Hyperproduction of l-glutamate oxidase in submerged fermentation of Streptomyces sp. N1 with culture pH control and calcium addition

Production of l-glutamate oxidase (GluOx) by Streptomyces sp. N1 was investigated by controlling culture pH at 6.2, 6.7, 7.0, and 7.3 in a 5-l stirred fermentor. The corresponding GluOx activities obtained were 2.8, 4.2, 6.0, and 5.3 U/mL, respectively. Microbial growth was inhibited by increasing the medium pH from 6.2 to 7.0. The inhibitory effect was also observed in plate colony growth under incubation with a different initial pH value. The effect of calcium on GluOx production was also studied in the pH-controlled bioreactor. When the culture pH was controlled at 6.2 or 7.0, GluOx production could not be improved or was only improved slightly by initial addition of calcium to the medium. However, when the culture pH was kept at 6.7, initial Ca²⁺ addition (60 mM) conspicuously enhanced GluOx production up to 9.3 U/mL, which was about twofold of that without Ca²⁺ addition. The enzyme production level was the highest ever reported in the literature. During fermentation the inhibition of cell growth by Ca²⁺ addition was observed. For the morphological changes, the cells mostly existed as pellets in the medium without Ca²⁺ addition, whereas few pellets were found and almost all the cells were dispersed mycelia in the broth with Ca²⁺ addition.     

Acetazolamide‐Loaded pH‐Responsive Nanoparticles Alleviating Tumor Acidosis to Enhance Chemotherapy Effects

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), over‐expressed on cancer cells, catalyzes CO₂ to bicarbonate and protons, contributing to the acidic extracellular pH (pHe), which enhances the multidrug resistance of tumor cells. Therefore, alleviating tumor acidosis would greatly improve the outcome of chemotherapy. This work fabricates acetazolamide (ACE)‐loaded pH‐responsive nanoparticles (ACE‐NPs), which are quickly disintegrated in an acidic solution (pH 6.8), resulting in a quick release of ACE from these NPs to inhibit the expression of CA IX, thus up‐regulating the pHe value. These ACE‐NPs have no obvious in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo studies confirm the accumulation of ACE‐NPs in tumor tissue. In addition, mice treated with ACE and paclitaxel (PTX) co‐loaded NPs show a smaller tumor size and a higher survival rate when compared to that of mice treated with ACE‐ or PTX‐loaded NPs. This work reveals that simultaneous delivery of ACE and chemotherapy agents to tumor tissue can up‐regulate the acidic pHe value, consequently enhancing the anti‐tumor ability of chemotherapy medicine. These findings open a new window for enhancing the anti‐tumor ability of traditional chemotherapy in clinic.     

growth kinetics ofbacillus stearothermophilus BR219

Bacillus stearothermophilus BR219, a phenol-resistant thermophile, can convert phenol to the specialty chemical catechol. The growth kinetics of this organism were studied in batch, continuous, and im-mobilized-cell culture. Batch growth was insensitive to pH between 6.0 and 8.0, but little growth occurred at 5.5. In continuous culture on a dilute medium supplemented with 10 mM phenol, several steady states were achieved between dilution rates of 0.25 and 1.3 h^-1. Phenol degradation was found to be uncoupled from growth. Immobilized cells grew rapidly in a rich medium, but cell viability plummeted following a switch to a dilute medium supplemented with 5 mM phenol.     

UO22+对某些细胞毒性的初探

建立了由多种金属离子和小分子配体组成的多相细胞液热力学平衡模型,模拟研究了UO22+在组织液和细胞液的形态。体外培养了SD大鼠成骨细胞和人肾小管上皮细胞,通过体外细胞生长抑制实验探索了UO22+对成骨细胞及肾小管上皮细胞的毒性。研究表明,在细胞液中,当各形态UO22+物质总浓度[U]=8.4×10-6mol/L时,当pH为6.0～6.5时,UO22+主要以固相(UO2)3(PO4)2存在,当pH为6.8～7.5时,UO22+主要以水溶性[UO2(CO3)3]4-存在;当[U]=1.3×10-3mol/L时,在整个细胞液pH范围内,固相(UO2)3(PO4)2占主导地位。体外细胞生长抑制实验表明,UO22+对成骨细胞的生长具有抑制作用,能显著降低肾小管上皮细胞的存活率,具有明显的细胞毒性。     

Cyproterone Synthesis, Recognition and Controlled Release by Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticle

In this study, we used novel synthetic conditions of precipitation polymerization to obtain nanosized cyproterone molecularly imprinted polymers for application in the design of new drug delivery systems. The scanning electron microscopy images and Brunauer?CEmmett?CTeller analysis showed that molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) prepared by acetonitrile exhibited particles at the nanoscale with a high degree of monodispersity, specific surface area of 246?m²?g^?1, and pore volume of 1.24?cm³?g^?1. In addition, drug release, binding properties, and dynamic light scattering of molecularly imprinted polymers were studied. Selectivity of MIPs was evaluated by comparing several substances with similar molecular structures to that of cyproterone. Controlled release of cyproterone from nanoparticles was investigated through in vitro dissolution tests and by measuring the absorbance by HPLC-UV. The pH dissolution media employed in controlled release studies were 1.0 at 37?°C for 5?h and then at pH 6.8 using the pH change method. Results show that MIPs have a better ability to control the cyproterone release in a physiological medium compared to the non molecularly imprinted polymers (NMIPs).     

Synthesis of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-pefloxacin: A new targeting agent for infectious foci

Summary This investigation focused on the labeling of pefloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, with ^99mTc to form ^99mTc-pefloxacin complex. The labeling process was done by direct addition of pertechnetate in isotonic solution to Sn-pefloxacin solution. The labeling technique is effective, as a high labeling yield (98%) was obtained after 30-minute reaction time. Different factors were found that influenced this labeling reaction: 0.5 mg pefloxacin or more must be used to prevent the formation of colloids in the reaction medium. Fifty micrograms of stannous chloride dihydrate were found to be sufficient to reduce all pertechnetate with activity ranging from 37 to 3700 MBq without the detection of free pertechnetate or colloids in the reaction mixture. The pH of the reaction medium was found to play an important role in the labeling process. The labeling reaction proceeds well at neutral pH (pH 6) but at acidic pH value (pH 4 or below) the yield of ^99mTc-pefloxacin complex decreased markedly to a labeling yield of 5%. The reaction mixture must be heated to 100 °C in an oil bath to enhance the formation of the ^99mTc-pefloxacin complex. The biodistribution data show that ^99mTc labeled pefloxacin was retained in infectious focus. The retention was specific since the abscess uptake of ^99mTc-pefloxacin remained high as compared to the uptake of aseptic foci at 24-hour post injection. Also, the clearance of the tracer from other tissues is rapid on the contrary to its clearance from the septic focus. This supports the hypothesis that ^99mTc-pefloxacin is retained at the infectious site because of its specific binding to the gyrase enzymes of bacterial cells.     

Precipitation of uranium from nitrate-sulfuric eluates by aqueous ammonia solution

The process of uranium precipitation from nitrate-sulfuric acid eluates by a 25% aqueous solution of ammonia was investigated. The effect of precipitation pH value on the impurity composition, particle size and bulk density of the yellow cake was studied. It was found, that precipitation should be carried out at pH 6.7 to obtain a high-purity concentrate. The method makes it possible to obtain a concentrate with an uranium content of 71.79%, a high bulk density of 970 kg m^?3, an average particle diameter of 10.3 μm. The impurity composition of concentrate obtained at pH 6.7 meets the requirements of ASTM C967-13.     

Development of Biosensor for Catechol Using Electrosynthesized Poly(3‐methylthiophene) and Incorporation of LAC Simultaneously

Simultaneous electropolymerization of 3‐methylthiophene and incorporation of Laccase (LAC) was carried out in the presence of propylene carbonate as a medium by amperometric method. This enzyme modified electrode was used for the sensing of polyphenol. Catechol is taken as a model compound for the study. UV‐Vis spectral studies suggest no denaturation of LAC in presence of propylene carbonate. The SEM studies reveal the surface morphology and incorporation of LAC in P3MT with agglomerated flaky masses are observed in with and without enzyme micrographs. The cyclic voltammograms were recorded for 0.01 mM catechol on plain glassy carbon, polymer and enzyme incorporated electrodes at pH 6.0 and scan rate 50 mV s^?1. The fabricated electrochemical biosensor was used for the determination of catechol in aqueous solution by Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) technique. The concentration linear range of 8×10^?8 to 1.4×10^?5 M a value of Michealis? Menten constant K_m=7.67 µmol dm^?3 and activation energy is 32.75 kJ mol^?1. It retains 83 % of the original activity after 60 days which is much higher than that of other biosensors. The developed biosensor was used to quantify catechol in the determination in real samples.     

The Photosensitizing Efficacy of Micelles Containing a Porphyrinic Photosensitizer and KI against Resistant Melanoma Cells

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative to overcome the resistance of melanoma to conventional therapies. Currently applied photosensitizers (PS) are often based on tetrapyrrolic macrocycles like porphyrins. Unfortunately, in some cases the use of this type of derivative is limited due to their poor solubility in the biological environment. Feasible approaches to surpass this drawback are based on lipid formulations. Besides that, and inspired in the efficacy of potassium iodide (KI) for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), the combined effect of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) with KI was assessed in this work, as an alternative strategy to potentiate the effect of PDT against resistant melanoma cells.     

BODIPY-derived ratiometric fluorescent sensors: pH-regulated aggregation-induced emission and imaging application in cellular acidification triggered by crystalline silica exposure

Modification of classic fluorophore to possess the emission transitions between aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and intrinsic emission offers reliable approach to the design of ratiometric fluorescent sensors. In this study, a proton acceptor benzimidazole was integrated with BODIPY to form three compounds, BBI-1/2/3, which demonstrated the AIE (~595 nm, I_agg) in neutral aqueous medium and intrinsic BODIPY emission (~510 nm, I_int) in acidic medium. All the three showed the ratiometric pH sensing behavior in a dual excitation/dual emission mode, yet BBI-3 displayed still the dual emission ratiometric pH sensing ability. The pH-dependent emission ratio I_int/I_agg of the three were fully reversible, and no interference was observed from normal abundant chemical species in live cells. Their different pK_a (BBI-1, pK_a 4.4; BBI-2, pK_a 2.7; BBI-3, pKa 3.6) suggested that the substituents on benzimidazole moiety were essential to govern their functioning pH range. The ratiometric imaging of BBI-1 in A549 cells provided an effective intracellular pH (pHi) calibration formula corresponding to emission ratio of I_int/I_agg. Ratiometric pH_i imaging in A549 cells upon small particle exposure confirmed the particle-induced cellular acidification with this formula. Both particle size and the chemical nature of the particle contribute to the observed acidification effect. The synchronization of lysosome disruption to cellular acidification in A549 cells upon crystalline silica exposure was directly observed for the first time with BBI-1, showing the potential application of BBI-1 in the study of silicosis and other related diseases. This study demonstrated that endowing fluorophore with AIE/intrinsic emission transition could be a promising strategy for ratiometric sensor design.     

A putative pH-dependent nuclear localization signal in the juxtamembrane region of c-Met

The C-terminal fragment of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase is present in the nuclei of some cells irrespective of ligand stimulation, but the responsible nuclear localization signal (NLS) has not been previously reported. Here, we report that two histidine residues separated by a 10-amino-acid spacer (H1068–H1079) located in the juxtamembrane region of c-Met function as a putative novel NLS. Deletion of these sequences significantly abolished the nuclear translocation of c-Met, as did substitution of the histidines with alanines. This substitution also decreased the association of c-Met fragment with importin β. The putative NLS of c-Met is unique in that it relies on histidines, whose positive charge changes depending on pH, rather than the lysines or arginines, commonly found in classical bipartite NLSs, suggesting the possible ‘pH-dependency'' of this NLS. Indeed, decreasing the cytosolic pH either with nigericin, an Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger or pH 6.5 KRB buffer significantly increased the level of nuclear c-Met and the interaction of the c-Met fragment with importin β, indicating that low pH itself enhanced nuclear translocation. Consistent with this, nigericin treatment also increased the nuclear level of endogenous c-Met in HeLa cells. The putative aberrant bipartite NLS of c-Met seems to be the first example of what we call a ‘pH-dependent'' NLS.     

Radiochemical precipitation studies for separation of iodine from tellurium and other trace impurities

Precipitation of radiotellurium, containing trace radioimpurities, has been carried out from sulfate media at different pH-values. The highest precipitation yield was achieved at the region of pH ~4–6. Quantitative uptake by the formed precipitate was noticed for (i) ⁵⁴Mn, ^110mAg and ¹²⁵Sb over all the pH-range of study (pH 1.7–9.2), (ii) for ⁶⁵Zn and ⁶⁰Co in the regions of pH ~6–8 and pH 6–8.8, respectively, and (iii) for ¹³⁴Cs in the region of pH 1.7–2.8, while its percent uptake fluctuated around 60.5 % in the region of pH 4.4–6.4. Further precipitation studies have been conducted for a mixture of ¹²⁵I and radiotellurium from sulfate, nitrate and chloride media at pH-values of 6.0 and 7.5. The highest ¹²⁵I recovery yield in the obtained supernatant was 95.0 ± 1.3 %, which was achieved with sulfate medium at pH 6.0 with percent uptake values of 5.0 ± 1.3, 98.9 ± 0.9 and 62.0 ± 4.6 % of ¹²⁵I, ^123mTe and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively, and quantitative uptake of ⁵⁴Mn, ^110mAg, ¹²⁵Sb, ⁶⁰Co and ⁶⁵Zn by the precipitated tellurium. Thereafter, the supernatant was further acidified with H₂SO₄ and boiled, after adding H₂O₂, for 3 h. >99 % of ¹²⁵I was distilled off from the acidified supernatant. The distilled of ¹²⁵I was received in 0.1 M NaOH + 1 % Na₂S₂O₃ solution, with a radionuclidic purity of >99.99 %, radiochemical purity of >99.8 % as I^? and pH ~13.     

Lead Adsorption on a Soil: A Polarographic Study

The adsorption of lead by a non‐contaminated loamy sand soil (Guarda, Portugal) was studied by voltammetric titrations using differential pulse polarography for pH values of 6.0, 6.8 and 7.2 and I of 0.5, 0.1 and 0.01 mol L^?1. After lead or soil additions, residual lead in solution was measured in the presence of the soil particles after an equilibration period, thus with minimum sample manipulation. The characteristics of the surface groups were studied by acid base potentiometric titrations. Lead retention by the soil is influenced both by pH and ionic strength of the medium. From the voltammetric data surface constants and total available binding groups have been estimated according to a complex surface model for the different experimental conditions and the results interpreted in terms of the surface characteristics of the soil and the support medium. Surface binding capacities in the range 1 to 70 mmol Pb kg^?1 were found depending on the pH and the ionic strength. The behavior found is in agreement with what is known in soil chemistry thus supporting the conclusion that voltammetric methods are quite appropriate for determining the extent of interaction between metal ions and soils.     

Hypocrellin B doped and pH-responsive silica nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy

pH-responsive ¹O₂ photosensitizing systems may serve as selective photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents by targeting the acidic interstitial fluid of many kinds of tumors. In this work, a natural and clinically used photosensitizer (Hypocrellin B, HB) and a pH indicator (Bromocresol Purple, BCP) were co-encapsulated in organically modified silica nanoparticles. BCP successfully regulated the ¹O₂ generation efficiency of HB through the “inner filter” effect, which shows much stronger ¹O₂ generation ability in an acidic than in a basic environment. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that HB-doped nanoparticles are effective in killing tumor cells by PDT.

     

Molecular mechanics studies on isogermacrone

Molecular mechanics studies on the distribution of conformers with parallel and crossed double bonds at C-2 and C-7 of the ten-membered ring ketone isogermacrone led to a 6.7 kJ mol^?1 difference between the two most stable conformers the barrier between them being approximately 66.9 kJ mol^?1.     

Optimization of the reaction conditions for the preparation of 99mTc-celecoxib and its biological evaluation

Celecoxib was labelled effectively with ^99mTc. The labeling yield was found to be influenced by the amount of celecoxib, the amount of stannous chloride dihydrate, the reaction time, the temperature and the pH of the reaction mixture. The importance of stannous chloride dihydrate arises from its function as a reducing agent for pertechnetate to form complex celecoxib. The suitable amount required to produce high labeling yield of ^99mTc-celecoxib was 500 μg SnCl₂·2H₂O. The pH of the reaction medium was found to play a significant role in this labeling process. The labeling reaction was performed at a neutral medium (pH 7). The labeling reaction proceeds well at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) and the complex decomposes by heat. The labeled celecoxib (^99mTc-celecoxib) showed a good localization in inflamed foci and a good imaging must be taken 4 h post injection.     

Enhanced Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy via a Sequential Targeting Protocol

This study was designed to examine determinants of the discovery that low‐dose lysosomal photodamage (lyso‐PDT) could potentiate the efficacy of subsequent low‐dose mitochondrial photodamage (mito‐PDT). The chlorin NPe6 and the benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) were used to separately target lysosomes and mitochondria, respectively, in murine hepatoma cells. Lyso‐PDT (LD₅ conditions) followed by mito‐PDT (LD₁₅ conditions) enhanced the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of procaspases‐3/7 and photokilling. Reversing the sequence was less effective. The optimal sequence did not enhance reactive oxygen species formation above that obtained with low‐dose mito‐PDT. In contrast, alkalinization of lysosomes with bafilomycin also enhanced low‐dose mito‐PDT photokilling, but via a different pathway. This involves redistribution of iron from lysosomes to mitochondria leading to enhanced hydroxyl radical formation, effects not observed after the sequential procedure. Moreover, Ru360, an inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium and iron uptake, partially suppressed the ability of bafilomycin to enhance mito‐PDT photokilling without affecting the enhanced efficacy of the sequential protocol. We conclude that sequential PDT protocol promotes PDT efficacy by a process not involving iron translocation, but via promotion of the pro‐apoptotic signal that derives from mitochondrial photodamage.     

4-Chlorophenol degradation by chloroperoxidase from Caldariomyces fumago

This study investigated the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) by Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase (CPO). Enzymatic oxidations were studied in reaction mixtures at pH 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 in the presence and absence of Cl⁻ containing 3.5 IU of CPO and 4-CP and hydrogen peroxide concentrations within the range of 0.5–50 and 0.005–50 mM, respectively. Distinct patterns of products regarding color, concentration, and solubility were observed. Reaction mixtures at pH 6.0 containing 3.5 IU of CPO and 5.0 mM 4-CP and H₂O₂ (1:1 stoichiometry) showed the highest 4-CP removal of 95% and the highest formation of a dark precipitate.     

The embedding of meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)-chlorin into silica nanoparticle platforms for photodynamic therapy and their singlet oxygen production and pH-dependent optical properties

This study relates to nanoparticle (NP) platforms that attach to tumor cells externally and only deliver singlet oxygen for photodynamic therapy (PDT) while conserving the embedded photosensitizers (PS). As a model, we demonstrate the successful embedding of the PS meta‐tetra(hydroxyphenyl)‐chlorin (m‐THPC) in NP that are based on a sol–gel silica matrix and also show its positive effect on the singlet oxygen production. The embedding of m‐THPC inside silica NP is accomplished by a modified Stöber sol–gel process, in which (3‐aminopropyl)‐triethoxysilane is introduced during the reaction. Singlet oxygen delivery by the targetable photodynamic NP exceeds that from free PS molecules. In the physiological pH range, there is no significant pH‐induced decrease in the fluorescence of m‐THPC embedded in silica NP, which might otherwise affect the efficiency of PDT.