Photoacoustic and Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Metallomesogens Containing Lanthanide Ions

Metallomesogens Ln(bta)3L2 (Ln3+: La3+, Eu3+, and Ho3+; bta: benzoyltrifluoroacetonate; L: Schiff base) were prepared. Photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy was used to study physicochemical properties of the liquid crystalline metal complexes. In the region of ligand absorption, PA intensity increases for Eu(bta)3L2, La(bta)3L2, and Ho(bta)3L2, in that order. It is found that the PA intensity of the ligand bears a relationto the intramolecular energy transfer process. For the first time, phase transitions of Eu(bta)3L2 from glass state to smectic A (SmA) phase and SmA phase to isotropic liquid are monitored by PA and fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy from two aspects: nonradiative and radiative transitions. The results show that PA technique may serve as a new tool for investigating the spectral properties and phase transitions of liquid crystals containing metal ions.     

大环Schiff碱化合物的合成、表征及其荧光活性研究

含乙酰丙酮类大环Schiff碱化合物一般都具有良好的荧光活性．采用模板合成法,用对苯二胺与乙酰丙酮反应合成得到的Schiff碱配体（H2L）与烷基二胺（即1,2-乙二胺,1,3-丙二胺,1,4-丁二胺）反应合成了3种新型大环Schiff碱化合物,通过元素分析,^1H NMR,IR,MS,UV,摩尔电导等手段对合成得到的化合物进行了组成和结构表征,同时在DMF溶液中对大环Schiff碱锌（Ⅱ）配合物的荧光活性进行了初步研究．     

一种新型的荧光探针化合物用于研究水溶性高分子的构象问题

本工作合成了一种聚合的分子内电荷转移化合物，作为荧光探针。利用荧光探针技术来研究水溶性高聚物在水溶液中的构象变化，进一步证实了在聚甲基丙烯酸的水溶液中存在着疏水微区。     

Stabilization of All-trans-retinol by Cyclodextrins: A Comparative Study Using HPLC and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Purpose: To formulate preparations incorporating cyclodextrins (CDs) which could be used for direct delivery to the retina of vitamin A (all-trans-retinol), while also protecting it from degradation in the aqueous environment. Vitamin A supplementation is being considered for treatment of several ophthalmic diseases characterised by progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Methods: The complexation between vitamin A and ten cyclodextrins, Captisol^®(sulfobutyl ether-7--cyclodextrin), hydroxypropyl--CD, 2-hydroxypropyl--CD, -CD, hydroxypropyl--CD, hydroxypropyl--CD, -CD, methyl--CD,Heptakis-(2,6-di-O-methyl)--CD andHeptakis-(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)--CD,was investigated using bothhigh sensitivity fluorescence spectrometry and HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). Samples of retinol-CD complexes in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 were analysed for up to 72 hours. Optimum conditions for formation of the Captisol-retinol complexes were investigated. Results: Using spectroscopic measurements and HPLC, the complexes formed between ten cyclodextrins and all-trans-retinol were evaluated. The results indicate that all cyclodextrins tested were able to form inclusion complexes as shown by the fluorescence signals which are considerably larger than those obtained in the absence of cyclodextrin. Only minimal degradation of retinol over 48 hours was observed with three of these cyclodextrins. Captisol was able to stabilise all-trans-retinol for up to 72 hours, as shown by HPLC, and the optimum ratio of Captisol to retinol was determined to be 50 to 1. Addition of glutathione and decrease in pH did not improve stability of the complex. Conclusions: This survey suggests that Captisol and other cyclodextrins could be used to stabilise and solubilise vitamin A in aqueous media and this establishes the basis for an ocular Captisol-retinol drug delivery system now under development in our laboratory.     

Comparison of Different Techniques for the Determination of Platinized Cytostatic Drugs in Urine Samples

Platinum-based cytostatic drugs are one of the most widely used cancer treatments. They are excreted via the urinary tract and can reach the environment through wastewater, posing a risk to human health due to their side effects. Four identification and quantification techniques, including liquid chromatography (LC) separation coupled to (i) a diode array ultraviolet (UV(DAD)) (ii), mass spectrometer in single ion monitoring mode (LC-MS) and (iii) multiple reaction monitoring mode (LC-MS/MS) and (iv) derivatization with diethyldithiocarbamate prior to LC-MS/MS analysis, have been optimized and compared for the multiresidue determination of main platinized cytostatic drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) in urine samples. Parameters that affect the efficiency of the chromatographic separation and analytical determination of different methods (column, mobile phase, wavelength, precursor ions, fragmentor, and product ions) were optimized. Analytical features, such as matrix effect, sensitivity, precision, selectivity, and linearity, were calculated. In terms of selectivity, the derivatization technique was discarded since it was only applicable to the platinated sum. A high dilution of the sample with LC-UV(DAD) was needed to reduce the matrix effect. Overall, the LC-MS/MS method presented the best analytical features (% RSD ≤ 12.8%, R² ≥ 0.991, or method-detection limits between 0.01–1 µg mL⁻¹). The selected method was applied to the quantification of platinized cytostatic drugs in hospital urine samples from oncologic patients.     

基于荧光偏振的高灵敏度蛋白激酶活性分析

利用TiO₂纳米棒与磷酸化肽的特异性相互作用,基于荧光偏振检测,建立了快速、简便的高灵敏度蛋白激酶活性分析方法. 在蛋白激酶催化作用下,荧光标记的肽底物被磷酸化,磷酸化的荧光肽通过磷酸基团特异性结合在TiO₂纳米棒表面,从而使底物肽上标记的荧光分子的旋转速率发生改变,通过对荧光偏振度进行测量,可实现蛋白激酶活性的定量检测,该方法对蛋白激酶A(PKA)的检出限可达0.0004 U·μL^-1. 此外,该方法还成功用于PKA抑制剂H-89的检测,在基于蛋白激酶抑制剂的靶向药物筛选方面具有很好的应用前景.     

Enzyme Activity and Structural Dynamics Linked to Micelle Formation: A Fluorescence Anisotropy and ESR Study

Activities of the enzymes, protease subtilisin and horse radish peroxidase (HRP) have been increased 50 and 40%, respectively, in the presence of the nonionic surfactant, alkyl polyglucoside, compared with the activities in buffer alone. This enzyme hyperactivity reaches a peak at 3.0 mm of surfactant. Investigation into the structure of surfactant aggregates indicates “giant” micelle superstructures at this range of surfactant concentration of 1.7 μm in diameter—dramatically decreasing to 60 and 70 nm at higher surfactant concentrations, while surface tension measurements indicate two critical micelle concentration inflection points at 0.2 and 5.0 mm , which suggests transitions in micelle structure with respect to concentration. Furthermore, electron spin resonance (ESR) indicates that the micelles in first critical micelle concentration regime are loosely packed relative to the second aggregate phase. We hypothesize that this loose packing results in diminished hydration shell repulsion between the micelles, leading to the large, micrometer‐sized aggregates. We further hypothesize that it is the interaction with these loosely packed micelles that affects the flexibility of the HRP and protease enzyme structure. Time‐resolved fluorescence anisotropy of subtilisin in Brij‐30 indicates increasing flexibility of catalytic active site with surfactant concentration. This is correlated with an increase in enzymatic activity.     

基于傅里叶变换红外光声光谱的包膜控释肥料聚合物膜疏水性的表征

以不饱和有机硅改性的丙烯酸酯为基材,在不同条件下制备了30种水基聚合物包膜控释肥料模型膜,测定了模型膜的溶胀度及模型膜的傅里叶变换红外光声光谱.分别以红外光声光谱和溶胀度为自变量和因变量进行简单相关分析,同时也构建了偏最小二乘模型,并利用该模型对模型膜的疏水性进行预测.结果表明,聚合物模型膜具有明显不同的疏水性,其红外光声光谱具有相似的吸收特征,但不同吸收带的相对强度发生明显改变;常用的简单相关分析无法实现模型膜疏水性的预测,表明模型膜的疏水性与谱区更多的特征峰相关;基于偏最小二乘法的多元校正分析具有很好的预测能力,模型的校正系数(R2)为0.9864,校正标准误差为0.70%,验证标准误差为1.92%.此模型可用于模型膜疏水性的预测.本方法样品用量少,测定快速,操作简便且可实现原位测定,为控释肥料包膜材料的研制提供新的手段.     

Fluorescence and Absorption Contrast Mechanisms for Biomedical Optical Imaging Using Frequency-Domain Techniques

Abstract— The ability to optically image or detect diseased tissue volumes located deep within tissues depends upon the degree of contrast provided by differences in local optical properties. In this report, we show that the exogenous contrast offered by fluorescent compounds is superior to that provided by nonfluorescing, light-absorbing compounds when time-dependent measurements are employed. In addition, we show that the induced contrast is not only moderated by the preferential uptake of fluorescent agents into diseased tissue volumes of interest but also by the fluorescent optical properties and the fluorescence dynamics in the specific tissue volume. Using tissue phantom studies, we demonstrated experimentally that near-infrared-absorbing and fluorescent dyes such as in-docyanine green can provide detection of diseased tissue volumes from fluorescence measurements made at the periphery of tissue when there is perfect, 100-fold and 10-fold partitioning in diseased tissues over that in surrounding normal tissues. Experimental results of common laser dyes show the contrast is also mediated by the quantum yield and lifetime parameters that may be dependent upon the local tissue environment.     

Characterization of Refuse Derived Fuel Using Thermogravimetric Analysis and Chemometric Techniques

An approach for characterization of refuse derived fuel (RDF) using thermogravimetry and chemometric techniques was developed. For this purpose, a series of samples coming from lignocellulosic products (wood, cardboard, paper, newspaper) and plastics (polyethyleneterephthalate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polypropylene, nylon and polyvinylchloride), as well as their mixtures, were investigated by means of thermogravimetry (TG) in a temperature range between 25 and 800°C. The datapoints of TG diagrams (weight loss) were then subjected to principal component analysis in order to unravel similarities/ dissimilarities of the investigated samples. A classification was obtained according to their woody/petroleum derived origination. This classification was more evident if partial least square discriminant analysis was employed. Finally, a partial least square analysis was carried out for the determination of lignocellulosic content in the sample. The model was validated by application to samples with known mass fraction of lignocellulosic products. Finally, the model was applied to two RDF samples using fractions of their particle sizes from 1 mm to less than 0.032 mm, and the results were compared with their ultimate and proximate analysis.     

A Simultaneous,Laser-Excited Fluorescence,Photoacoustic, and Two-Photon Photoionization Detector for Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A laser-excited windowless flow cell has been developed for simultaneous fluorescence, photoacoustic, and two-photon photoionization detection of aromatic compounds in HPLC eluents. Sensitive three-mode detection of acridine, naphthalene, 7,8-benzoflavone, N-ethylcarbazole, and anthracene in 70/30 V/V acetonitrile/water is demonstrated with conservative detection limits in the nanogram range and below.     

A Crystalline Quartz,Laser-Excited Fluorescence,Photoacoustic, and Two-Photon Photoionization Detector for HPLC

Abstract

A crystalline quartz flow cell has been developed for simultaneous fluorescence, photoacoustic effect, and two-photon photoionization detection of aromatic compounds in HPLC eluents. Excimer laser-excited three mode detection of naphthalene, 7,8-benzoflavone, N-ethylcarbazole, and anthracene in 70/30 v/v acetonitrile/water is exhibited. The flow cell is suitable for use with deoxygenated solvent systems and is orientation independent.     

A Novel Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Gum Karaya: Characterization,Antimicrobial and Catalytic Activity Studies

Stable silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using gum karaya acting as both reducing and stabilizing agent without using any synthetic reagent. The reaction is performed using water, which is an environmentally safe solvent. This reaction was carried out in an autoclave at a pressure of 15 psi and 120 °C temperature by varying the time. The influence of different parameters such as time, change of concentration of silver nitrate and concentration of gum karaya on the formation of silver nanoparticles has been studied. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and TEM. UV–Vis analysis of the sample confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles exhibiting a sharp peak at a wavelength of 420 nm. TEM micrographs showed the formation of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles of size 2–4 nm. The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles stabilized in gum karaya is tested against Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus and is found to be possessing inhibiting property. The silver nanoparticles stabilized in gum karaya exhibited very good catalytic activity and the kinetics of the reaction was found to be pseudo first order with respect to the 4-nitrophenol.     

透明质酸纳米材料在荧光/光声成像和光疗中的应用

荧光/光声成像和光疗技术的生物医学应用引起了人们越来越多的关注, 然而很多荧光/光声造影剂存在生物相容性较差, 缺乏肿瘤靶向性, 信噪比较低, 功能单一等共性问题, 严重限制其诊疗应用. 透明质酸具有优异的生物相容性和主动肿瘤靶向性, 可被透明质酸酶降解, 并且易于化学修饰和实现多种超分子弱相互作用力协同工作. 因此, 人们将透明质酸与荧光/光声造影剂结合制备纳米材料, 使其在细胞乃至活体的标记性能和治疗效果获得了很大的改善. 本文综述了将两类物质结合制备纳米材料的方法, 着重阐述了纳米材料的结构与性能关系, 为其未来设计和开发提供了指导, 最后对存在的主要问题以及未来的重要研究方向进行了分析和展望.     

Measurement of A Two Layer Sample Using Pseudo Pulse Excited Photoacoustic Spectrometry

Abstract

To obtain surface layer thickness easily, a simple pseudo pulse excited photoacoustic spectrometric method was proposed. An argon ion laser was chopped mechanically to generate a pseudo pulse (pulse width; 6.6 ms, duty 1.67%), which was then led to a sample enclosed in photoacoustic cell. Two layer samples made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were used as model samples. The photoacoustic signal waveform observed showed a maximum from the negative edge of the pseudo pulse of the laser. The delay of the signal increased concomitant with the sample surface thickness. The delay time of the signal was calculated by a cross-correlation method. A linear relationship was obtained between the delay time of the photoacoustic signal from the input pseudo pulse and the surface transparent layer thickness in the range of 0–90 mm. The regression line between the film thickness x (cm) and the delay time was expressed with the thermal diffusivity of the film k, as follows; Δτ (s) = 1.16 × 10^?1 κ^?½ x + 0.006. Using this result, the method proposed was successfully applied to the measurement of the thickness for laminated polyethylene film on papers. The method proposed is simple and easy to perform without any modification of usual photoacoustic instrumentation.     

Sensitive Detection of Aromatic Molecules by Laser Photoacoustic Spectrometry: Signal Enhancement by Fluorescence Quencher

Highly sensitive detection of aromatic molecules has been investigated by pulsed laser excitation. A cylindrical cell surrounded by a piezoelectric transducer has improved the detection limit. Fluorescence quencher, CH₃NO, increased the photoacoustic signal of perylene up to three times and the signal-to-noise ratio by about 50%. Typical detection limits of pyrene and perylene were 0.4 ppb in hexane and 6.7 ppb in methanol with nitromethane, respectively.     

利用原子力显微镜和分子技术研究海水微生物腐蚀(英文)

生物膜在自然界无处不在,但生物膜造成的腐蚀却基本上被忽视.本文展示了几种化学和微生物学新方法在海水微生物腐蚀研究中的应用.原子力显微镜用来揭示生物最初形成的机理和钢在受污染海水中的腐蚀程度,16SrDNA/RNA技术则用来分析生物膜中的微生物组成.试验结果表明,微生物腐蚀在6d内就已经开始了,腐蚀体积与时间的2.83次方成正比;腐蚀生物膜中的微生物以硫酸还原菌(脱硫弧菌科)为最多,其次是梭状芽孢杆菌.