Loss of Fat with Increased Adipose Triglyceride Lipase-Mediated Lipolysis in Adipose Tissue During Laying Stages in Quail

The goal of the current study was to investigate regulation of key genes involved in lipid metabolism in adipose and liver to relate lipolytic and lipogenic capacities with physiological changes at the pre-laying, onset of laying, and actively laying stages of quail. Followed by a 50 % increase from pre-laying to onset of laying, adipose to body weight ratio was significantly reduced by 60 % from the onset of laying to the actively laying stage (P < 0.05), mainly resulting from the significantly increased adipocyte size from the pre-laying stage to the onset of laying and reduction of adipocyte size from the onset of laying to the actively laying stage (P < 0.05). In the adipose tissue of actively laying quail, increased protein expression and phosphorylation of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) together with an elevated mRNA expression of comparative gene identification-58, an activator of ATGL, contributes to increased lipolytic activity, as proved by increased amounts of plasma non-esterified fatty acid (P < 0.05). In addition, decreased mRNA expression of fatty acid transport protein in the actively laying quail could contribute to the adipocyte hypotrophy (P < 0.05). In the liver, relative mRNA expression of apo-very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-II increased significantly from the pre-laying to actively laying stages (P < 0.05), indicating increased apoVLDL-II actively facilitated VLDL secretion in the actively laying quail. These results suggest that the laying birds undergo active lipolysis in the adipocyte, and increase VLDL secretion from the liver in order to secure a lipid supply for yolk maturation.     

Aptamer-modified magnetic nanoprobe for molecular MR imaging of VEGFR2 on angiogenic vasculature

Nucleic acid-based aptamers have been developed for the specific delivery of diagnostic nanoprobes. Here, we introduce a new class of smart imaging nanoprobe, which is based on hybridization of a magnetic nanocrystal with a specific aptamer for specific detection of the angiogenic vasculature of glioblastoma via magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The magnetic nanocrystal imaging core was synthesized using the thermal decomposition method and enveloped by carboxyl polysorbate 80 for water solubilization and conjugation of the targeting moiety. Subsequently, the surface of the carboxylated magnetic nanocrystal was modified with amine-functionalized aptamers that specifically bind to the vascular growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) that is overexpressed on angiogenic vessels. To assess the targeted imaging potential of the aptamer-conjugated magnetic nanocrystal for VEGFR2 markers, the magnetic properties and MR imaging sensitivity were investigated using the orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model. In in vivo tests, the aptamer-conjugated magnetic nanocrystal effectively targeted VEGFR2 and demonstrated excellent MR imaging sensitivity with no cytotoxicity.     

Preparation,characterization and photocatalytic activity evaluation of micro- and mesoporous TiO2/spherical activated carbon

The influences of heat-treatment temperature and activation time on the properties of TiO₂ supported on spherical activated carbon (TiO₂/SAC) were investigated. Nano-sized TiO₂ was dispersed on the spherical activated carbon with the size of 10–30 nm. Some anatase phase of TiO₂ was transformed to rutile phase of TiO₂ with an increase of heat-treatment temperature. All of the TiO₂/SAC photocatalysts had microporous structure, with the mesopore volume increasing over an activation time of 6 h. The TiO₂/SAC photocatalysts obtained at activation times of 6 h and 9 h were observed synergistic effects between adsorption and photocatalysis in the removal of humic acid.     

A comparison of fenton oxidation and photocatalyst reaction efficiency for humic acid degradation

There have been many studies on the use of photocatalysts as an advanced oxidation process (AOP) to oxidize and degrade organic-based contaminants. This research group has previously reported a production process of Ti based spherical activated carbon and the characteristics of the product. This paper further examines the process of fenton oxidation and the process of Ti-spherical carboneous material (Ti-SCM) photolysis to evaluate their respective advantages and disadvantages. Non-biodegradable humic acid (HA) was chosen for the purpose of the study to observe the degradation. It is demonstrated that fenton oxidation is fast and efficient in a low organic viscous solvent. Ti-SCM is not greatly affected by variation of the pH level and the process is also fast and efficient. Moreover, the process's retention rate of catalysts and its reusability were greater than that of fenton oxidation, which required pH balancing and produced sludge.     

Active sites in Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO/H2

Among various Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts with the Cu/Zn ratio of 3/7, the one with 15 wt.% of ZrO₂ obtains the best activity for methanol synthesis by hydrogenation of CO. The TPR, TPO and XPS analyses reveal that a new copper oxide phase is formed in the calcined Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts by the dissolution of zirconium ions in copper oxide. In addition, the Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalyst with 15 wt.% of ZrO₂ turns out to contain the largest amount of the new copper oxide phase. When the Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts is reduced, the Cu²⁺ species present in the ZrO₂ lattice is transformed to Cu⁺ species. This leads to the speculation that the addition of ZrO₂ to Cu/ZnO catalysts gives rise to the formation of Cu⁺ species, which is related to the methanol synthesis activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalyst in addition to Cu metal particles. Consequently, the ratio of Cu⁺/Cu⁰ is an important factor for the specific activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalyst for methanol synthesis.     

Aging behavior of metal oxide aerogels

Aerogels of titania, zirconia, niobia, and silica were prepared by CO₂ supercritical drying of the corresponding alcogels. Their porous texture could be modified by further aging of the alcogels. This kind of textural modification was found to be different according to the nature of the metal precursor and sol-gel conditions. This paper was presented at the 8th APCChE (Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering) Congress held at Seoul between August 16 and 19, 1999.     

Water‐soluble urethane acrylate ionomers: Effect of molecular structure on ultraviolet coating properties

Water‐soluble urethane acrylate ionomers containing dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) were synthesized, changing the molecular components, and their ultraviolet (UV) coating properties were studied. It was found that the UV coating properties of the urethane acrylate ionomer films were very dependent on the molecular weight of the soft segment, the type of the diisocyanate, and the amount of neutralization. In general observations, the cured films displayed much improved mechanical properties, compared with conventional urethane acrylate film not containing ionic groups. The main reason for the improved film properties seemed to be attributed to the presence of ionic groups in the network. In dynamic mechanical analysis, two distinct glass transition temperatures, corresponding to the ionic hard domains and soft domains, were detected at high content of ionic groups. This suggested that the urethane acrylate network be composed of two phases. Consequently, the ionic hard domains formed by the phase separation from crosslinked network could act as a reinforcing filler, which possibly explains the improved film properties of the urethane acrylate ionomer films. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1853–1860, 2000     

Effects of particle size of Al(OH)3 on electrical properties of EPDM compounds

Effects of particle size of Al(OH)₃ (ATH) filler on electrical properties of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/ATH compounds were studied. It was found that tracking and erosion resistance of EPDM/ATH compounds decreased while dielectric properties and 90°C water resistance were improved with the increase of particle size. Homocharge accumulates in the compounds, which increases first and then decreases with the increase of particle size. This was explained by the change of particle‐to‐particle distance due to filler size.     

Preparation of Polymer-stabilized Palladium–silver Bimetallic Nanoparticles by γ-irradiation and their Catalytic Properties for Hydrogenation of cis,cis-1,3-Cyclooctadiene

Polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized Pd-Ag bimetallic colloids were successfully prepared in an acetone:2-propanol solution mixture of palladium acetate and silver perchlorate, and in an aqueous solution of palladium nitrate and silver nitrate by γ-irradiation. The prepared PVP-stabilized bimetallic nanoparticles were characterized by UV, TEM, XRD, and XPS. In Pd–Ag bimetallic nanoparticles, the XPS data indicated that the constituent elements were in the metallic state, and the palladium atoms were concentrated on the surface of the alloy cluster. These PVP-stabilized bimetallic nanoparticles were used as catalysts for hydrogenation of cis,cis-1,3-cyclooctadiene (COD).