Properties and degradation behavior of surface functionalized MWCNT/poly(L‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) biodegradable nanocomposites

In this research, poly(L ‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (PLACL) reinforced with well‐dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared by oxidization and functionalization of the MWCNT surfaces using oligomeric L ‐lactide (LA) and ε‐caprolactone (CL). It is found that the surface functionalization can effectively improve the dispersion and adhesion of MWCNTs in PLACL. The surface functionalization will have a significant effect on the physical, thermomechanical, and degradation properties of MWCNT/PLACL composites. The tensile modulus, yield stress, tensile strength, and elongation at break of composite increased 49%, 60%, 70%, and 94%, respectively, when the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs in composite is 2 wt %. The in vitro degradation rate of nanocomposites in phosphate buffer solution increased about 100%. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of composites was decreased when the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs is 0.5 wt %. With further increasing the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs, the T_g was increased. The degradation kinetics of nanocomposites can be engineered and functionalized by varying the contents of pristine or functionalized MWCNTs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Simvastatin Therapy Reduces Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance: Results of a Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Trial

Oxidative stress is thought to play an important role in atherogenesis. The statin group of cholesterol-lowering drugs have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events and possess antioxidant properties. We aimed to assess the effects of simvastatin on a novel measure of prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in dyslipidemic patients. The PAB assay can measure the prooxidant burden and the antioxidant capacity simultaneously in one assay, thereby giving a redox index. We treated 102 dyslipidemic individuals with simvastatin, or a placebo in a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial. PAB values were measured before and after each treatment period. Seventy-seven subjects completed the study. We found that statin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in PAB values (P < 0.001). This effect appeared to be independent of the cholesterol-lowering effects of statins. We conclude that serum PAB values are decreased by simvastatin therapy. Regarding previous reports on the elevation of PAB in conditions associated with oxidative stress, the PAB assay, along with other markers of oxidative stress, may be applied to estimate the extent of oxidative stress in patients, assessment of the antioxidative efficacy of medication such as statins and perhaps also for the identification of those individuals who need antioxidant therapy.     

Socio-spatial interactions of a cluster-house concept apartment in mehr als wohnen project in Zurich,Switzerland

This article explores the socio-spatial interactions of a micro-community in a cluster-house concept apartment.The apartment has been designed for retreat and c...     

Coalescence of two at-rest equal-sized drops in static vapor of the same material: A lattice Boltzmann approach

We studied the coalescence of two stationary equal-sized droplets in static vapor using a lattice Boltzmann approach. The non-ideal behavior of one-component, two-phase flow is coupled with BGK lattice Boltzmann by defining a suitable free energy function, which produces the correct equilibrium conditions of the flow. The accuracy of developed model is confirmed by calculating droplet surface tension for different conditions and comparing that with theoretical results. Finally, the coalescence process of two equal-sized drops is modeled and effective parameters on critical gap of coalescence are investigated. The results show that for two at-rest and equal-sized drops in a static flow, the critical gap of coalescence only depends on thickness of the interface, and other parameters such as droplet radius, density ratio and surface tension do not have influences on that directly.     

The effects of resveratrol intake on weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to summarize the effect of resveratrol intake on weight loss. We searched the following databases until July 2018: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Data were pooled using the inverse variance method and expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Out of 831 reports, 36 RCTs were eligible for including to our meta-analysis. The pooled results, using random-effects model showed that resveratrol supplementation significantly decreased body weight (SMD?=??0.17; 95% CI, ?0.33, ?0.01; P?=?0.03; I²: 62.6), body mass index (BMI) (SMD?=??0.20; 95% CI, ?0.35, ?0.05; P?=?0.01; I²: 60.6), fat mass (SMD?=??0.32; 95% CI, ?0.62, ?0.03; P?=?0.03; I²: 77.9) and waist circumference (WC) (SMD?=??0.42; 95% CI, ?0.68, ?0.16; P?=?0.001; I²: 75.2), and significantly increased lean mass (SMD?=?1.21; 95% CI, 0.75, 1.67; P?<?0.001; I²: 87.6). We found no significant effect of resveratrol administration on leptin (SMD?=??0.20; 95% CI, ?0.68, 0.27; P?=?0.40; I²: 85.3) and adiponectin levels (SMD?=?0.08; 95% CI, ?0.39, 0.55; P?=?0.74; I²: 91.0). Resveratrol supplementation significantly decreased body weight in obese patients (SMD ?0.43; 95% CI, ?0.60, ?0.26) compared with other diseases (SMD 0.02; 95% CI, ?0.29, 0.33), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (SMD ?0.17; 95% CI, ?0.37, 0.02). Overall, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that resveratrol intake significantly reduced weight, BMI, WC and fat mass, and significantly increased lean mass, but did not affect leptin and adiponectin levels.     

Optimization of multiplex PCR for the identification of animal species using mitochondrial genes in sausages

Detection of species fraud in meat products is very important in order to protect consumers from undesirable adulteration, as well as for the economic, religious and health aspects. The most important reason for verification of the labeling statements is to detect fraudulent substitution of expensive meat components with other cheaper animals or mislabeling. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR that could be used in the simultaneous identification of multiple meat species. In this study, ten sausages with a minimum beef content of 55 %, from ten different manufacturing companies, and five samples of cow, chicken, goat, camel and donkey raw meats, for the purpose of positive control, were collected from food markets in Tehran, Iran. Total DNA was extracted from each sausage and the raw meats. Primers were selected in different regions of mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA, cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase subunits 2) for identification of meat species. 12S rRNA and NADH dehydrogenase subunits 2 primers generated specific fragments of 183 and 145 bp length, for chicken and donkey, respectively. Three different specific primers were used for amplification of cytochrome b gene in goat, camel and cattle species and amplified species-specific DNA fragments of 157, 200 and 274 bp, respectively. The results proved that half of the specimens were contaminated with chicken meat, and this was greater than the proportion of beef stated on the label, while the other half only had chicken residuals, and no beef content. No contamination was found with goat, donkey or camel meats. These findings showed that molecular methods, such as multiplex PCR, is a potentially reliable, sensitive and accurate assay for the detection of adulterated meat species in mixed meat products.     

Solid‐State Protein–Carbohydrate Interactions and Their Application in the Food Industry

The growing interest in food component interactions, especially the solid‐state protein–carbohydrate ones, has led to a growing body of knowledge on the effects of these interactions on the physical, chemical, and structural properties of compositionally complex food systems. The goal of the present review is to survey the critical mechanisms involved in protein–carbohydrate interactions as a key step toward the rational formulation and processing of protein‐ and carbohydrate‐rich foods to produce products with desirable properties without adverse reactions. The hypotheses proposed on the stabilizing effects of carbohydrates on proteins and the role of different types of sugars in the extent of these interactions are reviewed in this article. Another aspect of this review involves the successful drying of proteins by spray‐drying, freeze‐drying, and supercritical‐fluid‐drying using carbohydrates. Finally, applications of these interesting phenomena to produce important food products including milk powder, infant formulas, bakery products, and fruit and vegetable juice powders are investigated.     

Effect of Nanochitosan-Based Coating With and Without Copper Loaded on Physicochemical and Bioactive Components of Fresh Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) During Storage

Edible coatings based on nanochitosan (50–110 nm) with and without copper loaded were evaluated on physicochemical and bioactive components of strawberry. Fresh fruits were coated with copper-free and copper-loaded nanochitosans and stored at 4?±?1 °C with 70 % relative humidity for 20 days. Both nanochitosan coatings provided an effective control in reducing weight loss and firmness as well as delayed changes in the respiration rate during 3 weeks. The antioxidant activity declined throughout the storage period of strawberries, although the decrease in antioxidant activity showed a slower rate in the strawberries coated with copper-free nanochitosan followed by copper-loaded nanochitosan compared with the control. Anthocyanin concentrations increased in fruits coated with copper free as well as copper-loaded nonochitosan at the first 12 days of storage followed by reduction in slow rates. However, no increase of anthocyanin was recorded for uncoated samples. Intensive reduction was recorded in ascorbic acid content of strawberries coated with copper-loaded nanochitosan, while the minimum loss of the ascorbic acid content was related to the copper-free nanochitosan. Also, both nanochitosans showed a significant suppression on the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity, whereas a high rate of increase was recorded in control strawberry. The nanochitosan coatings with or without copper loaded significantly suppressed the visual loss and fungal decay of the strawberries during the storage compared with the control. The sensory evaluation of coated strawberries revealed that no effect on the consumer acceptability was detected as well as that copper-free nanochitosan showed better results in the point of preserving the overall flavor and appearance compared with the copper-loaded one.