Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide Improves Neuroinflammation in Mice with Repeated Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through the Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Response and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Increasing evidence shows that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the pathology of vascular dementia (VD). Previously, we have found that Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in VD, whereas little is known about its mechanism. Therefore, the objective of our study was to explore the contribution of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) to NBP and its effects on anti-inflammatory activity in a mouse model of VD. Our studies revealed that NBP could effectively mitigate cognitive deficits, neuron cell loss, and apoptosis in mice subjected to repeated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (RCIR). Additionally, NBP promoted both the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) in hippocampus tissue. NBP exhibited antioxidant activity by enhancing Nrf2 nuclear accumulation, increasing HO-1 and NQO1 expression, enhancing SOD activity, and inhibiting RCIR-induced MDA and 8-iso PGF2α generation in the hippocampus. NBP also significantly inhibited TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling and suppressed microglial proliferation and the production of proinflammatory mediators in RCIR mice. Importantly, the antioxidant, antineuroinflammatory, and neuroprotective effects of NBP above were abolished by Nrf2 knockout. Collectively, these results indicated the effects of NBP on neuroinflammation were strongly associated with the Nrf2 pathway. Modulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway by Nrf2 is involved in the neuroprotective effect of NBP against VD induced by RCIR injury. With antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory properties, NBP could be a promising drug candidate for the prevention and/or treatment of VD and other neuroinflammatory disorders.

Molecular dynamics simulations of the initial oxidation process on ferritic Fe-Cr alloy surfaces.

Oxidation processes of metallic interconnects are crucial to the operation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and ferritic Fe-Cr alloy is one of the most important metallic interconnect materials. Based on the ReaxFF reactive potential, the interaction of O2 molecules with three types of surfaces (100, 110, 111) of ferritic Fe-Cr alloy has been studied by classical molecular dynamics at constant O2 concentrations and temperatures. The initial oxidation process is systematically studied according to the analysis of O2 absorption rate, charge variations, charge distributions, mean squared distributions, and oxidation rate. The results reveal that it is easier and faster for the Cr atoms to lose electrons than for the Fe atoms during the oxidation process. The obtained oxidation rate of Cr atoms is larger and the formation of Cr2O3 takes precedence over that of FeO. And the thickness of oxidation layers of different surfaces could be determined quantitatively. We also find that the high O2 concentration accelerates the oxidation process and obviously increases the thickness of oxidation layers, while the temperature has a weaker effect on the oxidation process than the O2 concentration. Moreover, the (110) surface presents the best oxidation resistance compared to the other two surfaces. And the (110) surface is efficient in preventing Fe atoms from being oxidized. Here we explore the initial oxidation process of Fe-Cr alloy and the corresponding results could provide theoretical guides to the related experiments and applications as metallic interconnects.

DL-3-n-butylphthalide suppressed autophagy and promoted angiogenesis in rats with vascular dementia by activating the Shh/Ptch1 signaling pathway.

DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) has neuroprotective effect on chronic cerebral hypoperfusion animals. Here, we explored the role and underlying mechanism of NBP on autophagy and angiogenesis in rats with vascular dementia (VD). Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to permanent bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries (2VO) to establish VD model. These rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham, model, NBP120 (120 mg/kg), Shh siRNA (50 nM), and NBP120 + Shh siRNA groups. Our results showed that NBP treatment attenuated memory damage in rats with VD, as demonstrated by Morris water maze tests. Immunofluorescence (IF) assay revealed that NBP induced neuronal process length and neuronal activity in hippocampus, which were reversed by Shh silencing. Furthermore, NBP treatment also reduced the expression of autophagy marker proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 interacting protein 1 (Beclin 1) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), which were further enhanced by Shh silencing. Meanwhile, NBP promoted the angiogenesis, which was accompanied by upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, and Angiopoietin (Ang) expression in the hippocampus. And Shh siRNA co-treatment blocked the angiogenesis induced by NBP. Altogether, our results established that NBP treatment suppressed autophagy and improved angiogenesis and neurobehavioral recovery in VD rats partly by activating the Shh/Ptch1 signaling pathway.

Relationship between the index of protein modification (Kolbach index) and degradation of macromolecules in wheat malt.

Kolbach index (KI) is an important index to evaluate the qualities of malt, which will affect protein molecular composition, enzyme activity, and other macromolecules degradation during wheat malting. In this paper, the relationship between wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) malts KI and the (i) characterization of albumins, globulins, gliadins, and glutenins and their hydrolysis and (ii) the enzymatic breakdown of starch and arabinoxylans during malting were studied. As malt KI values increased, all fractions of glutenins and gliadins were extensively hydrolyzed. The higher Mw globulins (36.6 to 70.8 kDa) were also increasingly degraded at higher KI values, but the concentration of smaller globulin fractions (14.9 to 35.0 kDa) had increased significantly. As for albumins, although their overall concentration had increased as KI increased, changes in the concentration of individual albumin fractions was more complex. While there were significant increases in the concentration of some new albumin proteins (43.8 and 84.4 kDa), the concentration of some albumins decreased (21.1 to 64.3 kDa), and some fractions had completely disappeared (28.8 and 64.3 kDa). Following mashing, the hydrophobicity of the worts had decreased significantly at higher KI values. At malt KI values between 39.5% and 42.7%, the enzymatic activity was at its highest, the degradation of starch was adequate and stable, and the concentration of water-soluble arabinoxylans was optimal. A KI value of about 39.5% to 42.7% was therefore considered optimal for the production of wheat malts with superior quality attributes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The findings from this study will be valuable to beer companies; a more precise control of the malting and brewing parameters, fundamental for the production of high-quality wheat malts and wheat beer, can be achieved.

Disparate effects of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection on renal function in IgA-dominant infection-associated glomerulonephritis and menstrual toxic shock syndrome: a case report and literature review.

The sudden outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia posed a significant challenge to medical professionals because treatment of critically ill patients requires the efforts of a multidisciplinary team. To highlight this principle, we examined acute kidney injury (AKI) in IgA-dominant infection-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) and menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS). Both GN and mTSS are rare diseases caused by staphylococcal infection, and renal function is frequently impaired. The resulting AKIs are disparate pathological entities driven by distinct immune mechanisms. We begin by describing the case of a diabetic man with pyopneumothorax following methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). He had endocapillary proliferative GN with in situ IgA-dominant immune-complex formation in the mesangium accompanied by complement C3 deposition in the glomerular capillary wall. By contrast, acute tubular necrosis was observed in a case of mTSS; the patient's immune response was stimulated differently by MRSA enterotoxin and exotoxin resulting in aberrant IgA deposition, complement activation, and insufficient antibody production. As a multidisciplinary communication covering the fields of nephrology, immunology, and pathology, this report may help clinicians to understand these distinct renal lesions and make optimal therapeutic decisions expeditiously.

Circulating miRNA-3552 as a Potential Biomarker for Ischemic Stroke in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: With the growing incidence of ischemic stroke worldwide, there is an urgent need to identify blood biomarkers for ischemic stroke patients. Thus, our aim was to identify potential circulating microRNA (miRNA) as a potential biomarker and to explore its potential mechanism for ischemic stroke in rats. METHODS: The mRNA dataset GSE97537 and miRNA dataset GSE97532 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) GSE97537 including 7 middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat brain tissues and 5 sham-operated rat brain tissues GSE97532 including 6 MCAO rat blood samples and 3 sham-operated rat blood samples. Differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs with corrected p value ≤ 0.01 and fold change ≥2 or ≤0.05 were identified. To explore potential biological processes and pathways of differentially expressed mRNAs, functional enrichment analysis was performed. The target mRNAs of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using DNA Intelligent Analysis (DIANA)-microT tools. The target mRNAs and differentially expressed mRNAs were intersected. RESULTS: 1228 differentially expressed mRNAs in MCAO rat brain tissues were identified. Highly expressed mRNAs were mainly enriched in the inflammatory responses. Nine differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in MCAO rat blood samples. A total of 673 target mRNAs were predicted to significantly bind these differentially expressed miRNAs. Among them, 54 target mRNAs were differentially expressed in MCAO rat blood samples. Enrichment analysis results showed that these 54 target mRNAs were closely related to neurological diseases and immune responses. Among all miRNA-mRNA relationship, miR-3552-CASP3 interaction was identified, indicating that CASP3 might be mediated by miR-3552. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that CASP3 was involved in the apoptosis pathway, indicating that miR-3552 might participate in apoptosis by CASP3. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal that circulating miR-3552 shows promise as a potential biomarker for ischemic stroke in rats.

From Severe Herpes Zoster to Rare Suid Herpesvirus Encephalitis: A New Twist of the Varicellovirus Genus Infection in Patients with Kidney Diseases.

Both the herpes zoster virus and suid herpesvirus type 1 (SuHV-1) belong to the Varicellovirus genus of the α-herpesviridae subfamily. They may cause opportunistic infections especially in patients with kidney diseases, varying from latent illness to overt lethality. Under these circumstances, impaired renal function is both the culprit for and victim of the infection. However, fulminant eruption of severe skin herpes zoster in lupus nephritis (LN) patients under prolonged immunosuppressive therapy is rare and even more rarely seen is the SuHV-1 encephalitis in human. Facing the evolution of these rare infections, we hence chose to review the clinical pathogenicity of these two viruses which were cognate in origin but distinct in virulence. As such, we began with the first of the two above viral diseases and proceeded with peculiar renal involvement, unique clinical symptoms and pertinent lethal risk. Of importance, LN was used to exemplify the reciprocally detrimental interactions between impaired renal function and suppressed immune response. Then in a manner similar to the gradient overlay, SuHV-1 encephalitis was discussed focusing on its neurotropic features, specific MRI findings and exclusive test of high throughput sequencing. Our report highlighted novel presentations of the Varicellovirus genus infection by providing a productive multidisciplinary communication with pointed disclosure of the renal involvement. It may therefore be of great medical relevance and educational value for clinicians, especially the unseasoned ones, to foresee and manage similar cases in susceptible patients.

Integrated analysis of the proteome and transcriptome in a MCAO mouse model revealed the molecular landscape during stroke progression.

Strokes usually results in long-term disability and death, and they occur worldwide. Recently, increased research on both on the physiopathological mechanisms and the transcriptome during stroke progression, have highlighted the relationship between stroke progression and immunity, with a special focus on inflammation. Here, we applied proteome analysis to a middle carotid artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h, in which proteome profiling was performed with 23 samples, and 41 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Bioinformatics studies on our data revealed the importance of the immune response and particularly identified the inflammatory response, cytokine- cytokine receptor interactions, the innate immune response and reactive oxygen species (ROS) during stroke progression. In addition, we compared our data with multiple gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets with and without a time series, in which similar pathways were identified, and three proteins, C3, Apoa4 and S100a9, were highlighted as markers or drug targets for stroke; these three proteins were significantly upregulated in the MCAO model, both in our proteomic data and in the GEO database.

Nocardiosis in Kidney Disease Patients under Immunosuppressive Therapy: Case Report and Literature Review.

The increased use of novel and powerful immunosuppressive drugs in kidney diseases may concomitantly expose the patients to higher risk of opportunistic infections, some of which still remain underdiagnosed thus mishandled. As such, we recently had a less prepared encounter of pulmonary nocardial infection in an ANCA-associated renal vasculitis patient under steroid therapy. Despite the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials including micafungin, the infection was still unbridled and eventually culminated in lethal brain abscess. We thus chose to renew the knowledge of the clinical features, imaging manifestations, differential diagnosis, specific laboratory tests and unique treatment about this rare infection in kidney diseases patients under immunosuppressive therapy. In addition, CT images of easily confused pulmonary lesions superimposed on kidney diseases were also retrieved from our depository. Moreover, impaired renal function as a risk factor for infection and pharmacological options for the treatment were also focused. By sharing our hard-learnt experience and reviewing the literatures, our report may contribute to the awareness among the clinicians in general and nephrologists in particular of this rare disease in susceptible patients and facilitate a swift thus life-saving treatment.

Rosuvastatin improves neurite extension in cortical neurons through the Notch 1/BDNF pathway.

Objectives: Neurite outgrowth of neurons is essential for forming functional neural circuits. It is believed that neuronal neurite outgrowth is an important mechanism of brain plasticity. Rosuvastatin (RSV) is a relatively new statin and may have neuroprotective properties. However, whether RSV exerts an effect on neurite extension and its potential mechanism in cortical neurons remains poorly documented. Methods: Immunofluorescence method was used to examine the effect of RSV on neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neuron by measuring neurite length and confirmed the promotion effect. Then, the potential mechanisms involving the Notch1 pathway were investigated. Effects of RSV on the expression of Notch 1 and Hes1were determined using qRT-PCR. In addition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression was also assessed using qRT-PCR, and ELISA. Results: RSV promoted neurite outgrowth of cortical neurons, and this effect could be partially prevented by the Notch 1 pathway inhibitor, DAPT. Subsequently, we found that Jagged 1 and Notch 1 were colocalized. In addition, we observed that the levels of both Notch 1 and Hes 1 in cortical neurons were increased after RSV, but sharply decreased after DAPT treatment. Moreover, RSV increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in cortical neurons, but in the culture medium, and the effect could be partially suppressed by DAPT treatment. Discussion: These findings indicate that RSV mediates neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neurons. The RSV-induced neuritogenic effect is mediated at least partly via the Notch1/BDNF pathway.

Effect of PDGF-Rb antagonist imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in mouse model

Objective: To study the effects of PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in the mouse model. Methods: The cultured MSCs cells from male mice were marked with BrdU in vitro, and then transplanted to the female mice which suffered from radiation injury through tail vein, PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib was injected through abdominal cavity. Four groups were arranged, which were radiation transplantation group, normal control group, imatinib intervention group and radiation control group. BrdU incorporation, SRY expression and MVD status were detected in uterus of mice. Results: SRY gene was negative expressed in normal control group and radiation control group. SRY gene presented positive in radiation transplantation group and imatinib intervention group; BrdU incorporation showed negative in radiation control group and normal control group which died in the early stage in mice; the incorporation of BrdU was higher in radiation transplantation group compared with imatinib intervention group; CD34 was positive on the uterus of all the four groups, which showed highest in radiation control group and lowest in radiation control group; The MVD in imatinib intervention group was lower than radiation control group; the difference of MVD was significantly compared with normal control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib could inhibit the repairing function of MSCs in the endometrial lesions in mice.

Effect of PDGF-Rb antagonist imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in mouse model

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in the mouse model.@*METHODS@#The cultured MSCs cells from male mice were marked with BrdU in vitro, and then transplanted to the female mice which suffered from radiation injury through tail vein, PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib was injected through abdominal cavity. Four groups were arranged, which were radiation transplantation group, normal control group, imatinib intervention group and radiation control group. BrdU incorporation, SRY expression and MVD status were detected in uterus of mice.@*RESULTS@#SRY gene was negative expressed in normal control group and radiation control group. SRY gene presented positive in radiation transplantation group and imatinib intervention group; BrdU incorporation showed negative in radiation control group and normal control group which died in the early stage in mice; the incorporation of BrdU was higher in radiation transplantation group compared with imatinib intervention group; CD34 was positive on the uterus of all the four groups, which showed highest in radiation control group and lowest in radiation control group; The MVD in imatinib intervention group was lower than radiation control group; the difference of MVD was significantly compared with normal control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib could inhibit the repairing function of MSCs in the endometrial lesions in mice.

A targeted high-efficiency angiogenesis strategy as therapy for myocardial infarction.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to prove that an intramyocardial injection of a mixture of low-dose human growth factor (HGF) plasmid and microbubbles (MB) in combination with insonation was an effective therapy for myocardial infarction. MAIN METHODS: Twenty dogs with myocardial infarction were divided into 4 groups: (1) HGF, MB and ultrasound (HGF-US/MB), (2) HGF and US (HGF-US), (3) HGF alone and (4) surgery alone (control). In the HGF-US/MB group, HGF plasmid DNA (500 µg) mixed with 0.5 ml of MB solution was injected 5 min after coronary occlusion followed by insonation. With the exception of the control group, the other dogs were divided into two groups, one treated with the HGF gene and insonation and the other with the HGF gene only. KEY FINDINGS: Compared to the HGF group, infarct size decreased from 32%±7% (control) to 23%±5% in the HGF-US/MB group 28 d later (P<0.05). Capillary density increased from 21.7±4.2/mm(2) (control) to 114.3±28.9/mm(2) in the HGF-US/MB group (P<0.01). Compared to the HGF group, there was a 14% decrease in the ratio of left ventricle weight/body weight and a 25% decrease in hydroxyproline content. We also observed a 29% and 20% decrease in collagen volume fraction of type I and type III collagen, respectively in the HGF-US/MB group. SIGNIFICANCE: Intramyocardial injection of HGF and MB in combination with insonation enhances neovascularization and reduces ventricular remodeling and infarct size.

A visible, targeted high-efficiency gene delivery and transfection strategy.

BACKGROUND: To enhance myocardial angiogenic gene expression, a novel gene delivery strategy was tested. Direct intramyocardial injection of an angiogenic gene with microbubbles and insonation were applied in a dog animal model. Dogs received one of the four different treatments in conjunction with either the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) gene or the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene: gene with microbubbles (MB) and ultrasound (US); gene with US; gene with MB; or the gene alone. RESULTS: Distribution of MB and the gene in the myocardium was visualized during the experiment. Compared with the EGFP gene group, an average 14.7-fold enhancement in gene expression was achieved in the EGFP+MB/US group (P < 0.01). Compared with the HGF gene group, an average 10.7-fold enhancement in gene expression was achieved in the HGF+MB/US group (P < 0.01). In addition, capillary density increased from 20.8 ± 3.4/mm2 in the HGF gene group to 146.7 ± 31.4/mm2 in HGF+MB/US group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, direct intramyocardial injection of an angiogenic gene in conjunction with microbubbles plus insonation synergistically enhances angiogenesis. This method offers an observable gene delivery procedure with enhanced expression efficiency of the delivered gene.

Clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal retention enema combined with intrauterine douching for patients with endometritis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal retention enema combined with intrauterine douching for patients with endometritis diagnosed by hysteroscopy. They failed in in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-embryo transfer (ET) treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>131 patients received hysteroscopy after they failed in routine IVF/ICSI-ET treatment. Of them, 66 patients diagnosed as endometritis were enrolled as the test group and 65 patients without endometritis were enrolled as the control group. Chinese herbal retention enema combined with intrauterine douching was performed on patients in the test group before the next IVF/ICSI, while direct IVF/ICSI was performed on those in the control group. The embryo implantation rate and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate were 48.5% and 24.2% respectively, while they were 29.2% and 14.9% respectively in the control group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese herbal retention enema combined with intrauterine douching could improve the embryo implantation rate and the clinical pregnancy in patients with endometritis.</p>

Enantiospecific binding of Rotigotine and its antipode to serum albumins: Investigation of binding constants and binding sites by partial-filling ACE.

Enantiospecific binding of antiparkinsonian medication Rotigotine (S-enantiomer) and its antipode to HSA or BSA was demonstrated employing partial-filling ACE (PF-ACE) under near-physiological conditions (50 mM phosphate, pH 7.4, 37 degrees C). The enantioseparation of the enantiomers was achieved by PF-ACE. Subsequently, the binding characteristics of the enantiomers to the serum albumins were investigated. Based on the PF-ACE data, the following binding constants were obtained: K(b,HSA,S)=8884+/-255 M(-1), K(b,HSA,R)=17648+/-587 M(-1), K(b,BSA,S)=7348+/-237 M(-1), K(b,BSA,R)=9353+/-352 M(-1). It revealed that Rotigotine had weaker affinity for the two serum albumins, and both enantiomers showed stronger affinity for HSA than BSA. The presence of either site marker (warfarin or ketoprofen) had adverse effect on the enantioseparation due to the competitive binding, or even eliminated the enantioselective binding of the enantiomers to the albumin when the molar ratio of the site marker to the albumin was at certain level. Although there might be a synergistic binding between the drug and the albumin, it was suggested that site II and I were the preferential binding site of the drug on HSA and BSA, respectively.

Enantioseparation of esbiothrin by cyclodextrin-modified microemulsion and micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

A comparison between chiral cyclodextrin-modified microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEEKC) and cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEKC) for the enantiomeric separation of esbiothrin was carried out. For both methods, the separation conditions were optimized by varying CD types and concentration, running buffer pH and compositions, organic modifiers, and temperature. The optimal CD-MEEKC conditions were 0.8% n-heptane, 2.3% SDS, 6.6% n-butanol, 90.3% 10 mM sodium tetraborate containing 3% (w/v, the ratio of CD mass to microemulsion volume) methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, pH 10, 25 degrees C. The optimized CD-MEKC conditions were 3.3% SDS, 96.7% 10 mM sodium tetraborate containing 5% (w/v) beta-CD, pH 10, 25 degrees C. The difference in physicochemical properties of the buffer and CDs resulted in different optimal CD type. The competitive distribution between the microemulsion (or micelle) and chiral CD contributed to the chiral separation. Both methods provided excellent separation (R(s) approximately 3) with similar migration time (ca. 15 min). CD-MEEKC provided higher separation efficiencies (>300000) than CD-MEKC (>200000). The LODs for CD-MEEKC and CD-MEKC were 4.7 microg/mL and 3.2 microg/mL, respectively. The RSDs of migration time and peak area for CD-MEEKC were slightly higher than for CD-MEKC. Both the demonstrated CD-MEEKC and CD-MEKC methods provided high efficiencies, low LODs, and reproducible enantioseparations of esbiothrin.

Synthesis and binding site characteristics of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol-imprinted polymers.

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP)-imprinted micro- and submicrospheres prepared by precipitation polymerization were compared with templated materials obtained by conventional bulk polymerization. The influence of the type and amount of functional monomer, the type and amount of cross-linker, polymerization temperature, porogen, and the ratio of template molecule and functional monomer to cross-linker on the size of the obtained particles were investigated. UV-Vis spectrophotometer experiments revealed that the microsphere polymers provided higher affinity to the template in contrast to imprinted polymers prepared by bulk polymerization. The binding properties of the microspheres, including binding isotherms and affinity distribution, were studied via Freundlich isotherm affinity distribution (FIAD) analysis. The obtained results indicated that microspheres prepared by precipitation polymerization provided superior rebinding properties during equilibrium binding in contrast to bulk polymers and submicrosphere polymers. Moreover, release experiments showed that 80% of rebound 2,4,6-TCP was released from the imprinted microspheres within the first 2 h, while more intimately bound 2,4,6-TCP molecules were released in the following 40 h. The morphologies and porosities of the resulting imprinted materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, respectively. The microsphere polymers exhibited a regular spherical shape with a high degree of monodispersity to the corresponding bulk polymers. Furthermore, the micro- and submicrospheres were characterized by narrow distribution of pores in contrast to a heterogeneity index of m = 0.6647 for the microsphere imprinted polymer.

Simultaneous enantioseparation of antiparkinsonian medication Rotigotine and related chiral impurities by capillary zone electrophoresis using dual cyclodextrin system.

A dual cyclodextrin (CD) system consisting of sulfated beta-CD (S-beta-CD) and methyl-beta-CD (M-beta-CD) modified capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method was proposed to separate the antiparkinsonian drug Rotigotine ((-)-(S)-2-(N-propyl-N-2-thienylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin) and related chiral impurities (2-(N-propylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin, 2-(N-propylamino)-5-methoxytetralin). The method was optimized by varying the CD type, the buffer pH, individual CD concentration of the dual system and the ionic strength of background electrolyte. Under the optimum conditions, i.e. 2% (w/v) S-beta-CD and 2% (w/v) M-beta-CD in 100mM sodium phosphate (pH 2.5) as the running buffer, separation voltage -20 kV, detected at 200 nm and temperature controlled at 20 degrees C, a satisfactory separation of the six analytes was accomplished. The optimized method was validated for specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy and stability using sodium benzenesulfonate as the internal standard. The relative standard deviation for migration time was less than 0.58%, and 3.78% for peak area ratio. The linearity ranged from 0.005 to 0.25 mM. The recovery ranged from 95.9% to 108.3%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification for each enantiomer were 0.003 and 0.01 mM, respectively. This method was utilized for evaluating the chiral purity of five batches of Rotigotine.

Studies on degradation of imazalil enantiomers in soil using capillary electrophoresis.

A scheme was demonstrated to elucidate the degradation behaviors of the two enantiomers of the fungicide imazalil in soil using cyclodextrin-modified capillary zone electrophoresis. The separation buffer was 50 mmol/L NaH2PO4, 5 mmol/L (NH4)H2PO4, and 5 mmol/L beta-cyclodextrin (pH 3.0). The limits of detection of this CE method were 0.24 and 0.26 microg/mL for (-)- and (+)-imazalil, respectively. Five different soil conditions were investigated in laboratory microcosms: under sunlight; in darkness; under UV irradiation; in sterilized soil; and in soil with wheat planted in it. Radiation, microorganisms, and uptake by wheat benefited the degradation of imazalil in this study. The half-lives (t1/2) of imazalil in soil under the above conditions were 20, 30.5, 11, 27.5, and 21.5 days, respectively. The degradation rate of imazalil in soil under the five different sets of conditions decreased in the order: UV irradiation > sunlight > soil with wheat planted in it > sterilized soil > soil kept in darkness. Imazalil in soil (pH 8.2, slightly alkaline) collected in the suburbs showed non-enantioselective degradation.