CHO Group Research Articles

Molecular composition and gas-particle partitioning of indoor cooking aerosol: Insights from a FIGAERO-CIMS and kinetic aerosol modeling

Organic aerosol emitted from cooking is a major concern for indoor air quality. During the House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) campaign, we simulated cooking, cleaning and occupancy activities in a realistic residential setting and measured resulting gas- and particle-phase emissions using a High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer with a Filter Inlet for Gases and Aerosols (FIGAERO-HR-ToF-CIMS). We identified ∼480 molecular formulas for compounds emitted on cooking-centered days and attributed them to potential sources including cooking, commercial, personal care products, and occupancy. Compounds with molecular formulas containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms only (CHO group) composed most of the CIMS-measured molar fraction at 74-85%, with nitrogen-containing molecular formulas (CHNO group) being the second largest contributor (12-19%). We investigated the volatility of identified species based on FIGAERO-CIMS data in three ways: (1) using the maximum desorption temperature from one-dimensional thermograms, Tmax, (2) calculating gas-particle partitioning, Fp, (3) using a molecular corridor parameterization to estimate saturation concentrations based on molecular formulas. We used the kinetic multi-layer model of gas-particle interactions in aerosols and clouds (KM-GAP) to calculate equilibration timescales and found that under sampling conditions (T = 323 K), it can take up to 14 seconds for equilibrium conditions to be met, whereas sampling residence times are approximately 3 seconds. The chemical diversity and wide range of volatilities of species sampled during cooking-centered events highlight the importance of understanding aerosol emissions and partitioning in indoor spaces where people spend most of their time.

Optical Properties of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Clusters with Oxygenated Substitutions: A Theoretical Analysis.

The introduction of functional groups at high coverage levels can have significant impacts on the band structures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) clusters. The HOMO-LUMO gaps are highly sensitive to the type and distribution of functional groups. An in-house method is proposed to build PAH (naphthalene, pyrene, coronene, and ovalene) clusters with surface functionalization of -OH, -COOH and -CHO groups using the DFT method. The -CHO groups are found to reduce the gap value the most, but exceptions exist due to the spatial distribution of functional groups. Considering the impact of -CHO groups only, we can approximate that the impact of functional groups lies in the range of 0.14-0.89 eV. Applying further analysis on the possible energy number of energy transitions of substituted PAH clusters, it is shown that PAH clusters with oxygenated functions still behave like an indirect band gap material. The coupling effect of PAH stacking and PAH size is also addressed. A simple expression is proposed to estimate the bandgap of a mixed system using the HOMO and LUMO energy of the two components. Further attempts are made to interpret recent experiments from the impact of PAH stacking, PAH size, and functional groups.

Combined application of online FIGAERO-CIMS and offline LC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) to characterize the chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in smog chamber studies

Abstract. A combination of online and offline mass spectrometric techniques was used to characterize the chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated from the photooxidation of α-pinene in an atmospheric simulation chamber. The filter inlet for gases and aerosols (FIGAERO) coupled with a high-resolution time-of-flight iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometer (I−-ToF-CIMS) was employed to track the evolution of gaseous and particulate components. Extracts of aerosol particles sampled onto a filter at the end of each experiment were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography ultra-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Orbitrap MS). Each technique was used to investigate the major SOA elemental group contributions in each system. The online CIMS particle-phase measurements show that organic species containing exclusively carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO group) dominate the contribution to the ion signals from the SOA products, broadly consistent with the LC-Orbitrap MS negative mode analysis, which was better able to identify the sulfur-containing fraction. An increased abundance of high-carbon-number (nC≥16) compounds additionally containing nitrogen (CHON group) was detected in the LC-Orbitrap MS positive ionization mode, indicating a fraction missed by the negative-mode and CIMS measurements. Time series of gas-phase and particle-phase oxidation products provided by online measurements allowed investigation of the gas-phase chemistry of those products by hierarchical clustering analysis to assess the phase partitioning of individual molecular compositions. The particle-phase clustering was used to inform the selection of components for targeted structural analysis of the offline samples. Saturation concentrations derived from nearly simultaneous gaseous and particulate measurements of the same ions by FIGAERO-CIMS were compared with those estimated from the molecular structure based on the LC-Orbitrap MS measurements to interpret the component partitioning behaviour. This paper explores the insight brought to the interpretation of SOA chemical composition by the combined application of online FIGAERO-CIMS and offline LC-Orbitrap MS analytical techniques.

Effect of the abbreviation of preoperative fasting to 2h with a drink containing carbohydrate in postoperative pulmonary function after Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy: a pilot randomized study

Objective: The organic response to trauma is attenuated by intake of a carbohydrate (CHO)-enriched drink 2 hours before surgery, as opposed to strict preoperative fasting. We investigated whether this approach would improve postoperative respiratory function in patients undergoing bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Method: Qualifying patients (mean age, 24 years; range, 16-37 year) scheduled for thoracoscopic sympathectomy were randomized to conventional 6- to 8-hour fasting (control group, n=7) or 6-hour fasting for solids, followed by intake of a CHO-rich drink (12% maltodextrin in 200 mL of water) 2 hours before anesthesia (CHO group, n=7). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25-75%) were measured, and cirtometry was performed pre- and postoperatively (Day 1). The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain and well-being postoperatively. Results: Pain and well-being did not differ between groups by VAS scores. Thoracic expansibility declined postoperatively in both groups at axillary level but significantly decreased at xiphoid level only in the control group (p=0.04). Both groups showed significant declines in FVC and FEV1 on postoperative Day 1. Only the control group displayed significant postoperative FEF 25-75% decline, compared with preoperative baseline (p=0.01). Conclusion: In this pilot study, intake of a CHO-enriched drink 2 hours preoperatively benefitted patients postoperatively, enhancing basilar lung expansion and marginally improving lung function.

Efficacy of Preoperative Oral Glucose on Blood Glucose Response and Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio in Patient Undergoing Brain Tumor Resection

Abstract Background: Hyperglycemia and inflammatory conditions due to surgical stress response in conventional brain tumor resection can increase the morbidity and mortality of neurosurgery patients. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol has been widely used in various types of surgery, but data on the neurosurgery are still limited. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of preoperative oral glucose administration in attenuating surgical stress response in patients undergoing brain tumor resection. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four elective craniotomy brain tumor resection patients underwent a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients were divided into two groups: one group that received oral carbohydrate (CHO; maltodextrin 12.5% 50 g in 400 ml water) 2 h preoperatively and a control group that only received water. Blood glucose level and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were obtained preoperatively, before induction, and 6 h and 24 h postoperatively. Results: Blood glucose was better in the CHO group at 6 h (117.18 ± 16.25 mg/dl vs. 154.88 ± 28.22 mg/dl, P < .001) and 24 h (118.05 ± 13.89 mg/dl vs. 153.76 ± 34.81 mg/dl, P < .001) postoperatively compared to that in the control group. NLR in the CHO group showed a lower value compared to that in the control group at 6 h (8.21 ± 6.20 vs. 15.47 ± 6.76, P < .001) and 24 h (9.43 ± 7.35 vs. 20.04 ± 10.99, P < .001) postoperatively. Conclusion: Preoperative oral glucose administration can help reduce the stress response in brain tumor resection by maintaining blood glucose level and attenuating the increase of NLR postoperatively better than in routine preoperative fasting.

Impact of ozone treatment on dissolved organic matter in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

In land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), the accumulation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) can have detrimental effects on water quality impacting the system performance, microbial community, and consequently fish health and welfare. Ozone is used in the RAS water treatment process to improve water quality and remove DOM. However, little is known about the molecular composition of DOM in RAS and its transformation when exposed to ozone. In this study, we performed a detailed molecular characterization of DOM in RAS and explored its transformation induced by ozonation of RAS waters. Ultra-high resolution (UHR) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) was used to characterize the DOM matrix of RAS waters (pump-sump and tanks) and to evaluate its transformation by ozonation. The analysis of DOM extracted from makeup water and feed samples allowed for the determination of DOM sources in RAS prior to ozonation. The CHO and unsaturated group of compounds were the most abundant class found in water samples. On the contrary, the DOM from feed samples was unique and consisted mainly of CHO, CHON and unsaturated group of compounds. After the ozonation of RAS waters, humic-like and unsaturated compounds [positive oxygen subtracted double bond equivalent per carbon (DBE–O)/C)] were decomposed, particularly the CHO-DOM that contained fewer -CH2- features. Fulvic-like compounds and several hundred saturated compounds [negative (DBE–O)/C)] were formed post ozonation, particularly the CHON and CHONS group of compounds that were associated with fish diets, makeup waters and transformation products from the ozonation of the RAS waters. This study showed that the high accuracy of the ultra-high resolution FTICR MS can be applied to characterize and monitor the changes of DOM at a molecular level in RAS waters. To our knowledge, this is the first study where FTICR MS was incorporated for the characterization of DOM and its sources in RAS.

Effect of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrates on Insulin Resistance in Older Adults Who Underwent Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Preoperative carbohydrate drinks are recommended to reduce fasting time before surgery. Older adults are at risk of pulmonary aspiration and hyperglycemia after consuming carbohydrate drinks because of increased insulin resistance and delayed gastric emptying. We investigated the effects of oral carbohydrate drinks on perioperative insulin resistance, metabolic responses, and gastric volume in older adults. Fifty-six patients (aged more than 65 years) were randomly assigned to the control or carbohydrate (CHO) group. The CHO group received 400 mL of a carbohydrate drink 2 to 3 hours before anesthesia. The control group was allowed clear fluid intake 2 hours before anesthesia. Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured before intake of the carbohydrate drink and 1 hour postoperatively. Gastric volume was measured before spinal anesthesia. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance was not different between the control and CHO groups preoperatively (2.5 versus 3.3, P = 0.156) or postoperatively (2.6 versus 2.4, P = 0.817). Preoperative gastric volume was comparable between the control and CHO groups (35.5 versus 30.8 mL, P = 0.696). Preoperative oral consumption of carbohydrates did not affect insulin resistance or gastric volume in older adults undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty. Preoperative carbohydrate loading is safe in older adults undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04206189).

The expression of HSP70 in skeletal muscle is not associated with glycogen availability during recovery following prolonged exercise in elite endurance athletes.

The 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone which is highly inducible by cellular stress such as exercise. To investigate the role of muscle glycogen content on the HSP70 expression, muscle glycogen was manipulated by consumption of either water (H2O) or a carbohydrate-enriched diet (CHO) during recovery from 4h of glycogen-depleting cycling exercise in fourteen elite endurance athletes. Muscle biopsies were obtained pre- and post-exercise, and after 4 and 24h of recovery, and analyzed for HSP70 mRNA expression, as well as HSP70 protein expression and muscle glycogen within the same skeletal muscle fibers using immunohistochemistry. Exercise reduced glycogen by 59 ± 10% (P < 0.0001). After 4h of recovery, glycogen approached resting levels in the CHO group (86% of pre, P = 0.28) but remained suppressed in the H2O group (41% of pre, P < 0.001) (group × time interaction: P = 0.002). Importantly, both the HSP70 mRNA (+ 1.6-fold (+ 0.28/- 0.24), P = 0.02) and protein expression (+ 147 ± 99%, P < 0.0001) was substantially increased after exercise and remained elevated in both groups after 4h of recovery, despite clear differences in muscle glycogen content. Thus, muscle glycogen content was not related to the variation in single fiber HSP70 expression at the 4-h time-point (r2 = 0.004). In conclusion, muscle HSP70 expression remained elevated during recovery from prolonged exercise in highly trained skeletal muscle, irrespective of muscle glycogen availability.

Fabrication of high sensitivity 2-PEA sensor based on Aldehyde-functionalized mesoporous carbon

2-Phenylethylamine (2-PEA) is one of the main ingredients for stimulants. Therefore, it is necessary to limit its use and illegal trade by conveniently detecting 2-PEA vapour. Here, a QCM based 2-PEA gas sensor was constructed by using aldehyde functionalized mesoporous carbon (FDU-15-CHO) as sensing materials designed according to Schiff base adsorption role. The 2D hexagonal mesoporous structures of the sensing material have been confirmed by small-angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The covalent grafting of aldehyde group onto the FDU-15 was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). FDU-15-CHO based Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensor shows better sensitivity to 2-PEA than its parent FDU-15. Besides, the detection limit of FDU-15-CHO based sensor can reach down to 1 ppm, and its selectivity and reproducibility are satisfactory. The high concentrations of active sites in the mesopores of FDU-15 are believed to facilitate 2-PEA adsorption, and thus the presence of the -CHO group leading to sensitive and selective response, which is verified by Gaussian simulation

Mechanism of Preferential Hydrogenation of Hydroxymethyl Group to Aldehyde Group in 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural over W2 C-Based Catalyst.

A W4 C2 cluster was used to model a W2 C catalyst with the armchair model of activated carbon support, noted as W4 C2 /AC. Over W4 C2 /AC, the mechanism for the hydrogenation of both -H2 OH and -CHO groups in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was theoretically studied in tetrahydrofuran at GGA-PBE/DNP level. 5-Methylfurfural was the major product from only hydrodehydration of the -CH2 OH group, whereas 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran was the minor product from the hydrogenation of both -CH2 OH and -CHO groups. The rate-determining steps were concerned with the -C(H)2 -H bond formation for the hydrodehydration of -CH2 OH group, and the -(OH)(H)-H bond formation for the hydrogenation of -CHO group. Kinetically, W-sites promoted the hydrodehydration of -CH2 OH group and inhibited the hydrogenation of -CHO group. This stemmed from the strong Lewis acidity of W-sites, which easily accepted the lone-pair electrons of the oxygen atom in the -C(OH)(H)- group, making -C(OH)(H)-H bond formation hard, and hampering the hydrogenation of the -CHO group.

Polyimide/ZIFs mixed matrix membranes with tunable interfacial interaction for efficient gas separation

Manipulating favorable interfacial microstructure is crucial to rationally design a high-performance mixed matrix membrane with defect-free interface. We describe herein an efficient pathway to finely tune the interfacial adhesion through balancing the metal organic frameworks and polymer functionality. The varied number of hydrogen bonds are established involving the CHO groups in hybrid ZIF-8-90(x) fillers with varied carboxaldehyde-2-imidazole linker contents and 6FDA-DAM:DABA copolyimides having adjustable COOH groups concentrations, thereby precisely controlling the membrane interfacial bonding behavior. As expected, the gas selectivity of the resulting membranes is gradually enhanced with increasing carboxaldehyde-2-imidazole linker substitution ratio in ZIF-8-90(x), mainly contributed by significant improvements in hydrogen bonding strength. The enhanced interaction is confirmed by good adhesion visualized in SEM images and the C O vibration band shift in FTIR spectra. Meanwhile, adjusting the proportion of DABA moiety in polymers is an auxiliary path to regulate the interfacial bonding strength. The optimized membrane of 6FDA-DAM:DABA (1:1)/10 wt.% ZIF-8-90(30) has enhanced H 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /CH 4 ideal selectivities of 75.4 and 43.6, respectively, with H 2 and CO 2 permeabilities of 222 Barrer and 128 Barrer. These findings imply that progressively regulating filler and polyimide functionality is a feasible route to finely tailor interfacial hydrogen bonding strength to achieve a membrane with tunable separation performance. • Finely tune the interfacial adhesion through balancing the ZIFs and polymer functionality. • Adjusting the content of CHO-IM linker and DABA moiety can gradually regulate interfacial hydrogen bonding strength. • 6FDA-DAM:DABA (1:1)/10%ZIF-8-90 (30) film with optimum polymer-fillers interaction showing maximum gas selectivity.

Childhood versus early-teenage onset Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy: visual prognosis and capacity for recovery

ObjectiveIn Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in children and teenagers, the influence of age on visual prognosis has not yet been investigated.MethodsPatients from the mitoNET registry with LHON onset at...

Impact of blocking layer on DSSC performance based on new dye -indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole derivative and N719

The impact of the thickness of the TiO2 blocking layer (50, 150 and 300 nm) on DSSC performance based on a new D-D-π-A architecture of metal-free organic dyes and commercial N719 was investigated. The blocking layers were prepared by atomic layer deposition. New indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole derivatives as sensitizers with a phenothiazine unit and an acetylene linkage containing either an aldehyde or cyanoacrylic acid were designed, synthesized and characterized. However, the lack of anchoring ability of –CHO group with TiO2 was demonstrated. It was found that the blocking layer thickness has an important role in cell performance. Finally, by the optimum thickness of TiO2 film being 50 nm, the highest efficiency was achieved at 3.70, 8.49 and 8.05% for DSSC based on indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole derivative, N719 and mixture of these dyes.

A comprehensive neural network model for predicting flash point of oxygenated fuels using a functional group approach

In the present work, artificial neural networks (ANN) has been used for developing a comprehensive model for predicting flash point (FP) of petroleum fuels containing the following oxygenated chemical classes: alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones and esters. 474 pure compounds and 314 blends comprising of various compounds were used for model development. The fuels were dissembled into eleven constituent functional groups namely, paraffinic CH3, CH2 and CH groups, olefinic –CH = CH2 groups, naphthenic –CH-CH2, aromatic C-CH groups, alcoholic OH groups, ether O groups, aldehydic CHO groups, ketonic CO groups and ester COO groups. These eleven groups were treated as model inputs along with molecular weight (MW) and branching index (BI) which is a structural parameter. These 13 inputs were calculated for each of the 788 fuels to generate a dataset, which was used to train the model. Two ANN models were developed, one using Matlab and other using Keras, an interface for ANN library. GridSearchCV and RandomSearch were used to optimize the network in the Keras model. The developed models showed satisfactory results when applied against the entries in the test set which comprised 20% of the dataset that was not used for model training. The regression coefficient for the comparison between the experimental and predicted data was found to be 0.981 (Matlab model) and 0.979 (Keras model). The developed models have low mean absolute errors of 3.12 K (Matlab model) and 3.55 K (Keras model) and can be used to predict (and screen) FP’s of various complex oxygenated compounds and their mixtures.

Source profiles of molecular structure and light absorption of PM2.5 brown carbon from residential coal combustion emission in Northwestern China

Residential coal combustion is a prominent source of brown carbon (BrC) aerosols, but knowledge of their molecular structures and optical absorption were limited, which have notable used in ambient BrC source identification and radiative forcing calculation. In this study, the Fourier transform–ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry combined with partial least squares regression analysis as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were used to insight the molecular compounds and structures of BrC from anthracite and bituminous coal combustions between traditional and improved stoves. The absorption Ångström exponents (AAE) and mass absorption efficiency (MAE) values for the BrC emitted from the combinations of bituminous were both 1.2–2.5 times lower than those of anthracite, interpreting that the BrC from the anthracite emissions had greater light-absorbing capacity. In contrast, the emission factor of light absorption (EFAbs) at 365 nm for the bituminous coal combusted in the traditional stove was the highest among all the tested scenarios, which revealed that the incomplete combustion of bituminous coal could emit more BrC. It was noted that primary BrC emitted from the coal combustion with traditional stoves contains higher aromaticity groups of C–C and C＝O and higher S containing organics, whereas more aliphatic groups were found in BrC using the improved stoves. N-containing (CHON and CHONS) compounds were dominated in the total molecular formula of BrC, whereas the sum of CHON and CHO groups had high double-bond equivalent (DBE) values contributed 53.5%–87.1% to the total BrC absorption. Moreover, for CHOS, the lowest of estimated molecular absorption, DBE, and DBE/C should attribute to the non-chromophoric or weak absorptive S-containing compounds. This study supplied an effective evaluation method to compare BrC emissions and their absorption for coal combustion on regional scale.

Preoperative Carbohydrate Drink Intake Increases Glycemic Variability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Preoperative carbohydrate treatment attenuates insulin resistance and improves metabolism to an anabolic state. Despite these benefits, impaired glycemic control and aspiration risk related to gastroparesis represent concerns for patients with diabetes undergoing surgery. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of oral carbohydrate therapy on perioperative glucose variability, metabolic responses, and gastric volume in diabetic patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty. Fifty diabetic patients scheduled to undergo elective total knee or hip arthroplasty during August 2019-October 2020 were randomly assigned to a control or carbohydrate therapy (CHO) group. CHO group of patients received a 400-mL carbohydrate drink 2-3h before anesthesia; control group of patients underwent overnight fasting from midnight, one night before surgery. Blood glucose levels were measured before intake of the carbohydrate drink, before spinal anesthesia, preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 1h postoperatively. Insulin level and gastric volume were measured before spinal anesthesia. The glucose variability of patients in the CHO group was significantly higher than that of those in the control group (16.5 vs. 10.1%, P = 0.008). Similarly, insulin resistance was higher in the CHO group than in the control group (8.5 vs. 2.7, P < 0.001). The gastric volume did not differ significantly between the groups (61.3 vs. 15.2ml, P = 0.082). Preoperative oral carbohydrate therapy increases glucose variability and insulin resistance in diabetic patients. Therefore, carbohydrate beverages should be cautiously administered to diabetic patients, considering metabolic and safety aspects. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04013594).

Sulfated polysaccharide-rich extract from &lt;i&gt;Navicula incerta&lt;/i&gt;: physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and anti-hemolytic property

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;A sulfated polysaccharide from &lt;italic&gt;Navicula incerta&lt;/italic&gt; (SPNi) was extracted, and its physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and anti-hemolytic property were investigated. The polysaccharide yield was 4.8% (SPNi weight/biomass dry weight). Glucose, galactose, mannose, and xylose were the primary sugars. The sulfate content and &lt;italic&gt;Mw&lt;/italic&gt; values were 0.46% and 45 kDa, respectively. The FT-IR spectrum showed characteristic bands at 3276,1079,1255, and 820 cm&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;, related to -OH, C-O-C, S=O, and C-O-S stretching vibration. The &lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;H-NMR analysis revealed signals of anomeric protons, indicating the presence of CH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-O and CH-O groups. SPNi registered ferric-reducing antioxidant power (up to 1.47 µmol TE/g) and 54% anti-radical activity on ABTS&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;. This polysaccharide registered 90% hemolysis inhibition achieving integrity of the erythrocyte membrane. The results indicate that SPNi could be a candidate for biotechnology applications where antioxidant activity and hemolysis inhibition are required.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Microporous polymers prepared from non-porous hyper-cross-linked networks by removing covalently attached template molecules

A new method for the formation of permanent micropores in hyper-cross-linked networks is reported. This method is based on a template approach, using small molecules (4-methylaniline and 4-methylbenzaldehyde) as templates. These molecules are covalently attached via azomethine links to parent non-porous hyper-cross-linked polyacetylene networks prepared by chain-growth homo and copolymerization of ethynylated monomers. Highly efficient and well-defined postpolymerization hydrolysis of the networks leads to (i) cleavage of azomethine links and (ii) removal of the template molecules from the networks. Although up to 40 wt % of the mass of the networks are removed via hydrolysis, the hyper-cross-linked scaffold of the networks is not collapsed and micropores are formed in the networks. In this way, the parent non-porous networks are transformed into networks with permanent micropores (diameter ∼1 nm) and a specific surface area up to 623 m 2 /g −1 . Simultaneously with the formation of micropores, functional groups (NH 2 , CHO) are introduced into the networks. The prepared microporous networks adsorb the model adsorptives (up to 1.73 mmol CO 2 /g and up to 6.53 mmol I 2 /g.). The detemplating and micropores formation is confirmed by solid state NMR spectra and N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. The reported method of micropores formation could find a wider application for the preparation of microporous polymers with a well-defined texture and surface functionalization. Not only azomethine links but also many other groups with cleavable bonds could potentially be used for templating with covalently attached small molecules. The template-assisted formation of permanent micropores (diameter ∼1 nm) in polymer networks is reported as a new method for the preparation of microporous polymers. The small template molecules covalently attached to non-porous hyper-cross-linked polyacetylene networks are hydrolytically released and removed with high efficiency and the networks are transformed to functionalized (NH 2 , CHO groups) microporous polymers with S BET ∼500 m 2 /g. • Synthesis of microporous hyper-cross-linked polyacethylene networks. • Introduction of microporosity exclusively by templating approach. • Micropores formed by removing Schiff-base linked molecules from non-porous networks. • Micropores formation accompanied by functionalization with CHO and NH 2 groups.

Exploring the Effects of Greek Yogurt Supplementation and Exercise Training on Serum Lithium and Its Relationship With Musculoskeletal Outcomes in Men.

Dairy products can act as a dietary source of lithium (Li), and a recent study in university-aged males demonstrated that Greek yogurt (GY) supplementation augmented gains in fat free mass, strength and bone formation after 12 weeks of resistance exercise training compared to carbohydrate (CHO) pudding supplementation. Here, we performed secondary analyses to explore whether GY would alter serum Li levels and whether changes in serum Li would associate with changes in body composition, strength, and bone turnover markers. Results show that the GY group maintained serum Li levels after exercise training, whereas the CHO group did not. Maintaining/elevating serum Li levels was also associated with greater gains in strength and reductions in bone resorption. However, controlling for other dietary factors in GY such as protein and calcium weakened these associations. Thus, future studies should assess the causative role, if any, of dietary Li alone on strength and bone resorption in humans.

Comparing Acute, High Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate Intake on Transcriptional Biomarkers, Fuel Utilisation and Exercise Performance in Trained Male Runners

Manipulating dietary macronutrient intake may modulate adaptive responses to exercise, and improve endurance performance. However, there is controversy as to the impact of short-term dietary modification on athletic performance. In a parallel-groups, repeated measures study, 16 trained endurance runners (maximal oxygen uptake (O2max): 64.2 ± 5.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) were randomly assigned to, and provided with, either a high-protein, reduced-carbohydrate (PRO) or a high-carbohydrate (CHO) isocaloric-matched diet. Participants maintained their training load over 21-consecutive days with dietary intake consisting of 7-days habitual intake (T1), 7-days intervention diet (T2) and 7-days return to habitual intake (T3). Following each 7-day dietary period (T1–T3), a micro-muscle biopsy was taken for assessment of gene expression, before participants underwent laboratory assessment of a 10 km treadmill run at 75% O2max, followed by a 95% O2max time to exhaustion (TTE) trial. The PRO diet resulted in a modest change (1.37-fold increase, p = 0.016) in AMPK expression, coupled with a significant increase in fat oxidation (0.29 ± 0.05 to 0.59 ± 0.05 g·min−1, p < 0.0001). However, a significant reduction of 23.3% (p = 0.0003) in TTE post intervention was observed; this reverted back to pre levels following a return to the habitual diet. In the CHO group, whilst no change in sub-maximal fuel utilisation occurred at T2, a significant 6.5% increase in TTE performance (p = 0.05), and a modest, but significant, increase in AMPK (p = 0.042) and PPAR (p = 0.029) mRNA expression compared to T1 were observed; with AMPK (p = 0.011) and PPAR (p = 0.044) remaining significantly elevated at T3. In conclusion, a 7-day isocaloric high protein diet significantly compromised high intensity exercise performance in trained runners with no real benefit on gene markers of training adaptation. A significant increase in fat oxidation during submaximal exercise was observed post PRO intervention, but this returned to pre levels once the habitual diet was re-introduced, suggesting that the response was driven via fuel availability rather than cellular adaptation. A short-term high protein, low carbohydrate diet in combination with endurance training is not preferential for endurance running performance.