Extracellular polysaccharide production by a <i>Rhizobium</i> sp. isolated from legume herb <i>Crotalaria</i> <i>saltiana </i>Andr.

340-345A symbiont, isolated from root nodules of Crotalaria saltiana Andr., was identified as Rhizobium sp. It produced large amount of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in broth culture in yeast extract mannitol (YEM) medium. The EPS production and growth started simultaneously, though they have different stationary phases. The symbiont produced maximum EPS (16 g/mL) when the medium was supplemented with preferable carbon (glucose) 2%, nitrogen (glycine) 0.1%, and vitamin (biotin) 1 g/mL. Attempts were made to optimize the cultural requirements for growth and EPS production. The EPS produced by the symbiont contained glucose and galactose. The possible role on Rhizobium root nodule symboiosis has been discussed in the light of EPS production

Ambient Cure PUSS-Epoxy Matrices for Marine Composites

A room-temperature cure epoxy consisting of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-F (DGEBF) and diethylene triamine (DETA) was modified with 26.5 wt.% and 63.5 wt.% octaglycidyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) to investigate elevated temperature thermomechanical performance. Composites fabricated using vacuum assist resin transfer molding (VARTM) were compared to vinylester and epoxy standards. POSS modified matrices were low viscosity of 0.25-0.40 Pa s. Although T(g) was 20% lower than vinylester, we observed an increase of \u3e300% in 150 degrees C storage modulus, \u3e50% in tensile modulus, \u3e35% in flexural modulus, and the complete elimination of a heat distortion temperature (HDT) up to 200 degrees C. The matrices demonstrated an excellent balance of flow, wetting, and pot-life behaviors making them attractive alternatives for ambient cure marine applications. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Allylpyrocatechol Attenuates Collagen-Induced Arthritis via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress Secondary to Modulation of the MAPK, JAK/STAT, and Nrf2/HO-1 Pathways

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory autoimmune disorder, is characterized by synovial hyperplasia and bony destruction. The pathogenesis of RA includes redox dysregulation, concomitant with increased levels of proinflammatory mediators. As the ability of allylpyrocatechol (APC), a phytoconstituent of Piper betle leaves, to alleviate oxidative stress has been demonstrated in patients with RA, its antiarthritic activity was evaluated in an animal model of arthritis, and the underlying mechanism(s) of action clarified. The animal model was established by immunizing rats with bovine collagen type II (CII) followed by lipopolysaccharide, along with a booster dose of CII on day 15. Rats were treated with APC or methotrexate (MTX) from days 11 to 27, when paw edema, radiography, histopathology, and markers of inflammation were evaluated. The pro/antiinflammatory signaling pathways were studied in a RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Allylpyrocatechol (APC) prevented the progression of arthritis as was evident from the reduction in paw edema, and attenuation of damage to bones and cartilage shown by radiography and histopathology. Additionally, there was reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and restoration of the redox balance. Importantly, MTX ameliorated the features of arthritis but not the associated oxidative stress. In RAW264.7, APC inhibited generation of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-12p40), and modulated the phosphorylation of proinflammatory (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase, and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription) and cytoprotective (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1) signaling pathways. Taken together, APC controlled the development of arthritis, possibly via modulation of signaling pathways, and deserves further consideration as a therapy for RA