Use of Pollen Solid-Phase Extraction for the Determination of <i>trans</i>-Resveratrol in Peanut Oils

In this study, a simple and convenient method for the determination of <i>trans</i>-resveratrol (TRA) in peanut oils based on pollen grain solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed. Pollen grains were used as normal-phase SPE sorbent to separate TRA from peanut oils for the first time. As a naturally occurring material, pollen grains exhibited an excellent adsorption capacity for polyphenolic compounds due to their particular functional structures such as hydroxyl groups, saturated and unsaturated aliphatic chains with aromatics. Their stable compositions as well as adequate particle size (30–40 μm) also make them suitable for SPE. Several parameters influencing extraction performance were investigated. Coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV), a green purification method for fast determination of TRA in peanut oils using pollen grain cartridges as sorbents was established. The linearity range of the proposed method was 10–2500 ng·g^–1 with a satisfactory correlation coefficient (<i>r</i>²) of 0.9999. The limit of detection (LOD) for TRA in peanut oils was 2.7 ng·g^–1, and the recoveries in spiked oil samples were from 70.2% to 98.4% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 4.9% (intraday) and 5.2% (interday). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of TRA in several peanut oils with different brands from local market as well as other kinds of vegetable oils

Iron-Doped Metal–Zinc-Centered Organic Framework Mesoporous Carbon Derivatives for Single-Wavelength NIR-Activated Photothermal/Photodynamic Synergistic Therapy

Recently, single-wavelength synergetic photothermal/photodynamic (PTT/PDT) therapy is beginning to make its mark in cancer treatment, and the key to it is a photosensitizer. In this work, an iron-doped metal–zinc-centered organic framework mesoporous carbon derivative (denoted as Fex-Zn-NCT) with a similar porphyrin property was successfully synthesized by a mild, simple, and green aqueous reaction. The effects of different Fe contents and pyrolysis temperatures on the morphology, structure, and PTT/PDT of Fex-Zn-NCT were investigated. Most importantly, we found that Fe50-Zn-NC900 exhibited excellent PTT/PDT performance under single-wavelength near-infrared (808 nm) light irradiation in a hydrophilic environment. The photothermal conversion efficiency (η) was counted as ∼81.3%, and the singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum yield (Φ) was compared with indocyanine green (ICG) as ∼0.0041. Furthermore, Fe50-Zn-NC900 is provided with a clear ability for generating 1O2 in living tumor cells and inducted massive necrosis/apoptosis of tumor cells with single-wavelength near-infrared laser irradiation. All of these are clear to consider that Fe50-Zn-NC900 displays great potential as an excellent photosensitizer for single-wavelength dual-mode PTT/PDT therapy

An Ionic Liquid Facilitates the Proliferation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Mediated by Class I Integrons

Ionic liquids (ILs), as “environmentally friendly” replacements for industrial volatile organic solvents, have been widely and recently applied in the chemical industry. However, few data have been collected regarding the toxicity and potential environmental effects of ILs, which are fairly important for preparing for their potential release into the environment. In this study, the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIm]­[PF6]) was tested for its ability to promote the proliferation and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in environmental bacteria. In freshwater microcosms, [BMIm]­[PF6] (0.5 g/L) significantly enhanced the abundance of the <i>sulI</i> gene (500-fold greater than in untreated controls). Meanwhile, [BMIm]­[PF6] significantly increased the abundance of class I integrons, which play a key role in ARG dissemination. A positive correlation (<i>p</i> < 0.01) between the <i>intI</i> and <i>sulI</i> genes suggested that [BMIm]­[PF6]-facilitated <i>sulI</i> propagation was mediated by class I integrons. This idea was supported by sequencing, which showed the <i>sulI</i> locus in the 3′ region of class I integrons. Class I integron transfer experiments between different indigenous strains of <i>Alcaligenes</i> sp. (SMX^R) and <i>Acinetobacter</i> sp. (Str^R) were conducted to show that the horizontal transfer frequency of class I integrons was up to 88-fold higher in the presence of an IL. An IL increased cell membrane permeability as evidenced by flow cytometry, thereby assisting <i>sulI</i> gene transfer mediated by class I integrons. This is the first report that ILs facilitate the proliferation of ARGs in environmental bacteria and thus increase risks to public health

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of the pH-Responsive Anionic Copolymers for Enhanced Doxorubicin-Loading Capacity

Polyelectrolyte complex micelles self-assembled from an ionic polymer and oppositely charged small molecules are a promising drug delivery system. In this study, the anionic block copolymers composed of poly­(ethylene glycol), poly­(ε-caprolactone), and carboxyl modified poly­(ε-caprolactone), COOH-PCEC, were designed to encapsulate doxorubicin (DOX) via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions to form spherical micelles with a particle size of 90–140 nm. The higher payload capacity of these micelles than noncharged micelles of PCL–poly­(ethylene glycol)–PCL (PCEC) was achieved, and it was strongly dependent on the composition of the micelles. In vitro drug release studies showed that the release of DOX from the micelles was faster at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.4, which was mainly due to the protonation of carboxyl groups and the solubility of DOX. Studies of intracellular uptake demonstrated that the DOX-loaded micelles could be internalized effectively by HeLa cells. In vitro cytotoxicity revealed that the blank COOH-PCEC micelles had a low cytotoxicity against both L929 and HeLa cells. However, the DOX-loaded micelles inhibited the growth of HeLa cells remarkably, demonstrating their potential for use as an efficient carrier for the delivery of DOX

MOESM1 of Bioflocculant production from untreated corn stover using Cellulosimicrobium cellulans L804 isolate and its application to harvesting microalgae

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of bioflocculant MBF-L804

Compacted Silage Fermentation on Whole Sweet Sorghum Plant for Distributed Bioethanol Production

The development of the bioethanol industry is facing a bottleneck due to challenges in the collection and storage of biomass. In this study, we explored the use of compacted silage fermentation to preserve whole pulverized sweet sorghum. To sterilize native and contaminant bacteria, we employed sulfur dioxide and inoculated SO2-tolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae TSH4 for long-term preservation in an ethanol atmosphere. Bagged silage experiments present the most effective preservation dosage, which was 2000 ppm SO2 concentration and 2% TSH4 yeast inoculation. Based on these conditions, we found that compacted silage with different compaction densities enabled all fermentations to be completed within 60 days. The highest ethanol concentration is achieved at a compaction density of 600, at which ethanol conversion rate reaches to 93.4%. Higher compaction densities produce more leachate, which results in ethanol loss up to 9.7%. During the 240 days of long-term storage, there was no significant change in ethanol content despite an increase in acetic acid concentration. Additionally, distilled vinasse was found to be comparable to whole silage maize in terms of nutrients, thus proving the feasibility of constructing distributed biofuel plants

Nickel Oxide Nanoparticle-Deposited Silica Composite Solid-Phase Extraction for Benzimidazole Residue Analysis in Milk and Eggs by Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

A novel nickel oxide nanoparticle-deposited silica (SiO₂@NiO) composite was prepared via liquid-phase deposition (LPD) and then employed as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent. When the SPE was coupled with liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC–ESI/MS) analysis, an analytical platform for the sensitive determination of benzimidazole residues in egg and milk was established. The limits of detection of nine benzimidazoles were in the range of 0.8–2.2 ng/mL in milk and 0.3–2.1 ng/g in eggs, respectively, which was 5–10 times superior to the methods with other adsorbents for SPE. The recoveries of nine benzimidazoles spiked in milk and egg ranged from 70.8 to 118.7%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) being less than 18.9%. This work presented the excellent extraction performance of NiO on benzimidazoles for the first time, and the applicability of the LPD technique used as sorbents for trace analysis in complex matrices was also demonstrated

The role of the PKA pathway in the VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration.

<p>(<b>A</b>). Effects of specific inhibitors of various pathways on wound healing. Scratch wounds were created in cell monolayers of HUVECs using a sterile pipette tip. Then cells were cultured with inhibitors (10 µM) in the presence of VEGF (10 ng/ml) for 10 h. (<b>B</b>). Quantification of wound area (The initial wound area minus wound area after 10 h). (<b>C</b>). Effects of specific inhibitors of various pathways on VEGF-induced sprouting of endothelial-cell-coated beads in fibrin gel. Cells on beads were exposed to different treatments, and photographs were taken on day 14. (<b>D</b>). Quantification of sprout number. (<b>E</b>). Quantification of sprout length. The data are expressed as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. ^#<i>P</i><0.05, ^##<i>P</i><0.01 <i>vs</i>. normal group; *<i>P</i><0.05, **<i>P</i><0.01 <i>vs</i>. VEGF group. (original magnification: ×100 in A, ×200 in B).</p

The structure of norisoboldine (NOR).

<p>The structure of norisoboldine (NOR).</p

Effects of norisoboldine (NOR) on stages of osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) induced by RANKL.

<p>RAW264.7 cells and BMMs were seeded into 24-well plates, and NOR (30 µM) was added into the cultures that treated with RANKL (100 ng/mL) at 5 different time points. After exposure to NOR for 24 h, the culture media containing NOR was washed out and changed to NOR free culture media.The cells were continued to be stimulated with RANKL (100 ng/mL). Untill day 5, cells were lysed in 0.2% Triton X-100, and TRAP activity was detected using kits according to the manufacturer's instructions. Data were expressed as means±S.D. of three independent experiments. <i>^*p</i><0.05, <i>^**p</i><0.01 <i>vs.</i> model.</p