Response surface methodological approach for optimization of free fatty acid removal in feedstock

Fatty acid methyl esters, also referred to as biodiesel, have been determined to have a great deal of potential as substitutes for petro-diesel. In order to optimize conversion yield in the biodiesel production process, feedstocks were previously recommended to be anhydrous, with a free fatty acid content of less than 0.5%. In this study, we removed free fatty acid from feedstock through the use of solid catalysts and response surface methodology. In order to optimize free fatty acid removal, response surface methodology was applied to delineate the effects of five-level-four-factors and their reciprocal interactions on free fatty acid removal. A total of 30 individual experiments were conducted, each of which was designed to study reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst amounts, or methanol amounts. A statistical model was used to estimate that the optimal free fatty acid removal yield would be 100%, under the following optimized reaction conditions: a reaction temperature of 66.96 degrees C, a catalyst amount of 12.66% (w/v), and a reaction time of 37.65 min. Using these optimal factor values under experimental conditions in three independent replicates, an average conversion yield was well achieved within the values predicted by the model.     

Plasma surface functionalization of poly[bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] films and nanofibers

Polyphosphazenes are a class of hybrid organic-inorganic macromolecules with high thermo-oxidative stability and good solubility in many solvents. Fluoroalkoxy phosphazene polymers also have high surface hydrophobicity. A method is described to tune this surface property while maintaining the advantageous bulk materials characteristics. The polyphosphazene single-substituent polymer, poly[bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene], with flat film, fiber mat, or bead mat morphology was surface functionalized using an atmospheric plasma treatment with oxygen, nitrogen, methane, or tetrafluoromethane/hydrogen gases. Surface chemistry changes were detected by static water contact angle (WCA) measurements as well as X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that changes in the WCA of as much as 150 degrees occurred, accompanied by shifts in the ratio of elements on the polymer surface as detected by XPS. Overall this plasma technique provides a convenient method for the generation of specific surface characteristics while maintaining the hydrophobicity of the bulk material.     

Ligand-dependent particle size control of PbSe quantum dots

Colloidal solutions of monodisperse PbSe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by a hot solution chemical method from a reaction mixture of lead oleate and TOPSe (TOP: tri-n-octylphosphine). The synthesis was carried out at a fixed temperature (170 degrees C) and time, while the particle sizes of the PbSe QDs were controlled by using two different kinds of organic ligands with varied chain length. It was seen that the tuning of PbSe QDs are possible by using the proper molar ratio of the co-ligands, such as acetic acid or hexanoic acid, at a fixed reaction temperature and time, verified by TEM and XRD as well as NIR absorption analysis. The effects of different organic acids were studied and the role of additional organic acids might be due to the extent of ligand exchange efficiency between the Pb oleate and acetic/hexanoic acid in the initial stage, which is caused by the steric hindrance effects of the acids.     

Mass-tag technology responding to intracellular signals as a novel assay system for the diagnosis of tumor

A novel mass spectrometry-based assay system for determining protein kinase activity employing mass-tagged substrate peptide probes was used for the diagnosis of tumors. Two peptide probes (H-type and D-type) were synthesized containing the same substrate peptide sequence for protein kinase C (PKC). The molecular weights of the two probes differ because of the incorporation of deuterium into the acetyl groups of the D-type probe. The lysates of the normal and tumor tissue were prepared and reacted with the H- and D-type peptide probes, respectively. The PKC activities of the normal and tumor tissues can be compared simply and directly by calculating the phosphorylated ratio to each peptide probe, obtained from the peak intensity of the mass spectrum after mixing of the two reaction solutions. The phosphorylation ratio for the reaction of the H-type peptide probe with the tumor tissue lysate (B16 melanoma) was more than three times higher than that of the D type peptide probe with the normal skin tissue lysate. These results show that the novel assay system for detecting protein kinase activity using mass-tag technology can be a simple and useful means to profile protein kinase activity for cell or tissue lysate samples, and can be applied to the diagnosis of tumors.     

Subtle Modification of Imine-linked Helical Receptors to Significantly Alter their Binding Affinities and Selectivities for Chiral Guests

Aromatic helical receptors P- 1 and P- 2 were slightly modified by aerobic oxidation to afford new receptors P- 7 and P- 8 with right-handed helical cavities. This subtle modification induced significant changes in the binding properties for chiral guests. Specifically, P- 1 was reported to bind d -tartaric acid (K_a=35500 M⁻¹), used as a template, much strongly than l -tartaric acid (326 M⁻¹). In contrast, its modified receptor P- 7 exhibited significantly reduced affinities for d -tartaric acid (3600 M⁻¹) and l -tartaric acid (125 M⁻¹). More dramatic changes in the affinities and selectivities were observed for P- 2 and P- 8 upon binding of polyol guests. P- 2 was determined to selectively bind d -sorbitol (52000 M⁻¹) over analogous guests, but P- 8 showed no binding selectivity: d -sorbitol (1890 M⁻¹), l -sorbitol (3330 M⁻¹), d -arabitol (959 M⁻¹), l -arabitol (4970 M⁻¹) and xylitol (4960 M⁻¹) in 5% (v/v) DMSO/CH₂Cl₂ at 25±1 °C. These results clearly demonstrate that even subtle post-modifications of synthetic receptors may significantly alter their binding affinities and selectivities, in particular for guests of long and flexible chains.     

Inhibitory Effect of LGS and ODE Isolated from the Twigs of Syringa oblata subsp. dilatata on RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis in Macrophage Cells

Osteoblasts and osteoclasts play a pivotal role in maintaining bone homeostasis, of which excessive bone resorption by osteoclasts can cause osteoporosis and various bone diseases. However, current osteoporosis treatments have many side effects, and research on new treatments that can replace these treatments is ongoing. Therefore, in this study, the roles of ligustroside (LGS) and oleoside dimethylester (ODE), a natural product-derived compound isolated from Syringa oblata subsp. dilatata as a novel, natural product-derived osteoporosis treatments were investigated. In the results of this study, LGS and ODE inhibited the differentiation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL)-induced RAW264.7 cells into osteoclasts without cytotoxicity, and down-regulated the activity of TRAP, a specific biomarker of osteoclasts. In addition, it inhibited bone resorption and actin ring formation, which are important functions and features of osteoclasts. Also, the effects of LGS and ODE on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-κB) and phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways that play important roles in osteoclast differentiation were evaluated. In the results, LGS and ODE downregulated the phosphorylation of RANKL-induced MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR proteins in a concentration-dependent manner, translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus was inhibited. As a result, the compounds LGS and ODE isolated from S. oblate subsp. dilatata effectively regulated the differentiation of RANKL-induced osteoclasts and inhibited the phosphorylation of signaling pathways that play a pivotal role in osteoclast differentiation. Therefore, these results suggest the possibility of LGS and ODE as new natural product treatments for bone diseases caused by excessive osteoclasts.     

Simultaneous Quantification of 3′- and 6′-Sialyllactose in Rat Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Sialyllactose (SL), an acidic oligosaccharide, has immune-protective effects against pathogens and helps with the development of the immune system and intestinal microorganisms. To elucidate the pharmacokinetic characterization after oral administration to rats, the simultaneous quantification method for 3′-SL and 6′-SL in rat plasma was validated, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in an electrospray ionization (ESI) mode. Several types of columns [C18, amide, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) phase] were used to separate the peaks of 3′-SL and 6′-SL, which improved chromatographic selectivity. Ultimately, the HILIC phase column had a good peak shape and quick resolution, with a mobile phase comprising ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile obtained by gradient elution. In addition, the simultaneous quantification of 3′-SL and 6′-SL in rat plasma samples were adequately applied to pharmacokinetic study.     

Simultaneous Quantitative Analysis of Ginsenosides Isolated from the Fruit of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and Regulation of HO-1 Expression through EGFR Signaling Has Anti-Inflammatory and Osteogenic Induction Effects in HPDL Cells

Periodontitis is a set of chronic inflammatory diseases caused by the accumulation of Gram-negative bacteria on teeth, resulting in gingivitis, pocket formation, alveolar bone loss, tissue destruction, and tooth loss. In this study, the contents of ginsenosides isolated from Panax ginseng fruit extract were quantitatively analyzed, and the anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in human periodontal ligament cells. The major ginsenosides, Re, Ra8, and Rf, present in ginseng fruit were simultaneously analyzed by a validated method using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector; Re, Ra8, and Rf content per 1 g of P. ginseng fruit extract was 1.01 ± 0.03, 0.33 ± 0.01, and 0.55 ± 0.04 mg, respectively. Ginsenosides-Re, -Ra8, and -Rf inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of important cytokines in periodontitis by inducing the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), promoting osteoblast differentiation of periodontal ligament cells, suppressing alveolar bone loss, and promoting the expression of osteoblast-specific genes, such as alp, opn, and runx2. An inhibitory effect of these ginsenosides on periodontitis and alveolar bone loss was observed via the regulation of HO-1 and subsequent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Silencing EGFR with EGFR siRNA confirmed that the effect of ginsenosides on HO-1 is mediated by EGFR. In conclusion, this study evaluated the contents of ginsenosides-Re, -Ra8, and -Rf isolated from P. ginseng fruit extract. Therefore, these results provide important basic data for future P. ginseng fruit component studies and suggest that ginsenosides Re, Ra8, and Rf have potential as future treatment options for periodontitis.