Jeol JEM 1200

Waste rubber wood (RW) is the castoff of rubber plantation with abundant reservation but without high-value utilization. In this study, cellulose with high purity has been efficiently isolated from waste RW and further processed into cellulose nanocrystals. By means of acetylation, more hydrophobic cellulose-based products, namely acetylated rubber wood cellulose (Ac–RWC) and acetylated rubber wood cellulose nanocrystals (Ac–RW–CNC) had been attempted as reinforcing fillers for fabricating two series of PLA-based composite films via spin coating instead of currently prevailing melt compounding technique. To ensure a uniformed dispersion of fillers in PLA matrix, the addition of reinforcing filler should be equal to or less than 5% based on the film dry weight. Compared with pure PLA film, the Ac–RWC reinforced PLA composite films are more thermally stable, while the Ac–RW–CNC reinforced PLA composite films on the other hand exhibit more enhanced performance in mechanical properties and the degree of crystallinity. The highest tensile strength (55.0 MPa) and Young’s modulus (3.9 GPa) were achieved for 5%Ac–RW–CNC/PLA composite film.

Zhiqiang Ou, Qi Zhou, Xin Rao, Haifeng Yang, Chunqing Huo, Xueyu Du. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9, 2021.

Recent reports have shown the importance of IFN-γ and T-bet⁺ B cells in the pathology of SLE, suggesting the involvement of IFN-γ-producing T-bet⁺ CD4⁺ cells, i.e., Th1 cells. This study determined the changes in Th1 subsets with metabolic shift and their potential as therapeutic targets in SLE. Compared with healthy donors, patients with SLE had higher numbers of T-bet^hiCXCR3^lo effector cells and T-bet⁺Foxp3^lo non-suppressive cells, which excessively produce IFN-γ, and lower number of non-IFN-γ-producing T-bet⁺Foxp3^hi activated-T_reg cells. These changes were considered to be involved in treatment resistance. The differentiation mechanism of Th1 subsets was investigated in vitro using memory CD4⁺ cells obtained from healthy donors and patients with SLE. In memory CD4⁺ cells of healthy donors, both rapamycin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) suppressed T-bet⁺Foxp3^- cells, and induced T-bet⁺Foxp3^+(lo/hi) cells. Rapamycin induced IFN-γ-producing T-bet⁺Foxp3^lo cells accompanied with enhanced lipid metabolism, whereas 2DG induced IFN-γ-non-producing T-bet⁺Foxp3^hi cells. In memory CD4⁺ cells of SLE patients, inhibition of fatty acid synthesis, but not β-oxidation, suppressed IFN-γ production, and up-regulated of Foxp3 expression in T-bet⁺Foxp3⁺ cells. Metabolic regulators such as fatty acid synthesis inhibitors may improve the pathological status by correcting Th1 subset imbalance and overproduction of IFN-γ in SLE.

Shigeru Iwata, Mingzeng Zhang, He Hao, Gulzhan Trimova, Maiko Hajime, Yusuke Miyazaki, Naoaki Ohkubo, Yurie Satoh Kanda, Yasuyuki Todoroki, Hiroko Miyata, Masanobu Ueno, Atsushi Nagayasu, Shingo Nakayamada, Kei Sakata, Yoshiya Tanaka. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 2020.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an important nosocomial and community acquired opportunistic pathogen which causes various infections. The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae and carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) has brought more severe challenge to the treatment of K. pneumoniae infection. In this study, a novel bacteriophage that specifically infects K. pneumoniae was isolated and named as vB_KpnM_P-KP2 (abbreviated as P-KP2). The biological characteristics of P-KP2 and the bioinformatics of its genome were analyzed, and then the therapeutic effect of P-KP2 was tested by animal experiments. P-KP2 presents high lysis efficiency in vitro. The genome of P-KP2 shows homology with nine phages which belong to “KP15 virus” family and its genome comprises 172,138 bp and 264 ORFs. Besides, P-KP2 was comparable to gentamicin in the treatment of lethal pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae W-KP2 (K47 serotype). Furthermore, the combined treatment of P-KP2 and gentamicin completely rescued the infected mice. Therefore, this study not only introduces a new member to the phage therapeutic library, but also serves as a reference for other phage-antibiotic combinations to combat MDR pathogens.

Zijing Wang, Ruopeng Cai, Gang Wang, Zhimin Guo, Xiao Liu, Yuan Guan, Yalu Ji, Hao Zhang, Hengyu Xi, Rihong Zhao, Lanting Bi, Shanshan Liu, Li Yang, Xin Feng, Changjiang Sun, Liancheng Lei, Wenyu Han, Jingmin Gu. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 2021.

White matter lesions (WMLs) are a type of cerebrovascular disorder accompanied by demyelination and cognitive decline. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (D1-NBP) is a neuroprotective drug used for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, although the function of DI-NBP on WML is still not clear. This study aims to investigate whether DI-NBP affects cognitive function and ameliorates demyelination in a model of WML. The bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) mouse model and in vitro brain slice cultures with low glucose and low oxygen (LGLO) treatment were adopted. The Dl-NBP was administered intragastrically for 28 days after BCAS or added at a dose of 50 μm for 48 h after LGLO. Spatial learning and memory were evaluated by an eight-arm radial maze. Demyelination was detected using a TEM. Mitochondrial dynamics were assessed by time-lapse imaging in the cultured brain slices. The function of the synapse was evaluated by the patch clamp technique. In BCAS mice, obvious demyelination and cognitive decline were observed, while both were significantly relieved by a high-dose D1-NBP treatment (100 mg/kg). Along with demyelination, mitochondrial accumulation in the axons was significantly increased in the BCAS mice model, but with the treatment of a high-dose D1-NBP, mitochondrial accumulation was mitigated, and the anterograde/retrograde transport of mitochondria was increased. Following the improved anterograde/retrograde transport of mitochondria, the synapse activity was significantly upregulated while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was remarkably decreased in the cultured brain slices. In addition, we identified syntaphilin (SNPH) as the downstream target of D1-NBP. The overexpression of SNPH mediated the effects of D1-NBP in mitigating axonal mitochondrial accumulation. In conclusion, the D1-NBP treatment significantly relieved demyelination and improved spatial learning and memory in the WML model by promoting mitochondrial dynamics. These neuroprotective effects of D1-NBP were mediated by inhibiting the mitochondrial arching protein, SNPH, which provided a potential therapeutic target for WML.

Yiwei Feng, Min Guo, Hongchen Zhao, Sida Han, Yining Hao, Yiwen Yuan, Weiwei Shen, Jian Sun, Qiang Dong, Mei Cui. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, 2021.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is characterized by the aggregation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau in the form of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. It has been found that a synergistic relationship between these two proteins may contribute to their roles in disease progression. However, how Aβ and tau interact has not been fully characterized. Here, we analyze how tau seeding or aggregation is influenced by different Aβ self-assemblies (fibrils and oligomers). Our cellular assays utilizing tau biosensor cells show that transduction of Aβ oligomers into the cells greatly enhances seeded tau aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, transduced Aβ fibrils slightly reduce tau seeding while untransduced Aβ fibrils promote it. We also observe that the transduction of α-synuclein fibrils, another amyloid protein, has no effect on tau seeding. The enhancement of tau seeding by Aβ oligomers was confirmed using tau fibril seeds derived from both recombinant tau and PS19 mouse brain extracts containing human tau. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the specific form and cellular location of Aβ self-assembly when studying the relationship between Aβ and tau in future AD therapeutic development.

Woo Shik Shin, Jing Di, Kevin A. Murray, Chuanqi Sun, Binsen Li, Gal Bitan, Lin Jiang. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 12, 2019.

Human skins are exposed to nanomaterials in everyday life from various sources such as nanomaterial-containing cosmetics, air pollutions, and industrial nanomaterials. Nanomaterials comprising metal haptens raises concerns about the skin sensitization to nanomaterials. In this study, we evaluated the skin sensitization of nanomaterials comparing metal haptens in vivo and in vitro. We selected five metal oxide NPs, containing copper oxide, cobalt monoxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, or titanium oxide, and two types of metal chlorides (CoCl₂ and CuCl₂), to compare the skin sensitization abilities between NPs and the constituent metals. The materials were applied to KeratinoSens^TM cells for imitated skin-environment setting, and luciferase induction and cytotoxicity were evaluated at 48 h post-incubation. In addition, the response of metal oxide NPs was confirmed in lymph node of BALB/C mice via an in vivo method. The results showed that CuO and CoO NPs induce a similar pattern of positive luciferase induction and cytotoxicity compared to the respective metal chlorides; Co₃O₄, NiO, and TiO₂ induced no such response. Collectively, the results implied fast-dissolving metal oxide (CuO and CoO) NPs release their metal ion, inducing skin sensitization. However, further investigations are required to elucidate the mechanism underlying NP-induced skin sensitization. Based on ion chelation data, metal ion release was confirmed as the major “factor” for skin sensitization.

Sung-Hyun Kim, Jin Hee Lee, Kikyung Jung, Jun-Young Yang, Hyo-Sook Shin, Jeong Pyo Lee, Jayoung Jeong, Jae-Ho Oh, Jong Kwon Lee. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 2021.

Diabetic and anemia-associated diabetic wounds increase the considerable morbidity and mortality in people, as reported by clinical studies. However, no anemia-associated diabetic wound dressing materials have been developed until now. Hence, this study aimed to develop a nanocomposite scaffold composed of chitosan (CS), poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and phytogenic iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs), for accelerated anemia-associated diabetic wound healing. The aqueous leaves extract of Pinus densiflora (PD) was utilized for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs). TEM and elemental analysis confirmed smaller size PD-FeO NPs (<50 nm) synthesis with the combination of iron and oxide. In addition, in vitro biological studies displayed the moderate antioxidant, antidiabetic activities, and considerable antibacterial activity of PD-FeO NPs. Further, the different concentrations of PD-FeO NPs (0.01, 0.03, and 0.05%) incorporated CS/PVA nanocomposites sponges were developed by the freeze-drying method. The porous structured morphology and the presence of PD-FeO NPs were observed under FE-SEM. Among nanocomposite sponges, PD-FeO NPs (0.01%) incorporated CS/PVA sponges were further chosen for the in vitro wound-healing assay, based on the porous and water sorption nature. Furthermore, the in vitro wound-healing assay revealed that PD-FeO NPs (0.01%) incorporated CS/PVA has significantly increased the cell proliferation in HEK293 cells. In conclusion, the CS/PVA-PD-FeO NPs (0.01%) sponge would be recommended for diabetic wound dressing after a detailed in vivo evaluation.

Anbazhagan Sathiyaseelan, Kandasamy Saravanakumar, Arokia Vijay Anand Mariadoss, Myeong-Hyeon Wang. Antibiotics, 10 (5), 524, 2021.

We synthesized the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using wedelolactone (WDL) and characterized them using UV-visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopic (AFM) studies. The electronic spectrum exhibited an absorption peak at 535 nm. The FT-IR results proved that WDL was stabilized on the surface of AuNPs by acting as a capping or reducing agent. The crystalline structure was affirmed by XRD pattern and the spherical shape of WDL-AuNPs was evidenced by SEM, TEM, and AFM. The synthesized WDL-AuNPS were evaluated for anti-diabetic activity in pancreatic RIN-5F cell lines. In vitro results showed that WDL-AuNPs did not only improve the insulin secretion affected by di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), but also the cell viability in RIN5F cells. WDL-AuNPs treatment modulates the pro-apoptotic proteins and anti-apoptotic proteins expression to prevent the cells undergoing apoptosis in DEHP-exposed RIN-5F cells. The exposure of DEHP causes an increase in ROS production and lipid peroxidation levels. The free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of WDL-AuNPs increase the deleterious effect caused by DEHP. On the other side, WDL-AuNPs increase mRNA expressions of insulin-signaling proteins in RIN-5F cells. This study concludes that WDL-AuNPs can be successfully used to regulate the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, reduce lipid peroxidation, and to improve the secretion of antioxidants and insulin through the GLUT2 pathway in RIN-5F cell lines.

Vinayagam Ramachandran, Mariadoss Arokia Vijaya Anand, Ernest David, Karthikkumar Venkatachalam, Shalini Vijayakumar, Vijayalakshmi Sankaran, Agilan Balupillai, Casimeer C. Sangeetha, K. M. Gothandam, Venkata Subbaiah Kotakadi, Alaa Ghidan, Tawfiq Al Antary, Baojun Xu. Antioxidants, 9 (1), 8, 2019.

Detoxification is one of the main vital tasks performed by the liver. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether mustard in its normal or nanoparticles could confer a protective/therapeutic effect against TAA-induced acute liver failure in experimental animal models. Mustard ethanolic extract was analyzed by HPLC/MS. To induce liver failure, male rats were injected with 350 mg/kg bw TAA IP, then treated orally with a dose of 100 mg/kg for 15 d of mustard extract and its nanoform before and following induction. The levels of serum liver functions, total cholesterol (TCHo), total glyceride (TG), total bilirubin (TBIL), hepatic malonaldhyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO),glutathione (GSH), sodium oxide dismutase (SOD), as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α,) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were estimated. DNA genotoxicity and hepatic pathology, and immunohistologic (IHC) changes were assayed. The antioxidant content of Phenolic acids, flavonoids in mustard ethanolic extract substantially decreased the levels of ALT, AST, ALP and rehabilitated the histopathological alterations. In addition, nanoforms of mustard ethanol extract have notably increased the levels of GSH, SOD and significantly reduced the levels of MDA. The expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and tissue were markedly downregulated. DNA genotoxicity was significantly reversed. Mustard introduced a protective and medicinal effect against TAA in both its forms.

Sohair Aly Hassan, Ali Mohamed El Hagrassi, Olfat Hammam, Abdelmohsen M. Soliman, Essam Ezzeldin, Wessam Magdi Aziz. Biomolecules, 10 (12), 1650, 2020.

Over the past few decades, a significant increase in multi-drug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms has been of great concern and directed the research subject to the challenges that the distribution of resistance genes represent. Globally, high levels of multi-drug resistance represent a significant health threat and there is a growing requirement of rapid, accurate, real-time detection which plays a key role in tracking of measures for the infections caused by these bacterial strains. It is also important to reduce transfer of resistance genes to new organisms. The, World Health Organization has informed that millions of deaths have been reported each year recently. To detect the resistant organisms traditional detection approaches face limitations, therefore, newly developed technologies are needed that are suitable to be used in large-scale applications. In the present study, the aim was to design a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor with micro-contact imprinted sensor chips for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus. Whole cell imprinting was performed by N-methacryloyl-L-histidine methyl ester (MAH) under UV polymerization. Sensing experiments were done within a concentration range of 1.0 × 102–2.0 × 105 CFU/mL. The recognition of S. aureus was accomplished by the involvement of microcontact imprinting and optical sensor technology with a detection limit of 1.5 × 103 CFU/mL. Selectivity of the generated sensor was evaluated through injections of competing bacterial strains. The responses for the different strains were compared to that of S. aureus. Besides, real experiments were performed with milk samples spiked with S. aureus and it was demonstrated that the prepared sensor platform was applicable for real samples.

Neslihan Idil, Monireh Bakhshpour, Işık Perçin, Bo Mattiasson. Biosensors, 11 (5), 140, 2021.

SrF2 promotes the dehydrochlorination (DeHCl) of 1,1-difluoro-1-chloroethane, which is the key process for the manufacture of VDF (vinylidene fluoride), one of the most typical fluorinated monomers. However, the selectivity is low as dehydrofluorination (DeHF) to VCF (vinylidene chlorofluoride) competes with the formation of VDF. In this study, SrF2@C (SrF2 embedded in carbon) and SrF2@NC (N-doped carbon) catalysts were fabricated following calcination in N2 with SrC2O4, PVDF (poly vinylidene fluoride) and urea as the precursors. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS. The results show that both the calcination temperature and N-doping play an important role in the conversion of HCFC-142b and the selectivity to VDF and VCF. Calcination at elevated temperatures enhances the Sr-C interaction. For SrF2@C, improved interaction facilitates withdrawing electrons from Sr by the carbon support. By contrast, the strong interaction of Sr with N-doped carbon supply electrons from N species to Sr. The electron deficiency of Sr is favorable for the adsorption of F with higher electronegativity and consequently, DeHF reaction forming VCF. The supply of electrons to Sr by the support improves the formation of VDF (DeHCl). The present work provides a potential strategy for the improvement of selectivity to the target product.

Wucan Liu, Yongnan Liu, Kabozya M. Mardochee, Zhikun Wang, Shucheng Wang, Wei Yu, Jianjun Zhang, Wenfeng Han. Catalysts, 10 (3), 355, 2020.

In this work, we have synthesized BiOCl nanoplates (diameter 140–220 nm, thickness 60–70 nm) via a co-precipitation method, and then created Bi nanoparticles (diameter 35–50 nm) on the surface of BiOCl nanoplates via a NaBH4 reduction method. By varying the NaBH4 concentration and reaction time, the evolution of Bi nanoparticles was systematically investigated. It is demonstrated that with increasing the NaBH4 concentration (at a fixing reaction time of 30 min), BiOCl crystals are gradually reduced into Bi nanoparticles, and pure Bi nanoparticles are formed at 120 mM NaBH4 solution treatment. At low-concentration NaBH4 solutions (e.g., 10 and 30 mM), with increasing the reaction time, BiOCl crystals are partially reduced into Bi nanoparticles, and then the Bi nanoparticles return to form BiOCl crystals. At high-concentration NaBH4 solutions (e.g., 120 mM), BiOCl crystals are reduced to Bi nanoparticles completely with a short reaction time, and further prolong the treatment time leads to the transformation of the Bi nanoparticles into a two-phase mixture of BiOCl and Bi2O3 nanowires. The photodegradation performances of the samples were investigated by choosing rhodamine B (RhB) as the model pollutant and using simulated sunlight as the light source. It is demonstrated that an enhanced photodegradation performance can be achieved for the created Bi@BiOCl hybrid composites with appropriate NaBH4 treatment. The underlying photocatalytic mechanism was systematically investigated and discussed.

Yuxiang Yan, Hua Yang, Zao Yi, Tao Xian. Catalysts, 9 (10), 795, 2019.

In this paper, a pilot production process for mesenchymal stem/stromal freeze-dried secretome was performed in a validated good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant cell factory. Secretome was purified from culture supernatants by ultrafiltration, added to cryoprotectant, lyophilized and characterized. We obtained a freeze-dried, “ready-off-the-shelf” and free soluble powder containing extracellular vesicles and proteins. In the freeze-dried product, a not-aggregated population of extracellular vesicles was detected by nanoparticle tracking analysis; Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the simultaneous presence of protein and lipids, while differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that lyophilization process successfully occurred. A proteomic characterization allowed the identification of proteins involved in immune response, response to stress, cytoskeleton and metabolism. Moreover, the product was not cytotoxic up to concentrations of 25 mg/mL (on human fibroblasts, chondrocytes and nucleus pulposus cells by MTT assay) and was blood compatible up to 150 mg/mL. Finally, at concentrations between 5 and 50 mg/mL, freeze-dried secretome showed to in vitro counteract the oxidative stress damage induced by H2O2 on nucleus pulposus cells by MTT assay.

Elia Bari, Sara Perteghella, Dario Di Silvestre, Marzio Sorlini, Laura Catenacci, Milena Sorrenti, Giorgio Marrubini, Rossana Rossi, Giuseppe Tripodo, Pierluigi Mauri, Mario Marazzi, Maria Torre. Cells, 7 (11), 190, 2018.