Microstructural and Physicochemical Properties of Oxidized Potato Starch for Paper Coating

Heat-induced structural changes were examined for a series of potato starches differing in degree of oxidation and prepared as 25 and 35% dispersions. The molecular weight of amylopectin decreased markedly with the degree of oxidation. Microstructural studies revealed that all oxidized potato starch dispersions heated to 90deg;C contained whole granules. The least oxidized potato starch (Raisamyl 316) paste contained large numbers of swollen granules filled with dissolved amylose. In the more oxidized potato starch dispersions, both amylopectin and amylose were solubilized within the granule. Mixing of the amylose and amylopectin occurred and amylose- and amylopectin-rich domains could be seen inside the granule. At 35% concentration all starches studied formed a gel during cooling (from 90 to 30deg;C). The lower the degree of oxidation, the higher the gelling temperature. Raisamyl 310 formed the firmest gel. The gel formation of most oxidized potato starches was weak. Raising the heating temperature from 90 to 120deg;C, in combination with shearing, delayed the gelation.     

Purification and Characterization of Bacillus acidopullulyticus Pullulanase for Enzymatic Starch Modification

The pullulanase (EC 3.2.1.41) of Bacillus acidopullulyticus was purified using anion exchange chromatography and preparative isoelectric focusing. The purified preparation migrated as a single protein band upon SDS gel electrophoresis and its molecular weight was estimated to be 102,000. Two main activity bands having pl-values 5.0 and 5.2 were detected by analytical isoelectric focusing. The enzyme was purified 4-fold with the yield 38% by this two-step purification procedure. The purified pullulanase showed maximal activity at 50°C and pH 5 and was slightly activated by Ca₂₊. It was stable at 50°C but totally lost its activity at 60ºC in one hour. This purified pullulanase efficiently hydrolyzed the α-1,6-glucosidic bonds of pullulan and gelatinized starch.     

Transesterification of soy lecithin by lipase and phospholipase

Soy lecithin was modified by enzymatic transesterification in a solvent-free system. 1,3-SpecificRhizomucor miehei lipase was found to be efficient in the transesterification with lauric acid and oleic acid, where oleic acid was more incorporated into soy lecithin. Phospholipase A₂ incorporated lauric acid hardly at all, but it hydrolyzed lecithin efficiently. The mixture of lipase and phospholipase A₂ (1:1, w/w) incorporated lauric acid to the same extent as did 1,3-specific lipase alone at the same total enzyme concentration. The main fatty acids replaced were palmitic and linoleic acids by 1,3-specific lipase and its mixture with phospholipase A₂, and linoleic and linolenic acids by phospholipase A₂ alone, suggesting an improved oxidative stability of the resulting product. Hydrolysis could not be prevented, but it could be regulated by incubation time and by enzyme dosage. The minimal water content for significant incorporation of lauric acid into lecithin was below 0.5% of the weight of the reaction mixture.     

Evaluating the toxicity of fabric extracts using the hepa-1 cytotoxicity test,the HaCaT cytotoxicity test and the spermatozoa motility inhibition test

To detect the possible toxicity of dyed and finished fabrics, a set of such fabrics was investigated using three different cell tests – the hepa-1 cytotoxicity test, the HaCaT cytotoxicity test and the spermatozoa motility-inhibition test. In each case, cells were exposed to fabric extracts. In cytotoxicity tests, after 72 h, exposure cell growth was measured using the protein content in the wells/vials as an indicator: if the protein content in the wells was less than 80%, the test showed toxicity of the fabric extract. The spermatozoa motility-inhibition test shows toxicity if at least 25% of the cells are dead when the viability of the cells is detected under light microscopy. The results showed that none of the extracts from raw fabrics was toxic. Extracts from the vat-dyed, flame-retardant fabric showed low toxicity in the spermatozoa test, but not in other cell tests. Extracts from most of the reactive-dyed knitted fabrics showed toxic values after finishing. However, it can be concluded that reactive dyes do not usually produce adverse effects. After dyeing with reactive dyes, extracts from the bleached fabric were no longer toxic. This study showed that the cell tests were useful when examining the toxicity of extracts from textile substances.     

Lactoferrin and lysozyme in arthritic exudates

Lactoferrin (LF) has been assayed by radioimmunoassay in plasma and arthritic exudates and compared with lysozyme (LZ) levels and leukocyte counts. The mean LF concentration in 38 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exudates was 9.1 mg/l (range 0.02-39.2). In 30 non-RA exudates LF was 3.3 mg/l (range 0.01-14.6). The corresponding LZ levels were 7.4 mg/l (range 2.5-18.5) in RA and 4.7 (range 1.0-12.5) in non-RA fluids. Exudate/plasma ratios were much higher for LF than for LZ and higher in RA than in non-RA exudates, whereas leukocyte counts did not differ. The LF/leukocyte count ratio was significantly higher in RA than in the non-RA group. The data suggest a more prominent release of neutrophilic granulocyte components in RA than in non-RA arthritis.     

Associations between work ability, health-related quality of life, physical activity and fitness among middle-aged men

The Work ability of ageing work force is a matter of major concern in many countries. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived work ability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to investigate their associations with age, physical activity and physical fitness in middle-aged men working in blue-collar occupations. The study population consisted of 196 middle-aged (aged 40-60 years) men (construction and industrial work) attending occupationally orientated early medical rehabilitation. They were mostly healthy having only symptoms of musculoskeletal or psychological strain. Perceived work ability was assessed with the work ability index (WAI) and HRQoL with the Rand, 36-item health survey (Rand-36). Information on physical activity was obtained with a structured questionnaire. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated with a submaximal exercise test on a cycle-ergometer. The WAI was significantly (p<0.001) associated with the total score of Rand-36, and with all its domains. Age, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness were neither associated with the WAI, nor did physical activity predict any of the dimensions of Rand-36. Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with the physical functioning dimension of the Rand-36 whilst age was positively associated with the dimensions of the energy, emotional well being and social functioning of the Rand-36. The present study on middle-aged men showed a close relationship between perceived work ability and the HRQoL. It is suggested that the promotion of work ability may have beneficial effects on quality of life.     

Positional distribution of decanoic acid: Effect on chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures and postprandial lipemia

Although medium-chain FA (MCFA) are mainly absorbed via the portal venous system, they are also incorporated into chylomicron TAG; therefore, the positional distribution of MCFA in TAG is likely to affect their metabolic fate. We studied chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures, as well as the magnitude of postprandial lipemia, after two oral fat loads containing decanoic acid (10∶0) predominantly at the sn-1(3),2 (MML) or at the sn-1,3 positions (MLM) of TAG in a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial with 10 healthy, normal-weight volunteers. An MS-MS method was used to analyze TAG regioisomers. The position of decanoic acid in chylomicron TAG reflected its position in the TAG ingested, and TAG with none, one, two, or three decanoic acid residues were detected after ingestion of both fats. More (P<0.05) 30∶0 and 38∶1 TAG (acyl carbons:double bonds) and fewer 46∶5, 54∶5 and 54∶4 TAG were found in chylomicrons after ingestion of MML than after MLM. The VLDL TAG composition did not differ between the fat loads but did change (P<0.05) 2 to 6 h after ingestion of both fats. No statistical differences were seen between the fat loads in areas under the plasma, chylomicron, or VLDL TAG response curves or in FFA concentrations. Thus, the positional distribution of MCFA in TAG affects their metabolic, fate, but the magnitude of postprandial lipemia does not seem to be dependent on the positional distribution of MCFA in the ingested fat.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of oat and soya lecithin: Effects on functional properties

Enzymatic hydrolysis of oat and soy lecithins and its effects on the functional properties of lecithins were investigated. The phospholipase used was most efficient at low enzyme and substrate concentrations. More fatty acids were released from soy lecithin than from oat lecithin. The maximum degree of hydrolysis was 760 μmol free fatty acids per gram soy lecithin and 170 μmol free fatty acids per gram oat lecithin. On the basis of the total carbohydrate and phosphorus contents in the polar fractions of the lecithins, oat lecithin contained more glycolipids and less phospholipids than soy lecithin. With regard to functional properties, the stability of oil-in-water emulsions was enhanced by hydrolyzed soy lecithin and by crude and hydrolyzed oat lecithins, but only hydrolyzed soy lecithin prevented the recrystallization of barley starch. The dissociation enthalpy of amylose-lipid-complex (AML-complex) was significantly higher when hydrolyzed soy lecithin was present. Hydrolyzed oat lecithin slightly affected the dissociation enthalpy of AML-complex. The other lecithins had no effect on recrystallization or dissociation enthalpies in the barley-starch matrix.     

Comparison of approaches for estimating pipe rupture frequencies for risk-informed in-service inspections

This paper describes the comparative study of two approaches to estimate pipe leak and rupture frequencies for piping. One method is based on a probabilistic fracture mechanistic model while the other one is based on statistical estimation of rupture frequencies from a large database. In order to be able to compare the approaches and their results, the rupture frequencies of some selected welds have been estimated using both of these methods. This paper highlights the differences both in methods, input data, need and use of plant specific information and need of expert judgement. The study focuses on one specific degradation mechanism, namely the intergranular stress corrosion cracking. This is the major degradation mechanism in old stainless steel piping in BWR environment, and its growth is influenced by material properties, stresses and water chemistry.     

Proteomic studies on receptor for advanced glycation end product variants in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose: Proteomic screening revealed declined levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study was undertaken to investigate the different RAGE isoforms in two lung diseases with destruction of the lung parenchyma, i.e. IPF and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Experimental design: RAGE was analyzed by 2‐DE, MS and Western blotting using lung tissues from non‐smokers, smokers, patients with IPF, COPD and α‐1‐antitrypsin deficiency (AAT) and by ELISA from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. Results: RAGE, detected by 2‐DE in the control lung, was confirmed to be glycosylated, soluble, C‐truncated RAGE with characteristics indicative of the presence of endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE). Further studies revealed a decrease of the full length‐RAGE (FL‐RAGE) and its C‐terminal processed variant (cRAGE) in the lung tissues of IPF and COPD patients but not in AAT. The esRAGE level was reduced in IPF but was unchanged in COPD. Conclusions and clinical relevance: This study shows an involvement of the three RAGE variants (FL‐RAGE, cRAGE, esRAGE) in IPF. The decline of FL‐RAGE and cRAGE, but not esRAGE, in COPD lungs is evidence of involvement of specific RAGE variants also in this disease.