The kinetics of Maillard reaction in lactose-hydrolysed milk powder and related systems containing carbohydrate mixtures

The kinetics of Maillard reaction in lactose-hydrolysed skim milk powder and related systems containing carbohydrate mixtures were analysed. The effect of the increase of water activity and temperature during storage of the commercial product was also evaluated. In systems with two and three carbohydrates, a marked decrease of the reaction rate was observed when monosaccharides were partially replaced by lactose, notwithstanding the fact that the former still remained in a higher proportion than lysine. The rate of available lysine loss in lactose-hydrolysed milk was mostly affected by the presence of galactose. The reaction rate constants at a_w 0.52 and at 37 and 50 °C were higher than at a_w 0.33. However, no significant differences were observed at 60 °C. Temperature is the most important factor to be controlled in order to minimise nutritional deterioration during storage.     

Prefabricated timber walls anchored with glued-in rod connections: racking tests and preliminary design

A new beam and post system for multi-storey timber buildings has been developed in Sweden. The building is braced with timber walls constructed from two Kerto-Q LVL boards glued and screwed onto a glulam frame. The walls are prefabricated off-site and can be connected to the foundation using either glued-in steel rods with metric thread or nail plates. Introductory racking tests of full scale walls anchored with glued-in threaded rods were performed. The paper presents the results of the experiments and discusses the use of the transformed section method to predict racking capacity of the anchored wall. To evaluate the strength of the glued-in rods, a newly proposed model was employed. An analytical study was conducted to investigate the role of the sheathing and the contribution of the axial force on the racking capacity of the walls. The wall panels tested in this experimental programme showed high strength and stiffness under racking load. The anchoring joints with glued-in steel rods with metric thread demonstrated a high load-carrying capacity with, however, large scatter and a brittle failure mode characterized by pull-out from the timber member. The transformed section method was successfully used to predict the racking capacity of timber walls anchored with glued-in steel rods.     

Modulation of biotransformation and elimination systems by BM-21, an aqueous ethanolic extract from Thalassia testudinum,and thalassiolin B on human hepatocytes

BM-21 is an extract obtained from Thalassia testudinum marine plant with pharmacological properties. The effects of BM-21 and thalassiolin B (TB), its main component, on enzyme and transport proteins involved in drug metabolism and excretion in human cultured hepatocytes were evaluated. Cells were exposed for 48 h to sub-cytotoxic concentrations of BM-21 or TB. Effects on P450 isoforms revealed significant reductions of CYP1A2, 3A4 and 2D6 activities (up to 56%, 66% and 44% inhibition, respectively) after exposition to BM-21, no changes on CYP2A6 and 2C9 activities. TB produced a concentration-dependent reduction of all P450 activities. In addition, a decrease in total UGT and UGT2B7 activities was found at 250 μg/mL BM-21, while UGT1A1 and 1A9 were significantly reduced (50 μg/mL). TB only inhibited significantly UGT1A9 activity. Both products were able to reduce P-gp activity in treated hepatocytes. Quantification of specific mRNAs revealed a reduction in CYP3A4 and 3A5 mRNAs content and an increase in CYP1A1 and 1A2 mRNAs. No appreciable effects in the levels of CYP2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, UGT1A1, UGT1A9 and ABCB1 (P-gp) were found. BM-21 inhibited P450, UGTs and P-gp activities in human hepatocytes; therefore, it should be examined for potential pharmacokinetic drug interactions in vivo.     

Nanoprofiles evaluation of ZnO thin films by an evanescent light method

The extraction efficiency of evanescent light from ZnO nanolayers and their thickness profiles in the range of (1–105) nm was evaluated by a new microscopy technique, differential evanescent light intensity imaging method. It is based on capturing the evanescent light scattered by the layer of the material deposited on glass substrates. The analyzed ZnO films were obtained by pulsed laser deposition at 27°C and 100°C, using a nanosecond UV laser source. Microsc. Res. Tech., 76:992–996, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism in fine roots of the native European black poplar (Populus nigra L.) in a heavy-metal-polluted environment

Effects of copper-smelter-related deposition of heavy metals in the soil on carbohydrate metabolism of fine roots of the native European black poplar were investigated in spring and autumn. Total soluble non-structural carbohydrates in fine roots from trees growing in the polluted habitat were lower than in a control site, but this was directly associated only with a lower raffinose concentration. Neither glucose nor fructose concentrations differed significantly between polluted and unpolluted sites. In contrast, the galactose concentration was higher in the presence of heavy metals, especially in autumn. Also the stachyose concentration was higher in the polluted site, but only in autumn, suggesting it could be an alternative way of detoxification of galactose. No difference between control and polluted stands was observed in sucrose concentration. However, estimates of sucrolytic activity revealed markedly higher activities of sucrose synthase (SuSy), soluble acid (AI) and neutral (NI) invertases in the polluted stand than in the control. In contrast, the estimated glycolytic enzyme activities were not affected by the presence of heavy metals in soil.     

A study of antimicrobial property of textile fabric treated with modified dendrimers

Dendrimers have been used as a vehicle to develop the antimicrobial properties of textile fabrics. We have taken advantage of the large number of functional groups present in the regular and highly branched three‐dimensional architecture of dendrimers. In this study, the poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) G‐3 dendrimer was modified to provide antimicrobial properties. Following a procedure similar to what is suggested in the literature, PAMAM (G3) with primary amine end groups was converted into ammonium functionalities. The modification was then confirmed by FTIR and ¹³C‐NMR analysis. Dendrimers have unique properties owing to their globular shape and tunable cavities, this allows them to form complexes with a variety of ions and compounds; and also act as a template to fabricate metal nanoparticles. AgNO₃–PAMAM (G3) complex as well as a MesoSilver–PAMAM (G3) complex were formed and these modified dendrimers were characterized by a UV–Visible spectrophotometer to study the complex formation. Modified dendrimers were applied to the Cotton/Nylon blend fabric. SEM and EDX analysis were performed to study the dispersion of silver nanoparticles onto the fabric. An antimicrobial test of the treated‐fabric against Staphylococcus aureus exhibited significant biocidal activities for each type of modified‐dendrimer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Studies on Sodium Lignosulfonate Depolymerization Over Al2O3 Supported Catalysts Loaded with Metals and Metal Oxides in a Continuous Flow Reactor

The aim of this work was to study the how various heterogeneous catalysts perform upon lignosulfonate decomposition reactions. The main target of the study was to obtain extractable phenolic compounds as potential renewable chemicals for the production of fuel components and chemicals. The nature of the heterogeneous catalyst was found to have a great impact on the obtained product yields and the composition of the product mixture. Initially, a nickel–tungsten on alumina (NiW/Al₂O₃) reference catalyst was applied upon screening the influence of catalyst particle size and various reaction parameters. Significantly increasing product yields with decreasing catalyst particle size indicated that the lignosulfonate transformation takes place on the external catalyst surface due to large macromolecular structure of the feedstock. The contact time (space time velocity) and catalyst particle size were the most important factors influencing the selectivity profiles towards various products as well as the yields observed. The highest conversion to phenolics was obtained over in-house-prepared NiO/Al₂O₃ and NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts with various NiO and MoO₃ loadings.     

Nitric Oxide Synthesis Is Increased in Cybrid Cells with m.3243A>G Mutation

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and a signaling molecule in several pathways, produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) from the conversion of l-arginine to citrulline. Supplementation of l-arginine has been used to treat MELAS (mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke like syndrome), a mitochondrial disease caused by the m.3243A>G mutation. Low levels of serum arginine and endothelium dysfunction have been reported in MELAS and this treatment may increase NO in endothelial cells and promote vasodilation, decreasing cerebral ischemia and strokes. Although clinical benefits have been reported, little is known about NO synthesis in MELAS. In this study we found that osteosarcoma derived cybrid cells with high levels of m.3243A>G had increased nitrite, an NO metabolite, and increased intracellular NO, demonstrated by an NO fluorescent probe (DAF-FM). Muscle vessels from patients with the same mutation had increased staining in NADPH diaphorase, suggestive of increased NOS. These results indicate increased production of NO in cells harboring the m.3243A>G, however no nitrated protein was detected by Western blotting. Further studies are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms of l-arginine effect to determine the appropriate clinical use of this drug therapy.     

Porosity on External Surface of H-Clinoptilolite Sorption of CCI4 and n-C6H14

CCl4 （carbon tetrachloride） and n-C6H14 （n-hexane） sorption studies have been carried out on natural and dealuminated clinoptilolite-type zeolites. External surface area of the materials has been assessed using the αs-plots method. The high resolution αs-plots show that the isotherms are divided into four parts corresponding to adsorption in ultramicropores, intersections, supermicropores and external surface area, respectively. The mineralogies of natural zeolites are determined by X-ray analysis. N： low-pressure hysteresis loops, displayed by some substrata, are related to the micropore structure and to the ion-exchange treatment at which the natural precursors were subjected. The adsorption behavior of these substrata was examined in the range of relative pressures between 10^-5-1. Natural samples were used as reference materials to carry out the sorption analyses of the dealuminated samples. The effect of narrow micropore constrictions on the adsorption behavior of clinoptilolites was explored. The occurrence of a low-pressure hysteresis loop on the sorption isotherm of a modified sample is associated to the strong adsorption of the adsorbate molecules at the entrance of the necked-shape micropores, which interfere with the diffusion of the adsorbate molecules inside the porous structure.