Tocotrienol Rich Fraction Reverses Age-Related Deficits in Spatial Learning and Memory in Aged Rats

Little is known about the effect of vitamin E on brain function. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the effect of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on behavioral impairment and oxidative stress in aged rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats (young: 3-months-old; aged: 21-months-old) were treated with either the control (olive oil) or TRF (200 mg/kg) for 3 months. Behavioral studies were performed using the open field test and Morris water maze (MWM) task. Blood was taken for assessment of DNA damage, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin E, and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity. Brains were also collected to measure vitamin E levels. Results showed that aged rats exhibited reduced exploratory activity, enhanced anxiety and decreased spatial learning and memory compared with young rats. DNA damage and plasma MDA were increased, and vitamin E levels in plasma and brain were reduced in aged rats. Aged rats supplemented with TRF showed a markedly reduced level of anxiety, improved spatial learning and memory, reduced amount and severity of DNA damage, a reduced level of MDA, and increased levels of antioxidant enzyme activity and plasma/brain vitamin E compared with age-matched controls. In conclusion, TRF supplementation reverses spatial learning and memory decline and decreases oxidative stress in aged rats.     

Synthesis of a novolac‐based 3‐aminopropylsiloxane resin and its application for the removal of Cu2+, Cr3+, and Ni2+ from electroplating wastewater

Novolac resin was modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimthoxysilane to obtain phenol‐formaldehyde‐aminopropylsiloxane resin (PF‐APS). Fourier transformation infra‐red spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and pH‐metric titration were used to characterize PF‐APS. Its chemical formula was suggested to be C₁₄H_12.49N_0.1O₂Si_0.1. The resin shows high experimental metal ions uptake capacity within short time of equilibration. The metal capacity was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry to be 0.787 mEq Cu/g. Maximum separation efficiencies of Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from aqueous solutions on PF‐APS were at pH 8.0 and time of stirring 60 min; 94.0%, 90.8%, 83.2%, respectively. No significant interference from the background ions Na⁺, Cl^?, and was observed on the separation process. The heavy metal ions were eluted using 0.01 mol L^?1 EDTA at 65°C releasing >94% of the separated metal ions. The method of separation was applied successfully to remove the heavy metal ions Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from electroplating wastewater from Dekirnis, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40993.     

Thermally stable antimicrobial PVC/maleimido phenyl urea composites

Four novel antimicro bial maleimido phenyl urea derivatives were synthesized from N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with phenyl urea derivatives (p-methyl, o-chloro and p-carboxy). They were characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, mass spectra, elemental analyses and antimicrobial activities. These derivatives were investigated as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) at 180 °C in air by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination and the extent of discoloration. The results reveal the greater stabilizing efficiency of the investigated derivatives as shown by their longer thermal stability periods (Ts) and lower dehydrochlorination rates in relation to dibasic lead carbonate, cadmium-barium-zinc stearate and n-octyltin mercaptide industrial stabilizers. The stabilizing efficiency increases with the introduction of electron donating substituent groups in the aromatic ring of the stabilizer molecules. Moreover, the investigated stabilizers impart better color stability for the degraded samples as compared with the reference stabilizers.     

Synthesis and characterization of coumarin thiazole derivative 2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one with anti-microbial activity and its potential application in antimicrobial polyurethane coating

Coumarin, thiazole and their respective derivative products are some of the oldest and most commonly known class of nitrogen and sulphur containing compounds. In recent years there has been considerable interest in this coumarin–thiazole derivatives, which have been reported to exhibit significant biological activity and are widely used as pharmaceuticals. They are capable of imparting anti-microbial activity properties when incorporated into polymers and polymer composites. In this research, coumarin–thiazole derivative 2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-3H benzo[f]chromen-3-one (compound III), was prepared and its structure was confirmed by means of its spectra data. It was also screened for its anti-microbial activity against eight different micro-organisms when physically incorporated into a polyurethane varnish formula. Experimental coatings were manufactured on a laboratory scale and applied by means of a brush on both glass and steel panels. The results of the biological activity indicated that the polyurethane varnishes containing the 2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one (compound III) derivative, exhibit a very good antimicrobial effect. The molecular modeling study revealed that it is biologically safe, it is active and it fulfills Lipinski's rule of five. The physical and mechanical resistances of the polyurethane varnish formulations were also studied to evaluate any drawbacks associated with the addition of the derivative. The studies indicate that the physical incorporation of compound III actually enhances slightly both the physical and mechanical properties.     

Technological Evaluation of Nitrogen Containing Starch Derivatives as Sizing Agents

The structural changes brought about by introducing different nitrogen containing groups via cyanoethylation, carbamoylethylation and carbamation in the molecules of rice and maize starches and oxidized starches derived thereof and the onset of these changes on the technical properties of yarns sized with such starch products were investigated. It was found that the apparent viscosity of pastes prepared from those products depends on the nature of starch, the degree of oxidation prior to chemical modification, the nature of modification as well as the measuring conditions, i. e. the rate of shear and temperature. Cotton yarns sized using these starch derivatives were measured for yarn number, tensile strength, C.V.%, elongation at break and C.V.% in elongation. Besides, the weavability test expressed as the minimum number of cycles due to abrasion (St₁) and average number of cycles due to abrasion (St₆) were investigated. A comparison among modified starches prepared from rice starch would reveral that the highest value of St₁ is obtained with yarns sized using carbamoylethylated sample derived from unoxidized starch. With maize starch, on the other hand, the highest value of St₁ is obtained with cotton yarns sized using carbamoylethylated starch derived from starch oxidized by 1 g/l active chlorine.     

Chemical Modification of Guaran Gum. Part 3: Carboxymethylation in non-Aqueous Medium

Guar gum was isolated from the seeds and subjected to modification via non-aqueous carboxymethylation. Highly substituted carboxymethyl guaran derivatives could be obtained via repeating the reaction four times, where a product of degree of substitution (D.S.) 2.07 was obtained indicating that the free hydroxyl groups of both glucose and mannose (which form the main constituents of guaran) can react with monochloro acetic acid. The modification increases the solubility of the gum in cold water, and increases the stability of its pastes to microorganisms. Pastes of these derivatives are characterized by non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour regardless of their D.S. or the measuring temperature, while their apparent viscosity decreases by increasing the D.S. and/or the measuring temperature.     

Amphiphilic Pentablock Copolymers Prepared from Pluronic and ε-Caprolactone by Enzymatic Ring Opening Polymerization

Amphiphilic copolymers are appealing materials because of their interesting architecture and tunable properties. In view of their application in the biomedical field, the preparation of these materials should avoid the use of toxic compounds as catalysts. Therefore, enzymatic catalysis is a suitable alternative to common synthetic routes. Pentablock copolymers (CUC) were synthesized with high yields by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) initiated by Pluronic (EPE) and catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B enzyme. The variables to study the structure–property relationship were EPEs’ molecular weight and molar ratios between ε-CL monomer and EPE macro-initiator (M/In). The obtained copolymers were chemically characterized, the molecular weight determined, and morphologies evaluated. The results suggest an interaction between the reaction time and M/In variables. There was a correlation between the differential scanning calorimetry data with those of X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The length of the central block of CUC copolymers may have an important role in the crystal formation. WAXD analyses indicated that a micro-phase separation takes place in all the prepared copolymers. Preliminary cytotoxicity experiments on the extracts of the polymer confirmed that these materials are nontoxic.     

Meat production characteristics of Egyptian Baladi and Angora goats

Fifteen Baladi and 20 Angora intact males raised together from birth until 8 months of age were grown on a commercial concentrate mixture fed at the rate of 0·6 kg/head/day with chopped wheat straw fed at 0·5 kg/head/day for 14 weeks. Body measurements were taken before slaughter and carcass measurements and offal weights after it. The right sides of all carcasses were dissected into cuts, weighed and deboned. Fat was separated from the 9-10-11 rib joints and estimated. The two breeds did not significantly differ in birth weight, weaning weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, most body measurements, all carcass measurements and most offal weights. Sigmificant differences were only found in body length, height at withers, weights of spleen and kidney fat. However, the Baladi had significant heavier loin and shoulder (P < 0·05) and breast and flank (P < 0·05) than the Angora which had heavier legs (P < 0·05). The carcasses of the two breeds had very similar percentage of edible meat (68·38 versus 68·65), lean (57·47 versus 57·38) and fat in the rib joint (10·91 versus 11·27).     

Structural Control of NiO–YSZ/LSCF–YSZ Dual‐Layer Hollow Fiber Membrane for Potential Syngas Production

The objective of this study was to fabricate dual‐layer hollow fiber as a microreactor for potential syngas production via phase inversion‐based co‐extrusion/cosintering process. As the main challenge of phase inversion is the difficulty to obtain defect‐free fiber, this work focuses on the effect of the fabrication parameters, that is, nonsolvent content, sintering temperature and outer‐layer extrusion rate, on the macrostructure of the produced hollow fiber. SEM images confirm that the addition of nonsolvent has successfully minimized the finger‐like formation. At high sintering temperature, more dense hollow fiber was formed while outer‐layer extrusion rate affects the outer layer thickness.