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In this work, the lactoferrin (LF) was glycosylated by dextran (molecular weight 10, 40, and 70 kDa, LF 10K, LF 40K, and LF 70K) via Maillard reaction as a stabilizer to establish zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles and encapsulate 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF). Three zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles (79.27–87.24 nm) with low turbidity (<0.220) and polydispersity index (PDI) (<0.230) were successfully established by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Compared with zein/LF nanoparticles, zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles further increased stability to ionic strength (0–500 mM NaCl) at low pH conditions. Zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles had nanoscale spherical shape and glycosylated LF changed surface morphology of zein nanoparticles. Besides, encapsulated 7,8-DHF exhibited an amorphous state inside zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles. Most importantly, zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles had good water redispersibility, high encapsulation efficiency (above 98.50%), favorable storage stability, and bioaccessibility for 7,8-DHF, particularly LF 40K. Collectively, the above research provides a theoretical reference for the application of zein-based delivery systems.

In this study, two polysaccharides [sodium alginate (ALG) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)] were selected to establish zein/sophorolipid/ALG (ALG/S/Z) and zein/sophorolipid/ALG (CMC/S/Z) nanoparticles to encapsulate 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), respectively. The results showed that polysaccharide types significantly affected performance of ternary nanoparticles, including CMC/S/Z possessed lower polydispersity index, particle size and turbidity, but higher zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity compared to ALG/S/Z. Compared to zein/sophorolipid nanoparticles (S/Z), both ALG/S/Z and CMC/S/Z had better stability against low pH (pH 3~4) and high ionic strengths (150~200 mM NaCl). Hydrophobic effects, electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding were confirmed in ternary nanoparticles fabrication via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Circular dichroism revealed that CMC and ALG had no evident impact on secondary structure of zein in S/Z, but changed surface morphology of S/Z as observed by scanning electron microscope. Encapsulated 7,8-DHF exhibited an amorphous state in ternary nanoparticles as detected by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, compared to S/Z, ALG/S/Z, and CMC/S/Z remarkably improved the storage stability and bioaccessibility of 7,8-DHF. CMC/S/Z possessed a greater storage stability for 7,8-DHF, however, ALG/S/Z exhibited a better in vitro bioaccessibility of 7,8-DHF. This research provides a theoretical reference for zein-based delivery system application.

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In the article by Yuhang Jing et al. (pp. http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/pssb.201370553), the chirality and size effects on the mechanical properties of silicene nanoribbons are investigated based on atomistic simulation. Compared with ab initio calculations, the EDIP model of bulk silicene gives a more accurate Young's modulus than other empirical potentials. The chirality has a signifi cant effect on the critical strain and stress of bulk silicene under uniaxial tension. In addition, compared to zigzag edge, the armchair edge is weaker and has bigger effects on the Young's modulus of silicene nanoribbons when the nanoribbon width is smaller, which results in signifi cantly size‐ and chirality‐dependent Young's modulus of silicene nanoribbons. The fracture process of a silicene nanoribbon shows that as the strain increases to a certain value, sliding occurs and many atoms rearrange in the neck region. The deformation mechanism of the shearing action is similar to that of silicon nanowire. After the formation of the neck, plastic deformations mainly happen through the reconstruction and rearrangement of the neck region. Further theoretical and experimental studies are needed to investigate the mechanical properties of this new two‐dimensional silicon nanomaterial.

The CuI‐catalyzed reaction of indoles with N‐tosylhydrazones derived from the ortho‐/para‐hydroxybenzaldhydes affords selectively the C‐3 alkylated products rather than the N‐alkylated products. In addition, the I2‐mediated cyclization of the generated C‐3 alkylated products allows the concise synthesis of chromeno[2,3‐b]indole derivatives.magnified image