Spectroscopic studies and normal coordinate analysis of bilirubin

Clinical usefulness of hypoxia imaging colonoscopy for the objective measurement of ulcerative colitis disease activity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Colonic mucosal hypoxia is associated with mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to assess the clinical usefulness of hypoxia imaging colonoscopy for the evaluation of clinical, endoscopic, and histologic disease activities of UC.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study comprised 100 consecutive patients with UC who underwent hypoxia imaging colonoscopy between September 2022 and September 2023 at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. Colonic tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) was measured at the biopsy sites, and StO2 values between different disease activities were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to calculate the area under the ROC curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

A significant correlation was identified between rectal StO2 and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, with moderate accuracy to predict bowel urgency at a 40.5% cutoff (AUROC, .74; 95% confidence interval [CI], .62-.87). Our analysis of 490 images showed median StO2 values for Mayo endoscopic subscores 0, 1, 2, and 3 as 52% (interquartile range [IQR], 48%-56%), 47% (IQR, 43%-52%), 42% (IQR, 38.8%-47%), and 39.5% (IQR, 37.3%-41.8%), respectively. Differences for all pairs were significant. Median StO2 was 49% (IQR, 44%-54%) for Geboes scores 0 to 2, significantly higher than histologically active disease (Geboes score ≥3). At a colonic StO2 cutoff of 45.5%, AUROCs for endoscopically and histologically active diseases were .79 (95% CI, .74-.84) and .72 (95% CI, .66-.77).

CONCLUSIONS

StO2 obtained by hypoxia imaging colonoscopy is useful for assessing clinical, endoscopic, and histologic activities of UC, suggesting that StO2 may be a novel and objective endoscopic measurement.

Atomically Thin TaSe2 Film as a High-Performance Substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

An atomically thin TaSe₂ sample, approximately containing two to three layers of TaSe₂ nanosheets with a diameter of 2.5 cm is prepared here for the first time and applied on the detection of various Raman-active molecules. It achieves a limit of detection of 10^-10  m for rhodamine 6G molecules. The excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance and underlying mechanism of TaSe₂ are revealed using spectrum analysis and density functional theory. The large adsorption energy and the abundance of filled electrons close to the Fermi level are found to play important roles in the chemical enhancement mechanism. Moreover, the TaSe₂ film enables highly sensitive detection of bilirubin in serum and urine samples, highlighting the potential of using 2D SERS substrates for applications in clinical diagnosis, for example, in the diagnosis of jaundice caused by excess bilirubin in newborn children.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Active Gold-Decorated Silicon Nanowire Substrates for Label-Free Detection of Bilirubin

Bilirubin (BR) is a product of hemoglobin breakdown, and its increasing levels in the blood may indicate liver disorders and lead to jaundice. Kernicterus is most dangerous in newborns when the unconjugated BR concentration can quickly rise to toxic levels, causing neurological damage and even death. The development of an accurate, fast, and sensitive sensor for BR detection will help reduce diagnostic time and ensure successful treatment. In this study, we propose a new method for creating a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrate based on gold-decorated silicon nanowires (Au@SiNWs) for sensitive label-free BR detection. Gold-assisted chemical etching of crystalline silicon wafers was used to synthesize SiNWs, the tops of which were then additionally decorated with gold nanoparticles. The low detection limit of model analyte 4-mercaptopyridine down to the concentration of 10^-8 M demonstrated the excellent sensitivity of the obtained substrates for SERS application. The theoretical full-wave electromagnetic simulations of Raman scattering in the Au@SiNW substrates showed that the major contribution to the total SERS signal comes from the analyte molecules located on the SiNW surface near the gold nanoparticles. Therefore, for efficient BR adsorption and SERS detection, the surface of the SiNWs was modified with amino groups. Label-free detection of BR using amino modified Au@SiNWs with high point-to-point, scan-to-scan, and batch-to-batch reproducibility with a detection limit of 10^-6 M has been demonstrated. Artificial urine, mimicking human urine samples, was used as the matrix to get insights into the influence of different parameters such as matrix complexity on the overall BR SERS signal. The signal stability was demonstrated for 7 days after adsorption of BR with a concentration of 5 × 10^-5 M, which is the required sensitivity for clinical applications.

Raman imaging of heme metabolism in situ in macrophages and Kupffer cells

Herein, we provide the Raman imaging results for different stages of erythrophagocytosis of senescent red blood cells executed by isolated murine primary Kupffer cells and a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Images were recorded with the use of 488 and 532 nm excitation lines. The use of Resonance Raman spectroscopy allowed the visualization of the heme metabolism and tracking of the systemic iron recycling process inside isolated murine Kupffer cells and RAW.264 cells. Because of the application of the different experimental assays, the erythrophagocytosis in two types of cells was presented and associated with the presence of different forms of oxidized and degradative derivatives of hemoglobin species. Moreover, we observed an increase of lipid level and later formation of lipid droplets during the erythrophagocytosis process inside RAW 264.7 macrophages and murine Kupffer cells.

Protein-Support Interactions for Rationally Designed Bilirubin Oxidase Based Cathode: A Computational Study

An example of biocathode based on bilirubin oxidase (BOx) was used to demonstrate how density functional theory can be combined with docking simulations in order to study the interface interactions between the enzyme and specifically designed electrode surface. The electrode surface was modified through the adsorption of bilirubin, the natural substrate for BOx, and the prepared electrode was electrochemically characterized using potentiostatic measurements. The experimentally determined current densities showed that the presence of bilirubin led to significant improvement of the cathode operation. On the basis of the computationally calculated binding energies of bilirubin to the graphene support and BOx and the analysis of the positioning of bilirubin relative to the support and T1 Cu atom of the enzyme, we hypothesize that the bilirubin serves as a geometric and electronic extension of the support. The computational results further confirm that the modification of the electrode surface with bilirubin provides an optimal orientation of BOx toward the support but also show that bilirubin facilitates the interfacial electron transfer by decreasing the distance between the electrode surface and the T1 Cu atom.

Ultrafast deactivation of bilirubin: dark intermediates and two-photon isomerization

The Franck-Condon state A couples to the dark intermediate B, which shows tight molecular skeleton and distorted hydrogen bonding. B deactivates with nearly 100% efficiency. 2-Photon excitation at 400 nm triggers Z,E isomerization efficiently.

Computational chemical analysis of unconjugated bilirubin anions and insights into pKa values clarification

The pKa, the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation equilibrium constant, of the carboxylic acid groups of unconjugated bilirubin in water is a discussed issue because there are quite different experimental values reported. Using quantum mechanical calculations we have studied the conformational behavior of unconjugated bilirubin species (in gas phase and in solution modeled implicitly and explicitly) to provide evidence that may clarify pKa values because of its pathophysiological relevance. Our results show that rotation of carboxylate group, which is not restricted, settles it in a suitable place to establish stronger interactions that stabilizes the monoanion and the dianion to be properly solvated, demonstrating that the rationalization used to justify the high pKa values of unconjugated bilirubin is inappropriate. Furthermore, low unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) pKa values were estimated from a linear regression analysis.

Design and characterization of a novel indicator dosimeter for blue-light radiation

Optical absorption and fluorescence measurements have been done on poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene]/[aluminum-tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)] solutions. The authors show that there is a visible response that covers the electronic absorption of bilirubin (350-500 nm), and hence, this material is applicable for managing the radiation doses planning before treatment of jaundice of neonates, which is one of the most common reasons of hospital readmission of newborns infants. The results show that the material presents a gradation of color from orange to yellow clearly, while its peak position emission shifts from orange-red (lambda(max) = 571 nm) to green (lambda(max) = 540 nm) with the radiation exposure time. The rate of these changes can be altered by manipulations of organic solution concentration and they are usually slow (from 2 to 8 h), suggesting these color and emission changes can be used to design an easy to make, easy to read, easy to operate, low cost (< US $0.50) and accuracy for individual monitoring indicator dosimeter in order to represent easily the radiation exposure time usually used in management of neonatal jaundice.

Chiral complexation and aggregation of bilirubin with serum albumin at a liquid/liquid interface

The chiral complexation of bilirubin (BR) with bovine and human serum albumin (BSA and HSA), and the aggregation of the complexes at the heptane+chloroform(5:1)/water interface were studied via UV/Vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) measurements in combination with the centrifugal liquid membrane (CLM) method. The interfacial adsorptivities of BR, BSA and their complexes were also studied by performing interfacial tension measurements at the interface. The changes in the absorbances and the induced CD amplitudes of the interfacial BR-BSA complex provided insights into the mechanism of the conformational enantioselective complexation at the interface, and indicated that the chiral conversion induced by the complexation with BSA was from the P(+) form to the M(-) form of BR. The broadening of the 450 nm band and the appearance of a new shoulder at 474 nm further supported the formation of aggregates of the complexes at the interface. The dependence of the CD amplitude on the molar ratio of BSA to BR revealed that the composition of the complex was 1:1 BSA:BR. The probable interfacial reaction scheme was proposed, and the affinity constant of BR-BSA at the interface was found to be 4.67 x 10(8) M(-2). The interfacial complexation and aggregation of BR and HSA were weaker than those of the BR-BSA complex due to the different BR binding positions adopted for BSA and HSA and the binding effect of chloroform.

Vibrational assignment of the normal modes of 2-phenyl-4-(4-methoxy benzylidene)-2-oxazolin-5-one via FTIR and Raman spectra, and ab inito calculations

Raman and FTIR spectra of 2-phenyl-4-(4-methoxy benzylidene)-2-oxazolin-5-one were recorded in the regions, 100-3300 and 400-4000 cm(-1), respectively. Vibrational frequencies and intensities of the fundamental modes of this hetrocyclic organic molecule were computed using ab initio as well as AM1 semiempirical molecular orbital methods. Ab initio calculations were carried out with basis set up to RHF/6-311G. Conformational studies regarding the effect of moving the methoxy group in the 2-phenyl-4-(4-methoxy benzylidene)-2-oxazolin-5-one molecule to a different position on the ring was also carried out. Observed vibrational wavenumbers were found to be mostly consistent with ab initio values. The most intense mode of vibration observed at 1250 cm(-1) in Raman spectra, also observed as a strong band in FTIR, was assigned as C-O stretching vibration in the methoxy group. Asymmetric stretching vibrations between CC and CN bonds was predicted as most intense mode by our ab initio calculation.

Resonance Raman Spectroscopic Study on Chiral Aggregation of Bilirubin-Bovine Serum Albumin Complex Formed at Liquid/Liquid Interface

Resonance Raman spectroscopy assisted by centrifugal liquid membrane/circular dichroism (CLM-CD) and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopies was applied to measure the binding state of bilirubin (BR) in the complex with bovine serum albumin (BSA) formed at a heptane/water interface. The bisignate Cotton effects in the interfacial CD spectra and the red shift and linewidth increase of the BR absorption band around 450 nm indicated the formation of the BR-BSA complex at the interface and the chiral conversion of BR molecules in the aggregates. The resonance Raman spectra of BR observed at the interface suggested that the interfacial BR-BSA complex formed during the initial 15 min after the contact of the two phases had a similar structure with that in solution, but after 15 min were forming aggregates coexisting with solid micro-particles. These experimental results strongly suggested that the chiral interconversion of BR from (P+) conformation to (M-) conformation in the interfacial complex was accompanied by aggregation of the BR-BSA complexes. In the present study, resonance Raman microscopic spectrometry was proved to be highly useful for characterizing the solid like aggregate formed at the liquid/liquid interface.

Ab initio and DFT studies of the vibrational spectra of benzofuran and some of its derivatives

The vibrational spectra of benzofuran and some of its derivatives have been systematically investigated by ab initio and density functional B3LYP methods. The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers and intensity of vibrational bands were calculated at ab initio and DFT levels invoking different basis sets up to 6-311++g**. Vibrational assignments have been made and it has been found that the calculated DFT frequencies agree well in most cases with the observed frequencies for each molecule. Conformational studies have also been carried out and it is evident from ab initio calculations that 2(3H) benzofuranone is more stable than 3(2H) benzofuranone in support to our earlier semiempirical results.

Complex formation between endogenous toxin bilirubin and polyamidoamine dendrimers: A spectroscopic study

The effects of 4th and 5th generation cationic, neutral and anionic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers on bilirubin absorbance and fluorescence were studied. Cationic and neutral PAMAM dendrimers shifted the bilirubin absorption maximum from 435 to 442-455 nm, increased the peak absorbance 1.5-fold, shifted the bilirubin fluorescence excitation and emission maxima, increased the fluorescence emission several-fold and significantly protected bilirubin against photodestruction. Using double fluorescence titration technique allowed to receive such constant of binding and the number of binding centers at 20 degrees C: for PAMAM G4 dendrimer, (2.4+/-1.4) x 10(6) (mol/l)(-1) and 0.07+/-0.012; for PAMAM G4-OH dendrimer, (3.1+/-1.3) x 10(6) (mol/l)(-1) and 0.08+/-0.014; for PAMAM G5 dendrimer, (7.6+/-3.6) x 10(6) (mol/l)(-1) and 0.09+/-0.02; and for PAMAM G5-OH dendrimer, (8.5+/-3.2) x 10(6) (mol/l)(-1) and 0.09+/-0.02. These effects can be explained by the formation of bilirubin-PAMAM dendrimer complexes and the formation of bilirubin monomers from tetramers. The formation of complexes sharply increased bilirubin solubility. We conclude that cationic and neutral PAMAM dendrimers bind bilirubin effectively and suggest that such dendrimers may serve as detoxication agents for hydrophobic endogenous toxins.

FTIR, Raman spectra and ab initio calculations of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole

FTIR and Raman spectra of a rubber vulcanization accelerator, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), were recorded in the solid phase. The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers, for both the toutomeric forms of MBT, as well as for its dimeric complex, have been calculated, using ab initio RHF and density functional B3LYP methods invoking different basis sets upto RHF/6-31G** and B3LYP/6-31G** and the results were compared with the experimental values. Conformational studies have been also carried out regarding its toutomeric monomer forms and its dimer form. With all the basis sets the thione form of MBT (II) is predicted to be more stable than thiol form (I) and dimeric conformation (III) is predicted to be more stable with monomeric conformations (I) and (II). Vibrational assignments have been made, and it has been found that the calculated normal mode frequencies of dimeric conformation (III) are required for the analysis of IR and Raman bands of the MBT. The predicted shift in NH- stretching vibration towards the lower wave number side with the B3LYP/6-31G** calculations for the most stable dimer form (III), is in better agreement with experimental results. The intermolecular sulfur-nitrogen distance in N-H...S hydrogen bond was found to be 3.35 angstroms from these calculations, is also in agreement to the experimental value.

Vibrational spectrum of glycine molecule

The infrared and Raman spectra of glycine molecule has been studied in spectral region 400-4000 cm(-1) in solid form as well as in water. The vibrational frequencies for the fundamental modes of the glycine in neutral and its zwitterionic form have also been calculated using AM1 semiempirical method as well as ab initio method with minimal basis set. The reliability of the minimal basis set and AM1 method with higher basis sets, for IR spectra of the neutral glycine conformers were examined. We find that the 6-21G basis set calculation yields structural parameters, rotational constant and dipole moment of glycine conformers, which are very similar to those obtained from extended basis set calculation as well as experimental values. IR frequencies for glycine conformer I are also calculated in water using SCRF=PCM model and compared with experimental values. A comparison between calculated frequencies for neutral glycine, and its zwitterionic form with observed IR and Raman bands have been made. The total energies for gas phase glycine and its zwitterionic form along with those of hydrated forms were also calculated. It is found from the calculations that in the gas phase neutral glycine is more stable as compared to its zwitterionic form.