Identification of bioactive peptides in hypoallergenic infant milk formulas by CE‐TOF‐MS assisted by semiempirical model of electromigration behavior

Biologically active peptides derived from complex bovine milk protein hydrolysates are of particular interest in food science and nutrition because they have been shown to play different physiological roles, providing benefits in human health. In this study, we used CE‐TOF‐MS for separation and identification of bioactive peptides in three hypoallergenic infant milk formulas. An appropriate sample cleanup using a citrate buffer with DTT and urea followed by SPE with Sep‐Pack® C18 and StrataX^TM cartridges allowed the detection of a large number of low molecular mass bioactive peptides. This preliminary identification was solely based on the measured experimental monoisotopic molecular mass values (M_exp). Later, we evaluated the classical semiempirical relationships between electrophoretic mobility and charge‐to‐mass ratio (m_e vs. q/M^α, α = 1/2 for the classical polymer model) to describe their migration behavior. The assistance of migration prediction proved to be useful to improve reliability of the identification, avoiding misinterpretations and solving some identity conflicts. After revision, the identity of 24, 30, and 38 bioactive peptides was confirmed in each of the three infant milk formulas. A significant number of these peptides were reported as inhibitors of angiotensin‐converting enzyme, however, the presence of sequences with other biological activities such as antihypertensive, antithrombotic, hypocholesterolemic, immunomodulation, cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antigenic, or opioid was also confirmed.     

Electromechanical phase transition in hexacyanometallate nanostructure (Prussian Blue)

This paper demonstrates the importance of the structural changeover in controlling the physical-chemical properties of hexacyanometalate-like materials (Prussian Blue). A meticulous in situ study of compositional variations using electroacoustic impedance techniques associated to electrogravimetric techniques in hexacyanoferrates containing K+ alkali metals reveals the existence of a nanostructural changeover coupled to a change of the magnetic properties of these electromagnetic materials. In the same way, the electroacoustic impedance techniques can be useful both in the understanding and in the in situ monitoring of the structural changeovers and the magnetic behavior of all kinds of materials.     

Adsorption of chlorhexidine onto cellulosic fibers

Comparative investigations of adsorption properties of chlorhexidine (CHX) on two cellulose fibers, bleached cotton and viscose, were studied in order to obtain dry gauzes covered with known amount of this antiseptic. Adsorption isotherm results carried out at 293 and 323 K can be described by Langmuir isotherm model, nevertheless, at high concentration correlation is better to Freundlich isotherm. Electrokinetic potential evolution with CHX concentration, shows that initial negative zeta potential of cotton and viscose diminish its absolute value as the concentration of the treatment increases; both fibers present an isoelectric point at high concentration of CHX that is 0.3 mM for viscose and 0.8 mM for cotton. Electrostatic interactions between cationic groups of CHX and carboxylic acid groups of the fibers could explain adsorption at low concentration, but when it is higher than these values, possible hydrogen bonding between the amine groups of CHX and hydroxyl groups of cellulose could explain increasing adsorption when it is hindered by electrostatic repulsion as it is predicted by Freundlich model, that describes heterogeneous surface and multilayer adsorption. Adsorption kinetics isotherms reveal that the process is quick with t _1/2 values of 5.4 min for cotton and 2.8 min for viscose. Differences in adsorption behaviour between the two fibers could be attributed to structural differences as we have observed from estimation of CI index based on FTIR spectra. Values obtained 1.6 for viscose and 2.2 for cotton could explain that the amount of CHX adsorbed on viscose is higher than it is on cotton. Finally desorption experiments performed with 0.01 M of NaCl solution at room temperature and pH 6 reveals the possibility of therapeutical application of these fibers although further investigations must be done to optimize the process.     

Adsorption of polyallylamine to lignocellulosic fibres: effect of adsorption conditions on localisation of adsorbed polyelectrolyte and mechanical properties of resulting paper sheets

Cationic polyallylamine (PAH), was adsorbed onto lignocellulosic fibres, and a fluorescent label on the polyelectrolyte enabled its location to be shown by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The adsorption time and ionic strength were varied to study their effect on the localisation of the adsorbed PAH. The microscopy showed that a long adsorption time, 24 h, and a high ionic strength, 10⁻¹ M NaCl + 5 × 10⁻³ M NaHCO₃ or higher, resulted in the adsorption of polyallylamine throughout the fibre walls. Shorter adsorption times and/or lower ionic strength resulted in adsorption only to the fibre exterior. By preparing sheets from fibres with polyelectrolyte adsorbed either to the exterior parts or into the fibre cell wall and testing their mechanical behaviour, a link was established between the localisation of adsorbed polyelectrolyte and the mechanical properties. Adsorption to the fibre exterior led to an increase in tensile strength and strain at break. The creep deformation at 90%RH was also slightly reduced by the adsorption of low molecular weight PAH (15 kDa). When polyallylamine was adsorbed throughout the wall of the lignocellulosic fibres, the mechanical properties were not however improved and the creep deformation at 90%RH actually increased somewhat.     

Diffusion coefficients across polycarbonate microporous membranes

Summary Apparent ionic diffusion coefficients across polycarbonate membranes bathed by two electrolyte solutions have been studied from Nernst-Planck equation using the assumption of constant electric field. From these diffusion coefficients we have also determined the cation transport numbers across the membranes. Six different membranes and two electrolytes (LiCl and MgCl₂) have been considered, at the temperature of 20°C and for concentrations in the range (10⁻⁴÷10⁻¹) mol l⁻¹.

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Riassunto Sono stati studiati coefficienti apparenti di diffusione ionica attraverso membrane di policarbonato magnate da due soluzioni di elettroliti a partire dall’equazione di Nernst-Planck usando l’assunto di campo elettrico costante. Da questi coefficienti di diffusione abbiamo anche determinato il numero di trasporto di cationi attraverso le membrane. Si sono considerate sei diverse membrane e due elettroliti (LiCl e MgCl₂), alla temperatura di 20°C e per concentrazioni nell’intervallo (10⁻³÷10⁺¹) mol l⁻¹.

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Резюме Используя предположения о постоянном электрическом поле, на основе уравнения Нернста-Планка исследуются ионные коэффициенты диффузии через поликарбанатные мембраны, омываемые двумя электролитическими растворами. Из этих коэффициентов диффузии мы также определяем транспорт катионов через эти мембраны. Были рассмотрены шесть различных мембран и два электролита (LiCl и MgCl₂) при температуре 20°C и для концентраций в области (10⁻⁴÷ ÷10⁻¹) моль·л⁻¹.

     

Optimization and validation of an LC-fLD method for biotin in infant formula, infant cereals, cocoa-malt beverages, and clinical nutrition products

A fast and simple chromatographic method to determine biotin in foods is presented. Biotin is extracted using papain (60 degrees C, 1 h). After pH adjustment and filtration, biotin is determined by LC with fluorescence detection using postcolumn reagent avidin-FITC (avidin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate). The method has been validated in a large range of products: milk- and soy-based infant formulas, cereals, cocoa-malt beverages, and clinical nutrition products. The method showed recovery rates of 98.1 +/- 5.7% (average +/- SD) in a large range of concentrations. Biotin concentrations determined in infant formula standard reference materials 1846 and 1849 were in agreement with reference values. RSD of repeatability (RSDr) varied from 2.0 to 4.5%, and intermediate reproducibility (RSD(iR)) from 5.8 to 9.4%. LOD and LOQ were 3.0 and 5.0 microg/100 g, respectively. The proposed method is suitable for routine analysis of biotin in fortified foods (infant formulas, infant cereals, cocoa-malt beverages, and clinical nutrition products). It can be used as a faster, more selective, and precise alternative to the classical microbiological determination, and is easily transferable among laboratories.     

Technical efficiency,managerial efficiency and objective-setting in the educational system: an international comparison

This study uses data envelopment analysis to analyse the efficiency of educational systems in 31 countries. This type of evaluation is of interest both when formulating a model for analysis and when applying such a model empirically. The efficiency of an educational system must take into account the students' economic and social background, as this is an environmental factor that decisively influences their performance. This is a highly important aspect and so we propose a specific evaluative process for it. Secondly, we evaluate the efficiency of educational systems in different countries, an analysis that has few forerunners since the majority of previous research has focused on analysing a single country. The results suggest that, in general, the most efficient management of educational systems can be found in those countries with a Communist past. They also suggest that there is a series of developed countries, which, judging by the results obtained, could increase their students' performance with even fewer resources than those currently allocated to their educational systems.     

Accuracy and efficiency comparison of various nonlinear Kalman filters applied to multibody models

Nonlinear Dynamics - Multibody simulations are already used in many industries to speed up the development of new products. However, improvements in multibody formulations and the continuous...     

Comparison theorems for the volume of a complex submanifold of a Kaehler manifold

LetM be a Kaehler manifold of real dimension 2n with holomorphic sectional curvatureK _H≥4λ and antiholomorphic Ricci curvatureρ _A≥(2n−2)λ, andP is a complex hypersurface. We give a bound for the quotient (volume ofP)/(volume ofM) and prove that this bound is attained if and only ifP=C P ⁿ⁻¹(λ) andM=C P ⁿ(λ). Moreover, we give some results on the volume of of tubes aboutP inM. Work partially supported by a DGICYT Grant No. PS87-0115-CO3-01.