SinodosChemistry

Tumor cells and healthy cells exhibit some distinct differences; for example, some tumor cells shut down unnecessary functionalities in order to use maximum energy for cell proliferation [arginine auxotrophy]. Such unnecessary actions include the synthesis of some amino acids, which can also be supplied by the external environment. The basic enzyme related to arginine production is Argininosuccinate synthase [ASS] and many alterations regarding its presence and functionality have been observed in tumor cells. Other significant enzymes include Argininosuccinate lyase [ASL], Ornithine Transcarbamylase [OTC] and arginase. Arginine falls into this category of amino acids that are termed ‘semi – essential’. Early studies have suggested that tumor growth was correlated to increased arginine uptake, and the idea of arginine starvation of the tumor cells was conceived.

One of the diseases that remains scarcely investigated in regard to potential application of amino acids as medicine is the intractable epilepsy. Amino acids seem to be promising medicines for such cases, given the other approaches that have been used so far for their treatment. Such a thought has triggered research in the field with great results.

L-Leucine and L-Lysine have been used as inhibitors of seizures in mice, with protective action exhibited only in the first case; L-Lysine failed to provide protection against induced seizure. In addition to this discovery, it was also found that D-Leucine also acted as a seizure inhibitor, probably even more efficient that L-isomer. This is especially important, since D-isomer is found in the brain, in tiny quantities. D-isomer also exhibited long term action and inhibition even after the seizure was induced. Such effects make this amino acid a potential anti seizure agent that was unknown up to now.

Amino acids are well known to exhibit significant health boost effects when taken in optimum quantities and their lack has been correlated with various negative effects including psychological disturbances, loss of muscular and bone mass, and others. Of special attention is the positive effect that they may provoke on specific population groups that suffer from known health problems, such as elderly people. Several studies have been published on the subject, and major guidelines are presented here.

Numerous works have dealt with the relationship between protein intake and origin and bone mass loss rates. It can be identified that published works in the period 1990-2005 mostly supported that animal protein intake amount was correlated to increased bone mass loss rates, in contrast to plant protein intake case. Most works in the following decade however have suggested that increased animal protein intake was correlated with higher bone mass densities and lower bone mass loss rates. However, research works on amino acids effects on bone cell metabolism are scarce. The few works on specific amino acids effect on bone mass loss rates are quite revealing for the role of amino acids in this process.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and they have numerous proven roles in the human body, including organ functionality, storage of nutrients, cell structure of muscular tissue and many more. Lack of amino acids often leads to a series of problematic health effects, especially in specific population groups such as older people and hard training athletes. Specific amino acids are correlated to several of these effects and it is commonly advised to be also taken by the people in question in the form of nutritional supplements.

One such amino acid, with proven correlation to health symptoms, is glutamine. Glutamine’s most important role in the human body is the stabilization and tuning of the immune system. As a consequence, people with appropriate glutamine intake tend to exhibit good health even at harsh living conditions. Other secondary glutamine related phenomena are the optimization of sleep behavior, calmness of mind, and reduction of anxiety.

Numerous works have been reported in the literature, revealing the potential of 3D scanning applications. Different ‘objects’ required different approaches and the most significant of them are presented in Table 1. Other, small scale works with novel approaches for 3D scanning are presented in a forthcoming article.

The specific field presents numerous opportunities for the application and utilization of different 3D scanning approaches. Museums, historical sites and artifacts cover a wide range of materials used as described in Table 1. Advantages and applications of using 3D scanning technologies in the art, history and architecture fields can be summarized in Table 2.

3D scanning techniques have found significant applications in various fields of activities including building, infrastructure, material science, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, art and others. Their main uses involve 3D printing drawings acquisition, Quality Assurance, maintenance, conservation of rare objects, restorations, and others.

3D scanning technologies include various methodologies to acquire 3D images of existing objects. 3D scanning approaches can be categorized in the following categories, depending on various factors as described in Table 1.

Physical adsorption or physisorption is one of the most important physical processes of our times. Its understanding and application contributes greatly to modern civilization in fields of energy, pollution control, medicine and others. When the term physical adsorption or physisorption is used, a process is described that:

 > Includes a solid adsorbent

> Includes at least one fluid species to be adsorbed

> Is due to electrostatic interactions between atoms [van der Waals and dispersion forces]

> Is described by weak adsorption energies [enthalpies of adsorption]

>Is greatly dependent on temperature and pressure

>Is reversible or almost reversible

Cosmetic skin care products manufacture is a highly increasing field. The need for nontoxic, non-irritating, naturally derived creams and lotions has resulted in a rapid increase of available products worldwide. Most of these products are based on a thick, organic oil base with the addition of active ingredients, in various concentrations. Recent research has led to the discovery of various active ingredients and their specific functionalities. Plant derivatives and extracts are commonly ‘friendly’ to human organisms and the skin in particular, although exceptions exist and have been widely reported. The common process includes a variation of extraction of a natural compound from a plant part in a wisely and carefully used solvent. It should be kept in mind that many organic extracts are soluble in organic solvents which are in general harmful to the environment, mainly due to Volatile Organic Compounds [VOC] emissions. Whenever possible, water or any other environmentally friendly solvent should be used for components extraction.