The Materiality of Homeopathic Medicines. DynHom Research Program

Homeopathy is controversial because using highly dilute medicines (high homeopathic potencies, HHP) beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. Previous publications [1,2] using NMR relaxation revealed the involvement of nanobubbles and/or nanoparticles and/or nanometric superstructures in high potentizations. Nano Tracking Analyse (NTA) demonstrated the presence of particles in HHPs [3,4]. WithSEM-EDX [5] we observed an ionic diversity common to all preparations including HHPs and significant differences in the relative quantity of each ion between different homeopathic manufacturing lines and controls. FTIR spectroscopy [6] shows that the molecular composition is that of carbonates, primarily sodium bicarbonate.Methods:To observe the materiality of homeopathic medicines a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. In collaboration with several universities,we canobserve these medications with NMR, NTA, SEM-EDX, FTIR, pH,and EPA. Results:The essential component of all already studied homeopathic medicines is sodium hydrogen carbonate modulated by some other elements in a specific quantity, size,and shape. The probability that the observed results could have occurred just by random chance can be rejected(significantlyabove the Avogadro limit) p < 0,001.Conclusions:The homeopathic medicines do contain material with a specific ionic composition even in HHPs diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. This specificity can be attributed to the manufacturing process. These results demonstrate that the step-by-step process (dynamized or not) does not match the theoretical expectations in a dilution process. The starting material and dilution/dynamization method influencethe nature of these NPs. The role of carbonates and sodium bicarbonate must be carefully studied in the future. Its aqueous solution is alkaline in nature but itis an amphoteric compound, which means that the compound has both acidic as well as alkaline character. The reaction with acids results in sodium salts and carbonic acid and the reaction with the basic solution producescarbonates and water. Specific electric fields are indeed detectable.

Particle characterisation of traditional homeopathically manufactured medicine cuprum metallicum and controls

Homeopathy is highly controversial. The main reason for this is its use of very highly dilute medicines (high homeopathic potencies, HHP), diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. Research using several different methods has demonstrated the presence of particles, including nanoparticles of source material, in HHPs. This study aims to verify the results of a previous publication that detected the presence of particles in all dilutions. We used the Nano Tracking Analyzer (NTA) to examine dilutions of a commonly used homeopathic medicine, an insoluble metal, Cuprum metallicum, for the presence of particles. The homeopathic medicines tested were specially prepared according to the European pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dilutions/dynamizations with simple dilutions and controls including a soluble medicine. We observed the presence of solid material in all preparations including HHPs (except for pure water). The measurements showed significant differences in particle sizes distribution between homeopathic manufacturing lines and controls. Homeopathic medicines do contain material with a specific size distribution even in HHPs diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. This specificity can be attributed to the manufacturing and potentization process. This material demonstrates that the step-by-step process (dynamized or not) does not match the theoretical expectations in a dilution process. The starting material and dilution/dynamization method influences the nature and concentration of these NPs.

A novel nano-sulphur and essential oil-based room freshener

Introducción: Alternaria spp y Candida spp. son hongos patógenos de ambientes interiores como la casa, la oficina, el aula, etc., causan enfermedades como asma crónica e infecciones sistémicas en individuos inmunodeprimidos a través de la secreción de diversas sustancias tóxicas. Los ambientadores a base de productos químicos disponibles comercialmente que se utilizan para controlar la carga de hongos en el ambiente interior no son beneficiosos para la salud humana. Objetivo: proporcionar una alternativa viable en forma de enfoque basado en nanopartículas para el manejo de hongos transmitidos por el aire. Metodología: aislamiento, identificación microscópica y bioquímica de hongos de interior; Síntesis de nanopartículas de azufre (SNP) mediadas por Azadirachta indica, su detección y caracterización; y evaluación in vitro de SNP contra hongos aislados presentes en el ambiente interior. Resultado: Los hongos aislados se identificaron como especies de Alternaria spp y Candida spp. Los SNP mostraron máximos de absorbancia a 291 nm. El análisis NTA mostró un tamaño medio de 188,4 nm y un potencial zeta de -4,94 mV, lo que representa una síntesis de SNP estables. El patrón XRD confirmó la naturaleza cristalina cúbica centrada en la cara de los SNP. El espectro FTIR representó la presencia de compuestos polihidroxilo, nitrilo, ceto, aromáticos y carboxílicos que estabilizaron los SNP. Los ensayos antifúngicos demostraron la actividad significativa de los SNP formulados y del ambientador infundido con aceite de eucalipto. Conclusión: Los SNP mediados por A. indica se pueden aplicar en la formulación y fabricación de un ambientador ecológico para el manejo de hongos patógenos de interior como Alternaria spp y Candida spp.

Introduction: Alternaria spp. and Candida spp. are the main fungal pathogen of indoor environment like house, office, classroom, etc. These may cause various diseases and infections like systemic infections, or chronic asthma in immunocompromised individuals through secretion of various toxic substances. Chemical-based commercially available room fresheners used to control the fungal load of indoor environment are not beneficial to human health. Objective: was to provide viable alternative in the form of nanoparticle-based approach for the management of air-borne fungi. Methodology: The present study primarily focuses on the isolation, microscopic and biochemical identification of indoor fungi; Azadirachta indica-mediated sulphur nanoparticles (SNPs) synthesis, their detection and characterization; and in vitro assessment of SNPs against isolated fungi present in indoor environment. Result: The isolated fungi were identified as Alternaria spp and Candida spp. The SNPs showed absorbance maxima at 291 nm. NTA analysis showed average size of 188.4 nm, and zeta potential of -4.94 mV which represented synthesis of stable SNPs. XRD pattern confirmed the face centered cubic, crystalline nature of SNPs. FTIR spectrum depicted the presence of polyhydroxyl, nitrile, keto, aromatic and carboxylic compounds which stabilized the SNPs. The antifungal assays demonstrated the significant activity of the formulated SNPs and eucalyptus oil infused air freshener. Conclusion: It can be concluded that A. indica-mediated SNPs can be applied in the formulation and manufacture of an ecofriendly air freshener for the management of indoor fungal pathogens like Alternaria spp. and Candida spp.

The effect of education on the demographic dividend: an analysis of the Brazilian case / El efecto de la educación en el dividendo demográfico: un análisis del caso brasileño / O efeito da educação no dividendo demográfico: uma análise do caso brasileiro

The demographic dividend has aroused interest among demographers and economists because it is seen as a window of oportunity for the economic development of countries that have experienced a demographic transition. There are reasons to question the sole virtuosity of the pure demographic dividend in economic growth. Crespo-Cuaresma et al. (2014) found that educational expansion has an important role in economic gains during the demographic dividend. To verify these results for the Brazilian case, we performed a decomposition exercise of economic support ratio (ESR), an alternative to demographic dependency ratio, to analyze the first demographic dividend. A simulation, applied for the period from 1970 to 2100 considering three scenarios of educational expansion, shows that educational expansion was and will be responsible for a big share of the economic gains of the Brazilian demographic dividend period, outperforming the change in age structure effect. In addition, an increase in a work-age population with post-secondary education appears to potentialize these results.

O dividendo demográfico tem despertado interesse entre demógrafos e economistas por ser visto como uma janela de oportunidade para o desenvolvimento econômico dos países que vivenciam a transição demográfica. É possível questionar a virtuosidade do dividendo puramente demográfico no crescimento econômico. Crespo-Cuaresma et al. (2014) observaram que a expansão educacional tem papel importante nos ganhos econômicos durante o dividendo demográfico. Para verificar esse resultado para o caso brasileiro, realizamos um exercício de decomposição da razão de suporte econômico (ESR), uma alternativa à taxa de dependência demográfica na análise do primeiro dividendo demográfico. A simulação realizada para o período entre 1970 e 2100, considerando três cenários de expansão educacional, mostrou que a ampliação do nível de escolaridade foi e será responsável pela maior parte dos ganhos econômicos do período do dividendo demográfico, superando o efeito da mudança da composição etária. Além disso, o aumento da população em idade ativa com ensino superior tende a potencializar esse resultado.

El dividendo demográfico ha despertado interés entre los demógrafos y economistas, ya que se considera una ventana de oportunidad para el desarrollo económico de los países que experimentan la transición demográfica. Es posible cuestionar el virtuosismo del dividendo puramente demográfico en el crecimiento económico. Crespo-Cuaresma y cols. (2014) vieron que la expansión educativa juega un papel importante en las ganancias económicas durante el dividendo demográfico. Para verificar este resultado para el caso brasileño, se hizo un ejercicio de descomposición del índice de apoyo económico (ESR), una alternativa al índice de dependencia demográfica en el primer análisis demográfico de dividendos. La simulación realizada para el período 1970-2100, considerando tres escenarios de expansión educativa, mostró que la expansión del logro educativo fue y será responsable de la mayoría de las ganancias económicas del período de dividendos demográficos, superando el efecto del cambio en la composición etaria. Además, el aumento de la población en edad laboral con educación superior tiende a potenciar este resultad

The preparation of supported lipid bilayers and its functional study / 生物医学工程学杂志

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) have been widely used in biomedical and bioengineering research because its structure and function are similar to natural cell membrane. A fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique was used to measure the lateral diffusion of the SLBs composed of 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-［(N-(5-amino-1-carboxyp-entyl) iminodiacetic acid)］ (DGS-NTA) on the glass slide, and the effects of the DOPC-to-DGS-NTA ratio, small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) producing method, sizes of bleaching areas and concentrations of loading proteins on the SLBs fluidity and diffusion coefficient were studied systematically in this paper. The results demonstrated that: (1) SUV made by probe sonication exhibited more uniform and smaller size compared with that made by film extrusion, but the whole process of SLBs formation must not be exposed to air. (2) The fluorescence recovery rate and diffusion coefficient of the SLBs decreased with the increasing bleaching area size. With the mole ratio of DOPC to DGS-NTA decreasing from 98∶2 to 84∶16, the fluidity and fluorescence recovery degree decreased gradually, and the SLBs would lose its fluidity if the ratio reached to 82∶18. (3) The average fluorescence intensity of SLBs increased linearly with the loading protein concentration (10-40 nmol·L ), and the protein showed good mobility on the SLBs. The study would provide a good platform of bio-membrane for further research on interactions among cell membrane molecules and subsequent signals response.

Expression and purification of CDNF and preparation of its polyclonal antibodies / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective: To obtain purified and functional CDNF-his recombinant protein and prepare its polyclonal antibodies.Methods:Preparation of recombinant CDNF-his was carried out in HEK 293 T cells with pVR1012-CDNF-his successfully constructed transfected into them.Then,the recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA immunoaffinity chromatography.The purity was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and the protein′s identity was tested by Western blot.MTT was used to verify the biological function of the protein purified.New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with purified CDNF-his protein for preparation of polyclonal antibodies.Results:pVR1012-CDNF-his expressed successfully in HEK 293 T cells.The purity of protein was up to more than 90%after purification.MTT showed that CDNF-his was able to protect PC 12 cells from damage by 6-OHDA.The polyclonal antibody was detected at the end of animal immunizing process.Conclusion: A method to express and purify protein using HEK 293T cell and following Ni-NTA immunoaffinity chromatography has been built.CDNF-his with biological activity is obtained based that.Finally, polyclonal antibodies of CDNF were generated successfully.

Cloning, expression, purification and assay of sorbitol dehydrogenase from "Feicheng" peach fruit (Prunus persica)

A gene encoding NAD+-dependent sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in peach fruit was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant SDH protein with 6×His-tagged was localized exclusively in the cytoplasmic soluble fraction of E. coli when the strains were grown for 4-5 h at 37 ºC. Highly pure protein was isolated by Ni2+-resin chromatography with 150 mM imidazole in 50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, by elution. In order to ensure that the recombinant SDH could be used for further study, the fluorescence and ultraviolet spectrum of the recombinant SDH were detected. Recombinant SDH was confirmed to be capable of oxidizing sorbitol by enzymatic activity assay. The activity of the recombinant SDH was 2.73 U mg-1min-1, which was similar with that directly extracted from peach fruits. The activities of SDH extracted from the fruits in different periods (30, 60, 90 days after flowing) were 7.75, 5.95, 3.26 U mg-1min-1, respectively.

The Safety and Effectiveness of Single and Repeat Dosing of Intra-Articular Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor Treatment after Failure of Intra-Articular Steroids.

Objectives: To determine if intra-articular (ia) anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) yielded benefit in patients failing ia steroid injections and determine the safety and durability of single and repeated ia anti-TNF treatment in inflammatory arthritis. Methods: Patients with inflammatory arthritis having one or two active joints, and having failed previous ia steroids were injected with ia adalimumab or ia etanercept mixed with triamcinolone and lidocaine via a retrospective chart audit. Results: Twenty-six patients were followed: 18 received ia adalimumab, 12 received ia etanercept and 4 received both. Twenty-five knees, 17 ankles, 1 wrist and 1 PIP were injected of whom 6 had repeated injections to a joint. Nine were on concomitant systemic anti-TNF therapy. Fifteen had RA, 4 had a seronegativearthropathy, 3 had psoriatic arthritis, and 4 had other arthritis. When determining a response to ia anti-TNF for > 2 months in patients with sufficient follow up 13 of 18 receiving iaadalimumab and 6/7 with ia etanercept had benefit. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs) and only one AE in a wrist post ia adalimumab, with rebound inflammation after 6 weeks of marked relief. Two were able to cancel or postpone joint surgery(knee and ankle)and one cancelled an yttrium injection. Conclusions: There were no SAEs and prolonged benefit was found with ia anti-TNF and steroids and lidocaine compared to previous ia steroids with lidocaine in the majority (20/27). Although not approved for ia administration, ia anti-TNFs may be cost effective in persistent synovitis of one or two joints recalcitrant to ia steroids.

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON PURIFICATION OF ENGINEERED ANTI-HBSFAB WITH 3 DIFFERENT METHODS / 解放军医学杂志

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of 3 different methods in purifying engineered anti-HBsFab. Anti-HBsFab Supernatants containing anti-HBsFab were prepared by ultrasound lysis of host cells of anti-HBsFab positive clone. Anti-Fab-sepharose gel, streptococcal protein G-sepharose gel (Prot G gel) and Ni-NTA-agarose gel were used to purify Fabs according to the reagents protocols. Then the concentrations of purified proteins were determined. SDS-PAGE was used for the measurement of purified Fabs'purity. HBsAg based ELISA was chosen to determine the Fabs' bio-activity. The results indicated that Fab recovery of different gels in equal volume were different. The recovery of Ni-NTA GEL was greater than that of Prot G gel, and the recovery of Prot G gel was greater than that of anti-Fab gel. Purity of the Fab isolated by 3 different gels was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The binding capacity of anti-HBs Fab to HBsAg of these three gels had no signifticant difference. Our data suggested that each method had its advantage and usage limitation, Ni-NTA method demonstrated much better performance in economy, management, and efficiency over the other two methods.