Delivery of Metabolically Neuroactive Probiotics to the Human Gut

The human microbiome is a rich factory for metabolite production and emerging data has led to the concept that orally administered microbial strains can synthesize metabolites with neuroactive potential. Recent research from ex vivo and murine models suggests translational potential for microbes to regulate anxiety and depression through the gut-brain axis. However, so far, less emphasis has been placed on the selection of specific microbial strains known to produce the required key metabolites and the formulation in which microbial compositions are delivered to the gut. Here, we describe a double-capsule technology to deliver high numbers of metabolically active cells derived from the 24-strain probiotic product SH-DS01 to the gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine, where immune responses and adsorption of metabolites into the bloodstream occur. Based on its genome sequence, Limosilactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT was predicted to have the genetic capacity to de novo produce a specific metabolite of interest to brain health, vitamin B12, which could be confirmed in vitro. Taken together, our data conceptualizes the importance of rationally defined microbial strain characterization based on genomics and metabolomics data, combined with carefully designed capsule technology for delivery of live cells and concomitant functionality in and beyond the gut ecosystem.     

EGFR-Targeted Pentacyclic Triterpene Analogues for Glioma Therapy

Glioma, particularly its most malignant form, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common and aggressive malignant central nervous system tumor. The drawbacks of the current chemotherapy for GBM have aroused curiosity in the search for targeted therapies. Aberrantly overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in GBM results in poor prognosis, low survival rates, poor responses to therapy and recurrence, and therefore EGFR-targeted therapy stands out as a promising approach for the treatment of gliomas. In this context, a series of pentacyclic triterpene analogues were subjected to in vitro and in silico assays, which were conducted to assess their potency as EGFR-targeted anti-glioma agents. In particular, compound 10 was the most potent anti-glioma agent with an IC₅₀ value of 5.82 µM towards U251 human glioblastoma cells. Taking into account its low cytotoxicity to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), compound 10 exerts selective antitumor action towards Jurkat human leukemic T-cells. This compound also induced apoptosis and inhibited EGFR with an IC₅₀ value of 9.43 µM compared to erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.06 µM). Based on in vitro and in silico data, compound 10 stands out as a potential orally bioavailable EGFR-targeted anti-glioma agent endowed with the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB).     

Temperature dependence of copper,iron, nickel and chromium transfers into various black and green tea infusions

Transfer ratios of copper, iron, nickel and chromium from 10 blended, unblended, instant and green tea samples of Turkish or British origin into the infusions have been determined at different brewing temperatures (18, 40, 60 and 80°C). The transfer ratio of each metal into the infusion appeared to be dependent on both temperature and strength of infusions as well as the kind of tea. Ingested metal amounts were calculated and discussed. © 1998 SCI.     

HS‐AFM and SERS Analysis of Murine Norovirus Infection: Involvement of the Lipid Rafts

Studies on human norovirus are severely hampered by the absence of a cell culture system until the discovery of murine norovirus (MNV). The cell membrane domains called lipid rafts have been defined as a port of entry for viruses. This study is conducted to investigate murine norovirus binding on the mouse leukemic monocyte macrophage cell line. Lipid raft related structures are extracted from cells by detergent treatment resulting detergent‐resistant membrane (DRMs) domains. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique is performed to detect the viral genome, thereby the MNV binding on the DRMs. The interactions between MNV and DRMs are investigated by high‐speed atomic force microscopy (HS‐AFM) combined with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The inoculation of the virus onto cells results in the aggregations of detergent‐resistant membrane domains significantly. The characteristic Raman band of MNV is found in inoculated samples. To be sure that these results are originated from specific interactions between DRM and MNV, methyl‐β‐cyclo‐dextrin (MβCD) is applied to disrupt lipid rafts. The MNV binding on DRMs is precluded by the MβCD treatment. The cholesterols chains are defined as a key factor in the interactions between norovirus and DRMs. The authors conclude that the MNV binding involves the presence of DRMs and cholesterol dependent.     

Liquid diffusion model for drying a stack of rough rice

Drying of a stack of rough rice was experimentally and theoretically investigated. Stacks of rough rice having different heights were dried with forced convection of warm air. A theoretical model was developed for predicting the bulk drying kinetics of a stack of rough rice using the analytical solution of liquid diffusion equation based on Fick's law. Effective diffusion coefficients were obtained minimizing the sum of squared differences between the theoretical results and experimental data obtained for various drying conditions. Drying air temperature is the most effective factor on the total rate of moisture removal from the stack. The bulk drying rate of a stack of rough rice was considerably reduced as compared to that of a single layer as the height of the stack increased. Agreement between the theoretical and experimental result is very good. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Traditional Turkish Beverage: Salep

Salep is produced from tubers of orchids that grow naturally in various regions of Turkey. It constitutes the raw material of a traditional Turkish beverage and is used for giving hardness and elasticity to Kahramanmaras-type of ice cream. Salep also is used as a raw material for some drugs. Botanists have reported that continuous and uncontrolled harvesting causes some orchid species to decrease to a critical level. For this reason, exportation of salep was prohibited by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.     

An optimal design methodology for inductive power link with class-E amplifier

This paper presents a design methodology of a highly efficient power link based on Class-E driven, inductively coupled coil pair. An optimal power link design for retinal prosthesis and/or other implants must take into consideration the allowable safety limits of magnetic fields, which in turn govern the inductances of the primary and secondary coils. In retinal prosthesis, the optimal coil inductances have to deal with the constraints of the coil sizes, the tradeoffs between the losses, H-field limitation and dc supply voltage required by the Class-E driver. Our design procedure starts with the formation of equivalent circuits, followed by the analysis of the loss of the rectifier and coils and the H-field for induced voltage and current. Both linear and nonlinear models for the analysis are presented. Based on the procedure, an experimental power link is implemented with an overall efficiency of 67% at the optimal distance of 7 mm between the coils. In addition to the coil design methodology, we are also presenting a closed-loop control of Class-E amplifier for any duty cycle and any value of the systemQ.