Prospects of anionic nanolipoplexes in nanotherapy: transmission electron microscopy and light scattering studies

Currently nanosystems composed of polynucleotides and lipid vesicles (nanolipoplexes) are considered to be promising tools for gene therapeutics. Successful in vivo application of these vectors depends on their physicochemical, technological and biological characteristics including morphology, size distribution, molecular interactions and stability. Anionic nanoliposomes (DPPC:DCP:CHOL) were prepared by two different techniques, namely the conventional thin-film hydration method followed by extrusion, and the heating method (HM), in which no volatile solvent or detergent is used. A non-viral and non-cationic gene transfer vector was constructed by incorporating plasmid DNA (pcDNA3.1/His B/lacZ) to the HM-nanoliposomes by the electrostatic mediation of Ca²⁺ ions. Transfection efficiency of the nanolipoplexes was evaluated using a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o-) in the presence of serum. Particle characterisation, stability of the formulations and lipid–DNA interaction studies were performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light scattering. TEM pictures of nanolipoplexes showed presence of two to four closely packed vesicles with signs of fusion. Efficient delivery of plasmid DNA and subsequent β-galactosidase expression was achieved using the anionic nanolipoplexes. Transfection efficiency increased with lipid:DNA ratio up to 7:1 (w/w), where transfection efficiency was 12-fold higher than in untreated cells. Further increase in lipid ratio decreased transfection. These nanolipoplexes appear to be safe, stable and efficient in the protection and delivery of DNA to different cells and tissues.     

Variations of structures on changing the ratios of metal ions in rare Ca(II)–Zn(II) hetero-metallic self-assembled coordination polymers of hexamethylenetetramine and benzoate

Two rare hetero-metallic calcium(II)-zinc(II) complexes [CaZn₄(OBz)₁₀(μ₂-hmt)₂]_n (1) and [Ca₂Zn₄(OBz)₁₂(μ₂-hmt)₂]_n (2) have been synthesized using basic zinc carbonate, benzoic acid (HOBz), hydrated calcium chloride and hexamethylenetetramine (hmt) by varying the molar ratio of the reactants. Both the complexes have been analyzed by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The complex 1 is a 1D polymer which contains one calcium ion and four zinc atoms in the asymmetric unit together with ten benzoates and two hmts. The polymer has been constructed by the alternate joining of paddle-wheel Zn₂(OBz)₄ units and Zn₂Ca trinuclear species by μ₂-hmt bridging molecules connecting Zn²⁺ ions. Zinc atoms have five coordinate square pyramidal geometries and four coordinate tetrahedral geometries in Zn₂(OBz)₄ and Zn₂Ca moieties, respectively, whereas calcium atoms have six-coordinate distorted octahedral geometry. Complex 2 is also a 1D polymer but unlike complex 1, it contains four independent zinc and two independent calcium atoms in the asymmetric unit together with twelve benzoates and two hmts. By contrast, the polymeric structure of complex 2 has been formed by the connection of Zn₂Ca trinuclear species via μ₂ hmt bridging molecules at Zn centers. Complex 2 is also a 1D polymer but unlike complex 1, it contains four independent zinc and three independent calcium atoms in the asymmetric unit together with twelve benzoates and two hmts. All four zinc atoms are four coordinate with tetrahedral environments and the calcium atoms are six coordinated (two are located on a center of symmetry) exhibiting a distorted octahedral geometry.     

Simple fabrication of Cu~(2+) doped calcium alginate hydrogel filtration membrane with excellent anti-fouling and antibacterial properties

Herein,copper ion doped calcium alginate(Cu~(2+)/CaAlg) composite hydrogel filtration membranes were prepared by using natural polymer sodium alginate(NaAlg) as raw material.The thermal stability and structure of the composite membranes were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy.The mechanical strength,anti-fouling performance,hydrophilicity and filtration performance of the membrane were studied.The results show that Cu~(2+)/CaAlg hydrogel membrane has excelle nt mechanical properties and thermal stability.The anti-swelling ability of the membrane was greatly enhanced by doping Cu~(2+).After three alternate filtration cycles,the flux recovery rate of Cu~(2+)/CaAlg hydrogel membrane can still reach 85%,indicating that the membrane has good antipollution performance.When the operation pressure was 0.1 MPa,the rejection of coomassie brilliant blue G250 reached 99.8% with a flux of 46.3 L m ~2 h ~1,while the Na_2 SO_4 rejection was less than 10.0%.The Cu~(2+)/CaAlg membrane was recycled after 24 h in the filtration process,and its flux and rejection rate did not decrease significantly,indicating that the hydrogel membrane has long-term application potential.The Cu~(2+)/CaAlg membrane has a wide range of applications prospect in dye desalination,fine separation and biopharmaceutical technology fields.     

ω-芋螺毒素的定量构效关系与虚拟筛选

ω-芋螺毒素属于海洋生物活性多肽,由24-31个氨基酸残基组成.特异性作用于电压敏感的钙离子通道(VGCCs),能够直接开发成药物或作为先导化合物进行新药开发.本文应用新型氨基酸残基结构描述符cscales和遗传偏最小二乘算法,对ω-芋螺毒素进行定量构效关系(QSAR)研究,并设计、构建了容量为2244个化合物的N-型和P/Q-型VGCC拮抗剂虚拟组合多肽库,然后分别采用QSAR模型预测和相似性搜索方法对组合多肽库进行了虚拟筛选.研究结果表明,建立的N-型和P/Q-型VGCC拮抗剂QSAR模型均具有较好的预测能力,交叉验证相关系数(CV-r2)均大于0.89.主成分分析和聚类分析结果表明,虚拟组合多肽库中化合物具有较好的结构多样性和差异性.通过虚拟筛选,得到了具有高预测活性的6个N-型和19个P/Q-型钙离子通道拮抗剂,为进一步的合成和活性评价奠定了理论基础.同时,本文建立的多肽QSAR预测模型和虚拟筛选策略,为其它多肽类化合物的定量构效关系研究和虚拟筛选提供了参考.     

About the Reaction of C(PPh3)2 with [M(CO)6] (M = Cr,Mo): Unusual Formation of μ-Carbonato Complexes of Mo under Participation of THF

Attempts to synthesize complexes of group 6 carbonyl compounds [M(CO)₆] (M = Cr, Mo, W) with the carbone C(PPh₃)₂ ( 1 ) via the photo chemically created adducts [(CO)₅M(THF)] lead to quantitative formation of the salts [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[M₂(CO)₁₀] ( 2 , Cr; 3 , Mo; 4 , W). Alternatively, a long-time thermal reaction of [Mo(CO)₆] performed with 1 in THF generates a series of products initiated by a Wittig-type reaction. In addition to 3 , minor amounts of [(CO)₅MoCCPPh₃] ( 8 ), [(CO)₅MoO₂CC{PPh₃}₂] ( 5 ), and the carbonate complexes [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[(CO)₅Mo(CO₃)Mo(CO)₄] ( 6 ) and [HC(PPh₃)₂]₂[(CO)₄Mo(CO₃)Mo(CO)₄] ( 7 ) were found. Compounds 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , and 7 were characterized by X-ray analyses, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The water, necessary for the formation of the carbonate, stems from decomposition of THF.     

Entrapment of organic fluorophores in calcium phosphate nanoparticles with slow release

Two organic fluorophores, fluorescein (F) and rhodamine B (Rd), were entrapped in calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The as-obtained nanoparticles can be used for biological release applications. For this aim, calcium phosphate nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation method. Structural analysis of these nanoparticles was performed using XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy, confirming that the synthesized nanoparticles were hydroxyapatite. TEM and SEM analyses demonstrated that these nanoparticles had a size of 20 nm and a well-defined morphology. F and Rd (about 0.5 wt.%) were entrapped in these nanoparticles and their release, as a function of time, was studied via UV-Vis spectroscopy. The obtained results showed that the release of both fluorophores was progressive over time. The trapping efficiencies of the fluorophores were 67.15% and 90.76% for F and Rd, respectively.     

硅钙合金中钙含量的测定

研究了用一氧化二氮-乙炔火焰原子吸收光谱法测定硅钙合金中钙,并对样品消化处理条件和干扰因素进行了综合考虑.该法灵敏度高、步骤简单,操作容易掌握,干扰少等特点.其相对标准偏差均小于1.0%(n=6).加标回收率均为97.0%-100.0%范围内,本法完全达到了仪器分析质量与质量控制要求.     

FAAS法测钙时磷酸根离子的干扰及消除研究

研究了用火焰原子吸收光谱法测钙时PO3- 4对钙的测定的干扰情况以及用有关方法消除PO3-4对钙干扰的效果.用La(NO3)3和EDTA单独消除PO3-4的干扰进行了实验研究,同时对有关问题作了讨论.对测定各种样品中的钙时消除PO3-4的干扰有一定的指导意义.     

碳酸钙共沉淀-火焰原子吸收光谱法测定卤水中的痕量钴

以碳酸钙共沉淀,用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定卤水中的痕量钴,对试剂的加入量富集时间,酸度等因素进行了实验,选择了最佳的共沉淀条件.方法已用于卤水分析,加标回收率:钴94.6%-98.7%.检出限:钴为1.89μg·L-1.本法测定手续简便、快速、结果满意.     

ICP-AES测定葡萄糖酸钙中Pb、As、Cd等9个杂质元素

本文应用ICP-AES直接测定了葡萄糖酸钙中的Pb、As、Cd等9个杂质元素,对样品的消解方法、基体和酸介质的影响等进行了讨论.用基体匹配法消除钙基体的干扰,9个杂质元素测定的测定范围为:Pb 0.0008%-0.08%,Cu、Mg 0.0001%-0.01%,其余元素0.0003%-0.03%.加标回收率为95.8%-100.0%,相对标准偏差为0.16%-3.61%.