Metformin Reduces Lipogenesis Markers in Obese Mice Fed a Low-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diet

Lipogenesis is the process by which fatty acids are synthesized. In metabolic syndrome, an insulin resistant state along with high plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and hyperglycemia may contribute to the lipogenic process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of metformin on the expression of lipogenic genes and glycemic profile in mice fed with low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet by evaluating their metabolic profile. SWISS male mice were divided into 4 groups (N = 7) that were fed with standard (ST), standard plus metformin (ST + MET), low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet (LCHFD) and low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet plus metformin (LCHFD + MET) (100 mg kg^?1 diet) diets respectively. Food intake, body weight and blood parameters, such as glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, glucose, HDL‐c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ASL and ALT levels were assessed. Histological analyses were performed on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained epididymal adipose tissue histological specimens. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), were assessed by RT‐PCR. This study showed that metformin decreased adipocyte area, body weight and food consumption in obese animals when compared to the standard group. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic markers in adipose tissue were diminished in obese animals treated with metformin. This data showed that oral administration of metformin improved glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in white adipose tissue by reducing the expression of lipogenesis markers, suggesting an important clinical application of MET in treating obesity‐related diseases in metabolic syndrome.     

Evaluation of mass loss of weld-deposited hardfacing with cored wire Ti-FeCrC alloy

In this article, we have studied the mass loss of hardfacing applied by flux-cored arc welding. Heat input, shielding gas and number of layers of coating were changed to application of Fe–Cr–Ti–C self-shielded tubular wire. Overlapping beads were deposited on plates of carbon steel AISI 1020 to analyse the mass loss, hardness and microstructure. For the analysis of mass loss, beads were deposited forming overlapping layers of coatings. Hardness measurements were performed on the surface of the specimens of wear. A rubber wheel abrasion tester was used to access the mass loss of coatings. The coatings had retained austenite and martensite microstructure with carbides finely dispersed in the matrix. The main factors that contributed to the increase in mass loss were the cracks due to higher cooling rate of the samples deposited with low heat input, the dilution in the first layer of all samples also contributed to the increase in mass loss. The smallest mass losses were those deposited coatings with high heat input, the second and fourth layers, the samples AC2, AC4 and AS2. The volume fraction of titanium carbides contributed to the decrease in the mean free path between the particles of carbides and increased the wear resistance of the coatings.     

Removal of lindane using electrokinetic soil flushing coupled with air stripping

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - This paper evaluates the remediation of soil spiked with lindane using a combined treatment consisting of electrokinetic soil flushing (EKSF) with air...     

Investigation of cure kinetics in epoxy/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

With the increased interest in thermoset resin nanocomposites, it is important to understand the effects of the material on nanoscale characteristics. In this study, a curing reaction of an epoxy resin, which contained 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00 wt % of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), at different heating rates was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry; cure kinetics were also evaluated to establish a relationship between crosslinking (network formation) and mechanical properties. MWCNT concentrations above 0.25 wt % favored crosslinking formation and decreased the activation energy (E_a) in the curing reaction. Examination of the kinetic mechanism suggests that the MWCNT locally restricted the spatial volume and favored the formation of nodular morphology in the resin, especially for high MWCNT concentrations. The MWCNT exhibited some entanglement in the matrix, which hindered a more pronounced effect on the mechanical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39857.     

Automated process planning for parametric parts

The available automated CAPP solutions are mostly academic research or specific applications, which cannot be used in different environments. This paper presents a solution for automated process planning for parametric parts included in one CAPP environment with many other software components. It meets the planning requirements of any parts and products in a real industrial environment. This paper provides a brief overview of CAPP and a definition of the parametric parts used. The requirements of the CAPP environment are discussed and its concept and design characteristics are presented. A practical application of the CAPP environment is described in order to validate the proposed solution.     

Platelets: Still a Therapeutical Target for Haemostatic Disorders

Platelets are cytoplasmatic fragments from bone marrow megakaryocytes present in blood. In this work, we review the basis of platelet mechanisms, their participation in syndromes and in arterial thrombosis, and their potential as a target for designing new antithrombotic agents. The option of new biotechnological sources is also explored.     

Evaluation of thermodynamic properties using GAB model to describe the desorption process of cocoa beans

The desorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of cocoa beans were obtained during the drying process of this product. The isotherms were determined by dynamic method for various temperature (25, 35, 45 and 55 °C) and relative humidity (RH) conditions (30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80%). Equilibrium moisture content data were correlated by the Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer (GAB) model, which presented good fit to the data, according to statistical procedures. Equilibrium moisture content ranged from 5.90 to 16.67 d.b.; it increased with an increment in the RH and decreased with increased temperature at a constant RH. Enthalpy values for each model coefficient were encountered, ranging from ?90.05 to 545.96 kJ kg^?1. The integral isosteric heat of desorption and differential entropy increased with decreased equilibrium moisture content, a tendency also found for Gibbs free energy.     

Critical Success Factors for New Product Development in Biotechnology Companies

The development of new products has become increasingly critical for the competitiveness of companies, due to increased diversity and variety of products, the reduction of product life cycles, and, primarily, globalization of markets. Thus, the identification and prioritization of critical success factors for developing new products is important, particularly for the high degree of risk and uncertainty involved. The main objective of this article is the identification and prioritization of critical success factors in new product development projects in biotechnology companies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research method used was a survey questionnaire, which was sent to a sample of 31 biotechnology companies in Minas Gerais state. The principal findings of this research are that interpersonal skills/relationships of the project leader and technical skills are the most critical factors for successful new product development in this industry. The implications for the biotechnology industry in general, as well as for those responsible for managing new product development, are discussed.     

Formation Mechanism of Alkyl Nitrites,Valuable Intermediates in C1-Upgrading Chemistry and Oxidation Processes

In this contribution we use computational tools to investigate the reaction of alcohol substrates with reactive nitrogen oxide species such as N₂O₃ and N₂O₄, leading to the formation of alkyl nitrites. These nitrites are interesting intermediates which can be processed to various valuable chemicals such as ketones/aldehydes and dimethyl oxalate while regenerating NO _x . As such, NO _x is used as an oxidation mediator, converting alcohol substrates to more reactive nitrites which can be selectively converted to more desired compounds, closing a catalytic cycle in NO _x species.     

NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS OF FLOWS IN ROCKET ENGINES WITH REGENERATIVE COOLING

A one-dimensional mathematical model is presented for flows in a rocket engine that has a regenerative cooling system. The problem involves the flow of a gas in a converging- diverging nozzle, the flow of a coolant in channels distributed around the engine, and the heat conduction through a wall between the gas and the coolant. The numerical model adopted is based on the finite-volume method with a second-order scheme. It was noted that it is important to use variable properties in order to predict the maximum wall temperature in the rocket engine and the drop in pressure of the coolant as it moves along the channels, whereas the thrust of the engine can be calculated with constant properties.