A pH-Responsive Hydrogel for the Oral Delivery of Ursolic Acid: A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Phytochemical.

In this study, poly(HEMA-PEGxMEM-IA) hydrogels were prepared by radical copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGxMEM), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and itaconic acid (IA). The reaction was carried out in ethanolic solution using N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinking agent and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (HCPK) as a photo-initiator. The poly(HEMA-PEGxMEM-IA) hydrogels (HGx) were evaluated as a delivery system for ursolic acid (UA), a phytochemical extracted from the plant "flor de arena".

Neocortical long-range inhibition promotes cortical synchrony and sleep.

Behavioral states such as sleep and wake are highly correlated with specific patterns of rhythmic activity in the cortex. During low arousal states such as slow wave sleep, the cortex is synchronized and dominated by low frequency rhythms coordinated across multiple regions. Although recent evidence suggests that GABAergic inhibitory neurons are key players in cortical state modulation, the circuit mechanisms coordinating synchronized activity among local and distant neocortical networks are not well understood.

Preparation and Characterization of FeO/Poly(HEMA-co-IA) Magnetic Hydrogels for Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution.

In the present study, FeO/poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-itaconic acid) magnetic hydrogels (MHGs) were prepared by in situ synthesis of FeO magnetic particles in hydrogels (HGs). The resulting magnetic hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N adsorption-desorption. The effect of FeO on the swelling behavior and adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye of the prepared hydrogel was studied.

Empagliflozin protects mice against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis.

Aims/hypothesis: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Their role in the prevention of diet-induced metabolic deteriorations, such as obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease, has not been defined yet. In this study we set out to test whether empagliflozin prevents weight gain and metabolic dysfunction in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

Unraveling Protein Interactions between the Temperate Virus Bam35 and Its Host Using an Integrative Yeast Two Hybrid-High Throughput Sequencing Approach.

is the model and member of the family , which is composed of tailless, icosahedral, and membrane-containing bacteriophages. Interest in these viruses has greatly increased in recent years as they are thought to be an evolutionary link between diverse groups of prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses. Additionally, betatectiviruses infect bacteria of the group, which are known for their applications in industry and notorious since it contains many pathogens.