Effect of rumen microbiota transfaunation on the growth, rumen fermentation, and microbial community of early separated Japanese Black cattle.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of rumen microbiota transfaunation on the growth, rumen fermentation, and the microbial community of Japanese Black cattle that were separated early from their dams. Here, 24 calves were separated from their dams immediately after calving, 12 of which were transfaunated via inoculation with rumen fluid from adult cattle at the age of 2 months while the remaining 12 were kept unfaunated (not-inoculated). Feed efficiency monitoring was performed during 7-10 months of age. Body weight and feed intake were not significantly different between the transfaunated and unfaunated cattle. Transfaunation increased the relative levels of acetate and butyrate but decreased those of propionate, which increased the non-glucogenic/glucogenic short-chain fatty acid ratio. Microbial 16S, 18S, and ITS ribosomal RNA gene amplicon analysis showed that rumen microbial diversity and composition differed between transfaunated and unfaunated cattle; transfaunation increased the abundance of acetate- and butyrate-producing bacteria, and decreased the abundance of bacterial genera associated with propionate production. Transfaunation also increased the abundance of Methanomassiliicoccaceae_group10 (1.94% vs. 0.05%) and Neocallimastix (27.1% vs. 6.8%) but decreased that of Methanomicrobium (<0.01% vs. 0.06%). Our findings indicate that rumen microbiota transfaunation shifts rumen fermentation toward acetate and butyrate production through a change in the rumen microbial composition in Japanese Black cattle.

Investigation of partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan, an amphoteric-amphiphilic chitosan derivative, as a new material for cosmetic and dermal application.

BACKGROUND: Cationic amphiphilic chitosan derivatives can form polymeric micelles, which are useful cosmetic materials, but they form polyion complexes with anionic polymers, which can cause formulation difficulties. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan, an amphoteric-amphiphilic chitosan derivative, as a new material for cosmetics in the absence of a surfactant comprising an anionic polymer. METHODS: An anionic polymer and 1,2-decanediol (an antimicrobial agent)-containing partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan nanoemulsified lotion and glabridin (an antimelanogenic agent)-containing partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan polymeric micelle were prepared using a pressure homogenization method. The release of interleukin-1α, cell viability, and melanogenesis inhibition was evaluated on a human skin model. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar dilution method. RESULTS: A mixture of partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan and carboxyvinyl polymer did not form a polyion complex, but it formed a hydrophilic gel. The anionic polymer-containing partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan nanoemulsified formulation was stable, with no decrease in cell viability and horny layer exfoliation, which are typically observed with Tween 60. Compared with the formulation with methyl paraben (0.2%), the formulation to which 1,2-decanediol (0.05%) was added improved the antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes; however, no interleukin-1α upregulation was observed. The glabridin-containing partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan polymeric micelles enhanced melanogenesis inhibition and percutaneous glabridin delivery to the epidermis compared with conventional emulsified micelles. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan-forming polymeric micelles, in combination with 1,2-decanediol and glabridin, may be useful for surfactant-free cosmetic emulsions.

Efficient Percutaneous Delivery of the Antimelanogenic Agent Glabridin Using Cationic Amphiphilic Chitosan Micelles.

Partially myristoylated chitosan pyrrolidone carboxylate (PMCP) is a cationic amphiphilic chitosan derivative. Glabridin (Glab) from licorice root extracts is a hydrophobic antimelanogenic agent. Here we assessed the effects of cationic Glab-containing polymeric micelles derived from PMCP (Glab/PMCP-PM) on the ability of Glab to penetrate the skin and inhibit melanogenesis using a human skin model. The amount of Glab absorbed 24 h after the application of Glab/PMCP-PM was approximately four times higher than that of conventional oil-in-water micelles (control) prepared using Tween 60. Further, the release of IL-1α, a mediator of inflammation, was not detected. Treatment with Glab/PMCP-PM significantly increased the inhibition of melanogenesis compared with control. The inhibition of melanogenesis depends upon the enhanced ability of Glab to penetrate the skin, particularly the epidermis. Moreover, the inhibition of melanogenesis and the cationic potential of the Glab/PMCP-PM levels were increased by the cationic phospholipid copolymer. Therefore, Glab/PMCP-PM shows potential as an effective transdermal delivery system for treating skin hyperpigmentation.

Palladium-catalysed direct synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes from thioenols.

The one-pot conversion of thioenols into benzo[b]thiophenes was achieved by using a simple palladium catalyst such as PdCl(2) or PdCl(2)(cod).