Molecular structure and granule morphology of native and heat‐moisture‐treated pinhão starch

Pinhão seed is an unconventional source of starch and the pines grow up in native forests of southern Latin America. In this study, pinhão starch was adjusted at 15, 20 and 25% moisture content and heated to 100, 110 and 120 °C for 1 h. A decrease in λ max (starch/iodine complex) was observed as a result of increase in temperature and moisture content of HMT. The ratio of crystalline to amorphous phase in pinhão starch was determined via Fourier transform infra red by taking 1045/1022 band ratio. A decrease in crystallinity occurred as a result of HMT. Polarised light microscopy indicated a loss of birefringence of starch granules under 120 °C at 25% moisture content. Granule size distribution was further confirmed via scanning electron microscopy which showed the HMT effects. These results increased the understanding on molecular and structural properties of HMT pinhão starch and broadened its food and nonfood industrial applications.     

Regeneration of S-poisoned Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/CeO2/Al2O3 catalysts for the combustion of methane

This work investigates the regeneration of S-poisoned Pd/Al₂O₃ and Pd/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts under different CH₄ containing atmospheres. Under lean combustion conditions in the presence of excess O₂, partial regeneration took place for both systems only above 750 °C after decomposition of stable sulphate species adsorbed on the support. Under alternate lean combustion/CH₄-reducing pulse regeneration is markedly anticipated down to 550–600 °C. Experiments evidenced an effective role of ceria in preventing PdO from sulphation and in promoting regeneration via sulphates decomposition under reducing conditions.     

Proteomic profile of differentially expressed plasma proteins from dystrophic mice and following suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid treatment

Purpose: Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (DI) ameliorates dystrophic muscle regeneration restoring muscular strength in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The further development of these compounds as drugs for DMD treatment is currently hampered by the lack of knowledge about DIs effect in large dystrophic animal models and that of suitable biomarkers to monitor their efficacy. Experimental design: In this study we applied proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins present in plasma samples from mdx mice treated with the Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and relative normal controls (WT). Results: Several differentially expressed proteins were identified between untreated wild type and mdx mice. Among these, fibrinogen, epidermal growth factor 2 receptor, major urinary protein and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) were constitutively up‐regulated in mdx, while complement C3, complement C6, gelsolin, leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFr), and alpha 2 macroglobulin were down‐regulated compared to WT mice. SAHA determined the normalization of LIFr and GPX3 protein level while apoliprotein E was de novo up‐regulated in comparison to vehicle‐treated mdx mice. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Collectively, these data unravel potential serological disease biomarkers of mdx that could be useful to monitor muscular dystrophy response to DI treatment.     

Novel molecular variants of the Na-Cl cotransporter gene are responsible for Gitelman syndrome

A hereditary defect of the distal tubule accounts for the clinical features of Gitelman syndrome (GS), an autosomal recessive disease characterized by hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, metabolic alkalosis, and hypocalciuria. Recently, we cloned the cDNA coding for the human Na-Cl thiazide-sensitive cotransporter (TSC; also known as ?NCCT? or ?SLC12A3?) as a possible candidate for GS, and Simon et al., independently, described mutations in patients with GS. Now, we show 12 additional mutations consistent with a loss of function of the Na-Cl cotransporter in GS. Two missense replacements, R209W and P349L, are common to both studies and could represent ancient mutations. The other mutations include three deletions, two insertions, and six missense mutations. When all mutations from both studies are considered, missense mutations seem to be more frequently localized within the intracellular domains of the molecule, rather than in transmembrane or extracellular domains. One family, previously reported as a GS form with dominant inheritance, has proved to be recessive, with the affected child being a compound heterozygote. A highly informative intragenic tetranucleotide marker, useful for molecular diagnostic studies, has been identified at the acceptor splice site of exon 9.     

Sonochemical decomposition of phenol: evidence for a synergistic effect of ozone and ultrasound for the elimination of total organic carbon from water

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for water and wastewater treatment are often handicapped by their inability to completely eliminate total organic carbon (TOC). In order to explore the capability of the combination of ultrasonic irradiation with ozone for the rapid removal of TOC, we examined the degradation rates of dissolved phenol (C6H5OH) in water with high-frequency ultrasound over the range of 200-1000 kHz, with ozone and with the combined application of sonication and ozonation. When ozone and ultrasound are applied simultaneously, a pronounced synergistic effect is observed that leads to the complete and rapid elimination of TOC at enhanced reaction rates. At longer reaction times, phenol oxidation by 03 leads to oxalate and formate, which accounts for the majority of the residual TOC. However, the combination of US (ultrasound) and ozone together readily oxidizes HCO2- and C2O4(2-) to CO2 while they prove to be relatively resistant to further oxidation to CO2 by O3 alone.     

Pharmacokinetics of ifosfamide administered according to three different schedules in metastatic soft tissue and bone sarcomas

We investigated whether an association exists between genetic variants of the human obesity (OB or leptin) gene and body mass index (BMI) or weight in subjects with Prader Willi syndrome (PWS) and in age- and gender-matched lean and obese subjects without PWS. The study included 51 subjects with PWS (mean age = 17.7 +/- 9.5 years, BMI = 29.7 +/- 8.3 kg/m2); 50 non-PWS obese subjects (mean age = 18.2 +/- 10.8 years, BMI = 33.3 +/- 9.5 kg/m2); and 53 non-PWS lean subjects (mean age = 17.8 +/- 9.5 years, BMI = 19.5 +/- 2.9 kg/m2). Allele sizes were determined via standard polymerase chain reaction of the D7S1875 locus, a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism close to the OB gene and classified as trichotomous (homozygous < 208 bp, heterozygous < 208/ > or = 208 bp, homozygous > or = 208 bp) or dichotomous (homozygous < 208 bp or not). Non-PWS males showed a marked decrease in weight with larger alleles while females did not (interaction effect, p < 0.05). Comparable effects were not observed among the PWS subjects. Associations between BMI and genotype were statistically significant (r = 0.22, one-tailed p < 0.05) and comparable to previous research among the non-PWS subjects < 18 years, but not the adults (r = 0.05, one-tailed p = 0.38). Correlations were not statistically significant among either the adult or non-adult PWS subjects.     

Cover Image,Volume 97, Issue 2

The cover image, by Shanise Lisie Mello El Halal et al., is based on the Research Paper Morphological, mechanical, barrier and properties of films based on acetylated starch and cellulose from barley, DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7773 .