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Combined effects of a dietary portfolio of plant sterols, vegetable protein, viscous fibre and almonds on LDL particle size.

Studies conducted in the last 20 years have led to the identification of small dense LDL as an important risk factor for CVD. Consumption of plant sterols, soyabean proteins, viscous fibre and nuts are known to modulate the risk of CVD favourably through their cholesterol (Chol)-lowering properties, both independently and more recently in combination. Nevertheless, their combined impact on the LDL particle size phenotype has never been tested. In the present study, we assessed the effect of incorporating concurrently plant sterols (1 g/4.2 MJ), soyabean protein (23 g/4.2 MJ), viscous fibre (9 g/4.2 MJ) and almonds (15 g/4.2 MJ) into a diet very low in saturated fat in twelve patients with mildly elevated plasma LDL-Chol levels. Fasting blood lipids were obtained at the start of the study and at 2-week intervals during the 4-week study. The diet-induced reduction in plasma LDL-Chol of 30.0 (se 3.0) % (P<0.0001) was attributed to concurrent reductions in the serum Chol concentrations of large (>26.0 nm-30 (se 8) %, P<0.001), medium (25.5-26.0 nm-29 (se 3) %, P<0.001) and small (<25.5 nm-21 (sd 6) %, P<0.01) LDL particles, with near maximal reductions seen by week 2. These results indicate that foods and dietary components advocated for their potential to reduce the risk of CVD are effective in reducing serum concentrations of all LDL fractions including small dense LDL, thus potentially further contributing to an overall lower risk of CVD.

Adult↗

Effect of intragranular and extragranular disintegrating agents on particle size of disintegrated tablets.

Five materials were compared for their effectiveness as disintegrating agents: maize starch, sodium calcium alginate, alginic acid, microcrystalline cellulose, and a colloidal aluminum silicate. The effect of the proportion of the agent present and the position with respect to the granule, intra- and extragranular, was examined. The extragranular formulations disintegrated much more rapidly than the intragranular ones, but the latter gave a much finer dispersion of particles. A combination of intra- and extragranular disintegrating agents gave the best compromise; of those tested, the alginates appeared to effect the breakdown to the smallest particles when placed intragranularly. A method of assessing the effectiveness of disintegrating agents for uncoated tablets is suggested, but the resulting weight mean particle size is the more important criterion for tablets complying with a pharmacopoeial disintegration test. The porosity and crushing strength of tablets are useful as guides to disintegration only when a given formulation is used.

Drug Compounding↗

Blends of aqueous polymer dispersions used for pellet coating: importance of the particle size.

Blends of aqueous dispersions of a water-insoluble and an enteric polymer, namely ethyl cellulose:hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (EC:HPMCAS) and ethyl cellulose:methacrylic acid ethyl acrylate copolymer (EC:Eudragit L), were used as coating materials to control theophylline release from matrix pellets. Varying the polymer blend ratio, broad ranges of drug release patterns were obtained at low as well as at high pH. Interestingly, the resulting release profiles were rather similar for both types of blends in 0.1 M HCl, whereas significant differences were observed in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Surprisingly, drug release at high pH was much slower for EC:HPMCAS blends compared to EC:Eudragit L blends, although HPMCAS leached out more rapidly (and to a higher extent) from the film coatings than Eudragit L. To explain these phenomena and to better understand the underlying drug release mechanisms, thin polymeric films of identical composition as the pellet coatings were prepared and physicochemically characterized before and upon exposure to the release media. Importantly, the polymer particle size was identified to be a very crucial formulation parameter, determining the resulting film coating structure and properties. The Eudragit L particles are much smaller than the HPMCAS particles (nano- vs. micrometer size range) and, thus, more effectively hinder the formation of a continuous and mechanically stable EC network. Consequently, the EC structures remaining after enteric polymer leaching at high pH are mechanically much weaker in the case of Eudragit L. Upon exposure to phosphate buffer, water-filled cracks are formed, through which the drug rapidly diffuses out. In contrast, the EC structures remaining upon HPMCAS leaching are mechanically stronger and drug release is controlled by diffusion through the polymeric remnants.

Cellulose↗

Effect of particle size of dried mycobacteria on adjuvant induced arthritis in the rat.

Freund's complete adjuvant prepared by grinding dried, heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis with liquid paraffin was investigated for particle size-weight distribution. Variations in the grinding times and preparative procedure had a marked effect on the arthritogenic action of the adjuvant in the rat. A satisfactory response in the injected foot was found only when the particle size was less than 19 microns and a secondary response in the non-injected foot required particles less than 10 microns in diameter.

Animals↗

High-resolution particle size analysis in biotechnology process control.

Many industrially important proteins can now be expressed intracellularly as insoluble protein inclusion bodies. In production, large-scale centrifugation is commonly used to separate and recover the inclusion bodies. Recovery efficiency depends critically on the centrifuge feed rate, which must be optimized to minimize production costs. We have used a disc centrifuge photosedimentometer to make high-resolution measurements of the particle size distribution (PSD) of the supernatant during the production of porcine somatotropin (pST) inclusion bodies. These measurements readily monitor the breakthrough of inclusion bodies into the supernatant and allow the centrifugation operation to be optimized.

Biotechnology↗

Polyvinyl alcohol particle size and suspension characteristics.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the size and shape of commercially available polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and to determine whether they change in size when suspended in nonionic contrast and in a solution of nonionic contrast and absolute alcohol. METHODS: The two-dimensional area and the long and short axis of PVA particles from several different vendors were measured using a light microscope attached to a video system and an image-processing software program. Particles were measured as packaged (dry or suspended in saline), suspended in ioversol, and suspended in ioversol containing 30% alcohol. RESULTS: All brands of dry particles had similar microscopic appearances. The saline-suspended particles had fewer and finer perforations. After suspension in contrast, all sizes and brands of dry particles significantly increased in size. The particles packaged in saline did not expand. The addition of alcohol to the contrast did not consistently change particle size. Particle aggregation was similar in both contrast suspensions for all groups of particles. Particles less than 50 microns in size were rarely observed in any PVA preparation after suspension. CONCLUSIONS: The three dry PVA preparations seem to be similar. All increase significantly in size when suspended in nonionic contrast or contrast-alcohol solutions. The saline-packaged PVA particles were different from the dry variety and did not enlarge in contrast or contrast-alcohol solutions. Alcohol did not change the size or suspension characteristics of PVA particles. Particles less than 50 microns in size were rarely identified.

Contrast Media↗

Effect of particle size of activated charcoal on separation of Triton X-100 from protein, liver cytosol, and lipoxygenase extracts.

Triton X-100 was almost completely removed from bovine serum albumin solutions, BALB/c mouse liver extracts, and avocado peel lipoxygenase extracts by stirring the samples for 30 min in the presence of 250-350 mesh activated charcoal. The procedure did not remove protein significantly and did not reduce enzyme activity. At higher charcoal particle sizes, the efficiency of Triton adsorption was decreased and protein adsorption was increased. ElevateD temperatures enhanced Triton and protein adsorption. Adsorption on activated charcoal of 250-350 mesh is a simple and rapid procedure for Triton removal at a ratio of 0.23 g Triton X-100 per gram of activated charcoal.

Animals↗

Particle size and loading efficiency of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) multiphase microspheres containing water soluble substances prepared by the hydrous and anhydrous solvent evaporation methods.

PLGA multiphase microspheres were prepared by the multiple emulsion solvent evaporation method using acetonitrile as the polymer solvent and mineral oil as the evaporation medium. The preparation process was further developed in the present study to reduce the particle size and to increase the loading capacity of brilliant blue, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) which were used as water soluble model drug substances. Sorbitan sesqui-oleate (SO-15EX), present at the 1% w/w level in the evaporation medium, prevented agglomeration of the microspheres containing a solid-in-oil (S/O) suspensions as the core phase. This S/O suspension core provided significantly higher loading efficiency of the proteins to the W/O emulsion core. The W/O emulsion system resulted in agglomeration of the protein-loaded microspheres and the loading efficiency decreased significantly. When brilliant blue was included as the model compound, the loading efficiencies were not influenced by the core type. Heavy mineral oil was employed to stabilize the dispersed unhardened microspheres rather than light mineral oil that was reported previously. This anhydrous emulsion system employing the S/O suspension core and containing a dispersion of TNF-alpha enabled the encapsulation of this protein without loss of activity. It was concluded that the anhydrous emulsion system is a suitable approach to prepare multiple microspheres as an alternative to the W/O emulsion system, especially when solvent sensitive proteins are incorporated into the microspheres.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Non-selective signal loss in the 13C CPMAS NMR spectra of soil organic matter. Investigations of particle size fractions.

In 13C cross-polarisation magic angle spinning (CPMAS) spectra of soil samples, the paramagnetic soil constituents partially discriminate against the signal intensity of the 13C atoms. The aim of the present study was to check to what extent this signal depression depends on the paramagnetic ion content and if it is selective for a certain kind of carbon species. The spectra of a variety of particle size fractions of five quite different soils were recorded. A procedure was developed to compare quantitatively the relative carbon content of the different spectra. It was found that iron ions differ in their efficiency to discriminate against the carbon signals. Nevertheless a strong linear correlation between the detectability of carbon and cube root(wt.%Fe) was observed for both the total signal and the signal of the different carbon species as well. This underlines that iron ions mainly influence the depression of the 13C signal in soil spectra. Furthermore we found, that for C: Fe ratios of 1.5 to 20 non-selective signal losses dominate. Despite a high percentage of non-detectable carbon (up to 90%), the 13C CPMAS spectra of our soil samples correctly reflect the relative composition of soil organic matter.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Forage level and particle size effects on orchardgrass digestion by steers: I. Site and extent of organic matter, nitrogen, and cell wall digestion.

Four steers (502 +/- 49 kg) with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experimental design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effects of dietary forage:concentrate ratio (96:4 [96F] and 60:40 [60F]) and forage particle size (long hay [L] and coarsely ground hay [G]) on site and extent of digestion of OM, N, and plant cell wall monomeric components. Orchardgrass hay was the forage source used and was the sole source of cell wall material fed to steers (DMI = 88.6 g/kg BW.75). Diurnal variation in ruminal pH was greater when steers consumed 60F vs 96F (P < .01) and greater for G vs L (P < .10). Ruminal fluid volumes (liters) and daily outflows (liters/day) were greater (P < .05) when steers consumed 96F or L. True ruminal OM digestion (percentage of intake) was greater (P < .05) when steers consumed 60F (69.0) vs 96F (59.5) or L (65.8) vs G (62.7). Efficiency of net bacterial CP synthesis (grams of N/kilogram of true ruminal OM disappearance) was greater (P < .05) when steers consumed 60F (33.8) vs 96F (30.8). Total tract digestibilities of NDF and ADF were 63.3 and 53.0% when steers consumed 96F and were decreased (P < .05) to 52.3 and 43.8% when steers consumed 60F. Total tract digestibilities of plant cell wall arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, and uronic acids were 78.7, 69.7, 70.8, 67.6, and 79.7% when steers consumed 96F and were decreased (P < .05) when steers consumed 60F. Ruminal digestion accounted for greater than 90% of total tract digestion of all cell wall monosaccharide components when steers consumed 96F but accounted for 6 to 20 percentage units less of total digestion when steers consumed 60F. Total tract disappearances of cell wall acetyl groups, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid were 62.4, 79.4, and 50.6% when steers consumed 96F and were decreased (P < .05) to 49.7, 73.2, and 42.2% when steers consumed 60F. Addition of concentrate to diets, but not forage processing, decreased total tract digestibilities of cell wall components and shifted site of digestion to the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Animal Feed↗

Calcium solubilization and retention in the gastrointestinal tract in chicks (Gallus domesticus) as a function of gastric acid secretion inhibition and of calcium carbonate particle size.

In chicks, immature pullets and laying hens, the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by omeprazole, an H+,K(+)-transporting ATPase (EC 3.6.1.36) inhibitor, greatly increased proventricular and gizzard pH values. Consequently, gizzard soluble Ca concentration deceased and the insoluble Ca fraction increased. Inhibition of acid secretion increased duodenal pH values in immature pullets and laying hens but not in chicks. Duodenal soluble and ionic Ca concentrations were lowered by gastric acid inhibition in chicks and to a larger extent in immature pullets and laying hens. The use of Ca of coarse particle size increased the gizzard insoluble Ca fraction in chicks and pullets. However, it did not influence its soluble Ca fraction in chicks but tended to reinforce the negative effect of omeprazole on soluble Ca in the gizzard and duodenum of chicks and laying hens. Coarse particles of Ca led to an increase in gizzard and duodenal soluble Ca at the end of eggshell calcification in laying hens. An enhancement in the level of Ca in the diet from 10 to 36 g/kg increased gizzard soluble Ca and duodenal soluble and ionic Ca concentrations in immature and adult hens. Intestinal Ca retention and bone mineralization was unaffected by gastric acid inhibition in chicks but were largely diminished by the use of coarse particles of Ca. Gastric acid inhibition was associated in laying hens with decreased Ca retention to a small extent and with reduced eggshell quality. These observations confirm that gastric acid secretion is of importance for CaCO3 solubilization but question its role as a prerequisite for intestinal Ca retention in chicks and even in hens fed on a high Ca diet.

Animals↗

Comparison of particle size distributions and elemental partitioning from the combustion of pulverized coal and residual fuel oil.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research examining the characteristics of primary PM generated by the combustion of fossil fuels is being conducted in efforts to help determine mechanisms controlling associated adverse health effects. Transition metals are of particular interest, due to the results of studies that have shown cardiopulmonary damage associated with exposure to these elements and their presence in coal and residual fuel oils. Further, elemental speciation may influence this toxicity, as some species are significantly more water-soluble, and potentially more bio-available, than others. This paper presents results of experimental efforts in which three coals and a residual fuel oil were combusted in three different systems simulating process and utility boilers. Particle size distributions (PSDs) were determined using atmospheric and low-pressure impaction as well as electrical mobility, time-of-flight, and light-scattering techniques. Size-classified PM samples from this study are also being utilized by colleagues for animal instillation experiments. Experimental results on the mass and compositions of particles between 0.03 and > 20 microns in aerodynamic diameter show that PM from the combustion of these fuels produces distinctive bimodal and trimodal PSDs, with a fine mode dominated by vaporization, nucleation, and growth processes. Depending on the fuel and combustion equipment, the coarse mode is composed primarily of unburned carbon char and associated inherent trace elements (fuel oil) and fragments of inorganic (largely calcium-alumino-silicate) fly ash including trace elements (coal). The three coals also produced a central mode between 0.8- and 2.0-micron aerodynamic diameter. However, the origins of these particles are less clear because vapor-to-particle growth processes are unlikely to produce particles this large. Possible mechanisms include the liberation of micron-scale mineral inclusions during char fragmentation and burnout and indicates that refractory transition metals can contribute to PM < 2.5 microns without passing through a vapor phase. When burned most efficiently, the residual fuel oil produces a PSD composed almost exclusively of an ultrafine mode (approximately 0.1 micron). The transition metals associated with these emissions are composed of water-soluble metal sulfates. In contrast, the transition metals associated with coal combustion are not significantly enriched in PM < 2.5 microns and are significantly less soluble, likely because of their association with the mineral constituents. These results may have implications regarding health effects associated with exposure to these particles.

Air Pollution↗

Particle sizing with a fast polar nephelometer.

We reported previously the design of a polar nephelometer that uses a rotational confocal imaging setup to enable fast scanning of the scattering phase function within a field of view of 55 degrees . The full dynamic range of the detection system can be used by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio by means of averaging successive scans. The calibration of the angular response of the instrument is achieved by obtaining the transfer function of the optical detection system using Rayleigh scatterers. Accurate particle sizing of individual polystyrene spheres (ranging from 1.5 to 9 micro m in diameter) in aqueous suspension is achieved by maximizing a correlation coefficient between precalculated tables of Mie phase functions and data obtained from the polar nephelometer. Good correlation is achieved between experimental and theoretical data, proving the functioning of the instrument as a fast and convenient particle sizer.

Calibration↗

Effects of fibre concentration of diets consisting of hay and slowly degradable concentrate on ruminal fermentation and digesta particle size in mid-lactation dairy cows.

Four multiparous ruminally cannulated Holstein cows (mean bodyweight [BW] 615 kg) in mid-lactation (103 days in milk and 32 kg milk x d(-1) at start of the experiment) were used in an one-factorial experiment to evaluate the effects of fibre level (19, 24, 28, 32 and 39% physically effective NDF [peNDF] in dry matter [DM]) in diets consisting of hay and slowly degradable concentrate on rumen fermentation patterns and digesta particle size, under a constant intake level (146 g DM x kg(-0.75). The different fibre concentrations in the diet were achieved by adjusting the hay to concentrate ratio. The above-mentioned levels of peNDF corresponded to 70, 60, 50, 40 and 25% concentrate in diet DM, respectively, and followed the lactation curve of the cows. The ruminal pH was positively and linearly correlated to the percentage of fibre (peNDF, NDF or CF) in ration DM with R2 of 0.76-0.88 (p < 0.001) for solid digesta (particle-associated rumen fluid, PARL), and R2 of 0.26-0.29 (p < 0.05) for fluid digesta (free rumen liquid, FRL). The lowest fibre level in the diet (19% peNDF) or the highest level of concentrate (70% on DM basis) caused pH values lower than 6.0 at almost all sampling times only in PARL but not in FRL, and significantly increased the proportion of large particles in rumen digesta, which in turn was reflected by a depression of fibre digestibility. A level of 24% peNDF or 60% concentrate in the diet maintained the ruminal pH higher than 6.0 and 5.8 in FRL and PARL, respectively. Therefore, the inclusion of more than 60% slowly degradable concentrate in dairy cows diets fed approximately 18 kg DM x d(-1) is discouraged. Based on the response of ruminal solid digesta to dietary fibre, it can be concluded that the recommendations of feeding a structural value > or =1 per kg DM (De Brabander et al. 1999) underestimated, and 400 g CF per 100 kg BW (Hoffmann 1990) overestimated the evaluation of structural effectiveness of the present diet.

Animal Feed↗

Renal cortical mercury levels associated with experimental amalgam tattoos: effects of particle size and amount of implanted material.

Powdered dental amalgam that had passed through either a 106 microns or a 45 microns sieve was implanted subcutaneously in guinea pigs for periods of up to 2 yr. The renal cortical mercury levels associated with the 106 microns material were on average 16% of those produced by the 45 microns material. A reduction in the amount of 45 microns powder implanted, by a factor of 75%, resulted in a fall of only 27% in renal mercury concentrations. The marked effect of particle size on mercury release may be explained by the large increase in the proportion of implanted material that was degraded within phagocytic cells in the local lesions.

Animals↗

Effects of grain processing, forage to concentrate ratio, and forage particle size on rumen pH and digestion by dairy cows.

Dietary factors that alter the intake of effective fiber were evaluated for their effects on rumen fermentation, digestion, and milk production using a double 4 x 4 quasi-Latin square design with a 2(3) factorial arrangement of treatments. The dietary factors were extent of barley grain processing, coarse (1.60 mm) or flat (1.36 mm); forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratio, low (35:65) or high (55:45) (dry matter basis); and forage particle length, long (7.59 mm) or short (6.08 mm). Eight lactating cows with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were offered ad libitum access to a total mixed diet and milked twice daily. Dry matter intake was increased by increasing the extent of grain processing. Mean rumen pH was lower for cows fed flatly rolled barley than for cows fed coarsely rolled barley, whereas F:C ratio or forage particle size had no effect on rumen pH. Rumen pH was not correlated with effective NDF intake but tended to be correlated with digestibility of starch in the rumen. Total tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, starch, and neutral detergent fiber were increased by feeding flatly rolled barley or low F:C ratio diets. Milk yield and milk protein content were higher in cows fed flatly rolled barley or low F:C ratio diets. Milk fat content tended to increase with high F:C ratio or long forage particle length but was reduced by feeding flatly rolled barley. In this study, extent of grain processing and intake of ruminal available starch were the most influential factors affecting milk production. Reducing the ratio of F:C improved total digestion and actual milk production. Forage particle length had minimal impact on digestibility and milk production.

Ammonia↗

Er, Yb doped yttrium based nanosized phosphors: particle size, "host lattice" and doping ion concentration effects on upconversion efficiency.

The upconverter phosphors studied herein have different percentages of Er3+ and Yb3+ as doping ions in different Y3+ matrixes (Y2O3, Y2O2S), and were prepared from different precursors (polymeric resin, oxalate, basic carbonate) and method (combustion). Upconversion emission spectra were recorded at 298 K for all the doped samples in the visible region, for efficiency and Green/Red emission relative intensity comparisons. Therefore, an investigation of the influence of the doping ion concentration, particle size and host lattice on the upconversion process is provided in view of the UPT (Upconverting phosphor technology application). On the basis of the results, it was possible to evaluate the best combination for a specific assay, considering whether it is advantageous to have the greatest contribution from the green or red emissions, or from both in comparable intensities.

Erbium↗

Effect of particle size on alumina-induced production of reactive oxygen metabolites by human leukocytes.

To assess the role of crystal size in the biologic response, we quantitated the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) or mononuclear leukocytes (MNs) with a chemiluminescence assay using 6 alpha-alumina preparations with average diameters of 0.6, 0.8, 3.2, 7.5, 28 and 68 microns on the basis of equal weights (1 mg/ml), and also on the basis of surface areas (100 cm2/ml). On an equal weight alumina particles induced PMN chemiluminescence in the following order of magnitude: 3.2 microns > 7.5 microns, 0.8 micron > 0.6 micron > 28 microns, 68 microns. The particulates induced MN chemiluminescence: 3.2 microns > 0.8 micron > 0.6 micron > 7.5 microns > 28 microns, 68 microns. On the basis of identical surface areas, alumina elicited PMN chemiluminescence: 3.2 microns > 7.5 microns, 0.8 micron > 0.6 micron, 28 microns, 68 microns. The particulates induced MN chemiluminescence: 3.2 microns > 0.8 micron > 0.6 micron, 7.5 microns > 28 microns, 68 microns. The maximal effect of particle size on the alumina-induced production of reactive oxygen metabolites by human leukocytes was seen at around 3 microns.

Aluminum Oxide↗