No abstract

Investigations about how to recycle the deactivated nanomaterials are well-needed. This work was designed to explore the recycling strategy of Mg(OH)(2) nanoadsorbent during treating low concentration of Cr(VI) solution as an example. It was demonstrated that a reversible route between Cr-adsorbed nano-Mg(OH)(2) and Cr-desorbed bulk-MgCO(3) · 3H(2)O can be established by using CO(2) as a phase transformation medium. In each adsorption-desorption cycle, Cr(VI) solution with initial concentration of 10 mg · L(-1) could be enriched over 40 times. An aggregation-induced rapid phase transformation mechanism from nano-Mg(OH)(2) to bulk-MgCO(3) · 3H(2)O was discovered, which was one of the critical factors to ensure the disposing efficiency of this environmental-friendly Cr(VI) disposal system. A pilot-scale experiment was conducted with this strategy to deal with 50 L Cr(VI)-containing simulated industrial wastewater. The enrichment of Cr(VI) and the recycle of nano-Mg(OH)(2) can be successfully achieved simultaneously.

A major challenge in the design of biomaterial-based injectable bone substitutes is the development of cohesive, macroporous and self-setting calcium phosphate cement (CPC) that enables rapid cell invasion with adequate initial mechanical properties without the use of complex processing and additives. Thus, we propose a simple and effective strategy to prepare injectable macroporous CPCs through syringe-foaming using a hydrophilic viscous polymeric solution (silanized-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Si-HPMC) as a foaming agent, that simultaneously meets all the aforementioned aims. Evidence from our in vivo studies shows the existence of newly formed bone within the implantation site, indicating the feasibility and effectiveness of this foaming strategy, which could be used in various CPC systems using other hydrophilic viscous polymeric solutions.

No abstract

No abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, and there is no cure for it at present. Recent research has indicated a link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and PD, which suggested that a treatment to improve insulin resistance for T2DM may be useful for PD patients. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) belongs to the incretin hormone family, which can promote insulin release and improve insulin resistance. Several GIP analogues have been developed as potential treatments for T2DM. In the present study, a novel long-lasting GIP analogue, D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL, has been tested in an acute PD mouse model induced by four 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intraperitoneal injections. D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL treatment (25 nmol/kg ip.) for 7 days after MPTP treatment improved the locomotor and exploratory activity of mice, and improved bradykinesia and movement balance of mice. D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL treatment also restored tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive dopaminergic neuron numbers in the substantia nigra and TH levels in the striatum. D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL also reduced the chronic inflammation response as seen in astrocyte and microglia activation in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL reversed the reduction of synapse numbers (synaptophysin levels), decreased the ratio of growth factor and apoptosis signaling molecules Bax/Bcl-2, and improved the decrease of p-CREB(S133) growth factor signaling in the substantia nigra. Therefore, D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL promotes cell survival of dopaminergic neuron in the SNpc by activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB growth factor second messenger pathway that also inhibits apoptosis. The present results demonstrate that D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL shows promise as a novel treatment of PD.

No abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, treatment to improve insulin resistance in T2DM may be useful for PD patients. Glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a member of the incretin hormone family that can promote insulin release and improve insulin resistance. Several GIP analogues have been developed as potential treatments for T2DM. We had shown previously that D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL, a novel long-acting GIP analogue, can play a neuroprotective role in the PD mouse model induced by acute MPTP injection. The drug reduced damage to the dopaminergic neurons and increased CREB-mediated Bcl-2 expression to prevent apoptosis and reduced chronic inflammation in the brain. In the present study, we further tested the effects of chronic treatment by D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL in a chronic PD mouse model induced by MPTP (25mg/kg ip.) combination with probenecid (250mg/kg ip.) injection for 5 weeks. The results demonstrated that chronic treatment with D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL inhibits MPTP -induced Parkinsonism-like motor disorders in mice, and that the drug prevents dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Moreover, D-Ala2-GIP-glu-PAL also inhibited the increased levels of expression of α-synuclein in the SNpc and striatum induced by MPTP. Furthermore, drug treatment reduced chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, and increased the expression of BDNF. These findings show that GIP signaling is neuroprotective and holds promise as a novel treatment of PD.