Fluro-Protein C-Phycocyanin Docked Silver Nanocomposite Accelerates Cell Migration through NFĸB Signaling Pathway.

Currently, there is a great demand for the development of nanomedicine aided wound tissue regeneration via silver doped nanoceuticals. Unfortunately, very little research is being carried out on antioxidants-doped silver nanometals and their interaction on the signaling axis during the bio-interface mechanism. In this study, c-phycocyanin primed silver nano hybrids (AgcPCNP) were prepared and analyzed for properties such as cytotoxicity, metal decay, nanoconjugate stability, size expansion, and antioxidant features. Fluctuations in the expression of marker genes during cell migration phenomena in in vitro wound healing scenarios were also validated. Studies revealed that physiologically relevant ionic solutions did not exhibit any adverse effects on the nanoconjugate stability. However, acidic, alkali, and ethanol solutions completely denatured the AgcPCNP conjugates. Signal transduction RT2PCR array demonstrated that genes associated with NFĸB- and PI3K-pathways were significantly (p < 0.5%) altered between AgcPCNP and AgNP groups. Specific inhibitors of NFĸB (Nfi) and PI3K (LY294002) pathways confirmed the involvement of NFĸB signaling axes. In vitro wound healing assay demonstrated that NFĸB pathway plays a prime role in the fibroblast cell migration. In conclusion, the present investigation revealed that surface functionalized AgcPCNP accelerated the fibroblast cell migration and can be further explored for wound healing biomedical applications.

Cellulose aerogel regenerated from ionic liquid solution for immobilized metal affinity adsorption.

Surface morphology of cellulosic adsorbents is expected to influence the adsorption behavior of biomacromolecules. In the present study, cellulose aerogel regenerated from ionic liquid solution was prepared for use as a polymer support for protein adsorption. Iminodiacetic acid groups were introduced to the aerogel for immobilized metal affinity adsorption of proteins. A Cu(II)-immobilized iminodiacetic acid cellulose aerogel (Cu(II)-IDA-CA), which has a large specific surface area, showed a higher adsorption capacity than Cu(II)-immobilized iminodiacetic acid bacterial cellulose (Cu(II)-IDA-BC) and Cu(II)-immobilized iminodiacetic acid plant cellulose (Cu(II)-IDA-PC). In contrast, the Cu(II)-immobilized cellulosic adsorbents showed similar adsorption capacities for smaller amino acid and peptides. The results show that cellulose aerogels are useful as polymer supports with high protein adsorption capacities.

[Phases 3 and 4 immunization immunogenicity with combined measles-rubella vaccine].

A two-phase combined measles-rubella vaccine (MR) immunization schedule was introduced for age 1 and prior to primary school entry in Japan in April 2006. Further immunization was also introduced for 13 (Phase 3) and 18-year-old (Phase 4) cohorts for the 5-year period from April 2008 to March 2013. We surveyed Phases 3 and 4 MR immunization immunogenicity and safety. From August 2007 to December 2009, we conducted 3 Phase 3 and 15 Phase 4 immunizations. We then took paired serum samples (pre- and 4-6 weeks post-immunization), and measured measles antibody titers using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralizing test (NT), and rubella antibody titers using HI. Pre-positive measles HI antibody titer (> or = 8) was 72% (13/18) and pre-positive measles NT antibody titer (> or = 2) was 100% (18/18). Post-positive measles HI and NT antibody titers were 94% (17/18) and 100% (18/18). Mean post-immunization measles HI and NT antibody titers were significantly higher than pre-titers, with four-fold or greater increases seen in 9 (50%) and 6 (33%) subjects. Pre-positive rubella HI antibody titer (> or = 8) was 94% (17/18), and post-positive rubella HI antibody titer 100% (18/18). Mean post-immunization rubella HI antibody titer was significantly higher than pre-titer, with four-fold or greater increases seen in 8 subjects (44%). Paired HI antibody titers were measured in pre- and post-Phase 1 immunization for measles in 3 subjects and for rubella in 2 subjects. Those with post-Phase 1 measles HI antibody titers of 32, 64, and 128 yielded titers of 16, 8, and < 8 pre-Phase 3 or Phase 4 immunization, showing antibody reduction or seronegative conversion. Those with post-Phase 1 rubella HI antibody titers of 128 and 256 yielded titers of 64 and 32 in pre-Phase 4 immunization, showing antibody reduction. Seroconversion or four-fold or greater increases in titer were seen post-immunization in 60% (3/5) of these subjects. A clinical reaction survey of all subjects 4 weeks post-immunization, showed only 1 case of mild fever and no local or systemic adverse reactions such as generalized urticaria or anaphylaxis. In conclusion, Phases 3 and 4 MR immunogenicity was satisfactory.

Adsorption of arsenic using high surface area magnetites.

Magnetites (MEBWx) were prepared by precipitation in 1-butanol/water mixtures of various mole ratios of 1-butanol to water. It was found that the magnetites prepared in the mixture with high mole ratio of 1-butanol to water have high specific surface area. The adsorption isotherms of As(III) and As(V) with the magnetites at 303 K fitted the Langmuir model well. The adsorption capacities of the magnetite prepared in the mixtures were higher than those of the magnetite prepared without 1-butanol. Their adsorption capacities increased with increasing specific surface area.

Degradation of methyl orange using short-wavelength UV irradiation with oxygen microbubbles.

A novel wastewater treatment technique using 8 W low-pressure mercury lamps in the presence of uniform-sized microbubbles (diameter = 5.79 microm) was investigated for the decomposition of methyl orange as a model compound in aqueous solution. Photodegradation experiments were conducted with a BLB black light blue lamp (365 nm), a UV-C germicidal lamp (254 nm) and an ozone lamp (185 nm+254 nm) both with and without oxygen microbubbles. The results show that the oxygen microbubbles accelerated the decolorization rate of methyl orange under 185+254 nm irradiation. In contrast, the microbubbles under 365 and 254 nm irradiation were unaffected on the decolorization of methyl orange. It was found that the pseudo-zero order decolorization reaction constant in microbubble system is 2.1 times higher than that in conventional large bubble system. Total organic carbon (TOC) reduction rate of methyl orange was greatly enhanced by oxygen microbubble under 185+254 nm irradiation, however, TOC reduction rate by nitrogen microbubble was much slower than that with 185+254 nm irradiation only. Possible reaction mechanisms for the decolorization and mineralization of methyl orange both with oxygen and nitrogen mirobubbles were proposed in this study.

Adsorption of histidine-containing dipeptides on copper(II) immobilized chelating resin from saline solution.

Adsorption of histidine-containing dipeptides such as carnosine (Car) was investigated using copper(II) immobilized cation exchange resins. Adsorption of Car was enhanced using Cu(II) immobilized resins, on the basis of metal affinity interactions. In particular, iminodiacetic acid chelating resin with immobilized Cu(II) (Cu-IDA) can adsorb Car from saline water. Car was adsorbed on Cu-IDA even in the presence of 1000 mM of NaCl. Adsorption of various amino acids on Cu-IDA was compared under same conditions. Histidine and the histidine-containing dipeptides were selectively adsorbed on Cu-IDA over other amino acids, both in the absence and in the presence of NaCl. Therefore, immobilized metal affinity adsorption is an efficient method for recovering histidine-containing dipeptides from saline water.

Mechanism of gold adsorption by persimmon tannin gel.

Gold adsorption by persimmon tannin (PT) gel from a solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) was examined. A flow-rate examination in a column system indicated the reduction of Au(III) ion to Au(0). XRD patterns clarified the existence of Au(0) on the gel which adsorbed gold. The gel could also adsorb colloidal Au(0) prepared independently. A model consisting of ligand exchange, Au(III) reduction to Au(0), and resulting Au(0) adsorption by PT gel was presented for the gold adsorption mechanism.