Identification of Cyclopropaneoctanoic Acid 2-Hexyl in Human Adipose Tissue and Serum

Fatty acids containing a cyclopropane ring in their structure (cyclopropane FA) have been found in a wide variety of bacteria, a number of protozoa, and Myriapoda. Little is known about cyclopropane FA in mammal, especially in human tissues. The present study deals with the identification of cyclopropane FA in adipose tissue and serum of humans and rats. Fatty acids extracted from the adipose tissue and serum obtained from obese women during bariatric surgery were methylated and analyzed on GC–MS. We have identified: cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl, cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-octyl, cyclopropanenonanoic acid, and 2-[[2-[(2-ethylcyclopropyl)methyl]cyclopropyl]methyl] acid in human adipose tissue. We confirmed the presence of cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl by derivatization of FA extracted from human adipose tissue to picolinyl esters. Cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl was the main cyclopropane FA (approximately 0.4 % of total fatty acids in human adipose tissue, and about 0.2 % of total fatty acids in the serum). In adipose tissue cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl was found mainly in triacylglycerols, whereas in serum in phospholipids and triacylglycerols. The cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl has also been found in serum, and adipose tissue of rats in amounts comparable to humans. The content of cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl decreased in adipose tissue of rats maintained on a restricted diet for 1 month. In conclusion, we demonstrated that cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl is present in human adipose tissue and serum. Adipose tissue cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2-hexyl is stored mainly in triacylglycerols and the storage of this cyclopropane FA is affected by food restriction.     

Synthesis,characterization, and adsorption behavior of aminophosphinic grafted on poly(styrene‐Co‐divinylbenzene) for divalent metal ions in aqueous solutions

In the present work, two novel aminophosphinic acid ligands grafted on poly(styrene‐1%divinylbenzene) (St‐1%DVB) have been synthesized by reacting polymer precursors bearing primary amino groups with benzaldehyde (or propionaldehyde) and phenylphosphinic acid by the “one‐pot” Kabatachnik‐Fields reaction. The resins functionalized with aminophosphinic pendant groups were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis (EDX), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Its adsorption capacity for divalent metal ions such as Cu(II) and Ni(II) were investigated. The adsorption procedure of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions on polymer‐grafted aminophosphinic acid ligands was carried out by batch experiments. The result also shows that the adsorption process was best described by a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic equation and by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The best maximum adsorption capacity was obtained for resin with aminobenzylphosphinic acid groups [1.46 mg Cu(II)/g and 1.36 mg Ni(II)/g]. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The effect of polymerization mode on mechanical properties of commercial self-adhesive cements associated with hydroxyapatite

This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of self-adhesive resin cements mixed with hydroxyapatite, as a function of the polymerization activation mode among a variety of commercial self-adhesive cements. Four cements (MaxCem Elite, Bifix SE, G-Cem, and RelyX U200) were mixed, combined with hydroxyapatite, dispensed into molds, and distributed into three groups, according to polymerization protocols: IP (immediate photoactivation for 40 s); DP (delayed photoactivation, 10 min self-curing plus 40 s light-activated); and CA (chemical activation, no light exposure). After polymerization, the specimens were stored at 37 °C for 24 h. After storage, a three-point bending test was performed at 0.5 mm/min. Flexural strength (S) and flexural modulus (E) were calculated. The fractured surfaces were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA/Tukey’s test (5%). The tested parameters varied according with the resin cements and polymerization protocols. Regarding the S means, MaxCem Elite, G-Cem, and RelyX U200 demonstrated dependence on photoactivation (immediate or delayed), whereas Bifix SE exhibited no dependence on the polymerization protocol. The same was observed for Bifix SE for the E means, which presented the best balanced formulation, irrespective of the activation protocol. SEM analysis exhibited the presence of bubbles and porosities in all of the fractured surfaces. Chemical activation is not a guarantee of a complete polymerization for most of the cements tested. Only one of the cements maintained its mechanical properties when chemically activated, important characteristic in clinical situations in which the curing light penetrating the bulk material can be attenuated or scattered.     

Evaluation of ion exchange resins for recovery of metals from electroplating sludge

In the present study, the recovery of metal ions from industrial solid residues from a galvanoplasty industry (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was investigated by cationic and anionic ion exchange resins. The electroplating residues were composed of the metals Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr³⁺. The studies of sorption were conducted under batch and column conditions. Based on these studies, the sorption parameters and the breakthrough curves for both resins were determined. Studies of the sorption equilibrium and kinetics were also performed. The maximum sorption capacities q _e (mg g^?1) of the cationic resin were: Cu²⁺: 1.9, Fe³⁺: 0.6 and Al³⁺: 0.4. For the anionic resin, the maxim values of q _e were Cu²⁺: 0.4 and Fe³⁺: 0.1. The Freundlich model was more adequate to describe the ion exchange equilibrium and the sorption mechanism fit the pseudo second-order kinetic model for both resins. The breakpoint of Cu²⁺ (100 ppm) occurred after passing 1,860 and 2,220 cm³ of residue solution through 20.0 g of the resins (column with h:6.0 cm and d:4.3 cm, flow rate: 60 cm³ min^?1). The column regeneration was carried out for five sorption–desorption cycles using H₂SO₄ 2.4 mol L^?1 (cationic) and HCl 2.0 mol L^?1 (anionic).     

Strategies for In Situ Home Improvement in Romanian Large Housing Estates

Socio-economic and physical change have visibly affected post-socialist cities, yet the state of decay of their inherited large housing estates has only deepened throughout the 1990s, despite the change in tenure through policies of large-scale privatisation. Housing disrepair has now reached a critical stage that requires rapid private and public intervention. This paper examines the extent to which Romanian block residents have been able to improve in situ their housing conditions since 2000, the strategies they employed and the challenges they faced. It focuses on the often ignored private domain of housing, flats and blocks, where changes are also likely to be less visible. By analysing the process of individual utility metering and the practice of collective block management, I argue that besides economics, the unregulated housing context and a relaxed legal culture have challenged individual and collective action and have generated a framework of housing privatism.     

Structural characterization of LDPE/EVA blends containing nanoclay‐flame retardant combinations

The combination of different types of organo‐modified montmorillonite (MMT) with aluminum hydroxide (aluminum trihydrate—ATH), as a flame retardant system for polyethylene‐ethylene vinyl acetate (LDPE/EVA), blends were studied. Five different types of organically modified montmorillonite clays, each with different modifier, were used. The structural characterization was carried out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy in transmission mode (STEM). The mechanical and rheological properties were also evaluated. The XRD analysis showed a clear displacement of the d₀₀₁ signal, which indicates a good degree of intercalation, especially for the MMT‐I28 and MMT‐20, from Nanocor and Southern Clay Products, respectively. The presence of ATH and the compatibilizer did not have any effect on the exfoliation of the studied samples. The thermal stability and flame retardant properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI—ASTM D2863), and flammability tests (Underwriters Laboratory—UL‐94). The effect of different compatibilizers on the clay dispersion and exfoliation was studied. The results indicated that the addition of montmorillonite makes it possible to substitute part of the ATH filler content while maintaining the flame retardant requirements. The thermal stability of MMT/ATH‐filled LDPE/EVA blends presented a slight increase over the reference ATH‐filled LDPE/EVA blend. Compositions with higher clay content (10 wt %) showed better physicochemical properties. The increased stability of the higher clay content compositions results from the greater inorganic residual formation; this material has been reported to impart better performance in flammability tests. The mechanical properties and flame retardancy remained similar to those of the reference compound. The reduced ATH content resulted in lower viscosities and densities, facilitating the processing of the polymer/ATH/clay compounds. Extrusion of these compounds produced a lower pressure in the extrusion head and required reduced electrical power consumption. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Nutraceutical potential and antioxidant benefits of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) extracts

Polyphenols from flesh and peels of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit were quantified by employing an extract sub-fractionation procedure applied for the first time to this fruit. Higher polyphenolic contents than those from the literature were measured by using analogous spectroscopic techniques to those reported in previous works. Betacyanin fractions exhibited the highest reducing and radical-scavenging capacities among the extracts and fractions tested by FRAP and DPPH assays, respectively. Finally, polyphenolic fractions showed a broad antimicrobial spectrum by inhibiting the growth of all of food-borne pathogens tested, while the non-fractionated extracts revealed a very low or no activity. Results indicated flesh as a good source of antioxidants with healthy benefits for human diet and peels as a valuable manufacture by-product to be exploited for the formulation of nutraceuticals and food applications.     

Acceptability and nutritional quality of a beverage based on orange juice and whey powder, preserved by heat or high-intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF)

Orange juice may be a nutrient vehicle that helps to improve diet quality. The addition of whey allows the incorporation of high quality proteins. However, a good acceptability is necessary. The aims of the present study were: a) to assess the acceptability of a beverage prepared with orange juice (J) and whey powder (WP) at 7 g/100 g (J+WP7) or at 13 g/100 g (J+WP13); b) to measure available lysine content and ascorbic acid retention of the more accepted formulation, comparing the effect of HIPEF treatment (29 kV/cm, t(acum): 59 micros) with a conventional heat treatment at 75 degrees C, for 15 minutes (HT). The beverages were subjected to sensory evaluation (Friedman test). Available lysine was assessed by the Carpenter method, modified by Booth, and vitamin C by HPLC; minerals Na and K, by flame photometry; Ca, Mg and Zn by atomic absorption spectrometry. There were no significant differences between the acceptance of J and J+WP7. J+WP13 was significantly less accepted (p < 0.01), so it was discarded. Available lysine (mg/g protein) in untreated J+WP7 was 60.2 +/- 0.15; after treatments: 50.0 +/- 2.8 (HT) and 51.0 +/- 3.4 (HIPEF). The HIPEF treated J and (J+WP7) retained 100% and 98% of their vitamin C initial content and the HT treated, 91% and 88%, respectively. The amount of whey powder added to the orange juice conditioned the acceptability. The juice containing 7% of whey powder was well accepted, and after treatment by HIPEF, it retained a good nutritional quality, regarding available lysine, vitamin C retention and provision of mineral nutrients.     

Nanopowders of metallic oxides prepared by the hydrolytic route with starch stabilization and biological abetment

Sn, Sn-Sb, Ti, Zr, Fe, Ce and In oxides are prepared as nanometric powders by the hydrolytic route, starting from their ordinary salts or alkoxides, in the presence of 5% w/v starch as a non-ionic stabilizer of crystallization nuclei versus coalescence and flocculation. The starch can be degraded by a-amylase to soluble glucosidic oligomers, which may further be degraded by yeast to CO2 and ethanol. The nanoparticle features of prepared oxides result from experimental evidence based on X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry, specific surface area and porosity of samples obtained by curing in the 80-600 degrees C interval.     

Wash-free, electrochemical platform for the quantitative, multiplexed detection of specific antibodies

The diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of many illnesses, including infectious and autoimmune diseases, would benefit from the ability to measure specific antibodies directly at the point of care. Thus motivated, we designed a wash-free, electrochemical method for the rapid, quantitative detection of specific antibodies directly in undiluted, unprocessed blood serum. Our approach employs short, contiguous polypeptide epitopes coupled to the distal end of an electrode-bound nucleic acid "scaffold" modified with a reporting methylene blue. The binding of the relevant antibody to the epitope reduces the efficiency with which the redox reporter approaches, and thus exchanges electrons with, the underlying sensor electrode, producing readily measurable change in current. To demonstrate the versatility of the approach, we fabricated a set of six such sensors, each aimed at the detection of a different monoclonal antibody. All six sensors are sensitive (subnanomolar detection limits), rapid (equilibration time constants ～8 min), and specific (no appreciable cross reactivity with the targets of the other five). When deployed in a millimeter-scale, an 18-pixel array with each of the six sensors in triplicate support the simultaneous measurement of the concentrations of multiple antibodies in a single, submilliliter sample volume. The described sensor platform thus appears be a relatively general approach to the rapid and specific quantification of antibodies in clinical materials.