Increased Postprandial Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein Levels in Elderly Survivors of Myocardial Infarction

Postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) levels are a predictor for coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to compare fasting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and postprandial TRL between elderly survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) and healthy controls. A case-control study was performed in 44 elderly patients 65-85 years of age with a previous history of MI and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Each participant underwent physical examination and was given a standard oral fat load with subsequent blood sampling over the next 8 h. Total and chylomicron triglycerides were assessed by area under the curve (AUC), incremental are under the curve (AUCi) and triglyceride response (TGR). Elderly MI patients had significantly lower postheparin LPL activity (87.4 +/- 36.9 mU/ml) (mean +/- 1 SD) than healthy controls (106.0 +/- 29.0 mU/ml) (P = 0.014). Decreased postheparin LPL activity was accompanied by significant increased and delayed clearance of postprandial TRL. Fasting HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in elderly MI patients than controls (1.45 +/- 0.32 and 1.66 +/- 0.47 mmol/l, respectively, P = 0.048). Multiple regression analysis revealed postheparin LPL activity as an independent predictor for postprandial TRL and fasting HDL cholesterol. Logistic regressions analysis revealed HDL cholesterol, triglycerides measured 2 h after the oral fat load, and postheparin LPL activity as independent predictors for MI. Our findings indicate that decreased fasting HDL cholesterol is associated with increased postprandial triglyceridemia which could be a target for life-style and therapeutic interventions in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.     

The GAUGAA Motif Is Responsible for the Binding between circSMARCA5 and SRSF1 and Related Downstream Effects on Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Migration and Angiogenic Potential

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of RNAs with regulatory functions within cells. We recently showed that circSMARCA5 is a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and acts as a decoy for Serine and Arginine Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) through six predicted binding sites (BSs). Here we characterized RNA motifs functionally involved in the interaction between circSMARCA5 and SRSF1. Three different circSMARCA5 molecules (Mut1, Mut2, Mut3), each mutated in two predicted SRSF1 BSs at once, were obtained through PCR-based replacement of wild-type (WT) BS sequences and cloned in three independent pcDNA3 vectors. Mut1 significantly decreased its capability to interact with SRSF1 as compared to WT, based on the RNA immunoprecipitation assay. In silico analysis through the “Find Individual Motif Occurrences” (FIMO) algorithm showed GAUGAA as an experimentally validated SRSF1 binding motif significantly overrepresented within both predicted SRSF1 BSs mutated in Mut1 (q-value = 0.0011). U87MG and CAS-1, transfected with Mut1, significantly increased their migration with respect to controls transfected with WT, as revealed by the cell exclusion zone assay. Immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells (IM-HBMEC) exposed to conditioned medium (CM) harvested from U87MG and CAS-1 transfected with Mut1 significantly sprouted more than those treated with CM harvested from U87MG and CAS-1 transfected with WT, as shown by the tube formation assay. qRT-PCR showed that the intracellular pro- to anti-angiogenic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) mRNA isoform ratio and the amount of total VEGFA mRNA secreted in CM significantly increased in Mut1-transfected CAS-1 as compared to controls transfected with WT. Our data suggest that GAUGAA is the RNA motif responsible for the interaction between circSMARCA5 and SRSF1 as well as for the circSMARCA5-mediated control of GBM cell migration and angiogenic potential.     

Structure-Activity Relationship Explorations and Discovery of a Potent Antagonist for the Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) is a sensor for short-chain fatty acids that has been identified as an interesting potential drug target for treatment of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Although several ligand series are known for the receptor, there is still a need for improved compounds. One of the most potent and frequently used antagonists is the amide-substituted phenylbutanoic acid known as CATPB ( 1 ). We here report the structure-activity relationship exploration of this compound, leading to the identification of homologues with increased potency. The preferred compound 37 (TUG-1958) was found, besides improved potency, to have high solubility and favorable pharmacokinetic properties.     

Effect of different surface treatments on polypropylene composites reinforced with yerba mate fibers: Physical,mechanical, chemical,and morphological properties

This study presents the preparation of post-consumer polypropylene (r-PP) composites filled with 30 wt% yerba mate (YM) stick particles. To improve the fiber–matrix adhesion, three surface treatments were performed: alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and use of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) and maleic anhydride graft polypropylene copolymer (PP-g-MA) as coupling agents. Mechanical properties including tensile, flexural, and impact resistance were determined, and chemical (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR]), physical (water absorption), and morphological analyses were performed. The main findings show that the treatments were efficient in improving the mechanical properties of the composites, with emphasis on the r-PP/YM30/APTS and r-PP/YM30/PP-g-MA composites, which proved to be superior in tensile, flexion and impact strength and absorption of water compared to the untreated composite. The morphological analysis showed a better interaction between the fiber and the polymeric matrix for the composites with YM/APTS and YM/PP-g-MA, which corroborates the results of tensile and flexural strength, as well as with the spectra of FTIR in which the chemical modification of the fibers is observed. However, the results show that these treatments are promising in obtaining composites with recycled matrix with better properties.     

Fire safe,sustainable loose furnishing

The aim of this exploratory study has been to investigate the fire properties and environmental aspects of different upholstery material combinations, mainly for domestic applications. An analysis of the sustainability and circularity of selected textiles, along with lifecycle assessment, is used to qualitatively evaluate materials from an environmental perspective. The cone calorimeter was the primary tool used to screen 20 different material combinations from a fire performance perspective. It was found that textile covers of conventional fibres such as wool, cotton and polyester, can be improved by blending them with fire resistant speciality fibres. A new three‐dimensional web structure has been examined as an alternative padding material, showing preliminary promising fire properties with regard to ignition time, heat release rates and smoke production.     

Reliability of electrode wear compensation based on material removal per discharge in micro EDM milling

This paper investigates the reliability of workpiece material removal per discharge (MRD) estimation for application in electrode wear compensation based on workpiece material removal. An experimental investigation involving discharge counting and automatic on the machine measurement of removed material volume was carried out in a range of process parameters settings from fine finishing to roughing. MRD showed a decreasing trend with the progress of the machining operation, reaching stabilization after a number of machined layers. Using the information on MRD and discharge counting, a material removal simulation tool was developed and validated.     

Co‐ordinated voltage control of DFIG wind turbines in uninterrupted operation during grid faults

Emphasis in this article is on the design of a co‐ordinated voltage control strategy for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines that enhances their capability to provide grid support during grid faults. In contrast to its very good performance in normal operation, the DFIG wind turbine concept is quite sensitive to grid faults and requires special power converter protection. The fault ride‐through and grid support capabilities of the DFIG address therefore primarily the design of DFIG wind turbine control with special focus on power converter protection and voltage control issues. A voltage control strategy is designed and implemented in this article, based on the idea that both converters of the DFIG (i.e. rotor‐side converter and grid‐side converter) participate in the grid voltage control in a co‐ordinated manner. By default the grid voltage is controlled by the rotor‐side converter as long as it is not blocked by the protection system, otherwise the grid‐side converter takes over the voltage control. Moreover, the article presents a DFIG wind farm model equipped with a grid fault protection system and the described co‐ordinated voltage control. The whole DFIG wind farm model is implemented in the power system simulation toolbox PowerFactory DIgSILENT. The DFIG wind farm ride‐through capability and contribution to voltage control in the power system are assessed and discussed by means of simulations with the use of a transmission power system generic model developed and delivered by the Danish Transmission System Operator Energinet.dk. The simulation results show how a DFIG wind farm equipped with voltage control can help a nearby active stall wind farm to ride through a grid fault, without implementation of any additional ride‐through control strategy in the active stall wind farm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley &Sons, Ltd.     

响应面法优化纳米材料稳定的泡沫钻井液

为提高泡沫钻井液的稳定性,向体系中引入纳米材料,并研究了纳米材料润湿性对于泡沫质量的影响。根据Box-Behnken Design设计原理,采用三因素三水平响应曲面法,优化了起泡剂BS-12、亲水性纳米SiO2和增黏剂XC的加量,探究了它们之间交互作用对于泡沫综合指数的影响,并以此为基础研制了泡沫钻井液体系。结果表明,纳米材料润湿性会显著影响不同类型起泡剂的泡沫质量,疏水性纳米材料能够提高阴离子起泡剂SDS的泡沫稳定性,但对两性离子起泡剂BS-12的泡沫起泡量和半衰期呈现负相关关系,亲水性纳米材料才能提高两性离子起泡剂BS-12的泡沫稳定性;通过响应曲面优化设计得到的最优浓度配比为：0.6% BS-12+4%纳米SiO2+0.3% XC。响应曲面分析表明,对于泡沫综合指数的显著性影响程度,纳米材料浓度 > 起泡剂浓度 > XC浓度;纳米稳定的泡沫钻井液体系性能评价表明,该体系表观黏度为42mPa·s,密度为0.81 g/cm3,半衰期达60 h,能长时间保持性能稳定,抑制性强,线性膨胀率较清水下降65%,储层保护效果好,煤岩岩心气测渗透率恢复率在90%以上,携岩效果好,岩屑和煤屑的沉降速度较清水降低92%以上,能够满足现场煤层气钻井的需要。     

Taxonomical and technological characteristics of Saccharomyces spp. associated with blue veined cheese

In blue veined cheeses, the dominant yeast species in most cases is Debaryomyces hansenii. Saccharomyces spp. occurs less frequently, but they can be found in some blue veined cheeses. In the present study, the taxonomy of Saccharomyces spp. associated to blue veined cheeses was studied and comparisons made to type strains of Saccharomyces spp. and starter cultures of Saccharomyces spp. used in other food fermentations. Phenotypically, the cheese strains were referred to the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex and were further identified as S. cerevisiae. Genotypically, the Saccharomyces spp. investigated were similar although chromosomal polymorphism were observed. Concerning the technological characteristics, they were similar in assimilation and fermentation of the residual sugars and organic acids naturally found in cheese. The investigated yeasts were also similar in their lipolytic activity being able to hydrolyse tributyrin and low chain (C:8), but not C:14 fatty acids. However, they differed in their tolerance to NaCl with the blue cheese strains showing a higher tolerance. The cheese strain S. cerevisiae FB 7 was the only yeast capable of degrading casein. It mainly degraded the alpha(s1)-casein and the beta(alpha2)-casein components. It was also the only isolate stimulating the development of Penicillium roqueforti in cheese agar imitating the conditions in blue veined cheese. The stimulation of P. roqueforti was most pronounced for the least proteolytic strain of P. roqueforti examined.     

Enzyme activities in cocoa beans during fermentation

The activities of endoprotease, aminopeptidase, carboxypeptidase, invertase (cotyledon and pulp), polyphenol oxidase and glycosidases were studied during heap fermentation of ICS-95 cocoa beans. These enzymes are of key importance in flavour precursor formation and in pigment degradation during cocoa fermentation. Optimal extraction and assay conditions were established to characterise the enzymes reactions and to quantify and compare enzyme activities during cocoa fermentation. The enzymes exhibited large differences in pH optima and stability during fermentation. Aminopeptidase, invertase (cotyledon and pulp) and polyphenol oxidase were strongly inactivated, carboxypeptidase was partly inactivated, whereas endoprotease and glycosidases remained active throughout the fermentation. Since many enzymes are inactivated during fermentation, it is generally recognised that the actual period of enzyme action is short. Although our results confirmed total inactivation for some enzymes, we show that several key enzymes are not completely inactivated during fermentation. Therefore, some enzyme reactions can continue throughout the whole fermentation process. Only polyphenol oxidase was strongly inactivated during sun and artificial drying of the beans. The other enzymes were stable during the drying process. Enzymes like endoprotease and glycosidases are still active in properly fermented and dried beans. © 1998 SCI.