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The precise measurement of stellar abundances plays a pivotal role in providing constraints on the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. However, before spectral lines can be employed as reliable abundance indicators, particularly for challenging elements such as helium, they must undergo thorough scrutiny. Galactic open clusters, representing well-defined single stellar populations, offer an ideal setting for unfolding the information stored in the helium spectral line feature. In this study, we characterise the profile and strength of the helium transition at around 10 830 Å (He 10 830) in nine giant stars in the Galactic open cluster Stock 2. To remove the influence of weak blending lines near the helium feature, we calibrated their oscillator strengths (log 푔f) by employing corresponding abundances obtained from simultaneously observed optical spectra. Our observations reveal that the He 10 830 in all the targets is observed in absorption, with line strengths categorised into two groups. Three stars exhibit strong absorption, including a discernible secondary component, while the remaining stars exhibit weaker absorption. The lines are in symmetry and align with or near their rest wavelengths, suggesting a stable upper chromosphere without a significant systematic mass motion. We find a correlation between the He 10 830 strength and the Ca II log R′HK index, with a slope similar to that reported in previous studies on dwarf stars. This correlation underscores the necessity of accounting for the stellar chromosphere structure when employing He 10 830 as a probe for the stellar helium abundance. The procedure of measuring the He 10 830 we developed in this study is applicable not only to other Galactic open clusters but also to field stars, and we plan to use it to map the helium abundance across various types of stars in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous research, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of the agaro-oligosaccharides prepared from the agar of Gracilaria lemaneiformis (AO). In the present study, in order to further explore the bioactivities of AO, the antioxidant activity of AO was investigated in vitro in Vero cells and in vivo in zebrafish. AO scavenged alkyl, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, and hydroxyl radicals at the IC50 value of 4.86 ± 0.13, 3.02 ± 0.44, and 1.33 ± 0.05 mg/mL, respectively. AO significantly suppressed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated oxidative damage by improving cell viability. This happened via suppressing apoptosis by scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the in vivo results displayed that AO protected zebrafish against H2O2-stimulated oxidative damage by reducing the levels of intracellular ROS, cell death, and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that AO effectively alleviated in vitro and in vivo oxidative damage stimulated by H2O2, and suggest the potential of AO in the cosmetic and functional food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainty theory was founded by Baoding Liu for modeling belief degrees about human uncertainty. And chance theory was pioneered by Yuhan Liu based on probability theory and uncertainty theory. In many cases, imprecise risk situation in subjective or objective setting and human uncertainty simultaneously appear in a complex system. To measure uncertain random events in this system, this paper combines uncertainty space with convex non-additive probability space into a new kind of two-dimensional chance space called U-C chance space. Moreover, a new framework for uncertain random variables combining uncertainty theory with convex non-additive probability theory is provided. For applications of this new framework, it can be applied to characterize some kinds of phenomena which possess the characteristics of both imprecise risk situations and belief degrees about human uncertainty in situations of great events, such as financial crisis, major natural disaster, etc. The main contribution of this paper is to derive the types of Kolmogorov and Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund LLNs for uncertain random variables satisfying some conditions under U-C chance space, where the convex non-additive probability is totally monotone. Furthermore, several examples are stated and explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharina japonica (SJ) is a brown seaweed widely consumed as food in Asian countries, and its use has been rapidly increasing in European and American countries as a food and for biocompound extraction purposes. Considering the difficulty of biocompound release under the current processing techniques of drying and salting, the fermentation process of SJ has been studied in recent years. This review presents current research describing fermented SJ (FSJ) processes, including the manufacturing process, chemical compound changes and flavor properties of FSJ. The health benefits and mechanisms of FSJ are evaluated, and the limitations and potential applications of FSJ are explored. Fermentation of SJ can be achieved by bacteria (Lactobacillus spp. and Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Aspergillus oryzae , Monascus spp., and Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and the core metabolites are degraded polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, γ-aminobutyric acid and other amino acids. It is noteworthy that the I, Cd and Hg contents were reduced by fermentation while the flavor properties were enhanced. Recent studies of FSJ suggested that the fermentation process of SJ could loosen algal tissues and result in the release of fermentable compounds, which consequently promote antioxidant activity, improve cognitive impairment, as well as support hepatoprotective, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activities. Although the industrial applications of FSJ remain underdeveloped, the improvements in nutrition, flavor, safety and bioactive properties identified in this review demonstrate the bright future for FSJ applications in the food industry. • Strains producing fermented Saccharina japonica (FSJ) cover bacteria and fungi. • Fermentation changed chemical components and improved various properties of FSJ. • I, Cd and Hg contents were reported to be reduced by fermentation. • Enhancement of flavor properties was achieved by fermentation. • Biological activities of FSJ were improved and possible mechanisms were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human red blood cells (hRBCs) possess a unique biconcave structure with a highly deformable cell membrane and condensed cytosol hemoglobin for oxygen delivery. Inspired by hRBCs, novel deformable core‐shell particles are developed as perfluorocarbon‐based oxygen carriers (OCs), called "cDFCs" (concave‐shaped deformable PFC‐based OCs), using the Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification technique. cDFCs have a perfluorooctyl bromide core of high oxygen solubility and poly(lactide‐co‐caprolactone) shell, which is thin and highly deformable. They have an optical equivalent diameter of 7.9 ± 2.5 µm and a unique concave shape. Owing to their low Young's modulus (93 kPa) and their diameter and shape, they successfully pass through a 4.5‐µm‐gap silicon microchannel as a blood capillary model. Enhanced oxygen supply to multiple layered cells is demonstrated under hypoxic conditions, indicating their efficiency as OCs. cDFCs are new potential OCs in tissue engineering and blood substitution in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPyropia spp. seaweeds are delicious and nutritious red algae widely consumed for a long history. However, due to the non-digestibility of cell wall components by the human intestinal tract, the bioaccessibility of the intracellular bioactive compounds is low. The current industrial processing of Pyropia spp. food by drying and roasting cannot break down the cell wall; however, studies indicate that fermentation of Pyropia spp. by food-derived microorganisms is an efficient processing method to solve this problem. This paper reviews research on the fermentation of Pyropia spp., including the manufacturing process, alterations in chemical composition, flavor properties, bioactivities, and mechanisms. Furthermore, the limitations and opportunities for developing Pyropia spp. fermentation food are explored. Studies demonstrated that key metabolites of fermented Pyropia spp. were degraded polysaccharides, released phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and formed amino acids, which possessed bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-diabetic, lipid metabolism regulation beneficial to human health. The increased bioactivities implied the promoted bioaccessibility of intracellular components. Notably, fermentation positively contributed to the safety of Pyropia spp. food. In conclusion, benefits in nutrition, flavor, bioactivity, and safety suggest that fermentation technology has a promising future for application in Pyropia spp. food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the seasonal variation in the structure of phytoplankton communities in the Southern Yellow Sea (SYS), two research expeditions were conducted from 12 to 24 in April 2019, and from 12 to 22 in October of 2019. During the spring season, the phytoplankton community within the SYS was primarily comprised of diatoms and dinoflagellates, while in autumn, diatoms and cyanobacteria dominated. Thalassiosira rotula and Paralia sulcata were the dominant species in both seasons. In spring, P. sulcata displayed no obvious correlation with any environmental parameter, while in autumn, it exhibited negative correlations with environmental factors. According to the cluster and multidimensional scaling analyses, the phytoplankton community was stratified into three distinct ecological provinces in the SYS: the Western Yellow Sea, the Yellow Sea basin, and the southern coastal region. The phytoplankton community composition was predominantly affected by seasonal fluctuations in temperature and nutrient levels. Notably, the Yellow Sea basin exhibited the lowest phytoplankton abundance, largely because of the impact of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass. Furthermore, the presence of cyanobacteria, particularly prevalent in the Yellow Sea basin, may have been facilitated by transport mechanisms associated with the Kuroshio current. Aggregated boosted tree (ABT) and Generalized Additive models (GAM) suggested that temperature, DIN, salinity, and DIP were significant parameters of phytoplankton abundance in SYS. Additionally, the N:P nutrient ratio was a key parameter in governing the structure of phytoplankton communities during both seasons. • The Southern Yellow Sea was divided into three ecological provinces. • Phytoplankton community composition was influenced by temperature and nutrient levels. • The N:P ratio was a key parameter in governing the phytoplankton structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyse the effects of physicochemical factors on the phytoplankton community in the Bohai Sea (BS) and Yellow Sea (YS), a investigation was conducted during 27 July to 10 August 2020. A sum of 156 species were identified in the BS and YS, including Bacillariophyta (69 species), Pyrrophyta (85 species) and Chrysophyta (2 species). The phytoplankton community were divided into four provinces according to Bray–Curtis similarity. In order to study the phytoplankton community in the BS and YS, we studied the phytoplankton community composition and their assembly mechanisms. The results showed that stochastic ecological processes had a greater effect on the province C community structure. The Raup-crick dissimilarity showed that deterministic factors had a greater effect on the province A, B and D communities structure. The habitat niche width results indicated that niche was larger in the province D, compared to the province A, B and C. Based on a structural equation model (SEM), we analyzed the effects of physicochemical factors on phytoplankton community structure and temperature was found to affect the phytoplankton community composition and structure by the vertical stratification. The result showed that temperature was an important parameter for phytoplankton abundance and revealed that temperature affected phytoplankton community structure by influencing the vertical stratification index (VSI) in the BS and YS. • The Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea was divided into four ecological provinces. • Stochastic ecological processes had a greater effect on the province C community structure. • Phytoplankton community structure was affected by the vertical stratification index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory activities of agaro-oligosaccharide (AOS) fractions with different degrees of polymerization (DPs) were compared, and their anti-inflammatory mechanisms were investigated. Total AOS (F0) was prepared from the agar of Gracilaria lemaneiformis, and its three separated fractions of high DP (F1), medium DP (F2), and low DP (F3) were obtained using Bio-Gel P2 chromatography. F2 showed a high anti-inflammatory activity but also a potential cytotoxicity, while F1 and F3 showed no cytotoxicity but weak anti-inflammatory activities. The total AOS fractions of F0 exhibited a higher anti-inflammatory activity than the summarized activities of the separated fractions; moreover, the combination of the three fractions significantly alleviated the potential cytotoxicity of F2. Thus, the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of the AOS fractions were revealed. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of F0 were investigated both in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells in vitro and LPS-induced zebrafish embryos in vivo. F0 inhibited NO production and PGE2 expression via the downregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression, and it suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 productions at the protein and mRNA levels in RAW 264.7 cells. It is the first time that the zebrafish model was used for the determination of anti-inflammatory activities of AOS, and F0 showed to suppress the productions of NO and ROS by exerting a protective effect against the phenotypic changes and the cell damage caused by LPS. This is the first report of the synergistic anti-inflammatory activities of AOS fractions. The result revealed that AOS without separation and purification showed a favorable anti-inflammatory activity, which was easy to be produced and had potential application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agar, agarose, and agaropectin were extracted from the red alga Ahnfeltia plicata, and their properties and structures were characterized. Agar was extracted by a comparatively low alkaline consumption of 1.2%. It exhibited a gel strength of 1 152.50±74.25 g/cm2 and a sulfate content of 0.55%±0.08%. The yield of agar from A. plicata was 24.53%, which is higher than those of other agarophytes commonly used in China. Three kinds of the method were compared for the purification of agarose, and the physicochemical properties of agarose that was prepared under the optimal condition were identical to those of commercially available agarose. Furthermore, agaropectin was purified from A. plicata and characterized by GC, HPLC, UV-spectrum, and FI-IR to understand its composition and structure. It was the first time to comprehensively study the agar and its fractions from the red alga of A. plicata. This research provided an eco-friendly agar extraction method from A. plicata and revealed its potential application for the production of agar, agarose, and agaropectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, variations in the biochemical composition of two Sargassum fusiforme strains (SF-1 and SF-2) with different vesicle shapes collected during harvest period were analyzed. Compared with several other algae, S. fusiforme (commonly known as Hijiki) can be recommended as a nutritious food for its high levels of minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phlorotannins, fucoidan, and alginate. Comparison of the two strains indicated that there were significant differences between the contents and characteristics of some components. The alginate content of SF-1 (15.46-26.30%) was higher than that of SF-2 (14.97-24.40%), while the alginate with highest molecular weight and viscosity was obtained from SF-2 (3.77 × 106 g mol−1, 226.2 mPa s). The content of fucoidan of SF-2 (5.30-11.60%) was higher than that of SF-1 (6.11-7.87%). On the other hand, the phlorotannin content of SF-1 (17.55-48.91 mg g−1) was higher than that of SF-2 (28.28-39.76 mg g−1), and a higher purity of fucoxanthin could be obtained from SF-1 (80.59-92.40%) than that from SF-2 (72.50-84.14%). Analysis of fatty acid composition indicated that EPA and α-linolenic acid were more abundant in SF-1, whereas arachidonic acid was more abundant in SF-2. The highest content of various nutrients existed in different strains and different periods. So, strain and the time of harvest can be selected according to the purpose of utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agarophytes are important seaweeds of the Rhodophyta type, which have been highly exploited for industrial use as sources of a widely consumed polysaccharide of agar. In addition to that, sulfated galactans (SGs) from agarophytes, which consist of various functional sulfate groups, have attracted the attention of scientists in current studies. SGs possess various biological activities, such as anti-tumor, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-diarrhea, and gut microbiota regulation properties. Meanwhile, the taxonomy, ecological factors, i.e., environmental factors, and harvest period, as well as preparation methods, i.e., the pretreatment, extraction, and purification conditions, have been found to influence the chemical compositions and fine structures of SGs, which have, further, been shown to have an impact on their biological activities. However, the gaps in the knowledge of the properties of SGs due to the above complex factors have hindered their industrial application. The aim of this paper is to collect and systematically review the scientific evidence about SGs and, thus, to pave the way for broader and otherwise valuable industrial applications of agarophytes for human enterprise. In the future, this harvested biomass could be sustainably used not only as a source of agar production but also as natural materials in functional food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fermentation caused the increase of antioxidant activity of Saccharina japonica (SJ). • Glu in SJ was converted into GABA and the contents of EAAs increased after fermentation. • A sensory lexicon of fermented SJ was established and 14 odor attributes were screened. • 46 volatile compounds were detected and showed positive correlation with odor attributes. • SJ fermented for 4–6 days showed the best flavor properties. This study evaluated the efficacy of Monascus purpureus fermentation on Saccharina japonica (SJ). Healthy substances and antioxidant activity of fermented SJ (FSJ) were determined. Results showed that fermentation caused the release of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which resulted in the enhancement of antioxidant activity. Essential amino acids and γ-aminobutyric acid also greatly accumulated in FSJ. Sensory evaluation and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) were used to evaluate flavor properties of FSJ. A lexicon consisted of 24 descriptors was established for SJ and FSJ, of which 14 descriptors were regarded as odor attributes. A total of 46 volatile compounds were identified by GC-IMS and showed positive correlation with odor attributes. Fifteen volatile compounds were screened as key compounds, tricarboxylic acid cycle, embden-meyerhof-parnas and amino acid catabolism were main formation metabolisms of them. Advanced properties of FSJ indicated that fermentation is a promising approach for the production of SJ food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable elastomer, bioinspired oxygen carriers, biomaterials, concave core-shell particles, membrane emulsification, perfluorocarbon, red blood cells The particles have a perfluorooctyl bromide core of high oxygen solubility and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) shell, which is thin and highly deformable. Keywords: biodegradable elastomer; bioinspired oxygen carriers; biomaterials; concave core-shell particles; membrane emulsification; perfluorocarbon; red blood cells EN biodegradable elastomer bioinspired oxygen carriers biomaterials concave core-shell particles membrane emulsification perfluorocarbon red blood cells 1 1 1 03/14/22 20220301 NES 220301 B Glass Membrane Emulsification b Inspired by human red blood cells, Taichi Ito and colleagues develop novel concave-shaped core-shell particles as oxygen carriers using the Shirasu porous glass membrane emulsification in article number 2100573. [Extracted from the article]

• The differences of AOs obtained by chemical and enzymatic degradation. • The summary of separation, purification methods, and structure of AOs. • The summary of series of biological activities of AOs like antioxidant, etc. • Correlation between biological activities of AOs with Mw, DP and sulfate group. Agar, a gelatinous polysaccharide which is in the cell wall of many red algae, is widely used as food and gelling agent. Agar oligosaccharides (AOs), the hydrolysate of agar, show much more kinds of bio-activities because of its lower molecular weight, better water solubility and higher absorption efficiency. It is indicated that AOs with different structure and degree of polymerization, i.e. series of agaro-oligosaccharides and neoagaro-oligosaccharides, can be obtained under different preparation conditions. In addition, the biological activities of AOs are diversely and closely correlated to the composition and structure. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the preparation, structural characteristics and bio-activities of AOs, so as to provide a reference for applications of AOs as marine natural products in pharmacological, cosmetics and nutraceutical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand the seasonal variations in the phytoplankton community structure in the Bohai Sea (BS) and the North Yellow Sea (NYS), we carried out three cruises during 12 to 24 April 2019, 8 to 18 June 2019, and 12 to 22 October 2019. A total of 212 taxa (75 genera and three phyla) were identified, among which 83 taxa in 40 genera, 96 taxa in 43 genera, and 151 taxa in 62 genera were found in spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. Diatoms including Paralia sulcata and Coscinodiscus granii were the most dominant phytoplankton group during the three seasons, while several species of dinoflagellates, e.g., Scrippsiella troichoidea, Tripos massiliensis f. armatus, Gyrodinium spirale, and Prorocentrum minimum were found in warmer, saltier, and nutrient-poor waters. The diversity index of phytoplankton community was highest in autumn and lowest in summer. Based on cluster and multidimensional scaling analyses, the phytoplankton community of the BS and the NYS was divided into three ecological provinces: the BS, the coastal area, and the NYS. These three ecological provinces differed in physicochemical properties induced by the complicated water masses and circulations. Due to the influence of nutrient concentration, the phytoplankton diversity had the highest value in autumn, followed by spring, and the smallest in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloride content is a critical factor influencing the corrosion of steel fibers in concrete. This study focused on the corrosion behaviors of steel fibers exposed to simulated concrete pore solutions with different chloride contents. The corrosion rates of the steel fibers were calculated based on the changes in the diameter and ultimate tensile load. The electrochemical parameters for the corrosion of the steel fibers were continuously monitored for 62 days. In addition, the surface micromorphologies of the corroded steel fibers were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that based on the change in the diameter, the corrosion rate of the steel fibers increased almost linearly when the NaCl content in the simulated solution increased from 2% to 5%. However, based on the variation of the ultimate tensile load, the corrosion ratio of the steel fibers increased linearly with the increase in the exposure time when the NaCl content was less than 3%, while it increased exponentially when the NaCl content exceeded 3%. According to the open circuit potential, Tafel polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the corrosion tendency and corrosion rates of the steel fibers exposed to the simulated solutions increased significantly when the NaCl content increased from 2% to 5%. Additionally, the corrosion damage on the surfaces of the steel fibers increased notably, and after 180 days of exposure to the simulated solution with 5% NaCl, the steel fiber was almost broken. These findings will help to understand the durability of SFRC in a chloride environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fucoidan (LJSF4) purified from Saccharina japonica was found to show a strong anti-inflammatory effect via activity assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and zebrafish. Chemical and structural analysis indicated that LJSF4 with a sulfate content of 30.72% was composed of fucose, galactose, rhamnose, xylose and mannose with molar ratio percentages of 79.49%, 16.76%, 0.82%, 1.08% and 1.84%. NMR spectroscopy showed that LJSF4 is a polysaccharide with a backbone of alternating 1 → 3 linked α- l -fucopyranosyl and →4-α- l -fucopyranosyl with sulfate groups mainly at C–4 and partially at C–2 positions. Moreover, it also contained branches in the form of β- d -Galp-(1 → 4) units. The results of anti-inflammatory effect in vitro demonstrated that LJSF4 decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. The mechanism revealed to be associated with the down-regulated expression of signal pathways including MAPK and NF-κB. By in vivo assay, LJSF4 showed a significantly protective effect by reducing the cell death rate, and the production of NO and ROS on LPS exposed zebrafish. Our results indicated that LJSF4 has the potential to be developed as an anti-inflammatory agent applied in functional food and cosmetic industries. • A novel fucose-rich fucoidan named as LJSF4 was purified from Saccharina japonica. • The chemical composition and structural characteristics of LJSF4 were investigated. • LJSF4 inhibited production of NO and pro-inflammatory mediators, and levels of iNOS, COX-2 on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. • The mechanism of anti-inflammatory properties was associated with the suppression of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. • LJSF4 showed significantly protective effect by reducing the production of NO and ROS in LPS-induced zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypehnol is an important, potentially bioactive component of Sargassum muticum. In this study, ultrasonic assisted extraction of polyphenol-rich substances was performed using a 38% ethanol solution at a solid:liquid ratio of 1:30 at 68°C for 32 min, determined by single-factor and response surface methodology (RSM) optimization. The content of polyphenol was 5.66 mg/g in the crude extract. Further extraction showed that the polyphenol mainly distributed in ethyl acetate (SKEE) and water phases (SKEW). The anti-oxidation test by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum showed that the SKEE had the strongest scavenging activity on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and alkyl radicals. SKEE was shown non-cytotoxic but could inhibit the generation of cellular ROS, showing protective effects in H2O2 and AAPH-induced Vero cells and UV-B irradiated HaCaT cells. SKEE also significantly inhibited the release of NO of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, the polyphenol-rich extracts in ethanol and ethyl acetate showed excellent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which is beneficial to the development of high-value bio-substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the impact of binary orbital motions on the dynamical modeling of dwarf galaxies with intrinsic line-of-sight velocity dispersions ( σ v r ) of 1–9 km s−1. Using dwarf galaxies from the auriga level-2 and level-3 simulations, we apply the Jeans Anisotropic Multi-Gaussian Expansion modeling to tracer stars before and after including binaries to recover the dynamical masses. The recovered total masses within the half-mass radius of tracers, M (< r half), are always inflated due to binary motions, with greater inflations occurring for smaller σ v r . However, many dwarf galaxies experience central density deflated due to binary motions, with little dependence on σ v r . This is due to the negative radial gradients in the velocity dispersion profiles, with the fractional inflation in σ v r due to binaries more significant in outskirts. An extreme binary fraction of 70% can lead to central density deflation of up to 10%–20% at 3 km s−1 < σ v r < 8 km s−1, with M (< r half) inflated by 4% at 9 km s−1 and up to 15% at 3 km s−1. A lower binary fraction of 36% leads to similar deflations, with the inflations decreasing to approximately 10% at 3 km s−1 and becoming statistically insignificant. The choice of binary orbit distribution models does not result in significant differences, and observational errors tend to slightly weaken the deflations in the recovered central density. Two observations separated by 1 yr to exclude binaries lead to almost zero inflations/deflations for a binary fraction of 36% over 3 km s−1 < σ v r < 9 km s−1. For σ v r ∼ 1 km s−1 to 3 km s−1, a binary fraction of 70% (36%) still results in 60% (30%) to 10% (1%) of inflations in M (< r half), even with two-epoch observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Selenocystine (SeC) is a nutritionally available selenoamino acid presenting novel anticancer potential against human cancers. However, neither the effects nor mechanism of SeC against choriocarcinoma growth has been clarified yet. This study investigated the anticancer effects and mechanism of SeC against JEG-3 human choriocarcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo.Materials and Methods: The in vitro anticancer efficiency was evaluated with cell viability, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. JEG-3 cell viability was determined with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometric analysis. Oxidative damage was detected with immunofluorescence and western blotting. The in vivo anticancer efficiency was evaluated in immunodeficient mouse model of choriocarcinoma. The mechanism was also investigated.Results: SeC dose and time dependently inhibited the viability of JEG-3 cells in vitro. The result of flow cytometry (FCM) analysis showed that obvious S-phase arrest and cell apoptosis were initiated by SeC in JEG-3 cells, which was further convinced by the decreased levels of cyclin A, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage, and activation of caspase-3,-7, and-9. In addition, SeC resulted in significant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anion, followed by the activation of DNA damage. However, SeC-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis were effectively blocked after ROS inhibition. Further investigation indicated that SeC effectively suppressed JEG-3 choriocarcinoma tumor xenograft growth in vivo. The mechanism may be the induction of cell apoptosis and oxidative damage through inhibiting cell proliferation (Ki-67) and angiogenesis (CD-31).Conclusions: Our findings supported that human choriocarcinoma growth could be inhibited by SeC in vitro and in vivo through triggering oxidative damage-mediated S-phase arrest and apoptosis. Thus, SeC may be promising in the treatment of human choriocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel hemoglobin-based artificial oxygen carriers are necessary in tissue engineering. We developed human hemoglobin (hHb) and albumin (HSA)-based microspheres using Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification. The obtained microspheres had a uniform size with an average diameter of 15.1 μm measured by optical microscope, which is similar to the diameter of human red blood cells (7–8 μm). The loading amount of hHb in the microspheres was 20 wt%, which is similar to that of red blood cells (33 wt%). The hHb–HSA microspheres showed similar oxygen dissociation behavior and methemoglobin formation resistance to native hHb. Incubation with genetically engineered HeLa cells that shows hypoxia-responsive EGFP expression demonstrated efficient oxygen supply from the microspheres. Our study suggests the utility of hHb–HSA microspheres as oxygen carriers for tissue engineering with a low risk of infectious disease. Graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfated polysaccharides isolated from seaweeds are thought of as ideal ingredients in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries. Our previous study isolated and characterized sulfated polysaccharides from Padina boryana. The sulfated polysaccharides of Padina boryana (PBP) were extracted, and the antioxidant activity of PBP was evaluated. The results indicate that PBP possesses antioxidant effects and potential in the cosmetic industry. To further investigate the potential of PBP in cosmetics, the photoprotective and anti-melanogenesis effects of PBP were evaluated. The anti-melanogenesis test results display that PBP reduced the melanin content in the murine melanoma cells stimulated by alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone from 203.7% to 183.64%, 144.63%, and 127.57% at concentrations of 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. The anti-photodamage test results showed that PBP significantly protected skin cells against UVB-stimulated photodamage. PBP suppressed human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) death by inhibiting apoptosis and reducing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The intracellular reactive oxygen species level of HaCaT cells irradiated by UVB was reduced from 192.67% to 181.22%, 170.25%, and 160.48% by 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL PBP, respectively. In addition, PBP remarkably reduced UVB-induced human dermal fibroblast damage by suppressing oxidative damage, inhibiting collagen degradation, and attenuating inflammatory responses. These results indicate that PBP possesses photoprotective and anti-melanogenesis activities and suggest that PBP is a potential ingredient in the cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agar and sulfated galactans were isolated from the red seaweeds Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and Gelidium amansii . A previously purified arylsulfatase from Marinomonas sp. FW-1 was used to remove sulfate groups in agar and sulfated galactans. After enzymatic desulfation, the sulfate content decreased to about 0.16% and gel strength increased about two folds. Moreover, there was no difference between the DNA electrophoresis spectrum on the gel of the arylsulfatase-treated agar and that of the commercial agarose. In order to reveal the desulfation ratio and site, chemical and structural identification of sulfated galactan were carried out. G. amansii sulfated galactan with 7.4% sulfated content was composed of galactose and 3,6-anhydro- l -galactose. Meanwhile, G. lemaneiformis sulfated galactan with 8.5% sulfated content was composed of galactose, 3,6-anhydro- l -galactose, 2- O -methyl-3,6-anhydro- l -galactose and xylose. Data from 13 C NMR, FT-IR, GC–MS provided evidence of sulfate groups at C-4 and C-6 of d-galactose and C-6 of l-galactose both in GRAP and GEAP. Data from GC–MS revealed that desulfation was carried out by the arylsulfatase at the sulfate bonds at C-4 and C-6 of d-galactose and C-6 of l-galactose, with a desulfation ratio of 83.4% and 86.0% against GEAP and GRAP, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies have evaluated the bioactivities of a fucoidan isolated from Sargassum fusiforme (SF-F). To further investigate the health benefit of SF-F, in the present study, the protective effect of SF-F against ethanol (EtOH)-induced oxidative damage has been evaluated in in vitro and in vivo models. SF-F effectively improved the viability of EtOH-treated Chang liver cells by suppressing apoptosis. In addition, the in vivo test results indicate that SF-F significantly and dose-dependently increased the survival rate of zebrafish treated with EtOH. Further research results show that this action works through decreasing cell death via reduced lipid peroxidation by scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species in EtOH-stimulated zebrafish. These results indicate that SF-F effectively protected Chang liver cells and zebrafish against EtOH-induced oxidative damage and suggest the potential of SF-F to be used as an ingredient in the functional food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant activity of previously purified fucoidan fraction, LJSF4, from Saccharina japonica were evaluated in Vero cells and zebrafish. LJSF4 effectively reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and cell death stimulated by 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) in Vero cells. Further studies indicated that the antioxidant activity was caused by up-regulating catalase and superoxide dismutase levels in AAPH-treated Vero cells. In addition, LJSF4 significantly suppressed AAPH-induced oxidative damage in zebrafish by improving survival and heartbeat disorder of the zebrafish embryo as well as reducing the levels of ROS, cell death, and lipid peroxidation in AAPH-treated juvenile zebrafish. By exploring the structure–activity relationship, it was found that the sulfate content, fucose content and molecular weight of fucoidan were important factors affecting LJSF4 activity. The excellent protective effect of LJSF4 indicated its potential application as anti-oxidative reagent in functional food and cosmetic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoidans isolated from brown seaweeds are potential ingredients in the cosmetic industry. In our preosvious study, a fucoidan was isolated from the brown seaweed Turbinaria ornata (TO-F10) and the anti-inflammatory effect of TO-F10 was evaluated. In order to further explore the potential of TO-F10 in cosmetics, in the present study, antioxidant and photoprotective effects of TO-F10 were investigated. TO-F10 remarkably protected Vero cells against AAPH-stimulated cell death by reducing apoptosis via scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, TO-F10 increased the survival rate of AAPH-treated zebrafish by suppressing oxidative stress displayed in reducing the levels of ROS, cell death, and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, TO-F10 effectively attenuated UVB-induced in vitro and in vivo photodamage. TO-F10 increased the viability of UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes via suppressing apoptosis by reducing the intracellular ROS level. Besides, TO-F10 effectively attenuated in vivo photodamage stimulated by UVB irradiation via inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response in zebrafish. These results demonstrate that TO-F10 possesses in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and photoprotective effects, and suggest TO-F10 is a potential ingredient in the cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoidans possess potent anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of the fucoidan (SFF-PS-F5) isolated from fermented Sargassum fusiforme was evaluated in vitro in RAW 264.7 macrophages and in vivo in zebrafish. The in vitro test results demonstrate that SFF-PS-F5 effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in RAW 264.7 cells. SFF-PS-F5 effectively and concentration-dependently improved the viability of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and reduced the level of prostaglandin E 2 , interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6. Further results display that these effects were actioned by suppressing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 via regulating the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. The in vivo test results indicate that SFF-PS-F5 remarkably reduced reactive oxygen species, cell death, and NO levels in LPS-treated zebrafish. These results indicate that SFF-PS-F5 could inhibit both in vitro and in vivo inflammatory responses and suggest it is a functional ingredient in the functional food and cosmetic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study successfully prepared an edible packaging film that rapidly dissolves in water by utilizing a combination of κ-carrageenan, carboxymethyl starch, and gum ghatti. We investigated the influence of these three materials on the microstructure and physical properties of the film, as well as the impact of the film's dissolution on the stability of beverages. SEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses revealed that the κ-carrageenan, carboxymethyl starch, and gum ghatti primarily interacted through hydrogen bonding, resulting in a more uniform and dense film structure. Surface hydrophilicity and swelling tests indicated an increased presence of hydrophilic groups in the composite film. The inclusion of carboxymethyl starch and gum ghatti significantly improves the film's physical properties, resulting in a notable reduction in water solubility time, an increase in elongation at break from 19.5 % to 26.0 %, a rise in the contact angle from 49.1° to 67.0°, and a decrease in water vapor permeability from 7.5 × 10–10 to 6.2 × 10–10 g/m·s·Pa. Furthermore, coffee packaging bags made from this composite film dissolved entirely in hot water in just 40 s. Dissolving these bags significantly improved the stability of instant coffee, reducing centrifugal sedimentation from 3.8 % to 1.7 %. This study highlights the substantial potential of the κ-carrageenan/carboxymethyl starch/gum ghatti composite film as a packaging material for solid beverages. • Successfully developed an edible water-soluble film using natural raw materials. • The addition of CMS and GG improved the microstructure of κ-carrageenan films. • Packaging bags with KCG film shows excellent storage and dissolution properties. • The dissolution of KCG composite film can enhance the stability of solid beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a fucoidan (SFF-PS-F5) with a molecular weight of 213.33 kDa was isolated from fermented Sargassum fusiforme and the antioxidant activity of SFF-PS-F5 was investigated in vitro in Vero cells and in vivo in zebrafish. SFF-PS-F5 contains 91.68% of fucoidan (72.06% of carbohydrate and 19.62% of sulfate content). SFF-PS-F5 protected hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2)-stimulated Vero cells damage by suppressing apoptosis via scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by up-regulating the intracellular antioxidants. Further results indicated that these actions worked by elevating Nrf2 levels. The in vivo test results displayed that SFF-PS-F5 improved the survival rate by attenuating cell death via suppressing lipid peroxidation by scavenging ROS in H 2 O 2 -stimulated zebrafish. These results indicated that SFF-PS-F5 isolated from S. fusiforme possesses potent in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects and it is a potential ingredient in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, variations in the chemical composition of Costaria costata collected during 3 months of the harvest period were analyzed. Moisture (4.94-10.50 %), ash (29.25-38.19 %), protein (9.77-18.15 %), lipid (0.60-2.21 %), crude fiber (4.45-5.68 %), alginate (22.49-29.13 %), fucoxanthin (0.07-0.32 mg g), polyphenol (1.579-4.796 mg g) were analyzed from dried alga. Six mineral elements were analyzed and the most abundant were calcium (6.64-11.56 mg g) and magnesium (7.02-7.92 mg g). Analysis of fatty acid composition indicated that the polyunsaturated fatty acids palmitoleic acid and linoleic acid were abundant in May and June, whereas the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid was abundant in July. Amino acid composition was also analyzed and the most abundant amino acids were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and alanine. The ratio of mannuronic acid to guluronic acid of alginate was 2.57, 2.17, and 1.66 in May, June, and July, respectively. The gel strength of alginate was 1,449.0, 1,935.0, and 980.5 g cm in May, June, and July, respectively. The results of this study indicate that C. costata is an excellent resource that provides extensively applications in the industrial areas of chemicals, food, cosmetics, and pharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton blooms can be an important source of autochthonous chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in surface oceans. Here we report the first detection and optical characterization of CDOM produced during a Dictyocha fibula bloom occurring in the western central Bohai Sea in mid-summer 2019. The mean CDOM absorption coefficient at 330 nm (a CDOM (330)) in the surface water of the bloom area (3.16 ± 0.48 m−1) was 2.5 times higher than that of the adjacent bloom-absent area (1.26 ± 0.34 m−1). The a CDOM (330) increased exponentially to a maximum with increasing chlorophyll a and cell abundance of D. fibula , indicating a steady state was reached between production and consumption of CDOM. The biological index (BIX) of the fluorescent DOM (FDOM) showed little variation between bloom and background areas. The combination of these observations points to an extensive production of autochthonous CDOM by D. fibula in the bloom area. Mass budgeting indicates that the CDOM source from D. fibula (a CDOM (330): 1.98 ± 0.48 m−1) accounted for 63% of the CDOM stock in the bloom area. The spectral slope coefficients over 275–295 nm (S 275 – 295) in the bloom area (range: 0.0228–0.0241 nm−1; mean: 0.0235 nm−1) were substantially lower than those in the bloom-absent area (range: 0.0240–0.0311 nm−1; mean: 0.0271 nm−1), suggesting a high-molecular-weight nature of the D. fibula -derived CDOM. The freshly produced CDOM contained two humic-like FDOM components and one protein-like FDOM component, and the three FDOM components were depleted in fresh CDOM relative to their counterparts in CDOM within the background area. Owing to the episodic nature of algal bloom-driven CDOM production, future attention should be paid to accelerated biogeochemical cycles (e.g., spiked oceanic trace gas emission) associated with CDOM photochemistry during algal blooms which can be easily missed for pre-scheduled field surveys. • Large production of CDOM was detected during a Dictyocha fibula bloom • CDOM production increased with cell abundance of D. fibula and chlorophyll a • D. fibula -derived CDOM possessed low absorption spectral slope coefficients • D. fibula -derived CDOM was depleted with fluorescent materials [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory effect of a fucoidan with a molecular weight of 102.67 kDa isolated from an enzymatic digest of Sargassum fusiforme was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish. The results indicated that the fucoidan significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the production of inflammatory molecules, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as improved the viability of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, the fucoidan suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by regulating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, in vivo test results suggested that the fucoidan remarkably reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell death, and NO levels in LPS-stimulated zebrafish in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the fucoidan isolated from S. fusiforme possesses strong anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo, and could prove as an important candidate to be used to develop anti-inflammatory agents in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the current study included characterizing the intestinal transport mechanism of polystyrene microplastics (MPs) with different charges and sizes in the intestinal epithelial cell model and determining the inhibitory effect of green tea extracts (GTEs) on the intestinal absorption of MPs in Caco-2 cells. The smaller sizes, which included diameters of 0.2 μm, of amine-modified MPs compared to either larger size (1 μm diameter, or carboxylate-MPs (0.2 and 1 μm diameter) significantly lowered the cell viability of caco-2 cells that were measured by MTT assay (p < 0.05). The transported amount (particles/mL of the cell media) of amine-modified MPs by the Caco-2 cell, was not dependent according to the concentrations, energy, or temperature, but it was higher than the carboxylate-modified MPs. The co-treatment of GTEs with the amine-modified MPs inhibited Caco-2 cell cytotoxicity as well as reduced the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 generated by the exposure of amine-modified MPs. The GTEs co-treatment also increased trans-epithelial electrical resistances (TEER) and reduced the transportation of Lucifer Yellow via the Caco-2 monolayer compared to only the amine-modified MPs exposure. The GTEs treatment led to a decrease in the number of amine-modified MPs transported to the basal side of the Caco-2 monolayer. The results from our study suggest that the consumption of GTEs could enhance the intestinal barrier function by recovering intestinal epithelial cell damage induced by MPs, which resulted in a decrease of the intestinal absorption of MPs. • Polystyrene microplastics (MPs) induced Caco-2 cell cytotoxicity. • Smaller and positive charged MPs was more toxic to intestinal epithelial cells. • Co-treatment of GTE with MPs alleviated cytotoxicity induced by MPs. • Co-treatment of GTEs with MPs reduced production of reactive oxygen species. • GTEs increased cellular integrity, recovering intestinal epithelial cell damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the efficacy of fermentation on Saccharina japonica (SJ). Changes of fucoidan, heavy metals, iodine and flavor profiles of fermented SJ (FSJ) were determined. Results showed that fermentation decreased the yield and molecular weight of fucoidan and increased the levels of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity of fucoidan also increased. It is notable that the fermentation process resulted in a significant reduction of iodine, lead, chromium and cadmium. The flavor properties of SJ during the fermentation process were evaluated. A total of 44 volatile compounds were identified which were correlated with the odor attributes of FSJ. FSJ fermented for five days (FSJ-5) showed the highest overall score for desirable aroma properties dominated by "fruity" and "sweet" odors. The results proved that fermentation is a promising methodology to improve the bioactivity, safety and flavor properties of SJ. • Fermentation could change the structural properties of fucoidan. • The antioxidant activity of fucoidan increased after fermentation. • Levels of iodine and heavy metals of fermented Saccharina japonica (SJ) decreased. • SJ fermented for 5 days showed the highest score of "fruity" and "sweet" odor characteristics. • 44 volatile compounds were detected with a positive correlation to odor attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4) has emerged as a promising anti-diabetic target due to its function in improvement of insulin secretion and insulin resistance. The FFA4 agonist TUG-891 revealed great potential as a widely used pharmacological tool, but it has been suffered from high plasma clearance probably because the phenylpropanoic acid is vulnerable to β-oxidation. To identify metabolically stable analog without influence on physiological mechanism of TUG-891, we tried to incorporate deuterium at the α-position of phenylpropionic acid to afford compound 4 (GPU-028). As expected, GPU-028 revealed a longer half-life ( T 1/2  = 1.66 h), lower clearance (CL = 0.97 L/h/kg) and higher maximum plasma concentration ( C max  = 2035.23 μg/L), resulting in a 4-fold higher exposure than TUG-891. Although GPU-028 exhibited a similar agonistic activity in comparison to TUG-891, the hypoglycemic effect of GPU-028 was better than that of TUG-891 after treatment over four weeks in diet-induced obese mice. These positive results indicated that GPU-028 might be a better pharmacological tool than TUG-891 to explore physiological function of FFA4, especially on the in vivo study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, rapid and sensitive multi-residue analytical method was developed and validated for 80 veterinary drugs in Oplegnathus punctatus using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The analytes belong to 12 different families include benzimidazoles, β-lactams, lincosamides, macrolides, nitromidazoles, quinolones, sulfonamides and trimethoprim, tetracyclines, triphenylmethane dyes, amphenicols, nonsteroidal estrogens and steroid hormones. The sample preparation was optimized base on QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) procedure. A very simple and sufficient preparation procedure without salting-out and complex clean-up process was studied. It had been proved that water in the extract was helpful for extracting hydrophilic compounds and precipitating the lipids during the subsequent cleaning process. In addition, an appropriate percent of methanol was necessary to some analytes. Finally, a mixture of acetonitrile, methanol and water (3:1:1, v/v/v) which include 1% acetic acid and 10 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt 2-hydrate was selected as the extraction solvent, and the clean-up step consisted of a low temperature procedure and two times of high-speed centrifugation to deproteinize and remove lipids. The detection and quantification of all compounds were performed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode. This methodology was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and SANTE/11945/2015. The recoveries ranged from 60.74%–109.85% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 20%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.25–25 ug/kg, for the analytes which the MRL or MRPL had been established in fish tissue, the LOQs were all lower than their own legal tolerances. The values of decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were in the range of 1.91–1001.13 ug/kg and 3.52–1002.26 ug/kg, respectively. This validated method has been successfully applied on the determination of veterinary drugs in real commercial oplegnathus punctatus samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced film water resistance of paper cups was achieved by physically blending sodium alginate (NaAlg) and gellan gum with crosslinking treatment. Pure and blended films were prepared and characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Results demonstrated excellent compatibility between the two polysaccharides. Total mixed solution concentration, component ratio, glycerol content, Ca 2+ concentration, crosslinking time, and dry temperature affected water resistance. Water permeability (WP) and swelling degree (SD) were tested. Optimal conditions were as follows: total mixed solution concentration, 2.4% (m/v); component ratio, 2:1; glycerol content, 0.5% (m/v); Ca 2+ concentration, 5% (m/v); crosslinking time, 5 min; and dry temperature, 50 °C. WP and SD values were 78.1 × 10 −8 g/msPa and 66.3%, respectively. Properties of the films showed the synergistic effect between NaAlg and gellan, which can be used for water-resistant film coating on paper cups for hot drinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bacterial strain capable of hydrolyzing sulfate ester bonds of p-nitrophenyl sulfate ( pNPS) and agar was isolated from the coast area of Qingdao, China. It was identified as Marinomonas based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence and named as Marinomonas sp. FW-1. An arylsulfatase with a recovery of 13 % and a fold of 12 was purified to a homogeneity using ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide chain with the molecular mass of 33 kDa estimated using SDS-PAGE. The optimal pH and temperature of arylsulfatase were pH 9.0 and 45, respectively. Arylsulfatase was stable over pH 8-11 and at temperature below 55 °C. The K and V of this enzyme for the hydrolysis of pNPS were determined to be 13.73 and 270.27 μM/min, respectively. The desulfation ratio against agar from red seaweed Gelidium amansii and Gracilaria lemaneiformis were 86.11 and 89.61 %, respectively. There was no difference between the DNA electrophoresis spectrum on the gel of the arylsulfatase-treated G. amansii agar and that of the commercial agarose. Therefore, this novel alkaline arylsulfatase might have a great potential for application in enzymatic conversion of agar to agarose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher quantities of arsenic (As) in Sargassum fusiforme limit its use as a food ingredient. The present study aimed to reduce As in S. fusiforme using sequential processing involving hot water, citric acid, and fermentation. The As content in S. fusiforme of 76.18 mg/kg was reduced to 30.47 mg/kg and 24.45 mg/kg using hot water and citric acid processing, respectively. However, the As content in S. fusiforme was reduced to 9.09 mg/kg by sequential processing with hot water and citric acid. Using response surface methodology, optimal processing conditions for S. fusiforme were determined to be treatment with hot water at 60 °C for 120 min followed by treatment with 0.4% citric acid. To further reduce the As content, the processed S. fusiforme was fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus , and the As content was further reduced to 1.64 mg/kg. In addition, the levels of organic acids and amino acids in S. fusiforme pre- and post-fermentation were significantly altered. These results indicated that the As content in S. fusiforme could be effectively reduced using the sequential processing with hot water, citric acid, and L. rhamnosus fermentation, and the organic acid and amino acid levels were significantly altered by L. rhamnosus fermentation. [Display omitted] • The As in S. fusiforme were effectively reduced by sequential processing involving hot water, and fermentation. • The optimal processing conditions for S. fusiforme were determined using response surface methodology. • The As in S. fusiforme could be reduced from 76.18 mg/kg to 1.64 mg/kg by sequential processing using hot water, citric acid, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus fermentation. • The metabolites of S. fusiforme were significantly altered after fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water vapor permeability (WVP) of films is important when developing pharmaceutical applications. Films are frequently used as coatings, and as such directly influence the quality of the medicine. The optimization of processing conditions for sodium alginate films was investigated using response surface methodology. Single-factor tests and Box-Behnken experimental design were employed. WVP was selected as the response variable, and the operating parameters for the single-factor tests were sodium alginate concentration, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) concentration and CaCl 2 solution immersion time. The coefficient of determination ( R2) was 0.97, indicating statistical significance. A minimal WVP of 0.389 8 g·mm/(m 2·h·kPa) was achieved under the optimum conditions. These were found to be a sodium alginate concentration, CMC concentration and CaCl 2 solution immersion time at 8.04%, 0.13%, and 12 min, respectively. This provides a reference for potential applications in manufacturing film-coated hard capsule shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is the largest organ of humans. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) is the primary environmental factor that causes skin damage. The compound, (-)-loliode, isolated from the brown seaweed Sargassum horneri, showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro and in vivo models. To further explore the potential of (-)-loliode in cosmetics, in the present study, we investigated the photoprotective effect of (-)-loliode in vitro in skin cells and in vivo in zebrafish. The results indicated that (-)-loliode significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, improved cell viability, and suppressed apoptosis of UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes. In addition, (-)-loliode remarkably attenuated oxidative damage, improved collagen synthesis, and inhibited matrix metalloproteinases expression in UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, the in vivo test demonstrated that (-)-loliode effectively and dose-dependently suppressed UVB-induced zebrafish damage displayed in decreasing the levels of ROS, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, and cell death in UVB-irradiated zebrafish. These results indicate that (-)-loliode possesses strong photoprotective activities and suggest (-)-loliode may an ideal ingredient in the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic plankton are important parts of the marine biome and play an important role in maintaining the stability of marine ecosystems. In order to characterize the eukaryotic plankton communities in the South Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (CWM) and the South Yellow Sea nearshore waters (NW) in October 2019, Illumina high–throughput sequencing was performed using the 18S rDNA V9 region as the target gene. Environmental factors (depth, pH, salinity, temperature, Chl a, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, silicate, phosphate) in two sea areas were measured, and their correlations with abundance and diversity of eukaryotic plankton were analyzed. A total of 807 species of plankton were identified, of which 663 species in 24 categories were from the CWM area, and 614 species in 26 categories were from NW. The total phytoplankton abundance in CWM waters was higher than that in NW. Dinophyta and Bacillariophyta were the most abundant phyla of phytoplankton in the two areas. Arthropoda and Cnidaria were the major zooplankton taxa. The dominant fungal population was mainly Basidiomycota. Both the CWM and NW have effects on dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations and plankton abundance. Environmental factor correlation analysis showed that the concentration of dissolved inorganic nutrients within the CWM increased with water depth and the abundance of plankton gradually increased. Ammonium salts, nitrates, phosphates, silicates and water depth were important factors affecting phytoplankton growth. Phytoplankton abundance increased with increasing concentrations of inorganic nutrients. Bacillariophyta showed a strong positive correlation with silicates and depth. Depth and microscopic phytoplankton abundance were important factors influencing the structure of the zooplankton community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ferric alginate film showed a mighty low transmittance in the UV-irradiation range. • Crosslinking sodium alginate with an EDTA-containing ferric ions solution. • Alg-Fe3+-EDTA film exhibited high transparency and good mechanical properties. • The effect of irradiation time and water environments were investigated. In this study, we fabricated a soft, transparent UV-shielding film (Alg-Fe3+-EDTA) by crosslinking sodium alginate with a ferric ion solution containing EDTA. The obtained films were characterized via SEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD, TG and DTG; the results indicated that the synergistic gelation of ferric alginate and alginic acid existed in Alg-Fe3+-EDTA film. The Alg-Fe3+-EDTA film performance to be optimized under the following conditions: 1.6% Fe3+, 0.8% EDTA, and crosslinking duration of 12 min. The Alg-Fe3+-EDTA film had high visible light transmittance, the UV-C (200–280 nm) and UV-B (280–315 nm) shielding rates were 100%, and the UV-A (315–400 nm) shielding rate was 98.37%; the UPF reached 50+; additionally, the tensile strength and elongation-at-break were 56.85 MPa and 10.45%, respectively, and still have ultraviolet shielding effect under water environments or after strong light irradiation. This work provides an efficient method to improve the optical and mechanical ability of ferric alginate films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microalgal strains were optimized for protein production as alternative to fishmeal. • After optimization, the maximum cultivation time of both strains was 2 days. • Maximum protein productivity for Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 was 0.856 ± 0.025 g/L/d. • Maximum protein productivity for Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 was 0.946 ± 0.065 g/L/d. The expanding aquaculture industry increases the prices of fishmeal, the main protein source in fish diet. A promising alternative is microalgal protein. Therefore, we investigated the protein production capacities of green microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 and Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31. After optimization, the maximum biomass and protein productivities of Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 reached high values of 4.35 ± 0.09 and 0.856 ± 0.025 g/L/d, while that of Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 also reached high values of 4.636 ± 0.10 and 0.946 ± 0.065 g/L/d. The cultivation time for both species was only 2 days, wherein Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 and Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 amassed moderate protein contents of 25.9 ± 1.3% and 26.8 ± 1.3%. The optimum conditions for both species were 50% initial nitrate concentration of Basal medium, 5% CO 2 aeration, and 750 μmol/m2/s light intensity. The high biomass and protein productivities of both species indicated their capability as potential protein sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Provide the theoretical basis to prepare organi C –Nutrient-solution slow-release fertilizers. • Interactions between alginate and amide nitrogen urea are investigated. • Alginate has slow-release effects on urea in aqueous solutions. • Preparation with alginate and urea for soilless culture is feasible. • Slow release of alginate on urea significantly increases the biomass of lettuce. In order to prepare sustained-release organic liquid fertilizer, alginate and amide nitrogen urea were used as materials to study the release of alginate from urea and its application in soilless cultivation. The interactions between alginate and urea in aqueous solutions were investigated based on particle size, zeta-potential, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements. We used ultrafiltration centrifuge tubes to separate the alginate, binary complex of alginate and urea, and free urea. The sustained-release action of alginate was characterized by measuring the content of free urea. XRD and FTIR results revealed that a binary complex between alginate and urea was successfully generated because of non-covalent interaction forces, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic effects. The release efficiency of alginate was 54.58% with urea. These results indicate that alginate is suitable for the slow release of urea in aqueous solutions, which is advantageous for the preparation of soilless algal organic fertilizers. In soilless cultivation experiments, the urea release by alginate was slower, resulting a fresh weight, dry weight, protein content, and soluble sugar content retention after the end of the growth of 23.93, 51.16, 23.76, and 16.32%, respectively. These values were higher than those of the control (P <0.05), increasing the growth and N uptake by the crop plants. This trend increased with time, emphasizing the significant role of alginate in urea retention in soilless cultures. The results demonstrated the potential for soilless culture agriculture and the effectiveness of slow-release alginate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• H. pluvialis is one of the abundant sources for production of natural astaxanthin. • Intensive discussion on the life cycle of H. pluvialis. • Advanced and conventional biorefinery techniques of astaxanthin are evaluated. • The future prospect and challenges were discussed in depth. Haematococcus pluvialis is one of the most abundant sources of natural astaxanthin as compared to others microorganism. Therefore, it is important to understand the biorefinery of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis , starting from the cultivation stage to the downstream processing of astaxanthin. The present review begins with an introduction of cellular morphologies and life cycle of H. pluvialis from green vegetative motile stage to red non-motile haematocyst stage. Subsequently, the conventional biorefinery methods (e.g., mechanical disruption, solvent extraction, direct extraction using vegetable oils, and enhanced solvent extraction) and recent advanced biorefinery techniques (e.g., supercritical CO 2 extraction, magnetic-assisted extraction, ionic liquids extraction, and supramolecular solvent extraction) were presented and evaluated. Moreover, future prospect and challenges were highlighted to provide a useful guide for future development of biorefinery of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis. The review aims to serve as a present knowledge for researchers dealing with the bioproduction of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]