Nitrites Derived From Foneiculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seeds Promotes Vascular Functions

Abstract: Recent evidence has demonstrated that nitrites play an important role in the cardiovascular system. Fennel (Foneiculum vulgare) seeds are often used as mouth fresheners after a meal in both the Indian sub‐continent and around the world. The present study aims to quantify the nitrite and nitrates in fennel seeds as well as elucidating the effect of fennel derived‐nitrites on vascular functions. Results from our study show that fennel seeds contain significantly higher amount of nitrites when compared to other commonly used post‐meal seeds. Furthermore our study confirmed the functional effects of fennel derived‐nitrites using in vitro and ex vivo models that describe the promotion of angiogenesis, cell migration, and vasorelaxation. We also showed that chewing fennel seeds enhanced nitrite content of saliva. Thus our study indicates the potential role of fennel derived‐nitrites on the vascular system. Practical Application: This study is focused on determining the effect of fennel‐derived nitrites on angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre‐existing ones), cell migration, and vasorelaxation (dilation of blood vessels) thereby preserving cardiovascular health.     

A stress-coping profile of opioid dependent individuals entering naltrexone treatment: A comparison with healthy controls.

Background: Stress is known to increase addiction vulnerability and risk of relapse to substance use. Purpose & Method: We compared opioid dependent individuals entering naltrexone treatment (n = 57) with healthy controls (n = 75) on measures of stress, coping, and social support and examined the relative contribution of group membership, coping, and social support to stress within the sample. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA), and stepwise multiple regression were conducted. Results: Compared with controls, opioid dependent subjects reported greater stress, less use of adaptive coping, but comparable use of maladaptive/avoidant coping. No group differences were found with respect to social support. Perceived stress was predicted by group membership, low social support, and greater use of maladaptive/avoidant coping, and the prediction by social support and maladaptive/avoidant coping did not differ by group. Conclusion: Opioid dependent individuals entering naltrexone treatment experience higher levels of stress and report less use of adaptive coping strategies when compared with controls. Group membership, maladaptive/avoidant coping, and social support independently contribute to perceived stress. Findings suggest that novel treatment approaches that decrease maladaptive/avoidant coping and improve social support are important aspects of decreasing stress during early recovery from opioid addiction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Controlling Plastic Flow across Grain Boundaries in a Continuum Model

A framework for modeling controlled plastic flow through grain boundaries using a continuum plasticity theory, phenomenological mesoscopic field dislocation mechanics (PMFDM), is presented in this article. The developed tool is used to analyze the effect of different classes of constraints to plastic flow through grain boundaries, as it relates to dislocation microstructure development and mechanical response of a bicrystal. It is found that in the case of low misorientation angle between adjacent grains, impenetrable grain boundaries cause significant work hardening as compared to penetrable grain boundaries due to the accumulation of excess dislocations along them. However, a penetrable grain boundary with a high misorientation angle effectively behaves as an impenetrable boundary, with respect to the stress-strain response.     

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and hexafluoro-2-propanol-substituted polysiloxane based OFETs as a sensor for explosive vapor detection

The organic field effect transistors (OFETs) with regioregular poly 3-hexylthiophene (rr-P3HT) and hexafluoro-2-propanol-substituted polysiloxane (SXFA) as an organic layer, have been used for detection of explosive vapors with excellent sensitivity of less than 70 ppt for 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and less than 100 ppt for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The sensor response (% change in saturation current) was found to be 125 ± 10% for TNT and 90 ± 10% for RDX. It was also observed that the incorporation of Cu^II tetraphenylporphyrin (CuTPP) into rr-P3HT/SXFA matrix resulted in an improved selectivity for the vapors of nitro based analytes (TNT, RDX and DNB) as compared to the vapors of non explosive oxidizing agents such as nitrobenzene (NB), benzoquinone (BQ) and benzophenone (BP). This is attributed to the increased binding of the vapors containing nitro compound to the thin films due to the presence of CuTTP. Spin coated thin films were further characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM).     

Morphology and thermal properties of recycled polyacrylonitrile fiber blends with poly(ethylene terephthalate): Microstructural characterization

The compounding of rPAN/PET [polyacrylonitrile/poly(ethylene terephthalate]; 30/70, 50/50, and 70/30 wt %) using a melt‐blending technique was the main focus of this investigation. An X‐ray diffraction study indicated the possibility of interphase boundary interactions between the polymer matrices in the blends. The differential scanning calorimetry results showed that varying the ratios of rPAN in the blends marginally improved the processing temperature of PET. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of PET up to 70% increased the thermal stability of the blend, and adding more than 70% of PET resulted in poor adhesion between the matrix and phase. On the basis of the results obtained, we propose a general understanding of how the morphology and the mechanical and thermal properties of the blend could assist in the development of rPAN blends with PET, rather than disposing of the viable materials as wastes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43777.     

Visible Light Photocatalysis on Magnetically Recyclable Fe3O4/Cu2O Nanostructures

Catalysis Letters - Magnetically recyclable visible light photocatalysts for the degradation of critical organic pollutants are an urgent industrial requirement. Nonetheless, one component...     

Poly(ethyleneterephthalate) glycolysates as effective toughening agents for epoxy resin

The potential of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) glycolysates toward improving the energy absorption characteristics of cycloaliphatic epoxy resins has been explored. Microwave‐assisted glycolytic depolymerization of PET was performed in the presence of polyether diols of different molecular weights. The obtained glycolysates were blended with epoxy, and their mechanical properties were studied under both quasi‐static and dynamic conditions. Significant improvements were observed, which were found to depend both on the amount as well as nature of glycolysate. Amine functionalities were introduced at the terminal positions of glycolysates to improve the compatibility between the two phases. The amine derivatives exhibited superior performance and the Mode I fracture toughness (K_IC) of epoxy increased by ～18% in optimized compositions, which is indicative of its improved notch sensitivity. Neat epoxy specimens fractured in a brittle fashion, but all the blends exhibited ductile failure, as evidenced by surface morphological investigations. The mechanical properties of epoxy blends prepared with analogous aliphatic polyols, both before and after amine functionalization, were also studied which clearly reveal the beneficial role of aromatic groups toward improving the toughness of the base cycloaliphatic epoxy resin without compromising on the material stiffness. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39941.