Deep oxidation of VOC mixtures with platinum supported on Al2O3/Al monoliths

Pt impregnated metallic monoliths prepared from anodised aluminium foils were tested to study their catalytic activity in complete oxidation of volatile organic compound (VOC) mixtures. The VOCs oxidised were 2-propanol, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone and their mixtures. Complete oxidation was obtained in all cases except for the case of 2-propanol, where acetone was found as an oxidation intermediate. Even if the adsorption of the VOC on the Al₂O₃ is governed by its polarity, the reactivity is mainly affected by the competition of the oxygen atoms chemisorbed on the Pt particles.     

Influence of Manufacturing and Ripening Conditions on the Survival of Enterobacteriaceae in Manchego Cheese

The effects of cooking temperature, time and temperature of brine-salting, and temperature of ripening on the behavior of Enterobacteriaceae in Manchego cheese were studied. Fifty lots of cheese from raw ewe's milk manufactured and ripened under different conditions were investigated throughout a 60-day ripening period. Differences in pH values due to temperature-dependent whey retention accounted for the effect of cooking temperature on coliform and fecal coliform counts. Temperature of brine-salting had no effect on Enterobacteriaceae counts, but a significant effect of salting time on Enterobacteriaceae and fecal coliform counts was detected. Ripening temperature was the manufacturing variable with greatest influence (P<.01) on Enterobacteriaceae and coliform counts during the whole curing period.     

Influence of cooking and drying processes at different temperatures on the nutritive value of the protein of mussels (Mytilus edulis)

The effect of steam cooking (96 degrees C for 15 minutes) and drying at two temperatures, 70 degrees C and 110 degrees C, on nutritive value of mussel protein was studied. The measurements were carried out by nitrogen balance techniques in growing rats, and the nutritional parameters studied were: CD, BV and NPU. The crude digestibility (CD) values were: 87 +/- 1 and 82 +/- 1, and the biological values (BV), 80 +/- 1 and 74 +/- 1 for raw mussels, dried at 70 degrees C and at 110 degrees C respectively. This implies a significant decrease in the protein nutritive values of the mussel dried at a higher temperature. Cooking prior to drying significantly improved the digestibility and the biological value of the mussel's protein. In effect, improvement was so great, that the different drying temperatures did not affect the previously cooked product in a different way; therefore, the CD (94 +/- 1 and 94 +/- 1) and the BV (90 +/- 1 and 90 +/- 2) were the same for the mussel's protein, cooked and dried at 70 degrees C or at 110 degrees C.     

Lack of PPCA expression only partially coincides with lysosomal storage in galactosialidosis mice: indirect evidence for spatial requirement of the catalytic rather than the protective function of PPCA

Protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA) is a pleiotropic lysosomal enzyme that complexes with beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase, and possesses serine carboxypeptidase activity. Its deficiency in man results in the neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder galactosialidosis (GS). The mouse model of this disease resembles the human early onset phenotype and results in severe nephropathy and ataxia. To understand better the pathophysiology of the disease, we compared the occurrence of lysosomal PPCA mRNA and protein in normal adult mouse tissues with the incidence of lysosomal storage in PPCA(-/-) mice. PPCA expression was markedly variable among different tissues. Most sites that produced both mRNA and protein at high levels in normal mice showed extensive and overt storage in the knockout mice. However, this correlation was not consistent as some cells that normally expressed high levels of PPCA were unaffected in their storage capability in the PPCA(-/-) mice. In addition, some normally low expressing cells accumulated large amounts of undegraded products in the GS mouse. This apparent discrepancy may reflect a requirement for the catalytic rather than the protective function of PPCA and/or the presence of cell-specific substrates in certain cell types. A detailed map showing the cellular distribution of PPCA in nomal mouse tissues as well as the sites of lysosomal storage in deficient mice is critical for accurate assessment of the effects of therapeutic interventions.     

Low-Thermal-Conductivity Rare-Earth Zirconates for Potential Thermal-Barrier-Coating Applications

Rare-earth zirconates have been identified as a class of low-thermal-conductivity ceramics for possible use in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for gas-turbine engine applications. To document and compare the thermal conductivities of important rare-earth zirconates, we have measured the thermal conductivities of the following hot-pressed ceramics: (i) Gd₂Zr₂O₇ (pyrochlore phase), (ii) Gd₂Zr₂O₇ (fluorite phase), (iii) Gd_2.58Zr_1.57O₇ (fluorite phase), (iv) Nd₂Zr₂O₇ (pyrochlore phase), and (v) Sm₂Zr₂O₇ (pyrochlore phase). We have also measured the thermal conductivity of pressureless-sintered 7 wt% yttria-stabilized zirconia (7YSZ)—the commonly used composition in current TBCs. All rare-earth zirconates investigated here showed nearly identical thermal conductivities, all of which were ∼30% lower than the thermal conductivity of 7YSZ in the temperature range 25°–700°C. This finding is discussed qualitatively with reference to thermal-conductivity theory.     

Agricultural use of three organic residues: effect on orange production and on properties of a soil of the ‘Comarca Costa de Huelva’ (SW Spain)

Disposal of urban, agricultural and industrial organic residues impliesan increasing problem because of all the economic and environmentalrepercussions involved. One of the most adequate ways of managing this problemis the agricultural use of these wastes as organic amendments. Three organicresidues (AC, olive mill waste water sludge compost; MWC, municipal solid wastecompost; and PS, paper mill sludge) were used in a 3-year field experimentinvolving orange production. The effect of their application on crop productionand on soil quality was investigated. Soil samples (0–20 cm depth)collected 11 months after the last soil amendment were analysed for: pH and EC,Kjeldahl-N, available-P, available-K, total organic carbon, humic substances,dehydrogenase, phosphatase, -glucosidase, urease andbenzoyl-argininamidehydrolysing protease (BAA-protease) activities. Generally, the application of the MWC and PSincreased orange yield when compared to control. Moreover, total organic carbonand humic substances significantly increased in soils treated with all theorganic amendments. Organic fertilisation increased the Kjeldahl-N andavailable-P contents of the soil. The application of the organic residues also causedsignificant increases in dehydrogenase, -glucosidase, urease andBAA-protease activities of the soil. Significant positive correlations (p <0.01) between these enzymatic activities and total organic carbon were foundforall treatments. Significant positive correlation between dehydrogenase, urease,-glucosidase, and BAA-protease and orange yield was also found. However,a clear inhibition of phosphatase activity was observed in soils treated withPS. The results indicate that the repeated application to the soil of moderateamounts of organic amendments has positive effects on the chemical andbiochemical properties of the soil, as well as on the orange yield.     

Calmodulin Supports TRPA1 Channel Association with Opioid Receptors and Glutamate NMDA Receptors in the Nervous Tissue

Transient receptor potential ankyrin member 1 (TRPA1) belongs to the family of thermo TRP cation channels that detect harmful temperatures, acids and numerous chemical pollutants. TRPA1 is expressed in nervous tissue, where it participates in the genesis of nociceptive signals in response to noxious stimuli and mediates mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia associated with different neuropathies. The glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), which plays a relevant role in allodynia to mechanical stimuli, is connected via histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 (HINT1) and type 1 sigma receptor (σ1R) to mu-opioid receptors (MORs), which mediate the most potent pain relief. Notably, neuropathic pain causes a reduction in MOR antinociceptive efficacy, which can be reversed by blocking spinal NMDARs and TRPA1 channels. Thus, we studied whether TRPA1 channels form complexes with MORs and NMDARs that may be implicated in the aforementioned nociceptive signals. Our data suggest that TRPA1 channels functionally associate with MORs, delta opioid receptors and NMDARs in the dorsal root ganglia, the spinal cord and brain areas. These associations were altered in response to pharmacological interventions and the induction of inflammatory and also neuropathic pain. The MOR-TRPA1 and NMDAR-TRPA1 associations do not require HINT1 or σ1R but appear to be mediated by calcium-activated calmodulin. Thus, TRPA1 channels may associate with NMDARs to promote ascending acute and chronic pain signals and to control MOR antinociception.