The dietary ingredient, genistein, stimulates cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide expression through a novel S1P-dependent mechanism

Park, K.,Kim, Y.I.,Shin, K.O.,Seo, H.S.,Kim, J.Y.,Mann, T.,Oda, Y.,Lee, Y.M.,Holleran, W.M.,Elias, P.M.,Uchida, Y. Butterworths ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2014 The Journal of nutritional biochemistry Vol.25 No.7

We recently discovered that a signaling lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), generated by sphingosine kinase 1, regulates a major epidermal antimicrobial peptide's [cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP)] expression via an NF-κB→C/EBPα-dependent pathway, independent of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in epithelial cells. Activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) by either estrogens or phytoestrogens also is known to stimulate S1P production, but it is unknown whether ER activation increases CAMP production. We investigated whether a phytoestrogen, genistein, simulates CAMP expression in keratinocytes, a model of epithelial cells, by either a S1P-dependent mechanism(s) or the alternate VDR-regulated pathway. Exogenous genistein, as well as an ER-β ligand, WAY-200070, increased CAMP mRNA and protein expression in cultured human keratinocytes, while ER-β antagonist, ICI182780, attenuated the expected genistein- and WAY-200070-induced increase in CAMP mRNA/protein expression. Genistein treatment increased acidic and alkaline ceramidase expression and cellular S1P levels in parallel with increased S1P lyase inhibition, accounting for increased CAMP production. In contrast, siRNA against VDR did not alter genistein-mediated up-regulation of CAMP. Taken together, genistein induces CAMP production via an ER-β→S1P→NF-κB→C/EBPα- rather than a VDR-dependent mechanism, illuminating a new role for estrogens in the regulation of epithelial innate immunity and pointing to potential additional benefits of dietary genistein in enhancing cutaneous antimicrobial defense.

Natural products in the research of cholesterol gallstones

Ibrahim Guillermo Castro-Torres,Minarda De la O-Arciniega,Janeth Gallegos-Estudillo,Mariano Martínez-Vázquez,Elia Brosla Naranjo-Rodríguez,Miguel Ángel Domínguez-Ortíz,Jesús Samuel Cruz-Sánchez 셀메드 세포교정의약학회 2013 TANG Vol.3 No.3

Cholesterol gallstones are a digestive disease of high prevalence that has many risk factors; for this reason, research has focused mainly on how to prevent it rather than how to treat it. Many molecules of the hepatic, bile and intestinal systems are involved in the pathophysiology of this disease, making it very difficult to find a therapeutic target. The pharmacological treatment is limited, so when gallstones generate symptoms, medical treatment indicates gallbladder removal. Ursodeoxycholic acid is used to dissolve cholesterol stones, and ezetimibe and statins are other drugs with possible applications in the treatment of this disease. Given the small number of drugs that have been developed for treating this disease, the research of natural products becomes of paramount importance. Resources such as black radish, glucosinolates, fenugreek, capsaicin, curcumin, garlic, and onion, have all shown significant effects in the prevention and treatment of cholesterol gallstones. In this review, we made a synthesis of the scientific reports that deal with these natural products and that can serve as antecedents for finding a way to treat the most common disease of the gallbladder.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic integration of orbifloxacin in Korean Hanwoo cattle

ELIAS, G.,LEE, J.-S.,HWANG, M.-H.,PARK, Y.-S.,CHO, K.-H.,KIM, Y.-H.,PARK, S.-C. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2009 Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutic Vol.32 No.3

<P>The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orbifloxacin were studied in six clinically healthy Hanwoo cows after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration at a dose of 3 mg/kg. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Steady-state volume of distribution and clearance of orbifloxacin after i.v. administration were 0.92 L/kg and 0.24 L/h·kg, respectively. Following i.m. administration, a slow and complete absorption with absolute bioavailability of 101.4%, and a maximum concentration (<I>C</I><SUB>max</SUB>) of 1.17 &mgr;g/mL at 1.04 h were observed. The <I>in vitro</I> serum protein binding was 14.76%. The <I>in vitro</I> antibacterial activity of orbifloxacin against a pathogenic strain of <I>Mannheimia haemolytica</I> (<I>M. haemolytica</I>), <I>Escherichia coli</I> (<I>E. coli</I>) and <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I> (<I>S. aureus</I>) was determined<I>.</I> The <I>ex vivo</I> activity of orbifloxacin against <I>M. haemolytica</I> strain was also determined<I>,</I> and these data were integrated with the <I>ex vivo</I> bacterial counts to establish <I>AUC</I><SUB>24h</SUB>/<I>MIC</I> values producing bacteriostatic action, bactericidal action and elimination of bacteria. Mean values were 32.7, 51.6 and 102.6 h, respectively. From these data, we predict that orbifloxacin, when administered i.m. at a dosage of 2.5–5 mg/kg once a day, would be effective against bovine pathogens, such as <I>M. haemolytica.</I> Additional studies may be needed to confirm its efficacy in a clinical setting, and to evaluate the penetration of the drug in diseased tissues.</P>

Sorption of Heavy Metals, PB (ii), CU (ii), ZN (ii), And NI (ii) on Pine Bark Based Composts

Elias Gichangi,P.n.s Mnkeni,P Muchaonyerwa 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Ag Addition on Ternary Lead Free Solder Alloy –Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi

S. Jayesh,Jacob Elias 대한금속·재료학회 2020 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.26 No.1

Lead cannot be used in the solder material anymore due to environmental legislations which is related to the inherent toxicityof lead. This paper investigates the effect of silver (Ag) addition on the melting behavior, microstructure, and microhardnessof Ternary lead free solder alloy Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi. The contact angle between Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi and Cu-substrate were alsoanalyzed. Samples with different Ag percentages (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 wt%) in Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi were prepared using aninduction furnace, annealing furnace with argon gas. Tests were conducted for melting temperature using TG–DTA analysis,chemical composition using ICP–OES, Hardness using Vickers’s hardness tester and the microstructure using Field emissionscanning electron microscopy. The obtained results were thoroughly analyzed. The results show that the Ag addition hasstriking positive effects on enhancing the properties of the base solder alloy. Melting point is found to be decreasing withthe increase in Ag content. Hardness and contact angle were improved with the addition of Ag. The microstructure observationsrevealed that the Ag was uniformly distributed on the surface of the solder matrix. The recommended content of theAg to be added into the Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi solder alloy is 1.0 wt%. With the observed better properties it can be considered asthe potential alternative to lead–tin alloy.

Imaging Stars by Performing Full-Stokes Optical Interferometric Polarimetry

Elias, Nicholas M. II,Edel, Stanislav S.,Jones, Carol E.,Mackay, Frances E.,Mozurkewich, David,Jorgensen, Anders M.,Schmitt, Henrique R. The Korean Space Science Society 2012 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.29 No.1

Optical interferometry and polarimetry have separately provided new insights into stellar astronomy, especially in the fields of fundamental parameters and atmospheric models. We present: scientific justifications for "full-Stokes" optical interferometric polarimetry (OIP); updated instrument requirements; preliminary beam combiner designs; polarimeter design; end-to-end OIP data reduction; and realistic reimaged full-Stokes models of Be stars with a suitable number of telescopes plus noise sources. All of this work represents preliminary research to construct an OIP beam combiner.

Experimental Investigations on Impact Toughness and Shear Strength of Lead Free Solder Alloy Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi–xAg

S. Jayesh,Jacob Elias 한국전기전자재료학회 2020 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.21 No.2

Lead is banned in alloy making citing toxicity concerns and environmental legislations. Researchers around the world were in search of new lead free solder alloys which could replace the old Sn–Pb alloy. Solder alloys are important electronic material used in electronics package industries. In this study, shear strength and impact toughness tests were conducted on Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi when different amounts of Ag (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 wt%) is added. Shear strength test is done using micro force test system. Impact toughness test is done using Charpy impact test set up by fi nding the energy diff erence before and after impact. Ultimate shear stress is found to be increased from 17.3 to 23 MPa. Yield strength is found to be increased from 23.4 to 28 MPa. Impact toughness of the alloys increased from 10.4 to 11.3 J. EDAX analysis and mapping of the Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi–1Ag is also obtained Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi–1Ag is found to be having good improved shear strength and impact toughness than Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi.

Illegal trade in wildlife vertebrate species in the West Bank, Palestine

Elias N. Handal,Zuhair S. Amr,Walid S. Basha,Mazin B. Qumsiyeh 국립중앙과학관 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.14 No.4

A total of 79 species of local vertebrates (birds, mammals, and reptiles) are found to be in illegal trade intheWest Bank, Palestine, during 2013e2020. Data were collected from visits to the animal markets in themain cities of the West Bank (Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, Nablus, Ramallah, and Salfit) and fromadvertisements in social media. Birds were the most traded animals represented in 59 species (74.7%),followed by 12 species of reptiles (15.2%) and eight species of mammals (10.1%). Nineteen species arelisted under CITES appendices (17 birds and 2 mammals under appendixes II and III, respectively). As forthe conservation status according to the IUCN Red List, two bird species (Streptopelia turtur and Serinussyriacus) and one reptile (Testudo graeca) are listed as VU, while two mammals (Hyaena hyaena andGazella gazella) are listed as NT and EN, respectively. Based on the local status, three species of bird areconsidered critically endangered (Coturnix coturnix, Asio flammeus, and Aquila chrysaetos), one bird isendangered (Falco subbuteo), and two mammals (Hyaena hyaena and Gazella gazella) are consideredendangered and vulnerable respectively. This study reveals the urgent need to control animal trade in thePalestinian Territories.

An Advanced Lithium–Air Battery Exploiting an Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolyte

Elia, G. A.,Hassoun, J.,Kwak, W.-J.,Sun, Y.-K.,Scrosati, B.,Mueller, F.,Bresser, D.,Passerini, S.,Oberhumer, P.,Tsiouvaras, N.,Reiter, J. American Chemical Society 2014 NANO LETTERS Vol.14 No.11

<P>A novel lithium–oxygen battery exploiting PYR<SUB>14</SUB>TFSI–LiTFSI as ionic liquid-based electrolyte medium is reported. The Li/PYR<SUB>14</SUB>TFSI–LiTFSI/O<SUB>2</SUB> battery was fully characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, capacity-limited cycling, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of this extensive study demonstrate that this new Li/O<SUB>2</SUB> cell is characterized by a stable electrode–electrolyte interface and a highly reversible charge–discharge cycling behavior. Most remarkably, the charge process (oxygen oxidation reaction) is characterized by a very low overvoltage, enhancing the energy efficiency to 82%, thus, addressing one of the most critical issues preventing the practical application of lithium–oxygen batteries.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/nalefd/2014/nalefd.2014.14.issue-11/nl5031985/production/images/medium/nl-2014-031985_0006.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nl5031985'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Investigations on the Corrosion Properties of Sn–0.5Cu–Bi–xAg Lead Free Solder Alloys in 3.5% NaCl Solution

S. Jayesh,Jacob Elias 한국전기전자재료학회 2021 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.22 No.2

Various environment legislations lead to the ban of Pb in solder alloy making. Solder alloy is an integral part of electronic packaging industry. As a result of this researchers were searching for new combinations without lead which can replace Sn–Pb solder alloy. The new lead free solder joint should possess good mechanical properties, good wetting properties and good corrosion resistance properties. Many lead free solder alloys were discovered. Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi is a good candidate for replacing the Sn–Pb alloy with good properties. The addition of Ag into the alloy enhanced the properties, especially 1% by wt. Ag. In this paper, investigations on the corrosion behavior of Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi–xAg (x = 0, 0.5, 1% by wt.) in 3.5% NaCl is carried out using weight loss method. Microstructure and EDAX analysis were also conducted in the analysis. It is found that the corrosion rate is minimum with 1% by wt. addition of Ag. Corrosion rate is less when compared with the SAC (Sn–Ag–Cu). Sn–0.5Cu–3Bi–1Ag can be considered as a potential lead free solder joint with good corrosion resistance.