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PubMed2006

Interaction of glycine with isolated hydroxyl groups at the silica surface: first principles B3LYP periodic simulation.

The adsorption of a glycine molecule on a model silica surface terminated by an isolated hydroxyl group has been studied ab initio using a double-zeta polarized Gaussian basis set, the hybrid B3LYP functional, and a full periodic treatment of the silica surface/glycine system. The hydroxylated silica surface has been simulated using either a 2D slab or a single polymer strand cut out from the (001) surface of an all-silica edingtonite. A number of B3LYP-optimized structures have been found by docking glycine on the silica surface exploiting all possible hydrogen bond patterns. Whereas glycine is generally adsorbed in its neutral form, two structures show glycine adsorbed as a zwitterion, the surface playing the role of a "solid solvent" whereas intrastrand hydrogen bond cooperativity stabilizes the zwitterions. The adsorbed zwitterionic structures are no longer formed at a lower glycine coverage as simulated by enlarging the unit cell so as to break intrastrand hydrogen bonds, showing the importance of H-bond cooperativity in stabilizing the zwitterionic forms. Each structure has been characterized by computing its harmonic vibrational spectrum at the Gamma point, which also allowed us to calculate the free energy of adsorption. The experimental infrared features of chemical-vapor-deposited glycine on a silica surface are in agreement with those computed for glycine adsorbed in its neutral form and engaging three hydrogen bonds with the surface silanols, two of them involving the C=O bond and one originating from the glycine OH group. The NH(2) group plays only a minor role as a weak hydrogen bond donor.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2006

Facile method to prepare surface-enhanced-Raman-scattering-active Ag nanostructures on silica spheres.

In this paper we describe a very simple electroless plating method used to prepare Ag-coated silica beads. Robust Ag nanostructures can be reproducibly fabricated by soaking silica beads in ethanolic solutions of AgNO(3) and butylamine. When the molar ratio of butylamine to AgNO(3) is far below 1.0, distinct nanosized Ag particles are formed on the silica beads, but by increasing the amount of butylamine, network-like Ag nanostructures are formed that possess very broad UV/vis absorption characteristics extending from near-UV to near-infrared regions. In conformity with the UV/vis absorption characteristics, the Ag-deposited silica beads were highly efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, with the enhancement factor estimated using benzenethiol as a model adsorbate to be larger than 10(6). Since another silica layer can be readily deposited onto the Ag surface, the Ag-coated silica beads should be invaluable in the development of SERS-based biosensors.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Dependence of NF-kappaB activation and free radical generation on silica-induced TNF-alpha production in macrophages.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of silicosis and other chronic inflammatory lung diseases. The present study investigates the role nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and oxygen free radicals in silica-induced TNFalpha production in primary alveolar macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA), we have demonstrated that silica can induce NF-kappaB activation and TNFalpha expression in a dose-dependent manner. Transient transfection assays with a plasmid construct containing NF-kappaB binding sites linked to a reporter gene further show that silica is able to induce the transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB-dependent gene. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by SN50, a specific NF-kappaB blocker, abolishes silica-induced TNFalpha production. Pretreatment of the cells with catalase (H2O2 scavenger) or deferoxamine (*OH scavenger) effectively inhibits NF-kappaB and TNFalpha activation, whereas superoxide dismutase (O2 scavenger) has an opposite effect. These results indicate that silica-mediated free radical generation and NF-kappaB activation play important roles in silica-induced TNFalpha gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity leads to silica-induced NF-kappaB activation through interacting with tyrosine-phosphorylated I(kappa)B-alpha and contributing to tyrosine phosphorylation of p65 NF-kappaB.

The role of the subunits of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase in NF-kappaB activation in silica-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. Results indicate that PI3-kinase activity was increased in response to silica. The p85alpha subunit of PI3-kinase interacted with tyrosine-phosphorylated I(kappa)B-alpha in silica-stimulated cells. PI3-kinase specific inhibitors, such as wortmannin and LY294003, substantially blocked both silica-induced PI3-kinase and NF-kappaB activation. The inhibition of NF-KB activation by PI3-kinase inhibitors was also observed in pervanadate-stimulated but not in LPS-stimulated cells. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of NF-kappaB p65 was enhanced in cells stimulated with silica, pervanadate or LPS, and wortmannin substantially inhibited the phosphorylation event induced by the first two stimulants but not LPS. Antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), blocked silica-induced PI3-kinase activation, suggesting that reactive oxygen species may be important regulatory molecules in NF-kappaB activation by mediating PI3-kinase activation. Our data suggest that p85 and p110 subunits of PI3-kinase play a role in NF-kappaB activation through interaction with tyrosine-phosphorylated I(kappa)B-alpha and contributing to tyrosine phosphorylation of p65 NF-kappaB.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2003

Nanometer fluorescent hybrid silica particle as ultrasensitive and photostable biological labels.

Nanometer-sized fluorescent hybrid silica (NFHS) particles were prepared for use as sensitive and photostable fluorescent probes in biological staining and diagnostics. The first step of the synthesis involves the covalent modification of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane with an organic fluorophore, such as fluorescein isothiocyanate, under N2 atmosphere for getting a fluorescent silica precursor. Then the NFHS particles, with a diameter of well below 40 nm, were prepared by controlled hydrolysis of the fluorescent silica precursor with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) using the reverse micelle technique. The fluorophores are dispersed homogeneously in the silica network of the NFHS particles and well protected from the environmental oxygen. Furthermore, since the fluorophores are covalently bound to the silica network, there is no migration, aggregation and leakage of the fluorophores. In comparison with common single organic fluorophores, these particle probes are brighter, more stable against photobleaching and do not suffer from intermittent on/off light emission (blinking). We have used these newly developed NFHS particles as a fluorescent marker to label antibodies, using silica immobilization method, for the immunoassay of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The detection limit of this method was down to 0.05 ng mL(-1) under our current experimental conditions. We think this material would attract much attention and be applied widely in biotechnology.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Determination of trace silica in highly purified water based on delayed quenching of Rhodamine B through nanoparticle formation with molybdosilicate.

The development of a highly sensitive analytical method for trace silica is an urgent necessity for the real-time monitoring of highly purified water used in the semiconductor industry. However, there are no reports of a simple yet sensitive method for the determination of trace silica. Here we describe the delayed quenching phenomenon of Rhodamine B cation caused by nanoparticle formation with molybdosilicate ions in aqueous solution and its application to the one-step determination of trace silica at ppt to low ppb levels. We found that the quenching takes place over several minutes and the quenching time is dependent on the concentration of silica. The measurements made by a dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer indicated that the diameter of the particles were at nanometer levels. The detection limit was found to be 34 ng dm(-3) Si (1.2 x 10(-9) mol dm(-3)). The average quenching time for 1 microg dm(-3) was 239 s with an RSD of 2.2% (n= 7). The proposed method has been successfully applied to distilled and highly purified water samples. There was good agreement between the results obtained by the proposed method and those by ICP-three dimensions quadrupole MS/MS with 11-fold evaporation concentration. The main point of this method is that in the trace determination of silica, the signal is larger at lower concentrations. The advantages of the proposed method are that it can be used as real-time monitoring for trace silica in highly purified water, and will be a great aid to industries in which the quality control of water is crucial.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression and lung inflammation following intratracheal instillation of silica, coal, carbonyl iron, or titanium dioxide in rats.

The pulmonary toxicity of the respirable dusts silica, coal, carbonyl iron, and titanium dioxide on alveolar macrophage (AM) and neutrophil (PMN) inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and nitric oxide (NO) production was investigated. Rats were intratracheally instilled with 5 mg/100 g body weight of silica, coal, carbonyl iron, or titanium dioxide. The dust particles averaged less than 5 microns in diameter. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 24 h later. Bronchoalveolar lavage cell (BALC) differentials, iNOS gene expression and NO production by BALC (measured indirectly as NO-dependent chemiluminescence), and lavageable lung protein levels were measured. Analyzed on an equal mass basis, silica, coal, and titanium dioxide dusts increased the production of iNOS-dependent NO by AM. Silica and titanium dioxide both increased the levels of iNOS mRNA while carbonyl iron and coal did not. Each dust caused an increase in PMN, indicating an inflammatory response. Carbonyl iron and titanium dioxide decreased the numbers of AM. Levels of acellular lavageable lung protein were increased by silica, carbonyl iron, and titanium dioxide. When exposure was normalized for an equal number of particles, the pneumotoxic dusts, silica and coal, caused more inflammation and NO production than the nuisance dusts, carbonyl iron and titanium dioxide. Therefore, it appears that particle number is a more appropriate metric of exposure than mass when comparing the relative pathogenicity of dusts of different sizes. Furthermore, since the potency of these dusts (on a particle number basis) to increase iNOS gene expression reflects their inflammatory and pathogenic potential, it is proposed that NO may contribute to the early inflammatory damage observed in the lung following dust exposure.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1999

Mechanism of silica- and titanium dioxide-induced cytotoxicity in alveolar macrophages.

Particles can cause cytotoxicity in pulmonary alveolar macrophages (AM). Several mechanisms to explain this cytotoxicity have been suggested. However, the exact mechanism of particle-induced cytotoxicity in AM remains to be established. Silica and TiO2 produced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity as evidenced by loss of cell viability and fall in ATP levels. While silica induced a greater cytotoxicity, TiO2 produced a higher reduction in ATP levels. Silica increased the release of LDH, but TiO2 did not affect enzymatic release. TiO2 suppressed succinate-triggered oxygen consumption, whereas silica did not markedly change the effect of succinate on oxygen consumption. Polyinosinic acid (PI), a ligand of the scavenger receptor, inhibited the TiO2-induced fall in ATP content, but could not prevent the effect of silica on cellular ATP content. Data suggest that silica and TiO2 can induce cytotoxicity in AM, probably through different mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1999

Effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP), carbon black, and silica on macrophage responses to lipopolysaccharide: evidence of DEP suppression of macrophage activity.

The effects of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure on alveolar macrophage (AM) response to ex vivo and in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge were determined by monitoring LPS-stimulated production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The roles of the insoluble particulate and the organic compounds of DEP in altering pulmonary responses were evaluated by comparing the DEP-induced pulmonary responses to those of carbon black (CB), a carbonaceous particle with few adsorbed organic compounds, or to silica, a known pneumotoxic dust. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a single intratracheal dose (5 or 35 mg/kg body weight) of DEP, CB, or silica, or to saline vehicle. Rats were sacrificed 1, 3, or 7 d postexposure. To study the responsiveness to the bacterial product LPS, AM isolated from particle-exposed rats were challenged ex vivo with LPS (0.1 microg/10(6) AM) and LPS-stimulated cytokine release was monitored. In addition, rats were exposed intratracheally to a single dose of DEP (5 mg/kg) and 3 d later exposed in vivo to 1 mg/kg LPS for 3 h prior to measurement of cytokine production by AM. DEP exposure resulted in neutrophil infiltration and elevated levels of albumin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; these responses were not substantially different from those elicited by CB or silica exposure. AM from DEP-exposed rats showed increased spontaneous production of IL-1, but not TNF-alpha, while the opposite was true for CB or silica. Upon ex vivo challenge with LPS, AM from DEP-exposed rats showed a significant decrease in the secretion of TNF-alpha and, to a lesser extent, IL-1, compared to the sum of the DEP and LPS effects. In contrast, AM from CB- or silica-exposed rats did not show this decreased responsiveness to subsequent LPS challenge. This inhibitory action of DEP on LPS-stimulated AM production of IL-1 and TNF-alpha was further confirmed by the results obtained from rats exposed to both DEP and LPS in vivo. In summary, these results indicate that while DEP, CB, and silica all induce pulmonary inflammatory responses due to particle stimulation, only DEP suppress AM cytokine release in response to LPS stimulation. The contrasting cellular response with respect to DEP and CB exposures may be due to the presence of adsorbed organic compounds on DEP, which may contribute to the increased susceptibility of hosts to pulmonary infections after DEP exposure.

Albumins↗
PubMed1986

Association of biogenic silica with disease.

Certain plants contain structures consisting of biogenic silica. This form of silica has been implicated as a causative agent in the high esophageal cancer areas of southern Africa, northeast Iran, and northern China. A spicule shape of biogenic silica is known to act as a tumor promoter in the mouse skin model system. The observation that fine biogenic silica fibers are found in leaves of sugarcane may pose a hazard for cane workers; also, the discovery that bracken contains silica fibers could have implications for browsing cattle. This paper reviews and discusses the involvement of biogenic silica in disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Oropharyngeal aspiration of a silica suspension produces a superior model of silicosis in the mouse when compared to intratracheal instillation.

Instillation of crystalline silica into the lungs of mice is a common experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis. Typically, a suspension of silica in saline is injected into the trachea via intubation or surgical tracheostomy. These techniques require a high degree of technical skill, have a lengthy training period, and can suffer from a high failure rate. In oropharyngeal aspiration, a droplet of liquid is placed in the animal's mouth while simultaneously holding its tongue (to block the swallow reflex) and pinching its nose shut, forcing it to breathe through its mouth, aspirating the liquid. To determine whether oropharyngeal aspiration (OA) could replace intratracheal instillation (IT) in a model of silica-induced fibrosis, a comparison was performed. Crystalline silica was introduced into the lungs of male C57BL/6 mice by the IT or OA procedure, and the resulting inflammation and fibrosis was assessed after 3 weeks. IT and OA instillation of silica both resulted in neutrophilic inflammation and fibrotic changes, including interstitial fibrosis and dense fibrotic foci. Mice treated via IT demonstrated a few large lesions proximal to conducting airways with little involvement of the distal parenchyma and large interanimal variability. In contrast, OA resulted in a diffuse pathology with numerous fibrotic foci distributed throughout the lung parenchyma, which is more representative of human fibrotic lung disease. OA- but not IT-treated mice exhibited significantly increased lung collagen content. Furthermore, the interanimal variability within the OA group was significantly less than in the IT group. Oropharyngeal aspiration should be considered as an alternative to intratracheal instillation of silica and other particulates in studies of respiratory toxicity and lung disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2003

Response of alveolar macrophages from inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout or wild-type mice to an in vitro lipopolysaccharide or silica exposure.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in pulmonary disease has been controversial with both antiinflammatory (scavenging radicals and inhibiting NF-êB activation) and proinflammatory (forming highly reactive peroxynitrite and augmenting NF-êB activation by inflammatory agents) actions reported. Therefore, a study has been initiated to determine whether deletion of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene in the C57BL/6J mouse alters the pulmonary macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or silica. The objective of the initial phase of this study was to determine the difference in responsiveness of alveolar macrophages (AMs), harvested from naive wild-type (WT) or iNOS knockout (iNOS KO) mice, to an in vitro LPS or silica exposure. Primary AMs were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from age- and weight-matched iNOS KO and WT mice. The cells were treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-ã) (50 U/ml), IFN-ã (50 U/ml) + LPS (1 microg/ml), LPS (0.01-100 microg/ml), or silica (25-250 microg/ml). The following parameters were measured: nitrate and nitrite (NOx), tumor necrosis factor-á (TNF-á), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), intracellular generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2) and superoxide (O(*-2)), and basal (unstimulated) total antioxidant capacity. Data show a significant increase in NOx production upon exposure to IFN-ã +/- LPS in the WT but not iNOS KO AMs. NOx production by iNOS KO or WT AMs was not altered by in vitro exposure to LPS or silica alone. LPS, but not silica, induced TNF-á and MIP-2 production in both iNOS KO and WT AMs. Statistical analysis of concentration response curves found a significant tendency for greater mediator production in the iNOS KO versus WT AMs. Basal intracellular production of H(2)O(2) and O(*- 2) was significantly greater in the iNOS KO compared to WT AMs. In contrast, LPS- (10 microg/ml) or silica- (100 microg/ml) stimulated intracellular oxidant production was lower in iNOS KO AMs, but overall (basal + stimulated) inflammatory capacity was similar between the cell types. The basal total antioxidant production of the iNOS KO AMs was approximately twofold higher than the WT AMs. In conclusion, certain compensatory changes appear to occur in AMs from iNOS KO mice. In response to the inability to induce NO production, iNOS KO AMs exhibit significantly higher basal generation of H(2)O(2) and (O(*- 2)) as well as higher total antioxidant levels. In addition, LPS induced TNF-á and MIP-2 production tend to be higher in AMs from iNOS KO mice. Such compensatory changes in the AM response may affect the response of iNOS KO mice to inflammatory exposures.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Measurement of the release of inflammatory mediators from rat alveolar macrophages and alveolar type II cells following lipopolysaccharide or silica exposure: a comparative study.

Evidence suggests that hyperproduction of reactive oxidants and inflammatory mediators plays a critical role in adverse pulmonary responses to silica or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of alveolar macrophages (AM) and alveolar epithelial type II cells (TII) in the induction of pulmonary inflammation and injury in response to these pulmonary toxicants. To support this objective, the release of several inflammatory mediators from primary rat AMs and TII cells was compared under similar culture and exposure conditions. The responsiveness of RLE-6TN, a rat type II cell line, was also compared to primary rat TII cells under the same culture conditions, following exposure to LPS or silica. The following findings were made. (1) Although AMs were generally found to release more inflammatory mediators than TII cells following LPS or silica exposure, primary TII cells clearly produced significant levels of mediators that could be capable of contributing considerably to lung inflammation and injury. (2) Since the responses of the RLE-6TN cell line to LPS or silica exposure were generally considerably less intense and required higher concentrations of stimulant than those measured in primary rat TII cells, RLE-6TN cells may not be an ideal substitute for primary TII cells in studying pulmonary inflammation. (3) LPS was more potent than silica in inducing inflammatory cytokine release from the three cell types. However, compared to LPS, silica exhibited equal or greater potency as an inducer of cellular oxidant generation, especially from primary TII cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

A report on silica exposure levels in United States foundries.

Is silicosis still a serious threat to foundry workers? Medical and epidemiological information has been scant for the past 30 years. However, several recent surveys of silica dust levels in United States foundries give substantial indication of a continuing exposure hazard. The present research effort was aimed at collecting silica dust exposure data in the foundry environment. OSHA industrial hygiene records were collected from foundry inspections in which air sampling of silica-bearing dusts had been conducted. Two hundred and five foundries supplied 1743 personal air samples. The results present a detailed exposure profile of specific work areas, job titles, type and size of foundry. Based on the results of this and other similar studies reported in the past decade, it appears that silica dust continues to be a serious health hazard to foundry workers. If such is the case, then an epidemiological investigation of the industry should be undertaken to determine a prevalence rate of silicosis. Such a study could provide much needed information on the dose-response relation of silica exposure and silicosis, as well as information with which to reevaluate the adequacy of the current TLV for crystalline-free silica.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Impact of silanol surface density on the toxicity of silica aerosols measured by erythrocyte haemolysis.

Exposures to silica-containing dusts are associated with a risk of developing life-threatening lung diseases. However, the mechanism of silica toxicity is poorly understood. In this work the atomic structure of the surfaces of different silica polymorphs was determined, and a relationship with in vitro silica toxicity was examined. The density of geminal and single silanol groups was quantitatively estimated for different silica polymorphs using a novel molecular modeling method. An association was found between the reported haemolytic activity and modeled densities of surface geminal (but not single) silanol groups on several silica polymorphs. These findings suggest a new view of aerosol toxicity based on the estimation of surface site densities. The results can be used in the development of new toxicological assays for respirable particulates, including nanomaterials.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2002

Silica accumulation in long-lived leaves of Sasa veitchii (Carrière) Rehder (Poaceae-Bambusoideae).

Silica accumulation in long-lived leaves of Sasa veitchii was investigated using the molybdenum blue method. In general, silica accumulation was rapid during spring and summer, and slow during winter. The leaves continuously accumulate silica throughout their life. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to two hypotheses for silica accumulation in plants: (1) that silica accumulation is a result of water consumption by the plant: and (2) that silica is actively accumulated to protect the plant. The results of the present study support the former hypothesis.

Plant Leaves↗
PubMed1984

Chloride and phosphate as impediments to silica urinary calculi in rats fed tetraethylorthosilicate.

Rats fed a dextrose-casein type of diet adequate for normal growth and containing 2% of tetraethylorthosilicate (TES) were used to study the effect of NaCl and Na2SO4 drinking waters, and dietary additions of chloride, sulfate and phosphate on formation of silica urinary calculi. In experiment 1, rats fed the basal-TES diet had a 53% incidence of silica urinary calculi. NaCl or Na2SO4 (0.07 N) drinking waters each increased (P less than 0.01) water intake and urine volume, whereas only NaCl reduced (P less than 0.05) the incidence of silica urinary calculi. The incidence of calculi in the rats treated with NaCl and Na2SO4 was 15 and 55%, respectively. The saline waters had similar effects on urine pH, silica, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, as well as blood plasma magnesium and calcium. Plasma phosphorus tended to be higher (P = 0.08) in the NaCl-treated rats. In experiment 2, 50% of rats fed the basal-TES diet developed silica urinary calculi. Addition of 0.2 eq/kg diet of chloride, sulfate or phosphate as sodium salts (phosphate was an equal molar mixture of mono- and dibasic sodium phosphates) resulted in a reduction in silica urinary calculi (P less than 0.05) by dietary chloride (15% incidence) and phosphate (5% incidence) but not by sulfate (35% incidence). Water intake and urine volumes did not differ, urine calcium was increased (P less than 0.05) by sulfate, and urine phosphorus was increased (P less than 0.05) by phosphate. Blood plasma concentrations of calcium and magnesium did not differ, but plasma phosphorus was higher for animals fed the additional phosphate (P less than 0.1) or chloride (P less than 0.05) in the 2% TES diet.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1976

Pathogenesis of malignant histiocytic lymphoma induced by silica in a colony of specificpathogen-free Wistar rats.

The occurrence of malignant histiocytic lymphomas (MHLT) after an intrapleural inoculation of silica and the presence of a hyperplastic or granulomatous reaction to the silica were confirmed in cesarean-derived barrier-maintained inbred W rats. A specific hyperplastic reaction in the silica granulomas preceded the appearance of MHLT. Hyperplastic changes were observed when the absolute monocyte count at weeks 25-30 was slightly higher than that seen in the controls. Silica injected intrapleurally penetrated the thymus tissue but the carbon and coal dusts and the silica, which was administered by other routes, did not involve the thymus. Also, silica was the sole dust, when introduced into the coelomic cavities that produced MHLT, which grew rapidly on entering the thymus. Rats that died with MHLT had widespread dissemination with malignant foci situated most consistently above the diaphragm.

Animals↗