Valence-induced effects on the electrical properties of NiMn2O4 ceramics with different Ni sources

Spinel-structured NiMn₂O₄ ceramics, with different valence Ni sources, were originally prepared using Ni₂O₃ and NiO as raw materials, and the effects of different valence Ni sources on their electrical properties were first investigated. XRD patterns show that both Ni₂O₃-based and NiO-based NiMn₂O₄ ceramics are single cubic spinel structures. SEM/EDS images indicate that the NiMn₂O₄ ceramics exhibited high density at the experiment-determined sintering temperatures. XPS results and Raman drifts prove that the Ni valence-induced changes in Mn ions at B sites played a significant role in the electrical properties and thermal stability of NiMn₂O₄ ceramics. Compared with NiO-based NiMn₂O₄, the resistivity at 25°C (ρ_25°C) of Ni₂O₃-based NiMn₂O₄ increased dramatically from 3109 to 106958 Ω cm, the thermal constant (B_25/50) increased from 3264 to 4473 K, and the resistance shifts after annealing for 1000 h at 150°C decreased from 0.80% to 0.74%. The investigation of the relationship between the material properties and valence of Ni sources has provided a new and effective way for designing the spinel-structured negative temperature coefficient (NTC) materials by modulating the valence of ions at A sites in the raw materials.     

Determination of Fexofenadine in Tablets by Capillary Electrophoresis in Free Solution and in Solution with Cyclodextrins as Analyte Carriers

ABSTRACT

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods for the determination of fexofenadine (FEX) in commercial pharmaceuticals were developed. It was demonstrated that FEX could be effectively analyzed in free solution cationic CE at low pH. Another analytical approach studied was based on cyclodextrin (CD) modified CE where highly charged CD derivatives served as analyte carriers. In this way, the separation range was spread to physiological pH region and a CE analysis of FEX, present actually in its zwitterionic form, could be accomplished. Several parameters affecting the separations were studied, including the type and concentration of carrier ion, counterion, analyte carrier, and pH of the buffer. The methods based on the free solution CE and CD-modified CE were compared each other, validated, and applied for the determination of FEX in tablets.     

A Quinacrine Analogue Selective Against Gastric Cancer Cells: Insight from Biochemical and Biophysical Studies

One of the earliest synthetic antimalarial drugs, quinacrine, was recently reported as interesting for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Inspired by this and similar findings, we evaluated a set of quinacrine analogues against gastric (MKN‐28), colon (Caco‐2), and breast (MFC‐7) cancer cell lines and one normal human fibroblast cell line (HFF‐1). All the compounds, previously developed by us as dual‐stage antimalarial leads, displayed antiproliferative activity, and one of the set stood out as selective toward the gastric cancer cell line, MKN‐28. Interestingly, this compound was transported across an in vitro MKN‐28 model cell line in low amounts, and approximately 80 % was trapped inside those cells. Nuclear targeting of the same compound and its interactions with calf thymus DNA were assessed through combined fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, and calorimetry studies, which provided evidence for the compound's ability to reach the nucleus and to interact with DNA.     

The influence of monoacylglycerol and L‐glutamic acid on the viscoelastic properties of wheat flour dough and sensory characteristics of French loaf product

BACKGROUND: The influence of monoacylglycerol Rimulsoft Super(V) and L ‐glutamic acid added to wheat flour dough was studied. Properties of the doughs were evaluated on the basis of chemical analysis and rheological measurements on a farinograph. Bakery products made from these doughs were subsequently subjected to sensory analyses. RESULTS: It was found that L ‐glutamic acid influenced the water absorption in dough more (50.0 g kg^?1; water absorption 56.6%) than monoacylglycerol Rimulsoft Super(V) (50.0 g kg^?1; water absorption 55.0%). Farinograph measurements showed that doughs with the addition of L ‐glutamic acid resembled flour containing high‐quality gluten, but dough with the addition of monoacylglycerol Rimulsoft Super(V) corresponded to ‘weak’ flour. Sensory analyses revealed that, in comparison with the control sample of French loaf, the saliva‐absorbing capacity increased in the French loaf with the highest addition of L ‐glutamic acid (30.0 g kg^?1). Deterioration in quality and texture in French loaf with addition of L ‐glutamic acid (8.0 g kg^?1, 30.0 g kg^?1) was noted. No other statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: It is acceptable to add both additives to dough in order to modify its rheological properties. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

A delta9 desaturase from Bombus lucorum males: investigation of the biosynthetic pathway of marking pheromones

The knowledge of the molecular basis of communication in bumblebee communities is limited. None of the enzymes that participate in pheromone production have been characterized. Here, we cloned the gene encoding the Delta(9) desaturase from cDNA prepared from the total RNA of the pheromone gland and fat bodies of Bombus lucorum male. Functional expression of BlucNPVE desaturase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and GC-MS analyses revealed its preference for C(18) saturated fatty acids. This suggests that Delta(9) desaturase is involved in the desaturation of metabolic fatty acids stored in triacylglyceroles (TAGs), because oleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid bound in TAG in B. lucorum and it is present in low concentration in the pheromone blend. The incubation of pheromone precursors with a dissected labial gland as well as direct injection of labelled pheromone substrates into B. lucorum males revealed that esterification of pheromone products occurs in the labial gland. These results support both the biosynthesis of pheromones from common lipids and the de novo synthesis of unsaturated pheromones in the labial gland.     

A review of “BOOK REVIEW - DRYING OF SOLIDS” Editor A.S. Mujumdar Published by Sarita Prakashan 175 Nauchandi Ground Meerut City,U.P., India

An industrial-scale prototype of spouted bed dryer with a capacity of around 3500 kg/h was constructed and tested. The prototype is shown to have a desirable feature of a spouted bed as well as the capability of continuous drying and offering consistent results throughout the testing period. Experimental results show that the prototype performs well in reducing the moisture content of the paddy and yields high product quality in terms of the milling quality. The high temperatures up to 130–160°C were applied to dry paddy from various initial moisture contents to the range of 14–25%, dry basis without significant change in quality. Thermal energy consumption, in the range of 3.1–3.8 MJ/kg water, is comparable with other commercial dryers.     

Schimmelpilze in Lebensmitteln der Tschechoslowakei

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Mykoflora von 13 527 g sensorisch unveränderten Lebensmitteln (Pulver) und von 22017 verschiedetien Proben sensorisch unveränderter, an der Oberfläche sterilisierter Körner und Nüsse untersucht.Aus den Proben wurden 147 027 Kolonien von 44 Schimmelpilzgattungen isoliert und identifiziert.Am häufigsten waren Kolonien vonPenicillium sp.,Aspergillus sp. undCladosporium sp. vertreten, weniger oft oder ganz seltenRhizopus sp.,Mucor sp.,Absidia sp.,Alternaria sp.,Circinella sp.,Trichoderma sp.,Botrytis sp.,Paecilomyces sp.,Geotrichum sp.,Syncephalastrum sp.,Scopulariopsis sp.,Phoma sp.,Aureobasidium sp.,Fusarium sp.,Thamnidium sp.,Cunninghamella sp.,Stemphylium sp.,Torula sp.,Trichothecium sp.,Verticillium sp.,Cephalosporium sp.,Mortierella sp.,Neurospora sp.,Ostracoderma sp.,Arthrinium sp.,Monodyctis sp.,Papularia sp.,Acremonium sp.,Chaetomium sp.,Chrysosporium sp.,Beauveria sp.,Cephaliophora sp.,Dactylosporium sp.,Drechslera sp.,Gliomastix sp.,Helminthosporium sp.,Humicola sp.,Monilia sp.,Sepedonium sp.,Ulocladium sp. andWallemia sp.

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Molds in foods of the Czechoslovak Socialistic Republik

Summary The mycoflora of 13.527 g of food powders which were normal upon sensory evaluation as well of 22.017 pieces of surface sterilized grains and nuts was examined in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. 147.027 colonies of 44 genera of molds were isolated and identified from samples.Colonies ofPenicillium sp.,Aspergillus sp., andCladosporium sp. occured most often, less often or quite infrequentlyRhizopus sp.,Mucor sp.,Absidia sp.,Alternaria sp.,Circinella sp.,Trichoderma sp.,Botrytis sp.,Paecilomyces sp.,Geotrichum sp.,Syncephalastrum sp.,Scopulariopsis sp.,Phoma sp.,Aureobasidium sp.,Fusarium sp.,Thamnidium sp.,Cunninghamella sp.,Stemphylium sp.,Torula sp.,Trichothecium sp.,Verticillium sp.,Cephalosporium sp.,Mortierella sp.,Neurospora sp.,Ostracoderma sp.,Arthrinium sp.,Monodyctis sp.,Papularia sp.,Acremonium sp.,Chaetomium sp.,Chrysosporium sp.,Beauveria sp.,Cephaliophora sp.,Dactylosporium sp.,Drechslera sp.,Gliomastix sp.,Helminthosporium sp.,Humicola sp.,Moniliasp.,Sepedonium sp.,Ulocladium sp., andWallemia sp.

     

A Novel Insight into the Cardiotoxicity of Antineoplastic Drug Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is a commonly used antineoplastic agent in the treatment of many types of cancer. Little is known about the interactions of doxorubicin with cardiac biomolecules. Serious cardiotoxicity including dilated cardiomyopathy often resulting in a fatal congestive heart failure may occur as a consequence of chemotherapy with doxorubicin. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exposure to doxorubicin on the changes in major amino acids in tissue of cardiac muscle (proline, taurine, glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, leucine, glycine, valine, alanine, isoleucine, threonine, lysine and serine). An in vitro interaction study was performed as a comparison of amino acid profiles in heart tissue before and after application of doxorubicin. We found that doxorubicin directly influences myocardial amino acid representation even at low concentrations. In addition, we performed an interaction study that resulted in the determination of breaking points for each of analyzed amino acids. Lysine, arginine, β-alanine, valine and serine were determined as the most sensitive amino acids. Additionally we compared amino acid profiles of myocardium before and after exposure to doxorubicin. The amount of amino acids after interaction with doxorubicin was significantly reduced (p = 0.05). This fact points at an ability of doxorubicin to induce changes in quantitative composition of amino acids in myocardium. Moreover, this confirms that the interactions between doxorubicin and amino acids may act as another factor most likely responsible for adverse effects of doxorubicin on myocardium.