Electrochemical Monitoring of Methotrexate Anticancer Drug in Human Blood Serum by Using in situ Solvothermal Synthesized Fe3O4/ITO Electrode

Here, we reported on a one‐step fabrication of magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles/indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode based on the direct growing of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on the ITO surface by using a solvothermal process. The modified electrode was used as electrochemical methotrexate (MTX) biosensor with high sensitivity based on cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. The results demonstrated a linear relationship between the MTX concentration and its oxidation current peak over a wide range from 10^?5 to 10^?14 mole/L with a limit of detection of 0.4×10^?15 M based on the square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. In addition, Fe₃O₄/ITO electrode showed a good capability for measuring very low concentrations of MTX drug dissolved in human serum solution. Also, Fe₃O₄/ITO electrode was used for detecting MTX in blood serum samples collected from patients after their treatment with MTX. The prepared electrode showed the higher sensitivity that higher than the Viva‐E instrument, which opens the door for developing a cheap, simple and higher sensitive MTX sensor.     

Rapid synthesis of bovine serum albumin-conjugated gold nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation and their anticancer activity on hela cells

Nanoscience research aims to produce nanoparticles without adverse effects for medical applications. The pulsed laser ablation (PLA) technique was utilized in this study to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using bovine serum albumin (BSA) in simulated body fluid (SBF) at the fundamental wavelength of the Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm). BSA acted as a stabilizer, reducing and capping agent to produce spherically shaped AuNPs (diameter 3–10 nm). The successful synthesis of AuNPs was confirmed through color changes and UV–vis spectroscopy. The agglomeration and precipitation of AuNPs are attributed to the presence of BSA in the solution, and electrostatic repulsion interactions between BSA and Au nanoclusters. The effect of salt concentration of SBF on BSA stability as well as the interaction of BSA conjugated AuNPs to form complexes was studied using molecular dynamic simulations. Our results show that the stability of AuNPs-BSA conjugates increase with the salt concentration of BSA. Moreover, the synthesized AuNPs exhibit low toxicity and high biocompatibility, supporting their application in drug delivery. Investigation of the cytotoxic effect of the synthesized AuNPs show that normal fibroblast cells (L929) remain intact after treatment whereas a dose-dependent inhibition effect on the growth of cervix cancer cells (HeLa) is observed. In general, this study presents an effective, environmentally-friendly, and facile approach to the synthesis of multifunctional AuNPs using the PLA technique, as a promising efficacious therapeutic treatment of cervical cancer.     

New approach to the determination phosphorothioate oligonucleotides by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

This text presents a novel method for the separation and detection of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides with the use of ion pair ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry The research showed that hexafluoroisopropanol/triethylamine based mobile phases may be successfully used when liquid chromatography is coupled with such elemental detection. However, the concentration of both HFIP and TEA influences the final result. The lower concentration of HFIP, the lower the background in ICP-MS and the greater the sensitivity. The method applied for the analysis of serum samples was based on high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Utilization of this method allows determination of fifty times lower quantity of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides than in the case of quadrupole mass analyzer. Monitoring of ³¹P may be used to quantify these compounds at the level of 80 μg L⁻¹, while simultaneous determination of sulfur is very useful for qualitative analysis. Moreover, the results presented in this paper demonstrate the practical applicability of coupling LC with ICP-MS in determining phosphorothioate oligonucleotides and their metabolites in serum within 7 min with a very good sensitivity. The method was linear in the concentration range between 0.2 and 3 mg L⁻¹. The limit of detection was in the range of 0.07 and 0.13 mg L⁻¹. Accuracy varied with concentration, but was in the range of 3%.     

Folate binding protein—Outlook for drug delivery applications

Serum proteins represent an important class of drug and imaging agent delivery vectors. In this minireview, key advantages of using serum proteins are discussed, followed by the particular advantages and challenges associated with employing soluble folate binding protein. In particular, approaches employing drugs that target folate metabolism are reviewed. Additionally, the slow-onset, tightbinding interaction of folate with folate binding protein and the relationship to a natural oligomerization mechanism is discussed. These unique aspects of folate binding protein suggest interesting applications for the protein as a vector for further drug and imaging agent development.     

温州地区维持性血液透析患者矿物质代谢紊乱情况调查

目的 了解温州地区维持性血液透析患者矿物质代谢紊乱情况及相关影响因素。方法 收集2013 年在温州地区长期维持性血液透析患者血钙、血磷、全段甲状旁腺激素（iPTH）的资料,并根据美国肾脏病协会指南（KDOQI）及中华医学会肾脏病学分会（CSN）制订的《慢性肾脏病矿物质和骨异常诊治指导》计算患者的血钙、血磷、iPTH 的达标率,并对相关影响因素进行分析。结果 共收集2 227 例2013 年在温州地区各家透析中心维持性血液透析患者的资料。按KDOQI 指南标准,患者血钙、血磷、iPTH 的达标率分别为44.90%、46.30%、27.64%,3 项均达标者占6.29%;按《慢性肾脏病矿物质和骨异常诊治指导》建议,患者血钙、血磷、iPTH 的达标率分别为57.66%、46.30%、61.14%,3 项均达标者占16.97%。此外,三级医院维持性血液透析患者的平均血磷水平为（1.67±0.51）mmol/L,血磷达标率49.10%,二级医院患者的平均血磷水平为（1.79±0.53）mmol/L,达标率为43.22%,三级医院维持性血液透析患者的血磷达标率情况优于二级医院。血白蛋白、含钙磷结合剂的使用及透析频率是影响血钙达标的独立相关因素。患者的性别、年龄、活性维生素D 的使用、透析龄及透析频率是影响血磷达标的独立相关因素。患者活性维生素D的使用是影响iPTH 达标的独立相关因素。结论 温州地区维持性血液透析患者矿物质代谢紊乱纠正情况与有关指南的要求仍然存在较大差距;患者性别、营养状态、透析频率、含钙磷结合剂的服用、活性维生素D 的使用等是影响维持性血液透析患者矿物质代谢紊乱纠正的主要相关因素。     

Effect of purified fractions from cell culture supernate of high‐density pre‐B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (ALL3) on the growth of ALL3 cells at low density

The mechanisms underlying the aberrant growth and interactions between cells are not understood very well. The pre‐B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells directly obtained from an adult patient grow very poorly or do not grow at all at low density (LD), but grow better at high starting cell density (HD). We found that the LD ALL3 cells can be stimulated to grow in the presence of diffusible, soluble factors secreted by ALL3 cells themselves growing at high starting cell density. We then developed a biochemical purification procedure that allowed us to purify the factor(s) with stimulatory activity and analyzed them by nanoliquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC‐MS/MS). Using nanoLC‐MS/MS we have identified several proteins which were further processed using various bioinformatics tools. This resulted in eight protein candidates which might be responsible for the growth activity on non‐growing LD ALL3 cells and their involvement in the stimulatory activity are discussed.     

光谱法研究水团簇结构对AlCl3溶液与血清白蛋白作用的影响

研究了冷冻-解冻处理对A1CI₃溶液团簇结构和AICl₃与血清白蛋白相互作用的影响。测定了AICl₃溶液冷冻-解冻处理前后电导率的变化,发现AICI₃溶液经冷冻处理后,电导率有明显增加。采用紫外分光光度法和荧光光谱法对冷冻前后AICI₃溶液与血清白蛋白相互作用的研究表明,A1C1₃溶液经冷冻-解冻处理后,与血清白蛋白的相互作用变弱,配位诱导作用降低,静态猝灭作用变小,这种相互作用变弱的效应是由于水的分子团簇结构变化引起的。     

Quantification of retinoid concentrations in human serum and brain tumor tissues

Retinoic acid signaling is essential for central nervous system (CNS) differentiation and appears to be impaired in tumors. Thus far, there are no established methods to quantify relevant retinoids (all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, 13-cis retinoic acid, and retinol) in human brain tumors. We developed a single step extraction and quantification procedure for polar and apolar retinoids in normal tissue, lipid-rich brain tumor tissues, and serum. This quantification procedure is based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection (DAD) using all-trans-acitretin as an internal standard and extraction by liquid–liquid partition with ethyl acetate and borate buffer at pH 9. Recovery with this extraction procedure was higher than earlier (two-step) liquid–liquid extraction procedures based on hexane, NaOH, and HCl. The overall quantification procedure was validated according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines and fulfilled all criteria of accuracy, precision, selectivity, recovery, and stability. The overall method accuracy varied between −5.6% and +5.4% for serum and −3.8% and +6.2% for tissues, and overall precision ranged from 3.1% to 6.9% for serum and 2.1% to 8.3% for tissues (%CV batch-to-batch). The lower limit of quantification for all compounds in tumor tissue (and serum) was 3.9 ng g⁻¹ (ng mL⁻¹). Using this assay, photodegradation of the retinoids was evaluated and endogenous polar and apolar retinoids were quantified in sera and brain tumor tissues of patients and compared with serum and tonsil tissue concentrations of controls. It may thus serve as a suitable method for the characterization of retinoid uptake and metabolism in the respective compartments.     

Iron Interference in the Measurement of Selenium in Whole Blood,Plasma and Serum by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption

Abstract

Selenium is considered to be a trace element and the determination of diagnostic levels are most conveniently measured in blood, plasma or serum in humans and animals. The approach that is taken varies according to laboratory preferences. One such method involves the use of Graphite furance Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS). The simplicity of diluting the sample followed by direct determination without further preparation is the most attractive characteristic of this method, coupled with good sensitivity. Proper precautions must be taken however, including that of choosing the proper instrumental parameters for the analysis. If deuterium background correctiopn is used then then analyses should be carried out at the 204.0 nm line of Selenium. By using a matrix modifier consisting of Cu/Mg, deuterium background correction and off the wall of the graphite tube atomization, the determination of the analyte was demonstrated to be possible at the mentioned wavelength, free from iron interference present in the samples.     

A novel sorptive extraction method based on polydimethylsiloxane frit for determination of lung cancer biomarkers in human serum

In this study, a porous polypropylene frit was coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as extraction medium, based on the home-made PDMS-frit, a rapid, simple and sensitive sorptive extraction method was established for analysis of potential biomarkers of lung cancer (hexanal and heptanal) in human serum samples. In the method, derivatization and extraction occurred simultaneously on the PDMS-frit, then the loaded frit was ultrasonically desorbed in acetonitrile. Polymerization, derivatization–extraction and desorption conditions were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, satisfactory results were gained, a wide linear application range was obtained in the range of 0.002–5.0 μmol L⁻¹ (R > 0.997) for two aldehydes, the detection limits (S N⁻¹ = 3) were 0.5 nmol L⁻¹ for hexanal and 0.4 nmol L⁻¹ for heptanal. The relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) of the method were below 7.9% and the recoveries were above 72.7% for the spiked serum. All these results hint that the proposed method is potential for disease markers analysis in complex biological samples.