Separation of Ellagitannin-Rich Phenolics from U.S. Pecans and Chinese Hickory Nuts Using Fused-Core HPLC Columns and Their Characterization

U.S. pecans and Chinese hickory nuts possess a wide array of phenolic constituents with potential health benefits including phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins. Only limited information is available, however, on their compositions. The present study optimized the separation performance and characterized the low-molecular-weight phenolic fractions of these nuts with C18 and pentafluorophenyl (PFP) fused-core LC columns by employing a kinetic approach. Although both types of reversed-phase columns demonstrated similar performance in general, the PFP column furnished greater plate numbers and superior peak shapes for the low-molecular-weight fractions as well as overall separations of ellagic acid derivatives. The high-molecular-weight fraction of pecans, analyzed by a 3-μm HILIC column, possessed more proanthocyanidins than the Chinese hickory nuts with dimers and trimers (31.4 and 18.34 mg/g crude extract, respectively) being present at the greatest levels. Chinese hickory nuts had lower proanthocyanidin content but possessed tetramers and pentamers at 4.46 and 4.01 mg/g crude extract, respectively

Deformation and Stability of Core–Shell Microgels at Oil/Water Interface

This paper investigates the behavior of P­(NIPAM-<i>co</i>-AAc)@PTFMA core–shell microgels at the decane/water interface. The microgels were deposited at the interface to form a monolayer film, and the film’s compression behavior was measured using Langmuir trough. Typical compression isotherm embodies four regimes, weak interaction between microgels in regime I, viscoelastic deformation in regime II, elastic deformation of microgels with thin shell while still viscoelastic deformation with thick shell in regime III. Minor desorption of microgels takes place in regime III and massive in regime IV. The critical interfacial pressure for desorption of microgels is identified in the range of 43–45 mN/m, independent of the shell thickness. It shows that the deformability of the surrounding part rather than the mean deformation of the microgels dominates their stability at the interface. These results illustrate the behavior of microgels at the interface under loading, and deepen the understanding of the stability of microgel-stabilized emulsion

Characteristics of individual studies for association between <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphisms and risks of gall bladder cancer (GBC).

<p>Abbreviations: GBC, gall bladder cancer; GS, gall stones;</p>a<p>these two studies enrolled GBC patients of two types, i.e. GBC with GS and GBC without GS; and thus were considered as two individual studies;</p>b<p>HB and PB referred to hospital-based controls and population-based controls, respectively;</p>c<p><i>p</i> for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test in controls.</p

Meta-analysis of the <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphisms and the risks of GS (genotype X+X+/X+X− <i>vs.</i> X−X−).

<p>Meta-analysis of the <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphisms and the risks of GS (genotype X+X+/X+X− <i>vs.</i> X−X−).</p

Roles of ApoB-100 Gene Polymorphisms and the Risks of Gallstones and Gallbladder Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Gallstones (GS) is the major manifestation of gallbladder disease, and is the most common risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC). Previous studies investigating the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms and the risks of GS and GBC have yielded conflicting results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the effects of <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms on the risks of GS and GBC.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A computerized literature search was conducted to identify the relevant studies from PubMed and Embase. Fixed or random effects model was selected based on heterogeneity test. Publication bias was estimated using Begg’s funnel plots and Egger’s regression test.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 10, 3, and 3 studies were included in the analyses of the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI, EcoRI, or insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphisms and the GS risks, respectively, while 3 studies were included in the analysis for the association between XbaI polymorphism and GBC risk. The combined results showed a significant association in Chinese (X+ <i>vs.</i> X−, OR = 2.37, 95%CI 1.52–3.70; X+X+/X+X- <i>vs.</i> X+X+, OR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.55–3.92), but not in Indians or Caucasians. Null association was observed between EcoRI or ID polymorphisms and GS risks. With regard to the association between XbaI polymorphism and GBC risk, a significant association was detected when GBC patients were compared with healthy persons and when GBC patients were compared with GS patients. A significant association was still detected when GBC patients (with GS) were compared with the GS patients (X+X+ <i>vs.</i> X-X−, OR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.12–0.90).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the <i>ApoB-100</i> X+ allele might be associated with increased risk of GS in Chinese but not in other populations, while the <i>ApoB-100</i> X+X+ genotype might be associated with reduced risk of GBC. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.</p></div

Enhancement of Energy Density in the BOPP-Based Sandwich-Structured Film by the Synergistic Effect of BaTiO₃@Polyaniline Hybrid Dielectric Fillers

A series of polyaniline-coated BaTiO3 (BaTiO3@PANI) hybrid dielectric fillers were prepared through the in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline. The morphology of the hybrid fillers can be controlled by the ratio of aniline and BaTiO3 particles. Mulberry-like and core–shell BaTiO3@PANI composite particles are prepared successfully. The two kinds of dielectric fillers were introduced into the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix separately or simultaneously. The dielectric loss can be suppressed by the synergetic effect of these two hybrid fillers while enhancing the dielectric constant at the same time. The finite element simulation results showed that the surface morphology of adjacent hybrid fillers played an important role in the dielectric performance. The fillers were introduced in the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)-based sandwich-structured film; specifically, the outer layer was BOPP and the middle layer was the composites consisting of chlorinated polypropylene (CPP)/PVDF blends and the hybrid fillers. The energy storage density of the sandwich-structured film was improved significantly compared to that of the BOPP film. The highest discharge energy density was 7.31 J/cm3 at 450 MV/m, and the charge–discharge efficiency was 77.3% with 30 wt % hybrid fillers in the middle layer

Summary of ORs for various contrasts on the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms and risks of gall stones (GS).

a<p>Model, statistical model; FEM, fixed effect model; REM, random effect model.</p>b<p><i>p</i> value for heterogeneity based on Q test;</p><p>Na, not available.</p

Flow diagram of study selection in this meta-analysis.

<p>Flow diagram of study selection in this meta-analysis.</p

Summary of ORs for various contrasts on the association between <i>ApoB-100</i> gene polymorphisms and risks of gall bladder cancer (GBC).

a<p>Model, statistical model; FEM, fixed effect model; REM, random effect model.</p>b<p><i>p</i> value for heterogeneity based on Q test;</p><p>Abbreviations: GS, gallstone; GBC, gallbladder cancer.</p

Meta-analysis of the <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphism and the risks of GBC (genotype X+X+/X+X− <i>vs.</i> X−X−).

<p>Meta-analysis of the <i>ApoB-100</i> XbaI polymorphism and the risks of GBC (genotype X+X+/X+X− <i>vs.</i> X−X−).</p