Development of Phosphatidylethanolamine Liposomes That Efficiently Retain Encapsulated Vinorelbine Bitartrate

A hydrophilic and temperature-induced degradation drug, vinorelbine bitartrate (VB)-loaded phosphatidylethanolamin sterically stabilized liposomes (PSLs) were prepared by the thin film hydration method. Liposomes were made of phosphatidylethanolamine: cholesteryl: oleic acid (PE: CHOL: OA, 6:4:3 mass/mass). The mean particle size of the PSLs ranged from 600 to 650 nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images displayed that the shape of the PSLs was multilamellar vesicles with smooth surface. The highest entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading capacity (DL) could reach up to 81.2 and 16.6%, respectively. The studies of drug release showed that the drug release could last for much more than 48 hours. The PSLs was evaluated by comparing the rate of release of encapsulated VB in different phosphate buffer solution (PBS).     

Synthesis of aromatic diamine-based benzoxazines and effect of their backbone structure on thermal and flammability properties of polymers

Three kinds of novel aromatic diamine-based benzoxazines containing naphthalene, propane-2,2-diyldibenzene and neopentyl groups in the backbone, respectively (designated as BAPNCP, BAPBACP and BAPNPGCP, respectively), were synthesized and characterized. In addition, the effects of backbone structures on curing behaviors of the monomers and thermal and flammability properties of the resulting polymers were systematically studied. The results indicated that BAPNPGCP displayed the highest enthalpy of the curing reaction associated with the ring-opening of benzoxazine, which was due to the effect of benzoxazine ring content per unit mass. Interestingly, the 5 wt% weight loss temperature and char residue after thermogravimetric test for poly(BAPNPGCP) were 8 °C and 7% higher than those of poly(BAPBACP). Meanwhile, the total heat release of poly(BAPNPGCP) was less than half of that for poly(BAPBACP), indicating the substantial effect of benzoxazine ring content on flammability and char formation. Furthermore, it was found that poly(BAPNCP) gave the best thermal stability and flame retardancy, which was due to the synergistic effect between naphthalene group and benzoxazine ring content. This study provides new insight into the curing behavior of benzoxazine and further understanding on the high performance of polybenzoxazine.     

Exploring the Reactivity of Multicomponent Photocatalysts: Insight into the Complex Valence Band of BiOBr

The band structure of multicomponent semiconductor photocatalysts, as well as their reactivity distinction under different wavelengths of light, is still unclear. BiOBr, which is a typical multicomponent semiconductor, may have two possible valence‐band structures, that is, two discrete valence bands constructed respectively from O 2p and Br 4p orbitals, or one valence band derived from the hybridization of these orbitals. In this work, aqueous photocatalytic hydroxylation is applied as the probe reaction to investigate the nature and reactions of photogenerated holes in BiOBr. Three organic compounds (microcystin‐LR, aniline, and benzoic acid) with different oxidation potentials were selected as substrates. Isotope labeling (H₂¹⁸O as the solvent) was used to determine the source of the O atom in the hydroxyl group of the products, which distinguishes the contribution of different hydroxylation pathways. Furthermore, a spin‐trapping ESR method was used to quantify the reactive oxygen species (^.OH and ^.OOH) formed in the reaction system. The different isotope abundances of the hydroxyl O atom of the products formed, as well as the reverse trend of the ^.OH/^.OOH ratio with the oxidative resistance of the substrate under UV and visible irradiation, reveal that BiOBr has two separate valence bands, which have different oxidation ability and respond to UV and visible light, respectively. This study shows that the band structure of semiconductor photocatalysts can be reliably analyzed with an isotope labeling method.     

A PEGylated Fluorescent Turn‐On Sensor for Detecting Fluoride Ions in Totally Aqueous Media and Its Imaging in Live Cells

Owing to the considerable significance of fluoride anions for health and environmental issues, it is of great importance to develop methods that can rapidly, sensitively and selectively detect the fluoride anion in aqueous media and biological samples. Herein, we demonstrate a robust fluorescent turn‐on sensor for detecting the fluoride ion in a totally aqueous solution. In this study, a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is incorporated into the sensing system to ensure water solubility and to enhance biocompatibility. tert‐Butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) groups were then covalently introduced onto the fluorescein moiety, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of the sensor. Upon addition of fluoride ion, the selective fluoride‐mediated cleavage of the Si? O bond leads to the recovery of the fluorescein moiety, resulting in a dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity under visible light excitation. The sensor is responsive and highly selective for the fluoride anion over other common anions; it also exhibits a very low detection limit of 19 ppb. In addition, this sensor is operative in some real samples such as running water, urine, and serum and can accurately detect fluoride ions in these samples. The cytotoxicity of the sensor was determined to be Grade I toxicity according to United States Pharmacopoeia and ISO 10993‐5, suggesting the very low cytotoxicity of the sensor. Moreover, it was found that the senor could be readily internalized by both HeLa and L929 cells and the sensor could be utilized to track fluoride level changes inside the cells.     

Two novel polycyclic spiro lignans from Gymnotheca involucrata

Two novel lignans, gymnothespirolignans A (1) and B (2), possessing a rare polycyclic spiro skeleton, were isolated from the endemic plant of Gymnotheca involucrata Pei. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic evidences and the absolute configurations were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed promising antiviral activities against RSV with an IC₅₀ value of 31.87 and 17.51 μM, respectively.     

Rapid and efficient column separation of Re(VII) as a surrogate for Tc(VII) with benzimidazole-based cross-linked poly(ionic liquid)s

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - In this study, the imidazole-based poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) synthesized by one step method has been applied for the enrichment and recovery of...     

Application of potassium titanium ferrocyanide for the removal of uranium from aqueous solution: Efficiency and mechanism

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Uranium, as a highly toxic radioactive contaminant existing in mine wastewater and contaminated groundwater, has sparked widespread alarm in...     

The Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Walnut Husk and Pellicle by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and HPLC

Husk and pellicle as the agri-food waste in the walnut-product industry are in soaring demand because of their rich polyphenol content. This study investigated the differential compounds related to walnut polyphenol between husk and pellicle during fruit development stage. By using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap), a total of 110 bioactive components, including hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids and quinones, were tentatively identified, 33 of which were different between husk and pellicle. The trend of dynamic content of 16 polyphenols was clarified during walnut development stage by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This is the first time to comprehensive identification of phenolic compounds in walnut husk and pellicle, and our results indicated that the pellicle is a rich resource of polyphenols. The dynamic trend of some polyphenols was consistent with total phenols. The comprehensive characterization of walnut polyphenol and quantification of main phenolic compounds will be beneficial for understanding the potential application value of walnut and for exploiting its metabolism pathway.     

On the correlation of the local OVII and OVI absorption lines in the spectra of active galactic nuclei

正Dear Editors,Active Galactic Nuclei(AGNs)are very effective tools to study the environment both intrinsic to the central black holes of galaxies[1],or absorbing gas distributed along the sight lines.Recently,numerous highly ionized,local(z=0)metal absorption lines were detected in the X-ray spectra of background AGNs[2],providing an important method in probing hot gas and its content in and around our Galaxy.Of particular