TAS-116, a Well-Tolerated Hsp90 Inhibitor,Prevents the Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Chronic inflammation has been associated with several chronic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The NLRP3 inflammasome is a central proinflammatory signaling complex that triggers caspase-1 activation leading to the maturation of IL-1β. We have previously shown that the inhibition of the chaperone protein, Hsp90, prevents NLRP3 activation in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells; these are cells which play a central role in the pathogenesis of AMD. In that study, we used a well-known Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin, but it cannot be used as a therapy due to its adverse effects, including ocular toxicity. Here, we have tested the effects of a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, TAS-116, on NLRP3 activation using geldanamycin as a reference compound. Using our existing protocol, inflammasome activation was induced in IL-1α-primed ARPE-19 cells with the proteasome and autophagy inhibitors MG-132 and bafilomycin A1, respectively. Intracellular caspase-1 activity was determined using a commercial caspase-1 activity kit and the FLICA assay. The levels of IL-1β were measured from cell culture medium samples by ELISA. Cell viability was monitored by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements. Our findings show that TAS-116 could prevent the activation of caspase-1, subsequently reducing the release of mature IL-1β. TAS-116 has a better in vitro therapeutic index than geldanamycin. In summary, TAS-116 appears to be a well-tolerated Hsp90 inhibitor, with the capability to prevent the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in human RPE cells.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co5Cr2(P2O7)4 - New pyrophosphate as a colouring substance

A new pyrophosphate(V) of the formula Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ was obtained in the system Co₂P₂O₇–Cr₄(P₂O₇)₃ as a result of solid-state reactions taking place between different reactants. The new compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and belongs to the family of pyrophosphates of the general formula M₅²⁺M₂³⁺(P₂O₇)₄ and is probably isostructural with Fe₅²⁺Fe₂³⁺(P₂O₇)₄. Powder diffraction pattern, infrared spectrum and SEM image of the new compound were presented. As a new potential inorganic pigment, Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ was tested for its thermal stability, particle size distribution and colour properties, which were studied both for powder and after introduction into organic matrix and leadless ceramic glaze. The colour of Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ powder was defined as deep grey with the colour coordinates L*/a*/b* = 60.63/-1.42/-3.41 and according to the hue angle (h° = 247.39°) it belongs to the blue region. Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄, with its relatively high thermal stability (t _m = 1230 ± 10 °C) and appropriate colour properties, is a good candidate to be used as inorganic pigment for colouring of acrylic paints. In the case of leadless glaze, the obtained compound acts as a dye.     

耐腐蚀水性铝颜料的制备及表征

为了提高铝颜料在水性涂料中的耐腐蚀性能，以正硅酸乙酯（ TEOS）为前驱物，通过溶胶-凝胶反应在铝颜料表面形成了一层致密的二氧化硅包覆薄膜，通过优化固含量、溶剂种类及 TEOS的用量，提高铝颜料的耐碱性。利用扫描电镜、刮板试验、接触角测试、析氢实验进行表征，结果表明：以无水乙醇为溶剂，铝金属颜料固含量为 10%，升温至 50 ℃后，逐滴加入 6 g TEOS，再升温至 80 ℃，该条件下制备的 SiO₂膜包覆后的铝颜料具有优异的耐碱性，同时表面性能由疏水性转变成亲水性，对铝颜料起到了很好的保护作用。     

Fucoidans as Potential Therapeutics for Age-Related Macular Degeneration—Current Evidence from In Vitro Research

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the major reason for blindness in the industrialized world with limited treatment options. Important pathogenic pathways in AMD include oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. Due to their bioactivities, fucoidans have recently been suggested as potential therapeutics. This review gives an overview of the recent developments in this field. Recent studies have characterized several fucoidans from different species, with different molecular characteristics and different extraction methods, in regard to their ability to reduce oxidative stress and inhibit VEGF in AMD-relevant in vitro systems. As shown in these studies, fucoidans exhibit a species dependency in their bioactivity. Additionally, molecular properties such as molecular weight and fucose content are important issues. Fucoidans from Saccharina latissima and Laminaria hyperborea were identified as the most promising candidates for further development. Further research is warranted to establish fucoidans as potential therapeutics for AMD.     

节能减排的颜料印染与助剂(一)

颜料印染对当前印染行业节能减排,降低能耗很有意义,但要做到对纤维没有亲和力的颜料印染,必需制备润湿性、分散性良好的超细颜料粒子。重点阐述利用各种表面活性剂和助剂制备出一种包覆阴离子的超细粒子的稳定分散液,包括各种润湿剂、分散剂、黏合剂和纤维阳离子改性剂,还概述了相关基础理论。     

Retinal Cell Death Caused by Sodium Iodate Involves Multiple Caspase-Dependent and Caspase-Independent Cell-Death Pathways

Herein, we have investigated retinal cell-death pathways in response to the retina toxin sodium iodate (NaIO₃) both in vivo and in vitro. C57/BL6 mice were treated with a single intravenous injection of NaIO₃ (35 mg/kg). Morphological changes in the retina post NaIO₃ injection in comparison to untreated controls were assessed using electron microscopy. Cell death was determined by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The activation of caspases and calpain was measured using immunohistochemistry. Additionally, cytotoxicity and apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, primary retinal cells, and the cone photoreceptor (PRC) cell line 661W were assessed in vitro after NaIO₃ treatment using the ApoToxGlo™ assay. The 7-AAD/Annexin-V staining was performed and necrostatin (Nec-1) was administered to the NaIO₃-treated cells to confirm the results. In vivo, degenerating RPE cells displayed a rounded shape and retracted microvilli, whereas PRCs featured apoptotic nuclei. Caspase and calpain activity was significantly upregulated in retinal sections and protein samples from NaIO₃-treated animals. In vitro, NaIO₃ induced necrosis in RPE cells and apoptosis in PRCs. Furthermore, Nec-1 significantly decreased NaIO₃-induced RPE cell death, but had no rescue effect on treated PRCs. In summary, several different cell-death pathways are activated in retinal cells as a result of NaIO₃.     

New environmental-friendly yellow pigments Y_(4-x)A_xMoO_(9+δ)(A =Ta,Tb)

A series of inorganic yellow pigments with general formula Y_(4-x)A_xMoO_(9+δ)(A = Ta, Tb), where x = 0,0.05,0.1,0.2, 0.4 for Ta and χ = 0, 0.005, 0.01.0.03, 0.05 for Tb,were synthesized by a conventional ceramic method at 1400 ℃ for 6 h in air. The samples were characterized by XRD,EDS,XPS,SEM,TG-DSC,UV-vis-NIR reflectance spectroscopy and CIE L*a*b* color scales. It is found that the substitution of A(A = Ta, Tb) for Y~(3+) in Y_4 MoO_9 decreases the NIR reflectance of the pigment samples, but the developed pigments Y_(4-x)A_xMoO_(9+δ)(A = Ta, Tb) still exhibit impressive NIR solar reflectance. The brighter yellow color of inorganic pigments Y_(4-x)A_xMoO_(9+δ)(A = Ta, Tb) is available when x is about 0.1 for Ta and 0.01 for Tb. The results make them a series of potential candidates as ecological yellow pigments because of their high reflectance, lightness, intense coloration and excellent thermal and chemical stability.     

Characteristics of pigments,modification, and their functionalities

Novel treatments of pigments with inorganic materials have tremendous industrial and commercial prospects. Specific treatment of pigment has a marked effect on its behavior during application. The treatment allows a broad modification of the surface characteristics of pigment particles which leads to improved functionalities. Surface modification of pigments is achieved via coating, polymerization with modifying reagent, treatment with derivatives or polymers, which alter either the optical, conductivity or dispersibility during processing and application. These and many other distinguishing factors that affect the characteristics of pigments such as the class, crystal structure, particle morphology, particle size, hiding power, pigment volume concentration, surface character, and surface treatment have been reviewed. Various organic pigments such as those from fungus and bacteria, and the various families of pigment types such as metallic pigment, light interference, and diffractive pigments which presents decorative quality such as leafing, nonleafing, pearlscent, and Fabry‐Perot effects on substrates have also been reviewed in addition to those from inorganic sources with emphasis on the structure and physiochemical modifications using metal and nonmetal Ions.     

Synthesis of iron red hybrid pigments from oil shale semi-coke waste

Oil shale semi-coke (SC) is a bulk solid waste produced after shale oil being extracted from oil shale. It is abundant on the earth, but most of them are discarded or piled up as solid waste, and their reuse as resources is very limited. In this paper, adhering to the concept of “waste to materials“, the α-Fe₂O₃/SC hybrid pigments with the red color (a* = 29.68) better than commercial iron red pigments (a* = 26.92) were synthesized by an one-pot hydrothermal reaction of pretreated SC with Fe(III), using SC as a cheap starting material. The microscopic structure, chemical composition and color of the hybrid pigments were studied, and the reaction parameters for synthesizing the best hybrid pigments from SC were optimized. The results indicate that the hybrid pigments are mainly composed of SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃, where α-Fe₂O₃ particles grow on the surface of SC-derived silicate substrate with a better dispersion. The hybrid pigments showed a good stability, especially an outstanding high temperature-resistant stability. The secondary heat treatment induced the further improvement of red color value of the hybrid pigments. This work provides a new way and solution for the rational disposal and functional application of SC waste.     

A spectroscopic method for quick evaluation of tint strength and tint tone of titania (rutile) pigment and factors affecting them

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) manufacturing industries measure optical properties such as brightness, colour, tint strength, tint tone, gloss, scatter coefficient, and others to ensure the quality of the product. Product characterization and process control generally focus on the optical properties, which determine its quality. In this work, titania rutile pigment with varying tint strength and tint tone is analyzed and a correlation is established between particle size and the optical properties such as tint strength and tint tone. It is observed that optical properties of titania pigment depends on the particle size as well as particle size distribution. A relatively faster evaluation of tint strength and tint tone can be made using the reflectance and particle size measurements. Analytical samples were prepared by ultrasonic dispersion of pigment in water containing calgon as dispersing agent. To verify the accuracy of the method, pigment tint strength and tint tone obtained from this study are compared with those resulting from traditional analysis. The results showed that the new method is viable.