An esterification protocol for cis-parinaric acid-determined lipid peroxidation in immune cells1,2

Loss of fluorescence from cis-parinaric acid (cPnA) is a sensitive indicator of lipid peroxidation. The purpose of this study was to utilize cPnA to determine, at the level of the intact immune cell, whether enrichment of membranes with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased lipid peroxidation. P388D1 macrophages were labeled by addition of cPnA as an ethanolic solution. Within two minutes of addition, in the absence of serum, cPnA rapidly intercalated into the plasma membrane. Lipid peroxidation was initiated by addition of Fe²⁺-EDTA resulting in a dose-dependent decrease in fluorescence with increased oxidant concentration. Cells previously enriched with PUFA and labeled by intercalation showed no differences in spontaneous or Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation. In separate experiments, 20 μM cPnA in ethanolic solution was injected into cell culture media containing 0.1% essentially fatty acid free bovine serum albumin (BSA). Cells were resuspended and incubated for 90 min at 37°C. After washing with BSA to remove cPnA which had not incorporated, 0.5% (0.1 μM) of the added cPnA was found esterified within cellular lipids. This level of cPnA provided a 100-fold increase over basal autofluorescence levels. Cells labeled in this manner also lost fluorescence in a dose-dependent manner as levels of oxidant stress increased. Cells enriched with PUFA and labeled by esterification had significantly increased rates and total amounts of lipid peroxidation. Co-incubation with α-tocopherol and PUFA resulted in a decrease in lipid peroxidation which was not significantly different from control cells. In conclusion, esterification of cPnA into membrane phospholipids can sensitively detect changes in lipid peroxidation induced by alteration of membrane PUFA and/or vitamin E content. Presented in part at the Experimental Biology Meetings, Anaheim, California, April 1994. Contribution from the Missouri Agriculture Extention Station, Journal #12,495.     

BASF NanoSelect? Technology: Innovative Supported Pd- and Pt-based Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation Reactions

An innovative BASF catalyst manufacturing technology (NanoSelect?) is introduced which allows production of heterogeneous catalysts with excellent control over metal crystallite sizes. NanoSelect? technology enabled the development of Pd catalysts which are lead-free Lindlar catalyst replacements in alkyne-to-cis-alkene hydrogenations. NanoSelect? Pt catalysts showed excellent chemoselectivity in substituted nitro-arene hydrogenation reactions without build-up of hydroxylamine intermediates. All NanoSelect? produced catalysts show markedly higher activity per gram of metal leading to ten-fold less use of precious metal.     

Poly(L‐lactic acid) with added α‐tocopherol and resveratrol: optical,physical, thermal and mechanical properties

Poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) films containing various concentrations of two natural antioxidants, α‐tocopherol and resveratrol, were fabricated by a melt compounding and compression molding process. The influence of the antioxidants on the optical properties such as color and UV‐visible light transmission was analyzed. The thermal, mechanical, rheological and physical properties of PLLA films with added antioxidants were assessed. PLLA films with added α‐tocopherol and resveratrol showed a yellowish brown color and the lightness was influenced by the presence of the antioxidants. The glass transition and melting temperatures were significantly reduced with the addition of antioxidants while enhanced thermal stability was observed, which could be a benefit and important for processing and production. PLLA films with added antioxidants were slightly more hydrophobic than neat PLLA. The combination effect of plasticizing and enhancement of the elastic modulus with differing concentrations of two antioxidants played a critical role in the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of PLLA films. The melt viscosity of the PLLA films with added antioxidants was substantially higher than that of neat PLLA. The higher melt viscosity and G′(ω) could be an indication of formation of entanglement between PLLA and the two antioxidants. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigation of Scents on Cheeks and Foreheads of Large Felines in Connection to the Facial Marking Behavior

We investigated head- and cheek-rubbing behavior in four species of large felines, lions (Leo panther), leopards (Panthera pardus), tigers (Panthera tigris), and cougars (Puma concolor), in captivity. Preliminary behavioral observations found that lions and tigers, but not leopards and cougars, showed behavioral responses to cardboard rubbing samples from head and cheek areas from conspecific felines, compared to the blank cardboard controls. In this context, surface samples on the facial areas of each species were collected to analyze volatile organic compounds that could be involved in the facial marking of felines. Previously developed stir bar surface sampling methodology was used. From all cheek and forehead samples, 100 volatile organic compounds were identified or tentatively identified. Among these, 41 have been previously reported to be present in feline urine and marking secretions. Several new compounds were identified on facial surfaces. Some of the compounds showed substantial quantitative differences among the species. One compound, that has not been reported previously in mammals, 3-acetamidofuran, was found in all investigated species. It was synthesized and tested for behavioral responses. No responses were elicited in a preliminary test. Future research will test other potential signaling compounds and their mixtures for ability to elicit behavioral responses.     

High performance HTLNR/epoxy blend—Phase morphology and thermo-mechanical properties

An attempt was made to toughen diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin with liquid natural rubber possessing hydroxyl functionality (HTLNR). Epon 250 epoxy monomer is cured using nadic methyl anhydride as hardener in presence of N, N dimethyl benzyl amine as accelerator. HTLNR of different concentrations up to 20 wt % is used as modifier for epoxy resin. The addition HTLNR to an anhydride hardener/epoxy monomer mixture has given rise to the formation of phase-separated structure, consisting of small spherical liquid natural rubber particles bonded to the surrounding epoxy matrix. The particle size increased with increase in rubber content. The viscoelastic properties of the blends were analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The T_g corresponding to epoxy rich phase was evident from the dynamic mechanical spectrum, while the T_g of the rubber phase was overlapped by the β relaxation of epoxy phase. Glass transition of the epoxy phase decreased linearly as a function of the amount of rubber. The mechanical properties such as impact and fracture toughness were also carefully examined. The impact and fracture toughness increase with HTLNR content. A threefold increase in impact strength was observed with 15 wt % HTLNR/epoxy blend. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Membrane treatment of side-stream cooling tower water for reduction of water usage

A pilot study was conducted to determine whether membrane treatment on a side stream of recirculating cooling-tower water could reduce overall water usage and discharge. The treated permeate was returned to the cooling tower while the concentrate was discharged to the sanitary sewer. Flow rates, pressures and water chemistry were monitored. The pilot demonstrated potential substantial water savings. Maximum make-up water and discharge reduction were 16% and 49%, respectively. As high as possible permeate recovery is needed to maximize water conservation. Silica scaling on the membranes limited water savings in this pilot. Development of membranes with a solute-rejection capacity less than the 92% average of the membranes used in the pilot would assist in optimizing water savings. Decreased water outlays compensated for the additional energy used by membrane treatment. Scaling control is critical for economic operation.     

Relationships between glucose, energy intake and dietary composition in obese adults with type 2 diabetes receiving the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist, rimonabant

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Weight loss is often difficult to achieve in individuals with type 2 diabetes and anti-obesity drugs are often advocated to support dietary intervention. Despite the extensive use of centrally acting anti-obesity drugs, there is little evidence of how they affect dietary composition. We investigated changes in energy intake and dietary composition of macro- and micronutrients following therapy with the endocannabinoid receptor blocker, rimonabant. METHODS: 20 obese patients with type 2 diabetes were studied before and after 6 months dietary intervention with rimonabant. Dietary intervention was supervised by a diabetes dietician. Five-day food diaries were completed at baseline and at 6 months and dietary analysis was performed using computer software (Dietplan 6). RESULTS: After 6 months, (compared with baseline) there were reductions in weight (107+/-21Kg versus 112+/-21, p<0.001, 4% body weight reduction), and improvements in HbA1c (7.4+/-1.7 versus 8.0+/-1.6%, p<0.05) and HDL cholesterol. Intake of energy (1589+/-384 versus 2225+/-1109kcal, p<0.01), carbohydrate (199+/-74 versus 273+/-194g, p<0.05), protein (78+/-23 versus 98+/-36g, p<0.05), fats (55+/-18 versus 84+/-39g, p<0.01) and several micronutrients were reduced. However, relative macronutrient composition of the diet was unchanged. Improvement in blood glucose was strongly correlated with a reduction in carbohydrate intake (r = 0.76, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients with type 2 diabetes, rimonabant in combination with dietary intervention led to reduced intake of energy and most macronutrients. Despite this, macronutrient composition of the diet was unaltered. These dietary changes (especially carbohydrate restriction) were associated with weight loss and favourable metabolic effects.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-amino-6-halo-β-carbolines as antimalarial and antiprion agents

Malaria is one of the world's most devastating parasitic diseases, causing almost one million deaths each year. Growing resistance to classical antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine, necessitates the discovery of new therapeutic agents for successful control of this global disease. Here, we report the synthesis of some 6-halo-β-carbolines as analogues of the potent antimalarial natural product, manzamine A, retaining its heteroaromatic core whilst providing compounds with much improved synthetic accessibility. Two compounds displayed superior activity to chloroquine itself against a resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain, identifying them as promising leads for future development. Furthermore, in line with previous reports of similarities in antimalarial and antiprion effects of aminoaryl-based antimalarial agents, the 1-amino-β-carboline libraries were also found to possess significant bioactivity against a prion-infected cell line.     

Enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties of polycaprolactone/chitosan blend by calcium carbonate nanoparticles

This study investigates the effects of calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) nanoparticles on the mechanical and thermal properties and surface morphology of polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan nanocomposites. The nanocomposites of PCL/chitosan/CaCO(3) were prepared using a melt blending technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicate the average size of nanoparticles to be approximately 62 nm. Tensile measurement results show an increase in the tensile modulus with CaCO(3) nanoparticle loading. Tensile strength and elongation at break show gradual improvement with the addition of up to 1 wt% of nano-sized CaCO(3). Decreasing performance of these properties is observed for loading of more than 1 wt% of nano-sized CaCO(3). The thermal stability was best enhanced at 1 wt% of CaCO(3) nanoparticle loading. The fractured surface morphology of the PCL/chitosan blend becomes more stretched and homogeneous in PCL/chitosan/CaCO(3) nanocomposite. TEM micrograph displays good dispersion of CaCO(3) at lower nanoparticle loading within the matrix.     

Ab Initio Calculations of Pristine and Doped Zirconia Σ5 (310)/[001] Tilt Grain Boundaries

The structure of the cubic-ZrO₂ symmetrical tilt Σ5 (310)/[001] grain boundary is examined using density functional theory within the local density and pseudopotential approximations. Several pristine stoichiometric grain-boundary structures are investigated and compared with Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy results. The lowest-energy grain-boundary structure is found to agree well with the experimental data. When Y³⁺ is substituted for Zr⁴⁺ at various sites in the lowest-energy grain-boundary structure, the calculations indicate that Y³⁺ segregation to the grain boundary is energetically preferred to bulk doping, in agreement with experimental results.