Isolasi Trimiristin Minyak Pala Banda Serta Pemanfaatannya Sebagai Bahan Aktif Sabun

Biji pala mengandung fixed oil sebesar 20–40% yang terdiri dari asam miristat, trimiristin dan gliserida dari asam laurat, stearat dan palmitat. Trimiristin yang terkandung dalam biji pala mencapai 85% dan digunakan dalam pembuatan kosmetik kulit sebagai pemutih (whitening agent). Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mempelajari penyulingan minyak pala Banda dan isolasi trimiristin, kemudian digunakan sebagai bahan aktif tambahan pada pembuatan sabun mandi. Penyulingan minyak pala Banda menggunakan alat yang terbuat dari stainlesss steel dengan kapasitas sepuluh kilogram bahan. Isolasi trimiristin menggunakan sistem refluks dengan ester dan dimurnikan dengan aseton, kemudian diuji dengan menggunakan kromatografi gas. Trimiristin yang dihasilkan digunakan untuk pembuatan sabun mandi dan diuji sifat anti bakteri dan fungi. Hasil penyulingan minyak pala Banda diperoleh rendemen sebesar 12,5%. Isolasi trimiristin diperoleh kristal putih dengan hasil sebesar 80,02% dan kemurnian mencapai 99,35%. Sabun mandi dengan bahan aktif trimiristin minyak pala berdasarkan hasil uji semakin lama disimpan akan memberikan jumlah asam lemak semakin tinggi dan asam lemak tak tersabunkan semakin kecil serta mampu menghambat secara kuat pertumbuhan bakteri dan fungi

PEMETAAN KUALITAS MINYAK KAYU PUTIH (Melaleuca leucadendra) DI MALUKU

Komponen  yang  memiliki  kandungan  cukup  besar  didalam  minyak  kayu  putih  adalah    sineol  dan  dijadikan sebagai  penentu  kualitas  minyak  kayu  putih  dalam  perdagangan.  Penelitian  ini  bertujuan  untuk  menentukan kualitas minyak kayu putih hasil penyulingan pada industri kecil skala rumah tangga di Maluku untuk memetakan kualitas  minyak  kayu  putih  di  Maluku.  Pengambilan  sampel  minyak  kayu  putih  dilakukan  disetiap  lokasi penyulingan  dan  wawancara dengan  perajin  untuk  memperoleh  data.  Pengujian  kualitas  minyak kayu  putih menggunakan SNI 06-3954-2001 dan kadar sineol menggunakan GC-MS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kualitas minyak kayu putih di Pulau Buru dengan sistem penyulingan masih menggunakan ketel berbahan kayu menghasilkan kadar sineol  tergolong pada  level pertama  (P) dengan kisaran 24-44%. Dari 9  lokasi dijumpai 6 lokasi berkualitas baik dan 3 lokasi telah melakukan pencampuran dengan minyak yang lain dengan kadar sineol 8-16%. Di Seram Bagian Barat kualitas minyak kayu putih sangat baik dengan kadar sineol tergolong pada level pertama  (P)  dan  utama  (U)  dengan  kisaran  24-64%. Dari enam belas lokasi  dijumpai  7  lokasi  yang  masih menggunakan  ketel kayu. Di Maluku Barat Daya (MBD) dan Maluku Tenggara Barat (MTB) kualitas minyak kayu putih sangat baik dengan  kadar  sineol  tergolong pada  level pertama  (P) dan utama  (U) dengan  kisaran kadar sineol 36-60%

RELIABILTY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC TRACKING IN DESCRIBING PITCHING MECHANICS

The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability of an electromagnetic tracking device (ETD) in analyzing young baseball pitchers. Two data collection sessions in which throwing kinematics were recorded were conducted across a five day span. Joint kinematics were calculated using the International Shoulder Group recommendations. Correlation analyses examining inter-day reliability of the ETD showed that the system was within acceptable limits (r > 0.73). Throughout the selected instances of the pitch cycle, the ETD used in the current study was shown to be reliable across multiple data collection session with ICCs ranging from r = 0.73 to 0.86. It appears so long as the setup, sensor attachment, and digitization protocols remain consistent across data collection sessions, ETD’s are a reliable tool in analyzing throwing movements in younger subjects

Low-frequency noise in epitaxially grown Schottky junctions

The low-frequency power spectrum has been measured for ErAs:InAlGaAs diodes and shows at least a ten-times reduction of 1/f noise compared to traditional Al Schottky diodes on the same semiconductor material. These junctions are grown by molecular beam epitaxy, preventing oxidation and other contamination at the junction. The major noise source for these devices is attributed to the sidewalls and not the junction itself. Low-frequency oscillations have also been observed and associated with a deep trap level estimated to be similar to 200 meV below the conduction band edge by the comparison of diodes with different InAlGaAs compositions and confirmed by deep level transient spectroscopy. This deep level could be associated to erbium incorporation in the depletion region

Facile synthesis and proposed mechanism of α,ω‐oxetanyl-telechelic poly(3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane) by an SN2(i) nitrato displacement method in basic media

The synthesis of a novel heterocyclic–telechelic polymer, α,ω-oxetanyl-telechelic poly(3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane), is described. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have been used to confirm the successful synthesis, demonstrating the presence of the telechelic-oxetanyl moieties. Synthesis of the terminal functionalities has been achieved via displacement of nitrato groups, in a manner similar to that employed with other leaving groups such as azido, bromo, and nitro, initiated by nucleophiles. In the present case, displacement occurs on the ends of a nitrato-functionalized polymer driven by the formation of sodium nitrate, which is supported by the polar aprotic solvent N,N-dimethyl formamide. The formation of an alkoxide at the polymer chain ends is favored and allows internal back-biting to the nearest carbon bearing the nitrato group, intrinsically in an SN2(i) reaction, leading to α,ω-oxetanyl functionalization. The telechelic-oxetanyl moieties have the potential to be cross-linked by chemical (e.g., acidic) or radiative (e.g., ultraviolet) curing methods without the use of high temperatures, usually below 100°C. This type of material was designed for future use as a contraband simulant, whereby it would form the predominant constituent of elastomeric composites comprising rubbery polymer with small quantities of solids, typically crystals of contraband substances, such as explosives or narcotics. This method also provides an alternative approach to ring closure and synthesis of heterocycles

Prevention of elastase-induced emphysema in placenta growth factor knock-out mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although both animal and human studies suggested the association between placenta growth factor (PlGF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially lung emphysema, the role of PlGF in the pathogenesis of emphysema remains to be clarified. This study hypothesizes that blocking PlGF prevents the development of emphysema.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pulmonary emphysema was induced in PlGF knock-out (KO) and wild type (WT) mice by intra-tracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). A group of KO mice was then treated with exogenous PlGF and WT mice with neutralizing anti-VEGFR1 antibody. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and VEGF were quantified. Apoptosis measurement and immuno-histochemical staining for VEGF R1 and R2 were performed in emphysematous lung tissues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 4 weeks of PPE instillation, lung airspaces enlarged more significantly in WT than in KO mice. The levels of TNF-α and MMP-9, but not VEGF, increased in the lungs of WT compared with those of KO mice. There was also increased in apoptosis of alveolar septal cells in WT mice. Instillation of exogenous PlGF in KO mice restored the emphysematous changes. The expression of both VEGF R1 and R2 decreased in the emphysematous lungs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this animal model, pulmonary emphysema is prevented by depleting PlGF. When exogenous PlGF is administered to PlGF KO mice, emphysema re-develops, implying that PlGF contributes to the pathogenesis of emphysema.</p

Tissue factor expression by myeloid cells contributes to protective immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: Innate Immunity

Tissue Factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays an essential role in hemostasis by activating coagulation. TF is also expressed by monocytes/macrophages as part of the innate immune response to infections. In the current study, we determined the role of TF expressed by myeloid cells during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection by using mice lacking the TF gene in myeloid cells (TFΔ) and human monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs). We found that during M. tb infection, a deficiency of TF in myeloid cells was associated with reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, enhanced arginase 1 (Arg1) expression, enhanced IL-10 production and reduced apoptosis in infected macrophages, which augmented M. tb growth. Our results demonstrate that a deficiency of TF in myeloid cells promotes M2 like phenotype in M .tb infected macrophages. A deficiency in TF expression by myeloid cells was also associated with reduced fibrin deposition and increased matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 mediated inflammation in M. tb infected lungs. Our studies demonstrate that TF expressed by myeloid cells has newly recognized abilities to polarize macrophages and to regulate M. tb growth

Knee kinematics and kinetics in former soccer players with a 16-year-old ACL injury – the effects of twelve weeks of knee-specific training

BACKGROUND: Training of neuromuscular control has become increasingly important and plays a major role in rehabilitation of subjects with an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Little is known, however, of the influence of this training on knee stiffness during loading. Increased knee stiffness occurs as a loading strategy of ACL-injured subjects and is associated with increased joint contact forces. Increased or altered joint loads contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. The aim of the study was to determine if knee stiffness, defined by changes in knee kinetics and kinematics of gait, step activity and cross-over hop could be reduced through a knee-specific 12-week training programme. METHODS: A 3-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) and a force plate (AMTI) were used to calculate knee kinetics and kinematics before and after 12 weeks of knee-specific training in 12 males recruited from a cohort with ACL injury 16 years earlier. Twelve uninjured males matched for age, sex, BMI and activity level served as a reference group. Self-reported patient-relevant data were obtained by the KOOS questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in knee stiffness during gait and step activity after training. For the cross-over hop, increased peak knee flexion during landing (from 44 to 48 degrees, p = 0.031) and increased internal knee extensor moment (1.28 to 1.55 Nm/kg, p = 0.017) were seen after training, indicating reduced knee stiffness. The KOOS sport and recreation score improved from 70 to 77 (p = 0.005) and was significantly correlated with the changes in knee flexion during landing for the cross-over hop (r = 0.6, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Knee-specific training improved lower extremity kinetics and kinematics, indicating reduced knee stiffness during demanding hop activity. Self-reported sport and recreational function correlated positively with the biomechanical changes supporting a clinical importance of the findings. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in women and in other ACL injured populations