Vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell culture on NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films: a preliminary study for vascular graft development

Tissue engineering offers the potential of providing vessels that can be used to replace diseased and damaged native blood vessels. The endothelization of a synthetic vascular graft minimizes the failures associated with blood clotting and platelet activation. The aim of this study was to culture vascular-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells on both untreated and NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films, a biocompatible and bio-resorbable polymer, and to evaluate the behavior of both cell types as a preliminary study for vascular graft development. PCL films were prepared by hot pressing; characterized by DSC, IR, SEM, and scanning force microscopy; and treated with NaOH to increase the surface hydrophilicity before cell culture. Endothelial and smooth muscle cells, isolated from pig cava vein, were characterized by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Good adhesion, growth, viability and morphology of both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells on PCL films were obtained, but a light stimulation of mitochondrial activity was observed during short culture times. NaOH treatment improved the adhesion and enhanced the proliferation in both cell types. This verified the possible use of this modified polymer as a support in the preparation of a synthetic vascular graft. [Diagram: see text] SEM micrograph of smooth muscle cells cultured on NaOH-treated PCL film. (Original magnification: 1000x).     

N-茄呢基胺类糖酯化合物的合成及生理活性

在氢氧化钠和四丁基溴化铵存在下,将化合物2-N-茄呢基胺基苯甲酸(3)和N-茄呢基己二酰胺酸(6)分别与O-乙酰基溴代葡萄糖、O-乙酰基溴代半乳糖、O-乙酰基溴代乳糖和O-乙酰基溴代麦芽糖反应制得对应的糖酯4a～4d和7a～7d,由元素分析,IR,1H NMR和MS确证了8个新化合物的结构,并对其中6个化合物(4a,4d和7a～7d)在三种癌细胞模型上进行了一些初步体外生理活性的测试.     

血液中苯丙氨酸的测定方法研究进展

高效、简便、快速测定血液中苯丙氨酸含量在医学上尤其是对新生儿的苯丙酮尿症的筛查有着重要的意义；本文就血液中苯丙氨酸的测定方法研究进展进行了综述，内容包括：细菌抑制法、荧光法、高效液相色谱法、气相色谱—质谱联用、质谱—质谱联用、毛细管电泳、酶／比色法以及酶电极法等。     

微生物法分析天然抗氧化剂性能

建立了微生物抑菌活性纸片试验法，对葛根黄酮、诃子提取物、丹皮酚、竹叶黄酮等4种天然抗氧化剂的抗氧化性能进行了研究。竹叶黄酮、诃子、葛根具有较强的抗单线态氧能力，而丹皮酚抗单线态氧的能力较差。在不同的氧化还原微环境下，天然抗氧化剂可能表现出抗氧化能力，亦可能表现出促氧化能力，二者有着不同的反应机理。微生物抑菌活性纸片法可作为研究较复杂生物环境中抗氧化剂性能的一种简便方法。     

Genotoxic properties of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, a compound formed on irradiation of food containing fat

When food containing fat is treated by ionizing radiation, a group of 2-alkylcyclobutanones is formed. These components contain the same number of carbon atoms as their precursor fatty acids and the alkyl group is located in ring position 2. Thus, from palmitic acid 2-dodecylcyclobutanone is derived. To date, there is no evidence that the cyclobutanones occur in unirradiated food. Therefore, these components cannot be considered inherent to food, and for questions pertaining to risk assessment of irradiated food it would be advisable to determine the genotoxic and toxic potentials of cyclobutanones. Measurements of DNA damage in cells exposed to 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, employing the single cell microgel electrophoresis technique, have been carried out. In vitro experiments using rat and human colon cells indicate that 2-docylcyclobutanone in the concentration range of about 0.30 – 1.25 mg/ml induces DNA strand breaks in the cells. Simultaneously, a concentration related cytotoxic effect is observed as was determined by trypan blue exclusion. To which extent these in vitro findings are of relevancy for the in vivo human exposure situation needs to be investigated in further studies. In vivo tests in rats are in progress.     

Kinetic deoxyribose degradation assay and its application in assessing the antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds in a Fenton-type reaction system

Pro-oxidant properties of phenolic antioxidants, which are derived from their iron recycling reactivity, render the traditional deoxyribose degradation assay invalid to assess the hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity in Fenton-type reaction systems. In the present paper, we studied in detail the interactions between iron and phenolic compounds, and established a kinetic deoxyribose method by taking advantage of the distinct difference between the completion time of Fenton reaction and that of the iron-reducing process. With the newly established kinetic method, we investigated the effects of phenolics on hydroxyl radical formation in a Fenton-type system and determined successfully the second rate constants of hydroxyl radical-scavenging reactions. The site-specific and non-site-specific hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability suggested that both direct hydroxyl radical-scavenging potency and iron-chelating capacity accounted for their inhibitory effects on deoxyribose oxidation degradation. This method, more simple, time saving, and applicative than the traditional deoxyribose assay, produces as accurate results (RSD<0.05, with dynamic range from 7.5 to 575 μM) as typical methods, such as radiolysis technology, and may be of significance in evaluating and screen the hydroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidants.     

Development of ELISA and immunochromatographic assay for ofloxacin

Two rapid,sensitive and reliable immunoassay methods,namely competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(CI- ELISA)and colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic assay(CGIA),were developed to detect ofloxacin(OFL).The linear range of the CI-ELISAwas from 0.5 to 128 ng/mL with a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.35 ng/mL.Good recoveries were obtained in analyzing simulated swine urine samples.The CGIA could accurately estimate OFL at concentrations as low as 10 ng/mL in less than 10 min,and test results were read visually without any instrument.     

酶联免疫吸附分析法测定水样中的阿特拉津

应用阿特拉津半抗原衍生物共价交联于载体蛋白分子上，制成免疫抗原，经免疫得到高质量的兔抗阿特拉津抗血清。经条件优选，建立了测定阿特拉津的酶联吸附分析竞争法，测定性范围为０．０５－５．００μｇ／Ｌ，最低检出限仅为０．０１８－０．０２２μｇ／Ｌ，且精密度高，特异性强。     

A fluorimetric assay for cortisol

A simple, rapid and sensitive fluorimetric assay for the quantitative determination of cortisol is reported. The assay is based on the formation of a fluorescent dye when cortisol is incubated with a mixture of sulfuric acid and acetic acid. The fluorescence spectrum recorded for the resulting dye shows a maximum extinction at 475 nm and a maximum emission at 525 nm. The solvent 2-methyl-4-pentanone was used for extraction and was found to act as a fluorescence amplifier. A limit of detection of 2.7 μM was achieved, making it possible to forego solvent evaporation. The assay suffers minor interference from 11-deoxycortisol which exhibits low fluorescence at λ _ex: 460 nm; λ _em: 505 nm. Typical standard deviations were below 4%. We validated the assay using a biotransformation with recombinant Schizosaccharomyces pombe which regioselectively hydroxylates 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol. The method described herein is suitable for preliminary screening of microorganisms capable of steroid hydroxylation.     

Micro-Determination of Protein Containing SH– and –S–S– Groups Based on the Polarographic wave of an Electroactive Derivative

This paper presents a new simple and sensitive method for the micro-determination of protein containing SH– and –S–S– groups based on the single sweep polarographic wave of an electroactive derivative. In 0.04molL^–1 Na₃PO₄ and 0.2% ascorbic acid solution, protein is heated in a boiling water bath for 15min, the reaction product giving a sensitive reduction wave at –0.70V (vs. SCE). The wave height is linearly proportional to the concentration of protein. The calibration curves of bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), ovalbumin (OVA) and lysozyme (Lyso) are constructed under the optimal conditions. For BSA and HSA, the linear ranges and detection limits are 0.05–24mgL^–1 and 0.02mgL^–1, respectively. The method has been applied to the determination of protein in human serum samples with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the polarographic wave was also studied, and the results show that S^2– ion is released from the protein molecule during the derivatization reaction, the wave being attributed to the reduction of HgS.