Association between Equol Production Status and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Equol is a metabolite of daidzein, a major soybean isoflavone with estrogenic and antioxidant activities. As the production of equol depends on the presence of certain members of the intestinal microflora, not all individuals can produce equol. We examined the relationship between NASH histological features and equol production. In an animal model, obese OLETF rats were intraperitoneally injected with a porcine serum to augment liver fibrogenesis. Equol-rich soy product, SE5-OH was orally administered during the experimental period. Treatment with SE5-OH markedly attenuated the development of liver fibrosis and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. In clinical research, 38 NAFLD patients (13 men and 25 women) were included. The degree of fibrosis and ballooning in equol-nonproducers was significantly higher than in equol-producers in women. The percentage of nonproducers with NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥ 5 was significantly higher than that of producers. None of the histological features were significantly different between nonproducers and producers in men. Decision tree analysis identified predictors for NAS ≥ 5 in women. The status of equol production was the strongest predictor, followed by fasting glucose. Since equol can be noninvasively detected in urine, it can be applied as a screening tool for the progression of NASH in women.     

Porous biodegradable polyesters. II. Physical properties,morphology, and enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis of porous poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) films

Porous poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL) films were prepared by water extraction of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) from their solution‐cast phase‐separated blend films and the dependence of their blend ratio [X_PCL = PCL/(PEO + PCL)] and molecular weight of PEO on the porosity, pore size, crystallinity, crystalline thickness, mechanical properties, morphology, and enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis of the porous PCL films were investigated. The film porosity or extracted weight ratio was in good agreement with the expected values, irrespective of X_PCL and molecular weight of PEO. The maximum pore size was larger for the porous films prepared using PEO having a lower molecular weight, compared with films prepared using PEO having a higher molecular weight at the same X_PCL. Differential scanning calorimetry of the porous PCL films revealed that their crystallinity and crystalline thickness were almost constant, regardless of X_PCL and molecular weight of PEO. The Young's modulus and tensile strength of the porous films decreased, whereas the elongation‐at‐break increased with decreasing X_PCL. The enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis rates of the porous films increased with a decrease in X_PCL and an increase in the molecular weight of PEO. The porous PCL films having Young's modulus in the range of 2–24 kg/mm² and enzymatic hydrolysis rate in the range of one‐ to 20‐fold that of the nonporous PCL film could be prepared by altering X_PCL and the molecular weight of PEO. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2281–2291, 2001     

Preparation of Melamine Resin Micro/Nanocapsules by using a Microreactor and Telomeric Surfactants

Melamine resin microcapsules were prepared by the batch method and microreactor method using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 1.6R₆A‐3.5AA as emulsifiers. They contained about 50% toluene as indicated by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The mean sizes of the microcapsules obtained by using the microreactor method with SDS and with 1.6R₆A‐3.5AA were 462 ± 199 and 147 ± 31 nm, respectively. Microcapsules prepared by using a microreactor showed smaller particle diameters and a narrower particle size distribution than those obtained using a batch reactor.

SEM photograph of a melamine resin microcapsule formed using a microreactor and the telomeric surfactant 1.6R₆A‐3.5AA after mechanical scratching.     

F127对热致相分离法制备的亲水性PVB/F127共混中空纤维膜性能的影响(英文)

Hydrophilic poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)/Pluronic F127 (F127) blend hollow fiber membranes were prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), and the effects of blend composition on the performance of hydrophilic PVB/F127 blend hollow fiber membrane were investigated. The addition of F127 to PVB/polyethylene glycol (PEG) system decreases the cloud point temperature, while the cloud point temperature increases slightly with the addition of F127 to 20% (by mass) PVB/F127/PEG200 system when the concentration of F127 is not higher than 5% (by mass). Light scattering results show that the initial inter-phase periodic distance formed from the phase separation of 20% (by mass) PVB/F127/PEG200 system decreases with the addition of F127, so does the growth rate during cooling process. The blend hollow fiber membrane prepared at air-gap 5mm, of which the water permeability increases and the rejection changes little with the increase of F127 concentration. For the membrane prepared at zero air-gap, both water permeability and rejection of the PVB/F127 blend membrane are greater than those of PVB membrane, while the tensile strength changes little. Elementary analysis shows that most F127 in the polymer solution can firmly exist in the polymer matrix, increasing the hydrophilicity of the blend membrane prepared at air-gap of 5mm.     

Enzyme Replacement Therapy with Pabinafusp Alfa for Neuronopathic Mucopolysaccharidosis II: An Integrated Analysis of Preclinical and Clinical Data

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) improves somatic manifestations in mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). However, because intravenously administered enzymes cannot cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), ERT is ineffective against the progressive neurodegeneration and resultant severe central nervous system (CNS) symptoms observed in patients with neuronopathic MPS. Attempts to surmount this problem have been made with intrathecal and intracerebroventricular ERT in order to achieve CNS effects, but the burdens on patients are inimical to long-term administrations. However, since pabinafusp alfa, a human iduronate-2-sulfatase fused with a BBB-crossing anti-transferrin receptor antibody, showed both central and peripheral efficacy in a mouse model, subsequent clinical trials in a total of 62 patients with MPS-II (Hunter syndrome) in Japan and Brazil substantiated this dual efficacy and provided an acceptable safety profile. To date, pabinafusp alfa is the only approved intravenous ERT that is effective against both the somatic and CNS symptoms of patients with MPS-II. This article summarizes the previously obtained preclinical and clinical evidence related to the use of this drug, presents latest data, and discusses the preclinical, translational, and clinical challenges of evaluating, ameliorating, and preventing neurodegeneration in patients with MPS-II.     

Histological and Immunohistochemical Studies to Determine the Mechanism of Cleft Palate Induction after Palatal Fusion in Mice Exposed to TCDD

Rupture of the basement membrane in fused palate tissue can cause the palate to separate after fusion in mice, leading to the development of cleft palate. Here, we further elucidate the mechanism of palatal separation after palatal fusion in 8–10-week-old ICR female mice. On day 12 of gestation, 40 μg/kg of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), sufficient to cause cleft palate in 100% of mice, was dissolved in 0.4 mL of olive oil containing toluene and administered as a single dose via a gastric tube. Fetal palatine frontal sections were observed by H&E staining, and epithelial cell adhesion factors, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were observed from the anterior to posterior palate. TUNEL-positive cells and Ki67-positive cells were observed around the posterior palatal dissection area of the TCDD-treated group. Moreover, in fetal mice exposed to TCDD, some fetuses exhibited cleft palate dehiscence during fusion. The results suggest that palatal dehiscence may be caused by abnormal cell proliferation in epithelial tissues, decreased intercellular adhesion, and inhibition of mesenchymal cell proliferation. By elucidating the mechanism of cleavage after palatal fusion, this research can contribute to establishing methods for the prevention of cleft palate development.     

In situ preparation of inorganic nanoparticles in amino-functionalized porous cellulose particles

Amino-functionalized cellulose particles with a porous structure were prepared by a solvent-releasing method with 1-butyl-3-methylimdazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) followed by an amination reaction, and were incorporated with silica. The amino groups provided the base catalyst for the formation of silica on the porous structure during the in situ sol–gel reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate. After the reaction, no free silica remained in the reaction medium. The microscopic morphologies (specific surface area, pore diameter, and pore volume) of the composite particles were affected by the silica content in the composites, which was controllable by the sol–gel reaction time. When silver nanoparticles were introduced to the pores of the cellulose particles by reduction of AgNO₃ with amino groups, the composite exhibited catalytic ability and recyclability.     

Graphene-based membranes for pervaporation processes

Two-dimensional graphene and its derivatives exhibiting distinct physiochemical properties are intriguing building blocks for researchers from a large variety of scientific fields. Assembling graphene-based materials into membrane layers brings great potentials for high-efficiency membrane processes. Particularly, pervaporation by graphene-based membranes has been intensively studied with respect to the membrane design and preparation. This review aims to provide an overview on the graphene-based membranes for pervaporation processes ranged from fabrication to application. Physical or chemical decoration of graphene-based materials is elaborated regarding their effects on the microstructure and performance. The mass transport of pervaporation through graphene-based membranes is introduced, and relevant mechanisms are described. Furthermore, performances of state-of-the-art graphene-based membranes for different pervaporation applications are summarized. Finally, the perspectives of current challenges and future directions are presented.     

Surface characterization of chitosan and cellulose-derived porous carbons with K2CO3 activation and its application to water and ethene adsorption

Journal of Porous Materials - Porous carbons were prepared by the K2CO3 activation of polysaccharides, cellulose and chitosan, to develop an adsorbent that can be used to keep fruits and vegetables...     

Highly efficient monovalent ion transport enabled by ionic crosslinking-induced nanochannels

Charge-governed ion transport is of significant importance to industrial development, and advanced membrane materials with fast and selective ionic transport are essential components. In cell membranes, ionic transport is mainly determined by the charge-governed protein channels, representing an architecture with functional differentiation. Inspired by this, a novel class of membranes was developed by ionically crosslinking sulfonated (poly[ether ether ketone]) and quaternized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) to construct the cationic conductive biomimetic nanochannels. Ionic crosslinking was tailored to realize nanophase separation and efficient ion transport mainly based on surface chemistry without altering the scaffold feature of polymeric pore channels. The best-performing ionic crosslinking membrane exhibited a high ionic permeation (2.23 mol·m⁻²·h⁻¹ for K⁺) and high cationic selectivity (7.91 for K⁺/Mg²⁺), which were comparable with the commercial monovalent cation permselective CIMS membrane, owing to the negligent surface resistance toward monovalent cations but strong positively charged repulsion against divalent cations.