The role of melanin as protector against free radicals in skin and its role as free radical indicator in hair

Throughout the body, melanin is a homogenous biological polymer containing a population of intrinsic, semiquinone-like radicals. Additional extrinsic free radicals are reversibly photo-generated by UV and visible light. Melanin photochemistry, particularly the formation and decay of extrinsic radicals, has been the subject of numerous electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy studies. Several melanin monomers exist, and the predominant monomer in a melanin polymer depends on its location within an organism. In skin and hair, melanin differs in content of eumelanin or pheomelanin. Its bioradical character and its susceptibility to UV irradiation makes melanin an excellent indicator for UV-related processes in both skin and hair. The existence of melanin in skin is strongly correlated with the prevention against free radicals/ROS generated by UV radiation. Especially in the skin melanin (mainly eumelanin) ensures the only natural UV protection by eliminating the generated free radicals/ROS. Melanin in hair can be used as a free radical detector for evaluating the efficacy of hair care products. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of melanin as protector of skin against UV generated free radicals and as free radical indicator in hair.     

Synthesis of 3-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones under microwave irradiation

Abstract  A facile procedure for the synthesis of quinoxalines is being reported starting from 3-(2-bromoacetyl)coumarins or 3-(2-bromobutanoyl)coumarins and substituted o-phenylenediamines. The reactions were carried out under catalyst-free and microwave irradiation conditions producing the title compounds in moderate to excellent yields in a short time with easy workup. The structures of all new compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS data. Graphical Abstract        

Simultaneous determination of catecholamines and amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A selective and sensitive method was developed for separation and simultaneous determination of catecholamines and amino acids by MEKC with LIF. Interestingly enough, such work has been firstly performed on catecholamines derivatized with 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole and the detailed derivatization mechanism was discussed. After derivatization at 60 degrees C for 20 min, NBD-labeled catecholamines and amino acids were separated in a buffer system containing 10 mM sodium tetraborate-Na2HPO4, 20 mM SDS, and 10% v/v ACN at pH 9.75. SDS micelles were employed to improve the fluorescence intensity of catecholamine derivatives efficiently. Under optimum conditions, two catecholamines and 11 amino acids were separated in a short 13 min analysis time and the RSDs for migration time and peak area were less than 0.60 and 6.50%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of catecholamines and amino acids in Portulaca oleracea L., human urine sample, and mixed injection sample.     

An efficient ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of ethyl-5-(aryl)-2-(2-alkokxy-2-oxoethylidene)-7-methyl-3-oxo-3, 5-dihydro-2H-thiazolo [3, 2-a] pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives

Dihydropyrimidinone derivatives were prepared by tri-component reaction of ethyl aceto acetate, aldehydes and thiourea in the presence of modified montmorillonite nanostructure as a catalyst and used as key intermediates for the synthesis of ethyl-5-(aryl)-2-(2-alkokxy-2-oxoethylidene)-7-methyl-3-oxo-3,5-dihydro-2H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyri midine-6-carboxylate derivatives with use of diethyl and dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate by two methods: (a) in methanol as a solvent under ultrasonic irradiation at ambient temperature (b) in methanol as a solvent at ambient temperature (conventional magnetic stirring). Ultrasound-assisted synthesis provides excellent yields in short reaction times (15–25 min) at room temperature.     

Studies of modification of HDPE and interfacial interaction of its composites with sericite

Ultraviolet irradiation, which is environment friendly and without any chemical pollution, was used to functionalize high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and to improve the interfacial interaction of its composites with sericite in this study. The oxygen‐containing groups of C?O, C‐O, and C(?O)O were quickly introduced onto molecular chains of HDPE by ultraviolet irradiation in ozone atmosphere and the contents of the introduced oxygen‐containing groups increased with increasing the modification time. It is important to note that the irradiation time greatly decreased compared to that in air or oxygen atmosphere. After modification, the molecular weight of the irradiated HDPE decreased and its distribution became wider. The irradiated HDPE in ozone was not crosslinked, which is an advantage over the same reaction in air or oxygen atmosphere. With increasing the irradiation time, the melting temperature of the irradiated HDPE lightly decreased, while its crystallinity, hydrophilicity, and fluidity increased. The composites of HDPE/sericite were prepared. The results showed that the dispersion of sericite in the matrix and the interfacial interaction of sericite with the matrix were markedly improved for the irradiated HDPE/sericite composites. As a result, the irradiated HDPE/sericite composites showed significantly increased tensile yield strength and notched impact strength. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

微波辐射下苯并(口恶)唑基吡啶的合成

含有苯并唑基的杂环化合物由于其特殊的生理活性而广泛用作医药、农药[1];因为具有较高的荧光量子产率,还可作为荧光增白剂、闪烁剂[2]等。现有合成方法反应时间长[3,4],而且需高温下进行。微波辐射下的有机合成具有反应时间短、产率高的特点[5]。本文在微波辐射条件下,利用邻氨基酚和吡啶羧酸的缩合反应,合成了2种苯并唑基取代吡啶。其优化反应条件为:多聚磷酸为催化剂,微波输出功率为500W,辐射时间4分钟。相比于常规反应,该条件下的反应速率是常规加热法反应速率的60倍且产率有所提高。合成路线如下:ppA=Polyphosphoricacid1　…     

Photocontrolled Multidirectional Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on an Upconversion Substrate

The effective guidance of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation on a substrate by near‐infrared (NIR) light is particularly attractive for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, most of current substrates cannot control multidirectional differentiation of MSCs like natural tissues. Herein, a photocontrolled upconversion‐based substrate was designed and constructed for guiding multidirectional differentiation of MSCs. The substrate enables MSCs to maintain their stem‐cell characteristics due to the anti‐adhesive effect of 4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3‐nitrobenzoic acid modified poly(ethylene glycol) (P1) attached on the upconversion substrate. Upon NIR irradiation, the P1 is released from the substrate by photocleavage. The detachment of P1 can change cell–matrix interactions dynamically. Moreover, MSCs cultured on the upconversion substrate can be specifically induced to differentiate to adipocytes or osteoblasts by adjusting the NIR laser. Our work provides a new way of using NIR‐based upconversion substrate to modulate the multidirectional differentiation of MSCs.     

壳聚糖的γ射线辐射降解研究

动力学;无规降解;断链机理;壳聚糖的γ射线辐射降解研究     

激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱微区分析新进展

从仪器、基础研究诸方面评述近年来LA-ICP-MS微区分析进展,重点介绍了与ICP-MS联用的激光技术发展、校正方法、分馏效应、剥蚀颗粒分布研究及仪器装置与实验技术与改进,对LA-ICP-MS技术的应用作了回顾与展望。     

芯片毛细管电泳-激光诱导荧光-电荷耦合器件检测系统

采用自组建的芯片毛细管电泳－激光诱导荧光－电荷耦合器件（CCD）检测系统在数十秒内满意地分离了曙红和荧光素。设计了一种进样、分 离电路,可以有效地消除进样通道的样品溶液向分离通道的渗漏。解决了由这种渗漏所引起的电泳峰变宽、拖尾等问题。提高了芯片毛细管电泳的分辨率和分离效率。