Novel alginate-poly(L-histidine) microcapsules as drug carriers: in vitro protein release and short term stability

Spherical, smooth-surfaced and mechanically stable alginate-poly(L-histidine) (PLHis) microcapsules with narrow particle size distributions were prepared by incubating calcium alginate beads in aqueous solutions of PLHis. The in vitro release characteristics, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules were investigated using bovine erythrocytes hemoglobin (Hb) as a model drug. The results showed that the concentration of Ca(2+) ions had a considerable effect on the drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release behavior of the microcapsules. When the concentration of CaCl(2) in the PLHis solution was increased from 0 to 3.0% (w/v), the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency decreased significantly from 38.0 to 4.3% and from 92.9 to 8.0%, respectively, while the total cumulative release of Hb from microcapsules in phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS, pH 6.8) decreased from 96.2 to 72.8% in 24 h. No significant protein release was observed during 70 h of incubation in hydrochloric acid solution (pH 1.2). However, under neutral conditions (PBS, pH 6.8), the Hb was completely and stably released within 24-70 h. An explosion test showed that the stability of alginate-PLHis microcapsules depended strongly on the concentration of PLHis and the calcium ions in solution. [Diagram: see text] Microscopy photo of Hb-loaded alginate-PLHis microcapsules.     

Based on MFe2O4 (M=Co,Cu, and Ni): Magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts in synthesis of heterocyclic structural scaffolds

Abstract

Catalysis research under magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts is a well-known topic in organic synthesis. In recent times, catalysis research has clearly experienced a renaissance in the area of utility of ferrite nanoparticles based on their ability to recovery and reusability. In this review, the focus is on the fabrication, characterization and of application the MFe₂O₄ (M=Co, Cu, and Ni) nanocatalysts in synthesis of heterocyclic structural scaffolds.     

Ligand-protein docking using a quantum stochastic tunneling optimization method

A novel hybrid optimization method called quantum stochastic tunneling has been recently introduced. Here, we report its implementation within a new docking program called EasyDock and a validation with the CCDC/Astex data set of ligand-protein complexes using the PLP score to represent the ligand-protein potential energy surface and ScreenScore to score the ligand-protein binding energies. When taking the top energy-ranked ligand binding mode pose, we were able to predict the correct crystallographic ligand binding mode in up to 75% of the cases. By using this novel optimization method run times for typical docking simulations are significantly shortened.     

Preparation,stability and two-dimensional ordered arrangement of gold nanoparticles capped by surfactants with different chain lengths

Gold nanoparticles modified with C10NH2, C12NH2, C16NH2 and C18NH2 respectively have been prepared by the reverse micelle method. Nanoparticles stability and their two-dimensional (2D) ordered arrangement were studied by UV-Vis absorption spectra and LB technique. The factors, such as the chain length and the size distribution of particles, which affect the 2D ordered arrangement formation, are discussed. Experimental results show that the longer the chain length of surfactants capping the gold nanoparticles, the more stable the nanoparticles, and the more ordered 2D arrangement of gold nanoparticles.     

高能Zn离子注入CaF2基质形成ZnO纳米粒子的机制、构型及电子结构

将高能Zn2+注入到CaF2介电基质中,在CaF2的表面下注入Zn2+浓度呈近似高斯分布,通过氧气氛后经热退火形成ZnO量子点.采用MaterialsStudio和Gaussian98W程序,结合实验结果计算分析了CaF2基质中ZnO纳米粒子的电子结构和光学性质.选取由4个ZnO原胞组成的超晶胞模型计算了ZnO纳米粒子的吸收光谱,理论结果与实验结果相符.对ZnO纳米粒子电子结构的研究结果表明,ZnO纳米粒子与CaF2基质的相互作用主要是ZnO表面的O与基质中Ca之间的作用,这种作用使ZnO纳米晶体的Fermi能级变窄,带隙相应减小;ZnO纳米粒子表面构型的变化对其本征吸收光谱没有影响,理论计算结果与实验值一致.     

高效毛细管电泳前沿分析法研究酸性药物那格列奈与人血浆白蛋白的结合

用高效毛细管电泳前沿分析法研究了酸性药物那格列奈与人血浆白蛋白的结合常数、结合位点和结合率。使用未涂层的毛细管柱 (4 0cm× 5 0 μmi.d .;有效柱长 32cm) ,磷酸盐缓冲溶液 (pH 7.4 ,离子强度0 .17)为背景溶液 ,在紫外检测波长 2 14nm、运行电压 18kV和重力进样 10 0s的条件下 ,利用那格列奈谱峰的平台高度和游离药物浓度的良好线性关系 (r>0 .999,n =6 ) ,测定了那格列奈的游离药物浓度。固定药物浓度 (2 0 0 μmol L ,2 5 0 μmol L) ,考察不同的蛋白质浓度对结合的影响 ;固定蛋白质浓度 (10 0 μmol L) ,考察不同的药物浓度对结合的影响。实验数据采用非线性拟和程序进行处理 ,得到了那格列奈的蛋白质结合参数。高效毛细管电泳前沿分析法测定的数据重现性良好 (RSD <2 .5 % ,n =3) ,在药代动力学和药效学研究方面具有简便、准确的优点。     

利用DPN技术直接构建磁性纳米图形

在纳米尺度下构建有序的磁性模板和图形是当前的研究热点之一 [1,2 ] .这种模板在生物样品的分离[1] 、磁电子学研究和信息存储 [2 ] 等领域具有重要意义 .目前 ,光刻 [3] 、微触点印刷 [4 ] 和自组装 [5] 等多项技术已被用来构建各种纳米模板 .1 999年 ,美国西北大学 Mirkin小组 [6 ]发明的 Dip- pen纳米刻蚀技术 (简称 DPN技术 )更在可控组装方面显示出巨大优越性 .这项技术是在一定驱动力作用下 ,使吸附在原子力显微镜 ( AFM)针尖上的分子“墨水”逐渐转移到基底表面上 ,实现纳米模板的可控构建 .与传统技术相比 ,DPN技术可在纳米尺…     

Silica nanoparticles for separation of biologically active amines by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection

This paper describes the analysis of biologically active amines by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in conjunction with laser-induced native fluorescence detection. In order to simultaneously analyze amines and acids as well as to achieve high sensitivity, 10 mM formic acid solutions (pH < 4.0) containing silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were chosen as the background electrolytes. With increasing SiNP concentration, the migration times for seven analytes decrease as a result of increase in electroosmotic flow (EOF) and decrease in their electrophoretic mobilities against EOF. A small EOF generated at pH 3.0 reveals adsorption of SiNPs on the deactivated capillary wall. The decreases in electrophoretic mobilities with increasing SiNP concentration up to 0.3x indicate the interactions between the analytes and the SiNPs. Having a great sensitivity (the limits of detection at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3 of 0.09 nM for tryptamine (TA)), high efficiency, and excellent reproducibility (less than 2.4% of the migration times), this developed method has been applied to the analysis of urinal samples with the concentrations of 0.50 +/- 0.02 microM, 0.49 +/- 0.04 microM, and 74 +/- 2 microM for TA, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and tryptophan, respectively. The successful examples demonstrated in this study open up a possibility of using functional nanoparticles for the separation of different analytes by CE.     

Cross-linking chemistry and biology: development of multifunctional photoaffinity probes

An efficient method of photoaffinity labeling has been developed based on rationally designed multifunctional photoprobes. Photoaffinity techniques have been used to elucidate the protein structure at the interface of biomolecules by the photochemical labeling of interacting sites. However, the identification of labeled sites within target proteins is often difficult. Novel biotinyl bioprobes bearing a diazirine photophore have contributed significantly to the rapid elucidation of ligand binding sites within proteins, thereby extending conventional photoaffinity methods. This article discusses the synthesis and applications of various photoprobes bearing a biotin, including strategies using cleavable linkages between photophores. The combination of photoaffinity methods with chip technology is also described as a novel entry to rapid affinity-based screening of inhibitors. This review focuses on a rapid and reliable photoaffinity method utilizing diazirine-based multifunctional photoprobes with numerous potential applications in functional proteomics of biomolecular interactions.     

NMR spectroscopy techniques for screening and identifying ligand binding to protein receptors

Binding events of ligands to receptors are the key for an understanding of biological processes. Gaining insight into protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions in solution has recently become possible on an atomic level by new NMR spectroscopic techniques. These experiments identify binding events either by looking at the resonance signals of the ligand or the protein. Ideally, both techniques together deliver a complete picture of ligand binding to a receptor. The approaches discussed in this review allow screening of compound libraries as well as a detailed identification of the groups involved in the binding events. Also, characterization of the binding strength and kinetics is possible, competitive binding as well as allosteric effects can be identified, and it has even been possible to identify ligand binding to intact viruses and membrane-bound proteins.