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• The reaction conditions were systematically investigated and optimized using a statistical experimental design. • 2,3-epoxy-pinane yield was higher than 90% in the optimized conditions. • Reusability extended up to six runs with 85% 2,3-epoxy-pinane yield. • The reason for the decreased activity of Mn/SAPO-34 catalyst was investigated. Aerobic epoxidation of bio-based olefins is an important topic in green and sustainable chemistry. In this work, an Mn/SAPO-34 catalyst was prepared by ion-exchange method for the epoxidation of α-pinene in presence of molecular oxygen and iso-butyraldehyde. The factors influencing α-pinene epoxidation were determined and the conditions were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The result showed that the sensitive conditions were co-reductant amount, Mn loading amount and catalyst amount. After optimization, α-pinene was completely converted and a 90.47% yield of 2,3-epoxy-pinane was obtained. The result showed that the catalyst was reusable for six cycles. In addition, the support and catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS, TEM and XPS, and it was confirmed the reasons for the degradation of the catalyst activity were the damage of crystal particles, the decrease in specific surface area of catalyst, the loss of active components and the irreversible oxidation of Mn2+ [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruits of wampee (Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels), which contain significant amounts of phenolics, are frequently applied as traditional medications to prevent or relieve inflammatory symptoms. Green honey wampee (GHW) is a local cultivar specially cultivated in Lianjiang City, Guangdong Province. This study aimed to investigate phenolic distribution profiles in the peels, seeds and pulp of GHW as well as elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of the effective compounds for anti-inflammatory activity. Phenolic compounds in the extract were identified through UPLC-MS/MS and their ability to alleviate inflammation was assessed using RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide. Among the three parts of GHW fruits, the total phenolic contents followed a descending order of peels > pulp > seeds. Additionally, eighty-six phenols were tentatively determined from the three parts, of which flavonoids accounted for the highest proportion. Furthermore, the phenolic extract of peels, seeds and pulp exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression effect on different pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6 and TNF- α). Among the three principal phenolic compounds (rutin, quercitrin, isorhamnetin-3- O -neohesperidoside) detected in GHW fruits, quercitrin was proved to be a more important anti-inflammatory compound inhibiting the iNOS and TNF- α mRNA expressions through the suppression effect on the phosphorylation of IκBα and ERK, belonging to the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway respectively. Not only wampee pulp but also its by-products like peels and seeds are able to be comprehensively utilized as immunomodulatory supplements for daily diets due to their rich phenolic contents. [Display omitted] • Flavonoid-enriched phenolic profiles were identified in GHW peels, seeds and pulp. • The total phenolic contents: peels > pulp > seeds. • Crude phenolic extract of three fractions reduced distinct inflammation cytokines. • Quercitrin was an important anti-inflammatory phenol in GHW fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A glycoprotein (SGP1) was isolated from Sipunculus nudus for the first time. • SGP1 is a protein-dominate glycoprotein with O-glycosidic bonds containing 92.8% protein. • SGP1 was a predominantly β-sheet glycoprotein. • SGP1 exhibited strong immune-enhancing activity by promoting proliferation, phagocytosis and the secretions of NO, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 on RAW264.7 cells. • SGP1 exerts immune-enhancing activity via NF-κB signaling pathway. Sipunculus nudus , an edible marine invertebrate, has long been used as traditional Chinese medicine in folk remedies. In order to assess the immunoregulatory activity of glycoproteins in Sipunculus nudus and conduct a structure–activity relationship, a glycoprotein (SGP1) with molecular mass of 9.26 kDa was purified from Sipunculus nudus , and its chemical structure as well as immune-enhancing activity was investigated in this study. Structure analysis revealed that SGP1, a protein-dominate glycoprotein with O-glycosidic bonds, contained 92.8 % protein and 3.1 % saccharide. GC–MS result indicated that the saccharide moieties of SGP1 basically consisted of lyxose (Lyx), xylose (Xyl) as well as glucose (Glu) at a molar proportion of 0.87:4.16:1.36. The fourier transform infrared specoscopy (FT-IR) result proved that SGP1 have a typical characteristic of glycoprotein. Besides, circular dichroism (CD) result showed that SGP1 contained 4.1 % α-helix, 42.5 % β-sheet, 21.4 % β-turn, and 32.0 % random coil, indicating it's mainly a β-sheet glycoprotein. The amino acid sequence of SGP1 shared a similarity to the Myohemerythrin (sp|Q5K473|HEMTM) with protein sequence coverage of 28.3 %. Moreover, the activity evaluation results showed that SGP1 exhibited significant immune-enhancing activity to the RAW 264.7 macrophages by promoting macrophages proliferation, enhancing phagocytic capacity, and simultaneously stimulating the secretions of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) via NF-κB pathways. In this study, SGP1 as a novel glycoprotein had an obvious immune-enhancing activity to macrophages, and thus could be applied in the functional foods as a potential immunopotentiator for the hypoimmune population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• l -Ascorbate palmitate (LAP) incorporated liposome was produced by simple hydration and microfluidization. • LAP increased the surface negative charges, antioxidant capacity, rigidity and orderliness of liposomes. • High LAP incorporated ratio could decrease the encapsulation ability of the control liposome. • The storage stability of hydrophobic polyphenol in liposomes could be improved by LAP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of l -ascorbyl palmitate (LAP) as an additive to liposome formulations by self-assembling with soy lecithin to form hybrid liposomes, in order to enhance the physical stability and bioactivator-loaded retention ratio of the LAP incorporated liposomes (LAP-LP). The addition of LAP significantly increased its surface negative charge and strong hydrophobic interactions occurred between the hydrophobic tails of LAP and phospholipids resulting in more compactly ordered, rigid and hydrophobic phospholipid bilayers as indicated by surface tension, fluorescence probes and DSC. These changes enhanced the stability of hydrophobic polyphenol loaded LAP-LP during storage. Particularly, after four weeks storage at 37 °C for naringenin loaded liposomes, the retention ratio of pure liposome decreased dramatically to 12.5 %, while the LAP-LP remained above 74.5 %. This study opens up the potential for the LAP-LP to be developed as a food-grade multifunctional formulation for encapsulating and delivering bioactivators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: As cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death in many countries including China, nurses are increasingly required to be abreast of technological advances and the skills necessary to manage this increasing health care problem. Chinese nurses are under pressure to provide skilled electrocardiography monitoring, and be sufficiently skilled to detect myocardial ischemia and infarction, in this large patient population. This presents a challenge for the nursing profession in China, particularly for nurses working in coronary care in a country where advancement has been so rapid, yet little research has been conducted or reported in the literature. Objectives: The two main objectives were: to explore the demographic and educational factors that affect the use of ST-segment monitoring and correct electrode placement by CCU/ICU nurses in China; and to explore the factors both individual and institutional that affect monitoring and lead placement. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to nurses in 126 randomly selected tertiary hospitals, which were stratified into three homogeneous regions across China. The instrument examined demographics, information about hospitals, electrocardiogram devices, current practice patterns and perceptions toward monitoring and lead placement. Data from 734 nurses and 59 nurse managers from 59 hospitals were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Electrocardiogram monitoring was used to detect myocardial ischemia by 43.7% of respondents, and 35.1% selected leads according to electrocardiogram or angiography findings. Most (70%) agreed that monitoring for acute coronary syndrome was important, while 39.2% did so, and 15.7% were able to identify correct placement. Logistic regression revealed a significant relationship between the uses of ST-segment monitoring and number of hospital beds, continuing education and a belief in its use and ease of use. Correct electrode placement was significantly correlated with respondents from university hospitals, hospitals with more acute coronary syndrome admissions and more independent thinking nurses. Conclusions: Despite best practice evidence, less than half of the sample used electrocardiogram monitoring to detect myocardial ischemia and the majority could not identify correct electrode placement, while ST-segment monitoring was not used routinely. This paper highlights the need for improvements in education both in universities and hospitals and discussion addresses conventions in units, which inhibit development of nurses’ skills. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]