CLA Reduces Inflammatory Mediators from A427 Human Lung Cancer Cells and A427 Conditioned Medium Promotes Differentiation of C2C12 Murine Muscle Cells

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is thought to have anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on cancer cachexia is unknown. Two effects were here investigated: that of CLA on inflammatory mediator production in human lung cancer cells, and that of reduced mediators on the myogenic differentiation of murine muscle C2C12 cells. The latter cells were grown in medium conditioned by human lung cancer A427 cells, with or without CLA, to mimic only the effect of molecules released from the tumor “in vivo”, excluding the effect of host-produced cachectic factors. The results obtained show that CLA was found to reduce the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), but had no effect on IL-6 production. The mechanisms underlying the effect of CLA on cytokine or PGE2 release in A427 cells are probably mediated by activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α, which increased at 24 h CLA treatment. In turn, the reduced content of inflammatory mediators in medium conditioned by A427 cells, in the presence of CLA, allowed muscle cells to proliferate, again by inducing PPAR. The involvement of PPARα was demonstrated by treatment with the antagonist MK-886. The findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and myogenic action of CLA and point to its possible application as a novel dietary supplement and therapeutic agent in inflammatory disease states, such as cachexia.     

In search of a reliable technique for the determination of the biological stability of the organic matter in the mechanical-biological treated waste

The biological stability determines the extent to which readily biodegradable organic matter has decomposed. In this work, a massive estimation of indices suitable for the measurement of biological stability of the organic matter content in solid waste samples has been carried out. Samples from different stages in a mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plant treating municipal solid wastes (MSW) were selected as examples of different stages of organic matter stability in waste biological treatment. Aerobic indices based on respiration techniques properly reflected the process of organic matter biodegradation. Static and dynamic respirometry showed similar values in terms of aerobic biological activity (expressed as oxygen uptake rate, OUR), whereas cumulative oxygen consumption was a reliable method to express the biological stability of organic matter in solid samples. Methods based on OUR and cumulative oxygen consumption were positively correlated. Anaerobic methods based on biogas production (BP) tests also reflected well the degree of biological stability, although significant differences were found in solid and liquid BP assays. A significant correlation was found between cumulative oxygen consumption and ultimate biogas production. The results obtained in this study can be a basis for the quantitative measurement of the efficiency in the stabilization of organic matter in waste treatment plants, including MBT plants, anaerobic digestion of MSW and composting plants.     

The first five responses in the method of constant stimuli.

Examined whether the method of constant stimuli with the standard presented first produces a constant error that depends on adaptation level. 120 university students were shown 5 series of 5 pairs of standard and variable lines. They had to decide whether the standard or the variable was longer or shorter than the preceding variable, or standard, respectively. In order to establish when the constant error occurred, the point of subjective equality was determined for each response. It was found that the 1st response was nearly random. The constant error was present from the 2nd response, and its magnitude did not change in succeeding series, contrary to expectations from adaptation-level theory. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of genotype,maturity stage and post‐harvest storage on phenolic compounds,carotenoid content and antioxidant capacity,of Andean mashua tubers (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pavón)

The total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavan 3‐ols, carotenoids and antioxidant capacity of mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pavón) tubers from 10 yellow and purple cultivars were determined at different maturity stages (5–7.5 months after planting) and sunning post‐harvest storage periods (7–35 days). Both the antioxidant capacity (ORAC and ABTS assays) and the content of the bioactive compounds tested varied markedly between cultivars. Purple varieties reached the highest antioxidant capacity during tuber development (271–446 µmol Trolox equiv g^?1 DM, ORAC assay). The kinetics of accumulation or disappearance of the bioactive compounds tested during maturation was dependent both on the cultivar and on the compound considered. For anthocyanins, there was a marked increase during maturation in all the purple cultivars. During the sunning post‐harvest storage, the changes in antioxidant capacity (ABTS assay) and content of the bioactive compounds tested also varied between cultivars. A marked decrease in anthocyanins was observed for the anthocyanin‐containing cultivars. In general, the correlation between antioxidant capacity and the content of bioactive compounds varied markedly between cultivars. Antioxidant capacity in purple varieties correlated with total phenolics or flavan 3‐ols while only in some yellow varieties antioxidant capacity correlated with total phenolics. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Distribution of morphology and transport properties of water vapor in injection‐molded biodegradable aliphatic polyester

A biodegradable polyester, poly(tetramethylene dodecanedioate), was injection molded in a rectangular cavity. Thin sections were sliced from molded samples starting from the skin. The morphology distribution inside the molded samples was studied by X‐ray analysis. The diffusion and solubility coefficient of water vapor were then measured using the microgravimetric method at the temperature of 30°C. Results show that morphology developed during the process influences the diffusion of water molecules through the polymer matrix. In particular, a direct influence of crystalline degree on the sorption and diffusion parameters was identified. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Hydrogen Production by the Thermophilic Bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana

As the only fuel that is not chemically bound to carbon, hydrogen has gained interest as an energy carrier to face the current environmental issues of greenhouse gas emissions and to substitute the depleting non-renewable reserves. In the last years, there has been a significant increase in the number of publications about the bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana that is responsible for production yields of H₂ that are among the highest achievements reported in the literature. Here we present an extensive overview of the most recent studies on this hyperthermophilic bacterium together with a critical discussion of the potential of fermentative production by this bacterium. The review article is organized into sections focused on biochemical, microbiological and technical issues, including the effect of substrate, reactor type, gas sparging, temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time and organic loading parameters on rate and yield of gas production.     

Structural modifications induced by recycling of polypropylene

The effect of numerous reprocessing cycles on transport properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) films was studied and related to the change of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution occurring during the recycling. Sorption curves of dichloromethane vapor in different samples of iPP were analyzed at 25°C to investigate the effect of structure modifications on the sorption mode. Moreover, gas permeability measurements were performed to evaluate the influence of reprocessing on the gas transport properties. The results obtained were attributed to modifications in the molecular structure of the polymer, evidenced from gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and to a different morphology of the films, as results from X-ray diffractograms and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA).     

Formulation,Characterization and Stability Assessment of a Food‐Derived Tripeptide,Leucine‐Lysine‐Proline Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles

The chicken‐ or fish‐derived tripeptide, leucine‐lysine‐proline (LKP), inhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme and may be used as an alternative treatment for prehypertension. However, it has low permeation across the small intestine. The formulation of LKP into a nanoparticle (NP) has the potential to address this issue. LKP‐loaded NPs were produced using an ionotropic gelation technique, using chitosan (CL113). Following optimization of unloaded NPs, a mixture amount design was constructed using variable concentration of CL113 and tripolyphosphate at a fixed LKP concentration. Resultant particle sizes ranged from 120 to 271 nm, zeta potential values from 29 to 37 mV, and polydispersity values from 0.3 to 0.6. A ratio of 6:1 (CL113:TPP) produced the best encapsulation of approximately 65%. Accelerated studies of the loaded NPs indicated stability under normal storage conditions (room temperature). Cytotoxicity assessment showed no significant loss of cell viability and in vitro release studies indicated an initial burst followed by a slower and sustained release.     

Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding protein belonging to the lectin family with pleiotropic regulatory activities and several physiological cellular functions, such as cellular growth, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cellular adhesion, and tissue repair. Inflammation, tissue fibrosis and angiogenesis are the main processes in which Gal-3 is involved. It is implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including organ fibrosis, chronic inflammation, cancer, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review aims to explore the connections of Gal-3 with cardiovascular diseases since they represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We herein discuss the evidence on the pro-inflammatory role of Gal-3 in the atherogenic process as well as the association with plaque features linked to lesion stability. We report the biological role and molecular mechanisms of Gal-3 in other CVDs, highlighting its involvement in the development of cardiac fibrosis and impaired myocardium remodelling, resulting in heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The role of Gal-3 as a prognostic marker of heart failure is described together with possible diagnostic applications to other CVDs. Finally, we report the tentative use of Gal-3 inhibition as a therapeutic approach to prevent cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.     

Multitarget Compounds for Bipolar Disorder: From Rational Design to Preliminary Pharmacokinetic Evaluation

Due to the complex and multifactorial nature of bipolar disorder (BD), single-target drugs have traditionally provided limited relief with no disease-modifying effects. In line with the polypharmacology paradigm, we attempted to overcome these limitations by devising two series of multitarget-directed ligands endowed with both a partial agonist profile at dopamine receptor D3 (D3R) and inhibitory activity against glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β). These are two structurally unrelated targets that play independent, yet connected, roles in cognition and mood regulation. Two compounds ( 7 and 10 ) emerged as promising D3R/GSK-3β multitarget-directed ligands with nanomolar activity at D3R and low-micromolar inhibition of GSK-3β, thereby confirming, albeit preliminarily, the feasibility of our strategy. Furthermore, 7 showed promising drug-like properties in stability and pharmacokinetic studies.