Jaboticaba berry peel intake prevents insulin‐resistance‐induced tau phosphorylation in mice

The hyperphosphorylation of microtubule‐associated protein tau (tau) in the hippocampus can be caused by central and peripheral insulin resistance and these alterations are related to the development of tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we used a high‐fat diet to induce obesity and insulin resistance in adult Swiss mice and checked whether supplementation with Myrciaria jaboticaba berry peel for 10 weeks could improve insulin sensitivity, learning/memory performance, and prevent tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, adipocytokines, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress were assessed. Myrciaria jaboticaba peel has phenolic compounds (e.g., cyanidin, ellagic acid), dietary fiber and carotenoids, which contribute to great antioxidant capacity. Supplementation of the high‐fat diet with 4% M. jaboticaba peel prevented fat weight gain and reduced peripheral insulin resistance. The treated group also showed lower tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus corroborating better learning/memory performance in the Morris water maze test. Maintenance of neuronal viability, lower levels of hippocampal inflammatory markers, and improved brain antioxidant defenses were also related to the consumption of M. jaboticaba peel. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how a high‐fat diet supplemented with jaboticaba berry peel counteracts the impairment of cognitive functions caused by high‐fat diet intake and diet‐induced insulin resistance.     

MODEL‐REFERENCE OUTPUT‐FEEDBACK SLIDING MODE CONTROLLER FOR A CLASS OF MULTIVARIABLE NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

This paper proposes an output‐feedback sliding mode control design for a class of uncertain multivariable plants with nonlinear disturbances. The approach used here is based on the control parameterization employed in model‐reference adaptive control. The disturbances are allowed to be unmatched and to depend not only on the plant output but also on its unmeas‐urable state. A less restrictive condition on the uncertainty of the high frequency gain matrix is also obtained.     

Mechanical properties of epoxy networks based on DGEBA and aliphatic amines

The mechanical properties of epoxy networks based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin cured with various linear aliphatic amines, such as ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and cyclic amines such as 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperazine and isophorone diamine, were studied. General characteristics such as T_g, density, and packing density, were determined and related to the structure and funcionality of the curing agent. Dynamic mechanical spectra were used to study both the α and β relaxations. Tensile and the flexural tests were used to determine the Young's and flexural modulus, and fracture strength all in the glassy state. Furthermore, linear elastic fracture mechanics was used to determine K_IC. As a rule, isophorone diamine network presented the higher tensile and flexure modulus while 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperazine gave the highest toughness properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Optical behaviour of Er doped rutile by ion implantation

Rutile single crystals were implanted at room temperature with fluences of 5 × 10¹⁵ Er⁺/cm² ions with 150 keV energy. Rutherford backscattering/channeling along the 0 0 1 axis reveals complete amorphization of the implanted region. Photoluminescence reveals the presence of an optical centre close to the intra-ionic emission of Er³⁺ in the as-implanted samples. After annealing at 800 °C in air no changes were observed in the aligned RBS spectrum. On the contrary, annealing in reducing atmosphere (vacuum) induces the epitaxy of the damage layer. These results are unexpected, since for implantations of other ions under the same conditions, epitaxial recrystallization of the damage region occurs at this temperature. On the other hand, photoluminescence studies show the presence of new Er-related optical centres with high thermal stability in the samples annealed under oxidizing conditions. Annealing at 1000 °C in vacuum leads to the complete recrystallization of the damaged region. At this temperature a large fraction of Er segregates to the surface.     

Valorization of Beef Tallow by Lipase-Catalyzed Interesterification with High Oleic Sunflower Oil

Although beef tallow (BT) has been considered a hard low-trans fat convenient to be used in several bakery applications, it has some undesirable characteristics like fatty acid composition, crystallization behavior, graininess formation and poor plastic range. This work studied the modification of BT by blending at different percentages with high oleic sunflower oil (HOSFO) followed by the enzyme-catalyzed interesterification of the blends. The reduction in the solid fat content achieved by the simple blending was enhanced by the interesterification process, as a result of the increase in the concentration of the diunsaturated monosaturated type triacylglycerols. Interesterification strongly impacted too on the crystallization behavior of the blends, since products showed more homogeneous and regular crystals than the starting mixture. Results show that lipase catalyzed interesterification of BT with HOSFO offers a useful tool for the design of fats with adjustable physicochemical properties, improved with respect to that of the starting fats.     

Calcium and Vitamin D in the Regulation of Energy Balance: Where Do We Stand?

There is a pandemic of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Dietary calcium and vitamin D have many extra-skeletal roles in human health. In this review we have summarized the current understanding of their influence on human energy balance by examining the epidemiological, clinical, animal, cellular and molecular evidence. We opine that while calcium and vitamin D are functional nutrients in the battle against obesity, there is a need for prospective human trials to tilt the balance of evidence in favour of these nutrients.     

Hematopoietic progenitor constituents and adherent cell progenitor morphology isolated from black-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha, Wagler 1831) bone marrow

Stem cells are present in the adult tissues of most diverse species. Bone marrow is recognized to be the most exploited site to obtain stem cells and cell progenitors. The objective of the present study was to characterize hematopoietic progenitor (HP) morphology and analyze the performance of adherent cell progenitors (ACPs) cultivated in vitro from black‐rumped agouti bone marrow (Dasyprocta prymnolopha). Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from tibia crest and used to prepare histological slides and identify cell morphology. Cells were also scattered on culture plates for later isolation, expansion, and quantification. Smears obtained from bone marrow demonstrated HPs at different stages of maturity. In culture, these cells showed fibroblastoid morphology and a strong tendency to form colonies, demonstrated by the presence of cell aggregates, cytoplasmic elongations lying side by side. An 80% cell confluence was observed at 18 days in culture and progressive reduction in the percentage of nonadherent mononuclear cells. After eight passes, a mean cell viability of 96.07% was observed, from a pool of 1.6 × 10⁷ cells (ACP). Thirteen 25‐cm² culture bottles were trypsinized, resuspended in freezing medium, stored in 14 criotubes at a concentration of 1 × 10⁶ cells per milliliter, and placed in liquid nitrogen at ?196°C. Agouti bone marrow demonstrated high plasticity, moreover different HP lines, and a population of adherent cells demonstrated morphology similar to mesenchymal stem cells in culture. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Residues of different gel formulations on dentinal walls: A SEM/EDS analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of residues of sodium hypochlorite gel, chlorhexidine gel, and EDTA gel on dentinal walls after canal preparation through chemical SEM‐ elemental chemical microanalysis (EDS) analysis. Forty‐eight single‐rooted teeth were selected. They had their crowns sectioned and were instrumented with a reciprocating system. The canals were irrigated with 5 mL of saline solution during root canal preparation. After instrumentation, the root canals were irrigated with 3 mL 17% EDTA followed by 1 min of ultrasonic passive activation (3× 20 sec) to remove the smear layer, and then irrigated with 3 mL of saline solution. The specimens were randomized into three groups (n = 12) according to the chemical substance that filled the root canal for 30 min: GI: 5.5% sodium hypochlorite gel; GII: 2% chlorhexidine gel; GIII: 24% EDTA gel; Negative control group: no substance was used. Then, the root canals were irrigated with 6 mL of saline solution followed by 1 min of ultrasonic passive activation (3× 20 sec). After ultrasonic activation, the canals were irrigated with 2 mL saline. The roots were sectioned, and the percentage of each chemical element present in the samples was analyzed through chemical SEM‐EDS microanalysis. All experimental groups showed a significantly higher percentage of chemical elements (Na and/or Cl) than the control group (P < 0.03). This in vitro study has shown that, regardless of chemical solutions used even after the final irrigation protocol, chemical residues of different substances remained attached to the root canal walls. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:495–499, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development of a food frequency questionnaire for Sri Lankan adults

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) are commonly used in epidemiologic studies to assess long-term nutritional exposure. Because of wide variations in dietary habits in different countries, a FFQ must be developed to suit the specific population. Sri Lanka is undergoing nutritional transition and diet-related chronic diseases are emerging as an important health problem. Currently, no FFQ has been developed for Sri Lankan adults. In this study, we developed a FFQ to assess the regular dietary intake of Sri Lankan adults. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 600 adults was selected by a multi-stage random cluster sampling technique and dietary intake was assessed by random 24-h dietary recall. Nutrient analysis of the FFQ required the selection of foods, development of recipes and application of these to cooked foods to develop a nutrient database. We constructed a comprehensive food list with the units of measurement. A stepwise regression method was used to identify foods contributing to a cumulative 90% of variance to total energy and macronutrients. In addition, a series of photographs were included. RESULTS: We obtained dietary data from 482 participants and 312 different food items were recorded. Nutritionists grouped similar food items which resulted in a total of 178 items. After performing step-wise multiple regression, 93 foods explained 90% of the variance for total energy intake, carbohydrates, protein, total fat and dietary fibre. Finally, 90 food items and 12 photographs were selected. CONCLUSION: We developed a FFQ and the related nutrient composition database for Sri Lankan adults. Culturally specific dietary tools are central to capturing the role of diet in risk for chronic disease in Sri Lanka. The next step will involve the verification of FFQ reproducibility and validity.