Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Ethanol Extract of Prasiola japonica,an Edible Freshwater Green Algae,and Its Various Solvent Fractions in LPS-Induced Macrophages and Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema via the AP-1 Pathway

Prasiola japonica possesses several biological activities. However, reports on the anti-inflammatory activities and molecular mechanisms of its different solvent fractions remain limited. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-inflammatory activities of P. japonica ethanol extract (Pj-EE) and four solvent fractions of Pj-EE made with hexane (Pj-EE-HF), chloroform (Pj-EE-CF), butanol (Pj-EE-BF), or water (Pj-EE-WF) in both in vitro (LPS-induced macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells) and in vivo (carrageenan-induced acute paw edema mouse models) experiments. The most active solvent fraction was selected for further analysis. Various in vitro and in vivo assessments, including nitric oxide (NO), cytokines, luciferase assays, real-time polymerase chain reactions, and immunoblotting analyses were performed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms. In addition, the phytochemical constituents were characterized by Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In in vitro studies, the highest inhibition of NO production was observed in Pj-EE-CF. Further examination revealed that Pj-EE-CF decreased the expression of inflammation-related cytokines in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and suppressed subsequent AP-1-luciferase activity by inhibition of phosphorylation events in the AP-1 signaling pathway. Pj-EE-CF treatment also demonstrated the strongest reduction in thickness and volume of carrageenan-induced paw edema, while Pj-EE-BF showed the lowest activity. Furthermore, Pj-EE-CF also reduced gene expression and cytokines production in tissue lysates of carrageenan-induced paw edema. These findings support and validate the evidence that Pj-EE, and especially Pj-EE-CF, could be a good natural source for an anti-inflammatory agent that targets the AP1 pathway.     

Polyphenolics with Strong Antioxidant Activity from Acacia nilotica Ameliorate Some Biochemical Signs of Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Mice

Neurotoxicity is a serious health problem of patients chronically exposed to arsenic. There is no specific treatment of this problem. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathological process of neurotoxicity. Polyphenolics have proven antioxidant activity, thereby offering protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we have isolated the polyphenolics from Acacia nilotica and investigated its effect against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Acacia nilotica polyphenolics prepared from column chromatography of the crude methanol extract using diaion resin contained a phenolic content of 452.185 ± 7.879 mg gallic acid equivalent/gm of sample and flavonoid content of 200.075 ± 0.755 mg catechin equivalent/gm of sample. The polyphenolics exhibited potent antioxidant activity with respect to free radical scavenging ability, total antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Administration of arsenic in mice showed a reduction of acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain which was counteracted by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Similarly, elevation of lipid peroxidation and depletion of glutathione in the brain of mice was effectively restored to normal level by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Gallic acid methyl ester, catechin and catechin-7-gallate were identified in the polyphenolics as the major active compounds. These results suggest that Acacia nilotica polyphenolics due to its strong antioxidant potential might be effective in the management of arsenic induced neurotoxicity.     

Determination of Cadmium and Selenium in Food Samples by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry using Ni + Pt Modifier Mixture

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - Determination of cadmium and selenium in food samples mostly consumed in Turkey has been performed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Ni + Pt...     

Determination of DNA Hypermethylation Using Anti‐cancer Drug‐Temozolomide

An electrochemical drug‐DNA biosensor was developed for the detection of interaction between the anti‐cancer drug, Temozolomide (TMZ), and DNA sequences by using Differential Pulse Voltammetry at the graphite electrode surfaces. TMZ is a pro‐drug and an alkylating agent that crosses the blood‐brain barrier, so it is mainly used for brain cancers treatment. In this study, we aim to develop a‐proof‐of‐concept study to investigate the effect of TMZ on formerly methylated DNA sequences since TMZ shows its anti‐cancer activity by methylating the DNA. Interaction between TMZ and DNA causes localized distortion of DNA away from an idealized B‐form, resulting in a wider major groove and greater steric accessibility of functional groups in the base of the groove. According to the results, TMZ behaves as a ‘hybridization indicator’ because of its different electrochemical behavior to different strands of DNA. After interaction with TMZ, hybrid (double stranded DNA‐dsDNA) signals decreased dramatically whereas probe (single stranded DNA‐ssDNA) and control signals remain almost unchanged. The signal differences enabled us to distinguish ssDNA and dsDNA without using a label or tag. It is the first study to demonstrate the interaction between the TMZ and dsDNA created from probe and target. We use specific oligonucleotides sequences instead of using long dsDNA sequences.     

Pyrolysis of polyphenylenes with PCL or/and PSt side chains

Thermal degradation characteristic of polyphenylenes is an important issue for developing a rational technology of polymer processing and applications. In this study, we discussed thermal degradation of polyphenylenes (PP) with poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) and/or PCL/polystyrene copolymers (PSt) prepared by combined controlled polymerization and cross-coupling processes via direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry. When PP-graft-PCL/PSt copolymers were considered, thermally less stabile PCL side chains decomposed in the first step. In the second stage of pyrolysis, the decomposition of the polystyrene chains has taken place. A slight increase in thermal stability of PCL chains for PP-graft-PCL/PSt copolymers was noted compared to copolymer PP-graft-PCL due to the interaction between PSt and PCL chains. This interaction was stronger when PSt chains were linked to the 2-position of the 1,4-phenylene ring.     

Synthesis of thienothiazocinoisoindolediones and thienothiazinoisoindolones from mercaptothiophenes and chloromethylphthalimide

2-Thienylthiomethylphthalimides 3a,b were synthesized by action of Chloromethylphthalimide on 2-or 3-mercaptothiophene. Reduction of 3a,b and Wittig reaction using carbethoxycarbonyltriphenyl-phosphorane gave the corresponding acetic acids 5a,b which cyclized under Friedel and Crafts conditions to lead the thienothiazocinoisoindolediones 6a,b. Thienothiazinoisoindolones 7a,b were obtained from hydroxyisoindolones derivatives 4a,b in acid conditions via an acyliminium ion.     

Coupling of CFD Simulations and Population Balance Modeling to Predict Brownian Coagulation in an Emulsion Polymerization Reactor

In this study a framework consisting of a computational fluid dynamics simulation coupled to a population balance model for the modeling of emulsion polymerizations is proposed. The combined approach is used to understand the impact of changing length and time scales, as well as mixing conditions on the particle size distribution (PSD) of a polymer latex under different conditions. It is shown that the effect of agitation rate can have a profound impact on the distribution of ionic species in the reactor, and thus on the evolution of the PSD.

     

A review on potential development of flame retardant kenaf fibers reinforced polymer composites

Kenaf fibers have been extensively explored from the past few decades in polymer composites industries owing to its extensive adaptations, excellent properties together with its comparable mechanical properties to traditional glass fibers polymer composites. The combustibility or lowered flame retardancy hampered the diverse applications of kenaf fibers reinforced polymer composites, as it affects the mechanical strength and stiffness of composites during fire. Current review article intended to be a comprehensive source of published literature involving the flame retardants (FRs), types and applications of FRs and the fabrication of kenaf fibers reinforced polymer composites. This article will also provide a perfect data on the recent development of the FR kenaf fibers polymer composites with different FRs and explored its structural and semi‐structural industrial application for performing further research in this topic. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A facile and green synthetic approach toward fabrication of starch-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles

A facile and green synthetic approach for fabrication of starch-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles was implemented at moderate temperature. This synthesis involved the use of iron salts, potato starch,sodium hydroxide and deionized water as iron precursors, stabilizer, reducing agent and solvent respectively. The nanoparticles(NPs) were characterized by UV-vis, PXRD, HR-TEM, FESEM, EDX, VSM and FT-IR spectroscopy. The ultrasonic assisted co-precipitation technique provides well formation of highly distributed starch/Fe_3O_4-NPs. Based on UV–vis analysis, the sample showed the characteristic of surface plasmon resonance in the presence of Fe_3O_4-NPs. The PXRD pattern depicted the characteristic of the cubic lattice structure of Fe_3O_4-NPs. HR-TEM analysis showed the good dispersion of NPs with a mean diameter and standard deviation of 10.68 4.207 nm. The d spacing measured from the lattice images were found to be around 0.30 nm and 0.52 nm attributed to the Fe3O4 and starch, respectively. FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of spherical starch/Fe_3O_4-NPs with the emission of elements of C, O and Fe by EDX analysis. The magnetic properties illustrated by VSM analysis indicated that the as synthesized sample has a saturation magnetization and coercivity of 5.30 emu/g and 22.898 G respectively.Additionally, the FTIR analysis confirmed the binding of starch with Fe_3O_4-NPs. This method was cost effective, facile and eco-friendly alternative for preparation of NPs.