Oolong tea: A critical review of processing methods, chemical composition, health effects, and risk.

Oolong tea (OT) is a traditional Chinese tea (Camellia sinensis) and is especially popular in south China. This review is to comprehensively summarize the miscellaneous research that has been done towards to the processing, phytochemistry, health benefit, and risk of OT. These literatures were carried out not only from different electronic databases but also from text books written in English, Japanese, and Chinese, including those traditional records tracing back to the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907). The full process OT producing is depicted below in this review. The phytochemistry of OT has been comprehensively investigated. More than 100 chemical compositions have been isolated and identified. In health benefit, OT performs outstandingly in reducing obesity and controlling diabetes explained by modern pharmacological studies. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (6) in OT prevention of cancerous cells developing. OT can also improve and reduce on heart and vascular disease, protect teeth and bone, function as anti-oxidative and antibacterial agents. This review also mentioned the risk, summarized briefly on various forms of toxicity and harmful associated with OT. In short, this review can provided a natural product library of OT, gave inspirations for further new garden systems, designed idea on quality, bioactivity-oriented screening. In addition, it is suggested more scientists and education is necessary to guarantee the stability and safety of drinking OT.

Characterization and risk assessment of microplastics in laver from the Yueqing Bay.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is regarded as a global challenge for ocean. As an important food source of human, macroalgae could suffer MP pollution and transmit MPs into human via food web. However, few studies have revealed the relationship of MP pollution between macroalgae and its habitat. In order to evaluate the trapping and accumulation of MPs in macroalgae and surface water, the present study investigated MP pollution in a typical aquaculture macroalgae species, laver (Porphyra haitanensis) in the Yueqing Bay. The results indicated MP abundance in laver (1.45 ± 0.26 items/g) was at a medium level while MP abundance in surface water (0.21 ± 0.15 item/m3) was at a relatively low level worldwide. Distribution trend and characteristics of MPs in laver and surface water showed highly similarity. Besides, heavy metal elements (Fe and Zr) were detected on the surface of MPs trapped by laver. Pollution load index (PLI) in surface water of the whole bay was low, indicating MP pollution was not serious in the Yueqing Bay. Due to the discharging of domestic sewage in recent years, fiber-shaped, textile MPs accounted for most in laver and surface water of the Yueqing Bay. These results indicated that MPs in surface water could be trapped by P. haitanensis, thus macroalgae cultivation might be a potential way to alleviate seawater MP pollution in the nearshore areas.

Bio-based microplastic polylactic acid exerts the similar toxic effects to traditional petroleum-based microplastic polystyrene in mussels.

Microplastics (MPs) have accumulated in the oceans, causing adverse effects on marine organisms and the environment. Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) is considered as an excellent substitute for traditional petroleum-based plastics, but it is difficult to degrade completely and easily become MPs in the marine environment. To test the ecological risk of bio-based PLA, we exposed thick-shelled mussels (Mytilus coruscus) to bio-based PLA and petroleum-based polystyrene (PS) (at 102, 104, and 106 particles/L) for 14 days. The significant increase in enzyme activities related to oxidative stress and immune response showed that mussels were under physiological stress after MP ingestion. While enzyme activities of nerve conduction and energy metabolism were significantly disturbed after exposure. Meanwhile, normal physiological activities in respiration, ingestion and assimilation were also suppressed in association with enzyme changes. The negative effects of PS and PLA in mussels were not differentiated, and further integration analysis of integrated biomarker response (IBR) and principal component analysis (PCA) also showed that PLA would induce adverse effects in mussels and ecological risks as PS, especially at environmental concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the environmental and ecological risk of bio-based MP PLA accumulating in the marine environment.

Self-Powered and Self-Healable Extraocular-Muscle-Like Actuator Based on Dielectric Elastomer Actuator and Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

Although dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are promising artificial muscles for use as visual prostheses in patients with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP), high driving voltage coupled with vulnerable compliant electrodes limits their safe long-term service. Herein, a self-healable polydimethylsiloxane compliant electrode based on reversible imine bonds and hydrogen bonds is prepared and coated on an acrylic ester film to develop a self-healable DEA (SDEA), followed by actuation with a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to construct a self-powered DEA (TENG-SDEA). Under 135.9 kV mm-1 , the SDEA exhibits an elevated actuated strain of 50.6%, comparable to the actuation under DC power. Moreover, the mechanically damaged TENG-SDEA displays a self-healing efficiency of over 90% for 10 cycles. The TENG ensures the safe using of TENG-SDEAs and an extraocular-muscle-like actuator with oriented motion ability integrated by several TENG-SDEAs is constructed. Additionally, the SDEA is directly used as a flexible capacitive sensor for real-time monitoring of the patient's muscle movement. Accordingly, a medical aid system based on a conjunction of the extraocular-muscle-like actuator and a flexible capacitive sensor is manufactured to help the patients suffering from ONP with physical rehabilitation and treatment.

Synthesis and anionophoric activities of dimeric polyamine-sterol conjugates: the impact of rigid vs. flexible linkers.

Two dimeric spermine-choloyl conjugates were synthesized and found to be capable of promoting the transport of anions across egg-yolk L-α-phosphatidylcholine-based liposomal membranes, via an anion-exchange mechanism and with moderate selectivity with respect to monoanionic ions. A Hill analysis indicated that these two conjugates exhibited similar aggregation behaviors. However, the conjugate bearing a rigid p-bis(aminomethyl)benzene moiety functioned more efficiently than the analogue having a flexible putrescine linker.

Nanotoxicity comparison of four amphiphilic polymeric micelles with similar hydrophilic or hydrophobic structure.

BACKGROUND: Nanocarriers represent an attractive means of drug delivery, but their biosafety must be established before their use in clinical research. OBJECTIVES: Four kinds of amphiphilic polymeric (PEG-PG-PCL, PEEP-PCL, PEG-PCL and PEG-DSPE) micelles with similar hydrophilic or hydrophobic structure were prepared and their in vitro and in vivo safety were evaluated and compared. METHODS: In vitro nanotoxicity evaluations included assessments of cell morphology, cell volume, inflammatory effects, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and membrane fluidity. An umbilical vein cell line (Eahy.926) and a kind of macrophages (J774.A1) were used as cell models considering that intravenous route is dominant for micelle delivery systems. In vivo analyses included complete blood count, lymphocyte subset analysis, detection of plasma inflammatory factors and histological observations of major organs after intravenous administration to KM mice. RESULTS: All the micelles enhanced inflammatory molecules in J774.A1 cells, likely resulting from the increased ROS levels. PEG-PG-PCL and PEEP-PCL micelles were found to increase the J774.A1 cell volume. This likely correlated with the size of PEG-PG-PCL micelles and the polyphosphoester structure in PEEP-PCL. PEG-DSPE micelles inhibited the growth of Eahy.926 cells via inducing apoptosis. This might relate to the structure of DSPE, which is a type of phospholipid and has good affinity with cell membrane. No evidence was found for cell membrane changes after treatment with these micelles for 24 h. In the in vivo study, during 8 days of 4 time injection, each of the four nanocarriers altered the hematic phase differently without changes in inflammatory factors or pathological changes in target organs. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the micelles investigated exhibit diverse nanotoxicity correlated with their structures, their biosafety is different in different cell model, and there is no in vitro and in vivo correlation found. We believe that this study will certainly provide more scientific understandings on the nanotoxicity of amphiphilic polymeric micelles.

Effect of Pseudomonas sp. on simulated tidal corrosion of X80 pipeline steel.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of pipeline steel in seawater has long been concerned by scholars all over the world, but there were few reports on the microorganism effect on marine tidal corrosion of steels. In this work, the effect of Pseudomonas sp. on static tidal corrosion of X80 pipeline steel were systematically studied using weight-loss, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultra-deep field 3D microscope. The results manifested that after 720 h exposure to the marine tidal environment, the sessile Pseudomonas sp. counts multiplied with the elevation increase. The corrosion style of the steel in the inoculated environment was mainly localized corrosion. As a consequence of the higher bacteria number, the corrosion rate, pit depth and corrosion product thickness collectively enhanced. Pseudomonas sp. significantly accelerated uniform and localized corrosion of the steel in the marine tidal zone, and the acceleration role enhanced with the steel elevation in the tidal zones.

An environmental energy-enhanced solar steam evaporator derived from MXene-decorated cellulose acetate cigarette filter with ultrahigh solar steam generation efficiency.

Although solar energy is promising for water purification, there is still a room for further improving the solar steam generation efficiency. Herein, an environmental energy-enhanced solar steam evaporator is fabricated by immersing a cellulose acetate fiber-based cigarette filter (CF) in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) followed by freeze-drying and decorating with MXene sheets. The presence of MXene is to absorb solar light and convert solar energy to thermal energy for efficient water evaporation, while the porous PVA network generated inside the pores of the filter during the freeze-drying process accommodates the dispersed MXene sheets and interconnects the CF and MXene. Because of the constructed PVA/MXene network inside the CF porous architecture and the hydrophilic feature of both MXene and PVA, the resultant MXene/PVA modified CF (MPCF) is highly hydrophilic and competent for rapid upward transfer of water. Interestingly, in addition to the normal energy input by the incident solar light, the large-area sidewall of MPCF gains thermal energy from the environment in the forms of heat convection and heat radiation to enhance the solar steam generation efficiency, resulting in an ultrahigh water evaporation rate of 3.38 kg m-2 h-1 with an outstanding evaporation efficiency of 132.9%.

Physiological effects of plastic particles on mussels are mediated by food presence.

Plastic particles cause toxic effects on marine organisms but whether food particles can affect the toxic effects of plastic particles on filter feeding animals remains unknown. To evaluate the intake and physiological effects of different size particles and their exposure ways, the thick shell mussels Mytilus coruscus were exposed to polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics (NPs, 70 nm) and microplastics (MPs, 10 µm) respectively for two weeks by mixing NPs/MPs with microalgae or exposed to MNPs individually after feeding. Intake of particles and their physiological effects including energy budget, digestive enzymes and oxidative responses were assessed after exposure. Results indicated food presence mediate the effects while MPs decrease the energy budget and increase the catalase activity and malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, exposure way significantly affected energy budget and size of particle had a significant impact on enzyme activities. Our results showed MPs induce more significant effects than NPs on mussels, emphasized the importance of particle exposure way and suggested that mixture exposure with microalgae alleviate the influences on mussels caused by plastic particles alone. This study emphasized that we need to take the food particles into account for evaluating the toxic effects of plastic particles on filter feeding animals in the natural environment.

Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of saliva and salivary glands from the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri.

Salivary secretions play critical roles in interactions among insects, insect-vectored pathogens, and host plants. The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri is a sap-sucking Hemipteran that serves as a vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of citrus greening disease ("Huanglongbing" or HLB). D. citri continuously injects saliva into host plants using specialized stylets so as to feed and transmit the HLB pathogen. Knowledge on the composition and function of salivary proteins of this pest is very limited. In this study, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches were adopted to characterize the protein composition of the saliva and salivary glands in D. citri. A total of 246 and 483 proteins were identified in saliva and dissected salivary glands, respectively, via LC-MS/MS analyses. Comparative analyses of the identified proteins were performed between D. citri and other reported Hemipteran insect species. Transcription levels of the genes coding for the identified proteins were determined via RNA-sequencing among different tissues including salivary glands and other digestive tissues. Identification of putative effectors that are expressed exclusively or abundantly in salivary glands provides the foundation for future functional studies towards the understanding of their roles in interactions among D. citri, HLB pathogen, and their citrus host. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is a systematic analysis on proteins in saliva and dissected salivary glands. A high percentage of novel proteins have been identified due to the large amounts of samples collected. This report gives a more comprehensive repertoire of potential effector proteins that may be possibly involved in modulating host defense, altering nutrient metabolism, and facilitating Ca. L. asiaticus transmission.

Development of liposomal salbutamol sulfate dry powder inhaler formulation.

The purpose of our study was to develop a formulation of liposomal salbutamol sulfate (SBS) dry powder inhaler (DPI) for the treatment of asthma. Liposomes of high encapsulation efficiency (more than 80%) were prepared by a vesicular phospholipid gel (VPG) technique. SBS VPG liposomes were subjected to lyophilization using different kinds of cryoprotectants in various mass ratios. Coarse lactose (63-106 microm) in different mass ratios was used as a carrier. Magnesium stearate (0.5%) was added as a lubricator. The dry liposomal powders were then crushed by ball milling and sieved through a 400-mesh sieve to control the mean particle size at about 10 microm. The effects of different kinds of cryoprotectants and the amount of lactose carrier on the fine particle fraction (FPF) of SBS were investigated. The results showed that the developed formulation of liposomal dry powder inhaler was obtained using lactose as a cryoprotectant with a mass ratio of lyophilized powder to carrier lactose at 1 : 5; 0.5% magnesium stearate was used as a lubricator. The value of FPF for SBS was 41.51+/-2.22% for this formulation. Sustained release of SBS from the VPG liposomes was found in the in vitro release study. The study results offer the promising possibility of localized pulmonary liposomal SBS delivery in the anhydrous state.

A hybrid nanomaterial with NIR-induced heat and associated hydroxyl radical generation for synergistic tumor therapy.

Although photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are widely commended for tumor treatment recently, they still suffer severe challenges due to the non-specificity of photothermal agents (PTAs)/photosensitizers (PSs) and hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Here, an oxygen independent biomimetic nanoplatform based on carbon sphere dotted with cerium oxide and coated by cell membrane (MCSCe) was designed and synthesized with good biocompatibility, homologous targeting ability, and improved photophysical activity. Notably, MCSCe could realize accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tumor cells and hyperthermia under single laser (808 nm) irradiation, which were simultaneously utilized by itself to produce more toxic hydroxyl radical (OH). Resultantly, the synergistic therapeutic effect against tumor cells was obtained under near infrared (NIR) laser irradiation.

A tungsten nitride-based degradable nanoplatform for dual-modal image-guided combinatorial chemo-photothermal therapy of tumors.

An innovative tungsten-based multifunctional nanoplatform composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified tungsten nitride nanoparticles (WN NPs) is constructed for tumor treatment. The PEG-WN NPs not only possess strong near-infrared (NIR) absorbance, high photothermal conversion efficiency, and excellent photothermal stability, but also effectively inhibit tumor cells upon 808 nm laser irradiation. After coating with thiolated (2-hydroxypropyl)-ß-cyclodextrin (MUA-CD) on the surface, such a nanoplatform can also be used for drug delivery (such as DOX) and presents a synergistic tumor inhibition effect both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the PEG-WN NPs present good contrasting capability for X-ray computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging. With PA/CT imaging, the tumor can be accurately positioned for precise treatment. It is worth mentioning that PEG-WN NPs are biodegradable and could be effectively excreted from the body with no appreciable toxicity in vivo. It is expected that this biocompatible multifunctional nanoplatform can serve as a potential candidate for tumor treatment in future clinical applications.

Hollow-structured MXene-PDMS composites as flexible, wearable and highly bendable sensors with wide working range.

Although versatile piezoresistive pressure sensors show a great potential as human motion detection and wearable smart devices, it is still an issue to widen their working range and enhance their sensitivity. Herein, hollow-structured MXene-polydimethylsiloxane composites (MPCs) are fabricated by utilizing nickel foam as the three-dimensional substrate for dip-coating of MXene sheets followed by infiltrating of polydimethylsiloxane and etching of the nickel foam substrate. The resultant MPC performs a wide working range with bending angles of 0° to 180°, an excellent long-term reliability up to 1000 cycles under the bending angles of 15°, 30° and 150°, and a stable durability with a bending angle of 30° in a frequency range from 0.05 to 2 Hz as a bendable piezoresistive pressure sensor, which is attributed to the formation of dense conduction paths due to the interconnection of MXene sheets during the deformation of MPC. The sensor also exhibits an extremely low detection limit of 10 mg for pressure detection. Interestingly, the slippage of adjacent MXene sheets is beneficial for monitoring slight vibration of equipments and detecting subtle human motions. Thus, the MPC sensor could be applied for stereo sound and ultrasonic vibration monitoring, swallowing, facial muscle movement, and various intense motion detections, demonstrating its great potential as wearable smart devices.

Hydrogen gas improves photothermal therapy of tumor and restrains the relapse of distant dormant tumor.

Inflammation during photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumor usually results in adverse consequences. Here, a biomembrane camouflaged nanomedicine (mPDAB) containing polydopamine and ammonia borane was designed to enhance PTT efficacy and mitigate inflammation. Polydopamine, a biocompatible photothermal agent, can effectively convert light into heat for PTT. Ammonia borane was linked to the surface of polydopamine through the interaction of hydrogen bonding, which could destroy redox homoeostasis in tumor cells and reduce inflammation by H2 release in tumor microenvironment. Owing to the same origin of outer biomembranes, mPDAB showed excellent tumor accumulation and low systemic toxicity in a breast tumor model. Excellent PTT efficacy and inflammation reduction made the mPDAB completely eliminate the primary tumors, while also restraining the outgrowth of distant dormant tumors. The biomimetic nanomedicine shows potentials as a universal inflammation-self-alleviated platform to ameliorate inflammation-related disease treatment, including but not limited to PTT for tumor.

The location and extent of exfoliation of clay on the fracture mechanisms in nylon 66-based ternary nanocomposites.

The primary focus of this work is to elucidate the location and extent of exfoliation of clay on fracture (under both static and dynamic loading conditions) of melt-compounded nylon 66/clay/SEBS-g-MA ternary nanocomposites fabricated by different blending sequences. Distinct microstructures are obtained depending on the blending protocol employed. The state of exfoliation and dispersion of clay in nylon 66 matrix and SEBS-g-MA phase are quantified and the presence of clay in rubber is shown to have a negative effect on the toughness of the nanocomposites. The level of toughness enhancement of ternary nanocomposites depends on the blending protocol and the capability of different fillers to activate the plastic deformation mechanisms in the matrix. These mechanisms include: cavitation of SEBS-g-MA phase, stretching of voided matrix material, interfacial debonding of SEBS-g-MA particles, debonding of intercalated clay embedded inside the SEBS-g-MA phase, and delamination of intercalated clay platelets. Based on these results, new insights and approaches for the processing of better toughened polymer ternary nanocomposites are discussed.

[BFGF entraped in cationic liposomes as adjuvant: optimization of technical parameters].

OBJECTIVE: To test the immune efficiency of bFGF entraped in cationic liposomes as adjuvant in vivo. METHODS: The technical parameters on encapsulation were tested in each step to gain high encapsulation efficiencies, which included lipid composition, weight ratio of protein and lipids, liposome extrusion, and different conditions of freeze-thawing. The bFGF in cationic liposome, Freund's adjuvant, or PBS were injected (four times) to the four-week old Balb/c mice to test the immune responses. The serum antibody was measured by ELISA 13 days after each injection. RESULTS: Maximal encapsulation efficiency (about 50%) was achieved through optimized technical parameters. Cationic liposome demonstrated satisfied immune efficiency as adjuvant. CONCLUSION: Cationic liposome is a safe and effective immunological adjuvant.

[Analysis of the volatile oils chemical constituents of roots of Actinidia deliciosa].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the volatile oils chemical constituents of roots of Actinidia deliciosa. METHODS: The volatile oils fraction of roots of Actinidia deliciosa. were extracted by water vapor distilling, and then the constituents were separated and identified, by GC-MS. RESULTS: 16 compounds were identified, accounting for 89.37% of all quantity. CONCLUSION: The principal volatile oils chemical constituents are Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethl)-; 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(4-methox yphenyl)-, ethyl ester; 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester; Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl-.

α-Fe2O3 Nanodisk/Bacterial Cellulose Hybrid Membranes as High-Performance Sulfate-Radical-Based Visible Light Photocatalysts under Stirring/Flowing States.

High activity and long-term stability are particularly important for peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based degradation processes in wastewater treatment, especially under a flowing state. However, if the highly active nanomaterials are in a powder form, they could disperse well in water but would not be convenient for application under varied flow rates. A metal oxide/bacterial cellulose hybrid membrane fixed in a flowing bed is expected to solve these problems. Herein, α-Fe2O3 nanodisk/bacterial cellulose hybrid membranes as high-performance sulfate-radical-based visible light photocatalysts are synthesized for the first time. The bacterial cellulose with excellent mechanical stability and film-forming feature not only benefits the formation of a stable membrane to avoid the separation and recycling problems but also helps disperse and accommodate α-Fe2O3 nanodisks and thus enhances the visible light absorption performances, leading to an excellent PMS-based visible light degradation efficiency under both stirring and flowing states. Particularly, the optimized hybrid membrane photocatalyzes both cationic and anionic organic dyes under a flowing bed state for at least 84 h with the catalytic efficiency up to 100% and can be easily separated after the reaction, confirming its remarkable catalytic performance and long-term stability. Even under varied flow rates during the continuous process, it efficiently degrades rhodamine B and orange II from 3 to 16 mL h-1. When the flow rate goes back from high to low, the hybrid membrane quickly recovers its original performance, demonstrating the high activity and stability of the α-Fe2O3/bacterial cellulose membrane.

Polylactic Acid Nanofiber Scaffold Decorated with Chitosan Islandlike Topography for Bone Tissue Engineering.

In this work, a bicomponent scaffold with a core-shell and islandlike structure that combines the respective advantages of polylactic acid (PLA) and chitosan (CS) was prepared via electrospinning accompanied by automatic phase separation and crystallization. The objective of this research was to design nanosized topography with highly bioactive CS onto PLA electrospun fiber surface to improve the cell biocompatibility of the PLA fibrous membrane. The morphology, inner structure, surface composition, crystallinity, and thermodynamic analyses of nanofibers with various PLA/CS ratios were carried out, and the turning mechanism of a core-shell or islandlike topography structure was also speculated. The mineralization of hydroxyapatite and culture results of preosteoblast (MC3T3-E1) cells on the modified scaffolds indicate that the outer CS component and rough nanoscale topography on the surface of the nanofibers balanced the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the fibers, enhanced their mineralization ability, and made them more beneficial for the attachment and growth of cells. Moreover, CS and "islandlike" protrusions on the fiber surface increased the alkaline phosphatase activity of the MC3T3-E1 cells seeded on the fibrous membrane and provided a more appropriate interface for cell adhesion and proliferation. These results illustrate that this kind of PLA/CS membrane has the potential in tissue engineering. More importantly, our study provides a new approach to designing PLA scaffolds, with combined topographic and bioactive modification effects at the interface between cells and materials, for biomedicine.