Versatile synthesis, characterization and properties of β-chitin derivatives from aqueous KOH/urea solution.

Chitin is the second most abundant natural polysaccharide with biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Homogeneous modification of chitin is an efficient way to improve or to impart new properties to chitin. Here, amide-modified β-chitin (AMC), hydroxyethyl β-chitin (HEC), and hydroxybutyl β-chitin (HBC) through Michael addition, Williamson reaction, and ring-opening addition, were homogeneously synthesized from aqueous KOH/urea solution, respectively, with controlled structures and uniform properties.

Novel dual responsive alginate-based magnetic nanogels for onco-theranostics.

The aim of this work was to obtain a novel onco-theranostic system for early diagnosis and improved chemotherapeutic outcome. Hybrid nanogels with magnetic and dual responsive properties were fabricated by covalently attaching superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with a disulfide-modified alginate derivative, while simultaneously encapsulating the anticancer drug doxorubicin. The resulting nanogels exhibited magnetic-targeted characteristics, high drug loading content, co-triggered release behavior, high toxicity to tumor cells, low side effects to normal cells, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functions.

Study of antibacterial activity of ZnZnbisporphyrin complexes and its free components on Staphylococcus aureus by microcalorimetry.

The antibacterial effect of Zn(II), tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP), propdioxyl bridged tetraphenyl bisporphyrin 1, and its metallobisporphyrin complexes (ZnMnbisporphyrin 2 and ZnZnbisporphyrin 3) towards Staphylococcus aureus growth was investigated by microcalorimetry at 37 degrees C. Differences in their capacities to inhibit the growth metabolism of S. aureus were observed.

Antibacterial activities of novel diselenide-bridged bis(porphyrin)s on Staphylococcus aureus investigated by microcalorimetry.

The actions of two novel diselenide-bridged bis(porphyrin)s (1 and 2) on Staphylococcus aureus growth was investigated by microcalorimetry at 37.00 degrees C, compared with that of Na2SeO3. Differences in their capacities to inhibit the growth metabolism of S.