Targeted sonodynamic therapy using protein-modified TiO2 nanoparticles

Our previous study suggested new sonodynamic therapy for cancer cells based on the delivery of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) modified with a protein specifically recognizing target cells and subsequent generation of hydroxyl radicals from TiO₂ NPs activated by external ultrasound irradiation (called TiO₂/US treatment). The present study first examined the uptake behavior of TiO₂ NPs modified with pre-S1/S2 (model protein-recognizing hepatocytes) by HepG2 cells for 24 h. It took 6 h for sufficient uptake of the TiO₂ NPs by the cells. Next, the effect of the TiO₂/US treatment on HepG2 cell growth was examined for 96 h after the 1 MHz ultrasound was irradiated (0.1 W/cm², 30 s) to the cells which incorporated the TiO₂ NPs. Apoptosis was observed at 6 h after the TiO₂/US treatment. Although no apparent cell-injury was observed until 24 h after the treatment, the viable cell concentration had deteriorated to 46% of the control at 96 h. Finally, the TiO₂/US treatment was applied to a mouse xenograft model. The pre-S1/S2-immobilized TiO₂ (0.1 mg) was directly injected into tumors, followed by 1 MHz ultrasound irradiation at 1.0 W/cm² for 60 s. As a result of the treatment repeated five times within 13 days, tumor growth could be hampered up to 28 days compared with the control conditions.     

Monomer-Dimer Equilibrium of Rhodamine B Encapsulated in Si–Al and Si–Ti Binary-Oxide Thin Films

Si—Al and Si—Ti binary-oxide thin films including Rhodamine B (RB) have been prepared. They were dip-coated as a function of time after mixing of each sol-gel reaction system. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the individual films have been observed. These spectra were analyzed in order to clarify the behavior of RB along with the change in the environment around the RB molecules, caused by the progress of the sol-gel reaction, in the fluid sol and the prepared thin films. Some amount of the RB dimers (H- and J-types) were formed in the Si—Al and Si—Ti binary-oxide films (Si : M = 75 : 25) prepared at the initial stage of the sol-gel reaction and aged under relative humidity of 60%. In the case of Si—Al binary-oxide films, the amount of the J-dimer decreased along with the reaction time at which the films were prepared, indicating that growing polymer networks of metal alkoxides around the RB molecules prevent the formation of the J-dimer. On the other hand, larger amounts of the H- and J-dimers were formed in the Si—Ti binary-oxide films prepared at longer reaction time of the solution. RB interacts more strongly with —TiOH compared with —AlOH. In the case of the Si—Ti binary-oxide films, with the progress of the sol-gel reaction, RB molecules in the prepared films easily cohere around the —TiOH and form the dimers because of increase in the amount of the —TiOH and contraction in the volume of the spaces where RB molecules exist.     

Synthesis of Te-alkyl carbamotelluroates from tellurium,carbon monoxide,amines, and alkyl halides

Lithium amides reacted with tellurium under atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide to yield lithium carbamotelluroates which were trapped with alkyl halides to give Te-alkyl carbamotelluroates in good yields. Results of control experiments suggested that lithium carbamotelluroates were formed by the reaction of tellurium with carbamoyllithiums generated in situ from lithium amides and carbon monoxide. It was revealed also that yields were improved when tellurium was preliminarily treated with lithium amides prior to the introduction of carbon monoxide into the reaction media.     

Changes in Coordination Number of Co Ion and Fluorescence Spectrum of 1-Naphthol during the Sol-Gel Reaction of TEOS

Changes in coordination number of Co²⁺ and fluorescence spectra of 1-naphthol during the sol-gel transitions of TEOS have been investigated as a function of time. The change in the coordination number of Co²⁺ has been observed as follows. Six-coordinated Co²⁺ decreased quickly within several hours in the first stage of the reaction corresponding to water consumption by initial hydrolysis reaction. Then six-coordinated Co²⁺ increased around gelation due to polycondensation. After the gelation four-coordinated Co²⁺ increased, where isomorphous-replacement of Co²⁺ into the –O–Si–O– networks occurred. In the Co²⁺/1-naphthol mixed system, separate ion pair of 1-naphthol is preferentially coordinated on the six-coordinated Co²⁺ where water molecule(s) plays an important role to geometrical relaxation of excited-state 1-naphthol.     

Synthesis of neptunyl(VI) hydroxides and their237Np Mössbauer spectra

Four types of neptunyl(VI) hydroxides have been synthesized by chemical oxidation of Np(IV) instead of ozone oxidation of Np(V) which caused the partial oxidation to the heptavalent state. NpO₂(OH)₂ (I) and NpO₂(OH)₂·H₂O (orthorhombic type) (II) have been obtained by adding pyridine to the solution at 373K and 343K, respectively. NpO₂(OH)₂·H₂O (hexagonal type) (III) and NpO₂(OH)₂·xH₂O·yNH₃ (x+y=1) (IV) have been prepared by using LiOH and NH₄OH, respectively. The four materials have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction patterns, thermogravimetric analysis and²³⁷Np Mössbauer spectra. The²³⁷Np Mössbauer spectrum of (I) measured first time as anhydrous neptunyl(VI) hydroxide (δ=?46.2 mm/s,e ² qQ=193 mm/s and η=0.16 at 4.8K) has more distinct five-line Mössbauer pattern than those of (II), (III) and (IV). The Mössbauer spectra for (II), (III) and (IV) are slightly different from each other. The structural information has been obtained from these data.     

Complex White Noise and Coherent State Representations

An infinite-dimensional extension of a coherent state representation is discussed within the framework of white noise calculus. The exponential vectors (unnormalized coherent states) and the complex Gaussian integral play a role in such representations of a white noise function and of a white noise operator.     

Physical properties of sol-gel derived poly(Vinylidene Fluoride)/Silica hybrid

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was incorporated in situ with silica by a sol-gel process involving tetraethoxysilane. The mechanical properties of these in situ hybrids were compared with those of PVDF composites mechanically blended with 14-nm diameter fumed silica particles. The ultimate strength of the in situ hybrids was higher than that of the blend composites, since fumed silica particles aggregate and act as mechanically weak points. The thermal analysis, dynamic viscoelastic properties, and dielectric properties were compared. The β-relaxation of PVDF caused by the glass transition was observed at around −40°C in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the mechanical tan δ curves and at −30°C in the dielectric loss factor (ϵ”) curve. The αc-relaxation due to the molecular motion in the crystalline phase occurred at 61°C in DSC curve, at 100°C in the tan δ curve, and at 80°C in the ϵ” curve. The peak positions of these relaxations did not change, but the peak intensities were decreased with the increase in silica content for both the in situ hybrids and blend composites. The activation energies for PVDF were calculated as 136 kJ/mol for the β-relaxation and 96 kJ/mol for the αc-relaxation. The result that these activation energies did not depend on silica content may indicate the weak interaction between PVDF and silica.