Structural characterization, function, and mechanism in enhancing WPI emulsion of blackcurrant polysaccharides: From macroscopic emulsion stability to molecular-level interactions by experiments and simulations.

In this work, the pore size-dependent PPL diffusion and protein distribution in SBA-15 support have been investigated in detail by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) observations in combination with hindered diffusion simulation, intraparticle diffusion analysis, and apparent kinetics calculation. The CLSM observations indicate porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) diffuses partly into the pores with a diameter of 5.6 nm and much deeper into the pores with a diameter of 8.0 or 9.7 nm. PPL distribution along the pore length has been simulated by hindered diffusion model and the result coincides well with CLSM observations. Besides pore diffusion, boundary resistance is revealed by the intraparticle diffusion analysis of adsorption data. The populations of PPL adsorbed inside the pores or on the external surface are estimated. A higher PPL uptake is found in the 8.0 nm than 9.7 nm pores, indicative of the existence of an optimal pore size to match the protein dimension for maximum adsorption capacity. The so-called "confinement" of PPL in the mesoporous supports, revealed by the XRD observation and intraparticle diffusion analysis above, is further confirmed by apparent kinetics calculation.

Our previous studies demonstrated that a recombinant fibronectin (FN)-derived oligopeptide that we named F20 stimulated osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we used a synthetic oligopeptide and investigated the osteogenic potential of F20 coating on titanium discs, to stimulate superior osseointegration for dental implant surface modification. Surface characteristic analysis of titanium was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observation. Synthetic F20 was coated onto the machined or SLA titanium discs by an adsorption procedure. ST2 cells were seeded on the titanium discs. We evaluated cell adhesion with SEM and CLSM observation, cell proliferation with picogreen assay, and osteoblast differentiation with real-time PCR, ALP activity assay, immunoblot assay and ALP staining. FITC-labeled F20 coating on the discs was detected by fluorescence, showing good F20 adsorption and different coating patterns according to the surface roughness. In the SEM and CLSM observations, cells were well attached on the machined surface and greater stress fiber formation was seen on discs coated with F20 than on other discs. F20 stimulated cellular proliferation, as well as osteoblast differentiation through the extracellular signalregulated kinase (Erk) signaling pathway. These cellular responses to F20 were slightly better on the machined titanium surface than the SLA surface. These results suggest that F20 promotes osteogenesis through the Erk pathway and is a suitable biomolecule for surface modification of dental implants for improved osseointegration.

This paper proposes a confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) observation system for liposomes and cells that are mechanically trapped on a parylene microfilter. CLSM allowed us to acquire three-dimensional and highly sensitive fluorescent images, which we exploited to evaluate the deformability of liposomes with or without cholesterol, the amount of calcein that was introduced into the liposomes via membrane proteins, and the contact areas of the adjacent cells. The proposed system is readily applicable to analyze a single liposome and cells.

Effect of different pre-irradiation times on curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy against planktonic cultures and biofilms of Candida spp

Development of nanoemulsions for topical delivery of vitamin K1

The aim of this study is to construct a biocompatible coating of a drug-eluting stent through the incorporation of chitosan with monoclonal antibody (mAb) to a platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIIa receptor, by electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) adsorption of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and proteins. The platelet maximum aggregation rate and aggregation inhibition rate tests confirm the bioactivity of mAb in different pH assembly environments. The fluorescence spectra test and confocal laser scanning microscopy observation were used to monitor the LBL assembly process of the mAb/chitosan multilayer on the surface of the aminolyzed Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) membrane, when using Rhodamine B isothiocyanate-labeled mAb and Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled chitosan. The in vitro platelet adhesion experiment demonstrated the amicable blood compatibility of the mAb/chitosan multilayer. The endothelial cell adhesion and migration test revealed that the multilayer could improve the cytocompatibility of the PLLA matrix in terms of cell attachment, proliferation, and migration. An in vitro perfusion circuit was designed to evaluate the release rates measured by a radioisotope technique with ¹²⁵I-labeled GP IIIa mAb. The different eluting curves of the mAb/chitosan-assembled stent and mAb physically absorbed stent showed the improvement of mAb's release character when using LBL self-assembly technology. Our method to prepare a biocompatible stent surface with mAb/chitosan multilayers has proved to be favorable and effective in vitro, thus justifying further evaluation to improve the biocompatibility in an animal model test.

Rab3B is involved in the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles and secretory granules in the central nervous system and the anterior pituitary cells. The aim of this study was to elucidate both the role of rab3B in GH secretion and the mutual relationship of rab3B and SNARE proteins. Adult male rats were injected intravenously with 10 microg of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) or 10 microg of somatostatin (SRIF). Untreated rats were used as controls, and their pituitary glands were sectioned for histochemical examination. Rab3B is localized on the limiting membrane of the secretory granules and the cytosol. Confocal laser scanning microscopic observation of immunohistochemical double staining of rab3B and GH revealed that immunoreactivity of rab3B increased in GHRH-treated rats and decreased in SRIF-treated rats. Confocal laser scanning microscopic observation of immunohistochemical double staining of SNAP-25, syntaxin, and rab3B revealed the co-localization of rab3B and these SNARE proteins in GHRH-treated rats, and their dissociation in SRIF-treated rats. These results suggest that rab3B plays a principal role in GH secretion in the anterior pituitary cells and that SNAP-25 and syntaxin act as co-workers with rab3B in the functional regulation of GH secretion.

The rab3 protein is involved in the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles and secretory granules in the central nervous system and anterior pituitary cells. We have previously elucidated the role of rab3B in growth hormone (GH) secretion and the mutual relationship between rab3B and soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins. Confocal laser scanning microscopic observation of double immunohistochemical stainings for rab3B and GH revealed an increase of immunoreactivity for rab3B in GHRH-treated rats and a decrease of immunoreactivity for rab3B in SRIF-treated rats. Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopic observation of double immunohistochemical stainings of SNAP-25, syntaxin and rab3B revealed co-localization of rab3B and the SNARE proteins in GHRH-treated rats, and dissociation in SRIF-treated rats. These results suggest that rab3B plays an important role in GH secretion from the anterior pituitary cells, and that SNAP-25 and syntaxin act alongside rab3B in the functional regulation of GH secretion. Other reports have indicated that rho and rab proteins such as rab8B and rab27B are involved in the intracellular transport and secretion of pituitary hormones. Functional analyses of rab and rho protein families and the SNARE system are required to elucidate the precise mechanisms of the intracellular transport and secretion of pituitary hormones.

High-intensity ultrasound improves the physical stability of myofibrillar protein emulsion at low ionic strength by destroying and suppressing myosin molecular assembly

Transglutaminase-set soy globulin-stabilized emulsion gels: Influence of soy β-conglycinin/glycinin ratio on properties, microstructure and gelling mechanism

Summary Published parachor-correlation predictions diverge for high-molecular-weight (MW) components. This divergence stems from a lack of data. This paper incorporates parachor measurements for high-MW mixtures that have not been used in the preparation of previously published parachor correlations into new parachor correlations.

Background:Catheters provide vascular access for patients requiring intravenous treatments, but frequently are a source of infection and/or thrombosis. Instilling a solution of an antimicrobial agent with an anticoagulant into the catheter lumen may salvage-infected catheters.Objective:The aim is to evaluate the physical compatibility, antibacterial activity, and stability of varying combinations of cefazolin (10 mg/mL), 40% ethanol, 4% sodium citrate with or without gentamicin (1 mg/mL) as a catheter lock solution over 48 h.Methods:Admixtures were prepared using aseptic technique and stored under four conditions with or without light at 25°C or 37°C. Prepared admixtures were assessed for physical compatibility, antimicrobial susceptibility, and chemical stability in triplicate at 0, 24 and 48 h. Admixture physical compatibility was determined by visual clarity, pH, and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The chemical stability of cefazolin and gentamicin were assessed using high performance liquid chromatography and UV spectroscopy, respectively.Results:All admixtures maintained clarity for 48 h. All admixtures stored at 25°C and the admixture containing 10 mg/mL cefazolin-4% sodium citrate stored at 37°C sustained antimicrobial activity and were chemically stable. A significant change in pH, antimicrobial activity, cefazolin concentration (<95% of baseline), were observed in admixtures containing ethanol stored at 37°C after 24 h. Gentamicin concentrations remained stable throughout the study.Conclusion:The admixture of 10 mg/mL cefazolin-4% sodium citrate sustained antimicrobial activity over 48 h and was chemically stable. However, admixtures containing ethanol stored at 37°C showed incompatibility with decreased antibacterial activity and cefazolin degradation after 24 h.

Sebum is a complex lipid mixture that is synthesized in sebaceous glands and excreted on the skin surface. The purpose of this study was the comprehensive detection of the intact lipids that compose sebum. These lipids exist as a broad range of chemical structures and concentrations. Sebum was collected with SebuTape(TM) from the foreheads of healthy donors, and then separated by HPLC on a C8 stationary phase with sub 2 µm particle size. This HPLC method provided high resolution and excellent reproducibility of retention times (RT). Compound mining was performed with time of flight (TOF) and triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometers (MS), which allowed for the classification of lipids according to their elemental composition, degree of unsaturation, and MS/MS fragmentation. The combination of the two MS systems detected 95 and 29 families of triacylglycerols (TAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG), respectively. Assignment was carried out regardless of positional isomerism. Among the wax esters (WE), 28 species were found to contain the 16:1 fatty acyl moiety. This method was suitable for the simultaneous detection of squalene and its oxygenated derivative. A total of 9 cholesterol esters (CE) were identified and more than 48 free fatty acids (FFA) were detected in normal sebum. The relative abundance of each individual lipid within its own chemical class was determined for 12 healthy donors. In summary, this method provided the first characterization of the features and distribution of intact components of the sebum lipidome.

Middle East reservoirs are usually characterized as high temperature and high salinity (HTHS). In chemical EOR, interfacial tension (IFT) is a key parameter that alters the reservoir environment. IFT measurements are challenging specially at high temperatures due to its dynamic nature. Viscoelastic surfactants are introduced because of their dual capability of lowering the IFT and improving the sweep efficiency of the reservoir. In this paper, the main objective is to determine ultralow IFT's and thermal stability that can be obtained from viscoelastic surfactants in the presence of heavy crude oil using spinning drop tensiometer (Kruss), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Investigation of VES is performed with heavy reservoir oil (12cp at 90°C) and using high salinity formation brine (234,189 ppm). The solutions were prepared by the combination of viscoelastic surfactant and undiluted sea water and stirred until they attain equilibrium. Density and IFT at high temperatures are determined. Equilibrated solutions are used with heavy reservoir oil to determine the IFT reduction capability of viscoelastic surfactant at various concentrations from 0.1 to 1%. Results show a considerable reduction in IFT with viscoelastic surfactant up to 10−1 mNm−1 range. IFT reduction usually depends on the concentration of solutions used. Results also show that ultralow IFT was obtained at 50°C and 80°C. Encouraging results with TGA demonstrated that VES is thermally stable and show high resistance to temperatures up to 250°C. Long-term thermal stability up to 30 days at 90°C and 120°C temperatures was evaluated. 1H NMR show stability in structure while 13C NMR results show minor structural changes in the aliphatic region. FTIR results indicated good thermal stability with strong bonding between C-H and C=O. Static adsorption is evaluated by shaking the powdered core samples with VES at two different high temperatures for 24 hours. Concentration measurements are performed using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. Static adsorption results give less adsorption when we have higher temperatures compared to lower temperatures. Experimental results indicate two major effects. Firstly, ultralow IFT obtained with the novel viscoelastic surfactant and it is thermal stable at high temperatures. Secondly, viscoelastic surfactant significantly reduces retention at high temperatures when compared with low temperatures. They are excellent additives in chemical EOR for HTHS conditions. They are also very useful when we have heavy reservoir oil and where IFT reduction is required to mobilize the oil and improve the sweep efficiency of the reservoir.

Correlation of cells with proteins in extracellular polymeric substance matrix of bioaggregates