An ultrasonic technique was applied to formulation of two-phase water-in-paraffin oil emulsions loading a high-molecular polysaccharide chitosan (CS) and stabilized by an oil-soluble surfactant (Span80) at different operational conditions. The influence of chitosan molecular properties, phase volume ratio (φw), Span80 volume fraction (φs) and ultrasonic processing parameters were systemically investigated on the basis of mean droplet diameter (MDD) and polydispersity index (PDI) of emulsions. It was observed that the molecular weight (Mw) of CS was an important influential factor to MDD due to the non-Newtonian properties of CS solution varying with Mw. The minimum MDD of 198.5 nm with PDI of 0.326 was obtained with ultrasonic amplitude of 32% for 15 min at an optimum φw of 35%, φs of 8%, probe position of 2.2 cm to the top of emulsion, while CS with Mw of 400 kDa and deacetylation degree of 84.6% was used. The rise of emulsion viscosity and the reduction of negative zeta potential at φw increasing from 5% to 35% were beneficial to obtain finer droplets and more uniform distribution of emulsions, and emulsion viscosity could be represented as a monotonically-decreasing power function of MDD at the same φw. FTIR analysis indicated that the molecular structure of paraffin oil was unaffected during ultrasonication. Moreover, the emulsions exhibited a good stability at 4 °C with a slight phase separation at 25 °C after 24 h of storage. By analyzing the evolution of MDD, PDI and sedimentation index (SI) with time, coalescence model showed better fitting results as comparison to Ostwald ripening model, which demonstrated that the coalescence or flocculation was the dominant destabilizing mechanism for such W/O emulsions encapsulating CS. This study may provide a valuable contribution for the application of a non-Newtonian macromolecule solution as dispersed phase to generate nano-size W/O emulsions via ultrasound, and widen knowledge and interest of such emulsions in the functional biomaterial field.
In order to take advantage of specific properties of sericin to develop cotton fabrics with the healthcare function, the cotton fabric modified with sericin (SMCF) was prepared by the periodate oxidation and subsequent treatment with sericin solution. The aldehyde groups in molecular chains of the oxidized cotton fabric crosslinked with the amino groups of sericin to form the chemical bond of Schiff’s base. The effects of periodate concentration, reaction temperature, sericin concentration and treatment time on the finishing process were investigated. The optimum finishing technology for cotton fabric was obtained. XPS analysis of the modified cotton fabric showed a characteristic peak of nitrogen element at 400.0–404.0 eV, which suggested that the sericin was fixed on the surface of cotton fabric through the Schiff’s base. The anti-ultraviolet property of the resulting SMCF improved. The breaking strength and whiteness of the modified fabric slightly decreased, whereas the moisture regain and wrinkle recovery angle of sericin treated fabric remarkably increased.
The bamboo pulp fiber fabric was treated by chitosan with low molecular weight in aqueous citric acid. The effect of citric acid concentration, chitosan concentration, treatment time and reaction temperature on anti-creasing and mechanical properties of the fabric were studied, respectively. Meanwhile, the optimal finishing condition was obtained. The anti-wrinkle and hygroscopic properties of all processed fabrics improved markedly at the optimal technology. However, the breaking strength of the fabric decreased slightly after the optimal treatment. FT-IR characterization of the treated fabric showed that the chitosan was crosslinked on the bamboo pulp fiber fabric and the ester linkage was formed between the citric acid and bamboo pulp cellulose. The antibacterial property of the chitosan treated fabric increased dramatically. The resulting bamboo pulp fiber fabric treated by chitosan is a natural ecological textile product, having the various application and more potential chemical modification.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the early effects of the cyclic uniaxial compressive stress on Actin and Vimentin of the rat condylar chondrocyte. METHODS The third-passage chondrocyte were harvested from the mandibular condyles of 2-day-old rats, and a cellular compressive stress device was used to apply stress on cells at 4 000 microstrain for 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 min. The early effects of the cyclic uniaxial compressive stress on Actin and Vimentin of the rat mandibular condylar chondrocytes were examined by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), immunofluorescence technique and Western blot. RESULTS The expression of fluorescent light of cys-toskeleton protein changed obviously with 4000 microstrain compressive stress loading. The expression of Actin significantly decreased in 60 min, and the expression of Vimentin decreased in 30 min. Then the expression of these two protein recovered in 120 min. CONCLUSION There are time-responsiveness between the 4000 microstrain compressive stress stimulate and Actin, Vimentin. It shows the expression of Actin and Vimentin down-regulated at first under the compressive stress, then increased by feedback. It hints that there are self-regulate mechanisms in the cell response to mechanics stimulate.
The silk fabric was grafted with acrylamide monomer by the radiation of 60Co- ray and subsequently treated with the chitosan solution in aqueous citric acid. The effects of radiation dose, acrylamide monomer concentration and pH value on the grafting yield were investigated, respectively, and the maximum grafting yield was about 14% (w/w). Scanning electron microscopy photographs indicated that the surface of silk fabric was changed after acrylamide monomer and chitosan treatment. Infrared spectra analysis showed that the acrylamide monomer grafted into silk fabric after the 60Co- radiation, furthermore the chitosan combined with silk fabric through the esterifying reaction between citric acid and silk fiber. The crystallinity of the silk fiber grafted with acrylamide monomer enhanced by the analysis of X-ray diffractograms. With the acrylamide monomer grafting after the 60Co- radiation and the chitosan solution in citric acid treating, the wrinkle recovery angle of the treated silk fabric increased about 34.4% than the untreated silk fabric, the breaking strength percentage of the treated silk fabric decreased slightly. Meanwhile, the ratios of both anti-E.coli and anti-Stap.aureus for silk fabric treated by chitosan were over 93%, and the ratio of anti-C.albicans for silk fabric after chitosan treatment was about 77.6%. The properties of anti-wrinkle and anti-bacterium on silk fabric after the above functional finishing increase significantly, which is very helpful for the health of human beings.
BACKGROUND Avicularin (AL, quercetin-3-alpha-l-arabinofuranoside), a glycoside of quercetin, has been reported to display diverse pharmacological properties. The present study aimed to investigate whether AL has an anti-depressant-like effect on a mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS A mouse model of depression was established and treated with different concentrations of AL (1.25, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg/d) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg/d). Then, behavioral tests - sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and the tail suspension test (TST) - were performed. The levels proinflammatory cytokines - interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) - in the hippocampi of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells was determined using flow cytometry. Expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-NF-kappaB (p-p65), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Caspase3, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by Western blot assay or/and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. RESULTS The results showed that AL significantly relieved CUMSinduced depressive-like behaviors. Compared with the model mice, AL treatment significantly increased the sucrose preference of the mice, and the immobility time in the FST and the TST were shortened. We also found that AL decreased CUMS-induced increases in the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in the hippocampi of mice. AL significantly decreased the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neuronal cells in mice, which was increased by CUMS. Furthermore, activation of the MEK/ERK/NF-kappaB pathway induced by CUMS was inhibited by AL treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our results show the anti-depressant-like effects of AL on CUMS-induced depression in a mouse model.
The cotton fiber was oxidized to dialdehyde cellulose by sodium periodate oxidation reaction. The oxidized cotton samples having different oxidation level were obtained with adjusting the periodate concentration and oxidation time. The wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the crystallinity of the cotton cellulose by the slight oxidation increased, whereas the crystallinity decreased significantly with increase in the degree of oxidation of the cotton cellulose. Differential scanning calorimetric curves of the oxidized samples showed that the slightly oxidized cotton cellulose decomposed at a somewhat higher temperature than the original cotton cellulose in the endothermic decomposition stages up to 350 . However, as the periodate concentration and oxidation time were enhanced further, the endothermic decomposition peak of the oxidized cotton cellulose shifted fast to lower temperature. Furthermore, the changes in the structure and crystallinity were also reflected in the mechanical property studies of these oxidized cellulose samples. The mechanical strength of the cotton thread, which was oxidized by periodate at the concentration of 0.0–1.0 mg/ml and oxidation time for 0–3 h, was found to be almost the same as the original cotton thread, but it decreased remarkably when the oxidation conditions became stronger. These results obtained suggest information in understanding the crystalline structure changes of cellulose in periodate oxidation and planning applications of the oxidized cellulose products.
Objective: To explore the academic ideas of the famous Qing dynasty physician Huang Yuan-young's "Four Saints' Heart Source" in identifying and treating menstrual diseases. METHODS: We studied Huang Yuan-yu's works, and analyzed the theory, methods, prescriptions and medicines of Huang Yuan-yu in the treatment of menstrual diseases, taking the Four Sages Heart Source as the main object of study. Results: Huang Yuan-yu's academic thought of "one qi flowing around and pivotal movement" was also reflected in the physiopathology of menstruation. It is believed that Spleen Yang and Kidney Water are the basis for the production of menstrual blood, while Lung Gold and Liver Wood regulate the menstrual cycle. He elaborated on menstrual disorders such as closed knots, menorrhagia, late pre-menstruation, purple and black stasis, abdominal pain during menstruation, and heat entering the blood chamber, and proposed that "the first method to regulate menstruation and nourish blood is to give priority to Chong Yang", and founded the formulas of Gui Zhi Dan Pi Tang, Gui Zhi Jiang Ling Tang, Jiang Ling Ah Gao Tang, Ling Gui Dan Shen Tang, Gui Di Peony Tang, and Chai Hu Di Huang Tang, which provided new ideas for clinical practice. Conclusion: Huang Yuan-you's treatment of menstrual diseases is guided by his academic thought of "one qi flowing around, pivotal movement", and proposes a physiological mechanism for the production and regulation of menstruation, which is different from the traditional mechanism of "kidney - tian-kuei - punching - uterus". It also provides guidance on the etiology of menstrual diseases and the prescriptions and medicines for their treatment, which are of contemporary value in the modern treatment of menstrual diseases.
In order to develop cotton fabric underwear with the health care function, the cotton fiber was modified with the collagen (CMCF) using periodate oxidation method. The aldehyde groups on the glucose chains of the oxidized cotton cellulose were reacted with the amino groups of collagen to obtain the CMCF, and the oxidized cellulose was crosslinked with collagen in aqueous acetic acid media. The effects of collagen concentration, treatment time, reaction temperature, pH value of solution and periodate concentration on the amount of collagen crosslinked on cotton fiber were respectively discussed, and the optimal reaction technology was obtained. XPS characterization of the modified cotton fiber showed a characteristic peak about 400.0–405.0 eV corresponding to collagen, which indicated that the collagen was combined on the surface of cotton fiber. The mechanical properties of the collagen modified cotton fiber were improved. The resulting CMCF is a new natural ecological fiber and has the extensive application as a carrier for the controlled release of drugs.
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