The dispersibility of biphasic stabilized oil-in-water emulsions improved by the interaction between curdlan and soy protein isolate.

Curdlan, a natural polysaccharide, exhibits emulsion-stabilizing and viscosity-modifying properties. However, when employed solely in the aqueous phase, curdlan's adhesive nature impedes droplet dispersion, resulting in a gel-like structure with limited applicability. This investigation formulated a biphasic stabilized oil-in-water emulsion by supplementing the oil phase with beeswax and the aqueous phase with curdlan and soy protein isolate (SPI). The addition of SPI transformed the structural characteristics from a gel-like to a mayonnaise-like structure. Maximal electrostatic repulsion was observed at an internal phase volume fraction of 30%, effectively precluding droplet aggregation owing to the absolute zeta potentials surpassing 40 mV. The emulsions displayed shear-thinning rheological behavior, with a higher storage modulus than the loss modulus, indicative of favorable elastic properties. Molecular docking revealed the predominant role of polar amino acids in facilitating hydrogen bond formation. This study provides a template for developing emulsions with biphasic stability and desirable dispersibility.

Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline by Modifying UiO-66 via Different Regulation Strategies.

Wastewater containing organic pollutants cause potential harm to the environment and human health. A series of zirconium-organic frameworks (UiO-66) and their composites were synthesized by solvothermal methods, including band gap adjustment, heterojunction construction, and metal ion doping. For the model pollutant tetracycline (TC), all of the prepared catalysts could achieve effective degradation of it. Therein, the degradation efficiency of tetracycline could reach 95% under the UV irradiation with the aid of the catalyst, in which the UiO-66-NDC was modified with P-C3N4. The free radical capture experiments demonstrated that the superoxide radical (•O2-) was the main oxidizing species for the photodegradation of tetracycline. Hence, the improvement strategy of the catalyst would provide some enlightenment for the development of more efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes in wastewater.

g-C3N4-modified Zr-Fc MOFs as a novel photocatalysis-self-Fenton system toward the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol.

In order to explore a green, economic, and sustainable phenol production process, a heterojunction semiconductor materials g-C3N4/Zr-Fc MOF was synthesized via an in situ synthesis method. With the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and the Fenton effect, the composite could effectively catalyze the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol under visible light irradiation. The yield of phenol and the selectivity were 13.84% and 99.38% under the optimal conditions, respectively, and it could still maintain high photocatalytic activity after 5 photocatalytic cycles. Therefore, the designed photocatalysis-self-Fenton system has great potential in the field of the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol.

An efficient photocatalyst based on H5PMo10V2O40/UiO-66-NH2 for direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol by H2O2.

To realize the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol by hydrogen peroxide, an efficient photoactive catalyst system was prepared by the recombination of H5PMo10V2O40 and UiO-66-NH2. The heterpolyacid was uniformly distributed on the UiO-66-NH2, and the combination was stable. The composite could effectively photocatalyze the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol by H2O2 in the mixture solution of acetonitrile and acetic acid. The yield and selectivity were 14.08% and 98.8% under the optimum condition, respectively. The performance of the catalyst still maintained well after 5 catalytic cycles. Hence, the investigated catalyst system might be applied in the field of hydroxylation of benzene to phenol.

Cefazolin and imipenem enhance AmpC expression and resistance in NagZ-dependent manner in Enterobacter cloacae complex.

BACKGROUND: Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) is a common opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for causing various infections in humans. Owing to its inducible chromosomal AmpC ß-lactamase (AmpC), ECC is inherently resistant to the 1st- and 2nd- generation cephalosporins. However, whether ß-lactams antibiotics enhance ECC resistance remains unclear. RESULTS: In this study, we found that subinhibitory concentrations (SICs) of cefazolin (CFZ) and imipenem (IMP) can advance the expression of AmpC and enhance its resistance towards ß-lactams through NagZ in Enterobacter cloacae (EC). Further, AmpC manifested a substantial upregulation in EC in response to SICs of CFZ and IMP. In nagZ knockout EC (ΔnagZ), the resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics was rather weakened and the effect of CFZ and IMP on AmpC induction was completely abrogated. NagZ ectopic expression can rescue the induction effects of CFZ and IMP on AmpC and increase ΔnagZ resistance. More importantly, CFZ and IMP have the potential to induce the expression of AmpR's target genes in a NagZ-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that NagZ is a critical determinant for CFZ and IMP to promote AmpC expression and resistance and that CFZ and IMP should be used with caution since they may aggravate ECC resistance. At the same time, this study further improves our understanding of resistance mechanisms in ECC.

Elevating NagZ Improves Resistance to ß-Lactam Antibiotics via Promoting AmpC ß-Lactamase in Enterobacter cloacae.

Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC), one of the most common opportunistic pathogens causing multiple infections in human, is resistant to ß-lactam antibiotics mainly due to its highly expressed chromosomal AmpC ß-lactamase. It seems that regulation of chromosomal AmpC ß-lactamase is associated with peptidoglycan recycling. However, underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we confirmed that NagZ, a glycoside hydrolase participating in peptidoglycan recycling in Gram-negative bacteria, plays a crucial role in developing resistance of E. cloacae (EC) to ß-lactam antibiotics by promoting expression of chromosomal AmpC ß-lactamase. Our data shows that NagZ was significantly up-regulated in resistant EC (resistant to at least one type of the third or fourth generation cephalosporins) compared to susceptible EC (susceptible to all types of the third and fourth generation cephalosporins). Similarly, the expression and ß-lactamase activity of ampC were markedly enhanced in resistant EC. Moreover, ectopic expression of nagZ enhanced ampC expression and resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics in susceptible EC. To further understand functions of NagZ in ß-lactam resistance, nagZ-knockout EC model (ΔnagZ EC) was constructed by homologous recombination. Conversely, ampC mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated, and resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics was attenuated in ΔnagZ EC, while specific complementation of nagZ was able to rescue ampC expression and resistance in ΔnagZ EC. More interestingly, NagZ and its hydrolyzates 1,6-anhydromuropeptides (anhMurNAc) could induce the expression of other target genes of AmpR (a global transcriptional factor), which suggested that the promotion of AmpC by NagZ is mediated AmpR activated by anhMurNAc in EC. In conclusion, these findings provide new elements for a better understanding of resistance in EC, which is crucial for the identification of novel potential drug targets.

[ARTICLE WITHDRAWN] Long Noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 Accelerates the Progression of Ovarian Cancer via MicroRNA-212-3/LCN2 Axis.

ARTICLE WITHDRAWN: This article was withdrawn by the authors with the following Withdrawal Statement - The integrity of the current study is not acceptable. The authors intend to enrich the study to make it more valuable. Thus, the authors want to withdraw the current study. Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience and we hope for your understanding. Yours sincerely (on behalf of the authors), Xiaoqin Lu.

The effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma on physicochemical and digestion properties of starch.

The effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment on physicochemical and digestion properties of Tartary buckwheat (TBS), sorghum (SS), wheat (WS) and quinoa (QS) starches were investigated. Plasma treatment resulted in higher solubility and lower swelling capacity of the starch samples studied. Through XRD and FTIR analyses, the relative crystallinity of starch was increased by DBD plasma, while the crystalline type remained unchanged. It was observed from SEM that more fissures and holes appeared for TBS and SS granules, and granule aggregation occurred for WS and QS caused by plasma treatment, both of which made digestion enzymes more accessible to the four starches. In addition, a marked increase in gelatinization temperature and significant reduction in viscosity of plasma treated starches were found. Interestingly, the increased enzyme accessibility and decreased viscosity of starch were consistent with the enhanced starch digestibility that was suggested by the increased RDS content, digestion rate and digestion velocity constant. Therefore, the DBD plasma treatment on starch may be not in favor of postprandial blood sugar control, but it is suggested to be applied in some industrial processes that need acceleration in starch hydrolyzation, such as bioethanol production, brewing and food fermentation.

Design and Optimization of Flexible Polypyrrole/Bacterial Cellulose Conductive Nanocomposites Using Response Surface Methodology.

Flexible conductive materials have greatly promoted the rapid development of intelligent and wearable textiles. This article reports the design of flexible polypyrrole/bacterial cellulose (PPy/BC) conductive nanocomposites by in situ chemical polymerization. Box-Behnken response surface methodology has been applied to optimize the process. The effects of the pyrrole amount, the molar ratio of HCl to pyrrole and polymerization time on conductivity were investigated. A flexible PPy/BC nanocomposite was obtained with an outstanding electrical conductivity as high as 7.34 S cm-1. Morphological, thermal stability and electrochemical properties of the nanocomposite were also studied. The flexible PPy/BC composite with a core-sheath structure exhibited higher thermal stability than pure cellulose, possessed a high areal capacitance of 1001.26 mF cm-2 at the discharge current density of 1 mA cm-2, but its cycling stability could be further improved. The findings of this research demonstrate that the response surface methodology is one of the most effective approaches for optimizing the conditions of synthesis. It also indicates that the PPy/BC composite is a promising material for applications in intelligent and wearable textiles.

Study on the effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus delbrueckii on the mouse intestinal flora.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of microencapsulation on Lactobacillus delbrueckii by random, parallel experimental design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lincomycin hydrochloride-induced intestinal malfunction mouse model was successfully established; then the L. delbrueckii microcapsule was given to the mouse. The clinical behaviour, number of intestinal flora, mucous IgA content in small intestine, IgG and IL-2 level in peripheral blood were monitored. The histological sections were also prepared. RESULTS: The L. delbrueckii microcapsule could have more probiotic effects as indicated by higher bifidobacterium number in cecal contents. The sIgA content in microcapsule treated group was significantly higher than that in non-encapsulated L. delbrueckii treated group (p < 0.05). Intestine pathological damage of the L. delbrueckii microcapsule-treated group showed obvious restoration. CONCLUSION: The L. delbrueckii microcapsules could relieve the intestinal tissue pathological damage and play an important role in curing antibiotic-induced intestinal flora dysfunction.