Remarkably high catalytic activity of the Ru(III)(edta)/H2O2 system towards degradation of the azo-dye Orange II

The Ru(III)(edta)/H(2)O(2) system (edta(4-) = ethylenediaminetretaacetate) was found to degrade the azo-dye Orange II at remarkably high efficiency under ambient conditions. Catalytic degradation of the dye was studied by using rapid-scan spectrophotometry as a function of [H(2)O(2)], [Orange II] and pH. Spectral analyses and kinetic data point towards a catalytic pathway involving the rapid formation of [Ru(III)(edta)(OOH)](2-) followed by the immediate subsequent degradation of Orange II prior to the conversion of [Ru(III)(edta)(OOH)](2-) to [Ru(IV)(edta)(OH)](-) and [Ru(V)(edta)(O)](-)via homolysis and heterolysis of the O-O bond, respectively. The higher oxidation state Ru(IV) and Ru(V) complexes react three orders of magnitude slower with Orange II than the Ru(III)-hydroperoxo complex. In comparison to biological oxygen transfer reactions, the Ru(edta) complexes show the reactivity order Compound 0 ? Compounds I and II.     

A low-voltage electrokinetic nanochannel drug delivery system

Recent work has elucidated the potential of important new therapeutic paradigms, including metronomic delivery and chronotherapy, in which the precise timing and location of therapeutic administration has a significant impact on efficacy and toxicity. New drug delivery architectures are needed to not only release drug continuously at precise rates, but also synchronize their release with circadian cycles. We present an actively controlled nanofluidic membrane that exploits electrophoresis to control the magnitude, duration, and timing of drug release. The membrane, produced using high precision silicon fabrication techniques, has platinum electrodes integrated at the inlet and outlet that allow both amplification and reversal of analyte delivery with low applied voltage (at or below 2 VDC). Device operation was demonstrated with solutions of both fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated bovine serum albumin and lysozyme using fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and a lysozyme specific bio-assay and has been characterized for long-term molecular release and release reversibility. Through a combination of theoretical and experimental analysis, the relative contributions of electrophoresis and electroosmosis have been investigated. The membrane's clinically relevant electrophoretic release rate at 2 VDC exceeds the passive release by nearly one order of magnitude, demonstrating the potential to realize the therapeutic paradigm goal.     

Glucocorticoids Directly Affect Hyaluronan Production of Orbital Fibroblasts; A Potential Pleiotropic Effect in Graves’ Orbitopathy

Orbital connective tissue expansion is a hallmark of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). In moderate-to-severe active GO, glucocorticoids (GC) are the first line of treatment. Here we show that hydrocortisone (HC), prednisolone (P), methylprednisolone (MP), and dexamethasone (DEX) inhibit the hyaluronan (HA) production of orbital (OF) and dermal (DF) fibroblasts. HA production of GO OFs (n = 4), NON-GO OFs (n = 4) and DFs (n = 4) was measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of enzymes of HA metabolism and fibroblast proliferation was examined by RT-PCR and BrdU incorporation, respectively. After 24 h of GC treatment (1µM) HA production decreased by an average of 67.9 ± 3.11% (p < 0.0001) in all cell cultures. HAS2, HAS3 and HYAL1 expression in OFs also decreased (p = 0.009, p = 0.0005 and p = 0.015, respectively). Ten ng/mL PDGF-BB increased HA production and fibroblast proliferation in all cell lines (p < 0.0001); GC treatment remained effective and reduced HA production under PDGF-BB-stimulated conditions (p < 0.0001). MP and DEX reduced (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively) PDGF-BB-induced HAS2 expression in OFs. MP and DEX treatment decreased PDGF-BB stimulated HAS3 expression (p = 0.035 and p = 0.029, respectively). None of the GCs tested reduced the PDGF-BB stimulated proliferation rate. Our results confirm that GCs directly reduce the HA production of OFs, which may contribute to the beneficial effect of GCs in GO.     

Dwarf Kiwi (Actinidia arguta Miq.), a Source of Antioxidants for a Healthy and Sustainable Diet

The feasibility of using dwarf kiwi fruits (Actinia arguta Miq.) as a healthy and sustainable food, compared to other types of commercial kiwi fruits, was evaluated in the present study. The overall antioxidant capacity of these fruits was assessed by either extraction-dependent methods (ABTS, ORAC) or the direct method called Quick, Easy, New, CHEap, Reproducible (QUENCHER) (DPPH, FRAP, Folin–Ciocalteu), applied for the first time to analyze kiwi fruits. With this methodology, all the molecules with antioxidant capacity are measured together in a single step, even those with high molecular weight or poor solubility in aqueous extraction systems, such as antioxidant dietary fiber. The effect of kiwi extracts on physiological and induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on IEC-6 cells was also analyzed, as well as total phenolic content (TPC) by Fast Blue BB, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids. A. arguta fruits showed the highest values in all the antioxidant assays, being remarkably higher than the other kiwi species for Q-FRAP and Q-DPPH. Dwarf kiwi showed the highest potential in reducing physiological ROS and the highest values of TPC (54.57 mgGAE/g), being hydroxybenzoic acids the main phenolic family found (2.40 mgGAE/g). Therefore, dwarf kiwi fruits are a natural source of antioxidants compared to conventional kiwi fruits, being a sustainable and healthy alternative to diversify fruits in the diet.     

Ueber die Metachromasie des Toluidinblaus

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Weak approximation of the stochastic wave equation

We investigate the accuracy of approximation of E[φ(u(t))], where {u(t):t∈[0,∞)} is the solution of the stochastic wave equation driven by the space-time white noise and φ is an R-valued function defined on the Hilbert space L²(R). The approximation is done by the leap-frog scheme. We show that, under certain conditions on φ, the approximation by the leap-frog scheme is of order two.     

H,C, Pt NMR study on platinum(II) interaction with sulphur containing Amadori compounds

The NMR study on the interaction of Pt(II) with Amadori compounds is performed. The Amadori compounds are derived from the reaction of β-d-glucose with l-cystine leading to N,N′-di-(1-deoxy-β-fructos-1-yl)-l-cystine [FruCyscys], and with l-methionine leading to N-(1-deoxy-β-fructos-1-yl)-l-methionine [FruMet].     

Surface-templated formation of protein microfibril arrays.

Ordered arrays of collagen microfibrils form rapidly and spontaneously from a solution of monomers deposited onto a mica substrate. These arrays are well-ordered and apparently continuous over the entire substrate. Correlated atomic force microscope images and Laué diffraction patterns indicate that the protein alignment and microfibril formation is controlled by the crystal orientation of the mica substrate rather than fluid flow or drying effects. This surface-induced mechanism allows for immediate, robust, and reproducible pattern formation.     

Zur Analyse von Haut- und Haarwaschmitteln auf Basis synthetischer Tenside

Zusammenfassung Dusch- und Schaumbadepr?parate sowie Haarwaschmittel enthalten als Hauptbestandteile im allgemeinen anionische und nichtionische, gelegentlich auch noch amphotere Tenside. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein Analysengang beschrieben, der nicht nur die Auftrennung der Tensidgemische und die Identifizierung und Bestimmung der eingesetzten Tenside behandelt, sondern auch Methoden für den Nachweis und die Bestimmung von Hilfs- und Zusatzstoffen angibt. Daneben wird versucht, die Analysenm?glichkeiten von Verbindungen aufzuzeigen, die den Pr?paraten besondere zus?tzliche Eigenschaften neben der prim?r gewünschten Reinigungswirkung verleihen. Zur Isolierung dieser Substanzen (wie z.B. der Sterine und Konditioniermittel) sind von uns Methoden erarbeitet worden, die in dieser Arbeit erstmalig mitgeteilt werden.

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On the analysis of body and hair shampoos based on synthetic tensides

Summary In general, body and hair shampoos contain as main components anionic and non-ionic, sometimes also amphoteric, detergents. A scheme of analysis is given here which not only deals with the separation of the detergent mixtures and the identification and determination of the surfactants employed but also with methods for the detection and determination of additive and auxiliary compounds. Moreover, the attempt is made to point out analytical methods for the determination of those compounds which impart special qualities to the bath preparations and shampoos besides the primary wanted cleaning effect. Methods for the isolation of these substances (as e.g. sterols and conditioning agents) have been elaborated and are described in this paper for the first time.