Expression of SSEA-4 and Oct-4 from somatic cells in primary mouse gastric cell culture induced by brief strong acid.

Environmental changes can stress and alter biology at the molecular and cellular level. For example, metal-protein interaction is a classic physic and biological property of nature, which is fundamentally influenced by acidity. Here, we report a unique cellular reprogramming phenomenon in that a brief strong acid treatment induced the expression of pluripotent stem cell (PSC) markers. We used strong acid to briefly challenge mix-cultured gastric cells, and then subcultured survived cells in a normal cell culture medium. We found that survival acid-treated cells expressed PSC markers detected by commonly used pluripotent antibodies such as SSEA-4 and Oct4. In addition, we observed that the survived cells from the acid challenge grew faster during the second and third weeks of subculture and had a relative short doubling time (DT) than the controls. PSC marker-labeled 'older' cells also presented immature cell-like morphology with some having marker Oct4 in the nucleus. Finally, the expression of the markers appeared to be sensitive to metal ion chelation. Removal of the metals during a brief acid treatment reduced pluripotent marker-positive cells, suggesting the dissociation of metals from metal-binding proteins may be a factor involved in the induction of stem cell markers. Our findings reveal that somatic cells appear to possess a plasticity feature to express pluripotent marker proteins or to select cell subpopulations that express pluripotent marker proteins when cells are transiently exposed to strong acid. It opens new directions for understanding conserved regulatory mechanisms involved in cellular survival under stressful stimulation.

Molecular Characterization and Tissue Distribution of Calcineurin Regulatory B Subunit during the Prevention of Diapause in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.

To clarify the molecular mechanism of prevention of entry into diapause in Bombyx mori by HCl treatment, we biochemically analyzed calcineurin regulatory B subunit (CNB) in diapause eggs treated with HCl solution. Our previous studies revealed that HCl treatment causes Ca2+ to efflux from diapause eggs. Therefore, we attempted to analyze CNB, which is known to associate with Ca2+. The gene expression level of CNB was increased by HCl treatment and the changes of the gene expression were almost the same as that in the non-diapause eggs. As for diapause eggs, almost no gene expression of CNB was confirmed except just after oviposition. In the assay for phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2, recombinant CNB (rCNB) was phosphorylated in vitro. Additionally, a Ca2+ binding assay indicated that rCNB shows affinity for Ca2+. The distribution of CNB was investigated with an immunohistochemical technique using antiserum against rCNB in diapause eggs and HCl-treated diapause eggs. CNB was localized in serosa cells and yolk cells in both eggs. These data may suggest that CNB is activated by intracellular Ca2+ or efflux Ca2+ resulting from HCl treatment, and that it plays a role in the molecular mechanisms of artificial diapause prevention or the breaking of diapause in the silkworm.

Lubiprostone protects esophageal mucosa from acid injury in porcine esophagus.

Esophageal injury from acid exposure related to gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common problem and a risk factor for development of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Our previous work highlights the benefits of using porcine esophagus to study human esophageal disease because of the similarities between porcine and human esophagus. In particular, esophageal submucosal glands (ESMGs) are present in human esophagus and proximal porcine esophagus but not in rodent esophagus. Although CFTR is expressed in the ducts of ESMGs, very little is known about CFTR and alternate anion channels, including ClC-2, in the setting of acid-related esophageal injury. After finding evidence of CFTR and ClC-2 in the basal layers of the squamous epithelium, and in the ducts of the ESMGs, we developed an ex vivo porcine model of esophageal acid injury. In this model, esophageal tissue was placed in Ussing chambers to determine the effect of pretreatment with the ClC-2 agonist lubiprostone on tissue damage related to acid exposure. Pretreatment with lubiprostone significantly reduced the level of acid injury and significantly augmented the recovery of the injured tissue (P < 0.05). Evaluation of the interepithelial tight junctions showed well-defined membrane localization of occludin in lubiprostone-treated injured tissues. Pretreatment of tissues with the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter inhibitor bumetanide blocked lubiprostone-induced increases in short-circuit current and inhibited the reparative effect of lubiprostone. Furthermore, inhibition of ClC-2 with ZnCl2 blocked the effects of lubiprostone. We conclude that ClC-2 contributes to esophageal protection from acid exposure, potentially offering a new therapeutic target.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research is the first to describe the presence of anion channels ClC-2 and CFTR localized to the basal epithelia of porcine esophageal mucosa and the esophageal submucosal glands. In the setting of ex vivo acid exposure, the ClC-2 agonist lubiprostone reduced acid-related injury and enhanced recovery of the epithelial barrier. This work may ultimately provide an alternate mechanism for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Effect of decalcification protocols on immunohistochemistry and molecular analyses of bone samples.

Diagnosis of osteocartilaginous pathologies depends on morphological examination and immunohistochemical and molecular biology analyses. Decalcification is required before tissue processing, but available protocols often lead to altered proteins and nucleic acids, and thus compromise the diagnosis. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different methods of decalcification on histomolecular analyses required for diagnosis and to recommend an optimal protocol for processing these samples in routine practice. We prospectively submitted 35 tissue samples to different decalcification procedures with hydrochloric acid, formic acid, and EDTA, in short, overnight and long cycles for 1 to >10 cycles. Preservation of protein integrity was examined by immunohistochemistry, and quality of nucleic acids was estimated after extraction (DNA and RNA concentrations, 260/280 ratios, PCR cycle thresholds), analysis of DNA mutations (high-resolution melting) or amplifications (PCR, in situ hybridization), and detection of fusion transcripts (RT-PCR, in situ hybridization). Hydrochloric acid- and long-term formic acid-based decalcification induced false-negative results on immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis. EDTA and short-term formic acid-based decalcification (<5 cycles of 6 h each) did not alter antigenicity and allowed for detection of gene mutations, amplifications or even fusion transcripts. EDTA showed superiority for in situ hybridization techniques. According to these results and our institutional experience, we propose recommendations for decalcification of bone samples, from biopsies to surgical specimens.

Impact of the dialysate acid component on haemodialysis mortality rates.

BACKGROUND: No prospective study has evaluated the long-term effect on mortality of the new acid concentrates added to bicarbonate dialysate. The aim of this pharmacoepidemiological study was to evaluate the association between hydrochloric or citric acid-based dialysate and mortality on haemodialysis (HD). METHODS: This study included 117 796 patients with 3 723 887 months on HD recorded in the national French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network registry. Dialysate acid components were retrospectively reconstructed for each facility. All patients on HD were associated each month with an exposure based on that at their facility of treatment. We took each patient's time-varying exposure into account to calculate the monthly mortality rates for each exposure. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for mortality were calculated with a Poisson regression, with acetic acid as the reference. Regressions were adjusted for initial clinical characteristics (age, gender, previous cardiovascular events, active malignancy, diabetes, pulmonary disease, mobility), dialysis technique and location (in-centre, outpatient centre, self-care unit) and ESRD vintage, updated monthly. RESULTS: The crude mortality rate per 1000 patient-months with citric acid {11.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1-12.0]} was lower than with either acetic acid [12.9 (95% CI 12.8-13.1)] or hydrochloric acid [12.8 (95% CI 12.2-13.5)]. For the 2014-17 period, the IRR for mortality with citric acid [adjusted IRR 0.94 (95% CI 0.90-0.99)] and with hydrochloric acid [adjusted IRR 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.94)] were significantly lower than with acetic acid. CONCLUSION: This post-marketing study of long-term exposure to dialysate acidifiers at the patient level found the use of citric and hydrochloric acid-based dialysates, compared with acetic acid, was associated with lower mortality.

Post-treatment with a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor prevents chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis, following acute exposure of mice to HCl.

Aim/Purpose: Exposure to high levels of hydrochloric acid (HCl) is associated with severe lung injury including both acute inflammation and chronic lung disease, which leads to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, there are no specific therapeutic agents for HCl-induced lung injury. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, we have used a murine model of intra-tracheal acid instillation to investigate the antidotal effects of AUY-922, a small molecule HSP90 inhibitor, already in clinical trials for various types of cancer, against HCl-induced chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis.Methods: HCl (0.1 N, 2 µl/g body weight) was instilled into male C57Bl/6J mice at day 0. After 24 h, mice began receiving 1 mg/kg AUY-922, 2x/week for 15 or 30 days.Results: AUY-922 suppressed the HCl-induced sustained inflammation, as reflected in the reduction of leukocyte and protein concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and inhibited the activation of pro-fibrotic biomarkers, ERK and HSP90. Furthermore, AUY-922 improved lung function, decreased the overexpression and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and dramatically reduced histologic evidence of fibrosis in the lungs of mice exposed to HCl.Conclusions: We conclude that AUY-922, and possibly other HSP90 inhibitors, successfully block the adverse effects associated with acute exposures to HCl and may represent an effective antidote against HCl-induced chronic lung injury and fibrosis.

Acid treatment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) scales prior to analysis has negligible effects on δ13C and δ15N isotope ratios.

There is debate in the literature as to whether scales of fishes require acidification to remove inorganic carbonates prior to stable isotope analysis. Acid-treated and untreated scales from 208 Atlantic salmon from nine locations on both sides of the Atlantic were analysed for δ13C and δ15N. Linear mixed-effect models determined the effect of acid treatment to be statistically significant. However, the mean difference was small (δ13C 0.1 ± 0.2‰, δ15N -0.1 ± 0.2‰) and not of biological relevance. This study concludes that Atlantic salmon scales do not need to be acidified prior to stable isotope analysis.

Biogas Production from Physicochemically Pretreated Grass Lawn Waste: Comparison of Different Process Schemes.

Various pretreatment methods, such as thermal, alkaline and acid, were applied on grass lawn (GL) waste and the effect of each pretreatment method on the Biochemical Methane Potential was evaluated for two options, namely using the whole slurry resulting from pretreatment or the separate solid and liquid fractions obtained. In addition, the effect of each pretreatment on carbohydrate solubilization and lignocellulossic content fractionation (to cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) was also evaluated. The experimental results showed that the methane yield was enhanced with alkaline pretreatment and, the higher the NaOH concentration (20 g/100 gTotal Solids (TS)), the higher was the methane yield observed (427.07 L CH4/kg Volatile Solids (VS), which was almost 25.7% higher than the BMP of the untreated GL). Comparing the BMP obtained under the two options, i.e., that of the whole pretreatment slurry with the sum of the BMPs of both fractions, it was found that direct anaerobic digestion without separation of the pretreated biomass was favored, in almost all cases. A preliminary energy balance and economic assessment indicated that the process could be sustainable, leading to a positive net heat energy only when using a more concentrated pretreated slurry (i.e., 20% organic loading), or when applying NaOH pretreatment at a lower chemical loading.

Differences in acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia metabolism in the male and female kidney.

Renal ammonia excretion is a critical component of acid-base homeostasis, and changes in ammonia excretion are the predominant component of increased net acid excretion in response to metabolic acidosis. We recently reported substantial sex-dependent differences in basal ammonia metabolism that correlate with sex-dependent differences in renal structure and expression of key proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of sex on the renal ammonia response to an exogenous acid load. We studied 4-mo-old C57BL/6 mice. Ammonia excretion, which was less in male mice under basal conditions, increased in response to acid loading to a greater extent in male mice, such that maximal ammonia excretion did not differ between the sexes. Fundamental structural sex differences in the nonacid-loaded kidney persisted after acid loading, with less cortical proximal tubule volume density in the female kidney than in the male kidney, whereas collecting duct volume density was greater in the female kidney. To further investigate sex-dependent differences in the response to acid loading, we examined the expression of proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The change in expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and Rh family B glycoprotein with acid loading was greater in male mice than in female mice, whereas Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter and inner stripe of the outer medulla intercalated cell Rh family C glycoprotein expression were significantly greater in female mice than in male mice. There was no significant sex difference in glutamine synthetase, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, or electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 variant A protein expression in response to acid loading. We conclude that substantial sex-dependent differences in the renal ammonia response to acid loading enable a similar maximum ammonia excretion response.

The effect of Heweijiangni-decoction on esophageal morphology in a rat model of OVA-induced visceral hypersensitivity followed by acid exposure.

Heweijiangni decoction (HWJND) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine prescription in clinical treatment of nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). Esophageal hypersensitivity and acid contribute to the disease. However, the exact underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we observed the effect of HWJND on esophageal morphology in a rat model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced visceral hypersensitivity followed by acid exposure. Esophageal morphology was assessed by measuring the extent of dilated intercellular spaces (DIS), desmosome disruption, and mitochondrial fragmentation. HWJND in low, moderate, and high doses relieved DIS and desmosome disruption in esophageal epithelium compared with model group (P<0.05 for all doses). In addition, HWJND in high dose protected mitochondria from fragmentation (P<0.05). Other findings suggest that DIS and mitochondrial fragmentation are independent events, and that omeprazole protects mitochondria. Overall, HWJND significantly resists esophageal morphology changes in OVA-induced and acid exposure rat model.

Lactic Acid Produced by Glycolysis Contributed to Staphylococcus aureus Aggregation Induced by Glucose.

High concentration of glucose induces Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) aggregation, but the mechanism of this is still unclear. In this study, the aggregation of S. aureus strains was induced by high concentration of glucose (>7.8 mM), and which was dose- and time-dependent. In addition, the large amount of lactate acid produced during S. aureus aggregation, induced by glucose, resulted in decreased pH value. Lactic acid, the end product of glycolysis, could quickly induce S. aureus aggregation. Except for lactic acid, acetic acid and HCl also induced S. aureus aggregation. In addition, the aggregation of S. aureus strains induced by glucose or lactic acid was completely inhibited in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5), and inhibition of glycolysis by 2-deoxyglucose significantly decreased S. aureus aggregation. The aggregation induced by glucose was dispersed by periodate and proteinase K. In summary, lactate acid produced by glycolysis contributed to S. aureus aggregation induced by high concentration of glucose.

Two hit induced acute lung injury impairs cognitive function in mice: A potential model to study cross talk between lung and brain.

Acute lung injury (ALI), a pulmonary inflammatory disorder, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Interestingly, ALI survivors have been reported for some neurocognitive deterioration at/after discharge. However, the molecular factors behind such extra pulmonary manifestation are not clearly known. The present work was designed to investigate lung-brain cross talk in experimental mice for deciphering primary molecular factors that may be involved in ALI-mediated cognitive impairment. ALI was induced in Balb/c mice by intra-tracheal administration of either 0.1 N HCl (2 ml/kg) or LPS (1 mg/kg) as single hits or both agents were administered successively to mimic the 'two hit' model. Interestingly two hit-mediated ALI resulted in exaggerated inflammatory response as reflected by increased pulmonary neutrophils and inflammatory factors (TNF-α/IL-1ß/IL-6). Additionally, two hits resulted in delayed resolution of lung inflammation and was coupled with persistent decline in memory, as assessed by Morris water maze test. Further, two hits elevate serum levels of TNF-α/IL-1ß which was associated with compromised blood brain barrier (BBB), as evident by decreased expression of occludin/claudin-5 and consequent Evans-blue extravasation in hippocampus 1 week post injury. Finally, dexamethasone protects against the two hit mediated cognitive impairment by lowering the pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α/IL-1ß) both in lungs and blood. Overall, we report for the first time that 'two hit' mediated ALI cause persistent cognitive impairment in mice partly via up-regulating systemic expression of TNF-α/IL-1ß that may disrupt BBB and hence the model may be a useful tool to examine the lung-brain cross-talk at the molecular level for exploring newer therapeutics.

Effects of stannous fluoride on eroded enamel permeability.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect in vitro of a single application of a stannous fluoride- (SnF2-) containing toothpaste on eroded enamel. Forty-eight teeth were subjected to three acid treatments: 15% hydrochloric acid for 120 s (HA group); 1% citric acid (pH=4) for 180 s (CA group); 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s (PA group). They were brushed with an electric toothbrush with pressure control and 1 g of SnF2 (1100 ppm) toothpaste for 2 min. Polyether replicas of buccal enamel surfaces were obtained at baseline, after acid exposure and after brushing, gold sputtered and inspected by SEM for fluid droplets presence. Hydrochloric and citric acid treatments increased enamel permeability while, on the contrary, phosphoric acid reduced enamel fluid release. SnF2 application of ameliorated acid induced permeability in citric and hydrochloric treated samples. Permeability in phosphoric treated enamel was unchanged after topical application of SnF2. Our data show specific acid-dependent effects on enamel permeability and demonstrate that SnF2 application can reverse acid-induced permeability.

Molecular Characterization and Tissue Distribution of Mitochondrial Ca2+ -Dependent Solute Carrier Protein during Prevention of Diapause by HCl Treatment in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.

To clarify the molecular mechanism of prevention of entry into diapause in Bombyx mori by HCl treatment, we biochemically analyzed mitochondrial Ca2+ -dependent solute carrier protein (MCSC) in diapause eggs treated with HCl solution. Our previous studies revealed that HCl treatment causes Ca2+ to efflux from diapause eggs. Therefore, we attempted to analyze MCSC, which is known to associate with Ca2+ . The isolated cDNA of B. mori MCSC (BmMCSC) had an open reading flame (ORF) of 667 amino acid residues, and the ORF contained two EF-hand calcium-binding domains and three characteristic features of the mitochondrial solute carrier superfamily. The gene expression level of BmMCSC increased by HCl treatment. A Ca2+ binding assay indicated that recombinant BmMCSC (rBmMCSC) shows an affinity with Ca2 + . The distribution of BmMCSC was investigated with an immunohistochemical technique using antisera against BmMCSC in diapause eggs and HCl-treated diapause eggs. BmMCSC was localized in serosa cells in both eggs. These data may suggest that BmMCSC is activated by intracellular Ca2+ or efflux Ca2+ by HCl treatment, and that it plays a role in the molecular mechanisms of artificial diapause prevention or the breaking of diapause in the silkworm.

Increasing radiofrequency ablation volumes with the use of internally cooled electrodes and injected hydrochloric acid in ex vivo bovine livers.

PURPOSE: We used an impedance-controlled generator with an internally cooled electrode to perform radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in ex vivo bovine livers, with a single injection of either 38.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) or 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl), to determine the relative effects of these two solutions on tissue impedance, temperature and ablation volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 10 ablations each with injections of NaCl (NaCl-RFA), HCl (HCl-RFA) or nothing (RFA-alone), with a power setting of 200 W for 15 minutes. We recorded tissue impedance before and after injection. We logged temperatures obtained from thermocouple probes positioned 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm from the internally cooled RF electrode. After ablation, we measured ablation zone longitudinal and transverse diameters, and we calculated a spherical ratio (SR) for each ablation. RESULTS: Mean post-injection impedance of 30.3 (standard deviation [SD] 2.5) ohms for HCl was significantly lower than that of 55.4 (SD 3.5) ohms for NaCl (p < .001). Mean maximum temperatures recorded at each respective distance from the RFA electrode were all highest for HCl-RFA and lowest for RFA-alone (p < .001). Mean longitudinal and transverse diameters after HCl-RFA (5.50 [SD 0.25] cm and 5.28 [SD 0.22] cm, respectively) were significantly larger than those after NaCl-RFA (4.24 [SD 0.35] cm and 3.55 [SD 0.43] cm, respectively) and after RFA-alone (3.60 [SD 0.10] cm and 2.70 [SD 0.13] cm, respectively) (p < .001). Mean SR after HCl-RFA (0.93, SD 0.02) was significantly higher than mean SR after NaCl-RFA (0.76, SD 0.06) and RFA-alone (0.72, SD 0.04) (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Monopolar, impedance-controlled RFA, with an internally cooled electrode and a single 10% HCl injection may allow larger tumors to be treated, potentially resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Safety and effect on ablation size of hydrochloric acid-perfused radiofrequency ablation in animal livers.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to determine the safety and ablation size of hydrochloric acid-perfused radiofrequency ablation (HCl-RFA) in liver tissues, prospectively using in vivo rabbit and ex vivo porcine liver models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The livers in 30 rabbits were treated in vivo with perfusions of normal saline (controls) and HCl concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, during RFA at 103 °C and 30 W for 3 min. For each experimental setting, six ablations were created. Safety was assessed by comparing baseline weight and selected laboratory values with those at 2, 7, and 14 days' post-ablation, and by histopathological analysis. The livers in 25 pigs were treated ex vivo with the same five perfusions during RFA at 103 °C, at both 30 W and 60 W, for 30 min. Ablation diameters and volumes were measured by two examiners. RESULTS: Rabbit weights and selected laboratory values did not differ significantly from baseline to 7 and 14 days' post-ablation, liver tissues outside the ablation zones were normal histologically, and adjacent organs showed no macroscopic damage. The mean ablation volumes in the porcine livers treated with HCl-RFA were all larger than those treated with normal saline perfusion during RFA (NS-RFA), at both 30 W and 60 W (p < 0.001). The largest ablation volume and transverse diameter were observed in the porcine livers during 10% HCl-RFA at 60 W, measuring 179.22 (SD = 24.79) cm3 and 6.84 (SD = 0.36) cm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experiments, HCl-RFA in the liver appears to be as safe as NS-RFA while also resulting in larger ablation zones.

Treatment of corn with lactic acid or hydrochloric acid modulates the rumen and plasma metabolic profiles as well as inflammatory responses in beef steers.

BACKGROUND: High-grain diets that meet the energy requirements of high-producing ruminants are associated with a high risk of rumen disorders. Mild acid treatment with lactic acid (LA) has been used to modify the degradable characteristics of grains to improve the negative effects of high-grain diets. However, the related studies mainly focused on dairy cows and explored the effects on rumen fermentation, production performance, ruminal pH and so forth. And up to date, no studies have reported the hydrochloric acid (HA) treatment of grains for ruminant animals. Therefore, based on metabolomics analysis, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment of corn by steeping in 1% LA or 1% HA for 48 h on the rumen and plasma metabolic profiles in beef steers fed a high corn (48.76%) diet with a 60:40 ratio of concentrate to roughage. The inflammatory responses of beef cattle fed LA- and HA-treated corn were also investigated. RESULTS: Based on ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) metabolomics and multivariate analyses, this study showed that steeping corn in 1% LA or 1% HA modulated the metabolic profiles of the rumen. Feeding beef steers corn steeped in 1% LA or 1% HA was associated with lower relative abundance of carbohydrate metabolites, amino acid metabolites, xanthine, uracil and DL-lactate in the rumen; with higher ruminal pH; with lower concentrations of acetate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate; and with a tendency for lower ruminal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations. Moreover, the data showed lower concentrations of plasma C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-8 in beef steers fed 1% LA- or HA-treated corn. The 1% LA treatment decreased the concentrations of plasma LPS, LPS-binding protein and tumour necrosis factor-alpha and the relative abundance of L-phenylalanine, DL-3-phenyllactic acid and tyramine in plasma. The 1% HA treatment decreased the relative abundance of urea in plasma and increased the relative abundance of all amino acids in the plasma. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that LA or HA treatment of corn modulated the degradation characteristics of starch, which contributed to improving the rumen and plasma metabolic profiles and to decreasing inflammatory responses in beef steers fed a high-concentrate diet.

Removal of fluoride from wastewater using HCl-treated activated alumina in a ribbed hydrocyclone separator.

Excessive fluoride concentration in wastewater is a major health concern worldwide. The main objective of wastewater treatment is to allow industrial effluents to be disposed of without danger to the human health and the natural environment. In this current study, experiments have been conducted to remove fluoride from aqueous solution using alumina and HCl (Hydrochloric acid) treated activated alumina in a continuous mode. A spiral rib was introduced in the cylindrical part of the conventional hydrocyclone to increase the performance, and the new hydrocyclone is dubbed as ribbed hydrocyclone. Experiments were carried out to analyze the performance of the ribbed hydrocyclone and compared the results with the conventional hydrocyclone of the same dimension. The efficiency of conventional and ribbed hydrocyclone at a slurry flow rate of 50 LPM (liter per minute) for the solid concentration of 1.4 wt% were 80% and 93.5% respectively. The cut size d50 of the conventional and ribbed hydrocyclone was 18 µm and 13 µm respectively at a slurry velocity of 50 LPM. Fluoride removal efficiency using alumina and HCl-treated alumina was also investigated in a continuous mode by the ribbed hydrocyclone. Maximum fluoride removal efficiency was 49.5%, and 80% for alumina and HCl-treated alumina for the initial concentration of 10 mg/L at a slurry flow rate of 50 LPM.

Influence of acid treatment on surface properties and in vivo performance of Ti6Al4V alloy for biomedical applications.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of acid treatment on the surface properties and in vivo performance of titanium grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) alloy. Mini-implants with surface treatment were inserted into New Zealand rabbit tibia for 1, 4 and 8 weeks. SEM analysis showed intercommunicated micropores in acid treated samples. AFM showed micron and sub-micron roughness. The thickness of the titanium oxide layer increased with surface treatment, with a significant reduction of Al and V concentration. Acid treated implant removal torque was larger than without treatment. The implants/bone interface of acid treated implants showed dense adhered Ca/P particles with spreading osteoblasts after 4 weeks and newly formed bone trabeculae after 8 weeks. Analysis of rabbit blood that received treated implant showed lower Al and V contents at all times. Acid treatment improved surface morphology and mechanical stability, which allowed initial events of osseointegration, while Al-V ion release was reduced. GRAPHICAL ABTSRACT.

Cutaneous neurogenic inflammation in the sensitized acupoints induced by gastric mucosal injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: In acupuncture practice, the most important step is to confirm the location of a sensitized acupoint which reflects a diagnosis and can be stimulated with a specialized needle to treat the disease. Abnormal symptoms such as hyperalgesia or allodynia at the sensitized acupoints in patients with visceral disorders are considered to be in relation with referred pain and neurogenic inflammation. Yet, limited study has investigated the cutaneous neurochemical changes of the sensitized acuponits. METHODS: The resent study developed an animal model of gastric mucosal injury (GMI) by HCl administered into the stomach of the rats. Evans Blue (EB) dye was applied by injection of tail vein after mucosal damage to observe the neurogenic plasma extravasation dots in the skin of the rats. The EB dots extravagated in the skin were compared with locations of acupoints. Immnohistochemistry analysis was used to detect the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- or substance P (SP)-labeled nerve fibers, histamine (HA)-, serotonin (5-HT)-, and tryptase-labeled cells in EB dots. Images were recorded and analyzed by Confocal imaging system and Olympus Image Processing Software. RESULTS: The results showed that GMI resulted in neurogenic plasma extravasation in the skin of the acupoints over the back and abdomen, which mostly occurred in the T9-11 dermatomere. The EB extravasation dots appeared after GMI and disappeared gradually during the natural self-recovery of the gastric mucosa. More SP and CGRP positive nerve fibers were distributed in EB dots than that in regions beside EB dots and in the control, mostly distributed in the nerve fibers around both the vessels and root of hair follicle. Mast cells also aggregated and degranulated to release algogenic substances of 5-HT and HA around the vessels in areas of the EB dots. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicates that the mechanism of EB extravasation in the skin of the acupoints induced by GMI are closely related to neurogenic inflammation, and that the high expression of local allergic substances and nociceptive neuropeptides in the local skin including SP, CGRP, HA, 5-HT, and mast cell tryptase may be the underlying mechanism of the acupoint sensitization.