Enzymatic hydrolysis of nitrile was performed under mild conditions and afford high efficiency and selectivity,thus being highly potential for the synthesis of optically active carboxylic acids and their derivatives.The type of nitrile-hydrolyzing enzymes and hydrolysis reactions,reaction characteristics,factors influencing the hydrolysis and the prospect for its application to industrial production were reviewed in this paper.

Groundwater remediation by nanoparticles has received increasing interest in recent years. This report presents a thorough evaluation of hexavalent chromium removal in aqueous solutions using iron (Fe(0)) nanoparticles. Cr(VI) is a major pollutant of groundwater. Zero-valent iron, an important natural reductant of Cr(VI), is an option in the remediation of contaminated sites, transforming Cr(VI) to essentially nontoxic Cr(III). At a dose of 0.4 g/L, 100% of Cr(VI) (20 mg/L) was degraded. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency decreased significantly with increasing initial pH. Different Fe(0) type was compared in the same conditions. The reactivity was in the order starch-stabilized Fe(0) nanoparticles>Fe(0) nanoparticles>Fe(0) powder>Fe(0) filings. Electrochemical analysis of the reaction process led to the conclusion that Cr(OH)(3) should be the final product of Cr(VI). Iron nanoparticles are good choice for the remediation of heavy metals in groundwater.
Chromium ; chemistry ; Electrochemistry ; Fresh Water ; chemistry ; Iron ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Starch ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Water Pollutants, Chemical

Derris eriocarpa, a traditional Chinese medicine belonging to the family of Leguminosae, is widely distributed mainly over Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou of China. Modern pharmacological researches on this herb showed that it had extensive bioactivities, such as promoting urination, removing dampness and cough and reducing inspissated mucus and other biological activities. The extensive studies on the chemical constituents of this plant have resulted in the isolation of triterpenoids, steroids, fatty acid and others, but the flavone compounds haven't reported before. In our further research on the ethyl acetate of this plant, nine flavone compounds were obtained by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, semi-prep HPLC, polyamide column chromatography and recrystallization for separation and purification. The structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including MS, NMR experiments and comparison with spectroscopic data in the literature, respectively, as diosmetin (1), 3, 3'-di-O-methylquercetin (2), afromosin (3), 6, 3'-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (4), odoratin (5), 7, 3'-dihydroxy-8, 4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (6), 6, 4'-dihydroxy-7, 3'-dimethoxyisoflavone (7), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-3, 3', 5'-trimethoxyflavone (8), and alpinumisoflavone (9). All these compounds were isolated from Derris eriocarpa How for the first time. And the in vitro assays showed that compound 2 possessed moderate inhibitory activity against human cancer cells K562 and HEL.
Derris ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells

AIMTo study the anti-inflammatory activity of N-(4-arylamidophenyl) methanesulfonamide derivatives.

METHODSThe target compounds were synthesized from p-nitroaniline via three steps and were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity with the model of xylene-induced ear edema in mice.

RESULTSEleven compounds were obtained and confirmed by IR, 1HNMR and MS. Some compounds were shown to have significant anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSIONN-(4-arylamidophenyl) methanesulfonamide showed appreciable anti-inflammatory activity.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Ear ; pathology ; Ear Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Edema ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Sulfonamides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Xylenes

OBJECTIVETo investigate the transcription of cytoskeleton protein genes in differentiation of neurons from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells induced by all-trans retinoic acid (RA), and to explore the possibility of setting up a method to screen small molecules with promoting or inhibiting effect.

METHODSThe hanging drop method was employed for embryonic body formation to mimic embryo development in vivo. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to investigate mRNA expression of the neuron-specific cytoskeleton proteins including Mtap2, Nefm and beta-tubulin III which were regarded as the inducing effect indexes of RA. Morphological evaluation and immunocytochemistry staining were conducted to identify the neural derivatives. Moreover, the inducing effects of six synthetic molecules were further evaluated.

RESULTRA up-regulated the mRNA expression of Mtap2 and Nefm, especially Mtap2 increased by 1.27 times, which was consistent with the morphological alteration. However, there was no significant changes of beta-tubulin III expression. With addition of the six synthetic molecules, the transcription of Mtap2 was inhibited, while the Nefm mRNA expression was up-regulated in some degree, especially for molecule 1 and 3 that was increased by 1.4 and 1.2 times, which, however, was not parallel to the morphological changes.

CONCLUSIONThe transcriptional levels of Mtap2 and Nefm are both up-regulated in the RA-induced differentiation of ES cells towards neurons. The up-regulation of Mtap2 is consistent with the morphological alteration, which might be the key landmark in the RA-induced differentiation of ES cells into neurons.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Mice ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; pharmacology ; Neurofilament Proteins ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Tubulin ; pharmacology

Objective:To investigate the immunologic effect of probiotic FGM fermented astragalus membranaceus on brain damage mice.Methods:Astragalus membranaceus was fermented by probiotic FGM,and ethanol subsiding method was used to extract fermented astragalus polysaccharide in fermented astragalus powder.Fermented astragalus polysaccharide 200,100,50 mg/(kg · d) were intraperitoneal injected daily for 7 consecutive days.The brain damage mice model was established at 1 h after the last dose via suture ligation.Spleen index,thymus index were determined by gravimetric method.The proliferation of splenic lymphocytes was determined by MMT method.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interleukin 1β(IL-1β).Results:Compared with model group,the spleen index and thymus index was significantly increased in fermented astragalus polysaccharide high concentration administration group (P ＜ 0.05).Splenic lymphocyte proliferation was significantly increased (P＜0.05).The content of TNF-α and IL-1 β decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Probiotic FGM fermented astragalus polysaccharide has immune protective effect on brain damage mice.

A novel reaction-enzymatic ammonolysis discovered in the mid of 1990s has been demonstrated to be a very promising alternative in the preparation of optically pure compounds. The effects of organic solvent, initial water activity, temperature and additives on lipase Novozym435-catalyzed enantioselective ammonolysis of racemic phenylglycine methyl ester were investigated systematically in this paper. Enzymatic reaction of ammonolysis showed higher activity and enantioselectivity than the corresponding reaction of hydrolysis and alcoholysis.
Alcohols ; Ammonia ; Catalysis ; Dimethylformamide ; pharmacology ; Esters ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Hexoses ; pharmacology ; Hydrolysis ; Lipase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Organic Chemicals ; Solvents ; Surface-Active Agents ; pharmacology ; Temperature ; Water

OBJECTIVETo investigate the fibrogenetic effects induced by rush-mat dust in rats.

METHODSSD rats were treated with 50 mg of rush-mat dust per rat by intra-tracheal instillation, sacrificed 3, 6, and 12 months respectively after exposure. The lung tissue and lung lymph-node were taken out for pathological and electron microscopic examination. The content of collagen and ceruloplasmin (CP) in lung tissues were also determined.

RESULTSAfter treatment for 12 months, fresh wet lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(2.69 +/- 0.22) g] was higher than those in saline group [(1.87 +/- 0.25) g], TiO(2) group [(2.25 +/- 0.26) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(11.41 +/- 1.63) g]; dry lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(0.47 +/- 0.03) g] was higher than those in saline group [(0.32 +/- 0.03) g], TiO(2) group [(0.41 +/- 0.08) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(2.06 +/- 0.28) g]; lung collagen content in rush-mat dust group [(103.08 +/- 14.79) mg] was higher than those in saline group [(75.96 +/- 13.91) mg, TiO(2) group [(85.84 +/- 17.62) mg], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(497.50 +/- 100.80) mg]; CP content in rush-mat dust group [(18.03 +/- 1.87) U/L] was higher than those in saline group [(15.05 +/- 2.24) U/L], TiO(2) group [(16.92 +/- 1.67) U/L], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(25.37 +/- 3.58) U/L], P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Pathological examination showed lung macrophage alveolitis, broadening of alveolar interval, one to two grade of silicotic nodes and increased amount of type II epithelial cell in alveolar as well as slight collagenous fibrosis in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group. Under electron microscope, primary and secondary lysosome and medullary sheath-like phagocytic residual body were found in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group, meanwhile the amount of type II alveolar epithelial cell and collagen fiber were slightly increased but these changes were less than those of quartz group.

CONCLUSIONThe rush-mat dusts have slight pulmonary fibrogenetic effect on rat.

Animals ; Ceruloplasmin ; analysis ; Dust ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Fibrillar Collagens ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Titanium ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo summarize the surgical experience of release and balance of soft tissues around hip in total hip arthroplasty for patients with severe hip dysplasia.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to January 2006, 29 patients (31 hips) of adult dysplasia of hip were included in the study. Among them, there were 22 females and 7 males, age from 38 to 65 years with average of 53 years. According to Crowe classification system, there were 22 in type III, 9 in type IV, and Harris score was 42.6 preoperatively. Total hip arthroplasty was performed via lateral approach. All the acetabular cups were reconstructed at the original anatomic location through release of soft tissue around hip to restore limb length, and techniques of balance of soft tissue were applied to extend force arm of hip abductor and improve its function.

RESULTSAll the patients had restoration of limb length (ranged from 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm). One case of postoperative dislocation was occurred due to slight large of acetabular obtuse angle. Follow-up for 1-5 years (average 3.2 years) in 29 patients, the Harris score increased to 85.4 postoperatively. All hips had released from pain and functioned well.

CONCLUSIONSIn order to restoration anatomic structure and physiologic function of affected hip, the technique of release and balance of soft tissues around hip should be applied and cautioned in arthroplasty of dysplastic hip.

Acetabulum ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Connective Tissue ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To understand the status of health literacy of residents in Qiandao Lake town in order to complete the surveillance system.Methods A total of 484 residents aged 15 to 69 years old from 9 communities were selected using cluster random sampling method.Then the household interview was conducted.Results The overall level of health literacy of residents was 26.03%.As for the 4 health literacy related aspects including basic health knowledge,health lifestyle and behaviors,health related skill and health beliefs,the rates were 32.54% ,4.77% ,60.30% and 92.62%,respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the level of health literacy of residents was related to age and education.Conclusion The health education in Qiandao Lake town has got some achievements.