Improving the Brightness of Pyronin Fluorophore Systems through Quantum-Mechanical Predictions

The pyronin class of fluorophores serves a critical role in numerous imaging applications, particularly involving preferential staining of RNA through base pair intercalation. Despite this important role in molecular staining applications, the same set of century-old pyronins (i.e., pyronin Y (PY) and pyronin B (PB)), which possess relatively low fluorophore brightness, are still predominantly being used due to the lack of methodology for generating enhanced variants. Here, we use TD-DFT calculations of interconversion energies between structures on the S1 surface as a preliminary means to evaluate fluorophore brightness for a proposed set of pyronins containing variable substitution patterns at the 2, 3, 6, and 7 positions. Using a nucleophilic aromatic substitution/hydride addition approach, we synthesized the same set of pyronins and demonstrate that quantum-mechanical computations are useful for predicting fluorophore performance. We produced the brightest series of pyronin fluorophores described to date, which possess considerable gains over PY and PB.

Assaying Cell Cycle Status Using Flow Cytometry

In this chapter, four methods are described that can be used to assess cell cycle status in flow cytometry. The first method is based on the simultaneous analysis of cellular DNA content using a fluorescent DNA dye (propidium iodide) and of a nuclear proliferation marker (Ki-67). The second is based on the differential staining of DNA and RNA using Hoechst 33342 and Pyronin Y: this method is particularly useful to distinguish quiescent cells in G0 phase from G1 cells. Finally, two methods are described based on DNA incorporation of the synthetic nucleosides BrdU and EdU.

The Diagnostic Role of Methyl Green-Pyronin Y Staining in Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Exfoliative Cytology-Based Cytomorphometric Analysis

BACKGROUND

Oral exfoliative cytology is a noninvasive and nonpainful technique for early diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer, and the use of cytomorphometry ameliorates its diagnostic reliability. The objective of the present study was to analyze methyl green-pyronin Y (MGP)-stained oral exfoliated cells (OECs) of oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by cytomorphometry.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

An observational study was conducted on 150 individuals equally divided into three groups: normal mucosa, OL, and OSCC. Smears were prepared from OECs and stained with MGP. Cytomorphometry was done for 100 cells per subject, and various cell and nuclear parameters were measured and calculated.

RESULTS

The Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc correlation showed significant differences in nucleus and cell diameter (ND, CD), nucleus and cell area (NA, CA), nucleus and cell perimeter (NP, CP), and nucleus to cytoplasmic (N:C) ratio for diameter, perimeter, and area. Spearman's ρ correlation of various N:C ratio methods showed good correlation between N:C perimeter and diameter ratio, N:C diameter and ellipse ratio, and N:C area and ellipse ratio. Additional morphological factors showed significant relations for both cell and nuclear regularity factor, shape factor, and nuclear contour index.

DISCUSSION

MGP-based cytomorphometry showed a significant decrease in CD, CA, and CP and increase in ND, NA, NP, and N:C ratio from normal mucosa to OL and OSCC. MGP proved its worth as an effective stain for OECs, despite its strict standardization.

Deep-red to near-infrared fluorescent dyes: Synthesis, photophysical properties, and application in cell imaging

More and more attention has been paid to the design of new fluorescent imaging agents with good photostability and water solubility, especially those with emissions in the deep-red and near-infrared regions. In this work, we designed and synthesized four novel fluorescent dyes with deep-red or NIR fluorescence by hybridizing coumarin and pyronin moieties based on our previous work. Introduction of carboxylic acid in the dyes not only imparted the dyes with water solubility but also provided a versatile sensing platform for designing the fluorescent probes and sensors of biomolecules. The photophysical properties of these new dyes were investigated through absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Cell imaging experiments showed that esterification products could selectively stain lysosomes with good photostability, thereby indicating that they could be useful in the development of fluorescent probes for bioimaging.

Reversible and Dynamic Fluorescence Imaging of Cellular Redox Self-Regulation Using Fast-Responsive Near-Infrared Ge-Pyronines

Cellular self-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress via glutathione (GSH) antioxidant repair plays a crucial role in maintaining redox balance, which affects various physiological and pathological pathways. In this work, we developed a simple yet effective strategy for reversible, dynamic, and real-time fluorescence imaging of ROS stress and GSH repair, based on novel Ge-pyronine dyes (GePs). Unlike the current O-pyronine (OP) dye, the fluorescence of GePs can be quenched in GSH reduction and then greatly restored by ROS (e.g., ClO(-), ONOO(-), and HO(•)) oxidation because of their unique affinity toward thiols. The "on-off" and "off-on" fluorescence switch can complete in 10 and 20 s, respectively, and exhibit excellent reversibility in vitro and in cells. GePs also show excitation in the long wavelength from the deep-red to near-infrared (NIR) (621-662 nm) region, high fluorescence quantum yield (Φ(fl) = 0.32-0.44) in aqueous media, and excellent cell permeability. Our results demonstrated that GePs can be used for real-time monitoring of the reversible and dynamic interconversion between ROS oxidation and GSH reduction in living cells. GePs might be a useful tool for investigating various redox-related physiological and pathological pathways.

Noncovalent binding of xanthene and phthalocyanine dyes with graphene sheets: the effect of the molecular structure revealed by a photophysical study

The fluorescence and absorption properties of several xanthene and phthalocyanine dyes were measured in the presence and absence of chemically derived graphene (CDG) sheets. The interaction of pyronine Y (PYY) with graphene sheets was compared with that of rhodamine 6G (R6G) to reveal the effect of the molecular structure. Although the presence of the perpendicular benzene moiety in a R6G or phthalocyanine molecule does cause the difficulty for forming dye-CDG complex and make CDG less efficient in quenching the fluorescence intensity and shortening the fluorescence lifetime, it does not affect the band position of charge transfer absorption, suggesting that no molecular shape change occurred in a dye molecule caused by the interaction with CDG sheets. The spectroscopic and thermodynamic data indicated that the dye-CDG binding is of charge transfer nature, while the dynamic fluorescence quenching is due to photoinduced energy and electron transfer.

The effect of poly(vinyl alcohol) on the photophysical properties of pyronin dyes in aqueous solution: a spectroscopic study

The photophysical properties of pyronin B (PyB) and pyronin Y (PyY) in water and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous solutions were studied by using absorption, steady-state fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy techniques at room temperature. The spectroscopic and photophysical properties of pyronin dyes in the concentrated PVA aqueous solution were different than those found in water. The aggregation of the pyronin dyes in the concentrated PVA aqueous solution was prevented with ease while the dye aggregation was generally formed in water with high dye concentration. The decrease in the aggregation tendency of pyronin dyes in the concentrated PVA aqueous solution caused an increase in radiative transitions. The addition of PVA into the aqueous solution induced the enhancement in the fluorescence intensity of the dyes compared to those in water. As a result, the quantum yields of the dyes were improved by the addition of PVA at high loading. The time-resolved fluorescence study revealed that the fluorescence decay of dyes in all solutions were found to be single-exponential and the fluorescence lifetime of pyronin dyes in the concentrated PVA aqueous solution were also higher than those found in water.

Study on the interaction among pyronine Y, potassium bromate and naphthols by absorption, three-dimension fluorescence and resonance light scattering spectra and their application

A novel method for the determination of trace naphthols was proposed based on naphthols, potassium bromate and pyronine Y in dilute sulfuric acid medium can react to form ion-association complexes, which not only resulted in the changes of the three-dimension fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra and the quenching of fluorescence, but also resulted in the great enhancement of resonance light scattering (RLS). The characteristics of RLS spectra, the effective factors and optimum conditions of reaction were studied. It was found that the enhanced intensity of RLS at 396 nm was proportional to the concentration of 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol in the range of 41.4 approximately 3024 ng mL(-1) and 38.3 approximately 3068 ng mL(-1), respectively. The urine samples analysis of the relative standard deviation was 3.1-7.1% and the average recovery was 96.0% (n=6). The present method had been applied to the determination of trace naphthols in human urine, the obtained results were in good agreement with those obtained by the HPLC method; moreover, we had carried on an initial study of the reaction mechanism in terms of spectral characteristics.

Polyamines in spermatocytes and residual bodies of rat testis

Immunocytochemistry for polyamines in the rat testis revealed intense staining of small bodies close to the lumen of seminiferous tubules of spermatogenic stage VII and VIII as well as of spermatocytes. Methyl green-pyronin and propidium iodide staining combined with DNase or RNase predigestion showed that the small bodies contained RNA, but not DNA and double fluorescence staining showed that polyamines (PAs) colocalized with RNA in the bodies. Electron microscopy confirmed the absence of nuclei in the bodies and revealed that PA immunoreactivity was associated with ribosomes. These results strongly suggest that the small bodies correspond to the residual bodies, and agree with previous results showing localization of PAs to ribosomes in neurons and gastrointestinal epithelial cells. The accumulation of PAs in residual bodies may reflect a termination of their role in spermiogenesis with respect to protein synthesis.

A simple and high sensitive spectrophotometric method for ultra trace determination of ruthenium with its catalytic effect on the oxidation of pyronin B by periodate

A new simple, selective, high sensitive and rapid method has been developed for spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of ruthenium based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of pyronin B by periodate at lambdamax=555 nm. The described method is able to quantify ruthenium in the range of 0.1-100 ng ml-1 (r=0.9973), with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.036 ng ml-1. Under optimum conditions, this procedure has been successfully applied to determine the trace levels of ruthenium in the environmental and biological samples. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation of three measurements, is better than 2.44%.

[Fluorescence investigation on interaction between artemisinin (qinghaosu) and hemin and its analytical application]

Hemin-catalytic decomposition of artemisinin (qinghaosu, QHS) was studied using pyronine B (PB) as an indicator. The interaction between hemin and QHS was an enzyme-substrate model, and the action sites were the endoperoxide moiety of QHS and the central metal ion of enzyme respectively. The kinetic catalytic constant depends upon enzyme and substrate concentrations, and the Michaelis-Menten parameters Km, Vmax and Kcat was 8.4 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), 7.4 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) s(-1) and 50.23 s(-1) respectively. The catalytic activity of hemin was inhibited in the presence of deactivated agents and at high temperature. Under optimal conditions, the change in fluorescence intensity (Fo-F) of pyronine B was proportional to the QHS concentration from 0.0 to 1.27 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1), and the detection limit (3sigma) was as low as 2.3 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). The proposed method was applied to detect the concentration of QHS in the media of plasma and urine.

Molecular-dynamics simulations of pyronine 6G and rhodamine 6G dimers in aqueous solution

We have carried out molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations on dimers of the positively charged laser dyes pyronine 6G (P6G) and rhodamine 6G (R6G) in aqueous solution, generating trajectories of 2.5 ns for various computational protocols. We discuss how the choice of atomic partial charges and the length of the trajectories affect the predicted structures of the dimers and compare our results to those of earlier MD-simulations, which were restricted to only 0.7 ns. Our results confirm that monomers of P6G easily undergo relative rotations within the dimer, but we found new conformations of the R6G dimer at longer simulation times. In addition, we analyzed in detail the energy change during the formation of dimers. With suitable corrections, the electrostatic energy from an Ewald treatment agrees with the results from an approach relying on a residue-based cutoff. For P6G, we show that the strong solvent-mediated electrostatic attraction between the monomers is counteracted by an almost equally large solvent-induced entropy contribution to yield a small driving force to dimer formation, in very good agreement with the free-energy change from a thermodynamic-integration procedure. Thus, earlier rationalizations of the dimer formation, based only on energy arguments, yield a qualitatively wrong picture.

High sensitive fluorophotometric determination of nucleic acids with Pyronine G sensitized by N,N-dimethylformamide

In Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0), the fluorescence of Pyronine G emitted at 552 nm was quenched by nucleic acids when excited at 525 nm. Adding N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a sensitive media can enhance the sensitivity greatly. Based on the fluorescence reactions sensitive fluorimetric methods for nucleic acids at nanogram levels were proposed. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.0032 - 2.5 microg mL(-1) for ct DNA and 0.0024 - 2.5 microg mL(-1) for hs DNA. The limits of determination were 3.2 ng mL(-1) and 2.4 ng mL(-1) respectively. This method has good selectivity and high sensitivity. It has been applied to the determination of DNA in the synthetic samples and real samples with satisfactory results.

Determination of trace proteins with pyronine Y and SDS by resonance light scattering

A new resonance light scattering (RLS) probe for determining proteins is presented. The weak RLS of pyronine Y-SDS can be enhanced substantially by adding proteins in the presence of H2SO4, resulting in a strong and wide RLS band in the region 310-425 nm. The interaction of pyronine Y-SDS with proteins was studied on the basis of this behavior and a new quantitative method was developed for determining proteins. The enhanced RLS intensity is proportional to the concentration of proteins in the range 0.15-3.6 microg mL(-1) for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 0.06-4.8 microg mL(-1) for human serum albumin (HSA), with detection limits of 21.0 and 12.0 ng mL(-1), respectively. This method is characterized by high sensitivity, rapidity of reaction, and simplicity. Four synthetic samples were determined satisfactorily and recovery was 99.5-101.5%. Results for human serum and urine samples were in agreement with those obtained by the Bradford method, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.5-3.1%.

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, a tool to investigate supramolecular dynamics: inclusion complexes of pyronines with cyclodextrin

The control of supramolecular systems requires a thorough understanding of their dynamics on a molecular level. We present fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) as a powerful spectroscopic tool to study supramolecular dynamics with single molecule sensitivity. The formation of a supramolecular complex between beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as host and pyronines Y (PY) and B (PB) as guests is studied by FCS. Global target analysis of full correlation curves with a newly derived theoretical model yields in a single experiment the fluorescence lifetimes and the diffusion coefficients of free and complexed guests and the rate constants describing the complexation dynamics. These data give insight into the recently published surprising fact that the association equilibrium constant of beta-CD with PY is much lower than that with the much bulkier guest PB. FCS shows that the stability of the complexes is dictated by the dissociation and not by the association process. The association rate constants are very similar for both guests and among the highest reported for this type of systems, although much lower than the diffusion-controlled collision rate constant. A two-step model including the formation of an encounter complex allows one to identify the unimolecular inclusion reaction as the rate-limiting step. Simulations indicate that this step may be controlled by geometrical and orientational requirements. These depend on critical molecular dimensions which are only weakly affected by the different alkyl substituents of PY and PB. Diffusion coefficients of PY and PB, of their complexes, and of rhodamine 110 are given and compared to those of similar molecules.

Specific Interactions in the Inclusion Complexes of Pyronines Y and B with β-Cyclodextrin

The aim of this work is to analyze the role of specific interactions in host-guest association processes. The formation of inclusion complexes between pyronines Y and B and beta-cyclodextrin and the nature of the interactions involved have been studied using absorption, steady-state fluorescence, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies. The two pyronines form 1:1 complexes with beta-cyclodextrin, with the association equilibrium constant being much higher in the case of pyronine B. Complexation causes a slight red shift of the emission spectra of the pyronines but decreases significantly their fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. To explain this atypical behavior, the photophysical properties of the pyronines in different solvents were determined and compared with those of the complexes. The similarities observed between the pyronines in dioxane and in the interior of the cyclodextrin cavity suggest that there are important specific interactions of the pyronines with the electron-rich oxygens present in these media. A possible explanation for the increase in the nonradiative rate constants in these media involves the existence of a charge-transfer excited state with the location of the positive charge at the xanthene moiety, which would be stabilized by the mentioned interactions. The observed differences between pyronine Y and B can be understood on the basis of these specific interactions.

Electroporation of cell membranes supporting penetration of photodynamic active macromolecular chromophore dextrans

The aim is to demonstrate that macromolecular chromophore dextrans (Cibacron-dextran) acting as photosensitizers can be transported easily into cancer cells by electroporation of their membranes (short electric pulses on cell suspension between electrodes). There are two possibilities, either:(A)irradiation starts with the electropulse-showed with easily penetrating thiopyronin-yielding nearly 100% dead cells;(B)irradiation starts after a resealing time of membrane pores during which macromolecular photosensitizers can penetrate into cells. In this way, fractions of Cibacron-dextran with molecular weights (Mw) 3300, 10,900 and 500,000 are now able to kill. This combination of bioelectrochemistry and photobiology will be suitable also for other biopolymers, connected with photodynamic active chromophores (e.g. chromopeptides) to transport them through cell walls and membranes into cells and tissues. The human cancer cells U-935 and K-562 (pulsed by 1.15 kV/cm field strength) additionally or synergistically reach high rates of necrotic cells (colored by trypan blue) by this combination.

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide sensitized resonance light-scattering of nucleic acid--Pyronine B and its analytical application

This is the first report on the determination of nucleic acids with Pyronine B (PB) sensitized by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) with resonance light-scattering (RLS) technique. Under the experimental conditions (1 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) PB, 1 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) CTMAB, pH 7.4, at room temperature, ionic strength 0.02 mol l(-1) NaCl), the interaction of PB with DNA sensitized by CTMAB results in enhanced RLS signals at 328 and 377 nm in the enhanced regions. It was found that the enhanced RLS intensity at 328 nm was proportional to the concentration of DNA in the suitable ranges. The linear range of this assay is 0.0-1.2 microg ml(-1) for calf thymus, 0.0-0.8 microg ml(-1) for fish sperm DNA (fsDNA), and 0.04-1.4 microg ml(-1) for yeast RNA, respectively. The detection limits (3 sigma) are 6.1 ng ml(-1) for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA), 11.2 ng ml(-1) for fish sperm DNA, and 8.6 ng ml(-1) for yeast RNA, respectively. Six synthetic samples were determined satisfactorily. This method is simple, rapid and the dye is inexpensive and stable.

[Study on the kinetic fluorimetric determination of tannins in tea]

A simple and highly sensitive kinetic fluorimetric method is proposed for the determination of trace tannins, based on the activation of tannins on the oxidation of pyronine Y by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Cu(II) ion. The effects of some experimental conditions were investigated and discussed in detail. The fixed reaction time procedure was used to determine the fluorescence intensity of the system. The calibration curve of tannin was linear in the range of 0.06-0.96 mg.L-1, and the detection limit for tannin was 0.032 mg.L-1. The relative standard deviation for the measurement of 0.32 mg.L-1 tannin (n = 11) was 2.3%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of tannins in tea. The results obtained were compared with those provided by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.

Methyl green-pyronin Y staining of nucleic acids: studies on the effects of staining time, dye composition and diffusion rates

Since the introduction of the methyl green-pyronin Y procedure as a differential histological stain more than 100 years ago, the method has become a histochemical procedure for differential demonstration of DNA and RNA. Numerous variants of the procedure have been suggested, and a number of hypotheses have been put forward concerning kinetics and binding mechanisms. Using both filter paper models containing DNA, RNA or heparin and histological sections, we have attempted to evaluate the kinetics of staining and the role of staining time for methyl green and pyronin Y by applying the dyes individually, simultaneously and sequentially. The results are presented as color charts approximating the observed staining patterns using a computerized palette. Our results indicate unequivocally that the differential staining is not time-dependent, but that it is dictated by the relative concentrations of methyl green and pyronin Y and by the pH of the staining solution.

An in vitro model for detecting skin irritants: methyl green-pyronine staining of human skin explant cultures

We evaluated the potential of human organotypic skin explant cultures (hOSECs) for screening skin irritants. Test chemicals were applied to the epidermis of the skin explants which were incubated for 4, 24 or 48 h in tissue culture medium. A decrease in epidermal RNA staining, visualised in frozen sections using a modified methyl-green pyronine (MGP) staining procedure, was used as a marker of irritancy. A decrease in epidermal RNA after a 4-, 24- or 48-h exposure to a certain concentration of a test chemical equated to a MGP score of 3, 2 or 1, respectively. The MGP score was 0 if there was no keratinocyte cytotoxicity after a 48-h exposure. A minimum of three donors were used per chemical and the average MGP score was used to classify the chemical as irritant or not. Chemicals with an average MGP score > or =1.5 were classified as irritants (R38), at that concentration. Chemicals with a MGP score <1.5 were not classified (NC), at that concentration. The results obtained using human skin in vitro were compared with published data obtained using cultured porcine skin, the cutaneous Draize test (from this point referred to as the "rabbit skin irritation test") and volunteer studies. There was an excellent correlation between the classification of a chemical, as R38 or NC, based on hOSEC and results of volunteer studies. The hOSEC model predicted perfectly the irritation hazard of the 22 chemicals for which volunteer data were available. The porcine OSEC correctly predicted the classification of 21 of 22 (95%) chemicals and the rabbit skin irritation test correctly predicted the classification of 14 of 15 chemicals (93%) for which data were available. In conclusion, MGP staining of human skin explant cultures can be used to predicted human skin irritancy in vivo. In addition, the data validate the use of porcine skin as an alternative to human skin for screening for dermal irritants in vitro.

Large quantity of ribosomal RNA exists extracellularly in mouse spleen

When BALB/c mouse spleens were gently homogenized in saline, the resultant supernatant (without cells and tissue debris) contained significant amount of 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA, reaching up to 70% of the total spleen RNA. Haemoglobin assays indicated that less than 15% of the spleen cells were lysed during the homogenization process, indicating that the majority of the spleen 'supernatant RNA' was from the extracellular space of the organ rather than released by the splenocytes as a consequence of grinding. Quantitative RNA analysis showed that the ratio of spleen supernatant RNA/total RNA of BALB/c mice was inversely correlated with age (from approximately 70% at 3 weeks to 45% at 6 months), but that of BXSB mice (an animal model for systemic lupus erythematosus) remained at about 70% irrespective of age. Methyl Green-Pyronin Y staining of paraffin sections of mouse spleen revealed that extracellular RNA was distributed mainly in the sinuses of the organ. Culture supernatants of apoptotic splenocytes contained significant amounts of RNA, suggesting that the extracellular RNA in the spleen might have come from apoptotic lymphocytes. This is supported by the fact that 'thymus supernatant' also contained significant amount of RNA. A possible correlation between spleen extracellular RNA and autoimmune diseases is discussed.

Nonaqueous catalytic fluorometric trace determination of vanadium based on the pyronine B-hydrogen peroxide reaction and flow injection after cloud point extraction

The catalytic effect of vanadium on the pyronine B-H2O2 system is examined. Enhancement of the catalytic reaction rate along with the efficiency and selectivity against vanadium is achieved in a formic acid environment in the presence of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-114). Elimination of drastic interference caused by inorganic acids and aqueous matrix along with a 50-fold preconcentration of vanadium are facilitated through cloud point extraction of its neutral complex with 8-quinolinol in an acidic solution. Subsequent flow injection analysis (FIA) with fluorometric detection renders the proposed method ideal for selective and cost-effective determination of as little as 0.020 microng L(-1) vanadium in environmental, biological, and food substrates. The preconcentration step can be applied simultaneously to multiple samples, allowing for massive preparation prior to analysis, compensating, thus, for the time-consuming procedure.

Improved ex vivo/in vitro lymph node cell proliferation assay in guinea pigs for a screening test of contact hypersensitivity of chemical compounds

Simple and efficient ex vivo/in vitro screening systems for contact allergens are developed for alternative to conventional animal tests. We have previously proposed an ex vivo/in vitro proliferation assay as a first stage screening method with advantages over existing alternatives, using lymph node cells (LNC) from sensitized guinea pigs of the Hartley strain. In this study, we have first confirmed, by histochemical analysis using in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and pyronin staining, that the ex vivo/in vitro LNC proliferation reflects in vivo response of lymph nodes to contact allergens. Furthermore, to improve the LNC assay, we then have investigated several experimental conditions for their influences on the LNC assay, demonstrating that, (1) the subscapular and the cervical LNC responded highly to contact allergens, (2) among three cervical lymph nodes the superficial dorsal cervical lymph nodes were the most reactive, (3) several vehicles alone used for animal sensitization exhibited little influence on the LNC proliferation, (4) employment of stimulation index offset the inter-batch fluctuation of the LNC proliferation in the control animals as baseline proliferation. Under optimized experimental conditions as above, experimentally determined stimulation indexes of several contact allergens correlated well with their sensitizing potential estimated by conventional animal tests. Therefore, the ex vivo/in vitro LNC proliferation assay should be a simple and efficient alternative to conventional guinea pig testings including the guinea pig maximization test (GPMT).

[Spectrophotometric complexes of nucleic acids with pyronine G dyes as a test for radiation damage of DNA]

The spectrophotometric titration curves of the complexes of polynucleotide matrix with pyronine G are highly specific depending on the type and conformation of polyelectrolyte (native and denatured DNA, polyribonucleotides, tRNA). It is found that DNA from the liver of experimental animals of different age, permanent inhabitants of the Chernobyl zone, forms complexes with RNA. A method for testing the defects in a DNA secondary structure have been developed based on comparative analysis of the spectra for the complexes of different nucleic acids with dyes and relative curves of spectrophotometric titration.

Kinetic determination of tellurium based on its inhibitory effect on the palladium(II)-catalysed reaction between pyronine G and hypophosphite ion

A kinetic method for the determination of Te based on its inhibitory effect on the PdII-catalysed reaction between pyronine G and H2PO2- is described. The influence of experimental variables on the rate of the process and the potential interfering effect of a large number of ions has been studied. Under the selected experimental conditions: 6 x 10(-5) M pyronine G; 0.6 M H2PO2-; pH 2.6, adjusted with Britton-Robinson buffer; 0.80 microgram ml-1 of PdII; and a temperature of 22 +/- 0.2 degrees C, Te was determined in the concentration range 0.08-0.85 microgram ml-1. The method was applied to the determination of Te in waters and lead concentrates.