Peripheral circulation in the hand during natural ontogeny and under the conditions of prolonged graded traction

On the basis of the data of rheovasography (RVG) and laser Doppler flowmetry, comparative analysis of age-related changes in the peripheral blood circulation in hand tissues has been performed in 36 apparently healthy subjects aged 4–30 years and in 19 patients aged 18–50 years under the conditions of prolonged traction during surgical lengthening of finger bone stumps. The age-related changes in RVG are characterized by a higher volumetric blood content of tissues in children and adolescents, a decrease in the peripheral vascular tone, and wavelike recovery of capillary blood flow during reactive hyperemia, which is evidence for an unstable capillary tone. The dynamics of RVG indices during graded stretching in vivo (distraction) shows the dominance of an enhanced peripheral tone of arterioles and venules, and the response of the hand skin capillary bed to a 3-min ischemic test is analogous to the dynamics of indices of capillary blood flow in the hand skin of children.     

Distribution Patterns and Size–Age Composition in Aggregations of the Gastropod Mollusk Nucella heyseana in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

Gastropods Nucella heyseana were collected from 1999 to 2001 from different habitats in Vostok Bay (Sea of Japan). The spatial distribution, the seasonal and interannual dynamics, and the composition of aggregations of this mollusk were analyzed. In Vostok Bay, N. heyseana inhabits biotopes that are typical of this species and other members of the genus and sometimes forms aggregations with an unusually high density and biomass (up to 1690 spec/m² and 3680 g/m²), thus exceeding 10–40 times the greatest values reported elsewhere for populations of the southern Kuril Islands and Pos'eta Bay (Sea of Japan). N. heyseana is a typical polyphagous predator, and its diet includes numerous species of the associated fauna of bivalve and gastropod mollusks (more than 30 species). The abundance, composition, and stability of local aggregations of N. heyseana are largely dependent on the abundance dynamics of its prey (primarily the most common species, such as Mytilus trossulus, Ruditapes philippinarum, Protothaca euglypta, and Littorina spp.). The opinion on the low density of N. heyseana in southern Primorye (Golikov, Kussakin, 1978) is probably based on a lack of information about the intertidal fauna of this region compared to the South Kuril Islands.     

Life cycle assessment of ferro niobium

Purpose

Ferro niobium (FeNb) is a metallic alloy whose industrial use has been increasing steadily in the last decades. This work aims to systematize the available information on FeNb production, provide its inventory data and generate its first technologically representative publicly available life cycle impact assessment (LCIA).

Methods

The production of 1 kg of FeNb from pyrochlore in the baseline year 2017 was modelled following a cradle-to-gate approach. Primary information on mass, energy and water flows was collected when possible from the Brazilian leading FeNb supplier, CBMM (80% of the world market). The CML method (CML-IA 4.7) was applied for the impact assessment including global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), ozone layer depletion potential (ODP), abiotic depletion potential (fossil and elemental) (ADP_fossil and ADP_elemental) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP).

Results and discussion

The first stage of pyrochlore processing (pyrochlore ore extraction, mechanical processing and flotation) and the last stage (aluminothermic reaction) bear the highest impact in all analyzed CML impact categories. The primary aluminium consumption has the most important contribution in five out of seven impact categories (50% in ADP_fossil, 55% in AP, 35% in EP, 57% in GWP and 40% in POCP). In this sense, the industry should promote a higher share of secondary aluminium in the production process. Also, the impact from electricity consumption and processing chemicals showed to be relevant.

Conclusions

This work is the first LCIA on ferro niobium to be published with representative, high-quality data. A dataset was produced in order to enable ferro niobium to be incorporated to future LCIA-modelling.

     

The effect of cholesterol on macrophage-foam-cell generation upon zymosan-induced inflammation in mice

It has been shown that a significant number (about 40% of the total population) of macrophage-foam cells (MFCs) are formed during the early period (24 h) of zymosan-induced peritonitis resolution. Agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α, γ (PPAR-α, γ) exert an anti-inflammatory effect, preventing its formation (Dushkin et al., 2007). The work is devoted to the influence of cholesterol-containing liposomes (CHLs) on the dynamics of zymosan-induced peritonitis in C57Bl/6 mice. Cholesterol accumulation, cytokine production, PPAR-γ activity, and cholesterol efflux in macrophages have been assayed. Infiltration of neutrophils, mononuclears, and increased MFC number in the peritonel cavity of zymosan-induced mice enhanced the inflammation process and MFC resolution period. Macrophages obtained after zymosan injection preferentially accumulated triglycerides (TGs) incorporated into TG, whereas CHLs at zymosan-induced inflammation promoted utilization of the [1-¹⁴C]oleate pool in cholesterol ethers (maximum after 2 days) and reduction of fluorescent NBD-cholesterol efflux from macrophages during the whole inflammation period. Cholesterol efflux after zymosan exposure was inhibited for 1–2 days, restored after 3 days, and enhanced at the fifth day. CHLs stimulated TNF-α and TGF-β1 production but inhibited IL-10 production and PPAR-γ DNA-binding activity in macrophages at early stages of zymosan-induced peritonitis. Thus, accumulation of cholesterol in inflammatory macrophages and MFC generation prolong the resolution of acute inflammation changing the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokins and inhibiting PPAR-γ activity and cholesterol efflux.     

Feeding interactions and foraging of juvenile fish and shrimp in the estuaries of Peter the Great Bay in the summer-fall period

The feeding interrelations and foraging of juvenile fish and shrimp were investigated in estuaries of Peter the Great Bay in summer and fall 2006 and 2007. In total 3483 specimens were analyzed. The trophic spectra of 34 fish species and 3 shrimp species were described for the first time. Three trophic groups were singled out depending on differences in diet compositions: (i) detritophages (3 species of bitterlings—Acanthorhodeus sp., A. chankaensis and Rhodeus sericeus, redlip mullet Liza haematocheila and two species of shrimp-Palaemon macrodactylus and Crangon cf. septemspinosa); (ii) predators (lookup Culter alburnus and Amur catfish Silurus asotus); (iii) euryphages (28 fish species and the shrimp Palaemon paucidens). The detritus food chain was found to be the primary one in estuaries of Peter the Great Bay. Most of the species had two peaks of feeding activity each day. Values of daily feeding rations were determined for 21 fish species; these varied from 1.6% to 8.0% of body weight. Similarity in diet composition was significant only for 10% of the species, which shows a low level of competition for food in the community.     

Microfocusing sapphire capillary needle for laser surgery and therapy: Fabrication and characterization

A sapphire shaped capillary needle designed for collimating and focusing of laser radiation was proposed and fabricated by the edge‐defined film‐fed growth technique. It features an as‐grown surface quality, high transparency for visible and near‐infrared radiation, high thermal and chemical resistance and the complex shape of the tip, which protects silica fibers. The needle's geometrical parameters can be adjusted for use in various situations, such as type of tissue, modality of therapy and treatment protocol. The focusing effect was demonstrated numerically and observed experimentally during coagulation of the ex vivo porcine liver samples. This needle in combination with 0.22NA optical fiber allows intensive and uniform coagulation of 150 mm³ volume interstitially and 30 mm³ superficially by laser exposure with 280 J without tissue carbonization and fiber damaging along with delicate treatment of small areas. The demonstrated results reveal the perspectives of the proposed sapphire microfocusing needle for laser surgery and therapy.     

On the biology of Blepsias cirrhosus (Hemitripteridae) from coastal waters of northern Primorye

Data on the distribution, size-age composition, dates, and conditions of spawning, fecundity, and feeding of Blepsias cirrhosus from the coastal waters of northern Primorye are presented. It is demonstrated that individuals in this region reach a length of 19.5 cm, weight of 87.0 g, and age of 6 years. Spawning occurs in the first half of July in coastal reefs at a water temperature of 10–15°C, at depths down to 8 m. The nuptual color of females is described. In connection with a clearly pronounced care for progeny, fecundity is low, 234–404 eggs. B. cirrhosus feeds mainly on nekton and benthic crustaceans.     

Feasibility test of a sapphire cryoprobe with optical monitoring of tissue freezing

This article describes a sapphire cryoprobe as a promising solution to the significant problem of modern cryosurgery that is the monitoring of tissue freezing. This probe consists of a sapphire rod manufactured by the edge-defined film-fed growth technique from Al₂O₃ melt and optical fibers accommodated inside the rod and connected to the source and the detector. The probe's design enables detection of spatially resolved diffuse reflected intensities of tissue optical response, which are used for the estimation of tissue freezing depth. The current type of the 12.5-mm diameter sapphire probe cooled down by the liquid nitrogen assumes a superficial cryoablation. The experimental test made by using a gelatin-intralipid tissue phantom shows the feasibility of such concept, revealing the capabilities of monitoring the freezing depth up to 10 mm by the particular instrumentation realization of the probe. This justifies a potential of sapphire-based instruments aided by optical diagnosis in modern cryosurgery.