Analysis of protein adsorption on regenerated cellulose-based immobilized copper ion affinity membranes

Immobilized metal affinity membranes (IMAMs) were prepared by immobilizing copper ions on microporous regenerated cellulose membranes through different types of chelating agents (dentate and triazine dye). The resulting chelator utilization percentages were 95% for iminodiacetic acid, 56% for N,N,N-tris(carboxymethyl)ethylenediamine, 52% for Cibacron blue 3GA, and 140% for Cibacron red 3BA. On the other hand, triazine dyes were slightly superior to dentate chelators on metal ion utilization for protein adsorption. In batch single-protein adsorptions, the protein adsorption capacity decreased with increasing molecular size and number of accessible surface histidine residues [lysozyme>bovine serum albumin(BSA)>gamma-globulin], while the binding strength order was the opposite (gamma-globulin>BSA>lysozyme). Moreover, the proportions of specific and nonspecific bindings were evaluated by varying pH and salt concentration conditions. A large fraction of the adsorption capacity was found to come from the nonspecific interactions for the prepared IMAMs. Lastly, batch three-protein adsorptions were performed and weak adsorption competition was observed.     

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of the rotamers of p-n-propylphenol cations and configuration effect

Two-color resonant two-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy was used to record the vibrationally resolved cation spectra of the selected rotamers of p-n-propylphenol. The adiabatic ionization energies of the trans, gauche-A, and gauche-B rotamers are determined to be 65 283+/-5, 65 385+/-5, and 65 369+/-5 cm(-1), which are less than that of phenol by 3342, 3240, and 3256 cm(-1), respectively. This suggests that the n-propyl substitution causes a greater degree in lowering the energy level in the cationic than the neutral ground state. Analysis on the MATI spectra of the selected rotamers of p-n-propylphenol cation shows that the relative orientation of the p-n-alkyl group has little effect on the in-plane ring vibrations. However, the low-frequency C(3)H(7) bending vibrations appear to be active only for the two gauche forms of the cation.     

The Permanganate Oxidation of Triethylamine; Evidence for the Formation of Manganate Ion in Potassium Permanganate/Triethylamine Reagent

The active oxidant of KMnO_4/Et₃N reagent has been verified as potassium manganate by ultraviolet spectrometry, and the final oxidation product as manganese(IV) oxide by iodometric titration.     

Enhancement of Anticancer Potential of Pterostilbene Derivative by Chalcone Hybridization

Pterostilbene, a natural metabolite of resveratrol, has been indicated as a potent anticancer molecule. Recently, several pterostilbene derivatives have been reported to exhibit better anticancer activities than that of the parent pterostilbene molecule. In the present study, a series of pterostilbene derivatives were designed and synthesized by the hybridization of pterostilbene, chalcone, and cinnamic acid. The cytotoxic effect of these hybrid molecules was determined using two oral cancer cell lines, HSC-3 and OECM-1. (E)-3-(2-((E)-4-Hydroxystyryl)-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4d), with IC₅₀ of 16.38 and 18.06 μM against OECM-1 and HSC-3, respectively, was selected for further anticancer mechanism studies. Results indicated that compound 4d effectively inhibited cell proliferation and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest via modulating p21, cyclin B1, and cyclin A2. Compound 4d ultimately induced cell apoptosis by reducing the expression of Bcl-2 and surviving. In addition, cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 were enhanced following the treatment of compound 4d with increased dose. To conclude, a number of pterostilbene derivatives were discovered to possess potent anticancer potentials. Among them, compound 4d was the most active, more active than the parent pterostilbene.