Spherical molecularly imprinted polymers (SMIPs) via a novel precipitation polymerization in the controlled delivery of sulfasalazine

Spherical molecularly imprinted polymers (SMIPs) have been prepared via a novel precipitation polymerization using sulfasalazine (prodrug used in the diseases of the colon) as template. The sulfasalazine was incorporated into SMIPs and into a spherical non-imprinted polymer (control), and then the release rate of the bioactive agent at different pH values was evaluated. Considerable differences in the release characteristics between imprinted and non-imprinted polymers have been observed. This opens the possibility of the development of drug release systems capable of modulating the release of a specific molecule. Photomicrography of spherical molecularly imprinted polymers (SMIPs).     

Saccharide-branched Cyclodextrins as Targeting Drug Carriers

A synthetic series of heptakis-galactose-branched cyclodextrins (termed CDs) having a longer spacer arm using two amino-caproic acids as an enlarging unit were prepared. Starting with heptakis-amino-β-CD or heptakis-amino-caproic-amide-β-CD, treated with galactosyl-glucono-amide-caproic acid, the new compounds heptakis (Gal-cap1)-CD (4) or heptakis (Gal-cap2)-CD (5) were obtained. The longer galactose spacer arm extremely favors the PNA association. The effect of branch length on K with PNA was enhanced up to 138-fold 3 as well as with DXR enhanced up to 81-fold. Hexakis (Gal-cap2)-CD (6) was prepared and the association constants with rat liver cells were observed to be 2.5 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹. A multi-high mannose type oligosaccharide branched CD (7) showed a large association constant with DXR up to 1.1 × 10⁹ M⁻¹. The two-dimensional map for the association constants of newly synthesized oligosaccharide-branched CDs toward lectin or liver cells versus the association constants toward a drug (doxorubicin) suggested a method of finding a better targeting drug carrier. The structural effect of the oligosaccharide-CDs showed that the number and length of the branch were dominant factors in designing for enhanced dual recognition.     

A new route for the functionalisation of wood through transesterification reactions

A novel transesterification reaction between acetylated maritime pine sapwood (Pinus pinaster Soland) and methyl benzoate (MB), in the presence of dibutyltin oxide (DBTO) as a catalyst, was performed. Reaction was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance cross-polarisation with magic-angle spinning (NMR CP MAS) analysis: signals corresponding to benzoylated wood were identified and, when transesterification was performed with ethyl trimethylsilylacetate (ETMSA), characteristic trimethylsilyl groups were detected. The acetyl/benzoyl exchange rate was found to increase with increasing amount of DBTO, temperature and reaction time and a concurrent deterioration of the woody material was evidenced.     

Relative K-homology and K-homology of an ideal

We provide a straightforward proof of one of the main results of the Baum-Douglas K-homology theory: If A is a separable nuclear C ^*-algebra and I an ideal of A, then the natural restriction map K ⁰(A, I) K ⁰(I) is an isomorphism of Abelian groups.     

Simple test system for single molecule recognition force microscopy

We have established an easy-to-use test system for detecting receptor-ligand interactions on the single molecule level using atomic force microscopy (AFM). For this, avidin-biotin, probably the best characterized receptor-ligand pair, was chosen. AFM sensors were prepared containing tethered biotin molecules at sufficiently low surface concentrations appropriate for single molecule studies. A biotin tether, consisting of a 6 nm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain and a functional succinimide group at the other end, was newly synthesized and covalently coupled to amine-functionalized AFM tips. In particular, PEG₈₀₀ diamine was glutarylated, the mono-adduct NH₂-PEG-COOH was isolated by ion exchange chromatography and reacted with biotin succinimidylester to give biotin-PEG-COOH which was then activated as N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester to give the biotin-PEG-NHS conjugate which was coupled to the aminofunctionalized AFM tip. The motional freedom provided by PEG allows for free rotation of the biotin molecule on the AFM sensor and for specific binding to avidin which had been adsorbed to mica surfaces via electrostatic interactions. Specific avidin-biotin recognition events were discriminated from nonspecific tip-mica adhesion by their typical unbinding force (∼40 pN at 1.4 nN/s loading rate), unbinding length (<13 nm), the characteristic nonlinear force-distance relation of the PEG linker, and by specific block with excess of free d-biotin. The convenience of the test system allowed to evaluate, and compare, different methods and conditions of tip aminofunctionalization with respect to specific binding and nonspecific adhesion. It is concluded that this system is well suited as calibration or start-up kit for single molecule recognition force microscopy.     

Complexation of 6-Deoxy-6-(aminoethyl)amino-β-cyclodextrin with Sodium Cholate and Sodium Deoxycholate

In order to study its guest binding and the inclusion phenomena, 6-deoxy-6-(aminoethyl)amino--cyclodextrin (CDN) was synthesised and its binding properties examined. The complexation phenomena of sodium cholate (NaC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) with CDN has been monitored by the NMR method using ¹³C chemical shift data. The method of continuous variation Job's method has been used to determine the stoichiometry of these supramolecular complexes. The Job's plot confirms the 1 : 1 supramolecular complex for NaC: CDN and the 1 : 2 supramolecular complex for NaDC: CDN. The interaction of NaC and NaDC with CDN has been obtained through two-dimensional Rotational Nuclear Overhauser Effect Spectroscopy (ROESY) NMR. Equilibrium constants were also obtained from ¹³C chemical shift data (C-1, C-3 & C-4) at different pH values (7, 9, & 11).     

ATMP(氨基三甲叉膦酸)及其顺磁性Co(Ⅱ)配合物的核磁共振研究

本文用¹H、³¹P和¹³C核磁共振谱研究了ATMP(氨基三甲叉膦酸,以简式H₆L表示)及其顺磁性Co(Ⅱ)配合物。测定了不同C_co/C_ATMP摩尔比在不同pH值下的各向同性位移。定性地讨论顺磁性Co(Ⅱ)配合物在不同pH条件下的组成、电荷和空间构型变化对化学位移的影响。运用快速交换反应中化学位移与配合物浓度的关系,确定不同pH下的条件稳定常数。     

中子成像技术在元素分析中的应用

中子成像作为一种快速、直观的无损检测技术,在核工业、航空航天、新能源、地质、考古、先进制造等多个领域得到广泛应用。中子成像利用中子不带电、穿透能力强、对轻元素敏感、可区分同位素和近邻元素等特性,非常适合开展含氢元素、近邻元素和同位素等材料的无损检测。本文概述了中子成像技术的基本原理及特点,并结合中国先进研究堆(CARR)中子成像装置上的应用案例, 重点介绍了国内外中子成像技术在储氢材料、燃料电池、岩石、核燃料元件、古代文物等领域的典型应用。随着中子成像技术的不断发展和广泛应用,有望为我国更多领域研究提供更强有力的技术支撑。     

Preparation of Alum-borneol-PVP Drug-loaded Fibers by Electrospinning

The alum-borneol nanoemulsion(ABN), which combines the mineral medicine alum and the botanical medicine borneol, has been applied for approximately 40 years in the clinical treatment of burns, scalds, radiation dermatitis and shingles, and has a good curative effect. However, the current formula and dosage form of ABN pose problems of low borneol content and ease of precipitation, which greatly affects the efficacy of the drug. In this study, polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) was selected as a carrier mixed with different proportions of alum and borneol to produce alum-borneol-PVP fibers(ABPF) by electrospinning. The results showed that the stable system with good drug dispersion was 2:3(alum:borneol). The dissolution content of borneol from the ABPF was about 80% in 4 h, which was much higher than that of the alum-borneol liquid(ABL) and ABN. The ABPF membrane showed a more significant inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus than the ABL and ABN. The composite fiber markedly increased the drug content of borneol, which was 800 times of that in ABN. The fiber had a higher solubility than the nanoemulsion in vitro, which is of great importance for the de-velopment of new forms for the clinical application of alum and borneol.     

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Spiramycin in LPS-Activated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Drug repurposing is a simple concept with a long history, and is a paradigm shift that can significantly reduce the costs and accelerate the process of bringing a new small-molecule drug into clinical practice. We attempted to uncover a new application of spiramycin, an old medication that was classically prescribed for toxoplasmosis and various other soft-tissue infections; specifically, we initiated a study on the anti-inflammatory capacity of spiramycin. For this purpose, we used murine macrophage RAW 264.7 as a model for this experiment and investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of spiramycin by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. In the present study, we demonstrated that spiramycin significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Spiramycin also inhibited the expression of NO synthase (iNOS), potentially explaining the spiramycin-induced decrease in NO production. In addition, spiramycin inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) as well as the inactivation and subsequent nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). This indicated that spiramycin attenuates macrophages’ secretion of IL-6, IL-1β, and NO, inducing iNOS expression via the inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Finally, we tested the potential application of spiramycin as a topical material by human skin primary irritation tests. It was performed on the normal skin (upper back) of 31 volunteers to determine whether 100 μM and μM of spiramycin had irritation or sensitization potential. In these assays, spiramycin did not induce any adverse reactions. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that spiramycin can effectively attenuate the activation of macrophages, suggesting that spiramycin could be a potential candidate for drug repositioning as a topical anti-inflammatory agent.