'Guapo' (Myrosma cannifolia) starch: a natural product with potential use in cosmetic formulations

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the possible use of Myrosma cannifolia starch L.F. Maranthaceae ('Guapo'), as a raw material in heterogeneous systems or powdered cosmetic and pharmaceutical products formulation. The starch chemical and physical characteristics, physico-chemical properties, and rheological behaviour, previously studied, were considered. Flowing characteristics, particle size distribution, water absorption capacity at 25 degrees C (ambient temperature), and toxicity were assessed. Results showed that Myrosma starch complies with the USP and British pharmacopoeia, and presented a normal particle distribution. More than 25% of the granules had a diameter >23.81 mum and the average size of particles was >16.92 mum. When compared with talc, 'guapo' starch presented higher values for water absorption capacity and flowing characteristics. Starch showed negative local toxicity, and low acute toxicity in vitro on two human dermis cell types. The amylographic study and the difractograms suggest the possible use of this starch in heterogeneous systems. A facial transparent powder was formulated and some of its properties were determined by sensorial analysis. It was concluded that the M. cannifolia starch presents certain characteristics useful in the formulation of new powdered products.     

The reduction of stannic oxide with carbon

The rate of reduction of stannic oxide (cassiterite) with carbonaceous materials was investigated in the temperature range 1073 to 1273 K, using thermogravimetic analysis. The effects of the type, the particle size, and the relative amount of carbon were studied. The results indicate that cassiterite is reduced directly to Sn proceeding through the gaseous intermediates of CO and CO₂. The overall rate of reduction is controlled by the oxidation of carbon by CO₂ · An energy of activation of 220.9 kj/mole (52.8 kcal/mole) was calculated for the reduction of SnO₂ with coconut charcoal within the temperature range 1073 to 1173 K and 323.8 kjJ.mole (77.4 kcalJ.mole) with graphite within the temperature range 1198 to 1273 K. A direct comparison was made between the rate of oxidation of coconut charcoal in CO₂- CO mixtures and the rate of reduction of SnO₂ with coconut charcoal, which are not in agreement. The reason for this disagreement was found to be the catalytic action of the tin formed during the reduction. Formerly Graduate Student in the Department of Metallurgy and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah.     

Altering Functional Properties of Fats Using Power Ultrasound

ABSTRACT: Ultrasound has been used for the last 50 y in different processing applications. Depending on the power and frequency of the sound waves, ultrasound techniques can be classified in different categories. Low-intensity ultrasound uses high frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 10 MHz and is mostly used for therapeutic purpose (frequencies between 1 and 10 MHz) and to passively monitor the characteristics of materials (frequencies between 100 kHz and 10 MHz). High-intensity ultrasound (HIU), on the other hand, uses lower frequencies in the range of 20 to 100 kHz and it is commonly used for cleaning, disrupting, and restructuring materials. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of HIU on functional properties of anhydrous milk fat (AMF), palm kernel oil (PKO), and an all-purpose shortening (Sh). Results from this research shows that HIU induced primary and secondary nucleation in the lipid, generating smaller crystals and as a consequence harder materials. HIU affected hardness more efficiently when applied at higher crystallization temperatures (26 and 28 °C) as shown for AMF data, and when the sonication was applied after the first crystals were formed as observed for PKO and Sh systems. In addition to changes in hardness, AMF and Sh networks obtained after sonication were characterized by a steeper and sharper melting profile. This research shows that HIU can be used as an additional processing tool to tailor the functional properties of lipids with the potential to be used in the processing of trans-free shortenings.     

Lipid and Phospholipid Profiling of Biological Samples Using MALDI Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry

Here we describe a study of the feasibility of lipid and phospholipid (PL) profiling using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) for two different applications. In this work PL profiles of different mammalian tissues as well as those of whole cell organisms were examined. In particular, comparative analysis of lipid and PL profiles of tissues from mice fed different diets was done and, in another application, MALDI FTMS was used to analyze PL profiles of genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Computational sorting of the observed ions was done in order to group the lipid and PL ions from complex MALDI spectra. The PL profiles of liver tissues from mice fed different diets showed a cross correlation coefficient of 0.2580, indicating significant dissimilarity, and revealed more than 30 significantly different peaks at the 99.9% confidence level. Histogram plots derived from the spectra of wild type and genetically modified yeast resulted in a cross correlation coefficient 0.8941 showing greater similarity, but still revealing a number of significantly different peaks. Based on these results, it appears possible to use MALDI FTMS to identify PLs as potential biomarkers for metabolic processes in whole cells and tissues.     

Rheological and Thermal Properties of Extruded Mixtures of Rice Starch and Isolated Soy Protein

Many foods gain new mechanical, thermal and textural properties after being processed due to interactions between carbohydrates and proteins. This effect is characteristic for each foodstuff. The properties of extruded isolated soy protein (ISP) and rice starch were studied considering the following extrusion variables: starch proportion with respect to ISP (0–100%), pH (3–9), moisture content (20–30%) and temperature (140–180ºC). The following characteristics were measured: Water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), glass transition temperature (T_g), melting temperature (T_m), viscosity at 90ºC and at 50ºC, storage (G′), loss modulus (G′′) and tan δ. The results indicate that the extruded starch exhibits higher WAI and WSI values than untreated starch. For extruded ISP these values are much lower than for untreated ISP. Extrudates with higher starch proportion had higher T_g and T_m values; pH has a significant effect (p<0.05), at pH 3 higher T_g values were observed, and at pH 9 higher values of T_m. The highest viscosities at 90ºC and 50ºC were observed for extrudates with a higher starch proportion and pH 9. Extruded mixtures showed a more elastic than viscous behavior and an extruded 1:1 blend of starch‐ISP exhibited the behavior of a viscous liquid.     

Toward the adaptation of component‐based architectures by model transformation: behind smart user interfaces

Graphical user interfaces are not always developed for remaining static. There are GUIs with the need of implementing some variability mechanisms. Component‐based GUIs are an ideal target for incorporating this kind of operations, because they can adapt their functionality at run‐time when their structure is updated by adding or removing components or by modifying the relationships between them. Mashup user interfaces are a good example of this type of GUI, and they allow to combine services through the assembly of graphical components. We intend to adapt component‐based user interfaces for obtaining smart user interfaces. With this goal, our proposal attempts to adapt abstract component‐based architectures by using model transformation. Our aim is to generate at run‐time a dynamic model transformation, because the rules describing their behavior are not pre‐set but are selected from a repository depending on the context. The proposal describes an adaptation schema based on model transformation providing a solution to this dynamic transformation. Context information is processed to select at run‐time a rule subset from a repository. Selected rules are used to generate, through a higher‐order transformation, the dynamic model transformation. This approach has been tested through a case study which applies different repositories to the same architecture and context. Moreover, a web tool has been developed for validation and demonstration of its applicability. The novelty of our proposal arises from the adaptation schema that creates a non pre‐set transformation, which enables the dynamic adaptation of component‐based architectures. Copyright © 2014 Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent Extraction of Copper from Sulfate–Chloride Solutions Using LIX 84-IC and LIX 860-IC

ABSTRACT

The effect of chloride ions on the copper extraction equilibria, the rate of extraction, copper/iron selectivity, and chloride extraction was studied for organic phases containing pure ketoxime (LIX 84-IC) and pure nonylaldoxime (LIX 860N-IC). In these systems, the used aqueous phase contained total chloride concentrations from 0 to 110 g/l. It was determined that the chloride ions in the aqueous solution had a large negative effect on the extraction equilibria for LIX 84-IC and a small effect for LIX 860N-IC. This deleterious effect is attributed to an increase in the hydrogen ion activity coefficient in the presence of chloride ions. The chloride accelerated the rate of copper extraction even though the reaction was fast in all the tested conditions. An increase in the temperature from 25°C to 35°C affected positively the extraction equilibria for LIX 84-IC.     

In Silico/In Vitro Hit-to-Lead Methodology Yields SMYD3 Inhibitor That Eliminates Unrestrained Proliferation of Breast Carcinoma Cells

SMYD3 is a lysine methyltransferase that regulates the expression of over 80 genes and is required for the uncontrolled proliferation of most breast, colorectal, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The elimination of SMYD3 restores normal expression patterns of these genes and halts aberrant cell proliferation, making it a promising target for small molecule inhibition. In this study, we sought to establish a proof of concept for our in silico/in vitro hit-to-lead enzyme inhibitor development platform and to identify a lead small molecule candidate for SMYD3 inhibition. We used Schrodinger^® software to screen libraries of small molecules in silico and the five compounds with the greatest predicted binding affinity within the SMYD3 binding pocket were purchased and assessed in vitro in direct binding assays and in breast cancer cell lines. We have confirmed the ability of one of these inhibitors, Inhibitor-4, to restore normal rates of cell proliferation, arrest the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells without affecting wildtype cell behavior. Our results provide a proof of concept for this fast and affordable small molecule hit-to-lead methodology as well as a promising candidate small molecule SMYD3 inhibitor for the treatment of human cancer.     

Manual patient transfers: factors that influence decisions and kinematic strategies employed by nursing aides

While extensive literature has characterised factors that influence the acceptable mass of ‘boxes’ during MMH tasks, less is known about these factors when moving ‘people’ in healthcare settings. This study examined factors that influence decisions/approaches employed during manual patient transfers. Sixteen nursing aides manually-transferred a standardised ‘patient’; patient mass was adjusted (using a weight vest) to determine a maximum acceptable patient mass for this task (mass_max). Grip strength was the only worker characteristic significantly associated with mass_max (r?=?0.48). Older worker age was associated with smaller peak trunk flexion (r?= ?0.58) and shoulder abduction (r?= ?0.59), and greater trunk axial twist (r?=?0.52). Workers emphasised that patient characteristics (e.g. physical/cognitive status) influenced their decisions when performing transfers. These findings extend previous literature by suggesting that grip strength is a useful predictor of perceived work capacity, older workers adapt protective postural strategies during patient transfers and worker-patient dynamics are crucial during this high-risk occupational task.

Practitioner Summary: This study examined manual patient transfers performed by nursing aides. Worker grip strength (but not age or size) was associated with perceptions of maximum acceptable patient mass. Kinematic changes suggested more conservative strategies used by older workers. Workers emphasised that patient characteristics substantially influenced their decisions when performing transfer tasks.     

Oxidative Stability of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Oil Blends

Chia and sesame oils are important sources of essential fatty acids; however, their ω-3:ω-6 proportions do not comply with nutritional recommendation. A feasible approach to improve the ratio is to blend different oils, but only after understanding physical and chemical changes of the new matrix. Objective of the investigation was to determine the physico-chemical characteristics and the oxidative stability index (OSI), using the Rancimat method, of chia-sesame oil blends. The four ω-3:ω-6 blends tested (1:4, 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10) were exposed to temperatures of 110, 120, and 130 °C. The OSI values of the mixtures varied between 6.24–8.08, 3.07–4.00, and 1.62–2.01 hours for each temperature, respectively. In addition, their mean activation energy, enthalpy, entropy, and Q₁₀ were 88.4 kJ/mol, 85.2 kJ/mol, −41.1 J/mol K, and 2.0. Finally, a shelf life prediction performed at 25 °C indicated stability times between 80 and 123 days. Therefore, combining chia and sesame oils produced blends with a good balance of essential fatty acids.