The Potency of Anadara nodifera Shell as Natural Testosterone Booster for Male Canary (Seriunus canaria)

Anadara clam shell contains high Zinc. This microelement is recognised as acting natural aromatase blocker (NAB) that capable of boosting testosterone level. The aim of this study was to evaluates the testosterone level of Canaries following Anadara nodifera administration. Adult male Canaries (n = 27) were group into 3 with 9 repetition of each i.e T0 [control, was given by Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium (Na-CMC)], T1 (Zinc Sulphate 0.013 mg/30 g BW), and T2 (NAB 0.3 mg/30 g BW). The T2 treatment was NAB or shell powder of Anadara nodifera which was diluted 1:1 in Na-CMC. The birds were treated orally for 21 days. The complete blood cell count was performed in a haemo analyser except the erythrocyte was calculated manually in the Improved Neubauer counting chamber. Testosterone level was measured in ELISA. Subsequently gen CYP19 aromatase in syrinx, brain and testis were identified employing IHC and descriptively analysed. The result indicated significant elevated level of testosterone (p<0.05). The expression of CYP19 aromatase receptor was depressed in syrinx, brain and testis. However there was no significant changes on the blood profile (p>0.05). To conclude, Anadara nodifera at 0.3 mg/30 g BW was capable of acting as NAB to promote testosterone level. This was confirmed by the reduction of CYP19 aromatase gene receptors in syrinx, brain and testis. However NAB treatment was not significantly affecting routine blood profile.

Design and Fabrication of Sodium Alginate/Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Blend Hydrogel for Artificial Skin

Tissue-engineered skin grafts have long been considered to be the most effective treatment for large skin defects. Especially with the advent of 3D printing technology, the manufacture of artificial skin scaffold with complex shape and structure is becoming more convenient. However, the matrix material used as the bio-ink for 3D printing artificial skin is still a challenge. To address this issue, sodium alginate (SA)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) blend hydrogel was proposed to be the bio-ink for artificial skin fabrication, and SA/CMC-Na (SC) composite hydrogels at different compositions were investigated in terms of morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties, and biological properties, so as to screen out the optimal composition ratio of SC for 3D printing artificial skin. Moreover, the designed SC composite hydrogel skin membranes were used for rabbit wound defeat repairing to evaluate the repair effect. Results show that SC4:1 blend hydrogel possesses the best mechanical properties, good moisturizing ability, proper degradation rate, and good biocompatibility, which is most suitable for 3D printing artificial skin. This research provides a process guidance for the design and fabrication of SA/CMC-Na composite artificial skin.

Selective Separation of Chalcopyrite from Galena Using a Green Reagent Scheme

The study of the depression effect of non-toxic depressants on the flotation separation of chalcopyrite from galena is of great importance for both industrial applications and theoretical research. The mixed depressant (DFinal) of four common inhibitors—sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium silicate, sodium sulfite, and zinc sulfate—exhibited high selectivity during the separation of chalcopyrite from galena. Flotation tests on an industrial copper–lead bulk concentrate showed that using this depressant mixture can achieve highly efficient separation of chalcopyrite from galena at the natural pH of the pulp. Copper and lead concentrates were produced at grades of 21.88% (Cu) and 75.53% (Pb), with recoveries of 89.07% (Cu) and 98.26% (Pb). This showed a similar performance of DFinal with dichromate, which is a depressant that is widely used in industry, but without the environmental risks or the need for pH control. Zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) results showed that interaction between the surface of the chalcopyrite and the mixed depressant was prevented by pre-treatment with a composite thiophosphate collector (CSU11), while the mixed depressant could expel/replace the composite thiophosphate on the surface of galena by chemical adsorption, depressing its flotation. This is the reason why this non-toxic depressant achieved the selective depression of galena from chalcopyrite, leading to efficient flotation separation.

A Swollenin From Talaromyces leycettanus JCM12802 Enhances Cellulase Hydrolysis Toward Various Substrates

Swollenins exist within some fungal species and are candidate accessory proteins for the biodegradation of cellulosic substrates. Here, we describe the identification of a swollenin gene, Tlswo, in Talaromyces leycettanus JCM12802. Tlswo was successfully expressed in both Trichoderma reesei and Pichia pastoris. Assay results indicate that TlSWO is capable of releasing reducing sugars from lichenan, barley β-glucan, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) and laminarin. The specific activity of TlSWO toward lichenan, barley β-glucan, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) and laminarin is 9.0 ± 0.100, 8.9 ± 0.100, 2.3 ± 0.002 and 0.79 ± 0.002 U/mg, respectively. Additionally, TlSWO had disruptive activity on Avicel and a synergistic effect with cellobiohydrolases, increasing the activity on pretreated corn stover by up to 72.2%. The functional diversity of TlSWO broadens its applicability in experimental settings, and indicating that it may be a promising candidate for future industrial applications.