PENETRATION POTENCY OF TOPICAL APPLIED δ-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA *

Abstract Penetration potency of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was studied by examining fluorescence of endogenous protoporphyrin IX in different histological types of basal cell carcinoma. Ten basal cell carcinomas were coated with an ointment containing 10% ALA prior to excision; five served as controls. Tumors were excised either 4 h or 12 h after application of ALA using a modified Mohs’micrographic surgical technique. Horizontal sections were cut from deep dermis to tumor surface and examined under a fluorescence microscope. After 4 h of application, only skin appendages demonstrated fluorescence typical of protoporphyrin IX. After 12 h, fluorescence was detectable in tumor cells in deep dermis. The five controls revealed no fluorescence at any site. These results may confirm the high penetration potential of topically applied ALA and its usefulness in photodynamic therapy. For tumors penetrating to deep dermis, an application time of more than 4 h seems necessary, at least when hydrophilic solvents for ALA are used.     

Synthesis,spectroscopy and thermal properties of the nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes of bis(aminoalkyl)-oxamides (=LH2) including the crystal structure of Cu2L(NO3)2

Summary The synthesis of the Ni^II, Pd^II and Cu^II complexes of N, N-bis(aminoalkyl)oxamides (LH₂) is described and structures are proposed on the basis of their physical and spectroscopic properties. With Ni^II and Pd^II only one complex is formed with general formula NiL or PdL, characterised by coordination through two deprotonated amide N-atoms and two terminal NH₂ groups. With Cu^II it proved possible to obtain three structurally different compounds, depending on the pH, with general formulae Cu(LH₂)X₂, Cu₂(L)X₂ and CuL in which X=Cl, Br or NO₃. The structure of [Cu₂(C₈O₂N₄H₁₆](NO₃)₂ was solved by means ofx-ray diffraction; Mr=451.33, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=9.503(4), b=7.614(1), c=10.407(3) Å, =98.43(3)°, V=744.3(7)ų, Z=2, Dx=1.202 g cm^–3, =1.33 cm^–1, (MoK)=0.71073 Å, F(000)=520, room temperature, R=0.043, wR=0.047 for 1080 observed [I>-3(I)] not systematically absent reflections out of 1423 measurements and 137 variables. The compound has a conformational chair/boat disorder with 82% in the more stable chair form.     

Fluorescence monitoring of ultrasound degradation processes

Ultrasound-based water treatment is often applied for degradation of stable organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated compounds. Monitoring the degradation process, during the application of ultrasound radiation, is of considerable economical interest. In this work, the possibility of performing on-line spectral analysis during sonication was examined and it was found that direct absorption or fluorescence readings are misleading. Optical monitoring is strongly affected by the absorption and scattering of light by cavitation micro-bubbles and ultrasound induced particulates. A model was developed to account for these effects and to allow for on-line fluorescence analysis. The model takes into account the absorption and scattering coefficients of the micro-bubbles and particulates, as well as their time dependent concentration. The model parameters are found from independent measurements where the pollutants are added to already sonicated pure water. Then, the model is tested for predicting the actual fluorescence behavior during the sonication process. It has been shown that the model allows for recovery of the true degradation data, as obtained by off-line HPLC measurements.     

Determination of polar organic compounds by potentiometry at an anodically pretreated nickel oxide electrode

The open-circuit potential drop of an oxidatively pretreated nickel electrode in 0.1 M NaOH was used to develop a technique for the determination of alcohols, amino acids, carbohydrates, etc., in aqueous solution. The electrode pretreatment consisted of the formation of nickel hydrated oxides on the electrode surface with an oxidation state > 2. Both electrochemical and chemical pre-oxidation of the electrode surface were examined. The analytical signal was the enhancement of the potential drop corresponding to analyte concentration. The analytical signal was linearly related to the logarithm of the analyte concentration. The limits of determination ranged from 1 mM for low-molecular-weight to 0.02 mM for alkyl polyether alcohols. The flow-injection technique allows convenient pretreatment and direct observation of the analytical signal. Interferences from chloride and calcium can be readily eliminated by excluding them during electrode pretreatment. Potentiometric measurements were correlated with amperometric anodic responses at the nickel oxide electrode, allowing an unusual direct comparison of the two methods.     

An Efficient Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Methyl Protected Emodin Aldehyde and Emodin Nitrile

Summary. An efficient synthesis of tri-O-methylemodin aldehyde was achieved via bromination of tri-O-methylemodin utilizing N-bromosuccinimide yielding the monobromo and dibromo derivatives. Sommelet reaction of the monobromomethyl derivative as well as hydrolysis of the dibromomethyl analog with aqueous silver nitrate afforded the protected aldehyde in good yield. Accordingly, both bromo derivatives can be used even when they are obtained as a mixture of the bromination reaction, which could not be controlled easily to yield the bromo products selectively. From the aldehyde the tri-O-methylemodin nitrile was prepared in a one-pot reaction using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid.Received February 18, 2003; accepted March 3, 2003 Published online June 2, 2003     

Interferences by transition metals and their elimination by cyanide as a complexing agent in the determination of arsenic using continuous flow HG-ICP-AES

The interfering effects of various foreign ions on the determination of arsenic were studied by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-AES). There were serious inhibiting interferences by Cu, Pb, Co, Au, Pd and Ni. However, by using cyanide as a complexing agent these interferences could be completely eliminated over a wide range of interferent concentration. The optimum chemical parameters for continuous arsine generation were studied. A major advantage of this technique is that it only needs low acid concentrations and produces less hazardous waste. Sensivity, selectivity and accuracy of the determination of arsenic by HG-ICP-AES were investigated. The detection limit (in 1 mol/l HCl medium) for arsenic(III) was 0.82 ng/ml. The relative standard deviation for ten determinations of a solution containing 50 ng/ml arsenic was 1.3%.     

The spectrophotometric and heterometric determination of some alkaloids as cobaltothiocyanates

Small amounts of papaverine (about 3 mg in 15 ml solution) can be determined heterometrically in the presence of thiocyanate by titration with cobaltous solution. A strong electrolyte (Na₂SO₄) must be added to obtain a clear endpoint. The titration can be carried out in the presence of large amounts (97%) of quinine and ephedrine. The titration takes 2–3 min and the error rarely exceeds 1%.Papaverine, quinine, and ephedrine can be determined individually by spectrophotometry as their cobaltothiocyanates, which are extracted in 30% cyclohexanone in carbon tetrachloride, and the optical density measured at 625 nm. The method is reproducible at milligram levels with a standard deviation of ±0.3% for papaverine and quinine and = 0.5% for ephedrine.     

Calcium oxalate monohydrate precipitation at membrane lipid rafts

The precipitation of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) was monitored at a Langmuir monolayer containing lipid raft domains. The raft-forming monolayer consists of a 2:1:1 mixture of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/sphingomyelin/dihydrocholesterol, where the raft liquid ordered phase is enriched in sphingomyelin and the sterol. COM crystals, monitored by Brewster angle microscopy, appear at the phase boundary between the raft domains and the expanded phase.     

The use of semiempirical energy partitioning terms in the study of through space (homoaromatic) interactions

MNDO and AMI calculations, including configuration interactions, were performed on cycloheptatriene (2), 1,6-methano[10]annulene (3), and the tautomeric elassovalenes (4), (5), and (6). The goal of this study is to examine these systems and assess indicators of the importance of through space (homoaromatic) interactions. It is established that the two-center energy partitioning terms are capable of detecting favorable (negative two-center term) through space interactions. In cases of cyclic conjugation (homoconjugation), it is also shown that the inclusion of CI is necessary.     

Standard enthalpy of formation of lanthanum oxybritholites

Lanthanum-bearing silicate-oxyapatites or britholites, Ca_10–xLax(PO₄)_6–x(SiO₄)_xO with 1≤x≤6, have been synthesized by solid state reaction at high temperature. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Using two microcalorimeters, the heat of solution of these compounds have been measured at 298 K in a solution of nitric and hydrofluoric acid. A strained least squares method was applied to the experimental results to obtain the solution enthalpies at infinite dilution, and the mixing enthalpy in two steps. In the first step the mixing enthalpy obtained is referenced to the britholite monosubstituted and to the oxysilicate. The mixing enthalpy referenced to the oxyapatite and to the oxysilicate is then extrapolated. In order to determine the enthalpies of formation of all the terms of the solution, thermochemical cycles were proposed and complementary experiments were performed. The results obtained show a decrease of the enthalpy of formation with the amount of Si and La introduced in the lattice. This was explained by the difference in the bond energies of (Ca–O, P–O) and (La–O, Si–O).