From chemical structure to viscoelastic properties of polymers

The basic result of the coupling model consists of a cross-over from exp-(t/τ_o) to exp-(t/τ*)^1-n at a temperature insensitive microscopic time t_c. We indicate how this basic result can be derived from chaotic, interacting Hamiltonian systems which include densely packed polymer molecules. Recent quasielastic neutron scattering experiments and molecular dynamics simulations are discussed and the results are shown to support this result as well. An application of the coupling model to find how the viscoelasticity of a polymer depends on the chemical structure of the monomer through the coupling parameter of the local segmental motion is given to illustrate the utility of the model.     

The Immuno-Modulatory Activities of Pentaherbs Formula on Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Mice via the Activation of Th1 and Treg Cells and Inhibition of Th2 and Th17 Cells

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a highly prevalent allergic disease induced by immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated hypersensitivity reaction at the nasal epithelium against inhaled allergens. Previous studies have demonstrated that Pentaherbs formula (PHF), a modified herbal formula comprising five herbal medicines (Flos Lonicerae, Herba Menthae, Cortex Phellodendri, Cortex Moutan and Rhizoma Atractylodis), could suppress various immune effector cells to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis. The present study aimed to further determine the anti-inflammatory activities of PHF in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR BALB/c mouse model. Nasal symptoms such as sneezing and nose rubbing were recorded and the serum total IgE and OVA-specific IgG1, as well as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, chemokines CXCL9 CXCL10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations in nasal lavage fluid (NALF) were measured during different treatments. Effects of PHF on the expression of inflammatory mediators in the sinonasal mucosa were quantified using real-time QPCR. PHF was found to suppress allergic symptoms, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the nasal epithelium of the OVA-induced AR mice. PHF could reduce OVA-specific IgG1 level in serum, and TNF-α and IL-10 in nasal lavage fluid (NALF), significantly up-regulate the splenic regulatory T (Treg) cell level, increase the Type 1 helper T cell (Th1)/Type 2 helper T cell (Th2) ratio, and reduce the Th17 cells (all p < 0.05). PHF could also alleviate in situ inflammation in sinonasal mucosa of OVA-induced AR mice. In conclusion, oral treatment of PHF showed immuno-modulatory activities in the OVA-induced AR mice by regulating the splenic T cell population to suppress the nasal allergy symptoms and modulating inflammatory mediators, implicating that PHF could be a therapeutic strategy for allergic rhinitis.     

New functional inorganic polymers containing phosphorus

The C=C bond plays numerous roles in polymer science. This moiety is used as a precursor to polymers by addition polymerization and has been incorporated into π-conjugated polymers. The addition polymerization reaction has been extended to P=C bonds and the first example of a poly(methylenephosphine) has been prepared. The new macromolecule is of moderate molecular weight (ca. 10⁴ g/mol) and the oxidized polymers are air-stable. Poly(p-phenylenephosphaalkene), the first π-conjugated polymer containing P=C bonds in the backbone, has been prepared. The UV/Vis spectrum of this polymer shows a red shift in λ_max when compared with molecular model systems.