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Food additives are required to maintain the freshness and quality of foods, particularly meats. However, chemical additives may not be preferred by consumers, and natural materials with antimicrobial and antioxidant effects may be used as replacements for common chemical additives. Accordingly, in this study, we compared the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of natural compounds extracted with ethanol and hot water, and emulsion sausage prepared with natural ethanol extracts was analyzed for pH, color, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and Clostridium perfringens growth during storage. The antimicrobial activities of 49 natural extract candidates against Listeria monocytogenes, C. perfringens, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli were analyzed, and six natural materials with excellent antibacterial activities, i.e., Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. f. nakaiana (Araki) H. Ohba, Punica granatum L., Ecklonia cava, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner, and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and Rubus coreanus Miq. were evaluated to determine their total polyphenol contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The total polyphenol contents of ethanol extracts were higher than those of hot water extracts, whereas DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be higher in hot water extracts. The TBARS values of emulsion sausages were significantly increased as storage time increased, and the TBARS values of emulsion sausages prepared with natural extracts were lower than those of control sausages. Natural extract-treated emulsion sausages showed a 99% reduction in bacterial contents compared with untreated sausages on day 2, with greater than 99.9% reduction after day 3. Thus, these results demonstrated that natural extracts could have applications as natural preservatives in meat products.

Herein, the in vitro protein digestibility of lyophilized Protaetia brevitarsis larvae flour with and without defatting using 70% ethanol was compared with beef loin. Proximate analysis showed that the defatted larvae contained the highest protein content (p < 0.05). The viable counts of total aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and coliform bacteria decreased significantly after defatting the larval samples with 70% ethanol (p < 0.05). Measurement of α-amino group content and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed higher amounts of low molecular weight proteins in the larvae compared to beef loin (p < 0.05). After in vitro digestion, the degree of protein hydrolysis of the digesta was higher for both larvae samples compared to beef loin (p < 0.05). No change was observed in the in vitro larval protein digestibility after defatting. These results highlight the excellent protein digestibility of P. brevitarsis larvae with high protein content. Defatting insect flour with 70% ethanol could enhance microbial safety while maintaining excellent protein digestibility.

This study explored the impact of reduced-fat meat emulsion with pre-emulsified duck skin and hydrocolloids on physicochemical properties such as cooking loss, emulsion stability, apparent viscosity, protein solubility, and texture profile analysis. Six different reduced-fat meat emulsions were produced: control (pork back fat), T1 (duck skin, DS), T2 (pre-emulsified with duck skin, PDS), T3 (PDS + 2% carrageenan), T4 (PDS + 2% alginate), T5 (PDS + 2% pectin), and T6 (PDS + 2% guar gum). Moisture content, protein content, yellowness, and apparent viscosity of reduced-fat emulsion with PDS and hydrocolloids were all higher (P

The present study investigated the effects of duck skin gelatin and carrageenan on the quality of semi-dried restructured jerky. Restructured jerky was prepared as follows: G0 (control, without duck skin gelatin and carrageenan), G0C (0.3% carrageenan), G0.5 (0.5% duck skin gelatin), G0.5C (0.5% duck skin gelatin and 0.3% carrageenan), G1 (1.0% duck skin gelatin), and G1C (1.0% duck skin gelatin and 0.3% carrageenan). The moisture content was the highest for the semi-dried restructured jerky from G0.5C and G1C groups, which showed the lowest for shear force value (p < 0.05). The processing yield of semi-dried restructured jerky with carrageenan was higher compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). The rehydration capacities of G0.5, G0.5C, and G1C groups were significantly higher than the rehydration capacity of the control group (p < 0.05). Water activity, lightness, yellowness, flavor score, texture score, and overall acceptability were the highest (p < 0.05) for the semi-dried restructured jerky from the G1C group. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in appearance score among restructured jerky prepared from duck skin gelatin and carrageenan. Thus, the addition of 1.0% duck skin gelatin and 0.3% carrageenan to semi-dried restructured jerky formulations results in the optimization of quality characteristics.

Ultimate device performances of blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes, an external quantum efficiency of 27.6%, a device lifetime over 10 000 h at 100 cd m−2, and pure blue color coordinates of (0.12, 0.13), were simultaneously achieved using a device architecture employing an electroplex host. A high triplet energy electron transport type host derived from a triazine core, a carbazole substituent, and a triphenylsilyl blocking unit was newly synthesized for the purpose of developing the high emission energy electroplex host. The electroplex host functioned as a carrier balancing host for high external quantum efficiency and a lifetime extending host of pure blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes. This work demonstrates ultimate device performances, high external quantum efficiency and long lifetime, in pure blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes. In particular, the lifetime limit of pure blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes was overcome by demonstrating an over 10 000 h lifetime.

An increasing concern about the usage of chemical additives in meat products has resulted in the use of natural ingredients instead of chemical additives in meat products. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of incubation period on the physicochemical characteristics of meat products cured with spinach and starter culture containing Staphylococcus carnosus. The pH, color, TBARS lipid oxidation, volatile basic nitrogen, residual nitrite content, and microbial number in cured pork loin were determined by incubating it with spinach and starter culture for the following durations: 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48 h. The pH and TBARS values of cured pork loin incubated with spinach and starter culture decreased in a time-dependent manner. An increase in the incubation time from 3 to 48 h resulted in a significant increase in the redness and volatile basic nitrogen content. The residual nitrite content was observed to be maximum in samples from the I48 group followed by the control (+), preconverted nitrite group, and I24 groups. Thus, we found that incubation with spinach and starter culture for 24 h yields a good-quality cooked sliced cured pork loin.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fermented spinach derived nitrite and sodium nitrite on cured pork loin. Methods The following treatments were prepared using brine (8% [w/v] salt): Control (−), no nitrite added; Control (+), 0.08% (w/v) sodium nitrite brine; T1, 0.04% (w/v) nitrite fermented spinach juice in 0.04% (w/v) sodium nitrite brine; T2, spinach juice in 0.04% (w/v) sodium nitrite brine; T3, 0.04% (w/v) nitrite fermented spinach juice used as sodium nitrite free brine; and T4, spinach juice used as sodium nitrite free brine. T2 and T4 were incubated to allow to reduce nitrate to nitrite. Results Spinach juice did not affect cooking loss and pH but negatively influenced flavor and overall acceptability (p0.05). Residual nitrite content decreased with decreasing synthetic nitrite levels. T1 and control samples showed no significant differences in overall acceptability (p>0.05). Conclusion Thus, combined synthetic and natural nitrites improved the quality of cured pork loin.

Although polycarbonate (PC) materials are well known to have poor adhesion to other surfaces, few studies have been conducted on the improvement of their adhesive properties via surface chemical functionalization. Herein, we report the enhancement in the adhesion properties of PC by adapting two silane coupling agents, namely (3-glycidoxypropyl) methyldiethoxysilane (GPTMS) and (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMS), on the surface. We tested the adhesion with an epoxy-based adhesive consisting of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and trientine (trien). The chemical interaction between the amine groups of the hardener (trien) and the epoxy rings of an epoxy-functionalized PC (PC-GPTMS) sample surface was observed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We found that the amine-functionalized PC (PC-APTMS) can also form crosslinked polymeric structures with the BADGE after curing. Compared to the bare PC, an increase in the shear strength of up to 168% and 163% was observed from the PC-GPTMS and PC-APTMS, respectively. In contrast, the ultraviolet-ozone (UVO) and O2 plasma-treated samples showed a negligible increase in adhesion strength. These results strongly suggest that the chemical functionalization of PC substrates with coupling agents significantly enhances the adhesion properties of PCs.

The amino acid composition, protein quality, and protein functionality of protein solution extracted from three edible insect species were investigated. We used 0.02% ascorbic acid and 0.58 M saline solution to extract water-soluble and salt-soluble proteins from the three insect species. Extracted protein solutions of Tenebrio molitor (TM), Allomyrina dichotoma (AD), and Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (PB) were divided into six groups, according to species and solubility: WTM, WAD, WPB (water-soluble), and STM, SAD, and SPB (salt-soluble). Defatted TM had the highest protein content, but its protein solubility was the lowest, for both water and saline solutions. Amino acid composition differed by edible insect species and buffer type; SPB had the highest protein quality, followed by WPB. PB had a higher pH than the other species. Color values also differed among species. SPB had abundant high molecular weight proteins, compared with other treatments; and also had the highest foaming capacity, foam stability, and emulsifying capacity. In conclusion, PB is a good source of functional protein compared with the other studied species. Additionally, protein extraction using saline solution is promising as a useful method for improving edible insect protein functionality.

A series of M-quinolate complexes were theoretically investigated to understand the effect of metal ions on electronic and charge transport properties by employing density functional theory simulation. It was found that both electronic and carrier transport properties in M-quinolate materials significantly depend on singly oxidized metal ions. In particular, Csq apparently showed an excellent advantage over other M-quinolate materials (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag, and Au) in terms of electron mobility and injection. In addition, the dimerization and vertical detachment energies of all M-quinolate materials were compared to understand self-aggregation effect on carrier transport. As a result, it is expected that Csq is not only likely to be present in dimer form, but also reduce the density of electron traps in electron transporting materials.

In this study, the effect of sodium chloride (salt) concentration and phosphate on the quality properties of samgyetang was investigated. Increasing the salt concentration by 0.5% increased the moisture and ash content, salinity, water holding capacity (WHC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), whereas the protein content, pH, cooking losses, and shear forces were decreased. Addition of phosphate to the brine increased the pH and WHC, but decreased the TBARS, cooking losses, and shear forces. In a sensory evaluation, the scores for flavor and overall acceptability were the highest when the salt concentration of the brine was 2.0%. Overall, this study shows that the salt concentration and addition of phosphate to the brine of samgyetang substantially influences the overall quality of the chicken breast. Based on quality measurements and sensory scores, a 2.0% salt concentration with the addition of phosphate appear to be the most suitable conditions for the manufacturing of marinated samgyetang.

Kimchi is a Korean, traditional fermented food made from Korean cabbage, radish, fermented jeotgal, ginger, garlic, and red pepper powder. It is a good source of natural antioxidants such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, vitamins, and carotenoids. In this study, the antioxidant effects of various kimchi extracts on raw ground pork during refrigerated storage were investigated. Raw ground pork samples were treated with ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyl toluene, baechu kimchi extract (BKE), gat kimchi extract (GKE), puchu kimchi extract (PKE), and white kimchi extract (WKE) and compared with raw ground pork without antioxidant treatment (NC). RESULTS Increased metmyoglobin (MetMb), thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS), and total bacterial counts (TBC) were observed in all meat samples after storage, whereas pH, lightness, and redness values tended to decrease with increased storage time. All treated samples had lower TBARS and MetMb values and TBC compared to the control samples. Various kimchi ethanol extracts protected raw ground pork from lipid oxidation. The most potent antioxidant was GKE, whereas WKE was the weakest. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the tested extracts, especially kimchi, have potential as natural preservatives to reduce colour degradation, lipid oxidation, and bacterial count in raw ground pork meat. ? 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

Charge transport and electronic transition properties of a series of newly designed anthracene-based non-doped blue emitters were investigated by density functional theory calculations. For a highly efficient non-doped device, Cz3PhAn-based emitters were designed to suppress the hole and electron reorganization energies required for structural relaxation with respect to the changes of charged states. As a result, the hole hopping rates of triphenylamine (TPA) and phenylbenzimidazole (PBI) substituted Cz3PhAn derivatives (1, 4, and 5–7) were tremendously enhanced as compared to that of Cz3PhAn due to the suppression of the reorganization energy of holes, λh. Moreover, 1 and 4 emitters showed almost identical hopping rates of holes and electrons, which can possibly lead to a perfect charge balance and high efficiency. The photo-physical properties showed that the emission energy of all 1–10 emitters is in 439–473 nm range. It is expected that our rational design strategy can help develop non-doped blue fluorescent emitters for high efficiency.

We investigated the quality of duck ham restructured with various hydrocolloids (Alginic acid, Konjac, Carrageenan) on proximate composition, cooking loss, emulsion stability, pH, color, texture profile analysis (TPA), protein solubility, sensory characteristics, and apparent viscosity. Restructured duck ham was prepared as follows: control with no hydrocolloids, T1 (Alginate 1%), T2 (Alginate 0.5% + Konjac 0.5%), T3 (Alginate 0.7% + Konjac 0.3%), T4 (Alginate 0.5% + Carrageenan 0.5%), and T5 (Alginate 0.7% + Carrageenan 0.3%). The restructured duck hams with hydrocolloids had higher value for moisture content, ash content, and apparent viscosity than the control (P < 0.05). The cooking loss, total expressible fluid and fat separation, redness, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness of restructured duck hams with hydrocolloids was lower than those of the control (P < 0.05). The sensory score for overall acceptability of restructured duck ham with T1 (1% alginate) and T2 (0.5% alginate + 0.5% konjac) was higher than that of the control (P < 0.05). Thus, this study showed that adding 1% alginate or 0.5% alginate + 0.5% konjac in restructured duck ham formulations results in optimized quality characteristics.

Clean labeling is emerging as an important issue in the food industry, particularly for meat products that contain many food additives. Among synthetic additives, nitrite is the most important additive in the meat processing industry and is related to the development of cured color and flavor, inhibition of oxidation, and control of microbial growth in processed meat products. As an alternative to synthetic nitrite, pre-converted nitrite from natural microorganisms has been investigated, and the applications of pre-converted nitrite have been reported. Natural nitrate sources mainly include fruits and vegetables with high nitrate content. Celery juice or powder form have been used widely in various studies. Many types of commercial starter cultures have been developed. S. carnosus is used as a critical nitrate reducing microorganism and lactic acid bacteria or other Staphylococcus species also were used. Pre-converted nitrite has also been compared with synthetic nitrite and studies have been aimed at improving utilization by exploiting the strengths (positive consumer attitude and decreased residual nitrite content) and limiting the weaknesses (remained carcinogenic risk) of pre-converted nitrite. Moreover, as concerns regarding the use of synthetic nitrites increased, research was conducted to meet consumer demands for the use of natural nitrite from raw materials. In this report, we review and discuss various studies in which synthetic nitrite was replaced with natural materials and evaluate pre-converted nitrite technology as a natural curing approach from a clean label perspective in the manufacturing of processed meat products.

In this study, we examined the effects of various hydrocolloid (alginate, carrageenan, and konjac) treatments on the quality characteristics of cold-cut duck meat jelly. Seven different types of cold-cut duck meat jelly were prepared: control, without hydrocolloids; T1, 0.5% alginate; T2, 0.5% carrageenan; T3, 0.5% konjac; T4, 0.25% alginate + 0.25% carrageenan; T5, 0.25% carrageen + 0.25% konjac; and T6, 0.25% alginate + 0.25% konjac. The pH and moisture content of the cold-cut duck meat jelly with hydrocolloids was higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control. The highest lightness value was recorded for T4 and T6 (p < 0.05), and the hardness was lower (p < 0.05) in the meat jelly with hydrocolloids than in the control, except for T2 and T5. The springiness of the meat jelly was the highest (p < 0.05) in T1 and T4. The onset, peak, and end temperatures were the lowest (p < 0.05) in the control. The highest appearance score of the meat jelly was observed in T6, and its overall acceptability was higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control, indicating that, of all the treatments, 0.25% alginate + 0.25% konjac yielded the most desirable results. Thus, the combined use of duck skin and gelatin with alginate and konjac is potentially applicable for the development of new cold-cut duck meat products.

This study investigated the effect of aqueous fat separation and defatting using organic solvents (99% methanol, ethanol, and n-hexane) on the characteristics and functionality of proteins extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis. The defatting efficiency, amino acid composition, protein solubility, and technical properties were the highest when proteins were defatted using n-hexane. Proteins defatted using ethanol were similar in foam capacity and emulsifying capacity. Surface hydrophobicity decreased when using organic solvents, and excessive fat content disrupted the functional properties of the extracted proteins. Proteins extracted using the different solvents displayed different pH values. The pH of the aqueous extract was the lowest. CIE L* a* b* color values also differed using the different extraction methods. Although n-hexane might be the most efficient solvent for defatting the proteins extracted from edible insects, ethanol could also be used to obtain similar foam and emulsifying capacities.

Black ginseng exhibits numerous pharmacological activities due to higher and more diverse ginsenosides than unprocessed white ginseng. The ginsenoside derivatives have been investigated in order to determine their chemical structures and pharmacological activities. We found a peak which was increased 10-fold but unidentified in the methanol extracts of a black ginseng product. The unknown peak was tracked and identified as linoleic acid rather than a ginsenoside derivative using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR analysis confirmed no presence of conjugated linoleic acids. Ginsenoside profiles and linoleic acid contents in black ginseng products were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Linoleic acid content was more directly proportional to the number of applied thermal cycles in the manufacturing process than any ginsenosides.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality characteristics of Tteokgalbi with 1% (w/w) black rice bran only (T1), or with black rice bran and one of the following four types of organic acid: ascorbic acid (T2), citric acid (T3), tartaric acid (T4), or maleic acid (T5) as a substitute for caramel colorant. Tteokgalbi with only black rice bran showed the highest (p0.05). All the treated samples with any one of the four organic acids showed lower pH than controls (p0.05). The results reported in this study show that Tteokgalbi with black rice bran and any one of the four organic acids listed above not only improved quality characteristics in cooking loss, WHC, lipid oxidation but also could successfully replace the synthetic caramel colorant. Overall, the most satisfactory results were obtained by adding black rice bran and ascorbic acid.

The effect of fermented red beet (FRB) on shelf-life of low-salt frankfurters stored for 4 weeks was investigated. The pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), lightness, and yellowness of frankfurters decreased with increasing levels of FRB, whereas the redness of frankfurters increased with increasing levels of FRB. The VBN, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values, total viable count, and redness of all treatments decreased with increasing period of refrigeration storage. The appearance, color, and juiciness scores of the control and treatments decreased with increasing period of refrigeration storage. However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference among the treatments except for the color of T3 (3.0% FRB) and juiciness of T4 (5.0% FRB). The flavor, tenderness, and overall acceptability scores of all the treatments decreased with increasing storage periods. These results demonstrated that FRB can be added to low-salt frankfurters to maintain their qualities and extend the shelf-life of refrigerated storage.

In this study, the effects of pre-converted nitrite from Swiss chard powder (PS) on the color stability and shelf-life of cooked pork patties during refrigerated storage for 28 d were investigated. Nitrite was added at a concentration of approximately 120 ppm. Five treatments were formulated as follows: Control (120 ppm nitrite), T1 (2% PS), T2 (2% pre-converted nitrite from celery powder; PC), T3 (1% PS + 60 ppm nitrite), and NC (nitrite-free). The T1 and T3 samples had higher nitrosoheme pigment contents, which were associated with the redness of the samples (p

The effect of fermented spinach extracts on color development in cured meats was investigated in this study. The pH values of raw cured meats without addition of fermented spinach extract or nitrite (negative control) were higher (p

Objective This study was conducted to evaluate quality characteristics of cured pork loin with natural nitrite source from Swiss chard. Methods Pork loin was cured in brine and the ratio of water and fermented Swiss chard (FSC) solution in the brine was changed by 4:0 (control), 3:1 (T1), 1:1 (T2), 1:3 (T3), 0:4 (T4), and pickled samples with 0.012% sodium nitrite (PC, positive control) and nitrite free brine (NC, negative control) were considered as the control. Results The pH values of cured pork loins with FSC were decreased with increasing addition level of FSC. Cooking loss was not significantly different among all treatments. T4 had the lowest value in moisture content and lightness value and the highest value in curing efficiency. The redness value of T4 was not significantly different from that of PC in raw. After cooking, however, it was higher than that of PC. The yellowness value of cured pork loin added with FSC was increased with increasing level of FSC. Volatile basic nitrogen content of cured pork loin added with FSC was higher than PC and NC. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance value of cured pork loin added with FSC was decreased with increasing FSC level. Residual nitrite level and shear force were increased with increasing FSC level. In the sensory evaluation, sensory score for flavor, off-flavor, chewiness, juiciness, and overall acceptability were not significantly different among all treatments. However, sensory score for color was increased when the concentration of FSC added to pork loin was increased. Conclusion The FSC solution had a positive effect on redness and lipid oxidation. As shown by the results in protein deterioration and sensory, Swiss chard can replace sodium nitrite as natural curing agent.

Moisture content and water activity play important roles in extending the shelf life of dried meat products, such as jerky. However, the commonly used hot air drying process is time-consuming, costly, and adversely affects the quality of dried meat products, warranting the development of an advanced and economical drying method. This study investigated the effect of super-heated steam (SHS) drying on the quality characteristics of semi-dried restructured jerky as a measure to prevent the excessive quality deterioration of meat products during drying. The control sample was dried using hot air, and the treatment samples were dried using SHS at different temperatures (200, 250, and 300 °C) and for different durations (90, 105, and 120 min). With increasing SHS temperature and duration, the moisture content, water activity, and residual nitrite content of the jerky were reduced. The shear force values for treatments at 200 and 250 °C were lower than those for the control. With a non-significant difference in lipid oxidation compared with the control, the overall acceptability score was the highest for the treatment at 250 °C for 120 min. In conclusion, SHS (250 °C for 120 min) drying has a potential industrial value to replace the hot air drying method.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of psychiatric illness characterized by common core symptoms including sociability deficits and stereotyped behaviors. ASD is caused by various genetic and non-genetic factors. The genetic effects of autism-related genes are usually global and are presented with multiple symptoms, which hamper understanding of the mechanism through which the diverse causes of ASD produce common symptoms. In the present study, we demonstrate that genetic or molecular disruption of an array of molecular networks centered on adenylyl cyclase type-5 (AC5 or ADCY5) in the dorsal striatum produces autistic-like behaviors. AC5 knockout (KO) mice exhibit increased repetitive behaviors and sociability deficits, the two core domains of ASD, and that siRNA-mediated suppression of AC5 within the dorsal striatum is sufficient to replicate these behavioral phenotypes. Notably, the autistic-like behaviors of AC5 KO mice are rescued by blocking mGluR5 glutamate receptors within the dorsal striatum. Furthermore, pharmacological or siRNA-mediated inhibition of mGluR3, GluA and GluN glutamate receptors in the dorsal striatum in wildtype mice also induces autistic-like behaviors. Optogenetic inhibition of the prelimbic cortical neurons projecting to the dorsal striatum in AC5 KO mice rescues the deficits in social and object novelty preferences. Our results suggest that AC5 mutation produces autistic-like symptoms through the upregulation of mGluR5 functions in the dorsal striatum and that the dorsal striatum regulated by AC5 is a neural correlate responsible for core ASD symptoms.

Chronic stress induces anxiety disorders, whereas physical exercise is believed to help people with clinical anxiety. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying stress-induced anxiety and its counteraction by exercise using an established animal model of anxiety. Mice treated with restraint for 2 h daily for 14 days exhibited anxiety-like behaviors, including social and nonsocial behavioral symptoms, and these behavioral impairments lasted for more than 12 weeks after the stress treatment was removed. Despite these lasting behavioral changes, wheel-running exercise treatment for 1 h daily from post-stress days 1 - 21 counteracted anxiety-like behaviors, and these anxiolytic effects of exercise persisted for more than 2 months, suggesting that anxiolytic effects of exercise stably induced. Repeated restraint treatment up-regulated the expression of the neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), in the lateral hypothalamus, hippocampus, and basolateral amygdala, the brain regions important for emotional behaviors. In an in vitro study, treatment of HT22 hippocampal cells with glucocorticoid increased MCH expression, suggesting that MCH upregulation can be initially triggered by the stress hormone, corticosterone. In contrast, post-stress treatment with wheel-running exercise reduced the stress-induced increase in MCH expression to control levels in the lateral hypothalamus, hippocampus and basolateral amygdala. Administration of an MCH receptor antagonist (SNAP94847) to stress-treated mice was therapeutic against stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors. These results suggest that repeated stress produces long-lasting anxiety-like behaviors and upregulates MCH in the brain, while exercise counteracts stress-induced MCH expression and persisting anxiety-like behaviors.

Transition metal layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have received much attention as high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts due to their large number of active sites with favorable adsorption/desorption energies for intermittent reactants. However, the relatively sluggish charge transfer kinetics of transition metal LDHs due to their intrinsically low conductivity often hinders their use in practical applications as high-performance water oxidation catalysts. Here, we disclose a novel strategy of metalloid incorporation into transition metal LDHs, allowing us to simultaneously optimize surface electronic configuration and charge transfer between adsorbed reactants and catalyst surface. Importantly, incorporated metalloid can enhance the density of states (DOS) near the Fermi level and alter the nature of the chemical bonds in the catalytically active atoms, resulting in fast reaction kinetics. Thus, metalloid incorporation into transition metal LDHs can substantially improve the overall reaction kinetics and thermodynamics for water oxidation due to a large number of active sites and high conductivity, boosting OER performance of transition metal LDHs. The metalloid-incorporated transition metal LDHs far outperform their counterpart transition metal LDHs and even the noble metal catalyst RuO2.

The insight into understanding the effect of acceptor moieties with phenoxazine (PXD) donor and bridging phenyl (Ph) spacer on structural and electronic properties of excited state was theoretically investigated through density functional theory simulations. Di-phenyltriazine (DPhTRZ), di-phenyl pyrimidine (DPhPyM), and di-pyridyl pyrimidine (DPyPyM) were chosen as acceptor moieties for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. It was found that planar structure between phenyl spacer and DPhTRZ/DPyPyM was dominantly determined by intramolecular H-bonds at inner side of acceptor moiety. Depending on the acceptor moieties, the adiabatic excitation energy in singlet and triplet state is shifted to higher energies in order: DPyPyM (blue) > DPhPyM (greenish-blue) > DPhTRZ (green). In the perspective of spin conversion, the exact spin flip barrier, defined as total energy barrier for triplet-to-singlet transition, is in order of DPhTRZ

This study was conducted to improve the quality characteristics of cured meat with natural nitrite. Control and treatment were conducted as follows: nitrite free, marinated with sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid, marinated with only fermented spinach (FS), and marinated with FS adding ascorbic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid. Treatments were pickled with regulated brine (8% salt and 0.08% nitrite). Cured meat with FS adding ascorbic acid, malic acid, and citric acid had higher redness values than sodium nitrite with ascorbic acid on cooked meat. There was a positive effect on lipid oxidation except for citric acid. Protein degradation appeared more in malic acid and tartaric acid treatment than others. Residual nitrite level was lower when adding organic acids. Among various organic acid, ascorbic acid had the highest efficient on quality properties of cured meat. Thus, ascorbic acid was a proper ingredient when curing meat product.

We evaluated the effects of pre-cooking methods on the quality of reheated marinated pork loin. Frozen marinated pork loins cooked using various methods (boiling, grilling, pan frying, infrared cooking, and superheated steam cooking) were reheated in a microwave, and their pH, color, cooking loss, re-heating loss, total loss, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, sensory properties, and shear force were determined. Although all parameters varied with different cooking methods, lightness values and TBARS values showed the tendency to decrease and increase, respectively, after reheating. Superheated steam-cooked samples showed the lowest values of cooking loss, total loss, TBARS value, and shear force (p

Physical exercise is considered beneficial in the treatment of depression, but the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism regulating antidepressant effects of exercise by focusing on the role of the amygdala using a well-defined animal model of depression. C57BL/6 mice treated with repeated restraint showed depression-like behaviors, which was counteracted by post-stress treatment with physical exercise. The two neuropeptides hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt/Orx) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) were transcriptionally upregulated in the BLA after repeated stress, and their enhanced expression was downregulated by treatment with exercise, mirroring stress-induced depression-like behaviors and their reversal by exercise. Stereotaxic injection of either Hcrt/Orx peptide or MCH peptide within the BLA commonly increased phospho-CaMKIIα level and produced depression-like behaviors, mimicking the neural states in the BLA of mice subjected to repeated stress. In contrast, siRNA-mediated suppression of Hcrt/Orx or MCH in the BLA blocked stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated inhibition of CaMKIIα in the BLA also counteracted stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Local injection of Hcrt/Orx peptide or MCH peptide within the BLA in exercise-treated animals blocked antidepressant-like effects of exercise. Together these results suggest that exercise produces antidepressant effects via suppression of Hcrt/Orx and MCH neural systems in the BLA.

Guest molecules in a metal–organic framework (MOF), [Zn4O(CPMA)3]·6DMF (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), with an interpenetrating pcu net were exchanged with benzene, n-hexane, and methanol in a single-crystal to single-crystal (SC–SC) manner, which involved the sliding motion of the interpenetrating network, as well as the dynamic movements of the molecular components, and was triggered by host–guest interactions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The quality of bowel preparation (QBP) is the important factor in performing a successful colonoscopy. Several factors influencing QBP have been reported; however, some factors, such as the optimal preparation-to-colonoscopy time interval, remain controversial. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing QBP and the optimal time interval for full-dose polyethylene glycol (PEG) preparation. METHODS A total of 165 patients who underwent colonoscopy from June 2012 to August 2012 were prospectively evaluated. The QBP was assessed using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (Ottawa) score according to several factors influencing the QBP were analyzed. RESULTS Colonoscopies with a time interval of 5 to 6 hours had the best Ottawa score in all parts of the colon. Patients with time intervals of 6 hours or less had the better QBP than those with time intervals of more than 6 hours (p=0.046). In the multivariate analysis, the time interval (odds ratio, 1.897; 95% confidence interval, 1.006 to 3.577; p=0.048) was the only significant contributor to a satisfactory bowel preparation. CONCLUSIONS The optimal time was 5 to 6 hours for the full-dose PEG method, and the time interval was the only significant contributor to a satisfactory bowel preparation.

The conversion reaction of methane and carbon dioxide at an atmospheric pressure plasma reactor filled with Ni-Al2O3 and Ni-MgAl2O4 catalyst was performed. Effects of various process parameters such as the applied electric power, reaction gas flow rate, reactor temperature, mixing ratio of reactants and the presence of the catalyst on the reaction between methane and carbon dioxide were analyzed. From the analysis of the contribution of the catalyst in the reaction step, even if the tem- perature raised to 400 ℃, there was no spontaneous catalytic conversion of methane and carbon dioxide without plasma discharges. When the catalysts for the conversion of methane and carbon dioxide would be adopted to the plasma reactor, the careful selection of suitable catalysts and process parameters should be essential.

Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a simple aliphatic ester of pyruvic acid, has been shown to have antiinflammatory effects and to confer protective effects in various pathological conditions. Recently, a number of studies have reported EP inhibits high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) secretion and suggest this might contribute to its antiinflammatory effect. Since EP is used in a calcium-containing balanced salt solution (Ringer solution), we wondered if EP directly chelates Ca(2+) and if it is related to the EP-mediated suppression of HMGB1 release. Calcium imaging assays revealed that EP significantly and dose-dependently suppressed high K(+)-induced transient [Ca(2+)]i surges in primary cortical neurons and, similarly, fluorometric assays showed that EP directly scavenges Ca(2+) as the peak of fluorescence emission intensities of Mag-Fura-2 (a low-affinity Ca(2+) indicator) was shifted in the presence of EP at concentrations of ≥7 mmol/L. Furthermore, EP markedly suppressed the A23187-induced intracellular Ca(2+) surge in BV2 cells and, under this condition, A23187-induced activations of Ca(2+)-mediated kinases (protein kinase Cα and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV), HMGB1 phosphorylation and subsequent secretion of HMGB1 also were suppressed. (A23187 is a calcium ionophore and BV2 cells are a microglia cell line.) Moreover, the above-mentioned EP-mediated effects were obtained independent of cell death or survival, which suggests that they are direct effects of EP. Together, these results indicate that EP directly chelates Ca(2+), and that it is, at least in part, responsible for the suppression of HMGB1 release by EP.

To develop high-performance nanostructured metal oxide electrodes, it is important to understand their structural effects on electrochemical performances. Thus, the preparation of metal oxide materials that have well-tailored nanostructures is crucial for studies. However, while synthetic strategies to control the size of metal oxide nanoparticles are well-developed, the control of the higher level structures, namely microstructure, is not very well established. Herein, we present the synthesis of the two kinds of Co3O4 nanomaterials through pseudomorphic conversion so that the macroscopic morphologies of parent MOFs, such as plate-like and rod-like shape, are well-maintained. Both Co3O4 nanomaterials are composed of almost identical 10 nm-sized primary nanocrystals but with different nanoporous secondary structures and macroscopic morphologies such as plate and rod shapes. These Co3O4 nanomaterials were utilized as an electrode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), and their electrochemical properties were comparatively investigated. It was revealed that the different cyclability and rate capability are attributed to their different microstructures. The pseudo-monolithic integration of primary and secondary structures at higher level was the governing factor, which determined the electrochemical performances of the Co3O4 electrode.

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis, which is the disease that results in the largest number of adult activity restriction days, is a chronic disease and a major disease in terms ofloss of gross domestic product. It causes severe pain and joint deformity in individuals. This study aimed to investigate nutrient intake in relation to patient pain in order to provide basic data for nutrition intervention necessary for patient pain control. Methods/Statistical analysis: This study is a secondary analysis study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015), and data of 403 people were used in the final analysis. This study analyzed the sociodemographic characteristics, pain, and nutrient intake of osteoarthritis patients using the SPSS 23.0 Windows statistical program. Findings: The prevalence of osteoarthritis was high because the subjects of this study were women and their economic and education levels were low. Most osteoarthritis patients ingested less than the recommended daily intake of vitamin B1, iron, potassium, and calcium. For vitamin B1 and calcium, there were statistically meaningful correlations between pain and nutrient intake. The pain of osteoarthritis patients showed statistically significant differences according to the recommended daily intake levels of vitamin B1 and calcium. Meanwhile, no statistically significant differences were revealed according to the recommended daily intake levels of potassium and iron. Correlations were shown between the nutrient intake and pain of osteoarthritis patients, and the quality of life of the group with pain was lower than that of the group without pain. Improvements/Applications: Based on the findings of this study, studies to examine proper nutrient intake as an active measure for prevention of the induction and worsening of osteoarthritis patient pain are needed. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the establishment of intervention measures for the guidelines of osteoarthritis patients with pain and to their quality of life improvement.

Summary What is known and objective Sarpogrelate is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype 2A antagonist that inhibits platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of a sarpogrelate controlled-release formulation (CR) with those of the immediate-release formulation (IR). The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of CR sarpogrelate was also evaluated. Methods A randomized, open-label, 3-period, 3-treatment crossover study was conducted in 50 healthy male subjects. Subjects were allocated into one of six sequence groups. In one period, a 100-mg IR formulation was administered three times at 6-h intervals, and in the other two periods, a 300-mg CR formulation was administered once to fasting and once to fed subjects. Each period was separated by a 7-day washout period. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 h after the first drug administration in each period. The plasma concentrations of sarpogrelate were analysed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental methods. Results and discussion After the administration of the IR formulation, the plasma concentration reached a peak at 0·48 h and the drug was eliminated with a half-life (t1/2) of 0·7 h. After administration of the CR formulation, the plasma concentration reached a peak at 0·5 h and the drug was eliminated with a t1/2 of 3·23 h. The geometric mean ratios (CR/IR) for sarpogrelate area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and the maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) were 1·2040 (90% confidence interval (CI): 1·0992–1·3188) and 0·9462 (90% CI: 0·8504–1·0529). When CR was administered to fed subjects, the time to peak concentration was prolonged to 3·97 h and t1/2 was shortened to 1·45 h. The geometric mean ratios (fasting/fed) for sarpogrelate AUC and Cmax were 0·8573 (90% CI: 0·7687–0·9561) and 0·6452 (90% CI: 0·5671–0·7341). What is new and conclusion After the administration of CR and IR formulations of the same daily dose of sarpogrelate hydrochloride, the overall systemic exposure was slightly higher for the CR than for the IR formulation, whereas peak concentration was comparable between the two formulations. Food reduced the bioavailability of sarpogrelate CR.

Two coordination polymers, {[(NiL allyl ) 2 (BuTC)]∙2DEF∙2H 2 O} ( 1 ) and {[(NiL allyl ) 2 (BuTC)]∙3H 2 O} ( 2 ), ([NiL allyl ](ClO 4 ) 2 = [Ni(C 14 H 30 N 6 )](ClO 4 ) 2 , H 4 BuTC = 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, DEF = N,N′ -diethylformamide), were prepared by the self-assembly of [NiL allyl ](ClO 4 ) 2 and H 4 BuTC in DEF/H 2 O and acetonitrile/H 2 O, respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) results revealed that 1 and 2 have two-dimensional layered structures, and the layers were stacked infinitely. Further, guest molecules were intercalated between the layers. Since both of coordination polymers 1 and 2 were constructed from the same building blocks, the structure of each layer was identical. However, depending on the size and the nature of guest molecules, layer packing and the interlayer distances were different for each coordination polymer. Interestingly, due to the instability of DEF guest molecules intercalated in the coordination polymer 1 , these guest molecules could be easily liberated from the host, consequently resulting in the same XRPD pattern as that of 2 with slightly different relative intensities. Dried compounds of 1 and 2 ( 1′ and 2′ , respectively) also showed the same result as evidenced by the XRPD patterns. The similar but non-identical XRPD patterns were revealed that the dried structure 1′ had the same interlayer distance and the same intralayer structure as 2 and 2′ did, whereas its layer packing remained the same as that of 1 . This subtle structural difference of 1′ and 2′ resulted in their different CO 2 uptake behaviors at 195 K.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that proceeds with the age-dependent neuronal loss, an irreversible event which causes severe cognitive and psychiatric devastations. In the present study, we investigated whether the compound, AAD-2004 [2-hydroxy-5-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ethylaminobenzoic acid] which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is beneficial for the brain of Tg-betaCTF99/B6 mice, a murine AD model that was recently developed to display age-dependent neuronal loss and neuritic atrophy in the brain. Administration of AAD-2004 in Tg-betaCTF99/B6 mice from 10 months to 18 months of age completely repressed the accumulation of lipid peroxidation in the brain. AAD-2004 markedly suppressed neuronal loss and neuritic atrophy, and partially reversed depleted expression of calbindin in the brain of Tg-beta-CTF99/B6. These results suggest that AAD-2004 affords neurodegeneration in the brain of AD mouse model.

The effects of steady compressive stimulation on intracellular calcium expression in MG-63 human osteoblast-like bone cells were examined using a fabricated micro cell chip with a microchannel array. A computer-controlled pneumatic system was used to create compressive stress as a source of mechanical stimulation without fluid flow in the microchannel. Intracellular calcium levels were observed using laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy and showed multiple peaks of intracellular calcium expression over time. To visualize the mechanosensory properties of live cells suggested by the observed periodic intracellular calcium expression, we designed and fabricated a seven-segment-type of intracellular calcium-expression-display (ICED) device. The device consisted of a glass cell-culture substrate, two polydimethylsiloxane layers for cell introduction and pneumatic stimulation, and seven individually controllable pneumatic actuators. Compressive stimulation was applied to the cells via deformation of the pneumatic actuator diaphragm. The application of external pressure to the ICED device resulted in a green fluorescence representation of intracellular calcium expression in the form of an ''8''.

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted Highlights? We fabricate a pneumatically-driven tensile stimulator. ? A strain gradient by a deformation of the circular diaphragm is applied to cells. ? Intracellular calcium expressions of cells in different strain regions were measured. This paper introduces a pneumatically-driven tensile stimulator for investigating the effect of mechanical strain on intracellular calcium expression in MG-63 cell (human osteoblast-like bone cell). An optically transparent micro-tensile stimulator array, consisting of deformable diaphragms and micro-fluidic channels, was fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a glass substrate. A strain gradient generated by a three-dimensional dome-shaped deformation of the circular diaphragm was applied to live cells seeded on the deformable diaphragm of the pneumatic stimulator. During the operation, intracellular calcium responses were measured using a laser-scanning microscope. Based on the temporal responses of the fluorescent intensities, we discovered that the periods of the measured calcium expressions of cells in different strain regions were well matched with the applied signal waveforms of the external compressed air. Moreover, the magnitude of the intensities in a cell was proportional to the magnitude of the mechanical strain. We were able to conclude that the release/uptake of intracellular calcium in the endoplasmic reticulum may be activated by, and sensitive to the applied strain.

A pneumatically driven cell trap device with individually controllable vibrators was fabricated and the effect of mechanical stimuli on a trapped live cell was examined. The device consisted of two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers that formed pneumatic vibrators and a trap chamber connected to a fluid channel for introducing the cell. When the vibrators were supplied with compressed air, the flexible diaphragms in the vibrators were deformed and exerted pressure on the fluid film in the trap chamber. If a cell was present in the trap chamber, drag force generated by the fluid flow affected the cell. By using a symmetrical arrangement of four vibrators, the cell could be manipulated and trapped in region at the center of the four vibrators. In order to verify this working principle, the ability of the device to trap solid particles and live cells was tested. Intracellular calcium levels were measured to investigate the influence of mechanical stimuli produced via the fluid film, which was induced by pneumatic actuation, on a single cell within the trap chamber. Once the vibrators were actuated, the intracellular calcium level of the cell at rest increased rapidly as it responded to the external mechanical stimulation induced by deformation of the vibrator. When considering the typical increases in calcium induced by shear stress, the measured peak value was very small. As the duration of trapping was prolonged, the calcium levels decreased. The calcium level was comparable to that of a cell at rest, with some fluctuations. In short, the influence of mechanical stimuli on a live cell induced by the pneumatic cell trap appeared to be negligible during trapping.

The conversion of CH4 and CO2 to syngas in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor was performed. The conversion to syngas increased with input power and decreased with total flow rate, whereas the selectivity of H2 and CO did not change significantly. When CH4/CO2 ratio increased, the conversion of CH4 and the selectivity of H2 and CO decreased. The highest conversion of CH4 and CO2 was 77.72% and 67.88%, respectively. It was confirmed that the DBD system can be used for producing syngas with the controllability in H2/CO ratio.

Stress is a potent risk factor for depression, yet the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, we explored the mechanism of development and maintenance of depression in a stress-induced animal model. Mice restrained for 2 h daily for 14 d showed distinct depressive behavior, and the altered behavior persisted for >3 months in the absence of intervention. Acute restraint induced a surge of oxidative stress in the brain, and stress-induced oxidative stress progressively increased with repetition of stress. In vitro, the stress hormone glucocorticoid generated superoxide via upregulation of NADPH oxidase. Consistently, repeated restraints increased the expression of the key subunits of NADPH oxidase, p47phox and p67phox, in the brain. Moreover, stressed brains markedly upregulated the expression of p47phox to weak restress evoked in the poststress period, and this molecular response was reminiscent of amplified ROS surge to restress. Pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin during the stress or poststress period completely blocked depressive behavior. Consistently, heterozygous p47phox knock-out mice (p47phox(+/−)) or molecular inhibition of p47phox with Lenti shRNA-p47phox in the hippocampus suppressed depressive behavior. These results suggest that repeated stress promotes depressive behavior through the upregulation of NADPH oxidase and the resultant metabolic oxidative stress, and that the inhibition of NADPH oxidase provides beneficial antidepression effects.

This paper presents the measurement of the nonlinear mechanical properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer based on the mixing ratio of base polymer to curing agent. Strip-type PDMS samples with different mixing ratios were prepared using a simple coating, curing, and cutting process. A cyclic uniaxial tension test with a fixed magnitude of applied strain and a single-pull-to-failure tension test were performed with a micro-tensile tester at room temperature. Our new finding is that when the PDMS is mixed with excessive curing agent, stress softening occurs and residual strain exists in cyclic tension tests when the magnitude of the applied strain increases. For the PDMS-05 samples, in which the mixing ratio of base polymer to curing agent was 5 to 1, there were large differences in the stresses for the same strain level under loading and unloading during the first cycle with a 100% fixed strain amplitude, but the softening effect of the stress in the PDMS dropped rapidly starting from the second cycle. Nonlinear mechanical Neo-Hookean, third-order Mooney, and second-order Ogden models of three different PDMS films were computed from the stress-strain data. The results showed that all models were preferable for the small strain region of PDMS compared with other models. In the nonlinear, large strain region, only the second-order Ogden model properly described the mechanical behavior of the PDMS, while the Neo-Hookean and third-order Mooney-Rivlin models were too stiff or flexible in the measurement range. The bulk modulus of PDMS increased with the amount of curing agent in it. Therefore, the second-order Ogden model is preferable for analyzing the PDMS structure over the entire measurement range. This could provide reasonable mechanical models of PDMS for rapid computational prototyping and for designing active and passive components from PDMS.

This paper describes the creation of a pneumatically driven single-cell trap and its ability to trap a live single cell. The cell-trap device consists of a pneumatic vibrator array and a trap chamber used to trap single cells. The entire structure was manufactured with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). External compressed air was used to actuate the pneumatic vibrators. The magnitude and frequency of the pneumatic force were controlled by programmable electromagnetic valves. The live cell in the trap chamber was manipulated using the velocity field of the cell media induced by deformation of the vibrator diaphragm. The cell was successfully trapped in the central equilibrium region of the device, at which point the axial velocity fields generated by the vibrators were minimized. The intracellular calcium response of a single cell induced by mechanical stimuli during cell trapping was measured to verify the effectiveness of the pneumatic cell trap as a stress-free trapping method. The results showed that the internal signaling in the cell was sensitive to the extracellular physical environment. Since the measured intensity of the intracellular calcium of the single cell was very minor, the pneumatic cell trap described in this paper was categorized as a harmless trapping method.

The transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with glycerol to produce glycerol carbonate was investigated in the presence of CaO under various reaction conditions. CaO was completely dissolved in the reaction mixture of glycerol and DMC in 5 min at 75 °C and at the molar ratio of glycerol/DMC/CaO of 1/2/0.01. The isolation and the characterization of the dissolved Ca species by means of TOF-SIMS, elemental analysis, and FT-IR revealed that an active species, Ca(C 3 H 7 O 3 )(OCO 2 CH 3 ) is generated from the interaction of CaO with glycerol and DMC. The mechanistic pathways to the formations of Ca(C 3 H 7 O 3 )(OCO 2 CH 3 ) and glycerol carbonate are discussed on the basis of experimental and spectroscopic results.