Chromatographische Untersuchungen zur Polydispersität von Hydroxyethylstärke

Chromatographic Studies on the Polydispersity of Hydroxyethyl Starch. A representative sample of clinically used hydroxyethyl starch was separated by semipreparative HPSEC into narrow fractions in the range of approx. 3.000 to 800.000 D. The original sample and selected fractions were characterised by gaschromatographic methylation analysis according to their substitution degrees MS and DS, which were differentiated by the substitution positions at C2, C3 and C6 of the anhydroglucoses and their kind of glycosidic bonding α-1, α-1,4 or α-1,4,6, respectively. Furthermore, polydispersity in relations to the degree of branching was determined. Mark-Houwink and molecular weight distribution parameters determined by multi-detection HPSEC are reported. The presented data demonstrate a extensive homogeneity of the original sample. The clinical relevance is discussed.     

IL-6 Cytokine Family: A Putative Target for Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

The IL-6 cytokine family is a group of signaling molecules with wide expression and function across vertebrates. Each member of the family signals by binding to its specific receptor and at least one molecule of gp130, which is the common transmembrane receptor subunit for the whole group. Signal transduction upon stimulation of the receptor complex results in the activation of multiple downstream cascades, among which, in mammary cells, the JAK-STAT3 pathway plays a central role. In this review, we summarize the role of the IL-6 cytokine family—specifically IL-6 itself, LIF, OSM, and IL-11—as relevant players during breast cancer progression. We have compiled evidence indicating that this group of soluble factors may be used for early and more precise breast cancer diagnosis and to design targeted therapy to treat or even prevent metastasis development, particularly to the bone. Expression profiles and possible therapeutic use of their specific receptors in the different breast cancer subtypes are also described. In addition, participation of these cytokines in pathologies of the breast linked to lactation and involution of the gland, as post-partum breast cancer and mastitis, is discussed.     

Antifungal Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Peanuts,Gari, and Orange Fruit Juice against Food Aflatoxigenic Molds

This study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from some Cameroonian food commodities against mycotoxigenic and spoilage molds. Following LAB isolation, the antifungal activity of the isolates was assessed. The organic acids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography and the ability of the LAB to reduce mold biomass and aflatoxin production was evaluated. The LAB were identified and the biopreservative potential of strain LO3 was evaluated on tomato paste. Nine percent of the strains isolated showed broad antifungal activity. The activity was due to the effect of organic acids comprising lactic, acetic, 4-hydroxy-3-phenyllactic and 3-phenyllactic acids. Lactobacillus plantarum LO3 exhibiting the highest and broadest antifungal activity was selected and showed the capacity to inhibit fungal growth and aflatoxin production in vitro. Moreover, this strain and its cell-free supernatant showed the ability to prevent aflatoxigenic mold growth in tomato paste without altering its physico-chemical and organoleptic properties.     

Improvement of emulsifying properties of milk proteins with κ or λ carrageenan: effect of pH and ionic strength

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of λ‐carrageenan or κ‐carrageenan on the emulsion capacity, emulsion work and emulsion stability of milk proteins concentrate (MP) or sodium caseinate (SC) emulsions at different levels of pH and ionic strength. Incorporation of carrageenans to proteins emulsions resulted in an improvement of emulsifying properties at pH 6.0 and low ionic strength (0.2 m NaCl). Although emulsion capacity was high in MP than for SC, irrespectively of carrageenan employed, addition of λ‐carrageenan increased twofold emulsion work values (15 327 Ω s^?1 for MP and 11 455 Ω s^?1 for SC; around 6000 Ω s^?1 in the other treatments). Emulsion stability was high with λ‐carrageenan (9.8 s) than MP‐κ‐carrageenan or MP (7.45 and 7.40 s, respectively). Carrageenan improving of emulsion properties was because of the complex formation with MP, characteristic of this type of food system when pH was above of isoelectric point.     

Sensor Selection to Support Practical Use of Health-Monitoring Smart Environments

The data mining and pervasive sensing technologies found in smart homes offer unprecedented opportunities for providing health monitoring and assistance to individuals experiencing difficulties living independently at home. In order to monitor the functional health of smart home residents, we need to design technologies that recognize and track activities that people normally perform as part of their daily routines. One question that frequently arises, however, is how many smart home sensors are needed and where should they be placed in order to accurately recognize activities? We employ data mining techniques to look at the problem of sensor selection for activity recognition in smart homes. We analyze the results based on six data sets collected in five distinct smart home environments.     

Symptom perception in childhood asthma: The role of anxiety and asthma severity.

This study tested the relationship of anxiety and asthma severity to symptom perception. Eighty-six children diagnosed with mild or moderate asthma had symptom perception and pulmonary function measured throughout methacholine challenge (to induce bronchoconstriction). Higher trait anxiety was associated with heightened symptom perception (controlling for pulmonary function) at baseline. Greater asthma severity was associated with blunted symptom perception (controlling for pulmonary function) at the end of methacholine challenge and with a slower rate of increase in symptom perception across methacholine challenge. These results suggest that anxiety plays a role when children's symptoms are mild, whereas medical variables such as severity play a role in perception of changes in asthma symptomatology as bronchoconstriction worsens. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)