Preparation of oral nanoemulsion drug delivery system loaded with punicalagin: in vitro antibacterial activity, drug release, and cell safety studies

Fei‑Fei Shi,Yu‑Juan Mao,Ying Wang,Hai‑Feng Yang 한국고분자학회 2024 Macromolecular Research Vol.32 No.3

The objective of the present study was to develop a W/O/W nanoemulsion (NE) drug delivery system loaded with punicalagin (PGN) for oral delivery and evaluate its potential in antibacterial therapy. The W/O/W PGN-NE was prepared using a two-step process by combining ultrasonic with high-energy emulsification and subsequently characterized by its droplet size, zeta potential, and morphology. The PGN-NE was further evaluated for its pH, in vitro antibacterial activity, drug release property, and cytotoxicity. The results indicated the formation of spherical, nano-sized globules of PGN-NE had a mean particle size of 45.53 ± 2.2 nm, with a PDI value of 0.22 ± 0.028, zeta potential was −4.67 ± 0.88 mV, and pH value was 5.8. In vitro antibacterial activity studies showed a significantly higher antibacterial activity of PGN-NE in comparison to free PGN, suggesting that NE can effectively improve the antibacterial effect of natural pharmaceuticals. The drug release assay demonstrated that PGN was slowly released from the NE preparation and absorbed, helping to prolong the potency and improve the bioavailability of PGN. Cytotoxicity testing showed that PGN had reduced toxicity when encapsulated in NE. Thus, the developed NE formulation of PNG exhibited a greater potential for the slow-release effect delivery and in the treatment of microbial infections with favorable safety profile.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in a Chinese Population-Based Sample

Fei Han,Fei-Fei Zhai,Quan Wang,Li-Xin Zhou,Jun Ni,Ming Yao,Ming-Li Li,Shu-Yang Zhang,Li-Ying Cui,Zheng-Yu Jin,Yi-Cheng Zhu 대한뇌졸중학회 2018 Journal of stroke Vol.20 No.2

Background and Purpose Epidemiological data of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in the general population of China are lacking. We report on the prevalence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in a community-based sample in China and compare the results with those of other studies. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of the population-based Shunyi Study in China. A total of 1,211 stroke-free participants (mean age, 55.6±9.3 years; 37.4% men) with available 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance images were included in this analysis. Demographic information and risk factor data were assessed. The overall and age-specific prevalence of lacunes, WMH, and CMBs was evaluated. Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of these lesions were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results Our study showed a prevalence of 14.5% for lacunes, 72.1% for periventricular hyperintensity (PVH), 65.4% for deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH), and 10.6% for CMBs. When compared with other community-based samples, individuals in the same age group showed a higher burden of lacunes and a relatively lower prevalence of CMBs. Advanced age was independently associated with the prevalence of these CSVD markers, while the presence of hypertension increased the risk of lacunes, PVH/DWMH, and CMBs in deep or infratentorial locations. Conclusions A higher burden of lacunes but a relatively lower prevalence of CMBs was observed in this Chinese population. This notable result highlights the challenge of CSVD prevention in China. Chinese have a risk factor profile for CSVD similar to those in other populations.

Improvement of energy storage performance in PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3/PbZrO3 multilayer thin films via regulating PbZrO3 thickness

Yang Fei,Shi Yu Jia,Lin Lin,Chen Jing Yao,Hou Meng Zhe,Yu Ke Xin,Zhang Yi Han,Yuan Zheng,Li Xiao Fang,Hu Yan Chun,Shang Jun,Yin Shao Qian,Wang Xian Wei 한국물리학회 2023 Current Applied Physics Vol.50 No.-

In this work, to prepare the PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3(PZT)/PbZrO3(PZ) multilayer films, PZ films and PZT films were spin-coated on LaNiO3/SiO2/Si substrates in sequence by the sol-gel method, and the PZ films were prepared using PZ precursor solution with different concentrations. After each spin-coating, PZ layer and PZT layer were annealed with rapid thermal annealing (RTA) technique at 650 ◦C and 550 ◦C, respectively. The crystal structures, microstructures and electrical properties of the films with different PZ film thickness were comprehensively investigated. The PZ films with different thickness showed perovskite phase. The PZT films on crystallized PZ films exhibited the coexistence of pyrochlore phase and perovskite phase at the annealing temperature of 550 ◦C. The PZT/PZ multilayer films with 0.2 M PZ precursor solution exhibit typical anti-ferroelectricity with double hysteresis loops, while other multilayer films exhibit nearly linear loops. In addition, the recoverable energy storage density increases with the increase of the film thickness and reaches the maximum value 32.4 J/ cm3 in the PZT/PZ multilayer films with 0.4 M PZ precursor solution. Therefore, the ferroelectric properties of the PZT/PZ multilayer films could be regulated by different PZ film thickness, which effectively further enhances the energy storage performance.

Formation of Protein Bodies and the Response to Nitrogen in Different Positions During Wheat Endosperm Development

Yang Yang,Xinyu Chen,Liping Ran,Yunfei Wu,Xurun Yu,Zhaodi Dong,Fei Xiong 한국식물학회 2019 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.62 No.4

The development of protein bodies (PBs) determinesthe processing properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Ithas been known that nitrogen uptake has a strong impact ongrain protein concentration. However, the differences of theformation of PB in different developmental stages anddifferent positions in wheat endosperm are still controversial. To solve these issues, PBs formation in different wheatendosperm parts and the response to nitrogen were investigatedusing light, transmission electron microscopes in presentstudy. The main results were as follows. (1) Proteins mainlyformed PBs via the Golgi apparatus in the vacuole at theearly stage of wheat endosperm development. After 7 dayspost anthesis, most proteins were derived from the roughendoplasmic reticulum. (2) The morphology of PBs was diverseamong different endosperm parts. Compared with the centralendosperm, the PBs in sub-aleurone cells were abundant andlarge. (3) More abundant endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi andmitochondrion were observed at the early stage after nitrogentreatment. Nitrogen also increased the accumulation of PBsat the later stage. (4) The sub-aleurone region cells of theendosperm presented more significant responses to nitrogenthan the central endosperm.

Realgar transforming solution-induced differentiation of NB4 cell by the degradation of PML/RARa partially through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway

Yang Hai,Xin Wang,Peng Song,Jian-yin Li,Longhe Zhao,Fei Xie,Xiang-min Tan,Qin-Jian Xie,Lan Yu,Yang Li,Zhengrong Wu,Hong Yu Li 대한약학회 2019 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.42 No.8

PML/retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARa), as ahallmark of acute promyeloid leukemia (APL), is directlyrelated to the outcome of clinical APL remedy. It isreported that arsenicals can effectively degrade PML/RARa, such as arsenic trioxide and realgar. However, thehigh toxicity or insolubility have hampered their clinicalapplications. Realgar transforming solution (RTS) wasproduced from realgar by bioleaching process in our lab. Previous studies demonstrated that RTS had a significantanti-cancer ability on chronic myeloid leukemia throughoncoprotein degradation. The capacity of RTS on treatingAPL is what is focused on in this study. The results showedthat RTS had a noticeable sensitivity in NB4 cell, and RTSremarkably down-regulated PML/RARa expression andinduced cell differentiation. Further, RTS could accumulatePML/RARa into the nuclear bodies and then executedegradation, which could be reversed by proteasomeinhibitor MG132. The results also exhibited that thereduction of RTS-induced PML/RARa expression accompaniedby the elevation of ubiquitin and SUMO-1 proteinexpression. Finally, PML and SUMO-1 had been demonstratedto be co-localized after RTS treatment byimmunofluorescence co-localization assay and immunoprecipitationassay. In conclusion, these results suggestedthat RTS-induced cell differentiation may attribute to thePML/RARa degradation partially through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway.

First-principle study on catalytic activity of functionalized Ti3C2 MXene as cathode catalyst for Li–O2 batteries

Yang Yingying,Chen Jian,Gao Qiqian,Feng Yu,Xing Fei,Yao Man 한국물리학회 2022 Current Applied Physics Vol.34 No.-

Two-dimensional layered Ti3C2, one representative MXene, is notable as promising cathode catalyst for rechargeable lithium-oxygen (Li–O2) batteries. Using first-principles calculations, we construct cathode electrochemical interface catalytic model to simulate the structural evolution during discharging and charging processes, and the calculated ORR, OER and TOT overpotentials are used to quantitatively assess the catalytic activity of Ti3C2 MXene with and without O, F and OH functional groups. Interestingly, we find that the catalytic activity follows such a trend: Ti3C2O2>Ti3C2F2>Ti3C2(OH)2>Ti3C2, which suggests that O-terminated Ti3C2 MXene has great advantages and potentiality for catalyzing ORR and OER in Li–O2 batteries. This is caused by Ti3C2O2 surface shows stronger oxidation capability toward O22 compared to Ti3C2F2, Ti3C2(OH)2 and Ti3C2. The present study may provide a guideline to accelerate ORR and OER reactions of Ti3C2 MXene as cathode catalyst in Li–O2 batteries, with O-terminated group being taken into consideration.

An On-line Strategy based on Rolling State Prediction for Hybrid Energy Storage System of Tram

Yu Wang,Zhongping Yang,Fei Lin,Xiaochun Fang,Xingkun An,Hongda Zhou 전력전자학회 2019 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2019 No.5

This paper aims at a hybrid tram with the onboard battery-supercapacitor storage system. This paper proposes an on-line strategy based on rolling state prediction (ROS). A wavelet neural network (WNN) is used to predict the running state of the tram in a certain period of time in the future according to the historic data, and the dynamic programming (DP) algorithm is used to optimize the energy management strategy (EMS) during the period. The strategy aims to optimize the system efficiency and battery life. Compared with classical rule-based (RB) strategy, ROS greatly increases the system efficiency and lengthens lifespan of battery and achieves real-time optimization.

DEVELOPMENT OF CULTIVATAED SEAWEED Gracilaria AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN CHINESE COASTAL WATERS

Yu Feng Yang,XiuGeng Fei,Ik Kyo Chung 한국수산과학회 양식분과 2015 한국수산과학회 양식분과 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.5

Purification and Characterization of an Antioxidant Protein from Fertilized Eggs

Yang, Shaohua,Tang, Zhengjiang,Tang, ShanShan,Zhang, Tingfang,Tang, Fei,Wu, Yu,Wang, Ying,Wang, Lu Lu,Liu, Guoqing Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resource 2016 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.36 No.6

Free radicals may attack cells or tissue, leading to chronic diseases, and antioxidant consumption is potentially useful for removing free radicals. Egg proteins may be used as potential sources of antioxidant considering their ability of scavenging free radicals to apply for food or cosmetics industry. In this study, we obtained a natural antioxidant protein from fertilized eggs, which was a dietary supplement in some Asian countries. Meanwhile, antioxidant activities of these proteins were evaluated using different oxidation systems. With increasing incubation time, the antioxidant activity of these proteins increased during 15 d of incubation. The samples on day 15 were performed for isolation of antioxidant protein. The protein, named P4-1 (MW, 45 kDa), was isolated and purified by consecutive chromatographic methods. P4-1 contained 17 amino acids, which was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Amino Acid Analyzer. Moreover, the amino acid sequence was highly similar to that of ovalbumin. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the denaturation temperature of P4-1 was $57.16^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, P4-1 suggested high oxygen radical-absorbance activity in ${\cdot}OH$ assays, and its antioxidant activity was stable at $30-50^{\circ}C$ in acidic and neutral pH. Thus, these results revealed that P4-1 may be a potential resource as a natural antioxidant.

Humidity-assisted selective reactivity between NO₂ and SO₂ gas on carbon nanotubes

Yao, Fei,Duong, Dinh Loc,Lim, Seong Chu,Yang, Seung Bum,Hwang, Ha Ryong,Yu, Woo Jong,Lee, Il Ha,Gü,neş,, Fethullah,Lee, Young Hee Royal Society of Chemistry 2011 Journal of materials chemistry Vol.21 No.12

<P>In spite of the technical importance of detecting environmental SO<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> and NO<SUB><I>x</I></SUB> gases, a selective detection has not been realized because of their similar chemical properties. In this report, adsorption and desorption of SO<SUB>2</SUB> and NO<SUB>2</SUB> gas on carbon nanotubes are investigated in terms of different humidity levels at room temperature. A random-network single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) resistor is constructed by a dip-pen method using a SWCNT/dichloroethane (DCE) solution. In the case of SO<SUB>2</SUB> gas adsorption, the resistance increases at high humidity level (92%) and shows no obvious change at low humidity levels. On the other hand, in the case of NO<SUB>2</SUB> gas adsorption, the resistance always decreases independent of moisture levels. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that this selective behavior originates from cooperative charge compensation between the SO<SUB>2</SUB>–<I>n</I>H<SUB>2</SUB>O complex and the p-type CNT resistor. The change of response time and recovery time with different moisture levels is further investigated. This humidity-assisted gas reaction provides a simple route to detect these two gases selectively.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Selective detection of SO<SUB>2</SUB> and NO<SUB>2</SUB> gas has been successfully realized on carbon nanotubes by introducing humidity in this study. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c0jm03227a'> </P>