Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SILICA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Silica decreases phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of both macrophages and neutrophils in vitro.

Silica, or silicon dioxide, has been shown to be toxic for macrophages. This is probably because it damages phagolysosomal membranes, allowing lysosomal enzymes to disrupt the cell. Neutrophils also take up particles such as silica and in addition they contain lysosomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether incubation in vitro with silica inhibits function not only of mouse macrophages, but also of mouse neutrophils. The data show that incubation with silica for 1-3 hr decreases viability of both macrophages and neutrophils. Silica decreases the ability of macrophages and neutrophils to phagocytose both erythrocytes and bacteria, and it inhibits the ability of both cells populations to kill the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Thus, it appears that silica, at least in vitro, is harmful to neutrophils as well as to macrophages.

Animals↗

Rapid preparation of nucleotides from acid-soluble pools by chromatography on silica, as exemplified with acid extracts of cultured cells.

A rapid technique (5-10 min) has been developed for fractionating nucleotides from base and nucleoside contaminants in acid extracts of cells, by adsorption to silica gels. Silica gels (1-mL bed volume) were washed with 5 mL of water then with 5 mL of acetonitrile/water (90/10 by vol). After applying 3-mL samples, adjusted to 900 mL/L acetonitrile content, we washed the gel with an additional 10 mL of the acetonitrile/water solvent. More than 95% of the amounts of bases and nucleosides prsent, except for cytidine (92%), did not adsorb to silica under these conditions. Nucleotides were then quantitatively eluted with 9 mL of water. The retention volumes for positive, negative, and neutral nucleic acid components have been determined, to investigate the discriminatory properties of nucleic acid components on silica. Compounds (bases, nucleosides) that are not ionized at pH 7 do not bind to silica. However, negative, positive, and zwitterionic compounds are tightly adsorbed to the silica gels. This procedure has been used to purify nucleotides from several normal and transformed cell lines.

Animals↗

Release of erythropoietin from macrophages mediated by phagocytosis of crystalline silica.

The hormone erythropoietin (Ep), which regulates erythropoiesis, can be shown to be released extrarenally from macrophages of the spleen, bone marrow, peritoneal exudate, lung, liver, and fetal liver when suspensions of these cells are preincubated with crystalline silica. The cell supernatants are assayed for Ep activity in the erythroid colony-forming technique using 12- 13-day fresh or cryopreserved fetal liver cell suspensions as a source of Ep-sensitive CFU-E target cells. This report describes the optimal conditions required for release of Ep from silica-treated spleen macrophages. The requirement for phagocytosis of silica in mediating Ep release is shown by four different methods, namely, temperature dependency, inhibition of phagocytosis by Cytochalasin B, the presence of calcium in the medium, and the fact that silica particles coated with serum or poly-2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide can decrease Ep release to control levels. In addition, the reduction to background Ep levels when reduced glutathione, alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), and alpha-thioglycerol are added either separately or in combination with silica-treated macrophages is discussed in terms of a possible mechanism of silica action.

Animals↗

Serum beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase activities in silicosis patients and in workers exposed to silica dust.

The serum activities of two lysosomal enzymes, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30; NAG) and beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31; GLU) were analysed in 116 male patients with silicosis. Twenty-eight of the patients were matched with controls of similar sex, age and exposure to silica dust but with no radiographical evidence of silicosis. A control group which had not been exposed to silica dust consisted of male blood donors. The mean activity of NAG in serum was higher in the silicosis patients than in the blood donors (P less than 0.01). Similarly, the NAG level in the silicosis patients with matched controls was higher than that in the silica-exposed controls (P less than 0.05). The silicosis patients who showed a progression of small opacities by one or more subcategories had a slightly higher mean NAG activity in their sera than the patients with no progression but this difference did not reach statistical significance; the activity was higher than in silica-exposed controls (P less than 0.05). We suggest that these findings may be related to the effects of silica on macrophages which have been observed experimentally in vitro and in vivo and might indicate an increased turnover of macrophages caused by silica dust and active, progressive silicotic fibrosis.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

[Amorphous silica. Types, health effects of exposure, NDS].

Maximum allowable concentration (MAC) values for amorphous silica dust have not been identified in the Polish legal regulations up-to-date. In this work the authors review values of allowable (recommended) amorphous silica dust concentrations in other countries. Data on other types of amorphous silica (natural and synthetic) used in industry as well as data on health effects of exposure to these types of dust are presented. The work encompasses 42 entries in the references and one Table which includes the following proposed MAC values: Non-calcinate diatomaceous earth (diatomite) and synthetic silica: Total dust--10 mg/m3 Respirable dust--2 mg/m3 Calcinate diatomaceous earth (diatomite) and fused silica (vitreous silica): Total dust--2 mg/m3 Respirable dust--1 mg/m3.

Diatomaceous Earth↗

Isolation of nine gene sequences induced by silica in murine macrophages.

Macrophage activation by silica is the initial step in the development of silicosis. To identify genes that might be involved in silica-mediated activation, RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages were treated with silica for 48 h, and a subtracted cDNA library enriched for silica-induced genes (SIG) was constructed and differentially screened. Nine cDNA clones (designated SIG-12, -14, -20, -41, -61, -81, -91, -92, and -111) were partially sequenced and compared with sequences in GenBank/EMBL databases. SIG-12, -14, and -20 corresponded to the genes for ribosomal proteins L13a, L32, and L26, respectively. SIG-61 is the mouse homologue of p21 RhoC. SIG-91 is identical to the 67-kDa high-affinity laminin receptor. Four genes were not identified and are novel. All of the mRNAs corresponding to the nine cloned cDNAs were inducible by silica. Steady-state levels of mRNAs in RAW 264.7 cells treated with various macrophage activators and inducers of signal transduction pathways were determined. A complex pattern of induction and repression was found, indicating that upon phagocytosis of silica particles, many regulatory mechanisms of gene expression are simultaneously triggered.

Animals↗

Early decrease of serum Clara cell protein in silica-exposed workers.

Clara cell protein (CC16) is a 16 kDa protein secreted by nonciliated cells of the tracheobronchial tree; it has recently been proposed as a peripheral marker of respiratory epithelial injury. The concentration of CC16 was measured in the serum and, when available, in the sputum of 86 miners exposed to silica and of 86 control subjects matched for age, body mass index and smoking status (26 lifelong nonsmokers and 60 current smokers in both groups). Workers were exposed to silica-rich dust in a quarry for 15.2 months on average. No difference between exposed and control workers could be detected with regard to respiratory symptoms, chest radiographs or lung function tests. By contrast, the concentration of CC16 in serum was decreased in silica-exposed workers (geometric mean 12.3 micrograms.l-1) compared to controls (16.3 micrograms.l-1). The decrease was found both in lifelong nonsmokers (14.7 vs 21.9) and current smokers (11.3 vs 14.5). In the latter, tobacco smoking caused a decrease of serum CC16 that was additional to that associated with silica exposure. The determination of CC16 in sputum samples, judged to be reliable on the basis of the CC16/alpha-amylase concentration ratio (mostly from smokers), also revealed a reduction of CC16 following silica exposure (46.2 vs 106 mg.l-1). We conclude that alterations in the serum concentrations of CC16 probably reflect very early toxic effects of silica particles on the respiratory epithelium. This reinforces the view that serum CC16 is a sensitive marker, which might improve our ability to detect exposure to chemicals potentially harmful to the respiratory tract.

Adult↗

Silica attenuates hypertension in Lyon hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evidence has been provided suggesting an association between hypertension and immune dysfunction in Lyon hypertensive (LH) rats. In the present study, we investigated the possible role played by macrophages in LH rats by examining the blood pressure consequences of the chronic administration of silica, a selective toxin to macrophages in vivo. DESIGN AND METHODS: LH and Lyon low blood pressure (LL) male rats were treated with silica at a dose of 200 mg/kg per week intraperitoneally from age 4-10 weeks. Controls received saline. Blood pressure was measured by plethysmography from age 6-10 weeks and an intra-arterial recording was performed in 11-week-old, freely moving rats. RESULTS: Treatment with silica did not modify blood pressure in LL rats at any age. In contrast, 1 week after the beginning of the treatment, the blood pressure of silica-treated LH rats was lower than that of untreated LH rats. As shown by intra-arterial recording, the effect persisted 1 week after cessation of the treatment. In addition, silica decreased the left ventricle weight in LH but not in LL rats. CONCLUSION: The present results show that weekly administration of silica in young LH rats attenuates the development of hypertension and of left ventricular hypertrophy, a finding which suggests that macrophage-mediated immune reactions may play a pathogenic role in LH rats.

Animals↗

Estimation of the dissociation constants for functional groups on modified and unmodified silica gel supports from the relationship between electroosmotic flow velocity and pH.

Electroosmotic volume flow was directly observed in a simple instrument consisting of 1 cm long a home-made support, packed between two polyethylene frits in the polypropylene tube. Equations relating electroosmotic flow (EOF) velocity and pH for two functional groups on the surface of the solid materials were developed. With these equations, we can estimate the dissociation constants of two different kinds of functional groups on modified silica gel materials simultaneously. The dissociation constants of silanol groups, benzene sulfonic acid groups, and alkyl quaternary ammonium groups on the modified and unmodified silica gel supports were estimated. The estimated pK values of the silanol groups on the silica gel and modified silica gel surfaces are between 4.0 and 4.3. The estimated pK values of the benzene sulfonic acid groups and alkyl quaternary ammonium groups on the surface of the modified silica gel are 2.6 and 8.6, respectively.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

Chelating sorbents based on silica gel and their application in atomic spectrometry.

This mini-review covers chelating sorbents anchored to silica gel and their analytical applications for the preconcentration, separation and determination of trace metal ions, focussing mainly on the last 20 years. The article summarizes also the experience gathered by our research group in the synthesis and characterization of new modified silica gels "via silanization", and their affinity toward selective extraction and separation of trace elements. The introduction of 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridyl)methylene thiocarbohydrazide silica gel (DPTH-gel) and methylthiosalicylate silica gel (TS-gel) chelating sorbents in trace and ultratrace analysis provide vital breakthroughs in preconcentration methods. These home-made materials allow certain analytes to be selectively extracted from complex matrices without matrix interference and good detection limits. The advantages of these new chelating sorbents in comparison with 8-hydroxyquinoline chelating sorbent immobilized on silica gel are discussed.

Chelating Agents↗

New procedure of silica gel surface modification preparation of gaseous standard mixtures for calibration purposes.

The new type of silica gel surface modification with using the trimethylamine as a reagent is described. The samples of chemically modified silica gel have been used for generation of gaseous standard mixtures (methyl chloride as a measurand) using the technique of thermal decomposition of the surface compound. The main aim of the research was to check the suitability of the new type of silica gel surface modification for obtaining methyl chloride as a measurand of gaseous standard mixture. The gaseous standard mixture obtained with using this technique was used for calibration of a thermal desorber-gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (TD-GC-FID) system. The homogeneity of coverage of silica gel surface with the immobilized compound has been evaluated. The full uncertainty budget of determination of liberated amount of methyl chloride has been calculated. The average amount of methyl chloride liberated from the unit sample of chemically modified silica gel is 3.59 +/- 0.13 mg g(-1). The influence of the modification way on the amount of liberated analyte has also been determined.

Calibration↗

Comprehensive pore structure characterization of silica monoliths with controlled mesopore size and macropore size by nitrogen sorption, mercury porosimetry, transmission electron microscopy and inverse size exclusion chromatography.

The porosity of monolithic silica columns is measured by using different analytical methods. Two sets of monoliths were prepared with a given mesopore diameter of 10 and 25 nm, respectively and with gradated macropore diameters between 1.8 and 7.5 microm. After preparing the two sets of monolithic silica columns with different macro- and mesopores the internal, external and total porosity of these columns are determined by inverse size-exclusion chromatography (ISEC) using polystyrene samples of narrow molecular size distribution and known average molecular weight. The ISEC data from the 4.6 mm analytical monolithic silica columns are used to determine the structural properties of monolithic silica capillaries (100 microm I.D.) prepared as a third set of samples. The ISEC results illustrate a multimodal mesopore structure (mesopores are pores with stagnant zones) of the monoliths. It is found by ISEC that the ratio of the different types of pores is dependent on the change in diameter of the macropores (serve as flow-through pores). The porosity data achieved from the mercury penetration measurement and nitrogen adsorption as well of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures are correlated with the results we calculated from the ISEC measurements. The ISEC results, namely the multimodal pore structure of the monoliths, reported in several publications, are not confirmed analyzing the pore structures of the different silica monoliths using all other analytical methods.

Adsorption↗

Development of a simple method for the preparation of a silica gel based controlled delivery system with a high drug content.

Silica gel was used as core particles to design a simple preparation for controlled delivery system with a high drug content. Drug loading was carried out by immersing the silica gel in a pre-heated drug solution or suspension. HPLC, SEM, DSC, PXRD analysis and N2 adsorption studies evaluated the drug-loading process. In the next step, the drug-loaded silica gel was coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and an aqueous dispersion of ethylcellulose (Aquacoat) to control the drug release. The release profile was determined using a dissolution test. The results showed that silica gel could adsorb great quantities of the drug, up to about 450 mg/g, by repetition of the loading process. Evaluation of the drug-loading process indicates that drug deposition in the pores occurs during the loading process and the drug-loading efficacy is strongly related to the drug solubility. On the other hand, the dissolution test showed that the drug release could be controlled by polymer coating the drug-loaded silica gel. An HPMC undercoating effectively suppresses the drug release, as it smoothes the drug-loaded core surface and aids in the formation of a continuous Aquacoat coating film. The floating property was also observed during the dissolution test.

Cellulose↗

Effect of synthesis parameters of the sol-gel-processed spray-dried silica gel microparticles on the release rate of dexmedetomidine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibilities to control the release rate of dexmedetomidine (DMED) from different spray-dried silica gel microparticle formulations. Microparticles were prepared by spray drying a silica sol polymer solution containing the drug. Drug release was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The influence of sol-gel synthesis parameters, like pH and the water/alkoxide ratio (r) of the sol, on the release behaviour of the drug was studied. Silica gel microparticles had a smooth surface. Microparticles prepared from diluted sol, however, were more aggregated and clustered. The drug release conformed to zero order release from microparticles prepared near the isoelectric point of silica (pH 2.3 and pH 3) and to the square root of time kinetics from microparticles prepared at pH 1 and pH 5. The release also showed a dual-phasic profile with an initial burst and after that a slower release period. The dexmedetomidine release conformed to zero order kinetics from microparticles prepared at water/ alkoxide ratios between r = 6 and r = 35 (at pH 2.3). The release rate was the slowest from microparticles prepared with water/ alkoxide ratio 35. The bioavailability of dexmedetomidine in dogs showed that the release was sustained from silica gel microparticles as compared with a subcutaneously administered reference dose of 0.1 mg.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗

Alkyl-substituted silica gel as a carrier in the controlled release of dexmedetomidine.

The effect of alkyl substitution of the silica xerogel matrix on the release rate of dexmedetomidine was evaluated. Silica sol was processed by either casting or spray drying. When the reaction precursor tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was partially substituted with tri- or dialkoxysilane, the release of dexmedetomidine and degradation of the matrix were decreased compared with 100% TEOS-based gel. Increasing the number or length of the organic groups attached to silicon, modified the silica gel structure and reduced the release rate of dexmedetomidine from monoliths. The release of dexmedetomidine from alkyl-substituted silica gel microparticles, however, showed a burst in drug release. Subcutaneously administered silica xerogel matrices (manufactured by casting, containing 25 mol% dimethyldiethoxysilane at two different doses of dexmedetomidine) were studied in dogs. Sustained delivery of dexmedetomidine was obtained for at least 48 h.

Alkylation↗

Preparation of silica gel-bonded amylose through enzyme-catalyzed polymerization and chiral recognition ability of its phenylcarbamate derivative in HPLC.

Amylose was prepared by enzymatic polymerization of alpha-D-glucose 1-phosphate dipotassium catalyzed by a phosphorylase using two kinds of the primers derived from maltopentaose, and then it was chemically bonded to silica gel to be used as a chiral stationary phase (CSP) in high-performance liquid chromatography. In method I, maltopentaose was first lactonized and allowed to react with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane to form an amide bond. Amylose chains with a desired chain length and a narrow molecular weight distribution were then constructed by the enzymatic polymerization. The resulting amylose bearing a trialkoxysilyl group at the terminal was allowed to react with silica gel for immobilization. In method II, maltopentaose was first oxidized to form a potassium gluconate at the reducing terminal. After the enzymatic polymerization was performed with the potassium gluconate, the amylose end was lactonized to be immobilized to 3-aminopropyl-silanized silica gel through amide bond formation. Two amylose-conjugated silica gels thus obtained were treated with a large excess of 3,5-dimethylphenyl isocyanate to convert hydroxy groups of amylose to corresponding carbamate residues. The CSP derived through method II was superior in chiral recognition to the CSP derived from method I and showed better resolving power and higher durability against solvents such as tetrahydrofuran compared with a coated-type CSP. Influences of degree of polymerization of amylose, the spacer length between amylose and silica gel, and mobile phase compositions on chiral recognition were investigated.

Amylose↗

Use of silica gels and mesoporous molecular sieves as supports for the solid-phase Claisen rearrangement.

A series of silica gels and mesoporous molecular sieves differing in both the range of particle size and mean pore size were derivatized with the p-[R,S-alpha-[1-(9H-fluoren-9-yl)-methoxyformamido]-2,4-di methoxybenzyl]- phenoxyacetic acid linker and their loading capacities were measured. Loading capacities ranging between 0.4-0.6 mmol Fmoc/g were achieved. Several of these silica based materials were derivatized with the hydroxymethyl benzoic acid linker and used as supports for the solid phase Claisen rearrangement of a support bound phenyl allyl ether. Both the silica gel and mesoporous supports were heated at 225 degrees C for 3 h to effect the Claisen rearrangement. The results showed that, compared to the same reaction run homogeneously, the silica gel support achieved similar total product yields and ratios for two Claisen products. The mesoporous supports were found to selectively produce one of the Claisen products over the other. Analysis shows that the molecules bound to the mesoporous support are physically further separated from each other as compared to those bound to the silica gel support. A mechanism is presented which accounts for the selectivity of the mesoporous support in forming one Claisen product over the other. The Claisen product was further derivatized to the resulting phenyl ethyl either through a solid phase Mitsunobu reaction on the mesoporous support.

Chemistry, Organic↗

STUDIES ON THE BIOCHEMISTRY AND FINE STRUCTURE OF SILICA SHELL FORMATION IN DIATOMS. I. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CELL WALL OF CYLINDROTHECA FUSIFORMIS REIMANN AND LEWIN.

An electron microscope study on the cell wall of the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis was carried out using stereoscopic and sectioning techniques. Material prepared by an enzyme treatment or by a mechanical method showed that the wall consists of two major components: a silica shell and organic material. Vapor of hydrofluoric acid was employed to remove the silica and thereby reveal the arrangement of the organic material. An attempt was made to increase the contrast of the organic component by "staining." Uranylacetate not only increased the electron opacity of the organic material but also apparently decreased the electron opacity of the silica shell. In ultrathin sections of complete cells, the structure as revealed by stereoscopy could be confirmed and extended. Every part of the silica shell is tightly enclosed by organic material. In the valve region the silica enclosed in this way is located between other layers of organic material. The whole cell wall is surrounded by a mucilaginous substance which stains with ruthenium red.

Biochemical Phenomena↗