Glycol Groups Research Articles

Efficient and magnetically recoverable "click" PEGylated γ-Fe2O3-Pd nanoparticle catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, and Heck reactions with positive dendritic effects.

The engineering of novel catalytic nanomaterials that are highly active for crucial carbon-carbon bond formations, easily recoverable many times, and biocompatible is highly desirable in terms of sustainable and green chemistry. To this end, catalysts comprising dendritic "click" ligands that are immobilized on a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) core, terminated by triethylene glycol (TEG) groups, and incorporate Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) have been prepared. These nanomaterials are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, inductively coupled plasma analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. They are shown to be highly active, dispersible, and magnetically recoverable many times in Suzuki, Sonogashira, and Heck reactions. In addition, a series of pharmacologically relevant or natural products were successfully synthesized using these magnetic PdNPs as catalyst. For comparison, related PdNP catalysts deposited on MNPs bearing linear "click" PEGylated ligands are also prepared. Strong positive dendritic effects concerning ligand loading, catalyst loading, catalytic activity, and recyclability are observed, that is, the dendritic catalysts are much more efficient than non-dendritic analogues.

Synthesis of polymeric core/shell microspheres with spherical virus-like surface morphology by Pickering emulsion

Abstract Core–shell polymeric microspheres of tens microns in size with perfect spherical virus-like surface morphology were prepared through Pickering emulsion polymerization. Pickering stabilizer, monodisperse Poly(Glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microsphere were obtained by two-stage dispersion polymerization and acid catalyzed hydrolysis was employed to transform the epoxy groups into glycol groups, rendering the P(GMA) microspheres moderately hydrophilic to stabilize Pickering emulsion. The P(GMA) microspheres and core–shell microspheres were characterized by scanning electronic microscope(SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering(DLS). The results show that monodisperse P(GMA) microspheres were arrayed in a compact hexagonal arrangement on the surface of core–shell microspheres, forming a perfect spherical virus-like surface morphology.

Study on Calcium Scales Inhibition Performance in the Presence of Double-Hydrophilic Copolymer

Novel double-hydrophilic block copolymers, acrylic acid (AA)-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonate (AMPS)-oxalic acid-allypolyethoxy carboxylate (APEM) was specially designed and synthesized from allyloxy polyethoxy ether (APEG) to inhibit the precipitation of CaCO3 and CaSO4. The structure of the copolymer was characterized by FT-IR and H1-NMR. Using the static experiment method, the scale inhibition efficiencies for CaCO3 and CaSO4 scale were investigated. It was shown that AA-AMPS-APEM exhibited excellent ability to control inorganic minerals scales, with approximately 97.1% CaSO4 inhibition and displayed significant ability to prevent the formation of CaCO3 scales. The synthesized AA-AMPS-APEM was also compared with that of current commercial inhibitors. The effect of the copolymer addition on the crystals of CaCO3 and CaSO4 scales morphology and structures were examined through scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). It proved that great changes in the size and morphology of the calcium scales took place under the influence of AA-AMPS-APEM. The proposed inhibition mechanism suggests the formation of complexes between the side-chain carboxyl groups of AA-AMPS-APEM and calcium ions on the surface of inorganic minerals, and the excellent solubility of complexes resulted from a number of hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sulfonic group (-SO3H) group.

Physical Evaluation of Explanted Vascular Prostheses

The authors attempt to describe a comprehensive study of physical ageing in vivo on the properties of explanted prostheses. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique has been used to compare the molecular conformation of various polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarns extracted from the different areas of the prostheses (with different lifetimes) collected after ageing. The FTIR found results showed an increased PET crystallinity related to the development of microcrystallites in the amorphous areas of PET chains. Nevertheless, these small crystallites are not perfectly orientated according to the fiber axis. In addition, we can deduced that the ruptures in macromolecular chain can occur in the diethylene glycol groups existing in the zones amorphous and can be induced the crystallization process.

Magnetic-responsive supramolecular vesicles from self-organization of amphiphilic pillar[5]arene and application in controlled release.

A new amphiphilic pillar[5]arene (AP5-glycol) with five oligomeric glycol groups and five alkyl chains was prepared. AP5-glycol spontaneously formed bilayer vesicles in water, and these vesicles were still stable after several weeks. Additionally, when they were exposed to external physical stimuli, these vesicles also showed reversible thermal and dynamic properties. Interestingly, oleic-acid-stabilized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could be incorporated into the bilayer of the AP5-glycol vesicles to form hybrid magnetic-responsive supramolecular vesicles.

Robust hydrogen‐bonded capsules with stability in competitive media

The binding behavior of a cavitand introduced by de Mendoza is explored with new guest species. Dimerization to hydrogen‐bonded capsules occurs in the presence of appropriate guests, including alkanes, alkylated arenes, stilbenes, benzanilides, and carbodiimides. Peripheral tetraethylene glycol groups are attached to the cavitand to improve solubility. Encapsulation of hydrophobic compounds can be observed in aqueous media. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Palladium catalyst supported on N-aminoguanidine functionalized magnetic graphene oxide as a robust water-tolerant and versatile nanocatalyst

A novel heterogeneous Pd catalyst has been developed by decorating palladium onto the surface of N-aminoguanidine functionalized magnetic graphene oxide nanosheets (denoted as Pd@AGu-MGO), while the diethylene glycol (DEG) group has been applied as an organic spacer. The usefulness of the Pd@AGu-MGO nanocatalyst was investigated in palladium catalyzed organic reactions including Heck/Suzuki couplings of aryl halides and reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The nanocatalyst showed high efficiency and thermal stability (up to 300 °C). The catalyst recovery test was performed using an external magnet device, and showed that this catalyst can be reused several times without a significant decrease in its performance and catalytic activity. The loading level of Pd in the Pd@AGu-MGO catalyst was assessed as 0.9 mmol g−1 by ICP-AES and elemental analysis. This catalyst is more remarkable from the environmental and economic points of view because of its key properties such as high efficiency and turnover frequency (TOF), mild reaction conditions, utilization of green solvent, simple product work-up, and easy catalyst recovery.

Mechanistic insights of sulfur mustard-induced acute tracheal injury in rats.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is believed to be a major threat to civilian populations because of the persistent asymmetric threat by nonstate actors, such as terrorist groups, the ease of synthesis and handling, and the risk of theft from stockpiles. The purpose of this study was to establish mechanisms of acute tracheal injury in rats induced by SM using histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and biochemical parameters. Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were anesthetized, intratracheally intubated, and exposed to 2 mg/kg of SM. Animals were euthanized 6-, 24-, 48-, and 72-hour postexposure, and intracavitary blood samples from the heart and tracheal tissues were collected. Exposure of rats to SM resulted in rapid tracheal injury, including tracheal epithelial cell shedding, focal ulceration, and abundant lymphocyte invasion of the submucosa. There was also evidence of a large number of apoptotic cells in the epithelium and submucosa, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β (IL) 1β, IL-6, and γ-glutamyl transferase peaked at 24 hours, and the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance peaked at 6 hours. The SM exposure also resulted in a loss of the cellular membrane, leakage of cytoplasm, fuzzy mitochondrial cristae, medullary changes in ciliated and goblet cells, and the nuclear chromatin appeared marginated in basal cells and fibroblasts. The results in the propylene glycol group were the same as the control group. These data demonstrated the histologic changes, inflammatory reactions, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA damage following SM (2 mg/kg)-induced acute tracheal injury; the severity of changes was time dependent.

Effect of silica particle surface chemistry on the shear thickening behaviour of concentrated colloidal suspensions

We have found that heat treating silica particles can have a large effect on the shear thickening properties of suspensions comprised of 550 nm silica particles in ethylene glycol (EG). The shear thickening effect becomes stronger after heat treating the particles at the temperatures studied (120 and 220 °C) especially at the higher temperature, indicating that the interparticle interactions in these suspensions are changed by heat treatment. Having confirmed the existence of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the silica particles using differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that heat treatment increases the valence of the Si element on the surface, resulting in a higher density of hydroxyl groups. We believe that a denser solvation layer on the surface of heat-treated particles, formed by adsorbing EG molecules to the particle surface through hydrogen bonds between EG and hydroxyl groups, results in a higher short-range repulsive force, which is responsible for the enhanced shear thickening behaviour.

Preparation of silver hydrosols using polyethylene glycol modified with vinyl pyrrolidone

Hydrosols containing silver nanoparticles were prepared from copolymers of ethylene glycol (EG) and vinyl pyrrolidone (VPy). The copolymers were synthesized using a macro-azo-radical initiator appended with EG units. The hydrosols were prepared by simply stirring the copolymers with AgNO3 in water at room temperature. The nanoparticles conferred thermal stability to the hydrosols, up to 80 °C. Spectroscopic, thermal, and gas chromatography analyses revealed that the silver nanoparticles were protected by EG and carbonyl groups with strong interaction between silver and the oxygen species of EG and VPy.

The inhibitory effect of an ethanol extract of the spores of Lygodium japonicum on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats.

We investigated the effect of an ethanol extract of Lygodii spora (LS) as a preventive and therapeutic agent for experimentally induced calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis with ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into preventive (n = 18, for 28 days) and therapeutic (n = 24, for 42 days) groups. The preventive group was further subdivided into three groups of six rats each: preventive control, preventive lithiatic control (EG) and preventive lithiatic LS (EG + 400 mg/kg LS). Similarly, the therapeutic group was subdivided into four groups of six rats each: therapeutic control, therapeutic lithiatic control, therapeutic lithiatic untreated, and therapeutic lithiatic LS. Lithiasis was induced by adding 0.75% EG to the drinking water of all groups except the preventive and therapeutic control groups. Preventive and therapeutic subjects also received the LS ethanol extract in drinking water at a dose of 400 mg/kg, since day 0 or day 28, respectively. At the end of the each experimental period, various biochemical parameters were measured in urine and kidney homogenates. The kidneys were subjected to histopathological analysis. The results revealed that treatment with the LS preventive protocol significantly decreased the levels of urinary calcium, oxalate and uric acid, and increased the levels of urinary citrate as compared to those in the EG control. No significant changes in the urinary parameters except oxalate and citrate levels were observed in the rats in the therapeutic protocol. In both preventive and therapeutic protocols, the extract significantly decreased kidney peroxides, renal calcium, oxalate content, and the number of kidney oxalate deposits as compared to those in the EG group. We conclude that LS is useful as a preventive and therapeutic agent against the formation of oxalate kidney stones.

Open pulled straw vitrification and slow freezing of sheep IVF embryos using different cryoprotectants.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the post-thaw survival and hatching rates of sheep blastocysts using different cryoprotectants. In Experiment 1, Day 6 sheep embryos were cryopreserved by a slow freezing protocol using 10% ethylene glycol (EG), 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or a mixture of 5% EG and 5% DMSO. Hatching rates were higher in the 10% EG group than in the 10% DMSO or EG + DMSO groups (30% vs 18% and 20%, respectively). In Experiment 2, embryos were cryopreserved by open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification using either 33% EG, 33% DMSO or a mixture of 16.5% EG + 16.5% DMSO. Re-expansion and hatching rates in the EG + DMSO group (79.16% and 52.74%, respectively) were higher than those in the EG group (64.28% and 30.02%, respectively), whereas the outcomes for the DMSO group were the lowest (45.18% and 8.6%, respectively). In Experiment 3, embryos were cryopreserved by OPS vitrification using either 40% EG, 40% DMSO or a mixture of 20% EG + 20% DMSO. Re-expansion and hatching rates were highest in the EG group than in the EG + DMSO and DMSO groups (92.16% vs 76.30% and 55.84% re-expansion, respectively; and 65.78% vs 45.55% and 14.46% hatching, respectively). In conclusion, OPS vitrification was found to be more efficient for cryopreservation of in vitro-developed sheep embryos than traditional freezing.

Lipid nanocapsules for transdermal delivery of ropivacaine: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The objective of this research was to develop novel ropivacaine-loaded lipid nanocapsules (RPV-LNCs) and evaluate the potential of RPV-LNCs as external preparation for transdermal delivery. RPV-LNCs were prepared by phase inversion technique and optimized by response surface design. The permeation ability of RPV-LNCs was characterized both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the optimized RPV-LNCs represented typical core-shell structure with the mean diameter of 62.1±1.7 nm. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading were 92.6±1.3% and 1.35±0.20%, respectively. Moreover, the cumulative amount of RPV penetrated through excised skin from LNCs was 2.17 folds than that of the propylene glycol. In vivo, RPV-LNCs contributed a higher RPV concentration in plasma (5.743 μg/mL). The RPV retained within dermis was 27.9±5.2 μg/mL for LNCs, obviously remarkable than that of the propylene glycol group (15.6±3.9 μg/mL). The skin histopathology study and scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that interaction between LNCs and skin surface changed the apparent morphology of stratumcorneum and broke the close conjugation of corneocyte layers. All the detailed evidence showed that LNCs could provide a promising tuning as a transdermal delivery system of ropivacaine.

Facile preparation of oligo(ethylene glycol)-capped fluorescent carbon dots from glutamic acid for plant cell imaging

Fluorescent carbon dots are potential candidates for replacing traditional dyes for cell imaging, but their bulky sizes may hinder their passage through cell membranes, which may result in extra work to inject them into the cells. Here, a simple one-step method is proposed to synthesize brightly fluorescent carbon dots that can be endocytosed by intact plant cells and can thus directly dye the nucleus. The morphology, composition and effects of acidity and excitation wavelength on the photoluminescence of the obtained glutamic acid-based carbon dots were systematically investigated. The particles have a size of 4–8nm and possess large amounts of oligo(ethylene glycol) groups with a quantum yield of 30.7%. The material exhibited high biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. Confocal microscopy confirmed that the carbon dots prepared with the proposed method could dye HeLa cells within 1min and intact onion epidermal cells in 10min through endocytosis.

Functionalization of track-etched poly (ethylene terephthalate) membranes as a selective filter for hydrogen purification

This paper reports on the carboxylic and amino group functionalization of track-etched poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes with different pore size and pore density. Glycolic acid groups were formed by oxidation of hydroxyethyl end groups while amino groups were introduced by amidation of these carboxylic groups with tetraethylenepentamine. These membranes were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to follow the effect of the oxidation process on the molecular weight of the PET and to access the formation of functional groups. As concluded from NMR and XPS results, the density of carboxyl and amino group increases in comparison to pristine PET membranes. The larger the pore diameter and the pore density, the higher is the extent of functionalization. We demonstrate the deposition of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles onto pore walls and pore surfaces of PET membranes for potential use in hydrogen separation or sensing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (in SEM) results show presence of Pd nanoparticles in functionalized PET membranes pointing to an enhanced binding capability of Pd nanoparticles that can be used for hydrogen extraction from a mixture of gases.

Facile method for constructing an effective electron transfer mediating layer using ferrocene-containing multifunctional redox copolymer

Our study focused on the formation of an electrochemically active layer on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode using a ferrocene-containing multifunctional redox copolymer synthesized by radical polymerization. The copolymer plays four important roles as follows: the surface adhesive monomer acts as an anchor to the ITO surface, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) group prevents nonspecific binding of unwanted biomolecules, the epoxide functional group selectively conjugates antibodies on the polymeric ITO surface, and the ferrocene group is the redox-active compound involved in the electrochemical response. The structure and molecular weight of the polymer were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography, respectively. The thickness, elemental composition, and wettability of the polymer adhesion layer were confirmed by using a surface profiler, an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, and a contact angle analyzer. The polymer-coated ITO electrodes showed a very high level of antibiofouling effect because of PEG, as compared with the uncoated ITO electrodes (control). Through a microcontact printing method, the antibody was selectively immobilized onto the polymer-coated ITO electrode. The electrochemical response of the polymer-modified ITO electrode was also characterized. The ferrocene-containing polymer exclusively produced a distinguishing redox wave due to ferrocene, as opposed to the ferrocene-free polymer. To further demonstrate the usefulness of our polymer systems, we configured a sandwich immunoassay; the ferrocene-containing polymer largely improved the sensitivity and dynamic range of the immunoassay as compared to the ferrocene-free polymer.

MP20-13 OXYGEN NANO-BUBBLE WATER EXERTS INHIBITORY EFFECTS ON KIDNEY STONE FORMATION BY INHIBITING RENAL TUBULAR CELL INJURY

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: Basic Research I1 Apr 2014MP20-13 OXYGEN NANO-BUBBLE WATER EXERTS INHIBITORY EFFECTS ON KIDNEY STONE FORMATION BY INHIBITING RENAL TUBULAR CELL INJURY Yasuhiko Hirose, Kazumi Taguchi, Yasuhiro Fujii, Kazuhiro Niimi, Shuzo Hamamoto, Ryosuke Ando, Masahito Hirose, Atsushi Okada, Yasue Kubota, Yasunori Ito, Takahiro Yasui, Keiichi Tozawa, and Kenjiro Kohri Yasuhiko HiroseYasuhiko Hirose More articles by this author , Kazumi TaguchiKazumi Taguchi More articles by this author , Yasuhiro FujiiYasuhiro Fujii More articles by this author , Kazuhiro NiimiKazuhiro Niimi More articles by this author , Shuzo HamamotoShuzo Hamamoto More articles by this author , Ryosuke AndoRyosuke Ando More articles by this author , Masahito HiroseMasahito Hirose More articles by this author , Atsushi OkadaAtsushi Okada More articles by this author , Yasue KubotaYasue Kubota More articles by this author , Yasunori ItoYasunori Ito More articles by this author , Takahiro YasuiTakahiro Yasui More articles by this author , Keiichi TozawaKeiichi Tozawa More articles by this author , and Kenjiro KohriKenjiro Kohri More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.02.735AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Renal tubular cell injury induced by oxalate plays an important role in kidney stone formation. Water containing oxygen nano-bubbles (ONB: nanometer-sized bubbles generated from oxygen micro-bubbles) has anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ONB water on kidney stone formation in ethylene glycol (EG)-treated rats. METHODS ONB water can be produced by rapidly collapsing oxygen micro-bubbles in hard water with a salt concentration of 1.0% by mass. Further, ONB water with a salt concentration of 0% by mass can be prepared by passing the resulting ONB water twice through a reverse osmosis membrane, obtaining ONB water was defined as 100% ONB water. A mixture comprising half 100% ONB water and half distilled water was defined as 50% ONB water. We divided 60 rats, aged 4 weeks, into 5 groups: (1) control, a water-fed group; (2) 100% ONB, a 100% ONB water-fed group; (3) EG, the EG-treated water-fed group; and (4), and (5) EG+50% ONB and EG+100% ONB, the 2 EG-treated, ONB water-fed groups. The rats consumed these fluids by free access for 5 weeks, and the EG-treated groups were also administered 1.2 mL of 10% EG and 0.5 μg of vitamin D3 via a stomach tube for the last 2 weeks. Six rats in each group were sacrificed after 7 days and 6 after 14 days. The pooled 24-hour urine and blood samples of these rats were collected, and their kidneys were excised. Renal CaOx deposits, urinary excretion of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and renal expression of MCP-1 and OPN as inflammation-related proteins, and the crystal binding molecule hyaluronic acid were compared among the 5 groups. RESULTS In the EG group, CaOx deposits tended to increase at 14 days compared to 7 days after EG administration. However, CaOx deposits were significantly lower in the EG+50% ONB and EG+100% ONB groups than in the EG group 14 days after administration (Figure). In the EG+50% ONB and EG+100% ONB groups, ONB water significantly decreased urinary NAG excretion, and renal MCP-1, OPN, and hyaluronic acid expression compared to the EG group. CONCLUSIONS ONB water exerted substantial effects on kidney stone formation in the rat kidney by inhibiting renal tubular cell injury. ONB water may be a prophylactic for kidney stones. © 2014FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 191Issue 4SApril 2014Page: e201 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2014MetricsAuthor Information Yasuhiko Hirose More articles by this author Kazumi Taguchi More articles by this author Yasuhiro Fujii More articles by this author Kazuhiro Niimi More articles by this author Shuzo Hamamoto More articles by this author Ryosuke Ando More articles by this author Masahito Hirose More articles by this author Atsushi Okada More articles by this author Yasue Kubota More articles by this author Yasunori Ito More articles by this author Takahiro Yasui More articles by this author Keiichi Tozawa More articles by this author Kenjiro Kohri More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Novel effect of the inhibitor of mitochondrial cyclophilin D activation, N‐methyl‐4‐isoleucine cyclosporin, on renal calcium crystallization

To experimentally evaluate the clinical application of N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin, a novel selective inhibitor of cyclophilin D activation. In vitro, cultured renal tubular cells were exposed to calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals and treated with N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin. The mitochondrial membrane was stained with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester perchlorate and observed. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: a control group, an ethylene glycol group (administration of ethylene glycol to induce renal calcium crystallization), a N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin group (administration of N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin) and an ethylene glycol + N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin group (administration of ethylene glycol and N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin). Renal calcium crystallization was evaluated using Pizzolato staining. Oxidative stress was evaluated using superoxide dismutase and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine. Mitochondria within renal tubular cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using cleaved caspase-3. In vitro, calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, which was remarkably prevented by N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin. In vivo, ethylene glycol administration induced renal calcium crystallization, oxidative stress, mitochondrial collapse and cell apoptosis in rats, which were significantly prevented by N-methyl-4-isoleucine cyclosporin. Herein we first report a new treatment agent determining renal calcium crystallization through cyclophilin D activation.

Development and Screening of a Series of Antibody‐Conjugated and Silica‐Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeting the Prostate‐Specific Membrane Antigen

The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an established target for the delivery of cancer therapeutic and imaging agents due to its high expression on the surface of prostate cancer cells and within the neovasculature of other solid tumors. Here, we describe the synthesis and screening of antibody-conjugated silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for PSMA-specific cell targeting. The humanized anti-PSMA antibody, HuJ591, was conjugated to a series of nanoparticles with varying densities of polyethylene glycol and primary amine groups. Customized assays utilizing iron spectral absorbance and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) were developed to screen microgram quantities of nanoparticle formulations for immunoreactivity and cell targeting ability. Antibody and PSMA-specific targeting of the optimized nanoparticle was evaluated using an isogenic PSMA-positive and PSMA-negative cell line pair. Specific nanoparticle targeting was confirmed by iron quantification with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These methods and nanoparticles support the promise of targeted theranostic agents for future treatment of prostate and other cancers.

Thermoresponsive starch derivates with widely tuned LCSTs by introducing short oligo(ethylene glycol) spacers

Water soluble, thermoresponsive 3-[2-butoxy(ethoxy)m]-2-hydroxypropyl starch ethers (BEmS) (m=0, 1, or 2) were prepared by reacting degraded waxy maize starch with n-butyl glycidyl ether, 3-(2-n-butoxyethyl) glycidyl ether, and 3-[2-(2-n-butoxyethoxy)ethyl] glycidyl ether, respectively. The lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) of BEmS could be tuned to a wide range from 17.5°C to 55.0°C by changing the side chain lengths of oligo(ethylene glycol) groups and their average molar substitution (MS). The LCSTs of BEmS increase with increasing side chain length of oligo(ethylene glycol) groups when BS, BES, and BE2S have similar MS values. By contrast, an increase in BEmS concentration and addition of NaCl to the BEmS solutions could lead to a decrease in the LCSTs of BEmS. In addition, the effects of NaCl and BEmS concentrations on the LCSTs become weaker when the side chain length of oligo(ethylene glycol) groups increase.