We herein describe the tandem molecular self-assembly of a peptide derivative (1) that is controlled by a combination of enzymatic and chemical reactions. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), compound 1 self-assembles first into nanoparticles by phosphatase and then into nanofibers by glutathione. Liver cancer cells exhibit higher concentrations of both phosphatase and GSH than normal cells. Therefore, the tandem self-assembly of 1 also occurs in the liver cancer cell lines HepG2 and QGY7703; compound 1 first forms nanoparticles around the cells and then forms nanofibers inside the cells. Owing to this self-assembly mechanism, compound 1 exhibits large ratios for cellular uptake and inhibition of cell viability between liver cancer cells and normal liver cells. We envision that using both extracellular and intracellular reactions to trigger tandem molecular self-assembly could lead to the development of supramolecular nanomaterials with improved performance in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
The effects of an ethanol-acetone extract from soy flour on serum lipids and thyroid hormones were studied in rats and hamsters. In Study 1, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing protein from ethanol-acetone extracted isolated soy protein (ISP-), nonextracted ISP (ISP), casein (casein-), or casein to which 0.36 mg ethanol-acetone extract/g protein was added (casein+). Rats fed either ISP-containing diet had lower serum total cholesterol concentrations compared with those fed either casein diet (P < 0.05). Lower serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations were present in rats fed either ISP-containing diet and in those fed casein+ compared with those fed casein- (P < 0.05). Adding the extract to casein (casein+) produced higher serum thyroxine concentration and free thyroxine indices compared with all other groups (P < 0.05). In Study 2, male Golden Syrian hamsters were fed experimental diets containing protein from ISP, ISP with added ethanol-acetone extract (0.36 mg extract/g protein; ISP+), casein-, casein+ (0.36 mg extract/g protein), or casein with twice the level of extract (0.72 mg/g protein; casein++). Lower serum total cholesterol and LDL (LDL + VLDL + IDL) cholesterol concentrations were observed in hamsters fed ISP, ISP+ or casein+ compared with those fed casein- (P < 0.05). Addition of the extract at higher levels to casein (casein++) did not lower serum lipids relative to those fed casein-. Serum thyroxine concentration and the free thyroxine index were greater in both ISP groups as well as in hamsters fed casein++ compared with those fed casein- or casein+ (P < 0.05). In conclusion, both studies show that protein from soybeans decreases serum total and LDL cholesterol while the effects on thyroxine are different in rats and hamsters. It is also apparent that the ethanol-acetone extract of soy flour produces changes in serum cholesterol, particularly in the LDL fraction in both species.
Soil salinity results in nutrient imbalances and potassium deficiency.
The organ toxicity of lanthanides (Ln) on organisms had been recognized, but very little is known about the oxidative injury of brain caused by Ln. In order to study the mechanisms underlying the effects of Ln on the brain, ICR mice were injected with a single 20 mg/kg body weight dose of LaCl 3 , CeCl 3 , and NdCl 3 into the abdominal cavity daily for 14 days. We then examined the coefficient of the brain, the brain pathological changes and oxidative stress-mediated responses, and the accumulation of Ln and levels of neurochemicals in the brain. The results showed that CeCl 3 and NdCl 3 could induce some neurons to turn inflammatory cells and slight edema but did not observe the brain pathological changes from LaCl 3 -treated group. The concentrations of La, Ce, and Nd in the brain were significantly different and ranked in the order of Ce, Nd, and La. The injury of the brain and oxidative stress occurred as Ln appeared to trigger a cascade of reactions such as lipid peroxidation, the decreases of the total antioxidation capacity and activities of antioxidative enzymes, the excessive release of nitric oxide, the increase of glutamic acid, and the downregulated level of acetylcholinesterase activities. Furthermore, both Ce 3+ and Nd 3+ exhibited higher oxidative stress and toxicity on brain than La 3+ , and Ce 3+ caused more severe brain injuries and oxidative stress than Nd 3+ , implying that the differences in the brain injuries caused by Ln might be related to the number of 4f electrons of Ln.
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