The in vitro suppressive properties of several polyphenols were first tested and compared for dendritic cells (DCs) production of inflammatory cytokines. A combination of the polyphenols, quercetin and piperine, were then encapsulated into reconstituted oil bodies

(OBs) in order to increase their stability. Our results showed that administration of low dose reconstituted polyphenol OBs inhibited LPS-mediated inflammatory cytokine secretion, including IL-6, IL-23, and IL-12, while increasing IL-10 and IL-1R alpha production. Mice treated with the polyphenol-containing reconstituted OBs (ROBs) were partially protected from dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and associated weight loss, while buy MK-0518 mortality and inflammatory scores revealed an overall anti-inflammatory effect that was likely mediated by impaired DC immune responses. Our study indicates that the administration of reconstituted quercetin and piperine-containing OBs may represent an effective and potent anti-inflammatory strategy to treat acute intestinal inflammation.”
“Nitrogen (N)-doped ZnO thin films have been deposited on Si (100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition under different N(2) pressures. The optical

and magnetic properties of N-doped ZnO films have been studied with photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Photoluminescence and Raman studies reveal that HM781-36B concentration N(2) pressure affected the defects of N-doped ZnO films. Under 10 Pa N(2) pressure, N substitutes O and forms N(O) acceptor. Zn interstitials are main compensating donors. Under higher N(2) pressures, N not only substitutes O but also forms N(2)O molecules in N-doped ZnO films. Zn antisizes are compensating donors. In additional, Zn vacancies are formed and the concentration increases with increasing N(2) pressure. Magnetic properties of these films show that there are two distinct ferromagnetic mechanisms: the origin of ferromagnetism in the ZnO:N-10 Pa film is Zn

interstitial, while Zn vacancy leads to ferromagnetism in the ZnO:N-50 Pa film. (c) 2010 American Institute of GW4869 chemical structure Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3468690]“
“The first synthesis of polyamido-saccharides (PASs) from a galactose (gal)-derived beta-lactam sugar monomer is reported. The polymers are prepared using a controlled anionic ring-opening polymerization and characterized by NMR, optical rotation, IR, and GPC. Galactose-derived PASs display high solubility in aqueous solutions and are non-cytotoxic to HepG2, CHO, and He La cell lines. To evaluate whether gal-derived PASs are recognized by the gal-specific lectin present on human hepatocytes, cellular uptake of rhodamine-labeled polymers is assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. On the basis of these results, the polymers are taken into cells via endocytosis that is not dependent on the gal-specific receptor on hepatocytes.