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Objective: To evaluate structural and functional carotid changes and inflammatory profiles in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and healthy controls.Study Design: Patients with OSA and matched controls (ages 5-13 years) were recruited. Proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase reactants were measured at 6:00 p.m. Common carotid artery measures were determined using ultrasound. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine subgroups of cytokines and their effects on carotid measures.Results: Ninety-six patients participated (53 healthy controls, 43 patients with OSA). OSA was associated with increased proinflammatory cytokines (cluster of differentiation-40 ligand [CD40-L], interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (P < .05 for all). One cytokine subgroup (IL-6 and IL-8) was negatively associated with markers of carotid function, indicating reduced arterial distensibility and increased stiffness (P < .05 for 3 ultrasound measures); and tumor necrosis factor-α had an opposing effect on carotid function compared with this cytokine subgroup (P < .05 for 2 ultrasound measures). Linear regression demonstrated significant associations between and tumor necrosis factor- α and 2 measures of carotid function (P < .05 for each). Children with OSA did not have functional or structural carotid changes compared with controls.Conclusion: OSA was not directly associated with structural and functional carotid changes but was associated with upregulation of key proinflammatory cytokines (sCD40-L, IL-6, and IL-8). Together, IL-6 and IL-8 were associated with changes in carotid function. Longitudinal studies are needed to demonstrate that the inflammatory milieu observed in our population is a precursor of atherosclerosis in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miRNA) are small regulatory RNA molecules that are implicated in regulating and controlling a wide range of physiological processes including cell division, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, morphogenesis, and organogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the expression pattern of 32 miRNA and 18 miRNA processing machinery genes during somite formation in quail embryos. The embryos were collected at stages HH (Hamburger and Hamilton) 4, 6, and 9 of embryo development (19, 24, and 30 h of incubation, respectively). Total RNA including miRNA was isolated from 4 groups of embryos (each group consisting of 6 to 8 embryos) were collected at each of the 3 stages (19, 24, and 30 h). The expression pattern of candidate miRNA and miRNA processing machinery genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR. The results demonstrated that 7 miRNA (let-7a, mir- 122, mir-125b, mir-10b, P<0.01; let-7b, mir-26a, and mir-126, P<0.05) were differentially expressed during early quail embryo development. In addition, the expression profile of 18 miRNA processing machinery genes was not significantly increased at 30h of incubation compared with both 19 and 24 h. Our results suggest that machinery genes for miRNA biogenetic pathways are functional, and hence, miRNA may be involved in the regulation of early quail development. These 7 differentially expressed miRNA are suggested to play critical roles in quail embryo somite formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Analysis of the reaction equilibrium and mass transfer in the extraction of penicillin G (Pen G) into an organic phase is an important research area to develop a cost-effective process for its separation from an aqueous fermentation media. In order to evaluate this, equilibrium experiments were first carried out to select the organic phase (composed of the carrier and solvent) that gives good values for the distribution of penicillin G between the aqueous and organic phases. An organic phase of Amberlite LA-2 in any of the solvents (Shellsol TK/butyl acetate/tributyl phosphate) gave high distribution coefficient and the stoichiometry of the reaction has been shown to follow a simple ratio of 2:2. The performance of the organic phases was evaluated in a membrane contactor and very high percentage extraction was achieved. The extraction was performed by contacting a “feed” solution containing penicillin G (flowing in the fiber side) with an “organic phase” of Amberlite LA-2 in one of the solvents (flowing on the shell side) of the contactor. The antibiotic solutes formed complex with the Amberlite LA-2 molecules which were transported across the fiber wall to the shell side and extracted in the organic phase. The extraction in once-through mode was low and the feed/organic solutions need to be recycled to increase the percentage extraction. In the recycle mode operated at flow rates of 3.6–4.4mL/s, an extraction of 90–98% was achieved. A simple mathematical model and its semi-analytical solution presented here can be used to determine the overall mass transfer coefficient using the experimental values of the distribution coefficient, operating parameters and the dimensions of the membrane module. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The total phenolic contents of five citrus peels (Yen Ben lemon, Meyer lemon, grapefruit, mandarin and orange) extracted by enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction were evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The main parameters that affected the yield of phenolics include the condition of the peels, temperature of the extraction, types of enzymes, enzyme concentration and species of citrus. Generally, grapefruit peel had the highest total phenolic contents, followed by mandarin, Yen Ben lemon, orange and Meyer lemon peel. Cell wall degrading enzymes weakened or broke down the integrity of the cell walls of the citrus peels and eased the extraction. The highest recovery using Celluzyme MX in the enzyme-assisted extraction process was up to 65.5% (about 87.9% of the solvent extraction). The total antioxidant activity (using the FRAP) assay of the phenolics enzymatically extracted from different citrus peels were compared. The phenolics in grapefruit peels had the highest total antioxidant activity, followed by Yen Ben lemon, mandarin, orange and Meyer lemon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The total phenolic contents of five citrus peels (Yen Ben lemon, Meyer lemon, grapefruit, mandarin and orange) extracted either by ethanol or by simple aqueous extraction were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and compared. The main parameters that affected the yield of phenolics included the condition of the peels, temperature of the extraction, solvent concentration and species of citrus. Generally, grapefruit peel had the highest total phenolic contents, followed by mandarin, Yen Ben lemon, orange and Meyer lemon peel. High extraction (about 74%) was obtained using ethanol as solvent and the percentage extraction could further be increased using a higher temperature of 80°C. In addition, the total antioxidant activity of the phenolic contents extracted from different citrus peels were investigated using the FRAP assay. The phenolics in grapefruit peels had the highest total antioxidant activity, followed by Yen Ben lemon, mandarin, orange and Meyer lemon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]