Note of Caution for the Aqueous Behaviour of Metal-Based Drug Candidates

Poor aqueous solubility is one of the recurrent drawbacks of many compounds in medicinal chemistry. To overcome this limitation, the dilution of drug candidates from stock solutions of an organic solvent is common practice. However, the precise characterisation of these compounds in aqueous solutions is often neglected, leading to some uncertainties regarding the nature of the actual active species. In this communication, we demonstrate that two ruthenium complexes previously reported by our group for their chemotherapeutic potential against cancer, namely [Ru(DIP)₂(sq)](PF₆) and [Ru(DIP)₂(3-methoxysq)](PF₆), where DIP is 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, sq=semiquinonate and 3-methoxysq=3-methoxysemiquinonate, form colloids in water-DMSO (1 % v/v) mixtures that are invisible to the naked eyes. [Ru(DIP)₂(3-methoxysq)](PF₆) was found to form a highly stable and monodispersed colloid with nanoaggregates of ∼25 nm. In contrast, [Ru(DIP)₂(sq)](PF₆) was found to form large reticulates of mostly spherical aggregates which size was found to increase over time. The difference in size and shape distribution of drug candidates is of tremendous significance as the study of their biological activity might be severely affected. Overall, we strongly believe that these observations should be taken into account by the scientific community working on the development of metal-based drugs with poor water solubility.     

Effect of apple cider vinegar agent on the microstructure,phase evolution,and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles

In the present study, spinel structure CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel auto-combustion technique. The effect of apple cider vinegar (ACV) addition as an organic biocompatible agent on the size, morphology, and magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was investigated in detail. The phase evolution, particle size, and lattice parameter changes of the synthesized phase have been estimated by using Rietveld structure refinement analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data. Also, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) of the samples verified the presence of two expected bands correspond to tetrahedral and octahedral metal-oxygen complexes within the spinel structure. Furthermore, microstructural observations revealed that ultrafine particles have a semi-spherical morphology. It was shown that the particles size decreased from ~45 to ~17 nm with an increase in the amount of ACV. Magnetic properties were carried out by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature. Both the saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercivity (H_c) were found to be significantly dependent on the crystallite size and the amount of ACV.     

Characterization,in vitro bioactivity and biological studies of sol-gel-derived TiO2 substituted 58S bioactive glass

Bioactive glasses (BGs) have been used for bone formation and bone repair processes in recent years. This study investigated the titanium substitution effect on 58S BGs (Ti-BGs) 60SiO₂-(36 − X)CaO-4P₂O₅-XTiO₂ (X = 0, 3, and 5 mol.%) prepared by the sol-gel technique, and the main goal was to find the optimum amount of titanium in Ti-BGs. Synthesized BGs, which were investigated after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), were tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity, 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and antibacterial studies were employed to investigate the biological properties of Ti-BGs. According to the FTIR and XRD test results, hydroxyapatite (HA) formation on Ti-BGs surfaces was confirmed. Meanwhile, the presence of 5 mol.% compared to 3 mol.% increased the HA grain distribution and their size on the Ti-BGs surface. Additionally, MTT and ALP results confirmed that the optimal amount of titanium substitution in BG was 5 mol.%. Since 5 mol.% Ti incorporated BG (BG-5) had the highest biocompatibility level, antibacterial properties, maximum cell proliferation, and ALP activity among the synthesized Ti-BGs, it is presented as the best candidate for further in vivo investigations.     

Covalent triazine framework with efficient photocatalytic activity in aqueous and solid media

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) have been recently employed for visible light-driven photocatalysis due to their unique optical and electronic properties. However, the usually highly hydrophobic nature of CTFs, which originates from their overall aromatic backbone, leads to limitations of CTFs for applications in aqueous media. In this study, we aim to extend the range of the application media of CTFs and design hybrid material of a CTF and mesoporous silica (SBA-15) for efficient photocatalysis in aqueous medium. A thiophene-containing CTF was directly synthesized in mesopores of SBA-15. Due to the high surface area and the added hydrophilic properties by silica, the hybrid material demonstrated excellent adsorption of organic molecules in water. This leads not only to high photocatalytic performance of the hybrid material for the degradation of organic dyes in water, but also for efficient photocatalysis in solvent-free and solid state. Furthermore, the reusability, stability and easy recovery of the hybrid material offers promising metal-free heterogeneous photocatalyst for broader applications in different reaction media.     

Sol-Gel Preparation and Luminescence Properties of BaMgAl10O17∶Eu2+ Phosphors

The synthesis of BaMgAl10O17∶ Eu2 (BAM) phosphors using the sol-gel method and their luminescence properties were reported. The blue-light emitting BAM was synthesized using citric acid and ethylene glycol as chelating materials. Emission of blue-light was obtained from these phosphors. The luminescent intensity increases as the temperature of heat treatment is increased. This study investigated the effects of the molar ratio of ethylene glycol to citric acid (Φ value), with respect to the phase formation and luminescence properties of BAM. The variation of the Φ value resulted in the change of the sol-gel reaction mechanism and the microstructures of the resultant powders. An increase in Φ value leads to an increase in the rate of BAM phase formation. The photoluminescent intensity of the prepared phosphors increases with heating temperatures because of enhanced crystallization.     

BaTiO3基Au纳米颗粒复合薄膜的制备及其光学性质研究

采用溶胶-凝胶（sol-gel）方法，成功的将高体积面分比的Au纳米颗粒复合到BaTiO3的非晶薄膜中，并对其光学性质进行了研究。用XRD、TEM、椭偏仪、吸收光谱、光克尔效应OKE（Optical Kerr Effcet）方法对薄膜进行了表征和测试。从吸收光谱观察到表面等离子体共振SPR（Surface Plasma Resonance)峰随热处理温度升高而红移的现象。光学非线性测试表明薄膜具有高的三阶非线性极化率Χ^(3)和超快的响应时间。     

溶胶-凝胶法制备Na_2WO_4~-Mn/SiO_2催化剂及其甲烷氧化偶联反应性能的研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了一系列5%Na2WO4-2%Mn/SiO2催化剂;用XRD、XPS、BET、O2-TPD和CO2-TPD等方法对催化剂进行了表征,并考察了对甲烷氧化偶联反应的催化性能。结果表明,与常规浸渍法相比,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备的Na2WO4-Mn/SiO2催化剂中W和Mn的原子浓度在催化剂表面和体相分布较为接近,而且两种制备方法所得的催化剂具有相似的催化性能,Na2WO4与α-方石英之间的相互作用,催化剂释放晶格氧的能力,碱性强弱是影响甲烷氧化偶联活性的关键因素。     

介孔材料制备及研究进展

介孔材料是一类孔径分布在1．5～50nm之间的多孔材料，具有比表面积大，孔隙率高，孔径分布窄，孔排布有序的特点，在催化、分离等领域具有广阔的应用前景。综述了介孔材料近些年在制备、应用、机理等方面的最新进展与前景展望。     

聚合物降解产物伤害与糖甙键特异酶破胶技术

综述了钻井，完井，尤其是水力压裂作业中产生的多糖类聚合物伤害和应用糖甙键特异酶破胶，解除多糖类聚合物伤害的技术。第一节报道了聚合物降解产物造成的伤害，指出冻胶破胶液粘度低并不代表压裂液已从充填裂缝中充分返排，氧化破胶剂和普通酶破胶剂不能使多糖类聚合物充分降解，产生的大分子量，水不溶的降解产物可对地层造成伤害，消除伤害的办法是采用对糖甙键有特异性的各种水解酶作压裂液破胶剂或伤害地层处理剂。第二节报道了各种聚合物（纤维素，瓜尔胶，淀粉）糖甙键特异酶降解聚合物的机理。第三节报道了糖甙键特异酶（主要针对瓜尔胶）的应用性能测试及结果，包括岩心流动实验，含糖量和分子量测定，传导性测试。第四节介绍了糖甙键特异酶消除聚合物伤害和用作压裂液破胶剂的现场应用，包括选井原则，实施工艺要点及3个典型井例。