Three New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum forrestii

A further study of the alkaloid constituents of Aconitum forrestii led to the isolation of three new C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloids, named 14‐acetoxy‐8‐O‐methylsachaconitine ( 1 ), 14‐acetoxyscaconine ( 2 ), and 8‐O‐ethylcammaconine ( 3 ). Their structures were determined by UV, IR, and MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses.     

Colorimetric detection of peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage using gold nanoparticles, and on the scavenging effects of antioxidants

We describe a rapid and convenient colorimetric method for the detection of oxidative DNA damage caused by peroxynitrite (ONOO^?) using unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). AuNPs are stable in the presence of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) against the aggregation induced by a high ionic strength. If adsorbed ssDNA are cleaved by ONOO^? to form smaller fragments, the AuNPs rapidly aggregate due to electrostatic attraction. As a result, the color of the solution changes from red to blue, and this can be seen with bare eyes. We also have evaluated the activity of the antioxidants gallic acid, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid to scavenge ONOO^?. This method therefore also can be applied to screen for anti-oxidation drugs and agents.

Clean,One‐Pot Synthesis of Naphthopyran Derivatives in Aqueous Media

A general and practical one‐pot synthesis of naphthopyran derivatives using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTMAB) as catalyst (10 mol%) is described. This method provides several advantages such as neutral conditions, high yields and simple workup procedure. The catalyst is low cost, facile, active, environmentally friendly, and reusable. In addition, water is chosen as a green solvent.     

Elution behaviour and environmental impact of heavy metals and rare-earth elements from volcanic ashes of Mt. Oyama,Miyake Island

To obtain information on the environmental impact of materials eluted from volcanic ashes of Mt. Oyama, Miyake Island, which erupted in July 2000, the dissolution behaviours of heavy metals and rare-earth elements from the volcanic ashes were examined. The most important characteristic of the Mt. Oyama eruption is that sulphur dioxide (SO₂) gas has been continuously released, and all persons living on Miyake Island have been required to evacuate. To estimate in terms of the volcanic eruption using SO₂ gas, the ash nature in Mt. Usu, Hokkaido, was also examined and compared with that in Mt. Oyama. When rain water mixed the ashes, the water from the ashes of Mt. Oyama became acidic because of the sulphuric acid. Therefore, SO₂ gas in Mt. Oyama can accelerate the dissolution of protons and heavy metals in the ashes, whereas the rain water in Mt. Usu was not acidic and the dissolution of the heavy metals was not so evident compared with that in the case of Mt. Oyama. With this sulphuric acid, heavy metals such as As, Cd, Pb and Hg in the ashes in Mt. Oyama easily dissolved owing to the low pH. The ashes in Mt. Oyama had been released for eight years and the amount of fallen ashes was estimated to be 33 billion tons. The weights of the harmful heavy metals in the volcanic ashes, such as As, Cd, Pb and Hg, were estimated to be 3.8?×?10², 1.3?×?10³, 1.1?×?10³ and 29?kg, respectively, and these heavy metals were dissolved and diluted in seawater. Therefore, the concentration and species (chemical form) of these metals should be carefully monitored in the future. Moreover, SO₂ gas, which has a direct effect on human health and has been monitored continuously, causes other effects, such as facilitation of metal ion elution and rock aeration.     

A novel synthetic method for preparation of some folates

An improved method was developed for preparation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) and calcium-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF-Ca) by reduction of folic acid using KBH₄ catalyzed by Pb(NO₃)₂. The yields of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca were 56.5 and 42.7 %, respectively. A convenient method for measurement of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) was also established, enabling analysis of those folates within 10 min without application of gradient elution.     

基于MIE散射理论的粒度分布测量系统研究

粒度测量广泛应用于粉体工程,测量结果直接影响粉体产品优劣。在深入研究MIE散射理论的基础上,提出一种基于改进反演算法的粒度测量系统设计方案,利用激光器、傅里叶透镜、光电传感器采集含有待测微粒信息的电信号,通过调理电路进行处理,应用改进反演算法分析得出粒度值及分布。通过实验验证,效的本文提出的设计方案能实现准确高粒度测量。     

Enhanced photoactivity of CdS nanorods by MXene and ZnSnO3: Application in photoelectrochemical biosensor for the effect of environmental pollutants on DNA hydroxymethylation in wheat tissues

The photoactivity of CdS nanorods was greatly improved by amino functionalized accordion-like MXene and spherical ZnSnO₃. MXene possesses good electron transfer capability and ZnSnO₃ presents matched energy band with CdS, which deeply accelerate the electron transfer and prevent the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pair, leading to a strong photoelectrochemical (PEC) response. Taking the merit of the improved photoactivity of CdS nanorods, a novel PEC biosensor was constructed for DNA hydromethylation detection based on immune recognition of target molecule, where 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxycytidine triphosphate (5hmdCTP) was employed as detect target, CdS/MXene was used as photoactive material, and ZnSnO₃ was adopted as signal amplification unit. Under enzymatic covalent reaction of –CH₂OH of 5hmdCTP with –NH₂ of MXene, 5hmdCTP was specifically recognized and captured. Then, taking advantages of the covalent reaction between phosphate group of 5hmdCTP and ZnSnO₃, the signal amplification unit was captured. Under the optimum conditions, this PEC biosensor presents wide linear range of 0.008–100 nM and low detection limit of 4.21 pM (3σ). The applicability of the developed method was evaluated by investigating the effect of Cd²⁺ and perfluorohexane compound pollutant on 5-hydroxymethylcytosine content in the genomic DNA of the roots and leaves of wheat seedlings.     

Localized surface plasmon resonance properties and biomedical applications of copper selenide nanomaterials

Nanomaterials with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) locating in the near-infrared region have broad application prospects in the field of biomedicine. However, the biggest problem that limits the biomedical application of such nanomaterials lies in two aspects: First, the potential long-term in vivo toxicity caused by the metabolism of many nanomaterials with LSPR effect; Second, most of current nanomaterials with LSPR effect are difficult to achieve LSPR wavelength tunability in the near-infrared region to adapt to different biomedical applications. Copper selenide nanomaterials are composed of selenium and copper, which are necessary nutrient elements for human life. Because of the active and flexible chemical properties of selenium and copper, copper selenide nanomaterials can not only be effectively degraded and utilized in human body, but also be endowed with various physicochemical properties by chemical modification or doping. Recently, copper selenide nanomaterials have shown unique properties such as LSPR in the near-infrared region, making them attractive for near-infrared thermal ablation, photoacoustic imaging, disease marker detection, multimode imaging, and so on. Currently, to the best of our knowledge, there is no review on the LSPR properties of copper selenide nanomaterials and its biomedical applications. This review first discusses the relationship between the physicochemical properties and the LSPR of copper selenide nanomaterials and then summarizes the latest progress in the application of copper selenide nanomaterials in biological detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. In addition, the advantages, and prospects of copper selenide nanomaterials in biomedicine are also highlighted.