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International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024The aim of this study was to develop new discarded enoki mushroom root-derived multifunctional chrome-free chitosan-based tanning agents that can be used for eco-leather...
Discarded enoki mushroom root-derived multifunctional chrome-free chitosan-based tanning agent for eco-leathers manufacturing: Tanning-dyeing, non-acid soaking, and non-basifying.
The aim of this study was to develop new discarded enoki mushroom root-derived multifunctional chrome-free chitosan-based tanning agents that can be used for eco-leather manufacturing. In this study, oligochitosan (OCS) was prepared from chitosan extracted from the enoki mushrooms and chemically modified using reactive dye R19 and epichlorohydrin (ECH) to prepare chromium-free tanning agent (OCS-R19-ECH) with both tanning and dyeing functions. FT-IR, XRD, and NMR (H) confirmed the successful synthesis of the product. The molecular weight of OCS-R19-ECH is 6355 g/mol, with an average particle size of 1249.37 nm and an epoxy value of 0.276 mol/100 g. OCS-R19-ECH was used for tanning experiments on bated sheepskin, and the results showed that the leather tanned with OCS-R19-ECH not only exhibited excellent wet-heat stability (shrinkage temperature = 81 °C), but also superior dyeing uniformity, resistance to dry and wet abrasion, mechanical strength (tensile strength = 12.4 MPa, tear strength = 57.3 N/mm), and outstanding antimicrobial properties. Most importantly, compared with traditional tanning agents, OCS-R19-ECH has a higher pH (9.0), tanning-dyeing integration, non-acid soaking, and non-basifying can be achieved in leather making, which can greatly simplify the tanning processes. This new multifunctional chrome-free chitosan-based tanning agent facilitates high-value utilization of waste resources.
PubMed: 38945701
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133394 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Aug 2024Lipids from cow milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered beneficial for neurodevelopment, cognitive maintenance and human...
Lipids from cow milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered beneficial for neurodevelopment, cognitive maintenance and human health in general. Nevertheless, it is largely unknown whether intake of infant formulas and medical nutrition products rich in these particles promote accretion of specific lipids and whether this affects metabolic homeostasis. To address this, we carried out a 16-week dietary intervention study where mice were supplemented with a MFGM/EV-rich concentrate, a control diet supplemented with a whey protein concentrate and devoid of milk lipids, or regular chow. Assessment of commonly used markers of metabolic health, including body weight, glucose intolerance and liver microanatomy, demonstrated no differences across the dietary regimes. In contrast, in-depth lipidomic analysis revealed accretion of milk-derived very long odd-chain sphingomyelins and ceramides in blood plasma and multiple tissues of mice fed the MFGM/EV diet. Furthermore, lipidomic flux analysis uncovered that mice fed the MFGM/EV diet have increased lipid metabolic turnover at the whole-body level. These findings help fill a long-lasting knowledge gap between the intake of MFGM/EV-containing foods and the health-promoting effects of their lipid constituents. In addition, the findings suggest that dietary sphingomyelins or ceramide-breakdown products with very long-chains can be used as structural components of cellular membranes, lipoprotein particles and signaling molecules that modulate metabolic homeostasis and health.
Topics: Animals; Sphingolipids; Extracellular Vesicles; Mice; Glycolipids; Lipid Metabolism; Lipid Droplets; Glycoproteins; Lipidomics; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male; Sphingomyelins; Ceramides; Diet; Liver; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 38945615
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114601 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Aug 2024Kinema, a traditional fermented soybean food from the Himalayas, is well-liked for its sticky texture and flavourful umami taste. Among 175 bacterial strains from...
Kinema, a traditional fermented soybean food from the Himalayas, is well-liked for its sticky texture and flavourful umami taste. Among 175 bacterial strains from spontaneously fermented kinema samples, Bacillus subtilis Tamang strain stood out for its high stickiness and viscosity. The strain's Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) contains various groups of glutamic acid and has a molecular weight of 660 kDa. It demonstrates the ability to solubilize iron, preserve ferritin in Caco-2 cells, and exhibit antibacterial properties. The genome of B. subtilis Tamang is devoid of plasmid elements but does feature nine insert elements. Noteworthy is the presence of unique secondary metabolites with potential antimicrobial effects, such as amyloliquecidin GF610, bogorol A, and thermoactinoamide A. A total of 132 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy) were identified, hinting at possible prebiotic characteristics. The genome analysis revealed genes responsible for γ-PGA production via the capBCA complex. Furthermore, genes associated with fibrinolytic activity, taste enhancement, biopeptides, immunomodulators, and vitamins like B12 and K2 were found, along with probiotics and various health benefits. The genetic material for L-asparaginase production, known for its anti-cancer properties, was also detected, as well as CRISPR-Cas systems. The absence of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes confirms the safety of consuming B. subtilis Tamang as a food-grade bacterium.
Topics: Bacillus subtilis; Polyglutamic Acid; Fermentation; Whole Genome Sequencing; Genome, Bacterial; Caco-2 Cells; Humans; Food Microbiology; Fermented Foods; Soy Foods; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38945588
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114655 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2024Zuogui Pill (ZGP) is a traditional herbal formula of Chinese Medicine with a long history of use in alleviating ovarian aging.
Zuogui Pills Alleviate Cyclophosphamide-induced Ovarian Aging by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Restoring the Stemness of Oogonial Stem Cells through the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Zuogui Pill (ZGP) is a traditional herbal formula of Chinese Medicine with a long history of use in alleviating ovarian aging.
AIM OF THE STUDY
To examine the impact of ZGP on oxidative stress and the stemness of oogonial stem cells (OSCs) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced ovarian aging, as well as its molecular mechanisms involving the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2, NFE2L2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, Hmox1) pathway.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control, model (CTX), estradiol valerate (EV, 0.103 mg/kg), ZGP-L (low dose Zuogui Pill, 1.851 g/kg), ZGP-H (high dose Zuogui Pill, 3.702 g/kg), ML385 (30 mg/kg), and ML385+ZGP-L. After CTX modeling, the EV, ZGP-L, ZGP-H, and ML385+ZGP-L groups were treated by gavage for 8 weeks, while the ML385 and ML385+ZGP-L groups were administered the Nrf2 antagonist ML385 twice a week. OSCs were isolated after modeling and then treated with drug serum containing 10% ZGP or 10 μM ML385. The general conditions of the rats, including body weight, ovarian weight/body weight ratio, and estrous cycle, were observed. Ovarian ultrastructure, follicle and corpus luteum counts were assessed via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Serum hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, stem cell, germ cell, and cell cycle biomarkers were analyzed by qPCR and Western blot. Cell viability was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated using flow cytometry and assay kits. Immunofluorescence was employed to detect and locate OSCs in the ovary, quantify the average fluorescence intensity, and identify OSCs.
RESULTS
After ZGP treatment, rats with CTX-induced ovarian aging exhibited improved general condition, increased body weight, higher total ovarian weight to body weight ratio, and a restoration of the estrous cycle similar to the control group. Serum levels of estradiol (E) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), two sex hormones, were also improved. Ovarian ultrastructure and follicle count at all stages showed improvement. Moreover, the viability and proliferation capacity of OSCs were enhanced following ZGP intervention. The Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was found to be down-regulated in CTX-induced aging ovarian OSCs. However, ZGP reversed this effect by activating the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NAD(P)H oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and reducing the accumulation of malonaldehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus restoring resistance to oxidative stress. Additionally, ZGP improved the cell cycle of OSCs, up-regulated the expression of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1, restored cell stemness, promoted proliferation, enhanced the expression of cell stemness markers octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) and mouse VASA homolog (MVH), and down-regulated the expression of P21, thereby inhibiting apoptosis. The therapeutic effects of ZGP against oxidative stress and restoration of cell stemness were attenuated following inhibition of the Nrf2 signaling pathway using ML385.
CONCLUSIONS
ZGP protected against CTX-induced ovarian aging by restoring normal ovarian function, alleviating oxidative stress in aging OSCs, promoting OSCs proliferation, and restoring their stemness in rats, possibly through regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
PubMed: 38945466
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118505 -
Sustained release of inactivated H1N1 virus from degradable microparticles for extended vaccination.European Journal of Pharmaceutics and... Jun 2024Influenza vaccines administered as intramuscularly injected inactivated viruses or intranasally administered live-attenuated viruses usually provide short-term...
Influenza vaccines administered as intramuscularly injected inactivated viruses or intranasally administered live-attenuated viruses usually provide short-term protection against influenza infections. Biodegradable particles that provide sustained release of the antigen has been studied as an approach to extend vaccine protection. Here, we investigate sustained release of ultraviolet killed influenza virus (A/PR/8/34) (kPR8) loaded into poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles. Particles were prepared using the double emulsion method, and polymer molecular weight (MW), polymer hydrophobicity, polymer concentration in the organic phase, and the amount of killed virus were varied to obtain a range of particles. Formulations included PLGA 50:50 (2-6, 7-17 kDa), PLGA 75:25 (4-15 kDa), and 50/50 PLGA 75:25 (4-15 kDa)/PCL (14 kDa). Additionally, NaOH was co-encapsulated in some cases to enhance particle degradation. The structure of the particles was explored by size measurements and electron microscopy. The kPR8 release profiles were measured using hemagglutinin ELISA. The concentration of the polymer (PLGA) in the organic phase and polymer MW significantly influenced virus loading, while polymer MW and co-encapsulation of NaOH modulated the release profiles. Mice receiving a single intramuscular injection of NaOH microparticle-encapsulated kPR8 were partially protected against a lethal influenza challenge 32 weeks post immunization. Microparticle (MP) vaccination induced a gradual increase in PR8-specific IgGs dominated by IgG1 in contrast to the rapid IgG2a-biased response elicited by soluble kPR8 immunization. Our results indicate that vaccine-NaOH co-loaded PLGA particles show potential as a single dose vaccination strategy for extended protection against influenza virus infection.
PubMed: 38945409
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114388 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024A facile biphasic system composed of choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was developed to realize the furfural...
A facile biphasic system composed of choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was developed to realize the furfural production, lignin separation and preparation of fermentable glucose from Eucalyptus in one-pot. Results showed that the ChCl/1,2-propanediol/MIBK system owned the best property to convert hemicelluloses into furfural. Under the optimal conditions (MR = 1:2, raw materials:DES:MIBK ratio = 1:4:8 g/g/mL, 0.075 mol/L AlCl·6HO, 140 °C, and 90 min), the furfural yield and glucose yield reached 65.0 and 92.2 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the lignin with low molecular weight (1250-1930 g/mol), low polydispersity (D = 1.25-1.53) and high purity (only 0.08-2.59 % carbohydrate content) was regenerated from the biphasic system. With the increase of pretreatment temperature, the β-O-4, β-β and β-5 linkages in the regenerated lignin were gradually broken, and the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups increased, but the content of aliphatic hydroxyl groups decreased. This research provides a new strategy for the comprehensive utilization of lignocellulose in biorefinery process.
PubMed: 38945325
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133522 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jun 2024Camelid immunoglobulins represent a unique facet of antibody biology, challenging conventional understandings of antibody diversification. IgG2 and IgG3 in particular...
Camelid immunoglobulins represent a unique facet of antibody biology, challenging conventional understandings of antibody diversification. IgG2 and IgG3 in particular are composed solely of heavy chains and exhibit a reduced molecular weight (90kDa); their elongated complementarity determining region (CDR) loops play a pivotal role in their functioning, delving deep into enzyme active sites with precision. Serum therapy stands as the primary venom-specific treatment for snakebite envenomation, harnessing purified antibodies available in diverse forms such as whole IgG, monovalent fragment antibody (Fab), or divalent fragment antibody F(ab')2. This investigation looks into the intricacies of IgGs derived from camelid serum previously immunized with crotamine and crotoxin, toxins predominantly in Crotalus durissus venom , exploring their recognition capacity, specificity, and cross-reactivity to snake venoms and its toxins. Initially, IgG purification employed affinity chromatography via protein A and G columns to segregate conventional antibodies (IgG1) from heavy chain antibodies (IgG2 and IgG3) of camelid isotypes sourced from Lama glama serum. Subsequent electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE) revealed distinct bands corresponding to molecular weight profiles of IgG's fractions representing isotypes in Lama glama serum. ELISA cross-reactivity assays demonstrated all three IgG isotypes' ability to recognize the tested venoms. Notably, IgG1 exhibited the lowest interactivity in analyses involving bothropic and crotalic venoms. However, IgG2 and IgG3 displayed notable cross-reactivity, particularly with crotalic venoms and toxins, albeit with exceptions such as PLA-CB, showing reduced reactivity, and C. atrox, where IgGs exhibited insignificant reactivity. In Western blot assays, IgG2 and IgG3 exhibited recognition of proteins within molecular weight (≈ 15 kDa) of C. d. collilineatus to C. d. terrificus, with some interaction observed even with bothropic proteins despite lower reactivity. These findings underscore the potential of camelid heavy-chain antibodies, suggesting Lama glama IgGs as prospective candidates for a novel class of serum therapies. However, further investigations are imperative to ascertain their suitability for serum therapy applications.
PubMed: 38945216
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107837 -
Poultry Science Jun 2024Submerged cultivation using low-value agro-industrial side streams allows large-scale and efficient production of fungal mycelia, which has a high nutritional value. As...
Submerged cultivation using low-value agro-industrial side streams allows large-scale and efficient production of fungal mycelia, which has a high nutritional value. As the dietary properties of fungal mycelia in poultry are largely unknown, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of feeding a Pleurotus sapidus (PSA) mycelium as a feed supplement on growth performance, composition of the cecal microbiota and several physiological traits including gut integrity, nutrient digestibility, liver lipids, liver transcriptome and plasma metabolome in broilers. 72 males, 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to 3 different groups and fed 3 different adequate diets containing either 0% (PSA-0), 2.5% (PSA-2.5) and 5% (PSA-5.0) P. sapidus mycelium in a 3-phase feeding system for 35 d. Each group consisted of 6 cages (replicates) with 4 broilers/cage. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed:gain ratio and apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and amino acids were not different between groups. Metagenomic analysis of the cecal microbiota revealed no differences between groups, except that one α-diversity metric (Shannon index) and the abundance of 2 low-abundance bacterial taxa (Clostridia UCG 014, Eubacteriales) differed between groups (P < 0.05). Concentrations of total and individual short-chain fatty acids in the cecal digesta and concentrations of plasma lipopolysaccharide and mRNA levels of proinflammatory genes, tight-junction proteins, and mucins in the cecum mucosa did not differ between groups. None of the plasma metabolites analyzed using targeted-metabolomics differed across the groups. Hepatic transcript profiling revealed a total of 144 transcripts to be differentially expressed between group PSA-5.0 and group PSA-0 but none of these genes was regulated greater 2-fold. Considering either the lack of effects or the very weak effects of feeding the P. sapidus mycelium in the broilers it can be concluded that inclusion of a sustainably produced fungal mycelium in broiler diets at the expense of other feed components has no negative consequences on broilers´ performance and metabolism.
PubMed: 38945001
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103975 -
Foot and Ankle Surgery : Official... Jun 2024Venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) is a recognised complication of foot and ankle surgery. There are multiple possible anticoagulation treatments available in the UK to...
INTRODUCTION
Venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) is a recognised complication of foot and ankle surgery. There are multiple possible anticoagulation treatments available in the UK to mitigate the risk of developing VTE. Our primary objective was to assess the variability of chemical anticoagulation prescribed in patients undergoing foot and ankle procedures.
METHODS
This was a UK-based national, multicenter, prospective audit spanning a collection duration of 9 months on all foot and ankle procedures, carried out in 68 UK centers between 1st June 2022 and 30th November 2022, with a further 3-month follow up period. All patients who underwent a foot and ankle surgical procedure (including Achilles tendon rupture treatment) were included in this study.
RESULTS
Data on a total of 13,569 patients was submitted. Following data cleansing, 11,363 patients were available for further analysis, with anticoagulation data available for 11,099 patients. There were eleven different chemical anticoagulation treatments recorded across the cohort. A total of 3630 (31.95 %) patients received no chemical anticoagulation. The patients receiving chemical anticoagulation medication could be split into 4 main groups. The most common chemical anticoagulation received was low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (6303, 84.4 % of patients receiving chemical anticoagulation). Aspirin was given in 4.1 % (308 patients), a Factor Xa inhibitor in 10 % (744 patients) and other anticoagulants (e.g. Warfarin) in 1.5 % (114 patients). The overall VTE rate in this sub analysis of patients receiving chemical anticoagulation, was 1.1 % (83 cases out of 7469). There was no significant difference seen in incidence of VTE between types of anticoagulants, when confounding factors were considered. The duration of post-operative chemical prophylaxis used by participants for most chemical anticoagulants was 6 weeks (64.50 %).
CONCLUSION
There was significant variability of chemical anticoagulants reported in the study, with five different categories of anticoagulants used (including no chemical anticoagulation), and none clearly superior/inferior. The duration of anticoagulation was consistent across types of thromboprophylaxis.
PubMed: 38944567
DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2024.06.005 -
Biochemical Pharmacology Jun 2024Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with cardiovascular disease in postnatal life. The current study tested the hypothesis that GDM caused the cardiac...
Up-regulation of BRD4 contributes to gestational diabetes mellitus-induced cardiac hypertrophy in offspring by promoting mitochondria dysfunction in sex-independent manner.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with cardiovascular disease in postnatal life. The current study tested the hypothesis that GDM caused the cardiac hypertrophy in fetal (ED18.5), postnatal day 7 (PD7), postnatal day 21 (PD21) and postnatal day 90 (PD90) offspring by upregulation of BRD4 and mitochondrial dysfunction. Pregnant mice were divided into control and GDM groups. Hearts were isolated from ED18.5, PD7, PD21 and PD90. GDM increased the body weight (BW) and heart weight (HW) in ED18.5 and PD7, but not PD21 and PD90 offspring. However, HW/BW ratio was increased in all ages of GDM offspring compared to control group. Electron microscopy showed disorganized myofibrils, mitochondrial swelling, vacuolization, and cristae disorder in GDM offspring. GDM resulted in myocardial hypertrophy in offspring, which persisted from fetus to adult in a sex-independent manner. Echocardiography analysis revealed that GDM caused diastolic dysfunction, but had no effect on systolic function. Meanwhile, myocardial BRD4 was significantly upregulated in GDM offspring and BRD4 inhibition by JQ1 alleviated GDM-induced myocardial hypertrophy in offspring. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that BRD4 interacted with DRP1 and there was an increase of BRD4 and DRP1 interaction in GDM offspring. Furthermore, GDM caused the accumulation of damaged mitochondria in hearts from all ages of offspring, including mitochondrial fusion fission imbalance (upregulation of DRP1, and downregulation of MFN1, MFN2 and OPA1) and myocardial mitochondrial ROS accumulation, which was reversed by JQ1. These results suggested that the upregulation of BRD4 is involved in GDM-induced myocardial hypertrophy in the offspring through promoting mitochondrial damage in a gender-independent manner.
PubMed: 38944397
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116387