Lymphatic transport in rats of interesterified oils containing conjugated linoleic acids

In this study we examined the lymphatic transport in rats of FA after administration of interesterified oils containing CLA, with emphasis on the location of CLA and octanoic acid in the TAG. The oils were produced by enzymatic interesterification. Eight oils with different structures or FA profiles were examined in this study: MCM, CMC, OCO, and COC, where M was expected to be octanoic acid and O oleic acid. In group 1, C was CLA as a mixture of the two CLA isomers c9, t11 or t10, c12, and in group 2, C was mainly the isomer t10, c12. Rats were subjected to cannulation of the mesenteric lymph duct, and the following day they were intragastrically administered one of the oils and lymph samples were collected for 24 h. The lymphatic transport of total FA from 0 to 8 h in group 1 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for the OCO-1 and the COC-1 oils than for the CMC-1 oil. Similarly, in group 2 the transport was higher for the OCO-2 oil than for the CMC-2 oil. The recovery of both of the CLA isomers examined was similar (50-70%) and independent of the isomer, oil structure, and FA profile, whereas more octanoic acid was recovered from the CMC oils than from the MCM oils. The results indicated that the FA profiles and the position of octanoic acid had only a minor influence on the absorption of CLA.     

SIMULATION STUDIES OF THE REMOVAL OF WATER FROM ETHANOL BY A CATALYTIC DISTILLATION PROCESS

A new approach based on catalytic distillation (CD) technology was proposed to remove water from ethanol. Isobutylene was introduced to react with water in the CD column. The commercial software simulation tool Aspen Plus was used to investigate the effects of key design factors such as operating pressure and temperature, reactant ratios, reflux and distillate to feed ratios, number of separation and reaction stages, and feed and reaction zone location. It was found that the CD technology offers potential advantages of reduced energy consumption and reduced capital cost over traditional approaches for the removal of water from ethanol.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Application of New Rhodium Complexes for Indirect Electrochemical Cofactor Regeneration

Electroenzymatic synthesis often suffers from electrochemical reaction steps which proceed slower than the coupled enzyme reaction. For indirect electrochemical cofactor regeneration, we here report two new mediators with superior properties compared to the established rhodium complex (2,2′‐bipyridyl)(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium [Cp*Rh(2,2′‐bipyridine)]. After constructing a robotic system for fast and reliable cyclic voltammetry measurements, we screened twelve rhodium complexes with substituted 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands for their reduction potentials and catalytic activity towards the reduction of NADP. Promising complexes were investigated in more detail by cyclic voltammetry and under batch electrolysis conditions. The new complexes Cp*Rh(5,5′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) and Cp*Rh(4,4′‐methoxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine) reduced NADP to NADPH three times faster than the established mediator, resulting in volumetric productivities of up to 136 mmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹ and turnover frequencies of up to 113 h⁻¹. This increased reaction rate of these new mediators makes indirect electrochemical approach significantly more competitive to other methods of cofactor regeneration. Abbreviations: ADH=alcohol dehydrogenase; Ag|AgCl=silver|silver chloride reference electrode; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; ci=current increase; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; CV=cyclic voltammetry; Ep=peak potential; equiv=equivalent; NADP/NADPH=nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidised/reduced form.     

Speciation of copper in high chloride concentrations,in the context of corrosion of copper canisters

Canisters with a cast iron insert for mechanical strength and a 50-mm thick copper shell as corrosion protection are planned to be used for disposal of spent nuclear fuel in Sweden and Finland. Chloride can be considered “beneficial”, as it promotes active dissolution of copper rather than passivation (which might result in pitting), but a high concentration of chloride in solution would increase the driving force for corrosion through the formation of soluble copper chloro complexes. Thermodynamic calculations are performed in this study with the PHREEQC software and three of its accompanying databases, and a comparison with experimental data is performed to select the database to be used when evaluating repository performance. The activity coefficient models are given special attention. For the assessment of chloride-assisted corrosion of a KBS-3 canister, chloride concentrations pessimistically up to 5 mol/kg are used (in Finland and Sweden, the groundwater and bentonite porewater chloride concentrations are not expected to exceed 1 mol/kg). The resulting copper solubilities are then considered in different mass transport cases.     

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases

There has been an increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases with the rapid increase in aging societies worldwide. Biomarkers that can be used to detect pathological changes before the development of severe neuronal loss and consequently facilitate early intervention with disease-modifying therapeutic modalities are therefore urgently needed. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising tool that can be used to infer microstructural characteristics of the brain, such as microstructural integrity and complexity, as well as axonal density, order, and myelination, through the utilization of water molecules that are diffused within the tissue, with displacement at the micron scale. Diffusion tensor imaging is the most commonly used diffusion MRI technique to assess the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. However, diffusion tensor imaging has several limitations, and new technologies, including neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging, and free-water imaging, have been recently developed as approaches to overcome these constraints. This review provides an overview of these technologies and their potential as biomarkers for the early diagnosis and disease progression of major neurodegenerative diseases.     

Novel TTLL5 Variants Associated with Cone-Rod Dystrophy and Early-Onset Severe Retinal Dystrophy

Variants of the TTLL5 gene, which encodes tubulin tyrosine ligase-like family member five, are a rare cause of cone dystrophy (COD) or cone-rod dystrophy (CORD). To date, only a few TTLL5 patients have been clinically and genetically described. In this study, we report five patients harbouring biallelic variants of TTLL5. Four adult patients presented either COD or CORD with onset in the late teenage years. The youngest patient had a phenotype of early onset severe retinal dystrophy (EOSRD). Genetic analysis was performed by targeted next generation sequencing of gene panels and assessment of copy number variants (CNV). We identified eight variants, of which six were novel, including two large multiexon deletions in patients with COD or CORD, while the EOSRD patient harboured the novel homozygous p.(Trp640*) variant and three distinct USH2A variants, which might explain the observed rod involvement. Our study highlights the role of TTLL5 in COD/CORD and the importance of large deletions. These findings suggest that COD or CORD patients lacking variants in known genes may harbour CNVs to be discovered in TTLL5, previously undetected by classical sequencing methods. In addition, variable phenotypes in TTLL5-associated patients might be due to the presence of additional gene defects.     

Regulating the geological sequestration of CO2

Governments worldwide should provide incentives for initial large-scale GS projects to help build the knowledge base for a mature, internationally harmonized GS regulatory framework. Health, safety, and environmental risks of these early projects can be managed through modifications of existing regulations in the EU, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. An institutional mechanism, such as the proposed Federal Carbon Sequestration Commission in the U.S., should gather data from these early projects and combine them with factors such as GS industrial organization and climate regime requirements to create an efficient and adaptive regulatory framework suited to large-scale deployment. Mechanisms to structure long-term liability and fund long-term postclosure care must be developed, most likely at the national level, to equitably balance the risks and benefits of this important climate change mitigation technology. We need to do this right. During the initial field experiences, a single major accident, resulting from inadequate regulatory oversight, anywhere in the world, could seriously endanger the future viability of GS. That, in turn, could make it next to impossible to achieve the needed dramatic global reductions in CO2 emissions over the next several decades. We also need to do it quickly. Emissions are going up, the climate is changing, and impacts are growing. The need for safe and effective CO2 capture with deep GS is urgent.