Stimulation of hepatic squalene and triglyceride synthesis by dimethylsulfoxide,in vitro

The incorporation of [¹⁴C] mevalonate and [¹⁴C] acetate into squalene by rat liver slices was increased over 7-fold by the presence of 5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in the incubation medium. The stimulation of squalene synthesis was dose-related over the concentration range of 1–5% DMSO and did not affect the incorporation of [¹⁴C] mevalonate, into the C₂₇-sterol fraction (cholesterol) but did increase (about 50%) incorporation into C₃₀-sterol (lanosterol) at a level, of 5% DMSO. The stimulation of squalene synthesis was observed under both anaerobic (N₂ atmosphere) and aerobic (ambient air or 95% O₂/5% CO₂) conditions and may represent a direct effect of DMSO on squalene synthetase. At a level of 5%, DMSO also stimulated 7-fold the incorporation of [¹⁴C] acetate into triglycerides by liver slices; this occurred without changes in incorporation into the phospholipid or free fatty acid fractions. The disproportionate increase in lipid labeling from [¹⁴C] acetate suggests that the effects of DMSO are not simply a matter of increasing [¹⁴C] acetate entry into the tissue.     

Effect of chlorpromazine on rat arterial lipid synthesis,in vitro

The effect of chlorpromazine, a major tranquilizer, on arterial lipid metabolism was studied in vitro in rat aortas incubated with [¹⁴C] acetate and [¹⁴C] mevalonate as lipid precursors. Chlorpromazine at a level of 0.25 mM in the incubation medium significantly reduced the incorporation of [¹⁴C] acetate into free fatty acids (p<0.01) and total phospholipids (p<0.001) but not triglycerides. Chlorpromazine also altered the pattern of arterial phospholipids synthesized from [¹⁴C] acetate by significantly increasing the relative proportion of phosphatidylinositol plus phosphatidylserine (p<0.02) and reducing the relative proportion of sphingomyelin (p<0.001). [¹⁴C] Acetate incorporation into the combined fractions of steryl esters plus hydrocarbons and sterols plus diglycerides was also significantly reduced (p<0.001) by 0.25 mM chlorpromazine. Studies with [¹⁴C] mevalonate showed that chlorpromazine is also an inhibitor of sterol biosynthesis in arterial tissues as evidenced by 35–40% reductions (p<0.05) in the formation of¹⁴C-labeled squalene and C₂₇ sterols.     

Co-digestion of corn (nejayote) and brewery wastewater at different ratios and pH conditions for biohydrogen production

The capacity of a heat-treated sludge (HTS) to produce hydrogen from the mono- and co-digestion of corn (NW, pH 13.1) and brewery (BW, pH 3.8) wastewater was evaluated. The co-digestion of NW and BW was conducted with ratios (NW/BW) from 40/60 to 80/20 (vol/vol) at pH 6 and under different initial pH values (from 5.8 to 12.3) according to the substrates mixtures. With the initial pH adjusted to 6, the highest production (302 mL) occurred for the mono-digestion of NW, but hydrogen was produced in all incubations. For incubations under variable pH values, the highest hydrogen production was obtained with the ratio 60/40 (270 mL), followed by the ratio 65/35 (260 mL) with pH values of 10.8 and 10.4, respectively. The initial pH influenced the kinetic parameters, especially on maximum production and lag phase. For the ratio 60/40, with an alkaline pH value (10.4), the lag phase was delayed up to 122 h, but the highest volume of hydrogen was obtained with this condition. The Clostridium genus, present in all samples, could be associated as the main responsible for hydrogen production. Besides, the presence of Burkholderia genus, previously related to hydrogen production, was identified as the main involved in the culture at pH 10.8.     

The investigation of exposure and cognitive therapy: Comment on Tarrier et al. (1999).

This article outlines concerns relating to the N. Tarrier et al. (1999) investigation (see record 1999-00242-002) comparing imaginal exposure and cognitive therapy. Specifically, the authors offer N. Tarrier et al. the opportunity to operationally define and clarify the claim that more patients treated by imaginal exposure "worsened" during treatment. Equally, in light of N. Tarrier et al.'s low effect sizes in relation to past research the authors also highlight the need to utilize accountable treatment integrity checks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fermentative production of hydrogen from cassava processing wastewater by Clostridium acetobutylicum

This work reports on the effect of initial substrate concentration on COD consumption, pH, and H₂ production during cassava processing wastewater fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824. Five initial COD wastewater concentrations, namely 5.0, 7.5, 10.7, 15.0, and 30.0 g/L, were used. The results showed that higher substrate concentrations (30.0 and 15.0 COD/L) led to lower H₂ yield as well as less efficient substrate conversion into H₂. On the other hand, initial COD concentrations of 10.7, 7.5 and 5 g/L furnished 1.34, 1.2 and 2.41 mol H₂/mol glucose, with efficiency of glucose conversion into H₂ of 34, 30, and 60% (mol/mol), respectively. These results demonstrate that cassava processing wastewater, a highly polluting effluent, can be successfully employed as substrate for H₂ production by C. acetobutylicum at lower COD concentrations.     

Addressing Relationship Concerns in Individual Psychotherapy.

Many clients in individual psychotherapy present with relationship concerns but are not joined in psychotherapy by the partner in the problematic relationship. To increase clients' motivation for and satisfaction with individual psychotherapy, therapists must offer interventions that meet the clients' specific needs. This article presents an assimilative integration that uses L. Luborsky's (1984) core conflictual relationship theme approach to psychodynamic psychotherapy as its dominant theoretical orientation. Ideas and techniques from J. M. Gottman's (1998, 1999) sound marital house theory were integrated into the treatment to facilitate working through the client's core relationship conflicts. The integration proved useful in actively addressing relationship concerns within individual psychotherapy and in matching the client's readiness for change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of cookies containing residue from king palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) processing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical properties of the flours prepared with residues from organic king palm processing, and also to determine the cookie-making performance of residue blends from organic king palm processing and wheat flour, as well as the effect of the blends on the consumers' acceptance and purchase intent of high-fibre cookies. The king palm flours (PFs) contained high contents of total dietary fibre and total ash. Blends containing 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of either PF or sieved king-palm flour (SPF) replacing wheat flour were prepared. The total dietary fibre content of the cookies ranged from 4 to 7 g (100 g)⁻¹ on a dry-matter basis. The level of these components improved with increased amounts of PF and SPF in the blends. All the cookies were acceptable and approved in relation to purchase intent.     

Cooperation in a Hydro-geologic Commons: New Institutions and Pricing to Achieve Sustainability and Security

Current water use in the areas of Israel, Gaza, West Bank and Jordan is not consistent with a sustainable water supply: growing demands relative to supplies threaten underground aquifers, and water quality problems diminish the health and welfare of current residents and impair future water supplies. A hydro-geologic system can be viewed as a commons that provides a stream of benefits to an entire geographic area over time. Sustainability requires the design of new institutions with appropriate boundaries and rules. This paper proposes a regional cooperative management system, combining aspects of a regional utility and a joint commission, which would use price incentives for management purposes. The non-profit regional water utility would establish limits on water use, determine water prices and make investments from system revenues. For efficiency, surface water, groundwater and recovered water of the same quality should receive the same price. Withdrawal limits based on sustainability would be sufficient to establish prices through the interaction of supply and demand. Equity issues could be addressed by a guaranteed water provision with a relatively low price for the guaranteed level. Security in terms of adequate groundwater storage could be achieved through appropriate investment. A representative body of water users would help the utility determine appropriate limits and guarantees. The conceptual basis for this institutional design is temporal efficiency. While a traditional market could improve spatial allocation, it would not necessarily address sustainability or provide for investment in recycling and other technologies to improve water supply. Furthermore, the proposed system bypasses the issue of property rights required for full market exchange.     

Computer aided energy conscious building design

The design process for an energy conscious building, which was built, along with the computer aided design tools that were applied, is presented. The building, situated in the hot-humid climate of Rehovot - Israel, houses the laboratories and offices of the Weizmann Institute's Environmental Science and Energy Research Department. Alternative bio-climatic design options were proposed and evaluated throughout the detailed design stage. A building energy performance index (BEPI) was established for each alternative. This index reflects the total amount of energy consumption for heating, cooling, ventilating and lighting used, per square meter of floor area. Thermal modeling for the different design alternatives were carried out by means of an hourly dynamic simulation model ENERGY. The design strategies were determined by the model PASYS, the shading devices were designed and evaluated using SUNSHADES and SHADING design tools. The building is monitored for the last whole year, and the measured values are close to the predictions.     

Cassava starch functional properties by etherification – hydroxypropylation

Starches are important food biopolymers with gelling properties that are well explored by the food industry for texture and physical food characteristic control. Brazil contributes to a large part of the starches produced world wide, but the modified starches used are imported and expensive. The objective of this work was to develop a hydroxypropylated starch from cassava starch, at a lower price and in conditions in accordance with Brazilian reality. Dihydroxypropylstarch (DHPS) was produced with a less expensive and less harmful substituting molecule, chloropropylene glycol. DHPS physical chemistry properties, retrogradation and micro structural characteristics were studied and compared with native corn, cassava starches and a commercial hydroxypropylated (HPS) cassava starch, with an extensive use in the food industry. DHPS showed the highest values for swelling power and viscosity, low retrogradation and higher freezing–thawing stability, compared with HPS, cassava and native corn starches. The microstructure of DHPS remained unmodified when compared with commercial HPS. Retrogradation and physical chemistry properties are superior to DHPS, which would indicate its use in industrial food production.