Whole-body protein turnover in nephrotic subjects: a comparison between different degrees of proteinuria

In contrast to the increased hepatic albumin synthesis in subjects with proteinuria, little is known about the corresponding whole-body protein turnover rates (WPTR). The WPTR and the reutilisation rates (R) were investigated in 20 patients divided in three groups of different degrees of proteinuria (groups I-III: < 1, 1-3, > 3 g/m2/day, respectively). [15N]glycine was administered as a single oral pulse. Urine samples were taken over 2 days. After removing urinary proteins by trichloracetic acid, 15N-enrichment in the supernatant was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. A three-compartment model was used to calculate WPTR and R, which showed a statistically significant difference between groups I and III (2.64 vs. 4.63 g/kg/day, and 70.4% vs. 80.8%, respectively, P < 0.01), whereas the net protein gain remained unchanged (0.13 vs. 0.22 g/kg/day). The higher the protein loss the higher the WPTR and the corresponding R. The severe protein loss provokes increased WPTR and R as well.     

Studies of the protein and the energy metabolism in man during a wintering in Antarctica

During the 29th Soviet Antarctic Expedition in Novolazarevskaya from March 1984 to March 1985, the protein and energy metabolisms were studied in six expeditioners from the German Democratic Republic. The investigations were carried out at the beginning of the expedition (May), during the polar night (July) and during the polar day (December). The effect of a special stress situation (sledge trek in April 1984) was investigated in one subject. The stable nitrogen isotope ¹⁵N was used to study the protein metabolism. The assessment of the energy metabolism was based on the oxygen consumption, which was determined by means of a spirograph. In addition, the vital capacity, the breath minute volume, the blood pressure, etc. were measured. The following results were obtained: During the polar night, the utilisation of the dietary proteins and the whole body protein synthesis calculated by means of the ¹⁵N excretion of the total nitrogen in urine were greater (73.6±0.9 % and 3.48±0.17 g protein d^?1 kg^?1, n=3) than the respective values during the polar day (69.7±1.2, p<0.05, n=3 and 3.05±0.07, p<0.05, n=3) and at the beginning of the expedition (69.6±1.4, p<0.02, n=5 and 2.81±0.09, p<0.01, n=5). The lowest values (58.0 % and 2.43 g protein d^?1 kg^?1) were obtained in the subject after the trek. The resting metabolic rate (in kJ d^?1 m^?2) was decreased during the polar night (45.6±5.0, n=4) in comparison with the polar day (61.5±11.3, n=3) and the beginning of the expedition (52.3±9.6, n=4) with p<0.01 in both cases.     

Metabolic Effects of HAY's Diet

Abstract

The aim of the study was, to evaluate the metabolic effect of HAY's diet on protein turnover, fat oxidation, respiratory quotient, body fat and weight loss. Twelve healthy adults received an individually regular diet and thereafter a corresponding isocaloric and isonitrogenous 10-day HAY-diet. Protein turnover and ¹³C-fat oxidation were investigated after administration of [¹⁵N]glycine and an [U-¹³C]algae lipid mixture. The ¹⁵N and ¹³C enrichment in urine and breath were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The respiratory quotient was measured by indirect calorimetry. Body fat, total body water and lean body mass were estimated by bio-electric impedance analysis. HAY's diet led to a significantly higher ¹³C-fat oxidation (15.4 vs. 22.0% P < 0.01), corresponding to a lower respiratory quotient (0.88 vs. 0.81; P < 0.01), whereas the protein turnover remained constant in both diets (3.06 vs. 3.05 g/kg/day). HAY's diet did not reduce total body water, lean body mass, body fat and body weight (72.2 vs. 71.4 kg).     

The 13C bicarbonate method: an inverse end product method for measuring CO2 production and energy expenditure

We reconsider the principle of the ¹³C bicarbonate (NaH¹³CO₃) method (¹³C-BM) for the determination of the CO₂ production to obtain an estimate of energy expenditure (EE). Its mathematical concept based on a three-compartmental model is related to the [¹⁵N]glycine end product method. The CO₂ production calculated by the ¹³C-BM, R_aCO₂(¹³C) is compared to the result from the indirect calorimetry, RCO₂(IC). In an interspecies comparison (dog, goat, horse, cattle, children, adult human; body mass ranging from 15 to 350?kg, resting and fasting conditions) we found an excellent correlation between the results of ¹³C-BM and IC with RCO₂(IC)?=?0.703?×?R_aCO₂(¹³C), (R²?=?0.99). The slope of this correlation corresponds to the fractional ¹³C recovery (RF(¹³C)) of ¹³C in breath CO₂ after administration of NaH¹³CO₃. Significant increase in RF(¹³C) was found in physically active dogs (0.95?±?0.14; n?=?5) vs. resting dogs (0.71?±?0.10, n?=?17; p?=?.015). The ¹³C recovery in young bulls was greater in blood CO₂ (0.81?±?0.05) vs. breath CO₂ (0.73?±?0.05, n?=?12, p?<?.001) and in ponies with oral (0.76?±?0.03, n?=?8) vs. intravenous administration of NaH¹³CO₃ (0.69?±?0.07; n?=?8; p?=?.026). We suggest considering the ¹³C-BM as a ‘stand-alone’ method to provide information on the total CO₂ production as an index of EE.     

Time resolved simultaneous detection of 14NO and 15NO via mid-infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy

We present a ring-down absorption spectrometer based on a continuous-wave CO laser in the mid-infrared spectral region near λ?=?5 μm. Using a linear ring-down cavity (length: 0.5 m) with high reflective mirrors (R?=?99.988 %), we observed a noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of 3?×?10^?10 cm^?1Hz^?1/2. This corresponds to a noise-equivalent concentration of 800 parts per trillion (ppt) for ¹⁴NO and 40 ppt for ¹⁵NO in 1 s averaging time. We achieve a time resolution of 1 s which allows time resolved simultaneous detection of the two N isotopes. The δ¹⁵N value was obtained with a precision of ±1.2‰ in a sample with a NO fraction of 11 ppm. The simultaneous detection enables the use of ¹⁵NO as a tracer molecule for endogenous biomedical processes.     

Maternal obesity does not influence human milk protein 15N natural isotope abundance

ABSTRACT

Obesity increases protein metabolism with a potential effect on nitrogen isotope fractionation. The aim of this study was to test the influence of obesity on human milk extracted protein ¹⁵N natural isotope abundance (NIA) at one month post-partum and to compare human milk extracted protein ¹⁵N NIA and bulk infant hair ¹⁵N NIA. This cross-sectional observational study involved 16 obese mothers (body mass index (BMI)?≥?30?kg?m^?2 before pregnancy) matched with 16 normal-weight mothers (18.5?kg?m^?2?≤?BMI?<?25?kg?m^?2) for age and pregnancy characteristics. Human milk extracted protein and bulk infant hair ¹⁵N NIA were determined by isotope ratio monitoring by mass spectrometry interfaced to an elemental analyser (IRM-EA/MS). No significant difference was found in human milk protein ¹⁵N NIA values between obese and normal-weight mothers (8.93?±?0.48?‰ vs. 8.95?±?0.27?‰). However, human milk protein ¹⁵N NIA was significantly lower than bulk infant hair ¹⁵N NIA: 8.94?±?0.38?‰ vs. 9.66?±?0.69?‰, respectively. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that human milk protein ¹⁵N NIA measured at one month post-partum is not influenced by maternal obesity. These findings suggest that ¹⁵N NIA may be exploited to study metabolism without considering maternal obesity as a confounder.     

Phase stability,anisotropic elastic properties and electronic structures of C15-type Laves phases ZrM2 (M = Cr,Mo and W) from first-principles calculations

Abstract

Systematic investigations of phase stability and mechanical properties of C15-type ZrM₂ (M = Cr, Mo and W) Laves phases were performed using first-principles calculations. The formation enthalpies of ZrM₂ are in good agreement with the theoretical and experimental values. The elastic properties, including elastic constants and moduli, Poisson’s ratio and B/G, were discussed. The elastic anisotropy was also investigated via the anisotropy indexes (A^U, A^Z, A_shear and A_comp), the anisotropy of shear modulus and the 3D construction of bulk and Young’s moduli. The elastic anisotropy of ZrM₂ is in order of ZrCr₂ < ZrMo₂ < ZrW₂. The variations in the shear modulus and hardness show similar trends with increasing values from ZrCr₂ to ZrW₂. The electronic structures for these C15-type Laves phases were analysed to obtain deeper understanding of chemical bonds and phase stabilities. Finally, the sound velocities and Debye temperatures were also investigated.     

Effect of alcohol consumption on the liver detoxication capacity as measured by [13C]methacetin- and [methyl-13C]methionine-breath tests

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatic microsomal and mitochondrial functions by using the ¹³CO₂-breath test in healthy subjects either before or after the consumption of red wine. Fourteen adults received [¹³C]methacetin and [methyl-¹³C]methionine together with a standardised dinner. Expired air samples were taken over 6 h. After a wash-out period, the subjects consumed 0.4 ml ethanol/kg/day together with dinner over a 10-day period. Thereafter, ¹³C-tracer administration was repeated under identical conditions. The ¹³CO₂-enrichments were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The mean cumulative percentage ¹³C-dose recovery (CPDR) after administration of [¹³C]methacetin and [methyl-¹³C]methionine either without or with red wine consumption amounted to 38.2±6.3 vs. 36.3±6.7% (p=0.363) and 9.5±3.3 vs. 8.8±2.5% (p=0.47), respectively. Moderate alcohol consumption does not induce significant short-term changes of the microsomal and the mitochondrial functions of the human liver in healthy subjects.     

A New FTIR Method for the Analysis of Low Levels of FFA in Refined Edible Oils

Abstract

This paper summarizes the application of stoichiometric analytical approaches to quantitative IR analysis and describes the development of a rapid and sensitive Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method using such an approach for the determination of low levels (<0.005%) of free fatty acids (FFA) in refined edible oils. The method simply involves mixing the sample with methanol containing 2 g /L sodium carbodiimide (NaHNCN) on a vortex mixer for 30 s to convert the FFA to their salts, centrifuging the sample to separate the methanol phase containing the FFA salts from the oil, recording the FTIR spectrum of the upper methanol layer in a 100‐µm CaF₂ transmission flow cell, and ratioing this spectrum against that of the NaHNCN/methanol solution. The concentration of FFA salts is determined from the resulting differential spectrum by measurement of the v(COO^?) absorbance at 1573 cm^?1 relative to a reference wavelength of 1820 cm^?1. A calibration spanning the range 0–0.1% FFA (expressed as oleic acid) was devised by gravimetric addition of a defined, pure fatty acid to an acid‐free oil. Validation of the method by standard addition of palmitic acid to a variety of oils yielded an overall standard error of <±0.001% FFA. Comparison of triplicate FTIR and IUPAC titrimetric analyses of oils spiked with palmitic acid demonstrated that this FTIR method was more sensitive, accurate, and reproducible than the titration procedure, the latter having a significant positive bias of ～0.02%. Solvent/oil consumption in the FTIR method is 2 mL/10 g versus 150 mL/20 g for the titrimetric procedure. The FTIR method developed is particularly well suited for the determination of the low levels of FFA in refined oils but can readily be adapted with a simple adjustment of the oil/methanol ratio to cover FFA levels of up to 4.0%.     

Comparison of two dosage regimens of the substrate for the [13C]methacetin breath test

The [¹³C]methacetin breath test ([¹³C]MBT) – a valuable non-invasive tool dedicated to the assessment of the liver metabolic capacity – still needs standardisation. The aim of this study was to check whether currently used dosage regimens of [¹³C]methacetin provide concordant [¹³C]MBT results in subjects with an atypical body constitution. Healthy volunteers: low body mass<55 kg (eight women), and high body mass>95 kg (eight large body frame men) were recruited. They underwent [¹³C]MBT on separate days, taking in random order [¹³C]methacetin: a fixed 75 mg dose (FX75), or a 1 mg kg^?1 body mass-adjusted dose (BMAD). Samples of expiratory air for ¹³CO₂ measurement were collected over 3 h. The maximum momentary ¹³C elimination in breath air occurred earlier and was higher following BMAD than with FX75 in the low body mass females (T _max 14.6±1.0 min vs. 22.1±2.4 min, p=0.019; D _max 41.9±2.9 % dose h^?1 vs. 36.6±3.6 % dose h^?1, p=0.071). In the high body mass men, T _max remained unchanged, whereas D _max was slightly higher with BMAD compared to FX75 (21.5±3.2 min vs. 23.0±3.0 min; 38.5±2.9 % dose h^?1 vs. 32.3±2.5 % dose h^?1). It is concluded that in subjects with a body constitution outside the general population average, the dosage of the substrate may affect some results of the [¹³C]MBT. The dosage-related differences appear, however, to be insignificant if the result of the [¹³C]MBT is reported as a cumulative ¹³C recovery in breath air.     

L p -Boundedness of the Wave Operator for the One Dimensional Schrödinger Operator

Given a one dimensional perturbed Schrödinger operator H =  ? d ²/dx ² + V(x), we consider the associated wave operators W  _± , defined as the strong L ² limits $\lim_{s\to\pm\infty}e^{isH}e^{-isH_{0}}Given a one dimensional perturbed Schr?dinger operator H = − d ²/dx ² + V(x), we consider the associated wave operators W _± , defined as the strong L ² limits . We prove that W _± are bounded operators on L ^p for all 1 < p < ∞, provided , or else and 0 is not a resonance. For p = ∞ we obtain an estimate in terms of the Hilbert transform. Some applications to dispersive estimates for equations with variable rough coefficients are given.     

Studies of Nanosized Iron-Doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Photocatalysts by Spectroscopic Methods

Iron-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles with iron content in the range of 0.005 < Fe/Ti < 0.3 were prepared using the flame spray pyrolysis method and investigated with CW X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This allowed for the clarification of the internal organization of Fe–TiO₂ nanoparticles. Different types of Fe(III) centers were distinguished in the samples: isolated high-spin paramagnetic Fe(III) ions (S = 5/2) in rhombic ligand fields state at 0.005 < Fe/Ti < 0.05, and Fe(III) ferromagnetic clusters at Fe/Ti < 0.1. All Fe-doped samples had rather high activity for the photocatalytic mineralization of oxalic acid under visible light illumination (λ > 400 nm) at 25 °C. Correlations were made between EPR and photocatalytic activity results. The specific surface area [S] data allowed us to deduce that the isolated Fe(III) centers were responsible for the photomineralisation of oxalic acid, while the Fe(III) ferromagnetic aggregates decreased the total efficiency of the system.     

Synthesis of thiol-functionalized MCM-41 mesoporous silicas and its application in Cu(II), Pb(II), Ag(I), and Cr(III) removal

Thiol-functionalized MCM-41 mesoporous silicas were synthesized via evaporation-induced self-assembly. The mesoporous silicas obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The products were used as adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions from water. The mesoporous silicas (adsorbent A) with high pore diameter (centered at 5.27 nm) exhibited the largest adsorption capacity, with a BET surface area of 421.9 m² g^?1 and pore volume of 0.556 cm³ g^?1. Different anions influenced the adsorption of Cu(II) in the order NO₃ ^? < OAc^? < SO₄ ^2? < CO₃ ^2? < Cit^? < Cl^?. Analysis of adsorption isotherms showed that Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, and Cr³⁺ adsorption fit the Redlich–Peterson nonlinear model. The mesoporous silicas synthesized in the work can be used as adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions from water effectively. The removal rate was high, and the adsorbent could be regenerated by acid treatment without changing its properties.     

An Exact Solution of Perfect Fluid in Isotropic Coordinates, Compatible with Relativistic Modeling of Star

We present a spherically symmetric solution of the general relativistic field equations in isotropic coordinates for perfect fluid, compatible with a super dense star modeling. The solution is well behaved for all the values of u lying in the range 0<u≤0.12. Further, we have constructed a super-dense star model with all degree of suitability and by assuming the surface density ρ _b =2×10¹⁴ g/cm³. Corresponding to u=0.12, the resulting well behaved model has maximum mass M=0.912M _Θ with radius R _b ≈11.27 km and Moment of inertia 0.97×10⁴⁵ gm?cm². The good matching of our results for Vela pulsars show the stoutness of our model.     

Structure of self-implanted silicon annealed under enhanced hydrostatic pressure

Implantation of any ions at a sufficiently high dose and energy (E) into single-crystalline Si leads to the creation of amorphous Si (aSi), with damages peaking near the projected range (R _p) of implanted species. Enhanced hydrostatic pressure (HP) at a high temperature (HT) influences the recrystallization of aSi. The structure of self-implanted Czochralski silicon (Si⁺ dose, D=2×10¹⁶ cm^?2, E=150 keV, R _p=0.22 μm) processed for 5 h at 1400 or 1520 K under HPs up to 1.45 GPa was investigated by X-ray, secondary ion mass spectrometry and photoluminescence methods. The implantation of Si produces vacancies (V) and self-interstitials (Si_i). Vacancies and Si_is form complex defects at HT–HP, also with contaminants (e.g. oxygen, always present in Czochralski silicon). The mobility and recombination of V and Si_i as well as the kinetics of recrystallization are affected by HP, thus processing at HT–HP affects the recovery of aSi.     

A comparative in vitro study of the digestibility of heat- and high pressure-induced gels prepared from industrial milk whey proteins

We undertook this study to compare the digestibility of heat- and high pressure-induced gels produced from whey protein isolate (WPI). To simulate in vivo gastrointestinal digestion of WPI gels, a pepsin–trypsin digestion system was used. The in vitro protein digestibility of WPI gels induced by high pressure (400 MPa and 30 min; P-gel) and those induced by heat (80°C and 30 min; H-gel) was compared using a protein concentration of 0.14 g mL^?1. The in vitro protein digestibility of P-gels was significantly greater than that of H-gels (p<0.05). The size-exclusion chromatography profiles of the hydrolysates showed that the P-gel generated more and smaller peptides than natural WPI and H-gels. Furthermore, Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed some soluble disulfide-mediated aggregation in the P-gel, while there was more insoluble aggregation in the H-gel than the P-gel. The P-gel was more sensitive to proteinase than the H-gel, which was related to the content of S–S bonds, and this in turn could be attributed to the differences in the gelation mechanism between the H-gel and P-gel.     

Rapid and simple detection of sodium thiocyanate in milk using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy based on silver aggregates

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used for rapid detection of sodium thiocyanate in milk employing silver aggregates as active substrate. Silver nanoparticles were induced to silver aggregates by trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The limit of detection (LOD) for sodium thiocyanate was 10⁻² µg ml⁻¹ in water with an analytical enhancement factor of 5.4 × 10⁶. The silver aggregates represent good reproducibility and stability. Good linear relationship was obtained for sodium thiocyanate in milk at concentration ranges from 0.1 to 10 µg ml⁻¹ (R² = 0.995). Using TCA as protein precipitator, silver colloid would aggregate spontaneously when mixing with samples during SERS measurement without the need of additional aggregating agent. The simple pretreatment procedures and analytical methods are less time consuming (<10 min) and environmentally friendly, making the proposed method much practical for in situ detection of sodium thiocyanate in market milk. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of Blood Hemodynamics by USPIO-Induced R 1 Changes in MRI of Murine Colon Carcinoma

The objective of this study is to assess whether ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-induced changes of the water proton longitudinal relaxation rate (R ₁) provide a means to assess blood hemodynamics of tumors. Two types of murine colon tumors (C26a and C38) were investigated prior to and following administration of USPIO blood-pool contrast agent with fast R ₁ measurements. In a subpopulation of mice, R ₁ was measured following administration of hydralazine, a well-known blood hemodynamic modifier. USPIO-induced R ₁ increase in C38 tumors (ΔR ₁ = 0.072 ± 0.0081 s⁻¹) was significantly larger than in C26a tumors (ΔR ₁ = 0.032 ± 0.0018 s⁻¹, N = 9, t test, P < 0.001). This was in agreement with the immunohistochemical data that showed higher values of relative vascular area (RVA) in C38 tumors than in C26a tumors (RVA = 0.059 ± 0.015 vs. 0.020 ± 0.011; P < 0.05). Following administration of hydralazine, a decrease in R ₁ value was observed. This was consistent with the vasoconstriction induced by the steal effect mechanism. In conclusion, R ₁ changes induced by USPIO are sensitive to tumor vascular morphology and to blood hemodynamics. Thus, R ₁ measurements following USPIO administration can give novel insight into the effects of blood hemodynamic modifiers, non-invasively and with a high temporal resolution.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of spin crossover in tris(N, N′-dialkyldithiocarbamato) iron (III) complexes: effect of alkyl substituents

Spin crossover behavior in tris(N,N′-dialkyldithiocarbamato) iron(III) complexes with varying alkyl groups has been studied by variable temperature magnetic moment and Mössbauer spectral studies. All the complexes may be divided into three broad groups; high spin (μ _eff > 4.8 BM), intermediate spin (μ _eff?=?3.5???4.6 BM) and low spin (μ _eff?< 3.2 B.M). Room temperature (RT) Mössbauer spectra exhibit an asymmetric doublet resolved into two doublets corresponding to high and low spin states. Estimated % contributions of HS and LS states and calculated μ _eff were comparable with the experimentally determined values. It has been shown that some complexes undergo spin crossover, ⁶A₁g→²T₂g whereas others exhibit spin transitions ⁶A₁g →⁴T₁g or ⁴T₁g → ²T₂g. IR spectra show characteristic ν _(Fe???S) bands in the region 208–285 (HS) and 311–380 cm^???1 (LS). Nature of alkyl groups affects the spin state.