Synthesis and Evaluation of Biocompatible pH‐Sensitive Hydrogels as Colon‐Specific Drug Delivery Systems

Because of the growing importance of pH‐sensitive hydrogels as drug delivery systems, biocompatible copolymeric hydrogels based N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were designed and synthesized. These hydrogels were investigated for oral drug delivery. Radical copolymerizations of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and methacrylic acid (MAA) with the various ratios of cross‐linking agent were carried out at 70 °C. Azabisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was the free‐radical initiator employed and Cubane‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (CDA) linked to two 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) group was the crosslinking agent (CA) used for hydrogel preparations. The hydrogels were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and FT‐IR. Equilibrium swelling studies were carried out in enzyme‐free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively). A model drug, olsalazine [3,3′‐azobis (6‐hydroxy benzoic acid)] (OSZ) as an azo derivative of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA), was entrapped in these gels and the in‐vitro release profiles were established separately in both enzyme‐free SGF and SIF. The drug‐release profiles indicated that the amount of drug released depended on the degree of swelling. The swelling was modulated by the amount of crosslinking of the polymer bonded drug (PBDs) prepared. Based on the great difference in hydrolysis rates at pH 1 and 7.4, these pH‐sensitive hydrogels appear to be good candidates for colon‐specific drug delivery.     

Dexamethasone delivery to posterior segment of the eye

Due to anatomic barriers and lacrimal drainage it is difficult to obtain therapeutic drug concentrations in the posterior part of the eye after topical drug administrations. Lipophilic cyclodextrins, such as randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RMβCD), are known to act both as solubilizers of water-insoluble drugs in aqueous solutions and as penetration enhancers that reduce the barrier function of lipophilic membranes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RMβCD on dexamethasone delivery from aqueous eye drop solution into rabbit eyes. Dexamethasone (0.5 and 1.5% w/v) drops (50 μl) were administered to the left eye of rabbits (n = 6) and the drug levels measured in different eye tissues 2 h after administration. In aqueous humor dexamethasone levels were 1,190 ± 110 and 1,670 ± 630 ng/g (mean ± SD) after administration of the 0.5 and 1.5% dexamethasone eye drops, respectively. In the retina the levels were 33 ± 7 and 66 ± 49 ng/g, and in optic nerve 41 ± 12 and 130 ± 50 ng/g, respectively. In a previous study the dexamethasone concentration in aqueous humor after topical administration of 1.3% (w/v) dexamethasone eye drops in aqueous 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) solution was determined to be 320 ± 230 ng/g and 66 ± 20 ng/g after administration of Maxidex^® eye drops. Both the hydrophilic HPβCD and the lipophilic RMβCD enhance topical dexamethasone delivery into the eye, but of the two, the lipophilic RMβCD results in higher dexamethasone concentrations.     

6-甲氧基-2-丙酰基萘在醇溶剂中的溴化反应

室温下，6－甲氧基－2－丙酰基萘和1，3－二溴－5，5－二甲基海因的溴化反应在醇溶剂中，反应速度快、转化率高，生成5－溴－6－甲氧基－2－丙酰基萘的收率高（98．59％）。     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

NANOMECHANICAL MAPPING OF CARBON BLACK REINFORCED NATURAL RUBBER BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Atomic force microscopy （AFM） has the advantage of obtaining mechanical properties as well as topographic information at the same time. By analyzing force-distance curves measured over two-dimensional area using Hertzian contact mechanics, Young＇s modulus mapping was obtained with nanometer-scale resolution. Furthermore, the sample deformation by the force exerted was also estimated from the force-distance curve analyses. We could thus reconstruct a real topographic image by incorporating apparent topographic image with deformation image. We applied this method to carbon black reinforced natural rubber to obtain Young＇s modulus distribution image together with reconstructed real topographic image. Then we were able to recognize three regions; rubber matrix, carbon black （or bound rubber） and intermediate regions. Though the existence of these regions had been investigated by pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance, this paper would be the first to report on the quantitative evaluation of the interfacial region in real space.     

碳碳相关谱测定泽泻萜醇F的结构

从泽泻中分离出新化合物泽泻萜醇F，采用二维核磁共振碳相关技术研究了该化合物的骨架结构。结合碳碳相关谱及远程碳氢相关谱等其它二维核磁共振技术，分析了该化合物的常规氢谱和碳谱，并准确归属了质子和碳核的化学位移。     

Über Chalkogenolate. 206 [1]. N-Thioacetyldithiocarbamate und Ester der N-Thioacetyldithiocarbamidsäure

On Chalcogenolates. 206. N-Thioacetyl Dithiocarbamates and Esters of N-Thioacetyl Dithiocarbamic Acid Thioacetamide reacts with carbon disulfide in the presence of KH to form via the tetrabutyl ammonium salt dark yellow N-thioacetyl dithiocarbamates M[S₂C? NH? CS? CH₃], where M = K, Rb, Cs. The salts as well as the methyl and ethyl ester have been characterized by means of electron absorption, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C), and mass spectra. Attempts to synthesize N-thioacetyl dithiocarbamic acid were not successful.     

Novel functional activities of anti-dna autoantibodies from sera of patients with lymphoproliferative and autoimmune diseases

DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG autoantibodies from sera of patients with various types of lymphoproliferative diseases was investigated. The association of DNA-hydrolyzing activity with the antibody (Ab) fraction has been proved by newly developed affinity-capture assay. Study of abzyme incidence in blood tumors and systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) revealed linkage of anti-DNA Ab catalysts to mature B-cell tumors, and increased probability of DNA-abzymes formation on the background of autoimmune manifestations. These data suggest possible similarity between mechanisms of abzyme formation in SLE and B-cell lymphomas. A new mechanism of formation of DNA-specific catalytic Abs has been proposed based on the increased crossreactivity of polyclonal DNA-abzymes to DNA-depleted nuclear matrix proteins. The possibility of the abzyme production as Ab to the energetically destabilized ground state of the antigen has been discussed. Preliminary results were obtained that indicate the complement-independent cytotoxicity of anti-DNA autoantibodies isolated from blood of patients with SLE and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.     

Surface cavities produced by high‐dose nitrogen ion implantation into silicon

Nitrogen ion implantation (24 keV, 4.6 × 10¹⁷ cm^?2) into (100) a p‐type silicon wafer material and a subsequent electron beam annealing at 1100 °C for 15 s under high vacuum conditions leads to the formation of an uneven surface in the implanted region caused by nitrogen bubbles beneath the surface. Annealing at 1200 °C for 300 s results in surface cavities with a mean diameter of 350 nm and a surface coverage of 3–4% and an average depth of ～60 nm. Nuclear reaction analysis reveals that the nitrogen concentration in the as‐implanted state exceeds 57 at%, the value of stoichiometric Si₃N₄. Annealing at 1100 °C for 15 s slightly reduces the nitrogen peak concentration, whereas annealing at 1200 °C for 300 s induces a significant alteration to the shape of the nitrogen depth profile coupled with the lowering of the concentration close to the stoichiometry of Si₃N₄. The results present a new method of producing sub‐micrometre cavities embedded in a thin silicon nitride film on wafer silicon which may lead to novel micro‐electronic and biotechnology applications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.