Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Queensland Hospital

Investigation in the postoperative period of 75 patients by means of the radioiodinated fibrinogen uptake method, by the use of the Doppler ultrasonic flow detector, and by clinical assessment revealed an incidence of deep vein thrombosis of only 12%. This is distinctly lower than has been reported by other investigators using the same techniques both in Australia and elsewhere. It appears from this study and associated work that the Doppler ultrasonic technique is sufficiently accurate to be of value in the clinical diagnosis of significant deep vein thrombosis.     

An improved method for pollen release from anther: a case study with mangroves

The estimation of pollen production is widely used in pollination and reproductive ecology, aerobiology and pollen-vegetation relationship studies. Pollen release is the key step in estimating pollen production and therefore, the technique used to release pollen is critical. Three methods, the drying method (DM), mechanical method (MM) and chemical method (CM), are used to determine the amount of pollen released from anthers. Few studies have compared the results obtained from each method, making it difficult to determine which method is most appropriate in a given situation. In this study, we compared existing methods with a new method that increases the amount of pollen released from anthers. Eight species of mangrove trees from the Neilingding-Futian National Nature Reserve were selected for study. We combined the MM and CM to produce a new method (the ultrasonic method, UM). To determine the best ultrasonic treatment time using the UM, different durations were tested and the various responses were analysed. The relationships between pollen rupture and the ultrasonic treatment time, pollen size, exine thickness and aperture size were analysed. Finally, four methods for pollen release from anthers were compared. The results indicated that the UM could be an efficient method to release pollen from the anther. To avoid pollen rupture, ultrasonic treatment times in the UM should be less than 30 s. The pollen rupture rate was significantly correlated with the ultrasonic treatment time (r = 0.618, p < 0.001) and the aperture size (r = 0.248, p = 0.036). This comparative experiment indicated that the UM can generate a greater pollen yield than other methods while causing less pollen rupture than the MM. Therefore, the UM may be suitable for more plant species and more accurate for pollen production estimates than the existing three methods, particularly when estimating pollen production in all community plants.     

Standardized ultrasound evaluation of carotid stenosis for clinical trials: University of Washington Ultrasound Reading Center

Introduction

Serial monitoring of patients participating in clinical trials of carotid artery therapy requires noninvasive precision methods that are inexpensive, safe and widely available. Noninvasive ultrasonic duplex Doppler velocimetry provides a precision method that can be used for recruitment qualification, pre-treatment classification and post treatment surveillance for remodeling and restenosis. The University of Washington Ultrasound Reading Center (UWURC) provides a uniform examination protocol and interpretation of duplex Doppler velocity measurements.

Methods

Doppler waveforms from 6 locations along the common carotid and internal carotid artery path to the brain plus the external carotid and vertebral arteries on each side using a Doppler examination angle of 60 degrees are evaluated. The UWURC verifies all measurements against the images and waveforms for the database, which includes pre-procedure, post-procedure and annual follow-up examinations. Doppler angle alignment errors greater than 3 degrees and Doppler velocity measurement errors greater than 0.05 m/s are corrected.

Results

Angle adjusted Doppler velocity measurements produce higher values when higher Doppler examination angles are used. The definition of peak systolic velocity varies between examiners when spectral broadening due to turbulence is present. Examples of measurements are shown.

Discussion

Although ultrasonic duplex Doppler methods are widely used in carotid artery diagnosis, there is disagreement about how the examinations should be performed and how the results should be validated. In clinical trails, a centralized reading center can unify the methods. Because the goals of research examinations are different from those of clinical examinations, screening and diagnostic clinical examinations may require fewer velocity measurements.     

Relationship between the Rheological Properties of Thickener Solutions and Their Velocity through the Pharynx as Measured by the Ultrasonic Pulse Doppler Method

The dependence of the dynamic viscoelastic parameters of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), xanthan gum, and guar gum solutions on the angular frequency (ω) was compared with that of their viscosity (μ) on the shear rate (γ). In addition, the effect of these rheological properties on the maximum velocity through the pharynx, V _max, as measured by the ultrasonic pulse Doppler method, was investigated. The CMC and guar gum solutions examined were taken as a dilute solution and a true polymer solution, respectively. The xanthan gum solution was taken as a weak gel above 0.5% and a true polymer solution below 0.2%. The maximum velocity, V _max, of the thickener solutions correlated well with μ, the dynamic viscosity η′, and the complex viscosity η^*, especially those measured at γ or ω of 20–30 s^?1 (or rad/s) and above, suggesting that μ, η′, and η^* are suitable indexes for care foods of the liquid type for dysphagic patients.     

Evaluation of different techniques for pregnancy diagnosis in sheep

Fifty Corriedale ewes were used in this study to evaluate pregnancy diagnosis in sheep. Ewes were bred under a pen mating system and pregnancy diagnosis was initiated from day 15 post-mating, applying the diagnostic techniques of trans-abdominal real-time B-mode ultrasonography, Preg-alert (A-mode ultrasonography), the Doppler ultrasonic fetal pulse detector or the plasma progesterone concentration assay (EIA). These tests were repeated fortnightly on all the ewes until the onset of lambing. The accuracy of trans-abdominal real-time B-mode ultrasonography (68%) at days 15–30 of pregnancy increased to 100% by days 61–75 and remained constant until lambing. The accuracy of the Preg-alert (56%) diagnosis at days 31–45 increased to 94% by days 91–105 of gestation and then decreased to 82% from days 136 of gestation to lambing. The accuracy of both the Doppler ultrasound (56%) at days 31–45 and plasma progesterone assay (98%) at days 15–30 of gestation increased to 100% at days 76–90 and 46–60 of gestation, respectively and remained constant until parturition. The mean plasma progesterone concentration at days 0–6 (1.41 ± 0.21 ng/ml) increased to 4.0 ± 0.87 ng/ml at days 16–30 (days 18.23 ± 0.78) post-mating. Animals returning to estrus recorded less than 1 ng/ml at days 18.23 ± 0.78 post-mating. The accuracy of both the B-mode ultrasonic technique (78%) and plasma progesterone assay (98%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the accuracy obtained with the A-mode and Doppler ultrasound (both 56%) at days 31–45 of gestation. The study concluded that real-time B-mode ultrasonography is the earliest, most accurate, safest, fastest and most economical method of pregnancy diagnosis in sheep at farm level. The A-mode and Doppler methods can also be used under field conditions, where sophisticated laboratory facilities are not available. Plasma progesterone assays (EIA) can be used as a means of early pregnancy diagnosis in organized sheep farms with fair accuracy.     

Effects of pulse ultrasonic irradiation on the lag phase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth

Aims: This paper presents an analysis of lag phase phenomena in Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth as a function of ultrasonic irradiation. Methods and Results: Pulse irradiation treatments were performed by a 20 kHz ultrasonic transducer with different durations and energies. Data obtained from experiments were then employed to estimate growth parameters by specific transfer function. The significance of the different lag times in response to ultrasonic irradiation was analysed. The results showed that the yeast growth in lag phase responded to the irradiated ultrasonic of 20 min more than the 10 min. The ultrasonic energies between 330 and 360 W s m^?3 could decrease lag time up to 1 h compared to the sample without ultrasonic irradiation. Conversely, the treatments with energies higher than 850 W s m^?3 were able to extend the lag time and decrease the yeast growth. Conclusions: The lag durations of S. cerevisiae were changed significantly by different ultrasonic irradiations, energies and durations. In particular, sufficient irradiation energies reduced the lag time, resulting in accelerated yeast growth. In contrast, high energy could inactivate growth by increasing the lag time. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work provides an alternative technique to either accelerate or inactivate the S. cerevisiae lag phase. The approach can be developed in experiment designed to control the yeast growth by ultrasonic irradiation as assistance in the environments.     

类芽孢杆菌(Paenibacillus sp.)蛋白质组学研究中三种蛋白提取方法的比较分析

【目的】革兰氏阳性类芽孢杆菌（Paenibacillus sp.）本身细胞壁的结构特点导致其菌体全蛋白不易获得。本研究选取了3种破碎方法——溶菌酶联合超声破碎法（方法一）、溶菌酶联合SDS热处理破碎法（方法二）、液氮联合超声破碎法（方法三）进行革兰氏阳性菌的细胞破碎,以期获得适于样品菌株基于质谱技术进行蛋白质组学研究的制备方法。【方法】在蛋白样品的制备过程中,对3种不同破碎方法的蛋白提取得率和SDS-PAGE检测分析结果进行比较;随后将3种蛋白样品制备方法的样品用质谱技术进行鉴定,分析不同蛋白样品基于质谱技术鉴定蛋白的差异。【结果】在蛋白样品的制备提取过程中,不同破碎方法的蛋白提取率大致相同。用单因素方差比较3种提取方法质谱鉴定蛋白数的差异性,方法三鉴定的蛋白数最多（2 638个）,其次是方法一（2 452个）,方法二鉴定的蛋白数最少（2 003个）。进一步用韦恩图分析比较不同提取方法的蛋白鉴定通量差异,综合考虑蛋白提取效率的结果以及液氮研磨法提取蛋白的缺点,最终选取溶菌酶联合超声破碎法（方法一）提取菌株全蛋白作为该菌基于质谱分析其蛋白质组学研究中最适合的方法。最后,对质谱鉴定菌株蛋白包括分子量、等电点、疏水性的基本性质进行分析,发现3种破碎方法质谱鉴定的蛋白与模式菌株多黏类芽孢杆菌（Paenibacillus polymyxa）基因组中预测蛋白的各个组分分布占比基本一致,都保证了菌株蛋白质组数据信息的完整性。【结论】基于质谱技术开展革兰氏阳性类芽孢杆菌（Paenibacillus sp.）的蛋白质组学研究,溶菌酶联合超声破碎法是提取该菌株全蛋白最适合的方法。     

细胞焦亡法破碎微生物细胞在合成生物学与代谢工程的应用

【背景】细胞焦亡是一种细胞程序性死亡。在古菌和细菌中,gasdermin同源蛋白（GSDM）能够被特定的活化caspase （protease）酶切,从而激活类似于细胞焦亡的效应,产生细胞破碎效果。【目的】合成生物学、代谢工程和生物制造等应用过程中,细胞破碎是不可或缺的一步。利用细胞焦亡法破碎细胞取代传统的破碎方法,可以简化操作、提高生产效益。【方法】在大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli） BW25113中共表达protease和不同来源的GSDM,选择有明显细胞焦亡效应即来源Runella sp.的GSDM进行蛋白截短改造,使其在诱导表达蛋白截短体GSDMJD后能直接激活细胞焦亡效应。对GSDMJD进行过表达优化,获得可控大肠杆菌细胞焦亡菌株。进一步以重组表达蔗糖磷酸化酶为研究模型,验证本系统应用于细胞破碎释放蛋白的效果。【结果】实现了大肠杆菌中细胞焦亡的人为可控。焦亡菌株在诱导表达焦亡相关蛋白2 h后大肠杆菌细胞破碎死亡,内容物释放。将上述系统和超声法应用于制备蔗糖磷酸化酶粗酶液,细胞焦亡法制备的粗酶液的相对酶活显著高于超声法制备的粗酶液。在制备粗酶液的菌液OD₆₀₀值为2.0时,细胞焦亡法制备的粗酶液相对酶活最高并且相较于超声法制备粗酶液,提高了60%的相对酶活。【结论】细胞焦亡提供了一种更加简单快捷、绿色环保的微生物细胞破碎方式,为合成生物学与代谢工程的发展奠定了基础。     

Ultrasonic analysis of kinetic mechanism of hydrolysis of cellobiose by β-glucosidase

High-resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy (HR–US) was applied for real-time analysis of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellobiose by a β-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger (Novozyme 188) at 50 °C and pH 4.9. This technique is noninvasive, it does not require optical transparency and is suitable to continuously monitor the time dependence of the reaction progress in a broad range of experimental conditions. The time profiles of the amount of glucose released and the reaction rate were obtained from the time profile of ultrasonic velocity. The results are in good agreement with a discontinuous glucose assay (hexokinase method). The kinetic parameters of the reaction were estimated by fitting the ultrasonic time profiles of the reaction rates to several inhibition models. In addition, the equilibrium constant for the reaction of hydrolysis of cellobiose and the molar Gibbs free energy of hydrolysis were determined from the ultrasonic time profiles of concentration of glucose in the reverse reaction (glucose condensation). The results suggest the existence of more complex mechanisms regulating the activity of cellobiase than the combination of simple inhibitions. An extended kinetic model based on two sites for the competitive inhibitor (glucose) is proposed.     

Nontraumatic aortic blood flow sensing by use of an ultrasonic esophageal probe.

The measurement of blood velocity fields, volume flow, and arterial wall motion in the descending thoracic aorta provides essential hemodynamic information for both research and clinical diagnosis. The close proximity of the esophagus to the aorta in the dog makes it possible to obtain such data nonsurgically using an ultrasonic esophageal probe; however, the accuracy of such a probe is limited if the angle between the sound beam and the flow axis, known as the Doppler angle, is not precisely known. By use of a pulsed Doppler velocity meter (PUDVM) and a triangulation procedure, accurate empirical measurement of the Doppler angle has been obtained, allowing quantification of blood velocity scans across the aorta. Volume flow is obtained by integration of blood velocity profiles and arterial wall motion is measured with an ultrasonic echo tracking device. Accuracy of the probe was substantiated by comparison with ultrasonic and electromagnetic implanted flow cuff measurements. Use of the probe in measurement of blood velocity, volume flow and arterial wall motion at various locations along the 8- and 10-cm length of the descending thoracic aorta in adult beagle dogs is detailed. The simplicity, accuracy, and nontraumatic aspect of the technique should allow increasing use of such a probe in numerous research and clinical applications.     

A process optimization study on ultrasonic extraction of paclitaxel from Taxus cuspidata

This study aimed to improve the extraction rate of paclitaxel from Taxus cuspidata in order to determine the most effective combination of ultrasonic extraction and thin-layer chromatography–ultraviolet (TLC-UV) rapid separation method. The study was performed using the Box–Behnken test design to conduct single-factor experiments using ultrasonic extraction of paclitaxel from Taxus cuspidata. The study showed ethanol to be the best extraction solvent. When mixed with dichloromethane (1:1), the ratio of material to liquid was 1:50 when using an ultrasonic time of 1 hr at a power of 200 W. The correction coefficient K for the separation and detection of paclitaxel using the TLC-UV spectrophotometric method was 0.009152. Multifactor experiments determined the effect of the rate of liquid to material (X1), ultrasonic time (X2), and ultrasonic power (X3) on extraction using extraction volume as the dependent variable. Response surface analysis allowed a regression equation to be obtained, with the optimal conditions for extraction when the rate of liquid to material was 53.23 mL/g as an ultrasonic time of 1.11 hr and an ultrasonic power of 207.88 W. Using these parameters, the average amount of extracted paclitaxel was about 130.576 µg/g, which was significantly better than for other extraction methods.     

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase system extraction of polyphenolic compounds from Aronia melanocarpa pomace by response surface methodology

Aronia melanocarpa berries are abundant in polyphenolic compounds. After juice production, the pomace of pressed berries still contains a substantial amount of polyphenolic compounds. For efficient utilization of A. melanocarpa berries and the enhancement of polyphenolic compound yields in Aronia melanocarpa pomace (AMP), total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) from AMP were extracted, using ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase system (UAE-ATPS) extraction method. First, the influences of ammonium sulfate concentration, ethanol–water ratio, ultrasonic time, and ultrasonic power on TP and TF yields were investigated. On this basis, process variables such as ammonium sulfate concentration (0.30–0.35?g?mL^?1), ethanol–water ratio (0.6–0.8), ultrasonic time (40–60?min), and ultrasonic power (175–225?W) were further optimized by implementing Box–Benhnken design with response surface methodology. The experimental results showed that optimal extraction conditions of TP from AMP were as follows: ammonium sulfate concentration of 0.324?g?mL^?1, ethanol–water ratio of 0.69, ultrasonic time of 52?min, and ultrasonic power of 200?W. Meanwhile, ammonium sulfate concentration of 0.320?g?mL^?1, ethanol–water ratio of 0.71, ultrasonic time of 50?min, and ultrasonic power of 200?W were determined as optimum extraction conditions of TF in AMP. Experimental validation was performed, where TP and TF yields reached 68.15?±?1.04 and 11.67?±?0.63?mg?g^?1, respectively. Close agreement was found between experimental and predicted values. Overall, the present results demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase system extraction method was successfully used to extract total phenolics and flavonoids in A. melanocarpa pomace.     

Die Wirkung von Ultraschall auf Tryptophanase aus Escherichia coli

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Wirkung des Ultraschalls auf die Tryptophanase in Escherichia coli untersucht. Es konnte nachgewiesen werden, daß Ultraschall das Tryptophanase-Protein angreift, während das Coenzym Pyridoxalphosphat nicht verändert wird. Weiterhin wurde die Veränderung des Pyridoxalphosphats durch Ultraschall in vitro festgestellt.

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Summary The action of ultrasonic waves on the tryptophanase in Escherichia coli is described. The proteine of the tryptophanase is changed by ultrasonic waves, whereas the coenzyme pyridoxalphosphate is stable. In vitro pyridoxalphosphate is changed by ultrasonic waves.

     

Ultrasound imaging

Modern ultrasonic transducers mainly employ lead zirconate titanate (PZT) but vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene copolymer (P (VDF-TrPE)) is becoming more competitive. The static scanner is now largely replaced by mechanical or electronically controlled array real time systems; the speed of scanning is limited by the speed of sound and the resolution depends on the wavelength and so, ultimately, on the attenuation in tissue. Tissue inhomogeneities degrade the resolution. Intraoperative and intracavitary scanners have advantages in some anatomical situations and ultrasonic imaging can guide extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Inexpensive battery powered scanners will soon become available. Duplex scanners are used to localize the acquisition of Doppler signals; blood flow volume rate can be estimated from measurements of blood velocity and vessel cross-sectional area, or by the attenuation-compensated technique which avoids the main sources of error. Colour flow mapping combines real time imaging with Doppler information, but has limited scanning speed. Computed tomography and acoustical microscopy are feasible. Speckle arises from the coherent nature of ultrasound and can be suppressed by summing uncorrelated images or by filtering. Image manipulation and display techniques are being developed to cope with three dimensional scan data and the approach is compatible with picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). Tissue characterization based on the measurement of properties has been disappointing but blood flow analysis and contrast agents are promising. Quality assurance programmes are crucial; ultrasonic diagnosis appears to be free from hazard and prudent use is determined by cost-benefit considerations.     

Effect of low power ultrasonic radiation on anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge

The effect of low power ultrasonic radiation on anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge was investigated. For this purpose, soluble substances and variation of microbial system of sewage sludge subjected to low power ultrasonic radiation were tested. The well known hydromechanical shear forces and heating effect of low frequency ultrasound plays a major role in the sludge pre treatment process. More, the increase of soluble substance may partly result from the destruction of microbial cell by excess ultrasonic pretreatment, which will inhibit the anaerobic process. By orthogonal tests, the optimal parameters were found to be an exposure time of 15 min, ultrasonic intensity of 0.35 W/cm² and ultrasonic power density of 0.25 W/ml. Under the optimal condition, anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge (R_(vss/ss) %) was increased by 67.6%. Consequently, it can be concluded that low power ultrasonic pretreatment is a valid method for improving anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge.     

In vivo pump‐probe optical coherence tomography imaging in Xenopus laevis

Currently, optical coherence tomography (OCT), is not capable of obtaining molecular information often crucial for identification of disease. To enable molecular imaging with OCT, we have further developed a technique that harnesses transient changes in light absorption in the sample to garner molecular information. A Fourier‐domain Pump‐Probe OCT (PPOCT) system utilizing a 532 nm pump and 830 nm probe has been developed for imaging hemoglobin. Methylene blue, a biological dye with well‐know photophysics, was used to characterize the system before investigating the origin of the hemoglobin PPOCT signal. The first in vivo PPOCT images were recorded of the vasculature in Xenopus laevis. The technique was shown to work equally well in flowing and nonflowing vessels. Furthermore, PPOCT was compared with other OCT extensions which require flow, such as Doppler OCT and phase‐variance OCT. PPOCT was shown to better delineate tortuous vessels, where nodes often restrict Doppler and phase‐variance reconstruction. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Rapid and selective extraction of phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis with ultrasonic cell disruption

A study was conducted on the efficiency of phycocyanin extraction from Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) cells disrupted by ultrasonic irradiation. Extraction followed first-order kinetics with respect to the length of time for irradiation. The first-order rate constant increased linearly with the output of ultrasonic irradiation. In order to extract phycocyanin there was an appropriate range of ultrasonic frequency, f_u. In addition the most important finding is that the purity of phycocyanin in its crude extract depended on f_u. For example, phycocyanin was extracted with higher purity at f_u = 28 kHz than at f_u = 20 kHz. It is suggested that rapid and selective extraction of phycocyanin from S. platensis may be possible if an optimized ultrasonic application is developed for a given suspension.     

Rheological and flow properties of blood investigated by ultrasound

Ultrasonic waves of 1-15 MHz frequencies easily propagate through soft biological tissues, thus providing qualitative and quantitative information on mechanical and flow properties of blood and red blood cell (RBC) suspensions. Two types of techniques allow to investigate blood behaviors: echographic devices via amplitude detection and Doppler effect based devices via frequency detection of the ultrasonic signal. When ever B mode serves to construct images of tissue slabs from the ultrasonic backscattering coefficient and can give qualitative information on the mechanical properties of blood, A-mode allows to quantify the ultrasonic backscattering coefficient. Ultrasonic Doppler modes also provide both qualitative and quantitative information on blood flow velocity: continuous and pulsed Doppler modes provide curves of blood flow versus time when color Doppler and power Doppler imaging visualize blood flowing in human vessels. Association of echographic and Doppler modes to investigate simultaneously structure and velocity of blood is commercially available. Some examples of results given by such ultrasonic techniques that contribute to characterize, both in vitro and in vivo, structure and flow properties of blood or red blood cell (RBC) suspensions are presented.     

Evaluation of the impact of DNA extraction methods on BAC bacterial community composition measured by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

Aims: The impact of DNA extraction methods on biological activated carbon (BAC) DNA yield and bacterial community was evaluated. Methods and Results: Three different DNA extraction methods were compared: method a, method b and method c. Method c with ultrasonic pretreatment improved cell lysis efficiency (from 34% to 87%) and DNA yield [from 10·58 μg g^?1 (dry wt) of carbon to 21·42 μg g^?1 (dry wt) of carbon]. denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles obtained by method c recovered the five seeded bacteria (Bacillus subtilis Strain WSO 6, Pseudomonas putida Strain WSO 7, Acinetobacter lwoffii WSO 10, Pseudomonas pertucinogena WSO 11 and Brevibacterium mcbrellneri WSO 13). Conclusions: The results showed method c with ultrasonic pretreatment was the most successful for the analysis of BAC bacterial community because it was effective in the detachment of bacteria and cell lysis, thereby resulting in good yields. Significance and Impact of Study: These results must be taken into consideration when extracting DNA for analysing BAC bacterial community.