[en] The effect of four weeding regimes: weed free, herbicide use, two times hand cultivation at week three and eight after emergency and any two planting densities: Low planting density of 10 plants per m², high planting density of 21 plants per m² were evaluated on maize H511. A 4x2 factorial blocked design was used. Thinning done at 112 DAP interaction effect was not significant; weeding regime was significant while planting density was highly significant. Herbicide use regime had highest mean dry matter yield of thinnings of 13.82 t/ha. High planting density showed the highest mean dry matter yield of thinning of 15.2 t/ha while low planting density showed the lowest of 8.7 t/ha. The treatment interaction on stover dry matter was not significant, while planting density and weeding regimes were significant. Two times hand cultivation gave the highest stover dry matter forage yield of 19.4 t/ha while weedy regime gave the least yield of 10.2t/ha. Low planting density which gave 11.1 t/ha. Hand cultivation-2 times had the highest grain dry matter yield of 5.03t/ha, while weedy regime had the least of 1.93t/ha. Low planting density had the highest grain dry matter yield of 4.9t/ha, while high planting density had the least yield of 2.4t/ha

[en] Gliricidia sepium prunings are known to have both positive and negative effects on agrocrops. In this study, it's phytotoxic effects on maize seedlings were evaluated under both laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, a leachate of dry Gliricidia prunings (leaves) was prepared and used to irrigate maize seeds during germination and early growth. Three levels of leachate concentrations (25%, 50% and 100%) and control (distilled water) were used. Germination percentage and fresh weights of radicles and shoots were taken 10 Days After Planting (10 DAP). In the field, dry Gliricidia prunings were applied on experimental plots (0.5mx0.5m) as mulch at the rate of 10 tons ha^-1 at 0, 1, 2 and 3 weeks before planting the maize seeds and a control where no mulch was added. Each plot was planted with 60 maize seeds and artificially irrigated. Germination percentage, leaf chlorosis and seedling biomass at 10 and 20 DAP were measure for each treatment. In the laboratory, Gliricidia leachate slightly reduced germination and depressed radicle and shoot growths of maize seedlings significantly (ANOVA: P,0.05). In the field there was no significant reduction in maize seed germination and growth due to addition of mulch. However, the lowest germination and biomass and the highest leaf chlorosis were recorded in the plots where mulch was added 10 weeks before planting the maize seeds

[en] As a result of this study there are a number of compositions materials in form of films were produced, which resistant in the condition of gastrointestinal tract. It is shown that the drug release rate depend of swelling degree of composite hydrogels, which related to the zein/polysaccharide ratio. The results are demonstrated the potential formation of protein/polysaccharide complexes from utilized biodegradable biopolymers, which may be use as drug delivery system.

[en] Integrating various functional components into a single nano-platform is an ideal but challenging strategy for cancer therapy. Herein, a facile approach to fabricating multi-targeted nano-drug delivery systems which can be monitored is reported. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and gefitinib (GEF) were encapsulated into folic acid-conjugated zein (Fa–zein) nanocomplexes (GEF-FSZs) with good dispersity, high GEF loading efficiency and pH-dependent release profile. The uptake of water-insoluble GEF was facilitated by encapsulating GEF into a zein-based nanocomplex, the magnetic responsive property endowed by SPIONs and the conjugation of Fa, which resulted in enhanced toxicity to A549 cells. The endocytosis study indicated that macropinocytosis and clathrin/caveolae-independent endocytosis exerted great influence on the internalization of GEF-FSZs. These results implied that GEF-FSZs could be a promising candidate for controlled and targeted drug delivery.

[en] Stable colloidal zein nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by using controlled precipitation method. They were made fluorescence active by incorporating a small amount of fluorescence quinolinium surfactant. The incorporation of fluorescence surfactant provided both the colloidal stability and the fluorescence ability to determine the phase transition in zein NPs under the effect of temperature variation. Maintaining colloidal stability under the effect of temperature variation is an essential aspect of zein NPs applicability as a source of vegetarian protein supplement in different food suspensions. Different techniques such as fluorescence, DLS size, zeta potential, and FTIR measurements were applied to determine the influence of temperature on the colloidal stability of zein NPs. Zein NPs undergo phase transition well above room temperature while maintaining their size in nanometer range, and the phase transition temperature decreased with the amount of zein used in the synthesis of zein NPs. The results highlighted the potential use of zein NPs as a vegetarian supplement protein in different food products. (author)

[en] Levodopa (LD), a dopamine precursor, is one of the most in effect drug for the indicative management of Parkinson’s syndrome. Variable plasmatic levels of LD cause pulsatile dopaminergic stimulus in Parkinsonian patients that results in uninhibited motor and other associated deactivations. The wearing off PD patients between doses can be rationally linked to the drug’s peripheral pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. The purpose of this research is to appraise Zein Nanofiber films prepared by electrospinning as sustained release drug carriers for LD to increase bioavailability for stable blood plasma level of LD. Process of encapsulating LD in Zein Nanofibers, characterization of LD loaded Zein Nanofiber films, and LD release behavior from Zein Nanofiber films in vitro is detailed in this article. The kinetics of LD release from Zein Nanofiber films is assessed using mathematical models of Higuchi’s and Korsmeyer-Pappas. The cumulative % of LD release over time levelheadedly followed Higuchi’s model and also exhibited diffusion based release. (paper)

No abstract available

[en] The aim of this study was to develop polymeric biodegradable microspheres (MSs) of poly(d-l lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and zein capable of delivering amoxicillin (AMX) at significant levels for root canal disinfection. PLGA/zein MSs were prepared using a spray-drying technique. The systems were characterized in terms of particle size, morphology, drug loading and in vitro release. Drug levels were reached to be effective during the intracanal dressing in between visits during the endodontic treatment. In vitro release studies were carried out to understand the release profile of the MSs. Antimicrobial activity of AMX was performed by antibiograms. Enterococcus faecalis was the bacteria selected due to its prevalence in endodontic failure. Drug microencapsulation yielded MSs with spherical morphology and an average particle size of between 5 and 38 μm. Different drug-release patterns were obtained among the formulations. Release features related to the MSs were strongly dependent on drug nature as it was demonstrated by using a hydrophobic drug (indomethacin). Finally, AMX-loaded MSs were efficient against E faecalis as demonstrated by the antibiogram results. In conclusion, PLGA/zein MSs prepared by spray drying may be a useful drug delivery system for root canal disinfection.

[en] Present article is devoted to delivery systems of drugs on the basis of biopolymers. The hydrogel microspheres on the basis of pectin and zein were elaborated. The release kinetics of drugs from elaborated delivery systems was studied. The optimal conditions of obtaining the microspheres on the basis of pectin and zein with encapsulated drug were defined.

[en] Teosintes are essential gene reservoir for maize breeding improvement, among which Zea mays ssp. mexicana has many valuable traits deserved to be transferred into maize genetic background. In this study, one maize-teosinte introgression line SD00100 was selected from the population of Zea mays ssp. mexicana as wild parent. This introgression line manifested the outstanding agricultural traits similar to maize parent Ye 515 and alien genetic material was identified by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). To produce bioactive peptides with potent angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, zein extracted from endosperm meal was then undergone enzymatic hydrolysis with thermolysin and the hydrolysate was then filtered through a 3 kDa cut-off membrane. ACE inhibitory activity of permeate from Ye 515 and SD00100 was evaluated by RP-HPLC. The IC50 values of the peptides obtained from maize parent and the introgression line were 96.9 micro g/ml and 22.9 micro g/ml, respectively, with significant difference between them. Our results showed that an outstanding inbred maize line was obtained for production of antihypertensive peptides as well as for further development of functional food. (author)