Isolation and Characterization of Efficient Active Compounds Using High-Performance Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) from Anti-Inflammatory Activity Fraction of Ecklonia maxima in South Africa

Ecklonia maxima is a brown seaweed, which is abundantly distributed in South Africa. This study investigated an efficient approach using high-performance centrifugal partition chromatography (HPCPC), which has been successfully developed for the isolation and purification of phlorotannins, eckmaxol, and dieckol from the ethyl acetate fraction of E. maxima (EEM). We evaluated EEM for its inhibitory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in zebrafish embryos. The separation of eckmaxol and dieckol from samples of EEM using HPCPC was found to be of high purity and yield under an optimal solvent system composed of n-hexane:ethyl acetate:methanol:water (2:7:3:7, v/v/v/v). To evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of EEM containing active compounds, zebrafish embryos exposed to LPS were compared with and without EEM treatment for nitric oxide (NO) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cell death two days after fertilization. These evaluations indicate that EEM alleviated inflammation by inhibiting cell death, ROS, and NO generation induced by LPS treatment. According to these results, eckmaxol and dieckol isolated from brown seaweed E. maxima could be considered effective anti-inflammatory agents as pharmaceutical and functional food ingredients.     

Antihypertensive Effects of IGTGIPGIW Peptide Purified from Hippocampus abdominalis: p-eNOS and p-AKT Stimulation in EA.hy926 Cells and Lowering of Blood Pressure in SHR Model

The aim of this study was to assess the potential hypertensive effects of the IGTGIPGIW peptide purified from Hippocampus abdominalis alcalase hydrolysate (HA) for application in the functional food industry. We investigated the antihypertensive effects of IGTGIPGIW in vitro by assessing nitric oxide production in EA.hy926 endothelial cells, which is a major factor affecting vasorelaxation. The potential vasorelaxation effect was evaluated using 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein diacetate, a fluorescent stain. IGTGIPGIW significantly increased the expression of endothelial-derived relaxing factors, including endothelial nitric oxide synthase and protein kinase B, in EA.hy926 cells. Furthermore, oral administration of IGTGIPGIW significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure (183.60 ± 1.34 mmHg) and rapidly recovered the diastolic blood pressure (143.50 ± 5.55 mmHg) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model in vivo. Our results demonstrate the antihypertensive activity of the IGTGIPGIW peptide purified from H. abdominalis and indicate its suitability for application in the functional food industry.     

A 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Marine Collagen Scaffold Reinforced with Carbonated Hydroxyapatite from Fish Bones for Bone Regeneration

In bone tissue regeneration, extracellular matrix (ECM) and bioceramics are important factors, because of their osteogenic potential and cell–matrix interactions. Surface modifications with hydrophilic material including proteins show significant potential in tissue engineering applications, because scaffolds are generally fabricated using synthetic polymers and bioceramics. In the present study, carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) and marine atelocollagen (MC) were extracted from the bones and skins, respectively, of Paralichthys olivaceus. The extracted CHA was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, while MC was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The scaffolds consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL), and different compositions of CHA (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were fabricated using a three-axis plotting system and coated with 2% MC. Then, the MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the scaffolds to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation in vitro, and in vivo calvarial implantation of the scaffolds was performed to study bone tissue regeneration. The results of mineralization confirmed that the MC/PCL, 2.5% CHA/MC/PCL, 5% CHA/MC/PCL, and 10% CHA/MC/PCL scaffolds increased osteogenic differentiation by 302%, 858%, 970%, and 1044%, respectively, compared with pure PCL scaffolds. Consequently, these results suggest that CHA and MC obtained from byproducts of P. olivaceus are superior alternatives for land animal-derived substances.     

Effect of Chelated Vanadium Spray on Concentration of Vanadium and Organic Compounds in Tea Shoots

The study aimed to develop vanadium tea products and evaluated the potential of chelated vanadium （V） absorption by tea shoots and effect of vanadium accumulation on tea quality during the first crop season.Chelated V application with three times foliar sprays at 5 days intervals starting from 15 days before plucking showed a significant increase in V content of new young shoots,which was much effective at higher concentration.However,one or two times sprays had no increase in V content regardless of spray concentration compared to non-treated.Despite V accumulation in the treated at 3 to 9 times higher that of than the non-treated plants,there were no significant changes in contents of total amino acids,theanine,caffeine,total polyphenols,crude fiber,and cathechins between the treated and the non-treated.     

Biscrolling nanotube sheets and functional guests into yarns

Multifunctional applications of textiles have been limited by the inability to spin important materials into yarns. Generically applicable methods are demonstrated for producing weavable yarns comprising up to 95 weight percent of otherwise unspinnable particulate or nanofiber powders that remain highly functional. Scrolled 50-nanometer-thick carbon nanotube sheets confine these powders in the galleries of irregular scroll sacks whose observed complex structures are related to twist-dependent extension of Archimedean spirals, Fermat spirals, or spiral pairs into scrolls. The strength and electronic connectivity of a small weight fraction of scrolled carbon nanotube sheet enables yarn weaving, sewing, knotting, braiding, and charge collection. This technology is used to make yarns of superconductors, lithium-ion battery materials, graphene ribbons, catalytic nanofibers for fuel cells, and titanium dioxide for photocatalysis.     

Prediction of bending properties for structural glulam using optimized distributions of knot characteristics and laminar MOE

This study established a prediction model for bending properties of glued-laminated timber (glulam) using optimized knot and modulus of elasticity (MOE) distributions of lumber laminate as the main input variables. For this purpose, knot and MOE data were investigated for all pieces of lumber that were prepared for glulam manufacturing, and statistical distributions of knot size, knot number in one lumber, and MOE of each laminate were optimized as distribution functions. These knot and MOE data were used as input variables in the prediction model for bending properties, and were also used in generating virtual glulam using the inverse transform method. Prediction of bending properties for glulam was carried out using the transformed section method, which is partially provided in ASTM D 3737 (Annex A4). Predicted values were compared with those from full-scale four-point bending tests for 60 six-layered glulams with 10 different laminar combinations. Finally, the allowable bending properties of glulam for each specific laminate combination were determined by calculating the fifth percentile of the modulus of rupture and the average modulus of elasticity from virtual test results of more than 1000 virtual glulams. From the results of this study, predicted bending properties for glulam and their distributions could be used for structural design in both allowable stress design and limit state design.     

Saccharobisindole,Neoasterric Methyl Ester,and 7-Chloro-4(1H)-quinolone: Three New Compounds Isolated from the Marine Bacterium Saccharomonospora sp.

Analysis of the chemical components from the culture broth of the marine bacterium Saccharomonospora sp. CNQ-490 has yielded three novel compounds: saccharobisindole (1), neoasterric methyl ester (2), and 7-chloro-4(1H)-quinolone (3), in addition to acremonidine E (4), pinselin (5), penicitrinon A (6), and penicitrinon E (7). The chemical structures of the three novel compounds were elucidated by the interpretation of 1D, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data. Compound 2 generated weak inhibition activity against Bacillus subtilis KCTC2441 and Staphylococcus aureus KCTC1927 at concentrations of 32 μg/mL and 64 μg/mL, respectively, whereas compounds 1 and 3 did not have any observable effects. In addition, compound 2 displayed weak anti-quorum sensing (QS) effects against S. aureus KCTC1927 and Micrococcus luteus SCO560.     

Compensatory growth and body composition of juvenile black rockfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes schlegeli</Emphasis> following feed deprivation

ABSTRACT:   Compensatory growth, feeding rate, feed efficiency and chemical composition of juvenile black rockfish (mean weight 1.43 g) were investigated for 35 days after a 14-day feed deprivation treatment under four feeding conditions: one group continuously fed (control) and the other three groups fasted for 5 days (F5), 10 days (F10) and 14 days (F14). All fasted fish were re-fed from day 15. Only F5 achieved the same body weight as the control, indicating that complete compensation occurred in F5. The specific growth rate (SGR) of F5 was the highest at day 21 and then decreased thereafter, showing higher values than the control at days 21, 28 and 42. In contrast, although SGRs of F10 and F14 were higher than that of the control during the whole refeeding period except day 21, they did not catch up the control in body mass, indicating that only partial compensation occurred in F10 and F14. The feeding rate (FR) of all groups except F14 changed in a pattern similar to SGR (Spearman's rank correlation, r _s > 0.9), suggesting that SGR varied depending on FR. Similar feeding efficiencies (FEs) were found in the four groups and they did not vary significantly during the whole refeeding period, suggesting that FE was not the factor affecting SGR. At day 14, the ratios of lipid to lean body mass in F10 and F14 were lower than those in the control and F5, and there was no difference between the control and F5. At day 49, however, only F14 showed a lower value than the other three groups, and there was no difference among the three groups. These results indicate that juvenile black rockfish fasted for 5–14 days can exhibit compensatory growth after refeeding, but timing and degree vary depending on the duration of feed deprivation.     

The effect of bentonite concentration on the drug delivery efficacy of a pH-sensitive alginate/bentonite hydrogel

We produced a protein loaded, pH-sensitive alginate-bentonite hydrogel for wound dressings. Alginate is a nontoxic polysaccharide with favorable pH-sensitive properties that make it useful for the intestinal delivery of protein drugs. However, the use of alginate for drug delivery is limited by drug leaching and rapid dissolution of alginate at the higher pH, which may result in lower entrapment efficiency and a burst in the release of entrapped protein drugs. To overcome these problems, we created a novel cross-linked alginate-bentonite hydrogel by combining mineral-rich bentonite with the alginate matrix along with an additive to ensure controlled release. We analyzed the gel in the drug loading process in an aqueous environment by looking at the release profiles of a model protein drug (BSA) from the hydrogel at pH values of 4.5, 5.2 (skin area) and 7.4, 9.2 (wound area). The swelling ratio decreased with bentonite concentration, but did not fall below 6. The rate of drug release was slowest at a pH value of 4.5 and fastest at a pH value of 9.2. The rate of drug release decreased with bentonite concentration. The presence of bentonite prevents the rapid dissolution of alginate at the higher pH, ensuring the controlled release of the entrapped drug.     

Influences of quorum‐quenching probiotic bacteria on the gut microbial community and immune function in weaning pigs

The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamic gut microbial diversity in weaning swine after administering feed supplemented with probiotic bacteria that specifically inhibit the activity of quorum molecules. Initially, the universal quorum molecule autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2) bioassay results indicated that AI‐2 activity was profoundly inhibited in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 in the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 30SC cell extract, although the growth of EHEC was not affected. Based on plate counting results, bacterial community analysis revealed a specific reduction in coliforms compared to the control, whereas the population of lactobacilli increased in weaning swine in in vivo trials. Supplementation with L. acidophilus strain 30SC did not affect the counts of other communities, such as total aerobes and yeast/mold. In addition, PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed a significant difference in the 16S rRNA gene products after administering L. acidophilus strain 30SC. Selected bands were sequenced, and most of them were identified as uncultured bacterium clones or a Lactobacillus‐ and Bifidobacterium‐specific community. Therefore, our results indicate that quorum‐quenching probiotic bacteria can significantly modulate the gut microbiota of swine and these beneficial effects can contribute to the improvement of performance and health in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning pigs.