Determination of the predominant polymorphic form of mango (Mangifera indica) almond fat by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction

In this paper, some important properties, from the application point of view, of mango (Mangifera indica) almond fat var. Manila (MAF) were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The thermal profile, the solid fat content (SFC) and the predominant polymorphism of MAF samples, previously characterized chemically, were studied. The results showed that this fat, from one of the main residues of mango industrialization, had a relatively simple fusion/crystallization behavior. Stabilized samples showed a simple SFC profile with one marked slope between 35 and 40 °C. Different thermal histories demonstrated the existence of at least four polymorphs. The non‐stabilized samples corresponded predominantly to the formation of the crystalline &α form. The stabilized samples, tested under several time and temperature conditions, allowed the formation of two other polymorphs, which are both unstable forms and were formed during &α to β polymorphic transition. The X‐ray diffraction information confirmed the presence of the less and more stable MAF polymorphs, allowing us to conclude that MAF is a β‐stable fat, just as is cocoa butter.     

Extrusion deactivation of rice bran enzymes by pH modification

Rice bran is considered in Mexico as “waste”, useful only for feeds. As considerable amounts of oil are available in rice bran, it might be worthwhile to stabilize it and extract the edible oil before using it for feedstuffs. Precisely these oils are responsible for rice bran rapid deterioration, particularly in climatic conditions such as those prevalent in Mexico's tropical areas (high humidity and high temperature). This paper deals with the study of the effect of pH during extrusion of fresh rice bran in order to inactivate lipid‐breaking enzymes. Hydrochloric acid or calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂, were added at 0, 1, 5, 10% (dry basis), and moisture content of the bran samples was varied (20, 30, 40%, dry basis) in a 3² factorial design to corroborate its effect at acid and alkaline pH range. Free fatty acids (FFA) increase was the control variable. Extruded samples were stored at room temperature (between 20 and 28 °C) using a non‐extruded sample as control to assess the shelf life effects. Results indicate that in acid‐extruded samples, the increase in FFA concentration after 98 days was much less than in the unmodified‐pH or alkaline samples. The lowest FFA increase after 3 months of storage time was <10 mg FFA/g rice bran using extrusion with no water or chemicals added or using extrusion adding HCl, irrespective of the moisture content of rice bran.     

Both Specific Endothelial and Proximal Tubular Adam17 Deletion Protect against Diabetic Nephropathy

ADAM17 is a disintegrin and metalloproteinase capable of cleaving the ectodomains of a diverse variety of molecules including TNF-α, TGF-α, L-selectin, and ACE2. We have previously demonstrated that renal ADAM17 is upregulated in diabetic mice. The role of endothelial (eAdam17) and proximal tubular (tAdam17) Adam17 deletion in renal histology, modulation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS), renal inflammation, and fibrosis was studied in a mouse model of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Moreover, the effect of Adam17 deletion in an in vitro 3D cell culture from human proximal tubular cells under high glucose conditions was evaluated. eAdam17 deletion attenuates renal fibrosis and inflammation, whereas tAdam17 deletion decreases podocyte loss, attenuates the RAS, and decreases macrophage infiltration, α-SMA and collagen accumulation. The 3D in vitro cell culture reinforced the findings obtained in tAdam17KO mice with decreased fibrosis in the Adam17 knockout spheroids. In conclusion, Adam17 deletion either in the endothelial or the tubular cells mitigates kidney injury in the diabetic mice by targeting different pathways. The manipulation of Adam17 should be considered as a therapeutic strategy for treating DN.     

Porcine pancreatic lipase immobilized on polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol hybrid matrix: catalytic properties and feasibility to mediate synthesis of surfactants and biodiesel

Polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol hybrid matrix was prepared by a sol–gel technique and its capacity to bind porcine pancreatic lipase investigated. The loading of 250 units g^?1 support was shown to be effective, resulting in an immobilized lipase with high catalytic activity. Both free and immobilized lipases were characterized by determining the activity profile as a function of pH, temperature, substrate concentration and thermal stability. Application of the immobilized lipase in non‐conventional biocatalysis for the synthesis of surfactants and biodiesel was also analyzed. Production of sugar fatty acid esters was found to be dependent on the carbohydrate and the highest molar conversion (50% in 3–4 h of reaction) was achieved for substrates containing fructose and lauric or oleic acids. Biodiesel synthesis from babassu oil and ethanol, propanol or butanol was feasible and regardless of the kind of alcohols, results revealed that the immobilized PPL could efficiently convert triglycerides to fatty acid alkyl esters attaining yields varying from 75 to 95%. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Algorithm for Accurate Three-Dimensional Scene Graph Updates in High-Speed Animations of Previously Simulated Construction Operations

Abstract:   Visualization of construction operations is an important technique to communicate the logic of simulation models in detail. Early efforts resulted in a scene graph and frame update algorithm that was capable of converting discrete information from simulation models into smooth and continuous 3D animations. That algorithm did not account for high speed or concurrent animation because the need to do so was not anticipated. Recent advances in computing power and an interest in using the technology for next generation applications now demand accurate high speed and concurrent animations. This article presents the design of the original algorithm at a previously undocumented level of detail and specificity, and that allows for the analysis of its shortcomings when used at high speeds or concurrently with simulation. Two subsequent but still inadequate designs of the algorithm are also presented and analyzed in detail so that they can serve as an illustration of the path toward the final design and place it in proper context. The article concludes with the final design and evaluation of the algorithm, which is accurate at very high animation speeds and supports concurrent animation of simulation models.     

CORDIC Processor for Variable-Precision Interval Arithmetic

In this paper we present a specific CORDIC processor for variable-precision coordinates. This system allows us to specify the precision to perform the CORDIC operation, and control the accuracy of the result, in such a way that re-computation of inaccurate results can be carried out with higher precision. It permits a reliable and accurate evaluation of a wide range of elementary functions. The specific architecture designed greatly improves the computational time of previous solutions based on classic polynomial approximation. For controlling error in numerical computation (where intervals are normally narrow) the proposed design performs an interval operation in a time close to that of a point operation.     

Chemokine-Derived Peptides: Novel Antimicrobial and Antineoplasic Agents

Chemokines are a burgeoning family of chemotactic cytokines displaying a broad array of functions such as regulation of homeostatic leukocyte traffic and development, as well as activating the innate immune system. Their role in controlling early and late inflammatory stages is now well recognized. An improper balance either in chemokine synthesis or chemokine receptor expression contributes to various pathological disorders making chemokines and their receptors a useful therapeutic target. Research in this area is progressing rapidly, and development of novel agents based on chemokine/chemokine receptors antagonist functions are emerging as attractive alternative drugs. Some of these novel agents include generation of chemokine-derived peptides (CDP) with potential agonist and antagonist effects on inflammation, cancer and against bacterial infections. CDP have been generated mainly from N- and C-terminus chemokine sequences with subsequent modifications such as truncations or elongations. In this review, we present a glimpse of the different pharmacological actions reported for CDP and our current understanding regarding the potential use of CDP alone or as part of the novel therapies proposed in the treatment of microbial infections and cancer.     

Rapid Parallel Synthesis of Bioactive Folded Cyclotides by Using a Tea‐Bag Approach

We report here the first rapid parallel production of bioactive folded cyclotides by using Fmoc‐based solid‐phase peptide synthesis in combination with a “tea‐bag” approach. Using this approach, we efficiently synthesized 15 analogues of the CXCR4 antagonist cyclotide MCo‐CVX‐5c. Cyclotides were synthesized in a single‐pot, cyclization/folding reaction in the presence of reduced glutathione. Natively folded cyclotides were quickly purified from the cyclization/folding crude mixture by activated thiol Sepharose‐based chromatography. The different folded cyclotide analogues were then tested for their ability to inhibit the CXCR4 receptor in a cell‐based assay. The results indicated that this approach can be used for the efficient chemical synthesis of libraries of cyclotides with improved biological properties that can be easily interfaced with solution or cell‐based assays for rapid screening.