Quality Changes and Freezing Time Prediction During Freezing and Thawing of Ginger

Effects of different freezing rates and four different thawing methods on chemical composition, microstructure, and color of ginger were investigated. Computer simulation for predicting the freezing time of cylindrical ginger for two different freezing methods (slow and fast) was done using ANSYS® Multiphysics. Different freezing rates (slow and fast) and thawing methods significantly (P \u3c 0.05) affected the color and composition of essential oil in ginger. Fresh ginger was found to contain 3.60% gingerol and 18.30% zingerone. A maximum yield of 7.43% gingerol was obtained when slow frozen gingers when thawed by infrared method. Maximum zingerone content of 38.30% was achieved by thawing slow frozen gingers using infrared-microwave method. Microscopic examination revealed that structural damage was more pronounced in slow frozen gingers than fast frozen gingers. Simulated freezing curves were in good agreement with experimental measurements (r = 0.97 for slow freezing and r = 0.92 for fast freezing). Slow freezing damaged ginger’s cellular structure. Data obtained will be helpful in selecting appropriate thawing method to increase desirable essential oil components in ginger. Computer simulation for predicting freezing time may help in developing proper storage system of ginger

CD34+ cell mobilization, blood graft composition, and posttransplant recovery in myeloma patients compared to non‐Hodgkinʼs lymphoma patients: results of the prospective multicenter GOA study

BACKGROUNDAutologous stem cell transplantation is an established treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) or non‐Hodgkinʼs lymphoma (NHL).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn this prospective multicenter study, 147 patients with MM were compared with 136 patients with NHL regarding the mobilization and apheresis of blood CD34+ cells, cellular composition of infused blood grafts, posttransplant recovery, and outcome.RESULTSMultiple myeloma patients mobilized CD34+ cells more effectively (6.3 × 106/kg vs. 3.9 × 106/kg, p = 0.001). The proportion of poor mobilizers (peak blood CD34+ cell count 100 days) nonrelapse mortality (NRM; 6% vs. 0%, p = 0.003).CONCLUSIONSNon‐Hodgkinʼs lymphoma and MM patients differ in terms of mobilization of CD34+ cells, graft cellular composition, and posttransplant recovery. Thus, the optimal graft characteristics may also be different.</p

Conductivity and redox stability of new double perovskite oxide Sr 1.6 K 0.4 Fe 1+ x Mo 1− x O 6− δ (x= 0.2, 0.4, 0.6)

A series of new perovskite oxides Sr1.6K0.4Fe1+xMo1−xO6−δ (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) were synthesised by solid state reaction method. Synthesis of Sr1.6K0.4Fe1+xMo1−xO6−δ (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) was achieved above 700 °C in 5 % H2/Ar, albeit with the formation of impurity phases. Phase stability upon redox cycling was only observed for sample Sr1.6K0.4Fe1.4Mo0.6O6−δ. Redox cycling of Sr1.6K0.4Fe1+xMo1−xO6−δ (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) demonstrates a strong dependence on high temperature reduction to achieve high conductivities. After the initial reduction at 1200 °C in 5 %H2/Ar, then re-oxidation in air at 700 °C and further reduction at 700 °C in 5 %H2/Ar, the attained conductivities were between 0.1 and 58.4 % of the initial conductivity after reduction 1200 °C in 5 %H2/Ar depending on the composition. In the investigated new oxides, sample Sr1.6K0.4Fe1.4Mo0.6O6−δ is most redox stable also retains reasonably high electrical conductivity, ~70 S/cm after reduction at 1200 °C and 2–3 S/cm after redox cycling at 700 °C, indicating it is a potential anode for SOFCs

Spotlight on Differentially Expressed Genes in Urinary Bladder Cancer

INTRODUCTION: We previously identified common differentially expressed (DE) genes in bladder cancer (BC). In the present study we analyzed in depth, the expression of several groups of these DE genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from 30 human BCs and their adjacent normal tissues were analyzed by whole genome cDNA microarrays, qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Our attention was focused on cell-cycle control and DNA damage repair genes, genes related to apoptosis, signal transduction, angiogenesis, as well as cellular proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Four publicly available GEO Datasets were further analyzed, and the expression data of the genes of interest (GOIs) were compared to those of the present study. The relationship among the GOI was also investigated. GO and KEGG molecular pathway analysis was performed to identify possible enrichment of genes with specific biological themes. RESULTS: Unsupervised cluster analysis of DNA microarray data revealed a clear distinction in BC vs. control samples and low vs. high grade tumors. Genes with at least 2-fold differential expression in BC vs. controls, as well as in non-muscle invasive vs. muscle invasive tumors and in low vs. high grade tumors, were identified and ranked. Specific attention was paid to the changes in osteopontin (OPN, SPP1) expression, due to its multiple biological functions. Similarly, genes exhibiting equal or low expression in BC vs. the controls were scored. Significant pair-wise correlations in gene expression were scored. GO analysis revealed the multi-facet character of the GOIs, since they participate in a variety of mechanisms, including cell proliferation, cell death, metabolism, cell shape, and cytoskeletal re-organization. KEGG analysis revealed that the most significant pathway was that of Bladder Cancer (p = 1.5×10(-31)). CONCLUSIONS: The present work adds to the current knowledge on molecular signature identification of BC. Such works should progress in order to gain more insight into disease molecular mechanisms

Li1.5La1.5MO6 (M = W6+, Te6+) as a new series of lithium-rich double perovskites for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Solid-state batteries are a proposed route to safely achieving high energy densities, yet this architecture faces challenges arising from interfacial issues between the electrode and solid electrolyte. Here we develop a novel family of double perovskites, Li1.5La1.5MO6 (M = W6+, Te6+), where an uncommon lithium-ion distribution enables macroscopic ion diffusion and tailored design of the composition allows us to switch functionality to either a negative electrode or a solid electrolyte. Introduction of tungsten allows reversible lithium-ion intercalation below 1 V, enabling application as an anode (initial specific capacity >200 mAh g-1 with remarkably low volume change of ∼0.2%). By contrast, substitution of tungsten with tellurium induces redox stability, directing the functionality of the perovskite towards a solid-state electrolyte with electrochemical stability up to 5 V and a low activation energy barrier (<0.2 eV) for microscopic lithium-ion diffusion. Characterisation across multiple length- and time-scales allows interrogation of the structure-property relationships in these materials and preliminary examination of a solid-state cell employing both compositions suggests lattice-matching avenues show promise for all-solid-state batteries