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Drug-loaded porous membranes have been deemed to be effective physicochemical barriers to separate postoperative adhesion-prone tissues in tendon healing. However, cell viability and subsequent tissue regeneration might be severely interfered with the unrestricted release and the locally excessive concentration of anti-inflammatory drugs. Herein, we report a double-layered membrane with sustained and uni-directional drug delivery features to prevent peritendinous adhesion without hampering the healing outcome. A vortex-assisted electrospinning system in combination with ibuprofen (IBU)-in-water emulsion was utilized to fabricate IBU-loaded poly-ʟ-lactic-acid (PLLA) fiber bundle membrane (PFB-IBU) as the anti-adhesion layer. The resultant highly porous structure, oleophilic and hydrophobic nature of PLLA fibers enabled in situ loading of IBU with a concentration gradient across the membrane thickness. Aligned collagen nanofibers were further deposited at the low IBU concentration side of the membrane for regulating cell growth and achieving uni-directional release of IBU. Drug release kinetics showed that the release amount of IBU from the high concentration side reached 79.32% at 14 d, while it was only 0.35% at the collagen side. Therefore, fibroblast proliferation at the high concentration side was successfully inhibited without affecting the oriented growth of tendon-derived stem cells at the other side. In vivo evaluation of the rat Achilles adhesion model confirmed the successful peritendinous anti-adhesion of our double-layered membrane, in that the macrophage recruitment, the inflammatory factor secretion and the deposition of pathological adhesion markers such as α-SMA and COL-III were all inhibited, which greatly improved the peritendinous fibrosis and restored the motor function of tendon. [Display omitted] • Uni-directional and sustained release of ibuprofen (IBU) was achieved in an asymmetric fibrous scaffold. • IBU release was prolonged by the porous and bundle structure of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) fibers. • Uni-directional drug release (release rate = 81.1% and 0.3% at two sides) was achieved to selectively inhibit cell growth. • Anti-adhesion was realized at the high IBU concentration side without affecting tendon healing at the other side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on intestinal antioxidant capacity, immunity, structural integrity, and permeability of hybrid crucian carp (control group, Astragalus polysaccharide stress group (APs), and salt and alkali stress group (SAs)) under saline-alkali environment. The results showed that the CAT activity, MDA activity, and total antioxidant capacity in the APs group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). At 6 h, the activity of intestinal GPX in the SAs group was significantly higher than that in the control group and APs group (P < 0.05). At 48h, the activity of C3 in the APs group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). At 24 h, the content of C4 in the APs group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). At 72 h, the ACP and the AKP activity in the APs group and the SAs group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Inflammatory cells infiltrated the folds in both the APs and SAs groups. At 72 h, the gene expression levels of claudin 7, claudin 12, claudin c, and ZO-1 in the APs group and SAs group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). At 72 h, the expression of inflammation-related genes in the APs group and SAs group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, APS, as an additive, can alleviate the damage of intestinal physical barrier and immune barrier caused by salt-alkali stress to hybrid crucian carp, including up-regulation of genes for inhibiting inflammation and tight junction and alleviating oxidative stress, thus maintaining the integrity of intestinal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element after oxygen in soil. Nevertheless, it was not considered essential for plant growth and development. In the last decades, many researchers have reported that silicon can mitigate to some extent the adverse effects of variable biotic and abiotic stresses caused by salinity, chilling, heating, nutritional imbalance, heavy metals, diseases, herbivores, and many others. There are different hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of the silicon mode of action. Some of them propose that the silicon treatment is probably related to the structural modification of the plant cells and tissues. Others speculate that silicon could be involved in plant metabolism. The interaction between the two mechanisms is also a very reliable hypothesis. Most of the studies focused on the influence of silicon on alleviating the negative effects of abiotic stress factors. The reports about the effect of silicon under biotic stress are not so abundant. Today, there is no doubt about the positive effect of silicon application in alleviating stress and reducing the pest and disease incidence and severity. However, the mechanisms of the silicon-induced plant responses are not yet completely clear. This motivated the current study to analyze the data presented about the silicon-induced alleviation of biotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of chitin is a subject of great interest in the fields of physiology and immunology of crustaceans. Chitinous tissues include not only the carapace, but also an acellular membrane in the intestine called the peritrophic membrane (PM). Here, we describe the first report of chitin synthase (CHS) of a penaeid shrimp, kuruma shrimp Penaeus japonicus. Histological observations showed that fecal matter in the midgut of kuruma shrimp was wrapped with a PM, which physically separated it from the midgut epithelium. Subsequently, the chitin synthase transcript was amplified from the midgut of the shrimp. The chitin synthase gene of kuruma shrimp (MjCHS) encodes 1,523 amino acid residues. Structural prediction analysis showed that the N-terminal region of MjCHS protein included nine transmembrane helices, the middle region included the catalytic region with several conserved motifs which are found in CHSs from other arthropods, and the C-terminal region included seven transmembrane helices. Although insects have distinct exoskeletal and intestinal chitin synthases, the phylogenetic analysis suggested that crustaceans have a single CHS. MjCHS mRNA was constantly detected in the digestive tract, including the midgut and hepatopancreas of both juvenile and adult kuruma shrimp, suggesting a stable synthesis of chitin in those organs. In contrast, MjCHS mRNA was also detected in the hindgut and uropod of juvenile shrimp. After molting, the mRNA levels of MjCHS in the stomach and uropod were higher than other molting cycles. These results suggest that MjCHS contributes to chitin synthesis in both the digestive tract and the epidermis, providing fundamental insights into chitin synthesis of crustaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) refer to formulation technologies aiming to deter the abuse of prescription drugs by making the dosage forms difficult to manipulate or extract the opioids. Assessments are required to evaluate the performance of the drugs through different routes including injection, ingestion, and insufflation and also when the drugs are manipulated. Chewing is the easiest and most convenient way to manipulate the drugs and deserves investigation. Chewing is one of the most complex bioprocesses, where the ingested materials are subject to periodic tooth crushing, mixed through the tongue, and lubricated and softened by the saliva. Inter- and intra-subject variations in chewing patterns may result in different chewing performances. The purpose of this study is to use a chewing simulator to assess the deterrent properties of tablets made of polyethylene oxide (PEO). The simulator can mimic human molar grinding with variable chewing parameters including molar trajectory, chewing frequency, and saliva flow rate. To investigate the effects of these parameters, the sizes of the chewed tablet particles and the chewing force were measured to evaluate the chewing performance. Thirty-four out of forty tablets were broken into pieces. The results suggested that the simulator can chew the tablets into smaller particles and that the molar trajectory and saliva flow rate had significant effect on reducing the size of the particles by analysis of variance (ANOVA) while the effect of chewing frequency was not clear. Additionally, chewing force can work as an indicator of the chewing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon can increase the natural defence of plants against stresses including herbivorous insects. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is one of the forms of silicon, and despite its wide use in the industrial sector, its use in agriculture is still poorly adopted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar application of SiO2 in inducing defence against Spodoptera frugiperda in soybean. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomised design with four treatments (0%, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% of SiO2). The effect on cannibalism, biological parameters (mortality, duration of the larval stage, duration of the pupal stage and pupal weight) and wear on the mandible of S. frugiperda were evaluated. The foliar silicon content was also determined. The supply of SiO2 prolonged the duration of the larval and pupal stages of the S. frugiperda by 0.56 and 0.17 days for each 1% of SiO2 applied, respectively. The use of SiO2 at 5% increased the mortality rate of caterpillars in the larval stage by approximately 25%. There was no effect of SiO2 application on cannibalism and weight of S. frugiperda pupae. There was wear on the caterpillars' jaws in the third and fourth instar at the highest SiO2 concentration. The application of SiO2 promoted greater accumulation of silicon in soybean leaves. It is concluded that the foliar application of SiO2 affects the biological performance of S. frugiperda through the induction of defence in the soybean crop and presents itself as a promising strategy in integrated pest management programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postsurgical adhesions are a common complication of surgical procedures that can lead to postoperative pain, bowel obstruction, infertility, as well as complications with future procedures. Several agents have been developed to prevent adhesion formation, such as barriers, anti‐inflammatory and fibrinolytic agents. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of physical barrier agents, but they have been associated with conflicting clinical studies and controversy in the clinical utilization of anti‐adhesion barriers. In this review, we summarize the human anatomy of the peritoneum, the pathophysiology of adhesion formation, the current prevention agents, as well as the current research progress on adhesion prevention. The early cellular events starting with injured mesothelial cells and incorporating macrophage response have recently been found to be associated with adhesion formation. This may provide the key component for developing future adhesion prevention methods. The current use of physical barriers to separate tissues, such as Seprafilm®, composed of hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose, can only reduce the risk of adhesion formation at the end stage. Other anti‐inflammatory or fibrinolytic agents for preventing adhesions have only been studied within the context of current research models, which is limited by the lack of in‐vitro model systems as well as in‐depth study of in‐vivo models to evaluate the efficiency of anti‐adhesion agents. In addition, we explore emerging therapies, such as gene therapy and stem cell‐based approaches, that may offer new strategies for preventing adhesion formation. In conclusion, anti‐adhesion agents represent a promising approach for reducing the burden of adhesion‐related complications in surgical patients. Further research is needed to optimize their use and develop new therapies for this challenging clinical problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studied few‐layer graphene (FLG) dominant action mechanisms as a photo‐stabilizer. High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) containing 0–0.5 wt% FLG were exposed to UVA radiation in a QUV chamber, according to ASTM G154 for different exposure times, ranging from 0 to 672 h. The chemical, rheological, and mechanical properties were tracked using attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), rheological measurements, and tensile tests. The experimental results showed that the addition of only 0.25 wt% FLG fully stabilized 1‐ to 3‐mm thick HDPE for an exposure time of 672 h. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) test was performed on the UV‐exposed mixture of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the FLG aqueous suspensions (0, 0.2, 1, and 5 mg/mL), to study the FLG performance and mechanisms as a photo‐stabilizer. The results showed that FLG effectively decreased the characteristic EPR signal intensity due to both UV absorption/reflection and free radical scavenging. Fifty‐seven percent of the reduction was found to be due to UV absorption/reflection and 43% due to free radical scavenging. It is demonstrated that UV absorption/reflection and free radical scavenging are the dominant ones among the three FLG photo‐stabilizing mechanisms (UV absorption/reflection, free radical scavenging, and physical barrier to oxygen). Highlights: FLG showed potential as a photo‐stabilizer for HDPE.Addition of 0.25 wt% FLG fully stabilized HDPE for 672 h of UVA exposure.FLG demonstrated UV absorption/reflection and free radical scavenging effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Postsurgical adhesions are a common complication of surgical procedures that can lead to postoperative pain, bowel obstruction, infertility, as well as complications with future procedures. Several agents have been developed to prevent adhesion formation, such as barriers, anti‐inflammatory and fibrinolytic agents. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of physical barrier agents, but they have been associated with conflicting clinical studies and controversy in the clinical utilization of anti‐adhesion barriers. In this review, we summarize the human anatomy of the peritoneum, the pathophysiology of adhesion formation, the current prevention agents, as well as the current research progress on adhesion prevention. The early cellular events starting with injured mesothelial cells and incorporating macrophage response have recently been found to be associated with adhesion formation. This may provide the key component for developing future adhesion prevention methods. The current use of physical barriers to separate tissues, such as Seprafilm®, composed of hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose, can only reduce the risk of adhesion formation at the end stage. Other anti‐inflammatory or fibrinolytic agents for preventing adhesions have only been studied within the context of current research models, which is limited by the lack of in‐vitro model systems as well as in‐depth study of in‐vivo models to evaluate the efficiency of anti‐adhesion agents. In addition, we explore emerging therapies, such as gene therapy and stem cell‐based approaches, that may offer new strategies for preventing adhesion formation. In conclusion, anti‐adhesion agents represent a promising approach for reducing the burden of adhesion‐related complications in surgical patients. Further research is needed to optimize their use and develop new therapies for this challenging clinical problem.

Immunotherapy has changed the course of cancer treatment. The initial steps were made through tumor-specific antibodies that guided the setup of an antitumor immune response. A new and successful generation of antibodies are designed to target immune checkpoint molecules aimed to reinvigorate the antitumor immune response. The cellular counterpart is the adoptive cell therapy, where specific immune cells are expanded or engineered to target cancer cells. In all cases, the key for achieving positive clinical resolutions rests upon the access of immune cells to the tumor. In this review, we focus on how the tumor microenvironment architecture, including stromal cells, immunosuppressive cells and extracellular matrix, protects tumor cells from an immune attack leading to immunotherapy resistance, and on the available strategies to tackle immune evasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract infections (UTI), which are among the most frequent cases of infectious diseases, mainly affect women. The most common treatment approach involves the use of antibiotics, although this solution is not always the most suitable, mainly because of the resistance that bacterial strains develop. Proanthocyanidins are a class of polyphenols, abundantly contained in cranberry extracts, which have shown beneficial effects in the treatment of urinary tract infections, due to their anti-adhesive properties toward bacteria, with respect to the membranes of the cells of the urothelium and intestine, thus reducing their virulence. In this work, we demonstrate via microscopy and scattering measurements how a mixture of cranberry and chondroitin sulfate can form a crosslinked structure with barrier properties. By using a design of experiment (DOE), we optimized the mass ratio to obtain a precipitate between cranberry extract and chondroitin sulfate in the presence of N-acetylcysteine and hyaluronic acid. By using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) chambers, we confirmed the barrier properties of the best mixture obtained with the DOE. Lastly, the antibiofilm action was investigated against five strains of Escherichia coli with different antibiotic sensitivity. The precipitate displayed a variable inhibitory effect in biofilm formation with major effects in UTI with an antibiotic resistance profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the first line of defense against risk factors, the nasal epithelial barrier maintains homeostasis in nasal mucosa. The composition of the epithelial barrier contains physical, chemical, immune, and microbiological barriers. Together, these barriers form the nasal defense against irritations. Risk factors from both internal and external environments can disrupt them. External risk factors contain allergens containing proteases, bacteria, virus, particulate matter, diesel exhaust particles, and cigarette smoke. In the meantime, inflammatory cytokines also increase the load on the barrier. Taking into account the role of the epithelial barrier in the nasal mucosa, some studies focus on the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by restoring the epithelial barrier, and some progress has been made. Among the therapeutic approaches, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and steroid corticosteroids are considered two of the more studied categories, and their roles in repairing barriers have been demonstrated in AR and CRS. The underlying mechanism of HDAC inhibitor may be related to the transcription factor p63. And the protection of corticosteroids may be associated with the allergic disease susceptibility gene, protocadherin-1. Notably, manipulation of the microbiological barrier also has a positive effect on AR and CRS. Lactococcus and probiotics are two categories that are worth being explored continuously. We here review and discuss the compositions and risk factors of the nasal epithelial barrier. Furthermore, some novel and promising approaches to restore the defective barrier in nasal allergic diseases were mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of the intestinal barrier is partially dependent on host maturity and the colonization patterns of the microbiome to which it is exposed. Premature birth and stressors of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-related support (e.g., antibiotics, steroids, etc.) can alter the host internal environment resulting in changes in the intestinal barrier. Pathogenic microbial proliferation and breach of the immature intestinal barrier are proposed to be crucial steps in the development of neonatal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. This article will review the current literature on the intestinal barrier in the neonatal gut, the consequences of microbiome development for this defense system, and how prematurity can influence neonatal susceptibility to gastrointestinal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a huge burden on health systems worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline in this battle and personal protective equipment (PPE) is a crucial element for their safety. Objectives: to assess the attitude and practices of PPE among HCWs alongside its availability and toxicities as well as to assess the use of telemedicine, physical barriers, and practice of social distance among HCWs. Methods: A cross sectional online survey was conducted between July and November 2020. Healthcare workers from different countries were invited to participate via emails and social platforms. Results: Out of 384 requested to participate, 119 participants completed the survey. The mean age for the participants was 41.5± 10.4. Females accounted for (n=83, 69.8%). Although 67.2% said they received training for the correct use of PPE, a 69.7% and 79.8% failed to answer the correct order of donning and doffing PPE, respectively; (n=92, 77.3%) mentioned that N95/FFP2 respirators were the kind of masks routinely used for care of confirmed COVID-19 cases and (n=90, 75.6%) claimed that fit testing was done for N95/FFP2 respirators before use. Thirty-nine participants (n=39, 32.8%) said that they extended the use of PPE > 12 hours. Hazmat suit, overshoes, respirators, hair caps, and goggles were the most deficient PPE. The most frequently reported adverse events when working with PPEs were heat intolerance (47.1%), headache (43.7%), pressure areas (32.8%), and extreme exhaustion (31.1%). Regarding other protective measures, (n= 79, 66.4%) said they are maintaining adequate social distance; (n= 64, 53.8%) and (n=66, 55.5%) declared the use of physical barrier and telemedicine, respectively. As regard the attitude, a (n=79, 66.4%) said it is convenient to comply with the recommended PPE when examining COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: Donning and doffing were the most common PPE malpractices. There was a positive attitude towards PPE among the HCWs. There was limited access to telemedicine, physical barriers, and application of social distance inside the healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunotherapy has changed the course of cancer treatment. The initial steps were made through tumor-specific antibodies that guided the setup of an antitumor immune response. A new and successful generation of antibodies are designed to target immune checkpoint molecules aimed to reinvigorate the antitumor immune response. The cellular counterpart is the adoptive cell therapy, where specific immune cells are expanded or engineered to target cancer cells. In all cases, the key for achieving positive clinical resolutions rests upon the access of immune cells to the tumor. In this review, we focus on how the tumor microenvironment architecture, including stromal cells, immunosuppressive cells and extracellular matrix, protects tumor cells from an immune attack leading to immunotherapy resistance, and on the available strategies to tackle immune evasion.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is progressively degenerated during age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, which clinical hallmark is the buildup of sub-RPE extracellular material. Clinical observations indicate that Zn dyshomeostasis can initiate detrimental intracellular events in the RPE. In this study, we used a primary human fetal RPE cell culture model producing sub-RPE deposits accumulation that recapitulates features of early AMD to study Zn homeostasis and metalloproteins changes. RPE cell derived samples were collected at 10, 21 and 59 days in culture and processed for RNA sequencing, elemental mass spectrometry and the abundance and cellular localization of specific proteins. RPE cells developed processes normal to RPE, including intercellular unions formation and expression of RPE proteins. Punctate deposition of apolipoprotein E, marker of sub-RPE material accumulation, was observed from 3 weeks with profusion after 2 months in culture. Zn cytoplasmic concentrations significantly decreased 0.2 times at 59 days, from 0.264 ± 0.119 ng·μg−1 at 10 days to 0.062 ± 0.043 ng·μg−1 at 59 days (p

By using electrospinning technology, phosphatidylcholine with different mass concentrations was added to polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid for blending spinning, thereby investigating the feasibility of preparing an anti-adhesion membrane for the peritoneal cavity. The fiber morphology, surface composition, mechanical properties, hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, degradation properties, and anti-cell adhesion properties of the composite film were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, infrared spectrum, strength meter, contact angle meter, and cell experiments. The results show that phosphatidylcholine is successfully loaded into the fiber membrane, and the fiber membrane with phosphatidylcholine has good hydrophilicity and appropriate mechanical properties, and can maintain structural integrity after degradation for 28 days, and has good adhesion resistance to L-929 fibroblasts. It shows that the fiber membrane with phosphatidylcholine has potential application in the field of anti-adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recently, plant-derived polysaccharides have been in general use in animal production, due to their strong hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antitumor, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. The available literature suggests that plant-derived polysaccharides improved performance and health in poultry. Therefore, this review aims to provide a reference for the scientific application of plant-derived polysaccharides in poultry production, while also exploring their effects on the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability, intestinal morphology and immune function, etc.; the potential action mechanisms of plant-derived polysaccharides are briefly summarized. As natural bioactive components, plant-derived polysaccharides have many biological functions, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticoccidial, and immunity regulation, and have been widely used in poultry production. In this review paper, firstly, the sources and structures of plant-derived polysaccharides are reviewed; secondly, the effects of plant-derived polysaccharides on the intestinal microbiome, permeability, morphology and immune function of poultry are summarized; thirdly, the potential molecular regulation mechanism of plant-derived polysaccharides on the intestinal barrier function of poultry was preliminarily analyzed. The review paper will bring a basis for the scientific utilization of plant-derived polysaccharides in the poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the fire retardancy of epoxy resin (EP), lamellar cobalt potassium pyrophosphate (LCPP) nanocrystal whiskers with a length of 100–300 nm were designed and synthesized by a liquid technique. LCPP with high thermal stability was blended into EP to prepare the EP/LCPP composites. The results show that the EP/LCPP composites have higher thermal stability and produce more residues compared to pure EP. The combustion results display that the LOI value of the EP/10wt%LCPP composites was significantly improved to 35.9%, and the EP/6wt%LCPP composite can reach a UL-94 V-1 rating. Additionally, the peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate of the EP/10wt%LCPP composites dramatically decreased by 43.8% and 48.5%, respectively. The improved flame retardancy and smoke suppression are mainly attributed to the inherent physical barrier of LCPP and the excellent catalytic carbonization ability of LCPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inhibit the digestion of indica rice starch (IRS), an excellent strategy was to add exogenous proteins that interact with IRS, which was closely associated with the protein components. Herein, this study compared the effects of soy protein subfractions, soy β-conglycinin (7S) and soy glycinin (11S), on IRS digestion and explored its inhibition mechanisms. This study used hydrothermal processing to prepare IRS complexes with soy protein subfractions (7S and 11S) at different starch-protein ratios. The results found that adding 7S and 11S exhibited different inhibitory patterns on starch digestion. Compared to IRS, a higher slowly digestible starch (SDS) content (40.91%, p < 0.05) was observed at the IRS-7S ratios of 20:8, while the 20:6 IRS-11S complex showed a higher resistant starch (RS) content (15.76%, p < 0.05). Subsequently, the interactions between IRS and soy protein subfractions and their multi-scale structural changes were explored. The rheological results revealed that hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding were the main driving forces. Various structural changes were closely associated with inhibitory modes of soy protein subfractions on IRS digestion. In detail, the increased SDS content in IRS-7S complexes was attributed to the formation of compact protein physical barriers, aggregated structures with more ordered regions, and flexible secondary conformations of 7S. However, the high-density structures and the stable secondary conformations of 11S were responsible for the increased RS content in IRS-11S complexes. Thus, this study could provide directions for developing SDS-enriched or RS-enriched starch-based products. [Display omitted] • Adding 7S and 11S exhibited different inhibitory modes on starch digestion. • Hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding were the main driving forces. • The compact protein barrier played a key role in the increased SDS of IRS-7S complex. • The high-density structure was responsible for the increased RS in IRS-11S complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, HAp(hydroxyapatite) was prepared by hydrothermal method and was successfully modified by APTES (aminopropyltriethoxysilane) to obtain APTES‐HAp nanomaterial. Firstly, the microstructure and surface morphology of HAp and APTES‐HAp were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and it was confirmed that HAp and APTES‐HAp composites were successfully synthesized. Secondly, SEM analysis is used to study the dispersion of APTES‐HAp in epoxy resin, and it is proved that the dispersion of HAp modified by APTES is greatly improved. Finally, the corrosion resistance of the composite coating was studied in detail by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the APTES‐HAp /EP composite coating impedance modulus remains 107. The breakpoint frequency (fb) is always the minimum after 30 days of immersion, which proves that the corrosion resistance of APTES‐HAp /EP composite coating is significantly improved APTES‐HAp/EP. The improvement of corrosion resistance is mainly attributed to the following two points: APTES‐HAp has good uniform dispersion and interfaces compatibility in epoxy resin, forming an effective barrier network. On the other hand, layered HAp forms physical barriers and maze effects on corrosive media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The five volt-class battery is one promising candidate of high energy density lithium-ion batteries. However, it suffers from limited electrochemical performance due to many problems, one of which is Al current collector corrosion. The corrosion greatly affects the electrochemical performance of batteries, so uncovering the Al corrosion mechanism and developing its protection strategy in the 5 V-class battery becomes important. Here, we experimentally realize a corrosion-resistant Al current collector via graphene protection. The experimental and theoretical calculation indicate that graphene can work as a physical barrier to inhibit direct contact between LiPF 6 -based electrolyte and an Al current collector, reducing the side reactions between Al current collector and HF originated from electrolyte. What is more, graphene increases the Al corrosion reaction potential, raising the difficulty of electrochemical corrosion. These effects improve the electrochemical performance of the 5 V-class battery, especially the rate performance and cycling stability. The work is beneficial for the development of a 5 V-class battery.

Urinary tract infections (UTI), which are among the most frequent cases of infectious diseases, mainly affect women. The most common treatment approach involves the use of antibiotics, although this solution is not always the most suitable, mainly because of the resistance that bacterial strains develop. Proanthocyanidins are a class of polyphenols, abundantly contained in cranberry extracts, which have shown beneficial effects in the treatment of urinary tract infections, due to their anti-adhesive properties toward bacteria, with respect to the membranes of the cells of the urothelium and intestine, thus reducing their virulence. In this work, we demonstrate via microscopy and scattering measurements how a mixture of cranberry and chondroitin sulfate can form a crosslinked structure with barrier properties. By using a design of experiment (DOE), we optimized the mass ratio to obtain a precipitate between cranberry extract and chondroitin sulfate in the presence of N-acetylcysteine and hyaluronic acid. By using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) chambers, we confirmed the barrier properties of the best mixture obtained with the DOE. Lastly, the antibiofilm action was investigated against five strains of Escherichia coli with different antibiotic sensitivity. The precipitate displayed a variable inhibitory effect in biofilm formation with major effects in UTI with an antibiotic resistance profile.

The function of the intestinal barrier is partially dependent on host maturity and the colonization patterns of the microbiome to which it is exposed. Premature birth and stressors of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-related support (e.g., antibiotics, steroids, etc.) can alter the host internal environment resulting in changes in the intestinal barrier. Pathogenic microbial proliferation and breach of the immature intestinal barrier are proposed to be crucial steps in the development of neonatal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. This article will review the current literature on the intestinal barrier in the neonatal gut, the consequences of microbiome development for this defense system, and how prematurity can influence neonatal susceptibility to gastrointestinal infection.

Plants have various self-defense mechanisms against biotic attacks, involving both physical and chemical barriers. Physical barriers include spines, trichomes, and cuticle layers, whereas chemical barriers include secondary metabolites (SMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Complex interactions between plants and herbivores occur. Plant responses to insect herbivory begin with the perception of physical stimuli, chemical compounds (orally secreted by insects and herbivore-induced VOCs) during feeding. Plant cell membranes then generate ion fluxes that create differences in plasma membrane potential (Vm), which provokes the initiation of signal transduction, the activation of various hormones (e.g., jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene), and the release of VOCs and SMs. This review of recent studies of plant–herbivore–infection interactions focuses on early and late plant responses, including physical barriers, signal transduction, SM production as well as epigenetic regulation, and phytohormone responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritendinous adhesion is considered a major postsurgical tendon complication in hand surgery. This complication could be mitigated partially through early tendon mobilization. However, development of new treatment modalities to guide tissue regeneration and to reduce postsurgical tendon adhesion has recently gained attentions. In this article, synthesis and characterization of electrospun nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) of polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan to form a physical barrier against cellular migration leading to tendon adhesion is presented. The mechanical properties of the NFMs are modulated to maintain high integrity during postsurgical tendon mobilization. The tensile strength of the NFMs is examined in wet and dry conditions after 1000 cyclic pull loadings. In addition, the mechanical strength of the NFMs is evaluated after a degradation period of 30 days. To obtain NFM with desired properties, concentrations of polymer solutions, operation parameters of electrospinning and the thickness of NFMs were optimized. Based on the biodegradation and mechanical evaluations, the optimum NFM was obtained for specified amounts of PCL (5 wt %) + chitosan (2 wt %) at an electrospinning drum speed of 400 rpm. The engineered NFM could withstand forces of 33 and 19 N before and after 1000 pull cycles that are sufficient during tendon healing process. The bonding of chitosan fibers over PCL nanofibers allowed for production of NFMs with appropriate mechanical integrity and degradation rate. In vitro cell culture tests demonstrated that PCL/chitosan could only have minor impact on decreasing fibroblast attachment over the membranes probably due to protonation of amine groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the development of cross-linked gels to potentially provide a physical barrier to vaginal sperm transport for contraception. Two types of gels were formulated, a physically cross-linked iota-carrageenan (Ci) phenylboronic acid functionalized hydroxylpropylmethyacrylate copolymer (PBA)-based (Ci-PBA) gel, designed to block vaginal sperm transport. The second gel was pH-shifting cross-linked Ci-polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid (Ci-PVA-BA) gel, designed to modulate its properties in forming a viscoelastic, weakly cross-linked transient network (due to Ci gelling properties) on vaginal application (at acidic pH of ~3.5–4.5) to a more elastic, densely cross-linked (due to borate-diol cross-linking) gel network at basic pH of 7–8 of seminal fluid, thereby acting as a physical barrier to motile sperm. The gels were characterized for dynamic rheology, physicochemical properties, and impact on sperm functionality (motility, viability, penetration). The rheology data confirmed that the Ci-PBA gel was formed by ionic interactions whereas Ci-PVA-BA gel was chemically cross-linked and became more elastic at basic pH. Based on the screening data, lead gels were selected for in vitro sperm functionality testing. The in vitro results confirmed that the Ci-PBA and Ci-PVA-BA gels created a barrier at the sperm-gel interface, providing sperm blocking properties. For preclinical proof-of-concept, the Ci-PBA gels were applied vaginally and tested for contraceptive efficacy in rabbits, demonstrating only partial efficacy (40–60%). Overall, the in vitro and in vivo results support the development and further optimization of cross-linked gels using commercially available materials as vaginal contraceptives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seawater intrusion (SI) has become a global concern for groundwater environment. SI not only seriously threatens freshwater resources in coastal aquifers, but also undermines the balance of coastal ecosystem and further restricts the socioeconomic development. This paper simulates the SI process in a 2D synthetic aquifer constructed from sandbox experiment using the simulator SEAWAT-2000. The transport phenomenon of the brackish water interface is investigated by altering the location and injection rate of a recharge well and the layout of the physical barrier. The results show that when the recharge well is located near the toe of the salt water wedge of 40 cm from the coastline and 5 cm from the surface, the optimal performance of the recharge scheme is achieved with the repulsion rate up to 21.5%. When the physical barrier is located 10 cm from the coastline and the penetration depth is 35 cm, the toe of saltwater wedge is effectively driven to the coastline with the repulsion rate up to 81.8%. Moreover, we simulate the variable-density groundwater flow and transport in a typical two-dimensional section of coastal aquifer in the Longkou District of Shandong Province. The SI model is established to evaluate the influences of different management schemes (i.e., physical barrier and recharge well) on the prevention of seawater intrusion. The results show that when the physical barrier is located 600 m from the coastline and the penetration depth is 18 m, the toe of salt water wedge is effectively driven back to the coastline with the repulsion rate up to 28.4%. The results reveal the influence of hydraulic and physical barriers under different settings on the migration rule of the brackish water interface. The findings may provide insights into the optimization suggestions for coastal groundwater management under site conditions.

Abstract Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) is a major pest of palms worldwide. Seedlings and juvenile palms are more vulnerable to beetle damage and in severe cases, inflicting palm death. The present study was to develop a physical pest control technique for juvenile palms using nylon nets as a pest exclusion barrier. The unopened spear leaf with –two to four adjacent leaf bases were loosely wrapped with the nylon nets of different mesh size during June - December 2017 (N = 40). Results revealed that the damaged leaves were reduced from 61.02 to 7.53% (t = 17.23; p < 0.001). Further experiment was up scaled in 120 palms during June – December 2018 and the beetles trapped in nylon nets were recorded at weekly intervals. Nylon nets entrapped 618 adult beetles that comprised 61.80% females and 38.18% males with corresponding sex ratio of 1.61: 1. Thus, use of nylon nets as a pest exclusion barrier guarded the young palms from beetle attack and additionally acted as passive trap by entrapping 20.6 beetles/week/120 palms without any insecticidal intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As natural bioactive components, plant-derived polysaccharides have many biological functions, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticoccidial, and immunity regulation, and have been widely used in poultry production. In this review paper, firstly, the sources and structures of plant-derived polysaccharides are reviewed; secondly, the effects of plant-derived polysaccharides on the intestinal microbiome, permeability, morphology and immune function of poultry are summarized; thirdly, the potential molecular regulation mechanism of plant-derived polysaccharides on the intestinal barrier function of poultry was preliminarily analyzed. The review paper will bring a basis for the scientific utilization of plant-derived polysaccharides in the poultry industry.

In order to improve the fire retardancy of epoxy resin (EP), lamellar cobalt potassium pyrophosphate (LCPP) nanocrystal whiskers with a length of 100–300 nm were designed and synthesized by a liquid technique. LCPP with high thermal stability was blended into EP to prepare the EP/LCPP composites. The results show that the EP/LCPP composites have higher thermal stability and produce more residues compared to pure EP. The combustion results display that the LOI value of the EP/10wt%LCPP composites was significantly improved to 35.9%, and the EP/6wt%LCPP composite can reach a UL-94 V-1 rating. Additionally, the peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate of the EP/10wt%LCPP composites dramatically decreased by 43.8% and 48.5%, respectively. The improved flame retardancy and smoke suppression are mainly attributed to the inherent physical barrier of LCPP and the excellent catalytic carbonization ability of LCPP.

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Achieving high-quality 7075 high-strength aluminum alloy manufactured via directed energy deposition-arc (DED-Arc) remains challenging due to its sensitivity of microstructures and properties to heat inputs. This study examines how TiC nanoparticles can effectively reduce the adverse effects of high heat input from the arc on the surface morphology, microstructure, and properties of 7075 aluminum alloy deposits. The surface morphology, defects, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the deposited alloy parts were characterized. The analysis revealed that reducing the heat input results in smoother surface morphology but has little effect on the number of defects, grain morphology, grain size, and tensile strength. Even under various heat inputs, all deposited samples containing TiC nanoparticles exhibit equiaxed grain structures with an average grain size of approximately 8.98 ± 0.27 μm and possess a tensile strength exceeding 500 MPa with minimal variance. Further studies involving microstructures and computational fluid dynamics suggest that the incorporation of TiC nanoparticles mitigates the impact of thermal dynamic conditions within the molten pool. It was discovered for the first time that there is a significant lattice mismatch of about 18% between the crystal planes of TiC and the Al-matrix in the deposited samples. This mismatch increases the free energy of the growth phase, effectively creating a pinning effect for the growing grains. Consequently, this nanoparticle-induced physical barrier disrupts the conventional control of grain growth dictated by thermodynamic conditions, effectively limiting grain size under various heat inputs by arc. This work demonstrates a promising strategy to reduce the sensitivity of microstructure and properties to heat input during DED processes. [Display omitted] • The TiC-nanoparticles modified raw materials deposited three crack-free of 7075 thin walls over a wide heat input range. • The microstructure and mechanical properties are not sensitive to large heat input variation range. • The physical barrier established by TiC-nanoparticles inhibited the effect of thermal undercooling on grain growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Strategies for airborne infection risk reduction in crowded spaces. • Introduction of physical barriers integrated with personal exhaust ventilation. • Varied effects based on occupant location and ventilation system. • Superior infection risk reduction with displacement ventilation over mixing. • Enhanced efficiency with higher personal exhaust ventilation flow rates. This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating desk partitions and personal exhaust ventilation to mitigate airborne infection risks in areas where people sit closely together. Experiments were conducted in a test chamber equipped with different air distribution systems, including two different mixing and one displacement ventilation. N 2 O tracer gas was utilized to study airborne transmission between occupants. Results showed effectiveness of preventive measures varied depending on air distributions. In the absence of preventive measures, mixing ventilation systems exhibited higher infection risk compared to displacement ventilation. After the introduction of physical barriers, N 2 O concentration increased at two measurement points in presence of one of the mixing ventilation systems. In contrast, the other mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation showed a reduction in N 2 O concentration, up to 63 % and 43 %, respectively, depending on measurement points. Combination of physical barriers and personal exhaust ventilation consistently reduced N 2 O concentration by 34 % to 83 %, depending on measurement point's location and type of air distribution. Furthermore, higher airflow rates of personal exhaust increased efficiency of proposed strategy in limiting infection risk. This study supports employing physical barriers and personal exhaust ventilation to reduce airborne infection risks. Tailoring preventive measures to specific air distribution system is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have various self-defense mechanisms against biotic attacks, involving both physical and chemical barriers. Physical barriers include spines, trichomes, and cuticle layers, whereas chemical barriers include secondary metabolites (SMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Complex interactions between plants and herbivores occur. Plant responses to insect herbivory begin with the perception of physical stimuli, chemical compounds (orally secreted by insects and herbivore-induced VOCs) during feeding. Plant cell membranes then generate ion fluxes that create differences in plasma membrane potential (Vm), which provokes the initiation of signal transduction, the activation of various hormones (e.g., jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene), and the release of VOCs and SMs. This review of recent studies of plant–herbivore–infection interactions focuses on early and late plant responses, including physical barriers, signal transduction, SM production as well as epigenetic regulation, and phytohormone responses.

This study explored the development of cross-linked gels to potentially provide a physical barrier to vaginal sperm transport for contraception. Two types of gels were formulated, a physically cross-linked iota-carrageenan (Ci) phenylboronic acid functionalized hydroxylpropylmethyacrylate copolymer (PBA)-based (Ci-PBA) gel, designed to block vaginal sperm transport. The second gel was pH-shifting cross-linked Ci-polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid (Ci-PVA-BA) gel, designed to modulate its properties in forming a viscoelastic, weakly cross-linked transient network (due to Ci gelling properties) on vaginal application (at acidic pH of ~3.5–4.5) to a more elastic, densely cross-linked (due to borate-diol cross-linking) gel network at basic pH of 7–8 of seminal fluid, thereby acting as a physical barrier to motile sperm. The gels were characterized for dynamic rheology, physicochemical properties, and impact on sperm functionality (motility, viability, penetration). The rheology data confirmed that the Ci-PBA gel was formed by ionic interactions whereas Ci-PVA-BA gel was chemically cross-linked and became more elastic at basic pH. Based on the screening data, lead gels were selected for in vitro sperm functionality testing. The in vitro results confirmed that the Ci-PBA and Ci-PVA-BA gels created a barrier at the sperm-gel interface, providing sperm blocking properties. For preclinical proof-of-concept, the Ci-PBA gels were applied vaginally and tested for contraceptive efficacy in rabbits, demonstrating only partial efficacy (40–60%). Overall, the in vitro and in vivo results support the development and further optimization of cross-linked gels using commercially available materials as vaginal contraceptives.

Research on ecological impacts of roads has seldom been studied on Borneo. This includes information on their influence on wildlife dynamic in National Parks and other areas harbouring biodiversity. This knowledge is important to prescribe best management practices, by avoiding, minimising and compensating for adverse impacts such structures may have on individuals, populations and communities. In order to understand the effects of a paved road, located within a protected area (Kubah National Park, Sarawak, western Borneo), on the local mammal species, we set up an array of 20 camera traps using stratified sampling, along a spatial gradient of five distance categories from the road. This ranged from the edge of the road to the interior part of the forests, in the following manner: A) 0–5 m at the edge, B) 5–100 m, C) 100–200 m, D) 200–300 m, and E) 300–400 m. We explored the relationships between the distance to the road with mammalian species richness, and subsequently, for carnivores, ungulates, and Viverridae sp. (civets) and finally, attempted to estimate the density of these animal groups. Camera trap surveys accumulated 2161 camera days, which resulted in 1938 independent animal photos that consisted of19 species of wild mammals, six species of birds and one reptile species along the gradient. This study suggests that areas close to the road (0–5 m) are used significantly less than other areas (n = 8), while cameras located within the distance range from 5–100 m and 100–200 m detected the highest number of species (n = 18). The highest numbers of ungulates and members of the family Viverridae (civets) were recorded at 5–100 m, while the distance category 100–200 m recorded the most numbers of carnivores. Several species that could be tolerant to some level of disturbance, such as the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), banded palm civet (Hemigalus derbyanus), long-tailed porcupine (Trichys fasciculata), and lesser mousedeer (Tragulus kanchil) showed preference at 5–100 m. This might be due to their general diet behaviour and abundance of food resources nearby the forest edge. The findings from this study need to be carefully interpreted as it is based on a small scale project, therefore may not provide information required to quantify and mitigate the negative effects of roads in protected areas. Comprehensive long-term monitoring with appropriate replications, will be required for making appropriate management recommendations for enhancing conservation within the protected areas of Sarawak.

Swordtails (Xiphophorus; Poeciliidae) have figured prominently in research on fish mating behaviours, sexual selection, and carcinogenesis, but their population structures and dispersal patterns have been relatively neglected. Using nine microsatellite loci, we estimated genetic differentiation in Xiphophorus helleri within and between adjacent streams in Belize. The genetic data were complemented by a tagging study of movement within one stream. In the absence of physical dispersal barriers (waterfalls), population structure followed an isolation by distance (IBD) pattern. Genetic differentiation (F(ST) up to 0.07) was significant between and within creeks, despite high dispersal in the latter as judged by the tagging data. Such heterogeneity apparently was a result of genetic drift in local demes, due to small population sizes and highly skewed paternity. The IBD pattern was interrupted by waterfalls, boosting F(ST) above 0.30 between adjacent samples across these barriers. Overall, our results are helpful in understanding the interplay of evolutionary forces and population dynamics in a small fish living in a changeable habitat.

This study aims to investigate the effects of exposure to different dosages of zearalenone (ZEA) on cecal physical barrier functions and its mechanisms based on the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in weaned piglets. Thirty-two weaned piglets were allotted to four groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with ZEA at 0, 0.15, 1.5, and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg ZEA damaged cecum morphology and microvilli, and changed distribution and shape of M cells. Moreover, 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg ZEA decreased numbers of goblet cells, the expressions of TFF3 and tight junction proteins, and inhibited the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Interestingly, the 0.15 mg/kg ZEA had no significant effect on cecal physical barrier functions but decreased the expressions of Smad3, p-Smad3 and Smad7. Our study suggests that high-dose ZEA exposure impairs cecal physical barrier functions through inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, but low-dose ZEA had no significant effect on cecum morphology and integrity through inhibiting the expression of smad7. These findings provide a scientific basis for helping people explore how to reduce the toxicity of ZEA in feeds.

Insects have evolved various types of antipredator defenses. For example, many insects have evolved crypsis, and exhibit cryptic body colors and shapes for hiding from predators. Other insects produce toxins as a form of chemical defense against predators, and some toxic insects are aposematic, with conspicuous body colors for advertising their toxins. Insects can also develop hairs, spines or hard exoskeletons as morphological defenses to protect themselves from predation. In addition, insects can evolve behavioral defenses, in which insects exhibit autotomy or dropping, or feign death. This study investigated which predator types evoke these types of defenses, through a review of the effectiveness of antipredator defenses in insects against carnivorous animals that are commonly used as model predators in studies. These predators include other insects, spiders, fish, frogs, lizards, birds and mammals. The results provide the first step for clarifying the evolutionary drivers of antipredator defenses in insects. The following aspects should be considered for future studies: multiple predator species and sufficient replication, alternative prey and predator models, and tolerance to predators in insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pigeonpea wild relative Cajanus platycarpus is resistant to Helicoverpa armigera, one of the major pests responsible for yield losses in Cajanus cajan. Deciphering the molecular mechanism underlying host plant resistance is pertinent to identify proteins that aid in the mitigation of the insect pest. The present study adopted comparative proteomics as a tool to interpret the resistance mechanism(s) in C. platycarpus vis-à-vis C. cajan during continued herbivory (up to 96 h). Over-representation analysis of the differentially expressed proteins implicated a multi-dimensional resistance response accomplished by both physical and chemical barriers in C. platycarpus. While the chemical basis for resistance was depicted by the upregulation of proteins playing a rate limiting role in the phenylpropanoid pathway, the physical basis was provided by the regulation of proteins involved in microtubule assembly and synthesis of lignins. Upregulation of proteins in the polyamine pathway indicated the role of metabolite conjugates to be negatively affecting herbivore growth. Reallocation of resources and diversion of metabolic flux to support the production of secondary metabolites could be the probable approach in the wild relative against herbivory. Our study provided deeper insights into the pod borer resistance mechanism in C. platycarpus for utility in crop improvement. Key points: • Pod borer resistance in Cajanus platycarpus is multi-dimensional. • Pod borer resistance has been arbitrated to cell wall rigidity and secondary metabolites. • Phenylpropanoid pathway derivatives apparently shaped the plant chemical defense against pod borer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]