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Probiotics have become increasingly recognized for their potential health-promoting properties; however, the viability of probiotics can be affected by storage and transportation processes as well as the stressful environment of the human digestive tract, preventing them from achieving effective concentration (107 CFU/mL). In this regard, the embedding technology of probiotics provides an effective protection method. Dextran-based water in water (W/W) emulsion loaded with Lactobacillus plantarum was used as spinning solution to prepare Lactobacillus plantarum-loaded electrospun fibers. The structure of the W/W emulsion and the electrospun fibers was charactered. Lactobacillus plantarum were uniformly embedded in the internal phase of the W/W emulsion and the loading efficiency was 9.70 ± 0.40 log CFU/g. After 240 min digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, and temperature treatment in 65 °C and 72 °C, the loaded probiotics maintained high activity. Even after 5 days of storage in room temperature and 4 °C, the loaded probiotic activity levels remained high, with counts >8 log CFU/g. These results suggest that probiotics encapsulated by emulsion electrospinning could be potentially delivered in a novel food delivery system used in the future food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using non-amphiphilic polysaccharide to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions is still a challenge in food industry. Polysaccharide microgels showed emulsifying capacity, however, the stability of the formed emulsions is far from the requirements of the food industry. In this work, agarose microgel/Tween-20 suspensions were prepared and further employed in oil-in-water emulsion stabilization. Focuses were taken on the impact of Tween-20 on the emulsifying properties of agarose microgels. Results suggested that Tween-20 could complex with agarose microgels, and microamounts of Tween-20 (0.02 wt%) could apparently improve the emulsifying performance of microgels. Dynamic interfacial pressure and interfacial adsorption of microgels indicated that appropriate amount of Tween-20 (≤0.04 wt%) could benefit the interfacial adsorption of agarose microgels, while excessive Tween-20 (≥0.08 wt%) could compete with agarose microgels for adsorption sites on oil/water interface. Results of this work supporting that surfactant complexing could be a promising solution to prepare polysaccharides based Mickering emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain rapeseed protein with low phytic acid (PA), soy protein isolate (SPI) was used to investigate the interactions between SPI and PA. The influence of pretreatment (soaking using salt solution and dialysis) of the defatted rapeseed meal on the PA and protein content in the final rapeseed proteins was also studied. The results showed that electrostatic interactions dominated the protein–PA interaction, which was affected by pH and ionic strength. Accordingly, the pH and ionic strength in the soaking medium also influenced the PA remained in the rapeseed proteins. The PA content decreased with the ionic strength (400–800 mM) and relatively low PA was obtained at pH 6.0 (soaking environment). Finally, 52.8 % of the PA have been removed and PA content remained in rapeseed protein isolate (RPI) reached about 0.84 mg/g, at the same time, the protein content was maintained around 86.70 %. Overall, soaking using salt solution and dialysis could be an effective method to achieve high quality rapeseed protein with low PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reticulocalbin 1 (RCN1), a calcium-binding protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen, contains six conserved regions. Its main functions include maintaining intracellular homeostasis and regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, and it plays an important role in the development of various tumours. However, the exact function of RCN1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RCN1 on the biological behaviour of OSCC and the regulation of tumour-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization. The expression of RCN1 in OSCC and normal oral mucosa was evaluated through bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The growth, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells were observed after knockdown of RCN1 using CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of tumour cell-derived RCN1 on the polarization of THP-1 macrophages was investigated by establishing a coculture model of THP-1 macrophages and OSCC cells. Additionally, changes in the expression levels of relevant proteins were detected using Western blotting. The upregulation of RCN1 in tumour tissues compared to normal oral mucosal tissues is associated with a poor prognosis and can be utilized as a prognostic indicator for OSCC. Knockdown of RCN1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. Additionally, knockdown of RCN1 in Cal-27 and SCC-25 cells resulted in inhibition of the M2 polarization of THP-1 macrophages. RCN1 knockdown inhibits OSCC progression and M2 macrophage polarization. Targeting RCN1 may be a promising approach for OSCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion seriously threatens the safety of high-speed rotating mechanical components in very harsh service environments, particularly for lightweight titanium alloy matrix material. In order to improve the erosion resistance of titanium alloy, TiAlSiN coatings with different phase compositions are deposited on TC6 titanium alloy using a high-power pulse magnetron sputtering discharge (HPPMS) system under various discharge voltages. The componential and microstructural evolution as well as mechanical properties of the TiAlSiN coatings are evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nanoindentation, respectively. The erosion performance relative to titanium alloy is investigated by a sand blasting tester. With the increase in discharge voltage from −500 to −600 V, the peak of discharge current increases from 105 to 225 A. The prepared TiAlSiN coatings show a shift of the preferred crystallographic orientation from (220) to (200), but all of them have a dense nanocomposite structure. Their hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E) gradually increase before decreasing, arriving at maximum values of 35.34 and 360.5 GPa at −570 V. The erosion resistance of the TiAlSiN coatings dependent on the discharge voltage is consistent with the H/E ratio change. The TiAlSiN coatings prepared at −560 V exhibit the optimal erosion resistance, which is 15 times that of the TC6 substrate. The erosion behavior of the coatings is positively correlated with their hardness and toughness. Adjusting the discharge voltage of the HPPMS pulse is finally proved to be an effective way of tailoring the coating phase compositions to improve the erosion resistance of titanium alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a simple and convenient technology to fabricate micron-to-nanoscale fibers with controllable structure, electrostatic spinning has produced fiber films with many natural advantages, including a large specific surface area and high porosity. Maize zein, as a major storage protein in corn, showed high hydrophobicity and has been successfully applied as a promising carrier for encapsulation and controlled release in the pharmaceutical and food areas. Proteins exhibit different physical and chemical properties at different pH values, and it is worth investigating whether this change in physical and chemical properties affects the properties of electrospun fiber films. We studied the pH effects on zein solution rheology, fiber morphology, and film properties. Rotational rheometers were used to test the rheology of the solutions and establish a correlation between solution concentration and fiber morphology. The critical concentrations calculated by the cross-equation fitting model were 17.6%, 20.1%, 20.1%, 17.1%, and 19.5% (w/v) for pH 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. The secondary structure of zein changed with the variation in solution pH. Furthermore, we analyzed the physical properties of the zein films. The contact angles of the fiber membranes prepared with different pH spinning solutions were all above 100, while zein films formed by solvent evaporation showed hydrophilic properties. The results indicated that the rheological properties of zein solutions and the surface properties of the film were affected by the pH value. This study showed that zein solutions can be stabilized to form electrospun fibers at a variety of pH levels and offered new opportunities to further enhance the encapsulation activity of zein films for bioactive materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The time of a paclitaxel (PTX) concentration remains above 0.05 μM (Tc > 0.05) has been associated with PTX-induced adverse effects in Caucasians, while limited studies were reported in Asians. This study was aimed to explore the characteristics of Tc > 0.05 and the relationship between PTX exposure and toxicity in East-Asian patients.Methods: This study was based on two prospective phase II clinical trials and patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were naïve to PTX were included independently. Eligible patients receive PTX (175 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC = 5) treatment every 3 weeks. PTX pharmacokinetic analysis was accessed. The relationship between PTX exposure and toxicities after first cycle as well as clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results: A total of 93 NPC and 40 NSCLC patients were enrolled. PTX exposure was consistent in two trials with average Tc > 0.05 duration of 38.8 h and 38.4 h, respectively. Average Tc > 0.05 in patients with grade 3/4 neutropenia was significantly higher than those without severe neutropenia in NPC patients (P = 0.003) and NSCLC patients (P = 0.007). Cut-off value of Tc > 0.05 were identified from the NPC cohort and then verified in the NSCLC cohort, dividing patients into high exposure Tc > 0.05 group (> 39 h) and low exposure group (≤ 39 h). Incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia were significantly higher in the high exposure group in NPC cohort (43.3% vs 10.0%, P < 0.001) and NSCLC cohort (42.1% vs 9.5%, P = 0.028). No significant relationship between Tc > 0.05 and efficacy were observed.Conclusion: Patients with PTX Tc > 0.05 duration above 39 h experience more severe neutropenia than those under 39 h. Prospective studies are needed to verify this threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, microgels with different crosslink density were prepared using the hydrophilic sodium alginate (ALG), and the interfacial adsorption, emulsion formation and lipid digestion profiles of these microgels were comparatively analyzed. Results showed that the microgels with different crosslink density exhibited different hardness, particle size, and surface hydrophobicity, but similar interfacial tension. The ALG microgels could stabilize an oil-in-water emulsion through the "Mickering mechanisms", that the particle size and hardness of the microgels have strong effects on their emulsifying behaviors, while the effects from surface hydrophobicity and interfacial tension were unconspicuous. A temperate crosslink density (e. g. 3 mM to 5 mM Ca2+) was benefit to the emulsifying capacity of the microgels at neutral (pH 7.0) and acidic (pH 4.0) environments. Moreover, the temperately crosslinked microgels stabilized oil droplets were more resistant to the displacement of bile salt and the followed lipid digestion. Our results provided important information for the development of polysaccharide-based food emulsifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, sodium alginate (ALG) microgels were prepared with different ALG concentrations, and physicochemical and emulsifying profiles of these hydrophilic microgels were comparatively analyzed. Results showed that these microgels possessed different size, hardness, and surface charge. All these microgels could stabilize an oil-in-water emulsion through the Mickering mechanisms, and smaller microgels had better emulsifying capacity. The surface hydrophobicity and interfacial tension of the microgels had no exact effects on their emulsifying behaviors. Compared with the harder microgels (prepared with high ALG concentration, e. g. 4 mg/mL), the emulsifying capacities of the softer ones (prepared with low ALG concentration, e.g. 1 mg/mL) were more sensitive to the high salt concentration (200 mM NaCl) but stable under acidic environment (pH 2.0). Our research would afford a new strategy for the manufacture and application of the novel polysaccharide-based emulsifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was focused on the fabrication of a stable O/W Pickering emulsion by using cellulose-rich composites that prepared by selectively oxidation with sodium periodate firstly, and followed by grafting dodecylamine to the 2,3-dialdehyde cellulose particles. The structure and properties of the modified cellulose microparticles were characterized, and the performance for the stabilization of O/W Pickering emulsions was investigated. The surface wettability, rheological behavior of the cellulose microparticles before and after being modified had been compared. The results indicated that the hydrophobically modified cellulose microparticles were more effective in emulsifying oil than that of the pristine cellulose microparticles. The contents of oil and cellulose microparticles used had an influence on the size of emulsion droplets, however, the responsiveness of the emulsions towards pH changed slightly, and oil was not leaked from the droplets at decreased pH. This could be explained by the amphiphilicity of the hydrophobically modified cellulose particles. This work provided a facile method for the modification of cellulose microparticles with amphiphilic properties and enhanced emulsifying capacity. The cellulose based particles with biocompatible and environmentally friendly characteristics would be attractive for the applications in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, materials with extraordinary hollow structures have been widely studied because of their enormous potential in many research fields such as in advanced energy conversion and storage. The design and synthesis of an innovative hollow structure via a facile method is the key to enhance the performance of advanced energy materials in various applications. In this study, we report novel hollow passion fruit-like Bi@BiFe-glycolate microspheres (3.5 μm), which are constructed using BiFe-glycolate nanosheets and Bi nanospheres. They are designed and synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal method, and a mechanism of “spit and swallow” process is presented to describe the reaction. Moreover, the Bi2O3/BiFeO3 photocatalyst obtained by annealing the Bi@BiFe-glycolate precursors under an air atmosphere exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity and cycling stability under visible light irradiation due to its special morphology and band structure. The photocatalyst can also be recycled conveniently owing to its magnetic properties. In general, this study focuses on both nanomaterial synthetic methods and photocatalytic performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysts with suitable band gap for fair response to visible light and efficient separation of electron-hole pairs, are the key to practical application of photocatalytic technology. Magnetically separable hierarchical ZnFe2O4/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts were prepared by a facile solvothermal method combined with a subsequent annealing process. The composite microspheres were composed of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles, whose diameter was restricted due to the confined space effect from g-C3N4 nanosheets. ZnFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction structures led to the improvement of the efficiency for photodegrading methylene blue and rhodamine B under visible light, where the kinetic constant over ZnFe2O4/CN-150 photocatalyst was more than ten times larger than that over pure ZnFe2O4. The photogenerated electrons from g-C3N4 surfaces could easily migrate to ZnFe2O4, leading to efficient separation of electron-hole pairs. Also, the composite photocatalyst possessed a chemical stability against photocorrosion and a magnetic property, which made it magnetically separable and reusable conveniently.Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose-based film has a poor water vapor barrier property, which limits its applications in food packaging. The hydrophobic modification of cellulose materials has attracted increasing interests. In this work, UV curable polyfluoro resin was incorporated into the cellulose matrix for superhydrophobic modification of the cellulose matrix. Results showed that the loaded polyfluoro resin had an obvious influence on the composites’ microstructure, the thermal stability of the composites changed slightly with the incorporation of polyfluoro resin, and the transmittance of the composites containing the resin with high content of 14.68% could be kept to 50% at 550 nm wavelength. Furthermore, the surface properties of the composites could be changed from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic by increasing the polyfluoro resin content. Moreover, UV-initiated polymerization was used to modify the cellulose matrix, the process was green and facile, which showing potential for cellulose matrix modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an environmentally friendly hydrothermal method assisted by inorganic salt for controlling the shape of CdS nanostructure. First, we make aqueous solution of NaCl to fabricate CdS via a hydrothermal reaction at 160 °C, 12 h. Afterward, the outcomes of CdS change from nanosphere to hierarchically flower-like structure, with a higher concentration of NaCl solution. Further investigation reveals improved stability of flower-like CdS photocatalyst for water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Replication fork stalling and collapse is a major source of genome instability leading to neoplastic transformation or cell death. Such stressed replication forks can be conservatively repaired and restarted using homologous recombination (HR) or non-conservatively repaired using micro-homology mediated end joining (MMEJ). HR repair of stressed forks is initiated by 5’ end resection near the fork junction, which permits 3’ single strand invasion of a homologous template for fork restart. This 5’ end resection also prevents classical non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ), a competing pathway for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Unopposed NHEJ can cause genome instability during replication stress by abnormally fusing free double strand ends that occur as unstable replication fork repair intermediates. We show here that the previously uncharacterized Exonuclease/Endonuclease/Phosphatase Domain-1 (EEPD1) protein is required for initiating repair and restart of stalled forks. EEPD1 is recruited to stalled forks, enhances 5’ DNA end resection, and promotes restart of stalled forks. Interestingly, EEPD1 directs DSB repair away from cNHEJ, and also away from MMEJ, which requires limited end resection for initiation. EEPD1 is also required for proper ATR and CHK1 phosphorylation, and formation of gamma-H2AX, RAD51 and phospho-RPA32 foci. Consistent with a direct role in stalled replication fork cleavage, EEPD1 is a 5’ overhang nuclease in an obligate complex with the end resection nuclease Exo1 and BLM. EEPD1 depletion causes nuclear and cytogenetic defects, which are made worse by replication stress. Depleting 53BP1, which slows cNHEJ, fully rescues the nuclear and cytogenetic abnormalities seen with EEPD1 depletion. These data demonstrate that genome stability during replication stress is maintained by EEPD1, which initiates HR and inhibits cNHEJ and MMEJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosome translocations are caused by inappropriate religation of two DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in heterologous chromosomes. These DSBs can be generated by endogenous or exogenous sources. Endogenous sources of DSBs leading to translocations include inappropriate recombination activating gene (RAG) or activation-induced deaminase (AID) activity during immune receptor maturation. Endogenous DSBs can also occur at noncanonical DNA structures or at collapsed replication forks. Exogenous sources of DSBs leading to translocations include ionizing radiation (IR) and cancer chemotherapy. Spatial proximity of the heterologous chromosomes is also important for translocations. While three distinct pathways for DNA DSB repair exist, mounting evidence supports alternative nonhomologous end joining (aNHEJ) as the predominant pathway through which the majority of translocations occur. Initiated by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), aNHEJ is utilized less frequently in DNA DSB repair than other forms of DSB repair. We recently found that PARP1 is essential for chromosomal translocations to occur and that small molecule PARP1 inhibitors, already in clinical use, can inhibit translocations generated by IR or topoisomerase II inhibition. These data confirm the central role of PARP1 in aNHEJ-mediated chromosomal translocations and raise the possibility of using clinically available PARP1 inhibitors in patients who are at high risk for secondary oncogenic chromosomal translocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of breast epithelial cells is influenced by their microenvironment which includes stromal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). During cancer progression, the tissue microenvironment fails to control proliferation and differentiation, resulting in uncontrolled growth and invasion. Upon invasion, the ECM encountered by breast cancer cells changes from primarily laminin and collagen IV to primarily collagen I. We show here that culturing invasive breast cancer cells in 3-dimensional (3D) collagen I inhibits proliferation through direct regulation of cyclin E1, a G/S regulator that is overexpressed in breast cancer. When the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was cultured within 3D collagen I gels, the G/S transition was inhibited as compared to cells cultured on conventional 2D collagen or plastic dishes. Cells in 3D collagen downregulated cyclin E1 protein and mRNA, with no change in cyclin D1 level. Cyclin D1 was primarily cytoplasmic in 3D cultures, and this was accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of Rb, a nuclear target for both cyclin E1- and cyclin D1-associated kinases. Positive regulators of cyclin E1 expression, the transcription factor c-Myc and cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP), were decreased in 3D collagen cultures, while the collagen I receptor β1 integrin was greatly increased. Inhibition of β1 integrin function rescued proliferation and cyclin E1 expression as well as c-Myc expression and Rb phosphorylation, but cyclin D1 remained cytoplasmic. We conclude that cyclin E1 is repressed independent of effects on cyclin D1 in a 3D collagen environment and dependent on β1 integrin interaction with collagen I, reducing proliferation of invasive breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Novel formation of Bi@BiFe-glycolate hollow spheres and their conversion into Bi2O3/BiFeO3 composite hollow spheres with enhanced activity and durability in visible photocatalysis’ by Xu Yang et al., New J. Chem., 2018, 42, 10697–10703. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]