In vitro photodynamic activity of a series of methylene blue analogues

We have synthesized a series of symmetrical phenothiazines in which the methyl groups of methylene blue have been substituted by longer alkyl chains. Intrinsic photosensitizing ability was not altered by increasing the chain length. However, in vitro phototoxicity after 2 h incubation of RIF-1 murine fibrosarcoma cells followed the order n-propyl > n-pentyl > n-butyl > n-hexyl > ethyl > methyl, with ethyl and n-propyl analogues being 14- and 130-fold more phototoxic than methylene blue, respectively. All analogues also had an improved ratio of phototoxicity: dark toxicity (4:1 to 27:1) compared with methylene blue (3:1). Phototoxicity did not correlate with cellular phenothiazine levels, suggesting that the site of subcellular localization may be more important. After 2 h incubation of RIF-1 cells with the phototoxicity LD50 concentration, methylene blue and all analogues were observed to be localized in the lysosomes by fluorescence microscopy. On exposure to light, methylene blue relocalized to the nucleus, the ethyl analogue did not relocalize, whereas the more phototoxic n-propyl - n-hexyl analogues relocalized to the mitochondria. Relocalization to the mitochondria was associated with an octanol: buffer partition coefficient > or = 1. Therefore, the longer-chain analogues of methylene blue show significantly improved phototoxicity in vitro and, in addition, are expected to avoid the problems of mutagenicity associated with the nuclear localization of methylene blue.     

The reduction of 6-methoxy-9-methyl-11-oxoechiboline using lithium aluminium hydride

Reduction of 6-methoxy-9-methyl-11-oxoechiboline 1a using lithium aluminium hydride in boiling tetrahydrofuran under reflux affords 6-methoxy-9-methylechiboline. However, attempts to effect a similar reduction of a suspension of compound 1a in boiling diethyl ether under reflux, in which it is only very slightly soluble, were unsuccessful and when, under these conditions, a Soxhlet apparatus was employed to effect dissolution, an unexpected reductive ring scission occurred along with reduction of the carbonyl group to afford 4a-(2-aminoethyl)-6-methoxy-9-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydrocarbazole 3 .     

Motion of aromatic hydrocarbons in the microporous aluminum methylphosphonates AlMePO-alpha and AlMePO-beta

(2)H wide-line NMR has been used, in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations where appropriate, to follow the reorientation of the monoaromatic compounds benzene, toluene, and p-xylene within the one-dimensional channels of the alpha- and beta-polymorphs of aluminum methylphosphonate, Al(2)(CH(3)PO(3))(3). Variable-temperature, static, (2)H NMR spectra of adsorbed d(6)-benzene, d(3)-, d(5)-, and d(8)-toluenes, and d(3),d(3)-p-xylene were matched by line shape simulation. The motion of p-xylene in both polymorphs is approximated by the long axis of the molecule describing a cone within the channels, the half-angle of which is greater for the slightly wider channels in AlMePO-beta (27-30 degrees cf. 18-19 degrees). The (2)H NMR of d(3)-toluene is simulated using a similar model, whereas the signal from aromatic deuterons in d(5)- and d(8)-toluenes is simulated by a ring undergoing 2pi/3 flips around the para axis. The reorientation of benzene shows the largest differences between the two pore structures. In AlMePO-beta it tumbles with little restriction, although at low temperatures the spectral details are better matched by allowing the molecule to spend a greater proportion of its time closer to the wall. In AlMePO-alpha the much broader line shape arises from constrained motion within the strongly triangular channels. Molecular dynamics simulations of benzene in the two structures confirm the differences. They support a model for benzene in AlMePO-alpha where its motion is restricted to rotations about its 6-fold axis and 2pi/3 jumps between symmetry-related sites in the pores, so that the plane of the aromatic ring remains approximately parallel to the c-axis.     

The nature of the DNA template (single- versus double-stranded) affects the rate of aquation of a dinuclear Pt anticancer drug

The rate of aquation of a dinuclear platinum anticancer agent is altered in the presence of template DNA with enhancement of hydrolysis in the presence of single-stranded over double-stranded DNA, emphasising how the alteration of chemical properties of small molecules in the presence of large host interactions is also dependent on the conformation and nature of that host.     

Regio- and stereoselective hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes using Grubbs' first-generation olefin-metathesis catalyst

Grubbs' first-generation, Ru metathesis complex catalyses the hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes. The reaction exhibits an interesting selectivity profile that is dependent on the reaction concentration and more importantly on the silane employed.     

Preconcentration and determination of trace chromium(III) by flow injection/inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry

A manifold incorporation an activated alumina (basic form) minicolumn is used to preconcentrate chromium(III), which is then eluted with 2 M nitric acid for detection. Calibration is linear up to 1000 μg l^? Cr, and the limit of detection for a 10-ml sample is 0.05 μg l^?1. The determination of chromium(III) in human urine is discussed.     

Effect of surfactant on interfacial gas transfer studied by axisymmetric drop shape analysis-captive bubble (ADSA-CB)

A new method combining axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) and a captive bubble (CB) is proposed to study the effect of surfactant on interfacial gas transfer. In this method, gas transfer from a static CB to the surrounding quiescent liquid is continuously recorded for a short period (i.e., 5 min). By photographical analysis, ADSA-CB is capable of yielding detailed information pertinent to the surface tension and geometry of the CB, e.g., bubble area, volume, curvature at the apex, and the contact radius and height of the bubble. A steady-state mass transfer model is established to evaluate the mass transfer coefficient on the basis of the output of ADSA-CB. In this way, we are able to develop a working prototype capable of simultaneously measuring dynamic surface tension and interfacial gas transfer. Other advantages of this method are that it allows for the study of very low surface tensions (<5 mJ/m2) and does not require equilibrium of gas transfer. Consequently, reproducible experimental results can be obtained in a relatively short time. As a demonstration, this method was used to study the effect of lung surfactant on oxygen transfer. It was found that the adsorbed lung surfactant film shows a retardation effect on oxygen transfer, similar to the behavior of a pure DPPC film. However, this retardation effect at low surface tensions is less than that of a pure DPPC film.     

The Application of Diffusing-Wave Spectroscopy to Monitor the Phase Behavior of Emulsion-Polysaccharide Systems

Droplet aggregation is an important cause of instability in emulsions because it may, on one hand, lead to an increased creaming rate, resulting in fast separation of a concentrated emulsion phase (creamed layer). On the other hand, it may also lead to the formation of a stabilizing, droplet-based network. Early detection of instability is often difficult due to the high turbidity and viscosity of more concentrated food emulsions. The applicability of diffusing-wave spectroscopy (DWS) for monitoring droplet aggregation and creaming was studied using a model system consisting of a protein-stabilized emulsion, to which a soluble polymer ("thickener") was added. This addition leads to an increased solvent viscosity and may induce droplet aggregation. In addition, the redistribution process of emulsion droplets in aggregating concentrated emulsions was directly observed by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). By DWS the decrease of the droplet mobility caused by the viscosity increase of the continuous phase could be separated from the effect of droplet aggregation. Moreover, a distinction could be made between aggregation, leading to increased creaming rates and that leading to the formation of a stabilizing droplet network. The potential of DWS for in situ measurement of the stability of concentrated emulsions is discussed. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Donnan dialysis matrix normalization for the voltammetric determination of metal ions

The efficacy of Donnan dialysis for removal of interferences by surfactants, complexing agents, and electroactive organic compounds on anodic stripping voltammetry and differential pulse polarography is demonstrated. Up to at least 0.05% gelatin and 0.005% Triton X-100 do not alter the rate of dialysis of Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II). As the ion-exchange membrane is not permeable to the surfactants, subsequent voltammetric determinations can be performed by a working curve method. Recoveries of metals from a variety of real samples were generally above 90%. The presence of humic acid (50 mg l^-1) does not alter the transport of Cu(II), Pb(II), or Cd(II) from pH 3 solution but does at pH 8. The transport is related to the free and labile-complexed ion concentration which suggests that Donnan dialysis can be used for speciation as well as for enrichment and matrix normalization.