Mineralization mechanism of calcium phosphates under three kinds of Langmuir monolayers

Three kinds of Langmuir monolayers formed by dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), arachidic acid (AA), and octadecylamine (ODA) were used as templates to study the initial stage of nucleation and crystallization of calcium phosphates. It was demonstrated that the combination of calcium ions (or phosphates) to the monolayer/subphase interface is a prerequisite for subsequent nucleation. It was found that calcium phosphate dihydrate (DPCD) formed at 25.0 degrees C for 12 h has a biphasic structure containing both amorphous and crystalline phases. These results showed that calcium phosphates were formed through a multistage assembly process, during which an initial amorphous phase DPCD was followed by a phase transformation into a crystalline phase and then the most stable hydroxyapatite (HAp). This provided new insights into the template-biomineral interaction and a mechanism for biomineralization.     

Electrochemical behavior and determination of epinephrine at a mercaptoacetic acid self-assembled gold electrode

The electrochemical behavior of epinephrine (EP) at a mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode was studied. The MAA/Au electrode is demonstrated to promote the electrochemical response of epinephrine by cyclic voltammetry. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed. The diffusion coefficient D of EP is 6.85 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹. In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 7.20), a sensitive oxidation peak was observed at 0.177 V, and the peak current is proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵–2.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit is 5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The modified electrode is highly stable and can be applied to the determination of EP in practical injection samples. The method is simple, quick, sensitive and accurate.     

Elucidating interactions of ionic liquids with polymer films using confocal Raman spectroscopy

We report on the molecular interactions between room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and Nafion and PDMS membranes, proving that in contact with these polymers RTILs behave like electrolytes rather than solvents.     

Surmounting tumor resistance to metallodrugs by co-loading a metal complex and siRNA in nanoparticles

Copper complexes are promising anticancer agents widely studied to overcome tumor resistance to metal-based anticancer drugs. Nevertheless, copper complexes per se encounter drug resistance from time to time. Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP)-responsive nanoparticles containing a copper complex CTND and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) small interfering RNA (siRNA) were constructed to cope with the resistance of cancer cells to the complex. CTND and siRNA can be released from the nanoparticles in cancer cells upon reacting with intracellular ATP. The resistance of B16F10 melanoma cells to CTND was terminated by silencing the cellular Bcl-2 gene via RNA interference, and the therapeutic efficacy was significantly enhanced. The nanoparticles triggered a cellular autophagy that amplified the apoptotic signals, thus revealing a novel mechanism for antagonizing the resistance of copper complexes. In view of the extensive association of Bcl-2 protein with cancer resistance to chemotherapeutics, this strategy may be universally applicable for overcoming the ubiquitous drug resistance to metallodrugs.

Bcl-2-related tumor resistance to anticancer drugs can be overcome by silencing the cellular Bcl-2 gene via RNA interference. The realization of the goal is exemplified by delivering Bcl-2 siRNA and a tumor-resistant Cu complex to cancer cells with an ATP-responsive nanocarrier.     

A sensitive spectrophotometric method for lead determination by flow injection analysis with on-line preconcentration

A new flow injection (FI) system for the determination of Pb(II) at trace level with a preconcentration step and spectrophotometric detection is proposed. It is based on preconcentration of lead ions on chitosan and dithizone-lead complex formation in aqueous medium (pH 9). The chemicals and FIA variables influencing the performance of the system were optimized and applied to the determination of lead in natural, well, and drinking water samples. It is a simple, highly sensitive, and low cost alternative methodology. The method provided a linear rage between 25 and 250 μg l⁻¹, a detection limit of 5.0 ng ml⁻¹ and a sample throughput of 15 h⁻¹. The obtained results of spiked samples are in good agreement between the proposed method and ICP-AES.     

Thermodynamic properties of hydrated sodium l-threonate Na(C4H7O5)·H2O(s)

Low-temperature heat capacities of the compound Na(C₄H₇O₅)·H₂O(s) have been measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. A solid-solid phase transition and dehydration occur at 290-318 K and 367-373 K, respectively. The enthalpy and entropy of the solid-solid transition are Δ_transH_m = (5.75 ± 0.01) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_transS_m = (18.47 ± 0.02) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy and entropy of the dehydration are Δ_dH_m = (15.35 ± 0.03) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_dS_m = (41.35 ± 0.08) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Experimental values of heat capacities for the solids (I and II) and the solid-liquid mixture (III) have been fitted to polynomial equations.     

Naphtho[1′,2′:5,6]pyrano[2,3–6][1,5]benzodiazepine Derivatives

The reaction of 3-(dimethylamino)-1-oxo-1H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran-2-carbaldehyde (Ia) with o-phenylenediamines or N-monosubstituted o-phenylenediamines in refluxing glacial acetic acid afforded the corresponding naphtho[1′,2′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepin-15-(8H)ones V in very good yields. A similar result was achieved when the reaction was carried out in refluxing pyridine, using N-monosubstituted o-phenylenediamine hydrochlorides. The isolation of a significant intermediate as well as the synthesis through a different univocal pathway confirmed the structure of the compounds V. Moreover the reaction of Ia with N-monosubstituted o-phenylenediamines in refluxing pyridine generally afforded only low yields of compounds V, sometimes together with naphtho[1′,2′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepin-15-(13H)ones VII, isomers of V.     

蒙脱土表面键合配位体固相萃取填料的制备及其对重金属离子的吸附性能

通过酸洗、硅烷偶联剂表面活化、键合苯甲酰异硫氰酸酯对蒙脱土进行改性,制得新型固相萃取(SPE)材料。 采用红外光谱、扫描电子显微镜、X射线光电子能谱表征了改性蒙脱土的结构和形貌。 考察了制备的SPE填料对水中As³⁺、Bi³⁺、Cu²⁺、Sb³⁺、Sn²⁺和Pb²⁺的吸附性能,确定了最佳固相萃取条件,对6种金属离子吸附容量分别为10.83、11.92、12.67、10.43、10.01及10.54 mg/g。 通过SPE与电感耦合等离子体质谱联用测定了样品中As³⁺、Bi³⁺、Cu²⁺、Sb³⁺、Sn²⁺和Pb²⁺ 6种重金属离子的含量,检出限分别为0.024、0.013、0.075、0.037、0.011和0.064 μg/L。     

Determination of the sulfur components of gasoline streams by capillary column gas chromatography with sulfur chemiluminescence detection

A method using a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) has been developed for the qualitative and quantitative determination of sulfur components in stabilized gasoline-range process streams, including blended gasolines containing between 1 and > 4000 ppm total sulfur. The detection limit per sulfur component was approximately 50 ppb. On-column injection was employed for optimum precision and accuracy. A new probe material was found which did not soften under FID operating conditions. A new method, using a hydrogen sulfide permeation tube, was developed for rapid alignment of the probe in the FID.