Application of high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy to define the cell uptake of MRI contrast agents

A new method, based on proton high-resolution magic-angle spinning ((1)H HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy, has been employed to study the cell uptake of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (MRI-CAs). The method was tested on human red blood cells (HRBC) and white blood cells (HWBC) by using three gadolinium complexes, widely used in diagnostics, Gd-BOPTA, Gd-DTPA, and Gd-DOTA, and the analogous complexes obtained by replacing Gd(III) with Dy(III), Nd(III), and Tb(III) (i.e., complexes isostructural to the ones of gadolinium but acting as shift agents). The method is based on the evaluation of the magnetic effects, line broadening, or induced lanthanide shift (LIS) caused by these complexes on NMR signals of intra- and extracellular water. Since magnetic effects are directly linked to permeability, this method is direct. In all the tests, these magnetic effects were detected for the extracellular water signal only, providing a direct proof that these complexes are not able to cross the cell membrane. Line broadening effects (i.e., the use of gadolinium complexes) only allow qualitative evaluations. On the contrary, LIS effects can be measured with high precision and they can be related to the concentration of the paramagnetic species in the cellular compartments. This is possible because the HR-MAS technique provides the complete elimination of bulk magnetic susceptibility (BMS) shift and the differentiation of extra- and intracellular water signals. Thus with this method, the rapid quantification of the MRI-CA amount inside and outside the cells is actually feasible.     

Diastereofacial selectivity in some 4‐substituted (X) 2‐adamantyl derivatives: electronic versus steric effects

π‐Facial selectivity data for the reduction and methylation of some 4^ax‐substituted (X) 2‐adamantanones ( 3 , Y = O) as well as the nucleophilic trapping of secondary and tertiary 4^ax‐substituted (X)‐2‐adamantyl cations ( 4 ; R = H and CH₃, respectively) and the 4‐methylene‐2‐adamantyl radical ( 8 ) are presented. The pronounced anti‐face selectivities observed for ( 3 , Y = O and 4 , R = CH₃) emphasize the importance of the steric factor as expected for systems with a strong steric bias. However, the dominant syn‐face capture of 4 (R = H) was completely unexpected and highlights a subtle interplay between steric and electronic effects. Finally, the very high anti‐face stereoselectivity for the trapping of ( 8 ) with the trimethylstannyl anion (Me₃Sn^?) is rationalized in terms of an electrostatic effect overwhelming the steric factor. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

π-Face-selective hetero Diels-Alder reactions of 3,4-di-tert-butylthiophene 1-oxide. An excellent trapping reagent for thioaldehydes and thioketones

Hetero Diels-Alder reactions of 3,4-di-tert-butylthiophene 1-oxide (1) with thioaldehydes and thioketones take place exclusively, except the reaction with thiobenzophenone, at the syn-π-face of 1 with respect to the SO bond. The π-face selectivity was explained in terms of the extent of conformational changes of 1 that are brought about in the process to the transition states.     

The selective introduction of organometallic markers into estrogens. A-ring propargylation of β-estradiol

Introduction of the propargyl dicobalt hexacarbonyl moiety onto the estradiol A ring as a potential probe in receptor studies requires protection of the ring phenolic group, and the regio-selectivity of the attack (2- versus 4-position) depends on the bulkiness of the organometallic carbenium ion.     

氨基硅球表面印迹牛血清白蛋白分离条件的初步探讨

采用固定模板蛋白表面印迹的方法,在氨丙基衍生的硅球表面制备溶胶-凝胶印迹聚合物识别牛血清白蛋白.以该体系为例对制备蛋白质印迹聚合物的各个基本参数与分离选择性的关系进行研究.结果表明,用正辛基三甲氧基硅烷、氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷、四乙氧基硅烷在摩尔比为42.5:42.5:15,酸度为pH 7.0时进行聚合,并采用01 mol/L NaOH与10%(V/V) HAc-10%(m/V) SDS联用的方法洗脱固定的模板蛋白,由此制备的印迹聚合物的分离选择性能较好;并初步讨论了识别蛋白质的机理.     

Liquid phase epitaxial growth and optical property of flower-like ZnO nanosheets on Zinc foil

Large scale flower-like ZnO nanosheets have been synthesized on Zinc foil by a simple hydrothermal method. Their morphology and microstructures were characterized and analyzed by X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The as-synthesized flower-like nanosheets are hexagonal phase single crystal with 200-300 nm in width, 50 nm in thickness. The growth process follows the liquid phase epitaxial growth mechanism. In this approach, the ZnO buffer is used as substrate for the growth of flower-like ZnO nanosheets. The growth direction of the nanosheets is the preferential [0 0 0 1] growth direction of ZnO. The photoluminescence spectrum of the sample exhibits only a sharp and strong UV emission centered at 386 nm, which indicates that the flower-like ZnO nanosheets on Zn foil are of good optical property.     

Diaza crown ethers bearing heterocyclic ligating groups on nitrogen atoms and their complexing properties with divalent inorganic cations

Two nitrogen-substituted 4,13-diaza-I8-crown-6 compounds, bearing 2-methylquinolyl and 2-methylquinolyl-1-oxide groups, have been prepared. Ionophore-cation selectivities with a range of inorganic divalent cations have been investigated by means of membrane techniques, demonstrating their high selectivity for the Hg(II) cation.     

Synthesis, optical and electroanalytical characterizations of a thiacalix[4](N-phenylazacrown-5)ether-BODIPY ionophore

Novel fluorogenic 1,3-alt thiacalix[4](N-phenylazacrown-5)ether ionophore has been synthesized by conjugation of the N-phenyl group with borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorophore moiety. The ionophore exhibits pronounced off-on type fluorescent responses to some transition metal ions, in particular to Cu²⁺. In a PVC membrane electrode, distinct Ag⁺ selectivity was observed in potentiometric transduction.