Multinuclear complex formation between Ca(II) and gluconate ions in hyperalkaline solutions.

Alkaline solutions containing polyhydroxy carboxylates and Ca(II) are typical in cementitious radioactive waste repositories. Gluconate (Gluc(-)) is a structural and functional representative of these sugar carboxylates. In the current study, the structure and equilibria of complexes forming in such strongly alkaline solutions containing Ca(2+) and gluconate have been studied.

Overgrowth of the indigenous gut microbiome and irritable bowel syndrome.

Culture-independent molecular techniques have demonstrated that the majority of the gut microbiota is uncultivable. Application of these molecular techniques to more accurately identify the indigenous gut microbiome has moved with great pace over recent years, leading to a substantial increase in understanding of gut microbial communities in both health and a number of disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Use of culture-independent molecular techniques already employed to characterise faecal and, to a lesser extent, colonic mucosal microbial populations in IBS, without reliance on insensitive, traditional microbiological culture techniques, has the potential to more accurately determine microbial composition in the small intestine of patients with this disorder, at least that occurring proximally and within reach of sampling.

Kinetic pathway of palladium nanoparticle sulfidation process at high temperatures.

A significant issue related to Palladium (Pd) based catalysts is that sulfur-containing species, such as alkanethiols, can form a PdSx underlayer on nanoparticle surface and subsequently poison the catalysts. Understanding the exact reaction pathway, the degree of sulfidation, the chemical stoichiometry, and the temperature dependence of this process is critically important. Combining energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments at the S K-, Pd K-, and L2,3-edges, we show the kinetic pathway of Pd nanoparticle sulfidation process with the addition of excess amount of octadecanethiol at different temperatures, up to 250 °C.

Tuning the redox activity of encapsulated metal clusters via the metallic and semiconducting character of carbon nanotubes.

We demonstrate that reactions confined within single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) channels are modulated by the metallic and semiconducting character of the hosts. In situ Raman and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopies provide complementary information about the electronic state of carbon nanotubes and the encapsulated rhenium species, which reveal electronic interactions between encapsulated species and nanotubes. More electrons are transferred from metallic tubes (m-SWCNTs) to oxidic rhenium clusters, leading to a lower valence state rhenium oxide than that in semiconducting tubes (s-SWCNTs).

Wind -- problems with intestinal gas.

Background: Problems with intestinal gas and its transit through the gut are common, although the mechanisms causing the most common problems of belching (eructation), bloating, and passing flatus from the anus are reasonably complex.

Objective: This article outlines the role of intestinal gas in the genesis of the common symptoms of wind, the importance of gas transit, and considers new information about our understanding of small bowel motility.

Discussion: Healthcare providers often underestimate the severity of a patient's symptoms relating to the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon, especially the loose relationship between bloating and abdominal distension.

(De)lithiation mechanism of Li/SeS(x) (x = 0-7) batteries determined by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Electrical energy storage for transportation has gone beyond the limit of converntional lithium ion batteries currently. New material or new battery system development is an alternative approach to achieve the goal of new high-energy storage system with energy densities 5 times or more greater. A series of SeSx-carbon (x = 0-7) composite materials has been prepared and evaluated as the positive electrodes in secondary lithium cells with ether-based electrolyte.

Malnutrition screening and early nutrition intervention in hospitalised patients in acute aged care: a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: High rates of malnutrition have been reported in the older hospitalized patient population. This is recognised to impact on patient outcomes and health costs. This study aimed to assess the impact of nutrition screening and intervention on these parameters.

Competency and educational requirements: perspective of the rural emergency nurse.

Introduction: Continuing education has been associated with maintaining clinical competency for nurses. Despite this information, the availability, time, and financial support to attend continuing educational programs challenge the ability to develop, provide, or attend such programs. Before the development of methods to provide continuing educational programs to nurses working in rurally located emergency departments, a survey was developed to capture the perspective of these nurses.

Sulfur poisoning mechanism of steam reforming catalysts: an X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopic study.

The present XANES study aims at elucidating the roles of carbon deposits and metal sulfides in the catalyst deactivation in steam reforming reactions with the presence of sulfur. CeO(2)-Al(2)O(3)-supported Ni and Rh-based catalysts were tested in steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuel containing 350 ppm sulfur for H(2) production at 800 degrees C. The Rh catalyst demonstrated much better sulfur tolerance than the Ni catalyst.

IBS or intolerance?

Background: The contribution of specific foods to the genesis of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been increasingly recognised in recent years.

Objective: This article discusses the dietary triggers for IBS and the role of diagnostic testing in patients with IBS.

Discussion: In addition to the long standing implication of lactose in lactase deficient patients, fermentable dietary oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, together with very low carbohydrate diets, have been increasingly recognised as important in the causation and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Malabsorption may contribute to malnutrition in the elderly.

Malnutrition, either actually malnourished or at risk, is present in 80% of the elderly population presenting to hospital for admission. Although many factors contribute to this situation, one yet to be explored is malabsorption. We therefore aimed to assess nutritional status as well as the prevalence of altered mucosal permeability and celiac disease among a group of elderly patients presenting for rehabilitation.

Appendicectomy as a therapy for ulcerative proctitis.

Objectives: Available data regarding whether appendicectomy performed after the onset of ulcerative colitis can modulate its clinical course are currently limited. This study aimed at addressing this issue.

Methods: In this study, we report a prospective case series of 30 adult patients (median age 35 years, range 17-70 years; male/female: 11/19) with ulcerative proctitis (median duration of symptoms 5 years, range 8 months to 30 years; median Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index score 9, range 7-12), who underwent appendicectomy in the absence of any history suggestive of previous appendicitis.

Does subclinical malabsorption of carbohydrates prevent colorectal cancer? A hypothesis.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is high in the western world and low in Asia and Africa. Fibre and starch are thought to be important protective factors, with a strong inverse relationship between starch consumption and CRC incidence. Whether this is true in Asia, particularly, and Africa is debatable.

Windowless transition between atmospheric pressure and high vacuum via differential pumping for synchrotron radiation applications.

A differential pump assembly is introduced which can provide a windowless transition between the full atmospheric pressure of an in-air sample environment and the high-vacuum region of a synchrotron radiation beamline, while providing a clear aperture of approximately 1 mm to pass through the X-ray beam from a modern third-generation synchrotron radiation source. This novel pump assembly is meant to be used as a substitute for an exit vacuum window on synchrotron beamlines, where the existence of such a window would negatively impact the coherent nature of the X-ray beam or would introduce parasitic scattering, distorting weak scattering signals from samples under study. It is found that the length of beam pipe necessary to reduce atmospheric pressure to below 10 mbar is only about 130 mm, making the expected photon transmission for hard X-rays through this pipe competitive with that of a regular Be beamline window.

Irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a common worldwide problem, particularly women, and presents from the teenage years onward.

Objective: This article discusses the causes, diagnosis and management of IBS.

Discussion: Disturbed motility and sensory function underlie much of the disturbance in function that, not infrequently, begins following an episode of gastroenteritis.

Effect of oral sucralfate on late rectal injury associated with radiotherapy for prostate cancer: A double-blind, randomized trial.

Purpose: To assess whether oral sucralfate is effective in preventing late rectal injury in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted across four institutions in Australia. Patients receiving definitive radiotherapy for prostate cancer were randomized to receive either 3 g of oral sucralfate suspension or placebo twice daily.

The effect of oral sucralfate on the acute proctitis associated with prostate radiotherapy: a double-blind, randomized trial.

Purpose: Acute rectal complications occur in the majority of patients receiving external-beam radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate. Sucralfate has been proposed to reduce radiation-induced mucosal injury by forming a protective barrier on ulcer bases, binding local growth factors, and stimulating angiogenesis. However, there is conflicting clinical evidence as to whether sucralfate, taken prophylactically during radiotherapy, can ameliorate the symptoms of acute radiation proctitis.

Small intestinal mucosal pattern of Myanmar children.

Background: Little is known about the small intestinal mucosal pattern of Myanmar children.

Methods: Duodenal, jejunal and ileal mucosal specimens obtained from children within 6 h of death were examined under a dissecting microscope with the objective of determining villus pattern in relation to site within the small intestine and then correlated with age.

Results: Abnormalities in the small intestinal mucosa were detected at a very young age.

Screening for colorectal cancer: what is the most cost-effective approach?

In Western countries, including Australia, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in nonsmokers. Development of most colorectal cancers can be prevented by adenoma removal. The current screening strategies of faecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy combined with FOBT and colonoscopy are all cost effective.