Biosorption of phenol and 2-chlorophenol by Funalia trogii pellets

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The removal of phenol (Ph) and 2-chlorophenol (2-CPh) from aqueous solution by native and heat inactivated fungus Funalia trogii pellets were investigated. The effects of contact time, solid/liquid ratio, optimum pH and temperature on the phenols removal capacity by the pellets were established. The removal efficiency of phenols increased significantly with increasing biomass dose. The optimum pH was detected to be 8.0. The second-order equations are described and evaluated on the basis of a comparative estimation of the corresponding coefficients. The phenol removal equilibrium isotherm was modeled by the Langmuir equations. The enthalpy change values were obtained between -7.62 and -10.64 kJ/mol. This indicated that the uptake of phenols either on native or heat inactivated fungal pellets was based on a physical adsorption process. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) films modified with different functional groups: In vitro interactions with platelets and rat stem cells

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethylmethactylate (HEMA) with glycidylmethacrylate (GMA) in the presence of alpha-alpha'-azoisobisbutyronitrile (AIBN) resulted in the formation of hydrogel films carrying reactive epoxy groups. Thirteen kinds of different molecules with pendant -NH2 group were used for modifications of the p(HEMA-GMA) films. The -NH2 group served as anchor binding site for immobilization of functional groups on the hydrogel film via direct epoxy ring opening reaction. The modified hydrogel films were characterized by FTIR, and contact angle studies. In addition, mechanical properties of the hydrogel films were studied, and modified hydrogel films showed improved mechanical properties compared with the non-modified film, but they are less elastic than the non-modified film. The biological activities of these films such as platelet adhesion, red blood cells hemolysis, and swelling behavior were studied. The effect of modified hydrogel films, including -NH2, (using different aliphatic -CH2 chain lengths) -CH3, -SO3H, aromatic groups with substituted -OH and -COOH groups, and amino acids were also investigated on the adhesion, morphology and survival of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The MTT colorimetric assay reveals that the p(HEMA-GMA)-GA-AB, p(HEMA-GMA)-GA-Phe, p(HEMA-GMA)-GA-Trp, p(HEMA-GMA)-GA-Glu formulations have an excellent biocompatibility to promote the cell adhesion and growth. We anticipate that the fabricated p(HEMA-GMA) based hydrogel films with controllable surface chemistry and good stable swelling ratio may find extensive applications in future development of tissue engineering scaffold materials, and in various biotechnological areas. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Enhancement of crystallization with nucleotide ligands identified by dye-ligand affinity chromatography

Ligands interacting with Mycobacterium tuberculosis recombinant proteins were identified through use of the ability of Cibacron Blue F3GA dye to interact with nucleoside/nucleotide binding proteins, and the effects of these ligands on crystallization were examined. Co-crystallization with ligands enhanced crystallization and enabled X-ray diffraction data to be collected to a resolution of at least 2.7 Å for 5 of 10 proteins tested. Additionally, clues about individual proteins’ functions were obtained from their interactions with each of a panel of ligands

Transduction of Brain Dopamine Neurons by Adenoviral Vectors Is Modulated by CAR Expression: Rationale for Tropism Modified Vectors in PD Gene Therapy

Gene-based therapy is a new paradigm for the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) and offers considerable promise for precise targeting and flexibility to impact multiple pathobiological processes for which small molecule agents are not available. Some success has been achieved utilizing adeno-associated virus for this approach, but it is likely that the characteristics of this vector system will ultimately create barriers to progress in clinical therapy. Adenovirus (Ad) vector overcomes limitations in payload size and targeting. The cellular tropism of Ad serotype 5 (Ad5)-based vectors is regulated by the Ad attachment protein binding to its primary cellular receptor, the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR). Many clinically relevant tissues are refractory to Ad5 infection due to negligible CAR levels but can be targeted by tropism-modified, CAR-independent forms of Ad. Our objective was to evaluate the role of CAR protein in transduction of dopamine (DA) neurons in vivo.Ad5 was delivered to the substantia nigra (SN) in wild type (wt) and CAR transgenic animals. Cellular tropism was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the SN and striatal terminals. CAR expression was assessed by western blot and IHC. We found in wt animals, Ad5 results in robust transgene expression in astrocytes and other non-neuronal cells but poor infection of DA neurons. In contrast, in transgenic animals, Ad5 infects SNc neurons resulting in expression of transduced protein in their striatal terminals. Western blot showed low CAR expression in the ventral midbrain of wt animals compared to transgenic animals. Interestingly, hCAR protein localizes with markers of post-synaptic structures, suggesting synapses are the point of entry into dopaminergic neurons in transgenic animals.These findings demonstrate that CAR deficiency limits infection of wild type DA neurons by Ad5 and provide a rationale for the development of tropism-modified, CAR-independent Ad-vectors for use in gene therapy of human PD

Designer Gene Delivery Vectors: Molecular Engineering and Evolution of Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Enhanced Gene Transfer

Gene delivery vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) are highly promising due to several desirable features of this parent virus, including a lack of pathogenicity, efficient infection of dividing and non-dividing cells, and sustained maintenance of the viral genome. However, several problems should be addressed to enhance the utility of AAV vectors, particularly those based on AAV2, the best characterized AAV serotype. First, altering viral tropism would be advantageous for broadening its utility in various tissue or cell types. In response to this need, vector pseudotyping, mosaic capsids, and targeting ligand insertion into the capsid have shown promise for altering AAV specificity. In addition, library selection and directed evolution have recently emerged as promising approaches to modulate AAV tropism despite limited knowledge of viral structure–function relationships. Second, pre-existing immunity to AAV must be addressed for successful clinical application of AAV vectors. “Shielding” polymers, site-directed mutagenesis, and alternative AAV serotypes have shown success in avoiding immune neutralization. Furthermore, directed evolution of the AAV capsid is a high throughput approach that has yielded vectors with substantial resistance to neutralizing antibodies. Molecular engineering and directed evolution of AAV vectors therefore offer promise for generating ‘designer’ gene delivery vectors with enhanced properties

Use of complementary and alternative medicines by a sample of Turkish women for infertility enhancement: a descriptive study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infertility patients are a vulnerable group that often seeks a non-medical solution for their failure to conceive. World-wide, women use CAM for productive health, but only a limited number of studies report on CAM use to enhance fertility. Little is known about traditional and religious forms of therapies that are used in relation to conventional medicine in Turkey. We investigated the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by infertile Turkish women for fertility enhancement.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A face-to-face questionnaire inquiring demographic information and types of CAM used for fertility enhancement were completed by hundred infertility patients admitted to a primary care family planning centre in Van, Turkey between January and July 2009.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The vast majority of infertile women had used CAM at least once for infertility. CAM use included religious interventions, herbal products and recommendations of traditional "hodja's" (faith healers). Of these women, 87.8% were abused in the last 12 months, 36.6% felt not being supported by her partner and 80.5% had never spoken with a physician about CAM.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Infertile Turkish women use complementary medicine frequently for fertility enhancement and are in need of information about CAM. Religious and traditional therapies are used as an adjunct to, rather than a substitute for, conventional medical therapy. Physicians need to approach fertility patients with sensitivity and should be able to council their patients about CAM accordingly.</p

Poly(styrene-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) monodisperse microspheres as specific sorbent in dye affinity adsorption of albumin

Uzun, Lokman/0000-0002-3971-7725WOS: 000223227800008In this study, human serum albumin (HSA) adsorption properties of reactive green HE-4BD-attached monodisperse poly(styrene-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(St-HEMA)] microspheres were investigated. Poly(St-HEMA) microspheres with an uniform size of 4.0 mum in diameter were produced by the dispersion copolymerization of St and HEMA in an ethanol-water medium. Reactive green HE-4BD was covalently attached onto the poly(St-HEMA) microspheres via a nucleophilic substitution reaction between the hydroxyl groups of HEMA and triazinyl chloro groups of dye with the equilibrium coupling capacity of 45.8 mumol dye (g polymer)(-1). The poly(St-HEMA) monodisperse microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of concentration of HSA, medium pH, and ionic strength on the adsorption efficiency of dye-attached microspheres were studied in a batch system. The nonspecific adsorption of HSA on the poly(St-HEMA) microspheres was 2.2 mg g(-1). Reactive green HE-4BD attachment significantly increased the HSA adsorption up to 221 mg g(-1). The langmuir adsorption model was found to be applicable in interpreting HSA adsorption by reactive green HE-4BD attached microspheres. Significant amount Of the adsorbed HSA (up to 92%) was eluted in 1 hr in the elution medium containing 1.0-M NaCl. To determine the effects of adsorption conditions on possible conformational changes of HSA structure, fluorescence spectrophotometry was employed. We resulted that poly(St-HEMA) dye-affinity microspheres can be applied for HSA adsorption without causing any significant conformational changes. Repeated adsorption/ elution processes showed that these dye-attached monodisperse microspheres are suitable for HSA adsorption