Adhesive performance of camelina protein affected by extraction conditions

Citation: Qi, G., Li, N., Sun, X. S., & Wang, D. (2016). Adhesive performance of camelina protein affected by extraction conditions. Transactions of the Asabe, 59(3), 1083-1090. doi:10.13031/trans.59.11686Camelina protein (CP) adhesives were prepared from de-hulled camelina meal using alkaline solubilization (CP 8, CP 9, CP 10, CP 11, CP 12) and isolelectric precipitation. CP 12 had the highest protein yield with 46.22%, more than twice that of CP 8 (22.71%), indicating that extreme alkaline pH is necessary for high camelina protein solubility and protein yield. Extreme alkalinization resulted in severe molecular dissociation of camelina protein, as indicated by the appearance of a low molecular weight band (20 kDa). Compared to CP 8, CP 9, CP 10, and CP 11, CP 12 had a completely denatured protein structure with greater amounts of exposed functional groups, which is beneficial to the adhesion strength of CP 12. CP 12 with 9% sodium chloride treatment demonstrated optimum adhesion performance with dry and wet strengths of 4.36 and 1.36 MPa, respectively, compared to 3.37 and 1.05 MPa for CP 12 without sodium chloride treatment. © 2016 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

Anticancer Drug Camptothecin Test in 3D Hydrogel Networks with HeLa cells

Citation: Liang, J., Sun, X. S., Yang, Z. L., & Cao, S. (2017). Anticancer Drug Camptothecin Test in 3D Hydrogel Networks with HeLa cells. Scientific Reports, 7, 9. doi:10.1038/srep37626Development of a biomimetic 3D culture system for drug screening is necessary to fully understand the in vivo environment. Previously, a self-assembling peptide hydrogel has been reported; the hydrogel exhibited physiological properties superior to a 3D cell culture matrix. In this work, further research using H9e hydrogel with HeLa cells was carried out considering H9e hydrogel's interaction with camptothecin, a hydrophobic drug. According to AFM images, a PGworks solution triggered H9e hydrogel fiber aggregation and forms a 3D matrix suitable for cell culture. Dynamic rheological studies showed that camptothecin was encapsulated within the hydrogel network concurrently with peptide self-assembly without permanently destroying the hydrogel's architecture and remodeling ability. Fluorescence measurement indicated negligible interaction between the fluorophore part of camptothecin and the hydrogel, especially at concentration 0.25 and 0.5 wt%. Using a dialysis method, we found that H9e hydrogel could not significantly inhibit the diffusion of camptothecin encapsulated inside the hydrogel matrix. In the cell culture experiment, HeLa cells were simultaneously embedded in the H9e hydrogel with the initialization of hydrogelation. Most importantly, cell viability data after camptothecin treatment showed responses that were drug-dose dependent but unaffected by the H9e hydrogel concentration, indicating that the hydrogel did not inhibit the drug

Peptide nanofiber hydrogel adjuvanted live virus vaccine enhances cross-protective immunity to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is prevalent in swine farms worldwide and is a major source of economic loss and animal suffering. Rapid genetic variation of PRRSV makes it difficult for current vaccines to confer protection against newly emerging strains. We recently demonstrated that a novel peptide nanofiber hydrogel (H9e) could act as a potent adjuvant for killed H1N1 vaccines. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate H9e as an adjuvant for PRRSV modified live virus (MLV) vaccines. Pigs were vaccinated with Ingelvac PRRSV MLV with or without H9e adjuvant before being challenged with the VR-2332 (parental vaccine strain) or MN184A (genetically diverse strain) PRRSV. Pigs vaccinated with MLV+H9e had higher levels of circulating vaccine virus. More importantly, pigs vaccinated with MLV+H9e had improved protection against challenge by both PRRSV strains, as demonstrated by reduced challenge-induced viremia compared with pigs vaccinated with MLV alone. Pigs vaccinated with MLV+H9e had lower frequency of T-regulatory cells and IL-10 production but higher frequency of Th/memory cells and IFN-γ secretion than that in pigs vaccinated with MLV alone. Taken together, our studies suggest that the peptide nanofiber hydrogel H9e, when combined with the PRRSV MLV vaccine, can enhance vaccine efficacy against two different PRRSV strains by modulating both host humoral and cellular immune responses

Physical properties of strawboard as affected by processing parameters

Abstract Wheat straw has been recently considered as an alternative to wood fibers in manufacturing particle boards. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of processing parameters on straw particle board quality. Commercial ground wheat straw was used in a full factorial experimental design to examine the effects of three processing variables (initial straw moisture content (MC), resin binder content (BC), and press temperature) on strawboard physical and mechanical properties. The MC was tested between 2 and 12%, BC between 2 and 8%, and press temperature between 135 and 218°C. Strawboard density was held constant by controlling the gap in the press mold. Dimensional stability and water resistance was determined by a 24-h water-soak test, and mechanical properties by a three-point flexural test. In the tested parameter range, BC was the most significant factor affecting the strawboard dimensional stability, water resistance and mechanical properties. Initial straw MC was the second most significant factor influencing strawboard quality. MC had a more significant effect on board mechanical properties than on dimensional stability. Press temperature had a more significant effect on the strawboard dimensional stability than on mechanical properties

IMECE2008-67290 ANALYSIS OF THE IDLING START OF THE MOVING COIL LINEAR COMPRESSOR

ABSTRACT The linear compressor is driven by a linear motor. Because it has no crankcase, the piston motion and its control of the linear compressor are differing from that of the conventional reciprocating compressor

Effect of genotype on the physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of hempseed

Hempseed products has been used as nutraceutical supplements and pharmaceutical products. However, hempseed has been underutilized as a food crop for human consumption. To fill the gap of limited knowledge of the variation of hempseed for food consumption, thirteen hemp varieties were selected to evaluate the effect of genotype on the physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of hempseed. The tested hempseed contains 26.48–32.03% crude protein with average of 28.48%, 28.03–33.23% crude oil with average of 29.54%, 28.78–36.55% crude fiber with average of 33.49%, and 5.43%–6.32% ash with average of 5.89. Average test weight of 36.85 lbs/bu was relatively low compared to the standard test weight of 44 lbs/bu. Hempseed oil contained high portions of about 80% unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and α-linolenic acid. The DPPH scavenging activities varied greatly (0.37–28.78%) for the hydrolysates from different hempseed varieties. This study provides comprehensive understanding of the nutritional value of hempseed for human food and potential of a new crop in agricultural food system

Design of 11-Residue Peptides with Unusual Biophysical Properties: Induced Secondary Structure in the Absence of Water

AbstractA series of oligopeptides with β-forming and adhesive properties, were synthesized and analyzed for adhesion shear strength, secondary structure, and association properties. The sequences contained related hydrophobic core segments varying in length from 5 to 12 residues and flanked by di- or tri-lysine segments. Three remarkable peptides consisting of just 11 residues with hydrophobic core sequences of FLIVI, IGSII, and IVIGS flanked by three lysine residues gave the highest dry adhesion shear strength and displayed unusual biophysical properties in the presence and absence of water. KKKFLIVIKKK had its highest adhesion strength at 2% (w/v) at pH 12.0 and showed the highest adhesion strength after exposure to water (water resistance). Both KKKIGSIIKKK and KKKIVIGSKKK, at 4% (w/v) at pH 12.0, displayed nearly identical dry shear strength values to that with the FLIVI core sequence. The peptide with IGSII core, however, displayed a lower water resistance and the latter, IVIGS, showed no water resistance, completely delaminating upon soaking in water. These are the smallest peptides with adhesive properties reported to date and show remarkable adhesion strength even at lower concentrations of 0.2% (w/v), which corresponds to 1.6mM. The FLIVI containing peptide adopted a β-sheet secondary structure in water while the IGSII- and IVIGS-containing sequences folded similarly only in the absence of water. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies showed that when the FLIVI sequence adopts β-structure in aqueous solution, it associates into a large molecular weight assembly. The random coils of IGSII and IVIGS showed no tendency to associate at any pH

Authenticating the geographic origins of Atractylodes lancea rhizome chemotypes in China through metabolite marker identification

IntroductionAtractylodes lancea is widely distributed in East Asia, ranging from Amur to south-central China. The rhizome of A. lancea is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, however, the quality of products varies across different regions with different geochemical characteristics.MethodThis study aimed to identify the chemotypes of A. lancea from different areas and screen for chemical markers by quantifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a targeted metabolomics approach based on GC–MS/MS.ResultsThe A. lancea distributed in Hubei, Anhui, Shaanxi, and a region west of Henan province was classified as the Hubei Chemotype (HBA). HBA is characterized by high content of β-eudesmol and hinesol with lower levels of atractylodin and atractylon. In contrast, the Maoshan Chemotype (MA) from Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and other northern regions, exhibited high levels of atractylodin and atractylon. A total of 15 categories of VOCs metabolites were detected and identified, revealing significant differences in the profiles of terpenoid, heterocyclic compound, ester, and ketone among different areas. Multivariate statistics indicated that 6 compounds and 455 metabolites could serve as candidate markers for differentiating A. lancea obtained from the southern, northern, and Maoshan areas.DiscussionThis comprehensive analysis provides a chemical fingerprint of selected A. lancea. Our results highlight the potential of metabolite profiling combined with chemometrics for authenticating the geographical origin of A. lancea

Self-Diffusion and Temperature Mapping of Food Materials Using MRI

170 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993.Properties of water in foods play an important role in food processing. Molecular self-diffusion of water is affected by a variety of parameters, including chemical composition, internal structure, and temperature of foods. Studying self-diffusion noninvasively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques is useful for understanding dynamic phenomena which occur during food processing. The overall objective of this study was to measure the self-diffusion coefficient using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and convert the self-diffusion images to temperature images.A gelatin-sucrose gel system was used to study the effects of composition and temperature on the self-diffusion coefficient. Parameters studied were composition, amount of gelatin, sucrose and distilled water, and temperature. A combined-orthorgonal central composite experimental design was conducted. A nonlinear regression model, representing the self-diffusion coefficient as a function of composition and temperature, was obtained. Results showed that the self-diffusion coefficient increased significantly as temperature increased, and decreased as solids concentration increased.Temperature is an important control parameter in food processes and thermal properties determination. Two dimensional self-diffusion coefficient images of a potato cylinder were obtained using MRI during heating and converted into temperature images. The initial temperature of the potato was 20\sp\circC, and the heating water temperature was 50\sp\circC. Non-magnetic thermocouples were implanted into the potato at different depths. The MRI and thermocouple data were acquired simultaneously. The error in the MRI temperature measurements caused by noise and the time delay to acquire each data set was less than 0.84\sp\circC, and the average variation between the MRI and thermocouple temperature measurements was less than 0.5\sp\circC.Thermal properties of the potato were calculated using the MRI temperature mapping data. The thermal diffusivity of the potato was 1.36 \times 10\sp{-7} m\sp2/s and the thermal conductivity of the potato was 0.599 W/m\sp\circC. The convective heat transfer coefficient between the potato and heating water ranged from 589.36 to 119.20 W/m\sp2\sp\circC corresponding to heating times of 1 min to 4 min, respectively.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Preparation and microwave absorbing properties of three-layered cement-based composites

AbstractBased on the electromagnetic wave propagation and attenuation laws, a three-layered cement-based microwave absorber was designed, which owns an impedance-graded structure. The surface layer is made of mortar with 10% crumb rubber replacing sand,easily realizes matching to the free space. The last layer mortar comprised of 30% wt spinel ferrite and 0.5% carbon fiber, has significant absorbing capability. The medium layer mortar with ferrite forms the impedance graded structure from the surface layer to the last layer. The results show that reflectivity of the three-layer cement-based absorber is below -10dB in the frequency range from 8GHz to 18GHz. This kind of the cementitious composites could be used for buildings protecting from electromagnetic interference (EMI)