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This paper describes the optimal design and its research-to-operation transition of an integrated global observing system of satellites and in situ observations. The integrated observing system is used for climate assessment using sea surface temperature (SST). Satellite observations provide superior samplings while in situ observations provide the ground truth. Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) were used to objectively design an efficient in situ system to reduce satellite biases to a required accuracy. The system design was peer reviewed and was then transitioned into operations as a U.S. contribution to the international Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). A system performance measure was also formulated and operationally tracked under the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA). Additional OSSEs assisted the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution system at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maximize design efficiency. This process of research to operation and decision making enables NOAA to strategically target its observing system investments. The principles of this specific example may have potential applicability to the other components of GCOS.

Some studies suggested a positive effect against cardiometabolic diseases of supplementation of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3) rich foods in pathological subjects, even if the total literature is controversial. In order to clarify ALA-rich chia seed action in hypertensive model with the overt pathology and without drug interference, in the present study the biochemical markers of cardiometabolic diseases (endothelin-1, ET-1; nitric oxide, NO; and bradykinin, BK) in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) were analysed after 5% chia seed dietary supplementation for five weeks, and compared with the staple raw material wheat and corn. At the end of the experimental period, also plasma antioxidant capacity and inflammatory condition were evaluated. Our results showed that the chia seed group was more oxidized. On the other hand, ET-1 significantly decreased in chia seed group, and there was no difference between groups for NO, BK, and the inflammatory C-reactive protein (CRP). In conclusion, some positive effects of chia seed consumption on cardiometabolic markers in SHRs were observed, despite this the association of chia seeds with antioxidants is suggested to avoid plasma oxidation increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Growth arrest specific gene 6 (Gas6) protein enhances survival of oligodendrocytes and neurons, and it is involved in autoimmunity. Therefore, we aimed to verify whether cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) Gas6 concentration may represent a biomarker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis. Methods. Sixty-five patients who underwent a spinal tap during relapse of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS)(McDonald-criteria) were studied. Forty patients affected by noninflammatory/nonautoimmune neurological diseases served as controls. Relapse was defined according to Schumacher criteria. Symptoms were grouped according to Kurtzke-Functional System (FS). Clinical characteristics of the relapse, duration, Expanded-Disability-Status Scale (EDSS) change, number of FS involved, completeness of recovery, age, steroid therapy, were categorised. Patients were followed at 6-month intervals to assess relapse rate and EDSS progression. Gas6 was measured (CSF, plasma) by in-house-enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Results. Higher CSF Gas6 concentrations were observed in relapses lasting ≤60 days (8.7 ± 3.9 ng/mL) versus >60 days (6.5 ± 2.6) or controls (6.5 ± 2.4; P = 0.05), with ≤2 FS involved (8.5 ± 3.8) versus >2 FS (5.6 ± 2.5) (P < 0.05) and EDSS change ≤2.5 points (8.8 ± 3.7) versus >2.5 (6.5 ± 3.5) (P = 0.04). Conversely, CSF Gas6 was not predictive of the completeness of recovery. Plasma and CSF concentrations were not related (R² = 0.0003), and neither were predictive of relapse rate or EDSS progression after first relapse. Conclusions. CSF concentration of Gas6 is inversely correlated with the severity of relapse in RR-MS patients but does not predict the subsequent course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole wheat and refined wheat differ substantially for dietary fibre and polyphenol contents, however, the exact relationship between the in vitro contents and in vivo functions have not been well established. Two groups of growing rats were fed for 6 weeks with diets containing 53% of whole durum and refined durum wheat flours. In plasma and in mesenteric lymphocytes parameters of redox status and in lymphocytes the rate of cell proliferation and the type of immune response were measured. Plasma antioxidant activity showed that whole wheat was able to increase antioxidative status with respect to refined wheat and to reduce the carbonyl content. The diets rich in whole wheat can improve proliferative responses with respect to refined wheat. The results indicated that a constant intake of whole wheat may have important implications for health, by acting as modulator of immune function and redox status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The performance of two configurations of catalytic membrane photoreactors (pressurized and de-pressurized) in batch and continuous systems for the degradation of two pharmaceuticals (Gemfibrozil and Tamoxifen), using suspended TiO2 as catalyst, was investigated. The effects of parameters such as pH of the aqueous TiO2 suspensions, pump flow rate and membrane clean-up, on the efficiency of the membrane photoreactor, were studied. In the batch pressurized photoreactor, catalyst and drugs rejections presented interesting values but a small or no-rejection to degradation products of both the drugs was evidenced. A good operating stability (steady-state maintained for more than 1.5h) was observed in the continuous systems, reaching a steady state in ca. 120min and a complete abatement of the Gemfibrozil together a constant retentate mineralization of 60%. A TOC rejection of about 62% in the pressurized photoreactor was obtained, while the no TOC rejection in the de-pressurized (submerged membrane) system, showed the necessity to identify a membrane selective to intermediate products. However, in both systems one common benefit was the retention of the suspended catalyst in the reaction ambient and the possibility to run continuous operations. The permeate flux (65.1Lh−1 m−2) was higher in the submerged membrane photoreactor showing it interesting for application purposes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Some advanced oxidation processes (AOP's) such as Fenton H2O2/Fe2+, photo assisted Fenton UV/H2O2/Fe2+, UV photolysis, and photo assisted Fenton - like UV/O2/Fe2+ have been tested for the degradation of Gemfibrozil in aqueous solution in a batch system and then in a membrane reactor. A nanofiltration/reverse osmosis type cross-linked polyamide, UTC-60 (Toray) membrane (19 cm2) was used. In the batch degradation tests, the gemfibrozil, used at 5 mg/L, was degraded by employing the four AOP's but numerous peaks of intermediates were observed at the HPLC. Indeed DOC analyses showed poor mineralization in the case of photolysis (3.1%) and UV/O2/Fe (10%), while it was 62% using the photo assisted Fenton and 24% using the Fenton. Thus in the membrane reactor only the Fenton and the photo assisted Fenton were tested. Obtained results showed a drug degradation higher than 92%, a mineralization higher than 55%, and a membrane retention of the catalyst in solution higher than 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A study of the photodegradation of different pharmaceuticals [furosemide, ranitidine (hydrochloride), ofloxacine, phenazone, naproxen, carbamazepine and clofibric acid] in aqueous medium at various pHs by using a batch photoreactor and a photocatalytic membrane reactor working in recirculation regime was carried out. Polycrystalline TiO2 was used as the photocatalyst, and different membranes (NTR 7410, PAN GKSS HV3/T, N 30 F, NF PES 10) were tested. A different adsorption of the substrates onto the catalyst surface was observed owing to the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the catalyst, depending on the pH. The photodegradation of the seven molecules in the batch reactor was successfully carried out and the behaviour was in accordance with pseudo-first order kinetics. Furosemide and ranitidine were selected to carry out the study of rejection and photodegradation in the hybrid membrane system. The permeate flux of the treated water was in the 31.5–60.0L/(hm2) range for NTR 7410 membrane, whereas rejection values in the range 10–60% for furosemide and 5–30% for ranitidine in the dark (without photoreaction) were found. The degradation in the hybrid membrane photoreactor showed that the photocatalyst was retained by the membrane in the reaction ambient, while the membrane rejection towards the pollutants was not very satisfactory. A net decrease of the rejection down to 0 was observed in the contemporary presence of light, photocatalyst and oxygen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the ability of fatty acids to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in the human PaCa-44 pancreatic cancer cell line and the mechanism(s) underlying apoptosis. Butyric acid, alpha -linoleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were supplemented at 200 micro M concentration in the medium of cell cultures. Our results showed that all fatty acids inhibited cell growth, whereas only DHA induced cell apoptosis. An oxidative process was implicated in apoptosis induced by DHA because butylated hydroxytoluene and vitamin E prevented lipid peroxidation and reversed apoptosis. Intracellular and extracellular glutathione [reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG)] concentrations were measured following DHA treatment in the presence or in the absence of GSH extrusion inhibitors such as cystathionine or methionine. DHA induced intracellular GSH depletion without affecting intracellular GSSG concentration and increased extracellular GSH and GSSG levels. Intracellular GSH depletion and extracellular GSH increase were both reversed by cystathionine. Inhibition of active GSH extrusion from the cell by cystathionine or methionine completely reversed lipid peroxidation and apoptosis. These data document the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of DHA. The date provide evidence that intracellular GSH depletion represents an active extrusion process rather than a consequence of an oxidative stress, suggesting a causative role of GSH depletion in DHA-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some results on metal ions removal from wastewaters using water-soluble polymers such as polyethylenimine (PEI), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyacrylic acid sodium salt (PAASS) and poly(dimethylamine-co-epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene-diamine) (PDEHED) as chelating agents and the Cu2+ ion as the model in combination with a polymer-assisted ultrafiltration process (PAUF) are reported. In particular, the performances of these polymers in Cu2+ removal from wastewaters were compared. Tests of bonding capacity and best operating conditions of the process showed that complexation conditions depend on pH; indeed, copper ions are complexed by PEI, PAA, PAASS and PDEHED at pHs higher than 6, 4.6, 4.6 and 8, respectively. The decomplexation reactions took place at pH < 3. Bonding capacity was 0.333 mg Cu2+/mg polymer, meaning a ratio of polymer/Cu2+ = 3 (w/w) for PEI, PAA and PAASS. For the chelating agent PDEHED, a ratio of PDEHED/Cu2+ = 0.5 (w/w) was determined. UF tests, realized at two trans-membrane pressures (2 and 4 bar) by using five different flat-sheet membranes, showed that the PAA polymer and the PAN GKSS HV2/T membrane can be used when the objective of the purification process is to decrease metal concentration not lower than a certain value. The PDEHED polymer is useful if the objective of wastewater treatment is to obtain complete copper removal. Simple washings with tap water were enough for regeneration and reuse of the membranes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been indicated to induce anti-proliferative and/or apoptotic effects in various tumor cells. We showed that, at a 200- μ M concentration, both α-linoleic (18:2 n-6; LA) or docosahexaenoic (22:6 n-3; DHA) acid inhibited cell growth, while only DHA induced apoptosis in the human Paca-44 pancreatic cancer cell line. Investigating the mechanism underlying DHA-induced apoptosis, we showed that DHA induced a rapid and dramatic (>60%) intracellular depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), without affecting oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Moreover, using two specific inhibitors of carrier-mediated GSH extrusion, cystathionine or methionine, we observed that GSH depletion occurred via an active GSH extrusion, and that inhibition of GSH efflux completely reversed apoptosis. These results provide the first evidence for a possible causative role of GSH depletion in DHA-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facilitated transport of copper from copper–thiourea solutions is not recommended because of the formamidine disulfide presence, which constitutes an obstacle for the complexation of metal ions at the feed phase/membrane interface. The transport flux of copper ion decreases when the concentration of thiourea increases. In this work, the facilitated transport of copper in acidic thiourea medium has been shown that becomes possible when the solutions are pretreated by means of elution of cuprocyanides, fixed initially to an anion-exchange resin, by using thiourea. On the other hand, the use of thiourea solutions in different acids (nitric, chlorydric, sulfuric, and phosphoric) affects the transport of copper ions. The following order of flux was obtained: NO3->Cl-> SO42-> PO43- depending on the type of anion taking part in the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interface behavior in the facilitated cotransport of Ag(I), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions through supported liquid membranes (SLMs) made of a flat polypropylene membrane sheet containing dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) or 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 (DA18C6) as carriers was studied. The liquid-liquid extraction tests showed a maximum distribution coefficient when the carrier concentration was greater than 0.01 mmol/L. In transport experiments the transmembrane flux increased with increasing carrier concentrations that reached a limiting value over 5 mmol/L. The calculation of the diffusion coefficients in membranes showed a lower diffusivity of DA18C6-metal complexes than did DB18C6-metal complexes for all 3 ions: (Ag+) > (Cu2+) > (Zn2+). The diffusivity was significantly higher using a Celgard 2500 support than with Celgard 2400 or 2402. The immobilized interfaces were soaked for various times. The membranes with the highest capability to retain ions were immersed for 30 days. Phase fluxes of almost zero, at less than 10-2 mol/L concentration, were obtained. In the transient state of the transport through the SLM, different molar flow rates at the feed-membrane and membrane-strip interfaces were observed. The selectivity of the interfaces containing DB18C6 in the separation binary mixtures of ions showed the following separation factors: SFAg-Zn = 2.9; SFAg-Cu = 2.5; SFCu-Zn = 1.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The aim of this study was to analyse the processes through which job, career and research-related choices are determined in Italian cardiology, focusing on characteristics such as productivity, gender and family.Methods and Results In June 1996, a questionnaire surveying individual and career-related data was mailed to all members (8000) of the Italian societies of cardiology. Returned questionnaires numbered 1715 (21·4% of the total mailed), 83% were completed by men and 17% by women. For both hospital and academic careers, advancement in rank was influenced by variables denoting productivity, family and individual characteristics. However, men and women showed slightly different patterns.Conclusions Promotion to the upper ranks of the hierarchy was highly dependent upon time (once the effects of the covariates were eliminated). This situation is typical of the internal labour market, that is, in institutions in which staff members are ranked on a hierarchical scale according to formal criteria that are ‘rigid’ and institutionalized, partially sheltered from competition. Therefore, once a member has gained access to the bottom of the hierarchy, the professional career is ‘pre-determined’ and seniority has an appreciable influence on promotion decisions; in this context, women appear to be at a disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The relationship was analyzed between cell kinetics, defined as 3H-thymidine labeling index ([SUP3]H-TdR LI), and clinical responses for 35 previously untreated patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas. Patients were treated with three cycles of vincristine and bleomycin (VB) or of VB plus methotrexate (VBM), given by intra-arterial infusion followed by surgery. The objective clinical response rate was higher after VBM treatment than after VB, whereas overall clinical response rates were similar for patients with slowly or rapidly proliferating tumors. The probability of relapse-free survival at 4 yr and overall survival was significantly higher for patients with high [SUP3]H-TdR LI tumors given VBM than for those given VB. For patients with slowly proliferating tumors, there were no differences in relapse-free survival and overall survival between the two treatments. These data suggest that patients with rapidly proliferating tumors benefit from primary intensive chemotherapy treatment including methotrexate and that cell kinetics can be used to formulate rational clinical protocols for oral cavity cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]