The Syntheses, Structures, Fluorescence Properties and Biological Activity of two Novel Zinc(II) Complexes Controlled by the Tripodal Imidazole Ligand.

Two new zinc complexes, namely Zn(L(1))ClCH2NO(1) and {Zn(L(2))CH2NO}n▪N(CH3)3▪ClO4(2) (L(1) = 3,5-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyridine L(2) = 1,3,5-tris(1-imidazolyl) benzene), have been synthesized, and characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis, and a single crystal X-ray diffraction. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that two complexes presented strong DNA binding affinity constants to fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA). Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complex to cleave the HL-60 DNA. Apoptotic study showed the complex exhibited significant cancer cell(KB) inhibitory rate.

[Research Progress in the Odorants and Their Emissions from Indoor Building Decoration Materials].

The emission of pollutants from building decoration and furbishing materials associated with unpleasant odors is the main reason for complaints relating to poor quality indoor air. Currently, few studies have focused on the identification of odorants and the quantification of emissions from these building materials. Here, we summarize the analytical methods available for the study of indoor odorants and evaluate existing understanding of odorants from nine kinds of building materials, namely plaster board, wood-based materials, linoleum, carpets, plastics, rubber, artificial leather, paints, and adhesives. The possible odor-causing compounds emitted by these different materials and their odor threshold values are identified. Finally, suggestions are proposed for future research and control measures to minimize indoor odor pollution. Overall, olfactometry is the most important tool for odor analysis desite the non-standardized application of the technique when used in the assessment of odor emissions from building materials. In addition, there are large differences in the reported patterns of odorant emissions from building materials, although oxidized substances such as aldehydes, ketones, and acids are frequently identified in association with the aging of the materials via processes such as oxidation and ozone degradation over time.

[Controllable synthesis and UV-Vis spectral analysis of silver nanoparticles in AOT microemulsion].

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized in water-in-oil microemulsion using silver nitrate solubilized in the water core of a microemulsion as source of silver ions, hydrazine hydrate solubilized in the water core of another one as reducing agent, cyclohexane as the continuous phase, and sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) as the surfactant. The main factors affecting the formation of silver nanoparticles were systematically studied. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra were used for analyzing the effects of reaction parameters, including the type of reducing agents, the molar ratio of water to surfactant and the concentration of AgNO3 and AOT and so on, on the formation of silver nanoparticles. Original results for the controllable synthesis of silver nanoparticles were obtained when the synthesis proceeded in AOT-cyclohexane-AgNO3 microemulsion. The UV-Vis spectra of silver sols formed in the microemulsion with various parameters were studied systematically. The results show that the amount and average size of the obtained nanoparticles obviously depend on the above parameters. When the concentration of AgNO3 is lower, smaller silver nanoparticles are easy to form by increasing the concentration of AgNO3 appropriately. The higher W value was found to form larger numbers of silver nanoparticles with larger particle size. Compared to the solubility of NaBH4 in AOT reverse micelles, hydrazine hydrate is well soluble in these micelles, and thus it is favorable to reduce the silver ions solubilized in the water core of AOT-cyclohexane-AgNO3 microemulsion. The increase in the concentration of AOT induces an increase in the number of AOT micelles and a decrease in the molar ratio of water to surfactant. As a result, the solubilization capacity of reactants in the micelles increases and the radii of the micelles decrease. That is to say, with the increase in AOT concentration, the amount of the formed nanoparticles increases and the average size of the particles decreases.

Tree analysis of mass spectral urine profiles discriminates transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder from noncancer patient.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in proteomic profiling technologies, such as surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SELDI), have allowed preliminary profiling and identification of tumor markers in biological fluids in several cancer types and establishment of clinically useful diagnostic computational models. We developed a bioinformatics tool and used it to identify proteomic patterns in urine that distinguish transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) from noncancer. METHODS: Proteomic spectra were generated by mass spectroscopy (surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization). A preliminary "training" set of spectra derived from analysis of urine from 46 TCC patients, 32 patients with benign urogenital diseases (BUD), and 40 age-matched unaffected healthy men were used to train and develop a decision tree classification algorithm that identified a fine-protein mass pattern that discriminated cancer from noncancer effectively. A blinded test set, including 38 new cases, was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the classification system. RESULTS: The algorithm identified a cluster pattern that, in the training set, segregated cancer from noncancer with sensitivity of 84.8% and specificity of 91.7%. The discriminatory pattern correctly identified. A sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 87.0% for the blinded test were obtained when comparing the TCC vs. noncancer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings justify a prospective population-based assessment of proteomic pattern technology as a screening tool for bladder cancer in high-risk and general populations.

[Changes of alkaline phosphatase sugar chains in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of sugar chain structures of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in hepatoma tissue and its relation to the invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The binding ratios of ALP from 9 normal liver tissues, 16 hepatoma tissues and 16 noncancerous tissues surrounding hepatoma were analysed by affinity chromatography on various lectin columns including leukoagglutinating phytohemagglutinin (L-PHA), lentil lectin (LCA), Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA), erythroagglutinating phytohemagglutinin (E-PHA) and Sambucus nigra bark agglutinin (SNA). RESULTS: The binding ratios of ALP on L-PHA (22.94%+/-5.30%), DSA (55.97%+/-13.72%), LCA (38.16%+/-8.87%), E-PHA (11.56%+/-4.81%) and SNA (69.80%+/-13.71%) in HCC tissues were significantly increased (P<0.01) compared with that in normal liver tissues (L-PHA 5.89%+/-2.75%, DSA 36.20%+/-11.58%, LCA 17.90%+/-6.71%, E-PHA 5.38%+/-2.20%, SNA 57.32%+/-11.27%), respectively. t values between the two groups were 8.94, 3.64, 5.94, 3.62 and 2.32, respectively. L-PHA-binding ratio (25.84%+/-4.67%) of ALP in HCC with invasiveness was significantly higher than that (18.10%+/-3.64%) without invasiveness (t=3.71, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The changes of ALP sugar chain structures occur in HCC tissue. b1-6 branching sugar chain structure of ALP is related to the invasiveness of HCC.

Synthesis, characterization, interaction with DNA and cytotoxicity in vitro of the complexes [M(dmphen)(CO3)].H2O [M=Pt(II), Pd(II)].

The complexes [Pt(dmphen)CO3].H2O (1), [Pd(dmphen)CO3].H2O (2) (dmphen is 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized. The binding of the complexes with FS-DNA was investigated by UV spectrum and fluorescence spectrum, showing that the complexes have the ability of interaction with DNA of intercalative mode. The intrinsic binding constant K of the complexes with FS-DNA is 1.8 x 10(5) M(-1) (1) and 1.6 x 10(4) M(-1) (2), respectively. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to cleave the pBR 322 plasmid DNA. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of the complexes against four different cancer cell lines proved that the complexes exhibited cytotoxic specificity and significant cancer cell inhibitory rate.

The preparation and characterization of monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly-DL-lactide microcapsules containing bovine hemoglobin.

Methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly-DL-lactide (PELA) microcapsules containing bovine hemoglobin (bHb) were prepared by a W/O/W double emulsion-solvent diffusion process. bHb solution was used as the internal aqueous phase, PELA/organic solvent as the oil phase, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution as the external aqueous phase. This W/O/W double emulsion was added into a large volume of water (solidification solution) to allow organic solvent to diffuse into water. The optimum preparative condition for PELA microcapsules loaded with bovine hemoglobin was investigated. It was found that homogenization rate, type of organic solvent, and volume of the solidification solution influenced the activity of bovine hemoglobin encapsulated. When the homogenization rate was lower than 9000 rpm and ethyl acetate was used as the organic solvent, there was no significant influence on the activity of hemoglobin. High homogenization rate as 12 000 rpm decreased the P50 and Hill coefficient. Increasing the volume of solidification solution had an effect of improving the activity of microencapsulated hemoglobin. The composition of the PELA had the most important influence on the success of encapsulation. Microcapsules fabricated by PELA with MPEG2k block (molecular weight of MPEG block: 2000) achieved a high entrapment efficiency of 90%, better than PL A homopolymer and PELA with MPEG5k blocks. Hemoglobin microcapsules with native loading oxygen activity (P50 = 26.0 mmHg, Hill coefficient = 2.4), mean size of about 10 microm, and high entrapment efficiency (ca. 93%) were obtained at the optimum condition.