Rapeseed Hulls Fat Characteristics

Rapeseed hull which tends to be eliminated from the seeds before technological processing, contains considerable amounts of fat (14–19%). Neither the composition not the properties of the fat hve been known well so far hence the investigation to determine the possibilities of its utilization have been undertaken. The analysis of fat extracted with petroleum ether from thoroughly purified hulls of several varieties of rapeseed cultivated in Poland proved that it contained less triglycerides (ab. 10%), more polar fat (ab. 5%) and 2% of partial glycerides compared with the fat from cotyledones. Hull fat was also characterized by a considerably higher acid value as well as by a lower stability compared with cotyledones fat and whole rapeseeds fat. The established low quality of hull fat shows the possibilities of its non-consumptive utilization and indicates that dehulling brings upon the improvement both of rapeseed meal as a feed and of raw fat.     

Control of fibrosis in systemic scleroderma

Scleroderma is characterized by an excessive deposition of collagen in all involved organs. This is due to an overproduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules following induction of gene expression, whereas there is no evidence that the composition of the connective tissue matrix is altered. Several in vivo studies and in vitro experiments suggest that a close interaction between inflammatory cells and fibroblasts is required for the initial activation of fibroblasts. TGF-beta presumably plays an important role, but other cytokines, e.g., PDGF or FGF, may also be involved. Many of the ECM molecules have been shown to interact closely with fibroblasts and provide signals that regulate fibroblast metabolism. The cellular response towards those signals is a further aspect of fibrosis that has attracted attention during recent years. The altered expression of receptor proteins on the cell surface of scleroderma fibroblasts for example might explain in part the lack of down-regulation of collagen synthesis in late phases of the disease. This review summarizes the alterations of connective tissue in scleroderma, and discusses the role of cytokines as well as the ECM for the regulation of fibroblast function and their implication for the development of fibrosis.     

Phenolic acids in rapeseed and mustard

The compositions of free phenolic acids in rapeseed flours of diverse origin and white mustard were highly variable but represented less than 10% of the total phenolic acids. Phenolic acids released from hydrolysis of soluble esters constituted the major fraction, with Polish varieties having higher levels than a Canadian variety or white mustard. Yellow Sarson contained low levels of phenolic acids. Sinapic acid isomers constituted over 94% of the 13 phenolic acids found in the rapeseed varieties. Only traces of several phenolic acids appeared to be structurally bound to rapeseed and mustard proteins and carbohydrates.     

Adhesion of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells under Fluorescent and Soft X-ray Contact Microscopy

Understanding cancer cell adhesion could help to diminish tumor progression and metastasis. Adhesion mechanisms are currently the main therapeutic target of TNBC-resistant cells. This work shows the distribution and size of adhesive complexes determined with a common fluorescence microscopy technique and soft X-ray contact microscopy (SXCM). The results presented here demonstrate the potential of applying SXCM for imaging cell protrusions with high resolution when the cells are still alive in a physiological buffer. The possibility to observe the internal components of cells at a pristine and hydrated state with nanometer resolution distinguishes SXCM from the other more commonly used techniques for cell imaging. Thus, SXCM can be a promising technique for investigating the adhesion and organization of the actin cytoskeleton in cancer cells.     

Characterisation of myrosinase in polish varieties of rapeseed

It has been shown that the myrosinase activity in rapeseed and in white mustard seeds is similar and does not depend on the variety of rapeseed. The two molecular forms of rapeseed myrosinase with different isoelectric points, Km values towards sinigrin, response to ascorbic acid and stability were isolated. The enzyme was strongly stimulated by ascorbic acid and had the same hydrolytic potential against rapeseed glucosinolates as the myrosinase from white mustard. However, the rapeseed enzyme was much less stable during storage. The fast inactivation of myrosinase in both, flaked and intact seeds was achieved after incubation at 90–100°C and 90–100% relative humidity. In the flaked seeds, however, a substantial amount of the endogenous glucosinolates had already been decomposed before complete inactivation of the enzyme. Thus, it is suggesting that the enzyme should be inactivated in the intact seeds before processing.     

Bacterial Cellulose Membrane Containing Epilobium angustifolium L. Extract as a Promising Material for the Topical Delivery of Antioxidants to the Skin

Bacterial cellulose membranes (BCs) are becoming useful as a drug delivery system to the skin. However, there are very few reports on their application of plant substances to the skin. Komagataeibacter xylinus was used for the production of bacterial cellulose (BC). The BC containing 5% and 10% ethanolic extract of Epilobium angustifolium (FEE) (BC-5%FEE and BC-10%FEE, respectively) were prepared. Their mechanical, structural, and antioxidant properties, as well as phenolic acid content, were evaluated. The bioavailability of BC-FESs using mouse L929 fibroblasts as model cells was tested. Moreover, In Vitro penetration through the pigskin of the selected phenolic acids contained in FEE and their accumulation in the skin after topical application of BC-FEEs was examined. The BC-FEEs were characterized by antioxidant activity. The BC-5% FEE showed relatively low toxicity to healthy mouse fibroblasts. Gallic acid (GA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHB), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HB), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HB), and caffeic acid (CA) found in FEE were also identified in the membranes. After topical application of the membranes to the pigskin penetration of some phenolic acid and other antioxidants through the skin as well as their accumulation in the skin was observed. The bacterial cellulose membrane loaded by plant extract may be an interesting solution for topical antioxidant delivery to the skin.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol,ethylene glycol and glycerine in alkaline media on TiO2 nanotubes decorated with AuCu nanoparticles for an application in fuel cells

Journal of Materials Science - In this work, we present the catalytic and photocatalytic activity of AuCu nanostructures obtained on TiO2 nanotubes toward methanol, ethylene glycol and glycerine...