Whey Protein-Pullulan (WP/Pullulan) Polymer Blend for Preservation of Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus

In this study, whey protein isolate-pullulan (WP/pullulan) microspheres were developed to entrap the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL-B 4495 by spray-drying technique. Microcapsules were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics including morphology, particle size, moisture content, water activity, dissolution time, and color properties. Results revealed that microcapsules were spherical in shape and obtained particle sizes between 5 and 160 µm, with an average size of around 50 µm. Blending pullulan with WP provided enhanced survival of probiotic bacteria during spray drying with a final viable cell number of 8.81 log CFU/g of microcapsule. Encapsulated probiotics were also found to have significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher survived cell numbers compared to free probiotics under detrimental gastrointestinal conditions. Moreover, dissolution analysis suggested that protein-polysaccharide powdered microcapsules showed pH-sensitive dissolution properties in simulated gastric juice and simulated intestinal juice.     

Highly porous starch/poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) composite nanofiber mesh

In this study, starch‐based hybrid electrospun nanofiber meshes were fabricated by electrospinning. Spinning solutions were prepared by mixing starch and certain amounts of poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride). Starch‐based nanofiber meshes became insoluble in water with thermal‐induced esterification of hydroxyl groups onto starch backbone. Morphologic and structure analysis of the electrospun nanofiber meshes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Thermal properties of nanofiber meshes were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal stability of nanofiber meshes were increased with formation of intermolecular bonds between starch and poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride). POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1321–1324, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ultrasound‐assisted bioscouring of cotton

In this study, the effects of ultrasound on the bioscouring of cotton by alkaline pectinase were examined. Conventional alkaline scouring was considered as the control treatment, and two different sources of ultrasound, an ultrasonic bath and an ultrasonic homogeniser, were tested, along with the enzymatic scouring process. Results indicated a clear increase in the efficiency of the enzymatic scouring process when the ultrasonic homogeniser was used: wettability time and wicking distance after ultrasonic homogeniser‐assisted bioscouring were much better than for enzymatic scouring without the use of ultrasound energy and almost the same as when conventional alkaline scouring was employed. Ultrasonic bath‐assisted enzymatic bioscouring gave slightly better results than enzymatic scouring without sonication. Reasons for the difference in efficacy of the ultrasound sources were postulated. Weight loss was increased by the use of ultrasonic equipment during enzymatic scouring. Fabric thickness and fabric strength was not significantly affected by the scouring processes. The environmental impact of the processes was also monitored by chemical oxygen demand measurement of the treatment liquors. Conventional alkaline scouring resulted in the highest environmental impact. Ultrasonic homogeniser‐assisted bioscouring also led to slightly higher chemical oxygen demand loads than other enzymatic processes owing to the more efficient removal of impurities.     

EXTRACTION OF TITANIUM(IV) FROM AQUEOUS HYDROCHLORIC ACID SOLUTIONS INTO ALAMINE 336-M-XYLENE MIXTURES

Extraction of Ti(IV) from its aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions into organic Alamine 336-m-xylene systems was investigated. Extraction experiments were conducted with three different initial metal concentrations of 1, 3, and 6 mg/mL, each at three acidic molarities of 1, 5, and 10 M. It was observed that the extractability of Ti(IV) increases with increasing acidic molarities. Alamine 336 diluted with m-xylene was found to be a suitable extractant for Ti(IV) across this acidic range. In parallel, a mathematical model was developed to correlate metal extractability and Alamine 336 volume content. Optimal Alamine 336 contents were estimated for single-stage extraction.     

Cation deficiency associated with the chemical exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide

Compositional changes associated with the chemical exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide, a layered transition metal oxide, are discussed. Starting from a layered bulk structure, lithium cobalt oxide can undergo chemical exfoliation through a two-step method: treatment with a protic acid, then treatment with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (this intercalates the layered structure and yields exfoliated nanosheets). This work provides an in-depth analysis of compositional and structural changes occurring to the powder upon the first step to exfoliation, treatment with acid, revealing variations in vacancies and valence changes depending on the conditions used. Through coupled analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy data, we illustrate that both lithium and cobalt ions are diffusing out the structure along with the dissolution of full unit cells. As such, nanosheets accessed from the bulk by this exfoliation process should not be considered simply as divisions of the original unit cell. This work provides fundamental insights on the stability of LiCoO₂ and the exfoliation of layered transition metal oxides, beyond the access of individual nanosheets, and is vital to determining structure-property relationships of chemically exfoliated nanosheets (eg, changes in valency which dictate catalytic activity, magnetic susceptibility, etc).     

A Multi-step Virtual Screening Protocol for the Identification of Novel Non-acidic Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) Inhibitors

Microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and certain types of cancer. To identify novel scaffolds for mPGES-1 inhibition, we applied a virtual screening (VS) protocol that comprises molecular docking, fingerprints-based clustering with diversity-based selection, protein–ligand interactions fingerprints, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculations. The hits identified were carefully analyzed to ensure the selection of novel scaffolds that establish stable interactions with key residues in the mPGES-1 binding pocket and inhibit the catalytic activity of the enzyme. As a result, we discovered two promising chemotypes, 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-[(2-{[(propan-2-yl)sulfamoyl]methyl}phenyl)methyl]piperazine-1-carboxamide ( 6 ) and N-(4-methoxy-3-{[4-(6-methyl-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]sulfamoyl}phenyl)acetamide ( 8 ), as non-acidic mPGES-1 inhibitors with IC₅₀ values of 1.2 and 1.3 μm , respectively. Minimal structural optimization of 8 resulted in three more compounds with promising improvements in inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 0.3–0.6 μm ). The unprecedented chemical structures of 6 and 8 , which are amenable to further derivatization, reveal a new and attractive approach for the development of mPGES-1 inhibitors with potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.     

Cyclic fatigue resistance and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis of novel heat‐treated nickel–titanium instruments at body temperature

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistance of Dia‐X, WaveOne Gold and One Curve files in a water bath at intracanal temperature (35°C). Thirty‐nine instruments Dia‐X, WaveOne Gold, and One Curve systems (n = 13) were tested in an artificial canal with a curvature angle of 60° and a radius of 3 mm. A water bath setup at a temperature of 35°C was used to simulate the intracanal temperature and time to fracture (TTF) as seconds was recorded. The mean data were analyzed statistically using one‐way ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey test (p = .05). The fractured surface of the instruments was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical composition of the instruments were investigated with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). Statistically significant differences were detected in TTF values of all the systems as follows: One Curve > WaveOne Gold > Dia‐X (p < .05). One Curve instruments demonstrated the highest TTF values in all the tested instruments. The EDS microanalysis revealed similar NiTi composition of on the surface of One Curve, WaveOne Gold, and Dia‐X instruments. The novel manufacturing process, including C‐wire heat treatment and the variable cross‐section of the One Curve files, could be the main factors affecting the fatigue life of the instruments.     

In situ X-ray diffraction of the early stages of the crystallization of Fe80B20

A new technique has been used for the early stages of crystallization of amorphous materials, like metallic alloys. In situ X-ray diffraction has been performed during the early stages of crystallization of Fe₈₀B₂₀. The samples are resistively heated to 600°C in a customized vacuum chamber. A programmable charge-coupled device detector records simultaneously the evolution of the three phases: -Fe, Fe₃B and Fe₂B in the minute scale. This is the first in situ X-ray diffraction study of this system in these temperature and time scales. Interesting behaviours have been seen: appearance and disappearance of phases, -Fe supersaturation solution in boron (found for the first time in this compound), and migration of B out of the -Fe matrix. The two-dimensional diffraction pictures show topography irregularities indicating crystallite inhomogeneties.