Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles decorated polydopamine coated hexagonal boron nitride and its effect on wound healing

BackgroundWound healing is an essential physiological process involving many cell types and their products acting in a marvellous harmony to repair damaged tissues. During the healing process, cellular proliferation and extracellular matrix remodelling stages could be interrupted by undesired factors including microorganisms and altered metabolic activities. In such a case, the process requires some external stimulants to accelerate or remediate the healing stages.MethodsIn this study, we report a multifunctional wound healing stimulating agent. In this context, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and polydopamine(pdopa) were used through mussel-inspired chemistry of dopamine to obtain pdopa coated hBN (hBN@pdopa) and AgNPs decorated hBN@pdopa (hBN@pdopa-AgNPs). These two nanostructures were investigated to observe stages of healing.ResultsAgNPs were chosen for inflammation reduction and hBN for induced cell proliferation and migration. In in vitro experiments, firstly, high cellular uptake capacity and biocompatibility of hBN@pdopa and hBN@pdopa-AgNPs were evaluated. They were also tested for their reaction against increased concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in injured cells. Finally, their effect on cellular migration, intracellular tube formation and F-actin organization were monitored by light and confocal microscopy, respectively.ConclusionThe results clearly indicate that the hBN@pdopa-AgNPs significantly decrease ROS production, promote wound closure, and reorganize tube formation in cells.     

High folic acid intake increases methylation-dependent expression of Lsr and dysregulates hepatic cholesterol homeostasis

Food fortification with folic acid and increased use of vitamin supplements have raised concerns about high folic acid intake. We previously showed that high folic acid intake was associated with hepatic degeneration, decreased levels of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), lower methylation potential, and perturbations of lipid metabolism. MTHFR synthesizes the folate derivative for methylation reactions. In this study, we assessed the possibility that high folic acid diets, fed to wild-type and Mthfr^+/− mice, could alter DNA methylation and/or deregulate hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. Digital restriction enzyme analysis of methylation in liver revealed DNA hypomethylation of a CpG in the lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (Lsr) gene, which is involved in hepatic uptake of cholesterol. Pyrosequencing confirmed this methylation change and identified hypomethylation of several neighboring CpG dinucleotides. Lsr expression was increased and correlated negatively with DNA methylation and plasma cholesterol. A putative binding site for E2F1 was identified. ChIP-qPCR confirmed reduced E2F1 binding when methylation at this site was altered, suggesting that it could be involved in increasing Lsr expression. Expression of genes in cholesterol synthesis, transport or turnover (Abcg5, Abcg8, Abcc2, Cyp46a1, and Hmgcs1) was perturbed by high folic acid intake. We also observed increased hepatic cholesterol and increased expression of genes such as Sirt1, which might be involved in a rescue response to restore cholesterol homeostasis. Our work suggests that high folic acid consumption disturbs cholesterol homeostasis in liver. This finding may have particular relevance for MTHFR-deficient individuals, who represent ~10% of many populations.     

Improved synthesis of 1,3-diolein by Novozym 435-mediated esterification of monoolein with oleic acid

We successfully developed an efficient and promising bioprocess for 1,3-diolein synthesis by performing Novozym 435-mediated esterification of oleic acid with monoolein in this work. Under the optimized conditions (60 °C, molar ratio of oleic acid to monoolein 1.2:1), a 1,3-diolein yield of 93.7% could be achieved, and the yield of 1,2-diolien was low (2.6%). The high yield of 1,3-diolein and the optimum reaction time were improved remarkably compared with the results of our previous study, which involved the enzymatic esterification of oleic acid with glycerol. An additional advantage of the new process is the fact that 90% original activity of the enzyme was maintained after being used for 100 reactions. The present work could be seen as a useful enzyme-catalyzed process for the industrial production of 1,3-diacylglycerol.     

Effect of fermentation inhibitors in the presence and absence of activated charcoal on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The acidic hydrolysis of biomass generates numerous inhibitors of fermentation, which adversely affect cell growth and metabolism. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of fermentation inhibitors on growth and glucose consumption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also conducted in situ adsorption during cell cultivation in synthetic broth containing fermentation inhibitors. In order to evaluate the effect of in situ adsorption on cell growth, five inhibitors, namely 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, furfural, formic acid, and acetic acid, were introduced into synthetic broth. The existence of fermentation inhibitors during cell culture adversely affects cell growth and sugar consumption. Furfural, formic acid, and acetic acid were the most potent inhibitors in our culture system. The in situ adsorption of inhibitors by the addition of activated charcoal to the synthetic broth increased cell growth and sugar consumption. Our results indicate that detoxification of fermentation media by in situ adsorption may be useful for enhancing biofuel production.     

Engineering Escherichia coli for propionic acid production through the Wood–Werkman cycle

Native to propionibacteria, the Wood–Werkman cycle enables propionate production via succinate decarboxylation. Current limitations in engineering propionibacteria strains have redirected attention toward the heterologous production in model organisms. Here, we report the functional expression of the Wood–Werkman cycle in Escherichia coli to enable propionate and 1-propanol production. The initial proof-of-concept attempt showed that the cycle can be used for production. However, production levels were low (0.17 mM). In silico optimization of the expression system by operon rearrangement and ribosomal-binding site tuning improved performance by fivefold. Adaptive laboratory evolution further improved performance redirecting almost 30% of total carbon through the Wood–Werkman cycle, achieving propionate and propanol titers of 9 and 5 mM, respectively. Rational engineering to reduce the generation of byproducts showed that lactate (∆ldhA) and formate (∆pflB) knockout strains exhibit an improved propionate and 1-propanol production, while the ethanol (∆adhE) knockout strain only showed improved propionate production.     

产大米蛋白水解酶的菌株筛选、酶学性质及制备大米寡肽

【目的】旨在分离、筛选并鉴定具有大米蛋白降解作用的菌株及其关键蛋白酶,为高效制备大米寡肽提供制备酶及最优制备条件。【方法】以"水解圈"为评价指标,从粮食仓库附近土壤筛选获得具有降解大米蛋白能力的菌株;通过16S rRNA序列分析确定菌株归属;利用单因素实验获得最佳氮源并初步分析酶学性质;利用HPLC检测寡肽得率,并对制备条件进一步优化。【结果】经鉴定具有大米蛋白降解作用的菌株为沙雷氏菌(Serratia sp. JWG-D15),以大米蛋白为氮源培养菌株JWG-D15,蛋白酶So PRO产量最高,其最适温度40℃,最适pH 8.0;在加酶量20 U/mg,大米蛋白浓度40 mg/mL,40℃,4 h条件下寡肽得率最高72.38%。【结论】以大米蛋白为氮源培养菌株JWG-D15,蛋白酶So PRO产量最高;蛋白酶So PRO制得的大米寡肽,其得率是目前行业最高。本研究既丰富了大米寡肽的制备用酶的种类,又为深入大米寡肽产业化提供一定理论基础。     

Association between rs10118757(A/G) in methylthioadenosine phosphorylase gene and coronary artery disease in Chinese Hans

Studies focusing on the association of gene methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) are limited.     

Distribution and speciation of Mn in hydrated roots of cowpea at levels inhibiting root growth

The phytotoxicity of Mn is important globally due to its increased solubility in acid or waterlogged soils. Short‐term (≤24 h) solution culture studies with 150 µM Mn were conducted to investigate the in situ distribution and speciation of Mn in apical tissues of hydrated roots of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Red Caloona] using synchrotron‐based techniques. Accumulation of Mn was rapid; exposure to 150 µM Mn for only 5 min resulting in substantial Mn accumulation in the root cap and associated mucigel. The highest tissue concentrations of Mn were in the root cap, with linear combination fitting of the data suggesting that ≥80% of this Mn(II) was associated with citrate. Interestingly, although the primary site of Mn toxicity is typically the shoots, concentrations of Mn in the stele of the root were not noticeably higher than in the surrounding cortical tissues in the short‐term (≤24 h). The data provided here from the in situ analyses of hydrated roots exposed to excess Mn are, to our knowledge, the first of this type to be reported for Mn and provide important information regarding plant responses to high Mn in the rooting environment.     

江西省弄蝶四新纪录(鳞翅目:弄蝶总科)(英文)

通过对外形特征和外生殖器特征的检视,发现江西省弄蝶四新纪录:无斑珂弄蝶指名亚种Caltoris bromus bromus(Leech,1894)、襟弄蝶中南亚种Pseudocoladenia dan fabia(Evans,1949)、灰陀弄蝶黎氏亚种Thoressa gupta leechii(Evans,1932)和南岭陀弄蝶Thoressa xiaoqingae Huang&Zhan,2004。标本均采自江西九连山国家级自然保护区。文中提供了成虫标本照片。     

Bacteria as vitamin suppliers to their host: a gut microbiota perspective

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Highlights► Humans lack the biosynthetic capacity for most vitamins. ► Vitamins must thus be provided exogenously by nutritionally balanced diets. ► Members of the human gut microbiota can supply their host with microbially synthesized vitamins. ► Fermented milks with high levels of B-group vitamins can be produced by lactic acid.