鸡血液中乙酰胆碱酯酶的提取研究

[目的]为了研究硫酸铵盐析法在乙酰胆碱酯酶分离纯化中的效果,从而利用乙酰胆碱酯酶的活性变化反映农药的污染情况。[方法]采用硫酸铵盐析和等电点区分的方法从鸡血中提取乙酰胆碱酯酶,并探讨其适宜的pH值范围。[结果]结果表明:pH值4.5左右大量的杂蛋白能被除去,可获得较高乙酰胆碱酯酶得率;采用饱和度为50%~60%的硫酸铵盐析效果较好,据此得出较佳的提取工艺。[结论]该研究结果为后续鸡血AChE的提取、分离、纯化等工作提供了相应的参考,同时为利用乙酰胆碱酯酶指示环境受有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类农药污染的后续研究和应

鲮鱼冷休克及其死亡的某些生化因素

采用分光光度法和淀粉凝胶电泳法初步研究了鲮鱼冷休克前后脑乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活力和三种酶的同工酶类的动态变化。并根据鲮鱼在冷休克期间(7—6℃)脑AchE活力显著降低和肝脏组织乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)同工酶活性明显升高以及苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)、酯酶(EST)同工酶类出现酶活性变化的情况,讨论了导致鲮鱼耐寒能力差的某些生化因素。同时提出脑AchE可以作为评定鲮鱼冷休克期间中枢神经系统受害程度的一种生化指标。

Direct detection of molecular biorecognition by dipole sensing mechanism.

This work investigates the feasibility of transducing molecular-recognition events into a measurable potentiometric signal. It is shown for the first time that biorecognition of acetylcholine (ACh) can be translated to conformational changes in the enzyme, acetylcholine-esterase (AChE), which in turn induces a measurable change in surface potential. Our results show that a highly sensitive detector for ACh can be obtained by the dilute assembly of AChE on a floating gate derived field effect transistor (FG-FET). A wide concentration range response is observed for ACh (10(-2)-10(-9)M) and for the inhibitor carbamylcholine CCh (10(-6)-10(-11)M). These enhanced sensitivities are modeled theoretically and explained by the combined response of the device to local pH changes and molecular dipole variations due to the enzyme-substrate recognition event.

Determination of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides based on enzyme inhibition using a pH-sensitive fluorescence probe

A flow injection system for the determination of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides is described. A sensitive fluorescence probe was synthesized and used as the pH indicator to detect the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (ACNE). The percentage inhibition of enzyme activity is correlated to the pesticide concentration. Several parameters influencing the performance of the system are discussed. The detection limits of 3.5, 50, 12 and 25 mug/l for carbofuran, carbaryl, paraoxon and dichlorvos, in pure water, respectively were achieved with an incubation time of 10 min. A complete cycle of analysis, including incubation time, took 14 min. The detection system has been applied to the determination of carbofuran in spiked vegetable juices (Chinese cabbage and cole), achieving recovery values between 93.2 and 107% for Chinese cabbage juice and 108 and 118% for cole juice at the different concentration levels assayed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

文冠果果壳乙醇提取物对大鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用

目的研究文冠果果壳乙醇提取物(EEHXS)对双侧颈总动脉结扎大鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用及其作用机制。方法用DigBehv动物行为分析系统分析大鼠的自发活动,Y迷宫法及Morris水迷宫法测试大鼠的学习记忆能力,比色法检测大脑组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)的水平,尼氏染色观察海马组织形态学改变。结果模型组大鼠自发交替反应正确率、空间记忆能力和工作记忆能力显著降低,SOD活性显著下降,MDA和AchE水平显著升高,海马神经元变性、脱落;EEHXS显著改善大鼠的学习记忆能力、提高SOD活性、降低MDA和AchE水平,显著抑制海马神经元的变性及脱落。结论EEHXS对双侧颈总动脉结扎大鼠的学习障碍有显著的改善作用,其作用机制可能与改善胆碱能神经功能及降低自由基水平有关。

文冠果壳苷对侧脑室注射Aβ_(1-42)致小鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用

目的研究文冠果壳苷对侧脑室注射β肽淀粉样蛋白1-4(2Aβ1-42)小鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用,并初步探讨了其作用机制。方法通过避暗和水迷宫实验检测了小鼠的学习记忆能力;使用分光光度计检测小鼠大脑组织中乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)和胆碱乙酰转移酶(ChAT)活性的变化。结果小鼠侧脑室注射凝聚态Aβ1-42显著降低了小鼠被动回避学习记忆能力及空间学习记忆能力(P<0.01),并且小鼠大脑AchE和ChAT活性显著降低(P均<0.05);而文冠果壳苷能够显著减少避暗错误次数,延长潜伏期(分别P<0.05、P<0.01);剂量依赖性地缩短水迷宫实验中小鼠到达安全台的游泳时间(分别P<0.05、P<0.01),不同程度地抑制Aβ1-42模型小鼠的AchE和ChAT活性的降低(P<0.05和<0.01)。结论文冠果壳苷对侧脑室注射Aβ1-42小鼠学习记忆障碍具有显著的改善作用,其作用机制可能与保护中枢胆碱能神经细胞,改善中枢胆碱能神经系统功能等有关。

Rare-earth metal complexes stabilized by amino-phosphine ligand. Reaction with mesityl azide and catalysis of the cycloaddition of organic azides and aromatic alkynes

Stoichiometric reactions between mesityl azide (MesN(3), Mes = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3) and amino-phosphine ligated rare-earth metal alkyl, LLn(CH2SiMe3) (2)(THF) (L = (2,6-C6H3Me2)NCH2C6H4P(C6H5)(2); Ln = Lu (1a), Sc (1b)), amide, LLu(NH(2,6-(C6H3Pr2)-Pr-i))(2)(THF) (2) and acetylide at room temperature gave the amino-phosphazide ligated rare-earth metal bis(triazenyl) complexes, [L(MesN(3))]Ln[(MesN(3))-(CH2SiMe3)](2) (Ln = Lu (3a); Sc (3b)), bis(amido) complex [L(MesN3)] Lu[NH(2,6-C6H3 Pr-i(2))](2) (4), and bis(alkynyl) complex (5) (L(MesN(3))Lu (C CPh)(2))(2), respectively. The triazenyl group in 3 coordinates to the metal ion in a rare eta(2)-mode via N-beta and N-gamma atoms, generating a triangular metallocycle. The amino-phosphazide ligand, L(MesN(3)), in 3, 4 and 5 chelates to the metal ion in a eta(3)-mode via N-alpha and N-gamma atoms. In the presence of excess phenylacetylene, complex 3a isomerized to 3', where the triazenyl group coordinates to the metal ion in a eta(3) mode via Na and Ng atoms.

Single-wall carbon nanotube-based voltammetric sensor and biosensor

The pH-sensitive property of the single-wall carbon nanotube modified electrode based oil the electroactive group on the single-wall carbon nanotube was explored by differential pulse voltammetry technique. In pH range 1-13 investigated in Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer, the anodic peak shifted negatively along with the increase of pH exhibiting a reversible Nernstian response. Experiments were carried out to investigate the response of the single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) modified electrode to analytes associated with pH change. The response behavior of the modified electrode to ammonia was studied as an example. The potential response could reach equilibrium within 5 min. The modified electrode had good operational stability. Voltammetric urease and acetylcholinesterase biosensors were constructed by immobilizing the enzymes with sol-get hybrid material. The maximum potential shift could reach 0.130 and 0.220V for urea and acetylthiocholine, respectively. The methods for preparing sensor and biosensor were simple and reproducible and the range of analytes could be extended to substrates of other hydrolyases and esterases.

Response of integrated biomarkers of fish (Lateolabrax japonicus) exposed to benzo[a]pyrene and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate

Fish Lateolabrax japonicus were exposed to 0.1 and 1 mg/L of anion surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and to 2 and 20 mu g/L of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) for 6, 12, and 18 days, with control and solvent control groups. Liver antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), were determined; brain acetyleholinesterase (AChE) and liver inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities were also measured. The results indicated that (1) L. japonicus avoided oxidative damage through antioxidant systems; (2) SOD, GPx, and GSH were induced, and GST was inhibited and then induced by B[a]P exposure; and (3) CAT, GPx, and AChE were induced while NOS was inhibited, and GST was induced and then inhibited by SDBS stress in experimental period. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efeitos da tetraciclina em Gambusia holbrooki

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas

Minding metals: tailoring multifunctional chelating agents for neurodegenerative disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are associated with elevated levels of iron, copper, and zinc and consequentially high levels of oxidative stress. Given the multifactorial nature of these diseases, it is becoming evident that the next generation of therapies must have multiple functions to combat multiple mechanisms of disease progression. Metal-chelating agents provide one such function as an intervention for ameliorating metal-associated damage in degenerative diseases. Targeting chelators to adjust localized metal imbalances in the brain, however, presents significant challenges. In this perspective, we focus on some noteworthy advances in the area of multifunctional metal chelators as potential therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to metal chelating ability, these agents also contain features designed to improve their uptake across the blood-brain barrier, increase their selectivity for metals in damage-prone environments, increase antioxidant capabilities, lower Abeta peptide aggregation, or inhibit disease-associated enzymes such as monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase.

Probing the mid-gorge of cholinesterases with spacer-modified bivalent quinazolinimines leads to highly potent and selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors

The spacer structure of homobivalent quinazolinimes acting as potent acetyl-(AChE)- and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors was chemically modified introducing tertiary amine and acyl-amide moieties, and the activities at both ChEs were evaluated. Molecular docking was applied to explain the data and probe the capacity of the mid-gorge site of both ChEs. The novel spacer structures considerably alter the biological profile of bivalent quinazolinimines with regard to both inhibitory activity and selectivity. Mutual interaction of binding to the various sites of the enzymes was further investigated by applying also different spacer lengths and ring sizes of the alicycle of the tricyclic quinazolinimines. In order to achieve selectivity toward BChE and to improve inhibitory activities, the spacer structure was optimized and identified a highly potent and selective BChE inhibitor. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Withholding, discontinuing and withdrawing medications in dementia patients at the end of life:a neglected problem in the disadvantaged dying?

Recent years have seen a growing recognition that dementia is a terminal illness and that patients with advanced dementia nearing the end of life do not currently receive adequate palliative care. However, research into palliative care for these patients has thus far been limited. Furthermore, there has been little discussion in the literature regarding medication use in patients with advanced dementia who are nearing the end of life, and discontinuation of medication has not been well studied despite its potential to reduce the burden on the patient and to improve quality of life. There is limited, and sometimes contradictory, evidence available in the literature to guide evidence-based discontinuation of drugs such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, antipsychotic agents, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), antibacterials, antihypertensives, antihyperglycaemic drugs and anticoagulants. Furthermore, end-of-life care of patients with advanced dementia may be complicated by difficulties in accurately estimating life expectancy, ethical considerations regarding withholding or withdrawing treatment, and the wishes of the patient and/or their family. Significant research must be undertaken in the area of medication discontinuation in patients with advanced dementia nearing the end of life to determine how physicians currently decide whether medications should be discontinued, and also to develop the evidence base and provide guidance on systematic medication discontinuation.

Reading Elizabeth Bishop's "Artifact of [Words]"

As Emerson noted in his essay 'The Poet' "we are not pans and barrows, not even porters of the fire and torch-bearers, but children of the fire, made of it, and only the same divinity transmuted, and at two or three removes, when we least know about it." For Emerson, the fire is poetry, an elemental force capable of transmutation, transformation and enduring relevance. Moving from Emerson, Elizabeth Bishop rises as the twentieth-century poet most aligned with the possibility of poetry and the powers of its practice, as 'At The Fishhouses' indicates in her clear referencing of Emerson:

"If you should dip your hand in,
your wrist would ache immediately,
your bones would begin to ache and your hand would burn
as if the water were a transmutation of fire
that feeds on stones and burns with a dark gray flame."

This essay will look in detail at Bishop's understanding of the possibility of poetry and how art functions as a multi-dimensional structure that is unsettled as much as it unsettles. In particular, Bishop's poem 'The Monument' will be unpicked as testament both to the practice of Bishop's art and also the role of the poet critic responding to what they uncover

Assessment of factors that influence physician decision making regarding medication use in patients with dementia at the end of life

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which patient-related factors and physicians' country of practice (Northern Ireland [NI] and the Republic of Ireland [RoI]) influenced decision making regarding medication use in patients with end-stage dementia.

Methods
The study utilised a factorial survey design comprising four vignettes to evaluate initiating/withholding or continuing/discontinuing specific medications in patients with dementia nearing death. Questionnaires and vignettes were mailed to all hospital physicians in geriatric medicine and to all general practitioners (GPs) in NI (November 2010) and RoI (December 2010), with a second copy provided 3 weeks after the first mailing. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the impact of patient-related factors and physicians' country of practice on decision making. Significance was set a priori at p ≤ 0.05. Free text responses to open questions were analysed qualitatively using content analysis.

Results
The response rate was 20.6% (N = 662) [21.1% (N = 245) for GPs and 52.1% (N = 38) for hospital physicians in NI, 18.3% (N = 348) for GPs and 36.0% (N = 31) for hospital physicians in RoI]. There was considerable variability in decision making about initiating/withholding antibiotics and continuing/discontinuing the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and memantine hydrochloride, and less variability in decision making regarding statins and antipsychotics. Patient place of residence and physician's country of practice had the strongest and most consistent effects on decision making although effect sizes were small.

Conclusions
Further research is required into other factors that may impact upon physicians' prescribing decisions for these vulnerable patients and to clarify how the factors examined in this study influence prescribing decisions.