Application of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in the assay of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase and neutral and acid cholesterol ester hydrolases

The utility of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for increasing the sensitivity of assays for the microsomal acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, and the acid lysosomal and the neutral microsomal and cytosolic cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was studied in rat hepatocytes. Enzyme assays, at optimal concentrations of cyclodextrin, were validated by assessing: (i) linearity of product formation with incubation time and protein amount, and saturation with substrate, and (ii) the effect of treatments of cells or of subcellular fractions on enzyme activities. Delivery of cholesterol dissolved in 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin to the acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase assay mixture raised the enzyme activity more than 8-fold and was twice that measured when cholesterol was added in Triton WR-1339. 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin itself was partially effective, apparently by making endogenous cholesterol more accesible to the enzyme. Inclusion of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in cholesterol ester hydrolase assays using standard micellar substrates doubled the activity estimated in lysosome and microsome preparations and enhanced the cytosolic cholesterol esterase activity by about 50%. Differences in the catalytic activity of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesterol ester hydrolases caused by treatment of hepatocytes with compound 58-035 or 25-hydroxycholesterol, or of subcellular fractions with NaF, were maintained when enzymes were assayed with cyclodextrin. The results indicate that 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is a suitable vehicle for delivering cholesterol to acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and enhances the sensitivity of standard assays of the enzymes governing the intrahepatic hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters.     

To Extinguish the Fire from Outside the Cell or to Shutdown the Gas Valve Inside? Novel Trends in Anti-Inflammatory Therapies

Cytokines are the most important soluble mediators of inflammation. Rare pediatric diseases provided exemplar conditions to study the anti-inflammatory efficacy of new generation therapies (biologics/biopharmaceuticals) selectively targeting single cytokines. Monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins have revolutionized anti-inflammatory therapies in the last two decades, allowing the specific targeting of single cytokines. They are very effective in extinguishing inflammation from outside the cell, even with the risk of an excessive and prolonged immunosuppression. Small molecules can enter the cell and shutdown the valve of inflammation by directly targeting signal proteins involved in cytokine release or in response to cytokines. They are orally-administrable drugs whose dosage can be easily adjusted to obtain the desired anti-inflammatory effect. This could make these drugs more suitable for a wide range of diseases as stroke, gout, or neurological impairment, where inflammatory activation plays a pivotal role as trigger. Autoinflammatory diseases, which have previously put anti-cytokine proteins in the limelight, can again provide a valuable model to measure the real potential of small inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents.     

HATMSC Secreted Factors in the Hydrogel as a Potential Treatment for Chronic Wounds—In Vitro Study

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can improve chronic wound healing; however, recent studies suggest that the therapeutic effect of MSCs is mediated mainly through the growth factors and cytokines secreted by these cells, referred to as the MSC secretome. To overcome difficulties related to the translation of cell therapy into clinical use such as efficacy, safety and cost, we propose a hydrogel loaded with a secretome from the recently established human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cell line (HATMSC2) as a potential treatment for chronic wounds. Biocompatibility and biological activity of hydrogel-released HATMSC2 supernatant were investigated in vitro by assessing the proliferation and metabolic activity of human fibroblast, endothelial cells and keratinocytes. Hydrogel degradation was measured using hydroxyproline assay while protein released from the hydrogel was assessed by interleukin-8 (IL-8) and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) ELISAs. Pro-angiogenic activity of the developed treatment was assessed by tube formation assay while the presence of pro-angiogenic miRNAs in the HATMSC2 supernatant was investigated using real-time RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that the therapeutic effect of the HATMSC2-produced factors is maintained following incorporation into collagen hydrogel as confirmed by increased proliferation of skin-origin cells and improved angiogenic properties of endothelial cells. In addition, HATMSC2 supernatant revealed antimicrobial activity, and which therefore, in combination with the hydrogel has a potential to be used as advanced wound-healing dressing.     

Tuning the optical bandgap of multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified zinc silicate glass-ceramic composites

Novel glass-ceramic composites with optical bandgap tunability were synthesised. Zinc silicate powder (ZS) was mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at various mass fractions (0, 1, 2, and 3 wt %), followed by argon sintering. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the structural change from an amorphous ZS phase to a crystalline willemite phase (Zn₂SiO₄) by adding MWCNTs, and the largest crystallite size was obtained for ZS with 2.0 wt% MWCNTs. Although the agglomeration of ZS and MWCNTs was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), there was no chemical interaction between ZS and MWCNTs as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MWCNTs enhanced the crystallisation, which led to the green emission of Zn₂SiO₄ blue-shifting from 572 nm to 557 nm. The narrowed optical bandgap of Zn₂SiO₄ was attributed to the MWCNT-induced exciton localised between the valence band and conduction band of Zn₂SiO₄. The bandgap tuning effect of MWCNTs potentially paved new ways to mass fabricate zinc silicate-based semiconductors with desirable optical bandgap energy E_g, which significantly benefits the sensor and laser-related industry.     

Synthesis of Edible Vegetable Oils Enriched with Healthy 1,3-Diglycerides Using Crude Glycerol and Homogeneous/Heterogeneous Catalysis

Commercial edible vegetable oils in which part of their triglycerides are substituted with 1,3-diglycerides are healthier for human consumption than the original oils. This is because the human metabolism of 1,3-diglycerides is believed to occur through a distinct pathway with less probability of being deposited as fat in the body tissues. To obtain these enriched oils, conversion of triglycerides into diglycerides is carried out by glycerolysis using commercial crude glycerol containing dissolved alkali cations that homogeneously catalyze the reaction. The addition of a food production-compatible MgO as a supplementary solid basic catalyst, shortens the reaction time by half due to a combination of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis processes. In either homogeneously or homogeneous-heterogeneously catalyzed glycerolysis, the increase of the reaction temperature in the range of 453–493 K increases the final 1,3-diglyceride content. Furthermore, in both glycerolysis processes the triglyceride content can be decreased in more than 60% with the consequent increase of total diglycerides to 50%, 70% of which are the 1,3-isomers. The glycerolysis reaction proceeds without altering the fatty acid distribution of the original oils.     

Fabrication of rubber gel as oil absorbent by using water as porosity agent for oil removal

Oil pollution is a crucial issue that has adversed impact not only on the environment but also human beings. As an alternative to all conventional approaches, a porous rubber gel based on liquid natural rubber (LNR) with excellent hydrophobic and wettability properties has been developed using a simple vulcanization reaction. To determine their sorption capability, LNR gel was employed for absorption of various types of oils such as Petrol A, Petrol B, kerosene, diesel, crude oil, and olive oil. The functionality of LNR gel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the morphology of LNR gel was observed using a scanning electron microscope. By combining wettability and hydrophobicity, the LNR gel exhibited high oil sorption capacity and selectivity for oil removal from water. The LNR gel was able to absorb oils, especially the low viscosity types. Besides, it can also be reused up to 20 cycles while maintaining its oil sorption performance. The selective absorbent shows the recovery of petrol in the range of 96–99% by squeezing the oil. Thus, LNR gel has great potential as green material for cleaning up oil contaminants on a large scale. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47749.     

Microwave-electrochemical formation of colloidal zinc oxide at fluorine doped tin oxide electrodes

Colloidal ZnO is obtained during microwave-enhanced electrochemical deposition experiments from an aqueous solution containing 0.1 M Zn(NO₃)₂ and 0.02 M H₂O₂ via repetitive negative going potential cycles from 0.3 to −0.8 V vs. SCE. The effects of temperature and temperature gradients on ZnO electro-formation at fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes are investigated with both a conventional thermostated bath system (isothermal) and an in situ microwave electrochemistry system (non-isothermal). Mainly electrodeposition of ZnO is observed in uniformly heated stagnant solution and predominantly the electro-formation of ZnO colloid is observed in the presence of microwave-induced temperature gradients in a flowing solution. For the ZnO colloid prepared via microwave activation, SAXS data suggests an average particle radius of ca. 18 nm. The increase of ZnO nanoparticle concentration during repetitive potential scans is followed by photoluminescence spectroscopy. A possible mechanism for ZnO colloid formation during electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂ is suggested.     

External support for collaborative problem solving in a simulated provider/patient medication scheduling task.

Taking medication requires developing plans to accomplish the activity. This planning challenges older adults because of age-related cognitive limits and inadequate collaboration with health providers. The authors investigated whether an external aid (medtable) supports collaborative planning in the context of a simulated patient/provider task in which pairs of older adults worked together to create medication schedules. Experiment 1 compared pairs who used the medtable, blank paper (unstructured aid), or no aid to create schedules varying in complexity of medication constraints (number of medications and medication co-occurrence restrictions) and patient constraints (available times during the day to take medication). Both aids increased problem-solving accuracy and efficiency (time per unit accuracy) compared to the no-aid condition, primarily for more complex schedules. However, benefits were similar for the two aids. In Experiment 2, a redesigned medtable increased problem-solving accuracy and efficiency compared to blank paper. Both aids presumably supported problem solving by providing a jointly visible workspace for developing schedules. The medtable may be more effective because it externalizes constraints (relationships between medication and patient information), so that participants can more easily organize information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discovering the moments of movement in filial therapy: A single case qualitative study.

This study examines the process of change in filial therapy, a type of play therapy, which engages parents as therapeutic agents in working with troubled children. Outcome studies have supported the efficacy of this approach in building parent-child relationships, reducing parenting stress, and reducing child behavior problems. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the process in order to understand how these changes occur. The researchers compare the viewpoints of the therapist, the parents, and an independent observer, noting the points in therapy which are deemed facilitative or inhibitive of change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)