不同功率递增速率对正常人心肺运动试验整体功能的影响Ⅱ—亚极限运动相关指标的影响*

目的: 观察健康志愿者不同功率递增速率完成症状限制性极限心肺运动试验（CPET）对CPET亚极限运动相关核心指标的影响。方法: 选择12名健康志愿者在一周内不同工作天随机完成中等适度程度（30 W/min）及比较低（10 W/min）和比较高（60 W/min）3种不同功率递增速率CPET。按标准方法比较12名志愿者CPET亚极限运动相关核心指标：无氧阈（AT）、单位功率摄氧量（ΔVO₂/ΔWR）、摄氧通气有效性峰值平台（OUEP）、二氧化碳通气当量平均90 s最低值（Lowest VE/ VCO₂）、二氧化碳通气当量斜率（VE/ VCO₂ Slope）及截距（intercept）和无氧阈时的摄氧通气效率值（VO₂/ VE@AT）和无氧阈时的二氧化碳通气当量值（VE/ VCO₂@AT）。对三组不同功率递增速率下各个指标的差异组间两两比较。结果: 中等适度功率递增速率组与比较低和比较高功率递增速率组相比摄氧通气有效性峰值平台（42.22±4.76 vs 39.54±3.30 vs 39.29±4.29）和二氧化碳通气当量平均90 s最小值（24.13±2.88 vs 25.60±2.08 vs 26.06±3.05）明显好,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;比较低、比较高功率递增速率组与中等适度功率递增速率组相比,单位功率摄氧量显著升高和降低（（8.45±0.66 vs 10.04±0.58 vs 7.16±0.60）ml/（min·kg））,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;无氧阈值没有发生明显改变（（0.87±0.19 vs 0.87±0.19 vs 0.89±0.19）L/min）,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;结论: 比较低、比较高功率递增速率可以明显改变摄氧通气有效性、二氧化碳排出通气有效性、单位功率摄氧量等CPET亚极限运动相关指标;选择比较低和比较高的功率递增速率和适度功率递增速率CPET相比明显降低了健康个体的摄氧通气有效性和二氧化碳排出通气有效性。CPET规范化操作要求选择适合受试者的功率递增速率,这样得到的CPET亚极限相关指标才最能反应受试者的真实功能状态。     

Design of novel electron transfer mediators based on indophenol derivatives for lactate sensor

Novel indophenol derivatives which have limited solubility in water solution functioned as excellent electron-transfer mediators for lactate oxidase and a lactate sensor, showing good sensor performance, including a high sensitivity and good durability. These less water-soluble mediators were prepared by the O-alkylation or acylation of indophenols in order to prevent the mediator being leached from the sensor. Consequently the characteristic substituent effects of indophenol derivatives were found to be follows, (1) modification of the phenolic OH group improved sensor durability; (2) the presence of chloride groups at the 2,6-positions of the phenol ring improved the sensitivity of the sensor; (3) the introduction of substituents at the quinoide moiety led to a deterioration in durability. A mediator based lactate sensor using these derivatives was found to be nearly independent of oxygen concentration, showed a low level of interference effect, and a quite long durability.     

Effect of hearing AIDS on auditory function in infants with perinatal brain injury and severe hearing loss

Background

Approximately 2–4% of newborns with perinatal risk factors present with hearing loss. Our aim was to analyze the effect of hearing aid use on auditory function evaluated based on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), auditory brain responses (ABRs) and auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) in infants with perinatal brain injury and profound hearing loss.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A prospective, longitudinal study of auditory function in infants with profound hearing loss. Right side hearing before and after hearing aid use was compared with left side hearing (not stimulated and used as control). All infants were subjected to OAE, ABR and ASSR evaluations before and after hearing aid use. The average ABR threshold decreased from 90.0 to 80.0 dB (p = 0.003) after six months of hearing aid use. In the left ear, which was used as a control, the ABR threshold decreased from 94.6 to 87.6 dB, which was not significant (p>0.05). In addition, the ASSR threshold in the 4000-Hz frequency decreased from 89 dB to 72 dB (p = 0.013) after six months of right ear hearing aid use; the other frequencies in the right ear and all frequencies in the left ear did not show significant differences in any of the measured parameters (p>0.05). OAEs were absent in the baseline test and showed no changes after hearing aid use in the right ear (p>0.05).

Conclusions/Significance

This study provides evidence that early hearing aid use decreases the hearing threshold in ABR and ASSR assessments with no functional modifications in the auditory receptor, as evaluated by OAEs.     

Conservative and nonconservative mutations in proteins: anomalous mutations in a transport receptor analyzed by free energy and quantum chemical calculations.

Experimental studies on a bacterial sulfate receptor have indicated anomalous relative binding affinities for the mutations Ser130-->Cys,Ser130-->Gly, and Ser130-->Ala. The loss of affinity for sulfate in the former mutation was previously attributed to a greater steric effect on the part of the Cys side chain relative to the Ser side chain, whereas the relatively small loss of binding affinity for the latter two mutations was attributed to the loss of a single hydrogen bond. In this report we present quantum chemical and statistical thermodynamic studies of these mutations. Qualitative results from these studies indicate that for the Ser130-->Cys mutation the large decrease in binding affinity is in part caused by steric effects, but also significantly by the differential work required to polarize the Cys thiol group relative to the Ser hydroxyl group. The Gly mutant cobinds a water molecule in the same location as the Ser side chain resulting in a relatively small decrease in binding affinity. Results for the Ala mutant are in disagreement with experimental results but are likely to be limited by insufficient sampling of configuration space due to physical constraints applied during the simulation.     

Comparison of Release-Controlling Efficiency of Polymeric Coating Materials Using Matrix-type Casted Films and Diffusion-Controlled Coated Tablet

Polymeric coating materials have been widely used to modify release rate of drug. We compared physical properties and release-controlling efficiency of polymeric coating materials using matrix-type casted film and diffusion-controlled coated tablet. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) with low or high viscosity grade, ethylcellulose (EC) and Eudragit® RS100 as pH-independent polymers and Eudragit S100 for enteric coatings were chosen to prepare the casted film and coated tablet. Tensile strength and contact angle of matrix-type casted film were invariably in the decreasing order: EC> Eudragit S100> HPMC 100000> Eudragit RS100>HPMC 4000. There was a strong linear correlation between tensile strength and contact angle of the casted films. In contrast, weight loss (film solubility) of the matrix-type casted films in three release media (gastric, intestinal fluid and water) was invariably in the increasing order: EC < HPMC 100000 < Eudragit RS100 < HPMC 4000 with an exception of Eudragit S100. The order of release rate of matrix-type casted films was EC > HPMC 100000 > Eudragit RS100 > HPMC 4000 > Eudragit S100. Interestingly, diffusion-controlled coated tablet also followed this rank order except Eudragit S100 although release profiles and lag time were highly dependent on the coating levels and type of polymeric coating materials. EC and Eudragit RS100 produced sustained release while HPMC and Eudragit S100 produced pulsed release. No molecular interactions occurred between drug and coating materials using ¹H-NMR analysis. The current information on release-controlling power of five different coating materials as matrix carrier or diffusion-controlled film could be applicable in designing oral sustained drug delivery.Key words: diffusion-controlled coated tablet, drug release rate, matrix-type casted film, polymeric coating materials, release-controlling power     

The stimulating effect of glycols and their polymers on the tarsal receptors of blowflies

The rejection thresholds of Phormia regina Meigen for twenty-four glycols have been determined. A definite relationship between the concentration of the test material and the distribution of thresholds has been noted regularly in samples of flies selected at random from a population of known age which had been reared under standard conditions. The scattering of thresholds is normal with respect to the logarithm of concentration. Recalculation of the data of other workers reveals the same sort of relationship with other species of insects and the minnow Phoxinus. The underlying reason for the phenomenon is not known. The glycols in common with other series of homologous alipbatic compounds are rejected at logarithmically decreasing concentrations as the chain length is increased. In general the straight chain diols are more stimulating than the corresponding polyethylene and polypropylene glycols. This difference is related in some manner to the presence of ether linkages in the latter. Polypropylene glycols, with chains of three carbon atoms between the ether linkages are more stimulating than polyethylene glycols, where the spacing is -O-C-C-O-. Unipolymers are more stimulating than mixtures of homologues with the same average molecular weights. Polyethylene glycol 1540 is the largest molecule of measured molecular weight known to stimulate chemoreceptors. The introduction of a second terminal hydroxyl group into the straight hydrocarbon chain reduces the stimulating effect. Alcohols corresponding to the first three diols average about four times as stimulating as the latter while those corresponding to the higher diols average more than one hundred times as stimulating.     

Taste sensitivity of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, to chemicals

Threshold values of acceptance and rejection for 16 sugars and 12 electrolytes were measured. Most pentoses, hexoses, di- and tri-saccharides are stimulating. Compounds with α-linkage are superior stimuli. Substitution in the sugar molecule causes an obvious change in its stimulating characteristic. The rejection thresholds of the larvae to electrolytes showed a higher stimulating effectiveness for either acids or hydroxides than for neutral inorganic salts. The cations in a uniform anion combination stimulated in an order which was mostly correlated to their ionic mobilities. The stimulating efficiency of aliphatic alcohols was found to increase with the increase of molecular weight. An inverse relation was found between the stimulating efficiency and the vapour pressure of the alcohols tested. The line describing the relation between the rejection thresholds and the chain length of alcohols showed an inflection near butanol with a molecular weight of 74.     

Deterrent effect of carboxylic acids on cabbage root fly oviposition

In laboratory experiments, 11 selected carboxylic acids were tested to determine which part of the sinapic acid molecule is responsible for deterring cabbage root fly from laying its eggs on otherwise-acceptable cauliflower host-plants. The deterrent effect was only obtained with compounds containing at least one carboxylic group in the molecule. Hence, the aliphatic acids were as deterrent as the aromatic acids to the fly and all the carboxylic acids were as deterrent as sinapic acid, reducing oviposition by > 50%. The inclusion of two carboxylic groups in the molecule, (e.g. phthalic acid and oxalic acid) did not increase the deterrent effect observed with sinapic acid. Some of the long chain fatty acids, with low volatility, low water solubility and thus greater persistence, offer practical opportunities for deterring Delia radicurn from laying its eggs on plants in the field.     

An essential role for diet in exercise-mediated protection against dyslipidemia, inflammation and atherosclerosis in ApoE⁻/⁻ mice

Background

Diet and exercise promote cardiovascular health but their relative contributions to atherosclerosis are not fully known. The transition from a sedentary to active lifestyle requires increased caloric intake to achieve energy balance. Using atherosclerosis-prone ApoE-null mice we sought to determine whether the benefits of exercise for arterial disease are dependent on the food source of the additional calories.

Methods and Results

Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HF) for 4.5 months to initiate atherosclerosis after which time half were continued on HF while the other half were switched to a high protein/fish oil diet (HP). Half of each group underwent voluntary running. Food intake, running distance, body weight, lipids, inflammation markers, and atherosclerotic plaque were quantified. Two-way ANOVA tests were used to assess differences and interactions between groups. Exercised mice ran approximately 6-km per day with no difference between groups. Both groups increased food intake during exercise and there was a significant main effect of exercise F((1,44) = 9.86, p<0.01) without interaction. Diet or exercise produced significant independent effects on body weight (diet: F(1,52) = 6.85, p = 0.012; exercise: F(1,52) = 9.52, p<0.01) with no significant interaction. The combination of HP diet and exercise produced a greater decrease in total cholesterol (F(1, 46) = 7.9, p<0.01) and LDL (F(1, 46) = 7.33, p<0.01) with a large effect on the size of the interaction. HP diet and exercise independently reduced TGL and VLDL (p<0.05 and 0.001 respectively). Interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein were highest in the HF-sedentary group and were significantly reduced by exercise only in this group. Plaque accumulation in the aortic arch, a marker of cardiovascular events was reduced by the HP diet and the effect was significantly potentiated by exercise only in this group resulting in significant plaque regression (F1, 49 = 4.77, p<0.05).

Conclusion

In this model exercise is beneficial to combat dyslipidemia and protect from atherosclerosis only when combined with diet.     

Relative effectiveness of various anions on the solubility of acidic Hypoderma lineatum collagenase at pH 7.2.

The effects of various anions on decreasing the solubility of acidic Hypoderma lineatum collagenase at pH 7.2 and 18 degrees C were qualitatively defined by replacing the crystallizing agent of known crystallization conditions by various ammonium salts. The solubility curves measured in the presence of the sulfate, phosphate, citrate, and chloride ammonium salts gave the following ranking of anions: HPO4(2-)/H2PO4- > SO4(2-) > citrate 3-/citrate2- >> Cl-. This order is in agreement with the Hofmeister series. In a previous study on the solubility at pH 4.5 of lysozyme, a basic protein, the effectiveness of anions in decreasing the solubility was found to be in the reverse order. This suggests that the effectiveness of anions in the crystallization of proteins is dependent on the net charge of the protein, i.e., depending on whether a basic protein is crystallized at acidic pH or an acidic protein at basic pH.     

Determination of 1-aryl-4-propylpiperazine pKa values: The substituent on aryl modulates basicity

In order to design a potential drug, it is important to know its pK_a because the protonation state of the molecule will be critical for ligand–receptor interaction and for the pharmacokinetic of the molecule. pK_a values of a series of 1-(substitutedphenyl)-4-propylpiperazines were measured to study how the presence of a substituent on the phenyl ring modulates the basicity of N-4 nitrogen. pK_a values indicated that the position of the substituent was crucial. In general, the introduction of the substituent in ortho-position of the phenyl ring increased the basicity of the molecule. This effect appeared to be related to steric and conformational effects and not to the electronic properties of the substituent. On the other hand, meta- and para-substituted derivatives showed a slight decrease of pK_a that was qualitatively consistent with the electronic properties of the substituent.     

Polymorphisms in the ERCC5 Gene and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) in Eastern Chinese Populations

Background

Excision repair cross complementing group 5 (ERCC5 or XPG) plays an important role in regulating DNA excision repair; its functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may alter DNA repair capacity and thus contribute to cancer risk.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In a hospital-based case-control study of 1115 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases and 1117 cancer-free controls, we genotyped three potentially functional SNPs of ERCC5 (SNPs, rs2296147T>C, rs2094258C>T and rs873601G>A) and estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for their associations with risk of ESCC using unconditional logistic regression models. We also calculated false-positive report probabilities (FPRPs) for significant findings. We found that compared with the TT genotype, ERCC5 rs2296147 C variant genotypes were associated with a significantly lower ESCC risk (CT: adjusted OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.63–0.93, CT/CC: adjusted OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.67–0.96); however, this risk was not observed for the other two SNPs (rs2094258C>T and rs873601 G>A), nor in further stratification and haplotype analysis.

Conclusions/Significances

These findings suggested that ERCC5 polymorphisms may contribute to risk of ESCC in Eastern Chinese populations, but the effect was weak and needs further validation by larger population-based case-control studies.     

Preferential hydration and solubility of proteins in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol

This paper is focused on the local composition around a protein molecule in aqueous mixtures containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the solubility of proteins in water + PEG mixed solvents. Experimental data from literature regarding the preferential binding parameter were used to calculate the excesses (or deficits) of water and PEG in the vicinity of β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, chymotrypsinogen and ribonuclease A. It was concluded that the protein molecule is preferentially hydrated in all cases (for all proteins and PEGs investigated). The excesses of water and deficits of PEG in the vicinity of a protein molecule could be explained by a steric exclusion mechanism, i.e. the large difference in the sizes of water and PEG molecules.

The solubility of different proteins in water + PEG mixed solvent was expressed in terms of the preferential binding parameter. The slope of the logarithm of protein (lysozyme, β-lactoglobulin and bovine serum albumin) solubility versus the PEG concentration could be predicted on the basis of experimental data regarding the preferential binding parameter. For all the cases considered (various proteins, various PEGs molecular weights and various pHs), our theory predicted that PEG acts as a salting-out agent, conclusion in full agreement with experimental observations. The predicted slopes were compared with experimental values and while in some cases good agreement was found, in other cases the agreement was less satisfactory. Because the established equation is a rigorous thermodynamic one, the disagreement might occur because the experimental results used for the solubility and/or the preferential binding parameter do not correspond to thermodynamic equilibrium.     

Immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a swine hemi-facial allotransplantation model

Background

In this study, we investigated whether the infusion of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), combined with transient immunosuppressant treatment, could suppress allograft rejection and modulate T-cell regulation in a swine orthotopic hemi-facial composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) model.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Outbred miniature swine underwent hemi-facial allotransplantation (day 0). Group-I (n = 5) consisted of untreated control animals. Group-II (n = 3) animals received MSCs alone (given on days −1, +1, +3, +7, +14, and +21). Group-III (n = 3) animals received CsA (days 0 to +28). Group-IV (n = 5) animals received CsA (days 0 to +28) and MSCs (days −1, +1, +3, +7, +14, and +21). The transplanted face tissue was observed daily for signs of rejection. Biopsies of donor tissues and recipient blood sample were obtained at specified predetermined times (per 2 weeks post-transplant) or at the time of clinically evident rejection. Our results indicated that the MSC-CsA group had significantly prolonged allograft survival compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Histological examination of the MSC-CsA group displayed the lowest degree of rejection in alloskin and lymphoid gland tissues. TNF-α expression in circulating blood revealed significant suppression in the MSC and MSC-CsA treatment groups, as compared to that in controls. IHC staining showed CD45 and IL-6 expression were significantly decreased in MSC-CsA treatment groups compared to controls. The number of CD4+/CD25+ regulatory T-cells and IL-10 expressions in the circulating blood significantly increased in the MSC-CsA group compared to the other groups. IHC staining of alloskin tissue biopsies revealed a significant increase in the numbers of foxp3⁺T-cells and TGF-β1 positive cells in the MSC-CsA group compared to the other groups.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that MSCs significantly prolong hemifacial CTA survival. Our data indicate the MSCs did not only suppress inflammation and acute rejection of CTA, but also modulate T-cell regulation and related cytokines expression.     

Hypoxic selectivity and solubility—investigating the properties of A-ring substituted nitro seco-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]benz[e]indol-4-ones (nitroCBIs) as hypoxia-activated prodrugs for antitumor therapy

Nitro seco-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]benz[e]indol-4-ones (nitroCBIs) are a new class of prodrugs for antitumor therapy that undergo hypoxia-selective metabolism to form potent DNA minor groove alkylating agents. Although hindered by poor aqueous solubility, several examples have shown activity against hypoxic tumor cells in vivo. Here we investigate structural properties that influence hypoxic selectivity in vitro, and show that for high hypoxic selectivity nitroCBIs should combine an electron-withdrawing group of H-bond donor capacity on the A-ring, with a basic substituent on the minor groove-binding side chain. Substitution on the A-ring is compatible with the introduction of functionality that can improve water solubility.     

MSCs transplantation with application of G-CSF reduces apoptosis or increases VEGF in rabbit model of myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to test whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation with application of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) would have beneficial effects on damaged heart in a rabbit model of myocardial infarction (MI). MI was created by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After induction of MI, 40 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 8 groups: (1) MSCs injection at 3 days after MI; (2) G-CSF injection at 3 days after MI; (3) MSCs + G-CSF (20 u/kg/day) injection at 3 days after MI; (4) PBS injection at 3 days after MI; (5) MSCs injection at 7 days after MI; (6) G-CSF injection at 7 days after MI; (7) MSCs + G-CSF (20 u/kg/day) injection 7 days after MI; and (8) PBS injection 7 days after MI. TUNEL analysis showed that the apoptotic cells were distributed in the marginal area of MI. In both 3 and 7 days after MI groups, there were less apoptotic cells in the MSCs and MSCs + G-CSF groups as compared with the PBS group (P < 0.05). However, no decrease in apoptosis was observed in the G-CSF only group (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor was higher in the MSCs, MSCs + G-CSF and G-CSF groups as compared with the PBS group. The present study demonstrated a beneficial effect of MSCs transplantation with application of G-CSF in the treatment of rabbit MI.     

Olfactory responses of blowflies to aliphatic aldehydes

The response of the blowfly Phormia regina to stimulation by aldehydes in the vapor phase has been studied by means of a specially designed olfactometer. The median rejection threshold and the maximum acceptance threshold were selected as criteria of response. For both acceptance and rejection the distribution of thresholds in the population is normal with respect to the logarithm of concentration. When thresholds are expressed as molar concentrations, the values decrease progressively as chain length is increased. There is no attraction beyond decanal and no rejection beyond dodecanal. When thresholds are expressed as activities, most members of the aldehyde series are approximately equally stimulating at rejection and equally stimulating at acceptance. The relationship is most exact over the middle range of chain lengths. There is a tendency for the terminal members to stimulate at higher activities. These relationships are in close agreement with those which were found earlier to apply to the normal aliphatic alcohols. The similarity between the relative actions of the members of the two series suggests that the relation of equal olfactory stimulation at equal thermodynamic activities by homologous aliphatic compounds at least for homologues of intermediate chain length may be of rather general application in olfaction.     

Functional group and substructure searching as a tool in metabolomics

Background

A direct link between the names and structures of compounds and the functional groups contained within them is important, not only because biochemists frequently rely on literature that uses a free-text format to describe functional groups, but also because metabolic models depend upon the connections between enzymes and substrates being known and appropriately stored in databases.

Methodology

We have developed a database named “Biochemical Substructure Search Catalogue” (BiSSCat), which contains 489 functional groups, >200,000 compounds and >1,000,000 different computationally constructed substructures, to allow identification of chemical compounds of biological interest.

Conclusions

This database and its associated web-based search program (http://bisscat.org/) can be used to find compounds containing selected combinations of substructures and functional groups. It can be used to determine possible additional substrates for known enzymes and for putative enzymes found in genome projects. Its applications to enzyme inhibitor design are also discussed.     

Oxidation of phenols by laccase and laccase-mediator systems.

To investigate how solubility and steric issues affect the laccase-catalysed oxidation of phenols, a series of oligomeric polyphenol compounds, having increasing size and decreasing solubility in water, was incubated with laccase. The extent of substrate conversion, and the nature of the products formed in buffered aqueous solutions, were compared to those obtained in the presence of an organic cosolvent, and also in the presence of two mediating species, i.e. N-hydroxyphthalimide (HPI) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy (TEMPO). This approach showed not only an obvious role of solubility, but also a significant role of the dimension of the substrate upon the enzymatic reactivity. In fact, reactivity decreases as substrate size increases even when solubility is enhanced by a cosolvent. This effect may be ascribed to limited accessibility of encumbered substrates to the enzyme active site, and can be compensated through the use of the appropriate mediator. While TEMPO was highly efficient at enhancing the reactivity of large, less soluble substrates, HPI proved less effective. In addition, whereas the laccase/HPI system afforded the same products as laccase alone, the use of TEMPO provided a different product with high specificity. These results offer the first evidence of the role of 'oxidation shuttles' that the mediators of laccase may have, but also suggest two promising routes towards an environmentally friendly process for kraft pulp bleaching: (a) the identification of mediators which, once oxidized by laccase, are able to target strategic functional groups present in lignin, and (b) the introduction of those strategic functional groups in an appropriate pretreatment.