Novel Photodynamic Therapy Using Water-dispersed TiO2–Polyethylene Glycol Compound: Evaluation of Antitumor Effect on Glioma Cells and Spheroids In Vitro

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is thought to be a photocatalytic agent excited by UV light. Our aim was to investigate the photocatalytic antitumor effect of water-dispersed TiO₂ nanoparticles on C6 rat glioma cells and to evaluate the treatment responses by the spheroid models. Water-dispersed TiO₂ nanoparticles were constructed by the adsorption of chemical modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the TiO₂ surface (TiO₂/PEG). Each monolayer and spheroid of C6 cells was coincubated with various concentrations of TiO₂/PEG and subsequently irradiated with UV light. Damage of the cells and spheroids was evaluated sequentially by staining with the fluorescent dyes. The cytotoxic effect was correlated with the concentration of TiO₂/PEG and the energy dose of UV irradiation. More than 90% of cells were killed after 13.5 J cm⁻² of UV irradiation in the presence of 500 μg mL⁻¹ TiO₂/PEG. The irradiated spheroids in the presence of TiO₂/PEG showed growth suppression compared with control groups. In TiO₂/PEG-treated spheroids, the number of Annexin V-FITC-stained cells gradually increased during the first 6 h, and subsequently propidium iodide-stained cells appeared. The results of this study suggest that newly developed photoexcited TiO₂/PEG have antitumoral activity. Photodynamic therapy utilizing this material can be a clue to a novel therapeutic strategy for glioma.     

New C(28) steroidal glycosides from Tubocapsicum anomalum

Two new C(28) steroidal glycosides, tuboanosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruit of Tubocapsicum anomalum MAKINO. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis of the p-bromobenzoyl derivative (4) of tuboanosigenin (3), the sapogenol derivative of these two glycosides. Tuboanosides have the structural peculiarity of an unusual side chain carrying an unusual linkage with a C-21 bound to C-25 on the lactone ring.     

Anomaly of CH4 molecular assembly confined in single-wall carbon nanohorn spaces

Vibrational-rotational properties of CH(4) adsorbed on the nanopores of single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) at 105-140 K were investigated using IR spectroscopy. The difference vibrational-rotational bands of the ν(3) and ν(4) modes below 130 K show suppression of the P and R branches, while the Q branches remain. The widths of the Q branches are much narrower than in the bulk gas phase due to suppression of the Doppler effect. These results indicate that the rotation of CH(4) confined in the nanospaces of SWCNHs is highly restricted, resulting in a rigid assembly structure, which is an anomaly in contrast to that in the bulk liquid phase.     

Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis of 2-arylcoumaran lignin model compounds

Phenolic 2-arylcoumarans 1–6 were used to examine the behaviors of β-5 subunits in lignin during tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis. Products were monitored by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The process predominantly provided dimeric products with the opened hydrofuran ring. Substituent changes at the γ-position of ring A and at the 5-position of ring B had a large effect on the product compositions. 2-Arylcoumarans 1 and 6 with the γ-CH₂OH substituent predominantly gave 2,3,3′,4′-tetramethoxystilbenes involving the elimination of the γ-CH₂OH substituent, while 2–5 with the γ-CH₃ substituent gave a mixture of 2,3,3′,4′-tetramethoxy-α-methylstilbenes and α-methoxy-α-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-β-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)propanes. Substituent –CHCHCH₃ on ring B remained unaffected. Substituents –CHCHCH₂OH and –COOH on ring B produced the corresponding methyl ether and ester, respectively, by methylation. The –CHCHCHO substituent on ring B was converted to the –CHO substituent.     

Preparing a magnetically responsive single-wall carbon nanohorn colloid by anchoring magnetite nanoparticles

A single-wall carbon nanohorn (SWNH) colloid was made to be magnetically responsive by anchoring magnetite nanoparticles prepared by the homogeneous mixing of FeCl(2)-FeCl(3) and NaOH solutions. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed the high dispersion of magnetite particles of 2-9 nm on the surface of the SWNH colloid, coinciding with the broad X-ray diffraction peaks of the magnetites. The magnetization measurements showed that the magnetite nanoparticles-anchored SWNH (mag-SWNH) colloid has the hybrid property of ferrimagnetism and superparamagnetism. It was demonstrated that mag-SWNH colloid dispersed in water by sonication responded to an external magnetic field, gathering toward a magnet. N(2) adsorption experiments showed the high nanoporosity of mag-SWNHs and that magnetite nanoparticles were preferably anchored at "nanowindow" sites and the entrance sites of interstitial pores. This magnetically responsive SWNH colloid should contribute to the field of drug delivery.     

New formation mechanism of allylic trithiocarbonates from sodium O-(2-Alkenyl) dithiocarbonates via sequential pericyclic reactions: Density functional theory study

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level demonstrated that sodium O-(3-phenylallyl) dithiocarbonate undergoes [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to sodium S-(1-phenylallyl) dithiocarbonate, which then isomerizes to the more thermodynamically stable sodium S-(3-phenylallyl) dithiocarbonate. The calculations also showed that sodium 2-alkenyl trithiocarbonates and their esters are more labile towards the allylic rearrangement.     

Characterization of Benzo[a]naphtho[2,3-f]pentalene: Interrelation between Open-shell and Antiaromatic Characters Governed by Mode of the Quinoidal Subunit and Molecular Symmetry

The singlet open-shell character and antiaromaticity are intriguing features in π-conjugated carbocycles. These two exhibit similar chemical and physical properties. However, they rarely coexist in the same molecule. Understanding the interrelation between the open-shell and antiaromatic characteristics in the same molecule is crucial to control the electronic properties. Herein we describe the synthesis and characterization of a new member of diareno[a,f]pentalene, benzo[a]naphtho[2,3-f]pentalene 6 . Unlike its isomer 5 with a closed-shell ground state, 6 exhibits an appreciable open-shell character and a moderate antiaromatic feature. The behaviors of the open-shell index (y₀) against the difference of the proton chemical signal (Δδ(H¹)) between pentalenide dianions/neutral pentalenes for our reported pentalenes 1 , 4 , 5 , and 6 give a thought-provoking conclusion about the interrelation between open-shell and antiaromatic characteristics in this series. The mode of the incorporated quinoidal moiety and the formal molecular symmetry are critical to balance these two characteristics.     

Facile Synthesis of Azahelicenes and Diaza[8]circulenes through the Intramolecular Scholl Reaction

Carbazole-based aza[7]helicenes and hetero[9]helicenes were successfully obtained via the intramolecular Scholl reaction of 3,6-bis(biphenyl-2-yl)carbazole congeners, while the reaction of 3,6-bis(naphthylphenyl)-appended carbazole gave a triple helicene via an unexpected simultaneous double aryl rearrangement. DFT calculations suggested that the rearrangement proceeded via an arenium cation intermediate. In addition, the reaction of methoxy-appended substrate gave an azahepta[8]circulene via the concurrent C−C bond formation. These helical dyes showed circularly polarized luminescence. The azahepta[8]circulene was further transformed into deeply saddle-distorted dibenzodiaza[8]circulenes as the first example of its solution-based synthesis and unambiguous structural determination.     

Stabilization of atmospheric carbon dioxide via zero emissions-An alternative way to a stable global environment. Part 2: A practical zero-emissions scenario

Following Part 1, a comparison of CO2-emissions pathways between "zero-emissions stabilization (Z-stabilization)" and traditional stabilization is made under more realistic conditions that take into account the radiative forcings of other greenhouse gases and aerosols with the constraint that the temperature rise must not exceed 2 °C above the preindustrial level. It is shown that the findings in Part 1 on the merits of Z-stabilization hold under the more realistic conditions. The results clarify the scientific basis of the policy claim of 50% reduction of the world CO2 emissions by 2050. Since the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration and temperature occur only temporarily in Z-stabilization pathways, we may slightly relax the upper limit of the temperature rise. We can then search for a scenario with larger emissions in the 21st century; such a scenario may have potential for practical application. It is suggested that in this Z-stabilization pathway, larger emissions in the near future may be important from a socioeconomic viewpoint.(Contributed by Taroh MATSUNO, M.J.A.).