Proteome profiling of exosomes derived from plasma of heifers with divergent genetic merit for fertility

The current study evaluated exosomes isolated from plasma of heifers bred to have high or low fertility through developing extreme diversity in fertility breeding values, however, key animal traits (e.g., body weight, milk production, and percentage of North American genetics) remained similar between the 2 groups. The exosomes were isolated by a combined ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography approach and characterized by their size distribution (nanoparticle tracking analysis), morphology (transmission electron microscopy), and presence of exosomal markers (immunoblotting). In addition, a targeted mass spectrometry approach was used to confirm the presence of 2 exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 and flotillin 1. The number of exosomes from plasma of high fertility heifers was greater compared with low fertility heifers. Interestingly, the exosomal proteomic profile, evaluated using mass spectrometry, identified 89 and 116 proteins in the high and low fertility heifers respectively, of which 4 and 31 were unique, respectively. These include proteins associated with specific biological processes and molecular functions of fertility. Most notably, the tetratricopeptide repeat protein 41-related, glycodelin, and kelch-like protein 8 were identified in plasma exosomes unique to the low fertility heifers. These proteins are suggested to play a role in reproduction; however, the role of these proteins in dairy cow reproduction remains to be elucidated. Their identification underscores the potential for proteins within exosomes to provide information on the fertility status and physiological condition of the cow. This may potentially lead to the development of prognostic tools and interventions to improving dairy cow fertility.     

Novel preparation and high electrical performance effect of Mn-doped ultra-high surface area activated carbon (USAC) as an additive for Ni hybrid capacitors

This paper reports the synthesis of various molar concentrations of manganese (Mn)-doped Ultra-High Surface area Activated Carbon (USAC) additives and their efficient use as cathode materials for supercapacitors. We synthesized the nanoparticles via a novel and facile dip-coating process and characterized them in detail by various analytical techniques. The SEM, EDAX, and XPS results showed that the Mn ions were successfully substituted on the USAC additives’ layered structure without any structural changes. The long cyclic stability of the as-prepared Mn-doped USAC additives was tested as a cathode material for supercapacitors at different current densities. The detailed experimental results showed that the Mn dopant content crucially determines the electrochemical performances of the USAC additives. Electrochemical measurements showed that the MnCEP-S600HTT with 0.10 mol% molar concentration of Mn dopant gives the best cycling performances. It delivers a discharge capacity of 262.9 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles. Further increasing the current density to 1000 mA g^?1 allowed it to still maintain 253.6 mAh g^?1 after 200 cycles. We confirmed that the structure of Mn-doped USAC additives is an important pole to improve the structural stability and electrochemical properties.     

Magnetohydrodynamic bio‐nanoconvective Naiver slip flow of micropolar fluid in a stretchable horizontal channel

The purpose of this paper is to formulate and analyze a nano‐bio transport model for magnetohydrodynamic convective flow, heat, and mass diffusion of micropolar fluid containing gyrotactic microorganisms through a horizontal channel. Both the walls are considered to be stretched, and the Navier slip boundary condition is taken into account. The governing bio‐nano transport partial differential equations are rendered to ordinary differential equations using similarity variables. The resulting normalized self‐similar boundary value problem is solved computationally with the Matlab bvp4c function. The effect of the controlling parameters on the nondimensional velocity, temperature, nanoparticle concentration, and motile microorganism density functions, and their gradients at the wall are visualized graphically and in a tabular form and expounded at length. Validation with a previous simpler model is included. All physical quantities, except the local Nusselt number, increases with an increase in the velocity slip and magnetic parameters. The present problem finds applications in industries related to pharmaceutical, nanofluidic devices, microbial enhanced oil recovery, modeling oil, and gas‐bearing sedimentary basins.     

A new electroless Ni plating procedure of iodine-treated aramid fiber

A new, durable, etchant- and tin-free catalyzation process was studied for electroless nickel metallization of aramid fiber via iodine pretreatment. Firstly, iodine components were selectively doped onto the inner part of the fiber using vapor iodine exposure followed by treatment with a tin-free acidic palladium chloride solution to form palladium iodide (PdI₂) on the fiber surface. After subsequent reduction of PdI₂ into metal palladium (Pd), electroless plating was carried out. A uniform Ni plating layer was formed on the fiber surface, which exhibited high durability against resistance tests of ultrasonic exposure, tape peel-off, and corrosion in NaCl solution. Here, Pd particles that formed at the inner part near the fiber surface functioned as an anchor of the plated layer as well as a catalyst of electroless plating. Investigation of the plate bath composition shows that the use of anionic surfactant enhances the adhesion of the plated layer with fiber matrix, while a reducing agent in the plate bath reduces the smoothness of the plated surface. Also, the plate bath pH and the temperature of the plating solution control the layer deposition rate noticeably more than does the plating time. The proposed method retained good tensile strength in the plated fiber. Ni-plated aramid fiber exhibited durable electrical conductivity and magnetic properties.     

Enhanced Hydrogen Generation from Empty Fruit Bunches by Charcoal Addition into a Downdraft Gasifier

Hydrogen production by co-gasification of empty fruit bunches of palm oil could be enhanced by adding charcoal. Physiochemical characterization of raw feedstocks was performed to determine their exergy potentiality. The raw feedstocks, gasified charcoal, and the end product of produced gas were analyzed by different techniques. Gasification experiments were performed using a pilot-scale downdraft gasifier. The heating value, composition of product gas, yield of hydrogen, and exergy efficiency were used to verify the improvement of hydrogen production during the co-gasification process. Charcoal with empty fruit bunches of palm oil leads to a much higher yield of hydrogen than lower charcoal ratios or solely empty fruit bunches. This enhanced hydrogen fuel can contribute to future energy demand.     

Modeling methyl methacrylate free radical polymerization: Reaction in hydrophilic nanopores

In previous work, we developed a simplified model for the diffusion controlled bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate and extended the model to capture the reaction under nanoconfinement. The calorimetric conversion versus time data in bulk and in silanized hydrophobic nanopores was well captured by the model. Here we further extend the model to capture the reaction in native hydrophilic controlled pore glass (CPG) nanopores accounting for catalysis by surface silanol groups. The ability of the model to describe experimental data is tested. In order to fit the data, the parameters describing monomer and active chain diffusion differ from that in hydrophobic pores.     

Determination of phenol in the Bangsai River water of Bangladesh by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive and rapid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method is proposed for the analysis of some environmentally important highly toxic phenols in water. The concentration level of phenol was determined in water at the sampling stations of Savar, Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) and Bank Colony of the Bangsai River, Bangladesh. Water samples were collected from different depth of the sampling stations. The phenolic compounds were extracted with dichloromethane, which was further preconcentrated by evaporation. Different concentrations of toxic phenol were obtained in the river water at the various sampling stations. The concentration of highly toxic phenol was found in the range of 0.01–0.998 μg L⁻¹. This method could permit the analysis of water for phenol as well as phenolic derivatives with detection limit as low as 100 ng L⁻¹.     

Short Chain Fatty Acid Acetate Increases TNFα-Induced MCP-1 Production in Monocytic Cells via ACSL1/MAPK/NF-κB Axis

Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetate, a byproduct of dietary fiber metabolism by gut bacteria, has multiple immunomodulatory functions. The anti-inflammatory role of acetate is well documented; however, its effect on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production is unknown. Similarly, the comparative effect of SCFA on MCP-1 expression in monocytes and macrophages remains unclear. We investigated whether acetate modulates TNFα-mediated MCP-1/CCL2 production in monocytes/macrophages and, if so, by which mechanism(s). Monocytic cells were exposed to acetate with/without TNFα for 24 h, and MCP-1 expression was measured. Monocytes treated with acetate in combination with TNFα resulted in significantly greater MCP-1 production compared to TNFα treatment alone, indicating a synergistic effect. On the contrary, treatment with acetate in combination with TNFα suppressed MCP-1 production in macrophages. The synergistic upregulation of MCP-1 was mediated through the activation of long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1). However, the inhibition of other bioactive lipid enzymes [carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) or serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT)] did not affect this synergy. Moreover, MCP-1 expression was significantly reduced by the inhibition of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB signaling. The inhibition of ACSL1 attenuated the acetate/TNFα-mediated phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB. Increased NF-κB/AP-1 activity, resulting from acetate/TNFα co-stimulation, was decreased by ACSL1 inhibition. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the proinflammatory effects of acetate on TNF-α-mediated MCP-1 production via the ACSL1/MAPK/NF-κB axis in monocytic cells, while a paradoxical effect was observed in THP-1-derived macrophages.     

Study of structural correlations with temperature dependent dielectric response and ferroelectric behavior for (Sr,Mn) co-doped BaTiO3

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The present study reveals the effect of (Sr, Mn) co-doping on structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and electronic transport properties of...     

Marine omega‐3 (n‐3) phospholipids: A comprehensive review of their properties,sources, bioavailability,and relation to brain health

For several decades, there has been considerable interest in marine‐derived long chain n‐3 fatty acids (n‐3 LCPUFAs) due to their outstanding health benefits. n‐3 LCPUFAs can be found in nature either in triglycerides (TAGs) or in phospholipid (PL) form. From brain health point of view, PL n‐3 is more bioavailable and potent compared to n‐3 in TAG form, as only PL n‐3 is able to cross the blood–brain barrier and can be involved in brain biochemical reactions. However, PL n‐3 has been ignored in the fish oil industry and frequently removed as an impurity during degumming processes. As a result, PL products derived from marine sources are very limited compared to TAG products. Commercially, PLs are being used in pharmaceutical industries as drug carriers, in food manufacturing as emulsifiers and in cosmetic industries as skin care agents, but most of the PLs used in these applications are produced from vegetable sources that contain less (without EPA, DPA, and DHA) or sometimes no n‐3 LCPUFAs. This review provides a comprehensive account of the properties, structures, and major sources of marine PLs, and provides focussed discussion of their relationship to brain health. Epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical studies on n‐3 LCPUFAs enriched PLs using different model systems in relation to brain and mental health that have been published over the past few years are discussed in detail.