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Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Apr 2015A cathartic colon is characteristic of slow transit constipation (STC), which can result following the long-term use of irritant laxatives. In the present study, the...
A cathartic colon is characteristic of slow transit constipation (STC), which can result following the long-term use of irritant laxatives. In the present study, the involvement of three opioid receptor subtypes (μ, MOR; δ, DOR; and κ, KOR), regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS-4) and β-arrestin-2 were investigated in the cathartic colon of rats. A rat model of a cathartic colon was established by feeding the animals with phenolphthalein, while normal rats were used as a control. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the opioid receptors, RGS-4 and β-arrestin-2 were detected in the rat colon using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. The rat model of a cathartic colon was successfully established using the phenolphthalein stimulus, and was shown to result in shrunken myenteric neurons and loose muscle fibers in the intestinal wall. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the three opioid receptor subtypes, RGS-4 and β-arrestin-2 were significantly higher in the cathartic colon group when compared with the levels in the normal control group (all P<0.01). With regard to the protein expression levels, MOR protein increased 2.4 fold, DOR expression increased 1.5 fold, KOR levels increased 1.5 fold, RGS-4 protein increased 3.5 fold and β-arrestin-2 expression increased 2.0 fold. Therefore, the expression levels of opioid receptors were found to increase in the cathartic colons of the rats, indicating that opioid receptors and downstream RGS-4 and β-arrestin-2 signaling may play an important role in the pathogenesis of STC.
PubMed: 25780414
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2233 -
ACS Omega Dec 2019Polyphosphazene microspheres were fabricated by ultrasonic-assisted precipitation polymerization using 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol,...
Polyphosphazene microspheres were fabricated by ultrasonic-assisted precipitation polymerization using 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 4,4-(9-fluorenylidene)diphenol, and phenolphthalein to obtain poly[4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol]phosphazene (PZAF), poly(4,4'- sulfonyldiphenol)phosphazene (PZS), poly[4,4'-(9-fluorenylidene)diphenol]phosphazene, and poly(phenolphthalein)phosphazene (PZPT) and were incorporated into polybenzoxazines (PBa) to obtain corresponding PZAF/PBa, PZS/PBa, fluorenyl polyphosphazene (PZFP)/PBa, and PZPT/PBa composites. Addition of 5 wt % of PZAF, PZS, PZFP, and PZPT microspheres improved the thermal stability and fire retardancy of PBa resin significantly. Notably, addition of PBa with 5% PZAF led to a 62.5% decrease in the peak heat release rate and 49.3% reduction in total heat release. The role of microspheres in the gas-phase flame-retardancy mechanism in the PBa matrix was studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis results demonstrated that the of PBa flame-retardant composites was still around 210 °C compared to 221 °C of pure PBa. Hence, the synthesized PBa composites had potential applications as high flame-retardancy materials.
PubMed: 31815230
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02752 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022Concrete is prepared by substituting an equal volume of fly ash for fine aggregate, and the effect of substitution rate on its carbonation resistance is studied. Using a...
Concrete is prepared by substituting an equal volume of fly ash for fine aggregate, and the effect of substitution rate on its carbonation resistance is studied. Using a rapid carbonation test, the distribution law of the internal pH value of concrete with fly ash as fine aggregate (CFA) along the carbonation depth under different substitution rates (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) after carbonation is studied and compared with the test results of phenolphthalein solution. Then, to further clarify the damage mechanism of fly ash replacing fine aggregate on concrete carbonation, the changes in the pore structure and micromorphology of CFA after carbonation are studied by means of mercury intrusion pressure and electron microscope scanning tests. The results indicate that the carbonation depth of CFA increases gradually with increasing carbonation time. In particular, in the later stage of carbonation, the carbonation rate of concrete decreases significantly with an increase in the substitution rate. The carbonation depth X of CFA measured by phenolphthalein solution is approximately 0.24-0.39 times of the complete noncarbonation depth measured by the pH method. The pH value test is a reliable test method that can reveal the carbonation mechanism of CFA. Carbonation can significantly reduce the proportion of more harmful holes in concrete with a large amount of fly ash, but it can also increase the proportion of less harmful and harmful holes. In general, the pore size distribution and micromorphology of concrete can be improved by replacing fine aggregates with fly ash.
PubMed: 35208087
DOI: 10.3390/ma15041550 -
RSC Advances Dec 2021The diamine monomer 3,3-bis[4-(3-hydroxy-4-amino-phenoxy)phenyl]phthalide (BHAPPP) was firstly synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of 5-fluoro-2-nitrophenol and...
The diamine monomer 3,3-bis[4-(3-hydroxy-4-amino-phenoxy)phenyl]phthalide (BHAPPP) was firstly synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of 5-fluoro-2-nitrophenol and phenolphthalein, followed by a reduction reaction. A series of phthalide-containing poly(ether imide)s (PEI) were then prepared through the polycondensation of BHAPPP with six kinds of dianhydrides, including 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 3,3',4,4'-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4'-oxydiphthalic dianhydride (ODPA), 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), as well as thermal imidization. After further thermal treatment, the corresponding thermal rearrangement (TR) membranes were obtained. Due to the existence of the phthalide lactone ring, the PEIs probably underwent TR and crosslinking simultaneously. With the increase of thermal treatment temperature, the mechanical properties of the TR membranes dramatically decreased, but the gas separation properties obviously increased. When the PEIs were treated at 450 °C for 1 h, the CO, H, O, N and CH permeability of TR(BHAPPP-6FDA) reached 258.5, 190.5, 38.35, 4.25 and 2.15 Barrers, respectively. Meanwhile, the CO/CH selectivity of 120.2 sharply exceeded the 2008 Robeson limit, and O/N selectivity was 9.02, close to the 2015 upper limit. Therefore, the TR membranes derived from phthalide-containing PEIs exhibit superior gas separation performance, andare expected to be applied in the field of gas separation.
PubMed: 35425112
DOI: 10.1039/d1ra07013d -
ACS Omega Apr 2019Peptides that recognize artificial materials including synthetic polymers and small molecules are drawing attention in the fields of biotechnology and chemical biology....
Peptides that recognize artificial materials including synthetic polymers and small molecules are drawing attention in the fields of biotechnology and chemical biology. In particular, reversible peptide aptamers that associate with the target molecules only under specific conditions are interesting. In this work, peptide aptamers that recognize a phenolphthalein derivative (PhP: a pH-sensitive organic dye) immobilized on a solid surface in a pH-dependent manner were selected using an in vitro display method (cDNA display). Considering the hydrophobic and aromatic nature of PhP, we prepared a biased DNA library (3A library) that encodes more aromatic amino acids than the standard random codon and performed seven rounds of selection from >10 peptide species. The selected peptides including LVFLIWWM (LV59) associated with PhP-modified solid support (sepharose resin and magnetic beads) in neutral buffer but readily dissociated under basic conditions where PhP undergoes large structural change from lactone to quinoid, which is accompanied by increase of hydrophilicity and anionic charge. Control experiments suggested that LV59 recognized both phenol and lactone moieties, and the association under neutral pH is mainly driven by π-stacking and hydrophobic interaction between the peptide and PhP. Notably, however, total hydrophobicity and number of aromatic rings did not completely explain the affinity, and sequence specificity was observed to some extent. After further optimization, this interaction pair would be practically useful for protein purification.
PubMed: 31459836
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00631 -
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia... 2019Renal insufficiency is a disease that affects several organs by provoking hypervolemia and uremia. The disease reaches more than 500 million people worldwide and few...
BACKGROUND
Renal insufficiency is a disease that affects several organs by provoking hypervolemia and uremia. The disease reaches more than 500 million people worldwide and few studies bring their influence on the gastrointestinal tract.
AIM
To evaluate the influence of 5/6 nephrectomy-induced hypervolemia on colonic permeability to water and electrolytes.
METHOD
Sixty male Wistar rats weighing between 280-300 g were divided into three groups: 3, 7 and 14 days after nephrectomy, each one having a false-operated/control and partially nephrectomized. For colonic permeability they were submitted to colonic perfusion with a solution of Tyroad containing phenolphthalein. Differences among the concentrations of Na+, K+ and Cl- were used to calculate the rate of colonic permeability for the electrolytes. Phenolphthalein concentrations were used to evaluate the rate of secretion and water absorption.
RESULTS
The colonic secretion of water and electrolytes occurred expressively in the group seven days after nephrectomy. Hemodynamic and biochemical assessments determined the progression of renal failure in all three groups and polyethylene glycol was shown to be effective in reversing the secretory capacity of the colon.
CONCLUSION
Hypervolemia established after 7 days post-nephrectomy 5/6 caused marked colonic secretion for water and electrolytes. The organism presents progressive colonic secretion as the blood volume increases; on the other hand, polyethylene glycol was able to revert this secretory framework of the colon to water and electrolytes by reversing the hypervolemia.
Topics: Animals; Colon; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Nephrectomy; Permeability; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance
PubMed: 31859925
DOI: 10.1590/0102-672020190001e1472 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jun 2023This study aims to investigate the effect of a course of selected corrective exercises on posture, scapula-humeral rhythm and performance of adolescent volleyball...
BACKGROUND
This study aims to investigate the effect of a course of selected corrective exercises on posture, scapula-humeral rhythm and performance of adolescent volleyball players.
METHODS
30 adolescent volleyball players with upper cross syndrome were purposefully selected and assigned into 2 control and training groups. The degree of back curvature was evaluated using a flexible ruler, forward head and forward shoulder size by photographic method, scapula-humeral rhythm by Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST), and performance by closed kinetic chain test. The training group performed the exercises for 10 weeks. After the exercises, the post-test was administered. To analyze the data, analysis of co-variance tests and paired t-test at the level of 0.05 were employed.
RESULTS
The research results showed that corrective exercises have a significant effect on abnormalities of forward head, forward shoulder, kyphosis, scapula-humeral rhythm and performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Corrective exercises can be effective in reducing shoulder girdle and spine abnormalities and improving scapula- humeral rhythm and performance of volleyball players.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Volleyball; Humerus; Scapula; Posture; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 37316911
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06592-7 -
Globalization and Health Jan 2024Although disaster risk reduction (DRR) addresses underlying causes and has been shown to be more cost-effective than other emergency management efforts, there is lack of...
BACKGROUND
Although disaster risk reduction (DRR) addresses underlying causes and has been shown to be more cost-effective than other emergency management efforts, there is lack of systematized DRR categorization, leading to insufficient coherence in the terminology, planning, and implementation of DRR. The aim of this study was to conceptualize and test a novel integrated DRR framework that highlights the intersection between two existing classification systems.
METHODS
Grounded theory was used to conceptualize a novel DRR framework. Next, deductive conceptual content analysis was used to categorize interventions from the 2019 Cities100 Report into the proposed DRR framework. The term "connection" indicates that an intervention can be categorized into a particular section of the novel integrated approach. A "connection" was determined to be present when the intervention description stated an explicit connection to health and to the concept within one of the categories from the novel approach. Further descriptive statistics were used to give insight into the distribution of DRR interventions across categories and into the application of the proposed framework.
RESULTS
The resulting framework contains nine intersecting categories: "hazard, prospective", "hazard, corrective", "hazard, compensatory", "exposure, prospective", "exposure, corrective", "exposure, compensatory", "vulnerability, prospective", "vulnerability, corrective", and "vulnerability, compensatory". The thematic analysis elucidated trends and gaps in the types of interventions used within the 2019 Cities100 Report. For instance, exposure-prospective, exposure-compensatory, and vulnerability-compensatory were the most under-utilized strategies, accounting for only 3% of the total interventions. Further descriptive statistics showed that upper middle-income countries favored "hazard, corrective" strategies over other DRR categories while lower middle-income countries favored "exposure, corrective" over other DRR strategies. Finally, European cities had the highest percentage of DRR connections (51.39%) compared to the maximum possible DRR connections, while African cities had the lowest percentage of DRR connections (22.22%).
CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that the proposed DRR framework could potentially be used to systematically evaluate DRR interventions for missing elements, aiding in the design of more equitable and comprehensive DRR strategies.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Cities; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Disasters; Phenolphthalein; Risk Reduction Behavior
PubMed: 38191369
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-01006-8 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022Investigation of the neutralizing behavior of concrete is essential, as it can help reveal the durability properties of concrete structures. In this paper, anthocyanin...
Investigation of the neutralizing behavior of concrete is essential, as it can help reveal the durability properties of concrete structures. In this paper, anthocyanin extracted from February orchid (F. orchid) petals was used to characterize the neutralized (carbonated, leached, and sulfate-attacked) regions of cement-based materials. The durability of F. orchid indicator was evaluated through comparison between discoloring behaviors of fresh and aged F. orchid indicators, and the capability of the new indicator in neutralization characterization was then verified by combining indicator (phenolphthalein, malachite green, indigo carmine, or thymolphthalein) spray, X-ray computed tomography (CT), and the X-ray attenuation method (XRAM). The result in the present study showed that, with a lower color intensity as compared to phenolphthalein/thymolphthalein, F. orchid indicator was less preferable in studying carbonation but a better choice in characterizing leaching and sulfate attack of cement-based materials. In addition, a sharp carbonation front was revealed in the present study, suggesting that the carbonation process in this study was controlled mainly by diffusion. For leaching and sulfate attack, the broader fronts revealed suggested that both processes were co-controlled by diffusion and reaction. The current work serves as a 'leap' toward the application of natural pigments in analyzing the durability of concrete structures.
PubMed: 36431516
DOI: 10.3390/ma15228033 -
RSC Advances Oct 2019Phenolphthalein type polyphosphazene (PZPT) microspheres were synthesized by an ultrasound assisted precipitation polymerization method, and their structures were...
Phenolphthalein type polyphosphazene (PZPT) microspheres were synthesized by an ultrasound assisted precipitation polymerization method, and their structures were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Benzoxazine/PZPT (Ba/PZPT) hybrid materials were fabricated and cured to prepare polybenzoxazine/PZPT (PBa/PZPT) composites. The effects of PZPT microspheres on the curing kinetics and behaviors of Ba were systematically analyzed and supported by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR. The thermogravimetric (TGA) results demonstrated good thermal stability of the PBa composites incorporating PZPT. The peak of heat release rate and total heat release values of PBa/PZPT-5% composites obviously deceased by 57.8% and 17.3% compared to those of the pristine PBa. Moreover, the smoke released from the PZPT/PBa system significantly reduced with the loading of microspheres. Finally, the dynamical mechanical analysis results demonstrated that the of PBa flame retardant composites was approximately 210 °C, not affecting further applications of PBa composites.
PubMed: 35527950
DOI: 10.1039/c9ra06857k