Facile one-step catalytic grafting of N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-ester-functionalized methallylsilane onto silica for enzyme immobilization.

A one-step grafting method of NHS-ester group is described for the immobilization of enzymes onto a silica surface at room temperature. Pure NHS-ester functionalized methallylsilane was prepared as a grafting reagent and showed remarkable grafting efficiency with acid catalysts at room temperature. As a result, mesoporous silica balls bearing a covalently immobilized enzyme could be obtained with a high loading rate compared to conventional multistep grafting methods.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on apoptosis of human gastric epithelial cells exposed to silica-immobilized glucose oxidase.

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. Omega-3 fatty acids show anti-inflammatory and/or anticancer effects and regulate apoptosis in various cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether omega-3 fatty acids inhibit oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.

[The factors implicated when an individual starts to smoke again after a 6 month cessation].

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the factors implicated when people start smoking again after a 6 month cessation, and was carried out at the smoking cessation clinic of a public health center.

Methods: The study subjects were 191 males who had attended the smoking cessation clinic of a public health center for 6 months in an attempt to quit smoking. Data was collected, by phone interview, regarding individual smoking habits, if any, over the 6 month study period.