Optimizing Gluten Extraction Using Eco-friendly Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids: Exploring the Impact of Cation Side Chains and Anions.

Gluten is a well-known food allergen globally, and it can induce immune responses in celiac- and nonceliac gluten-sensitive patients. The gliadin proteins from gluten have a special amino acid sequence that make it hydrophobic. One way to deal with gluten allergies is to provide a gluten-free diet.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship of Salvinal Derivatives as Potent Microtubule Inhibitors.

Salvinal is a natural lignan isolated from the roots of Bunge (Danshen). Previous studies have demonstrated its anti-proliferative activity in both drug-sensitive and -resistant cancer cell lines, with IC values ranging from 4-17 µM. In this study, a series of salvinal derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for the structure-activity relationship.

Dual DNA Transfection Using 1,6-Hexanedithiol-Conjugated Maleimide-Functionalized PU-PEI For Gene Correction in a Patient iPSC-Derived Fabry Cardiomyopathy Model.

Non-viral gene delivery holds promises for treating inherited diseases. However, the limited cloning capacity of plasmids may hinder the co-delivery of distinct genes to the transfected cells. Previously, the conjugation of maleimide-functionalized polyurethane grafted with small molecular weight polyethylenimine (PU-PEI-Mal) using 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT) could promote the co-delivery and extensive co-expression of two different plasmids in target cells.

Anxiolytic effect of an extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), a traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated in modern studies for its pharmacological activities in treatments of CNS disorders like insomnia, dysphoria. However, its application on anxiolytic effect from the ethanol extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) has not yet been reported.

Materials And Methods: This study investigated the anxiolytic effect of the SM using the elevated plus-maze test (EPM) and the hole-board test (HBT) with diazepam and buspirone as positive controls.

Using cationic polyurethane-short branch PEI as microRNA-driven nano-delivery system for stem cell differentiation.

Background: Non-viral gene delivery, such as using biodegradable polyurethane short-branch polyethylenimine (PU-PEI), has been considered a potentially safer gene delivery system in comparison to conventional virus systems.

Methods: The polycationization of DNA complexes protects DNA from nuclease degradation, and these DNA complexes are nanoscale in size to enter the cell through endocytosis.

Results: Due to the net positive surface charge of the cell, these polyplexes efficiently bind to the cell through electrostatic interactions with negatively charged membrane components.

Treatment of β-thujaplicin counteracts di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)-exposed vascular smooth muscle activation, inflammation and atherosclerosis progression.

The initiation of atherosclerosis involves up-regulation of molecules such as E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1. The progression of atherosclerosis is linked to proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cell via MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities. However, the etiology of atherosclerosis concerning plasticizers is unknown.

Danshen improves survival of patients with advanced lung cancer and targeting the relationship between macrophages and lung cancer cells.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (danshen) is widely used in the treatment of numerous cancers. However, its clinical effort and mechanism in the treatment of advanced lung cancer are unclear. In our study, the protective effort of danshen in patients with advanced lung cancer were validated using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Bacteria-Templated NiO Nanoparticles/Microstructure for an Enzymeless Glucose Sensor.

The bacterial-induced hollow cylinder NiO (HCNiO) nanomaterial was utilized for the enzymeless (without GOx) detection of glucose in basic conditions. The determination of glucose in 0.05 M NaOH solution with high sensitivity was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry (i-t).

Possible Mechanisms of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate-Induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 Expression in A7r5 Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are important in the development and/or progression of many cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Evidence shows that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in atherosclerosis are regulated via various pathways, such as p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), Akt, and nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB).

Reduction of adhesion molecule production and alteration of eNOS and endothelin-1 mRNA expression in endothelium by Euphorbia hirta L. through its beneficial β-amyrin molecule.

The inflammatory reaction in large blood vessels involves up-regulation of vascular adhesion molecules such as endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1. These vascular dysfunctions are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. β-Amyrin, an active component of Euphorbia hirta L.

Chlorella 11-peptide inhibits the production of macrophage-induced adhesion molecules and reduces endothelin-1 expression and endothelial permeability.

The inflammation process in large vessels involves the up-regulation of vascular adhesion molecules such as endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) which are also known as the markers of atherosclerosis. We have reported that Chlorella 11-peptide exhibited effective anti-inflammatory effects. This peptide with an amino sequence Val-Glu-Cys-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Asn-Arg-Pro-Gln-Phe was further examined for its potential in preventing atherosclerosis in this study.

Fabrication of piezoelectric components for a tunable and efficient device for DNA delivery into mammalian cells.

We fabricated three piezoelectric components (PZT) that can produce ultrasonic waves with various generated power in order to improve the delivery of DNA molecule and polymer/DNA complexes into cells. Two cationic polymers (PEI and PDMAEMA) were interacted with DNA to form nano-scaled DNA/polymer complexes with/without the help of PZT devices. The application of PZT devices under optimal conditions helped to avoid cytotoxicity and greatly increased the transfection (DNA delivery) efficiency of these complexes in mammalian cells.

Polyurethane-based drug delivery systems.

Polyurethanes (PUs) are formed by a reaction between isocyanates and diols to yield polymers with urethane bonds (-NH-COO-) in their main chain. A great variety of building blocks is commercially available that allows the chemical and physical properties of PUs to be tailored to their target applications, particularly for the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. This article reviews the synthesis and characterization of PUs and PU-copolymers, as well as their in vitro and in vivo biodegradability and biocompatibility.

Protective effects of Chlorella-derived peptide against UVC-induced cytotoxicity through inhibition of caspase-3 activity and reduction of the expression of phosphorylated FADD and cleaved PARP-1 in skin fibroblasts.

UVC irradiation induces oxidative stress and leads to cell death through an apoptotic pathway. This apoptosis is caused by activation of caspase-3 and formation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). In this study, the underlying mechanisms of Chlorella derived peptide (CDP) activity against UVC-induced cytotoxicity were investigated.

Non-viral delivery of RNA interference targeting cancer cells in cancer gene therapy.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a collection of small RNA-directed mechanisms that result in sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression. RNAi delivery has demonstrated promising efficacy in the treatment of genetic disorders in cancer. Although viral vectors are currently the most efficient systems for gene therapy, potent immunogenicity, mutagenesis, and the biohazards of viral vectors remain their major risks.

A one-step process in preparation of cationic nanoparticles with poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-containing polyethylenimine gives efficient gene delivery.

A one-step preparation of nanoparticles with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) pre-modified with polyethylenimine (PEI) is better in requirements for DNA delivery compared to those prepared in a two-step process (preformed PLGA nanoparticles and subsequently coated with PEI). The particles were prepared by emulsification of PLGA/ethyl acetate in an aqueous solution of PVA and PEI. DLS, AFM and SEM were used for the size characteristics.

Preventive effects of β-thujaplicin against UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA expressions in skin fibroblasts.

Solar UV radiation damages human skin by affecting skin tone and resiliency and leads to premature aging (photoaging). The skin damage is caused by the activation of the AP-1 transcription factor, which increases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and collagen degradation. An increase of interleukin (IL)-6 is also correlated with the activation of MMP-1 expression.

Cationic polyurethanes-short branch PEI-mediated delivery of Mir145 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation and cancer stem-like properties and in lung adenocarcinoma.

The high invasiveness and frequent recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) are major reasons for treatment failures and poor prognoses. Alterations in microRNAs (miRNAs) expression have been shown in lung cancers. Recent reports have demonstrated that tumors contain a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that possesses self-renewing capacity and is responsible for tumor malignancy including metastasis, relapse, and chemoradioresistance.

Inhibition of cancer stem cell-like properties and reduced chemoradioresistance of glioblastoma using microRNA145 with cationic polyurethane-short branch PEI.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most common primary brain tumors with poor prognosis. CD133 has been considered a putative marker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in malignant cancers, including GBMs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), highly conserved small RNA molecules, may target oncogenes and have potential as a therapeutic strategy against cancer.

Synthesis and evaluation of poly(hexamethylene-urethane) and PEG-poly(hexamethylene-urethane) and their cholesteryl oleyl carbonate composites for human blood biocompatibility.

Two new urethane-based acrylates (UAA and PEG-UAA) were synthesized as polymer blocks. The chemical composition of the two monomers was confirmed by IR and NMR. After cross-linking these blockers by radical polymerization, "hexamethylene PU" [poly(hexamethylene-urethane)] and "PEG-hexamethylene PU" [PEG-poly(hexa-methylene-urethane)] were obtained.

Delivery of Oct4 and SirT1 with cationic polyurethanes-short branch PEI to aged retinal pigment epithelium.

Cationic polyurethane, a biodegradable non-viral vector, protects DNA from nuclease degradation and helps to deliver genes efficiently. Oct4, a POU-domain transcription factor, is highly expressed in maintaining pluripotency and cellular reprogramming process in stem cells. SirT1, a NAD-dependent histone deacetylase, is an essential mediator of cellular longevity.

A molecular pharmacology study into the anti-inflammatory actions of Euphorbia hirta L. on the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells through selective iNOS protein inhibition.

Euphorbia hirta L. has been widely used in India and Chinese society. The molecular pharmacology basis of its anti-inflammatory effect is revealed in this work.

The characteristics and transfection efficiency of PEI modified by biodegradable poly(beta-amino ester).

To improve the cytotoxicity of PEI25k and the transfection efficiency of poly(beta-amino ester) with DNA, we synthesized a poly(beta-amino ester), PEDP, bearing ester linkages in the backbone and tertiary amines in the backbone and side chain and prepared a binary mixture, PEDP-PEI25k, using physical blending meyhod. Both poly(beta-amino ester) PEDP and binary mixture PEDP-PEI25k, readily self-assembled with plasmid DNA (pCMV-beta gal) in a HEPES buffer, were characterized by dynamic light scattering. The results reveal that PEDP-PEI25k was able to self-assemble plasmid DNA into PEDP-PEI25k/DNA nano-complexes small enough to enter a cell through endocytosis.

Investigation of DNA spectral conformational changes and polymer buffering capacity in relation to transfection efficiency of DNA/polymer complexes.

Purpose: The relation between transfection efficiency of DNA/polymer complexes and DNA conformational alterations is investigated. The buffering capacity of several synthetic polymers is also studied to relate their performance in transfection efficiency.

Methods: The cationic polymer/DNA interaction was evaluated by measuring the alteration of DNA secondary structures in solution before and after the addition of polymer with ATR-FTIR technique.