Ferromagnetic NiII-GdIII interactions in complexes with NiGd, NiGdNi, and NiGdGdNi cores supported by tripodal ligands

Dinuclear [(NiL)Gd(hfac)(2)(EtOH)](H(3)L = 1,1,1-tris(N-salicylideneaminomethyl)ethane, Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone), trinuclear [(NiL)(2)Gd(NO(3))], and tetranuclear [(NiL)Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(2)(MeOH)](2) complexes, were prepared by treating [Ni(HL)] with [Gd(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)], Gd(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O, and Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(3).4H(2)O, respectively, in the presence of Et(3)N. All the complexes show that ferromagnetic interactions occur between the Ni(II) and Gd(III) ions.     

Rhodamine B amine as a highly sensitive fluorescence derivatization reagent for saccharides in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

6-Rhodamine B amine functions as a highly sensitive fluorescence derivatization reagent for mono- and oligosaccharides; it reacts with the reducing end of saccharides under acidic conditions. The fluorescent derivatives of five monosaccharides can be separated within 25 min by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with isocratic elution. The detection limits (S/N = 3) for mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides are 7-51, 13, and 9-35 fmol/20 microl injection, which correspond to analyte concentrations of 35-255, 65, 45-175 nM, respectively. We have applied this derivatization method successfully to the analysis of the components of oligosaccharides in glycoproteins (ribonuclease B and fetuin) following their acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis. The results from these analyses are in good agreements with the reported values established previously.     

Evaluation of postoperative hepatobiliary function by deconvolution analysis of hepatobiliary image data by 99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan

Dynamic hepatobiliary image data were analyzed by the mathematical deconvolution to derive the transfer function (TF) which represents the impulse response function of the liver following direct bolus injection of a tracer into the liver. Biliary flow was evaluated by TF in patients with previous hepatobiliary surgery to detect abnormal flow causing problems such as cholangitis. Serial image data were collected for 60 min after intravenous injection of 37-75 MBq (1-2 mCi) of 99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan (99mTc-PMT). TF was obtained by the matrix algorithm, using regional hepatogram as output and time-activity curve over the heart as input function. Minimum, mean and maximum transit time (Max. TT) were determined from TF. The functional image for each of the transit times was constructed by displaying the distribution of the values for matrix elements with a color scale. In this study, a critical Max. TT of 60 min was used to detect abnormal biliary flow. Of 30 cases, 9 positive cases were discriminated from 21 negative cases on the basis of the finding of presence or absence of areas with Max. TT of more than 60 min anywhere in the liver. Bowel activity overlapping the liver was excluded in the judgment. The validity of this method was evaluated in comparison with the clinical courses after surgery with (8 cases) or without (22 cases) problems. The results were sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 91%, accuracy of 90% and positive predictive value of 78%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Development of a regenerable cell culture system that senses and releases dead cells

We developed a rapidly regenerable cell culture system in which the cell culture substrate detects cell death and selectively releases the dead cells. This culture material was achieved by combining a detector that responds to the signal from the dead cells and an actuator to release the dead cells. Benzo-18-crown-6-acrylamide (BCAm) with a pendant crown ether receptor was used as the sensor to recognize cellular signals and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) was used as the actuator. This copolymer of NIPAM and BCAm can respond to potassium ions and change its nature from hydrophobic to hydrophilic at the culture temperature of 37 degrees C. Living cells concentrate potassium ion internally; when cells die, potassium ions are released. The polymer surface recognizes the potassium ions released from the dead cells, the NIPAM hydrates, and the dead cells are selectively detached. This in vitro culture system is a novel one in which artificial culture materials work cooperatively with cellular metabolism by responding to this signal from the cells, thereby realizing in vitro tissue regeneration partly mimicking the mechanisms of in vivo homeostasis.     

Solution self-assembly, spontaneous deprotonation, and crystal structures of bipyrazolate-bridged metallomacrocycles with dimetal centers

A series of nanosized cavity-containing bipyrazolate-bridged metallomacrocycles with dimetal centers, namely, {[(bpy)M]8L4}(NO3)8 [L=3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-bipyrazolyl, Pd, Pt; 1,4-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene), Pd; and 1,4-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbiphenyl, Pd], {[(phen)M]8L4}(NO3)8 [L=3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-bipyrazolyl, Pd, Pt; 1,4-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene, Pd; and 1,4-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbiphenyl, Pd], {[(bpy)Pd]6L3}(NO3)6 [L=1,4-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene,], {[(phen)Pd]6L3}(NO3)6 [L=1,4-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene,], {[(bpy)Pd]4L2}(NO3)4 [L=1,3-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene, and 1,2-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene,], and {[(phen)Pd]4L2}(NO3)4 [L=1,3-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene, and 1,2-bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene,] (where bpy=2,2'-bipyridine and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized through a directed self-assembly approach that involves spontaneous deprotonation of the 1H-bipyrazolyl ligands in aqueous solution. These complexes, with weak Pd(II)...Pd(II) or Pt(II)...Pt(II) interactions, have been characterized by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, cold-spray ionization or electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-visible spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. Complexes and have also been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Effect of the calcium-binding protein regucalcin on the Ca2+ transport system in rat liver microsomes: the protein stimulates Ca2+ release

The effect of the calcium-binding protein regucalcin on the Ca2+ transport system in the liver microsomes from fed rats was investigated. Ca2+ transport was assayed by the method of Millipore filtration to estimate microsomal 45Ca2+ accumulation following addition of 10 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP). 45Ca2+ uptake was retarded by the presence of regucalcin (1.0-4.0 microM). This retardation was remarkable at 1 min after regucalcin addition, while appreciable retardation was no longer seen at 5 min. Regucalcin (2.0 microM)-induced retardation of 45Ca2+ uptake was prevented by the presence of calmodulin (5 micrograms/ml). Calmodulin alone (1 and 5 micrograms/ml) caused a significant increase in 45Ca2+ uptake at 3 min after the start of incubation. Also, regucalcin (2.0 microM)-induced retardation of 45Ca2+ uptake was completely blocked by the presence of a Ca2(+)-trapping agent, oxalate (3 mM). On the other hand, 45Ca2+, which accumulated in microsomes during 5 min after ATP addition, was markedly released by the addition of regucalcin. This release was dose-dependent (0.5-4.0 microM). Guanosine triphosphate (GTP; 10-100 microM) caused a significant release of 45Ca2+ from the microsomes. The presence of regucalcin (2.0 microM) further enhanced the GTP effect. Regucalcin (2.0 microM)-induced release of 45Ca2+ was not blocked by the presence of the protein thiol-protecting agent dithiothreitol (0.1 mM). The presence of oxalate (3 mM) completely blocked the effect of regucalcin on 45Ca2+ release from the microsomes. These results indicate that regucalcin stimulates Ca2+ release from liver microsomes, and that the protein retards the microsomal Ca2+ uptake. The present study suggests that regucalcin can regulate the Ca2+ transport system in rat liver microsomes.     

3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-oxo-qinoxaline-2-carbonyl azide as a highly sensitive fluorescence derivatization reagent for primary,secondary and tertiary alcohols in high-performance liquid chromatography

3,4-Dhydro-6,7-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-oxo-quinoxaline-2-carbonyl azide is a highly senstive fluorescence derivatization reagent for primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols for high-performance liquid chromatography. Reaction conditions are optimized with benzyl alcohol, n-hexanol, cyclohexanol and 2-methyl-2-butanol. The reagent reacts with the alcohols in benzene to produce the corresponding fluorescent carbamic acid esters, which can be separated on a reversed-phase column YMC Pack C₈ with aqueous methanol as eluent. the detection limits for the alchols are 2–5 fmol per 10-μl njection. The reagent also reacts with hydroxysteroids with primary, secondary and/or tertiary alcoholic group(s) to form fluorescent derivatives. Hydroxycarboxylic acids and phenols do not give any chromatographic peaks.     

Study of SPG membrane emulsification processes for the preparation of monodisperse core-shell microcapsules

Experimental investigations on the Shirasu-porous-glass (SPG)-membrane emulsification processes for preparing monodisperse core-shell microcapsules with porous membranes were carried out systematically. The results showed that, to get monodisperse oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions by SPG membrane emulsification, it was more important to choose an anionic surfactant than to consider hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) matching. Increasing the viscosity of either the disperse phase or the continuous phase or decreasing the solubility of the disperse phase in the continuous phase could improve both the monodispersity and the stability of emulsions. With increasing monomer concentration inside the disperse phase, the monodispersity of emulsions became slightly worse and the mean diameter of emulsions gradually became smaller. Monodisperse monomer-containing emulsions were obtained when the SPG membrane pore size was larger than 1.0 micro m, and from these emulsions satisfactory monodisperse core-shell microcapsules with a porous membrane were prepared. On the other hand, when the SPG membrane pore size was smaller than 1.0 mciro m, no monodisperse emulsions were obtained because of the formation and chokage of solid monomer crystals in the pores or at the end of the pores of the SPG membrane. This was due to the remarkable solvation and diffusion of the solvent in water. With increasing the emulsification time the average emulsion diameter generally decreased, and the monodispersity of the emulsions gradually became worse.