Lactoperoxidase-mediated degradation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the presence of pulmonary surfactant

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may elicit inflammatory responses following pulmonary exposure. Conversely, enzymatic biodegradation of CNTs by inflammatory cells has also been reported. The aim of this study was to study the degradation of oxidized single-walled CNTs (ox-SWCNTs) by lactoperoxidase (LPO), a secreted peroxidase present in the airways, and whether pulmonary surfactant affects this biodegradation. To this end, ox-SWCNTs were incubated in vitro with recombinant bovine LPO + H₂O₂ + NaSCN in the presence and absence of porcine lung surfactant (Curosurf®) and biodegradation was monitored using UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The interaction of recombinant LPO with bundles of ox-SWCNTs was confirmed by atomic force microscopy. Cell-free biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs was also observed ex vivo in murine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the presence of H₂O₂ + NaSCN. Our study provides evidence for biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs with a lung surfactant ‘bio-corona’ and expands the repertoire of mammalian peroxidases capable of biodegradation of ox-SWCNTs. These findings are relevant to inhalation exposure to these materials, as LPO serves as an important component of the airway defense system.     

2-甲基-1,3-丙二醇水溶液的表面性质研究

采用最大泡压法测定了常压下纯液体2-甲基-1,3-丙二醇(MPO)及不同浓度MPO水溶液在298.15~367.7 K范围的界面张力。实验结果表明,纯MPO及其水溶液的界面张力σ随温度升高而呈线性减小;恒温下σ随浓度的增加呈幂函数递减。MPO水溶液的表面层发生正吸附,与理论上低脂肪醇类表面张力的性质符合。而且低浓度下MPO水溶液的吸附等温线呈直线,与G ibbs吸附等温式描述的规律相吻合。     

谷维素抑制DSS诱导的小鼠结肠炎症及其分子机理研究

谷维素(oryzanol)是米糠中重要的活性物质之一。C57BL/6小鼠连续饮用1.0%葡聚糖硫酸钠(dextran sulphate sodium,DSS)12 d,用以建立溃疡性结肠炎模型,评估谷维素的抗炎作用及其分子机理研究。结果发现:谷维素组小鼠能明显缓解DSS诱导的结肠炎症,小鼠肠壁厚度、结肠长度、结肠重量、炎症细胞浸润、疾病活动指数(disease active index,DAI)等病理指标明显改变;谷维素也能明显改善结肠组织中炎症损伤重要生化指标如髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase,MPO)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的含量,同时减少血浆中亚硝酸盐的含量;RT-q PCR技术分析发现结肠组织炎症因子TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-1和IL-6等m RNA表达水平受到明显抑制,Western blotting分析进一步证实了谷维素能抑制炎症因子的蛋白表达水平。结论:谷维素对DSS诱导的小鼠结肠炎具有抑制作用,其作用的分子机理可能与下调炎症因子的表达相关。     

Effects of cathodic component of current on porosity and hardness characteristics of micro plasma oxidation（MPO） coatings on aluminum alloy

Micro plasma oxidation(MPO) has recently been investigated as a novel, rapid and effective means to provide modified surfaces with improved properties of load bearing and wear resistance on light alloys particularly aluminum alloys. MPO is a muhifactor-controlled process, these factors must be controlled to produce high quality coatings. The main research emphasis in MPO coating development over the past years seems to be the attainment of higher hardness levels and thick coatings. The porosity of MPO coating is the most complex phenomenon affecting the distribution, levels and the measurements of the hardness; and it is controlled by suitable selection of important parameters such as the electrical conditions. Ceramics coatings were synthesized on A1 substrate by MPO to examine the effects of adding a cathodic phase alternated with anodic-cathodic current on the porosity and hardness characteristics of coatings by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and microhardness tester. The coatings produced by the combined mode are more dense and less porous than that by the anodic-cathodic mode.Microhardness test shows that the coatings produced by the combined mode exhibit both the highest hardness, and less reduction percentage in hardness with increasing the coatings thickness. These improvements hecome more significant for the polished and thicker coatings.     

JNK在缺血后处理减轻再灌注损伤肺细胞凋亡中的作用

目的: 探讨C-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)在缺血后处理(IPO)减轻缺血/再灌注损伤大鼠肺细胞凋亡中的作用。方法: 雄性SD大鼠随机分成5组(n＝8),即对照组(C组)、肺缺血/再灌注组(I/R组)、肺缺血/再灌注+缺血后处理组(IPO组)、缺血后处理+溶剂对照组(PPCES溶液)(P组)、缺血后处理+SP600125组(SP组)。分别于再灌注 2 h 颈动脉取血、留取左肺组织,检测血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、髓过氧化物酶(MPO),检测肺组织湿/干重比(W/D)和总肺含水量(TLW);光电镜观察肺组织形态学结构改变,并进行肺组织损伤定量评估(IQA);原位末端标记法(TUNEL)检测肺细胞凋亡情况并计算凋亡指数(AI)。结果: 与C组相比,I/R组血清SOD活性显著降低,MDA含量、MPO活力显著升高(P均<0.01),肺组织W/D、TLW、IQA和AI均显著升高(P<0.05 或P<0.01),光镜电镜下肺组织结构发生明显损伤;IPO组、P组、SP组与I/R组相比,MDA含量、MPO活力显著降低,SOD活性升高(P<0.05 或P<0.01),肺组织W/D、TLW、IQA和AI均显著降低(P<0.05 或P<0.01),光镜电镜下肺组织结构损伤情况有所改善;P组与IPO组比较各项指标均无明显差异(P均>0.05);SP组与IPO组相比,MDA含量、MPO活力显著降低,SOD活性升高(P<0.05 或P<0.01),肺组织W/D、TLW、IQA和AI均显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),光镜电镜下肺组织结构未见明显损伤。结论: I/R导致大鼠肺组织过度氧化应激,激活JNK,肺内中性粒细胞聚集,导致肺组织结构严重破坏,细胞大量凋亡;IPO可以减轻氧化应激,抑制JNK通路的激活,从而改善其结构破坏和细胞凋亡。     

喷施IAA对烤烟烟碱含量及其合成酶的影响

用水培法研究了喷施IAA对烤烟的烟碱含量及鸟氨酸脱羧酶(ODC)、腐胺N-甲基转移酶(MPT)和N-甲基腐胺氧化酶(MPO)等3种酶活性的影响,结果表明,打顶使3种酶活性增强,烟碱含量提高,而打顶时喷施IAA则能明显抑制3种酶的活性,使烟叶中的烟碱含量显著降低。      

Phytochemistry and medicinal uses of the bael fruit (Aegle marmelos Correa): A concise review

Aegle marmelos, a plant indigenous to India has been used by the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent for over 5000 years. The leaves, bark, roots, fruits and seeds are used extensively in the Indian traditional system of medicine the Ayurveda and in various folk medicine to treat myriad ailments. Bael fruits are of dietary use and the fruit pulp is used to prepare delicacies like murabba, puddings and juice. Bael fruits are also used in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, dysentery, and peptic ulcers, as a laxative and to recuperate from respiratory affections in various folk medicines. Scientific studies have validated many of the ethnomedicinal uses and reports indicate that the fruit possesses broad range of therapeutic effects that includes free radical scavenging, antioxidant, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-diarrheal, gastroprotective, anti-ulcerative colitis, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective and radioprotective effects. For the first time, this review critically assesses the nutritional values, phytochemistry and preclinical pharmacological properties of the bael fruit. Attempts are also made at emphasizing the dietary and pharmaceutical potential of bael fruit that has been largely underutilized and neglected.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a desonide gel-cream photostabilized with benzophenone-3

Context: Our group previously reported the photoinstability of some desonide topical commercial formulations under direct exposure to UVA radiation.

Objective: This study aimed to prepare and characterize a gel-cream containing desonide, with greater photostability than the commercial gel-cream (C-GC). Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) was used as a photostabilizing agent.

Methods: The gel-cream developed (D-GC) containing BP-3 at 0.1% was prepared and characterized regarding its pH, drug content, spreadability, viscosity, in vitro drug release and in vitro permeation. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by ear edema measurement, croton oil-induced acute skin inflammation and myeloperoxidase assay.

Results and Discussion: D-GC presented characteristics compatible with topical application, appropriate drug content and good spreadability, and non-Newtonian behavior with pseudoplastic flow. D-GC showed a good photostability profile, presenting a desonide content of 95.70% after 48?h of exposure to UVA radiation, and stability under room conditions during 60 days. The amount of desonide released from D-GC and C-GC was 57.8 and 51.7?µg/cm², respectively, measured using the vertical Franz cell. The in vitro skin permeation showed that desonide reached the site of action of the topical corticosteroids, from both formulations; however, the desonide amount retained in the dermis was lower with D-GC. The in vivo evaluation of topical anti-inflammatory activity indicated that D-GC presented the same biological effect as C-GC.

Conclusion: D-GC represents a promising approach to treat dermatological disorders, since it presented satisfactory physicochemical characteristics, the same biological activity as C-GC and superior photostability, conferred by the addition of BP-3 at 0.1%.     

2-甲基-1,3-丙二醇水溶液密度和粘度的测定及关联

常压下采用密度瓶测定了纯液体2-甲基-1,3-丙二醇(MPO)及不同浓度的MPO 水二元体系在298.15~367.15K范围的密度;用乌氏粘度计测定了纯液体MPO及该二元体系在相应温度下的粘度.结果表明:MPO及其水溶液的密度和粘度均随温度升高而减小,密度呈线性衰减,粘度呈指数衰减;一定温度下MPO 水二元体系的密度随浓度变化大约在70%处出现了一极大值. 同时分别由密度和粘度实验数据计算了不同温度及组成下该二元体系的超额摩尔体积V E和混合粘度变化△η,结果V E和△η均为负值, 说明产生了负偏差.并由实验数据拟合出Grunberg-Nissan模型中的MPO-水体系的二元交互参数△Gij,它与温度和组成均有关.     

美国大都市区规划组织的区域协调机制及其对中国的启示

随着城市化的发展,区域规划和协调的重要性日益凸现。本文介绍了美国大都市区区域协调的主要执行机构——大都市区规划组织（MPO）的发展历程,分析其发挥区域协调作用的主要协调机制——以交通基础设施建设协调为基础,促进区域用地、环境整治、社会公平、公共服务等方面的区域协调。在此基础上,结合我国区域规划和协调中存在的主要问题,提出相关建议,认为以立法为基础,建立公共投资再分配机制是政府进行区域协调的有效途径之一。