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Protein complex formation depends on the interplay between preorganization and flexibility of the binding epitopes involved. The design of epitope mimetics typically focuses on stabilizing a particular bioactive conformation, often without considering conformational dynamics, which limits the potential of peptidomimetics against challenging targets such as transcription factors. We developed a peptide‐derived inhibitor of the NF‐Y transcription factor by first constraining the conformation of an epitope through hydrocarbon stapling and then fine‐tuning its flexibility. In the initial set of constrained peptides, a single non‐interacting α‐methyl group was observed to have a detrimental effect on complex stability. Biophysical characterization revealed how this methyl group affects the conformation of the peptide in its bound state. Adaption of the methylation pattern resulted in a peptide that inhibits transcription factor assembly and subsequent recruitment to the target DNA., Set Me free: A peptide‐derived inhibitor of the NF‐Y transcription factor was developed by constraining the conformation of an epitope through hydrocarbon stapling and then fine‐tuning its flexibility. In the initial set of constrained peptides, a non‐interacting α‐methyl group was observed to have a detrimental effect on complex stability. Adaption of the methylation pattern gave a peptide that inhibits transcription factor assembly and subsequent DNA binding.

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is the main phytochemical present in the fresh arils of Prumnopitys andina. 20E is reported to have anabolic effects by modulation of gene transcription by interaction with nuclear receptors. Our aim is to evaluate the in vitro bioaccessibility, transepithelial transport of 20E, and the capacity of P. andina fruit extract and 20E to activate selected mammalian nuclear receptors in transiently transfected human cells after simulated gastrointestinal digestion.20E shows good stability, solubility, and micellization after in vitro digestion. 20E is taken up by Caco-2 cells, but poorly transported through the epithelial cell membrane, possibly due to P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux. In transiently transfected HepG2 cells, the fruit extract significantly induces the signal intensity for the liver X receptor (LXR)-α and -β by 1.6 and 1.4-fold, respectively. In contrast, the treatment with 20E, irrespective of its concentration, did not change the activity of both LXR receptors. No effects are observed for the pregnane X receptor or the constitutive androstane receptor.Our findings show that components of the digested P. andina extract other than 20E are responsible for the effects on LXR-α and -β. Our findings open new perspectives on the potential role of P. andina fruits in cholesterol metabolism and inflammatory diseases.

The traditional study of palaeoseismic trenches, involving logging, stratigraphic and structural interpretation, can be time consuming and affected by biases and inaccuracies. To overcome these limitations, a new workflow is presented that integrates infrared hyperspectral and photogrammetric data to support field-based palaeoseismic observations. As a case study, this method is applied on two palaeoseismic trenches excavated across a post-glacial fault scarp in northern Finnish Lapland. The hyperspectral imagery (HSI) is geometrically and radiometrically corrected, processed using established image processing algorithms and machine learning approaches, and co-registered to a structure-from-motion point cloud. HSI-enhanced virtual outcrop models are a useful complement to palaeoseismic field studies as they not only provide an intuitive visualisation of the outcrop and a versatile data archive, but also enable an unbiased assessment of the mineralogical composition of lithologic units and a semi-automatic delineation of contacts and deformational structures in a 3D virtual environment. R��sum�� L'��tude traditionnelle des tranch��es pal��osismiques, impliquant l'enregistrement des coupes et l'interpr��tation stratigraphique et structurelle, peut prendre beaucoup de temps et ��tre entach��e de biais et d'inexactitudes. Pour surmonter ces limites, une nouvelle m��thodologie est pr��sent��e, int��grant des donn��es photogramm��triques et hyperspectrales infrarouges en appui aux observations pal��osismiques de terrain. Comme ��tude de cas, cette m��thode est appliqu��e �� deux tranch��es pal��osismiques creus��es �� travers un escarpement de faille post-glaciaire dans le nord de la Laponie finlandaise. L'imagerie hyperspectrale (HSI) est corrig��e g��om��triquement et radiom��triquement, trait��e �� l'aide d'algorithmes classiques de traitement d'images et d'apprentissage machine, et recal��e sur un nuage de points photogramm��trique. Les mod��les virtuels d'affleurements am��lior��s par HSI constituent un compl��ment utile aux ��tudes pal��osismiques de terrain, car ils fournissent non seulement une visualisation intuitive de l'affleurement et une archive de donn��es facile d'emploi, mais permettent ��galement une ��valuation non biais��e de la composition min��ralogique d'unit��s lithologiques ainsi qu'une d��limitation semi-automatique des contacts et des structures de d��formation dans un environnement virtuel 3D.

Certain species of pathogenic bacteria damage tissues by secreting cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, which form pores in the plasma membranes of animal cells. However, reducing cholesterol protects cells against these cytolysins. As the first committed step of cholesterol biosynthesis is catalyzed by squalene synthase, we explored whether inhibiting this enzyme protected cells against cholesterol-dependent cytolysins. We first synthesized 22 different nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate molecules that were designed to inhibit squalene synthase. Squalene synthase inhibition was quantified using a cell-free enzyme assay, and validated by computer modeling of bisphosphonate molecules binding to squalene synthase. The bisphosphonates were then screened for their ability to protect HeLa cells against the damage caused by the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin, pyolysin. The most effective bisphosphonate reduced pyolysin-induced leakage of lactate dehydrogenase into cell supernatants by >80%, and reduced pyolysin-induced cytolysis from >75% to

Several raw materials and additives are used in meat production. In terms of origin, proteins which are the closest related to meat are derived from slaughtered carcasses. The aim of the work was to assess the effect of their addition on the microstructure, texture and colour of frankfurter-type meat products.; Results: Calleja staining, instrumental textural analysis and colour analysis were applied. The microscopic results were evaluated qualitatively. Canonical component and Tukey's HSD were used for textural and RGB evaluation. Microscopically, protein matrix formation in products containing pork haemoglobin (155_16) and pork plasma P (158_16) was found to be different from that in other samples. Texture analysis revealed differences (P < 0.05) in shear force between pork haemoglobin 155_16 and all tested samples, in the hardness between the control (154_16) and pork collagen protein (157_16) and between 157_16 and 160_16. Chewiness showed differences between control 154_16 and collagen proteins 157_16. Colour analysis showed a difference between pork haemoglobin (155_16) and other products (P < 0.05) by component analysis.; Conclusion: All tested additives were incorporated into the protein matrix. Therefore, they may be used as additives even for unrecommended meat products. Addition of pork haemoglobin has a significant impact on the colour of the final product. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of different salts on dough rheology parameters and gas cell development during dough preparation. Three types of salts in four concentrations each were used in dough preparation and following analyses were conducted: sodium content, salt structure analysis, dough hardness, dough stickiness and dough image analysis. The research showed how significantly (p

Allergic responses to food components are an increasing problem all over the world. It is therefore important to protect people who are vulnerable to food allergens against accidental and unintended consumption of products containing allergic ingredients. The meat industry commonly uses various allergic additives in the production of processed products, such as legumes (soy, peas, beans), milk and egg preparations, cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley and oats), and spices (celery and mustard). These meat additives have specific technological properties, which help to create a texture or flavor profile, or affect the nutritional value, although some of them, such as soy, mustard, milk and egg white proteins, can cause severe allergic reactions. The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of various recently established methods of detection of allergenic additives in processed meat products - for instance cold cuts and sausages. The new methods are based mainly on protein, DNA, and isoflavones or phytic acid analysis. The article also characterizes the latest trends in the development of research on methods that would enable quick and reliable identification of targeted allergens in meat products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

This paper presents two approaches towards quantifying short‐term crude oil supply uncertainty. It provides some background information on the oil market and discusses different methods used in forecasting supply. Both approaches—semiquantitative (SQ) and Monte Carlo (MC)—are based on a risk matrix with likelihood and severity scores assigned. The result of the SQ approach is a risk band presented in percentage terms, whereas the MC method yields a probability distribution. The differences, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the potential expansions of both approaches are discussed. Both methods are applied to a set of major non‐OPEC oil producing countries, and the obtained results are compared.

BACKGROUND Proteins enzymatic digestion is a very complex process, during which some components are degraded, while others remain in an unchanged form. Moreover, the enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the most popular methods used to reduce the allergenicity of food proteins. In this study, the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis of lupin seeds proteins was assessed by proteomic analysis performed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with mass spectrometry identification. Two digestion systems were used, namely, oriented digestion carried out by trypsin and the model in vitro digestion mimicking conditions present in the gastrointestinal tract. RESULTS The comparisons of 2-DE maps of proteins isolated form different lupin seeds species revealed that the differences in proteins expression were observed mainly in the central parts of gels, i.e., in the molecular weight range from 20 to 70 kDa, and the pH range 5–7. A total number of 27 differentially expressed proteins spots were successfully identified by mass spectrometry analysis. An important reduction in the number of proteins spots on 2-DE maps was observed when trypsin, and the in vitro digestion model were applied. The protein spot insensitive to digestion in both hydrolysis systems was identified as β-conglutin. CONCLUSIONS The results provide insight into the nature of the digestion process that may take place after lupin seed proteins intake and highlight the important fact that some of the proteins are insensitive to digestive enzymes activity. Moreover, evaluation of digestion activity of trypsin towards lupin seed proteins may be used for the development of specific processes of hypoallergenic food production.

High fidelity of genome duplication is ensured by cooperation of polymerase proofreading and mismatch repair (MMR) activities. Here, we show that human mismatch recognizing proteins MutS homolog 2 (MSH2) and MSH6 copurify and interact with replicative Pol α. This enzyme also is the replicative primase and replicates DNA with poor fidelity. We show that MSH2 associates with known human replication origins with different dynamics than DNA polymerase (Pol α). Furthermore, we explored the potential functional role of Pol α in the mismatch repair reaction using an in vitro mismatch repair assay and observed that Pol α promotes mismatch repair. Taken together, we show that human Pol α interacts with MSH2-MSH6 complex and propose that this interaction occurs during the mismatch repair reaction.

Polysiloxane microspheres containing a large number of silanol groups were obtained by an emulsion process of modified polyhydromethylsiloxane. N-substituted imidazole groups were grafted on these microspheres by the silylation of their silanol groups with N-[γ-(dimethylchlorosilyl)propyl]imidazole hydrochloride. The progress of the reaction was monitored using 29Si and 13C magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR and its impact on microsphere morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The usefulness of the imidazole-functionalized microspheres as a support for a metal catalyst was demonstrated by their reaction with PdCl2(PhCN)2. In this way a new heterogenized catalyst, Pd(II) complex with imidazole ligands supported on polysiloxane microspheres, was generated. This catalyst, MPd, was characterized using 13C and 29Si MAS NMR, X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared and far-infrared spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, SEM–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering. The catalyst appears in two structures, as Pd(II) complex and Pd(0) nanoclusters. Its catalytic activity was tested using a model reaction, the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde, and compared with that of an analogous complex operating in a homogeneous system. MPd showed a high activity in the promotion of hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. The activity in the substrate conversion was stable at least in five cycles of this reaction. The main product was hydrocinnamaldehyde which could be obtained with a yield above 70%. A mechanism of the reaction is proposed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A new thiol-functionalized epoxy resin as a support for palladium(II) complexes has been synthesized in good yields. A palladium catalyst was ‘heterogenized’ by anchoring [PdCl2(PhCN)2] complexes to these thiol-functionalized polymers via ligand exchange reaction. These new palladium catalysts were tested in Mizoroki–Heck coupling and hydrogenation reactions. The activity of the complexes in terms of yield is comparable to that of homogeneous PdCl2(PhCN)2. The stability and a good recycling efficiency of these catalysts make them useful for prolonged use. The constant and good selectivity of the supported catalysts during recycling experiments indicate that they could be useful for practical application in many organic reactions. To characterize the heterogeneous complexes before and after use, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry were applied. Density functional theory calculations were also used to better understand the structures of the obtained palladium complexes. Polythiourethanes contain three atoms, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, capable of coordinating to transition metals. We examined the possibility of intra- and intermolecular binding for both cis and trans palladium complexes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Adsorption of human γ-globulin on hydrophilic polysiloxane microspheres was investigated. The microspheres contained a large number of silanol groups, and their modified derivatives were enriched with a limited number of hydrophobic groups. Hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties of these particles were compared using Rose Bengal as a hydrophobic probe. Polysiloxane microspheres were modified by addition of hydrophobic isopropoxy side groups to polyhydromethylsiloxane, the precursor polymer of the hydrophilic microspheres. Hydrophilic particles were modified also by trimethylsilylation. These modifications allowed to control the hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties of the microspheres and modification of their ability for protein adsorption. In water suspension, the unmodified microspheres containing silanol groups showed no affinity to hydrophobic Rose Bengal dye. The unspecific adsorption of γ-globulin on these microspheres was at a much lower level than that on particles silylated with some amount of trimethylchlorosilane and trimethylethoxysilane. The presence of bulky hydrophobic isopropoxy groups attached to polyhydromethylsiloxane decreased the formation of silanol groups during the fabrication of particles. A moderate enhancement of protein affinity to these particles may be achieved in this way. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The crystallization behavior of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) filled with different amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been experimentally determined in the entire temperature range between glass transition and melting temperature. Differential fast scanning chip calorimetry, realizing cooling and heating rates of several 1 000 K · s−1, have been applied under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The MWCNTs act as heterogeneous nuclei for both polymers. Increasing filler content speeds up crystallization at low supercooling, where heterogeneous nucleation dominates, for more than one order of magnitude. At high supercooling (crystallization temperature below 120 °C for PET and 70 °C for PBT) crystallization kinetics is independent on MWCNT concentration. Here crystallization via homogeneous nucleation is always determining the overall crystallization kinetics and addition of nucleating agents is not effective anymore. Depending on the processing conditions these observations may be important for structure formation in PET and PBT composites.

Summary In a multicentre randomised trial (German Research Association, grants DFG WA 831/2-1 to 2-6, WO 677/2-1.1 to 2-2.1.; controlled-trials.com ISRCTN97265367), patients with complete molar loss in one jaw received either a partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP) with precision attachments or treatment according to the SDA concept aiming at pre-molar occlusion. The objective of this current analysis was to evaluate the influence of different treatments on periodontal health. Linear mixed regression models were fitted to quantify the differences between the treatment groups. The assessment at 5 years encompassed 59 patients (PRDP group) and 46 patients (SDA group). For the distal measuring sites of the posterior-most teeth of the study jaw, significant differences were found for the plaque index according to Silness and Loe, vertical clinical attachment loss (CAL-V), probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing. These differences were small and showed a slightly more unfavourable course in the PRDP group. With CAL-V and PPD, significant differences were also found for the study jaw as a whole. For CAL-V, the estimated group differences over 5 years amounted to 0·27 mm (95% CI 0·05; 0·48; P = 0·016) for the study jaw and 0·25 mm (95% CI 0·05; 0·45; P = 0·014) for the distal sites of the posterior-most teeth. The respective values for PPD were 0·22 mm (95% CI 0·03; 0·41; P = 0·023) and 0·32 mm (95% CI 0·13; 0·5; P = 0·001). It can be concluded that even in a well-maintained patient group statistically significant although minor detrimental effects of PRDPs on periodontal health are measurable.

Lithium-ion battery is a mature technology that is used in various electronic devices. Nowadays, this technology is a good candidate as energy storage for electric vehicles. Therefore, much research is focused on the development of high-density power lithium-ion batteries. Government regulations force manufacturers to recycle the batteries for safety and health reasons but recycling could also be interesting from an economic viewpoint since cathodes in lithium-ion batteries contain valuable metals. The electrodes in lithium-ion batteries will evolve to provide more energy and the recycling processes will have to fit with this evolution. Leaching, bioleaching and solvent extraction are at the centre of these processes. In this paper, recent leaching and solvent extraction strategies for recovering valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries are reviewed and the evolution of these processes is discussed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica (PMMA/SiOx) nanocomposites were synthesized via sol–gel method and studied by various techniques. The dispersion of the silica particles (10–100 nm) in the matrix was probed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while solid-state NMR and Raman spectroscopy detected the formation of an inorganic network with high degree of crosslinking. To elucidate the impact of the filler on the molecular dynamics of the PMMA, different methods were used; namely differential scanning calorimetry, thermally stimulated depolarization current and broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. All three methods observed a significant impact of the nanoparticles on the segmental dynamics of the matrix, which was expressed as an increase of the glass transition temperature (Tg) in terms of calorimetry and as a shift of the α (segmental) relaxation to lower frequencies in terms of dielectric spectroscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Flame retarded poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) is required for electronic applications and is mostly achieved by low molar mass additives so far. Three phosphorus-containing polyesters are suggested as halogen-free and polymeric flame retardants for PBT. Flame retardancy was achieved according to cone calorimeter experiments showing that the peak heat release rate and total heat evolved were reduced because of flame inhibition and condensed-phase activity. The presented polymers containing derivatives of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide form immiscible blend systems with PBT. Shear-rheology shows an increase in storage moduli at low frequencies. This is proposed as quantitative measure for the degree of phase interaction. The phase structure of the blends depends on the chemical structure of the phosphorus polyester and was quite different, depending also on the viscosity ratio between matrix and second phase. A lower viscosity ratio leads to two types of phases with spherical and additionally continuous droplets. Addition of the flame retardants showed no influence on the dielectric properties but on the mechanical behavior. The polymeric flame retardants significantly diminish the impact strength because of several reasons: (1) high brittleness of the phosphorus polyesters themselves, (2) thermodynamic immiscibility, and (3) weak phase adhesion. By adding a copolymer consisting of the two base polymers to the blend, an improvement of impact strength was obtained. The copolymer particularly acts as compatibilizer between the phases and therefore leads to a smaller phase size and to a stronger phase adhesion due to the formation of fibrils. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Pyrolysis, fire behaviour and mechanical properties of a blend of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with a phosphorus polyester (PET-P-DOPO) are investigated and compared with PBT/aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi-Et) composites. The PBT/PET-P-DOPO is immiscible and exhibits gas-phase and condensed-phase activity, whereas AlPi-Et in PBT results mainly in flame inhibition. Only higher loadings of AlPi-Et yield significant condensed-phase activity. Using the same phosphorus content, PBT/PET-P-DOPO and PBT/AlPi-Et exhibit similar reductions in fire load (22%) and flame spread (17% assessed by fire growth rate, FIGRA), compared with PBT. In contrast to AlPi-Et, the addition of PET-P-DOPO does not decrease the tensile strength of PBT. Thus, PET-P-DOPO is an interesting alternative to low-molecular-weight flame retardants.

The hydrosilylation of cyclohexanone and acetone with triethysilane and diphenysilane catalyzed by polymer-supported Rh(I) complex has been investigated. Two terpolymers of styrene, divinylbenzene, and 1-vinylimidazole (S/DVB/VI) or N-vinylpyrrolidinone (S/DVB/NVP) were used as the catalysts supports. Physical characterization of these materials has involved the measurements of the structural parameters in the dry and swollen states by DSC, the nitrogen BET adsorption method and inverse steric exclusion chromatography ISEC. From these results it can be concluded that the original polymer structure has been changed during the complex attachment giving rise to materials of higher porosity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS, IR, and AAS spectroscopy were used to characterization of heterogeneous complexes before and after use. The effect of the morphology of the support on the catalytic properties of the polymer-supported Rh(I) species was tested in the hydrosilylation of ketones and correlated with the reaction mechanism. It was demonstrated that the high selectivity of homogeneous rhodium complex toward the silyl ethers can be partially reversed to the dehydrogenative silylation products by a proper choice of polymer support with favorable microporous structure. Recycling tests demonstrated high stability of the supported catalysts during prolonged use. The constant selectivity of the supported catalysts demonstrated during recycling experiments showed that they could be useful for practical application. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Different approaches were applied to obtain new diol compounds based on dibenzo[c.e][1,2]oxaphosphorine 2-oxide (DOPO, 1) and diethanolamine (DEolA). Of four processes investigated, a four-step synthesis of 1 containing propionic acid amide of DEolA proved to be the most efficient one. In addition, the intramolecular amine salt of the DOPO derivative with a ring-opened structure was obtained by reinvestigation of the reaction of DOPO with DEolA and paraformaldehyde. The Atherton–Todd reaction of 1 and DEolA was investigated as well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:146–153, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20763

BACKGROUND: In this study the interspecies differences in two-dimensional electrophoresis patterns of skeletal muscle myosin light chain (MLC) isoforms between Bos taurus (cattle), Sus scrofa (pig), Gallus gallus (chicken), Meleagris gallopavo (turkey), Anas platyrhynchos (duck) and Anser anser (goose) were characterised on the basis of specific properties of MLCs associated with their structure and mobility in gel. RESULTS: Two-dimensional electrophoresis separations revealed species-specific differences in the molecular weight and pI of individual MLC isoforms (MLC1f, MLC2f and MLC3f). In the case of closely related animal species such as goose and duck or turkey and chicken, significant differences occurred in MLC1f. For MLC2f, differences between cattle and turkey and between pig and chicken were around 1 and 0.3 kDa respectively. It appeared from the comparison of amino acid sequences that even MLCs with only 2% difference in sequences have different electrophoretic mobilities. CONCLUSION: Interspecies differences in skeletal MLC isoforms appeared between cattle, pig, chicken, turkey, duck and goose. The slight changes observed in the course of the aging process confirmed that these proteins are relatively little susceptible to proteolytic enzymes during meat aging. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2010.00409.x Dental care and treatment needs of elderly in nursing homes in Saarland: perceptions of the homes managers Objective: To investigate nursing home managers’ perceptions and attitudes towards oral health care and access to dental services for aged care facility residents. Method: Questionnaires containing 28 closed-ended questions were mailed to all 114 nursing homes in Saarland, Germany. Descriptive statistics were calculated for response items. Results: Facility response rate was 39%. None of the nursing homes in this study offered systematic dental health care. Initial dental screening was carried out only in one facility. In 81%, dental examinations only took place if required. Although stationary dental equipment was available only in one home, dental treatment was carried out in 71% of the cases by a dentist in the nursing home. Eighty-four per cent of the homes’ managements rated the state of the dentition of the inhabitants as satisfying. Over half of the managers indicated satisfaction with the know-how of their nursing staff concerning oral hygiene procedures. The most significant barriers to provision of dental care in the facilities according to their managers were staff shortage, lack of interest of the inhabitants and financial concerns. Conclusions: The results of this study showed an urgent need for estimating a programme for systematic dental care for institutionalised elder people in the federal state of Saarland.

A series of diblock copolymers of n-pentyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (PPMA/PMMA BCP) with one or two terminal functional groups was prepared by sequential anionic polymerization of PMA and MMA using an allyl-functionalized initiator and/or and end-capping with allyl bromide. Allyl functional groups were successfully converted into OH groups by hydroboration. The morphology in bulk was examined by temperature-dependent small-angle X-ray measurements (T-SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showing that functional groups induced a weak change in d-spacings L0 as well as in the thermal expansion behavior. T-SAXS proved that the lamellar morphologies were stable over multiple heating/cooling cycles without order-disorder transition (ODT) until 300 °C. While non-functionalized BCP formed parallel lamellae morphologies, additional OH-termination at the PMMA block forced in very thin films (ratio between film thickness and lamellar d-spacing below 1) the generation of perpendicular lamellae morphology through the whole film thickness, as shown by Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering experiments (GISAXS) measurements. Functionalized BCP were successfully used in thin films as templates for silica nanoparticles in an in-situ sol–gel process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011

The possibility of distinguishing three kinds of meat species (chicken, porcine and bovine) alone or in two-component meat mixtures was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction. The contribution of each component in the meat mixtures ranged from 1 to 100%. The identification of meat was performed on the basis of the sequence coding the PEVK region of titin and by employing polymerase chain reaction. DNA was isolated from raw, fresh and chilled meat. The data presented in this study suggest that it is possible to detect chicken meat, pork and beef in meat mixtures on the basis of PEVK region by using PCR. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a precise and quick technique that has many practical applications. Using PCR with primer sets designed on the basis of the PEVK region present in titin can be a convenient tool for species identification, especially for chicken meat mixed with pork and beef meat in two-component meat mixtures. Reliable and sensitive methods for species differentiation can give consumers confidence about authentic meat product composition.