Polymer-Based Module for NAD+ Regeneration with Visible Light

The regeneration of enzymatic cofactors by cell-free synthetic modules is a key step towards producing a purely synthetic cell. Herein, we demonstrate the regeneration of the enzyme cofactor NAD⁺ by photo-oxidation of NADH under visible-light irradiation by using metal-free conjugated polymer nanoparticles. Encapsulation of the light-active nanoparticles in the lumen of polymeric vesicles produced a fully organic module able to regenerate NAD⁺ in an enzyme-free system. The polymer compartment conferred physical and chemical autonomy to the module, allowing the regeneration of NAD⁺ to occur efficiently, even in harsh chemical environments. Moreover, we show that regeneration of NAD⁺ by the photocatalyst nanoparticles can oxidize a model substrate, in conjunction with the enzyme glycerol dehydrogenase. To ensure the longevity of the enzyme, we immobilized it within a protective silica matrix; this yielded enzymatic silica nanoparticles with enhanced long-term performance and compatibility with the NAD⁺-regeneration system.     

Copper(I) selenophene-2-carboxylate (CuSC) promoted C–S cross-coupling reaction of thiols with aryl iodides

We reported the synthesis of copper (I)-selenophene-2-carboxylate (CuSC) and application as new catalyst in the cross-coupling reactions of thiols with aryl iodide to afford the corresponding unsymmetrical thioethers. The optimized reaction conditions were applied to thiols and aryl iodides having a wide range of functional groups, including electron rich and electron poor substrates. The chemoselectivity of the reaction with 4-iodobromobenzene and 2-aminothiophenol derivatives was briefly examined through the competitive iodine versus bromine and thiol versus nitrogen cross-coupling.     

Enhancements in sugar immobilization in polymeric macroporous matrices for affinity capture

The use of macroporous monolithic matrices in the purification of biocompounds is constantly growing and developing. In this work, the objective was to optimize the quantity of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (D-GlcNAc) immobilized on the surface of macroporous polymeric cryogels for capture of lectins from less clarified solutions. Surface response methodology was applied and it was observed that the immobilization temperature of the glutaraldehyde (GLU) and the D-GlcNAc concentration influenced the amount of sugar immobilized. The matrices produced with 1.1% of allyl glycidyl ether were functionalized by GLU. Optimal maximum condition was obtained with mean value of 160.39 ± 26.38 mg of D-GlcNAc immobilized per gram of dry cryogel. Characterization analyses of the matrices showed that the activation process was effective, maintaining the macroporous structure and physical characteristics. The adsorbents produced were tested for capture of lectins from a crude protein solution of barley. At tested conditions, adsorbent capture around 11% of protein in solution but reduce the hemaglutinating capacity in 40%, demonstrating its selectivity. The cryogels functionalized with D-GlcNAc present potential for use in capture compounds by affinity with carbohydrates, such as lectins. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47956.     

Development and application starch films: PBAT with additives for evaluating the shelf life of Tommy Atkins mango in the fresh-cut state

In this study, formulations of cassava starch and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) flexible films were developed, with glycerol, coconut nanocellulose, annatto, and citric acid in different concentrations, as well as the effectiveness of the selected materials in fresh-cut mangoes storage was evaluated. The tensile strength of the different formulations varied from 1.90 (E4) to 6.65 MPa (E3c), and the strain varied from 206.31 (E1c) to 278.41% (E8); this variation was dependent on the percentage of the polymer matrix incorporated. The a_w values of the formulations ranged from 0.396 (E2) to 0.569 (E3c). The Formulations E4 and E7 (with additives) presented good properties and were selected to condition mangoes. The micrographs of these films showed regions of micropores that can facilitate the diffusion of water from the packaged product to the surface, allowing decreases in moisture and a_w, which is associated with higher color maintenance during fruit storage. E7 presented better barrier properties than E4 (lower values of WVP and water solubility) which may have influenced in a positive way to maintain the stability of the package in the studied period. E7 can be considered as a viable alternative for minimally processed mango storage. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48150.     

Aerobic Training in Young Men Increases the Transfer of Cholesterol to High Density Lipoprotein In Vitro: Impact of High Density Lipoprotein Size

Exercise training not only improves the plasma lipid profile but also reduces risk of developing coronary heart disease. We investigate whether plasma lipids and high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism are affected by aerobic training and whether the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels at baseline influence exercise-induced changes in HDL. Seventy-one male sedentary volunteers were evaluated and allocated in two subgroups, according to the HLD-C levels (< or >40 mg/dL). Participants underwent an 18-week aerobic training period. Blood was sampled before and after training for biochemical analysis. Plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, HDL diameter, and VO₂ peak were determined. Lipid transfers to HDL were determined in vitro by incubating plasma samples with a donor lipid artificial nanoemulsion. After the 18-week period of aerobic training, the VO₂ peak increased, while the mean body mass index (BMI) decreased. HDL-C concentration was higher after the training period, but low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-HDL-C did not change. The transfer of esterified cholesterol and phospholipids was greater after exercise training, but the triacylglycerol and unesterified cholesterol transfers were unchanged. The HDL particle diameter increased after aerobic training in all participants. When the participants were separated in low-HDL and normal-HDL groups, the postaerobic exercise increment in HDL-C was higher in the low-HDL group, while the transfer of esterified cholesterol was lower. In conclusion, aerobic exercise training increases the lipid transfers to HDL, as measured by an in vitro method, which possibly contributes to the classical elevation of the HDL-C associated with training.     

Chitosan and cyanoguanidine-crosslinked chitosan coated glass beads and its application in fixed bed adsorption

Abstract

The aim of this work was to coat glass beads with chitosan and cyanoguanidine-crosslinked chitosan and, afterward, to verify the potential of the coated beads as adsorbent for the FD&C Red 40 dye in fixed bed column. The coating was realized in eight experimental conditions, varying the technique (dip coating or casting) and the coating solution composition (different proportions of chitosan, cyanoguanidine, glycerol, sorbitol, sodium alginate, NaOH and CaCl₂). The beads coated in the eight experimental conditions were then applied to adsorb FD&C Red 40 in a fixed bed column, from aqueous solutions at pH 3.0 and 6.0. The breakthrough curves were fitted according to Thomas and Yoon-Nelson dynamic models. The coating was dependent of the solution composition. The casting technique presented coating percentage values of 92%, while the dip coating technique presented only 43%. The breakthrough curves revealed that the use of glass beads coated with cyanoguanidine-crosslinked chitosan had good performance, attaining adsorption capacity values higher than 80?mg g^?1. Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models were able to predict the breakthrough curves in all conditions.     

Composite double network hydrogels with thermoresponsive colloidal nanoemulsions

We report the formulation and mechanical characterization of double network (DN) composite hydrogels. The first network consists of covalently crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA), which forms a strong, brittle network that provides elasticity to the gel. The second network, sodium alginate, is ionically crosslinked with Ca²⁺ to allow increased dissipation of mechanical energy. The novelty of this system over existing DN hydrogels is the additional incorporation of a third mesoscale network, composed of thermoresponsive poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) nanoemulsions, which undergo colloidal gelation through the bridging of the PEGDA hydrophobic end groups into the PDMS droplets. The colloidally gelled microstructures are photopolymerized into a solid hydrogel by crosslinking the precursors with ultraviolet (UV) light. Tensile mechanical experiments performed on the crosslinked DN nanoemulsion hydrogels show that their rupture stress (0.17–0.34 MPa), fracture energy (144–421 J/m²), and Young's modulus (1–2.1 MPa) are comparable to similar systems in the literature. These mechanical measurements suggest that the gels may be suitable for manufacturing processes in which large shear rates and deformations are encountered.     

Invited review: Advances and applications of random regression models: From quantitative genetics to genomics

An important goal in animal breeding is to improve longitudinal traits; that is, traits recorded multiple times during an individual's lifetime or physiological cycle. Longitudinal traits were first genetically evaluated based on accumulated phenotypic expression, phenotypic expression at specific time points, or repeatability models. Until now, the genetic evaluation of longitudinal traits has mainly focused on using random regression models (RRM). Random regression models enable fitting random genetic and environmental effects over time, which results in higher accuracy of estimated breeding values compared with other statistical approaches. In addition, RRM provide insights about temporal variation of biological processes and the physiological implications underlying the studied traits. Despite the fact that genomic information has substantially contributed to increase the rates of genetic progress for a variety of economically important traits in several livestock species, less attention has been given to longitudinal traits in recent years. However, including genomic information to evaluate longitudinal traits using RRM is a feasible alternative to yield more accurate selection and culling decisions, because selection of young animals may be based on the complete pattern of the production curve with higher accuracy compared with the use of traditional parent average (i.e., without genomic information). Moreover, RRM can be used to estimate SNP effects over time in genome-wide association studies. Thus, by analyzing marker associations over time, regions with higher effects at specific points in time are more likely to be identified. Despite the advances in applications of RRM in genetic evaluations, more research is needed to successfully combine RRM and genomic information. Future research should provide a better understanding of the temporal variation of biological processes and their physiological implications underlying the longitudinal traits.     

Fermented whey dairy beverage offers protection against Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in mice

Fermented whey dairy beverages are dairy products obtained by fermentation from a mixture of milk and whey. These beverages have important health benefits, which could be improved with the addition of probiotic cultures. This study assessed the protective effect of the cosupplementation of a probiotic culture (Lactobacillus casei 01) with a fermented whey dairy beverage against infection by Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium in a murine model. Two fermented whey dairy beverages were prepared: conventional (FWB; starter culture) and probiotic (PFWB; starter and probiotic cultures). In the first set of experiments, Balb/C female mice were treated with FWB or PFWB, challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium, and analyzed for clinical signs, weight loss, and mortality for 20 d postinfection. In the second set of experiments, mice were treated with FWB or PFWB, challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium, and killed on d 10 postinfection. The liver, colon, and ileum were used for myeloperoxidase, eosinophil peroxidase, and histological analysis and translocation to the liver. The contents from the small intestine were used for secretory IgA determination. The FWB treatment showed a better effect on animal survival (70%), translocation of the pathogen to the liver (2 out of 10), histopathology (fewer lesions), and inflammation than PFWB, which presented 50% animal survival, translocation in 5 out of 10 animals, and higher lesions. The control group presented 40% animal survival, translocation in 6 out of 10 animals, and severe lesions. Therefore, FWB was deemed to have a greater protective effect against Salmonella Typhimurium infection in the murine model compared with PFWB.