on complex networks have recently captivated researchers. Previous routing strategies for improving transport efficiency have paid little attention to the orders in which the packets should be forwarded, just simply used first-in-first-out queue discipline. Here, we apply a priority queuing discipline and propose a shortest-distance-first routing strategy on networks of mobile agents. Numerical experiments reveal that the proposed scheme remarkably improves both the network throughput and the packet arrival rate and reduces both the average traveling time and the rate of waiting time to traveling time. Moreover, we find that the network capacity increases with an increase in both the communication radius and the number of agents. Our work may be helpful for the design of routing strategies on networks of mobile agents.

Children's influence in the marital relationship.

PubMed

Schermerhorn, Alice C; Cummings, E Mark; DeCarlo, Catherine A; Davies, Patrick T

2007-06-01

In a 3-wave longitudinal study, the authors tested hypotheses regarding children's influence on the marital relationship, examining relations between interparental discord and children's negative emotional reactivity, agentic behavior, dysregulated behavior, and psychosocial adjustment. Participants were 232 cohabiting mothers and fathers who completed questionnaires and a marital conflict resolution task. Consistent with theory, interparental discord related to children's negative emotional reactivity, which in turn related to children's agentic and dysregulated behavior. Agentic behavior related to decreases in interparental discord, whereas dysregulated behavior related to increases in discord and elevations in children's adjustment problems. Person-oriented analyses of agentic and dysregulated responses indicated distinct clusters of children linked with meaningful individual differences in marital and psychosocial functioning. Results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of child effects, such as increased parental awareness of children's distress potentially leading to reduced marital conflict.

Combination of dacarbazine and dimethylfumarate efficiently reduces melanoma lymph node metastasis.

PubMed

Valero, Teresa; Steele, Silvia; Neumüller, Karin; Bracher, Andreas; Niederleithner, Heide; Pehamberger, Hubert; Petzelbauer, Peter; Loewe, Robert

2010-04-01

Dimethylfumarate (DMF) has been shown to reduce melanoma growth and metastasis in animal models. We addressed the question of whether DMF is as effective in its antitumor activity as the US Food and Drug Administration-approved alkylating agent dacarbazine (DTIC). We also tested the possibility of an improved antitumoral effect when both therapeutics were used together. Using our severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model, in which xenografted human melanoma cells metastasize from primary skin sites to sentinel nodes, we show that these treatments, alone or in combination, reduce tumor growth at primary sites. Our main finding was that metastasis to sentinel nodes is significantly delayed only in mice treated with a combination of DTIC and DMF. Subsequent experiments were able to show that a combination of DTIC/DMF significantly reduced lymph vessel density in primary tumors as examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In addition, DTIC/DMF treatment significantly impaired melanoma cell migration in vitro. In vivo, DTIC/DMF therapy significantly reduced mRNA expression and protein concentration of the promigratory chemokines CXCL2 and CXCL11. In addition, our data suggest that this xenotransplantation model is suitable for preclinical testing of various combinations of antimelanoma agents.

One-pot three-component synthesis of novel heterocyclic steroids as a central antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

PubMed

Mohamed, Nadia R; Abdelhalim, Mervat M; Khadrawy, Yasser A; Elmegeed, Gamal A; Abdel-Salam, Omar M E

2012-11-01

Oxidative stress and inflammation have been implicated in several neurodegenerative and developmental brain disorders. The present work was devoted to the design and synthesis of novel steroid derivatives bearing promising heterocyclic moiety that would act to reduce neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress in brain. The novel heterocyclic steroids were synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by studying their analytical and spectral data. The tested compounds were assayed in the model of neuro-inflammation produced in rats by cerebral lipopolysaccharide injection. The intracerebral administration of bacterial endotoxin resulted in cerebral inflammatory state evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) level, increased nitric oxide as well as increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain. Compounds 6, 10, 8b and 13a markedly increased reduced glutathione. Malondialadehyde and nitric oxide levels were reduced to normal values after treatment with all tested compounds. AChE activity was normalized by compound 8b and reduced to below normal values by compounds 10 and 14a. These results are exciting in that these agents might be useful candidates in treatment of cerebral inflammation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles using plant metabolites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippi, Antonio; Mattiello, Alessandro; Musetti, Rita; Petrussa, Elisa; Braidot, Enrico; Marchiol, Luca

2017-08-01

Nano-biotechnology is one of the most promising areas in modern nanoscience and technology. In this emerging area of research, nanoparticles (NPs) play an important role since the large-scale production and huge numbers of utilization. Gold and silver nanoparticles are among the most extensively studied nanomaterials, since they show high stability and low chemical reactivity in comparison to other metals. They are commonly synthesized using toxic chemical reducing agents able to reduce metal ions into uncharged NPs and/or high energy supplied procedures. The most commonly used method for the synthesis of NPs requires toxic chemicals like N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) or trisodium citrate, but recently a green technique, based on natural reducing agents, has been suggested to substitute the nature-unfriendly chemical methods. Many scientific works put in evidence the efficacy of plant extracts to reduce metal salts into the respective NPs, but this process lacks a clear control of NPs shapes and dimensions, since many different metabolites present into the extracts could participate to the process. This paper aims to clarify the reducing action of single pure natural compounds usually present in plant tissues and to obtain a stable and reproducible protocol for NPs synthesis.

Using Agent-Based Modeling to Enhance System-Level Real-time Control of Urban Stormwater Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rimer, S.; Mullapudi, A. M.; Kerkez, B.

2017-12-01

The ability to reduce combined-sewer overflow (CSO) events is an issue that challenges over 800 U.S. municipalities. When the volume of a combined sewer system or wastewater treatment plant is exceeded, untreated wastewater then overflows (a CSO event) into nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies causing localized urban flooding and pollution. The likelihood and impact of CSO events has only exacerbated due to urbanization, population growth, climate change, aging infrastructure, and system complexity. Thus, there is an urgent need for urban areas to manage CSO events. Traditionally, mitigating CSO events has been carried out via time-intensive and expensive structural interventions such as retention basins or sewer separation, which are able to reduce CSO events, but are costly, arduous, and only provide a fixed solution to a dynamic problem. Real-time control (RTC) of urban drainage systems using sensor and actuator networks has served as an inexpensive and versatile alternative to traditional CSO intervention. In particular, retrofitting individual stormwater elements for sensing and automated active distributed control has been shown to significantly reduce the volume of discharge during CSO events, with some RTC models demonstrating a reduction upwards of 90% when compared to traditional passive systems. As more stormwater elements become retrofitted for RTC, system-level RTC across complete watersheds is an attainable possibility. However, when considering the diverse set of control needs of each of these individual stormwater elements, such system-level RTC becomes a far more complex problem. To address such diverse control needs, agent-based modeling is employed such that each individual stormwater element is treated as an autonomous agent with a diverse decision making capabilities. We present preliminary results and limitations of utilizing the agent-based modeling computational framework for the system-level control of diverse, interacting stormwater elements.

Novel Dental Cement to Combat Biofilms and Reduce Acids for Orthodontic Applications to Avoid Enamel Demineralization

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ning; Melo, Mary Anne S.; Antonucci, Joseph M.; Lin, Nancy J.; Lin-Gibson, Sheng; Bai, Yuxing; Xu, Hockin H.K.

2016-01-01

Orthodontic treatments often lead to biofilm buildup and white spot lesions due to enamel demineralization. The objectives of this study were to develop a novel bioactive orthodontic cement to prevent white spot lesions, and to determine the effects of cement compositions on biofilm growth and acid production. 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), nanoparticles of silver (NAg), and dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) were incorporated into a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGI). Enamel shear bond strength (SBS) was determined. Protein adsorption was determined using a micro bicinchoninic acid method. A dental plaque microcosm biofilm model with human saliva as inoculum was used to investigate metabolic activity, colony-forming units (CFU) and lactic acid production. Incorporating 3% of MPC, 1.5% of DMAHDM, and 0.1% of NAg into RMGI, and immersing in distilled water at 37 °C for 30 days, did not decrease the SBS, compared to control (p > 0.1). RMGI with 3% MPC + 1.5% DMAHDM + 0.1% NAg had protein amount that was 1/10 that of control. RMGI with triple agents (MPC + DMAHDM + NAg) had much stronger antibacterial property than using a single agent or double agents (p < 0.05). Biofilm CFU on RMGI with triple agents was reduced by more than 3 orders of magnitude, compared to commercial control. Biofilm metabolic activity and acid production were also greatly reduced. In conclusion, adding MPC + DMAHDM + NAg in RMGI substantially inhibited biofilm viability and acid production, without compromising the orthodontic bracket bond strength to enamel. The novel bioactive cement is promising for orthodontic applications to hinder biofilms and plaque buildup and enamel demineralization. PMID:28773534

Varied exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) chemicals in occupational settings in France.

PubMed

Havet, Nathalie; Penot, Alexis; Morelle, Magali; Perrier, Lionel; Charbotel, Barbara; Fervers, Béatrice

2017-02-01

To explore varied exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic chemicals (CMR) for French employees. Our study assessed data from the French national cross-sectional survey of occupational risks (SUMER) that was conducted in 2010 in a national representative sample of employees. We selected 28 CMR agents that were classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer or European Union as being known or presumed to have CMR potential in humans. The association of individual and job characteristics with exposure prevalence, duration, and intensity of the CMR agents during a 1-week period was examined using multilevel logistic regression analysis. Overall, 10.4% of employees in 2010 were exposed to one or more CMR agents at their workplace, and 3.4% were subjected to multiple CMR exposures. Blue-collar workers, night-shift workers and workers with short-term employment contracts experienced higher exposure prevalence (p < 0.01) and intensity (p < 0.05). Blue-collar workers and shift workers experienced also longer exposure duration (p < 0.001). Conversely, managers, workers of large companies, and women were less exposed to CMR agents (p < 0.001). The presence of a Committee for Health, Safety, and Working Conditions, and intervention by Occupational Health and Safety officers were significantly associated with reduced exposure intensities (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). Establishment of European CMR regulations and the existence of an applicable substitution principle reduced the exposure duration (p < 0.001) and intensity (p < 0.05). Our results point out disparities in CMR exposure and identify high-priority targets for prevention measures to help reducing social health discrepancies.

Liposome encapsulation of curcumin and resveratrol in combination reduces prostate cancer incidence in PTEN knockout mice.

PubMed

Narayanan, Narayanan K; Nargi, Dominick; Randolph, Carla; Narayanan, Bhagavathi A

2009-07-01

Increasing interest in the use of phytochemicals to reduce prostate cancer led us to investigate 2 potential agents, curcumin and resveratrol as preventive agents. However, there is concern about the bioavailability of these agents pertinent to the poor absorption and thereby limiting its clinical use. With the view to improve their bioavailability, we used the liposome encapsulated curcumin, and resveratrol individually and in combination in male B6C3F1/J mice. Further, we examined the chemopreventive effect of liposome encapsulated curcumin and resveratrol in combination in prostate-specific PTEN knockout mice. In vitro assays using PTEN-CaP8 cancer cells were performed to investigate the combined effects curcumin with resveratrol on (i) cell growth, apoptosis and cell cycle (ii) impact on activated p-Akt, cyclin D1, m-TOR and androgen receptor (AR) proteins involved in tumor progression. HPLC analysis of serum and prostate tissues showed a significant increase in curcumin level when liposome encapsulated curcumin coadministered with liposomal resveratrol (p < 0.001). Combination of liposomal forms of curcumin and resveratrol significantly decreased prostatic adenocarcinoma in vivo (p < 0.001). In vitro studies revealed that curcumin plus resveratrol effectively inhibit cell growth and induced apoptosis. Molecular targets activated due to the loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) including p-Akt, cyclin D1, mammalian target of rapamycin and AR were downregulated by these agents in combination. Findings from this study for the first time provide evidence on phytochemicals in combination to enhance chemopreventive efficacy in prostate cancer. These findings clearly suggest that phytochemicals in combination may reduce prostate cancer incidence due to the loss of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN.

Meta-analysis: antithrombotic therapy to prevent stroke in patients who have nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Hart, Robert G; Pearce, Lesly A; Aguilar, Maria I

2007-06-19

Atrial fibrillation is a strong independent risk factor for stroke. To characterize the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic agents for stroke prevention in patients who have atrial fibrillation, adding 13 recent randomized trials to a previous meta-analysis. Randomized trials identified by using the Cochrane Stroke Group search strategy, 1966 to March 2007, unrestricted by language. All published randomized trials with a mean follow-up of 3 months or longer that tested antithrombotic agents in patients who have nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Two coauthors independently extracted information regarding interventions; participants; and occurrences of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, major extracranial bleeding, and death. Twenty-nine trials included 28,044 participants (mean age, 71 years; mean follow-up, 1.5 years). Compared with the control, adjusted-dose warfarin (6 trials, 2900 participants) and antiplatelet agents (8 trials, 4876 participants) reduced stroke by 64% (95% CI, 49% to 74%) and 22% (CI, 6% to 35%), respectively. Adjusted-dose warfarin was substantially more efficacious than antiplatelet therapy (relative risk reduction, 39% [CI, 22% to 52%]) (12 trials, 12 963 participants). Other randomized comparisons were inconclusive. Absolute increases in major extracranial hemorrhage were small (< or =0.3% per year) on the basis of meta-analysis. Methodological features and quality varied substantially and often were incompletely reported. Adjusted-dose warfarin and antiplatelet agents reduce stroke by approximately 60% and by approximately 20%, respectively, in patients who have atrial fibrillation. Warfarin is substantially more efficacious (by approximately 40%) than antiplatelet therapy. Absolute increases in major extracranial hemorrhage associated with antithrombotic therapy in participants from the trials included in this meta-analysis were less than the absolute reductions in stroke. Judicious use of antithrombotic therapy importantly reduces stroke for most patients who have atrial fibrillation.

Naturally Occurring Genetic Variants of Human Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase and Their Potential Impact on the Risk of Toxicity from Cholinesterase Inhibitors

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the physiologically important target for organophosphorus toxicants (OP) including nerve agents and pesticides. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in blood serves as a bioscavenger that protects AChE in nerve synapses from inhibition by OP. Mass spectrometry methods can detect exposure to OP by measuring adducts on the active site serine of plasma BChE. Genetic variants of human AChE and BChE do exist, but loss of function mutations have been identified only in the BCHE gene. The most common AChE variant, His353Asn (H322N), also known as the Yt blood group antigen, has normal AChE activity. The most common BChE variant, Ala567Thr (A539T) or the K-variant in honor of Werner Kalow, has 33% reduced plasma BChE activity. The genetic variant most frequently associated with prolonged response to muscle relaxants, Asp98Gly (D70G) or atypical BChE, has reduced activity and reduced enzyme concentration. Early studies in young, healthy males, performed at a time when it was legal to test nerve agents in humans, showed that individuals responded differently to the same low dose of sarin with toxic symptoms ranging in severity from minimal to moderate. Additionally, animal studies indicated that BChE protects from toxicants that have a higher reactivity with AChE than with BChE (e.g., nerve agents) but not from toxicants that have a higher reactivity with BChE than with AChE (e.g., OP pesticides). As a corollary, we hypothesize that individuals with genetic variants of BChE may be at increased risk of toxicity from nerve agents but not from OP pesticides. PMID:27551784

Naturally Occurring Genetic Variants of Human Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase and Their Potential Impact on the Risk of Toxicity from Cholinesterase Inhibitors.

PubMed

Lockridge, Oksana; Norgren, Robert B; Johnson, Rudolph C; Blake, Thomas A

2016-09-19

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the physiologically important target for organophosphorus toxicants (OP) including nerve agents and pesticides. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in blood serves as a bioscavenger that protects AChE in nerve synapses from inhibition by OP. Mass spectrometry methods can detect exposure to OP by measuring adducts on the active site serine of plasma BChE. Genetic variants of human AChE and BChE do exist, but loss of function mutations have been identified only in the BCHE gene. The most common AChE variant, His353Asn (H322N), also known as the Yt blood group antigen, has normal AChE activity. The most common BChE variant, Ala567Thr (A539T) or the K-variant in honor of Werner Kalow, has 33% reduced plasma BChE activity. The genetic variant most frequently associated with prolonged response to muscle relaxants, Asp98Gly (D70G) or atypical BChE, has reduced activity and reduced enzyme concentration. Early studies in young, healthy males, performed at a time when it was legal to test nerve agents in humans, showed that individuals responded differently to the same low dose of sarin with toxic symptoms ranging in severity from minimal to moderate. Additionally, animal studies indicated that BChE protects from toxicants that have a higher reactivity with AChE than with BChE (e.g., nerve agents) but not from toxicants that have a higher reactivity with BChE than with AChE (e.g., OP pesticides). As a corollary, we hypothesize that individuals with genetic variants of BChE may be at increased risk of toxicity from nerve agents but not from OP pesticides.

Bacteriological Aspects of Hand Washing: A Key for Health Promotion and Infections Control

PubMed Central

Ataee, Ramezan Ali; Ataee, Mohammad Hosein; Mehrabi Tavana, Ali; Salesi, Mahmud

2017-01-01

The aim of this review is to show the historical aspects of hands washing for healthy life and explains how can reduce the transmission of community-acquired infectious agents by healthcare workers and patients. This review article is prepared based on available database. The key words used were hands washing, risk assessment, hands hygiene, bacterial flora, contamination, infection, nosocomial, tap water, sanitizer, bacterial resistance, hands bacterial flora, washing methods, antiseptics, healthcare workers, healthcare personnel, from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar. Data were descriptively analyzed. The insistence on hand washing has a history of 1400 years. The research results indicate that the bacteria released from the female washed hands in wet and dry condition was lower than from the male's hands with a significance level (3 CFU vs. 8 CFU; confidence interval 95%, P ≤ 0.001). The valuable results of the study indicated that released amount of bacterial flora from wet hands is more than 10 times in compared to dry hands. In addition, established monitoring systems for washing hands before and after patient's manipulation as well as after toilet were dominant indices to prevent the transfer of infectious agents to the patients. Increasing awareness and belief of the healthcare workers have shown an important role by about 30% reduction in the transfection. Hand washing could reduce the episodes of transmission of infectious agents in both community and healthcare settings. However, hand washing is an important key factor to prevent transmission of infectious agents to patients. There is no standard method for measuring compliance. Thus, permanent monitoring of hand washing to reduce the transmission of infections is crucial. Finally, the personnel must believe that hand washing is an inevitable approach to infection control. PMID:28382192

A review of nateglinide in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes

PubMed Central

Tentolouris, Nicholas; Voulgari, Christina; Katsilambros, Nicholas

2007-01-01

Impaired insulin secretion occurs early in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is chronic and progressive, resulting initially in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and eventually in T2DM. As most patients with T2DM have both insulin resistance and insulin deficiency, therapy for T2DM should aim to control not only fasting, but also postprandial plasma glucose levels. While oral glucose-lowering treatment with metformin and thiazolidinediones corrects fasting plasma glucose, these agents do not address the problem of mealtime glucose spikes that have been shown to trigger atherogenic processes. Nateglinide is a derivative of the amino acid D-phenylalanine, which acts directly on the pancreatic β-cells to stimulate insulin secretion. Nateglinide monotherapy controls significantly mealtime hyperglycemia and results in improved overall glycemic control in patients with T2DM by reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The combination of nateglinide with insulin-sensitising agents, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones, targets both insulin deficiency and insulin resistance and results in reductions in HbA1c that could not be achieved by monotherapy with other antidiabetic agents. In prediabetic subjects with IGT, nateglinide restores early insulin secretion and reduces postprandial hyperglycemia. Nateglinide has an excellent safety and tolerability profile and provides a lifetime flexibility that other antidiabetic agents could not accomplish. The aim of this review is to identify nateglinide as an effective “gate-keeper” in T2DM, since it restores early-phase insulin secretion and prevents mealtime glucose spikes throughout the day and to evaluate the results of ongoing research into its potential role in delaying the progression to overt diabetes and reducing its complications and mortality. PMID:18200800

Dynamic simulation of crime perpetration and reporting to examine community intervention strategies.

PubMed

Yonas, Michael A; Burke, Jessica G; Brown, Shawn T; Borrebach, Jeffrey D; Garland, Richard; Burke, Donald S; Grefenstette, John J

2013-10-01

To develop a conceptual computational agent-based model (ABM) to explore community-wide versus spatially focused crime reporting interventions to reduce community crime perpetrated by youth. Agents within the model represent individual residents and interact on a two-dimensional grid representing an abstract nonempirically grounded community setting. Juvenile agents are assigned initial random probabilities of perpetrating a crime and adults are assigned random probabilities of witnessing and reporting crimes. The agents' behavioral probabilities modify depending on the individual's experience with criminal behavior and punishment, and exposure to community crime interventions. Cost-effectiveness analyses assessed the impact of activating different percentages of adults to increase reporting and reduce community crime activity. Community-wide interventions were compared with spatially focused interventions, in which activated adults were focused in areas of highest crime prevalence. The ABM suggests that both community-wide and spatially focused interventions can be effective in reducing overall offenses, but their relative effectiveness may depend on the intensity and cost of the interventions. Although spatially focused intervention yielded localized reductions in crimes, such interventions were shown to move crime to nearby communities. Community-wide interventions can achieve larger reductions in overall community crime offenses than spatially focused interventions, as long as sufficient resources are available. The ABM demonstrates that community-wide and spatially focused crime strategies produce unique intervention dynamics influencing juvenile crime behaviors through the decisions and actions of community adults. It shows how such models might be used to investigate community-supported crime intervention programs by integrating community input and expertise and provides a simulated setting for assessing dimensions of cost comparison and intervention effect sustainability. ABM illustrates how intervention models might be used to investigate community-supported crime intervention programs.

Randomized study combining interferon and glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Lublin, Fred D; Cofield, Stacey S; Cutter, Gary R; Conwit, Robin; Narayana, Ponnada A; Nelson, Flavia; Salter, Amber R; Gustafson, Tarah; Wolinsky, Jerry S

2013-03-01

A double-blind, randomized, controlled study was undertaken to determine whether combined use of interferon β-1a (IFN) 30 μg intramuscularly weekly and glatiramer acetate (GA) 20 mg daily is more efficacious than either agent alone in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. A total of 1,008 participants were randomized and followed until the last participant enrolled completed 3 years. The primary endpoint was reduction in annualized relapse rate utilizing a strict definition of relapse. Secondary outcomes included time to confirmed disability, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics. Combination IFN+GA was not superior to the better of the single agents (GA) in risk of relapse. Both the combination therapy and GA were significantly better than IFN in reducing the risk of relapse. The combination was not better than either agent alone in lessening confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale progression or change in MSFC over 36 months. The combination was superior to either agent alone in reducing new lesion activity and accumulation of total lesion volumes. In a post hoc analysis, combination therapy resulted in a higher proportion of participants attaining disease activity-free status (DAFS) compared to either single arm, driven by the MRI results. Combining the 2 most commonly prescribed therapies for multiple sclerosis did not produce a significant clinical benefit over 3 years. An effect was seen on some MRI metrics. In a test of comparative efficacy, GA was superior to IFN in reducing the risk of exacerbation. The extension phase for CombiRx will address whether the observed differences in MRI and DAFS findings predict later clinical differences. Copyright © 2013 American Neurological Association.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced reduction of delayed rectifier potassium current in hippocampal neurons involves oxidation of sulfhydryl groups.

PubMed

Hasan, Sonia M K; Redzic, Zoran B; Alshuaib, Waleed B

2013-07-03

This study examined the effect of H2O2 on the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKDR) in isolated hippocampal neurons. Whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments were performed on freshly dissociated hippocampal CA1 neurons of SD rats before and after treatment with H2O2. To reveal the mechanism behind H2O2-induced changes in IKDR, cells were treated with different oxidizing and reducing agents. External application of membrane permeable H2O2 reduced the amplitude and voltage-dependence of IKDR in a concentration dependent manner. Desferoxamine (DFO), an iron-chelator that prevents hydroxyl radical (OH) generation, prevented H2O2-induced reduction in IKDR. Application of the sulfhydryl-oxidizing agent 5,5 dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) mimicked the effect of H2O2. Sulfhydryl-reducing agents dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH) alone did not affect IKDR; however, DTT and GSH reversed and prevented the H2O2-induced inhibition of IKDR, respectively. Membrane impermeable agents GSH and DTNB showed effects only when added intracellularly identifying intracellular sulfhydryl groups as potential targets for hydroxyl-mediated oxidation. However, the inhibitory effects of DTNB and H2O2 at the positive test potentials were completely and partially abolished by DTT, respectively, suggesting an additional mechanism of action for H2O2, that is not shared by DTNB. In summary, this study provides evidence for the redox modulation of IKDR, identifies hydroxyl radical as an intermediate oxidant responsible for the H2O2-induced decrease in current amplitude and identifies intracellular sulfhydryl groups as an oxidative target. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dressings and topical agents for preventing pressure ulcers.

PubMed

Moore, Zena E H; Webster, Joan

2013-08-18

Pressure ulcers, which are localised injury to the skin, or underlying tissue or both, occur when people are unable to reposition themselves to relieve pressure on bony prominences. Pressure ulcers are often difficult to heal, painful and impact negatively on the individual's quality of life. The cost implications of pressure ulcer treatment are considerable, compounding the challenges in providing cost effective, efficient health services. Efforts to prevent the development of pressure ulcers have focused on nutritional support, pressure redistributing devices, turning regimes and the application of various topical agents and dressings designed to maintain healthy skin, relieve pressure and prevent shearing forces. Although products aimed at preventing pressure ulcers are widely used, it remains unclear which, if any, of these approaches are effective in preventing the development of pressure ulcers. To evaluate the effects of dressings and topical agents on the prevention of pressure ulcers, in people of any age without existing pressure ulcers, but considered to be at risk of developing a pressure ulcer, in any healthcare setting. In February 2013 we searched the following electronic databases to identify reports of relevant randomised clinical trials (RCTs): the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; and EBSCO CINAHL. We included RCTs evaluating the use of dressings, topical agents, or topical agents with dressings, compared with a different dressing, topical agent, or combined topical agent and dressing, or no intervention or standard care, with the aim of preventing the development of a pressure ulcer. We assessed trials for their appropriateness for inclusion and for their risk of bias. This was done by two review authors working independently, using pre-determined inclusion and quality criteria. Five trials (940 participants) of unclear or high risk of bias compared a topical agent with a placebo. Four of these trials randomised by individual and one by cluster. When results from the five trials were combined, the risk ratio (RR) was 0.78 (95% CI 0.47 to 1.31; P value 0.35) indicating no overall beneficial effect of the topical agents. When the cluster randomised trial was omitted from the analysis, use of topical agents reduced the pressure ulcer incidence by 36%; RR 0.64 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.83; P value 0.0008).Four trials (561 participants), all of which were of high or unclear risk of bias, showed that dressings applied over bony prominences reduced pressure ulcer incidence; RR 0.21 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.51; P value 0.0006). There is insufficient evidence from RCTs to support or refute the use of topical agents applied over bony prominences to prevent pressure ulcers. Although the incidence of pressure ulcers was reduced when dressings were used to protect the skin, results were compromised by the low quality of the included trials. These trials contained substantial risk of bias and clinical heterogeneity (variations in populations and interventions); consequently, results should be interpreted as inconclusive. Further well designed trials addressing important clinical, quality of life and economic outcomes are justified, based on the incidence of the problem and the high costs associated with pressure ulcer management.

Examining factors that influence the effectiveness of cleaning antineoplastic drugs from drug preparation surfaces: a pilot study.

PubMed

Hon, Chun-Yip; Chua, Prescillia Ps; Danyluk, Quinn; Astrakianakis, George

2014-06-01

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs has been documented to result in various adverse health effects. Despite the implementation of control measures to minimize exposure, detectable levels of drug residual are still found on hospital work surfaces. Cleaning these surfaces is considered as one means to minimize the exposure potential. However, there are no consistent guiding principles related to cleaning of contaminated surfaces resulting in hospitals to adopt varying practices. As such, this pilot study sought to evaluate current cleaning protocols and identify those factors that were most effective in reducing contamination on drug preparation surfaces. Three cleaning variables were examined: (1) type of cleaning agent (CaviCide®, Phenokil II™, bleach and chlorhexidine), (2) application method of cleaning agent (directly onto surface or indirectly onto a wipe) and (3) use of isopropyl alcohol after cleaning agent application. Known concentrations of antineoplastic drugs (either methotrexate or cyclophosphamide) were placed on a stainless steel swatch and then, systematically, each of the three cleaning variables was tested. Surface wipes were collected and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the percent residual of drug remaining (with 100% being complete elimination of the drug). No one single cleaning agent proved to be effective in completely eliminating all drug contamination. The method of application had minimal effect on the amount of drug residual. In general, application of isopropyl alcohol after the use of cleaning agent further reduced the level of drug contamination although measureable levels of drug were still found in some cases.

Evidence on Possible Mycoplasma Etiology of Aster Yellows Disease II. Suppression of Aster Yellows in Insect Vectors

PubMed Central

Whitcomb, R. F.; Davis, R. E.

1970-01-01

Chlortetracycline or chloramphenicol (but not kanamycin, penicillin, or erythromycin), when administered in hydroponic solution to diseased aster, reduced the availability of the aster yellows (AY) agent to nymphs of Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål). Insects exposed to healthy plants whose roots were immersed in chlortetracycline were able to acquire AY agent from diseased plants the day after removal from the antibiotic-treated plants, but the latent period of the ensuing disease in the insects was prolonged. Chlortetracycline or tylosin tartrate blocked AY infection in nymphs injected with a mixture of antibiotic and the AY agent, but polymyxin, neomycin, vancomycin, penicillin, carbomycin, or chloramphenicol did not. All tetracyclines tested, methacycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline, produced a dramatic reduction in the ability of infected vectors to transmit AY agent. Tylosin tartrate also reduced transmission when injected into AY-transmitting vectors, but carbomycin, spectinomycin, cycloserine, penicillin, erythromycin, or kanamycin had no such effect. During the first 10 days after injection of tylosin tartrate or oxytetracycline into transmitting vectors, ability of the insects to transmit AY decayed rapidly. Transmission by insects injected with buffer alone, after decreasing the first day after injection, gradually returned to its normal level in less than 1 week. By 2 to 3 weeks after injection with tylosin or oxytetracycline, ability to transmit AY was regained by vectors. The results suggest that tetracycline antibiotics and tylosin tartrate inhibit multiplication of AY agent in the insect. The spectrum of antibiotic activity in the insect is consistent with the hypothesis that AY and other plant yellows diseases are caused by mycoplasma-like organisms. PMID:16557821

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2009 Academic Award

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge 2009 award winner, Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, developed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization to make polymers with copper catalysts and environmentally friendly reducing agents.

GREENER SYNTHESIS OF NANOMETALS AND NANOCOMPOSITES AND THEIR APPLICATION IN ORGANIC SYNTHESES

EPA Science Inventory

A brief account of a greener preparation of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is described. The use of vitamins B1 and B2, which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides a simple, one-pot, greener method to ...

Risk Reduction in the Synthesis of Nanomaterials: Green Approach to Noble Metal Nanostructures and Nanocomposites

EPA Science Inventory

A brief account of greener production of nanoparticles which reduces or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances is presented. The utility of vitamins B₁ and B₂, which can function both as reducing and capping agents, provides an extremely s...

Soil wettability and wetting agents . . . our current knowledge of the problem

Treesearch

Leonard F. DeBano; Joseph F. Osborn; Jay S. Krammes; John Letey

1967-01-01

Soils that resist wetting are a widespread phenomenon on chaparral areas of southern California watersheds. On burned watersheds, non-wettable soils markedly reduce moisture movement during both evaporation and infiltration. The reduced infiltration rate probably contributes significantly to the high debris production from the watersheds. Factors involved in the...

Methods and compositions for the treatment of niddm

DOEpatents

Wilson, Bary W.; Campbell, James A.; Sasser, Lyle B.; Hortal, Patricio

1996-01-01

A variety of hypoglycemic agents and compositions for use in the maintenance of maturity onset non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods for reducing the blood glucose level in a patient, as well as methods for reducing symptomatic conditions associated with diabetes in a patient.

Minimal heat treatments reduce Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)and Salmonella on the surface of fresh beef

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Washing and sanitizing agents have been effective in reducing bacterial populations and pathogen presence on carcasses. Thermal interventions consistently provide the greatest pathogen reductions and can be applied during slaughter in a number of different forms, either as a whole carcass wash, or t...

The effect of repeated sodium hypochlorite exposure on chlorine resistance development in Escherichia coli O157:H7

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The emergence and spread of microorganisms with reduced susceptibility to antimicrobial agents is a major public health problem. Chlorine water has been widely used to reduce attached bacteria on the surface of food or for sanitizing the processing facilities. However, there are limited reports conc...

Synergistic effects of acarbose and an Oroxylum indicum seed extract in streptozotocin and high-fat-diet induced prediabetic mice.

PubMed

Sun, Wenlong; Sang, Yuanbin; Zhang, Bowei; Yu, Xiaoxia; Xu, Qinmin; Xiu, Zhilong; Dong, Yuesheng

2017-03-01

Prediabetes is defined as blood glucose levels above normal but below diabetes thresholds, and up to 70% of individuals with prediabetes will eventually develop diabetes if left untreated. Acarbose, the first FDA approved anti-prediabetes agent, has some disadvantages, such as reducing the risk of diabetes by only 36%, side effects and limited effects on complications. The aim of this study is to develop a new agent to treat prediabetes and to investigate the anti-prediabetes effects and mechanisms of acarbose and an Oroxylum indicum seed extract (OISE) in prediabetic mice. The combined drugs can reduce the dose of acarbose by 80% and reduce the risk of diabetes by 75%, which is one fold higher than acarbose monotherapy. The combined drugs showed synergistic anti-prediabetes effects and could be effective in preventing the complications of prediabetes. The combined drugs could improve glucose tolerance, improve lipid metabolism and reduce oxidative stress and tissue damage. For the mechanisms, the combined drugs can reduce synergistically postprandial hyperglycaemia by inhibiting α-glucosidase. Furthermore, baicalein in OISE was demonstrated to be a major component in reducing oxidative stress and chrysin was the primary compound that activated PPARγ. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Green reduction of graphene oxide via Lycium barbarum extract

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hou, Dandan, E-mail: houdandan114@163.com; Liu, Qinfu, E-mail: lqf@cumtb.edu.cn; Cheng, Hongfei, E-mail: h.cheng@cumtb.edu.cn

The synthesis of graphene from graphene oxide (GO) usually involves toxic reducing agents that are harmful to human health and the environment. Here, we report a facile approach for effective reduction of GO, for the first time, using Lycium barbarum extract as a green and natural reducing agent. The morphology and de-oxidation efficiency of the reduced graphene were characterized and results showed that Lycium barbarum extract can effectively reduce GO into few layered graphene with a high carbon to oxygen ratio (6.5), comparable to that of GO reduced by hydrazine hydrate (6.6). The possible reduction mechanism of GO may bemore » due to the active components existing in Lycium barbarum fruits, which have high binding affinity to the oxygen containing groups to form their corresponding oxides and other by-products. This method avoided the use of any nocuous chemicals, thus facilitating the mass production of graphene and graphene-based bio-materials. - Graphical abstract: Schematic illustration of the preparation of reduced graphene by Lycium barbarum extract. - Highlights: • The Lycium barbarum extract was used for the reduction of graphene oxide. • The obtained few layered graphene exhibited high carbon to oxygen ratio. • This approach can be applied in the preparation of graphene-based bio-materials.« less

Policies to Reduce Influenza in the Workplace: Impact Assessments Using an Agent-Based Model

PubMed Central

Grefenstette, John J.; Galloway, David; Albert, Steven M.; Burke, Donald S.

2013-01-01

Objectives. We examined the impact of access to paid sick days (PSDs) and stay-at-home behavior on the influenza attack rate in workplaces. Methods. We used an agent-based model of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with PSD data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, standard influenza epidemic parameters, and the probability of staying home when ill. We compared the influenza attack rate among employees resulting from workplace transmission, focusing on the effects of presenteeism (going to work when ill). Results. In a simulated influenza epidemic (R0 = 1.4), the attack rate among employees owing to workplace transmission was 11.54%. A large proportion (72.00%) of this attack rate resulted from exposure to employees engaging in presenteeism. Universal PSDs reduced workplace infections by 5.86%. Providing 1 or 2 “flu days”—allowing employees with influenza to stay home—reduced workplace infections by 25.33% and 39.22%, respectively. Conclusions. PSDs reduce influenza transmission owing to presenteeism and, hence, the burden of influenza illness in workplaces. PMID:23763426

Quercetin and rutin as potential agents antifungal against Cryptococcus spp.

PubMed

Oliveira, V M; Carraro, E; Auler, M E; Khalil, N M

2016-01-01

Amphotericin B is a fungicidal substance that is treatment of choice for most systemic fungal infections affecting as cryptococcosis the immunocompromised patients. However, severe side effects have limited the utility of this drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of the combination of amphotericin B with quercetin or rutin and as a protective of citotoxic effect. The antifungal activity to amphotericin B, quercetin and rutin alone and in combination was determined in Candida sp and Cryptococcus neoformans strains. Cytotoxicity test on erythrocytes was performed by spectrophotometric absorbance of hemoglobin. The amphotericin B MIC was reduced when used in combination with quercetin or rutin to C. neoformans ATCC strain and reduced when combined with rutin to a clinical isolate of C. neoformans. In addition, the combination of quercetin with amphotericin B may reduce the toxicity of amphotericin B to red blood cells. Our results suggest that quercetin and rutin are potential agents to combine with amphotericin B in order to reduce the amphotericin dose to lessen side effects and improve antifungal efficacy.

[Topical hemostatic devices in surgery: between science and marketing].

PubMed

González, Héctor Daniel; Figueras Felip, Joan

2009-06-01

Topical hemostatic agents have been used in surgery with varying degrees of success. These agents include oxidized cellulose, absorbable gelatin sponges, microfibrillar collagen and fibrin seals. Fibrin seals have become widely used as they improve perioperative hemostasis, reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions and prevent biliary leaks. Their widespread use, however, contrasts with the scarcity of data from controlled studies to support their clinical effectiveness. Therefore, a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center study was performed in 300 patients who underwent elective hepatectomy, with and without application of fibrin seal on the raw liver surface. None of the variables evaluated (blood loss, transfusions, biliary fistulas and postoperative results) differed between the two groups. We conclude that the application of fibrin seal does not seem justified and that discontinuing its routine use would substantially reduce costs. The use of a new agent, Tachosil, is supported by a single multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial, which is limited by the small number of patients and by the fact that the variable analyzed--time from application to hemostasis--may not be clinically relevant.

Effect of reducing agent strength on the growth and thermoelectric performance of nanocrystalline bismuth telluride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nour, Asmaa; Hassan, Nazly; Refaat, Heba M.; Soliman, Hesham M. A.; El-Dissouky, A.

2018-03-01

A novel combination of Trizma, as an environmentally friendly chelating agent, with either weak or strong reducing agent was used to produce n-type bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanocrystals via water-based chemical route. The synthesized powders were consolidated into pellets utilizing spark plasma sintering (SPS). The sintered n-type pellets exhibited potentially high electrical conductivities (5.29 × 105 and 5.23 × 105 S.m‑1) and low lattice thermal conductivities (0.12 and 0.25 Wm‑1K‑1) respectively. These thermoelectric (TE) properties suggested that the partially coherent boundaries permitted significant phonons scattering and electrons transfer. These led to an enhanced figure-of-merit (ZT) values (0.52 and 0.97), which are considered to be significant among the reported ZT values at room-temperature for the undoped synthesized n-type Bi2Te3 nanoparticles. Therefore, the current investigation displayed an efficient method to improve ZT of TE materials via nanostructure orchestrating, resulting in a worthy candidate n-type nanostructured Bi2Te3 for room-temperature TE applications.

Design and Analysis of Cost-Efficient Sensor Deployment for Tracking Small UAS with Agent-Based Modeling.

PubMed

Shin, Sangmi; Park, Seongha; Kim, Yongho; Matson, Eric T

2016-04-22

Recently, commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have gained popularity. However, these UAS are potential threats to people in terms of safety in public places, such as public parks or stadiums. To reduce such threats, we consider a design, modeling, and evaluation of a cost-efficient sensor system that detects and tracks small UAS. In this research, we focus on discovering the best sensor deployments by simulating different types and numbers of sensors in a designated area, which provide reasonable detection rates at low costs. Also, the system should cover the crowded areas more thoroughly than vacant areas to reduce direct threats to people underneath. This research study utilized the Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) technique to model a system consisting of independent and heterogeneous agents that interact with each other. Our previous work presented the ability to apply ABM to analyze the sensor configurations with two types of radars in terms of cost-efficiency. The results from the ABM simulation provide a list of candidate configurations and deployments that can be referred to for applications in the real world environment.

Control of Root Rot and Wilt Diseases of Roselle under Field Conditions

PubMed Central

Hassan, Naglaa; Elsharkawy, Mohsen Mohamed; Shimizu, Masafumi

2014-01-01

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is one of the most important medicinal crops in many parts of the world. In this study, the effects of microelements, antioxidants, and bioagents on Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal pathogens of root rot and wilt diseases in roselle, were examined under field conditions. Preliminary studies were carried out in vitro in order to select the most effective members to be used in field control trials. Our results showed that microelements (copper and manganese), antioxidants (salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, and EDTA), a fungicide (Dithane M45) and biological control agents (Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis) were significantly reduced the linear growth of the causal pathogens. Additionally, application of the previous microelements, antioxidants, a fungicide and biological control agents significantly reduced disease incidence of root rot and wilt diseases under field conditions. Copper, salicylic acid, and T. harzianum showed the best results in this respect. In conclusion, microelements, antioxidants, and biocontrol agents could be used as alternative strategies to fungicides for controlling root rot and wilt diseases in roselle. PMID:25606010

Design of Enzymatically Cleavable Prodrugs of a Potent Platinum-Containing Anticancer Agent

PubMed Central

Ding, Song; Pickard, Amanda J.; Kucera, Gregory L.

2014-01-01

Using a versatile synthetic approach, a new class of potential ester prodrugs of highly potent, but systemically too toxic, platinum–acridine anticancer agents was generated. The new hybrids contain a hydroxyl group, which has been masked with a cleavable lipophilic acyl moiety. Both butanoic (butyric) and bulkier 2-propanepentanoic (valproic) esters were introduced. The goals of this design were to improve the drug-like properties (e.g., logD) and to reduce the systemic toxicity of the pharmacophore. Two distinct pathways by which the target compounds undergo effective ester hydrolysis, the proposed activating step, have been confirmed: platinum-assisted, self-immolative ester cleavage in a low-chloride environment (LC-ESMS, NMR spectroscopy) and enzymatic cleavage by human carboxylesterase-2 (hCES-2) (LC-ESMS). The valproic acid ester derivatives are the first example of a metal-containing agent cleavable by the pro-drug-converting enzyme. They show excellent chemical stability and reduced systemic toxicity. Preliminary results from screening in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549, NCI-H1435) suggest that the mechanism of the valproic esters may involve intracellular deesterification. PMID:25303639

Using the Integration of Discrete Event and Agent-Based Simulation to Enhance Outpatient Service Quality in an Orthopedic Department.

PubMed

Kittipittayakorn, Cholada; Ying, Kuo-Ching

2016-01-01

Many hospitals are currently paying more attention to patient satisfaction since it is an important service quality index. Many Asian countries' healthcare systems have a mixed-type registration, accepting both walk-in patients and scheduled patients. This complex registration system causes a long patient waiting time in outpatient clinics. Different approaches have been proposed to reduce the waiting time. This study uses the integration of discrete event simulation (DES) and agent-based simulation (ABS) to improve patient waiting time and is the first attempt to apply this approach to solve this key problem faced by orthopedic departments. From the data collected, patient behaviors are modeled and incorporated into a massive agent-based simulation. The proposed approach is an aid for analyzing and modifying orthopedic department processes, allows us to consider far more details, and provides more reliable results. After applying the proposed approach, the total waiting time of the orthopedic department fell from 1246.39 minutes to 847.21 minutes. Thus, using the correct simulation model significantly reduces patient waiting time in an orthopedic department.

Lead recovery from waste CRT funnel glass by high-temperature melting process.

PubMed

Hu, Biao; Hui, Wenlong

2018-02-05

In this research, a novel and effective process for waste CRT funnel glass treatment was developed. The key to this process is removal of lead from the CRT funnel glass by high-temperature melting process. Sodium carbonate powder was used as a fusion agent, sodium sulfide serves as a catalytic agent and carbon powder acts as reducing agent. Experimental results showed that lead recovery rate increased with an increase in the amount of added sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, carbonate, temperature and holding time initially, and then reached a stable value. The maximum lead recovery rate was approximately 94%, when the optimum adding amount of sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, carbonate, temperature and holding time were 25%, 8%, 3.6%, 1200°C and 120min, respectively. In the high-temperature melting process, lead silicate in the funnel glass was firstly reduced, and then removed. The glass slag can be made into sodium and potassium silicate by hydrolysis process. This study proposed a practical and economical process for recovery of lead and utilization of waste glass slag. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using the Integration of Discrete Event and Agent-Based Simulation to Enhance Outpatient Service Quality in an Orthopedic Department

PubMed Central

Kittipittayakorn, Cholada

2016-01-01

Many hospitals are currently paying more attention to patient satisfaction since it is an important service quality index. Many Asian countries' healthcare systems have a mixed-type registration, accepting both walk-in patients and scheduled patients. This complex registration system causes a long patient waiting time in outpatient clinics. Different approaches have been proposed to reduce the waiting time. This study uses the integration of discrete event simulation (DES) and agent-based simulation (ABS) to improve patient waiting time and is the first attempt to apply this approach to solve this key problem faced by orthopedic departments. From the data collected, patient behaviors are modeled and incorporated into a massive agent-based simulation. The proposed approach is an aid for analyzing and modifying orthopedic department processes, allows us to consider far more details, and provides more reliable results. After applying the proposed approach, the total waiting time of the orthopedic department fell from 1246.39 minutes to 847.21 minutes. Thus, using the correct simulation model significantly reduces patient waiting time in an orthopedic department. PMID:27195606

Design and Analysis of Cost-Efficient Sensor Deployment for Tracking Small UAS with Agent-Based Modeling

PubMed Central

Shin, Sangmi; Park, Seongha; Kim, Yongho; Matson, Eric T.

2016-01-01

Recently, commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have gained popularity. However, these UAS are potential threats to people in terms of safety in public places, such as public parks or stadiums. To reduce such threats, we consider a design, modeling, and evaluation of a cost-efficient sensor system that detects and tracks small UAS. In this research, we focus on discovering the best sensor deployments by simulating different types and numbers of sensors in a designated area, which provide reasonable detection rates at low costs. Also, the system should cover the crowded areas more thoroughly than vacant areas to reduce direct threats to people underneath. This research study utilized the Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) technique to model a system consisting of independent and heterogeneous agents that interact with each other. Our previous work presented the ability to apply ABM to analyze the sensor configurations with two types of radars in terms of cost-efficiency. The results from the ABM simulation provide a list of candidate configurations and deployments that can be referred to for applications in the real world environment. PMID:27110790

In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Characterization of Peptoids as Antimicrobial Agents.

PubMed

Czyzewski, Ann M; Jenssen, Håvard; Fjell, Christopher D; Waldbrook, Matt; Chongsiriwatana, Nathaniel P; Yuen, Eddie; Hancock, Robert E W; Barron, Annelise E

2016-01-01

Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics is a global threat that has spurred the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their mimetics as novel anti-infective agents. While the bioavailability of AMPs is often reduced due to protease activity, the non-natural structure of AMP mimetics renders them robust to proteolytic degradation, thus offering a distinct advantage for their clinical application. We explore the therapeutic potential of N-substituted glycines, or peptoids, as AMP mimics using a multi-faceted approach that includes in silico, in vitro, and in vivo techniques. We report a new QSAR model that we developed based on 27 diverse peptoid sequences, which accurately correlates antimicrobial peptoid structure with antimicrobial activity. We have identified a number of peptoids that have potent, broad-spectrum in vitro activity against multi-drug resistant bacterial strains. Lastly, using a murine model of invasive S. aureus infection, we demonstrate that one of the best candidate peptoids at 4 mg/kg significantly reduces with a two-log order the bacterial counts compared with saline-treated controls. Taken together, our results demonstrate the promising therapeutic potential of peptoids as antimicrobial agents.

Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, protects against adiposity induced by a cafeteria diet.

PubMed

Campión, J; Martínez, J A

2004-07-01

Ketoconazole, an anti-glucocorticoid agent, is widely used in humans as an antifungal agent. It inhibits ergosterol synthesis and reduces cortisol levels in the treatment of Cushing's Syndrome. The aim of this work was to study the drug's preventive potential against adiposity induced by a high-fat cafeteria diet in rats. Female Wistar rats were fed on standard pelleted diet or cafeteria diet during 42 days in the presence or absence of an oral treatment with ketoconazole (24 mg/kg of body weight). The cafeteria diet increased energy intake and body weight. In addition, this high-fat diet increased body-fat weight and adipose tissue depots analyzed. Interestingly, ketoconazole was able to protect against increased total body fat and adipose depot enlargement induced after cafeteria-diet feeding. Moreover, ex vivo isoproterenol-induced lipolysis was reduced in adipocytes from cafeteria-fed animals; this decrease was reverted by treatment with ketoconazole. Thus, ketoconazole was able to protect against adiposity induced by a cafeteria diet, revealing an interaction between fat intake and glucocorticoids on adipose deposition.

Emerging antibody-drug conjugates for treating lymphoid malignancies.

PubMed

Wolska-Washer, Anna; Robak, Pawel; Smolewski, Piotr; Robak, Tadeusz

2017-09-01

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) attached to biologically active drugs through specialized chemical linkers. They deliver and release cytotoxic agents at the tumor site, reducing the likelihood of systemic exposure and therefore toxicity. These agents should improve the potency of chemotherapy by increasing the accumulation of cytotoxic the drug within or near the neoplastic cells with reduced systemic effects. Areas covered: A literature review was conducted of the MEDLINE database PubMed for articles in English examining Mabs, B-cell receptor pathway inhibitors and immunomodulating drugs. Publications from 2000 through April 2017 were scrutinized. Conference proceedings from the previous five years of the American Society of Hematology, European Hematology Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meetings were searched manually. Additional relevant publications were obtained by reviewing the references from the chosen articles. Expert opinion: Newer ADCs show promise as treatment for several hematologic malignancies, especially lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. However, definitive data from ongoing and future clinical trials will aid in better defining the status of these agents in the treatment of these diseases.

Effect of inhibition of the ROCK isoform on RT2 malignant glioma cells.

PubMed

Inaba, Nobuharu; Ishizawa, Sho; Kimura, Masaki; Fujioka, Kouki; Watanabe, Michiko; Shibasaki, Toshiaki; Manome, Yoshinobu

2010-09-01

Malignant glioma is one of the most intractable diseases in the human body. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is overexpressed and has been proposed as the main cause for the refractoriness of the disease. Since efficacious treatment is required, this study investigated the effect of inhibition of ROCK isoforms. The short hairpin RNA transcription vector was transfected into the RT2 rat glioma cell line and the characteristics of the cells were investigated. The effect of nimustine hydrochloride (ACNU) anti-neoplastic agent on cells was also measured. Inhibition of ROCK isoforms did not alter cell growth. Cell cycle analysis revealed that ROCK1 down-regulation reduced the G(0) phase population and ROCK2 down-regulation reduced the G(2)/M phase population. When ROCK1-down-regulated cells were exposed to ACNU, they demonstrated susceptibility to the agent. The roles of ROCK1 and ROCK2 may be different in glioma cells. Furthermore, the combination of ROCK1 down-regulation and an anti-neoplastic agent may be useful for the therapy of malignant glioma.

Extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotic treatment: scope of problem and impact on outcome.

PubMed

Tandon, Rajiv; Jibson, Michael D

2002-06-01

Previously, clinicians worked with antipsychotic drugs (conventional or typical) that almost invariably caused extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) at clinically effective doses. This led to the false impression that all antipsychotics were the same, and that EPS were an unavoidable consequence of effective antipsychotic therapy. EPS adversely impact several aspects of antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability, thereby worsening outcome of afflicted individuals. EPS reduce beneficial effects of antipsychotic treatment on the negative, cognitive, and mood symptom domains, while increasing the risk of tardive dyskinesia and reducing compliance. By definition, the newer generation of "atypical" antipsychotic agents are significantly better than conventional agents with regard to EPS (i.e., they are clinically effective at doses at which they do not cause EPS). Pharmacologically, this difference is expressed in the greater degree of separation between respective dose response curves for antipsychotic and EPS effects observed for "atypical" in contrast to conventional agents. Clinically, this EPS advantage of atypical antipsychotics translates into several important benefits, including better negative symptom efficacy, less dysphoria, less impaired cognition, a lower risk of TD, and better overall outcome.

Pain expressiveness and altruistic behavior: an exploration using agent-based modeling.

PubMed

de C Williams, Amanda C; Gallagher, Elizabeth; Fidalgo, Antonio R; Bentley, Peter J

2016-03-01

Predictions which invoke evolutionary mechanisms are hard to test. Agent-based modeling in artificial life offers a way to simulate behaviors and interactions in specific physical or social environments over many generations. The outcomes have implications for understanding adaptive value of behaviors in context. Pain-related behavior in animals is communicated to other animals that might protect or help, or might exploit or predate. An agent-based model simulated the effects of displaying or not displaying pain (expresser/nonexpresser strategies) when injured and of helping, ignoring, or exploiting another in pain (altruistic/nonaltruistic/selfish strategies). Agents modeled in MATLAB interacted at random while foraging (gaining energy); random injury interrupted foraging for a fixed time unless help from an altruistic agent, who paid an energy cost, speeded recovery. Environmental and social conditions also varied, and each model ran for 10,000 iterations. Findings were meaningful in that, in general, contingencies that evident from experimental work with a variety of mammals, over a few interactions, were replicated in the agent-based model after selection pressure over many generations. More energy-demanding expression of pain reduced its frequency in successive generations, and increasing injury frequency resulted in fewer expressers and altruists. Allowing exploitation of injured agents decreased expression of pain to near zero, but altruists remained. Decreasing costs or increasing benefits of helping hardly changed its frequency, whereas increasing interaction rate between injured agents and helpers diminished the benefits to both. Agent-based modeling allows simulation of complex behaviors and environmental pressures over evolutionary time.

Predicting the size-dependent tissue accumulation of agents released from vascular targeted nanoconstructs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Tullio, Marco D.; Singh, Jaykrishna; Pascazio, Giuseppe; Decuzzi, Paolo

2014-03-01

Vascular targeted nanoparticles have been developed for the delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, at authors' knowledge, a comprehensive systematic analysis on their delivery efficiency is still missing. Here, a computational model is developed to predict the vessel wall accumulation of agents released from vascular targeted nanoconstructs. The transport problem for the released agent is solved using a finite volume scheme in terms of three governing parameters: the local wall shear rate , ranging from to ; the wall filtration velocity , varying from to ; and the agent diffusion coefficient , ranging from to . It is shown that the percentage of released agent adsorbing on the vessel walls in the vicinity of the vascular targeted nanoconstructs reduces with an increase in shear rate , and with a decrease in filtration velocity and agent diffusivity . In particular, in tumor microvessels, characterized by lower shear rates () and higher filtration velocities (), an agent with a diffusivity (i.e. a 50 nm particle) is predicted to deposit on the vessel wall up to of the total released dose. Differently, drug molecules, exhibiting a smaller size and much higher diffusion coefficient (), are predicted to accumulate up to . In healthy vessels, characterized by higher and lower , the largest majority of the released agent is redistributed directly in the circulation. These data suggest that drug molecules and small nanoparticles only can be efficiently released from vascular targeted nanoconstructs towards the diseased vessel walls and tissue.

Organization of the secure distributed computing based on multi-agent system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khovanskov, Sergey; Rumyantsev, Konstantin; Khovanskova, Vera

2018-04-01

Nowadays developing methods for distributed computing is received much attention. One of the methods of distributed computing is using of multi-agent systems. The organization of distributed computing based on the conventional network computers can experience security threats performed by computational processes. Authors have developed the unified agent algorithm of control system of computing network nodes operation. Network PCs is used as computing nodes. The proposed multi-agent control system for the implementation of distributed computing allows in a short time to organize using of the processing power of computers any existing network to solve large-task by creating a distributed computing. Agents based on a computer network can: configure a distributed computing system; to distribute the computational load among computers operated agents; perform optimization distributed computing system according to the computing power of computers on the network. The number of computers connected to the network can be increased by connecting computers to the new computer system, which leads to an increase in overall processing power. Adding multi-agent system in the central agent increases the security of distributed computing. This organization of the distributed computing system reduces the problem solving time and increase fault tolerance (vitality) of computing processes in a changing computing environment (dynamic change of the number of computers on the network). Developed a multi-agent system detects cases of falsification of the results of a distributed system, which may lead to wrong decisions. In addition, the system checks and corrects wrong results.

A multi-agent system for coordinating international shipping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goldsmith, S.Y.; Phillips, L.R.; Spires, S.V.

1998-05-01

Moving commercial cargo across the US-Mexico border is currently a complex, paper-based, error-prone process that incurs expensive inspections and delays at several ports of entry in the Southwestern US. Improved information handling will dramatically reduce border dwell time, variation in delivery time, and inventories, and will give better control of the shipment process. The Border Trade Facilitation System (BTFS) is an agent-based collaborative work environment that assists geographically distributed commercial and government users with transshipment of goods across the US-Mexico border. Software agents mediate the creation, validation and secure sharing of shipment information and regulatory documentation over the Internet, usingmore » the World Wide Web to interface with human actors. Agents are organized into Agencies. Each agency represents a commercial or government agency. Agents perform four specific functions on behalf of their user organizations: (1) agents with domain knowledge elicit commercial and regulatory information from human specialists through forms presented via web browsers; (2) agents mediate information from forms with diverse otologies, copying invariant data from one form to another thereby eliminating the need for duplicate data entry; (3) cohorts of distributed agents coordinate the work flow among the various information providers and they monitor overall progress of the documentation and the location of the shipment to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met prior to arrival at the border; (4) agents provide status information to human actors and attempt to influence them when problems are predicted.« less

Thermal properties of graphite oxide, thermally reduced graphene and chemically reduced graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jankovský, Ondřej; Sedmidubský, David; Lojka, Michal; Sofer, Zdeněk

2017-07-01

We compared thermal behavior and other properties of graphite oxide, thermally reduced graphene and chemically reduced graphene. Graphite was oxidized according to the Hofmann method using potassium chlorate as oxidizing agent in strongly acidic environment. In the next step, the formed graphite oxide was chemically or thermally reduced yielding graphene. The mechanism of thermal reduction was studied using STA-MS. Graphite oxide and both thermally and chemically reduced graphenes were analysed by SEM, EDS, elemental combustion analysis, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, XRD and BET. These findings will help for the large scale production of graphene with appropriate chemical composition.

Evaluation of patritumab with or without erlotinib in combination with standard cytotoxic agents against pediatric sarcoma xenograft models.

PubMed

Bandyopadhyay, Abhik; Favours, Edward; Phelps, Doris A; Pozo, Vanessa Del; Ghilu, Samson; Kurmashev, Dias; Michalek, Joel; Trevino, Aron; Guttridge, Denis; London, Cheryl; Hirotani, Kenji; Zhang, Ling; Kurmasheva, Raushan T; Houghton, Peter J

2018-02-01

Integrating molecularly targeted agents with cytotoxic drugs used in curative treatment of pediatric cancers is complex. An evaluation was undertaken with the ERBB3/Her3-specific antibody patritumab (P) either alone or with the ERBB1/epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib (E) in combination with standard cytotoxic agents, cisplatin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide, in pediatric sarcoma xenograft models that express receptors and ligands targeted by these agents. Tumor models were selected based upon ERBB3 expression and phosphorylation, and ligand (heregulin) expression. Patritumab, E, or these agents combined was evaluated without or with concomitant cytotoxic agents using procedures developed by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program. Full doses of cytotoxic agents were tolerated when combined with P, whereas dose reductions of 25% (vincristine, cisplatin) or 50% (cyclophosphamide) were required when combined with P + E. Patritumab, E alone, or in combination did not significantly inhibit growth of any tumor model, except for Rh18 xenografts (E alone). Patritumab had no single-agent activity and marginally enhanced the activity of vincristine and cisplatin only in Ewing sarcoma ES-4. P + E did not increase the antitumor activity of vincristine or cisplatin, whereas dose-reduced cyclophosphamide was significantly less active than cyclophosphamide administered at its maximum tolerated dose when combined with P + E. P had no single-agent activity, although it marginally potentiated the activity of vincristine and cisplatin in one of three models studied. However, the addition of E necessitated dose reduction of each cytotoxic agent, abrogating the enhancement observed with P alone. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Minority games with score-dependent and agent-dependent payoffs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, F.; Zheng, B.; Qiu, T.; Trimper, S.

2006-10-01

Score-dependent and agent-dependent payoffs of the strategies are introduced into the standard minority game. The intrinsic periodicity is consequently removed, and the stylized facts arise, such as long-range volatility correlations and “fat tails” in the distribution of the returns. The agent dependence of the payoffs is essential in producing the long-range volatility correlations. The new payoffs lead to a better performance in the dynamic behavior nonlocal in time, and can coexist with the inactive strategy. We also observe that the standard deviation σ2/N is significantly reduced, thus the efficiency of the system is distinctly improved. Based on this observation, we give a qualitative explanation for the long-range volatility correlations.

Volatile anaesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass.

PubMed

McMullan, V; Alston, R P; Tyrrell, J

2015-01-01

Since its inception, administering and ensuring anaesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass has been challenging. Partly because of the difficulty of administering volatile agents during cardiopulmonary bypass, total intravenous anaesthesia has been a popular technique used by cardiac anaesthetists in the last two decades. However, the possibility that volatile agents reduce mortality and the incidence of myocardial infarction by preconditioning the myocardium has stimulated a resurgence of interest in their use for cardiac anaesthesia. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the administration of volatile anaesthetic agents during cardiopulmonary bypass for the maintenance of anaesthesia and to address some of the practical issues that are involved in doing so. © The Author(s) 2014.

Sapronosis: a distinctive type of infectious agent

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kuris, Armand M.; Lafferty, Kevin D.; Sokolow, Susanne H.

2014-01-01

Sapronotic disease agents have evolutionary and epidemiological properties unlike other infectious organisms. Their essential saprophagic existence prevents coevolution, and no host–parasite virulence trade-off can evolve. However, the host may evolve defenses. Models of pathogens show that sapronoses, lacking a threshold of transmission, cannot regulate host populations, although they can reduce host abundance and even extirpate their hosts. Immunocompromised hosts are relatively susceptible to sapronoses. Some particularly important sapronoses, such as cholera and anthrax, can sustain an epidemic in a host population. However, these microbes ultimately persist as saprophages. One-third of human infectious disease agents are sapronotic, including nearly all fungal diseases. Recognition that an infectious disease is sapronotic illuminates a need for effective environmental control strategies.

Cryoinsulation Material Development to Mitigate Obsolescence Risk for Global Warming Potential Foams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Protz, Alison; Bruyns, Roland; Nettles, Mindy

2015-01-01

Cryoinsulation foams currently being qualified for the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage are nonozone- depleting substances (ODP) and are compliant with current environmental regulations. However, these materials contain the blowing agent HFC-245fa, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), which is a Global Warming Potential (GWP) substance. In August 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a policy change to reduce or eliminate certain HFCs, including HFC-245fa, in end-use categories including foam blowing agents beginning in 2017. The policy proposes a limited exception to allow continued use of HFC and HFC-blend foam blowing agents for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications, including rigid polyurethane spray foams, but only until 2022.

Solute Transport of Negatively Charged Contrast Agents Across Articular Surface of Injured Cartilage.

PubMed

Kokkonen, H T; Chin, H C; Töyräs, J; Jurvelin, J S; Quinn, T M

2017-04-01

Solute transport through the extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial to chondrocyte metabolism. Cartilage injury affects solute transport in cartilage due to alterations in ECM structure and solute-matrix interactions. Therefore, cartilage injury may be detected by using contrast agent-based clinical imaging. In the present study, effects of mechanical injury on transport of negatively charged contrast agents in cartilage were characterized. Using cartilage plugs injured by mechanical compression protocol, effective partition coefficients and diffusion fluxes of iodine- and gadolinium-based contrast agents were measured using high resolution microCT imaging. For all contrast agents studied, effective diffusion fluxes increased significantly, particularly at early times during the diffusion process (38 and 33% increase after 4 min, P < 0.05 for iodine and Gd-DTPA; and 76% increase after 10 min for diatrizoate, P < 0.05). Effective partition coefficients were unaffected in mechanically injured cartilage. Mechanical injury reduced PG content and collagen integrity in cartilage superficial zone. This study suggests that alterations in contrast agent diffusion flux, a non-equilibrium transport parameter, provides a more sensitive indicator for assessment of cartilage matrix integrity than partition coefficient and the equilibrium distribution of solute. These findings may help in developing clinical methods of contrast agent-based imaging to detect cartilage injury.

Econophysics of adaptive power markets: When a market does not dampen fluctuations but amplifies them

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krause, Sebastian M.; Börries, Stefan; Bornholdt, Stefan

2015-07-01

The average economic agent is often used to model the dynamics of simple markets, based on the assumption that the dynamics of a system of many agents can be averaged over in time and space. A popular idea that is based on this seemingly intuitive notion is to dampen electric power fluctuations from fluctuating sources (as, e.g., wind or solar) via a market mechanism, namely by variable power prices that adapt demand to supply. The standard model of an average economic agent predicts that fluctuations are reduced by such an adaptive pricing mechanism. However, the underlying assumption that the actions of all agents average out on the time axis is not always true in a market of many agents. We numerically study an econophysics agent model of an adaptive power market that does not assume averaging a priori. We find that when agents are exposed to source noise via correlated price fluctuations (as adaptive pricing schemes suggest), the market may amplify those fluctuations. In particular, small price changes may translate to large load fluctuations through catastrophic consumer synchronization. As a result, an adaptive power market may cause the opposite effect than intended: Power demand fluctuations are not dampened but amplified instead.

Smell of danger: an analysis of LP-gas odorization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cain, W.S.; Turk, A.

1985-03-01

LP-gas derives warning properties from the odorants ethyl mercaptan or thiophane. Laboratory tests have implied that the average person has the ability to smell the odors before leaking LP-gas reaches one-fifth its lower limit of flammability. Generally, however, laboratory tests ignore or discard persons with a poor sense of smell, especially the elderly and persons with certain types of hyposmia. Some persons who apparently can smell the warning agents when directed may otherwise fail to notice or identify them. Elderly men seem particularly vulnerable to instances of incidental anosmia and olfactory agnosia. Psychophysical testing of the warning agents has beenmore » rather unsophisticated. There exists neither a standard protocol for testing nor adequate specification of the perceptual properties that might make one warning agent better than another. Without such developments, improvement in warning agents will fail to occur. Possible improvements include increases in concentration, the use of blends to insure more uniform delivery of agent and, to decrease the perceptual vulnerability of relatively insensitive people, use of agents with favorable psychophysical (stimulus-response) functions and use of agents with favorable adaptation characteristics. Even without a change in existing products, it seems advisable to learn more about the vulnerability of LP-gas users and to employ educational means to reduce risks.« less

Comparative Testing of New Hemostatic Agents in a Swine Model of Extremity Arterial and Venous Hemorrhage

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and all animals received humane care in com- pliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of...diminished markedly in recent military operations, due to sev- eral factors including routine vi-ear of hody armor, judicious use of tourniquets for...extremity hemorrhage, rapid casualty evacuation, and aggressive use of blood products in hemor- rhagic shock.’’ Advanced hemostatic agents further reduce

Experimental study of the effect of drag reducing agent on pressure drop and thermal efficiency of an air cooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peyghambarzadeh, S. M.; Hashemabadi, S. H.; Saffarian, H.; Shekari, F.

2016-01-01

Effect of polymeric drag reduction agents (DRAs) on pressure drop and heat transfer was studied. Aqueous solutions of carboxy methyl cellulose were used inside an air-finned heat exchanger. Despite the previous studies which indicated the importance of drag reduction just in turbulent flow, results of this study in laminar flow indicated that the addition of DRA increases drag reduction, and decreases the overall heat transfer coefficient.

In Vivo Microdialysis and Electroencephalographic Activity in Freely Moving Guinea Pigs Exposed to Organophosphorus Nerve Agents Sarin and VX: Analysis of Acetylcholine and Glutamate

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE In vivo microdialysis and electroencephalographic activity in freely moving guinea pigs 5a...microdialysis and electroencephalographic activity in freely moving guinea pigs exposed to organophosphorus nerve agents sarin and VX: analysis of...brain seizure activity . This robust double multi- variate design provides greater fidelity when comparing data while also reducing the required number

Homeostasis 6: nurses as external control agents in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Clancy, John; McVicar, Andrew; Mooney, Janice

All disorders involve a disturbance of cellular and hence chemical function in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that usually attacks synovial joints and surrounding ligaments, muscles and their tendons and blood vessels. This article applies the concept of health professionals operating as external agents of homeostatic control (Clancy and McVicar, 20011a; 2011b) to RA and to the care of affected patients, using a case scenario to illustrate attempts to minimize homeostatic imbalances. After reading the article, nurses should be able to understand: how the principles of homeostatic theory apply to skeletomuscular function, in particular to synovial joint function; the skeletomuscular homeostatic role in movement; and that homeostatic failure of reduced mobility, as in RA, is a result of nature-nurture interaction; that illness arises from a cellular, hence chemical, homeostatic imbalance(s) (Clancy and McVicar, 2011a; 2011b; 2011c; 2011d; 2011e). RA is considered a cellular (B-lymphocyte) hence chemical (autoantibody) imbalance that causes the homeostatic imbalances (inflammatory pain, reduced mobility, reduced activities of daily living) associated with the condition. Health professionals are able at act as external agents of homeostatic control to only a limited extent when caring for people with RA because, as with any progressive disorder, they will only be managing signs and symptoms to improve patients' quality of life.

Plumbago auriculata leaf extract-mediated AgNPs and its activities as antioxidant, anti-TB and dye degrading agents.

PubMed

Jaryal, Neeraj; Kaur, Harpreet

2017-11-01

In the present work, silver nanoparticles have been biosynthesized by utilizing the alcoholic extract of Plumbago auriculata. The optimization of reaction conditions was carried out by monitoring the reactions with the help of UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. The characterization of AgNP was carried out by infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The biogenic AgNPs were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Microplate Almar Blue assay (MABA) and their antioxidant activity was also evaluated. The silver nanoparticles were also assessed for their reducing activity against organic dyes. The AgNPs were spherical in shape with size ranging from 15 to 45 nm with face centered cubic geometry as revealed by XRD analysis. The AgNPs possessed good antitubercular activity with MIC value of 1.6 μg/ml and these also exhibited promising antioxidant activity with IC 50 value of 28.2. Furthermore, AgNPs also reduced congo red within 2 h and malachite green was degraded within 40 min. The present work demonstrated the utilization of P. auriculata for biosynthesis of AgNP which could be a potential candidate for antitubercular drug development and it could also be used as an antioxidant agent. The application of AgNP in reducing agent can be further extended and evaluated for purification of effluent water from textile industries.

Carbon nanotubes accelerate methane production in pure cultures of methanogens and in a syntrophic coculture.

PubMed

Salvador, Andreia F; Martins, Gilberto; Melle-Franco, Manuel; Serpa, Ricardo; Stams, Alfons J M; Cavaleiro, Ana J; Pereira, M Alcina; Alves, M Madalena

2017-07-01

Carbon materials have been reported to facilitate direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between bacteria and methanogens improving methane production in anaerobic processes. In this work, the effect of increasing concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the activity of pure cultures of methanogens and on typical fatty acid-degrading syntrophic methanogenic coculture was evaluated. CNT affected methane production by methanogenic cultures, although acceleration was higher for hydrogenotrophic methanogens than for acetoclastic methanogens or syntrophic coculture. Interestingly, the initial methane production rate (IMPR) by Methanobacterium formicicum cultures increased 17 times with 5 g·L -1 CNT. Butyrate conversion to methane by Syntrophomonas wolfei and Methanospirillum hungatei was enhanced (∼1.5 times) in the presence of CNT (5 g·L -1 ), but indications of DIET were not obtained. Increasing CNT concentrations resulted in more negative redox potentials in the anaerobic microcosms. Remarkably, without a reducing agent but in the presence of CNT, the IMPR was higher than in incubations with reducing agent. No growth was observed without reducing agent and without CNT. This finding is important to re-frame discussions and re-interpret data on the role of conductive materials as mediators of DIET in anaerobic communities. It also opens new challenges to improve methane production in engineered methanogenic processes. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Microbiology published by Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Preparation of gold nanoparticles and determination of their particles size via different methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iqbal, Muhammad; Usanase, Gisele; Oulmi, Kafia

Graphical abstract: Preparation of gold nanoparticles via NaBH{sub 4} reduction method, and determination of their particle size, size distribution and morphology by using different techniques. - Highlights: • Gold nanoparticles were synthesized by NaBH{sub 4} reduction method. • Excess of reducing agent leads to tendency of aggregation. • The particle size, size distribution and morphology were investigated. • Particle size was determined both experimentally as well as theoretically. - Abstract: Gold nanoparticles have been used in various applications covering both electronics, biosensors, in vivo biomedical imaging and in vitro biomedical diagnosis. As a general requirement, gold nanoparticles should be preparedmore » in large scale, easy to be functionalized by chemical compound of by specific ligands or biomolecules. In this study, gold nanoparticles were prepared by using different concentrations of reducing agent (NaBH{sub 4}) in various formulations and their effect on the particle size, size distribution and morphology was investigated. Moreover, special attention has been dedicated to comparison of particles size measured by various techniques, such as, light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, UV spectrum using standard curve and particles size calculated by using Mie theory and UV spectrum of gold nanoparticles dispersion. Particle size determined by various techniques can be correlated for monodispersed particles and excess of reducing agent leads to increase in the particle size.« less

Synthesis and study of catalytic application of l-methionine protected gold nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raza, Akif; Javed, Safdar; Qureshi, Muhammad Zahid; khan, Muhammad Usman; Khan, Muhammad Saleem

2017-10-01

Gold nanoparticle is growing class of nanotechnology due to large number of uses. We synthesized stable l-methionine protected gold nanoparticles (AuNps) by in situ reduction of HAuCl4 using sodium borohydrate as reducing and l-methionine as stabilizing agent in an aqueous medium. Different parameters (pH, capping agent, precursor salt, and heating time) were optimized to see the effect on the size of particles. Double beam spectrophotometer was used to carry out the spectroscopic studies. It was observed that pH and concentration of reducing salt are deciding factors in controlling the size and morphology of AuNps. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified the formation of AuNPs as predicted by UV-Vis spectra. The interaction of AuNPs with l-methionine was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The reduction of 4-nitrophenol acted as standard of reaction to check the response of AuNps catalyst. Complete reduction of 4-nitrophenol was accomplished by AuNps sol in just 60 s. Fastest reduction rate was observed with smaller spherical particles. This study concluded that size and shape of AuNps can be monitored by controlling the pH, concentration of capping and reducing agent. It also provides an economical solution to aquatic environment in terms of time saving and use of small volume of catalytic solution for reduction of several other toxic organic pollutants.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xing, Ling-Bao; Hou, Shu-Fen; Zhou, Jin

In present work, we demonstrate an efficient and facile strategy to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) nitrogen-doped graphene aerogels (NGAs) based on melamine, which serves as reducing and functionalizing agent of graphene oxide (GO) in an aqueous medium with ammonia. Benefiting from well-defined and cross-linked 3D porous network architectures, the supercapacitor based on the NGAs exhibited a high specific capacitance of 170.5 F g{sup −1} at 0.2 A g{sup −1}, and this capacitance also showed good electrochemical stability and a high degree of reversibility in the repetitive charge/discharge cycling test. More interestingly, the prepared NGAs further exhibited high adsorption capacities and highmore » recycling performance toward several metal ions such as Pb{sup 2+}, Cu{sup 2+} and Cd{sup 2+}. Moreover, the hydrophobic carbonized nitrogen-doped graphene aerogels (CNGAs) showed outstanding adsorption and recycling performance for the removal of various oils and organic solvents. - Graphical abstract: Three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene aerogels were prepared by using melamine as reducing and functionalizing agent in an aqueous medium with ammonia, which showed multifunctional applications in supercapacitors and adsorption. - Highlights: • Three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene aerogels (NGAs) were prepared. • Melamine was used as reducing and functionalizing agent. • NGAs exhibited relatively good electrochemical properties in supercapacitor. • NGAs exhibited high adsorption performance toward several metal ions. • CNGAs showed outstanding adsorption capacities for various oils and solvents.« less