Local order parameter that distinguishes crystalline and amorphous portions in polymer crystal lamellae.

The degradation of microplastics in relation to marine pollution has been receiving increasing attention. Because the spherulites that comprise microplastics have a highly ordered lamellar structure, their decomposition is thought to involve a lamellar structure collapse process. However, even in the simplest case of an order-disorder transition between lamellae and melt upon heating, the microscopic details of the transition have yet to be elucidated. In particular, it is unclear whether nucleation occurs at defects in the crystalline portion or at the interface between the crystalline and amorphous portions. To observe the transition in molecular simulations, an approach that distinguishes between the crystalline and amorphous structures that make up the lamella is needed. Local order parameters (LOPs) are an attempt to define the degree of order on a particle-by-particle basis and have demonstrated the ability to precisely render complex order structure transitions during phase transitions. In this study, 274 LOPs were considered to classify the crystalline and amorphous structures of polymers. Supervised machine learning was used to automatically and systematically search for the parameters. The identified optimal LOP does not require macroscopic information such as the overall orientation direction of the lamella layers but can precisely distinguish the crystalline and amorphous portions of the lamella layers using only a small amount of neighboring particle information.

Efficacy of porcine placental extract on wrinkle widths below the eye in climacteric women.

OBJECTIVE: Injections of human placental extract, which is known to play a role in skin regulation, have long been used for the treatment of skin wrinkles and non-healing wounds. Porcine placental extract (PPE), an oral supplement, was recently developed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to assess whether PPE has a positive effect on the improvement of fine wrinkles below the eye in climacteric women. METHODS: We first non-invasively measured wrinkle widths with a skin analyzer in a cross-section of 185 healthy adult Japanese women. Next, 44 climacteric women with mild or few climacteric symptoms were enrolled into an open-label, randomized, controlled study of the effect of PPE on wrinkle widths. A retrospective comparison of wrinkle widths in 123 climacteric women with climacteric symptoms with or without PPE treatment was also performed. RESULTS: Wrinkle widths below the eye in women ≥ 30 years of age were significantly higher than in women 20-29 years of age. Treatment with three capsules of PPE per day was significantly (p < 0.05) effective in reducing wrinkle widths at 24 weeks compared with control subjects. Retrospective analysis showed that subjects treated with three (p < 0.05) and six (p < 0.01) capsules of PPE per day observed a significant reduction in wrinkle widths compared with untreated subjects. CONCLUSION: Oral PPE treatment is a possible option for improving the appearance of fine wrinkles below the eye in climacteric women.

Efficacy of porcine placental extract on shoulder stiffness in climacteric women.

OBJECTIVES: Some of the most common climacteric symptoms are somatic symptoms, such as muscle and joint pain, which cause limitations in performing daily tasks. This study aimed to assess whether oral porcine placental extract (PPE) affects patients with shoulder stiffness, one of the most common types of muscle-tendon stiffness, in climacteric women and postmenopausal women with hormone therapy (HT). METHODS: Sixty-six climacteric women (33 each in the control and study groups) with shoulder stiffness and 54 postmenopausal women (27 each in the control and study groups) with HT-resistant shoulder stiffness were enrolled into this open-label, randomized, controlled study. The control subjects received Toki-shakuyaku-san (TJ23; 7.5 g/day, daily per os), an oral herbal remedy used to alleviate climacteric symptoms, and study subjects received PPE orally for 24 weeks in climacteric women and for 12 weeks in postmenopausal women with HT. Changes in the degree of shoulder stiffness were evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Treatment with PPE was significantly effective in reducing the VAS score for shoulder stiffness during the study period compared with the control group in both climacteric and postmenopausal women with HT. The VAS score at the end of treatment was significantly reduced (p < 0.01 vs. baseline) by 76.4% for climacteric women and 64.8% for postmenopausal women with HT compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: PPE is useful as an oral supplement for shoulder stiffness in climacteric women without HT or in postmenopausal women with HT-resistant, long-term shoulder stiffness.

Efficacy of porcine placental extract on climacteric symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: Injections of human placental extract have long been used to treat menopausal symptoms. Recently, porcine placental extract (PPE), an oral supplement, has been developed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to assess whether PPE has an impact on climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Seventy-six women with climacteric symptoms were enrolled into this open-label, randomized, controlled study. The control group (n = 38) underwent 24 weeks of open treatment with Toki-shakuyaku-san (TJ23), an oral herbal remedy used to alleviate climacteric symptoms. The PPE group (n = 38) received three capsules of PPE/day orally for the initial 12 weeks and six capsules/day for the next 12 weeks. Climacteric symptoms were evaluated in both groups using the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) score, Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before commencing treatment, after 12 weeks of treatment and on completion of treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with PPE was significantly (p < 0.01) more effective in reducing the SMI, ZSDS and STAI measures at 12 and 24 weeks than TJ23 treatment alone. Treatment with PPE was also significantly effective (p < 0.01) in reducing the subscale scores of the SMI for items such as hot flushes, insomnia, irritability, depression, fatigue and joint pain. PPE treatment had no significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Oral PPE treatment is another possible option for treating perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with climacteric symptoms.

The advantages of the magnetic structure in ferromagnetic-film-coated carbon nanotube probes.

The magnetic structures of ferromagnetic-film-coated carbon nanotube (CNT) probes and conventional pyramidal probes for a magnetic force microscope (MFM) were simulated using three-dimensional micromagnetic simulation. The CNT-MFM probes with a total probe diameter less than 60 nm are almost uniformly magnetized along the longitudinal direction of the CNT, which is the ideal magnetic structure for MFM observations. On the other hand, the pyramidal probes had a vortex structure around the point tip, which suggests that they require a greater thickness of the ferromagnetic film because only part of the magnetic moment participates in the detection of the z-component of the stray field from samples. The advantages of the CNT-MFM probe are uniform magnetization along the longitudinal direction and magnetic imaging ability using a smaller coating thickness.

Applying computational nanomaterials design to the reactive ion etching of NiO thin films-a preliminary investigation.

We have developed and proposed a model for reactive ion etching (RIE) process design of nickel oxide thin films using a computational materials design based on ab initio calculations. On etching NiO, we found that it was necessary to have hydrogen-based reactive gases in the initial state in order to enhance RIE (e.g. NH(3), CH(4)). We strongly suggest the use of CH(4) or any H-based gas source other than CHF(3) to enhance RIE process.

Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatitis and tumor necrosis factor production by bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in bacillus Calmette-Guerin-treated mice.

The bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBI) alkaloids chondocurine, cycleanine, tetrandrine and berbamine were tested for their capacity to suppress hepatic injury and production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice primed with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). When administered for three consecutive days before LPS injection, chondocurine, cycleanine and tetrandrine (10 mg/kg/day) strongly suppressed serum alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1.) and aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2.); however, berbamine gave only slight protection. Chondocurine, cycleanine and tetrandrine but not berbamine significantly reduced the level of TNF which peaked 2 hr after LPS injection. This study shows that BBI alkaloids prevent BCG/LPS-induced hepatitis at least in part by suppressing TNF production.

Inhibitory effect of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids on nitric oxide production in activated macrophages.

Bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBI) alkaloids are anti-inflammatory constituents of plants of the families Menispermaceae and Ranunculaceae, which have been used as folk remedies in Japan and China. Five BBI alkaloids (cepharanthine, chondocurine, cycleanine, isotetrandrine and tetrandrine) were tested for suppressive effect on in vitro nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, which were induced with thioglycollate or bacillus Calmette-Guerin in mice. All these BBI alkaloids significantly suppressed NO production at 5 micrograms/mL. Cepharanthine, isotetrandrine and cycleanine were slightly more inhibitory than tetrandrine and chondocurine. The suppression persisted for at least 48 hr. As NO is one of the critical mediators in inflammation, these results may explain some aspects of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of BBI compounds.

Protection by sinomenine against endotoxin-induced fulminant hepatitis in galactosamine-sensitized mice.

Sinomenine, an epimorphinan alkaloid, was tested for protecting hepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in galactosamine (GalN)-sensitized mice. Sinomenine protected against the hepatic injuries in the dose range of 10-100 mg/kg in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which appeared in serum earlier than aminotransferases in GalN/LPS-treated mice. Sinomenine significantly suppressed the in vitro production of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage cultures stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate acetate. It is discussed that sinomenine prevents GalN/LPS-treated hepatic failure by suppressing TNF production and/or reactive oxygen generation.

Potentiation by febrifugine of host defense in mice against Plasmodium berghei NK65.

The effect of febrifugine, the main alkaloidal constituent of an antimalarial crude drug, Dichroa febrifuga Lour., on protective immunity in mice infected with erythrocytic stage Plasmodium berghei NK65 was investigated. Febrifugine was administered orally, at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day, to mice before and/or after they were infected intraperitoneally with 2 x 10(6) parasitized red blood cells. Then, mortality and the levels of parasitemia and plasma NO3- [a degradation product of nitric oxide (NO)] were monitored. Febrifugine significantly reduced the mortality and the level of parasitemia. The plasma NO3- concentration began to rise within 2 days after treatment with febrifugine and declined to normal in 2 days when the mice were treated orally with febrifugine once a day for 3 consecutive days before parasite infection. This antimalarial activity of febrifugine was reduced by both N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine and aminoguanidine. These results indicate that the increased production of NO by febrifugine plays an important role in host defense against malaria infection in mice.

Nitric oxide production in mouse peritoneal macrophages enhanced with glycyrrhizin.

The enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) production in glycyrrhizin (GL)-induced macrophages (M phi) in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. No production in GL-induced macrophage culture supernatants was stimulated in response to LPS (10 micrograms/ml) for 24- or 48- h cultures, and these levels were compared three times with the levels in saline-induced peritoneal exudate cell cultures. Furthermore, M phi induced with proteose peptone (PP) containing GL could generate greater NO production than M phi induced with PP alone. However, no stimulation of NO production was observed by addition of GL in the cultures of M phi induced with thioglycollate or Bacillus Calmette Guerin. Moreover, GL-induced M phi showed cytostasis against such tumor target cells as L 1210 and P 388 lymphoma cell lines. These observations indicate that GL can activate the M phi in vivo system and stimulate NO production in response to LPS.

Suppression of chemically and immunologically induced hepatic injuries by gentiopicroside in mice.

Gentiopicroside (GPS), a main bitter secoiridoid constituent of roots of Gentiana macrophylla Pall., was tested for therapeutic effects on the two hepatic injury models, the CCl4-induced and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-induced hepatitides. An increase in serum level of hepatic aminotransferases (GOT: EC 2.6.1.1. and GPT: EC 2.6.1.2.) induced by a p.o. treatment of CCl4 was suppressed by pretreatment with GPS at 30-60 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days. An increase of these enzymes triggered by an i.v. treatment with LPS in mice primed with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was also inhibited by GPS pretreatment at the same dose of GPS. In the BCG/LPS model, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a major inflammatory mediator, was increased in serum with a peak at 90-120 min, followed by an increase of serum transaminase activities. GPS treatment significantly suppressed the increase of TNF in serum at the therapeutic doses, suggesting that GPS protected against hepatitis by inhibiting the production of TNF.

(+)-rhododendrol and epi-rhododendrin suppress the NO production by activated macrophages in vivo.

In this study, we investigated the effect of (+)-rhododendrol (1) and epi-rhododendrin (2) isolated from Acer nikoense Maxim. (Aceraceae) on nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages elicited by bacillus Calmette-Guérin and in vitro stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. The NO production was not affected by an oral administration of methanol extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day. However, the AcOEt soluble fraction significantly reduced the NO production. (+)-Rhododendrol (1) isolated as an active substance from the AcOEt fraction suppressed the NO production. epi-Rhododendrin (2), the glucoside of (+)-rhododendrol (1) isolated from the n-BuOH fraction, also suppressed the NO production. As NO is one of the critical mediators in inflammation, these results suggest that (+)-rhododendrol (1) and epi-rhododendrin (2) contribute in part to the anti-inflammatory effect of A. nikoense.

Enhancement of NO production in activated macrophages in vivo by an antimalarial crude drug, Dichroa febrifuga.

The effect of an antimalarial crude drug, Dichroafebrifuga Lour. on nitric oxide (NO) production in bacillus Calmette Guérin-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide was investigated. The NO production was significantly enhanced by an oral administration of a MeOH extract of D. febrifuga. Febrifugine (1) was isolated as the main active compound, and the activation was dose-dependent in the dosage range of 0.1-1 mg/kg/day.

Anti-ulcer effects of Trichosanthes fruits.

Anti-ulcer activities of fruits of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz var. japonica Kitamura (50% ethanolic extract, TKE) were investigated in rats. TKE, at doses of 100-1000 mg/kg, showed potent protection against experimental gastric lesions, namely, those induced by water-immersion, histamine, serotonin, HCl.ethanol, 0.6 N HCl, 0.2 N NaOH, 35% NaCl, and Shay' ulcer and acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. At doses of 500-1000 mg/kg, TKE decreased the gastric secretion and acid output in pylorus-ligation (for 7 h), but 100 mg/kg of TKE had no influence on the gastric secretion. On the other hand, TKE exerted inhibition on the contractile responses of the isolated ileum of mouse to acetylcholine. These results suggested that TKE has an anti-ulcer effect.

Flavonoids from Cleome droserifolia suppress NO production in activated macrophages in vitro.

The effect of an Egyptian medicinal plant, Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del. on nitric oxide (NO) production in bacillus Calmette-Guérin-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide was investigated in vitro. The methanol extract of C. droserifolia reduced the NO production, and two flavonoids were isolated as the active components. The new one was determined to be 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (1) and the other was identified as 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone (8-methoxycirsilineol; 2). Compound 1 concentration-dependently suppressed the NO production and was effective at a non-toxic concentration (12.5 micrograms/ml). The suppressive activity of 2 was weaker than that of 1.

The culture fluid of Isaira japonica yasuda augments anti-sheep red blood cell antibody response in mice.

Isaria japonica YASUDA was cultured in a liquid medium, and its culture fluid (IJCE) was tested for stimulatory activity to humoral antibody production. IJCE significantly enhanced the production of anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) plaque forming cells (PFC) by oral ingestions at 10 and 30 mg/kg/d for 4 consecutive days, either before or after SRBC challenge. It also recovered the reduction of anti-SRBC PFC response and number of spleen cells caused by treatment with 5-fluorouracil. It is suggested that IJCE is a promising source for an immunomodulating tool or medicine.