Soluble Ratio Research Articles

Rootstock-modulated yield performance, fruit maturation and phytochemical quality of ‘Lane Late’ and ‘Delta’ sweet orange

Graft combinations of sweet orange cultivars Delta and Lane Late on six rootstocks were established on calcareous clayey soil and evaluated for compatibility, yield, and fruit physicochemical quality attributes at three stages of harvest maturity. Citrumelo proved a deleterious rootstock to both scions, while GouTou was deleterious to Delta and had low compatibility with Lane Late. Most compatible rootstock for Delta was Sour Orange, whereas all rootstocks except GouTou were equally compatible with Lane Late. Yield and fruit weight were highest on Volkameriana. Titratable acidity was highest on Sour Orange and Carrizo and lowest on Volkameriana. Dominant acids were citric (8.5–11.3g/L), malic (1.8–1.9g/L) and succinic (1.3–1.4g/L). Citrate/malate ratio was lower in Lane Late and declined further with maturation. Acids were highest on Sour Orange and Carrizo. Increased levels of malate (2.07–2.21g/L) elicited by Volkameriana may constitute an index of inferior sensory quality. Soluble solids were highest on Sour Orange, Carrizo and Cleopatra (9.6–10.6%) and lowest on Volkameriana (9.3–9.7%). Sucrose was the most abundant soluble carbohydrate (33.9–39.9g/L) and sugar ratios were stable across rootstocks, however sucrose concentration in Delta increased with maturity at the expense of glucose and fructose. Increase in chroma paralleled increase in soluble solids during maturation of Delta but not Lane Late. Fruit phenolics were highest with the least compatible GouTou and lowest with the highly productive Volkameriana. Maximal ascorbate levels were attained at mid-maturity (380.4–450.2mg/L) and were lowest on Volkameriana (323.4–398.8mg/L). Considering its overall performance and resistance to Citrus Tristeza Virus, Carrizo appears as a promising rootstock alternative to Sour Orange particularly on calcareous soils.

The role of solubility on the rejection of trace organics by nanofiltration membrane: exemplified with disinfection by-products.

Interactions of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) with polymeric nanofiltration (NF) membrane can affect their rejection. It is desirable to investigate whether solubility which depends on the free energy of interaction between these solutes and water correlates with rejection/adsorption and the potential to be incorporated in the partitioning terms of current NF model. A total of ten neutral disinfection by-products (DBPs) were selected as the model compounds for TOrCs to comprehensively investigate the role of solubility on rejection and adsorption. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the correlation between MW and rejection ratio was highly significant (r=0.778, p=0.008) and that between solubility and rejection ratio was moderately significant (r=-0.636, p=0.48) in a cross-flow system. By fitting Freundlich equation from adsorption isotherm experiment, the adsorption affinity (K f) of DBPs was roughly correlated with their solubility with regard to the comparison of n value with 1. α was then introduced as a parameter of solute-membrane interaction from the perspective of partitioning term in the hydrodynamic model. Exponential relationship can be observed between the solubility and α, demonstrating the possibility of incorporating solubility into the partitioning terms in NF model to accurately predict the rejection of DBPs.

Evaluation desertification state in East Al-Haffar project

A study was carried out and included ninety two soil series in east of Al-Haffar project and were distributed within sub-physiographic: Levee – basin – depression. Semi soil survey maps with scale of 1:50000 were used to cover an area of 50000 ha. The aim of this study was to use quantitative analysis methods for information through the linkage between the curves of geographical–geological- pedological and through depending on some pedo-geo-morphological indices which include (parent material; slope gradient; soil depth and soil texture, all these indices represent soil quality index (SQI) in addition to the index of vegetation cover; index of erosion protection and index of drought resistance which represent vegetation quality index (VQI); and salinity of irrigation water; soluble chloride ion ratio and sodium exchange ratio, which represent irrigation water quality index (IWQI). All these indices used to characterize and evaluate the environmental sensitivity to desertification. All indices were calculated by used specific mathematical equations according to the European commission system were used for rating and classification sensitivity for environmental desertification based on multiplying method between measured indices values and the maps were made for it. Results showed varied erodibility factors of wind which distributed in range of 0.09-0.37; water erodibility factor in range of 0.45 - 0.52 and soil crust factor in range of 0.08-0.73. Soil quality index varied and distributed in a range of 1.35-1.70. The areas of study were classified into three degrees and distributed from high quality to low quality. As well as vegetation quality index varied and distributed in a range of 0.07-0.26 and the location of the study was classified into four degrees, described between very low to good quality, water irrigation quality index is value of 3.35 mm and did not vary because there is only one sources of water Irrigation within the study area. In addition, the results also showed restricted three main location varied to desertification sensitivity which are classified between very low sensitive to medium sensitive.

Effects of plasticizers on the physicochemical properties of kappa-carrageenan films extracted from Eucheuma cottonii

The physicochemical properties of κ-carrageenan films extracted from Eucheuma cottonii (E. cottonii) incorporated with different concentrations and types of plasticizers were studied. Glycerol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol-300 (PEG-300) in the range of 10–60% were used as plasticizers. The results showed that the thickness and moisture content (MC) of films increased significantly (p≤0.05) with the increase in plasticizer concentration. Sorbitol-plasticized films had the lowest values. Sorbitol-plasticized films have better mechanical properties and the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP), solubility and water uptake ratio (WUR) compared with glycerol and PEG-plasticized films (p≤0.05). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the intermolecular reactions between κ-carrageenan and the plasticizers in the films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that sorbitol-plasticized films have a compact structure, even at the highest concentration. The melting temperature (Tm) of films decreased (p≤0.05) with an increase in the plasticizer concentration. Here, the glycerol-plasticized films had the lowest values. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed broad and narrow peaks of the un-plasticized κ-carrageenan film at 2θ=20.0° and 2θ=8.4°, respectively. The intensity of the broad peak increased and the narrow peak disappeared as the concentration of plasticizers increased. In conclusion, films from E. cottonii successfully produced with sorbitol as the plasticizer exhibited good physical properties as packaging films.

AVALIAÇÃO FÍSICA E QUÍMICA DE FRUTOS DE CULTIVARES DE PESSEGUEIRO

A avaliação da qualidade física e química de frutos de pessegueiro destinados ao consumo in natura varia entre safras. Essa variação depende, dentre outros fatores, das condições do local de cultivo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade física e química de frutos de dezesseis cultivares de pessegueiro durante três safras em Viçosa-MG. As cultivares Aurora 2, Baronesa, Biuti, Colibri, Coral, Cristal, Delicioso Precoce, Flor da Prince, Joia 4, Lake City, Marli, Pérola de Iataquera, Rubimel, Talismã, Tropical e Tropic Beauty foram enxertadas sobre o porta-enxerto Okinawa no pomar experimental da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, em Viçosa-MG, no ano de 2008, e avaliadas quanto às características cor da casca (b* e h°), cor da polpa (b* e h°), massa do fruto (g), diâmetro polar (mm), diâmetro equatorial (mm), diâmetro sutural (mm), frmeza da polpa (N), teor de sólidos solúveis (oBrix), vitamina C (mg/100g), acidez titulável (% de ácido málico), carotenoides (mg/100g) e ratio (relação teor de sólidos solúveis e acidez titulável) durante as safras de 2011, 2012 e 2013. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente causalizado, com dezesseis tratamentos, três repetições e 10 frutos por parcela. Houve diferenças entre as características avaliadas nas três safras, sendo que a cultivar Floridaprince apresentou coloração mais intensa da epiderme bem como maiores teores de vitamina C.

Optimization of irrigation and nutrient concentration based on economic returns, substrate salt accumulation and water use efficiency for tomato in greenhouse

ABSTRACTTo evaluate the effects of different irrigation and nutrient concentration strategy on growth, yield, water use efficiency (WUE), fruit quality and substrate salt accumulation, tomatoes were grown with five different levels of water (W: 50%, 75%, 100%, 125% and 150%) and nutrient concentrations (N: 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of Hoagland strength(X)). Fruit quality index was determined by normalization of fruit quality parameters. Deficit irrigation at standard concentration of nutrients reduced yields by 17.43% and 15.52% for T7 (W75%-N1.0x) and 49.54%–51.99% for T8 (W50%-N1.0x) during spring-summer (SS) and fall-winter (FW) seasons, respectively. Contents of total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA) and sugar acid ratio (SAR) were all increased in water-deficit treatments. T8 was found to be highest in TSS, TA and SAR except SAR in FW. Over-irrigation with excessive and standard Hoagland nutrient concentration caused non-significant reduction in yield except T6 (W125%-N1.0x) in SS. T2 (W100%-N2.0x) and T4 (W100%-N1.5x) caused more substrate salt accumulation which resulted in significant decrease in yield and WUE. Through economic analysis, over-watering along with excessive nutrients caused profit reductions. Considering water saving, yield and fruit quality through economic analysis, T7 found to be optimal strategy.

Characterization and Modeling of Polycyclic Aromatic Compound Uptake into Spruce Tree Wood.

This study highlights the potential of uptake into tree inner wood via direct-transfer through bark, as one contributing mechanism to describe atmospheric uptake of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) into trees. The uptake of PACs into blue spruce tree wood was measured, with wood-air partition coefficients (KWOOD_AIR) determined for five PACs. A correlation between the octanol-air partition coefficient (KOA) and KWOOD_AIR for these five chemicals was determined and the KWOOD_AIR for 43 PACs were derived. A ratio of solubility (activity) difference between tree wood and octanol was also determined for these chemicals from this correlation. Finally, the derived KWOOD_AIR values were further applied to calculate an air volume sampled by the inner wood layer (cambium) of a tree during a one year growth (sampling) period. PACs with a log KWOOD_AIR > 6 remained in the linear sampling phase over one year of sampling. The results further highlight the important sink that forests provide for atmospheric organic chemicals which should be considered for emissions monitoring and impact assessments from destructive events such as forest fires or clear felling of forests.

Estimation of critical supersaturation solubility ratio for predicting diameters of dry particles prepared by air-jet atomization of solutions

Air-jet atomization of solution into droplets followed by controlled drying is increasingly being used for producing nanoparticles for drug delivery applications. Nanoparticle size is an important parameter that influences the stability, bioavailability and efficacy of the drug. In air-jet atomization technique, dry particle diameters are generally predicted by using solute diffusion models involving the key concept of critical supersaturation solubility ratio (Sc) that dictates the point of crust formation within the droplet. As no reliable method exists to determine this quantity, the present study proposes an aerosol based method to determine Sc for a given solute-solvent system and process conditions. The feasibility has been demonstrated by conducting experiments for stearic acid in ethanol and chloroform as well as for anti-tubercular drug isoniazid in ethanol. Sc values were estimated by combining the experimentally observed particle and droplet diameters with simulations from a solute diffusion model. Important findings of the study were: (i) the measured droplet diameters systematically decreased with increasing precursor concentration (ii) estimated Sc values were 9.3±0.7, 13.3±2.4 and 18±0.8 for stearic acid in chloroform, stearic acid and isoniazid in ethanol respectively (iii) experimental results pointed at the correct interfacial tension pre-factor to be used in theoretical estimates of Sc and (iv) results showed a consistent evidence for the existence of induction time delay between the attainment of theoretical Sc and crust formation. The proposed approach has been validated by testing its predictive power for a challenge concentration against experimental data. The study not only advances spray-drying technique by establishing an aerosol based approach to determine Sc, but also throws considerable light on the interfacial processes responsible for solid-phase formation in a rapidly supersaturating system. Until satisfactory theoretical formulae for predicting CSS are developed, the present approach appears to offer the best option for engineering nanoparticle size through solute diffusion models.

A Systematic Study of Molecular Interactions of Anionic Drugs with a Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer Regarding Solubility Enhancement.

The methacrylate-copolymer Eudragit EPO (EPO) has raised interest in solubility enhancement of anionic drugs. Effects on aqueous drug solubility at rather low polymer concentrations are barely known despite their importance upon dissolution and dilution of oral dosage forms. We provide evidence for substantial enhancement (factor 4-230) of aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble anionic drugs induced by low (0.1-5% (w/w)) concentration of EPO for a panel of seven acidic crystalline drugs. Diffusion data (determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) indicate that the solubility increasing effect monitored by quantitative ultraperformance liquid chromatography was caused primarily by molecular API polymer interactions in the bulk liquid phase. Residual solid API remained unaltered as tested by X-ray powder diffraction. The solubility enhancement (SE) revealed a significant rank correlation (rSpearman = -0.83) with rDiffAPI, where SE and rDiffAPI are defined ratios of solubility and diffusion coefficient in the presence and absence of EPO. SE decreased in the order of indomethacin, mefenamic acid, warfarin, piroxicam, furosemide, bezafibrate, and tolbutamide. The solubilizing effect was attributed to both ionic and hydrophobic interactions between drugs and EPO. The excellent solubilizing properties of EPO are highly promising for pharmaceutical development, and the data set provides first steps toward an understanding of drug-excipient interaction mechanisms.

Soluble VCAM-1/soluble ICAM-1 ratio is a promising biomarker for diagnosing endometriosis.

Do cell adhesion molecules play a role in endometriosis, and can they be used as a biomarker for diagnosing endometriosis? Altered expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the endometrium and peritoneum may play a key role in endometriosis and the soluble VCAM-1/soluble ICAM-1 ratio is a promising biomarker. Cell adhesion molecules are cell surface proteins that mediate cellular adherence, inflammatory and immune responses, and cancer-related biological processes. Altered expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in women with endometriosis has been investigated previously; however, gene expression levels in tissues and protein levels in the serum have not been investigated in the same patients. We performed a prospective, longitudinal study (the Endometriosis Marker Austria) in patients who underwent a laparoscopy for benign gynecological pathology in a university-based tertiary referral center for endometriosis. From a total of 138 women who were included in the study from July 2013 through September 2014, 97 had not received hormonal treatment for at least 3 months prior to recruitment and were included in the analysis; 49 (50.5%) of these women had endometriosis, and the 48 (49.5%) who did not have endometriosis served as a control group. During laparoscopy, tissue samples were obtained from ectopic and eutopic endometrium, and from normal pelvic peritoneum. In addition, serum samples were collected immediately before and 6-10 weeks after surgery. The mRNA levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) were measured using quantitative real-time PCR, and serum protein levels of soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1), ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) and EpCAM (sEpCAM) were measured using ELISA and correlated with endometriosis status. The mRNA levels of both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were higher in ectopic endometriotic lesions than in eutopic endometrium (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mRNA levels of both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were higher in normal peritoneum samples obtained from women with endometriosis compared to those from controls (P = 0.038 and P = 0.009). The mRNA levels of VCAM-1 were also higher in the eutopic endometrium samples obtained from women with endometriosis compared to controls (P = 0.018). With respect to serum protein levels, compared to controls, the women with endometriosis had lower serum levels of sICAM-1 (P = 0.042) and higher levels of sVCAM-1 (P < 0.001). Our analysis revealed that the serum levels of sVCAM-1 were not affected by lesion entity, menstrual cycle phase or disease severity. An receiver operating characteristics curve, calculated to determine whether preoperative serum sVCAM-1 concentration can be used to predict endometriosis, found an AUC of 0.868 with 80% specificity and 84% sensitivity at a cutoff value of 370 pg/ml. This predictive performance can be further improved by calculation of the sVCAM-1/sICAM-1 ratio, leading to an AUC of 0.929 with 86.7% specificity and 90.3% sensitivity at a cutoff ratio value of 1.55. Not applicable. The relatively small sample size in the expression analyses is a possible limitation of this study. Our findings could contribute to an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis and the role of cell adhesion molecules. In addition, the results may lead to the development of new, non-invasive tools for diagnosing endometriosis. The ability to diagnose patients by measuring serum sVCAM-1 levels or the sVCAM-1/sICAM-1 ratio would have considerable clinical value. The Ingrid Flick Foundation (Grant no. FA751C0801), which played no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The authors declare no competing interests.

English

Being a climacteric fruit, the caja harvested still green has uneven ripening. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ripening techniques aiming to promote a uniform ripening and reduction of quality loss in caja-manga fruits. The treatments resulted from the application of four ripening techniques (control, muffled, ethrel, and calcium carbide) and they were evaluated in 5 times, with 3 days intervals, for 12 days (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days). The fruits were evaluated physico-chemically with respect to soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio, firmness, and color. Although, all treatments promoted the fruit ripening, ethrel showed homogenous and consistent fruit characteristics with ripening reactions in 6 days, being considered the best treatment. It showed intense yellow color (85 Hue), weight loss of about 5% compared to other treatments and tissue softening (29 N firmness) and increase in soluble solids (Brix 11°). Key words: Spondias mombin L., exotic fruits, Ethrel, carbide.

Gas Effect in Electrical-Submersible-Pump-System Stage-by-Stage Analysis

Summary One of the main problems regarding the use of the artificial-lift method of electrical-submersible-pump (ESP) systems is the presence of gas in the pump. This paper presents and describes an analysis of ESP systems with a stage-by-stage calculation to determine intake and discharge pressures to adjust total dynamic head (TDH) for each stage of the pump. The modeling was designed to acknowledge free gas in the pump, and iterative calculations are applied to recalculate, for each stage, fluid characteristics and physical properties, such as viscosity, density, formation volume factor (FVF), surface tension, solubility ratio, gas/oil ratio (GOR), and other flow characteristics along the tubing, such as temperature and pressure. Developed modeling validation was achieved by comparisons in two scenarios. In the first one, fixed values of intake pressure and changeable values of GOR were used to assess gas effect. In the tests for the second scenario, fixed values of GOR and changeable values of intake pressure were used. Necessary research was conducted through a developed computational tool used to size ESP components. The results were different from those obtained with the usual calculations, and it may be implied that the developed modeling is more accurate to determine parameters related to this artificial-lift method. Also, the results were more consistent and closer to the actual behavior of multiphase-flow phenomena within the tubing because each stage has its characteristics individually evaluated. These observations may have an effect on the number of pump stages and influence in choosing the adequate equipment of the system.

Abraham Model Expressions for Describing Water-to-Diethylene Glycol and Gas-to-Diethylene Glycol Solute Transfer Processes at 298.15 K

A gas chromatographic headspace analysis method was used to experimentally determine gas-to-liquid partition coefficients and infinite dilution activity dilution for 14 different aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons (alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes), eight different aromatic compounds (benzene, alkylbenzenes, halobenzenes), five different chloroalkanes (dichloromethane, trichloromethane, 1-chlorobutane, 1,2-dichloropropane, isopropylbromide), tetrahydrofuran, butyl acetate, and acetonitrile dissolved in diethylene glycol at 298.15 K. Solubilities were also measured at 298.15 K for 31 crystalline nonelectrolyte organic solutes including several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and substituted benzoic acid derivatives. The experimental results of the headspace chromatographic and spectroscopic solubility measurements were converted to gas-to-diethylene glycol and water-to-diethylene glycol partition coefficients, and molar solubility ratios using standard thermodynamic relationships. Expressions were derived for solute transfer into diethylene glycol from the calculated partition coefficients and solubility ratios. Mathematical correlations based on the Abraham model describe the observed partition coefficient and solubility data to within 0.14 log10 units (or less).

QUALITY OF ORGANIC BANANA PRODUCED IN THE SEMIARID REGION OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT The northern semiarid region of Minas Gerais is an important producer of irrigated Prata-Anã banana variety, which is highly susceptible to fusarium wilt. The organic cultivation of resistant varieties may be an phytosanitary alternative, also adding value to fruits. This study aimed to characterize banana varieties produced in organic system based on chemical and physical assessments at post-harvest. Prata-Anã, BRS Platina, Fhia-18, BRS Conquista and BRS Tropical varieties were characterized at the point of harvest (green) and mature (stage six of maturation), by chemical and physical assessments. At the point of harvest, BRS Conquista and BRS Tropical banana varieties had more intense green skin color. ‘BRS Conquista’ presented lower fresh weight, shorter length and diameter than the other varieties. BRS Platinum variety had more fruit fresh mass, length and diameter. Mature Prata-Anã, BRS Platina, Fhia-18, BRS Conquista and BRS Tropical banana varieties showed no difference in soluble solids, pH, titrable acidity and ratio; BRS Platina variety had more intense yellow skin color and lower pulp/skin ratio. Greater dropping resistance occurred in BRS Conquista variety and BRS Tropical was less resistant. Prata-Anã banana variety showed higher firmness. Banana varieties differed more by the physical characteristics (skin color, size, dropping resistance, firmness and pulp/skin ratio) in relation to chemical characteristics.

Effects of Global Warming Simulated Temperature and Water Stress on Fruit Quality of Tomato (&lt;em&gt;Lycopersicum esculantum&lt;/em&gt;) Var. Rajitha

Experiments were conducted in the temperature regulated poly-tunnels for five consecutive growing seasons at the Open University of Sri Lanka to evaluate the impact of the enhanced temperature and water stress due to Global warming on marketable fruit quality. Split plot experiment based on complete randomized design with 10 replicates was applied as experimental design. The plants were grown in pots, and the main plot included two moisture levels (No water stress, 50% water stress from the field capacity) and sub plots contained 3 different temperature regimes (34°C maximum temperature / 32°C maximum temperature / ambient temperature). Experiments were repeated for 3 seasons to replicate temperature effect. The combination effect of water stress and temperature stress proved to be a significant drawback for tomato yield and marketable fruit quality such as colour, shape, soluble solids content, pH and sugar acid ratio. Mealy bug attack too was very significant in high temperature poly tunnel experiment which affected the marketable fruit quality. Therefore, tomato variety Rajitha could not be a successful open field crop in the dry zone of Sri Lanka if temperature is increased due to global warming. But tomato could be cultivated under green houses by providing adequate water and required soil temperature.

Synthesizing slow-release fertilizers via mechanochemical processing for potentially recycling the waste ferrous sulfate from titanium dioxide production

The goal of this study is aimed to develop a novel process to recycle the ferrous sulfate, the by-product of titanium dioxide industry. Zinc sulfate was added in the process of milling ferrous sulfate with calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The sulfates were transformed into carbonates to serve as slow-release fertilizers by co-grinding the starting materials of FeSO4·7H2O, ZnSO4·7H2O, and CaCO3 with small amounts of water in a planetary ball mill. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and quantitative measurements of the soluble ratios in water and 2% citric acid solution. It was found that Fe and Zn ions as sulfates were successfully combined with CaCO3 to form the corresponding Fe and Zn carbonates respectively. After milling, the release ratios of Fe and Zn nutrients in distilled water could be controlled at 0.1% and 0.7% respectively. Meanwhile, the release ratios of them in 2% citric acid solution were almost 98% and 100%. Milling speed was the critical parameter to facilitate the transformation reaction. The proposed process, as an easy and economical route, exhibits evident advantages, namely allowing the use of widely available and low-cost CaCO3 as well as industrial wastes of heavy metal sulfates as starting samples to prepare applicable products.

Enhancement of physicochemical properties of sugar beet fibres affected by chemical modification and vacuum drying

The effects of chemical modification with hydrogen peroxide and different temperatures of vacuum drying (55, 65 and 75°C) on content of soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, physicochemical properties (colour, structure, water binding and swelling capacity) and drying kinetics of sugar beet fibres were studied. An increase in soluble and insoluble fibre ratio for 20–40% and fibre brightness for approximately 25% was achieved by chemical modification compared to the non-modified fibres. Further, swelling and water binding capacities of fibres, after conducting chemical modification, were three to four times higher than for non-modified fibres. Uniform reduction of a drying time with a rising temperature and fluctuating drying rate decrease were observed in modified fibres samples. The mentioned effects are explained by changes in fibre structure upon chemical modification. The whole study indicates that chemical modification and vacuum drying are suitable for sugar beet fibres and that modified fibres can be used as additives in food industry in order to fortify the diet.

Effects of statins on the kidneys in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of statins on kidneys in diabetic patients remain unclear. This was an observational, historical cohort study of type 2 diabetic patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30mL/min/1.73m2. We studied 412 patients newly prescribed statins, and 946 controls without a prescription history of statins (including the follow-up period). Outcomes were annual change in eGFR, ≥30% decrease in eGFR from baseline, and progression of albuminuria, analyzed using a propensity score matching. A total of 168 pairs were matched for propensity score. Annual eGFR change (mL/min/1.73m2/year) in the statin group was greater than in controls (-2.24 vs. -1.56, p=0.024). The hazard ratio of the statin group (vs. controls) for ≥30% decrease in eGFR and progression of albuminuria was 1.74 (p=0.082) and 0.85 (p=0.624), respectively. When the statin group was classified by differences in statin solubility, eGFR change and hazard ratio for ≥30% decrease in eGFR in the lipophilic statin group were greater than in controls (-2.64 vs. -1.71, p=0.031 and 2.15, p=0.049); however, the outcomes in the hydrophilic statin group were not different (-2.35 vs. -1.71, p=0.106 and 1.08, p=0.827). The hazard ratio of lipophilic and hydrophilic statin group (vs. controls) for progression of albuminuria was 1.31 (p=0.552) and 0.69 (p=0.367). In the analyses using the unmatched cohort, similar results were obtained. Statins have no beneficial effects on kidneys in diabetic patients. In fact, lipophilic statins might have potential harmful effects on kidney function.

Employing an optimized spray-drying process to produce ezetimibe tablets with an improved dissolution profile

Ezetimibe is a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering agent with poor aqueous solubility. There is therefore a need to increase the aqueous solubility of ezetimibe in order to improve its dissolution profile, and thereby, enhance its bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to produce a solid dispersion of ezetimibe with improved physicochemical characteristics, which could be then be used to prepare ezetimibe tablets with improved dissolution characteristics. The ezetimibe solid dispersion was prepared by an optimized spray-drying process. Product characteristics, namely, yield, moisture content, solubility, and Hausner ratio, were optimized by controlling process parameters, namely, inlet temperature, pump feed rate, and solid contents, by applying the Box-Behnken design and the desirability functions approach. The physicochemical characteristics of the optimized solid dispersion were in close agreement with the predicted characteristics. The tablets formulated using the optimized solid dispersion exhibited an excellent dissolution profile, which was remarkably better than that of tablets formulated from free ezetimibe or a physical mixture of the drug and the excipients. Therefore, ezetimibe tablets with improved solubility and dissolution characteristics were produced using an optimized spray-drying technique.

Adaptation to rhizosphere acidification is a necessary prerequisite for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling resistance to ammonium stress

Because soil acidification accompanies ammonium (NH4+) stress, the tolerance of higher plants to ammonium is associated with their adaptation to root medium acidification. However, the underlying mechanisms of this adaptation have not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was thus to elucidate the effect of rhizosphere pH on NH4+ tolerance in different winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.). Hydroponic experiments were carried out on two wheat cultivars: AK58 (an NH4+-sensitive cultivar) and XM25 (an NH4+-tolerant cultivar). Four pH levels resembling acidified (4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0) were tested and 5 mM NH4+ nitrogen (AN) was used as a stress treatment, with 5 mM nitrate nitrogen used as a control. The addition of AN led to a severe reduction in biomass and an increase in free NH4+, amino acids, and the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in the shoots and roots of the two wheat cultivars. Further decreases in growth medium pH led to further increases in free NH4+, but decreases in total amino acids and the activities of GS and NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GDH). However, there was less of an increase in free NH4+ and less of a reduction in the activities of GS and NADH-GDH in the cultivar XM25 compared with AK58. In addition, total soluble sugar content and the root-to-shoot soluble sugar ratio were also decreased by AN treatment, except in the shoots of XM25. Decreasing pH resulted in lower root-to-shoot soluble sugar ratios with greater reductions in the AK58 cultivar. These results indicate that wheat growth was inhibited significantly by the addition of NH4+ combined with low pH. Low medium pH reduced the capacity for nitrogen assimilation and interrupted carbohydrate transport between the shoot and root. The NH4+-tolerant cultivar XM25 was better adapted to low rhizosphere pH due to its increased capacity for assimilating NH4+ efficiently and thereby avoiding toxic levels of intracellular NH4+ at low medium pH.