We recently demonstrated a repurposing beneficial effect of 4-aminopyridine(4-AP),a potassium channel blocker,on functional recove ry and muscle atrophy after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents.However,this effect ...We recently demonstrated a repurposing beneficial effect of 4-aminopyridine(4-AP),a potassium channel blocker,on functional recove ry and muscle atrophy after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents.However,this effect of 4-AP is unknown in nerve transection,gap,and grafting models.To evaluate and compare the functional recovery,nerve morphology,and muscle atrophy,we used a novel stepwise nerve transection with gluing(STG),as well as 7-mm irreparable nerve gap(G-7/0)and 7-mm isografting in 5-mm gap(G-5/7)models in the absence and presence of 4-AP treatment.Following surgery,sciatic functional index was determined wee kly to evaluate the direct in vivo global motor functional recovery.After 12 weeks,nerves were processed for whole-mount immunofluorescence imaging,and tibialis anterior muscles were harvested for wet weight and quantitative histomorphological analyses for muscle fiber crosssectional area and minimal Feret's diameter.Average post-injury sciatic functional index values in STG and G-5/7 models were significantly greater than those in the G-7/0 model.4-AP did not affect the sciatic functional index recovery in any model.Compared to STG,nerve imaging revealed more misdirected axons and distorted nerve architecture with isografting.While muscle weight,cross-sectional area,and minimal Feret's diameter were significantly smaller in G-7/0 model compared with STG and G-5/7,4-AP treatment significantly increased right TA muscle mass,cross-sectional area,and minimal Feret's diameter in G-7/0 model.These findings demonstrate that functional recovery and muscle atrophy after peripheral nerve injury are directly related to the intervening nerve gap,and 4-AP exerts diffe rential effects on functional recove ry and muscle atrophy.展开更多
Oral 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)is clinically used for symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis and we recently demonstrated that systemic 4-AP had previously unknown clinically-relevant effects after traumatic peripheral n...Oral 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)is clinically used for symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis and we recently demonstrated that systemic 4-AP had previously unknown clinically-relevant effects after traumatic peripheral nerve injury including the promotion of re-myelination,improvement of nerve conductivity,and acceleration of functional recovery.We hypothesized that,instead of oral or injection administration,transdermal 4-AP(TD-4-AP)could also improve functional recovery after traumatic peripheral nerve injury.Mice with surgical traumatic peripheral nerve injury received TD-4AP or vehicle alone and were examined for skin permeability,pharmacokinetics,functional,electrophysiological,and nerve morphological properties.4-AP showed linear pharmacokinetics and the maximum plasma 4-AP concentrations were proportional to TD-4-AP dose.While a single dose of TD-4-AP administration demonstrated rapid transient improvement in motor function,chronic TD-4-AP treatment significantly improved motor function and nerve conduction and these effects were associated with fewer degenerating axons and thicker myelin sheaths than those from vehicle controls.These findings provide direct evidence for the potential transdermal applicability of 4-AP and demonstrate that 4-AP delivered through the skin can enhance in-vivo functional recovery and nerve conduction while decreasing axonal degeneration.The animal experiments were approved by the University Committee on Animal Research(UCAR)at the University of Rochester(UCAR-2009-019)on March 31,2017.展开更多
4-Aminopyridine(4-AP), an FDA-approved drug for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis, is used to improve neuromuscular function in patients with diverse demyelinating disorders. We recently demonstrated tha...4-Aminopyridine(4-AP), an FDA-approved drug for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis, is used to improve neuromuscular function in patients with diverse demyelinating disorders. We recently demonstrated that local, transdermal or injectable forms of 4-AP improve myelination, nerve conduction velocity, muscle atrophy, and motor function after traumatic peripheral nerve injury in mice. While oral 4-AP is most commonly used in the clinic, it is unknown whether human equivalent oral doses of 4-AP have effects on traumatic peripheral nerve injury differentiation, myelination, muscle atrophy, functional recovery, and post-injury inflammatory processes in animals. Mice with sciatic nerve crush or denervation injury received oral or intraperitoneal 4-AP(10 μg) or vehicle alone and were examined for pharmacokinetics, motor function, muscle mass, intrinsic muscle force, nerve morphological and gene expression profiles. 4-AP showed linear pharmacokinetics and the maximum plasma 4-AP concentrations were proportional to 4-AP dose. Acute single dose of oral 4-AP administration induced a rapid transient improvement in motor function that was different in traumatic peripheral nerve injury with or without nerve continuity, chronic daily oral 4-AP treatment significantly enhanced post crush injury motor function recovery and this effect was associated with improved myelination, muscle mass, and ex vivo muscle force. Polymerase chain reaction array analysis with crushed nerve revealed significant alterations in gene involved in axonal inflammation and regeneration. These findings provide convincing evidence that regardless of the route of administration, 4-AP can acutely differentiate traumatic peripheral nerve injury with or without nerve continuity and can enhance in vivo functional recovery with better preservation of myelin sheaths, muscle mass, and muscle force. The animal experiments were approved by the University Committee on Animal Research(UCAR) at the University of Rochester(UCAR-2009-019) on March 31, 2017.展开更多
With concerns in energy crisis and global warming, researchers are actively investigating alternative energy renewable solutions. Among the various methods, piezoelectric transduction stands out due to its impressive ...With concerns in energy crisis and global warming, researchers are actively investigating alternative energy renewable solutions. Among the various methods, piezoelectric transduction stands out due to its impressive electromechanical coupling factor and coefficient. As a result, piezoelectric energy harvesting has garnered significant attention from the scientific community. In this study, we explored methods to enhance the piezoelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through two distinct approaches. The first approach involved applying external high voltages at various stages during the mixture reaction. The goal was to determine whether this voltage application could alter or enhance PVDF’s piezoelectric conformation by improving the alignment of polarized dipoles. In the second part of our study, we investigated the effects of incorporating various nanostructures (including Iron Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, and Zinc Oxide) into PVDF. To analyze changes in PVDF’s crystalline structure, we utilized Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Additionally, we measured the electric polarization of samples using a Precision LC Meter and examined the morphology of nanofibers through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).展开更多
Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (PMP) hollow fiber membranes were prepared by the melt-spun and cold-stretch(MSCS) method. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the section and surface structures of t...Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (PMP) hollow fiber membranes were prepared by the melt-spun and cold-stretch(MSCS) method. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the section and surface structures of themembranes with special asymmetric structure. The preliminary results of gas permeation measurements indicated that the resultant hollow fiber membranes have the potential ability for oxygen/nitrogen separation.展开更多
The palladium complex of the molecular complex of poly(4 vinylpyridine) with acetic acid(PVP/ HAc Pd) was prepared. Its catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was found much higher than that of the c...The palladium complex of the molecular complex of poly(4 vinylpyridine) with acetic acid(PVP/ HAc Pd) was prepared. Its catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was found much higher than that of the corresponding palladium complex of poly(4 vinylpyridine). In the presence of a strong inorganic alkali, especially potassium hydroxide, the catalytic activity is greatly improved. The suitable hydrogenation condition for PVP/HAc Pd is to use 0 1 mol/L ethanol solution of potassium hydroxide as the hydrogenation medium and the hydrogenation is carried out at 45 ℃.展开更多
Exfoliation of bulk graphitic carbon nitride(g‐C3N4)into two‐dimensional(2D)nanosheets is one of the effective strategies to improve its photocatalytic properties so that the 2D g‐C3N4 nanosheets(CN)have larger spe...Exfoliation of bulk graphitic carbon nitride(g‐C3N4)into two‐dimensional(2D)nanosheets is one of the effective strategies to improve its photocatalytic properties so that the 2D g‐C3N4 nanosheets(CN)have larger specific surface areas and more reaction sites.In addition,poly‐o‐phenylenediamine(PoPD)can improve the electrical conductivity and photocatalytic activity of semiconductor materials.Here,the novel efficient composite PoPD/AgCl/g‐C3N4 nanosheets was first synthesized by a precipitation reaction and the photoinitiated polymerization approach.The obtained photocatalysts have larger specific surface areas and could achieve better visible‐light response.However,silver chloride(AgCl)is susceptible to agglomeration and photocorrosion.The PoPD/AgCl/CN composite exhibits an extremely high photocurrent density,which is three times that of CN.Obviously enhanced photocatalytic activities of PoPD/AgCl/g‐C3N4 are revealed through the photodegradation of tetracycline.The stability of PoPD/AgCl/CN is demonstrated based on four cycles of experiments that reveal that the degradation rate only decreases slightly.Furthermore,.O2^-and h+are the main active species,which are confirmed through a trapping experiment and ESR spin‐trap technique.Therefore,the prepared PoPD/AgCl/CN can be considered as a stable photocatalyst,in which PoPD is added as a charge carrier and acts a photosensitive protective layer on the surface of the AgCl particles.This provides a new technology for preparing highly stable composite photocatalysts that can effectively deal with environmental issues.展开更多
4（3H）-Quinazolinones have been synthesized from poly（ethylene glycol） （PEG） supported aza-Wittig reaction. 2-Dialkylamino- 4（3H）-quinazolinones 6 were synthesized efficiently by reaction of secondary amine wit...4（3H）-Quinazolinones have been synthesized from poly（ethylene glycol） （PEG） supported aza-Wittig reaction. 2-Dialkylamino- 4（3H）-quinazolinones 6 were synthesized efficiently by reaction of secondary amine with PEG-supported carbodiimides 4, which were obtained from aza-Wittig reaction of PEG-supported iminophosphoranes 3 with isocyanates.展开更多
The living cationic polymerization of 4-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)ethyl]styrene (TBDMES) was studied in methylcyclohexane (MeChx)/methylchloride (MeCl) (50/50 V/V) solvent mixture at -80 degrees C. The initiator 1,...The living cationic polymerization of 4-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)ethyl]styrene (TBDMES) was studied in methylcyclohexane (MeChx)/methylchloride (MeCl) (50/50 V/V) solvent mixture at -80 degrees C. The initiator 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) capped 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl) was formed in situ in conjunction with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl(4)). The Lewis acidity of TiCl(4) was decreased by the addition of titanium(IV) isopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)(4)) to accomplish living polymerization of TBDMES. Hydrolysis of poly(TBDMES) in the presence of tetra-butylammonium fluoride yielded poly[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)styrene] (poly(HOES)). FT-IR, NMR and DSC demonstrated the hydrolysis was complete.展开更多
Micro-encapsulated phase-change materials(micro PCMs) with Na_2 HPO_4·12 H_2 O encapsulated in poly(lactic acid)(PLA) shell were prepared by a solvent evaporation–precipitation method that involves the use of a ...Micro-encapsulated phase-change materials(micro PCMs) with Na_2 HPO_4·12 H_2 O encapsulated in poly(lactic acid)(PLA) shell were prepared by a solvent evaporation–precipitation method that involves the use of a coaxial needle. The effects of PLA concentration, stirring speed, injection rate of core and shell solutions, and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) concentration on phase change properties were investigated. The thermal properties of microP CMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The capsules prepared under the optimal conditions are about 2 mm in diameter and show a latent heat of up to 122.2 J·g^(-1).展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health,USA(No.K08 AR060164-01A)Department of Defense,USA(Nos.W81XWH-16-1-0725 and W81XWH-19-1-0773)in addition to institutional support from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine。
文摘We recently demonstrated a repurposing beneficial effect of 4-aminopyridine(4-AP),a potassium channel blocker,on functional recove ry and muscle atrophy after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents.However,this effect of 4-AP is unknown in nerve transection,gap,and grafting models.To evaluate and compare the functional recovery,nerve morphology,and muscle atrophy,we used a novel stepwise nerve transection with gluing(STG),as well as 7-mm irreparable nerve gap(G-7/0)and 7-mm isografting in 5-mm gap(G-5/7)models in the absence and presence of 4-AP treatment.Following surgery,sciatic functional index was determined wee kly to evaluate the direct in vivo global motor functional recovery.After 12 weeks,nerves were processed for whole-mount immunofluorescence imaging,and tibialis anterior muscles were harvested for wet weight and quantitative histomorphological analyses for muscle fiber crosssectional area and minimal Feret's diameter.Average post-injury sciatic functional index values in STG and G-5/7 models were significantly greater than those in the G-7/0 model.4-AP did not affect the sciatic functional index recovery in any model.Compared to STG,nerve imaging revealed more misdirected axons and distorted nerve architecture with isografting.While muscle weight,cross-sectional area,and minimal Feret's diameter were significantly smaller in G-7/0 model compared with STG and G-5/7,4-AP treatment significantly increased right TA muscle mass,cross-sectional area,and minimal Feret's diameter in G-7/0 model.These findings demonstrate that functional recovery and muscle atrophy after peripheral nerve injury are directly related to the intervening nerve gap,and 4-AP exerts diffe rential effects on functional recove ry and muscle atrophy.
基金supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health(K08 AR060164-01A)Department of Defense(W81XWH-16-1-0725)to JCE in addition to institutional support from the University of Rochester and Pennsylvania State University Medical Centers
文摘Oral 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)is clinically used for symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis and we recently demonstrated that systemic 4-AP had previously unknown clinically-relevant effects after traumatic peripheral nerve injury including the promotion of re-myelination,improvement of nerve conductivity,and acceleration of functional recovery.We hypothesized that,instead of oral or injection administration,transdermal 4-AP(TD-4-AP)could also improve functional recovery after traumatic peripheral nerve injury.Mice with surgical traumatic peripheral nerve injury received TD-4AP or vehicle alone and were examined for skin permeability,pharmacokinetics,functional,electrophysiological,and nerve morphological properties.4-AP showed linear pharmacokinetics and the maximum plasma 4-AP concentrations were proportional to TD-4-AP dose.While a single dose of TD-4-AP administration demonstrated rapid transient improvement in motor function,chronic TD-4-AP treatment significantly improved motor function and nerve conduction and these effects were associated with fewer degenerating axons and thicker myelin sheaths than those from vehicle controls.These findings provide direct evidence for the potential transdermal applicability of 4-AP and demonstrate that 4-AP delivered through the skin can enhance in-vivo functional recovery and nerve conduction while decreasing axonal degeneration.The animal experiments were approved by the University Committee on Animal Research(UCAR)at the University of Rochester(UCAR-2009-019)on March 31,2017.
基金supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health(NIHK08 AR060164-01A)+2 种基金the Department of Defense(DoDW81XWH-16-1-0725)to JCEinstitutional support from the University of Rochester and Pennsylvania State University Medical Centers。
文摘4-Aminopyridine(4-AP), an FDA-approved drug for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis, is used to improve neuromuscular function in patients with diverse demyelinating disorders. We recently demonstrated that local, transdermal or injectable forms of 4-AP improve myelination, nerve conduction velocity, muscle atrophy, and motor function after traumatic peripheral nerve injury in mice. While oral 4-AP is most commonly used in the clinic, it is unknown whether human equivalent oral doses of 4-AP have effects on traumatic peripheral nerve injury differentiation, myelination, muscle atrophy, functional recovery, and post-injury inflammatory processes in animals. Mice with sciatic nerve crush or denervation injury received oral or intraperitoneal 4-AP(10 μg) or vehicle alone and were examined for pharmacokinetics, motor function, muscle mass, intrinsic muscle force, nerve morphological and gene expression profiles. 4-AP showed linear pharmacokinetics and the maximum plasma 4-AP concentrations were proportional to 4-AP dose. Acute single dose of oral 4-AP administration induced a rapid transient improvement in motor function that was different in traumatic peripheral nerve injury with or without nerve continuity, chronic daily oral 4-AP treatment significantly enhanced post crush injury motor function recovery and this effect was associated with improved myelination, muscle mass, and ex vivo muscle force. Polymerase chain reaction array analysis with crushed nerve revealed significant alterations in gene involved in axonal inflammation and regeneration. These findings provide convincing evidence that regardless of the route of administration, 4-AP can acutely differentiate traumatic peripheral nerve injury with or without nerve continuity and can enhance in vivo functional recovery with better preservation of myelin sheaths, muscle mass, and muscle force. The animal experiments were approved by the University Committee on Animal Research(UCAR) at the University of Rochester(UCAR-2009-019) on March 31, 2017.
文摘With concerns in energy crisis and global warming, researchers are actively investigating alternative energy renewable solutions. Among the various methods, piezoelectric transduction stands out due to its impressive electromechanical coupling factor and coefficient. As a result, piezoelectric energy harvesting has garnered significant attention from the scientific community. In this study, we explored methods to enhance the piezoelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through two distinct approaches. The first approach involved applying external high voltages at various stages during the mixture reaction. The goal was to determine whether this voltage application could alter or enhance PVDF’s piezoelectric conformation by improving the alignment of polarized dipoles. In the second part of our study, we investigated the effects of incorporating various nanostructures (including Iron Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, and Zinc Oxide) into PVDF. To analyze changes in PVDF’s crystalline structure, we utilized Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Additionally, we measured the electric polarization of samples using a Precision LC Meter and examined the morphology of nanofibers through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 59833120).
文摘Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (PMP) hollow fiber membranes were prepared by the melt-spun and cold-stretch(MSCS) method. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the section and surface structures of themembranes with special asymmetric structure. The preliminary results of gas permeation measurements indicated that the resultant hollow fiber membranes have the potential ability for oxygen/nitrogen separation.
基金Supported by the Outstanding Youngs Science Foudation of Henan Province(1999)
文摘The palladium complex of the molecular complex of poly(4 vinylpyridine) with acetic acid(PVP/ HAc Pd) was prepared. Its catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was found much higher than that of the corresponding palladium complex of poly(4 vinylpyridine). In the presence of a strong inorganic alkali, especially potassium hydroxide, the catalytic activity is greatly improved. The suitable hydrogenation condition for PVP/HAc Pd is to use 0 1 mol/L ethanol solution of potassium hydroxide as the hydrogenation medium and the hydrogenation is carried out at 45 ℃.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21576125,21776117)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2017M611716,2017M611734)+1 种基金the Six talent peaks project of Jiangsu Province(XCL-014)the Zhenjiang Science&Technology Program(SH2016012)~~
文摘Exfoliation of bulk graphitic carbon nitride(g‐C3N4)into two‐dimensional(2D)nanosheets is one of the effective strategies to improve its photocatalytic properties so that the 2D g‐C3N4 nanosheets(CN)have larger specific surface areas and more reaction sites.In addition,poly‐o‐phenylenediamine(PoPD)can improve the electrical conductivity and photocatalytic activity of semiconductor materials.Here,the novel efficient composite PoPD/AgCl/g‐C3N4 nanosheets was first synthesized by a precipitation reaction and the photoinitiated polymerization approach.The obtained photocatalysts have larger specific surface areas and could achieve better visible‐light response.However,silver chloride(AgCl)is susceptible to agglomeration and photocorrosion.The PoPD/AgCl/CN composite exhibits an extremely high photocurrent density,which is three times that of CN.Obviously enhanced photocatalytic activities of PoPD/AgCl/g‐C3N4 are revealed through the photodegradation of tetracycline.The stability of PoPD/AgCl/CN is demonstrated based on four cycles of experiments that reveal that the degradation rate only decreases slightly.Furthermore,.O2^-and h+are the main active species,which are confirmed through a trapping experiment and ESR spin‐trap technique.Therefore,the prepared PoPD/AgCl/CN can be considered as a stable photocatalyst,in which PoPD is added as a charge carrier and acts a photosensitive protective layer on the surface of the AgCl particles.This provides a new technology for preparing highly stable composite photocatalysts that can effectively deal with environmental issues.
基金We gratefully acknowledge financial support of this work by the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province （No. 2006ABB016） the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 20772041） Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Education （No. 107082）.
文摘4（3H）-Quinazolinones have been synthesized from poly（ethylene glycol） （PEG） supported aza-Wittig reaction. 2-Dialkylamino- 4（3H）-quinazolinones 6 were synthesized efficiently by reaction of secondary amine with PEG-supported carbodiimides 4, which were obtained from aza-Wittig reaction of PEG-supported iminophosphoranes 3 with isocyanates.
基金supported by the Beijing Municipal Project for Developing Advanced Human Resources for Higher Education(Elastomers and Biomaterials).
文摘The living cationic polymerization of 4-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)ethyl]styrene (TBDMES) was studied in methylcyclohexane (MeChx)/methylchloride (MeCl) (50/50 V/V) solvent mixture at -80 degrees C. The initiator 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) capped 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl) was formed in situ in conjunction with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl(4)). The Lewis acidity of TiCl(4) was decreased by the addition of titanium(IV) isopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)(4)) to accomplish living polymerization of TBDMES. Hydrolysis of poly(TBDMES) in the presence of tetra-butylammonium fluoride yielded poly[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)styrene] (poly(HOES)). FT-IR, NMR and DSC demonstrated the hydrolysis was complete.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21476065)the China National Tobacco Corporation
文摘Micro-encapsulated phase-change materials(micro PCMs) with Na_2 HPO_4·12 H_2 O encapsulated in poly(lactic acid)(PLA) shell were prepared by a solvent evaporation–precipitation method that involves the use of a coaxial needle. The effects of PLA concentration, stirring speed, injection rate of core and shell solutions, and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) concentration on phase change properties were investigated. The thermal properties of microP CMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The capsules prepared under the optimal conditions are about 2 mm in diameter and show a latent heat of up to 122.2 J·g^(-1).
