Modification of Rice Starch by Gamma Irradiation to Produce Soluble Starch of Low Viscosity for Industrial Purposes

Because starch of low viscosity is important for industrial purposes this research was carried out to study the possibility of producing this sort of starch by treating rice starch with γ-irradiation. Results indicated that when rice starch was modified by γ-irradiation, the reducing power increased and degradation as well as molecular breakdown occured followed by sharp decrease of its viscosity, specific viscosity and intrisinc viscosity. Results showed that starch became more soluble by treating with γ-irradiation and lost its resistance to water as its swelling capacity decreased. All these changes were proportional to the doses of γ-irradiation.     

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Is Linked to VDAC1 Deubiquitination

Dysfunctional mitochondria are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. Metabolic defects, a symptom which can result from dysfunctional mitochondria, are also present in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado–Joseph disease, the most frequent, dominantly inherited neurodegenerative ataxia worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported for several neurodegenerative disorders and ataxin-3 is known to deubiquitinylate parkin, a key protein required for canonical mitophagy. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial function and mitophagy in a patient-derived SCA3 cell model. Human fibroblast lines isolated from SCA3 patients were immortalized and characterized. SCA3 patient fibroblasts revealed circular, ring-shaped mitochondria and featured reduced OXPHOS complexes, ATP production and cell viability. We show that wildtype ataxin-3 deubiquitinates VDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel 1), a member of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and a parkin substrate. In SCA3 patients, VDAC1 deubiquitination and parkin recruitment to the depolarized mitochondria is inhibited. Increased p62-linked mitophagy, autophagosome formation and autophagy is observed under disease conditions, which is in line with mitochondrial fission. SCA3 fibroblast lines demonstrated a mitochondrial phenotype and dysregulation of parkin-VDAC1-mediated mitophagy, thereby promoting mitochondrial quality control via alternative pathways.     

Hydrolysis of Dialdehyde Starch with Sulfurous Acid

A systematic investigation of the sulfurous acid hydrolysis of dialdehyde starch (DAS) was made in which temperature, time and concentration of reagents were varied. Optimum yields of apparent D-erythrose and of glyoxal of 78 and 81 % of theory were obtained by hydrolyzing 1.8% of DAS in water containing 14.7 moles of sulfur dioxide per mole of DAS for 1.33 hr at 100.⁰C. Increased reversion and degradation at higher concentrations of DAS and at higher temperatures of hydrolysis rapidly decreased the yields of apparent D-erythrose and glyoxal.     

Studies on Starches of High Amylose-Content. Part 14. The Fractionation of Amylomaize Starch by Aqueous Leaching

Amylomaize starch is known to contain an anomalous material which does not conform to the classical definitions of either amylose or amylopectin. A detailed study of this polysaccharide has not yet been carried out, principally because of the difficulty of obtaining it in sufficient quantity. This paper presents a rapid and simple method by which the isolation may be achieved.     

Protein-Dialdehyde Starch Glue for Birch Type II Plywood

A hot-press, protein-dialdehyde starch glue was used experimentally to prepare plywood from yellow birch veneers. Gluing conditions were similar to those that were previously effective for bonding southern pine veneers to form interior-type plywood test panels. Yellow birch plywood produced under the conditions so developed met the performance requirements for Type II hardwood plywood. The excellent tack that was obtained with cold-pressed panels would allow prepressing in mill operations. Further-more, yellow birch and southern pine veneers were sufficiently compatible with this moderately alkaline glue to permit mixing these species in the same plywood construction. Bleedthrough of glue was not observed in plywood panels having 1/26-in. birch face veneers. Results indicate that the protein-dialdehyde starch glue should be useful in the manufacture of birch Type II plywood.     

The Characterization of Starch and Its Components. Part 3. The Technique of Semi-Micro,Differential, Potentiometric,Iodine Titration,and the Factors Affecting It

An improved apparatus for the semi-micro, differential, potentiometric titration of starch and its components with iodine is described. The necessary experimental manipulations are given in detail. The factors affecting the measurement — the amount of dimethylsulphoxide present, the buffer concentration, the method of dissolving the starch, the defatting procedure used on the starch, and the temperature of measurement — are critically examined. The new technique results in values of iodine binding capacity for starches which are 5- 15% higher than previous measurements. The significance of this finding is discussed.     

Uranium Superconductivity Redux

Since the discovery of heavy-fermion superconductivity in uranium compounds in the early 1980s, other uranium compounds have been discovered that are fully as interesting to study. However, as we look forward in the year 2000, we now have higher-purity, single crystals of the element itself. Preliminary resistivity and ac susceptibility measurements show the improved quality of the samples and thus hold the promise of understanding many aspects of its superconductivity, which have remained untouched for almost 25 years.