Kinetics of enzymatic unhairing by protease in leather industry

In leather industry, unhairing is a heavy pollution operation. The conventional lime-sulfide process produces a large amount of sulfide which is toxic to health and difficult to dispose. Moreover, conventional lime-sulfide process leads to the destruction of the hair causing increased COD, BOD and TDS loads in the effluent. As an alternative method, enzymatic unhairing is a promising clean technology. The main utilized enzyme preparations are proteases.There are many reports about enzymatic unhairing, most of which are qualitative. The kinetics of enzymatic unhairing by protease was discussed in this article. It will provide useful information to enzymatic unhairing. In our research, by analysis of the concentrations of released total protein in enzyme bath during protease unhairing, the good linearity between released total protein and square root of time (min^1/2) was obtained at the initial stage. The good linearity suggests that enzymatic unhairing by protease is a diffusion-controlled process at the initial stage. The analysis of kinetics of released saccharides also confirms the same conclusion. On the other hand, the same characteristics between the kinetics of released saccharides and that of released total protein further confirms that it is the hydrolysis of core protein by protease that leads to the degradation of proteoglycans and the release of protein and saccharides. However, in our tests, the kinetics of released collagen indicates that the injury to skin took place in 3-6 h. Therefore, it’s necessary to control the time of protease unhairing within an appropriate limit.     

纳米TiO_2纤维的制备及其光催化降解甲醛研究

以胶原纤维为模板制备纳米TiO2纤维用于光助催化降解甲醛气体,用扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和N2吸附-脱附技术对纳米TiO2纤维进行了表征。结果表明,纳米TiO2纤维的比表面积为11.33 m2/g,晶型为锐钛矿型。在相同催化反应条件下纳米TiO2纤维对甲醛气体的催化降解率与商品纳米TiO(2Degussa P25)催化剂相当。纳米TiO2纤维的用量、甲醛气体初始浓度是影响催化效果的两个因素。当甲醛气体初始浓度为0.270 mg/m3,相对湿度为38%,气体流速0.1 L/min,纳米TiO2纤维用量为1.0 g时,甲醛的降解率达到96%。因此,纳米TiO2纤维可用于室内甲醛气体的催化降解。     

The crystal growth of hydroxyapatite in presence of collagens

The crystal growth of hydroxyapatite (HAP) seeds in presence of the abnormal collagen secreted by the chondrocyte grown in media containing free radical sources or fulvic acid and the type II collagen (pig cartilage) damaged by · OH and fulvic acid(FA) from potable water in endemic region of Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) was studied. The results showed that in the former case, the abnormal collagen rich in type I collagen promoted mineralization in contrast with the type n collagen. The oxidatively damaged type II collagen became less inhibitive or even promotive. In all cases, the reaction followed a second order kinetics. The powder X-diffraction analysis and SEM observation indicated that the damaged type II collagen lowers the crystalinity in the beginning and made the final crystal more agglomerated. All the results showed that the abnormal and the damaged cartilage matrix affected the bimineralization and was likely to have played an important role in the development of KBD.     

SO2污染激活AT1R改变运动大鼠心肌胶原纤维形态学并导致心功能降低

为了观察SO₂污染环境下运动对大鼠心功能的影响,从心脏局部肾素-血管紧张素系统（renin-angiotensin system,RAS）核心成员——血管紧张素Ⅱ（angiotensin Ⅱ,AngⅡ）Ⅰ型受体（AT₁R）介导的心肌胶原纤维形态结构重塑的角度出发,应用心脏插管技术观察大鼠的心脏功能;采用放射免疫技术（ELISA）、免疫组织化学和胃酶酸解法等方法对心肌局部ρ（AngⅡ）、AT₁R蛋白表达水平、w（HYP）（HYP为羟脯氨酸）及胶原容积分数进行检测.结果表明:①单纯运动组（EG）大鼠主动脉收缩压、左室内压峰值、±dp/dt_max（左室内压最大上升速率/下降速率）显著升高（P < 0.01）,舒张压、AT₁R蛋白表达显著降低（P < 0.01）,w（HYP）、w（CC）（心肌胶原浓度）、PVCA（血管周围胶原面积）、CVF（心肌胶原容积分数）及ρ（AngⅡ）有升高趋势（P>0.01）;②单纯SO₂污染组（SRG）大鼠左室末期舒张压显著升高（P < 0.01）,左室内压±dp/dt_max显著降低（P < 0.01）;w（HYP）、w（CC）、PVCA、CVF、ρ（AngⅡ）及AT₁R蛋白表达水平均显著升高（P < 0.01）;③SO₂污染+运动组（SEG）大鼠左室末期舒张压显著升高（P < 0.01）,主动脉收缩压、左室内压峰值、左室内压±dp/dt_max显著降低（P < 0.01）,w（HYP）、w（CC）、PVCA、CVF、ρ（AngⅡ）及AT₁R蛋白表达水平均显著升高（P < 0.01）,并且较SRG大鼠升高更显著（P < 0.01）.研究显示,SO₂污染导致运动大鼠心肌胶原纤维形态结构发生异常重塑,最终使大鼠的心功能产生显著的负性变力性效应,其机制可能与心脏局部RAS系统的激活有关.      

Quantitative evaluation of collagen type VI and SOD gene expression in the nuchal skin of human fetuses with trisomy 21

Objective To investigate the involvement of the genes encoding for COL6A1, COLA2 and super-oxide dismutase (SOD) in the mechanism for the retention of subcutaneous fluid in fetuses with trisomy 21. Methods During a 7-month period (November 2004–May 2005), human fetal skin from the nuchal region was obtained from euploid fetuses and from fetuses with trisomy 21 following abortions and terminations of pregnancy. Cell cultures were performed from nuchal skin. Quantification of COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3 and SOD mRNAs were performed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results Twelve fetuses were studied between 13–15 and 19–20 weeks of gestation including 7 cases of trisomy 21. A significant overexpression of genes of interest was demonstrated in trisomy 21 fetuses when compared with euploid fetuses, in the first and in the second trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.0001). Conclusion This study demonstrates a homogeneous overexpression of the genes encoding for α1 and α2 chains of Collagen type VI, and SOD in nuchal skin of human trisomy 21 fetuses. Persistence of this overexpression in the second trimester of pregnancy, despite the absence of an enlarged nuchal translucency (NT), may characterize some compensatory mechanisms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The oxidation damage of type II collagen by oxy free radicals and fulvic acid

The features of oxidative damage to type II collagen from pig cartilage, induced by · OH, O2- and fulvic acid from epidemic district of KBD, were studied in vitro. The results from amino acid analysis of the damaged collagen are characterized by a decrease in hydroxyproline and proline contents, and an increase in glutamic acid content. The change arc dependent on·OH and FA concentration. It is postulated that the FA or other toxic xenobiotics induce the generation of free radicals, which play the role of the trigger in KBD development.     

慢性铝暴露致大鼠骨与软骨损伤胶原途径的动态分析

为了探讨慢性铝暴露致大鼠骨与软骨损伤胶原途径的机制及胶原代谢水平,实验将100只4周龄清洁级Wistar大鼠随机均分成染铝组(430mg·L-1Al3+)与对照组(蒸馏水),通过饮水染铝,每隔30d处死染铝大鼠和对照大鼠各10只,设立5个观测点,最长染铝时间为150d.同时,用电子秤每30d称大鼠体重1次;用火焰原子吸收分光光度法测定血清、骨与软骨中铝含量;用固相夹心ELISA法检测血清中Ⅰ型前胶原羧基末端前肽(PICP)、Ⅰ型胶原C末端肽(CTX-Ⅰ)、Ⅱ型胶原(collagenⅡ)和Ⅱ型胶原C末端肽(CTX-Ⅱ)含量.结果表明,大鼠铝中毒模型复制成功;随着铝暴露时间的延长,染铝组大鼠体重在染铝60d后显著低于对照组(p0.01);染铝组血清、骨与软骨中铝含量逐渐升高,显著高于对照组(p0.01);PICP、Ⅱ型胶原合成量呈逐渐下降趋势,且显著低于对照组(p0.05,p0.01);CTX-Ⅰ和CTX-Ⅱ含量持续维持在高水平,分别在铝暴露90d、60d后显著高于对照组(p0.01).说明长时间铝暴露可致铝在骨与软骨中蓄积,并使骨与软骨中结构性胶原减少,引发骨与软骨损伤.     

From waste to value-added products: A review of opportunities for fish waste valorization

The fishing industry is responsible for generating large amounts of organic waste rich in compounds of commercial interest. This review aimed to present the state of the art about the possibilities of using solid waste to obtain value-added products. Skins, fins, and scales have been used to obtain gelatin and collagen, a promising compound for use as an additive in yogurts and creams, as well as for the synthesis of biodegradable packaging that, if applicable, can reduce the environmental impact caused by petroleum packaging. Other parts, such as the head and the viscera, contain polyunsaturated fatty acids and other fat-soluble vitamins that have been studied for the production of omega-3 capsules for the pharmaceutical industry, but when the extracted oil does not fit the feeding parameters, it can be applied for the production of biodiesel. Furthermore, fishes are a promising source of astaxanthin, a carotenoid with high antioxidant properties. The use of combined techniques such as chemical and enzymatic methods can increase the extraction yield and favor the obtaining of more purified compounds, in addition to promoting the reduction of chemicals that are aggressive to the environment. In general, conscious production in the fishing industry through the valorization of waste generated for use as inputs for other value chains encompasses aspects of the circular economy, which can positively impact several Sustainable Development Goals.     

二氧化硫及其衍生物对大鼠心肌细胞胶原蛋白表达的影响

以100μmol·L~(-1)亚硫酸氢钠对H9C2心肌细胞染毒不同时间(3,6,12,24 h),采用Wistar大鼠作为模型进行整体动物染毒,SO_2组动式吸入SO_2(7 mg·m~(-3))28 d,每天4 h;SO~(2+)NALC(N-乙酰半胱氨酸)组吸入同样条件的SO_2,且自SO_2染毒之日起隔天腹腔注射50 mg·kg-1(b.w.)NALC,对照组吸入新鲜空气并注射生理盐水.测定大鼠心脏组织和H9C2细胞内ROS含量;采用荧光定量PCR和Western blot分析I型胶原(Col1a1)和III型胶原(Col3a1)的mRNA转录和蛋白表达水平.结果显示SO_2及其衍生物引起的氧化应激显著增加了活性氧(ROS)的产生;SO_2及其衍生物不能诱导大鼠心脏组织和H9C2细胞中Col1a1和Col3a1 mRNA转录水平的显著改变,但Col1a1和Col3a1的蛋白表达水平显著升高;同时NALC可减少心脏组织中ROS的产生,有效抑制SO_2吸入后Col1a1和Col3a1蛋白表达的上升.提示SO_2吸入后可能通过产生ROS最终导致胶原蛋白表达的增加.     

Collagen biosynthesis in cell culture from chorionic villi

After chorionic villus biopsy of human placenta, cell cultures were propagated with Ham's F10 medium or Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM). It was possible to study the morphology of the cells by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after a special culture of the cells in a collagen gel. The cells embedded in a collagen gel were able to contract the gel and to organize collagen fibres, as fibroblast cultures do. TEM showed vacuolization and well-developed cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, especially in the case of MEM culture. The aim was to determine whether cells cultivated from early placenta were able to synthesize enough collagen for a metabolic study. A high level of collagen biosynthesis could be quantified. Types I and III collagen can be determined which is useful for studying the abnormalities of collagen synthesis in suspected cases of osteogenesis imperfecta or Ehlers–Danlos type IV syndrome. The hydroxylation of lysine can also be studied with respect to Ehlers–Danlos type VI syndrome. Moreover, these cells, in contrast to fibroblast cultures, made it possible to study the biosynthesis of type IV collagen.