Assessing the biocompatibility of NiTi shape memory alloys used for medical applications

The present paper reviews aspects related to the biocompatibility of NiTi shape memory alloys used for medical applications. These smart metallic materials, which are characterised by outstanding mechanical properties, have been gaining increasing importance over the last two decades in many minimal invasive surgery and diagnostic applications, as well as for other uses, such as in orthodontic appliances. Due to the presence of high amounts of Ni, the cytotoxicity of such alloys is under scrutiny. In this review paper we analyse work published on the biocompatibility of NiTi alloys, considering aspects related to: (1) corrosion properties and the different methods used to test them, as well as specimen surface states; (2) biocompatibility tests in vitro and in vivo; (3) the release of Ni ions. It is shown that NiTi shape memory alloys are generally characterised by good corrosion properties, in most cases superior to those of conventional stainless steel or Co–Cr–Mo-based biomedical materials. The majority of biocompatibility studies suggest that these alloys have low cytotoxicity (both in vitro and in vivo) as well as low genotoxicity. The release of Ni ions depends on the surface state and the surface chemistry. Smooth surfaces with well-controlled structures and chemistries of the outermost protective TiO₂ layer lead to negligible release of Ni ions, with concentrations below the normal human daily intake.     

Parametric study of catalytic reforming process?

Summary A parametric study of catalytic reforming process in a pilot plant was carried out by varying the pressure, H₂/HC ratio, and space velocity. The results show that lower aromatics and higher hydrogen yields can be accomplished by increasing the space velocity in existing reformers, which will also result in better C₅⁺yield.     

Synthesis of tetrahydrofurans via silicon promoted Pummerer type reaction

A novel, unprecedented transformation of δ-hydroxysulfoxides into substituted tetrahydrofurans by a silicon promoted Pummerer type reaction is disclosed. The transformation is shown to be general and is brought about under very mild reaction conditions. The products with the sulfide group at the anomeric carbon provide a suitable handle to carry out further transformations.     

Synthesis of the southern furan segment of furanocembranoids

Abstract

A convergent synthesis of the southern furan segment of novel furanocembranoids from Croton oblongifolius has been accomplished involving silver-catalyzed cyclization of alkynyl diol as the key step towards 2, 5-disubstituted furan ring formation.     

Production of carrier-free scandium radioisotopes from a neutron-irradiated potassium titanium oxalate target

Summary Extraction of scandium and calcium radioactivities with 1% HDEHP in benzene from nitric acid solution was investigated. The effect of potassium titanium oxalate concentration on the extraction from 1.5M nitric acid was studied. From the data obtained, two procedures based on batch solvent extraction and extraction chromatography were developed for separation and production of radioscandium from a neutron-irradiated potassium titanium oxalate target. The radiochemical purity of the separated scandium radioactivities was more than 98%.

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Zusammenfassung Die Extraktion der Aktivitäten des Scandiums und Calciums aus salpetersaurer Lösung mit 1% Diäthylhexylphosphorsäure in Benzol wurde untersucht. Der Einfluß der Kalium-Titanoxalat-Konzentration auf die Extraktion aus 1,5-m Salpetersäure wurde geprüft. Auf Grund der Ergebnisse wurden zwei Verfahren zur Trennung und Gewinnung von Radio-Scandium aus einem neutronenbestrahlten Kalium-Titanoxalat-Target ausgearbeitet, die auf einmaliger Extraktion mit dem Lösungsmittel bzw. auf Extraktionschromatographie beruhen. Die radiochemische Reinheit der Sc-Aktivitäten war besser als 98%.

     

Die Veresterungsgeschwindigkeiten der Monoaminobenzoesäuren und der 1- und 2-Pyridinkarbonsäuren in Glykol und Glyzerin

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Veresterungsgeschwindigkeiten der Monoaminobenzoesäuren und der 1- und 2-Pyridinkarbonsäuren bei 25° mit Chlorwasserstoff als Katalysator sowohl in wasserfreiem als auch in wasserhaltigem Glykol und in wasserfreiem Glyzerin gemessen, die derm- und derp-Aminobenzoesäure und der 2-Pyridinkarbonsäure (Nikotinsäure) auch in wasserhaltigem Glyzerin. Die Abhängigkeit der monomolekularen Geschwindigkeitskonstanten vom Wassergehalt (w) des Mediums und dem Überschuß der Konzentration der Salzsäure über die der organischen Säure, bzw. ihres Esters (C) wird für die drei zuletzt genannten Säuren durch Formeln dargestellt. Diese Geschwindigkeitskonstanten nehmen durchwegs sowohl in wasserfreiem als auch in wasserhaltigem Glykol und Glyzerin nicht nur rascher als die Konzentration der gesamten Salzsäure, sondern auch als die des obigen Überschusses, d. h. der freien Salzsäure, zu.FürC=1/3 sind beiw=0.03 die Geschwindigkeitskonstanten derm- und derp-Aminobenzoesäure und der Nikotinsäure in Äthylalkohol um 20–30 %, die der Anthranilsäure um 70%, die der Pikolinsäure um 130% größer als in Glykol, beiw=0.7 dagegen die der drei ersteren Säuren um 35–50% kleiner.In Glykol sind die Konstanten bei der Anthranilsäure und den Pyridinkarbonsäuren kleiner als in Glyzerin, bei den übrigen wie bei den früher untersuchten Säuren aber größer.Die sterische Wirkung der Aminogruppe in Orthostellung ist in Glykol größer, in Glyzerin kleiner als in Äthylalkohol.Unter gleichen Bedingungen Bind die Konstanten der Veresterungsgeschwindigkeit der Nikotinsäure in Glykol und Glyzerin etwa viermal, in Äthylalkohol nur etwa zweimal größer als die der Pikolinsäure.     

UV-vis, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic studies of some mono- and bis-azo-compounds based on 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene and aniline derivatives

The absorption spectra of mono- and bis-azo-derivatives obtained by coupling the diazonium salts of aromatic amines and 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene have been studied in six organic solvents. The different absorption bands have been assigned and the effect of solvents on the charge transfer band is also discussed. The diagnostic IR spectral bands and 1H NMR signals are assigned and discussed in relation to molecular structure. Also, semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations using the atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital (ASED-MO) theory have been performed to investigate the molecular and electronic structures of these compounds. According to these calculations, an intramolecular hydrogen bonding is essential for stabilization of such molecules.     

Beta-N-cyanoethyl acyl hydrazide derivatives: a new class of beta-glucuronidase inhibitors

Eight new beta-N-substituted acyl hydrazides along with their corresponding acyl derivatives were synthesized and screened for in vitro beta-glucuronidase inhibition and found to be active against the enzyme. All of these compounds were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors except for N'-(2-cyanoethyl)-4-hydroxy benzohydrazide (10), which was found to be an uncompetitive inhibitor. Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that the benzyloxy group present in compounds 12 and 13 is responsible for the beta-glucuronidase inhibition activity.     

Modular and stereoselective formal synthesis of MeBmt, an unusual amino acid constituent of cyclosporin A

A convergent, flexible and stereoselective formal synthesis of MeBmt, the nonproteinogenic amino acid constituent of cyclosporin A is disclosed. The sulfinyl moiety has been exploited as the internal nucleophile to stereo- and regioselectively functionalize an allylic carbamate.     

Molecule-Responsive Fluorescent Sensors of α-Helix Peptides Bearing α-Cyclodextrin, Pyrene and Nitrobenzene Units in Their Side Chains

-Helix peptides bearing one unit of -cyclodextrin (-CD), one unit of pyrene and one unit of nitrobenzene (NB) in their side chains have been designed and synthesized as novel molecule-responsive devices.In both the CD-peptides, -PR17 and -PL17, the NB unit is separated from the CD unit by two turns of the helix. Two reference peptides (PL17, and -P17,) have also been synthesized. The circular dichroism studies in the peptide absorption region (200–250 nm)of -PR17 and -PL17 suggestthat the CD-peptides form stable-helixstructures (83–77%), which was destabilized by accommodating guest molecules (e.g., n-pentanol) into the CD cavity. It suggests that formation of intramolecular host–guest(CD–NB) complex stabilized thehelical structure and exogenous guest molecule excluded the appending NB moiety from inside to outside of the CD cavity, thereby causing destabilization of the helical structure and increasing the random coil content. The ICD spectra of the peptides in the pyrene and nitrobenzene absorption region (250–40 nm) suggest that NB forms inclusion complex with CD. The fluorescence studies revealed that the fluorescence of the pyrene unit is quenched by the NB unit in -PR17 and -PL17. The fluorescence intensity increases with increasing guest concentration for the CD-peptides.This guest-responsiveenhancement in the fluorescence intensity can be explained in terms of increased distance between the pyrene and NB moieties, which is caused by exclusion of the NB moiety from the CD cavity by guest accommodation. Using the guest-responsive fluorescence quenching properties of the CD-peptides, we have obtained binding constants for various short chain alkanols. -PL17 has higher binding affinity to the guest molecules than its isomer, -PR17, indicating that the location of functional groups on the peptide scaffold is important in molecule detection.