Multifunctional peptide-assembled micelles for simultaneously reducing amyloid-β and reactive oxygen species

The excessive production and deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) is one of the most important etiologies of Alzheimer''s disease (AD). The interaction between Aβ and metal ions produces aberrant reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce oxidative stress and accelerate the progression of AD. To reduce Aβ plaques and ROS to maintain their homeostasis is an emerging and ingenious strategy for effective treatment of AD. Herein, we report the rational design of multifunctional micelles (MPGLT) based on a polymer-grafted peptide to simultaneously clear Aβ and ROS for AD therapy. The MPGLT integrating three functional peptides as a ROS scavenger (tk-GSH), β-sheet breaker (LP) and an autophagy activator (TK) respectively, could capture and degrade Aβ. Meanwhile, the tk-GSH on the surface of MPGLT effectively scavenges the intracellular ROS. Consequently, MPGLT reduced the cytotoxicity of Aβ and ROS. In vivo animal studies using an AD mouse model further showed that MPGLT could transport across the blood–brain barrier for decreasing the Aβ plaque and eliminating ROS in vivo. This peptide micelle-based synergistic strategy may provide novel insight for AD therapy.

Multifunctional micelles based on a peptide–polymer for simultaneously targeting Aβ degradation and ROS scavenging for AD therapy.     

Mechanism and kinetics of the 2,2′-bipyridyl catalysis of the chromium(VI) oxidation of malic acid

A spectrophotometric study of the kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of malic acid (Mal) by chromium(VI) catalyzed by 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) in aqueous acidic medium was conducted in a temperature range of ～298 to 313 K. This reaction was found to be pseudo-first order with respect to Cr(VI) and first order with respect to malic acid. Under the conditions of the pseudo-first order ([Mal]_o ? [Cr(VI)]_o), the observed rate constant (k _obs) increased with the increase in [H⁺] and [bpy]. There was a weak negative salt effect. Based on the experimental results, a possible reaction mechanism for this oxidation catalyzed by bpy is proposed. The rate equation derived from this mechanism can explain all the experimental phenomena.     

萘酰氨基修饰β-环糊精对几种荧光染料的分子识别

用光谱滴定技术分别测定了β-环糊精(1)、单-[6-(1-萘酰氨基)-乙基氨基-6-脱氧]-β-环糊精(2)、单-[6-(1-萘酰氨基)-二乙基二氨基-6-脱氧]-β-环糊精(3)在25℃时,pH为7.2、2.0和10.1的缓冲溶液中与几种染料分子形成超分子配合物的稳定常数Ks,并考察了pH=7.2时识别过程的热力学参数ΔH0和TΔS0。结果表明,pH为2.0和10.1时,静电、疏水和氢键作用协同贡献于超分子配合物的形成,如主体2与AR在pH=10.1时形成的Ks=7085;而pH=2.0时的Ks=1034。当pH=7.2时主-客体的尺寸/形状匹配、疏水作用和范德华力决定配合物的稳定性。主体2、3对AR、TNS和ANS的包结配位是放热过程,并给出较大的焓变(-ΔH0),对RhB主要表现为熵驱动过程。     

某些变色酸双偶氮染料-蛋白质体系的共振瑞利散射及其分析应用

在PH3．4－4．0的缓冲溶液中， 偶氮胂M（AAM）、偶氮氯膦Ⅲ（CPAⅢ）和氯磺酚S（CSPS）等变色酸双偶氮染料及蛋白质本身的共振瑞利散射（RRS）均十分微弱，但这些染料与蛋白质结合形成复合物时能使RRS急剧增强，在400－470nm的范围内呈现高的散射强度，其最大散射波大均位于470nm处，并且散射强度分别在0．36mg/L（CPAⅢ体系）、0－3．8mg/L(AAM体系）和0－4．8mg/L(CSPS体系）的范围内与牛血清白蛋白（BSA）的浓度成正比，方法具有高灵敏度，对于BSA的检出限（σ=3时）分别为18．5μg/L（CPAⅢ）、13．6μg/L（CSPS）和27．9μg/L（AAM）。考察了共存物质的影响，表明方法具有较好的选择性，此法可用于人血清中蛋白质的测定。     

Morphology control of soap-free seeded P(St-EA-AA) latex particles

Soap-free poly(styrene-ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid) latex particles with narrow size distribution and with surface carboxyl groups were synthesized by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization, and the particles with homogeneous multihollow structure were obtained after alkali posttreatment. Effects of treatment conditions and crosslinking agents on particle morphology were investigated. Results showed that the multihollow structure can be formed inside the uncrosslinked particles only when the treatment temperature exceeded 50 °C, the pH was higher than 10.0, the amount of 2-butanone was more than 3.0 ml and the treatment time was longer than 30 min. Furthermore, the volume expansion of the particles increased with the temperature increased to 90 °C, the pH to 12.5 or the amount of 2-butanone to 7.0 ml, and this value increased first and then decreased with the treatment time prolonged. Fine pores can be generated in the shell of particles crosslinked by 0.2 g of ethyl glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA), while no hollow structure formed inside particles when 0.4 g of EGDMA or 0.2 g of divinyl benzene was used.     

Phase transition in single crystal Cs2Nb4O11

We studied temperature dependence of complex capacitance, impedance, and polarized Raman spectra of single crystal Cs2Nb4O11. First, we observed a sharp lambda-shaped peak at 165 degrees C in the complex capacitance, then found drastic changes in the Raman spectra in the same temperature range. Utilizing the pseudosymmetry search of structure space group, we attributed the observed anomalies to a structural change from the room temperature orthorhombic Pnn2 to another orthorhombic Imm2. We also measured room temperature polarized Raman spectra in different symmetries of normal vibrations and assigned high wavenumber Raman bands to the internal vibrations of NbO6 octahedra and NbO4 tetrahedra.     

Study on Arc Movement in Hollow Electrode Plasma Generators with Impressed Double Magnetic Fields

In order to prolong cathode lifetime of hollow electrode plasma generators, a method of impressed double magnetic fields with an alternating frequency is presented in this paper. The alternating frequency of the double magnetic fields is an important factor that influences the erosion rate on the area between the two coils' central planes. By analyzing the arc movement in the hollow cathode with a simplified theoretical model, the spiral curve shape of the radial arc and the relationship between the optimal alternating frequency and the intensity of magnetic fields are obtained. A photoelectric method is employed to measure the arc root rotation speed in the hollow cathode, and then the optimal alternating frequency is calculated as 319 Hz for the experimental conditions. The life testing with this alternating frequency showed that the cathode lifetime could be prolonged significantly.     

STUDY ON MAGNETIC FIELD-INDUCED 0RIENTATI0N OF A CHIRAL SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYACRYLATE USING INFRARED DICHROISM

Magnetic field-induced orientation of a chiral side chain liquid crystalline polyacrylate(P-11) was studied by using IR dichroism. For the investigated P-11, it has been shown thatthe magnetic alignment takes place over the entire temperature range between its meltingpoint and clearing point and the orientation level is strongly temperature-dependent, thedevelopment with time of the magnetic orieatation follows an exponeotial-type relation,and the smectic phase state influences the thermal relaxation process in the absence of themagnetic field.     

水杨醛-L-甲硫氨酸希夫碱钴(Ⅱ)配合物的热分解动力学

本文合成了一种新的希夫碱配合物，水杨醛－Ｌ－甲硫氨酸－水合钴（Ⅱ），Ｃｏ（ｓａｌｍｅｔ）．Ｈ２Ｏ并用非等温热重法研究了它的热分解反应动力学。     

Pectin in controlled drug delivery – a review

Controlled drug delivery remains a research focus for public health to enhance patient compliance, drug efficiency and reduce the side effects of drugs. Pectin, an edible plant polysaccharide, has been shown to be useful for the construction of drug delivery systems for specific drug delivery. Several pectin derived formulations have been developed in our laboratory and tested in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for the ability to deliver bioactive substances for therapeutic purposes in the context of interactions with living tissues. Pectin derivatives carrying primary amine groups were more mucoadhesive and have shown potential in nasal drug delivery and other mucosal drug delivery. Pectin derivatives with highly esterified galacturonic acid residues are more hydrophobic and able to sustain the release of incorporated fragrances for a prolonged duration. Less esterified pectin derivatives are able to penetrate deeper into the skin and may be useful in aromatherapy formulations. Pectin, in combination with zein, a corn protein, forms hydrogel beads. The bound zein restricts bead swelling and retains the porosity of the beads; the pectin networks shield the zein from protease attack. The complex beads are ideal vehicles for colon-specific drug delivery. Studies presented in this paper indicate the flexibility and possibility to tailor pectin macromolecules into a variety of drug delivery systems to meet different clinical requirements. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.