Transparent silicone-free shampoo containing proteins with strong hair conditioning properties.

OBJECTIVE: With the constant upgrading of healthcare concepts, silicone-free hair products have attracted more attention among consumers. In the present study, transparent silicone-free shampoo containing proteins was successfully fabricated by mixing mild non-sulphate surfactants, compound cationic conditioners, natural silicone oil substitutes, protein conditioners, thickeners, and other auxiliary ingredients. The effects of the type of surfactants, hair conditioners and thickeners, the type and content of proteins, and the mass ratio of compound proteins on the hair foaming performance, hair grooming performance, and penetration performance were investigated. METHODS: The basic formulation framework for transparent silicone-free shampoo was established at first. Then, various hydrolyzed proteins were further added to the basic formulation in the form of single use or compound use to prepare transparent silicone-free shampoo containing different proteins. The morphology of hair samples and penetration of protein in hair were evaluated with a scanning electron microscope and laser confocal fluorescence microscopy, respectively. And the hair grooming performance was also determined by a dynamic combing tester. RESULTS: The compound proteins of Croquat WKP PE-LQ-WD and Gluadin® Kera-PLM with mass ratios of 1:9 and 1:1 at 2 wt% total protein content added to the silicone-free shampoo brought a higher contact angle and a lower frictional coefficient than commercial silicone-free shampoo without proteins. In addition, the compound proteins also have the dual effect of adsorbing the hair surface and penetrating deep into the interior of the hair. CONCLUSION: The combination of cationic modified hydrolyzed protein (e.g., Croquat WKP PE-LQ-WD) and hydrolyzed protein with low molecular weight (e.g., Gluadin® Kera-P LM) at an appropriate mass ratio exhibited a strong synergistic effect on hair conditioning properties. It could provide a significant reference for developing silicone-free hair products with more benefits.

OBJECTIF: Avec l'amélioration constante des concepts de soins de santé, les produits capillaires sans silicone ont attiré l'attention des consommateurs. Dans la présente étude, un shampooing transparent sans silicone contenant des protéines a été fabriqué avec succès en mélangeant des tensioactifs doux sans sulfate, des conditionneurs cationiques composés, des substituts naturels de l'huile de silicone, des conditionneurs protéiques, des épaississants et d'autres ingrédients auxiliaires. On a étudié les effets du type de tensioactifs, de conditionneurs pour les cheveux et d'épaississants, du type et de la teneur en protéines et du rapport massique des protéines composées sur les performances de moussage des cheveux, du nettoyage des cheveux et de la pénétration. MÉTHODES: le cadre de formulation de base pour le shampooing transparent sans silicone a d'abord été établi. Ensuite, diverses protéines hydrolysées ont été ajoutées à la formulation de base sous forme d'utilisation unique ou d'utilisation de composés pour préparer un shampooing transparent sans silicone contenant différentes protéines. La morphologie des échantillons de cheveux et la pénétration des protéines dans les cheveux ont été évaluées à l'aide d'un microscope électronique a balayage et d'une microscopie confocale laser à fluorescence, respectivement. Les performances de nettoyage des cheveux ont également été déterminées par un testeur de peignage dynamique. RÉSULTATS: les protéines composées de Croquat WKP PE-LQ-WD et de GluadinR Kera-PLM avec des rapports massiques de 1:9 et 1:1 à 2 % en poids de teneur en protéines totales ajoutées au shampooing sans silicone ont un angle de contact plus élevé et un coefficient de frottement plus faible que le shampooing sans silicone commercial sans protéines. En outre, les protéines composées ont également doublé l'effet d'adsorption à la surface des cheveux et de pénétration à l'intérieur des cheveux. CONCLUSION: la combinaison de protéines hydrolysées modifiées cationiques (par exemple, Croquat WKP PE-LQ-WD) et de protéines hydrolysées de faible poids moléculaire (par exemple, GluadinR Kera-P LM) avec un rapport massique approprié a montré un fort effet synergique sur les propriétés de conditionnement des cheveux. Il pourrait fournir une référence significative pour le développement de produits capillaires sans silicone avec plus d'avantages.

Association between probiotic consumption and periodontitis: Evidence from NHANES 2009-2014.

AIM: The study aimed to provide evidence of the relationship between probiotics consumption and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 4577 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2009-2014 were included in the study. The weighted prevalence of periodontitis was compared among different groups, and a weighted binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between probiotic consumption and periodontitis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the role of probiotic consumption in the periodontitis prediction model. RESULTS: Participants who consumed probiotics had a significantly lower prevalence of periodontitis than those who did not (41.08% vs. 27.83%, p < .001). After fully adjusting for all factors, the odds ratio associated with periodontitis for consuming probiotics was 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.54-0.92, p = .01) when compared with those who did not consume probiotics. A predictive model including age, sex, ethnicity, poverty income ratio, smoking status and probiotics had 77.0% sensitivity and 60.3% specificity in detecting periodontitis in US adults and achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.749. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that consuming probiotics is associated with a reduced risk of periodontitis.

Intratracheal administration of polystyrene microplastics induces pulmonary fibrosis by activating oxidative stress and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in mice.

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are emerging pollutants that are absorbed by organisms. Due to their small volume and strong biological permeability, they affect the biological functions of cells. In recent years, several studies have detected PS-MPs in air samples, which may damage the human respiratory system following inhalation. The Masson trichrome staining, immunofluorescence, and western blotting assays were conducted to analyze the effects of PS-MPs on pulmonary fibrosis. Alveolar epithelial injuries were assessed through confocal microscopy, and the levels of SOD and GSH were used to evaluate oxidative stress. Our analyzes demonstrated that inhalation of the PS-MPs induces pulmonary fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner in mice. In high dose group (6.25 mg/kg), the PS-MPs significantly increased the expression of α-SMA, Vimentin and Col1a (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence assays showed decreased levels of SP-C and increased levels of KL-6 in the PS-MPs group. The suppression of SOD (1.46 times) and GSH-Px (2.27 times) indicated that inhalation of microplastics triggered intensive oxidative stress in lungs. Moreover, there was activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the PS-MPs group. In addition, the data showed that antioxidant melatonin (50 mg/kg) alleviated the PS-MPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Taken together, our analysis demonstrated that inhalation of polystyrene microplastics induces pulmonary fibrosis via activation of oxidative stress and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in mice.

Natural and engineered polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase: key enzyme in biopolyester production.

With the finite supply of petroleum and increasing concern with environmental issues associated with their harvest and processing, the development of more eco-friendly, sustainable alternative biopolymers that can effectively fill the role of petro-polymers has become a major focus. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) can be naturally produced by many species of bacteria and the PHA synthase is believed to be key enzyme in this natural pathway. Natural PHA synthases are diverse and can affect the properties of the produced PHAs, such as monomer composition, molecular weights, and material properties. Moreover, recent studies have led to major advances in the searching of PHA synthases that display specific properties, as well as engineering efforts that offer more efficient PHA synthases, increased PHA compound production, or even novel biopolyesters which cannot be naturally produced. In this article, we review the updated information of natural PHA synthases and their engineering strategies for improved performance in polyester production. We also speculate future trends on the development of robust PHA synthases and their application in biopolyester production.

[Preparation of liposomal artesunate dry powder inhalers and the effect on the acute lung injury of rats].

Artesunate is one of artemisinin derivatives with anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory activities though its water solubility and bioavailability are low. Acute lung injury (ALI) is a seriously dispersive lung disease with a high mortality. In this study, artesunate liposomes were prepared with the film dispersion method, and then lyophilized to obtain the liposomal artesunate dry powder inhalers(LADPIs). The LADPIs were pulmonary-delivered into the lung to treat ALI in rats. The artesunate liposomes had the capsulation efficiency of 71.4%, the particle size of 47.3 nm, and the zeta potential of -13.7 m V. The LADPIs had the aerodynamic particle size of 4.2 µm and the fine particle fraction (FPF) of 34.5%. ALI was established in rats by instilling lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the lungs. The rats quickly showed a reduction in movement and acceleration in breath followed by diarrhea and so on. The LADPIs were directly administrated into the lungs of ALI rats through airways after 1 h of LPS challenge. The treatment induced a reduction in ALI syndromes. Two inflammatory factors, including TNF-α and IL-6, were significantly reduced by the artesunate powder in the LADPI group similarly to the reduction in the positive drug dexamethasone group (P < 0.05). Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effect of LADPIs contributed to the anti-ALI activity. Furthermore, the liposomal formulation improved drug bioavailability in the lung and increased therapeutic efficiency. The LADPIs are promising medicines for therapy of ALI through local drug administration.

Functional cellulose-derived epoxy cross-linked with BADGE resin to construct high-performance epoxy composites.

The development of equipped bio-based epoxy materials has been gaining much attention recently. Nevertheless, finding the balance between the structure and properties of materials remains a significant challenge. In this work, cellulose-based epoxy (PHPCEP) with "soft" and "hard" cooperative structures was designed and demonstrated to endow bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) with excellent toughness, heat resistance, mechanical strength, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and solvent resistance. When 5 wt% PHPCEP was incorporated into BADGE composites, the resulting materials exhibited the maximum flexural strength (121.9 MPa) and tensile strength (71.4 MPa), a high glass transition temperature (148.3 °C), and 10 wt% PHPCEP/BADGE demonstrated the highest impact strength (70.5 kJ/m2). These figures are 18.8 %, 16.1 %, 21.5 %, and 254.3 % higher than the corresponding values of neat BADGE. The results of dynamic mechanical properties and heat degradation of the cured specimens also suggest that PHPCEP/BADGE materials have superior stiffness and toughness than neat BADGE, which could be attributed to the strong interaction between PHPCEP and BADGE, delivering better thermal stability for the composites compared to the pristine resin. Considering the remarkable effect, this work provides an effective way of highly efficient utilization of abundant cellulose and a high-performance additive for composite materials.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine and a dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination for reducing dental anxiety in preschool children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is a widespread complication occurring in pediatric patients during dental visits and may lead to undesirable complications. Esketamine may be effective in anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of premedication with a dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination compared with dexmedetomidine alone on dental anxiety in preschool children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia. METHODS: This is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 84 patients were scheduled for elective outpatient dental caries treatment under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly premedicated with intranasal dexmedetomidine (group D) or intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine (group DS). The primary outcome was the level of dental anxiety assessed by the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) at 2 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included level of dental anxiety at 1 day and 7 days after surgery, the incidence of dental anxiety at 2 h, 1 day, and 7 days after surgery, sedation onset time, overall success of sedation, acceptance of mask induction, postoperative pain intensity, incidence of emergence agitation in PACU, adverse reactions, HR, and SpO2 before premedication (baseline) and at 10, 20, and 30 min after the end of study drug delivery. RESULTS: The dental anxiety in group DS was lower than that in group D at 2 h, 1 day, and 7 days postoperatively (P = 0.04, 0.004, and 0.006, respectively). The incidences of dental anxiety in group DS were lower than those in group D at 2 h (53 % vs 76 %, P = 0.03), 1 day (47 % vs 71 %, P = 0.04), and 7 days (44 % vs 71 %, P = 0.02) after surgery. Group DS had a higher success rate of sedation (P = 0.03) but showed a lower MAS score (P = 0.005) and smoother hemodynamics (P < 0.01) after drug administration than group D. Group DS showed a significantly lower incidence rate of emergence agitation (P = 0.03) and postoperative pain intensity (P = 0.006) than that in group D during the anesthesia recovery time. The occurrence of adverse reactions was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS: We did not analyze and correct for the learning effect caused by repeated applications of the MCDAS and MCDAS scores on the 1 day after surgery were obtained by telephone follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to premedication with dexmedetomidine alone, premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with esketamine could significantly improve dental anxiety in preschool children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia.

Unleashing the capacity of Rhodococcus for converting lignin into lipids.

Bioconversion of bioresources/wastes (e.g., lignin, chemical pulping byproducts) represents a promising approach for developing a bioeconomy to help address growing energy and materials demands. Rhodococcus, a promising microbial strain, utilizes numerous carbon sources to produce lipids, which are precursors for synthesizing biodiesel and aviation fuels. However, compared to chemical conversion, bioconversion involves living cells, which is a more complex system that needs further understanding and upgrading. Various wastes amenable to bioconversion are reviewed herein to highlight the potential of Rhodococci for producing lipid-derived bioproducts. In light of the abundant availability of these substrates, Rhodococcus' metabolic pathways converting them to lipids are analyzed from a "beginning-to-end" view. Based on an in-depth understanding of microbial metabolic routes, genetic modifications of Rhodococcus by employing emerging tools (e.g., multiplex genome editing, biosensors, and genome-scale metabolic models) are presented for promoting the bioconversion. Co-solvent enhanced lignocellulose fractionation (CELF) strategy facilitates the generation of a lignin-derived aromatic stream suitable for the Rhodococcus' utilization. Novel alkali sterilization (AS) and elimination of thermal sterilization (ETS) approaches can significantly enhance the bioaccessibility of lignin and its derived aromatics in aqueous fermentation media, which promotes lipid titer significantly. In order to achieve value-added utilization of lignin, biodiesel and aviation fuel synthesis from lignin and lipids are further discussed. The possible directions for unleashing the capacity of Rhodococcus through synergistically modifying microbial strains, substrates, and fermentation processes are proposed toward a sustainable biological lignin valorization.

Cellulose-based polypropoxy ether carboxylates as highly compatible, effective, and migration-resistant plasticizers for poly (lactic acid).

The utilization of cellulose for enhancing the strength, the PLA has received significant attention, however, poor interfacial compatibility of solid cellulose with PLA matrix still hinders their broader application. Herein, highly compatible cellulose-based polypropoxy ether carboxylates (CPPEC) were firstly manufactured via propoxylation of cellulose and following esterification with acetic acid, butyric acid, as well as oleic acid, respectively. Liquid CPPEC delivered excellent performances to PLA, especially, the values of elongation at break and low-temperature resistance of PLA blended with cellulose-based polypropoxy ether acetate (PLA/CPPEA) were respectively increased by 630.9 % and 146.3 % compared with those of neat PLA due to the synergistic effect of propyl and methyl groups in CPPEC with PLA matrix. Additionally, migration resistance of PLA/CPPEA increased 14.3 and 11.2 times, respectively, compared with those of PLA specimens blended with epoxidized soybean oil and dioctyl phthalate. All findings suggest that the CPPEC is suitable for large-scale application in the PLA industry.

Enhanced enzymatic digestibility of poplar wood by quick hydrothermal treatment.

To elevate the glucose yield from the enzymatic hydrolysis of poplar wood for bio-ethanol production, quick hydrothermal treatment (QHT) was conducted at 200 °C for a short period of time from 5 min to 25 min. It was found that the QHT could remove >85% of the hemicelluloses and ~30% of the lignin in the poplar wood, and achieve 82% cellulose conversion at a low cellulase dosage of 10 FPU/g substrate. The enhancement digestibility of poplar wood was ascribed to the higher accessibility of cellulose, as the specific surface area of the substrate increased from 3.0 m2/g to 7.1 m2/g from the of untreated wood to the QHT-treated wood. The results demonstrate the improvements in digestibility and hydrolysis rates after QHT.

Liposomal andrographolide dry powder inhalers for treatment of bacterial pneumonia via anti-inflammatory pathway.

Andrographolide (AG) is a chemical entity from traditional Chinese herbs and its oral pills have been applied to the treatment of respiratory inflammation. Here we report pulmonary delivery of liposomal AG dry powder inhalers (LADPIs) for treatment of Staphylococcus aureus-induced pneumonia. AG liposomes were prepared with the injection method and then freeze-dried for preparation of LADPIs. AG liposomes were small and stable with a mean size of 77.91nm and a zeta potential of -56.13mV. Liposomes were well recovered after re-hydration of LADPIs that were suitable for pulmonary delivery with a mass mean aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 4.87µm and a fine particle fraction (FPF) of 23.03%. However, the MMAD and FPF of AG powders were 10.14µm and 8.37%, respectively. The in vitro anti-S. aureus effects of AG powders and LADPIs were investigated, but were not found. They were intratracheally sprayed into the rat lungs for treatment of S. aureus pneumonia. Surprisingly, LADPIs showed a stronger anti-S. aureus pneumonic effect in vivo, than AG at a ten-fold dose or than an antibiotic, penicillin. LADPIs significantly decreased many pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of IκB-α in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was also remarkably inhibited. AG regulated the immune reaction to maintain the antibacterial effect while downregulating inflammatory response so that AG showed a strong effect on bacterial pneumonia. LADPIs are a promising pulmonary delivery medicine for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.