Modeling Molecular Interactions with Wetting and Non-Wetting Rock Surfaces by Combining Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and NMR Relaxometry.

Three types of natural rocks─Bentheimer and Berea sandstones, as well as Liège Chalk─have been aged by immersion in a bitumen solution for extended periods of time in two steps, changing the surface conditions from water-wet to oil-wet. NMR relaxation dispersion measurements were carried out on water and oil constituents, with saturated and aromatic molecules considered individually. In order to separate the different relaxation mechanisms discussed in the literature, H and F relaxation times were compared to H for fully deuterated liquids: while H relaxes predominantly by quadrupolar coupling, which is an intramolecular process, the remaining nuclei relax by dipolar coupling, which potentially consists of intra- and intermolecular contributions.

On the influence of wetting behaviour on relaxation of adsorbed liquids - A combined NMR, EPR and DNP study of aged rocks.

The influence of wettability modification in natural rocks has been studied by means of NMR relaxation dispersion of water and several organic liquids, employing H, F and H relaxometry. Berea, Bentheimer and chalk were aged with a bitumen solution, altering the samples from water-wet to mixed-wet. Relaxation measurements were supported by EPR and DNP experiments which are sensitive to bulk radicals and interfacial radicals, respectively.

Challenges in Model Development for Meat Composition Using Multipoint NIR Spectroscopy from At-Line to In-Line Monitoring.

This study evaluates the efficiency of multipoint near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the fat and moisture content of minced beef samples both in at-line and on-line modes. Additionally, it aims at identifying the obstacles that can be encountered in the path of performing in-line monitoring. Near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectra of minced beef samples were collected using an NIR spectrophotometer, employing a Fabry-Perot interferometer.

Extracellular matrix composition significantly influences pancreatic stellate cell gene expression pattern: role of transgelin in PSC function.

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for the fibrotic matrix of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In vitro protocols examining PSC biology have usually involved PSCs cultured on plastic, a nonphysiological surface. However, PSCs cultured on physiological matrices, e.

Overexpression of a short human seipin/BSCL2 isoform in mouse adipose tissue results in mild lipodystrophy.

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) is a recessive disorder characterized by an almost complete loss of adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and fatty liver. BSCL2 is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BSCL2/seipin gene, which encodes seipin. The essential role for seipin in adipogenesis has recently been established both in vitro and in vivo.

Differential effects of diet-induced obesity on BKCa {beta}1-subunit expression and function in rat skeletal muscle arterioles and small cerebral arteries.

Mechanisms underlying obesity-related vascular dysfunction are unclear. This study examined the effect of diet-induced obesity on expression and function of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel (BK(Ca)) in rat pressurized small resistance vessels with myogenic tone. Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a cafeteria-style high fat diet (HFD; ∼30% energy from fat) for 16-20 wk were ∼30% heavier than controls fed standard chow (∼13% fat).

Context-driven discovery of gene cassettes in mobile integrons using a computational grammar.

Background: Gene discovery algorithms typically examine sequence data for low level patterns. A novel method to computationally discover higher order DNA structures is presented, using a context sensitive grammar. The algorithm was applied to the discovery of gene cassettes associated with integrons.

Inhibition of the cardiovascular response to stress by systemic 5-HT1A activation: sympathoinhibition or anxiolysis?

5-HT(1A) agonists given systemically are known to produce anxiolytic effects. In addition, a growing body of research is showing that those compounds also have central sympathoinhibitory properties. Since emotional arousal gives rise to sympathetic activation, it is not clear whether systemic treatment with a 5-HT(1A) agonist reduces the sympathetic response to emotional stress primarily by a direct action on sympathetic-related sites in the brain or indirectly through reducing anxiety.

Mechanisms of neonatal increase in glomerular filtration rate.

To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the neonatal increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal function studies (whole kidney and micropuncture) were carried out in anesthesized fetal sheep (133-140 days gestation; term = 150 days) and lambs (12-18 days). Fetuses were delivered and placed in a water bath (39.5 degrees C), keeping the umbilical cord moist and intact.

Detrimental metabolic effects of combining long-term cigarette smoke exposure and high-fat diet in mice.

Obesity and cigarette smoking are both important risk factors for insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Smoking reduces appetite, which makes many people reluctant to quit. Few studies have documented the metabolic impact of combined smoke exposure (se) and high-fat-diet (HFD).

Metabolic response of trained and untrained women during high-intensity intermittent cycle exercise.

The metabolic response to two different forms of high-intensity intermittent cycle exercise was investigated in young women. Subjects (8 trained and 8 untrained) performed two bouts of high-intensity intermittent exercise: short sprint (SS) (8-s sprint, 12-s recovery) and long sprint (LS) (24-s sprint, 36-s recovery) for 20 min on two separate occasions. Both workload and oxygen uptake were greater in the trained subjects but were not significantly different for SS and LS.

Branched fibers in dystrophic mdx muscle are associated with a loss of force following lengthening contractions.

We demonstrated that the susceptibility of skeletal muscle to injury from lengthening contractions in the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse is directly linked with the extent of fiber branching within the muscles and that both parameters increase as the mdx animal ages. We subjected isolated extensor digitorum longus muscles to a lengthening contraction protocol of 15% strain and measured the resulting drop in force production (force deficit). We also examined the morphology of individual muscle fibers.

Effects of a reduction in maternal renal mass on pregnancy and cardiovascular and renal function of the pregnant ewe.

Maternal renal disease is associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity. To establish an animal model to study renal dysfunction in pregnancy and its potential role in programming for renal disease and hypertension in adult life, a kidney was removed from each of 16 nonpregnant ewes, and a branch of the renal artery of the remaining kidney was ligated (STNx ewes). The 16 STNx and 15 intact ewes were time mated 2.

Transmural gradient of leukocyte-endothelial interaction in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

Gastrointestinal injury usually starts in the superficial mucosa. We investigated whether leukocyte-endothelial interactions were greater in the gastrointestinal mucosa than the submucosa and muscularis in control tissue and after upregulation of adhesion molecules with endotoxin and after chemical insult with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Inactin-anesthetized rats were given either endotoxin, flurbiprofen, or nitric oxide (NO)-flurbiprofen, after which ICAM-1 and P-selectin expression was measured with the dual-label antibody technique.

Molecular identification and characterization of three isoforms of tachykinin NK(1)-like receptors in the cane toad Bufo marinus.

The tachykinin peptide bufokinin, isolated from the cane toad intestine, is important in intestinal and cardiovascular regulation in the toad. In this study, three tachykinin NK(1)-like receptor isoforms, bNK(1)-A, bNK(1)-B, and bNK(1)-C, encoding proteins of 309, 390, and 371 amino acids, respectively, were cloned from the toad brain and intestine. These isoforms differ only at the intracellular COOH terminus.

Reflexes in the hand: strong synaptic coupling between single tactile afferents and spinal motoneurones.

We investigated whether the discharge of single afferents could modulate ongoing EMG in muscles acting on the hand. Recordings were made from 129 single low threshold mechanoreceptors via tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the median or ulnar nerves at the wrist in awake human subjects. Reflex modulation of ongoing EMG was observed for 9 of 26 FA I, 1 of 5 FA II, 18 of 39 SA II and 2 ectopically active afferents via spinally mediated, presumably oligosynaptic, pathways.