Influence of Ammonium Polyphosphate on Thermal Decomposition of Reconstituted Tobacco and CO Evolution

The thermal behaviors and burning characteristics of reconstituted tobacco （RT） are strongly related with evolved gaseous products. The effect of ammonium polyphosphate （APP） as an additive of RT on the pyrolysis behavior and CO evolution was studied, emphasizing the role of heating velocity in reducing CO delivery of the mainstream smoke by APP. Thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） was employed to investigate the influence of APP on RT thermal behavior. Slow and flash pyrolysis of RT were compared to discuss the role of heating rate in decreasing CO by APP. TGA results demonstrated that, in dependence on APP concentration, APP influenced exothermal amount and weight loss rate during RT thermal decomposition, promoted the formation of char and retarded the thermal decomposition of RT. In addition, APP had a considerable influence on the evolution of gaseous products during thermal decomposition of RT. Both CO delivery per cigarette and that per puff in the smoking process were significantly reduced in dependence on APP content in RT. Comparative analysis of CO evolution patterns in the flash and slow pyrolysis elucidated that heating rate played a key role in decreasing CO evolution by APP. The results suggest that APP is a potential burning additive for controlling CO delivery in mainstream smoke of RT.

Study on the shear strength of deep reconstituted soils

Based on analytical methods of strength studies for deep soils, direct shear tests were carried out to investigate the shear strength of deep reconstituted soils at different initial dry densities and amounts of water.The results indicate that the shear strength of deep reconstituted soils for identical amounts of water below the plastic limit is enhanced with increasing dry density and but reduced sharply at the critical density, the point at which coarse particles break down.Moreover, the shear strength for identical dry density decreases with additional amounts of water and the rate of degradation is the greatest at the critical density.This is because the friction resistance between coarse particles reduces with increasing amounts of water higher than the plastic limit.In order to obtain reliable strength of deep reconstituted soils, suitable dry densities and amounts of water are necessary.

2DGE-coomassie brilliant blue staining used to differentiate pasteurized milk from reconstituted milk

Differentiating pasteurized milk and reconsti-tuted milk by scientific approach was necessary to defend consumer from economic fraud of wrong labeling. In this paper 2DGE (2 Dimen-sional Gel Electrophoresis)-coomassie brilliant blue staining method was employed and sig-nificant color intensity changing was observed among raw milk, pasteurized milk, UHT milk and reconstituted milk. For example, the intensity of 10 protein spots including casein and lac-toglobulin reduced more than two folds from pasteurized milk to reconstituted milk. However, DIGE (Differential Gel Electrophoresis) assay showed that the majority protein remained simi-lar level from pasteurized milk to reconstituted milk. Therefore the color fading of coomassie brilliant blue stained 2D gels may be due to other biochemical reaction, such as Maillard reaction, instead of protein degradation. Stability of 2DGE pattern was confirmed by running six gels of the same sample in parallel and software analysis showed that all proteins were at similar level. Two commercialized pasteurized milk samples and one reconstituted milk sample were tested by 2DGE-coomassie blue staining method and re-constituted milk could be easily identified.

Effects of Different Processing Modes of Reconstituted Tobacco on Cigarette Quality

In order to explore the most suitable mode for the primary processing model of reconstituted tobacco, another two kinds of conditioning process schemes for reconstituted tobacco were designed based on the existing reconstituted tobacco processing method. Comparative analysis and evaluation were conducted for moisture content uniformity, intrinsic chemical compositions, casing uniformity, blending uniformity and sensory quality of the samples from the three kind of processing modes. The results showed that loosing and conditioning or the vacuum conditioning pretreatment of the reconstituted tobacco could effectively reduce the difference in moisture content during the blending, and improve the casing uniformity and blending uniformity. Moreover, the samples with the loosing and conditioning pretreatment had higher total sugar and reducing sugar contents, which indicated that the loosing and conditioning pretreatment method was more favorable for the improvement of the intrinsic quality of cigarettes. In addition, the three kinds of aromatic components contents of cigarettes using the loosing and conditioning pretreatment were higher,and the casing uniformity, blending uniformity and overall sensory quality of this pretreatment were all superior to that of the other two kinds of reconstituted tobacco pretreatment methods. The contents of total sugar, reducing sugar as well as the three kinds of aromatic components of cigarettes processed with vacuum conditioning pretreatment were all slightly lower than those of the existing methods, but the casing uniformity and blending uniformity were improved, while it showed small difference in the sensory quality with the existing processing method.

Influence of Wheat Protein Contents and Fractions on Dough RheologicalProperties as Determined by Using a Reconstitution Method

A strong gluten wheat cultivar Shannong 12 and a medium-strength wheat cultivar Shannong 11 were used to investigate the effects of wheat protein contents and protein fractions on dough rheological properties using a reconstitution method. The results indicated that the peak height, peak width, peak integral, resistance to extension and area under the curve were increased when protein content increased to 120, 140, and 160% （w/w） of the protein content in the base flours for doughs made from each wheat cultivar. All protein fractions were added to each of the base flours at three levels （0.25, 0.50 and 1.00%, w/w） based upon the protein content. The mixograph dough development time, peak width, and resistance to extension increased when the glutenin, insoluble glutenin, soluble glutenin, and glutenin macropolymer were added and increased systematically with increasing levels of these fractions. Peak integral increased by adding and increasing protein content, however, albumin-globulin had no obvious effects. Extensibility at rupture decreased when the glutenin, insoluble glutenin, soluble glutenin, and glutenin macropolymer were added, and decreased systematically with increasing levels of these fractions. However, extensibility at rupture increased when the monomeric protein, albumin-globulin, and gliadin were added, and increased systematically with increasing levels of these fractions.

Research on a Rapid Test Method of Dry Basis Weight of Paper-process Reconstituted Tobacco

This study aimed to optimize the rapid test factors of dry basis weight of reconstituted tobacco, in order to afford a reference test method for companies which produce reconstituted tobacco to better control the basis weight and coating ratio on line. The dry basis weight of reconstituted tobacco was tested by fast method and normal oven method individually. And the effects on the test values of different test factors such as temperature, time and the number of baking sheets were studied. Then the test values of these two methods were compared, so the proper factors of rapid test method were determined. As the baking temperature rose from 130 ℃ to 150 ℃, and the baking time rose from 1 min to 2 min, the difference between fast test method and normal oven method grew, and when the number of baking pieces rose from 3 pieces to 5 pieces, the difference between the two methods went down. The optimum test condition was baking temperature of 130 ℃, baking time of 1 min, and baking sample sheet number of 5. Under this condition, the value of fast test method was the closest to the test value of normal oven method, and meanwhile, the test factor was more proper for testing on line. The study will provide a reference for online controlling of dry basis weight and coating ratio of reconstituted tobacco.

Research Progress of Pretreatment Technology and Equipment for Raw Materials of Reconstituted Tobacco

The purpose of pretreating raw materials of reconstituted tobacco is to improve the quality of raw materials as well as product quality and production efficiency.In recent years,the research achievements and equipment status of the pretreatment technology of reconstituted tobacco raw materials in China were systematically reviewed,and the research and equipment development prospects of the pretreatment technology of reconstituted tobacco raw materials were prospected.

Modeling Virgin Compression of Reconstituted Clay at Different Initial Water Contents

The observations on compressibility of reconstituted clays show that the compression line with a higher initial water content lies above the compression line with a lower initial water content for a given clay. Hence there exists additional void ratio due to initial water contents among virgin compression lines（VCLs） of reconstituted clays. In this paper, the difference in void ratio caused by different initial water contents is investigated based on the empirical equation proposed by Liu and Carter（2000） for describing the differential void ratio at the same stress between natural and reconstituted clays. The mechanism of compressibility of reconstituted clays, when the stress level is larger than the remolded yield stress, is also discussed.

Intrinsic Compression Behavior of Remolded and Reconstituted Clays-Reappraisal

Evaluating the impacts of soil structure on mechanical behavior for natural sedimentary clays is an important issue in geotechnical engineering. Burland introduced void index for normalizing the compression curves of various remolded and reconstituted clays to obtain the intrinsic compression line, which provides a reference framework to assess the in-situ compression behavior. However, it does not quantitatively account for the effects of initial water content on compressive behavior of remolded and reconstituted clays and the initial water contents of clays are not always limited to 1.0 - 1.5 times the liquid limits defined by Burland. A modification based on collected tests data was presented on the expressions of ?and ?defined by Burland. Extensive oedometer test data were also collected on various remolded and reconstituted soils with distinct liquid limits and initial water contents to verify the validity of modified expressions. A normalized compression line deduced by intrinsic compression line is proposed in the e-log p plot, which can be used to evaluate the effects of soil structure quantitatively on the intact compressive behavior for natural sedimentary clays.

Efficacy of Whole Blood Reconstituted (WBR) in Exchange Transfusion (ET) in Hemolytic Disease of New Born (HDN) —A Study of 110 Cases

Aim: This study was aimed to review and establish the practice of exchange transfusion (ET) with whole blood reconstituted (WBR) in hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN). Objectives: To observe fall in indirect serum bilirubin, correction of anemia and comparison with related studies. Background: Hemolytic disease of the Newborn is characterized by presence of IgG antibodies in maternal circulation, which causes hemolysis in the fetus by crossing the placenta and sensitizing red cells for destruction by macrophages in the fetal spleen with consequent hyperbilirubinemia. Exchange transfusion with or without phototherapy is the method of choice for treating the newborn with on going hemolysis Methods/Materials: Sample size consisted of 110 neonates in whom 119 exchange transfusions were carried out with WBR. WBR was prepared by suspending O Rhesus-D (RhD) positive/negative cells (compatible with neonate’s/ mother’s serum) in AB plasma. Double volume exchange transfusion(s) were carried out through umbilical vein by push-pull technique. Results: Out of 110 cases, 61 (55.5%) were of RhD HDN whereas ABO and other group HDN cases were 30 (27.3%) and 19 (17.3%) respectively. An average post-ET fall in indirect serum bilirubin by 54.6% and correction of anemia by3.7 gm/dl were reported in the study. Conclusion: An average post-ET fall in indirect serum bilirubin and correction of anemia was found to be more significant when compared to other studies. Hence we recommend exchange transfusion in HDN with WBR to obtain reasonable fall in indirect serum bilirubin and high average rate of correction of anemia.

Against all odds:The road to success in the development of human immune reconstitution mice

The mouse genome has a high degree of homology with the human genome,and its physiological,biochemical,and developmental regulation mechanisms are similar to those of humans;therefore,mice are widely used as experimental animals.However,it is undeniable that interspecies differences between humans and mice can lead to experimental errors.The differences in the immune system have become an impor-tant factor limiting current immunological research.The application of immunodefi-cient mice provides a possible solution to these problems.By transplanting human immune cells or tissues,such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells or hematopoietic stem cells,into immunodeficient mice,a human immune system can be reconstituted in the mouse body,and the engrafted immune cells can elicit human-specific immune responses.Researchers have been actively exploring the development and differen-tiation conditions of host recipient animals and grafts in order to achieve better im-mune reconstitution.Through genetic engineering methods,immunodeficient mice can be further modified to provide a favorable developmental and differentiation microenvironment for the grafts.From initially only being able to reconstruct single T lymphocyte lineages,it is now possible to reconstruct lymphoid and myeloid cells,providing important research tools for immunology-related studies.In this review,we compare the differences in immune systems of humans and mice,describe the devel-opment history of human immune reconstitution from the perspectives of immuno-deficient mice and grafts,and discuss the latest advances in enhancing the efficiency of human immune cell reconstitution,aiming to provide important references for im-munological related researches.

Effects of Membrane Lipids on the Electron Transfer Activity of Cytochrome b_6f Complex from Spinach

A lipid_depleted cytochrome b 6f (Cyt b 6f) preparation was obtained from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Upon reconstitution of this preparation with the membrane lipids purified from spinach thylakoid, the effects of different membrane lipids on the electron transfer activity were studied. The results show that the electron transfer activity of Cyt b 6f is obviously stimulated to different extents, respectively, by monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), and that the extents of stimulation may be closely related to the charge of the membrane lipids. The stimulation of non_charged lipids (MGDG, DGDG) and neutrally_charged lipid (PC) was high with a maximum enhancement of 89%, 75% and 77%, respectively; but the stimulation of two kinds of negatively_charged lipid (PG and SQDG) was relatively low with a maximum enhancement of 43% and 26%, respectively.

Hematopoietic stem cells in research and clinical applications:The“CD34 issue”

In this paper,experimental findings concerning the kinetics of hematopoietic reconstitution are compared to corresponding clinical data.Although not clearly apparent,the transplantation practice seems to confirm the basic proposals of experimental hematology concerning hematopoietic reconstitution resulting from successive waves of repopulation stemming from different subpopulations of progenitor and stem cells.One of the "f irst rate" parameters in clinical transplantations in hematology;i.e.the CD34+ positive cell dose,has been discussed with respect to the functional heterogeneity and variability of cell populations endowed by expression of CD34.This parameter is useful only if the relative proportion of stem and progenitor cells in the CD34+ cell population is more or less maintained in a series of patients or donors.This proportion could vary with respect to the source,pathology,treatment,processing procedure,the graft ex vivo treatment and so on.Therefore,a universal dose of CD34+ cells cannot be def ined.In addition,to avoid further confusion,the CD34+ cells should not be named "stem cells" or "progenitor cells" since these denominations only concern functionally characterized cell entities.

Neurological complications of hematopoietic cell transplantation in children and adults

Hematopoietic cell transplantation（HCT） is widely performed for neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. HCT involves intravenous infusion of hematopoietic progenitor cells from human leukocyte antigen（HLA）-matched donor（allogeneic） or from the patient（autologous）. Before HCT, the patient is prepared with high dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to destroy residual malignant cells and to reduce immunologic resistance. After HCT, chemotherapy is used to prevent graft rejection and graft versus host disease（Gv HD）. Neurological complications are related to the type of HCT, underlying disease, toxicity of the conditioning regimens, immunosuppression caused by conditioning regimens, vascular complications generated by thrombocytopenia and/or coagulopathy, Gv HD and inappropriate immune response. In this review, neurological complications are presented according to time of onset after HCT：（1） early complications（in the first month）-related to harvesting of stem cells, during conditioning（drug toxicity, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome）, related to pancytopenia,（2） intermediate phase complications（second to sixth month）-central nervous system infections caused by prolonged neutropenia and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy due to JC virus,（3） late phase complications（after sixth month）-neurological complications of Gv HD, second neoplasms and relapses of the original disease.

T-CELL RESPONSE OF ADVANCED AIDS PATIENTS AFTER HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

Objective To investigate the response on late stage Chinese AIDS patients after highly active antiretroviral therapy （HAART）. Methods From October 2002 to March 2004, 20 cases of late stage Chinese AIDS patients were selected to participate in this opened and randomised study, we purposely chose those with CD4＋ T cell counts 〈 100/mm^3. All of them had one or two opportunistic infections and none had been treated with anti-HIV drugs. All patients were tested with CD4＋ （naive CD4＋ T cell defined by CD45RA＋ and CD62L＋, memory CD4＋ T cell defined by CD45RA-）, CD8＋ T cell, plasma HIV viral load, and clinical manifestations on before, during, and after HAART （5 different regimes） on 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Before HAART mean CD4＋ T cell counts were 32 ± 31 （range 2-91）/mm^3, and plasma HIV viral load were 5.07 ± 0.85（range 2.04-5.70） log copies/mL. In 1 month＇s time patients treated with HAAT had mean CD4＋ and CD8＋ T cell counts increasing rapidly. After 1 month the increasing speed turned to slow down, but HIV viral load decreased predominantly within the first 3 months. The major part of increasing CD4＋ T cells were memory CD4＋ T cells, as for naive CD4＋ T cells increasing low and slow. Clinical symptoms and signs improved, and opportunistic infections reduced. The quality of life will be far much better than before. Each patient was followed for 12 months, and had finished 12 months＇ HAAT. Conclusion This is the first report in China that late stage Chinese AIDS patients after HAART could have their immune reconstitution. The regular pattern is similar to what had been reported in Western countries and also in China. So it is worth to treat late stage Chinese AIDS patients with HAAT.

The in vitro reconstitution of nucleosome and its binding patterns with HMG1/2 and HMG14/17 proteins

Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the dynamic process of the in vitro nucleosome reconstitution followed by slow dilution from high salt to low salt was visualized. Data showed that the histone octamers were dissociated from DNA at 1M NaCl. When the salt concentration was slowly reduced to 650 mMand 300 mM, the core histones bound to the naked DNA gradually. Once the salt concentration was reduced to 50 mM the classic 'beads-on-a-string' structure was clearly visualized. Furthermore, using the technique of the in vitro reconstitution ofnucleosome,the mono- and di- nucleosomes were assembled in vitro with both HS2core (-10681 to -10970 bp) and NCR2 (-372to -194 bp) DNA sequences in the 5'flanking sequence of human b-globin gene. Data revealed that HMG 1/2 and HMG 14/17 proteins binding to both DNA sequences are changeable following the assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes. We suggest that the changeable binding patterns of HMG 14/17 and HMG1/2 proteins with these regulatory elements may be critical in the process of nucleosome assembly, recruitment of chromatin-modifying activities, and the regulation of human b-globin gene expression.

Characterization of a thermostable manganese-containing superoxide dismutase from inshore hot spring thermophile Thermus sp.JM1

A thermostable superoxide dismutase （SOD） from the inshore thermophile Thermus sp. JM1 was purified to homogeneity by steps of fractional ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sepharose chromatography and Phenyl-Sepharose chromatography. The specific activity of the purified native enzyme was 1 656 U/mg. A sod gene from this strain was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli （E. coli）. The prepared apo-enzyme of the purified recombinant SOD （rSOD） was reconstituted with either Fe or Mn by means of incubation with appropriate metal salts. As a result, only Mn 2＋ - reconstituted rSOD （Mn-rSOD） exhibited the specific activity of 1 598 U/mg. SOD from Thermus sp. JM1 was Mn-SOD, judging by the specific activities analysis of Fe or Mn reconstituted rSODs and the insensitivity of the native SOD to both cyanide and H 2 O 2 . Both the native SOD and Mn- rSOD were determined to be homotetramers with monomeric molecular mass of 26 kDa and 27.5 kDa, respectively. They had high thermostability at 50 ° C and 60 ° C, and showed striking stability across a wide pH span from 4.0 to 11.0.

Graves’ Disease as a Late Manifestation of Immune Reconstitution Syndrome after Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in an HIV-1 Infected Patient

Context: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) inhibits the HIV replication and consequently increases CD4 levels and decreases viral load. This immune system improvement can trigger various immunological phenomena, entity called Immune Reconstitution Syndrome (IRS). Graves’ disease is a late Immune Reconstitution consequence. Patient: We report the case of a 48 years old man with HIV infection who developed Graves’ disease three years after he was on effective HAART because of the Immune Reconstitution Syndrome. At presentation he had a very low CD4 T-cell count (17 cells/μL). When he started HAART he presented a lipodystrophy syndrome. HAART was changed because of the persistent low CD4-T cells count (less than 100 cell/μL). Afterwards serum lipid levels began to decrease and that was the first manifestation of Graves’ disease, which was diagnosed when CD4 T-cells increased up to 343 cell/μL. Our patient developed Graves’ disease 36 months after initiating effective HAART with protease inhibitors which was coincident with viral suppression and a rise of CD4 T cells. Conclusion: The most immunosuppressed patients with a CD4 T cell count less than 100 cells/μL are at greatest risk for the development of Immune Reconstitution Syndrome after HAART initiation. We conclude that clinicians will have to consider the importance of the early diagnosis of thyroid disease to bring an adequate treatment.

Hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer effects on the femoral and intramuscular nerve in a canine model of lower limb ischemia

BACKGROUND： Recent advancements in gene therapy have provided new methodology for treating ischemia in lower extremities. Gene transfer of angiogenic factors to ischemic tissues may promote local proliferation of new vessels and form collateral circulation. OBJECTIVE： To observe histopathological changes in the femoral and intramuscular nerve three months after intramuscular injection of hepatocyte growth factor （HGF） into the peripheral skeletal muscle in a canine model of lower limb ischemia. DESIGN： Randomized occlusion modelled and verification animal study. SETTING： Experimental Center, Lanzhou General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. MATERIALS： This study was performed at Animal Experimental Center, Lanzhou General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from September to November 2006. A total of eight male mongrel dogs, weighing 12–15 kg and 1.5–3 years of age, were selected for this study. This experimental study was in accordance with local ethics standards. Recombinant plasmid carrying HGF （pUDKH） and occlusion model plasmid （pUDK） were provided by the Third Laboratory of Radiation Medical Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA. METHODS： Grouping and model establishment： under anesthesia, complete vascular occlusion models were established on the left lower extremities. The experimental dogs were randomly divided into a model group and a pUDKH treatment group, with four dogs in each group. Dogs in the pUDKH group were injected with 0.15 mg/kg pUDKH. Ten minutes later, intramuscular injections were performed at three spots into the peripheral skeletal muscle of the left hind limb, as well as lateral injections at two spots. The injection volume at each spot was 0.2 mL. Dogs in the model group were injected with pUDK, and dosage and injection method were identical to the treatment group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Histopathological changes in the femoral nerve, as well as internal and external intramuscular nerve tissues in the hind limb of dogs three months after plasmid injection under optic microscope. RESULTS： （1） Histopathological changes in the femoral nerve： tiny nerves from the femoral nerve to the intramuscular nerve exhibited marked degeneration in the model group. The degenerating features included neurites, myelin sheaths, and Schwann cell nuclei. Neuropathy in the pUDKH treatment group was not detected. （2） Histopathological changes of the intramuscular nerve： large and irregular vacuoles were present on several longitudinal sections of intramuscular nerve fibers in the model group, as well as annular-shaped blank regions on transverse sections of peripheral neurites. In the pUDKH treatment group, large, blank regions were present in several segments of partial nerve fibers of the longitudinal intramuscular nerve region, but only a few nerve fibers exhibited annular-shaped blank regions on the transverse section of peripheral neurites. CONCLUSION： Local pUDKH injection may relieve or block femoral and intramuscular nerve tissue injury in a canine mocel of lower limb ischemia.

Effects of Ligustrazine on Hematopoiesis in the Early Phase of Bone Marrow Trans plantation Mice

To investigate the effects of Ligustrazine on histogenesis of bone marrow in the early phase of hematopoietic reconstruction in bone marrow transplantation (BMT ) mice. The syngeneic BMT mice model was established. The syngeneic BMT mice were orally given 2 mg Ligustrazine twice a day. 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 21 day(s) after BMT, peripheral blood granulocytes and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) were counted and the diameter of central vein and the area of micro vessel in femur were measured. The effect of Ligustrazine on hematopoietic stem cells was observed by colony forming unit of spleen (CFU S). The effect of Ligustrazine on hemopoietic progenitors was studied by observing the number of progenitors of Granulocytes/Macrophage on day 10 and day 20 after BMT. In Ligustrazine treated group, the diameter of center veins and the area of micro vessel of femur were all significantly less than the control group 7, 10, 15, 21 days after BMT ( P <0.01). In addition, Ligustrazine significantly increased the number of CFU S on day 10 and the number of CFU GM on day 10, 20 after BMT. These results indicate that Ligustrazine can accelerate the histogenesis of hemopoietic bone marrow, which may be one mechanism by which Ligustrazine promotes hematopoietic reconstitution after BMT.