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Although collagen is widely used as an emulsifier in the food industry, its emulsifying properties are strongly influenced by processing conditions. This research investigated the effects of NaCl on the emulsifying properties of type I collagen after heating. Before heating, the solubility, emulsifying activity index (EAI), emulsifying stability index (ESI), and viscosity of type I collagen initially increased after adding NaCl (0.2 M), after which decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0.4 M and 0.6 M) due to salt-in effect and the salt-out effects of the protein. While after heating (90℃, 30 min), the collagen became more soluble, with improved EAI and ESI, viscosity, and reduced particle size in response to increasing NaCl concentrations. It was found that NaCl increased the EAI of type I collagen twice after heating, and the EAI reached its maximum at 0.6 M NaCl concentration. We concluded that the improved emulsifying properties may due to thermal denaturation of the protein, resulting in an unfolded and disordered structure with increase of hydrogen bonds with water, rupture of disulfide bonds, and exposure of hydrophobic groups, leading to the increase of adsorption at the oil/water interface. Meanwhile, the Raman spectra analysis and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) images showed that unfolding of the collagen triple helix was gradually destroyed after NaCl addition and heating, with emulsifying properties improved. The specific outcomes of present study can be adapted towards the requirements to improve the quality of emulsified meat products in the food industry.

Impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis has been associated with vascular pathophysiology. The G-protein-coupled receptor (TGR5) is an important mediator of bile acid signaling and glucose metabolism. However, the effects of TGR5 on mitochondrial biogenesis in endothelial cells remain elusive. In this study, we found that activation of TGR5 using its specific agonist taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) promoted the expression of PGC-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Additionally, activation of TGR5 increased the expression of PGC-1α target genes, such as NRF1 and TFAM. Indeed, we found that TLCA treatment promoted mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial-to-nuclear DNA (mtDNA/nDNA), COX-Ⅰ expression, and cytochrome c oxidase activity in HAECs. Notably, our results displayed that activation of TGR5 resulted in a functional gain in mitochondria by increasing the rate of respiration and ATP production. Mechanistically, we found that TLCA treatment activated the transcriptional factor CREB by inducing the phosphorylation of CREB at Ser133. Using the PKA/CREB inhibitor H89 abolished the effects of TLCA on PGC-1α, NRF1 and TFAM expression as well as the increase in mtDNA/nDNA and ATP production. These findings suggest that activation of TGR5 promoted mitochondrial biogenesis in endothelial cells, which is mediated by the CREB/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Hygroscopicity is capable of significantly affecting atmospheric visibility, radiative forcing, and cloud condensation nuclei process. Herein, a physisorption analyzer was adopted to determine the hygroscopicity of inorganic salt particles in atmospheric aerosols (e.g., NaNO3, NaClO4, MgSO4, K3PO4, K2HPO4, and KH2PO4) at 298 K. By regulating the ambient relative humidity (RH), qualitative and quantitative information of the mentioned particles in humidifying and dehumidifying cycles was acquired. The deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) and efflorescence relative humidity (ERH) were measured, and supersaturation was observed and recorded during the dehumidification process. The water-to-salt molar ratios (WSR) of the mentioned inorganic salts depending on RH were determined, and the hygroscopic results of NaNO3 and NaClO4 particles were well consistent with the results achieved with other methods or by theoretical prediction. This study fitted WSR-to-RH equations suitable for NaNO3, NaClO4, MgSO4, K3PO4, and K2HPO4 particles. The adsorption heats for monolayer water molecules in the mentioned inorganic salt particles are calculated. The present study lays a solid foundation for gaining insights into the effects of RH on atmospheric aerosols.

Secondary sexual characteristics are features that appear at sexual maturity and distinguish the two sexes of a species. They are readily observed and studied in living animals, but the phenomenon is rather more difficult to identify in fossil taxa. Here we report a new sexually dimorphic stem-neopterygian fish, Venusichthys comptus gen. et sp. nov., based on 30 exceptionally well-preserved specimens from the Middle Triassic (Pelsonian, Anisian) Luoping Lagerstatte of eastern Yunnan, China. The discovery represents the oldest known secondary sexual characteristics in Neopterygii. These characteristics, including pointed tubercles on cranial bones, scales and fins, and hook-like contact organ anterior to the anal fin, have three inferred primary functions: maintenance of body contact between the sexes during prespawning behavior or spawning; stimulation of the females during breeding; and defense of nests and territories. Lacking a specialized anal fin in the presumed males, Venusichthys would likely have a different reproductive strategy from peltopleurids and other potentially viviparous stem-neopterygians. Moreover, Venusichthys shows a unique character combination distinguished from any other stem-neopterygian families and consequently represents a new family of this clade. As such, the new finding provides an important addition for understanding the behavior, reproduction, and early diversification of Neopterygii.

Pd nanoparticles supported on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ER-GO) were prepared by an effective electrochemical strategy. Electroactive 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phen-dione) was anchorded on the surface of ER-GO by one step potential cycling of GO modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) solution from −1 to 1 V (phen-dione/ER-GO/GCE), and Pd2+ was then absorbed on the phen-dione/ER-GO/GCE through coordination interaction followed by electro-reduction to form Pd/phen-dione/ER-GO/GCE. The prepared electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrazine as well as the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which was used to achieve highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of hydrazine and H2O2. In addition, applicability of Pd/phen-dione/ER-GO/GCE for electrochemical detection of hydrazine in real sample was also successfully demonstrated.

CMS-1, mainly composed of imperatorin as its active compound, is a partially purified fraction of a Chinese herbal medicine, Semen Cnidium monnieri. CMS-1 has the potential to be further developed as a new treatment for hypertension. Thus, we studied its toxicity in both Sprague-Dawley rats and beagle dogs. Rats (0-900mg/kg/day) and dogs (0-450mg/kg/day) received CMS-1 orally for 30 consecutive days, followed by a 15-day recovery period. The major target organs of CMS-1 toxicity are the GI (inappetence), liver (hepatocellular necrosis, enzyme elevation), thymus (atrophy), cardiovascular (hypotension), changes in ECG T and P waveforms, elevation of nitrous oxide levels and hematological (RBC parameters disturbances) systems. Most treatment-induced adverse effects were reversible or showed a progressive recovery upon discontinuation of the treatment. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) was 100mg/kg/day for rats and 50mg/kg/day for dogs. This non-clinical study suggests that clinical monitoring of CMS-1 in patients should focus on the gastrointestinal system, blood tests for liver functions, electrolytes, and blood homeostasis, cardiovascular functions, and immune functions.

Background Liver cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy have poor prognosis. Probiotics alter the intestinal microbiota and reduce the production of ammonia. We conducted a meta-analysis about the role of probiotics on liver cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Data Sources We collected the relevant literatures up to February 21, 2014 from databases of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A statistical analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.2 and STATA 12.0 software. Results Six randomized controlled trials involving 496 liver cirrhotic patients were included. The results showed that probiotic therapy significantly reduced the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OR [95% CI]: 0.42 [0.26, 0.70], P =0.0007). However, probiotics did not affect mortality, levels of serum ammonia and constipation (mortality: OR [95% CI]: 0.73 [0.38, 1.41], P =0.35; serum ammonia: WMD [95% CI]: −3.67 [−15.71, 8.37], P =0.55; constipation: OR [95% CI]: 0.67 [0.29, 1.56], P =0.35). Conclusion Probiotics decrease overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

A simple analytical approach was proposed to simulate the bridging and toughening of randomly oriented short fibers in brittle matrix. Based on a magnitude order analysis, the energy dissipation before fiber pullout was neglected. The coupling of matrix spalling and fiber pullout was simulated by an approximate bridging model to determine the energy dissipation in the whole pull-out process of randomly oriented short fibers in brittle matrix. The proposed approach was applied to analyze the bridging/toughening of short fibers in SMC plates with mode I crack and to discuss the effects and optimum of parameters. The modelling results show that the main parameters for toughening are fiber length and interface friction stress and there is an optimal combination, i.e., their product nearly equals a constant (about 15–17 MPa-mm).

Ethnopharmacological relevance Angelicae Dahurica ( Hoffm. ) Benth.& Hook.f.ex Franch.&Sav combined with Pueraria labota ( Willd. ) Ohwi has been widely used as herb-pairs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for utilization of antipyretic analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and modern pharmacological studies have shown that application compatibility of the two drugs has the effects of cardiovascular disease treatment. The previous study has proved that Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract could enhance the intestinal absorption of puerarin in Pueraria. But the underlying compatibility mechanism of the two herbs remains unknown. In this study we tried to further evaluate the improvement of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract on the puerarin using the Caco-2 cell model and explore the transport properties of puerarin through the above research to discuss the possible effect mechanism of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract on the transport of puerarin and the underlying compatibility mechanism of the two herbs. Aim of study The aim of this work was to study the transport properties of puerarin in Radix Pueraria across Caco-2 cell membrane and to explore how the Radix Angelicae Dahuricae extract affected the transport of puerarin using the well-characterized, human-based intestinal Caco-2 cell model as a platform. Materials and methods The bidirectional transport, and the effects of time, drug concentration, pH, P-gp inhibitors (Verapamil, Cyclosporin A), MRP inhibitor (MK-571) and EDTA-Na 2 (tight junction modulator) on the absorption of puerarin were observed. Then the influence of extract of Radix Angelicae Dahuricae on the transport of puerarin was studied. Drug concentration was measured by HPLC and the apparent permeability coefficients ( Papp ) and apparent permeability ratio ( PDR ) were calculated. Results and conclusions The results showed that the transport ( Papp ) of puerarin in Caco-2 cell monolayer model had time and concentration dependence, and the transport showed saturation characteristics with the time and concentration of puerarin to a certain degree. The Papp of puerarin transported on Caco-2 cell monolayer model was significantly changed when the specified inhibitors of P-gp were added to the model and the PDR decreased from 1.74 to 0.43. The absorption of puerarin was improved when combined with Radix Angelicae Dahuricae . The intestinal absorption of puerarin is by passive diffusion as the dominating process and active transportation was mediated by P-gp and MRP transporter in Caco-2 cell monolayer model, and Radix Angelicae Dahuricae could enhance the intestinal absorption of puerarin.

The aqueous solutions of lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy of pyrene, defining the Py scale for polarity. Sigmoidal curves were used to fit the Py values of aqueous alcohol solutions as a function of the logarithm of water–alcohol mole ratio, i.e., log(WAR). The results from curve fittings were discussed in terms of the structural transitions of aqueous alcohol solutions, as well as the dissociation constants for alcohol– and water–pyrene complexes. The microscopic alcohol and water phases were considered to be saturated with each other, and the structures of dilute aqueous alcohol solutions were found to be more complicated than those of concentrated ones.

Biocompatible three-dimensional scaffolds for cell culturing may facilitate methods for the repair of damaged human tissues. A novel hybrid porous scaffold of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), hydroxyapatite and collagen was prepared using a supercritical CO2 saturation technique. Expansion factors of scaffolds with different compositions were studied after supercritical CO2 treatment to choose the optimal composition for three-dimensional culture. The supercritical CO2 process conditions, such as saturation temperature, saturation time and saturation pressure were varied to evaluate their influence on pore structure. The results showed that the pore size and porosity of the scaffold could be controlled by manipulating these process conditions. The porous samples were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Finally, MG-63 cells were successfully cultured on the porous scaffold as assessed by electron and confocal microscopy, confirming the biocompatibility of this new hybrid porous scaffold.

Decolorization of Acid Red GR by a newly isolated biphenyl-degrading bacterium, Dyella ginsengisoli LA-4 was presented in this paper. The optimal decolorization conditions were determined by response surface methodology (RSM) based on the rotatable central composite design. The results indicated that strain LA-4 possessed the highest decolorizing activity under anaerobic conditions with inoculation amount 6.49%, pH 7.06 and temperature 29 degrees C. Some ions such as Cu(2+), Zn(2+) could inhibit the decolorization, whereas 1 mmol/L of Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Co(2+), Fe(3+), Ni(2+) and Mn(2+) had no effects on the process. It was demonstrated that anthraquinone as a redox mediator could significantly accelerate the reduction process of azo dyes.

Single supersaturated NaClO4 aerosol droplets on a quartz substrate were observed by a high-speed video camera for their morphologic changes with decreasing relative humidity (RH). The supersaturated droplets were found to form anhydrous NaClO4 at ∼10% RH. Three stages were roughly observed in this process, i.e., the main stem appearance, primary and secondary branches growth, and the deep dehydration. The main stem grew steadily and finished in 120 ms. Affected by both crystal precipitation and water evaporation, primary branches grew for 1200 ms, accompanied by a slower growth of secondary branches. The deep dehydration was more complicated, and lasted for a longer time.

FTIR/ATR (attenuated total reflection) spectroscopy has been used to investigate supersaturated MgSO 4 and NaClO 4 aerosols. The experimental ATR spectra of MgSO 4 and NaClO 4 aerosols were found to show little disturbance from water vapor, and thus were always of high quality independent of relative humidity (RH). Some relatively weak absorbing bands, such as the v 1 and v 3 bands of SO 4 2− in supersaturated MgSO 4 aerosols and the v 1 band of ClO 4 − and the residual bands of the water O–H stretching envelope in supersaturated NaClO 4 aerosols, could be identified by their peak positions comparable with those obtained by other experimental methods. In contrast, the relatively strong absorbing v 3 band of ClO 4 − in supersaturated NaClO 4 aerosols could be distorted very seriously, so that quantitative analysis with regard to band shape and peak position should be avoided. The above observations for MgSO 4 and NaClO 4 aerosols by FTIR/ATR spectroscopy could be understood, primarily in terms of the effects on weak and strong absorbing bands of anomalous dispersion and penetration depth ( d p ) dependence on wavelength ( λ ) inherent in FTIR/ATR technique. Though rather limited in straightforward spectral analysis, the experimental high quality ATR spectra obtained under given conditions may be used to derive the optical constants of supersaturated aerosols.

One technique based on the difference spectra was developed to study the state of water in supersaturated Mg(NO3)2 aerosols. The technique could be derived from the observation that the Raman scattering and infrared absorbance cross sections of molecular vibrations of interest remain practically constant from diluted solutions to supersaturated aerosols. The spectra of solvated water were obtained and primarily related to the first hydration layers of solute molecules in supersaturated Mg(NO3)2 aerosols. Based on this investigation, a chain structure was proposed to occur in the supersaturated Mg(NO3)2 aerosols at low relative humidities (RHs).