Cytotoxicity and effect on protease activity of copolymer extracts containing catechin

ObjectiveTo evaluate cytotoxicity and effect on protease activity of epigallocatechin-gallate extracted from experimental restorative dental copolymers in comparison to the control compound chlorhexidine.MethodsCopolymer disks were prepared from bis-GMA/TEGDMA (70/30 mol%) containing no compound (control) or 1% w/w of either epigallocatechin-gallate or chlorhexidine. MDPC-23 odontoblast-like cells were seeded with the copolymer extracts leached out into deionized water. Cell metabolic activity was quantified by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 24, 48, 72 h. Inhibition of protease activity by resin extracts was measured by a collagenolytic/genatinolytic enzyme activity assay and gelatin zymography. Data for MTT and protease inhibition were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey or Bonferroni post hoc tests (α = 0.05).ResultsThe MTT revealed that at 72 h, extracts from control (16.7%) and chlorhexidine (22.3%) copolymers induced significant reduction in cell metabolism (p < 0.05). All copolymer extracts caused enzymatic inhibition in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.01). Even when highly diluted, epigallocatechin-gallate extract had a significant antiproteolytic activity (p < 0.05). Zymograms showed that all extracts reduced activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (pro- and active forms), with MMP-9 exhibiting the highest percentage inhibition revealed by densitometry.ConclusionsEpigallocatechin-gallate and chlorhexidine extracts did not exert cytotoxicity on evaluated cells when compared to control extracts. Both compounds retained antiproteolytic activity after extraction from a dental copolymer.Clinical significanceOnce extracted from a dental copolymer, epigallocatechin-gallate is not cytotoxic and retains antiproteolytic activity. These results may allow incorporation of epigallocatechin-gallate as a natural-safe alternative to chlorhexidine in functionalized restorative materials.     

Involvement of the Pta-AckA pathway in protein folding and aggregation

Acetyl phosphate is a central metabolite involved in a broad range of versatile cellular functions. Recently it was observed that in Escherichia coli the acetyl phosphate pathway is required for efficient ATP-dependent proteolysis. Deletion of the operon coding for acetyl phosphate metabolism (ΔackApta) results in a very low cytoplasmic level of acetyl phosphate and impaired proteolysis. Here we show that the ΔackApta mutation affects additional components of the protein quality control system. Thus, this deletion is accompanied by a decrease in protein refolding and rescue from aggregates. These results indicate the involvement of the acetyl phosphate pathway in chaperone capabilities, in addition to their effect on proteolysis.     

Preparation,structure identification and the anti-photoaging activity of peptide fraction OP-Ia from Ostrea rivularis

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the preparation and the structure of fraction OP-Ia and its protective effect against UV-induced photoaging through the MAPKs signaling pathway. Fractions OP-Ia and OP-Ib were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis and purified by ultrafiltration (5 kDa) and gel chromatography (Sephadex G-25). The reducing power and superoxide radical scavenging ability were evaluated, which showed that OP-Ia had stronger antioxidant activity than OP-Ib. Next, ten peptides were identified in OP-Ia by UPLC-MS/MS. The mechanism of the anti-photoaging activity for fraction OP-Ia was investigated through the MAPKs pathway based on the HaCaT cell line. Fraction OP-Ia could inhibit the generation of ROS and the decline of cell viability induced by UV radiation, meanwhile downregulate the expression of IL-1β, IL-8, c-Jun, c-Fos, p65 NF-κB and p38 MAPK genes. Overall, the results showed that the fraction OP-Ia could be a potent component of functional foods with UV protection property.

OP-Ia could reduce ROS generation and cell viability declination induced by UV, and downregulate the expressions of IL-1β, IL-8, c-Jun, c-Fos, p65 and p38 genes.     

High voltage,solvent-free solid polymer electrolyte based on a star-comb PDLLA–PEG copolymer for lithium ion batteries

In this work, a novel star-comb copolymer based on poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) macromonomer and poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) was prepared, and the electrochemical properties were studied, with the aim of using it as a solid polymer electrolyte in lithium ion batteries. The six-arm vinyl functionalized PDLLA macromonomer was synthesized by a ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of d,l-lactide and subsequently an acylation of the hydroxy end-groups. A series of free-standing solid polymer electrolyte membranes from different ratios of PDLLA, PEGMA and LiTFSI were prepared through solvent-free free radical polymerization under UV radiation. The chemical structure of the obtained polymers was confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR. The as-prepared six-arm star-comb solid polymer electrolytes (PDLLA-SPEs) exhibit good thermal stability with T_d^5%s of ∼270 °C and low T_gs of −48 to −34 °C. The electrochemical characterization shows that the PDLLA-SPEs possess a wide electrochemical window up to 5.1 V with an optimal ionic conductivity of 9.7 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 60 °C at an EO/Li⁺ ratio of 16 : 1. Furthermore, the all-solid-state LiFePO₄/Li cells display extraordinary cycling and rate performances at 60 °C by curing the PDLLA-SPEs directly on the cathode. These superior properties of the six-arm star-comb PDLLA-SPE make it a promising candidate solid electrolyte for lithium batteries.

In this work, a novel star-comb copolymer based on PDLLA macromonomer and PEGMA was prepared, and the electrochemical properties were studied, with the aim of using it as a solid polymer electrolyte in lithium ion batteries.     

SO2 enhanced desorption from basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution by falling-film evaporation

To find the optimal structure of the converging–diverging tube and develop a high-efficiency falling-film evaporator, the heat and mass transfer performances of falling-film evaporation with converging–diverging tubes of different dimensions were studied. The optimal converging–diverging tube was used in falling-film evaporation desorption of the basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution, and different influential factors on the desorption effect were analyzed. It was found that converging–diverging tubes with large falling-film flow rate performed well in the heat and mass transfer of falling-film evaporation, and their rib height largely affected the heat and mass transfer performances. At the same rib height and rib pitch, the longer the converging segment of the converging–diverging tube was, the better the heat transfer performance was. The evaporation heat transfer coefficient and evaporation mass transfer rate in the optimal converging–diverging tube were 1.6 and 1.38 times larger than the smooth tube, respectively. The optimal converging–diverging tube was used in falling-film evaporation desorption of basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution, at a perimeter flow rate of 0.114–0.222 kg m⁻¹ s⁻¹, the desorption efficiency inside the tube was up to 94.2%, which was 10.3–10.5% higher than that of the smooth tube. At the inlet sulfur concentration of 0.02–0.1 kmol m⁻³, the desorption efficiency was up to 94.1%, which was 12.0–16.3% larger than that of the smooth tube. At the heating temperature of 371.15–386.15 K, the desorption efficiency was up to 93.4%, which was 6.7–11.5% larger than that of the smooth tube. Smaller falling-film flow rate, higher sulfur concentration, or higher heating temperature was more constructive to SO₂ desorption. Correlations were obtained to predict the mass transfer coefficient and SO₂ desorption efficiency. This study develops a new type of falling-film evaporator for SO₂ desorption from basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution and provides a basis for process design and industrial application.

The heat and mass transfer performances of falling-film evaporation with converging–diverging tubes of different dimensions were studied.     

Bio-based polyurethane foam preparation employing lignin from corn stalk enzymatic hydrolysis residues

Enzymatic hydrolysis residues (EHR) from corn stalk are industrial waste from the cellulosic ethanol industry. Lignin was separated as a bio-based polyol from EHR replacing partial petroleum-based polyether polyol to prepare bio-based polyurethane (BPU) foams without any other biomass pretreatment. Single factor experiment and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to optimize separation conditions and reveal the significant influence of the interaction of conditions on the yield of separated lignin (SL). The effect of SL content (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 15%) on the foams morphology and mechanical properties was assessed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results implied that the cell shape was considerably affected by the large SL content, which contributed to an irregular, inhomogeneous, and thick cell wall. An astonishing 9.56 times increase in the compressive modulus and exponential 97.93 times boost in the compressive strength of BPU foams were attributed to the content of 15% SL without any further surface chemical modification. This present paper reports a green, potential and promising method for complete utilization of lignin from EHR in consideration of their abundant supply to greatly enhance the mechanical properties of BPU foams.

Enzymatic hydrolysis residues (EHR) from corn stalk are industrial waste from the cellulosic ethanol industry.     

Alginate/quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan/clay nanocomposite microspheres: preparation and drug-controlled release behavior

Drug-delivery systems, using natural drug carriers, have become increasingly important because of their nontoxicity and biodegradability. In this study, firstly, quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (QCMC) was intercalated into the interlayer of organic montmorillonite (OMMT) to obtain the QCMC/OMMT nanocomposites, their structure, morphology, and thermal stability were investigated. Next, crosslinked alginate/QCMC/OMMT (AQCOM) microsphere was obtained by crosslinking with CaCl₂, and the drug-controlled release behavior was evaluated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model drug. The results suggested that, carboxyl groups in alginate and QCMC crosslinked with Ca²⁺, quaternary ammonium groups in QCMC or OMMT electrostatically interacted with carboxyl groups in alginate, and there was stable three-dimensional network in AQCOM microsphere. The swelling ratio of AQCOM microspheres decreased with the increase of OMMT content, the lowest one was only about 45% compared to the microsphere without OMMT of 197%. Besides, the in vitro release results for BSA indicated that the AQCOM microsphere displayed more excellent encapsulation and controlled release capacities than the microsphere without OMMT. The in vitro active cutaneous anaphylaxis test was carried out on Guinea pigs, which revealed that AQCOM microsphere did not cause anaphylaxis. Therefore, QCMC/OMMT nanocomposites from natural materials are considerably suitable to apply as drug-controlled release carriers.     

A new, previously undescribed monopartite begomovirus infecting Premna serratifolia in Vietnam

The complete genome sequence of a monopartite begomovirus isolate infecting Creek Premna (Premna serratifolia L.) plants that exhibited leaf curl, vein swelling, and enation symptoms in Nha Trang, Vietnam, was cloned and sequenced. It comprises 2,753 nucleotides (JQ793786) and has a typical organization of begomoviruses DNA-A with AV1 and AV2 open reading frames (ORFs) in the viral-sense strand and AC1, AC2, AC3, AC4 and AC5 ORFs in the complementary-sense strand. The full-length genome sequence of the isolate (clone VN7) shared the highest level of nucleotide sequence identity (83 %) with the isolate IN:Pusa:Tb:10 of tobacco leaf curl Pusa virus (HQ180391). The phylogenetic relationship of VN7 to other begomoviruses was also investigated. VN7 grouped most closely with a clade containing begomoviruses from China, India and Japan. According to the current taxonomic criteria for the genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae, the isolate VN7 represents a new species, herein named “Premna leaf curl virus” (PrLCV).