Activity of quassinoids as antifeedants against aphids

A series of quassinoids was tested for antifeedant activity against the aphidMyzus persicae (Hemiptera, Aphididae). Isobrucein B, brucein B and C, glaucarubinone, and quassin decreased feeding at concentrations down to 0.05% and isobrucein A was effective at 0.01%. Only quassin showed no phytotoxic effects and is therefore the most promising compound for further development.     

Zeolite Formation in Class F Fly Ash Blended Cement Pastes

Zeolite formation in Class F fly ash blended cement pastes is under investigation. A Na–P type zeolite and Zeolite Y were synthesized from Class F fly ash and NaOH solution after 2 days of aging at room temperature and 6 days of curing at 80°C. However, no zeolites formed when KOH was used. In additional experiments, a Na–P type zeolite, Zeolite Y, and chabazite developed in cement pastes blended with Class F fly ash and NaOH solution which had been aged 2 days at room temperature and then cured 6 days at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 90°C. Seeding the pastes with natural zeolites was also investigated.     

Electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) has been gaining increasing interest as an economical and versatile processing technique for the production of novel coatings or films of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on conductive substrates. The purpose of the paper is to present an up-to-date comprehensive overview of current research progress in the field of EPD of CNTs. The paper specifically reviews the preparation and characterisation of stable CNT suspensions, and the mechanism of the EPD process; it includes discussion of pure CNT coatings and CNT/nanoparticle composite films. A complete discussion of the EPD parameters is presented, including electrode materials, deposition time, electrode separation, deposition voltage and resultant electric field. The paper highlights potential applications of the resulting CNT and CNT/composite structures, in areas such as field emission devices, fuel cells, and supercapacitors.     

In vivo aging of gutta‐percha dental cone

Gutta‐percha cone is the most widely used material for root canal filling. The in vivo aging of this cone focus on the degradation of its main organic component, trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene, was studied. Aged cones (25 samples) from 2 to 30 years of root canal filling were extracted from different patients in the occasion of retreatment by mechanical way. The information about the aging time was given by the patients. Gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were the analytical techniques used. Polyisoprene degrades with time of aging, but in a slow process. Decrease in polymer molar mass from 5.7 × 10⁵ to 1.7 × 10⁵ g/mol was observed in polyisoprene from cone after 30 years of root canal filling and inside a noninfected tooth. In tooth with caries and periodontal infection, the decrease in molar mass is higher (4.6 × 10⁴ g/mol in cone with 10 years of aging). The production of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the aged material indicates that the process is oxidative, even in closed teeth. In these cases, the oxygen could be provided from tissue fluid. The degradation mechanism is complex and depends on many factors, besides time of root canal filling. The dental problem caused by the aging could be the production and migration of cytotoxic substances to periodontal ligament and the reduction on the canal sealing property due to the polymer weight loss. Both of them could contribute to the root canal treatment failure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100:4082–4088, 2006     

A fold-back single-chain diabody format enhances the bioactivity of an anti-monkey CD3 recombinant diphtheria toxin-based immunotoxin

T-cell depleting anti-CD3 immunotoxins have utility in non-human primate models of transplantation tolerance and autoimmune disease therapy. We recently reported that an affinity matured single-chain (scFv) anti-monkey CD3 antibody, C207, had increased binding to T-cells and increased bioactivity in a diphtheria toxin (DT)-based biscFv immunotoxin compared with the parental antibody, FN18. However, FN18 scFvs and their mutant derivatives such as C207 did not exhibit robust bivalent character in the biscFv format. We now report that C207 in a diabody format exhibits a 7-fold increase in binding to T-cells over scFv (C207) indicating considerable divalent character for the diabody. This construct was formed by reducing the V(L)/V(H) linker to five residues and was secreted from Pichia pastoris as the non-covalent dimer. An immunotoxin based on this diabody format was secreted as a non-covalent dimer but was devoid of bioactivity and failed to bind T-cells, suggesting steric hindrance from the two large closely positioned truncated DT moieties. We constructed a single-chain diabody immunotoxin by fusing to the truncated DT C-terminus L1-VL-L1-VH-L2-VL-L1-VH where L1 is a five-residue linker and L2 is the longer (G4S)3 linker permitting interactions between the distal and proximal VL/VH domains. This 'fold-back' immunotoxin was secreted predominantly as the monomer and exhibited a 5- to 7-fold increase in bioactivity over DT390biscFv(C207) and depleted monkey T-cells in vivo.     

Bioaccessibility of provitamin A carotenoids in bananas (Musa spp.) and derived dishes in African countries

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) constitute an important component of the diet in Africa. Substantial levels of provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) in Musa fruit have been reported, but the bioaccessibility of these pVACs remains unknown. In this study, we used an in vitro digestion model to assess the bioaccessibility (i.e. the transfer into micelles) of pVACs from boiled bananas and derived dishes using the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a study context. In particular, the effect of different food ingredients added to boiled bananas on pVAC’s bioaccessibility was studied. The bioaccessibility of all-trans β-carotene ranged from 10% to 32%, depending on the food recipes, and was modified, particularly when pVACs-rich ingredients (palm oil/amaranth) were added. Efficiency of micellarization of all-trans β-carotene was similar to that of all-trans α-carotene and depended on the cultivar (Musilongo, plantain type, 16%; Vulambya, East African cooking type, 28%), while that of the 13-cis isomer was higher (21–33.5%). Taking into account bioaccessibility, the estimated vitamin A activity was significantly different across the different Musa-based dishes tested. Results are discussed in terms of recommendations to help reduce vitamin A deficiency in Musa-dependent African communities.     

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activity and Food Packaging Applications

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound widely used in everyday applications. ZnO is currently listed as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material by the Food and Drug Administration and is used as food additive. The advent of nanotechnology has led the development of materials with new properties for use as antimicrobial agents. Thus, ZnO in nanoscale has shown antimicrobial properties and potential applications in food preservation. ZnO nanoparticles have been incorporated in polymeric matrices in order to provide antimicrobial activity to the packaging material and improve packaging properties. This review presents the main synthesis methods of ZnO nanoparticles, principal characteristics and mechanisms of antimicrobial action as well as the effect of their incorporation in polymeric matrices. Safety issues such as exposure routes and migration studies are also discussed.     

Constructive anger verbal behavior predicts blood pressure in a population-based sample.

The creation of an observational Constructive Anger Behavior—Verbal Style Scale (CAB-V) and its relation to resting blood pressure (BP) in an age- and sex-stratified, population-based sample is examined. Participants (N?=?1,862) provided hypertension risk factor information, had resting BP assessed multiple times, and completed a videotaped interview, which was later coded for CAB-V and Hostile Style. High CAB-V scores remained a significant predictor of lower resting BP when controlling for the effects of standard hypertension risk factors (age, sex, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking status, parental myocardial infarction history, education, and diabetic status) and psychosocial measures (anxiety, depression, hostility, social support, and Hostile Style). This relation also remained when excluding known hypertensive persons. Results suggest that constructive anger expression may have an independent beneficial association with resting BP. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive–behavioral group therapy for bereaved adults and children following an air disaster.

On September 8, 1994, USAir Flight 427 from Chicago crashed on its descent to the Pittsburgh International Airport. All 132 passengers and crew were killed. This crash was unique in that more than 80% of the victims were residents of the greater Pittsburgh area. In this regard, the need for professional intervention became vital. Group intervention allowed the professionals to promptly serve a large number of affected families. It was hypothesized that the group experience would lead to bonding and support that would persist beyond the time limits of the group. A group-based intervention program for adult and child survivors is described, including its administrative structure, therapeutic objectives and interventions, and group process. A direct outcome of this group was the establishment of The USAir Flight 427 Disaster Support League and, subsequently, the development of the National Air Disaster Alliance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)