Presence Of EtOH Research Articles

Targeting of CYP2E1 by miRNAs in alcohol-induced intestine injury

Although binge alcohol-induced gut leakage has been studied extensively in the context of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling, it was recently revealed that post-transcriptional regulation plays an essential role as well. Ethanol (EtOH)-inducible cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1), a key enzyme in EtOH metabolism, promotes alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammatory liver disease, at least in part by mediating changes in intestinal permeability. For instance, gut leakage and elevated intestinal permeability to endotoxins have been shown to be regulated by enhancing CYP2E1 mRNA and CYP2E1 protein levels. Although it is understood that EtOH promotes CYP2E1 induction and activation, the mechanisms that regulate CYP2E1 expression in the context of intestinal damage remain poorly defined. Specific miRNAs, including miR-132, miR-212, miR-378, and miR-552, have been shown to repress the expression of CYP2E1, suggesting that these miRNAs contribute to EtOH-induced intestinal injury. Here, we have shown that CYP2E1 expression is regulated post-transcriptionally through miRNA-mediated degradation, as follows: 1) the RNA-binding protein AU-binding Factor 1 (AUF1) binds mature miRNAs, including CYP2E1-targeting miRNAs, and this binding modulates the degradation of corresponding target mRNAs upon EtOH treatment; 2) the Serine/Threonine kinase MST1 mediates oxidative stress-induced phosphorylation of AUF1. Those findings suggest that ROS-mediated signaling modulates AUF1/miRNA interaction through MST1-mediated phosphorylation. Thus, our study demonstrates the critical functions of AUF1 phosphorylation by MST1 in the decay of miRNAs targeting CYP2E1, the stabilization of CYP2E1 mRNA in the presence of EtOH, and the relationship of this pathway to subsequent intestinal injury.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Trauma Population in a Level 1 Trauma Center.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of the pandemic on our trauma population. We performed a retrospective review of the trauma registry in the 2years prior, and then 2years during the pandemic. We evaluated age, race, gender, injury severity score (ISS), mechanism of trauma, rate of self-inflicted injury, rate of gunshot wounds (GSW), presence of EtOH, drug screen results, mortality, rate of burn traumas, and zip code of residence. Our query captured 5 054 patients before, and 5 731 during the pandemic. We found no statistical difference in age, gender, mechanism of trauma, rate of self-inflicted injuries, and mortality during the pandemic when compared to before. There were statistically significant differences in race, ISS, rate of GSWs, EtOH use, drug screen results, and burn traumas. Geospatial mapping found a rise in GSWs for zip code 36606. Gun violence and substance use rose in our trauma population during COVID-19.

Co(Salox)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Reduction of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters

AbstractCo‐Salox complexes are suitable catalysts for the reduction of prochiral α,β‐unsaturated esters. These ligands can be prepared in a single step from available and inexpensive materials, thus representing an easily accessible alternative to previously reported Co‐catalysts. NaBH4 is employed as reducing agent in the presence of EtOH as proton source, leading to the stereoselective formation of chiral esters, amides, and nitriles in up to 99 % yield and 96.5 : 3.5 er. The concentration of the reductant counter cation (Na+) and the solvent polarity have been shown to correlate with reactivity and enantioselectivity, suggesting that a relatively complex mechanistic manifold is in place.

Glycerol based carbon sulfonic acid catalyzed synthesis, in silico studies and in vitro biological evaluation of isonicotinohydrazide derivatives as potent antimicrobial and anti-tubercular agents

The present pathway involves synthesis of isonicotinohydrazide derivatives using isoniazid and diversely substituted aldehydes in the presence of EtOH and catalytic amount of glycerol based carbon sulfonic acid catalyst. The developed pathway has so many merits like excellent yields (91–98%), short reaction time (4–10 min), easy reaction set up, no need of column chromatography, large substrate scope, easily recyclable and reusable catalyst. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial and anti-tubercular activity and it was observed that compounds possessed high biological potency against the Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial and fungal strains. Regarding anti-tubercular activity, compound 3m exhibited high % inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV strain. Based on the outcome of in vitro studies, all the synthesized compounds were docked against E. coli (1KZN), C. albicans (1IYL), and M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain (2NSD). The synthesized derivatives were docked within the binding site of 1KZN, and 1IYL. However, with 2NSD, apart from 3h, all the derivatives displayed interaction within the binding cavity of the protein. All the crucial interactions with Asn46, Asp73, and Arg136 in 1KZN, His227, Leu451 in 1IYL, and Tyr158 in 2NSD were witnessed in the top-scored docked candidates. Molecular docking studies revealed the importance of the substitution at R position on isonicotinohydrazide scaffold. The nitrogen atoms of hydrazide moiety were involved in forming hydrogen bonding with the active site amino acids, and the substitution at the R position occupy the hydrophobic position in the binding pocket. Also, the functional groups present on the substituted R position were involved in forming hydrogen bonding with the crucial active site residues.

Functionalized graphene oxide loaded GATPT as rationally designed vehicle for cancer-targeted drug delivery

This study focused to demonstrate the impact of the anticancer activity of nanoparticles of 1-{(2-hydroxyethyl) amino}-2-amino-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucose triphenyltin (IV) (GATPT) by using graphene oxide as a drug carrier. The synthesized GATPT was loaded on GO, which was prepared by the simple ultrasonication method. The successful loading of GATPT on GO was characterized by utilizing various physicochemical techniques, and the results showed that the encapsulation of GATPT on GO occurred via π–π stacking and electrostatic mode of interaction. The interaction of GATPT-GO with ct-DNA has been explored by employing absorption, emission, circular dichroic spectral methods, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The corroborative results of all these techniques along with molecular docking suggested the electrostatic mode of interaction of GATPT-GO towards DNA. Cleavage activity was performed by gel electrophoretic assays which indicated that GATPT-GO cleaves pBR322 via hydrolytic pathway in the presence of EtOH as an active species. The cytotoxic studies of GATPT-GO were evaluated against human prostate cancer (DU145) cell lines and liver carcinoma (Huh-7) cell lines, including normal cell lines (PNT2). These experiment results revealed significant cytotoxic activity against Du145 cancer cells than the Huh-7 cancer cells and were found nontoxic toward the PNT2 cells at a lower concentration. Also, image analysis was performed by confocal microscopy. The results obtained from confocal microscopy provide clear evidence of endocytosis of GATPT, revelling that the released drug (GATPT) from carrier (GO) has specifically entered into the cell nucleus.

Moderate dose alcohol protects against serum amyloid protein A1-induced endothelial dysfunction via both notch-dependent and notch-independent pathways.

Arterial endothelium plays a critical role in maintaining vessel homeostasis and preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Low-to-moderate alcohol (EtOH) consumption is associated with reduced atherosclerosis and stimulates Notch signaling in endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether EtOH protects the endothelium against serum amyloid A1 (SAA1)-induced activation/injury, and to determine whether this protection is exclusively Notch-dependent. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were stimulated or not with "pro-atherogenic" SAA1 (1μM) in the absence or presence of EtOH (25mM), the Notch ligand DLL4 (3μg/ml), or the Notch inhibitor DAPT (20μM). EtOH stimulated Notch signaling in HCAEC, as evidenced by increased expression of the Notch receptor and hrt target genes. Treatment with EtOH alone or stimulation of Notch signaling by DLL4 increased eNOS activity and enhanced HCAEC barrier function as assessed by trans-endothelial electrical resistance. Moreover, EtOH and DLL4 both inhibited SAA1-induced monolayer leakiness, cell adhesion molecule (ICAM, VCAM) expression, and monocyte adhesion. The effects of EtOH were Notch-dependent, as they were blocked with DAPT and by Notch receptor (N1, N4) knockdown. In contrast, EtOH's inhibition of SAA1-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was Notch-independent, as these effects were unaffected by DAPT or by N1 and/or N4knockdown. EtOH at moderate levels protects against SAA1-induced endothelial activation via both Notch-dependent and Notch-independent mechanisms. EtOH's maintenance of endothelium in a nonactivated state would be expected to preserve vessel homeostasis and protect against atherosclerosis development.

Boosting solubility performance of supercriticalCO2via ethanol toward fabrication of polyetherimide/carbon fiber composite foam with three‐dimensional geometry shape

AbstractThe demand for light‐weight, high‐performance polymeric foam material, and part soars to meet the requirements of the national economy and the high‐tech industries. Currently, foaming technologies are inadequate to fabricate these advanced materials. In this study, polyetherimide/carbon fiber (PEI/CF) foam was prepared by pressure‐induced batch foaming technology with the supercritical CO2(scCO2) and ethanol (EtOH) as the physical foaming agent and co‐foaming agent, respectively. The presence of EtOH was verified to enhance the solubility of scCO2and increase the interaction energies between PEI molecular chain and CO2/EtOH foaming agent, the expansion ratio of PEI pellets, as a result, was effectively improved from 1.3 to 7.5. Using the stainless mold‐assisted sinter molding, numerous PEI or PEI/CF pellets was simultaneously foamed and squeezed into three‐dimensional (3D) geometry shape. The cell morphology tests indicated that the CF, served as the nucleating agent, cannot only facilitate the formation of denser microcellular structure, but also improve the mechanical performance of the final foam product. As a model system, PEI/CF foam product with a density of 320 kg/m3was successfully obtained, the compression and tensile strength of which were 11.6 and 9.7 MPa, respectively, as proved by the mechanical performance measurements.

Effect of ethanol on Munc13-1 C1 in Membrane: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study.

EtOH has a significant effect on synaptic plasticity. Munc13-1 is an essential presynaptic active zone protein involved in priming the synaptic vesicle and releasing neurotransmitter in the brain. It is a peripheral membrane protein and binds to the activator, diacylglycerol (DAG)/phorbol ester at its membrane-targeting C1 domain. Our previous studies identified Glu-582 of C1 domain as the alcohol-binding residue (Das, J. et al, J. Neurochem., 126, 715-726, 2013). Here, we describe a 250ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study on the interaction of EtOH and the activator-bound Munc13-1 C1 in the presence of varying concentrations of phosphatidylserine (PS). In this study, Munc13-1 C1 shows higher conformational stability in EtOH than in water. It forms fewer hydrogen bonds with phorbol 13-acetate in the presence of EtOH than in water. EtOH also affected the interaction between the protein and the membrane and between the activator and the membrane. Similar studies in a E582A mutant suggest that these effects of EtOH are mostly mediated through Glu-582. EtOH forms hydrogen bonds with Glu-582. While occupancy of the EtOH molecules at the vicinity (4Å) of Glu-582 is 34.4%, the occupancy in the E582A mutant is 26.5% of the simulation time. In addition, the amount of PS in the membrane influences the conformational stability of the C1 domain and interactions in the ternary complex. This study is important in providing the structural basis of EtOH's effects on synaptic plasticity.

355 Assessing the Prognostic Value of Lactate Levels in the Presence of Ethanol Among Emergency Department Patients

Presence of ethanol (EtOH) may alter the relationship between clinically measured lactate concentrations and mortality. This study will assess how the prognostic value of serum lactate concentrations changes based on the presence of EtOH. We performed a retrospective cohort study including all patients, age > 17 years, presenting from January 2012 through December 2018, to an urban, academic emergency department (ED). Patients without ED lactate measurements were excluded. Data were electronically abstracted from the medical record, including demographics, initial lactate level, blood and urine EtOH levels, administration of antibiotics, inclusion in trauma registry, vasopressor administration and 28-day in-hospital mortality. We manually abstracted data from 1000 randomly selected cohort patients to test reliability of the automated abstraction process. The primary outcome was 28-day in-hospital mortality. Initial ED lactate levels were re-grouped using 1.0 mmol/L unit intervals: 0.0-0.9, 1.0-1.9, 2.0-2.9, 3.0-3.9, 4.0-4.9, 5.0-5.9, 6.0-6.9, 7.0-7.9, and >8.0 mmol/L. EtOH levels were grouped as Present (any EtOH present), Absent (EtOH level measured and not detected), and Missing (not ordered). Available urine EtOH levels were utilized if blood EtOH was absent. Using logistic regression and a priori selected mortality risk factors, we created a baseline model to predict 28-day in-hospital mortality for the entire cohort. Among patients with ED lactate measured, we calculated marginal probabilities for mortality, beyond the baseline model, for each lactate interval, using 95% confidence intervals to assess differences. Over seven years, 441,613 adult patient encounters occurred, and 40,956 (9.27%) patients had lactate measured: 4,219 (10.30%) EtOH Present, 11,181 (27.30%) Absent, and 25,556 (62.40%) Missing patients. Overall, 2374 (5.8%, 95% CI 5.6-6.0%) had 28-day in-hospital mortality and this varied by EtOH group: 201 (4.8%, 4.1-5.5%) Present, 916 (8.2%, 7.7-8.7%) Absent, and 1257 (4.9%, 4.7-5.2%) Missing patients. In EtOH Present patients, 3511 (83.2%, 82.1-84.3%) had initial lactate >2.0 mmol/L compared to 4975 (44.5%, 43.6-45.4%) of Absent patients. In logistic regression, after controlling for other predictors of mortality, lactate intervals predicted a higher marginal probability of mortality in the EtOH Absent group compared with Present, until lactate exceeded 6.0 mmol/L: 1.0-1.9 (1.77% (95% CI: 1.42-2.12%) vs 0.27% (0-0.54%)); 2.0-2.9 (2.42% (1.89-2.96%) vs 0.43% (0.16-0.70%)); 3.0-3.9 (1.72% (1.19-2.26%) vs 0.67% (0.29-1.05%)); 4.0-4.9 (2.95% (2.00-3.91%) vs 1.08% (0.41-1.75%)); 5.0-5.9 (3.12% (1.89-4.36%) vs 1.02% (0.30-1.74%)); 6.0-6.9 (3.41% (1.79-5.03%) vs 1.51% (0.32-2.70%)). EtOH may diminish the relationship between initial lactate levels and 28-day in-hospital mortality, decreasing lactate’s prognostic utility in the ED. Clinicians using lactate to risk stratify patients should use caution in the presence of EtOH.

Ethanol and 2, 2, 2- trifluoroethanol modified supramolecular assemblies of star block copolymers: A SANS and fluorescence study

To have a better insight into the influence of 2,2,2- trifluoroethanol (TFE) and ethanol (EtOH) on self-assembly of commercially available ethylene oxide- propylene oxide (EO-PO) octa-block copolymers, Tetronics® 1304 and 1307 in aqueous solutions, here we report results based on small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and fluorescence techniques. The critical micelle temperature (CMT) as determined by fluorescence for both the copolymers, suggested a significant decrease in values in the presence of TFE, which is in contrast to the observed increase in CMT in the presence of EtOH. For T1304 aqueous solutions, micellar growth is observed either as a function of TFE concentration or with an increase in the temperature for a fixed concentration of TFE. Conversely, for T1307 solutions, with a very hydrophilic character, presence of TFE had least effect on the micellar dimensions, though compact micelles with reduced polydispersity are witnessed for otherwise polydispersed solutions as evidenced by SANS. In short, the addition of halogenated alkanol, TFE had a completely opposite effect on the copolymer micelles than its nonhalogenated analogue, EtOH. The present study based on copolymeric micelles (biomimetic aggregates) may help in understanding influence of these co-solvents even on protein folding and other complex biological aggregates.

The Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Vehicular Trauma.

BackgroundDrugged driving, or driving under the influence of any drug, is a growing public health concern, especially with the recent legislation legalizing marijuana use in certain states in the USA. We sought to gain a better understanding of the surgeons’ perspective regarding marijuana (MJ) and alcohol (ETOH) and the relationship of recent laws to identification of MJ and ETOH in trauma victims.MethodsMembers of a national trauma surgical organization were asked to participate in an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, web-based survey which centered on attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs regarding ETOH and MJ as they related to injury. Two Level I trauma center registries (located in TX and CA) were queried for the incidence of motor vehicular collision (MVC) and the presence of ETOH (defined as > 0.08 g/dL) or MJ from 2006 thru 2012.ResultsA total of 127 trauma surgeons participated in the survey. The majority were male (84%, n = 107) and with a median age of 52. Most were in surgical practice for greater than 11 years (78%, n = 99) and worked at a Level I trauma center (78%, n = 99) in an academic institution (65%, n = 83). MJ was illegal in the states where most of the participants were in practice (79%, n = 100), but 90% (n = 114) of respondents from states where MJ is legal stated they have not seen an increase in MVC since MJ was legalized. At the TX trauma center, only 4% of patients involved in a vehicular trauma tested positive for MJ, 21% of patients had the presence of ETOH, and 3% had both. For both MJ and also ETOH, the incidence remained the same each year. In CA, there was little yearly variation in the incidence of patients that tested positive for MJ (23%), ETOH (50%), and both (7%). In addition, the incidence of MJ was essentially unchanged after the decriminalization law was passed in 2010.ConclusionThe prevalence of cannabis and alcohol varies among the states studied, TX and CA. The impact of decriminalization of marijuana did not seem to affect the incidence of drugged driving with marijuana in CA.

Sex Differences in the Physiological Response to Ethanol of Rat Basolateral Amygdala Neurons Following Single-Prolonged Stress.

Females are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than males. Also, symptoms of PTSD frequently precede alcohol abuse in females. Stressful, threat-related stimuli are evaluated by the amygdala, which is critical for establishing the emotional salience of environmental stimuli. Ethanol and stress have been shown to modify amygdala excitability, but effects of acute ethanol on neurons of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in both males and females exposed to stress is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine stress-induced changes in membrane properties of BLA neurons and to determine how ethanol modulates these changes in male and female rats. Whole-cell recordings were obtained from BLA neurons of both male and female rats exposed to single-prolonged stress (SPS). Neuronal excitability, quantified as the number of action potentials, was determined in current clamp mode by applying a series of depolarizing current steps. Hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) was elicited in voltage clamp. Excitability and Ih amplitude were determined before and during the superfusion of ethanol (EtOH; 30 mM) in BLA neurons from SPS-treated male and female rats. SPS alone did not alter the firing properties of BLA neurons from either males or females. However, following SPS, BLA neurons from males and females respond differently to ethanol. Superfusion of EtOH (30 mM) inhibited spike firing in BLA neurons from rats exposed to SPS, and EtOH-induced inhibition was greater in females than in males exposed to stress. Also, EtOH (30 mM) selectively decreased Ih amplitude in BLA neurons from SPS-treated male rats from 171 ± 46 pA in (pre-EtOH) control to 53 ± 51 pA in the presence of EtOH (30 mM). EtOH did not reduce Ih in BLA neurons from SPS-treated females. Together, these suggest important sex differences in the physiological responses to EtOH in stress disorders such as PTSD, that have high comorbidity with alcohol use disorders.

Remarkable enhancement of the selective catalytic reduction of NO at low temperature by collaborative effect of ethanol and NH3 over silver supported catalyst

The NOx selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is extensively studied as an effective process for air pollutants abatement from lean burn and Diesel vehicles. In the implemented Urea-SCR technology, the NO2/NOx ratio is a key parameter that limits the deNOx efficiency at low temperature (175–250°C). We demonstrate that co-feeding of ammonia and ethanol on a Ag/Al2O3 catalyst enables a drastic enhancement of the NOx conversion at temperatures below 200°C using only NO as NOx (standard SCR condition). Even if NO2 is provided at low temperature by the NO oxidation over Ag/Al2O3 in presence of EtOH, the NOx conversion improvement is not only due to a direct reaction between NH3 and NOx, but mainly attributed to the availability of hydrogen H* species resulting from EtOH oxidation (similar to a H2 assisted NH3-SCR process). Due to the presence of remaining NH3 and NO2 (formed over Ag/Al2O3 catalyst), further deNOx efficiency improvement was obtained at low temperature by addition of a NH3-SCR catalyst (WO3/Ce-Zr). The critical dependence of the SCR process on the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) efficiency at low temperature is thus avoided.

Novel water soluble palladium(II) complexes featuring tetrazolylacetic acids and their esters

2-R-2H-Tetrazol-5-ylacetic acids (R=iso-Pr, tert-Bu, CH2COOH) (1a–c) react with PdCl2 in 5% (w/w) MeOH in 1M HCl furnishing the palladium(II) water soluble complexes trans-[PdCl2L2] (2a–c). In the presence of EtOH in the reaction mixture, esterification of the tetrazolylacetoxy groups occurs leading to trans-[PdCl2(ethyl 2-R-2H-tetrazol-5-ylacetate)2] (3a–c). In the case of reaction of 2-tert-butyl-tetrazol-5-ylacetic acid 1b with PdCl2 increasing of the proportion of methanol up to 50% (w/w) led to the esterification to give trans-[PdCl2(methyl 2-tert-butyl-tetrazol-5-ylacetate)2] 4b. Complexation of isomeric 5-methyl-1H-tetrazol-1-ylacetic acid 5 with PdCl2 at the same conditions leads to trans-[PdCl2(5-methyl-1H-tetrazol-1-ylacetic acid)2] 6 and trans-[PdCl2(ethyl 2-(5-methyl-1H-tetrazol-1-yl)acetate)2] 7. The complexes obtained were characterized by HRESI+-MS, 1H, 13C{1H} NMR, and IR spectroscopies as well as by X-ray diffraction (for 2a, 3a, 3b, 4b and 6·H2O). According DSC/TG analysis the thermal decomposition of the complexes occurs by the same mechanism similar to that of the free ligands. In all cases it starts with evolution of molecular nitrogen from the tetrazole ligand which is accompanied by an exothermic effect.

Water‐Soluble Platinum(II) Complexes Featuring 2‐Alkyl‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐ylacetic Acids: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antiproliferative Activity

2‐R‐2H‐Tetrazol‐5‐ylacetic acids (abbreviated as 2‐R‐taa; R = Me, iPr, tBu) react with K2[PtCl4] in 1 m HCl in H2O at r.t. furnishing trans‐platinum(II) complexes trans‐[PtCl2(2‐R‐taa)2] (1–3), whereas cis‐isomeric species cis‐[PtCl2(2‐R‐taa)2] (R = iPr, 4; tBu, 5) are isolated at lower temperature (4–6 °C). In the presence of EtOH in the reaction mixture, esterification of the tetrazol‐5‐ylacetoxy group of 2‐tBu‐taa leads to trans‐[PtCl2(ethyl 2‐tert‐butyl‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐ylacetate)2] (6). Complexes 1–6 were characterized by elemental analyses (CHN), HRESI+‐MS, 1H, 13C{1H}, 195Pt{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry (DSC/TG), and X‐ray diffraction (for 1·H2O, 2, 3·2H2O, 4, 5·2H2O, and 6). The generation of the tetrazole‐based complexes in solution (1 m DCl in D2O, 25 °C) was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy and HPLC‐MS. The obtained data indicate the initial formation of anionic [PtCl3(2‐R‐taa)]– complexes that are subsequently converted into disubstituted isomeric platinum(II) species cis‐ and trans‐[PtCl2(2‐R‐taa)2]. By contrast to cis‐ and trans‐[PtCl2(2‐R‐taa)2] that were inactive in two human cancer models in vitro (IC50 > 100 µm), complex 6 demonstrated noticeable antiproliferative effects in HT‐29 colon and MCF‐7 breast carcinoma cell lines with IC50 values of 14.2 ± 1.1 and 5.8 ± 1.2 µm, respectively.

Influence of ethanol, water, and their mixtures as co-solvents of the supercritical carbon dioxide in the extraction of phenolics from purple corn cob (Zea mays L.)

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), ethanol (EtOH), and water are considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) solvents. They exhibit considerable advantages in the extraction of phenolic compounds with a wide range of polarities, such as the anthocyanins found in purple corn (Zea mays L.). To evaluate the effect of ethanol and water as co-solvents in the scCO2 extraction of phenolic compounds of purple corn cobs, extracts were obtained at 400bar and 50°C using EtOH (CE), water (CW), and mixtures of EtOH/water 50% (CE50), and EtOH/water 70% (CE70) as co-solvents of scCO2. The overall yield (X0), the extraction yield of total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF) were determined in the extracts, as well as the antioxidant activity (AA) expressed as EC50/DPPH, color, and presence of specific anthocyanins by HPLC. The lowest extraction yield (4.15%) was obtained when ethanol was used as co-solvent (CE), and the highest yield (24.4%) was observed when using a mixture of EtOH/water (70%, CE70) as co-solvent. The presence of EtOH and water was essential to obtain concentrated phenolic extracts, with values around 66mg cyanidin-3-glycoside equivalent per gram of dried extract, 290mg gallic acid equivalent per gram, and 117mg catechin equivalent per gram, and antioxidant activity of CE50=31μg/mL by DPPH.

Enhancement of para-selectivity in the phenol oxidation with H2O2over Ti-MCM-68 zeolite catalyst

Si-modified Ti-MCM-68 catalyst showed very highpara-selectivity as well as high activity for phenol oxidation in the presence of EtOH as a cosolvent.

Ethanol inhibits γ-secretase proteolytic activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Ethanol (EtOH) inhibits Notch-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, an event that is key in vessel remodeling and atherogenesis. The object of this study was to determine whether EtOH inhibits Notch signaling in SMC at the level of γ-secretase, a protease that in concert with α-secretase catalyzes the release of the intracellular domain of the Notch receptor necessary for signaling. Human coronary artery SMCs (HCASMCs) were treated with a recombinant soluble Notch ligand, Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) (2 μg/ml), or transfected with a constitutively active Notch 1 intracellular domain (N1ICD), in the absence or presence of EtOH. EtOH (25 mM) treatment inhibited DLL4-stimulated CBF-1/RBP-Jk-dependent promoter activity (determined by luciferase assay) and downstream target gene HRT-3 mRNA levels. In contrast, EtOH had no effect on N1ICD-driven CBF-1/RBP-Jk-dependent promoter activity or HRT-3 expression. These data suggest that EtOH inhibits Notch signaling at, or prior to, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) generation. γ-Secretase activity was determined in solubilized membrane preparations from HCASMC treated with/without EtOH (25 mM) or the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT (20 μM) using (i) a fluorometric assay and (ii) Western blot detection of cleavage products using a Flag-tagged Notch-based substrate, N100Flag. EtOH inhibited basal and DLL4-stimulated γ-secretase activity, and SMC growth to a similar extent as DAPT, whereas it had no effect on α-secretase (TACE/ADAM17) activity also determined by fluorometric assay. Moreover, EtOH treatment inhibited the expression of caveolin-1, a lipid raft protein implicated in regulating γ-secretase activity, and altered its cellular distribution in HCASMC. EtOH inhibits Notch signaling in vascular SMCs at the level of γ-secretase activity, possibly by affecting lipid raft function. Such a response might be expected to result in attenuation of pathologic vessel remodeling and thus may contribute to moderate alcohols' cardioprotective effects.

Real-Time Monitoring Distance Changes in Surfactant-Coated Au Nanoparticle Films upon Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

We explore into the role of the organic ligands composition surrounding Au nanoparticles (NPs) toward internanoparticles distance changes and film structure during vapor sensing by the use of in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and other relevant techniques. We observed distinct changes in core-to-core distance and film structure upon measured concentrations of polar ethanol (EtOH) and nonpolar toluene (Tol) vapors. As-formed tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOABr)-coated Au NPs (SNPs) film exhibited ∼0.4 nm core-to-core increase in distance and improved SNPs correlation upon 80% Tol. In the presence of EtOH, SNPs distance seems not to change and correlation critically diminishes, leading to an amorphous film. As-formed films were exchanged with nonanedithiol (NDT) and exposed to 100% Tol vapor. Interestingly, the incorporation of NDT increased distance between NPs and rendered film flexibility. It is determine that just a small number of S, from NDT ligands, binds to Au NPs, and those exchanged alkanedithiol chains adopted a loop conformation around the Au NPs as evidenced by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and kink defects by Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) experiments, respectively. These findings may solve some fundamental questions about internanoparticle distance-dependent phenomena such as electron transport in chemiresistors and coupling effects in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) solid-state sensors.

Influence of Ethanol as a Co-Solvent in Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexation: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the dynamics and host-guest interactions of the inclusion complexes between a potent anti-HIV agent, UC781, and three different types of cyclodextrins (CDs) including βCD, 2,6-dimethyl-βCD (MβCD), and 2-hydroxypropyl-βCD (HPβCD) in aqueous solution with ethanol (EtOH) as a co-solvent. The MD simulation results revealed that EtOH as the co-solvent and the type of cyclodextrin affected the inclusion complex formation. From this study, UC781/MβCD provided the most stable inclusion complex. The competition for the cavity of βCD between UC781 and EtOH and the ensuing occupation of βCD cavities by EtOH resulted in a weaker interaction between βCD and UC781. In HPβCD, a supramolecular complex of UC781−HPβCD−EtOH was formed. The EtOH could easily fill the residual void space of the interior of unoccupied HPβCD due to the movement of UC781. In MβCD, the strong hydrogen bond interactions between the UC781 amide group and the secondary hydroxyl groups of MβCD significantly stabilized the inclusion complex in the presence of EtOH.