Enantioselective epoxidations catalyzed by zeolite MCM-22 encapsulated Jacobsen's catalyst

A novel method for the encapsulation of homogeneous catalysts within the supercages (7.1×18.2 Å) of zeolite MCM-22 has been developed. By way of example, the well known asymmetric oxidation catalyst (R,R)-N,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidedene)-1,2-cyclohexanediaminemanganese(III) chloride, a.k.a Jacobsen's catalyst, was occluded in MCM-22 during the zeolite synthesis. This ship-in-a-bottle complex exhibited both higher activity and enantioselectivity for the epoxidation of -methylstyrene compared with the homogeneous catalyst.     

Study on the pilot-scale extraction of onion oleoresin using supercritical CO2

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) was used to produce oleoresin from dried onion by pilot-scale extraction. The results showed that the extraction pressure and temperature affected the yield and sulphur concentration of onion oleoresin. Increase of the temperature from 45 to 65°C at 300 bar resulted in an increase of the yield and the sulphur concentration of oleoresin. At the same temperature (45°C) the yield was also higher at 300 bar than 100 bar while sulphur concentration of oleoresin got smaller at 300 bar than at 100 bar. The volatile composition of oleoresin displayed practically no differences as a function of extraction parameters. Comparison of different extraction methods showed that the yield after SC-CO₂ extraction was 22 times higher than that after steam distillation, but it was 14 or 39 times less than that after alcohol extraction, shaking at 25°C or in Soxhlet apparatus, respectively. The concentration of sulphur was the highest in steam distilled onion oil while it was the lowest in the extract of hexane and alcohol (at 25°C). The results of sensory evaluation showed that oleoresin extracted by SC-CO₂ was the first in ranking (at level of significance 0·05), before steam distilled oil and alcoholic extract. There was no significant difference between steam distilled oil and alcoholic extract in ranking, but the alcoholic extract was the least desirable, since the intensity of its off odour attribute was the highest. © 1998 SCI.     

A new environmental friendly method for the preparation of sugar acids via catalytic oxidation on gold catalysts

A novel and efficient way of producing of aldonic acids is reported. The selective catalytic oxidation of monosaccharides (arabinose, ribose, xylose, lyxose, mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, N-acetyl-glucosamine) and disaccharides (lactose, maltose, cellobiose, melibiose) on Au, Pd and Pt catalysts was investigated. By using the gold catalyst, a total selectivity with respect to aldonic acids and a high catalytic activity for all investigated sugars was found. The reaction conditions for the production of maltobionic and lactobionic acids via oxidation on gold catalysts were optimised. A high long-term stability of two different gold catalysts for the oxidation of maltose and lactose, respectively, was found.     

Impact of Leptin on Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts during Mechanical Strain

Orthodontic treatment to correct dental malocclusions leads to the formation of pressure zones in the periodontal ligament resulting in a sterile inflammatory reaction, which is mediated by periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF). Leptin levels are elevated in obesity and chronic inflammatory responses. In view of the increasing number of orthodontic patients with these conditions, insights into effects on orthodontic treatment are of distinct clinical relevance. A possible influence of leptin on the expression profile of PDLF during simulated orthodontic mechanical strain, however, has not yet been investigated. In this study, PDLF were exposed to mechanical strain with or without different leptin concentrations. The gene and protein expression of proinflammatory and bone-remodelling factors were analysed with RT-qPCR, Western-blot and ELISA. The functional analysis of PDLF-induced osteoclastogenesis was analysed by TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) staining in coculture with human macrophages. Pressure-induced increase of proinflammatory factors was additionally elevated with leptin treatment. PDLF significantly increased RANKL (receptor activator of NF-kB ligand) expression after compression, while osteoprotegerin was downregulated. An additional leptin effect was demonstrated for RANKL as well as for subsequent osteoclastogenesis in coculture after TRAP staining. Our results suggest that increased leptin concentrations, as present in obese patients, may influence orthodontic tooth movement. In particular, the increased expression of proinflammatory factors and RANKL as well as increased osteoclastogenesis can be assumed to accelerate bone resorption and thus the velocity of orthodontic tooth movement in the orthodontic treatment of obese patients.     

Combining fuzzy querying of imprecise data and predictive microbiology using category-based reasoning for prediction of the possible microbial spoilage in foods: application to Listeria monocytogenes

Various predictive models of microbial behavior have been created and extensive data collection has been done by numerous private or public laboratories. However, significant differences between predicted and observed values in foods have been observed and need to be stressed, understood and explained as much as possible. In this paper, we present a software tool (currently at the level of a prototype) able: (i) to store in a database all relevant information expressed on one hand as qualitative or quantitative data and on the other hand as precise or imprecise data; (ii) to retrieve the more relevant information from the database using queries where criteria may be expressed as fuzzy values in order to enhance the flexibility of the search: (iii) to compute, in addition to the nearest data, an estimation of searched values using statistical models. The architecture of this software tool is structured as a category-based reasoning system. Example queries about Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) illustrate the functionalities of this tool.     

Assessing nutrient flows in septic tanks by eliciting expert judgement: a promising method in the context of developing countries

Simple models based on the physical and biochemical processes occurring in septic tanks, pit and urine diversion latrines were developed to determine the nutrient flows in these systems. Nitrogen and phosphorus separation in different output materials from these on-site sanitation installations were thus determined. Moreover, nutrient separation in septic tanks was also assessed through literature values and by eliciting expert judgement. Use of formal expert elicitation technique proved to be effective, particularly in the context of developing countries where data is often scarce but expert judgement readily available. In Vietnam, only 5-14% and 11-27% of the nitrogen and phosphorus input, respectively, are removed from septic tanks with the faecal sludge. The remaining fraction leaves the tank via the liquid effluent. Unlike septic tanks, urine diversion latrines allow to immobilize most of the nutrients either in form of stored urine or dehydrated faecal matter. These latrines thus contribute to reducing the nutrient load in the environment and lowering consumption of energy and non-renewable resources for fertiliser production.