bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solid‐phase extraction based on chloromethylated polystyrene magnetic nanospheres followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to determine phthalate esters in beverages
Authors: Cao Xiaoji , Kong Qiaoling , Cai Ruonan , Zhu Kundan , Ye Xuemin , Chen Jiaoyu , Mo Weimin , Wang Jianli
Published: October 2014

An ultrasound‐assisted magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure with chloromethylated polystyrene‐coated Fe3O4 nanospheres as magnetic adsorbents has been developed to determine eight phthalate esters (bis(4‐methyl‐2‐pentyl) phthalate, dipentyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2‐butoxyethyl) phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, di‐n‐octyl phthalate, and dinonyl phthalate) simultaneously in beverage samples, in combination with gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the first time. Several factors related to magnetic solid‐phase extraction efficiencies, such as amount of adsorbent, extracting time, ionic strength, and desorption conditions were investigated. The enrichment factors of the method for the eight analytes were over 2482. A good linearity was observed in the range of 10–500 ng/L for bis(2‐butoxyethyl) phthalate and 2–500 ng/L for the other phthalate esters with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9980 to 0.9998. The limits of detection and quantification for the eight phthalate esters were in the range of 0.20–2.90 and 0.67–9.67 ng/L, respectively. The mean recoveries at three spiked levels were 75.8–117.7%, the coefficients of variations were <11.6%. The proposed method was demonstrated to be a simple and efficient technique for the trace analysis of the phthalate esters in beverage samples.
Recent Developments in Chimeric NSAIDs as Safer Anti‐Inflammatory Agents
Authors: Suthar Sharad Kumar , Sharma Manu
Published: October 2014

NSAIDs are among the most widely prescribed medications across the world, but the gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity still remains the biggest problem and the challenge for current NSAIDs‐based therapeutics. The development of selective COX‐2 inhibitors was driven by the assumption that selective inhibition of COX‐2 would reduce the GI side effects. However, the initial enthusiasm for selective COX‐2 inhibitors has faded away due to the emergence of serious side effects associated with the long‐term use of these NSAIDs. In the recent years, a number of novel approaches to develop gastrosparing NSAIDs have been explored with the promising results. This review deals with such approaches and strategies that have been employed in the last two decades and are being used currently in the design and development of safer NSAIDs.
Nrf2 augments skeletal muscle regeneration after ischaemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Al‐Sawaf Othman , Fragoulis Athanassios , Rosen Christian , Keimes Nora , Liehn Elisa Anamaria , Hölzle Frank , Kan Yuet Wai , Pufe Thomas , Sönmez Tolga Taha , Wruck Christoph Jan
Published: October 2014

Skeletal muscles harbour a resident population of stem cells, termed satellite cells (SCs). After trauma, SCs leave their quiescent state to enter the cell cycle and undergo multiple rounds of proliferation, a process regulated by MyoD. To initiate differentiation, fusion and maturation to new skeletal muscle fibres, SCs up‐regulate myogenin. However, the regulation of these myogenic factors is not fully understood. In this study we demonstrate that Nrf2, a major regulator of oxidative stress defence, plays a role in the expression of these myogenic factors. In both promoter studies with myoblasts and a mouse model of muscle injury in Nrf2‐deficient mice, we show that Nrf2 prolongs SC proliferation by up‐regulating MyoD and suppresses SC differentiation by down‐regulating myogenin. Moreover, we show that IL‐6 and HGF, both factors that facilitate SC activation, induce Nrf2 activity in myoblasts. Thus, Nrf2 activity promotes muscle regeneration by modulating SC proliferation and differentiation and thereby provides implications for tissue regeneration.Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Somatic aberrations of mismatch repair genes as a cause of microsatellite‐unstable cancers
Authors: Geurts‐Giele Willemina RR , Leenen Celine HM , Dubbink Hendrikus J , Meijssen Isabelle C , Post Edward , Sleddens Hein FBM , Kuipers Ernst J , Goverde Anne , van den Ouweland Ans MW , van Lier Margot GF , Steyerberg Ewout W , van Leerdam Monique E , Wagner Anja , Dinjens Winand NM
Published: October 2014

Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, resulting in microsatellite‐unstable tumours. Approximately 35% of suspected LS (sLS) patients test negative for germline MMR gene mutations, hampering conclusive LS diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate somatic MMR gene aberrations in microsatellite‐unstable colorectal and endometrial cancers of sLS patients negative for germline MMR gene mutations. Suspected LS cases were selected from a retrospective Clinical Genetics Department diagnostic cohort and from a prospective multicentre population‐based study on LS in The Netherlands. In total, microsatellite‐unstable tumours of 40 sLS patients (male/female 20/20, median age 57 years) were screened for somatic MMR gene mutations by next‐generation sequencing. In addition, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the affected MMR genes in these tumours as well as in 68 LS‐associated tumours and 27 microsatellite‐unstable tumours with MLH1 promoter hypermethylation was studied. Of the sLS cases, 5/40 (13%) tumours had two pathogenic somatic mutations and 16/40 (40%) tumours had a (likely) pathogenic mutation and LOH. Overall, LOH of the affected MMR gene locus was observed in 24/39 (62%) tumours with informative LOH markers. Of the LS cases and the tumours with MLH1 promoter hypermethylation, 39/61 (64%) and 2/21 (10%) tumours, respectively, demonstrated LOH. Half of microsatellite‐unstable tumours of sLS patients without germline MMR gene mutations had two (likely) deleterious somatic MMR gene aberrations, indicating their sporadic origin. Therefore, we advocate adding somatic mutation and LOH analysis of the MMR genes to the molecular diagnostic workflow of LS. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Klotho suppresses renal tubulo‐interstitial fibrosis by controlling basic fibroblast growth factor‐2 signalling
Authors: Guan Xu , Nie Ling , He Ting , Yang Ke , Xiao Tangli , Wang Song , Huang Yunjian , Zhang Jingbo , Wang Junping , Sharma Kumar , Liu Youhua , Zhao Jinghong
Published: October 2014

Increased basic fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) and reduced Klotho have both been reported to be closely associated with renal fibrosis. However, the relationship between Klotho and FGF2 remains unclear. We demonstrate that FGF2 induced tubulo‐epithelial plasticity in cultured HK‐2 cells, accompanied by a reduction in Klotho expression, whereas recombinant Klotho protein could inhibit the action of FGF2. The FGF2 effects required extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase 1/2 activation, which was suppressed by Klotho. Moreover, Klotho also restrained FGF2‐induced fibroblast proliferation and activation. The inhibitory effect of Klotho on the activity of FGF2 was likely due to its potent ability to compete with FGF2 binding to FGF receptor 1. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)‐induced renal fibrosis was associated with an increase in FGF2 and a reduction in Klotho expression in wild‐type mice, whereas FGF2–/– mice largely preserved Klotho expression and developed only mild renal fibrosis after obstructive injury. Furthermore, administration of Klotho protein in UUO mice significantly reduced renal fibrosis, concomitant with a marked suppression of FGF2 production and signalling. These studies demonstrate a feedback loop between Klotho depletion and FGF2 activation in renal fibrosis. Our results also suggest that Klotho treatment reduces renal fibrosis, at least in part, by inhibiting FGF2 signalling. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Recent trends in the birth prevalence of Down syndrome in China: impact of prenatal diagnosis and subsequent terminations
Authors: Deng Changfei , Yi Ling , Mu Yi , Zhu Jun , Qin Yanwen , Fan Xiaoxiao , Wang Yanping , Li Qi , Dai Li
Published: October 2014

Objective

This study aims to analyze recent trends in Down syndrome (DS) prevalence in China and evaluate the impact of prenatal diagnosis and subsequent terminations.

Design

A birth defects surveillance‐based retrospective study was adopted.

Methods

On the basis of the 1996 to 2011 surveillance data for DS from Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network, we examined the total prevalence ratio (TPR), perinatal prevalence ratio (PPR) and percentages of prenatally identified cases and of terminations by periods (before and after 2003), birth area, gender and maternal‐age classifications.

Results

Down syndrome TPR was 3.05 per 10 000 births during 2003 to 2011, with significant differences between urban–rural, gender and maternal‐age groups. DS PPR during 1996 to 2011 was 1.99 per 10 000, presenting an increasing trend till 2003 but a decreasing tendency since then. The proportion of DS diagnosed prenatally increased from 7.55% during 1996 to 2002 to 47.70% during 2003 to 2011, varying by birth area and maternal age. During 2003 to 2011, the high termination rate led to 55% reduction in the overall DS PPR and 62% and 36% decreases in urban and rural PPRs.

Conclusion

The important reduction in the PPR suggests that current strategies in China for the prenatal screening and diagnosis of DS are effective. However, significant urban–rural variations in TPR and PPR indicate an urgent need to strengthen prenatal care for DS in rural regions. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comprehensive proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of yeast deletion mutants of 14‐3‐3 orthologs and associated effects of rapamycin
Authors: Paulo Joao A. , Gygi Steven P.
Published: October 2014

We applied a multiplexed, MS‐based strategy to interrogate the proteome and phosphoproteome of three yeast strains under two growth conditions in triplicate. The yeast proteins brain modulosignalin homologue (Bmh)1 and Bmh2, analogs to the 14‐3‐3 protein family, have a wide array of cellular functions including the regulation of phosphorylation events. Moreover, rapamycin is a drug that can regulate phosphorylation events. By performing a series of tandem mass tag 10‐plex experiments, we investigated the alterations in the proteome and phosphoproteome of wildtype and two deletion strains (bmh1Δ and bmh2Δ) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae treated with rapamycin and DMSO as a control. Our 3 × 3 + 1 strategy allowed for triplicate analysis of each of the three strains, plus an additional sample consisting of an equal mix of all samples. We quantified over 4000 proteins and 20 000 phosphorylation events. Of these, we quantified over 3700 proteins across all 20 samples and over 14 300 phosphorylation events within each drug treatment. In total, data collected from four tandem mass tag 10‐plex experiments required approximately 1 week of data collection on the mass spectrometer. This study underscores the complex cellular roles of Bmh1 and Bmh2 coupled with response to rapamycin treatment and emphasizes the utility of multiplexed proteomic techniques to elucidate comprehensive proteomes and phosphoproteomes.
Investigation of phosphoproteome in RAGE signaling
Authors: Batkulwar Kedar B. , Bansode Sneha B. , Patil Gouri V. , Godbole Rashmi K. , Kazi Rubina S. , Chinnathambi Subashchandrabose , Shanmugam Dhanasekaran , Kulkarni Mahesh J.
Published: October 2014

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is one of the most important proteins implicated in diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. It is a pattern recognition receptor by virtue of its ability to interact with multiple ligands, RAGE activates several signal transduction pathways through involvement of various kinases that phosphorylate their respective substrates. Only few substrates have been known to be phosphorylated in response to activation by RAGE (e.g., nuclear factor kappa B); however, it is possible that these kinases can phosphorylate multiple substrates depending upon their expression and localization, leading to altered cellular responses in different cell types and conditions. One such example is, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta which is known to phosphorylate glycogen synthase, acts downstream to RAGE, and hyperphosphorylates microtubule‐associated protein tau causing neuronal damage. Thus, it is important to understand the role of various RAGE‐activated kinases and their substrates. Therefore, we have reviewed here the details of RAGE‐activated kinases in response to different ligands and their respective phosphoproteome. Furthermore, we discuss the analysis of the data mined for known substrates of these kinases from the PhosphoSitePlus (http://www.phosphosite.org) database, and the role of some of the important substrates involved in cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. In summary, this review provides information on RAGE‐activated kinases and their phosphoproteome, which will be helpful in understanding the possible role of RAGE and its ligands in progression of diseases.
Compact variant‐rich customized sequence database and a fast and sensitive database search for efficient proteogenomic analyses
Authors: Park Heejin , Bae Junwoo , Kim Hyunwoo , Kim Sangok , Kim Hokeun , Mun Dong‐Gi , Joh Yoonsung , Lee Wonyeop , Chae Sehyun , Lee Sanghyuk , Kim Hark Kyun , Hwang Daehee , Lee Sang‐Won , Paek Eunok
Published: October 2014

In proteogenomic analysis, construction of a compact, customized database from mRNA‐seq data and a sensitive search of both reference and customized databases are essential to accurately determine protein abundances and structural variations at the protein level. However, these tasks have not been systematically explored, but rather performed in an ad‐hoc fashion. Here, we present an effective method for constructing a compact database containing comprehensive sequences of sample‐specific variants—single nucleotide variants, insertions/deletions, and stop‐codon mutations derived from Exome‐seq and RNA‐seq data. It, however, occupies less space by storing variant peptides, not variant proteins. We also present an efficient search method for both customized and reference databases. The separate searches of the two databases increase the search time, and a unified search is less sensitive to identify variant peptides due to the smaller size of the customized database, compared to the reference database, in the target‐decoy setting. Our method searches the unified database once, but performs target‐decoy validations separately. Experimental results show that our approach is as fast as the unified search and as sensitive as the separate searches. Our customized database includes mutation information in the headers of variant peptides, thereby facilitating the inspection of peptide‐spectrum matches.
C‐terminomics: Targeted analysis of natural and posttranslationally modified protein and peptide C‐termini
Authors: Tanco Sebastian , Gevaert Kris , Van Damme Petra
Published: October 2014

The C‐terminus (where C is carboxyl) of a protein can serve as a recognition signature for a variety of biological processes, including protein trafficking and protein complex formation. Hence, the identity of the in vivo protein C‐termini provides valuable information about biological processes. Analysis of protein C‐termini is also crucial for the study of C‐terminal PTMs, particularly for monitoring proteolytic processing by endopeptidases and carboxypeptidases. Although technical difficulties have limited the study of C‐termini, a range of technologies have been proposed in the last couple of years. Here, we review the current proteomics technologies for C‐terminal analysis, with a focus on the biological information that can be derived from C‐terminomics studies.
Recent proteomic advances in developmental, regeneration, and cancer governing signaling pathways
Authors: Franco Catarina , Hess Sonja
Published: October 2014

Embryonic development, adult tissue repair, and cancer share a number of common regulating pathways. The basic processes that govern the events that induce mesenchymal properties in epithelial cells—a process known as epithelial‐mesenchymal transition—are central for embryonic development, and can be resumed in adults either during wound healing or tissue regeneration. A misregulation of these pathways is involved in pathological situations, such as tissue fibrosis and cancer. Proteomic approaches have emerged as promising tools to better understand the signaling pathways that govern these complex biological processes. This review focuses on the recent proteomic‐based contributions to better understand the modulation of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), wingless‐type MMTV integration site family (Wnt), Notch and Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways. New advances include the description of new protein interactions, the formation of new protein complexes or the description on how some PTMs are regulating these pathways. Understanding protein interactions and the tempo‐spatial modulation of these pathways might lead us to interesting research quests in cancer, embryonic development or even on improving adult tissue regeneration capabilities.
Distributed formation control with relaxed motion requirements
Authors: Bishop Adrian N. , Deghat Mohammad , Anderson Brian D. O. , Hong Yiguang
Published: October 2014

Heterogeneous formation shape control with interagent bearing and distance constraints involves the design of a distributed control law that ensures the formation moves such that these interagent constraints are achieved and maintained. This paper looks at the design of a distributed control scheme to solve different formation shape control problems in an ambient two‐dimensional space with bearing, distance and mixed bearing and distance constraints. The proposed control law allows the agents in the formation to move in any direction on a half‐plane and guarantees that despite this freedom, the proposed shape control algorithm ensures convergence to a formation shape meeting the prescribed constraints. This work provides an interesting and novel contrast to much of the existing work in formation control where distance‐only constraints are typically maintained and where each agent's motion is typically restricted to follow a very particular path. A stability analysis is sketched, and a number of illustrative examples are also given. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing the data combination rule for seamless phase II/III clinical trials
Authors: Hampson Lisa V. , Jennison Christopher
Published: October 2014

We consider seamless phase II/III clinical trials that compare K treatments with a common control in phase II then test the most promising treatment against control in phase III. The final hypothesis test for the selected treatment can use data from both phases, subject to controlling the familywise type I error rate. We show that the choice of method for conducting the final hypothesis test has a substantial impact on the power to demonstrate that an effective treatment is superior to control. To understand these differences in power, we derive decision rules maximizing power for particular configurations of treatment effects. A rule with such an optimal frequentist property is found as the solution to a multivariate Bayes decision problem. The optimal rules that we derive depend on the assumed configuration of treatment means. However, we are able to identify two decision rules with robust efficiency: a rule using a weighted average of the phase II and phase III data on the selected treatment and control, and a closed testing procedure using an inverse normal combination rule and a Dunnett test for intersection hypotheses. For the first of these rules, we find the optimal division of a given total sample size between phases II and III. We also assess the value of using phase II data in the final analysis and find that for many plausible scenarios, between 50% and 70% of the phase II numbers on the selected treatment and control would need to be added to the phase III sample size in order to achieve the same increase in power. © 2014 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A selection model for accounting for publication bias in a full network meta‐analysis
Authors: Mavridis Dimitris , Welton Nicky J. , Sutton Alex , Salanti Georgia
Published: October 2014

Copas and Shi suggested a selection model to explore the potential impact of publication bias via sensitivity analysis based on assumptions for the probability of publication of trials conditional on the precision of their results. Chootrakool et al. extended this model to three‐arm trials but did not fully account for the implications of the consistency assumption, and their model is difficult to generalize for complex network structures with more than three treatments. Fitting these selection models within a frequentist setting requires maximization of a complex likelihood function, and identification problems are common. We have previously presented a Bayesian implementation of the selection model when multiple treatments are compared with a common reference treatment. We now present a general model suitable for complex, full network meta‐analysis that accounts for consistency when adjusting results for publication bias. We developed a design‐by‐treatment selection model to describe the mechanism by which studies with different designs (sets of treatments compared in a trial) and precision may be selected for publication. We fit the model in a Bayesian setting because it avoids the numerical problems encountered in the frequentist setting, it is generalizable with respect to the number of treatments and study arms, and it provides a flexible framework for sensitivity analysis using external knowledge. Our model accounts for the additional uncertainty arising from publication bias more successfully compared to the standard Copas model or its previous extensions. We illustrate the methodology using a published triangular network for the failure of vascular graft or arterial patency. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrative modeling of multi‐platform genomic data under the framework of mediation analysis
Authors: Huang Yen‐Tsung
Published: October 2014

Given the availability of genomic data, there have been emerging interests in integrating multi‐platform data. Here, we propose to model genetics (single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)), epigenetics (DNA methylation), and gene expression data as a biological process to delineate phenotypic traits under the framework of causal mediation modeling. We propose a regression model for the joint effect of SNPs, methylation, gene expression, and their nonlinear interactions on the outcome and develop a variance component score test for any arbitrary set of regression coefficients. The test statistic under the null follows a mixture of chi‐square distributions, which can be approximated using a characteristic function inversion method or a perturbation procedure. We construct tests for candidate models determined by different combinations of SNPs, DNA methylation, gene expression, and interactions and further propose an omnibus test to accommodate different models. We then study three path‐specific effects: the direct effect of SNPs on the outcome, the effect mediated through expression, and the effect through methylation. We characterize correspondences between the three path‐specific effects and coefficients in the regression model, which are influenced by causal relations among SNPs, DNA methylation, and gene expression. We illustrate the utility of our method in two genomic studies and numerical simulation studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doped ZnO 1D Nanostructures: Synthesis, Properties, and Photodetector Application
Authors: Hsu Cheng‐Liang , Chang Shoou‐Jinn
Published: October 2014

In the past decades, the doping of ZnO one‐dimensional nanostructures has attracted a great deal of attention due to the variety of possible morphologies, large surface‐to‐volume ratios, simple and low cost processing, and excellent physical properties for fabricating high‐performance electronic, magnetic, and optoelectronic devices. This article mainly concentrates on recent advances regarding the doping of ZnO one‐dimensional nanostructures, including a brief overview of the vapor phase transport method and hydrothermal method, as well as the fabrication process for photodetectors. The dopant elements include B, Al, Ga, In, N, P, As, Sb, Ag, Cu, Ti, Na, K, Li, La, C, F, Cl, H, Mg, Mn, S, and Sn. The various dopants which act as acceptors or donors to realize either p‐type or n‐type are discussed. Doping to alter optical properties is also considered. Lastly, the perspectives and future research outlook of doped ZnO nanostructures are summarized.
Preparation of Cu(II) ions adsorbent from acrylic acid‐grafted corn starch in aqueous solutions
Authors: Lu Quliang , Gao Pin , Zhi Hui , Zhao Haoyuan , Yang Yaping , Sun Baiwang
Published: October 2014

Acrylic acid graft onto corn starch with excellent water holding capacity were successfully synthesized and employed for copper ions removal in aqueous solution. N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide and potassium persulfate effectively worked as cross‐linking agent and the reaction initiator for copolymerization reaction, respectively. The data of FTIR confirmed that acrylic acid has been grafted onto starch. The effect of time on the water holding performance was investigated, and its maximum value was 96.6 g/g. The copolymers were dispersed in aqueous solution of Cu2+ ions and form polymer‐copper ions complex. The copper ions removal capacity of grafted starch was investigated by UV–visible spectrophotometry as a function of pH, water holding capacity, the content of NaCl, and the initial concentration of copper ions. In the presence of NaCl, the highest copper ions removal capacity was 2.56 mmol copper ions per gram of grafted starch, and 85.3% of copper ions have been removed. The isothermal study indicated that the adsorption data could be well modeled by Langmuir isotherms.
Pasting, swelling, and solubility characteristics of rice batter prepared from different wet grinding systems
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Singh Vasudeva , Subramanian Rangaswamy
Published: October 2014

Pasting behavior of raw and parboiled rice (IR‐64) batter prepared from different wet grinding systems (stone grinder, mixer grinder, and colloid mill) with average particle size (∼620 µm) similar to the market sample was studied after 14–16 h fermentation. Gelatinization temperature (GT) for raw and parboiled rice varied from 70 to 75°C and 77 to 79°C, respectively. Peak viscosity (PV) was highest in the batter prepared from stone grinder which could be due to the predominant compressive forces involved in wet grinding. PV of parboiled rice batter was 40–45% less than the raw rice which was attributed to the presence of pre‐gelatinized starch. In parboiled rice batter, breakdown (BD) reduced drastically and the relative breakdown (BDr) was also low compared to the raw rice batter. Swelling power and solubility when studied at various temperatures 50–100°C were lower in the batter prepared from stone grinder compared to the shear imparting mixer grinder and colloid mill indicating the probable role of grinding forces involved.
Influence of xanthan gum on viscoelastic retardation processes in starch pastes
Authors: Ptaszek Paweł
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to analyze the traces of retardation spectra L(λ) as a function of the experiment duration in systems containing normal (CS) and waxy (WS) corn starches with the addition of xanthan gum (XG). Retardation spectra were estimated based on continuous Burger's model. The branching of retardation spectra and the development of new characteristic retardation times in real time (during the experiment) were shown. The system with the lowest content of XG and CS revealed a cascade of doublings created on the upper branch in retardation spectra. The phenomenon proceeded towards long retardation times. This means that the system began to flow, and thus showed more viscous properties in the observed time frame. Replacement of CS with XG also resulted in generation of doublings in the trace of the retardation spectrum on the shorter time branches. The doublings, which are also present in the pastes with XG and WS, originate from the upper branches only. No doublings were observed on the lower arms. The new branches have always tended towards longer retardation times. This means that, over time, the system tends towards flowing and, hence, towards the phenomenon of energy dissipation, as the structure is no more able to store mechanical energy.
Nanocomposites of crosslinked starch phthalate and silane modified nanoclay: Study of mechanical, thermal, morphological, and biodegradable characteristics
Authors: Ashamol A. , Priyambika V. S. , Avadhani G. S. , Sailaja R. R. N.
Published: October 2014

Biodegradable composites comprising of modified starch and modified nanoclay have been prepared. Starch has been modified by esterification and subsequently crosslinked. The thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation characteristics of the composites have been investigated. The compressive properties of the composites with the addition of nanoclay were twice that of crosslinked starch phthalate without addition of nanoclay. Predictive theories were used to analyze the obtained experimental results. SEM studies on fracture morphology indicated quasi‐brittle fracture. Flexural properties showed considerable improvement due to nanoclay addition. The water uptake increased up to 6% nanoclay, beyond which the uptake decreased. Biodegradation studies showed an initial time lag prior to the onset of degradation.
Characterization of tradition Chinese medicine (TCM) starch for potential cosmetics industry application
Authors: Xia Yuzhuo , Gao Wenyuan , Wang Haiyang , Jiang Qianqian , Li Xia , Huang Luqi , Xiao Peigen
Published: October 2014

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (PSA), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), and Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. (CPV) all contained abundant starch in tubers, which have usually been discard as waste in the pharmaceutical industry. In this paper, the intrinsic properties of three TCM starches were studied and the structure–property relationships were analyzed, on the purpose of exploring new starch resource for food and non‐food industries. PSA starch with the highest amylose (AM) content showed the lowest water binding capacity (WBC), while the CPV starch showed the contrary. Moreover, the starches differed in granule shape and size. The PSA and PLP starches had larger spherical or elliptic granules, whereas CPV starch possessed the smallest granules in large number among the three starches. PSA starch displayed the typical C‐type diffraction pattern, while the PLP and CPV starches were classified as A‐type pattern. The degrees of crystallinity of the three TCM starches were about 22.8, 16.6, and 24.2%, respectively. The starch separated from CPV indicated the highest transition temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc) and gelatinization temperature range (R) value with lowest peak height indices (PHI), whereas PLP starch showed the lowest transition temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔHgel).
Physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of debranched starch–ferulic acid complexes
Authors: Van Hung Pham , Phat Nguyen Huu , Phi Nguyen Thi Lan
Published: October 2014

Amylose, a primarily linear polysaccharide of (1 → 4)‐α‐D‐glucose units, displays a folding in a helical conformation and has an ability to form an inclusion complex with a variety of ligands. In this study, debranched starch–ferulic acid complexes were produced by adding ferulic acid to the debranched cassava starch paste and their physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity were investigated. The mixing ratios of ferulic acid to starch were 0.02 (DS‐FA0.02), 0.05 (DS‐FA0.05), and 0.10 g ferulic acid/g starch (DS‐FA0.10). The amounts of bound ferulic acid in the DS‐FA0.02, DS‐FA0.05, and DS‐FA0.10 were 6.8, 16.2, and 31.5 mg/g starch, respectively. The ferulic acid was observed to be entrapped in the hydrophobic core of double helices, which did not affect the crystalline structure, gelatinization temperatures, viscosity, and RS content of the crystallites formed by the linear‐chain molecules of the debranched starch. The solubility and antioxidant capacity of the debranched starch–ferulic acid complexes increased with increasing in amount of bound ferulic acid in the complexes. The higher RS content and antioxidant capacity of the complexes are considered to have significant benefits for human health. Therefore, the debranched starch–ferulic acid complexes might be used as a new functional food as well as pharmaceutical products.
Effect of harvesting periods on the morphology and physico‐chemical properties of trifoliate yam starches
Authors: Akinoso Rahman , Abiodun Olufunmilola A.
Published: October 2014

Trifoliate yam starches from white and yellow cultivars were isolated and characterized by SEM, granule size analysis, pasting properties and swelling characteristics at different harvesting periods were studied. The starch yield ranged from 5.09 to 12.07%. White trifoliate yam had the highest starch yield at 9 months and this was significantly different (p<0.05) from others. The scanning electron micrograph revealed the presence of smooth surface granules with polygonal granule size ranging from 2.58 to 3.58 µm in diameter. Amylose and starch contents ranged from 14.65 to 17.44% and 40.73 to 63.34%, respectively. Peak viscosity ranged from 199.77 to 373.71 RVU, holding strength from 77.68 to 167.84 RVU, breakdown 96.79 to 217.14 RVU, final viscosity 149.84 to 267.58 RVU, setback 50.34 to 112.27 RVU. White trifoliate yam starch at 7 months had the highest peak viscosity and breakdown but it exhibits high value in holding strength at 8 months. White trifoliate yam starch harvested at 10 months had the highest swelling power at 60 and 80°C while at 90°C, the highest value was recorded for starch at 11 months. The yellow starch at 10 months had higher swelling power at 90°C. Harvesting of trifoliate yam at different periods produced starches that can be used for different purposes.
Changes in rapid visco‐analysis (RVA) viscosity reveal starch digestion behaviours
Authors: Sorba Anaelle , Sopade Peter A.
Published: October 2014

Changes in the rapid visco‐analysis (RVA) viscosity of potato and waxy maize starches during digestion were studied using amyloglucosidase and α‐amylase (60–1700 U/mL), and three solids contents (3–20%) of the starch dispersions in a replicated randomised experiment. The starches were gelatinised in the RVA before digestion at 50°C at a shear rate of 17 s−1 for 5 min. Control dispersions effectively did not change (<10%) in viscosity with time. With the enzyme‐treated gels, irrespective of the starch, enzyme or concentration, the RVA viscosity reduced with time as low molecular weight (MW) products were produced. A modified first‐order kinetic model suitably described (r2>0.9) the starch viscosity‐digestograms. The rate of change in starch viscosity, KVIS (an index of the rate of starch digestion), was significantly (p<0.05) inversely related to the solids content, and directly related to the enzyme concentration. KVIS of the waxy maize starch was higher than that of the potato starch, and a higher KVIS was measured with the α‐amylase than with the amyloglucosidase. Differences in potato and waxy maize starch structures, specificity of enzymes and enzyme:substrate ratios can explain the results, and rheology is proposed as valuable in starch digestion.
Process and financial considerations pertinent to hydrogel manufacture
Authors: Sorour Mohamed H. , El Sayed Marwa M. , Abd El Moneem Nabil M. , Talaat Hala A. , Shaalan Hayam F. , El Marsafy Sahar M.
Published: October 2014

Hydrogels are hydrophilic networks of crosslinked synthetic polymers or grafted natural polymers. The latter type involves grafting of a monomer onto a natural polymer using initiator and crosslinker. The present paper comprises of hydrogel manufacturing processes for starch grafted acrylamide (St‐g‐Am) using three different grafting techniques (conventional, microwave (MW), and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation). The prepared hydrogel has been characterized using XRD, FTIR, TGA, and SEM. Grafting indicators are compared on the basis of reported typical international and national studies. Moreover, economics and environmental aspects are addressed using the investigated manufacturing procedures. Recommendations for clean technology applications pertinent to hydrogel manufacture are included.
Starch metabolism in green algae
Authors: Busi María V. , Barchiesi Julieta , Martín Mariana , Gomez‐Casati Diego F.
Published: October 2014

Starch plays a central role in the life cycle as one of the principal sources of chemical energy. This polysaccharide accumulates in plastids in green algae and land plants, and both organisms have acquired various enzyme isoforms for each step of the metabolic pathway. Eukaryotic green microalgae present the critical photosynthetic functions as higher plants. However, due to the small size of their genome, gene redundancy is decreased, a feature that makes them an excellent model for investigating the properties of photosynthetic physiology. In the last decade, there has been an increasing demand for starch in many industrial processes, such as food, pharmaceutical, and bioethanol production. Thus, a better understanding of starch biosynthesis, in particular the structure–function relationship and regulatory properties of the enzymes involved in its production may provide a powerful tool for the planning of new strategies to increase plant biomass, as well as to improve the quality and quantity of this polymer.
Comparison of microwave processing and excess steam jet cooking for spherulite production from amylose–fatty acid inclusion complexes
Authors: Felker Frederick C. , Kenar James A. , Fanta George F. , Biswas Atanu
Published: October 2014

Helical inclusion complexes of amylose with fatty acids can form spherulites of various morphological types. Previous studies have described the spherulites obtained by cooling dispersions of steam jet cooked corn starch either by itself or supplemented with various fatty acids. In light of potential advantages of microwave processing, we investigated the use of a laboratory microwave instrument as an alternative method for spherulite production. With native high amylose corn starch (HAS), spherulites were formed with morphology similar to those observed previously by steam jet cooking. Adjustments to the reaction conditions led to a slight improvement in yield over jet cooking. Using solvent‐defatted HAS supplemented with straight‐chain fatty acids (C10:0 to C22:0), microwave processing produced only small, disc‐shaped spherulites in a gel matrix. However, when defatted HAS was supplemented with either capric or palmitic acid and processed by steam jet cooking, uniform dispersions of toroidal spherulites were obtained. These results show that although jet cooking is not required for spherulite formation when native HAS is used, defatted HAS requires the high‐shear steam jet cooking method of heating for optimal spherulite growth. Researchers and product developers could use the results of microwave experiments to refine jet cooking methods for large scale spherulite production.
On the differences in the granular architecture and starch structure between pericarp and endosperm wheat starches
Authors: Kalinga Danusha N. , Waduge Renuka , Liu Qiang , Yada Rickey Y. , Bertoft Eric , Seetharaman Koushik
Published: October 2014

In this study, the granular organization and structure of transitory starch from wheat pericarp was analyzed and compared to the storage starch from endosperm. Pericarp starch (PS) granules were small and spherical with fuzzy blocklets on the surface. Both starches possessed A‐type crystallinity, but the relative crystallinity and the stability of crystals were higher in PS. Iodine absorption was low in PS, but iodine slightly increased the crystallinity. PS had 14% AAM compared to 33% in endosperm starch (ES). Interestingly, the AAM (fraction II) in PS was branched as judged from the λmax value of the iodine complex, whereas ES contained linear and branched amylose. The amylopectin component (fraction I) in PS and ES mainly showed differences in the internal structure. PS amylopectin had longer chains and fewer A‐chains resulting in a less branched structure compared to ES amylopectin.
Effect of steeping additives on tef starch extraction and its quality
Authors: Nyakabau Tatenda , Wokadala Obiro Cuthbert , Emmambux Mohammad Naushad
Published: October 2014

Tef is an indigenous African cereal and considered as lost crop of Africa. There is no research on the effect of steeping additives on the quality of isolated tef starch. A white tef grain was milled and steeped in distilled water, sodium hydroxide, lactic acid, metabisulfite, and a combination of lactic acid and metabisulfite. A combination of metabisulfite and lactic acid improves the starch yield, but steeping with sodium hydroxide produces the highest starch purity (lowest protein content). Both the Rapid Visco Analyzer and a Rheometer showed similar pasting properties of starches independent of the treatment. The different steeping additives showed differences in pasting properties. Sodium hydroxide showed the highest peak, breakdown and set back viscosity compared to the other steeping additives. Extracted tef starches using sodium hydroxide as steeping additives also showed higher gelatinization temperatures. According to principle component analysis (PCA), the different properties of tef starch extracted with sodium hydroxide steeping is apparently due to its lower protein content. SEM and CLSM indicated that sodium hydroxide is a very effective solvent to solubilize the protein matrix surrounding the compound starch granule to produce more single starch granule during extraction. The low protein content probably result in faster water absorption and higher peak viscosity and lower pasting temperature. Different steeping additives can affect the functionality of tef starches and this need to be considered when comparing properties of starches extracted with different additives.
Maize and teff starches modified with stearic acid as potential fat replacer in low calorie mayonnaise‐type emulsions
Authors: Teklehaimanot Welday H. , Duodu Kwaku G. , Emmambux Mohammed N.
Published: October 2014

Fat replacers have been developed to produce low‐calorie foods due to the association of fat‐rich diet to lifestyle diseases. Teff (an underutilized and under‐researched cereal), and maize starch pastes modified with stearic acid could be used as fat replacers because of their reduced gelling ability and higher viscosity. The effects of teff and maize starch pastes modified with stearic acid on the rheological properties, microstructure, freeze–thaw, and high temperature stability of low‐calorie mayonnaise type emulsions (LCMTE) were investigated. Starch suspensions (10% w/v) containing stearic acid (1.5%) were pasted and used to prepare LCMTE with 50 and 80% oil replacement. LCMTE with modified teff and maize starches had lower yield stress and viscosity and larger oil droplets compared to LCMTE with unmodified teff and maize starches. Increasing oil replacement level (50–80%) increased the viscosity. LCMTE with maize starch had higher yield stress and viscosity and smaller oil droplets than LCMTE with teff starch. All samples showed shear thinning behavior (n < 1). All the LCMTE were more stable to freeze–thaw cycles and high temperature storage than full fat mayonnaise. At 50% oil replacement, unmodified and modified teff and maize starch with stearic acid could produce LCMTE. When the oil content replacement was further increased to 80% only the LCMTE with modified starches were similar to the full fat. The LCMTE made with unmodified teff and maize starches (especially those with 80% oil replacement) did not flow like a mayonnaise compared to LCMTE made with stearic acid modified starches.
Effect of fermentation periods on chemical and physicochemical properties of cocoyam starch
Authors: Obadina Adewale O. , Fegha Grace D. , Olugbile Adetola O.
Published: October 2014

The effect of fermentation time on chemical and physiochemical properties of two varieties of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta (white) and Xanthosoma sagittifolium (pink)) starch were evaluated. The cocoyam were fermented (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) and dried in cabinet dryer at 60°C for 24 h and subsequently milled into starch. The pasting properties, functional properties and chemical composition of the fermented starch were determined and compared with unfermented starch. Result showed that fermentation increased the peak viscosity of both varieties at 96 h with starch from white cocoyam having higher peak viscosity (6301), pink (5052). The pasting temperatures of fermented starch were not significantly different from unfermented starch for both pink and white cocoyam starch (84.0–82.0°C). White cocoyam starch had higher swelling power than pink starch (9.97–9.92) at 96 h. There were no significantly differences in the dispersibility value, bulk density, fat, crude fiber and carbohydrate for both varieties of control and fermented samples. Water solubility index (WSI) for white starch at control level was higher than that of pink (7.5, 4.5) but at 96 h, the pink variety was higher (3 and 1.5) and water absorption capacity increased markly due to fermentation period. Protein content was observed to increase during fermentation.
Improvement of fonio dough properties through starch modification by sourdough fermentation
Authors: Edema Mojisola O. , Emmambux M. Naushad , Taylor John R. N.
Published: October 2014

Fonio is a West African millet with potential for gluten‐free products. Sourdough fermentation improves fonio bread quality. To determine the cause, the effects of sourdough fermentation on the dough quality and starch characteristics of two white and two black fonio types and a white sorghum type were investigated. Sourdough fermentation substantially improved the dough consistency making it more similar to bread wheat flour, as measured by the Mixolab. Sourdough fermentation also increased pasting viscosity, an indication of effects on starch. SEM indicated that sourdough fermentation caused some slight swelling and starch leaching from the fonio starch granules. This was confirmed by an increase in damaged starch. It also caused a substantial reduction in starch gel firmness. Principal component analysis clearly separated fermented and unfermented fonio flours. Damaged starch was associated with fermented fonio, as were Mixolab parameters related to dough stability. Sourdough fermentation thus improves fonio dough and bread quality by bringing about slight changes in the starch granules, which probably increase water absorption and hence improve dough strength and gas holding.