bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MmpL Proteins in Physiology and Pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis
Authors: Melly Geoff , Purdy Georgiana E.
Published: March 2019

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains an important human pathogen. The Mtb cell envelope is a critical bacterial structure that contributes to virulence and pathogenicity. Mycobacterial membrane protein large (MmpL) proteins export bulky, hydrophobic substrates that are essential for the unique structure of the cell envelope and directly support the ability of Mtb to infect and persist in the host. This review summarizes recent investigations that have enabled insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying MmpL substrate export and the role that these substrates play during Mtb infection.
Glucosylation and Glutathione Conjugation of Chlorpyrifos and Fluopyram Metabolites Using Electrochemistry/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mekonnen Tessema Fenta , Panne Ulrich , Koch Matthias
Published: March 2019

Xenobiotics and their reactive metabolites are conjugated with native biomolecules such as glutathione and glucoside during phase II metabolism. Toxic metabolites are usually detoxified during this step. On the other hand, these reactive species have a potential health impact by disrupting many enzymatic functions. Thus, it is crucial to understand phase II conjugation reactions of xenobiotics in order to address their fate and possible toxicity mechanisms. Additionally, conventional methods (in vivo and in vitro) have limitation due to matrix complexity and time-consuming. Hence, developing fast and matrix-free alternative method is highly demandable. In this work, oxidative phase I metabolites and reactive species of chlorpyrifos (insecticide) and fluopyram (fungicide) were electrochemically produced by using a boron-doped diamond electrode coupled online to electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Reactive species of the substrates were trapped by biomolecules (glutathione and glucoside) and phase II conjugative metabolites were identified using liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS, and/or Triple time of flight (TripleTOF)-MS. Glutathione conjugates and glucosylation of chlorpyrifos, trichloropyridinol, oxon, and monohydroxyl fluopyram were identified successfully. Glutathione and glucoside were conjugated with chlorpyrifos, trichloropyridinol, and oxon by losing a neutral HCl. In the case of fluopyram, its monohydroxyl metabolite was actively conjugated with both glutathione and glucoside. In summary, seven bioconjugates of CPF and its metabolites and two bioconjugates of fluopyram metabolites were identified using electrochemistry (EC)/MS for the first time in this work. The work could be used as an alternative approach to identify glutathione and glucosylation conjugation reactions of other organic compounds too. It is important, especially to predict phase II conjugation within a short time and matrix-free environment.
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Salmonella enterica Serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Poultry
Authors: Ebani Valentina Virginia , Nardoni Simona , Bertelloni Fabrizio , Tosi Giovanni , Massi Paola , Pistelli Luisa , Mancianti Francesca
Published: March 2019

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis and S. enterica serotype Typhimurium are frequently present among poultry and are associated with outbreaks of human salmonellosis. The study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from Aloysia triphylla, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cymbopogon citratus, Litsea cubeba, Mentha piperita, Syzygium aromaticum against S. Enteritidis and S. Thyphimurium strains previously isolated from poultry. A 1:1 mixture of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum was also tested. The activity of all compounds was evaluated against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly used as probiotic. The highest antibacterial activity was observed for C. zeylanicum (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1.26 mg/mL to 0.63 mg/mL), S. aromaticum (MICs from 2.637 mg/mL to 0.164 mg/mL) and the mixture (MICs from 1.289 mg/mL to 0.322 mg/mL). No activity was recorded against S. cerevisiae. The results suggest a possible use of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum, alone or in combination, in the farm environment for disinfection and in poultry diet, combined with S. cerevisiae administration, for an integrated approach to avoid Salmonella intestinal colonization.
Velcrand Functionalized Polyethylene
Authors: Tellers Jonathan , Vachon Jérôme , Soliman Maria , Dalcanale Enrico , Pinalli Roberta
Published: March 2019

Velcrands are a specific class of cavitands whose complementary surfaces induce self-dimerization. The insertion of a velcrand as physical cross-linking unit into a polymer is reported. To this purpose, the velcrand was functionalized at the lower rim with an isocyanate group. The functional velcrand was reacted with poly (ethylene-co-(2-hydroxethylmethacrylate)) (PE-HEMA), a polymer equipped with free hydroxyl groups suitable for reaction with the isocyanate group. The obtained functionalized polymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proving the introduction of velcraplexes in the polymer. Films with varying amounts of velcrands were obtained by solution casting and slow evaporation, testifying the processability of the functionalized polymers. The obtained films were used to measure the oxygen barrier properties of the functionalized material.
Enantiomeric Tartaric Acid Production Using cis-Epoxysuccinate Hydrolase: History and Perspectives
Authors: Xuan Jinsong , Feng Yingang
Published: March 2019

Tartaric acid is an important chiral chemical building block with broad industrial and scientific applications. The enantioselective synthesis of l(+)- and d(−)-tartaric acids has been successfully achieved using bacteria presenting cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase (CESH) activity, while the catalytic mechanisms of CESHs were not elucidated clearly until very recently. As biocatalysts, CESHs are unique epoxide hydrolases because their substrate is a small, mirror-symmetric, highly hydrophilic molecule, and their products show very high enantiomeric purity with nearly 100% enantiomeric excess. In this paper, we review over forty years of the history, process and mechanism studies of CESHs as well as our perspective on the future research and applications of CESH in enantiomeric tartaric acid production.
Recombinant Human Superoxide Dismutase and N-Acetylcysteine Addition to Exogenous Surfactant in the Treatment of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Authors: Kopincova Jana , Kolomaznik Maros , Mikolka Pavol , Kosutova Petra , Topercerova Juliana , Matasova Katarina , Calkovska Andrea , Mokra Daniela
Published: March 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the molecular background of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and recombinant human superoxide dismutase (rhSOD) antioxidant action when combined with exogenous surfactant in the treatment of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), considering redox signalling a principal part of cell response to meconium. Young New Zealand rabbits were instilled with meconium suspension (Mec) and treated by surfactant alone (Surf) or surfactant in combination with i.v. NAC (Surf + NAC) or i.t. rhSOD (Surf + SOD), and oxygen-ventilated for 5 h. Dynamic lung-thorax compliance, mean airway pressure, PaO2/FiO2 and ventilation efficiency index were evaluated every hour; post mortem, inflammatory and oxidative markers (advanced oxidation protein products, total antioxidant capacity, hydroxynonenal (HNE), p38 mitogen activated protein kinase, caspase 3, thromboxane, endothelin-1 and secretory phospholipase A2) were assessed in pulmonary tissue homogenates. rhSOD addition to surfactant improved significantly, but transiently, gas exchange and reduced levels of inflammatory and oxidative molecules with higher impact; Surf + NAC had stronger effect only on HNE formation, and duration of treatment efficacy in respiratory parameters. In both antioxidants, it seems that targeting reactive oxygen species may be strong supporting factor in surfactant treatment of MAS due to redox sensitivity of many intracellular pathways triggered by meconium.
Graphene-Based Materials as Efficient Photocatalysts for Water Splitting
Authors: Albero Josep , Mateo Diego , García Hermenegildo
Published: March 2019

Photocatalysis has been proposed as one of the most promising approaches for solar fuel production. Among the photocatalysts studied for water splitting, graphene and related materials have recently emerged as attractive candidates due to their striking properties and sustainable production when obtained from biomass wastes. In most of the cases reported so far, graphene has been typically used as additive to enhance its photocatalytic activity of semiconductor materials as consequence of the improved charge separation and visible light harvesting. However, graphene-based materials have demonstrated also intrinsic photocatalytic activity towards solar fuels production, and more specifically for water splitting. The photocatalytic activity of graphene derives from defects generated during synthesis or their introduction through post-synthetic treatments. In this short review, we aim to summarize the most representative examples of graphene based photocatalysts and the different approaches carried out in order to improve the photocatalytic activity towards water splitting. It will be presented that the introduction of defects in the graphenic lattice as well as the incorporation of small amounts of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles on the graphene surface improve the photocatalytic activity of graphene. What is more, a simple one-step preparation method has demonstrated to provide crystal orientation to the nanoparticles strongly grafted on graphene resulting in remarkable photocatalytic properties. These two features, crystal orientation and strong grafting, have been identified as a general methodology to further enhance the photocatalytic activity in graphenebased materials for water splitting. Finally, future prospects in this filed will be also commented.
An Economic, Modular, and Portable Skin Viscoelasticity Measurement Device for In Situ Longitudinal Studies
Authors: Park Seungman , Tao Jiaxiang , Sun Li , Fan Chen-Ming , Chen Yun
Published: March 2019

A indentation-based device to measure tissue mechanical property was designed and built using over-the-counter and 3D-printed parts. The device costs less than 100 USD and is capable of measuring samples of various geometry because of its modular design. The device is light-weight, thus portable, for measurements that can be performed at different sites. It was demonstrated that the measurement results obtained using our device are comparable to previous observations. The elastic shear modulus of the human skin was in the range of 2 kPa to 8 kPa, and skin tissues in old mice were stiffer than young mice. Mechanical properties of the skin tissues belonging to the same test subject varied depending on the location of the measurement. In conclusion, because our device is economic, modular, portable, and robust, it is suitable to serve as a standard measurement platform for studying tissue mechanics.
Essential Oil Composition and Biological Activity of “Pompia”, a Sardinian Citrus Ecotype
Authors: Flamini Guido , Pistelli Laura , Nardoni Simona , Ebani Valentina Virginia , Zinnai Angela , Mancianti Francesca , Ascrizzi Roberta , Pistelli Luisa
Published: March 2019

Pompia is a Sardinian citrus ecotype whose botanical classification is still being debated. In the present study, the composition of Pompia peel essential oil (EO) is reported for the first time, along with that of the leaf EO, as a phytochemical contribution to the classification of this ecotype. The peel EO was tested for its antioxidant ability (with both the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picarylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). Moreover, its antimicrobial activities were tested for the first time on dermatophytes (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes), on potentially toxigenic fungi (Fusarium solani, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger) as well on bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus pseudointermedius). The dominant abundance of limonene in the peel EO seems to distinguish Pompia from the Citrus spp. to which it had previously been associated. It lacks γ-terpinene, relevant in Citrus medica EO. Its relative content of α- and β-pinene is lower than 0.5%, in contrast to Citrus limon peel EO. Pompia peel and leaf EOs did not show significant amounts of linalool and linalyl acetate, which are typically found in Citrus aurantium. Pompia peel EO antioxidant activity was weak, possibly because of its lack of γ-terpinene. Moreover, it did not exert any antimicrobial effects either towards the tested bacteria strains, or to dermatophytes and environmental fungi.
Comparison among Activities and Isoflavonoids from Pueraria thunbergiana Aerial Parts and Root
Authors: Son Eunjung , Yoon Jong-Moon , An Bong-Jeun , Lee Yun Mi , Cha Jimin , Chi Gyeong-Yup , Kim Dong-Seon
Published: March 2019

Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana Benth.) has long been used as a food and medicine for many centuries. The root is the most commonly used portion of the plant, but the aerial parts are occasionally used as well. In this study, we investigated the constituent compounds and biological activities of the aerial parts, leaves, stems, and sprouts, and compared their constituents and activities with those of roots. Leaf extract showed a significantly higher TPC level at 59 ± 1.6 mg/g and lower free radical scavenging (FRS) values under 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and NO inhibition at 437 ± 11, 121 ± 6.6 μg/mL and 107 ± 4.9 μg/mL, respectively, than those of sprout, stem, and root extract. Leaf extract also significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The main components of leaf extract were found to be genistin and daidzin. This study suggests that the leaves of kudzu are a good source of biological activities and isoflavones that can be used in functional or medicinal foods and cosmetics for the prevention or treatment of diseases related to inflammation and oxidative stress.
The Removal of CuO Nanoparticles from Water by Conventional Treatment C/F/S: The Effect of pH and Natural Organic Matter
Authors: Khan Rizwan , Inam Muhammad Ali , Park Du Ri , Khan Sarfaraz , Akram Muhammad , Yeom Ick Tae
Published: March 2019

The increased use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), such as copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), in commercial products and applications raises concern regarding their possible release into freshwater sources. Therefore, their removal from water is important to eliminate adverse environmental and human health effects. In this study, the effects of pH and natural organic matter (NOM), i.e., humic acid (HA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the removal of CuO NPs by coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation (C/F/S) were evaluated. The results indicated that pH significantly affects the coagulation efficiency, where 10–60% CuO NPs removal was achieved under extreme acidic/alkaline conditions. However, at neutral pH, removal of up to 90% was observed with a lower ferric chloride (FC) dosage (0.2 mM). The coagulation efficiency and mechanism were strongly affected by the type of Fe species present in the aqueous phase, which is mainly controlled by pH. Higher concentrations of both HA and SA decrease the CuO NPs agglomeration rate, and thereby improve the colloidal stability due to the NOM molecules adsorbed onto the NPs surface. The presence of hydrophobic HA needs a higher FC dosage of 0.5–0.8 mM than a dosage of hydrophilic SA of 0.25–0.35 mM, to obtain a similar CuO coagulation efficiency. Moreover, higher removals of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and UV254 were observed more in hydrophobic NOM than in hydrophilic. The results of the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of FC composite flocs confirm that the charge neutralization and enmeshment of coagulant might be a possible removal mechanism. The findings of the current study may provide critical information in the prediction of the fate, mobility, and removal of CuO NPs during C/F/S in water treatment.
Reverse Genetic Systems for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Leviphages
Authors: Lee Jae-Yeol , Ahn Se-Jeong , Park Chanseop , Bae Hee-Won , Kim Eun Sook , Cho You-Hee
Published: March 2019

Reverse genetic systems for RNA viruses are the platforms to introduce mutations into the RNA genomes and thus have helped understand their life cycle and harness them for human purposes to develop vaccines and delivery systems. These systems are based on the complementary DNA (cDNA) of the RNA viruses, whose transcripts derived from bacterial RNA polymerases act not only as the primary mRNA for phage protein synthesis, but also as the template for phage RNA replicases (aka. RNA-dependent RNA polymerases). Here, we present a protocol optimized for the small RNA phages of Leviviridae (i.e., leviphages) infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This protocol includes three fundamental steps: (i) Creation of a promoter-fused cDNA, (ii) generation of a clone into mini-Tn7-based vector, and (iii) introduction of the clone into non-susceptible hosts. As the representative example, we describe the reverse genetic system for PP7, which infects a set of P. aeruginosa strains such as PAO1. The cDNA was fused to the T7 promoter, which was cloned in mini-Tn7-Gm. This construct was introduced into P. aeruginosa PAK and E. coli HB101. Functional assembly of PP7 phages from the culture supernatants were assessed by plaque formation on PAO1 and the phage particles were observed under transmission microscope. We found that the host cells should be cultured at 30 °C for the maximal phage production (~1012 pfu/mL). The reverse genetic systems will provide a new insight into the life cycle of the RNA phages and help develop engineered variants with new traits for phage applications regarding selective diagnosis and efficient therapy.
Graphene Nanoplatelet-Reinforced Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/High Density Polyethylene Blend-Based Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal and Electrical Properties
Authors: Behera Kartik , Yadav Mithilesh , Chiu Fang-Chyou , Rhee Kyong Yop
Published: March 2019

In this study, a graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) was used as a reinforcing filler to prepare poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blend-based nanocomposites through a melt mixing method. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the GNP was mainly distributed within the PVDF matrix phase. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that PVDF and HDPE retained their crystal structure in the blend and composites. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of GNP enhanced the thermal stability of the blend, which was more evident in a nitrogen environment than in an air environment. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that GNP facilitated the nucleation of PVDF and HDPE in the composites upon crystallization. The activation energy for non-isothermal crystallization of PVDF increased with increasing GNP loading in the composites. The Avrami n values ranged from 1.9–3.8 for isothermal crystallization of PVDF in different samples. The Young’s and flexural moduli of the blend improved by more than 20% at 2 phr GNP loading in the composites. The measured rheological properties confirmed the formation of a pseudo-network structure of GNP-PVDF in the composites. The electrical resistivity of the blend reduced by three orders at a 3-phr GNP loading. The PVDF/HDPE blend and composites showed interesting application prospects for electromechanical devices and capacitors.
Hollow MFI Zeolite Supported Pt Catalysts for Highly Selective and Stable Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol to Cycloalkanes
Authors: Niu Xiaopo , Feng Fuxiang , Yuan Gang , Zhang Xiangwen , Wang Qingfa
Published: March 2019

Hollow Silicalite-1 and ZSM-5 zeolites with hierarchical porous shells have been synthesized by using a dissolution-recrystallization method. The morphology, structure, and acidity of these zeolites supported Pt catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, MAS-SSNMR, FE-SEM, FE-TEM, N2-BET, XPS, NH3-TPD, and CO pulse chemisorption. Compared to the conventional ZSM-5 supported Pt catalyst, the special structure in hollow ZSM-5 zeolite significantly promotes the dispersion of metallic Pt and the synergistic effect between metal active sites and acid sites. These boost the catalytic activity, selectivity of guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation toward cycloalkanes and long-term stability over the Pt/hollow ZSM-5 catalyst combined with improved mass transfer of products and reactants derived from the hierarchical hollow porous structure. Moreover, the Pt/hollow ZSM-5 catalyst exhibits excellent low temperature catalytic activity to completely transform guaiacol into cycloalkanes with the cyclohexane selectivity of more than 93% at 220 °C, suggesting that hollow ZSM-5 zeolite is a promising support for upgrading of bio-oils.
Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells Using Membrane-Based SERS Platform: A New Diagnostic Approach for ‘Liquid Biopsy’
Authors: Kamińska Agnieszka , Szymborski Tomasz , Witkowska Evelin , Kijeńska-Gawrońska Ewa , Świeszkowski Wojciech , Niciński Krzysztof , Trzcińska-Danielewicz Joanna , Girstun Agnieszka
Published: March 2019

The detection and monitoring of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood is an important strategy for early cancer evidence, analysis, monitoring of therapeutic response, and optimization of cancer therapy treatments. In this work, tailor-made membranes (MBSP) for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based analysis, which permitted the separation and enrichment of CTCs from blood samples, were developed. A thin layer of SERS-active metals deposited on polymer mat enhanced the Raman signals of CTCs and provided further insight into CTCs molecular and biochemical composition. The SERS spectra of all studied cells—prostate cancer (PC3), cervical carcinoma (HeLa), and leucocytes as an example of healthy (normal) cell—revealed significant differences in both the band positions and/or their relative intensities. The multivariate statistical technique based on principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the most significant differences (marker bands) in SERS data among the analyzed cells and to perform quantitative analysis of SERS data. Based on a developed PCA algorithm, the studied cell types were classified with an accuracy of 95% in 2D PCA to 98% in 3D PCA. These results clearly indicate the diagnostic efficiency for the discrimination between cancer and normal cells. In our approach, we exploited the one-step technology that exceeds most of the multi-stage CTCs analysis methods used and enables simultaneous filtration, enrichment, and identification of the tumor cells from blood specimens.
Cell Imaging Using Two-Photon Excited CdS Fluorescent Quantum Dots Working within the Biological Window
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Liu Xiao , Wei Zhongchao , Liu Haiying , Peng Jie , Zhou Liya , Li Hongmei , Fan Haihua
Published: March 2019

In recent years, two-photon excited semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have been the subject of intense investigation due to their long excitation wavelength which helps to achieve deeper penetration and higher image resolution in optical bioimaging. In this paper, water-soluble CdS QDs were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and applied to human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. The first-principles calculation suggested that the S-rich defected structure contributes to a narrower band gap compared to the pristine structure. The resulting fluorescence wavelength was significantly red shifted, which was attributed to the deep defect states emission. The large Stokes shifts (> 200 nm) of the QDs can eliminate the possible cross-talk between the excitation light and the emission light. Two-photon induced red fluorescence emission can avoid overlapping with the autofluorescence emission of biological samples. The uptake and cell viability measurements of the HepG2 cells showed a good biocompatibility and a low toxicity of CdS QDs. Two-photon excited scanning microscopy images revealed that the HepG2 cells incubated with CdS QDs emitted bright red upconversion fluorescence and the fluorescence brightness was 38.2 times of that of the control group. These results support CdS QDs as a good candidate for application in cellular imaging.
Nanoparticle Enhanced Eutectic Reaction during Diffusion Brazing of Aluminium to Magnesium
Authors: Akhtar Tajwer S. , Cooke Kavian O. , Khan Tahir I. , Shar Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2019

Diffusion brazing has gained much popularity as a technique capable of joining dissimilar lightweight metal alloys and has the potential for a wide range of applications in aerospace and transportation industries, where microstructural changes that will determine the mechanical and chemical properties of the final joint must be controlled. This study explores the effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the mechanical and microstructural properties of diffusion brazed magnesium (AZ31) and aluminium (Al-1100) joints. The results showed that the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticle to the electrodeposited Cu coating increased the volume of eutectic liquid formed at the interface which caused a change to the bonding mechanism and accelerated the bonding process. When the Cu/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings were used as the interlayer, a maximum bond strength of 46 MPa was achieved after 2 min bonding time while samples bonded using pure-Cu interlayers achieved maximum strength after 10 min bonding time. Chemical analysis of the bond region confirmed that when short bonding times are used, the intermetallic compounds formed at the interface are limited to the compounds consumed in the eutectic reaction.
Utilizing Infrared Spectroscopy to Analyze the Interfacial Structures of Ionic Liquids/Al2O3 and Ionic Liquids/Mica Mixtures under High Pressures
Authors: Chang Yen-Hsu , Chang Hai-Chou , Fu Yen-Pei
Published: March 2019

The interfacial interactions between ionic liquids (1,3-dimethylimidazolium methyl sulfate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate) and solid surfaces (mesoporous aluminum oxide and mica) have been studied by infrared spectroscopy at high pressures (up to 2.5 GPa). Under ambient pressure, the spectroscopic features of pure ionic liquids and mixtures of ionic liquids/solid particles (Al2O3 and mica) are similar. As the pressure is increased, the cooperative effect in the local structure of pure 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methyl sulfate becomes significantly enhanced as the imidazolium C–H absorptions of the ionic liquid are red-shifted. However, this pressure-enhanced effect is reduced by adding the solid particles (Al2O3 and mica) to 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methyl sulfate. Although high-pressure IR can detect the interactions between 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methyl sulfate and particle surfaces, the difference in the interfacial interactions in the mixtures of Al2O3 and mica is not clear. By changing the type of ionic liquid to 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, the interfacial interactions become more sensitive to the type of solid surfaces. The mica particles in the mixture perturb the local structure of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate under high pressures, forcing 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate to form into an isolated structure. For Al2O3, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate tends to form an associated structure under high pressures.
Facile Synthesis of Pd Nanocubes with Assistant of Iodide and Investigation of Their Electrocatalytic Performances Towards Formic Acid Oxidation
Authors: Liu Xuan , Li Zichao , Wang Kuankuan , Zhou Luming , Zhao Xihui , Jiang Wenhai , Li Qun , Deng Yujia
Published: March 2019

This article presents a facile, one-pot method using the aqueous phase for the synthesis of high-quality Pd nanocubes. In this study, Pd chloride was used as the precursor, sodium iodide as capping agent, and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as surfactant and reducing agent. The effects of different halogens on the morphology of Pd nanocrystals were investigated. The results showed that, in this synthesis system, the selection and proper amount of sodium iodide was essential to the preparation of high-quality Pd nanocubes. When iodide was replaced by other halogens (such as bromide and chloride), Pd nanocrystals with cubic morphology could not be obtained. In addition, we have found that NaBH4 can be used to efficiently remove inorganic covers, such as iodide, from the surface of Pd nanoparticles as synthesized. The Pd nanoparticles obtained were employed as electro-catalysts for formic acid oxidation, and they exhibited excellent catalytic activity and good stability towards this reaction.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Pomegranate Peel Extracts on In Vitro Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells and Ex Vivo Porcine Colonic Tissue Explants
Authors: Mastrogiovanni Fabio , Mukhopadhya Anindya , Lacetera Nicola , Ryan Marion T. , Romani Annalisa , Bernini Roberta , Sweeney Torres
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of pomegranate peel extracts (PPE) prepared from waste material of pomegranate juice production both in vitro on Caco-2 cells and ex vivo using porcine colonic tissue explants. Caco-2 cells were stimulated in vitro by TNF and colonic tissue explants were stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both tissues were co-treated with PPE at 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10 and 25 μg/mL. The secretion of CXCL8 in the supernatant of both experiments was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the relative expression of inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in the colonic tissue by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). The 2.5 to 25 μg/mL of PPE suppressed CXCL8 (p < 0.001) in the Caco-2 cells, whereas CXCL8 production was suppressed by only 5 and 25 μg/mL (p < 0.01) of PPE in the colonic explants. The 5 μg/mL of PPE also suppressed the expression of IL1A (p < 0.05), IL6 (p < 0.01) and CXCL8 (p < 0.05) in LPS challenged colonic tissues compared to controls. In conclusion, the 5 μg/mL of PPE consistently elicits strong anti-inflammatory activity. These results support the potential of bioactive compounds from the waste peel of pomegranate in terms of their anti-inflammatory activity in cells and tissues of the gastrointestinal tract.
Different Temperature Treatments of Millet Grains Affect the Biological Activity of Protein Hydrolyzates and Peptide Fractions
Authors: Karaś Monika , Jakubczyk Anna , Szymanowska Urszula , Jęderka Krystyna , Lewicki Sławomir , Złotek Urszula
Published: March 2019

The objective of this study was to analyze millet protein hydrolyzates and peptide fractions with molecular mass under 3.0 kDa obtained from grains treated with different temperature values as inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase activity. The protein fractions were hydrolyzed in vitro in gastrointestinal conditions and the highest degree of hydrolysis was noted for globulin 7S obtained from control grains (98.33%). All samples were characterized by a high peptide bioaccessibility index, which was 23.89 for peptides obtained from globulin 11S after treatment with 100 °C. The highest peptide bioavailability index was noted for peptides obtained from globulin 11S after the treatment with 65 °C (2.12). The highest potential metabolic syndrome inhibitory effect was determined for peptide fractions obtained from the prolamin control (IC50 for ACE and α-amylase was 0.42 and 0.11 mg/mL, respectively) and after the 100 °C treatment (IC50 for ACE and α-glucosidase was 0.33 and 0.12 mg/mL, respectively) and from globulin 11S after the 65 °C treatment (IC50 0.38 and 0.05 for ACE and α-glucosidase, respectively). The effect of these samples on endothelial cell HECa10 was determined. The sequences of potential inhibitory peptides were identified as GEHGGAGMGGGQFQPV, EQGFLPGPEESGR, RLARAGLAQ, YGNPVGGVGH, and GNPVGGVGHGTTGT.
Growth, Protein and Energy Intake in Children with PKU Taking a Weaning Protein Substitute in the First Two Years of Life: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Evans Sharon , Daly Anne , Wildgoose Jo , Cochrane Barbara , Chahal Satnam , Ashmore Catherine , Loveridge Nik , MacDonald Anita
Published: March 2019

Growth issues have been observed in young children with phenylketonuria (PKU), but studies are conflicting. In infancy, there is an increasing trend to introduce a second-stage semi-solid weaning protein substitute (WPS) but there is concern that this may not meet energy requirements. In this longitudinal, prospective study, 20 children with PKU transitioning to a WPS, and 20 non-PKU controls were observed monthly from weaning commencement (4–6 months) to 12 m and at 15, 18 and 24 months of age for: weight, length, head circumference, body mass index (BMI), energy and macronutrient intake. Growth parameters were within normal range at all ages in both groups with no significant difference in mean z-scores except for accelerated length in the PKU group. No child with PKU had z-scores < −2 for any growth parameter at age 2 years. Total protein and energy intake in both groups were similar at all ages; however, from 12–24 months in the PKU group, the percentage of energy intake from carbohydrate increased (60%) but from fat decreased (25%) and inversely for controls (48% and 36%). In PKU, use of low volume WPS meets Phe-free protein requirements, facilitates transition to solid foods and supports normal growth. Further longitudinal study of growth, body composition and energy/nutrient intakes in early childhood are required to identify any changing trends.
Validity and Reproducibility of a Self-Administered Food Frequency Questionnaire for the Assessment of Sugar Intake in Middle-Aged Japanese Adults
Authors: Kanehara Rieko , Goto Atsushi , Kotemori Ayaka , Mori Nagisa , Nakamura Ari , Sawada Norie , Ishihara Junko , Takachi Ribeka , Kawano Yukari , Iwasaki Motoki , Tsugane Shoichiro ,   for the JPHC FFQ Validation Study Group
Published: March 2019

We evaluated the validity and reproducibility of estimated sugar intakes using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among middle-aged Japanese adults in the Japan Public Health Centre-Based Prospective (JPHC) study. In subsamples of the JPHC study (Cohorts I and II in multiple areas), we computed Spearman’s correlations of FFQ results with urine sugar concentrations and dietary records (DR) for validity; we evaluated correlations between two FFQs for reproducibility. During 1994–1998, participants (Cohort I: n = 27 [men], n = 45 [women]) provided two (spring and fall) 24-h urine samples and completed 7-consecutive-day DR per season (I: n = 99, n = 113; II: n = 168, n = 171) and two FFQs (147 food items) at yearly intervals (I: n = 101, n = 108; II: n = 143, n = 146). Sugar intakes from FFQ were correlated with urinary sugar (de-attenuated correlations: 0.40; 95%CI: 0.19, 0.58). After adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, correlations between FFQ and DR for men and women were 0.57 (0.42, 0.69) and 0.41 (0.24, 0.55) (I) and 0.56 (0.44, 0.65) and 0.34 (0.20, 0.47) (II), respectively. Correlations between FFQs for men and women were 0.63 (0.49, 0.73) and 0.55 (0.41, 0.67) (I) and 0.66 (0.55, 0.74) and 0.63 (0.52, 0.72) (II). In conclusion, our study showed moderate FFQ validity and reproducibility for sugar intake evaluation.
Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and Bone Mineral Density in Spanish Premenopausal Women
Authors: Pérez-Rey Jesús , Roncero-Martín Raúl , Rico-Martín Sergio , Rey-Sánchez Purificación , Pedrera-Zamorano Juan D. , Pedrera-Canal María , López-Espuela Fidel , Lavado-García Jesús M.
Published: March 2019

The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with an improvement in health and an increase in longevity. Certain components of a MD can play a role in the prevention of osteoporosis and/or hip fracture. We investigated the association between the degree of adherence to a MD and bone mineral density (BMD) measured in several bone areas in a population of Spanish premenopausal women. We analyzed 442 premenopausal women aged 42.73 ± 6.67 years. Bone measurements were obtained using quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS) for the phalanx, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the lumbar spine, Ward’s triangle, trochanter, and hip, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for the non-dominant distal forearm. MD adherence was evaluated with MedDietScore. Amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SOS), BMD, and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) (total, trabecular, and cortical bone density) were positively associated with higher adherence to the MD (p < 0.05). Adherence to the MD was significantly associated with QUS, BMD, and vBMD in multiple regression analysis; QUS: Ad-SOS (m/s) β = 0.099 (p = 0.030); BMD (g/cm2): femur neck β = 0.114 (p = 0.010) and Ward’s triangle β = 0.125 (p = 0.006); vBMD (mg/cm3): total density β = 0.119 (p = 0.036), trabecular density β = 0.120 (p = 0.035), and cortical density β = 0.122 (p = 0.032). We conclude that the adherence to the MD was positively associated with better bone mass in Spanish premenopausal women.
Preliminary Study on the Use of Chitosan as an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Control Fusarium Growth and Mycotoxin Production on Maize and Wheat
Authors: Zachetti Vanessa G. L. , Cendoya Eugenia , Nichea María J. , Chulze Sofía N. , Ramirez María L.
Published: March 2019

The objectives of the present study were to determine the combined effects of chitosan and water activity (aW) on growth and mycotoxin production in situ on the two most important Fusarium species (F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides) present on maize, and on F. graminearum, the main pathogen causing Fusarium head blight on wheat. Results showed that low-molecular-weight chitosan with more than 70% deacetylation at the lowest dose used (0.5 mg/g) was able to reduce deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin (FBs) production on irradiated maize and wheat grains. Growth rates of F. graminearum also decreased at the lowest chitosan dose used (0.5 mg/g), while F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum growth rates were reduced at 0.98 aW at the highest chitosan dose used (2 mg/g). Since mycotoxins are unavoidable contaminants in food and feed chains, their presence needs to be reduced in order to minimize their effects on human and animal health and to diminish the annual market loss through rejected maize and wheat; in this scenario, pre- and post-harvest use of chitosan could be an important alternative.
Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Microbiological Activities of the Essential Oil of Leaf of Tithonia Diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray (Asteraceae)
Authors: Ferreira Farias Ana Luzia , Lobato Rodrigues Alex Bruno , Lopes Martins Rosany , de Menezes Rabelo Érica , Ferreira Farias Carlos Wagner , Moreira da Silva de Almeida Sheylla Susan
Published: March 2019

The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant potential, and the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of the plant species Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray. The essential oil obtained was used to identify the chemical compounds present through the techniques of GC-MS and NMR. The antioxidant potential was calculated by the sequestration method of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. For cytotoxic activity, the larval mortality of Artemia salina was evaluated. The main chemical constituents identified are αpinene (9.9%), Limonene (5.40%), (Z)-β-ocimene (4.02%), p-cymen-8-ol (3.0%), Piperitone (11.72%), (E)-nerolidol (3.78%) and Spathulenol (10.8%). In the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity, bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used. The results showed that the bacterium E. coli were more susceptible to the presence of the essential oil, presenting minimal inhibitory concentration at the concentrations that were exposed. The essential oil presented antioxidant activity of 54.6% at the concentration of 5 mg·mL−1 and provided a CI50 of 4.30. It was observed that the essential oil of this species was highly toxic against A. salina lavas, as its cytotoxic activity showed an LC50 of 3.11. Thus, it is concluded that T. diversifolia oils are effective in inhibiting bacterial growth and reducing oxidative stress.
Specialist Clinicians’ Management of Dependence on Non-Prescription Medicines and Barriers to Treatment Provision: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study Using Behavioural Theory
Authors: Fingleton Niamh , Duncan Eilidh , Watson Margaret , Matheson Catriona
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study was to establish how non-prescription medicine (NPM) dependence is treated by doctors in specialist substance misuse treatment services and to identify perceived barriers to providing treatment. An online survey was conducted to establish current practice and whether changes to service provision are needed to facilitate treatment (n = 83). Semi-structured interviews, based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, were conducted to derive a detailed exploration of suggested changes (n = 11). Most survey respondents had encountered cases of NPM dependence. Analgesics containing codeine were the most frequently NPMs of dependence mentioned by respondents. Most respondents were unaware of specific guidelines for the treatment of NPM dependence. The most frequently identified barriers to providing treatment identified by interviewees were limited resources or capacity and the challenges presented by this client group. There was a perception that this client group could be difficult to treat due to comorbidities, and these this client group perceived themselves to be different from people dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs. This study identified a clear need for specific clinical guidelines for the treatment of NPM dependence. Such guidance should be appropriate for specialist and generalist clinicians as the current pressure on resources may force more treatment into general practice. Appropriate care pathways need to be established and defined, and sufficient resources allocated to accommodate this client group.
Nutrition Education and Community Pharmacy: A First Exploration of Current Attitudes and Practices in Northern Ireland
Authors: Douglas Pauline L. , McCarthy Helen , McCotter Lynn E. , Gallen Siobhan , McClean Stephen , Gallagher Alison M. , Ray Sumantra
Published: March 2019

Community pharmacist is one of the most prominent and accessible healthcare professions. The community pharmacists’ role in healthcare is evolving, with opportunities being taken to reduce pressure on primary care services. However, the question remains of how well community pharmacists are equipped for this changing role. This was a sequentially designed study using a mix of methods to explore nutrition education among community pharmacists in Northern Ireland. It consisted of two phases. Phase 1 was a cross-sectional exploration to map the attitudes and practice of Northern Ireland (NI) pharmacists towards diet-related health promotion and disease prevention. An online questionnaire with open and closed questions to gain both quantitative and qualitative responses was developed and distributed to community pharmacists practising in NI. A total of 91% considered nutrition important in reducing the global burden of disease. While the majority (89%) believed patients would value nutritional advice from a pharmacist, 74% were not confident in providing advice to a patient with diabetes. From the consensus gained in Phase 1 a nutrition education intervention (Phase 2) for pre-registration pharmacists was developed using the Hardens 10 question system. The training programme was advertised to pre-registration pharmacy students in NI. It was delivered by nutrition experts who have education qualifications. The intervention was evaluated using a before and after questionnaire that assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP). Phase 2 did find sustained improvement from the baseline in KAP but there was a decline from immediately post-training to three months post-training. This suggests the need to further embed nutrition education. The education programme was found to be effective for the target population and sets the stage for the development of an implementation strategy for a wider roll-out with evaluation.
Magnetic Properties of FeNi3 Nanoparticle Modified Pinus radiata Wood Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang LiLi , Li Na , Zhao Tiqi , Li Bin , Ji Yali
Published: March 2019

Magnetic FeNi3 nanoparticles were synthesized in the internal structure of wood through an in situ fabrication approach. The morphology, crystalline phase and chemical composition of the FeNi3 modified wood was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). SEM confirmed that the magnetic nanoparticles were densely dispersed in the wood matrix. The magnetic hysteresis loops showed that the magnetism of composites is dependent on the amount of FeNi3 loading. The saturation magnetization of magnetic wood increases from 6.3 to 10.8 emu/g with an increase of FeNi3 loading from 12 to 18 wt %. Furthermore, magnetic wood showed significant directional dependence. The presented work will provide a feasible pathway for producing wood composite products.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulations and Experimental Measurements in an Inductively-Coupled Plasma Generator Operating at Atmospheric Pressure: Performance Analysis and Parametric Study
Authors: Punjabi Sangeeta , Barve Dilip , Joshi Narendra , Das Asoka , Kothari Dushyant , Ganguli Arijit , Sahasrabhude Sunil , Joshi Jyeshtharaj
Published: March 2019

In this article, electrical characteristics of a high-power inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) torch operating at 3 MHz are determined by direct measurement of radio-frequency (RF) current and voltage together with energy balance in the system. The variation of impedance with two parameters, namely the input power and the sheath gas flow rate for a 50 kW ICP is studied. The ICP torch system is operated at near atmospheric pressure with argon as plasma gas. It is observed that the plasma resistance increases with an increase in the RF-power. Further, the torch inductance decreases with an increase in the RF-power. In addition, plasma resistance and torch inductance decrease with an increase in the sheath gas flow rate. The oscillator efficiency of the ICP system ranges from 40% to 80% with the variation of the Direct current (DC) powers. ICP has also been numerically simulated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to predict the impedance profile. A good agreement was found between the CFD predictions and the impedance experimental data published in the literature.