4-Methylcoumarin Derivatives Inhibit Human Neutrophil Oxidative Metabolism and Elastase Activity

Luciana M. Kabeya,Carolina N. Fuzissaki,Mica´ssio F. Andrade,Ana Elisa C.S. Azzolini,Silvia H. Taleb-Contini,Roberta B. Vermelho,Joa˜o Luis C. Lopes,Yara Maria Lucisano-Valim 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.8

Increased neutrophil activation significantly contributes to the tissue damage in inflammatory illnesses; this phenomenon has motivated the search for new compounds to modulate their effector functions. Coumarins are natural products that are widely consumed in the human diet. We have evaluated the antioxidant and immunomodulator potential of five 4-methylcoumarin derivatives. We found that the 4-methylcoumarin derivatives inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species by human neutrophils triggered by serum-opsonized zymosan or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate; this inhibition occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, as revealed by lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assays. Cytotoxicity did not mediate this inhibitory effect. The 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin suppressed the neutrophil oxidative metabolism more effectively than the 6,7- and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarins, but the 5,7- and 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarins were less effective than their hydroxylated counterparts. An analysis of the biochemical pathways suggested that the 6,7- and 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarins inhibit the protein kinase C-mediated signaling pathway, but 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, as well as 5,7- and 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarins do not significantly interfere in this pathway of the activation of the human neutrophil oxidative metabolism. The 4-methylcoumarin derivatives bearing the catechol group suppressed the elastase and myeloperoxidase activity and reduced the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical the most strongly. Interestingly, the 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin scavenged hypochlorous acid more effectively than the o-dihydroxy-substituted 4-methylcoumarin derivatives, and the diacetoxylated 4-methylcoumarin derivatives scavenged hypochlorous acid as effectively as the 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin. The significant influence of small structural modifications in the inhibitory potential of 4-methylcoumarin derivatives on the effector functions of neutrophil makes them interesting candidates to develop new drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases mediated by increased neutrophil activation.

Reverse Shape Selectivityin the Liquid-PhaseAdsorption of Xylene Isomers in Zirconium Terephthalate MOF UiO-66

Moreira, MarianaA.,Santos, Joã,o C.,Ferreira, Alexandre F. P.,Loureiro, José,M.,Ragon, Florence,Horcajada, Patricia,Shim, Kyu-E.,Hwang, Young-K.,Lee, U.-Hwang,Chang, Jong-S.,Serre, Christi American ChemicalSociety 2012 Langmuir Vol.28 No.13

<P>Powder, agglomerates, and tablets of the microporous zirconium(IV)terephthalate metal–organic framework UiO-66 were evaluatedfor the selective adsorption and separation of xylene isomers in theliquid phase using <I>n</I>-heptane as the eluent. Pulseexperiments, performed at 313 K in the presence of <I>n</I>-heptane, revealed the <I>o</I>-xylene preference of thismaterial, which was further confirmed by binary and multicomponentbreakthrough experiments in the presence of <I>m</I>- and <I>p</I>-xylene, resulting in selectivities at 313 K of 1.8 and2.4 with regards to <I>m</I>-xylene and <I>p</I>-xylene, respectively. Additionally, because <I>p</I>-xyleneis the less retained isomer, UiO-66 presents a selectivity patternthat is reverse of that of the xylenes' molecular dimension with respectto shape selectivity. The shaping of the material as tablets did notsignificantly change its selectivity toward the <I>o</I>-xylene isomer or toward <I>p</I>-xylene, which was theless retained isomer, despite a loss in capacity. Finally, the selectivitybehavior of UiO-66 in the liquid <I>n</I>-heptane phasemakes it a suitable material for <I>o</I>-xylene separationin the extract (heavy product) or <I>p</I>-xylene separationin the raffinate (light product) by simulated moving bed technology.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/langd5/2012/langd5.2012.28.issue-13/la3004118/production/images/medium/la-2012-004118_0011.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/la3004118'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Effects of task-specific rehabilitation training on tau modification in rat with photothrombotic cortical ischemic damage

Joa, K.L.,Moon, S.,Kim, J.H.,Shin, D.W.,Lee, K.H.,Jung, S.,Kim, M.O.,Kim, C.H.,Jung, H.Y.,Kang, J.H. Pergamon Press 2017 Neurochemistry International Vol.108 No.-

Although stroke elicits progressive cognitive decline and is a leading cause of dementia, molecular interplay between stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, studies on the effects of post-stroke rehabilitation on AD pathology are limited. We evaluated the acute effect of stroke on tau modification, and the molecular effects of task-specific training (TST) on tau modification using a model of photochemically-induced thrombosis (PIT)-induced cortical infarction. Following PIT in the dominant side of sensorimotor cortex, the rehabilitation group received 4-weeks of TST rehabilitation once daily by single pellet reaching training, whereas the sedentary control group did not received any type of training. Cortical expression levels of proteins related to tau modification were evaluated on post-stroke day 1 (PSD1) and 28; functional tests were also evaluated performed every week. The expression levels of acetyl-tau, phosphorylated-tau (p-tau), cyclooxygenase-2 and Akt-mTORC1-p70S6K pathway in infarcted cortices on PSD1 were significantly greater, whereas the expression levels of p-AMPK were significantly lower than in the paired contralateral sides. TST rehabilitation for 4 weeks greatly improved functional motor performance but not memory, which concurred with the down-regulations of ipsilateral p-AMPK, cyclooxygenase-2, Akt-mTORC1-p70S6K pathway, and p-tau in rehabilitation group. PIT-induced cortical infarction was found to induce cortical tau modification through the Akt-mTORC1-p70S6K activation, and to suppress the expression of AMPK-related proteins. TST rehabilitation greatly improved motor function, but not memory, and suppressed p-tau expression and neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, the role of TST-mediated regulation of tau hyperphosphorylation required further clarification.

Depositon of Transparent Conductive Films by a DC arc Plasmatron

O. V. Penkov,V. Yu. Plaksin,S. B. Joa,J. H. Kim,H. J. LEE 한국진공학회 2010 한국진공학회 학술발표회초록집 Vol.38 No.-

Syngas Purification by Porous Amino-Functionalized Titanium Terephthalate MIL-125

Regufe, Maria Joã,o,Tamajon, Javier,Ribeiro, Ana M.,Ferreira, Alexandre,Lee, U-Hwang,Hwang, Young Kyu,Chang, Jong-San,Serre, Christian,Loureiro, José,M.,Rodrigues, Alí,rio E. American Chemical Society 2015 ENERGY AND FUELS Vol.29 No.7

<P>The adsorption equilibrium of carbon dioxide (CO<SUB>2</SUB>), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen (N<SUB>2</SUB>), methane (CH<SUB>4</SUB>), and hydrogen (H<SUB>2</SUB>) was studied at 303, 323, and 343 K and pressures up to 7 bar in titanium-based metal–organic framework (MOF) granulates, amino-functionalized titanium terephthalate MIL-125(Ti)_NH<SUB>2</SUB>. The affinity of the different adsorbates toward the adsorbent presented the following order: CO<SUB>2</SUB> > CH<SUB>4</SUB> > CO > N<SUB>2</SUB> > H<SUB>2</SUB>, from the most adsorbed to the least adsorbed component. Subsequently, adsorption kinetics and multicomponent adsorption equilibrium were studied by means of single, binary, and ternary breakthrough curves at 323 K and 4.5 bar with different feed mixtures. Both studies are complementary and aim the syngas purification for two different applications, hydrogen production and H<SUB>2</SUB>/CO composition adjustment, to be used as feed in the Fischer–Tropsch processes. The isosteric heats were calculated from the adsorption equilibrium isotherms and are 21.9 kJ mol<SUP>–1</SUP> for CO<SUB>2</SUB>, 14.6 kJ mol<SUP>–1</SUP> for CH<SUB>4</SUB>, 13.4 kJ mol<SUP>–1</SUP> for CO, and 11.7 kJ mol<SUP>–1</SUP> for N<SUB>2</SUB>. In the overall pressure and temperature range, the adsorption equilibrium isotherms were well-regressed against the Langmuir model. The multicomponent breakthrough experimental results allowed for validation of the adsorption equilibrium predicted by the multicomponent extension of the Langmuir isotherm and validation of the fixed-bed mathematical model. To conclude, two pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycles were designed and performed experimentally, one for hydrogen purification from a 30/70% CO<SUB>2</SUB>/H<SUB>2</SUB> mixture (hydrogen purity was 100% with a recovery of 23.5%) and a second PSA cycle to obtain a light product with a H<SUB>2</SUB>/CO ratio between 2.2 and 2.4 to feed to Fischer–Tropsch processes. The experimental cycle produced a light stream with a H<SUB>2</SUB>/CO ratio of 2.3 and a CO<SUB>2</SUB>-enriched stream with 86.6% purity as a heavy product. The CO<SUB>2</SUB> recovery was 93.5%.</P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/ef5b00975'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Auxiliary Treatment for Chronic Headache

Wildete Carvalho Mayrink,Joa˜o Batista Santos Garcia,Alcione Miranda dos Santos,Joana Ka´tya Veras Rodrigues Sampaio Nunes,Ta´rcia Heliny Nojoza Mendonc¸a 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.5

Objectives To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as an auxiliary analgesic treatment for chronic headaches and the influence of this treatment on the quality of life, as the effectiveness of acupuncture in chronic headache is still controversial. Methods Thirty-four patients selected from a University Hospital Clinic on Chronic Pain were divided into two groups: True acupuncture (Group 1), in which the recommended points of the Traditional Chinese Medicine were used for each type of headache and sham acupuncture (Group 2), in which the needles were inserted into a device (the stick-on moxa), at the same points as Group 1. Both groups used the prescribed preventive medication for pain. The verbal numeric scale before (VNS0) and after (VNS1) treatment, the number of crisis, and the number of analgesics used during the first and second months of treatment were used for assessment. Quality of life was also assessed before and after treatment with the Brazilian version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire: SF-6D, 2002. Results The true acupuncture group showed greater effectiveness in controlling pain in chronic headache, which was statistically significant in all domains compared to the sham acupuncture group, including quality of life. Conclusions Acupuncture can be considered an auxiliary treatment for chronic headache, reducing the intensity of pain, the number of crisis, the quantity of analgesics used, and improving the quality of life in patients with this painful condition.

Surface analysis of Activated Reactive Evaporation deposited Znic Oxide Thin Film

M. R. Mansur,O. V. Penkov,V. Yu. Plaksin,Sang Beom Joa,Kim Ji Hun,Lee Heon Ju 한국진공학회 2009 한국진공학회 학술발표회초록집 Vol.37 No.-

Dual-Color Emissive Upconversion Nanocapsules for Differential Cancer Bioimaging <i>In Vivo</i>

Kwon, Oh Seok,Song, Hyun Seok,Conde, Joã,o,Kim, Hyoung-il,Artzi, Natalie,Kim, Jae-Hong American Chemical Society 2016 ACS NANO Vol.10 No.1

<P>Early diagnosis of tumor malignancy is crucial for timely cancer treatment aimed at imparting desired clinical outcomes. The traditional fluorescence based imaging is unfortunately faced with challenges such as low tissue penetration and background autofluorescence. Upconversion (UC)-based bioimaging can overcome these limitations as their excitation occurs at lower frequencies and the emission at higher frequencies. In this study, multifunctional silica -based nanocapsules were synthesized to encapsulate two distinct triplet triplet annihilation UC chromophore pairs. Each nanocapsule emits different colors, blue or green, following a red light excitation. These nanocapsules were further conjugated with either antibodies or peptides to selectively target breast or colon cancer cells, respectively. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental results herein demonstrate cancer -specific and differential -color imaging from single wavelength excitation as well as far greater accumulation at targeted tumor sites than that due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. This approach can be used to host a variety of chromophore pairs for various tumor -specific, color -coding scenarios and can be employed for diagnosis of a wide range of cancer types within the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment.</P>

Analgesic Effects Elicited by Neuroactive Mediators Injected into the ST 36 Acupuncture Point on Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Ja´dina S. Vieira,Je´ssica A. Toreti,Ravena C. de Carvalho,Joa˜o E. de Arau´jo,Marcelo L. Silva,Josie R.T. Silva 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.5

The present study evaluates whether the injection of serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, bradykinin, histamine, or substance P (SP) into the Zusanli (Stomach 36, ST 36) acupoint can also produce the acupuncture-induced antinociceptive effect on inflammatory or neuropathic pain. In this in vivo experimental study, a total of 450 male Swiss mice were used. Mice were injected with saline or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or subjected to sham or chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery. After the establishment of the inflammatory (4 hours) or the neuropathic pain (3 days), the animals (n = 6) received manual acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or injection of saline, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, bradykinin, histamine, or SP into the ST 36 and were evaluated for up to 24 hours. Mechanical threshold was evaluated, and the L4-L6 dorsal root ganglion was used for analysis of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 overexpression. The mice from both the CFA and CCI models treated with manual acupuncture had significant increases in the thresholds for more than 24 hours. Sham acupuncture stimulation did not change the thresholds. In the mice injected with each of the mediators, the thresholds were significantly increased for all times in both the CFA and CCI models. Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 overexpression in CFA and CCI mice was reduced at all times by injection of serotonin, acetylcholine, or SP but not by injection of glutamate, histamine, or bradykinin. Our data suggest that the neuroactive mediators released by acupuncture-induced tissue injury may contribute to acupuncture-induced analgesia.

Single or Multiple Electroacupuncture Sessions in Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Are We Low-Responders to Electroacupuncture?

Ravena C. de Carvalho,Julia R. Parisi,Wiliam A. Prado,Joa˜o E. de Arau´jo,Andreia M. Silva,Josie R.T. Silva,Marcelo L. Silva 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.2

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of one or multiple sessions of electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with chronic low back pain. The outcome measures were visual analog score (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), low back skin temperature, surface electromyography of longissimus muscle (contraction/rest) and blood cytokines. After examination (AV0), patients were submitted to EA (2 Hz, 30 minutes, bilaterally at the SP6, BL23, BL31, BL32, BL33, and BL60) and were revaluated after one week (AV1). Patients with VAS <3 (VAS <3 group, n = 20) were directed to return after three weeks (AV2). Patients with VAS >3 (VAS >3 group, n = 20) were submitted to one weekly EA-treatment and revaluated after three weeks (AV2). The VAS <3 group showed a significant reduction in VAS and MPQ and increased PPT in AV1, but not in AV2. No significant differences were found in RMDQ. The VAS >3 group showed reduction in VAS and increased PPT in AV1 and a reduction in MPQ and RMDQ only in AV2. No significant differences were found in electromyography, temperature or cytokines. Thus, despite 2Hz-EA is effective reducing low back pain, some patients only experienced reduced pain intensity and improved functional capacity after full treatment.