Identification of more benign cathode materials for the electrochemical reduction of Levulinic Acid to Valeric Acid

The electrochemical production of valeric acid from the renewable bio-based feedstock levulinic acid has the potential to replace the oxo-process, which uses fossil-based feedstock 1-butylene. The electrochemical reduction of the ketone functionality in levulinic acid using lead or mercury cathodes has already been known for over 100 years....

The effect of ketone defects on the charge transport and charge recombination in polyfluorenes

The effect of on-chain ketone defects on the charge transport of the polyfluorene derivative poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) is investigated. Using MoO3 as ohmic hole contact, the hole transport in a pristine PFO diode is observed to be limited by space-charge, whereas fluorenone contaminated PFO (PFO-F) is shown to be trap limited by the...

Endogenous collagen influences differentiation of human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells

Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) are multipotent cells that, in the presence of appropriate stimuli, can differentiate into different lineages such as the osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. In the presence of ascorbic acid, MSCs secrete an extracellular matrix mainly composed of collagen type I. Here we...

Robot-mediated Active Rehabilitation (ACRE): A user trial

ACRE is a robotic training device for rehabilitation of the upper limbs. ACRE stimulates patients to train their affected arm more frequently and repetitively, via so called game based therapy. A prototype of ACRE (ACRE2) was tested in a user trial with patients who had recently suffered a stroke. Therapists concluded that the ACRE can be useful...

The FEMA GRAS assessment of aromatic substituted secondary alcohols, ketones, and related esters used as flavor ingredients

This publication is the 11th in a series of safety evaluations performed by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). In 1993, the Panel initiated a comprehensive program to re-evaluate the safety of more than 1700 GRAS flavoring substances under conditions of intended use. The list of GRAS substances has now...

Androgenic activity in surface water samples detected using the AR-LUX assay: Indications for mixture effects

This paper describes the screening of 22 extracts from 18 different aquatic environmental samples for androgenic activity, including indirect and interactive effects on androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signal transduction, using the AR-LUX bioassay. Four samples, originating from an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WTP) or the river Meuse,...

Determination of kava lactones in food supplements by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detection with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation tandem mass spectrometry was used for the determination of kava extracts in herbal mixtures. One percent of kava extract can be detected, corresponding to approximately 0.05-0.2 mg/g of the individual kava lactones kavain, dihydrokavain, yangonin,...

Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase Deficiency in Mice on an APOE*3-Leiden Background Impairs Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Production

Objective-Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (cyp7a1) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. To study the relationship between bile acid biosynthesis and triglyceride metabolism, we cross-bred mice lacking cyp7a1 on a hyperlipidemic APOE*3-Leiden background. Methods and Results-Female mice received a chow or...

Overexpression of APOC1 in obob mice leads to hepatic steatosis and severe hepatic insulin resistance

Obese obob mice with strong overexpression of the human apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) exhibit excessive free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride (TG) levels and severely reduced body weight (due to the absence of subcutaneous adipose tissue) and skin abnormalities. To evaluate the effects of APOC1 overexpression on hepatic and peripheral insulin...

Selective oxidation of polysaccharides, a tool for carbohydrate-based alternatives for Carbopol®

Determination of source contributions to ambient volatile organic compound concentrations in Berlin

During three measuring campaigns in June, July, and August 1996, volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations were measured at a rural background site, a city residential site, and a street site in Berlin. In addition, samples were taken near relevant sources of VOCs. The measurements covered the volatile hydrocarbons in the range C1-C14 and...

Enantioselective oxidation of secondary alcohols at a quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase electrode

Quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase from Comamonas testosteroni was co-immobilized with a redox polymer (a poly(vinylpyridine) complex functionalized with osmium bis(bipyridine) chloride) on an electrode. The enzyme electrode readily oxidizes primary alcohols and secondary alcohols with maximum current densities varying between 0.43 and 0.98...

Inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity in human melanoma cells by alfa, beta-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives: Effects of acrolein, cinnamaldehyde, citral, crotonaldehyde, curcumin, ethacrynic acid, and trans-2-hexenal

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in intact human IGR-39 melanoma cells was determined by the quantification by HPLC-analysis of the excreted glutathione (GSH) conjugate (S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione; DNPSG). The major GST subunit expressed in these melanoma cells is the π-class GST subunit P1....

Nutritional effects of alkali treated soyprotein in rats

Alkali treated spun soy isolate was fed to rats at dietary levels of 5, 10, and 20% for a period of 90 days. The results failed to reveal any adverse effects on general appearance, growth, feeding efficiency, hematological indices, blood serum values, urine composition, kidney function, organ weights, and gross and microscopic pathology except...