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Biomedical cotton gauzes (C0), after a first functionalization with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by a Fenton's reaction (material C1), can be further modified in order to make them suitable for the adsorption and next release of drugs. Indeed, either after opening the epoxide ring through the addition of water (material C2) or after the introduction of amino groups through reaction with diamines (1,2-diaminoethane (material C3), 1,6-diaminohexane (material C4) and 1,12-diaminododecane (material C5)), the new gauzes can be uploaded with drugs. Both ibuprofen (IB), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and amoxicillin (AM), a wide-spectrum β-lactam antibiotic, are efficiently adsorbed from their aqueous solutions at 20 °C onto C2–C5 (up to ≈0.8 mmol g−1 for IB and up to 0.4 mmol g−1 for AM) but not onto C0 and C1. The release of both IB and AM is affected by the ionic strength of the medium in which the release takes place. Indeed, kinetic experiments conducted with a physiological solution (NaCl (aq, 0.9% w/v) showed good release efficiencies while only modest or negligible release was observed if deionised water was the release medium. Moreover, the kind of functionalization plays an important role during both the adsorption and the release. The gauzes C3–C5 can be uploaded with a higher amount of drug relative to C2. Conversely, the drug is released quickly and in a higher amount from C2 relative to the gauzes containing the amino groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New insulin drug delivery systems (IDDs): insulin@chitin; insulin@chitin-grafted (g)-guar gum were prepared by using a modified sol–gel method. Insulin vials were loaded on the safe natural inert bioactive polymers (chitin and chitin-g-GG copolymer) carriers using water green solvent. Traces amount additives were below toxicity limits. Guar gum increased the numbers of the functional groups of the polymer carrier. Insulin release monitored at 37 ± 0.5 °C and buffer solutions of pH (1.2, 6.8 and 7.4) simulating physiological body fluids: stomach, intestine colon and blood stream. Insulin released from insulin@chitin only at pH 7.4. No release observed at pH 1.2, 6.8 due strong bonding to acetyl group of chitin. Insulin@chitin-GG system showed sustained targeting insulin-release at pH: 6.8 > 7.4 > 1.2. Release data obeyed pseudo second order kinetic model indicating that IDDs is heterogeneous solid surface of energetically different active sites. Each insulin molecule occupied two active sites. The slow release at pH 1.2 indicated protection against stomach juice. Release kinetic depend on physicochemical characteristics (porosity, swelling ratio as well as peptide and amino acid sequence). Both IDDs showed negative zeta potential indicating stability against aggregation. Gaur gum improved particle size distribution and insulin release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ascorbic acid is a water‐soluble vitamin and shows weak stability against external factors such as heat, oxygen, light etc. Due to its lower stability, encapsulation is an effective process for the preservation of its activity. Although there are a wide variety of encapsulation methods, the technique of encapsulation with yeast cells has been followed with increasing interest in recent years. In this study, encapsulation possibilities of ascorbic acid by yeast cells were investigated. In this context, Saccharomycess cerevisiae yeast cells in plasmolyzed and non‐plasmolyzed forms were used in two different suspension media (water and ethanol) and effect of ascorbic acid concentrations (10, 20 and 50 g per 10 g yeast) were studied. A total of 12 different yeast microcapsule samples were produced and some physicochemical, bioactive and structural characterizations were performed. RESULTS: The ascorbic acid level of yeast microcapsule samples was determined as 206.4–713.9 and 202.8–726.1 mg g−1 for plasmolyzed and non‐plasmolyzed yeast cell types, respectively. ABTS radical scavenging activity increased from 27.23 to 233.04 μg TE g−1 by increased ascorbic acid levels. Ascorbic acid capsules were used in soft candy processing against free ascorbic acid and it was found that 47.9% ascorbic acid loss was detected for control sample at the 24‐day storage while the ascorbic acid loss was approximately 25% for yeast microcapsules. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that yeast cells are capable of preserving ascorbic acid stability during storage and yeast cells can be used effectively and safely for the manufacturing of the ascorbic acid microcapsules. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Release from professional football (soccer) academies in the UK can result in experiences of psychological distress for the transitioning individual (i.e., the player) and their support network (e.g., family members). Despite the commonality of such transitions and their potential negative effects, it is surprising that practice insights on supporting the transition out of professional football academies are sparse. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to draw on case material to highlight approaches and challenges for sport psychologists supporting a range of clients during transitions out of an academy football club. In closing, we offer key recommendations for stakeholders and those delivering support in practice settings when seeking to support similar transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural and mechanical properties of hydrogels prepared from Pluronic F127 (20 wt %) are described and analyzed. The effects of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (1 wt %) additions on the gelation process and the properties of Pluronic hydrogels are considered. The influence of the ionization state of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide molecules on interactions with the polymer matrix of the gel was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. A kinetic study of the release and transmembrane transport of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide included in Pluronic hydrogels was performed. The influence of the acidity of the medium on the rate of release of drug compounds from hydrogels and on the transmembrane transfer was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, transient releases either from NADH-loaded liposomes or enzymatic reactions confined in giant liposomes were imaged by electrochemiluminescence (ECL). NADH was first encapsulated with the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ luminophore inside giant liposomes (around 100 µm in diameter) made of DOPC/DOPG phospholipids (i.e., 1,2-dioleolyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) sodium salt) on their inner- and outer-leaflet, respectively. Then, membrane permeabilization triggered upon contact between the liposome and a polarized ITO electrode surface and ECL was locally generated. Combination of amperometry, photoluminescence, and ECL provided a comprehensive monitoring of a single liposome opening and content release. In a second part, the work is focused on the ECL characterization of NADH produced by glucose dehydrogenase (GDH)-catalyzed oxidation of glucose in the confined environment delimited by the liposome membrane. This was achieved by encapsulating both the ECL and catalytic reagents (i.e., the GDH, glucose, NAD+, and [Ru(bpy)3]2+) in the liposome. In accordance with the results obtained, NADH can be used as a biologically compatible ECL co-reactant to image membrane permeabilization events of giant liposomes. Under these conditions, the ECL signal duration was rather long (around 10 s). Since many enzymatic reactions involve the NADH/NAD+ redox couple, this work opens up interesting prospects for the characterization of enzymatic reactions taking place notably in artificial cells and in confined environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The aim of the work was to investigate the influence of selected physico-chemical factors on the solubility and release rate of CT (cryptotanshinone) in alcohologels. (2) Methods: The alcohologels of methylcellulose (MC), hydroksyethylcellulose (HEC), polyacrylic acid (PA) and polyacrylic acid crosspolymer (PACP) with CT were prepared and/or doped with native potato starch (SN) and modified citrate starches (SM2.5 and SM10). The analytical methods included evaluation of CT release profiles, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were performed. (3) Results: The release and decomposition kinetics of CT in relation to the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and methanol were observed. The amount of cryptotanshinone (CT) released into PBS was significantly lower (2.5%) compared to its release into methanol, where 22.5% of the CT was released into the model medium. The addition of SM2.5 to the alcohologel significantly increased the CT content to 70% in the alcohologel preparation containing NaOH (40%), and this enhanced stability was maintained for up to two months. The ATR-FTIR exhibited interactions between PA and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD) as well as between PA and NaOH in case of the alcohologels. Moreover, it indicated the interaction between CT and NaOH. PXRD diffractograms confirmed the FTIR study. (4) Conclusions: The study observed the influence of a number of factors on the solubility and release rate of CT, as: alkalizers and their concentration, SM2.5 addition. The transition of CT in the presence of NaOH to the tanshinone V sodium (T-V sodium) form was suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to enhance the properties and compostability of active poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films by incorporating β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). Films were prepared using melt extrusion and characterized based on their structural, chemical, morphological, thermal, and barrier properties. These inclusion complexes improved the thermal stability and moisture absorption of films, enhancing disintegration under composting conditions. The release of AITC in the vapor phase was responsive to relative humidity, maintaining the antimicrobial functionality at low values and releasing effectively at higher humidity levels, with a maximum release at 100%. Incorporating 5% and 10% β-CD:AITC complexes accelerated disintegration under composting conditions, reducing the time by 5 days for disintegration compared to pure PLA, achieving up to 90% in 23 days. These results, with a general improvement in functional properties, suggest that PLA films with β-CD:AITC are promising for developing sustainable, biodegradable antimicrobial packaging solutions for food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled drug delivery is the mechanism that determines the frequency of the drug as well as the side effect that can be occurred. Many approaches studied the encapsulation of the drug in a polymer matrix to achieve a controlled released drug by the effect crosslinking network. In this work, a loaded hydrogel with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride has been prepared as an incremental effect on the antibacterial properties. So, four formulations named, hydrogel 1, hydrogel 2, hydrogel 3, and hydrogel 4 were prepared using different polymers concentrations (chitosan, gelatin, iota carrageenan (IC), and glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agents) ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was used as a drug model. The obtained data revealed that the hydrogels prepared from chitosan/gelatin/IC hydrogels are porous and have interconnected microstructures. The hydrogels structure was evaluated by ATR-IR spectroscopy, EDX, Swelling rate, SEM, porosity, antibacterial properties as well as drug release and kinetics. The hydrogels fractured at stresses of 0.1665 to 0.0358 Kgf / mm2. The swelling rates (SR %) after 24 h. were 412%, 362%, 383%, 375% and 407% for of hydrogel 1, hydrogel 2, hydrogel 3, hydrogel 4 and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded hydrogel 1, respectively. The porosity of the prepared hydrogels was increased as the concentration of IC increased from 72.4 to 78%. Loading of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was confirmed by the presence of fluorine in the EDX measurement. The ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded hydrogel 1 has a sustained release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride over a time of about 10 h. The first-order kinetic model is the best model for the release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride from the prepared ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded hydrogel 1 with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.9814. The unloaded samples of hydrogels had almost the same antibacterial properties regardless of the amount of IC. Loading the hydrogel with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride has an incremental effect on the antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The expression of pro-inflammatory substances is closely related to various diseases. Genistein (GEN), a soy isoflavone, has been proven to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory substances in macrophages. This study aimed to determine whether GEN exerts its inhibitory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory substances by suppressing the release of these substances via attenuating pyroptotic cell lysis. Materials and Methods: Mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and GEN. J774A.1 cells were treated with LPS, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and GEN. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA. The activation of caspase-1 (CASP1) and cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD) were determined by Western blot assay. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and CCK8 assay were performed to determine the integrity of the cell membrane and cell viability. The concentration of intracellular potassium (K+) and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by the colorimetric method and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: GEN inhibited the production of IL-1 β and HMGB1 in LPS-challenged mice and LPS+ATP-treated mouse macrophages by inhibiting GSDMD-mediated pyroptotic cell lysis. Mechanistically, GEN could prevent the loss of intracellular K+ and the production of ROS caused by LPS+ATP treatment, thereby inhibiting the activation of CASP1. The pathological significance of the release of HMGB1 could be partially attributed to its ability to induce cell apoptosis. Conclusion: GEN inhibits CASP1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptotic cell lysis and the following release of pro-inflammatory substances by suppressing K+ loss and ROS production of macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'objectif de cet article est de décrire la manière dont la sortie annoncée de prison précipite le travail de liaison dans les derniers temps du travail psychothérapeutique et d'en illustrer les modalités transférentielles. Nous questionnons plus précisément les destins et fonctions de ce que nous proposons de nommer une « temporalité hallucinatoire » en psychothérapie, à l'aube de l'annonce de la sortie de prison. Pour illustrer nos propos nous nous appuierons sur le cas de Joël, incarcéré pour des faits de vol avec violence, en état de récidive légale. Il s'agit d'un patient suivi en psychothérapie hebdomadaire en milieu carcéral, et rencontré en unité de soins, dans les quelques mois qui ont précédé sa sortie. Dans le cadre de cet article, nous avons souhaité illustrer la manière dont la sortie de prison, en négatif du choc à l'incarcération, peut retentir sur la vie fantasmatique du sujet, entre anticipation et réalisation pulsionnelle. Les défenses mobilisées par Joël, en entretien, nous paraissent particulièrement pertinentes dans la manière dont elles appuient sur la poussée pulsionnelle au service de la montée en tension, produisant alors un effet de renversement du pôle passif au pôle actif jusque dans le temps de la séance. Cette temporalité surinvestie sur ses seuils de risques : entre sortir et rester, nous apparaît dessiner des contours artificiels comme autant de point de buté fantasmatiques pour forcer le système représentationnel au profit d'une circulation hallucinatoire. Les défenses mobilisées par Joël, en entretien, nous ont paru particulièrement pertinentes dans la manière dont elles ont appuyé sur la poussée pulsionnelle au service de la montée en tension, produisant alors un effet de renversement du pôle passif au pôle actif jusque dans le temps de la séance. Cette temporalité surinvestie sur ses seuils de risques : entre sortir et rester, nous apparaissait dessiner des contours artificiels comme autant de point de buté fantasmatiques pour forcer le système représentationnel au profit d'une circulation hallucinatoire aux fonctions masturbatoires. Si, dans la perspective des travaux de Roussillon que nous citions précédemment, nous concevons la symbolisation comme une expérience de subjectivation par l'emprise, il est aisé ici de concevoir la manière dont les remparts du cadre thérapeutique peuvent faire office de carrefour hallucinatoire, au moment tangeant de rêver, ou du moins de tenter d'« halluciner » la sortie. Le soutien de cet espace hallucinatoire : de la circularité temporelle à la temporalité fantasmatique, nous apparaît être favorisé par l'intercontenance mise au travail et décrite par Ciavaldini, jusque dans ses manifestations transférentielles en séance. L'au-delà de la séance, comme « au-delà du mur », mettrait ainsi à l'épreuve la solidité du rempart psychique façonnée par une autre voie que celle de l'emprise. The aim of this article is to describe the way in which the announced release from prison precipitates the work of linking in the final stages of psychotherapeutic work, and to illustrate the transferential modalities involved. More specifically, we examine the fates and functions of what we propose to call a "hallucinatory temporality" in psychotherapy, at the dawn of the announcement of release from prison. To illustrate our ideas, we will use the case of Joël, who has been detained in custody for armed robbery, and is in a state of legal recidivism. This patient was receiving weekly psychotherapy in prison and had been seen in a care unit in the few months prior to his release. In this article, we wanted to illustrate the way in which release from prison, as a negative of the shock of imprisonment, can affect the subject's fantasy life, between anticipation and impulse realization. The defenses mobilized by Joël during the interview seemed to us to be particularly relevant in the way in which they pressed on the drive in the service of the rise in tension, thus producing an effect of reversal from the passive pole to the active pole, even in the time of the session. This temporality, over-invested in its risk thresholds between getting out and staying in, seemed to us to draw artificial contours like so many fantasmatic stopping points to force the representational system in favor of a hallucinatory circulation with masturbatory functions. If, from the perspective of Roussillon's work cited above, we conceive of symbolization as an experience of subjectivation through domination, it is easy here to see how the ramparts of the therapeutic setting can act as a hallucinatory crossroads, at the tempting moment of dreaming, or at least trying to "hallucinate" the way out. The support of this hallucinatory space – from temporal circularity to fantasmatic temporality – seems to us to benefit from the inter-holding put to work and described by Ciavaldini, even in its transferential manifestations in the session. Beyond the session, as "beyond the wall", would thus put to the test the solidity of the psychic rampart fashioned by a path other than that of domination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication in the tumour microenvironment. The cytokine transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) facilitates cancer progression via EVs secreted by cancer cells, which act on recipient cells in the tumour microenvironment. However, the mechanisms of how TGF‐β affects cancer cell EV release and composition are incompletely understood. Here, we systematically investigate the effects of TGF‐β on the release and protein composition of EVs from breast cancer cells. TGF‐β suppresses the transcription of RAB27B mediated by SMAD3 and thereby hampers EV release. Using click chemistry and quantitative proteomics, we found that TGF‐β increases the quantity of protein cargo and changes the composition of EVs by downregulating RAB27B expression. The recomposed EVs, induced by TGF‐β or RAB27B depletion, inhibit CD8+ T cell‐mediated breast cancer killing. Our findings reveal the critical roles of TGF‐β and RAB27B in cancer development by regulating EV release and composition and thus provide potential targets to improve cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microscopic erosion time test was recently described to anticipate amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) drug load dispersibility limit, using 0.5 ml media volume. Studies here build upon this microscope-enabled method but focus on drug and polymer dissolution from an ASD disc, along with imaging. The objective was 1) to design and build a microscope-enabled disc dissolution system (MeDDiS) with a 900 mL dissolution volume and 2) assess the ability of MeDDiS imaging of dissolving discs to provide concordance with measured drug and polymer dissolution profiles. MeDDiS employed a digital microscope to image ASD discs and a one-liter vessel for dissolution. ASD discs containing ritonavir (5–50 % drug load) and PVPVA were fabricated and subjected to in vitro dissolution using MeDDiS, where disc diameter was quantified with time. Ritonavir and PVPVA release were also measured. Results indicate concordance between imaging and dissolution. Both found 25 % drug load to provide high drug and polymer release, but 30 % yielded low release. Quantitatively, MeDDiS images predicted drug and polymer release profiles, both above and below the drug load cliff. Overall, studies here describe a MeDDiS which has promised to anticipate drug and polymer dissolution, via imaging of dissolving discs, above and below the ASD drug load cliff. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual recruitment is a critical component of conservation biology. While most restocking programs seek to increase population growth, they often encounter challenges in identifying the factors that could maximize post-release survival and reproduction, largely due to the difficulties in conducting tests on vulnerable species. Regarding the Critically Endangered common hamster (Cricetus cricetus), restocking programs generally rely on the release of one-year-old captive-bred individuals. However, these hamsters face high mortality rates in the weeks following their release. Because young individuals display higher behavioural plasticity, they might adapt faster and thus be optimal candidates for restocking programs. However, the release of animals which are too young to reproduce may jeopardize the success of restocking programs. We investigated the reproductive success of 1.5- and 3-month-old females (referred to as "subadult" denoting months-old hamsters after weaning and before their first hibernation) captive-bred common hamsters after release. Field data (camera traps and trapping sessions) and genetic analysis enabled us to determine parentage of pups born in the wild. Our experiment showed that 3-month-old and 1.5-month-old females reproduced successfully after the release at the same time than one-year-old hamsters.Both groups produced their first litter approximately 30 days post-release given an estimated mating date of 10 days post-release. These findings indicate that released captive-bred hamsters reach sexual maturity around 47 days after birth. The release of subadult individuals could provide advantages to improve the success of restocking programs. However, more studies are needed to compare the survival and reproduction rates of months-old hamsters and older individuals to assess their overall role in population recruitment in comparison to older individuals usually released. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture has caused extensive soil pesticide contamination, which is a global concern. This study explored the potential of bamboo charcoal (BC) to alleviate quinclorac-induced stress in tobacco plants. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of BC and vinasse fertilizer (VF) on the growth and physiological parameters of tobacco plants subjected to quinclorac stress. At 30, 60, and 90 d after transplantation, BC and VF exhibited pronounced restorative effects on quinclorac-stressed tobacco plants. The treatments improved plant height, leaf length, and leaf width, and enhanced leaf quality and various biochemical indicators. Treatment with 500 g VF + 4% BC resulted in the lowest residual quinclorac levels in both the soil and leaves. Treatment with 500 g VF + 2% BC resulted in the most significant recovery of agronomic traits, whereas 500 g VF + 0.5% BC was the most effective in enhancing leaf quality. However, the effectiveness of BC decreased with time following application, and furthermore, quinclorac may be released from the BC. In conclusion, BC shows promise in alleviating the adverse effects of quinclorac stress in tobacco plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tegolophus guavae (Boczek), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), and Tetranychus urticae Koch are plant-feeding mite pests that cause severe damage to the foliage and fruits of guava trees in Egypt. The phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), was released at three densities (100, 200, and 300 predators/tree). The results indicated that the efficiency of N. californicus was significantly influenced by the release rate. The highest mean reduction percentage after six months of release for T. guavae, B. phoenicis, and T. urticae was, respectively, at 300 predators/tree (64.90, 81.15, and 81.11%) in 2021 and (74.89, 83.76, and 83.07%) in 2022. The mean fruit yields (kg/treatment) in the released plots were substantially greater than those in the control (ranging from 8–16%). The current result suggests that releasing N. californicus is a viable option for biological guava mite pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a major challenge in oncology due to its highly invasive nature and limited treatment options. GBM's aggressive migration beyond tumor margins and rapid tumor growth hinders success in patient treatment. Localized therapeutic delivery, such as the use of transition metals like copper, is highlighted as a novel therapeutic agent for many potential biomedical applications. Herein, it is aimed to study the effects of Cu release on the proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells. To this end, novel copper‐based nanostructures with different release patterns are designed. Using a complex 3D cell culture model to mimic the tumor microenvironment, it is shown that different patterns of copper ion release have a strong impact on GBM progression and invasiveness. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing localized copper release patterns to tailor different tumor treatment strategies. They also show the potential and suitability of 3D microchips as instruments to study the behavior of tumor spheroids. In spite of their limitations, these 3D microdevices enable a controlled and close monitoring of the influence of environmental factors (such as the presence of Cu ions) on the proliferation and invasiveness of the cells, with a better approach to reality compared to 2D models and with a more controlled environment, compared to an in vivo model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis for aquatic ecosystems has been increasingly used in risk assessment. However, existing analyses of the impact of trace metals in lake sediments on aquatic organisms often neglect the spatiotemporal variability of trace metal release. This oversight can result in ecological risk assessments that lack specificity. To address this gap, we collected 32 core sediment samples from Lake Chaohu to systematically investigate the ecological toxicological risks posed by the release of eight trace metal indicators into the overlying water column under four hydrological scenarios throughout the year. Results indicated that only Cu, Pb, and Zn exhibit persistent toxicological risks. The comprehensive ecological toxicological risk of sediment trace metals showed spatial differences, increasing from the western region to the eastern region, i.e., western region < central region < eastern region. Seasonally, the risk levels are ordered as follows: May < September < November to April of the following year < June to August. The eastern region in summer (June to August) was identified as the high-risk area and period for trace metal pollution in sediments. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended to implement pollution control and environmental monitoring measures in the eastern region during the summer to effectively control the pollution and ecological risks of trace metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to self‐assemble and to form supramolecular materials, such as gels. The use of LMW peptides to produce these gels shows many advantages, because of their wide structure tunability, the low‐cost and effective synthesis, and the in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability, which makes them optimal candidates for release and delivery applications. In addition, in these materials, the binding of the hosts may occur through a variety of noncovalent interactions, which are also the main factors responsible for the self‐assembly of the gelators, and through specific interactions with the fibers or the pores of the gel matrix. This review aims to report LMW gels based on amino acid and peptide derivatives used for the release of many different species (drugs, fragrances, dyes, proteins, and cells) with a focus on the possible strategies to incorporate the cargo in these materials, and to demonstrate how versatile these self‐assembled materials are in several applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effects of lipids and emulsifiers on the release of strawberry aroma compounds in soy‐based emulsions, the release of seven strawberry aroma compounds (limonene, ethyl hexanoate, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, ethyl 2‐methylbutanoate, ethyl butanoate, (Z)‐3‐hexenol, and diacetyl) was examined using static headspace gas chromatographic analysis. Sensory evaluations revealed that the incorporation of soy protein isolate (SPI) emulsions led to a marked imbalance in the strawberry flavor profile. Although no direct correlation was found between emulsion viscosity or particle size and flavor release, lipid type and concentration (soybean oil and palm oil), and emulsifier type (sucrose ester, tween 80, and monoglyceride) significantly impacted flavor retention. Specifically, the hydrophilic compound diacetyl exhibited significantly higher retention in soybean oil emulsions (41%) than in palm oil emulsions (34%) (p < 0.05). The retention of esters and limonene increased with lipid content, whereas diacetyl retention decreased. Sucrose ester and tween 80 demonstrated stronger adsorption of ester compounds than monoglyceride. After sucrose ester addition, retention values of ethyl butanoate, limonene, and diacetyl increased by 1.6, 2.1, and 1.8 times, respectively, compared to samples without it. This study provides theoretical insights into the flavor release behavior in soy‐based beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT To explore the effects of lipids and emulsifiers on the release of strawberry aroma compounds in soy‐based emulsions, the release of seven strawberry aroma compounds (limonene, ethyl hexanoate, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, ethyl 2‐methylbutanoate, ethyl butanoate, (Z)‐3‐hexenol, and diacetyl) was examined using static headspace gas chromatographic analysis. Sensory evaluations revealed that the incorporation of soy protein isolate (SPI) emulsions led to a marked imbalance in the strawberry flavor profile. Although no direct correlation was found between emulsion viscosity or particle size and flavor release, lipid type and concentration (soybean oil and palm oil), and emulsifier type (sucrose ester, tween 80, and monoglyceride) significantly impacted flavor retention. Specifically, the hydrophilic compound diacetyl exhibited significantly higher retention in soybean oil emulsions (41%) than in palm oil emulsions (34%) (p

The dynamics of cisplatin release and its mixture with hydroxyapatite from bioinert templates based on carbon felt and polyethylene were studied. Changing the polyethylene and carbon felt layer ratio in the templates influenced the volumetric concentration of cisplatin and the duration of its release. The diffusion of cisplatin from the samples was limited by the number of polyethylene layers. After crystallization at 800°C, the phase composition of hydroxyapatite-α is 65% hydroxyapatite and 35% α-tricalcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite-αβ consists of 50% hydroxyapatite, 35% α- and 15% β-tricalcium phosphate. Long-term (44 days) release was observed in templates with 2-3 layers of carbon felt and 3-4 layers of polyethylene, and it was slowed when using mixtures with hydroxyapatite (58 days). The appending of hydroxyapatite/cisplatin mixtures into the template with varying amounts of hydroxyapatite phases and α-/β-tricalcium phosphates slowed the release of cisplatin by 14 days, totaling 58 days, due to the sorption and/or binding of cisplatin to calcium phosphates.

Context: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a popular myofascial treatment utilized by health care professionals. Currently, there is a lack of research on the effects of a light pressure IASTM treatment on the forearm region. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a light pressure IASTM technique at different application rates on grip strength and muscle stiffness. This study was considered exploratory with the goal of establishing methodology for future controlled studies. Design: Observational pretest and posttest clinical study. Methods: Twenty-six healthy adults underwent one light pressure IASTM treatment to their dominant forearm muscles. Participants were allocated to 2 groups of 13 based upon treatment rate: 60 beats per minute and 120 beats per minute. Participants were tested pretreatment and posttreatment for grip strength and tissue stiffness via diagnostic ultrasound. One-way analyses of covariance were used to assess group differences posttreatment for grip strength and tissue stiffness. Results: Statistically significant posttreatment changes for grip strength and tissue stiffness were not found. Despite the nonstatistical significance, there were small decreases in grip strength and tissue stiffness. Faster (120 beats/min) IASTM application may have produced clinically meaningful decreases in grip strength along with a small decrease in tissue stiffness. Conclusions: This report helps to establish methodology for future controlled studies on this topic. Sports medicine professionals should consider these results as exploratory and interpret them with caution. Future research is needed to confirm these findings and begin to postulate possible neurophysiological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]