Trace metals in the marine bivalve Macoma balthica in the westerschelde estuary, The Nertherlands. Part 3: Variability of the role of cytosol in metal uptake by the clams

Tellinid clams Macoma balthica were sampled every 2 months for 2.5 years at two locations from the Westerschelde estuary (The Netherlands) and submitted to in vitro short-term exposure to Cd, Cu and Zn. Total and heat-stable cytosolic metal concentrations have been measured before and after exposure to study the effects of the sampling season on metal uptake by the bivalve. We observed much higher uptakes of Cd and, to a lesser extent, Cu in winter than in summer, while Zn appears to be constantly regulated. These phenomena are amplified in the cytosol, especially for Cd, a non-essential element, for which the concentrations after exposure can reach 35–45 μg·g⁻¹ (dry wt.) in winter, but only a maximum of 0.5 μg·g⁻¹ in summer, all natural values being between 0.01 and 0.1 μg·g⁻¹ on average. The contents (μg) of the various elements, either at the total or at the cytosolic level, are not constant, hence showing that the seasonal body weight fluctuation of the clams (dilution or concentration effect) is not the only parameter responsible for the metal uptake variability. Furthermore, we have shown that the proportion of cytosolic metal is not constant, but increases with the absolute cytosolic concentration up to 35–40. Therefore, the cytosolic phase of the cells plays a growing role in Cd, Cu and Zn storage as long as their total concentration increases.     

Free amino acid content of goat's milk cheese made with animal rennet and plant coagulant

BACKGROUND: Enzymes present in the flowers of Cynara cardunculus (cyprosins) are used in the production of some traditional Spanish and Portuguese cheeses, replacing animal rennet. The aim of this work was to study the changes that take place in free amino acids during the ripening of a goat's milk cheese (Murcia al Vino) manufactured with plant coagulant (PC) or animal rennet (AR). RESULTS: The total free amino acid (TFAA) concentration increased during ripening, with Ile, Val, Ala, Phe, Gaba, Arg and Lys representing more than 50% of the TFAA content at 60 days in both types of cheese. The TFAA concentration was significantly higher in cheeses made with PC (854 mg 100 g^?1 total solids (TS)) than those made with AR (735 mg 100 g^?1 TS). The concentration of most free amino acids, especially His, Ser, Gln, Thr, Ala, Met and Ile, was higher in the PC cheese. CONCLUSION: Cheese made using PC as coagulant presented higher contents of free amino acid throughout the ripening period than cheese made using AR. Therefore we can conclude that the use of PC to produce Murcia al Vino goat's cheese would accelerate the ripening process as a result of increased cyprosin proteolytic activity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Autoclaving effects on the dietary fibre content of carrots (Daucus carota) and turnips (Brassica napus): an evaluation of different methods

Different methods have been used to evaluate variations in the dietary fibre content of carrots and turnips during autoclaving. Autoclaving was carried out at 121°C under pressure for 15 min. The methods used were the gravimetric (neutral and acid detergent fibre) method, the enzymatic-gravimetric method for (insoluble and soluble fibre and the spectrophotometric method for pectic substances. When the methodologies were compared it was observed that in raw carrots and turnips, the neutral detergent fibre and insoluble fibre contents were statistically different (P<0.05). This was not the case for processed samples of the vegetables. The correlation between the different methodologies was studied. A good correlation was found between neutral detergent fibre and insoluble fibre in raw turnips (r = 0.999). Variance analysis indicated that quantitative variations resulting after thermal treatment were statistically significant (P<0.05) for neutral detergent fibre in carrots (raw = 1.97%, processed = 1.68%), and for pectic substances in carrots (raw = 0.54%, processed = 0.47%) and turnips (raw = 0.33%, processed = 0.25%). Optical microscopy has been used to identify different dietary fibre components in raw and processed samples.     

The role of specific emotions in children's responses to interparental conflict: A test of the model.

Mothers, fathers, and their 6-year-old children (N?=?164) participated in a study testing key tenets of the specific emotions model of marital conflict. Parents reported their marital conflict strategies, were observed interacting with their children, and rated children's behavioral adjustment. Children reported their emotional reactions to specific interparental conflicts. Results support the specific emotions model. Children's behaviors mirrored the marital or parental behaviors of same-gender parents. Indirect effects of marital aggression through parental behavior were detected, and marital and parental behaviors interacted to predict girls' externalizing. Girls' anger, sadness, and fear increased with fathers' marital aggression. Fear and the anger by fear interaction predicted girls' internalizing. Fathers' marital aggression interacted with anger to predict externalizing and interacted with fear to predict internalizing behavior in boys. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aggregation Behavior of Perfluorononanoic Acid/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Mixtures

The mixed system of an anionic hydrocarbon surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and a perfluorinated surfactant, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), was investigated by a combination of methods. The critical micellar concentrations (CMC) were determined over a wide range of sample compositions by surface tension, conductivity and UV–visible spectrophotometry using N-(4-nitrophenyl)perfluorononanamide as a molecular probe. The values of CMC obtained by different techniques were in good agreement. In addition, the aggregation numbers were determined in the mixtures with a low content of hydrocarbon surfactant, by measuring the fluorescence quenching of pyrene. The hydrodynamic radii of the aggregates were estimated through the diffusion ordered ¹⁹F- and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The values obtained are in agreement with those expected according to the measured aggregation numbers. The analysis of the data with different aggregation models suggests the formation of a non-ideal mixed micelle that is enriched in the perfluorinated surfactant when its mole fraction increases, and that is practically formed by PFNA only at mole fractions higher than 0.8.     

Fuel size effect on pinewood combustion in a packed bed

In this paper, particle size effect on pinewood combustion in a stationary packed bed was investigated. Mass loss rate, temperature profile at different bed locations and gas compositions in the out-of-bed flue gases were measured at a fixed primary air flow rate. Pinewood cubes was fired with size ranging from 5 to 35 mm. A unique numerical model applicable to thermally thick particles was proposed and relevant equations were solved to simulate the non-homogeneous characteristics of the burning process. It is found that at the operating conditions of the current study, smaller particles are quicker to ignite than larger particles and have distinctive combustion stages; burning rate is also higher with smaller fuel size; and smaller fuels have a thinner reaction zone and result in both higher CO and CH₄ concentrations in the out-of-bed flue gases; on the other hand, larger particles produced a higher flame temperature and result in higher H₂ concentration in the flue gases. Larger particles also cause the combustion process becoming more transient where the burning rate varies for most part of the combustion process.     

Effect of autoclaving on dietary fibre content of beetroot (Beta vulgaris). Evaluation by different methods

Modifications of dietary fibre in beetroot during autoclaving have been evaluated by different methods: acid detergent (raw=1.45%; processed=1.17%) and neutral detergent (raw=2.30%; processed=2.00%), the enzymatic-gravimetric method of Asp (raw=3.35%; processed=3.34%), HPLC (raw=1.42%; processed=1.60%) and 3,5-dimethylphenol (raw=0.36; processed=0.28%). The correlation between different methodologies was studied. Autoclaving was carried out at 121°C under pressure for 15 min. Variance analysis indicated that quantitative variations originating in the thermic treatment were not statistically significant (P>0.05).     

P16 and HPV Genotype Significance in HPV-Associated Cervical Cancer—A Large Cohort of Two Tertiary Referral Centers

The expression of p16 is a good surrogate of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in HPV-associated cancers. The significance of p16 expression, HPV genotype and genera in the outcome of patients with HPV-associated cervical cancer (CC) is unclear. Our aim is to ascertain the prognostic significance of these factors. Data from 348 patients (median age: 47.5 years old) with CC, diagnosed in two referral centers, were retrospectively collected. Advanced disease (FIGO2018 IB2-IV) was present in 68% of patients. A single HPV genotype was identified in 82.8% of patients. The most common HPVs were HPV16 (69%) and HPV18 (14%). HPV genera reflected this distribution. HPV16 tumors presented at an earlier stage. P16 was negative in 18 cases (5.2%), 83.3% of which were squamous cell carcinomas. These cases occurred in older patients who tended to have advanced disease. In the univariate analysis, HPV16 (HR: 0.58; p = 0.0198), α-9 genera (HR: 0.37; p = 0.0106) and p16 overexpression (HR: 0.54; p = 0.032) were associated with better survival. HPV16 (HR: 0.63; p = 0.0174) and α-9 genera (HR: 0.57; p = 0.0286) were associated with less relapse. In the multivariate analysis, only the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage retained an independent prognostic value. HPV16, α-9 genera and p16 overexpression were associated with better survival, although not as independent prognostic factors. Patients with p16-negative HPV-associated CC were older, presented with advanced disease and had worse prognosis.