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BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the application of two lactic acid bacteria and dry condensed molasses fermentation solubles (CMS) in the making and preservation of corn silage. Forage corn materials are divided into eight treatment groups as follows: (i) control, (ii) B2 (Lactobacillus plantarum B2, 1 × 109 cfu kg-1 ), (iii) LAS (Lactobacillus buchneri 40788, 3 × 108 cfu kg-1 ), (iv) B2 + LAS, (v) CMS (35 g kg-1 , fresh weight), (vi) B2 + CMS, (vii) LAS + CMS and (viii) B2 + LAS + CMS. The silage composition and aerobic stability are determined after ensiling for 90 days. Furthermore, the digestibility of the silage product and gas production are evaluated using a trotro digestion procedure. RESULTS The assay results indicate that the CMS supplementation and B2 inoculation significantly increased lactic acid concentration (P

Covalently circularized nanodiscs using circular membrane scaffold protein (MSP) serve as a suitable membrane mimetic for transmembrane proteins by providing stability and tunability in lipid compositions, providing controllable biological environments for targeted proteins. In this work, monomeric bacteriorhodopsin (mbR) was embedded in lipid nanodiscs of different lipid compositions using negatively charged lipid dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) and the zwitterion lipid dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC), and the events associated with the retinal Schiff base, including the thermal isomerization during the dark adaptation, photoisomerization, and deprotonation, were investigated. The retinal thermal isomerization from all

The pathogenesis and progression of liver disease arc associated with free radical injury and oxidative stress, which can be partially attenuated by antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Lactic acid bacteria, which have been traditionally used in the production of various fermented foods, are important intestinal microflora and natural antioxidants. The hypothesis that lactic acid bacteria can prevent or decrease tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells was investigated. Intracellular extracts and heat-killed cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus La12, Lactohacillus delbrueckii ssp. bnlgaricus Lb23, Bifidobucterium longum B136 and Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus St28 were used in this study. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were determined to explore the influence of lactic acid bacteria intervention on cell damage and antioxidative status. Toxic damage to hepatocytes by t-BHP was attenuated by lactic acid bacteria (which exerted protective effects by decreasing the risk of accumulated ROS and by reactivating antioxidant enzymes) in HepG2 cells treated with lactic acid bacteria before t-BHP exposure. The results of this study provide new insights into the mechanisms by which lactic acid bacteria with antioxidative properties can help to protect the liver.

Hyperglycemia accelerates the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and GSK3β plays a potential link between AD and hyperglycemia. Therefore, a direct or indirect GSK3β inhibition may have potential to delay the progression of AD. Our previous biochemical assay identified AM404 as a GSK3β inhibitor at high dose (IC50 = 5.353 μM); however, other study suggests that AM404 impaired synaptic plasticity of hippocampus at high dose (10 mg/kg; i.p.). Therefore, the dose and duration of treatment are crucial for the effects of AM404. The effects and molecular mechanisms of AM404 at low dose were evaluated from in vitro to in vivo models. AM404 (0.1–0.5 μM) was tested on tau hyperphosphorylated mouse hippocampal primary cultures treated with Wortmannin (WT) and GF109203X (GFX). Hyperglycemic triple transgenic AD (3×Tg-AD) mice at 6 months old were intraperitoneally injected with AM404 (0.25 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The spatial learning and memory of mice were measured using the Morris water maze. Mouse brain and serum samples were collected for pathological analyses. AM404 (0.5 μM) exhibited significantly augmented neuroprotection toward tau hyperphosphorylation in primary cultures. The chronic systemic administration of AM404 (0.25 mg/kg) attenuated cognitive deficits in hyperglycemic 3×Tg-AD mice. Moreover, chronic low dose of AM404 significantly attenuated Aβ production, tau protein phosphorylation, and inflammation associated with an increase of pS473Akt and pS9-GSK3β. Therefore, AM404 at low dose, not only increased neuroprotection, but also ameliorated cognitive deficit, could be partly by regulating the Akt/GSK3β signaling, which may contribute to downregulation of Aβ, tau hyperphosphorylation, and inflammation in hyperglycemic 3×Tg-AD mice. These results highlight that chronic administration of AM404 at low dose may be through the Akt/GSK3β pathway to ameliorate the impairment in hyperglycemic 3×Tg-AD mice.

SummaryBackground Neurofibrillary tangles formed from tau misfolding have long been considered one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The misfolding of tau in AD correlates with the clinical progression of AD and inhibition or reversal of tau misfolding may protect the affected neurons. Methods We generated 293 and SH-SY5Y cells expressing DsRed-tagged pro-aggregation mutant of repeat domain of tau (ΔK280 tauRD) to test indole/indolylquinoline derivatives for reducing tau misfolding and neuroprotection. Results Four of the 10 derivatives tested displayed good misfolding-inhibitory effects on Tet-On 293 cells. Among them, NC009-1 and NC009-7 enhanced heat-shock 27 kDa protein 1 (HSPB1) expression to increase ∆K280 tauRD-DsRed solubility and promoted neurite outgrowth in Tet-On SH-SY5Y cells. Knockdown of HSPB1 resulted in decreased ∆K280 tauRD-DsRed solubility and reduced neurite outgrowth, which were rescued by addition of NC009-1/NC009-7. Treatment with indole/indolylquinoline derivatives also improved neuronal cell viability and neurite outgrowth in mouse hippocampal primary culture under tau cytotoxicity. Conclusion Our results demonstrate how indole/indolylquinoline derivatives are likely to work in tau misfolding reduction, providing insight into the possible working mechanism of indole and indolylquinoline derivatives in AD treatment.

The capability of Chhit-Chan-Than extract powder (CCTEP, 10% aqueous Ocimum gratissimum L. extract) to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in vivo was investigated. Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group A was a normal control group given only vehicle; Group B, the hepatotoxic group, was injected intraperitoneally twice a week with repeated 8% CCl4/olive oil (0.1 mL/100 g of body weight); Groups C–E, extract-treated groups received CCl4 and different doses of CCTEP (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) or silymarin (200 mg/kg of body weight) daily by gavage for 8 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the CCl4-induced histopathogical changes may be prevented by CCTEP through reducing the intercellular collogen stack, dropping blood serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and restoring the catalase activity and glutathione content. The hepatoprotective properties were further confirmed by the marked improvement in histopathological examination and by quantitative steatosis-fibrosis scoring. The above results suggest that CCTEP is able to prevent the liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by repeated CCl4 administration, and the hepatoprotective effects might be correlated partly with its antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects.

UNLABELLED Commercial cucumber fermentations are typically carried out in 40000 L fermentation tanks. A secondary fermentation can occur after sugars are consumed that results in the formation of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, concomitantly with the loss of lactic acid and an increase in pH. Spoilage fermentations can result in significant economic loss for industrial producers. The microbiota that result in spoilage remain incompletely defined. Previous studies have implicated yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, enterobacteriaceae, and Clostridia as having a role in spoilage fermentations. We report that Propionibacterium and Pectinatus isolates from cucumber fermentation spoilage converted lactic acid to propionic acid, increasing pH. The analysis of 16S rDNA cloning libraries confirmed and expanded the knowledge gained from previous studies using classical microbiological methods. Our data show that Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria supersede Gram-positive Fermincutes species after the pH rises from around 3.2 to pH 5, and propionic and butyric acids are produced. Characterization of the spoilage microbiota is an important first step in efforts to prevent cucumber fermentation spoilage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION An understanding of the microorganisms that cause commercial cucumber fermentation spoilage may aid in developing methods to prevent the spoilage from occurring.

The task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL) and 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocynanate, ([bmim]SCN) were used as the medium as well as the reactant for the synthesis of α-thiocynanatoketones by the reaction with α-sulfonyloxy aryl ketones. Significant rate enhancements and improved yields have been observed.

Treatment of N-aryl-2-(benzylthio)benzamides with phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) containing trifluoroacetic acid resulted in an interrupted Pummerer-type reaction in ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [bmim][PF 6 ] to give 2-aryl-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones rather than the normal Pummerer-type products.

A direct and efficient method for the conversion of alkyl aryl ketones to imidazo[ 1,2-a]pyridines has been developed based on initial formation of α-organosulfonyloxy ketones and their subsequent cyclocondensation by 2-aminopyridines in one-pot conditions.

(2004). EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF IMIDAZO[2,1-α]ISOQUINOLINES USING A HYPERVALENT IODINE(III) SULFONATE. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 36, No. 5, pp. 491-494.

Pummerer-type reaction intermediate 2 of (methylthio)acetonitrile (1) has been found to react with 1-alkenes to afford ene adducts 3. Dienenitriles (4) were synthesized from adducts 3.

Treatment of N-[2-(methylsulfanylmethyl)aryl]pyrroles (4) with phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) containing trifluoroacetic acid resulted in an interrupted Pummerer-type reaction to give 5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][3,1]benzothiazines (5) rather than the normal Pummerer-type products.

Treatment of N-substituted (Z)-3-(benzylsulfanyl)propenamides (4) with phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) containing trifluoroacetic acid resulted in an interrupted Pummerer-type reaction to give N-substituted isothiazol-3(2H)-ones (5) rather than the normal Pummerer-type products.

This study demonstrates the 2-axis epitaxial silicon scanner driven by the coil-less magnetostatic force using electroplated permanent magnet (CoNiMnP) film. The present approach has four merits: (1) the process employs the cheap silicon wafer with epitaxial layer; and the electrochemical etching stop technique is used to precisely control the thickness of scanner; (2) the I-section rib-reinforced structure is implemented to provide high stiffness of the mirror plate; (3) the magnetostatic driving force on scanner is increased by electroplated permanent magnet film with slender patterns; (4) the size of packaged scanner is reduced since the assembled permanent magnets are not required.

This study reports an easy approach to realize the flexible sensor array. The silicon-based sensor chip is discretized into small chip array. The rigid but small silicon-based pressure sensors and flexible polymer material are integrated to implement the flexible tactile sensor array. The electrical routings for sensing signals are achieved using the through-silicon interconnects and electroplated metal wires on polymer. The measurement results show that the sensitivity of tactile sensor can be up to 0.122 mV/V/kpa and the nonlinearity is about 1.7%. The bending test shows that the flexible sensor has a radius of curvature of 5.2mm. This study has successfully embedded the flexible sensor in the shoe pad to demonstrated the feasibility of wearable smart device.

This study establishes the polymer-stacking and metal-electroplating processes on Si-substrate to implement a flexible and transparent substrate with alignment mesa, distributed though-hole-vias, and multi-layer electrical routings. This process is especially useful for 3D integration of micro optical components on flexible substrate. The integrated chips can be further protected and sealed by an additional parylene coating. More micro-optical components can also be vertically integrated by additional polymer molding. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, LED chips are bonded and sealed in flexible substrate, and the polymer microlens is further integrated with the lighting chips using molding process. The lighting of packaged LED chips is demonstrated in both air and water.

We present in this paper a novel fabrication method of making flexible micro electrode array for neural probing. We have successfully produced micro electrode needles array and their corresponding wirings on a flexible polymer membrane through an ingenious variation of UV-LIGA process. This process is suitable for mass production. The first prototype was designed to have sixteen neural probes (4 times 4) with a needle height of 200 mum. Because of the process flexibility, the micro electrodes have the potential to be fabricated on different kinds of polymer membranes, which would be very useful in various targets, especially when "compliance" and "fracture tolerance" are desired. We will introduce our fabrication approach, preparation methods and fabricated results in this paper.

The reaction of N-benzenesulfonyl-β-phenethylamines with α-benzoyl sulfides using polymer-supported bis(trifluoroacetoxyiodo)benzene (PSBTI) gives moderate to good yields of the corresponding 1-benzoyltetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives.

Meldrum's acids can be allylated by allylic alcohols using tetrakis[triphenylphosphine]palladium(0) [(PPh 3 ) 4 Pd] as a catalyst in benzene at 80°C without prior activation of allylic hydroxy group.

Ocimum gratissimum is used as a traditional folk medicine in many countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of an aqueous O. gratissimum extract (OGE) and to evaluate its cytoprotective activity against hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity in human HepG2 cells. The results revealed that the total phenolic content of the OGE reached 20%. In the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the OGE reduced up to 80% of the free radicals at a plateau concentration of 66.7 μg/mL. This indicates that OGE contains considerable free radical scavenging activity. In a dose-dependent manner, OGE pretreatment counteracted the decrease in cell viability in H2O2-treated HepG2 cells (p