Impact of varying analytical methodologies on grain particle size determination.

The determination of particle size is an important quality control measurement for feed manufacturers, nutritionists, and producers. The current approved method for determining the geometric mean diameter by weight (d) and geometric standard deviation (S) of grains is standard ANSI/ASAE S319.4. This method controls many variables, including the suggested quantity of initial material and the type, number, and size of sieves. However, the method allows for variations in sieving time, sieve agitators, and the use of a dispersion agent. The objective of this experiment was to determine which method of particle size analysis best estimated the particle size of various cereal grain types. Eighteen samples of either corn, sorghum, or wheat were ground and analyzed using different variations of the approved method. Treatments were arranged in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement with 5 sieving methods: 1) 10-min sieving time with sieve agitators and no dispersion agent, 2) 10-min sieving time with sieve agitators and dispersion agent, 3) 15-min sieving time with no sieve agitators or dispersion agent, 4) 15-min sieving time with sieve agitators and no dispersion agent, and 5) 15-min sieving time with sieve agitators and dispersion agent conducted in 3 grain types (ground corn, sorghum, and wheat) with 4 replicates per treatment. The analytical method that resulted in the lowest d and greatest S was considered desirable because it was presumably representative of increased movement of particles to their appropriate sieve. Analytical method affected d and S ( ≤ 0.05) measured by both standards. Inclusion of sieve agitators and dispersion agent in the sieve stack resulted in the lowest d, regardless of sieving time. Inclusion of dispersion agent reduced d ( ≤ 0.05) by 32 and 36 µm when shaken for 10 and 15 min, respectively, compared to the same sample analyzed without dispersion agent. The addition of the dispersion agent also increased S. The dispersion agent increased the quantity of very fine particles collected in the pan; therefore, S was significantly greater ( ≤ 0.05). Corn and sorghum ground using the same mill parameters had similar d ( > 0.05), but wheat ground using the same mill parameters was 120 to 104 µm larger ( ≤ 0.05) than corn and sorghum, respectively. Both sieve agitators and dispersion agent should be included when conducting particle size analysis. The results indicate that 10 and 15 min of sieving time produced similar results.

[Personal experience with the Mono type of insulin--clinical study]. / Zkusenosti s inzuliny rady MONO--klinická studie.

A multicentric study was conducted in March to September 1995 to test the effectiveness and tolerance of a new insulin series. A total of 281 diabetics above 15 years of age were followed up, 144 men and 137 women, mean age 63 years with a duration of diabetes from 0.5 to 51 years, without serious organ complications and capable to recognise symptoms of hypoglycaemia. During the investigation a total of five examinations of the investigated parameters were made. The authors revealed a statistically insignificant decline of body weight, blood sugar level on fasting and HbA1c and a significant drop of the postprandial blood sugar level. The BP reading and urinary findings were unaltered. The authors found a significant drop of the daily insulin dose in MONO N, D and ID and an insignificant rise of the daily dose in MONO SD. The investigation provided evidence of a satisfactory effectiveness and tolerance of the new insulin series. In MONO N, D and ID there was also a decline in the total consumption.

[Follow-up of newly diagnosed patients with diabetes in the Prague population. II. Changes in the group of new diabetics after a 2-year follow-up]. / Sledování nove diagnostikovaných onemocnení cukrovkou v prazské populaci. II. cást: Zmeny v souboru nových diabetiku po dvouletém sledování.

From the total number of 1551 new diabetics and patients with PGT 85 subjects died in the course of two years. Treatment was changed 118 times, failure of PAD treatment was recorded in 11 type 2 diabetics. Three patients originally classified as type 1 were later included in type 2. In three diabetics (of 14) who had sings of diabetic retinopathy already during manifestation of DM marked deterioration of the finding on the fundus occurred. The incidence of macroangiopathic complications did not change.

[Follow-up of newly diagnosed patients with diabetes in the Prague population. I. Incidence of diabetes and disorders of glucose tolerance, methods of detection, complications]. / Sledování nove odhalených nemocných cukrovkou v prazské populaci. I. cást: Incidence cukrovky a poruch glukózové tolerance, zpusob odhalení, komplikace.

The authors followed up the incidence of new cases of diabetes in nine Prague diabetological clinics, the way of manifestation of diabetes and its detection, age dependence, seasonal character and incidence of complications. The incidence of type 2 diabetes was 269, of type 1 2.3 and impaired glucose tolerance 27 per 100,000 population. In 76% diabetes was detected accidentally, most frequently by the health community doctor or factory medical officer; 65% of the diabetes were older than 60 years. 51% suffered from hypertension and in 0.9% of type 2 diabetics retinopathy was found.

Evaluation of hepatocytes isolated by a nonperfusion technique in a prescreen for cytotoxicity.

Twenty-three chemicals, differing widely in cytotoxic (hepatotoxic) potency in vivo, were examined to determine their ability to release glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) from hepatocytes isolated by a nonperfusion method from rat liver. The test chemicals were carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, 1,1,2- and 1,1,1-trichloroethane, six bromobenzene analogs, tri-n-butyl tin, chlorpromazine, tetracycline, halothane, phenobarbital, L-ethionine, acetaminophen, thioacetamide, allyl alcohol, ethanol, ascorbic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, and acetone. In all but two cases--thioacetamide and allyl alcohol--there was a good correspondence between chemicals active in the assay as now performed and those that elevate serum transaminase and cause liver injury on short-term exposure in vivo. These results indicate that with further effort it may be possible to develop an effective, inexpensive, and rapid prescreen to identify drugs and environmental chemicals that are potentially cytotoxic to animals and humans.