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.     

A general strategy for the assignment of aliphatic side-chain resonances of uniformly 13C,15N-labeled large proteins

A general strategy is proposed to assign aliphatic side-chain resonances of large 13C,15N-labeled proteins without deuteration, using 4D 13C,15N-edited NOESY and MQ-(H)CCH-TOCSY experiments on the basis of prior assignments of backbone and 13Cbeta resonances. The strategy has been tested on a 214 residue protein (DdCAD-1) and applied to a chain-selectively 13C,15N-labeled hemoglobin (65 kDa). About 96 and 80% aliphatic side-chain spins in DdCAD-1 and hemoglobin have been assigned, respectively. The strategy proposed here will be very useful for the structure determination and dynamics characterization of large proteins by NMR.     

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.     

CuO／活性炭和Fe2O3／活性炭催化还原NO

ＣｕＯ／活性炭和Ｆｅ_２Ｏ_３／活性炭催化还原ＮＯ高志明，赵震，杨向光，吴越（中国科学院长春应用化学研究所长春１３００２２）关键词活性炭，还原，ＮＯ，氧化铜，氧化铁目前，对固定源的ＮＯ处理是采用Ｖ２Ｏ５／ＴｉＯ２作催化剂，ＮＨ３作还原剂的选择催化还原方...     

Study of the interaction of Zn^2＋ with Aβ（10-21） by fluorescamine assay

Zinc may play a role as a co-factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD)through influencing the conformation and neurotoxicity of amyloidβ-protein(Aβ).Using the fluorescamine assay,we show for the first time that Zn~(2 )induced Aβ(10-21) aggregate in a concentration-dependent manner.These results indicate that Aβ(10-21)can be used as an in vitro model in Zn~(2 )- induced Aβaggregation and that the region 10-21 to be the minimal fragment of zinc-binding domain of full length Aβ(1-42).     

Studies on the Distribution of Phenoxyacetic Acid in Two-Phase Systems: <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Aliphatic Hydrocarbon – Water

Summary. Phenoxyacetic acid distribution in two-phase systems n-aliphatic hydrocarbon (C₅–C₈) – water and its dimerization in organic phase were investigated. The values of distribution coefficient (D _HR), distribution constant (K _D), and dimerization constant (K _dim) of acid were obtained. The empirical correlations of these quantities with Hildebrand solubility parameter of organic solvents were established. The influence of pH of the aqueous phase as well as the polarity of the applied organic solvents on phenoxyacetic acid physical chemistry in the two-phase systems was described.     

Synthesis of non-agglomerated Ba<Subscript>0.77</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.23</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders by a modified polymeric precursor method

In this work, we have studied the influence of the pH on the synthesis and structural properties of the Ba_0.77Ca_0.23TiO₃ nanopowders synthesized by a modified polymeric precursor method, in order to achieve non-agglomerated powders. Synthesis, morphology, thermal reactions, crystallite and average particle size of the synthesized powders were investigated through thermal analysis (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Infrared spectroscopy. In summary, Ba_0.77Ca_0.23TiO₃ nanopowders were synthesized for the first time at a relative low temperature (500 °C). It was also found that the alkalinity and acidity of the solution presented a great influence on the powder properties. The best results were obtained from solutions with pH = 8.5 and 11 whose nanopowders presented weakly agglomerate, with homogeneous particle size and a narrow size distribution (30–40 nm). This behavior could be explained based on the FT-IR results in which it was possible to see the increased of the chelation in higher pHs.     

Synthesis and characterization of hybrid borosiloxane gels as precursors for Si–B–O–C fibers

The sol–gel method has been used for the synthesis of borosilicate gels from mixtures of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES) and boric acid. The use of boric acid, B(OH)₃ allows the hydrolysis and condensation of hybrid silicon alkoxides without further addition of water or catalyst. The use of difunctional silicon units, –(CH₃)₂SiO– promote the formation, during the sol–gel process, of linear oligomers which facilitate fiber drawing before gelation. Gel characterization performed by FT-IR, XRD, TG-DTA and DCS analysis indicates the formation of a mixed network with incorporation of the boron units via =B-O-Si≡ bridges. The formation of borosiloxane bonds seems favored by the presence of DMDES. SiBOC glasses were obtained after pyrolysis of the borosilicate gels in argon atmosphere at 1000 °C. TG-DTA study indicates that the ceramic yield decreases by increasing the amount of DMDES. Gel fibers were successfully prepared from convenient partially-aged solutions by hand drawing. Pyrolysis of the obtained gel fibers under argon atmosphere at 1000 °C open the possibility to produce SiBOC homogeneous glass fibers with diameter as low as 10 μm.     

Synthesis and characterization of Mn-, La-Mn- and La-Ca-Mn-citrates as precursors for LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and La<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>x</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Mn-, LaMn- and LaCaMn-citrates were synthesized at 60–120°C in ethylene glycol medium using chlorides or nitrates as metal sources. Their composition, IR spectra and thermal decomposition were studied. Equimolar La/Mn ratio has been established in the complex, prepared from chloride solution with the same initial composition of the metals. In the isolated three-metallic complex the molar ratio of the metals deviates from the composition in the initial solution. The final products of the heating of Mn- and mixed-metal LaMn-citrates at 1000°C are phase-homogeneous Mn₃O₄ (hausmannite) and LaMnO₃ respectively. Parasitic phase(s) are observed in La_xCa_1−xMn_yO₃, produced from LaCaMn-citrate.     

Cyanide attack at low-spin iron(II)–diimine complexes: the structure of a cyanide-containing derivative of a leaving ligand

The isolation and structural characterisation of the product of addition of HCN to the Schiff base derived from phenyl 2-pyridyl ketone and 3,4-dimethylaniline (Me2bsb) provides evidence in favour of a mechanism involving nucleophilic attack at the coordinated ligand for reaction of the complex [Fe(Me₂bsb)₃]²⁺ with cyanide.