Effect of different extrusion treatments and particle size distribution on the physico-chemical properties of rice flour

Producción CientíficaRice flour is an interesting alternative for developing gluten free products, but its features do not meet the process requirements. The objective of this study was to modify the functional properties of rice flour by combining extrusion and size fractionation. Different extrusion conditions were applied to vary the severity of the treatment on the flour constituents. Extrusion and mechanical fractionation of the rice flours modified their behavior affecting hydration, thermal and pasting features, besides their susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis. Thermal properties (temperature and enthalpy) increased with the intensity of the extrusion and that effect was intensified with the greatest particle size of the flours. Fine flours with stronger extrusion showed the highest susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis and extrusion process increased that effect. Overall the combination of both physical treatment maybe an attractive alternative for obtaining clean label rice flours with modified features

Experimental Analysis of a Flat Plate Solar Collector with Integrated Latent Heat Thermal Storage

In the present paper, an experimental analysis of a solar water heating collector with an integrated latent heat storage unit is presented. With the purpose to determine the performance of a device on a lab scale, but with commercial features, a flat plate solar collector with phase change material (PCM) containers under the absorber plate was constructed and tested. PCM used was a commercial semi-refined light paraffin with a melting point of 60°C. Tests were carried out in outdoor conditions from October 2016 to March 2017 starting at 7:00 AM until the collector does not transfer heat to the water after sunset. Performance variables as water inlet temperature, outlet temperature, mass flow and solar radiation were measured in order to determine a useful heat and the collector efficiency. Furthermore, operating temperatures of the glass cover, air gap, absorber plate, and PCM containers are presented. Other external variables as ambient temperature, humidity and wind speed were measured with a weather station located next to the collector. The developed prototype reached an average thermal efficiency of 24.11% and a maximum outlet temperature of 50°C. Results indicate that the absorber plate reached the PCM melting point in few cases, this suggests that the use of a PCM with a lower melting point could be a potential strategy to increase thermal storage. A thermal analysis and conclusions of the device performance are discussed

Combined therapies of antithrombotics and antioxidants delay in silico brain tumor progression

Glioblastoma multiforme, the most frequent type of primary brain tumor, is a rapidly evolving and spatially heterogeneous high-grade astrocytoma that presents areas of necrosis, hypercellularity and microvascular hyperplasia. The aberrant vasculature leads to hypoxic areas and results in an increase of the oxidative stress selecting for more invasive tumor cell phenotypes. In our study we assay in silico different therapeutic approaches which combine antithrombotics, antioxidants and standard radiotherapy. To do so, we have developed a biocomputational model of glioblastoma multiforme that incorporates the spatio-temporal interplay among two glioma cell phenotypes corresponding to oxygenated and hypoxic cells, a necrotic core and the local vasculature whose response evolves with tumor progression. Our numerical simulations predict that suitable combinations of antithrombotics and antioxidants may diminish, in a synergetic way, oxidative stress and the subsequent hypoxic response. This novel therapeutical strategy, with potentially low or no toxicity, might reduce tumor invasion and further sensitize glioblastoma multiforme to conventional radiotherapy or other cytotoxic agents, hopefully increasing median patient overall survival time.Comment: 8 figure

Combination of extrusion and cyclodextrin glucanotransferase treatment to modify wheat flours functionality

This research aims to vary functional properties of native and extruded wheat flours combining cyclodextrin glucanotransferase and extrusion treatments. The level of released cyclodextrins (CD) was assessed, besides the microstructure, crystallinity, pasting properties and starch hydrolysis of the flours. Photomicrographs of enzymatically treated flours suggested the production of fragile structures that broke easily. Enzymatic hydrolysis was significantly higher in extruded flours, as confirmed the CD levels, being predominant the γ-CD followed by α-CD, whereas very low β-CD values were obtained probably due to the formation of CD–lipid complexes, as suggested X-ray diffractometry results. Both extruded and native samples showed very low viscosity and flat pasting profile consequence of the enzyme hydrolytic activity on the starch chains. Enzymatically treated flours (native and extruded) showed higher hydrolysis rates at the early hydrolysis stage, and extruded flours exhibited higher fractal exponent h in agreement with the extended crystalline structures resulting from enzymatic treatment.This study was financially supported by Junta de Castilla y León (Spain, Project VA054A12-2) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain, Project Prometeo 2012/064). The authors are also grateful to Molendum Ingredients and Novozymes for supplying the raw materials. MM Martínez and A Dura would like to thank predoctoral fellowship from Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, respectively.Peer reviewe

Reinstatement of Squilla Steinh., a priority name against the illegitimate Charybdis Speta (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae)

Squilla Steinh. was considered to be an orthographic variant of Scilla L., and therefore the new genus Charybdis Speta was created to include Scilla maritima L. and related taxa occurring in the Mediterranean. Molecular phylogenetic studies recovered Charybdis as distant from Urginea; this finding was also supported by morphology and phytochemistry data. However, after typification of Scilla using S. maritima by Rafinesque, Charybdis became illegitimate under Art. 52 of the Shenzhen Code as its name became superfluous when published. A binding decision was requested from the Nomenclature Committee for Vascular Plants (NCVP) on whether Scilla L. and Squilla Steinh. are sufficiently alike to be considered orthographic variants and, hence, to be confused. Most members of the committee favour treating Squilla as not confusable with Scilla, which leaves the former name available for the current concept of Charybdis. In this context, we reevaluate the taxonomy of the genus, accepting 12 species of which eight are accommodated in Squilla as new combinations. Conversely, one of the species of Charybdis is transferred here to Urginavia. Nomenclatural types (including designation of 13 lectotypes, one neotype and one epitype) and the most relevant synonyms are given for each accepted taxon. An identification key is also presented for Squilla to assist future taxonomic studies in this group. We also include a revision of the taxonomic circumscription of the taxa related to S. undulata.This work was partly supported by the grants ACIE18-03, UAUSTI18-02 and UAUSTI19-08 from the University of Alicante

Eliokarmos humanii (Hyacinthaceae, Ornithogaloideae), a new species from Namaqualand in South Africa and a new combination in the genus

A new species of the southern Africa endemic genus Eliokarmos, that includes the well-known chincherinchees, is described from the vicinity of Kotzesrus, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Eliokarmos humanii sp. nov. is unique in the genus based on its single, slightly fleshy, suborbicular, convex leaf with ciliate margin, and the short subspiciform inflorescence with almost sessile flowers. A complete description is presented for this species, and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported. In addition, Ornithogalum richtersveldensis, recently described from northwestern South Africa, is transferred to Eliokarmos based on its morphology and biogeography, and a new combination is presented for this species in the latter genus.This work was partly supported by H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange Programme of the European Commission, project 645636: ‘Insect-plant relationships: insights into biodiversity and new applications’ (FlyHigh), and the grants ACIE18–03 UAUSTI18–02 and UAUSTI19-08 from the University of Alicante

Los grabados de la sierra de Felipa (La Font de la Figuera, València)

En el municipio de la Font de la Figuera existe un pequeño conjunto de grabados localizados sobre una era junto a la casa de la Felipa. Aunque algunos vecinos de la población los conocen, no han sido objeto de ninguna publicación detallada. Por ello se presenta el estudio realizado sobre estos grabados, valorando las diferentes posibilidades interpretativas a la hora de aproximarnos a su función y cronología.In la Font de la Figuera there is a small set of prints located in a house next to the Felipa. Although some residents of the town know them, these prints have not been subjected to any detailed publication. Considering that, the study of these prints is presented, evaluating the different interpretative chances regarding its function and chronology

Psoriatic Animal Models Developed for the Study of the Disease

Psoriasis is a skin disease mainly developed in humans, although it is also seen in monkeys and dogs. Animal models with psoriasis-like lesions have been a key factor for its understanding. Xenotransplants of human psoriatic skin in immunodeficient mice were the first approach for the association of immunologic problems with the development of psoriasis and have been also useful for the evaluation on new therapeutic agents. Imiquimod-induced murine psoriasis is nowadays one of the most used animal models to study this disease, perhaps because healthy wild-type mice are used, which means that it is an affordable model, easy to generate, and, more importantly, resembles the inflammatory, angiogenic and hyperproliferative characteristics of human psoriasis. Several transgenic (over-expressing VEGF, Tie2, TGFβ, STAT3, IL-36, PPARβ/γ) and knockout (lacking IκBα, JunB, IFNR-2, IL-36RA, CD18, IKK2) mice have been useful for the association of specific molecules for the development of psoriasis. Other approach has been the use of both transgenic/knockout mice and imiquimod treatment, where the importance of βTrCP, IκBζ, IL-35 and Tnip1 for the development of psoriasis was found. In this chapter, some of these animal models are discussed

Improvisation in times of pandemic, a reason for reflection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been one of the most significant health crises worldwide in the last decades. This new pandemic has brought to light the strengths and weaknesses of current health care systems worldwide, even in countries that pride themselves on being at the forefront in terms of clinical, scientific, and technological capacity and development. Crises such as these are also opportunities to reflect and learn. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has provided us with several valuable lessons that involve the whole spectrum of medical practice: human, scientific, technical, and social