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Oolong tea increases plasma adiponectin levels and low-density lipoprotein particle size in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Oolong tea has been studied for its effect on cardiovascular disease and obesity. Plasma adiponectin levels are reduced in obesity, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and in coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: To investigate prospectively, whether intake of Oolong tea influences plasma adiponectin levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, serum triglyceride and plasma glucose levels in patients with CAD. METHODS: Twenty two patients in our study consumed Oolong tea (1000 ml) or water for 1 month in our randomized cross-over study design. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in plasma adiponectin levels before and after 1 month intake of Oolong tea (6.26 +/- 3.26 microg/ml versus 6.88 +/- 3.28 microg/ml, P < 0.05), and in plasma level LDL particle size (25.02+/-0.67 nm versus 25.31+/-0.60 nm, P < 0.01). The water-consuming control group showed no changes (6.28+/-3.28 microg/ml versus 6.23+/-3.21 microg/ml) in adiponectin levels or LDL particle sizes (25.03+/-0.70 nm versus 25.02+/-0.72 nm). We also observed a significant difference in hemoglobin A1c levels (7.23 +/- 4.45% versus 6.99 +/- 4.30%, P < 0.05) before and after intake of Oolong tea. CONCLUSION: Oolong tea may have beneficial effects on the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with CAD.

Adiponectin↗

Nondestructive measurements of the compact strength and the particle-size distribution after milling of roller compacted powders by near-infrared spectroscopy.

Compact strength and the particle-size distribution of milled roller compacted compacts were correlated to the slope of the best-fit line through near-infrared spectra for samples prepared under different roll speeds and feed rates. The above correlations were found to hold for compacts prepared from microcrystalline cellulose powder as well as from a typical direct compression pharmaceutical powder blend containing tolmetin sodium dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. Near-infrared spectra were also collected real time for the compacts prepared from the tolmetin powder blend. The real-time slope values for the spectra showed good agreement with the off-line data. The strength of compacts was determined using three-point beam bending method and the particle-size distribution of the milled compacts was determined using sieve analysis. The results suggest that the real-time values of the slope of the best-fit line through the near-infrared spectrum offers a robust, yet simple and fast quality control tool to monitor/control manufacturing and scale-up processes involving dry granulation by roller compaction.

Calcium Phosphates↗

[Effect of particles size calibration on air microbe sampling].

The airborne bacterial particles number sampled with 6 grades Andersen sampler at Xidan in Beijing from 1987 to 1988 was calibrated by the alive bioparticles calibration formula. The results showed that the average number of airborne bacterial particles sampled in 3 minutes and in 84.9 L air was 257, but it is 315 when calibrated. The later was higher than the former (t = 2.012, P < 0.05). The average number sampled with the 1st grade sampler (> 8.2 microns) was 98, but it is 136 when calibrated, and the difference was obviously (t = 2.409, P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference between the number sampled with the rest grades sampler (2nd-6th) and when calibrated (t = 1.701-0.026, P > 0.05). The effects of calibration on the particles size distribution and its concentration day's change were not obviously.

Air Microbiology↗

Particle size selection device for use with the Turbohaler.

BACKGROUND: Drug deposited within the upper airways of patients using dry powder inhalers does not contribute to the therapeutic effect but can result in unwanted local side effects and, when swallowed, may contribute to systemic effects. A chamber has been devised which uses the centrifugal force generated by the Turbohaler to remove large "non-respirable" particles with a view to minimising deposition in the upper airway. An in vitro study was performed to determine whether such a chamber could reduce the dose contained in coarse particles without having a significant effect on the "respirable dose". METHODS: The mouthpiece of a 200 micrograms Turbohaler was modified to allow a small volume chamber to be attached. The particle size distribution generated by the Turbohaler was assessed using a multi-stage liquid impinger with a flow rate of 60 l/min. The quantity of drug on each stage was quantified using an ultraviolet spectrophotometric technique. For each experiment 10 actuations were used to ensure adequate quantities of drug on each stage. Particles depositing on stages 3 + 4 have a diameter of < 6.8 microns and are arbitrarily referred to as the "respirable dose". The particle size distribution obtained using the Turbohaler (n = 10) was compared with that from the Turbohaler+ chamber (n = 11). RESULTS: The addition of the chamber resulted in the mean (SD) dose contained in larger "non-respirable" particles depositing on stages 1 + 2 being reduced from 52.2 (12.3) to 29.6 (6.9) micrograms per actuation. However, the chamber did not affect the "respirable" dose. The dose contained in particles with a diameter of < 6.8 microns from the standard Turbohaler was 91.1 (8.9) micrograms compared with 82.4 (18.6) micrograms when used with the chamber. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that it is possible to devise an effective particle size selection device for the Turbohaler. It may be possible to produce such devices for other dry powder inhalers, although the design would need to be tailored to each particular device.

Aerosols↗

Effect of particle size on macrophage-osteoclast differentiation in vitro.

To determine whether particle size affects macrophage-osteoclast differentiation in vitro, latex beads of 0.1, 1, and 10 microm in diameter were added to a murine macrophage-UMR106 osteoblast-like cell coculture system. The extent of osteoclast differentiation was determined by assessing the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells on glass coverslips and the extent of lacunar resorption on dentine slices. The addition of particles, 1 and 10microm in size, to the cocultures resulted in a significant increase in the number of TRAP-positive osteoclast-like cells and in the resorption pit surface area compared with findings in control cultures to which no particles had been added. Particles 0.1 microm in size also stimulated osteoclast formation relative to the control; however, the difference was not significant. These results indicate that particles, particularly these 1 and 10microm in size, sizes which were phagocytosable, significantly enhanced the process of macrophage-osteoclast differentiation and suggest that particle size plays an important role in periprosthetic osteolysis.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Effect of particle size on the biological availability of reduced iron.

A sample of reduced iron was separated by air elutriation into several fractions based on particle size; and the relative biological values (RBVs) of 3 fractions containing fine, medium, and coarse particles were determined with rats and chicks, using diets containing either skim milk powder or casein as the major source of protein. The RBV of reduced iron for rats was shown to be dependent on particle size by curative and prophylactic assay procedures, with the source of protein having no marked effect. In contrast to rats, chicks utilized reduced iron to a higher degree, especially the iron from coarse particles. Prophylactic assays with rats indicated that a 3-4 week feeding period from weaning at 21 days of age gave RBVs which were not significantly different from those obtained by repletion of hemoglobin of anemic animals. After 5 weeks on the test diets, however, the rats lost their ability to distinguish between coarse and medium particles of reduced iron when fed with a diet containing casein as the source of protein.

Anemia↗

Low density lipoprotein particle size and core cholesteryl ester physical state affect the proton NMR magnetic environment of fatty acid methylene and methyl nuclei.

Recent studies using proton NMR to quantify plasma lipoprotein concentrations have shown that lipoprotein particle size affects the chemical shift of methyl and methylene resonances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrelationship of low density lipoprotein (LDL) size and cholesteryl ester (CE) physical state on the chemical shift of methyl and methylene protons. LDL were isolated from the plasma of nonhuman primates fed diets containing lard or fish oil to result in a wide range of LDL particle sizes and CE core transition temperatures for NMR analysis. The proportion of nuclei in the fluid state in LDL at different temperatures, measured as proton NMR peak intensity, paralleled the melting profile of LDL CE determined by differential scanning calorimetry. At 37 degrees C the linewidths of several resolvable fatty acyl resonances, but not the choline methyl resonance, were significantly less in the fish oil LDL, indicating a less restrictive environment along the fatty acyl chain. The (CH2)n and t-CH3 resonances demonstrated an upfield shift (i.e., smaller chemical shift) with increasing temperature for both diet groups, but the peaks for fish oil LDL were always upfield from those of the lard LDL regardless of temperature. No change in the chemical shift of the choline CH3 resonance was observed as a function of dietary fat or temperature. Above the transition temperature for LDL CE there was a significant positive correlation between LDL size and the chemical shift of the (CH2)n and t-CH3 resonances. This relationship was not statistically significant for the same LDL below the Ce transition temperature. We conclude that LDL CE must be fully melted to obtain accurate results for LDL particle size distribution as well as mass quantification using portion NMR spectroscopy.

Animals↗

Analysis of indoor particle size distributions in an occupied townhouse using positive matrix factorization.

UNLABELLED: From late 1999 to early March 2000, measurements of particle number (particles 0.01-20 microm in aerodynamic diameter) concentrations were made inside of a townhouse occupied by two non-smoking adults and located in Reston, VA (approximately 25 miles northwest of Washington, DC). The particle size measurements were made using an SMPS and an APS as well as a Climet optical scattering instrument. In this study, positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to study the indoor particle size distributions. The size distributions or profiles obtained were identified by relating the obtained source contributions to the source information provided by the occupants. Nine particle sources were identified, including two sources associated with gas burner use: boiling water and frying tortillas. Boiling water for tea or coffee was found to be associated only with the smallest particles, with a number mode close to the detection limit of the SMPS (i.e., 0.01 microm). Frying tortillas produced particles with a number mode at about 0.09 microm while broiling fish produced particles with a number mode at about 0.05 microm. A citronella candle was often burned during the study period, and this practice was found to produce a 0.2-microm modal number distribution. Other indoor particle sources identified included sweeping/vacuuming (volume mode at 2 microm); use of the electric toaster oven (number mode at 0.03 microm); and pouring of kitty litter (volume mode over 10 microm). Two outdoor sources were also resolved: traffic (number mode at about 0.15 microm) and wood smoke (major number mode at about 0.07 microm). The volume distributions showed presence of coarse particles in most of the resolved indoor sources probably caused by personal cloud emissions as the residents performed the various indoor activities. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study has shown that continuous measurements of indoor particle number and volume concentrations together with records of personal activities are useful for indoor source apportionment models. Each of the particle sources identified in this study produces distinct size distributions that may be useful in studying the mortality and morbidity effects of airborne particulate matter because they will have different penetrability and deposition patterns.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

Influence of particle size and sources of non-starch polysaccharides on postprandial glycaemia, insulinaemia and triacylglycerolaemia in pigs and starch digestion in vitro.

Physico-chemical properties of dietary fibres might be involved in metabolic control, particularly of the postprandial blood glucose response. The aim of the present study was to look at the effects of the content of soluble fibres and of the particle size of solid fibres on in vitro and in vivo starch hydrolysis and on the subsequent glucose absorption as well as the triacylglycerolaemia. Two sources of dietary fibres, one, with soluble fibres (beet pulp), the other with mostly insoluble fibres (wheat bran), were added at the rate of 60 g/kg to a meal simulating human food. The fibre sources were ground in order to obtain two different particle sizes (250 and 500 microns). Beet pulp decreased significantly (P < 0.05) initial in vitro hydrolysis whereas wheat bran increased starch hydrolysis in the first 10 min. Wheat bran and beet pulp, whatever its particle size, lowered the post-prandial triacylglycerol response. No significant effect was found with dietary fibre-supplemented diets on postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic values. High correlation was found between initial in vitro starch hydrolysis and mean areas under the insulinaemic curves. This in vitro model can be used to predict initial in vivo digestion of carbohydrates from complex foods.

Animals↗

A Mossbauer determination of the iron core particle size distribution in ferritin.

The important biological iron bearing molecule ferritin has been studied using the 57Fe Mossbauer resonance. Natural and reconstituted ferritin samples have been studied in the temperature range 4--300 K. At low temperatures six-line magnetic hyperfine spectra are observed but with noticeably asymmetric line shapes, at high temperatures doublets are observed and in an intermediate temperature range (30--40 K) complex spectra characteristic of superparamagnetic behaviour are observed. From a theoretical study of the dependence of the hyperfine splitting parameters on particle size and from the experimental probability distributions obtained for these parameters from the Mossbauer spectra, it has been possible to derive the ferritin micelle particle size distributions for four different samples. It is found that the natural and reconstituted samples have roughly similar distributions except for the sample reconstituted from apoferritin in the presence of a phosphate environment. This sample is shown to have a slightly narrower particle size distribution centred on a smaller mean diameter. The information derived from these Mossbauer measurements are finally shown to be consistent with conclusions reached from separate biochemical experiments.

Ferritins↗

Low density lipoprotein particle size and risk of early-onset myocardial infarction in women.

Previous studies of middle-aged men have shown a univariate association between low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle diameter (size) and coronary heart disease, but this association has yet to be examined in younger women. Using a subsample from a population-based case-control study of women living in western Washington State, the authors examined the association between LDL particle size and risk of early-onset myocardial infarction (MI) in 1992-1995. Gradient gel electrophoresis was used to characterize LDL subclasses in nonfasting blood samples from 72 MI cases and 159 controls aged 20-44 years. Mean LDL particle size in cases was significantly smaller compared with controls (26.4 vs. 26.9 nm, p < 0.001), with an odds ratio of 2.3 (p < 0.0001) for a 1-nm smaller LDL particle size. These results were independent of age, menopausal status, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and LDL cholesterol (odds ratios = 1.9-2.3 for a 1-nm smaller LDL particle size, all p < 0.02) but were not independent of body mass index, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglyceride (odds ratios = 1.4, 1.4, and 1.1, respectively; all p > 0.05). Therefore, in age-adjusted analyses, smaller LDL particle size was associated with MI in young women, but the risk was attenuated after adjustments for metabolic factors related to both LDL particle size and MI.

Adult↗

Plasticization and spraying of poly (DL-lactic acid) using supercritical carbon dioxide: control of particle size.

Exposure of poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA), and related polymers, to supercritical CO2 (scCO2) at or below, physiological temperatures leads to very effective plasticization and liquefying of the polymers. The phenomenon arises from the high solubility and interaction of the scCO2 in the polymer. Under these unique conditions, temperature and solvent labile molecules can be mixed efficiently into the liquefied polymer. This liquefied polymer/drug/CO2 mixture can then be sprayed into a collecting chamber, and during this process particles of drug-loaded polymer are formed. This process is very different from rapid expansion and antisolvent based techniques that have been previously reported. In this article, we describe a method of controlling particle size during the spray process by introducing a backpressure of N2 in the collecting chamber. This backpressure dynamically regulates the loss of CO2 from the issuing polymer/CO2 mixture, leading to control over sprayed particle size. In situ observation of the viscosity of the plasticized polymer indicates that a backpressure of 68 bar or greater is necessary to ensure the production of fine particles. The influences of backpressure and saturation temperature on particle size for the sprayed products are discussed in terms of observed PDLLA/CO2 mixture viscosities.

Air Pressure↗

Protocol for the preparation of a segmental linear polyacrylamide gradient gel: simultaneous determination of Lp[a], LDL, and HDL particle sizes.

We describe in this report a protocol for the preparation of a polyacrylamide gel system (S-GGE 2.8/8.30) that consists of two linear gradients designed for the simultaneous determination of the diameters of LDL and HDL from whole plasma. The lower gel consists of an 8-30% linear gradient which is optimum for the resolution of HDL subfractions and the upper gel consists of a 2-8% linear gradient to allow for the resolution of LDL and larger lipoprotein fractions such as Lp[a] and small VLDL. In contrast to other non-denaturing gradient gel systems which are based on protein staining, the present system uses lipid stain to specifically identify lipoproteins. This approach also allows the plasma to be pre-stained with immediate visualization of the lipid bands being possible at the completion of the electrophoretic run. Using commercially available gel casting equipment, the present gradient gel system can accommodate up to 21 lanes per gel. The inter-run and intra-run coefficients of variation for LDL particle size are 0.47 and 0.16%, respectively. The inter- and intra-run CVs for Lp[a] particle size are 0.92% and 0.89%, respectively. The inter-run and intra-run coefficients of variation for HDL2 and HDL3 particle size are 1.36% and 3.23%, respectively.

Calibration↗

Particle size distributions in underground coal mines.

This paper reports the results of a sampling program undertaken by NIOSH to determine the particle size distributions in underground coal mines. The program made use of newly developed cascade impactors capable of being operated with personal sampling pumps. Particle size distribution samples were collected at selected areas in 10 continuous mining sections in three states. Results plotted as mass frequency distributions indicate that a bimodal distribution may exist in areas away from the operations of the continuous miner. A primary size mode of about 17 micron and a secondary size mode of about 5 micron were measured consistently throughout the 10 mines studied.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

[A study of carcinogenicity skin of extracts from different size particles in air].

The article presents the experimental results on mice skin Tumor-initiating test of extracts of air particles collected from Beijing, Taiyuan and Xuanwei. In this experiment, we use extracts as initiators. The results show that extracts from different size particles all have the positive carcinogenicity, however, there exists a close relationship between the size of particles and carcinogenicity, that is, the extract from the smaller size particles has stronger carcinogenicity.

Air Pollutants↗

Flaxseed oil supplementation does not affect plasma lipoprotein concentration or particle size in human subjects.

alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a major dietary (n-3) fatty acid. Some clinical trials with ALA supplementation have shown reduced cardiovascular risk; however the specific cardioprotective mechanism is not known. We studied the effects of daily supplementation with ALA derived from flaxseed oil on concentrations of plasma LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, intermediate density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipid particle sizes. In a randomized double-blind trial, 56 participants were given 3 g/d of ALA from flaxseed oil in capsules (n = 31) or olive oil containing placebo capsules (n = 25) for 26 wk. Changes in plasma HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations did not differ between the 2 groups at 26 wk. The adjusted plasma total cholesterol concentration at 26 wk was 0.45 mmol/L higher in the flaxseed oil group (5.43 +/- 0.03 mmol/L) compared with the olive oil group (5.17 +/- 0.07 mmol/L) (P = 0.026). ALA did not affect LDL, HDL, or IDL particle size; however, the concentrations of the large, less atherogenic LDL1 (P = 0.058) and LDL2 (P = 0.083) subfractions tended to be greater in the ALA group. In conclusion, ALA does not decrease CVD risk by altering lipoprotein particle size or plasma lipoprotein concentrations.

Adult↗

Particle size analysis of soils under simulated scene of crime conditions: the interest of multivariate analyses.

Two simulated scenes of crime have been studied. Soil traces adhering to boots, sport shoes and tissues have been compared with control samples using particle size analysis. Comparisons of percentage of particles per class interval and multivariate analyses were used to determine how the size distribution of each suspect sample varied compared to the original distribution. A loss of coarse fractions characterized most of the suspect samples even though they were derived from soils having different distributional patterns. However, the differences between control and suspect samples were found to be more important for soils dominated by extreme size classes than for soils rich in medium size particles. The differences among soil samples from the same source were found to be restricted to the extreme size classes. The finding of significant differences within size classes ranging from 1 to 0.063 mm should be then considered as a dissimilarity sign between trace sample and hypothetic control soil.

Crime↗

The effects of particle size and moisture content on the emanation of Rn from coal ash.

Measurements of the emanation coefficients of 222Rn from coal ash were performed. Samples of coal ash from a stoker-fired furnace were mechanically sized into four categories. The mean 226Ra concentration of these categories ranged from 11.82-16.77 dpm g-1 and increased as a function of decreasing particle size. The mean bulk density and mean specific gravity of these categories ranged from 0.488-0.944 g cm-3 and 2.017-2.390 g cm-3, respectively, and both increased as a function of decreasing particle size. Samples of coal ash from four pulverized coal-fired furnaces were obtained, and demonstrated mean 226Ra concentrations ranging from 6.44-7.59 dpm g-1. The mean bulk density and mean specific gravity of these samples ranged from 1.254-1.520 g cm-3 and 2.357-2.588 g cm-3, respectively. Construction of chambers and methods for measuring 222Rn emanation coefficients are described. The measured emanation coefficient is shown to be insensitive to ingrowth time at times greater than three days. Measurements of emanation coefficients from ash samples were conducted at moisture contents of 0, 1.0, 10, 20 and 40% moisture by weight, and showed an increase in the emanation coefficient as a function of moisture content up to about 20% moisture by weight. Above 20% moisture content, most samples showed a trend toward decreasing emanation coefficients. The fractionated ash samples showed an increase in the emanation coefficient as a function of decreasing particle size. An experiment was also conducted which confirmed that sample depth was insignificant in explaining the observed emanation coefficient over the range of depths used in the other experiments.

Air Pollutants↗