Encapsulation of quercetin into zein-ethyl cellulose coaxial nanofibers: Preparation, characterization and its anticancer activity.

In order to efficiently improve the colon-targeted delivery of quercetin, the hydrophobic core-shell nanofibers were fabricated to encapsulate quercetin using ethyl cellulose as the shell and zein as the core by coaxial electrospinning. The encapsulation efficiency of coaxial nanofibers reached >97 %. FTIR and XRD results revealed the interactions between quercetin and wall materials and quercetin was encapsulated in an amorphous state. The thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity of coaxial nanofibers were improved compared to the uniaxial zein fibers. After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the quercetin release from core-shell nanofibers was <12.38 %, while the corresponding value for zein fibers was 36.24 %. DPPH and FRAP assays showed that there was no significant difference in the antioxidant activity of quercetin before and after encapsulation. Furthermore, the encapsulated quercetin exhibited similar anti-proliferative activity against HCT-116 cells compared to the free form. The results suggest these coaxial nanofibers have potential applications in functional foods.

[Effect of varying lingual traction forces on the space-closing speed in a typodont model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influences of varying lingual traction forces on the space-closing speed in a typodont model. METHODS: Forty-two Angle Class I standard typodont models of bimaxillary teeth protrusion were divided into 7 equal groups. Four regions of the model were paired to groups, and in the odd-numbered models, the top left and bottom left regions served as the experimental group and the top right and bottom right regions as the control group; in the even-numbered models, the regions in the model were grouped oppositely. In the experimental group, the space was closed by niti wire extension spring in the buccal ridge combined with lingual elastic traction of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 g. In the control group, the space was closed by exclusive niti wire extension spring in the buccal ridge. The space-closing speed were analyzed in all the groups. RESULTS: The space-closing speed was significantly lower in the control group than in the experimental groups with lingual traction forces of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g (P<0.05), but a traction force of 30 g resulted in a significantly lower speed than that in the control group (P<0.05). The space closing speed was the greatest in the experimental group with a traction force of 15 g (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Niti wire extension spring in the buccal ridge combined with lingual elastic traction results in faster space-closing speed than traditional exclusive niti wire extension spring. The speed is the fastest by applying 15 g lingual traction, which is also associated with the lowest slip resistance.