Effect of Novel Ultrasonic- Microwave Combined Pretreatment on the Quality of 3D Printed Wheat Starch-Papaya System

Food Biophysics - This study was aimed at investigating the effect of novel ultrasonic-microwave combined pretreatment on the three-dimensional (3D) printing quality of wheat starch-papaya system....     

Comparative analysis of normal voice characteristics using simultaneous electroglottography and high speed digital imaging

Vocal fold (VF) activity in sustained phonation captured through simultaneous visual observations via direct method (high speed digital imaging: HSDI) and via indirect electroglottographic (EGG) method in normal population were submitted to contrastive analysis. The quantitative parameters used to describe the dynamic properties of the VF vibration included open/closed quotients, and indices that we defined as harmonic ratios. Our analysis also included a Nyquist plot approach that we introduced previously. Results indicate that EGG tracings delivered useful results for the analysis of normal voices and derived a reasonably accurate open quotient value in comparison to the visual analysis. Moreover, recognizable Nyquist plot patterns were obtained for EGG tracings although not identical to that obtained from the HSDI-derived glottal area waveform. Therefore ipso-facto we evaluate the usefulness of EGG compared to visual data in describing specific voice characteristics of normal speakers.     

Reverse flow instep island flap.

The retrogradely perfused medial plantar artery flap was used in a leprosy patient with a plantar ulcer over the heads of the second and third metatarsals. The flap is based on the anastomosis of the medial plantar artery with the branch of the first plantar metatarsal artery, which supplies the medial side of the great toe. This design provides reconstruction with like local tissues while not distorting the weight-bearing pattern of the foot.     

Studies on triacylglycerol ester hydrolase from bat adipose tissue

Triacylglycerol ester hydrolase was isolated from bat adipose tissue and characterized. The partially purified enzyme had pH optimum of 8.6 and a K_m value of 0.6 mM. The enzyme was denaturated upon freezing and thawing, which was prevented by 25% glycerol. The enzyme was activated by EDTA and NaCl, while it was inhibited by serum and bovine serum albumin. Heparin, sodium fluoride and diisopropyl fluorophosphate had no effect on triacylglycerol ester hydrolase activity. It hydrolyzed triglycerides partially. Triacylglycerol ester hydrolase lost its activity during delipidation but it was reactivated by endogenous lipids and phospholipids, viz. phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin. The enzyme shows kinetic properties altogether different from lipoprotein lipase and hormone sensitive lipase     

An investigation of a mouse model to estimate the potency of the diphtheria component in vaccines

A mouse model to estimate the potency of the diphtheria toxoid components in vaccines using Vero cells to detect the neutralizing antibodies in the sera from immunized mice is described. The results obtained with this mouse model correlated significantly with those obtained in the lethal challenge test in guinea-pigs. For this reason it is suggested that the potency test in guinea-pigs be replaced by this mouse model because a considerable reduction in the number of animals used and costs can be achieved by the introduction of this mouse test for the routine control of the potency of the diphtheria component of vaccines.