Cholecystokinin (CCK) in Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus L.) - ontogeny and effects of feeding and diurnal rhythms.

Neural and alimentary cholecystokinin (CCK) levels in Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus, were analyzed from hatching to 40days after hatching (DAH). The head compartment representing the neural pool was quantitatively dominant (>80% of the total CCK content) while the digestive tract pool represented 6-10%. During ontogeny the CCK level in whole larvae increased almost 15-fold from 0 to 40 DAH, being particularly marked from 14 to 20 DAH. Larvae of 24 to 26 DAH were examined for potential occurrence of a circadian rhythm and to analyze the effects of feeding. Fed and fasted larvae were significantly different, where fed larvae showed higher CCK levels. There were large fluctuations in CCK levels analyzed at 3h intervals without an apparent diurnal pattern. Shorter sampling intervals of 1h in the morning when lights were switched gradually on and food was offered to the larvae demonstrated a marked drop in the relative gut CCK levels and a concurrent increase in the CCK carcass to gut ratio, 1h after introduction of food followed by a return to prefeeding levels after 2h. This response probably results from a release and re-synthesis of CCK in the gut after initiation of feeding. Taken together, these results support earlier reports that CCK participates in the regulation of digestive processes in herring larvae, but CCK does not seem to have a circadian rhythm independent of feeding.

A prospective case series evaluating use of an in-line air detection and purging system to reduce air burden during major surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular air embolism (AE) is a preventable but potentially catastrophic complication caused by intravenous tubing, trauma, and diagnostic and surgical procedures. The potentially fatal risks of arterial AE are well-known, and emerging evidence demonstrates impact of venous AEs on inflammatory response and coagulation factors. A novel FDA-approved in-line air detection and purging system was used to detect and remove air caused by administering a rapid fluid bolus during surgery. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, case series was conducted. Subjects were observed using standard monitors, including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the operating room. After general anesthesia was induced, an introducer and pulmonary artery catheter was inserted in the right internal jugular to administer fluids and monitor cardiac pressures. Six patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. Each patient received four randomized fluid boluses: two with the in-line air purging device, two without. For each bolus, a bulb infuser was squeezed three times (10-15 mL) over 5 s. The TEE was positioned in the mid-esophageal right atrium (RA) to quantify peak air clearance, and images were video recorded throughout each bolus. Air was quantified using optical densitometry (OD) from images demonstrating maximal air in the RA. RESULTS: All subjects demonstrated significantly lower air burden when the air reduction device was used (p = 0.004), and the average time to clear 90% of air was also lower, 3.7 ± 1.2 s vs. 5.3 ± 1.3 s (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An air purging system reduced air burden from bolus administration and could consequently reduce the risk of harmful or fatal AEs during surgery.

Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of Sr4 Al14 O25 : Eu2+ , Dy3+ Persistent Phosphors by Codoping with Bi3+ Ions.

The photocatalytic activity of Bismuth-codoped Sr4 Al14 O25 : Eu2+ , Dy3+ persistent phosphors is studied by monitoring the degradation of the blue methylene dye UV light irradiation. Powder phosphors are obtained by a combustion synthesis method and a postannealing process in reductive atmosphere. The XRD patterns show a single orthorhombic phase Sr4 Al14 O25 : Eu2+ , Dy3+ , Bi3+ phosphors even at high Bismuth dopant concentrations of 12 mol%, suggesting that Bi ions are well incorporated into the host lattice. SEM micrographs show irregular micrograins with sizes in the range of 0.5-20 µm. The samples present an intense greenish-blue fluorescence and persistent emissions at 495 nm, attributed to the 5d-4f allowed transitions of Eu2+ . The fluorescence decreases as Bi concentration increases; that suggest bismuth-induced traps formation that in turn quench the luminescence. The photocatalytic evaluation of the powders was studied under both 365 nm UV and solar irradiations. Sample with 12 mol% of Bi presented the best MB degradation activity; 310 min of solar irradiation allow 100% MB degradation, whereas only 62.49% MB degradation is achieved under UV irradiation. Our results suggest that codoping the persistent phosphors with Bi3+ can be an alternative to enhance their photocatalytic activity.

Photocatalytic Activity of LaSr2 AlO5 :Eu Ceramic Powders.

The photocatalytic activity, of undoped and Europium-doped LaSr2 AlO5 powders, has been investigated by degrading methylene blue dye in water solutions. Those powders were fabricated by a combustion method and an annealing treatment in air. All samples showed a tetragonal single phase according to by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed irregular semi-oval grains with sizes in the range of 3.5-4.27 µm. Photoluminescence spectrum showed sharp emission peaks at 588 nm and at 617 nm which are associated with (7) F1 ,(7) F2 → (5) D0 Eu(3+) ion forbidden transitions, respectively, under UV light excitation of 322 nm. The methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light (254 nm) was studied by monitoring changes in the absorbance peak of MB at 665 nm. Finally, LaSr2 AlO5 :Eu powders were used three times and the efficiency for the degradation of MB decreased from 100 to 61% after the third cycle of use.

Anterior urethral strictures: etiology and characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the etiology and characteristics of symptomatic anterior urethral strictures in a large series of men presenting for urologic treatment in an effort to determine the common themes that may influence possible prevention or treatment strategies. Many questions about the origin and features of contemporary anterior urethral stricture disease remain unanswered. METHODS: The records of 175 men with symptomatic anterior urethral strictures were reviewed. Data were entered both prospectively by careful patient questioning and retrospectively from detailed chart review. The stricture length, location, and cause were recorded from urologic presentation, before definitive treatment. Posterior strictures from pelvic fracture urethral disruption defects were excluded from this review. RESULTS: A total of 194 strictures were identified in 175 men. Most strictures were idiopathic (65 of 194, 34%) or iatrogenic (63 of 194, 32%); fewer were inflammatory (38 of 194, 20%) or traumatic (28 of 194, 14%). Most involved the bulbar urethra (n = 100, 52%). Pendulous strictures (mean 6.1 cm) were longer on average than those in the fossa navicularis (mean 2.6 cm) or bulb (mean 3.1 cm). Prolonged catheterization (n = 26) and transurethral surgery (n = 25) were common causes of iatrogenic strictures. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that idiopathic and iatrogenic strictures are surprisingly common. External trauma was a relatively uncommon cause of anterior urethral stricture disease overall. Unnecessary urethral catheterization and repeated urethral instrumentation should be avoided to prevent stricture formation or exacerbation. More study is necessary to determine the origin of anterior urethral stricture disease.