Repeated-Batch and Continuous Production of L-Lactic Acid by Rhizopus oryzae Immobilized in Calcium Alginat Beads:ReactorPerformance and Kinetic Model

Repeated-batch and continuous production of L-lactic acid by immobilized Rhizopusoryzae with calcium alginate entrapment method in a three-phase fluidized-bed bioreactor was stud-ied.The operation conditions were optimized.The productivity based on total reactor volume wasabout 3 times higher than that with free cells in a traditional stirred tank bioreactor.A mathemat-ical model was proposed and the model predictions were in good agreement with the experimentaldat.

Mathematical models for foam-diverted acidizing and their applications

Foam diversion can effectively solve the problem of uneven distribution of acid in layers of different permeabilities during matrix acidizing. Based on gas trapping theory and the mass conservation equation, mathematical models were developed for foam-diverted acidizing, which can be achieved by a foam slug followed by acid injection or by continuous injection of foamed acid. The design method for foam-diverted acidizing was also given. The mathematical models were solved by a computer program. Computed results show that the total formation skin factor, wellhead pressure and bottomhole pressure increase with foam injection, but decrease with acid injection. Volume flow rate in a highpermeability layer decreases, while that in a low-permeability layer increases, thus diverting acid to the low-permeability layer from the high-permeability layer. Under the same formation conditions, for foamed acid treatment the operation was longer, and wellhead and bottomhole pressures are higher. Field application shows that foam slug can effectively block high permeability layers, and improve intake profile noticeably.

Fabrication and Characterization of Poly Lactic Acid Scaffolds by Fused Deposition Modeling for Bone Tissue Engineering

Three-dimensional porous poly-lactic acid(PLA) scaffold was fabricated using fused deposition modeling(FDM) method including 30%, 50% and 70% nominal porosity. Study of phases in initial polymeric material and printed scaffolds was done by X-ray diffraction(XRD), and no significant phase difference was observed due to the manufacturing process, and the poly-lactic acid retains its crystalline properties. The results of the mechanical properties evaluation by the compression test show that the mechanical properties of the scaffold have decreased significantly with increasing the porosity of scaffold. The microstructure of scaffolds were studied by scanning electron microscope(SEM), showing that the pores had a regular arrangement and their morphology changed with porosity change. The mechanical properties of the poly-lactic acid scaffolds printed using fused deposition modeling, can be adapted to the surrounding tissue, by porosity change.

Key factors in developing the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome model in rats

AIM:To investigate the key factors in developing the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced postinflammatory irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)model in rats. METHODS:TNBS was administered to rats at the following conditions:(1)with different doses(20,10,5 mg/0.8 mL per rat);(2)with same dose in different concentrations(20 mg/rat,25,50 mg/mL);(3)in different ethanol percentage(25%,50%);and(4)at depth either 4 cm or 8 cm from anus.At 5 d and 4 wk after TNBS administration,inflammation severity and inflammation resolution were evaluated.At 4 and 8 wk after TNBS application,visceral hyperalgesia and enterochromaffin(EC)cell hyperplasia were assayed by abdominal withdrawal reflex test,silver staining and capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS:Our results showed that:(1)TNBS induced dose-dependent acute inflammation and inflammation resolution.At 5 d post TNBS,the pathological score and myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity in all TNBS treated rats were significantly elevated compared to that of the control(9.48±1.86,8.18±0.67,5.78± 0.77 vs 0,and 3.55±1.11,1.80±0.82,0.97±0.08 unit/mg vs 0.14±0.01 unit/mg,P<0.05).At 4 wk post TNBS,the pathological score in high and median dose TNBS-treated rats were still significantly higher than that of the control(1.52±0.38 and 0.80±0.35 vs 0,P<0.05);(2)Intracolonic TNBS administration position affected the persistence of visceral hyperalgesia.At 4 wk post TNBS,abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR)threshold pressure in all TNBS-treated groups were decreased compared to that of the control(21.52 ±1.73 and 27.10±1.94 mmHg vs 34.44±1.89 mmHg,P<0.05).At 8 wk post TNBS,AWR threshold pressure in 8 cm administration group was still significantly decreased(23.33±1.33 mmHg vs 36.79±2.29 mmHg,P<0.05);(3)Ethanol percentage affected the TNBS-induced inflammation severity and visceral hyperalgesia.In TNBS-25%ethanol-treated group,the pathological score and MPO activity were significantly lowered compared to that of the TNBS-50%ethanoltreated group,while AWR threshold pressure were significantly elevated(36.33±0.61 mmHg vs 23.33±1.33 mmHg,P<0.05);and(4)TNBS(5 mg/0.8 mL per rat, in 50%ethanol,8 cm from anus)-treated rats recovered completely from the inflammation with acquired visceral hyperalgesia and EC cell hyperplasia at 4 wk after TNBS administration.CONCLUSION:TNBS dosage,concentration,intraco-lonic administration position,and ethanol percentage play important roles in developing visceral hyperalgesia and EC cell hyperplasia of TNBS-induced PI-IBS rats.

Acid deposition critical loads modeling for the simulation of sulfur exceedance and reduction in Guangdong, China

The current acid deposition critical loads in Guangdong, China were calculated using the PROFILE model with a 3 km × 3 km resolution. Calculations were carded out for critical loads of potential acidity, actual acidity, sulfur and nitrogen, with values in extents of 0-3.5, 0-14.0, 0-26.0 and 0-3.5 kmol/（hrnE.year）, respectively. These values were comparable to previously reported results and reflected the influences of vegetation and soil characteristics on the soil acid buffering capacity. Simulations of SO2 emission and sulfur deposition in this study showed that sulfur deposition core areas mirrored SO2 emission centers. The prediction of sulfur deposition after 20% and 40% reduction of SO2 emission suggested that the reduction of area sources contributed greatly to the decrease of sulfur deposition. Thus, abatement of area source emissions could be the primary way to mitigate sulfur deposition in Guangdong to meet both the provincial and national regulations of air pollution control.

Application of the Nutrient Cycling Model NuCM to a Forest Monitoring Site Exposed to Acidic Precipitation in China

The nutrient cycling model NuCM is one of the most detailed models for simulating processes that influence nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. A field study was conducted at Tieshanping, a Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forest site, in Chongqing, China, to monitor the impacts of acidic precipitation on nutrient cycling. NuCM simulations were compared with observed data from the study site. The model produced an approximate fit with the observed data. It simulated the mean annual soil solution concentrations in the two simulation years, whereas it sometimes failed to reproduce seasonal variation. Even though some of the parameters required by model running were measured in the field, some others were still highly uncertain and the uncertainties were analyzed. Some of the uncertain parameters necessary for model running should be measured and calibrated to produce a better fit between modeled results and field data.

Construction and Analysis of Three-dimensional Graphic Model of Single-chain Fv Derived from an Anti-human Placental Acidic Isoferritin Monoclonal Antibody by Computer

Summary: A three-dimensional (3D) graphic model of a single-chain Fv (scFv) which was derived from an anti-human placental acidic isoferritin (PAF) monoclonal antibody (MAb) was construct- ed by a homologous protein-predicting computer algorithm on Silicon graphic computer station. The structure, surface static electricity and hydrophobicity of scFv were investigated. Computer graphic modelling indicated that all regions of scFv including the linker, variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains were suitable. The VH region and the VL region were involved in composing the 'hydrophobic pocket'. The linker was drifted away VH and VL regions. The complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of VH and VL regions surrounded the 'hydrophobic pocket'. This study provides a theory basis for improving antibody affinity, investigating antibody structure and analyzing the functions of VH and VL regions in antibody activity.

Characterization of Gallic Acid Interaction with Human Serum Albumin by Spectral and Molecular Modeling Methods

The binding of drugs with human serum albumin（HSA） is a crucial factor influencing the distribution and bioactivity of drugs in the body.To understand the action mechanisms between gallic acid（GA,3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid） and HSA,the binding of GA with HSA was investigated by a combined experimental and computational approach.The fluorescence properties of HSA and the binding parameters of GA collectively indicate that the binding is characterized by static quenching mechanism at one high affinity binding site.According to the estimated molecular distance between the donor（HSA） and the acceptor（GA）,the binding is related to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer.As indicated by the thermodynamic parameters,hydrophobic interaction plays a major role in the GA-HSA complex.Further,the experimental results reveal that GA is bound in the large hydrophobic cavity of subdomain IIA in the site I of HSA,which is well approved by molecular docking.

Modeling of degradation kinetics of Salvianolic acid B at different temperatures and pH values

In this work,the effects of degradation time,temperature,and pH value on the degradation of Salvianolic acid B in aqueous solution were determined.Higher pH values,higher extraction temperature,and longer extraction time led to more degradation of Salvianolic acid B.Danshensu concentration increased as Salvianolic acid B degraded.A mechanism model was developed considering the degradation of Salvianolic acid E and lithospermic acid,which were two degradation products of Salvianolic acid B.The reverse reactions of Salvianolic acid B degradation were also considered.Degradation kinetic constants were calibrated.The degradation kinetics of Salvianolic acid B,lithospermic acid,and Danshensu in a Salvia miltiorrhiza extract aqueous solution were predicted using the mechanism model.The predicted concentrations agreed well with the experimental results.This model was developed using degradation data obtained from simple composition systems,but it can be applied in a complex botanical mixture with high prediction accuracy.

Host-guest interaction of β-cyclodextrin with isomeric ursolic acid and oleanolic acid:physicochemical characterization and molecular modeling study

Ursolic acid(UA) and oleanolic acid(OA) are insoluble drugs. The objective of this study was to encapsulate them into β-cyclodextrin(β-CD) and compare the solubility and intermolecular force of β-CD with the two isomeric triterpenic acids. The host-guest interaction was explored in liquid and solid state by ultraviolet-visible absorption,1H NMR, phase solubility analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffractometry, and molecular modeling studies. Both experimental and theoretical studies revealed that β-CD formed 1: 1 water soluble inclusion complexes and the complexation process was naturally favorable. In addition, the overall results suggested that ring E with a carboxyl group of the drug was encapsulated into the hydrophobic CD nanocavity. Therefore, a clear different inclusion behavior was observed, and UA exhibited better affinity to β-CD compared with OA in various media due to little steric interference, which was beneficial to form stable inclusion complex with β-CD and increase its water solubility effectively.

Tensile Properties of Mechanically-Defibrated Cellulose Nanofiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Matrix Composites Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling

Biodegradable polymers are highly attractive as potential alternatives to petroleum-based polymers in an attempt to achieve carbon neutrality whilst maintaining the mechanical properties of the structures.Among these polymers,polylactic acid(PLA)is particularly promising due to its good mechanical properties,biocompatibility and thermoplasticity.In this work,we aim to enhance the mechanical properties of PLA using mechanically-defibrated cellulose nanofibers(CNFs)that exhibit remarkable mechanical properties and biodegradability.We also employ fused deposition modeling(FDM),one of the three-dimensional printing methods for thermoplastic polymers,for the low-cost fabrication of the products.Mechanically-defibrated CNF-reinforced PLA matrix composites are fabricated by FDM.Their tensile properties are investigated in two printing directions(0°/90°and+45°/-45°).The discussion about the relationship between printing direction and tensile behavoir of mechanically-defibrated CNF-reinforced PLA matrix composite is the unique point of this study.We further discuss the microstructure and fracture surface of mechanically-defibrated CNF-reinforced PLA matrix composite by scanning electron microscope.

Characterization of Amino Acid Based Molecular Micelles with Molecular Modeling

The enantiomers of chiral drugs often have different potencies, toxicities, and biochemical properties. Therefore, the FDA and other worldwide regulatory agencies require manufactures to test and prove the enantiomeric purity of chiral drugs. Amino acid based molecular micelles (AABMM) have been used in chiral CE separations since the 1990’s because of their low environmental impact and because their properties can easily be tuned by changing the amino acids in the chiral surfactant head groups. Using molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structures and properties of AABMM is part of an ongoing study focusing on investigating and elucidating the factors responsible for chiral recognition with AABMM. The results will be useful for the proper design and selection of more efficient chiral selectors. The micelles investigated contained approximately twenty covalently linked surfactant monomers. Each monomer was in turn composed of an undecyl hydrocarbon chain bound to a dipeptide headgroup containing of all combinations of L-Alanine, L-Valine, and L-Leucine. These materials are of interest because they are effective chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis separations. Molecular dynamics simulation analyses were used to investigate how the sizes and positions of the headgroup amino acid R-groups affected the solvent accessible surface areas of each AABMM chiral center. In addition, headgroup dihedral angle analyses were used to investigate how amino acid R-group size and position affected the overall headgroup conformations. Finally, distance measurements were used to study the structural and conformational flexibilities of each AABMM headgroup. All analyses were performed in the context of a broader study focused on developing structure-based predictive tools to identify the factors responsible for a) self-assembly, b) function, c) higher ordered structure and d) molecular recognition of these amino acid based molecular micelles.

Mathematical Modeling of the Oxidation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Emulsions with Stirring and Limited Oxygen Compensation

The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFA） in emulsion with stirring and limited oxygen compensation was studied. A mathematical model of diffusion-oxidation was developed considering the mass transfer resistance of a gas-liquid boundary, the resistance of the boundary layer from the emulsifier membrane, and the autocatalytic-type autoxidation reaction of PUFA. The dynamic mass transfer coefficient of the emulsifier membrane, k0, was introduced. The model was verified by comparing the predictions of the model with the experi- mental data. The results indicated that the model was in good agreement with the oxygen diffusion and linoleic acid oxidation in the emulsion, and showed good applicability in the prediction of the effect of the emulsifier type on the oxidation of PUFA in the emulsion. It indicated that the oxidation of PUFA in emulsions, with stirring and limited oxygen compensation from the atmosphere, was controlled mostly by mass transfer resistance from the emulsifier membrane.

Mechanical properties and damage constitutive model of sandstone after acid corrosion and high temperature treatments

Aiming at the problem of temperature-mechanics-chemical(T-M-C)action encountered by rocks in underground engineering,sandstone was selected as the sample for acid corrosion treatment at pH 1,3,5 and 7,the acid corrosion treated samples were then subjected to high-temperature experiments at 25,300,600,and 900℃,and triaxial compression experiments were conducted in the laboratory.The experimental results show that the superposition of chemical damage and thermal damage has a significant impact on the quality,wave velocity,porosity and compression failure characteristics of the rock.Based on the Lemaitre strain equivalent hypothesis theory,the damage degree of rock material was described by introducing damage variables,and the spatial mobilized plane(SMP)criterion was adopted.The damage constitutive model can well reflect the stress-strain characteristics of the rock triaxial compression process,which verified the rationality and reliability of the model parameters.The experiment and constitutive model analyzed the change law of mechanical properties of rock after chemical corrosion and high temperature thermal damage,which had certain practical significance for rock engineering construction.

A New Hybrid Model of Amino Acid Substitution for Protein Functional Classification

In this paper, a new hybrid model of amino acid substitution is developed and compared with the others in previous works. The results show that the new hybrid model can characterize the protein sequences very well by calculating Fisher weights, which can denote how much the variants contribute to the classification.

Expression of L amino acid transport system 1 and analysis of iodine-123-methyltyrosine tumor uptake in a pancreatic xenotransplantation model using fused high-resolution-micro-SPECT-MRI

BACKGROUND:The specificity in discriminating pancreatitis is limited in the positron emission tomography(PET)using Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose.Furthermore,PET is not widely available compared to the single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).Since amino acids play a minor role in metabolism of inflammatory cells,the potential of the SPECT tracer,3-[ 123 I]iodo-L-α-methyltyrosine(123I-IMT),for detecting pancreatic cancer was examined in xenotransplantation models of human pancreatic carcinoma in mice. METHODS: 123 I-IMT was injected to eight mice inoculated with subcutaneous or orthotopic pancreatic tumors.Fused high-resolution-micro-SPECT(Hi-SPECT)and magnetic resonance imaging were performed.The gene expression level of L amino acid transport-system 1(LAT1)was analyzed and correlated with tumor uptake of 123 I-IMT. RESULTS:A high uptake of 123 I-IMT was detected in all tumor-bearing mice.The median tumor-to-background ratio (T/B)was 12.1(2.0-13.2)for orthotopic and 8.4(1.8-11.1)for subcutaneous xenotransplantation,respectively.Accordingly, the LAT1 expression in transplanted Colo357 cells was increased compared to non-malignant controls.CONCLUSIONS:Our mouse model could show a high 123 I-IMT uptake in pancreatic cancer.Fused MRI scans facilitate precise evaluation of uptake in the specific regions of interest.Further studies are required to confirm these findings in tumors derived from other human pancreatic cancer cells.Since amino acids play a minor role in the metabolism of inflammatory cells,the potential for application of 123 I-IMT to distinguish pancreatic tumor from inflammatory pancreatitis warrants further investigation.

Aminooxyacetic acid improves learning and memory in a rat model of chronic alcoholism

Chronic alcoholism seriously damages the central nervous system and leads to impaired learning and memory.Cell damage in chronic alcoholism is strongly associated with elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide（H2S） and calcium ion overload.Aminooxyacetic acid is a cystathionine-β-synthase activity inhibitor that can reduce H2S formation in the brain.This study sought to observe the effect of aminooxyacetic acid on learning and memory in a chronic alcoholism rat model.Rats were randomly divided into three groups.Rats in the control group were given pure water for 28 days.Rats in the model group were given 6% alcohol for 28 days to establish an alcoholism rat model.Rats in the aminooxyacetic acid remedy group were also given 6% alcohol for 28 days and were also intraperitoneally injected daily with aminooxyacetic acid（5 mg/kg） from day 15 to day 28.Learning and memory was tested using the Morris water maze test.The ultrastructure of mitochondria in the hippocampus was observed by electron microscopy.H2S levels in the hippocampus were measured indirectly by spectrophotometry,and ATPase activity was measured using a commercial kit.The expression of myelin basic protein was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.Compared with the control group,latency and swimming distance were prolonged in the navigation test on days 2,3,and 4 in the model group.In the spatial probe test on day 5,the number of platform crosses was reduced in the model group.Cristae cracks,swelling or deformation of mitochondria appeared in the hippocampus,the hippocampal H2S level was increased,the mitochondrial ATPase activity was decreased,and the expression of myelin basic protein in the hippocampus was down-regulated in the model group compared with the control group.All the above indexes were ameliorated in the aminooxyacetic acid remedy group compared with the model group.These findings indicate that aminooxyacetic acid can improve learning and memory in a chronic alcoholism rat model,which may be associated with reduction of hippocampal H2S level and mitochondrial ATPase activity,and up-regulation of myelin basic protein levels in the hippocampus.

Equilibrium of liquid-liquid extraction of 2-phenylbutyric acid enantiomers: Experiment and model

The utilization of liquid–liquid extraction for the separation of 2-phenylbutyric acid（2-PBA） enantiomers was proposed. Factors affecting the extract process were investigated, including organic solvents, β-cyclodextrin derivatives, cyclodextrin concentration, p H and temperature. A model was proposed to describe the separation process based on the homogeneous phase reaction mechanism. Important parameters of this model were determined experimentally. The physical distribution coefficients for molecular and ionic 2-PBA were0.129 and 7.455, respectively. The equilibrium constants of the complexation reactions were 89.36 and36.78 L·mol^-1 for（＋）-and（-）-2-PBA, respectively. The model was verified by experiments and proved to be an excellent means to optimize the separation system. Through modeling prediction and experiment, the best conditions（e.g., pH value of 3.00, extractant concentration of 0.1 mol·L^-1, temperature of 5.0 ℃） were acquired. Under this condition, the maximum enantioselectivity（2.096） was obtained.

Adsorption of 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid/sulfuric acid/sulfurous acid from aqueous solution by iron-impregnated weakly basic resin：Equilibrium and model

Commercial grade weakly basic resin D301 was impregnated with iron through a simple method using ferric chloride. Experiments for single, bisolute and trinary competitive adsorption were carried out to investigate the adsorption behavior of 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid(NSA), sulfuric acid and sulfurous acid from their solution at 298 K onto the novel hybrid iron impregnated D301(Fe-D301). Adsorption affinity of NSA on Fe-D301 was found to be much higher than that of sulfuric acid, while adsorption affinity of sulfuric acid was slightly higher than that of sulfurous acid. The data of single-solute adsorption were fitted to the Langmuir model and the Freundlich adsorption model. The non-ideal competitive adsorbed model coupled with the single-solute adsorption models were used to predict the bisolute and trinary-solute competitive adsorption equilibria. The NICM coupled with the Langmuir model yields the favorable representation of the bisolute and trinary-solute competitive adsorption behavior.

Mathematical modeling for of arctigenin from acidultrasonic-assisted extractionhydrolyzed FructusArctii

A mathematical model based on Fick's first lawwas established to describe the process of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of arctigenin from acid hydrolyzed FructusArctii.Acid hydrolization with hydrochloric acid promotes the conversion of arctiin to arctigenin in the arctiin-rich active pharmaceutical ingredient, and the hydrolyzed products were further examined to investigate the process setup. By considering the mechanism of the extraction process and experimental data, the effects of parameters including solven to solid ratio, particle size of hydrolyzed samples, ethano volume fraction, ultrasound power, extraction temperature and extraction time on concentration of arctigenin were analyzed in detail. The model was suitable for simulating the process of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of arctigenin. The simulation results of the model agree well with experimental data with the deviation below13%, indicating that the mathematical mode can provide valuable guidance for the extraction of arctigenin from acid hydrolyzed FructusArctii.