Effects of some anionic polysaccharides on the gelatinization and retrogradation behaviors of wheat starch: Soybean-soluble polysaccharide and gum arabic

Gelatinization and retrogradation behaviors of wheat starch were investigated in an aqueous system in the presence or absence of some anionic polysaccharides, soybean-soluble polysaccharide (SSPS), and gum arabic (GA). Weight-average molecular weight was almost equivalent between SSPS and GA, while z-average root-mean-square radius of gyration of GA was ca. twice as large as that of SSPS. The addition of each polysaccharide (0.1–1 w/v%) decreased the peak viscosity of the composite system (starch concentration: 5% or 13%) during gelatinization, and this effect of SSPS was greater than that of GA at the higher starch concentration. It also shifted the onset of viscosity increase to lower temperatures at the higher starch concentration, but no difference was seen in this effect between SSPS and GA. The addition of each polysaccharide (0.1–1%) decreased the amount of amylose leached during gelatinization, and this effect of SSPS was generally greater than that of GA. It hardly altered, on the other hand, the average particle diameter of the starch granules after gelatinization. “Starch ghosts” were less frequently observed microscopically in the presence of each polysaccharide, which appeared to exist around the surface of the starch granules to inhibit amylose leaching. The addition of each polysaccharide (0.5%) increased the rate constants, representing short-term (24 h) retrogradation of starch (5%). It also decreased the saturated dynamic storage modulus of the composite system after storage at 4 °C for 24 h, and this effect of SSPS was greater than that of GA with larger amount of syneresis generated. The results were discussed mainly in relation to the phase arrangement between starch components and each polysaccharide.     

Crystallization behavior of nano-composite based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) and organically modified layered titanate

To understand the effect of the nano-filler particles on the crystallization kinetics and crystalline structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) upon nano-composite formation, we have prepared PVDF/organically modified layered titanate nano-composite via melt intercalation technique. The layer titanate (HTO) is a new nano-filler having highly surface charge density compared with conventional layered silicates. The detailed crystallization behavior and its kinetics including the conformational changes of the PVDF chain segment during crystallization of neat PVDF and HTO-based nano-composite (PVDF/HTO) have been investigated by using differential scanning calorimetric, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, light scattering, and infrared spectroscopic analyses. The neat PVDF predominantly formed α-phase in the crystallization temperature range of 110-150 °C. On the other hand, PVDF/HTO exhibited mainly α-phase crystal coexisting with γ- and β-phases at low T_c range (110-135 °C). A major γ-phase crystal coexists with β- and α-phases appeared at high T_c (=140-150 °C), owing to the dispersed layer titanate particles as a nucleating agent. The overall crystallization rate and crystalline structure of pure PVDF were strongly influenced in the presence of layered titanate particles.     

Telomere length, telomerase activity and telomerase RNA expression during mouse mammary tumor progression

The effects of intraportal administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on portal venous flow, hepatic arterial flow, peripheral tissue blood flow, and systemic arterial flow before and after 60 min total liver ischemia followed by 70% partial hepatectomy in rats were investigated. Total liver ischemia was induced by occluding the hepatoduodenal ligament for 60 min. PGE1 at a dose of 0.5 microg/kg/min was infused intraportally for 15 min before inducing hepatic ischemia (preischemic period) and for 60 min after ischemia (postischemic reperfusion period) in the treatment group. Normal saline was infused in the control group. Seventy percent partial hepatectomy was performed during ischemia. Serum biochemical analysis and liver tissue histology were carried out 1, 3, and 24 h, and 1 and 24 h after reperfusion respectively. One-week survival of the PGE1 group was improved to 70% compared to that of the control group of 30%. Postischemia reperfusion values of portal and peripheral tissue blood flows in the PGE1 group were 6.33 +/- 0.600 ml/min and 27.2 +/- 23.5 (arbitrary), and were significantly different from those of the control group of 4.34 +/- 0.400 ml/min and 23.5 +/- 5.54 (arbitrary), respectively. There was no significant difference in hepatic arterial flow between the two groups. Serum alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly in the prostaglandin group. Histological examination revealed a significant portal venous congestion in the control group 1 and 24 h after reperfusion. The extent of the sinusoidal congestion was also severe in the control group 24 h after reperfusion. It was concluded that PGE1 has a protective effect against liver damage when the liver was injured by warm ischemia and reperfusion followed by partial resection.