Essential oils have been recognized for their strong antibacterial property, making them an innovative approach for preserving meat. However, their chemical instability and direct impact on meat proteins limit their application. To overcome these limitations, various loading systems have been explored. This study aimed to compare the effect of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) loaded in a liposome and emulsion system on the proteolysis of minced pork and to evaluate the advantages of each delivery system in preventing microorganism-induced quality deterioration of meat. Minced pork treated with CEO-liposomes exhibited lower pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TVC) values than CEO-emulsions and provided better protection against microorganisms. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis confirmed that CEO-liposome was more effective in protecting proteins from degradation. Moreover, CEO-liposome produced lower amount of bitter amino acids and harmful biogenic amines. Antibacterial mechanisms indicated that CEO-liposome exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect against major spoilage bacteria in meat products by increasing cell membrane permeability. The membrane damage was further supported by an increase in conductivity and the leakage of nucleic acids. Compared to the CEO-emulsion system, CEO-liposome emerged as an effective preservative for minced pork. These results provided important theoretical support for using a bioactive compound delivery system to prevent microorganism-induced quality deterioration in meat.

The most common influenza vaccines are inactivated viruses produced in chicken eggs, which is a time-consuming production method with variable efficacy due to mismatches of the vaccine strains to the dominant circulating strains. Subunit-based vaccines provide faster production times in comparison to the traditional egg-produced vaccines but often require the use of an adjuvant to elicit a highly protective immune response. However, the current FDA approved adjuvant for influenza vaccines (MF59) elicits a primarily helper T-cell type 2 (Th2)-biased humoral immune response. Adjuvants that can stimulate a Th1 cellular response are correlated to have more robust protection against influenza. The cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP has been shown to provide a potent Th1 response but requires the use of a delivery vehicle to best initiate its signalling pathway in the cytosol. Herein, acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX) was used as the polymer to fabricate microparticles (MPs) via double-emulsion, electrospray, and spray drying methods to encapsulate cGAMP. This study compared each fabrication method\'s ability to encapsulate and retain the hydrophilic adjuvant cGAMP. We compared their therapeutic efficacy to Addavax, an MF59-like adjuvant, and cGAMP Ace-DEX MPs provided a stronger Th1 response in vaccinated BALB/c mice. Furthermore, we compared Ace-DEX MPs to spray dried MPs composed from a commonly used polymer for drug delivery, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). We observed that all Ace-DEX MPs elicited similar humoral and cellular responses to the PLGA MPs. Overall, the results shown here indicate Ace-DEX can perform similarly to PLGA as a polymer for drug delivery and that spray drying can provide an efficient way to produce MPs to encapsulate cGAMP and stimulate the immune system.

Salidroside has been widely used in anti-tumor, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular protection. However, there are few reports of its use for wound repair. Herein, salidroside inflammation-targeted emulsion gel and non-targeted emulsion gel were developed for wound repair. The inflammation-targeted emulsion gels showed an overall trend of better transdermal penetration and lower potential than non-targeted emulsion gels (-58.7 mV and -1.6 mV, respectively). The apparent improvement of the trauma surface was significant in each administration group. There was a significant difference in the rate of wound healing of the rats between each administration group and the model group at days 7 and 14. Pathological tissue sections showed that inflammatory cells in the epidermis, dermis, and basal layer were significantly reduced, and the granulation tissue was proliferated in the inflammation-targeted emulsion gel group and the non-targeted emulsion gel group. Regarding the expressions of EGF and bFGF, the expressions of bFGF and EGF in the tissues of the inflammation-targeted group at days 7, 14, or 21 were significantly higher than that of the non-targeted emulsion gel group and the model group, both of which were statistically significant compared with the model group (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that salidroside has the potential as an alternative drug for wound repair.

Dextran-based polymers, such as ethoxy acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX), are increasingly becoming the focus of research as they offer great potential for the development of polymer-based nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles. Their major advantages are the facile synthesis, straightforward particle preparation and the pH-dependent degradation of the particles that can be fine-tuned by the degree of acetalation of the polymer. In this study we have shown that Ace-DEX can not only compete against the commonly used and FDA-approved polymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), but even has the potential to outperform it in its encapsulation properties, e.g., for the herein used anti-inflammatory leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor BRP-187. We used three different methods (microfluidics, batch nanoprecipitation and emulsion solvent evaporation) for the preparation of BRP-187-loaded Ace-DEX nanoparticles to investigate the influence of the formulation technique on the physicochemical properties of the particles. Finally, we evaluated which production method offers the greatest potential for achieving the demands for a successful translation from research into pharmaceutical production by fulfilling the basic requirements, such as reaching a high loading capacity of the particles and excellent reproducibility while being simple and affordable.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A novel glass membrane emulsification device (GMD) produces a high percentage of water/oil emulsions with homogeneous and stable droplets. There are few reports on the efficacy of GMD-conventional-TACE (GMD-c-TACE); therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of GMD-c-TACE.
METHODS: Seventy-one patients with HCC with tumor diameter <5 cm who underwent c-TACE with and without GMD were included in this study to investigate local recurrence and hepatic functional reserve.
RESULTS: The local recurrence rates of TACE without GMD were 3.0% at 6 months, 16.7% at 12 months, and 35.0% at 18 months, around where it plateaued. In contrast, the local recurrence rates in the GMD-c-TACE group were 0.0% at 12 months and 15.4% at 18 months, respectively. Thus, GMD-c-TAE had a significantly lower local recurrence. ALBI score of c-TACE with GMD significantly preserved hepatic reserve. Multivariate analysis showed that GMD-c-TACE could suppress local recurrence and maintain hepatic reserve.
CONCLUSIONS: GMD-c-TACE allows dense lipiodol accumulation in the tumor and the attainment of good local control. Additionally, in vitro evaluation of the sustained release properties of GMD, the inhibition of the release of anticancer drugs may lead to maintain hepatic reserve. GMD-c-TACE is useful in preventing local recurrence and is expected to become the standard treatment form of c-TACE in the future.

Water-diesel emulsion fuel has been found as a prominent alternative fuel by various researchers. Alike this technology, cow-urine (Bos indicus urine) emulsified diesel fuel (GMD emulsion) has been explored in this study. Making of homogeneous and stable emulsion is a crucial aspect in this approach while maintaining the diesel standards. Hence, the applicability of this fuel has been examined based on physicochemical properties for diesel engine application. The stability was assessed by creaming index, droplet size, Pdi, and interfacial tension. The minimum droplet size (278 nm) and 0.282 Pdi was obtained with 5.72 HLB value, 4% (v/v) surfactant, and 10% (v/v) of cow-urine through ultra-sonication. The optimized 10% GMD emulsion was found stable for more than 80 days. Viscosity and density of the fuel got increased with cow-urine and surfactant; however, they found within the standard limits. The physicochemical analysis exhibited the feasibility of the GMD emulsion for diesel engine application.

OBJECTIVE: A combined treatment using both low-frequency (20 kHz) and high-frequency ultrasounds (1.63 MHz) is a promising new process to stabilize emulsions with minimalist formulation. In order to optimize process parameters, a Doehlert experimental design was performed with oil-in-water emulsions, presently used for cosmetic products, composed of water, caprylic/capric triglycerides and oleic acid.
METHODS: Effects of treatment time, oil content and oleic acid content were studied on emulsion properties (droplet size, polydispersity index, ζ-potential and yield of oil incorporation) and on emulsion stability after a 28-day storage (creaming index, Turbiscan stability index (TSI) and oil release).
RESULTS: From experimental data, a model was established that allowed to study effects of each parameter and their interactions on emulsion formation and stability. Oleic acid content had a great impact on emulsion formation: It reduced droplet size, PDI and ζ-potential and increased yield of oil incorporation. However, a critical value could be highlighted, beyond which oleic acid effects reversed. Treatment time had an important beneficial effect on emulsion stability as it decreased creaming index, TSI and oil release after 28 days of storage. Oil content had a negative effect on emulsion formation and on emulsion stability. However, treatment time and oil content often had a beneficial synergistic effect.
CONCLUSIONS: The optimized conditions for emulsion processing were obtained through a desirability approach. They were experimentally validated.
OBJECTIVE: Un traitement combiné utilisant à la fois des ultrasons à basse fréquence(20 kHz) et à haute fréquence (1,63 MHz) est un nouveau procédé prometteur pour stabiliser les émulsions avec une formulation minimaliste. Afin d\'optimiser les paramètres du procédé, un plan d’expériences de Doehlert a été réalisé avec des émulsions huile-dans- eau, actuellement utilisées pour des produits cosmétiques, composées d\'eau, de triglycérides capryliques/capriques et d\'acide oléique.
METHODS: Les effets du temps de traitement, de la teneur en huile et de la teneur en acide oléique ont été étudiés sur les propriétés des émulsions (taille des gouttelettes, indice de polydispersité, potentiel-ζ et rendement d\'incorporation de l\'huile) et sur la stabilité des émulsions après un stockage de 28 jours (indice de crémage, indice de stabilité au Turbiscan (TSI) et relargage de l\'huile).
RESULTS: A partir des données expérimentales, un modèle a été établi et a permis d\'étudier les effets de chaque paramètre et leurs interactions sur la formation et la stabilité des émulsions. La teneur en acide oléique a eu un impact important sur la formation des émulsions : elle a réduit la taille des gouttelettes, le PDI et le potentiel-ζ, et a augmenté le rendement d\'incorporation de l\'huile. Cependant, une valeur critique a pu être mise en évidence, au-delà de laquelle les effets de l\'acide oléique s\'inversent. Le temps de traitement a eu un effet bénéfique important sur la stabilité des émulsions car il a diminué l\'indice de crémage, le TSI et le relargage d\'huile après 28 jours de stockage. La teneur en huile a eu un effet négatif sur la formation des émulsions et sur leur stabilité. Cependant, le temps de traitement et la teneur en huile ont souvent eu un effet synergique bénéfique.
CONCLUSIONS: Les conditions optimisées pour le traitement des émulsions ont été obtenues par une approche de désirabilité. Elles ont été validées expérimentalement.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate changes in blood long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) and oxylipin concentrations in very preterm infants from birth to 36 weeks\' postmenstrual age (WPA) after providing an emulsified arachidonic acid (ARA):docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplement at two different concentrations.
UNASSIGNED: This prospective, randomized trial assigned infants to receive a supplement (1) 80:40 group (80 mg/kg/day ARA and 40 mg/kg/day DHA, n = 9) or (2) 120:60 group (120 mg/kg/day ARA and 60 mg/kg/day DHA, n = 9). Infants received supplement daily from birth until 36 WPA. At baseline, 21 days of life and 36 WPA, the LCPUFAs were measured in plasma by gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry. Additionally, LCPUFAs and oxylipins were analyzed in whole blood by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, a sample of oral mucosa was obtained to analyze single-nucleotide polymorphism located in the FADS1 gene by PCR.
UNASSIGNED: Gestational age was similar between groups (80:40 = 28+6 [27+3; 30+3] completed weeks+days ; 120:60 = 29+6 [27+3; 30+5] completed weeks+days , p = 0.83). At 36 WPA, the change in plasma ARA was significantly different between groups (80:40 group = 0.15 [-0.67; 0.69] %nmol, 120:60 = 1.68 [1.38; 3.16] %nmol, p = 0.031). In whole blood, the levels of ARA-derived oxylipins (5-, 8-, 9-, 11-, 15-HETE and 8,9-EET) and EPA-derived oxylipins (18-HEPE) significantly increase from baseline to 36 WPA in the 120:60 group than the 80:40 group.
UNASSIGNED: Supplementation at high doses (120:60 mg/kg/day) increased levels of ARA, and EPA- and ARA-derived oxylipins compared to low doses (80:40 mg/kg/day). Differences were detected in EPA metabolites without a significant increase in plasma DHA.

In this work, the miscibility of blends of thermoplastic Achira Starch (AS) and polylactic acid (PLA) was evaluated, assisted by Pluronic® F127 an amphiphilic triblock copolymer that acts as a surfactant and promotes the reduction of surface tension among AS and PLA in solution by emulsion stabilization. Different formulations of AS/PLA blends were obtained at 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75 containing 0 %, 4 %, and 8 % of Pluronic® F127, and glycerol was used as a plasticizer. Solvent casting was the method used to obtain blended polymeric films, which were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wettability by contact angle measurements. The results demonstrate that miscibility of PLA in AS or vice versa was achieved. The stability of emulsion and posterior drying of the different formulations allows the production of films for packaging, pharmaceutical, or biomedical applications.

The provitamin A activity of β-carotene is of primary interest to address one of the world\'s major malnutrition concerns. β carotene is a fat-soluble compound and its bioavailability from natural sources is very poor. Hence, studies have been focused on the development of specific core/shell micro- or nano-structures that encapsulate β-carotene in order to allow its dispersion in liquid systems and improve its bioavailability. One key objective when developing these structures is also to accomplish β-carotene stability. The aim of this review is to collect kinetic data (rate constants, activation energy) on the degradation of encapsulated β-carotene in order to derive knowledge on the possibility for these systems to be scaled-up to the industrial production of functional foods. Results showed that most of the nano- and micro-structures designed for β-carotene encapsulation and dispersion in the water phase provide better protection with respect to a natural matrix, such as carrot juice, increasing the β-carotene half-life from about 30 d to more than 100 d at room temperature. One promising approach to increase β-carotene stability was found to be the use of wall material, surfactants, or co-encapsulated compounds with antioxidant activity. Moreover, a successful approach was the design of structures, where the core is partially or fully solidified; alternatively, either the core or the interface or the outer phase are gelled. The data collected could serve as a basis for the rational design of structures for β-carotene encapsulation, where new ingredients, especially the extraordinary natural array of hydrocolloids, are applied.