Polyethylene glycol has immunoprotective effects on sciatic allografts, but behavioral recovery and graft tolerance require neurorrhaphy and axonal fusion

Behavioral recovery using(viable)peripheral nerve allografts to repair ablation-type(segmental-loss)peripheral nerve injuries is delayed or poor due to slow and inaccurate axonal regeneration.Furthermore,such peripheral nerve allografts undergo immunological rejection by the host immune system.In contrast,peripheral nerve injuries repaired by polyethylene glycol fusion of peripheral nerve allografts exhibit excellent behavioral recovery within weeks,reduced immune responses,and many axons do not undergo Wallerian degeneration.The relative contribution of neurorrhaphy and polyethylene glycol-fusion of axons versus the effects of polyethylene glycol per se was unknown prior to this study.We hypothesized that polyethylene glycol might have some immune-protective effects,but polyethylene glycol-fusion was necessary to prevent Wallerian degeneration and functional/behavioral recovery.We examined how polyethylene glycol solutions per se affect functional and behavioral recovery and peripheral nerve allograft morphological and immunological responses in the absence of polyethylene glycol-induced axonal fusion.Ablation-type sciatic nerve injuries in outbred Sprague–Dawley rats were repaired according to a modified protocol using the same solutions as polyethylene glycol-fused peripheral nerve allografts,but peripheral nerve allografts were loose-sutured(loose-sutured polyethylene glycol)with an intentional gap of 1–2 mm to prevent fusion by polyethylene glycol of peripheral nerve allograft axons with host axons.Similar to negative control peripheral nerve allografts not treated by polyethylene glycol and in contrast to polyethylene glycol-fused peripheral nerve allografts,animals with loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts exhibited Wallerian degeneration for all axons and myelin degeneration by 7 days postoperatively and did not recover sciatic-mediated behavioral functions by 42 days postoperatively.Other morphological signs of rejection,such as collapsed Schwann cell basal lamina tubes,were absent in polyethylene glycol-fused peripheral nerve allografts but commonly observed in negative control and loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts at 21 days postoperatively.Loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts had more pro-inflammatory and less anti-inflammatory macrophages than negative control peripheral nerve allografts.While T cell counts were similarly high in loose-sutured-polyethylene glycol and negative control peripheral nerve allografts,loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts expressed some cytokines/chemokines important for T cell activation at much lower levels at 14 days postoperatively.MHCI expression was elevated in loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts,but MHCII expression was modestly lower compared to negative control at 21 days postoperatively.We conclude that,while polyethylene glycol per se reduces some immune responses of peripheral nerve allografts,successful polyethylene glycol-fusion repair of some axons is necessary to prevent Wallerian degeneration of those axons and immune rejection of peripheral nerve allografts,and produce recovery of sensory/motor functions and voluntary behaviors.Translation of polyethylene glycol-fusion technologies would produce a paradigm shift from the current clinical practice of waiting days to months to repair ablation peripheral nerve injuries.

Effect of Free Cells and Additional Supporting Material on Performance of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Pellet Reactor to Treat NH4-N Contaminated Groundwater

To study the effect of free cells (suspended bacteria) on performance of entrapped bacteria system (i.e. polyethylene glycol (PEG)-pellet reactor) to treat NH4-N contaminated groundwater, two PEG-pellet reactors with a lot of free cells - Reactor A containing PEG-pellet and Reactor B containing PEG-pellet and supporting material - and the another control reactor without free cells (Reactor C) were set-up. Three reactors were operated under various NH4-N concentrations (40-60 mg/L) and various temperatures (5-25oC). The results show that the free cells effected on the NH4-N removal efficiency significantly. The free cells developed to be a biofilm layer on the pellet surface for Reactor A, the biofilm layer caused the decreasing NH4-N diffusion and incomplete nitrification eventually. On the other hand, most free cells attached to the supporting material for Reactor B. Although the NH4-N could diffuse properly, the free cells consuming acetate caused the added acetate was insufficient for complete denitrification. However, the results suggest that the supporting material could reduce the effect of free cells on the reactor performance at low temperature as indicated by 1) higher efficiency and 2) lower activation energy (Ea) for nitrification and denitrification in Reactor B than Reactor A.

Effect of Silicon (Si) Application on Phoenix dactylifera L. Growth under Drought Stress Induced by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) in Vitro

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of silicon (Si) 3.6 mM (as calcium silicate) under drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol “PEG” at 15% (MW 8000), in addition to the control treatment on growth and some biochemical constituents of date palm cv. Barhee cultured in vitro. Drought stress (15% PEG) depressed the growth of shoot and decreased protein content and chlorophyll concentration. Addition of 3.6 mM Si could improve the growth of shoot and increase the protein content and leaf chlorophyll concentrations of stressed plants. The inclusion of Si to the PEG containing medium significantly increased the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in regenerated shoot, compared to other treatments. As well as drought stress 15% PEG induced significant accumulation of shoots proline, which were decreased by added silicon. Moreover, the results were also supported by the observation that PEG stress-induced decrease the response percentage of root induction and root lengths was reversed by added silicon. Addition of Si obviously significantly increased the wax content in leaves, response percentage of root induction and root lengths of plantlets under drought stress. The results of this study indicate that the application of silicon improved growth attributes, effectively mitigate the adverse effect of drought, and increase tolerance of date palm plants for drought stress during the course of date palm tissue cultures.

Synthesis and Characterization of Storage Energy Materials Prepared from Nano-crystalline Cellulose/Polyethylene Glycol

This paper gives a brief report of the synthesis of a new kind of solid-solid phase change materials （SSPCMs）, nano-crystalline cellulose/polyethylene glycol （NCC/PEG）. These PCMs have very high ability for energy storage, and their enthalpies reach 103.8 J/g. They are composed of two parts, PEG as functional branches for energy storage, and NCC as skeleton. The flexible polymer PEG was grafted onto the surface of rigid powder of NCC by covalent bonds. The results of DSC, FT-IR were briefly introduced, and some comments were also given.

Effects of NaCl and Iso-Osmotic Polyethylene Glycol Stress on Na^+/H^+Antiport Activity of Three Malus species with Different Salt Tolerance

Salt stress contains osmotic and ionic stress, while iso-osmotic polyethylene glycol （PEG） has only osmotic stress. This study aimed to compare the different effects on the activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport in Malus seedlings between osmotic and ionic stress. Species of salt tolerant Malus zumi, middle salt tolerant Malus xiaojinensis and salt sensitive Malus baccata were used as experimental materials. Malus seedlings were treated with NaCl and iso-osmotic PEG stress. The activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport of plasmolemma and tonoplast in Malus seedlings were obviously increased under salt stress, and those in salt-tolerant species increased more. Under the same NaCl concentration, the activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport of plasmolemma and tonoplast in salt-tolerant species were all obviously higher than those in salt-sensitive one. Higher Na＋/H＋antiport activity of plasmolemma and tonoplast in salt-tolerant species could help to extrude and compartmentalize sodium in roots under salt stress. The ascent rate of activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport in Malus seedlings under the three salt concentration stress was all obviously higher than that under the iso-osmotic PEG stress. It indicated that the sodium ion effect had more stimulation on the activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport in salt-tolerant species, and salt-tolerant species has higher capability of sodium extrusion and compartmentalization in roots and is therefore more salt tolerant.

Polymerization of Bisphenol A Epoxy Resin with Polyethylene glycol

The catalyst boron trifluoride etherate was used to catalyze the reaction of epoxy resin with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the effect of the concentration of the catalyst on the reaction is studied. It is shown that there exist two competitive reactions : I, self polymerization of epoxy resin via chain growth and II, copolymerization of epoxy resin with PEG via step growth. At high concentration of the catalyst reaction I dominates and reaction II is negligible. On the contrary, at low concentration of the catalyst, reaction II dominates and block copolymers are formed In the intermediate case, the two reactions are comparable with the result that a gel structure is obtained.

Polyethylene glycols: An effective strategy for limiting liver ischemia reperfusion injury

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) is an inherent feature of liver surgery and liver transplantation in which damage to a hypoxic organ(ischemia) is exacerbated following the return of oxygen delivery(reperfusion). IRI is a major cause of primary nonfunction after transplantation and may lead to graft rejection, regardless of immunological considerations. The immediate response involves the disruption of cellular mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the accumulation of metabolic intermediates during the ischemic period, and oxidative stress during blood flow restoration. Moreover, a complex cascade of inflammatory mediators is generated during reperfusion, contributing to the extension of the damage and finally to organ failure. A variety of pharmacological interventions(antioxidants, anticytokines, etc.) have been proposed to alleviate graft injury but their usefulness is limited by the local and specific action of the drugs and by their potential undesirable toxic effects. Polyethylene glycols(PEGs), which are non-toxic water-soluble compounds approved by the FDA, have been widely used as a vehicle or a base in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and also as adjuvants for ameliorating drug pharmacokinetics. Some PEGs are also currently used as additives in organ preservation solutions prior to transplantation in order to limit the damage associated with cold ischemia reperfusion. More recently, the administration of PEGs of different molecular weights by intravenous injection has emerged as a new therapeutic tool to protect liver grafts from IRI. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the use of PEGs as a useful target for limiting liver IRI.

Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Microencapsulated Polyethylene Glycol Particles

The microencapsulated polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecular weight by a fluidized coating method has been prepared and the crystallization behaviors of PEG particles in three-dimensional confined volume were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement. The results showed that the width of the crystallization peak of PEG increases and its height gradually diminishes in case that the PEG particles are microencapsulated. Compared with the non-microencapsulated PEG particles, the proportion of the first crystallization peak of microencapsulated PEG particle increases, and that of the second one decreases. The reason for the difference maybe is that the crystallization process of microencapsulated PEG particles is uniform and the crystallization ends when the spherulites touch the wall, thus the opportunity of producing the second crystallization peak was relatively reduced.

Electrochemical oxidation of polyethylene glycol in electroplating solution using paraffin composite copper hexacyanoferrate modified (PCCHM) anode

Electrochemical oxidation of polyethylene glycol(PEG) in an acidic(pH 0.18 to 0.42) and high ionic strength electroplating solution was investigated. The electroplating solution is a major source of wastewater in the printing wiring board industry. A paraffin composite copper hexacyanoferrate modified(PCCHM) electrode was used as the anode and a bare graphite electrode was used as the cathode. The changes in PEG and total organic carbon(TOC) concentrations during the course of the reaction were monitored. The efficiency of the PCCHM anode was compared with bare graphite anode and it was found that the former showed significant electrocatalytic property for PEG and TOC removal. Chlorides present in the solution were found to contribute significantly in the overall organic removal process. Short chain organic compounds like acetic acid, oxalic acid, formic acid and ethylene glycol formed during electrolysis were identified by HPLC method. Anode surface area and applied current density were found to influence the electro-oxidation process, in which the former was found to be dominating. Investigations of the kinetics for the present electrochemical reaction suggested that the two stage first-order kinetic model provides a much better representation of the overall mechanism of the process if compared to the generalized kinetic model.

Studies on the Absorption of NO_2 by Polyethylene Glycol and the Oxidizing Properties of the Resulting Absorbent Product

PEG (Polyethylene glycol average molecular weight 300) is used as absorbent of NO2. The absorption efficiency is found to reach up to 97%. The absorbing product, PEG NO2, can be used to cleave benzyl ethers mildly and selectively to benzaldehyde and corresponding fatty alcohols, showing that PEG is a valuable oxidizing agent of benzyl ethers. As a carrier of NO2.PEG can be recovered and utilized repeatedly after the oxidation.

BICENTRAL POLYMER SUPPORTED PHASE TRANSFER CATALYST POLYSTYRENE－SUPPORTED POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL AND PYRIDINIUM SALT

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Polyethylene glycol fusion repair of severed rat sciatic nerves reestablishes axonal continuity and reorganizes sensory terminal fields in the spinal cord

Peripheral nerve injuries result in the rapid degeneration of distal nerve segments and immediate loss of motor and sensory functions;behavioral recovery is typically poor.We used a plasmalemmal fusogen,polyethylene glycol(PEG),to immediately fuse closely apposed open ends of severed proximal and distal axons in rat sciatic nerves.We have previously reported that sciatic nerve axons repaired by PEG-fusion do not undergo Wallerian degeneration,and PEG-fused animals exhibit rapid(within 2–6 weeks)and extensive locomotor recovery.Furthermore,our previous report showed that PEG-fusion of severed sciatic motor axons was non-specific,i.e.,spinal motoneurons in PEG-fused animals were found to project to appropriate as well as inappropriate target muscles.In this study,we examined the consequences of PEG-fusion for sensory axons of the sciatic nerve.Young adult male and female rats(Sprague–Dawley)received either a unilateral single cut or ablation injury to the sciatic nerve and subsequent repair with or without(Negative Control)the application of PEG.Compound action potentials recorded immediately after PEG-fusion repair confirmed conduction across the injury site.The success of PEG-fusion was confirmed through Sciatic Functional Index testing with PEG-fused animals showing improvement in locomotor function beginning at 35 days postoperatively.At 2–42 days postoperatively,we anterogradely labeled sensory afferents from the dorsal aspect of the hindpaw following bilateral intradermal injection of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase.PEG-fusion repair reestablished axonal continuity.Compared to unoperated animals,labeled sensory afferents ipsilateral to the injury in PEG-fused animals were found in the appropriate area of the dorsal horn,as well as inappropriate mediolateral and rostrocaudal areas.Unexpectedly,despite having intact peripheral nerves,similar reorganizations of labeled sensory afferents were also observed contralateral to the injury and repair.This central reorganization may contribute to the improved behavioral recovery seen after PEG-fusion repair,supporting the use of this novel repair methodology over currently available treatments.

Polyethylene glycol/polylactic acid block co‐polymers as solid–solid phase change materials

Phase change materials(PCMs)are promising thermal energy storage materials due to their high specific latent heat.Conventional PCMs typically exploit the solid–liquid(s–l)transition.However,leakage and leaching are common issues for solid–liquid PCMs,which have to be addressed before usage in practical applications.In contrast,solid–solid(s–s)PCMs would naturally overcome these issues due to their inherent form stability and homogeneity.In this study,we report a new type of s–s PCM based on chemically linked polyethylene glycol(PEG,the PCM portion)with polylactic acid(PLA,the support portion)in the form of a block co‐polymer.Solid‐solid latent heat of up to 56 J/g could be achieved,with melting points of between 44°C and 55°C.For comparison,PEG was physically mixed into a PLA matrix to form a PEG:PLA composite.However,the composite material saw leakage of up to 9%upon heating,with a corresponding loss in thermal storage capacity.In contrast,the mPEG/PLA block co‐polymers were found to be completely homogeneous and thermally stable even when heated above its phase transition temperature,with no observable leakage,demonstrating the superiority of chemical linking strategies in ensuring form stability.

PET材料改性及加工应用

为了提高聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(polyethylene glycol terephthalate,PET)材料的性能,课题组采用熔融共混法向PET中添加接枝弹性体POE-g-GMA,通过考察测试了不同添加量的接枝弹性体对PET材料结构与性能的影响。研究结果表明:随着接枝弹性体POE-g-GMA体积分数的增大使材料的冲击强度先增大后降低、拉伸性能略有下降。有限元分析验证了改性后PET材料的承压性能没有表现出明显的下降。

PEG-6000模拟干旱胁迫对不同青稞发芽的影响

为了明确聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫对青稞苗的影响,以9个青稞品种(系)种子为试验材料,研究比较了在5%,10%,15%和20%PEG-6000模拟干旱胁迫和对照处理下(不含PEG-6000)培养8 d青稞发芽率及苗生长生理指标的变化。结果表明,从CK到20%PEG-6000,各青稞的出苗率降低,发芽时间延长,茎长随着PEG-6000浓度增加而降低,青稞的苗茎鲜重和茎干重随着PEG-6000浓度的增加而减少。随着PEG-6000浓度的增加,各青稞品种生长性降低,PEG-6000浓度的升高使青稞生长受干旱胁迫严重,在不含PEG-6000的培养基中生长最好。

PET-PEG共聚物及纤维的结晶与储能行为

在合成聚醚含量为40～60wt％的聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯-聚乙二醇(PET-PEG)嵌段共聚物基础上,研究了PET-PEG的结晶性能及可纺性,探讨了采用聚醚嵌段可结晶的聚酯醚为原料熔融纺丝研制具有形状记忆和热能储存功能纤维的可行性。

PET-PEG共聚物及其纤维的制备及性能研究

通过共聚反应合成了含不同相对分子质量聚乙二醇（PEG）及其添加量的聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）-PEG嵌段共聚物，经熔融纺丝制备PET—PEG共聚酯纤维。利用核磁共振氢谱、差示扫描量热分析、X射线衍射（XRD）等手段对共聚酯的结构及其热性能进行了表征。结果表明：核磁共振氢谱证实了共聚酯为PET—PEG目标产物；随着PEG相对分子质量从800增加到6000，PET—PEG共聚酯的熔融温度从243．97℃增加到253．55℃，冷却结晶温度从176．32℃增加到189．25℃，表面接触角从74．2°下降到62．3°，共聚酯纤维在标准环境下的回潮率从0．51％增加到0．68％；在PEG相对分子质量为2000时，添加PEG相对对苯二甲酸（PTA）质量分数为0～20％时，共聚酯的熔融温度与冷却结晶温度随着PEG添加量的增加呈下降趋势，共聚酯纤维的回潮率呈指数增加；PEG添加量相对PTA质量分数为20％时，共聚酯可纺性较差；XRD表明PEG在结晶过程中并不进入PET晶格中，为了保证共聚酯的良好吸湿性能和力学性能，PET—PEG的共聚合反应时，PEG适宜的相对分子质量为2000，添加量相对PTA的质量分数为10％。

亲水抗静电PET-PEG共聚酯母粒的制备及其结构与性能

为了改善聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)纤维的亲水性能和抗静电性能,需对PET进行改性,以高含量相对分子质量为6 000的聚乙二醇(PEG)作为反应型改性组分,并添加一定含量的无机抗静电剂作为改性助剂,制备了PET纤维用亲水抗静电PET-PEG共聚酯功能母粒,并对母粒的结构与性能进行了表征。结果表明:核磁共振氢谱和红外光谱证实了所制备的PET-PEG共聚酯为目标产物;高含量PEG分子柔性链段的引入降低了PET-PEG共聚酯的熔点和热稳定性,且赋予了吸湿、抗静电性能;母粒中PEG的质量分数为100%(相对对苯二甲酸)较适宜,此时PET-PEG共聚酯母粒的特性黏数为0.847 d L/g,熔点为237.0℃,色相b值为21,表面接触角约25°,吸水率达到85%,体积比电阻达到7.4×107Ω·cm。

PET-co-PEG共聚酯的制备及其结晶行为的研究

以对苯二甲酸、乙二醇、聚乙二醇(PEG)为原料,通过直接酯化-缩聚法制得不同PEG含量的共聚酯(PET-co-PEG),并用差示扫描量热(DSC)仪、X射线衍射(XRD)仪对PET-co-PEG的结晶性能进行了表征。结果表明:PEG的引入使得PET的玻璃化转变温度、冷结晶温度、熔点降低,且随着PEG添加量的增加,降低幅度增大,结晶过冷度和过热度增加,结晶变难;在118~178℃等温冷结晶过程中,PEG质量分数为15%的PET-co-PEG试样的Avrami指数为1.23~1.59,在等温结晶温度为148℃时,试样结晶速率最高,结晶速率常数达1.7 min^(-1),而在133℃结晶完全时试样的结晶度最高,XRD结果显示在133℃完成等温结晶时,衍射峰强度和结晶度最高,表现出与DSC测试结果类似的变化规律。

PET与PEG嵌段共聚物合成及应用的研究

将聚酯(PET)和聚乙二醇(PEG)进行嵌段共聚,制得PET-PEG 嵌段共聚物,以PEG 加入比例为25% 的共聚物作改性剂,与CDP共混纺丝,所制纤维的抗静电性。