Co-Immobilization of Alcalase/Dispase for Production of Selenium-Enriched Peptide from Cardamine violifolia.

Enzymatically derived selenium-enriched peptides from Cardamine violifolia (CV) can serve as valuable selenium supplements. However, the industrial application of free enzyme is impeded by its limited stability and reusability. Herein, this study explores the application of co-immobilized enzymes (Alcalase and Dispase) on amino resin for hydrolyzing CV proteins to produce selenium-enriched peptides. The successful enzyme immobilization was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Co-immobilized enzyme at a mass ratio of 5:1 (Alcalase/Dispase) exhibited the smallest pore size (7.065 nm) and highest activity (41 U/mg), resulting in a high degree of hydrolysis of CV protein (27.2%), which was obviously higher than the case of using free enzymes (20.7%) or immobilized Alcalase (25.8%). In addition, after a month of storage, the co-immobilized enzyme still retained a viability level of 41.93%, showing fairly good stability. Encouragingly, the selenium-enriched peptides from co-immobilized enzyme hydrolysis exhibited uniform distribution of selenium forms, complete amino acid fractions and homogeneous distribution of molecular weight, confirming the practicality of using co-immobilized enzymes for CV protein hydrolysis.

Application of Graphite Electrode Plasma Heating Technology in Continuous Casting.

In this study, the industrial, experimental effect of a plasma heating system in the form of graphite electrode in the tundish of double-strand slab caster was evaluated for the first time. The system uses three graphite electrodes, two of which are cathodes and one of which is an anode, to form a conductive loop through molten steel in the tundish. The system is built on an old two-strand slab caster and is installed on the premise that the original ladle tundish equipment remains unchanged. The normal working power of the system is up to 1500 kW, and the heating rate of molten steel in the tundish can reach 1.0 °C/min under conditions of 5 t/min total steel throughput and a tundish capacity of 50 t. After the system was put into operation, the purity of molten steel undergoing heating was investigated. The sample analysis of low carbon steel and ultra-low carbon steel before and after heating showed that the contents of N and O in the steel did not increase, while the size of the oxide inclusions near the heating point increased but showed little change in terms of the overall quantity. This process benefited from the addition of inert gas during the heating process to control the atmosphere in the heating area, which prevents reoxidation. The sample analysis also showed that there is no obvious carbon absorption phenomenon after heating, and the fluctuation in C content is within 0.0001%, which is consistent with the general production results. By using this system, the temperature of molten steel in the steelmaking process can be reduced by 10~15 °C, allowing continuous low superheat casting to be supported, which is helpful for reducing production costs and improving the solidified structure inside the slab. The results of the study show that the plasma heating technology can be applied to the continuous casting of low carbon-nitrogen steel slabs, which shows the benefits of reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.

Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone for treatment of plaque psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: A growing number of studies have shown that thiazolidinediones (TZD) can be antipsoriatic. Pioglitazone is a representative of the class of antidiabetic drugs known as TZD. TZD can activate nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-c. PPARs are expressed on epidermal keratinocytes and exert their effects by promoting the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes, inhibiting epidermal growth, and reducing inflammatory responses. These observations suggest that TZD have potential benefits in the treatment of cutaneous and metabolic pathologies associated with psoriasis.Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of combined pioglitazone treatment. We point out three controversial side effects from administration of pioglitazone in psoriasis: elevated liver enzymes, weight gain, and nausea.Study selection: Randomized, single blind, or double blind, published studies of pioglitazone compared with placebo given to patients with plaque psoriasis for 10 weeks or 12 weeks were considered for inclusion in this review. The primary outcomes were 75% or greater improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score from baseline (PASI 75) with pioglitazone.Data collection and analysis: The systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases from inception up to December 20 2018. Data analysis was done using Revman 5.3 Haymarket, London, United Kingdom.Main results: We included six studies (three publications of pioglitazone only; three publications of pioglitazone combination therapy) comprising a total of 294 patients (n = 149 with pioglitazone only and n = 145 with pioglitazone combination therapy) in the analysis. There was a significant PASI 75 response, in the pioglitazone only subgroup as compared to placebo (OR = 8.74, 95% CI 3.76-20.31, p < .00001), and the pioglitazone combination subgroup as compared to placebo (OR = 4.64, 95% CI 2.03-10.60, p < .00001), others, the total of pioglitazone as compared to placebo (OR = 6.37, 95% CI 3.55-11.43, p < .00001), and tests of subgroup differences show: p = .29, I2 = 9.5%. The incidence rate of elevated liver enzymes (OR = 3.70, 95% CI 0.56-24.31, p = .99), weight gain (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 0.60-3.47, p = .41), and nausea (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.23-2.49, p = .65) were not significantly different compared with the control group.Conclusion: Pioglitazone has efficacy for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. There is no significant difference between patients treated with pioglitazone only or in combination with other therapies. The incidence rate of side effects associated with pioglitazone treatment such as elevated liver enzymes, weight gain, and nausea were not significantly different compared with the control group.

Effects on Surface and Physicochemical Properties of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma-Treated Whey Protein Concentrate/Wheat Cross-Linked Starch Composite Film.

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is a new type of polymer surface modification technology. This study is mainly about the changes in film surface structure and physicochemical properties of whey protein concentrate (WPC)/wheat cross-linked starch (WCS) composite films after DBD plasma treatment with different plasma parameters. The results show that the proper plasma treatment parameters (400 W to 60 s) can increase the surface roughness, tensile strength, barrier properties, and thermal stability of the edible film and decrease elongation at break and the water contact angle. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction showed that DBD plasma treatment could increase the content of oxygen-containing groups on the WPC/WCS film surfaces instead of damaging the internal crystal structure. The results showed that use of proper DBD plasma treatment technology has a positive effect on the mechanical and barrier properties and thermal stability of WPC/WCS films. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: DBD plasma treatment can improve the mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of WPC/WCS films without generating any pollution. The DBD plasma can be potentially applied in the enhancement of edible film properties. WPC/WCS films are more environmentally friendly than plastics and can be a replacement for traditional plastics.

Acetylated Distarch Phosphate/Chitosan Films Reinforced with Sodium Laurate-Modified Nano-TiO2 : Effects of Sodium Laurate Concentration.

Nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) was modified with the surfactant sodium laurate (SL) via ultrasonic microwave-assisted technology to improve the dispersion of TiO2 in polymer matrices. As revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy analyses, SL was well adsorbed onto the TiO2 surface through chemical bonding, resulting in SL-modified TiO2 (TiO2 -SLx). The hydrophobicity and dispersibility of TiO2 -SLx increased significantly compared to unmodified nano-TiO2 . With an increase in the SL concentration from 5% to 15%, the agglomeration of TiO2 -SLx particles decreased considerably, while the particles were more uniform. TiO2 -SLx nanoparticles (3 wt%) were then incorporated into acetylated distarch phosphate/chitosan (ADPS/CS) blended matrices to reinforce the biopolymers. Relative to unmodified TiO2 , TiO2 -SLx exhibited a better dispersion capability. Furthermore, as the SL concentration increased, the tensile strength (TS) of the composite films increased, while the elongation at break (E), water vapor permeability (WVP), and solubility all decreased. The composite film containing TiO2 -SL15 (TiO2 modified with 15% SL; ADPS/CS-TiO2 -SL15 film) displayed the highest TS (31.50 MPa), which was 33.70% higher than that of the pure ADPS/CS film, whereas the ADPS/CS-TiO2 -SL25 film exhibited the lowest E. Further, the ADPS/CS-TiO2 -SL15 film displayed the lowest WVP (0.90 × 10-12 g·cm-1 ·s-1 ·Pa-1 ) and solubility (22.91%), which decreased by 30.23% and 26.03% compared to that of the pure ADPS/CS film, respectively. Therefore, SL modification and the use of ultrasonic microwave-assisted technology are promising for the preparation of nanofillers for biopolymer reinforcement. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanoparticles were modified using the anionic surfactant sodium laurate via ultrasonic-microwave assisted technology, to improve the dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles in polymer matrices. Modified TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated into acetylated di-starch phosphate/Chitosan blend films, causing the tensile strength of the composite film to increase and the water solubility and water vapor permeability of the composite film to decrease, making the films suitable for packaging applications.