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- Author or Editor: J. A. García x
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Excoecaria lucida Sw. is an evergreen shrub widely distributed in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean region. In spite of its extended traditional use as antiasthmatic and antimicrobial by the local population, scientific reports on the species are almost nonexistent. This paper focuses on the isolation and characterization of compounds present in the crude extract of E. lucida Sw. leaves through the combined use of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (medium pressure liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance 1H, and mass spectrometry). A total of 15 nonpolar substances were identified in the four main fractions obtained; some of these substances could be related with the antimicrobial properties attributed to the species.
Abstract
The standard molar enthalpy of formation of crystalline dialkyldithiocarbamate chelates, [Pd(S2CNR2)2], with R=CH3 and i-C3H7, was determined through reaction-solution calorimetry in 1,2-dichloroethane, at 298 K. Using the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the gaseous chelates, the homolytic (52618 and 66610) and heterolytic (269318 and 295710 kJ mol-1) mean enthalpies of palladium-sulphur bond dissociation were calculated.
Five elite blue maize hybrids and two blue maize landraces were evaluated for various quality characteristics. Hybrids showed physical characteristics demanded by dry-millers and tortilla processors: above 290 g in one hundred-kernel weight test, higher test weight (76.1–78.5 kg hl−1) and lower flotation index (22–61%). Hybrid maize 613 × 27 (9.9%) and 611 × 8 (9.5%) contained the highest protein. Potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc contents of hybrid maize were higher than landraces by 15, 30, 55 and 41%, respectively. Nutrimental profile showed linoleic acid contents above 50% in 503 × 67, 613 × 27 and 611 × 8 hybrid samples. Lysine levels of landraces and hybrids 503 × 67 (33.9 g kg−1 protein) and 631 × 27 (31.7 g kg−1 protein) were higher than reported for regular white corn (27 g kg−1 protein), as well as the highest tryptophan levels for Chalqueno (6.0 g kg−1 protein) and hybrid 503 × 67 (6.9 g kg−1 protein). Highest protein quality based on its digestibility was found in hybrid 503 × 67. Results indicated that elite blue maize hybrids could be an important source of nutrimental compounds with potential for functional food industries.
Abstract
Tomato is rich in different bioactive compounds, especially the carotenoid lycopene, which intake is associated with various health benefits. Post-harvest use of ultraviolet light (UV) and light-emitting diode (LED) has been shown to increase the concentration of tomato bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (A and C) and red-blue LED light on the concentration of carotenoids during a 7-days storage trial of mature green tomatoes. Exposure to combined UV and LED light nearly doubled the total carotenoid concentration and had no negative impact on sensory attributes.
The analysis of polymorphic markers within or closely linked to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene is useful as a molecular tool for carrier detection of known and unknown mutations. To establish the association between mutations in the CFTR gene in western Mexican cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, the distribution of XV2c/KM19 haplotypes was analyzed by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion in 384 chromosomes from 74 CF patients, their unaffected parents, and normal subjects.The haplotype analysis revealed that haplotype B was present in 71.9% of CF chromosomes compared to 0% of non-CF chromosomes. The F508del and G542X mutations were strongly associated with haplotype B (96.7% and 100% of chromosomes, respectively). The haplotype distribution of the CF chromosomes carrying other CFTR mutations had a more heterogeneous background.Our results show that haplotype B is associated with CFTR mutations. Therefore, haplotype analysis is a suitable alternate strategy for screening CF patients with a heterogeneous clinical picture from populations with a high molecular heterogeneity where carrier detection programs are not available. In addition, it may be a helpful diagnostic tool for genetic counseling and carrier detection in the relatives of CF patients and in couples who are planning to have children.
Abstract
The standard molar enthalpies of formation of crystalline dialkyldithiocarbamates chelates, [Pd(S2CNR2)2], with R=C2H5, n-C3H7, n-C4H9 and i-C4H9, were determined through reaction-solution calorimetry in acetone, at 298.15 K. From the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the gaseous chelates, the homolytic (172.43.8, 182.53.2,150.93.1 and 162.63.1 kJ mol−1) and heterolytic (745.03.8, 803.73.3,834.33.1 and 735.23.0 kJ mol−1) mean palladium-sulphur bond-dissociation enthalpies were calculated.
Banco Chinchorro is the largest reef in the Mexican Caribbean. Historically, spiny lobster, queen conch and over 20 other reef species have been exploited here. Multispecies intervention management from an ecosystem perspective has been developed in this area; however, an assessment of the effects of such practices on ecosystem health is required. Five quantitative trophic models were constructed using Ecopath with Ecosim. The results show that, in terms of biomass, benthic autotrophs are the dominant group in all communities. Ecosystem Network Analysis indices showed that Cueva de Tiburones was the most mature, developed, complex and healthy subsystem, but, El Colorado and La Baliza were the subsystems most resistant to disturbances. The fisheries mainly concentrate on primary (La Baliza and Cueva de Tiburones sites) and secondary consumers (La Caldera, Chancay, and El Colorado). The greatest propagation of direct and indirect effects, estimated by Mixed Trophic Impacts and Ecosim simulations, were generated by the benthic autotrophs, small benthic epifauna, benthic-pelagic carnivorous fish and benthic carnivorous fish, among others. In contrast, the System Recovery Time showed different patterns among subsystems, indicating several compartments that reduce resilience. Considering the structure, dynamics, trophic functioning and ecosystem health of Banco Chinchorro, its ecological heterogeneity highlights the need for the design of a specific (by subsystem) management strategy, particularly because different species or functional groups present greater sensitivity to human interventions in each community.
Abstract
This article reports the thermodynamic changes of lipid nanoparticles (LN) upon delivery of lipophilic vitamin E derivatives to the skin. Skin penetration of α-tocopherol (α-T) and α-tocopherol acetate (α-Ta) into and across porcine ear skin was investigated in vitro using tape-stripping test in modified Franz diffusion cells. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been used to characterize the polymorphism of the solid matrix of LN before and after in vitro skin penetration assay. Cetyl palmitate LN with a loading capacity of 20% of vitamin E derivatives (with regard to the lipid matrix) have shown the typical β’ modification of waxes, with a crystallinity index (%CI) between 30 and 40%. Mean particle size and shelf life stability was assessed by static (laser diffractometry, LD) and dynamic (photon correlation spectroscopy, PCS) light scattering techniques. Submicron-sized LN were produced, i.e., 99% of LN showed a size below 600 nm immediately after production. A mean size between 180 and 350 nm (polydispersity index < 0.25) was obtained for LN stored at both 8 and 22 °C, and this size range was kept constant for at least 20 days of shelf life. Quantification of α-T and α-Ta in the skin using tape-stripping provided a 3.4-fold increase in the level of actives within the stratum corneum (SC) and 1.3-fold increase in the viable epidermis (VE). LN increased skin penetration of both actives, following a cumulative release during 8 h in modified Franz diffusion cells. The differences in the distribution levels observed between α-T and α-Ta when delivered via LN was due to the different thermodynamic activity of both actives, i.e., following increased partition coefficient of α-Ta into SC and VE, in comparison to α-T.
Abstract
The solubility of europium at 0.02M, 0.1M and 0.7M NaClO4 ionic strength solutions was determined by a radiometric method and pEus-pCH diagrams were obtained. Hydrolysis constants were also determined at the same ionic strengths by pH titration and the values found were log *
1 = -7.68±0.11, -8.07±0.10 and -8.20±0.11. The log K
sp values were -23.5±0.2, -22.7±0.2 and -21.9±0.2 for 0.02M, 0.1M and 0.7M NaClO4 ionic strengths, respectively, at 303 K under CO2-free conditions and the extrapolated value at zero ionic strength was log K
sp
0 = -24.15. The working pCH ranges for the calculation of the hydrolysis constants were selected from the pEus-pCH diagrams in the region where precipitation of europium oxide or hydroxide was less than 20%. Europium removal from aqueous solutions with zeolites was explored.
In order to ascertain whether differing structural mechanisms could underlie blood flow restricted training (BFRT) and high intensity training (HIT), this study had two aims: (i) to gain an insight into the acute variations of muscle architecture following a single bout of two different volumes of BFRT, and (ii) to compare these variations with those observed after HIT. Thirty-five young men volunteered for the study and were randomly divided into three groups: BFRT low volume (BFRT LV), BFRT high volume (BFRT HV) and traditional high intensity resistance training (HIT). All subjects performed a bilateral leg extension exercise session with a load of 20% of one repetition maximum (1RM) in the BFRT groups, whereas the load of the HIT group was equivalent to an 85% of their 1RM. Before and immediately after the exercise bout, ultrasound images were taken from the rectus femoris (RF) and the vastus lateralis (VL). All groups increased their RF (p < 0.001) and VL (p < 0.001) muscle thickness, while the increases in pennation angle were larger in HIT as compared to BFRT LV (p = 0.013) and BFRT HV (p = 0.037). These results support the hypothesis that acute muscle cell swelling may be involved in the processes underlying BFRT induced muscle hypertrophy. Furthermore, our data indicate differing structural responses to exercise between BFRT and HIT.
