Search

To investigate the predictive value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) combined with amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging for the preoperative grading of bladder cancer (BC). A total of 69 patients with histopathologically confirmed BC underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), IVIM, and APTw imaging at 3.0 T MRI. Two radiologists independently measured the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in DWI, true diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion-related pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) in IVIM, and APTw values, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were utilized to compare the diagnostic efficacy of these single and combined quantitative parameters. ADC and D values of low-grade BC were significantly higher than those of high-grade BC ([1.42 ± 0.20 ×10−3 mm2/s] vs. [1.09 ± 0.25 ×10−3 mm2/s] and [1.24 ± 0.24 ×10−3 mm2/s] vs. [0.89 ± 0.18 ×10−3 mm2/s], respectively; all P < 0.001). Opposite patterns were found for APTw ([1.53 ± 0.42]% vs. [2.38 ± 0.71]%, P < 0.001). The ROC curves indicated that the combination of D and APTw values could distinguish low- from high-grades of BC with the highest predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.96), as well as a significant difference compared to those by ADC, D, and APTw values separately (AUC = 0.84, 0.88, 0.85, respectively; all P < 0.05). IVIM combined with APTw imaging significantly improved the predictive efficacy of assessing low- and high-grade BC compared to the individual parameters on their own, providing an effective non-invasive method for clinical preoperative prediction of BC grading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have attracted much attention because of their widespread existence and toxicity. Photodegradation is the main natural decay process of PAHs in soil. The photodegradation kinetics of benzopyrene (BaP) on 16 kinds of soils and 10 kinds of PAHs on Hebei (HE) soil were studied. The results showed that BaP had the highest degradation rate in Shaanxi (SN) soil (k obs = 0.11 min−1), and anthracene (Ant) was almost completely degraded after 16 h of irradiation in HE soil. Two quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were established by the multiple linear regression (MLR) method. The developed QSAR models have good stability, robustness and predictability. The model revealed that the main factors affecting the photodegradation of PAHs are soil organic matter (SOM) and the energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (E gap). SOM can function as a photosensitizer to induce the production of active species for photodegradation, thus favoring the photodegradation of PAHs. In addition, compounds with lower E gap are less stable and more reactive, and thus are more prone to photodegradation. Finally, the QSAR model was optimized using machine learning approach. The results of this study provide basic information on the photodegradation of PAHs and have important significance for predicting the environmental behavior of PAHs in soil. [Display omitted] • The photodegradation rate constants of PAHs on soils were measured. • The QSAR model between soil physicochemical properties and k obs was established. • The QSAR model between quantum chemical parameters and k obs was established. • Higher SOM content in soil and lower E gap promoted the photodegradation of PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive cartilage degeneration and absence of curative therapies. Therefore, more efficient therapies are compellingly needed. Both mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and Icariin (ICA) are promising for repair of cartilage defect. This study proposes that ICA may be combined to potentiate the cartilage repair capacity of MSC-EVs. MSC-EVs were isolated from sodium alginate (SA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) composite hydrogel (SA-HA) cell spheroid culture. EVs and ICA were combined in SA-HA hydrogel to test therapeutic efficacy on cartilage defect in vivo. EVs and ICA were synergistic for promoting both proliferation and migration of MSCs and inflammatory chondrocytes. The combination therapy led to strikingly enhanced repair on cartilage defect in rats, with mechanisms involved in the concomitant modulation of both cartilage degradation and synthesis makers. The MSC-EVs-ICA/SA-HA hydrogel potentially constitutes a novel therapy for cartilage defect in OA. This study is performed by Shuyi Li, Qian Yuan, Zhengqiang Yuan and co-workers. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are cultured in sodium alginate (SA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) composite hydrogel spheroids to prepare extracellular vesicles (EVs). Subsequently, the cartilage reparative effect of EVs and icariin (ICA) combination in SA-HA hydrogel (Combi) is investigated in a surgical cartilage defect model of rat. ICA is synergistic with MSC-EVs to promote proliferation and migration of both MSCs and chondrocytes, stimulate cartilage matrix component synthesis and suppress the degradation of cartilage, leading to drastically enhanced cartilage regeneration in vivo. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative food processing technologies including ultrasound, microwave and high-pressure treatment have been widely applied for preservation and valorization of nutrients in food resources with high efficiency. However, these treatments are also reported to induce modifications and interactions of food components. The impact and interaction mechanism of food components under additional treatments by innovative technologies has not been well-discussed in the present literatures. This study aims to summarize recently available information regarding the impact of innovative food processing technologies on several main food components (i.e. protein, polysaccharide and polyphenol), as well as their interactions or complexation with other natural products in model systems. In this regard, the data published in literatures were retrieved and the effects of ultrasound, microwave, high pressure homogenization and high hydrostatic pressure on food components were mainly presented. Ultrasound, microwave and high-pressure treatments can modify the physicochemical and functional properties of food components with different effects, depending on processing parameters, conditions and food matrix. The modification of food components induced by innovative technologies treatment may be promising or unwilling. By processing conditions monitoring and adjusting, interaction of food components can be promoted without destroying the primary structures of the compounds. Image 1 • Recent advances on the application of innovative technologies in food processing were focused in this review. • The modification of food components induced by ultrasound, microwave and high-pressure treatment was compared. • Impact of different innovative technologies on the interactions of food components was summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Different ternary complexes were prepared by SPI, DG and MC. • The combinations of SPI, DG and MC were studied to evaluate the stability of emulsion. • Delivery efficiency of β-carotene was compared in different emulsions. A β-carotene rich emulsion with improved physical and chemical stability was obtained in this study, using different types of protein-polysaccharide-polyphenol ternary complexes as novel emulsifiers. The ternary complexes were prepared by covalent or non-covalent binding of soy protein isolate (SPI), β-glucan (DG) and myricetin (MC), which were evidenced to be stable. It was indicated that the emulsion stabilized by covalent complex of SPI, DG and MC, exhibited higher zeta-potential and smaller particle size than those stabilized by non-covalent complex. Furthermore, the covalent complexes prepared from different addition sequences showed different efficiencies in stabilizing the emulsion, in which SPI-DG-MC and SPI-MC-DG-stabilized emulsions possess better stability, emulsifying activity and storage resistance under adverse environmental treatment, with CI values of 62.7% and 64.3% after 25 days, respectively. According to oxidative stability and rheology analysis of the emulsions, it was found that the SPI-MC-DG complex prepared at the ratio of 4:2:1 was more stable with relatively less lipid oxidation products and a tighter stacking structure, and the final LH value was 39.98 mmol/L and the MDA value was 6.34 mmol/L. These findings implied that the ternary complex has the potential to deliver fat-soluble active ingredient by means of emulsion, but which depends on the mode and sequence of the molecular interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Chaenomeles Lindley (Chaenomeles), known as Mugua (in Chinese), is a medicinal and edible plant that is considered a functional source for human health promoting. Numerous bio-, chemical- and physical technologies have been applied to explore the relationship between the phytochemistry of Chaenomeles and their bioactivities, opening the door to their potential application in the field of function food and traditional Chinese medicine. This paper aimed to systematically summarize available information on Chaenomeles and provide reference for further investigations. The extracted and isolated chemical constituents (e.g., triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, organic acids, phenolic compounds, volatile oil and fatty acids) from five species of Chaenomeles were mainly summarized. This review highlights the theoretical aspects and recent developments of nonconventional extraction (microwave, ultrasound and enzyme-assisted extraction, super- and subcritical fluid extraction and solid phase extraction) technologies for bioactive compounds recovery from Chaenomeles. Additionally, scientific reports on crude extracts or pure compounds from this plant revealed broad bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory activities, as well as immunoregulatory and hepatoprotective effects. Approximately 150 chemicals have been characterized from different parts of Chaenomeles. Triterpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds are the major bioactive ingredients of this plant. Additionally, the crude extracts and monomer compounds have been demonstrated with various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological functions. Nonconventional extraction technologies have been proposed to provide efficient, systematic, and practical protocols for the sustainable valorization of Chaenomeles. Image 1 • Approximately 150 chemical constituents have been characterized in Chaenomeles. • Crude extracts and monomer compounds from Chaenomeles have pharmacological functions. • Nonconventional extraction methods enhanced the valorization of Chaenomeles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Under oil droplet supply a simplified elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model incorporating slide-roll ratios has been established, and the lubrication behavior of one oil droplet passing through the contact zone was numerically simulated. The results showed that sliding elongates the oil droplet and the oil reservoir at the inlet, and thus the effective lubrication can be enhanced. However if the slide-roll ratio is too large lubrication failure may occur. The effect of the slide-roll ratio is markedly influenced by lubrication parameters η 0 u e , and the increase of η 0 u e leads to a decrease in the effective lubrication time. Heavy load reduces the effective lubrication time. Highlights • Considering the sliding effect, a simplified elastohydrodynamic lubrication model has been established under one oil droplet supply. • Results show that sliding elongates the oil droplet and thus the effective lubrication can be enhanced. • The effect of the slide-roll ratio is markedly influenced by lubrication parameters η 0 u e and load. • The reasonable choice of oil droplet volume can prevent lubrication failure under relatively large slide-roll ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Citrus reticulata ‘Blanco’ peel is a byproduct of red oranges, which are commonly grown in Sichuan Province, China. An optimized protocol involving ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was developed to extract phytochemicals from the peel for analysis. The parameters of the optimized UAE were as follows: ratio of 85% ethanol to orange peels at 20:1 (ml/g), duration of 40 min, temperature of 50 °C, powder mesh size of 100, and ultrasound power of 150 W. The yields of the two main phytochemicals, namely, tangeretin and nobiletin, extracted using UAE were 1.5 times higher than those obtained using conventional solvent extraction (CSE). HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS2 analysis showed that the efficiency of UAE in recovering tangeretin and nobiletin from red orange peel was higher than that of CSE. Highlights • This study established an optimized protocol to extract phytochemicals from orange peel by ultrasound-assisted extraction. • The extracted yield of tangeretin and nobiletin, by UAE was 1.5 times higher than that of conventional solvent extraction. • Furthermore, HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS2 analysis exhibited remarkable differences in the phytochemical profiles between two methods. • The optimized protocol provides a method for discovering of compounds that offer great functionality for health improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The native corn starch and corn amylose were used to prepared starch nanoparticles through two kinds of nanoprecipitation methods. The mainly property of these starch nanoparticles was the crystalline property, at the same time, the particle size, morphology, FT-IR spectra and contact angle of the starch nanoparticles were also investigated. Results showed that the mean size values of native corn starch nanoparticles were smaller than that of corn amylose nanoparticles prepared by the two methods. The nanoprecipitation methods had no significant difference on crystalline structure for all the starch nanoparticles, while the corn amylose nanoparticles prepared by dropping ethanol into the amylose paste had a higher crystallinity of 52.49%, and the water contact angle of which increased to 38.72° than that of corn amylose. Pickering emulsions stabilized by the above amylose nanoparticles showed a more concentrated particle size distribution and the nanoparticles could be well dispersed on the surface of the oil droplets. The results of this study demonstrated that corn amylose nanoparticles prepared by dropping ethanol into the amylose paste had a potential application in stabilizing Pickering emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizome knot is always wasted as useless and inedible part of lotus root, despite its abundance of polyphenols. In this work, enzyme-assisted extraction followed by ultra-filtration was investigated to recover polyphenols from rhizome knot. Cellulase and pectinase treatment enhanced the polyphenols extraction. The 100 kDa membrane resulted in better filtration yield than 50 kDa membrane, 3.84% and 3.37%, respectively. With 100 kDa membrane, the highest filtration yield (4.08%) was achieved with a rotational speed of 600 rpm, TMP of 0.3 MPa and pH of 5. Satisfied permeate turbidity (<3 NTU) and polyphenol transmission (>90%) were obtained under these conditions. The main polyphenols identified in both rhizome knot extract and permeate were: chlorogenic acid, B-type procyanidin dimer·H 2 O, (+)-Catechin, B-type procyanidin dimer, (−)-Epicatechin, propyl gallate·H 2 O, caffeic acid, (−)-Epicatechin-3-gallate, and rutin. Membrane fouling led to the most important resistance (58% of total resistance). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) evidenced that protein accumulation was the main fouling cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar energy utilization will play an increasingly important role in sustainable urban development because it will help motivate low-carbon development. This study proposed a framework that calculates the solar irradiance on roofs and façades of city-scale buildings, as well as the potential reductions in energy consumption and CO 2 emissions that can be derived from solar energy utilization. This framework consolidates data acquired using 3D remote sensing techniques (e.g., light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and digital photogrammetry) with existing 3D building vector models from urban planning and building design. To further the economical use of solar energy, the framework provides a new strategy based on three aspects (threshold, structure, and orientation), for a more realistic analysis of the available area of roofs and façades, by combining street view images and point clouds. Nanjing, China, was selected as a study area for validating and analyzing the proposed framework. The experimental area covers approximately 30 km 2 and 5216 buildings. The reliability of the proposed method was validated by comparing the results with the computation modules of mainstream commercial programs and previous international studies. The following conclusions were drawn from the experimental area. (1) Annual solar energy on the roofs of all buildings was 9647.89 GWh, corresponding to a PV yield of 1447.18 GWh, which equates to reductions of 584.66 kt in standard coal consumption and 1261.94 kt in CO 2 emissions. The annual solar energy on the façades was 5364.63 GWh, corresponding to a PV yield of 804.69 GWh, which equates to reductions of 325.10 kt in standard coal consumption and 701.69 kt in CO 2 emissions. (2) Based on the calculated potential solar energy utilization of the building envelopes, it was shown that the utilization of solar radiation on roofs and façades would promote low-carbon urban development. The utilization of solar energy on the façades of high buildings will contribute to the supply of energy for these buildings and help balance their energy consumption. (3) As the solar incidence angle changes over time, the reductions in energy consumption and CO 2 emissions related to PV power generation are maximal in summer for building roofs, whereas no significant seasonal differences were observed for façades. (4) Incorporating the available area translates the utilization of solar energy and potential CO 2 reductions from theory to practical application by reducing inefficient and invalid areas. The percentages of available area of roof and façade were estimated at 47% and 16% by comprehensive calculations considering three aspects (threshold, structure, and orientation). The corresponding potential of solar energy on the roofs and façades in the validation area B are 167.18 GWh and 53.63 GWh, respectively, compared to the original theoretic values of 316.97 GWh and 237.98 GWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]