Structural Characterization, In Vitro Digestion Property, and Biological Activity of Sweet Corn Cob Polysaccharide Iron (III) Complexes.

This study aimed to enhance the utilization value of sweet corn cob, an agricultural cereal byproduct. Sweet corn cob polysaccharide-ron (III) complexes were prepared at four different temperatures (40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C). It was demonstrated that the complexes prepared at different temperatures were successfully bound to iron (III), and there was no significant difference in chemical composition; and SCCP-Fe-C demonstrated the highest iron content. The structural characterization suggested that sweet corn cob polysaccharide (SCCP) formed stable ß-FeOOH iron nuclei with -OH and -OOH. All the four complexes' thermal stability was enhanced, especially in SCCP-Fe-C. In vitro iron (III) release experiments revealed that all four complexes were rapidly released and acted as iron (III) supplements. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition studies revealed that the biological activities of all four complexes were enhanced compared with those of SCCP. SCCP-Fe-B and SCCP-Fe-C exhibited the highest in vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition abilities. This study will suggest using sweet corn cobs, a natural agricultural cereal byproduct, in functional foods. Furthermore, we proposed that the complexes prepared from agricultural byproducts can be used as a potential iron supplement.

Hydrophobic-action-driven removal of six organophosphorus pesticides from tea infusion by modified carbonized bacterial cellulose.

The abuse of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in tea planting makes it easy to transfer from tea into its infusion, bringing potential health risks to consumers. Thus, it is essential to adopt reliable techniques to remove OPPs from tea infusion. In this study, three treatment methods were used to modify carbonized bacterial cellulose (CBC) to improve its adsorption performance. Among them, CBC treated by hydrazine hydrate (N-CBC) had the best adsorption effect, whose removal rate for dicrotophos is 13 times that of CBC. The in-depth study of adsorption mechanism proved that hydrophobic interaction dominated the adsorption of OPPs onto N-CBC. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model were more suitable to describe the process. Additionally, there were no significant changes in tea infusion quality after N-CBC treatment. This work clarifies that N-CBC benefitted from simple preparation method, excellent adsorption performance and unique adsorption mechanism has potential applications in tea infusion.

Willingness of Tea Farmers to Adopt Ecological Agriculture Techniques Based on the UTAUT Extended Model.

Ecological agricultural technology is the key method for making the transition from traditional agriculture to ecological agriculture, and is also the basic measure for promoting the transformation and upgrading of the tea industry and sustainable development. This study explores the influencing factors and mechanisms of tea farmers' adoption of ecological agricultural technology by using the extended model of the unified theory of technology adoption and use (UTAUT) based on perceived value. The analysis results, using the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM), show that: the positive impact of perceived value on willingness to use not only makes the explanatory power of the extended model greater than that of the original model but also expands the UTAUT model into a full mediating model, in which performance expectation has the greatest impact on behavioral intention through the implemented value. Effect expectation, social influence and factoring factors following, then the four intermediary paths have significant positive effects on behavioral intention. This study improves on the limitations of the UTAUT theoretical model through the theory of perceived value, and provides a reference for research on the same topic. At the same time, the government should provide tea farmers with enhanced subsidies, skills training and communication platforms.

Quickly and efficiently remove multiple pesticides in tea infusions by low-cost carbonized bacterial cellulose.

Soaking tea leaves make tea consumers exposure to pesticide residues more easily. However, there are few studies on the removal of pesticides in tea infusions. Therefore, a low-cost carbonized bacterial cellulose material was prepared by direct calcination method, and used to remove multiple pesticides in tea infusions quickly and efficiently. CBC-350 has the best removal efficiency for 9 pesticides and then screened the best adsorption conditions. The adsorption isotherm experiment was carried out and indicated that the adsorption process was in consist with the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters are also calculated. Moreover, the adsorption mechanism was discussed, which suggests that π-π interaction and hydrophobic action are the driving force during the adsorption process. Exhilaratingly, the CBC-350 also has excellent adsorption capacity compared to other adsorbents and can be reused at least five times.

A higher efficiency removal of neonicotinoid insecticides by modified cellulose-based complex particle.

Cellulose as an eco-friendly material is extensive in the nature. In this study, modified cellulose-based complex particle (MCCP) was produced through hydrothermal carbonization with methacrylic acid in the stirring and sand bath circumstance. The activated modified carbon-based porous particle (AMCCP) was prepared by treating with potassium hydroxide at high temperature, showing higher efficiency in removing neonicotinoids than MCCP. The AMCCP was fully characterized via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis showed the prepared AMCCP has smaller aggregated particles with higher surface area than MCCP. The adsorption kinetic and the adsorption isotherm of AMCCP were studied, revealing that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model correlated with the experimental data better. The maximum adsorption capacity of AMCCP is 142.36 mg/g for acetamiprid. The adsorption process is spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic in nature. After five regeneration time, the adsorption efficiency of the AMCCP is still over 95%.

Evaluation of blood vessel injury, oxidative stress and circulating inflammatory factors in an L-NAME-induced preeclampsia-like rat model.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by hypertension as well as proteinuria after the 20th week of pregnancy. Animal models are effective tools for studying the pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and treatment methods of preeclampsia. The present study sought to establish and evaluate a preeclampsia-like Sprague Dawley (SD) rat model using N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Rats were randomly assigned to 7 groups (n=10 in each): Control rats and rats treated with low-dose L-NAME (40 mg/kg body weight/day) starting from gestational day (GD) 9, medium-L-NAME (75 mg/kg body weight/day) starting from GD 9 (9D ML group), high-dose L-NAME (125 mg/kg body weight/day) starting from GD 9, low-dose L-NAME starting from GD 10, medium-dose L-NAME starting from GD 10 and high-dose L-NAME starting from GD 10. Blood pressure (BP), 24-h proteinuria, fetal intrauterine growth, histopathological changes, the plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1)/placental growth factor (PLGF) ratio and cytokine levels were evaluated. Elevated BP, increased urinary albumin excretion, severe endotheliosis, mesangial expansion and increased sFlt-1/PLGF ratios were observed in the experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.05), particularly in the 9D ML group. The results of the present study may optimize the conditions of the previously established L-NAME-induced preeclampsia SD rat model and aid further study into the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

The Effect of Different l-Carnitine Administration Routes on the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE Knockout Mice.

SCOPE: l-Carnitine (LC) is abundant in red meat and is widely added to health supplements and food. This study focuses on the adverse effects of oral supplementation of 1.3% LC in ApoE-/- mice and whether the parenteral administration of LC (subcutaneously, sub) has any impact on the development of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice are randomly divided into three groups (n = 15). All mice are fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The number of Ly6Chi monocytes; degree of atherosclerosis; plasma LC, γ-butyrobetaine (γBB), and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels; and microbial community composition are analyzed. Compared with the HFD and HFD ± LC (sub) groups, the number of Ly6Chi monocytes, atherosclerotic plaque area, and plasma γBB and TMAO levels are increased in the HFD ± LC (oral) group (p < 0.001). Plasma LC levels in the HFD ± LC (sub) group are higher than those in other groups. The levels of γBB, TMAO, and Ly6Chi monocytes are positively correlated with atherosclerotic plaque area (p < 0.01), and TMAO is positively correlated with Bacteroidetes and negatively correlated with Firmicutes at the phylum level. CONCLUSION: In contrast with oral LC administration, subcutaneous LC administration, which bypasses its conversion to TMAO in the liver, does not have a detrimental effect on the development of atherosclerosis in male ApoE-/- mice. Taking LC parenterally may be preferable among patients who require LC supplementation.

Recurrent gliomas: comparison of computed tomography (CT)-guided 125I seed implantation therapy and traditional radiochemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Primary brain tumors have always been associated with high morbidity and mortality. Glioma is the most common type of malignant brain tumors,with a high probability of recurrence after surgical excision and with poor prognosis.The purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided interstitial (125)I seed implantation with traditional radiochemotherapy for treatment of recurrent gliomas. RESULTS: The response rate at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after (125)I seed implantation was 68.6, 74.3, 77.1 and 62.8% respectively, which was significantly higher than the group treated with the conventional chemoradiation protocol (p < 0.05). Patients exposed to (125)I seed implantation had a median survival of 29.0 months, whereas the median survival of those treated with traditional radiochemotherapy was 19.0 months. The difference observed between the two groups was significant. There were no severe complications or mortality associated with either treatment, except for one case of intracerebral hemorrhage around the tumor area in the (125)I seed implants group. METHODS: From November 2002 to May 2010, 73 consecutive patients with recurrent gliomas were treated with CT-guided (125)I seed implantation (35 cases) or traditional radiochemotherapy (38 cases). Patients were followed up after treatment and the therapeutic effect was evaluated by comparing the response and survival rates of the two groups. In particular, patients treated with (125)I seed implantation were monitored for adverse side effects. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided (125)I seed implantation is safe and well-tolerated and more importantly, shows superior efficacy compared with conventional radiochemotherapy. This suggests that CT-guided (125)I seed implantation could be an alternative approach for recurrent gliomas.