Stability improvement of electrospun chitosan nanofibrous membranes in neutral or weak basic aqueous solutions

Further utilization of chitosan nanofibrous membranes that are electrospun from chitosan solutions in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) with or without dichloromethane (DCM) as the modifying cosolvent is limited by the loss of the fibrous structure as soon as the membranes are in contact with neutral or weak basic aqueous solutions due to complete dissolution of the membranes. Dissolution occurs as a result of the high solubility in these aqueous media of -NH(3)(+)CF(3)COO(-) salt residues that are formed when chitosan is dissolved in TFA. Traditional neutralization with a NaOH aqueous solution only maintained partial fibrous structure. Much improvement in the neutralization method was achieved with the saturated Na(2)CO(3) aqueous solution with an excess amount of Na(2)CO(3)(s) in the solution. We showed that electrospun chitosan nanofibrous membranes, after neutralization in the Na(2)CO(3) aqueous solution, could maintain its fibrous structure even after continuous submersion in phosphate buffer saline (pH = 7.4) or distilled water for 12 weeks.     

Database Searching for Thymidine and Thymidylate Kinase Inhibitors Using Three-dimensional Structure-based Methods

Structure-based drug design methods were used to search for novel inhibitors of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase and Mycobacterium tuberculosis thymidylate kinase. The method involved the use of crystal structure complexes to guide database searching for potential inhibitors. A number of weak inhibitors of HSV-2 were identified, one of which was found to inhibit HSV-1 TK and HSV-1 TK-deficient viral strains. Each compound tested against M. tuberculosis thymidylate kinase was found to have some activity. The best of these compounds was only 4.6-fold less potent than 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine-5′-monophosphate (AZTMP). This study demonstrates the utility of structure-based drug design methods in the search for novel enzyme inhibitors.     

Effects of Soil Components and Liming Effect of CCA-Wood Ash upon Leaching of Cu,Cr, and As from CCA-Wood Ash in Ultisol Soil

The burning of wood that has been chemically treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) produces an ash containing high concentrations of copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA-metals). The rainwater-leaching of these metals from burn sites can produce increased soil and water contamination. Soil systems have varying natural abilities to retard leaching and they also impact metals speciation and toxicity through sorption, conversion, and sedimentation-related mechanisms. Recent regulations restricting the use of CCA-treatment have resulted in increased quantities of CCA-treated lumber entering the waste stream, making studies of metals leaching from CCA-wood ash and soil/CCA-wood ash systems important areas of investigation.

Wood ash composition, soil composition, and CCA-metals speciation are all important factors determining the degree of the metal mobility in a soil system containing metals leached from CCA-wood ash. The CCA-metals composition of CCA-wood ash was determined by analytical methods. Both pH and batch leaching studies were used to postulate mobility mechanisms within the CCA-wood ash/soil system. The contrasting effects of untreated-wood ash and CCA-wood ash on soil components are presented in order to assess the potential for enhancement of immobilization mechanisms that increase the soil system retardance of CCA-metals mobility.

Results of this investigation show that the Ultisol test soil retards the mobility of As and Cr compared to CCA-wood ash alone, while Cu mobility is increased in the presence of the Ultisol test soil. Experimental results show that the alkalinity of a CCA-wood ash/Ultisol soil system is lower than that of an untreated-wood ash/Ultisol soil system. This indicates a difference in chemical composition and the potential consumption of hydroxyl ions during treatment by the retardance mechanisms affecting Cr and As mobility. Therefore, the study of these contaminated soil systems and the potential enhancement of immobilization mechanisms are important areas of investigation.     

Preparation and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles-Loaded Calcium Alginate Beads Embedded in Gelatin Scaffolds

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-loaded alginate beads embedded in gelatin scaffolds were successfully prepared. The AgNPs-loaded calcium alginate beads were prepared by electrospraying method. The effect of alginate concentration and applied voltage on shape and diameter of beads was studied. The diameter of dry AgNPs-loaded calcium alignate beads at various concentrations of AgNO₃ ranged between 154 and 171 μm. The AgNPs-loaded calcium alginate beads embedded in gelatin scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying method. The water swelling and weight loss behaviors of the AgNPs-loaded alginate beads embedded in gelatin scaffolds increased with an increase in the submersion time. Moreover, the genipin-cross-linked gelatin scaffolds were proven to be nontoxic to normal human dermal fibroblasts, suggesting their potential uses as wound dressings.     

Functional Characterization of drim2, the Drosophila melanogaster Homolog of the Yeast Mitochondrial Deoxynucleotide Transporter

The CG18317 gene (drim2) is the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rim2 gene, which encodes a pyrimidine (deoxy)nucleotide carrier. Here, we tested if the drim2 gene also encodes for a deoxynucleotide transporter in the fruit fly. The protein was localized to mitochondria. Drosophila S2R⁺ cells, silenced for drim2 expression, contained markedly reduced pools of both purine and pyrimidine dNTPs in mitochondria, whereas cytosolic pools were unaffected. In vivo drim2 homozygous knock-out was lethal at the larval stage, preceded by the following: (i) impaired locomotor behavior; (ii) decreased rates of oxygen consumption, and (iii) depletion of mtDNA. We conclude that the Drosophila mitochondrial carrier dRIM2 transports all DNA precursors and is essential to maintain mitochondrial function.     

The effect of inducing agents on the metabolism of ethidium bromide by isolated rat hepatocytes

The metabolism of ethidium bromide by isolated rat hepatocytes is significantly enhanced by pre-treatment of animals with phenobarbitone (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC). Pre-treatment with PB and 3-MC results in a 2.5- and 1.5-fold increase, respectively in the amount of the principal metabolite, ethidium 8-N-glucuronide, compared with that formed by hepatocytes from untreated rats. The formation of ethidium 3-N-glucuronide is not enhanced by pre-treatment with either PB or 3-MC. Two new metabolites, hydroxyethidium glucuronide and a transient unidentified species, have been detected by HPLC and are formed only by hepatocytes from animals pre-treated with 3-MC.     

Oxidation of phosphatidylserine: a mechanism for plasma membrane phospholipid scrambling during apoptosis?

Selective oxidation of phosphatidylserine (PS) during apoptosis precedes its externalization in plasma membrane and is essential for the engulfment of apoptotic cells. To experimentally test whether PS oxidation stimulates its externalization via its effects on aminophospholipid translocase (APT) or by enhanced PS scrambling, action of oxidized PS (PSox) was studied using leukemia HL-60 cells and lymphoma Raji cells. Both PS and PSox were equally well recognized by APT. PSox did not inhibit APT. Rate of transmembrane PS diffusion was fourfold higher in cells with integrated PSox than with PS. Thus, PSox acts as a "non-enzymatic scramblase" likely contributing to PS externalization.     

An improved medium for the detection of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus

An effective selective medium for the enumeration of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus has been developed by modification of Bothast and Fennell's Aspergillus Differential Medium. Results can be obtained with the new medium, Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus Agar (AFPA), after 42 h incubation at 30 degrees C. The medium is thus suitable for use in quality control as a guide to the presence of A. flavus and, potentially, of aflatoxins. AFPA has been extensively tested on peanuts and soils. Results were reproducible and comparable with those on standard fungal enumeration media incubated for much longer periods. A very low percentage of false positive or negatives was found.