Essential fatty acids in trout serum lipoproteins,vitellogenin and egg lipids

This paper describes evidence of (n−3) and particularly of 22∶6 (n−3) fatty acid enrichment in trout lipoproteins as well as in vitellogenin, egg lipovitellin and oil globule. Among the lipoproteins, HDL and LDL were the main forms of blood lipid transport, whereas phospholipids and cholesteryl esters are the preferential chemical carriers for (n−3) fatty acid transport. However, cholesteryl esters were less important as esterified fatty acid carriers than in man. Taken together with the data obtained in mammals, our results suggest that there may be a relationship between EFA activity and the distribution of the EFA among the lipoprotein lipid fractions in vertebrates, irrespective of the EFA series. Administration of an (n−3) fatty acid deficient diet for three months prior to trout spawning produced a significant increase in egg lipid content, primarily as a result of the increase of the oil globule composed almost exclusively of triacylglycerols. This diet decreased the 22∶6 (n−3), as well as the (n−3) fatty acid contents of lipoproteins, lipovitellin, vitellogenin and the oil globule. In contrast, the (n−3) fatty acid level was always higher in lipoproteins and lipovitellin than in the vitellogenin and the oil globule. Moreover, the relative levels of 22∶6 (n−3) and total (n−3) fatty acids were quite similar in lipoproteins and lipovitellin on the one hand, and in vitellogenin and the oil globule on the other. These findings suggest a direct relationship between the two forms of plasma lipid transport and the two egg compartments. During ovogenesis, dietary lipids seemed to be diverted from the adipose tissue and essentially deposited in the egg.     

Yield,development, and weight of Cadra cautella (Walker) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) on twenty-one diets derived from natural products

Both Cadra (Ephestia) cautella (Walker) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) produced more adult progeny, developed faster, and weighed more when reared in a standard moth medium than in any other of 21 natural product diets. Whole cereals and whole soybeans were poor diets, it being assumed that the hard seed coats prevented the larvae from penetrating to the food. Cracked and ground foods were generally more favorable for growth and development and for production of adult progeny. However, ground peanuts caused the death of the seeding adults and offspring of P. interpunctella and also were very unfavorable for C. cautella.     

Electrospun microporous gelatin–polycaprolactone blend tubular scaffold as a potential vascular biomaterial

The work reported involved the fabrication of an electrospun tubular conduit of a gelatin and polycaprolactone (PCL) blend as an adventitia‐equivalent construct. Gelatin was included as the matrix for increased biocompatibility with the addition of PCL for durability. This is contrary to most of the literature available for biomaterials based on blends of gelatin and PCL where PCL is the major matrix. The work includes the assiduous selection of key electrospinning parameters to obtain smooth bead‐free fibres with a narrow distribution of pore size and fibre diameter. Few reports elucidate the optimization of all electrospinning parameters to fabricate tubular conduits with a focus on obtaining homogeneous pores and fibres. This stepwise investigation would be unique for the fabrication of gelatin–PCL electrospun tubular constructs. The fabricated microfibrous gelatin–PCL constructs had pores of size ca 50–100 μm reportedly conducive for cell infiltration. The measured value of surface roughness of 57.99 ± 17.4 nm is reported to be favourable for protein adhesion and cell adhesion. The elastic modulus was observed to be similar to that of the tunica adventitia of the native artery. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility tests suggest safe applicability as a biomaterial. Minimal cytotoxicity was observed using MTT assay. Subcutaneous implantation of the scaffold demonstrated acute inflammation which decreased by day 15. The findings of this study could enable the fabrication of smooth bead‐free microfibrous gelatin–PCL tubular construct as viable biomaterial which can be included in a bilayer or a trilayer scaffold for vascular tissue engineering. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

A triple spin-labeling strategy coupled with DEER analysis to detect DNA modifications and enzymatic repair

In a spin: Spin-labeled oligonucleotides produced by click chemistry can be studied by EPR, by using a DEER sequence. This was used to test a complex triple-labeling strategy with damaged DNA. Extensive and accurate analysis of DNA structure and enzymatic repair processes were performed after digestion by EndoIV. Modified DNA structures and DNA-protein interactions can now be readily studied.     

Pullulan–STMP hydrogels: a way to correlate crosslinking mechanism,structure and physicochemical properties

Rheological and swelling properties of hydrogels based on pullulan crosslinked with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) are explained according to various polymer and crosslinking agent concentrations using ³¹P-nuclear magnetic resonance study. This method has allowed determining the amount of all the species present in the medium when varying both pullulan and STMP concentrations. We have clearly demonstrated with a good agreement by both ³¹P-NMR and rheology that a critical STMP concentration occurs which is function of pullulan concentration. This typical crosslinking agent concentration delimitates the maximum of gel structure together with the minimum of swelling.     

Fullerene-functionalized carbon nanotubes as improved optical limiting devices

We report the synthesis, characterization and optical limiting behavior of a nanohybrid built by grafting C₆₀-fullerenes on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The nonlinear optical limiting properties of the CNT-C₆₀ complex were investigated at wavelengths where C₆₀ does not absorb. We found that the nanohybrid had superior performances to those of CNTs and fullerenes, either taken individually or as a mixture. This enhanced optical limitation of the nanohybrid suggests not only cooperative but also synergistic effects between the two carbon forms. A mechanism involving higher excitonic states of the CNTs formed by Auger recombination of low energy excitons is proposed.     

Vertically oriented nickel nanorod/carbon nanofiber core/shell structures synthesized by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, without a nickel-containing gaseous precursor, was used to synthesize continuous nickel (Ni) nanorods inside the hollow cavity of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), thus forming vertically aligned Ni/CNF core/shell structures. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic images indicate that the elongated Ni nanorods originate from the catalyst particles at the tips of the CNFs and that their formation is due to the effect of extrusion induced by the compressive force of the graphene layers during growth. Different from previous work, each vertically-aligned core/shell structure reported is totally isolated from its neighbors. Continuous Ni nanorods are found to separate into smaller ones with increasing growth time, which was ascribed to (i) the limited amount of Ni available in the tip of the CNF, (ii) the polycrystalline nature of the Ni nanorods and (iii) the combined effects of the compressive stresses on the side of the Ni nanorods and of the tensile stress along their axis.     

Block copolymers as polymeric stabilizers in non‐aqueous emulsion polymerization

This review summarizes the background and recent advances of block copolymer stabilized oil‐in‐oil emulsions. For non‐polymerizable emulsions which have promising application possibilities for biomedical and cosmetic formulations, it is shown that tailor‐made block copolymers are by far the most efficient stabilizers with respect to low molecular weight surfactants. The characteristic features of oil‐in‐oil emulsions comprising one polymerizable phase are described. These types of non‐aqueous emulsions are of interest as nanoreactor systems for the polymerization of moisture‐sensitive monomers or catalysts. Furthermore they are the starting point of novel heterophase polymerization processes for the preparation of sterically stabilized polymer particles, as well as of ‘liquid‐filled polymeric materials’. The concept of oil‐in‐oil emulsions is finally extended to those systems where the two phases are polymerizable by distinct polymerization mechanisms. This approach could offer attractive possibilities for the development of special coatings with neither water nor solvent evaporation in their drying or curing step. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry