Experimental and numerical analysis of Tm2+excited-states dynamics and luminescence in CaX2(X= Cl, Br, I).

The prospect of using Tm2+-doped halides for luminescence solar concentrators (LSCs) requires a thorough understanding of the temperature dependent Tm2+excited states dynamics that determines the internal quantum efficiency (QE) and thereby the efficiency of the LSC. In this study we investigated the dynamics in CaX2:Tm2+(X= Cl, Br, I) by temperature- and time-resolved measurements. At 20 K up to four distinct Tm2+emissions can be observed. Most of these emissions undergo quenching via multi-phonon relaxation below 100 K. At higher temperatures, only the lowest energy 5d-4f emission and the 4f-4f emission remain. Fitting a numerical rate equation model to the data shows that the subsequent quenching of the 5d-4f emission is likely to occur initially via multi-phonon relaxation, whereas at higher temperatures additional quenching via interband crossing becomes thermally activated. At room temperature only the 4f-4f emission remains and the related QE becomes close to 30%. Possible reasons for the quantum efficiency not reaching 100% are provided.

Dietary lipids modify the age-associated changes in intestinal uptake of fructose in rats.

Because reduced nutrient absorption may contribute to malnourishment in the elderly, age and diet modulate fructose uptake in mice, and alterations in fructose uptake may be paralleled by changes in the abundance of fructose transporters, the objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effects of aging on fructose absorption in rats, 2) the effect of feeding diets enriched with saturated fatty acids (SFA) vs. polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and 3) the mechanisms of these age-and diet-associated changes. Male Fischer 344 rats aged 1, 9, and 24 mo received isocaloric diets enriched with SFA or PUFA. The uptake of (14)C-labeled D-fructose was determined in vitro using the intestinal sheet method. Northern and Western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the abundance of sodium-independent glucose and fructose transporters (GLUT)2 and GLUT5. When expressed on the basis of mucosal surface area, jejunal fructose uptake was increased in 9 and 24 mo compared with 1-mo-old animals fed SFA. PUFA-fed animals demonstrated increased fructose uptake at 24 mo compared with younger animals. Ileal fructose uptake was increased with SFA vs. PUFA in 9-mo-old rats but was reduced with SFA in 1- and 24-mo-old rats. Variations in GLUT2 and GLUT5 abundance did not parallel changes in uptake. These results indicate that 1) age increases fructose uptake when expressed on the basis of mucosal surface area, 2) age influences the adaptive response to dietary lipid modifications, and 3) alterations in fructose uptake are not explained by variations in GLUT2 or GLUT5.

Adaptation following intestinal resection: mechanisms and signals.

The intestine has an inherent ability to adapt morphologically and functionally in response to internal and external environmental changes. The functional adaptations encompass modifications of the brush border membrane fluidity and permeability, as well as up- or down-regulation of carrier-mediated transport. Intestinal adaptation improves the nutritional status following the loss of a major portion of the small intestine, following chronic ingestion of ethanol, following sublethal doses of abdominal irradiation, in diabetes, in pregnancy and lactation, with ageing, and with fasting and malnutrition. Following intestinal resection, morphological and functional changes occur depending upon the extent of the intestine removed, the site studied, and the lipid content of the diet. Therefore, intestinal adaptation has important implications in the survival potential and welfare of the host. An understanding of the mechanisms of, and signals for, intestinal adaptation in the experimental setting forms the basis for the use of management strategies in humans with the short-bowel syndrome.

The age-associated decline in the intestinal uptake of glucose is not accompanied by changes in the mRNA or protein abundance of SGLT1.

Studies performed using human and animal models offer conflicting results regarding the effect of age on nutrient absorption. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the effects of aging on the in vitro uptake of glucose in rats; and (2) the molecular mechanisms of these age-associated changes. Male Fischer 344 rats aged 1, 9 and 24 months were fed a standard laboratory diet (PMI # 5001). The uptake of 14C-labelled D-glucose was determined in vitro using the intestinal sheet method. Northern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the effects of age on the BBM sodium-dependent glucose transporter, SGLT1, and the BLM Na+K(+)-ATPase. When expressed on the basis of intestinal weight, mucosal weight or surface area, there was a reduction in glucose uptake in the 24-month-old animals. SGLT1, GLUT2 and Na+K(+)-ATPase mRNA and protein abundance did not parallel the changes seen in glucose uptake. These results indicate that (1) age reduces in vitro intestinal glucose uptake in the rat; and (2) this age-associated decline in glucose uptake was not explained by alterations in SGLT1, GLUT2 or Na+K(+)-ATPase.

Feeding a polyunsaturated fatty acid diet prevents the age-associated decline in glucose uptake observed in rats fed a saturated diet.

The ability of the intestine to adapt to changes in environmental stimuli may be compromised with aging. Young animals fed saturated fatty acids (SFA) versus polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have an increased intestinal uptake of glucose. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the effects of age on glucose uptake in rats; (2) the influence of feeding SFA versus PUFA; and (3) the mechanisms of these age- and diet-associated changes. Male Fischer 344 rats aged 1, 9 and 24 months received semi-purified isocaloric diets enriched with either SFA or PUFA. The uptake of 14C-labelled D-glucose was determined in vitro using the intestinal sheet method. Northern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the effects of age and diet on SGLT1, GLUT2 and Na(+)K(+)-ATPase. The mucosal surface area of the jejunum was reduced in 9 and 24 as compared with 1-month-old rats fed SFA. PUFA delayed this age-associated reduction in surface area. In SFA, the ileal uptake of glucose fell with age when expressed on the basis of intestinal or mucosal weight. Feeding PUFA prevented this decline. Alterations in glucose uptake were not paralleled by the changes in SGLT1, GLUT2 or Na(+)K(+)-ATPase abundance.

An unconventional view of dacryocystorhinostomy.

Twenty-one dacryocystorhinostomy operations were assessed by nasendoscopy. In fourteen of the 15 successful operations pre-operative radiography had demonstrated a low obstruction in the lacrimal passages. Postoperatively the nasal ostia in this group showed great morphological diversity. In five of the 6 operations which were not clinically successful a high obstruction in the lacrimal passages had been demonstrated pre-operatively. In all cases in this group the nasal ostia were closed. In these 5 cases with an obstruction in the canaliculus communis, minimal or absent flow of tears through the dacryocystorhinostomy may be assumed. The surgical technique was the same in all 21 cases. The high canalicular problem seems to be responsible for the failure of these 5 operations. A notable feature was that nasendoscopy revealed a closed nasal ostium. This suggests that sufficient tearflow through the dacryocystorhinostomy is necessary to keep this open. To what extent the individual variation in tearflow and patency of the canalicular system is responsible for the morphological variation in the nasal ostium, as observed in the clinically successful group, is not yet clear.