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In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as functional cross-linker and Pickering emulsifier was used to stabilize Lysozyme (Lys) encapsulated in quaternary ammonium chitosan nanoparticles (QC NPs) via ionic gelation method. Physicochemical, structural, and antibacterial properties of the CNC stabilized Lys loaded QC NPs were also evaluated. Particle size, particle size distribution, Zeta potential (ZP), and spectroscopic analyses showed the successful encapsulation of Lys. Antibacterial activity of NPs against Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was investigated on the basis of inhibition zone (IZ), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC). MIC and MBC of CNC stabilized Lys loaded HQC NPs against S. aureus were 0.094 and 0.188 while corresponding values for CNC stabilized Lys loaded LQC NPs V. parahaemolyticus were 0.156 and 0.312 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, CNC stabilized Lys loaded QC NPs have potential implications in the food industry for food preservation and packaging. • CNC stabilized Lys loaded QC NPs has successfully been prepared using ionic gelation method. • Physicochemical properties CNC stabilized Lys loaded QC NPs were investigated. • Antibacterial activity of CNC stabilized Lys loaded QC NPs was evaluated. • Proposed mechanisms of CNC stabilized Lys loaded QC NPs were tentatively discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The financial figures for CGTs are still promising despite severe disruption. • COVID-19 repositioning strategies provide opportunities for manufacturers of CGTs. • CGTs industry needs to increase its resilience to navigate potential future crises. • More restrictions on CGTs price and reimbursement are foreseeable. • Value-based price and alternative payment mechanisms will be increasingly leveraged. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused significant disruption to the cell and gene therapy (CGT) industry, which has historically faced substantial complexities in supply of materials, and manufacturing and logistics processes. As decision-makers shifted their priorities to COVID-19-related issues, the challenges in market authorisation, and price and reimbursement of CGTs were amplified. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to see that some CGT developers are adapting their efforts toward the development of promising COVID-19-related therapeutics and vaccines. Manufacturing resilience, digitalisation, telemedicine, value-based pricing, and innovative payment mechanisms will be increasingly harnessed to ensure that market access of CGTs is not severely disrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the flame radiation characteristics of pool fire, including the flame emissivity, diameter and temperature. A series of experiments of heptane pool fires with diameters of 0.1–0.4 m were carried out. The flame height, mass loss rate, temperature distribution, flame emissivity and radiative heat flux were measured. A four regions function was used to correlate the centerline temperature rise above the pool surface with the flame height. The variations of the flame diameter against the flame height were formulated for D >0.2 m and D ≤ 0.2 m respectively. The highest flame emissivity is found at the flame base, which decreases with increasing height. Furthermore, a new model predicting the radiative heat flux based on classical solid flame model is developed taking into account the flame emissivity, diameter and temperature variations along the flame height. The comparisons between the new model and other models show that the new model can better predict the thermal radiation from heptane pool fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of voriconazole and to identify factors that significantly affect pharmacokinetic parameters and to further investigate optimal dosage regimens in Chinese adult patients with hematologic malignancies. A prospective population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on 186 concentration measurements obtained from 41 adult patients with hematologic malignancies. All enrolled patients were treated with voriconazole for diagnosed or suspected invasive fungal diseases. Oral voriconazole was routinely administered at a maintenance dose of 200 mg q12h. Serial blood samples were collected after steady-state of each patient. Monte Carlo simulation was applied to optimize dosage strategies. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the data. The typical voriconazole clearance was 4.18 L/h, the volume of distribution was 88.9 L, and the absorption rate constant was 0.729 h−1. Clearance and steady-state exposure (AUC 0–12) were found to be significantly associated with age and CYP2C19 phenotype. The average AUC 0–12 of elderly patients (aged 60–90 years) was 2.1 times higher than that of relative younger patients (aged 18–59 years). The average AUC 0–12 of poor metabolizers (PMs) was approximately 2.5 and 1.8 times higher than that of extensive and intermediate metabolizers (IMs), respectively. Considering both efficacy and tolerability, dosage regimens of 100 and 50 mg orally administered every 12 hours were recommended for elderly IMs and PMs, respectively. A population pharmacokinetic model for voriconazole in Chinese adult patients with hematologic malignancies was successfully developed and could well capture voriconazole's pharmacokinetic characteristics. Age and CYP2C19 phenotype were found to significantly influence voriconazole clearance and should be taken into consideration clinically for dose optimization. The optimal dosage strategies in specific clinical scenarios were proposed in this study based on model simulation. Because of the high incidence of mutant CYP2C19*2 and *3 alleles, genetic testing seems to be necessary for Asian elderly patients when voriconazole treatment is initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by naturally derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and gelatinized soluble starch (GSS) were fabricated to stabilize oregano essential oil (OEO) in the absence of surfactant. The physical properties, microstructures, rheological properties, and storage stability of HIPEs were investigated by adjusting CNC contents (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 wt%) and starch concentration (4.5 wt%). The results revealed that CNC–GSS stabilized HIPEs exhibited good storage stability within one month and the smallest droplets size at a CNC concentration of 0.4 wt%. The emulsion volume fractions of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 wt% CNC–GSS stabilized HIPEs after centrifugation reached 77.58, 82.05, 94.22, and 91.41 %, respectively. The effect of native CNC and GSS were analyzed to understand the stability mechanisms of HIPEs. The results revealed that CNC could be used as an effective stabilizer and emulsifier to fabricate the stable and gel-like HIPEs with tunable microstructure and rheological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ultrasound elastography reflects liver function reserve relative to liver fibrosis histology. Sixty-five New Zealand rabbits were divided into an experimental group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 20). In the experimental group, liver fibrosis (F1-F4) was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride. Point shear wave elastography and the indocyanine green (ICG) elimination test were performed for the two groups at 4-wk intervals for 56 wk. The liver stiffness value (LSV) and the ICG retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) were obtained, and the correlation between them was investigated. The median LSVs of stages F0-F4 were 3.92 kPa (1.91-8.53 kPa), 5.02 kPa (2.39-8.91 kPa), 7.87 kPa (5.21-12.26 kPa), 12.83 kPa (5.92-16.79 kPa) and 16.64 kPa (9.76-29.50 kPa), respectively. The median ICGR15 values of stages F0-F4 were 8.7% (4.8%-15.6%), 10.8% (5.6%-20.3%), 19.2% (12.3%-26.7%), 31.0% (20.9%-41.0%) and 45.6% (22.1%-60.9%). There were significant differences in LSVs and ICGR15 values among the different stages of liver fibrosis (p <0.01). A positive correlation was observed between LSV and ICGR15 (r = 0.7497, p < 0.0001). A strong correlation was observed between liver stiffness and liver function reserve, indicating ultrasound elastography may reflect liver function reserve in different degrees of liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to study the thermal characteristic of low-voltage alternating current (AC) arc faults. Two series of experiments were designed, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wire ignitions experiments and electrode arcing experiments (non-ignitions) subjected to arc faults at different effective currents. The ignition time of the wire and the temperature of the electrode were investigated to characterize the arcing hazard. Results show that the ignition time of the wire decreases with the increasing arc current, and the wire with a larger cross-section area requires more time to be ignited at the same current. For non-ignition experiments, the electrode temperature increases first and then varies little. A heat equilibrium stage can be reached, where the heat transfer of the arc to the electrode is equal to the heat dissipation of the electrode. Furthermore, a heat transfer model for the arc fault is established to obtain the electrode temperature. The temperature of the arc-electrode interface is used to characterize the arc energy, and it is found the temperature showed a logarithmic increase with the current. The results of this study may be useful in the safety design of electrical wires, and can be exploited as hazard indicators for the risk assessment of electrical fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel nano-sized dummy-surface molecularly imprinted polymers (DSMIPs) on a magnetic graphene oxide (GO–Fe 3 O 4 ) surface were developed as substrates, using propionamide as a dummy template molecule for the selective recognition and rapid pre-concentration and removal of acrylamide (AM) from food samples. These products showed rapid kinetics, high binding capacity (adsorption at 3.68 mg·g −1 ), and selectivity (imprinting factor α 2.83); the adsorption processes followed the Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Excellent recognition selectivity toward acrylamide was achieved compared to structural analogs, such as propionic and acrylic acids (selectivity factor β 2.33, and 2.20, respectively). Moreover, DSMIPs–GO–Fe 3 O 4 was used to quantify acrylamide in food samples, yielding satisfactory recovery (86.7–94.3%) and low relative standard deviation (<4.85%). Thus, our DSMIPs–GO–Fe 3 O 4 -based procedure was demonstrated to be a convenient and practical method for the separation, enrichment, and removal of acrylamide from food samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorbents with “tree-like” structures, which were composed of hollow porous carbon fibers (HPCFs) acting as “trunk” structures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as “branch” structures and magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles playing the role of “fruit” structures were prepared by chemical vapor deposition technique and chemical reaction. Microwave reflection loss, permittivity and permeability of Fe 3 O 4 –CNTs–HPCFs composites were investigated in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz. It was proven that prepared absorbents possessed the excellent electromagnetic wave absorbing performances. The bandwidth with a reflection loss less than −15 dB covers a wide frequency range from 10.2 to 18 GHz with the thickness of 1.5–3.0 mm, and the minimum reflection loss is −50.9 dB at 14.03 GHz with a 2.5 mm thick sample layer. Microwave absorbing mechanism of the Fe 3 O 4 –CNTs–HPCFs composites is concluded as dielectric polarization and the synergetic interactions exist between Fe 3 O 4 and CNTs–HPCFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we establish the existence of a positive solution to a singular boundary value problem of nonlinear fractional differential equation. Our analysis rely on nonlinear alternative of Leray–Schauder type and Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem in a cone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Different processing methods significantly affect the content of bioactivities and the anti-oxidant activities in food sources, including black rice, one of the world's major food sources of black rice anthocyanin extract (BRAE). In this study, the effect of drum-drying and extrusion processes on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses by bioactive compounds and antioxidants from black rice extract was determined. This study identified the total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities in vitro. The phytochemical constituent analysis of three anthocyanin-enriched extracts from raw (BRAE), drum-dried (D-BRAE), and extruded black rice (E-BRAE) using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS tentatively identified nine compounds. Cyanidin-3-glucoside was the major anthocyanin in black rice extracts. In contrast, significant reduced levels of cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside were found in D-BRAE and E-BRAE, and the content of protocatechuic acid was increased obviously in E-BRAE. The anti-inflammatory effects of differently processed rice extracts in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells demonstrated that BRAE, D-BRAE, and E-BRAE (400 μg/mL) significantly inhibited NO and PGE2 secretion (p < 0.001) by down-regulating iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression levels. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) were also decreased by BRAE, D-BRAE, and E-BRAE. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory activities of BRAE were not affected by drum-dried or extrusion process. Activation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways were inhibited by BRAE that influenced the regulation of the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, p65, and IκBα. These pathways were not affected by the drum-dried process but were significantly enhanced by the extrusion process. This study will provide scientific and meaningful basics for the application of BRAE using different processing methods in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of peptide fractions. • Three Se-enriched brown rice protein hydrolysates were prepared. • The anti-inflammatory property of protein hydrolysates was investigated. • The relationship between anti-inflammatory property and molecular weight. In the present study, three selenium-enriched brown rice protein hydrolysates were prepared by trypsin, their anti-inflammatory mechanism in vitro were investigated. Results obtained from LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell model showed that the 1.0–3.5 kDa peptide fractions exhibited the most effective anti-inflammatory property through inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) and pro-inflammation cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were also suppressed by 1.0–3.5 kDa peptide fractions. Additionally, the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signal proteins were blocked after 1.0–3.5 kDa peptide fraction treatments. Above all, the observed anti-inflammatory effects of selenium-enriched brown rice protein hydrolysates were closely related to their Se content. These results illustrated that the 1.0–3.5 kDa peptide fractions could be a novel functional food ingredient for inflammation-related diseases treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Fe 3 O 4 loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs) were synthesized based on ionic gelation technology for the removal of Cd2+ ion. The influencing parameters including initial concentration, pH, contact time and recycling was evaluated and optimized. The results showed that particle size of Fe 3 O 4 loaded CS NPs and MPs was in the range of 164.05–768.69 nm, and the former showed relatively higher adsorption capacities (97.86 mg/g) on Cd2+ ion than the latter after 90 min at pH 5.0 for the solutions with initial Cd2+ ion of 100 mg/L, respectively. Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) test illustrated 61.48 m2/g of specific surface area, 0.0274 cm3/g of pore volume and 6.03 nm average pore size. The results of FT-IR, TEM, EDS and XRD indicated that Fe 3 O 4 was well incorporated into CS NPs and MPs. Moreover, the adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model and adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption mechanisms could be well explained though coordination and electrostatic attraction. Findings of this work highlighted the potential using Fe 3 O 4 loaded CS NPs as an effective and recyclable adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions in industrial wastewater treatment. • Adsorption of heavy metal using Fe 3 O 4 loaded CS NPs was reported. • The smaller the particle size was, the higher adsorption capacity was. • Fe 3 O 4 loaded CS NPs has higher adsorption efficiency than Fe 3 O 4 and CS NPs used alone. • Adsorption mechanisms of Cd (II) ion using Fe 3 O 4 loaded CS NPs was tentatively proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated hollow carbon fibers (ACHFs) decorated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nickel nanoparticles (CNTs–Ni–ACHFs) were prepared by thermal reduction and chemical vapor deposition technique. Microwave reflection loss, permittivity and permeability of CNTs–Ni–ACHFs composites as novel electromagnetic wave absorbents were studied in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz. It was demonstrated that CNTs–Ni–ACHFs absorbents possessed the best microwave absorbing performances whose minimum reflection loss was −43.457 dB at 13.10 GHz with a thickness of 2.0 mm, which is much better than those of Ni–ACHFs and ACHFs samples. The dielectric polarizations and magnetic loss derived from the effect of the porous structures, Ni nanoparticles, and defects in the CNTs–Ni–ACHFs composites are playing an important role for the excellent microwave absorbing performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limb ischaemia/reperfusion (LIR) occurs in various clinical conditions including critical limb ischaemia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and traumatic arterial injury. Reperfusion of the acutely ischemic limb can lead to a systemic inflammation response and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, further resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Molecular hydrogen exhibits therapeutic activity for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Our study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of hydrogen and its mechanism of action in a LIR-induced acute lung injury (ALI) model. Limb ischaemia/-reperfusion model was established in mice. The hydrogen-saturated saline was administered by intraperitoneal injection. Protein level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), haem oxygenase-1 (HO1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting. Autophagy-related molecules were evaluated by western blotting. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined by assay kits. Quantification of ceramides in lung was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Molecular hydrogen exhibited a protective effect on the LIR-induced ALI model. Hydrogen decreased malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase activity in lung tissues. Additionally, hydrogen activated Nrf2 signalling in lung tissues. Hydrogen could inhibit the upregulation of autophagy in the present rodent model. Furthermore, ceramide was accumulated in lung tissues because of LIR; however, hydrogen altered the accumulation status. Molecular hydrogen was found to be therapeutically effective in the LIR-induced ALI model; the mechanisms of action included modulation of antioxidation and autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity has been found to be associated with obesity, and metabolic syndrome in humans. However, whether or not PLTP has a direct effect on insulin sensitivity and obesity is largely unknown. Here we analyzed the effect by using PLTP knockout (PLTP−/−) mouse model. Although, PLTP−/− mice have normal body-weight-gain under chow diet, these mice were protected from high-fat-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, compared with wild type mice. In order to understand the mechanism, we evaluated insulin receptor and Akt activation and found that PLTP deficiency significantly enhanced phosphorylated insulin receptor and Akt levels in high-fat-diet fed mouse livers, adipose tissues, and muscles after insulin stimulation, while total Akt and insulin receptor levels were unchanged. Moreover, we found that the PLTP deficiency induced significantly more GLUT4 protein in the plasma membranes of adipocytes and muscle cells after insulin stimulation. Finally, we found that PLTP-deficient hepatocytes had less sphingomyelins and free cholesterols in the lipid rafts and plasma membranes than that of controls and this may provide a molecular basis for PLTP deficiency-mediated increase in insulin sensitivity. We have concluded that PLTP deficiency leads to an improvement in tissue and whole-body insulin sensitivity through modulating lipid levels in the plasma membrane, especially in the lipid rafts. • PLTP-/- mice were protected from high-fat-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, compared with wild type mice. • PLTP deficiency stimulates IR and Akt phosphorylation and enhances GluT4 expression in high fat diet-fed animals. • PLTP deficiency decreases the levels of sphingomyelins and free cholesterols in hepatic plasma membranes and lipid rafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]