COAL TAR PHOTOTOXICITY: ACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND ACTION SPECTRA*

Abstract Eight compounds present in crude coal tar were tested for phototoxicity on guinea-pig skin. Four concentrations (5 μM to 5 mM) of each compound in ethanol were applied to the dorsal surface of 6 guinea-pigs. Each animal received 1.0 x 10⁵ j/m² of UVA radiation. The erythematous (phototoxic) response was evaluated after 20 h. Pyrene, anthracene and fluoranthene were strongly phototoxic. Acridine was markedly less phototoxic. Action spectra based on erythema as an endpoint were determined in guinea-pigs for anthracene, pyrene and fluoranthene. Each compound was applied to 5 animals which received irradiations from 274 to 502 nm in 12 nm bands for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 min. The maximum erythema response to anthracene was observed between 346 and 382 nm, to fluoranthene between 322 and 382 nm and to pyrene between 322 and 358 nm.     

The Role of Singlet Oxygen in Photoreactivity and Phototoxicity of Curcumin

Curcumin is a plant-derived yellow-orange compound widely used as a spice, dye and food additive. It is also believed to have therapeutic effects against different disorders. On the other hand, there are data showing its phototoxicity against bacteria, fungi and various mammalian cells. Since the mechanism of its phototoxic action is not fully understood, we investigated here the phototoxic potential of curcumin in liposomal model membranes and in HaCaT cells. First, detection of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) luminescence proved that curcumin generates ¹O₂ upon blue light irradiation in organic solvent and in liposomes. Then, HPLC-EC(Hg) measurements revealed that liposomal and cellular cholesterol is oxidized by ¹O₂ photogenerated by curcumin. Enrichment of liposome membranes with curcumin significantly increased the oxygen photo-consumption rate compared to the control liposomes as determined by EPR oximetry. Cytotoxicity measurements, mitochondrial membrane potential analyses and protein hydroperoxides detection confirmed strong phototoxic effects of curcumin in irradiated HaCaT cells. These data show that since curcumin is advertised as a valuable dietary supplement, or a component of cosmetics for topical use, caution should be recommended especially when skin is exposed to light.     

Characterization of a New Monoclonal Antibody Against Mercury(II)

Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) were produced against mercury (II) and an enzyme immunoassay was developed for the detection of mercury (II) in water. Since mercury (II) ions are too small to elicit an immune response, they were coupled via glutathione (GSH) to the immunogenic carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Several mice were immunised with this KLH-GSH-Hg immunoconjugate. Spleen cells of immunised mice were fused with myeloma cells. The resulting hybridoma cells were screened for the production of specific anti-Hg mabs. Five positive cells were detected. The hybridoma cell line K3C6 was adjusted to protein free medium; it produced mabs with high selectivity and sensitivity. A detection limit of 2.8 μg/L HgCl2 (= 2.1 μg/L Hg²⁺) was achieved with a non-competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Cross-reactivities with other metals were below 1%. Measurement of spiked water samples with this EIA showed good correlation with results obtained by mass spectrometry with inductive coupled plasma (ICP-MS).     

Production and evaluation of monoclonal antibodies for alphafetoprotein

Human AFP was used as an antigen for the development of monoclonal antibodies by the hybridoma technique. Balb/c mice were immunized with highly purified AFP. The preparation of I¹²⁵-AFP was carried out by lactoperoxidase oxidation method, preparation of AFP standards was carried out from cord sera. The antibody titer of the serum was tested by RIA-AFP system. The spleen of the immunized Balb/c was fused with Sp₂0 mouse myeloma cells. The cells from the positive hybridomas were cloned twice using limiting dilution method. Eleven stable clones were thus established for secreting monoclonal antibodies to AFP. Cells in this growth phase were chosen for freezing.     

Programmed polymersomes with spatio-temporal delivery of antigen and dual-adjuvants for efficient dendritic cells-based cancer immunotherapy

Since antigen and adjuvant are rapid clearance in vivo, insufficient delivery to induce dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and cross-presentation, as well as limited migration efficiency of DCs to secondary lymph organs, greatly hinders the development of DCs-based immunotherapy. Herein, PCL-PEG-PCL polymersomes (PCEP-PS) as antigen and adjuvants delivery nanoplatforms (IMO-PS) were well-designed, which can electrostatically adsorb OVA antigen on the surface via DOTAP lipid and effectively encapsulate OVA antigen into the inner hydrophilic cavity to achieve both initial antigen exposure as well as slow and sustained antigen release, incorporate MPLA within the lipid layer to ligate with extracellular TLR4 of DCs as well as encapsulate IMQ in the hydrophobic membrane to ligate with intracellular TLR7/8 of DCs for activating synergistic immune responses via different signaling pathways. The IMO-PS significantly improved antigen uptake, promoted DCs maturation and cytokines production. DCs treated with IMO-PS could enhance migration into draining lymphoid nodes, and eventually induced antigen-specific CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cell responses and OVA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Prophylactic vaccination of EG7-OVA tumor-bearing mice by IMO-PS + DCs significantly extended tumor-free time, effectively suppressed tumor growth, and greatly extended median survival time. The strategy may provide an effective nanoplatform for co-delivery antigen and dual-adjuvants in a spatio-temporally programmed manner for DC-based cancer immunotherapy.     

直接模板法合成三维立方介孔氧化硅HOM-5

0引言自1992年Mobil公司制备出M41S系列[1,2](包括MCM-41、MCM-48和MCM-50)介孔氧化硅以来,介孔材料以其有序度高、比表面积大、孔径可调等优异特性,引起了材料科学界的关注。不同类型的系列介孔材料,如SBA[3]、HMS[4]、MSU[5]等相继见诸报道。其中,空间群为Ia3d的MCM-48型三维立方介孔氧化硅具有完全相同,但互不相连的两套孔道[6],贯通性好,对称性高,对物料的传输优于二维孔道结构,在吸附、分离及催化等领域应用前景广泛。但这种结构对应的是溶致液晶相图的V1区域,对于多数表面活性剂来说,此相区较小,因此这种结构较难合成[7]。…     

The Phototoxic Potential of the Flavonoids,Taxifolin and Quercetin

Quercetin, one of the most abundant polyphenols in the plant kingdom has been shown to be photodegraded on exposure to UV light. Despite the fact, it is a component of several dermatological preparations. Its phototoxic potential has not been evaluated to date. The aim of this study was to assess whether photo‐induced degradation of quercetin is linked to phototoxic effects on living cells. Its dihydro derivative, taxifolin, was included in the study. For evaluation, the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test according to OECD TG 432 was used. To better approximate human skin, HaCaT keratinocytes, normal human epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were used, apart from the Balb/c 3T3 cell line. Quercetin showed a dose‐dependent photodegradation in aqueous and organic environments and a phototoxic effect on all used cells. Quercetin pretreatment and following UVA exposure resulted in increased reactive oxygen species production and intracellular glutathione level depletion in human dermal fibroblasts. Taxifolin was found completely nonphototoxic and photostable. As only in vitro methodology was used, further studies using 3D skin models and/or human volunteers are needed to confirm whether exposure to sunlight, tanning sunbeds and/or phototherapy in people using cosmetics containing quercetin is a health risk.     

Trace analysis of microcystins in water using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Routine monitoring of microcystin in natural waters is difficult because the concentration of the toxin is usually lower than the detection limits. As a more sensitive detection method for microcystin, we developed a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on monoclonal antibodies. New monoclonal antibodies against the microcystin leucine-arginine variant (MCLR), a cyclic peptide toxin of the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, were prepared from cloned hybridoma cell lines. We used keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-conjugated MCLR as an immunogen for the production of mouse monoclonal antibody. The immunization, cell fusion, and screening of hybridoma cells producing anti-MCLR antibody were conducted. In the ELISA test, a microtiter plate coated with MCLR-bovine serum albumin conjugate was incubated with standard microcystin samples. The amount of antibody bound was determined by the reaction of peroxidase-labeled anti-mouse IgG with its substrate, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl benzidine (TMB). Since the ELISA test was highly sensitive, the newly developed ELISA can be suitable for the trace analysis of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins, microcystins in water. The linear responses of monoclonal antibodies with different concentrations of microcystin LR were established between 30 and 1600 pg/mL.     

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against a derivative of semicarbazide as a metabolic target of nitrofurazone

Monoclonal antibodies (McAb) were produced to detect semicarbazide (SEM), a metabolite as a marker residue of nitrofurazone in animal food production. A carboxyphenyl derivative (CPSEM) of SEM was synthesized following derivatisation with 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (CBA). CPSEM was purified by recrystallization and conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) or ovalbumin (OVA) as immunogen or coating antigen, respectively. Hybridomas were obtained by fusing mouse myeloma cells SP2/0 with splenocytes from the mice immunized with CPSEM-BSA. Hybridomas 1F10 and 4F2 secreting antibodies against CPSEM were obtained and subcloned. Ascites of monoclonal antibodies were prepared by injecting 1 × 10⁶ cells of hybridoma 1F10 into mice abdomen. McAb obtained from hybridoma 1F10 was highly specific for CPSEM and had no cross-reaction with various nitrofuran metabolites and a range of veterinary drugs. The sensitivity of the McAb to SEM was 0.01 ng mL⁻¹ and the IC₅₀ value was 1.3 ng mL⁻¹ (SEM in the form of CPSEM). McAb 1F10 is suitable to develop an immunoassay for SEM with sufficient sensitivity for monitoring nitrofurazone residues.     

Bystander CD4+ T cells: crossroads between innate and adaptive immunity

T cells are the central mediators of both humoral and cellular adaptive immune responses. Highly specific receptor-mediated clonal selection and expansion of T cells assure antigen-specific immunity. In addition, encounters with cognate antigens generate immunological memory, the capacity for long-term, antigen-specific immunity against previously encountered pathogens. However, T-cell receptor (TCR)-independent activation, termed “bystander activation”, has also been found. Bystander-activated T cells can respond rapidly and secrete effector cytokines even in the absence of antigen stimulation. Recent studies have rehighlighted the importance of antigen-independent bystander activation of CD4⁺ T cells in infection clearance and autoimmune pathogenesis, suggesting the existence of a distinct innate-like immunological function performed by conventional T cells. In this review, we discuss the inflammatory mediators that activate bystander CD4⁺ T cells and the potential physiological roles of these cells during infection, autoimmunity, and cancer.Subject terms: T cells, CD4-positive T cells     

Complexes between disubstituted benzo-15-crown-5 ligands and sodium or potassium bromides

Stability constants have been determined with ion selective electrodes for complexes between sodium or potassium bromide in methanol with each of four crown ethers, benzo-15-crown-5 (Ia), dibromobenzo-15-crown-5 (Ib), dimethoxybenzo-15-crown-5 (Ic) and di-n-butoxybenzo-15-crown-5 (Id). Those for (Ib) were significantly lower than the others. The stability constants for complexes between sodium bromide and (Ia) and (Ib) in dimethylformamide (DMF) were found to be about one fifth of the corresponding values in methanol. The conductivity method was used to measure the ion pairing in methanol of sodium bromide alone and in the presence of (Ia), (Ib), or (Ic). Ion pairing is increased on complexation, the association constants being 3.3 mol^–1 dm³ for Na⁺ Br^– and 20–23 mol^–1 dm³ for Na(Ia–c)⁺ Br^–. The syntheses of compounds (Ic) and (Id) are described.     

Oxygenation of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons with sodium periodate catalyzed by manganese(III) tetra-arylporphyrins, to study the axial ligation of imidazole

Competitive oxygenation of cyclooctene and tetralin with sodium periodate catalyzed by Mn^(III)(TPP)OAc, TPP = meso-tetraphenylporphyrin; Mn^(III) (TNP)OAc, TNP =meso-tetrakis(1-naphthyl) porphyrin; Mn^(III) (TMP)OAc, TMP =meso-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)porphyrin; Mn^(III) (TDCPP)OAc, TDCPP =meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl) porphyrin, and Mn^(III) (TPNMe₂-TFPP)OAc, TPNMe₂-TFPP =meso-tetrakis(para-NMe₂-tetrafluorophenyl)porphyrin, was carried out in the presence or absence of imidazole. This study showed that, in the absence of imidazole, selectivity for epoxide formation was high with electron-rich catalysts such as Mn(TPP)OAc, Mn(TNP)OAc and Mn(TMP)OAc, but low with electron-deficient catalysts such as Mn(TDCPP)OAc and Mn(TPNMe₂-TFPP)OAc. Presumably, not only the axial ligation of imidazole to the four-coordinate Mn(III)-center, but also the steric and electronic influences of aryl-substituents on the porphyrin periphery affect the selectivity of the catalytic oxidation reaction.     

A Comparison of Benzo(A)Pyrene-4,5-Epoxide Hydrase Activity in Hamster Embryo Cells,Hepatocytes and Livers Using High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

The benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-epoxide (BP-4,5-epoxide) hydrase activities of intact hamster hepatocytes and embryo cells, and homogenates of these cells as well as of adult liver are compared. The product of the epoxide hydrase (EH) reaction, trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (BP-4,5-diol), was isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Waters Bondapak C₁₈/Corasil column and acetonitrile-water as the mobile phase. Using this procedure to determine BP-4,5-epoxide hydrase activity in intact cells, it was found that 266 nmoles of BP-4,5-diol/10⁶ cells were produced by hepatocytes while no diol formation was detected with embryo cells. EH activity in the intact hepatocytes was 8-fold greater than in hepatocyte homogenates.     

Flow immunoassay of trinitrophenol based on a surface plasmon resonance sensor using a one-pot immunoreaction with a high molecular weight conjugate

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor based on a competitive immunoreaction for the determination of trinitrophenol (TNP) is described. A goat anti-mouse IgG (1st antibody), which recognizes an Fc moiety of an antibody, was immobilized on a gold film of an SPR sensor chip by physical adsorption. A TNP solution containing a fixed concentration of a mouse anti-TNP monoclonal antibody (2nd antibody) and a TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugate was incubated in one-pot and introduced into the sensor chip. The TNP-KLH conjugate competes with TNP for binding with the 2nd antibody. The resulting complex of the 2nd antibody with the TNP-KLH conjugate was bound to the 1st antibody, which is immobilized on the sensor chip. The SPR sensor signal based on resonance angle shift is dependent on the concentration of TNP in the incubation solution in the range from 25 ppt to 25 ppb, and the coefficient of variation of the SPR signals for the 25 ppb TNP solution was determined to be 13% (n = 4). The experimental results for the adsorption constant of the 1st antibody on the sensor chip and the binding constant of the 1st antibody complex with the 2nd antibody are discussed, together with theoretical considerations.     

Preparation and characterization of tamarind nut powder with in situ generated copper nanoparticles using one-step hydrothermal method

Tamarind nut powder (TNP) from kitchen waste of tamarind nuts was modified with in situ generated copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using hydrothermal method. The modified TNP had spherical CuNPs with an average size of 84?nm. The thermal stability of the modified TNP was lower than that of the TNP due to the catalytic activity of the in situ generated CuNPs in lowering the thermal stability. Further, it exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both the Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and hence can be used as low-cost filler to prepare antibacterial hybrid polymer nanocomposites for packaging and medical applications.     

Preparation of a Porous polymer by a catalyst‐free diels‐alder reaction and its structural modification by post‐reaction

A microporous polymer is prepared by a catalyst‐free Diels–Alder reaction. A cyclopentadiene with both a diene and a dienophile functionality and a dienophilic maleimide are used for the Diels–Alder reaction. 1,3,5‐Tris(bromomethyl)‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzene is reacted with sodium cyclopentadienide to produce the multicyclopentadiene‐functionalized monomer. A crosslinked polymer ( CDAP ) is obtained by the reaction of the cyclopentadiene monomer with N,N′‐1,4‐phenylenedimaleimide. The thermal dissociation of the cyclopentadiene dimeric unit and the subsequent Diels–Alder reaction with the maleimide group are investigated by the model reaction. We are able to restructure the crosslinked polymer network by taking advantage of the thermal reversibility of the Diels–Alder linkage. After the post thermal treatment, the BET surface area of the polymer ( CDAP‐T ) is greatly increased from 317 to 1038 m² g^?1. CDAP‐T is functionalized with pyrene by bromination with N‐bromosuccinimide and the subsequent substitution reaction with aminopyrene. The adsorption property of the pyrene‐functionalized polymer for an aromatic dye is investigated using malachite green. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3646–3653     

Selective Ablation of β‐Galactosidase‐Expressing Cells with a Rationally Designed Activatable Photosensitizer

We have developed an activatable photosensitizer capable of specifically inducing the death of β‐galactosidase‐expressing cells in response to photoirradiation. By using a selenium‐substituted rhodol scaffold bearing β‐galactoside as a targeting substituent, we designed and synthesized HMDESeR‐βGal, which has a non‐phototoxic spirocyclic structure owing to the presence of the galactoside moiety. However, β‐galactosidase efficiently converted HMDESeR‐βGal into phototoxic HMDESeR, which exists predominantly in the open xanthene form. This structural change resulted in drastic recovery of visible‐wavelength absorption and the ability to generate singlet oxygen (¹O₂). When HMDESeR‐βGal was applied to larval Drosophila melanogaster wing disks, which express β‐galactosidase only in the posterior region, photoirradiation induced cell death in the β‐galactosidase‐expressing region with high specificity.     

A Short-Lived but Highly Cytotoxic Vanadium(V) Complex as a Potential Drug Lead for Brain Cancer Treatment by Intratumoral Injections

The chemistry and short lifetimes of metal-based anti-cancer drugs can be turned into an advantage for direct injections into tumors, which then allow the use of highly cytotoxic drugs. The release of their less toxic decomposition products into the blood will lead to decreased toxicity and can even have beneficial effects. We present a ternary V^V complex, 1 ([VOL¹L²], where L¹ is N-(salicylideneaminato)-N′-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine and L² is 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol), which enters cells intact to induce high cytotoxicity in a range of human cancer cells, including T98g (glioma multiforme), while its decomposition products in cell culture medium were ≈8-fold less toxic. 1 was 12-fold more toxic than cisplatin in T98g cells and 6-fold more toxic in T98g cells than in a non-cancer human cell line, HFF-1. Its high toxicity in T98g cells was retained in the presence of physiological concentrations of the two main metal-binding serum proteins, albumin and transferrin. These properties favor further development of 1 for brain cancer treatment by intratumoral injections.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against urea derivatives

A panel of monoclonal antibodies was generated against the ureabased haptenN-(2-N-chloroacetylaminobenzyl)-N′-4-chlorophenylurea as a tool for building up sensitive immune assays to detect urea derivatives and to screen them for catalytic antibodies (Abs). Eleven hybridomas were obtained that produced Abs reactive to the hapten. All Abs were of IgG class. Crossreactivities of the Abs to different haptens were examined, especially to a possible transition-state analog. Only four of the hybridomas (R2-DA10/F7, R2-GE7/H2, R2-HC2/A5, R2-HD6/F7) produced Abs crossreactive with the transition-state analog. From the 11 hybridomas, hybridoma B76-BF5 was chosen for further characterization. Compared to the other Abs, B76-BF5 showed the strongest binding and had a rather restricted specificity. These Abs could be used to build up a sensitive enzyme immunoassay for the detection of the hapten. All Abs were screened for crossreactivity with the pesticides monuron and diuron. No reactivity could be detected. In addition, the nucleotide sequences of the variable light and heavy chain genes of the similarly reactive Abs B76-BF5, B76-BB3, R2-DA10/F7, and R2-GA6/G3 were determined to clarify whether structure and binding specificity of these Abs showed any correlation.     

Cubic phases of 4′-n-alkoxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC-n)

The structure of the thermotropic cubic phases of 4′- ⁿ -alkoxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC- ⁿ , where ⁿ indicates the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy group) was studied by X-ray diffraction. For the homologues with ⁿ = 15, 16, 17, and 18, the cubic phase was of an ^Ia 3 ^d type, whereas the homologues with ⁿ = 19, 20, and 21 exhibited an ^Im 3 ^m cubic structure; for these seven homologues the same type of cubic structure was observed both on heating and cooling. Further lengthening of the alkoxy chain to ⁿ = 22 and 26, however, gave two types of cubic structure in the cubic phase region on heating, one with ^Im 3 ^m symmetry in the low temperature region and the other with ^Ia 3 ^d symmetry in the high temperature region. On cooling, the two homologues exhibited the ^Ia 3 ^d cubic structure only. This is the first example in the cubic phase region of a series of homologues containing two types of structure, dependent on temperature and ⁿ . Such a complicated phase diagram in the cubic region is clearly understood qualitatively in terms of Gibbs free energy-temperature diagrams. The dependence of structural parameters such as the cubic lattice constant on the alkoxy chain length ⁿ are also presented and discussed.