Chitosan Microspheres as Carriers for pH‐Indicating Species in Corrosion Sensing

Chitosan microspheres containing bromocresol green, cresol red, and phenolphthalein for corrosion detection, through pH change, are synthesized in order to be used in protective coatings for aluminium alloys. Microspheres containing corrosion detection species are characterized morphologically (SEM) and physico‐chemically (FTIR, TGA). Release studies (UV–vis) are performed in corrosion‐promoting conditions (pH, NaCl), and detection studies by immersion in media associated with corrosion activity while microspheres' sensing activity is evaluated visually. Electrochemical characterization of AA2024 substrates in the presence of chitosan spheres is performed to understand material performance, and a color change is observed as a result of local pH increase in cathodic areas when corrosion takes place. These findings can be correlated with the results from release studies and seem a promising approach for corrosion sensing purposes, not only because pH increase is possible to detect due to corrosion, but also because chitosan is considered an environmentally friendly material.     

Role of Post-translational Modifications in Alzheimer's Disease

The global burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is growing. Valiant efforts to develop clinical candidates for treatment have continuously met with failure. Currently available palliative treatments are temporary and there is a constant need to search for reliable disease pathways, biomarkers and drug targets for developing diagnostic and therapeutic tools to address the unmet medical needs of AD. Challenges in drug-discovery efforts raise further questions about the strategies of current conventional diagnosis; drug design; and understanding of disease pathways, biomarkers and targets. In this context, post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate protein trafficking, function and degradation, and their in-depth study plays a significant role in the identification of novel biomarkers and drug targets. Aberrant PTMs of disease-relevant proteins could trigger pathological pathways, leading to disease progression. Advancements in proteomics enable the generation of patterns or signatures of such modifications, and thus, provide a versatile platform to develop biomarkers based on PTMs. In addition, understanding and targeting the aberrant PTMs of various proteins provide viable avenues for addressing AD drug-discovery challenges. This review highlights numerous PTMs of proteins relevant to AD and provides an overview of their adverse effects on the protein structure, function and aggregation propensity that contribute to the disease pathology. A critical discussion offers suggestions of methods to develop PTM signatures and interfere with aberrant PTMs to develop viable diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in AD.     

Metallic Nanoparticle-Enabled Sensing of a Drug-of-Abuse: An Attempt at Forensic Application

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) functions as a depressant on the central nerve system and serves as a pharmaceutical agent in the treatment of narcolepsy and alcohol withdraw. In recent years, GHB has been misused as a recreational drug due to its ability to induce euphoric feelings. Moreover, it has gained increasing attention as a popular drug of abuse that is frequently related to drug-facilitated sexual assaults. At the moment, detection methods based on chromatography exhibit extraordinary sensitivity for GHB sensing. However, such techniques require complicated sample treatment prior to analysis. Optical sensors provide an alternative approach for rapid and simple analysis of GHB samples. Unfortunately, currently reported probes are mostly based on hydrogen bonding to recognize GHB, and this raises concerns about, for example, the lack of specificity. In this work, we report a bioinspired strategy for selective sensing of GHB. The method is based on specific enzyme recognition to allow highly selective detection of GHB with minimum interference, even in a complex sample matrix (e. g., simulated urine). In addition, the result can be obtained by either quantitative spectroscopy analysis or colorimetric change observed by the naked-eye, thus demonstrating its potential application in drug screening and forensic analysis.     

抗新型冠状病毒2019-nCoV新药的研发

2019年底，湖北武汉暴发了2019新型冠状病毒感染疾病（COVID-19），并快速在全国蔓延，且在多个国家发现病例。其感染病例和死亡病例在短时间内快速超过重症急性呼吸综合征（SARS），给中国带来了不可估量的损失。中国科研人员在短时间内，快速锁定病原体为2019-nCoV（或hCoV-19或SARS-CoV-2)，并且在不同层面开展了相关抗病毒药物的研发工作。本文介绍了抗2019-nCoV新药研发的现状。同时，鉴于突发病原体的药物研发过程相对迟缓，我们建议对于潜在流行可能性的病原体，其药物研发要具有前瞻性，国家层面要推进广谱药物的研发和临床试验，以应对可能出现的疫情风险。     

控锻控冷工艺对GCr15轴承钢力学性能的影响

探究不同控锻控冷热处理工艺对GCr15钢力学性能的影响,测试了它的回火稳定性、冲击性能、滚动接触疲劳寿命。结果表明,采用控锻控冷工艺可提高试样的抗回火稳定性,冲击性能提高50%以上,接触疲劳寿命提高40%以上。     

Magnetic nanoparticles: recent developments in drug delivery system

Nanostructured functional materials have demonstrated their great potentials in medical applications, attracting increasing attention because of the opportunities in cancer therapy and the treatment of other ailments. This article reviews the problems and recent advances in the development of magnetic NPs for drug delivery.     

Temperature/pH/magnetic triple‐sensitive nanogel–hydrogel nanocomposite for release of anticancer drug

Hydrogels, nanogels and nanocomposites show increasing potential for application in drug delivery systems due to their good chemical and physical properties. Therefore, we were encouraged to combine them to produce a new compound with unique properties for a long‐term drug release system. In this regard, the design and application of a nanocomposite hydrogel containing entrapped nanogel for drug delivery are demonstrated. To this aim, we first prepared an iron oxide nanocomposite nanogel based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐((2‐dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) (PNIPAM‐co‐PDMA) grafted onto sodium alginate (NaAlg) as a biocompatible polymer and iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) as nanometric base (PND/ION‐NG). This was then added into a solution of PDMA grafted onto NaAlg. Through dropwise addition of mixed aqueous solution of iron salts into the prepared polymeric solution, a novel hydrogel nanocomposite with excellent pH, thermal and magnetic responsivity was fabricated. The synthesized samples were fully characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry and atomic force microscopy. A mechanism for the formation of PNIPAM‐co‐PDMA/NaAlg‐ION nanogel–PDMA/NaAlg‐ION hydrogel and PND/ION nanogel is suggested. Swelling capacity was measured at various temperatures (25 to 45 °C), pH values (from 2 to 11) and magnetic field and under load (0.3 psi) and the dependence of swelling properties of the nanogel–hydrogel nanocomposite on these factors was well demonstrated. The release rate of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as an anticancer drug was studied at different pH values and temperatures in the presence and absence of a magnetic field. The results showed that these factors have a high impact on drug release from this nanocomposite. The result showed that DOX release could be sustained for up to 12.5 days from these nanocomposite hydrogels, significantly longer than that achievable using the constituent hydrogel or nanogel alone (<1 day). The results indicated that the nanogel–hydrogel nanocomposite can serve as a novel nanocarrier for anticancer drug delivery. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Controlled release of fluorouracil (5-FU) from chitosan-co-poly(ethylene glycol)/ poly(glycerol sebacate)-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-coated iron oxide

A blend of polyglycerol sebacate-poly ethylene glygol/chitosan-poly ethylene glycol-coated iron oxide (PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles for 5FU delivery was prepared by reverse ultrasonic emulsification method. To enhance polymers’ solubility, PEG was grafted. Chemical characterization was performed through Fourier transformed infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. In vitro assay revealed that release profile of 5FU-loaded PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄ is sustained. Moreover, cytotoxicity was analyzed on HT29 cell line at the presence of external magnetic field using the lactate dehydrogenase and Alamar Blue. Results illustrate that (PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄) is promising to use as a carrier for 5FU anticancer agent with sustained tailored release.     

镜面杂质与水汽吸放对露点仪影响的实验研究

显微成像露点仪在研制和测试过程中发现镜面杂质和内腔材质吸放水汽等影响测量精度的问题。针对镜面杂质对显微成像露点仪测量的影响开展了镜面图像特征的实验研究，结果表明：镜面杂质点处露珠凝结具有优先性，且反复凝结消散后镜面出现杂质沉降现象。针对水汽吸放对显微成像露点仪的影响开展了水汽释放与吸附效应的实验研究，结果表明：当温度发生变化时，显微成像露点仪感应舱内壁氧化铝材质存在释放（或吸附）水汽现象，使得显微成像露点仪测量值偏大（或偏小）。研究结果为露点仪在功能设置及镜面与腔体材料选择方面提供了参考。     

肾脏内科住院患者感染病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的:调查肾脏内科住院患者感染病原菌分布和耐药性，为临床治疗细菌感染的抗菌药物选择提供依据。方法:收集2016年1月至2019年6月期间入住皖南医学院弋矶山医院肾脏内科患者送检标本培养阳性病原菌数据。结果:共培养出286株细菌，以呼吸道感染和泌尿道感染为主。革兰阴性菌占比89.51%，革兰阳性菌占比10.49%。革兰阴性菌中，肠杆菌科细菌检出前三位细菌分别是大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和阴沟肠杆菌，非发酵阴性菌检出前二位细菌分别是铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌；其中产超广谱β内酰胺酶细菌（ESBLs）检出率为32.87%，以大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌为主，对氨曲南和头孢曲松耐药率分别为83.8%和100%；碳青霉烯类耐药菌检出率为6.29%。在革兰阳性菌中金黄色葡萄球菌最常见，其中耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）检出率为4.89%。结论:在本院肾脏内科住院患者细菌感染中，产ESBLs大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌检出率高。