Reaction Kinetics of the Denaturation of Whey Proteins in Milk

The kinetics of the neat-induced irreversible denaturation of β-lacto-globulins (β-LG) A and B and of α-lactalbumin (α-LA) in milk were examined over a wide temperature/time range (70-150°C, 2-5400 sec). Denaturation of β-LG was best described with an apparent reaction order of 1.5 (α-LA; first order). The abrupt changes in the temperature dependence of the rate constants (β-LG at 90°C, α-LA at 80°C) were interpreted in terms of the different activation energies and entropies occurring in the two temperature ranges. By using the kinetic parameters for calculating lines of equal degrees of denaturation in a plot of log-time versus 1/absolute temperature it was possible to predict the effect of different heat treatments on the denaturation of individual proteins.     

高合金化Al-Zn-Mg-Cu系7049A合金的连续冷却析出图

研究了所有有技术价值的冷却速率范围内7049A铝合金的析出行为。冷却速率从接近平衡冷却时的慢速条件变化到形成完全超饱和固溶体的高速率,跨越了7个数量级（0．0005到5000K／s）。7049A铝合金连续冷却析出行为采用差热分析（DSC）、扫描电镜（SEM）和维氏硬度测量相结合的方法记录。冷却速率在0．0005到4K／s时,对高合金化、高强度和高淬火敏感性的变形铝合金7049A从固溶温度下的淬火析出行为采用传统的DSC方法研究。在此冷却速率范围内,至少观察到了两个放热反应：一个是在很窄的温度区间430～450℃内的高温反应;另外一个是最低到200℃且范围很宽的低温反应。这两个反应的强度随着冷却速率的增高而降低。采用快速差热分析（DFSC）和差分再加热方法（DRM）对合金淬火冷却速率从慢速到数千K／s时的析出行为进行了研究。该合金不析出沉淀相时的临界淬火速率为100～300K／s。     

铸态Al-7Si-0．3Mg合金的连续冷却析出图

采用冷却速率为0．01～3K／s的差示扫描量热法（DSC）和冷却速率更高的淬火膨胀法研究铸态Al-7Si-0．3Mg合金淬火的析出行为。在合金冷却的过程中发生了两种析出反应,高温反应开始于淬火起始温度540℃,低温反应始于400℃左右。3K／s的淬火冷却速率已经显著抑制淬火过程中相的析出。合金T6态的硬度随着淬火速率的增快而增加,这是由合金过饱和固溶度增加而导致的。通过膨胀实验和硬度实验的结果可以估计临界冷却速率大约为60K／s。通过光学显微镜观察淬火态的铸态Al-7Si-0．3Mg合金的显微组织。结果表明：根据淬火冷却速率的不同合金的显微组织由铝一硅共晶组织、铝固溶体枝晶及枝晶间的析出相组成。     

Polyamide 4,6 membranes for the encapsulation of Langerhans islets: preparation, physico-chemical properties and biocompatibility studies

Porous polyamide 4,6 membranes developed as semi-permeable and biocompatible membranes for the encapsulation of pancreatic islets were prepared by precipitation in water. Different membrane morphologies were obtained by varying the molecular weight of polyamide 4,6, the solvent evaporation time and the composition of the casting solution. Each membrane was submitted to differential scanning calorimetry and water flux measurements to study the total water content and the different kinds of water in correlation with its permeability performances. Their biocompatibility was first evaluated by a surface protein adsorption test. Of the various membranes, the one prepared by immersion in water after 5 minutes of solvent evaporation, of 15% KS200 polyamide 4,6 solution added with 1% of polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 seems to be the most promising. This membrane is characterized by a low adsorption of proteins, a high hydraulic coefficient and an asymmetric structure. Such a membrane represents a good candidate to be an efficient immunological barrier. It also exhibits good glucose and insulin diffusion properties. Moreover, rat islets cultivated on its surface were not affected by its presence and no important cell adhesion was noticed when implanted in mice. This membrane exhibits most of the properties suitable for the islet encapsulation with a view to developing a bioartificial pancreas.     

Rinsing Behavior of Deposited Layers Formed on Membranes in Ultrafiltration

Skim milk and aqueous milk protein suspensions were ultrafiltered in a tubular module under controlled conditions (temperature, pressure, flow rate) and were subsequently rinsed with water also under controlled conditions. The effect of rinsing on the deposited layer was followed by observing the flux with time. Ultrafiltration and rinsing should be carried out at high flow rates and at low pressures. Increasing the pressure led to an undesirable increase in the compactness of the deposit. Theoretical considerations of the mechanism of transport in and at the deposited layer made it possible to obtain data on the thickness of the deposits, on mass transfer coefficients and velocity profiles within deposits. The experimental rinsing curves could be well explained by the calculated results. The results should help to optimize the performance and cleaning of UF modules.     

Deposited Whey Protein Layers influence Solute Rejection in Reverse Osmosis

A membrane process is often accompanied by build-up of deposited layers on the membrane surface. Such layers change the performance of the system (e.g. the flux and rejection of solutes). Whey proteins were deposited on a reverse osmosis membrane to increase solute rejection. A gel-like deposited layer increased the rejection level of the system, while a porous deposited layer did not affect it. Further, in-situ denaturation of whey proteins helped to form the effective gel-like secondary membrane.     

Properties of Mixed and Filled-type Dairy Gels

Skim milk powder (SMP), a whey protein concentrate (WPC) and fat globules with modified membranes were used for the fabrication of mixed and filled dairy gels. Firmness and syneresis of pure gels varied broadly with pH and total solids (TS). Mixing SMP and WPC at 10% TS showed synergistic effects on gel firmness, particularly for 50:50 blends, and addition of fat provided further reinforcement. Syneresis of gels and their appearance changed from high and clear to low and turbid, respectively, as the WPC content was increased. Microstructural studies revealed the porous structure of the parent gels, compatability between both protein sources and between fat globules and the protein matrix.     

C.E.R.A. once every 4 weeks in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis: The ARCTOS extension study

C.E.R.A., a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator is approved for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The ARCTOS (administration of C.E.R.A. in CKD patients to treat anemia with a twice‐monthly schedule) phase 3 study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of C.E.R.A. in correcting anemia when administered once every 2 weeks (Q2W) subcutaneously in patients with CKD not on dialysis. We assessed the feasibility and long‐term safety of converting patients who responded to treatment with C.E.R.A. Q2W to C.E.R.A. once every 4 weeks (Q4W) during a 24‐week extension period. After the core ARCTOS study period (28 weeks), 296 patients entered the 24‐week extension period. At week 29, patients who responded to C.E.R.A. Q2W during the core period were rerandomized to receive subcutaneous C.E.R.A. Q2W or Q4W. Patients in the comparator arm could receive darbepoetin alfa once weekly or Q2W. Dosage was adjusted to maintain hemoglobin (Hb) between 11 and 13 g/dL. Mean Hb levels remained stable in all groups, and were comparable at the end of the extension period (mean [standard deviation], C.E.R.A. Q2W, 11.92 [0.90] g/dL; C.E.R.A. Q4W, 11.70 [0.86] g/dL; darbepoetin alfa, 11.89 [0.98] g/dL). Mean within‐patient standard deviation values for Hb were also comparable in all groups (0.66, 0.62, and 0.65 g/dL for C.E.R.A. Q2W, C.E.R.A. Q4W and darbepoetin alfa, respectively). All treatments were well tolerated. Subcutaneous C.E.R.A. Q4W is safe and effective in maintaining stable Hb levels in patients with CKD not on dialysis following correction with subcutaneous C.E.R.A. Q2W.     

Permeation Rate During Reverse Osmosis of Milk Influenced by Osmotic Pressure and Deposit Formation

During the concentration of milk by reverse osmosis deposited layers are formed on the membrane which constitute an additional resistance to permeation. Permeation is seen as mass flow through two resistances, namely laminar flow through the deposited layer and transport by diffusion through the membrane. A comparison of reverse osmosis of pure milk protein solutions and skim milk showed that inorganic ions increased the resistance to flow of the deposited layer considerably. The pressure loss through the deposited layer Δ p_L was found by experiment. By means of regression analysis, mathematical relationships could be obtained to describe the effects of the processing variables on it.     

Kaolinite Dehydroxylation Kinetics

The rates of dehydroxylation of three kaolinites which varied in particle thickness were studied from 417° to 480°C under very low water vapor partial pressures. The dehydroxylation rate was directly proportional to the surface area and had an activation enthalpy of 41.0 kcal/mol. The data did not fit either a diffusion-controlled or a phase-boundary-controlled reaction in the radial direction, even when the particle diameter distribution was taken into account. The reaction appears to proceed through the kaolin particles by a pseudo-phase-boundary-controlled mechanism, principally in the [001] direction.