The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of a γ-Lactone Isolated from Ostrich Oil of Struthio camelus (Ratite) and Its Formulated Nano-Emulsion in Formalin-Induced Paw Edema

The ostrich oil of Struthio camelus (Ratite) found uses in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory in eczema and contact dermatitis. The anti-inflammatory effect of a γ-lactone (5-hexyl-3H-furan-2-one) isolated from ostrich oil and its formulated nano-emulsion in formalin-induced paw edema was investigated in this study. Ostrich oil was saponified using a standard procedure; the aqueous residue was fractionated, purified, and characterized as γ-lactone (5-hexyl-3H-furan-2-one) through the interpretation of IR, NMR, and MS analyses. The γ-lactone was formulated as nano-emulsion using methylcellulose (MC) for oral solubilized form. The γ-lactone methylcellulose nanoparticles (γ-lactone-MC-NPs) were characterized for their size, shape, and encapsulation efficiency with a uniform size of 300 nm and 59.9% drug content. The γ-lactone was applied topically, while the formulated nanoparticles (NPs) were administered orally to rats. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac gel) was used as a reference drug for topical use and ibuprofen suspension for oral administration. Edema was measured using the plethysmograph method. Both γ-lactone and γ-lactone-MC-NPs showed reduction of formalin-induced paw edema in rats and proved to be better than the reference drugs; diclofenac gel and ibuprofen emulsion. Histological examination of the skin tissue revealed increased skin thickness with subepidermal edema and mixed inflammatory cellular infiltration, which were significantly reduced by the γ-lactone compared to the positive control (p-value = 0.00013). Diuretic and toxicity studies of oral γ-lactone-MC-NPs were performed. No diuretic activity was observed. However, lethargy, drowsiness, and refusal to feeding observed may limit its oral administration.     

羧甲基纤维素钠水凝胶的制备及其生物降解性研究

用羧甲基纤维素钠(CMC—Na)制得了含水量高达98％的水凝胶，考察了防腐剂、交联剂、无机态氮素、有机态氮素、碳水化合物的加入量以及环境中pH值等因素对生物降解性的影响。结果表明：制备条件不同，水凝胶的生物降解性不同；环境中一定量铵根离子的存在有利于水凝胶的生物降解；在pH=5．2的环境中纤维素酶活性最高，降解程度最大。     

Fungicidal and spectral studies of some triphenyltin compounds

In the interest of developing a more effective fungicide to combat Dutch elm disease, our laboratories have synthesized several triphenyltin carboxylates and some 1:1 addition compounds of triphenyltin chloride using 2,3-disubstituted thiazolidin-4-ones as the ligand and screened them in vitro against Ceratocystis ulmi, the causative agent of Dutch elm disease, using a shake culture method. Elemental analyses and spectroscopic data indicate that the structures of the carboxy- lates in the solid state are monomeric with a tetrahedral tin atom with the exception of the furan-2-carboxylic acid derivative, which was found to be polymeric. The triphenyltin chloride adducts are trigonal-bipyramidal with the three phenyl groups in the equatorial plane. Far-infrared data indicate that the three phenyl groups are not co-planar. Screening results for both series of organotins indicate that these two classes of compounds are effective inhibitors of Ceratocystis ulmi, with the adducts having a higher activity. The furan-2-carboxylic acid derivative has a markedly decreased activity compared with the other carboxylates and this is attributed to its polymeric structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intramolecular reductive nitrosylation: reaction of nitric oxide and a copper(II) complex of a cyclam derivative with pendant luminescent chromophores

The base-catalyzed reaction of nitric oxide with the Cu(II) complex Cu(DAC)2+ (DAC = 1,8-bis(9-anthracyl-methyl)-(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)) leads to reduction of the metal center and the unexpected intramolecular nitrosylation of a secondary amine.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of new chromium(III) complexes of N-derivatized 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane ligands cis-[Cr(1,8-R(2)cyclam)Cl(2)]Cl,where R is a pendant chromophore. exclusive formation of the cis isomer

Several new chromium(III) complexes have been synthesized utilizing derivatives of the macrocyclic ligand cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) with various N-substituted chromophores in the 1 and 8 positions (1,8-R(2)cyclam) where R = CH(3), CH(2)Ph, CH(2)Nph (Nph = naphthyl), and CH(2)Anth (Anth = anthracyl). X-ray crystal structures were determined for all four complexes, and these are formed exclusively in the cis configuration with the two tertiary amines in the "hinge" positions (i.e., along the folding axis) of the coordinated ligand. As a result, the cis isomers appear to be inert to isomerization under conditions dramatically more forcing than needed to effect the cis to trans isomerization of the unsubstituted Cr(cyclam)Cl(2)(+) ion. Photophysical studies demonstrated that emission occurs solely from the metal-centered ligand field doublet excited states regardless of whether initial excitation is into the quartet ligand field bands or into the pi-pi bands of the pendant chromophore. Thus, excitation of the pendant chromophore results in efficient intramolecular energy transfer to the metal centered ligand field excited states.     

Customizable Lipid Nanoparticle Materials for the Delivery of siRNAs and mRNAs

RNAs are a promising class of therapeutics given their ability to regulate protein concentrations at the cellular level. Developing safe and effective strategies to deliver RNAs remains important for realizing their full clinical potential. Here, we develop lipid nanoparticle formulations that can deliver short interfering RNAs (for gene silencing) or messenger RNAs (for gene upregulation). Specifically, we study how the tail length, tail geometry, and linker spacing in diketopiperazine lipid materials influences LNP potency with siRNAs and mRNAs. Eight lipid materials are synthesized, and 16 total formulations are screened for activity in vitro; the lead material is evaluated with mRNA for in vivo use and demonstrates luciferase protein expression in the spleen. In undertaking this approach, not only do we develop synthetic routes to delivery materials, but we also reveal structural criteria that could be useful for developing next‐generation delivery materials for RNA therapeutics.     

A study of some parameters relevant to the response of harwell PMMA dosimeters to gamma and electron irradiation

The effects on the radiation response of Harwell polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dosimeters of dose-rate, radiation type, temperature during irradiation and post-irradiation storage, and post-irradiation stability, are of importance to the operators of commercial irradiation facilities.

This paper describes recent studies of the effects of some of these parameters on the radiation response of Harwell Red 4034, Amber 3042, and Gammachrome YR Perspex dosimeters, and provides data on batch to batch variation and shelf-life.     

Polymer–Lipid Nanoparticles for Systemic Delivery of mRNA to the Lungs

Therapeutic nucleic acids hold great promise for the treatment of disease but require vectors for safe and effective delivery. Synthetic nanoparticle vectors composed of poly(β‐amino esters) (PBAEs) and nucleic acids have previously demonstrated potential utility for local delivery applications. To expand this potential utility to include systemic delivery of mRNA, hybrid polymer–lipid nanoformulations for systemic delivery to the lungs were developed. Through coformulation of PBAEs with lipid–polyethylene glycol (PEG), mRNA formulations were developed with increased serum stability and increased in vitro potency. The formulations were capable of functional delivery of mRNA to the lungs after intravenous administration in mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the systemic administration of mRNA for delivery to the lungs using degradable polymer–lipid nanoparticles.