Some normal (maize, wheat, barley, rye) and high amylose (barley) starches were studied using the method of differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC). It was shown that a decrease of heating rate from 3 K/min to 0.25 K/min for 1% aqueous dispersions of starch does not lead to changes of the thermodynamic melting parameters of crystalline lamellae irrespective of the origin of starches. With the exception of the results for maize starch, the same behavior is observed for melting of amylose‐lipid complexes. For maize starch, a decrease of heating rate and an annealing of crystalline lamellae lead to an increase of melting enthalpy of amylose‐lipid complexes but does not change their melting temperature. The melting cooperative units for crystalline lamellae of the cereal starches were calculated. Using the average value of the melting cooperative unit, the lamellar thickness was determined. It is practically equal to the thickness of crystalline lamellae in the amylopectin model proposed by Robin. It was shown that the temperature dependence of the heat capacity for starch maize lipids has a negative increment. Some concepts concerning melting mechanisms of crystalline lamellae and amylose‐lipid complexes are discussed.

Several barley starches with different amylose content were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermodynamic parameters such as the melting enthalpy and melting peak temperature of the crystalline lamellae and amylose-lipid complexes were determined. Differences in heat capacity changes observed during melting of the different structur-Claudia Niemann, Lausanne (Switzerland) es were also investigated. The contributions to the changes in heat capacity as a result of hydration during the melting of crystalline lamellae were estimated. The results can be explained by differences in structural features of the different barley starches.

Diabetes affects over 350 million people worldwide, with the figure projected to rise to nearly 500 million over the next 20 years, according to the World Health Organization. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes) is an endocrine disorder caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing -cells in the pancreas, which leads to insulin deficiency. Administration of exogenous insulin remains at the moment the treatment mainstay. This approach helps to regulate blood glucose levels and significantly increases the life expectancy of patients. However, type 1 diabetes is accompanied by long-term complications associated with the systemic nature of the disease and metabolic abnormalities having a profound impact on health. Of greater impact would be a therapeutic approach which would overcome these limitations by better control of blood glucose levels and prevention of acute and chronic complications. The current efforts in the field of regenerative medicine are aimed at finding such an approach. In this review, we discuss the time-honored technique of donor islets of Langerhans transplantation. We also focus on the use of pluripotent stem and committed cells and cellular reprogramming. The molecular mechanisms of pancreatic differentiation are highlighted. Much attention is devoted to the methods of grafts delivery and to the materials used during its creation.

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