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Carbon fiber paper (CFP) is commonly used as a proton exchange membrane in fuel cells due to its prominent areal electrosorption capacity, exceptional conductivity and excellent chemical stability. In this paper, we first explored the feasibility of carbon fiber paper as a specific paper substrate in paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS). The results demonstrated that CFPSI-MS combines the merits of PSI and carbon fiber ionization (CFI) and exhibits better performance of various compound analyses than either of these techniques alone. The application of CFP can highly enhance the signal stability and detection sensitivity of a diverse array of analytes, especially in negative ionization mode. The ion intensity of target analytes such as saccharides and flavonoids was improved 2-90-fold. Many nonpolar/low-polarity analytes, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are difficult to ionize by traditional PSI-MS, were successfully detected by CFPSI-MS with a 2.5 kV high voltage. Moreover, CFPSI-MS presents high sensitivity in semiquantitative analysis, and the limits of detection (LODs) of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CAMP), naringin and tivantinib in whole blood were improved 2-100-fold compared to those in traditional PSI-MS. In real sample analysis, CFPSI-MS also exhibits excellent capability in human breath analysis and blood metabolomic profiling.

Myrciaria floribunda, also known as rumberry, is a tree native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where its fruits have the potential for commercial use. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential, determines the phytochemical profile, and chemically characterizes the rumberry fruit. Accessions were sampled from the Rumberry Active Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil. Physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, and phenolic compound content were analyzed. Chemical profile characterization was carried out using PSMS. Accessions had an average weight of 0.86 g. Accession AC137 presented a higher pulp yield (1.12 g). AC132 and AC156 had larger fruits, AC137 showed greater firmness (5.93 N), and AC160 had a higher and total phenolic content ratio (279.01 ± 11.11). Orange-colored accessions scored higher in evaluated parameters, except for AC160 for phenolic content. Thirty-two compounds were identified on positive ionization mode and 42 compounds on negative ionization mode using PSMS. Flavonoids, followed by the derivatives of benzoic acid, sugars, and phenylpropanoids, were the most prominent. Myricitrin, quercitrin, and catechin stand out as flavonoids that have been reported in previous studies with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, in addition to health and therapeutical benefits, demonstrating the potential of the rumberry fruit.

The papers have a porous structure which can be a suitable medium for the growth of bacteria. Therefore, in the sanitary papers, creation of a suitable antibacterial property is necessary. In this way, the plant extracts were prepared using solid–liquid extraction method from the Rosmarinus officinalis, Olea europaea, Mentha spicata and Punica granatum. Relatively, the total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined according to colorimetric method. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH method. The extracts were sprayed on the surface of the handsheets, and then their antibacterial activity was investigated. The results showed that extracts from the P. granatum has the highest phenol (5.82%) and antioxidant activity (71.13%), while the extract from the R. officinalis had the highest flavonoid (4.23%) and antibacterial activity (90.43%). Hence, it can be concluded that these two extracts could be the suitable combinations to create desirable antibacterial properties in the manufacture of papers with sanitary purposes.

Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a well-known woody tree historically used for Cai Lun papermaking, one of the four great inventions of ancient China. More recently, Paper mulberry has also been used as forage to address the shortage of feedstuff because of its digestible crude fiber and high protein contents. In this study, we obtained a chromosome-scale genome assembly for Paper mulberry using integrated approaches, including Illumina and PacBio sequencing platform as well as Hi-C, optical, and genetic maps. The assembled Paper mulberry genome consists of 386.83 Mb, which is close to the estimated size, and 99.25% (383.93 Mb) of the assembly was assigned to 13 pseudochromosomes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the expansion and contraction in the flavonoid and lignin biosynthetic gene families, respectively, accounting for the enhanced flavonoid and decreased lignin biosynthesis in Paper mulberry. Moreover, the increased ratio of syringyl-lignin to guaiacyl-lignin in Paper mulberry underscores its suitability for use in medicine, forage, papermaking, and barkcloth making. We also identified the root-associated microbiota of Paper mulberry and found that Pseudomonas and Rhizobia were enriched in its roots and may provide the source of nitrogen for its stems and leaves via symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Collectively, these results suggest that Paper mulberry might have undergone adaptive evolution and recruited nitrogen-fixing microbes to promote growth by enhancing flavonoid production and altering lignin monomer composition. Our study provides significant insights into genetic basis of the usefulness of Paper mulberry in papermaking and barkcloth making, and as forage. These insights will facilitate further domestication and selection as well as industrial utilization of Paper mulberry worldwide.

Mushroom cultivation has become an important component of agriculture, providing food and contributing to the global economy. It uses vertical space and addresses issues of food quality, health improvement, and environmental sustainability. Auricularia mushrooms are popular ingredients in traditional Chinese cuisine. The objective of this study was to determine yield and evaluate radical scavenging capacity of A. polytricha cultivated on rubberwood sawdust on a large scale; we measured total phenolic content; DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide anion, and peroxyl radical scavenging; and reducing power. Cultivation on rubberwood sawdust produces an average of 4 harvests per bag and a biological efficiency of 80-82%. The antioxidant capacity investigations revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction was the most potent radical scavenger in all assays except that for superoxide anions, whereas the aqueous fraction exhibited mild to moderate antioxidant capacity in scavenging the various radicals. Artificial cultivation of A. polytricha on rubberwood sawdust yields many sporophores with potent antioxidant capacity.

The therapeutic benefits of fruits, vegetables, tea and wine are mostly attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. Naturally occurring dietary polyphenols, such as curcumin (diferuloylmethane, an active component of spice turmeric) and resveratrol (phytoalexin, a fiavanoid found in red wine) can modulate signaling pathways mediated via NF-κB and MAP kinase, and up-regulate glutathione biosynthesis genes through activation of Nrf2. Polyphenols also down-regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, matrix metalloproteinases and adhesion molecules by inhibiting histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity and activating histone deacetylases (HDACs)/sirtuins. It has been reported that in severe asthma and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, oxidative stress not only activates the NF-κB pathway but also alters the histone acetylation and deacetylation balance via post-translational modifications of HDACs. Corticosteroids have been one the major modes of therapy against various respiratory diseases, such as asthma and COPD. Failure of corticosteroids to ameliorate such disease conditions is due to the reduction of HDAC2 and SIRT1 levels/activities in lungs of asthmatics and COPD patients. Dietary polyphenols, such as curcumin, resveratrol, and catechins have been reported to modulate epigenetic alterations in various experimental models. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin, resveratrol, and catechins is associated with their ability to induce HDAC activity and thereby restore the efficacy of glucocorticoids or overcome its resistance. Thus, these polyphenolic compounds have therapeutic value as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory therapy and adjuvant therapy with steroids against chronic inflammatory and epigenetically-regulated diseases. In this chapter we present the current knowledge on the mode of action of these polyphenols in the light of HDACs.

Paper-based microfluidic devices (μPADs) are capable of achieving rapid quantitative measurements of a variety of analytes inexpensively. μPADs rely on patterning hydrophilic-hydrophobic regions on a sheet of paper in order to create capillary channels within impermeable fluidic brakes on the paper. Here, we present a novel, highly flexible and low-cost fabrication method using a desktop digital craft plotter/cutter and technical drawing pens with tip size of 0.5 mm. The pens were used with either commercial black permanent ink for drawing fluidic brakes, or with specialty in-house formulated aqueous inks. With the permanent marker ink it was possible to create barriers on paper rapidly and in a variety of designs in a highly flexible manner. For instance, a design featuring eight reservoirs can be produced within 10 s for each μPAD with a consistent line width of brakes (%RSD

The objective of the study was to improve fruit quality, including health compounds, by improving light utilization for fruit crops under hail net. Four reflective mulches including plastics such as Extenday® and a bio-degradable paper were spread in the alleyways of a cv. 'Gala Mondial' apple orchard on 10 August 2010 5 weeks before anticipated harvest.Reflective mulch affected neither fruit firmness nor sugar, but accelerated starch breakdown, indicative of riper fruits (smaller Streif index), compared with the uncovered grass alleyway (control). Reflective mulches also improved fruit quality such as red coloration of cv. 'Gala Mondial' apples. This was due to significantly enhanced flavonoids and anthocyanins. Flavonoids increased up to 52.4% in the Extenday® treatment (29.2 nmol cm(-2) in the grass control versus 44.5 nmol cm(-2) fruit peel with reflective mulch). Similarly, reflective mulch improved anthocyanin content in cv. 'Gala Mondial' peel up to 66% compared to grass control (14.5 nmol cm(-2) in control fruit versus 24.1 nmol cm(-2) with reflective mulch). The reflective mulch did not affect chlorophyll and carotenoid content in the 'Gala' fruit peel.Overall, the application of reflective mulches improved fruit quality in terms of better coloration and health compounds and accelerated ripening, leading to higher market value.

BACKGROUND: Bagging has been widely used to improve the commercial value of fruit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different light transmittance paper bags on the quality and antioxidant capacity of loquat fruit. Two loquat cultivars, Baiyu and Ninghaibai (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), were used for materials. One-layered white paper bags (OWPB) with ∼50% light transmittance and two-layered paper bags with a black inner layer and a grey outer layer (TGDPB) with ∼0% light transmittance were used as treatments and unbagged fruits were used as the control (CK) in this experiment. Fruit quality was determined by physicochemical characteristics, the quantity of sugar, total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid and vitamin C. The antioxidant capacities of the methanol extracted from the pulp were tested using three different assays. RESULTS: The results showed that bagging decreased the weight of fruit but promoted the appearance of loquat fruits. The total sugar content in the fruit bagged with OWPB was higher than in controls and in fruit bagged with TGDPB. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were decreased by both bagging treatments, with the lowest occurring in the fruit bagged with TGDPB. Bagging also decreased the total antioxidant capacity of the fruit pulp, which was again lower in TGDPB-treated fruits than in those bagged using OWPB. Correlation analysis showed a linear relationship between total antioxidant capacity and the content of total phenolic and flavonoid. CONCLUSION: The results showed that different light transmittance bags had different effects on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity. In particular, bags with low light transmittance (TGDPB) decreased the inner quality and total antioxidant capacity of loquat fruit. All results indicated that bagging with OWPB was more suitable for maintaining the quality of the loquat fruit than bagging with TGDPB. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

Here we show for the first time that components of pulp and paper mill effluents contain neuroactive substances that may impair fish reproduction. Grab samples of primary and secondary effluent were obtained from a representative pulp and paper mill in Eastern Canada. Effluents were fractionated using classic polarity and polyphenolic extraction methods into solvents of selected polarities (water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane). By means of in vitro, competitive assays on goldfish (Carassius auratus) brain tissues, the extracts were screened for their ability to interact with enzymes and receptors involved in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, glutamate, and acetylcholine-dependent neurotransmission. These neurotransmission pathways have essential regulatory roles in fish reproduction. Radioligand binding to the following neurotransmitter receptors were significantly impacted following in vitro incubations with extracts (percentage change from controls indicated in brackets): dopamine-2 (D2; 21-48% increase), GABA(A) receptor binding (65-67% decrease and 189% increase), N-methyl-o-aspartic acid (NMDA; 26-75% decrease), and muscarinic cholinergic (mACh; 42% increase). Activities of the following neurotransmitter-related enzymeswere significantly impacted: monoamine oxidase (MAO; 14-48% decrease), GABA-transaminase activity (33% decrease and 21-69% increase), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE; 21-50% decrease). No changes in glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity were detected. These findings provide a novel and plausible mechanism by which pulp and paper mills effluents impair fish reproduction by interacting with neurotransmitter systems. Furtherwork is required to identify the active compounds and explore whether these changes occur in vivo.

The procedure of electrocoagulation is an effective, fast and economic technique for treatment of black liquor resulting from paper industry. The effect of electrolysis time, current density, type of electrode material and initial pH were studied in an attempt to achieve a higher removal capacity. Under the optimal experimental conditions (initial pH 7, t=50 min and J=14 mA cm(-2)), the treatment of black liquor by electrocoagulation has led to a removal capacity of 98% of COD, 92% of polyphenols and 99% of color intensity with a good repeatability (R.S.D.3%) making it possible to highlight the industrial interest of this electrochemical process.

Background: To assess whether the premorbid dietary intake of fatty acids, cholesterol, glutamate or antioxidants was associated with the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: Patients referred to our clinic during 2001–2002, who had definite, probable or possible ALS according to El Escorial criteria, without a familial history of ALS, were asked to participate in a case–control study (132 patients and 220 healthy controls). A food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake for the nutrients of interest. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustment for confounding factors (sex, age, level of education, energy intake, body mass index and smoking). Results: A high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and vitamin E was significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing ALS (PUFA: odds ratio (OR) = 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.2 to 0.7, p = 0.001; vitamin E: OR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2 to 0.7, p = 0.001). PUFA and vitamin E appeared to act synergistically, because in a combined analysis the trend OR for vitamin E was further reduced from 0.67 to 0.37 (p = 0.02), and that for PUFA from 0.60 to 0.26 (p = 0.005), with a significant interaction term (p = 0.03). The intake of flavonols, lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin B 2 , glutamate, calcium or phytoestrogens was not associated with the risk of developing ALS. Conclusion: A high intake of PUFAs and vitamin E is associated with a 50–60% decreased risk of developing ALS, and these nutrients appear to act synergistically.