Hyaluronic Acid: Its Role in Voice

The extracellular matrix (ECM), once regarded simply as a structural scaffold, is now recognized as an important modulator of cellular behavior and function. One component that plays a prominent role in this process is hyaluronic acid (HA)--a molecule found in many different tissues. Research into the roles of HA indicates that it plays a key role in tissue viscosity, shock absorption, and space filling. Specifically, research into the role of HA in laryngology indicates that it has profound effects on the structure and viscosity of vocal folds. This article provides an introduction to the structure and biological functions of HA and its importance in voice. In addition, an overview of the pharmaceutical applications of HA is discussed.     

关于PDT光敏剂敏化效应光谱及其量子产率的研究

从实验的角度研究了HA光敏剂激发态的敏化特性,建立了单态氧量子产率在近红外区的荧光光谱测量系统,测定了HA光敏剂的单态氧量子产率为0．78。结果表明,该类光敏剂具有较强的敏化效应,是一类有前途的光动力治疗(PDT)候选光敏剂。     

Temperature and magnetic field responsive hyaluronic acid particles with tunable physical and chemical properties

We report the preparation and characterization of thiolated-temperature-responsive hyaluronic acid-cysteamine-N-isopropyl acrylamide (HA-CYs-NIPAm) particles and thiolated-magnetic-responsive hyaluronic acid (HA-Fe-CYs) particles. Linear hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked with divinyl sulfone as HA particles was prepared using a water-in-oil micro emulsion system which were then oxidized HA-O with NaIO₄ to develop aldehyde groups on the particle surface_. HA-O hydrogel particles were then reacted with cysteamine (CYs) which interacted with aldehydes on the HA surface to form HA particles with cysteamine (HA-CYs) functionality on the surface. HA-CYs particles were further exposed to radical polymerization with NIPAm to obtain temperature responsive HA-CYs-NIPAm hydrogel particles. To acquire magnetic field responsive HA composites, magnetic iron particles were included in HA to form HA-Fe during HA particle preparation. HA-Fe hydrogel particles were also chemically modified. The prepared HA-CYs-NIPAm demonstrated temperature dependent size variations and phase transition temperature. HA-CYs-NIPAm and HA-Fe-CYs particles can be used as drug delivery vehicles. Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), an antibacterial drug, was used as a model drug for temperature-induced release studies from these particles.     

Hyaluronic Acid Nanoporous Microparticles with Long In Vivo Joint Residence Time and Sustained Release

A simple approach is reported to engineer biodegradable and biocompatible nanoporous hyaluronic acid particles (NPHAs) with a characteristic sponge‐like morphology and uniform size. These NPHAs can be synthesized using the concomitant cross‐linking of hyaluronic acid and the cross‐linking agent precipitation. The nanoporous architecture of NPHAs prevents the rapid enzymatic degradation of hyaluronic acid and controls the erosion of microparticles in physiological conditions. Once injected into an intra‐articular body cavity of healthy mice, these NPHAs reside at the point‐of‐delivery for an extended time period, exhibiting a sustained release of hyaluronic acid. In addition, in vivo studies indicate the persistence of NPHAs in the knee joints with neither accumulation into major organs, nor any local or systemic side‐effect. The use of NPHAs is emphasized as reservoirs of hyaluronic acid, effectively providing an innovative and safe platform for prolonging the favorable effects displayed by hyaluronic acid on joints affected by osteoarthritis.     

铽-芳香化合物-丁二酸发光配合物的合成及性能

以苯甲酸及其衍生物为第一配体、丁二酸为第二配体,在非水性溶剂条件下合成了6种新的铽三元荧光配合物。利用元素分析、EDTA配位滴定分析、红外光谱和紫外吸收光谱分析对目标物的组成与结构进行了表征,并研究了其发光性能和热稳定性。结果表明:丁二酸的引入显著地加强了各第一配体向中心铽离子传递能量的能力,其传递能量的顺序为:对氯苯甲酸＞间氯苯甲酸＞大茴香酸＞对甲基苯甲酸＞苯甲酸＞对羟基苯甲酸。目标配合物与其相对应的二元配合物比较荧光强度有了显著的提高。     

Preparation and Characterization of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Blends with Gelatin

Porous hydrogel blends composed of various weight ratios of hyaluronic acid (HA) and gelatin (Gel) were fabricated by a freeze-drying method. The 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) was used as a crosslinker to improve their biostability. The effect of the component and crosslinker content on the morphology, swelling ratio (SR), and mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicated that after chemical crosslinking the hydrogel showed a smoother and denser surface with less pores and a crosssection with smaller pores than that without crosslinking. The crosssection morphologies of the HA/Gel hydrogels changed from a sheet-like appearance to a fiber-like appearance with increasing HA content. The addition of HA improved the swelling property, but reduced the compressive strength. As the crosslinker content increased, the SR decreased; however, the compressive strength of the HA/Gel hydrogels increased. All these results suggest that HA/Gel hydrogel crosslinked by EDC is a potential candidate for tissue engineering scaffolds.     

Linear and Multi-Photon Fluorescence of Thiophene Based Copolymer with Electron-Accepting Side Chains

A novel copolymer poly(thiophene-2,5-diyl-2,5-di-n-octyloxycarbonyl-1,4-phenylene), denoted as P33, is introduced as potential material for photovoltaics, polymer light-emitting diodes, and/or organic transistors. P33 dissolved in chloroform is investigated by steady-state absorption, linear/non-linear fluorescence spectroscopies and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Molar extinction coefficient, fluorescence quantum yield, and singlet fluorescence lifetime of P33 are determined to be 18,315 M^?1 cm^?1, 0.4, and 810 ps, respectively. The P33 fluorescence fast components of decay times are 1.2 ps, 2.0 ps, and 0.5 ps for increasing wavelengths of 480 nm, 500 nm, and 520 nm, respectively. The fast component is attributed to a transport of nearly instantaneously formed excitons to localized states known as downhill energy transfer. Additionally multi-photon excited fluorescence is observed for pumping with wavelengths of 800 nm and 1200 nm. Two-photon absorption cross-section is determined to be 6.9 GM. These spectroscopic studies provide basic fluorescence characteristics of the novel thiophene copolymer P33.     

Synthesis,Photophysical Properties and Application of New Porphyrin Derivatives for Use in Photodynamic Therapy and Cell Imaging

New derivatives of tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin were designed, synthesized and characterized by IR, proton NMR and mass spectroscopy. The ground and excited state nature of new derivatives were examined using UV-Vis. absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime studies. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of each synthesized derivative of porphyrin was estimated for their further efficacy as potential photosensitizer in biological studies. The significant photophysical data of all synthesized derivatives was supplementary accessed to examine the cell imaging and cytotoxicity against two cancer cell lines viz. MBA-MD-231 and A375. The fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence quantum yield and efficiency of singlet oxygen generation suggests alkyl amine and alkyl hydrazide linked new porphyrin photosensitizers can be useful for PDT agent in cancer treatment.     

PDT光敏剂HA在不同液相体系下的光谱特性研究

为了对候选光敏剂竹红菌甲素(HA)进行改性并保持其优异的敏化特性,对HA的光谱特性和激发态性质作了进一步的指认。系统研究了HA在不同液相体系下的吸收和荧光光谱,对指认HA的光谱和电子跃迁的机制提出了新的依据,结果表明,吸收带I产生于π-π*跃迁,吸收带Ⅱ和Ⅲ产生于P-π共轭所导致的L→aπ跃迁的电子振动结构;荧光发射带I和Ⅱ是产生于同一跃迁机制S1(L,aπ)→S0的正常荧光的振动结构。     

Influence of Addition of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) on the Properties of Collagen/HA Composite Scaffolds

In order to develop a scaffolding material for tissue regeneration, porous matrices containing varying composites of collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) (from 1:0 to 0:1) were fabricated using a freeze-drying method. The effect of the composition on the morphology, hydrophilicity, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, and in vitro cytotoxicity was investigated. The results showed that all the scaffolds had an interconnected pore structure with sufficient pore size for use as a support for the growth of fibroblasts. The addition of HA improved the swelling property, but reduced the compressive strength. The contact angle decreased with increasing HA content. In in vitro cytotoxicity tests using fibroblastic cells, the collagen/HA scaffolds showed no toxicity. All these results suggest that collagen/HA composite scaffolds are a potential candidate for tissue engineering scaffolds.     

Singlet Oxygen Generation Enhanced by Silver-Pectin Nanoparticles

We demonstrate the potential application of silver-pectin nanoparticles on photodynamic therapy, on a solution-base platform. Photodynamic therapy is a medical technique which uses a combination of photosensitizing drugs and light to induce selective damage on the target tissue, by electronically excited and highly reactive singlet state of oxygen. Metal enhanced singlet oxygen generation in riboflavin water solution with silver-pectin nanoparticles was observed and quantified. Here 13 nm silver nanospheres enclosed by a pectin layer were synthesized and it interaction with riboflavin molecule was analyzed. Pectin, a complex carbohydrate found in plants primary cell walls, was used to increase the biocompatibility of the silver nanoparticles and to improve metal enhanced singlet oxygen generation (28.5 %) and metal-enhanced fluorescence (30.7 %) processes at room temperature. The singlet oxygen sensor fluorescent green reagent was used to quantify the enhancement of the riboflavin singlet oxygen production induced by the silver colloid. We report a 1.7-fold increase of riboflavin emission and a 1.8-fold enhancement of singlet oxygen production.     

EGF‐Loaded Hyaluronic Acid Based Microparticles as Effective Carriers in a Wound Model

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is widely recognized to be involved in the regenerative process, but only a few studies document its effect on acute wounds when EGF release is sustained over a period of time by encapsulation in an emulsion‐based hydrogel. Among hydrogels, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a promising carrier because it is biodegradable and known to bind to the components of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) which undergoes remodeling during regeneration. Coupled with EGF in microparticulates, it may serve to directly deliver the cytokine to the impaired ECM to stimulate cells for ECM remodeling. In this study, a very simple and effective way is demonstrated to produce EGF‐conjugated HA microspheres for the purpose of targeted and sustained EGF delivery to damaged ECM in acute wounds. This approach is advantageous due to its simplicity which may serve to accelerate research in wound regeneration and relevant drug discovery.     

青蒿素光化学合成中二氢青蒿酸与单线态氧反应的动力学研究

青蒿素是一种优异的抗疟药,广泛用于临床医学. 但由于青蒿素天然来源的限制,青蒿素的化学合成一直受到高度关注. 二氢青蒿酸是合成青蒿素的关键前体. 二氢青蒿酸与单线态氧反应形成过氧化物是青蒿素光化学制备中的关键步骤,制约着青蒿素化学合成的产率. 然而关于二氢青蒿酸与单线态氧反应的重要动力学信息并未有报道. 本文通过光敏化法产生单线态氧,研究二氢青蒿酸与单线态氧之间的反应速率常数. 通过直接检测单线态氧在1270 nm处的发光衰减动力学,得出单线态氧与二氢青蒿酸在不同溶剂中的反应速率常数分别为：在CCl₄中为1.81×10⁵ (mol/L)^-1·s^-1,在CH₃CN中为5.69×10⁵ (mol/L)^-1·s^-1,DMSO中为3.27×10⁶ (mol/L)^-1·s^-1. 发现在三种溶剂中二氢青蒿酸与单线态氧的反应速率常数随着溶剂极性的增加而增加. 这些结果为优化青蒿素光化学合成的实验条件提供了基础知识,有助于提高青蒿素的合成效率.     

Measurements of collisional quenching of hydrogen atoms in an atmospheric-pressure hydrogen oxygen flame by picosecond laser-induced fluorescence

Atomic hydrogen has been probed in a hydrogen/oxygen flame at atmospheric pressure by use of two-photon, picosecond Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF). The fluorescence was detected and temporally resolved by a streak camera with a temporal resolution of a few ps which allowed determination of the collisionally quenched lifetime of then = 3 level of atomic hydrogen. The measurements were performed for three flame stoichiometries, = 1.4, 2.0 and 3.5, and were spatially resolved with respect to the reaction zone. The evaluated lifetime was found to vary rapidly in the reaction zone from 60 to 105 ps just above and then levelled out at 90 ps throughout the post-flame region. Power dependence measurements of the fluorescence signal indicated the presence of other phenomena, such as saturation, ionization and photodissociation. Since an inverted population is created between then = 3 and then = 2 level, Stimulated Emission (SE) of considerable magnitude occurred and was studied temporally resolved using the streak camera. The LIF and SE signal strengths for individual laser pulses were recorded in order to analyse a possible anti-correlation between the LIF and the SE.     

Singlet and Triplet State Properties and Singlet Oxygen Yield of an Amino-Acyl-Quinoxalinone Yellow Dye

Amino-acyl-quinoxalinone yellow dyes are cyclised analogues of the yellow azomethine dyes developed for, and still used in, silver halide colour photography. Unlike image azomethine dyes, which are rapidly deactivated in their excited states by torsion about the azomethine bond, amino-acyl-quinoxalinone dyes have an interesting photophysics because torsion is not possible due to their cyclised structure. We report results from studies on singlet and triplet state properties, and singlet oxygen yields, of the yellow dye, 7-diethylamino-3-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyl)-5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-quinoxalin-2-one, in polar and nonpolar solvents. The dye photophysics is characterised by a weak fluorescence, with a solvent dependent emission yield (Φ_F?≈?0.002–0.004), and short singlet state lifetime (τ_expt?≈?20–50 ps), both increasing by a factor of ≈2 in going from polar acetonitrile to non-polar dioxane as solvent. DFT ZINDO calculations show a transition involving significant electron transfer from the diethyl-amino group into the carbonyl region of the molecule. In solution, in the presence of oxygen, the triplet state decays almost exclusively by oxygen quenching, and singlet oxygen is produced in high yield (Φ_??≈?0.5–0.55). The triplet state absorbs across the 450–750 nm region with maxima around 480 and 650 nm, and moderate molar absorption coefficients (ca. 6000–8000 M^?1 cm^?1). In a glass at 77 K, triplet decay gives a red phosphorescence, with λ_max?≈?640–650 nm, and a ?≈?0.25 s lifetime. If singlet oxygen yields are a good indication of triplet yields, then internal conversion and intersystem crossing occur with roughly equal efficiency.

     

城市生活垃圾堆肥胡敏酸动态光谱特性研究

利用城市生活垃圾中降解部分,采用工厂化工艺进行堆肥,对堆肥过程中胡敏酸动态光谱特性进行了分析。结果表明,随着堆肥进行,胡敏酸在短波长的荧光强度明显降低,并且主体峰位置发生改 变,逐渐靠近土壤胡敏酸的主峰位置。红外光谱解析显示,胡敏酸结构中多糖类脂类等小分子化合物随着堆肥时间的延长而减少,而芳族类化合则呈增加的趋势。紫外扫描光谱进一步证实,在堆肥过程中 ,胡敏酸分子共轭作用、缩合度增加,腐殖化程度明显。但与土壤胡敏酸的E₄/E₆值、光谱特性比较表明,堆肥后的胡敏酸具有相对简单的分子结构,活性较高。     

利用二维红外相关光谱研究胶原/透明质酸共混物的相互作用

以胶原/透明质酸共混物中透明质酸的含量为外扰,利用二维红外相关光谱法研究了胶原/透明质酸共混物的构象变化及它们之间的相互作用.研究发现,1694,1524与1241 cm-1归属于胶原酰胺带的C=O对称伸缩振动、N-H摇摆与N-H面内变形振动峰之间存在同步正交叉峰,表明随着透明质酸组分的增加,胶原的链段构象发生了变化.当胶原/透明质酸共混体系中透明质酸含量由0增至50%时,1045cm-1归属于透明质酸的C-OH伸缩振动峰与1694 cm-1归属于胶原C=O对称伸缩振动峰存在同步负交叉峰,表明透明质酸的O-H与胶原分子的C=O之间形成了氢键;当透明质酸含量从50%增至90%时,1045 cm-1的同步峰几乎消失,而在φ(1694,1524),φ(1694,1241),φ(1524,1241)出现的正交叉峰反而增强,说明透明质酸的O-H不再与胶原形成氢键,而是透明质酸的C=O与胶原分子的N-H之间形成氢键,致使胶原构象发生了变化.     

In vitro and in vivo comparative study of the phototherapy anticancer activity of hyaluronic acid-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes,graphene oxide,and fullerene

In this work, carbon nanomaterials, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), graphene oxide (GO), and fullerene (C60) were modified by hyaluronic acid (HA) to obtain water-soluble and biocompatible nanomaterials with high tumor-targeting capacity and then the comparative study of these hyaluronic acid-modified carbon nanomaterials was made in vitro and in vivo. The conjugates of hyaluronic acid and carbon nanomaterials, namely, HA-SWNT, HA-GO, HA-C60, were confirmed by UV/Vis spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). After HA modification, the sizes of HA-SWNT, HA-GO, and HA-C60 were in a range of 70 to 300 nm, and all the three HA-modified materials were at negative potential, demonstrating that HA modification was in favor of extravasation of carbon materials into a tumor site due to enhanced permeability and retention effect of tumor. Photothermal conversion in vitro test demonstrated excellent photothermal sensitivity of HA-SWNT and HA-GO. But the reactive oxygen yield of HA-C60 was the highest compared with the others under visible light irradiation, which proved the good photodynamic therapy effect of HA-C60. In addition, cytotoxicity experiments exhibited that the inhibitory efficacy of HA-SWNT was the lowest, the second was HA-C60, and the highest was HA-GO, which was consistent with the uptake degree of them. While under the laser irradiation, the cell inhibition of the HA-SWNT was the highest, the second was HA-GO, and the last was HA-C60. In vivo evaluation of the three targeting carbon nanomaterials was consistent with the cytotoxicity assay results. Taken together, the results demonstrated that HA-SWNT and HA-GO were suited for photothermal therapy (PTT) agents for their good photothermal property, while HA-C60 was used as a kind of photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent for its photodynamic effect.     

Hypocrellin A与二苄胺和N-甲基苄胺的光化学反应

为了探讨HypocrellinA (HA)与胺基衍生物反应的自由基形成机制 ,我们采用ESR谱分别研究了HA与二苄胺 (DBA)和N 甲基苄胺 (NMBA)的光化学反应 .在含胺类物质和溶解氧的溶剂系统下 ,可见光照射HA激发成HA ,然后将溶解氧转变成1O2 ,1O2 诱导DBA或NMBA的氯仿溶液都能产生半醌自由基和氮氧自由基 .氮氧自由基的信号强度随光照时间的增加而减弱 ,而半醌自由基的信号强度随光照时间的增加而增强 ,氮氧自由基的含量与光照产生的半醌自由基成反比 .在除氧条件下 ,光照含HA和DBA的氯仿溶液体系时 ,半醌自由基是主要的自由基 .结果表明 ,在有氧的氯仿溶液中 ,HA诱导胺类物质生成HA半醌自由基     

The influence of excitation radiation parameters on photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen in water

Photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen with the aid of Radahlorin® photosensitizer has been investigated. The dependences of the intensity of singlet oxygen phosphorescence and photosensitizer fluorescence on the excitation radiation wavelength in the range of 350–440 nm and on the irradiation dose have been obtained. The dependence of the ratio of the sensitizer fluorescence intensity at about 670 nm to the singlet oxygen phosphorescence intensity at a wavelength of 1270 nm on the excitation radiation wavelength is found to be nonmonotonic and have a minimum near the center of the absorption band on its red wing. The results obtained can be used to monitor the singlet oxygen concentration in solutions.