Mesure des enthalpies de solution du CO2 dans les solutions aqueuses d'alcanolamines primaires aux très faibles taux de charge

National audienceLa détermination des enthalpies de solution des gaz, en particulier CO 2 et H 2 S, dans les solutions aqueuses d'alcanolamines a permis d'obtenir de nombreuses données pour alimenter les modèles thermodynamiques et améliorer les procédés de captage de ces gaz dans les fumées industrielles. Cependant le dispositif utilisé jusqu'alors ne permettait pas d'obtenir des résultats fiables pour les faibles taux de charge en gaz ( inférieur à 0.2). Les chaleurs de solution de CO 2 dans les solutions aqueuses d'amine ont été obtenues en utilisant un calorimeter BT2.15 de type calvet de la société SETARAM. Les cellules utilisées pour réaliser le mélange sont des cellules à écoulement développées au laboratoire. Lors de la mesure, les deux fluides, respectivement le gaz et la solution aqueuse, sont injectés dans la cellule de mélange à l'aide de deux pompes seringues haute pression (ISCO), à température et à pression constantes. L'enthalpie de solution est obtenue à partir de la différence entre le flux thermique mesuré par les thermopiles lors du mélange et celui obtenu lorsque la solution aqueuse circule dans le calorimètre sans CO 2. En faisant varier le débit des pompes, il est possible de déterminer l'enthalpie pour différents taux de charge en CO 2 (, en mol CO 2 / mol Amine). Cependant, les débits respectifs de gaz et de liquide qui doivent être utilisés pour mesurer l'enthalpie de solution pour des taux de charge inférieurs à 0.2 sont extrêmement différents et le débit de liquide trop important pour pouvoir réaliser la mesure. Afin de réduire cette différence entre les débits, nous remplacé le CO 2 pur par des mélanges de gaz (CO 2-N 2) de composition connue. L'azote n'étant pas soluble dans la solution aqueuse d'amine, l'effet thermique obtenu lors du mélange est alors directement lié à l'enthalpie de dissolution du CO 2. L'azote est alors considéré comme un gaz de dilution du CO 2. Un exemple est présenté ici pour les systèmes aqueux contenant de la monoéthanolamine (MEA) ou de l'aminométhylpropanol (AMP), ou un mélange des deux amines. Les résultats obtenus sont en très bon accord avec ceux obtenus pour les mesures avec du CO2 pur

Liquid-liquid equilibriums in aqueous solutions of demixing amines loaded with gas for CO 2 capture processes

International audienceCarbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a solid option for CO2 mitigation in the atmosphere. One option is the CO2 capture from industrial effluents followed by storage in secured sites. Capture processes are based on selective absorption/desorption cycles of gas in aqueous solutions of amines[1]. The cost of CO2 treatment with classical alkanolamines is a limitation for the use of this technology. The development of breakthrough technologies is needed to optimize the separation process. One of the considered option is the use of a new class of amine : the demixing amines. Those amines are going through a liquid-liquid separation phase when increasing the temperature[2]. This very interesting property allows to treat only a part of the absorbent solution for the regeneration of the CO2 in the absorption/desorption cycle. The use of such new system induced the perfect knowledge of the liquid-liquid equilibriums (LLE) in the binary mixtures water + amine, and the influence of the CO2 on such equilibriums. The aim of this paper is to present a method developed in the laboratory to study precisely the LLE in the binary solutions water + amines and the ternary mixtures water+amine+CO2, as a function of the pressure and the CO2 loading charge. This work is realized with the financial support of ANR and NSERC through an international collaborative project between France and Canada named DACOOTA

Sex differences in behavioural and anatomical estimates of visual acuity in the green swordtail Xiphophorus helleri

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from the Company of Biologists via the DOI in this recordData availability: All data and codes underlying the analyses in this paper have been uploaded to the Dryad data repositoryAmong fishes in the family Poeciliidae, signals such as colour patterns, ornaments, and courtship displays play important roles in mate choice and male-male competition. Despite this, visual capabilities in Poeciliids are understudied, in particular visual acuity, the ability to resolve detail. We used three methods to quantify visual acuity in male and female green swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri), a species in which body size and the length of the male’s extended caudal fin (‘sword’) serve as assessment signals during mate choice and agonistic encounters. Topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) was similar in all individuals and characterized by areas of high cell densities located centro-temporally and nasally, as well as a weak horizontal streak. Based on the peak density of RGC in the centro-temporal area, anatomical acuity was estimated to be approximately 3 cycles/degree (cpd) in both sexes. However, a behavioural optomotor assay found significantly lower mean acuity in males (0.8 cpd) than females (3.0 cpd), which was not explained by differences in eye size between males and females. An additional behavioural assay, in which we trained individuals to discriminate striped gratings from grey stimuli of the same mean luminance, also showed lower acuity in males (1-2 cpd) than females (2-3 cpd). Thus, although retinal anatomy predicts identical acuity in males and females, two behavioural assays found higher acuity in females than males, a sexual dimorphism which is rare outside of invertebrates. Overall, our results have implications for understanding how Poeciliids perceive visual signals during mate choice and agonistic encounters.European Union Horizon 2020Australian Research Council (ARC)Royal Societ

Retinal specialization through spatially varying cell densities and opsin coexpression in cichlid fish

The distinct behaviours of animals and the varied habitats in which animals live place different requirements on their visual systems. A trade-off exists between resolution and sensitivity, with these properties varying across the retina. Spectral sensitivity, which affects both achromatic and chromatic (colour) vision, also varies across the retina, though the function of this inhomogeneity is less clear. We previously demonstrated spatially varying spectral sensitivity of double cones in the cichlid fish Metriaclima zebra owing to coexpression of different opsins. Here, we map the distributions of ganglion cells and cone cells and quantify opsin coexpression in single cones to show these also vary across the retina. We identify an area centralis with peak acuity and infrequent coexpression, which may be suited for tasks such as foraging and detecting male signals. The peripheral retina has reduced ganglion cell densities and increased opsin coexpression. Modeling of cichlid visual tasks indicates that coexpression might hinder colour discrimination of foraging targets and some fish colours. But, coexpression might improve contrast detection of dark objects against bright backgrounds, which might be useful for detecting predators or zooplankton. This suggests a trade-off between acuity and colour discrimination in the central retina versus lower resolution but more sensitive contrast detection in the peripheral retina. Significant variation in the pattern of coexpression among individuals, however, raises interesting questions about the selective forces at work

Thermodynamics of amide + amine mixtures. 5. Excess molar enthalpies of N,N-dimethylformamide or N,N-dimethylacetamide + N-propylpropan-1-amine, + N-butylbutan-1-amine, + butan-1-amine, or + hexan-1-amine systems at 298.15 K. Application of the ERAS model

Producción CientíficaExcess molar enthalpies, HEm, over the whole composition range have been determined for the liquid mixtures N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) + butan-1-amine (BA), or + hexan-1-amine (HxA), or + N-propylpropan-1-amine (DPA), or N-butylbutan-1-amine (DBA) at 298.15 K and at 0.1 MPa using a BT2.15 calorimeter from Setaram adapted to work in dynamic mode at constant temperature and pressure. All the HEm values are positive, indicating that interactions between like molecules are predominant. The replacement of DMF by DMA in systems with a given amine leads to lower HEm results, which have been ascribed to stronger amide-amide interactions in DMF mixtures. The replacement of HxA by DPA in systems with a given amide leads to slightly higher HEm values, as interactions between unlike molecules are weaker for the latter. Structural effects in the investigated solutions are also present, since the corresponding excess molar volumes (VEm), previously determined, are negative or slightly positive. The systems have been characterized in terms of the ERAS model reporting the interaction parameters. The model correctly describes both HEm and VEm. The application of the model suggests that, in the systems under study, solvation effects are of minor importance and that physical interactions are dominant.Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León: Project VA100G19 (Apoyo a GIR, BDNS: 425389)Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (MECD): Grant FPU14/04104Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (MECD): Complementary Grants EST16/00824 and EST17/0029

Effect of Quinoa Seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in Diet on some Biochemical Parameters and Essential Elements in Blood of High Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level

Gut microbiota-derived propionate reduces cancer cell proliferation in the liver

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Procyanidins from Wild Grape (Vitis amurensis) Seeds Regulate ARE-Mediated Enzyme Expression via Nrf2 Coupled with p38 and PI3K/Akt Pathway in HepG2 Cells

Procyanidins, polymers of flavan-3-ol units, have been reported to exhibit many beneficial health effects such as antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects. In this study, we investigated the cancer chemopreventive properties of procyanidins from wild grape (Vitis amurensis) seeds in particular their roles in inducing phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes as well as in modulating the upstream kinases. Ethanolic extract of V. amurensis seeds was fractionated with a series of organic solvents and finally separated into six fractions, F1–F6. Chemical properties of the procyanidins were analyzed by vanillin assay, BuOH-HCl test, and depolymerization with phloroglucinol followed by LC/MS analysis. The F5 had the highest procyanidin content among all the fractions and strongly induced the reporter activity of antioxidant response element as well as the protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) in HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells. The procyanidin-rich F5 also strongly induced the expression of the phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes such as NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 and hemeoxygenase1. Phosphorylations of the upstream kinases such as MAPKs and PI3K/Akt were significantly increased by treatment with procyanidin fraction. In addition, the procyanidin-mediated Nrf2 expression was partly attenuated by PI3K inhibitor LY294002, and almost completely by p38 inhibitor SB202190, but neither by JNK inhibitor SP600125 nor by MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Taken together, the procyanidins from wild grape seeds could be used as a potential natural chemopreventive agent through Nrf2/ARE-mediated phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes induction via p38 and PI3K/Akt pathway

Antihypertensive Properties of Plant-Based Prebiotics

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Although various drugs for its treatment have been synthesized, the occurring side effects have generated the need for natural interventions for the treatment and prevention of hypertension. Dietary intervention such as the administration of prebiotics has been seen as a highly acceptable approach. Prebiotics are indigestible food ingredients that bypass digestion and reach the lower gut as substrates for indigenous microflora. Most of the prebiotics used as food adjuncts, such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, dietary fiber and gums, are derived from plants. Experimental evidence from recent studies has suggested that prebiotics are capable of reducing and preventing hypertension. This paper will discuss some of the mechanisms involved, the evidence generated from both in-vitro experiments and in-vivo trials and some controversial findings that are raised

Nuclear translocation of haeme oxygenase-1 is associated to prostate cancer

The role of oxidative stress in prostate cancer has been increasingly recognised. Acute and chronic inflammations generate reactive oxygen species that result in damage to cellular structures. Haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has cytoprotective effects against oxidative damage. We hypothesise that modulation of HO-1 expression may be involved in the process of prostate carcinogenesis and prostate cancer progression. We thus studied HO-1 expression and localisation in 85 samples of organ-confined primary prostate cancer obtained via radical prostatectomy (Gleason grades 4–9) and in 39 specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We assessed HO-1 expression by immunohistochemical staining. No significant difference was observed in the cytoplasmic positive reactivity among tumours (84%), non-neoplastic surrounding parenchyma (89%), or BPH samples (87%) (P=0.53). Haeme oxygenase-1 immunostaining was detected in the nuclei of prostate cancer cells in 55 of 85 (65%) patients but less often in non-neoplastic surrounding parenchyma (30 of 85, 35%) or in BPH (9 of 39, 23%) (P<0.0001). Immunocytochemical and western blot analysis showed HO-1 only in the cytoplasmic compartment of PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines. Treatment with hemin, a well-known specific inducer of HO-1, led to clear nuclear localisation of HO-1 in both cell lines and highly induced HO-1 expression in both cellular compartments. These findings have demonstrated, for the first time, that HO-1 expression and nuclear localisation can define a new subgroup of prostate cancer primary tumours and that the modulation of HO-1 expression and its nuclear translocation could represent new avenues for therapy