Precise Control of Ultramicropores of Novel Carbons Molecule Sieves Derived from Coffee Bean for Efficient Sieving Propylene from Propane.

The development of granular carbon materials with outstanding selectivity for the separation of alkenes and alkanes is highly desirable in the petrochemical industry but remains a significant challenge due to closely similar molecular sizes and physical properties of adsorbates. Herein, we report a facile approach of using natural biomass to prepare novel granular carbon molecule sieves with a molecular recognition accuracy of 0.44 Å and propose a new three-region model for the pore size distribution of amorphous porous carbons. Coffee bean-based granule carbon molecular sieves (CFGCs) were prepared with precise micropore regulation with subangstrom accuracy and characterized using molecular probes to reveal the evolution of carbon structure during preparation. The CFGC-0.09-750 demonstrates exceptional selectivity adsorption toward C3H6 while excluding C3H8, with an uptake ratio of 106.75 and a C3H6 uptake of 1.88 mmol/g at 298 K and 100 kPa, showcasing its immense potential in industrial applications for separating C3H6 and C3H8. The novel three-region model established in this work can clearly and reasonably elucidate why the samples CFGCs can screen propylene from propane at the subangstrom level. This study provides important guidance for the development of new carbon molecular sieves with subangstrom accuracy in molecular recognition and separation capacity.

Mucoadhesive liposomal delivery system synergizing anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation for enhanced treatment against dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common and frequent ocular surface disease worldwide, which can cause severe ocular surface discomfort and blurred vision. Inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play decisive roles in the development of DED. However, existing treatments usually focus on anti-inflammation while ignore the role of ROS in DED. Ever worse, the clinical preparations are easily cleared by nasolacrimal ducts, resulting in poor therapeutic effect. To circumvent these obstacles, here we designed a phenylboronic acid (PBA) modified liposome co-loading immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) and antioxidant crocin (Cro). The CsA/Cro PBA Lip achieved mucoadhesion through the formation of covalent bonds between PBA and the sialic acid residues on mucin, and consequently improved the retention of drugs on the ocular surface. By inhibiting ROS production and blocking NF-κB inflammatory pathway, CsA/Cro PBA Lip successfully promoted the healing of damaged corneal epithelium, eventually achieving the goal of relieving DED. CsA/Cro PBA Lip is proven a simple yet effective dual-drug delivery system, exhibiting superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. This approach holds great potential in the clinical treatment of DED and other related mucosal inflammations.

Separating Xylene Isomers with a Calcium Metal-Organic Framework.

The purification of p-xylene (pX) from its xylene isomers represents a challenging but important industrial process. Herein, we report the efficient separation of pX from its ortho- and meta- isomers by a microporous calcium-based metal-organic framework material (HIAM-203) with a flexible skeleton. At 30 °C, all three isomers are accommodated but the adsorption kinetics of o-xylene (oX) and m-xylene (mX) are substantially slower than that of pX, and at an elevated temperature of 120 °C, oX and mX are fully excluded while pX can be adsorbed. Multicomponent column breakthrough measurements and vapor-phase/liquid-phase adsorption experiments have demonstrated the capability of HIAM-203 for efficient separation of xylene isomers. Ab initio calculations have provided useful information for understanding the adsorption mechanism.

Biomimetic Lipopolysaccharide-Free Bacterial Outer Membrane-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) severely blocks the intracranial accumulation of most systemic drugs. Inspired by the contribution of the bacterial outer membrane to Escherichia coli K1 (EC-K1) binding to and invasion of BBB endothelial cells in bacterial meningitis, utilization of the BBB invasion ability of the EC-K1 outer membrane for brain-targeted drug delivery and construction of a biomimetic self-assembled nanoparticle with a surface featuring a lipopolysaccharide-free EC-K1 outer membrane are proposed. BBB penetration of biomimetic nanoparticles is demonstrated to occur through the transcellular vesicle transport pathway, which is at least partially dependent on internalization, endosomal escape, and transcytosis mediated by the interactions between outer membrane protein A and gp96 on BBB endothelial cells. This biomimetic nanoengineering strategy endows the loaded drugs with prolonged circulation, intracranial interstitial distribution, and extremely high biocompatibility. Based on the critical roles of gp96 in cancer biology, this strategy reveals enormous potential for delivering therapeutics to treat gp96-overexpressing intracranial malignancies.

Correlation Analysis between Mechanical Properties and Fractions Composition of Oil-Rejuvenated Asphalt.

To clarify the intrinsic relationship between the mechanical properties of asphalt and its fraction composition, the SARA fraction composition and six macroscopic mechanical properties (critical cracking temperature (TCR), fatigue life (Nf), non-recoverable creep (Jnr3.2), penetration, ductility, and softening point) were investigated for 16 asphalt samples. Fraction contents of asphaltene and aromatic are strongly correlated with TCR and ductility (R2 > 0.92) that characterize the ability of asphalt to adapt to deformation at low and medium temperatures. Heavy fraction (asphaltene and resins) content is also strongly correlated with (R2 > 0.90) penetration and Jnr3.2 that characterize the resistance of the asphalt to overall deformation at medium and high temperatures. To express the changes in the four fractions simultaneously with one indicator, a statistic, average deviation of the fractions between the given asphalt and its original (marked σ), is introduced in this study to characterize the degree of asphalt aging based on the fraction changes. It normalizes the four simultaneous change indicators (percentage of SARA fractions) during asphalt aging into one indicator. This new indicator has a strong correlation with several mechanical performance indicators of asphalt, where it is strongly correlated with TCR (R2 > 0.90), ductility, and penetration, which are also well correlated with Jnr3.2 (R2 > 0.85), Nf (R2 > 0.75), and softening point (R2 > 0.75).

High-glucose concentration aggravates TNF-alpha-induced cell viability reduction in human CD146-positive periodontal ligament cells via TNFR-1 gene demethylation.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in the destruction of periodontal soft tissue and the resorption of alveolar bone. Evidence indicates that in diabetic patients, hyperglycemia suppresses periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) functions and leads to difficulties in periodontal repair. The present study aimed to explore the mechanisms by which high-glucose concentrations aggravate cell viability reduction in human CD146-positive PDLCs (CD146+ PDLCs) under tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induction. CD146+ PDLCs were isolated from periodontal ligament tissues and treated in the absence or presence of 10 ng/ml of TNF-alpha and 30 mM glucose. Cell viability was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 assays and Luminescent Cell Viability Assays. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor-1 (TNFR-1) protein and messenger RNA expression. Bisulfite and MassArray methylation analyses were used to analyze the methylation status of the TNFR-1 gene. Our results indicated that cell viability was reduced after treatment with a combination of both high-glucose concentration and TNF-alpha. Treatment with 30 mM glucose suppressed DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activities and DNMT1 protein expression, and this was accompanied by the upregulation of TNFR-1. Additionally, we found that the CpG island located within the TNFR-1 gene was hypomethylated under 30 mM glucose conditions. S-adenosylmethionine, an established methyl donor, reversed TNFR-1 upregulation and restored cell viability against high-glucose concentration and TNF-alpha. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that high-glucose-induced CpG island hypomethylation within the TNFR-1 gene plays an essential role in TNFR-1 upregulation, and this further enhances the cell viability reduction of CD146+ PDLCs caused by TNF-alpha.

Platelet-rich plasma inhibits osteoblast apoptosis and actin cytoskeleton disruption induced by gingipains through upregulating integrin ß1.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of platelet-rich plasma on gingipain-caused changes in cell morphology and apoptosis of osteoblasts. Mouse osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with gingipain extracts from Porphyromonas gingivalis in the presence or absence of platelet-rich plasma. Apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining. F-actin was determined by phalloidin-fluorescent staining and observed under confocal microscopy. Western blot analysis was used to detect integrin ß1, F-actin, and G-actin protein expressions. A knocking down approach was used to determine the role of integrin ß1. The platelet-rich plasma protected osteoblasts from gingipain-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by upregulation of integrin ß1. Platelet-rich plasma reversed the loss of F-actin integrity and decrease of F-actin/G-actin ratio in osteoblasts in the presence of gingipains. By contrast, the effects of platelet-rich plasma were abrogated by knockdown of integrin ß1. The platelet-rich plasma failed to reduce cell apoptosis and reorganize the cytoskeleton after knockdown of integrin ß1. In conclusion, platelet-rich plasma inhibits gingipain-induced osteoblast apoptosis and actin cytoskeleton disruption by upregulating integrin ß1 expression.

Gingipains promote RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through the enhancement of integrin ß3 in RAW264.7 cells.

As a crucial virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivalis, gingipains play an important role in periodontal destruction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gingipains on osteoclastogenesis. We used RAW264.7 cells as osteoclast precursors in our study. In experimental groups, cells were treated with gingipains and/or receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity staining assay showed osteoclast precursors and RANKL-induced mature osteoclasts were increased in a gingipains dose-dependent manner. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that gingipains upregulated osteoclastic genes including the protease cathepsin K (Ctsk), matrix metalloprotein 9 (Mmp9), nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (Nfatc1) and acid phosphatase 5, tartrate resistant (Acp5) in a time-dependent manner. Western blotting assays presented upregulated expressions of TNF receptor-activating factor 6 (TRAF6) and integrin ß3 induced by gingipains and RANKL compared to RANKL alone. Enhanced integrin-related signaling was also demonstrated by elevated phosphorylations of FAK and paxillin compared to control. Moreover, the pit resorption assays showed that gingipains augmented bone resorptive function of osteoclasts induced by RANKL. When we used Cilengitide to block integrin αvß3, gingipains reversed the reduction of formation and resorptive function in RANKL-induced osteoclasts, as they enhanced integrin αvß3 levels more than RANKL treatment alone. In conclusion, our data suggest that gingipains augmented the differentiation and function of mature osteoclasts induced by RANKL through the increase in integrin αvß3.

High Glucose Exacerbates TNF-α-Induced Proliferative Inhibition in Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells through Upregulation and Activation of TNF Receptor 1.

OBJECTIVE: This research is aimed at investigating how high glucose affects the proliferation and apoptosis in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in the presence of TNF-α. METHODS: PDLSCs obtained from periodontal healthy permanent teeth were treated under either high-glucose condition (30 mmol/L, G30 group) or normal glucose condition (5.6 mmol/L, G5.6 group) in the presence or absence of TNF-α. α. α. RESULTS: CCK-8 assay showed that high glucose exacerbated TNF-α. α. α. α. α. α. CONCLUSION: High glucose exacerbates TNF-α-induced proliferative inhibition in human periodontal ligament stem cells through the upregulation and activation of TNF receptor 1. Inhibition of intracellular ROS expression by vitamin C partially rescues PDLSCs in terms of cell proliferation.α.

Scavenging hagfish as a transport host of Anisakid nematodes.

Hagfish are the most primitive craniates and scavengers, feeding on dead organisms as well as fish and invertebrates. Hagfish play an important ecological role in recycling nutrients, helping to recycle biomass from the upper water column. We investigated 265 specimens of four hagfish species, including Eptatretus burgeri, Eptatretus yangi, Eptatretus sheni and Eptatretus taiwanae from northeastern Taiwanese waters of the northwestern Pacific from November 2013 to June 2014. Eight species of Anisakid nematodes were identified: Anisakis pegreffii, Anisakis simplex s.s., a recombinant genotype of A. pegreffii and A. simplex s.s., Anisakis typica, Anisakis sp., Anisakis brevispiculata, Anisakis physeteris and Hysterothylacium amoyense. Anisakis sp. and H. amoyense represented new locality records. The prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance of anisakid nematodes for all specimens were 21.51%, 5.39 larvae per fish and 1.16 larvae per fish, respectively. A. pegreffii was the most frequent species in E. burgeri, E. yangi and E. taiwanae, whereas in E. sheni, the dominant species was Anisakis sp. The number of nematodes was significantly related to the host length for E. burgeri and E. sheni, but was not related to the sex of the four hagfish species. This report of scavenging hagfish infected with Anisakid larvae suggests hagfish as a transport/paratenic host between cetaceans and piscivores. Anisakiasis may be caused by the consumption of infectious third-stage larvae in raw or undercooked hagfish.

A new species of chondracanthid copepod parasitic in the pharynx of hagfishes (Myxiniformes: Myxinidae) from off Taiwan.

A new species of Acanthochondria Oakley, 1927 (Copepoda, Poecilostomatoida, Chondracanthidae), parasitic in the pharynx of hagfishes Eptatretus burgeri (Girard), E. sheni (Kuo, Huang & Mok) and E. yangi (Teng), from off Taiwan is described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the neck region longer than wide (about 2-3 times as long as wide), the moderately long protopod of leg 2 (Type E), the endopod of leg 2 as large as exopod, the cephalosome wider than long, the armature formula of antennule (1, 1, 2, 2, 9), the relatively long trunk (6.7 mm) and egg-sacs (14.4 mm). This is the first record of a parasitic chondracanthid from hagfishes. The findings may provide insights into the phylogenetic relationships and interactions among chondracanthids, hagfishes and demersal fishes, but call for further molecular studies.