Dissolvable hyaluronic acid microneedles loaded with ß-Elemene for the treatment of psoriasis.

The pathology of psoriasis involves the over-proliferation of keratinocytes, exaggerated inflammation of keratinocytes, and infiltration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages (Mø), etc. The therapeutic outcomes of current treatment targeting one single pathological process are less than satisfactory. Based on their diverse biological activities, natural products offer a potential solution to this problem. In this study, we investigated the effects of ß-Elemene (ELE) on both psoriatic keratinocytes and M1-type Mø (M1-Mø) in vitro. Hyaluronic acid (HA) microneedles loaded with ELE (HA-ELE-MN) were also fabricated and tested for the treatment of psoriasis in vivo using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mice model. Our data suggest that ELE induces apoptosis and inhibits inflammation of psoriatic keratinocytes. In addition, ELE attenuates the expression of inflammatory cytokines secreted from M1-Mø, thus indirectly inhibiting the inflammation of keratinocytes. Furthermore, HA-ELE-MN has been found to significantly alleviate symptoms in an IMQ-induced psoriatic mice model by inducing keratinocytes apoptosis, suppressing keratinocytes proliferation, and inhibiting M1-Mø infiltration. Taken together, this study demonstrates that ELE can be used for the treatment of psoriasis by targeting both keratinocytes and M1-Mø, which provides a potential novel reagent for psoriasis treatment.

The abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolysis in acute lung injury caused by gas explosion.

Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by gas explosion is common, and warrants research on the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the role of abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolysis in this process has not been defined. It was hypothesized that the abnormal coagulation and fibrinolysis promoted ALI caused by gas explosion. Based on the presence of ALI, 74 cases of gas explosion injury were divided into the ALI and non-ALI groups. The results of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and platelet count (PLT) were collected within 24 hours and compared between the groups. ALI models caused by gas explosion were established in Sprague Dawley rats, and injuries were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and histopathological scoring. Moreover, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to examine thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients in ALI group had shorter PT and longer APTT, raised concentration of FIB and decreased number of PLT, as compared to the non-ALI group. In ALI rats, the HE staining revealed red blood cells in alveoli and interstitial thickening within 2 hours which peaked at 72 hours. The levels of TAT/TF in the BALF increased continually until the seventh day, while the PAI-1 was raised after 24 hours and 7 days. The TFPI was elevated after 2 hours and 24 hours, and then decreased after 72 hours. Abnormalities in coagulation and fibrinolysis in lung tissues play a role in ALI caused by gas explosion.

Directed C3-Alkoxymethylation of Indole via Three-Component Cascade Reaction.

An efficient and regioselective C3-alkoxymethylation of indoles has been developed with aldehydes and alcohols via three-component cascade reaction under transition-metal free conditions. This method allows for rapid access to a variety of C3-alkoxymethylaed free (N-H) indole in up to 98% yield with excellent regioselectivity. The titled products are useful building blocks in organic synthesis.

Impact of Xenon on CLIC4 and Bcl-2 Expression in Lipopolysaccharide and Hypoxia-Ischemia-Induced Periventricular White Matter Damage.

BACKGROUND: Premature birth is a significant health care burden. Xenon (Xe) is a general anesthetic with neuroprotective effects. OBJECTIVES: Here, we investigate the neuroprotective role of Xe in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and hypoxia-ischemia (HI)-induced white matter damage (WMD) model. METHODS: Three-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham group (group A, n = 24), an LPS + HI group (group B, n = 24), and an LPS + HI + Xe group (group C, n = 72). The onset of Xe inhalation started at 0, 2, and 5 h in subgroups C1, C2, and C3, respectively. Next, we performed TUNEL and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; and examined the expression of CLIC4 and Bcl-2 in brain tissues. RESULTS: HE staining revealed distorted cytoarchitecture, tangled nerve fibers, and pyknosis in group B, while Xe treatment improved these histological alterations in the group C pups. Following LPS and HI insult, the number of apoptotic cells significantly increased in group B at 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05), and Xe significantly alleviated apoptosis (p < 0.001) at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Similarly, CLIC4 mRNA expression was significantly increased in group B (p < 0.05), and Xe produced a marked reduction in CLIC4 mRNA expression in group C subgroups (p < 0.05). Western blotting demonstrated enhanced Bcl-2 expression in group C when compared to group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that LPS and HI successfully induced WMD, and Xe decreased neuronal apoptosis via Bcl-2- and CLIC4-mediated pathways. Moreover, the therapeutic time window of Xe extended for up to 5 h. These findings suggest that Xe can be used as a protective treatment for WMD in premature infants.

A comprehensive approach for evaluating charge heterogeneity in biosimilars.

Charge heterogeneity is often evaluated during biosimilar development as it is a universal feature of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A common approach in the industry is to develop a biosimilar product with a similar overall charge profile as the reference product. However, uncertainty remains with this approach as the same charge profile in two different products may be caused by different mechanisms. In this work, we present a comprehensive investigation of the charge variants of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody and its biosimilar candidate. Not only did the candidate show a similar charge profile as the reference product, our studies revealed that the same factors contributed to the charge variants of the reference product and the biosimilar candidate. We believe our cause-based approach mitigates the risks associated with the profile-based method and is a rational approach for the charge evaluation of biosimilars.

[Spectrophotometric determination of aromatic amino compounds with J-acid].

The problems such as chromogenic reaction selectivity, reaction rate, sensitivity and water-solubility of azo compounds were considered. The molecular structures of coupling components were theoretically designed and screened in the present research The reaction conditions and methods of chromogenic reaction were investigated. J-Acid (2-amino-5-naphthol-7-sulfonic acid) as a coupling reagent to determine aromatic amino compounds was established. In the presence of potassium bromide, at room temperature, nitrite reacted with aromatic amino compounds in the medium of thin hydrochloric acid. Then diazonium salt reacted with J-Acid in the aqueous solution of sodium carbonate, forming coloured azo dye, which had a maximum adsorption at 480 nm. The molar adsorption coeffcients of aniline, 4-aminobenzene sulfonic acid and 1-naphthylamine were 3. 95 X 10(4), 3. 24 X 10(4) and 3. 91 X 10(4) L . mol-1 . cm-1 , respectively. Experimental results showed that common coexisting ions on the surface water did not affect the results of determination. J-Acid of spectrophotometry was used to determine the samples of Shanghai Fu Xing Dao canal. Meanwhile, recovery experiments by standard addition method were done. Experiment results showed that the recoveries of aniline were in the range of 98. 5%-102. 1%, and RSD was 2. 08%. J-Acid is a common organic reagent. It is soluble in water and low volatile, and its toxicity is much lower than N-ethylenediamine. spectrophotometric determination of aromatic amino compounds by J-Acid has the advantage of high sensitivity, good selectivity, simple rapid operation and accurate results, and thus it can be used for the determination of trace aromatic amino compounds in the environmental water.