Electrophoretic deposition of bioactive glass nanopowders on magnesium based alloy for biomedical applications

To slow down the initial biodegradation rate of magnesium (Mg) alloy, crystalline nano-sized bioactive glass coating was used to deposit on micro-arc oxidized AZ91 samples via electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Zeta potential and conductivity of the bioactive glass suspension were characterized at various pH values to identify the most stable dispersion conditions. The bone-bonding properties of bioactive glass coated samples were evaluated in terms of apatite-forming ability during the immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Results revealed that the ability to form a bioactive glass coating via EPD was influenced by the degree of its crystalline phase composition. Moreover, the potentiodynamic polarization tests recorded significant drops in corrosion current density and corrosion rate of the coated samples which implies a good level of corrosion protective behavior. These preliminary results show that this process will enable the development of Mg implants in the later stage of bone healing.     

High-performance photocatalysts for the selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds

With an increase in awareness about the need for green chemistry, there is a shift in focus towards identifying eco-compatible technologies that can improve product yield and eliminate the use or generation of hazardous compounds. An immediate practical example of such an approach is the development of sustainable methods for alcohol oxidation as alternatives to the current processes that are energy intensive and rely on ecotoxic chemicals. In this regard, heterogeneous photocatalysis has been identified as a robust technique to catalyze reactions under benign conditions, which would otherwise require harsh synthesis routes. With the advent of materials sciences and nanotechnology, there has been a tremendous increase in the scope of applicability of photocatalysis in fine chemicals synthesis. Though an attractive choice, much of the fundamental information pertaining to catalyst activity, selectivity and reaction conditions for optimum conversion are still to be investigated for most of these systems. To this end, this review will encompass recent achievements in the selective photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols by harnessing solar radiation as a viable source of energy. The discussion will be arranged based on common types of photocatalysts reported in literature, namely metal oxides (eg, TiO₂ and ZnO, Nb₂O₅), sulphides (eg, CdS, CuS, and Bi₂S₃), and carbonaceous photocatalysts (eg, g-C₃N₄). Several such candidates for photocatalysts will be discussed critically with the aim of providing useful insight into developing selective photocatalysts that can oxidize alcohols via eco-friendly pathways along with high yields.     

Overview of bio nanofabric from bacterial cellulose

Nanofibers and bio-nonwoven fabrics of pure cellulose can be made from some bacteria such as Acetobacter xylinum. Bacterial cellulose fibers are very pure, 10?nm in diameter and about 0.5?micron long. The molecular formula of bacterial cellulose is similar to that of plant cellulose. Its fibers are very stiff and it has high tensile strength, high porosity, and nanofibrillar structure. They can potentially be produced in industrial quantities at greatly lowered cost and water content, and with triple the yield by a new process. This article presents a critical review of the available information on bacterial cellulose as a biological nonwoven fabric with special emphasis on its fermentative production and applications. Characteristics of bacterial cellulose biofabric with respect to its structure and physicochemical properties are discussed. Current and potential applications of bacterial cellulose in textile, nonwoven cloth, paper, films, synthetic fiber coating, food, pharmaceutical, and other industries are also presented.     

The effects of gradual replacement of barley with oats on enteric methane emissions,rumen fermentation,milk production,and energy utilization in dairy cows

This study evaluated the effects of gradual replacement of barley with oats on enteric CH₄ emissions, rumen fermentation, diet digestibility, milk production, and energy utilization in dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet. Sixteen lactating Nordic Red dairy cows received a total mixed ration [58:42 forage:concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis]. Grass silage (Phleum pratense) was the sole forage with canola meal (10% of diet DM) as a protein supplement. The effects of gradual replacement of barley with oats on DM basis were evaluated using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21 d periods. The grain supplements (30% of diet DM) consisted of 100% barley, 67% barley and 33% oats, 33% barley and 67% oats, and 100% oats. In addition to intake, milk production, and digestibility measurements, CH₄ emissions were measured by the GreenFeed system (C-Lock Inc.). The energy metabolism was estimated from the gas exchange measurements recorded by the GreenFeed unit. The last 10 d of each period were used for recordings of gas exchanges, feed intake and milk production. Dry matter intake, body weight, milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield were not affected by gradual replacement of barley with oats in the diet. Increased inclusion of oats linearly decreased CH₄ emissions from 467 to 445 g/d, and CH₄ intensity from 14.7 to 14.0 g/kg energy-corrected milk. In addition, the ratio of CH₄ to CO₂ decreased with increasing inclusion of oats in the diet. Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber decreased linearly with increasing inclusion of oats. Increased inclusion of oats linearly increased fecal energy from 121 to 133 MJ/d, whereas urinary energy and heat production were not affected by dietary treatment. This resulted in a linear decrease in metabolizable energy intake. However, increased levels of oat in the diet did not significantly affect energy balance or efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for lactation. This study concludes that barley could be replaced with oats in the diet of dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet to mitigate CH₄ emissions without having any adverse effects on productivity or energy balance. However, the effect of replacing barley with oats on CH₄ emissions is dependent on the differences between barley and oats in the concentrations of indigestible neutral detergent fiber and fat.     

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) increases glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in muscle cells via multipathway mechanisms

Saffron (Crocus sativus Linn.) has been an important subject of research in the past two decades because of its various biological properties, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerotic activities. On the other hand, the molecular bases of its actions have been scarcely understood. Here, we elucidated the mechanism of the hypoglycemic actions of saffron through investigating its signaling pathways associated with glucose metabolism in C₂C₁₂ skeletal muscle cells. Saffron strongly enhanced glucose uptake and the phosphorylation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)/ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) and MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases), but not PI 3-kinase (Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/Akt. Interestingly, the co-treatment of saffron and insulin further improved the insulin sensitivity via both insulin-independent (AMPK/ACC and MAPKs) and insulin-dependent (PI 3-kinase/Akt and mTOR) pathways. It also suggested that there is a crosstalk between the two signaling pathways of glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle cells. These results could be confirmed from the findings of GLUT4 translocation. Taken together, AMPK plays a major role in the effects of saffron on glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle cells. Our study provides important insights for the possible mechanism of action of saffron and its potential as a therapeutic agent in diabetic patients.     

A Modified Method for the Determination of N‐Nitrosodiethanolamine in Coconut Diethanolamide Using HPLC with Dual‐Wavelength UV–Vis Detector

A simple and novel method based on high‐performance liquid chromatography with dual‐wavelength ultraviolet detection at 234 and 254 nm has been developed for the determination of underivatized N‐nitrosodiethanolamine in coconut diethanolamide. The correlation coefficient obtained shows that the method is correct.     

Synthesis of novel polyimides containing side‐chain azo‐2‐naphthol moieties

An amine‐ester derivative of isoeugenol was prepared in three steps. This amine‐ester was converted to diazonium salt and subsequently was reacted with 2‐naphthol and a novel isoeugenol ester‐azo derivative as a new monomer was obtained in quantitative yield. This monomer was characterized by high‐field ¹H‐NMR, IR, and elemental analysis and then was used for the preparation of model compound and polymerization reactions. 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione was allowed to react with this new monomer. The reaction was very fast and gave only one double adduct by Diels–Alder and ene pathways in excellent yield. The polymerization reactions of novel monomer with bistriazolinediones [bis(p‐3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐ylphenyl)methane and 1,6‐bis(3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl)hexane] were carried out in N,N‐dimethylacetamide at room temperature. The reactions were exothermic, fast, and gave novel heterocyclic polyimides by repetitive Diels–Alder‐ene polyaddition reactions. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel heterocyclic polyimides are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1942–1951, 2003