Antifungal evaluation of cholic acid and its derivatives on Candida albicans by microcalorimetry and chemometrics

In the last few years, several fungus infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogenic agents have got tremendous emergence and prevalence. Screening for novel antifungal agents is in great demand, but traditional microbiological techniques are far from sufficient to meet that requirement. In this study, a non-invasive and non-destructive microcalorimetric method was performed to investigate the antifungal activities of cholic acid (CA) and its derivatives, glycocholic acid (GCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA) on the multiplying and non-multiplying metabolism of Candida albicans. Then, the heat-flow power-time curves of C. albicans growth affected by different concentrations of CA, GCA and TCA were studied by similarity analysis (SA), the quantitative thermokinetic parameters from these curves were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA). By comparing the values of two main parameters, P₂ (the heat-flow output power of the highest peak) and Q₂ (the heat output of the second exponential growth phase) of C. albicans, it could be found that CA had the strongest antifungal activity among the three steroid compounds, which might be used as a potential antifungal agent in the future. This study provided a useful method and idea of microcalorimetry with chemometrics to efficiently evaluate the antifungal activities of bile acid derivatives, giving some references for screening out new antifungal agents.However, it has to be stressed that all these experiments are carried out in vitro and they still require clinical validation.     

Thermodynamics of Complexation of Tetraalkylammonium and Rare-earth Cations with Two Sulfonatocalix[n]arenes (n=4 and 6) in Aqueous Solution

We report results of a microcalorimetry study of the association of inorganic and organic cations with two p-sulfonatocalix[n]arenes (host 1: n = 4; host 2: n = 6) in aqueous solution at 298.15 K. First, we have determined the thermodynamic parameters for the complexation between the host 2 and a series of quaternary ammonium cations. We have evaluated the influence of the pH on the structure and energetics of these organic complexes. We have also reported the association constant and enthalpy of reaction for the complexation of some rare-earth cations (Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, Y³⁺ and Sc³⁺ cations) with the two hosts. In all cases we have observed the formation of 1:1 complexes.

Whereas the association is driven by a favourable entropy change for the inorganic cations (ΔH > 0 and TΔS>>0), it is controlled by a favourable enthalpy change for the organic cations (ΔH < < 0 and TΔS < 0 or >0). In acidic solution, the complexes formed between host 2 and tetraalkylammonium cations are weaker than those formed with the cyclic tetramer. In neutral solution this effect is not observed. All the results are in line with a conformational change of host 2 with the pH.     

Calorimetric detection of the toxic effect of androgens on fission yeast

Calorimetry is evaluated for study of the toxic effect of environmental androgens on Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. The results indicate that androstendione, androstandiendione and dehydrotestosterone inhibited S. pombe heat production rate. Although, the turbidimetric method showed that testosterone (TS) had no influence on growth of S. pombe, calorimetry revealed that there was a shift in growth period in samples with TS.     

纳米氧化锌热力学函数的微量热法及电化学法测量

采用微乳液-水热辅助法制备了形貌和尺寸均匀的纳米氧化锌分级结构,并对其进行了表征.利用微量热技术和电化学方法分别测定了纳米Zn O在298.15 K下的热力学函数(标准摩尔生成焓、标准摩尔生成Gibbs自由能及标准摩尔熵).采用微量热方法测定纳米材料热力学函数主要基于纳米反应体系与对应块体反应体系的过渡态相同;采用电化学方法测定纳米材料热力学函数主要基于纳米材料与对应块体材料组成电池后的电极电势不同.结果表明,采用微量热法及电化学法获取的产物的热力学函数在误差允许范围内近似相等.由此证明了微量热技术及电化学方法获取纳米材料热力学函数的科学性及有效性,同时也进一步说明纳米Zn O反应体系与块体Zn O反应体系所经历的过渡态相同.     

生物热化学和热动力学研究进展

生命相关过程伴随着极其复杂的化学和物理过程,包含着物质变化和能量转换,其中部分能量不可避免地会以热的形式表现出来。用微量热技术和热动力学方法,研究复杂生命体系和相关反应的热动力学过程,可宏观地、本质地反映生命相关过程的内在规律。本文综述了生物量热学方法和技术在生命科学中的应用,介绍了生物量热技术在生态系统、生物组织和器官、细胞水平、亚细胞水平和分子层面等不同生物层次和结构水平上的研究现状和进展。     

Residual silanols at reversed-phase silica in HPLC--a contribution for a better understanding

As porous silica gel is the most common adsorbent and support for bonded stationary phase synthesis, residual silanol groups are a recurring problem in the field of liquid chromatography and other separation techniques. Residual silanols most often have a negative effect on the separation process by causing peak tailing. Therefore, there was an attempt to remove residual silanols during stationary-bonded phase synthesis. The type and surface concentration of residual silanols were measured using different instrumental techniques such as NMR and infrared spectroscopy, calorimetry, and various chromatographic methods. Residual silanols exhibit acidic characteristic and they can ionize depending on the environment. Thus, they posses cation-exchange properties and cause the zeta potential of silica particle in liquid environment. Presented review discusses the influence of the residual silanol groups on the solvation process and retention of polar compounds. The novel methodology of residual silanols determination is presented as well as the influence of the silanols on the zeta potential of the stationary-bonded phases in chromatographic conditions.     

CaMoO4微晶生长过程的原位微量热法研究

在碱性条件下采用原位微量热法对CaMoO4微晶的构建进行了研究. 首次呈现了CaMoO4微晶生长过程能量变化的特征热谱曲线; 该特征热谱曲线由一个反映最初反应成核的典型吸热曲线和随后晶体生长的两个相对较弱的不连续放热曲线组成. 在导向机制的基础上, 结合CaMoO4微晶生长过程的形貌演变, 简要地讨论了CaMoO4微晶生长过程的热动力学信息. 反应成核过程、晶化过程及微晶的二次生长过程的速率常数分别为1.54×10-4、1.09×10-4和0.71×10-4 s-1. 由于晶体的聚集和扩散二者之间强烈的相互作用, 使得反应速率下降, 从而呈现出一个相对较平坦的第二次放热曲线.     

A double twin isothermal microcalorimeter

The design and properties of a double twin heat conduction microcalorimeter are described. In this instrument two twin microcalorimeters are placed close together, one on top of the other. The size of the instrument is the same as that of a commercial single twin microcalorimeter and each of the twin parts has similar properties as one normal twin microcalorimeter. The cross-talk between the calorimeters can be made low; we measured <0.1% of the signal generated in one calorimeter in the other calorimeter. This figure is, however, dependent on how well the two sides of the instrument are thermally balanced. The paper also contains a general discussion of the use of a reference in reducing the effect of temperature changes in the heat sink.

The advantage with a double calorimeter is that one may easily perform two related calorimetric experiments at the same time and in close proximity to each other, e.g. both sorption isotherms and sorption enthalpies may be measured simultaneously, or the heat production rate of a biological process may be monitored at the same time as the CO₂ production is measured.