Extraction-condition Optimization of Baicalein and Schisandrin from Hu-gan-kang-yuan Formula Using Orthogonal Array Design

Purpose: To optimize the extraction conditions for Hu-gan-kang-yuan Formula based on extraction rates of baicalein and schisandrin using an orthogonal array design.Methods: Ethanol concentration (50 - 70 %), ratio of solvent to raw material (8 - 12 mL/g), and extraction time (1 - 3 h) were examined with a three-factor and three-level L9(3)3 orthogonal array design. In addition, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the effects of individual factors on extraction rates of baicalein and schisandrin determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The number of extractions was further investigated to confirm the extraction rate of target compounds based on the optimized conditions.Results: The optimized conditions were an ethanol concentration of 70 %; ratio of solvent to raw material, 12:1 mL/g; and extraction time of 60 min. Ethanol concentration and ratio of solvent to raw material showed significant effects on the extraction of the two compounds (p < 0.05). The number of extraction steps, two, was reasonable. The final optimum extraction conditions resulted in 79.48 ± 1.40 and 88.55 ± 1.85 % of extraction for baicalein and schisandrin, respectively.Conclusion: The optimized extraction conditions for baicalein and schisandrin are practicable and repeatable, and can be upgraded for pilot-scale production of Hu-gan-kang-yuan preparations.Keywords: Hu-gan-kang-yuan Formula, Extract-condition optimization, Orthogonal array design, Baicalein, Schisandri

Advanced antifouling and antibacterial hydrogels enabled by controlled thermo-responses of a biocompatible polymer composite

To optimally apply antibiotics and antimicrobials, smart wound dressing conferring controlled drug release and preventing adhesions of biological objects is advantageous. Poly(; N; -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), a conventional thermo-responsive polymer, and poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC), a typical antifouling polymer, have therefore potential to be fabricated as copolymers to achieve dual functions of thermo-responsiveness and antifouling. Herein, a hydrogel made of PNIPAM-; co; -PMPC was designed and loaded with octenidine, a widely applied antimicrobial agent for wound treatment, to achieve both antifouling and triggered drug release. The thermo-switch of the fabricated hydrogel allowed 25-fold more octenidine release at 37 °C (infected wound temperature) than at 30 °C (normal skin temperature) after 120 minutes, which led to at least a 3 lg reduction of the viable bacteria at 37 °C on artificially infected wounds. Furthermore, we pioneeringly assessed the antifouling property of the material in PBS buffer using single molecule/cell/bacterial force spectroscopy, and revealed that the fabricated hydrogel displayed distinctive antifouling properties against proteins, mammalian cells, and bacteria. This work demonstrated a promising design of a hydrogel applicable for preventing and treating wound infections. The concept of dual-functional materials can be envisaged for other clinical applications related to the prevention of biofilm-associated infections, such as urinary catheters, stents, and dental implants

Guidezilla extension catheter for percutaneous interventional therapy of complex lesions via a transradial approach: Case series from a single-center experience

   Background: Guide catheter extension systems have become one of the most powerful tools for address­ing complex lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but data on a new-generation rapid exchange extension catheter — the Guidezilla catheter — are limited. Summarized herein reports on experience using the Guidezilla catheter for complex coronary lesions via a transradial approach at the documented institution an evaluation of its safety and efficacy. Methods: A total of 25 patients (19 males and 6 females) who underwent PCI via the radial approach with the Guidezilla catheter for adequate back-up support and to facilitate equipment delivery were enrolled. The clinical, angiographic and procedural data of all 26 procedures in 25 patients (1 patient underwent two PCI procedures on different lesions) were collected to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel equipment. Results: The mean age of the enrolled patients was 67.7 ± 8.41 years old. The mean depth of intuba­tion was 27.90 ± 12.23 mm. Stent implantation was successful in 23 out of 26 procedures (88.5%) and failed in 3 cases: 1 case of tortuosity and severe angulation in a chronic total occlusion lesion; 1 case of an existing type B dissection (NHLBI classification system for coronary artery dissection types); and 1 case in which a stent was stripped off its balloon. None of the patients experienced coronary dissection, perforation, air embolism, pressure dampening or other major complications during the procedure. Conclusions: The Guidezilla extension catheter is an effective and safe tool that provides improved back-up support and increases the success rate of PCI for complex coronary lesion by radial access

Day-ahead Optimal Scheduling of Regenerative Electric Heating System Considering Load Imbalance

For the regenerative electric heating system, on the premise of ensuring reliable heat supply to users, a day-ahead optimization scheduling method for the regenerative electric heating system considering the load imbalance is proposed. First, users' heating demand under normal working conditions and grid power rationing scenarios are calculated by estimate index method. Then, in order to match the heating demand of users and reduce the load imbalance caused by thermal storage electric heating in the distribution network, comprehensive consideration of grid constraints and the adjustable capacity of regenerative electric heating load, the operating strategy of the thermal storage electric heating system is studied. Reasonable control of heat storage and release in regenerative electric heating can not only reduce the distribution line pressure during heating period, but also maximize the accommodation of low-cost electricity such as surplus renewable energy and improve the economic benefits of the system. Taking the regenerative electric heating system in Chongli area of Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province as an example, the multi-objective optimal scheduling model is simulated and analyzed, and the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed optimal scheduling strategy are verified

pH-responsive silica nanoparticles for the treatment of skin wound infections

Chronic wounds are not only a burden for patients but also challenging for clinic treatment due to biofilm formation. Here, we utilized the phenomenon that chronic wounds possess an elevated local pH of 8.9 and developed pH-sensitive silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) to achieve a targeted drug release on alkaline wounds and optimized drug utility. Chlorhexidine (CHX), a disinfectant and antiseptic, was loaded into SiNPs as the model drug. The loaded CHX displayed a release 4 - 5 fold higher at pH 8.0 and 8.5 than at pH 6.5, 7.0 and 7.4. CHX-SiNPs furthermore exhibited a distinctive antibacterial activity at pH 8.0 and 8.5 against both Gram-negative and -positive bacterial pathogens, while no cytotoxicity was found according to cell viability analysis. The CHX-SiNPs were further formulated into alginate hydrogels to allow ease of use. The antibacterial efficacy of CHX-SiNPs was then studied with artificial wounds on ex vivo human skin. Treatment with CHX-SiNPs enabled nearly a 4-lg reduction of the viable bacterial cells, and the alginate formulated CHX-SiNPs led to almost a 3-lg reduction compared to the negative controls. The obtained results demonstrated that CHX-SiNPs are capable of efficient pH-triggered drug release, leading to high antibacterial efficacy. Moreover, CHX-SiNPs enlighten clinic potential towards the treatment of chronic wound infections. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A platform for controlled drug release at a relatively high pH value i.e., over 8, was established by tuning the physical structures of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs). Incorporation of chlorhexidine, an antimicrobial agent, into the fabricated SiNPs allowed a distinctive inhibition of bacterial growth at alkaline pHs, but not at acidic pHs. The efficacy of the SiNPs loaded with chlorhexidine in treating wound infections was further validated by utilizing ex vivo human skin samples. The presented work demonstrates clinic potential of employing alkaline pH as a non-invasive stimulus to achieve on-demand delivery of antimicrobials through SiNPs, showcasing a valuable approach to treating bacterial infections on chronic wounds

Microbiology, ecology, and application of the nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation process

Nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo), which couples the anaerobic oxidation of methane to denitrification, is a recently discovered process mediated by “Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera.” M. oxyfera is affiliated with the “NC10” phylum, a phylum having no members in pure culture. Based on the isotopic labeling experiments, it is hypothesized that M. oxyfera has an unusual intra-aerobic pathway for the production of oxygen via the dismutation of nitric oxide into dinitrogen gas and oxygen. In addition, the bacterial species has a unique ultrastructure that is distinct from that of other previously described microorganisms. M. oxyfera-like sequences have been recovered from different natural habitats, suggesting that the n-damo process potentially contributes to global carbon and nitrogen cycles. The n-damo process is a process that can reduce the greenhouse effect, as methane is more effective in heat-trapping than carbon dioxide. The n-damo process, which uses methane instead of organic matter to drive denitrification, is also an economical nitrogen removal process because methane is a relatively inexpensive electron donor. This mini-review summarizes the peculiar microbiology of M. oxyfera and discusses the potential ecological importance and engineering application of the n-damo process

Physics perspectives of heavy-ion collisions at very high energy

Heavy-ion collisions at very high colliding energies are expected to produce a quark-gluon plasma (QGP) at the highest temperature obtainable in a laboratory setting. Experimental studies of these reactions can provide an unprecedented range of information on properties of the QGP at high temperatures. We report theoretical investigations of the physics perspectives of heavy-ion collisions at a future high-energy collider. These include initial parton production, collective expansion of the dense medium, jet quenching, heavy-quark transport, dissociation and regeneration of quarkonia, photon and dilepton production. We illustrate the potential of future experimental studies of the initial particle production and formation of QGP at the highest temperature to provide constraints on properties of strongly interaction matter.Comment: 35 pages in Latex, 29 figure

25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children of different ages and with varying degrees of Helicobacter pylori infection and immunological features

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori (HP) is a major cause of upper digestive tract diseases. However, the relationship between HP infection and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in children has not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the levels of 25(OH)D in children of different ages and with varying degrees of HP infection and immunological features as well as the correlations between 25(OH)D levels in children infected with HP and their ages and degrees of infection.Materials and methodsNinety-four children who underwent upper digestive endoscopy were divided into an HP-positive group without peptic ulcers (Group A), an HP-positive group with peptic ulcers (Group B) and an HP-negative control group (Group C). The serum levels of 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin and the percentages of lymphocyte subsets were determined. HP colonization, the degree of inflammation, and the degree of activity were further evaluated by HE staining and immunohistochemical staining in gastric mucosal biopsy.ResultsThe 25(OH)D level of the HP-positive groups (50.93 ± 16.51 nmol/L) was significantly lower than that of the HP-negative group (62.89 ± 19.18 nmol/L). The 25(OH)D level of Group B (47.79 ± 14.79 nmol/L) was lower than that of Group A (51.53 ± 17.05 nmol/L) and was significantly lower than that of Group C (62.89 ± 19.18 nmol/L). The 25(OH)D level decreased with increasing age, and there was a significant difference between Group C subjects who were ≤5 years old and those who were aged 6–9 years and ≥10 years. The 25(OH)D level was negatively correlated with HP colonization (r = −0.411, P < 0.01) and the degree of inflammation (r = −0.456, P < 0.01). The percentages of lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin levels among Groups A, B and C were not significantly different.ConclusionsThe 25(OH)D level was negatively correlated with HP colonization and the degree of inflammation. As the age of the children increased, the level of 25(OH)D decreased, and the susceptibility to HP infection increased