Liquid–solid disk extraction followed by supercritical fluid elution and gas chromatography of phenols from water

A method combining the techniques of liquid – solid disk extraction (LSDE) and supercritical fluid elution (SFE) has been developed for the phenols regulated by the Clean Water Act. LSDE uses a disk or membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibrils impregnated with small particles, e.g. styrene divinylbenzene (SDB) resin, to extract phenols from water. After disk extraction the retained analytes are eluted from the disk using SFE. SFE is used as an alternative to liquid solvent elution with an organic solvent. Analytes are separated, identified, and quantified using gas chromatography – ion trap detector mass spectrometry (GC-ITDMS). The method is capable of sub parts per billion detection limits, and precision of 5–28% RSD. Evaluation of various disks or membranes, such as C₁₈-silica disks, SDB disks, and ion exchange membranes, has also been performed for the extraction of phenols from water. The results obtained from the in-situ aqueous acetylation of phenols and extraction of their acetates are quantitative. The utilization of LSDE and SFE techniques has proven to be a more effective approach than liquid – liquid extraction in minimizing air pollution and solvent waste.     

Theoretical studies on the intramolecular cyclization of alkyl halide anions

The intramolecular cyclization reactions of alkyl fluoride and chloride anions¹ were investigated theoretically using the AM1 method. Formation of five-membered ring was the most reactive and that of three-membered ring was the least reactive process in both series. For the fluoride series the reactivity order of n = 5 > 6 > 7 > 4 > 3 was dictated by the enthalpy (ΔH≠) effect while for the chloride series the entropy (ΔS≠) effect was found to play somewhat greater role due to the much better leaving ability of the chloride anion leading to the reactivity order of n = 5 > 6 > 4 > 7 > 3. For both series, BEP principle held and the degree of bond formation was greater with the fluoride series owing to the poor electron acceptor ability of the cleaving bond.     

Solvent Effects on the Absorption Spectrum of the Product and the Equilibrium Constant for the Proton Transfer Reaction from 1-Phenacylquinolinium Bromide to Amines

The equilibrium constants, K ₂, have been determined for the proton-transfer reactions of 1-phenacylquinolinium ion, PHQ⁺, with several amines {triethylamine (TEA), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (ED), N,N,N′, N′-tetramethylpropanediamine (PD), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbutanediamine (BD), and 1,8-bis(dimethylamino-naphthalene (DMAN)} in acetonitrile (AN), AN-tetrahydrofuran (THF) and AN-ethanol (EtOH) mixtures. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically using a stopped-flow technique. The K ₂ value decreased for DMAN and increased for TEA with increasing vol-% of THF in AN-THF mixtures. The changes in the K ₂ value for ED, PD and BD changed in the order: ED, PD and BD from a pattern similar to TEA to a pattern similar to DMAN. The change in the K ₂ value for DMAN with increasing vol-% of THF in AN-THF mixtures was explained by the effect of polarity on the stability of P⁻Q⁺ (the deprotonated product of PHQ⁺). The effect of THF on the K ₂ value is consistent with that of the peak wavelength of the absorption spectrum of P⁻Q⁺. The change in the K ₂ value for TEA, ED, PD and BD depended on the structures of the protonated bases, one of the products for this reaction. The effect of EtOH on the K ₂ value for DMAN was examined in ternary EtOH-THF-AN mixtures that contain different amounts of EtOH and whose relative permittivities were adjusted to that of EtOH. The K ₂ value increased with increasing vol-% of EtOH because of the stabilization of P⁻Q⁺ upon the formation of the hydrogen-bonded complex with EtOH. The absorption spectrum of P⁻Q⁺ demonstrated a blue shift as the vol-% of EtOH increased.     

Double hexagonal chains with minimal total <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis>-electron energy

The total energy of all π-electrons in a conjugated hydrocarbon (within the framework of HMO approximation) is the sum of the absolute value of all the eigenvalues of its corresponding graph. In this paper, we consider “double hexagonal chains” as benzenoids constructed by successive fusions of successive naphthalenes along a zig–zag sequence of triples of edges as appear on opposite sides of each naphthalene unit. It is shown that if the fusions are such as to give a polyaceacene then the total π-electron energy is the minimum from among all the double hexagonal chains with the same number of naphthalene units.      

Zeb1 for RCP-induced oral cancer cell invasion and its suppression by resveratrol

Rab coupling protein (RCP) is upregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is correlated with the progression and survival of patients. However, the role of RCP in one of the aggressive types of HNSCC, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), remains elusive. In the present study, we identified the important role of Zeb1 in RCP-induced OSCC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion. RCP induces Zeb1 expression, and silencing Zeb1 expression significantly inhibits RCP-induced OSCC invasion. In addition, Zeb1 upregulates MT1-MMP expression to promote OSCC EMT and invasion. Furthermore, we observed that the β1 integrin/EGFR/β-catenin signaling cascade mediates RCP-induced Zeb1 expression to promote OSCC invasion. Notably, we provide evidence that resveratrol (REV) strongly inhibits RCP-induced Zeb1 expression through blocking β1 integrin endosome recycling and EGFR activation, leading to suppression of RCP-induced OSCC invasion, demonstrating the important role of RCP in OSCC invasion and its reversion by REV. Collectively, the present study provides evidence for the first time that RCP aggravates OSCC invasion through increasing Zeb1 expression and subsequently upregulating MT1-MMP expression and that this process is reversed by REV, providing novel biomarkers and indicating the therapeutic potential of REV in OSCC.Subject terms: Oral cancer, Cell invasion     

High ionization potential conjugated polymers

We report the synthesis of a series of poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) with high ionization potentials and associated high excited-state electron affinities. Their photophysical properties were investigated using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. The ionization potentials of the polymer thin films were determined using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and those with the highest ionization potentials displayed high sensitivity for the detection of electron-donating aromatic compounds. The effects of sterics, chemical structure, and electronic properties on the polymers' sensory responses were investigated by fluorescence quenching experiments in both solution and solid thin films. In addition, we report that in some cases the excited-state charge-transfer complexes (exciplexes) of the PPEs with analytes were observed. These latter effects provide promising opportunities for the formation of sensitive and selective chemical sensors.     

Visible-light-induced photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol and phenolic compounds in aqueous suspension of pure titania: demonstrating the existence of a surface-complex-mediated path

The visible-light-induced degradation reaction of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) was investigated in aqueous suspension of pure TiO2. Contrary to common expectations, 4-CP could be degraded under visible illumination (lambda > 420 nm), generating chlorides and CO2 concomitantly. The observed visible reactivity was not due to the presence of trace UV light since the visible-light-induced reactions exhibited behaviors distinguished from those of UV-induced reactions. Dichloroacetate could not be degraded under visible light, whereas it degraded with a much faster rate than 4-CP under UV irradiation. The addition of tert-butyl alcohol, a common OH radical scavenger, did not affect the visible reactivity of 4-CP, which indicates that OH radicals are not involved. Other phenolic compounds such as phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol were similarly degraded under visible light. The surface complexation between phenolic compounds and TiO2 appears to be responsible for the visible light reactivity. Diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectra showed that 4-CP adsorbed on TiO2 powder induced visible light absorption. The visible light reactivity among several TiO2 samples was apparently correlated with the surface area of TiO2. The visible-light-induced photocurrents on a TiO2 electrode could be obtained only in the presence of 4-CP. It is proposed that a direct electron transfer from surface-complexed phenol to the conduction band of TiO2 upon absorbing visible light (through ligand-to-metal charge transfer) initiates the oxidative degradation of phenolic compounds. When the surface complex formation was hindered by surface fluorination, surface platinization, and high pH, the visible-light-induced degradation of 4-CP was inhibited. The evidence of visible-light-induced reactions and the experimental conditions affecting the visible reactivity were discussed in detail.     

A PMMA composite as an optical diffuser in a liquid crystal display backlighting unit (BLU)

The effect of thermo-physical properties, relative humidity and stiffness on the warpage of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) diffusing plate modified with glass fibers in a direct-lit backlight unit (BLU) of a liquid crystal display (LCD) was investigated. The warpage of the PMMA diffusing composites modified with a glass fiber were significantly reduced relative to that of a conventional PMMA diffusing plate. Luminance and scattering characteristics of the PMMA diffusing composites having 5, 10, 20 vol% of glass fibers were measured. Although the luminance of the composite was lowered as increasing the volume fractions of glass fibers in the PMMA composites, good brightness uniformity of the composites on a light source was obtained.     

Fabrication of nanocapsules with Au particles trapped inside carbon and silica nanoporous shells

Carbon capsules with hollow cores and mesoporous shells (HCMS) containing entrapped Au particles were prepared by template replication from solid core/mesoporous shell silica spheres with encapsulated Au particles. The resulting HCMS carbon capsules were then nanocast one step further to generate Au-trapping hollow core silica capsules with nanostructured shells.     

An azo dye for photodynamic therapy that is activated selectively by two-photon excitation

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT) is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer because of its better penetration depth and superior spatial selectivity. Here, we describe an azo group containing cyclized-cyanine derivatives (ACC1 and ACC2) as a two-photon activated, type I based photosensitizer (PS). These small-molecule and heavy atom-free organic dyes showed marked reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating ability under physiological conditions, as well as fast loading ability into the cells and negligible dark toxicity. Live cell analyses with one- and two-photon microscopy revealed that these dyes showed higher ROS generation ability upon two-photon excitation than upon one-photon excitation via the type I process. The PSs have superior PDT properties compared to conventional Visudyne and 5-ALA under mild conditions. These characteristics allowed for precise PDT at the target region in mimic tumor spheroids, demonstrating that the developed TP PS could be useful in efficient PDT applications and in designing various PSs.

Azo containing dyes as a two-photon selective and type I based photosensitizers (PSs) were developed that exhibit excellent photodynamic therapy properties under mild condition.