Hydrolysis of Dialdehyde Starch with Sulfurous Acid

A systematic investigation of the sulfurous acid hydrolysis of dialdehyde starch (DAS) was made in which temperature, time and concentration of reagents were varied. Optimum yields of apparent D-erythrose and of glyoxal of 78 and 81 % of theory were obtained by hydrolyzing 1.8% of DAS in water containing 14.7 moles of sulfur dioxide per mole of DAS for 1.33 hr at 100.⁰C. Increased reversion and degradation at higher concentrations of DAS and at higher temperatures of hydrolysis rapidly decreased the yields of apparent D-erythrose and glyoxal.     

Studies on Starches of High Amylose-Content. Part 14. The Fractionation of Amylomaize Starch by Aqueous Leaching

Amylomaize starch is known to contain an anomalous material which does not conform to the classical definitions of either amylose or amylopectin. A detailed study of this polysaccharide has not yet been carried out, principally because of the difficulty of obtaining it in sufficient quantity. This paper presents a rapid and simple method by which the isolation may be achieved.     

Protein-Dialdehyde Starch Glue for Birch Type II Plywood

A hot-press, protein-dialdehyde starch glue was used experimentally to prepare plywood from yellow birch veneers. Gluing conditions were similar to those that were previously effective for bonding southern pine veneers to form interior-type plywood test panels. Yellow birch plywood produced under the conditions so developed met the performance requirements for Type II hardwood plywood. The excellent tack that was obtained with cold-pressed panels would allow prepressing in mill operations. Further-more, yellow birch and southern pine veneers were sufficiently compatible with this moderately alkaline glue to permit mixing these species in the same plywood construction. Bleedthrough of glue was not observed in plywood panels having 1/26-in. birch face veneers. Results indicate that the protein-dialdehyde starch glue should be useful in the manufacture of birch Type II plywood.     

The Characterization of Starch and Its Components. Part 3. The Technique of Semi-Micro,Differential, Potentiometric,Iodine Titration,and the Factors Affecting It

An improved apparatus for the semi-micro, differential, potentiometric titration of starch and its components with iodine is described. The necessary experimental manipulations are given in detail. The factors affecting the measurement — the amount of dimethylsulphoxide present, the buffer concentration, the method of dissolving the starch, the defatting procedure used on the starch, and the temperature of measurement — are critically examined. The new technique results in values of iodine binding capacity for starches which are 5- 15% higher than previous measurements. The significance of this finding is discussed.     

Uranium Superconductivity Redux

Since the discovery of heavy-fermion superconductivity in uranium compounds in the early 1980s, other uranium compounds have been discovered that are fully as interesting to study. However, as we look forward in the year 2000, we now have higher-purity, single crystals of the element itself. Preliminary resistivity and ac susceptibility measurements show the improved quality of the samples and thus hold the promise of understanding many aspects of its superconductivity, which have remained untouched for almost 25 years.     

Theophylline: Old Drug in a New Light,Application in COVID-19 through Computational Studies

Theophylline (3-methyxanthine) is a historically prominent drug used to treat respiratory diseases, alone or in combination with other drugs. The rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic urged the development of effective pharmacological treatments to directly attack the development of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and possess a therapeutical battery of compounds that could improve the current management of the disease worldwide. In this context, theophylline, through bronchodilatory, immunomodulatory, and potentially antiviral mechanisms, is an interesting proposal as an adjuvant in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, it is essential to understand how this compound could behave against such a disease, not only at a pharmacodynamic but also at a pharmacokinetic level. In this sense, the quickest approach in drug discovery is through different computational methods, either from network pharmacology or from quantitative systems pharmacology approaches. In the present review, we explore the possibility of using theophylline in the treatment of COVID-19 patients since it seems to be a relevant candidate by aiming at several immunological targets involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Theophylline down-regulates the inflammatory processes activated by SARS-CoV-2 through various mechanisms, and herein, they are discussed by reviewing computational simulation studies and their different applications and effects.     

Rheological properties and stability of model salad dressing emulsions prepared with a dry-heated soybean protein isolate–dextran mixture

The rheological characteristics of model salad dressing emulsions, incorporating a dry-heated soybean protein isolate (SPI)–dextran mixture as emulsifier, were investigated by applying dynamic rheometry tests in an attempt to probe the emulsion structure and to elucidate the mechanism of their stability against creaming. Both the viscoelastic properties and the creaming behaviour of the dressings were greatly influenced by the extent of protein–dextran conjugation and also by xanthan gum addition. The results are discussed in terms of emulsion droplet interactions which, depending on the extent of glyco-conjugation, may be dominated by depletion or ‘bridging’ flocculation effects and, thereby, influence the droplet network structure collapse during ageing.