Thermal Behavior, Microstructure, Polymorphism, and Crystallization Properties of Zero Trans Fats from Soybean Oil and Fully Hydrogenated Soybean Oil

Blends of soybean oil (SO) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO), with 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% (w/w) FHSBO content were interesterified under the following conditions: 20 min reaction time, 0.4% sodium methoxide catalyst, and 500 rpm stirring speed, at 100 A degrees C. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, thermal behavior, microstructure, crystallization kinetics, and polymorphism. Interesterification produced substantial rearrangement of the triacylglycerol species in all the blends, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in monounsaturated-disaturated and diunsaturated-monosaturated triacylglycerols. Evaluation of thermal behavior parameters showed linear relations with FHSBO content in the original blends. Blend melting and crystallization thermograms were significantly modified by the randomization. Interesterification caused significant reductions in maximum crystal diameter in all blends, in addition to modifying crystal morphology. Characterization of crystallization kinetics revealed that crystal formation induction period (tau (SFC)) and maximum solid fat content (SFC(max)) were altered according to FHSBO content in the original blends and as a result of the random rearrangement. Changes in Avrami constant (k) and exponent (n) indicated, respectively, that-as compared with the original blends-interesterification decreased crystallization velocities and modified crystallization processes, altering crystalline morphology and nucleation mechanism. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that interesterification altered crystalline polymorphism. The interesterified blends showed a predominance of the beta` polymorph, which is of more interest for food applications.

Relationship between Rheological Properties and One-Step W/O/W Multiple Emulsion Formation

Formation of a normal (not temporary) W/O/W multiple emulsion via the one-step method as a result of the simultaneous occurrence of catastrophic and transitional phase inversion processes has been recently reported. Critical features of this process include the emulsification temperature (corresponding to the ultralow surface tension point), the use of a specific nonionic surfactant blend and the surfactant blend/oil phase ratio, and the addition of the surfactant blend to the oil phase. The purpose of this study was to investigate physicochemical properties in an effort to gain a mechanistic understanding of the formation of these emulsions. Bulk, surface, and interfacial theological properties of adsorbed nonionic surfactant (CremophorRH40 and Span80) films were investigated under conditions known to affect W/O/W emulsion formation. Bulk viscosity results demonstrated that CremophorRH40 has a higher mobility in oil compared than in water, explaining the significance of the solvent phase. In addition, the bulk viscosity profile of aqueous solutions containing CremophorRH40 indicated a phase transition at around 78 +/- 2 degrees C, which is in agreement with cubic phase formation in the Winsor III region. The similarity in the interfacial elasticity values of CremophorRH40 and Span80 indicated that canola oil has a major effect on surface activity, showing the significance of vegetable oil. The highest interfacial shear elasticity and viscosity were observed when both surfactants were added to the oil phase, indicating the importance of the microstructural arrangement. CremophorRH40/Span80 complexes tended to desorb from the solution/solution interface with increasing temperature, indicating surfactant phase formation as is theoretically predicted in the Winsor III region. Together these interfacial and bulk rheology data demonstrate that one-step W/O/W emulsions form as a result of the simultaneous occurrence of phase-transition processes in the Winsor III region and explain the critical formulation and processing parameters necessary to achieve the formation of these normal W/O/W emulsions.

Physicochemical characteristics of LR3-IGF1 protein inclusion bodies: Electrophoretic mobility studies

A knowledge of the physicochemical properties of inclusion bodies is important for the rational design of potential recovery processes such as flotation and precipitation. In this study, measurement of the size and electrophoretic mobility of protein inclusion bodies and cell debris was undertaken. SDS-PAGE analysis of protein inclusion bodies subjected to different cleaning regimes suggested that electrophoretic mobility provides a qualitative measure of protein inclusion body purity. Electrophoretic mobility as a function of electrolyte type and ionic strength was investigated. The presence of divalent ions produced a stronger effect on electrophoretic mobility compared with monovalent ions. The isoelectric point of cell debris was significantly lower than that for the inclusion bodies. Hence, the contaminating cell debris may be separated from inclusion bodies using flotation by exploiting this difference in isoelectric points. Separation by this method is simple, convenient, and a possible alternative to the conventional route of centrifugation.

Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles formed between DNA and phosphorylcholine substituted chitosans

The interactions between phosphorylcholine-substituted chitosans (PC-CH) and calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) were investigated focusing on the effects of the charge ratio, the pH, and phosphorylcholine content on the size and stability of the complexes using the ethidium bromide fluorescence assay, gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering. and fluorescence microscopy. The size and colloidal stability of deacetylated chitosan (CH/DNA) and PC-CH/DNA complexes were strongly dependent on phosphorylcholine content, charge ratios, and pH. The interaction strengths were evaluated from ethidium bromide fluorescence, and at N/P ratios higher than 5.0, no DNA release was observed in any synthesized PC-CH/DNA polyplexes by gel electrophoresis. The PC-CH/DNA polyplexes exhibited a higher resistance to aggregation compared to deacetylated chitosan (CH) at neutral pH. At low pH values highly charged chitosan and its phosphorylcholine derivatives had strong binding affinity with DNA, whereas at higher pH Values CH formed large aggregates and only C-CH derivatives were able to form small nanoparticles with hydrodynamic radii varying from 100 to 150 nm. Nanoparticles synthesized at low ionic strength with PC-CH derivatives containing moderate degrees of substitution (DS = 20% and 40%) remained stable for weeks. Photomicroscopies also confirmed that rhodamine-labeled PC(40)CH derivative nanoparticles presented higher colloidal stability than those synthesized using deacetylated chitosan. Accordingly, due to their improved physicochemical properties these phosphorylcholine-modified chitosans provide new perspectives for controlling the properties of polyplexes. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Physical Properties and Interfacial Adaptation of Three Epoxy Resin-based Sealers

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the radiopacity, solubility, flow, film thickness, setting time, and adaptation to the root canal walls of 3 epoxy resin based sealers: AH Plus, Acroseal, and Adseal. Methods: Physical tests were performed following American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association`s requirements. For interfacial adaptation analysis, 30 maxillary canines were shaped by using Pro Taper instruments. The specimens were divided into 3 groups (n = 10): group 1, AH Plus; group 2, Acroseal; and group 3, Adseal. The sealers were mixed with rhodamine B dye, and the canals were filled by using the lateral compaction technique. The percentage of gaps and voids area was calculated at 2, 4, and 6 mm levels from the apex. Statistical evaluation was performed by using analysis of variance for physical analysis and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests for interfacial adaptation (P<.05). Results: No statistical differences were found for adaptation, percentage of voids, solubility, flow, and film thickness among the sealers (P>.05). AH Plus was significantly more radiopaque (P<.05). For the setting time, there were statistical differences among all the studied sealers (P<.05). Conclusions: AH Plus, Acroseal, and Adseal presented similar root canal adaptation, solubility, flow, and film thickness. Statistical differences were found for radiopacity and setting time (P<.05). (J Endod 2011;37:1417-1421)

Influence of Calcium Hydroxide Association on the Physical Properties of AH Plus

Introduction: This study evaluated in vitro the radiopacity, setting time, flow, film thickness, solubility, and dimensional changes of AH Plus sealer pure (Dentsply De Trey Gmbh, Konstanz, Germany) and containing 5% and 10% of calcium hydroxide. Methods: The study was performed according to the requirements of the ISO 6876:2001 standard and the American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA)`s Specification No. 57. The following tests were performed: setting time, flow, film thickness, dimensional stability, radiopacity, and solubility. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and the Tukey tests with a significance level of 5%. Results: The addition of 5% or 10% calcium hydroxide to AH Plus sealer did not alter significantly the radiopacity or setting time values (p > 0.05). Adding 10% calcium hydroxide reduced the flow compared with pure AH Plus and AH Plus/5% calcium hydroxide. The addition of 5% and 10% calcium hydroxide increased the solubility and expansion of AH Plus. All materials presented expansion valued above those recommended by the ADA. The addition of calcium hydroxide to the sealer resulted in greater film thickness. Conclusions: The addition of 5% calcium hydroxide did not affect most physical properties of AH Plus sealer. (J Endod 2010;36:1048-1051)

Antioxidant properties of hydroxycinnamic acids: a review of structure- activity relationships

Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are important phytochemicals possessing significant biological properties. Several investigators have studied in vitro antioxidant activity of HCAs in detail. In this review, we have gathered the studies focused on the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these compounds that have used medicinal chemistry to generate more potent antioxidant molecules. Most of the reports indicated that the presence of an unsaturated bond on the side chain of HCAs is vital to their activity. The structural features that were reported to be of importance to the antioxidant activity were categorized as follows: modifications of the aromatic ring, which include alterations in the number and position of hydroxy groups and insertion of electron donating or withdrawing moieties as well as modifications of the carboxylic function that include esterification and amidation process. Furthermore, reports that have addressed the influence of physicochemical properties including redox potential, lipid solubility and dissociation constant on the antioxidant activity were also summarized. Finally, the pro-oxidant effect of HCAs in some test systems was addressed. Most of the investigations concluded that the presence of ortho-dihydroxy phenyl group (catechol moiety) is of significant importance to the antioxidant activity, while, the presence of three hydroxy groups does not necessarily improve the activity. Optimization of the structure of molecular leads is an important task of modern medicinal chemistry and its accomplishment relies on the careful assessment of SARs. SAR studies on HCAs can identify the most successful antioxidants that could be useful for management of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Permeability properties of ENaC selectivity filter mutants.

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC), located in the apical membrane of tight epithelia, allows vectorial Na(+) absorption. The amiloride-sensitive ENaC is highly selective for Na(+) and Li(+) ions. There is growing evidence that the short stretch of amino acid residues (preM2) preceding the putative second transmembrane domain M2 forms the outer channel pore with the amiloride binding site and the narrow ion-selective region of the pore. We have shown previously that mutations of the alphaS589 residue in the preM2 segment change the ion selectivity, making the channel permeant to K(+) ions. To understand the molecular basis of this important change in ionic selectivity, we have substituted alphaS589 with amino acids of different sizes and physicochemical properties. Here, we show that the molecular cutoff of the channel pore for inorganic and organic cations increases with the size of the amino acid residue at position alpha589, indicating that alphaS589 mutations enlarge the pore at the selectivity filter. Mutants with an increased permeability to large cations show a decrease in the ENaC unitary conductance of small cations such as Na(+) and Li(+). These findings demonstrate the critical role of the pore size at the alphaS589 residue for the selectivity properties of ENaC. Our data are consistent with the main chain carbonyl oxygens of the alphaS589 residues lining the channel pore at the selectivity filter with their side chain pointing away from the pore lumen. We propose that the alphaS589 side chain is oriented toward the subunit-subunit interface and that substitution of alphaS589 by larger residues increases the pore diameter by adding extra volume at the subunit-subunit interface.

Correlation of Locally-based Performance of Asphalts with Their Physicochemical Parameters, HR-298, 1990

This project was undertaken to study the relationships between the performance of locally available asphalts and their physicochemical properties under Iowa conditions with the ultimate objective of development of a locally and performance-based asphalt specification for durable pavements. Physical and physicochemical tests were performed on three sets of asphalt samples including: (a) twelve samples from local asphalt suppliers and their TFOT residues, (b) six core samples of known service records, and (c) a total of 79 asphalts from 10 pavement projects including original, lab aged and recovered asphalts from field mixes, as well as from lab aged mixes. Tests included standard rheological tests, HP-GPC and TMA. Some specific viscoelastic tests (at 5 deg C) were run on b samples and on some a samples. DSC and X-ray diffraction studies were performed on a and b samples. Furthermore, NMR techniques were applied to some a, b and c samples. Efforts were made to identify physicochemical properties which are correlated to physical properties known to affect field performance. The significant physicochemical parameters were used as a basis for an improved performance-based trial specification for Iowa to ensure more durable pavements.

Rhizosphere properties of rice genotypes as influenced by anoxia and availability of zinc and iron

The objective of this work was to study possible mechanisms involved in root-induced changes of rhizosphere physicochemical properties of rice genotypes, under anoxia and low supply of Zn and Fe. Two rice genotypes, including an upland and a lowland ones, were grown in hydroponic medium under adequate and low supply of Zn and Fe, with or without aeration. Anoxia increased shoot dry weight, root length and uptake of Zn and Fe in lowland Amol genotype, but reduced these parameters in upland Gasrol-Dashti genotype. The amount of oxygen released by roots was statistically higher in 'Amol'. The highest acidification potential of roots was observed in the lowland genotype under low supply of Zn, and in the upland genotype under Fe starvation. The highest oxalate (only organic acid detected) exudation from roots was observed in Zn and Fe deficient Gasrol-Dashti genotype. Zinc deficiency caused reduction of alcohol dehydrogenase and stimulation of lactate dehydrogenase activity, particularly in shoot. The ability to induce changes in the rhizosphere properties has a great contribution for the adaptation of both lowland and upland rice genotypes to specific soil conditions.

Correlation of Locally-Based Performance of Asphalts with Their Physicochemical Parameters, Progress Report 2, HR-298, 1989

This project was undertaken to study the relationships between the performance of locally available asphalts and their physicochemical properties under Iowa conditions with the ultimate objective of development of a locally and performance-based asphalt specification for durable pavements. Physical and physicochemical tests were performed on three sets of asphalt samples including: (a) twelve samples from local asphalt suppliers and their TFOT residues, (b) six core samples of known service records, and (c) a total of 79 asphalts from 10 pavement projects including original, lab aged and recovered asphalts from field mixes, as well as from lab aged mixes. Tests included standard rheological tests, HP-GPC and TMA. Some specific viscoelastic tests (at 5 deg C) were run on b samples and on some a samples. DSC and X-ray diffraction studies were performed on a and b samples. Furthermore, NMR techniques were applied to some a, b and c samples. Efforts were made to identify physicochemical properties which are correlated to physical properties known to affect field performance. The significant physicochemical parameters were used as a basis for an improved performance-based trial specification for Iowa to ensure more durable pavements.

Design and physicochemical stability studies of paediatric oral formulations of sildenafil

Abstract Personalized medicine is a challenging research area in paediatric treatments. Elaborating new paediatric formulations when no commercial forms are available is a common practice in pharmacy laboratories; among these, oral liquid formulations are the most common. But due to the lack of specialized equipment, frequently studies to assure the efficiency and safety of the final medicine cannot be carried out. Thus the purpose of this work was the development, characterization and stability evaluation of two oral formulations of sildenafil for the treatment of neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension. After the establishment of a standard operating procedure (SOP) and elaboration, the physicochemical stability parameters appearance, pH, particle size, rheological behaviour and drug content of formulations were evaluated at three different temperatures for 90 days. Equally, prediction of long term stability, as well as, microbiological stability was performed. Formulations resulted in a suspension and a solution slightly coloured exhibiting fruity odour. Formulation I (suspension) exhibited the best physicochemical properties including Newtonian behaviour and uniformity of API content above 90% to assure an exact dosification process.

Design and physicochemical stability studies of paediatric oral formulations of sildenafil

Personalized medicine is a challenging research area in paediatric treatments. Elaborating new paediatric formulations when no commercial forms are available is a common practice in pharmacy laboratories; among these, oral liquid formulations are the most common. But due to the lack of specialized equipment, frequently studies to assure the efficiency and safety of the final medicine cannot be carried out. Thus the purpose of this work was the development, characterization and stability evaluation of two oral formulations of sildenafil for the treatment of neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension. After the establishment of a standard operating procedure (SOP) and elaboration, the physicochemical stability parameters appearance, pH, particle size, rheological behaviour and drug content of formulations were evaluated at three different temperatures for 90 days. Equally, prediction of long term stability, as well as, microbiological stability was performed. Formulations resulted in a suspension and a solution slightly coloured exhibiting fruity odour. Formulation I (suspension) exhibited the best physicochemical properties including Newtonian behaviour and uniformity of API content above 90% to assure an exact dosification process.

Physico-chemical properties of meso-tetrakis(p-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (TMPP) incorporated into pluronicTM p-123 and f-127 polymeric micelles

The physicochemical properties (solubilization, structural organization and stability) of meso-tetrakis(p-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (TMPP), a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy, solubilized in polymeric micelles of tri-block copolymers PluronicTM P-123 and F-127, were studied. The formulations obtained by the solid dispersion method led to monomerization of TMPP in these copolymers. Solubility studies showed that P-123 solubilizes double the photosensitizer than F-127. The self-aggregation phenomenon was affected by the [TMPP]/[poloxamer] ratio and medium temperature. The decrease in the temperature of these systems promoted the formation of different kinds of TMPP aggregates intrinsically connected with the structural changes occurring in the micelles.

Comparison of some properties of 2,3 - and 3,4 - dimethoxybenzoates of Cu(II), Co(II) and Nd(III)

The physicochemical properties of 2,4-, and 3,4- dimethoxybenzoates of Cu(II), Co(II) and Nd(III) were studied and compared to observe the -OCH3 substituent positions in benzene ring on the character of complexes. The analysed compounds are crystalline hydrated or anhydrous salts with colours depending on the kind of central ions: blue for Cu(II), pink for Co(II) and violet for Nd(III) complexes. The carboxylate groups bind as monodentate, bidentate bridging or chelating and even tridentate ligands. Their thermal stabilities were studied in air at 293-1173K. When heated the hydrated complexes release the water molecules and form anhydrous compounds which are then decomposed to the oxides of respective metals. Their magnetic moment values were determined in the range of 76-303K. The results reveal the compounds of Nd(III) and Co(II) to be the high-spin and that of Cu(II) forms dimer. The various positions of -OCH3 groups in benzene ring influence some of physicochemical properties of analysed compounds.