Microparticles were prepared, using granular starch and pectin, for encapsulation of ascorbic acid. Three types of starch, 50% amylose corn starch, 70% amylose corn starch and type 4 resistant starch (RS4) were used in combination with high methoxyl pectin at selected ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2). Microparticles were prepared by spray drying using a two-fluid nozzle. Particle size distributions w...

The aim of this work was to characterize starch synthesis, composition, and granule structure in Arabidopsis leaves. First, the potential role of starch-degrading enzymes during starch accumulation was investigated. To discover whether simultaneous synthesis and degradation of starch occurred during net accumulation, starch was labeled by supplying (14)CO(2) to intact, photosynthesizing plants....

In this paper we present a technique for simulating and rendering liquid foams. We are aiming at a functional realism that allows our simulation to be consistent with the physical effects in real liquid foam while avoiding the prohibitive computational cost of a physically accurate simulation. To this end, we have to recreate two important attributes of foam. The dynamic behaviour of the simula...

Regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2) is a GTPase-activating protein for G q, which is involved in regulating various vascular functions. To understand how RGS2 regulates foam cell formation, the present study identified signaling pathways controlled by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and discovered new mechanisms whereby protein kinase C (PKC)and phospholipase D (PLD) 2 regulate RGS2 expression. ...

Strong foam can be generated in porous media containing oil, resulting in incremental oil recovery; however, oil recovery factor is restricted. A large fraction of oil recovered by foam flooding forms an oil-in-water emulsion, so that costly methods may need to be used to separate the oil. Moreover, strong foam could create a large pressure gradient, which may cause fractures in the reservoir. ...

BACKGROUND An aerosol foam formulation of fixed combination calcipotriene 0.005% (as hydrate; Cal) plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% (BD) was developed to improve psoriasis treatment. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of Cal/BD aerosol foam with Cal/BD ointment after 4 weeks. METHODS In this Phase II, multicenter, investigator-blind, 4-week trial, adult patients with psoria...

BACKGROUND Hydrocellular foam dressing, modern wound dressing, induces moist wound environment and promotes wound healing: however, the regulatory mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly understood. This study was aimed to reveal the effect of hydrocellular foam dressing on hyaluronan, which has been shown to have positive effects on wound healing, and examined its regulatory mechan...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to compare whether differences exist between 2 viscoelastic foam support surfaces in the development of new pressure ulcers. BACKGROUND There is evidence to support the use of viscoelastic foam over standard hospital foam to reduce pressure. A comparative effectiveness study was done to compare 2 viscoelastic foam support surfaces. DESIGN A rando...

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a gram-negative obligate anaerobe, utilizes polysaccharides by binding them to its cell surface and allowing cell-associated enzymes to hydrolyze them into digestible fragments. We use the starch utilization system as a model to analyze the initial steps involved in polysaccharide binding and breakdown. In a recent paper, we reported that one of the outer membrane ...

Starch is the most important food energy source in cereals. Many of the known enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis are partially or entirely granule-associated in the endosperm. Studying the proteome of rice starch granules is critical for us to further understand the mechanisms underlying starch biosynthesis and packaging of starch granules in rice amyloplasts, consequently for the improvem...