Health-promoting effects in the gut and influence on lipid metabolism of Himanthalia elongata and Gigartina pistillata in hypercholesterolaemic Wistar rats

The intake of Himanthalia elongata and Gigartina pistillata from the Spanish Atlantic coasts was evaluated in Wistar rats. Both seaweed diets showed higher (p < 0.001) faecal excretion. Colonic fermentation increased (p < 0.001) total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in Himanthalia-fed rats due to the higher (p < 0.001) levels of acetic, propionic and butyric acids. The intake of Gigartina increased (p < 0.001) propionic acid and decreased (p < 0.001) butyric acid. The apparent absorption and true retention of calcium and magnesium enhanced (p < 0.05) with Himanthalia diet, while Gigartina produced no significant effect. The serum concentration of HDL-C increased (p < 0.01), triglycerides (TGL) decreased (p < 0.001) and bile acids diminished (p < 0.001) in faeces of Himanthalia-fed rats. The Gigartina diet produced a decrease (p < 0.001) in TGL, total cholesterol (p < 0.01) and LDL-C (p < 0.05) in serum and reduced TGL in liver (p < 0.001). Thus, both seaweeds improved the lipid profile, and Himanthalia increased SCFA production and the absorption and retention of Ca and Mg as a result of the gut fermentation.     

A coupled mechanical‐charge/dipole molecular dynamics finite element method,with multi‐scale applications to the design of graphene nano‐devices

A new Molecular Dynamics Finite Element Method (MDFEM) with a coupled mechanical‐charge/dipole formulation is proposed. The equilibrium equations of Molecular Dynamics (MD) are embedded exactly within the computationally more favourable Finite Element Method (FEM). This MDFEM can readily implement any force field because the constitutive relations are explicitly uncoupled from the corresponding geometric element topologies. This formal uncoupling allows to differentiate between chemical‐constitutive, geometric and mixed‐mode instabilities. Different force fields, including bond‐order reactive and polarisable fluctuating charge–dipole potentials, are implemented exactly in both explicit and implicit dynamic commercial finite element code. The implicit formulation allows for larger length and time scales and more varied eigenvalue‐based solution strategies. The proposed multi‐physics and multi‐scale compatible MDFEM is shown to be equivalent to MD, as demonstrated by examples of fracture in carbon nanotubes (CNT), and electric charge distribution in graphene, but at a considerably reduced computational cost. The proposed MDFEM is shown to scale linearly, with concurrent continuum FEM multi‐scale couplings allowing for further computational savings. Moreover, novel conformational analyses of pillared graphene structures (PGS) are produced. The proposed model finds potential applications in the parametric topology and numerical design studies of nano‐structures for desired electro‐mechanical properties (e.g. stiffness, toughness and electric field induced vibrational/electron‐emission properties). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxidative Stability and Changes in Chemical Composition of Extra Virgin Olive Oils After Short‐Term Deep‐Frying of French Fries

We aimed at investigating oxidative stability and changes in fatty acid and tocopherol composition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in comparison with refined seed oils during short‐term deep‐frying of French fries, and changes in the composition of the French fries deep‐fried in EVOO. EVOO samples from Spain, Brazil, and Portugal, and refined seed oils of soybean and sunflower were studied. Oil samples were used for deep‐frying of French fries at 180 °C, for up to 75 min of successive frying. Tocopherol and fatty acid composition were determined in fresh and spent vegetable oils. Tocopherol, fatty acid, and volatile composition (by SPME–GC–MS) were also determined in French fries deep‐fried in EVOO. Oil oxidation was monitored by peroxide, acid, and p‐anisidine values, and by Rancimat after deep‐frying. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was used as a proxy of the quality of the spent oils. EVOOs presented the lowest degree of oleic and linoleic acids losses, low formation of free fatty acids and carbonyl compounds, and were highly stable after deep‐frying. In addition, oleic acid, tocopherols, and flavor compounds were transferred from EVOO into the French fries. In conclusion, EVOOs were more stable than refined seed oils during short‐term deep‐frying of French fries and also contributed to enhance the nutritional value, and possibly improve the flavor, of the fries prepared in EVOO.     

Transect Planning

This article outlines a new approach to the implementation of New Urbanist and smart growth principles. The approach is termed transect planning and is based on the creation of a set of human habitats that vary by their level and intensity of urban character. In transect planning, this range of environments, from rural to urban, is the basis for organizing the components of the built world: building, lot, land use, street, and all of the other physical elements of the human habitat. Transect planning seeks to create immersive environments, created to preserve the integrity of each location along the rural-to-urban continuum. This is a matter of finding an appropriate spatial allocation of the elements that make up the human habitat. Rural elements must find their place in rural locations, while urban elements must find their place in more urban locations—not unlike natural ecological systems where plant and animal species coexist within habitats that best support them. The transect is designed to strengthen the integrity of each immersive environment and can be used as a new, alternative approach to conventional zoning systems.     

Metformin Reduces Lipogenesis Markers in Obese Mice Fed a Low-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diet

Lipogenesis is the process by which fatty acids are synthesized. In metabolic syndrome, an insulin resistant state along with high plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and hyperglycemia may contribute to the lipogenic process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of metformin on the expression of lipogenic genes and glycemic profile in mice fed with low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet by evaluating their metabolic profile. SWISS male mice were divided into 4 groups (N = 7) that were fed with standard (ST), standard plus metformin (ST + MET), low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet (LCHFD) and low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet plus metformin (LCHFD + MET) (100 mg kg^?1 diet) diets respectively. Food intake, body weight and blood parameters, such as glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, glucose, HDL‐c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ASL and ALT levels were assessed. Histological analyses were performed on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained epididymal adipose tissue histological specimens. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), were assessed by RT‐PCR. This study showed that metformin decreased adipocyte area, body weight and food consumption in obese animals when compared to the standard group. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic markers in adipose tissue were diminished in obese animals treated with metformin. This data showed that oral administration of metformin improved glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in white adipose tissue by reducing the expression of lipogenesis markers, suggesting an important clinical application of MET in treating obesity‐related diseases in metabolic syndrome.