Organometallic chemistry, biology and medicine: ruthenium arene anticancer complexes

Our work has shown that certain ruthenium(II) arene complexes exhibit promising anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. The complexes are stable and water-soluble, and their frameworks provide considerable scope for optimising the design, both in terms of their biological activity and for minimising side-effects by variations in the arene and the other coordinated ligands. Initial studies on amino acids and nucleotides suggest that kinetic and thermodynamic control over a wide spectrum of reactions of Ru(II) arene complexes with biomolecules can be achieved. These Ru(II) arene complexes appear to have an altered profile of biological activity in comparison with metal-based anticancer complexes currently in clinical use or on clinical trial.     

Quantum groupA ∞

The quantum groupsgl andA are constructed. The representation theory of these algebras is developed and the universalR-matrix is presented.     

The Initial Value Problems and Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems for a Class of the Second order Quasilinear Parabolio Systems

In this paper initial value problems and nonlinear mixed boundary value problems for the quasilinear parabolic systems below $\[\frac{{\partial {u_k}}}{{\partial t}} - \sum\limits_{i,j = 1}^n {a_{ij}^{(k)}} (x,t)\frac{{{\partial ^2}{u_k}}}{{\partial {x_i}\partial {x_j}}} = {f_k}(x,t,u,{u_x}),k = 1, \cdots ,N\]$ are discussed.The boundary value conditions are $\[{u_k}{|_{\partial \Omega }} = {g_k}(x,t),k = 1, \cdots ,s,\]$ $\[\sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {b_i^{(k)}} (x,t)\frac{{\partial {u_k}}}{{\partial {x_i}}}{|_{\partial \Omega }} = {h_k}(x,t,u),k = s + 1, \cdots N.\]$ Under some "basically natural" assumptions it is shown by means of the Schauder type estimates of the linear parabolic equations and the embedding inequalities in Nikol'skii spaces,these problems have solutions in the spaces $\[{H^{2 + \alpha ,1 + \frac{\alpha }{2}}}(0 < \alpha < 1)\]$.For the boundary value problem with $\[b_i^{(k)}(x,t) = \sum\limits_{j = 1}^n {a_{ij}^{(k)}} (x,t)\cos (n,{x_j})\]$ uniqueness theorem is proved.     

The embedding of meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)-chlorin into silica nanoparticle platforms for photodynamic therapy and their singlet oxygen production and pH-dependent optical properties

This study relates to nanoparticle (NP) platforms that attach to tumor cells externally and only deliver singlet oxygen for photodynamic therapy (PDT) while conserving the embedded photosensitizers (PS). As a model, we demonstrate the successful embedding of the PS meta‐tetra(hydroxyphenyl)‐chlorin (m‐THPC) in NP that are based on a sol–gel silica matrix and also show its positive effect on the singlet oxygen production. The embedding of m‐THPC inside silica NP is accomplished by a modified Stöber sol–gel process, in which (3‐aminopropyl)‐triethoxysilane is introduced during the reaction. Singlet oxygen delivery by the targetable photodynamic NP exceeds that from free PS molecules. In the physiological pH range, there is no significant pH‐induced decrease in the fluorescence of m‐THPC embedded in silica NP, which might otherwise affect the efficiency of PDT.     

Synthesis of conducting polyaniline using novel anionic Gemini surfactant as micellar stabilizer

The Gemini surfactant 9B-4-9B containing sodium sulfonate as hydrophilic head group was synthesized based on nonylphenol and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the surface tension measurement. The CMC and C₂₀ of the 9B-4-9B were smaller than that of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and sodium dodecylsulfate, respectively, indicating excellent efficiency of micelle formation and reduced surface tension. Conducting polyaniline salts were synthesized by chemical oxidative micellar polymerization of aniline in water firstly using Gemini surfactant 9B-4-9B as the micelle stabilizer and ammonium peroxydisulfate as the oxidant at 0 °C. The stable polyaniline dispersions have been obtained when the molar ratio of the 9B-4-9B to aniline was equal to or above 0.5 used in the polymerization system. The obtained granular polyaniline particles with the size of 1-2 μm were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, WAXD and conductivity measurement.     

Vergleichende untersuchungen zur titrimetrischen,photometrischen und ionen-chromatographischen hydrogencarbonat-bestimmung in trink-und mineralwässern: A comparison of titrimetric,spectrophotometric and ion-chromatographic methods for the determination of hydrogencarbonate in drinking and mineral waters

A photometric method for hydrogencarbonate determination in various natural waters is presented, based on measurements with methyl red. Accuracy of the results is demonstrated by comparison with titrimetric and ion-chromatographic methods. The photometric method is suitable for contents in the range of 1–2000 mg l^?1. The linear range of the continous flow method varies form 6–60 mg l^?1 to 12–90 mg l^?1 depending on conditions.     

Real-time membrane fusion of giant polymer vesicles

Membrane fusion is very important for the formation of many complex organs in metazoans throughout evolution, such as muscles, bones, and placentae. Lipid vesicles (liposomes) are frequently used as model membranes to study the fusion process. This work demonstrates for the first time the real-time membrane fusion of giant polymer vesicles by directly displaying a series of high-resolution and real-time transformation images of individual vesicles. The fusion process includes the sequential steps of membrane contact, forming the center wall, symmetric expansion of fusion pore and complete fusion, undergoing the intermediates of "8" shape with a protruding rim at the contact site, peanut (pear) shape, and oblate sphere. The vesicle swells during fusion, and the fusing vesicle only deforms in the neck domain around the fusion pore in the lateral direction, which verifies the importance of the lateral tension on the fusion pore at the vesicle deformation level. The successful fusion of the synthetic and protein-free polymer vesicles reported here also supports that vesicle proximity combined with membrane perturbation suffices to induce membrane fusion, and that the protein is not necessary for the fusion process.     

Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembled carbon nanotube multilayer film and its electrocatalytic activity for O2 reduction

Multilayer films of shortened multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are homogeneously and stably assembled on glassy carbon electrodes with the layer-by-layer (LBL) method, based on electrostatic interaction of positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and negatively charged and shortened MWNTs. The film assembly and electrochemical property as well as the electrocatalytic activity toward O2 reduction of the MWNT multilayer film are studied. Scanning electron microscopy, the quartz crystal microbalance technique, ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry are used for characterization of film assembly. Experimental results revealed that film growth is uniform, almost with the same coverage of the MWNTs in each layer, and that the assembled MWNTs are mainly in the form of small bundles or single tubes on the electrodes. Electrochemical studies indicate that the LBL assembled MWNT films possess a remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward O2 reduction in alkaline media. This property, combined with the well-dispersed, porous and conductive features of the MWNT film illustrated with the LBL method, suggests the potential application of the MWNT film for constructing an efficient alkaline air electrode for energy conversions.     

对全入射角负折射二维光子晶体结构和电磁参量的研究

利用二维光子晶体的等频线分析原理和平面波展开方法,得到了使二维光子晶体产生全入射角负折射(All-Angle Negative Refraction,AANR)现象时,入射电磁波的频率取值范围.同时,分析了AANR频率范围随着结构参量(晶格类型、介质棒半径与晶格周期的比值)和电磁参量(介质柱介电常量、本底介电常量、入射电磁波偏振方向)变化的行为.结果表明:固定组成光子晶体的一种介质的介电常量,另一介质的介电常量只有达到一定阈值,才有可能使光子晶体出现AANR现象.在给定两种介质介电常量的条件下,存在使AANR频率范围最大化的结构参量和电磁参量.