Preparation and characterization of a novel injectable in situ cross-linked hydrogel

A novel injectable in situ cross-linked hydrogel was prepared from α,β-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide (PHEA), which had excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. PHEA was modified by acryloyl chloride (AC) via the reaction between hydroxyl groups and acryl groups to introduce reactable double bonds into the chain. Two macromers with different degrees of derivatization were prepared. Through NMR and FT-IR characterizations, the structures of the polymers were proposed. Hydrogels were prepared by covalent cross-linking between double bonds with a transition from liquid to gel at body temperature. The effect factors on gelation time, swelling ratio and gel content were investigated in detail. It was found that the grafting ratios of AC, concentrations of macromer and initiator had great influence on the gelation time. And it could be adjusted to meet the requirements of an injectable material.     

Studies on anti-tumor and antimetastatic activities of fullerenol in a mouse breast cancer model

The purpose was to examine the anti-tumor and antimetastatic activities of fullerenol and their related mechanisms. Thirty EMT-6 tumor-bearing mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0.1 ml saline or 0.1 ml saline containing fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₂₀ (0.08 and 0.4 mg/ml) daily for 16 days. Using tumor tissues, we investigated imbalances in the oxidative defense system and the expression of several angiogenesis factors. C₆₀(OH)₂₀ exhibits anti-tumor and antimetastatic activities in EMT-6 breast cancer metastasis model. Treatment with C₆₀(OH)₂₀ was found to modulate oxidative stress significantly. The expression of several angiogenesis factors was reduced in tumor tissues after treatment with fullerenol. Importantly, CD31 (also known as PECAM-1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule) expression and vessel density were markedly reduced in tumors from fullerenol-treated mice compared with controls. Modulation of oxidative stress in tumor tissues, inhibition of the formation of angiogenesis factors, and subsequent reduction in tumor vessel density and the nutrient supply to tumor cells could be important mechanisms by which fullerenol aggregates inhibit tumor growth and suppress carcinoma metastasis in vivo.     

Fabrication of LaCl3‐containing nanofiber scaffolds and their application in skin wound healing

Poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL)/gelatin (GE) nanofiber scaffolds with varying concentrations of lanthanum chloride (LaCl₃, from 0 to 25 mM) were fabricated by electrospinning. The scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle and porosity measurements, mechanical strength tests, and in vitro degradation studies. In vitro cytotoxicity and cell adhesion and proliferation studies were performed to assess the biocompatibility of the scaffolds, and in vivo wound healing studies were conducted to assess scaffold applications in the clinic. All prepared scaffolds were noncytotoxic, and the growth of adipose tissue–derived stem cells on LaCl₃‐containing scaffolds was better than on the pure PCL/GE scaffold. Cell proliferation studies showed the greatest cell growth in the PCL/GE/LaCl₃ scaffolds. Further, in vivo studies proved that the PCL/GE/LaCl₃ scaffolds can promote wound healing. The results suggest that nanofiber scaffolds containing LaCl₃ promote cell proliferation and have good biocompatibility, and thus potential for application in the treatment of skin wounds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46672.     

A bio-inspired gelatin-based pH- and thermal-sensitive magnetic hydrogel for in vitro chemo/hyperthermia treatment of breast cancer cells

Gelatin (Gel)-based pH- and thermal-responsive magnetic hydrogels (MH-1 and MH-2) were designed and developed as novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) for cancer chemo/hyperthermia therapy. For this goal, Gel was functionalized with methacrylic anhydride (GelMA), and then copolymerized with (2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate (DMAEMA) monomer in the presence of methacrylate-end capped magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as well as triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA; as crosslinker). Afterward, a thiol-end capped poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm-SH) was synthesized through an atom transfer radical polymerization technique, and then attached onto the hydrogel through “thiol-ene” click grafting. The preliminary performances of developed MHs for chemo/hyperthermia therapy of human breast cancer was investigated through the loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) as an anticancer agent followed by cytotoxicity measurement of drug-loaded DDSs using MTT assay by both chemo- and chemo/hyperthermia-therapies. Owing to porous morphologies of the fabricated magnetic hydrogels according to scanning electron microscopy images and strong physicochemical interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding) the drug loading capacities of the MH-1 and MH-2 were obtained as 72 ± 1.4 and 77 ± 1.8, respectively. The DDSs exhibited acceptable pH- and thermal-triggered drug release behaviors. The MTT assay results revealed that the combination of hyperthermia therapy and chemotherapy has synergic effect on the anticancer activities of the developed DDSs.     

Preparation and characterisation of a poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) hydrogel for selective binding of Cu and application to diffusive gradients in thin films measurements

A poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) [poly(AAGA-co-AAm)] hydrogel was prepared by copolymerising 2-acrylamidoglycolic acid (AAGA) with acrylamide (AAm). The copolymer hydrogel composition and structure was characterised by FTIR spectroscopy and elemental microanalysis and found to contain 3.5 AAGA monomer units for each AAm monomer unit. This was similar to the monomer ratios used in the synthesis. The metal ion binding properties of the hydrogel were characterised for a range of metal ions (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) under varying conditions of pH, ionic strength, metal concentration and time. The hydrogel was shown to bind Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ strongly under non-competitive binding conditions, with binding capacities of 5.3 and 5.1 μmol cm⁻², respectively. The binding capacity of each metal decreased, under competitive binding conditions (with a range of metal ions present at 17.8 μN), to 1.3 and 0.17 μmol cm⁻², respectively, indicating stronger selectivity for Cu²⁺. The metal ions were readily recovered (>94%) by eluting with 2 M nitric acid solution for 24 h. The binding capacities for Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were also found to decrease with increasing ionic strength and at pH values <5. The copolymer was found to have an equilibrium swelling ratio (q_w) of over 500 at a maxima of pH 5.4 and at low ionic strengths. Finally, the copolymer hydrogel was tested as a binding phase with the diffusive gradients in thin films technique. A linear mass vs. time relationship was observed for Cu²⁺ in synthetic Windermere water with a recovery of approximately 100%.     

Optimized synthesis of AMPA receptor antagonist ZK 187638 and neurobehavioral activity in a mouse model of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

Previous structure-activity relationship studies in the search for a potent, noncompetitive alpha-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist led to 2,3-dimethyl-6-phenyl-12H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]imidazo[1,2-c][2,3]benzodiazepine (ZK 187638). However, the first synthesis had some drawbacks regarding reagents, processes, and overall yield, which furthermore decreased when the synthesis was scaled up. Therefore, we now report a new synthetic route for this compound which requires fewer steps and is suited for large-scale production. This compound significantly relieved the symptoms of neuromuscular deficit in mnd mice, a model of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis with motor neuron dysfunction. After oral administration, the concentrations of the compound in the brain and spinal cord were about threefold higher than those in the plasma. In summary, this novel AMPA antagonist is accessible through an optimized synthetic route, has good neurobehavioral activity, oral bioavailability, and favorable brain penetration. This opens new possibilities for the treatment of devastating neurological diseases that are mediated by the AMPA receptor.     

Acute exposure to silica nanoparticles enhances mortality and increases lung permeability in a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia

Background

The lung epithelium constitutes the first barrier against invading pathogens and also a major surface potentially exposed to nanoparticles. In order to ensure and preserve lung epithelial barrier function, the alveolar compartment possesses local defence mechanisms that are able to control bacterial infection. For instance, alveolar macrophages are professional phagocytic cells that engulf bacteria and environmental contaminants (including nanoparticles) and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines to effectively eliminate the invading bacteria/contaminants. The consequences of nanoparticle exposure in the context of lung infection have not been studied in detail. Previous reports have shown that sequential lung exposure to nanoparticles and bacteria may impair bacterial clearance resulting in increased lung bacterial loads, associated with a reduction in the phagocytic capacity of alveolar macrophages.

Results

Here we have studied the consequences of SiO₂ nanoparticle exposure on Pseudomonas aeruginosa clearance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced inflammation and lung injury in a mouse model of acute pneumonia. We observed that pre-exposure to SiO₂ nanoparticles increased mice susceptibility to lethal pneumonia but did not modify lung clearance of a bioluminescent Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. Furthermore, internalisation of SiO₂ nanoparticles by primary alveolar macrophages did not reduce the capacity of the cells to clear Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In our murine model, SiO₂ nanoparticle pre-exposure preferentially enhanced Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced lung permeability (the latter assessed by the measurement of alveolar albumin and IgM concentrations) rather than contributing to Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced lung inflammation (as measured by leukocyte recruitment and cytokine concentration in the alveolar compartment).

Conclusions

We show that pre-exposure to SiO₂ nanoparticles increases mice susceptibility to lethal pneumonia but independently of macrophage phagocytic function. The deleterious effects of SiO₂ nanoparticle exposure during Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia are related to alterations of the alveolar-capillary barrier rather than to modulation of the inflammatory responses.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12989-014-0078-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

An in-situ infrared cell and its application in study of sulfidation of a model Co/Mo catalyst

A flow cell was constructed to measure infrared spectra of catalyst samples with controlled heating at 673 K. We monitored sulfidation of an unsupported Co-Mo catalyst by thiophene. Correlation was found between the intensity changes and frequency shifts of the metal-oxygen IR bands and the appearance of oxythiomolybdate bands and the simultaneous increase of thiophene conversion. These results point to short-living cobalt-oxythiomolybdates which may have highest HDS activity.     

Development and application of a mathematical model to explain fading rate inconsistencies observed in light‐sensitive materials

Light fastness tests conducted on several areas of a light‐sensitive material may sometimes show inconsistent fading rates. These different fading behaviours suggest that colorants are not evenly distributed over the substrate surface or may be attributed to texture variations of the material. A mathematical model has been developed to help explain these discrepancies. Micro‐fade testing, a relatively novel technique, has allowed microspectroscopic detection of variations in the initial colour parameters of a sample, permitting assessment of its diverging fading rates. The method has been applied to fading data of various light‐sensitive materials resulting in more consistent fading patterns. It has been demonstrated that micro‐fading curves obtained for the same material are related by a constant value, which is the ratio of adjusted values of time and ΔE*.     

新型1600t液压提升装置安装及在气化炉吊装上的应用

介绍了我国首台具有自主知识产权的最大吊装能力达1600t的液压吊装提升系统的安装方法及其应用,适用于炼油、石油、煤化工等领域大型设备的吊装技术领域。     

Distributions of age, thickness and gas velocity in the cake of jet pulsed filters—application and validation of a generations filter model

Different imperfections are observed with jet pulsed filters. They manifest themselves most obviously in the curve of the pressure drop versus time. A convex pressure drop curve indicates cake compaction. But jet pulsed filters frequently show a concave rise of the pressure drop curve. This phenomenon is due to a strongly nonuniform cake area load on the filter and it is generally attributed to incomplete cake removal. Incomplete cake removal takes place when only a fraction of the total filter area is cleaned at the end of a filter cycle or when patchy cleaning prevails. Patchy cleaning means that a jet pulse removes the entire filter cake of only a fraction of the exposed filter area except for a thin adhesive dust layer.In this paper a filter model is proposed in which the different classes of cake thickness are understood to result from different cake generations. A cake becomes one generation older when it survives the jet pulse cleaning at the end of a filtration cycle, although the area that is occupied by the cake on the filter medium is diminished by the jet pulse.This generations filter model can be used to find the distributions of age, thickness and gas velocities in the cake from steady-state operational data. The steady-state, periodic model provides a complete basis for the simulation of heterogeneous gas/solid reactions in the cake of jet pulsed filters.In the model intermediate cake build up during the cleaning procedure is considered. There redeposition of removed filter cake also takes place, and its extent is estimated. The model can also serve to determine from macroscopic process data, if the cleaning system of a filter installation operates in the undesirable mode of patchy cleaning.Experiments from a pilot plant for dry flue gas cleaning are presented and the generations filter model is validated with the experimental data.