Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies on electron-transfer reaction between novel water-soluble tetrazolium salts and a superoxide ion

Supramolecular nanosheet formation-induced photosensitisation mechanism change of Rose Bengal dye in aqueous media

Development of two-dimensional materials and exploration of their functionalities are significant challenges due to their potential. In this study, we successfully fabricated a supramolecular nanosheet composed of amphiphilic Rose Bengal dyes in an aqueous medium. Furthermore, we elucidated a distinct change in the photosensitisation mechanism induced by nanosheet formation.

Probing oxygen activation on plasmonic photocatalysts

In this work we present an assay to probe the oxygen activation rate on plasmonic nanoparticles under visible light. Using a superoxide-specific XTT molecular probe, the oxygen activation rate on bimetallic gold-silver "rainbow" nanoparticles with a broadband visible light (> 420 nm) response, is determined at different light intensities by measuring its conversion into the colored XTT-formazan derivate. A kinetic model is applied to enable a quantitative estimation of the rate constant, and is shown to match almost perfectly with the experimental data. Next, the broadband visible light driven oxygen activation capacity of this plasmonic rainbow system, supported on nano-sized SiO2, is demonstrated towards the oxidation of aniline to azobenzene in DMSO. To conclude, a brief theoretical discussion is devoted to the possible mechanisms behind such plasmon-driven reactions.

Cross-Disciplinary Application for Qualitative Magnesium Corrosion Assays

At the moment, unserviceable magnesium implants make a good case in point for further responsible study in this field. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, existing methods for corrosion monitoring are exposed to susceptibility and instability. Interdisciplinary theories and the existing corrosion experiments were combined based on their various merits for developing an accurate and precise corroding experiment for Mg/Mg alloys. We used the water-soluble tetrazolium-8 (WST-8) reagent to further complete the immersion experiment. The color change of the solution reflects the rationale of corrosion, followed by monitoring the degree of corrosion. The feasibility of this idea will be demonstrated.

A photoenhanced oxidation of amino acids and the cross-linking of lysozyme mediated by tetrazolium salts

Tetrazolium salts (TZs) are pervasively utilized as precursors in the dye industry, colorimetric probes in enzyme assays and for exploring nanomaterial toxicity, but its own toxicity is not investigated enough so far. Using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, nanosecond pulse radiolysis (ns-PRL), western blotting and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, here we characterized a neutral tetrazolinyl radical (with the same maximum absorption at 420 nm and different lifetimes of 5.0 and 9.0 μs for two selected TZs), the key intermediate of TZs reduction, and noticed TZs-formazan production under UV light irradiation accompanied by 41% increase in the cross-linking of lysozyme (Lyso, model protein) compared to TZs-free sample, which uncovered the photoenhanced oxidation of TZs towards Lyso. The ns-PRL in a reductive atmosphere simulated the electron/proton donors of amino acid residues in Lyso upon photoexcitation and revealed the reduction mechanism of TZs, as that first followed one-electron-transfer and then probably proton-coupled electron transfer. This is the first time to report on the photoenhanced oxidation mechanism of TZs, which would provide new insights into the applications of TZs in cell biology, "click" chemistry and nanotoxicology.

Novel formazan derivatives containing phenylsulfanyl and carbonyl units: synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties

New phenylsulfanyl and aryl carbonyl containing formazan derivatives 4a–4h and 5a–5h have been developed, and investigated the effect of substituents on their photophysical and electrochemical properties.

Evaluation of a Novel Dry Sheet Culture Method for Rapid Enumeration of Total Aerobic Count in Foods

A novel dry sheet culture method (Sanita-kun ACplus; SkACp) for rapid enumeration of total viable count has been developed. This rehydrated plate system comprises an adhesive sheet, nonwoven fabric coated with nutrients, and two types of water absorption polymers. In addition, SkACp facilitates methods for both rapid count (rapid mode: 24-h incubation) and accurate enumeration (standard mode: 48-h incubation) because it not only contains conventional 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride but also contains two kinds of new tetrazolium salts for rapid and accurate enumeration of total aerobic count. When SkACp was assessed with 91 microorganisms, 87 strains (95.6%), excluding lactic acid and psychrotrophic bacteria, formed red-colored colonies within 24 h, whereas all microorganisms tested formed colonies within 48 h. The SkACp method, with both 24 and 48 h of incubation, was compared with plate count agar (PCA) and 3M Petrifilm AC (PAC) by using 107 naturally contaminated foods. For all foods tested (n = 107), the linear correlation coefficients of 48-h counts on SkACp compared with PCA and PAC were 0.98 and 0.75, respectively, while the 24-h counts on SkACp compared with PCA and PAC were 0.77 and 0.96, respectively. For foods tested, excluding yogurt and lactic beverages ( n = 101), the linear correlation coefficients of 48-h counts on SkACp compared with PCA and PAC were 0.98 and 0.96, respectively, while the 24-h counts on SkACp compared with PCA and PAC were 0.96 and 0.95, respectively. These results demonstrated that SkACp (48 h) is a useful alternative for the enumeration of the total aerobic count for all foods, whereas SkACp (24 h) was also an effective method for rapid enumeration in foods, excluding yogurt and lactic beverages.

Synthesis, crystal structure, optical and electrochemical properties of novel diphenylether-based formazan derivatives

A new class of formazan derivatives was synthesized and the existence of hydrogen bond in formazan skeleton was explored with experimental and computational studies.

Redox modulation of Ecto-NOX1 in human platelets

By modulating the cellular redox state, the plasma membrane electron transport (PMET) is important in platelet biology; indeed, the oxidant/antioxidant balance plays a central role during activation of the coagulation pathway. None the less, in human platelets, the PMET system has not yet been fully characterized and the molecular identities of most components are unknown. Here, for the first time, the presence of the plasma membrane hydroquinone (NADH) oxidase Ecto-NOX1 in human platelets has been described. We found that Ecto-NOX1 expression is modulated by capsaicin: Indeed, it is positively regulated through a mechanism requiring binding of capsaicin to its receptor, namely the transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). Ligand-receptor interaction triggers a signalling cascade leading to ROS production, which in turn enhances expression and activity of Ecto-NOX1. Redox regulation of Ecto-NOX1 may be important to platelet recruitment and activation during inflammatory diseases.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies on bis-[1,3-substituted (Cl, Br) phenyl-5-phenyl formazanato]nickel(II) complexes

In this study, new 1:2 Ni complexes of 1,3-substituted phenyl-5-phenylformazans were synthesized with -Cl, -Br substituents in the o-, m-, p-positions of the 1-phenyl ring and -NO2 group in the m-position of the 3-phenyl ring. Their structures were elucidated and spectral behaviors were investigated with the use of elemental analysis, GC-Mass, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, UV-vis spectra. Furthermore electrochemical properties such as number of electrons transferred (n), diffusion coefficients (D) and possible reaction mechanism of the compounds were determined with the use of cyclic voltammetry, ultramicrodisc electrode and chronoamperometry. The relation between their absorption properties and electrochemical properties was examined. A linear correlation was obtained between Hammett substituent coefficients with lambda(max) values.

Prevention of hemoglobin interference on the formazan reaction

BACKGROUND

Hb interference induces false test results and thus hinders the establishment of further applications that use the formazan method. We attempted to eliminate hemoglobin (Hb) interference on the formazan reaction.

METHODS

Total serum bile acid (TBA) reagent was constructed to elucidate the mechanism of Hb interference. We determined the interaction between formazan reagents and Hb using spectral analysis and investigated the optimal condition of the reagent to establish a practical technique for its prevention.

RESULTS

Hb caused overestimation during TBA measurement, and its influence was attributed to the errors of both the sample and reagent blank signals. These errors were triggered by the reaction between Hb and formazan reagents. The main finding was that the addition of both imidazole and sodium nitrite in the reagent considerably accelerated the oxidation of Hb, even at neutral pH. The overestimation of TBA concentration was reduced to <3 micromol/l even with Hb concentrations >or=500 mg/dl.

CONCLUSIONS

We elucidated the mechanism of Hb interference on the formazan reaction and succeeded in preventing its influence. This will help to solve the technical difficulties associated with utilizing formazan reactions as routine diagnostic tools.

Electrochemical determination of the superoxide ion concentration from KO2 dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide

An electrochemical determination of the O2- concentration from KO2 in DMSO solution using steady state microelectrode voltammetry shows that the KO2/DMSO method with the combined use of a crown compound or sonication is a reliable and simple technique for introduction of O2- to the biomimitic reaction system.

Metabolism of benzoquinone by yeast cells and oxidative characteristics of corresponding hydroquinone: application to highly sensitive measurement of yeast cell density by using benzoquinone and a chemiluminescent probe

The metabolic efficiency of seven derivatives of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) by yeast cells and the oxidative characteristics of the corresponding hydroquinones (HQs) were studied by electrochemical, spectrophotometric and chemiluminescent methods. The spectrophotometric method was based on the reduction of a tetrazolium salt to formazan dye during the autoxidation of HQs generated by yeast cells under alkaline conditions. The amounts of HQs detected directly by the electrochemical method did not agree with those calculated from the formazan dye obtained by the spectrophotometric method. A tetrazolium salt was reduced to a formazan dye by both the superoxide anion radical (O2-*) generated during the autoxidation of 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-HQ and by HQ itself. Little formazan dye was formed, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was then finally produced during the autoxidation of 1,4-HQ or 2-methyl-1,4-HQ. Formazan dye and H2O2 were generated at a certain ratio during the autoxidation of derivatives of dimethyl-1,4-HQ or 2,3,5-trimethyl-1,4-HQ. The analytical method based on chemiluminescence with lucigenin and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-BQ was applied to highly sensitive measurement of the yeast cell density. A linear relationship between the chemiluminescence intensity and viable cell density was obtained in the range of 1.2 x 10(3) - 4.8 x 10(4) cells/ml. The detection limit was 4.8 x 10(2) cells/ml.