Dietary lutein modulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expression in mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7)

Lutein is an oxycarotenoid primarily found in dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Other dietary sources which contain moderate amounts of lutein include corn, egg yolks, and fruits like oranges and kiwi. Although a number of in vivo studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of lutein, its in vitro anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action is unknown. In this study, we have investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of lutein using LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The inhibition of LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) was measured and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was assessed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse macrophage cells after treatment with lutein. Lutein decreased the LPS-induced NO production by 50% compared to LPS alone. Real-time PCR analysis showed a 1.9-fold reduction in iNOS expression at the mRNA level. Western blotting revealed that lutein decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression at the protein level by 72.5%. The results of this study suggest the anti-inflammatory properties of lutein demonstrated by the decrease in the expression of iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.     

Effect of expandable graphite and ammonium polyphosphate on the thermal degradation and weathering of intumescent fire-retardant coating

This research aims to study the effect of ammonium polyphosphate and expandable graphite on the intumescent coating formulations (ICF). The coating presented in this research article is based on carbon source expandable graphite (EG), blowing agent melamine, acid source ammonium polyphosphate (APP), epoxy resin as a binder with polyamide amine. The stability of the developed coating was verified at 950°C for 1-hour fire test. The results showed that the coating is stable and well bond with the steel substrate. The char was characterized by using FESEM, XRD, FTIR, DTA, TGA, XPS, Py-GCMS and Weathering Test. The morphology of the char was studied by SEM of the coating after furnace fire test. XRD and FTIR show the presence of graphite, borophosphate; boron oxide and sassolite in the residual char. TGA and DTG disclosed that EG improved the residual mass of coating. XPS analysis showed the char residue of IF5-APP-EG contains carbon and oxygen contents 47.50 and 40.70, respectively. Py-GCMS analysis described that the IF5-APP-EG released less gaseous compounds. The weathering test illustrated that's the char expansion of coatings samples was decreased due to the presence of a humid environment and UV light. The IF5-APP-EG showed the maximum char expansion, lower substrate temperature and high residual weight among the studied formulations.     

Effect of calcium salts of long-chain fatty-acids on dairy cows in early lactation

Twenty dairy cows in early lactation were assigned to one of two dietary treatment groups based on milk production and days in milk. Treatments were a total mixed ration containing 13.2% whole cottonseed on a DM basis with or without added Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Treatments were fed ad libitum for 11 wk. Dry matter intake and body weight were not affected by treatment. The addition of Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids had no effect on yield of actual and FCM. Percent milk fat, lactose, and SCC did not differ between treatments. Percent milk protein tended to be lower for cows fed the diet containing calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids. Milk production efficiencies and NDF and ADF digestibilities were unaffected by treatment. Results indicate that diets containing high amounts of cottonseed may mask th affects of energy provided by Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids.     

Knight Mine reclamation: A study of revegetation difficulties in a semi-arid environment

ABSTRACT

An analysis of the difficulties associated with the re-establishment of reclamation vegetation on a dry mine site in southern Utah, U.S.A. is presented. Precipitation amounts, seed mix, seed bed preparation techniques, and soil properties all appeared to be adequate for vegetation establishment at the site. However, failure of repeated revegetation efforts in a redisturbed area of the mine site may have been due to higher soil salinity levels in the area, which may Have given Kochia scoparia an initial competitive advantage. Lack of soil moisture and allelopalhic effects due to the dense carpet of Kochia may have also contributed to the continued lack of revegetation success.     

Microfiltration of thin stillage: Process simulation and economic analyses

In plant scale operations, multistage membrane systems have been adopted for cost minimization. We considered design optimization and operation of a continuous microfiltration (MF) system for the corn dry grind process. The objectives were to develop a model to simulate a multistage MF system, optimize area requirements and stages required for a multistage system and perform economic analysis of a multistage MF system for a 40 million gal/yr ethanol plant. Total area requirement decreased with number of stages but there was tradeoff between higher capital costs involved at higher number of stages. To achieve thin stillage total solids concentration from 7 to 35%, a 5 stage membrane system was found to be optimum with area requirement of 655 m² for minimum cost. Increase in the input stream flow rate from 1.54 × 10⁶ to 2.89 × 10⁶ L/day significantly increased the total capital cost of the system by 47%. Compared to a single stage system, an optimal system had a 50% reduction in operating costs. Optimal system also showed potential to process more than twice the amount of thin stillage compared to a 4 effect evaporator system for given conditions.     

Comparative numerical studies of projectile impacts on plain and steel-fibre reinforced concrete

The enhanced energy absorption characteristics of fibre-reinforced concrete, compared to plain concrete, has in experimentally studies been shown to improve the projectile resistance and motivate its increased usage in protective structures. However, the high cost of undertaking experiments and the high parameter variation and dependency of the experimental setups and results, respectively, make it difficult to draw generic conclusions of how the addition and increased amount of fibres affects the local damage caused by projectile impact, which motivates the use of numerical simulations to study this. The numerical hydrocode AUTODYN was used in a qualitative study of how the addition of different amounts of fibres, modelled as different post-crack relations, influence the depth of penetration and crater formation on the front and rear face of a concrete target. Fibres added to the concrete mix had a minor influence on the depth of penetration while the crater size on both front and rear faces of the target decreases. The crack propagation beyond the crater on the front face was also reduced when fibres were added to the concrete. An increased amount of fibres in the concrete showed no effect on the size of the front-face crater, but led to further decreased size of the crater on the rear face of the concrete cylinder. It is concluded that the scabbing crater can be reduced in size and prevented by usage of fibre-reinforced concrete even if the depth of penetration is only slightly less than to penetration depth in plain concrete.