Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Properties of Bioactive Compounds in Organic and Conventional Growing Kiwifruit

The bioactivity of two kiwifruit’s cultivars growing under organic and conventional conditions were studied and compared. The bioactive compounds were extracted with water and ethanol using similar conditions which are applied in pharmaceutical applications and for daily fruit consumption such as tea drink. Antioxidant radical scavenging assays [ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP); cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC); 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)], fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet spectroscopy, two (2D-FL) and three-dimensional (3D-FL) fluorometry were used for the detection of biologically active metabolites derived from kiwifruits (total phenols, flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids and ascorbic acid). The correlation between the total phenol content (TPC) and other bioactive compounds, and their total antioxidant capacities (TAC) was calculated for studied kiwifruit’s extracts. The interaction between drugs and human serum albumin (HSA) plays an important role in the distribution and metabolism of drugs. The properties of kiwifruit’s phenol extracts showed their ability to quench HSA, forming the complexes similar to the ones between the proteins and pure flavonoids such as quercetin. The cultivar ‘Bidan’ exhibited significantly higher TAC than the classic ‘Hayward’. In conclusion, for the first time ‘Bidan’ organic kiwifruit was analyzed and compared with widely consumed ‘Hayward’, using its bioactive and fluorescence properties. The influence of physiologically active kiwifruit’s compounds on human health, through our investigations in vitro and scientifically proven information, was explained. Relatively high content of bioactive compounds, high antioxidant and fluorescence properties of kiwifruit justify its use as a source of valuable antioxidants.     

Persistent efficacy and production benefits following use of extended-release injectable eprinomectin in grazing beef cattle under field conditions

Seven studies were conducted in commercial grazing operations to confirm anthelmintic efficacy, assess acceptability, and measure the productivity response of cattle to treatment with eprinomectin in an extended-release injectable formulation (ERI) when exposed to nematode infected pastures for 120 days. The studies were conducted under one protocol in the USA in seven locations (Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin). Each study had 67–68 naturally infected animals for a total of 475 (226 female, 249 male castrate) Angus or beef-cross cattle. The animals weighed 133–335 kg prior to treatment and were approximately 3–12 months of age. The studies were conducted under a randomized block design based on pre-treatment body weights to sequentially form 17 replicates of four animals each within sex in each study. Animals within a replicate were randomly assigned to treatments, one to Eprinomectin ERI vehicle (control) and three to Eprinomectin ERI (5%, w/v eprinomectin). Treatments were administered at 1 mL/50 kg body weight once subcutaneously anterior to the shoulder. All animals in each study grazed one pasture throughout the observation period of 120 days. Cattle were weighed and fecal samples collected pre-treatment and on 28, 56, 84, and 120 days after treatment for fecal egg and lungworm larval counts. Positive fecal samples generally were cultured en masse to determine the nematode genera attributable to the gastrointestinal helminth infection. Bunostomum, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Ostertagia, and Trichostrongylus, when present, were referred to as strongylids. At all post-treatment sampling intervals, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle had significantly (P < 0.05) lower strongylid egg counts than vehicle-treated controls, with ≥95% reduction after 120 days of grazing. Over this same period, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gained more weight (43.9 lb/head) than vehicle-treated controls in all studies. This weight gain advantage was significant (P < 0.05) in six of the studies with the Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gaining an average of 42.8% and the control cattle gaining 33.1% of their initial weight. No adverse reactions were observed in the treated animals.     

Significance of genetic variation of PRRSV ORF5 in virus neutralization and molecular determinants corresponding to cross neutralization among PRRS viruses

A high rate of genetic and antigenic variability among porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (PRRSVs) hampers effective prevention and control of the disease caused by PRRSV. The major envelope protein (GP5) encoded by the ORF5 of PRRSV has a critical role in inducing virus neutralizing (VN) antibody and cross protection among different strains of PRRSV. This study was conducted to identify sequence elements related to cross neutralization by comparing the ORF5 sequences of 69 field isolates in conjunction with their susceptibility to VN antibody raised against the VR2332 strain in vitro and in vivo. Five common variable sites (amino acid position 32–34, 38–39, 57–59, 137 and 151) were identified between susceptible and resistant viral isolates. Mutants whose ORF5 amino acid sequences were substituted with the sequences corresponding to the 5 identified common variable sites individually or concurrently were generated from a VR2332-backboned infectious clone by site mutagenesis. The change in the susceptibility of the mutants to VN antibodies specific for VR2332 or a heterologous PRRSV was assessed to determine the association of those 5 identified sites with cross neutralization. Among the five sites, the changes of amino acid sequences at three sites (32–34, 38–39, and 57–59) located in the N-terminal ectodomain of ORF5 significantly influenced the susceptibility of the mutant viruses to VN antibody, suggesting that sequence homology at these sites can be utilized as genetic markers to predict the degree of cross neutralization among different PRRSVs.     

What can mathematical models bring to the control of equine influenza?

Mathematical modelling of infectious disease is increasingly regarded as an important tool in the development of disease prevention and control measures. This article brings together key findings from various modelling studies conducted over the past 10 years that are of relevance to those on the front line of the battle against equine influenza. The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.     

Properties of waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) coatings: Effect of alkyl chain length of tertiary amines of carboxylic acid salt groups

Waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) dispersions were prepared via a pre-polymer process using 4,4-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI), poly(tetramethyleneoxideglycol) (PTMG), 2,2-dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), ethylene diamine (EDA), and tertiary amines (TAs) with varying amounts of DMPA and TAs. Three TAs with different alkyl chain lengths were used to neutralize the DMPA carboxylic group: N,N-dimethylbutylamine (DMBA, C4), N,N-dimethylhexylamine (DMHA, C6), and N,N-dimethyloctylamine (DMOA, C8). The structures of the synthesized WBPUs were determined via FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The effects of DMPA and TA content and the TA alkyl chain length on stability of dispersions and properties such as water swelling (%), glass transition temperature (T _g ), tensile strength, binding energy and adhesive strength were investigated. The initial adhesive strength of the intact coatings increased with increasing DMPA and TA content and increasing alkyl chain length of TA. However, after immersion of the coatings in water, the adhesive strength decreased. The maximum adhesive strength under water was observed at a DMPA content of 20.20 mol% with 5.30 wt% DMOA, which has the longest alkyl chain.     

In-situ preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cellulose nanocomposites and their physical properties

The multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cellulose nanocomposites were prepared by using monohydrated Nmethylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) as a solvent for dispersing the acid-treated MWNTs (A-MWNTs) as well as for dissolving the cellulose. The A-MWNTs were well dispersed in both monohydrated NMMO and the nanocomposite films. The nanocomposite films were prepared by a film-casting method onto a glass plate. The tensile strain at break, Young’s modulus, and toughness of nanocomposite films increased by ～5, ～2 and ～12 times, respectively at ? (A-MWNT content in the nanocomposite)=0.8 wt%, as compared to those of the pure cellulose film. The thermal degradation temperature of the nanocomposite films also increased from 329 to 339 oC by incorporation of 1 wt% A-MENTs. The electric conductivities of the A-MWNT/cellulose nanocomposites at ? =1 and 10 wt% were 2.09×10^?5 and 3.68×10^?3 S/cm, respectively. The transmittances were 86, 69 and 55 % at 550 nm for 0.4, 0.8 and 1 wt% nanocomposite films, respectively. Thus, these nanocomposites are promising materials in terms of all the properties studied in this paper and can be used for many applications, such as toughened cellulose fibers, transparent electrodes, etc.     

Highly hydrophobic nanofibrous surfaces genearated by poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Lotus-leaf-like nanofibrous surfaces were prepared by electrospinning hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) from a mixed solvent of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone. PVDF fibrous mats with a bead-on-string morphology were generated because the nonpolar acetone decresed the viscosity of the PVDF solution and promoted the evaporation of the solution during electrospinning process. The morphology of the nanofibirous surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Micron-sized beads were introduced to the electrospun PVDF mats, resulting in enhanced hydrophobicity of the electrospun mats. The addition of a small amount (0.05 vol%) of acetic acid to the polymer solution effectively improved the bead-on-string morphology of the electrospun mats, and led to a higher water contact angle (WCA). The electrospun PVDF fibrous mat showed a maximum WCA of 148.5° due to the appropriate surface roughness.     

Composites of polyolefin elastomer reinforced with short carbon fiber and its copolymerization conditions

To study the effects of short carbon fiber (SCF) on the properties of the polyolefin elastomers (POEs), we prepared the poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) (PEH)/SCF composites at different percentages of SCF. We also prepared polyethylene (PE)/SCF composites to compare with PEH/SCF composites. PEH was synthesized by the copolymerization of ethylene and 1-hexene using metallocene catalyst/cocatalyst system. Optimum stirring speed, Al/Zr feeding molar ratio, polymerization time, and polymerization temperature were 700 rpm, 600, 30 min, and 60 °C, respectively. We investigated the morphology of the composites using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found that the wettability of SCF in PEH/SCF composites was fairly better than that of SCF in PE/SCF composites. It was observed from mechanical tests that the ultimate tensile strength and tensile modulus of PEH/SCF composites were remarkably enhanced as the SCF content increased, whereas those of PE/SCF composites were a little increased. PEH/SCF composites exhibited lower crystallinity than PE/SCF ones. Thermal stability of the composites was enhanced by the addition of SCF.     

Effect of surface cover on the reduction of runoff and agricultural NPS pollution from upland fields

In this study, two types of simulations were performed. First, indoor rainfall simulation revealed that runoff ratio (0–63.3 %) decreased dramatically with surface cover, compared with no surface cover condition (55–85.3 %), and sediment load and concentration also decreased. With additions of PAM, sawdust, and rice hull to rice straw mat, the runoff ratio decreased to 52.8, 36.6, and 53.2 %, compared with only rice straw mat condition (runoff ratio of 63.3 %). When gypsum was added, no runoff was observed in case of rainfall intensity of 30 mm/h. Under 60 mm/h rainfall condition, 50 % or more runoff reduction was observed. These could be explained in that surface cover reduces detachment of soil particles and keeps infiltration rate by reducing surface sealing with detached soil particle which could happen under non-surface cover condition. Second, when rice straw mat was applied to soybean field, no runoff was observed until rainfall intensity of 5.8 mm/h or greater, while runoff was observed with rainfall intensity of 1.5 mm/h at no surface covered soybean field. In addition, 89.7–99.4 % of pollutant reductions were observed with rice straw mat at the soybean field. When rice straw mat with additions of wood shaves was applied to Chinese cabbage and radish fields, 4.3–75.8 % of runoff reductions and 28–80.8 % of pollutant reductions were observed. In case of Chinese cabbage, 122.1 % yield increase was observed and 153.4 % yield increase in case of radish.     

Anti-Microbial,Anti-Biofilm Activities and Cell Selectivity of the NRC-16 Peptide Derived from Witch Flounder,Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Previous studies had identified novel antimicrobial peptides derived from witch flounder. In this work, we extended the search for the activity of peptide that showed antibacterial activity on clinically isolated bacterial cells and bacterial biofilm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained from otitis media and cholelithiasis patients, while Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from otitis media patients. We found that synthetic peptide NRC-16 displays antimicrobial activity and is not sensitive to salt during its bactericidal activity. Interestingly, this peptide also led to significant inhibition of biofilm formation at a concentration of 4–16 μM. NRC-16 peptide is able to block biofilm formation at concentrations just above its minimum inhibitory concentration while conventional antibiotics did not inhibit the biofilm formation except ciprofloxacin and piperacillin. It did not cause significant lysis of human RBC, and is not cytotoxic to HaCaT cells and RAW264.7 cells, thereby indicating its selective antimicrobial activity. In addition, the peptide’s binding and permeation activities were assessed by tryptophan fluorescence, calcein leakage and circular dichroism using model mammalian membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), PC/cholesterol (CH) and PC/sphingomyelin (SM). These experiments confirmed that NRC-16 does not interact with any of the liposomes but the control peptide melittin did. Taken together, we found that NRC-16 has potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities with less cytotoxicity, and thus can be considered for treatment of microbial infection in the future.