Exposure to Tumescent Solution Significantly Increases Phosphorylation of Perilipin in Adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: Lidocaine and epinephrine could potentially decrease adipocyte viability, but these effects have not been substantiated. The phosphorylation status of perilipin in adipocytes may be predictive of cell viability. Perilipin coats lipid droplets and restricts access of lipases; phospho-perilipin lacks this protective function. OBJECTIVES: The authors investigated the effects of tumescent solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine on the phosphorylation status of perilipin in adipocytes. METHODS: In this in vitro study, lipoaspirates were collected before and after tumescence from 15 women who underwent abdominoplasty. Fat samples were fixed, sectioned, and stained for histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. Relative phosphorylation of perilipin was inferred from pixel intensities of immunostained adipocytes observed with confocal microscopy. RESULTS: For adipocytes collected before tumescent infiltration, 10.08% of total perilipin was phosphorylated. In contrast, 30.62% of total perilipin was phosphorylated for adipocytes collected from tumescent tissue (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The tumescent technique increases the relative phosphorylation of perilipin in adipocytes, making these cells more vulnerable to lipolysis. Tumescent solution applied for analgesia or hemostasis of the donor site should contain the lowest possible concentrations of lidocaine and epinephrine. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5.

Rapid determination of trace level copper in tea infusion samples by solid contact ion selective electrode.

A new solid contact copper selective electrode with a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane consisting of o-xylylenebis(N,N-diisobutyldithiocarbamate) as ionophore has been prepared. The main novelties of constructed ion selective electrode concept are the enhanced robustness, cheapness, and fastness due to the use of solid contacts. The electrode exhibits a rapid (< 10 seconds) and near-Nernstian response to Cu2+ activity from 10-1 to 10-6 mol/L at the pH range of 4.0-6.0. No serious interference from common ions was found. The electrode characterizes by high potential stability, reproducibility, and full repeatability. The electrode was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Cu(II) ions with EDTA and for the direct assay of tea infusion samples by means of the calibration graph technique. The results compared favorably with those obtained by the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

Low Oxalobacter Formigenes Colonization is Associated with Reduced Bone Mineral Density in Urinary Stone Forming Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Lower bone mineral density (BMD) and reduced Oxalobacter formigenes colonization are common findings in urolithiasis patients. But none of the studies conducted investigated the relationship between decreased bone mineral density and reduced Oxalobacter colonization. Here we evaluated the relation between BMD and O. formigenes colonization in urolithiasis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 stone formers (48.9 ± 11.9 years) and 50 control (47.2 ± 13.4 years) adult male subjects were included in the study. Alterations in O. formigenes colonization were determined as absolute O. formigenes count from fecal samples by real time polymerase chain reaction using species specific primers. BMD was evaluated from t- and z- scores calculated by using dual energy absorptiometry in the total femoral neck and lumbar spine (L2-L4). RESULTS: Low BMD was observed in 18 (36%) urinary stone forming patients and in 7 (14%) control subjects in the lumbar area (p < 0.05). The mean O. formigenes count in stone formers and control subjects were 19,257 (5,791 ± 1,117.93) and 143,850 (2,815,725 ± 3,946,044.7) (p < 0.05) respectively. We observed a correlation between decreased lumbar BMD and O. formigenes colonization and testosterone levels in stone formers. Our results indicated that diminished O. formigenes colonization in the gut of urinary stone forming subjects was associated with reduced BMD.

Potentiometric monitoring of cobalt in beer sample by solid contact ion selective electrode.

A new solid contact cobalt selective electrode was constructed with 4-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene as ionophore. The best performance was observed with the membrane having an ionophore/polyvinyl chloride/sodium tetraphenylborate/nitrophenyl octyl ether ratio of 3.5:33:1.5:62 (w/w; mg). The electrode, under steady-state conditions, exhibited a working concentration range of 1 × 10-1 - 1 × 10-6 mol/L with a near-Nernstian slope of 25.3 mV/decade and a detection limit of 3.5 × 10-7 mol/L. The electrode had a very short response time (<10 seconds) and good reproducibility at a working pH range of 4.0-6.5. The electrode was used for 4 months without any significant change in its sensitivity. The potentiometric performance of the electrode in partially nonaqueous medium [up to 20 % (v/v) alcohol] was found satisfactory. The performance of the prepared electrode for the analysis of beer samples using direct potentiometric method is very encouraging.

Study of azo dye decolorization and determination of cathode microorganism profile in air-cathode microbial fuel cells.

Five textile azo dyes, as part of an artificial mixture, were treated in single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells while simultaneously utilizing acetate for electricity production. Remazol Black, Remazol Brilliant Blue, Remazol Turquoise Blue, Reactive Yellow and Reactive Red at concentrations of 40 or 80 mg L(-1) were decolorized to a similar extent, at averages of 78, 95, 53, 93 and 74%, respectively, in 24 hours. During the process of decolorization, electricity generation from acetate oxidation continued. Power densities obtained in the presence of textile dyes ranged from 347 to 521 mW m(-2) at the current density range of 0.071 - 0.086 mA cm(-2). Microbial community analyses of cathode biofilm exhibited dynamic changes in abundant species following dye decolorization. Upon the addition of the first dye, a major change (63%) in microbial diversity was observed; however, subsequent addition of other dyes did not affect the community profile significantly. Actinobacteria, Aquamicrobium, Mesorhizobium, Ochrobactrum, Thauera, Paracoccus, Achromobacter and Chelatacoccus affiliated phylotypes were the major phylotypes detected. Our results demonstrate that microbial fuel cells could be a promising alternative for treatment of textile wastewaters and an active bacterial community can rapidly be established for simultaneous azo dye decolorization and sustainable electricity generation.