Molecular modelling of phthalates – PPARs interactions

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most widely plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is used in plastic tubes, in medical and paramedical devices as well as in food storage packaging. The toxicological profile of DEHP has been evaluated in a number of experimental animal models and has been extensively documented. Its toxicity is in part linked to the activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR_α). As a response, an intensive research for a new, biologically inert plasticizer has been initiated. Among the alternative studied, tri(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TEHTM) or trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM) has attracted increasing interest. However, very little information is available on their biological effects. We proceeded to dock TOTM, DEHP and its metabolites in order to identify compounds that are likely to interact with PPAR_α and PPAR_γ binding sites. The results obtained hint that TOTM is not able to bind to PPARs and should therefore be safer than DEHP.     

Nanostructured metal coatings on polymers increase osteoblast attachment

Bioactive coatings are in high demand to increase the functions of cells for numerous medical devices. The objective of this in vitro study was to characterize osteoblast (bone-forming cell) adhesion on several potential orthopedic polymeric materials (specifically, polyetheretherketone, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene) coated with either titanium or gold using a novel Ionic Plasma Deposition process which creates a surface-engineered nanostructure (with features below 100 nm). Results demonstrated that compared to currently-used titanium and uncoated polymers, polymers coated with either titanium or gold using Ionic Plasma Deposition significantly increased osteoblast adhesion. Qualitative cell morphology results supported quantitative adhesion results as increased osteoblast cell spreading was observed on coated polymers compared to uncoated polymers. In this manner, this in vitro study strongly suggests that Ionic Plasma Deposition should be further studied for creating nanometer surface features on a wide variety of materials to enhance osteoblast functions necessary for orthopedic applications.     

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体与动脉粥样硬化

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体 (peroxisomeproliferator activatedreceptors ,PPARs)是核受体超家族中的一类配体依赖的核转录因子 ,包括α、β/δ和γ三种亚型 ,在脂肪细胞分化、能量代谢和炎症过程中都发挥重要的作用。最近的研究显示 ,PPARs的活化不仅可以改善包括糖尿病、高血压和肥胖等在内的胰岛素抵抗综合征 ,而且还直接作用于血管壁 ,从而减缓动脉粥样硬化的进程。本综述将就PPARs的结构、功能、与动脉粥样硬化发病机制和治疗相关的最新研究进展进行简要介绍。     

鸡PPARs基因组织表达特性的研究

以8周龄Arber Acres(AA)肉鸡为研究材料,采用RT-PCR和Northern blot方法对鸡PPAR基因组织表达特点进行了研究。RT-PCR半定量检测显示,在检测的10种组织中除胸部肌肉组织外,PPAR-α基因在其他9种组织中都表达,其中较高表达于脑、肺脏、肾脏、心脏和小肠,中等程度表达于胃、肝脏和脂肪,较低表达于脾脏。PPAR-γ基因除了在肝脏和肌肉中没有检测到外,在其他8种组织都有表达,其中高表达于脂肪,其次是脑和肾脏,低量表达于脾脏、心脏、肺脏、胃和小肠。Northern blot检测显示,PPAR-α基因在心脏、肝脏、肾脏和胃这4种组织表达,其中在肝脏杂交信号最强;PPAR-γ基因只在脂肪和肾脏表达,其中在脂肪组织有强的杂交信号。以上结果表明,鸡PPARS基因的组织表达特点同啮齿动物和人基本一致,但也有其自身的特殊性,即PPAR-α基因不在肌肉组织中表达,PPAR-γ基因在肾脏中有高表达。PPAR基因与鸡的多种组织的生长和发育有关。     

乳杆菌吸附塑化剂的影响因素分析及效果评价

【目的】评价嗜酸乳杆菌(Lactobacillus acidophilus) NCFM和类食品乳杆菌(Lactobacillus paralimentarius) 412吸附塑化剂的效果,初步探讨影响其吸附的因素。【方法】基于3种邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂：邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)的HPLC检测方法,评价了菌株NCFM和412与塑化剂共同温育时的吸附状况,优化菌株吸附DBP的条件,研究菌株在热、酸及NaCl处理后吸附塑化剂的稳定性。【结果】乳杆菌NCFM和412对3种邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂均有不同程度的吸附效果,其中菌株NCFM对3种塑化剂DEP、DBP和DEHP的吸附率分别为21.48%、43.32%和9.62%,吸附效果优于菌株412,其中DBP的吸附效果最好。在温度为37 °C时,菌株NCFM吸附DBP的最佳时间是4 h。热、酸和NaCl处理都会显著提高菌体NCFM吸附塑化剂的效果。【结论】嗜酸乳杆菌NCFM通过吸附作用具有清除3种邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂的效果,可以作为潜在的塑化剂生物脱除剂使用。     

Micro- and nanofabrication methods in nanotechnological medical and pharmaceutical devices

Micro- and nanofabrication techniques have revolutionized the pharmaceutical and medical fields as they offer the possibility for highly reproducible mass-fabrication of systems with complex geometries and functionalities, including novel drug delivery systems and bionsensors. The principal micro- and nanofabrication techniques are described, including photolithography, soft lithography, film deposition, etching, bonding, molecular self assembly, electrically induced nanopatterning, rapid prototyping, and electron, X-ray, colloidal monolayer, and focused ion beam lithography. Application of these techniques for the fabrication of drug delivery and biosensing systems including injectable, implantable, transdermal, and mucoadhesive devices is described.     

大型医院医疗设备采购流程精细化管理的探讨

医疗设备采购工作由于环节众多,过程复杂,且工作性质的特殊性、敏感性关系,很多的审批、监督环节无法省略,对工作速度造成了严重影响。该文探讨了一种基于项目团队模式的医疗设备采购管理新模式。打破了采购工作各相关部门的职能壁垒,按精细化管理的原则,构建了一个跨部门的医疗设备采购工作职能团队,快速、准确、高效地完成大型医院医疗设备购置工作,提高医疗设备采购工作的效率和质量,以充分发掘采购工作的效益。     

PPARs在长链脂肪酸调控能量代谢中的作用

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体α(PPARα)主要在肝脏中表达,饥饿时能诱导β-氧化与生酮作用相关基因和成纤维化生长因子21(FGF21)表达,这在肝脏的饥饿代谢适应中起重要作用。饥饿与耐力训练时,骨骼肌中,过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体δ(PPARδ)能诱导长链脂肪酸(LCFAs)氧化基因、叉头转录因子(FOXO1)及PPARδ共激活物α1(PGC1α)表达,其中,FOXO1和PGC1α能调控糖代谢与线粒体生物发生。脂肪细胞中,PPARγ能介导LCFAs调控能量代谢,活化的PPARγ能诱导与LCFAs转化为甘油三酯形式储存相关的基因表达。脂联素,PPARγ的另一靶基因,能维持脂肪细胞的胰岛素敏感性。本文就PPARs在LCFAs调控能量代谢中的作用做一综述。     

Identification of membrane progestin receptors in human breast cancer cell lines and biopsies and their potential involvement in breast cancer

Novel membrane progestin receptors (mPRs) coupled to G proteins recently identified in several species, including humans, are potential intermediaries in rapid, nongenomic progestin actions observed in a wide variety of tissues. Here we demonstrate mPR mRNA and protein expression and specific membrane-associated progestin binding in MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cells. Interestingly, human mPRalpha mRNA expression was higher in breast tumor biopsies than in normal tissue from the same breast. Recent studies indicate intracellular signaling pathways initiated by the mPRs are broadly similar to those induced during breast cancer growth and development. Taken together these results suggest a potential involvement of mPRs during the development or progression of breast cancer.