Influences of Molecular Weights on Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Collagen-Alginate Scaffolds.

For tissue engineering applications, biodegradable scaffolds containing high molecular weights (MW) of collagen and sodium alginate have been developed and characterized. However, the properties of low MW collagen-based scaffolds have not been studied in previous research. This work examined the distinctive properties of low MW collagen-based scaffolds with alginate unmodified and modified by subcritical water. Besides, we developed a facile method to cross-link water-soluble scaffolds using glutaraldehyde in an aqueous ethanol solution. The prepared cross-linked scaffolds showed good structural properties with high porosity (~93%) and high cross-linking degree (50-60%). Compared with collagen (6000 Da)-based scaffolds, collagen (25,000 Da)-based scaffolds exhibited higher stability against collagenase degradation and lower weight loss in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Collagen (25,000 Da)-based scaffolds with modified alginate tended to improve antioxidant capacity compared with scaffolds containing unmodified alginate. Interestingly, in vitro coagulant activity assay demonstrated that collagen (25,000 Da)-based scaffolds with modified alginate (C25-A63 and C25-A21) significantly reduced the clotting time of human plasma compared with scaffolds consisting of unmodified alginate. Although some further investigations need to be done, collagen (25,000 Da)-based scaffolds with modified alginate should be considered as a potential candidate for tissue engineering applications.

Systematic Investigation of the Reduction of Inorganic Arsenic and Bioactive Nutrients in Rice with Various Cooking Techniques.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of polishing, stirring and rinsing, soaking, or pressure-steam cooking on total organic and inorganic arsenic content and to measure daily inorganic arsenic exposure and nutrient values from consumption of rice prepared under the optimal process. With increasing numbers of rinses and times stirred per rinse, the total arsenic content significantly decreased by 27.6% in brown rice and 39.0% in white rice with 10% degree of polishing (10DOP%). The increase in ratio of water to rice from 1.5:1 to 6:1 reduced total arsenic by 4.4 to 7.5%, depending on soaking time. The total arsenic concentrations found in samples prepared using the optimal process for cooked brown rice and for white rice with 5DOP%, 7DOP%, and 10DOP% were 56.1, 49.6, 52.0, and 42.0%, respectively, compared with those after bran residues were removed. The concentration of total dietary fiber in 10DOP% white and brown rice was 0.34 mg/100 g (54.7% reduction) and 2.52 mg/100 g (24.8% reduction) after the cooking process, respectively. Results from the current study suggest that the optimal cooking process could maximize the reduction of arsenic contents and, at the same time, minimize the loss of nutrients from rice.

Efficient bioremediation of radioactive iodine using biogenic gold nanomaterial-containing radiation-resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans R1.

We herein report a new bioremediation method using a radiation-resistant bacterium. Biogenic gold nanomaterial-containing Deinococcus radiodurans R1 showed excellent capability for the removal of radioactive iodine (>99%) in several aqueous solutions. These observations demonstrated that our remediation system would be efficiently applied to the treatment of radioactive wastes.

Gold-Nanoparticle-Immobilized Desalting Columns for Highly Efficient and Specific Removal of Radioactive Iodine in Aqueous Media.

There has been worldwide attention on the efficient removal of radioactive iodine, because it is commonly released in nuclear plant accidents. Increasing concerns on environmental problems due to the radioactive iodine are leading us to develop stable and sustainable technology for remediation of radioelement contaminants. In this work, we report a highly efficient chromatographic method for specific and rapid capture of radioactive iodine. The gold nanoparticles immobilized dextran gel columns showed excellent removal capabilities of radioactive iodine in various conditions. These results suggested that our platform technology can be a promising method for the desalination of radioactive iodines in water.

An Optimized Protocol for the Efficient Radiolabeling of Gold Nanoparticles by Using a 125I-labeled Azide Prosthetic Group.

Here, we demonstrate a detailed protocol for the radiosynthesis of a 125I-labeled azide prosthetic group and its application to the efficient radiolabeling of DBCO-group-functionalized gold nanoparticles using a copper-free click reaction. Radioiodination of the stannylated precursor (2) was carried out by using [125I]NaI and chloramine T as an oxidant at room temperature for 15 min. After HPLC purification of the crude product, the purified 125I-labeled azide (1) was obtained with high radiochemical yield (75 ± 10%, n = 8) and excellent radiochemical purity (>99%). For the synthesis of radiolabeled 13-nm-sized gold nanoparticles, the DBCO-functionalized gold nanoparticles (3) were prepared by using a thiolated polyethylene glycol polymer. A copper-free click reaction between 1 and 3 gave the 125I-labeled gold nanoparticles (4) with more than 95% of radiochemical yield as determined by radio-thin-layer chromatography (radio-TLC). These results clearly indicate that the present radiolabeling method using a strain-promoted copper-free click reaction will be useful for the efficient and convenient radiolabeling of DBCO-group-containing nanomaterials.

Highly efficient method for 125I-radiolabeling of biomolecules using inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction.

In this report, we present a rapid and highly efficient method for radioactive iodine labeling of trans-cyclooctene group conjugated biomolecules using inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction. Radioiodination reaction of the tetrazine structure was carried out using the stannylated precursor 2 to give 125I-labeled azide ([125I]1) with high radiochemical yield (65±8%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). For radiolabeling application of [125I]1, trans-cyclooctene derived cRGD peptide and human serum albumin were prepared. These substrated were reacted with [125I]1 under mild condition to provide the radiolabeled products [125I]6 and [125I]8, respectively, with excellent radiochemical yields. The biodistribution study of [125I]8 in normal ICR mice showed significantly lower thyroid uptake values than that of 125I-labeled human serum albumin prepared by a traditional radiolabeling method. Therefore [125I]8 will be a useful radiolabeled tracer in various molecular imaging and biological studies. Those results clearly demonstrate that [125I]1 will be used as a valuable prosthetic group for radiolabeling of biomolecules.

Protective effect of black raspberry seed containing anthocyanins against oxidative damage to DNA, protein, and lipid.

This study aimed to determine bioactive components and radical scavenging capacity of black raspberry seed extracts as byproducts obtaining during the juice (FSE) and wine (WSE) making process. Cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside was identified as a major anthocyanin and the total anthocyanin contents of fresh and wine seed were 78.24 and 41.61 mg/100 g of dry weight, respectively. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of FSE and WSE were 2.31 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 360.95 mg catechin equivalent (CE), and 2.44 g GAE and 379.54 mg CE per 100 g dry weight, respectively. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were 1041.9 µM TE/g for FSE and 1060.4 µM TE/g for WSE. Pretreatment of the FSE and WSE inhibited the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA and protein damage induced by hydroxyl radicals, and Fe(3+)/ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. WSE more effectively protected from oxidative damage than FSE. Results from the current study suggest that black raspberry seeds as byproducts from juice and wine processing could be potential sources for natural antioxidants.

Estimation of Sensory Pork Loin Tenderness Using Warner-Bratzler Shear Force and Texture Profile Analysis Measurements.

This study investigated the degree to which instrumental measurements explain the variation in pork loin tenderness as assessed by the sensory evaluation of trained panelists. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) had a significant relationship with the sensory tenderness variables, such as softness, initial tenderness, chewiness, and rate of breakdown. In a regression analysis, WBS could account variations in these sensory variables, though only to a limited proportion of variation. On the other hand, three parameters from texture profile analysis (TPA)-hardness, gumminess, and chewiness-were significantly correlated with all sensory evaluation variables. In particular, from the result of stepwise regression analysis, TPA hardness alone explained over 15% of variation in all sensory evaluation variables, with the exception of perceptible residue. Based on these results, TPA analysis was found to be better than WBS measurement, with the TPA parameter hardness likely to prove particularly useful, in terms of predicting pork loin tenderness as rated by trained panelists. However, sensory evaluation should be conducted to investigate practical pork tenderness perceived by consumer, because both instrumental measurements could explain only a small portion (less than 20%) of the variability in sensory evaluation.

Synthesis and evaluation of an (125)I-labeled azide prosthetic group for efficient and bioorthogonal radiolabeling of cyclooctyne-group containing molecules using copper-free click reaction.

Herein we report the radiosynthesis of a pyridine derived azide prosthetic group for iodine radioisotope labeling of dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) conjugated molecules. The radiolabeling of the stannylated precursor 2 was conducted using [(125)I]NaI and chloramine-T to give (125)I-labeled azide ([(125)I]1) with high radiochemical yield (72±8%, n=4) and radiochemical purity (>99%). Using (125)I-labeled azide ([(125)I]1), cyclic RGD peptide and near infrared fluorescent molecule were efficiently labeled with modest to good radiochemical yields. The biodistribution study and SPECT/CT images showed that [(125)I]1 underwent rapid renal clearance. These results clearly demonstrated that [(125)I]1 could be used as an useful radiotracer for in vivo pre-targeted imaging as well as efficient in vitro radiolabeling of DBCO containing molecules.

Enhanced antitumor efficacy of gemcitabine-loaded temperature-sensitive liposome by hyperthermia in tumor-bearing mice.

INTRODUCTION: Gemcitabine-loaded TSL (Gem-TSL) was used in combination with hyperthermia (HT) to treat the colon adenocarcinoma-bearing BALB/c mice for improved anticancer effect following intravenous administration. METHODS: A new temperature-sensitive liposome (TSL), composed of DPPC:DMPC:DSPC (4:1:1 molar ratio) releasing the encapsulated gemcitabine (Gem) at 41 °C, was developed and evaluated for enhanced antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Drug release from the TSL was sharply increased at 41 °C and in vitro cytotoxicity of Gem-TSL in colon adenocarcinoma cells (CT-26) was 10 times higher than the free drug (IC50 = 0.3 µM versus 3 µM). Apoptosis seemed to be the main mechanism of cell death as the treatment of the cells with Gem-TSL increased the caspse-3/7 activity by 1.5-fold and also caused the fragmentation of chromatin DNA. Gem-TSL suppressed the tumor growth in CT-26-bearing BALB/c mice more stronger than the free gemcitabine after intravenous administration. Moreover, this in vivo antitumor efficacy of Gem-TSL was further increased when HT was added. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that this new TSL-Gem formulation could serve as a new chemotherapy modality together with HT.

Protective effect of hesperidin, a citrus flavanoglycone, against γ-radiation-induced tissue damage in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the radioprotective effect of hesperidin, a citrus flavanoglycone, against γ-radiation-induced cellular damage in the liver, heart, and kidney of rats. Whole-body γ-radiation exposure (5 Gy) of healthy adult rats resulted in cellular damage and oxidative stress manifested as increased levels of serum marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and fibrosis in the tissues, accompanied by depletion of cellular glutathione and abnormal alteration in the levels of lysosomal enzymes. Treatment with hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 days was found to offer significant protection against γ-radiation-induced toxicity in the tissues, which was evident by the improved status of most of the parameters investigated. Further, the histological examination of periodic acid-Schiff-stained tissue sections of animals treated with hesperidin following radiation exposure showed minimal necrotic damage with a recovery pattern in a dose-dependent manner compared with radiation-exposed animals. The results of our study show that administration of hesperidin offers effective protection against γ-radiation-induced cellular damage and oxidative stress in rats.

Safety evaluation of Elsholtzia splendens extracts: assessment of acute toxicity and mutagenicity.

Much attention is recently gained for Elsholtzia splendens extracts and issue on their usage is raised due to their biological properties. However, there is no sufficient background information on toxicological evaluation of E. splendens extracts to give an assurance of safety for developing dietary supplements and functional foods. The objective of this study was to evaluate safety on E. splendens extracts using acute oral toxicity, bacterial reverse mutation, and chromosome aberration test. Total flavonoids within E. splendens were extracted with 80% of methanol by a reflux condenser. Both female and male mice were orally administrated E. splendens extracts at the dose of 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day. Mutagenicity of the extracts was evaluated in a bacterial reverse mutation assay using histidine requiring Salmonella typhimurium (TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, and TA 1537) and tryptophan-requiring Escherichia coli (WP2uvrA). In vitro chromosome aberration assay in Chinese Hamster Lung (CHL) was conducted to evaluate genotoxicity. Single administration of dose levels of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day to mice for 15 days did not produce any significant mortality, clinical signs, body weight loss, and gross findings. E. splendens extracts in the range of 156.3-5000 microg/plate did not induce mutagenicity in S. typhimurium and E. coli with and without metabolic activation system. Any significant chromosomal aberration was not observed in CHL cells 6h after treating with the extract at the concentrations of 1250, 2500, and 5000 microg/mL in absence and presence of metabolic activation system. However, frequency of chromosomal aberration in 22 h after treatment without metabolic activation system was increased with showing a pattern of dose-response relationship. The highest concentration of 5000 microg/mL significantly induced chromosomal aberration. E. splendens extracts may induce chromosomal structure abnormality in CHL cells. This study suggests that further study is needed to assess the potential genotoxic effects of E. splendens extracts.