Effect of Processing on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Quinoa Flour (Chenopodium quinoa,Willd)

The nature and extent of the modification of starch in quinoa, caused by various processes like cooking and autoclaving of the seeds, drum drying of the flour and extrusion of the grits was investigated by measuring the physico-chemical properties - the water absorption, water solubility, swelling power, viscosity and degree of gelatinisation - of the processed samples. Autoclaved samples showed the lowest degree of gelatinisation (32.5% by DSC) of the starch, while the degree of gelatinisation of the precooked/drum dried samples was found to be 97.4% by DSC method. Higher polymer degradation was observed in cooked samples than in autoclaved samples as seen in the gel chromatographic separation. The water solubility in cooked samples (5.44 to 15.58) and in autoclaved samples (7.02 to 9.64) increased with the process time. In the extrusion process, the moisture content as well as the compression ratio was found to affect the degree of starch modification significantly (p <0.01).     

Thermal and flammability properties influenced by Zn/Al,Co/Al,and Ni/Al layered double hydroxide in low-density polyethylene nanocomposites

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) containing different metal constituents (Zn, Co, and Ni) was intercalated with different organic anions and has been used as fillers in low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and its thermal and flammability behavior was evaluated. The best thermal stability (∆T_0.5 = 21 °C) was obtained with the LDPE-Ni/Al-dodecyl sulfate (4 wt %) nanocomposite. Addition of hydrophobic LDHs systematically decreases the enthalpy of melting and crystallization compared to the neat polymer. In LDPE-Co/Al-dodecyl sulfate (2 wt %) nanocomposite, the melting and crystallization enthalpies declined by about 45 J/g, indicating a good interaction of the filler with the polymer matrix. A reduction of 20% of the flammability for the LDPE-Ni/Al-stearate (4 wt %) nanocomposite was obtained. On the other hand, Zn–Co LDH as filler in LDPE nanocomposite did not affect effectively the same property. In an innovative study, results indicate that different metal constituents and interlayer anion of LDH as filler can change thermal and flammability properties of the polymer nanocomposite. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48737.     

Fetal Undernutrition Modifies Vascular RAS Balance Enhancing Oxidative Damage and Contributing to Remodeling

Fetal stress is known to increase susceptibility to cardiometabolic diseases and hypertension in adult age in a process known as fetal programming. This study investigated the relationship between vascular RAS, oxidative damage and remodeling in fetal programming. Six-month old Sprague-Dawley offspring from mothers that were fed ad libitum (CONTROL) or with 50% intake during the second half of gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) were used. qPCR or immunohistochemistry were used to obtain the expression of receptors and enzymes. Plasma levels of carbonyls were measured by spectrophotometry. In mesenteric arteries from MUN rats we detected an upregulation of ACE, ACE2, AT₁ receptors and NADPH oxidase, and lower expression of AT₂, Mas and MrgD receptors compared to CONTROL. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma levels of carbonyls were higher in MUN than in CONTROL. Vascular morphology evidenced an increased media/lumen ratio and adventitia/lumen ratio, and more connective tissue in MUN compared to CONTROL. In conclusion, fetal undernutrition indices RAS alterations and oxidative damage which may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric arteries, and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and hypertension.     

Integrated Study of APS YSZ Coatings with Different Spray Angle

Spray parameters play an important role on the microstructure and properties of plasma-sprayed coatings. Parameters such as spray distance, plasma gas flow and current, raster speed, and spray angle all can be varied. In this paper, an integrated study to investigate the effects and influences of spray angle on properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings was carried out with spray angles of 60°, 75°, and 90° (to the substrate surface). In situ coating property sensor based on beam curvature measurements was used to measure the evolving stress and elastic moduli of the resultant coatings and combined with other characterization tools for thermo-physical property and microstructure analysis, such as laser flash and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the coating with 60° spray angle had the lowest thermal conductivity and more compliant structure. This study seeks to understand the mechanism for this effect and will provide important insight into parametric sensitivities on complex spray parts.     

Blood Thiol Redox State in Chronic Kidney Disease

Thiols (sulfhydryl groups) are effective antioxidants that can preserve the correct structure of proteins, and can protect cells and tissues from damage induced by oxidative stress. Abnormal levels of thiols have been measured in the blood of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to healthy subjects, as well as in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The levels of protein thiols (a measure of the endogenous antioxidant capacity inversely related to protein oxidation) and S-thiolated proteins (mixed disulphides of protein thiols and low molecular mass thiols), and the protein thiolation index (the molar ratio of the S-thiolated proteins to free protein thiols in plasma) have been investigated in the plasma or red blood cells of CKD and ESRD patients as possible biomarkers of oxidative stress. This type of minimally invasive analysis provides valuable information on the redox status of the less-easily accessible tissues and organs, and of the whole organism. This review provides an overview of reversible modifications in protein thiols in the setting of CKD and renal replacement therapy. The evidence suggests that protein thiols, S-thiolated proteins, and the protein thiolation index are promising biomarkers of reversible oxidative stress that could be included in the routine monitoring of CKD and ESRD patients.     

A Modular Composite Device of Poly(Ethylene Oxide)/Poly(Butylene Terephthalate) (PEOT/PBT) Nanofibers and Gelatin as a Dual Drug Delivery System for Local Therapy of Soft Tissue Tumors

In the clinical management of solid tumors, the possibility to successfully couple the regeneration of injured tissues with the elimination of residual tumor cells left after surgery could open doors to new therapeutic strategies. In this work, we present a composite hydrogel–electrospun nanofiber scaffold, showing a modular architecture for the delivery of two pharmaceutics with distinct release profiles, that is potentially suitable for local therapy and post-surgical treatment of solid soft tumors. The composite was obtained by coupling gelatin hydrogels to poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(butylene terephthalate) block copolymer nanofibers. Results of the scaffolds’ characterization, together with the analysis of gelatin and drug release kinetics, displayed the possibility to modulate the device architecture to control the release kinetics of the drugs, also providing evidence of their activity. In vitro analyses were also performed using a human epithelioid sarcoma cell line. Furthermore, publicly available expression datasets were interrogated. Confocal imaging showcased the nontoxicity of these devices in vitro. ELISA assays confirmed a modulation of IL-10 inflammation-related cytokine supporting the role of this device in tissue repair. In silico analysis confirmed the role of IL-10 in solid tumors including 262 patients affected by sarcoma as a negative prognostic marker for overall survival. In conclusion, the developed modular composite device may provide a key-enabling technology for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma.     

Host Restriction Factors Modulating HIV Latency and Replication in Macrophages

In addition to CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, myeloid cells and, particularly, differentiated macrophages are targets of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection via the interaction of gp120Env with CD4 and CCR5 or CXCR4. Both T cells and macrophages support virus replication, although with substantial differences. In contrast to activated CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, HIV-1 replication in macrophages occurs in nondividing cells and it is characterized by the virtual absence of cytopathicity both in vitro and in vivo. These general features should be considered in evaluating the role of cell-associated restriction factors aiming at preventing or curtailing virus replication in macrophages and T cells, particularly in the context of designing strategies to tackle the viral reservoir in infected individuals receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. In this regard, we will here also discuss a model of reversible HIV-1 latency in primary human macrophages and the role of host factors determining the restriction or reactivation of virus replication in these cells.     

Metabolic Syndrome and Male Fertility: Beyond Heart Consequences of a Complex Cardiometabolic Endocrinopathy

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a highly prevalent condition among adult males, affecting up to 41% of men in Europe. It is characterized by the association of obesity, hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidemia, which lead to premature morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Male infertility is another common condition which accounts for about 50% of cases of couple infertility worldwide. Interestingly, male infertility and MetS shares several risk factors (e.g., smoking, ageing, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption), leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased oxidative stress (OS), and resulting in endothelial dysfunction and altered semen quality. Thus, the present narrative review aims to discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms which link male infertility and MetS and to investigate the latest available evidence on the reproductive consequences of MetS.     

Variants of HCMV UL18 Sequenced Directly from Clinical Specimens Associate with Antibody and T-Cell Responses to HCMV

Around 80% of adults worldwide carry human cytomegaloviris (HCMV). The HCMV gene UL18 is a homolog of HLA class I genes and encodes a protein with high affinity for the NK and T-cell cytotoxicity inhibitor LIR-1. UL18 was deep sequenced from blood, saliva or urine from Indonesian people with HIV (PWH) (n = 28), Australian renal transplant recipients (RTR) (n = 21), healthy adults (n = 7) and neonates (n = 4). 95% of samples contained more than one variant of HCMV UL18, as defined by carriage of nonsynonymous variations. When aligned with immunological markers of the host’s burden of HCMV, the S318N variation associated with high levels of antibody reactive with HCMV lysate in PWH over 12 months on antiretroviral therapy. The A107T variation associated with HCMV antibody levels and inflammatory biomarkers in PWH at early timepoints. Variants D32G, D248N, V250A and E252D aligned with elevated HCMV antibody levels in RTR, while M191K, E196Q and F165L were associated with HCMV-reactive T-cells and proportions of Vδ2⁻ γδ T-cells—populations linked with high burdens of HCMV. We conclude that UL18 is a highly variable gene, where variation may alter the persistent burden of HCMV and/or the host response to that burden.