21 research outputs found
Mediterranean diet and the metabolic syndrome
No full textMediterranean diet and the metabolic syndrome Background: The metabolic syndrome refers to a clustering of risk factors including abdominal obesity, hyperglycaemia, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hypertension and it is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease. In this thesis we studied whether a Mediterranean diet favourably affects the metabolic syndrome. Methods: We assessed the association between a Mediterranean diet and the metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy elderly European subjects (SENECA study) and in a Dutch study population that was oversampled with subjects with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus type 2 (CoDAM study). In addition, we conducted a controlled-feeding trial to compare the effects of replacing a high saturated fatty acids (SFA) diet with a high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) diet or a Mediterranean diet on characteristics of the metabolic syndrome: HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose metabolism (glucose concentration and insulin sensitivity). Results: In both the SENECA study and the feeding trial we find support for the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect on two characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, namely HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. In addition, the findings of the SENECA study suggested that subjects with good adherence to a Mediterranean diet had a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (prevalence ratio 0.81, 95%CI 0.65; 1.03) and a smaller waist circumference (-1.1 cm, 95%CI -2.4; 0.3) than subjects with poor adherence. In the CoDAM study, we did not find these associations. In none of our studies we found support for the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect on glucose concentration, insulin sensitivity or blood pressure. Conclusion: This thesis finds support for a beneficial effect on two out of five characteristics of the metabolic syndrome and also suggests a beneficial effect on a third characteristic (abdominal obesity). We therefore conclude that a Mediterranean diet may help to prevent the metabolic syndrome and consequently diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease. <br/
Localization and topogenesis studies of cytoplasmic and vacuolar homologs of the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin
No full textThe Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) is synthesized as a preproprotein. To corroborate the role of the different targeting peptides in the topogenesis of GNA and related proteins, different constructs were made whereby both the complete original GNA gene and different truncated sequences were coupled to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). In addition, a GNA ortholog from rice that lacks the signal peptide and C-terminal propeptide sequence was fused to EGFP. These fusion constructs were expressed in tobacco BY-2 cells and their localization analyzed by confocal fluorescence microscopy. We observed that the processed preproprotein of GNA was directed towards the vacuolar compartment, whereas both the truncated forms of GNA corresponding to the mature lectin polypeptide and the rice ortholog of GNA were located in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It can be concluded, therefore, that removal of the C-terminal propeptide and the signal peptide is sufficient to change the subcellular targeting of a normally vacuolar protein to the nuclear/cytoplasmic compartment of the BY-2 cells. These findings support the proposed hypothesis that cytoplasmic/nuclear GNA-like proteins and their vacuolar homologs are evolutionarily related and that the classical GNA-related lectins might have evolved from cytoplasmic orthologs through an evolutionary event involving the insertion of a signal peptide and a C-terminal propeptide. \ua9 The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved
Catalytic (de)hydrogenation promoted by non-precious metals-Co, Fe and Mn: recent advances in an emerging field
No full textCatalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions form the core of the modern chemical industry. This vast class of reactions is found in any part of chemical synthesis starting from the milligram-scale exploratory organic chemistry to the multi-ton base chemicals production. Noble metal catalysis has long been the key driving force in enabling these transformations with carbonyl substrates and their nitrogen-containing counterparts. This review is aimed at introducing the reader to the remarkable progress made in the last three years in the development of base metal catalysts for hydrogenations and dehydrogenative transformations
An efficient, repetitive nanosecond pulsed power generator with ten synchronized spark gap switches
No full textThis paper describes an efficient, repetitive nanosecond pulsed power generator using a Transmission-Line-Transformer (TLT) based multiple-switch technology. Within this setup, a 10-stage TLT and ten high-pressure spark-gap switches are adopted. At the input side, ten spark-gap switches are interconnected in series via the TLT, so that all the spark-gap switches can be synchronized automatically. At the output side, all the stages of the TLT are connected in parallel, thus a low output impedance (5 ¿) is obtained, and a large output current is realized by adding the currents through all the switches. Experimental results show that 10 spark-gap switches can be synchronized within about 10 ns. The system has been successfully demonstrated at repetition rates up to 300 pps (Pulses Per Second). Pulses with a rise-time of about 11 ns, a pulse width of about 55 ns, an energy of 9-24 J per pulse, a peak power of 300-810 MW, a peak voltage of 40-77 kV, and a peak current of 6-11 kA have been achieved with an energy conversion efficiency of 93-98
Self-concept, emotions and consumer coping: smoking across Europe.
No full textWhereas much previous research focuses on the ways consumers strive to gain social approval, consumption that may result in social disapproval must be considered. In order to do so, the purpose of this paper is to explore consumers' self-concepts within a risky consumption context, namely smoking. Self-concept discrepancies and the resulting emotions and coping strategies are identified. A qualitative methodology based on 30 focus groups conducted across ten European countries is employed. Findings demonstrate self-concept discrepancies between both the actual self and ought/ideal guiding end states, as well as between the 'I' and social selves. Such discrepancies generate negative emotions and result in emotion-focused coping strategies. In addition, the accuracy of smokers' social self-concepts with reference to the actual perceptions of non-smokers is discussed. Important implications for the design of effective anti-smoking advertising are discussed, based on the findings. It is suggested that counter advertising should encourage dialogue between smokers and non-smokers and that message themes should centre on building the self-efficacy of smokers. The reason why the social context should be an integral part of consumer self-concept research is highlighted. Moreover, the importance of moving beyond merely understanding the existence of self-discrepancies, to focus on the emotions that are generated by these discrepancies and the consequent coping strategies employed to resolve them is identified. As such, the potential contributions that may arise by recognising the intersection between two bodies of literature that are often treated separately, namely, consumer coping and the self-concept, are highlighted
Gastrodianin-like mannose-binding proteins: a novel class of plant proteins with antifungal properties
No full textThe orchid Gastrodia elata depends on the fungus Armillaria mellea to complete its life cycle. In the interaction, fungal hyphae penetrate older, nutritive corms but not newly formed corms. From these corms, a protein fraction with in vitro activity against plant-pathogenic fungi has previously been purified. Here, the sequence of gastrodianin, the main constituent of the antifungal fraction, is reported. Four isoforms that encoded two different mature proteins were identified at the cDNA level. Another isoform was detected in sequenced peptides. Because the antifungal activity of gastrodianins produced in and purified from Escherichia coil and Nicotiana tabacum was comparable to that of gastrodianin purified from the orchid, gastrodianins are the active component of the antifungal fractions. Gastrodianin accumulation is probably an important part of the mechanism by which the orchid controls Armillaria penetration. Gastrodianin was found to be homologous to monomeric mannose-binding proteins of other orchids, of which at least one (Epipactis helleborine mannose-binding protein) also displayed in vitro antifungal activity. This establishes the gastrodianin-like proteins (GLIPs) as a novel class of antifungal proteins
Phase relationships in grunerite-garnet-bearing amphibolites in the systemCFMASH, with applications to metamorphic rocks from the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt, South Africa.
No full textA petrogenetic grid in the model system CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O is presented, illustrating the phase relationships among the minerals grunerite, hornblende, garnet, clinopyroxene, chlorite, olivine, anorthite, zoisite and aluminosilicates, with quartz and H2O in excess. The grid was calculated with the computer softwarethermocalc, using an upgraded version of the internally consistent thermodynamic dataset HP98 and non-ideal mixing activity models for all solid solutions. From this grid, quantitative phase diagrams (P–T pseudosections) are derived and employed to infer a P–T path for grunerite–garnet-bearing amphibolites from the Endora Klippe, part of the Venetia Klippen Complex within the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt. Agreement between calculated and observed mineral assemblages and garnet zonation indicates that this part of the Central Zone underwent a prograde temperature and pressure increase from c. 540 °C/4.5 kbar to 650 °C/6.5 kbar, followed by a post-peak metamorphic pressure decrease. The inferred P–T path supports a geotectonic model suggesting that the area surrounding the Venetia kimberlite pipes represents the amphibolite-facies roof zone of migmatitic gneisses and granulites that occur widely within the Central Zone. In addition, the P–T path conforms to an interpretation that the Proterozoic evolution of the Central Zone was controlled by horizontal tectonics, causing stacking and differential heating at c. 2.0 Ga
Instability of NiMoS<sub>2</sub> and CoMoS<sub>2</sub> Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts at Ambient Conditions: A Quasi in Situ High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and X‑ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study
No full textThe
effect of exposure to ambient air of MoS2-based,
γ-Al2O3-supported, hydrodesulfurization
(HDS) catalysts has been studied using high-resolution transmission
electron microscopy (HRTEM). Analysis of unpromoted as well as Ni-
and Co-promoted MoS2 samples showed that the number of
MoS2 slabs and the average slab length decreased as a function
of air exposure time. A parallel X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS) study showed this effect to be due to oxidation. During the
first 24 h of exposure to air, all 1 bar sulfided (Ni/Co)MoS2 samples showed an initial slab length decrease of approximately
20%. After an additional month in air, the slabs had deteriorated
significantly further. A sample of CoMoS2 sulfided at 30
bar showed a slightly enhanced effect of oxidation, particularly after
the first 5 min in air. The combined HRTEM and XPS results lead to
the proposal of the formation of a protective oxide ring around the
remaining sulfidic species inside the MoS2 slabs to explain
the mechanism of this oxidation process. The data obtained in this
study emphasize the general necessity of shielding vulnerable catalyst
samples from air during preparation and characterization, a message
relevant in all fields of research related to catalysis
Underlying biology, challenges and emergent concepts in the treatment of relapsed and refractory pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
No full text\ua9 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2025.Relapsed and refractory disease in children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R T-ALL) remains a major clinical challenge. Outcomes for children who relapse or exhibit resistance to initial treatments are dismal, with survival rates frequently below 25% despite aggressive therapy. To minimize toxicities and improve outcomes, individualized precision medicine approaches targeting the underlying biology of R/R T-ALL are especially important, considering that T-ALL is characterized by genetic, epigenetic and posttranscriptional heterogeneity, and organ and niche specificities (e.g. the central nervous system), all of which underlie disease progression and therapy resistance. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the complexity of pediatric T-ALL biology and how such knowledge may be clinically leveraged, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic routes to improve outcomes for children with R/R T-ALL. Emerging approaches that hold promise or show palpable results include proteasome inhibitors, BCL-2 antagonists, and JAK (for JAK- and IL-7R-driven cases), ABL and SRC family tyrosine kinase (for LCK-activated cases), MEK or PI3K-mTOR inhibitors. MYC-targeting agents, DNA demethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, splicing modulators, or drugs exploring T-ALL metabolic vulnerabilities, are other examples for potential pharmacological intervention. Immunotherapies, particularly CAR T-cell products targeting CD7 and other markers, but also biologics (e.g. targeting CD38), are under development and increasing interest. These agents should be rationally integrated into precision medicine combination therapies informed by genetic, epigenetic, and posttranscriptional insights that will be essential to refine risk stratification and minimize the risk of resistance. Novel strategies leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning could accelerate discovery and optimize treatment frameworks
