Synthesis and full-spectrum-responsive photocatalytic activity from UV/Vis to near-infrared region of S-O decorated YMnO3 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen.

The oxalic acid complexation method and sulfuric acid heat treatment method were used to synthesize the YMnO3 (YMO) and YMO-SO4 2- (YMO-SO) photocatalysts. The YMO-SO photocatalyst maintained the crystal structure of YMO, but the particle size increased slightly and the optical band gap decreased significantly. The YMO-SO photocatalyst demonstrates a wide range of light absorption capabilities, covering ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared light. The photocatalytic activity of YMO-SO was investigated with ibuprofen as the target pollutant. The YMO-SO photocatalyst exhibits high ultraviolet (UV), visible and near-infrared photocatalytic activity. Experiments with different environmental parameters confirmed that the best catalyst content was 1 g/L, the best drug concentration was 75 mg/L and the best pH value was 7. The capture experiment, free radical detection experiment and photocatalytic mechanism analysis confirmed that the main active species of YMO-SO photocatalyst were hole and superoxide free radical.

Comparative Study on Chloride Binding Capacity of Cement-Fly Ash System and Cement-Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag System with Diethanol-Isopropanolamine.

Steel bar corrosion caused by chloride was one of the main forms of concrete deterioration. The promotion of chloride binding capacity of cementitious materials would hinder the chloride transport to the surface of steel bar, thereby alleviating the corrosion and mitigating the deterioration. A comparative study on binding capacity of chloride in cement-fly ash system (C-FA) and cement-ground granulated blast furnace slag system (C-GGBS) with diethanol-isopropanolamine (DEIPA) was investigated in this study. Chloride ions was introduced by adding NaCl in paste, and the chloride binding capacity of the paste samples at 7 d and 60 d was examined. The hydration process was discussed via the testing of hydration heat and compressive strength. The hydrates in hardened paste was characterized by X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The effect of DEIPA on dissolution of aluminate phase and compressive strength was discussed as well. These results showed that DEIPA could facilitate the hydration of C-FA and C-GGBS system, and the promotion effect was higher in C-FA than that in C-GGBS. DEIPA also increased the binding capacity of chloride in C-FA and C-GGBS systems. One reason was the increased chemical binding, because DEIPA facilitated the dissolution of aluminate to benefit the formation of Friedel's salt. Other reasons were the increased physical binding and migration resistance. By contrast, DEIPA presented greater ability to increase chloride binding capacity in C-FA system, because DEIPA showed stronger ability to expedite the dissolution of aluminate of FA than that of GGBS, which benefited the formation of FS, thereby promoting the chemical binding. Such results would give deep insight into using DEIPA as an additive in cement-based materials.

Rapid Identification of Novel Inhibitors of the Human Aquaporin-1 Water Channel.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of membrane proteins that function as channels facilitating water transport in response to osmotic gradients. These play critical roles in several normal physiological and pathological states and are targets for drug discovery. Selective inhibition of the AQP1 water channel may provide a new approach for the treatment of several disorders including ocular hypertension/glaucoma, congestive heart failure, brain swelling associated with a stroke, corneal and macular edema, pulmonary edema, and otic disorders such as hearing loss and vertigo. We developed a high-throughput assay to screen a library of compounds as potential AQP1 modulators by monitoring the fluorescence dequenching of entrapped calcein in a confluent layer of AQP1-overexpressing CHO cells that were exposed to a hypotonic shock. Promising candidates were tested in a Xenopus oocyte-swelling assay, which confirmed the identification of two lead classes of compounds belonging to aromatic sulfonamides and dihydrobenzofurans with IC50 s in the low micromolar range. These selected compounds directly inhibited water transport in AQP1-enriched stripped erythrocyte ghosts and in proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified AQP1. Validation of these lead compounds, by the three independent assays, establishes a set of attractive AQP1 blockers for developing novel, small-molecule functional modulators of human AQP1.

Discovery of 13-oxa prostaglandin analogs as antiglaucoma agents: synthesis and biological activity.

FP-Class prostaglandin analogs have demonstrated utility for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. A series of novel FP prostaglandin analogs was designed to optimize topical ocular activity and reduce ocular side-effects by replacing 13-carbon with oxygen. A facile synthesis was successfully developed for synthesis of the 13-oxa prostaglandins from the commercially available Corey aldehyde benzoate. Among the compounds synthesized, AL-16082 was the most potent prostaglandin FP agonist in vitro. In a prostaglandin FP receptor-linked second-messenger assay, phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, it exhibited a potency value (EC(50)) of 1.9 nM (78% max. response relative to fluprostenol). The isopropyl ester of AL-16082, compound AL-16049, significantly lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) in the ocular hypertensive monkey eyes by 30%. In the study of acute ocular irritation response in New Zealand albino rabbits, AL-16049 produced lower incidence of hyperemia, swelling, and discharge than PGF(2alpha) (1 microg), and a similar incidence of hyperemia, swelling, and discharge to latanoprost (1.8 microg). AL-16049 also produced no signs of ocular irritation or discomfort in the cat at the doses evaluated.

Novel benzodifuran analogs as potent 5-HT2A receptor agonists with ocular hypotensive activity.

A series of 8-substituted benzodifuran analogs was prepared and evaluated for 5-HT(2A) receptor binding and activation. Several compounds containing ether and ester functionality were found to be potent agonists. Topical ocular administration of 5, 18, and 25 effectively reduced intra-ocular pressure in the hypertensive cynomolgus monkey eye in the range of 25-37%.