Novel Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Chitosan Derivatives Prepared by Green Grafting with Phenyllactic Acid

In order to develop novel antimicrobial and antioxidant biopolymers for active packaging to improve quality and safety of food products, we for the first time grafted phenyllatic acid (PLA) on chitosan (CS) using a green and facile method. The reaction between PLA and CS was confirmed by UV ? vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The grafting ratio was 5.72%, 9.16% and 11.83%, respectively, at a PLA:CS molar ratio of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1. The grafting of PLA on CS reduced the thermal decomposition temperature of CS according to differential scanning calorimetry. A greater grafting ratio corresponded to a higher activity of scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals and inhibition to growth of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, and fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Penicillium expansum (P < 0.05). These novel CS derivatives have potential to reduce oxidation and inhibit spoilage microorganisms to improve food quality and safety.     

Properties of Functional Films Based on Chitosan Derivative with Gallic Acid

Conjugates of chitosan (molecular weight 28 and 830 kDa) with gallic acid were synthesized by a reaction initiated by a free radical. The conjugates contained 106 and 119 mg of polyphenol per g of polymer. Thin films were obtained from solutions of synthesized chitosan derivatives, and their physico-chemical characteristics (thickness of 0.058–0.076 mm and moisture content of 7.92–9.44%), as well as the antioxidant (inhibiting activity with respect to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and antimicrobial properties, were studied in relation to Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli.     

Phenotype,Physiology, and Gene Expression of Barley Seedlings in Response to Nano Zinc Oxide Stress

In recent years, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been widely used as zinc fertilizers and pesticides. The use of ZnO NPs in this way can provide benefits to humans, but also has potential risks. ZnO NPs inevitably enter the environment during their production and use, which affects the ecological environment and crop growth. In order to investigate the phenotype, physiology, and gene expression of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings under ZnO NPs stress, the barely cultivars ZJU3 (P21), Golden Promise (GP) and L23 were chosen for study. Different ZnO NPs concentrations were applied to compare the physiological and biochemical indexes of the barley seedlings and the responses of six stress-related genes, when seedlings were cultured to the two-leaf stage through hydroponics. The results showed that the density of brown spots on the leaf surface increased with increasing ZnO NPs concentration. ZnO NPs stress inhibited the root growth of barley seedlings, and P21 was the most sensitive. Furthermore, ZnO NPs stress could stimulate plants to produce a large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in an imbalance between the production and removal of ROS and membrane lipid peroxidation in plants. This imbalance inhibited the growth and development of the barley seedlings. With increasing ZnO NPs concentration, the activity of superoxide dismutase was gradually increased, the activity of catalase was progressively decreased, and the contents of malondialdehyde and proline were increased. Compared with the control, among six stress-related genes, the expression levels of five genes were downregulated and one gene was upregulated in the experimental group. This study preliminarily revealed the toxic effect of ZnO NPs on seedlings and the effect on the expression of stress-related resistance genes in different barley varieties.     

一种新的蘑菇凝集素的生化特征和氨基酸分析

用 (NH4) 2 SO4分级沉淀、离子交换和分子筛等方法 ,从食用蘑菇中分离纯化出一种凝集素 ,经SDS -PAGE测定其亚基的相对分子量为 15 .8kDa,质谱分析法测定其分子量为 32kDa ,说明该凝集素由两个亚基组成。氨基酸分析发现 ,该凝集素不含半胱氨酸。热稳定试验和耐酸碱试验显示 ,该凝集素活性具很高稳定性     

A Tunable Hybrid Metamaterial Reflective Polarization Converter Based on Vanadium Oxide Film

Plasmonics - A metamaterial reflective converter with vanadium oxide (VO2) film is investigated in this paper. The results indicate that a broadband polarization conversion ratio (PCR) above 90% is...     

Novel Glycyrrhetinic Acid Derivative Soloxolone Methyl Inhibits the Inflammatory Response and Tumor Growth in vivo

Due to wide spreading of inflammatory disease and imperfection of available anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly associated with their serious side effects, searching for new anti-inflammatory agents is a pressing problem. Natural triterpenoids and their synthetic analogs are a promising source of new drugs. In this study, we have investigated the anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects in vivo of the glycyrrhetinic acid derivative soloxolone methyl (SM), or methyl 2-cyano-3,12-dioxo-18βH-olean-9(11),1(2)-dien-30-oate. SM was shown to efficiently suppress the development of edema in a mouse model of carrageenan- or histamine- induced acute inflammation. SM also inhibited the tumor growth and reduced the tumor cell count in the ascitic fluid in mice bearing Krebs-2 carcinoma, the development of which is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the surrounding tissues.     

明胶—几丁糖膜的制备及其止血性能的实验研究

目的制备几丁糖膜以及研究其止血性能。方法 在透析后的几丁糖与明胶混合液中加入戊二醛交联后置入冻干机冻干制得几丁糖膜。取新西兰兔4只,在背部两侧对称性剪开直径1cm渗血伤口,分别用纱布和几丁糖膜止血,观察与创面的粘附情况,记录出血时间,以膜或纱布中Hb光度吸收值表示出血量。结果 几丁糖膜与创面粘附良好,几丁糖膜组、纱布组的出血时间分别为78.25±6.42秒、119.05±11.39秒,Hb光度吸收值为0.76±0.51、1.63±0.72,明显优于纱布对照组(P<0.01)。结论 几丁糖膜具有一定的止血性能。     

Effect of Supplementation of Nano Zinc Oxide on Nutrient Retention,Organ and Serum Minerals Profile,and Hepatic Metallothionein Gene Expression in Wister Albino Rats

Biological Trace Element Research - A study was conducted to validate the effects of nano form of zinc (NZn) on nutrient digestibility, zinc retention, organ and serum zinc profile, and hepatic...     

干酪乳杆菌arat基因的敲除及其对苯乳酸合成代谢的影响

苯乳酸（PLA）作为一种新型的广谱抑菌物质,在食品行业具有巨大的发展潜力,作为乳酸菌的天然代谢产物之一,对其代谢机理的研究具有非常重要的意义。通过CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑系统对一株干酪乳杆菌（Lactobacillus casei）1.8727的芳香族氨基转移酶基因arat进行敲除,得到一株arat缺失菌株（L. casei）1.8727Δarat。通过HPLC方法分析其代谢产物,发现发酵72 h时,PLA产量比出发菌株提高约66.7%,而苯丙氨酸（Phe）比出发菌株提高约57.8%。首次在L. casei 1.8727中成功应用基因编辑手段敲除了arat基因,研究表明该菌株具有自身合成代谢Phe的能力,arat作为PLA代谢途径的关键酶基因,其缺失并未使PLA产量下调,而是促进了PLA与Phe的合成代谢,证明干酪乳杆菌中可能存在其他的代偿途径,arat基因缺失所造成的代谢流的改变最终造成PLA与Phe产量的提高,同时PLA的合成代谢可能涉及多个基因的参与,是一个复杂的代谢网络。研究结果对于深入研究PLA的合成代谢机制具有重要意义,为后续PLA合成代谢途径提供了新的思路及方法。     

A Chitosan Based,Laser Activated Thin Film Surgical Adhesive, 'SurgiLux': Preparation and Demonstration

Sutures are a 4,000 year old technology that remain the ''gold-standard'' for wound closure by virtue of their repair strength (~100 KPa). However, sutures can act as a nidus for infection and in many procedures are unable to effect wound repair or interfere with functional tissue regeneration.¹ Surgical glues and adhesives, such as those based on fibrin and cyanoacrylates, have been developed as alternatives to sutures for the repair of such wounds. However, current commercial adhesives also have significant disadvantages, ranging from viral and prion transfer and a lack of repair strength as with the fibrin glues, to tissue toxicity and a lack of biocompatibility for the cyanoacrylate based adhesives. Furthermore, currently available surgical adhesives tend to be gel-based and can have extended curing times which limit their application.² Similarly, the use of UV lasers to facilitate cross-linking mechanisms in protein-based or albumin ''solders'' can lead to DNA damage while laser tissue welding (LTW) predisposes thermal damage to tissues.³ Despite their disadvantages, adhesives and LTW have captured approximately 30% of the wound closure market reported to be in excess of US $5 billion per annum, a significant testament to the need for sutureless technology.⁴In the pursuit of sutureless technology we have utilized chitosan as a biomaterial for the development of a flexible, thin film, laser-activated surgical adhesive termed ''SurgiLux''. This novel bioadhesive uses a unique combination of biomaterials and photonics that are FDA approved and successfully used in a variety of biomedical applications and products. SurgiLux overcomes all the disadvantages associated with sutures and current surgical adhesives (see Table 1).In this presentation we report the relatively simple protocol for the fabrication of SurgiLux and demonstrate its laser activation and tissue weld strength. SurgiLux films adhere to collagenous tissue without chemical modification such as cross-linking and through irradiation using a comparatively low-powered (120 mW) infrared laser instead of UV light. Chitosan films have a natural but weak adhesive attraction to collagen (~3 KPa), laser activation of the chitosan based SurgiLux films emphasizes the strength of this adhesion through polymer chain interactions as a consequence of transient thermal expansion.⁵ Without this ''activation'' process, SurgiLux films are readily removed.^6-9 SurgiLux has been tested both in vitro and in vivo on a variety of tissues including nerve, intestine, dura mater and cornea. In all cases it demonstrated good biocompatibility and negligible thermal damage as a consequence of irradiation.^6-10     

新型PEI 衍生物在COS-7 细胞中的转染与毒性研究

目的:寻找一种新型的转染效率高,毒性低的非病毒基因载体.方法:通过化学方法合成Polyimine-MPEI,然后以不同质量比包裹绿色荧光蛋白质粒,检测在COS-7细胞中的转染效率和毒性.结果:在比例从5到100之间,转染效率均比较理想,能达到1.00E+07以上,Polyimine-MPEI的毒性也很小,细胞的生长率均在80％以上,明显高于PEI25KDa对照组.结论:Polyimine-MPEI是一个很有研究前景的聚合物载体,具有高转染效率低毒性的特点,可以通过延长反应时间,增加分子量,增大转染能力.     

新型聚乙烯亚胺衍生物在Hep G2细胞中转染和毒性的研究

目的:研究以1,4-丁二醇二氯甲酸酯为连接剂的聚乙烯亚胺(Polyethyleneimine,PEI)衍生物PEI-Bu对肝癌细胞的转染活性和细胞毒性的影响.方法:以荧光素酶质粒作为报告基因,研究高分子和DNA的复合物在HepG2细胞中的转染活性,研究高分子对Hep G2细胞的毒性.结果:Hep G2细胞转染结果显示我们构建的聚乙烯亚胺衍生物PEI-Bu有比阳性对照PEI 25 kDa和Lipofectamine 2000更高的基因表达;细胞毒性结果显示PEI-Bu随着浓度的增加,其毒性显著低于PE125 kDa.结论:HepG2细胞实验教据显示PEI-Bu是一种高效、低毒,在肝脏基因治疗领域有相当前景的非病毒载体.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Zinc Oxide and Zinc Methionine on Layer Performance,Egg Quality,and Blood Serum Indices

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc methionine (Zn-Met) supplementation on layer performance, quality of egg, some blood constituents, and oxidative status in blood of laying hens. A total of 120 laying hens (Hisex Brown) 22-week-old were indiscriminately allotted into five groups of 24 hens with six replications (four birds/replicate). A complete randomized design experiment was performed including control (basal diet), two levels of ZnO (50 and 100 mg/kg basal diet), and two levels of Zn-Met (50 and 100 mg/kg basal diet) through 22 to 34 weeks of age. Supplementation of 100 mg of Zn-Met significantly (P = 0.001) increased feed intake compared to other treatment groups. The groups supplemented with 50 mg of ZnO and 100 mg of Zn-Met reported the significantly higher egg production rate (P = 0.002) and egg mass (P < 0.001) compared to other treated groups. All traits of egg quality were not statistically (P < 0.05 or 0.01) affected by ZnO or Zn-Met supplementation except shell thickness, Haugh unit score, and yolk to albumin ratio. Dietary supplementation of either ZnO or Zn-Met did not affect the oxidative parameters in serum except the activity of Cu-Zn-SOD. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by Zn supplementation, while HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) did not affect. Compared to the control group, supplementation of ZnO or Zn-Met increased serum content of zinc with no differences among supplemental zinc doses. It could be concluded that dietary inorganic (ZnO) and organic (Zn-Met) supplemented up to 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, can be used as effective supplements to improve productivity of laying hens, serum zinc level, lipid profile (triglyceride and LDL cholesterol), and activity of Cu-Zn-SOD.     

Effects of Dietary Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Growth Performance and Antioxidative Status in Broilers

Broilers in four groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg zinc oxide (60-ZnO; control), or 20, 60, or 100 mg/kg ZnO nanoparticles (20-, 60-, and 100-nano-ZnO, respectively). Compared with the controls, after 14 days, birds in the 20- and 60-nano-ZnO groups had significantly greater weight gains and better feed conversion ratios. However, the body weight of birds in the 100-nano-ZnO group was dramatically reduced after 28 days. Relative to the control group, the total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) in serum and liver tissue was significantly higher in the 20-nano-ZnO group at all time points and also significantly higher in the 60- and 100-nano-ZnO groups in serum on days 28 and 35 and in liver tissues on days 21 and 28. Compared with the controls, the activity of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn-SOD) was significantly greater in the 60- and 100-nano-ZnO groups in serum on days 28 and 35 and in liver tissues after 21 days. Catalase activity in serum samples was significantly higher in the 20- and 60-nano-ZnO groups relative to the control and 100-nano-ZnO birds, but catalase activity in liver tissue was not affected by different nano-ZnO levels. Malondialdehyde content in serum and liver tissues was significantly reduced in the 20-, 60-, and 100-nano-ZnO groups compared with that in the control group at all time points except day 42. Taken together, our data indicate that appropriate concentration of dietary ZnO nanoparticles improves growth performance and antioxidative capabilities in broilers, and 20 mg/kg nano-ZnO is the optimal concentration.     

Comparative Studies on Chitosan and Polylactic-co-glycolic Acid Incorporated Nanoparticles of Low Molecular Weight Heparin

This study was performed to test the feasibility of chitosan and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) incorporated nanoparticles as sustained-release carriers for the delivery of negatively charged low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry was used to evaluate the interactions between chitosan and LMWH. The shifts, intensity, and broadening of the characteristic peaks for the functional groups in the FTIR spectra indicated that strong interactions occur between the positively charged chitosans and the negatively charged LMWHs. Three types of LMWH nanoparticles (NP-1, NP-2, and NP-3) were prepared using chitosan with or without PLGA: NP-1 nanoparticles were formed by polyelectrolyte complexation after single mixing, NP-2 nanoparticles were prepared by polyelectrolyte complexation after single emulsion–diffusion–evaporation, and NP-3 nanoparticles were optimized by double emulsion–diffusion–evaporation. NP-3 nanoparticles of LMWH prepared by the emulsion–diffusion–evaporation method showed significant differences in particle morphology, size, zeta potential, and drug release profile compared to NP-1 nanoparticles formed by polyelectrolyte complexation. Another ionic complex of LMWH with chitosan-incorporated PLGA nanoparticles (NP-2) showed lower drug entrapment efficiency than that of NP-1 and NP-3. The drug release rate of NP-3 was slower than the release rates of NP-1 and NP-2, although particle morphology of NP-3 was similar to that of NP-2. Cell viability was not adversely affected when cells were treated with all three types of nanoparticles. The data presented in this study demonstrate that nanoparticles formulated with chitosan–PLGA could be a safe sustained-release carrier for the delivery of LMWH.Key words: chitosan, low molecular weight heparin, nanoparticles, PLGA     

Synthesis and Antioxidant Ability of Novel Derivatives Based on para‐Coumaric Acid Containing Isobornyl Groups

A series of novel esters and amides was synthesized on the basis of para‐coumaric acid containing isobornyl groups in ortho‐positions relative to the phenolic hydroxy group. Antioxidant properties of the obtained compounds were evaluated and compared on in vitro models: radical‐scavenging ability, antioxidant activity on a substrate containing the lipids of animal brain, cytotoxicity of red blood cells, antioxidant and membrane‐protective properties on the model of oxidative red blood cells hemolysis. Statistically significant relationship was established between the antioxidant activity of the studied compounds in model system containing animal lipids and the parameters reflecting their antioxidant properties on the model of H₂O₂‐induced hemolysis of red blood cells. It was determined that an amide with a morpholine fragment has the highest antioxidant activity. The specified derivative significantly surpassed the reference substances (parent acid, BHT) and was not inferior to the effective antioxidant 2,6‐diisobornyl‐4‐methylphenol in terms of its properties.     

Polarization Conversion and Absorption of Multifunctional All-dielectric Metamaterial Based on Vanadium Dioxide

Plasmonics - In this paper, we propose a kind of multi-functional all-dielectric metamaterial (ADMM), which is composed of vanadium dioxide (VO2), silicon, and silicon dioxide. Two functions of...     

New Insights on the Burstein-Moss Shift and Band Gap Narrowing in Indium-Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films

The Burstein-Moss shift and band gap narrowing of sputtered indium-doped zinc oxide (IZO) thin films are investigated as a function of carrier concentrations. The optical band gap shifts below the carrier concentration of 5.61 × 10¹⁹ cm^-3 are well-described by the Burstein-Moss model. For carrier concentrations higher than 8.71 × 10¹⁹ cm^-3 the shift decreases, indicating that band gap narrowing mechanisms are increasingly significant and are competing with the Burstein-Moss effect. The incorporation of In causes the resistivity to decrease three orders of magnitude. As the mean-free path of carriers is less than the crystallite size, the resistivity is probably affected by ionized impurities as well as defect scattering mechanisms, but not grain boundary scattering. The c lattice constant as well as film stress is observed to increase in stages with increasing carrier concentration. The asymmetric XPS Zn 2p_3/2 peak in the film with the highest carrier concentration of 7.02 × 10²⁰ cm^-3 suggests the presence of stacking defects in the ZnO lattice. The Raman peak at 274 cm^-1 is attributed to lattice defects introduced by In dopants.     

Influence of Dietary Zinc Oxide and Copper Sulfate on the Gastrointestinal Ecosystem in Newly Weaned Piglets

Dietary doses of 2,500 ppm ZnO-Zn reduced bacterial activity (ATP accumulation) in digesta from the gastrointestinal tracts of newly weaned piglets compared to that in animals receiving 100 ppm ZnO-Zn. The amounts of lactic acid bacteria (MRS counts) and lactobacilli (Rogosa counts) were reduced, whereas coliforms (MacConkey counts) and enterococci (Slanetz counts, red colonies) were more numerous in animals receiving the high ZnO dose. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the colonies on MRS were dominated by three phylotypes, tentatively identified as Lactobacillus amylovorus (OTU171), Lactobacillus reuteri (OTU173), and Streptococcus alactolyticus (OTU180). The colonies on Rogosa plates were dominated by the two Lactobacillus phylotypes only. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis supported the observations of three phylotypes of lactic acid bacteria dominating in piglets receiving the low ZnO dose and of coliforms and enterococci dominating in piglets receiving the high ZnO dose. Dietary doses of 175 ppm CuSO₄-Cu also reduced MRS and Rogosa counts of stomach contents, but for these animals, the numbers of coliforms were reduced in the cecum and the colon. The influence of ZnO on the gastrointestinal microbiota resembles the working mechanism suggested for some growth-promoting antibiotics, namely, the suppression of gram-positive commensals rather than potentially pathogenic gram-negative organisms. Reduced fermentation of digestible nutrients in the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract may render more energy available for the host animal and contribute to the growth-promoting effect of high dietary ZnO doses. Dietary CuSO₄ inhibited the coliforms and thus potential pathogens as well, but overall the observed effect of CuSO₄ was limited compared to that of ZnO.     

新型基因重组PACAP衍生物MPL-2的制备及其抗2型糖尿病作用研究

利用基因工程技术高效制备具有治疗2型糖尿病功能的垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活肽(PACAP)衍生物MPL-2,并以2型糖尿病小鼠(db/db小鼠)为模型在体内研究其抗2型糖尿病的生物学作用。实验结果表明:利用基因工程技术制备的PACAP27衍生多肽MPL-2的分子质量为3 902Da.,纯度达97%,其产率可达29.3mg/L发酵产物;在以db/db小鼠为模型的体内葡萄糖耐量实验中,MPL-2可有效促进小鼠胰岛素第一时相(5~15min)分泌,显著提高小鼠的葡萄糖耐受能力。在MPL-2的长效药效学实验中,经过8周连续用药治疗后,MPL-2可显著提高db/db小鼠的胰岛素敏感性,胰岛素耐量实验60min时MPL-2可将小鼠血糖降至初始值的63.52%;同时,在8周连续用药治疗过程中,与生理盐水(NS)处理组相比,MPL-2可有效降低db/db小鼠的体重、空腹血糖、饮食量、饮水量,分别低于NS组21.98%、21.46%、22.20%、60.07%,而且可显著改善db/db小鼠的血脂常数,生物学作用显著优于多肽BAY55-9837。建立了新型基因重组PACAP27衍生多肽MPL-2的高效制备技术,重组多肽MPL-2可有效改善2型糖尿病db/db小鼠的葡萄糖耐量、胰岛素敏感性、血脂常数,显著降低db/db小鼠的体重、空腹血糖、饮食和饮水量,从而发挥治疗2型糖尿病的生物学作用,可为MPL-2的药用研发提供实验数据。