Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of Isookanin,Isolated by Bioassay-Guided Fractionation from Bidens pilosa L.

Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) has been used historically in traditional Asian medicine and is known to have a variety of biological effects. However, the specific active compounds responsible for the individual pharmacological effects of Bidens pilosa L. (B. pilosa) extract have not yet been made clear. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory phytochemicals obtained from B. pilosa. We isolated a flavonoids-type phytochemical, isookanin, from B. pilosa through bioassay-guided fractionation based on its capacity to inhibit inflammation. Some of isookanin’s biological properties have been reported; however, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of isookanin has not yet been studied. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of isookanin using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. We have shown that isookanin reduces the production of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂) by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Isookanin also inhibited the expression of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and downregulated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) in the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, isookanin inhibited proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)) in LPS-induced THP-1 cells. These results demonstrate that isookanin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for inflammatory disease.     

High‐Contrast Red–Green–Blue Tricolor Fluorescence Switching in Bicomponent Molecular Film

Highly efficient red–green–blue (RGB) tricolor luminescence switching was demonstrated in a bicomponent solid film consisting of (2Z,2′Z)‐2,2′‐(1,4‐phenylene)bis(3‐(4‐butoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile) (DBDCS) and (2Z,2′Z)‐3,3′‐(2,5‐bis(6‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(2‐(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)acrylonitrile) (m‐BHCDCS). Reversible RGB luminescence switching with a high ratiometric color contrast (λ_em=594, 527, 458 nm for red, green, and blue, respectively) was realized by different external stimuli such as heat, solvent vapor exposure, and mechanical force. It was shown that Förster resonance energy transfer in the bicomponent mixture could be efficiently switched on and off through supramolecular control.     

Removal of nanoparticles on silicon wafer using a self-channeled plasma filament

The effective removal of nanoparticles from a silicon wafer surface was demonstrated using the self-channeled plasma filament excited by a femtosecond (130?fs) Ti:sapphire laser (?? _p=790?nm). The photoinduced self-channeled plasma filament in air reached a length of approximately 110?C130?mm from the first focal spot with diameters ranging from 40 to 50???m at input intensities of more than 1.0×10¹⁴?W/cm². By the scan of wafer using the X?CY?CZ stage during self-channeled plasma filament, the removal variation of nanoparticles on surface was observed in situ before and after the plasma filament occurred. The cleaning efficiency was strongly dependent on the gap distance between the plasma filament and the surface. The removal efficiency of nanoparticles reached 96?% with no damage to the surface when the gap was 150???m.     

Surface structure of low-coveraged Cs on Si(0 0 1)-() system

Alkali metals (AM) on semiconductors have been investigated as a simple model system for the metal-semiconductor interfaces due to their simple electronic structures. Especially, cesium (Cs) on Si(0 0 1) surface has been studied with various experimental techniques. In this study, we investigated the atomic structure of initial Cs adsorption on Si(0 0 1)-(2×1) surface using coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy. When Cs atoms are adsorbed on Si(0 0 1)-(2×1) up to 0.2 ML at room temperature, the initial adsorption site is on-top T3 site with poor periodicity and the length of Si dimer is reserved as in the clean Si(0 0 1) surface. It is also found that Cs atoms adsorbed on Si(0 0 1) surface with a height of 2.83±0.05 Å from the second layer of Si(0 0 1) surface.     

Fabrication of optical reflectors by using of elastomer with self-organized undulations

Back-surface diffusive reflectors have been widely applied in many optical systems to promote the efficiency used in system. In this work, we propose a novel way to fabricate a soft diffusive reflector by using of silicone (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS). High-reflectance substrates were first fabricated by mixing nanoscaled TiO₂ powders with PDMS polymers, and then microscale wave-like undulations were spontaneously developed after the substrates were dipped into H₂SO₄/HNO₃ solutions. After optical examination, a TiO₂/PDMS plate comprising microscale undulations, which can surely serve as a reflector, could reflect and diffuse light effectively. Besides, all fabrication processes can be executed in the ambient environment and at low temperature. This proposed method has a potential for mass production in the future.     

Atomic structure of Cs layer grown on Si(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface at room temperature

The atomic structure of Cs atoms adsorbed on the Si(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface has been investigated by coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy. When 0.5 ML of Cs atoms are adsorbed on Si(0 0 1) at room temperature, it is found that Cs atoms occupy a single absorption site on T3 with a height of 3.18 ± 0.05 Å from the second layer of Si(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface, and the bond length between Cs and the nearest Si atoms is 3.71 ± 0.05 Å.     

Analysis of Phenylpropanolamine by Micellar Electroknetic Chromatography with Laser‐induced Fluorescence Detection

A new analytical method for phenylpropanolamine based on micellar electrokinetic chromatographic separation and laser‐induced fluorescence detection has been developed. Naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxaldehyde was used for precolumn derivatization of the nonfluorescent drug. Optimal separation and detection were obtained with an electrophoretic buffer of 50 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) containing 15 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate and a He‐Cd laser (Δ_ex: 442 nm, Δ_em: 500 nm). Linearity (r ≥ 0.99) of two orders of magnitude was generally obtained and the concentration limit of detection was in the ng/mL level. Coupled with a simple cleanup procedure, the method can be applied to the analysis of phenylpropanolamine in human plasma, with a limit of detection at 15 ng/mL. Recovery of phenylpropanolamine from plasma samples was about 90%.     

Capillary Zone Electrophoresis of Eleven Priority Phenols with Amperometric Detection

A scheme for separation and detection of eleven priority phenols using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with amperometric detection is described. With a capillary of I.D. 50 μm and length 62.5 cm at 9 kV and an electrophoretic buffer of 20 mM CHES (pH 10.1), complete separation of the eleven compounds was achieved in less than 17 min. Amperometric detection was carried out using a carbon fiber microelectrode of diameter 9 μm inserted into the end of the detection capillary. Linearity over two orders of magnitude was generally obtained for the eleven priority phenols. With an electrode potential+1.10 V (vs. Ag/AgCl reference), the concentration limits of detection were in the sub-ppm (10^?6 M) level. This method was successfully applied to analysis of priority phenols in industrial waste water.     

Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds

The Raman (50 to 3200 cm^–1) and infrared (50 to 3500 cm^–1) spectra of chlorodimethylmethoxysilane, Cl(CH₃)₂SiOCH₃, in the vapor and solid phases have been recorded. Raman spectra of the liquid including depolarization ratios have also been recorded. Optimized geometries and conformational stabilities have been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing the RHF/3–21G* and RHF/6–31G* basis sets. The calculations from both of these basis sets indicated the gauche conformer to be significantly more stable than the trans conformer. Since the gauche has twice the multiplicity of the trans form it is unlikely that the trans conformer will be detected in the fluid phases at room temperature. This is supported by the fact that no infrared or Raman bands were found to vanish in the spectra of the crystalline solid. The vibrational frequencies have been calculated using appropriate scaling factors, and the vibrational spectra are interpreted in detail. The results have been compared with those obtained for some related molecules.Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Kriegsmann on the occasion of his 70th birthdayFor part XX, see J Raman Spectrosc 26:in press (1995)Analytical R/D Department, Organic Products Division, Miles Inc., Bushy Park Plant. Charleston, SC 9411, USAChemistry Department, Mu'tah University, P.O.Box 7, Mu'tah-Karak, JordanDepartment of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, B-234, RussiaDepartment of Ceramic Engineering, Inha University, Nam-Ku, Incheon 160, KoreaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O.Box 1033, 0315 Oslo, Norway