Coenzyme Q10: Novel Formulations and Medical Trends

The aim of this review is to shed light over the most recent advances in Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) applications as well as to provide detailed information about the functions of this versatile molecule, which have proven to be of great interest in the medical field. Traditionally, CoQ₁₀ clinical use was based on its antioxidant properties; however, a wide range of highly interesting alternative functions have recently been discovered. In this line, CoQ₁₀ has shown pain-alleviating properties in fibromyalgia patients, a membrane-stabilizing function, immune system enhancing ability, or a fundamental role for insulin sensitivity, apart from potentially beneficial properties for familial hypercholesterolemia patients. In brief, it shows a remarkable amount of functions in addition to those yet to be discovered. Despite its multiple therapeutic applications, CoQ₁₀ is not commonly prescribed as a drug because of its low oral bioavailability, which compromises its efficacy. Hence, several formulations have been developed to face such inconvenience. These were initially designed as lipid nanoparticles for CoQ₁₀ encapsulation and distribution through biological membranes and eventually evolved towards chemical modifications of the molecule to decrease its hydrophobicity. Some of the most promising formulations will also be discussed in this review.     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from liquid swine wastes: a review

Due to the pollution characteristics of the wastewater generated in piggeries, these waste streams have to be treated before discharging into the environment. These wastes have a high content of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus that can be converted or recovered into valuable products. The valuation of swine waste by anaerobic digestion has already been assessed, but no systematic review on the technologies used for recovering nutrients from this waste has been reported to date. Therefore, the present work has the goal of presenting the most studied technologies to different scales of recovery of carbon (i.e. organic matter), nitrogen and phosphorus from swine waste. The main characteristics and parameters of the processes involved in these technologies (mainly air stripping, membrane, enhance biological phosphorus removal and struvite formation) are also highlighted, pointing out its advantages and disadvantages and posing some final feasibility considerations on the subject addressed. Experiments reported in the literature proved that technologies used for nutrient recovery from swine waste are mostly applied to the effluents previously treated by anaerobic digestion as a primary treatment, and greater effort is required for the future implementation of these technologies in large scale. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mechanical behavior of cold-water fish gelatin gels crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether

In this work, chemical crosslinking with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE) is used as strategy to enhance mechanical performance of fish gelatin (FG) gels in order to meet the properties' range of mammalian gelatin physical gels. Joint analysis of free amino groups, swelling ratio, and total soluble material indicates that crosslinking degree increases with increasing FG concentration and it is favored by a 0.2 BDDGE/FG ratio. Increasing crosslinking degree enhances gel indentation strength and shear modulus (μ) while decreases fracture toughness (G_IC). Measured μ and G_IC values lies within the range exhibited by mammalian gelatin physical gels, but the relationship between these parameters is opposite. This is due to the different fracture mechanisms occurring in chemically crosslinked and physical gels.     

Development of Biarylalkyl Carboxylic Acid Amides with Improved Anti-schistosomal Activity

The parasitic disease schistosomiasis is the cause of more than 200 000 human deaths per year. Although the disease is treatable, there is one major shortcoming: praziquantel has been the only drug used to combat these parasites since 1977. The risk of the emergence of resistant schistosomes is known to be increasing, as a reduced sensitivity of these parasites toward praziquantel has been observed. We developed a new class of substances, which are derived from inhibitors of human aldose reductase, and which showed promising activity against Schistosoma mansoni couples in vitro. Further optimisation of the compounds led to an increase in anti-schistosomal activity with observed phenotypes such as reduced egg production, vitality, and motility as well as tegumental damage and gut dilatation. Here, we performed structure–activity relationship studies on the carboxylic acid moiety of biarylalkyl carboxylic acids. Out of 82 carboxylic acid amides, we identified 10 compounds that are active against S. mansoni at 25 μm . The best five compounds showed an anti-schistosomal activity up to 10 μm and induced severe phenotypes. Cytotoxicity tests in human cell lines showed that two derivatives had no cytotoxicity at 50 or 100 μm . These compounds are promising candidates for further optimisation toward the new anti-schistosomal agents.