Quasi-spherical particles (7-µm mean diameter) were prepared from cross-linked hydroxy-Al-montmorillonite (basal spacing =15.3 and 18.6 Å) by spray-drying. These particles (SP-CLM) were used as a packing material for columns in high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Aromatic phosphate esters, chlorosubstituted phenyl-ureas, monosubstituted benzenes, and the o-, m-, and p-isomers of disubstituted benzenes were separated on the columns, using isopropanol and hexane. Alkyl and alkoxy groups in the solute molecules sterically hindered the interaction of these molecules with the solid phase. The retention of the isomers of disubstituted benzenes that possess one electronegative (or dipolar) and one nonpolar substituent increased in the order: o- < m- < p-. In contrast, for all investigated disubstituted benzenes containing two electronegative (or dipolar) substituents, the o-isomer was retained on the 18.6-Å SP-CLM more strongly than the m- and p-isomers. The chromatographic data suggest that the strength of the interaction of phenolic groups with the solid phase increased with the acidity of these groups. The o-isomers of phenols that contained an additional electronegative (or dipolar) substituent displayed an exceptionally strong adsorption. The capacity of the o-isomers of disubstituted benzenes containing two electronegative (or dipolar) substituents to form chelates with Al probably was responsible for the strong retention of such o-isomers compared with the retention of the corresponding m- and p-isomers.

Cross-linked hydroxy-Al-montmorillonite acted as a strong and selective adsorbent for many families of organic compounds. It was used successfully as the solid phase in HPLC separations with eluents ranging from nonpolar (e.g., hexane) to highly polar (e.g., water).

Field experiments evaluated pitted morningglory, velvetleaf, and barnyardgrass control in soybean with imazethapyr applied alone and with either crop oil concentrate at 1.0% v/v, a blend of methylated seed oil and organosilicone surfactant, or a blend of methylated seed oil, phosphate esters, and organosilicone surfactant at 0.5% v/v, each with and without a 28% N mixture of urea and ammonium nitrate (URAN) applied at 2.3 L/ha. Treatments were applied at spray volumes of 94 and 9.4 L/ha. Control of each species was often increased with the addition of both oil adjuvants and URAN. The blend of methylated seed oil, phosphate esters, and organosilicone surfactant and the blend of methylated seed oil and organosilicone surfactant were each more effective than crop oil concentrate on pitted morningglory and barnyardgrass, while each oil adjuvant was similar on velvetleaf. The URAN effectively increased imazethapyr control of all species. Control of all species was similar at the spray volume of 9.4 L/ha and at 94 L/ha.

Type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are associated with elevated hepatic glucose production and fatty acid synthesis (de novo lipogenesis (DNL)). High carbohydrate diets also increase hepatic glucose production and lipogenesis. The carbohydrate-response element-binding protein (ChREBP, encoded by MLXIPL) is a transcription factor with a major role in the hepatic response to excess dietary carbohydrate. Because its target genes include pyruvate kinase (PKLR) and enzymes of lipogenesis, it is regarded as a key regulator for conversion of dietary carbohydrate to lipid for energy storage. An alternative hypothesis for ChREBP function is to maintain hepatic ATP homeostasis by restraining the elevation of phosphate ester intermediates in response to elevated glucose. This is supported by the following evidence: (i) A key stimulus for ChREBP activation and induction of its target genes is elevation of phosphate esters; (ii) target genes of ChREBP include key negative regulators of the hexose phosphate ester pool (GCKR, G6PC, SLC37A4) and triose phosphate pool (PKLR); (iii) ChREBP knock-down models have elevated hepatic hexose phosphates and triose phosphates and compromised ATP phosphorylation potential; (iv) gene defects in G6PC and SLC37A4 and common variants of MLXIPL, GCKR and PKLR in man are associated with elevated hepatic uric acid production (a marker of ATP depletion) or raised plasma uric acid levels. It is proposed that compromised hepatic phosphate homeostasis is a contributing factor to the elevated hepatic glucose production and lipogenesis that associate with type 2 diabetes, NAFLD and excess carbohydrate in the diet.