Potential dietary sources of ellagic acid and other antioxidants among fruits consumed in Brazil: jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg)

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the content of ellagic acid in fruits consumed by the Brazilian population, including native ones; (2) to further characterize rich sources in relation to ascorbic acid, phenolics contents and in vitro antioxidant capacity; and (3) to study the distribution and effect of ripening stage on ellagitannins content of jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba). The content of free ellagic acid and ellagic acid derivatives such as ellagitannins was analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Ellagic acid was detected in 10 out of a total of 35 fruits analyzed. The content of free ellagic acid in fruits varied from 0.0028 to 0.085 g kg^?1 (FW) and total ellagic acid varied from 0.215 to 3.11 g kg^?1 (FW). All the seven fruits belonging to the Myrtaceae family evaluated in this study presented high contents of ellagitannins in their composition, with jabuticaba, grumixama and cambuci (all native from Brazil) showing the highest total ellagic acid contents. Jabuticaba, the most consumed in Brazil among those and already adapted to commercial plantations, contained concentrated phenolics compounds, including ellagitannins, in the peel. Anthocyanins (cyanidin derivatives) increased significantly through ripening of jabuticaba and were not present in the pulp or seeds. Samples collected from three different locations during summer, winter and spring had total ellagic contents varying from 1.88 to 3.31 g kg^?1 (FW). The decrease in ellagic acid content with ripening was more accentuated for pulp (eight times) compared to seeds (2.3 times) and peel (2.0 times). CONCLUSION: These results showed the potential of jabuticaba as dietary source of ellagic acid and reinforced consumption of the whole fruit by the population. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Atmospheric Effects on the Performance of CdZnTe Single-Crystal Detectors

The production of high-quality ternary single-crystal materials for radiation detectors has progressed over the past 15 years. One of the more common materials being studied is CdZnTe (CZT), which can be grown using several methods to produce detector-grade materials. The work presented herein examines the effects of environmental conditions including temperature and humidity on detector performance [full-width at half-maximum (FWHM)] using the single pixel with guard detector configuration. The effects of electrical probe placement, reproducibility, and aging are also presented.     

Quantitative and qualitative changes in endogenous nitrogen components along the small intestine of the calf

The aim of this study was to investigate the quantitative and qualitative changes in endogenous protein components along the calf's small intestine. A protein‐free diet and three milk substitutes based on skim milk powder and differing in their protein level (100, 200 and 280 g kg⁻¹ respectively) were prepared. Duodenal, jejunal and ileal digesta were collected through simple cannulae. The flow of non‐specific endogenous amino acids (AAs) determined with the protein‐free diet was 8, 13 and 12 g kg⁻¹ of dry matter intake in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum respectively. The flow of endogenous amino acids in digesta from calves fed diets containing protein was determined using multiple linear regression analysis. It was higher than the non‐specific flow at the duodenum and jejunum owing to additional specific endogenous components. At the ileum, milk proteins were completely digested and the flow of total AAs assayed was equal to the non‐specific flow. Seventy per cent of protein flowing at the jejunum was apparently reabsorbed before the terminal ileum. Endogenous protein at the duodenum resembled a theoretical mixture of proteins from saliva, gastric and pancreatic juices (140, 270 and 590 g kg⁻¹ respectively). Ileal protein losses corresponded to a mixture of proteins from the host and gut bacteria in a 50:50 ratio. By contrast, no theoretical mixture of reference proteins fitted the AA composition of jejunal endogenous protein. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Design and evaluation of a robotic system for transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique. It is based on current induction in the brain with a stimulation coil emitting a strong varying magnetic field. Its development is currently limited by the lack of accuracy and repeatability of manual coil positioning. A dedicated robotic system is proposed in this paper. Contrary to previous approaches in the field, a custom design is introduced to maximize the safety of the subject. Furthermore, the control of the force applied by the coil on the subject's head is implemented. The architecture is original and its experimental evaluation demonstrates its interest: the compensation of the head motion is combined with the force control to ensure accuracy and safety during the stimulation.     

Synthesis of fullerene-like tantalum disulfide nanoparticles by a gas-phase reaction and laser ablation

Motivated by the discovery of the C(60) molecule (buckminsterfullerene), the search for inorganic counterparts of this closed-cage nanostructure started in 1992 with the discovery of nested fullerene-like nanoparticles of WS(2). Inorganic fullerene-like (IF) materials have since been found in numerous two-dimensional compounds and are available in a variety of shapes that offer major applications such as in lubricants and nanocomposites. Various synthetic methodologies have been employed to achieve the right conditions for the constricted or templated growth needed for the occurrence of this new phase. In this study, IF-TaS(2) is produced from a volatile chloride precursor in the gas phase and in small yield by room temperature laser ablation both in argon and in liquid CS(2). For the gas-phase reaction, a high yield of IF nanoparticles was obtained between 400 and 600 degrees C with a low concentration of the precursor gas. The average size and the yield of the IF-TaS(2) nanoparticles decrease with temperature. Above 600 degrees C, IF nanoparticles were found in low yields and at sizes below 20 nm. The stability of the IF nanoparticles produced by the gas-phase reaction is discussed in the light of two existing theoretical models. Laser ablation in argon leads to IF nanoparticles filled with clusters of TaS(2). Agglomeration of the nanoparticles can be avoided by laser ablation in liquid CS(2).     

Dynamic fire 3D modeling using a real-time stereovision system

This work presents a new framework for three-dimensional modeling of dynamic fires present in unstructured scenes. The proposed approach addresses the problem of segmenting fire regions using information from YUV and RGB color spaces. Clustering is also used to extract salient points from a pair of stereo images. These points are then used to reconstruct 3D positions in the scene. A matching strategy is proposed to deal with mismatches due to occlusions and missing data. The obtained data are fitted in a 3D ellipsoid in order to model the enclosing fire volume. This form is then used to compute dynamic fire characteristics like its position, dimension, orientation, heading direction, etc. These results are of great importance for fire behavior monitoring and prediction.     

A High‐Throughput Screen for Chemical Inhibitors of Exocytic Transport in Yeast

Most of the components of the membrane and protein traffic machinery were discovered by perturbing their functions, either with bioactive compounds or by mutations. However, the mechanisms responsible for exocytic transport vesicle formation at the Golgi and endosomes are still largely unknown. Both the exocytic traffic routes and the signaling pathways that regulate these routes are highly complex and robust, so that defects can be overcome by alternate pathways or mechanisms. A classical yeast genetic screen designed to account for the robustness of the exocytic pathway identified a novel conserved gene, AVL9, which functions in late exocytic transport. We now describe a chemical‐genetic version of the mutant screen, in which we performed a high‐throughput phenotypic screen of a large compound library and identified novel small‐molecule secretory inhibitors. To maximize the number and diversity of our hits, the screen was performed in a pdr5Δ snq2Δ mutant background, which lacks two transporters responsible for pleiotropic drug resistance. However, we found that deletion of both transporters reduced the fitness of our screen strain, whereas the pdr5Δ mutation had a relatively small effect on growth and was also the more important transporter mutation for conferring sensitivity to our hits. In this and similar chemical‐genetic yeast screens, using just a single pump mutation might be sufficient for increasing hit diversity while minimizing the physiological effects of transporter mutations.     

Effects of carbohydrates-BCAAs-caffeine ingestion on performance and neuromuscular function during a 2-h treadmill run: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over placebo-controlled study

Background

Carbohydrates (CHOs), branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and caffeine are known to improve running performance. However, no information is available on the effects of a combination of these ingredients on performance and neuromuscular function during running.

Methods

The present study was designed as a randomized double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled trial. Thirteen trained adult males completed two protocols, each including two conditions: placebo (PLA) and Sports Drink (SPD: CHOs 68.6 g.L^-1, BCAAs 4 g.L^-1, caffeine 75 mg.L^-1). Protocol 1 consisted of an all-out 2 h treadmill run. Total distance run and glycemia were measured. In protocol 2, subjects exercised for 2 h at 95% of their lowest average speeds recorded during protocol 1 (whatever the condition). Glycemia, blood lactate concentration and neuromuscular function were determined immediately before and after exercise. Oxygen consumption ( ), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded during the exercise. Total fluids ingested were 2 L whatever the protocols and conditions.

Results

Compared to PLA, ingestion of SPD increased running performance (p = 0.01), maintained glycemia and attenuated central fatigue (p = 0.04), an index of peripheral fatigue (p = 0.04) and RPE (p = 0.006). Maximal voluntary contraction, , and HR did not differ between the two conditions.

Conclusions

This study showed that ingestion of a combination of CHOs, BCAAs and caffeine increased performance by about 2% during a 2-h treadmill run. The results of neuromuscular function were contrasted: no clear cut effects of SPD were observed.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00799630     

Response of the Internal Electric Field in CdZnTe to Illumination at Multiple Optical Powers

Manipulation of CdZnTe (CZT) crystals using illumination is a useful tool for altering the internal electric field present under normal bias conditions. The interactions with carriers that are trapped at either terminal are visualized by the electric field distribution through polarization. In this report, we demonstrate an ability to selectively manipulate the internal electric field of CZT using multiple-wavelength light illumination at various optical powers. The internal electric field polarization can be controlled using changes in optical power. We also investigate the electric field distributions using multiple optical powers to examine the light response as a function of light penetration depth.     

Characterization of etch pit formation via the Everson-etching method on CdZnTe crystal surfaces from the bulk to the nanoscale

A combination of atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, and mass spectrometry was employed to study CdZnTe crystal surface and used etchant solution following exposure of the CdZnTe crystal to the Everson etch solution. We discuss the results of these studies in relationship to the initial surface preparation methods, the performance of the crystals as radiation spectrometers, the observed etch pit densities, and the chemical mechanism of surface etching. Our results show that the surface features that are exposed to etchants result from interactions with the chemical components of the etchants as well as pre-existing mechanical polishing.