Formulation and Characterization of Microcapsules Encapsulating PC12 Cells as a Prospective Treatment Approach for Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder, associated with decreased dopamine levels in the brain. The goal of this study was to assess the potential of a regenerative medicine-based cell therapy approach to increase dopamine levels. In this study, we used rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells that can produce, store, and secrete dopamine. These cells were microencapsulated in the selectively permeable polymer membrane to protect them from immune responses. For fabrication of the microcapsules, we used a modified Buchi spray dryer B-190 that allows for fast manufacturing of microcapsules and is industrially scalable. Size optimization of the microcapsules was performed by systematically varying key parameters of the spraying device. The short- and long-term stabilities of the microcapsules were assessed. In the in vitro study, the cells were found viable for a period of 30 days. Selective permeability of the microcapsules was confirmed via dopamine release assay and micro BCA protein assay. We found that the microcapsules were permeable to the small molecules including dopamine and were impermeable to the large molecules like BSA. Thus, they can provide the protection to the encapsulated cells from the immune cells. Griess's assay confirmed the non-immunogenicity of the microcapsules. These results demonstrate the effective fabrication of microcapsules encapsulating cells using an industrially scalable device. The microcapsules were stable, and the cells were viable inside the microcapsules and were found to release dopamine. Thus, these microcapsules have the potential to serve as the alternative or complementary treatment approach for PD.

Synthesis of piezoelectric and bioactive NaNbO3 from metallic niobium and niobium oxide.

NaNbO3 was synthesized by two different routes, one using metallic niobium powder, and another using niobium oxide (Nb2 O5 ) powder. In both routes an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was used to hydrothermally treating the powders. In the first approach, the solution concentrations were 3M, 1M, and 0.5M. The second route used solution concentrations of 10M and 12.5M. After the hydrothermal treatments, the powders were heat treated in order to synthesize NaNbO3 . The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement. The phases were identified by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement. It was observed that the molar concentrations of the solutions had opposing effects for each route. An antiferroelectric phase was found in both routes. In the niobium metallic route, a ferroelectric phase was also synthesized. This study proves that piezoelectric NaNbO3 can be obtained after alkali treatment of both Nb and Nb2 O5. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 979-985, 2016.

Aqueous gel formation from sodium salts of cellobiose lipids.

Cellobiose lipids (CLs) are asymmetric bolaform biosurfactants, which are produced by Cryptococcus humicola JCM 10251 and have fungicidal activity. In this study, the sodium salts of CLs (CLNa) were prepared to improve aqueous solubility of the CLs, and their surface and gelation properties in aqueous solutions were examined by surface tension, rheology, and freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM) measurements. The surface tension measurements revealed that the CLNa have high surface activity: CMC1 and γCMC1 are 0.1 mg/mL and 34.7 mN/m, respectively. It was also found that the CLNa form giant micelles above their CMC, whose average size is 116.6 ± 31.9 nm. Unlike conventional surfactants, the surface tension reduced further with an increase in concentration and the aqueous solution became viscous at the minimum gelation concentration (MGC: 5.0 mg/mL). In rheological studies, the obtained gels proved to be rather soft and their sol-gel temperature was found to be approximately 50℃. FF-TEM observation of the gels showed 3D supramolecular structures with an entangled fibrous network. Since the present CLNa aqueous gels have a degree of fungicidal activity, they could be useful for novel multifunctional soft materials applicable to the food and cosmetic industries.

Synthesis of nano-sized arsenic-imprinted polymer and its use as As(3+) selective ionophore in a potentiometric membrane electrode: part 1.

In this study, a new strategy was proposed for the preparation of As (III)-imprinted polymer by using arsenic (methacrylate)3 as template. Precipitation polymerization was utilized to synthesize nano-sized As (III)-imprinted polymer. Methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were used as the functional monomer and cross-linking agent, respectively. In order to assembly functional monomers around As (III) ion, sodium arsenite and methacrylic acid were heated in the presence of hydroquinone, leading to arsenic (methacrylate)3. The nano-sized As (III) selective polymer was characterized by FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM). It was demonstrated that arsenic was recognized as As(3+) by the selective cavities of the synthesized IIP. Based on the prepared polymer, the first arsenic cation selective membrane electrode was introduced. Membrane electrode was constructed by dispersion of As (III)-imprinted polymer nanoparticles in poly(vinyl chloride), plasticized with di-nonylphthalate. The IIP-modified electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (20.4±0.5 mV decade(-1)) to arsenic ion over a wide concentration range (7.0×10(-7) to 1.0×10(-1) mol L(-1)) with a lower detection limit of 5.0×10(-7) mol L(-1). Unlike this, the non-imprinted polymer (NIP)-based membrane electrode was not sensitive to arsenic in aqueous solution. The selectivity of the developed sensor to As (III) was shown to be satisfactory. The sensor was used for arsenic determination in some real samples.

Phase and size controllable synthesis of NaYbF4 nanocrystals in oleic acid/ionic liquid two-phase system for targeted fluorescent imaging of gastric cancer.

Upconversion nanocrystals with small size and strong fluorescent signals own great potential in applications such as biomolecule-labeling, in vivo tracking and molecular imaging. Herein we reported that NaYbF4: 25%Gd, 2%Tm upconversion nanocrystals with small size and strong fluorescent signals were controllably synthesized by oleic acid (OA)/ ionic liquid (IL) two-phase system for targeted fluorescent imaging of gastric cancer in vivo. The optimal synthesis condition of NaYbF4: 25%Gd, 2%Tm upconversion nanocrystals by OA/IL two-phase system was established, adding more metal ion such as Na(+) ion could facilitate the size control and crystal-phase transition, more importantly, markedly enhancing fluorescent intensity of beta-phase nanocrystals compared with traditional methods. Alpha-phase NaYbF4, 2%Tm upconversion nanocrystals with less than 10nm in diameter and beta-phase NaYbF4: 25%Gd, 2%Tm upconversion nanocrystals with 30 nm or so in diameter and strong fluorescent signals were obtained, these synthesized nanocrystals exhibited very low cytotoxicity. Folic acid-conjugated silica-modified beta-phase NaYbF4: 25%Gd, 2%Tm upconversion nanocrystals were prepared, could actively target gastric cancer tissues implanted into nude mice in vivo, and realized targeted fluorescent imaging. Folic acid-conjugated silica-modified NaYbF4: 25%Gd, 2%Tm upconversion nanocrystals show great potential in applications such as targeted near infared radiation fluorescent imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and targeted therapy of gastric cancer in the near future.

In situ high pressure NMR study of the direct synthesis of NaAlH4.

The direct synthesis of NaAlH4 has been studied, for the first time, by in situ (27)Al and (23)Na wide-line NMR spectroscopy using high pressure NMR apparatus. Na3AlH6 formation is observed within two minutes of hydrogen addition, while NaAlH4 is detected after a total of four minutes. This indicates the formation of the hexahydride does not proceed to completion before the formation of the tetrahydride ensues.

[Oxidative activity of electrochemically synthesized sodium persulfate solutions against some psychotropic agents].

By using some psychotropic agents as an example, investigations of the oxidative activity of electrochemically synthesized sodium persulfate solutions were continued. The derivatives of phenothiazines, xanthene, and dibenzazepines were shown to be oxidized by synthesized sodium persulfate solution to low-toxic products. Oxidation products were ascertained to coincide with the known products of their biotransformation in the body.

A facile one-pot benzylation of sodium enolates using trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and diphenyl sulfoxide.

A facile one-pot C-benzylation of various sodium enolates derived from methyl malonate, beta-ketoesters, a beta-cyanoester, a beta-cyanosulfone, ketones and a carboxylic ester is reported. Reaction of alkoxydiphenylsulfonium salts formed by treating various benzyl alcohols with diphenyl sulfide bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) (derived from trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and diphenyl sulfoxide) proceeded smoothly, and the corresponding C-benzylated products were afforded in good to high yields.

Synthesis and analytical characterization of the sodium salt of heptakis(2-O-methyl-3,6-di-O-sulfo)cyclomaltoheptaose, a chiral resolving agent candidate for capillary electrophoresis.

A pure, single isomer, strong electrolyte chiral resolving agent candidate for capillary electrophoresis, the sodium salt of heptakis(2-O-methyl-3,6-di-O-sulfo)cyclomaltoheptaose has been synthesized on the 100-g scale, in greater than 97% purity, through heptakis(2,6-di-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)cyclomaltoheptaose, heptakis(2-O-methyl-3,6-di-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)cyclomaltohep taose and heptakis(2-O-methyl)cyclomaltoheptaose intermediates. The structural identity of each intermediate and the final product was conclusively established by high-resolution MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, variable-temperature 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The purity of each intermediate and the final product was determined by gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and indirect UV detection capillary electrophoresis.

Na2Zn3(CO3)4.3H2O: a potentially useful compound for zinc supplementation.

The infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound were recorded and are briefly discussed on the basis of its structural characteristics. Its thermal behaviour was investigated by means of TG and DTA measurements. Several dissolution tests were also performed. The results support the potential usefulness of this double carbonate as a useful compound for Zn(II) supplementation.