n-3 long-chain FA decrease serum levels of TG and remnant-like particle-cholesterol in humans

A large number of papers have reported that administration of n−3 FA reduced serum TG concentrations in hypertriglyceridemic patients. However, few studies have examined the effect of n−3 FA on serum concentrations of remnant-like particle (RLP) cholesterol. Volunteers (n=41) whose serum TG concentrations were 100–300 mg/dL were recruited and randomly assigned to either an n−3 FA group or a control group with stratification by sex, age, and serum TG level in a double-blind manner. The subjects in the n−3 FA group were administered 125 ml of fermented soybean milk with fish oil containing 600 mg of EPA and 260 mg of DHA/d for 12 wk. The controls consumed control soybean milk with olive oil. Fasting blood samples were obtained before the start of administration and at 4, 8 and 12 wk. EPA concentrations in red blood cells increased significantly in all but one subject in the n−3 FA group, with no significant changes in the control group. TG levels decreased more in the n−3 FA group than in the control group at weeks 4 (P<0.05), 8 (P<0.01), and 12 (P<0.05) with their baseline as covariate. RLP cholesterol levels decreased more in the n−3 FA group than in the control at weeks 8 (P<0.01) and 12 (P<0.05) with their baseline as covariate. The groups did not differ in the other lipid levels. It is likely that n−3 long-chain FA may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects by lowering serum TG and RLP-cholesterol levels even at the dose of 860 mg/d.     

The simultaneous removal of calcium and chloride ions from calcium chloride solution using magnesium-aluminum oxide

We investigated the removal of Ca(2+) and Cl(-) from CaCl(2) solution at 20-60 degrees C, using magnesium-aluminum oxide, Mg(0.80)Al(0.20)O(1.10), prepared by the thermal decomposition of a hydrotalcite-like compound, Mg(0.80)Al(0.20)(OH)(2)(CO(3))(0.10).0.78 H(2)O. The degree of Ca(2+) and Cl(-) removal from the solution increased with increasing initial CaCl(2) concentration, temperature, and quantity of Mg(0.80)Al(0.20)O(1.10) added. When Mg(0.80)Al(0.20)O(1.10) was added to 0.25 M CaCl(2) solution in a Mg(0.80)Al(0.20)O(1.10)/CaCl(2) molar ratio of 20, the degree of Ca(2+) and Cl(-) removal from the solution at 60 degrees C after 0.5 h was 93.0% and 98.2%, respectively. These results reveal that Mg(0.80)Al(0.20)O(1.10) has the capacity to remove Ca(2+) and Cl(-) simultaneously from aqueous solution.     

Mechanical Deformation of Sintered Porous Ag Die Attach at High Temperature and Its Size Effect for Wide-Bandgap Power Device Design

The mechanical properties of sintered Ag paste with microporous structure have been investigated by tensile and shear tests, focusing on the temperature-dependent plastic deformation at various temperatures from 25°C to 300°C, corresponding to the target operating temperature range of emerging wide-bandgap semiconductor devices. Specimens were prepared by sintering hybrid Ag paste consisting of microflake and submicron spherical Ag particles, simulating a typical bonding process for power semiconductor die attach. Mechanical tests revealed that the unique microstructure caused a brittle-to-ductile transition at temperature of around 160°C, remarkably lower than that of bulk Ag. The obtained Young’s modulus and shear modulus values indicate obvious softening with increasing temperature, together with a remarkable decrease in Poisson’s ratio. These plastic behaviors at elevated temperature can be explained based on Coble creep in the microporous network structure. Fracture surfaces after tensile and shear tests indicated unique features on scanning electron microscopy, reflecting the variation in the ductile behavior with the test temperature. Furthermore, these temperature-dependent mechanical parameters were employed in three-dimensional finite-element analysis of the thermomechanical stress distribution in wide-bandgap semiconductor module structures including Ag paste die attach of different sizes. Detailed thermal stress analysis enabled precise evaluation of the packaging design for wide-bandgap semiconductor modules for use in high-temperature applications.     

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester on proteinuria of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats

Streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) was intravenously administered to 7-week-old Wistar rats through their tail veins. After 11 days, the rats were divided into two groups. One group was fed a lipid-free diet (90%, w/w) plus lard (8%) and safflower oil (2%) for four weeks (Diet 1 group, n=12). The other group was fed in the same way, except that safflower oil was replaced by 90% pure eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester (Diet 2 group, n=13). Twenty-four-hour urine was collected just before the diets started and during the experiment at 7-day intervals. In the second and third week, the levels of proteinuria were significantly lower in the Diet 2 group than they were in the Diet 1 group. There was no significant difference in the levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, or lipids in plasma or in body weights between the two groups after four weeks on the diets. Because Diet 2 reduced proteinuria of diabetic rats compared to Diet 1, an EPA-rich diet may retard the development of diabetic nephropathy.     

Docosahexaenoic acid does not affect aggression of normal volunteers under nonstressful conditions. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

We previously found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake prevents aggression enhancement at times of mental stress. In the present study we investigated changes in aggression under nonstressful conditions. Forty-six students of two universities took either DHA-rich fish oil capsules containing 1.5 g DHA (DHA group: 13 males and 9 females) or control oil capsules containing 97% soybean oil plus 3% of another fish oil (control group: 11 males and 13 females) for 3 mon in a double-blind fashion. At the start and end of the study they took an aggression-estimating test (P-F Study) without a stressor component. DHA (5.9 to 8.5%, P<0.001) and eicosapentaenoic acid (0.7 to 1.5%, P<0.001) increased in red blood cell phospholipids in the DHA group, while linoleic acid increased slightly (8.3 to 9.1%, P<0.002) in the soybean oil control group. In the control group, measured aggression levels decreased from 34.8 to 29.4% (P<0.005), whereas they remained stable in the DHA group (33.5 to 33.8%). The intergroup differences (−5.4 vs. 0.3%) were marginally significant (P≤0.05). Aggression levels were stable in the DHA group whether there was stressor (as previously shown) or not. This effect of DHA appears to be interesting, considering the reported association between a low intake of n-3 fatty acids and depression.     

Circulating Vitreous microRNA as Possible Biomarker in High Myopic Eyes with Macular Hole

High myopia is a major cause of irreversible visual impairment globally. In the present study, we investigated the microRNA (miRNA) profile in the vitreous of macular hole (MH) and high myopic MH. We performed miRNA analysis using TaqMan^® Low Density Arrays (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) to investigate the circulating vitreous miRNA profile from patients with MH (axial length < 26.5 mm, n = 11) and high myopic MH (axial length ≥ 26.5 mm, n = 11) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The vitreous inflammatory cytokine signature was examined in high myopic MH eyes using a multiplex assay. A miRNA-Array analysis revealed that let-7c was significantly up-regulated and miR-200a was significantly down-regulated in high myopic MH eyes compared to those in MH eyes. The bioinformatics analysis for up-regulated miRNA targeted gene identified 23 pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and several inflammatory signaling pathways, whereas the bioinformatics analysis for down-regulated miRNA targeted genes showed 32 enriched pathways including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT). The levels of inflammatory cytokines including IP-10, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 were significantly higher in the vitreous of high myopic MH eyes. These results suggest that specific miRNAs expressed in the vitreous may be associated with the pathological condition of high myopic MH and the above mentioned miRNAs may contribute to the development of inflammatory status in the vitreous of high myopic eyes.     

Effect of Pressure on Transport Properties of Heavy Fermion CePtSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We measured the resistivity of heavy fermion CePtSi₂ under pressure. At ambient pressure, CePtSi₂ shows an antiferromagnetic (AF) transition at 2 K and a Fermi liquid like T ² dependence in resistivity below 1.5 K. With increasing pressure, the AF phase and T ² dependence are suppressed. Above 1.4 GPa, a T linear dependence and pressure-induced superconductivity were found with the maximum T _c=0.14 K at 1.7 GPa. Above 2 GPa, the T ² dependence recovers just above T _c.     

Uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution using Mg–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with citrate, malate, and tartrate

Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (Mg–Al LDH) was modified with organic acid anions using a coprecipitation technique, and the uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by the Mg–Al LDH was studied. Citrate·Mg–Al LDH, malate·Mg–Al LDH, or tartrate·Mg–Al LDH, which had citrate³⁻ (C₆H₅O₇³⁻), malate²⁻ (C₄H₄O₅²⁻), or tartrate²⁻ (C₄H₄O₆²⁻) anions intercalated in the interlayer, was prepared by dropwise addition of a mixed aqueous solution of Mg(NO₃)₂ and Al(NO₃)₃ to a citrate, malate, or tartrate solution at a constant pH of 10.5. These Mg–Al LDHs were found to take up Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ rapidly from an aqueous solution at a constant pH of 5.0. This capacity was mainly attributable to the formation of the citrate–metal, malate–metal, and tartrate–metal complexes in the interlayers of the Mg–Al LDHs. The uptake of Cu²⁺ increased in the order malate·Mg–Al LDH < tartrate·Mg–Al LDH < citrate·Mg–Al LDH. The uptake of Cd²⁺ increased in the order malate·Mg–Al LDH < tartrate·Mg–Al LDH = citrate·Mg–Al LDH. These differences in Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ uptake were attributable to differences in the stabilities of the citrate–metal, malate–metal, and tartrate–metal complexes. These results indicate that citrate³⁻, malate²⁻, and tartrate²⁻ were adequately active as chelating agents in the interlayers of Mg–Al LDHs.     

Desorption of Cl- from Mg-Al layered double hydroxide intercalated with Cl- using CO2 gas and water

Mg-Al layered double hydroxide intercalated with CO_3~(2-)(CO_3·Mg-Al LDH) is effective for treating HCl exhaust gas.HCl reacts with CO_3~(2-) in CO_3·Mg-Al LDH, resulting in the formation of Cl·Mg-Al LDH.We propose that CO_2 can be used for the desorption of Cl~-from Cl·Mg-Al LDH to regenerate CO_3·Mg-Al LDH.Herein,we studied the desorption of a from CI-Mg-Al LDH by adding water to Cl·Mg-Al LDH and blowing CO_2 into it.We also analyzed the effects of temperature and water addition speed on the desorption of CI~-from Cl·Mg-Al LDH.Our results show that the added water adhered to CI·Mg-Al LDH and that CO_2 in the gaseous phase was dissolved in this adhered water,thus generating CO_3~(2-).Therefore,anion exchange occurred between CO_3~(2-) and Cl~-in the Cl·Mg-Al LDH,thus desorbing Cl~-.     

Enzymatic Cascade in Pseudomonas that Produces Pyrazine from α-Amino Acids

Pyrazines are widespread chemical compounds that include pheromones and odors. Herein, a novel mechanism used by Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 to biosynthesize monocyclic pyrazines is reported. Heterologous expression of the papABC genes that synthesize the natural α-amino acid 4-aminophenylalanine (4APhe), together with three adjacent papDEF genes of unknown function, in Escherichia coli resulted in the production of 2,5-dimethyl-3,6-bis(4-aminobenzyl)pyrazine (DMBAP), which comprised two symmetrical aminobenzyl moieties derived from 4APhe. It is found that PapD is a novel amino acid C-acetyltransferase, which decarboxylates and transfers acetyl residues to 4APhe, to generate an α-aminoketone, which spontaneously dehydrates and condenses to give dihydro DMBAP. PapF is a novel oxidase in the amine oxidase superfamily that oxidizes dihydro DMBAP to yield the pyrazine ring of DMBAP. These two enzymes constitute a unique mechanism for synthesizing monocyclic pyrazines and might serve as a novel strategy for the enzymatic synthesis of pyrazine derivatives from natural α-amino acids.