Development of a compact XRF probe using a ring‐type secondary target

Recently, on‐site analysis is being performed in many fields, and the use of compact instruments is required. In this article, we developed a compact x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) probe using a ring‐type secondary target. Employing the ring‐type target, coaxial optical geometry (irradiation and detection) could be achieved. We applied this probe to standard steel materials and standard solutions. In addition, a solid sample in solution was directly measured. As an application of the XRF probe, the monitoring of a chemical reaction was demonstrated that enabled observation of an increase in metallic ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a fluorescent probe library enabling efficient screening of tumour-imaging probes based on discovery of biomarker enzymatic activities

Fluorescent probes that can selectively detect tumour lesions have great potential for fluorescence imaging-guided surgery. Here, we established a library-based approach for efficient screening of probes for tumour-selective imaging based on discovery of biomarker enzymes. We constructed a combinatorial fluorescent probe library for aminopeptidases and proteases, which is composed of 380 probes with various substrate moieties. Using this probe library, we performed lysate-based in vitro screening and/or direct imaging-based ex vivo screening of freshly resected clinical specimens from lung or gastric cancer patients, and found promising probes for tumour-selective visualization. Further, we identified two target enzymes as novel biomarker enzymes for discriminating between tumour and non-tumour tissues. This library-based approach is expected to be an efficient tool to develop tumour-imaging probes and to discover new biomarker enzyme activities for various tumours and other diseases.

Efficient methodology to develop tumor-imaging fluorescent probes based on screening with our newly constructed probe library for aminopeptidase/protease (380 probes) and clinical samples has been established.     

A head‐to‐head isomer of di‐μ‐pivalamidato‐κ4N,O‐bis­[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)­platinum(II)] dinitrate dihydrate

In the title compound, [Pt₂(C₅H₁₀NO)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂](NO₃)₂·2H₂O, the intradimer Pt—Pt distance is relatively short [2.8489 (17) Å], which must be due to the strong intramolecular π–π‐stacking interactions between the phenanthroline moieties. The dimers stack along the c axis, forming one‐dimensional columns in which very intriguing d–d, π–π and d–π interactions exist. Although the dimer–dimer Pt...Pt distances are very long [4.340 (2) and 4.231 (2) Å], some short interdimer Pt...C contacts leading to strong interdimer associations are found [3.325 (19) and 3.402 (19) Å].     

Suspension of layered particles: an optimum electrorheological fluid for d.c. applications

 A comparison is made between two types of solid particles used in electrorheological fluids: particles with homogeneous electrical properties versus layered particles with a semi-conducting core surrounded by an outer layer of lower conductivity. Rheological measurements of these suspensions under steady shear and d.c. electric field show that the layered particle system produces the same yield stress but with a substantially reduced electric current. X-ray spectroscopic analysis confirms that these particles have a thin layer of SiO_x on the outer surface which causes the reduction in conductivity. Measurement of the dielectric permittivity followed by analysis using the Maxwell-Wagner model of polarization indicates that the conductivity of the outer layer is about 0.62 times that of the core region. Received: 13 January 1999 Accepted: 26 July 1999     

Cyanide-bridged molecular squares with ferromagnetically coupled dpi,dsigma, and ppi spin system

Cyanide-bridged molecular squares of [Fe(II)(2)Cu(II)(2)(mu-CN)(4)(dmbpy)(4)(impy)(2)](ClO(4))(4).4CH(3)OH.C(6)H(6) (1) and of [Fe(III)(2)Cu(II)(2)(mu-CN)(4)(dmbpy)(4)(impy)(2)](ClO(4))(6).4CH(3)OH.4H(2)O (2) (dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine; impy = 2-(2-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazolyl-1-oxy) were prepared. In the squares of 1 and 2, the Fe(II/III) (low spin) and Cu(II) ions are alternately bridged by the cyanide groups, in which the cyanide carbon atoms coordinated to the Fe(II) ions and Cu(II) ions are coordinated by imino nitroxide. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1 and 2 revealed that the Cu(II) ion and imino nitroxide are ferromagnetically coupled with a fairly strong coupling constant (J(Cu-radical) > 300 K) and act as triplet species. In 1 the Cu(II)-radical moieties are magnetically separated by the Fe(II) ions. In the square of 2, dpi (Fe(III)), dsigma (Cu(II)), and ppi (imino nitroxide) spins are alternately assembled, and this situation allowed the square to have an S = 3 spin ground state. The exchange coupling constant of Fe(III) and the Cu(II)-radical moiety in 2 was estimated to be J = 4.9 cm(-1) (H = -2JSigmaS(Fe).S(Cu-radical)).     

cis–trans Geometrical isomerization of bis(2-pyridinecarboxylato)nitrosylruthenium complex accompanying electrochemical one-electron reduction

cis-[Ru(NO)(CH₃CN)(pyca)₂] and trans-[Ru(NO)(OH)(pyca)₂] (pyca = 2-pyridinecarboxylato) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical behaviors of cis-[Ru(NO)(CH₃CN)(pyca)₂] and cis-[Ru(NO)(CH₃O)(pyca)₂] in acetonitrile were studied. These complexes showed two reduction processes in CH₃CN. The controlled potential electrolyses of cis-[Ru(NO)(CH₃O)(pyca)₂] in a methanol–acetonitrile mixed solution were performed at the potential of the first reduction process. trans-[Ru(NO)(CH₃O)(pyca)₂] was isolated from the electrolyzed solution and characterized by IR and CV. The cis–trans geometrical change reaction occurred in the electrochemical one-electron reduction of cis-[Ru(NO)(CH₃O)(pyca)₂].