Thermal oxidation of vanadium-free Ti alloys: An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

In the present work, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the surface chemical composition of three alloys for biomedical applications: Ti–7Nb–6Al, Ti–13Nb–13Zr and Ti–15Zr–4Nb. The surface of these alloys was modified by annealing in air at 750 °C for different times with the aim of developing an oxide thick layer on top. The evolution of surface composition with annealing time was studied by XPS, and compared with the composition of the native oxide layer present on the samples before annealing. Two different oxidation trends were observed depending on the alloying elements and their corresponding diffusion kinetics, which give rise to different chemical species at the topmost layers. These results were linked with an evaluation of the biological response of the alloys by bringing them in contact with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).     

A specification pattern for use cases

In this paper, general formats and guidelines are proposed, in an attempt to ameliorate the impact of frequently observed difficulties during the specification of use cases generated using “natural language” for the documentation of system functionality. The various writing styles derived from the multiple grammatical alternatives found in the Spanish language and the terminological diversity that characterises this language tend to reduce the clarity of text in a use-case specification. Thus, the purpose of its use in the different stages of development in a software system or component is seriously affected. However, even if this study has been made specifically for the Spanish language, it could be easily generalised to any language whose sentences are of the form subject/predicate. In order to control these problems, the use of a specification pattern supported by a series of guidelines on style and terminology is proposed for drafting use cases. Additionally, various degrees of refinement are suggested to guide specifiers towards obtaining a use case written according to this pattern.     

Vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidophilus: development and characterization

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and characterize suppositories for vaginal delivery of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Methods: Formulations were performed in order to select suitable excipients based on suppository formation feasibility and cytotoxicity. Solid body and hollow-type suppositories were prepared by melting and molding using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 400 and 4000 or Witepsol (WIT) H12 as excipients. L. acidophilus was incorporated in the molten mass before molding solid body suppositories or added as suspension into the cavity of hollow-type suppositories and sealed molten excipients. Cytotoxicity of the selected excipients was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium and lactate dehydrogenase assays against VK2/E6E7, HEC-1-A and HeLa cells. Suppositories were characterized regarding organoleptic characteristics, mass uniformity, disintegration, breaking strength and L. acidophilus in vitro release.

Results: PEG 400, PEG 4000 and WIT H12 showed the absence of toxicity when tested using three different vaginal cell lines. Obtained vaginal suppositories presented uniform and mild texture, a content of about 1?×?10⁸ colony-forming units, completely disintegrated in simulated vaginal environment in less than 60?min and provided sustained in vitro release of L. acidophilus. Release studies further demonstrated that incorporation of freeze-dried bacteria did not result in significant loss of viable bacteria, thus supporting that vaginal suppositories may possess good properties to promote the replacement of the vaginal flora in situations of urinary tract infection.

Conclusion: Hollow-type suppositories showed to be promising delivery vehicles for vaginal delivery of probiotics.     

Alfalfa Leaf Saponins and Insect Resistance

Dried alfalfa (Medicago sativa) leaf tissue incorporated in artificial diet to give a final concentration of 0.5 or 1.6 mg/g fresh weight of saponins significantly inhibited growth and development of larvae of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). Saponin fractions isolated from root or shoot tissues of alfalfa also inhibited growth when incorporated at equivalent concentrations but had little effect on development. Root saponins were somewhat more harmful than shoot saponins.     

Mapping the Polar Lipidome of Macroalgae using LC-MS-Based Approaches for Add-Value Applications

Marine macroalgae are emerging as sustainable and healthy food, and a source of lipids with nutritional and bioactive properties. Nonetheless, the lipidome of macroalgae is little explored compared to other photosynthetic organisms. Most of the literature is devoted to the analysis of fatty acid (FA) from macroalgae, because of they are a source of long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated FA, which can be used as an alternative to fish oil. However, FA occurs mostly esterified in other lipids, such as polar lipids, that still overlooked. The data published on the study of polar lipids (phospholipids, glycolipids, betaine lipids) pinpoint their remarkable characteristics and bioactive properties which mainly remain unexplored. The lipidome of macroalgae seems to be species-specific, while some lipid classes appear to be characteristic of phyla. Lipidome plasticity of macroalgae is verified to change under abiotic and biotic factors which may modulate the functionality and add-value of the biomass. This biochemical plasticity represents an advantage to obtain ingredients for target applications and niche of markets. This review provides an overview on macroalgae lipidome characterization, addressing analysis workflow based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and discussing the bioactive properties and biotechnological applications of macroalga lipids. Practical Applications: The current state of the art on marine macroalgae lipidomics is reviewed, including the lipid characterization using modern liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the distribution of polar lipids by macroalgae species and phylum, their bioactive properties, and potential biotechnological applications. In a time of increasing awareness of sustainably produced marine resources, the lipids from macroalgae are still underexplored. This review provides information for smart valorization of macroalgae as source of add-value lipids contributing to the development of blue bioeconomy.     

Physicochemical characterisation of eight Spanish mulberry clones: processing and fresh market aptitudes

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare, for the first time, white and black mulberry species in terms of their main physicochemical characteristics in eight Spanish clones. The results showed significantly different characteristics between the black and white mulberry species. Fruit weight of mulberry species ranged from 2.10 to 4.15 g, and fruit juice yield, from 41% to 62%. Fructose (~61%) and glucose (~39%) were the predominant sugars in all mulberries. The MN1 clone displayed the highest total acidity (>2.6 g L^?1), and malic acid was the most abundant organic acid (6.65 g kg^?1). Cluster analysis has allowed grouping of the clones into three groups (i) MN1 and MN2; (ii) MN3 and MN4; and (iii) MA1, MA2, MA3 and MA4. Experimental results proved that Spanish mulberries have high potential for fresh consumption (attractive dark colour in Morus nigra clones, high sugars content and intense sweetness) and industrialisation (~50% juice yield, attractive juice colour, high content of crude fibre and intense sweetness). This study is also a step towards identification of this fruit as a potential healthy food, which may also be used in food industry and also have pharmaceutical interest.     

Phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase and phenolic compounds in leaves and fruits of Olea europaea L. cv. Picual during ripening

BACKGROUND: The kinetic and molecular properties of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) in leaves and fruit of the olive tree (Picual variety) have been studied during the seasonal process of fruit maturation. The concentrations of total phenolic compounds, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, have also been determined. This study has been made in rainfed 30‐year‐old olive trees in Jaén, Spain, cultivated by the traditional method. RESULTS: PAL specific activity was assayed and hyperbolic kinetics were observed in both organs. The K_m value for L ‐Phe was 0.22 mmol L^?1 in leaf and 0.26 mmol L^?1 in fruit. In leaf, the highest PAL specific activity was found in the stage prior to veraison. By immunoblot, a PAL‐immunoreactive 75 kDa polypeptide was detected in leaf and fruit. In leaf, the level of this protein progressively rose until the last stages of ripening at the same time that total phenols increased. In fruit, PAL activity and protein change as in two series coinciding with different fruit‐maturation period. By immunohistochemistry under light microscopy, PAL was located in the epidermis and parenchyma cells of leaf and fruit. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the involvement and regulation of PAL during fruit ripening of olive, cv. Picual. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry