Macroporous thin membranes for cell transplant in regenerative medicine

The aim of this paper is to present a method to produce macroporous thin membranes made of poly (ethyl acrylate-co-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymer network with varying cross-linking density for cell transplantation and prosthesis fabrication. The manufacture process is based on template techniques and anisotropic pore collapse. Pore collapse was produced by swelling the membrane in acetone and subsequently drying and changing the solvent by water to produce 100 microns thick porous membranes. These very thin membranes are porous enough to hold cells to be transplanted to the organism or to be colonized by ingrowth from neighboring tissues in the organism, and they present sufficient tearing stress to be sutured with surgical thread. The obtained pore morphology was observed by Scanning Electron Microscope, and confocal laser microscopy. Mechanical properties were characterized by stress–strain experiments in tension and tearing strength measurements. Morphology and mechanical properties were related to the different initial thickness of the scaffold and the cross-linking density of the polymer network. Seeding efficiency and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells inside the pore structure were determined at 2 h, 1, 7, 14 and 21 days from seeding.     

顶空气相色谱-质谱法测定布南色林原料药中遗传毒性杂质

目的：建立顶空气相色谱-质谱法测定布南色林原料药中甲磺酸甲酯、甲磺酸乙酯和甲磺酸异丙酯3种遗传毒性杂质含量的方法。方法：采用顶空气相色谱-质谱法，以甲磺酸丁酯为内标，按内标标准曲线法进行甲磺酸甲酯、甲磺酸乙酯和甲磺酸异丙酯的含量测定。色谱条件：DB-WAX毛细管色谱柱（30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm）；程序升温，初始柱温为40℃，维持3 min，升温速率为30℃·min^-1，终止温度150℃，保持2 min；进样口温度为110℃；载气（He）流速为0.6 mL·min^-1；进样量为1 mL；进样方式为分流进样，分流比为20：1。质谱条件：电子轰击离子源（EI），扫描方式为选择性离子检测；离子源温度为200℃；接口温度为150℃；电子能量为70 eV；溶剂延迟1 min。结果：3种杂质成分之间的分离度均大于2.0；甲磺酸甲酯、甲磺酸乙酯、甲磺酸异丙酯检测质量浓度线性范围均为0.025~3.0 μg·mL^-1（r ≥ 0.998 5）；精密度、稳定性、重复性试验的RSD<5%；加样回收率分别为93.40%~101.40%（RSD为3.2%，n=9）、92.80%~99.70%（RSD为2.5%，n=9）和96.30%~100.75%（RSD为1.6%，n=9）。结论：该方法简便、准确、灵敏、迅速，可用于布南色林原料药中3种遗传毒性杂质的测定。     

An experimentally supported, mathematical explanation of the gas chromatographic elution behaviour of the long-chain carbon members of the homologous series

By substituting the saturated vapour phase tension of the pure normal hydrocarbons described by the Clausius-Clapeyron law into the accepted expression of the specific retention volume (V_g,T), a theoretically coherent and relatively simple mathematical evidence of the elution behaviour of the homologous members has been deduced. It gives exponential retention time dependence on carbon number for isothermal, and nearly equidistant (i.e., approximately linear retention-time dependence on carbon number) elution for linear temperature programmed gas chromatographic runs. The final equations are in close correlation with the experimental results. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that a good approximation—not strict physical laws—have been found.     

仙草消毒液杀灭微生物效果与毒性的试验观察

仙草消毒液为含 3 0 %乙醇的植物消毒剂 ,其中包括五味子、细辛、丁香等成分 ,p H6.0 1。为了解其杀灭微生物效果及其毒性 ,进行了载体定量杀菌试验及毒性试验。结果 ,1∶ 1的水稀释液对金黄色葡萄球菌作用2分钟 ,1∶ 2的稀释液对金黄色葡萄球菌作用 8分钟 ,以其原液对白色念珠菌作用 2 min,平均杀灭率均大于99.90 %。小牛血清对其杀灭效果有影响 ,原液经 5 4℃存放 14天 ,杀菌效果无明显变化。以其原液对雌、雄小鼠经口 LD50 >5 0 0 0 mg/Kg,对大耳白兔一次眼、皮肤刺激试验平均积分指数为 0 ,微核试验阴性 ,蓄积毒性试验为弱蓄积毒性     

Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity: Implications for immunoadjuvant potential

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Shatavari in vernacular) are widely used in Ayurveda as Rasayana for immunostimulation, galactogogue as also in treatment of conditions like ulcers and cancer. Various studies have indicated immunomodulatory properties of Shatavari root extracts and formulations.

Aim of the study

To study the effect of standardized Asparagus racemosus root aqueous extract (ARE) on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity of SRBC sensitized animals.

Materials and methods

We used HPTLC to quantify steroidal saponins (Shatavarin IV, Immunoside^®) and flow cytometry to study effects of ARE on Th1/Th2 immunity. SRBC specific antibody titres and DTH responses were also monitored as markers of Th2 and Th1 responses, respectively. We also studied lymphocyte proliferation. Cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide and levamisole were used as controls.

Results

Treatment with ARE (100 mg/(kg b.w. p.o.)) resulted in significant increase of CD3⁺ and CD4/CD8⁺ percentages suggesting its effect on T cell activation. ARE treated animals showed significant up-regulation of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-g) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines suggesting its mixed Th1/Th2 adjuvant activity. Consistent to this, ARE also showed higher antibody titres and DTH responses. ARE, in combination with LPS, Con A or SRBC, produced a significant proliferation suggesting effect on activated lymphocytes.

Conclusion

The study suggests mixed Th1/Th2 activity of ARE supports its immunoadjuvant potential.     

Intravenous fate of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-based polyplexes

The objective of this study was to assess the in vivo fate of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA)-based polyplexes after intravenous administration into mice. Circulation kinetics and tissue distribution in terms of plasmid localization and transfection efficiency were assessed. To gain more insight into the observed biodistribution and gene expression profile, the interaction of pDMAEMA-based polyplexes with blood components (erythrocytes and albumin) was investigated in vitro. In the case of i.v. injection of positively charged polyplexes at a dose of 30 microg DNA most of the radioactivity was found in the lungs and the liver 60 min after injection. In the case of pDMAEMA/DNA polyplexes with a negative charge, uptake occurred mainly by the liver. Administration of positively charged complexes at a 30 microg DNA dose resulted in reporter gene expression primarily in the lungs. Injection of negatively charged complexes and naked plasmid did not result in luciferase expression in any of the organs examined. In vitro turbidity experiments showed the induction of a charge dependent aggregation process upon addition of albumin to the polyplexes pointing out to the involvement of aggregate formation in the dominant lung uptake of the positively charged polyplexes. Also, incubations of polyplexes after pre-incubation with a physiological concentration of albumin with washed erythrocytes confirmed that polyplexes induce the formation of extremely large structures. This paper underlines the need for the design of systems with reduced interaction with blood components to promote the delivery of DNA to target tissues outside the lungs.     

Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum

Ethnopharmacological importance

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) is an Ayurvedic remedy used for the treatment of a number of diseases, including bowel spasms.

Aim of the study

To investigate the mode of the relaxing action of a methanolic extract prepared from the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus (CPE, 0.0001–10 μg/mL) in the rat ileum and to try to confirm on human tissues the intestinal pharmacological activity of the extract.

Materials and methods

The relaxant effect of CPE was studied in vitro by evaluating its effect on the spontaneous contractions of the isolated ileum.

Results

CPE exerted a tetrodotoxin- and ω-conotoxin-resistant inhibitory effect on rat ileum motility (IC₅₀: 0.24 ± 0.02 μg/mL; E_max: 99.0 ± 0.60%). The inhibitory effect was reduced by nifedipine but not by cyclopiazonic acid. Experiments with specific antagonists enabled us to exclude the involvement of the main endogenous spasmogenic (i.e. acetylcholine and tachykinins) and relaxing (noradrenaline, nitric oxide, ATP) compounds. CPE also relaxed the isolated human ileum (IC₅₀: 0.26 ± 0.02 μg/mL; E_max: 99.1 ± 0.46%).

Conclusion

It is concluded that (i) CPE exerted a powerful myogenic and L-type Ca²⁺-dependent relaxing effect in the isolated rat ileum and that (ii) the human ileum is sensitive to the inhibitory effect of CPE. If confirmed in vivo, our data could explain the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of intestinal spasms.     

双功能混合催化剂上含氮合成气直接制取二甲醚的宏观动力学

在温度220～260°C,压力5MPa,转筐转速2600r/min,空速1000～2000mL/(g·h)条件下,建立了工业级双功能混合催化剂上含氮合成气直接制二甲醚的宏观动力学模型,并获得了模型参数。统计检验和残差分析表明模型可靠。根据获得的宏观动力学及本征动力学的模拟计算,比较了两模型下温度及含氮量对反应的影响。由于含氮量影响反应组分的分压,进而影响CO的转化率,还通过影响反应组分在催化剂颗粒内的内扩散来影响产物的选择性,但总的结果是内扩散的存在减弱了催化剂的协同效应。     

硫酸铁铵催化合成乙酰乙酸乙酯乙二醇缩酮

采用正交试验优选出最佳条件为：当乙酰乙酸乙酯为0.2moL时，硫酸铁铵0.7g，环乙烷10mL。乙酰乙酸乙酯和惭二醇摩尔比为1：1.5，反应时间为5h。所得产率为59.2%。     

薄层扫描法测定复脉定冲剂中远志有效成分的含量

采用薄层扫描法对复脉定冲剂中远志有效成分３，４，５－三甲氧基反式肉桂酸乙酯的含量进行测定。方法简单、快速，结果可靠，可作为该制剂的质控标准。