Changes in Retinal N-Acylethanolamines and their Oxylipin Derivatives During the Development of Visual Impairment in a Mouse Model for Glaucoma

Neurons are especially susceptible to oxidative damage, which is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Certain N‐acylethanolamines (NAEs) have been shown to protect neurons from oxidative stress. Since glaucoma may be considered a neurodegenerative disorder and the survival of retinal neurons could also be influenced by N‐acylethanolamines, our goal was to quantify changes in certain N‐acylethanolamine species and their oxylipin derivatives in the retina of a mouse model for glaucoma. We also sought to identify relationships between these and parameters of glaucoma disease development, specifically intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity. Five N‐acylethanolamine species and three NAE oxylipin derivatives were quantified in retina from young and aged DBA/2Crl mice. N‐Acylethanolamines and NAE‐oxylipins in retinal extracts were quantified against deuterated standards by isotope dilution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Levels (nmol/g dry weight) of N‐arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide; NAE 20:4) were significantly (p = 0.008) decreased in aged (2.875 ± 0.6702) compared to young animals (5.175 ± 0.971). Conversely, the anandamide oxylipin, 15(S)‐HETE ethanolamide (15(S)‐HETE EA), was significantly (p = 0.042) increased in aged (0.063 ± 0.009) compared to young animals (0.039 ± 0.011). Enzymatic depletion of the anandamide pool by 15‐lipoxygenase and consequent accumulation of 15(S)‐HETE ethanolamine may contribute to decreased visual function in glaucomatous mice. Since N‐acylethanolamines effectively attenuate glaucoma pathogenesis and associated visual impairment, our data provides additional rationale and novel targets for glaucoma therapies.     

Comparison of Thermal and Viscoelastic Properties of Four Waxy Starches and the Effect of Added Surfactant

The waxy starches used in this investigation (maize (WM), barley (WB) and two rice starches RD4 and IR29) showed different gelatinization temperatures (GT) and enthalpies (ΔH_G) measured with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The differences in GT and ΔH_G could only partially be related to X-ray crystallinity. The high GT waxy starches WM and RD4 retrograded to a greater extent measured with DSC and the order of increased retrogradation agreed well with the order of X-ray crystallinity of the retrograded waxy starches. The melting temperature (T_C) of the retrograded waxy starches in contrast to GT was very similar for all starches. This indicates that the temperature of the glass transition (T_g) of the amorphous regions in the starch granules controlled the onset GT and perhaps also the extent of retrogradation. Addition of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) decreased the extent of retrogradation more than 45% compared to the melting enthalpy (ΔH_C) of the waxy starches without CTAB addition. The rice starch RD4 was most affected by the CTAB addition, and the WM starch the least. The viscoelastic behaviour in the temperature interval 25–90°C of 12%(w/w) gels differed between the waxy starches. The WB starch gels showed the highest storage modulus (G′) value and the lowest phase angle (δ), i. e. strongest and least viscous gels. The WM starch gels showed the lowest G′ value and the highest δ. The rice starches were in between with the RC4 starch (high GT) showing higher G′ value and lower δ than the IR29 (low GT). The viscoelastic parameters changed only slightly with increased temperature. The addition of CTAB to the waxy starch gels changed the viscoelastic behaviour of the stronger and less viscous starch gels of the WB and RD4 as their G′ value decreased and δ increased with increased temperature. The effect on WM and IR29 was only small.     

Effect of the Degree of Phosphorylation on the Crystallinity of Native Potato Starch

X-ray diffraction technique, combined with digital image processing was used to compare the crystallinity of native starch from a number of potato varieties, differing in the degree of phosphorylation. The crystallinity was found to decrease linearily with an increased degree of phosphorylation. Based on earlier observations of the gelatinization enthalpies, it was assumed that the C-6 phosphates, which have an orientation out of the α-helices disturb the crystallization of the amylopectin during the starch synthesis. The C-3 phosphates, which are located in the interior parts of the α-helices, are not believed to interfere with the crystal structure.     

Effect of Water Content on the Gelatinization of Wheat Starch

The influence of water content on the gelatinization of wheat starch was examined by differential scanning calorimetry. Three endothermic transitions were observed when starch was heated to 140 °C with 35 to 80% (w/w) water. The temperature of the second and third endotherms and the enthalpies of the first and second endotherms vary with water content.     

Effect of calcium salts of long-chain fatty-acids on dairy cows in early lactation

Twenty dairy cows in early lactation were assigned to one of two dietary treatment groups based on milk production and days in milk. Treatments were a total mixed ration containing 13.2% whole cottonseed on a DM basis with or without added Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Treatments were fed ad libitum for 11 wk. Dry matter intake and body weight were not affected by treatment. The addition of Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids had no effect on yield of actual and FCM. Percent milk fat, lactose, and SCC did not differ between treatments. Percent milk protein tended to be lower for cows fed the diet containing calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids. Milk production efficiencies and NDF and ADF digestibilities were unaffected by treatment. Results indicate that diets containing high amounts of cottonseed may mask th affects of energy provided by Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids.     

Knight Mine reclamation: A study of revegetation difficulties in a semi-arid environment

ABSTRACT

An analysis of the difficulties associated with the re-establishment of reclamation vegetation on a dry mine site in southern Utah, U.S.A. is presented. Precipitation amounts, seed mix, seed bed preparation techniques, and soil properties all appeared to be adequate for vegetation establishment at the site. However, failure of repeated revegetation efforts in a redisturbed area of the mine site may have been due to higher soil salinity levels in the area, which may Have given Kochia scoparia an initial competitive advantage. Lack of soil moisture and allelopalhic effects due to the dense carpet of Kochia may have also contributed to the continued lack of revegetation success.     

Comparative numerical studies of projectile impacts on plain and steel-fibre reinforced concrete

The enhanced energy absorption characteristics of fibre-reinforced concrete, compared to plain concrete, has in experimentally studies been shown to improve the projectile resistance and motivate its increased usage in protective structures. However, the high cost of undertaking experiments and the high parameter variation and dependency of the experimental setups and results, respectively, make it difficult to draw generic conclusions of how the addition and increased amount of fibres affects the local damage caused by projectile impact, which motivates the use of numerical simulations to study this. The numerical hydrocode AUTODYN was used in a qualitative study of how the addition of different amounts of fibres, modelled as different post-crack relations, influence the depth of penetration and crater formation on the front and rear face of a concrete target. Fibres added to the concrete mix had a minor influence on the depth of penetration while the crater size on both front and rear faces of the target decreases. The crack propagation beyond the crater on the front face was also reduced when fibres were added to the concrete. An increased amount of fibres in the concrete showed no effect on the size of the front-face crater, but led to further decreased size of the crater on the rear face of the concrete cylinder. It is concluded that the scabbing crater can be reduced in size and prevented by usage of fibre-reinforced concrete even if the depth of penetration is only slightly less than to penetration depth in plain concrete.     

Social identity,safety climate and self-reported accidents among construction workers

The construction industry has one of the highest frequencies of work-related accidents. We examined whether construction workers predominantly identify themselves in terms of their workgroup or in terms of the construction site. In addition, we examined the associations between social identity and safety climate, and how these constructs are associated with work-related accidents. The analyses were based on questionnaire responses from 478 construction workers from two large construction sites, and the methods involved structural equation modeling. Results showed that the workers identified themselves primarily with their workgroup, and to a lesser degree with the construction site. Social identity and safety climate were related both at the workgroup and construction site levels, meaning that social identity may be an antecedent for safety climate. The association between social identity and safety climate was stronger at the workgroup level than at the construction site level. Finally, safety climate at both levels was inversely associated with self-reported accidents, with the strongest association at the workgroup level. A focus on improving safety climate, particularly by integrating initiatives at both the workgroup and management level, may have the potential to improve safety performance and thus decrease the risk of accidents and injuries on construction sites.