3D Raman imaging of systemic endothelial dysfunction in the murine model of metastatic breast cancer

It was recently reported in the murine model of metastatic breast cancer (4T1) that tumor progression and development of metastasis is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction characterized by impaired nitric oxide (NO) production. Using Raman 3D confocal imaging with the analysis of the individual layers of the vascular wall combined with AFM endothelial surface imaging, we demonstrated that metastasis-induced systemic endothelial dysfunction resulted in distinct chemical changes in the endothelium of the aorta. These changes, manifested as a significant increase in the protein content (18 %) and a slight decrease in the lipid content (4 %), were limited to the endothelium and did not occur in the deeper layers of the vascular wall. The altered lipid to protein ratio in the endothelium, although more pronounced in the fixed vascular wall, was also observed in the freshly isolated unfixed vascular wall samples in the aqueous environment (12 and 7 % change of protein and lipid content, respectively). Our results support the finding that the metastasis induces systemic endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to cancer progression.

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Graphical Abstract Schematic illustration of methodology of sample preparation and measurement

     

A semiempirical approach to the intra-phycocyanin and inter-phycocyanin fluorescence resonance energy-transfer pathways in phycobilisomes

A semiempirical methodology to model the intra-phycocyanin and inter-phycocyanin fluorescence resonance energy-transfer (FRET) pathways in the rods of the phycobilisomes (PBSs) from Fremyella diplosiphon is presented. Using the F?rster formulation of FRET and combining experimental data and PM3 calculation of the dipole moments of the aromatic portions of the chromophores, transfer constants between pairs of chromophores in the phycocyanin (PC) structure were obtained. Protein docking of two PC hexamers was used to predict the optimal distance and axial rotation angle for the staked PCs in the PBSs' rods. Using the distance obtained by the docking process, transfer constants between pairs of chromophores belonging to different PC hexamers were calculated as a function of the angle of rotation. We show that six preferential FRET pathways within the PC hexameric ring and 15 pathways between hexamers exist, with transfer constants consistent with experimental results. Protein docking predicted the quaternary structure for PCs in rods with inter-phycocyanin distance of 55.6 A and rotation angle of 20.5 degrees . The inter-phycocyanin FRET constant between chromophores at positions beta(155) is maximized at the rotation angle predicted by docking revealing the crucial role of this specific inter-phycocyanin channel in defining the complete set of FRET pathways in the system.     

Spectroscopic characterization and Langmuir-Blodgett films of a novel azopolymer material

Spectroscopic characterization and fabrication of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of an azopolymer-pyridine (PAzPy) are reported. UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and Raman spectra were recorded. The vibrational assignment of the observed spectra is supported by a complete geometry optimization, followed by vibrational frequency and intensity computations of both the trans and cis forms of the monomer (AzPy) using density functional theory at the B3LYP 6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Langmuir monolayers of the polymer (PAzPy) were formed at the water-air interface, and LB films of high quality were formed onto solid substrates. The polymer LB films were investigated by surface-enhanced Raman scattering.     

Reactions of Sn(NMe2)2 with MPHCy: the effects of alkali metal phosphide coupling (Cy=cyclohexyl; M=Li, Na, K, Rb)

The reactions of the SnII base Sn(NMe2)2 with CyPHM (Cy=cyclohexyl) produce a range of products, depending primarily on the alkali metal (M) involved. The 1:3 stoichiometric reaction of Sn(NMe2)2 with CyPHNa in the presence of the Lewis base donor PMDETA (PMDETA=(Me2NCH2CH2)2NMe) gives [(NaPMDETA)2{Sn(mu-PCy)}3] (3), containing the electron-deficient [{Sn(mu-PCy)}3]2- dianion. Natural bond order (NBO) and electron localisation function (ELF) calculations show that this species is described most appropriately by a two-electron, three-centre Sn3 bonding model. Evidence that 3 results from phosphide coupling is provided by the 1:1 reaction of Sn(NMe2)2 with CyPHNa in the presence of PMDETA, which gives 3 and trace amounts of (NaPMDETA)2[{Sn(mu-PCy)}2(mu-PCyPCy)] (4) (containing one PCyPCy2- dianion). Greater extents of phosphide coupling are observed as the size of the Group 1 metal is increased. Thus, the 1:3 reaction of Sn(NMe2)2 with CyPHK in THF gives the co-crystalline product {(K2 THF)2[{Sn(mu-PCyPCy)}2(mu-PCy)]}0.9{(K2 THF)2[{Sn(mu-PCy)}2(mu-PCyPCy)]}0.1 (5) (containing [{Sn(mu-PCyPCy)}2(mu-PCy)]2- and [{Sn(mu-PCy)}2(mu-PCyPCy)]2- dianions), whereas the analogous reaction of Sn(NMe2)2 with RbPHCy gives [RbPMDETA{(CyP)3SnP(H)Cy}] (6) (containing a cyclic {(CyP)3Sn} unit).     

Imidazolium carboxylates as versatile and selective N-heterocyclic carbene transfer agents: synthesis, mechanism, and applications

N,N'-Disubstituted imidazolium carboxylates, readily synthetically available, isolable, air- and water-stable reagents, efficiently transfer N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) groups to Rh, Ir, Ru, Pt, and Pd, to give novel NHC complexes, e.g., [Pd(NHC)3OAc]OAc and [Pt(NHC)3Cl]Cl (NHC = 1,3-dimethyl imidazol-2-ylidene). The NHC esters are also effective. Tuning the reaction conditions for NHC transfer can give either mono- or bis-NHCs, or bis- and tris-NHCs. A net N to C rearrangement of the N-alkyl imidazole complex to the corresponding NHC complex was seen with (MeO)2CO (DMC). DFT calculations identify the steps needed to form the carboxylate from imidazole and DMC: SN2 methyl transfer from DMC to imidazole, followed by proton transfer from the imidazolium CH to the carboxylate counterion, produces the free NHC H-bonded to MeOH with a weakly associated CO2. The nucleophilic NHC attacks CO2 to form NHC-CO2. NHC transfer to the metal with loss of CO2 has been calculated for Rh(cod)Cl. A proposed two-cis-site reactivity model rationalizes the experimental data: two such vacant sites at the metal are needed to allow coordination of the NHC-CO2 carboxylate and subsequent CC cleavage with NHC transfer. Partial cod decoordination or chloride loss is thus required for Rh(cod)Cl. Chloride dissociation, calculated to be easier in polar solvent, is confirmed experimentally from the retarding effect of excess chloride.     

Piezoelectric pumping in flow analysis: Application to the spectrophotometric determination of gabapentin

Solutions propelling devices are fundamental components of a flow-based analytical manifold. In this work different manifold configurations were implemented to evaluate the performance of multiple piezoelectric micro-pumps used as solutions insertion and propulsion devices. The micro-pumps are piezo-actuated micro-diaphragm pumps with passive check valves characterised by a small compact size and low power demands, and are able to produce reproducible flow rates of up to 4 mL min⁻¹. The flow rate is controlled by the frequency of the piezoelectric actuator (up to 20 Hz). As an additional feature, piezoelectric micro-pumps actuation generates a pulsed flowing stream that ensures a faster sample/reagent mixing contributing to improved reaction development.

The developed flow approach was assessed in the spectrophotometric determination of gabapentin in pharmaceutical preparations upon reaction with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate in alkaline medium. Distinct flow manifold configurations were designed for achievement of different solutions management. Linear calibrations plots for gabapentin concentrations of up to 150 mg L⁻¹, with relative standard deviations of less than 1.50% (n = 10) and a sample throughput of about 28 determinations per hour, were obtained.     

Quasiclassical trajectory study of reactive and dissociative processes in H2+H2: comparison with quantum-mechanical calculations

Quasiclassical trajectory calculations have been carried out for H(2)(v(1)=high)+H(2)(v(2)=low) collisions within a three degrees of freedom model where five different geometries of the colliding complex were considered. Within this approach, probabilities for different competitive processes are studied: four center reaction, collision induced dissociation, reactive dissociation, and three-body complex formation. The purpose is to compare in detail with equivalent quantum-mechanical wave packet calculations [Bartolomei et al., J. Chem. Phys 122, 064305 (2005)], especially the behavior of the probabilities near reaction thresholds. Quasiclassical calculations compare quite well with the quantum-mechanical ones for collision induced dissociation as well as for the four center reaction, although quantum effects become very important near thresholds, particularly for lower v(1)'s and for the four center process. Less quantitative agreement is found for reactive dissociation and three-body complex formation. It is found that most quantum effects are due to differences between quantum and classical vibrational distributions of H(2)(v(1)=high). Zero point energy violation has been found in the classical reactive-dissociative probabilities. Extension of these findings to full-dimensional treatments is examined.     

Synthesis of new pentacyclic diquinothiazines

Reactions of 2,2′‐dichloro‐3,3′‐diquinolinyl sulfide 1 with ammonia derivatives and various primary alkylamines and arylamines proceeded as a thiazine ring closure to form linear annulated pentacyclic 6H‐diquinothiazine 2H and 6‐substituted derivatives 2 with alkyl, alkylaryl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents in moderate to good yields. Reaction with 2‐chloroethylamine did not stop at the formation of half‐mustard derivative 2k but ran to ethylenediquinothiazinium salt 11 . 6H‐Diquinothiazine 2H was N‐alkylated and N‐arylated to give 6‐substituted derivatives 2 . The crucial substrate 1 was obtained from other heteropentacenes 3 and 4 via 1,4‐dithiin ring opening and further transformations. X‐ray analysis of p‐nitrophenyldiquinothiazine 2i revealed unexpected planar thiazine ring.     

Prospects on integrated electrokinetic systems for decontamination of soil polluted with organic contaminants

Overall, investigations about the utilization of electrokinetic technology alone or in combination with other processes have attracted particular attention in recent years for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and organic compounds. This fact is due to its peculiar benefits together with its capability of operating in a fine and low-permeability matrix. This review aimed to ascertain the most recent developments on the commonly proposed integrated technologies (electrokinetic soil washing, electrokinetics coupled with permeable reactive barriers, electrokinetic-advanced oxidation processes, and bioelectrokinetic remediation), by evaluating the gaps, challenges, and trends of these systems in the last years. Special attention is paid to the current approaches for overcoming the main bottlenecks of electrokinetics concerning scale-up and reduction of electric energy consumption by integration of renewable energies.     

Obesity and Energy Substrate Transporters in Ovarian Cancer—Review

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women. It is characterized by a high mortality rate because of its aggressiveness and advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. It is a nonhomogenous group of neoplasms and, of which the molecular basics are still being investigated. Nowadays, the golden standard in the treatment is debulking cytoreductive surgery combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. We have presented the interactions and the resulting perspectives between fatty acid transporters, glucose transporters and ovarian cancer cells. Studies have shown the association between a lipid-rich environment and cancer progression, which suggests the use of correspondent transporter inhibitors as promising chemotherapeutic agents. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies highlighting the role of fatty acid transport proteins and glucose transporters in development, growth, metastasizing and its potential use in targeted therapies of ovarian cancer.