Euryale Ferox Seed-inspired Super-lubricated Nanoparticles for Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis has been regarded as a typical lubrication deficiency related joint disease, which is characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage at the joint surface and the inflammation of the joint capsule. Here, inspired by the structure of the fresh euryale ferox seed that possesses a slippery aril and a hard coat containing starchy kernel, a novel superlubricated nanoparticle, namely poly (3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt)‐grafted mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs‐NH2@PSPMK), is biomimicked and synthesized via a one‐step photopolymerization method. The nanoparticles are endowed with enhanced lubrication by the grafted PSPMK polyelectrolyte polymer due to the formation of tenacious hydration layers surrounding the negative charges, and simultaneously are featured with effective drug loading and release behavior as a result of the sufficient mesoporous channels in the MSNs. When encapsulated with an anti‐inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium (DS), the lubrication capability of the superlubricated nanoparticles is improved, while the drug release rate is sustained by increasing the thickness of PSPMK layer, which is simply achieved via adjustment of the precursor monomer concentration in the photopolymerization process. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo experimental results show that the DS‐loaded MSNs‐NH2@PSPMK nanoparticles effectively protect the chondrocytes from degeneration, and thus, inhibit the development of osteoarthritis.Peer reviewe

On the origin and evolutionary consequences of gene body DNA methylation

In plants, CG DNA methylation is prevalent in the transcribed regions of many constitutively expressed genes (gene body methylation; gbM), but the origin and function of gbM remain unknown. Here we report the discovery that Eutrema salsugineum has lost gbM from its genome, to our knowledge the first instance for an angiosperm. Of all known DNA methyltransferases, only CHROMOMETHYLASE 3 (CMT3) is missing from E. salsugineum Identification of an additional angiosperm, Conringia planisiliqua, which independently lost CMT3 and gbM, supports that CMT3 is required for the establishment of gbM. Detailed analyses of gene expression, the histone variant H2A.Z, and various histone modifications in E. salsugineum and in Arabidopsis thaliana epigenetic recombinant inbred lines found no evidence in support of any role for gbM in regulating transcription or affecting the composition and modification of chromatin over evolutionary timescales

Temperature-Induced Aggregate Transitions in Mixtures of Cationic Ammonium Gemini Surfactant with Anionic Glutamic Acid Surfactant in Aqueous Solution

The aggregation behaviors of the mixtures of cationic gemini surfactant 1,4-bis­(dodecyl-<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethyl­ammonium bromide)-2,3-butanediol (C₁₂C₄(OH)₂C₁₂Br₂) and anionic amino acid surfactant <i>N</i>-dodecanoyl­glutamic acid (C₁₂Glu) in aqueous solution of pH = 10.0 have been studied. The mixture forms spherical micelles, vesicles, and wormlike micelles at 25 °C by changing mixing ratios and/or total surfactant concentration. Then these aggregates undergo a series of transitions upon increasing the temperature. Smaller spherical micelles transfer into larger vesicles, vesicles transfer into solid spherical aggregates and then into larger irregular aggregates, and entangled wormlike micelles transfer into branched wormlike micelles. Moreover, the larger irregular aggregates and branched micelles finally lead to precipitation and clouding phenomenon, respectively. All these transitions are thermally reversible, and the transition temperatures can be tuned by varying the mixing ratios and/or total concentration. These temperature-dependent aggregate transitions can be elucidated on the basis of the temperature-induced variations in the dehydration, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonds of the headgroup area and in the hydrophobic interaction between the hydrocarbon chains. The results suggest that the surfactants carrying multiple binding sites will greatly improve the regulation ability and temperature sensitivity

Green chemical and biological synthesis of cadaverine: recent development and challenges

Cadaverine has great potential to be used as an important monomer for the development of a series of high value-added products with market prospects. The most promising strategies for cadaverine synthesis involve using green chemical and bioconversion technologies. Herein, the review focuses on the progress and strategies towards the green chemical synthesis and biosynthesis of cadaverine. Specifically, we address the specific biosynthetic pathways of cadaverine from different substrates as well as extensively discussing the origination, structure and catalytic mechanism of the key lysine decarboxylases. The advanced strategies for process intensification, the separation and purification of cadaverine have been summarized. Furthermore, the challenging issues of the environmental, economic, and applicable impact for cadaverine production are also highlighted. This review concludes with the promising outlooks of state-of-the-art applications of cadaverine along with some insights toward their challenges and potential improvements

Self-Assembly of Oleyl Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)methyl Ammonium Bromide with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Their Interactions with Zein

Surface tension and aggregation behavior in an aqueous solution of the mixture of cationic surfactant oleyl bis­(2-hydroxyethyl)­methylammonium bromide (OHAB) and anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) have been studied by surface tension, conductivity, turbidity, zeta potential, isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), and dynamic light scattering. The mixture shows pretty low critical micellar concentration and surface tension, and successively forms globular micelles, unilamellar vesicles, multilamellar vesicles, rod-like micelles, and globular micelles again by increasing the molar fraction of OHAB from 0 to 1.00. The cooperation of hydrophobic interaction between the alkyl chains, electrostatic attraction between the headgroups as well as hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyethyl groups leads to the abundant aggregation behaviors. Furthermore, the solubilization of zein by the OHAB/SDS aggregates and their interactions were studied by ITC, total organic carbon analysis (TOC), and Cryo-TEM. Compared with pure OHAB or pure SDS solution, the amount of zein solubilized by the OHAB/SDS mixture is significantly reduced. It means that the mixtures have much stronger abilities in solubilizing zein. This result has also been proved by the observed enthalpy changes for the interaction of OHAB/SDS mixture with zein. Mixing oppositely charged OHAB and SDS reduces the net charge of mixed aggregates, and thus, the electrostatic attraction between the aggregates and zein is weakened. Meanwhile, the large size of the aggregates may increase the steric repulsion to the zein backbone. This work reveals that surfactant mixtures with larger aggregates and smaller CMCs solubilize less zein, suggesting how to construct a highly efficient and nonirritant surfactant system for practical use

Novel enzyme-metal-organic framework composite for efficient cadaverine production

Cadaverine is an important precursor for the synthesis of nylon 5X, which is used for engineering plastics and fibers. L-lysine can be converted to cadaverine by lysine decarboxylases with high catalytic activity and selectivity. However, the pH sensitivity and non-recyclability impede the practical application of lysine decarboxylases for cadaverine production. In this study, lysine decarboxylase (LdcEt) was immobilized on the surface of the zirconium-based metal-organic framework material (MOF) UIO-66-NH2 via covalent linkage for the first time. Morphological and structural analysis of the enzyme-MOF composite (LdcEt@HIO-66-NH2) indicated that LdcEt was successfully immobilized on the surface of UIO-66-NH2. Meanwhile, LdcEt@HIO-66-NH2 showed higher catalytic efficiency and enzyme activity, broader pH and temperature reaction range than free LdcEt. Compared with free enzymes, LdcEt@HIO-66-NH2 could catalyze more cadaverine in 2 h at high-level substrate concentration (365.3 g L-1 ). Furthermore, LdcEt@HIO-66-NH2 can also be reused for 10 cycles. These results proved that the efficient enzyme-MOF composite LdcEt@HIO-66-NH2 has great potential for the large scale cadaverine production

Winter wheat grain yield and its components in the North China Plain: Irrigation management, cultivation, and climate

Irrigation has been identified as the main driving factor of groundwater drawdown in the North China Plain (NCP). In order to develop appropriate irrigation strategies for satisfactory yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), grain yield (GY), yield components, and water use efficiency (WUE) were studied. A field experiment was conducted with two types of winter wheat, 'Shimai15' and 'Shixin733', and five irrigation treatments, including rainfed and four spring irrigation water applications, in four growing seasons (2005 to 2009). Results showed that maximum GY was achieved with three irrigation treatments in the 2005-2006 and 2008-2009 dry seasons and two irrigation treatments in the 2006-2007 normal season. However, in the 2007-2008 wet season, the four irrigation treatments, especially the additional irrigation event at the reviving stage (28), produced maximum GY. Grain yield was significantly related to seasonal full evapotranspiration (ET) and 410 to 530 mm of seasonal full ET, including 143 mm rainfall and 214 mm irrigation water, which led to maximum GY. The two types of cultivars responded differently to irrigation management in different rainfall years. The yield of the water-saving cv. 'Shimai 15' was much higher in the dry seasons than in the other seasons. Variations of yield components were mainly caused by irrigation time and meteorological factors. The higher accumulated temperature during the sowing and tillering stages (24) and irrigation or precipitation at the reviving stage (28) significantly improved tiller growth. The lower average temperature in March and April greatly increased grain number per spike. Sunshine duration played a decisive role in improving grain weight. Our results provide very useful information about irrigation time and frequency of winter wheat in the NCP in order to obtain high yield but reduce the use of underground water

Winter wheat grain yield and its components in the North China Plain: irrigation management, cultivation, and climate

Irrigation has been identified as the main driving factor of groundwater drawdown in the North China Plain (NCP). In order to develop appropriate irrigation strategies for satisfactory yields of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), grain yield (GY), yield components, and water use efficiency (WUE) were studied. A field experiment was conducted with two types of winter wheat, &apos;Shimai15&apos; and &apos;Shixin733&apos;, and five irrigation treatments, including rainfed and four spring irrigation water applications, in four growing seasons (2005 to 2009). Results showed that maximum GY was achieved with three irrigation treatments in the 2005-2006 and 2008-2009 dry seasons and two irrigation treatments in the 2006-2007 normal season. However, in the 2007-2008 wet season, the four irrigation treatments, especially the additional irrigation event at the reviving stage (28), produced maximum GY. Grain yield was significantly related to seasonal full evapotranspiration (ET) and 410 to 530 mm of seasonal full ET, including 143 mm rainfall and 214 mm irrigation water, which led to maximum GY. The two types of cultivars responded differently to irrigation management in different rainfall years. The yield of the water-saving cv. &apos;Shimai 15&apos; was much higher in the dry seasons than in the other seasons. Variations of yield components were mainly caused by irrigation time and meteorological factors. The higher accumulated temperature during the sowing and tillering stages (24) and irrigation or precipitation at the reviving stage (28) significantly improved tiller growth. The lower average temperature in March and April greatly increased grain number per spike. Sunshine duration played a decisive role in improving grain weight. Our results provide very useful information about irrigation time and frequency of winter wheat in the NCP in order to obtain high yield but reduce the use of underground water