Revisiting Therapeutic Strategies for H. pylori Treatment in the Context of Antibiotic Resistance: Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection remains significant worldwide and it depends on many factors: gender, age, socio-economic status, geographic area, diet, and lifestyle. All successful infectious diseases treatments use antibiotic-susceptibility testing, but this strategy is not currently practical for H. pylori and the usual cure rates of H. pylori are lower than other bacterial infections. Actually, there is no treatment that ensures complete eradication of this pathogen. In the context of an alarming increase in resistance to antibiotics (especially to clarithromycin and metronidazole), alternative and complementary options and strategies are taken into consideration. As the success of antibacterial therapy depends not only on the susceptibility to given drugs, but also on the specific doses, formulations, use of adjuvants, treatment duration, and reinfection rates, this review discusses the current therapies for H. pylori treatment along with their advantages and limitations. As an alternative option, this work offers an extensively referenced approach on natural medicines against H. pylori, including the significance of nanotechnology in developing new strategies for treatment of H. pylori infection.     

Natural Dietary Compound Xanthohumol Regulates the Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolic Profile in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Discovering new and effective drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major clinical challenge. This study focuses on chemical modulation of the gut microbiome in an established murine AD model. We used the 16S rDNA sequencing technique to investigate the effect of xanthohumol (Xn) on the diversity of intestinal microflora in 2-month- and 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice, respectively. APP/PS1 and wild-type mice were treated by gavage with corn oil with or without Xn every other day for 90 days. Prior to and following treatment, animals were tested for spatial learning, cognitive and memory function. We found Xn reduced cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice and significantly regulated the composition and abundance of gut microbiota both in prevention experiments (with younger mice) and therapeutic experiments (with older mice). Differential microflora Gammaproteobacteria were significantly enriched in APP/PS1 mice treated with Xn. Nodosilineaceae and Rikenellaceae may be the specific microflora modulated by Xn. The penicillin and cephalosporin biosynthesis pathway and the atrazine degradation pathway may be the principal modulation pathways. Taken together, oral treatment with Xn may have a neuroprotective role by regulating the composition of intestinal microflora, a result that contributes to the scientific basis for a novel prophylactic and therapeutic approach to AD.     

The Effect of Dia2 Protein Deficiency on the Cell Cycle,Cell Size,and Recruitment of Ctf4 Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cells have evolved elaborate mechanisms to regulate DNA replication machinery and cell cycles in response to DNA damage and replication stress in order to prevent genomic instability and cancer. The E3 ubiquitin ligase SCF^Dia2 in S. cerevisiae is involved in the DNA replication and DNA damage stress response, but its effect on cell growth is still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the absence of Dia2 prolongs the cell cycle by extending both S- and G2/M-phases while, at the same time, activating the S-phase checkpoint. In these conditions, Ctf4—an essential DNA replication protein and substrate of Dia2—prolongs its binding to the chromatin during the extended S- and G2/M-phases. Notably, the prolonged cell cycle when Dia2 is absent is accompanied by a marked increase in cell size. We found that while both DNA replication inhibition and an absence of Dia2 exerts effects on cell cycle duration and cell size, Dia2 deficiency leads to a much more profound increase in cell size and a substantially lesser effect on cell cycle duration compared to DNA replication inhibition. Our results suggest that the increased cell size in dia2∆ involves a complex mechanism in which the prolonged cell cycle is one of the driving forces.     

Alternative methods of modifying the calixarene conformation. The synthesis and molecular structures oft-butylcalix[4]arene methyl ether complexed with aluminum alkyl species

The configurations of calix[4]arenes may be modified by the formation of donor-acceptor complexes which make use of the basicity of the oxygen atoms of the macrocycle. The complex [t-butylcalix[4]arene methyl ether][AlMe₃]₂,2, exhibits the previously unseen 1,2-alternate geometry, while [t-butylcalix[4]arene methyl ether][MeAlCl₂]₂,3, and [t-butylcalix[4]arene methyl ether][EtAlCl₂]₂,4, show the 1,3-alternate configuration.2 crystallizes in the triclinic space groupPl witha=11.14(1),b=11.60(1),c=12.02(1) Å, =77.32(8), =67.91(8), and =69.34(8)^o withD _c =1.06 g cm^–3 forZ=1. Refinement based on 1270 observed reflections led toR=0.106.3 as the benzene solvate belongs to the monoclinic space groupC2/c witha=12.116(2),b=21.557(7),c=23.470(6) Å, and =104.05(2)^o withD _c =1.13 g cm^–3 forZ=4. Refinement based on 2335 observed reflections led toR=0.075.4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupC2/c witha=12.062(4),b=21.175(6),c=21.596(5) Å, and =100.78(4)^o withD _c =1.18 g cm^–3 forZ=4. Refinement based on 2529 observed reflections gaveR=0.082. The Al-O lengths in all three complexes are normal for donor-acceptor interactions. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82053 (45 pages).     

A SERS Optophysiological Probe for the Real‐Time Mapping and Simultaneous Determination of the Carbonate Concentration and pH Value in a Live Mouse Brain

To have a profound understanding of the physiological and pathological processes in a brain, both chemical and electrical signals need to be recorded, but this is still very challenging. Herein, micrometer‐ to nanometer‐sized SERS optophysiological probes were created to determine both the CO₃^2? concentration and the pH in live brains and neurons because both species play important roles in regulating the acid–base balance in the brain. A ratiometric SERS microarray of eight microprobes with tip sizes of 5 μm was established and used for the first time for real‐time mapping and simultaneous quantification of CO₃^2? and pH in a live brain. We found that both the CO₃^2? concentration and the pH value dramatically decreased under ischemic conditions. The present SERS technique can be combined with electrophysiology without cross‐talk to record both electrical and chemical signals in brains. To deepen our understanding of the mechanism of ischemia on the single‐cell level, a SERS nanoprobe with a tip size of 200 nm was developed for use in a single neuron.     

中波紫外线与化学致癌物诱导下HaCaT细胞的蛋白表达应答

对角质形成细胞HaCaT分别进行中波紫外线(UVB)照射、2,4-二硝基苯磺酸(DNBS)刺激及UVB+DNBS(UD)共同刺激, 利用二维荧光差异胶内凝胶电泳(2D DIGE)、DeCyder定量分析软件和HPLC-nESI-MS/MS分析技术, 对HaCaT细胞产生的差异表达蛋白进行了鉴定. 有65个蛋白质点发生了明显表达差异(P<0.05), 与UVB或DNBS单独处理细胞相比, 有41个蛋白点表现为UVB和DNBS的正协同效应, 13个蛋白点表现为负协同效应, 5个蛋白点与UVB单独处理相近, 6个蛋白点与DNBS单独处理相近. HPLC-nESI-MS/MS从65个差异表达蛋白质点中共鉴定出60种单一(Unique)蛋白. 采用生物信息学方法对这些鉴定蛋白所涉及的分子功能、参与的生物学过程及信号通路进行了系统分析. 实验得到了与紫外辐射和化学诱导损伤的直接相关蛋白, 有助于研究不同环境条件下皮肤癌的形成及皮肤疾病的有效防护与治疗.     

The mechanism and pathway of the ozonation of 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solution

Chlorophenols (CPs) have been widely used in dif- ferent formulations as preservatives, herbicides, insec- ticides, bactericides and solvents. Parts of chlorophe- nols were released to the natural environment during the usage. As a result, many water sources were con- taminated with CPs[1,2]. Furthermore, they also can be formed during the disinfection of phenol containing water by chlorination. Several CPs are recognized as the priority pollutants by the United States EPA (En- vironmenta…     

镓与锗或硒联用对小鼠S180肉瘤及骨中镓,磷,钙含量的影响

以Ｓ１８０肉瘤细胞移植于昆明小鼠前肢腋窝皮下，随机分为阴性对照组（水组）、镓组、镓锗组及镓硒组。每日胃饲一次，２周后，取出肿瘤称重并设正常对照组，并摘取前肢骨骼，则骨中镓、磷、钙含量、结果提示骨饲人药组、三组瘤重显著低于水组，抑制率分别为６４．４％，５２．６％及５４．９％，骨中镓含量，给药组皆大于正常组及水组，口服镓盐皆能进入骨质。镓锗组骨镓含量低于镓组，可能锗拮抗了镓进入骨，而镓硒组骨镓含量则高     

The Effect of Precipitation pH on Protein Recovery Yield and Emulsifying Properties in the Extraction of Protein from Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Press Cake

Rapeseed is the second most cultivated oilseed after soybean and is mainly used to produce vegetable oil. The by-product rapeseed press cake is rich in high-quality proteins, thus having the possibility of becoming a new plant protein food source. This study aimed to investigate how the precipitation pH affects the protein yield, protein content, and emulsifying properties when industrially cold-pressed rapeseed press cake is used as the starting material. Proteins were extracted under alkaline conditions (pH 10.5) with an extraction coefficient of 52 ± 2% followed by precipitation at various pH (3.0–6.5). The most preferred condition in terms of process efficiency was pH 4.0, which is reflected in the zeta potential results, where the proteins’ net charge was 0 at pH 4.2. pH 4.0 also exhibited the highest protein recovery yield (33 ± 0%) and the highest protein concentration (64 ± 1%, dry basis). Proteins precipitated at pH 6.0–6.5 stabilized emulsions with the smallest initial droplet size, although emulsions stabilized by rapeseed protein precipitated at pH 5.0–6.0 showed the highest emulsion stability at 37 °C for 21 days, with a limited layer of free oil. Overall, emulsion stabilized by protein precipitated at pH 5.0 was the most stable formulation, with no layer of free oil after 21 days of incubation.     

The role of the alien proton acceptor on the formation of LC structure in H-bonded monomeric and polymeric derivatives of alkoxybenzoic acids

The formation of the complex between 4-cyanopyridine and 4-(6-acryloyloxy-hexyloxy) benzoic acid and its polymeric analog proceeds due to the proton transfer with the H-bond formation. The presence of two proton acceptor groups within one molecule provides a strong shift of the electron density along the complex molecule due to the conjugation within the proton acceptor molecule. The dielectric relaxation process in a symmetric associate experimentally observed is explained as a kinetic effect related to the formation and destruction of the associate.

Transition from a monomer to a polymer proton donor leads to the formation of the characteristic 1:1 complex with SmC layered structure different from that of a polymer itself.     

光散射技术在蛋白质晶体生长研究中的应用和进展

光散射技术广泛应用于生物大分子的晶体生长研究中,它包括静态光散射和动态光散射两种。利用静态光散射可以测定蛋白质溶液渗透的第二维里系数;利用动态光散射可以测定蛋白质溶液的平动扩散系数,获得溶液中蛋白质粒子的流体力学半径及分布情况,分离蛋白质结晶的成核与生长过程,研究大分子的聚集行为和晶体生长的动力学。借助光散射技术可以实现蛋白质晶体生长过程的动态控制。近些年光散射仪器向着小型化、轻便化的方向发展,光散射技术不断得到改进,日益完善,不仅用于地面实验,也应用于空间领域蛋白质晶体生长的研究中。     

MALDI MSI Reveals the Spatial Distribution of Protein Markers in Tracheobronchial Lymph Nodes and Lung of Pigs after Respiratory Infection

Respiratory infections are a real threat for humans, and therefore the pig model is of interest for studies. As one of a case for studies, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) caused infections and still worries many pig breeders around the world. To better understand the influence of pathogenic effect of APP on a respiratory system—lungs and tracheobronchial lymph nodes (TBLN), we aimed to employ matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-TOF MSI). In this study, six pigs were intranasally infected by APP and two were used as non-infected control, and 48 cryosections have been obtained. MALDI-TOF MSI and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to study spatial distribution of infectious markers, especially interleukins, in cryosections of porcine tissues of lungs (necrotic area, marginal zone) and tracheobronchial lymph nodes (TBLN) from pigs infected by APP. CD163, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and a protegrin-4 precursor were successfully detected based on their tryptic fragments. CD163 and IL-1β were confirmed also by IHC. The protegrin-4 precursor was identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF directly on the tissue cryosections. CD163, IL-1β and protegrin-4 precursor were all significantly (p < 0.001) more expressed in necrotic areas of lungs infected by APP than in marginal zone, TBLN and in control lungs.     

灿烂甲酚蓝与表面活性剂的作用及其在蛋白质测定中的应用

对阳离子染料灿烂甲酚蓝 (BCB)在阴离子表面活性剂存在时的溶液的吸收光谱进行了研究。同时还研究了BCB在阴离子表面活性剂作用下形成的现场二聚体的荧光性能 ,并用其现场二聚体作为探针 ,首次用于蛋白质的测定 ,结果令人满意。用于牛血清白蛋白的测定 ,线性范围为 0～ 7mg/L ,检测限为 3.6 6× 10 -3mg/L。     

The N‐Arylamino Conjugation Effect in the Photochemistry of Fluorescent Protein Chromophores and Aminostilbenes

To understand the nonradiative decay mechanism of fluorescent protein chromophores in solutions, a systematic comparison of a series of (Z)‐4‐(N‐arylamino)benzylidene‐2,3‐imidazolinones (ABDIs: 2P , 2PP , 2OM , and 2OMB ) and the corresponding trans‐4‐(N‐arylamino)‐4′‐cyanostilbenes (ACSs: 1P , 1PP , 1OM , and 1OMB ) was performed. We have previously shown that the parameter Φ_f+2 Φ_tc, in which Φ_f and Φ_tc are the quantum yields of fluorescence and trans→cis photoisomerization, respectively, is an effective probe for evaluating the contribution of twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) states in the excited decays of trans‐aminostilbenes, including the push–pull ACSs. One of the criteria for postulating the presence of a TICT state is Φ_f+2 Φ_tc?1.0, because its formation is decoupled with the C?C bond (τ) torsion pathway and its decay is generally nonradiative. Our results show that the same concept also applies to ABDIs 2 with the parameter Φ_f+2 Φ_ZE in which Φ_ZE is the quantum yield of Z→E photoisomerization. We conclude that the τ torsion rather than the C? C bond (φ) torsion is responsible for the nonradiative decays of ABDIs 2 in aprotic solvents (hexane, THF, acetonitrile). The phenyl‐arylamino C? N bond (ω) torsion that leads to a nonradiative TICT state is important only for 2OM in THF and acetonitrile. If the solvent is protic (methanol and 10–20 % H₂O in THF), a new nonradiative decay channel is present for ABDIs 2 , but not for ACSs 1 . It is attributed to internal conversion (IC) induced by solvent (donor)–solute (acceptor) hydrogen‐bonding (HB) interactions. The possible HB modes and the concept of τ torsion‐coupled proton transfer are also discussed.     

The Use of Differential Pulse and D.C. Polarography in the Analysis of Solutions Containing Surfactants

Abstract

Peak currents in differential pulse polarography (DPP) are often used for quantitative analysis. In the presence of surfactants, peak currents depend not only on the concentration of the electroactive species, but also on that of the surfactant. In the presence of surfactants of biological origin, limiting currents obtained by d.c. polarography are often less sensitive to the effects of surfactants and are more suitable for quantitative analysis than DPP peak currents. Effects of surfactants on DPP curves were demonstrated for 4-nitrobenzoic acid in the presence of oligomers resulting from washing lignin preparations with water. In the study of adsorption of nitro compounds on lignin, d.c. polarographic curves yielded reliable adsorption isotherms whereas DPP peak currents indicated erroneously much stronger adsorption of nitro compounds on lignin.     

稀土化合物化学键的共价性与4f轨道在其成键中的作用

稀土化学键的共价性和４ｆ 轨道在成键中的作用是化学界长期争论的问题之一。近年来的理论和实验研究结果表明,４ｆ 轨道参与了稀土化合物化学键的形成,稀土化学键具有相当大程度的共价性。４ｆ 轨道的参与比例和稀土化学键共价性成分的定量确定还需做大量的工作。     

Stereochemistry of the Reactions of Cyclic Ketones with Lithium Aluminum Hydride and Methyllithium. IV. The Stereochemistry of the Reactions in 2,2-Dimethyl-4-t-Butylcyclohexanone Systems

Previous publication showed that the stereochemistry of lithium aluminum hydride reduction of cyclic ketones can be evaluated by the use of an empirical equation, . This paper reports further test of this relationship in the new system of 2,2-dimethyl-4-t-butyl-cyclohexanone. Lithium aluminum hydride reduction of this ketone yields 95.6% trans-alcohol (lit., 95.9%) corresponding to D?(D?G*)_H of 1.67 Kcal/mol. With methyllithium, the ketone formed 77.5% of trans-alcohol (D?(D?G*)_D?fs = 0.67 Kcal/mol). These data give a calculated D?G* = 0.74 Kcal/mol which agrees well with the literature value of 0.87 or 0.28 Kcal/mol. Structural assignments of 2,2-dimethyl-4-t-butylyclohexanone, 1,2,2-trimethyl-cis- and trans-4-t-butylcyclohexanols by pmr spectroscopic method are also given.