Search

To reveal potent ACE inhibitors, researchers screen various bioactive peptides from several sources, and more attention has been given to aquatic sources. This review summarizes the recent research achievements on marine peptides with ACE-inhibitory action and application. Marine peptides are considered excellent bioactives due to their large structural diversity and unusual bioactivities. The mechanisms by which these marine peptides inhibit ACE include competitive binding to ACEs' active site, interfering with ACE conformational changes, and avoiding the identification of substrates. The unique 3D attributes of marine peptides confer inhibition advantages toward ACE activity. Because IC50 values of marine peptides' interaction with ACE are low, structure-based research assumes that the interaction between ACE and peptides increased the therapeutic application. Numerous studies on marine peptides focused on the sustainable extraction of ACE-inhibitory peptides produced from several fish, mollusks, algae, and sponges. Meanwhile, their potential applications and medical benefits are worth investigating and considering. Due to these peptides exhibiting antioxidant, antihypertensive, and even antimicrobial properties simultaneously, their therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease and other illnesses only increases. In addition, as marine peptides show better pharmacological benefits, they have increased absorption rates and low toxicity and could perhaps be modified for better stability and bioefficacy. Biotechnological advances in peptide synthesis and formulation have greatly facilitated the generation of peptide-based ACE inhibitors from marine sources, which subsequently offer new treatment models. This article gives a complete assessment of the present state of knowledge about marine organism peptides as ACE inhibitors. In addition, it emphasizes the relevance of additional investigation into their mechanisms of action, the optimization of manufacturing processes, and assessment in in vivo, preclinical, and clinical settings, underlining the urgency and value of this study. Using marine peptides for ACE inhibition not only broadens the repertory of bioactive compounds but also shows promise for tackling the global health burden caused by cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel multifunctional film known as susceptor, containing silver nanoparticles, was proposed to improve the induction welding performance of unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polyetherketoneketone (CF/PEKK) thermoplastic composites. A group of Ag/PEKK films was synthesized with different amounts of silver nanoparticles. Good thermal performance was obtained, including the maximum temperature and thermal growth time constant, leading to the selection of films with 60 wt.% and 70 wt.% silver nanoparticles. In addition, the mechanical performance was evaluated for single-lap joints fabricated with the selected films and stainless-steel mesh. Specifically, the highest interlaminar shear strength and single-lap shear strength of 25.2 MPa and 20.9 MPa, respectively, were achieved with a susceptor containing 60 wt.% silver nanoparticles. The mechanism of these increases in thermal and mechanical performance is discussed using numerical and experimental methods (non-destructive test and optical microscope observation). In conclusion, the multifunctional heating film incorporated into the adhesive can improve the thermal and mechanical efficiency of single-lap joints of thermoplastic composites fabricated using the induction welding method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine red alga, Gracilaria eucheumatoides, is economically significant for its agar production and pharmacologically active compounds. This study reveals its complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), sequenced using Illumina's next-generation technology. The mitogenome is a 25,909 bp circular molecule with a G + C content of 27.21%, comprising 24 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 24 transfer RNA genes, and one open reading frame (ORF) with an unidentified function. Both gene structure and composition are highly conserved within Gracilaria. The phylogenetic analyses fully support a close relationship of G. eucheumatoides with other Gracilaria species, as well as its sister relationship with G. urvillei. This mitogenome sequencing effort of G. eucheumatoides provides crucial data for future phylogenetic research on marine red algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiological safety assessment of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) deep geological disposal facilities is essential for ensuring responsible and sustainable nuclear waste management. This study aims to develop a radionuclide transport model using the GoldSim code to simulate radionuclide release from spent nuclear fuel, facilitating the safety assessment of HLW deep geological disposal. Two types of reference South Korea's pressurized water reactor spent nuclear fuels (PWR SNFs), namely PLUS7 and ACE7, were utilized to calculate the radioactive inventory. Due to the absence of a high‐level waste disposal site in Korea, conservative input parameter values were adopted from the relevant literature for the conceptual modeling component. The radiological safety assessment indicated that the reference Korea's PWR SNFs did not exceed 1 mSv/year, even lower than South Korea's natural background rate (2.4 mSv/year). Both C‐14 and I‐129 were identified as the primary contributors to the total exposure dose compared to other radionuclides, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted for these radionuclides. The investigation into the influence of distribution coefficients (Kd) of C‐14 and I‐129 in the buffer and the host rock revealed that the radiological peak dose rate is more affected by the buffer than the host rock. Buffer sorption in the near field was found to significantly reduce the equivalent exposure dose. Overall, this study's findings can inform the establishment of conditions for deep geological disposal and provide quantitative analysis methods using GoldSim for the crucial long‐term safety evaluation of a high‐level waste repository. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the anti-obesity effects of the ethyl acetate extract of Ecklonia cava (EC-ETAC) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, focusing on its impact on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and adipose browning via the HO-1/Nrf2 pathway. Western blot analysis revealed that EC-ETAC significantly inhibited adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1) and lipogenesis-related proteins (FAS, LPL). Concurrently, EC-ETAC enhanced lipolytic markers (p-AMPK, p-HSL) and adipose browning-related proteins (UCP-1, PGC-1α), indicating its role in promoting lipolysis and adipose browning. The inhibition of HO-1 by zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) significantly reversed these effects, underscoring the critical role of HO-1 in mediating the anti-obesity properties of EC-ETAC. Additionally, fluorescence measurements and Oil Red O staining confirmed the reduction of lipid accumulation and oxidative stress upon EC-ETAC treatment. These findings suggest that EC-ETAC exerts its anti-obesity effects by modulating the HO-1/Nrf2 pathway, which is crucial for regulating adipogenesis, lipolysis, and adipose browning. This study highlights the potential of EC-ETAC as a natural therapeutic agent for obesity management and supports further research into its clinical applications. By targeting the HO-1/Nrf2 pathway, EC-ETAC could offer a novel approach to enhancing energy expenditure and reducing fat mass, thereby improving metabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-mangostin (α-MG) demonstrates antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus species. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the antibacterial activity of α-MG-rich mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE)-loaded liposomes against Staphylococcus isolates from companion animal skin diseases in vitro and evaluated their therapeutic potential in a murine model of superficial skin infection caused by S. pseudintermedius. α-MG-rich extract was purified from mangosteen pericarp and then complexed with γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), forming the inclusion complexes. Nanoliposomes containing MPE and γ-CD complexes were prepared by adding lecithin and casein. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of MPE-loaded liposomes were determined using agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. The therapeutic potential of MPE-loaded liposomes was evaluated in vivo on tape-stripped skin lesions infected with S. pseudintermedius. Purified MPE and MPE-loaded liposomes contained 402.43 mg/g and 18.18 mg/g α-MG, respectively. MPE-loaded liposomes showed antibacterial activity against clinical Staphylococcus isolates in vitro but did not show antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterial isolates. MPE-loaded liposomes demonstrated consistent MICs and MBCs against Staphylococcus isolates. These liposomes significantly reduced bacterial numbers and lesional sizes in a superficial skin infection model. Moreover, they reconstructed the epidermal barrier in skin lesions. The therapeutic concentrations of MPE-loaded liposomes did not induce cytotoxicity in canine progenitor epidermal keratinocyte cells. In conclusion, MPE-loaded liposomes hold promise for the development of a prospective topical formulation to treat superficial pyoderma in companion animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]