Sensitivity of Rodent Microglia to Kynurenines in Models of Epilepsy and Inflammation In Vivo and In Vitro: Microglia Activation Is Inhibited by Kynurenic Acid and the Synthetic Analogue SZR104

Kynurenic acid is an endogenous modulator of ionotropic glutamate receptors and a suppressor of the immune system. Since glutamate and microglia are important in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, we investigated the possible action of the synthetic kynurenic acid analogue, SZR104, in epileptic mice and the action of kynurenic acid and SZR104 on the phagocytotic activity of cultured microglia cells. Pilocarpine epilepsy was used to test the effects of SZR104 on morphological microglia transformation, as evaluated through ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) immunohistochemistry. Microglia-enriched rat secondary cultures were used to investigate phagocytosis of fluorescent microbeads and Iba1 protein synthesis in control and lipopolysaccharide-challenged cultures. SZR104 inhibited microglia transformation following status epilepticus. Kynurenic acid and SZR104 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated phagocytotic activity of microglia cells. Although kynurenic acid and its analogues proved to be glutamate receptor antagonists, their immunosuppressive action was dominant in epilepsy. The inhibition of phagocytosis in vitro raised the possibility of the inhibition of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines in microglial cells.     

Cytostatic Effect of a Novel Mitochondria-Targeted Pyrroline Nitroxide in Human Breast Cancer Lines

Mitochondria have emerged as a prospective target to overcome drug resistance that limits triple-negative breast cancer therapy. A novel mitochondria-targeted compound, HO-5114, demonstrated higher cytotoxicity against human breast cancer lines than its component-derivative, Mito-CP. In this study, we examined HO-5114′s anti-neoplastic properties and its effects on mitochondrial functions in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. At a 10 µM concentration and within 24 h, the drug markedly reduced viability and elevated apoptosis in both cell lines. After seven days of exposure, even at a 75 nM concentration, HO-5114 significantly reduced invasive growth and colony formation. A 4 h treatment with 2.5 µM HO-5114 caused a massive loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, a decrease in basal and maximal respiration, and mitochondrial and glycolytic ATP production. However, reactive oxygen species production was only moderately elevated by HO-5114, indicating that oxidative stress did not significantly contribute to the drug’s anti-neoplastic effect. These data indicate that HO-5114 may have potential for use in the therapy of triple-negative breast cancer; however, the in vivo toxicity and anti-neoplastic effectiveness of the drug must be determined to confirm its potential.     

Development of minimal models of the elastic properties of flexible and stiff polymer networks with permanent and thermoreversible cross-links

We review the elasticity of flexible and stiff polymer networks with permanent cross-links and synthesize these results into a unifying polymer chain network model. This framework is then used to address how the network elasticity becomes modified when the network cross-linking is thermoreversible in nature, changes in the stability of the network with deformation, and the effect of a variable rate of network deformation on the non-linear elastic response. Comparisons are made between this class of simplified network models with elasticity measurements performed on flexible chain and stiff fiber networks, both with permanent and associative cross-links. Although these network models are highly idealized, they are apparently able to capture many aspects of the elastic properties of diverse real networks.     

Untersuchung der beim Schnitzeln von Polymeren sich bildenden Radikale

This is a report on the degree to which free radicals are formed during cutting of high-pressure polyethylene, low-pressure polyethylene, and of poly(vinyl chloride) plasticized to varying degrees. The free radicals were determined by using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl as radical scavenger and by photometric measurements. There is a clear relation between the cut surface and the amount of free radicals formed. We determined by calculation that in some cases cutting of the molecules takes place with an efficiency of 100%. Increasing the plasticizer content in PVC decreases the efficiency exponentially, which we attribute to the higher internal mobility of the polymer chains.     

ESR study of the spin labeled polyethylene crosslinking system

Summary The reactivity ratios for the radical Copolymerization of N-tert-butyl acrylamide with acrylonitrile and with methyl methacrylate were determined at 60°C.     

Electrical conductivity of cement pastes

The electrical conductivity of cement- and clinker mineral pastes was measured during setting and hardening. Conductograms give interesting and structurally important data on the beginning period of cement hydration.     

Crosslinking,scission and benzene formation during PVC degradation under various conditions

Summary The kinetics and mechanism of crosslinking and chain scission has been studied on several PVC samples during thermal thermooxidative, dynamic, and HCl catalyzed degradation. During pure thermal degradation crosslinking at a constant rate without scission occurs, while in the presence of oxygen and/or shear scission is not negligible. In the dynamic test, under shear both processes are fast, compared to static tests. The mechanism of benzene formation without main chain scission is discussed.