Improving stability and bioavailability of curcumin by quaternized chitosan coated nanoemulsion.

This study aims to enhance the stability and bioavailability of curcumin (Cur) using nanoemulsion coating technology. The nanoemulsion system was developed by encapsulating Cur with quaternized chitosan (QMNE), and the nanoemulsion containing Cur and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (MNE) was used as control sample. The microstructure of the nanoemulsion was examined using Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The storage, thermal, ionic strength, and pH stability of QMNE were also evaluated, respectively. The results indicate that QMNE demonstrates superior stability, in vitro gastric fluid stability, bioavailability compared to MNE. QMNE exhibits excellent emulsification activity and stability. In addition, QMNE shows significant protection against oxidation in both emulsion systems after different heat treatments. The antimicrobial activity results reveal that QMNE exhibits greater efficacy than that of MNE. Consequently, this study provides valuable insights into the formulation of a system to encapsulate Cur and the improvement of its stability and bioavailability.

Circulation of multiple Rickettsiales bacteria in ticks from Sichuan province, Southwest China.

During 2021, 403 ticks including Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes acutitarsus, and Rhipicephalus microplus were collected from three sites (590, 310, and 576 km away from each other) in Sichuan Province, China. A total of nine Rickettsiales species were identified in them, including three Rickettsia spp., five Anaplasma spp., and one Ehrlichia sp. Anaplasma ovis and a novel Rickettsia sp. named "Candidatus Rickettsia liangshanensis" were characterized in I. ovatus ticks from Liangshan, with positive rates of 11.11% and 45.56%, respectively. Anaplasma capra (13.33%) and Anaplasma bovis (15.33%) were detected in H. qinghaiensis ticks from Maerkang. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, gltA, and groEL gene sequences indicated that the A. bovis strains were divided into two groups. Additionally, a novel Ehrlichia species named "Candidatus Ehrlichia maerkangensis" was identified. It is closely related to "Candidatus Ehrlichia zunyiensis" which was previously reported in Berylmys bowersi rats from Zunyi City, Southwest China. In R. microplus from Mianyang, "Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis" was detected with a high prevalence (92.99%). Notably, a variant of R. raoultii was identified in I. acutitarsus (33.33%). This may be the first Rickettsiales bacterium reported in I. acutitarsus. Our results reveal the remarkable biodiversity of Rickettsiales in this area. Some of these bacteria are human pathogens, indicating the potential exposure risk to local people.

A novel Rickettsia species closely related to Rickettsia felis in Anopheles mosquitoes from Yingkou City, Northeast China.

Mosquitoes are generally recognized as the most important vector of many zoonotic pathogens. In this study, seven mosquitoes species were identified (Anopheles pullus, Anopheles sinensis, Anopheles lesteri, Anopheles kleini, Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Aedes koreicus and Culex inatomii) in samples collected from Yingkou City, Liaoning Province, Northeastern China. A novel Rickettsia species was detected in Anopheles sinensis (two of 71, 2.82%) and Anopheles pullus (one of 106, 0.94%) mosquitoes. Genetic analysis indicated that the rrs and ompB genes have highest 99.60% and 97.88%-98.14% identities to Rickettsia felis, an emerging human pathogen of global concern mainly harboured by fleas, mosquitoes and booklice. The gltA sequences of these strains have 99.72% of nucleotide similarity with Rickettsia endosymbiont of Medetera jacula. The groEL sequences have 98.37% similarity to both Rickettsia tillamookensis and Rickettsia australis. The htrA sequences have 98.77% similarity to Rickettsia lusitaniae. In the phylogenetic tree based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of rrs, gltA, groEL, ompB and htrA genes, these strains are closely related to R. felis. Herein, we name it 'Candidatus Rickettsia yingkouensis'. Its human pathogenicity to humans and animals is still to be determined.

Prevalence of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia and Candidatus Lariskella in Multiple Tick Species from Guizhou Province, China.

Rickettsiales (Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp., etc.) are generally recognized as potentially emerging tick-borne pathogens. However, some bacteria and areas in China remain uninvestigated. In this study, we collected 113 ticks from mammals in Guizhou Province, Southwest China, and screened for the Rickettsiales bacteria. Subsequently, two spotted fever group Rickettsia species and one Candidatus Lariskella sp. were detected and characterized. "Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis" was detected in Rhipicephalus microplus (1/1), Haemaphysalis flava (1/3, 33.33%), Haemaphysalis kitaokai (1/3), and Ixodes sinensis (4/101, 3.96%), whereas Rickettsia monacensis was positive in H. flava (1/3), H. kitaokai (2/3), and I. sinensis ticks (74/101, 73.27%). At least two variants/sub-genotypes were identified in the R. monacensis isolates, and the strikingly high prevalence of R. monacensis may suggest a risk of human infection. Unexpectedly, a Candidatus Lariskella sp. belonging to the family Candidatus Midichloriaceae was detected from Ixodes ovatus (1/4) and I. sinensis (10/101, 9.90%). The gltA and groEL gene sequences were successfully obtained, and they show the highest (74.63-74.89% and 73.31%) similarities to "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii", respectively. Herein, we name the species "Candidatus Lariskella guizhouensis". These may be the first recovered gltA and groEL sequences of the genus Candidatus Lariskella.

Isotherm models for adsorption of heavy metals from water - A review.

Adsorption is a widely used technology for removing and separating heavy metal from water, attributed to its eco-friendly, cost-effective, and high efficiency. Adsorption isotherm modeling has been used for many years to predict the adsorption equilibrium mechanism, adsorption capacity, and the inherent characteristics of the adsorption process, all of which are substantial in evaluating the performance of adsorbents. This review summarizes the development history, fundamental characteristics, and mathematical derivations of various isotherm models, along with their applicable conditions and application scenarios in heavy metal adsorption. The latest progress in applying isotherm models with a one-parameter, two-parameter, and three-parameter in heavy metal adsorption using carbon-based materials, which has gained much attention in recent years as low-cost adsorbents, is critically reviewed and discussed. Several experimental factors affecting the adsorption equilibrium, such as solution pH, temperature, ionic strength, adsorbent dose, and initial heavy metal concentration, are briefly discussed. The criteria for selecting the optimum isotherm for heavy metal adsorption are proposed by comparing various adsorption models and analyzing mathematical error functions. Finally, the relative performance of different isotherm models for heavy metal adsorption is compared, and the future research gaps are identified.

A novel cationic graphene modified cyclodextrin adsorbent with enhanced removal performance of organic micropollutants and high antibacterial activity.

The coexistence of pathogenic microorganisms and refractory organic chemicals in water nurtures certain biological and chemical risks to human beings and the water environment as a whole. For an environmentally friendly utilization of water cleaning and recycling technologies, a bifunctional cationic cyclodextrin material (GD-DTAC) with adsorption and bactericidal function was designed. By a simple crosslinking method, GD-DTAC was prepared with graphene supported citric acid-ß-cyclodextrin polymer (GD) and dimethyldodecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (DTAC). Following the introduction of rich quaternary ammonium groups by DTAC, GD-DTAC realized a double regulation of surface positive charge and wettability. The maximum adsorption capacities of Roxarsone (ROX), Methyl Orange (MO) and Bisphenol A (BPA) were 153.59 mg/g, 445.60 mg/g and 237.90 mg/g, respectively. Antibacterial activity tests showed the efficiency of DTAC not only for enhanced adhesion resistance, but it also realized the sterilization function. This work displays the potential of the prepared bifunctional materials for the removal of pollutants from wastewater as well as the suppression of micro-pollutants. The successful preparation of GD-DTAC provided a basis for the bifunctional material, which showed a great potential in adsorption and antibiosis.

[Multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study on Chinese medicine formula particles for hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of Xiaozhi particles, integrated taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang and Xuezhikang capsule in treating hyperlipidaemia (HLP) associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHOD: In the multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study, 180 hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy cases were divided into the treatment group treated by Xiaozhi particles, integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, and the control group treated by Xuezhikang capsule. The treatment course was 12 weeks. The total cholesterol (Tch), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) were observed. RESULT: After 12 weeks, compared with Xuezhikang capsule, the change difference of Tch, LDL, HDL in the Chinese traditional medicine formula groups of patients is significant (P < 0.05), the change of the TG has no significant difference. The effect of Tch, LDL in Xuezhikang capsule groups is better than in traditional Chinese medicine formula group,but the effect of HDL in traditional Chinese medicine formula group is better than in Xuezhikang capsule groups. CONCLUSION: Integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, Xiaozhi particles and Xuezhikang capsule can be used to control the hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy as one of the main Chinese native medicine preparation.

[Effect of qianlie huichun capsule on microstructure and ultranstructure of prostate glandular tissues in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qianlie Huichun capsule on the microstructure and ultranstructure of prostate glandular tissue in the model rat. METHOD: Hynertophy of prostate model rat was established by injecting testosterone to gelding male rats. After having been fed with Qianlie Huichun capsule for 30 days, the rats were killed and prostate tissues were resected for pathomorphological studies with microscope and electromicroscope, and the diameter of glandular lumer and the height of glandular epithelial cells were measured under the microspcope for different groups of rats. RESULT: In the model groups, the glandular epithelial cells mutiplycated notably, showing stratified and pseudostratified cells that made the glandular lumer cramped. Under the electromicroscope, the glandular epithelial cells became high columnor and the rough endoreticulum extremely expanded. But in treatment groups, the change of the diameter of the glandular lumer and the height of the glandular epithelial cells were less remarkable than those in model groups. So the differerence between the model group and the treatment groups was remarkable (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Qianlie Huichun capsule can depress the glandular epithelialceu multiplication of prostate gland in model rats.

[Effect of Qianlie Huichun on prostate tissue VEGF expression in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qianlie Huichun on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in prostate tissues and expound its anti-prostatomegaly action in model rats with prostatic hypertrophy induced by injected testosterone. METHODS: A total of 60 male rats were eventy randomized into six groups. All were gelded except the normal control group. After a week, the gelded rats were injected with testosterone(4 mg/kg/d), meanwhile the first group were fed with a small dosage of Qianlie Huichun(0.4 g/kg/d), the second group with a medium dosage(0.8 g/kg/d), the third group with a large dosage(1.6 g/kg/d), and the fourth group injected with estriol(2.5 mg/kg/d), all for a month. The fifth group were model controls, and the sixth the normal controls, both fed with the same amount of pure water for a month. Then all the six groups of rats were killed and their prostate glands were resected for the examination of the expression rate of VEGF by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The difference of VEGF expression between Qianlie Huichun groups and the model group was significant(P < 0.01), and so was it between the medium and large dosage middle, large amount of Qianlie Huichun groups and the estriol group(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Qianlie Huichun depressed the VEGF expression of the prostate gland in model rats, and the expression rate decreased with the increased amount of the drug, which shows that Qianlie Huichun has a definite therapeutic effect on prostatic hypertrophy by depressed the vascular growth of the vessel in the prostate gland.

[Effect of qianlie huichun capsular on Fas expression and cell apoptosis of prostate gland tissue in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qianlie Huichun capsular on Fas expression and cell apoptosis of prostate gland tissue in the model rat. METHOD: Hypertrophy of prostate model rat was established by injecting testosterone to gelding male rats. After being treated with Qianlie Huichun ig 30 days, the rats were killed and prostate glands were resected for examination. The Fas expression was examined by immunobistochemical SABC. The cell apoptosis and the peak of cell apoptosis in the prostate gland of the rats were examined by flow cytometry. Compared with model group, the weight of prostage gland tissue in groups treated with Qianlie Huichun capsular was light (P < 0.01). RESULT: Compared with model group, the Fas expression in all treatment groups increase(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with normal and model groups, cell apoptosis in all treatment groups increase at different level(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Qianlie Huchun capsular increases the Fas expression and cell apoptosis of model rats, and shows a definite treatment effect on the hypertrophy of prostate by promoting the apoptosis of prostate cell.