Hamannfraser0609

This study provides new insights for pharmacological research and clinical practice of polysaccharides.A pectic polysaccharide (named CMDP-4b) with a molecular weight of 31.97 kDa was extracted from Cucurbita moschata Duch and purified by column chromatography. On the basis of methylation, Fourier-transform infrared, monosaccharide composition, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses, the structure of CMDP-4b was determined to be composed of an α-1,4-linked homogalacturonan backbone, which was slightly acetylated and highly methyl-esterified, and branched at the O-3 position of the →4)-α-D-GalpA-6-OMe-(1→. Immunomodulatory assays showed that CMDP-4b not only induced the secretion of nitrous oxide and cytokines (i.e. IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) but also promoted pinocytic and phagocytic activities of macrophages, suggesting that CMDP-4b possessed immunomodulatory activity. Moreover, toll-like receptor 4 and complement receptor 3 may play a critical role in CMDP-4b-induced macrophage activation through the NF-κB and the MAPKs signaling pathways. Our study provides the molecular basis for the potential use of CMDP-4b as a natural immunostimulant.A composite wound dressing has been developed by combining different layers consisting of polymers and textiles. Wheat germ oil (WGO) loaded hydrogels have successfully formed on textile nonwovens by cross-linking sodium alginate (SA) with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE). Following freeze-drying, textile-hydrogel composites have been examined according to their physical properties, pH, fluid handling capacity, water vapour permeability, morphology, chemical structure, and cytotoxicity. Hydrogels containing WGO swelled less than pristine hydrogels. Samples with 1% WGO and no WGO showed swelling of 5.9 and 10.5 g/g after 8 h. WGO inclusion resulted in reduced, but more stable fluid handling properties, with more uniform pore distribution (100-200 μm). Moreover, the proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells significantly improved with 1% WGO contained hydrogels. Also, commercial self-adhesive dressings that secure the hydrogels to the wound area were investigated regarding transfer properties. The proposed product demonstrated 8.05 cm3/cm2/s and 541.37 g/m2/day air and water vapour permeability.This work investigated the effect of adding low concentrations of nano-SiO2 (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) in the properties of films based on sodium alginate, to identify lower thresholds in the proportion of the reinforcing agent. It was found that, even in the smallest proportion, thermal stability of the nanocomposites improved significantly (with degradation onset increased by almost 15% compared with the control film). The surface morphology showed pronounced roughness at nano-SiO2 concentrations greater than 1.0%, indicating agglomeration of part of the nanomaterial. Mechanical properties were reduced for the samples with concentrations equal to 1.0 and 1.5%, however, without significant differences between them. Conversely, water vapor and light barrier properties have not undergone significant changes in any formulation. Therefore, the use of 0.5% nano-SiO2 in alginate films would be an easy and economically interesting way to improve thermal stability, without significantly reducing mechanical properties of the pure material.Plant-based oil inks that imitate the texture and melting behavior of traditional animal fats using 3D printing have been developed. The influence of the incorporation of potato starch and the type of oil on rheology and meltability was investigated. The results showed that the dynamic modulus and hardness of fat analogs increased, whereas fat analog meltability decreased with an increase in potato starch content. Coconut oil and soybean oil-containing fat analogs incorporated with proper potato starch levels exhibited good printability and similar meltability to commercial beef and pork fats. The addition of potato starch suppressed fat analog meltability as it disrupted the inulin matrix. Fat analogs containing coconut oil could be texturized at temperatures lower than those required for their soybean oil counterparts. The fat analogs were solid at room temperature, demonstrated good printability, and imitated the melting behavior of fat contained in real meat throughout the cooking process.Herein, we developed supramolecular hydrogels by using cyclodextrin (CD) molecules as crosslinking domains to hold poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) chains in a network structure. The presence of PVP surrounding α-CD-PEG inclusion complexes through hydrogen bonds resulted in water-insoluble gels. Feed ratios of the reaction components and the molecular weight of the PEG chains were found considerably essential to adjust the properties of the final networks. With the increase of PEG concentration both the elastic and viscous modulus and the tensile capacity of the gels decreased. When the molecular weight of the PEG chains was used as ≥10 kDa, stable gels resistant to swelling forces were obtained. The synergistic effect of physical and chemical crosslinking by adding poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) to the system was also investigated at varying concentrations resulted in stable networks with self-healing properties.Citronellol (CI)-loaded, chitosan (CS)-enclosed dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (CI@D-MONs@CS) are successfully fabricated. The synthesized CI@D-MONs@CS present spherical shape with the particle size of 424±24 nm in diameter and dendritic mesopores. CI loading ratio of CI@D-MONs@CS is about 12.42% from TGA analysis. CI release from CI@D-MONs@CS exhibits pH-redox dual responsiveness. More interesting, the axillary deodorant effect is investigated with Staphylococcus haemolyticus in an artificial sweat model. The results show that CI@D-MONs@CS present an excellent bacteria-killing effect and the smell of artificial sweat is greatly improved, avoiding the formation of undesirable odorant compounds from the bacteria. The obtained CI@D-MONs@CS is a potential carrier of natural fragrance or actives with dual responsive release. The application of CI@D-MONs@CS is a new and effective strategy to the axillary odor problem.The guided tissue regeneration technique is an effective approach to repair periodontal defect. However, collagen barrier membranes used clinically lose stability easily, leading to soft tissue invasion, surgical site infection, and failure of osteogenesis. An ideal barrier membrane should possess proper antibacterial, osteoconductive activities, and favorable biodegradation. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were homogeneously incorporated into the chitin hydrogel (ChT-1%ZnO) through one-step dissolution and regeneration method from alkaline/urea solution the first time. The remaining weights of ChT-1%ZnO in 150 μg/mL lysozyme solution was 52% after 5 weeks soaking. ChT-1%ZnO showed statistical antibacterial activities for P. gingivalis and S. aureus at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. Moreover, ChT-1%ZnO exhibits osteogenesis promotion in vitro, and it was further evaluated with rat periodontal defect model in vivo. The cemento-enamel junction value in ChT-1%ZnO group is 1.608 mm, presenting a statistical difference compared with no-membrane (1.825 mm) and ChT group (1.685 mm) after 8 weeks postoperatively.Endogenous and exogenous sulfated polysaccharides exhibit potent biological activities, including inhibiting blood coagulation and protein interactions. Controlled chemical sulfation of alternative polysaccharides holds promise to overcome limited availability and heterogeneity of naturally sulfated polysaccharides. Here, we established reaction parameters for the controlled sulfation of the abundant cereal polysaccharide, mixed-linkage β(1,3)/β(1,4)-glucan (MLG), using Box-Behnken Design of Experiments (BBD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimization of the degree-of-substitution (DS) was externally validated through the production of sulfated MLGs (S-MLGs) with observed DS and Mw values deviating less than 20% and 30% from the targeted values, respectively. selleck inhibitor Simultaneous optimization of DS and Mw resulted in the same range of deviation from the targeted value. S-MLGs with DS > 1 demonstrated a modest anticoagulation effect versus heparin, and a greater P-selectin affinity than fucoidan. As such, this work provides a route to medically important polymers from an economical agricultural polysaccharide.This study explores hydrogels based on the physical interaction between soluble pectin and chitosan nanogels. A simple technique for creating chitosan nanogels of controllable size was developed based on a two-step process physical cross-linking with tripolyphosphate (TPP) and chemical cross-linking with genipin. The particles were stable at acidic pH, which allowed hydrogel formation. Thixotropy experiments demonstrated that the concentration but not the size of the nanogels strongly affected the gel shear modulus. The influence of the post-assembly conditions, including exposure to monovalent salts (NaCl, NaI, and NaF) and pH (2.5 or 5.5), on the gel swelling and mechanical properties was studied. Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) results provide evidence that these physical hydrogels are indeed a cross-linked network. These experiments provided insights into the influence of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions on the gel network.Glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan microparticles (CGP) prepared via the inversed-phase emulsification were successively modified by epichlorohydrin (ECH) and amidinothiourea (AT) as novel adsorbent (CGPET) for selective removal of Hg(II) in solution. FTIR, EA, XPS, SEM-EDX, TG, DTG, and XRD results indicated that CGPET had ample -NH2 and CS, relative rough surface, mean diameter of ~40 μm, great thermal stability, and crystalline degree of 2.4%, beneficial to the uptake of Hg(II). The optimum parameters (pH 5, dosage 1 g/L, contact time 4 h, and initial concentration 150 mg/L) were acquired via batches of adsorption experiments. Adsorption behavior was well described by the Liu isothermal and pseudo-second-order kinetics models, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 322.51 mg/g, surpassing many reported adsorbents. Regeneration and coexisting-ion tests demonstrated that CGPET had outstanding reusability (Rr > 86.89% at the fifth cycle) and selectivity (Rs > 93%). Besides, its potential adsorption sites and mechanisms were proposed.To develop an effective and mechanically robust wound dressing, a poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/methacrylate kappa-carrageenan (κ-CaMA) composite hydrogel encapsulated with a chitooligosaccharide (COS) was prepared in a cassette via repeated freeze/thaw cycles, photo-crosslinking, and chemical cross-linking. The chemical, physical, mechanical, in vitro biocompatibility, in vivo wound-healing properties, and antibacterial activity of triple-crosslinked hydrogel were subsequently characterized. The results showed that the PVA/κ-CaMA/COS (Pκ-CaC) hydrogel had a uniformly thick, highly porous three-dimensional architecture with uniformly distributed pores, a high fluid absorption, and retention capacity without disturbing its mechanical stability, and good in vitro biocompatibility. Macroscopic images from the full-thickness skin wound model revealed that the wounds dressed with the proposed Pκ-CaC hydrogel were completely healed by day 14, while the histomorphological results confirmed full re-epithelization and rapid skin-tissue remodeling.