Hsiao-Wei Wen

Optimizing manufacture of liposomal berberine with evaluation of its antihepatoma effects in a murine xenograft model.

The aim of this work is to establish an optimal process for generating liposomal berberine and assessing its anticancer ability against human hepatic carcinoma in a murine xenograft model. Of various forms of liposomal berberine with different lipid compositions, preparation by various methods, the one that contained 5 mol% polyethenyl glycol (PEG) that was produced by a thin-film hydration/extrusion method exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (E.E.) of berberine (14%). Additionally, in vitro studies reveal that this batch of liposomal berberine inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells 2.5 times as effectively as berberine solution since the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of berberine solution was 4.23 μg berberine/mL while that of liposomal berberine was only 1.67 μg berberine/mL, and this inhibition effect was based on the induction of apoptosis through the caspase/mitochondria-dependent pathway. Additionally, the results of in vivo studies indicate that the liposome effectively reduced the rate of elimination of berberine in both plasma and tissues, and liposomal berberine effectively reduced the size and weight of tumors as compared with the untreated tumor control group. Therefore, this work demonstrates that liposome is a good carrier for berberine to inhibit the tumor growth in HepG2 tumor-bearing mice.

Application of gamma irradiation in ginseng for both photodegradation of pesticide pentachloronitrobenzene and microbial decontamination.

This study investigates the feasibility of using gamma irradiation for photodegradation of a common residual fungicide, pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), in ginseng, and for microbial decontamination. American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, was subjected to gamma irradiation. PCNB residues were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection and mass spectrometry. Eighty percent of PCNB (100 ppm) in a methanol aqueous solution was degraded by 5 kGy irradiation, and the primary degradation product was pentachloroaniline. Furthermore, contaminated PCNB (3.7 ppm) in ginseng were reduced to 0.2 ppm after 20 kGy irradiation. The IC(50) for treatment of Sclerotium rolfsii with 20 kGy irradiated PCNB was about 2.7 times higher than that for treatment with unirradiated PCNB. The survival rate of mouse fibroblast L929 cells treated with 20 kGy irradiated PCNB was about 12.9% higher than that of L929 cells treated with unirradiated PCNB. Additionally, after 20 kGy irradiation, less than 5% reduction of contents of ginsenoside Rb1 and Re were observed, and amounts of ginsenosides Rc, Rd, and Rg1 were not reduced significantly. The minimal gamma dose for microbial decontamination was 10 kGy. Therefore, gamma irradiation can be used for both PCNB photodegradation and microbial decontamination of ginseng without obvious loses of ginsenoside contents.

Combined multiplex loop‐mediated isothermal amplification with lateral flow assay to detect sea and seb genes of enterotoxic Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are the most common cause of food poisoning worldwide and can induce symptoms, such as diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop a multiplex loop‐mediated isothermal amplification combined with a lateral flow assay (m‐LAMP/LFA) to simultaneously detect the sea and seb genes of Staphylococcus aureus. The amplicons of the sea gene were labelled with digoxigenin (Dig) and biotin while those of seb gene were labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and biotin. These amplicons were detected using a multiplex LFA with NeutrAvidin‐tagged gold nanoparticles as the detection reagent. After optimization, the detection limit of this assay was 102 CFU ml−1 Staph. aureus, which was one tenth that of a multiplex PCR. This assay did not exhibit any cross‐reactivity in detecting other enterotoxic Staph. aureus strains or other food pathogens. After 6 h of enrichment, this developed assay detected 1 CFU ml−1 of Staph. aureus in milk, apple juice, cheese and rice. The developed m‐LAMP/LFA method does not require expensive equipment and can be completely implemented within an 8‐h workday. Therefore, this method can provide an effective means of quickly screening staphylococcal enterotoxin A‐ and/or staphylococcal enterotoxin B‐producing Staph. aureus in food samples.

Synthesis,in-vitro macrophage response and detoxification of bamboo charcoal beads for purifying blood

Bamboo charcoal beads (BCBs) were formed by coprecipitating bamboo charcoal particles with chitosan in alkaline solution. The amount of chitosan in the BCBs and their surface properties were measured. When 13-52 mg BCBs were exposed to RAW 264.7 macrophages, the amount of nitric oxide released and the cell viability were close to those of the blank. The amount of cytokine IL-6 secreted by macrophages did not depend on the dose of BCBs but macrophages secreted more TNF-alpha in response to higher doses of BCBs. However, the cytokine levels were relatively low, suggesting the favorable biocompatibility of BCBs. In adsorption experiments, BCBs adsorbed and released bovine serum albumin at particular concentrations, whereas BCBs adsorbed L-phenylalanine without a sign of release. This difference is attributed to the hydrophilicity and the pore size of the BCBs. Finally, the potential of BCBs as biocompatible adsorbents in blood detoxification is considered.

Rapidly detecting major peanut allergen-Ara h2 in edible oils using a new immunomagnetic nanoparticle-based lateral flow assay

Ara h2 is a major peanut allergen that induces rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and anaphylactic shock. Since peanut is a major source in producing edible oils globally, Ara h2 residues can be present in various edible oils. In this work, an immunomagnetic nanoparticle-based lateral flow assay for identifying Ara h2 in edible oils is developed. This assay exhibits high sensitivity with a visual detection limit of 0.1 mg/kg Ara h2 in oil, and favorable specificity in differentiating peanut from seeds and nuts. The calculated CV values of intra- and inter-assay were 6.73-10.21% and 4.75-8.57%, respectively, indicating high reproducibility. In an analysis of 26 oil products, Ara h2 was detected in two peanut oils as 0.122 ± 0.026 mg/kg and 0.247 ± 0.027 mg/kg. The entire method takes 5 h, including a 3.5-h sample preparation. Hence, this method has the potential to be an effective way to screen edible oils for Ara h2.

Microbial Occurrence in Bentonite-Based Buffer Materials of a Final Disposal Site for Low Level Radioactive Waste in Taiwan

This research addresses the potential of microbial implications in bentonite for use as a buffer and backfill material in final disposal site for low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in Taiwan, where has a special island-type climate. Microbe activities naturally present in this site were analyzed, and buffer materials (BM) consisted of 100%, 70% or 50% bentonite were prepared for laboratory studies. A total of 39 microbial strains were isolated, and the predominant strains included four bacterial, one yeast and four fungal strains. Growth inhibition was not detected in any tested strain cultured in a radiation field with a dose rate of 0.2 Gy/h. Most of the isolated strains grew under a dose rate of 1.4 Gy/h. The D10 values of the tested strains ranged from 0.16 to 2.05 kGy. The mycelia of tested fungal strains could spread over 5 cm during six months of inoculation in BM. The spreading activity of the tested bacteria was less than that of the fungi. Moreover, biofilms were observed on the surfaces of the BM. Since a large and diverse population of microbes is present in Taiwan, microbes may contribute to the mobilization of radionuclides in the disposal site.Copyright