Antioxidant constituents from Lawsonia inermis leaves: Isolation,structure elucidation and antioxidative capacity

The antioxidant potential of different fractions of Lawsonia inermis (Lythraceae) was investigated. The n-butanolic fraction showed the highest yield of extraction; it also exhibited a strong antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay and a potent capacity in preventing linoleic acid oxidation. Five phenolic glycosides were identified in this fraction. The structure of a new compound was established as 1,2,4-trihydroxynaphthalene-1-Ο-β-d-glucopyranoside. In addition, the known 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone-2-Ο-β-d-glucopyranoside was described for the first time in this species. The three other compounds, lalioside (2,3,4,6-tetrahydroxyacetophenone-2-Ο-β-d-glucopyranoside), lawsoniaside (1,2,4-trihydroxynaphthalene-1,4-di-Ο-β-d-glucopyranoside) and luteolin-7-Ο-β-d-glucopyranoside, have been previously reported in L. inermis. The antioxidant activity of these glycosides was evaluated by DPPH and β-carotene assays, and compared to those of commercial standards. 1,2,4-Trihydroxynaphthalene-1-Ο-β-d-glucopyranoside was the most active in the DPPH free-radical scavenging test (EC₅₀ = 6.5 μg/ml) and showed a moderate inhibition in the β-carotene bleaching assay. Chemical components of L. inermis have good antioxidant capacities and this species could be used as a potential source of new natural antioxidants.     

Multi-allergen screening immunoassay for the detection of protein markers of peanut and four tree nuts in chocolate

A multiresidue enzyme immunoassay was developed to check for the presence of markers of peanut, hazelnut, almond, cashew and Brazil nuts in a single run. The assay was designed under the competitive indirect format and adapted for screening purposes applied to chocolate samples. The limit of detection for this assay was below 1 µg g^-1 protein for each allergenic food. In most cases, the high specificity of the antibodies used allowed the identification of each particular allergenic food with no possible confusion. This assay was proven to be useful as part of an analytical procedure involving the identification of the unknown allergenic food among peanut and other tree nuts in recalled samples before the application of a quantitative technique to determine the level of cross-contamination.     

The 7-decade degradation of a large freshwater lake in central Yangtze River, China

Freshwater lakes store water for human use and agricultural irrigation and provide habitats for aquatic fauna and flora. However, a number of these lakes have been degraded by human activities at a rapid rate. Here, we used historical land cover information and remotely sensed data to explore a 7-decade (between 1930s and 1998) shrinkage and fragmentation of Dongting Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in China, located in the drainage basin of Central Yangtze River. The water surface area of Dongting Lake decreased by 49.2%, from 4955 km2 in the 1930s to 2518 km2 in 1998, with an average decrease rate of 38.1 km2/yr in the past 7 decades. The lake was also fragmented, as indicated by a decreasing mean patch size from 4.2 km2 in the 1930s to 1.7 km2 in 1998. The degradation of the lake is largely attributed to a rapidly growing human population in the lake region that led to extensive impoldering. The degradation of the lake has resulted in negative ecological consequences, such as frequent flooding, a decline of biodiversity, and extinction of some endemic species. Our results also suggest that lake restoration projects implemented in this region since the end of the 1990s will help to decrease the lake degradation.     

Bioconversion of shrimp shell waste for the production of antioxidant and chitosan used as fruit juice clarifier

The pH, proteolytic activity, extent of demineralisation and deprotenisation of shrimp waste were studied during 7 days of fermentation using Pseudomonas aeruginosa A2. After 3 days, pH dropped from 7.0 to 4.4 and then remained constant. Simultaneously, a demineralisation of 92% was achieved. However, protease activity reached its highest level (1230 U mL^?1) after 1 day of incubation, and a protein removal of 90% was achieved. Chitin obtained was converted to chitosan. This chitosan, with 73% deacetylation, was tested for clarification of different fruit juices. It was observed that low concentrations of chitosan (below to 1%) greatly increase the clarity of juices without affecting the nutritional value. The antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates produced during fermentation was tested. Hydrolysate obtained after 3 days showed the strongest scavenging activity (90%), which was comparable to the positive control BHA; however, that obtained after 1 day exhibited the highest ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (OD 700 nm = 1.7).     

Accumulation parameters and seasonal trends for PCBs in temperate and boreal forest plant species

The concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air and vegetation was measured periodically in two alpine forests, during the growing season. Foliage samples from nine plant species typical of the temperate and boreal environment were collected and analyzed. Leaf concentrations of tri- and tetra-CBs showed fast response times with changing temperature and gas-phase concentrations, suggesting that a partitioning equilibrium is approached relatively rapidly (few days) in the field. Heavier compounds showed kinetically limited accumulation trends, not reaching equilibrium during the growing season. Results were used to estimate the bioconcentration factors or equilibrium plant/air partition coefficient (KPA) for each species. Values of log KPA (calculated on a mass/volume basis) ranged between 0.78 and 1.96 and were correlated to the log KOA. Uptake trends of the higher chlorinated compounds showed intraspecific differences which were partially explained by the specific leaf area (SLA).     

Effects of almond gum as texture and sensory quality improver in wheat bread

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of almond gum as dietary fibre source in enhancing the wheat bread quality. Different amounts of almond gum (2%, 5% and 10% (w/w)) were used in bread formulation. The volume, texture, crust and crumb colour, as well as the sensorial properties, were evaluated and compared to control (without almond gum). The obtained results showed that almond gum addition enhanced significantly the volume of bread. The highest volume was obtained using 2% almond gum concentration with 23.6% increase, compared to control. Using almond gum in bread formulation improved considerably its texture with a notable decrease in hardness by 61.7% and 42.5% when using 2% and 5% almond gum, respectively. The sensory analysis scores showed that the better overall acceptability was found for breads supplemented with 2% almond gum, as compared to control and breads supplemented with 5% or 10% almond gum.     

阳离子淀粉对纤维黏附性能影响因素的分析

测试分析影响阳离子淀粉对纺织纤维黏附性的主要因素.通过测试阳离子淀粉的取代度以及粗纱浸浆时间和温度等因素对粗纱断裂强力等表征黏附性能指标的影响,得知:提高阳离子淀粉的含量和取代度,增加粗纱的浸浆时间和温度以及搅拌的时间和速度,有利于增强阳离子淀粉与纺织纤维之间的黏附力.     

Textile applications of commercial photochromic dyes: part8. A statistical investigation of the influence of photochromic dyes on thermoplastic fibres using a UV-irradiation technique

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of the commercial photochromic dye concentration, expressed as a percentage, and polymer type and their interaction on the photocoloration properties of the as-spun and drawn fibres regarding the melt-spinning process. As-spun fibres made of polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester were spun with different percentages of the photochromic dye, drawn, tested and analysed under a factorial experimental design using appropriate experimental and statistical methods. According to the analyses and by using an independent source of ultraviolet irradiation and traditional colour measurement instrumentation of the degree of photocoloration and background colour, the most effective and significant parameter influencing the as-spun fibre’s photocoloration properties are the polymer type; the dye percentage effect was noted in the degree of photocoloration. The effects of the multi-stage hot-drawing process on the photocoloration properties of the drawn polypropylene and polyethylene fibres were characterised and statistically modelled. The dyed fibres showed reversible photochromism, developing pronounced colours from weak background colours on irradiation with ultraviolet light and returning to their original state when the ultraviolet light source was removed. The dye percentage positively affects the photocoloration of the as-spun and drawn polypropylene and polyethylene fibres. A new forecasting data source was achieved to optimise the selection of the polymer and the dye percentage and to specify the direction of increasing or decreasing of the significant process parameters. Utilising the elastic properties of manufactured fibres, they could be used in the development of chromic textiles for creative design, functional or smart purposes.     

Memory impairment on the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve.

Investigated the effects of alcohol on memory using a free-recall verbal memory task. Male medical students were randomly assigned to alcohol or placebo groups (n = 20). Alcohol Ss were tested before alcohol (baseline) and on the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve at a blood alcohol level of .09%. Placebo Ss were tested at 3 comparable times. Alcohol impaired immediate, short-term, and long-term memory for words presented during the alcohol state. However, there was no effect of alcohol on recall of baseline words either during the alcohol state or the next day. The impairment in long-term memory was due primarily to the deficit in short-term memory and not to state-dependent effects. Immediate memory was more impaired on the ascending than on the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve, while short-term memory did not demonstrate this differential impairment. Possible mechanisms responsible for these effects of alcohol on memory are discussed in terms of EEG and biochemical factors related to memory retrieval and consolidation. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

从科索沃战争看电网规划及建设

文章主要讨论在科索沃战争中使用的石墨炸弹（又称黑弹或隐形弹）对电力系统、电力网及电气设备破坏的严重性及危害性,并以此为出发点,探讨在和平时期电网规划和改造中,为应付战争等特殊民情况下的电力供应,应提前思考的问题及可采取的若干措施。