The effect of starch isolation method on physical and functional properties of Portuguese nuts starches. I. Chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill. var. Martainha and Longal) fruits

The functionality of starch from chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) fruits isolated by alkaline and enzymatic methods were assessed. The studied properties included: solubility, swelling power, pasting properties, synaeresis, turbidity, and thermal and rheological behaviours. In addition amylose and resistant starch content were also evaluated. Results showed that the starch isolation method induced changes in most of those properties. Extracted starches (with high contents of amylose and resistant starch) showed low and similar swelling solubility values for all of the samples. Gelatinisation temperatures were also similar (61.5-63.0 °C), but the enzymatic method induced lower consistencies at 95 °C and after holding at this temperature. High values of setback were found, which were clearly affected by the isolation method. This parameter presented lower values for starches isolated by alkaline method (160 BU and 235 BU, respectively for Martainha and Longal). Starches did not present a peak consistency during pasting. Turbidity and synaeresis values were low at room temperature. Synaeresis increased when pastes were stored at low temperatures. This effect was more evident for the material isolated by enzymatic method. All of the isolation starches presented low enthalpy values (3.0-3.5 J/g), but the activation energy was higher for Martainha starches and for starches isolated by A3S method. Pastes showed viscoelastic behaviour, with a predominance of elastic property, forming strong gels after cooling. Longal variety seems to be less resistant to the effect of isolation method. In general starches isolated by the alkali method present the best functional properties as a food ingredient.     

Evaluation of Chlorine Decay in Drinking Water Systems for Different Flow Conditions: From Theory to Practice

An intensive study was developed to assess the influence of different flow conditions in the chlorine decay of drinking water systems based on a series of experiments tested on a loop pipe linked to the Lisbon water distribution system. Water samples and chlorine measurements were taken under three distinct flow conditions: (1) steady-state regimes; (2) combined flow situations—an initial steady-state period, followed by successive transient events and a new steady-state period; (3) isolated flow tests—steady-state flow regimes and transient flow regimes performed independently. All the tests were replicated for a typical range of Reynolds numbers in real water distribution systems. More specifically, pressure and velocity variations associated with hydraulic transients or water hammer conditions may degrade water quality. The series of results obtained in steady-state flow conditions confirmed the rate of chlorine decay increases with the Reynolds number and provided evidence that hydraulic transients have a slowing-down effect on chlorine decay rates.     

Persistence of endodontic methacrylate-based cement residues on dentin adhesive surface treated with different chemical removal protocols

The aim of this study was to evaluate the persistence of methacrylate‐based cement residues on the dentin, after dentin surface cleaning with ethanol or acetone, with or without previous application of a dentin adhesive. Forty bovine crown fragments were obtained and the dentin surface was washed with 1.0 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), followed by 0.1 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid application for 3 min, and final irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl. The specimens were air dried and resin‐based cement was rubbed onto the dentine surface with a microbrush applicator. In 20 specimens, previously to cement, a dentin adhesive was applied in all surfaces. After 15 min, the surface was scrubbed with a cotton pellet and moistened with ethanol or acetone, compounding the following groups: G1—99.5% ethanol and G2—acetone, without previous use of dentin adhesive; G3—99.5% ethanol and G4—acetone, with previous use of dentin adhesive. The dentin surface was scrubbed until the cement residues could not be visually detected. Sections were then processed for scanning electron microscopy and evaluated at 500× magnification and scores were attributed to each image according to the area covered by residual sealer, and data were subjected to Kruskal–Wallis at 5% significance. The lower residue presence was observed in G3 (P = 0.005). All surface presented cement residues when acetone was used as cleaning solution (P = 0.0005). The cleaning solutions were unable to completely remove the cement residues from both surfaces. The ethanol used after previous application of the dentin adhesive promoted the lower presence of residues. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of gamma radiation on the growth of Alternaria alternata and on the production of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether in sunflower seeds

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different gamma radiation doses on the growth of Alternaria alternata and on the production of toxins alternariol (AOH), and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) in sunflower seed samples. After irradiation with 2, 5 and 7 kGy, the spore mass was resuspended in sterile distilled water and the suspension was inoculated into sunflower seeds. The number of colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) was determined after culture on Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol and Dichloran Chloramphenicol Malt Extract Agar. The presence of AOH and AME was investigated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The radiation doses used resulted in a reduction of the number of A. alternata CFU/g and of AOH and AME levels when compared to the nonirradiated control group. Maximum reduction of the fungus (98.5%) and toxins (99.9%) was observed at a dose of 7 and 5 kGy, respectively. Under the present conditions, gamma radiation was found to be an alternative for the control of A. alternata and, consequently, of AOH and AME production in sunflower seeds.     

Liposomal Formulations of a New Zinc(II) Complex Exhibiting High Therapeutic Potential in a Murine Colon Cancer Model

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Many current therapies rely on chemotherapeutic agents with poor specificity for tumor cells. The clinical success of cisplatin has prompted the research and design of a huge number of metal-based complexes as potential chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, two zinc(II) complexes, [ZnL₂] and [ZnL(AcO)], where AcO is acetate and L is an organic compound combining 8-hydroxyquinoline and a benzothiazole moiety, were developed and characterized. Analytical and spectroscopic studies, namely, NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis allowed us to establish the complexes’ structures, demonstrating the ligand-binding versatility: tetradentate in [ZnL(AcO)] and bidentate in [ZnL₂]. Complexes were screened in vitro using murine and human colon cancer cells cultured in 2D and 3D settings. In 2D cells, the IC₅₀ values were <22 µM, while in 3D settings, much higher concentrations were required. [ZnL(AcO)] displayed more suitable antiproliferative properties than [ZnL₂] and was chosen for further studies. Moreover, based on the weak selectivity of the zinc-based complex towards cancer cell lines in comparison to the non-tumorigenic cell line, its incorporation in long-blood-circulating liposomes was performed, aiming to improve its targetability. The resultant optimized liposomal nanoformulation presented an I.E. of 76% with a mean size under 130 nm and a neutral surface charge and released the metal complex in a pH-dependent manner. The antiproliferative properties of [ZnL(AcO)] were maintained after liposomal incorporation. Preliminary safety assays were carried out through hemolytic activity that never surpassed 2% for the free and liposomal forms of [ZnL(AcO)]. Finally, in a syngeneic murine colon cancer mouse model, while free [ZnL(AcO)] was not able to impair tumor progression, the respective liposomal nanoformulation was able to reduce the relative tumor volume in the same manner as the positive control 5-fluorouracil but, most importantly, using a dosage that was 3-fold lower. Overall, our results show that liposomes were able to solve the solubility issues of the new metal-based complex and target it to tumor sites.     

Vibration Based Under-Actuated Bounding Mechanism

Today’s robots are able to perform very limited locomotion tasks by consuming high energy although animals are able to carry out very complicated but stable locomotion tasks using less control inputs and energy. Therefore, it is important to understand the principles of animal locomotion in order to develop efficient legged robots. This paper presents a U-shape visco-elastic beam mechanism that is able to run like a bounding animal when it is actuated by a simple pendulum at the torsional resonance frequency of the elastic body. A simple physical model has been developed to investigate the dynamics of the mechanism and the natural body dynamics of quadrupeds. In the mechanism, a small rotating mass was attached to a DC motor which was mounted on the center of the spine. When this motor is actuated at around the torsional resonance frequency of the elastic body, the robot starts to move and it exhibits a self-organized locomotion behavior. The self-organized locomotion process of the robot does not require any central authority, sensory feedback or external element imposing a planned motion. Comparing the bounding locomotion of the beam mechanism with those of well-known quadrupeds such as a horse, greyhound and cheetah, it can be concluded that the pendulum-driven U-shaped visco-elastic beam displays kinematic behavior similar to a horse, in terms of both experimental and simulation results. Interestingly, this bounding locomotion occurs only if the shape ratio and the actuation frequencies of the beam are close to those of the fastest quadrupeds.     

On the Bioactivity of Echinacea purpurea Extracts to Modulate the Production of Inflammatory Mediators

Inflammatory diseases are the focus of several clinical studies, due to limitations and serious side effects of available therapies. Plant-based drugs (e.g., salicylic acid, morphine) have become landmarks in the pharmaceutical field. Therefore, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of flowers, leaves, and roots from Echinacea purpurea. Ethanolic (EE) and dichloromethanolic extracts (DE) were obtained using the Accelerated Solvent Extractor and aqueous extracts (AE) were prepared under stirring. Their chemical fingerprint was evaluated by liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), of the different extracts were evaluated using non-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Interestingly, AE were able to stimulate macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor -TNF-α, interleukin -IL-1β, and IL-6), and to generate ROS/RNS. Conversely, under an inflammatory scenario, all extracts reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory mediators. DE, alkylamides-enriched extracts, showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, E. purpurea extracts demonstrated generally a more robust anti-inflammatory activity than clinically used anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone, diclofenac, salicylic acid, and celecoxib). Therefore, E. purpurea extracts may be used to develop new effective therapeutic formulations for disorders in which the immune system is either overactive or impaired.     

Are Phosphatidylcholine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Body Levels Potentially Reliable Biomarkers in Obesity? A Review of Human Studies

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are the major components of biological membranes in animals and are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup. Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) are a class of lipid biomolecules derived from the cleavage of PCs, and are the main components of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Since obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, one can anticipate that the lipidomic profile changes in this context and both PCs and LPCs are gaining attention as hypothetically reliable biomarkers of obesity. Thus, a literature search is performed on PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS), and Excerpta Medica DataBASE (Embase) to obtain the findings of population studies to clarify this hypothesis. The search strategy resulted in a total of 2403 reports and 21 studies were included according to the eligibility criteria. Controversial data on the associations of PCs and LPCs with body mass index (BMI) and body fat parameters have been identified. There is an inverse relationship between BMI and most species of PCs, and a majority of studies exhibited negative associations between BMI and LPCs. Other findings regarding the differences between PCs and LPCs in obesity are presented, and the associated uncertainties are discussed in detail.