Exogenous Integrin αIIbβ3 Inhibitors Revisited: Past,Present and Future Applications

The integrin αIIbβ3 is the most abundant integrin on platelets. Upon platelet activation, the integrin changes its conformation (inside-out signalling) and outside-in signalling takes place leading to platelet spreading, platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Bloodsucking parasites such as mosquitoes, leeches and ticks express anticoagulant and antiplatelet proteins, which represent major sources of lead compounds for the development of useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of haemostatic disorders or cardiovascular diseases. In addition to hematophagous parasites, snakes also possess anticoagulant and antiplatelet proteins in their salivary glands. Two snake venom proteins have been developed into two antiplatelet drugs that are currently used in the clinic. The group of proteins discussed in this review are disintegrins, low molecular weight integrin-binding cysteine-rich proteins, found in snakes, ticks, leeches, worms and horseflies. Finally, we highlight various oral antagonists, which have been tested in clinical trials but were discontinued due to an increase in mortality. No new αIIbβ3 inhibitors are developed since the approval of current platelet antagonists, and structure-function analysis of exogenous disintegrins could help find platelet antagonists with fewer adverse side effects.     

Inflammation in the Human Periodontium Induces Downregulation of the α1- and β1-Subunits of the sGC in Cementoclasts

Nitric oxide (NO) binds to soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), activates it in a reduced oxidized heme iron state, and generates cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP), which results in vasodilatation and inhibition of osteoclast activity. In inflammation, sGC is oxidized and becomes insensitive to NO. NO- and heme-independent activation of sGC requires protein expression of the α₁- and β₁-subunits. Inflammation of the periodontium induces the resorption of cementum by cementoclasts and the resorption of the alveolar bone by osteoclasts, which can lead to tooth loss. As the presence of sGC in cementoclasts is unknown, we investigated the α₁- and β₁-subunits of sGC in cementoclasts of healthy and inflamed human periodontium using double immunostaining for CD68 and cathepsin K and compared the findings with those of osteoclasts from the same sections. In comparison to cementoclasts in the healthy periodontium, cementoclasts under inflammatory conditions showed a decreased staining intensity for both α₁- and β₁-subunits of sGC, indicating reduced protein expression of these subunits. Therefore, pharmacological activation of sGC in inflamed periodontal tissues in an NO- and heme-independent manner could be considered as a new treatment strategy to inhibit cementum resorption.     

Inhibitory Mechanisms of Lusianthridin on Human Platelet Aggregation

Lusianthridin is a phenanthrene derivative isolated from Dendrobium venustum. Some phenanthrene compounds have antiplatelet aggregation activities via undefined pathways. This study aims to determine the inhibitory effects and potential mechanisms of lusianthridin on platelet aggregation. The results indicated that lusianthridin inhibited arachidonic acid, collagen, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated platelet aggregation (IC₅₀ of 0.02 ± 0.001 mM, 0.14 ± 0.018 mM, and 0.22 ± 0.046 mM, respectively). Lusianthridin also increased the delaying time of arachidonic acid-stimulated and the lag time of collagen-stimulated and showed a more selective effect on the secondary wave of ADP-stimulated aggregations. Molecular docking studies revealed that lusianthridin bound to the entrance site of the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme and probably the active region of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. In addition, lusianthridin showed inhibitory effects on both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymatic activities (IC₅₀ value of 10.81 ± 1.12 µM and 0.17 ± 1.62 µM, respectively). Furthermore, lusianthridin significantly inhibited ADP-induced suppression of cAMP formation in platelets at 0.4 mM concentration (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that possible mechanisms of lusianthridin on the antiplatelet effects might act via arachidonic acid-thromboxane and adenylate cyclase pathways.     

A Two-Step Reaction Mechanism of Oxygen Release from Pd/CeO2: Mathematical Modelling Based on Step Gas Concentration Experiments

A mathematical model has been developed to study the transient release of oxygen from a 1wt% Pd/CeO₂ catalyst in the 450–550 °C range based on alternate step concentration switches between CO and O₂. A two-step reaction mechanism that involves the reaction of gaseous CO with the oxygen species of PdO and of the back-spillover of oxygen from ceria to the oxygen vacant sites of surface PdO has been proven to better describe the CO and CO₂ transient response curves. The proposed mathematical model allows the estimation of the transient rates of the CO oxidation reaction and of the back-spillover of oxygen process. It also allows the calculation of the intrinsic rate constant k ₁ (s^–1) of the Eley–Rideal step for the reaction of gaseous CO with surface oxygen species of PdO to form CO₂. An activation energy of 10.1 kJ/mol was estimated for this elementary reaction step. In addition, an apparent rate constant k ₂ ^app (s^–1) was estimated for the process of back-spillover of oxygen.     

SCR of NO over Ir/Al2O3 Catalysts. Importance of the Activation Procedure and Influence of the Dispersion

For SCR of NO the study of Ir/Al₂O₃ solids shows the importance of the activation procedure under mixtures containing CO (NO–C₃H₆–CO–O₂ or NO–CO–O₂). The selective reductant remains C₃H₆, however. The activation goes with an iridium particles sintering without Ir loss.     

Impregnated carbon based catalyst for protection against carbon monoxide gas

Activated carbon based palladium impregnated catalyst (Pd/C) was prepared for the reactive removal of carbon monoxide (CO) gas under ambient air conditions. For this, active carbon of 1250 m²/g surface area was impregnated with palladium salt to get Pd/C catalyst, containing palladium from 4.0 to 8.0% (w/w). Catalytic efficiency of the catalyst against CO gas was determined under dynamic conditions by passing CO–air mixture to the fixed bed of the Pd/C catalyst. Results indicated that Pd/C catalyst was continuously adsorbing and actively removing CO gas during the course of the palladium catalyzed reaction, i.e., CO + 1/2 O₂ → CO₂ and was found capable of providing excellent protection against CO gas. Moisture content (humidity) of inlet CO–air mixture indicated it to be an important factor affecting the CO removal efficiency of the catalyst, as an increase in humidity after the CO breakthrough resulted in to the activation of the catalyst due to the generation of hydroxyl groups and enhanced protection by the regeneration of the catalyst. Study indicated that Pd/C catalyst works as a catalytic converter, i.e., the continuous conversion of CO to CO₂ using atmospheric oxygen and moisture. In order to determine the shelf life, the Pd/C catalyst was also evaluated for its performance after accelerated ageing at 70 °C and 50% relative humidity (RH) for 3.75 and 7.5 months. The catalyst was found to be working efficiently for 3.75 months but after 7.5 months it could not provide 100% protection against CO gas, however, the same catalyst started giving 100% protection after regeneration. Hence, studies indicated the Pd/C catalyst to be a promising catalyst for the reactive removal of CO gas in enclosed spaces/compartments, coal mines, fire accidents and for getting the protection for longer duration under ambient air conditions.     

Thermally differential methanation – A novel method to realize highly selective removal of CO from H2-rich reformates

Temperature-programmed methanations of CO in both He-diluted and reformate-simulated CO–CO₂–H₂ mixtures over a commercially available 0.5% Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst have revealed that CO methanation always occurred earlier than that of CO₂ at lower temperatures and the temperature where CO₂ started methanating and the corresponding remaining CO decreased with decreasing initial CO content in the feed. This, while confirming the prior methanation of CO over CO₂, indicates that the fully selective CO methanation is possible. Thus, a novel method called thermally differential methanation was proposed and a totally 820 h long term, simplified thermally differential methanation was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the method on realizing simultaneously the full selectivity and a satisfactorily deep removal of CO from H₂-rich reformates for PEFC application.     

The Antithrombotic Agent Pterostilbene Interferes with Integrin αIIbβ3-Mediated Inside-Out and Outside-In Signals in Human Platelets

Platelets play a crucial role in the physiology of primary hemostasis and pathological processes such as arterial thrombosis; thus, developing a therapeutic target that prevents platelet activation can reduce arterial thrombosis. Pterostilbene (PTE) has remarkable pharmacological activities, including anticancer and neuroprotection. Few studies have reported the effects of pterostilbene on platelet activation. Thus, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of pterostilbene in human platelets and its role in vascular thrombosis prevention in mice. At low concentrations (2–8 μM), pterostilbene strongly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Furthermore, pterostilbene markedly diminished Lyn, Fyn, and Syk phosphorylation and hydroxyl radical formation stimulated by collagen. Moreover, PTE directly hindered integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation through interfering with PAC-1 binding stimulated by collagen. In addition, pterostilbene affected integrin α_IIbβ₃-mediated outside-in signaling, such as integrin β₃, Src, and FAK phosphorylation, and reduced the number of adherent platelets and the single platelet spreading area on immobilized fibrinogen as well as thrombin-stimulated fibrin clot retraction. Furthermore, pterostilbene substantially prolonged the occlusion time of thrombotic platelet plug formation in mice. This study demonstrated that pterostilbene exhibits a strong activity against platelet activation through the inhibition of integrin α_IIbβ₃-mediated inside-out and outside-in signaling, suggesting that pterostilbene can serve as a therapeutic agent for thromboembolic disorders.     

Gasoline-range hydrocarbon synthesis over Co/SiO2/HZSM-5 catalyst with CO2-containing syngas

Selective synthesis of gasoline-range hydrocarbons (C₅-C₁₂) was investigated in a fixed-bed micro reactor using two series of CO₂-containing syngas with various mole CO₂/(CO + CO₂) and H₂/(CO + CO₂) ratios, where Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS) and in situ hydrocracking/hydroisomerization were performed over bifunctional Co/SiO₂/HZSM-5 catalyst. CO₂ was converted at 0.15-0.55 of CO₂/(CO + CO₂) ratio under H₂-rich condition (H₂/(CO + CO₂) = 2.0), highest conversion of 20.3% at 0.42. Further increasing CO₂ content decreased CO₂ conversion and quite amount of CO₂ acted as diluting component. For the syngas with low H₂ content or H₂/(CO + CO₂) ratio(< 1.85, H₂/CO = 2.0), the competitive adsorption of CO, H₂ and CO₂ resulted in low CO, CO₂ and total carbon conversion, which was 57.9%, 12.7% and 31.4% respectively at 0.74 of H₂/(CO + CO₂) ratio(H₂/CO/CO₂/N₂ = 40.8/20.4/34.8/4). FTS results indicated that high H₂ content and proper H₂/(CO + CO₂) ratio were favorable for the conversion of CO₂-containing syngas. More than 45% selectivity to gasoline-range hydrocarbons including isoparaffins was obtained under the two series of syngas. It was also tested that the catalytic activity of Co/SiO₂/HZSM-5 kept stable under CO₂-containing syngas(< 7.5%). And the quick catalytic deactivation under high CO₂ containing syngas(H₂/CO/CO₂/N₂ = 45.3/23.2/27.1/3.06) was due to carbon deposition and pore blockage by heavy hydrocarbon, tested by thermal gravimetry, N₂ physisorption and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).     

Overall chemical kinetics model for partial oxidation of methane in inert porous media

An overall three-step six-component chemical kinetics model which includes CH₄ + O₂ → CO + H₂O + H₂ and reversible 2CO + O₂ ←→ 2CO₂ and CH₄ + H₂O ←→ CO + 3H₂ reactions is elaborated for the simulation of partial oxidation of methane in inert porous media. Procedure of the model adjusting to the experimental data is described. Kinetic parameters of the model are derived on the basis of temperature–flow rate, H₂ and CO output concentration–flow rate and temperature–pressure experimental correlations. It is found that extremely slow solid body temperature growth with flow rate T_s,max(G) reported in the works on partial oxidation of methane (and other hydrocarbons) in inert porous media may be reproduced by the model. The model is designed for optimization, scale up and design assistance of the reactors of partial oxidation of methane.It is demonstrated that the overall chemical kinetics model can be combined with detailed gas-phase kinetics model for the investigation of detailed composition of syngas and intermediary components.     

The PI3Kδ Inhibitor Idelalisib Diminishes Platelet Function and Shows Antithrombotic Potential

Background: Clinical management of ischemic events and prevention of vascular disease is based on antiplatelet drugs. Given the relevance of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) as a candidate target in thrombosis, the main goal of the present study was to identify novel antiplatelet agents within the existing inhibitors blocking PI3K isoforms. Methods: We performed a biological evaluation of the pharmacological activity of PI3K inhibitors in platelets. The effect of the inhibitors was evaluated in intracellular calcium release and platelet functional assays, the latter including aggregation, adhesion, and viability assays. The in vivo drug antithrombotic potential was assessed in mice undergoing chemically induced arterial occlusion, and the associated hemorrhagic risk evaluated by measuring the tail bleeding time. Results: We show that PI3K Class IA inhibitors potently block calcium mobilization in human platelets. The PI3K p110δ inhibitor Idelalisib inhibits platelet aggregation mediated by ITAM receptors GPVI and CLEC-2, preferentially by the former. Moreover, Idelalisib also inhibits platelet adhesion and aggregation under shear and adhesion to collagen. Interestingly, an antithrombotic effect was observed in mice treated with Idelalisib, with mild bleeding effects at high doses of the drug. Conclusion: Idelalisib may have antiplatelet effects with minor bleeding effects, which provides a rationale to evaluate its antithrombotic efficacy in humans.     

Sol–Gel Pd Exhaust Catalysts and N2O Production

Al₂O₃, CeO₂–Al₂O₃, CeO₂–Tb₄O₇–Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ supported Pd samples have been prepared by sol–gel methods. Extents and mechanisms of N₂O production in CO–NO and CO–NO–O₂ reactions on these have been considered. This occurs most selectively under oxidising (lean-burn) conditions or in the presence of CeO₂ and CeO₂–Tb₄O₇ promoters near the CO–NO light off temperature. Over Pd/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ the CO–NO reaction at 573 K has CO and NO conversions that are second order with respect to p _CO and p _NO. Over this catalyst NO conversion is faster than that of CO until O_2(g) is added, causing CO conversion and N₂O production at 573 K to rise simultaneously. CeO₂ or CeO₂–Tb₄O₇ incorporation into a Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst enhances N₂O production near the CO–NO light-off temperature in the absence of added O₂ without CO conversion being raised. There is current attention on pollution control opportunities through lean-burn conditions, Pd catalysts and oxygen storage capacity enhancement. The present work suggests that their role in N₂O production may need to be better understood and controlled. For the moment N₂O formation provides a window on mechanisms of TWC operation.     

Thermodynamic analysis of glycerol dry reforming for hydrogen and synthesis gas production

A thermodynamic analysis of glycerol dry reforming has been performed by the Gibbs free energy minimization method as a function of CO₂ to glycerol ratio, temperature, and pressure. Hydrogen and synthesis gas can be produced by the glycerol dry reforming. The carbon neutral glycerol reforming with greenhouse gas CO₂ could convert CO₂ into synthesis gas or high value-added inner carbon. Atmospheric pressure is preferable for this system and glycerol conversion keeps 100%. Various of H₂/CO ratios can be generated from a flexible operational range. Optimized conditions for hydrogen production are temperatures over 975 K and CO₂ to glycerol ratios of 0-1. With a temperature of 1000 K and CO₂ to glycerol ratio of 1, the production of synthesis gas reaches a maximum, e.g., 6.4 mol of synthesis gas (H₂/CO = 1:1) can be produced per mole of glycerol with CO₂ conversion of 33%.     

抗血小板药物研究新进展

血小板在心血管病中扮演重要角色。血小板聚集过程机制复杂,血小板的功能与其表面多种受体相关,这些受体都有可能成为抗血小板药物的靶标。分析了抗血小板药物的不同类型,如血栓素抑制剂、血小板ADP受体P2Y12拮抗剂、PAR-1受体拮抗剂等。综述了抗血小板药物研究新进展。     

Comparative study of CO and CO2 hydrogenation over supported Rh–Fe catalysts

The hydrogenation of CO, CO + CO₂, and CO₂ over titania-supported Rh, Rh–Fe, and Fe catalysts was carried out in a fixed-bed micro-reactor system nominally operating at 543 K, 20 atm, 20 cm³ min^− 1 gas flow (corresponding to a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 8000 cm³ g_cat^− 1 h^− 1), with a H₂:(CO + CO₂) ratio of 1:1. A comparative study of CO and CO₂ hydrogenation shows that while Rh and Rh–Fe/TiO₂ catalysts exhibited appreciable selectivity to ethanol during CO hydrogenation, they functioned primarily as methanation catalysts during CO₂ hydrogenation. The Fe/TiO₂ sample was primarily a reverse water gas shift catalyst. Higher reaction temperatures favored methane formation over alcohol synthesis and reverse water gas shift. The effect of pressure was not significant over the range of 10 to 20 atm.     

Temperature programmed desorption technique to predict the carbon oxygen reaction

The kinetics of the reaction o₂ oxygen with a sucrose char particle size: (88 μ<d_p<105 μrn) has been studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a mass spectrometer (MS) to measure weight change and CO and CO₂ formation rates during reaction. Experiments were performed to determine the surface oxide formation rate and to determine the mechanism of CO desorption in the temperature range of 762 K to 851 K and for oxygen pressures of 0.04 to 0.3 atm, respectively. When the reaction rate at 30% conversion was used in the Arrhenius plot, an activation energy of 34±3 kcal/mol was obtained and the CO/CO₂ ratio was found to increase with increasing reaction temperature. Analysis of the rate of formation of CO and CO₂ shows the activation energy for CO formation is greater than for CO₂ formation. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) studies of the surface oxides were made to provide a better understanding of the carbon oxidation process. The activation energy distribution function for desorption was approximately Gaussian and the average activation energy is 55 Kcal/mol for a preexponential factor of 10¹³ 1/sec. The peak of the energy distribution function shifts to higher activation energies for surface complexes formed at higher reaction temperature.     

Catalytic treating of gas pollutants over cobalt catalyst supported on porous carbons derived from rice husk and carbon nanotube

Porous carbons were prepared from rice husks, commercial coconut-shell-derived carbon, and carbon nanotube (CNT) by activation with CO₂, KOH, and ZnCl₂. Cobalt catalysts were supported on the six different porous carbons by excess-solution impregnation, and were used to carry out reactions with different constituents such as NO + CO, toluene, NO + toluene, and NO + CO + toluene in the presence of 6% O₂ at 250 °C to evaluate the activity of porous catalysts. The properties of the catalysts were analyzed by X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The cobalt catalysts supported on rice-husk-based carbon activated by CO₂ and those on commercial-activated-carbon re-treated by KOH showed 100% conversion on toluene oxidation. CNT-cobalt catalyst showed 63% NO conversion with CO and 46% with toluene at 250 °C. Among the six porous supported catalysts, the cobalt catalysts prepared with CNT and rice-husk-derived carbon by using CO₂ showed the best catalytic activity and thermal stability when compared to the others.     

The Importance of Alpha-Actinin Proteins in Platelet Formation and Function,and Their Causative Role in Congenital Macrothrombocytopenia

The actin cytoskeleton plays a central role in platelet formation and function. Alpha-actinins (actinins) are actin filament crosslinking proteins that are prominently expressed in platelets and have been studied in relation to their role in platelet activation since the 1970s. However, within the past decade, several groups have described mutations in ACTN1/actinin-1 that cause congenital macrothrombocytopenia (CMTP)—accounting for approximately 5% of all cases of this condition. These findings are suggestive of potentially novel functions for actinins in platelet formation from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and/or platelet maturation in circulation. Here, we review some recent insights into the well-known functions of actinins in platelet activation before considering possible roles for actinins in platelet formation that could explain their association with CMTP. We describe what is known about the consequences of CMTP-linked mutations on actinin-1 function at a molecular and cellular level and speculate how these changes might lead to the alterations in platelet count and morphology observed in CMTP patients. Finally, we outline some unanswered questions in this area and how they might be addressed in future studies.     

A Study of the Activated Decomposition of CO2 on the Cu Component of a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalyst

The decomposition of CO₂ over the Cu component of two ZnO/Al₂O₃ supported Cu catalysts, having different Cu areas, has been studied over the temperature range 393–513 K. The time dependence of the evolution of CO from a CO₂/He stream (10% CO₂, 101 kPa) which was dosed continuously over the catalyst showed two peak maxima, the first of which moved to shorter times on raising the temperature. The activation energy for the decomposition of CO₂ on the ZnO/Al₂O₃ supported polycrystalline copper was obtained from a plot of the logarithm of the time to the peak maximum of the first peak against the reciprocal of the dosing temperature. The value so obtained was 83±10 kJ mol^-1 (catalyst A) and 86±10 kJ mol^-1 (catalyst B) for fresh catalysts reduced in H₂ at 513 K. This value fell to 49 ±4 kJ mol^-1 (catalyst A) and 55±5 kJ mol^-1 (catalyst B) after CO reduction at 473 K of the Cu which had been oxidised by the decomposition of the CO₂. This lowering of the activation energy for the second CO₂ decomposition is considered to be due to the original morphology of the Cu not being restored by reduction in CO after the oxygen-driven reconstruction of the Cu deriving from the decomposition of the CO₂.     

Electrodeposited Cu–ZnO and Mn–Cu–ZnO nanowire/tube catalysts for higher alcohols from syngas

Cu–ZnO and Mn–Cu–ZnO catalysts have been prepared by electrodeposition and tested for the synthesis of higher alcohols via CO hydrogenation. The catalysts were prepared in the form of nanowires and nanotubes using a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane, which served as a template for the electrodeposition of the precursor metals from an aqueous electrolyte solution. Electrodeposition was carried out using variable amounts of Zn(NO₃)₂, Cu(NO₃)₂, Mn(NO₃)₂ and NH₄NO₃ at different galvanostatic conditions. A fixed bed reactor was used to study the reaction of CO and H₂ to produce alcohols at 270 °C, 10–20 bar, H₂/CO = 2/1, and 10,000–33,000 scc/h g_cat. In addition to methane and CO₂, methanol was the main alcohol product. The addition of manganese to the Cu–ZnO catalyst increased the selectivity toward higher alcohols by reducing methane formation; however, CO₂ selectivity remained high. Maximum ethanol selectivity was 5.5%, measured as carbon efficiency.